《Mercenary Black Mamba》
Chapter 1
January 20th, 1982. Kimpo International Airport, International Departure Hall.
Uncle, thank you very much.
A young man, about 20 years old, nodded towards the foreigner who had half-whitened hair. With a body as tense as refined piano wires and eyes as sharp as sashimi knives, the young man had an unnatural beauty that would have been called the best in Joseon. His name was Mu Ssang.
Were not strangers! To think Id hear gratitude from my own nephew, now that just saddens me, the foreigner, British Ambassador Hamilton, laughed heartily.
His Excellency was almost a Korean since he had been a British foreign services officer in Korea for over 20 years. Two years ago, Mu Ssang had saved Hamilton from a group of bandits, beginning a brotherly relationship.
The power of one of Her Majestys ambassadors was astounding. Current president, Jeon Du Hwans government was in control of every international departure flight. Mu Ssang had no backings nor money. He wasnt worth the hair on a dog. Moreover, he had been a soldier who had a star on his name before being accused of a crime he did not commit. There was no way he could leave the country by ordinary means.
Hamilton easily organized his departure. Even the visa he provided allowed Mu Ssang to move in and out of Korea for a year. On top of that, he had escorted him through the departure screening process and had given him a ride in his ambassadorial vehicle to Kimpo airport. He was like an uncle to him, and this made MuSsang feel overwhelming gratitude.
A thanks is a thanks, Mu Ssang argued.
Im a British official, and youre not the average person. Consider it bribery on my part to ask you for help when needed. You know, the type of bribes that Koreans are good at.
Hehehe, youve learned all the bad things.
Mu Ssang smiled sadly. Under Jeon Du Hwans government, there was nothing impossible with money. Jeon Du Hwan was someone who even got rid of the multi-millionaires in the country because they hadnt paid their political funds.
Hahaha! You use what you learn. Legion Etranger is known to be the first unit to be sent into a controversial front. Be careful. Even if youre physically at your best, and you have learned the best martial arts, a bullet fired means a man is dead.
Geez, youve said that three times already.
Brat, 10 times isnt enough. I still dont understand why priest master Dae Woo permitted you. Its likely a reason I wouldnt understand since hes a man of wisdom. French people are silently aware of class differences. Even the service sector of the country isnt friendly towards Asians. Nonetheless, French government officials are as friendly as their small paychecks. Control your temper, do you understand? Hamilton continued to worry.
Uncle, Im going to see you again, next year. Why are you talking as if Im leaving for good? Calm down, Mu Ssang lowered his head and entered the gate.
Brat, Im telling you to watch your fist, Hamilton shouted after him.
My fist!
Mu Ssang flinched, then clenched and unclenched his fist before his eyes. This was a weapon that could break through the skull of an iron-headed boar. Although it looked like a womans hand, a closer look would reveal wounds littered all over his skin. It was simply that his unique physique didnt create lasting scars.
The others should watch out. Stop worrying and visit my master now and then, Mu Ssang said carelessly as he passed the gate.
Several emotions raged inside him as he walked down the jet bridge and sat down. He had forgone his studies to become a priest. He had acted as a disciple unbecoming his station and had now had forgone his Wooden Fish to hold a gun instead.
How did this happen? he thought.
A lump of sorrow welled up from within. In the end, he had failed to find his missing mother and had to leave his hometown. He had built a body like iron and techniques strong enough to break boulders, but he felt empty.
Vrooom
The plane vibrated lightly. The large chunk of metal sped down the runway before lifting off. His sensitive senses told him that the take-off was at an eight-degree angle. The Yellow Seas archipelago faded further away from his sight. The lands he loved and hated disappeared under the clouds.
Now Im really leaving! he thought.
His face pressed onto the tinted window and held a complicated expression. It was the land that had turned him into a sort-of orphan slave under his uncles household at nine, a country that had sent him to a mine with a pickaxe to pay for his studies, a land in which he had nearly died, crushed under coal remnants, and a land in which he had committed a murder when Chui Do Shik kidnapped him in the mountains.
The avatar of never-ending faith, Jin Soon, Hae Young, whom he had shared a fiery love with, his master who had made his beastly self a human, his greedy uncle, his evil aunt, and officials who threw abused what little power they had, made for a land full of good and bad connections.
I will definitely return. You beasts can enjoy yourselves until then.
Mu Ssang ground his teeth.
Excellency Hamilton had talked his ear off about the hardships of living a mercenary life, but he was not shaken. There was nothing to fear other than death.
He had already died once when he was crushed under several tons of coal remnants. He had nearly died 10 times during his work in the mines. When he was imprisoned in Daegus jail for seven months, human Bak Mu Ssang had died, and, in his place, a well-sharpened knife emerged.
He couldnt understand his masters profound thoughts in sending him, a disciple, to the path of evil, but he had taken the chance to become stronger.
Hae Young, in the end, Im leaving!
Ironically, he had been torn away from Hae Young with whom he had wanted to love and spend his life. Hae Young was crossing the Pacific Ocean towards America, and he was crossing the Indian Ocean towards Europe. They had each turned their backs on their home country, on women for their educational greed, and on men needing to resolve their uncontrollable bloodlust. If that had been fate, he wanted to break it apart.
Mu Ssang adjusted his chair, leaned back, and relaxed his body as much as he could. He had to take a break when possible. The in-flight service, which provided him with slippers, blankets, TV, and a personal bar, came to his attention. This was all possible because Hamilton had booked him a business-class flight. His eyes closed automatically at the comfort the chair gave him.
His memory was activated randomly. His memories, which had been silent for a long while, began to lead him into its fragments. The mental conditioning that he had gone through under the hands of Sai Dojiku still lingered.
***
Mu Ssang crossed the peach tree fields behind his house. He had been late getting back after playing with his friends in the flower beds. The moon had already leaned towards the west. It was past midnight. If his mother found him sneaking in, he would be whipped on his calves until there were two blue lines.
Crawling under the crumbling wall, Mu Ssang shouted in surprise, Ah, uncle!
He ran into his uncle who was turning the corner of the house in a hurry.
Uh, what are you? his uncle was surprised; it was as if he had met the devil in the middle of the road.
Uncle, what are you doing here? Did you hurt your head?
Nothing, nothing. You didnt see me; you hear?
And with those words, his uncle crawled under the wall and disappeared into the night.
Mu Ssang tilted his head. Adults didnt crawl under walls; that was a path he used, a path a dog had dug up.
My instincts tell me he did something. Why is there a black paper on his forehead anyways? Who is he to tell me where to go and not go?
Mu Ssangs curiosity didnt last long, as he was tired from playing. He entered his room and burrowed under the blankets. Fortunately, his mother didnt say anything.
Whats the point of living, how will I face my husband when I die? His mother mumbled, but he fell asleep from overwhelming tiredness.
The next day, he was awakened from his sleep by the shouts of people outside of his home.
Why arent we given food?
Wheres the woman?
What are we meant to do if a restaurant doesnt serve food?
When Mu Ssang came out of his room, the older men crowded around him. Wheres your mother?
I dont know.
Mu Ssang, still half asleep, rubbed his eyes and looked around. His mother was gone. All he could see in the room was a broken lampshade and an overturned bronze bowl.
His house wasnt large. He searched the kitchen and the restroom even underneath the floorboards. His mother wasnt there. Mu Ssang went all around the town looking for his mother.
Damn, where is she? I need my food.
Mu Ssang ate some leftover food before going to school.
Mum! Mu Ssang shouted after returning from school. There was no reply.
The workers from the construction site were in front of his house talking in hushed voices. His close neighbors, Lee Kang Chul and Jo, couldnt be seen anywhere.
Kid, what happened to your mother?
What happened?
Mu Ssang nearly cried. Fear crept into him. The complaining men couldnt wait any longer and left the house. A strange silence filled the house where men once ate and spoke vibrantly. There was only a hungry nine-year-old boy.
Mu Ssang took out what was left of the rice in the pot. It was cold. He waited for his mother while stuffing the rice in his mouth, but his mother didnt return even when it was late into the night.
His mother didnt return on the second day and not the days that followed. Mu Ssang didnt go to school. Sitting at the edge of a table in his yard, he waited for his mother. The place in which his mother had waited for his dead father to come back had become a place for him to wait for his mother.
And like that, two, four, seven days passed. He waited without washing his face that was dirtied by tears and a runny nose. He stayed in that place even when his stomach growled in hunger. He felt as if his mother would never return if he left that spot.
A week passed. His mother didnt appear, but his uncle did and dragged him out of the front gates. He cried, saying that he had to wait for his mother, but his uncle didnt even pretend to hear him. He slapped him several times. And, at the young age of nine, he became an orphan no, a slave.
***
You brat, get out here.
Why?
He was tired. It seemed his uncle had another reason to scold him.
His uncle grabbed his neck without warning; his temper, which had been calm for a while, was now erupting.
Let me down!
Lets go, you bastard!
His body was frail after having been starved for long. He was dragged out like a scarecrow by the brute force.
Punch punch
A fat hand hit the back of his head relentlessly. Every time he was hit, his forehead bounced on the ground.
Die, you damned robber! If youve stolen my money, you should be running. Why are you still in my house?
What are you talking about? Robbery? Money?
Hah, look at you. You think you can get away with stealing all of the shops money? How many times is this? His uncle always blamed him with such accusations out of the blue. It seemed he was delusional from an illness.
Im Bak Jin Bos son, Mu Ssang.
Bang Bang
Every time the back of his head was hit, he stubbornly resisted so he would not be sprawled on the floor. The last thing he wanted was to roll on the dirty floor in pain.
I didnt go near the shop. I went to see some fish and visited the field.
Aunt Jang came down from the houses main platform. Her eyebrows, which had already risen, went up higher, and her cheekbones seemed to get redder. Her cold eyes scared him, so he avoided eye contact.
Look at you, you thieving brat. Seems like lying is the only thing your mouth can do. So, did your school fee fall from the sky? she said with venom.
UhThats not it
Slap
My teacher
Slap
Every time he talked, Aunt Jangs slapped him. It meant for him to shut up and take the hit. Because she had a strong build, her slaps stung. Blood had pooled in his mouth; it tasted of iron.
His aunts eyes were always fearsome. It was those stilted eyes that followed him even in his dreams. The eyes of a true assailant. His uncle was only a second-hand assailant compared to her.
You can suffer as much as I have.
That was what he heard from her the first day he was dragged to this home. He never trusted those words. Exactly what kind of suffering had she gone through? He was curious. His uncle glared some more.
Tak, you speak. You said you saw Mu Ssang walk out of the shop?
Yes, I saw Mu Ssang run out for sure.
Wu Tak straightened his back as if he was giving a speech during a sports festival and spoke with the purest face he could muster. He recalled a story about Saint Peter who denied Jesus three times before the rooster cried. The problem was that Wu Tak was someone who would keep lying even after the rooster cried.
Mu Ssang, who was flabbergasted, glared at Wu Tak. Wu Tak, you bastard. Stop lying. You really saw me?
At Mu Ssangs glare, Wu Tak averted his eyes.
Why are you calling your older brother by his name?
His uncle punched the back of his head with his fist. At the pain of his eyeballs shooting forward, tears gathered in his eyes. Hwa Ja, who had just entered the gate, ran inside.
Father, he keeps hanging outside of our shop. Im pretty sure he did it if it concerns money.
Ha! Mu Ssangs mouth fell open. He hadnt even gone near the shop. Hwa Ja said incriminating lies without a single blink. Mu Ssangs insides were burning.
He looked at the sky. When he became frustrated or sad, he had the habit of looking at the sky. The sun hanging over the peak of Jak Doo San had disappeared. The western sky started to show stars.
Oh, I see. You thief, youre dead.
His uncle, whose spirits had risen, stared into his face. He could grasp what had happened. His uncle didnt have a good personality, but he wasnt someone who hit people without reason. Usually, Wu Tak caused the scene, and Aunt Jang made it worse.
Wu Tak was sly and liked sweet things. Wu Tak had stolen the stores money and had blamed it on him countless times. Even if he claimed his innocence, as long as Aunt Jang was there screaming, it wasnt going to work. Resisting and making claims was only going to make the situation worse.
Yeah, I should just let myself be hit some more and get this over and done with, Mu Ssang thought, giving up on his excuses.
He would have rather been chased out of the house, but his uncle and Jang werent going to let him run away because they had no one to work for them. He didnt want to complain or ask for forgiveness. It wasnt the first time he was blamed for something he didnt do, and getting hit some more wasnt going to kill him.
Now that theres no way to escape, youve finally shut your mouth. Aunt Jang sat back on the platform and spewed out poison.
His uncle, now emboldened, reaffirmed his determination. You little sh*t, Im going to kill you.
His uncle pulled out his belt and wrapped it around his hand. The leather belt with embedded studs was nearly a torture device.
Mu Ssang was exasperated rather than scared. He wondered, Why do these people torment me?
It had been three years since he had been dragged here. Until now, he still hadnt been given a full meal and had labored heavily. He wanted to ask why they were so cruel to him and why they had such hatred in their eyes.
His thoughts didnt last long. The leather belt thrashed his thin shoulders and back without fail.
Smack Smack
Mu Ssang tried his best to curl up and covered his face with his arms. If his face was cut, his mother may not be able to recognize him.
Red lines appeared on his back. In the end, his skin split and blood flowed. Mu Ssang who was filled to the brim with injustice and anger couldnt even feel the pain.
Go ahead, hit me. Ill return it to you twofold.
Mu Ssangs eyes flashed with bloodlust. Bak In Bo, who was agitated, failed to notice his nephews cold eyes.
By the time he ran out of stamina, Aunt Jang who had been standing by the platform called out. Stop it now! We dont want to be responsible for his hospital fees. Its obvious the son of that whore would do such things.
Damn, this rotten thing. Fine. Not a peep or a scream.
Tsk
His uncle dragged up some saliva and spat on Mu Ssang. He sauntered to the main room and banged the door closed.
Crash
A sound echoed through the hazy skies, and raindrops started to fall one by one. The blood that mixed with the rain started to spread across the front yard.
Hahaha!
Laughter came out of him. Instead of his uncles lashes, his aunts gaze pained him more. That gaze was not one that regarded him as a human being. It was a gaze full of disinterest looking down on a dying dog stuck in the middle of a pond.
Jang looked at him as if he was a pest but didnt kick him out of her house. The neighbor, Old man Ha Dong, told him what a parental authority was in terms of the law and what his uncle and Aunt Jang were planning.
His fathers house and peach field had become his uncles possessions. According to Ha Dong, his uncle had sold his fathers field and fixed up the house to start a little general store.
He remembered the day he was dragged out of his home while waiting for his mother. The Shin-Jak road was full of dust and the hoots of owls, which followed him. That was the day he had fallen to hell from heaven. There was no end in sight.
***
Ack!
There was a skeleton right where Mu Ssang fell.
Ew!
He had kissed the skull upon falling on it. He spat continuously, but there was no end to the salty taste. The virus that had been attached to the skull rampaged through his body as if it was being vacuumed in and began its contamination through his respiratory system. The virus used the metabolism of the host cells. 40 minutes was the shortest time needed for reproduction, and at the most, it needed one hour.
The Excita virus had a component called Ricetta, which allowed its reproduction to bloom rapidly. Its DNA entered the host cells DNA without regard. The virus finished its first growth within three seconds and entered a phase of unlimited reproduction. As the Excita RNAs electrons attached themselves to the host cells, the poison was expelled in the process causing the host cells to tremble.
The poison that the Excita virus created was currently beyond the toxicity of Botulinum. The human who came into contact with such a poison was bound to die. A Paranthropus cell had some resistance to the Excita virus, but that was the only one. In that rare case, the person would be tortured but not killed.
Mu Ssang lifted up the skull.
Agh, ho, hot!
His hands burned as if he had picked up a flaming piece of coal. He was so surprised that he dropped the skull; it rolled on the ground. He had felt that it was hot, but his reaction, in fact, came from the surprised reaction of his nervous system infected by the Excita virus.
Wha, what the hell?
He was confused because the reaction had occurred so suddenly. Now that he thought about it, he had felt a hot sensation running across his skin when he was putting the bones together. He had thought nothing of it. He had not questioned it.
Aaaaah! His howl resounded across Wol Song San. A surprised flock of Parus Major flew away from the noise. Mu Ssang rolled on the ground as if he was a worm sprayed by salt. His head swarmed. He became so disoriented that he could not tell up from down.
He lost consciousness. It was to protect the body from shock, but even when he had fainted, his body kept trembling from the pain. Only the sounds of the cuckoos remained.
The possibility that a human with a Paranthropus cell coming across the Excita virus was one in a billion. It was literally impossible. And Mu Ssang had that very cell.
But a low possibility was still a possibility. Sometimes, the world causes things that happen outside of the norm. When coincidences collide, it creates something called fate. Mu Ssang was now involved in that one-in-a-billion chance: his fate.
Where am I? Who am I?
The wet and stuffy smell of the earth rose into his nose; it was something he had never smelled before. He shook his head and tried to wake up. This was his first time in the cave.
And so, at an early age of 10, Mu Ssang became entirely different from all the other children.
***
He sold two northern snakeheads for 1000 Won at the farmers market, but he ran into trouble while exiting the main gates, appearing to be an uplifted mood. Two police officers rushed forward like eagles after their prey.
He didnt understand and wondered what they were talking about, What was a Sony radio, and what was larceny?
The second day he was assailed with interviews. He repeated what he had been doing for the past two days at least 10 times. One of the police officers, the one wearing a black jacket, was his Aunt Jangs distant cousin, Jang Chi Soo.
Mu Ssang, who had fallen asleep, twitched. They had threatened to beat him up sooner or later. When he was dragged to the police station, he had been scared, but he was not stupid. After reading the documents several times, he refused to put his signature on it.
It was fabricated. In summary, it was a plea to forgive him for trying to steal a box of radios, which he had intended to sell to earn some money and flee the house. There was no way Mu Ssang, who valued his freedom, was going to sign that.
I didnt do this.
Brat, just put your fingerprint on it.
You want me to become a thief by doing so?
The man in the black jacket swung his metal police bat around.
Bang Bang
It hit Mu Ssangs head.
Do you want to die, or do you want to put your fingerprint on it?
Neither.
Damn, are you trying to anger me some more? The man in the black jacket hit his cheek and kicked his shin with his polished shoes.
Police officer, let me at least see what this radio you speak of looks like, he begged. He had no idea what a radio was.
Bang bang
The black-jacketed man thrashed him with the bat between his head and shoulders.
Look at this thing, trying to lie his way out. Whats the point of asking me what youve stolen?
Mu Ssang wrapped his arms around his head and replied, Tell me how I could possibly hide something that I havent seen or heard of.
What a joke. How would I know where youve hidden your stash? No one confessed. That means its you. Make sense, you idiot.
Bang Bang
Blood trickled down his head, which had been thrashed some more.
Ah, why do you keep hitting me?
Confess before I bash your head in, wont you?
It hurts. I swear I was sleeping in my room when the truck accident happened on the highway.
And does anyone know that? Is there someone whod prove you were in your room?
No, but
Then its you, you sh*t.
Bang Crash
The officer kicked his stomach. Mu Ssang felt the back of his head break as he fell backward in his chair. The man acted as if he was one of those Japanese colonizers from his books. Without the right answer, the accused was to be tormented and tortured. If people werent deformed by the beating, they were disabled or killed.
Im too tired to hit you. Just put your fingerprint down, and you can go.
If I put my fingerprint on the square, doesnt it mean Im confessing to having stolen something?
Ack, this f*cking bastard is driving me crazy.
Listen to yourself. I dont think your words are more valuable than me turning into a criminal.
Ha, look at you running your mouth.
Jang Chi Soo had gone around the bend. This young thing was even sturdier than a cows hide. He had not been able to wring out an admission from him for three days. It was embarrassing to look at his co-workers mocking laughter.
Bastard, when I tell you to sign, you sign. Stop chattering away.
Dont swear, sir. I didnt do anything to be trashed-talked to.
Ha! Youre still running your mouth. It seems like your mouth is the only thing alive. Ill beat you into submission, then.
Do whatever you want. Im not a thief.
Argh, Ill see you dead today!
The officer punched with his large fists. Mu Ssang, who was hit on his cheeks, rolled around on the floor, untied from his chair by the beating. He stood up and spat out the blood gathered in his mouth as he glared at the police officer. Jang Chi Soo found the kids eyes spooky.
Youre the worst kind of breed, arent ya? You little weed, is that what your father taught you?
Mu Ssang wanted to pull out all of the officers hair as he pushed his face and foul stench into his face.
Why are you bad-mouthing my dead father? Does your father teach you things from the grave? You have an amazing father.
The police officers around the office laughed.
Hey, Officer Jang, it seems youve met your match today.
That kid is one hard nut to crack.
His name is Mu Ssang, aint it? His mouth lives up to his name.
The officers face turned red as the sounds of laughter continued.
This little sh*t. You think this is funny, huh?
His reasoning left him. He punched and kicked without regard. Mu Ssang was beaten as he covered his face. He felt confident that he could win against the officer if he could fight, but then he would become a real criminal.
Hey, Jang Chi Soo. What the hell do you think youre doing.
A shout rang out. The jacketed man stopped hitting.
Sir, this kid isnt breaking.
You idiot, dont you know this is a surveillance unit? You want to be fired, is that it? Hes a child. Stop beating him up.
Damn it, Im losing my reputation over a kid.
Jang Chi Soo spat on him. Mu Ssang had become quite a sight. His nose was bloody, and his lips had ripped. His eyes had turned black and blue, and blood trickled out of one of his ears.
Your name is Jang Chi Soo, right? Im not going to forget that. From now on, if you hit me, Im not going to stay still.
A fiery light emanated from his swollen eyes. Mu Ssang hadnt been intimidated in the least. Fire roared behind his gaze. There was nothing to getting beaten up since he had been beaten by his uncles family for over four years. He engraved Officer Jangs face into his mind.
Ha, this sh*t is the real deal. Im going to go crazy.
Officer Jan flew into a rage but couldnt hit the kid with visible attacks. Mu Ssang was locked behind a glass cage once more. There was no other parrot like him; he repeated his words again and again. Later, it came to the point where he could repeat the details of the admission paper line by line.
Officer Jan had said that he would release him once he signed it, but Mu Ssang didnt budge.
The Jjajangmyeon tastes great. Im going to go home late. Im planning to eat more of this.
Ugh, I want to beat you to death. Jang Chi Soo threatened him. Hey, you weakling. I heard you always steal from your uncles store. I heard your aunt has given up on you. Your uncle and aunt also said that it was you who stole those things.
They did, did they? Damn them!
He ground his teeth, but there was no way out of the accusation. The officer had no intention of listening to his explanations. Mu Ssang now had a reputation as a depraved person. Every police officer he came across punched his head or smacked it with their report file. Due to that, Mu Ssang came to regard the police force from this dark perspective for his entire life.
Mu Ssang was 13, so he couldnt go to jail. After being sentenced to psychological treatment for 10 hours and observation, he was released.
This damned breed of evil! If we tracked your age according to your looks, I would have put you in jail a long time ago. Damn it! Its just a years difference.
Office Jang lamented having to release this 13-year old. Apparently, he was not officially charged due to the lack of acute responsibility as a 13-year old. It meant that they were going to overlook his problem. The officer looked as if he wanted to change the records of his birth date.
The day he walked out of the station, Mu Ssang talked to Officer Jan.
Thank you for all the meals. My name is Mu Ssang. Do remember it. I dont do childish things like stealing radios. Your name is Jang Chi Soo, right? Im indebted. Ill never forget you.
Mu Ssang was not a weakling who was always defeated. He took out his list of people to kill and wrote Jang Chi Soos name with a heavy hand. He was afraid it would get erased if he wrote it in pencil, so he wrote it in ink. Mu Ssang glared at the sticker on the main door of the station: The Helping Hand of all People.
Helping hand? Just admit to beating all people instead. You damned thugs! he shouted before the police station at the top of his lungs.
Hehehe, you sh*theads, stay right there until I come back. The more comfortable you are, the more painful it will get when I exact my revenge. Since Mu Ssangs sleep talk didnt end, the complexion of the old woman, who sat beside him on the plane, turned pale. She had heard that Asians lacked manners and feared that the man beside her would stand up and do something rash.
And that is how the nightmare of the battlefield, the call name of the angel of deathBlack Mambaand the Eastern baptism that established the land of freedom in Africa, began. A country in which the weak and victims were protected, where a person on the job was rewarded for their effort, where there was no special treatment, started with the slumber of this person in a seat in Business Class, on a DC-10 to Paris. A man who was getting freedom from his past.
Chapter 2
The old woman was scared. She seriously considered asking the flight attendant if she could move to another seat. But once she looked carefully at Mu Ssangs face, her frown disappeared.
Handsome. She thought.
It was a face with defined cheekbones, but one side had an unfortunate scar on his otherwise unblemished skin. She suddenly felt pity for this young man having a nightmare next to her and slowly wiped the sweat beading on his forehead.
***
He woke to the sound of the falling snow. Heavy snow was usually silent, but light snow gave off a rustling sound. In times like this, he lamented the fact that he had abnormal hearing.
The scent of his dirty blanket rose to his nose. The smell of blood inside the bedbug on his wall also came into the range of his senses. This sensitivity was so annoying.
The room had not been sealed properly against the outside winds, but the floor had heated up since he had shoved some wood in the fire before he had gone to sleep.
Now theres no point in going up Wol Song mountain with my pack, nor the chance to feed the cow, he thought.
Mu Ssang realized how much he missed warmth the moment he stood on the heated floor. He placed some soup in a pot on top of the stove. When the wood in the stove started to burn, he left. He ran up the mountain in a flash. And coming down, he threw his sweaty body in the lake to wash himself. The light snow turned heavier. Clumps of snowflakes fell into the lake and melted.
If someone would have seen him washing himself in the freezing lake during the snow, they would have called him a ghost. The lake was near Nakdong River, a place where people often saw ghosts.
Mu Ssang washed for a long time. He wanted to wash away the tears, troubles, desperation, and rage he had gathered in his uncles house.
***
The moment he poured the soup into the trough, his nose twinged. He patted the cows cheeks who then stuffed its face into the melange.
Be well. Who will take care of you when Im not around?
With no one else around, there was only an animal to whom he could say farewell.
He washed some rice and placed it on top of the stove then made some soup with taro. All he had, otherwise, was kimchi and the grains that Ha Dong had sent him. He ate breakfast and gathered his belongings into the newly bought school bag. All he had were some books, pencils, and notes. He didnt bother packing the worn clothes hanging on the wall.
While he was heading out of the house, he ran across Jang. Rather, Jang had been waiting for him by the front gate. As usual, an abnormal hatred was pouring out of her gaze. Mu Ssang silently lowered his head.
You little ungrateful bastard. I hope you beg yourself to death out there.
As usual, barbed words fell from her mouth. There was so much he wanted to say, but he didnt want to waste time.
You dont feed me or give me clothes, so theres nothing I should be grateful for. The blanket and clothes in that rotten room, thats what I earned, down to the very bowl. The clothes Im wearing and the bag Im holding, I bought myself. You didnt give me a single cent while I lived in your house over the past five years. I am a beggar. Thanks for making me beg while also working for you.
Mu Ssang felt such relief in finally speaking the words that, for so long, he hadnt been able to say to this woman. But he had disrespected his aunt, so that wasnt the best idea. Perhaps calling this person before him a woman, after she caused the disappearance of his mother and attempted to kill him, was enough respect.
Your father would turn in his grave looking at you like this.
Yes. Im leaving exactly because of my father. He would turn in his grave seeing his son live under these conditions.
You damned thing! I hope you die.
Whether I beg or die, thats not something for you to concern yourself with.
Jangs glare could have drilled a hole through the back of his head, but he didnt care. This was his escape from a desolate island after five years.
The snow gathered until it buried his calves. All he had was a school bag. The heavy snow turned lighter once more. Mu Ssang didnt turn back, not even once.
***
Vrrr
Mu Ssang was heading back from loading up the coal into the cart when he felt a slight vibration. He paused. A shiver ran through his body and vanished. The moment he was about to turn around, a large sound ripped through the mine.
Crash
Black liquid fell from several meters above him. It was unbelievable. The liquid covered his entire workspace in a flash.
The three other people mining the coals were covered and suffocated almost instantly. A large tremor came from the back of the mine. Mu Ssang was overcome with fear. Time slowed and so did his reactions.
Ahhh! Mu Ssang hurled the cart away ran towards the exit as if death was on his tail. Shouts echoed behind him from the very depths of the mine. Even the leader of the group was uncharacteristically shouting.
The moment his conscience understood that he was in peril, his body started to enter the most defensive form possible. His blood started to flow at three times its usual pace and pumped violently in the lower half of his body. His leg muscles, which seemed comparable to a horses muscles, pounded against the floor as he ran.
Unfortunately, the force of an oncoming wave was faster than a man could move. A weight pressed down on him. Pain rampaged throughout his body. He recalled the face of his mother who had abandoned him.
F*ck, I need to find my mom! his desperate shout was buried underneath the strange noise. Desperately, he tried to stand, but his weight had increased several-fold. He felt sharp pains in several places in his body and started to suffocate. His thoughts began to stray. Darkness surged.
Ha! Mu Ssang, who was momentarily frightened into awakening, closed his eyes once more. The last thought in his mind as he was crushed under the flow of coal was his mother. He had been more desperate for his mother than he was fearful of death.
***
Hae Youngs house was a two-story Japanese-style house. In the center of her courtyard was a pond. Planks were fitted head-to-head around the pond, making a mysterious atmosphere.
The late autumn rain that had continued throughout the night had receded in the early morning. The sunlight and gentle winds dried the courtyard instantly. A sudden rush of wind blew the fallen leaves into a corner then up into the second-floor window. The man standing by the window closed it. A brown leaf slid down the closed window slowly. The mans gaze, full of emptiness and pain, followed its path.
I should leave. If I cant be a rock for my woman to lean on, I shouldnt be a rock in her path.
He sighed with regret.
Beside the window was an elegant turntable. His long and hard fingers picked up a Cesaria Evora album. Hae Young liked Evora, and he liked Besame Mucho.
Mu Ssang set the record on the turntable, and the needle hit it perfectly. This was not an easy feat. The arm moved by itself and landed on the first track.
Que tengo miedo tenerte. (I am scared I will lose you.)
Y perderte despus. (I will still be scared.)
Quiero tenerte muy cerca. (I want to have you close to me.)
Sorrowful lyrics from Evoras voice filled his chest, and his heart pounded. Ah, Hae Young!
The name he had decided not to call out, even in the most desperate of times, leaked through his mouth. Thinking of the last night of his stay in the motel sent tearful emotions through his mind.
The moonlight reflecting off the window caused her bare skin to shine with a bluish tint. His thoughts wandered as he looked at the womans body. She must have been so tied to have fallen asleep without even bathing!
She was lovely. Her hair stuck to the perspiration on her forehead. Even that was beautiful. Mu Ssang tiptoed out of the room like a cat. He lifted the water jug and went to the kitchen. He rekindled what remained of the fire underneath the furnace and poured several buckets of water inside.
Psst
Water began to boil. He put some of the warm water in the jug and returned to the room. He wet a towel and began to wipe down her body.
Hae Young remained sleeping like a corpse, snoring.
It made him sad to think that she must have had such a difficult experience to be sleeping so soundly. He wiped her down, from her chest to her waist, and she remained asleep. His hard work only ended after he refilled the jug five more times.
He had stayed up all night, but he couldnt go to sleep. His abnormally strange body wasnt tired even after all the sex throughout the night. Rather, it was completely awake. He didnt feel like going back to sleep.
He left the room, ran down the path and climbed the cliff at the back of the village. He threw off his clothes and swam in the ocean.
It was the middle of winter, and the water was so cold that it might give a person a heart attack. But that didnt concern him. His body had already evolved beyond that of a normal humans body, and, as expected, water was needed to kill the fire that had been rampaging in his body.
Hae Young woke up from her sleep around noon. The sunlight poured into her room and lit up the cave-like darkness.
Ah! Hae Young shouted lightly as she sat up in surprise. A strong arm wrapped around her waist. A mans scent filled her body. She was happy being wrapped in warm skin and pressed up against a firm chest. He was her man who she wouldnt share with anyone else. A rough hand caressed her thighs.
Youre awake?
Yes, just now.
He wasnt fully awake and mumbled something.
I dont know, you beast! Over seven times, I think.
I did? I deserve to be shouted at, then.
Ugh, thinking of living with a beast like you, my future looks bleak.
She rolled her eyes and he smiled broadly. That was the one woman he had promised to love for his lifetime: Hae Young.
***
Kekeke, sugoi, sugoi (amazing)! Ive finally gotten something worth its price. Kekeke.
Chui Do Shik! He was a fear deeply engraved into his brain. He could hear his voice and that the evil laugh. Mu Ssangs sleeping body twitched violently.
Are you sick? Would you like an airsickness bag?
Foreign words knocked against his silence, and he woke up. His brain struggled, unable to discern the boundary between his dreams and reality. The flight attendant held a cup of water before him and had a worried look on her face.
Thank you. Can I have a wet towel?
She handed him a towel, and he wiped his sweat. Chui Do Shik, whose Japanese name was Sai Dojiku, could make Heuk Dam of Bang Tae San cry with that evil laugh. He was Mu Ssangs nemesis.
Where are we now?
We will arrive in Singapore soon.
The old woman beside him called the flight attendant. Puis-je changer de place? (Can I change my place?)
He didnt know French, but he could tell that she was requesting a seat change. Mu Ssang smiled bitterly. A healthy man, who was slightly unstable, did seem dangerous, after all.
The attendant shook her head and tried to assure the old woman. The old woman, exasperated, glanced at Mu Ssang. He drank another cup of water and closed his eyes. It was still a long way to Paris. He still had to change planes in Singapore and go another 14 hours.
Chui Do Shik had experienced trauma at a young age and turned his entire life around. Mu Ssang now wondered if his separation from the woman he had longed to love his entire life dug up his deep traumatic memories. He wondered if he could also turn his life around. This is the side effect of my mental conditioning!
The memories he had once lost followed him even in his dreams. Now, he wasnt even tired of them. It became a part of normal life.
He looked out of the window. The sky was dark. He suddenly became worried as to whether his master would take his medication on time. He was as healthy as a finely crafted staff but was still over 80 years old.
***
Three hours after arriving in Singapore, he boarded an Air France DC-10, which was considered a coffin even on shorter flights. He didnt realize how tired he was. Physically, he felt fine, but he wasnt thinking straight. He asked for a drink.
A slim, tall flight attendant brought him a green wine bottle.
Sciaccarello!
Yes, Sciaccarello!
Mu Ssang thought that she was speaking French for drink. It was only afterward that he realized it was the name of a wine. He attempted to sleep after drinking the entire bottle. It was his first meeting with the Sciaccarello that he would come to love. He closed his eyes.
Professor Giz had told him not to worry too much. He had said that it was the process of his memories returning after being suppressed. Because of his master, his forced memories had at least settled somewhat.
***
Clap clap
Chui Do Shik clapped his hands. He lifted Mu Ssang and went inside the log house. After laying him down on the bed, Chui Do Shik poked around his body here and there and slapped him with his hands in several places.
Kuk, Ahh!
Every time he was touched, MuSsang screamed, but Chui Do Shik didnt stop.
It seems like you werent broken anywhere. Youre uncomprehendingly strong. At this rate, your bones are two times stronger than Akakikao. To think there was this type of material, I cant believe it. Your ribs and left arm have been broken, right shoulder is dislocated, and four of your ribs are bruised. There is some internal bleeding but not much on the outside. It seems like your front tooth is broken too. Some muscles are torn here and there, but its not that bad.
Chui Do Shik observed him as if he was looking over a cow on the market and said his diagnosis flatly.
You f*ck! If this isnt broken, then what is? Mu Ssang screamed internally. His brain was burning from the pain and healing Chui Do Shik was giving him. If he was sent to the hospital, they would have sent him to the emergency room immediately.
What a perfect body to operate on. He tied the broken body to the bed.
Mu Ssang fell in despair. Chin Do Shik had not tied him down when he first tested out needles on his body. Tying him down meant that there was going to be a higher form of pain and torture awaiting him.
Chui Do Shik pulled out a silver needle at least five inches long. Mu Ssangs eyes widened to the point of ripping. His heart seemed to have stopped beating by him just looking at the needle.
Whether Mu Ssang was scared or not, Chui Do Shik pushed the long needle into the center nerve of his brain where the spinal cord ended. This blood vessel was a part of his anterior spinal vessel, one mark away from the basilic vein on both sides.
Arghh
Mu Ssang felt pain that made his mind go white, a pain he had never felt before in his life. The belts on the bed began to tear from his shaking.
Chui Do Shik glanced at those tears before inserting a needle near the seventh vertebrae of his spinal cord. His shaking stopped like magic. The lower half of his body had been paralyzed.
Chui Do Shik placed similar needles on his anterior cerebral and his cerebral cortex. He was extremely careful. One needle took 5 minutes. Every time a needle was inserted, the pain increased several folds.
He didnt tamper with Mu Ssangs brain when paralyzing his body, and the shocks he received were increasing. By the time the fifth needle ran through his blood vessel, he felt his consciousness slipping away. Blood poured continuously down his nose. And like that, five needles were inserted into his brain.
Mu Ssang fell into a vegetative state. A third person lifted his head and fed him a liquid. His conscious altered between lucidity and unconsciousness.
You are my slave and disciple. I, Chui Do Shik, am your father. You must always respect your priest, your father and serve him for the rest of your life.
The words were repeated continuously. Strangely, his head picked up on them.
One of Chin Do Shiks lackeys lifted Mu Ssang and placed him inside a murky liquid. He went through 10 days of recovery. When his body recovered, he was hit by the lackey and moved inside the cave once more.
Mu Ssang grit his teeth. Inside the cave, he shivered, recalling the needles that were inserted inside his head. It felt as if every single nerve had been awakened in his body, and the feeling of a small needle crawling around his veins made him nearly wet his pants.
Hatred burned inside him. He wanted to chew up that priest and drink his blood. He wanted to slit his stomach and drag him around by his intestines.
Chui Do Shik, you sh*t, Im going to kill you!
A desperate shout echoed in the cave. Mu Ssangs eyes turned red.
***
Grrr
It was a low-frequency growl trembling through its vocal cords. The animals stench rose in the air.
What!
Mu Ssang was astounded. His premonitions of danger had become irritating.
F*ck, I should have watched my words. Why did I say it? Ive dug my own grave.
As the stench grew thicker, a bloodthirsty beast entered the cave. There were no sounds of footsteps.
Grrrowl
The beast roared inside the cave.
Come on, you little sh*t! Mu Ssang also shouted. The reason behind the lackey spraying his blood around finally made sense: to provoke the beast before him. After smelling the blood, the beast became even more angered. Considering the soundless movements, the beast was a cat. Although it wasnt one of the big ones, like a lion or a tiger.
Chui Do Shik, you f*cker! At this desperate shout, the beast responded with a growl. Mu Ssang realized that this was the call of a predator. He was in a situation where he could turn into an animals meal.
A leopard?
As he entered his battle stance, the animals size could be approximated. It was a sense Mu Ssang had developed after trying to eat centipedes for food inside the dark cave. Although he couldnt see, he could grasp the size and presence of its movements.
Leopard, puma, jaguar?
The list of feline animals ran through his head. He was the object of the bloodlust the animal was feeling. His skin was tingling, and his hair stood on end. Adrenaline ran throughout his body; his blood boiled, and the shiver that began at his toes ran up his spine and flashed onto his head.
At the same time, his tenacity and survival instincts rose. He came to Bang Tae San to live not to die. He had survived this far, in a constant battle every single day of his life. He wasnt going to let some beast take it. He couldnt die simply because of how unfair it was.
Aaaa! Come at me! a shout to intimidate the beast erupted out of Mu Ssang. He pushed back the fear with his own bloodlust. The strong will to end the life before him was impressed on the beast. This was the result of the genetic reactions to Paranthropus. Considering the ancient beast he had fought in his dreams, a leopard wouldnt give much of a fight.
A shout to intimidate the beast erupted from Mu Ssang. He pushed back the fear with his bloodlust. He impressed on the beast his strong will to end his life. This was a result of the genetic reactions to the Paranthropus. Considering the ancient beast he had fought in his dreams, this one wouldnt be much of a match.
Because of Mu Ssangs violent aura, the beast couldnt attack rashly. This was a life and death situation, a match between two with a desire to kill. There was nothing to take for granted when facing life and death. They both knew that their opponent wasnt something to underestimate.
The beast moved right, and the Mu Ssang kept glaring. The boundary between human and animal was drawn. A battle of wills began.
The moment the beasts bloodlust went beyond its limits, it pounced without a sound. Its desire to kill was too strong to be held back among the smell of blood.
Mu Ssang instinctively understood that its mark was his neck. He lowered his stance and made a fist, aiming at the beasts face before launching it like a cannonball. It was smart. It tilted its head and reached out with its claw, scratching his cheek.
Ugh.
He had avoided the front paw by leaning away, but it was a little wet. The claws, like a blade, made a bloody mark from his temples to his left cheek. The beast had torn his clothes and skin and landed without a sound.
Grr
The beasts low grumble reverberated around the cave. Mu Ssangs eyes turned red after seeing blood. His bloodlust made him forget his pain. It was the rampage of a wild man.
Kwaaa! His strange scream shook the cave. The last of his fear evaporated. All that remained was his instinct to break the beasts bones and rip its skin.
It was a cave without a shred of light. They had to fight each other with limited sight.
The leopard, predator of the night, couldnt talk, and Mu Ssang was at a disadvantage in the dark, but his battle instincts awakened. All that was left to think about was skin and bones. When it attacked, he had to tear the beasts skin and break its bones to level the playing field.
It was 45 degrees to his right and about 10 steps away. It had hunched up to attack. He moved a foot forward. It was going to pounce soon. He could feel the beasts movements vividly. It was a sense he had gained through searching out centipedes and fighting Chui Do Shiks lackeys.
The silence of the atmosphere in the cave shifted. Darkness crashed. The beast closed in several meters and shot forward in an attempt to latch onto his neck with its open jaws. He gave it his shoulder and punched its stomach with his fist.
Kuk!
Kaa
This time, he wasnt too late. He started to learn the rhythm. Before its teeth could dig deeper down to his bones, he lashed out at its side. It released his shoulder and rolled on the floor.
How dare you, cat!
Its reactions were faster than he anticipated. His fist punched it shallowly. He couldnt injure it permanently because it moved away.
The leopard missed his bone and main artery, but the blade-like jaws had managed to tear a fair bit of his flesh away. It had also clawed his chest. He reached his pain threshold and it rampaged inside his head.
It pained him to have even the slightest thorn on his fingertips. So how painful it is to have flesh ripped apart by fangs! The smell of blood hit his nose.
Bam Bam
The flow of blood pulsed faster. His vision was clouded by redness, and his fighting spirit rose. He wasnt scared of some meager feline. He thought of the monsters he faced in his dreams. The leopard wasnt even in the predatory category. In his dreams, he had fought monsters while holding back his intestines that were about to fall out. To eat or be eaten: that caused his spirit to rise further.
He could read the slower movements of the beast and managed to land a blow where its kidney was. That was a critical weak spot of four-legged beasts, and he had injured it.
Krrr
The injured man and beast started to rear up once more. The starved beast ran forward.
Kaaa
Die!
One-to-one, they bit, hit, threw, and rolled around. He couldnt land a solid hit while avoiding the beasts front teeth and claws.
Knife-like claws ran over Mu Ssangs body. He used both fists and feet to land blows. The ancient cave was filled with the scent of blood, the beasts roars, and the mans shouts.
He managed to avoid the front paws solely by instinct. His body leaned back, and his foot managed to catch the beasts chin.
Yeow
The beast, which had been hit squarely, screamed and retreated. It shook its head rapidly.
Kitty, how did that feel? Mu Ssang shouted with confidence.
The man and beast created some distance between themselves and entered an observational phase. Both were tired. The beast took shallow breaths.
The beast was injured on the inside, and the man was injured on the outside. Hunger and the scent of blood had infected them with bloodlust, but these two opponents were almost equal.
It weighed about 50-100 kilograms. There was a time when a leopard was reported to be 150 kilograms, but that was a special case all by itself. 150 kilograms was nearly the weight of a tiger. From his instincts, he could tell that the beast was around 80 kilograms, and his weight was 70 kilograms. There was no reason for him to be pushed back in a battle of strength. Of course, the leopard had enough power to hold a dead, 60-kilogram deer in its jaws while jumping up a tree. But he was confident in his strength. It was just the animals speed was a little worrisome.
It was dangerous, but he decided to lure the beast to end this battle. Mu Ssang trembled and fell to the ground. The beast ran forward to end MuSsangs life once and for all.
Bastard, thats why youre a measly animal.
Mu Ssang pushed his injured shoulder-deep into the beasts mouth. It bit as if it had been waiting for it. Without missing that chance, he grabbed the beast by its waist.
Kwaaang
The surprised beast tried to get rid of the formidable man by thrashing around. But Mu Ssang was stronger. He grabbed onto its waist harder by pushing its neck up.
At the pain of being bent, the beast scratched at Mu Ssangs back, which became ragged from the beasts claws.
Kwak!
Mu Ssang shouted, without realizing it, so loud that he tore up his vocal cords. The pain, like hot coals being pressed upon his back, caused his consciousness to wane for a moment.
Die!
With a shout, the cave trembled. Mu Ssang pressed himself closer to the beast. He wrapped his legs around its waist and wrapped his two arms around its neck. And in that position, he pushed the beasts head back with the strength of a bull.
This ground technique was called a rear-naked choke. Usually, it was a technique that stopped the blood from flowing into the brain around the neck, causing the opponent to faint. Mu Ssangs strength didnt simply stop the blood flow; it managed to break the neck bone.
Crack
Kaaaaao
The animals dying cry followed the sound of its breaking neck.
Dieeeee! Mu Ssang cleared his hazy vision and gathered the last of his strength to kill the beast.
Crack
Strength seeped out of the beast. He released his arms that had been choking the beast and punched the center of its head as hard as he could. It was a stone fist that could break apart stalactite.
Craaack
He could feel the skull breaking underneath his fist.
Kaang
It wasnt a roar but the last of its voice.
He could smell the animals urine from where he stood. The beasts head rolled.
Ahhhhhack! he screamed crazily as he lifted the beast then threw it on the ground. Silence descended in the cave where the beast and man had once shouted. Mu Ssang also lay crumpled to the floor.
Chapter 3
Mu Ssang lay on the floor of the cave and stared blankly at the ceiling. He could hear drops of water falling.
Its the cave, he sighed. Now, he was used to the coldness of the cave. He didnt know how much time had passed nor how long he had slept, but his head was clearer now than it had been for a long time.
I need to live! he shouted at the top of his lungs.
He couldnt track the passing of time inside the cave because his circadian rhythm was completely off balance. He couldnt even tell whether it was summer or winter.
He had lived a hard life but had tried his best. Why did I have to end up this way? he wondered. His brain and heart began to pound because of this injustice and his anger.
What did I do for you to torment me like this? His sorrowful shout echoed around the cave.
He punched his fists into the air and jumped around, kicking and screaming. He felt wronged. All he wanted was to do was study and find his mother so that they could live as they had before. But the damned heathens didnt leave him alone. He spewed curses and lamentations before collapsing on the floor.
SH*T!
When he calmed down, reality hit. He had realized when he saw the medical instruments and a girls corpse in the room, that he wasnt dealing with normal people.
They were like the 731st region of the Japanese army, and he was like a Maruta Experiment. Before his brain was completely picked apart and his stomach ravaged, he had to attack.
Mu Ssang felt his heartbeat quicken. These guys acted so much like an evil organization; he had to be careful. That man calling himself a priest was crazy.
Ahh!
It began again, that pain that ran throughout his head and tore it apart. Ever since he had gone through the fourth needle experiment, it had become worse. It was a pain he couldnt stand. Mu Ssang clutched his head and rolled around. He felt that he could laugh if he was merely being burned by a hot iron. But the pain of his brain being melted from the inside wasnt something any human could bear.
After rolling around for some time, he lay exhausted on the ground. His heaving breath finally found its normal rhythm. The foam that had gathered in his mouth dripped out.
F*ck this sh*t, he mumbled tiredly.
***
Fortunately, before he lost consciousness, the secret door to the cave opened. And just as one of the assistants stepped into the cave, he swept over him like a predator, grabbed scissors from the mans lab coat pocket, and stabbed them into his neck.
At 20 centimeters long, the scissors were sharper than a knife. They buried into the assistant without resistance, passing through the sternocleidomastoid muscle, tearing the carotid artery and larynx, and appearing on the other side.
Ggrrk.
The assistant had little chance to retaliate, but he was an abnormal opponent. As the food tray clattered to the floor, the assistant wrapped his hands around Mu Ssangs neck.
Kuk!
The enemys thumb and forefinger dug into Mu Ssangs vocal cords. He had forgotten that these assistants did not feel pain; hence, he was not in shock from being stabbed. Mu Ssang was about to pay a high price for his lack of attention.
The assistants power was surprising. Mu Ssangs breath was immediately cut off, and his eyes turned dark. He gathered all his strength before pulling out the scissors stuck in the assistants neck and jamming them between his third and fourth ribs where the heart was.
The scissors were instantly buried up to the handles. The assistant, staggering with blood in his mouth, fell backward. This altercation in the darkness ended without a single shout. It was his first murder, and the fact that he already had an escape route had truly been a stroke of luck.
Haha!
He had just exerted an explosive amount of power, and he attempted to calm his heaving breaths. His head was clearer, perhaps due to the rush of adrenaline or the blood pulsing through him.
He wasnt shocked by this murder, as he expected, having read about murders in stories. Rather, he felt refreshed after achieving what he had set out to do. He had either gone crazy or had become desensitized after experiencing so much pain. He felt as if a different component of himself was controlling his limbs. His eyes turned red and power surged throughout his body.
There were still many enemies left. Thinking of the priest, anger raged in his head. Mu Ssang, frowning, left the cave through the door, finally escaping into the outside world.
He looked up at the sky. It was a dark night without a moon. If it had been out, its light could have reflected off the snow, revealing his position. The darkness worked in his favor.
The surroundings were silent except for the cries of a fox that shook the air. The snow shone subtly in the starlight.
Im out! He breathed in the fresh, cold air, filling his lungs. His mind became more alert, and he remembered his task clearly.
Kill! His command rang in his head.
He approached the log house like a shadow. He knew its structure: four rooms, a living room, and a kitchen. The larger room was used by five assistants, and the room next to that was the infirmary. Chui Do Shiks office/bedroom was opposite the assistants room.
Mu Ssang gathered his breath and relaxed his body. And, slowly, he recalled the memory of the Salix Koreensis forest from his childhood. The pretty leaves that shook and the howling sound as the wind passed between the trees, the white mushrooms that appeared shyly underneath the rot, the surface of the water that turned red during sunset, and the fish that jumped up. His tumultuous mind instantly calmed.
He also abandoned his desire to kill the priest. He destroyed his intentions one by one.
I am the wind. I am the silent and soft wind that barely tickles the ear, he thought. I am the grass. I am the weak grass that shakes with the most gentle wind, the weed that grows between rocks. I am a rock, the large boulder before the log house, the rock that is wet with dew.
Mu Ssang became the wind, the grass, and the rock. Without realizing it, he had entered a realm of co-existence, existing yet non-existent.
Mu Ssang had unknowingly reached the highest level of an assassins potential: living a non-existence. If Chui Do Shik, the successor of Higanshi Hongan-jis martial arts had learned about this, he would have been indignant and coughing up blood.
Of course, this awareness was only temporary. The moment Mu Ssang regained his senses, this ascendance flew by like the wind.
Chui Do Shiks door opened without a sound; it wasnt locked. Well, who would have dared approached Chui Do Shik?
Mu Ssang held a stalactite in one hand and a scalpel in the other one. An illusion, he moved across the darkened room. The priest was lying on a tatami mat. Mu Ssang didnt even think of the priest as his target. Right now, he was an organism without intention.
Like a programmed robot, Mu Ssang approached and pierced the priests neck with the stalactite. It was a movement without an ounce of hesitation.
Kuk! Chui Do Shiks shout was weak due to his destroyed vocal cords. Mu Ssang woke from his trance at the priests shout. Blinking, he became confused.
The stalactite had pierced the neck completely. He momentarily recalled the beef skewer his mom always handed him at the restaurant when he was younger.
Hi Hiissss. Chui Do Shik glowered and bounced up like a dragon from a river.
Mu Ssang, reading the situation, moved like the wind. Then the scalpel in his left hand entered Chui Do Shiks belly, just below the belly button, dug in up to the end of its handle. He had aimed for the chest, but Chui Do Shiks movements were fast.
And Chui Do Shik couldnt handle the shock of a stalactite piercing his neck and a scalpel nearly buried inside his body.
Chui Do Shiks body shook like a leaf, and blood foamed at his mouth. He lifted a finger and attempted to say something to Mu Ssang with his piercing gaze. But all that could be heard was the sound of air escaping his punctured neck.
Blood leaked out of Chui Do Shiks neck. He had managed to stop the blood coming from his lower stomach, but even he couldnt do anything about the stalactite in his neck.
A smile appeared on Mu Ssangs face knowing that this crazy bastard was about to die. He had managed to kill someone he had wanted to kill for such a long time. He had never felt such happiness for as long as he could remember. It was refreshing, an intense release from pent-up anger and hatred.
Hows the feeling of becoming a pig for slaughter? It was something he had wished to say after the countless times he was tortured.
The frustration of 10 years washed away. Chui Do Shik only kept glaring at him with bloodlust in his eyes, but he was not in a situation where he could talk.
Oh, my ax!
He noticed his wood ax in the corner of the room. He had to finish off people like Chui Do Shik properly. When Mu Ssang grabbed his ax, Chui Do Shiks eyes widened.
Although he had received a fatal hit, Chui Do Shiks eyes did not change.
Crash
Chui Do Shik managed to throw his body against the unlocked door. He began passing through the doorway like a ghost.
Ha! Mu Ssang, startled, swung his ax.
The ax had been his friend ever since he was young. The techniques of creating a path through the forests of Chuk Ryung San and Bang Tae San were executed flawlessly.
Scchnk
The ax cut through the air. A few strands of Chui Do Shiks hair flew off as he ran through the doorway. The ax, which had swung horizontally, cleaved one of his arms like a tree branch.
Kuk!
Bang
The closing door exploded outwards. Chui Do Shik left his arm and a scream behind as he disappeared into the darkness. At the situation before him, Mu Ssang stood blankly for a moment before moving.
Tap
Mu Ssang then plastered himself to the wall on the side of the door. And at that moment, an enemy came through the doorway. He reached out as far as he could with his right hand.
Huk! The sound of expelled air rang out.
The end of the stalactite had pierced the enemys neck. Despite the critical injury, the enemy slashed down with a metal pipe held in his hand. It was instinctive, but Mu Ssang had already predicted the counterattack.
He whirled around, and the ax flew according to its trajectory.
Bwwwack
The enemys neck, which had been in the trajectory, and its attached head, flew up. Blood spurted up from the enemys body, a meter into the air.
***
Huk!
Mu Ssang jumped in his seat. Senses that were several-fold stronger than a normal human beings senses scouted the surroundings. They werent what he had been predicting, and it wasnt one of his usual morning hallucinations. And it definitely was not the cave.
Haah! He sighed deeply. That damned dream, no, not a dream. That memory. It had been calm when he was receiving his teachings from his master, but it had started up once more.
Did you have a nightmare? The old woman who was sitting beside him asked worriedly. She was an intelligent woman, fluent in English.
Im sorry. Fine. Mu Ssang nodded his head.
Youre sweating. Here, dry off.
Thank you. He took the tissue that the old woman held up and wiped his face. His forehead and cheeks were wet with sweat. He held his palm to his nose and sniffed; it had blood on it but did not reek of iron.
This dream-like experience continued. It was the process of undoing Chui Do Shiks conditioning and reclaiming his original memories.
The suppressed memories would return when he rested. It was something that had been happening, periodically, for the past several years. Professor Giz had said that his original memories would all return to their proper places through this process.
Mu Ssang pushed his buttocks deep into his seat and closed his eyes. His mood for sleep had evaporated instantly. The anxieties of the old woman beside him also became a burden.
***
His meeting with his teacher had been anticlimactic. In the process of digging a hole in the forest in which to bury people alive, an approaching old man found him. The old man, who was as thin as paper, had hit him violently. It was a memory that made him smile.
Martial Arts is the practice of boosting ones strength for a period of time. Its the effective use of a power that is different from the enemys power. The distributed power and even the breathing create the illusion of strength.
So youre saying a martial arts practitioner is powerful on the outside, but everything else is a hoax?
Glancing at his disappointed disciple, the old man continued his words.
Thats not true. The human body is mysterious and can create its own waves once trained continuously. What we call ki is also a part of those waves. Perhaps calling it inner strength is more accurate. I have managed to gather quite a bit. Are you familiar with Resonance?
Its a situation where two high frequencies collide and create an explosion, but how do you know that?
Mu Ssang was fascinated. After all, his master only had the sutras as reading material, so his mention of a physics theory was strange.
I see you only think of me as some old man who memorizes sutras every day. I know things, you hear? Now, where did I leave off?
Resonance.
Ugh, you brat. Im over 80 years old. When Im interrupted, my train of thought goes, as well. Resonance is energy. It creates a bridge between martial arts and its techniques. Im trying to say that waves will be created from simple, fast, and precise movements. The most representative of this is Tong Bei Quan that uses the obstacles in its path to create Resonance and destroy what is within. Words like Ge Shan Da Niu and Sword Ki are all legendary moves those practitioners had created after realizing this.
Mu Ssang pushed his face forward as if to hit his master. His curiosity was aroused.
So youre saying that martial arts practitioners arent all liars.
That itself is a lie. A human isnt a machine, so how could a human revolve their ki or change the inside of their body according to their will?
So youre saying that if I manage to command Resonance and strength, I can become a master.
Besides, in this day and age where guns are common, martial arts is all but a sport. Who would train themselves in one place for decades? One bullet is enough. Training is a waste of time.
How do you bring Resonance out?
You grow your ki and train so that the ki matches your opponents wavelength.
I dont get it.
Obviously. Brat, if you could learn of all that through just words, then everyone in this world would become masters. You can train and see for yourself.
What about the dantians?
Nonsense. Resonance is from the brain. Its inborn or caused by some special experience or earned by some special training. Brainwaves can be exaggerated by training the body. The body and brain dont operate separately; training the body means training the brain. The Combined Receptive Expelling Theory is the claim that you can make your brainwaves as strong as a rope and as hard as a metal bat. When you reach the peak, you will be capable of controlling your opponents brainwaves. Of course, a human is incapable of reaching such a peak, but if you keep training with that goal in mind, youll be able to make something similar to a physical Resonance.
How long do I need to train?
Youd be able to use it in about 50 years.
Whaaat! Fiffifty years?
That frightened and discouraged him. What could he do when he was 70? In the end, he wouldnt be able to achieve Resonance but would be able to learn the Five Combined Movements and still achieve great physical strength. Thinking about the terrifying and powerful Combined Receptive Expelling Theory made his head hurt.
Bang bam
A delightful, French marching bands music resounded inside the plane. Mu Ssang flinched out of his musings. The old womans expression turned from anxiousness into relief. He was sorry and embarrassed. How uncomfortable she must have been sitting next to a guy with a few screws loose!
He had been drifting in and out of the flow of time and was thrown into Paris Charles de Gaulle airport all the way across the globe. It had taken 25 hours in flight, including the layover in Singapore. And that was the fastest flight Hamilton could get for him.
Peu de temps aprs nos passagers alors que lavion arrive laroport de Paris. Ceinture de scurit. (Passengers, we will be arriving at the Paris airport in a few moments. For your security.)
With this fast-paced French introduction, he suddenly wondered if he would ever hear Korean again. His chest swelled in frustration.
Mu Ssang found the information center in the terminal, and with his insufficient English and limited French, he asked where he could find the foreign military police detachment. Foreign military members were sent there to serve.
All he knew was a handful of French greetings.
Bonjour, monsieur! (Hello, sir!)
Es-tu Chinois? (Are you Chinese?)
Non, je suis Coreen. (No, Im Korean.)
Comment-appelez vous? (Whats your name?)
Je mappelle Mu Ssang, Park. (My name is Park Mu Ssang.)
Est-ce que vous aimez le legion? (Do you like the legion?)
Oui, beaucoup. (Yes, a lot.)
Quest ce que ton motif pour le legion? (What was your motive for the legion?)
En aborration de la terre. (In abhorrence of the earth.)
Haha, il est drole. (Haha, this guys funny.) At his answer, the officer twisted his lips and laughed.
Are you mocking me? Should I kill you off here and now? Mu Ssang whined.
The conversation between Mu Ssang and this Legion Etranger soldier ended here. There was no way to understand or speak to each other beyond this. The rest was simply done with body language. At the end of his examination, the soldier gave a thumbs-up.
Ha, what the hell, is he swearing at my face? Mu Ssang frowned.
Chapter 4
Mu Ssangs mood soured. The officer most likely wouldnt be laughing out of goodwill; he must be mocking him. Mu Ssang had misunderstood. The international force received applications from all over the world, but they never considered language barriers much of a problem.
Asian applicants were usually Chinese or half-Chinese. That was the reason why the guard had asked if he was Chinese.
Mu Ssang completed the application and was immediately transported to the nearest military division where, over the next three days, he was examined for diseases and signs of drug abuse.
On the fourth day, he was flown to Marseille Provence airport with four other applicants. A Jeep was waiting for them outside the airport to take them to Aubagne International Central Headquarters, 15 kilometers east of Marseille. At the headquarters, they examined his psychological state, gave him an IQ test, a physical, and subjected him to two weeks of orientation.
The qualifications for Legion Etranger were strict. Only 20 percent of those who applied passed the tests and training to earn the Kepi Blanc (white hat).
Amongst the 60 people who gathered at the headquarters, most were disqualified at the background check or testing stage. Only 15 would go on to the Ecole (School) of Castelnau Bridge and receive the Kepi Blanc.
Mu Ssang was 182-centimeters tall and weighed 75 kilograms. He was tall for an Asian, but here, he was considered small. The white and black candidates were usually around 190-centimeters tall, so he disappeared among them.
Hey, monkey, move. A huge black man with a wrinkled nose pushed him out of the way with his huge, rock-like shoulder. Mu Ssang pushed down his temper. When he didnt react, others were tempted to intimidate him.
A yellow-bearded man grabbed the back of his neck and pushed. Mu Ssang gathered his balance in the lower half of his body and resisted. When he didnt move, standing like a boulder, the yellow-bearded mans hand moved.
Tup
His palms were now caught in Mu Ssangs hand. He pressed down.
Craack It was the sound of bones shattering.
Aarrrgh! yellow beards shout resounded across the grounds.
You bastards, mind your manners. Im trying to be nice. Got it? Mu Ssang turned around with his sharp gaze, and the larger candidates around him disbanded in a hurry.
You p*ssies!
He had left his hometown because it was such a dirty place, but it seemed like wherever he went, people were the same. They picked on the weak.
Legion Etranger did not pay that well. The salary was around the same as that of manual laborers in France. On top of that, they had to buy the necessary materials. Even the machinery they were given was basic. Accessories and additional parts had to be purchased with ones own money. In other words, they were underpaid.
Nonetheless, there were plenty of applicants. Some were lured by the romance of the military, and some were applying as a way to put food on the table. Anyways, there were lots of applicants: Arabs, East Asians, Africans, and South Americans they all flooded in. Most had been living in harsh conditions.
In becoming a soldier for Legion Etranger, the most important components were identity checks and physical tests. The physical test was the next key step.
The first test was a 20-minute run since running was the basic measure of ones physical strength. They had to run the perimeter of the training grounds, which was around 800 meters.
Then the examiners decided that instead of choosing to set a distance goal for the time limit, they were going to see how far the applicants could run in the time given. Those who failed this running test would have to pack their bags and leave. The examiners, called EVs, were strict.
Bang
With the signal, these healthy men started the run; they were like bulls being released into a rodeo arena.
Mu Ssang got out ahead of the pack from the very beginning. He didnt want to be between those tall men. He was a man who used to run with two truck tires tied to his waist, so he would be comfortable running around the training grounds for three days and four nights. This test was like childs play to him. He carelessly ran at a speed that was slightly faster than the others paces.
He ran the first lap, and from the second lap onwards, the men were lined up behind him like ants in search of food. By the fourth lap, many dropped out. Mu Ssang passed the back of the line on his fourth lap.
The enlisting officer, also a warrant officer, Collogne Aschdanchef, pushed up the brim of his hat and narrowed his eyes. A strong Asian was running past the last group of enlistees. He clicked his tongue and assumed that Mu Ssang was one of those foolish ones who didnt make considerations for long-term running and the consequences of giving their all from the beginning. Such people usually led the run for a while but eventually dropped out sooner than the others. Disinterested, Collogne looked at the files in his hand.
Collogne later turned his attention back to the training grounds and tilted his head. The Asian was still in the lead and running at a constant pace. Collogne called for the officer with the list.
Corporal.
Oui!
Whos the one in the lead?
Hes the South Korean, Park, the corporal who remembered his face pulled out his documents.
Korean? Korean mafia!
Oui!
The mafia that Collogne talked about wasnt a crime organization. Korean applicants were rare. Throughout the entire Legion Etranger, there were only ten. But despite their small numbers, Koreans trained themselves harshly and banded together tightly, earning the nickname mafia.
While they were talking, the Korean passed the end of the line twice. Collognes eyes, which observed the Korean, glinted. Contrary to the rhythmical movements of his lower body, his upper body was stable. It was as if springs were attached to his feet, as he ran like a horse stomping the ground.
Ha, hes the real deal, Collogne was impressed. It seemed as if there would be a record-breaker for the first time in a long time. There were rare times when such a genius entered the Legion. It was worth keeping an eye on that Korean.
Mon dieu, cest pas vrai! Collognes mouth, after reading the report from the corporal, fell open.
The Korean had run 9,900 meters in 20 minutes. The average run of the enlistees was 6800 meters. Even that was beyond normal. This record was one that not even the most world-famous marathon runner could boast. Collogne became excited. Here was a monster in his reach. There was no need to run any more tests.
Hahaha, Pieff is going to drool over him, he thought of his friend, Captain Pieff, who was working as the commander of the Ecole of Castelnau Bridge. His nickname was The Collector. He was a commander who brought anyone that he deemed a genius onto his team.
He grinned, thinking of his friend who would do anything to have this Korean as his soldier. If Collogne knew that Mu Ssang was dedicating very minimal effort to the test, his expression would have been quite a sight.
Mu Ssang ended the other tests at a level that would not stand out: 100-meter swimming, 10-meter diving, push-ups, sit-ups, six-meter rope walking, etc. He actually had tried his best in the swimming test but only ended up with a score in the middle of the pack since he could only dog-paddle.
The only problem with the other tests were the foreign language and culture sections. All that had evolved in Mu Ssang, after meeting the skull on Wol Song San, was his physical strength.
He had no problem with the food. He had once eaten rotten larvae and had centipedes as his main dish in the cave. There was nothing he couldnt eat.
He did miss the spicy Kimchi stew and sweet bean paste soup that his mother used to make, but he could be satisfied with the food given in the Aubagne headquarters. In fact, it was too grand for a country boy like him.
On his first day at Aubagne, Mu Ssang was confused by the several types of bottles before him on the cafeteria table. He had thought that they were miniature table decorations. But once he learned that they were various sauces used to spread or sprinkle on food or dip food into, he realized he was experiencing culture shock.
The only Korean sauces that he knew were bean paste, soy sauce, and pepper paste. If necessary, there was also Makjang, Jipjang, and chili paste. The French, however, seemed to have a sauce for everything. Countless sauces for unknown purposes left his head whirling.
The headquarters restaurant wasnt Michelin graded since it was just a cafeteria. Despite that, the fresh vegetables, meats, fruits, and seafood were satisfying.
Mu Ssang was used to unexpected meals after a period of starvation. So often, he was used to taking a risk to be fed; he was accustomed to being more desperate than a hyena to end his hunger. And because his taste buds had often been deprived, most foods elicited praise from him. He wasnt picky about his food, at all. Even the military cafeteria food was heavenly to him.
He wasnt, however, able to sample the representative foods of France, such as escargot, foie gras, and truffles. Despite that, he was happy with French food. He patted himself on the back for choosing a French base.
There were some foods served by the cafeteria that he especially enjoyed: ratatouille, bouillabaisse, crepes, and Coq au Vin. The strange names were hard to remember, but the fact that he did recall them was proof that he liked them.
Ratatouille was made with eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, squash, and several other herbal ingredients sauted in olive oil. It was perfect to eat with a baguette or sandwich.
Bouillabaisse was made with a white fish broth, similar to a shabu-shabu. Crab, shrimp, oysters, tomato, asparagus, white wine, and olive oil were thrown in with it, then it was boiled, and seasoned with salt and pepper. It was the only seafood he was able to digest as he didnt like fish oil, but it was disguised in this concoction.
The crepes were a dish where cheese, meat, and several vegetables were sandwiched in a pancake. The Coq au Vin was a chicken and vegetable dish boiled in wine, a very traditional French food. It was similar to the Korean Dak-Dori-tang.
His body was in France, but his mind and taste were helplessly Korean. He sought out food that was similar to the food he had eaten in his hometown.
When else could a country boy eat such dishes? His wish, after being stuck at his uncles house at the age of nine, was to eat whatever he wanted. He had become even more attached to food after his body underwent the change in the cave.
He was satisfied, if not sometimes overwhelmed, by French food. Compared to French food, Korean food could be considered simple. He wanted to show these foods to his master who was stubborn about his dedication to natural, simple dishes.
Mu Ssangs wish of eating well was achieved in France, several thousand kilometers away from home. He had never been good at studying, but he had naturally taken an interest in food and had researched a little himself. He could discern some differences between cooking skills: Frances innumerable ingredients and extravagant cooking style were a tier higher than Koreas cooking style.
The tastes were quite distinct. In the History of Food, written by Jean-Louis Flandrin, was a section where he learned more about the various types of sauces and one of the first sauces used.
In the 15th Century, French people used a green sauce on their meat. The recipe for this green sauce was strange: one teaspoon of oil was added to every ten teaspoons of vinegar. It was, in fact, diluted plain vinegar rather than a sauce. If someone ate meat with the green sauce, today, they certainly would detest the flavor.
Koreans have little tolerance for sour flavors. Accustomed to spicy and salty flavors, their taste buds are sensitive to sweet and sour flavors. Even Mu Ssang, who wasnt picky about his food, would have run to the bathroom after eating that 15th-century green sauce alongside a charcuterie (slices of cured meats) with which it would have been served.
Even the seasonings were similar to the sauce. Cloves are herbs with a caramel scent but a stronger smell and taste than pepper. The book explained that 80 grams of clove seasoning were used in one chicken in the 14th century. 15 stems of cloves were needed to make 1 gram of the seasoning, which meant that at least 1,200 stems were used for one chicken. It was the type of food that only upper-class French society in the middle ages could afford to enjoy in their obsessive desire for delicious food.
Mu Ssang was astounded by that recipe since 80 grams of pepper in one chicken would make a person faint and leave them in tears.
Imagine eating 80 grams of cloves, stronger than pepper in taste, in one chicken. It was death, he thought. Thank goodness that the cafeteria uses only around 0.2g of cloves in one chicken.
To him, it seemed as if the taste buds of the middle ages were in a different dimension all to themselves. However, these differences in tastes could be found across regions in Asia. Koreans didnt like Chinese food that was full of oil and grease, and Chinese people complained about how plain Korean foods were. No one could judge another cultures dish by their cultural standards, nor were they qualified to do so. Each food had a history and culture attached to it.
Although it might not meet a persons standards, it was polite to savor the food. Eating the same food as others and enjoying it also created a way to bring people closer together. Being happy with rice and fighting for anything to eat as a child, Mu Ssang the adult easily became accustomed to French food. Because of his adeptness in acclimatizing to his new culture, he might be considered a mannerly gentleman.
***
The foundation of humanity was communication. Wasnt the infamous cause of failure in human civilization the miscommunication in the building the tower of Babel? Mu Ssang felt the wall of miscommunication in his first two weeks at Aubagne. He didnt know the meeting times, was always in a hurry, and got lost trying to find the restroom. When he had opened up the introductory brochure, the words were merely black marks on white paper.
He felt deeply that communication was a primary part of human survival, and here he lacked the ability. But it was too late to lament not studying French. How could he have known that he would end up in France after all he had been swept up in by fate?
Ten days before going to France, he had begun his study of the French language. But the academic skills that most university students in Korea possessed didnt help him. French flew rapidly over his head like a song. He couldnt understand a sentence.
The language traveled a distance between his ears and brain that was as far as the distance between France and Korea. All he heard was -en, -on, -gne, -ain, -chon, -ang, and -ing. He couldnt tell much of a difference.
Shouldnt I be able to hear distinct things before understanding them? he wondered and was about to burst from frustration.
The black and white European applicants could understand basic French. He, a yellow applicant, felt a sharp awareness of racial prejudice.
After a while, he learned how the black and the white trainees could understand French. Many of them had been born in French-speaking regions of Africa or were French. His perceived shortcomings had no connections to prejudice or to him being Asian and having been born on a different continent.
But even so, he wasnt able to get rid of his awareness. Including him, there were 10 of them who couldnt understand Frenchall of the Asians trainees.
It didnt help, either, that the French instructor lacked teaching skills. He made them memorize words and didnt care about their level of comprehension. He implied that they had to study the language themselves.
At this rate, he wasnt going to understand someone shouting, Get down! and would be hit by an incoming bullet.
Mu Ssang became fiercely determined. From 6 pm to midnight, he spent all his energy on learning French. It was only through communication that he could fit in and then get ahead of others. To survive in a place so far from home, he had to at least start talking.
Fortunately, there were English pronunciations listed in the textbook, which helped him memorize the words. He spent the same energy he had used in fighting the leopard to fight for his communication skills.
***
Even when he was on the toilet, his French flashcards didnt leave his hands.
Je faim. (Im hungry.)
Jaime ?a. (I like this.)
Ou sont les toilettes? (Where is the toilet?)
Un restaurant bon march. (A cheap restaurant.)
Parlez-vous anglais? (Do you speak English?)
Est-ce que je peut fumer ici? (Can I smoke here?)
Quest que ce? (What is this?)
Cest vraiment dlicieux. (Its very tasty.)
Merci beaucoup. (Thank you.)
Hahaha!
He could hear laughter in the stall next to him. It was the teacher of the French classes. He was embarrassed that he had heard him, but he couldnt dwell on it.
Korean, youre working hard, the teacher said, laughing and slapping Mu Ssangs shoulder during class. He also gave him some additional basic language materials and dictionaries.
Among new food, a new language, black and white faces, and healthier physiques, Mu Ssang knew that he was in an entirely different world.
Several EVs complained that their schedules were too harsh. But Mu Ssang had never had a military life before. He couldnt tell whether it was harsh or lax. All he could tell was that the day-to-day life in Aubagne was relaxing for him.
After checking in at 6 am, they went immediately to eat petit djeuner (breakfast). They began their morning exercises at 7:30 and began their djeuner at twelve. They began their training at 14:00 once more, and their dinner came at 18:00. Then they had free time before going to bed at 21:30. If anyone felt this was a rigorous lifestyle, they must have been from the Tang dynastys military.
He could eat food that was nutritious and tasty, receive elementary physical training, relax with cool-down exercises, and go to sleep on a comfortable bed. It could be heaven for him except for the communication issue. But he still felt that he could sing the gyeog-yang-ga praises and shout about how satisfied he was.
Aside from training and education, there were also outside activities. The curriculum also included working at the Legion Etranger museum and volunteering at the retirement center. It wasnt a boring life, after all.
The Legion Etranger retirement center was 60 kilometers north of Aubagne, in Puyloubier. There were about 250 retired soldiers there. They had received their pensions and were living in peaceful retirement. Here, there were full-time doctors to care for them and also a cemetery. It was heaven for soldiers in their old age.
The houses had two or three stories and were designed so that air and sunlight could come in easily. The retirees made commemorative objects connected to their days at Legion Etranger and took care of a vineyard, enjoying their days.
The wine they made was given to the new soldiers or was sold for an affordable price. The facilities and atmosphere of the retirement village made one wish to remain there for the rest of his life. MuSsang wanted to talk to those retired soldiers but couldnt since he didnt even know more than basic phrases in French, and, therefore, he could only dream of talking to them one day.
The retirees received this amazing treatment because the Legion Etranger wasnt some average mercenary group. The Legion Etranger had been created as a part of the French military, a central force to fight for France.
The members served under French military rules for the 5 years of their contract. They were immediately punished for going against the rules or stepping out of line.
Normally, mercenaries were people who received money to fight on behalf of others. They could be soldiers or guards who moved according to their pay and reward. All there was between a mercenary the person who hired them was money. The mercenary was hired, they completed their assignment by any means, received a reward, and moved on.
Once the money was exchanged, that was the end of the relationship. Bluntly put, it was an act of putting ones life on the line for money. Therefore, yesterdays employer could be the mercenarys target tomorrow.
The mercenaries were part of a private unit. They couldnt become nationalistic, nor did an individuals belief or an organizations goal come under consideration. Mercenaries had to protect themselves since they couldnt be protected under the Geneva Convention if held hostage. Usually, once a mercenary was captured as a hostage, they were assassinated for not doing their job.
Soldiers in the Legion Etranger were considered mercenaries since they received money for their services, but they were also a part of the French military. So they were protected by the Geneva Convention and were loyal to France. Simply put, they were a main military unit that was paid to fight.
On Friday of the third week, the remaining 15 trainees boarded the train for Castelnau Bridge. The Ecole (school) where they would be training was southwest from where there were, just north of the Pyrenees mountain range. Other members who had passed and become EVs also boarded the train.
Considering that most of the members were previously part of special forces or in the military, the competition was a bit skewed. Mu Ssang arrived at the Ecole but had to wait for another week to begin the training. It was because they reorganized members every two weeks. His neighbor had once said that the military was all about waiting, and it was true.
The week was a repeat of eating, sleeping, and waiting. Mu Ssang kept boredom at bay by choosing a new menu for every meal. Today, he chose steak as his dejeuner.
At his first lunch date with Hae Young, he ordered the steak. Back then, Western food was trending, and steak was the best Western food being offered. The restaurant he went to in Dae-gu dongsungro had been disappointing, though.
Mu Ssang wasnt picky, but his taste buds were sensitive. Back then, the steak he had eaten was the price of ten black noodle bowls. But he didnt feel half as satisfied by the steak compared to what he would have felt if he had eaten the black noodles. He had sliced away at the steak saying that it was delicious, but inside, he was extremely disappointed.
The meat hadnt retained any of its juices, so it was tough. At the same time, a chemical-like smell of the seasonings resonated. His expectations set him up for a letdown. Since then, he considered steak horrible food. Of course, it was never on the menu in the places he usually ate, so he never had to eat it again.
One expects expensive food to be worth the price. So, of course, he was angry, since it wasnt any tastier than neighborhood market food. Yeok-juns garak noodles gave him 1000W worth of satiation. When word of great-tasting food spreads, a restaurant becomes a well-known place and is constantly filled with people. Such a restaurants food should give the diner their moneys worth of flavor. Anything less than that, and the restaurant would gain only curses from the customers.
The customer always wants quality that matches the price. No one was going to complain that some cheap sauces were used for the tteok bok gi bought from a neighborhood cart. No one was going to be mad at a cook for using a shortening sauce in black noodles. Both were cheap foods, and the customer didnt expect high-quality from cheap food.
So, Mu Ssang hadnt eaten steak at Aubagne. But his misconceptions about steak were rectified once he tried the steak at Castelnau Bridge. There, steak was amazingly delicious food.
The tenderloin was the most expensive cut of beef. From a 600-kilogram steer, only 10 kilograms of tenderloin could be made. The steak that he had eaten at Dongsungro was not tenderloin. They might have used sheep meat treated with tenderizers.
The juicy tenderloin was immensely delicious. The mustard sauce blended with the medium-rare steak to create a sweet and salty combination. Since he loved the food, the Legion Etrangers cafeteria at Castelnau Bridge was heaven.
Mu Ssang ate five servings of steak before enjoying his full belly. The steak was so tender that it had melted in his mouth. He wanted to learn how to make it so that he could make it for his master.
Ha! Mu Ssang shouted in surprise. Did he really want to make it for his master instead of Hae Young? Was his love for Jeong stronger than romantic love?
Only a year had passed, but his overwhelming emotions had calmed down. He couldnt decide whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. Perhaps it was because he had meditated for a year with the wooden fish.
Was Hae Young doing well in the States? he wondered, and his heart suddenly constricted.
Enjoying the break, some trainees were being rowdy and some were relaxing on the grass in front of the dorms. Jang Shing, the tall Chinese guy from Aubagne, was laying on the grass dozing.
He had gotten to know Jang Shin. China was a communist country, so it was an enemy of the Korean Republic, but there was no such feeling between this Korean and this Chinese national in the foreign legion. The Legion Etranger was funded by the French government. Loyalty for their motherlands meant nothing.
And theres Talko, Jjakgwi, Suka? Seems like therell be trouble again, he said to himself, noting the rowdy bunch on the grass.
Mu Ssang frowned.
Chapter 5
He didnt know their names, so he gave them nicknames. The person with the red nose was Red-Nose, the person whose ear had been torn in a wrestling match was Odd-Ear, and the one with a huge scar on his forehead was Scar.
Whenever people gathered, there were always those who created trouble. Legion Etranger was a gathering of all sorts of people, not only of various races, religions, and sexual orientations, but there was bound to be those who were rough and dirty among them.
Three large, Slavic, white men swaggered across the lawn. The sign prohibited walking across the lawn but seemed only to apply to those who were right in their heads. On the trios path was Jang Shin.
Theyre going to start something, Mu Ssang thought.
These three were always together and already had a reputation for being troublemakers. Considering this, he felt as if they might do something to Jang Shin. Mu Ssang watched these three men who were talking loudly.
As expected, they stopped then pointed at the dozing Jang Shin and chuckled.
ܧݧܧ ݧ֧ ܧݧܧ ٧ڧ, ֧ܧڧߧܧѧ ܧ! (Long time no see, Peking Duck!) Scar said in a high-pitched voice.
Coolie, ֧- ҧ֧ܧڧ֧? ߧѧҧѧ ާ֧ݧ! (Coolie, are you worried? Have some courage!) Red-Nose smacked the back of Jang Shins head.
, ߧ ԧѧ ֧ԧ, ӧ ҧէ֧ ٧ѧѧا֧ߧ ӧ ҧ֧٧ߧ. (Hey, dont touch him, you might get infected with monkey lice.) Odd-Ear pretended to stop Red-Nose as he twisted Jang Shins ear.
Mu Ssang didnt know a word of Russian, but he understood the derogatory words for Chinese people, like Peking Duck (a Chinese food), coolie (laborer), and ching-chong.
In Legion Etranger, the Chinese had a bad reputation. It was because several of them avoided battles and wanted to become caterers. Legion Etranger was a combat unit, so those who joined it intending to become a caterer deserved to be hated. It kind of made sense, then, that the term Peking Duck was a nickname used for the Chinese.
Koreans used the derogatory word Chankola for the Chinese. That term was not used in the Legion, however. Chinese and Koreans were assembled in a place where there were foreigners around them, so in that position, there was an atmosphere of goodwill to help one another.
Chankola was a word that had crossed over to Korea from Japan. During the Qing dynasty, a Korean diplomat submitted himself to the emperor as a slave. The Japanese heard of this incident and started calling Koreans Qing-guk-no (slaves of Qing).
Qing-guk-no in China translated to zhanggu, which turned into Chan qo ro in Japanese, and once that crossed back over to Korea, it had morphed into Chankola. One historical incident that undermined national pride created a label for future generations.
Japan had turned Korea into a colony by chasing out the Chinese and Russians; they developed a sense of superiority. The Japanese called their people first-class citizens, the Koreans second-class citizens, and the Chinese pigs.
The derogatory word that the Chinese used for Koreans was Bangzi, also from the Japanese. After conquering the southeast, the Japanese had the Koreans attack the Chinese. It was their way of forming a division between the two races.
The Chinese also called Koreans Gao Li Bang Zi, which meant Goryeos leftovers. Either way, Korea had troublesome neighbors on both sides. Past and present, Koreans were riddled with emotional baggage created by the neighboring countries.
At Castelnau Bridge, there were two Japanese soldiers. Neither Mu Ssang nor Jang Shin interacted with them. Because of history, Japan was viewed as the attacker and Korea and China as victims.
The problems between the three countries wasnt something time could fix. The terms that Koreans used for the Japanese werent simply profanity; they were full of resentment, hatred, and revenge. The hatred between Korea, Japan, and China had its origins deep in their history. It wasnt something that could be resolved politically.
Ahh! Jang Shin shouted from the pain.
Oh, honey, how sexy. Say it louder.
Jang Shins narrow eyes raged with hatred. Asians eyes were narrower and longer than Europeans, and his eyes were a bit more exaggerated in that aspect. The others felt as if they were being glared at. It was a feature that unintentionally started fights.
When Jang Shin glared at Pomsky, he was insulted. Pomsky was a wrestler, born in Ukraine and was bulky: over 2 meters tall and 120 kilograms heavy.
Pomsky considered himself a predator. When an opponent looked weak, he immediately began a fight. He liked displaying his strength by watching the other cave in and beg.
Hey, Peking duck, quack. Odd-ear Pomsky slapped the back of Jang Shins head with his big palm. Jang Shins head bobbed back and forth.
Tsk, like rats, there are bullies everywhere, Mu Ssang said under his breath.
The members of the Odd-Ear group were acting no different from the bullies he knew back in Korea. Mu Ssang couldnt stand by any longer.
Agh!
Crash
In anger, Jang Shins elbow dug into Pomskys chest while he pulled his sleeve forward. Then he flipped Pomsky up into the air and watched him crash into the ground. Pomsky, who had been a wrestler, had a strongly built body, so he shook away the dizziness with a few shakes of his head.
ܧ, ܧۧߧڧ. Odd-ears face turned red.
Wang ba dan, ѧܧߧ ѧ! (*ssh*le, shut the F*ck up!)
Since the people here had been gathered from all over the world, swear words also varied in languages. But even Mu Ssang could understand Wang ba dan.
Pomsky bent the upper half of his body and ran at Jang Shin like a boar. Red-Nose and Scar attacked from behind and the front. Jang Shin also ran forward into Pomskys chest. He turned on his heels and elbowed Pomskys ribs. It was a Wing Chun move.
Pomsky felt the hit and, instead of leaning backward, advanced further. Wing Chuns movements had high impact but minimal range. Pomskys knees gave out when he received a blow to his ribs, but he grabbed Jang Shins waist as he fell. Red-Nose and Odd-Ear gathered, and the Chinese man was buried by their big frames.
Bang crash
The fight continued. Jang Shin resisted, but there was a great difference in strength. After all, he was fighting three-to-one. Even a master of Wing Chun had no way out of this fight. He had been tackled by Pomsky after letting his guard down.
Ugh, that idiot! Mu Ssang clicked his tongue. Wing Chun was a martial art based on short, direct, and powerful attacks. Even his master admitted that the Wing Chun had some of the strongest combat movements. It involved a series of skills and stances. Because the attacks were short and powerful, a confrontation could end quickly.
If Jang Shin wanted to have the biggest impact, he should have run farther into his opponents range and then attacked. He should have shown a determination to break even his own bones.
It was his mistake to put distance between himself and the trio, a lack of experience. If he had ignored the other two and brought down Pomsky, the situation could have been reversed.
Pomsky got on top of Jang Shin. The 120-kilogram giant crushed Shins 60-kilogram body underneath him. All that remained was a beating.
The sight of a small Chinese man being crushed under a huge body was beyond pitiful as well as absurd. Jang Shin used his flexible body to attack Pomsky with his elbows and wrists, but Pomsky just grinned a mocking smile. There were no grounding moves in Wing Chun, so there was no impact from the attacks where the lower body was unsupported.
Mu Ssang grew annoyed by the trios actions, but he didnt want to cause a ruckus within the Legion. He had been alone since 9, had fought off a huge snake, a leopard, and had even killed people. But he did not want to get involved with those bullies.
Men grow closer through fists. Oh, sh*t!
He didnt want to interfere, but the situation was getting worse. Odd-Ear started to hit relentlessly, and blood spurt from Jang Shins face.
This was beyond a simple fistfight. Blood was gushing from Odd-Ears nose, and he was frustrated by being hit by a small Asian. Red-Nose and Scar held down Jang Shins hands and feet so that he couldnt move.
They made a lot of sound, but the training officers couldnt be seen anywhere. No one was around to stop them. The trainees werent going to step in. It was boring being stationed, so no one was going to stop such an exciting event. The trainees chose sides and cheered on the fight. Some even took out money and started making bets.
Jang Shins face turned into something unrecognizable. His nose was crooked and his lips were cut. He was Chinese, but Mu Ssang had become close friends with him, and he did not want to see him being hurt any longer.
Bang
Mu Ssangs body leaped forward. He covered 10 meters in an instant.
You bastard, youre dead, Pomsky said as he pulled back Mu Ssangs arm as far as it could go. He figured that with one good pounding, the monkey was as good as dead.
Huh?
He launched his fist with all his might, but he missed. Pomskys confusion didnt last, and a grieving shout erupted.
Crrack
Aaaagh!
Mu Ssangs palm slapped Odd-Ears cheeks as if he was cleaving down with an ax. Odd-Ear, whose face had whipped to the side, attacked with a back-blow. He knew how to fight.
Urrrgh!
Odd-Ears eyes turned white. With one hit, his 120-kilogram body lost consciousness, and he fell back, powerless.
Pomsky!
What the hell is this guy?
Red-Nose and Scar sat up, surprised.
Whirrrrl
A diagonal attack hit Red-Noses stomach, and he fell back like a squash ball. Mu Ssang attacked Scar with his rear foot on his carotid, after sensing Scar behind him. It was, quite literally, hitting two birds with one stone.
Cough!
Ack!
Screams exploded on both sides. Red-Nose fell forward, and Scar fell like a log before they knew what was happening.
Only a few seconds had passed since Mu Ssang leaped out of his seat, but this exchange had literally ended in the blink of an eye. A silence passed for a moment across the field.
WOW! erupted out of the watchers mouths.
The attack was strong and fast with moves from one of the highest forms of martial arts. The onlookers were enjoying this interesting event that they were privy to simply because they had signed up to be in a foreign legion. Although they each had their own special martial arts or hand-to-hand combat skills, they had never seen such movements.
Tsk! Weakling, Mu Ssang clicked his tongue again and grabbed Jang Shin. Jang Shins face was covered with blood. His head, as small as a childs head, had been pounded for a long time. There was no way his face could look normal.
Mu Ssang grabbed the half-unconscious Jang Shin and rushed him to the infirmary.
After the fight, a debate started up between the trainees about the Asians moves: Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Savate, Krav Maga. No one took care of the three men lying on the floor.
***
Hehe, youre mine now, Commander Pief, who had been sitting on the third floor of the headquarters, let out an eerie laugh. He had watched the ruckus that the EVs had started. An amazing prize had come to him. He had never seen a man move so quickly from a sitting position to cross 10 meters. And the result, which had occurred like flowing water, was amazing. Mu Ssang knew the Asian fighting skills that Pief had only heard about. The Collectors eyes followed Mu Ssang.
Jang Shins injuries werent mild. His ribs and nose were broken, and his cheekbones caved in because three teeth had shattered. Jang Shins training was about to be pushed back for two months because of these level-8 injuries.
Thats not so bad. If it had been me, I wouldnt have gone to the infirmary, Mu Ssang thought.
It would have made Jang Shin cough up blood, indignantly. That was Mu Ssangs standard. To him, level-8 injuries were when a limb was ripped apart, a skull bashed in, or insides eviscerated. However, no one would have agreed with him.
The Ecole was a place where strong people from all corners of the globe gathered. Since they were being stationed together without much guidance, all sorts of things happened. Fistfights were an everyday thing, and there were even cases of rape. Mu Ssang wondered if there were a hierarchy amongst men of which he was not aware. However, inside the training grounds, if it wasnt a huge incident, most things were glossed over.
The Pomsky gangs punishment included being required to make an open apology, attending one week of training academy, and having a hold put on their pay. All Mu Ssang received was two days of cleaning toilets. If he had been in Korea, he would have been called to court or a military conference.
Mu Ssang became famous and earned the nickname Flying Viper. He was also subjected to another consequence of his actionshe came an outcast. The Pomsky gang and everyone else started to avoid him. He was a tough guy who had knocked out three people at once. Even the stronger men feared the Flying Viper.
Basic training began at the Ecole and lasted for four weeks. The first stage was basic education and included the study of Legion Etrangers system, shooting, military formations, marches, combat training, bayonet training, and SALW creating. Mu Ssang could yawn about the whole thing. Compared to the training for Combined Repetitive Expelling Theory and Resonance, it was easy.
With the end of their 50-kilometer march from the training grounds to their main camp, the 1st-level training ended. The EVs received a hat called the chapeau blanc making them official Legion Etranger members.
Commander Pief placed the hats on their heads. Merci de vous tre donn la peine. (Thank you for your troubles.)
Oui, merci!
Mu Ssang was moved. He had earned a mercenary position three years after being chased out of school and society. Koreans were exceptionally picky about blood relationships, school, and personal connections. This created belonging and reasons to get together. And Mu Ssang, being Korean, felt the loneliness of not belonging anywhere.
Second-level training included real-life shooting scenarios, weapon creation, rock climbing, and rappel training. The rappel training and rock climbing were held in Legion Etrangers fourth mountain camp in the Pyrnes, the perfect place for such training.
The Legions main gun was Famas, a bullpup assault rifle. The Famas had been the gun of choice for the French army and Legion Etranger since 1987.
The bullpup rifle differed from the M16 rifle in that the magazine was behind the trigger and grip, in the reverse order compared to the M16.
The bullpup had two positive aspects. The first one was that the barrels length could be maintained while decreasing the guns overall length. A longer gun is harder to carry around, so it was a major feature for mercenaries or those in the special forces. The second advantage was that the recoil pushed against the shooters shoulder, so it was easier to stay focused on the target and keep the firing rate steady.
There were also disadvantages. Range was limited, and the cartridge was near the shooters face, so there was a high risk of getting burned. The shooter had to compensate for the drastic higher sight offset when shooting in close-quarters, and the recoil could make the upper body shake violently.
Mu Ssang didnt let go of the Famas. Even during meals, it remained in his left hand.
A scholar shouldnt let a book leave his hand; a woodsman shouldnt let an ax leave his hand; a monk shouldnt let the wooden fish and scriptures leave his hands. To become someone talented in a field, a person must keep the relevant object close to their body and treat it like their own limb.
At his masters words Mu Ssang laughed, Hey, youre tricking me. Youre saying that the Buddharupa should be used as firewood and the scriptures as pillows. I dont believe you.
You little sh*t, thats exactly why Im a fake monk. You should take the meaning from my teachings not take it word for word. Hahaha! his masters benevolent laughter rang in his ears.
Mu Ssang had become a soldier, and a soldier was a futuristic warrior. A gun was this warriors sword, and he didnt let his sword leave his body even once. It was like the monks wooden fish and a Christians cross. He didnt let go of the gun; he wanted to continually feel the cold metal against his skin.
Shooting practice took place every three days, but there was no limit to the number of bullets they could use. This was an unexpected opportunity for a Korean. With such concentrated training, many of the soldiers claimed that their skin bled, muscles cramped, and teeth cracked. The training was harsh. There were times when they had to shoot 200 times a day, which expended a lot of energy and concentration.
They checked their target after three rounds of zeroing, after three rounds of point three, and then after ten continuous rounds of each, followed by PRI training. This process was repeated ten times, so even the strongest men became fatigued.
The Korean army practiced shooting scenarios once every several months, and the most they did was three rounds of zeroing. Then, they usually searched the grounds looking for the spent cartridges. If they saw how the Ecole worked, their jaws would have dropped at the gratuitous use of bullets.
The shooting range provided targets at 25 meters, 100 meters, and 250 meters. These distances were determined by ballistics. Aside from the special forces, they didnt provide long-range training.
A humans eyes are different from an animals eyes in that they see more clearly than an animal, including the distance and shape of objects. But that clarity decreases exponentially with an increase in distance.
A machine approximated a bullets trajectory and the best distance to kill an enemy. Of course, that didnt mean that one would be killed if shot within that range. It was just that the chances of dying became more certain within that range. The maximum distance was around 100 meters. A shot beyond 100 meters was known as a warning shot rather than a kill shot.
The Castelnau Bridge training program was professional and well-planned. Mu Ssang didnt feel the intensity of the training because of his superior physical condition, but it wasnt easy. Several men dropped out in the middle of training. The two Japanese men who claimed to be from the Self-Defense Forces dropped out in the first round. Apparently, Legion training was very rigorous compared to Defense Forces training. Those who dropped out had to go home.
The last team stepped down from the shooting range. The loud echoes that had been like popping corn ended abruptly. The silence that encased the training grounds created tension.
After the team stepped down, one person went back up on the range: the Flying Viper. The assistant placed five targets, with 3 meters between them, in the 300-meter range because the 250-meter target used for training was no longer relevant.
Mu Ssang, who had gone up on the platform, lay down and assumed his position. The Famas aimed at the target had no sight attached to it.
This test had been arranged by Commander Pief.
Park, prove the validity of the rumors about you.
His eyes were fixated on Mu Ssang.
Pief had received a call from his friend, Collogne, two months ago. It had been three years since a soldier in the Legion stood out like this. This Asian intrigued the Collector who at once moved him into his 1st training company.
The training consisted of 4 levels and lasted 17 weeks: level 1 was basic training; level 2 was situational training; level 3 was technique training; level 4 was evaluation and testing in which they assessed an individuals skills and assigned them elite duties.
Pief did not have the patience to wait. He had watched dozens of officers tests. They all had heard of Mu Ssangs abilities.
At the shooting range, he could verify the rumor that Park could catch ghosts in flight. The 120 trainees in the field watched with bated breath.
Mu Ssang relaxed his body and placed his eye closer to the sight. His master had taught him how to see things with his mind.
Adrenaline pumped throughout his body, enhancing every part. Dopamine and Noradrenaline sharpened his concentration.
Chapter 6
The following were estimates for shooting with the naked eye.
Capable of recognizing facial features at 100 meters.
Capable of recognizing an epaulet and buttons at 200 meters.
Capable of recognizing limbs and other body parts at 300 meters.
Capable of recognizing limb movements at 400-1000 meters.
Capable of differentiating between humans and animals at 1000-2000 meters.
Unable to see people beyond 2000 meters.
Differentiate windows at 200 meters.
Differentiate building materials and types at 500 meters.
Differentiate foliage at 850 meters.
Differentiate street lamps at 1 kilometer.
Differentiate building shapes at 2 kilometers.
Differentiate individual buildings at 3 kilometers.
Differentiate buildings at 8-11 kilometers.
Differentiate objects as large as windmills at 18 kilometers.
Differentiate factories at 21 kilometers.
Of course, this did not apply to Mu Ssang.
He could discern human features 1-kilometer away. His sight was eight times better than the average humans sight, so he didnt need a scope.
The target set at 300 meters, perfect for a Famas, expanded before him. He could see each circle as if it was right in front of his face.
It was a technique he had practiced at Mt. Chung Saeng.
He had undergone training that allowed him to see lice in someones hair. A 100-millimeter target set at 300 meters away was like the full moon to him. That skill that would make him the strongest sniper.
Au batons! the firing trainers order rang out.
In an instant, his senses and concentration were at their peak. His consciousness fell away, his sub-consciousness pressed down his right thumb, and the muscles contracted at a steady pace.
Actin made his muscles slide and contract smoothly. He pulled the trigger straight back without a single tremble in his finger. Air pressed on the mercury in the bottom of the cartridge case.
The bullet received the full blow of the pressure within its casing and shot forward at a speed three times faster than the speed of sound.
The 5.56-millimeter NATO bullet flew forward at a power of 1700J and took 0.4 seconds to reach its target. After shooting three times, he looked up and checked his shots. The target backboard at 300 meters looked like a tin can to the average eye and the target, a piece of candy. They couldnt see the 100-millimeter central circle.
Mu Ssangs eagle eyes confirmed that two bullets had drifted 25mm away from the center ring. It was a fundamental problem with the gun. He nodded once more to the training officer who then ran towards the target to check his score.
This was his first time doing a 300-meter shoot. After checking his third click to the right, he shot three times once more. This time, it landed in the 25-millimeter circle. He zeroed in on the 300-meter target. The training officer went between the platform and target continuously. Mu Ssang didnt need to confirm his shots by retrieving the target, but he didnt want to look too outstanding. His master always warned him to hide a fifth of his strengths.
He was given 30 bullets, and he entered a continuous shoot.
Tatata tatata
The slightly obtuse sound of the Famas continuously rang out.
He was instructed to fire 30 bullets in six rounds at five targets.
After firing two rounds at the third pointer, he moved to the next target, and once he had shot two rounds on the next targets third pointer, he moved once more, like flowing water.
Piefs expression crumpled. Is it because he is inexperienced? he wondered.
The excited Koreans shooting grated on his nerves. Nothing could be done about the machines recoil especially with the Famas extreme side-to-side vibrations that took a toll on the upper body.
Firing at the three-pointer with two rounds was disappointing. Even if he was exceptionally talented, some things were simply impossible. He didnt know what this Korean was thinking.
It took him 8.7 seconds to move from the first target to the next. His barrage was clocked at 1.2 seconds, and it took him 1.5 seconds to fix his sight on the next target. But 1.5 seconds wasnt enough time to recover from the Famas recoil. This was not something that could be overcome by training as it was a machinery issue, but Pief was disappointed by this timing.
Oh, mon Dieu! (Oh my god!) a small exclamation rippled amongst the officers of the training range.
The speed of the barrage increased.
The machine-gun-like sound suddenly stopped. In a blink of an eye, 30 rounds had been spent. A silence spread over the grounds.
It took him 35 seconds to fire 30 shots at 5 targets.
He had fired the gun like a machine gun. The sergeant who had been watching the timer looked at the seconds as if he could not believe it. Pief, who also received the report, widened his eyes. The shooting was, aside from the accurate, incredibly quick. The counters who verified the targets suddenly erupted into shouts.
Oh mon Dieu!
Incredible!
Only two of the 30 shots had missed the 100-millimeter circle. It was the 1st target that had been zeroed. The other 28 bullets had landed inside the 25-millimeter ring. It was perfect.
What the hell?
Pief doubted his eyes. A shiver ran down his spine.
It was a fixed target, but the distance was still 300 meters. He had managed to put bullets through a 100-millimeter ring at a 100-percent rate without using a dot sight or scope. On top of that, he had changed targets and still finished in 35 seconds. This wasnt just special, it was the birth of a sniper.
Legion Etranger had a sniping team in its regiment in Corsica, in the concentrated Deuxieme Rep. Their talents were astounding. But there was a limit to the human body, and the machinery itself.
Then how did he manage to control the recoil? It was a riddle that Pief was never going to solve. He would also never know that this Korean had hidden around a fifth of his capability.
Normally, an average firing range had targets placed at around 250 meters. It was the point determined by taking the bullet and its trajectory into consideration. A distance beyond 250 meters was irrelevant if the shooter was firing a rifle.
But at 300 meters, the were other factors for the shooter to consider. 300 meters didnt just mean an extra 50 meters, it also meant a shooters accuracy dropped by 80 percent.
But despite all that, the results were as perfect as a continuous firing. He had used a rifle, which was a ground assault weapon, as a snipers tool. Not even the best snipers could ignore the bodys limits and machinerys faults in such a manner.
Pief, who had plenty of experience under his belt, felt his neck tingle. If an enemy was to stumble across this Korean in the middle of a battle, it meant that a small unit was going to be wiped out in one to two minutes.
Effrayante, effrayant!
Pief analyzed Park in his immobile state. He had a surprisingly well-trained body but looked like the average Asian.
Sergeant.
Oui, Captain.
If you used the Famas for a 300-meter shoot, how many shots would you be able to get in?
The sergeant hesitated.
There is no 300-meter shooting in the training plan, but I am capable of shooting a target 250 meters away with a 90-percent accuracy.
Continuously?
The sergeant couldnt think of a reply.
Continuous shooting was considered an area shoot rather than a target shoot. He wished to point that out, but his rank didnt allow it.
Cest mauvais! (Thats bad!)
A vein bulged in sergeant Himlets forehead. He had become a trainer because of his first-class sniping. But, because of one Asian, he had become someone unimportant.
Pief was someone who had battled in both the Congo and Guina.
He also knew that the skills Park had shown were amazing beyond words. It was the birth of a perfect sniper, the sole one in existence. Without any obstacles, he could remove a high-ranking officer instantly.
Pief assessed Mu Ssang as if he was dissecting him. He was tall, considering his Asian roots. His hands and feet were large, and his arms and legs were long. His muscles were well-built, even in detail, and his stance was upright and proportional. It was the peak of human fitness that a sportsman or competitor would seek.
He was perfect.
He was currently standing immobile, without a single twitch of a muscle. He was capable of controlling his entire body completely.
Soldier Park, have you ever served in the military?
An officer translated for their conversation.
No.
Do all Koreans shoot as well as you do?
Mu Ssang hadnt been anywhere near the Korean military. He didnt know whether the Korean militarys sniping skills were good or bad.
Theyre good.
How good?
They can shoot a hummingbirds head at 300 meters.
He didnt have even an ounce of affection left towards his motherland, but he didnt want his country to be looked down upon.
What? Shoot a hummingbirds head at 300 meters!
Pief and the surrounding officers shouted in disbelief.
Its true.
It was a lie. But they werent going to check if the Korean military was capable of shooting a hummingbirds head even if they went there themselves. Mu Ssang had no idea that Pief had decided to create a special force consisting of Koreans.
Pief instinctively felt as if this was his big chance.
After World War II, English colonies in Africa managed to claim independence. The newly independent countries were rife with battles, civil wars, and fights over borders. This was the same for the French colonies: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Mali. Even Algeria and Chad didnt have a single day of peace. France, in typical fashion, interfered with these battles for independence.
Having something special put a commander on the fast track to a promotion. Piefs animal instincts immediately thought of offering the Korean to the French International dispatched forces. Of course, he was the one that would benefit.
Ok, rest.
Piefs mood immediately shot up.
He told the sergeant to bring a snipers gun.
Whats the precision range of the Famas? Pief asked William, the machinery officer.
Quatre MOA. (4 MOA.)
One MOA referred to a perfect shot fired from 100 meters and hitting a 25-millimeter circle. So, a 4 MOA Famas was capable of making a perfect shot in a 120-millimeter circle from a distance of 100 meters. Of course, this was a mechanical calculation with the most perfect conditions applied.
Mu Ssang fired with 4 MOA precision without using a dot sight or a scope, shooting a 100-millimeter circle at a range of 300 meters. He had surpassed the guns limits.
Pief found it hard to hide his excitement. In Legion Etranger, those snipers who were able to surpass the machinerys limits were called god snipers. This was the first time since World War II that a god sniper had emerged.
All sorts of people from around the world applied at Legion Etranger. And sometimes a human with special abilities enlisted. Mu Ssang was someone who had surpassed human ability, and many doubted that he was human.
If the test results were revealed, higher commanders would go after him like flies on dead meat. He was a trainee, and whoever got to him first would have an advantage.
Piefs original legion was the Deuxieme Rep. After losing his battalion at Algeria because of a risky strategy, he was relocated to Castelnau Bridge. Trainee Park was someone who could return him to Deuxieme Rep and also give him wings. Commander Pief searched intently for the person who was going to help him move beyond his previous position.
The first person on his list was Lieutenant Colonel Blanco at the retirement village. Blanco had been Piefs colonel. In Guinea, his foot was caught by a guerrillas booby trap and was ultimately amputated. He had retired, but no one in the legion could ignore his advice.
Pief always used to visit Blanco whenever he visited Aubagne. Blanco respected the warriors and had good connections. He was someone who would be excited by the idea of a person like Mu Ssang. Pief had already played with the newbies for over a year. His time of repentance was over and he was going to ask Blanco to help him get reinstated into the Deuxieme Rep.
Captain!
A soldier, with a Dragunov in his hands, woke Pief from his musings.
A Dragunov was a Russian semi-automatic sniper rifle, but it had poor accuracy for a sniper rifle. On the other side, its durability was amazing as was its use against moving targets.
It had been 20 years since the first one was produced, but it was still loved by the world. Its official name was ߧѧ֧ۧܧѧ ӧڧߧӧܧ ѧԧߧӧ. Of course, no one remembers that, and there was no reason to remember it.
The Dragunov used a 7.62-millimeter bullet. Its longest range was 1300 meters, but the average range was 800 meters. Compared to the other high-quality sniper rifles, its precision was 3 MOA less and its range comparably smaller. Up against the fixed 4, proportionally balanced PSO-1M2, the Dragunovs precision and surrounding scope sight was lacking.
The Dragunov also had its positive aspects. It had a better firing rate, power, and accuracy than the other weapons since it had been designed for catching a swiftly moving object. That construction and durability made it perfect for real situations and is what made it a consistently sold gun.
The GIATs FR-F1, nicknamed Epal, was the French militarys most-ordered sniper rifle, but it didnt gain the favor of Legion Etranger, mostly because it was heavy and bolt-action oriented.
When selecting a weapon, the snipers of Deuxieme Rep valued the weight, firing rate, power, and range the most, and many returned the Epal that had been issued to them and bought their own Dragunov.
Pief threw the Dragunov to Mu Ssang. He was confused. What am I supposed to do with it?
Park, have you used a Dragunov before?
Its my first time.
Can you try using it?
No problem.
What? Hahaha! Pief laughed at Mu Ssangs reply.
He was someone with a sense of humor and amazing abilities. Pief liked him even more.
No problem was a phrase that had a lot of history within Legion Etranger.
When thinking about the Vietnam war, most people recall the United States involvement. But there was a painful moment in history where the French army was massacred in a Vietnamese jungle. It was considered separate from the Vietnam War, however, and was called the Indo-China war.
In 1954, France suffered a painful defeat in the war at Dien Bien Phu. In this battle, most of the soldiers in the Legion Etranger battalion died. Because they were lacking in funds, the best the French military could come up with was to send in reinforcements from the infantry regiment for a combined attack.
Many enlistees appeared, but the soldiers were new and inexperienced. And many of the newbies that jumped out of the plane said, no problem. No one knew the reason, but this was a phrase that became legendary within the Legion for its sincerity and fearlessness. Since then, the term no problem was used to say, I have no experience but will try my best.
The Dragunov weighed about 4.3 kilograms. Considering its purpose, it was on the lighter side. In reality, the Dragunov was used as a squads automatic rifle, more than a snipers rifle.
This time, it was bipod stationary shooting. It was the first time he held a rifle. For now, he chose to shoot 15 rounds, zeroing at 250 meters. He got into position.
A sniper was expected to hit a target beyond the guns range and within a specified time. During a recorded shooting at the Ecole, they allowed for a 4-second interval between shots fired at a target that was 100 meters away, and 10 seconds for one 250 meters away. A person typically could regain their concentration within those limitations.
When given a target at 400 meters, the interval was extended into 40 seconds. A normal soldier was incapable of recovering from nerves and controlling their breath within this time. This why the need for specially-trained soldiers emerged.
A sniper had to be capable of hitting a target perfectly at over 400 meters. Of course, they had to undergo special training to increase their concentration and sight. But Mu Ssang was only a normal EV who hadnt received any sniper training.
The target, due to the limitations of the grounds, was placed at 600 meters. It was also the limit at which a sniper could target a limb using the Dragunov.
Mu Ssang placed the target in the scopes crosshairs and concentrated.
He placed the target within the lines, and he placed the line within himself. Mu Ssang was someone who had the sight to discern the gender of a person standing 4 kilometers across the Aubagnes plains.
The moment he sensed his body becoming one with the rifle, his finger moved, but he didnt even sense that he had pulled the trigger.
Clang clang clang
It was Mu Ssangs specialty, a rapid series of shots.
After confirming the hits on the recovered target, he fell back in place adjusting his stance. It took 20 seconds to shoot a series of 10 bullets. Even though this was his first time, he finished it with amazing speed.
Piefs reaction, after confirming the results on the target, turned into excitement. Eight bullets had hit the 100-millimeter circle, and two had gone slightly off the 50-millimeter one. He had surpassed the guns limits, once again. The Korean, along with showing precision, had conquered the test with the continuous rounds and range. It was, as one might say, a free jewel he had found in the province.
Pief, as soon as he returned to the Ecole, gave Mu Ssang a special treat: letting him choose his sniping rifle.
Park, choose your lover. I will give it to you.
Chapter 7
On the table were the French Armys fundamental guns: the Epal, Israels Galil, Germanys PSG-1, and USAs M40. These weapons, made to kill a person in the most efficient way, were gleaming on the table.
The PSG-1 cost 4 million Francs, an expensive gun with a precision of 0.7MOA. The M40 boasted a 1MOA with a range of 1,000 meters. For a mercenary, weapons mattered. Pief was counting on Park and laid out some choices to buy his trust.
Dragunov! Mu Ssang replied.
What? You want to turn down a 4-million Franc countess and hold onto some 2000-Franc trash?
What kind of an idiot was he? He had just kicked away 4 million Francs rolling into his pockets.
If he truly liked the Dragunov, he could have still chosen the PSG-1, sold it, and bought a Dragunov. It made him look like a naive Korean even more.
Whats the reason?
Its strong and quick.
The accuracy is lacking.
Pief felt that his words would have no meaning. Park had managed to display a kill-all ability with the Dragunov.
Ill decide.
Very well.
Pief gifted the Dragunov without a second thought. He had managed to sway a god-level sniper with 2000 Francs. He caught a tuna with shrimp bait. He adored Mu Ssang, who was going to help him climb the ladder to a higher position. But Mu Ssangs soul wasnt that of a pet. It was that of a predator. Whether Piefs goal, viewed through rose-colored glasses, would really come to be was something worth watching.
Sniper training was added to his daily schedule. Curses flew out of Mu Ssangs mouth, Damn, theyre still fussing even after I placed in the top 5 percent of the trainees. Master was right.
Sniper training was a series of endurance tests, overcoming torment after torment. It was considered the most brutal training within the army. He regretted it, but it was too late. In the military, when one was asked to die, they had to die. That was why one had to make the right connections from the beginning.
***
According to the American Heritage Organizations wartime research, 7,000 bullets were wasted killing one enemy during World War I. In the Vietnam war, over 25,000three times the amountwere wasted.
Based on the value of a dollar in 1980, a 5.56-millimeter NATO bullet cost the US 70 cents to produce. This meant that the American military wasted over 17,500 dollars killing one enemy during the Vietnam War.
That amount was a military mans yearly pay. This was only possible within the United States, a first-world country. Military spending was at its peak.
According to the French DGSEs reports, a sniper used 1.3 bullets to kill its target, so it cost a dollar to kill one enemy. In the Vietnam War, a sniper could have killed 17,500 people with 17,500 dollars. The sniper could destroy a unit and, on top of that, a regiment. A life wasnt worth the price of a coffee.
Voltaire once said, God is not on the side of the big battalions but on the side of those who shoot best. An army with good snipers was the best army. A snipers existence was significant enough to sway to the flow of the battle.
The purpose of an army was to prepare for war, suppress insurgencies, and kill enemies. A lot of training and plenty of experience made a good soldier and military. An army without much preparation and experience, but with high numbers of soldiers, was easy to deconstruct. And when the senior officers were incapable, the military was an ant that would be killed by a raindrop.
The most representative incident of this case was the Ssang-Ryung battle in January 1637. This was the most embarrassing failure in Koreas history.
King Injo was frightened and fled to the Namhansanseong Fortress without fighting a single battle. Over 4 million soldiers moved from both the Gyeong-sangs western and eastern provinces to save this king.
And unbelievably, the 4-million-soldier-strong army was defeated by 300 men at the battle of Ssang-Ryung. Three-hundred was not an exact number, but it was still a crushing defeat. Back then, most of the Korean army was equipped with the latest technology of that era, the gun, but was defeated against those soldiers who swung swords.
According to the records, General Huh-Wan, from the eastern provinces distributed 10 bullets to each gunner. The soldiers were new to the concept of guns and wasted the bullets, firing their guns indiscriminately. If just half of the army shot one round, they would have used over 100,000 bullets.
But they still werent able to defeat the 300 men with those 100,000 shots. The situation was incomprehensible. The soldiers who had used up all of their ammunition fought with others for more.
And at that moment, the Qing army advanced. The soldiers were scared and scrambled for their lives. And the Qing warriors on horses chased after the soldiers who were fleeing like ants. Several thousand men were trampled under their own comrades feet. The other thousands ran away. Even Huh-Wan himself was crushed by his fleeing men.
General Min Young from the western region didnt distribute all of the bullets at once. It was only after they were up against the Qing army that they started distribution. And, at that moment, a soldier who hated Min Young set fire to the bullet storage building.
When the bullets exploded within the military camp, the soldiers panicked. And when the Qing horse riders attacked, Youngs men also trampled each other while fleeing. In the end, the fate of the army that Huh-Wan led wasnt any different from what happened to Youngs army. Min Young was also stomped to death.
There were several conspiracy theories regarding the Ssang-Ryung battle, but the truth that Huh-wan and Min Young suffered a crushing defeat didnt change. According to several pieces of evidence, the Joseonese army had 1,040,000 million soldiers. With such a large army, the Qing should have been defeated in a single battle.
It was the pathetic result of having untrained soldiers, incapable commanders, and a lack of experience on the battlefield.
Written early in the Ming dynasty, Liu Jis One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies included the Cultivation strategy that said, a military without experienced generals and soldiers are bound to fail. The first condition for a victorious army was well-trained soldiers and a capable commander.
Well-trained men were behind General Lee-Sun Shin in their victory against the Japanese army.
In the Three-Kingdom era, the Fifth general, Hwang Chung, became one of the five great generals alongside Jo-Ja-Ryong, Gwan-Wu, Jang-Bi, and Ma-Cho with his archery skills. Then and now, snipers were a necessity in winning a war.
On the battlefield, snipers heightened the fear of the battle and acted as a wild card to control the opponents movements. Sometimes they became the key to a battle. In World War I, Finland fought against the Russian army and using a well-trained sniper team, was able to stop the Russian armys strong vanguard.
If there had been 400 qualified soldiers at Ssang-Ryung instead of 40,000 inexperienced men, the result would have been quite different. Using a simple defensive formation with gunners in four rows, they could have defeated the 300 warriors.
A snipers value could be calculated. A human target had an area of around 0.42m^2. And within that target, a shot could be fatal on only 40 percent of his overall body, and area of 0.16m^2.
According to the US Border Protection records, only 40 percent of bullets fired were fatal shots. This meant that the other 60 percent of the bullets hit limbs, ears, or some non-fatal area. Body armor lowered that percentage. One can assume that there were no stupid soldiers just standing around on the battlefield, so considering all the bad aspects, the kill rate is even lower.
Then what was the possibility of a 4MOA gun killing an enemy, in hiding, beyond 300 meters?
When the target was still, the head and shoulders created an area of 450cm^2. In the 300-meter range, the best possible shot with a 4MOA gun was, by the machinerys standards, an area of 1,017cm^2. The chance of a fatal shot was 44 percent, so only one-out-of-three shots would hit the target. If only 40 percent of a target is visible, the chances of a kill further decreases to 16 percent.
In the end, only 10 percent of shots fired resulted in a fatality. If there was a misfire on the battlefield, even a critical shot was going to be difficult. Targets on the battlefield would be concealed and always in motion, and killing someone who was out of sight would further decrease the kill rate.
So its not hard to believe when the reports say that 25,000 bullets were wasted on one death in the Vietnam War. This is why militaries around the world tried to improve the accuracy instead of the range of their weapons.
A snipers psychological state can also give him an advantage. A soldier on the battlefield has a rush of adrenaline. Filled with rage, he fears nothing. Of course, beginners or those who were otherwise fearful, either cowered or screamed and became mentally unstable.
Another side of a soldier without fear was that he didnt think he would be killed. He doubted that he would be hit by a bullet.
Many shots fired on the battlefield were stray bullets or misfires. So if a friend was to get hit, he might not have been the target for that bullet; it would just be one bullet out of millions that were fired. It would be almost a fluke if a friend had been hit by a stray bullet, and a hatred towards the enemy would accumulate until it exploded.
In movies, there is often the clich scene where a fallen soldier dies while calling out to his friend. Some macho idiot leaps out of the hiding spot and runs forward in rage. This was something that did happen when the madness of the battlefield overruled a soldiers fear of it.
When a sniper fires shots, however, the situation turns out differently. Every single bullet is aimed perfectly at the target. The bullets blow up the targets head and pierce his heart.
Then, the situation changes. The belief that one wont be hit by a bullet wavers. The realization that I am a target, becomes real. The death of a friend then brings forth not rage but fear because now this solder can imagine the sight of his head exploding. The mind goes blank, and the soldier puts himself in the line of fire.
This is called Approach-Avoidance and can be seen in animal documentaries about the Serengeti plains. Thousands of gnus are running on the plains. The wide Jambagi river is in their path. In the river, several alligators are waiting. The herd pauses momentarily, but then they jump into the river without hesitation.
Why do the gnus run toward their death?
The Approach-Avoidance theory postulates that the number of gnu that would be sacrificed to the alligators would be small compared to the numbers of the herd that survive. So the gnu proceed because, at the moment one of them is being sacrificed, several others can cross the river. The theory says that one gnu doubts that he or she would be the one caught by the alligators. Sadly, this is what makes humans no different from the gnu herds.
The term sniper was first used by the 18th-century English military. In the Indian mountains, there were birds called snipe, which were fast and agile, and, because of their irregular movements, they were a challenging object for target practice.
On top of that, their feathers were similar to the forests colors, so they were hard to find. Snipe were hardly seen and hard to shoot. It would have been a hundred times easier to shoot a lion or a tiger.
The act of shooting the snipes was called sniping, so sniper became the term for someone who targeted snipes.
As useful as snipers were, it took an immense amount of time and money given to cultivate them. Within Legion Etranger, there was a Deuxieme Rep just for those snipers consisting of four battalions. Sniper training began once a soldier had completed the training at Ecole and was assigned to that regiment.
In Mu Ssangs case, he was starting early because of Piefs intentions. Mu Ssangs peaceful days were now over. He now was an official sniper trainee. If he was ordered to die, he had to follow that order.
Anyone could quit the regiment if they wanted to. Mu Ssang was someone who had more endurance and patience than anyone else in the world, but he never considered packing up his belongings just because his training got harder. It was nothing compared to the days he had spent in that cave in Bang Tae San.
At 23:00, while all of the trainees slept, Mu Ssang, wearing a self-made Ghillie Suit, hid in the middle of the Occitane Forest. The firing range could be seen in the distance.
That nights training was about concealment, to stay hidden within a 250-meter radius after moving three times. Three professional training officers, all talented snipers, moved around looking for him. If they found him, he would have to repeat the training, and if they didnt, he would receive a Glock 17 as a reward.
Pief, although this training was off the record, made sure there was a carrot on a stick so he could use this inexperienced trainee relentlessly.
The Occitane Forest was the trainees front yard. The officers, with over five years of experience, knew the surrounding region very well. This training limited a trainee to moving only within a 250-meter radius. It was hard to avoid the trainers excellent vision.
Damn, are they asking me to become invisible or something? he thought, very annoyed. Here he was training the middle of the night when all of his fellow trainees were asleep.
What kind of training was this?
If he had been asked if he wanted to become a sniper, he wouldnt have been so annoyed. But he knew that he shouldnt be in such a rush to finish this training.
Three hours passed, and he had not moved a muscle. He didnt need a watch; he could tell the time by his bodys changes. He had once waited in the middle of Bang Tae San for 24 hours to catch a scorpion. Waiting in the middle of a mountain where fresh air flowed was nothing compared to that experience.
His brain, recognizing his dehydration desperately asked for water. His throat and mouth had long gone dry. His skin was tingling and his eyes had turned dark. In a short while, it was going to be 24:00. This cursed training had to end.
He had controlled his food intake, but he needed the restroom desperately. Snipers usually urinated in small spurts so that it dried quickly since the smell would linger for a long time.
The smell also spreads wide. Even a human, when trained, can discern the smell of sweat and urination from tens of meters away. Mu Ssang used the Combined Repetitive Expelling Theorys principle of separated disconnection. This disconnection could prevent urination, sweating and even allow a woman to control her menstrual cycle. He pressed the tip of his tongue against the roof of his mouth and tightened his perineal muscles. Through concentration, he changed his bodys inner temperature through his veins and governor vessels. The gathered urine slowly seeped back into his body.
Swish
A clean wave fell over him.
Only a sniper could catch a sniper. Someone who had undergone extreme training could easily pinpoint a hiding spot a sniper might move to next, so the sniper whose previous spot had been discovered could easily become a target. A snipers skills were determined by their ability to hide, to use terrain to their advantage, and to perform subtle interventions and extractions.
Mu Ssang had learned how to become one with nature in his assassination of Chui Do Shik. A skill that had been in his unconsciousness surfaced because of the sniper training.
I am the wind, the rock, the grass, the ground. Mu Ssang steadily disappeared.
F*cking hell, Im going to die.
He grit his teeth at a red ants relentless attack. It was a Lasius Nager, a wild ant that lived in the Pyrenees mountains that had very large pinchers for its size.
This fire ant originated in Argentina and was amazingly tenacious. In comparison to its small size, it had incredible strength. Once it got a hold of something, it never let go. When it was pulled away from what it was biting, it let its head get ripped away from its body, so it could keep on biting.
It had arrived in southern France, pushed out the indigenous fire ant, and conquered the Pyrenees. The annoying things even invaded the training camps.
Ugh, Im going to go crazy!
The fire ant that had bit the tip of his nose was, for some reason, entering his nose. Mu Ssang instinctively twitched it. The officers were professional snipers, and their eyes and senses were different from those of normal people. Three days prior, Mu Ssang had failed the test at the very end because he had let his guard down trying to dig out a fly that had flown into his ear. If he moved now, the efforts of the past 24 hours would be wasted.
When his nose twitched, it angered the fire ant. It was a species that became stronger when its food resisted, so it bit into the soft tissues inside his nose and didnt let go.
Uggggh! he screamed in his head.
The shout nearly escaped. The nerves that delivered pain tested his threshold. Goosebumps appeared all over his body. He never knew an ants attack could be this painful. It was to the point he missed his master attacking him with a staff.
And in that moment, he feared that his muscles would contract. If he moved his muscles, he might make a sound. He fought tooth and nail to relax his body.
At that moment, the first officer passed by him without realizing his presence. The pain in his nose felt like a red-hot iron torture device.
When someone feels pain, they shout, roll around, or make a sound, and that disperses the pain; it distracts the senses. Mu Ssang, however, couldnt do anything to distract his pain. He couldnt shout, nonetheless blink his eyes. His head was overloaded with several sensations and intentions swirling like lightning and hail.
It was the first time Mu Ssang experienced such pain. He wanted to gather all the ants in the world and kill them. He wanted to exterminate the Lasius Nager, but it was a hopeless wish. He couldnt even get rid of the ant currently up his nose. Genocide was out of the question.
From what he knew, ants were diurnal creatures. He didnt know that there were nocturnal ants, too. He believed that this ant should be diagnosed with sleepwalking problems.
The chances of him sneezing became exponentially higher. He ultimately suppressed his parasympathetic nervous system. There was no way he could get through this with simple breathing exercises. He attempted to make his nose run to chase out the ant without moving, that was the only way.
He gathered all his senses and concentration to make his nose run. His body, which was lacking in fluids, didnt cooperate at first. Time seemed to pass slowly during his torment.
Oh, its flowing, its flowing! he thought with much relief.
He became emotional and excited. It was the victory of a human who had overcome bodily instincts. He never imagined that he would be so happy about a runny nose. The f*cking fire ant was pushed out of his nose from the flood.
Bang Bang
While he was fighting against the fire ant, the training ended. The two shots meant the end of training. The 24 hours were up. He had concentrated on the ant so deeply that he hadnt noticed the last officer passing him.
Mu Ssang enjoyed his freedom. On top of that, he earned a Glock 17. To Mu Ssang, the 4500 Francs werent easy money, but it marked the end of his concealment training, a training he never wished to go through again.
What situation would a human find the most torturous?
It was when they couldnt move. No one could survive being in one position for a long time. A sniper had to remain positioned like this in the wild for over an hour.
Extreme sunshine and wind were easily bearable compared to an attack from a creature. An insects attack was the most fearsome when in hiding. A centipede could bite the penis, a bee could sting, an ant could bite inside the nostrils, mosquitoes could attack, and all kinds of flies and insects could crawl into any orifices in the body.
Sometimes bird poop landed on the face, a snake might hiss before ones eyes protesting an invasion of its nest, pollen could bring out a sneeze, or a scorpion could bite ones foot.
It was impossible to be still in the wild. Moving continuously for 24 hours would be better. After the training, Mu Ssang felt like a dead man.
The Lasius Nagers impact had weighed heavy on his mind. He plopped down on the floor like a sticky rice cake and rested. At that moment, he learned that although rice cakes couldnt become human, humans could certainly become rice cakes.
Chapter 8
Captain, Park has passed Program Zero.
Impossible!
Piefs expression turned from surprised to happy as he received this report in the middle of the night. Mu Ssangs sniping test was satisfactory.
Legion Etrangers sniper training was made of four levels. Program Zero was a non-recorded level that focused heavily on survival. The basic training program un a trois (one to three) was mandatory. Thirty-two weeks were spent solely on level three. The fourth level had no time limit.
Programme Un (Program One) was simply torturous. In its 150-year history within Legion Etranger, the members that had passed the snipers training could be counted on two hands. Mu Ssang found it difficult to hide the last five percent of his capabilities like his master had suggested.
Piefs training for Mu Ssang was beyond the usual Program Un and was nearing sadism. How could a human cross the Pyrenees mountains 15-kilometer range under one hour? How could a human climb an overhang perpendicular to the ground and over 100 meters high? How could a human jump from 15 meters in height with just his body? How could a human wait for 24 hours immobile in the wilderness? The how-could-a-human? training had no end in sight.
Piefs expression was worth its weight in gold. Mu Ssang did complain, but he managed to absorb all the training. It was the birth of an indestructible human weapon.
The next day, Pief received a transmission that made him smile; it was the news that he had been waiting for for a long time. He had been accepted and reinstated back into the Deuxieme Rep. At the end of this training session, he could leave boring Castelnau Bridge. His plea to Lieutenant Colonel Blanco had been worth it.
Deuxieme Reps headquarters were on the outskirts of Corsica. For a soldier to succeed, there was nothing better than going to war, and the Deuxieme Rep was the first military unit that was sent into international battlefields. The fourth company that he was to command were the special forces of snipers and explosives experts.
Pief, who thirsted for a higher position, was good at finding opportunities. He had been paying attention to the former French colony, Chad, which was in turmoil. France was going to leave Chad, and the Deuxieme Rep was going to be dispatched first to oversee this transition. Mu Ssang was a definite factor in Pief climbing the military ladder.
Oh, petit canard! (Duckling)
Pief greeted Mu Ssang gladly; he could have kissed him. Mu Ssang was there because Pief had called for him, but he didnt like him at all. He wasnt going to warmly greet someone who had lured him with sweet talk into two months of torture.
Mu Ssang didnt know why Pief called him a duckling for a while. He wondered if it was because he was cute. After all, he was handsome because he had received the best of his parents genes. But the aura around him was more sharp than cute. When he glared at someone with the red glint of his eyes, no one could bear looking at him.
Commander Pief had begun to call him petit canard after their trainee interview. He had asked Mu Ssang what he liked to eat, and he had replied that he liked the Foie Gras, traditionally a goose liver dish, but most foie gras was made of duck liver. The strange man before laughed until he coughed.
Why did he laugh? Mu Ssang wondered.
He finally asked Sergeant Himlet, to whom he had grown close, What is petit canard?
The sergeant laughed heartily before replying, Park, you should be happy. Its a nickname, duckling, but it also refers to a sensitive woman. French people call their lovers petit canards.
F*cking sh*t, this damned bastard! Mu Ssang thought. Anger rushed to his brain.
Recalling Piefs lustful face, goosebumps raced up his arms and legs, and his rear muscles clenched involuntarily. Mu Ssang placed Pief on his death list.
Mu Ssang hurled profanities in Korean.
Pief didnt know the worst of the Korean profanities and, therefore, didnt realize Mu Ssang had sworn at him.
Cest votre cadeau. (This is your gift.)
Pief pushed an unwrapped Glock 17 toward Mu Ssang. It was the best weapon a mercenary could receive. When expressing their camaraderie or affection, soldiers usually gave each other guns or knives.
Merci, merci!
He did deserve it, but it was a gift that still deserved gratitude. Pief looked at Mu Ssang with warm eyes.
Ugh, that rotten old man! Mu Ssang thought. His muscles contracted once more at the disgusting look. There were no rumors about the commander being gay, but most French people within the legion had the nickname C*cksucker. It made him wonder how many gay men were in the legion for such a nickname to be so common!
Pief looked a lot like Stalin. He had short, black hair, a large forehead, thick eyebrows, and this 42-year-olds mustache was trimmed like Stalins, a kaiser cut. His attitude was exaggerated by his low and sensual voice. He was the poster-boy of sensuality. Just looking at him gave Mu Ssang a headache.
His stomach turned every time he heard the nickname petit canard, but the patience he had built while drumming at the wooden fish kept him from acting out. Without his masters teachings, he would have ripped out Piefs mustache and ripped apart his big mouth with his bare hands.
In reality, a man calling another man a petit canard was a huge breach of manners. That was because those words were accusations of another mans homosexuality. Pief would never know how his life was extended because of an old master on the other side of the world.
The difference between a second-class soldier and a commander was like the difference between the sky and earth. Mu Ssang, instead of committing an act of violence, he called the commander Nigimi Ddugural, vulgar Korean swear words.
In response to asking what it meant, Mu Ssang replied that it was the Korean way of respectfully addressing an honorable boss. Pief was extremely satisfied whenever Mu Ssang called him Nigimi Ddugural. If ever found out that Nigimi Ddugural was akin to mother f*cker, his eyes would have rolled back in his head in anger. There was no way the officers, even those with a knowledge of Korean, would know the harsh swear words.
So, this white commander mocked this young Asian by calling him a duckling, and the young Asian soldier got his revenge by calling his superior officer a mother-f*cker. After mocking and swearing at each other, they walked into the cafeteria shoulder-to-shoulder.
It was Piefs turn to buy dinner because he had bet that Mu Ssang couldnt pass the subterfuge test within three days. He lost, so he had to buy him haute cuisine, including foie gras.
Mu Ssang enjoyed French food, so far, and liked the people who enjoyed these luxuries. Perhaps because of their attraction to eating and living life, French people had much more leisure in their lives compared to Koreans.
However, he didnt like the way the French enjoyed eating. Mu Ssang had suffered starvation since he was nine years old. Food was something that was eaten for survival, nothing more and nothing less. He hated those who tampered with the worth of food, and he viewed expensive food with disgust.
Hae Young, when teasing Mu Ssang, used to call him a food proletariat. It was a good phrase to describe him because he thought of good food as something with many nutrients and given in sufficient amounts. He had never thought about the appearance or taste of food nor the atmosphere in which the food was eaten. All that was important was the amount, efficiency, and nutrients.
French people debated about the food on their table. Around the dining table, all kinds of exclamations and remarks were made about the food. Half of the meal passed with pointless discussion about the meal itself.
There was no way that those who debated the foods taste, history, perfection, and other details would look good in a food proletariats eyes. In the worst sense, it was flaunting money and knowledge about food. In nicer terms, it was an obsession with flavors and the atmosphere surrounding the foodMu Ssang endured those incomprehensible table talks by repeating this to himself.
He often heard these sentiments from Pief and the commanders: A meal is a sensual and artistic pleasure. It must be tasted elegantly and thought about extravagantly and a meal is a lesson. Those who rush into their meals are savages.
He could never accept those words. Whether it was because he had first heard those words from Pief or because of their superficial meaning, he didnt know.
Mu Ssang was realistic and was a minimalist. He didnt understand what sort of sense, art, or elegance could take priority over the food itself!
To him, food gave delicious nutrients and a substance that made the stomach feel full. The French, who talked about the elegance and delicacy of foods waiting in front of them were crazy. At minimum, the distance between Mu Ssangs and Piefs thoughts about food was the same distance between The Netherlands and New York. The French attitudes toward food gave Mu Ssang culture shock.
Whether satiating oneself or ones artistic talents, French food had a lot to offer. The French typically enjoyed toast, jam, and coffee for petit dejeuner (breakfast) or dejeuner (lunch). Of course, in the trainees cafeteria, those meals werent quite like that.
Dinner was a multi-course meal with more than two types of wine. It was typically shared among close friends or families, not strangers. The fact that Pief had invited Mu Ssang to dinner in the commanders dining hall showed how important he was to him.
The entire meal consisted of haute cuisine, and items were served in this order: aperitif, entree, soup, fish, sorbet, meat, salad, cheese, and dessert. And the dishes were named for a combination of their cooking method, sauce, ingredients, and region from where they originated. Mu Ssang had a mental breakdown after looking at the menu. He had to trust in Pief to order the food.
The beginning of their meal started okay but developed a small crisis. The aperitif and entree were fine, but Mu Ssang became slightly uncomfortable when the escargot (a dish of Helix Pomatialand snailsthat are boiled, filled with butter and lemon juice, flavored with parsley and cooked in the oven in a five-hour process) came out.
Five snails, slightly smaller than a cows eye, sat on the white dish. He was shocked. Even when he ate the centipedes and spiders in his village, he couldnt think about eating snails. He had tried them, once, but had a bad experience with the snails transparent fluids. It was a flavor he couldnt get over despite his roughened taste buds.
And, now, on the white plate, five snails shells were filled to the brim with a blueish gel-like substance. Mu Ssang shivered at the deja-vu of that experience. It looked like a hawk-moth caterpillar that had been stepped on in the cabbage fields. The blueish-green, hawk-moth caterpillars body was larger than a mans thumb. It was disgusting enough for city people to shake in fear after seeing one of them.
The feeling of one of those squished under his bare feet was too much even for him, and the escargot brought back memories of that. The caterpillar was full of green, sticky, and slimy liquid. The recalled memories stopped his hand from moving toward the escargot.
Pief lifted a large needle, licked his lips, and asked, Est-ce que cest le plat vous voulez? (Do you like this dish?) He continued, Lescargot avec le sauce moutard. Cest trs bon. Jaime cet saveur. (The escargot with mustard sauce. Its very good. I like the flavor.)
Aha, la moutarde! Mu Ssang acknowledged.
Luckily, the gel-like substance on the snail wasnt its fluid. Pief explained that the escargot was in mustard sauce, but his memories of the snails and caterpillar back home were hard to lose. The culture shock had yet to fade.
Mu Ssang glared at the gel-filled snails with unfounded hatred. Eventually, he picked up the tongs and needle as if they were torture devices. He did so because he saw the price: one snail cost over 10 francs. He felt that it would be a wasted opportunity if he passed up eating such an expensive dish.
Park, you eat it like this.
Pief grabbed the shell with the tong, prodded then pulled out the flesh with the needle, and ate it as if he was mocking Mu Ssangs hesitance. His movements were well-practiced.
I know how to eat it. I was praying.
Mu Ssang, who didnt want to appear weak, pulled out the flesh, using the techniques he had used when he ate the Korean freshwater snail, and shoved it in his mouth.
Ha!
Pief hadnt been joking. The chewy, yet soft, texture went well with the mustard sauce and gave off a strong flavor. Mu Ssang had no choice but to cast off his previous conjectures about snails. They were delicious, so delicious that he wished to use snails in experimental dishes when he went back to Korea.
Up next was the consomm soup, then fish, sorbet, meat, p?t a la viande, salad, cheese, and dessert. They ate for over two hours.
The p?t a la viande was sometimes called foie gras, but foie gras was the main ingredient. The foie gras was chopped, covered with sauce, and pressed into a mold and cooked. And Mu Ssang, who ate the foie gras according to his wishes, wasnt that taken with the dish. He acknowledged its smooth texture and subtle flavor, but it was far too greasy and squishy for him.
He had judged the French people as savage after seeing them eat snails, but he was surprised at their ability to use all kinds of things as ingredients. The quality of the dishes set apart the trainees cafeteria from the commanders dining hall, reflecting the differences in the mens stations.
One more surprise was waiting for him after the meal: the price. The exorbitant amount was well over his weekly pay.
It really is a self-serving society! He exclaimed.
The food that could fill his stomach wasnt that expensive, and the food that made his eyes happy was very expensive. It reflected the power of money behind such a democratic society.
Pief chose the fromage (cheese) as his last plate. After having a spoonful of it, he began to talk.
Park, where do you want to apply?
I dont know. Im thinking about it.
What about the Deuxieme Rep on Corsica?
The shooting squad?
Mu Ssang had heard of them. The Deuxieme Rep was a place only the budding stars from Legion Etranger could go, an elite unit. It wasnt a place he could go to simply because he wanted to.
Deuxieme Reps basecamp was on Corsica, Napoleons place of birth, exile, and interment. He also remembered that in Guy de Maupassants book, Une Vie, Corsica was the setting for Jeannes honeymoon.
Curiosity rose within him. He didnt care where he was going, shooting or defense, but Corsica appealed to him with the blue-colored Mediterranean surrounding it, the Ponant (yachts) that came with the breeze, the several cruise ships connecting to Nice, women.
Piefs offer provoked his other weakness. It was easy to convince a naive country boy like Mu Ssang.
Deuxieme Rep has a different salary structure.
You mean they get paid more?
Yes. Their training is harsh, but the salary is high.
How much?
30 percent more is an average, and you earn more during wartime according to your achievements and participation.
Done!
He accepted without a second thought. That was Mu Ssang.
What kind of simpleton is he? Pief stared at the Asian blankly. He had prepared so much to convince him: gifted him a Dragunov, a popular Glock, an expensive meal, and had also prepared many convincing terms to lure him.
He had done all of that when all he needed to do was state that the salary was higher. That was how the world worked. Some might say that, in hindsight, he knew it would turn out this way. But this wasnt foresight at all.
Frankly, Pief shouldnt have been that surprised. Mu Ssangs aim was simple: earn money to find his mother. So getting an offer for a higher salary was like the gospel of angels. The fact that the training was harsh didnt even reach his ears.
The more important requirement for a sniper, between talent and skill, was the talent of good sense and patience. Training could help them improve their concealment, movement, foresight, scoping, communicating, gathering, and shooting.
Heightened senses and the endurance to overcome stress could only be improved a little through training. Innate talent was the best thing and the reason why, despite the number of snipers, only a few were special. Mu Ssang had surpassed the level of the snipers in the special forces and was considered a god sniper. That was why Pief liked him. And with that, Mu Ssang chose to follow the path to hell.
***
The Ecoles three-stage training was squadron-based tactical training. It was a week of using personal, squad, and platoon firearms. The goal was to be prepared for night attacks and learn defense tactics. They trained using grenades, light flares, light machine guns, heavy machine guns, and anti-tank rockets.
The final stage of Phase 3 was four days of non-combat training in the Pyrenees. Phase 4 was mainly filled with the assessment and testing of individual trainees. The final test was a 150-kilometer full military march.
One-hundred real bullets were used for the final test. Grenades flew in the middle of the march and machine guns shot at them to create a realistic situation. The trainees were attacked out of nowhere, constantly putting them on the brink of death.
The training created anxiety so that none of them would let down their guard, even for a moment. Tired and stressed trainees cheered when the three-day march came to an end.
The disgusting four months of training was over. Mu Ssang became a legioner deuxieme classe (second-class soldier). The annoying adjective, second-class, was because of his sniper training.
He had received the lowest rank, but he was moved by the gesture because he had become the kind of mercenary he had only heard of. This applied to Korean soldiers, too. Once they received certification as a second-class soldier, they cried.
He was only a second-class soldier, but his salary was 1050 francs, 100 times more than the 2500 won that Korean second-class soldiers earned. The exchange rate made it 262,000 won, in total. The salaries of starting bankers in Korea was only 120,000.
Just looking at the salary made Mu Ssang obligated to bow to Jang Chi Soo and that rotten police force. They had been the ones who had made him a convict, exempting him from conscription.
In Legion Etranger, ones specialty and position were determined during the fourth stage of training. Mu Ssang, who was caught in Piefs intricate plan, was transferred to Deuxieme Rep, the 2nd Foreign Airborne Regiment.
Around that time, a refreshed Jang Shin was put back into training. He promised to support Mu Ssang unconditionally and join the Deuxieme Rep, too. The other two Chinese men who had enlisted with Jang Shin went to culinary posts.
Deuxieme Rep was always the first unit to be dispatched overseas, so the chance of dying was great. Even Jang Shin became an outlier because he was Asian and wanted to apply to the Deuxieme Rep.
So Mu Ssang moved to Calvi, a town in Corsica, where the 2nd Foreign Airborne Regiment was headquartered.
The French island, shaped like a fist and an index finger, sits in the northern Mediterranean Sea. The island is 8680 square kilometers, slightly smaller than Gyeonggi-do, and has a population of 300,000; whereas Gyeonggi-do has four-million people, quite a difference in population density.
Corsica is a beautiful island, which is why the French call it ils de beaut (beautiful island). Its a favorite vacation destination for the French, and celebrity-owned villas are scattered all over the island. Ferries run frequently from Marseilles, Nice, and Toulon by Carpe Rio to Corsica, giving the French easy access to the island.
Corsica was ruled by Islamic powers until the 10th century. From the 14 century onwards, it was ruled by Genoa (an Italian state). However, they were unable to withstand Corsican resistance and sold the island to France in the late 18th century.
Under constant foreign domination, the Corsicans became united diplomatically. Tourism became the biggest sector of Corsicas economy, but the native Corsicans did not necessarily favor the mainlanders. They did not welcome French rule and do not consider themselves French; they call themselves Corsicans.
The Airborne Regiment of Legion Etranger settled in Corsica because of its excellent topographical training conditions. In the northwestern part of the island is Mount Cinto, rising 2,710 meters above sea level. Mountain ranges of more than 2,000 meters above sea level branch from it. The alpine areas were covered with snow for half the year, so they could continue training for mountain survival, skiing, and ski jumping beyond winter. The long coastline was also suitable for offshore training.
Corsica had a mild Mediterranean climate, with short winters and hot, dry summers. Similar to Korea, winter was December to February, and summer was June through September. The hottest temperatures did not exceed 30-degrees Celsius, and in winter, the temperature did not drop below 0. It was a nice place to live, not too cold nor too hot.
Vrrooom
The 3000-ton supply ship Orleans entered the port of Calvi. Eight-nine sturdy men carrying military bags slipped through the deck.
Men, welcome to hell.
Chapter 9
That was the first greeting from the staff sergeant.
The regiments garrison was in Calvi, a resort town on Corsicas northwest coast. It was across the Ligurian Sea from Cannes, famous for its international film festivals, and Nice, the largest resort in southern France. It was a popular tourist destination, and every summer, the number of passenger ships departing for Corsica from Nice doubled.
The headquarters of the Deuxieme Rep (2nd Airborne Regiment) was in a white fortress atop a hill overlooking the sea. It was built during the 15th century and reinforced by the 17th-century Genovians.
The view of Calvi Port from the fortress was spectacular. Passenger boats and fishing boats traveled slowly to and fro on the deep blue Mediterranean. Men and women entangled themselves in embarrassing poses on yacht decks. With some luck, viewers could see groups of dolphins jumping in and out of the water.
Mu Ssang was assigned to the 4th platoon of the 4th Battalion of the Deuxieme Rep. It consisted of two general combat platoons, one explosives platoon, and one sniper platoon, which was 140 people: six officers, a squadron commander, a platoon leader, 30 sergeants, and 100 soldiers.
On the second day after receiving his assignment, he started training.
The program focused on infiltration, destruction, and escape. They worked on a variety of skills, including high-altitude parachuting, mountain terrain traversing, skiing, reconnaissance, sniping, martial arts, diving, swimming, explosives detonation, communications, duty organizing, street fighting, cold weapons use, heavy weapons use, weapon operations, and driving. The sole purpose was to turn these men into battle droids.
They did ensure that trainees had rest and free time, but the training was hard work. They called the training an invitation to Hell. The instructors greeted the recruits with the words, Welcomes to the gates of Hell. And within two months, five recruits were unable to endure the training and left.
Gates of Hell? Mu Ssang snorted. His body was different from the others bodies. When he ran through the hurdles with deadly determination, he could finish the 100-meter lap in 6 seconds. He could speed through 10 meters and jump up to 7 meters. He had the endurance of an adult marathon runner and the strength of a bull.
Because of the strange change that his body had gone through when he was eleven, it became strong but unstable, a double-edged sword. At 20, his master taught him martial arts, and through the Combined Repetitive Expelling Theory, he stabilized his body.
Monk Dae Woo stopped him from being a ticking time bomb, and Legion Etranger gave him his teeth and claws. After systematic training with modern weapons, Mu Ssang became a warrior and a sniper. On Corsica, the ils de beaut (the beautiful island) in the Mediterranean, they refined the best and the worst killing machine in human history.
The real Hell for Mu Ssang was swimming and diving. He had grown up next to a bridge that crossed the Nakdong River, but unfortunately, dog-paddling was the extent of his swimming ability.
The unpredictability of the Nakdong River caused drowning accidents every year. Park Jin Bo and his wife worried about losing their only child and kept a constant eye on him to make sure he didnt play too close to the river. So, he never learned to swim. When he was a slave in his uncles house, he no longer had time to learn to swim.
The Deuxieme Rep did not accept his flimsy dog paddling. Sergeant Bernard of the diving division could not ignore this. Coldly, he tied Mu Ssangs legs together and threw him in the sea. Mu Ssang swallowed so much seawater it made him hate the milky limestone cliffs and the cobalt sea.
The Bijindos surrounding seas and the Mediterranean Sea shared the same indigo color. The Bijindo seas indigo was the source of heartbreaking memories, and the indigo of the Mediterraneans salty waters became another gate of Hell where foul words automatically welled up.
Even the Deuxieme Rep veterans had doubts about passing the 2000-meter underwater swimming and tidal training. He had to rely on flippers to complete the underwater swim. If his head broke the surface, a club flew his way.
Upon reaching the shore, he had to cross 500 meters of knee-deep marshy wetlands. A 7.62-millimeter bullet passed over his head like the wind. The recruits teeth rattled because of this vicious training.
After the training, they gave them 90 minutes of weapon maintenance before dinner. The recruits awaited this more eagerly than they wanted a woman in their bed.
Nine members of his squadron had finished the wetlands infiltration training and were laying with him, half-comatose, on the beach. He enjoyed the sunset from the sand with squad members Goldman, Emil, and Chartres. The April Atlantic wind was warm, and it tickled beneath his ears as he began to doze off in its passing softness.
Goldman was a new recruiter, Emil was a two-year veteran, and Chartres was a 10-year veteran. Goldmans face had turned white from tiredness. Mu Ssang, Emil and Chartres held a slow conversation.
Emil, do you think this is the end of our swim with the fishes?
At Mu Ssangs words, his partner Emil laughed, Why? Are you disappointed?
Not at all, I hate fish. I like eagles.
Park, if dont take the air training seriously, youll be hurt badly. Youre too reckless. A single mistake can turn you into a frog falling from 10,000 feet in the air Chartres, the veteran, gave him advice.
Im not big-nosed, Chartres, you are, Mu Ssangs French was still extremely lacking.
Park, you should date women so you can improve your French. It will take a lot of talking to seduce one.
Emil, stop it. Hes innocent, the type of person with a chastity belt on his penis. Not like you, who goes around everywhere, Chartres bounced Emils advice right back at him.
Wherever there was a military, there were women. Whether a veteran or a newbie, they all rushed towards the backstreets of Ajaccio during the weekends. Since all they did during the week was eat and train, they swept the streets looking for a place to vent their energy like a bull in heat.
Mu Ssang never joined the hunt. He had sent Hae Young away, but he never thought of that as the end of their relationship. Chastity wasnt only for women. He would have been ashamed to look at her otherwise.
On weekends, he looked out on the horizon from atop the walls of the fortress. He drew his mothers and Hae Youngs faces in the sky. He recounted his masters teachings and went over the names that were on his death list.
Why are you not tired, Park? Goldman had returned after emptying his stomach and looked at Mu Ssang with a tired look. Im tired. You Koreans have high endurance.
F*cking hell!
Goldman kicked the sand and turned around. He was a Spanish mixed martial arts champion, so he was confident in his physical ability. But he was exhausted and fatigued while the yellow-skin Korean had the energy to joke with his senior officers.
Private Emile elbowed Mu Ssang.
He is a racist. Except for Jews, he considers everyone else inferior.
Like a Kedajjak.
Mu Ssang wanted to hit the back of Goldmans head. What kind of trash was he?
Kedajjak?
Japanese are Kedajjak.
Oh, its a cultural thing.
Chartres joined their conversation.
Hes a Jew like I thought. I knew it ever since I heard the name, Goldman. A name with gold or silver in it is always a Jewish name. Just like them, so attached to their money, huh?
Mu Ssang didnt reply to Chartres words and rolled his eyes. It seemed like cultural disrespect between countries existed everywhere.
Here come the real racists.
Mu Ssangs and Chartres heads turned back to the beach. Sergeant Paul Mike and two other soldiers were coming up from the beach. Mu Ssangs face crumpled. Mike, a black man, was a racist and an American imperialist. When he meets Asians, he calls them monkey. His father had been stabbed to death during World War II by a Jap as he called the Japanese.
The two soldiers attached themselves to Sergeant Mike. Mixing words with them always caused a scene. Mu Ssang covered his face with his Booney hat.
Hey, theres a yellow monkey sunbathing, Mike shouted to his soldiers.
Ha, look at that bastard, hes swearing at you!
Mu Ssangs expression soured. It was obvious that the sergeant wanted him to hear. Emil and Chartres glanced at Mu Ssang, but he pretended not to hear. It was bothersome and not worth it to react to the bullsh*t.
Its a monkey that shoots and dances well.
At the soldiers words, Mike laughed.
Can a monkeys toe fit in the trigger?
Even the Peking duck shoots a gun, why cant a monkey?
At the lack of reaction, they talked in loud voices.
Why should a monkey be here anyways? We should send them to the zoo.
No, you sell talented monkeys to the circus.
They dont have b*lls.
A monkey doesnt have the gall to do anything but giggle at bananas.
Emil couldnt bear it any longer and said, Park, the dogs are barking.
Mu Ssang didnt feel anything. He liked how the sunlight hit his side and warmed him. It would be depressing to have this mood ruined by those ignorant people.
A soft voice leaked from under the large Booney hat, Leave it. Dogs bark, humans cant.
Sergeant Mike heard the broken, rough words, and his mood soured. His rough, tanned face instantly turned red.
What did you say, monkey?
He walked over, stomping on the sand. He looked like a deer with large antlers trying to conquer a doe.
Youre blocking the sun.
A provoking reply came back, Soldier, Im your sergeant. Stand.
The military order within Legion Etranger was harsh. But they were promised some free time from it. They had more free time than normal company workers. Currently, they werent working or involved in an operation, so there was no reason to submit to a brash person.
Its our free time right now. Move. Youre blocking the sun.
You monkey sh*t!
Bang
Sergeant Mikes combat boot crashed down on Mu Ssangs head.
F*ck!
What the hell? his friends shouted in shock. At that moment, they all imagined a cruel sight, Mu Ssangs damaged face.
Wait. What?
Emils and Chartres eyes grew larger. The place where Mike had struck was empty, and all that remained was sand. Mu Ssang was lying down a foot away. It looked as if he hadnt moved, as his hat remained in the same position. Emils eyes moved frantically between Mikes foot and Mu Ssang.
Emil, is Mike blind?
And so this special forces sergeant became known as the blind soldier.
Maybe its different than it seems? By the way, Im afraid of what might happen when Park gets angered.
Legion Etranger was full of scum from all around the world. It was a place where people of all races, religions, and ideologies gathered. There were frequent fistfights, but nothing more severe than that. But Mikes actions were at a level where they couldnt be tolerated. He was a racist who caused many problems even on normal days. He was the type who got more confident in front of a crowd.
Chartres sat up immediately. Mike, what do you think youre doing?
Stay out of this, oldie.
Chartres nickname, since he was over forty years old, was oldie. Mikes face crumpled even more.
Bang
He pushed Chartres shoulder violently.
Youre going too far.
Ha!
At Chartres objection, Mike snorted. His nostrils enlarged, and the hair inside dangled out.
Damned bastard, you should be cutting your nose hairs instead of annoying me.
Chartres stomach began to growl, worried about his dinner.
Too far? Are you talking about me or that monkey?
Mike lifted his right fist showing Mu Ssang, and punched his left fist against his right arms bicep. This was a rude gesture in France. It was the same as holding up a middle finger. Mu Ssangs expression creased.
Ha, this f*cker!
Emil was angry. Mikes actions were over the line.
Mike turned back to his friends and asked, Hey, Miller, what did we do?
We were going back to the tent until the monkey called us b*tches, and therefore we stopped.
Ha, theres a b*tch here, too. A laugh escaped from Mu Ssang.
Mike turned to stare at Chartres.
Thats what he says.
Mu Ssang stood. His intention of spending his time leisurely before dinner had been erased from his mind.
Sergeant, are you happy when I call you blackie? F*cking bastard.
He said the last swear in Korean. His accent was lacking, but the meaning was certainly delivered. Swearing was done by the innuendos of the words and not by the language itself. The gestures, expressions, and tone were what made it swearing.
Mikes eyes turned red and his normally angered look intensified and turned his scowl even darker. He had been tried for several violent incidents because he was the type of person who lost all reasoning when angered.
Chartres face hardened because the sergeant was on the verge of exploding. He worried about Mu Ssang who was provoking a boar in heat. Mike would not stop just because someone advised him to.
Monkey, take off your hat.
This is not the time when I heed orders.
At his strong words, Mike finally exploded.
Putain, son of a b*tch! Mike, exclaiming a mix of French and English expletives, launched forward with two arms spread wide. Argh! he exclaimed as he fell unconscious to the ground.
Park stood still. No one saw the fist that landed squarely on Mikes jaw. The onlookers had no idea what had happened.
Huh. Sergeant, are you digging your own grave with your penis?
At Chartres words, Emil laughed. His mouth twitched with the urge to say something, but the backlash of chewing out a sergeant was large. Mu Ssang glared at the soldiers who stumbled about then took off his hat.
Red-nose, do you have a death wish? he asked, recognizing one of the soldiers.
Flying viper! Red-nose shrieked as he stumbled back and thought that if this was the flying viper from the Ecole, then Sergeant Mike had definitely picked on the wrong person.
Take him away.
Red-nose and the other soldier helped up Mike and disappeared like lightning.
What did you do? Emil asked Mu Ssang.
With their trained eyes, all they had seen was Mu Ssang throwing his fist forward while avoiding Mikes lunge.
Monkey uppercut!
At Mu Ssangs simple reply, Emil choked out a laugh. He didnt know the reason, but he felt refreshed.
Whats the deal with the flying viper?
Just, something.
In places where people gathered, there was always a dynamic like this: a bastard, a vain person, a nice person, and those who went with the flow.
***
The Deuxieme Rep the first to be sent out when foreign intervention was needed. Unit operations are independent, but operational orders come from the 11th French Brigade. According to the command system, this battalion of the 11th Brigade was the first target to fall.
A soldiers purpose is to kill the enemy, and he moves on command. Even if he didnt want to kill an enemy, once ordered, he had no choice but to do so. But murder was murder no matter how it was reworded. When you kill others, you must also be prepared to die. To decrease the chance of dying, an increase in abilities is necessary.
When he was a teenager, Mu Ssang had crossed many hills of life and death. He knew the difference between the living and the dead already.
His body had exceeded human limits. What was the point of Carl Lewis running 100 meters with a lap time of 9.7 seconds or running 100 meters in 20 seconds? He couldnt expect any more from the Deuxieme Reps training regimen; it was simply warm-up exercises for him. He was a soldier of the second rank, he was not in a position to ask for personal training.
Mu Ssang was anxious because he didnt know when the Deuxieme Rep would be dispatched. South Koreas military tensions against North Korea were high, but no Korean soldier thought war would occur.
Legion Etranger was different. Headquarters could dispatch them to the battlefield tomorrow. France officially had no overseas territories. Only West African countries, former French colonies, were still under French influence. When France needed armed forces, they sent out troops from Legion Etranger. It is deployed immediately according to strategic and tactical needs. Thats why they fed them well.
They never knew when theyd be sent to the battlefield, and bullets werent choosy about whom they hit. This is why Mu Ssang risked his life to learn the Five Combined Movements.
The person most prepared survives.
He even trained during his free time. That was why Sergeant Mike had teased him with the name dancing monkey.
Corsicas clear air and Deuxieme Reps systematic training became a hammer to refine his mind and body. The Five Combined Movements training became the fire that would forge his mind and body and take it to the next level.
Monk Dae Woo had referred to Mu Ssang as Asuras incarnation. Corsica was where Asura washed with fire, worked with a hammer, and prepared to face the world.
***
10 weeks had passed since he had moved into the Deuxieme Rep when Jang Shin landed in Corsica, as promised, after completing his Ecole training. He showed excellent talent for handling explosives, so Pief had assigned him to the 3rd platoon, which dealt with firepower.
***
400 meters south of the fortress, where the Deuxieme Rep trained, was a coastal cliff called Corse that was about sixty-six meters high. Beneath the cliff, the rough waves of the Mediterranean clashed constantly. Mu Ssang became a part of the cliff. Two hours had passed since he began his meditation at its edge.
Crash
The waves scattered into foam. His meditation ended, and he stood up. He began to unwind his body by expelling and taking in energy. Warmth gathered in his body.
This was a continuation of the Combined Repetitive Expelling Theory. Unlocking the 36 veins according to the paths of his lowest, highest, and middle cores took more than three hours. Pief had granted him this time.
The Resonance that his master had talked of was slowly coming to him. Foreign energy flowed through the body, and sometimes it was hot and sometimes cool. Meditation helped him focus that foreign energy into a specific area. Concentrated Resonance dramatically increased the destructive power of his hands and feet. It could break rocks and crush trees.
Chapter 10
10 years ago, at 18 years old, Mu Ssang had met the third cause of his physical change. He had earned his surprising senses and strange hiding abilities through his meeting with Chui Do Shik. He was a man who Mu Ssang wanted to chew on, but he couldnt deny the fact that his physical abilities had grown because of Chui Do Shik. He had learned the Five Combined Movements and the Combined Repetitive Expelling Theory when he was 20, after meeting his master.
Legion Etranger provided him with modern weapons and combat techniques. If the two previous experiences gave him an increase in physical abilities, the third gave him attack skills.
The ability to throw bulls, a neutralization which caused him to seep into nature without traces, the way of enclosing on distant objects, and the god snipers ability to hit more than one target per second
Although modern warfare had been reorganized around collective tactics and high-performance weapons, the world would be astounded by his skills and abilities. Mu Ssang recalled his masters advice, once more, and hid his abilities as much as possible.
What is the limit of my abilities? he wondered.
He had done his best when fighting Chui Do Shik and his subordinates on Bang Tae San, but there had been no reason to use everything in his power. He became frustrated not knowing his limits.
After unleashing much of his concerns he jumped from Corse into the night sea.
Gah!
With a long shout, his slim body was sucked into the sea under the rugged cliff.
Plop
His body shot straight down without more than a small splash breaking the waters surface. Then it suddenly rebounded and rose back to the surface.
He was like a seal, swimming through the night waters easily.
Splash splash
Each time he raised his lean arms to cut through the waters, his body shot out. He no longer dog-paddled like he had in the Nakdong River. This was the swimming skill of a highly trained Deuxieme Rep mercenary.
As soon as he reached the coastal cliffs, he started climbing the vertical wall. He looked like a roach in the way he attached all of his limbs to the slippery surface. He used a technique in which he moved both of his limbs on one side of his body, at the same time, over the eroded coastal cliffs that overflowed with protrusions and gaps. In two minutes, he could climb 70 meters. Todays goal was to decrease that by 10 seconds.
The rhythmic movement stopped. He was six meters from the top. There was a man on the cliff, and he could feel his menacing aura. Soon he detected another presence, but the second man stopped without closing the distance. A man who sought out him in his night training could not have come in good faith.
Is it someone with a grudge against me? Those bastards think Im weak when I dont do anything.
Mu Ssang didnt think about it for long. Night training was official personal training given to a soldier with the commanders permission. Anyone who interrupted such training could be punished. He finally had a chance to hand out punishment.
Ha!
His body, which was attached to the cliff, shot up as if someone was pulling him from above. He climbed three meters with a single movement. It was like climbing a dragons back using the fearless steps of his martial art.
Ahhh!
Sergeant Mike, who had been hiding, shouted in fear. He was so surprised that he fell back and landed on his rear. After all, it was past midnight, and a black creature had jumped up out of nowhere before the bright moonlight. He was only human after all.
Sergeant Mike, are you taking a stroll?
Wha, what are you, a ghost?
Mike stuttered as he struggled to regain his senses.
Im not a ghost. According to you, Im the yellow monkey.
The monkey bastard?
Once his fright settled, Sergeant Mikes anger started to thunder again. He had come to dish out some expletives but had instead become a laughingstock.
You dumbsh*t. Do you dare hit your sergeant?
You said something racist. I will tell them about that at headquarters.
Sh*t, you f*cking monkey!
Sergeant Mike grit his teeth. As a place where people from all around the world gathered, a racist exclamation or discriminatory action could land him in an immediate disciplinary hearing. He could, at the worst, be kicked out of his station and be relocated.
Hmmm, it seems like youre more monkey-like than I am. Maybe a gorilla?
Mike was a big man who weighed 120 kilograms and had a bent back and long arms. Mu Ssang searched him from head to toe and mocking laughter hung on his face.
You coward, are you planning to report me like the wh*res on the streets?
Whats cowardly? Im simply using the rights I have.
Arent you trying to avoid my vendetta by using the law as an excuse?
Vendetta? Mu Ssang tilted his head.
He had no idea what a vendetta was. Was it a challenge to a fight? Another member who had been in hiding approached them.
Hey, Park, are you training here again? Pitiful, pitiful.
Chartres, youre like a vampire sneaking around at midnight.
Mu Ssang knew Chartres had been there, so he remained calm, but Mike was surprised.
Ugh, why are you here, old man?
Park, a vendetta is the Corsicans tradition of revenge; they settle family issues with a formal fight. Since Corsica had been continuously invaded and colonized since the 10th Century, with foreign powers constantly fighting over their lands, the relations created by blood became more valued within society. When a relative was murdered by an enemy or a blood-related woman shamed by someone, Corsicans created weapons. That was the beginning of the vendetta tradition. The word refers to a tradition of revenge for ones kin.
Chartres explained without even bothering to look at Mike. Mu Ssang understood Chartres explanation, but he didnt understand what that had to do with the sergeant and himself.
He had done nothing for which Mike could take revenge. He hadnt touched Mikes sister nor had he mocked Mikes wife.
Blood revenge? Why would you want that?
You humiliated me. This calls for the vendetta.
Mike pulled a dagger from his pocket and growled like a beast. The moonlight shone off the knife. The handle was made out of deer bone, and it was double-sided. It was a dagger that Corsicans made for revenge. Of course, it was only made as a tourist souvenir, now, often seen in the markets near the city.
Ha, Ive never seen a guy like this. Why are there so many idiots who cant differentiate between right and wrong, nowadays? Youre saying that the punishment from yesterday wasnt enough, huh? Youll come to your senses when you get pummelled, I suppose.
Mu Ssang laughed at the situation. There was no way Mike would understand the Korean he was using. He switched to French:
Chartres, youll be the witness. Go ahead, Mike.
Chartres turned pale. Fighting in the middle of the night was enough to get them kicked out of the military. He knew that just being there would get him kicked out, too.
No!
Chartres spread his arms as he pushed Mu Ssang back.
I followed the sergeant because I was worried. Just let it go. A personal fight would mean a hearing for all of us.
Go away, oldie.
Mike pushed Chartres shoulder away, and because of Mikes inhuman strength, Chartres fell to the ground. Mike immediately jabbed his dagger forward. Bloodlust started to seep into Mu Ssangs eyes. That strike had not one ounce of hesitation.
On top of that, Chartres had still been blocking his sight. The guys eyes didnt shake either. This bastard stabbed at a fellow soldier, like a beast. Mu Ssang felt that they were truly mercenaries for the first time: men with a job to kill.
Mike was excited. He thought that this was the perfect chance to attack Mu Ssang. From his experiences so far, this one strike could end this entire fight. He had no intention of killing; he just wanted to stab him in the stomach, enough to land the monkey in the hospital.
His pay would be cut, and he would go to prison, but he had gone through all of that before. Right now, he had to do something about Mu Ssangs effect on his mood. It was an example of his twisted pride.
Bang
Mu Ssang slapped him hard. Mike lost consciousness for a brief moment like a switch flipped on and off. He didnt know how the yellow monkey avoided his attack or when he was slapped.
Slap
The other cheek got hot. At the two slaps, the 120-kilogram man turned around before collapsing into the ground.
Mike was once a South American boxing champion, but with two slaps to his face, he became disoriented and could not counterattack. Chartres jaw dropped.
Aghhh! I should have listened to Red-Nose.
He was hit in the face, but the pain was spreading all over his body. Mike gritted his teeth and held back his moans. He regretted his actions, but it was too late. He cursed himself for not listening to Red-Noses advice.
A broken tooth got caught in his throat. He doubted if the Korean was a human. The second blow had been much stronger than the first. If he was hit one more time like that, he would die. Mike desperately opened his mouth.
Stop it, dont do it.
I dont understand. Why do these scum only come to their senses after being hit? Mu Ssang murmured in Korean, kicking Mikes side.
Cra ack
The gentle kick broke his ribs.
Ahh!
Mike fell. Mu Ssang grabbed his ankles and dragged him to the edge of the cliff and held him upside down by the ankles.
Crash splash
The waves growled from beneath the cliffs.
Ahhh!
Mike was terrified and screamed as if his lungs were being torn apart. Once this yellow monkey opened his hand, he was going to fall 70 meters onto the jagged rocks below. The sound of the waves crashing and the sight of the blue moon made his fear exponentially sharper.
He had lived a rough life, but it was the first time he felt such fear and pain. He pissed on himself while held upside down; the yellow liquid fell on his face, but he couldnt even feel that.
Mike, youre trash. You should die.
These cold words, offering no room for negotiation, filled his ears and cut through the sound of crashing waves.
Please, save me. Im sorry.
When he heard no reply, he became nearly petrified. Time passed slowly.
Mike, youll watch your words. If I ever hear you saying or doing anything racist. we will meet here once more. Of course, then, I promise you the thrill of free-falling these 70 meters.
Okay. I promise. I swear on my country. Mike shouted in case his voice wasnt heard.
Im not interested in your country. Im thinking about a man falling 70 meters through the air, you see? Hmm?
Mu Ssang smiled cruelly.
I swear on the cape noir. I wont do it again. Save me.
You fell while you were on your midnight walk.
Right, I fell off some rocks.
Mike nodded valiantly even while he was upside-down.
Hey, be careful. I can feel my grip loosening.
Mike stopped immediately.
Ill let you live today. Next time, youre dead.
Mike couldnt even nod. He was going to die in the hands of this little devil. Mu Ssang pulled him up as if he was pulling a radish from the ground and threw him back onto the cliff. He showed incomprehensible strength.
Mike lay on the ground and breathed roughly. He gathered his breath and clambered to his feet while swaying. He glanced at Mu Ssang before running into the darkness.
I feel so inspired right now. I wish someone else was here to see this. Is this a special kind of martial art that only Koreans know of?
Kind of. Mu Ssang replied.
Wind blew out of your hands, like one of those Kung Fu movies, didnt it?
Chartres had not seen Mu Ssangs hands move, but he had heard about Asians knowing martial arts. Mu Ssang didnt know whether to laugh or cry and found his expression changing into something strange.
Its a secret, huh? But still, cant you teach me? I want to learn.
Chartres, air doesnt come out of palms.
At those words, which didnt sound like a joke to him, Chartres face crumpled.
But the strength you showed just now
A man couldnt hold onto someone as big as Mike with one hand. Even a black mountain bear wouldnt be able to do so. He didnt know whether Mu Ssang could blast air from his palms or whatnot, but he had witnessed an unrealistic show of strength, for sure.
Shh, Chartres, you werent here tonight. Mu Ssang stopped him from talking.
Yes, I turned in early.
Chartres nodded his head. From that night onwards, Mu Ssang and Chartres became closer friends. Friends only grew closer through sharing secrets, after all.
***
It was a holiday weekend, so all the off-duty mercenaries had crawled into town. The training grounds were empty. Mu Ssang wanted to test how much power he could extract.
He intended to measure the kinetic energy that occurred when his fist hit an object at full speed.
Jang, help me out.
Eh! Im going out.
He was in formal wear that was pressed to the point it could cut his skin. His eyes narrowed like a buttonhole. It was the face he made when he was unwilling.
Jang Shin went into town during holidays, drinking and brushing up against women. He enjoyed the casinos, returning with empty pockets. Chinese people enjoyed gambling, mahjong and dice more than Koreans loved gostop. Mu Ssang fully understood Jangs actions.
There were only sweaty men around them all the time and a foreign life that limited their communication. A young man in his mid-20s cannot live like a monk.
Jang Shin didnt understand why Mu Ssang didnt enjoy women, alcohol, or gambling. When he had time, he practiced martial arts or read books. It was frustrating just to see him go about his day like that.
One time Jang Shin forced Mu Ssang to the casino. Mu Ssang stopped after pulling on a few 1-franc machines. He recommended Baccarat or Blackjack, but Mu Ssang rejected every recommendation.
This is too complicated.
Jang Shin was flabbergasted. How could such simple rules be too complicated!
Park, why are you letting your imagination and determination rot? Go fondle some breasts in the city!
Mu Ssang laughed.
Jang, dont risk your life, too much, going through as many women as you can. Youre not risking your life on this job to waste your money on them. Spend some of the time that youd otherwise use on women with your friend.
No. Why are you living such a boring life? You dont want alcohol, women, nor casinos. Whats the point of living then? Theres no mercenary like you in this world.
Didnt you say that you had a wife in your hometown?
Ho Ming is my housewife.
Housewife? Why are you mentioning a housewife?
Housewives give birth and manage the household.
What the hell is this guy talking about? Mu Ssang was confused.
It was hard to understand this small Chinese mans culture. Perhaps there was a special meaning behind calling their wives housewives. Mu Ssang, at 182-centimeters tall gazed down at Jang Shin, who was 167-centimeters tall.
Are you allowed to grab other women when you already have a wife?
Are you a child or a rich mans son? A husband works for money, and the housewife raises the children. Of course, we are allowed to grab other women.
Does that mean you do not interfere in each others personal lives?
If a housewife cheats, you must beat her to death.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang grabbed the back of his neck in response to Jang Shins calm voice. Having sex with other women while Hae Young sits at home? That was something he would never think of doing.
Then, what happens to the man who cheated?
Men do that.
Jang Shins reply was firm. It was as if he was reaffirming that chickens had two legs.
So the wife who cheats on her husband should die, and the man who cheats on his wife is normal. Is that what all Chinese people think?
Obviously.
He sounded as sure as the four legs of a table. Mu Ssang felt his energy drain. He had heard that China, despite being a communist country, had a society where women were respected. Apparently, that was a false rumor.
What youve just said doesnt make sense.
I find you the strange one. Youre handsome and tall. Youd be popular among women.
Popular? Youre talking about the money I have. I dont want to mingle with them.
He was in his early twenties when male hormones were supposedly raging. Of course, Mu Ssang had thoughts about women and times when the built-up energy soiled his bedsheets.
The problem was his sensitivity. His senses were tens and hundreds of times stronger than the average human. It was hard for him to endure the perfume that the Western women wore.
His sight also created problems. Being as sharp as an eagles, his eyes could see a womans sweat, blemishes, and the loose skin here and there, which killed his desire quickly.
He could also hear every conversation the prostitutes had and hear the women in the bars talking amongst themselves. Often, their conversations were about how much money they could get the soldiers to spend on them, killing his desire even more.
It was also hard to endure the foul breath of the people in the bar, and he hated the smell of the men who had just been with women. Ignorance was bliss, but he had knowledge. How could he lust after a woman who had slept with another man just several moments prior? This was the reason for his monk-like life.
Damn, I need to at least have a drink. Jang Shin grumbled.
At Castelnau Bridge, Mu Ssang became a Da Ge to him. He grumbled, but in Jang Shins mind, whatever Mu Ssang requested was an order.
Theres alcohol here.
Mu Ssang pulled out a flask from his back pocket.
Oh, thank you!
With this one bottle of alcohol, his resistance fell to the wayside.
So what kind of magic are you trying to do?
Mu Ssang smiled and raised his fist.
I want to test how strong my fist is.
Oh? I want to know, too.
Jang Shin held the stand, which was as tall as his chest, that Mu Ssang directed him to hold. He placed a 1-kilogram dumbbell on it. In front of the dumbbell, he placed a hitting board that was covered in thick leather to prevent broken bones.
Jang, I want you to measure the time of the dumbbells flight.
OK.
After finishing the preparations, Mu Ssang went into his ready stance. His two feet stood firmly on the ground, and his back was straight as if to hold up the sky. In a stance that looked unmovable, he controlled his breathing to focus his weight into his lower body. He felt like a strong log, the completion of a stillness willed by the heavens.
A cold aura passed from his brain to his body; it shook momentarily. His fists and arms grew cold. This was an occurrence that had begun several days ago. The strength he gathered from his feet climbed up his spine. His fierceness spiraled through his body and pooled into his fist.
Crash
A strange sound, like a cannons blast, rang around the grounds. Many soldiers were outside enjoying their holiday or taking a nap. If not, they would have panicked at the sound.
Uh! Uwoooh!
The dumbbell shot forward, and Jang Shins jaw dropped as he watched it.
Jang, wake up!
Ah, sorry!
The first test was a failure. Jang Shin, surprised at the display of power, had forgotten about measuring the time. He hurried to recover and place the dumbbell.
Bang
The dumbbell soared through the air, again. Jang Shin pressed down on the second counter and measured the time. The dumbbell shot forward like a bullet and fell 100 meters away. Its flight took 2 seconds. Mu Ssang calculated the force behind his energy.
1/2*1*(100/2)^2=1,250J, and the average after three tests was 1,300J. A 5.56-millimeter Famas bullet had the physical force of 1,700J
It was a rushed calculation without consideration for air resistance and impact. By looking at these results alone, his punch had the same power as a machine guns bullet.
Mu Ssang recalled a great resonance he had felt upon aiming at the object. He wasnt sure, but it seemed that it was the resonance wave his master had said would take 20 years to achieve.
Hahahaha!
A joyful laughter escaped him.
Chapter 11
It was a destructive power comparable to a small rifle. With such power, his ability to become one with nature, the sudden bursts of speed, and offensive regenerative abilities, it seemed as if he wouldnt die so easily on the battlefield. Rather, he had reached the point where he had to hide his abilities or else he was going to be targeted.
Its a nightmare.
Jang Shin stood there looking at Mu Ssang with a blank stare and his jaw hanging open. Mu Ssang laughed. Logic got in the way as he tried to understand the supernatural display of strength before him. He knew that Park was an amazing human, but he didnt know that he had long overstepped human boundaries.
He was also a top-tier, 8-mixed martial arts champion. With some special training, a human could become stronger than one might imagine. But there was a limit to the human body. A human couldnt gain the speed of a tiger nor display the strength of a bear. The skeleton wouldnt be able to support anything beyond its limit.
Jang Shin, before being awed by the display Mu Ssangs power, feared even more for Mu Ssangs body, which had endured such a shock.
How can I, a human, understand a monster?
Jang Shin shook his head. He simply had to accept that his friend was a presence that went beyond human comprehension. Trying to understand it with logic and his frame of reference gave him a headache.
Jang Shin had also considered himself a champion of the 8-mixed martial arts, but his skills were no incomparable to Mu Ssangs. It was better to remain silent in a corner.
Park, was that the Expelling Principle?
I dont know. Master told me it was resonance.
Resonance? Thats my first time hearing of that. Sounds like one of those Expelling Principles. Park, are you normally capable of controlling your power?
Well, I didnt know my power was this destructive.
Be careful, if you hit someone like Mike so carelessly, you might kill them.
Ill be careful.
Jang Shin made a gesture as if to lock his mouth. Nothing good could come from revealing a power that was beyond the norm.
Haha!
Mu Ssang smiled. This was a friend who understood him. He wasnt quite human, and he had killed some people. Many idiots became handicapped after he handled them. When he lost his reasoning and made a scene, destruction occurred. Now he understood a little of what his master had been thinking when he persuaded him into becoming a mercenary.
Park, please be careful.
Mu Ssang had once wiped the floor with the Odd-Ears group at Castelnau Bridge. Jang Shins master could have done that, too. But the power he saw this time around was on a different level. It was the kind of power that could break his spinal cord if Mu Ssang simply patted him on his back after getting drunk.
Jang, do you want to warm up?
Jang Shins face, after receiving a request to be a sparring partner, crumpled to the point of rotting. His hands flapped violently.
No, non!
He recalled the last time he had last played around with Park. Shivers ran through his body. He liked Park, but he didnt want his spine broken. The idea of playing around with his friend permanently left his mind.
***
Year 1982, mid-August.
A long line, like a line of ants, appeared on Mt. Cinto. Those climbing the mountain were equipped in full military gear. They were short of breath, and every khaki uniform was drenched in sweat.
It was the Deuxieme Reps 4th squadron that was thrown into sudden mountain training. While the other squadrons had left for their holidays, they had been thrown into this hell. Even Jang Shin, who had been planning to go to the Ajaccio markets, was there. The 136 members of the squadron moved their feet while cursing out Commander Pief.
Mt. Cinto was in the middle of southwest Corsica. In the world atlas, it was called Monte Cinto, but it was in actuality a mountain range of 20 mountains at around 2000 meters high. Mt. Cinto filled most of Corsicas central region.
It had been four hours since they started their march. The path wasnt easy. Some of the climbing paths were as narrow as a rabbits path. They sometimes passed through forests where there were no paths at all and had to cut down leaves with their jungle knives, and push through it.
The soldiers climbing the elevated slope were breathing like trembling grass. Their military gear, which had seemed a light 40 kilograms, in the beginning, had magically started to gain weight throughout their training session. Their shoulders were pressed down by the gear and leaned towards the ground. They were bent forward to the point that their noses could touch the ground. It was a representation of their draining stamina.
Straighten your backs, and tuck in your chins. Dont open your mouths.
The officer shouted at them continuously, but everyone was still on the verge of eating the dirt beneath them.
There was one person who was fine. Mu Ssang had even taken the Minimi rifle that private Emil handed to him and strung it around his shoulder. He carried 40 kilograms of military gear, the Dragunov, a 7.5-kilogram Minimi rifle, and a 10-kilogram bullet box. There were no restrictions on helping partners during training.
Mu Ssang was rapidly climbing the cliffs of Mt. Cinto without a single drop of sweat on his face. While his comrades were hanging their necks out like herons, he took in the scenery around him. Sometimes he committed the crime of pulling out the cistus flower (a special flower representative of Corsica) on the road and smelling it.
He had once climbed up and down the river banks with three sacks of rice on his back at dawn. The 70-kilogram weight didnt affect him as much. Emil was still panting even after handing his firearm and bullet box to his partner. Mu Ssang carried a weight that bordered 100 kilograms, now. Emil, who was trailing behind him, shook his head.
Park, youre too much. Are you even human? Emil complained.
And as he spoke, even more strength left him.
Why? Do you want to entrust your bag to me, too?
No. You monster.
Emil acted as if he was pouting. His decision to give up the machine gun and choose Park as his partner was a good decision. A talented partner was a lifeline.
Mu Ssang remembered the time when he used to clean out the outhouse. The buckets of feces weighed the same as his military gear. He carried them twice, often before noon. So he had already marched with such a weight at the age of 12.
Im human. If you clean the outhouse before noon, you become like me.
What are you talking about?
It was something Emil would never understand.
Mu Ssang looked around at his comrades. Everyone had at least half of their tongue hanging out.
Weaklings, look at them struggling. If they had carried a bunch of outhouse buckets when they were young, like I did, they would have been flying around like I am.
If they would have understood Korean, they would have buried him in Mt. Cintos western mountains.
The feces buckets had to be cleaned every season in the middle of Hajungdos willow forests. Minnows swam up the river in a line, the cicadas buzzing tore through the air, fields of well-blossomed chrysanthemums, flocks of mallard ducks turned the sky black. Jin Soon gritted her teeth to hold back tears, his master waved while smiling like a fool, Hae Youngs scent of melting ice cream and her soft skin
His mother whose life or death couldnt be determined, Jang and her abusive family on whom he had not been able to take revenge, his uncle who disappeared without a trace, and many other memories welled to the forefront and messed with his head.
Damn, its a hometown I want to throw away, so why do I have so many regrets?
His hometown wasnt something that could be abandoned simply because he wanted to. Mu Ssang shook his head and threw out his worries.
Beep beep beep
The corporal leading the march gave the signal to rest for 30 minutes. The soldiers collapsed in their spot. It was the second break of their five-hour march.
It was 43 kilometers from the Calvi Garrison to the summit of Mt. Cinto. Half of their march had been on flat land, and the other half was up the incline. Deuxieme Reps training march was 6 kilometers-per-hour on flat land and 4 kilometers-per-hour on the mountain. After a rapid march, they were given a 30-minute break after every 150 minutes.
When an adult walks on flat terrain, the average speed is 4 kilometers-per-hour. North Korea says that their reconnaissance brigade female warriors march a 60-kilometer mountain pass overnight, but that was a blatant lie. The body would not be able to tolerate such energy consumption.
Mountain marches generally consumed four times the energy of flat terrain marches. Of course, differences depended on the terrain. The average person could march uphill at 1 kilometer-per-hour and downhill at 3 kilometers-per-hour. Depending on the terrain, it could be difficult to travel 15 kilometers-per-hour for 10 hours. It was not easy to go on a mountain march at 4 kilometers-per-hour in full military gear.
Deuxieme Reps mountain training base camp was located at 2300 meters above sea level, on the ninth ridge of Mt.Cinto. The camp was just a small cabin, currently managed by the 2nd company and could accommodate one company.
Todays destination was that cabin. Only six kilometers remained. Mu Ssang took off his sweat-drenched military boots, uncovered his neck, and dried his feet in the warm sun. His head reeled at the awful stench of his feet. As much as his heightened five senses had given him an advantage, there were as many inconveniences.
The soldiers rested comfortably along the gentle slope. Thirty minutes was not long. Even the well-trained Deuxieme Rep found the 20-kilometer flat/20-kilometer mountain march a difficult training session.
Oh, you were here.
Mu Ssang was searching through his backpack then took out a flat, tin hip flask. (There is a rumor that Al Capone designed this flask to hide alcohol in his places of business.) When he turned the cap and opened the flask, a deep rich flavor of wine filled the air.
Wine consumed in the middle of a march not only hydrates the body but gives one the necessary energy to recover from fatigue. Mu Ssang had a habit of taking at least two bottles of Sciaccarello when packing his bag.
He had acquired his hip flask by going all the way to Ajaccio in the southern region just to drink the Sciaccarello properly. It was heavier compared to the assigned aluminum flasks, but he had splurged on it because it maintained the liquids temperature.
I knew it.
Jang Shin shoved his face in front of Mu Ssangs. He was Chinese to his very bones. That meant he enjoyed alcohol, gambling, and women. He couldnt resist alcohol no matter the type or flavor it was. Emil also shoved his head forward.
That smells nice.
Ha, did you smell that from beyond a hundred meters?
What are you talking about! I came here to see my friend.
Jang Shin denied it.
Yeah right. You look as if youre about to propose marriage to him.
Emil twitched his thin lips. The two always fought over their relationship with Mu Ssang. They especially fought over whether ones status as Mu Ssangs partner was more important than the other ones status as his friend.
A thin line of red wine trickled down Mu Ssangs mouth. Jang Shin glared at the thin streak like a vampire lusting after a womans neck.
Take some.
Emil snatched the flask.
Partner first.
Jang Shin, who had missed by a second, frowned.
Im his brother.
Coolies arent the same race as Koreans.
Emil made a rather logical and historical point. He shoved the flask in his mouth just in case Jang Shin would steal it. With a gulping sound, his throat moved. Jang Shin couldnt wait any longer and snatched it right out of his mouth.
Sciaccarello?
Mu Ssang nodded.
Good choice.
Emil raised his thumb.
Corsicas Mediterranean climate, with mild weather and humid soil, allowed Corsican farmers to grow the grape called Sciacarello.
The Sciacarello grape had a subtle, sweet flavor and deep scent that lingered for a long time after one drink.
When one drank Sciacarello and closed their eyes, the blue wind of the willow forest could be felt blowing around. It was the wine that the flight attendant served Mu Ssang on the airplane, a wine that recalled memories of his hometown mixed with love and hatred. Because it brought forth memories, Sciacarello was the only alcohol he came to like.
White wine was strongly acidic and bitter, and sweet white wine was good to drink cold. The sweetness harmonized with the sour and bitter taste. On the other hand, a red wine with a strong sour and bitter taste was good to drink at room temperature.
Sciacarello was a wine with little difference between the way it tasted cold or at room temperature. But he had heard that tin flasks were good for maintaining the wines temperature, which was the only reason he bought it.
Jang Shins hand shook slightly as he held the flask. Even a martial-arts-trained body could not stand the five-hour rapid mountain march.
Jang, you must be very tired. Like, wow, your hands are shaking.
Emil smiled sneakily as he started to tease him.
Who gave his partner all of his things to carry, even his weapon? I dont think I should be hearing that from someone who entrusted his lover to another man.
Emil didnt even get to make his point and backed down.
Wow!
Jang Shin shot back the wine to the point that his entire neck rumbled. Now that he had delivered Emil, someone who lingered around Park, a definite blow, the wine tasted better. He drank wine the way people drink beer.
Emil dug around his bag. He tossed a heavy lump to Mu Ssang. It was Fleur du Maquis, a Corsican cheese wrapped in ivory leaves, one of Mu Ssangs favorite snacks.
Emil looked back at Jang Shin and stuck out his tongue like a child. The two men fighting like girls before Mu Ssang reminded him of the Jin Soon and her sisters. She should be doing well, right? She had to be.
Red wine went well with meat and cheese, and white wine went well with seafood. Of course, this was something that usually happened after work at dinnertime or a relaxing holiday dinner.
The mercenaries were on the verge of collapsing from fatigue and thirst. They were too thirsty to be choosy about their wine. The most expensive alcohol in the world, Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac, was invented in 1776, and one bottle made the Guinness world record after being sold for 22 billion dollars. But, at that moment, it would have been no different from a bottle of water. To relieve his thirst, one bottle would have been enough. After exchanging a sip each between Emil and Jang Shin, Jang Shin finished off the alcohol and threw the empty flask at Mu Ssang.
Great alcohol!
Mu Ssang, who took up the empty flask, frowned.
Pay me back. Five times in interest.
Emil laughed.
You bastard. Youre saltier than Shylock. Ill give you a whole box of it.
A mercenarys partner had his back in the mercenary world. It was a relationship closer than brothers. Emil was three years older than him and was a two-year veteran, but they remained close friends. Jang Shin forced himself into this friendship, and therefore the trio became friends.
The Deuxieme Rep respected privacy but enforced the rules. They allowed drinking during training. Whether wine or whiskey, they allowed it.
What they were strict about was the actions that came after drinking, such as accidents or irregular training patterns. They had to know how to handle their alcohol. Korean soldiers who hid alcohol in their water bottles would have been envious of this aspect of the training.
Jang Shin paled.
Peng you!
What?
Youre going to Chad?
Yes. The risk payment is the same as my average pay.
Emil intervened.
If my partner goes, I go. I need to protect my partner.
Jang Shin glared at Emil.
Youre going to protect the matchless? Its the first time Ive heard of a rabbit protecting a tiger.
Bullets dont avoid Park. Ive chosen a fat, middle-aged woman as my partner instead of a slim lady as my partner.
This time, Emil was mad. Jang Shin flinched slightly. Emil was a sniper, and, for Park, he had taken up the machine gun instead of the Epal that he had been carrying around for two years. That couldnt have been an easy choice.
Dont you regret it?
I do, but if I want to support Parks sniping I need to take up the machine gun.
Jang Shin felt as if he was being pushed out of the group by Emil. He had only received help from Park, who he had acknowledged as his da ge. There was nothing he had done for him in return.
Im going, too. Im going to protect my friend.
Oh, the yellow bomber is going to rampage around the desert.
Emil laughed as he ran away.
Wang ba dan!
Jang Shin shoved a potato in Emils mouth.
Peng you, youre really going?
Going.
Jang Shin gritted his teeth as if he had come to a decision.
Fine, if were going to die, we should die together. Theres extra pay for stolen weapons, too. It should go to my wifes hospital fees.
Hows Ho Ming?
She got the surgery thanks to a friend, but she isnt well. Shes at the Haier hospital in An hui.
You should earn a lot.
Im going to work for five years then set up a restaurant.
Mu Ssang glared.
You spend all your money on prostitutes and casinos, so when and how are you going to set up a restaurant?
Jang Shin narrowed his eyes and scratched his head.
Alcohols my foe. Its frustrating. Thats why I only buy the cheap stuff.
If you get your citizenship, bring your wife over and live together.
Im going to. Peng you, thank you so much.
Of what?
My wifes treatment fees! Ill pay you back soon.
One month prior, Jang Shins wife, Ho Ming, was gravely injured in a hit-and-run car crash. She needed a lot of money for the surgery, but Jang Shin didnt have it. Mu Ssang found out about it and gave Jang Shin all of his savings: 4000 francs.
Were friends, and you said that Im your da ge? Koreans dont calculate money between brothers. Money is used by the one who needs it the most!
Mu Ssang wanted to laugh at the white lies he was spouting. His uncle had taken all of his grandfathers inheritance, and when his brother had died, he had captured his nephew to use as a slave. He had also sold all of the tangible goods his younger brother had acquired. Korea was a place where brothers fought each other because of an inheritance.
Wow, Koreans are amazing. Chinese have a lot of brothers killing each other for money.
Thats because your countrymen are ssangnom.
Whats ssangnom?
People who are not educated and dont know gratitude and love are called ssangnom.
Mu Ssang recalled his uncles family. That was the very example of ssangnom.
Right. China has a lot of people who dont know gratitude, are uneducated, and unkind.
He had thought Jang Shin would be mad at him, but he wasnt; he accepted it. It seemed he, too, had his difficult past.
But arent there people like Mu Song and Song Kang, people who are loyal?
Hahaha!
Jang Shin laughed.
Thats all a lie. Chinese people will do anything for a little bit of benefit. China is a country that respects people who kill and commit all kinds of crime, even those who are con men acting as heroes. Its a country I was born in, but I dont like it.
Jang Shin didnt have a handsome face. The edges of his eyes lifted, and the ends of his lips were pulled down. His nose was flat and his cheekbones were high. It was a face that invited fights.
But aside from his looks, Jang Shin was an intellectual who had graduated from Tsinghua University. Jang Shins personality repaid his benefactors a hundredfold and took care of grudges a thousandfold.
Well, there are things about your country that I dont understand. From Water Margin, Chaewonja Jangcheong and Moyacha Son Rae come to mind. A couple at a restaurant kidnaps an innocent pedestrian and fills him with dumplings like a pig, and they were praised as heroes. That behavior is too unethical to be rationalized as a cultural difference.
Mu Ssang hated the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, Water Margin, and the Jin Ping Mei. This is because of the cruelty and deception of the Chinese people. The Water Margin was especially terrible.
Every character in the Water Margin was cruel. They were supposed to reward the good and punish the bad, but they were not human beings with a moral compass. A mass of anarchists and psychos met at Mount Liang.
Sigh, I also left my hometown because I didnt like the people there. I received pure help, for the first time, from da ge. Since da ge doesnt like that, Ill treat you like a friend. I wont forget this gratitude.
Jang Shin looked at his friend, who he regarded as a da ge, with complicated eyes. He could defeat 10,000 people but didnt reveal his strength. Mu Ssang was the wise man that his master had talked about, the representative of martial arts. And he was the representation of humility. He didnt buy a separate uniform from the one that was assigned and bought all the equipment that he needed from the general store and not the city. The only splurging Mu Ssang did was to spend a little money on the Sciaccarello. He was three years younger, but Jang Shin gladly regarded him as a da ge. The first benefactor in his life was Mu Ssang.
A gaoribangzi was a person who was strict on oneself but lenient on others. Jang Shin thought of Mu Ssang as a gaoribangzi. He had thought that he was a naive man, someone who didnt know how to play, didnt know how to spend money, and was a leader but not a street smart person.
Mu Ssang had given him all of his savings as soon as he heard that he was in a tough situation. After reflecting on the money he had spent on women and alcohol, Jang Shin was so embarrassed that he wanted to climb into his gun barrel.
Chapter 12
People want strength, whoever they are, and once they have it, they wish to display it. Mu Ssang had stepped beyond the realm of ordinary human beings. He recalled the moment when he had suppressed three white, bear-like humans with one move at Castelnau Bridge.
He didnt seem to understand how strong he was. When there was a conflict, he backed away from it, and when there was a fight involving him, he lowered his head first. He had amazing self-control considering that he was only 20 years old. It was the only stroke of luck that had descended on his bleak life.
What gratitude are you talking about? I have no immediate need for money. Money is earned to be used. If I dont use it when its needed, all it does is smell. Jang, you can also help other people in need.
Mu Ssang waved his hand as he refused Jang Shins offer to pay him back. But even as he said that he recalled the stereotype: a person becomes a mercenary to earn money. Every franc was valuable. Even when he was handing the money to Jang Shin, his hands shook slightly. He had acted as if he was very generous, but, on the inside, he knew that he was vain.
A receiver doesnt forget a grudge and also doesnt forget gratitude.
Mu Ssang picked up his gear, gun, and bullet case.
Dont look at me like that. I have no interest in men.
Jang Shins face, at the lackluster response, wrinkled. His friends French wasnt very fluent, so he could not tell whether he was joking or being serious.
Beep beep
Break time flew by.
Hmph!
Jang Shin took the machine gun from Mu Ssangs arms and handed it back to Emil.
Hey, Emil, in China theres a proverb that says, the person who ends it is the one who finished it. Since we dont have much farther to go, you should carry it.
Oh, I like those words.
Simple and stupid Emil took back the Minimi immediately and sat it on his shoulders.
Theres really such a proverb? Mu Ssang asked with suspicious eyes.
I made it up just now.
Hehehe, idiot, Mu Ssang laughed at Emil.
The march resumed. The lead officer and the surveillance officers ran about like mad. The soldiers scurried after them with their tongues hanging out. With their deployment to Chad just around the corner, their mountain training, unlike the previous years, had become more difficult. In the past, they had only marched to the edge of the 2nd brigades campsite then returned to the fortress.
This time, the course was divided into three stages. The first stage was following Mt. Cintos path and arriving at Corte Natural Park. The second stage was from the Corte Natural Park, using the North 193 highway, to the Ajaccio port. The third stage was along the shoreline and returning to Calvi. In total, the training they marched over half of the island, covering over 300 kilometers.
Half of the course was filled with rugged terrain for mountain climbing and cliff climbing. It was an extremely difficult course, and the soldiers faces had soured while listening to the briefing given by their commander.
At least the path from Ajaccio to Calvi was along the coastline. When they marched along it, the Mediterraneans western cold winds, called the Ponant, cooled their sweat.
Compared to the Korean militarys special forces 400-kilometer march, this was nothing. The Korean Special Forces marched the distance over seven nights and eight days. On the last day, they ended the training with a continuous 100-kilometer march. Their monstrous training was known around the world for its intensity. Of course, this was something Mu Ssang, who had lost his right to enlist in the Korean military, didnt know.
The cantonment was outside. Sleeping bags filled the park and clearings in the forest around Mt. Cintos peaks. Nothing was more like a slave-training camp than this place. All that was there was a tent and an ammunition case.
Bivouac was a term that originated from the word biwak used in Germany. It referred to a cantonment created by the surrounding terrain, a sleeping place without a man-made roof or walls. It could be made out of natural caves, a debouche, or by burrowing oneself underneath a bunch of leaves.
Mu Ssang gathered the leaves and laid them thickly on the ground before spreading his sleeping bag on top of it. He had survived for seven months sleeping on the rock-hard floor of the cave. An outside camp with a sleeping bag was like a hotel suite to him.
The moon was the same one he had seen from his hometowns bridge. The silent night brought about all kinds of thoughts.
Hoot hoot
The owls hoots pricked at his mind.
I need to find my mom soon. I wonder if masters doing well?
There were cuckoos cries, the silent but elegant moonlight, the blooming chrysanthemum fields, his need for Hae Youngs scent, and the Bijindo flat with the floor heater that burned to the point of burning his feet, all kinds of nostalgia attacked him.
In the end, he couldnt get to sleep and opened his sleeping bag. The soldier who was on guard duty glanced at him and shook his head. The Famas on his shoulder clicked. He was annoyed that someone was awake when they should have been dead to the world, and Mu Ssang felt those vibes.
He dragged himself along the rabbit paths. The moonlight shone down like a waterfall. Although the animals and plants were different, the moonlight here was the same moonlight that hung over the tip of Wol Song San.
Fights between carnivores and herbivores sometimes broke the silence. Mu Ssangs hearing was several times better than a normal humans abilities, and his sensitive ears recognized the animal sounds. But the slight whining of an animal was unlike that in his hometown. Even the thick forest was different from the one on Wol Song San.
Obviously. How could the experience on the bridge back then be the same as my experience in Corsica?
Suddenly, the sadness of being in a place several thousands of kilometers away from his hometown poked at his mind. The full moon in the middle of the sky was surrounded by a halo. When it disappeared, it would rain. Now that he thought about it, there hadnt been any rain for the past month.
The grasses, as tall as he was, waved underneath the moonlight and made rustling noises. He couldnt discern if it was silver grass or common reed.
His idle footsteps stopped. A pale pink flower, smaller than an iris, extended its stalk over the tall grasses. It was a fully blooming cistus, a flower that could be found all over Corsica, just like the Korean wild chrysanthemum. There was an exceptional amount on Mt. Cinto. The flower was a mixture of a sweet-briar and a rose. The stalks were fragile and would break when a light wind blew. The pale pink petals were reminiscent of violets shyly squeezing through the gaps between stones.
Is it the violets in the front yard or the dianthus on the fringes of Wol Song San?
It was a flower that emanated its scent quite strangely. Mu Ssang flinched. He was thinking about the bridge again. His hometown was something that clung to his memory no matter how many times he tried to forget it.
The light pink flower reflected the bluish light of the moonlight. Suddenly, Hae Youngs scent overwhelmed him.
Ah, ahh!
Mu Ssang cried out without realizing it. The tip of his nose turned red. Hae Young was a smart and wise woman. There was no chance she settled for that waiter instead of finding someone more worthy. She probably needed an excuse. Most people with too much pride did that.
What would Jin Soon have done?
She would have thrown everything away and worked at the Night BOSS to become a chef. She was such a woman. She had no regrets nor held grudges. She always thought about what she had to do to help. It was her personality. Just as Hae Young wasnt Jin Soon, Jin Soon wasnt Hae Young.
Perhaps he was the coward here. He had read Hae Youngs mind and decided to move first. He tried to cover his pain in the pretense that he was sacrificing for another. He had done something childish to act like the better person.
They were a thousand kilometers apart from each other and away from their hometowns. His body may have been strong, but his mind wasnt. Mu Ssang buried his longing under a bottle of Sciaccarello and the scent of cistus.
He was only human, albeit a strong one. But he was no different from the people being killed by a bullet to their throat. Chad was going through an internal civil war and was a battlefield where a bullet could go through him at any time. He didnt have his family or Hae Young. If he had any regrets, he shouldnt be heading into the battlefield where bullets flew around. Perhaps it was because he couldnt forget the times he had with Hae Young.
His mother had disappeared, and, even though he missed her, he couldnt forgive her. No, this wasnt a problem of forgiving but the unforgettable sadness he carried after being left behind.
His uncle and the student, Lee Kang Chul, had some connection to his mothers disappearance, so that gave him a reason for her disappearance that he could accept.
Now that he was older and his decision-making skills had matured, he realized that there was another reason for his mothers disappearance. But currently, he was not in a situation where he could search for her. He was too busy living and trying to fend for himself, and there was a continuous stream of things happening around him.
After he was kicked out of school, he wanted to head to Lee Kang Chul and his uncles house to get his revenge. Ultimately, he had to board a plane without doing anything. He had no choice but to fend for himself when the military had been organized under martial law and soldiers were out for blood. If his master hadnt calmed his raging anger, he would have caused a huge incident.
All the normal years that he had were during childhood and his teenage years, which only meant the two years spent with Hae Young. He had been young and weak, and therefore, used by the people around him. When had he not lived desperately in harsh conditions when he was so young?
And somehow he had arrived in a place that was miles away from his hometown. He was living in a place he had never heard of and was eating and sleeping with foreign people.
It had been eight months since he put on the military uniform, and this was a precious time where he could evaluate himself. It was a moment to solidify his determination to avoid being used by others again.
The meeting with that strange skeleton was his fathers gift. It had to be his fathers advice that prompted him to become stronger and look for his mother. He had gained physical strength, but the flow of time had given him another kind of strength.
That was a time when the legal umbrella of parental authority became the violence upon him. He was ignored because he was young and was crushed. Being protected by the law and being obligated to follow social conventions were powers that had controlled him.
Mother, my poor mother, wait a little longer. Your sons going to make money and find you. Ill return the pain a hundredfold to the people who hurt you. I will teach them that there are people who will not forget a grudge, even after all those years.
Mu Ssang murmured through his gritting teeth. Anyone can kill someone, but he had become mentally strong enough to accept that he could commit murder. Only Masters words that his tie with his mother had not ended, comforted him.
You trash, just wait. Ill return soon.
Mu Ssang couldnt handle his anger and struck the nearest tree.
Bang
The bark crumbled and the trunk exploded inwards. The tree that had been expelling fresh air valiantly during the day and was resting during the night had just been hurt by a bad guy.
This place is heaven for me.
The Legion Etranger didnt consider an individuals past as long as the applicant wasnt a criminal or drug user. They didnt care about anything else other than the current form and achievements they had made. He, who was rejected by his own country, was accepted by France. For him, this was a blessing.
Legion Etranger was not an army that only trained and fed people. It was the first combat unit to be sent to conflict zones under French national interests. An operation could begin today, no one knew when a dispatch order would be issued.
When the operation began, he would have to pour shells over his enemies heads and inject bullets into their hearts. They turned into wraiths that sought the blood of others while being bloody themselves.
Those who take the lives of others must be prepared to abandon their lives, too, Chief Colonel Jean Philip reminded them all the time. He was right.
Mu Ssang signed up for the Chad Civil War enlistment without hesitation. Death had always been a part of his life. It was a presence that he felt continuously in Bang Tae Sans cave. Human beings were mortals anyway. Being alive only meant prolonging death. The problem lay between whether you die slowly or suddenly. Death was a matter of how to die, not when to die. He was now about to find out what the honed beast within him would do on the battlefield.
Peng you, you cant sleep, either?
He seemed to have been walking for some time, lost in thought because when he lifted his head, he found Jang Shin who was a part of the third brigade. It was past midnight. Jang Shin was crouching on the floor and smoking as if he couldnt sleep either. The ground was wet.
Jang, youll catch a cold if you sit on the ground.
Mu Ssang looked around. He found a slab of rock that was about half the size of those oak barrels used for fermenting wine in the distilleries. It was flat, and therefore a good slab to be used as a chair. He lifted it and threw it near Jang Shin.
Crash
The ground shook. Jang Shin scurried away with a pale face. It was a rock that four men would have had trouble lifting. To think he would throw it around like a handbag!
Even after witnessing such a superhuman feat, it was still hard to believe.
Da ge!
Just call me peng you. Or Park.
Peng you, please be careful.
Hmm, Ill try.
A soulless reply came back. When Mu Ssang said that he would try, it meant that he would listen to the scolding but not take it to heart. One might wonder whether the man even recognized that he had inhuman powers.
Park, have you ever killed a human?
I have. Three years ago.
Three years ago?
Jang Shin was so surprised by the nonchalant reply that his sentence broke apart. If it was three years ago, then Park would have still been underage.
Yeah, I killed six. Or maybe five.
Li, liu? Xiang lai dou jue de xin jing dan jan de! (Si six? Just thinking about it gives me anxiety!)
Jang Shin was so surprised that his liver sank, and Chinese popped out of his mouth. But even then, he didnt question whether this was a lie. Peng you Park was a man who didnt know how to lie.
Jang Shin looked at his peng you with a tired gaze. He had assumed that Park had had a hard life looking at his scars, but to think he would kill not one, or two, but six people!
Jang Shin couldnt ask anymore. It was because of the bitter smile that had appeared on his da ges face. It was an emptier smile than his flooded and washed out hometown by the Yang Ja Kang river. The several wounds and the horrible scar on his cheek told the story of a difficult life, but he had not thought that he would have committed murder, too.
The conversation stopped. Jang Shins cigarette burned red.
I have not killed a person. But there was someone I wanted to kill.
Since its the past tense, Im assuming your target has died or youve given up.
Gave up. Jang Shin gritted his teeth.
Why?
Its a big person who is hard to reach. Jang Shins face twisted.
Rage welled up quite suddenly. The bastard had purposely hit Ho Ming without slowing down his car. He had disappeared without even stopping. His wife was badly injured and was still in critical care even after the surgery.
Frankly, it wasnt even a hit-and-run. The bastard who had hit Ho Ming was Anhui Province Hefei Public Security Officer Branchs son. There was nothing he could do to him. At the astronomical amount needed for his wifes surgery, he had knocked on Legion Etrangers door. She had been able to undergo surgery thanks to Park, but for the second surgery, he needed even more money. All that was left was an organ transplant.
Its because of your wife and son.
How did you know?
My peng you isnt a weakling. When theres something to protect, a man becomes vulnerable. Theres nothing more precious than family.
It was what he said to Jang Shin, but honestly, he was talking about himself.
Thanks.
Im not saying this to reassure you. Its the truth.
Jang Shins heart swelled. His anger slowly dissipated. What kind of life had Park led to know these kinds of struggles so well? he wondered.
Wed have to kill people next month.
In order to not die, one must kill. If you have to kill, you kill a lot to earn more money, Jang said with an uncomfortable tone.
Jang, you shouldnt go. Ho Ming will be sad.
Ho Ming is having problems. She needs a liver transplant.
Didnt she already have surgery?
She did have surgery with the money da ge gave me. But its not looking good.
Whats the problem?
The hospitals not sure. Chinese hospitals have low-quality care.
Youd need a lot of money. Mu Ssang sighed.
Thats why I need to go to Chad. I have to kill a lot of guerrillas to save Ho Ming.
You need to kill to save? It feels like Ive really become a mercenary. I remember a novel written by Jun Pei called Humans Conditions. If Jang dies, Ho Ming becomes a widow.
If Im next to peng you, I wont die. Ive got your back. I will pour explosives on peng yous enemies.
Mu Ssang nodded wordlessly. Like Emil, he knew that Jang Shin had his back. The higher-ups didnt know, but Jang Shins gunning marks were legendary.
Jang Shin used an area-suppression weapona mine thrower as a snipers tool. He also didnt reveal all of his abilities. It probably stemmed from his distrust of humans.
Jang Shins expression darkened. Even if the training was hard, it was, in the end, just training. The battlefield was a different story altogether. He had to go out and kill people that he didnt know to save his wife. There was no way the 25-year-old young man would feel comfortable.
Mu Ssang didnt feel comfortable either. He had been abandoned in the world at an age where his nose still ran, but he had somehow survived. Now that he had survived, his life had turned into something that could only continue if he took other peoples lives.
What are the conditions for being human?
Under what expectations should the humanity of a person be judged?
He was in a foreign country 15,000 kilometers away from his hometown. The moonlight shone to the point where it was cold, but the two men, whose worries were weighing heavily on their minds, were somber. Even if there were no chirping birds from their hometown, the night brought intense feelings of home.
Chapter 13
Year 1982, August.
The situation in Chad turned around suddenly. FROLINAT (the Arab military union of Chads central northern regions) released the lockdown on NDjamena and retreated to Kanem. Unable to withstand the Western oil import and trade bans, Gaddafi ordered Chads troops back to his country.
Gaddafi refrained from direct military movements but did not give up his ambitions for the central northern regions of Chad. The rebels and Libyan troops who retreated from NDjamena occupied the northern Kanem and Tibesti Boruku cities and waited for an opportunity.
With Libyas errant attitude, France hesitated with its military actions. With the wrong reasons for engagement, they could be criticized by the international community for intervening. Mitterrand ran his presidential campaign on a good and kind persona and feared criticism.
In the end, the deployment order was suspended. The French army stopped its military actions and decided to see what happened. The Deuxieme Rep stopped its deployment training and returned to its normal regimen.
Rumors were rampant within Deuxieme Rep. They were mercenaries committed to improving their battle potential, but instead of being angered by the delay, they let out sighs of relief. Chads civil war was intense, and the risk of dying was great.
Chad is a country in northern Africa, along the southern borders of the Sahara Desert. The population of Africa was 128 thousand per square kilometer, 12 million times that of Korea, but most of the continent was a wasteland with Sahel, desert, and mountainous areas. Chads population was concentrated in the southern agricultural region of the Chari and Logone rivers. There was no distinct industry, and cotton was the main product. The population was around 10 million: 50 percent Muslim, 35 percent Christian, and the rest believed in their native religion.
Chad became independent from France in 1960. Independence became the starting point for their new suffering. The day brightened with the civil war, and the day ended with the civil war.
The main cause of the war was a conflict between northern Arab Muslims and southern non-Muslims. The situation was not simple. An enormous mix of political groups and warlords lead each faction, so it became hard to distinguish between friend and foe, and the confusing state persisted. The cycle of yesterdays government-deployed troops becoming todays rebel repeated.
The war was further complicated by the interests of neighboring countries such as the Soviet Union, the United States, Libya, and Sudan. This was a common phenomenon during the Cold War.
France had been extremely cautious in its offshore deployment since the Indochina War. It was busy eyeing other countrys opinions before ordering a large-scale deployment. It was like being frightened by a snapping turtle then frightened by the lid of a pot right afterward.
Mu Ssang lost steam. Returning to his daily life, he focused on his Five Combined Movements training and sniper training. Their dispatch orders had been suspended, but if the order came tomorrow, Deuxieme Rep had to move immediately.
Pief ordered Mu Ssang to undergo free training sessions. Because of the physical differences between him and the other soldiers, platoon and company training no longer worked on him.
Mu Ssang spent half of his free training time on sniping. The Dragunovs gunshots continued on Mt. Cintos ranges. He refused the high-performance sniper guns and insisted on the Dragunov.
Since the late 1970s, high-performance sniper rifles with a bolt action of 1MOA and lower have flooded the market. Steyrs SSG69, Remingtons M40, Walthers WA2000, and many more were developed, one after another, with excellent range and accuracy. The French-developed FR-F1, called the Epal sniper rifle, made a name for itself because of its design and unique 7.5-millimeter bullet.
The Dragunovs precision was 2MOA. By looking at the precision alone, it was difficult to rank it among the other sniping rifles. Strictly speaking, it was not a sophisticated sniper rifle. It was the middle ground between an assault rifle and a sniper rifle and had experienced brief popularity 20 years prior.
Mercenaries spared no expense when buying weapons because a weapon that was the slightest bit better than another helped them survive. Mu Ssang was frugal but, similarly, didnt spare any expense on weapons.
He insisted on the Dragunov because of three important aspects: durability, portability, and battering. It was ironic that all three characteristics were not related to sniping. Rather, they were required for an assault rifle. But, Mu Ssang wanted these features.
Sniper rifles, because they focus on precision, sacrifice their durability. The Dragunovs durability is well known to be on par with the Acabo. Firearms had to perform on-demand, without any minuscule failures. No matter how good a gun was, it was just a stick when broken. For Mu Ssang who liked to fire rounds continuously, durability was an important factor.
It was also very portable. While other sniper rifles weighed 7 to 12 kilograms, the Dragunov was only 4.3 kilograms, an assault rifles average weight.
Its battering was the best. Dragunov magazines were available in 10 to 20 rounds. The Soviet military developed the Dragunov as a platoon support weapon, developing a 20-round magazine. It was the aspect Mu Ssang fell in love with. He used a sniping rifle like a machine gun. Durability, portability, and battering aspects were advantages that he would not do without.
There were two main drawbacks to the Dragunov. The first was its rather low 2 MOA precision. That degree could be sufficiently compensated by his own spatial perception. The second was its 4x fixed scope. It offered night scope functionally, but it was much worse than the western scope.
Mu Ssang did not consider the scope as a handicap. His eyesight was eight times sharper than an eagles sight. Besides, he had near-cheating eye enhancement passed down by his master, so he didnt dwell on the scopes performance.
He willingly gave up the 62,500-francs worth PSG1 and chose the 4200 franc Dragunov. From ancient times, a superior warrior believed he could communicate with his sword, and, of course, Mu Ssang believed it, too. Since his contact with the skeleton at Wol Song San, he could see the spirit of heaven and earth. Humans sometimes engraved their presence onto certain objects.
Human desires sometimes lead to surprising phenomena and consequences. Certain regrets could be born into a sword that had taken the lives of several people. The worn Dragunov that he had received in training, was also aggrieved.
When the soul enters the reincarnation stage, the body, the shell of the soul, melts into nature. A contaminated soul that is not separate from the body was called an aggrieved soul. In the end, it was the demolition of a soul when it had attached itself to the body.
The aggrieved soul becomes jealous of living beings. It creates a strong will to kill living creatures. The representative examples of such souls were the Ji bak ghost and the water ghost.
Mu Ssang unconsciously suppressed the strength and control of his senses with the strength he had gained. His desire to see blood sprang up when he came into contact with a soul-ridden object.
He was tired, and it was hard enough to live amongst the living. A spirit without a solid figure was beyond his concern. Having recognized this skill in his disciple, his master helped him control this ability with the mind-organizing laws.
When an impulse was controlled, the suppressed hyper-perceptual ability evolved to spatial perception ability. A powerful pulse wave, like a radar, sensed the movement, vitality, and signs of surrounding objects, but he did not know the origin of this ability.
Mu Ssang heard the numerous shouts of grudges that clung to his Dragunov during the training taking place as he awaited dispatch orders. It was time to climb Mt. Cinto and hunt Corsicas special wild rabbit.
Pief called for Mu Ssang.
Comment allez vous? (How are you?)
Im fine!
Mu Ssangs attitude towards Pief was strained. Ordinarily, he was supposed to say, Im good, and you? But the part of the greeting where he was supposed to ask about Piefs well being was left out intentionally. It made the conversation awkward.
His feelings about Pief werent good because of the petit canard incident, and he wanted to give a blow in return for the greeting, but their ranks were too different. Pief had noticed his displeasure and no longer called him petit canard.
Felicitacions (congratulations), your call name has been assigned by headquarters. Its Black Mamba.
Black Mamba?
He had never applied for a call name. And what was a call name anyways?
Mu Ssang was confused. Legion Etranger allowed the use of fake names. Mercenaries who didnt want their identity to be revealed were assigned call names.
Three months ago the regiment commander applied for your call name. Park, you will be called Black Mamba from now on.
I understand.
Mu Ssang replied uninterested. Three months ago he had demonstrated his sniping ability to his commander, high ranking officers, and aged commanders. He had been dragged there by his squadron commander and had to suffer for five hours at Mt. Cinto.
The test involved sniping ten live mice at 800 meters, sniping 30 inanimate objects at 600 meters under a minute, imaginary moving target training, and much more. Some strange tests also required him to search for one bullet hidden somewhere on Mt. Cintos training ranges.
The final test was a simulated battle to clear out an army of 30 commando teams that were from the 11th Brigade. After five hours of tedious testing, the result was the call name Black Mamba. He completed the test perfectly because there was a reward of 500 francs for each test. Thirsty for money, he could not lose the challenge.
The day after the test, the regiment captain, whose mouth was permanently hanging open after witnessing Mu Ssangs performance, took him across the Ligurian Sea to his hometown of Toulon and bought him a meal.
Mu Ssang accepted the call name with an indescribable emotion. Whether it was a call name or nickname, this was just another way for them to exploit his abilities, just like a company giving an employee a promotion.
However, he didnt like the name Black Mamba. It was a large poisonous African snake with a big, ugly mouth and on the brink of extinction. It was an aggressive viper that bit the same target 10 times in a row and had 20 times the lethal toxicity of that of a cobra. It moved faster than a human, at 20 kilometers per hour, and those attacked by a Black Mamba were considered dead.
It was the most poisonous snake in existence because of its aggressiveness, toxicity, speed, and persistence of attacking the target. It was large, growing up to five meters in length, and if it had a greater population like the cobra, it would have been considered the worlds deadliest creature.
The call names of the French military worked differently from the English MI6s 007 system. If 007 was a name for an agent of that foreign division, then a call name referred to a secret mercenary associated with the French military.
Call names were assigned to soldiers who were deployed into situations that couldnt be resolved by regular soldiers, and it was an extremely confidential matter. Only those who ranked higher than a regiment commander could apply for one. The legion commander had to approve the individual making the request, and the secretary of defense and had to be involved in the Direction Gnrale de la Scurit Extrieure (DGSE) verification procedure.
After receiving a call name, the participant became subject to special management. All personal information was a secret. The military and intelligence departments kept an eye on Black Mamba without his knowledge.
Pief felt good enough to die. There was no treasure like the one in front of him. With deadly shooting skills, rapid movements that those with average vision couldnt follow, the ability to empty a magazine in five seconds, and a persistence in hitting targets, Park was a creature deadlier than his namesake Black Mamba.
What is a call name used for?
A call name is a code name given to the best soldiers with special operational capabilities. Currently, Park, youre the only member of the Legion Etranger who has received a call name. The regiment commander will explain more, but all records for Park will be erased, leaving only the name Black Mamba. From now on, your status will be managed by DGSE, the Direction Gnrale de la Scurit Extrieure.
Mu Ssang was slightly baffled. No matter how rule-abiding the army was, the military bastards had erased the name his father had given him and left him with the name of a disgusting snake with an ugly mouth. He wasnt happy.
At the age of ten, endless hardships had followed him after he had sold a golden rat snake that he had caught at his uncles house. Meeting the sneaky, attacking, monster rat snake was the beginning of bad fortune that led to meeting Chui Do Shik at Bangtaesan.
Recalling the features of Sai Dojiku, a cult leader and ninja sorcerer, shook his body. He had a thin body, a steep face with sunken flesh, protruding cheekbones, a narrowed edge around his shining eyes, thin lips, and some madness that exploded when the tip of the left lip twisted gently. Mu Ssang was still not free from a fear of Chui Do Shik.
And now he was connected to a snake, again. Perhaps he had been enemies with a snake in his past life and making him destined him to receive its name. Was it the curse of that golden rat snake? And out of all those nicknames out there, why was it Black Mamba?
Whats different? he asked in a sulky tone.
You get paid an allowance as much as your salary.
Pief mentioned the allowance first because he knew Park was a stupid person who had applied to the Deuxieme Rep for money.
Oh, incredible! Park, who seemed to willingly accept becoming Black Mamba burst into exclamation.
The corner of Piefs mouth went up and his nostrils fluttered. He thought of Park as a simple guy, someone who wouldnt complain as long as he was given enough money.
He has been trained to read other peoples minds since he was young and read the commanders mind. Pief regarded him as a countryside boy, simple and stupid. It would be good for him to let him continue thinking that. Hamilton had suggested that if one lets himself be treated as a little dumb, hed be comfortable in an organization.
With a call name, you wont be covered by existing military law. For example, the second-class Black Mamba is not punished for beating an Azudang (boss).
Thats even better. Can I beat you?
He gazed at Pief with a bloodthirsty gaze, revenge for mocking him.
Hum hum, if you beat an officer above the rank of a company-grade officer, youre both tried in court. Although the system of assigning orders does not change, special operational orders are often delivered directly from the DGSE and the Department of Defense. Thats all I know about that. I dont know the details regarding call names. The regiment commander will tell you about your rights and obligations.
Mu Ssang nodded.
I will be sent into dangerous operations, but it pays more. Even if I create trouble, it will be glossed over. The secret must be kept thoroughly. I should not reveal my identity, and Black Mamba will only move under his call name. I understand it enough.
You have a good head. Huhuhu! Pief drew back his lips and laughed.
Thank you for your hard work, Ill be in your care.
Piefs face brightened. He saw Black Mamba as stupid but also someone who held a long-lasting grudge. The procedure for assigning his call name had been carried out regardless of his intention. If he refused or started to fight against it, there wasnt much they couldnt refute. A sigh of relief came out.
You will be removed from all training today.
I was already exempted from it all.
That was an informal exemption. Those with call names train themselves. Whether youre participating in a group training or not, it is all up to you.
Thats very nice.
Go up Mount Cinto today.
You want me to catch a red deer?
Yes. Hunt.
Hunt? The animal rights protection services would put me in the oven and switch it on, Black Mamba refused.
The French people were very picky about animal protection. Interestingly enough, France was also an absurd country where tens of thousands of pets starved to death during the holiday seasons.
It was a strange country in which people would criticize a child pissing in a fountain while not blaming the dogs that sh*t around them. No one even picked up after their dogs. The officials cleaned it up without making pet owners responsible for it.
A dispatch order will come soon. Dont worry about it, and keep your senses up to par.
Okay.
The man who became Black Mamba, after erasing his name Park Mu Ssang, turned to real-life training using live animals as his targets.
There were a lot of red deer, and many weighed over 100 kilograms on Mt. Cinto. Deer was the number one game animal from ancient times to the modern-day. With its magnificent body, hot blood, and beautiful horns, it made the hunters go crazy, and its skin made excellent suede.
Human greed did not know its end. Since the 19th century, Mt. Cintos red deer have been hunted ruthlessly. The Mt. Cinto red deer were removed from the game category during the mid-20th century.
Authorities mobilized strong public support to prevent illegal hunting. Animal protection groups lit up their eyes, monitored, accused, and reported poachers. The red deer took advantage of human whims and dominated Mount Cinto.
Large animals were a hunters dream. The hunters instincts were triggered when a red deer with a grand physique ran through the forest with its horns raised like thick branches. Black Mamba also felt the near-triggering sensation at the sight of those red deer.
Unfortunately, now it was the 20th century, not the 19th century. Large game was as difficult to get rid of as it was to hunt. If caught by the animal protection groups, the situation could get complicated for Mu Ssang. Pief had told him there would be no problem, but that was because outsiders were extremely excluded in Corsica. Nothing good would come from causing trouble. The goal was to train, anyways. Small, fast animals such as rabbits and squirrels were the best targets for sensory training.
An unlucky rabbit, 450 meters ahead, was caught by the scope of his Dragunov. The rabbit was busy eating underneath an oyster oak. Sunlight penetrated through the branches of trees, and the bushes and shrubs created stripes with it. The brown rabbit was in perfect camouflage in the environment. It could hide itself so completely that it was nearly undiscoverable by the average human.
The target was the rabbits head with a diameter of 100 millimeters. The moment he pulled the trigger, the scope fogged up like a windshield on a rainy day. He quickly released his position and checked the scope lens. Nothing was wrong. As soon as he turned back into his position and looked into the scope, he was surprised.
An elderly man suddenly appeared near the rabbit as if he had risen from the ground. Mu Ssang nearly screamed. If the lens had not fogged up, it was more likely that he would have shot the elderly man instead of the rabbit.
The man had an old, bamboo, woven sack on his back that was filled about a third of the way with mushrooms. He was a resident who had climbed the mountain to collect mushrooms.
This area was a portion of national forest designated as training ground for Deuxieme Rep, and public access was controlled. He did not know how the old man had crossed the boundary, and he waited for him to disappear.
He didnt have the confidence to chase the man out saying that this was a military practice region. He could be accused of being a poacher. The Corsicans had been dominated by foreign powers many times since the Middle Ages, so they were naturally headstrong in their personalities. They even treated people from mainland France as foreigners. If he got noticed, the old man would immediately report him to the authorities. It wasnt going to be a problem for him, but he disliked thinking about the potential hassle.
The wandering old man disappeared into the forest as did the rabbit. He suddenly turned his sight 15 meters to the right from where the rabbit had been. It was just a feeling.
It was a feeling as if someone was tempting him to look there, and he found his original target, the wild rabbit.
He finished aiming his sight on the poor rabbit. It appeared on scopes crosshairs right in front of him. Black Mamba was startled and looked into the scope again. The rabbit was still munching on the spot.
He could use his unique sight to increase the size of objects. There was no word to describe what happened, so he just said that he could see well, but in truth, it wasnt simply seeing. It was feeling the object. It was looking at an object not through the eyes but by using his mind.
He placed the head of the rabbit in the crosshairs once more and proceeded to get into position to fire.
The rabbit appeared before his eyes as if it had been pulled forward with a telescope. It was the same feeling when one removed the dirt on ones glasses.
The PSO-1M2 optical scope had a 4x fixed sight. There were several 16x-variable-type products on the market, so the quadruple view was considered low on the sniper rifles scope range.
It was just over 450 meters away. He could clearly see the rabbits hair blowing in the wind. It was a ridiculous phenomenon at a 4x magnification. Even at a 12x magnification, it was hard to see such fine detail.
Mu Ssang with his eagles eyes didnt even need a scope to see a target 300-400 meters away. What he saw was not related to his own vision or his scopes performance.
He confirmed the target: the distance to the rabbit was 465 meters, and he was aiming for the rabbits right hind toe.
Clang
The moment the rabbit jumped, he shot. The rabbits toe exploded and blood splattered on its surroundings.
He confirmed the hit and his expression turned queer. The poor rabbits hind toe had been blown right off. No matter how much he called himself a god sniper, this seemed impossible
He had hit a moving animal, particularly its toe that was as small as a nail from 465 meters away! It was a tough story to believe even with all the exaggerating done at Calvis cafe.
Chapter 14
The southern region had a tropical monsoon climate around the capital city, Enzame, near Lake Chad.
Black Mamba was concerned about two things: one, that the old man appeared after his lens fogged, disrupting his aim and two, that the rabbit looked as if it was right in front of his eyes as if it had been pulled in view by a telescope.
He decided to check it out. He aimed at a pine cone that was 300 meters away, but his eyes didnt zoom in on the pine cone. He saw a red deer farther away on the edge of the cliffs. He placed the deers head in his scope. The deers eyes were 1000 meters away but appeared right before his eyes. It was blinking right before him, so close that even a novice from Castelnau Bridge could have shot it.
The strange vision didnt work on inanimate objects or plants, only on animals. An animal once targeted was easy to shoot even if it shifted positions.
The scope had blurred because the target had been disturbed. The same thing would have happened if a deer had blocked his targeted rabbit.
He came to the conclusion that his gun had a ghosts soul. His Dragunov wanted blood. When something became a target, this gun chased its blood until the very end. It was an incomprehensible conclusion, but he had long realized that not everything was what it seemed. This was a situation that could not be explained even with his exceptional senses.
In short, when the worn Dragunov locked onto a human or animal, that target was going to die no matter what. It was something that would only exist in fantasy worlds as a unique item.
Black Mamba stared at his old Dragunov for a long time. Looking at the surface imprints he could guess the age of the gun. It had been rolling around the battlefields for who knows how long. He could feel a lot of vengeful souls fused into the gun.
It was laughable to think that there was a ghosts spirit not under the moonlit skies but under the mornings full sunlight. A cow would have snorted over, but it was the truth. There were many souls attached to the Dragunov; it had attracted them.
Keankuma, at a situation where Im supposed to shoot like a ghost, youre being the ghost for me. How nice of you to be a ghost gun.
He gave the Dragunov the name Goblin. Black Mamba kept his cool in this odd situation.
Black Mamba had assumed incorrectly; his theory was far from the truth. The Dragunov had gone through many lives and had bathed in blood, but the experience Black Mamba had gone through with the sight was a dimensional increase in his spatial perceptiveness. It was the merging of the unconscious with the conscious mind.
The training in the dark mountain cave, the training with the Five Combined Movements, and the sniping training had triggered the supernatural increase.
If he concentrated, a huge wave would spread across his body from the core. It would read the presence of living beings like a radar. Even in the moment of the shot, heightened senses connected the target to Black Mambas mind.
Because it was solely his power, the same thing would occur even if he picked up another weapon. The confounding phenomenon was not the guns doing but his own.
Ive gotten my hands on an amazing weapon.
Black Mamba was happy. Since he had earned the greatest weapon a mercenary could wish for, he couldnt have been more excited. He was a god sniper. Of course, there was no such official rank. Science had increased the guns and scopes functions, so it could be said that anyone could be a sniper. Of course, that was only considering targets that did not move.
The first condition for being a good sniper was a mentality that overwhelmed the target. A good sniper had to suppress the target through their own focus to become one with its conscience, senses, and muscles.
An Olympic gold medal shooter wouldnt necessarily be a good sniper because of their mentality. Within the scope, they would see blood burst forth from targets head and spread everywhere. There would be no sane sports competitor after witnessing that sight.
The second condition rested on finding the target. A sniper would have to find their targets location in the briefest moment. They needed a keen perception that discerned obstacles from the environment.
The third condition for a good sniper was physical fitness and lung capacity. If the sniper was weak, hiding for a long time would be a problem. Without control over their breathing, they wouldnt be able to shoot properly. The fourth condition was camouflaging. If found after firing a shot, the sniper would have to expect their own funeral. They could be a target of rage and revenge or be captured as a prisoner to be tortured. That was because a sniper wasnt protected under the Geneva Convention. The last condition was their sniping skills.
The snipers skill was considered the least important of the many requirements.
Such a person was so rare that only one in every thousand people appeared. A sniper who was better than the normal snipers were called elite snipers, and they had to be capable of shooting immediately and continuously.
Currently, there was only one elite sniper in the Legion Etranger. It was Sergeant Mike who Black Mamba had been beaten up. Sergeant Mike was an sshle who always caused trouble wherever he went, but they hadnt kicked him out because he had elite skills.
The oldest commander in the Deuxieme Rep, Commander Philip, understood the importance of snipers. He praised Sergeant Mikes skills. On Mt. Cinto, Black Mamba prepared the foundations for becoming a true god sniper.
Year 1982, October 5th.
After several issues had been resolved, the 11th brigade issued deployment orders. All of the Deuxieme Rep was to be deployed on the 15th of October. The members no longer had to worry over whether or not they would apply their training.
Their dispatch day and the method of doing so changed continuously because President Mitterrand and Vice President Jack Lang kept pushing back the matter. The left-wing Mitterrand wanted to erase the colonial tradition, while the right-wing military and foreign affairs department wanted to cling to or expand their influence abroad.
Mitterrand did not wish to put the uncharted country, Chad, on the policy negotiating table. Secretary of Defence Germain even went to the point of almost punching Jack Lang over the table when he kept pushing back the dispatch.
Black Mamba knew nothing about Chad. His knowledge of the country was very limited. He knew that it was attached to the lower Sahara desert and that it was a country where black-skinned people fought every day.
And to think they would name their country Chad. What kind of a name was that? Black Mamba wondered. In their native language, Chad meant lake. To think they would name their country lake just because there was a lake in the terrain was like naming Korea Han Kang after the Han River.
But then he remembered those snooty westerners who thought similarly of his own country. Korea was a peninsula between China and Japan, and his home country was the one whose national identity was long eroded.
When a person is continuously picked on, they become shy and introverted. And when continuous bullying persisted, they are bound to slowly lose their identity. In such a situation, the person was likely to lose even when there was a fair chance of winning.
That was why Japan was arrogant around other countries, and humble with the United States. It was the only country that had not suffered the terror of the Mongolian cavalry in Asia. Japan had overpowered Russia, humiliated China, and ruled over Korea.
The Chinese provided them Maruta, the Koreans provided comfort women, and Southeast Asians provided raw materials. This was why Japan looked down at other Asian countries.
However, Japan was thoroughly shattered by the United States. It was struck by boundless military might and firepower, including the atomic bomb. The US wasnt an opponent they could fight with pure strength, and it became recognized as a mighty and fearful country. Their phobia of the Americans soon turned into envy and finally love.
Koreas view of the United States was similar to that of Japans. The US had succeeded in crushing their longtime enemy, Japan, and because of the US troops strength in the Korean War and the post-war US aid offensive, Koreans were in fearful awe of the US.
From a history of being endlessly invaded, Korea lacked national pride. It feared raising its head because it might be beaten back down by the United States, Japan, China, and Russia.
Hae Young often laughed at the sight of their countrymen in her phone calls with Mu Ssang, and she talked so badly of her own countrymen that even Mu Ssang, who could be considered rough, looked like a better person.
Darling, this f*cking country is hilarious. Its people are ashamed of those who dont speak English, a foreign language, despite its own long history and tradition of immigration, a country where white people are unconditionally and preferentially treated while people of color are disregarded, a country where a coup detat occurred twice, a country that mobilizes troops to kill its people, a country that runs terror politics with the main culprit of so many deaths as its president, a country that can bribe an official with a few dollars to put a decent student in jail under false rape accusations. Thats what this country is like. Its funny that its been those non-confident, non-nationalistic people who have defended and lifted this country. Do you get what I mean? But Im not a Great Man theorist. Im just saying there has been no elite leader. The stronger politicians are supported by foreign powers
It was something he heard often from Hae Young.
Now that he thought about it, he had no business laughing at Chad. It would be like a dog covered in its own feces laughing at another dog covered in mud. Of course, Korea was much more stable than Chad, and that country could not compare to Korea in terms of the quality and amount of education.
But at the same time, it was hard to argue that Korea had a better society than Chad. Black Mamba shook his head. He had tried to forget everything when he left Korea. It seemed that his roots were impossible to avoid.
For now, the first thing to do was to understand Chads current situations.
He searched the main archive at headquarters for information on Chad. He had given it some effort, but the result was disappointing. Only a few cases could be found in the volumes on Cameroon.
He became frustrated with the lack of information and went looking for Chartres.
Chartres, whats Chads national identity?
Black Mamba, all you need to do is listen to the commanders orders and shoot. You dont need to figure out the enemys cultural or national identity.
Gosh, thats not something the best intelligence officer of the Deuxieme Rep should say.
Hehe, Im joking. But what I just said is the mindset of most of the soldiers in the military.
Chartres laughed as he handed over a few pages of paper.
This is the information I organized for you, friend. I know you well. Youre a soldier who thinks. You may be the strongest soldier but not the best researcher. But, youre Black Mamba, and its good to see that youre acclimatizing so quickly.
Thanks.
Fortunately, Chartres had organized the information in English. It was an astounding amount spanning ten pages, back-to-back. Black Mamba flipped through the pages quickly and concentrated on the parts that detailed the conflicts. He should at least know the reasons behind his deployment after all!
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Bargimi, Kanemboru, and Wadai kingdoms came into existence in Chad. The three kingdoms were conquered by Sudans Lavil Al-Jubail in the late 19th century.
In 1891, the French explored the Lavil territory then ousted Lavil in 1900. In 1910, Chad became a part of the French Equatorial African Federation, and in 1946, it became classified as a foreign territory of France. In 1958, it was declared as an autonomous republic within the French community and became independent in 1960.
Chad became independent from France in 1960, then a new conflict began between southern Christians and northern and eastern Islamic powers.
In 1960, the first president, Fran?ois Tombalbaye, formed a defense alliance with France and turned his focus on domestic integration and unification. In 1963, the northern Islamic forces opposed the southern Christian government, and, in 1966, the FROLINAT was established.
Full-scale civil war broke out as FROLINAT launched an armed struggle with the southern government. In August of 1968, France sent troops to crush the civil war. Since then, the conflict became a stand-off between the north and south forces.
The conflict expanded with Libya supporting the northern government with Arab guerrillas and France collaborating with the Southern Christian government. In April 1975, Tombalbaye was assassinated by the northern coup detat, and General Flix Malloum became the head of state. In August 1978, Malloum disbanded the Supreme Military Council and took office as president.
He founded his cabinet and named Hissne Habr, one of the FROLINAT leaders, as the prime minister. Habr was from the northern Faya region.
President Flix Malloum was exiled to Nigeria, in March 1979, after confronting the same northern factions FROLINAT leader, Goukouni Oueddei. Goukouni, who had expelled Malloum, became chairman of the Peoples National Council and took power in April of that year, but the country was still unstable. In August 1979, the Northern FROLINAT and the Confederates voted Goukouni as president and the southern representative Kamougu as vice president. Civil war broke out again because some of the FROLINAT leaders were dissatisfied.
An agreement was signed in Lagos, Nigeria, arbitrated by Algeria and Libya, as well as its neighboring countries. In November of that year, Goukouni led and founded The Transitional Government of National Unity (GUNT) with both a Christian southern faction and the northern Islamic faction.
In March of 1980, FROLINAT divided within GUNT. A fierce battle broke out between the Goukouni factions, the Peoples Armed Forces (FAP, a military force made of people from Goukounis faction who were mostly the Islamic FROLINATs), and the Forces Armes du Nord (FAN) of Defence Minister Habr. Even vice president Kamougus faction joined the conflict. Blood flowed in the capital city, NDjamena, as it turned into a battlefield between them.
The civil war expanded further into international conflicts, with Libya supporting Goukouni and Sudan supporting Habr. The civil war thus evolved into a conflict between the northern Muslims and southern Sudanese clans, overlapping the conflict between the northern factions.
An absurd situation took place in January of 1981. President Goukouni declared an integration of Chad with Libyan leadership. He faced criticism in his country and abroad, and the Libyan army withdrew because of heavy criticism from the international public. The withdrawal of the Libyan forces led to the defeat of the Peoples Armed Forces (FAP).
Eventually, in June 1982, Habrs FAN, backed by Egypt and Sudan, won. Habr took power. After winning the civil war, FAN overthrew The Transitional Government of the National Unity (GUNT) and launched a National Committee with Habr as president. However, with most of the factions that make up GUNT owning their own troops, the power of the government was limited.
In August of 1982, Goukouni was exiled to Algeria and, with the aid of Libya, set up a national rescue government and launched a counterattack. The case turned
What a mess! Black Mamba concluded.
It should be. There are over ten Chad warlords with their own armies. I suppose this would be comparable to China before communist Mao Ze Dong came into power? Its a scattered country.
Sigh, I wonder what state the country is in. How hard it is for the people living in that situation?
Whats the point of saying that? Warlords raid villages, kidnap boys and raise them as soldiers. Apparently, the girls are used as sex slaves. Its no different than any other government army or a rebellion force. Warlords are not interested in strengthening the country or public welfare. Theyre just crazy for power.
In short, the situation is no different from the mafias fighting over territories. I can see why France is slowing down its dispatch of combat troops. They dont have information thats strong enough for them to deploy troops since friend and foe are unclear. A power-hungry dictator is always a problem anywhere.
Chartres slapped his knee. Smart Black Mamba, he had understood the heart of the matter in an instant.
If we think were on the right side of helping the government troops, wed be the head of an amoeba. Wait, an amoeba has no head. Anyways, here or there, theyre all the same. France joined the conflict because it doesnt want to lose its influence in West Africa. Mitterrand has basically been pushed to this decision by the military.
Wheres justice in war? I have been paid a salary, so I have to work for it. Damn it, I was prepared, but this is a really dirty battlefield Im walking into.
Black Mamba replaced his annoyance with a sigh.
Around that time, the situation in Chad changed rapidly, once more. Goukouni and Habib had received Gaddafis help and conquered Paya, the main city of the northern regions, and were coming down south with their FAP. The central and northern regions had fallen under FROLINATs influence. The Soviet Union similarly supported the FAP.
France supported Habres FAN (the northern army) and the United States supported France. Chad had nothing and was weak. The situation had boiled to a point where it was now a replication of the Cold war. The Soviet Union and Libya were on one side with France and the United States on the other.
Black Mamba didnt understand the situation completely even after reading through Chartres documents once more. The current warlord in power, Habre, was also from the FROLINAT. From his weak political knowledge, he couldnt tell who was his friend or foe.
Chads reality did not stem from the problems of political ideology. Its civil war had begun because of the greed of the warlords and the religious grudges between Islam and Christianity. This also meant that it was hard to discern between good and evil. France couldnt sit by and watch Libyas power grow with the Soviet Union as its backer. Now that Goukouni was moving forward, they had no choice but to side with Habres government. They couldnt hand Chad over to the crazed Goukouni.
Chad was one of the poorest countries in the world. With a 95 percent illiteracy rate, its population was mostly uneducated. It was a traditional, agricultural-based country with over 900,000 people involved in that sector. Over 85 percent of the citizens worked as farmers but to fend for themselves. Underground resources were also rare compared to the rest of the African continent. Minerals were lacking, and no oil was produced.
Black Mamba didnt know why France was sending their battle forces to Chads civil war. Chad had once been under their flag, but it had long declared its independence.
French politicians often said that the words, for peace and righteousness were lies. In fact, the Cold War ideology established international relations while national selfishness prevailed. There was no reason for France, who was busy fending for itself, to stabilize Chad.
Even Black Mamba, who didnt have any interest in politics, could see that. He threw away the papers and picked up the Le Monde newspaper. He had invested his tears in studying French and reached the level where he could understand the basic gist of newspapers. He had spent a lot of time studying, but it was worth it.
In the corner of Le Monde, an article mentioned the violent battle in the northern Kanem and that the oil development that had been going on since 1977 had stopped.
Aha, its the oil!
Black Mamba then understood.
Of course, of course. Damn the protection, its because of the oil. Thats why theyre saying that Goukouni and Habib are problems. I would have cleaned up if there had been a billion-dollar bet.
Black Mambas information was too limited to help him understand exactly how Chads civil war intertwined with the international powers.
On the map, Chad bordered Libya above, Sudan to the right, Nigeria to the left, and the Central African Republic below. Libya and Sudan had been regarded as gangsters by the international community since the 1970s. Chad was a poor, ignorant, powerless country with two gangsters next door.
Chad was called the dead heart of Africa. It was because it was located in the heart of the African continent, but they had nothing and didnt show any signs of improvement. It didnt have any suitable resources to bring forth: no oil fields like Libya had and no gold or diamond mines like the Central African Republic had. Only a few iron mines had been developed.
There were no tourist attractions and no natural parks like Nairobi in Nigeria, Kruger in South Africa, Masai Mara in Kenya, and Serengeti in Tanzania.
There were no ancient ruins like in Egypt. But when they dug up the ground, they discovered bones from hundreds and thousands of years ago. However, the primitive bones didnt have much value. Nor did Chad have a big forest that would arouse curiosity, like in the Congo. At best, the main product was cotton from the southern Chari and Logone River basins. Chad was a country with nothing to eat.
In the beginning of the 20th Century, an English diplomat said:
Africa is the lamb shank (a traditional English dish made with the hind legs of a lamb braised in orange sauce) that has arrived on my table. Chad is the leftover bones from that dish.
It was a caustic statement. From the standpoint of the Western powers, Chad was a land without a single thing to offer.
Chad was a wasteland that burned under the hot sun. It was a dark, uneducated country with the worst economy in the world. The people were divided into 200 races: in the north were the Arab Muslims, and in the south were the indigenous people and Christians. Chad was a place where people divided into factions and fought endlessly in the dust and heat.
The British laughed when France occupied Chad. They ridiculed the French for wanting to gain that little bit of cotton. That was how little Chad had to give.
Chad could clearly distinguish its northern, central, and southern regions by climate and topography. The northern regions were filled with the Tibesti mountains and Ennedi Plateau, which occupied one-third of the country. This area was part of the Sahara Desert.
The Tibesti region is a desolate plateau of volcanic alpine mountains, such as Mount Pictusid (3315 meters) and Mount Emi Koussi (3415 meters). The Ennedi Plateau was also a wasteland of desert and rock. The central region was in the Sahel belt, the dry boundaries of the Sahara desert reaching tropical Africa. The only vegetation was the steppe or savanna. Most of the year was the dry season, and in the short rainy season from June to August, around 200 millimeters of rain fell. The region was roughly in the 15 to 20 degrees latitude from Mauritania to the central regions south of Chad, which spanned from west to east in about 6400 kilometers. The rainfall was about 200 millimeters per year, so some areas could be farmed.
The Sahel Belt had a tropical climate with a dry steppe. The drought had continued since 1970, and desertification was underway. The population was rapidly decreasing as indigenous people who had not dealt with such environmental changes were leaving. Farmers, as well as nomads, escaped the region to live elsewhere.
The southern region had a tropical monsoon climate around the capital city, Enzame, near Lake Chad. Agriculture and animal farming developed around the Chari and Logone rivers, which did not dry out throughout the year. The annual rainfall was also around 800 millimeters, and therefore sufficient.
Southern Chad was a bit more developed and densely populated than the central and northern regions. With a line from Lake Chad to the eastern border, it was obvious that the south had more black people based in the Sara tribe and that the north had Arabians and Ham tribes.
Arab Islam in the north had long enslaved the southern Christian blacks. People had not forgotten their hatred of Arab superiority and of South Africans, and it became the starting point of civil war. In Africa, Chad had the most races, in a continent known for its many ethnic groups. These tribes directed their loyalties toward local communities rather than the national consciousness. Conflict persisted because they were a collection of tribes not citizens of a united country.
As such, Chad was a large piece of land that mostly consisted of deserts, mountains, plateaus, wetlands, and wilderness. Arable land was concentrated in the south and made up only two percent of the land area. Black Mamba also did not understand Frances involvement in its civil conflict until he saw the oil development project in Canem.
There were no sights, no resources, and it had bad access. Black Mamba understood why it was so difficult to get an accurate map. It was hard to even find a traveler or explorer in that region. All that he managed to learn was that it was the darkest country within the African continent.
Year 1982, October 13th.
The boat Clemanso left the port of Calvi and headed for Africa. It carried two cascade-class, 4000-ton escort destroyers, three frigates, and a heavy-duty 10,000-ton heavy transport carrier with heavy weapons, armor, and supporting materials.
Of the 1250 people in the Deuxieme Rep regiment, 1160 were on board, including all combatants. All of the Deuxieme Rep had been dispatched to Chad.
The fleet came out of the Mediterranean Sea and made its way through the crashing waves of the Atlantic then headed straight towards Cameroons port city Malabo. There, four C-130 Hercules aircraft were waiting to transport the vanguards. Armored artillery and machinery, as well as heavy weapons, were scheduled for land transportation via Cameroon.
The C-130 Hercules was a heavy transporter developed in the early 1950s. Lockheed Martin used the B29 bomber as the base for this aircraft that transported large numbers of troops and materials. Even 30 years after its development, it was still played a delivery role.
France revamped some of its C-130s to respond quickly to the frequent civil wars occurring in the former French colonies. Instead of reducing their cargo, they increased the planes capacity for transporting 65-80 fully armed airborne personnel.
Chapter 15
A cold war was occurring in Clemenceaus Information Center (CIC).
Why are you saying that we cant? The flight deck is 265 meters. The deck and catapult are capable of supporting a C-130.
A vein bulged in the neck of Air Force Supreme Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Rubril.
I said, no. Clemenceaus full weight displacement is only 33,000 tons. It is not at a level of the Nimitz.
Theres no precedent of a C-130 landed on Clemenceau. Even if the catapult and deck haul *ss, something so fat wont be able to get enough speed for take-off.
Look, Lieutenant, even the Yankees were capable of doing it. Dont you think we French would be capable of doing what the Yankees did? Get the deck ready, now.
The deck officer didnt move an inch. First Lieutenant Petain wanted to kick Lieutenant Colonel Rubril to the floor for arguing about something of which he knew nothing.
Rubril was mad. That chicken head was him. He wanted to smash Rubril into the floor because he was arguing without thinking first. He expanded his patience as much as he could to maintain his composure as a lieutenant colonel.
Look, Im not asking you to contain the C-130 with a lift. I know the lift is too weak. Im only asking you to do the take-off and landing.
No. If you must insist on using the Hercules, fire me before you do.
First Lieutenant Petain grabbed the back of his neck to try to calm down about Rubrils insisting on this plan without knowing the details of the takeoff and landing system. Their quarrel did not end easily.
Lieutenant Colonel Rubril was in a hurry. Moving troops overland complicated matters. He was going to land in military court if he didnt move the soldiers as ordered.
The C-130 has a range of over 6,000 kilometers. Landing near Cameroon by ship made it possible to go round trip to NDjamena or its base without refueling. He was simply thinking about Hercules range, not its weight, in his calculation. That was his mistake. He started to appease the deck officer. This was how the Deuxieme Rep began to break apart from the very beginning of its deployment
In the meeting room connected to the CIC battle intelligence room, regiment commander Colonel Philip of the Deuxieme Rep, Chief of Operations Lieutenant Colonel Louis, Lieutenant Commander Pieff Commander of the fourth regiment, Lieutenant Pedan of Operations and First Lieutenant Regiment Commander Armang were assembled.
It seems like I cant cheat out my age anymore. Colonel Philip grunted as he looked at Colonel Louis.
The Operations Chief just smiled. The regiment commander was on his third complaint.
Colonel Philip, in his mid-50s, tugged on his face, stiff from fatigue and stress, with both hands. He was fed up dealing with reports of operational meetings, briefings, tactical simulations, and mountains of documents for nearly a month. He felt as if he had aged ten years.
Armang, how much longer?
Theres two hours before we reach the 10-kilometer point on the shores of Malabo.
Then lets hurry up and finish this in time for lunch.
Even the staff sitting around the table looked tired. Colonel Philip wanted to kick the damned conference table. He missed the kind of battle like the one in Algeria, 30 years ago, when he ran forward on the front lines with his LeeCEnfield, an English repeating rifle used during WWII, a favorite weapon among mercenaries.
This Chad operation was a scam. They werent asked to fight against the enemy or return with their surrendering flag. Their task was to relocate their regiment to the NDjamena base and procure public peace. A passing dog would have laughed at seeing the Deuxieme Rep act as public security officers.
The problem was the order for the secret operation.
Return to NDjamena after saving the 11th member of the council of FROLINAT, council member Makumbo.
This was the absurd order he received from the Air Brigade. Philip was irritated. Did they move the navy, too, just to save some fat old man?
Makumbos nickname was mass slayer. The regions Makumbo managed to get his hands on were left barren. He was no different from that bastard, Habib, who was called a slaughterer. He was put off thinking about having to protect someone who robbed, kidnapped, and killed citizens!
The order also said to enter enemy grounds deep where that bastard was and escort him back safely. It was from that moment that Colonel Philip started to express his displeasure.
FROLINAT was a warlord coalition with a focus on FAP. At present, FROLINAT was stronger than the Chad government. Makumbo was the sixth-ranked member in power of the 11-member committee that moved FROLINAT.
While Philip continued his grumbling, a piece of emergency intelligence from DGSE Overseas Operations came in. It was information that said that Makumbo was leading his subordinates down south and that the FAP was on his tail.
The meeting sped up. Lieutenant Officer Pedan spread out the large map used for briefing.
Todays meeting has two purposes. The first is to confirm the intelligence that Makumbo betrayed FROLINAT, and the second is to avoid being seen by FROLINAT, which is blocking the Sahel belt north of Chad. Tibestik, in the North, has become the living room of FROLINAT, and the northern part of the province Kanem has also fallen under their influence.
Pedan, who does the group thats tracking Makumbo belong to?
Its that slaughterer Habibs forces.
Philips face crumpled. Even within FROLINAT, Habib was known to be the cruelest person by far. Even his subordinates took after their master and acted similar to hyenas, shedding no blood or tears.
Its the main force of the FROLINAT. How annoying. Whats the source of the information that DGSE sent?
It is information that was given by a black skipper stationed deep inside the Northern Oasis city, Paya Largo. DGSE rates the credibility of the information at 80 percent.
The Legion Etranger has its own line of information, but once it entered the operation, it moved based on the information given by the DGSE.
Theyre not trying to fool us, are they? Like double-crossing us, or something.
According to the skipper on our side, there was an intense internal conflict between the Makumbo army and the Habib army. It does not appear to be fake information.
Philip organized his thoughts. Currently, there were 11 FROLINAT warlords. Each member had his own army. DGSE estimated the total number of troops to be around 15,000.
Colonel Philip was skeptical of the plans made by the DGSE and the Brigade Operations Staff. The goal was to deploy as many platoon unit commandos as possible to disrupt the rebels main camp so that another team could extract Makumbo during that distraction.
The cities of central-northern Chad, Kanem, and Borkou had fallen under the influence of FROLINAT. It was too great a risk for a minority commando to go deep into the rebel forces main camp.
Even if the Deuxieme Rep was an elite airborne force, this plan was far from reality. The possibility was too great of the elite force being defeated in the large empty northern lands, even with four squads with 30 members each. The problem wasnt the enemy but the inadequate environment of the northern African lands. The heat, cold, and disease were feared more than guerrillas.
Why doesnt the regiment push north with armored warfare at the front?
At Philips bold statement, Pedan freaked out.
Colonel, just the FAP alone, at Kanem in the northern Sahel, has 5000. On top of that, the Libyan airborne forces are guarding the entirety of northern Kanem and Borkou. If you give Libya a reason to interfere, both you and I, Commander, can forget about receiving our salaries.
Why are you so gullible? I was joking out of frustration. Philip smirked.
Lieutenant Pedan wanted to smack the back of the Colonels head with the butt of his gun.
If we cant move a large military operation, then we should move a small group of elite snipers.
Colonel Philip shook his head at this suggestion from the sniper companys Lieutenant Commander Pief.
You watched too many Hollywood movies. Deuxieme Rep might be strong, but this isnt a Rambo movie. Whether its a small unit or a large unit, theyre going to meet in the Sahel.
But we cant have you push through with tanks and aircraft, can we? That will be giving them a reason to go to war immediately. The entirety of Kanem, Borukou, and Tibesti is larger than France. Their current net is terrible and has holes everywhere. Squeezing through that gap and deploying some snipers would be possible.
Pief did not back down. There was no Rambo, but there was something stronger called Black Mamba; the one who could get him promoted to major. Pief heated up the room, but Colonel Philip didnt react. Pief was someone who would chew up his own finger to get a promotion.
Theres intelligence about that damn Gaddafi supporting them with 2000 desert bikes. Those moles are mobile. Saharas lizard has become an ostrich. If anyone gets surrounded by them without cover, even our most elite members, wont be able to escape. And they are not stupid. Most of the troops will be stationed on the border between Kanem and Borukou. Louis, what do you think their plan of action will be?
The commander looked at Lieutenant Colonel Louis, Chief of Operations.
They will scout in squadrons or regiments to cover the wide Sahel belt. Theyll do that while maintaining a reachable distance between each other. If we hide our bikes in our bases and use them as a group, were more likely to lose by their hit-and-run strategy.
Philips expression crumpled. There was no good solution or some sharp method.
Hm. Youre saying that if we move on a larger scale, Gaddafi or that northern bear would immediately start their intervention. It becomes troublesome if Gaddafi starts all-out warfare. This is driving me crazy. Wheres Makumbo right now?
According to the information given by DGSE, he is currently hiding somewhere in Baudelaire. He lost most of his guards and, in fear of getting caught by the FAP, is hiding his neck like a turtle. Louis answered.
Good, Makumbos betrayal looks certain. Seems like we dont have to worry about getting double-crossed. His forces?
The two-platoon escorts are said to have been killed by the Habib army. The main body of the force moved separately and are numbering 670. They are currently moving down southwest of Lake Chad. We have now reached 200 kilometers north of Mao.
Has the AFP noticed yet?
There is no conflict yet, but Makumbo is isolated.
So they noticed. What is the status of the armed forces of Habib?
First Lieutenant Commander Armang confirmed the files on the table.
They dont seem to have any armored warfare, but they do have a dozen BTR152s. Theyre armed with several Soviet heavy weapons, including antitank rockets.
The BTR152 was an armored vehicle made by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It was made without any know-how, according to the Soviet spirit of Shut up and put on your gloves. It could be called a poorly made armored vehicle.
The BTR152 can carry 15 armed infantry and run 60 kilometers in the desert. It had a maneuverability and troop transportability that could not be ignored in a desert battle. It had 13 millimeters of front armor and 8 millimeters of side gloves. The 7.62-millimeter heavy machine gun mounted on top was a nightmare for infantry in the desert terrain that lacked sufficient cover.
In short, it was a can that was equipped only with heavy machine guns, but it was a vehicle that couldnt be ignored in the desert. This Soviet can was used by Chad and many other poor Africans because the Soviet Union supplied them for free.
BTR! Then we would need an RPG.
You dont even need an RPG. Black Mamba has been given a depleted uranium bullet. Since the vehicle is weak defensively, it could probably be taken down with Black Mambas sniping skills. They are struggling to trample villages and replenish troops with the BTR. Its the same with Makumbo. His troops are also raiding the villages to the south.
At Louis report, Philip took off his hat and slammed the table. Colonel Philip was a self-proclaimed gentleman. He hated African leaders more than camel poop.
I have to bury my soldiers in the sand to save and escort a dirty bastard. Must I save him?
Colonel Louis shrugged at the commanders violent reaction.
An agent from DGSE was sitting at the end of the table listening; he raised his hand.
Captain, Makumbo is the key to Chads stability. We can no longer delay operations.
Miguel, shut up. Its we who have to use our hands and feet, and we who have to bleed. Why dont you guys go in then if you think youre better? I hate the DGSE that is asking us to save such a bastard as much as I hate that bastard.
Colonel Philip screamed. He was a gentleman who had an allergic reaction to the DGSE. Philip was sorry for the ignorance and cruelty of African leaders and the hard life it made for its people. But the suffering of Chad and other African nations emerging in the 20th century was entirely the responsibility of the Western powers.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, European empires, including Britain and France, plundered Africa. They used Africa as feedstock. The colonies well-being was not taken into account. The colonies were both a source of materials and a consumer of finished products. In short, they were exploited.
The European powers made arbitrary borders on their lands. The existing tribes, land features, races, and religions were not considered at all. The borders were drawn to help the European businesses rule the locals.
After World War II, the emerging African independent nations from which the European powers departed became a mess of religious, ethnic, and national conflict. The nations caught up in civil wars of hate and bloodshed for religious and ethnic reasons were crushed.
But neither Philip nor anyone in Europe recognized the suffering of Africa because of their invasion and exploitation. In their predecessors eyes, Africa was just a black continent inhabited by inferior souls.
Chapter 16
That fu**!
The DGSE member who was obviously using the fake name, Miguel, shook his head. This was why he hated those muscle-brained military soldiers. Most of the commanders within the Legion Etranger were from the main French army.
French commanders acted like gentlemen and had a vast pool of knowledge. When such people entered the Legion Etranger, they changed in nature. In simpler terms, they became idiots who couldnt think straight. Strangely, even the most educated and famous commanders became stupid when they entered the Legion Etranger. Commander Philip was considered slightly better than the others. Although, nothing could be done if even he started to act strangely.
The plan to rescue Makumbo had been approved by Mitterrand. The Department of National Defense had also approved a plan to deploy a small unit of the special forces. The Deuxieme Rep and the Airborne Regiment Staff members had to decide the method of fulfilling the order.
This order required the sacrifice of the Deuxieme Rep. It wasnt that he couldnt understand Commander Philips frustration that was akin to an alligator with eggs. The problem was Commander Philips violent prejudice and bias. He was a commander who strongly believed that the DGSE only stirred up trouble.
This was a strategy that battled against time. The prejudiced Commander Philip did not help the situation. Miguel was also annoyed.
Of course, DGSE did a lot of dirty work behind the scenes. The entirety of DGSE was made in resistance to Charles de Gaulles SDECE (a national intelligence department).
The SDECE was created to find the communists within the resistance. At that time, the Vichy government infiltrated the masses of communists. SDECE hunted them out by creating traps using mainly family and friends.
The DGSE was an intelligence agency that was basically created to betray the SDECE. In 1981, Mitterrand reorganized DGSE, but it was highly criticized because of its exceptionally radical back-door work and rough information activities.
Behind-the-scenes dirty work was inevitable because of the nature of intelligence agencies. Such a gentlemen-like intelligence organization would not be able to exist in the world. It was similar to asking a cobra to pour out potions instead of poisons.
Colonel Philip was a gentleman. The problem was that a gentlemanly tendency of his was to delay the operation. Colonel Philip hated and did not believe that Makumbo joined hands with the Habre government. But an operation was an operation.
Miguel was about to erupt out of frustration. What was Legion Etranger? It was a group of elite soldiers who went into battle. The reason for growing a pig was to eat it during a feast. It was normal for mercenaries to be sacrificed. But he couldnt say his thoughts out loud, which made him angrier.
Commander, if we manage to procure Makumbo, we will be able to sway the other leaders of the FAP. For Frances well-being, we must confirm his safety as fast as possible.
Miguel attempted to convince him while swallowing his anger.
Yes, we must save him with my subordinates blood, this man who commits the holocaust as if its his daily meal. Of course, we must save the man who kills women and children in a pub while drinking a beer while handing over some power for him to grasp.
Colonel Philip commented sarcastically. Makumbo had offered a deal to the DGSE. I will abandon all vested interests for the people and join hands with Habres FAN. I will resolve the opposition and jealousy of religious sects and various races on a grand scale. It was a request for the French government to be his political backer and push him into the prime ministers position. DGSE immediately accepted Makumbos proposal.
Philip dismissed Makumbos suggestion as a hoax. According to DGSEs internal documents, Makumbo was one of the most guilty amongst the FAPs warlords. A slayer suddenly standing up for justice and laying down all vested interests for the people? It was something a hyena would laugh about. He was just a raccoon who read the flow of the battle and decided to change sides.
Colonel, Makumbo is necessary for France.
Look, Miguel, here are the documents that came from your company. Within the last year, Makumbo burned down 10 villages within the Sahel belt and Kanem region and conscripted over 300 young boys for his army. He killed over 1000 natives.
Makumbos group that was headed down south attacked a northern Laka village near Lake Chad. There were over 40 villagers killed. It seems like he used an ax to save his bullets. On top of that, he kidnapped another 20 teenage boys.
Philip drank some water before raising his voice.
Miguel, you know why they kidnap the boys, dont you?
Philip banged the table with the information file.
Ugh, that idiot!
Miguel wrapped his hands around his head. Colonel Philip had completely lost the main point. The conversation was flowing in the wrong direction. Of course, he knew better than anyone else what the Chad militia had done. The rebelling guerrillas had burned down the village and kidnapped teenage boys. The teenage boys were raised to be sacrificed to the oncoming bullets.
The most disgusting thing happened in the rebelling guerrillas conscription after the massacre. They made the young boys kill their own families.
The ten years old boys, after watching their village burn and killing their parents with their own hands, became mentally impaired. The young soldiers didnt fear anything. They ran forward when the command came.
They harbored an absolute fear of the person delivering oppressive violence and submitted wholly to the leaders. Their decision-making skills had been impaired even before they could grow. Whether it was the FAP or FAN, warlord or politician, they were nothing but bloodthirsty mass murderers.
The DGSE saw Makumbos movements as a diversion strategy. Makumbo was planning to move his main forces south to garner the attention of the FAP so that he could slip out with his bodyguards.
Why did Makumbo ask the French government for a joint escape plan?
The DGSE saw it as insurance. He had prepared for the off-chance that the FAP would notice his diversion. The DGSE decided that Makumbos intentions were real by looking at his diversion strategy.
The problem was that Makumbo was caught on FAPs radar. The Habib army abandoned their forces and surrounded Makumbo, isolating him.
What was the cause of such a situation?
Either the black slipper had turned into a triple agent and handed over information about Makumbo to the FROLINAT, or this was something Makumbo and FROLINAT had planned.
The DGSE was in a state of panic trying to procure Makumbo before an unexpected situation occurred. Even Commander Philip trusted the DGSEs decision and analysis. But he was still resisting, which made him angrier.
Commander!
The conversation kept falling to the wayside, causing Miguel to shout.
I know, I know. We do need to extract that murderer for my paycheck.
Philip waved his hands to stop Miguel from talking. As long as he was a soldier, he was unable to defy orders. He had simply thrown a tantrum out of frustration.
As a high-ranking officer, he knew what was happening. When Makumbo joined the government and the military, there were going to be tremendous benefits. The pro-French government of Habre could gain political legitimacy and military advantage. France would also gain legitimacy as well as political justification for Chads civil war. As an added bonus, the internal division of the FROLINAT could be expected.
Five of the eleven FROLINAT leaders were members of the FAP faction. Goukouni, Tombalbaye, Habib, Makumbo, and Lomu. When fourth-ranked Makumbo changed sides, fence-sitters Tombalbaye and Lomu could be swayed.
DGSEs focus on Makumbo was to destroy the FAP internally. Nevertheless, Philips mischief was due to the pity his men felt murdering that trash in cold blood. Had it been a command to rescue French people, he would have complied excitedly.
Philip drank the new cup of coffee that his lieutenant brought as if he was drinking water. The lieutenant had brewed the coffee too thick. It seemed to be scraping down his dry esophagus.
Miguel, is fruit-selling management a problem?
You dont have to worry. It is a reliable local source and is currently being double monitored.
The black slipper linking Makumbo with the DGSE was an illegal fruit seller at Paya Market. As the situation progressed, DGSE was taking over management.
The problem was Makumbos rescue. There was no way to avoid the FROLINATs ferocious dogs. Large troops couldnt be deployed, and small commandos were likely to be defeated.
Miguel was also worried. DGSE, too, had not been confident in uprooting the FROLINATs elite forces and had pushed the matter into Legion Etrangers hands. It was an adventure that required them to extract the lion cub from the lions den.
Of course, they did not anticipate a high rate of success. Even if it was the Deuxieme Rep, they were no specialists in extraction missions. The DGSE planned to sell the operation to Legion Etranger and, as always, insert a wild card. Miguel never uttered a word about it. If Colonel Philip found out about it, he wouldnt be able to say a single word to defend himself, even if he was pummelled to death.
Captain, please leave it to me. I will put my hat on the line and get the raccoon out of there.
Pief shouted with determination. Putting ones hat on the line within Legion Etranger was synonymous with risking ones life. The hat was a symbol of pride. Pief was a senior commander, and he was driven by greed to pull off this operation and receive a promotion.
Pief was well aware that the operation was based on a small number of snipers and required the sacrifice of his men. There was a great risk of total annihilation.
But as long as he was within the Deuxieme Rep, he couldnt stay where he was if he was afraid of blood. As long as he wore a military uniform, he was bound to put forth the amount of blood he received as payment. A soldier earned his promotion through the blood of his subordinates. This was no different within Legion Etranger.
Pief, have you been listening to the meeting with your behind? The group of hyenas forming the net in northern Kanem and southern Boruku rivals the size of a brigade. They are ferocious guys with mobility, wandering like crazy dogs. This operation will require breaking through their nets and moving 600 miles in a straight line with a bulging middle-aged man on your back. Do you think youre Lawrence of Arabia? No, actually, not even he would be able to pull this off.
Even with the dressing down of his regiment commander, Pief did not yield; he knew Black Mambas skills and was confident. The chances of success were good if the special forces had Black Mamba and a special subject to assist him. The haphazard rebels with their faulty equipment were mere numbers in the end.
Captain, there is no Lawrence of Arabia, but you do have a Black Mamba who would beat Rambo hands down.
Hm, Black Mamba?
Commander Philip suddenly altered his posture. God sniper Black Mamba was the pride of the Deuxieme Rep and the secret weapon within Legion Etranger. The moment Pief mentioned Black Mamba, he garnered attention.
Philip glared at Pief. It was troublesome to ignore his subordinate when he was stepping forward with his life on the line. And with Black Mamba; the possibility of success turned from 10 to 50 percent.
He had already acknowledged the fact that they were only able to deploy a small unit. If he deployed the main force, there was no way out of a war.
Right, he is a monster. But hes a newbie who hasnt even been a soldier for a single year, isnt he? He has no real experience.
Hes not a newbie; hes Black Mamba. Commander, you should know! Hes a one-man unit. He has no experience, but no one can beat him in close combat and concealment escapes. I also lost my consciousness at a single blow. His lack of experience can be covered by the veterans.
Philips eyes grew wide. This was the first time he heard about Black Mamba being an elite, close-ranged fighter. For a sniper who was also proficient with a knife, he was the perfect man for this job.
Whoa, for a Capoeira master like you to be defeated by a blow! Its a shame I didnt get to see it happen.
Piefs expression crumpled when Philip laughed. He didnt even know how he was defeated in the regiments combat competition and had fainted after a single blow. It was a memory he didnt wish to recall.
Philip contemplated this idea with his arms crossed. He had been suspicious the entire time about why the DGSE had handed the rescue of Makumbo to him. So far, he had been trying to figure out the rest of the details through Miguel during his tantrum. Not just anyone became the regiment commander of the Deuxieme Rep. He had tried his best, but Miguel had been slippery.
Philip stared at Miguel.
Miguel, are there any underscores in this operation? Youre not using my babies as bait are you?
That is a question that exceeds my security level.
It was a natural answer for Miguel. He could neither deny nor agree with sensitive questions.
Sh*t! There wont be any interference in this operation, will there?
Yes. Everything, including the start and end of the operation, is with the Chief of Operations and you, Commander.
Do you have any other information for me to consider in this operation?
Miguels stomach turned. He wanted to crush the nose of Chief Aprica who had stuffed him in this meeting and ran away.
They had received information that STRESLA 2 was in the hands of the rebels. STRELA 2 was a Soviet portable surface-to-air missile known as SAM-7. It was clear that Commander Philip would cause a scene if he told the truth. This was because helicopters were going to be used to transport the elite unit. Helicopters with low altitude and low speed were also targets for portable missiles. But if he hid the information, he could be called to military court for concealing information.
There is information that the FROLINATs got the SAM-7.
What? Damn it! Why are you mentioning that now? This is why bastards are impossible to work with. Your cheap words are going to turn my babies into drowned ducks!
As expected, Philip flared out in anger.
Chapter 17
Damn it! Why are you f*cking mad at me? Go scream at Gaddafi! Miguel grumbled inwardly.
The SAM-7 was a solid surface-to-air missile employing an infrared guidance system. It wasnt a very good missile, but it was deadly to low-flying aircraft. Helicopters hopelessly crashed when they were hit by a single 1.15-kilogram warhead.
Gaddafi purchased 1500 aircraft from the Soviet Union. It is estimated that 10 percent of that went to FROLINAT.
What! That means they have over a hundred shots. F*cking hell.
If that was the truth, then their air operations north of Lake Chad, in an unsecured air defense region, were going to be a major threat. Philip held his head, realizing that their movements had been further restricted. The operation was being dragged into the swamp by a water ghost.
Restrictions on the use of helicopters would inevitably make the elite team operation even more dangerous. On top of that, their mobility would be severely restricted.
Okay, this operation, Racoon Hunting, will prepare four squad units. The main sniper commando will create the best formation to assist Black Mamba. Take personnel from any regiment. Pief, you should consult with the operations officer. Three snipers will be selected from each company. Sh*t, everyone has been watching too many movies.
The long meeting was over. They concluded that the sniper unit would be formed with Black Mamba at its center. The three airborne units were to distract FROLINAT and provide confusion surrounding the operation.
It was Captain Philip who nicknamed Makumbo Raccoon because Americans skin raccoons and use their pelts for fur hats and clothing.
Philip hated Makumbo and often said that he wanted to skin him. The nickname was also because of Makumbos tendency to stick to the winning side depending on who he wanted to skin along with Phillips hatred of the United States, which, to him, was as disgusting as Makumbo.
Philip is also the one who came up with the call name, Black Mamba. Considering that Philip was an old soldier, he had a decent knack for assigning names.
The flight control station on the fourth floor of the Clemenceau began to move. The signal officer, dressed in yellow, started to wave the flag vigorously.
The people on the flight deck moved about quickly. The heavy C-130 sprung from its catapult and left the deck. As soon as it left, the sluggish tilting quickly settled as it balanced and flew towards Cameroons skies.
138 members of the 4th Squadron, a sniper unit, were aboard this huge aircraft.
Legion Etrangers base was on the banks of the Chari River, just outside NDjamena. The base had just been completed by the engineering corps a month prior.
NDjamena was a planned city with a radiating city center. It was located at the vertices of the Chari and Logone rivers and had several veins that parted from those two rivers. It was built by the French whose culture lingered around the place.
Legion Etranger was located in the Staboru district, on the outskirts of the city. It was a 100 paces from headquarters to the Chari River.
The members of the Deuxieme Rep were very pleased with their base along the Chari River. The flowing river and lush forests compensated for Chads barren heat.
The Chari Hotel was 3 kilometers from the base. The pride of the hotel was the ebony female legion. The mercenaries were satisfied with their surroundings and became more satisfied with the hotel where the call girls were stationed.
The regimental headquarters controlled the soldiers movements outside the base, but Burimer and Black Mamba went to the Chari River whenever they felt like it. Black Mamba thought that he could take outside trips thanks to Burimer, but that wasnt the truth. It was Burimer who had borrowed Black Mambas name to take outside trips since Black Mamba had no restrictions and was allowed to move independently. He still had not realized the power of his call name.
The Chari River originated from the highlands of northeastern central Africa and flowed northwest, 1200 kilometers into Lake Chad. Its banks were cool and could be enjoyed when the midday heat could be ignored. The unpolluted river was full of all kinds of fish. The flock of birds flying along the river did not fear humans.
The happiest person of the Deuxieme Rep was the 4th Companys Sergeant Burimer. He cheered at the osprey and the spoon-billed stork that traveled along the river.
More predators meant more prey. The Chari River did not disappoint. The variety of unknown fish lined up to be caught; they were as dumb as Chads warlords. Burimers excitement increased whenever the yard-level Nile rod was raised. He used every spare moment to pick up a fishing rod and head down to the Chari River. Burimer used Black Mambas training as an excuse every time he went outside.
Black Mamba also liked the Chari River. At sunset, without fail, he appeared along the river. The river in the setting sun was peaceful, regardless of the humans struggles. Fish bounced into the air showing off their silver scales, hippos and crocodiles roamed the islands, and riparian marshes formed the heart of the river.
The sand on the banks glowed golden in the setting sun, and rodents ran around. On the towering rocks, several storks rested their tired wings.
High granite rocks, some four meters high, were located at the rivers core, seven meters from the banks. It was Black Mambas exclusive resting place like the Song Ha Am of his youth. Black Mamba leaped from the bank and climbed a rock.
The sound of the water, wind, birds, and swimming fish put Black Mamba quickly at peace in the dreamy scenery. Malice and slaughter were mans work, but nature remained the same. All acts of hate, contention, and fighting were in vain. He sat on the rock until the skies darkened and returned to camp only then.
NDjamena had fallen into the hands of the government and the military, but its security was still weak. Libya and FROLINATs spies roamed around, and shootouts took place in daylight. The Deuxieme Rep scouted the city three times a day. Black Mamba, who was out on a Jeep scouting the city, sighed. The place lacked too much to be called the capital city of a country.
The city was filthy and dusty.
Except for the French-styled buildings, there were no buildings taller than three stories. Many of the residents homes were made of five or six pieces of furniture inside a fence surrounded by reeds. Women wearing dirty clothes lined up in the vacant lot or square with large buckets so that they could get water.
Several buildings had been destroyed by the conflict between the governments army and the rebels. The native people disappeared as the day darkened, hiding in their houses. When the day turned dark, no traces of humanity remained.
Other inhabitants houses were made of walls created from clay mixed with sand and roofs created with reeds. They were houses that would collapse with a single kick. What cover could some reeds possibly provide? Nevertheless, people saw it as a haven and a refuge. They were pitiful like the priests who shoved just their heads underneath Buddhas alter hoping to remain protected from harm.
Will was bound to disappear where strength lacked.
The fourth squadron commander of the regimental base and the other commanders gathered at a rectangular table. Commander Pief, Chief of Operations Lieutenant Colonel Louis, Operation Chief Lieutenant Pedang, four platoon leaders, and operational correspondents were knocking their heads together to compromise on which members of the special forces would head into the Bodele region.
The three squadrons from the airborne division were easily put forth from each of the commanders. The problem was in constructing a rescue team to assist Black Mamba.
The operation was simple. Helicopters could only operate towards Mondo, which was being controlled by Habres Army. The others could drive in from Mondo to search for Makumbo hiding in the Bodele region. It was very simple. But as always, how it would be done caused another debate that revealed a whole string of problems.
Lieutenant Pedan, the joint operations chief of staff, summarized the situation.
There are three difficulties in the operation. The first is the number of FROLINAT guerrillas in the area. The FAP estimates that there are more than 5000 FROLINAT troops stationed in Kanem and Boruku at the Sahel Belt. The second is a means of transportation. As you may already know, there is no pavement in Chad. There is no railroad. The mid-northern region only has a dirt road that is located inland. Rescue teams have to travel off-road for thousands of kilometers. Third is the geography and climate. The temperature has dropped a bit since its November, but the Sahel belt and desert areas are still over 30 degrees Celsius. Plus, its going to drop below 10 degrees Celsius at night. Longer operations will lead to endemic diseases and medical problems.
Pief frowned.
Did they find a gold mine in the middle of nowhere? Why are so many rebels there?
There is an oil field in Kanem that is worth more than a gold mine. Pief, you cant look down on the FAP. The desert is their home. Looking down on them just because their equipment is weak will bring you down with a single blow. They received a lot of support from Gaddafi this time, from handheld anti-aircraft missiles to the Stellar and bikes. The team that will assist the Black Mamba must be configured with people that have the best desert warfare experience.
Captain Pedan was worried about such an unreasonable operation.
The Kanem and Borku area where they are currently residing is over half the size of France. The 5000 troops are nothing more than a handful of beans in the yard. We have Black Mamba. As long as they dont engage battalion troops, there wont be a problem. The guerrilla scouts are nothing but a pre-meal exercise.
Despite Captain Pedans concern, Pief was confident. Black Mambas stealth and rapid shooting could destroy platoon troops within a minute. That was hard to understand from Pedans average point of view.
Black Mamba is great, but he isnt an invincible general. He also doesnt have any practical experience.
You can trust Black Mamba. He has no real experience, but he is a complete murder machine. Lack of experience can be made up with a seasoned sergeant by his side. As long as firepower is replenished, the operation will succeed.
The 2nd platoon leader, Henry, was confident. No one knew Black Mamba better than the platoon leader himself. Not even the company commander knew the true power of the Black Mamba.
How well will Black Mamba respond to the road situation and climate?
At Commander Louis question, Pief couldnt say a word. There was no special way to go around an environmental handicap. There was nothing but the ability to endure the environment with ones own body.
Honestly, apart from faithfully disseminating the provisions, the soldiers would have to overcome the local environment themselves. A vehicle that has been converted for this operation is already in place. It is durable enough to cross the desert, and weve already reinforced the limited armor.
Were not going on a picnic, after all!
When Colonel Louis nodded, all the participants in the meeting agreed. They did not bring the aircraft carrier just to have a picnic in Chad. Airborne crews are front-line combatants with the most dangerous missions; they are not administrative officers.
The elite units were put into operation because of the extreme circumstances and environments. There was no need for them if the situation was easy.
An elite crew member, who had combat experience in Africa, was selected from the Legion Etranger. To strengthen their firepower, they also selected machine gun specialists, bombing specialists, and mortar specialists.
We also have to consider the reduced combat power due to climate and disease.
Colonel Louis had worked in Algeria and Niger in his past. He was worried about the men who had to jump into this reckless operation.
We have no choice but to have the operations team respond to the situation at hand. I will select a doctor and pay special attention to medical supplies.
The area of operation was the Sahel and the Sahara Desert.
The Sahel belt had an arid desert climate. Even in October, daytime temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. At night, it fell below 10 degrees Celsius.
The difference in temperature between day and night was 25 degrees Celsius. If the operation was prolonged, there were going to be problems with the crews condition. Even the mightiest mercenary could find himself in an un-laughable situation suffering from heatstroke or freezing to death.
Also, the regions were undergoing a drought, which was now hitting three years. The grasses had died and shade had become harder to find. Flies, mosquitoes, and insect-borne viruses that had increased because of the drought were going to be a large problem.
The biggest problem was the lack of information. DGSE also failed to provide accurate information on Makumbos current location. Pedan was similarly concerned about that. Chad was too large and the social infrastructure was poor. They had to rely on people to relay information. Even DGSE couldnt receive information on time.
Pief, has Raccoon still not been located? asked Colonel Louis.
Yes, the last piece of information was his movement towards the northeast region of Bodele. DGSE assured me that theyd be able to confirm soon. We would have to first enter the region to check through the satellite.
Colonel Louis had been unhappy throughout the entire duration of the meeting. He had fled after fighting Habibs forces. It was hard to believe that the well-known DGSE had tracked down Makumbo.
He was also suspicious of Piefs confidence. He had heard about the legendary battle skills of Black Mamba, but a battle wasnt fought by a single person. In Sahel, where brigade troops swelled, a handful of commandos could melt in a single moment.
Central and northern Chad was an endless, vast wasteland. Without accurate information on ones location, it was possible to wander through the desert. That could increase the distance to finding the Raccoon by a thousand miles. After reviews and recommendations, the meeting ended with a selection of 10 team members.
Chapter 18
The operation was called Raccoon Herding.
Lieutenant Jean Paul was chosen as the team leader. He was serving in the 3rd Infantry Regiment in Guinea and was also a veteran of desert warfare, having served in Algerias civil war and Guinea for 10 years.
Pief had wanted to be the team leader but, unfortunately, had no experience working in Africa. He set aside his regrets and named them Team Ratel after the ratel, an African badger, that weighed 10 kilograms, was about 60 centimeters around its center and was very fierce and long-lived.
Ratels were omnivorous but snakes were their staple food. They showed an interesting response when bitten by a cobra. They always bit the cobras head in retaliation, killing it, before falling under its paralysis. A ratels vitality was phenomenal. After being bitten by a cobra, it could dispel its poison in an hour or two. It was a tenacious animal that, after it recovered, leisurely ate the dead cobra.
Pief chose the name Team Ratel in hopes of their safe return. Although he was greedy for a promotion, he was like any other commander and cared for his subordinates.
The members of Team Ratel consisted of snipers, machine gunners, explosive handlers, and other weapons support. The snipers were Captain Lieutenant Paul, Sergeant Mike, Staff Sergeant Mark, Private Black Mamba, Private First Class Emil, Staff Sergeant Miguel, and Sergeant Mouris. Mortar and heavy fire were handled by Private Jang Shin and Sergeant Burimer. Sergeant Bellman was selected as the medic.
Four of the ten men were members of Sergeant Burimers Squadron and had worked together in the past. Sergeant Burimer, Private Emil, Sergeant Mark, and Black Mamba were snipers from the First Squadron.
Mike, who had been nearly beaten to death by Black Mamba, was the leader of the Third Squadrons sniper division. Mike had been overshadowed by the appearance of Black Mamba, but he was the sole elite sniper within Legion Etranger. He had taunted Black Mamba because of jealousy.
Jang Shin was included in the team, later on, at Black Mambas request. As someone who had been in the 2nd Artillery Corps of the Peoples Liberation Army, he was well-versed in operating machinery and heavy weapons. He was needed to handle 60-millimeter mortar fire and help seize the enemys heavy weapons.
The Fourth Squadron of Deuxieme Rep that specialized in sniping and firepower needed to specialize in one other category besides the basic weapons, the Famas and Epal. They called the secondary weapon sub-weaponry.
Black Mamba mainly used the Dragunov, so his kukri daggers were considered his sub-weapon while Chartres RPG was considered his sub-weapon. The snipers of the Fourth and Second Squadrons, the specialized companies, acquired melee fighting techniques or heavy weapons as their necessities.
Pief and Captain Paul formed Team Ratel with four snipers, two explosives officers, two machine gunners, two heavy weapon handlers, and one first aid/medical officer. The team needed to be built heavily around the snipers.
Pief and Paul submitted the confirmed list of subordinates to Philip. Black Mambas personal details were left blank. There was no official data that contained a connection to Black Mamba. Everything that linked Black Mamba to MuSsang Park had been cut off.
Of the ten members, the only rookies were Black Mamba, Jang Shin, and Black Mambas partner, Emil. The rest were veterans with at least three years of experience participating in a war in Africa. Mercenaries within Legion Etranger were ranked differently from the Korean ranking system. Even a sergeant had over five years of experience.
Nominees for Team Ratel
First Lieutenant Jean Paul
Age 41, 180 cm, 82 kg
Graduate of Frances DGSE. Officer of the 3rd Infantry Regiment of Guineas Desert Warfare.
Mastery of Savate. Dispassionate, good leadership.
Skilled in strategic tactics, possible talent in espionage.
Participated in the Algerias and Guineas Civil Wars.
Specialty: sniping/close-combat
Sub-weaponry: KA-BAR Knife/Glock
Sergeant Al Burimer
Age 35, 186 cm, 98 kg
Graduate of the British Army explosives squad. Deuxieme Reps Sniper Squad Leader
After 3 years at the 3rd Infantry Regiment in French Guinea, he moved into the airborne regiment. Fishing maniac.
Participant of the Algerian War
Specialty: sniping
Sub-weaponry: Glock
Sergeant 1st Class Paul Mike
Age 33, 205 cm, 115 kg
From the Texas National Guard.
Six years in the Djiboutis 13th Foreign Brigade. Leader of Deuxieme Reps 3rd Squadron. The best sniper in the squadron.
Participated in the Algeria and C?te dIvoire Civil Wars
Specialty: sniping
Sub-weaponry: Beretta
Sergeant David Mark
Age 28, 186 cm, 86 kg
Six years of experience in Djiboutis 13th Foreign Brigade. Leader of Deuxieme Reps Sniper Squadron.
Best sniper within the sniper regiment.
Participant in the Marley Civil War.
Specialty: sniping
Sub-weaponry: Glock
Black Mamba
Sergeant Bellman
Age 33, 178 cm, 72 kg
Certified doctor. Headquarter-stationed squadron of Deuxieme Rep.
Friends are known to be in the Mafia.
The only squad member with a doctors certificate, reason for Team Ratel inclusion.
Participant in the Congo Civil War.
Specialty: emergency treatment
Sub-Weaponry: Glock
Sergeant Huang Mouris
Age 34, 180 cm, 76 kg
From the Moroccan garrison. Deuxieme Reps Firearms Platoon
Entered long-term service after five years at Djiboutis 13th Foreign Brigade.
Specializing in explosives, booby trap production, and installation.
Participant in the wars in Algeria and Sudan.
Specialty: explosives, booby trap production/installation
Sub-weaponry: Dragunov
Sergeant Hakam Chartres
Age 43, 182 cm, 82 kg
Researcher at the Middle East History University, Paris, France. Deuxieme Rep Firearms division.
Long-term service after five years in the Djibouti 13th Foreign Brigade.
A wine lover, fluent in Arabic and Swahili.
Participant in the Chad Civil War and Algerian Civil War
Specialty: explosives, booby traps
Sub-weaponry: RPG
Private Jang Shin
Age 24, 168 cm, 67 kg
He is from the Peoples Republic of China. Expert in the Eight Combined Movements martial arts. Deuxieme Reps Firearms Platoon.
Genius in the operation and maintenance of machinery.
Specialty: mine thrower
Sub-weaponry: poisoned needles
Private Victor Emil
Age 28. 190 cm, 92 kg
3 years of experience working in the 13th Brigade, Djibouti. Deuxieme Rep Sniper Squadron
Partner of Black Mamba.
National French Judo champion.
No experience in war. Selected as a partner of Black Mamba.
Specialty: Machine Gun
Sub-weaponry: Dragunov
Corporal Shawn Miguel
Age 31, 176 cm, 71 kg
From Colombias Drug Control Unit. Deuxieme Reps firearm squad.
Participant in Algerias Civil War.
Specialty: machine gun
Sub-weaponry: Glock
The Glock 19 was widely used by the team members as a sub-weapon. It was recently developed by Glock in Austria and was a semi-automatic pistol that could fire 19 rounds of 9-millimeter Parabellum bullets. Compared to conventional pistols, the structure was very compact and simplified.
The two pistol masterpieces of the 80s were the Beretta and Glock. The Berettas small size, low recoil, and soft trigger made it a favorite among information operating officers. The Glock, on the other hand, was used by the special forces because it was resistant to harsh environments and trouble-free. Black Mamba had received 4500-franc Glock from Pief. The time had come to pay off that debt.
When Philip got the report, he took a Mont Blanc fountain pen out of the drawer and signed it happily. There were four snipers in the unit and four from the explosives unit. It was the best possible team to support Black Mamba. He liked that most of the members were from his regiment.
If Black Mamba succeeded in the operation, the position of a general was a sure thing. That was how important the Chad operation was. Of course, if they were to fail, he would have to pack his belongings instead of receiving a promotion.
While Colonel Philip signed the list of members to send into Hells Gate, Burimer and Black Mamba were fishing on the Shari River.
Burimer was an avid fishing maniac who even the regiment commander couldnt keep from fishing. In Corsica, he went down to the Calvi Harbors breakwater to fish. On weekends, he refused to go to a club, or return home, instead choosing to wrestle with the domina cibril.
Burimers outdoor excursions became more frequent after tasting raw fish with Black Mamba. Having tasted the Korean red chili pepper paste with sashimi, he annoyed Black Mamba because he worshipped the paste to the point where it was unbecoming of a Frenchman.
Sergeant Burimer and the squadron members devised a massive launch plan.
It was an ambitious plan to catch a goliath tigerfish while they traveled up to Lake Chad. The goliath tigerfish were large carnivorous fish that lived in the Congo River and spawned in Lake Chad. They were monsters known for eating crocodiles. The adults grew up to 2 meters and weighed up to 100 kilograms.
Burimers desire was unfortunately denied. It was because the members of Team Ratel were gathered in secret. It had only been a week since they had set foot in Chad.
Commander Pief hadnt simply bought Petit Canard a meal for free. It was time for Black Mamba to pay off that meal.
Burimer and Black Mambas excursions were similarly forced to end.
Captain Lieutenant Paul divided the group into experienced men and rookies after the meeting, disregarding their age.
Sergeant Burimer, how many have you killed?
I killed five in Algeria. Ive killed more than a hundred after returning to headquarters near the breakwater.
At Burimers words, the team members suppressed their laughter. The members without a kill in their past were Black Mamba, Jang Shin, and Emil. The other members were full of experience in killing and surviving in the desert.
Lieutenant Mike, how many have you killed?
I managed to clear 33 people. 22 in Algeria, and 11 in C?te dIvoire. Mike replied proudly.
He then turned to glare at Black Mamba. Black Mamba felt the stare but didnt bother to pay attention. His mind was full of thoughts; he didnt have the time to deal with the tantrums of a stupid man.
Paul believed that a soldier had to overcome the shock of killing to become a real soldier. No matter how long one had been in the military, without an actual kill, he considered them rookies. After killing a person, a humans perspective changed greatly. He matched up the team members according to their specialties and past killing records.
In Pauls eyes, Black Mamba, Jang Shin, and Emil were rookies who smelled like newborns. It was his responsibility to succeed in this operation and make those rookies survive.
He began his speech before the stiff rookies.
Listen, all of you, the fear of murdering is greater than the fear of being murdered. The fear that you might die can be overcome by training, but you have to overcome the fear of killing another human being. The fear of death fades in time, but the fear of murder is colored with time. We are soldiers. A soldiers purpose is murder. The enemy is our target and is not a human but just an enemy. Soldiers must not kill non-enemy targets. Therefore, a soldier who cannot kill an enemy is not a soldier. Someone who cries after killing the enemy is similarly not a soldier.
The fear of death and the fear of murder!
Black Mamba was moved by the short speech given by the wrinkled lieutenant. Only an individuals morality and rationality could determine the difference between their fear of death and their fear of murder.
Could there be a person who knew the fear of death and murder better than Black Mamba? He was already a warrior who had overcome both.
Kill!
Kill the enemy!
Black Mamba felt as if he had truly become a mercenary.
Black Mamba!
Oui.
l have received orders to concentrate the operation around you. Frankly, I have no trust in you. Aside from your skills, do you have experience with murder?
Black Mambas gaze met the captains blue-gray eyes. These were the eyes of a strong man. Strength entered Black Mambas eyes. At the sharpening gaze, Paul found himself startled.
Captain, have you ever cut a mans throat with a knife? Have you felt the bones of a humans neck being crushed at your fingertips? Have you ever had a backbone as your bed and skin as your blanket?
Pauls face hardened. The rookies eyes were too clear to be considered the eyes of a murderer.
And that is you?
I am Black Mamba. I dont shoot with my head in the ground. I am not going to be my comrades burden. Even the best warrior had once been a rookie.
Chapter 19
Black Mamba avoided answering the question directly and said, Hahaha, youre right. Anyone is a rookie when they begin.
Pauls face lost its frown because of the rookies reply in awkward French. He didnt know this persons past, and he didnt know his ability, but he seemed to have a strong mentality. His confidence in this guy increased greatly.
Like he had said, a rookie became a warrior after experiencing the battlefield. If the kid lived up to his reputation as a god sniper, like Pief promised, it would be a huge boost to the operation.
There are idiots who regress in their abilities the more they fight because when youre injured, the fear of death kills your courage. You can be a true warrior when you overcome the fear of death.
Black Mamba laughed inwardly at his advice. The captain was a mercenary whose hair had turned gray from the UV rays of the desert. He must have worried a lot.
He must feel as if hes walking around with a poorly made hand grenade. Like hes walking around with a pistol without a safety or a gun with a broken trigger.
He could understand. For a commander, an inexperienced subordinate caused more anxiety than a weak subordinate.
He had killed a man with an ax when he was in his late teens. He had fought for his life against a leopard in a cave. The captain was worrying over nothing.
The fear of injury and death?
He had already overcome those two before he received his ID card. Death wasnt scary, but he was scared to die without finding his mother. He wanted to meet her and ask something.
He wanted to ask about the reason for his abandonment
But if he died, he couldnt ask. That was the reason he needed to stay alive.
November 3, 1982.
Team Ratel moved towards Mondo, north of Chad, on a Chinook helicopter. This was the limit of the government and the militarys power. The north of Mondo fell into the FROLINATs sphere of influence. After several tries, the badger finally had been dispatched to catch the Raccoon.
Developed by Boeing in 1958, the Chinook helicopter was known as the strongest transporter in the 1980s. It was box-shaped with propellers on the back and front of the body.
With two powerful 3000-horsepower turbo engines, the Chinook could carry 13 tons of cargo in its fuselage, so it could handle 35 fully armed special forces members and their supplies.
The three CH-47Ds, which were from the Chinook line, housed 11 members and supplies, four Toyota pickups adapted for the desert, and two bikes.
Mike murmured complaints throughout the entire flight that the airborne crew crawled like puppies. Sergeant Burimer prayed for a reunion with his daughter after a successful operation, Jang Shin murmured his wifes name repeatedly, and Miguel recited The Rosary. Black Mamba stretched out his legs and snored.
As soon as the helicopters rear door opened, Black Mamba sucked in a breath because of the sudden heat. Dry heat and a dirty breeze welcomed Team Ratel. After a while, a cloud of flies swarmed enthusiastically to greet them.
F*ck, its crazy hot.
They had only flown for two hours from the NDjamena base, but the natural environment here was quite different. The dried, dead grasses of the red wasteland continued into the horizon. Compared to this place, the NDjamena base could be considered a heaven. The base had air conditioning, and the area around the base was lush with the flowing river nearby. The regiment camp along the Shari river wasnt Africa.
Soldiers, welcome to Africa. This is the southern end of the Sahel belt. Its a place with only dry land and sand storms. The captain flung his arms open like a travel guide and smiled crookedly.
This is really Africa! Black Mamba felt as if he had truly arrived in Africa.
The Chinooks rear ramp opened. Pickups loaded with supplies crawled out from the cabin. The French military had not been aware of the need for a high mobility truck. They hadnt developed one because they had no concept of it.
Legion Etranger used a high-powered, four-seat Toyota pickup as a high-altitude combat vehicle. It had a powerful 500-horsepower engine and a wide tire. The luggage compartment was equipped with a machine gun holder, the front windshield was replaced with bulletproof glass, and the fender was replaced with a 3-millimeter iron plate. Only its structure resembled a pickup as it was a combat vehicle.
The Chinooks rear ramp closed, and its propellers turned in the air with a loud rotor sound. Because of the risk of being shot down, the Chinook couldnt proceed any further. The north of Mondo was surrounded by FROLINAT troops with a SAM-7.
Burimer laughed.
Were like a little girl who let go of her mothers hand and got lost in the Tuileries Garden!
We would have to do it by hand, Chartres sighed.
The north of Chad was a wasteland with no communities. They had to rely on air travel for transportation between cities. The only ones who took the long dirt road were camels or guerrillas. Road infrastructures? They didnt exist. The only thing that awaited Team Ratel were harsh conditions.
Colonel Philip had considered a high-altitude assault to approach the Bodele region. But his plan was denied by the Chief of Operations and the DGSE because they didnt have enough information regarding the FROLINAT.
The Bodele flatland had large numbers of guerrillas swarming around like rabid dogs. They would become targets the moment the guerrillas spotted them in the air. There was a good possibility that they would be annihilated before they even touched the ground.
In a situation that couldnt be controlled, they had to avoid a plan with high risks. The Deuxieme Reps Operations unit and Captain Paul had to make the difficult decision to enter on foot.
Black Mambas sight headed right. A living being had been caught on his radar. It was a human.
Captain, a person at nine oclock in 50 meters.
Putain!
Enemy!
The members of the sniper unit, Burimer, Emil, Mike, Jang Shin, and Chartres threw their bodies for cover behind the vehicle. They knew Black Mambas skills very well.
Wha what?
Meanwhile, the members from the other units surveyed the area rapidly. This was the same for the captain. He couldnt see a human, nonetheless a rat. The helicopter had landed in a wide clearing without a hint of grass. There were no obstacles to hide behind.
Black Mamba, what are you doing?
When Bellman asked, Black Mamba wordlessly raised his Famas with the silencer attached.
Pst pst pst
Yellow dust rose from the ground that was hit with the three warning shots. The captains eyes widened. The ground shook, and then a man climbed out.
Dont shoot!
A person dressed in blue desert attire shouted at the top of his lungs as he raised both of his hands in the air. His entire face had been covered with a veil, leaving only his eyes visible. It was hard to tell whether he was a man or a woman.
The teams eyes widened in surprise. That was a perfect cover; they had not sensed anything. Then all eyes were on Black Mamba. He simply shrugged.
Je suis de chier froid (Youve given me chills.). Enchante. Je suis Ombuti (Hi. Im Ombuti.).
Bellman looked at the captain without releasing his guard.
Hes the guide. The captain shouted.
Raise your hands and approach, Bellman ordered as he lowered his gun.
The man limped slightly, but it wasnt too noticeable.
Stop!
Bellman stopped the man five meters from where they stood. The captain spoke in code.
The humidity of Lake Chad had risen a meter.
No. It has lessened due to the drought.
Tibesti received two rounds of rain.
They also had snow for the first time in seven years.
The captain, after confirming the passwords, placed his hand forward.
Nice to meet you. Paul.
Al Shalam Alaikum! (May you be at peace with Allahs mercy!). Ombuti.
Alaikum Shalam, Black Mamba.
This was a common greeting in Islamic regions. Black Mamba, after recognizing it, also greeted the man while standing next to the captain.
Ombutis gaze turned towards Black Mamba.
Did you shoot?
Yes.
How did you know?
I just knew.
I almost died.
You didnt die. Why the f*ck is he complaining when I let him live?
Of course, he said the latter in Korean. Because he hadnt felt any threats from the concealed figure, he had only fired warning shots. He was uncomfortable with the old Arab mans complaints; after all, he had let him live.
Ombutis eyes, which had been staring at Black Mamba, thinned. It seemed as if he was smiling. Black Mamba had to guess since he could only see his eyes.
The rest of the team, who had been hiding behind the vehicle, came out with haggard faces.
That was an amazing concealment.
At Chartres words, Ombutis eyes thinned again.
It is something any Tuareg warrior can do. The amazing person here is that man. Ombuti pointed at Black Mamba.
The captain and the team members from the different units all looked at Black Mamba. Their gazes were strange. A human shouldnt be able to recognize a presence underground and 50 meters away from them.
How did you know? The captain repeated Ombutis question.
Im Black Mamba, his answer was filled with pride.
A smile appeared on the captains face.
Seems like youll do your share.
With this single comment, the captain turned to look at the rest of the team. The sniper unit looked calm. The members from the other units still had surprise written across their faces.
Now, he understood what Colonel Philip had been talking about. Black Mamba was someone worth his call name. He understood why Team Ratel had been constructed to support Black Mamba. Their guide was also not normal. Bullets had landed right before his eyes, but he hadnt seemed very surprised.
Show me your face.
At the captains request, the guide shook his head.
A warrior doesnt show his face too easily.
Me and my subordinates are warriors.
I see!
Slightly convinced, Ombuti loosened the covering called a litam. He unveiled everything but his mouth.
When he revealed himself, they could see a blackened face in its early fifties. It was the unique face of a desert tribe warrior with three lines of wrinkles on the forehead, hollow and deep eyes, a high nose bridge, and cheekbones that stood out. It was difficult to attach humor to this face.
Reveal the rest of your face.
The guide had been expressionless the entire time and twitched at Burimers words.
Tuareg warriors do not show their mouths to foreigners.
His spoke broken French, but Black Mamba found it rather easy to understand. Burimer replied with a firm face.
We are not foreigners. We are warriors who will live and die together for the time being.
Mike added to Burimers words.
You wouldnt eat with you rear-end during meals, after all.
The team held back their laughter.
Ombuti looked around at the team members and his face lost its expression. Black Mamba recognized the red flag that passed through his eyes. It was a feeling of anger. Black Mamba wasnt feeling good about Mikes rude words.
You are right.
He didnt specify who was right, but the Ombuti agreed and uncovered his face.
His skin was flaky and white, and his lips were ugly as their layers had peeled off because of the strong sun and the rough winds.
His sunken eyes and highly stretched nose made it obvious that he was a Tuareg, a member of the Berber tribe.
Ombuti, after showing his face, then carefully wound the litam around himself again. Soon his face was hidden and only his eyes were left. Black Mamba recognized that Ombuti hadnt led a good life. Anyone who could easily deal with anger was someone he should be looking out for.
The Tuareg were members of the Berbers of North Africa. The majority of them lived in Niger, Mali, Libya, Algeria, and a few lived in northwest Chad.
The Tuareg lived as nomads and camel caravans because of the harsh desert environment, and their strong warrior traits had grown from this life. Some began farming around the year, but they were few. Since the thirteenth century, their tribes had been notorious for their fierce and cruel treatment towards the Europeans, and the Europeans referred to the Tuareg as masked warriors.
The turban they wore was a 4-meter long cotton cloth called a litam or arasso. The litam was used to protect the head and face from the sun, sand, heat, cold, and pests. When worn, it covered the entire head, leaving only the eyes showing.
Since the time of the Joseon Dynasty, the Tuaregs have worn litams as a rite of adulthood.
The Tuareg did not like to expose their mouths and noses because of their superstition. They believed that demons invaded mouths and noses.
From the Tuaregs perspective, the Europeans had plundered their territory and were the true thieves. They had only fought to protect their family and property from the white European bandits.
From this defensive maneuver, they had turned increasingly aggressive. Violence called for ranks.
They attacked and enslaved black tribes and became a predatory tribe. Nomadic people in poor circumstances, across the east and west, tended to clarify and remember the Tuaregs grace and revenge. The Tuaregs had also become a race of warriors, paying back their graces tenfold and getting revenge a hundredfold.
Chapter 20
After World War II, a frenzy of independence broke out in Africa. Neither Europe nor the neighboring African countries wanted the Tuareg to achieve independence because they felt that they were overly militant people. It was an absurd reason, but it was a testament to the Europeans fear of the Tuareg.
The Tuareg tribe invariably lived to trade and farm, as they came under the control of those they had once enslaved. All that was left for them was their wounded pride.
The captain recalled the information regarding Ombuti that he had received from the DGSE:
Has the status of Imoharen amongst the Tuareg tribe of the Sahara.
Born into the northern Kel Ayr of Niger.
Lived in Bilma, Niger with his parents until he was 10 years old.
Lost his parents in a surprise attack by the Tubu Tribe and was adopted by a man of Imrad status who worked as a camel peddler.
Began his camel caravan at 20 years old.
The route crossed over Bilma, Niger and Paya Largo, Chads oasis city, following the northern Sahel region.
Became rich by selling gold products.
Married at the age of 25.
Lost his wife and 13-year-old daughter in an attack by FAP guerrillas, at age 38.
His wife and daughter were raped before they were killed.
He organized a militia with the Tuareg tribe to get revenge.
He lost against the FROLINATs Habib army in the Tibesti Joura region.
Unstable gait because he was shot in the knee during combat, but there is no difficulty in his activities.
While he was being chased by the FROLINAT, he was captured by DGSE and began working as a slipper.
Knows the topography of Nigers and Chads middle regions well due to his work as a camel caravan peddler.
A Class A local agent due to his many native connections.
As a bearer of Imoharen status is proud and responsible.
A high-class warrior who calls himself Imohag (a person of elegance).
Make sure he is not offended during the operation.
As you can see, this Ombuti fellow is a guide. He is a Tuareg warrior and aristocrat. Treat him like a comrade.
Paul revealed to his team members that Ombuti was the Tuareg tribes Immoharen and asked them to respect him.
Ombuti simply lifted the hem of his litam during the meal to eat. The team members couldnt see him chewing the food. It looked so uncomfortable that the onlookers felt disturbed.
Black Mamba, that looks very uncomfortable, Jang Shin commented.
Didnt Chinese women of the middle ages consider their bare feet shameful, as shameful as revealing their private parts? So just think of it as something along the same vein.
Jang Shin nodded. The environment and culture were different. Outsiders would not easily understand the peculiar behavior of aboriginal rituals and customs.
After the meal, Chartres briefed the team on the Tuareg culture. He was fluent in the culture and history of African tribes; it was why he was chosen to be part of this operation.
The Tuareg upper class were Arabs. They were called Ilalan, the freemen. The Ilallan were divided into the ruling class called Imoharen and the servant class called Imrad. Imrad also consisted of freed slaves who had blood of the freemen mixed in with theirs.
All Imoharen were warriors. The Imrad lived under their protection and engaged in farming and ritualistic practices.
The lower class was made of black slaves called Iklan. The Iklan were distributed to the Imrad to be used as farmers or to cultivate date palms in the oasis.
The Imoharen were warriors and never worked. All they did was cover their faces with the litam and wield a Shamshir.
The Tuareg were a matriarchal tribe and, unlike other Arabs, adhered to monogamy. However, the Tuareg living near the Sahel didnt have such a clear class system.
The tribe living in the Sahara, on the other hand, maintained a thorough social hierarchy stricter than Indias caste system. It was an unusual case for Ombuti, an Imoharen, to work as a camel peddler.
Black Mamba stared at Ombuti with a curious eye as he prayed toward the northwest. The Tuareg were 99-percent Muslim. Ombuti was also a devout Muslim who performed five salats every day.
He had seen Muslims doing a salat in France. They pressed both of their hands to the sides of their heads and mumbled as they prayed. It was still a strange sight to watch even after witnessing it several times.
Ombuti gave the team members a white gandoura and litam. A gandoura was a traditional Tuareg dress that looked like a scroll.
Black Mamba flung the gandoura around himself and tied the baggy arms with a belt. He had been able to guess how to put on the gandoura, but the long rope-like litam was difficult to wear by approximation. He grabbed the litam and looked at Ombuti with his eyes. His gaze meant: Would you be able to wear the hanbok if I threw it at your face?
Mike voiced his complaints.
Why do we need to dress like robbers? Just let us wear a mask.
Mike, this is an Arab nation. Do you want to advertise yourself as a member of the special forces?
No, sir.
Mikes complaints were immediately shot down by the Captain.
Ombuti summoned Emil as an assistant to demonstrate. Emil soon became a Tuareg Iklan. When he put on gandoura and covered his face with the litam, he couldnt be distinguished from the natives.
Black Mamba felt uncomfortable hiding his face in the middle of a war zone. Covering his ears and nose dampened his senses. He wrapped his face according to the demonstration, but he left out his ears and eyes.
Ombuti smiled at Black Mamba wearing the litam haphazardly. His expression looked as if he was seeing a housewife placing silk clothes into the washing machine.
Bzzz Zzzz Zzz
A frighteningly large swarm of flies appeared. Black Mamba became frightened. It was only after the onslaught of flies that he understood Ombutis expression. There were many kinds of flies: flies that were smaller than a grain to flies that were larger than flesh flies. The flies flew into any opening. Like Ombuti, he wrapped the litam more firmly around his face leaving only his eyes out. He also wore goggles.
Why are you wearing blue? Were wearing white.
Ombuti laughed at Mikes dissatisfied question. No, it looked as if he was laughing. He had covered his entire face, so they didnt know whether he was laughing or crying. They simply assumed that when the eyes turned thin, he was laughing.
Blue can only be worn by the Imoharen. Commoners wear yellow or white.
So youre saying youre a noble, and Im a commoner? Mike asked as if he was going to bite.
I dont know if youre a commoner, but Im certain Im a noble.
The answer came out so easily. It was as if he was stating that a chicken had two legs and a dog had four legs. At his confidence, everyone felt resigned. Ombuti continued talking.
This operation is secret. Shouldnt we avoid the attention of the aboriginal people and the FROLINAT? Or am I wrong?
What does the color of our clothes have to do with it?
Ombuti looked at Mike with a distant expression. His eyes were full of desire to firmly bash the black guy who kept on aggravating him.
Blue is the color of a Tuareg warrior. Its not like it used to be, but the Sahara and Sahel regions still have famed reputations attached to a Tuareg warrior. If a large number of people flock together in blue attire, aboriginal people will become chaotic. They have a deep-rooted fear of our tribal warriors.
Ha. It should be notorious reputations, not famed.
Mike, if youre too thick-headed to understand, then shut your mouth. This is a real situation. The captain shouted at Mike and his useless comments.
The captain and the rest of the team fully understood Ombutis explanation. There was nothing good in attracting the eyes of the enemy. The gandoura and litam were indispensable items for camouflage purposes, wind, and direct sunlight. The Sahels direct sunlight was intense enough to burn and blister exposed skin at once.
Ombuti, this is my first operation in Chad. Same for my subordinates. The first destination is Korotaro. Could you explain how to get there?
Lets see the strategic map.
Ombuti peered into the map for some time, smirked, folded the map, and handed it back to the captain.
This map was created by the French army 20 years ago. Its useless.
Youre saying the strategic map is useless? Mike shouted.
Ombuti wordlessly pulled out an oily paper from his chest in response to Mikes shout. When he unfolded the paper, a thin hide that had been folded several times appeared. When that was unfolded, a large map of about three feet in length and width appeared.
It was a handmade map made from vellum, a high-quality material made from cow skin, with silver and velvet that had been engraved into it with a bulls horn. It was an amazing map that detailed the deep sand plains amongst the steppe, the rocky regions of the Erg, Wadi where water had dried, and the grasslands. It also had a detailed, informative drawing of the oases in Niger and Chad, as well as the sizes of villages. It was a million times better than the strategic map Team Ratel used.
The teams eyes widened. The details, and of course the antique value of the map itself, were impressive.
Wow, to think Im seeing a map drawn on a hide, something that only appears in fairy tales, Black Mamba said admiring it.
A great map. I think it will help a lot with this operation, the captain noted with sincere admiration.
I inherited it from my stepfather. He drew it based around the French military-assigned map. I have added details while traveling around the northern regions for 20 years. Pride flickered in Ombutis face.
You added additional human geography and terrain and continued to update it. The captain exclaimed.
It was a living map. It held great tactical value.
Yes, all camel caravans have their maps. Desert predators, when attacking, first steal that very map. In the desert, maps are the most valuable items although water rivals that value very often.
Ombutis map also had no cities or roads north of the Kanem province. That was not much different from military maps. If there was anything different from the military map, it was that the towns locations were in silver, and the Wadi and valleys were in blue.
Black Mamba pointed to a vast area from the northern Kanem province to southern Tibesti.
Why havent you marked anything here?
Do you mark rocks, sand, and grass on the map? Black Mamba was shocked at Ombutis response.
Seems like this person is more offending than he looks, Black Mamba thought.
He was aggressive to the point that he was comparable to Mike.
There is no mountain, no river, no city, no road. Just rocks, sand, and bushes. Of course, there are many empty places. This is somewhere I have never been.
Black Mamba found it hard to understand Ombutis words. The terrain of Korea was minuscule. If there was a mountain, there was a river; if there was a river, there was a field, and if there was a field, there was a village. Korea was connected from city to city.
Black Mamba, a Korean native, found it hard to understand the vast wasteland, grassland, and desert. At that moment in time, he didnt even know that he would come to experience that harsh region himself.
Ombutis mottled, thick fingers moved around the map. The skin was peeled off because of the intense sunlight, revealing the dermis.
Muharib (warrior), I do not know the whereabouts of The Raccoon. The Bodele lowlands are too large to be searched with these numbers.
At Ombutis words, the captain waved his hand in denial.
Ombuti, do not call us Muharib, call us by our names. What exactly are the Bodele lowlands?
Even the captain, who was a lieutenant and spent 10 years in North Africa, knew little about Chad. It was even darker than the darkest lands.
The dark land here was not an indicator of racial or geological character but a political and economic characteristic. Chad was a country with no presence in the international community. It was less developed than Congo or Zimbabwe, which were infamous for poverty. Of course, they were all the same third-world countries where the difference in poverty was laughable.
I see. Ill call you by your name if you want. The Bodele lowlands are wetlands. This is where Lake Chads water flows underground.
What? The water from Lake Chad, 630 kilometers away, flows into Bodele? Astonished, the captain refuted Ombutis words.
The water of Lake Chad flows into Bodele through a groundwater channel called Bahr el Ghazal. The current Lake Chad is only 3000 square kilometers in diameter, but it is said to have been over a million square kilometers, 10,000 years ago.
I cant believe it!
I also cant believe it. Geologists say that the Bodele region was once a part of Lake Chad. So it remains a marsh although it is turning into a desert, too.
Burimer whistled.
Wow, a lake over 700 kilometers! Seems like Lake Baikal isnt going to measure up.
What is the width of the Bodele lowlands? I cant guess from the map. The captain asked with a serious expression.
Nobody knows exactly. Roughly 30,000 square kilos. Youll understand if you think of it as a wasteland with developed playa. Do not expect farmland or forests because there is no water. In the past, there were many swamps, but, now, most of them are dry. There are no plants or animals. There will be a lot of flies and mosquitoes.
As Black Mamba heard the explanation, he became unsure about the harsh environment and unprecedented geography. How could it be so different from Korea?
The distance between Seoul and Busan was 400 kilometers. If the daily difference in temperature exceeded 15 degrees Celsius, people unable to cope with the difference would emerge everywhere in Korea. In Africa, thousands of kilometers were discussed in a single conversation, and a daily change between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius was common. Additionally, they said that they had to search for The Raccoon somewhere in 30,000 square kilometers. It was something to be scared of.
Chapter 21
Damn it, this is ridiculous. Im practically speechless, he complained automatically.
Seoul was 605-square-kilometers wide, and Yeouido was 8.4 square kilometers. He was about to search through a land that was 50 times larger than Seoul and 4000 times larger than Yeouido.
Ombuti looked around at the teams astounded faces before speaking once more.
The Bodele lowlands arent wetlands or grasslands. Think of them as a large playa, the bottom of a lake with no water. The region that was dry yesterday would be the river of today. The basin in which you drew water from yesterday will disappear the next day, and the place where you set up a tent will turn into a sea the next morning. The reason why there is no need for a map is because the region changes every day. Although, even that has become a tale of the past due to the drought.
It sounded crazier the more they heard. Even calling it crazy was an inadequate description. It seemed as though hundreds of those mountains in Shandong could fit into the Bodele depression.
I want to hear your opinion since you are more knowledgeable about local matters. Disregarding The Raccoon, I only need to know the direction. Whats your recommended route of travel?
At the captains question, Ombuti drew a line with his fingers from one point of the map to another.
The Raccoon had his first battle with the Habib army in the middle region of Bodele, Aodanga. Afterward, he was chased by the Habib army to the east and had three other clashes. His personal guards must have been annihilated by now. If we analyze his route, we can assume he is in the Chicha region. And right here, Chicha is by the side road where Borukus flight station is, in the central city of Faya.
The captain nodded his head. That was not much different from the information he had received from the DGSE.
And your recommended route?
We can go to Salae through the north-western road by moving towards north-eastern Moussaro from Mondo. And once we take the Wadi at Salae and move northwest by 210 kilometers, we will be out of Kanem. If we move beyond the Kanem border towards the north, well be in Koro Taro. Thats Borkous oasis city. Koro Taro is also Bodeles eastern entrance. There are less than 100 kilometers from Koro Taro to Chicha. Kanem may have fallen under FROLINATs influence, but the city of Borkou is a split world. You also need to be wary of the people.
Well move through Koro Taro towards Chicha.
The captain made his decision. Their first destination was Koro Taro. From now on, it was going to be a race against time.
No, no. To think Deuxieme Rep, which was supposed to be an osprey, would have to run like a herd of gnus. Our rear ends are not going to survive.
Chartres looked at the route Ombuti laid out and expressed his frustration with a sigh.
It really is far. Think of the many guerrillas whod run at us! Burimer worried realistically.
There wont only be people running at us. Im more afraid of the flies.
Black Mamba flicked away the flies that were digging into the seams of his goggles and grumbled. Dead flies were strewn around him. His master was careful to not even step on ants, but he, as the disciple, had no qualms about killing.
Im going to go crazy, I need goggles.
At Marks words, everyone nodded. Some flies could burrow into a needle hole. Everyone was annoyed.
Ombuti threw oil into the fire.
When its darker, the mosquitoes will greet you even more harshly. Were not on a picnic, anyhow. From now on, we also need to avoid the guerrillas and locals. There are many FROLINAT spies amongst them. Think of the distance at around 1000 kilometers since were going around them.
1000 kilometers! Black Mamba shouted once more.
1000 kilometers meant 2500 li. This country had vast lands but a f*cked up road infrastructure. He felt dizzy thinking about the large units.
Depending on the situation, the distance might increase. What I find hard to understand is why youve chosen Mondo as your starting point. Currently, Chad is no different from a land without a government. The cities are in chaos, and the guerrillas roam the boundaries. If you guys had entered from Koro Taro by air, the operation would have gone faster. Then, youd have fewer chances of encountering the guerrillas. This is only an opinion.
Ombuti, you dont have to think on our behalf. Your job is to guide us to the Bodele post undetected by the guerrillas, the captain cut him off.
Ombuti agreed easily.
Sorry. It seems like I overstepped. I just wanted to remind you guys that youre not going on the Autobahn or Autoroute highways.
The captain himself was similarly unsure. It was hard to estimate how long theyd have to wander the large Sahel belt. Aside from the guerrillas, this was a fight against the environment. The longer the operation went, the more their survival rates would fall. The team members also had many complaints regarding the long routes.
Captain, the guide isnt wrong. The STRELA 2 has but 4 kilometers of range. Why didnt we do a free-fall operation?
As usual, Mike began his rude provocations.
Mike, the Borkou region is a land full of guerrillas. If were unlucky, well be annihilated before we even land on the ground.
Wheres an operation without risks? Rather than off-roading, were better off free-falling a hundred times.
The captains gray eyes stared straight into Mikes eyes. Even the teams gazes werent kind. What was he going to do about an operation that they had already decided on?
Sergeant Mike, operations are under the Strategic Divisions jurisdiction. We are the hands and feet that carry out the operations. Shut up and do your job. Do you understand?
Oui!
Mike, scared by the captains charisma, squeaked out the affirmative then closed his mouth.
The captain didnt like that Commander Louis had placed Mike on their team. This was a guy who ruined teamwork. No special forces members wanted to become a dog instead of a specialized fighter. Their task had already begun. Complaints were only going to ruin the teamwork.
The captain warned the team members once more.
Attention, you all have heard the guides words. We are going through Moussaro and Salae to enter Borkou. We are going by Koro Taro, using the northern routes to enter Chicha. The total distance between extracting The Raccoon and returning is over 2000 kilometers. We will try to avoid a battle. We have seven days, and the route is between the Sahel Belt and the desert. The unfamiliar region and weather is our second enemy, so everyone should pay attention to their own conditions and make sure youre not bitten by an insect. Jang Shin, pay attention to the vehicle. Over.
Damn, to think there are twelve Marcos in search of a single raccoon. Im going to cry.
Keke, Marco searched 3000 leagues for his mother. Ours is less than one. Be grateful, everyone.
At Chartres words, Sergeant Burimer smiled. Chartres and Burimer had calm personalities that never lost their humor.
Were not that cute Marco but ospreys with Famas. Im more worried about whether a raccoon would greet the ospreys. The captain went along with Chartres joke.
Hahaha!
At the captains words, everyone laughed. They had imagined a raccoons frightened eyes greeted by an osprey with a loaded Famas. At the joke, the mood relaxed a lot. Even Ombuti, who had felt awkward because of the captains sharp refute, laughed along.
Wow, we could use this. Jang Shin exclaimed after examining the pickup.
The tire was 15 inches in width, larger than average. It was perfect for a run in the plains and desert. The rifle, which was reinforced with a 3-millimeter iron plate, seemed to be capable of exploding a body.
Jang Shin opened up the hood and ducked into the engine bay as if he was being pulled inside. He examined the system, then, after finishing his check, knocked against the vehicle.
There will be no other Rambo gun than this if the fire rate keeps up. It will survive a month in the desert.
Bon, dbouche-toi! (Good, move it!)
The team members rushed to the four vehicles and got in. Ombuti grabbed the steering wheel of the first car and turned it in a north-eastern direction. The 12 mercenaries and the guide were sucked into the large Sahel region.
The Sahel Belt, or Sahel region, referred to the southern border of the Sahara Desert, which occupied the entirety of northern Africa. Sahel meant edge in Arabic. It formed the border between the Sahara Desert and the Southern Grasslands. The Sahel Belt had a semi-arid desert climate. Since the early-70s, droughts, and sandstorms had led to rapid desertification in the region.
Geographically, it was a long band extending 14 to 20 degrees northern latitude, from east to west. The belt was 300 kilometers wide and 5000 kilometers east to west. From the north of Senegal, facing the Atlantic Ocean, it crossed over the south of Mauritania, central Mali, southern Niger, central Chad, northern Nigeria, northern Cameroon, and northern Burkina Faso to the Red Seas Aden Bay.
The annual precipitation was only around 250 millimeters. In the last three years, it had only surpassed 100 millimeters. Simply put, it was a long, dry strip of land 300 kilometers across the sub-Saharan desert.
In the front seats, the captain and Ombuti kept glancing back through the rear mirror. They were glancing at Black Mamba who was looking into the map.
The playa was full of broken trees and rough grass. The vehicle was shaking side to side to the point where one would bounce right out if one wasnt careful. Despite the shaking up and down and side to side, Black Mambas body didnt shake even once.
He looked like a fixture attached to the seats. When the vehicle shook left, his body tilted left, and when it tilted right, his body tilted right, and when it bounced forwards, his body remained still, keeping the same rhythm as the car. He looked comfortable as if he was lying on a water bed.
Amazing!
The captain exclaimed honestly. The fact that he was keeping his balance meant that he was ready for a response at any moment.
Is that also an Asian martial art?
Yes. Its a Korean ancient martial art.
Can you teach me?
Yes. If you work hard for about 20 years, you can learn it.
Allez au diable!
The captain swore at Black Mambas careless reply. Even a large difference in strength sounded like a joke when spoken as the truth.
Its true. Black Mamba mumbled and nosed the map once more. The northern region had a few cities marked down, and aside from a thin stream drawn like a thread, there wasnt anything else.
The north-eastern border with Libya had the Tibesti mountain range. From the capital, NDjamena, to the city, one thin road was drawn. It was a north-eastern road that connected NDjamena to Borkou by the Kanem city.
He memorized Ombutis map in its entirety. By studying the region and terrain, he would be able to retreat, and, if not, he would die. The map was easy to memorize as it was simple, but the coordinates were hard to grasp.
Emil used the end of his gandoura to wipe his sweat. The captain and Ombuti were glaring ahead with their eyes wide open, but Emil didnt care. There was no reason to stand guard when he had Black Mamba who could sense everything.
The heat rose from the flat plains like a haze. Heatwaves blew in from the Sahara, and the heated pickup roasted them like tunas inside an oven.
Emil couldnt breathe, and the three others who had boarded with him didnt move an inch. Sergeant Paul had 10 years of experience in Africa, Ombuti was a native, and Black Mamba was a monster who didnt even sweat.
Emil, after checking the route, sighed heavily. The distance between Mondo and Koro Taro was over 500 kilometers. If they moved according to plan, they had to enter Bodele after re-supplying at Koro Taro. If they were taking the road, the entire journey would have taken four hours. But the vehicle moved 30 kilometers per hour, which meant they had to run two to three days in dirt. Their butts werent going to survive.
Team Ratel, on the first day, moved 270 kilometers from Mondo to Salae through Moussaro. It was because the north-western side was rather bearable.
It was from Salae that the situation turned worse. The north of Salae had many guerrillas. Ombuti chose to go off-road to avoid FROLINATs security net. The pickups route ran across the empty land that had Wadi and white ant houses.
The re-modified Rambo pickup didnt lose against the rough terrain. They bounced along, off-roading like a robin. Tough grass and wood wrapped around the wheel, but the 500-horsepower engine pushed forward relentlessly.
Emil, Jeep does make good cars.
Its good for rough roads.
Paul and Emil praised the Japanese-made car. Black Mamba felt uncomfortable. Like any other Korean, he reacted to anything Japanese as if one was reacting to an allergic reaction.
Emil, do you not want to be my partner?
What are you talking about?
I dont like Japan.
This damned, lousy, metal can. Emil kicked the dashboard.
He was witty.
The Saharas sand, carried by the wind, was different from normal sands. It was like flour. Not any flour, but one of those soft variations.
The tenacity of the soft flour-like sand was amazing. The minuscule sand entered every hole in the body. They now understood why Ombuti wrapped the litam around his entire head. The sand entered their noses, made their throats dry, and made their eyes inside their goggles turn red. Emil kept coughing up mucus and rubbing his ears with his pinky.
The milk-colored land didnt show any signs of turning green even after several hours. Aside from the sand-covered coconut tree leaves, there was no green forest nor grass. Even the stops they saw only had shriveled up herdsman and ruined homes.
Chapter 22
From Salae onward, they could no longer see the Tubu tribes camels. Camel caravans were mostly in the northern regions of Africa led by the Tuareg and Tubu tribes. The Tuareg tribe had control in the south of the Sahara desert and the Tenere desert in Niger. The Tubu tribe moved around the middle of Chad in the Sahel region carrying low-quality clothes and golden kitchenware on their camels backs.
All the team members had worn a gandoura on top of their combat attire. The clothes that they usually wore were not well-ventilated, so they were drenched in sweat to their underwear, and the sand had dug in through the seams of their clothes and rubbed the skin. They felt as though they had wrapped themselves in aluminum foil and stepped inside an oven.
Black Mamba was realizing how good Koreas climate was. The heat made his nose dry and his throat and mouth ragged. He took a glimpse of the old Tuareg tribe member. He was simply giving directions to Emil who had grabbed the wheel. He didnt talk aside from those few instructions. The empty scenery continued until sunset. His tension lowered.
Emil, I didnt realize Id miss the greenery so much.
Cough, spat
Emil dragged up as much of his mucus as he could and spat it out.
Black, the greenery isnt the problem, the dust is. My respiratory system is weak. I feel like my lungs are going to rot. I think I met the wrong partner.
Why? Has your burning comradely feeling cooled already?
Damn it, I was only selected because I was Black Mambas partner. I should be rolling around at the Shari Hotel right about now, Emil complained after taking a look at his watch.
Who was the person who fought tooth and nail to protect his partner on Mount Cinto, again?
Whoa, whoa, friend. Lets not dig up the past.
Kahk spat.
Their mouths soon turned grainy due to their conversation. Now they understood why Ombuti didnt talk as much.
Fck! Where are the plains where lions and zebras swarm around? Wheres the lake where the cranes fly about? Fcking heat, mosquitoes, flies!
Black Mamba drummed the console with his palms and vented his frustrations.
Emil, still behind the wheel, laughed.
There are hyenas where there are lions. Vast dust and no plains. The red hills without a lake have flies instead of cranes. My friend denies reality. Africas reality. Nhsitez pas, je vous coute (Dont hesitate, Ill listen.). Tu nest pas mon type (Youre not my type.).
Emil recited Michel Polnareffs song, Qui A Tue Grand Maman? (Who Killed Grandmother?). It was the rookies leisure to not yet know harsh realities.
The captain patted Black Mambas shoulder.
Look, Black, if you want to see the forests and plains, you should head South. The northern African lands only have open space, desert, and flies. If you want to see the lions, you need to head south. So hold on a little. Were going north after all.
Koreans didnt know Africa very well. They knew about the river Thames that was 336 kilometers long but had no clue about the Congo river that was 4370 kilometers long. They knew all about the 50 states in the U.S. but hadnt even heard of the countries in Africa.
The Africa that Koreans imagined was the Sahara desert, black people, poverty, and wild animals. This was the same for Black Mamba.
The plains were full of trees and grasses. Female lions chased after zebras, elephants roamed the Savannah, cheetahs sprinted after prey, camels crossed the desert with the sunset as the backdrop. Those were the sights he had dreamed of when he was told he would be dispatched to Africa.
But that was not the reality in front of him. This was a land where the sands flew from the desert in thick winds, a dry land of nothing, a land without greenery, with crops that had dried due to the drought, corpses of animals strewn about, and the flies that swarmed around those corpses covering them in black. There was nothing that resembled the animal kingdom he had seen on television.
There were dried, yellow tree stumps and grass, Wadis that blew dust, yellow lands where black volcanic rocks lingered, dirty, wild animals that made high-pitched noises while eating the corpses, and a few strands of acacia that stood on the dark red lands.
The scenery didnt change even after driving through several hundred kilometers. He was bored to the point that he became depressed. The animal kingdom he had imagined in his mind had long turned into a kingdom of drought and flies.
All that remained of the journey where the scenery failed was boredom. Of course, no one wanted the boredom to stop. If the boredom stopped, it meant blood would flow. Everyone preferred boredom over blood.
The vast lands continued on the horizon. Black Mamba began to entertain himself. He sliced the flies that swarmed around him with his kukri.
With his sight, the flies were enlarged to the size of a fist, and the ones captured in his dimensional sight were as slow as snails. Black Mamba chose to slice off the right then left wings. Despite the small space, the kukri sang through the air.
What the hell?
Emil, who saw the fierce swings of the large sword, cowered.
Im hunting flies.
Emils face wrinkled.
Shas muchi?
At first, Emil didnt realize what Black Mamba was doing until he saw that flies were collecting on the floor of the pickup. Then he realized the disgusting nature of his partners game.
Inhuman bastard!
He shook his head. He couldnt get used to his partner.
Emil was looking at the flies then realized that their wings were cut. He squawked.
Black, just kill them!
Ok.
Flies that had been sliced in half at their waists started to fall from the air.
The next afternoon, Team Ratel entered the outer borders of Barelgazal. They were at the channel that was rumored to carry the water of Lake Chad several hundred meters underground. But what was the point of a large underground water channel? The emptiness of the land above only grew worse.
It was a succession of dried waterway, rocky hills, and swamps. No animals could be seen. The only living beings that scurried in response to the vehicles loud rumble were the few lizards and unknown snakes. The small reptiles of the Savannah didnt welcome the sudden intruders. They quickly burrowed into the ground or disappeared into the swamps.
Black Mamba and Emil suffered the boring drive with their bodies relaxed, but the captain and Ombuti didnt lose a single aspect of their surroundings. Kanem was also a FROLINAT influenced region. They couldnt relax even for a bit.
Sergeant Burimer was in the second vehicle, and he didnt let go of the binoculars in his hand. This was the same for Sergeant Morris in the fourth car who kept standing guard with his binoculars. It was only Black Mamba and Emil who were relaxed.
He didnt memorize the entire map of the FROLINAT just for show. On the south of the Bodele lowlands, there were over 5000 guerrillas stationed in the Sahel region. The 5000, once released into the vast Sahel were only but a handful of grains on the front line. They wouldnt be able to effectively cover the entirety of the central northern regions of Sahel.
The map indicated that the sentries were stationed around Kanem and Tibesti, near the northern ends. The reality was that a few groups of 10 were distributed, stumbling around the Sahel. Team Ratel had disguised themselves to avoid attention.
Even if they were the main force, Team Ratel was but a small platoon. They would melt if they were surrounded by a large force. Ombuti kept rearranging their route to avoid the eyes of the security forces. That naturally made most of their travels off-road.
When there was a clash, they had to choose between killing the enemy or dying themselves. It was a problem for them if they become captives, too. A captive escaping by biting their tongue was something only possible in movies or novels.
One 10-kilogram bullet was enough to end everything. There were no idiots who would drop a captive in the water, leave them in the desert, or leave them unattended. That kind of fantasy was something that could only be found in 007 movies.
One could luckily escape. But some problems followed even after the escape. The lands were vast and empty, and it was easy to die from the heat, cold, starvation, or dehydration.
Team Ratel were intruders in Chad. To avoid the guerrillas, they had no choice but to lean on Ombutis experience and decisions.
Ombuti was a talented guide. He had spent 20 years in the Sahel region driving his camel caravan. He had also personally led his army into battle with the FROLINAT. The chances of attaining a better guide than Ombuti were rare in the Sahel regions.
Black Mamba, who had been talking with Emil to chase away the boredom, hardened his face. The air was trembling. He could feel a pulsing ill intention coming in waves. This was an entirely different ill-intention than the one he had felt from the leopard. It pressed down on him as if to compress his entire body.
Avez-vous des sousi? Emil asked.
Voyant, un avion vibre (You see, a plane is vibrating.).
The captain was confused. He couldnt understand what he was saying.
Is it the enemy?
No, not that. Theres a chill. The air is vibrating.
Ombuti, who was listening in, frowned.
Pas du tout? (No way?)
A while later, something black appeared in the sky. It was a dark fog that rose into the sky against the backdrop of the yellow lands. It had appeared in the west and began to turn into a v-shaped formation. It came closer.
Black Mamba tilted his head.
What is that?
The dark fog was above the ground and not on it. It also didnt move fast. And what was the vibration in the air?
Dubai! Ombuti shouted.
Dubai? The city Dubai of the Arab Emirates?
Ombuti cracked a smile at Emils question. Dubai, in Arabic, meant grasshoppers.
Des sauterelles.
Sauterelles? Black Mamba repeated.
He knew that sauterelles meant grasshoppers because of his extensive French study. The black clouds swarmed over the sky and land in an instant.
Brrr
A noise, like a planes engines when it left the runway, resounded. He marveled at meeting the flock of grasshoppers that Moses was rumored to have called in to annoy the Egyptians, the grasshoppers that had ruined the lands of Wang Rung, the grasshoppers that were rumored to number over 30 million in South Africa, and the grasshoppers that appeared as a face of horror in horror movies. Country boy Black Mamba went out of his mind.
Pssst
The dark clouds drew nearer. The buzzing sound turned into one of rain. The black clouds had no end in sight either in width or height.
Take cover under the tarp! Morris shouted.
Grasshoppers werent poisonous insects, but they bit apart people because of an excess of serotonin. They usually dug into the body through the nose or ears.
Black Mamba stuck to his sitting position. It was ridiculous to use a tarp to avoid grasshoppers. He didnt want to miss out on the incredible scene that he would never experience again. All the others jumped out of the pickup, covering themselves with the tarp or crawling under the pickup.
Shhh
A summer shower rained down on the party: swarms of finger-sized grasshoppers poured down like hail. In a single moment, he was surrounded by a black cloud. Countless insects bumped into him and dug into his clothes. The feeling of the grasshoppers hitting his skin was like a stab with a stick.
The sky and earth reverberated with buzzing. His saliva dried and his neck became stiff. He found it hard to open his eyes and breathe. Ant-sized nymphs dug into his nostrils and ears without hesitation.
Ugh, what the hell!
Black Mamba got nervous and jumped out of the pickup to cover himself beneath a tarp. In a frenzy, he shook off the grasshoppers that had dug into him.
The sound of the grasshoppers banging against the tarp was like falling beans. Time, long enough to smoke three cigarettes, passed. The sound of falling beans ceased little by little.
Black Mamba crawled out from under the tarp. He stopped to take a look around him. Nobody was watching. They looked ridiculous cowering under the tarps in fear of a grasshopper swarm.
He stared at the dark cloud headed towards the east. It was a disaster that hit and disappeared in no time. Following the mosquitoes and flies, the grasshoppers gave him a similarly intense welcome. He came to dislike Chad more and more.
The woman brought incense and prayed for help from the gods, and the men set fire to the fields, dug burrows, and wielded sticks to fight the grasshoppers. He recalled this excerpt from a story, a description of locusts, by Paul Buck.
Now that hed experienced it, it was a story that didnt make sense. This was a swarm that was immense in width and height. There was nothing that could change it by lighting a fire, digging traps, and swinging sticks. He agreed that it was a calamity that could only be prayed for.
Amazing, marvelous!
Black Mamba couldnt hide his excitement. He had witnessed an attack of the grasshoppers with his very eyes. His chest was pounding in marvel of nature. If such a swarm covered land as small as Korea, the country was bound to end.
Keke, is it your first time seeing a grasshopper? To think Id see the Black Mamba running in fear.
Morris, of course, laughed.
Damn, he saw.
He sighed internally.
Its my first time. Its an impressive evil.
He had felt the intent before he saw the swarm. He had shivered at the ill intent that he could feel from the grasshoppers.
They had passed through quickly because there was nothing to eat in these lands. They can travel 200 kilometers in a single day by using the wind. The place where they had swarmed to must be in ruins by now.
Ombuti, who was explaining, began to frown. The lands that had already been broken apart by drought were about to be ended for good.
Allah hu Akbar.
Ombuti kneeled, raised his arm to the sky, and started to pray. He wished that his fellow countrymen wouldnt suffer any longer.
Chapter 23
Wow, its strength is amazing, Black Mamba exclaimed while holding onto a grasshopper that had been left behind.
The grasshopper, angered, kicked its legs. It truly was strong.
Grasshoppers were insects that lived in the fields and grasses. They were a good source of protein, giving off a sweet taste once roasted in fire. When he was young, he used to gather tens of those grasshoppers in his twine basket. That was what he used to think about grasshoppers.
The grasshoppers with those crooked legs of green or yellow were calm insects of about one inch or more. Their protruding eyes were white, which made them all the more endearing.
The one in his hand had stripes all over its body. The dark red body with yellow stripes across it was over three inches long. The hind legs were as long as a mantis front scythe. Even the colors, being drab, made it appear angry. The mouth was sharp, making it look fierce. It was the kind of insect that made every conception that he had held about grasshoppers wrong.
On the bridge where he used to live, the strongest insects in the hierarchy were the bush crickets and mantises. But it was likely that they would have a hard time fighting against this guy. The mantis jaws were likely to be blown off with a single kick of this grasshoppers legs.
I heard that the African grasshoppers rip apart animals, too?
At Black Mambas question, Mouris and Ombuti laughed out loud.
Thats a lie. Those guys just break up the crops. They dig into your nostrils or enter your body through your ear canal. Its because of the frenzied animals that such a rumor spread. If they were actually carnivorous, all the livestock in the world would have already been wiped out.
Black Mamba sighed. It was a relief that they werent carnivorous. Imagine if thousands of such grasshoppers ran into ones body like a colony of ants. It was bound to be a calamity. Black Mamba sighed very often in Africa.
I see. Mouris knows grasshoppers very well.
Mouris shook his head as if he was getting rid of a bad memory.
Im from Morocco, so Ive experienced them several times. Once they show up, the greenery around disappear. The herbivores eat the leaves, and the worse ones eat the stems. The small groups have around 10,000 while the larger swarms are in the millions. A thousand are capable of destroying a years worth of crops and disappearing.
Do they appear very often?
The Sahel region is where they appear most frequently. Right now its November, so its the season of growth for them.
Phew!
His surprise came out as a sigh.
They dont always go around in groups, do they?
Mouris shrugged in an exaggerated motion.
If they do, the earth will turn into a wasteland. Usually, they dont form a unit. Their bodies are closer to green in color. They start eating each other when theres a lack of food.
Oh, they kill their own?
Yes. Hilariously, the only insect the grasshoppers are scared of are other grasshoppers. Their bodies turn brown because of serotonin, which appears from a fear of their own kind.
So its an unstable psychopath in a color-changing insect?
Its attitude turns worse after it changes color. That means it runs away as quickly as it can once its own kind approaches. Since theyre running away from each other, everyone has to move. In the end, their attack is because of the lack of food, and genocide is the engine.
Ooh, Mouris, youre very knowledgeable.
This is something Ive heard from an insect expert. Decreasing their influx must be an environmental problem. Wouldnt they eat each other up in the middle of relocating? They do disappear like the wind when they go.
Seems like it. Black Mamba showed his respect for Mouris knowledge.
The monster trapped between his thumb and forefinger kept kicking its rear legs. It had well-developed strength. Its kicks were so strong that his finger hurt. If the environment was good, the insects living there were similarly calm. Koreas gloydius and magpie vipers were not comparable to black mambas and cobras. Koreas cows, compared to Africas, could be considered weak.
The insect in his hand was too fierce to be called a grasshopper. Compared to the grasshoppers he had seen on the bridge, these were predators. Even the bulging black eyes affronted him. Its teeth were like a saw, and it seemed capable of eating metal.
When he was young, he had strung together the breasts of grasshoppers living near a well and wore it like a necklace. It was the best side dish he had when he was young.
A grasshopper roasted with salt and oil was crunchy and sweet. It used to stave his hunger when he was young. They werent insects that swarmed around and scared humans.
Would they be tasty?
Black Mamba placed the lone grasshopper into his ration bag. It was so big that eating 10 of them would be enough for a meal. His teammates looked strangely at him as he packed up the grasshopper.
There are records of the Romans eating grasshoppers as an appetizer, but in Europe, insects, in general, were avoided as food.
Black, what are you going to do with that?
At the captains question, he smiled.
This tastes good.
Oh my god!
Youre going to eat a grasshopper?
The teammates stared at him, horrified.
The way the French viewed the Koreans eating grasshoppers was, in the same manner, the way the Koreans viewed the French eating snails. People in certain regions of France ate grasshoppers, but most of the French thought of grasshoppers as disgusting insects. The same went for all the other insects.
Whats their problem? They eat snails and frogs!
It was ironic to think that the people who ate snails would find grasshoppers vile!
Jang Shin, roast this for me.
No problem.
Jang Shin lit a fire using the burner. He rinsed the field shovel with water and placed it atop the fire. When the stainless steel of the shovel started to heat, he poured olive oil on it and placed the grasshopper on it. Then, he roasted it with salt and pepper, using his knife to turn it. A sweet smell spread across the rough field.
Jang Shin offered one to Sergeant Mike.
Sergeant, try it.
Put that away! Mike screamed and walked backward.
Bastards turned, French, Black Mamba laughed.
Mike was American. Since he was always rude, even his denial of the grasshopper grated on his nerves.
Oh, protein.
Sergeant Mouris snatched the grasshopper, peeled off its wings, and shoved it in his mouth.
Whoa, can a Muslim eat grasshoppers? Jang Shin asked in surprise.
The Islamic religion had strict rules on the food they could eat. Permitted foods were called Halal and the non-permitted foods were called Haram, dividing them purposefully.
Even butchering the animals had a Halal procedure. After laying the animals head towards Mecca, they had to pray, then cut its neck in one blow with a knife so that there was no pain, and then drain the blood. It was a funny rule in a world so hurried, but they had this consideration for animals.
The Koran tells us to eat grasshoppers. Prophet Muhammad said that there were two things, alive and dead, that didnt go against the teachings: dead animals livers and spleens, and the alive things were fish and grasshoppers. All insects are Haram, but the grasshoppers are Halal.
Mouris spoke with a gravelly voice and dove into the fight for the grasshopper. The mercenaries, who were standing around with curious eyes, were frowning.
Ha, to think you cant eat any of the insects but the grasshopper! Seems like Allah has some grudge against them. Black Mamba mumbled as he chewed.
Maybe thats how much the middle regions were impacted by the grasshoppers. How does it taste? Jang Shin asked.
The ingredients are lacking, but the chef managed to save the taste.
At Black Mambas praise, Jang Shin became more confident.
Its a shame theres no garlic or frying oil.
Its edible, Mouris agreed.
A Korean, Chinese, and Moroccan man held a grasshopper party in the middle of the Sahels rough plains. Ombuti, who appeared later, also gladly joined in. Black Mamba glanced at Mike, and Mike, who felt his gaze, winced and turned away.
Keke!
He giggled. Sergeant Mike was also a ridiculous guy. Having been roasted as much, he should have changed his attitude, but his nature didnt change at all.
Mike, an insect is a nutritious and economically advantageous food. While beef provides 219 calories in 100 grams, a grasshopper provides 2000 calories in 100 grams. A human needs 2850 calories per day. This is a guideline provided by the FDA of your country. This means that if you eat 100 grams, you can run around all day carrying a gun.
At Black Mambas explanation, Mikes large eyes rolled around. He wanted to refute, but his mind was blank.
Ooh, Black is an insect professor. What do you mean economically? Bellman asked.
When someone grows livestock, they care about the ECI. When a cow eats 100 kilograms of feed, they gain 8 kilograms; a sheep increases 5 kilograms. This means the eight to five percent of the feed turns into fat. A chicken increases 40 kilograms. Thats the reason why its cheap. How much does an insect produce? Its around 15 kilograms to 45 kilograms. And an insect eats the things a human doesnt, like grass, poo, and rotten carcasses. How economical is that?
Black Mamba was stretching his mouth wide to pronounce his words properly. The remains of the grasshopper that had been in his mouth flew everywhere in front of Mikes face.
Ugh! Mike shouted and avoided the spit.
Sergeant, it seems as if you havent been to the high-class restaurants downtown. Americans eat grasshoppers often, after all. Those who are ignorant are those who dont know grasshoppers, not those who eat them. Quest ce que ca vu (Do you see?)?
The moment Black Mamba pronounced the v a grasshopper leg popped out of his mouth and hung on his lip.
A grasshopper is a valuable food. Try it.
Black Mamba took off the leg and flicked it towards Mike. Mike hurriedly stumbled back. To think a man who liked to see blood would be scared of an insects leg; it was a strange sight.
At Black Mambas ill-intended actions, the team members couldnt suppress their laughs. Mikes eyes turned red. He was angry.
Black Mamba looked at Mike with frigid eyes. He had been planning to make an example out of Mike if he ever caused a scene. He had learned that those with call names werent judged by martial law even if they beat up someone of a higher rank.
The moment Mikes eyes met Black Mambas eyes, his heart skipped a beat. He had recalled the moment he was beaten up on the edge of the Corsican cliff.
The red light in Mikes eyes faded in an instant. He stepped away silently. The captain smiled in delight at the sight of Mike making himself scarce. An eagle always won in a fight against a pheasant. Even the captain had a hard time controlling Mike, but it seemed as if there was no need to worry with Black Mamba around.
Jang Shin began to gather the grasshoppers with a plastic bag in earnest. Jang Shin was Chinese, and Chinese people sold scorpions and grasshoppers on sticks on the streets. The grasshoppers were fine ingredients for them.
Ombuti and Mouris immediately joined in to help. When humans enjoyed the same food, they were bound to become closer. When a woman and man who are dating have different tastes, they are bound to break up, eventually. The Chinese, Tuareg, and Arab men enjoyed the grasshoppers, became closer, and laughed together.
The desert sun set, but the night didnt come as fast. However, when night did arrive, it turned dark almost immediately.
When the sun lingered on the horizon, Ombuti started to find a place to sleep. The first requirement for such a place was shelter. The pickup traveled the red hills.
Wow! Emil and Black Mamba exclaimed.
When they crossed the hill, there was a large range of cliffs hanging over a stream. The pickup rumbled up and down towards the stream.
Where are we?
At the captains question, Ombuti pulled out the map. He pointed towards a blue dot.
This is the place where I took my rest in my travels to Paya. Right now we are crossing Barelgazal and entering Borgia; there should be at least 10 kilometers left. You dont plan to go into the village after all, do you?
Yes. Theres no reason for us to be exposed to their attention. Is there water around here?
Theres a small pond right beyond that large rock if you go in between. Its clean underground water.
Oh, theres such a pond here?
The captain exclaimed. The topography didnt seem the sort to provide water.
Its probably water that has flowed to Lake Chad from Barelgazal.
This is important information. Whats this place called?
Like most of the northern regions in Chad, there isnt a specific name on the map. But we merchants call it Uldi Hamarl. It means red stream.
Uldi Hamarl!
The captain placed a red dot on his strategic map and noted it as Uldi Hamarl.
Chapter 24
Uldi Hamarl was a place with a high concentration of sedimentary rocks. Huge red rocks were stacked up high, like a tower of books. At the bottom of the valley, rocks towered over the floor like giant mushrooms. Black Mamba couldnt close his mouth at the spectacle that nature had provided.
Amazing!
He felt very foreign before the dim red rocks that looked as if they had rusted over. It was a scene only imaginable in movies and novels. He felt as if he had fallen onto a different planet.
Looks alien, doesnt it? Its a sedimentary rock bed containing hematite oxide. The mushroom rocks are the result of centuries of wind whittling down the base. There is similar terrain at the Ennedy Plateau in the north-east, the Captain, after explaining, held up a fistful of sand.
This is Laterite sand. Its dry as of now, but it also indicates that this region had a hot and humid tropical climate. Although, the land itself is encouraging the drought currently.
Its surprising.
The amazing sight didnt diminish even after he heard the explanation. The hills and valleys turned dark crimson under the setting sun. It was a sight to which he couldnt become immune. Black Mamba couldnt take his eyes off of it.
Youre not a photographer, youre a soldier. The captain bumped his shoulder and walked down the hill.
Jang Shin laid out two sets of C-rations and collapsed next to him. The cans of beef and fish shook before Black Mambas eyes.
Were eating from cans, again? Black Mamba complained and grabbed the can labeled beef.
He was tired of rations, but he had not one iota of doubt that the local food would be unhygienic.
We have no choice. We need to pick at these cans until we get that raccoon.
Fry me some grasshoppers, later.
I already did. If you dont hurry up, theyll be rotten by the time we get back to them.
Jang Shin tore open the C-ration can immediately. In the can, were three pouches labeled Unit A, Unit B, and Unit C. Most of the French militarys rations were designed like this.
Unit A was a meal of mixed beef and vegetables, Unit B had bread and coffee, with sauce, and Unit C had personal items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, fork, tissue, and matches.
It was, in a word, perfect. With Unit A, B, and C, a meal could be sorted out. The main meal, appetizers, snacks, utensils, and hygiene items were all addressed. Perfection wasnt something that should be attached to round glass balls but attached to the futuristic C-rations.
Black Mamba always shivered at the human desire for comfort every time he ate the C-ration. It was made to completely satisfy the perfectionist attitude humans had towards their food. It was also why he felt like a predator every time he opened up the C-ration.
Most believed the C-ration to be the acronym for Combat Ration. But the C of C-ration was simply an indication of the different pouches.
The ration, a word that indicated food, could be divided into three types. The A ration referred to a natural food that wasnt processed, the B ration referred to dry foods that could only be eaten after the food was processed, and the C ration referred to instant foods without the need to cook.
For example, the A rations that were kept in the supply shed of Legion Etranger were corn, wheat, barley, rice, potatoes, cabbages, onions, celery, peppers, lettuce, beef, pork, chicken, duck, tuna, sardines, cod, grapes, melons, etc. The B rations were spices, sauces, vegetable oils, prunes, almonds, nuts, coffee, tea, cheese, and sausages.
Black Mamba completed his simple C-ration meal, then opened up Unit C to brush his teeth and examine his supplies. The rumor that they wouldnt be able to brush their teeth for over a month, during an operation, was nothing but a rumor. The modern soldier could at least maintain basic hygiene in the middle of a war zone.
The captain removed his loose gandoura and reviewed his belongings. Unease kept him from resting. He tied the Famas around his front and pushed the Dragunov to his back.
He clipped two hand grenades to his front and double-checked the magazines. He checked his pouch with the spare grenades and magazines and tied the Glock around his thigh. Even with the heavy attachments, nothing clicked around his body. It was the basic body equipment for snipers of Deuxieme Rep.
The captain found Black Mamba who was standing watch. He had also taken off his gandoura and had switched into yellow combat attire. He had equipped himself with similar weapons to the captains.
Black Mamba. How is it?
Not good.
Black Mamba was feeling unease more strongly than the captain was. His senses had been mostly sealed, but that didnt mean that his feelings had disappeared.
What do you mean?
I feel like a guest is coming.
Frown lines formed on Pauls forehead.
What?
Black Mamba didnt reply but, instead, mimicked a gun with a shake of his thumb and forefinger. The lines on Pauls forehead deepened further.
How do you know?
Instinct.
Instinct! Like your senses?
Oui, I dont feel settled.
Hm!
The captain didnt ignore the god snipers words. When a soldier had run around enough battlefields, he developed a sixth sense for danger. He didnt believe the rookies words entirely, but there was nothing wrong with preparing.
Mouris, number the water and rations.
Yes, sir. We have a fortnights worth of rations and five-to-one of water.
Thats plenty. A complicated situation might arise. Everyone has one days worth of rations on themselves, with water.
Yes, sir. Ill ration the chocolates out, too.
Do that.
Burimer, stand watch at two-hour rotations and manage the team members.
Yes, sir. Ill have everyone, aside from the watch group, take a sufficient break.
The first rule of survival within a harsh climate like the desert or mountains was maintaining strength. They had to maintain their bodys circadian rhythm with sufficient rest and sleep. The highest priority for the captain was maintaining his teams battle capabilities.
The captain remained uncomfortable even after he sent Burimer away. Black Mambas words about a visiting guest rang around his mind. The cold desert air exaggerated his unease. His senses remained on alert.
Right then, Chartres, who had gone out to search for water with Ombuti, shouted.
Water!
The team members ran forward with their canteens.
Whoa!
Everyones mouth fell open. An amazing sight was before them, a small ravine enough for a person to barely fit, and within it, was a clear pond.
The pond was around five feet and had no inflow or outflow.
It was an oasis pond that stemmed from an underground stream and fell back in. At Barelgazal, such appearing and disappearing ponds appeared frequently.
The team hadnt seen a body of water for two days. As soon as Bellman finished testing the safety of the water, they shoved their mouths in the pond.
Burimer glared at the pond until his eyes seemed to pop out. Some unknown fishes were swimming around. His uncontrollable desire for fishing started to rise. Smiles appeared on the faces of the team members watching Burimers frustration.
Captain, did you give the sergeant a new command? Miguel asked in smiles.
The captain smiled bitterly.
A fish is better than a raccoon.
Burimer broke his magazine and pulled out the spring. He worked at the spring with his knife to make a hook and pulled out a string of nylon from his battle belt.
Sergeant Mouris shook his head; he was Burimers partner.
Crazy bastard!
He still couldnt get used to that crazy person even after years of partnership. Burimer attached the thread to the Dragunovs scale, not caring about his fellow teammates gazes. He tore apart the C-ration, hooked a piece of sausage to the hook, and threw it into the pond. He immediately entered fishing mode.
Black Mamba was staring at his teams antics from atop a hill. He wondered whether Burimer could truly catch a fish.
Wow!
The team members who had been watching exclaimed in surprise. Burimer threw up a fish with his Dragunov rod. Black Mamba slowly smiled. The team members patted Burimers shoulder, praising him to be a fishing man.
Ombuti found them pathetic. He wondered if these were the elite agents specially selected at the Deuxieme Rep, Frances best elite force. He frowned and turned around to see the captain, but the captain was also laughing. Ombuti shook his head.
The guide was worried about the situation at hand, but the captain welcomed the change to a more relaxed atmosphere. It was the difference between a head and limb. The captain had ignored the higher-ups orders to have Black Mamba focus only on combat and sent him out on patrol.
First Lieutenant Paul emphasized teamwork rather than individual strength. He was an experienced veteran. The core of success, in reality, were team tactics, and the foundation of team tactics was cooperation between team members. Rambo was but a movie. It wasnt as if he was ignorant of the elite snipers prowess, but there were always some limitations.
The sunset colored the earth with even more red. The wind from the Sahara grew stronger. Black Mamba wrapped his face tightly with the litam and took out goggles.
Guards who had spent a long time in the rear of the war zone would know, very well, the bone-deep boredom of standing watch. They had to stare at the same scenery every day, unchanging, for hours on end. There was nothing in the world that could be more boring than that.
If they dozed off and got caught by an officer, they were punished. So they couldnt doze. As a result, later on in the watch, their judgment and analytical abilities would weaken and create illusions as their consciousness and unconsciousness merged.
That was also why newcomers claimed to have seen ghosts before the rear GP or on coastal posts. And after living this way for years, they became stupider.
Black Mamba had spent seven months in a timeless cave, beyond stupidity. He had waited several hours to catch one centipede, spent one year meditating in the dark of Chun Saeng mountain, and survived a snipers training regiment that went beyond common sense. Determined enough, he could stay awake for three days without losing his acuity.
Black Mamba didnt glare out at his surroundings. He opened up his senses in a comfortable position. Just because he couldnt see, didnt mean nothing existed. All sorts of movements, by the animals and insects, were sent to his brain.
The sound of a beetle digging into the ground, the sound of a fly that was trying to climb atop a female fly, the sound of a lizard crawling on a rock, and the sound of wind cutting through the hill lingered as if they were right in front of him.
A strong smell of sweat broke him out of his trance.
Da ge, Im here.
Jang Shin appeared with a C-ration plastic bag. Inside it were large grasshoppers. Jang Shin shoved the bag towards him.
Its the best for snacking.
Where did you find the olive oil?
I gathered the oil from C-rations and fried it.
It was like Jang Shin. He had gathered the oil from his teammates pouches and fried the grasshoppers.
The grasshoppers lacked sweetness compared to the ones he had eaten on the bridge. Their shells were also much harder, getting stuck between his teeth.
Its good. Jang Shin can be a qualified chef.
He had to say good things so that the cook wouldnt be upset.
The two men sat on the rock and ate the grasshoppers without talking.
Da ge, I want to be your partner.
No. Emil will kill you with his machine gun.
Phew!
Private Emil was Black Mambas devotee and self-proclaimed bodyguard. He had given up on his Epal and taken up the Minimi when he had become Black Mambas partner. It had all been for the sake of providing cover fire. Recently, he had even been learning the Ka-Bar knife from Paul.
Even if Emil conceded his position, it was hard for Jang Shin to be his partner. As an explosives specialist, they didnt match up.
I know I cant, but I feel like I will live if Im with da ge.
Are you scared of death?
Im scared. Isnt da ge scared?
Black Mamba stared at Jang Shin for a long time. He seemed covered in fear. There were two types of reactions that rookies had before an official fight.
One was showing off baseless confidence, and the other one was being scared to the point they couldnt function. Jang Shin was the latter regarding the upcoming battle.
Chapter 25
Look, friend, were all going to die, the problem is when. We might die today by a gun or die on our beds in 60 years. Its a life that will end sooner or later. Just think about how youll die instead.
I just feel like Ill die in this cursed land.
Dont say such unfortunate things. Theres a saying in Korea that spoken words will soon turn into seeds.
Words into seeds? Are you saying that there will be seeds every time we talk?
In his frustration, Black Mamba slapped his hand against his forehead. Not even his peoples sayings could come across correctly since his culture and Jang Shins culture were so different from each other. Perhaps this was why he missed his motherland.
Dont worry. Well be entering without the guerrillas noticing us. Were just extracting The Raccoon. Well avoid battle. Okay!
Another person climbed up the hill.
What a beautiful sunset!
It was the guide, Ombuti.
Im tired of seeing the vast wastelands, but the sunset is fine. Try this. Black Mamba offered him some grasshoppers.
Oh, those are okay. Ombuti chewed on the grasshopper without hesitation.
Its a good source of protein. Better than beef.
At Black Mambas words, Ombuti grabbed another grasshopper.
Ho, its good. The Koran said to eat grasshoppers. But it seems like your team doesnt welcome the grasshopper.
Black Mamba stared into the strong and prideful eyes of the nobleman. His temper was telling by the gleam of his eyes.
Youre not young. Arent you tired?
Im an Imoharen.
As expected, a strong response came back.
How did you become a guide? Our tasks are dangerous, Jang Shin asked.
No problem. Im also a person who receives his salary from France. I need to work for my food.
Youre right. Food is important. Black Mamba nodded his head.
Money for food was important. It was these salarymen who made the world run. Those who did not earn money were considered a waste of space. And when one became a waste of space, they werent treated like humans.
Why are you here instead of taking a break?
At Black Mambas question, Ombuti started to unravel a long story.
I was born in Nigers Kel Ayr. Its a small village on the outskirts of the Tenere desert. I lost my parents at the age of ten. The Imran who took care of livestock took me in. I wandered the lands searching for grasslands with my stepfather, while herding goats, sheep, and donkeys. I liked looking at sunsets that lingered on the horizon, just like today. All I knew was setting up tents, breaking up firewood, securing the goats, and milking them. My nomad life ended at the age of 19. A strong drought dried all the grass, killed all the livestock, and killed even humans. I started my business after leaving my hometown, succeeded, married, and had a daughter. My daughter grew beautifully up until the age of 13. Misfortune attacked abruptly.
Ombuti talked about his past as though he was taken back to those times. Black Mamba was rather lacking in the language department. He couldnt understand even half of what Ombuti was saying in French, and he was curious as to why Ombuti had settled with them.
Wait, what is that?
Black Mamba interrupted Ombutis speech. A small thing floating on the horizon was captured in his sight. It moved across the reddish-brown sky.
It was captured in his sight easily because it moved with the horizon as its background. Even in their tactics lessons, they were taught to avoid standing on the horizon.
Black Mamba could recognize a moving person at about 4 kilometers with his naked eye. If he could barely discern the object, that meant it was at a greater distance. He lifted his binoculars to his eyes and zoomed in. On the horizon, there were people with guns slung across their backs. They were around 15 kilometers away.
What stupid guests.
Black Mamba handed the binoculars to Jang Shin.
F*ck, it hasnt even been two days! Jang Shin complained with a gravelly voice.
Ombuti. We have guests. We will have to hear the rest of your story later.
Ombuti looked at Black Mamba with a strange look.
Damn it, how did they get on our tails when Ive purposely selected a safe route? But how can he even see them with his naked eye?
Black Mamba slid down the slope after passing the binoculars to Jang Shin. He had to report to the captain and get ready to greet the guests.
Theyre approaching in 15 kilometers?
Oui!
The captain found it hard to believe. The zebra-patterned binoculars had the limit of 10 times their sight. In theory, that meant they could see as far as 10 kilometers ahead of their point. If it was 15 kilometers, it meant that Black Mamba could see 1.5-kilometers farther with his naked eye. At least, that was in theory.
Binoculars had a small range, and the range became smaller the farther the object was. Unless they were fixed on a certain point, it was impossible to grasp a moving object 15 kilometers away. On top of that, it was near sunset.
Could he possibly see something 15 kilometers ahead with the sun glaring into his face?
It was impossible. But he couldnt ignore the report of an elite, no, god sniper.
And did you confirm that with your instincts?
No. With my eyes.
The captain stared at Black Mambas unwavering gaze then turned to Burimer.
I believe Black Mamba, Burimer said before being asked.
Black Mambas followers, here or there. The captain smiled wryly and continued his orders.
Miguel, change positions with Jang Shin.
Chartres, start preparing the mortar for back up with Jang Shin.
Burimer, get all the snipers to their points. Everyone is going into hiding and avoiding battle unless contact is initiated.
The captain wished to avoid battle when possible. Their target was The Raccoon. Their objective wasnt to destroy guerrillas, but if they couldnt avoid it, they would have to kill first.
Black Mamba!
Oui!
Show me your skills.
The Uldi Hamarl that had been full of jokes and laughter was suddenly filled with bloodlust. There wasnt a single sound even with 11 people running about.
Ombuti found that his preconceptions were wrong. People who knew how to rest properly and move when asked were the true warriors.
Black, the enemy isnt human. The enemy is but an enemy. Burimer patted Black Mambas shoulder.
Even if he was the most gifted fighter, this was his first battle with orders to kill. He was worried.
Ill work for my pay, so dont worry.
Burimer relaxed at Black Mambas sharp smile.
The sniper teamthe captain and Burimer, Mike and Mark, Black Mamba and Emilclimbed the hill of Uldi Hamarl. The supporting cover firing squadChartres and Jang Shin, Mouris and Miguel, and the emergency doctor, Bellmanwent towards the rear.
Mon Dieu? (What the hell?)
The captain rubbed his eyes. Black Mamba, who had been climbing the hill right before his eyes, disappeared. Whether he had sunk into the ground or flown into the sky, he was gone. All that he could see was Private Emils back, shouldering the Minimi, climbing the hill.
Burimer!
Lieutenant Burimer turned around towards the captain and nodded. Even a veteran sniper such as the captain would have been surprised.
Logic doesnt work on Black. Youll be even more surprised once the battle actually starts.
Black Mambas hiding skills that melted him into his surroundings were an actual nightmare. It was the height of talent that even a veteran sniper with 10 years of experience wouldnt even dream of having.
Miguel, have you confirmed?
Oui!
Miguel, who had been observing the surroundings, passed the binoculars.
Its at 11 oclock. Its over two platoons in number, with a BTR.
Putain!
The captain swore as he confirmed their presence. Black Mambas words had been correct. A group of guerrillas filled his binoculars sight.
Damn, theyre around four kilometers, now. Theyve moved quickly on their BTRs and bikes. Wheres Black Mamba?
We dont know.
At Burimers answer, the captain frowned.
You dont know?
Yes, no one can find Black.
Wouldnt he be near his partner?
Its no use. You wouldnt know even if hes standing right in front of you.
Hm, how could that be! Has everyone been stationed at their points?
Yes.
Then tell them to relax. They might change directions.
The captain spoke into his headset.
Black Mamba, where are you?
Im at 11:15 from your position, 15 meters ahead.
Paul searched with wide eyes, but small and large boulders were all he could see. From the front, they were concealed but were open in the back. All he could see was the back of Emils head where he was readying his machine gun. Paul shook his head.
I cant believe it. A call name is a call name, is that it?
Unfortunately, against Pauls wishes, the armed guerrillas with two BTR-152s didnt change their direction; they approached Uldi Hamarl.
A small regiment with two BTRs? Impossible. Weve really been caught resting on our tails. The captain called out this observation.
The guerrillas advanced without first sending a watch squad. Some were on BTRs and the others were on bikes. They approached without order or formation, he couldnt tell how they were armed. They had increased their mobility just as he had worried they would.
The captain thought their trail had been picked up by the guerrillas sentries, but the truth was that the Musulda, Lieutenant Colonel Mustas sentry platoon, were moving around looking for a place to rest. They also knew that there was clean water at Uldi Hamarl.
The coincidental meeting created an unfortunate event between the guerrillas and Team Ratel. Many wars had begun unintentionally, and many battles left unintentional results throughout history!
Black Mamba observed the approaching guerrilla platoon with a cold eye. It was a distance not in the range of normal human sight, but he could discern their weapons and appearance down to the very emblem on their clothes. He found his sight training rewarding, once more.
More than a dozen of them were armed with AK47s and Panzerfausts, and the other ten were on five bikes, two on each, and armed with RPG7s. The rest were on top of the BTRs. The ones on the bikes were adults with faces covered in litams, and there were many young faces on top of the BTR-152.
Not many of them were in proper uniforms. Some had different kinds of colored clothes, and if they hadnt been carrying weapons, they could have been mistaken for refugees.
The AK47 had a simple design, with only eight parts to it. It could be disassembled anywhere on top of a plastic bag or cloth. The only maintenance needed was wiping the chamber and gas cylinder with an oilcloth. Even the newest of newbies could disassemble it, clean it, and reassemble it, but there was no problem leaving it dirty. It still worked even with gunpowder and dust sticking to the cylinder.
Over 100 million AK47s and its variations were released to the world. That was more than the total number of soldiers all over the world. Distribution of the cheap AK47 was focused on third-world countries, creating more guerrillas and more young soldiers. If the AK47 had been more elaborate, harder to handle, and weak inside, there would be fewer young soldiers.
Colonel Musta, one of Habibs subordinates, was called Kanma (named for a magical African voodoo beast that causes calamity and death) in the Kanem and Tibesti regions.
Musta was in charge of gathering recruits for the FROLINAT. He usually attacked the locals in the Sahel regions and captured boys over 10 years old to be soldiers. He was known to be a psychopath who boiled three-year-olds for his meals.
He attacked not only Chad but villages in other African countries with unstable regimes. His remorseless actions against other tribes were because of tribal loyalty instead of his nationality.
The biggest reason for his attacks was recruitment. He replenished his number of soldiers with kidnapped boys and massacred the other villagers to leave no witnesses.
There were 560 FAP-trained soldiers per regiment that he led under Habibs orders. Currently, 75 percent of their forces were trained by the North Korean governments officials at the Faya training center.
He roamed around Kanems borders with the remaining 147 subordinates. He had sent out four groups of search forces, over three days, between empty lands and plains but had not seen hide nor shadow of the French special forces.
Musta decided to hold camp at the red sandstone valley that the caravans called Uldi Hamarl. He sent out three contacts to the rest of his groups and led the bike towards the red valley.
Chapter 26
He hadnt felt good for the past few days because of Colonel Ahmud. Colonel Ahmud was his superior, his rival, and led the Habib army, but the Musta army was an individual unit because of Habibs strategy of causing rivalry.
He was ordered to do one thing: return the French special forces back into Allahs arms.
Ahmud killed 50 of Makumbos personal guards and managed to corner Makumbo in the Chinka Oasis region. As long as he led a separate army, the two were going to be rivals fighting over their achievements. He had searched the desert for three days like a dog in heat, only to waste his gas.
Even asking the locals didnt bring any results. There werent enough people, and he had to wait another month for his main forces to finish their training. He had requested additional backup, but Ahmud simply ignored him.
F*cking bastard!
Although, if he was in Ahmuds position, he wouldnt have given additional soldiers either. Musta pulled on the bikes throttle harshly.
The BTR-152 could carry 17 people. The morning temperature in the Sahel was around 30 degrees, and the hot winds from the Sahara desert made the temperature much hotter.
The BTR-152 had a cooling system attached, but, at midday, the insides of the tank were bound to turn into a steamer, and when one entered the cabin, it was like being a chicken in an oven. His subordinates attached themselves to the car near the outer notch and cupola like leeches, but Musta pretended as if he didnt see them.
Damn, I should have sent out the scouts first.
By the time he reached the red valley, he felt the chill born out of experience from several battles. The red valley that was 700 meters ahead had several large rocks lying and rocky walls. This also meant there were plenty of spaces for the enemy to hide.
Musta had waged battled around the desert and the Sahel region for the past 20 years. His survival instincts were good, but he had guarded himself too late.
The captains order came through their headset:
Black Mamba, begin. First, incapacitate the leader and the vehicles. The BTR-152 has machine guns. Its side and gears are removable with the Dragunov. If you think it impossible, have Chartres blow it up with his RPG. Supporting fire, remain on standby.
Yes, sir!
Black Mamba, the guerrillas all drink marijuana like tea before engaging. They rush forward like madmen. Dont hesitate because its a child. Go.
Yes, sir!
Black Mamba licked a finger to gauge the direction and speed of the wind.
He could do it with his senses, but this was for the sake of confirmation.
Direction is towards 12 oclock, speed at 4 meters per second, distance at 570 meters.
It only took 0.5 seconds to dissect the surroundings. The leaders head was already filling his scope, just against the cross.
His thumb hooked around the trigger with a constant force and soon the gunpowder that hit the back of the rifle kicked against the bullet. The 7.62-millimeter bullet, which was kicked in its rear, spun around the barrel and threw itself out of the rifle.
Clang
The 9.5-gram bullet hit the front of Mustas skull at 2.7 times the speed of sound. The human skull was too weak to withstand 3600 joules of force.
Ting
With the sound of the empty cartridge case dropping to the ground, the bullet came into contact with the target. His scope captured the sight of the wide-eyed guerrillas leader exploding.
Mustas bike abandoned its owner and landed a few meters out on a hill of sand with its rear wheels spinning futilely in the air.
If Colonel Philip had seen Mustas last moments, he would have kicked up a fuss about how benevolent his death was. Musta had become famous as the Sahels Kanma, and he had gone to Allahs side with a single bullet from Black Mamba who had come from afar. No one could guess fate.
Black Mamba felt dj-vu. When heavy rain fell in his hometown, he had always picked the water-logged watermelons to throw away. The watermelons that were thrown randomly about the front yard exploded. Red juice seeped out and splattered into the air, just like the blood he saw through his scope. This was his first murder with a clear mind.
He understood the opponents death with great clarity. The mental shock depicted in novels was a lie. As expected, the authors exaggerated. People said that newbies who first experienced war had obsessive thoughts about blood and suffered from blackouts. They, regardless of western or Asian origin, exaggerated. He felt fine.
Black Mamba, after a single moment of hesitation, began a series of shots.
Sniper
Splat
It was the soldier on the bike who had been right next to Musta. Before his warning even ended, his face exploded.
Black Mambas wired muscles, detailed and strong, stopped the rebound. The Dragunovs barrel didnt even move from its place.
Bang Bang Bang
The lag time between each shot was less than a second. Before a dead body hit the ground, another was sacrificed with blood flowing from his head and chest. Mustas forces, which had been approaching without a barrier or guard, fell like dominoes.
Started by Black Mamba, the snipers gunfire began. Emil and Miguels Minimis poured bullets like hail.
But the FRONLINAT resisted strongly. The heavy machine gun on top of the vehicle gunned bullets over their heads like crazy. The guerrillas who had been sitting on top of the armored vehicle scattered like ants in search of cover. After finding a suitable hiding place, they retaliated. Unlike what the captain had said, no one fueled by drugs charged ahead.
They had responded with a quick reaction, but Mustas death had affected them. This organization didnt fight back in a unified manner. Some charged ahead, and some were firing in the wrong direction.
The power of the SGM 7.62-millimeter heavy machine gun mounted on top of the BTR was daunting. Rocks that had been used for concealment shattered and pieces scattered around the ground. Team Ratels offensive was pushed back momentarily.
The guerrillas now had cover from the machine gun and began an organized attack.
Black Mamba, grab a machine gun.
Roger.
Black Mamba, who received the communication from Burimer, berated himself. He had forgotten the captains orders to first shoot down the armored vehicle. He replaced the 20-bullet magazine with a 10-bullet magazine.
The 7.62-millimeter round casings used in the Dragunov were 51 millimeters long and had a kinetic energy of 3600 joules. The 10 replacement bullets were heated uranium ironclads. The casing length was increased by 4 millimeters and the bullets weight increased by 30 percent.
This special bullet had been modified by the DGSE Technology Department for Black Mamba. The 55-millimeter casing length was the marginal standard that could be accepted by the Dragunov. The kinetic energy of the bullet was proportional to the weight and squared to the speed. The converted armor shells had the power of 12,000 joules.
How much power is 12,000 joules of kinetic energy? The effective range of an assault rifle was measured by the distance that penetrated the US Armys M1 helmet. The thickness of an M1 helmet was 1.2 millimeters. The effective range of the Famas, which has a kinetic energy of 1700 joules, was 300 meters. Experiments have shown that the bullet force for drilling through 1.2-millimeter helmets was 450 joules.
Calculations had shown that for something to go through a 500-meter BTR-152s 6-millimeter combined glove it required energy two-and-a-half times the distance and two times the thickness of the shell, totaling 21,250 joules.
The heavy machine gunner on the top of the cupola of the BTR-152 was protected by a 6-millimeter iron plate. They concluded that it could not be penetrated by heated uranium iron shells.
The target was a 115-millimeter, square-shaped surface protected by bulletproof glass. That was enough. Black Mamba positioned the machine gun, which was 520 meters away from its target, and pulled on the trigger without hesitation.
Baang
A powerful shot rang out. The power of 12000 joules penetrated the BTR gunners bulletproof glass. The bullet, which had tilted around 15 degrees from the impact, drilled into the gunners forehead. Half of the gunners forehead disappeared. The cupolas heavy machine gun, which had been spewing out bullets valiantly, halted.
A BTR gunner right behind him searched for the snipers position rapidly. Black Mamba aimed carefully at his moving target at around 500 meters. Because the gunner kept turning his head, marking him became more difficult. This time he tried to use his spatial reception ability.
Ba bang
It was a double-tap shot. The first hit the iron plate. The sound of the bullet coming into contact with the glass was heard across the field, and the surprised machine gunner raised his head. That was the moment when the second bullet shattered the bulletproof glass, entering with a tilted degree, to haphazardly land itself on the gunners neck.
He was going to die, that wasnt going to change, but this machine gunner died more violently. The bullet had slowed enough to the point that the gunners neck had been blown off halfway as if done by a beginner executioner. Blood exploded from his veins like a fountain, filled the cupola, and dripped onto the floor.
Jang Shin, who had been observing the battlefield through an extended scope, turned pale. Without realizing it, he had bent to the ground and began vomiting.
The captain, who had also been observing, nearly shouted in jubilation. That sniping would not have been possible had it not been for the god sniper. When the two machine guns fell silent, Team Ratels sniper team began its fierce offensive once more.
The machine gunner had died, but the vehicle didnt stop moving. The advancing armored vehicle was a perfect obstacle for concealment. The guerrillas, despite falling to the ground as a result of Black Mambas spatial ability, kept closing the distance using the vehicle as an obstacle.
Chartres, get rid of that can.
Theres not enough range!
Chartres shouted in reply to the captains order. The RPG had been made by the Soviet Union and was a portable grenade launcher used during World War II. It had the power to pierce through 350 millimeters of plating, but the moving target range was only 300 meters.
F*cking hell, Black, get rid of it.
Got it.
Clang Clang
Black Mamba blew up the tire of the vehicle to make it stop. The Soviets were truly idiots. The vehicle with its busted tires continued moving and blew up its engine. Black smoke fumed out of the back like clouds.
Those brainless idiots!
Black Mambas frown deepened. He took out the 20 rounds and exchanged them for 55-millimeter heated uranium bullets.
Bam Bam
A beastly gunshot rang out. The uranium bullet Black Mamba had shot squeezed through the 40-millimeter space in the rear of the armored vehicle. The strong bullet pierced through the 3-millimeter iron plate and shattered the BTRs weakest points: the fuel carrier and the nozzle of the fuel provider. It was a shot of which only Black Mamba was capable.
The two vehicles that had been moving forward stopped immediately. The best feature of a heated uranium bullet was that it could pierce through nearly everything. At the same time, it also gave off high heat. Black smoke poured out of the right side of the vehicles rear.
Bang Bang
The fuel tank of the vehicle blew up at the same time.
The captains mouth hung open. A fly flew into his mouth, but he didnt even feel it. Even if the BTR-152 was poorly constructed, it was still an armored vehicle. Black Mamba had stopped it by blowing up the tires and precisely targeting the vehicles gas tank revealed through the rear gap. This also meant that he had targeted the 40-millimeter weakest point of the BTR-152. Explosive, continuous rounds with bone-chilling precision were the strengths of the god sniper, call name Black Mamba.
Guerrillas who had rushed for cover behind the armored car jumped out like grasshoppers.
Clang Clang
The sound was unusual for a Dragunov. This was Black Mambas double-tapped firing. The strong muscles prevented the scope from moving side to side or up or down.
The 10 or so guerrillas who had hopped out from behind the vehicle dropped down in an instant. After the lasting ring of Black Mambas shots stopped, silence descended on the battlefield. It was a battle that had begun in coincidence and ended in lightning.
The 43 guerrillas who had ridden forth in the vehicle were all dead. It had only been 10 minutes since Black Mamba began firing. Mustas forces had been attacked and hadnt even shot a good round. This was the true nature of god sniper Black Mamba.
The gunshots and machine guns that had been rumbling through the earth stopped. The gunsmoke that had been falling like a fog, the sounds of the injured, a strong smell of blood, and the smell of iron and gunpowder combined made the field seem like the aftermath of Armageddon.
Whirl
The sandstorms of the Sahara cried as if it was a farewell song. The battlefield was covered in the remains of broken vehicles and bikes, chaotic with the addition of dead bodies. Most of the corpses that had received Black Mambas attacks had their heads blown off. Others were caught in the machine guns dome, and it was hard to recognize their features.
The captain and the team members confirmed their deaths but fell silent rather than celebrating. Humans are at a loss for words when faced with an inexplicable scene.
When the range exceeded 500 meters, even a first-ranked sniper had to take several tens of seconds before firing once more. This did not apply to Black Mamba.
Black Mamba sent someone to Allah every second. Most of the guerrillas had died from being hit by Black Mambas continuous rounds. All of his team members were at a loss for words. The sight was quite different from the sound of what they had heard. Sounds passed through several channels, but sight reported directly to the brain. A picture is worth a hundred words was a saying that did not come out of nowhere.
Chapter 27
The god-level sniper, Black Mamba, had appeared on the Sahel. He stared, expressionless, at the devastating battlefield with the Dragunov slung over his shoulder. The captain stared at Black Mamba with a blank expression as did the others.
Sergeant Paul had been selected as Team Ratels leader from Camp Djiboutis 13th regiment of Legion Etranger. He had heard about Black Mamba from his colonel and Pief several times but had always doubted their stories.
Hes not human!
He shook his head slowly. Even Colonel Philip and Captain Pief had a hard time understanding Black Mambas abilities.
His teammates faces had gone slack and they started to smile. They were instructed to kill or be killed; death was merely passing scenery. Haphazard democracy was nothing but indulgence. They could have compassion for the dead enemy, but they could not feel guilt.
They could be the heroes or beasts, but no mercenary wished to be a coward. Black Mamba, covered in blood, was their comrade and the pride of their team. Being with Black Mamba meant that they had a spare lifeline.
Captain! Burimer called for Paul.
This guy is Musta.
Burimer rolled the body and lay it straight. Red fluid poured out of his head that had exploded in half.
The bastard whos called the Kanma of the Sahel?
Yes. Black Mamba had killed him rather brutally, but he is definitely Musta.
Burimer pointed at the plate on his shoulder with his gun barrel.
Hes the Lieutenant Colonel.
It was time for the captain to be satisfied with the unexpected outcome. Ombuti checked his body and started to tremble.
Oh, Allah! This is the sergeant of the Habib army, Musta. This bastard raped my daughter and killed my family.
Ombutis tears streamed down his face as he kicked the body in a crazed rage.
Look, Allah does not forgive those who sinned, those who are swine. He had sent Gods warrior to bestow judgment upon you.
Ombuti, who had been wailing, turned and kneeled before Black Mamba.
Thank you. A desert warrior does not forgive their grudges but also doesnt forgive their debts. I will return this debt.
I only killed him because he was our enemy. There is no reason for you to talk about debt. Black Mamba cut off Ombutis words rather harshly.
No. I am indeed in your debt. I only have one request.
Say it.
With your permission, I want to cut off his head. He does not deserve reincarnation.
Black Mamba remembered his old self where he had swung the ax to cleave the white priests neck. How unjust and angered was he back then!
Fine. Do what you want.
Thank you.
Ombuti took out his shamshir and swung down on Mustas neck. He was unable to cut off the head in one blow and had to swing down several times. It was an act that damaged the corpse, but no one attempted to stop Ombuti.
Ha, its not a great sight, but since someone with a call name allowed it, I cant even stop him. I suppose a Kanma isnt enough to go against the Black Mamba.
The captain exclaimed as if he was lamenting.
Ombuti placed Mustas head on top of the red rock and threw gasoline on it to burn it. With that, Musta was doomed to rot in hell for eternity.
Ombuti sat down on the sand and cried and choked. He had finally sent one of his enemies to hell. He had been hell-bent on revenge ever since he lost his wife and daughter to the FROLINAT and had thrown his life and wealth into the fight. The enemy was strong, but his strength had not been strong enough.
He became the symbol of revenge. He swore to sacrifice his soul for the sake of revenge, but his enemy was too strong, and the path to revenge was too long. Allah had sent Gods warrior when he was on the brink of giving up.
Ombuti looked at the Asian warrior who was standing as firm as an iron tower. Black Mamba, on their first meeting, had first shot a bullet at him when he was hiding underground. The same person had given him his revenge. The remaining hostility towards him disappeared like the morning dew.
After finishing his ritual, Ombuti placed a kiss on the back of Black Mambas hand and shouted towards the sky.
Allah hu akbarhl (Allah is amazing), Allah hu akbarhl. My wakil!
The gratitude of the Immoharen of the Tuareg tribe was immense. Ombuti swore to give what he had, including his life, to Black Mamba. In the Islamic world, everyone was equal.
A traditional Muslim didnt lower their heads or kneel towards those in power or even to those they respected. Only Allah was superior, and all humans were equal. Even the prophet Muhammad was a human as equal as they were.
The conflict between their religion and the Christian religion was bound to happen. From the Islamic view, Jesus was a prophet who could be respected but not held up as a spiritual being.
Ombuti, instead of calling Black Mamba a higher being, decided to call him Wakil (owner).
Why is this old man attacking me? Has he gone mad?
Black Mamba, who didnt know a single thing, stared at Ombuti helplessly.
Sergeant Mark and private Emil dragged over the captured and injured captives.
Theyre the drivers of the armored vehicle.
The captives conditions were rather good. Most of them had injuries on their left femurs. There were wrinkles in their dark, burnt faces. They looked well over their forties.
Was there anyone else in the vehicles cabin? the captain asked Mark.
No. They wouldnt have wanted to become fried eggs in that can, after all.
Guerrillas were also human. When the midday temperature went over 30 degrees Celsius, the inside of the vehicle heated up to over 40 degrees. It was impossible to remain inside.
Surprisingly, the old Arab driver was calm. He was expressionless, and his eyes didnt waver. Mike pressed down on the old Arabs neck to get him to kneel. He pushed even more strength into his injured right leg to resist kneeling.
This damned bastard!
Mike kicked the old guerrillas right shin.
Agh, you swine!
The old guerrilla fell to the ground without resisting and released an ear-splitting shout. Mike, who was surprised by the shout, in turn, glanced at Black Mamba. He hadnt forgotten the threatening warning about how his arms and legs would be broken if he used violence recklessly. He sighed in relief. Black Mambas eyes were still fixed on the devastation of the battlefield.
The captive glared at Mike. His eyes were filled with fury, not fear.
Dalkis al quadiruh, kunta jabanan! (Dirty heretics, cowardly bastard!)
What the hell is this guy saying? Im going to rip out your eyeballs.
Mike finally exploded and cracked his Famas hard on the captives skull. There was a sound, and the captives skull broke.
Mike, calm down. We need to get information out of him.
While trying to stop him, Burimers gazed harshly at Mike. Mike was a talented guy but with the wrong personality. He had been unable to get rid of his cruel habits even after being punished violently by Black Mamba. He was not trustworthy because he couldnt overcome his madness.
Where is Black Mamba? Chartres looked for him.
The captain pointed with his chin to the cliff about 50 meters from the battlefield. Chartres followed the direction in which the captain pointed.
Black Mamba was sitting at the edge of the cliff with his head between his legs. His shoulders were shaking.
The hero of Deuxieme Rep is crying like a girl.
The captain was ridiculing him, but his heart was sympathetic. He was monstrous but yet a man barely over 20. Blood had flown like a creek in his first battle, and brain matter had poured out from most of his shots. If he had not been shaken, he would have been mistaken as a devil in a mans skin. No, he had already awakened as a devil on the battlefield.
Agh, fcking sht, what the hell!
Father, is it my turn to follow you?
Black Mamba cried as if to bleed out his vocal cords. His pain wasnt from killing all those people. It came from the torture that he had not become the man his father had expected him to become with the name that he was given at birth. Instead, he had become a grim reaper.
Hae Young, Hae Young!
It was torturous. His life had drifted far from normal. Regrets poked around his head, and the reality that he couldnt reach for Hae Young with his bloodstained hands made him despair even more.
Uwa Father, Im sorry!
The sorrowful cries of a Paranthropus rang across the Uldi Hamarl. The captain and the team members stared at Black Mamba in a daze. No one understood Korean, but the cries of sorrow made their hearts shake.
The captain recalled his first kill. The target had been an officer of the Algerian broadcasting station. The two had run into each other coincidentally and had fought with their knives and pistols. He had vomited for the entire week after walking out of the exchange covered in blood.
He figured that the name Black Mamba was calling out had to be his mothers name or his lovers name. On the one hand, he was relieved. The guy was also human. He wasnt going to succumb to the exhilaration of killing.
Hes a rookie, despite how he acts. Mike mocked him and smiled.
Mike, watch your words. Black is our hero, Burimer said in anger.
The team members didnt look pleased, either.
Mike, gather the team and clean up the battlefield. The captain stepped forward to get Mike out of the way.
Chartres and Emil headed towards Black Mamba. The captain stopped them with a shake of his head.
Leave him. It is one of the many obstacles in the path to becoming a man and a mercenary.
Chartres nodded.
The captain was right.
A comrade who is incapable of killing the enemy on the battlefield was worse than the enemy. It was a presence that was useless as an ally. Such a person was bound to weaken everyones resolve and break up their teamwork.
Since he had chosen to become a mercenary, he had to be a mercenary. This was the time in which a rookie stood over his pain and shock to become a true warrior. The two, who understood the captains intentions, returned.
Their eyes, which had momentarily been stolen by Black Mamba, returned to the captive. The old guerrilla acted as if he had already forfeited his life. Ombuti began to translate Burimers questions.
Are any of your comrades around?
I have no reason to answer you.
Ha!
At the captives answer, Burimer laughed.
Dirty bastard, looks like youve done dirty work as long as youve been alive.
The captive revealed his black teeth and laughed at Burimer.
Ha, you dirty heretics, dont talk with your foul mouth on the historic lands of Allah. Do you know the taste of raping a young girl? How would you know the feeling of shoving your sex into a small hole?
Burimer, who heard the translation, flew into anger.
Ombuti, did you translate this right?
To the word.
Burimer pulled on his Beretta slider and aimed for the captives head. Ombuti immediately pressed down on Burimers arm.
Sst
Dust rose between the captives legs.
Calm down. Hes trying to make you angry so that he wont have to be tortured. Hes scared of being tortured. Leave the rest to me.
Damn! Thanks.
Sergeant Burimer, feeling rather awkward after hearing Ombutis words, fell back.
Ugh, those tempers.
The captain had been watching and clicked his tongue. Ombuti glared at the old guerrilla. His gums, where he was missing his front three teeth, were loose. When Ombutis wife had been raped, she had smashed a rock into Habibs face. This persons front teeth could have fallen out the same way while raping a woman. As Sergeant Burimer had said, this person must have done dirty deeds all his life.
Ombuto pulled out his knife from his waistband and sliced off the captives thumb without hesitation.
Arrrgh!
The captives shout tore through the dark. Ombuti stopped the blood flow and let him be. The captives body shook in pain and his shouts decreased. Ombuti spoke to him coldly.
This is but a demonstration. From now on, I will take away your body parts one by one. The ripped off parts will be burned and the ashes scattered, but, if you cooperate, I will bury you whole.
You are Allahs servant, and you dare to side with the whites to commit sins like those heretics!
The guerrilla shot back, his face pale. In the Islamic religion, the body was a place that the soul would return to. When burned, the soul was lost and wandered without its house, and the soul without a house was bound to roam hell. Moreover, when the body was ripped apart and burned, it was irreparable even with Allahs grace.
I will return exactly what you have done. I will burn your head and shred your body for the hyenas to feed on.
Chapter 28
Fine. Just leave my body intact.
The prisoner quelled his resistance. Ombuti was disgusted by the dual attitude of the captive. A man who borrowed the name of Allah to do all sorts of evil things was attempting to cross the threshold of heaven after reincarnation.
Lets do this again.
Burimer tilted his head. The captives attitude had changed suddenly, and Ombuti had said only a few words. He wasnt someone whose attitude would change by a cut finger. With their cultural differences, the situation only became tenser.
What do you want to ask? The prisoner instead hurried him.
Where did you find us?
What are you saying? This is our camp. We were gathering ourselves. The old guerrilla made a surprised face.
What?
Burimer listened to Ombutis translation and found the situation ironic. They had not followed their trail or come to attack. It was a coincidence that had led to their camps overlapping.
How many of you are there?
147 in all. We have four units. My friends will come to kill you all.
The prisoner responded very sincerely. There was one frightening piece of information in the prisoners reply: the Habib army was roaming around northern Chads middle regions to track down the French special forces. Burimers mind blanked out.
How did the FROLINAT gain information about Team Ratel not on the level of a spys testimony but as factual information? This was a serious problem.
There wasnt much that a mere soldier knew. Burimer nodded towards Ombuti. Ombuti placed his Berettas barrel on the back of the captives head and pulled the trigger.
Bang
The sound of a baseball bats impact on a mattress resounded.
Black Mambas sensitive ears captured that sound, and the sight of the captive falling to the ground was captured in his eyes like a slow-motion video.
Emil and Jang Shin carried the old guerrillas body towards a pit and threw it in. Other teammates were also carrying the other guerrillas bodies towards the pit. Nothing resembled human dignity. It was simply throwing out trash.
Half of the corpses were small children. They were around the age that he had been when he had run from his uncles house. They were children who were forced to pick up a gun.
The 43 dead guerrillas were 43 peoples worth of stories to tell.
What was their belief?
What did they die for?
Did their team have the authority to kill them?
There was only one answer. They had killed to live. Whether it was animals or plants, they all had instincts to become the winner of the survival of the fittest. Most humans were controlled by the desires and greed of others. There were times when individual greed became nothing in the face of a groups greed. That was the fate of the dead guerrillas.
If he wished to stop being a mercenary, all he would need to do is terminate his contract. He would have monetary losses and a smear on his honor, but, if there was a better opportunity out there, it wasnt an impossible idea. But there wasnt one for them. They were les miserables who couldnt escape the wheel of death. He had wished to live like a decent human being but had become a murderer.
The sad memories of his youth flooded back to him. His life had been controlled by others, and the days had passed filled with starvation and violence. The violence that made him crave for freedom was the evilest form of violence.
The children couldnt have wanted to take up the rifle for a military leader they didnt know. They werent driven by religious beliefs to run towards the French special forces.
The children had lived in domes made of cow dung and mud-filled walls. These children were forced to go to hell with guns in their hands. The children werent his countrymen nor his ethnicity, but hatred towards such fundamental evil rose in his chest.
The smell of gunpowder and blood stuck in his nose. The dense smell woke up the beast inside of him. The words kill, rip, and destroy echoed in his head. The blood started to smell sweet.
He was reminded of the small room in the house he had stayed at. He longed for Hae Youngs small and plump lips. He was desperate for her body that had electrified him. The instinct for murder and lust both reared its ugly head. His head felt like it was going to explode. The drums ringing in his head started to get louder. He saw red. This was the result of Parathropuss cruel attack that drove itself into his subconscious.
Go! However strong your body gets if your mind gets weak, what use will it be?
His teachers words rang in his head. He snapped back to his senses.
Disgusting. The sweet smell of blood suddenly became disgusting. Compared to Hae Youngs refreshing scent, this was the filthy scent of the devil.
The times he had spent with her flashed before him. It had been a happy time. He had been so happy that it scared him. Her clear, lingering soul called out to him. He missed it dearly.
He, who had ripped apart tens of men, was lusting over Hae Youngs naked body. His resentment of himself intensified.
He raised his hands. They were rough, hard hands dyed with the blood of many men. They could no longer hold onto Hae Young. His grief rained down on him like hail.
He felt like a hypocrite in feeling remorse for not being able to return to Hae Young because he felt guilty for having killed countless child soldiers. The mirage of Hae Young that had been in front of his eyes shattered and disappeared.
Goodbye, my love!
His hope to become a scholar was a lost dream. He was now the blood-soaked monster, Black Mamba. He didnt know how many lives he would have to destroy in the future. He didnt think his blood-soaked hands deserved to embrace Hae Young. A single tear fell down his cheek.
How selfish and arrogant humans are!
Ahhh Urgh!
Black Mamba yelled with all his frustrated emotions. The wretchedness of his shattered life, his shame at having to forget the woman he loved, the vengeance he felt at the humans who used him as their filthy white knight, and his disappointment in himself for his greed and selfishness all tangled together within him.
A scream that sounded like a wounded elephant rang through the red valley. The immense echoes caused rocks to break apart and roll down the hill. The team members covered their ears frightened by the noise.
He calmed his emotions. This was a place where you either kill or be killed. It was war. If he wanted to live as a human, he will have to kill the enemy. Whether he stayed living as a human being or something else, he would think about later.
Namo Amitbhya, show me the way to paradise.
He prayed with all his heart.
As he watched Black Mamba organizing his equipment and traveling down the hill, a white line fell across the captains face.
It looks like everythings been handled. Your mentality is strong.
It is great. They say that there is a skilled lioness of martial arts in the East, but I didnt think I would directly hear of her. Its a relief that the valley has not been penetrated.
Burimer responded to the captain.
A monster is born. The world will be turned upside down.
The captains eyes followed Black Mamba. Black Mamba was a strategic soldier with an immensely trained body, an acute instinct for war, and his most intimidating skill as a sniper. He was the perfect human soldier that a commander dreamed of.
The one thing he lacked was experience. It was a handicap that could render all other skills useless, especially in war. There was no practicing for death. The only person who had been able to practice death was Jesus.
A humans worth was directly related to their experiences. It was more so as a soldier. A battle could turn 180 degrees because of it. There is a reason that they say that an army wouldnt trade 10 new soldiers for 1 experienced one.
After getting over the shock of his first murder, Black Mamba consoled himself. Black Mambas unbelievable strength made him a hidden ace. A wide smile spread across the captains face.
It was the first time for Black Mamba. The 43 corpses of the guerrilla soldiers were the trade-off for the francs that he had been receiving for the last year. It meant that he had now paid off the debt to the army that had fed him.
He was a mercenary, one whose reward grew larger the more he killed. In war, you only fought greed with greed, evil with evil. He, too, was now an evil monster full of greed. He had to accept that truth.
Whether the end would be bright or bleak didnt matter because there was no way to return. Whether it paid off or not, the reality of his situation was that he had no choice; he had to continue walking this path.
Humans were contradictory beings. They contemplated their need for survival with their desire to figure out the reason for their sad existence. He was unable to relieve his mixed-up emotions. They could only persuade themselves by their given knowledge, but humans were limited.
Black Mamba left his comrades behind, as they packed up their belongings, and headed down the hill. Nobody blamed him. Black Mamba was not in a position to do such menial tasks.
After going down to the valley, Black Mamba washed his blood-soaked body in the stream. He rubbed so hard that his skin became raw. The smell of blood on his body made his nose flinch as if it was rotten.
It was time to return to normal life. He was astonished to find that murdering other people had become part of normal life for him. Somehow, the hand that had once held a Buddhist moktak was now wielding a murderous weapon. What can I do? Fate had already taken him too far to return to his old life.
He opened up a tarp and started to disassemble the Dragunov. To a sniper, his gun was his life. He needed to take care of it so that it would always function at its greatest efficiency. Every part had to react at the users slightest touch, without fail, for the bullet to hit the exact spot at which it was aimed.
He turned the gun backward and looked into it. The potent smell of gunpowder hit his nose. There was a lot of residue inside the pistol. It was an after effect of the uranium that they had used.
The basic parts and functions of the gun were similar even though there were so many different varieties. The small gun had a reverse switch, bullets, bolts, safety, magazine, pistol, and gas bow.
He took apart his gun by removing the screws and taking out the bolts. He diligently oiled the piston and cleaned the rest of the parts with a cloth dipped in LSA.
He checked it thoroughly to see if there were any scratches, residue that would affect its function, or if there were rusted parts. He finished examining and assembling it. He put the shiny piece together with great care as if it was a ritual.
While taking apart the gun and putting it back together, his consciousness and senses began to concentrate solely on his work. His heart was at peace. It felt as if he was hearing his teachers chants in solitude. The moktak and a gun were items that would not usually be categorized together, but now, they strangely intermingled.
After screwing in the last bolt, he stood up abruptly. It was time to pay his dues. He didnt come all this way to be a pathetic loser that his comrades would have to worry about.
Black Mamba, congratulations.
Captain Paul massaged his shoulders.
Whoo!
His group of comrades cheered. They had been waiting for a rookie to rise from their ranks. Black Mamba felt awkward. They thought that he felt that way due to shock over the killings, but that was not the reason. It was just that his instincts had taken over his desires.
Yes. Your comrades will always remain behind you for protection.
That sentiment warmed his heart.
The captain smiled.
Black Mamba, this task must be worth over 50,000 francs.
That much?
We killed 43 of them and looted those 2 large containers. There were a lot of firearms, too.
Captain Paul shook the battle report. Foreign units received payment for participating in a battle. The amount they were paid depended on their units result, and individuals could be paid more upon evaluation of their performance. The 50,000 francs that Paul mentioned was a payment to the unit. Individual payments had to be calculated separately.
Burimer spoke loudly so that everyone could hear.
These men were part of the Habib who had been spreading evil in FROLINAT. The first target who Black Mamba destroyed was Lieutenant Colonel Musta. He is a psychopath who boils and eats native children. I had wanted to kill him myself but Black Mamba intercepted him. He had committed many other filthy crimes that had not been revealed.
Black Mamba flinched. He had heard the story of someone boiling and eating children, but he didnt believe it. Such a thing just didnt make sense in the 20th century.
He ate a child?
Its true. There were aggressive clans that had fantastical ideas. Many clans thought that eating pygmies could allow them to harness the power of the gods. In the Congo or Gabon, many filthy beings have ingested these pygmies. There were no pygmy clans here. The pygmy clans usually preferred to eat children. You didnt kill a human; you killed the devil. They are savages not worthy of your sympathy.
Until I see it with my own eyes, I cant believe it.
Burimer smiled slyly.
You will have a chance to see it yourself. Hows your condition?
Chapter 29
Good.
We got intel that their remaining men are planning to invade here. If we get them on our tail, it will get tiresome. Release the poison.
The captain winked and left.
The war ended cleanly. The corpses and firearms were buried and left marked. The bloodstains were covered with sand.
Whatever word you use to describe war, it is always dirty. Africa was in disarray from internal conflicts, and not even a bullet-sized shred of human sanctity was left.
Im sorry. Ive caused trouble.
At Black Mambas apology, Chartres glanced over at Jang Shin. Jang Shin stared blankly out in front of him.
The real troublemaker is there. You only collided with your ego; they were eaten by the fear of war.
Is there a way to fix that?
Well, it is a problem that they themselves have to deal with.
Getting hit usually brings them back to their senses.
Humans are animals of experience. When he had gotten a thrashing from his teacher at Mt. Chung Saeng, how relieved he had been! It looks like Jang Shin, who had nothing to do with it will be taking the brunt of the hit.
Black Mamba started to hit the unassuming Jang Shin. It was a move he had learned from Chui Do Shik called Muchisibaria. Muchisibarias trademark was hitting the same place repetitively in a rhythmic pattern.
If you stimulate one place and then stimulate it again once the initial sensation is gone, it amplifies its intensity. Plus the one on the receiving end knows that the pain will last longer. It was a torture technique developed by Higashi Hongan-Ji 600 years ago.
Ack!
Wang Ba Dan!
Jang Shin screamed and flinched as he was attacked for no reason. He tried to stop Black Mamba, but it was no use. Even the eight-pole master was like a child in front of Black Mamba.
Every time he got hit, Jang Shin experienced hellish pain. Emil and Mark tried to get him to stop, but they were immediately thrown off. The other comrades did not even attempt to stop him.
Damn it, stop hitting me!
Jang Shin yelled at him. Only then did Black Mamba stop, but he screamed in Jang Shins ear in response.
You punk, what are you going to do about it?
Jang Shins pupils dilated and locked. He glared at Black Mamba. His swollen face looked a mess.
Oh shit, alright. You were meaning to beat me to death werent you?
Black Mamba smiled.
If you think its not fair, then come at me.
Damn, I dont like it, but I dont want to die yet.
Bellman brought over the first aid kit. Black Mamba winced.
It may be a bit rough, but the treatment isnt bad.
Yeah right!
Jang Shin yelled angrily at Bellman.
According to The captains standards, the three rookies had to follow through with a rite of passage. Emil did not even endure psychological stress initially. Emil was telling his comrades about Black Mambas sniper skills so adamantly that he was spitting.
Chartres claimed it was due to racial differences. He claimed that white men who ate meat were less prone to feel guilt about murdering. It was a weak argument.
Ombuti stayed around Black Mamba after the fighting had ended. This merchants intuition came from his experience as an intelligence agent.
Mustas squadron commander Pahali was coming this way, 10 kilometers from Uldi Hamarl. Commander Pahali had sent ahead 5 bikes, but only had 40 soldiers at his disposal. The other two units were the same.
Chads government, army, and the rebels all followed the lead of the French army. The hierarchy was arranged in this order: platoon, company, battalion, regiment, brigade, division, and corps. Of the 11 warlords, the Habib army was the only one formatted as a brigade.
The French army had differentiation of leader status between each hierarchy. The general was the two-star of the brigade, the division leader was three-star, the corps commander was four-star, and the captain was five-star.
The four-star commander and the five-star captain were treated no differently than the division leader or brigade general unless it was a formal setting. It was all done through appointments anyways. Officially, the highest-rank was held the three-star division leader. Legion Etranger had one of those division leaders.
FROLINAT was different from the other armies that had serious status inflation; it had a well-organized leadership in its hierarchy. Lieutenant Pahali had 120 men under him and had complete control over them. It was just that two-thirds of these men had to undergo retraining, and so, currently, he was short-staffed.
Everyone freeze.
The loud motorcycle was brought to a stop.
Kibimbi, dont you hear gunshots?
Pahalis sensitive ears picked up the gunshots.
I hear it. Dont you think its Musta detecting Makumbo?
Kibimbi who was trying to listen intently replied.
Makumbo?
Pahali frowned. Makumbo was a traitor. The entire northern army had been ordered to kill him. Pahalis questioning tone sent anger surging through him.
Theres no reason for Makumbo to be loitering around these parts, Kibimbi hurriedly added
Kibimbi was as quick-witted as Emil.
Quit talking nonsense, and send two bikes for surveillance. They may be meeting with Frances special forces.
Pahali was level-headed. He sent a messenger to request two more reconnaissance units. If they were able to defeat Lieutenant Musta, it would be great, but no one could be sure of the result. If he attacked prematurely, he could end up losing all his men. Losing troops would result in uneasiness.
If Lieutenant Musta admits defeat, it will be a favorable result. Pahali was a company commander. If Habib loses their trust in Musta, it will come back to him as an opportunity. Pahali didnt rush and waited patiently with his troops for the right timing.
Behind Uldi Hamarl was a deep valley. The mountains rising on both sides were steep as if cut with an ax. To cross through the valley, they would have to put up their lives as collateral.
The back of Black Mambas head kept tingling. It might have been intuition, but if the enemy attacked from behind, that would be detrimental.
Ombuti, is there a path from behind the gorge by which they can reach us?
From my memory of it, no. It is too deep and dangerous for people to cross. They can only come through the front or from the sides.
Ombuti searched his memory to think of all possible paths and answered confidently.
Do you really think that?
I do.
Black Mamba felt anxious even after Ombutis reply. He trusted the strategy of the experienced captain and Ombuti, who had survived stepping on a mine, but his instincts kept sending him warning signals. This was not a situation for merely judgment and solution, it was a time to trust gut feelings.
When Hannibal lead the Carthage army into the Alps and through the Pyrnes mountain range, no one had expected it. When they received intel that Napoleon was crossing the Alps, the Austrian and English army had laughed and called the intelligence agent crazy, but there was nothing that couldnt be done when humans put their minds to it.
To get to the cantonment, the enemy would have to pass through their defenses on either the right or left side. Captain Paul put his troops on alert on both sides. However, he left the back empty and exposed.
Captain, we should watch the back.
No, The gorge will block the backside. The charging forces will be coming from this direction. Black should be positioned in the front.
Paul rejected it immediately.
It doesnt feel right. If we get attacked from the back, we will be done for.
Is it your gut feeling again?
Yes.
The captain was lost in thought. Black Mambas intuition was not mere intuition. He couldnt understand it, but if thats what he thought, then he couldnt easily ignore it. Based on his judgment, there was no reason to guard the back. There were going to be hundreds of guerrilla soldiers attacking them from the front. Without Black Mambas efficient attacks, it would be hard to defend against them all. On the other hand, if they were attacked from the back, then they would all be destroyed.
Night in the desert was frightfully quiet. If Mustas troops had not heard the sounds of battle, then they were most certainly deaf. This place was surrounded by FROLINAT. It was very possible that the guerrilla troops, who were accustomed to this terrain, would attack from behind.
And if they dont come from the back?
Isnt that better?
He observed Black Mambas blank expression. The captain wanted to hit his lips, ashamed at having uttered such an obvious statement.
Fine, we will ignore the possibility of an attack from the back and ask for reinforcements for the front.
The captain trusted Black Mambas war instincts. He risked the possibility of losing his men and left the back to be guarded by Black Mamba.
The red sunset covered the darkened sky. He hehehe The crazy laughter of the hyenas echoed. Emil concentrated so hard as he stared into his night-vision goggles that he felt his eyeballs would fall out.
Black Mamba had said there was a high chance the enemy would approach this way. If he predicted it, then the enemy would definitely show up. Black Mambas war experience was not one to ignore. His omniscience was as powerful as his attack skills. Sometimes he thought that he could even predict the future. This was such a time.
Theyre here!
Emil yelled to himself in his head. When the eyebrow-shaped crescent moon was high above them, they saw the silhouette of several AN/PVS-5s through their night vision goggles. As expected, Black Mambas prediction was correct. The troops were armed with AK47s and PKMs. Emil saw through his night vision lens the troops climbing up through the mountain. They had no way of knowing how they had crossed the gorge.
Tap Tap Tap With his magazine, he hit the rock three times. No doubt Black Mamba had seen them from 10 meters away, but he did as he was trained to do and signaled him.
Black Mamba had already prioritized his targets. The stars and crescent moon gave enough light for him to see his targets. With his scope, he estimated they were about 1300 meters away.
They were wearing camouflage and had their heads and faces wrapped in turbans. He could see more and more guerrilla troops approaching. Through the scope, they looked like rice cakes floating in red bean porridge.
Black Mamba hit the rock twice to signal that he understood, then got rid of the scope. The PSO-1M2 scope used on Dragonov did not function as well as the ones used on other guns. The magnifying power was four-times weaker. He had requested a better functioning scope from the army research group, but there was no telling when he would receive it.
The Soviet scope had a small range, so it was hard to decipher the exact number of troops. The magnifying power was so weak that you couldnt tell whether the person was holding a pickaxe or a gun from 500 yards away.
Shit, these Soviet items are useless.
Black Mamba shoved the scope into his backpack. There were clouds in the sky that made it difficult to see with his vision.
Ah!
Emil swallowed his scream. Right next to him, Black Mambas head popped up suddenly. Highly anxious, he almost pulled the trigger on him.
He was a ridiculous partner. Only until he hit his shoulder did he realize he was there. If he had been the enemy, his neck would have already been skewered by a sword. Angry, Emil clenched his fist and shook it. Black Mamba smiled and was handed Emils night vision glasses.
The 2.5 generation AN/PVS-5 night vision goggles were phenomenal. The usually used PSO-1M2 scope with four-times magnification was no match for it. It was enough to clearly see the faces of each guerrilla.
The guerrilla troops climbing up the valley were agile. They were able to use the grooves of the rocks to move stealthily without being seen. There was not a single child soldier among them. This troop was formed with the most experienced members of the special forces.
Emil, they are going for a diversion tactic. The special task forces are the real ones.
How did they cross the gorge?
You can ask the dead ones later. Were going to get hit on the back of our heads at this point.
Black Mamba scolded Emil. It didnt matter how they had crossed the gorge as long as they showed up in attacking range right now. The clear-cut reasoning to gain survival took precedence over the question of how.
How many are there?
I cant be certain. Over 20.
What? We would have been hit severely in the back of our heads.
Emil broke out in goosebumps. What would have happened if Black Mamba hadnt been stubborn and positioned himself there as a backup? Just thinking about it sent chills up his spine.
Emil, bring them in 500 meters.
Okay, I will have to start attacking for now.
Black Mamba handed Emil the night vision goggles then hid. He hid his gun deep between two rocks. The Dragunov had an especially bright flashpoint. It decreased his range of sight, but it was better than having his position exposed.
Once the wind subsided, the clouds masked the sky overhead.
Damn!
He muttered to himself and looked through his scope. Under the hazy starlit sky, it was better to get help from machinery. Once placed on the scope, his range of vision decreased and caused him frustration.
Bang Bang The Dragunovs unique gunshot sound rang consecutively. It was the legendary double kill. The strong impact exploded the two heads of the guerilla soldiers and sent them flying. Green liquid splashed in his scope.
Emil was able to get one of his targets with a point shot. Emil was a skilled sniper who used a machine gun like a pistol. The machine gun he was using was not the M249 licensed from the US but one from Belgium. The unlicensed brand was much more accurate compared to the licensed version.
That punk is good!
Black Mamba exclaimed. The machine gun was not an attack weapon; it was a way to overpower the enemy. It was hard to shoot at targets outside the 500-meter range, so it proved how great his partners skills were.
Chapter 30
The Minimi was a light machine gun developed by the FN company in 1980. At 7 kilograms, it had great mobility. It could pour out 1000 shots at 1000 meters with 5.56-millimeter Nato ammunition. It was a monster complementary to the Black Mambas strengths. Emil abandoned his Epal and took up the Minimi to support Black Mamba.
Emils decision was sound. When he took up the Minimi, the snipers lack of gunfire became sufficient. The machine gun and snipers combined attack would bring about the greatest results.
Sniper here. Were approaching the hiding place. Machine gunner at the 7th line, 12 oclock.
Pahalis directions were heard clearly. Black Mamba was impressed. They were truly keen opponents.
The guerrillas were initially the first targets, but they disappeared from the scopes frame like water through sand. It was a surprising reaction.
Crash Bang Tatataata Bullets were imbedded in obscured spots as the sound of a machine gun rang out in the area.
Ping!
Emil lowered his head in a hurry. He had only managed to hit two people before the enemy could see the smoke from firing his weapon. His plan to clean up outside of the range of gunfire was now useless.
Black, be careful. They have a machine gun.
Stop worrying about me and hide in your shell.
Blue shadows flashed in his scopes view continuously. He made fast movements to avoid being a snipers target.
As expected of Black Mamba! Emil murmured.
Despite their clever hiding spots, his targets disappeared one by one. It was their misfortune to have met Black Mamba. He had an instinct for marking his opponents position in 0.3 seconds and using his impressive sight. There was no way to hide from him.
What an opponent! Pahali exclaimed.
His subordinates were exposed and had been shot down without a misfire. They had been specially trained by a North Korean instructor for a year. His insides burned at the misfortune.
Machine guns! Cover the range and close the distance!
They had to get near the Black Mamba to catch him. The guerrillas received the command and approached him under the protection of the machine guns.
Black Mamba changed his position in response to their approach on both sides. While Pahila got 200 meters closer, eight of his men succumbed to snipers shots. The angered guerrillas poured a barrage of bullets from their Minimi machine guns.
Their battleground was now 300 meters. Black Mamba got rid of his scope because it limited his view. His opponents actions were sly. He changed tactics. He planned to use well-placed shots to threaten his opponents into revealing their positions.
Uldi Hamarl was a dry valley without trees. Although there were plenty of crevices to hide ones body, it had mostly smooth terrain. The guerrillas climbed over those crevices like monkeys. It was as if lizards had gained claws.
Clang clang A broken piece of stone tore his cheek. Black Mamba didnt move. He focused on the movements of the guerrillas. Two, three seconds passed. He could see one guerrilla taking the roundabout route to the right.
Youre dead!
Black Mamba waited with his sight to the left of the rock. Bam the face of the guerrilla, who had been leveling his gun barrel, exploded. This was the most fearsome part of spatial perception. An opponent that had been in Black Mamas sight had no way of escaping from death.
The moment the guerrillas moved from their positions to shoot, they were hit by bullets and fell to the ground. It was their fate to never understand why they fell.
Mustafa Pahali gritted his teeth.
Why is that crazy bastard down here?
He was frustrated to think that a special sniper would be at such a terrain where there was no cover.
Over half of the 22 soldiers, who had entrusted their lives to their god, were dead. He could not approximate how many snipers remained undercover. That was because Black Mamba had been moving his position now and then. When the distance between the first shooting point and the second shooting point was several meters apart, no one would think both shots were fired from the same person.
To Pahali, this place was like his backyard, as he was born and raised here. He had even found a secret tunnel, when he was little, after chasing after a goat that allowed him to cross the valley. He had been certain of his victory. Until he met that damned sniper.
Thirteen of his comrades had been shot by that sniper. His subordinates were scattered, pierced by fear. They couldnt attack together because there was a machine gunner on the seventh line, too.
Conceal yourselves!
Pahali shouted. Their attack on the rear had failed. He had lost subordinates needlessly. He had attempted to create a free-for-all, but that was thwarted because of that devil-like sniper. It made his teeth chatter.
Pahali chose to wage a perpetual war. Simply holding the snipers in place was enough to aid their main attack forces.
The gunfire that had been continuously ringing stopped. As if they had been waiting, loud sounds of gunfire and explosions tore through the night air from the front lines. Black Mamba felt impatient. They couldnt withstand a mass attack. When the grand guerrilla forces swarmed in, enhanced by adrenaline, his teammates were going to be in danger.
Emil, how many have you caught?
Barely two. Theyre faster than the squirrels at Mt. Cinto.
Ive caught twelve. Theyre well-trained. Theyve gone into hiding.
What are you going to do?
Hide. Im going groundhog hunting.
Thats not a good decision.
Im worried about the front lines. They need reinforcements, fast.
Be careful of friends.
Emil couldnt stop Black Mamba. He trusted his friends battle strength, but they werent enough to stop a larger army. Without Black Mamba, it was going to be hard to stop the onslaught.
Black Mamba hid his Dragunov between the rocks and pulled out Famas from his backpack. At close-range, the Famas was the best choice with its compact shape and better firing rate. Along with four Famas magazines and three Glocks, he checked his kukri and dagger.
Black Mamba slid down from his rock like a snake. Emils night-vision device tracked Black Mambas movements. He could see his partner sliding down a steep surface in a zig-zag pattern.
Turns out hes a sidewinder, not Black Mamba, Emil chuckled.
He grasped his Minimi again. It was time to watch Black Mambas back.
Tutatatata Emil began his warning shots. Black Mamba rushed down the edge on four limbs. Every time his muscles pounded the earth, white dust rose into the air.
Thats him. Catch him.
Pahali was astonished as he witnessed Black Mamba rush down. A sniper who rushed headfirst into enemy lines was unheard of. A sniper in hiding was more terrifying than a sniper in plain view. The guerrillas who were ready for revenge shot at once.
But Emil was not an average machine gunner. He was a sniping machine gunner. He located the most threatening attacks on Black Mamba and directed his shots there.
Argh!
The guerrilla who had been aiming at Black Mambas back shouted. Blood ran down his clothes.
Having not seen that guerilla on his radar, Black Mamba, frightened, flung his body behind a rock. The guerrilla had been 100 meters ahead of his comrades. He, too, had special abilities. He had no life force in his body, just like a corpse, and had gone unnoticed.
If it had not been for Emil, Black Mamba would have been dead, being served meals only three times a year to his shrine. He felt like treating Emil to another bottle in gratitude once they returned to headquarters.
Sh*t! Black Mamba shouted.
In the armor was not a corpse but a bunch of dirt. The dead guerrilla had plastered sand all over himself aside from his eyes. He had held a mouthguard and had plastered mud all over that, too. Now he could understand why he felt no life force. These people were familiar with the terrain and had lots of battle experience. They were of a different caliber than the guerrillas he faced earlier that evening.
Totatatata A machine gun exploded into action below the cliff. Emils machine gunfire quelled. It had been subdued by the opponents fire.
Black Mamba silently calmed his mind and released his senses. Whoosh His heart resounded. His resonance scoured 30 meters, 50 meters, and 100 meters of land. It became more difficult to control his senses the more area he covered.
Living beings in a 100-meter vicinity appeared on his radar. He immediately dismissed the beings with a weak life force. The guerrillas in hiding appeared more clearly.
There were eight remaining members, and the nearest one in hiding was a machine gunner 12 meters ahead of him, under a rock. The Degtyarev was dangerous to Emil and therefore became his first target. The moment he attempted to move, the enemy opened fire once more.
Kakakaka
Tutatatata
The dry sound of an AK47 and its bullets resounded. Above the valley, Emils Minimi started its counterattack with a heavy blast. He provided cover with the danger of being aimed at. They truly were formidable opponents.
Black Mamba threw a stone 10 meters ahead of him. It was a traditional method.
Kakaka
The moment they opened fire on that spot, he threw his body, jumping across 12 meters at once.
Ugk!
The infantryman beside the gunner shouted when he saw Black Mamba attack them from the sky. The Famas opened fire in mid-air.
Bang
Before the surprised look on their faces could disappear, he put holes in their foreheads. Black Mamba twisted his body like a cat and landed, immediately rolling behind a boulder. Gunfire opened on the place he was a second before.
Ugh!
What awaited Black Mamba between the boulder was a rattlesnake. The surprised snake shot forward like a dragon and attacked him. Similarly surprised, he shoved the barrel of his Famas in its mouth and pinned its head with the blade in his glove.
The rattlesnake twitched on the ground.
You damned thing, you now have a horn. Think of yourself as a dragon and thank me in your afterlife.
If the rattlesnake had heard him, it would have been outraged. That was not something that an intruder in its home should say.
And what is this?
A scorpion approached slowly with its poisonous rear raised. He crushed the scorpion under his boots. It would have been even more aggravating for the rattlesnake whose prey had been that very scorpion. The rule of nature was the survival of the fittest.
Black Mamba wiped his cold sweat. This was a strange variable possible only in a real-life situation. A single mistake, and he would have been bitten by the rattlesnake. This was an empty land without a hospital or community. He didnt die from the scorpions poison, but his skills lagged slightly.
His enemies were not only the guerrillas. This was not a scenic place nor a bedded ground, and it had a harsh climate with bloodthirsty animals and insects.
The gunfire and explosions from the front lines began to grow harsher in sound. Black Mamba felt impatient. He had to finish this and help his teammates.
He decided on close combat. He lowered his Famas and inserted a suppressor to the Glock. He held kukri in one hand and the Glock in the other.
This was the beginning of his attack. The kukri was a dagger that was curved about five degrees to its blade. There was a long sword variation, but it was mostly used as a dagger. When piercing or swinging it, the weight leaned towards the end of the blades edge so that it held more power when swung. It was similar to the ax he had used in Bangtaesan.
He had found the kukri at a market in Saint-Ouen, Paris. An aura of bloodlust had been emanating from the dagger. It was not one of those copies. Black Mamba had purchased the dagger, without bargaining, for 4000 francs.
Before he had purchased the kukri, he had bought white gold steel at Ajaccio. Although it had looked nice, it was worthless in battle. There was no frame, and it was too light. A blade without a frame was bound to be stuck it the thing it strikes. It was for one-time use only. Something a noble of the Joseon Era would use as a trinket.
The kukri he bought was 1.2 kilograms, and the blade alone was at 30 centimeters long. An average sword was around 1 kilogram. The kukri was too extravagant to be called a dagger.
He had never used it after he bought it. The sensation of its heaviness and comfortable grip cooled down his overheated emotions.
He had not learned any weapons from his teacher, but the Krav Maga he had learned from Pief was enough. His built body and nature of his senses made the sword in his hands a deadly weapon. He used the 36 joint training as his sword technique.
A sword was different from a gun. When a sword was in his grip, he could feel the tension and the battles bloodlust spreading around him. His head became clear like the autumns skies. It was time to bathe in blood.
Chapter 31
Suddenly from the east, the sky brightened. A shower of meteorites rained upon them. It was a rare sight, and, at the same time, it was the signal to start the battle.
Black Mamba became an assassin. He was as stealthy as a snake and as agile as a puma. The deadly killer encroached the elite Pahali squad. Pahalis elite squad had a lot of battle experience. Their ability to swing a dagger was like no other. As if they had made a promise with the enemy, they, too, were holding daggers and guns.
Pahali was flabbergasted. Their attacker was seriously insane. No one had ever heard of anyone coming into battling while swinging a sword and wielding a sniper gun. The battle soon changed to bloodshed. They had hoped to win through endurance but, amazingly, that didnt seem to be working. If they didnt want to die, then they would have to kill him.
Fweet fweet fwee Pahali blew a whistle, which was the length of two fingers, in two, short, sharp blasts. It was the signal to separate into two groups to engage in battle.
Emil stopped shooting for cover. He felt frustrated. Once they headed into battle, the machine gun became useless. He stared adamantly into his night-vision goggles.
On the fifth ridge of the valley, Black Mamba and the guerrillas started the battle. They were 250 meters away. With the night-vision goggles that magnified them 12 times, he could see the spurting of blood between them.
Emil waited for the result with tired, red eyes. The guerrilla forces had received training to kill, and they were as agile as pumas. He wasnt confident that he could take on even one of them.
Emil abandoned the machine gun and pasted his eyes on the night-vision goggles. He could see Black Mamba flying from one boulder to the next. Through the night-vision goggles, he looked like a blue lizard. Every time he saw him, he couldnt help but gasp in awe. Black Mamba climbed over the boulder and swung upside-down.
Gasp! Emil exclaimed. It was a boulder that was at least 10 meters high. The kukri ax landed squarely on the guerrillas head. He could see the guerrilla cringe in surprise from below the boulder. Black Mamba seemed to be gaining immense strength.
The blade shred through the front and out the back. The crunching of breaking bones could be heard. Pouring blood filled his vision through the lens. Emils stomach lurched.
Crash Black Mamba swung his left hand back and put all his strength behind it. The guerrilla that was charging with a sword fell headfirst, and a powerful kick landed on his chin. As if his joints had become rubber, his body twisted and collapsed.
The guerrilla who had been wounded by a bullet to his stomach now had his head twisted completely around so that it faced his back. Everything happened so fast. Black Mamba didnt even give the crumbling enemy time to counter-attack.
Whew!
Emil blew out the air that he had been holding in. He had been so tense that he couldnt even breathe properly. He felt sorry for the guerrillas being destroyed.
What if Black Mamba had been the enemy? Even thinking it, gave him chills. Stealthy movements, powerful attacks, merciless pity. All these features made him known as Azrael. Emil clenched his teeth as he watched the frightening battle. If he was to tell this story to his seniors, he would get rave reviews.
The guerrillas who had shown up on the scope disappeared one by one. Black Mamba disappeared from time to time from the scope, also. Emil, whose vision was phenomenal, only missed their movements when one of the troops would fall.
Black Mambas best and worst skill was his ability to instantly transport from one place to another. He is a man not afraid of tree nor rock. He will not be surprised because snow is falling or the wind is blowing. But he could appear out of nowhere without making a sound. The angel of death, Azrael, had come to life.
Bang bang bang The guerrillas continually pulled the trigger of the Tokarev behind them. With his spatial recognition skills, Black Mamba sensed the disturbances in the energy around him. He felt a chill on his back, and he quickly threw his body. As it flew through the air, a bullet flew past him. It was impeccable timing.
Pahalis troops had been trained to use inhumane tactics in North Korea. They did not refrain from using strategies that used their comrades as bait.
Black Mamba opened his eyes wide. Even with such a great physique, he couldnt change direction in the air. The high-stress situation triggered his power. As he broke through this dimension, he could see the flying bullet coming toward him. The air around the traveling bullet rippled.
Adrenaline released. His brain, aware of the danger, was sending signals to his body to survive. Actin and myosin pulled and pushed to raise the kukri.
Time froze. The gunshots were slow, but the movement of the kukri felt just as slow. The muscle contracting from his upper arm to his wrist seemed to take forever.
Clang The parabellum bullet bounced off the thick blade of the kukri. Sparks flew as if they had lit a match, and the blade shuddered as if it would break. The thick and resilient muscles absorbed the impact of the gun. If it had been a normal person, the sword would have flown out of his hands.
Thud thud Black Mamba was able to muster strength from his compromised state. The guerrillas shot at him head-on with the Tokarev while more came at him from the sides. They all fell at his hands.
The double-tap skill is one that requires a sniper to shoot before the impact of the rebound hits him. It was a skill that used two bullets to make sure that the kill is successful.
Black Mamba dispersed the impact of the double-tap. There was no reason to waste an extra bullet on someone whod already been critically injured.
Emil swallowed hard. Every moment was a matter of life and death.
Oh no!
He could see a wave of guerrillas coming down the hill organized in groups of two. If one were to be attacked, the other would try to counter. Emil hastily put his right thumb on the trigger of the Minimi.
Black Mamba disappeared suddenly from the night-vision goggles. The blade of his kukri flashed in the moonlight. The attackers body thudded onto the ground. Afterward, his severed head fell next to the body. A stream of blood shot upwards.
Whew!
Emil sighed a breath of relief. He couldnt be sure what had happened. The guerrillas seemed to be flying to their deaths as Black Mamba shoved his kukri blade into their necks. He trembled in fear watching this scene.
Clang For the first time, the kukri was blocked.
Ack!
Pahali screamed without realizing it. His right arm bent due to a powerful force, and his sword flew out of his hand. It was mere luck that he was able to block the lightning-fast sword that flew towards him. He had been aiming to stab his sword into the enemys neck but had changed its direction to block the incoming attack, just in time.
Agile as a puma, he was also as strong as a buffalo. His bones shook and his body twisted. His nerves became paralyzed. He thought that even if he had been hit with a silverback, it would be weaker than what he felt now.
Reflecting the moonlight, their murderous eyes glared into each other. One had bloodshot red eyes while the other had a cold, relaxed gaze.
Pahali was also a warrior with the ability to turn the tides. He suppressed his pain through mind power and lifted the Tokarev held in his left hand. At that moment, he felt something on his forehead.
Thud Into his forehead, a large blade penetrated. Pahali wasnt even aware of the detrimental hit. The blade only weighed 500 grams. Black Mambas kukri was 1.2 kilograms. The thick blade split his skull and penetrated his brain.
Pahali could see the dark being holding a bloody sword and gun right before his eyes. It was the first time he could clearly see the man who had killed his brothers.
Kanmasishib! (Hes like a nightmare!) Azrael!
After uttering those few words, the light from Pahalis eyes flitted away.
Sika jonmani!
There was no way for Black Mamba to understand Pahalis Arabic. Of course, Pahali couldnt understand Korean as he took his last breath. Pahali had been known as the best warrior of the FROLINAT. But mouse or a rat, it would be eaten by a cat either way. Pahali was not even worthy as an appetizer to Black Mamba.
Its over!
With the death of the most-skilled soldier, his murderous streak disappeared. In five minutes, the cutthroat hand-to-hand combat ended. Black Mamba leaned on the boulder and gathered his breath. His murderous rage was slowly starting to dissipate. If he had not met his teacher and learned to control his urges, he would have run around like a crazy man high on blood.
They were persistent. Even as they died, they shoved their swords into their enemies, and they used their comrades as bait to counter-attack. They had received real special forces training. They were much different than the pathetic guerrilla troops they had come to expect from the FROLINAT.
Black Mamba looked down blankly at the last man that he defeated. His head was split in half and gray matter was oozing out of it. Looking down at the sad corpse, his comrade made a pathetic speech.
Receive a lot of Allahs love. Nami ami tabul.
Black Mamba grabbed the enemys sword after tossing out a worse insult than his comrade. The heavy greenish sword was an NR-2 known as a Spetsnaz. It must have been true that the Soviet army had trained the FROLINAT soldiers.
All kill. Retreat.
Thats amazing. I cant see any more enemies.
Emil answered just able to hold in his desire to throw up.
Black Mamba wiped the blood off his dripping kukri on Pahalis clothes.
Damn, hes not very useful.
He muttered as he gathered his things. The Famas that he had tossed next to the rattlesnake was broken. It was the gun that Emil had destroyed with bullet marks and his shooting angle. It was something he was fond of because he had used it since his time in the Ecole, but he had to give it up.
One Famas was worth 4300 francs. 500,000 won had been lost. As someone extremely stingy, this was a heartbreaking loss.
You, go drink with your own money.
The Sciaccarello that he had been meaning to give to Emil was rescinded.
Black, what are you talking about?
Emil asked in confusion.
Black Mamba grabbed the AK-47. From the belts of the dead soldiers, he grabbed 30 bullets and 6 magazines and put it with his belongings. The Famas was known to perform better than the AK, but to him, it was practically the same thing.
Thinking that it was all over, a wave of exhaustion came over him. His uniform was wet with blood. The smell of blood made his head throb. It was much more exhausting to participate in hand-to-hand combat versus shooting from a distance. Or was it from extreme tension? His muscles were tired from the constant instant transportation.
Black, are you wounded?
Emil exclaimed in surprise.
No. Its the blood of the enemy.
Whew. That scared me. But the smell is no joke.
Emil pinched his nose. The mix of blood and sweat coming from Black Mamba smelled so horrible, he was afraid his nose would rot.
I cant wait to take a bath. The saying that supply and demand are the most important thing in war is bogus. The most important thing is the ability to take a bath.
Tha thats true.
Emil stuttered. He wanted to punch his own mouth for saying that Black Mamba smelled. It was not something he should be saying to a partner who had come back showered in blood.
Emil, its a souvenir.
Ooh la, a Spetsnaz sword, its incredible.
Emil was ecstatic upon receiving the sword.
Emil reported the results through the radio.
Black Mamba division. Agent infiltrated guerrilla. 22 cleared.
Its the captain. As expected, Black Mamba was right. Is Black Mamba alright?
Hes fine.
Its an emergency. Join us immediately.
Will do.
Black, Captain looks to be on the verge of sh*tting his pants.
A mutt eats 50 points before going back to his home.
What does that mean? Is 50 points dog food?
Shit, it means that the enemy is pretty good at using their strengths.
Their customs were different, so it wouldnt have made sense for their proverbs to be understood.
Black Mamba and Emil ran down the red hill without resting.
Oh mon Dieu!
Emil screamed as he arrived at the line of defense.
Both sides were engaged in heavy battle. The sound of guns and screams pounded in his ear. His comrades were losing to the enemys firepower. He understood why the captain was sh*tting his pants.
Mustas army took turns attacking with his attack troops and then his cover troops as he made his way closer to them. Team Ratel could not defend against the guerrillas topographic advantage.
The enemys first team had been taken by surprise by Black Mamba and lost without much of a fight, but the Habib independence fighters were not your average fighters. They were the best army specializing in counter-attacks.
Habib and Goukouni, as part of the FROLINAT army, were part of the freedom alliance part or FAP. The northern army were freedom fighters. Each base had been training its troops for over two years in the Soviet Union and North Korea. These men, who had been trained there, were as good as fighters of government armies.
The guerrillas defensive and offensive teams took turns to create a highly successful attack tactic. Even the greatest snipers could not easily catch the guerrilla forces.
Theyre like flying squirrels.
Black Mamba exclaimed. The battle had come within a 300-meter range. They only had to approach 50 more meters for them to be within attack range. The guerrilla forces had a numerical advantage that would be detrimental if they had reached them within this range.
The situation does warrant him sh*tting his pants.
Black Mamba disassembled the scope. To catch those that moved like flying squirrels, he had to widen his vision. His eyes were like a wild cats eyes. With moonlight and spatial awareness at his disposal, he didnt need the scope.
Bang From behind the red boulder, a guerrilla peeked out and got his head blasted apart. It was the soldier who was commanding the RPG forces.
Bang bang bang The Dragunovs unique muted sound started to echo every 0.8 seconds. The charging guerrillas fell like dominoes.
Chapter 32
Fweet fweet fweet- In the guerrilla territories, the sharp sound of a whistle echoed. The charging guerrilla forces quickly retreated. Black Mamba had single-handedly stopped Mustas army.
They did not give up on continuing the attack. As they were attacked with full force, they decided to change their tactics. The defensive squad would rain bullets so that their troops could use it as cover then pop out randomly to attack for a second. Then they would go back into hiding.
Against a regular sniper, this tactic may have worked, but right now, it was not working in their favor. Their opposition was Black Mamba. In 0.3 seconds, he already had his target marked.
Bang The heads of two guerrilla troops exploded before they even took two steps. Even the shooting squad was unable to stop Black Mamba. The guerrillas who had been showering bullets with a machine gun soon collapsed. The guerrilla hiding with his gun behind a boulder fell before he could even pull the trigger.
Black Mambas godlike shooting instantaneously silenced the enemy. If the tiniest of body parts came out in the open, they were immediately attacked.
Black Mambas characteristic strategy was to obliterate the opposition in the shortest time possible. A minute had not even passed before he toppled 20 soldiers. Mustas army, which had been steadily making headway toward them, was losing ground fast. They were so busy trying to find cover that attacking had long flown out of their minds. Musta armys advantage was zapped in a heartbeat.
Were alive!
The captain sighed in relief. If Black Mamba had come to their rescue only a few moments later, they would all have been goners.
He is one frightening marksman.
They were now no longer surprised and instead went on to praise him. With the help of one man, the entire wars direction had shifted. Black Mamba obliterated the opposing forces in the battle of the early evening also. Azrael (angel of death) was a fitting title for him.
Barf, why does Black always go for the head?
Jang Shin threw up as he came up from behind. The gray matter that had exploded out of the enemys heads made his stomach churn.
Hey, they stick out their heads all the time. If you dont want to look at it, take off the night vision goggles. Take them off, the sophisticated shuttle man Burimer said as he hit Jang Shin on the back of the head.
Shit, you think Im Black Mamba? How can I see without the night vision goggles?
Shut up and hurry. When Black Mamba silences them, you have to hit them with lightning.
Jang Shin didnt even have time to spit out his vomit because of Burimers nagging.
Why are there so many of them?
The math was not working outright. They said that there were about 150 guerrilla troops left. In the early evening, they had killed 43, and afterward, they had cleared 22. That meant that there should only be 80 of them left for the latter half of the battle. Taking into account that they sacrificed 23 to Allah, killing their comrades to succeed in their attacks, they should have less than 30 troops left. But there seemed to be 60-70 of them showing up on their radar.
Captain, how many of them are there?
Aside from the ones we got rid of, theres over a hundred.
A hundred?
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his head.
Unbelievable, do these punks only know how to count to 150?
Unlike the captives confessed numbers, they had close to 200 troops.
Black, theres no time. If they rush in here, we are done for, The captain said anxiously.
His worry was obvious. Team Ratel was planning their attack for the end. When the FROLINATs reinforcement troops were introduced, they were going to run over them with boulders so that they couldnt retreat.
As expected, the guerrilla forces movements changed. They stopped their charging and dispersed into hiding like ants. When the sound of guns decreased, the darkness seemed to grow deeper.
Oh no, these punks are planning a delayed operation.
Their intention was easy to decipher.
Jang Shin had lost his target and was taken aback. The special tactic was no longer viable. Instead, Burimer and Jang Shin were now in danger from the guerrillas RPG. Surprised by the change in tactic, Jang Shin grabbed his mine thrower and hid behind a rock.
The fighting lulled. Team Ratel were now the desperate ones. They had no way of knowing when the FROLINAT forces would start their attack. Black Mamba became lost in thought. His identity had already been vastly revealed. His comrades were not ones to reveal a secret operation, but something was bothering him. Besides, even if they blabbed about it in a pub, no one would have believed them.
If someone had mentioned a human who can see from 100 meters away and talk about killing an enemy with a rock from that range, they would have been seen as a crazy person. People would have laughed at the idiot who thought that there was a person who could clear an enemy every second when they were 500 meters away.
Black Mamba looked down. His entire body was drenched in blood. From his wet uniform, blood dripped to the ground.
Teacher, forgive your disciple who walks the path of blood. I could not abandon my comrades.
Having already decided to abandon his body, Black Mamba resolved to continue on this bloody trail.
Captain, Im going in.
What are you talking about?
A prolonged war is dangerous. Ill go in myself and clear them out.
Youre going to jump into the midst of them? Thats crazy.
The captain rejected the offer flatly.
Dont talk nonsense. Even if you were a master of hand-to-hand combat, you are a human, not a robot. The number of survivors on their side is two digits. What do you think you can do in there all by yourself?
Captain, this is enemy territory. Before they all come charging at us like dogs, we have to mow them over and move. I am Black Mamba.
Are you insane?
The captain didnt know what to do. The enemy had hidden like turtles. There was no set plan to fight it. Jang Shins counter-thrower would not be of much use now. Their weakness in having a small special task team was instantly revealed.
Black Mambas stamina was another issue. He had already battled furiously with the enemy before he got here. As a human, there was a limit to his endurance.
Burimer, what do you think of Black Mambas crazy talk?
If we want to change the tide of battle, we have no choice.
Hmm! Are you saying we should do the insane thing he suggests?
Its Black Mamba. He has the authority to command his tactics. If you remain stubborn it will just hurt your pride so just give him permission.
The captain chewed his left thumb as if it was jerky. It was a habit of his when he was in times of severe stress. Burimer was right. They were in a desperate situation, and Black Mamba was not the type to listen to him even if he tried to stop him.
Captain Paul cursed himself for being the one to lead this operation. He wanted to shoot all of those who had forced him into going ahead with such a tactic.
Damn, dont die. Black Mamba.
I am Black Mamba.
Black Mamba hid his Dragunov between two boulders and pulled out his Glock. The captains eyes grew huge as he watched through his night-vision goggles. Like magic, Black Mamba, who had been in front of him a second ago, disappeared.
Whew, I cant get used to it. That guys not a sniper but a Senior.
Senior was the original legendary Islam assassin from the Crusades. He was called an old man.
After 3 minutes passed, Black Mambas presence was decipherable through the night-vision goggles. With the Glock in one hand and the kukri in the other, he popped out of nowhere in the middle of the enemy troops. He wasnt sure how he was able to set off these fireworks with his gun in this sort of war.
The captain released his grip on his Dragunov and watched Black Mambas movements through his night-vision goggles. This was an opportunity to see for himself Black Mambas phenomenal hand-to-hand combat skills.
Black Mamba disappeared behind a boulder. Suddenly a green human silhouette flew out. Again, another green shadow flew out then disappeared into the dark. Black Mamba came back into view hovering in the air. From his hands, sparks flew as blue shadows collided then fell. Blood fell from the sky. From the looks of it, the oppositions main artery had been cut.
Don Dieu, Cest ve! (My goodness, no way!)
The captains hands trembled holding the night-vision goggles. Black Mamba appeared to kill an enemy, then instantly disappeared from view, then appeared again to make another enemy soldier fall. He was merciless and precise. Even though a master of Krav Maga himself, he could not follow Black Mambas movements nor understand it.
It was more surprising to see the kukri in his left hand and the Glock in his right moving as if they were completely different entities. While the left hand swung the kukri at the neck of his enemy, the right hand was double-tap shooting at the troops behind him.
Ambidextrous people can do different things with their hands simultaneously. However, they cannot swing a sword in one hand and shoot a gun with the other, but Black Mamba was using one hand to handle a gun easily.
Because of Hollywood movies, people thought that it was possible to shoot a gun with one hand. A short pistol spits out shells. Shot consecutively, the aim will decrease. It is difficult to even hit someone 10 meters away when shooting consecutively.
The FM shooting position is called the Weaver Stance. The Weaver Stance was created by American Jack Weaver. He researched a guns property relative to the human body to come up with a position that would yield the most precise results.
Staying in a shooting position is not hard. Spread your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width and aim 45 degrees toward the target. The right shoulder is shifted to the back. The right arm is naturally out straight in front, parallel to your aim. With your left hand, you support your right hand. This position decreases the rebound effect by the most. To increase the precision of the shots, lower body stability and a decrease in rebound are pivotal.
Western movies and Hong Kong noir movies show actors shooting with one hand to hit two or three of their targets, but this strictly only happens in movies.
Black Mamba had trained his body in a way that gave him magnified vision, and along with Parathropuss immense strength and spatial awareness, he was an unstoppable war machine. Only with Black Mambas physique could the one-handed, double-tap, Hong Kong-noir style of shooting be achieved.
But the captain didnt know the secrets of Black Mambas physique, so, of course, he couldnt understand it.
Mouris, Emil 9 oclock position for 3 seconds.
Morris and Emil heeded Black Mambas command and pointed their machine guns to the 9 oclock position to shower the opposition with a hail of bullets. The instant the machine guns stopped firing, Black Mamba attacked the enemies.
Swish swish
He jumped into their hiding nooks and shook them as he swung his kukri. Black Mamba was able to cut a fly in half in midair as it was flying. Blood erupted like a geyser.
Ack!
The guerrillas chest had been split, and he uttered a muted scream, but the one with his head chopped off didnt even get a chance to gasp in surprise. The two guerrillas had been lying in wait but were sent to see Allah without even realizing what was happening.
Kakakaka
Bullets rained from the shooting squad. Black Mambas body popped out from the cover like the shards of a bomb. There wasnt even enough time to change the magazine on the Glock. He threw the Glock into the air then pulled the pin out of the grenade and tossed it.
Sweep sweep sweep
Upon removing the pin, the grenade exploded into a million pieces. The shards stabbed through the necks of the three guerrillas holding guns.
Swoop.
Ack!
With their larynxes shattered, the guerrillas gasped their last breaths and collapsed. Then the Glock that had been tossed into the air landed back into Black Mambas hand.
Tak snap Black Mamba engaged the falling Glock.
He had run into their hiding spots and killed two, then killed another with his grenade, then grabbed his falling gun in two breaths.
Black Mamba wiped his face with the back of his hand. Slimy blood got on his hand. It was the blood of the sacrificial soldier whose chest had been split open. His teachers words passed through his memory. A teacher will walk barefoot to make sure he does not step on even a crawling bug.
Ive already decided to sacrifice this body, so I will bear the burden of my crimes.
Black Mamba clenched his teeth.
Swoop.
He relaxed his breathing and attempted to trigger his transportation ability. It was not easy. The desire to kill was boiling inside him, and he could not quell it. The potent smell of blood was seducing him further.
Darkness is Black Mambas friend. It was reminiscent of him eating bugs in the dark caves. He gave up his natural transportation ability and perked up his senses to find his targets. Beyond 20 meters, he sensed the presence of three shooters.
Swoop Black Mamba threw a stone, and it flew at them like a bomb.
Crash The rock hit the boulder with a loud sound and crumbled.
Black Mambas body stretched. Bang bang bang Black Mamba jumped over the boulder and consecutively double-tapped to shoot his opponents. The guerrillas who were hit all fell to their deaths.
Crack
From behind him, a guerrilla troop charged toward him with a sword. Black Mamba did a back kick and landed it squarely into his chest. His ribs cracked and collapsed, and he went numb.
Remembering the events at Mt. Bang Tae, he stabbed the enemy in his side.
Chapter 33
Ah! It was impeccable timing. As Black Mambas back swayed, his weapon moved swiftly like flowing water right at the guerrilla. It was Chungpabos zero-gravity move. The kukri drew a circle slicing off the barrel of the gun and the guerrillas wrist.
Damn!
Black Mamba bit his lips. He was a child soldier barely 13 or 14 years old. The white eyes on his black face were opened wide in surprise.
Ugh
Crack Before the child soldier could even let out a scream, Black Mamba slammed his elbow into his face. His strength was enough to shatter a boulder. The child soldiers head cracked open; he trembled for a moment then collapsed.
Fck, fck!
He cursed at no one in particular. This was the middle of hell.
How did I end up jumping into a world like this?
Unsettling anger rose inside him.
Kill them! Kill them!
Like a drum, the words chanted in his head. As the gauge of his anger increased, a viciousness engulfed his entire body. Black Mamba turned red. The Parathropuss murderous instinct took over his mind. Black Mamba had his way with the war, and it almost revealed his godly state.
A weasel entering a cage of chicks or a beagle jumping onto a bed could not have created more chaos than Black Mamba did now. Mustas army could not target Black Mamba who moved so fast that he seemed to be teleporting.
A third of Mustas army had been sent to retraining. To make up for the loss, they filled their numbers using child soldiers. The brainwashed teens had lost their sense of fear. They insanely pulled the trigger and attacked head-on. Black Mamba got rid of them without a second thought.
Johnson, 3 oclock position, 230 meters away.
Mouris, 12 oclock position.
Mike, 9 oclock position, 230 eters left of the boulder.
The captain spouted order after order upon mapping out their positions.
Lieutenant Paul was the commander of the war. He opened up the path for Black Mamba to go from place to place without threat.
Dependable Captain!
Black Mamba exclaimed. They made it possible for him to move around like a ghost as they diverted the enemys attention. The kukri was dyed in blood, and the Glock continued to spit out bullets.
The Glock that Black Mamba was using was a new brand, created in 1981. It was inexpensive, able to harbor 17 bullets, compact, and dependable. It was a highly practical weapon.
The Glock was created using the plastic capsule from Austria. It had previously been overlooked because of its plastic part, some thought it lacked finesse. The French, who had realized the usefulness of the Glock, immediately bought it for their army.
Black Mamba was satisfied with the capability of the Glock. This gun is a murder weapon. The best gun was one that had the best ability to murder. There was no need for sophistication. Black Mambas thought coincided with that of the Glocks inventor.
Ombuti trembled as he observed the war through his night-vision goggles. Black Mamba was like a deadly hurricane crashing through Mustas army. They couldnt even target him because he moved so quickly.
The arteries cut by the kukri spewed blood. The soldiers whose spines had been broken from his kicks lay in grotesque positions with smashed pieces of brain spilling out from the cracked skulls, heads smashed in by rocks, and arms and legs splayed about apart from their bodies. It was hell. The bodies with bullet holes in their foreheads or on the back of their heads were the cleanest there.
Ah! Azrael! Oh, Allah.
Ombuti found himself praying without realizing it. He wiped his sweaty hands on his gandura. Watching the progression of the unrelenting warrior made him unable to breathe properly. The desert warrior did not forget his resentment. FROLINAT needed to be obliterated. Their enemy continued to ravage them in vengeance.
Allahhu Akbar ha-da-apdal yaumin pi- haya-ti-duh ssuduh Black Mamba wa ssadi! (Allah is all-powerful. This is my lifes greatest day. Black Mamba is my master!)
Ombuti stuck both his hands to his ears and bowed toward Black Mambo. He vowed to make Black Mamba his master for the rest of his life.
The angel of death froze in his movements. Suddenly, the life in him dissipated. Black Mamba, after drenched in icy water, came back to his senses.
What have I done?
The ringing of gunshots in his ear stopped. He couldnt even remember how many he had killed. The revolting smell of blood hit him hard.
Everywhere he looked, he saw numerous corpses lying around him. He saw the corpses with their heads bashed in and their chests collapsed. It was a repeat of the massacre at Mt. Bang Tae. If there was a difference, it was that he could kind of remember himself causing the havoc.
He had charred five Glock magazines. The end of the kukri blade dripped blood. There were 20 who had been stabbed by its wrath.
Am I human?
Black Mamba stared at his blood-soaked hands. They were the hands which had touched the pure Hae Young and had patted the bottom of Hae Soon. They were the hands that had held his mothers breast and fell asleep, the hands that had meditated while hitting a moktak. The blood-soaked hands looked gruesome.
How could I touch Hae Young with these hands?
His teacher will go through a cleansing ritual for his apprentice drenched in blood. His heart was heavy, and the end of his nose burned.
He sighed heavily and reoriented his corroded mind. What could he do? He had already run into the path of blood!
And he knew that he had to be drenched in blood to protect his comrades.
His fathers last request to take care of his mother had not been kept. It was because he had no power. Even if everything was tossed into chaos, he never wanted to lose anyone close to him ever again.
Black Mamba flew up 5 meters and stood atop a boulder. He used his transportation skills. He mapped out the places where he sensed life. Now there was no life left around him. Even the smallest animals like the lizards had either fled or died.
His comrades watched the scene through their night-vision goggles and trembled at the sight.
The crescent moon shone onto the silhouette of a man standing atop a boulder. On one hand, he was holding a bloody kukri and, in the other, a gun. Through the night-vision goggles, the burning blue light in the darkness was none other than the devil.
Devil!
Burimer murmured. Everyone agreed with Burimers words.
I cant believe it, Black Mamba!
The captain sighed without realizing it. He could not calm his trembling heart. Even though he believed that the world held secrets that he would never understand, he still couldnt believe his eyes.
There was no way a man who could kill 60 men with his bare hands was human!
The number of men that Black Mamba had reached 150. It was impossible to not call him the devil.
Black Mamba placed the bulletless Glock into his holster. Three or four guerrillas that were trying to escape fell as if they were dancing in a shower of bullets from his machine gun.
Its over!
Only 20 minutes had passed since he charged at the guerrilla forces like a rambunctious beagle.
All clear. Let us return.
Cest incroyable! (I cant believe it!)
The captain didnt realize that drool was spilling down from his mouth. In the 20 years that he had been back and forth in war, he had never witnessed such a shocking battle. No, he couldnt even have imagined it. It was not a fight but a slaughter. It was an unimaginable holocaust.
Burimer, report back after checking it out.
Yes, sir.
With expressions of fear, the rest of the team members crawled out of their bunker.
In 1948, the term genocide was first defined. In 2000, it was recorded in the international criminal courts and described as the following:
If a country or its leaders decide to attack citizens, nations, or ethnicities based on differences in religion, political, social or economic interest, gender, health, or region and a large population is affected by it, it was noted as a genocide. It was a plan to obliterate a population based on any of the above reasons.
France, a powerhouse nation, had sent their agent, Black Mamba to target the special group, the FROLINAT, in the mission Rescue Raccoon that killed about 170 people and obliterated the entire population.
This fell into the category of genocide.
Black Mamba jumped off the boulder and collapsed onto the floor. Severe fatigue overtook him. Like cotton soaked in water, his body felt like it was sinking. Five hours had passed since his first kill. Even the great Black Mamba could not be immune to it.
The once orange-brown uniform was blood red. Covered in blood and dust, he looked like a monster. He scratched his body through his clothes. The smell of blood was revolting, but the itching was driving him crazy. He was so exhausted, even scratching was tiresome. He threw off his clothes and rubbed his back against a rock until his skin was raw.
Captain, Black Mamba is acting weird.
Emil reported after seeing Black Mambas strange behavior.
Oh dear, its war syndrome. Emil, bring a water bottle and follow me.
The captain tore off Black Mambas clothes.
Black Mamba, I am the baptizer. Prepare yourself to be released from your sins.
His serious expression and tone of voice made it sound legitimate.
Alright.
Surprisingly, Black Mamba passively played along with this joke-like ritual. The captain stood in front of him with the thing between his legs dangling.
Kneel.
Emil lifted the water bottle and poured it over his head. The captain chanted like a pseudo priest.
Black Mamba, this is a war baptism. You did not kill humans; you killed the enemy. The enemy is not human; they are just an enemy. The enemys blood has now been washed away by the waters of baptism. Your soul is cleansed.
The captain uttered the nonsense as if he believed it.
Oh! Im fine.
Black Mamba shot up. The unexpected phenomenon caused him to speak with an accent. The insane itch disappeared as if it never happened.
How?
The captain prodded Black Mambas private parts and laughed.
Haha, hes got good stuff. Its nothing to be worried about. You subconsciously received the psychological stress of a holocaust. The brain releases hormones to combat this pressure induced by murder. Thats what would have caused the itching. It happens sometimes during war. When you received the baptism, it caused a placebo effect. It stopped the flow of hormones and stopped the itching.
He wasnt sure if there was proof or not, but it explained.
Black Mamba exclaimed, Mon Dieu! Cest ve? (Wow, what in the world, is that true?)
Oui, Cest ve! (Of course, its true). It was in Dr. Lauren Gieses dissertation.
Pariss second universitys Dr. Lauren Giese?
Black Mamba jumped in surprise. Giese was the person who he had saved at Mt. Bang Tae and she was a friend of his. The world was large yet small.
Do you know Dr. Giese?
I know she is a famous person.
Not wanting to explain in detail, he answered the question ambiguously. He was so tired that he didnt even want to open his mouth. As his comrades were tidying up the war scene, he plopped down and couldnt move an inch.
For 20 minutes, they pumped air into him. If he was a normal person, this would not have been enough. The sudden blast of air caused his muscles to stiffen.
Bellman! Relieve Black Mambas muscles.
The captain, having had a lot of experience, recognized Black Mambas condition immediately. Black Mambas first fighting initiation was a bloodbath. It was the emergence of the monster that his teacher had been worried about. After his muscles were massaged, he crawled into his sleeping bag and fell asleep.
Hes on the move.
Black Mamba opened his eyes. The cold air had woken him up. He opened his eyes and stared out blankly for a while then shook his head hard. The falling sunlight blinded him. His blurry vision started to focus. The captains gray and blue eyes were floating in front of him.
Hows your condition?
Good.
Black Mamba took the water from the captain and drank it in, his Adams apple jumping furiously. The water was warm, but it brought back life into his body.
How long was I out?
Nine hours have passed.
Hm! Nine hours?
Black Mamba lifted his upper body in surprise. He had been dead asleep for nine hours. The psychological stress had been much greater than the physical one and had made a greater impact on his body.
He ran away afraid his penis would fall off. Hahaha!
The captain laughed without opening his mouth, his signature laugh.
Chapter 34
As soon as the Ratel team finished cleaning up the battlefield, they left the scene as though their tails were about to fall off. Dragging their feet after finishing a battle would be like shoving their heads into an alligators mouth.
Emil, where are we?
Ombuti was the one who replied. Weve passed Shala. Well be arriving in Nadele soon.
Weve reached the Kanem provinces border, then. Its as if weve jumped 110 miles.
Black Mamba smiled freely as he checked his watch. Their battle had started around six in the evening and ended at midnight. By then, it was ten in the morning. The Captain and Ombuti were both surprised at Black Mambas words, which indicated that he had memorized the entire map.
Ombuti crossed the dry ravine and held camp in the rough rocky regions. As an experienced guide, he found adequate campsites as quietly as a ghost. The Sahel region was full of wastelands, sparse wood, and small swamplands. There were some hills, valleys, and ravines, making the place advantageous to hide from the FROLINAT.
The camp was on a large rocky mountain that towered over the valley like a building. It was geographically similar to the battle region at Uldi Hamarl. As long as they didnt create smoke, the possibility of being found seemed low.
Everyone aside from the watch group, go to sleep.
The team members who received the Captains orders placed themselves in a rocks shadow and burrowed into their sleeping bags. Everyone had shadows hanging under their eyes.
Black Mamba stretched his body before searching for Emil. He felt like he was about to starve, as a strong wave of hunger had just hit him.
Emil, Im hungry.
Emil smiled as he threw three C-rations at him. Everyone in Deuxieme Rep knew about Black Mambas large appetite.
Youre Black Mamba. You shouldnt be acting up just because youve been starved for one day. Ive heard that some snakes go months without eating.
Im not a reptile, Im a mammal.
Youre not a species of this Earth. Youre an alien who escaped from its planet, like if Darth Vader jumped out of Star Wars.
Shut up. I noticed that weve been moving to the northeast while I was sleeping.
Theres no reason to be attacked by the enemy while taking our time, after all.
But Emil, why does everyone look so depressed?
Emil hesitated before biting his lip.
Sergeant Mark was killed.
What? No way!
Black Mamba was surprised. No one had said anything about their dead after the battle was over. His ears rang. It was the first casualty from their first battle. Mark, alongside Mike, was the best sniper in Deuxieme Rep. They had a dent in their forces without gaining even a glimpse of the raccoons tail. He froze completely.
Humans were weak beings who died after being hit by a bullet smaller than a nail. There was no difference even when it was a child who was shooting the bullet.
How?
Neither we nor the captain figured it out until later. Sergeant Mark, who had an injury on his abdomens protective cover, was hunched over. Bell Man tried, but it was too late. He said the cause of death was shock from losing too much blood.
Are you saying that he could have lived if it had been found sooner?
Maybe!
What was his partner, Sergeant Mike, doing?
Rage flashed over Emils face.
My words exactly! Hes the man who was drunk on blood even during survival training, so he probably went crazy.
What fcking bstard!
A strong glint of blue, like the eyes of a predator, gleamed in Black Mambas eyes.
Partners existed to protect each others backs. Each filled in the others blindside and shared attacking and defending in turns. If Black Mamba began shooting, Emil had to throw his entire attention into his partners safety, to the point that he neglected his own. This also meant that Mike didnt even realize his partners poor situation. He was a useless b*stard.
Ahh! Emil yelled lowly as he was exposed to the strong blood lust.
Why are you surprised?
He spoke a plain tone.
Was I hallucinating?
Emil tilted his head. He had suddenly imagined Black Mamba as some unfathomable predator, but when he looked once more, he was still his unchanging, trustworthy partner.
They must have had a sniper.
Sergeant Mark had been a first-rate sniper. Even if Mike didnt cover him, he wasnt so weak as to be done in by the guerrillas gunfire.
Emil nodded.
He was shot. The bullet went straight through his abdomen. Maybe if it had been Samura, but it was too much for Bell Man to treat.
Emil glanced at his partner as he changed his words. He was scared of Black Mambas aura and felt like an unfortunate incident, like Sergeant Mike being beaten to his death, could occur.
Anyone else?
Miguel and Jang Shin have light injuries. Theres no problem there.
Thats good. I can tell the Captain didnt tell me on purpose.
Emil nodded. Black Mamba was the main strength of their team. He was their ace who swayed the flow of battle. The Captain had purposefully made them keep it a secret so that he could rest.
Pretend as if you dont know until the Captain tells you. When everyones back and awake, well hold his funeral.
We should put our own lives on the line in order to take others.''
His comrade had died, but he didnt feel much anger or sadness. The enemy might not have been human, but he had killed over ten of them. There was no telling as to whether he would one day be buried under the yellow sand himself. He didnt consider life or death too important.
Ugh!
Emil sighed at his vague words.
The team members began to climb out of their sleeping bags when the sun began to set. Their first battle had given them much physical stress and mental fatigue after contact. Now, they looked better. Sleep was definitely the right prescription for relieving physical and mental stress.
Sergeant Mark was temporarily buried in a tarp. The Captain began to tear up as he marked the bag.
Mark, Im sorry. Ive buried you in this wasteland due to my incapability as a leader. Ill take you to your hometown as soon as possible, so hold on.
That was what he said, but the possibility of Marks remains being delayed during transportation was high.
Darkness rained down on the teams faces. They had a casualty when they hadnt even found the raccoons den. The fact that theyd annihilated the enemy didnt abate their sadness of losing their comrade.
Look at him, acting pathetic, Emil whispered into Black Mambas ear.
Sergeant Mike was wailing, with tears streaming down his face.
You damn b*stard, Mark, you died because you didnt want to have your name confused with mine any longer, didnt you? Nice going. Whats Mark anyways? You died because of your name.
That pathetic b*stard!
The Captain sighed continuously in a corner to the side. He had protested Sergeant Mikes enlistment to the special forces by Lieutenant Colonel Pieff. He had predicted problems with the teamwork, and, as expected, there were many. He wondered how such a human had been promoted into a sergeant.
Black Mamba stood up abruptly. He had held back, because he didnt want to disrupt the teamwork, but now, his insides were flipping from listening to that idiots mumbling.
Black Mamba, dont.
Emil held onto his sleeve, but his hand was thrown off. Black Mamba, who had been standing in front of him, was already in front of Mike.
Smack
Ugh.
The mouth which had been saying nonsense was startled into a shout. Mike, who had been slapped harshly, twisted around before falling to the ground. Black Mamba looked around. He couldnt find anything that fit his beating criteria.
Whats the point? I can use anything to catch a pig.
He took out the supporting beam of a camping bed, a wooden beam around an inch and a half in diameter and seven feet in length. No one stopped Black Mamba. Fighting among comrades was an unspoken rule while going through plans. Mike was an exception. There was no mercenary who didnt suffer under Mikes sudden actions and speech. Everyones eyes shined with expectations and curiosity, as though they had predicted this would happen. The Captain moved far away, as though he was blind to what was happening.
Black Mamba swung the wooden stick once through the air.
Swoosh
The sound of the air being sliced open rang out. The wooden stick bent as though it couldnt bear its own speed.
Mikes face, which had been relaxed until then, turned white. He recalled the moment when he had nearly been beaten to death by Black Mamba. It was a nightmare where he had been hung upside down off a cliff by his ankles, watching the dark, swaying sea 230 feet below.
B-Black Mamba, whats wrong with you?!
Mike lowered his tail immediately. He couldnt even remember his rank. The only thought in his head was how he could die from being beaten. Black Mamba aimed at Mikes forehead with the tip of his stick.
Mike, partners have to protect each others backs. Is the enemy or your partners back more important?
Of course, my partner is more important, answered Mike immediately, frightened.
Black Mamba was a fearsome guy. Mike felt as though the stick would crack his head open at any time.
You trash b*stard, you didnt even know that your partner had died.
I still killed over ten people.
You idiot, 150 died by my hands. Emil was skilled enough to protect my back. Do you think Emil takes up the machine gun and forgets his partner when hes as skilled as you?
Mike had much to say, but his mouth wouldnt open. He had blanked out at the sight of Black Mambas bloodthirsty blue eyes.
I heard your nickname is the battlefields crazy b*stard. If you want to be crazy, be a good crazy. Ill engrave your partners importance into your body so that youll never abandon them again.
When Black Mamba approached, Mike turned around and ran to the best of his abilities. There was nothing prideful about it. The only thing in his mind was his survival instinct.
Ha!
At the surprising situation, the team members face crumpled instantly. Even if Black Mamba was scary, this wasnt something a sergeant should do.
Black Mamba, temporarily confused, planted his feet into the ground and pulled up a resonance from his lower stomach.
Haap!
The resonance that swirled once around his veins strengthened and poured out. The strong wave shook the entire unnamed valley in Sahel.
Eep!
Mikes heavy footsteps, running away, immediately stopped. His brain waves had lost their sense of direction after being disrupted by the resonance. His nerves froze as his brain failed to receive any signals.
Black Mamba dragged the stick on the ground as he approached slowly.
He had dredged up his entire strength to puke out the resonance wave, and the result was unsatisfactory.
F*ck, seems like an unhanded impact is just a martial arts fantasy.
He had barely managed to paralyze Mike. He hadnt shown much impact, aside from losing his strength.
Mike could only roll his eyes around as his body was paralyzed. Black Mamba poked Mikes chest with the end of his stick.
Pfft Cough, cough.
Mike began to cough like mad after the paralysis wore off, regaining his stolen breath. He couldnt even tell what had happened.
Black Mamba was a private. Sergeant Mike, who didnt know the authority bestowed on names, had to threaten Black Mamba with his rank, knowing he had to calm Black Mamba no matter what. Mike was a crazy b*stard, but he knew how precious his life was.
No. Imma sergeant. If you it me, Ill make you stand in martial court.
Whatever.
Bang Bang Bang
Black Mamba began to pummel Mike without a word. He used the All-Torture, which he had used to break Madam Jangs footman Lee. The wooden stick from the outdoor cot was rather good. It felt right in his hands.
The All-Tortures main point was to apply pain similar to the persons limit, causing an increased illusioned sense of pain. It was a strong torture method that increased pain continuously.
The person on the receiving side had no choice but to wait for the pain despite knowing there would be blows. It was hard to maintain ones sanity under such tension and fear.
Kuuagh, kuuuh!
A desperate shout echoed across the Sahels night sky. Mike rolled around in order to avoid the blows, but it was no use. The wooden stick fell on him without fail.
The pain streaked across his head and twisted his spine. His nerves screamed every time a blow fellhe couldnt even faint. Mike begged God, Allah, and Buddha to make him lose consciousness. Even the team members who were watching on slowly lost the color in their cheeks.
This b*stards a devil. Hes not human.
Mike was anguished. He preferred death instead. It hadnt even been three minutes, but the shouts had died down. Mike was covered in nose drippings, saliva, and sweat. He couldnt even roll any longer and remained curled up, twitching occasionally. Mike finally fainted during All-Tortures first stage.
Chapter 35
This b*stard has less guts than Mr. Lee. A spineless coward acting up, Black Mamba murmured in Korean.
Contact-based martial arts were composed of three parts. The first part provoked pain, the second disrupted the muscles, and the third ruined the nerves. Not even Black Mamba himself could withstand all three.
In order to recover from the second and third parts ruptured muscles and nerves, one needed the Higashi Hongan-jis secret highly-priced protective solution. A normal person would lose their mind or become mentally disabled by the end of the first part.
Mike, if you lose your partner one more time, youll die. Youll die like a tortured dog.
Uhh, I-I understand.
Mike barely managed to reply by attempting to move his jaw, which refused to open. Only the fact that he could be hit again if he didnt reply made him move his mouth.
Black Mamba threw the wooden stick away and sent a silent nod towards the Captain.
He had beaten the sergeant without permission from the teams leader. It was a blow to the Captains leadership. Sergeant Paul pretended as though he hadnt seen it at all. The other team members silently lifted their thumbs.
Bell Men poked a nerve-treatment injection into Mikes still form on his thigh. Emil and Jang Shin then moved the unconscious man to the tent.
As expected of Azrael!
Ombuti had watched Mikes pathetic beating from the beginning. A corner of Ombutis mouth started to rise; he felt avenged. A private beating up a sergeant wasnt a sight he would see again.
The Captain looked around at his team.
Yesterday, we lost our competent comrade, Mark. Ill add another course to the SERE program about overcoming sadness. Mark would want us to finish our mission well. We must change our sadness and anger into courage in order to complete this mission. Weve finished five hours of battle and been on the run for ten hours. Everyone must want to eat even the foulest hyena. Jang Shin, make an Addax barbeque, and Burimer, bring the Cap Corse. Theres a Korean saying that says youre brave to die after eating. Lets all die after eating.
Yeaaaah!
After the Captains speech, everyone began to shout.
Oh ho, look at that man talk. He could stand on the national council, Chartres exclaimed.
What a boring joke. Even if I die, I wouldnt want to die by a metal farming stick.
The Captain managed to overhear the conversation with his sharp ears. During the French Revolution, angered farmers had charged into the council with their pitchforks. The nobles and council members of the bourgeois on the receiving end suffered deaths by pitchfork.
They had found an Addax while cleaning up the battlefield at Uldi Hamarl. It was a large one, over 220 pounds. It was the Musta scouts misfortune to have met such a cruel opponent. A place to party had turned into a community graveyard due to the coincidence.
Miguel and Emil dragged the Addax along, breathing harshly, while Burimer took out the wine box.
Oh, Cap Corse! Chartres brightened, ever the wine fanatic.
Cap Corse was an appetizer drunk specifically at 59 degrees, a Corsican specialty.
The production of Cap Corse was complicated. First, the grape juice had to be wrung out and fermented. The remaining grape peels were gathered at 104 degrees to create a distilled beverage. The distilled beverage was then added to the grape juice to stop the fermentation. There, they added herbs and medicinal plants, then continued fermenting for another three months to create the sweet and bitter taste of wine. They released the wine after six months of bottling.
Cap Corse wasnt well known and was only produced in small amounts. It was usually spread across southern Europe by boat. It was beloved to the point that if someone in southern Europe didnt know Cap Corse, they werent considered a true drinker.
Jang Shin came forth to demonstrate Mongolian barbeque. He was a studying chef who dreamed of opening his own restaurant in An-hui City after his mercenary contract ended.
His friends helped him create a hole in the ground and gather rocks to lay on the bottom. They built a tower of fire with dry twigs. The rocks heated, and by the time the coals began to spit embers, they had placed the leaf-wrapped Addax on top, covering it with sand.
The thick smell of roasting meat smoked out of the open vent Jang Shin had poked in the ground. The team began to drool, hungry after long hours of intense batting and running. There was no one who cared about Mike remaining on the outdoor cots.
Three days passed from the beginning of their mission. Their rations had decreased gradually day by day. Even the sadness of losing a comrade was placed on the back burner due to their hunger. Even mourning had to be done on a full belly. This was an undisputed genetic factor that came with the first priority of survival.
Jang Shin pushed the dirt away by the time the smoke stopped and pulled out the Addax.
Woah! shouted the mercenaries.
The well-roasted smell of meat made their senses happy. Black Mamba dug into some with his knife.
How good!
Ooh la la!
When Black Mamba raised his thumb, everyone else raised theirs. Jang Shins face turned into one of pride. He was now engraved in the teams memories as someone more than an explosives soldier.
It was rock-roasted meat with salt and pepper. There was no sauce or spices, but the ghouls who were held back ran forward like hyenas. Black Mamba also became greasy from holding and gnawing away at a rib.
The living had opened a barbeque party in the middle of a bloodied land of the dead. It was the way humans survived in the cursed, black land of Sahel. No. It was a universal human way of survival.
Herds of lions, including fathers, mothers, and children, bumped into each other while trying to tear at muscle and internal organs during their successful buffalo hunts. On one side of the chaos was an aunt lion who had her belly ripped open by a buffalos horn, breathing out her last breath. Survival consisted of battles. The dead were unable to participate, forgotten. There was nothing different about humans. They were eaten if weak, and left behind when fatigued. They lived in the same world.
The amount of blood in a protein meal was within 40 percent. This was the same for even-toed mammals with hooves. Pigs, who had small legs, were over 50 percent blood. 88 pounds of meat were enough to satisfy ten peoples appetites.
The team members who filled their bellies went back to sleep. They were sleeping so that they could move at dawn. Black Mamba, who slept to his fill, woke up and volunteered for first guard. The Captain attempted to stop him, but he stubbornly went off.
A crescent moon shaped like a scimitar rose in the sky. The empty land and crescent moon, the short howls of hyenas, and the ringing winds were present in the desert night.
Black Mamba was standing on top of a 20-foot stone pillar. It was the best place to watch all sides. At the same time, it was the best place to be shot, too.
When a person had nothing to do, that person turned to stray thoughts. Stray thoughts increased especially during silence. When moving scenery was added, emotions ran wild, whether that was for better or worse.
The deaths of those young guerrilla soldiers clung to his mind more than his teammate Marks death. They had barely been over ten years old. He kept recalling their blank gazes, the same eyes as his friends who were involved in the explosion at his hometown bridge.
Eyes without light, thin arms and legs, frizzy dry hair, and the protruding ribs seemed to hold onto his consciousness for a longer period of time.
Black Mamba, are you on guard?
A gun clicked. It was Sergeant Chartres, explosives and RPG-7 launcher expert. Chartres, who had enrolled in the Legion Etranger during his doctorate program at Paris Second University, was the oldest out of all the team members at the age of 36.
Chartres was also in the same 4th company, 2nd platoon, and 1st squadron, like Black Mamba, who was his best friend. Most mercenaries were fakes or had particular personalities. Chartres always insisted that he was a reincarnation of Sartre, an extensional philosopher. He also said that his father had named him Chartres after dreaming of Sartre before he was born. Of course, everyone thought of it as a joke, because Chartres was a history major.
No one knew why he became a mercenary to the point of deceiving his own nationality. The Legion Etranger couldnt dig into a persons past as long as the individual didnt reveal it. The mercenaries didnt reveal their pasts as much as their dark histories. There were many mercenaries who hid their real names and only used nicknames.
Oh, Chartres!
Black Mamba jumped down from the top of the rock.
Seem like youre alive, considering how youre thinking so much. I thought you were dead since you werent moving.
Chartres committed a crime by twisting Sartres famous words. Black Mamba caught the hip flask Chartres threw.
Gee, Sciacarello!
The moment he opened the flask, the unique sweet smell of Sciacarello, famous red wine, swelled up. Chartres looked at Black Mamba as if he was looking at his younger brother.
Cap Corse is too rough and sour. I like Sciacarello, too. Drink up.
Black Mamba enjoyed Sciacarello more than the high-quality wine from the retirement village. Chartres, who was an alcohol lover, enjoyed strong vodka, but he had purposefully brought Sciacarello with him.
Aaah!
Black Mamba drank to the point that his adams apple moved, then burped out refreshingly. Chartres immediately smiled.
Ha, its my first time seeing someone burp from wine instead of vodka. Who would call you a mad dog when they see you like this?
Mad dog! Who said that?
He had never imagined he would be called a loose screw back in Africa.
The comrades who saw Black Mambas fight yesterday called you that.
Damn, and Chartres is one of them.
Well, considering their reactions, mad dog was the nickname.
How did you know?
A philosopher knows everything.
Ha. Yeah, right. Cheers to that.
Black Mamba handed the flask to Chartres. The old and young mercenary sat together and shared the wine. Men felt camaraderie by simply sharing their alcohol. They were also pathetic animals who solidified their friendship with drunk ramblings.
Do you feel weighed down? Youre exuding a dark aura.
Chartres, I want to kill every guerrilla leader. Ive killed tens of children who havent even grown beards. Theyre children who should be eating dinner with their families and playing with others their age. What the hell is wrong with this country?
Chartres also became depressed.
Were soldiers. Dont read too much into it. Theres a Chinese saying: What disturbs us is not the mountain afar but the small pebble in our shoes. Just thinking about how to survive makes my head hurt. Theres no reason to waste your energy on something thats already happened. Just shake that pebble out of your shoe.
Sigh, I dont know. Im angry, but I dont feel guilty. Thats what make me more confused.
Thats an exemplar attitude for a soldier. This mission is already my third. I was also sent to Chad, here, three years ago. It was a civil war between Goukouni and Makumbo. At that time, a public massacre happened at NDjamena, causing thousands of civilians to die.
Black Mamba recalled the Chad civil war he read during his speed reading. There had been over a million people who died in NDjamena due to the civil war.
Is there a reason to create a genocide between citizens of the same country just to grasp power? The citizens themselves are starving and dont have access to clean water. I was speechless when I looked around the streets of NDjamena. To think that theyd fire at each other when their people were begging on the streets.
Chartres stifled his laughter. Wasnt Black Mamba also from a country that raised a civil war between their own kind?
Didnt Korea create a genocide of their own? A huge war that resulted in 20,000 soldiers deaths? Youre still aiming guns at each other trying to gain an advantage.
Damn, it really isnt the time to be criticizing other people.
Black Mamba laughed cynically.
The Korean War may be an ideological war, but Chad is different. Chad is one of the poorest countries among third-world countries, with the highest illiteracy rate in the world. Stupid citizens are easier to drag about than a horse on a leash. Its a war created by the smaller upper echelon who are using the citizens.
And of course, those who are called leaders are those who want more power and wealth.
Haha!
Chartres also laughed cynically. The man called Makumbo who the Ratel team had come to save was the dirty man Black Mamba had spoken of.
Were nothing more than hands and feet. Were not in a position where we can discuss politics. Soldiers do nothing but follow orders. Your excuses and mine come from our positions as soldiers. Soldiers arent humanswere tools.
Black Mamba nodded. He hadnt understood everything due to his language skills which fell short, but he understood the core message. It meant that a leaders greed and the citizens stupidity caused a civil war. This was also the reality in Korea. He agreed with the fact that soldiers were tools. As expected, Chartres was someone he could learn from, as knowledgeable as he was.
Is it impossible for them to become a democratic state?
Most African countries gained their independence after World War II. Most of these countries are constructed so that one tribes leader holds more power and sway over the rest of the tribes. This means that they dont have the notion of a party leader at all. There are only political enemies whom they must kill. A change in political power only means the flooding of blood. Its easier to think of ruling in Africa as a one-party power in government. Theres no foundation for a democratic state. The same goes for Chad. For a democratic government to take hold where competition and power balances come from the tribes equal political sway, not even a hundred years would help the matter.
Chartres spoke like a judge who was declaring judgment on a sinner. Black Mamba felt like refuting Chartres opinion. If everything was as Chartres said, that meant there were only better tribes within Africa.
Arent you looking down on Africa too much? The unstable power balance was born from the western powers who colonized Africa. The western powers caused friction between the tribes in order to have a better grasp of their colonies before they robbed them. The European powers plundered Africa and stole their opportunities for education.
At Black Mambas refute, Chartres smiled. The most mercenary-like mercenary, yet at the same time, the unlikeliest mercenary of mercenaries, was Black Mamba.
Chapter 36
I cant say it doesnt matter at all, but we have larger internal problems. Under Japanese colonization, Korea lost not only its economys politics but also its culture. Despite that, Korea managed to achieve political stability and economic growth, even after a devastating civil war.
Chartres knew about Koreas situation, as was expected of a history major.
Koreas political stability? Black Mamba tilted his head.
They had a government that sent airborne forces to suppress its citizens protest movements, a government that aimed machine guns at its citizens. A protest group that threw broken cement blocks was responded to with aggressive police who threw down tear gas and metal bats. The same country that had tortured normal students and citizens to insanity was his home country, Korea. His friend, Kim Young Dong, had also become mentally retarded due to the torture.
His country greeted and ended the day with the sound of their combat soldiers footsteps moving in lines, accompanied by the sound of protest groups who screamed their chants. His country was the one who greeted their foul-looking president every evening at nine. Black Mamba had left his hometown because he couldnt stand the sight any longer. He left his hometown because of the corrupted public power. How could there be political stability when the political reality was so dark?!
Its already been 200 years since France had its revolution. Not even 40 years have passed in Korea. You can consider it a rite of passage into democracy.
Well, the nobility and Japan messed up Korea after all.
Black Mamba agreed. The upper echelon who stood for Chinese ideals and pro-Japanese factions had robbed them of their national pride.
Theres one phrase I engraved in my heart while I was studying history. Its what you worked for will become yours. Theres nothing that comes for free in international relationships. What is earned through others can easily be taken away. Koreas resistance movement is a prime example. People like Lee Seung Man always lean on outside powers to gain their independence, leaving aside several thousand of his own people. I dont like Koreas terminology for its resistance movement. Why isnt it a resistance war, instead of a resistance act?! In the end, Korea achieved its independence thanks to the united countries. The result of that is its current division.
Damn!
Black Mamba felt ashamed to the point that his face heated up. Korea was the outer land attached awkwardly at Asias eastern end, a country that remained apart from the worlds flow. Chartres knew Koreas exact history despite being a mercenary. This was the difference between educated and uneducated.
The only person who tried to achieve independence by using outside forces was Lee Seung Man.
It was the overall public opinion that pushed Lee Seung Man into the presidency, so you can say most were in agreement.
An undeniable refute countered his awkward excuse.
He wanted to argue but didnt have anything to say. He wanted to chew out France, but he didnt know anything in-depth and didnt speak the language very well. He felt as though he was being crushed by a stronger person.
Damn, whats the point of having a strong body if the heads empty.
Black Mamba sighed internally. How nice would it be if his head had also become amazing alongside his body!
Korea has a homogeneous ethnicity and high education. Even the politicians save their own hides under the citizens criticism. Korea will soon become a first world country. Africa is different from Korea. The people in power dont care about the citizens opinions. Once they come into power, they only care about their own tribes. Theyre b*stards who commit genocide on their own people because their tribes differ. Because their focus still remains on tribal concepts instead of national concepts, the future is dark.
The big problem Africa faces is blurred boundaries, poverty, and the illiteracy rate. Are you saying that Europe isnt responsible for the current situation?
Thats not it. Of course, the responsibility lies with Europe. Current African traditions that have continued also have many problems. For example, the national funds being used under the name of saving Africa are being invested in cotton, cocoa, and coffeecrops that are exported. Individual farming businesses are extremely neglected. Every crop thats funded from national funds is exported. Most of the paid fees from exportation go back in the hyenas and the small upper societys pockets. All the farmers get are the leftovers. Individual farming businesses are nothing more than shoe polishers working at the nations foundation. Reality only fills the bellies of those in power. Natives cant escape poverty. I feel like the national budget is only another method of stealing Africas money by taking advantage of peoples low incomes.
So in the end, this is about corrupted power. If clean power goes in, wouldnt the situation change for the better?
Chartres laughed with a twisted smile.
Hahaha! A clean government in Chad! Expect a tusk from a boar instead. Even if they want to come clean, everything theyve done until now will hold onto their ankles. Africa is suffering from chronic capital outflow. Any capital input immediately goes back out. The euro is its representative. Most of Africas euros are in possession of western powers. Basically, the money they earn from selling oil is given to the western powers in rations. Even if those in power keep their integrity, Africa still has to work to the bone and repay its debts, plus interest. They cant build their own capital. Cotton is basically oil for Chad. You could say Chads future is as dark as their skin.
Wouldnt the situation become better if a godlike leader appeared to unite the tribes?
You could say that itll be hard as long as the national consciousness remains in tribal units. Ive worked in Korea as a researcher for a year. Koreans are always hard-working and prideful in their work. Its to the point that their fervor for education burns them out. Education is the core working force of a countrys development. I believe that Koreas the only country that can catch up to Japan as a developing country.
Huh! I left Korea because I didnt like it. I was kicked around by power and people.
The country he was born in, the country he loved but couldnt like, was Korea. He laughed tonelessly at Chartres praise of it.
Black Mamba, if you generalize an individual experience, you get stuck in a narrow frame of mind. You and I are members of the same squadron and friends. You may be the best soldier, but youre too young and pure to dirty with so much blood on your hands. Sometimes passion blinds young people. Its not good to wash your hands in blood. I really want to encourage your return to your studies.
Sigh, thanks for your advice. I want to study again, too.
Black Mamba sighed automatically, but Chartres words had ripped the scab off his old wound.
I also find Africas reality unfortunate. Koreas strongest advantage is its single national ethnicity. As Ive said before, Chad doesnt have national pride; they only have tribes. Northern Arabs used southern Africans as slaves for a long time, with abuse. The hatred and grudge between them make unification impossible. The northern Arabs still think of southern Africans as slaves, but all of Chads economy is gathered in the south. What do you think will happen?
There wont be an end to their hatred, jealousy, and envy.
Yes, their relationship will worsen. Itd be better for the country to break apart.
Hmph, you wouldnt be saying that if you hadnt regained Normandy and Flanders from England after the 100 Years War! Black Mamba laughed at Chartres inwardly. He was surprised at Chartres knowledge, but it was hard to agree with him. Africas internal conflict, from Black Mambas point of view, was created from the western countries power struggle. If they hadnt placed the borders to their liking, the tribes conflicts wouldnt have increased.
Chartres found Africas situation unfortunate, but he only had crocodile tears. He, too, couldnt step out of his countrys viewpoint. If his country, France, was divided or under German rule, he wouldnt have been able to say the same. He found Chartres opinions uncomfortable, but couldnt argue due to his lacking knowledge and language skills.
Chartres rummaged through his bag and pulled out a cigarette case. In the case was a cigar as thick as his pinky. Chartres sliced the end of the cigar off and gave it to him.
Its a COHIBA SIGLO, Cuban tobacco. It was a little expensive.
Expensive? I see.
Black Mamba was still unable to leave his country-style mind behind. At the explanation of its expensiveness, he immediately lit his own.
The thick smell of well-fermented tobacco leaves rose from the cigar. He had learned how to smoke and drink when he served at night. It was cigarettes he had forgotten about as he trained under his master. He breathed in a waft deeply, and his head spun.
Good!
Chartres also lit his cigarette. The two sat together and smoked without a word. Smoking was forbidden for snipers, because the smell was obvious and spread too far. Both knew this fact, but both ignored it.
Black Mamba, youre not someone who should be in this place. Dream greater, think larger, Chartres emphasized once more.
Chartres, thank you for your advice. Please understand, my French is lacking.
Were friends and comrades. Theres no respectful language in French. Ill say this again, but were just tools. Dont think about it too much. Those b*stards are people whove killed innocent locals. Theyre our enemies, beasts. Those young soldiers are killing machines who lost their humanity. Its unfortunate, but theres no need to become attached. Youll see the reality of it soon.
Will I be able to return to a normal life?
Black Mamba raised both of his hands and smelled them. The smell of blood was strong. It was a deal engraved in his soul.
Dont worry. The most acclimatizing beings on Earth are humans.
Chartres patted Black Mambas shoulders and went down the hill. The smell of sour cigarettes filled his empty place.
Chartres had come to find him despite his tiredness. He felt warm at his camaraderie and had lessened his burden with their long conversation. He felt as though a large, comforting hand was on his shoulder.
Sahels night sky was vibrant. The stars filled the sky as if to make up for the dim moonlight. His past and current connections with others rumbled in his mind underneath the stars, which looked as if they were about to fall.
The unstoppable feelings were blown away along with the cigar smoke. He had forgotten about the stench of blood due to Chartres engaging conversation. What was the point of crying crocodile tears?!
Far away, the high and low growls and shouts of wild animals fighting over their feed echoed. The high-pitched sounds were the prey, while the low-pitched howling were the carnivores. A world in which creatures ate and killed each other, this was the world they lived in. Chartres advice of cleaning up his mercenary life and beginning the path of a student brought hundreds of thoughts.
The night sky above the bridge was too bright, making it sad instead. He ate his mothers meal to his fill and laid on his fathers handmade table to stare at the sky. Who would have seen this many stars in the night sky while on duty?!
Who would have seen the white milky way filling the night?!
It was a dream and a story.
Mom!
The word, which had a hundred meanings, caught in his throat like a blown-up balloon, barely escaping. He, who liked to play among the forests river and trees, was unable to escape its charm easily. He returned home late often, even when he knew he should return earlier.
His attempt to return home secretly was always found out by his mother.
You little brat!
His mother, with a shovel in hand, blocked his path like a ghost. The shovel was nothing but a threat. His mother always wrapped her playful son up in her skirt and led him to the kitchen. When she opened the metal pot, a cast iron pot used to make soup, soup and warm rice in the same shape as the eggs in a birds nest always awaited him. Sometimes, there were warmed sweet potatoes, too.
Son, if you keep running around at night, the ghost will take you away. If youre late again, Mom will really hit you, okay? His mothers non-threatening voice rang by his ears.
His chest twinged with love for his mother, Jin Soon, and Hae Young, the attachments of his past and pure youth. Wailing wasnt the only way to grieve. This was the type of sadness that solidified in his chest like a hard rock, deep inside. He had become an adult without any chance to cry.
The night sky in Sahel was ten times brighter than the sky above the bridge.
The child had become an adult, but his story wasnt over. The one stream of bright light streaked across the night sky. The sound of air whipping around rang across the Sahel night.
Was it the sound of the little princes night flight?
The stars sparkled due to fusion reactions. They were gassy masses that produced high-mass elements. Even if he knew the truth, a fairy tale was still a fairy tale. His master hadnt been wrong when he had said ones stream of consciousness followed ones heart. His heart had stopped at the age of eight, without enough leisure to grieve.
The temperature dropped accordingly with the nights progression. The stars became colder. The moonlight, too, turned cold. The stars began to approach him the colder they became. He felt as though he could grasp them if he jumped high enough.
All the possible zodiacs had gathered. One meteor shower covered half of the southern sky and streamed down. One strand of the night sky brightened as though fireworks had been set off.
It was the type of majestic beauty that no artist would be able to capture. There was no other word to describe the sight other than majestic. He was moved, feeling as though he was seeing the mystery of the Earths beginning. He could only feel envious of the little princes poetic descriptions.
It was the humans who lived in Sahel who were cruel, not nature. Nature simply existed. The humans who entered its grace were the ones who hated, despaired, and fought.
Humans were struck by famine, destroyed by grasshoppers, and died under armed militaries guns, but the night sky remained beautifully cold. Sahel was pure. Sahel was transparent. He recalled his masters saying that things that could be seen by the eye were unimportant.
This was true.
He felt touched by Sahels night. The purity, transparency, and coldness could be seen with his minds eye. The deserts shining night sky relieved the burden on his shoulders.
Chapter 37
How small and insignificant mans existence was compared to the great mysteries of the universe!
Defilement, as heavy as Mt. Sumi, melted like the filtering of light through the break of dawn.
The night sky by the bridge was what he missed from home, and Corsicas night sky beautiful. The Sahels night sky was of great magnificence.
Black Mambas mind slowly crept from his current consciousness into the world of his deep subconscious. He forgot his grievances, his task, the devastating fighting, himself, and the night sky. Only a deafening silence and great solemness remained.
The solemness was so great that he couldnt describe how it circulated through his veins and gave him a sense of electrifying happiness. His body started to tremble like a wave, an alarm that rang through his entire body.
The inner trembling began to show itself outward.
Whoosh His surroundings started to reawaken his senses. Ten meters away, a brown scorpion moved as if it was dancing, a beetle, afraid it would get caught hiding, waited with bated breath, 100 meters away a horned adder dug itself beneath the sand, farther still several hyenas lingered, and underneath the hard ground, seeds tried to grow roots. It was the continuance of natures frail existence.
He had reached the stage where he could sense things not with his eyes but directly with his brain. It was like an impossible, intuitive sixth sense.
He felt a sense of fulfillment and humility as he became one with the world. Only when he embraced Hae Young, had he felt such fulfillment and humility. He shuddered. His consciousness became keener.
He hehehehe
His ears were pierced with a high pitched sound like a crazy woman laughing.
Ugh!
Black Mambas meditation was broken. The rippling effect that had been flowing through his body quickly disappeared. Next, a throbbing headache rushed in. His head felt immensely heavy. It was enough to make him lose his sight for a moment.
A heavy disappointment flowed through him. He missed the chance to feel the great connection with nature that his teacher had told him about. Because of his oncoming headache, he could not concentrate anymore. There was nothing left but regret.
F*ck!
Black Mamba glared with angry eyes at the place from where the sound came.
In the distance, he felt two dark silhouettes and four red flames heading toward him. They were hyenas.
He slowly grabbed Dragunov. Those wretched creatures had interrupted him and caused his trance to be broken. He had lost his chance to feel the extent of the resonance.
What! You must be joking.
Before he pulled the trigger, he put down the gun. The smaller one was riding on top of the bigger one. Female hyenas are larger than the males. He was not so merciless as to shoot a creature during their mating.
Damn, just my luck!
He lamented. Based on what his teacher had told him, it was difficult to come to a big epiphany even once in life.
The deserts magnificence and euphoria disappeared. There was only the discomfort his body now felt. His uniform was wet with sticky sweat. There was no water around him for him to wash up. He missed the clear streams of Mt. Bang Tae dearly.
Chartres assumption that instinct overpowered ideology was correct. Humans had the seed inside them to be like gods, but their innate characteristics were closer to an animals.
His existence was being molded by his experiences and learning. What he will become and what will happen no one could know, not even God. There was no point in determining ones destiny, and there was no point in contemplating existence.
Ombuti, stop staring at me with those seductive eyes.
Ha! Wakil.
At the sudden sound, Ombuti jumped in surprise.
Black Mamba, who had been far away just a moment ago, suddenly was smiling slyly next to him.
I was worried because you hadnt come back for so long.
Thanks. Our comrades are getting tired.
You are a unique person. You were on guard all night, and you arent tired?
All night?
Black Mamba checked the skies and was slightly surprised.
Stars had already started to disappear. A lot of time must have passed when he had been in his trance.
A warrior only engages in fights. He does not do other menial tasks. Black Mamba is the manifestation of Azrael, but he volunteered to do all sorts of random tasks. Black Mamba was a unique character that Ombuti couldnt understand.
For me, it was a good time that I would never be able to experience again. Thank you for your concern.
Of course. A servant must take care of his owner.
Whether Black Mamba accepted it or not, in Ombutis case, it was required.
The old Tuareg warrior and Korean mercenary left a faded shadow as the last of the sunlight disappeared.
It was the fourth day of the operation.
Northern Chad, the Sahel belt, was characterized by steppes, badlands, and desert. Summer, which is March through June, could reach temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius even under shade.
On the other hand, November through February had drastic temperature fluctuations between night and day. At night, it would reach -10 degrees Celsius then rise to 30 degrees Celsius in the day. The temperature difference was a surprising 25 degrees Celsius.
In the Sahel area, an estimated 200 millimeters of rainfall would come per year. Between July to October, there would be a short bout of rain, but any time other than that, one couldnt even see a drop of rain. For five years, it had been in a drought. All the vegetation withered and turned yellow. It was difficult to find fresh greens.
Team Ratel had entered the Sahel in October.
This was when the heat had drastically decreased, but the varying temperature difference was the problem. Almost all the mercenaries caught a cold. Only Black Mamba with his strengthened physique and the native Ombuti were fine.
After getting some rest, the mercenaries were able to make a full recovery. As mercenaries, death was always near them. Deep in their hearts, they buried the anger and sadness of losing their comrades.
When Black Mamba returned early in the morning, the captain led the group to avoid the days heat.
God damn!
Emil had been leading the group and pounded the steering wheel with his fist. The moment their pickup truck fell into a pothole, a tire blew out. It was already the second time this happened.
The thick tires meant for the desert still could not withstand bone shards.
As they traveled farther north, they slowed immensely. There were heavily dried tree stumps, sharp boulder edges, and animal bones that threatened the state of the tires.
Emil, cant you do it properly?
The captain raised his fist and shook it. When the pickup halted to a stop, the captain crashed his head into the rim of the window. A single strand of blood flowed down his forehead. Emil glanced over at him with a grim expression.
Inhuman punk.
The captain muttered.
Inertia did not affect Black Mamba. Even with the sudden braking, he sat peacefully in his straightened position. Having shouted out in anger, he was the only one who became a spectacle.
Ombuti stared at Black Mamba, his eyes filled with respect.
When Black Mamba was not holding the Dragunov and kukri, he looked as peaceful as if he was a praying Imam. It was surprising that such an explosive wildness could inhabit such a pretty face and frail-looking body.
Ombuti burst out laughing upon seeing Mike beaten to a pulp.
Emil, is Black Mamba a private?
Thats correct.
Can a private beat on the sergeant?
Its possible for Black Mamba.
Isnt that not allowed?
I dont know. Black Mamba is a special case.
True.
Ombuti nodded his head. Black Mamba was special. There was nothing he couldnt do once he put his mind to it. He was Azrael.
Is Sargent Mike alright?
At Ombutis question, Emil pointed at the pickup truck.
Mike was observing the surroundings with a pair of binoculars. He looked fine.
He likes to make a fuss. Yesterday he flailed around like a pig kicked by a camel, but he seems perfectly fine now.
I can see that, too.
Ombuti and Emil were oblivious. The two of them considered Mikes deep wound a mere exaggeration of pain.
Mike, who had been severely beaten by Black Mamba, was extremely subdued. He started to show signs of paranoia and would suddenly tremble or look around frantically with wide eyes. He didnt talk much and didnt cause fights with the other comrades. This was normal behavior from someone beaten to their senses.
Black Mamba was neither in a trance nor falling asleep.
He was trying desperately to recreate the sensation he had felt the day before. Having experienced it once, he knew that this mysterious sensation was different than his normal intuition. Even without being conscious of it, he could feel the small breathing of a bug. It was a power that could not only allow him to see the things around him, but it also let him sense the presence of things that could not be felt by normal humans.
Hm, its not working.
He tried with all his might to summon the feeling again, but the special world did not open up to him. All he could do was heighten his senses a bit more. He gave it up for the moment. It was not something he could force.
When he opened up his heart, the surrounding scenery came into view.
The grassland and crops had been massacred by the passing of grasshoppers.
The barely surviving grass and trees were wiped out from the drought. Even the roots had fallen apart and were left dry as a bone. Along the way, they saw remnants of baobab trees, acacia trees, bramble, and eucalyptus. It was why they called a grasshopper invasion a plague.
After passing through the path of obstacles, the pickup truck sped forward. Red laterite is clay that stays heated, doesnt break apart easily, and leaves behind minerals and aluminum that create its orange color. It did not contain many nutrients and was bad for growing crops. Particles of it covered the windshield in an instant. The wipers had been working hard to scrape them off but suddenly halted to a stop. The motor had been burnt out by overuse.
Crap, this place is a mess.
Emil scraped at the dust as he muttered.
The presence of laterite sand revealed that this area used to be a tropical forest. According to scholars, the Sahara Desert had harbored a flowing lake and vast forests 6000 years ago.
The Sahel had weather like the Savannah. Depending on the location, some places received 500 millimeters of rain. With that amount, growing crops can be possible. There were other reasons besides the weather that the Sahel was turning into a desert. The spreading of the desert was mainly caused by ecosystem destruction. It was due to an increase in livestock and people that destroyed vegetation. The livestock ate all the vegetation, and the increase of plowed land made it impossible to recover from the destruction. As a consequence, it became infertile and started to become a desert.
The drought was making the situation worse.
Laterite sand became hard after losing its moisture from the harsh sunlight and dry winds. The dried land could not soak up moisture even when it rained. Even if a seed would sprout, it could not let down its roots. If vegetation could not put down its roots, then the desert spread that much faster. It was a vicious cycle.
They traveled in ease only for a moment.
The road was a mess. It was practically impossible to call it a road anymore.
There were potholes, stones, and debris everywhere. There were places where the path was gone altogether. There were remnants of a road, but it was not an actual road.
At any time, they would need to turn into engineers. Drenched in sweat, they would have to fill the holes using shovels and push and pull the car to get it out. Five or six people had to put in their efforts to do so.
Black Mamba missed the unpaved, new roads from his hometown. Although unpaved, people took care of the new roads. The government had set it up so that different towns would manage the roads, and the citizens would care for it.
The coordinators assigned the town leader a date, and one member per family would come out with a colander and tools to become a day worker. Black Mamba had always been the one chosen within his uncles household. The morning bell has rungA new day has come It was the song he had heard repetitively while he lugged stone with the colander. The heartbreaking memory came back to him as a fond reminiscence.
Two days passed, and Team Ratel was near Cortaro.
In two days, they had traveled a mere 160 kilometers. Because of the harsh conditions and horrific state of the roads, they could only travel about 20-30 kilometers per hour. Taking so many detours had eaten up a lot of their time. Even the captain who was accustomed to Africa shook his head in defeat.
In areas where the road was marked, 70 percent of them were not navigable. Whoever passed through had to deal with mud, wadi, pebbles, and boulders to arrive in the badlands. Plus, they were bombarded by hoards of flies and mosquitoes. The mercenaries were getting extremely stressed.
Once they traveled into Borkou from Kanem, the vegetation became drastically different. If Kanem was closer to the steppes, the Borkou was closer to the desert. The temperature increased. The team lost its will to fight or handle the temperature changes.
Chapter 38
Cortaro was Borkous oasis. East of the Bodl lowlands, the first city they met was Kanem province. It was 100 kilometers away. The northwest province went from NDjamena to Barilga and was connected to Cortaro. Unlike Kanem province, Borkou was the FROLINATs front yard.
Team Ratel wandered around Mondo, a city in Kanem province, traveling for four days over 1000 kilometers. It was as if they had fought for their lives then ran into the gators mouth.
Captain Paul commanded them to stop when they reached 20 kilometers from Cortaro. Northwest of Cortaro was the Bodl lowlands, to the north was desert, and to the east were the Ennedi plateaus. The Bodl lowlands were endlessly wide. Long ago, it had been a marsh, but it had dried up and had become a desert. They could go tens of kilometers and not come across a single town.
As his comrades started to set up camp, Black Mamba slowly grabbed his AK-47 and headed out. At Uldi Harmarl, he had taken it to replace his broken Famas. He sensed that they would soon be forced into combat, so he had to get used to it.
He had tried the AK-47 at Calvi, but that was not enough. The gun was only as useful as its range and accuracy. This place was not a training ground but a war zone where the fate of ones life hung on the balance. To increase the odds of survival, he must make the gun a part of his body.
The gun was in good condition and well taken care of. Its power was good, and it fired smoothly. Based on its condition, you could tell that the guerrilla troops who had surprise-attacked them were well trained.
What is it? Where did the target go?
Black Mamba, who had been out hunting, muttered.
The Sahel near Bilmar was a dry and bare place. Because shrubs and vegetation were not available, there were not a lot of choices for prey. The only things they were able to catch were rattlesnakes or small lizards. Antelope, gazelle, desert fox, and ostrich do inhabit the area, but they are a rare sight.
Once Black Mamba became accustomed to the AK-47, he practiced throwing his spear and rocks to catch small animals.
Swish A reddish-brown lizard got its head skewered to the thin chopstick-like spear. It was a Bells Mastigure, a horned lizard with a netting design on its body.
It was a creature that lived near Bilmar. It reached a size of 10 inches and interestingly enough, though a large lizard, was an herbivore.
I guess we have to eat lizards today again.
Black Mamba caught five with his small spear.
Carnivores tend to have a more gamey flavor than herbivores, and their meat is tougher since the meat and fat that they consume gets formed into their muscle fibers. Herbivore meat is much tastier, so the Bells Mastigures fate was to be a meal for the team.
For two days, Black Mamba was unable to catch prey that satisfied him. The easiest ones were the reptiles. Bells Mastigures, osirents, giant plated lizards, horned salmosas, and unknown reptiles got their heads smashed. Even a six-meter long African snake showed up on their menu.
Strangely enough, Africas most dangerous animal, the Black Mamba, was never seen once. It lived in the southeast and some reports say that its been seen in Chad, but that has never been confirmed. It was as dangerous as its rumored to be, so there isnt much of a chance to confirm it.
Jang Shin, as expected of a Chinese person, was not picky with his ingredients. He roasted the Bells Mastigure while getting poked by the thorns on its tail. The lizard, roasted in olive oil, was met with great applause.
The mercenaries tasted the roasted lizard and raised their thumbs. After having to eat bugs, no one rejected the cooked lizard.
Black Mamba was also satisfied.
The reptiles tasted like a cross between red meat and chicken. The canned food they had endured was no match for its tender meat. There was a lot of meat to eat off of it.
Black Mamba then forced the rest of the team to go hunting. Humans would consume anything that is supposedly good for their health or stamina until it becomes wiped out. If rat meat was good for stamina, even with its great viability, he was sure that it would have gone extinct.
The captain didnt stop him either.
As a consequence of the battle of Uldi Hamarl, the hide-and-seek game between the FROLINAT army and Team Ratel had already started. They all knew that the teams survival depended exclusively on Black Mambas condition. The captain determined that the enemy on their tail was less of a threat than Black Mamba losing his fitness.
Mike said he would try hunting, but he didnt have much success. He was just a sniper, not Black Mamba. It was hard to find prey to hunt, and the small and fast prey was hard to hit.
Even when they succeeded, it was a problem. The strong bullets disintegrated the small lizards. Black Mamba was the only one who could aim precisely so that the bullet only hit the edge of the heads.
The best-known snipers pride was lost to embarrassment. Mike realized sorely that sniping skills were far from hunting skills.
The next morning, Black Mamba went out to hunt as usual.
Kyak It was the cry of an ostrich. Black Mambas face broke out in excitement. It had been a long time since he met a large beast to hunt. His body stretched like a rubber band and slid over towards the sound. He was more agile now than he was when learning to do this while his teacher hit him on the head.
After going 300 meters, he saw the ostrichs head poking out from the debris-littered grass. Its large eyes were reminiscent of a stray dogs. He hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a rock the size of his fist.
The target was 30 meters away.
Swoop The rock flew like a cannonball, hit the ostrich in the head, and shattered it.
Wow!
Mouris and Miguel had followed along and cheered. They would not have been surprised if Black Mamba threw a stone and brought down a helicopter.
When Mouris and Miguel came back holding an ostrich, their teammates cheered. With the anticipation of eating a giant chicken, they all proceeded to drool. It was no Kentucky Fried Chicken, but they believed it would taste much better than the stir-fried lizards. Even such a small victory was good for their psychological health.
What do we do?
Jang Shin sighed as he looked at the giant bird that was bigger than he was. He was supposed to prepare the meal but did not know what to do with it. It was very frustrating.
Just think of it as a little chicken.
Its not little. Its a huge chicken. How long would it take to pull out all those feathers?
Burimer tried to give him a bit more confidence, but Jang Shin did not relax.
Can I take care of it?
Ombuti asked Black Mamba respectfully.
Why is he asking me?
Black Mamba wondered.
You are Imoharen. Do you think you can do such lowly tasks?
Ombutis hollow eyes started to smile.
It is food that Wakil will be eating. Of course, it is something the servant must do.
I am not your master, and you are not my inferior.
A Tuareg warrior does not go back on his word.
Why do I even bother?
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck at Ombutis stubborn behavior.
As you can see, your friend is having some difficulties. Please help.
Alright.
Ombuti turned the ostrichs head towards Mecca and started to pray.
Bismillah!
Ombuti finished the slaughter prayer, pulled out the shamshir from his belt, and chopped off its head with one fluid swing.
Blood poured from the ostrichs neck. Muslims believed that the blood of animals was unclean, and the Koran instructs them not to ingest blood. In Islamic cultures, the blood is collected and buried in the ground.
Koreans eat congealed blood soup and would have been appalled. At the Majang market, congealed blood cost 5000 won.
A cultures food was not dependent on the race but on the area they inhabited.
Congealed blood soup was one of many familiar dishes to Koreans. Under the hills of Dae Gu there is a restaurant whose name starts with a D that specializes in congealed blood soup. They say that they go through a truckload of chopsticks per day. If the Arabs could see the Koreans eating the soup, they would probably faint.
A French actress accused Koreans of being savages because they ate dogs and got stamped as an uncultured woman who didnt understand other cultures.
Ombuti peeled off the skin of the ostrich easily, being familiar with the process.
Jang Shin was flustered with the idea of plucking the feathers out of such a large bird but Ombuti finished it with ease.
Ombuti split the stomach using the Spetsnaz sword that Black Mamba had gifted him. Jang Shin removed its innards and chopped it into pieces. When the ostrich was placed over the tarp, the collected blood streamed down into the red ground.
Ombuti brought over a thick wire netting.
It was the metal netting used to pull out the pickup truck when it fell into the sandpits. Emil and Miguel went to gather dried acacia trunks.
A hungry moon rose above the red clay boulder. The cold emanating from it glowed blue.
The campfire burned strongly to dissipate the cold.
The mercenaries were sitting in a circle around the fire. They each sliced off a piece of the ostrich meat with their swords and ate it.
The faces lit by the fire all looked a mess. Each one of them had dried skin peeling from their faces. Black Mamba was slightly worried. When an operations initiation took too long, it was hard to maintain the troops conditions. If he had not met the strange skeleton at Wol Song San, he would be in the same state as his other comrades.
The Sahel night deepened with the red flaming fire over the acacia firewood, the sizzling ostrich meat, and the dripping of oil into the flames.
It was the seventh day of their operation.
Team Ratel was stretched thin. Ombuti, Black Mamba, and Emil met with the natives while the rest of the team went out in groups of three to survey the area. But, the three days in Cortaro yielded no useful information.
In the end, they couldnt even find The Raccoons trail and had to abandon their plans. All that they accomplished was to waste time while trying to move without being discovered by the FAP.
There was no progress, and they were all highly stressed.
We cant trust the government army anymore. If we wander around like mad dogs all over the place, we are going to get killed. We have to get out of here now.
Mike had been quiet for a couple of days but started to pour out his complaints.
Everyones gaze shifted to Black Mamba.
Mike flinched and turned away. Black Mamba was sitting cross-legged far away. When he was sitting in that position, he wasnt interested in anything else around him.
We cant. The operation has not ended.
When Burimer rejected the suggestion, Mike got angry.
Son of a bitch, were all going to die. The fucking government punks have abandoned us.
Mike, watch your mouth.
I only say whats true. Im only saying lets look at the reality of the situation right now.
Smack!
Black Mamba smacked his lips together.
Hmph! Surprised, Mike closed his mouth.
Because his comrades were bickering, his meditation was broken.
Black Mamba stared blankly at his fighting comrades. He didnt care much whether they decided to continue or abandon their mission. All a soldier has to do is follow orders. Talking about it doesnt change the fact that they cant change the mind of the strategic team.
The lower-ranked Jang Shin couldnt interject with his input and walked toward Black Mamba.
I would like to eat Xiaomien filled with herbs. Dont you want to also?
The random statement from Jang Shin made Black Mamba burst out laughing. It revealed how nervous Jang Shin was. People tend to think of the good memories instead of the bad when they are put in a highly stressful situation.
I think Ill pass.
There were no Chinese restaurants in the Sahel anyways, but he never wanted to eat the food with that potent smell again. He craved spicy kimchi stew instead.
What do you think Black?
We are mercenaries. We received the money, so we have to pay the price.
At Black Mambas words, Jang Shin nodded his head. If the leader decides, then all they had to do was follow.
Thats true. Mikes disease seems to have spread.
Haha, if they all need to learn their lesson, then we can teach it to them.
Mikes face changed color upon hearing the low voice.
Chapter 39
Enough, the operation will continue.
Ten sets of eyes turned towards the captain.
Captain, did you gather the information?
At Burimers question, the captain nodded his head.
I did. We are waiting for contact with the Raccoon from the town of Olong.
His team looked at him with suspicious eyes.
Dont think about anything else. We are mercenaries, the captain reiterated.
Ombuti opened a map.
Olong is a town below the Bodl lowlands near the Niger republic. It is 210 kilometers from Cortaro.
Burimer grabbed his head.
Ugh, we ran to the east like crazy, and now we have to go back to the west?
This is ridiculous, are all the DGSE punks blind?
The usually quiet Mouris shouted.
Each of the mercenarys faces stiffened.
The captain couldnt understand it either.
A week ago, Makumbos army went through Kanem to get toward NDjamena. After hearing the explanation of DGSEs diversion tactic, they were not persuaded. It didnt feel right to them. It felt like there were bigger powers at work here.
There was no reason that a raccoon-like Makumbo would risk his safety to loiter around Borkou.
Makombo was obsessed with power. He would never use himself as bait for the safety of humans.
Whoever uttered such nonsense deserved to get his mouth ripped open.
Chad was several times larger than France. Without intel, finding the Raccoon would be like trying to find a grain of barley in a pile of flour. Even if it didnt feel right, they had no choice but to do as intel directed.
The captains state of mind was a complicated mess like the sand winds of the Sahara.
FROLINAT was in disarray.
It was because Team Ratel had to suddenly change their direction.
Team Ratel prepared to attack by staking out three places near Tanga and Chicha. Where the two places bottlenecked, the guards around it were a bit lax. As a result, Team Ratel did not have to waste their energy engaging in a fight.
Luckily, they had avoided a battle, but the danger increased.
The FROLINAT forces were greatly surprised by the battle at Uldi Hamal. They assumed that the main French army had invaded the Sahel.
The FROLINAT army had been forced to Bodl into Kanem, Tibesti, and Ennedy. As a consequence, Nedeli and Hajare, below Bodl, were not empty.
The DGSEs Colonel Boniface called out in delight.
Miguel, isnt it incredible?
It is incredible. Team Ratel has made a cloister for Nedeli.
Miguel, the Head of African operations, exclaimed.
Their backdoor operation had worked perfectly. The mercenary team had done their part much more phenomenally than they had hoped for.
The Racoon hasnt moved, has he?
Hes lying in wait in Nedeli.
Nedeli was a small city 120 kilometers south of Bodl. The Racoon was lying in wait here at the moment.
Is GIGN ready?
We have two armies on standby at NDjamena.
Start the operation.
Yes, but
Is there a problem?
When Miguel hesitated, Boniface glared at him with fierce eyes.
Dont you think well have problems with Legion Etranger?
This is for the country. This is the reason we created a mercenary army. They should pay their dues.
Boniface was cool-headed. The reason they trained a mercenary army was so that they could be used in conflict areas. They held guns to kill the enemy and had to come to terms that they, too, could die. Mercenaries lived for death.
Isnt it a waste to use Black Mamba as a disposable card?
Black Mamba was one of the few who had received a call name from the French army. It felt like a waste to only use him once.
If we get Makombo, we can get Chad. If we want to catch the big fish, we have to use the little ones as bait. As long as they have Black Mamba, the mercenary team will not fall easily. Their job is to fight battles, and it is our job to bring in the Raccoon. Black Mamba will be the first Korean to receive the Lgion dhonneur Chevalier Award. Of course, it will be a posthumous honor. Haha!
Miguel got the creeps.
There was a good reason they called Boniface snake-like. His nickname was Serpent.
Look here Miguel, they are our DGSE. Men are no different than bullets. After you lodge a bullet into the enemys chest, do you feel like you wasted the bullet?
Miguel shook his head. It was a one-dimensional argument but still persuasive.
The colonels words were not wrong, but Miguel felt uneasy.
The strongest killer is Black Mamba if Black Mamba stays alive? Something bothered him greatly about the possibility.
Would Black Mamba remain a mere sardine? Upon leaving the colonels office, Miguel shook his head in disbelief.
The two GIGN forces trekked on land to invade Nedeli.
Nobody else knew about the new tactic that had been placed into operation. Even the commander of Legion Etranger had been excluded. Only the DGSE head, Colonel Boniface, knew the truth. To fool the enemy, you must fool your troops. The strategic colonel was succeeding fantastically on both sides.
Team Ratel, unable to know what Boniface was up to, received the DGSE intel and diligently went to Olong.
If the group gets tracked and followed by the lions, then you must abandon one of them. You must make the abandoned one go an entirely different direction and have them divert the lion away from the main group. Team Ratel was chosen to be the bait.
Once they got close to Bilma, the scenery changed to desert scenery. It was hard to see green, and the swamps and wadis were now dry. Fewer and fewer animals came into view.
Damn, we have to fill our stomachs with these cans again. Blacks all washed up, too. Hes not even bringing us a lizard.
Jang Shin muttered. For two days, they were not given meat. Unable to cook, a pleasant pastime for him, he was starting to get stressed.
The desert, like the arctic, was a place that was inhospitable for animals to survive. It was because lifes base, vegetation, was highly limited in such areas.
The vegetation that does survive adapts to the harsh environment accordingly. Like the cacti, saltbush, and creosote Bush, it can be surrounded by thorns, or like the adenium, be poisonous. It was obvious why such few animals existed here.
An animals growth is dependent on its ability to gather surplus energy. All animals store surplus energy as fat. In an environment where it is hard to store additional energy, it is a natural progression to evolve towards a smaller build.
In the desert, they had to endure high heat, and so a bigger body would cause them to lose more energy as heat. To maintain a good balance to cool the body, enough water must be consumed.
However, in the desert, water is severely limited. High temperatures and limited water made it difficult for creatures to survive here. Based on natural selection and evolution, the few animals that have survived here had a couple of specific characteristics.
First, their bodies were small.
Because the desert required high energy usage, very few large animals existed there.
Regardless of whether it was mammals, reptiles, or insects, they were all small. With limitations on available food, a large body would be difficult to maintain for survival. Even a motorcycle fuel can wouldnt last long before melting.
Second, there were few species and few that traveled in groups. Because there were so few opportunities to catch prey, it was impossible to support a group system. Unlike the Savanna hyenas, the desert hyenas did not travel in packs.
Third, the animals had traits that would give them an advantage.
The desert had few living things in it. Because there were so few opportunities to catch food, when the opportunity did present itself, the prey must be caught. Hence, there were a lot of poisonous creatures such as scorpions, rattlesnakes, and the horned desert viper.
Fourth, there were no herbivores. Other than the fact that there was little vegetation in the desert, the habitat itself requires heavy energy usage. It was hard to obtain high energy with only the consumption of vegetation.
The tiger eats over 10 kilograms of food per day. For the tiger to gain the same amount of energy from vegetation as it gets from 10 kilograms of meat, it would have to consume 100 kilograms of vegetation.
In other words, in the desert, it would be impossible to ever feel satiated. Only because he was Black Mamba, was he able to hunt. They had rations available, so why must they eat scorpions and bugs?
Nimi jotto!
Emil shouted out Korean curse words of which he didnt even know the meaning.
The small grains of sand blew in the Sahara wind and suffocated them. Emil had become a fan of Black Mamba and started to repeat Korean curse words.
At ease!
The captain raised his hands.
Emil massaged his aching shoulders. He had driven six hours straight through the night.
It was early in the morning, and all his comrades were fast asleep. Black Mamba crept out slowly from his sleeping bag. The chilly Sahel morning crept upon him. He sat on top of a boulder and sat cross-legged so that he could feel the wrath of the hyenas that had broken the teams morale.
Damn, do we need a meteor shower?
It was hard to catch the tail of something youve already missed once. Giving up on meditation, Black Mamba grabbed his gun and walked on.
Bonjour!
Oops, Black, make some noise when you walk.
Mouris, who had been waiting between boulders, jumped in surprise, then put his raised gun back down. Black Mamba always seemed to appear out of nowhere like an illusion. It scared the life out of him several times.
Excusez-Moi!
Just forget it.
Mouris shook his head as Black Mamba apologized. This guy was not a sniper but an assassin.
Black Mamba waved his hand toward a small figure 30 meters away.
Burimer, ohhu buahhu (Burimer, youve gone through a lot of trouble.)
Tap tap Burimer tapped his code to relay his hello back.
How do you know the location of Burimer?
Mouris asked with a confused expression.
His spatial recognition skills far surpassed that of other regular snipers. Mouris, who had little interaction with Black Mamba previously, was highly surprised. He was more impressed by his observational skills than his amazing fighting skills.
I just know.
Damn, hes not even human.
When Black Mamba threw him the flask, Mouris smiled.
Mouris enrolled in the 13th foreign army under the firearms platoon. He doubted many times whether Black Mamba was the same human that he was.
Dawn had already come. In three hours, their task would be over. After drinking wine on an empty stomach, his rigid, cold body was able to relax.
I think Ill at least go catch a hyena, today. I want to eat fresh meat.
Black Mamba waved from behind his head as he headed into a forested area. The quiet Mouris broke into a smile. It was a relief that he was a comrade. What if he had been the enemy? He didnt even want to think about it.
When they got out from underneath the boulders shadow, shrubs and herbs started to appear. Whether grass or trees, their roots were covered in the Saharan sand. At the rate the Sahel desert expanded, it seemed that the entire world would soon be covered in sand.
Kyang
A desert fox popped out of the shrub. The quickly escaping fox slowed as he made eye contact with the humans and glanced up at them. The meat of a fox was a hundred times better than the smelly meat of hyenas.
Black Mamba hesitated as he pulled out his kukri. Two baby foxes popped out behind their mother. The babies ran away with their mother practically rolling. He smiled bitterly. Mouris had requested meat, but he didnt want to kill a mother fox with babies.
Huh, what is this? Isnt it a watermelon?
Black Mamba shouted in glee. He saw a fruit half-eaten by a desert fox. Although smaller, its green skin with black stripes looked like that of a watermelon.
Batikh. Black Mamba would have never known about it, but it was a wild watermelon that grew in southern Africa. When they broke the wild watermelon, its red insides appeared. It was not too sweet and had a lot of water. It was a bit salty even. It was no comparison to the sweet and delicate watermelons he had eaten with his father by the bridge.
It is interesting, even if it doesnt taste good.
Black Mamba lifted the batikh and stared at it curiously like a child.
If you think about it, it isnt all that interesting, either.
Watermelons originated in southern African. During the Chosun dynasty, African watermelons had been first introduced to Korea after being imported to China.
Chapter 40
According to the Chosun records, the watermelon was a rare and expensive fruit. There is a record of Eunuch Park who stole a watermelon from the palace and was punished with the cudgel. A person who secretly exported watermelons was exiled. By todays standards, this may have seemed petty but, back then, it must have been extremely priceless for it to be so cherished.
Black Mamba was unable to catch an animal but returned to camp with four or five watermelons. Surprisingly, his comrades cheered. It was a blessing to eat fresh fruit in the middle of the desert.
On the eighth day of the operation, the captain, who had figured out the extent of Black Mambas potential, started to relax. He was unable to remove the binoculars from his eyes, but he continuously conversed with Ombuti as he stood guard.
Stop!
Black Mamba jumped off the pickup truck. He immediately put his ear to the ground and listened. The quick-witted Emil hurriedly turned off the engine.
Captain, its camels. There are five of them.
Can you tell the distance?
The captain was no longer surprised.
Coming from the left about six kilometers away. They are coming our way.
Should we turn back?
The captain did not answer Emils question and instead looked at Ombuti.
Theres a high chance its a caravan. We are 10 kilometers away from Olong.
With Ombutis answer, the captain immediately came to a decision.
Other than Alpha, send everyone back. If it is a caravan, Ombuti can deal with them. If they are guerrillas, then Black will obliterate them.
Are we planning to disguise ourselves as camel peddlers to get into town?
Ombuti confirmed, picking up on the captains intention.
Thats right. What should we use to bargain?
We have a lot of good merchandise to trade.
Ombuti pointed to the AK-47 in the pickup truck.
Black Mambas prediction was correct. An Arab wearing a gandura appeared with five camels in front of him.
Ombuti stepped forward.
Asalamu alakum, where are you coming from brother?
Wa ala eku mut salam, I am coming from Bilma.
Ombuti pointed at the kitchen utensils and clothes hung on the camel.
Brother, we need one camel and the items on it.
Brother, do you have payment?
I have a gun and bullets.
Alright. I was starting to worry about my safety.
Because they were able to get what they both needed, the trade went through smoothly.
Black Mamba watched the trade and slowly placed the certificate that he had been holding in his hand into his wrist wallet. Ombuti smiled. The caravan brothers would never have known that they had just escaped the lions mouth.
Ombuti bought one camel, pots, and several articles of clothing. In return, he handed him 5 guns and 300 bullets.
Olong was a small oasis town. Only about a hundred people resided there. The disguised Ombuti walked toward the town with the camel, pots, and clothes. To not aggravate the natives, only Black Mamba followed him.
Ombuti glanced back at Black Mamba who was following behind him.
Wearing the gandura with the litam wrapped around him, it was hard to tell him apart from other natives. Ombuti, who had Azrael as his guard, had nothing to be afraid of. Even if he was not armed, Black Mamba was an all-powerful warrior.
Once they got to the entrance of the town, they saw tall trees stretched out toward the sky. The bottoms of the old trees were all buried deep in the sand. The unharvested dates were still hanging from their branches.
Dates turned orange when they were ripe. The unripened fruit hung yellow and dry because of the drought.
Wakil, dont speak.
I already know.
Either way, he hadnt wanted to open his mouth. As they entered the town, a rotten smell seemed to be emanating from each house. Unable to stand it, especially with his sensitive sense of smell, he wrapped the cloth tightly around his nose.
Since starting the operation, it was the first time he had entered a native town. They had houses built from braided reeds and mud bricks, similar to their bunkers, with cow dung plastered on it so that it was mottled black. The falling sunlight cast a yellow shadow.
It didnt take long for Ombuti to reach an agreement with the mayor.
Ombuti gave the mayor one of the Soviet Tokarev guns they had kept after defeating the guerillas. He stared at them wide-mouthed and yelled in a loud voice while waving his hands.
What are you saying?
They say that no outside person had come into their town for several weeks. They said if we give them a gun, they will gather the townspeople for us. Hes such a pig.
It meant that if he was going to interrogate, then he had to interrogate them directly.
If Ombuti was describing him as a pig, then he must have disliked the mayor very much. In Arab culture, the worst thing to say to a person was to call them a pig.
Is there a problem?
No. Its a small town, so it will end quickly.
There was no need to gather the people. They had purchased the camel and disguised themselves as peddlers to do such an interrogation.
Ombuti went from house to house and bargained with them for pots and clothes.
From a house, a group of women and children in dirty rags came rushing out.
The womens hair was oily and matted, and the childrens skin was peeling white, results of their difficult lives. Black Mamba frowned. It was how he had looked when he had been at his uncles house.
Ombuti adamantly continued his pitch like a true salesman.
He even patted the heads of the children whose hair rained down dandruff and patted the womens butts. Watching this made Black Mamba laugh.
Even with Ombutis great persuasion skills, the sale did not go smoothly. It looked like they wouldnt be able to afford anything.
The natives had fear in their eyes mixed with curiosity. Outsiders rarely came into their town.
Ombuti!
At Black Mambas low calling, Ombuti flinched.
Be discrete. Its the last house on the right. Its the three men with guns.
Howd you know?
Ombuti asked in a low voice. From their current location, it was 50 meters away. He couldnt help but continuously be fascinated by Black Mambas skills.
Black Mamba pointed to his ear and nose.
I know by sound and smell. I can smell metal and oil, and I can also hear them putting bullets into their pistols.
Oh my Allah!
Ombuti called out to Allah quietly. The Tuareg showed the amount of respect to his Korean master relative to his skills. He was happy because his masters skill was phenomenal.
There is a fingernail-sized metal shard in Ombutis left chest.
Ah!
Ombuti jumped as if hed seen a ghost and grappled at his chest for the hidden piece of gold.
The only person here who would have a gun is a FROLINAT hunting dog. What should we do?
Ill catch him. Hell open his mouth with a good beating.
Before he was even able to utter his last words, Black Mambas was already getting farther away. Dust rose from the spot where he had kicked off.
The Amal brothers were intelligence agents from Tokodooms Ahmood army.
They had found four suspicious-looking vehicles, and they had been on their way to pass information to the Habib army when they found two unarmed men entering the town.
The Amal brothers planned diligently to catch the two intruders.
Oh no, hes figured us out.
Kiro, who was holding a gun, yelled.
Shoot them!
Hakims scream was buried in the sound of bullets.
Bang bang
Ack!
Ombuti, who had been blankly staring at Black Mambas back, flew down to the ground. When he lifted his head, he saw the crumbled walls and Black Mamba running through it. It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Crack
The thick wall made of braided reeds was no obstacle. Avoiding the bullets, he crushed the wall and ran inside for cover.
Denta tachinun! (This lunatic!)
The surprised Hakim pulled out his shamshir and waved it around while charging.
The Amal brothers were warriors from Dumuma clan from Tibesti. The shamshir was a friend of their clan from hundreds of years ago. Hakim did not doubt the results. The shamshir was sharp enough, and the timing was impeccable.
Clang
The sound of heavy metals colliding echoed.
Hakims arm twisted in the opposite direction. The shamshir flew out of his hand and got stuck deep inside a wall.
Thud Hakim saw stars in the middle of the day; they erupted in front of his eyes, then his world fell into darkness. Black Mambas body spun.
With his kukri, he was able to get the shamshir to fly. Then he kicked Hakim in the chin, then spun and kicked him in the temple. At Kiro, who was holding a gun, he threw the kukri and hit him also, all in one shot. The three Arabs holding guns and swords were disabled in an instant.
Ahh!
Only after Black Mamba landed did his agonizing scream come out.
Oh, dear!
Ombuti, observing the scene, clicked his tongue.
The one with the broken mandible and the other with the broken skull were comatose, and the one with the kukri through him practically had his shoulder falling off.
Ack!
When Ombuti pulled out the kukri, Kiro let out an ear-splitting scream. He wiped off the blood from the blade and handed it back to Black Mamba. Afterward, he used his litam to bandage Kiros shoulder.
The Yaktal Dumuma clan were enemies of the Tualag clan. Thus, he didnt care whether one of Hakims men lived or died.
Ombuti sent the Hakim brothers out of the house shaking his head. Hakim and Amal were just barely alive. A persons skull is much stronger than most people anticipate. It is not weak enough to be broken by getting hit with hands or feet, but Black Mambas hands and feet were a scarier weapon than a sword or ax. Behind the peaceful face of its owner lied the savage heart of a beast.
Ombuti, did you question all of them?
Yep. The Raccoon didnt even come here.
Ombuti jumped in surprise at Black Mambas question.
The captain will be furious. What should we do with these things?
We have to take them to camp.
Alright. Place them on the camel.
You may place items, but you do not place people.
It must be due to his lack of vocabulary. Ombuti thought.
Black Mamba placed the three unconscious men on top of the camel as if they were cargo. The camel is a sensitive animal.
Once it smelled blood, it started to turn its head and spit everywhere. It was its way of saying it didnt like it.
Ombuti tried to calm the animal, but it didnt listen and kept retreating backward.
Black Mamba grabbed the animals chin and stared in its eyes.
You cheeky animal, do you want to get a beating?
Upon seeing his violent look, the camel screamed in fear.
Black Mamba hit the camels cheeks lightly with the palm of his hand.
The camel calmed down and lowered its head.
Black Mamba smiled and handed Ombuti the leash.
The shadow of the camel carrying the three men stretched out long behind them. The deserts sunset is long. The darkness comes suddenly but until then, the orange sunset burned brightly. Once the sun had completely set, Ombuti and Black Mamba returned to camp.
Hes their intel.
Black Mamba said these short words then went to wash off the blood.
He obliterated them.
Meeting Black Mamba of all people, they sure have bad luck.
Mouris and Miguel clicked their tongues as they received the equipment.
What did he do to make a man look like this piece of meat.
Mouris stared at Hakim and clicked his tongue.
They were all exactly one shot.
Burimer looked at Black Mamba and shook his head.
Bellman looked over the wounded.
As his skull was bashed in, it broke his spine. This one had a piece of skull lodged into his brain. Both are a lost cause. This one, with his scalp gone, is about to go into shock.
Bellman gave up on Hakim and Amal and went to Kiro. He injected atropine into his thigh and bandaged up his shoulder.
Are we able to interrogate them?
Well be able to interrogate the one with the sliced off arm.
Bellman nodded at Burimers question.
If Black was our enemy.
Wed be done for.
The captain finished Burimers sentence.
We could have had our location compromised. You did well.
The captain patted Black Mambas shoulder.
They sure are unlucky.
Haha, trying to go against the angel of death.
Crazy punks. It would have been safer to stick their heads into the head of a lion.
The captain and Burimer laughed heartily.
Chapter 41
Makombo did not come to Olong.
Captain Paul looked at Ombuti after hearing Black Mambas words. Not being there was very different from not even going there.
We searched the entire town, but there was not a single person who had seen him there.
What about the possibility that the townspeople lied?
Ombuti shook his head at Burimers words.
We checked each person, one by one. There was something wrong with our information. You can check with that guy.
Ombuti interrogated Kiro.
Kiro was on the bottom rung of the intel group. There wasnt much to gain from him.
They were only able to confirm that Makombo did not show up at Olong and that FROLINAT was chasing Team Ratel into a corner at Bodl.
Makombos whereabouts were still unknown. A shadow swept over the captains face. The Raccoon was nowhere in sight, and all they got were a bunch of flies.
The three Amal brothers were buried in the dry dirt.
Burimer extended the radio antennae.
It was the third contact with the NDjamena army.
Come in, Alpha. This is Bravo.
Bravo, I hear you loud and clear. Speak.
Alpha, Olong is their oasis. It is 210 kilometers from Cortaro.
Bravo, what happened to The Raccoon?
Alpha, The Raccoon did not show at Olong.
The transmission suddenly went silent.
Bravo, recheck the information. The Raccoon has moved to Ekiya Oasis. What is Tangos movement like?
Alpha, FROLINAT is currently chasing us. We are like lions being chased by hyenas.
Bravo, understood.
Alpha, the mark is dead. The location is 65 kilometers southwest of Moussaro, in Uldi Hamarl. Coordinates are 323-274.
Bravo, understood.
After finishing the communication, the captain opened the map.
Ekiya Oasis!
He couldnt help but sigh.
They had to go to Cortaro, then to Olong, then back towards Cortaro again. As the Korean proverb says, it was like training a mutt. They had to wander around the Sahel all over again. From the beginning of the operation, the intel was shabby. They were pissed for having to be swayed back and forth all over the place.
Fucking Colonel!
Curse words reflexively flowed out of him.
They couldnt get air reinforcements because of the meek colonel. Colonel Philip cared too much about how Stella 2 would react.
Thanks to their incorrect intel, they had wasted time going to Olong.
Ekiya Oasis was only about 10 square yards. Would the cunning Makombo be hiding in an oasis the size of a hand?
The captain was highly suspicious. If Makombo had been hiding at Paya, that information would have seemed more trustworthy.
What are those DGSE punks planning?
His sigh deepened.
Nikimi Dougral!
Curse words were the first ones out of Emils mouth as he kicked out of his sleeping bag. They were Korean curse words that he learned from Black Mamba. The consequences for forgetting to wear the mosquito-net mask was horrible. His face was swollen as if he had gotten beaten up.
Emil was from Seville, in southern Spain.
Being used to the temperate Mediterranean weather, the Sahel days and nights were torturous for him. The midday heat was like his ex-lover Kathryns fiery personality, and the nights were as cold as her face when she had broken up with him.
Kathryn had fallen in love with a bullfighter and left him without even bidding him farewell. The woman who seemed to be willing to give up her life for him, in one moment, suddenly turned into a witch.
He had enrolled in the foreign army out of anger.
He despised Chad and the Sahel. Every day he was bothered by its extreme heat and cold, then bothered again by the flies and mosquitoes. He cursed Kathryn then cursed himself by enrolling in the foreign army.
Shiba, joto!
When he opened the ration package, a hoard of flies buzzed toward him like a cloud. He greeted the rising sun but again cursed. His mouth had become accustomed to Korean curse words. He waved his hands continuously trying to shoo them away, but it was useless. The army of flies attacked the meat that he held in his hand.
He remembered a war movie set in the Pacific Ocean called Tora! Tora! Tora! If the steak he held in his hand was the US navy, then the flies were the bombs that rained on top of them.
Fucking Jjokbalri!
Emil cursed using irrelevant Japanese. Black Mamba used the word jjokbalri a lot, so he thought that it was a word used to reference any bad guys.
He had heard about Africas mosquitoes and flies, from the senior mercenaries, until his ears were sore. As expected, experiencing it once is a much better lesson than hearing it a hundred times. His comrades were going insane fighting off the flies.
One person was an exception.
It was the kukri-swinging Black Mamba.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh
The sliced flies fell to the ground. Other than the flashing of white light, it was hard to follow the blades path.
He swung upward, diagonally to the side, then downward; the blade swung faster and faster. The glistening light from the reflection hid his body. His comrades jaws dropped in disbelief.
Wow!
They cheered. Once the light disappeared, the ground had turned black. The cut-up flies littered the ground.
Why are you all making such a fuss?
Black Mamba was embarrassed by his comrades gaze. He put the kukri back into its sheath.
His teacher was skilled in the arts of wielding a lance or sword. His teacher had only taught him how to wield a lance thinking that the sword would be unnecessary except for criminal acts. When the sword skills learned from Legion Etranger combined with his physique, its strength multiplied. The kukri was like an extension of himself.
Black Mamba was also sick of the flies.
His target was not the resistance army but the flies and mosquitoes. The mosquitoes could be kept at bay with the netting and spray, but there was nothing that could be done about the flies.
At this point, he was hoping that the same amount of guerrilla forces as the flies would come charging in. The flies were more difficult to destroy than the resistance army because guns and swords could not be used on them. Among one of the fly species, there was one that was the size of a fingernail, that, when bitten, would cause such a sharp pain that it would cause anyone to jump.
Full of anger, he had trained using flies as his targets.
He trained his vision to test how well he could see the flies stopping mid-flight. With his burst of speed and agile muscles, it was a weird sort of training that only he could do.
In the Sahel, the native flies were about the same size as house flies in Korea. They were notorious for wandering into holes. Ear canals, nostrils, eyes, whatever holes there were, they would pop into it.
After Bellman finished his sample survey, he realized that some of them were Tsetse flies. Tsetse flies suck blood and spread sleeping sickness. Eastern Africa was home to the Tsetse flies, but in western Africa, the Tsetseflies were known to inhabit southern Chad.
The Sahel belt had recorded instances of sleeping sickness. They couldnt be sure that they would be safe from it.
That morning, he required the soldiers to get their sleeping sickness vaccinations. Bellman uncovered his comrades bottoms and stabbed them with the needle.
Stupid imperialist punks!
Chartres spit out sand as he pulled down his pants to reveal his bottom. He muttered that the greedy and ignorant ancestors had caused his current suffering.
The Tsetse flies became an infestation in Africa because they were introduced there by the European invaders. In the latter half of the 19th century, Europe invaded Africa and started to grow food there to increase supplies.
The Italian army occupied Ethiopia, in 1887, and had been the first to start raising livestock. It garnered the opening for other Europeans to bring over their livestock, too.
The Rinderpest virus present in the imported livestock started to spread within Africa. It was highly contagious and lethal.
Unlike European livestock that had grown resistant to the Rinderpest virus, Africas herbivores were wiped out by it. The infected animals got fevers and gum ulcers that killed them off in less than 10 days.
The Incas had been wiped out by Spains smallpox disease. Africas herbivores were on the brink of extinction thanks to the Rinderpest virus that had come with the imported livestock.
In east Africa, the Rinderpest virus killed off 4.9 of the 5 million cows. Wild herbivores met a similar fate.
When the large herbivores started dying off, it started a famine. At the time, about 30 percent of the Ethiopian population died. Like in America, the greedy Europeans invasion caused devastation to the natives of East Africa.
When the large herbivores started to disappear, Africas food chain changed drastically. It was the second wave of losses.
When the large herbivores started dying out in the wild, the Savannah started to be overrun by weeds and shrubs. It became the perfect habitat for Tsetse flies.
The Tsetse flys original habitat was heavily forested areas with swamps. When the Savannah changed to a forest, the Tsetses spread upward in Africa. They soon started to spread throughout the continent.
Because of this, Africas losses were devastating.
The wildlife, livestock, and even people were ravaged by the sleeping sickness.
Many species became extinct. There was a drastic impact on the natives, as well. From 1900 to 1906, just in eastern Africa alone, 200,000 people died from sleeping sickness within 5 years.
When the herbivores started disappearing, the hungry lions started attacking people. This was the time that the legends of the cannibal lion came into being.
Nobody wanted to take responsibility for the disastrous situation.
The unscrupulous Europeans were too busy boasting about catching the savages.
Because of his ignorant and greedy ancestors, Chartres was forced to pitifully reveal his bottom and get a shot. Knowing all this made him more bitter about it. For a historian scholar like Chartres, this history was a travesty.
The captain opened a map and went into a quick meeting.
He drew a straight line from Olong to Ekiya.
We will head to Ekiya Oasis. From our location, the oasis is 370 kilometers away. As you know, the roads are abysmal. We will leave immediately.
The captain stopped talking and observed his team members expressions. Each one of them looked discontented. Only Black Mamba looked unfazed. Asians, compared to Caucasians, tended to not show much expression on their face. Black Mamba especially so.
Captain, are we going to continue dragging around the stalker groups? We wont know when the hungry hyenas will attack. I dont trust the information we received this time, either.
Even the cool-headed Burimer aired his complaints. Everyone nodded. They all thought that something was not right.
We are subordinates. We receive commands and follow them.
Even as the captain said this, Burimers expression was full of resentment.
Captain, we have to move only after receiving proper intel. If we didnt have Black, we would have been destroyed at Uldi Hamarl.
Mike continued from Burimers words.
We traveled to the east then to the west. We have to go back east again. Something is weird. This is like pulling a fishing net back and forth through the water as a lure.
For the first time, Mike seriously spoke his input.
Captain Paul and his team both looked surprised. He had been down for a while, but he had suddenly changed. Black Mambas scolding had changed Mike.
The captain took turns making eye contact with each of his members.
I know everyone is not happy with this. Im frustrated, too. Weve been stuck chasing after The Raccoons tail for so long that my bottom is now a mess. We are but subordinates. We die and live on command. We cannot be discontent with any operation. If we have to drag them around with us, then thats what we must do.
His blunt words caused everyone to shut their mouths.
The enemy has released hyenas wherever we go, so they can try to catch us. From now on, it will be difficult for us to move around discreetly.
At Ombutis words, the captain nodded his head.
They wont be walking around with their heads as mere accessories. However, they will never imagine us to be at the far west side at the edge of Bodl.
The captain spoke as he looked at each of his men.
We will abandon our main operation and move into Bodl. We will go through Tordum and Asis to get to Ekiya. We must travel 190 kilometers and need to move as discreetly as we can to avoid conflict. The small troops will be handled by Black Mamba.
Chapter 42
However hard we try, our team cant even make a full unit. Weve already lost Mark. The enemy is charging at us like a swarm of flies. The more battles we fight, the weaker our morale will be. I am not afraid of death, but, truthfully, I do not want to die in vain like a dog on the street.
Burimer spoke, glancing over at Black Mamba. It was the first time that he had spoken against Captains commands. It meant that the situation warranted that much suspicion.
I agree. There is a Korean proverb that says that there is no hero who can beat a gang. With Black Mambas surveillance skills, we can reduce the number of encounters with the enemy. We are mercenaries. It is better for us to die than to get blamed for disobeying orders.
Emil lowered his mosquito-bitten swollen eyelids.
Captain, lets hurry and hit them head-on. Whether its a raccoon or a weasel, lets quickly grab its neck and drag it over there. Fresh young women are waiting for us at Meridien Shari with their underwear off.
Sure, it would be much better getting sucked by women than by these mosquitoes. Hahaha.
Mike snickered.
Laughter filled the faces of the mercenaries. NDjamena control center, which was surrounded by Lake Shari, had trees around it and air conditioning circulating through it. They could shower with hot water and tumble around with women beside them. All of them were excited just thinking about it.
Is Emil going to be paying for the Meridien call girl?
At Belmans words, Emil pointed at Black Mamba.
Black Mamba will earn enough for us.
Of course. Thanks to Black Mamba, we earned enough to pay a Saint-Gerzes call girl ten times and then some. We must celebrate FROLINAT increasing our pay so drastically. Bang bang!
Belman laughed as he pretended to shoot with his finger like a gun.
With the money to call a Saint-Gerze call girl once, you can call one in Meridien a hundred times.
Jang Shin interrupted.
This guy has such a small package but he sure has a thing for the ladies.
Mouris said laughing as he hit Jang Shin on the back of the head.
Is FROLINAT the cash cow? Or is it Black Mamba?
What does it matter? All we have to do is pick up the pieces that Black Mamba slices off.
Emil laughed as he answered Mikes question. The comrades were glad of the change in Mike. Once the teams unstable character disappeared, the atmosphere lightened.
Black, you have anything to say?
No. The flies are tiresome, but they dont bother me.
They dont bother you?
The captain cocked his head in surprise. He assumed that he had misspoken due to a poor choice of words but looked at him with grateful eyes.
The lovey-dovey eyes Black Mamba received from the middle-aged man made him flinch.
It didnt really bother him. It was not as great as the cool Shari riverside but the Sahel was not that bad.
They had enough to eat, and he could hunt as a hobby. They had a car to travel in, and he had many comrades by his side. If he thought back to the time that he had to spend alone in the caves, this was quite pleasurable.
Once the atmosphere softened, the captain gave out his instructions.
As we are doing now, the pickup trucks will be called Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta. We will only change the passengers. Alpha will be Ombuti, Captain, and Black Mamba; Bravo is Mike, Bellman, and Jang Shin; Charlie is Emil and Morris; Delta is Burimer and Chartres. Damn, a bunch of smelly guys as partners. What am I supposed to do with these people that dont even have holes? Lets hurry and go to Meridien.
All the team members laughed.
Jang Shin, what are the protocols while we are on the move?
The sudden question thrown out by the captain caught Jang Shin by surprise and brought him back to his senses from his smiling laughter.
Yes, sir. First, be on the lookout from the front and back, second, do let children under ten, women, and elders come into close contact, and third, if they ignore warnings to stay away, shoot them immediately.
Good, everyone got that? Starting now, everyone put silencers on your guns. Tango intel or the reconnaissance team will be taken care of by Black Mamba. If you find The Raccoon, immediately radio in and use the bike as needed. Lets smoke this Raccoon out. Lets go!
The mercenaries ran to the pickup and got into it like boars being chased by a puma. It was almost sad how desperately they wanted to get away from the swarming flies.
Operation Raccoon, day 9
If everything had gone according to plan, they would have already captured The Raccoon and returned home by this time. Team Ratel had predominantly given up on this task and instead continued forward on the wadi. They were trying to avoid the enemy troops.
The four pickup trucks were trekking along eastbound. If they had traveled south toward Bodl last time, this time, they were heading toward the center of Bodl. The long drought had dried up the wadi. They increased their speed riding along this route compared to the southwest roads that had been severely messed up.
While they were waiting for the engines to cool down, the captain called Ombuti and Belman.
Bellman, its already been over a week. Im worried about the state of the team.
Theres no illness other than a cold among them but because of the severe temperature changes, their stamina is decreasing steadily. Black Mambas condition seems to be getting better though.
The captain smiled.
That friend of ours was different from any of us from the beginning. He cannot be understood by human standards. His genes were different from ours from the get-go.
Thats true. I heard that there are mysterious powers among the Korean and Chinese but even with that assumption, he cannot be understood by normal standards.
You dont need to worry about Black Mamba. Worry about the badgers. Their morale is falling.
Badgers know their territories. A wandering badger is not normal. Theres something that you know, isnt there, Captain?
The captain flinched at Bellmans words.
He couldnt say his assumption out loud, but he was willing to bet all his pay that this would go on for at least another month.
We should end it soon. You take good care of Black Mamba. The teams tactics and survival are in his hands.
He casually avoided the question.
Of course sir.
Bellman nodded his head. The captains words were not an exaggeration. The god-like sniper Black Mamba was an assassin and master of hand-to-hand combat. Although difficult to believe, he was a master of battle whether it was up close or from far away. If something happened to Black Mamba, then the entire team would be in grave danger.
Ombuti, what is our current location?
Ombuti pointed at a point on the map.
We are in the vicinity of Torun Oasis. We have come exactly halfway. This area had become a desert as sand started to fly over here. There are six oasis towns before we get to Ekiya.
Looks like well arrive there before noon tomorrow. I hope we can see The Raccoon there this time.
The captain sincerely hoped that his assumptions would not become a reality. If his assumption came true, the results would be catastrophic.
After a short break, the pickup continued to Cortaro. As always, Black Mamba was meditating with his eyes closed as he sat in the back of the pickup. His biorhythm had reached its peak. His senses had become heightened, and his muscles had strengthened greatly.
As they traveled, he could pick up on the movements of living creatures from time to time. His body seemed to have evolved to the next level. He was sure he would not end up dying in this rough area.
Ombuti, didnt you say it was a marsh.
Captain muttered as dust rose hazily around them.
Ten years ago, it was a marsh. Once Lake Chad dried up, it ended up like this. However, this place tends to have a lot of water.
Ombuti gazed at Black Mamba as he answered half-heartedly.
Black Mamba was, as always, not a bit disheveled. He looked like he had suspension attached to his bottom that was a hundred times better than that on the truck. They couldnt help but be fascinated by it.
Wakil, are you uncomfortable?
Not whatsoever. The nickname Wakil is uncomfortable though.
His calm demeanor made Ombuti feel a bit awkward.
Ombuti is a warrior of Tuareg. A warrior respects other great warriors. Black Mamba was the king of warriors, Wakil.
Even if you dont accept it, I will continue to serve you as my master.
Ombuti determined firmly to himself.
Black, please survey the perimeter.
Alright.
Black Mamba didnt like it, but he agreed to be their radar. He didnt want to feel the pain of losing his comrades.
The captains inner thoughts were complicated.
It had been seven days since the battle of Uldi Hamarl. Over 200 FROLINAT soldiers had died. It was enough time for the FROLINAT forces to figure out the situation.
Like tadpoles gathering in a puddle of drying up water, the FROLINAT forces were sweeping in their way. Black Mamba had retrieved this info from the captured Kiro.
If Black Mamba was attacked, it would be catastrophic, but they had no choice but to place him in the front. They needed his heightened senses to figure out the enemys movements.
Black Mamba could see the complicated emotions on Captains face.
A humans emotions are a combination of brain firings. By picking up on the resonating waves, he could read the change in emotions.
We should be careful!
Having become a human radar, Black Mamba felt a heavy burden. To save his comrades, he had used all his fighting skills at Uldi Harmarl. Ever since the battle, the way his comrades looked at him had changed. He felt like a monkey at a zoo.
Black Mamba knew that his body was different than other peoples bodies. He casually tried to think that it was just due to his Asian facade. If they found out the wild darkness within him, they would treat him like a monster.
There were M60s in Deltas trunk. Burimer was holding onto an M60 and had binoculars over his eyes. The guerrilla forces were familiar with the area. However diligently Burimer looked through his binoculars, it was difficult for him to find the hiding enemies. He had to be on full alert.
When they passed Toco Dome, the scenery changed.
The dry wadi and hard ground disappeared and small shrubbery and dunes started to appear. The biomes seemed to be changing drastically. Hilly dunes of pebbles-mixed-with-sand seemed to pop up at one moment, then a forest would appear, then a rocky mountain.
When it hit noon, the sun glared down on them, and it felt like it would melt off their skin. Black Mamba took off the sweat-soaked goggles. Glistening eyes lay behind the dark face. In the mirror, he saw a man glaring at him with just the surrounding area of his eyes white like a panda.
The Sahel sun was extremely different from the sun from his hometown. Within a week, his skin had turned dark. Only the skin inside the goggles retained their natural color.
He had eaten enough protein so that his face did not look sunken, but he couldnt help getting his face burned by the UV rays, and his eyes burned. The goggles couldnt completely block out the strong rays of the sun. Tuareg people were not masked warriors but warriors who had no choice but to wear masks. The Straw Bridge Park Mu Ssang had become Sahels Black Mamba.
Colonel Ahmud smiled baring his yellow teeth.
Through the binoculars, he caught sight of the vehicle emitting dust clouds behind it. He looked around at his men positioned on top of the boulder. He felt secure.
Its the first of the frog reconnaissance group. Ill hand them their tickets to hell. And for free.
The bitter smile hung loosely from his thick lips.
Ahmud had received information, three days ago, from Habib, that the French special forces were moving toward Bilmar. No one knew how the boss attained this information. Immediately, he had arranged surveillance at Bodl.
Boruku and Bassa were Ahmuds designated areas. Three months ago, his territory had been widened thanks to receiving bikes from the Soviets. With a hundred bikes, he was able to make ten groups for surveillance. To catch the tail of the French special forces, he had released his surveillance group into Bodl. Thanks to them, he was able to succeed.
He had gotten word of Mustas tragedy five days prior.
He was flabbergasted that a major group was annihilated as such. Mustas troops were an independence battalion with 22 mountain warriors among them. They were formed as a way to counter Black Mambas skills.
A majority of the mountain warriors were assassins. They had received in-depth training from the Soviets and were taught to use contemporary weapons. Receiving information that they too had been obliterated was unbelievable.
Stupid Musta!
Ahmud cursed Musta not knowing of Black Mambas existence. Musta was like a rhinoceros who only knew how to charge forward. Swept up by ambition, he had made a big mistake.
Chapter 43
The biggest mistake was that they had not been on guard. However at home they may have been, whoever relaxed their guard deserved to die.
The second mistake was that they had underestimated the enemy.
They should have lured the enemy into an open area and surrounded them with their armed trucks and bikes. They had been idiots lured into the rocky hills because they didnt utilize their equipment properly. Ahmud scoffed at Musta for being unable to read the situation appropriately and being taken at Uldi Hamarl by the Lattell team. If humans knew their futures, how boring the world would be!
It had been two hours since he figured out the location of Frances special forces.
Thankfully, they approached the center point of the place they had been lying in wait at.
Ahmud left his main troops 20km away while moving with 60 of his men on bikes. He was planning to do a blitz attack after proper surveillance and cutting off their resources.
Three kilometers away, the pickup truck was slowly coming up the hill. Ahmud felt so much joy at watching the frogs crawl up into their net.
Because Musta had been buried in the red stream, all of Habibs warriors had been in grasps reach. Ahmuds ambitions grew. If he destroyed Frances special forces and took over Makombo, he could grow his commission from 11 to 12.
The leader of the northern army, Ahmud!
Just thinking about it made his heart race.
As Ahmud was lost in sweet dreams, Captain was stuck in a harsh reality.
Captain tended to sweat a lot. He strangely drank coffee with salt in it. He had salt capsules the size of an aspirin that he kept as supplements. He could gulp them down without water. Paul always drank his coffee with salt in it.
Although there was no evidence for it, he strongly believed that the salt given out in the army was mixed with drugs. He also carried the weird notion that strong coffee decreased the effects of the drugs. The taboos that mercenaries believed in had nothing to do with common sense.
Cough, cough!
Captain, who had been drinking the salted coffee, coughed harshly as if his throat would come out. After coughing violently, Captain spit out the coffee into his hand.
Fuck, what is that! Paul yelled out loud.
A black mass was wiggling in his palm. It was a large gadfly. The gadfly that had been going down his throat and then coughed back up was wriggling. It had been aiming to get some blood when it was seduced by the sweet scent of coffee and had fallen into it.
Captain pressed the gadfly between his thumb and index finger and squashed it.
Ugh, disgusting!
He wiped his hands on his pants with his expression full of annoyance.
Ombuti smiled with his teeth showing.
Captain, flies and gadflies are not a good source of protein. If you want to gain some nutrients, you should be eating grasshoppers or beetles like Black Mamba.
I know. This one just happened to have found a place to commit suicide. How desperately it must have hated Chad to want to commit suicide.
Is that the reason?
Ombuti stood numbly.
Even joking around wasnt funny when their faces were completely covered as they were. It was because they couldnt read the other persons facial expression.
Black Mamba had known that the gadfly had flown into Captains coffee, but he had let it be. It would have been a protein boost if it ended up in his stomach anyways.
Wait! Ombuti, slow down.
Ombuti stepped on the brakes and slowed down. Black Mambas face stiffened. It was the leaden smell of metal and gun powder. His sensitive nose picked up on the smell floating around in the air.
He used his sensory skills, but it was hard to catch it. It was from extremely far away. He predicted that the location of their hideout was 1000 meters away atop a boulder on a hill.
Captain, there are a lot of gadflies in the area.
Wakil, which one is it?
Black Mamba felt awkward with the nickname, but Ombuti insisted, so he now just accepted it.
In the hills within the area. Distance is one thousand meters. I am not absolutely certain.
The hills that they could barely see out in the distance were not that high up. The hills rose up 3~6m in height and were spread wide like a wall. It would be difficult to try to go around it.
Captain held up his binoculars and looked left and right towards the hills in surveillance.
I dont see any danger signs. Ack!
Captain was shoved down into the dashboard like a rag doll. He had been dragged down by Black Mambas rough hands.
Tango!
Before Black Mamba even finished talking, gunshots rained on them like hail.
Captain opened his headset.
Its them. Spread out.
Ombuti roughly turned the handle, but he was too late.
From up in the hills, a 7.62mm bullet shattered their front window and pelted the body of the car. The fender and doors soon became ragged.
Tatatata-
Soon after, the noisy sound of gunshots started to be heard.
Theyre not going to be easy.
Ahmud clicked his tongue. They had figured out their attack a step too soon. A surprise attack was no longer possible, so all they could do now is engage in a full-out war.
Shooters. Get the two in the front.
From both the right and the left side, Degtyaryov machine guns fired. The Degtyaryov machine gun was created in 1928 by the Soviets in Degtyaryov. It was designed with a drum that held 47 bullets at a time.
Degtyaryov was able to shoot 1500 meters and was an antique that had been used by the Soviet army in World War II. It was built simply, and its use was easy. Frolinat had received three thousand of these antiques from Liberia. Because of the number of bullets it could hold was set, its consecutive shot ability was limited; however, its power of destruction was just as good as the contemporary machine guns.
The double shooters were at a distance of 800 meters away, where their smaller guns could not reach them. The tag team of the 4 machine shooters were highly dangerous. The three pickup trucks that had been following the lead of the one in front dispersed like scared spider babies.
Charlie Delta, move side to side. Bravo, increase the distance.
Hearing Captains command, the Bravo driver, Morris, hurriedly turned the pick up around and retreated.
Jang Shin jumped out of the pickup after grabbing the MO60 from the equipment trunk. With Mikes help, Jang Shin was able to prep the grenade launcher with amazing speed.
Ahmud smiled crudely.
He was surprised by the speed of the enemys reaction, but it made no difference. There was nowhere for them to run. For maneuvering, his troops bikes were much more efficient. Killing a rat stuck in a trap would take very little effort.
Ombuti put his head down low and maneuvered the pickup in a zigzag motion.
The bullets pelted the side of the pickup truck. The bullets whizzing past their ears made chills go up their spines.
Ombuti, left, Black Mamba screamed. Ombuti reflexively turned the handle to the left.
Crash! In the direction of the path of the pickup, an RPG bomb came flying at them and exploded.
Ack, why is an RPG flying all the way here? Captain, who was covered in dust, yelled.
An RPG that usually only had a range of 300m flew in from 800m away. It was a situation worthy of Captain screaming.
Oh no, they are trying to ignite our fuel.
The shrapnel destroyed the fuel tanks. The moment Black Mamba finished his sentence, the back of the pickup truck burst into flames.
Ya ili hai, hari keu! (Oh no, its fire!) Ombuti yelled. Arabic came out because he was in a state of panic.
Mette bu ah rabhi! (We have to hurry and escape!)
Black Mamba grabbed the panicking Ombuti by the back of the neck and jumped off of the vehicle.
Ya ila hai! Ombuti screamed as he hit his head on the windshield. Captain, who had been in the back seat, also jumped off. Aflame, the speeding pick up made a loud noise then exploded. They had paid the price as the leader.
Get down.
Black Mamba shoved Ombuti into cover then jumped out like a puma.
Oh no!
He clicked his tongue. The gun in his hand was an AK gun. Even a god could not extend the limits of a guns shooting range.
Black Mamba! Its the bikes, Captain yelled.
Damn, shit!
He couldnt help but curse. From behind the hills, about ten bikes were flocking toward them. They split side to side as they sped in their direction. They were trying to get rid of the backups.
Black, catch.
Captain threw him his Dragonov. Black Mamba didnt even look back as he turned his hand and caught it. He placed himself behind a small boulder so that it would act as a shield, then started to shoot.
Bang- bang- bang-
He grabbed the gun, got into position, marked his target, and shot them all in one breath.
Hola!
Captain and Ombuti both clenched their fists. The charging bikes consecutively fell into the ground one by one.
Even fast-moving targets can be easy prey for snipers as long as there were no obstacles in the way. While Black Mamba got rid of the five coming from the left, Mike and his teammates got the five from the right.
How could this happen, stop!
Ahmud, in shock, hurriedly stopped the bikes from popping forward. The bike squad had been obliterated in a mere 5 seconds. He got chills. He had only heard about this formidable foreign sniper team.
Is the grenade launcher ready?
Were ready.
While Ahmud was yelling commands, Captain was also yelling.
Jang Shin, did you sell the grenade launcher to a peddler?!
Boom!
As if in answer, a 1.8kg bomb rang clearly in the distance. The 60mm M24 bomb flew 238m per second at them at a comparatively slow speed. 3 seconds later, the bomb exploded in the center of the hills.
The machine gun was an easy way to take out the enemy. Although they were dealing with guerrilla warfare, the team used the machine gun as a back up in emergency situations.
The French used the MO60 machine gun, which weighed 21kg. It had a range of 3500m, and its speed was its specialty. Unable to find the high-speed automatic gun, Captain had cried his way to get his hand on this weapon.
Boom! At that moment, a grenade came flying at them from a distance.
Jang Shin covered his head and shrank out of sight.
You idiot! Its an empty can ten meters away. Catch their grenade launcher.
He kicked Mikes butt.
Jang Shin jumped in surprise, then attached the legs to the bottom of the launcher to change it to a shorter range shooter.
Two, three, zero
As Mike shouted out the position numbers, Jang Shin had already calculated the power, angle, and direction of the shot.
Boom!
The second shot fell squarely into the hills at their target. After coming to his senses, Jang Shin had sent the second bomb flying precisely at his intended location.
Okay!
Mike excitedly waved his arms. Sergeant Mike had come to his senses after being beaten senseless by Black Mamba. He was doing his job in assisting Jang Shin without a single complaint.
Wng b dn, eat that.
Boom- boom- boom-
With the help of Belman and Mike, Jang Shin was able to launch the grenades in his unique fashion. To utilize the MO60 mine thrower, it required four positions: shooter, loader, ammo, and observer. Jang Shin was the shooter and observer, Mike was in charge of ammo, and Belman was the loader.
Jang Shin sent a bomb flying every 3 seconds. Belman, who had been in charge of refilling the gun powder, was struggling to keep up with the demands.
You punk, give us a chance to straighten our backs.
The immense speed in which it was being launched caused Belman to yell at him.
A grenade launcher was poor in accuracy and not efficient. As a consequence, the grenade launcher was usually used for regional targets instead of single location targets. Jang Shin changed this logic. He was the only shooter who could use a grenade launcher to attack specific targets. With Jang Shins skills, he was able to aim precisely and launch the grenade exactly into the hills where the enemy were hiding.
A grenade launcher is difficult to maneuver because of its barrel and leg attachments. On the other hand, it was able to launch bombs long distances. Its range in distance and diameter of damage was much greater.
Boom- boom- boom-
Youre doing great! Captain exclaimed as he observed the results.
The M24 bomb Jang Shin launched successfully fell 3m from his target and exploded his shrapnel in a 15m x 15m diameter. The Frolinat guerrilla forces were unable to escape the raining pieces of metal falling over their heads.
Jang Shin launched bombs in 10m increments. In 2 minutes, he had taken 40 shots. He alone had obliterated their cover. Frolinat was in disarray. On top of the hills, the Ahmud troops had met their destruction.
Chapter 44
Boom! The ASG17 bomb exploded at a point 2m away. The M24 bomb had 4 times the firepower of a grenade. Caught in the explosion, the shooter and his assistants body were ripped to shreds.
The soldier in charge of ammunition had a worse fate.
The grenade launcher flung into his body as it was caught in the blast. The unlucky ammunition soldier became fish meat. The expensive automatic grenade launcher was retired after five shots. It was Jang Shins hidden talent.
The two locations where the machine guns were located were also blasted away in the explosion. It caused a steel rain that spread across a 2-3m diameter. There was nothing more effective at destroying the enemies undercover.
Theres another Asian monster. That one is a bomb master.
Mikes mouth dropped open.
Id never think I would see a person using a grenade launcher like a gun.
Captain, who had been observing, was also surprised.
Jang Shin had been the one always throwing up whenever he witnessed Black Mambas massacres. The pathetic rookie had finally shown his amazing true potential.
After the guerrilla forces were dispersed in a panic from the bomb attack, they were dealt with another critical hitBlack Mambas sniping. From the left, he used Dragonov to blast the shooters wrist off and the blow half the assistants face off. They were forced to hold their breath as machine guns fired from the right also.
The intense training of the Lattell team and their experience with war had made them run like a well-oiled chainsaw. In the small moments of trade-off between Ahmuds shooters, Charlie and Delta tag teamed from both sides to bring them down.
Charlies Emil and Morris used the M60 and minime while Deltas Burimer and Chartres started to attack. Frolinat couldnt even lift their heads once they started getting attacked. Anybody that peaked out was hit right away by Black Mamba.
The aide got hit square in the face and fell backward. The aide had been waving a gun in front of him just moments ago. Ahmud hid his face and body behind a boulder as he jumped in fear,
Ugh, how could this be!
Ahmud wiped away the blood that splattered on his face with his hands. It was the blood from the face of his aide-de-camp.
Ahmud couldnt believe it. A grenade launcher and gunsthe efficient combination was not something he could defend against. The enemy was at a disadvantage in numbers, but they were ruthless. Even though they had initiated a surprise attack, they flipped the tides with a well-executed counter-attack.
Ahmuds eyes glazed over. It was not anger but fear in his eyes as he looked around him. Men buried under gun powder from the air explosion, men ripped to shreds from getting hit in the blast, men with their head blasted off from a gunshotthe hills were soaked with the blood of his men.
Half his troops had been swept away. Complete annihilation was only a matter of time. He felt a sense of desperation. The frighteningly accurate attack had been impossible to defend against. There was no choice now. Ahmud decided on an all-out war.
Everyone charge!
Whaa, Alahu Akbar!
Twenty bikes shot out. The shouts of the Frolinat soldiers rose up from the sound of gunshots.
That, that!
Ahmud was at a loss for words.
The leading bike and rider fell like a leaf blown over by the wind. The bikes fell consecutively without even getting a chance to put up their guard.
The 2 groups of bikes had been destroyed before they could even reach a distance of 300 meters. It had all happened within 30 seconds. The face of the remaining men behind him turned white.
Ahmud had made the detrimental error of forcing his men into the mouth of the gator. The Lattell team had the monster Black Mamba. Even his backups were highly skilled snipers. The bikes who could not have cover were easy prey.
I should crush them into pig feed!
Ahmud ground his teeth. They were scarier than the North Korean soldiers.
He looked back with an exasperated expression at the five or six surviving men.
Of those left, there was none who was not injured. It was all because of that cursed bomber.
Stop the operation, retreat!
His men had fought valiantly, but his opposition was too strong. Ahmud got up on his bike without regret. What 20 years of war experience had taught him about survival was to read the situation quickly. The five or six remaining survivors did not look back and started to run away.
-Ceasefire.
At Captains command, the sounds of battle stopped instantly.
The battle ended as quickly as it was brutal. It didnt take longer than 20 minutes. It was because both sides had held nothing back and gave it their all. The result was the annihilation of Frolinats 3rd brigade of Borukus reconnaissance team.
-All report losses.
-Burimer clear
-Mike clear
-Morris clear
Lattell team had ended the battle without any casualties.
The reason this was able to happen was because of Black Mambas early detection of the hiding Ahmud army and the precise bomb attack initiated by Jang Shin. It was also due to the fact that Ahmud had decided to attempt a long-range operation against a sniper team.
The only person wounded on the Lattell team was Captain. He had torn his ear when he had jumped out of the speeding vehicle.
Jang Shin was staring blankly at the targets without even thinking of organizing his equipment. The old launcher was burning red after shooting 50 shots.
Ha ha ha, what should I use to cool down this burning hole?
Mike laughed as he pulled out his penis and pissed on the gun barrel.
According to the manual, you should pause 10 seconds after shooting 3 rounds. Jang Shin had insanely shot out 50 shots every 3 seconds.
Jang Shin is amazing. You are the best shooter.
Mike patted Jang Shins shoulder. Jang Shin, who had come back to his senses, smiled widely. A majority of the killed guerrilla troops were a result of the grenade launch. He was worthy of receiving praise.
The smell of blood and gun powder surrounded the hills. Blood streamed down from between the boulders. The red blood made the already red rocks look more horrific. Charlie and Delta teams checked for survivors with emotionless faces.
Clean, isnt it?
Burimer kicked at a corpse whose head was halfway decapitated.
As always, the corpses that Black Mamba attacked were clean. Compared to the corpses blasted away by the grenades, the ones with bullets through their head or heart were very clean.
A majority of those hiding undercover on the hills were blasted by the grenade launcher. Jang Shins short-range shot had steel rain falling gruesomely over their heads.
The ripped apart corpses were gruesome. Their innards spilled out; their eyes had popped out of their sockets and dangled. There were corpses with grey matter spilling out of their skulls.
The ones who were alive were more grisly than the dead. Surprisingly, human life is a lot more resilient than most think. The wounded with their stomachs ripped apart, their chests broken, and body parts blown off yelled in pain. The ones who were dead were more at peace.
Jang Shin didnt register the massacre he had induced. This was the difference between a gunner and a sniper. A sniper sees the fallen target spouting blood squarely through his scope. Their death is a direct consequence of their pulling the trigger. On the other hand, a gunner throws bombs based on location. He cannot see whether the enemy dies or not with his eyes. He does not see the death caused by his action. It would be like playing a game.
The Sahel belts temperature difference in November was over 20. The possibility of the wounded guerrilla troops surviving in such conditions was low. They could either slowly dry up under the scorching sun or freeze to death from the sudden drop in temperature at night.
Whether they dried up or froze to death, they would have to endure prolonged pain. There was even a high chance that hyenas could have eaten them alive after smelling their blood.
Sergeant Mike took second in command Miguel and went to put an end to the wounded. If they were unable to call in medical help for them, it was more humane to kill them. Of course, they were not doing this for humane reasons but to block an information leak.
In war, the word humanity does not exist.
War was a collision of evil. Humanity in war is but a fantasy that only comes out in novels or movies.
Burimers eyes widened upon finding the caravan and field artillery construction sight. They had not finished construction. Burimer turned back to Chartres.
Is the pipe leaking?
The horrific thought that their position was being leaked popped into their minds.
No. We could have just been caught up by the guerrilla surveillance.
Chartres disagreed.
What are you talking about, we ran here as fast as we could from Olonga.
They had bikes. They have better knowledge of the area and have more information than us.
Chartres did not readily agree. It was too scary to agree with Burimers suspicions.
No, somethings not right. We should talk with Captain.
Burimer could not get rid of the nagging feeling. It felt like his uncomfortable suspicions were coming true.
Captain, were out of bullets.
Sergeant Burimer was worried.
The sniper team had fought in three large battles as if they were the infantry. From the beginning, they had never expected to have to participate in such battles.
Of course. We are mercenaries. Captain said this as if it was somebody elses business.
If they lacked bullets, they could use the ones they looted. The battle they fought in Algeria and Sudan had been done with a majority of the enemys weapons and bullets. There was no weapon that he or his comrades could not control. Captain didnt worry much about the lack of their supply of bullets.
Captain, theres something I would like to check.
Chartres lead Captain to the construction site and showed him the sheltered camp.
Damn, they had even built a field artillery. If we hadnt been quick enough, our corpses would have been spread all over this place.
Captain clicked his tongue.
If they shot at us from both sides with the artillery, we couldnt have survived.
Beside him, Burimer nodded. If they had completed the construction of the cannon, they would have been in big trouble.
Burimer, do you think the dirty assumption I hear in my head could be true?
If it isnt, then it is hard to explain what happened.
Captain got the nasty feeling that his irksome suspicions were becoming a reality. After the fruitless mission in Olonga, he was bothered by a consistent discomfort that felt like he didnt finish wiping after coming out of the bathroom.
The battle at Uldi Harmarl had been a coincidence when they accidentally ran into the reconnaissance team upon first arriving at the Sahel belt. But the battle they just fought was difficult to think of as a coincidence.
There was no way that Frolinat had a reconnaissance team. The Sahel belt is infinitely wide. Just the Bodele lowlands were 30,000km wide.
The enemy had planned to stalk the Lattell team with their exact knowledge of their movements.
Luckily, the opposition did not prepare themselves fully. It was because the Lattell team had ran at full speed to arrive there earlier than expected.
The construction site that they saw in front of them had to have taken at least 3 days to build. Based on the dried state of the cement, two days had passed.
If it had been 3 days ago, it would have been when they had arrived near Olanga.
What if the guerrilla had gone through here after creating their camp?
They would have been buried in gun powder and obliterated. Their corpses would have been lined up like a tri-colored parade on its floors.
Is the information being leaked? From where?
The information is being leaked!
Just thinking about it made chills run down their back as if they had been doused in ice water.
The Lattell team was not an army meant for a prolonged battle. They were meant to go in and come out quickly as a rescue team.
The rescue teams purpose relied on stealth.
If their operation path is revealed, they become mere fish being hoarded into nets. If they were to ever come under siege, the Lattell team would disintegrate in an instant.
Captains heart felt heavy. Their mission was important, but as a leader, he felt obligated to maintain their survival. Mercenaries are still somebodys sons and fathers.
The only place where their information could be being leaked was from the DGSE main headquarters.
Could it be from our side? Am I just being paranoid?
Even though their situation warranted suspicion, DGSEs main headquarters had no reason to leak their information. They racked their brains about it, but they could not find an answer.
There hadnt been any indication that a traitor was found in the DGSE main headquarters. Still, they didnt want to stupidly stand around trapped in a net and showered with bullets.
Captain pulled at his hair while he finished confirming the state of the rest of the soldiers. The wounded begged for mercy in words they could not understand. The mercenaries coldly shot them in the head.
Black Mamba stared forward with an expressionless face.
Mu Ssang may have been a monk, but Black Mamba was the angel of death. A living rebel is dangerous. A dead rebel is nothing but a mass of muscle. What this meant was that he was not human, but merely the enemy. He seems to have already become immersed in the madness of war.
Chapter 45
Check again. If even one of them is alive, our location will be compromised. Jang Shin, you punk, check again. Morris, what are you doing? Check over there again.
Sergeant Mike kept nagging them even after they had finished checking. He was just angry he didnt get a chance to participate in the battle. He may be a mouse in front of Black Mamba, but his bad personality wasnt going anywhere.
That punk sure is strong-headed.
The ears of the laughing Black Mamba picked up something.
Yeah, are any of them alive? he wondered.
He sensed a life force so thin only he would have been able to pick it up.
Black Mamba followed his senses toward the being that was flitting between life and death. There were two corpses with collapsed chests in the middle of the explosion aftermath. He kicked at the corpses with his army boots. It was a child soldier. He looked to be around thirteen or fourteen years old.
He wasnt old enough to leave the security of home and be out in the world alone.
The child soldier was grabbing onto his ripped stomach with both hands. The broken ribs and thin neck made him look pitiful.
Their eyes met. His soulless eyes were full of his sense of futility. Black Mamba lifted his glock but could not bring himself to pull the trigger.
Child soldier Murcys hazy mind returned to consciousness. It was the surge before death. He had lost too much blood. He couldnt move his body, but his mind was clear. Through his hazy vision, he could see the orange brown army uniform. It was the enemy.
All the things that happened for the last several months flashed before him.
When the sun was going down, he had been coming back after herding the goats as always. His younger brother had been waiting for him. He was twelve years old, and his brother was nine. They had met up with a group of soldiers at the town entrance. They shot and killed his brother then dragged him away. He was worried about his brother and the goats, so he resisted. They had shot the goats as well. The three goats they had were all his family owned.
The place they arrived at after walking all night was to a small mountain village. There they gave him a gun made of wood. He prepared the meals for the Peoples Liberation Army and received training with his wooden gun.
After a month passed, they gave him a real gun.
From that point on, the training became intense. Other than time to sleep and eat, all he did was train. He no longer had time to worry about his brother or his goats.
The training was not hard. Shooting, charging, disassembling the gun, throwing grenadesthat was all there was to the training. Memorizing was harder than the actual training.
He was forced to memorize the history of the Peoples Liberation Army and the pledge of loyalty to Habib. They were taught that they would go to heaven if they died following their commands every day.
After two months of training, he was assigned to a troop. They said the best commander was Colonel Ahmud. After being assigned, his training and loyalty brainwashing continued. There were 320 men in the unit. Half of those in the unit were child soldiers like himself.
The only command Murcy received was to kill the enemy. He was told that he had to kill at least one enemy for Allah to give him a blessed life. The lesson he had been taught popped into his head. He had heard it every day, so it came to mind without much thought.
You are Allahs servant. If you run away, you will be rot forever in the depths of hell. Even if you die, die after killing the enemy. Only after killing at least one enemy soldier will you be able to stand on the right hand side of Allah.
Murcy was in pain, but he gathered all his remaining energy. There were the words that his instructor had taught him to say any time he felt scared to give him courage. His vocal cords were damaged, so the sounds he made were broken.
Yawm al-din al-Amr Arif bi-Allah, judgment will be made as is commanded. I am liberated.
Chartres saw the smile hanging on the child soldiers lips.
Black Mamba, who had been lost in his thoughts, did not see it, but the quick Chartres was sharp.
Tick-
Black Mambas ears heard a soft metallic click.
Ah peul la tee. Kkong!(Lie down. You idiot)!
Whoosh-
At the same time as his yell, he heard the sound of air escaping as if from a rubber tube. Blood splattered from the child soldiers head. It was Chartres from behind Black Mamba.
The head of the child soldier who got shot fell back. The two hands which had been grabbing his stomach dropped. Murcy forgot his pain and was at peace. He no longer had to worry about his brother or his goats.
Ah! Black Mamba exclaimed.
From the ripped stomach, a grenade with its pin removed rolled toward them. The grenade was drenched in red blood.
A grenade is not something that is thrown and explodes at once when the pin is removed as seen in the movies. A grenade has two safety features, a safety pin and a clip.
The safety clip can only be removed once the safety pin is removed. Once the soldier throws the grenade, the safety lever releases, and the striker throws the safety lever away from the grenade body as it rotates to detonate the primer. The primer explodes and ignites the fuse. Even if the safety clip is removed, if you hold onto the body to hold the safety lever down, the striker cant detonate the primer.
The delayed reaction for the explosion is about 3-4 seconds. It is the time it takes to throw it. An infantry grenade is thrown about 25m per second. If it is thrown a distance of 35 meters, it will explode 1-2 seconds after hitting the ground.
They couldnt know when the child soldier had let go of the safety lever.
Warning bells instantly went off in his head. The nerves activated him to go into the actin to create a quick response.
Grenade!
Black Mamba explosively kicked off the ground the moment he sensed danger. The ground beneath him was dug up by the strength in which he kicked off it. He dived between the corpses with a speed that cut through air like a sprinter.
Boom!
A loud explosion rang.
Ack!
Black Mamba was flown back from the explosion while holding the guerrilla corpse and rolled down the hill. He hit his head hard on the red sandstone and lost consciousness. The area where the shrapnel had swept across was littered with flying body parts.
Ack! Chartres, who quickly threw himself under some cover, screamed.
The team members, surprised by the explosion, ran towards them.
Jang Shin and Emil ran to Black Mamba.
Hey, Black! Black!
The flustered Emil grabbed Black Mamba and shook him hard.
You idiot, are you trying to kill Black?
Jang Shin hit Emil on the back of the head.
Emil came back to his senses and laid Black Mamba back down. Jang Shin removed Blacks clothes and carefully examined him.
His hardened muscles, which were like a wired rope, was revealed. The blood-soaked muscles looked unreal.
Wow!
Even at this moment, Emil touched Black Mambas chest muscles and exclaimed.
Wang Ba Dan! Move over, you old punk
Jang Shin, annoyed by his behavior, pushed Emil away.
Black Mambas upper body was dyed in blood. Shrapnel was lodged all over his body, and he was cut up pretty badly.
Belman! Black got hit, Emil yelled as Belman ran hurriedly over.
What the heck is going on after the fightings already over! Belman muttered under his breath as he pulled back Black Mambas eyelids and checked his ears.
He pulled out tweezers and removed the shrapnel from Black Mambas body.
Geez, the shrapnel couldnt penetrate his muscles. Hes not human!
After getting rid of the shrapnel, he slapped Black Mambas cheeks.
Wake up. You idiot!
After getting slapped several times, Black Mamba amazingly opened his eyes.
His pupils couldnt focus and wandered as he stared into the air.
What is it?
Jang Shin approached Belman as if he was ready to hit him as he saw his rough behavior.
Hes fine.
What? Thats fine? Jang Shin screamed in an outburst.
It looks worse than it is. The shrapnel just barely penetrated his skin. The rest are just scratches. From the looks of it, Black flew out in the direction of the blast. He threw up blood, but it was due to his innards being shaken by the pressure of the blast. Its much better than internal bleeding. The biggest injury is the bump on his head. His ears seem fine too. He opened his mouth and blocked his ears during the blast. A monster is surely different. He did everything he could to survive the blast.
After hearing Belmans explanation, Jang Shin and Emil stared at each others faces.
In that short of a time?
Belmans gaze fell again on Black Mamba.
I dont get it either. This guy is just a monster. Hes lucky, too. Sterilize the wound and wrap it up in bandages.
Belman tossed the bandages and alcohol to Jang Shin, then ran to Chartres.
Jang Shin looked down blankly at the corpse that Black Mamba had used as a shield. It was riddled with shrapnel. Black Mamba had seven lacerations, and as Belman said, the rest was just cuts and scratches.
Black Mamba had been within one meter of the explosion. In the blink of an eye, he had thrust his body over ten meters and used the corpses as a shield. The skill itself was surprising, but his survival instincts were amazing.
My partner is Azrael. Who dare tries to take him to Hades?
Emil smiled. Black Mamba was not just a casually claimed nickname.
Burimer, who had been assessing the situation, shook his head. As Belman had said, his monstrous physicality and luck had been on his side.
There was a reason Belman said it was luck.
There are three major reasons humans get hurt or die in an explosion.
The first is the pressure of the impact. The explosion itself damages the body. Second is the shrapnel. The shards of the exploding material or the broken pieces of the surroundings cause injuries from impact with it. The third is the aftermath, the damages that occur from the explosion gases or being thrown from the blast.
When a strong explosion happens, even if the body is not injured by the flying shrapnel, the aftermath of the explosion can cause serious injuries and lead to death. Aftermath consequences usually cause internal damage. If the explosion happened indoors, the pressure change would be greater and cause more severe injuries.
Black Mamba had avoided all three. If luck had not been on his side, even Black Mamba couldnt have survived this.
Black Mamba had woken up while Jang Shin and Emil had been making a ruckus. As if a thick fog had come over him, his ears rang and his head felt numb as if he had been hit by a large dump truck.
Black, any problems?
Captain ran over a bit late.
No problem! Haha.
Black Mamba smiled as he looked up at Captain. Captain was the type of person who looked like he wouldnt even bleed if he was pricked. His flustered state made him laugh.
Huh, you seem fine. Of course, why should I even worry about Azrael, who controls death.
Captain checked Black Mambas condition, then ran to Chartres.
Chartres was 7 meters outside the blast radius, but his state was not good.
How is he?
He doesnt have any critical injuries.
Belman cut Chartress chest and pulled out shrapnel the size of a finger. His left shoulder was bleeding profusely also.
This one is in a bit deep.
Belman cut the areas that he needed to remove the shrapnel from. Chartres, who had returned to consciousness, started to scream.
Ack, you quack, morphine!
Oh right! I forgot the anesthetic. Sorry.
Belman didnt look at all sorry as he pulled out a morphine injection from his kit.
Dont even bother saying youre sorry, you quack.
Im sorry, Chartres. You woke up too early.
Belman moved slowly as he apologized in a joking fashion.
Oh God, Im gonna go crazy. Why do I bother? Chartres complained.
Chartres had gotten injured in several places, but have been far from the blast, he didnt have pressure-induced wounds.
Captain, from the look of all his fussing, I dont think hes going to die.
Quack, is that something you should be saying to a patient? Can you be more gentle? Chartres yelled at him.
This guy is becoming a cry baby as he gets older.
You butcher shop worker!
Haha! I am a butcher, arent I? Belman smiled as he pulled out the shrapnel and bandaged him up. Captain burst out laughing upon seeing the doctor and patient bicker.
If a doctor had cut open a patient without anesthetic in a civilian hospital, his license would have gotten revoked. Belman would be disqualified as a downtown doctor but as a war doctor, he was one of the best.
You dont deserve to call yourself a doctor.
Dont worry. I dont intend to make a living as a doctor.
Belman didnt lose one word to him and replied to every retort. It was a skill he learned to prevent the patient from going into shock.
Oh, this quack is going to be the end of me, Chartres muttered in exaggerated pain.
Chapter 46
Be glad we still have plenty of bandages. If we didnt, I would have had to wrap you up with tree bark. For the time being, try not to move as much as possible.
Belman tied up the tightened bandages, then fed him a handful of antibiotics.
Chartres lamented, What is this after the war is all over? Oh, what about Black Mamba?
He looked fine.
Fine? It exploded right in front of Black.
Look at him; hes fine.
He heard a familiar sound in his ears.
Chartres turned his head. He had turned his head so fast they were worried he would break it.
The two surprised eyes looked Black Mamba up and down.
What in the world? How could this be!
I was lucky. Sorry.
Black Mamba had deja vu about an explosion incident in his childhood. At the time, it had been agonizing and difficult. Again, it was his fault. He couldnt help feeling sorry.
Belman looked at Chartres and drawled on, The guy that should have died is fine, but the guy ten meters away is this mess. Chartres, you got old. You should just go back and see your grandkids.
That quackI didnt even get a chance to get married.
The seeds you spread across Kalbi and Ajaccio alone would have created tens of children.
Belman continued to poke fun at him.
Black Mamba drooped his head in front of Chartres. If he had killed the child soldier without hesitating, Chartres wouldnt have gotten injured.
Sorry. I lack experience.
This is how you learn. This was what I was talking about the last time you encountered a child soldier. The grenade would have exploded anyway. Theres no reason to feel guilty over it. Black, its lucky werent hurt.
Chartres consoled Black Mamba coolly.
After saying a few words, Chartress body started to tremble. He was going into shock. Belman pulled out atropine from the first aid kit and injected it into his thigh.
Is his condition bad? Captain asked.
Hes in shock. The external injuries arent bad, but his lungs seem to be damaged from the pressure of the blast. I suspect its air embolism.
Air what? Whats that?
Arterial air embolism is usually a condition that arises from underwater diving, but sometimes it happens after an explosion. The sudden pressure change after an explosion causes damage to the lungs. Air gets locked in the blood vessels. Its not in a serious state right now, but he needs to stay under observation.
What about Black Mamba?
He got a big bump on the back of the head. It will probably hurt a lot.
Haha! That sure must hurt a lot. What a cause for celebration, Captain laughed jovially. He had heard no problem from the owners own lips, but he couldnt completely stop worrying.
Finding out Black Mamba was alright caused him to burst into laughter. He forgot for a moment that Chartres got injured. Black Mambas state was that much more important.
Captain, there isnt time to bury the corpses.
Leave it, the hyenas have to eat too, Captain told him coolly. He had no intention or time to gather all the dispersed body parts and bury them. He was rushed enough to just gather all the equipment.
Amidst the mess of war, Black Mamba showed up with a cigar in his mouth.
He looked completely fine. When Black Mamba showed up, Mike stopped nagging his team members. He dragged the wounded and slowly retreated back. Black Mamba was an obstacle in Mikes life.
Black Mamba did not join them in cleaning up after the war. He sat under the shadow of a boulder and smoked. Ombuti pulled out his gun and kept guard.
Even though it was evening, the hoard of flies blanketed the corpses in black. The battle at Uldi Harmarl had been a head-on fight, so he had been drenched in blood afterward. This time it had ended only with sniping, but the end was still bitter.
The murdered guerrilla troops were mostly preteens or teenagers. They were the age where they should be chatting with friends at school. At the thought of these child soldiers, his heart ached.
The acts of man can be either muddy or sturdy as a rock. The only evidence of what those acts meant is the passage of time. Everything gets accustomed to things as time passes.
If I have to die, then Ill die! Black Mamba muttered in exclamation.
Mu Ssang had been saddened by the falling of petals from the gust of rainy wind. Mu Ssang who had felt sorry for a dragonfly whose wings had been torn was now reborn as the Black Mamba of war.
His teacher had told him to do his best in any given position he was in.
The best in the given position?
It was bitter, but right now it was murder.
Black Mamba gazed up and blew out white smoke.
Burimer handed Captain the supply report.
The killed enemy count is 57. The supply and loot count is listed in the report.
Fifty-seven? at Uldi Harmarl it was 198. Exactly how many do we have to kill? Whew!
Captain lifted the report and sighed deeply. He was now getting confused as to whether they were the rescue team or the eraser team.
Pickup: 3 good condition
Bike: 2 good condition
Field rations: 1 meal per person, 5 servings left
Water: 150 Liters
Mine thrower: 1, M24 bomb 10, flash grenade 5, smoke grenade 5
Recoilless guns: 84mm Carl Gustaf M2 1, FFv441 short-range bullets 20
Minimee, M60 gun: 3 bullets 1800
Landmines: M74 antipersonnel mines 60 sets, Claymore 10 sets
Grenades: 10
Rifle grenades: 20 shots
Dragonov: 5, bullets 2,000
Pamus: 11, bullets 1,600
Beretta: 3
Glock: 7
Loot: AK47 40, bullets 8,000
Degtyaryov machine gun: 3, 47 magazines, 10 bullet cartridges with 6,000 each
ASG17 automatic launcher: 1, grenades 90
Captain frowned after reading halfheartedly through the report.
We are running low on mortar bombs and minimee bullets. Were almost completely out of Pamus bullets, Burimer told him as if it wasnt a big deal.
We can replace the Pamus with the AKs.
Tell Habib that we thank them for refiling it for us. Why did you bring over the Degtyaryov. That thing is older than you are. You think it will even work properly?
We are short on minimee and M60. We could use it in an emergency.
Its better than not having it. When we return to Aubagne, we can gift it to the elders. This is the first time Ive actually seen it. This darned AK is so common.
Rifles are easy enough to loot and use.
Good, give it to the team members and tell them to use it.
Burimer pointed at Jang Shin. Jang Shin lifted the heavy automatic grenade launcher with some difficulty and took it away. The launchers weight was 31kg. The small Jang Shin was forced to drag the thing.
Captains eyes got wide.
What is this? Isnt this the ASG17?!
Thats right. Its a monster than can launch 50 30mm grenades at a time. Its designed to hold 30 shot clips.
Whew, Jang Shin played a big part. Oh, you cute little thing.
Captain pinched Jang Shins cheek and shook it.
He patted his chest. ASG17 was Soviet-designed and only given to the highest platoons. Its range is 1700m and could shoot 50 shots per minute. If the enemy had used it, they would have been in big trouble.
Arent these a bit too luxurious for those poor fools to get a hand on?
I suppose so. Im surprised by it also. Frolinat may be miserably poor, but the polar bears have ridiculously large amounts of weapons, and Gaddafi has ridiculous amounts of money.
It meant that Gaddafi bought it from the Soviets and handed it out to Frolinat.
Why werent they using it?
Because Jang Shin sent them all flying from the get-go. With Black Mamba backing him up, they probably didnt even get a chance to hold the handle.
Captain stared at the blood and skin splattered on the grenade launcher. The air attack probably had swept the shooters away, and the launcher itself was sent flying due to the blasts.
Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Jang Shin, do you think its okay to use?
Theres a lot of scratches, but we can use them.
Good, we can attach them to the vehicles or Black Mamba can carry it around with him. How many grenades do we have left?
Burimer glared with narrowed eyes at Captain.
If he wasnt even going to properly read it, why did he make him write the report? He uses his rank like a gang leader.
Three clips, 90 shots.
We were well rewarded. Thanks to them. Please make sure to tell Habib how grateful we are to them.
We can thank them after blowing their head off. What should we do about requesting more supplies?
Lets try to make do for now.
Oui, we can refill our vehicles with fuel from their bikes.
Sounds good. Restock the weapons we need then get rid of the rest. Record the coordinates though. We lost a pickup truck so were short on space also.
Captain and Burimer did not think they were in such a bad situation. They were not fully stocked, but they could refill their needs with their gathered loot.
The small number of sniper bullets was not that much different than what they regularly carried. If the infantries had fought against each other, they would have used thousands of bullets. During the war, there are most wasted bullets than those actually used to hit the targets. Lattell teams bullet use was hundreds of times more efficient. It was the reason they didnt need large quantities of bullets at their disposal.
Captain, worried about the enemy following them, hurriedly left the scene.
That night, they found a rest stop 100km from the battleground of Gouradi in Amzuo.
There was about 70km left before they reached Ekiya.
Chartres woke up from his anesthetic in the early morning. He laughed as he saw the thickly-wrapped bandages around his chest and shoulder. Other than the headache from the injury, his condition was not too bad.
When he turned his head, he saw Black Mamba leaning on the bed sleeping. He hit the bed frame with his palm.
Hey Black, did you get kicked out by your wife?
The nagging started the moment Black Mamba opened his eyes.
Look, Black, you need to maintain your condition. The success of the team strategy is one thing, but the survival of the team is in your hands. Lay down and sleep.
Geez, Xanthippe wouldnt have nagged as much as you, old man, Black Mamba muttered as he put his hand on Chartress forehead. His forehead was still hot.
Youre the problem, old man. You could make a scrambled egg on that forehead of yours. From the looks of your nagging, I guess you wont be kicking the bucket any time soon. How are you feeling?
Whew, Im getting old. All worn out because I got a couple of toothpicks stuck in me.
Chartres sighed. Sure, sure whatever. Bathroom?
Ugh, youre not even a girl; I have no interest in smelly men.
Chartres refused Black Mambas help and left the barracks in a stumbling fashion.
The eastern sky started to brighten.
Turning his back on the dawn sky, they stood side by side and pulled out their packages. After casually taking care of his business, he pointed at Black Mambas package and started to chuckle.
Your package is not monstrous though.
For an Asian, Im pretty big. Black Mamba tried to persuade him, but he didnt even pretend to listen.
I doubt you would even be 5 inches.
Black Mamba retorted angrily, It doesnt even make a difference when Chartres gets aroused. When Koreans get aroused, it grows twice its size.
Ha, before I see it, I wont accept your word for it. Just so you know, when mine is raised, its ten inches.
You arent human.
A man is measured by his girth, no?
Cartres put strength in his shoulders and dusted off the large item.
Damn, whats the point if its big? Theres nothing to use it on.
Speaking of using it, I suddenly miss my girlfriend. She used to say that a lot.
Experience is not just gained by time. Chartres tried his best to relieve Black Mambas distress by uttering all sorts of nonsense.
What does Yawm al-din, al-Amr, Arif bi-Allah mean?
You amazingly remembered. Yawm al-din means the day of judgment. According to the Koran, it says that the dead of the world will come out of their graves and be reunited with their bodies. They then believe that Allah will pass judgement on them. Al-Amr means the ultimate command, Arif bi-Allah means chosen by God, hence, it means that the chosen ones will be granted perfect freedom. They were chosen with spiritual intent and so upon following the command, they will be saved on the day of judgment.
He was flabbergasted after hearing the explanation. It was nothing short of fanaticism.
Yawm al-din, al-Amr, Arif bi-Allah! He muttered the prayer that the child soldier had exclaimed.
Chapter 47
Thats ridiculous. The Muslim religion is even pushing children into death, Black Mamba complained angrily to Chartres.
The Muslim religion has nothing to do with it. The dirty rebels kidnapped children and brainwashed them.
They are only children who know nothing of this
Black Mambas painful childhood was a trauma of his. The young child soldiers had always made his heart uncomfortable.
Black Mamba, how many times do I have to tell you. Stop thinking useless things. The child soldiers have already killed people and been accustomed to bloodshed. Brainwashing before they are able to form an identity for themselves completely destroys a persons original nature. They may be young, but they are even scarier monsters. They follow every instruction of the commander. They are scarier than adults.
Hm, I know that but
He couldnt help but sigh.
The most difficult and burdensome thing during their operations were the child soldiers. Every time they fought, he was forced to kill children, which burdened his heart greatly.
Where humans live, there are more dark corners than those of brightness.
Those who used others and those who are used, those who steal and those who get stolen from, those who command and those who listenhe too had lived being controlled like this in Korean!
In the world of Sabha, everywhere was the same.
Dont overthink it. Dont forget you are a mercenary.
Chartres patted his shoulder then went back into the barracks. He stumbled a bit but rejected all offers of help. It was an old soldiers pride. Black Mamba stared a long time at his back.
The darkness lightened, and the cantonment started to stir.
Captain decided to move by day instead of his original plans to move at night. It was because his troops condition had drastically been weakened by the prolonged operation. Captain was more worried about their stamina than their protection. Humans are better equipped to function by day. Millions of years worth of genetics had created this body rhythm, and it was difficult to make it think the night was the day.
Emil and Miguel were prepping their meals, and Jang Shin and Burimer were preparing the pickup. The rest of the troops were checking their equipment and getting ready to leave. Black Mamba was stretching his body with his meditation as always.
Captain frowned heavily and was lost in deep thought.
He had to decide whether he should move with the main headquarter or on their own.
Lieutenant Paul had worked in the internal affairs department for 20 years.
His head told him he had to trust the main headquarters, but his heart refused the trust. They had been forced into large battles every time they had started an operation. It had already happened three times in a row. Even if Botele was Frolinats home ground, logically it was hard to wrap his head around it.
If something illogical happened, then there is a reason for it.
With three battles, they had killed 254 people. This was not the stats of a rescue team, but that of a clean up team. This battle was dangerous too. Black Mambas incredible skills and Jang Shins ghost-like grenade skills were the only reason they survived this.
Frolinats northern army was a complete brigade.
One brigade fighting the entire northern army?
That would be as rash as diving into the ocean to catch a great white shark with a harpoon. Even if they are mere soldiers who live and die according to their given commands, this is not right. As a high ranking official, he shouldnt be suspicious of the organization but the filthy feeling of betrayal stuck to him.
The strategy headquarters DGSE received the information and handed it to the strategy team.
Is it the DGSE?
They would send out the best rescue team to play around with them? That didnt make any sense.
There was a low possibility that DGSE would be pulling such a stunt behind their back.
However much they thought about it, they couldnt figure out an answer.
My brain doesnt work very well anymore ever since all Ive been doing is shooting. As long as we are in uniform, we cant ignore their commands. I also dont want to get stabbed in the back.
Captain set his suspicions aside for now. He decided to concentrate on their given mission, but keep a hidden card up his sleeve just in case.
How is Chartress condition?
He is getting noticeably better. What I suspected as an air embolism turned out to just be internal bleeding.
Do we need an evacuation?
He is adamantly refusing it. He says he cant leave behind his comrades because of a little scratch.
That stubborn old man. Whats your judgement on the situation?
Belman said that as long as there are no other complications, hell soon be able to be active.
Burimer sidestepped the question. He didnt want to be held responsible for his comrades injury.
Hm, it will be difficult to get a helicopter here.
Chartres is the best at booby traps. For the best escape route, they needed Chartres.
Thats true. Chartres is also the best at RPG. Lets see what happens for now.
Captain put Chartress evacuation on hold for now. Saving their necks was more important at the moment. Chartres would not like the idea of an evacuation right now anyways.
However, the teams condition is deteriorating. Miguel is showing symptoms of lethargy.
Alright, Ill look after them.
Miguel was lying droopily under the shade of a boulder. He didnt even shoo away the hoard of flies crawling over his face. Its the first symptom of lethargy. It was not looking good.
Miguel, how are you?
No problem! Miguel smiled and looked up at Captain.
Stay strong Miguel, well end this soon and drink until we pass out at a bar in Meridian.
Of course.
We have someone on our side thats no normal human. With Black Mamba, we cant help but succeed.
The strength came back into Miguels eyes. With Black Mamba on their side, there was still hope. Why did he ever think that it would be difficult?
Miguel shot up and called Belman over. Quack, give me a shot of atropine.
Captain sighed in relief. After going into battle three times, Black Mamba had become their guardian angel. It was a great consolation to have such an invincible member on their team.
It was the 9th day they had been battling it out in the badlands and the desert.
The dry Sahel belts midday heat was suffocating. When night came, it was so cold, they could feel it penetrating their bones. The drastic temperature changes were hacking away at their stamina. This place was difficult even for the special forces who endured hellish training.
None of the team members were injured or ill, but their exhaustion ran high. Each one of them had white cracked lips and bloodshot eyes. Their skin became dry, and dark circles drooped an inch under their eyes. They were enduring every sort of physical and mental hardship.
Brother, I miss Corsicas Ponant, Jang Shin complained with his white cracked lips. Ponant had an emerald ocean surrounding it with cool winds. All the soldiers who were sick of the sandy winds of the Sahel nodded.
Anger rose up from Captains chest.
If everything had gone as planned, they would have already caught Raccoon and be on their way home. They would have been celebrating by fondling full breasts at Meridian.
The reality was that they didnt even catch a glimpse of the Raccoons tail and were wandering around aimlessly getting hit by sand storms. There was no point in encountering the guerrilla troops who hoarded around them like flies.
His comrades were tired, and the enemy was everywhere.
A majority of the Borkou natives were at the mercy of Frolinat. They could be caught at any time by an intel officer or a guard. They could never be sure when a guerrilla troops bullet could be directed at them. They were essentially thrown naked into a pit of hyenas. The desolate Sahel of Northern Chad was trying to swallow 11 mercenaries.
Those damn punks!
Captain clenched his fists and shook in fury. He wanted to shoot the government fools that planned such a stupid tactic. No, Black Mambas kukri will not forgive them.
Captain pushed down his anger an raised the antennae of the satellite phone.
He extended the antennae, which looked like a giant umbrella while his anger exploded.
As big as a golf umbrella, the Lone Elsa Satellite Antenna was a bit cumbersome to use in the open. On the other hand, the WDCOM Satellite Antenna used by the US and England was compact enough to fit inside a pocket.
Frances defense industry, due to nationalization, lost its creativity and ended up with just side effects. The dinosaur-sized defense industry became sluggish and stupid. Plus, they had such high pride that they refused to even make copies.
-This is Bravo, come in Alpha.
-Bravo, Ive been waiting for you.
-Alpha, there was a large battle at Guradi. 57 were killed.
-
The headquarter commander was so surprised he was at a loss for words for a moment.
-Bravo, the damage?
-Alpha, 57 were killed. Sergeant Chartres is injured. If his condition gets worse, we will request an evacuation.
-Ci gogne se!
The headquarter commander stuttered.
-Alpha, were requesting supplies.
-Bravo, you may speak.
-Two pickups, two minimee with 5000 bullets, MO60 mine thrower and 10 boxes of grenades, two automatic grenade launchers and 10 boxes of bombs, twenty sets of Claymore mines, five Pamus, night vision goggles, scope, headset batteries
-Bravo, understood. Are you planning to cause an upheaval in Chad?
-Alpha, at this point, I would like to do that. The location is 10 miles north of Tanga oasis; the coordinates are 020 424. The receiving time requested is at 1800 hours. As planned, we will go into Ekiya oasis.
-Bravo, understood.
-I almost forgot, there is an item you must bring with you. Its Black Mambas personal item. Make sure to bring Korean ramen. Its a dried pasta in red packaging.
-Bravo, understood.
After finishing with the satellite phone, Captain smiled coldly.
He had intentionally not mentioned Anju and told them the coordinates for Tanga. The location that Captain directed them was 10km away from the point where the Lattell team would be hiding.
Burimer, we threw in a big bait, so should we just wait?
Is it a mirror meeting?
Well, we have to receive payment. We can resolve two things at once.
The solution that Captain came up with was a sleazy tactic called a mirror meeting. Mirror meeting is revealing a false location to make a counter-attack. The motive was to find the hidden mole. The slight difference of this mirror meeting was that they were planning to get actual supplies delivered to the false location.
Its drool-worthy bait. There will be no way for the mole to resist it. I bet my Kepi Noir that they will show up, Burimer answered confidently. The foreign troops wear the Kpi Blanc. Kepi Noir was worn by the Sergeants and Officers. They differentiated row 5 with distinction.
Theres no reason to wear the sweaty hat. Just find the best position to be in sight of the mirror.
You intentionally let it slip that we were going toward Ekiya oasis, didnt you.
Hm, they may be drooling over our loot, but their main objective is our necks. If the information is being leaked, the rebel troops will start moving toward Ekiya.
What do we do if the mirror punks show up?
Is there a reason to go around with a tail on us?
At Captains question, Burimer shrugged his shoulders. He could feel Captains stress.
We have to destroy them.
Thats right. Black Mamba is a god of fighting at night. He may be hiding it from me, but he cant fool me. Hahaha!
Is that so?
Did you not see him at Uldi Hamarl? When Black was fighting with the guerrilla troops, he didnt have night vision goggles on. Whether its some mysterious martial arts skill or a superpower, Black Mamba has the eyes of an owl.
I, I see.
Burimer nodded his head. He was such an interesting character that it had bypassed his mind. Now that he thought back to it, Black had definitely been fighting all over the place without night vision goggles on.
With Black on our side, its game over for the opposition when fighting at night. We can destroy them, then move to the changed location to receive our supplies.
Its a bit messy, but as of right now, its the best decision.
Dont tell the team members. This is an embarrassing operation due to us not trusting headquarters.
Dont you think we ought to tell Black?
Forget it. Everyone is in awe of Blacks strength, but hes an intelligent fellow. He probably already figured it out.
Well cut off the tail, check row 5, and receive payment. Thats killing three birds with one stone.
Well. It isnt a welcome three birds. Looks like Black Mamba will be covered in blood again.
Captain and Burimer looked at each other with bitter smiles.
If the rebel troops came for their loot like a pack of dogs?
Black Mamba would pluck them off one by one in the wide-open space. In addition, the Claymore and land mines would greet them warmly.
At the base of Zamjena, they even released coordinates 578km away. The flight speed of the Gazelle would make it arrive in 2 hours and 32 minutes. Even if the helicopter arrived late, it would need to get here by 21 hours and 30 minutes.
Chapter 48
Chinooks emergency radio functioned even in severe weather. The helicopter received information about the changed location. They used every fail-safe to make sure the information was not leaked.
Captain yelled at his team members, who were rushing to start leaving.
What are you doing, get some rest and lets eat lunch before heading out.
Another battle was anticipated. It was time to get fully rested and recharged.
Mike glanced over at Captain, then yelled, What are you doing? Hurry! Jang Shin, are you finished checking the equipment?
Yes, sergeant.
Miguel, start the engine.
Emil, do you want to get your butt kicked? Mike nagged at his team members fervently.
Jang Shin had lifted his spoon late to finally eat after finishing loading the vehicles, but threw it down and ran to the pickup. Emil and Miguel jumped onto the pickup and grabbed the machine gun, and Ombuti started the engine. Even the sluggish Morris grabbed his gun and ran.
Mike and the team members had assumed wrong. They thought that Captain was nagging them because they were moving too slowly. Thats how anxious they had been.
Oh, you guys are driving me insane!
Captain watched his team members scramble around like popping popcorn and hit his chest.
Mike, what do you think youre doing? Tell them all to stop and rest.
Sergeant Mikes eyes grew wide.
You really mean that?
Im tired; dont make me say it again.
Captain frowned.
Only then did the team members relax, lift their spoons, and lay down under the shade.
Wheres Black?
As always, hes doing his weird dance.
At Burimers answer, Captain nodded his head.
He was incredible. His physique was great, but his mind was greater. Even the Captain himself had become mentally exhausted from the anxiety of continuous battles and traveling. Black Mamba was a unique character that didnt miss one session of meditation even when they were in this horrific situation.
His judgment skills were also amazing. He didnt say much, but he was able to read everything on his mind like an x-ray.
When will he finish?
It will probably end after an hour.
We dont have time. Call him over quickly.
I didnt want to bother him if I could, but I had to confirm something with him.
Is there a problem?
Black Mamba stood bare-chested with his hand on his chin. Sweat followed the lines of his tanned muscles and dripped drop by drop.
Hm!
Captains eyes gazed at Black Mambas upper body. The silky smooth skin was roped with muscle. It was the perfect body with not an inch of fat. Captain stared at it as if in a trance. He looked like a sculpture from Renaissance times.
Captain, stop looking at me like that. Im not a homo.
Captains hands had been slowly reaching out, but he flinched at the words. He had wanted to touch the muscles.
Uh hem! Black, you have to rest when we rest.
I know you need your rest. They say that if you rest one day, you will know; if you rest two days, the surrounding people will know, and if you rest three days, the enemy will know.
Captain mulled over Black Mambas words for a moment. If he really was different from normal humans, he wouldnt have said something like this.
Whew, I think I know why you are so strong. Did you say it was Oh Keum Kon? Could I be trained in this also?
If you can run with two tires attached to you and hang upside down for five hours, you can. If you can stare at the end of a needle for 72 hours without blinking, then you can.
Captain was at a loss for words. He felt dizzy from the words then you can.
Is that a joke?
No. Its the truth.
Hahaha! Ill cleanly give up on it. Black, how far can you pick up the enemys movements with that unique skill of yours?
Black Mamba stared at Captain with suspicious eyes.
Does this person really think of me as a radar?
It didnt make him feel good about it. The sudden battle had caused him to reveal all his hidden skills.
Ah, operating with a call name is only reserved for the top soldiers. Ive already let the rest of the team members know. I dont want to stand in front of a judge for revealing the secret. If the pension gets canceled, how will I survive my retirement?
The quick-witted Captain hurriedly spouted nonsense.
It changes depending on the surroundings. If there are no man-made noises, I can read up to 100m. I can sense a human presence up to 300m, and the movement of vehicles or bikes up to 8km.
Hm, youre not human.
Captain sighed. He was like a highly sensitive bio radar. With Black Mamba, the scale of any planned operation can be expanded to ten times normal capacity.
Captain looked around at his team members.
Good; well trust Black Mambas skills and go into cover for an ambush. I dont like stalkers. Lets refreshingly break them apart and move on comfortably.
I agree with that plan also, Burimer agreed.
Black, you have a mini music player you use, dont you? That, what do you call it, walkman.
I do.
Does it work now?
It does.
Good, sell that to me. Ill give you five thousand francs.
I dont like IOUs. A box of Ciacarell.
Cest bien. (That sounds good.)
That night, when the sun went down, the well-rested mercenaries started to move busily. The only people knowing the details of Operation mirror were Captain, Burimer, and Black Mamba.
The team members were setting Claymore mines in the area where the supplies would be dropped. Jang Shin and Ombuti assembled the grenade launcher and got into position.
Sergeant Mike was confused about the situation the entire time he was preparing the land mines.
Are they saying that its okay to destroy all the given supplies?
The current battle tactic did not include the protection of the supplies. If a battle occurred, their supplies would be destroyed. Unless Captain had lost his mind, he wouldnt have planned such a tactic.
Captain?
The Captain, realizing Mikes confusion, smiled.
Mike, gather the team members once the Claymore and land mines are in place.
Once the team members gathered, Captain started his briefing.
Our current strategy is the ant lions pit. This is the point where Chinook will drop off the supplies. They will be dropping off the supplies at a point 7 km south towards Amju in a place called Trident Rock.
What are you talking about?
Captain didnt answer Mikes question separately. After the beating from Black Mamba, his personality may have been reconstructed, but his impatient nature had not changed.
We will dig a lion ants pit here and wait. Its a situation warranting sadness and anger, but we cannot trust the government headquarters. There is a high possibility that a mole has penetrated the government headquarters. I am planning to change the location of the supply drop.
Finally, the team was able to definitively understand Captains objective. They understood why the operation was called an ant lions pit also.
I am hoping Frolinat will not show up. I sincerely hope that my suspicions will just be an alarmist reaction. They will have intel agents in the surrounding areas. Ill split you up into groups.
Captain stopped talking and looked around at his men.
Mike will head to Ekiya with Belman and Miguel. You will collect the supplies at the newly set location. Burimer, I need you to gather the others and record something for me. Our situation is that we received the supplies. Do you understand?
Burimer read Captains mind immediately.
Yes, understood.
Black Mamba, you know why I named this place the ant lions pit, dont you?
Black Mamba looked out into the wide-open space and nodded his head.
There are no obstacles. In one minute we should be able to clear 30 of them. It will be best to start at 600m. It will be troublesome if your lover gets too hot
Black Mamba stroked his Dragonov gun.
Captain handed his Dragonov to Black Mamba.
Black, however good your skills are, your lover wont be able to last long. Take turns with both guns. You can aim the zero point at the punks heads.
Sounds good!
Both Captain, who was uttering horrid words, and Black Mamba, who accepted them blandly, were already lost in the inhuman state of war. It had been a long time since they had buried their human dignity in the sands of Sahel.
Burimer gathered the team and started to record. They even cleverly added background noises of tools clashing against each other. Captain smiled as he nodded his head. This was why having an experienced sergeant was important. He didnt have to explain every little detail to him.
Captain checked his watch.
Twenty-one hundred; it was time to get ready for the helicopter landing.
Captain called Mike over.
Mike, 7km south of Amju there is a small oasis. There, you will see three large boulders called Trident Rock. In 2400 hours, Chinook will show up. Direct them there and collect the supplies. After collecting the supplies, you will return here.
Captain, why do I have to go?
Mike couldnt hide his discontent. For someone who liked blood as much as he did, this task was driving him crazy. There would soon be a battle, and all he was going to be doing was collecting supplies. It churned his insides.
If there is no mole, then this will all pass quietly without a battle. Burimer has to be in charge of the grenade launcher. Do you expect Black Mamba to go pick up the supplies in place of you?
Ah, never mind. Of course, I should be the one to go.
Mike was offended, but he immediately put his tail between his legs. Just hearing Black Mambas name made his heart drop. The pain of his beating had been eternally engraved into his brain. Just thinking about it made his muscles spasm.
Mike, collecting the supplies is more important than the battle. Its success will determine the survival of the team. Another motive is to misdirect the enemy. Your role is important. Belman, take Miguel and lure them here.
Understood.
Mike took 3 pickups and headed toward Amju.
At twenty-three hundred hours, it was time for the helicopter to arrive at Kanem. Lattells team got ready to greet their visitors.
Captain raised the satellite phone antennae.
-Come in, Alpha. This is Bravo.
-This is Alpha. You may speak Bravo.
-Has the helicopter left?
-It is set to arrive in 48 minutes.
-The supply drop location has been changed. Do not go to the initial location. There is a Strella waiting there. Go 7 km south from the initial location towards Amju oasis to a place called Trident Rock. Coordinates are 021 423. The signal will be 3 flares.
-Understood. Wait a moment.
-Ive gotten into contact with the helicopter. Lets hope for the best.
-Roger
After finishing the transmission, Captain smiled, organized the antennae, then returned. There is no pilot crazy enough to come to a place where a missile was waiting for them.
The mercenaries were all in their respective positions and waited.
The desert night was silent. He blasted the sound as high as possible so that the noise of the walkman echoed through the desert. Burimer cleverly left some lanterns on at certain points.
Would the enemy show up?
There was nothing left to do but wait.
The 3rd Frolinat army was 15 km south of Tanga.
Clash! Thud! A loud noise was coming from the command center and the barracks. Not a single person loitered around the barracks.
Ahmud could not control his anger and was currently hopping mad.
The surprise counter-attack had failed. He had lost all his men and had practically been beaten over the head in punishment as he ran away. The prideful Grosser was extremely frustrated about this. Informing Habib of this was his immediate concern.
Muhammad!
Yes, your excellency.
The aide who had been cowering in a corner shot up like a bullet and stood at attention. He was strictly trained. Blood was trickling down Muhammads forehead. It was due to getting hit by the cigarette tray that Ahmud threw.
Status report.
We have a total of 1,300 men, at the current number.
A large decorative piece that had been on the desk went flying. It was a figure of a donkey that Ahmud prized.
Muhammad quickly avoided it.
Crash! The wine cabinet broke into pieces. Ahmuds eyes opened wide.
You idiot, Im asking you how many men we can send out.
If we leave out the government guards, we barely have 150 men.
Ahmud raised his thick eyebrows. Ice shot out of his eyes.
What? Why do we only have that many men?
He asked this as if the aide had intentionally taken some men out behind his back.
The 3rd Frolinat army Habib had 2,400 men. Excluding the 500 guards and 600 Musta independence fighters, 1,300 men were at Ahmuds command.
There were 700 newly-trained soldiers and 600 child soldiers forced into service. Currently, there were 700 soldiers tracking the Makumbo army that was moving toward Kanem province. A hundred of them were trying to find Makumbo. Based on his calculation, the math did not work.
Chapter 49
The idiot Musta lost our star brigade. They lost 57 men at Guradi. There are currently 303 men left at headquarters. Ten surveillance teams are out in the northwest and Cortaro. There are currently 203 men here.
Huh!
Upon hearing this report, Ahmud sighed heavily.
Borkou and Kanem were too big. Having to split the troops here and there was causing them to have very few left as backups. He wanted to rip apart the frog punks, but without knowing their movements, it was hard to plan a tactic accordingly. He wasnt confident enough to go against them with just 150 men.
All of them were snipers.
He was battling against ten of them, but he was the one ending up with a nosebleed. With their immensely accurate shooting, he had even lost his aide. Ahmud stroked the left side of his face without realizing it.
It was the area where the blood from his aides head had splattered. He got chills down his back. They had no information on how many of these skilled men they had. It made it difficult to command an attack.
Muhammad, bring in all the guards.
Your excellency, if we bring in all the guards that are surveying their movements, the boss will not be happy.
Muhammad opposed him.
You call them if I tell you to call them. I was chased like a dog by those frog punks.
Ahmuds anger exploded. He threw the cigar he had in his mouth. This guy or anotherhe didnt like any of them.
The cigar happened to land on the same spot as his cut forehead, but Muhammad didnt move from his stance. Ahmud was a hotheaded superior. There were aides that got killed for talking back to him.
Yes, sir.
Muhammad hurriedly ran out of the barracks. He heard him kicking the desk from behind him.
Damn, why is he taking out his anger at me after getting stomped on by the frogs? What the hell did I do? Muhammad muttered as he readied to call in the troops.
Ahmud couldnt calm his anger and smoked cigarette after cigarette.
How many of them are there?
Why are they not searching for Makumbo and instead loitering around Bodele?
He racked his brain about it, but all it did was make his headache worse.
From his assumptions, he predicted that the frog special forces had at least 30 men and at most 100. If he called in all the surveillance teams, he could gather 300 men. Only then could he be sure to have the advantage in numbers.
Faizs surveillance team had 100 men with over 5 years of experience. Their main task was to survey other armies.
Habibs surveillance team would track movements of any army they were in leagues with. The 11 members of Frolinat only kept them as an alliance because of necessity. They belonged to a different group and class entirely. Like Havrena Makumbo, they could never be sure when they would get betrayed by them. That was the extent of Frolinats alliance with them. If he was to remove the Faiz surveillance army, then as his aide had said, he would get sorely reprimanded by Habib.
If I can catch those punks, I would sell my soul.
Ahmud clenched his teeth.
The scratch to his pride made even his fear of the boss disappear.
He wouldnt be able to sleep until he could chop them to pieces and throw them into the desert. When he closed his eyes, he was haunted by the image of his ripped apart men and bullet holes in their heads.
When about ten cigarette butts were in the cigarette tray, the messenger arrived.
What? Oh ho!
It was a messenger that the boss, Commissioner Habib, had sent. Upon receiving the message, Ahmud was snapped back to his senses. There were two very important pieces of information inside it.
It said that the punks were heading toward Ekiya oasis and that they were awaiting a supply replenishment. It would be at 2400 hours, 10 km northwest of Tanga.
He didnt know how the boss was gathering information about the French army, and he didnt want to know. They say that curiosity killed the cat. If the boss was not going to tell, then it was better to pretend not to know.
His task was to retrieve the supplies. Of course, he first had to obliterate those meddlesome punks. If he wasnt able to eat what the boss was spoon-feeding him, then he deserved to be purged.
From inside Ahmuds head, a map unfolded.
Ten km north of Tanga are 5 oasis villages in the area of Toko Doum. It was only 25 km away from the location of their brigade in Koro Mojanga.
Ahmud was in a good mood. He was pumped up with adrenaline. He wasnt sure why the special forces which were supposed to be chasing Makumbo were deep in Bodele. The Bodele badlands were his front yard. One mistake was enough.
Your excellency!
Without even knocking, the aide burst in suddenly.
A report has come in from our intel team. Three vehicles are moving toward the Amju region.
Ahmud jumped up in surprise.
What? Toward Amju?
That is correct.
They arent all moving, are they?
That correct. A portion of them were left behind.
Ha hahaha! Is that so.
Ahmud smiled widely.
Their intel was never wrong. The punks had arranged a supply drop with a few of their men, and the rest of them had started to move onwards. The pickups that were heading toward Amju were the ones to make contact with their headquarters.
Get ready to go to Toko Doum.
What should we do with the surveillance team we called back?
Are their brains mere accessories? Send Faiz the message. Tell them to not come to headquarters but instead chase the punks heading to Amju. Their destination is the base camp for the special forces, Ahmud yelled out abruptly.
Because his previous aides head had been blown off in Guradi, he had to deal with this idiot. He didnt know how to move upon making his own judgment.
The surveillance team that Faiz commanded was the best of the best. They will rid the special force base camp with Faizs troops. After stealing the supplies, he was planning to attack them from the rear. There was no need to oppose Habibs commands, so it was killing two birds with one stone.
There was an hour left before they arrived to the location.
All available vehicles were sourced to them from headquarters. Cars and bikes, even camels. All 147 Frolinat soldiers passed through the barricade and popped out.
The Ahmud troops ran as fast as they could through the darkness.
Commander, we see a light.
The aide that was surveying the area reported to Ahmud.
Ahmud was also able to see a streak of light through the darkness. If there were no obstacles, he was able to see 10km out in the dark.
The stupid white pigs! he exclaimed in delight. They were unaware how far sounds and light traveled through the desolate desert nights. It made them easy targets for their guns. He scoffed at how pathetic the frogs were for not being even remotely careful.
Ahmud, however, had forgotten his defeat in the early evening against ten men previously. Prideful men tend to only see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear, and remember what they want to remember. Ahmud did not surpass this generalization.
Keep going forward.
The location of the mirror operation was 4km from Toko Doum in a place with no obstacles. The mercenaries were undercover, 300m to the right. The snipers were waiting with bated breath in the best possible location to use their shooting skills.
Black Mamba had his eyes closed in the sudden darkness he created.
It was time to become one with nature. 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 metersas if a rock had been thrown in a peaceful lake, the ripples kept growing.
He had told Captain that his limit was 100m, but in actuality, it was 300 meters. He could see 100m with his eyes, but he could sense movement up to 500m.
All living things give off orthodox wavelengths. Black Mamba used something similar to active echolocation used by submarines. By sensing the change in energy from the living things, he was able to figure out its shape and movement.
-Captain, from 4km straight ahead, the enemy is approaching.
-What? 4km ahead?
Captain looked out through his night-vision goggles. There was nothing but ink-like darkness in front of him. Black Mambas senses had never been wrong before. If Black Mamba says they are there, then they must be.
Damn, as expected, the pipe is leaking profusely.
Our mirror tactic worked perfectly. A sigh naturally escaped him.
-Can you tell me the direction and number?
-It is the 2 oclock direction, I can hear the sound of the engines and camels. The number is difficult to decipher.
Hm! Dirty punks. I will make sure to kill you.
Captain clenched his teeth. Its the 5th row. The contents of their communication were handed straight into the enemys hands. He had truly hoped that his worry had been an over-exaggeration, but the reality was bleak.
It would be hard to catch the mole as they had to suspect the communication officer all the way to the commanding officer. Captain did not suspect DGSEs back door operation. He turned on his headset.
-Everyone get ready to attack
-Yes sir
-Morris, have you finished setting up the land mines?
-Yes sir, 10 sets of Claymore set and ready. The mines are lined up three meters apart with a total of 60 sets placed into position.
They dug up all the Claymores they had in their supply, but it was still not enough.
Claymores are orientated mines. Because they are placed in different orientations, if 30% are able to be exploded, it is assumed to be a success.
-The enemy is heading our way from 4km away. Ready the grenade launcher and machine guns.
They had resisted using explosives at Uldi Harmarl, but their tail had already been caught now. There was no reason to reserve their firepower.
Six mercenaries waited for the enemy with bated breath.
The Ahmud army was approaching with great speed. Within less than an hour, they had traveled 20 km. This speed was only possible because of their familiarity with the land.
At Toko Doum, Muhammad halted the leading troops.
Commander, we hear noises.
Its the frogs.
Ahmud jumped off the truck and put his ear to the ground.
Im sure of it. They are 4km straight ahead.
Ahmud had rolled around the desert for 20 years. Even without night vision goggles, he could see a point of light and figure out the distance through small sounds.
Everyone off. We have further news.
Ahamud carefully reaccessed the situation.
He was suddenly reminded of his recent defeat. The French special forces were limited in size, but they showed phenomenal battle skills. His army only had individual rifles, firearms, and grenades. They had RPG and mine throwers, but they didnt have a lot in supply. He sorely missed the Soviet grenade launcher he had lost to them previously.
Luckily, their main forces were out toward Ekiya oasis.
Their limited supplies could be overcome by their sheer number of men. Plus, it was night. The snipers were limited by darkness. Using the cover of darkness, they could get as close as possible, then obliterate them once and for all.
With five troops, Frolinats 3rd brigade stealthily approached the barracks like a rattlesnake.
Are they crazy?
Captain gasped in exasperation.
Within the magnified sight through the night vision goggles, the green silhouettes seemed to go on forever into the distance.
His worst fear had become a reality.
The oncoming number of guerrilla troops surpassed that of a company unit. Captain, who had assumed that at most it would be a platoon, gasped in exclamation.
With exact information at both of their disposals, Ahmud and Captain had both misjudged the situation.
Ahmud predicted that Frances special forces were at Ekiya. He was sure that they would not have enough men to overpower them, especially in a night battle.
Captain had assumed that the rebel forces would send their main troops to Ekiya, and a portion would come to steal the supplies. Both their mistaken assumptions had been the cause for a rain of blood to shower upon Toko Doum.
The problem was the sea of green that filled the entire lens of his night-vision goggles. Seeing the huge numbers of the enemy soldiers put Captain in a grim position.
With Mark dead, Chartres injured, and Belman, Miguel, and Mike in Ekiya as a diversion, only half of the 11 was available to battle.
The only members available for battle were Burimer and Black Mamba as snipers, Morris with explosives, Jang Shin with heavy weapons, and Emil with the machine gun. There as only five of them. Not having Miguels rifle with them was detrimental. They will not be able to coordinate taking turns shooting.
With him included, the six of them would have to go against the black sea of enemies charging toward them. The only thing he could put trust in was Black Mamba and the tightly planted land mines.
It was too late to back out. If they started to chase them, their location would be compromised, and they were at high risk to lose everything.
Are they telling us that they are okay with exposing their 5th line?
He wanted to smash his own head in. He had overthought the situation and put his team in a dangerous position.
Truthfully, Captains sly tactics were not bad. The problem was Habibs pride and Ahmuds vengeance. The desert men were more concerned about enacting their revenge than the consequences of their actions.
Should we risk being followed and quietly retreat?
If we lead them to the minefield and use all our firepower, wouldnt we able to take them on? We have Black Mamba on our side.
Chapter 50
Captain racked his brain with all his might, but he could not easily come to a decision.
Captain turned on his headset.
The company scale of the enemy is larger than expected. Each of you, tell me what you think. This is Burimer. I dont want to continue on with a stalker. This is Morris. I will do as Black wishes. This is Emil. I will do as Black wishes. This is Jang Shin. I will do as Black wishes. Huh, Black seems to be the top gun. Black, what would you like to do? This is Black Mamba. No need to worry. Just make sure to stop them from coming head-on. I can sweep them in 10 minutes. Huh, just hearing you say that puts me at ease. Youre like a teenager who wants to fight with everyone. Alright, I dont like stalkers either. Black Mamba will start the attack. Black, theres not much choice. Make your own judgment call and sweep them. Yes sir Morris, after you explode the Claymores, grab your rifle. Yes, sir. Jang Shin, get help from Ombuti. If we run short on shells, grab the recoilless rifles. Yes, sir. Ombuti, help Jang Shin. Got it. Burimer, grab the ASG. Yes, sir. Black Mamba will be in charge of the attack. Emil and I will take turns with the machine guns. Burimer, do you have the M60 bullets?
-Yes, sir.
Captain appointed each of the team members with their respective tasks.
A leader must keep in mind the worst-case scenario. They lacked so much manpower that he had to request Jang Shin, who was in charge of the back attack with the grenade launcher, to also help Ombuti with the ammunition.
He gave up their specialties without hesitation.
A sniper tactic was only good for specified targets. In a situation with large numbers attacking, it would be the worst possible way to stop the enemy. Plus, with their view compromised at night, their accuracy would fall drastically.
The troops task was to block the oncoming charge attack. Sniping was specifically handed to Black Mamba. Frolinat might think that the darkness gives them an advantage, but they are sorely mistaken. The darkness is a playground in which Black Mamba can run freely and efficiently.
Black Mamba has the ability to send tens of the opposing troops straight to Allah with his impeccable sniping skills.
They had been extremely lucky to have collected the high-speed automatic grenade launcher. After catching the enemy by surprise with the Claymore and land mines, they could rip the rest of them apart with this particular weapon. Black Mamba was a versatile sniper whose skill didnt change whether it was in night or day. With Jang Shins grenade launcher and the power of the ASG17, they would be able to stop the oncoming enemy.
Captain was confident.
Black Mamba continued to stare at the green dot that seemed to extend eternally. The 4X magnifying scope attached to the Dragonov made it hard to figure out the exact distance. The enemy had already come with 1000m. He was waiting for them to reach 600m for his attack timing.
He whiffed the smell of sweat. He could also hear a low urgent voice prodding them on. They had come to the time where if they didnt want to die; they would have to kill.
The first target they needed to get was the one in charge of the flares.
A grenade flare was as bright as ten thousand candles. All his comrades had on night vision goggles. Exposed to such a magnified light, their corneas could get burned off.
The second target was the heavy weaponry; the third was the commander.
The ones holding their own weapons could be swept up when they reached the 300m mark. 300m was a good enough distance to ignore the AK accuracy rule.
The fully armed armys approaching speed was about 5~7m per second; if he started shooting at the 600m mark, he could clear 60~70 of them.
When they reached within 300m, he could shoot 1~2 per second. Within 2 minutes, he could sweep 100 men. His comrades would just have to hold them back for 3 minutes.
Black Mamba froze as he ran the battle simulation in his head.
He was reminded of the time he had herded and slaughtered cattle in his youth, but he didnt feel any further guilt.
Is it alright for me to do this?
It hadnt been that long since he had put down his moktak and picked up a gun, but how could he already have become this way!
He felt unfamiliar with this cold person who could calculate how many people he could kill at one time. When had be become so desensitized to murder?
Four years ago, when he had been waving an ax, had he already become accustomed to blood?
He suddenly felt unfamiliar with his identity. In a few minutes, many more people would again die at his hands.
What had he done in the past to have this heavy karma of being the butcher of people?
The memory of his teacher walking carefully so that he wouldnt kill an ant flashed through his brain.
Look up at the sky. It is filled with clouds. The faint stars blinked in the sandy winds. His mother had told him that when a pure soul died, it went to heaven and became a star. What would happen to those he killed?
The corpses filled the stomachs of animals; the discarded bones will wander the rough wilderness then disappear into dust.
His teacher had said these words to him: Karma depends on the ability to resist temptation. Did you think I didnt say anything because I didnt know that you killed a warthog and ate it? It is because you are unable to resist temptation. I believe that even an ants life has purpose, and so I take care to avoid its death. Everything depends on how one perceives it. Dont pretend to be a seasoned monk when you cant even a proper apprentice.
Teacher, I am a monster. I will take my own path, he lowered his voice and mumbled.
Yes. He was a battling mercenary. He was a soldier that crushed the skulls of his enemies and poked holes in their chests. He just had to make sure he had no conscience. Black Mamba rid himself of the shreds of decency left inside him.
As if the sandy winds themselves were holding their breath, the first quarter moon of Tocotum floated up in the sky. Black Mamba removed the night vision goggles and shoved them in his backpack. The green world had turned to black and white.
His partner Emil grabbed the machine gun, and Ombuti helped Jang Shin with the attack on the rear. He prepared 20 magazines with 10 bullets in each. He left 5 magazines in his ammunition bag and laid out 5 more in front of him. He only wished that he would not have to get blood on his kukri this time.
The advance team? He is a acting very cautious.
Ahmud was being extra careful this time. He put the main army on standby and sent ten soldiers as an advance team first.
Black Mama turned on his headset.
-Its the advance team. Let them pass. We will start when the main army starts to move.
-Got it. Black, get rid of them.
When the advance team came within 300 meters, the main army started to move.
The dark shapes were hunched over close to the ground as they approached. Through the pale white moonlight, their zigzagging movement could be easily seen.
-Were going to start.
Black Mamba lifted the Pamus with the silencer attached. For short-range, the quiet and short pistol Pamus was the most effective. The advance team reached the 200m mark.
Whoosh!
As a whoosh of sandy wind passed, the Pamus sparked.
Puck puck puck! Like a handful of sand whizzing through the air, it echoed consecutively without any pauses. It was Black Mambas characteristic triple shot. It was a sniping skill that could only be done with the ability to stop recoil as well as maintaining a steady aim.
With three shots, three soldiers heads exploded.
Each of the bullets penetrated through the brain stem behind their ears. The brain stem is the nerve that connects the brain to the spinal nervous system. It was located behind the ear and slightly protruded out.
The brain stem controls breathing, pulse, and circulation, and that determined the continuation of life. The destruction of the brain stem led to immediate death. Unable to feel a second of pain, it determined their fate of going to hell or heaven in an instant.
Black Mamba had studied the human anatomy for three years in high school. The brain stem area was small, but it was a sure-fire way to end a persons life. Sending them to their death without pain was the one and only way he could show them mercy.
The guerrilla troops quickly lowered their bodies to the ground. It was already too late. Within 200 meters, it was as if they were standing right in front of him for Black Mamba.
The Frolinat soldiers who had their brain stems destroyed fell to the ground without even letting out a scream. Within 5 seconds, the ten advance team members had been silenced. Ahmud did not realize the end of his advance team.
The main army followed behind the 10 advance team members.
The numbers they had at their disposal was highly threatening. Especially at night, their advance would be hard to block even with bombardment. During the Korean War, the Chinese army had used this tactic. In the Vietnam War, the Vietcong had also used this tactic. The American army realizing the fear such a tactic instilled had even placed night advancement in their tactic manuals.
Captain concentrated hard with his eyes glued onto the night vision lens. Under the blue moonlight, ten soldiers fell to the floor like petals on a canvas. Behind them, a wave of dots started coming toward them. Captains breath caught in his throat.
When Ahmuds troops reached within 600m of their location, Black Mambas Dragonov showed his true potential.
Puck puck puck-its characteristic 3 bullets shot out. The leading guerrilla troops fell one by one.
Ahh!
Once the shooting had started, the rebel troops gave up on their prayers and instead yelled out their characteristic chants as they charged. Morris did not hesitate to push the detonator as the enemy started to infiltrate towards them.
Die, you miserable punks.
The strong surge of voltage followed the fuse and exploded the C4.
Kukukoong!
Other than the 7 sets of Claymore that were placed in a different location, the 3 sets all exploded at once. The explosion shook the desert. The thousands of steel bearings tore through the frail bodies of the men. Tens of soldiers fell to the ground.
Oh yeah!
Morris threw down his detonator and picked up the Dragonov. The seven sets of Claymore, which were placed in a completely different direction, were now useless. It was difficult to shoot at night, but all he had to do was focus on backing up Black Mamba.
Ohh, Allah Allah!
The rebellion troops had hesitated for a moment, then proceeded back to charging forward.
Captain, who was directing the war suddenly became a lot busier.
-Jang Shin set all targets to the 320 424 direction.
Boom!
-Burimer 11 oclock 520m.
Toong! Toong! Toong!
The grenade launcher and Burimers ASG17 attack rained steel over the heads of the rebel army.
Jang Shin continuously shot grenades without rest, but the attack was not very effective.
-Burimer good. 12 oclock 530
Toong! Toong! Toong!
ASG17 had a range of 1700 meters and could deliver 50 shots per minute. It was a newly invented Soviet automatic rifle. A 30mm grenade was only half as powerful as the regular grenade. Steel rain shot over the rebel armys head. Every time a grenade exploded, 1~2 enemy soldiers fell. The disrupted sands mixed with the corpses and created the vision of hell itself.
-Captain, this is awesome.
Burimer was ecstatic.
-Burimer, in the time it takes you to talk, get rid of those punks. Dont think about capturing them, just get rid of them.
-Yes, sir.
After hearing Captains nagging, Burimer focused his attack solely on the enemys front line. As the amount of charging troops diminished, Black Mambas shooting caused even more of Ahmuds troops to fall faster.
Dammit!
Ahmud, observing the war scene, couldnt help but sigh.
The grenades those punks were throwing at them were their weapons which they had stolen. It was like a dog biting its owner. He was furious.
That damn sniping team!
The damage was big from the grenades, but there were even more men getting shot down by the shooting team. It was horrifically accurate sniping. He wouldnt even have dreamed that this was the work of one person.
Watching his men fall like dominoes made his head spin. He had not been able to predict that they would have a hidden sniper team waiting while they chased their decoy. He was sorely taken off guard.
Ohh, Allah Allah!
Despite the onslaught of grenades and machine-gun bullets, the 3rd brigade troops charged on with fervor.
Mine thrower, RPG! Ahmud yelled.
Coming back to his senses, the Ahmud troop started to throw RPG and mines.
Stormtroopers, attack after finding cover! Ahmuds scream echoed.
His men were losing their minds. Once his stormtroopers were deployed, they seemed to have forgotten how to take cover after three seconds. He was becoming furious at their stupidly blatant way of charging forward.
Boom! Crash!
They were launching at the targets that were lit up by flares. When RPGs are attached to scopes, their range is within 300m. If you shoot without aiming, it can shoot past 600m.
They were unable to deliver a critical shot, but all 3 of the shots had greatly endangered their RPG shooters. Emil and Captain, who had grabbed the machine gun, did not have time to lift their heads.
Jang Shins eyes were filled with regret as he stared at the burnt box. The two and a half boxes of the bombs with 10 shots they had left were gone in one minute. Jang Shin grabbed the recoilless rifle as a substitute.
Ombuti, who was assisting Jang Shin, was moving quickly. When they ran out of ammunition, he quickly crawled into the bunker where Black Mamba was. Black Mamba emptied a 20 bullet magazine in 30 seconds. The 10 magazines were quickly used up.
Ombuti was busy filling the ammunition into the magazines nonstop. When Black Mamba emptied it, he quickly received it from him and gave him the restocked Dragonov.
Ombuti did a fabulous job as Black Mambas assistant. With Ombutis assistance, Black Mambas shooting became even faster. Not a single soldier from Frolinat was able to come within 300 meters.
Ack! Damnit
Ahmud couldnt control his anger and screamed.
All of the fallen soldiers on the ground were his men. Allah had ignored his prayer for his men to use the darkness to steal the supplies and get rid of the frog enemies.
Ahmud had no choice but to battle on desperately.
The mercenaries were hidden and undercover while Ahmuds troops were out in the open. The mercenaries had night vision goggles on while his men only had their regular eyesight. Their experience and familiarity with the setting were not great enough to offset the difference in the preparation of equipment. The wild, cat-like Black Mamba was also the worst luck for Ahmud.
Black Mamba changed his target to the grenade launcher and the RPG shooter.
Bang bang bang!
Chapter 51 - Chapter 9, Episode 3: The Missing Mole
The guerrilla troops RPG group attacking from the back all had their heads exploded. Before the blood could even splatter, the guerrilla troops moving the warheads fell to the ground. There were consecutive shots without delay.
Afterward, the mortar shooter and his assistant got shot in the heart and fell away as if jumping in surprise. The soldier in charge of ammunition flattened himself to the ground, but the merciless bullet shattered his spine.
Puck puck!
The bullets continued to hit the hidden troops in the dirt.
Wakil, be careful.
Beneath the bunker, Ombuti, who was filling the magazine, yelled.
Dont worry. Its a grenade. To reassure Ombuti, he had said it was a grenade, but it was actually an effector. It meant that the enemy noticed that they needed to use explosives. The gas from the effector was similar to carbon monoxide, and when it came into contact with oxygen, it would be triggered to explode.
The faster the diffusion of gas, the faster its expansion. It would make it that much brighter and longer-lasting. The speed of the Dragonov released gases for a long time. It was something of a downfall of the weapon.
Black Mamba wasnt worried about the effector.
AKs accuracy decreases significantly as the range surpasses 150m. From 300 meters away, you would practically need Allahs help to get an exact shot. If Black Mamba was to be effected by the gases emitted from the bullets, the hyenas would have laughed.
In war, you could not avoid the bloodshed from a grenade. Getting hit from a bullet you cannot see from far away may not feel fair, but that was just ones luck. Black Mamba did not once worry about the dangers of a counter-attack and continued to take down all his aimed targets.
Thats why we call him Azrael! Ombuti thought. He was not only the best skilled but also the one with the least fear. To Ombuti, it looked like the bullets themselves were veering away from Black Mamba.
Fweet! It was the sound of the shot shooting out of the mortar and falling back down towards them.
Black Mamba, who had lifted his head, flinched. Under the first quarter moon, he saw a black dot.
Ombuti, get down!
He pressed down on the back of Ombutis head and shoved him into the bunker.
Boom! The grenade flew at them and slammed into the ground. The two of them were swept back from the explosion as dirt spilled into their bunker. Compared to that of Jang Shins, the skill was lacking, but it still presented them with grave danger.
Wakil, get that one first! Ombuti, who was covered in dirt, yelled.
Haha, if we get hit, we have to obviously hit them back.
Black Mamba immediately found his target. He didnt even have to calculate the distance and direction. It was enough knowing the direction of where the attack came from. Black Mambas night vision was as good as that of an owl.
Outside 850m, he saw the shooter and loader.
Puck! Puck! Once someone came into Black Mambas view, they were marked for death. Both the grenade loader and the target shooters head shattered at the same time.
Black Mamba, who had destroyed both the mine throwers, started to attack the RPGs next. RPGs are at short range. The surrounding RPGs around him were cleared out almost instantly. Anyone who met Black Mamba as an enemy would be unable to avoid their bad luck even if they were God. When their support line was cleared out, they changed tactics to attacking with the machine gun.
Puck! The Degtyaryov shooters head exploded.
Once the Sahara winds started to blow, the clouds cleared from the sky. The first quarter moon that escaped its cover peaked out its head. It was now Black Mambas world.
Captain, who was observing the battle, clenched his fists.
The godlike snipers skills were unparalleled. Two mine throwers, five RPGs, and six machine guns were silenced in three minutes. He could double-tap with a sniper rifle and even triple tap. He too was a sniper. Black Mambas sniping skills were unexplainable.
A huge hole was made in Ahmuds attack line.
Lattell team suddenly came to their senses and started to spark a fire from their heavy weaponry and machine guns.
Ya iliah hakan hada! (What, how in the world!)
The night vision goggles dropped from Ahmuds hands. His men had been ones who could charge through bullets. His men who had hesitated due to the barrage fell like dominoes. They looked as if they were panicum plants being swept away from the strong Sahara winds.
Ack, those pigs!
It was a replay of the previous day. He had never imagined that they would have been ready and waiting for him. The surprise attack was not done by his side but by the frogs. He had been tricked by the sneaky frogs. He bit his lip so hard it was bleeding but he didnt realize it.
As before, he was decimated by the sniper. With his support gone, their charge faltered. He couldnt even guess at how many snipers there were.
Kill all the cowards! Ahmud screamed. They were within 300m of the enemy. Either way, the enemy had small numbers. If they can just pass the enemy lines, he still had a chance at victory.
Frolinats barrier troops were known for their cruelty. They said that the armies with less training and backward ideals have the cruelest barrier troops. The barrier troops coming from the back were said to slit the throats of the troops in front that would turn to run away. Any soldiers who hesitated would get a knife in their back.
Wah, Allah, Allah!
Ahmuds army charged from all around them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
It was the M74 mines that Morris planted. Every time it exploded, the charging guerrilla troops flew into the air off the ground.
Full steam ahead!
For the glory of Allah, charge! The barrier troops yelled as they swung their Scimitar.
Ahmuds thinking that attack by numbers was unbeatable was correct. However, the automatic machine gun and the godlike sniper were not things he had taken into consideration.
Black Mamba was in a trance. Choosing a target, pulling the trigger, and changing magazines were done almost mechanically. Ombuti was busy handing him the reloaded Dragonov.
Black Mambas eyes were unfazed by the men falling to the ground, spouting blood. He forgot the fact that his targets were people and he even forgot the fact that he was pulling the trigger.
Black Mamba had chosen the Dragonov because of its ability for continuous shots and durability. The Dragonov in Black Mambas hand was able to complete its usage in ten minutes. PSG-1, Galil, and M40 rifles are designed with a bolt action feature. The bolt action design made it have increased accuracy but its durability was weak. It did not match Black Mambas style of shooting which used a rifle like a machine gun.
After sweeping the support line, he changed the Dragonov five times within the first five minutes. Instantly, the charging soldiers dwindled one by one. Three hundred meters was the stop line, as well as the charge line. There were only 20 of them who were able to bypass the mines and the sniping. Even they were wiped out in an instant.
Their screams and gunshots quickly decreased.
After sweeping the charging team, Black Mamba aimed at the barrier team behind them.
Kuk, kuk!
The barrier team coming from the back started to collapse one by one.
Puck!
Ack!
The blood splattered onto the forehead of the aide Muhammed, and a scream came out of Ahmuds mouth. He could see his aide flailing his two arms as he fell in slow motion. It was surreal.
One shot, one killthere was no point in hiding for cover. In the darkness, the screams continued. The fear of war was contagious. Even the counterattack warriors screamed and put their heads to the ground.
When a person lays down on the ground, the surface area is estimated to be 350 centimeters. It may seem like a wide area, but it is actually only 17 centimeters per side. If they are hidden in some parts, the area becomes even smaller. It is nearly impossible to hit a 170mm target in the dark at 300 meters away.
Ahmud got goosebumps. In the 30 years he had experienced war, never had he felt his life threatened as seriously as it did now. Fear that a bullet will come shooting through his head at any moment crept up on him. The way he had survived for this long was his quick judgment of the situation. He turned his back without further hesitation.
Retreat!
Ahmud, who was riding a bike to run away, had about ten men following behind him. Even as they retreated, the attacking bullets continued to fly at them.
Ack!
Ah!
The screams of his men continued behind him.
How could this be!
Ahmud realized it too late. He couldnt believe it, but he realized that there was only one sniper.
Ahmud had spent his whole life smelling the gunpowder of war.
He was a merciless sniper who used a sniper rifle like a machine gun to take down his men in the split instants between their attacks.
Ahmud felt chills down his back instead of anger.
He suddenly remembered laughing after hearing the report about him.
He was known as the greatest survivor, he had killed Musta and destroyed BTR, and he can hit a coin from 1km away. That was what had been reported to him. His heart cold, Ahmud squeezed his fist over the grip.
The sounds of gunshots soon stopped. Only the sound of Black Mambas Dragonov continued to echo. Even that started to grow silent. Black Mambas gunfire ended a mere 15 minutes after the battle had started. It was the result of Black Mambas sniping against Ahmuds excessive charge attack.
Ahmud observed the situation after retreating 4km away.
Ahh, how could something so pig-like happen!
There were no soldiers left to check on. He had brought along 147 and had a mere six left. It was a horrific result. Ahmud felt immense fear. He was a survivor. He didnt look back and stepped on the bikes accelerator.
The sandy plains that had echoed with the sound of gunshots were now filled with silence.
Black Mamba speedily rode through the green fields to the wasteland. Five or six of them had run away. The ants that crawled back to their anthill will come back out with an army. He was determined to obliterate the anthill. He bared the cruel teeth of Paranthropus.
What a perfect situation! Black Mamba exclaimed upon finding the intact bike. He couldnt be more thankful. There were several abandoned vehicles and bikes around him. They were the ones that Frolinats 3rd brigade had rode in.
Riding the bike, Black Mamba returned back to collect the box that contained 200 of the 7.62mm grenades. In the grenade box, there were 20 grenades, 2 flash grenades, and 2 smoke grenades.
Black Mamba turned on his headset and set his signal to align with Emils.
-Emil, Im tracking them down. Report it to Captain.
Emil, who was cooling down his pistol, was appalled.
-Are you insane? Get back here!
Emil yelled through the headset.
-Theres no reason for us to go around with a tail on us. I will return after destroying their headquarters.
-Inconsiderate jerk, if you were going to leave, you should have reported yourself. Do you want to see your partner get beaten to a pulp by Captain?
-The captain never kills his men.
The communication abruptly disconnected.
-Look, Black, Black, you evil punk, are you trying to kill your partner. Youre the worst person ever, you slug.
Emil complained out loud but the turned off radio stayed silent.
Youre the worst
Angry, Emil threw the minimee to the ground. He was going to get beaten to death by Captain. With Marks death, all the team members had been put on high alert. To the point where Captain told them to go die with them if their partner gets hit. Truthfully, he was more worried about the safety of his partner than the wrath of Captain.
Black Mamba revved the throttle roughly.
The bikes front wheel lifted as it hit the ground running. The speeding bike fell hard into the ground and caused pain to his buttocks.
Its power was good, but its suspension was horrible. Its durability was good but was designed without considering the comfort of the rider. It was typical of Soviet-made military equipment.
Tracking them was as easy as flipping over ones hand. All he had to do was follow the smell of weapon residue and sweat. He casually followed the sent that the rebel forces had left behind. Ahmud couldnt have imagined that the angel of death was following his tail.
Captain was in an ecstatic mood.
They had gained the perfect victory over a large guerrilla force without a single injured soldier on their part. It was because everything, terrain, environment, firepower, equipment, and skill had been all in their favor.
Today, he had commanded the best attack tactic of his life. Of course, it was thanks to having Black Mamba on his side. As expected, Black Mambas sniping was menacingly powerful in battle.
Even in a situation against heavy weaponry and machine guns, he had swept the guerrilla troops as if he was cleaning house with a broom. It was the greatest moment of his life as a commander. This sort of perfect battle gave him a greater orgasm than that felt during sex.
Chapter 52 - Chapter 9, Episode 4: The Missing Mole
If all battles were like the one today, they would want nothing more. They even forgot about the mole that had brought them into such a situation.
What?
Captains good mood suddenly shifted. Emils face turned to stone as he continued reporting to him.
Black is chasing down the survivors? Hes going to erase the Frolinat headquarters? By himself?
Yes sir!
The continuous questions caused Emil to be on high alert.
Cest quasi bordel! (What is this!)
Captains face turned yellow.
He must be insane to chase down the retreated rebel forces like that. Bodele was the enemys home ground. Even he didnt know the breakdown of the numbers the 3rd brigade had.
If Black Mambas identity got revealed, their operation will not only fail, but they couldnt guarantee the safety of their team anymore. The key to them returning home alive was exclusively in the hands of Black Mamba.
He wanted to beat the living daylights out of him, but he couldnt do anything about someone that was no longer in front of him. He was doubtful if he could even beat him upthe faultless Emil got reprimanded for no reason instead.
Why werent you able to take better care of your partner, huh? Even if it is Black, why does he think he can do this by himself? Huh!
Captains voice rose at Emil as if he was Black Mamba.
I apologize. Black is not someone who will listen if we try to stop him~
Cest mobe, shut up. You should follow Black and die with him.
Angrily, Captain kicked Emil in the shin.
Damn, I knew this would happen! Who can stop him? Make me hear that Im useless, damn punk, Emil thought.
Emil resented his partner as he felt the pain ringing in his bones.
Lattell team got tossed into chaos.
They couldnt even track him. There was nothing to ride, and it was dangerous to move around in the dark without Black Mamba. If they were caught in the enemys radar, they would be forced to crawl into their own coffins. The anxious men were unable to register the many bikes that the guerrilla troops had left behind.
Whats up with everyone? Is the place on fire? Ombuti asked himself as he leaned, relaxed, under the shade of a boulder.
Ombuti, lead the way. I at least think should follow after him, Emil said anxiously, but Ombuti didnt pay him any attention.
Ha, he is a warrior of God. I dont understand the reason you are all worried. If you follow Black, you will just get in the way.
Ack! If Black doesnt return, we will shoot you dead too.
Go ahead! Emil yelled angrily, but Ombuti didnt budge.
Emil kept nagging at him, but Ombuti closed his eyes. He was tired of having to defend Wakils actions. No, it was because he was unable to calm his heart from his surprise over Wakils immense skills. He had no time to listen to the whining of a novice.
Ombuti closed his eyes and replayed the battle in his mind.
The battle of Toko Doams success was due to the perfect coordination between the heavy weaponry and the snipers. They had carried the majority of the battle within their favor with Wakil and the other six mercenaries and destroyed 140 of the rebel troops.
These men were professionals in turning a desperate battle into an artful success. The battles that he himself had fought against Frolinat in the past were mere child play. If these men had not been present, this team would have been mowed down like reeds.
Wakils shooting was scary as expected.
The Frolinat warriors were swept away as if swallowed by a large wave. Although they were the enemy, he felt sorry for them.
Even though he saw it with his own eyes, he still could not believe it. A human shooting at night without night vision goggles? A normal human is unable to resist blinking an eye when a bullet hits or an explosion sends shrapnel into the air. This was only possible for the immortal warrior, Azrael.
Ombuti was certain. Wakil was an immortal warrior. He was the manifestation of Azrael, the purveyor of death. He was proud to be part of the a battle fought next to Wakil.
Azrael was known as the angel of death. He had seven thousand legs and four thousand pairs of wings and was the face of fear. He held a list of those who would live, and once a name was written off that list, the owner of that name would die.
Whoever is targeted by Wakil will surely die.
Ombuti did not doubt for one second that the immortal warrior, Black Mamba, would succeed in his task.
Sergeant Mike headed toward Amju at 2300 hours.
It was an hour before the battle was to start. Aware of the guards, he directed the three pickup trucks to go in different directions. After circling around in the relative direction of Ekiya oasis, they arrived at Trident Rock at 2400 hours. As a result, the guards that were tailing them was currently searching for their presence in Ekiya.
Trident Rock had three boulders that looked like a trident spear. It was easy to find. Mike parked the pickup under the shadows of the boulders and waited for the helicopter.
Dudududu
Ten minutes had passed, and Chinooks loud motors could be heard. Mike placed about ten chemical flares to mark the landing location. Belman used a high-resolution lantern to signal them.
The delivery ended swiftly. The supplies were packaged compactly. Their correspondence ended as Chinook left with guidance from the rear lamps and the pickup trucks started to head back. They broke quite a sweat trying to load the large amount of equipment and rations quickly onto the vehicles. The Chinook left immediately after dispensing the goods.
Before Mike was able to organize all the supplies, they saw a flash and the sound of an explosion.
Damn, theyve started. Lets go.
As Mike hurriedly tried to start the pickup, Belman stopped him.
Are you planning to ignore the Captains command?
Damn, I want to at least watch.
Our task is to collect the supplies. Captain and Black Mamba will take care of the battle.
You want to just watch as our comrades battle for their life?
Maybe its time for this guy to die?
Belmans expression was strange. Troublemaker Mike was worried about their comrades? It was something that would make a camel laugh.
He wasnt sure if this was how he really felt or whether it was just an excuse. Black Mamba had said that if someone suddenly changed, it was time for them to die.
Black wont like it, Belman said in a low voice.
Everyone is such a fan of Black Mamba. If Black doesnt like it then I guess I shouldnt. Mike rolled his eyes as he started the engine.
Mike, who had a lot of war experience, knew how important these supplies were to their ongoing survival. It was just that he was aroused by the prospect of the adrenaline he felt in initiating murder. Still, his instincts could not surpass the fear of survival that Siberia instilled in him.
Not very long after, the sounds of war subsided. The gunshots of Dragonov rang through the air for some time, then that too became quiet. It hadnt even been 20 minutes.
How did it go?
Miguels eyes shook nervously.
Youll see once you get there.
As Mike started the engine, Belman and Miguel got into their own respective drivers seat. The three pickups turned to head north.
What is this!
Mike felt surprise, relief, and disbelief all at once.
His surprise was at the sad war scene.
His relief was that his comrades were all okay.
His disbelief was upon finding out about Black Mambas compulsive action.
The people that demanded they immediately go searching for Black Mamba were the higher ranking officials that had joined their team later: Sergeant Belman, Sergeant Morris, and Corporal Sean Migual.
Turn on the headset.
At Miguels words, Mike got angry. Are you stupid? The headset only works within 1500.
We can follow their tire tracks, Belman suggested.
No. Its night now. How could we possibly find him in this wide place with swamps and the desert? If we get in their radar, we are done for, Burimer objected.
The original members of the team were against searching for him. They all knew the extent of Black Mambas skills.
It would be really difficult to find him.
The rebel army and Black Mamba had been sucked into the dark desert. If they had a search dog that could track them by their smell it would be one thing, but they were not dogs.
You all still seem to not know Wakil very well, Ombuti, who had been sleeping, said as he approached them. Everyones gaze fell on Ombuti.
Wakil is Azrael before he is a sniper. He could bring back Mitterrands pubic hair if he decided that he wanted to. The jackals cant harm a lion. All we can do is wait.
Their gaze, which had been directed at Ombuti, switched over to Captains mouth.
Hes not wrong. Lets put our trust in Black Mamba. If we lose our way during the pursuit, we could be counter-attacked.
Captain put to rest the idea of chasing after them.
He decided to just trust in Black Mambas skills. They had all experienced Black Mambas close-contact fighting skills. Black Mamba had the capacity to survey and hide in ways they couldnt even understand. You couldnt stop a person that could hide and kill someone without any notice, and that was the type of person Black Mamba was.
He secretly hoped that Black Mamba would be able to completely erase the enemys headquarters. If the Habib armys head was cut, it would greatly help in maintaining the survival of the Lattell team.
The seven remaining members and Ahmud revved the throttle as fast as they could. The sniper who only targeted their heads was the manifestation of fear itself. The back of his head tingled. They were ravaged by the fear of being caught by the neck by the devil himself. The losing soldiers ran for their lives back to the main headquarters.
The time that Ahmud had gotten out of Toko Doum and arrived at Koro Mojanga was one in the morning. It had been a mere two hours since he dragged his remaining men out of battle.
Frolinats 3rd brigade was in a state of emergency.
The headquarter barracks had over ten rooms. There were now not many soldiers left in the large barracks, which had once housed one thousand men. There were only 108 left, including the guards.
Fifteen minutes after Ahmud pulled his soldiers out of the war and arrived at headquarters, the angel of death who had followed behind them arrived there also.
Black Mamba hid the bike 3km away from his final destination. He did not want to run a 25km marathon to return back at night. He strolled casually to the rebel camp as if taking a leisurely walk.
Black Mambas pursuit was extremely spontaneous.
He was extremely stressed out by Frolinats constant stalking and attacks. He was full of anger and annoyance at the filthy humans who had caused Chartress injury and a bomb out of a suicidal child soldier.
His uncles place had always been crawling with bugs. There were especially a lot of fire ants. If bitten by one of those pesky little things, it itched, and if he scratched it, his skin would swell.
Unable to stand it any longer, he found the fire ant hill and poured gasoline into it and set it aflame. To Black Mamba, Frolinat was no different than those fire ants. If the fire ants kept crawling out, he had to just destroy the anthill. He was intending to erase their entire headquarters.
If were are too many of them to handle, he could wreak havoc on as many of them as he could, then make a run for it. He was sure that he would be able to escape, whatever the situation. At least as long as he didnt meet anyone like himself.
The first quarter moon lit the night blue and cast a long shadow on the desolate earth like a shining white smile. The items in his backpack that would be used to erase life were the Dragonov and the kukri.
The Frolinat 3rd brigade was located at a higher location than the rest of its surroundings.
The surrounding 200m outside the walls were cleared of everything. It made it that much easier to keep guard of the place.
Swish! Black Mamba ignored gravity and shot up into the air. He landed on a eucalyptus tree 10 meters up and calmly surveyed the area. The night was long, and he had enough items to enjoy plenty of fireworks.
Three hundred meters away, he could see a shabbily made wooden guard post. There was six total, each 150m apart. Ten meters up was a searchlight.
The searchlight spanned the area, then passed by him.
The poor fools seem to have everything that they need.
He calculated the pattern of the searchlight and smiled. The time between each cycle was 1 minute. In 1 minute, even the slowest of them could run 300 meters. He only needed 20 seconds.
The silent killer, Black Mamba, was on the move.
Like Quetzalcoatl, he sped through the darkness as elegantly as lightning. He didnt even have to worry about the searchlight.
Black Mamba jumped over the three-meter high wired fence. He was wearing a grenade box on his shoulder, but it didnt hinder him at all. He blended into the shadows then slowly climbed up the pillar. He looked like a snake slithering up a tree to steal the eggs of the unassuming swallow.
Chapter 53 - Chapter 9, Episode 5: The Missing Mole
A hand rose up from the floor of the watchtower.
The guard who had been leaning on the wall suddenly got his neck twisted.
Ack!
With immense strength, his throat was ripped out. The guards life ended without a chance to even let out a scream. It was a gruesome death, worthy of the angel of death.
The guard who had been operating the searchlight retreated backward and let out a suppressed scream.
Ka kanma! (Ghost)!
Swoop! In that instant, the kukri flashed. This guard too could not scream as his neck was cut off.
Im sorry! I have no personal feelings against you. What can I do? Youll just have to understand.
He wiped his kukri using the clothes of the dead guard and muttered to himself in Korean. It was not something he should be saying to the dead. Because of the language barrier, he knew he couldnt interrogate them, so it was better to cleanly get rid of them.
The watchtower was about 1.5 square meters in area and well built with palm trees. From above the watchtower, he could see the entirety of the barracks.
Its a perfect time to give them a present.
Black Mamba stepped down from the watchtower, placed the box of grenades over his shoulder, then climbed back up to the watchtower.
The grenade used by Frances army was the E07.
The hand grenade weighed 850 grams, and the smoke grenade and flash grenade weighed 510 grams. A box containing 24 grenades in total weighed about 20kg.
After Black Mamba opened the grenade box, he began to give a speech.
As the war continued, Black Mamba began to grow more relaxed.
Now, Frolinat soldiers, its showtime. Its been a long time since you had the ball. This may not be a clean shot, but dont boo me for it.
A grenade flew to the right with the speed of a bullet. After flying a distance of 150m, it fell exactly into the watchtower. He threw another one into the left watchtower.
Boom! Both the watchtowers on the right and left burst into flames and crumbled.
He could clearly see the guards flying out of the watchtower due to the explosion. If a grenade explodes from a close range, even if one is not harmed by the heat of the explosion, the pressure change causes the insides to rip apart.
The other three watchtowers all got the same grenade deliveries. The furthest watchtower was 400m away.
Will this be possible?
He had never thrown a grenade 400 meters before. With the four-second delay of the grenade and a speed of 100m per second, it would explode at exactly the time of its landing.
Black Mamba took in a deep breath.
Woong! The resonance shook his arteries and pulse.
Schwing! The grenade flew to the other side like a point-blank shot. Boom! It exploded the moment it made contact with the watchtower. He could hear the screams of the guards with their bodies on fire. The time it took to destroy six watchtowers was exactly 10 seconds.
The barracks started to bubble like cooked porridge.
Del la ddun! (Its the enemy!)
Hari-Keu! (Fire!)
Eep tied bisur! (Hurry, get out of here!)
There was a lot of yelling in Arabic he couldnt understand.
This is why you shouldnt have overdone it. Why did you have to kill kids, you miserable punks, Black Mamba muttered as he continued to deliver the hand grenades to each barrack. It was delivered two at a time.
Even the barracks located 300m away were not safe from his attack.
Inside the building, it made whirring noises as if running a generator. When he inhaled deeply and tightened his muscles, a cold sensation flowed out to the tips of his fingers. The grenade sped out like a bullet and reached 300 m with room to spare.
Lastly, he threw two of the hand grenades into the building that looked to be the main headquarters. The main barracks were encased in flames. The fire spread to the barracks next to it. The entirety of Frolinats 3rd brigade barracks was aflame.
Those inside the barracks were in a panic.
Pungpung! The oil storage room exploded.
Hari-Keu! (Fire!)
Eep tied bisur! (Hurry get out of here)
The soldiers running out of the barracks yelled in a panic. There were over ten soldiers flailing around due to their bodies being on fire.
My mother said that I would wet my bed if I played with fire, but I wonder if this is too much. But where is everyone?
Although the barracks encompassed an area of ten thousand square meters, there were not many soldiers within it.
Half of Habibs army was trying to catch Makumbo. The ones that had fought and lost to the Lattell team amounted to over 400. Excluding the soldiers who had gone out to do surveillance or were garrison, the only ones left were the guards and losing army survivors. Of course, there was no way Black Mamba could know their exact situation.
Ahmud, who was taking a nap inside the barracks, woke up with a start.
Aide, aide!
He yelled out before realizing he no longer had an aide.
Shit!
His aide had been shot down at Guradi, and his second aide, Muhammed, had his head exploded off during the night attack.
He ran out of the barracks on full alert.
His sight was filled with his men falling like dominoes.
Kanma, its him.
The one who used a sniper like a machine gun, it was him.
The headquarter barracks and the watchtowers were already on fire. There were only 100 men left in these barracks. It was a battle they could not win.
His fear suppressed his anger. His heart became cold and Ahmud immediately ran down to the underground shelter. Ahmud hid BTR152 under the drivers seat that was stored in the underground shelter.
Only two smoke grenades remained in the grenade box. Black Mamba stared forlornly at the smoke grenades then threw them to the ground like a rock without removing its pins. The RPG shooter who came out running with a rifle in his hand had his head exploded.
Black Mamba placed Dragonov against the watchtower wall and started shooting in a relaxed manner.
Kung kung kung! Each shot equaled a kill.
It didnt matter if they were soldiers trying to quell the flames or the search team looking for intruders. They all collapsed. The soldiers who had figured out the direction from where the attack was coming from were targeted quickly. The guerrilla troops who had run out of the barracks dispersed trying to find cover.
The large barracks soon became empty.
The burning barracks and the splayed out corpses on the ground caused an eery silence. There were 40 corpses dispersed here and there. It had not taken 49 seconds to create this travesty. The pouring blood slowly dyed the ground red.
The silence was soon broken.
The survivors started to shoot in the direction of the watchtower. Kkang Kkang Kkang! The dry echoes of the AK rang through the air.
Have you all finally come to your senses?!
Black Mamba jumped down from the watchtower.
He landed lightly onto the ground, placed the Dragonov back into his backpack, and put the AK in his hand.
If you are weak, you will die. It was something he had learned when he had fought against Choi Do Shiks men at Mt. Bang Tae. Get rid of the source of the problem. He wanted to erase the entire anthill from the get-go.
Black Mamba jumped into the burning barracks without any hesitation.
From the back, something flew at him past his face. It was a perfectly executed roundhouse kick. Black Mambas head turned 90 degrees.
Puck! The AK rifle penetrated the mans chest with a powerful force.
Ka kanma! The Almighty Allah will not forgive you.
The middle-aged guerrilla, who had the end of a rifle shoved through his chest, sputtered his last words.
You idiot, Allah wont forgive you all first.
Black Mamba let go of the neck of the rifle he was holding in his hand. He no longer wanted to use the AK that was soaked in blood. Black Mambas eyes, which looked down at the guerrilla troop who had become a gun holster, were cold. He felt no guilt over ending a life but instead thought it a waste to abandon a gun he had become accustomed to.
Two of them?
Black Mamba flew up in the air as if he was slingshotted upwards. Kkang Kkang Kkang! Gunshots rained over where Black Mamba had stood moments ago.
Swish! Boom! Black Mamba threw his body and swung down with his kukri into the bunker.
Damn!
Crack! Underneath the bunker, the hidden guerrilla troops chest was completely collapsed. Sensitive to the sensation, he felt the bone and skin break. It obviously put him in a sour mood. Luckily, however, he didnt fall into a blood-driven mania like last time.
The kukri penetrated the bunker past 18mm until the handle itself plowed through it.
From under the bunker, blood poured out. Black Mamba didnt even check underneath the bunker and pulled out the kukri.
Black Mamba entered each of the barracks and finished off any survivors. There was not a single person to escape Black Mambas wrath. Even the guerrilla troops hidden inside the ground could avoid death.
Heres something good I can use. Hahaha
Black Mamba broke into a smile as he found the bikes that were left behind.
Crack! He broke the gas tank with his kukri. He lit the flowing gasoline on fire. He lifted the bike that was aflame like a fireball and threw it towards the barracks.
Bang! The gas tank exploded and the barracks, which was the only thing that not burning, was now set aflame.
Puckpuckpuck! Three guerrilla troops who had run out of the barracks fell to the ground at the same time. Black Mambas double-tap was able to become a triple tap during the actual battle.
Pung! Pung! Explosions continued to happen here and there. It was probably due to the fire meeting gasoline and weapons. He circled around the place to survey the area. He did not find any survivors. Even though he tried to use his tracking skills, the unstable environment made it difficult. The smell of burning flesh only made his head spin.
Black Mamba stepped into the last of the burning barracks.
Inside the empty barracks, all that was felt was a large hanging flag. It was a flamboyant flag with a Shamshir and AK crossed together.
Their flag is sure nice looking.
Black Mamba pulled out the flag to take as a souvenir, then turned his footsteps around.
He registered a couple of survivors, but he ignored them. Once his burning killer instinct had calmed, the face of his teacher once again came to mind.
Ksitigarbha, Ksitigarbha!
Black Mamba put his hands together and bowed deeply. It was but tears of an alligator but within one night, he had ended the lives of many. His heart felt heavy.
At 1:30 AM, the hand of the angel of death was merciless.
Within just 30 minutes, Frolinat 3rd brigade was not destroyed merely as a military target but was destroyed of all life.
After coming out of Frolinats 3rd brigade headquarters, Black Mamba turned to stare blankly at the burning barracks. About a hundred people had been erased off of Azraels list.
He thought it lucky that there were few civilian casualties. When he had chosen to become a mercenary, he had already come to accept the lust for blood, so what could he do about it now?
Each person has a purpose.
Even with the brain of a genius, if one lived like a farmer, they became useless. If one sits in an office crunching numbers, what use is it ones ability to think outside the box? His core purpose may be to be the devil of war.
Black Mamba turned from the fire engulfed barracks.
Captain and his comrades would be hopping mad, but if it ended well, it would be good for everyone.
Thirty minutes after the angel of death had left, Ahmud crawled out of the underground shelter. He stared blankly at the burning barrack from the shelter entrance. His men were covered in shrapnel and burnt to a crisp like dried squid over a fire, but he had survived like a cockroach.
The moment Black Mamba returned, the Lattell team ran to him. Captain didnt even think to reprimand Black Mamba as he ran with all his might down Trident Rock. In the special forces, departing the war scene is was the first step to surviving. After collecting the supplies, they had departed Toko Doum as if their tails were on fire.
Lattell team had arrived to a valley 15km south of Ekiya by nightfall.
Only then did Captain and Black Mamba come face to face.
Ugh, you stink.
Captain covered his nose upon smelling Black Mamba. The smell of blood, sweat, and gunpowder mixed to create an unbelievably disgusting scent.
Lets first hear your report.
Yes, sir! The 3rd brigade command center was at Koromonga oasis. There were 12 individual barracks within their main headquarters. I cleared it out and left it in ashes.
Ack! What do you mean?
Captains mouth dropped open. This guy always seemed to do something beyond what was logical.
Hes saying he mowed them all down. Simple for Black, as expected, Burimer said smiling.
How many did you kill?
I dont know the exact number. I put in 22 grenades into their barracks. I would assume I directly killed about 60 of them.
Oh my!
Wow!
Captain and Burimer exclaimed in surprise.
Black, you disobeyed orders and broke away from the operation. Do you admit it?
Acting out on your own during an operation is punishable by immediate death. Of course, this didnt apply to Black Mamba. Captain only intended to make his point.
Toong chi ja.
Black Mamba threw the flag that he stole from Frolinats headquarters to Captain.
Captain and Burimer, obviously, didnt understand his Korean.
Chapter 54 - Chapter 9, Episode 6: The Missing Mole
Of course, the important thing was not the Korean language, but the flag. The two of them glared at the flag as if they were about to rip it and eat it.
Burimer, is this real? Its not a fake, is it?
It is the 3rd Frolinat armys flag. It belongs to the best Habib army located in the north.
Hahaha, as expected of Black Mamba. Look here, they sewed the sword and rifle in great detail, piece by piece by hand. Its a piece of art.
Captains face was full of greed. He looked to be ready to roll up the flag and stick it in his pocket.
Dont be greedy. We have to hand it over to headquarters.
Captain licked his lips greedily at Burimers reprimand.
Just close your eyes once for this. If we auction this off, we could easily get a million francs for it. No, it could even be ten million francs.
No! Burimer yelled at him, smiling. The flag that Black Mamba had brought was an exorbitant prize. It was the flag that he had brought while escaping the enemies from the headquarter he erased. It symbolized their teams success and would become an item worth boasting about within Legion Etranger.
Black, what does ddoong jjuh mean?
Burimer could not decipher Captains pronunciation.
Ddoong chuh? Puhaha! The phrase toong chuh which meant to call it even changed to ddong chi ja meaning to steal. You couldnt do anything about the cultural and language barrier.
It means that Ive done my part, so dont nitpick at it any longer.
Hm, thats ddong jjuh. Korean is too hard. Burimer, how should we deal with this monster? Captain asked Burimer with a smile on his face.
Burimer smiled back.
Only the highest-ranking commander can deal punishment to a soldier with a call name. Commander Philip or an elder curled up in the headquarters at Aubagne.
Then do we have to call it even?
We cant do that. A Corsica proverb says that you can forgive a cheating wife, but you cannot forgive a child who runs away from home. If you feel it is unfair, you can beat him and feed him to the piranhas.
Captains face brightened.
That sounds good. Black, the results you brought will null your punishment for leaving the team. However, you caused distress to your comrades and so you must receive punishment for that. Do you agree?
Yes, sir.
A call name agent was able to act on his own judgment during battle. Paul knew this but pretended he didnt. He had been worried sick waiting for him for the last two hours. He thought it wasnt fair to just let him off the hook.
Ombuti, who was listening, interjected, We cant. How could you repay a comrade that has brought the best result of a battle in Legion Etrange history with this sort of treatment? You would beat Wakil, who has saved your lives? If you must beat him, then beat me, his servant, instead.
Captain and Burimer blinked confusedly.
Even in this situation, a cultural clash happened. Ombuti couldnt understand Legion Etrangers culture and traditions.
Black Mamba burst out laughing.
Hahaha! Ombuti, this is my problem.
No. I cannot let my noble master receive punishment from lowly humans. As a Tuareg warrior, I cannot accept this.
Ombuti stepped forward with his eyes ablaze.
The three people were in a situation where they could neither laugh nor cry.
Captain, I dont want my name erased because I angered Azrael. Lets call it even with Black Mamba donating a million francs to us.
Emil was trying to arbitrate.
That sounds good. Black will be rewarded greatly this time.
All the mercenaries agreed.
Black, do you agree?
Alright. If we return safely, I will hand over a million francs.
Wow! We love you, Black!
Emil ran forward with his hands open. Black Mamba stepped slightly to the side, then hit him in the back of the head.
What kind of partner steals my wallet?
All the comrades burst out laughing.
Black Mambas body suddenly started to tremble.
Ombutis gaze was locked onto the back of Black Mamba. His gaze was similar to a woman looking longingly at a lover.
It was the 11th day of operation Smoke out Raccoon.
Lattell team arrived at the location 10km northeast of Tanga oasis.
They had traveled deep into the Bodele lowlands, then turned around to come right back out. Ekiya oasis was 15km north of here.
With Ekiya right in front of them, Captain bypassed it.
As Ombuti suggested, he looked for a location to hide their supplies.
What a place! Burimer exclaimed. The location that Ombuti lead them to was a place on top of a boulder that looked like a castle wall. It was practically 4km high. It was surrounded by woods, and there was even a creek with water gurgling up from it. Captain named it Mark Hill.
The mercenaries gathered and dug through the dirt.
The ground was sand, so it was easy to shovel. They shoved the surplus supplies, rations, a motorcycle, and three pickups into the hole. They covered it with a water-resistant tent, then shoveled dirt back over it. To survive, they needed to have emergency supplies hidden away.
The work took about half a day to finish.
The team members collapsed in exhaustion after finishing the manual labor. Their moods drastically sloped downwards. Even though they had destroyed the enemy troops at Toko Doum and Black Mamba had obliterated their headquarters, they were not in the spirit to celebrate their victory. It was because of the information leak. They were kites with strings detached. The downward mood was expected.
Within ten days, they had had four large-scale battles.
The mercenaries who had had to endure battle after battle without rest were exhausted beyond belief. Some of the soldiers were suffering from body aches and ringing in their ears.
North of Chad in Sahel, there are no restaurants or hotels. You could not lay on a comfy bed or order a buttery steak. The only thing they could do was lay their backs on the dry dirt and eat unappetizing army rations while drinking water mixed with limestone.
Their conversations disappeared, and a gloomy silence set over them like a fog. Another reason for the depressed mood was Chartres, who was usually talkative and upbeat, being injured. After finishing up their meal, the team member who was not keeping guard went to sleep.
After Black Mamba became part of the operation, he became obsessed with his training. He did not stop, even on the days he had fought vigorous battles. It was a way to maintain his sanity and to rid himself of his dejected feelings. Once his comrades fell asleep, he crept out of the cantonment.
After Black Mamba had experienced the resonance, he understood what hollow gravity felt like. Gravity was a force that pulled on outward bodies. His teacher had told him of a way to open up the door to his chi.
Once he understood this concept, he was able to resist the pull of gravity. The opposite force was the core to realize gravity. The forces of nature have been disturbed. As his teacher had said, when the time comes, he would understand it.
At the 36th hour, he figured out 216 positions from the time the sun rose to the time it set.
Black Mamba faced the east and stood up straight.
Papapat! He sped through the air so fast, his uniform looked like it would rip. His five fingers were spread out as he swiped the air up and down.
He looked like a deer waving his antlers at its predator. A whoosh of air sounded. Following it, he placed his two hands to his chest then thrust it forward fast as lightning. Now the deer had hit the predator with its antlers. He repeated the movement of the deer attacking with the antler, retreating, then making contact, then retreating again.
Ho- heup heup heup-, Ho- heup- heup- heup, Ho-
His breathing and movements were coordinated as he moved. It was a breathing technique he had grown accustomed to. He would take the smallest of breaths inward, then exhale long and thin.
If normal people breathed this way, they would get cyanosis. When he too first started, he had fainted. He had collapsed after turning blue. Thats how difficult this sort of breathing technique was.
The start and end of achieving resonance is in the breathing. You must be able to control your breathing to read the breathing of others. You must know your breathing to reach the end of resonance.
He could practically hear his teachers voice.
Its been 20 years. It means Ive figured it out already.
He wanted to show the teacher who had nagged and beaten him with a cane what he had finally become. Black Mamba, who was now called the angel of death, would only be remembered as the pathetic underling hitting a moktak to his teacher.
The breathing techniques goal was to increase the VO2max and the Lactate Threshold, LT.
The VO2max measures the amount of oxygen intake needed to reach the highest intensity of exercise specific to each person. It takes into account the amount of oxygen intake during cardio against the time it takes for it to create usable energy. It is measured in mL/kg/minute.
The higher the VO2max, the longer a strong force could be applied. To put it in other words, the VO2max measures the combination of the amount of oxygen intake by the lungs, the blood circulation of oxygen through the body, and the muscle oxygen usage.
Backward, it means that the more strength you need or the faster you move, your body requires more oxygen. The reason Black Mamba was stronger and could move faster than the average person was because of the difference in their VO2max measurement.
VO2max is determined by genetics. With training, the max it could be increased is only 10%. His teacher snorted in laughter. Have you tried it? They dont know squat when they talk about extensive training.
His teachers logic was that they never raised the extent of the training to match the extent of their desired increase.
At his teachers unreasonableness, Mu Ssang was left in shambles.
He had to carry two 80kg tires or a tree stump and run up and down the mountain.
The average persons VO2max is 45ml/kg/m, a marathoners is 80ml/kg/m, and if you are obese, it could decrease to 20ml/kg/m. It was something he already knew also.
The problem was that his teacher proposed his goal as 450ml/kg/m, which was 10 times that of an average person. He was telling him to be a mammoth wearing the skin of a human.
The second was the Lactate Threshold.
The Lactate Threshold was also called the No Oxygen Threshold.
If you raised the intensity of exercise, lactate acid builds up in your blood and muscles. The point where this rapid build-up happens is the Lactate Threshold. If you surpass the lactate threshold, you create energy without using oxygen. It means that once you surpass this limit, the muscles grow exponentially more tired faster, and so causes pain. If you do not reduce the intensity of exercise, you will eventually reach a state where you cannot move at all.
The Lactate Threshold measures the degree of intensity of the exercise by the percentage of oxygen intake. Meaning, if the VO2max at 60% makes the LT drastically increase, then the LT will be measured as 60%.
Unlike VO2max, LT can be raised through training. It is estimated that an average person can raise their LT from 50% all the way to 90%.
If a person with a VO2max of 50ml has an LT of 70%, then this person could function with less than 35ml of oxygen. It would be harder to raise the extent of the exercise past this point. If the max oxygen intake is based on ones skills, then lactate tolerance is based on energy efficiency.
At the time, Mu Ssang had researched his VO2max, LT, and ATP usage to figure out part of the secret to building the perfect body. He had manipulated and inserted ancestral bone to change the composition of his muscle, bone, skin, and blood. If he had changed the cells of his body itself, he would have mutated his entire genetics.
If the DNA is changed, the VO2max and LT would obviously change as well. The total amount was exchanged for efficiency.
His teacher had told him to elevate his VO2max to 10 times the average person and to max out his LT. It meant that his physical skill would be 20 times that of the average person. Of course, this was all based on endurance.
Muscular strength was another problem.
A chimpanzees strength is five times that of humans. Even though they are about the same size, a human messing with a chimpanzee would be annihilated. Humans civilized way of life has caused their muscular strength to be downgraded.
Homo Sapiens have directed their energy use to grow the brain instead of muscle. It would have changed the direction of the Evolutionary Arms Race.
A bored official in Australia experimented on this by making a person and a horseplay tug of war. He made a thoroughbred horse compete against 20 adult males. The horse weighed 1,100kg, and the combined weight of the 20 men was 1,650kg.
The victor did not speak.
What would have been the reason that a heavier force lost?
Chapter 55 - Episode 7: The Missing Mole
The muscle strength of a horse compared to that of a human is different.
The muscle fiber and the length of the connecting filament are different. According to Huxleys Sliding Theory, muscle contraction happens when actin and myosin slide into each other.
Using strength means that the muscles are contracted. The contraction is stronger when the connecting portions of actin and myosin are longer. It is similar to the concept of a steel frames ability to provide support. The length of the steel frame that is interconnected creates stronger support. The reason that the Sampoong shopping mall collapsed was due to the shortened length of the steel frames within the support beams.
As a result, a horses muscle filaments movement is much longer than that of a human. Chimpanzees, dogs, and cats also have longer ones. The only mammal that has a shorter filament than humans is the sloth.
The human muscle evolved to be more on the delicate, detailed side instead of that of power. Their creation and use of tools had made it necessary for them to require a delicate touch.
For example, there is a human muscle in the shoulders and the buttocks that is connected to a movable joint. It is the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff allows complicated movements. However, a heavy load can easily damage it.
Black Mamba had switched out his muscle cells entirely. The number of mitochondria and its efficiency was different. The number and strength of his muscle fibers became different. Black Mamba was a person with the brain of a man and the body of an African water buffalo. He was a Lamborghini with a tank engine.
Ohgeumgong and his breathing technique made it possible to efficiently bring out the strength of Paranthropus. The cell uses glucose and organic matter in combination with oxygen to create ATP. The more ATP needed, the higher the amount of oxygen required. This breathing technique helped increase the efficiency of oxygen delivery to these cells.
Black Mamba finally took in a deep breath using his breathing technique.
Whing! His trembling body became calm. He finished 216 training positions in 25 minutes. A year before, it had taken him three hours.
The first quarter moon hung brightly in the sky. The sounds of bugs buzzed in the barren Sahel. Underneath the moonlight, the wrinkled face of his teacher appeared before him.
If it had been his father and mother who had kept him alive in childhood, it was Monk DaeWoo who stopped him from rebelling during his youth and became the rock in which he could come to live a new life. He remembered the moment when he had first met his teacher in Chunsaeng Mountain. It had been a deep night, deep in the mountains. If it hadnt been fate, there was no way they would have met each other. If anyone had heard that Black Mamba had been beaten to a pulp by an old midget, they would have all laughed in disbelief.
Now in his eighties, he worried whether he could eat the offerings he was given, if he could light the fires without anyone to help him with the firewood, or if he was able to reap the gifts of the outside world.
He pulled out a Cohibazigol from his pocket. After vigorous exercise, it felt good to revel in the lung-damaging act. Black Mamba didnt think much of it.
Above the bluish cigarette smoke, the moon shone brightly over the field of wild chrysanthemums. The wildly flowering forget-me-nots, the plentiful waterfowl, and the jumping vicious piranhas flashed through his mind.
When he opened his eyes, he moved location to location, killed, escaped, chewed on ceration, then slept. His reasons for what he was fighting for or why he was killing became hazy. He began to wonder whether he was even human anymore.
Am I human?
It was a question that arose every time he seemed to forget about it. After all that time he had spent trying to live like a human, he ended up in the middle of Africa killing numerous people, smelling of their blood, and calmly smoking a cigarette. That was the type of human he had become.
Even after running several hundred kilometers, the surroundings did not change, the weather was hot and dry, the sandy winds were ongoing, and the flies and mosquitoes hoarded over them. There was not a single thing that he liked about the place. He sorely missed the calm nature of Korea.
He missed Korea, where he could get lightning-speed delivery with one phone call, get a cold ice coffee for 300 won, and rest under the shade of a Zelkova tree.
How refreshing the soymilk noodles sold by the grandmother at Chilsung market was!
Damn, I thought I hated that place, but I still long for it!
He flicked the end of his half-smoked cigarette as he muttered in annoyance. There was no one who would give him grief over throwing a cigarette butt on the ground at Sahel.
He pulled out the kukri from the sheath at his side.
Shinogi (the back of the knife) and Yokote (the sharp part of the knife) was smoothly connected, and the hamon (the visual effect created on the blade) on the blade reflected the moonlight and cast a bright light. He had used it numerous times, but not a single tooth was broken. It was practically a luxury item meant for the gods.
His teacher never was able to pass down his martial arts skills to him.
The only martial arts he had learned from Piev was the knife fighting Krav Maga. After learning it, he realized there was not much to it. A weapon is an extension of ones hand. Within the 216 positions of Ohgeum, all those skills had already been in it.
In knife fighting, there is slashing, swinging downwards, upwards, swiping, and stabbing. The rest are all derivations of it. The main difference is timing, power, and speed.
A flowing stream does not rot, and a rolling stone does not gather moss was the teaching of Ohgeumgong.
It was the kukri that he used on top of the Ohgeumgong combined with the Cheongpabo.
Black Mamba aggressively moved his body. The blade reflected the moonlight that wrapped around his entire body. The energy he was emitting caused the sand around him to rise up hazily. The sound of his blade slashing the air whirred.
Captain and Burimer had walked out of their resting ground and into the place to stand guard. Their conversation ended abruptly upon seeing him.
Look at that.
Im looking.
The two peoples mouths hung open. They had seen him training by slicing flies, but this was something else entirely.
He couldnt even see Black Mambas body. A bluish light glowed out of him, and the continuous slicing of the blade made a sound like a motor.
Captain shook his head back and forth.
Is he human?
He could be another species. Theres no way a Homo Sapien could be like that.
Wasnt Black from your squad?
You cant even know everything about your wife, who you make skin contact with every day. I just assume thats just how he is and let him be.
Hm, thats true. Is that also the Korean martial arts known as Ohkeumggoong?
I wouldnt know. Ive never seen any sort of training like that before.
If we were enemies against that man, we would have ended up as Capris (sliced cheese).
That guys hands and feet are scarier. Before we become capris, well become chorizo (a sausage made of grated leftover pork).
Captain pushed aside his conversation with Burimer and stared in a trance at Black Mambas training.
Woong! The blade, which had been slicing through the air, stopped suddenly.
Black Mamba slid forward. The movement made it seem like he was sliding over ice. The sliding body suddenly changed directions at 90 degrees and flung forward. He looked like a squash ball bouncing off after hitting a wall. It was Cheongpabo training.
He would slide through the ground like a snake, then jump into the air like a flying squirrel. When he landed, the ground would shake.
He swung, turned, ran, flew, and slid. Captain, who had been watching him train this way, stared with his mouth agape.
I cant even trust the report. Even headquarters doesnt know Black Mambas abilities exactly.
Of course. Black Mamba didnt reveal his identity. If headquarters knew of his skills, they would never use him as a throwaway card.
Captain nodded his head.
When Commander Piev and Philip heard about it, they too could not believe it. Sniping skills was just one part of his many skills. They could not believe that a man like that could exist.
Hahaha, when Black Mamba returns, he will be upset.
Captain smiled sourly with a somber expression.
All he had to do was give Black Mamba the list of people he wanted to get rid of. His success was guaranteed. He would find his own way to complete the task at hand.
Hahaha, I feel sorry for those who got in the way of Black Mamba. They probably didnt die a pretty death.
First, we have to return alive. Black Mamba is our last hope, Captain muttered depressingly.
Black Mamba disappeared into the darkness.
Where did he go?
He is probably surveying the area. He disappears each night like that. I pretend I dont know.
Whew, he sure is a monster. After continuously battling with the enemy, how could he move like that? How high are his endurance and stamina?
Black Mamba was like a compact car with a 550 horsepower truck engine. He was a man with the muscle strength of a water buffalo. There was no way that the two people could have known that Black Mambas VO2max and LT was 20 times that of the average person.
Captain and Sergeant Burimer were lost in a serious dilemma. A grave silence fell between the two of them as they sat facing each other.
Raccoon had hidden his position. No, there was no way to find him. They were supposed to be receiving information from headquarters and formulating a plan, but the information was being leaked. The condition of his men was plummeting.
They were in the worst possible scenario.
Damn punks! Curse words flew out of Captains mouth. He wanted to rip apart the headquarter intelligence agents and those in charge of DGSE.
They were acting like the Bodele lowlands, which was ten times the size of Corsica, the Marseille soccer field.
Burimers face looked grim also.
Should we request a recall?
We cant be sure yet. It might smell fishy, but there is no way the headquarters will abandon their own family.
That is true.
Burimer nodded his head.
Legion Etranges pride was not cheap. He couldnt imagine that a high-ranking official would resort to being a spy to gain a few bucks.
If the commander doesnt trust my reports, then the situation will be more serious. Without knowing where the leak is coming from, we cant just tell them our suspicions.
This was what the strategic team had to contemplate.
The team members might not be saying anything, but they have a lot of complaints.
They are stupid if they have no complaints. Thats why the atmosphere is a mess. Hows Black Mamba?
He doesnt seem to care much about it. Even if he suspects the state of our situation, all he knows is battle and training. If he returns, well see a bloodbath.
Take good care of Black Mamba. Hahaha!
Captain smiled as he imagined the relieving sight. It was the sight of Commander Philip slapping Black Mamba across the face, causing his teeth to fall out.
If that guy starts going off on his own again, we cant control the situation.
For the time being, restrain communication. Lets look around Ekiya.
This feels like shit.
We cant help it. We are soldiers. We got a command, so we must do our best. Hows Mike?
With Black Mamba around, he cant pull anything funny. He knows that hell get buried if he makes a fuss.
Hes not dumb enough to pick a fight with a tiger. Make sure to keep the team in check.
A smile rose onto Captains face. Mike, who had gotten a beating from Black Mamba, was fretting anxiously. Only Belman and himself knew of the situation.
Alright. If we continue on like this, we will eventually reach a point where its either Frolinat or us that will be completely destroyed.
Captain smiled.
Youre right. Weve already cut down the best northern army, Habib, in half.
Black destroyed their headquarters, so the Habib army is probably going half crazy right now.
Haha, if we have Black Mamba, we already have Legion Donner waiting for us.
We have to live to receive our reward. We should rest tomorrow. The condition of Black Mamba and the rest of them are a mess.
I agree. Even if I combine all the battles Ive fought in so far, it cant compare to these last ten days. The punks will be out of their minds for some time. If we want to return alive, we have to judge the situation accurately.
Because Black Mamba had destroyed the enemy headquarters, they were able to gain some time. They were even able to find time to rest.
As the night got deeper, the sighs of both of them grew deeper as well.
It was the 13th day of operation Smoke Out Raccoon.
The day the Lattell team rested, they decided to survey the nearby village.
Not a single team member expected Ekiyas Raccoon to be there. They had received the information, so they were forced to hope for the slim chance it would be true.
Chapter 56 - Chapter 9, Episode 8: The Missing Mole
Ombuti, do we have enough gandura and ritam?
We werent able to sell a lot last time, so we have a lot left in stock.
At Burimers question, Ombuti answered him jokingly. The strict Ombuti had gotten used to the relaxed nature of the other mercenaries.
Well split into three groups. Captain, Jang Shin, and Morris will be Alpha, Mike, Miguel, and Emil will be Beta, and Burimer, Black Mamba, and Ombuti will be gamma. Belman will nurse Chartres at the camp. Beta will guard against any unexpected turn of events.
Finding out that he was a backup team caused Mike to flare his nostrils, but upon glancing over at Black Mamba, he didnt argue any further.
Burimer added to Captains command, Wear the gandura over your uniforms and wrap the ritam tightly over it. Only take self-defense guns, and Ombuti and Morris will make contact with the natives.
Captain waved Black Mamba over.
Black, entering the village is dangerous. Were going in trusting you. Whether the villagers are for or against the northern army, they have a much higher chance of cooperating with them than us. You must do what you must based on the need.
Black Mamba nodded without answering back.
The northern part of the Sahel belt was occupied by Muslims. The majority of the citizens were Arabs. The most prevalent people in the north were known as the Toubou, and they too were Arab. The native Raka and Umbum clans were also Muslim.
Maybe it was due to their religion being the same, but they strongly accepted the influences of Libya. Gaddafi continuously stirred them and pushed them toward civil war. There was a high chance the Ekiya civilians and the rebel guerrilla troops were interconnected.
Captain instructed them to swiftly get rid of any man or woman, old or young, if they sensed that they were part of the resistance. He was not only forced to be a living radar but was also assigned as an eraser man. He didnt like it, but it was something that had to be done.
Captain patted his shoulder as if relaying to him that he understood exactly how he felt.
Black Mamba was sick of Chad as a country, the Sahara desert, and the wretched place that they were in called Sahel. The annoyingly dry heat, the hoard of flies and mosquitoes that attacked them day and night, the never-ending sandy winds, the rebel troops that stuck to them like fleas, the traitors that backed them into the cornerhe also hated the rebel guerrilla forces, the government troops, and Makumbo who they called Raccoon.
What he hated the most was the fact that he had to kill people. He couldnt even count the hundreds that he had already killed. He felt that he would never be able to rid himself of the smell of blood-soaked sand that was branded in his soul.
His teacher would never be able to imagine what his apprentice had become. It had been a year since he hit the moktak and read the Buddhist proverbs. The more he murdered, the heavier his heart became.
As mercenaries, they had no choice, but murder was still murder.
He was also afraid of how he was becoming less and less affected by the murders. The image of Gaji pruning trees with an ax overlapped with his current kukri-holding self.
After being framed and losing his love, Mijikiko, Gaji was pushed into war by a powerful government monster. The image of Gaji yearning for Mijiko in the fields of Manju overlapped with his current state.
Damn, to live like a human, I have to kill other humans!
The monologue of Komika and Junpei flowed out.
Whether it was a mask or their real face, there are some conscientious Japanese.
Beta was set to stand guard outside the village in case of emergencies, and Alpha and Gamma stepped inside the village.
In Sahel, the roofs of the houses were made with tied reeds. The walls were made with braided reeds or cow dung stacked on top of each other. The dried reeds were good kindling. If there was ever a fire, the area ran a great risk for swift destruction.
Although it sounded ridiculous, cow dung was Sahels unique construction element. Because it was fibrous and contained oil, cow dung, when applied onto walls, made them hard and sturdy.
Black Mamba, Burimer, and Ombuti entered the village as a group. The eyes of the natives upon seeing troops in unfamiliar uniforms were filled with fear.
At the village entrance, women were collecting water into jugs.
The women had their entire upper bodies exposed, and they could see the bottom of the puddle that had a pool of muddy water. Every time the women moved, their sagging breasts would dangle.
Nimi dugral!
Burimer clicked his tongue and turned his head. Korean curse words had become customary for the Lattell team.
Black Mamba too felt embarrassed and disgusted and turned away. His fantasy regarding a womans breasts was quickly shattered. The longing he felt for his mothers breast and the lust that he felt for Hae Youngs breasts were tainted. He realized the truth that every womans breasts were not beautiful.
Wherever you went in Sahel, they used pools as watering holes.
A pool was not water that sprouted up, but stagnant gathered water. Not only was it muddy, but it was not sanitary. Other than a few oasis villages, it was difficult to see clear wells of water.
Why were they not digging wells? He couldnt understand it.
The thing Black Mamba could not understand the most from his perspective was prayer.
These people praised Allah at every moment. They would lie in prayer several times a day to chant out in praise.
At the straw bridge, there had never been enough food, so the women went out into the fields. They picked herbs, gathered grains, and harvested mountain vegetation. They sometimes even brought back cuts of unripened barley.
All these people did was pray.
Their children were starving to death, so what was the point of praying for Allahs grace?
He clicked his tongue. It may be that the more difficult reality was, the more fervent their attachment to religion became.
They entered the village.
They did not see a lot of men, and there were only women and children sitting in front of their houses. Even the children that should have been running around playing were lying under the shade of their houses. Each one of them had protruding ribs and inflated stomachs. Their bloodshot eyes looked up at the unfamiliar faces.
Ombuti, there are not a lot of men. Is it due to the war?
That is probably the reason. Those Frolinat punks probably forcefully drafted all of them.
Whew, the more I kill, the more they will get conscripted, Black mamba sighed.
Wakil, dont hold it in your heart. It is these peoples fate.
True. What could I possibly do about it!
Black Mamba stared at the woman with the sad blank look in her eyes. In the womans embrace was a small, bony child. It made his heart ache. He pulled out a piece of chocolate from his bag and handed it to the woman.
Ah shoo kuruka! Thank you! The woman said quietly as she received the chocolate. Her frail trembling hands unwrapped the chocolate and placed it in the childs mouth.
Damn!
Black Mamba looked away. He felt like he could cry. All mothers in the world were all the same. They pulled out some supplies from their backpacks and handed them to the women carrying children.
Ombuti watched this scene with a joyful expression.
Ombuti asked the women about this and that.
Black Mamba couldnt understand any of the fast-spoken Arabic. Ombuti shook his head. It looked like it didnt matter anyway.
Black Mamba didnt want to show his disappointed face, so he turned his head. Inside the village, he saw a large, thorned tree. Above the thorned tree were several goats eating its leaves.
Goats climbed trees like a puma. It was a funny sight, but no laughter came to him. He felt bad for the goats that were forced to climb the top of a tree just to eat a handful of leaves.
Black Mamba, who could not communicate with the villagers, could do nothing but guard Burimer and Ombuti. Ombuti, being familiar with the village, was able to gain essential information.
Captain, it looks like Makumbo stopped by this place for a bit. They are saying that an elderly man and three armed guards had been here.
When was that?
Three days ago.
Hm!
Captain was in a difficult position.
At the end of their trials and tribulations, they had finally arrived at their intended destination, but all they had found was the urine trail of the Raccoon before he disappeared.
Bodele was too wide. They couldnt even guess at which cave the Raccoon would be hiding. They were at least relieved to find that the government headquarters had not fed them fake intel.
Ombuti, we should check the surroundings.
Alright. The village leader says that if we give them money, they will rent out a house for us.
I cant trust them, I hate ticks and fleas more than the rebel forces.
Emil nodded his head vigorously. Strangely enough, out of the group, Emil was attacked the most by bugs.
The looks of the natives toward the mercenaries caused them discomfort. There was not a single mercenary that wished to stay in this dirty cow dung smelling place overnight.
That night, they searched the Amja and Yungsur villages, but there was no trace of what they were looking for.
Black Mamba felt sorry for Captain, who was trying so hard.
From the time he was very young, Black Mamba had been betrayed many times. He had already come to realize that another team had taken Raccoon for their own. He was just not saying his suspicions out loud.
Lattell team made camp at a place 5km away from Yungsur village. For three days, they searched all the surrounding areas around Ekiya oasis.
They visited five small and large villages and investigated Tangas wadi and valleys. They went deep into the Bodele badlands and even searched the ruins of the Nga Zala region.
They searched under every small rock. However, they reaped no results. The Raccoon must be disguising himself because they couldnt even find a hint of his tail.
Burimer, where did you say the Makumbo and the Habib army had fought against each other?
At Captains question, Burimer thought for a moment, trying to remember, then answered.
Ongur.
Ombuti, do you know Ongur?
It is a village about 70km west from here. The civilians are Arab.
Its not too far from here. We should try looking around there first.
Even as Captain spoke, he couldnt help but sigh.
He kept them moving due to his responsibility, but he couldnt shake off his sense of hopelessness. Was it better to continue wandering around searching for Raccoon without adequate information, or was it better to request their return? He couldnt reach a decision.
It was the 17th day of Operation Smoke out Raccoon.
Once the sun went down, the three pickups carrying the Lattell team arrived at their resting stop at Ongur. The Lattell team left the injured Chartres and Belman at the camp while the rest of them went to check around the area.
Ongur oasis was about 70 acres. Among the villages of the Bodele badlands, it was one of the bigger ones. Ombuti and Morris, who knew the language, lead the way.
Ooh whoo, alla ihi! (What in the world!)
Ombuti slammed his hand on the handle and yelled as he entered the village.
In any surprising or rushed situation, their native language popped out. The scene in front of him was worthy of Ombutis surprise.
The village had disappeared, and all that was left was ruins.
Most of the houses had collapsed and were burned. The houses were wooden skeletons with braided reeds for roofs. The burnt houses had collapsed completely, and all that was left of it was black ash.
God damn!
Morris jumped off the pickup like lightning and threw himself into the pool. He flattened himself as much as possible in the shallow pool and observed the village with his scope. There was no movement in the village. He didnt even spot a single dog.
Judging that he was not in danger, Morris crawled out from the pool. His gandura was covered in mud.
Damn, what is this!
Morris picked off the dirt and muttered as he was cleaning himself up, Im going in.
Ombuti pulled out his rifle.
Once they entered the village, the corpses of people and livestock were everywhere. The corpses all had bullet wounds in their backs.
Oh, Allah! When the day of judgment arrives, burn those scum in the fires of hell.
Ombuti clenched his teeth.
It was deja vu. The Ahim village of Dujorab Agra was a small oasis village north of Faya which required crossing 230 km through the sandy desert and the red canyons.
There was a lovely daughter in her early twenties, a flower shot down before even reaching her prime. The entire village was destroyed, and the wives and daughters had been raped. Ombutis eyes burned red.
Morris, do you think its the FAP punks?
Im sure of it. It is their new recruit training. Those damned devils!
Morris nodded his head with a stone-faced expression on his face.
They threatened the natives to make them run away, then shot them in the back as practice. As practice for the child soldiers, they used real people as targets. It was an often-seen practice for Frolinat FAP.
Looks like Black will have to serve just punishment to Musta and Ahmud, Morris muttered to himself.
Chapter 57 - Chapter 9, Episode 9: The Missing Mole
The head of the northern army is Habib. Now that Wakil has beaten Ahmud and Musta, my only remaining enemy is him.
Ombuti didnt know that Colonel Ahmud had managed to avoid the angel of death like a cockroach.
Habib is staying low at Paya, isnt he? That is not our assigned region.
At Mouris words, Ombuti gritted his teeth.
That bastard is the enemy of all citizens who live in the northern three states of Chad. I plan on begging on my knees in front of Wakil. He will not be able to avoid the touch of Azrael.
Mouris was a faithful Muslim but found it difficult to understand Ombutis logic. Habib was a large fish. Besides being a hard target, there was no assurance that Black Mamba would kill him. Where was that boundless trust coming from?
Mouris started to feel playful.
Why would Black Mamba go through such troubles? He has nothing against Habib personally.
Azrael is someone who exists anywhere between this world and the underworld. If he wishes to erase a name, Habib has no choice but to die.
Lets say that Black Mamba did manage to get rid of Habib. Then how would you repay this debt?
The finest respect a warrior of the Tuareg can show is accepting someones strength and becoming their slave. I am Wakils slave. The owner has a responsibility to avenge the slaves enemy.
Oh, my god! Mouris gripped the back of his head at Ombutis forceful opinion.
He, too, was from a small tribe of Algeria, but he still found the Tuaregs culture difficult to understand.
Its the town hall. Ombuti pointed at the wooden house in the center.
It smells like blood.
Mouris shoved Ombutis shoulder with him, pressing their bodies into the ground.
An eerie silence came from inside the village.
Not a head of a dog or goat could be seen.
S***, did he go off again?
Mouris kicked his way towards the building in a low sniping position.
He barged into the hall, breaking down the door made of reeds, and immediately flinched in surprise.
Ombuti! Come look at this, Mouris shouted.
Within the 70 meter hall, there was a sight of an unspeakable scene spread out in blood.
Ah! Ombutis eyes widened.
Around thirty or more corpses lay entangled in each other. They were all women and children. It was the scene of the holocaust within a small cage.
Even the mercenaries who entered the village by Mouris call couldnt hold back their surprise.
What is this?
At Black Mambas question, Ombuti answered, Its the doing of those FAP. Theres nothing different to be said about the governments army, but they use a different method. This is the signature of the northern army. They scare people, just to shoot at their back, or gather them in one place to massacre.
And the reason?
To train new soldiers.
Um, any survivors?
Shouldnt be. As you can see, there are none around the age of ten. Theyve kidnapped them and shot the others. They use the boys as receivers of bullets, and the girls as receivers of semen.
Receivers of semen? F****** bastards!
He grit his teeth.
Black Mamba detested rapists the most within humankind. It had been left as a deep wound through his concerns into his mothers disappearance, and as a crime unjustly blamed on him. Black Mamba hated rapists more than murderers.
This was another world of animals. Black Mambas shock after witnessing the sight of a killing field, something he had only heard of, was huge. He had heard of the villagers slaughter scenes until his ears bled, but there was a difference between hearing and seeing. They were not human.
The purpose of the FAP was driving out foreigners.
The problem was that there were other tribes intermingled with the recruits for the forces against outsiders. To them, everyone else instead of their own tribe members were outsiders.
Other tribes didnt have the sense of nationality, either. They created a holocaust without hesitation. It was, to a point, their tribe and no other people. It was the greatest tragedy of Chad and a common problem of the new African nations in general.
A purpose cannot validate the method. They were those who had thrown the least of their humanity to the wind. Despite the differences in culture and logic, destroying Kants moral obligations in the process wasnt a probable notion.
He could scoff at the idea of such people preaching about the teachings of Allah. This was the type of trash that smelled the worst amongst others. Trash had to be cleaned out fast in order to avoid contamination.
Northern Chad was the land of savages. It was the world of animals in the guise of humans, where the strongest survived.
If you bastards are the animals, Id have a fiercer one tear you into pieces.
The base instinct of a Paranthropus, a desire to destroy greater enemies, reared its head within him.
Bell Man, tell me how much time has passed.
At the Captains words, Bell Man shoved his hand into a surgical glove.
He began to put his hand inside the stomachs bullet injury without hesitation and poked around. The smell reeked, but nothing leaked out of the wound.
Bell Man took his hand out of the stomach.
Between his thumb and forefinger, a white something wriggled about. It was a maggot, 3mm or less in length.
Its the larva of the Gold Fly of Algeria. When one breeds in a corpse, the eggs are broken in ten hours. This hatched just now.
So youre saying ten hours have passed?
At the Captains question, Bell Man poked around the outside of the wound and fished up several more maggots.
Its the larva of flesh flies. Gold flies lay eggs inside the corpse, but flesh flies birth as if they were landing bombs on corpses as they pass. According to the growth of this larva, its in the Flash Stage, before the manifestation. In my opinion, theyve been killed three days ago.
Bell Man picked out the dates of their murder like the battle doctor he was, after graduating in forensic science.
Three days! Burimer grunted.
Three days was when Black Mamba destroyed Coromungas FAP 3rd battalion.
They vented their anger on innocent villagers.
With his careful personality, Burimer didnt voice his theory. He didnt want to burden Black Mamba.
The mercenaries glanced at the Captain. They werent tempted to clean the corpses, which numbered over a hundred. They didnt have the strength, nor the time.
Lets leave this to nature.
At the Captains decision, they all breathed a relieved sigh. They had been worried that he would decide on burying them all.
Captain!
Sergeant Mouris, who had been investigating the individual houses with Miguel, came running.
Mouris lifted his hand.
All eyes fell on his palm.
Hm, a Ruger bullet! The Captain said as he inspected the bullet.
Burimer, who was handed the bullet, also felt his eyes widen.
The bullet in his palm had a yellow tinge and was 19mm in length and 10mm in diameter. It wasnt a common bullet. The average Ruger Parabellum was 9mm.
Theres no mistake. Its a HK54F.
The HK54 was developed by Heckler and Koch, a different version of a MP5. It was a name given according to the classification system of the maker. MP5 was the bestseller of each nations special forces as a loved sub-machine gun. Frace requested a more destructive MP5. The result of such a request was the HK54. The HK54 used a unique 10 mm bullet instead of a 9 mm one.
The Legion Etranger didnt use the sub-machine gun. There were mercenaries who bought the weapon for their personal use but most favored the Pamus, which had a higher damage rate. HK54s shooting range was within 200 meters. It was useless to snipers. There was no one within Deuxieme Reps 4th company who used a MP5. It was expensive and useless.
Mouris, where did you find this?
Theres a slightly larger house inside the village. It was on the ground there.
Lets go check.
The Captain made Mouris lead them into the village.
A detailed investigation began. The house Mouris had pointed out was three times larger than the average houses. But even with such a size, it was only 50 square meters.
The mercenaries began to rip out the wallpapers and rummaged around the floor made of reeds. It was as if they were looking for a needle in a haystack.
Black Mambas eyes glinted. It was the smell of a corpse.
If they couldnt see it, it was in the ground. Eyes that saw eight times sharper than any other human searched the entire house. The color of the soil underneath the chicken coop varied from the others. An average human wouldnt have been able to see such a difference, but he was not average.
Black, what is it?
Jang, Emil!
Black Mamba didnt reply to the Captains question and called Jang Shin and Emil instead. When the two ran over, he pointed towards the chicken coop.
Dig.
Jang Shin was his comrade, and Emil was his partner. As a 2nd class private, they were the two he could treat comfortably. The two would have believed a hyena as a lion if Black Mamba said so.
Black Mamba marked the digging point. Jang Shin and Emil, who found their shovels respectively, began to dig. Within a short time, a corpse appeared in the hole.
So deep. It stinks. A really disgusting smell. Captain mumbled.
His usually stoic face had turned red.
The clothes on the corpse werent different from what the Ratel team was wearing. It was the traditional Arab garment of gandourah, with Litam covering the entire face. Mouris ripped the clothes with his KA-BAR knife.
The teammates eyes grew large. A worn uniform was inside the gandourah. A rich yellow color, it was the uniform of the northern army. There was a Soviet gun on his belt. It was a thick Tokarev gun.
Wait, Bell Man, leave everything on camera as a record.
The Captains voice came out leaden.
After Bell Man took a few shots, Mouris began to dig around the corpses chest with his knife.
Ting- The tip of his knife shot out a piece of leaded gold. Soon after, he found another bullet.
The cause of death was those two bullets in the mans chest.
Burimer took up the bullets and glared ferociously.
Right, it is a 10 mm HK54F bullet.
The Captains face crumpled instantly.
The HK54Fs 10 mm bullet was used in France exclusively. A hyena would have laughed if anyone said the beggars of FROLINAT used a HK.
Hm, GIGN! The Captain whispered.
GIGN was a unit terrorist team with hostage rescue as a priority. The most efficient and compatible team for the raccoon rescue was the GIGN.
Only the GIGN used a HK54F.
The HK54Fs bullet and the Arabs uniform said everything there was to know.
Jang Shin, check the bullet and bullet shell.
Oui!
Jang Shin pulled out his magnifying glass and observed the shell and bullets merged parts.
The bullet was coiled around the core like armor.
The way a coiled shell was wrapped around the core was called a Full Metal Jacket. Most of the recent sub-machine guns used a Full Metal Jacket.
The shell was made of lead and wrought iron, combined.
A high-speed bullet was a shape that tightly clamped over the shell of the bullet made of soft brass.
When the bullet received its impact through the gas explosion and left its cover, a minimal scratch mark was left on the connected part of the cover and core. A professional was capable of recognising the scratch mark and figuring out the whereabouts of both the cover and core. If Bell Man was a corpse professional, Jang Shin was a firearm professional.
Bingo!
He found the matching scratch marks of a bullet cover and its bullet.
Da ge, lend me your toothpick.
Toothpick?
Black Mamba took out his dart from his pouch with a strange expression. It was his most loved precise, and thin dart.
Should I pick your teeth, too?
Black Mamba poked the bullet case of the explosive bullets. The case, around a half-inch thick, was riddled with holes easily.
Hehe, I didnt say anything.
Jang Shin, who conceded defeat immediately, marked the shell and core with the tip of the dart and gave them to the Captain.
Captain, I marked the place where the scratches match.
Jang Shin handed over both shell and core with a point. The Captain nodded. He had already predicted the result.
Bell Man, protect the bullet and film. Were canceling the search for that raccoon. Return to camp immediately.
The team members werent stupid. Their faces hardened.
Team Ratel immediately extracted themselves from the Ongur Oasis.
The team members who had their fill with the C-ration gathered without the Captains orders. Everyone was filled with tired and gloomy expressions.
Burimer, what do you think?
Can I be honest?
The Captain didnt reply but looked encouragingly at Burimer with tired eyes.
Theyre flaunting, Sergeant Burimer concluded.
This mission itself, scouring the entire Sahel with a few pick-ups, doesnt make sense. The raccoon has already fled. Our teams just a chicken thrown into the alligator breeding cage at this point, Mike said.
Despite Sergeant Mikes harsh words, the Captain only frowned.
Mike, dont speak too rashly. Burimer stopped Mike.
What, did I say something wrong?
Black Mamba, who had been spacing out, glared.
Damn it, Im tired whenever I see that human glare.
Chapter 58 - Chpter 10, Episode 1: The Shadow of Betrayal
Mike, who had been grumbling at Burimer, immediately fell silent.
Captain, forget the raccoon. Its a survival game from now on. Black Mamba spoke as though he had been cut with a knife.
The mercenaries stared at him with surprised faces. Usually, Black Mamba was someone of action rather than words. This was the first time they had seen him state his stance strongly. There was a weight which gave them no choice but to comply.
The Captains forehead creased into a frown. Why do you think so?
Black Mamba didnt reply and instead closed his eyes. The rest was up to the leader. If he tried to convince them with reasons, he was only going to tire himself out.
His comrades made a strange expression at the obvious reaction and turned to Burimer. Burimer was Black Mambas spokesman.
This is the 17th day. The mid-Chad region which were traveling in is as large as France. What are the possibilities of our activities being revealed in such a vast place? The headquarters are leaking our movements as informative bait. Theres a different team to rescue that raccoon. What we have done is distracting the FROLINATs attention elsewhere to open the road for the real rescue team. I dont know who they are, but they must have extracted the raccoon already, Burimer replied on Black Mambas behalf.
Theyre using Black Mamba as bait? Jang Shin asked with an incredulous look to his narrow eyes.
They could if they didnt know the real value of Black. Mitterrand is more concerned about losing Chad. Hes capable of throwing away a mercenary unit without any problems. Blacks angry; whoever it is, theyre not going to sleep well tonight. Tsk! Emil clicked his tongue.
The way the information leaked isnt even by a mole, it was a part of the plan from the start! Mike began shouting.
That cant be! If this is a back-door operation, theres no reason for every single one of our activities to be leaked. Its only when the information is controlled that a back-door operation succeeds in probability. The way our activities are leaked can only indicate a mole in the communication line. Otherwise, they would have thought about keeping a moving bait alive.
Bell Man, who refused to talk on the best of days, supported Mikes claim.
Everyone nodded. It was the moment when everyone agreed to such logic while becoming gloomier at the same time. They had become an abandoned card while being betrayed by a spy. It was the moment they were sieged on both sides.
Were Legion Etranger. We will follow whatever your decision might be, Captain.
Burimer asked for the Captains decision on behalf of all the mercenaries.
Im sorry. Im now confirming the situation, after the battle of Toco Toom, that a spys in the communication line. This means our information is being leaked at all times in the headquarters. The corpse Black Mamba found was the raccoons guard. From the assassins bullet and how they covered up the place, its GIGN.
GIGN!
Several exclaimed with shouts.
GIGN was Frances proudest unit of terror team. They were recognized worldwide in the fields of suppressing terrorism, extracting captives, special protections, aerial inceptions, and much more.
Team Ratel was overwhelming in terms of battle, but even they had to step aside in a hostage rescue situation.
Why is GIGN gunning with Makumbo?
Of course, Mike was impatient.
They probably didnt sign well with the raccoons side.
At Burimers reply, Mike nodded. It was possible. In a situation where both sides were trigger-happy, one slight mistake could pull the trigger.
Its probably that they killed the guards for security, the Captain continued.
I agree with Burimers theory. We were placed as bait for GIGN to move with ease. While our team was being chased by those scores of Piranhas, I assume the GIGN took out the raccoon relatively easily.
They would the FAP massacres of those locals have anything to do with GIGN? Miguel asked with an uncertain voice.
That should have been a coincidence. According to Bell Mans theory, its been three days since the locals have died. The death of that raccoons guard coincides with that day. We can assume the FAP entered the village after the GIGN extracted the raccoon.
The Captain said his conclusion after analyzing the situation and evidence he had seen until then.
There was a large difference between suspicion and the truth.
There was a way to resolve a suspicion through denial, but when the suspicion became the truth, it became a dead end. When the leader gave his conclusion, everyones suspicion turned into anger.
Sparks ignited in the mercenaries eyes.
Whos the bastard?! Mike, rabid, gritted his teeth and jumped out of his seat.
Mike. Sit. The Captain hasnt finished speaking. Black Mamba spoke without opening his eyes.
F***, why isnt he leaving me alone. I cant even talk!
Mike shrunk back silently at the eerie lift of his voice.
The Captain continued in a glum voice, We cant be sure that our headquarters is involved. The General isnt someone who would sacrifice his subordinates for the sake of a back-door strategy. Im considering the DGSE members. The headquarters mole is a different matter. Dont say anything against our headquarters again.
The mercenaries nodded with unsatisfied expressions. There was no one who wanted to throw away the pride of being a member of Legion Etranger.
Bad things didnt come in ones. Bell Man reported with a grim face, Captain, Chartres condition is getting worse.
What, didnt you say he was getting better?
Its the problem of varying temperatures. Its easy to lose strength, and his muscle reactions are getting worse. Im suspecting tetanus.
The Captain slapped his knee, and the sound rang.
S***, I should have sent him on that last helicopter. Im calling a helicopter now. You get him ready to move. The moment we send the message, were leaving this place. It wouldnt be surprising if rockets bombard this camp at any moment. Were abiding the survival manual from this point onward as Black said. Everyone, do your best to maintain your condition.
At the Captains solemn decision, everyone nodded their heads. They had nowhere to turn since the headquarters information was untrustworthy. They had no choice but to escape Sahel with their own strength. The raccoon had long left their minds.
F***, I should have moved him
The Captain berated himself. He had left Chartres unaided because of his own greed. The reason why he pushed back the transport was that he didnt want to lose Chartres immediate strengths in battle. The difference between day and night in Sahel was difficult for a normal person to bear. He should have had moved Chartres in spite of the helicopters sighting.
C Alpha, come in; Bravo here.
C Bravo, speak.
C Theres an emergency patient. Needs transport. Send a helicopter.
C Bravo, received.
C Alpha, the raccoon is gone. Theres no way to find him. Decide our return.
C Bravo, this is outside my authority. Call after 20.
C Alpha, got it.
The Captain was nervous about the headquarters decision.
He had had enough losing Mark. He didnt want to lose any more of his subordinates in a hopeless strategy.
After 20 minutes, the line opened once more.
C Alpha, get in. Its Bravo.
C Bravo, the emergency helicopter is being sent. Continue the mission. I repeat. The raccoon mission has to be continued.
The Captains arm wound around the phone began to tremble.
Those bastards sat on their desks rolling their pencils!
What was he supposed to do?
What kind of mission was this!
C Alpha, the raccoon is missing. I ask again. The mission is impossible. Black Mamba took out the 3rd command of FROLINAT. Theyre going to jump on us like ants.
C What? Do you mean Habibs 3rd command?
The surprised voice was mixed with the static signal. The Sahels sand winds lowered their communication lines efficiency.
C Yes. Its the Koromungas 3rd Command Unit.
C Bravo, Ill answer the higher-ups. Connect in an hour.
C Alpha, roger.
The Captain, who finished the communication, wrapped his head in his hands. The truth had already been revealed at Ongur village. He wanted to argue, but his rationality held him back.
He looked at his subordinates with dark eyes.
In consideration of his subordinates, he should have reported the incident in the village and have retreated immediately.
For the sake of the missions success, he had to close his mouth. He was a soldier of Legion Etranger who held the mission first, and all else came second. If the information about Ongur leaked to that rat, the entire mission would go up in flames. He had no choice but to wait for the permission of their retreat from the main quarters.
First Lieutenant Etang ended the call and made a complicated expression.
Damn, Im nervous as hell.
Leaking the information on a strategic team was worth martial court material. France was especially strict by law against betrayers. It was, no matter what, imprisonment.
If it werent for his betting debts, he wouldnt have held hands with the bastard called Twarga. He had no way of knowing whether Twarga was the bastards real name, either. Once a noose was hung it was bound to be dragged everywhere. One hundred fifty francs was a large sum unable to be resolved until his retirement.
Ugh!
He automatically sighed. The bastard had planned this entire thing from the moment he sat next to him in the casino. It was too late for regrets. Etang glared at the clothes hook attached firmly in the corner of the wall. It looked strong enough to endure his weight.
Etang, who had been staring at the hook for a long time, shook his head.
His mother in the Province awaited his return.
Ill think about it after reporting to the central, Etang murmured as he took out the connection, heading to the reporting station.
Staff chief, Team Ratel is requesting a retreat.
Major Geofrey smirked at the message.
Theres nothing different about the environment of their mission. Seems like Pauls turned into a coward, too. Theres no retreat. Tell them to continue the mission.
Shouldnt we notify the higher-ups?
Ill deal with it. Its an order. The mission continues. Well send the emergency helicopter immediately.
Etang looked at Major Geofreys face, which looked as though it wouldnt bleed a drop of blood even when poked, in heavy silence. Major Geofrey was the immediate liaison in charge as the Ratel Teams strategist. He had been dispatched to the Deuxieme Reps headquarters as a member of the 11th airborne squadron.
Does he have a noose around his neck as I do?
Is there a rouge on my face?
Ah, no.
You send them my regards once the lines back in connection.
Etang wasnt able to continue the conversation with Major Geofrey, who closed it with a knifes edge.
I understand.
Once Etang disappeared, Geofrey made an easy smile.
Hmm, the raccoon is on the verge of escaping, but the badger wants to escape too? Thats not right. No, it should play with the hyenas for a bit longer. But how do I hide this from Colonel Philip?
Geofrey, who had been looking into the details of the written communication, tilted his head.
Is this Black Mamba guy some Rambo dude? Its all unbelievable. Its going to be irritating if this guy surviveswhat if he returns alive! No, I need a contingency plan.
Geofrey took up the phone.
The Captains face when he restarted the communications wasnt bright.
C Alpha, its Bravo.
C Bravo, I can hear you clearly.
C Alpha, tell me the decision.
C Bravo, theres no retreat. The mission continues.
C What? Shibal Jotto!
C Bravo, what does that mean?
C Ah, nothing.
He had sworn by instinct. He was the captain who had gotten more used to Black Mambas Korean swears than the French prostitute.
He was swept with indecision about revealing the information about Makumbo and the concerns which followed. The Captains expression changed constantly.
Ah, comrades, forgive me.
He was a soldier. His subordinates were all soldiers. Whether they were baits or not, they were all a part of a mission. His teeth broke by the force of his grit, but he couldnt impair the entire mission. The mission had to be completed, even if he had to shoot at those involved when he returned.
The Captain decided to bear the burden himself.
C Alpha, understood. The coordinates are 216-342, along 70km west of Chicha and 12km west of Ongur Oasis. I want the helicopter at 0100.
C Bravo, received. Im sorry.
The Captain, after closing the line, called Black Mamba.
Black, are you a sniper or a warrior?
I dont understand the point of your question.
Ive called the helicopter to move Chartres. When the information leaks, the enemy is going to attempt to shoot down the helicopter. I need you to shoot the enemy down.
It was often said to fool your allies is to fool your enemies.
The best result was when FROLINAT didnt interfere. On the other hand, if the information leaked, he planned to have the helicopter as a sacrifice. The Captain strengthened his weakening resolve and hid everything from Black Mamba.
Moving Chartres? Okay. I dont care where the battle is. I should be ready for close-quarter combat if its to protect the helicopter and Chartres. The mountain ranges are more advantageous than an open field.
Good. The Er Ekdim valley should be just right.
He ordered the move immediately.
There was no way the enemy could figure out their rendezvous point, but wariness closed in around him like chains.
The coordinates the Captain sent the headquarters had been their camp the day before. It was a place 15km south-west of Tanga in Vilmas direction, 10km from their current camp. The Er Ekdim valley was a deep valley the size of a passing iceberg, in a large U shape.
Chapter 59 - Chpter 10, Episode 2: The Shadow of Betrayal
When the information leaked, there was no way FROLINAT was simply going to sit back and watch. If there was a missile team in ambush at the coordinates he indicated, the leakage of information would gain definite evidence.
The Captain didnt consider Chartress injury too seriously.
Mercenaries lived rough lives. Others who whined about a few shrapnel embedded in their bodies were better off tending grapevines in the retirement village.
In a large Romanesque mansion east of Undgar, in a region called Paya Largo, a large shout erupted from the second floors office.
You bastard, go die! No, Ill kill you myself!
Habib took out his handgun. At the receiving end of his bloodthirsty eyes was Colonel Ahmud, kneeled flat against the rug underneath him in a grovel. Both of his cheeks were inflamed red.
A subordinate immediately blocked Habibs path.
Your grace, please.
Move, you s***!
Ugh!
Having been kicked in his groin, the subordinate jumped skittishly before tripping over Ahmuds feet by the rug. The subordinate scrambled to stand while holding his nose. Blood dripped onto the rug.
Habib started at his subordinate with speechless eyes.
Rage was an emotion. Emotions cooled over time. When the scene changed, his short-term memory similarly forgot things.
Damn, this bastard!
Habib threw down his gun.
Ahmud, who managed to avoid death due to the subordinates slapstick comedy, raised his head minutely. He saw the subordinate who, upon eye contact, dissolved into a smile.
I suppose this was what he was talking about when he told me not to worry.
The subordinate had earned his pay.
Ahmud had been beyond concerned after being defeated by Black Mamba. It was obvious he was going to be dead by the time he finished his report. Ahmud, who had a great sense of self-preservation, immediately bribed a large sum to Habibs direct subordinate and secretary. He also altered the previous reports before submission. Ahmud was certainly a man of instinct.
Colonel Ahmud!
Yes, Your Grace!
Ahmud immediately stood at a salute.
You f****** bastard, are you handing me this as your report? You managed to lose 57 sentries at Guradi Ridge, 142 members at Toko Toom where the information was handled, 100 at the command post300 members in total! And that FROLINAT bastard barely managed to catch 15? Does this make sense to you?
G-grace, the bastards were a special mercenary force composed of 100 elite snipers.
And? Did they shoot missiles and run you over with tanks? Did a tomcat begin carpet bombing; a destroyer begin shooting naval artillery?
Habib began to make snide remarks once his mood calmed. Ahmud heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. He had lived thanks to the false reports.
l ?awla wa l quwwata ?ill bi-llh (There is no might or power except with Allah). Grace, I swear I fought to my death. I was at the forefront of the battle and was the last to retreat. The bastards were more precise than missiles and more impulsive than tanks. I was able to make them retreat thanks to your wise guidance.
Ahmud had sent a report which had no indication of his robbed base camp instead of reporting that he had managed to cause a retreat. Habib, who was a veteran of the battlefield, could read his mind clear as day.
Ha, bulls***. Musta managed to f*** 200 into Uldi Hamarl, and youve fu**** up 300 into Bodele. Ive lost 500 precious warriors. Well done, you two, taking turns. You f***** up s****. Habib spoke with spit flying as anger rose once more.
Grace, the bastard called Kanma is- Ack!
Slap!
The object Habib threw smacked Ahmuds face.
It was the golden donkey which had been on his desk. Ironically, the statue which Ahmud threw at his subordinate had also been a donkey. The golden donkey, a symbol of wealth, had been degraded into an object of abuse.
Ahmud didnt do a slapstick comedy like the subordinate. A skill which had already been used wasnt effective a second time. He gritted his teeth and remained unmoving.
Shut up, how dare you mention the name of a worthless blackies ghost as a Colonel. Are you trying to mock me, or what?
That, thats impossible, your grace, istisna (by the will of God), Im your servant.
Ahmud tried his best in order to survive.
This damned bastard! If you had captured them you would have gained Makumbo. How dare you blame a ghost when youve been chased around like a rabid dog, youve lost all your subordinates.
As Habib calmed down, someone knocked on his door.
Get in, Habib shouted roughly.
The door opened, and a Lumumba tribes man, roughly 30 years of age, walked in. It was Habibs secretary.
The secretary handed him a piece of paper politely. Habib, who took the paper as though he was snatching it, kicked Ahmud.
Is this the guy?
Ahmud, who took up the montage, stared at the paper intently.
It was an Asian dude. He had thick eyebrows, a sharp nose, and deeply sunk eyes, as well as thin lips and a narrow face line to the point he couldnt be called a Kanma. In fact, he had a face that was more acceptable as Chairman Tombyes lover.
How could such a man who possessed a womans feminine features be called Sahels Kanma, Azreal!
Had he truly lost hundreds of subordinates at his hand, to the point of being chased around like a house dog?
In the end, Ahmud shook his head.
He had never seen Black Mambas face. He had been busy running for his life in both battles. At the command post, he had immediately taken shelter underground.
Ha, obviously. I suppose you were too busy running away you didnt even see his face. You useless s***.
Habib started to look around for his abandoned gun.
Knock knock!
The knocking sound rang at that dangerous time.
Certainly, Ahmud had the survival instincts of a cockroach and better luck than others.
What is it!
An Arab Major walked in. It was Commander Payze of the surveillance unit, who had been led around the nose by Mike.
Why is that bastard here?
Ahmuds eyes glinted.
Shuptari Allah! (Glory to Allah!)
What is it?
Habib shouted without receiving his greeting.
Payze glanced at Ahmud and respectfully handed a piece of paper forward. Habibs face turned red as he read down the report. His hand shook the entire time.
The Command post was abandoned, and only five survived!
Habib gritted his teeth and glared at Ahmud.
Ahmuds face blanched white.
It was the part of the report he had left out in order to avoid Habibs rage. The situation had only turned worse due to Payze.
Your, your grace, I had received an attack from heavy weapon artillery, of average size, from the special forces. I attempted to fight back with my life on the line~
Ahmud, a talented speaker, began to work his magic even in that moment.
Shut up, secretary, put him in jail.
The moment his subordinate pressed the bell, close guards in uniforms began to enter the room.
G-grace, I am your servant and friend. Im your comrade who has fought many battles by your side for the past 30 years.
Shut up, you swine! Thats why I didnt shoot you immediately. Drag him out.
Your grace, your grace!
Drag him out before I shoot him! Habib shouted.
After Ahmud was dragged out, silence descended in the office.
There was only the sound of Habibs harsh breathing. The star-shaped star on his forehead was trembling. When the scar which had healed in keloid moved, his forehead looked as though a fly had attached itself.
Knock knock!
The secretary returned and handed him an envelope.
Habib opened the envelope himself. A rolled-up transmission fell out.
[South-west Tanga 15km, coordinate 216-342 01hr, Helicopter]
Habibs face immediately relaxed.
This was highly classified information from the French NDjamena headquarters.
You swine, if you survive this once more time Im going to drench myself in pig blood.
Habib took up the phone.
Secretary, how many MANPADS teams can we move immediately?
There are four teams in the Ungat training grounds.
Theres no time. Those fro guys are going to make contact with a helicopter. Its the best chance to get those damn fro guys and Makumbo in one stone. Call them immediately and send them to the Er Ekdim ravine.
Yes, your grace.
Major Payze!
Yes, your grace.
Make sure you arrive in Er Ekdim by midnight to prepare the ambush. Prepare gods magic and the machine guns, with plenty of grenades. This time for sure, were going to kill those fros and execute all the traitors. Do you understand?
Yes, your grace.
Payze finished his salute and ran out of the office.
Habib frowned and began to pace his office.
Damn, theres not enough time. Theres not enough time to call the Tombye army stationed in Pada. They wont arrive in time. That stupid Ahmud and Musta lost too much of my forces. I need to catch those fro bastards even with the loss of Makumbo.
Habib ground his teeth and took up the phone once more.
Closed in the idea of capturing Makumbo, he had taken a risky move.
His plan to assassinate the entire mercenary crew at once after placing sufficient numbers had been ruined.
He, who did not know Black Mambas presence, made the mistake of deploying his armies rashly.
The Ratel team entered deep within the ravine and made camp with their backs to the cave. It was a strategic placement with a night bombing in mind. If they were targeted by a dot in an open space, there was no chance of survival.
Ha, what are we doing!
Sighs came automatically from the Captain. If he nitpicked the situation, he may as well have betrayed his fellow comrades. He could barely face them. There was no chaos like now, with untrustworthy headquarters, FROLINATS running after them like rabid dogs, and tired subordinates.
Due to his perfectionist personality, he volunteered to go for another round of sentry. He hadnt changed the location of the helicopters landing despite knowing that the information would be leaked.
He glanced at Black Mamba who stood there silently.
Black Mamba was always in a stance of perfect defense whenever he saw him. He could bounce anywhere in that stance like a tennis ball. This time, he had planned the game with full trust in Black Mambas skills. The only hill to trust was Black Mamba.
The Captain observed both sides of the cliffs with night goggles. The rock cliffs about 50 meters in height filled his foggy viewfinder. Both sides were rather steep at a 45-degree angle.
Black Mamba, conceal yourself in the right cliff. Even if the helicopter is attacked, I need you to observe. As long as there are no threats to our team were leaving them alone.
What the f****** hell are you talking about! If the helicopter goes down, Chartres move wont happen! Black Mamba denied vehemently.
Black, I understand how you feel, but Im planning to return to the headquarters no matter how many times they deny the retreat. Then what do you think will happen? Well all be handed to martial court. We need definite proof as a cause to give up on the plan.
Captain, youre going overboard, Black Mamba replied with worry mixed into his tone.
I also hope this is a coincidence, but right now, I cant trust anything. We can always call another helicopter for Chartres. I am a Captain in charge of my subordinates. The Captain spoke solemnly.
It was a sorry thing to the helicopters pilot, but the situation was beyond saving.
The only member with a good condition was Black Mamba. Mike and Miguel, whose core temperatures (the temperature of the brain and organs) had fallen, were shivering all the way to their teeth.
They werent sick, but the varying temperatures and low energy had caused the situation. It was the bodys rebellion against unsatisfactory rest and lengthened tension for longer periods of time.
Emil and Jang Shin were the ones with a severe cold, while Mouris had a strong cough. To have a sniper who coughed frequentlythere was no other comedy than that. Bell Man made them sleep by giving them sleeping pills.
Black Mamba looked at the Captain.
The military uniform suited him, or rather, he was a man suited to the military uniform.
He was someone with a unique pride for being the officer of Legion Etranger. Considering his thinning face and red eyes, he could assume the Captains emotions at the betrayal even when maintaining his position as the leader despite pressure from all sides.
Understood. You should expect a beating is anything happens to Chartres.
Black Mamba shook his fist in front of the Captains eyes and walked into the darkness.
Damn bastard, hes threatening me. Ill die by the first punch! Captain murmured.
Black Mamba became a chameleon. Using the yellow-brown drape as a cover, he immediately attached himself to the corner between rocks. A lizard climbed over Black Mamba with leisure. A desert fox peed on his thigh before walking away.
Even the animals couldnt differentiate his presence when he was one with nature. The energy of all humanity drained out of him as Higasion Ganzis secret nature started to spread within him.
He took a peek at the night sky.
The nessie which had been dozing next to him jumped away, startled. The tail of the Big Dipper had tilted 10 degrees to the right. It had been two hours since he had concealed himself. It was currently 2300.
There was a time counting curriculum in the sniper training regiment. It required the use of sun, moon, and stars. Black Mamba could predict the time fairly well without much margin of error even before he became a mercenary. Using his body rhythm and therefore his biological clock, he was able to see the flow of time rather well.
Its a good thing theres no Nigerian ant biting my nose.
Chapter 60 - Chpter 10, Episode 3: The Shadow of Betrayal
Rustle
His sensitive ears picked up an intrusive sound. It was the sound of the ground being pressed on and swept across.
Is it a humans footstep?
Black Mamba heard the sound of footsteps 500 meters away like thunderclaps. Compared to the weight he felt, the sound was too small. From his senses, it was most likely a large animal, but the sound was more like a rodents. Yet, his instincts told him it was a humans.
The numbers increased. The Sahel was a place with a low number of animals. There were no herds that ran around like the southern parts of Africa. Even the hyenas survived each to their own. There were no other animals except humans who roamed in numbers during nighttime.
Were they specially trained?
Black Mamba began to count their footsteps for 30 seconds. The average speed count of a human was 1.5~2 paces per second. By figuring out the number of footsteps within a second, the number of humans could be approximated. Of course, this was only possible for trained snipers. There were five in total.
Following that, another two teams appeared.
There were 15 people in total. They had appeared without a sound. It was as though they had sprouted from the ground.
Ugh!
He was surprised. It wasnt 500 meters, but rather 100 meters inward.
It was his mistake to judge them according to an average standard.
A moment later, the footsteps passed the place where Black Mamba was concealed. It was then that he realized the reason behind his miscalculation. They were all barefoot. They walked with their bare feet as though they were sliding across the ground without lifting it off. He had seen such footsteps before. It was the footsteps of the Lumumba tribes hunters.
There was one bastard with a Strela-2 strung across him, another with a box of two missiles, and three bastards with a mini machine gun. They were all barefoot. The three with the mini machine gun worked as front covers in protection of the missile launcher.
Their intentions were obvious. They planned to down the helicopter and, while doing so, decimate the special forces awaiting contact by the point. That also indicated a possibility of back-ups later on.
A chill ran down his spine. The Captains worries had turned into reality. Regardless of the bait, this proved that there was a high officer in the headquarters leaking real-time information to the FROLINATs.
Do they think weve rescued Makumbo?
He questioned it, but there was nothing to confirm.
Black Mamba lowered the volume of his headset to the lowest setting and knocked on it twice. A reply came immediately. He knocked once, loudly, and after a turn of silence knocked five times gently. It meant that there were 15 enemies. Then, he scratched the headset with his nail. It was a signal indicating a surface-to-air missile.
The Captain, after receiving Black Mambas signals, silently assigned battle stations. Teams had come in pursuit of the helicopter. It was proof that information was being leaked constantly. That also meant more soldiers would come for the Ratel team.
A moment later, the Captain received another signal from Black Mamba. This time, it was five long scratches. It meant 50.
The Captain swallowed his sigh.
He had wished otherwise, but it had happened. He had shoved the badgers head into the crocodiles mouth. He had shoved his subordinates into a field where ten lives couldnt save one of them.
Black Mamba frowned.
The footsteps continued.
What the hell? Theres nothing to have here, so why do they keep coming!
Another group was caught on his senses. There was a weight to their footsteps. It was the heavy weapons team. The footsteps continued. Strangely, they moved in fives or tens per unit.
Ha! The Captain breathed in.
Black Mamba had sent another signal. It was five long scratches and five short scratches. It meant that there was another 55 members added. One hundred and twenty in total had gathered at Er Ekdim.
If they fought against them at their current strength no one would survive. The chances of surviving in the Zambezi river where the alligators crawled was higher than surviving in the battle against them.
The Captain gave up on fighting.
He was frustrated, but there was no chance against the guerrillas who had prepared themselves to the extreme. He had no choice but to believe in Black Mamba at this point.
C Black, were going under.
C Got it. Leave it to me.
Black Mambas answer was always short and to the point.
The group, which had entered the valley, scattered without a sound. They were well-trained.
The natives who lived in the Sahel region rarely took off their shoes. If the FROLINATs had taken off their shoes in order to invade the valley in stealth, they had to be truly skilled.
In the Borkou capital of northern Chad, Er Ekdim became covered in silent blood lust.
At 0052, he could hear the motor of the helicopter from afar.
It was on the dot.
An Arospatiale Gazelle? Did they take ground attacks into consideration? It would be hard to arm due to the cruising range.
He could tell it was the SA-342 Gazelle of the Frenchs main helicopters by the sound of the rotors. It had a ridiculous booster at the back of its head.
Unlike its comic exterior, the Gazelle boasted a cruising range of 700km. From NDjamenas headquarters to Tanga at a direct line, the distance was exactly 700km. It would have attached two extra fuel tanks just in case.
Gazelle was an attack helicopter developed by the Arospatiale in 1969. Aside from the pilot, one other person could board and be greatly agile.
The Strela-2 was a first-generation target missile that used a non-delay fuse. Fifteen seconds after its launch, it self-destructed. If the Gazelle could distract the missile with its player, such as rollbacks and hooking of high-difficulty maneuvers, it had a high chance of surviving.
Soon, the black dot could be seen against the moonlight. It increased in size quickly.
Black Mamba felt his insides rot in nervousness. There were many teams equipped with the Strela-2 like vipers after a helicopter. They were specially trained forces. They were bastards who didnt wear shoes just to decrease the sound of their footsteps.
Damn, the Captain said no attacks whatsoeverwhat to do?
He could see the missile team spread out into a fan position and ready the launchers as clear as day.
Black Mamba fought against his conflicts as he placed his finger on the Dragunovs trigger. The Captains words had been persuasive. That was why he couldnt pull the trigger rashly.
It was a weak missile, but if several attacked at once, the Gazelle could be declared as good as dead.
Bang!
With a large sound, the light of the explosions flared into the air. It was 200 meters from where he hid.
Orange flares lit streaks across the night sky. Following this, three more orange lights shot up into the air. The surface-to-air missile teams hadnt been three, but four. Another team had been waiting 1km away.
Its the end, poor soul, leave your regrets behind and be happy in the afterlife! May luck be on your side! Black Mamba silently prayed for the pilots life.
Even if the Strela was weak, four had been shot simultaneously. As for the Gazelle in the situation, there was nowhere to turn.
A grand firework came to view 500 meters up in the air. It was the flare which had been raised from the back of the Gazelle. The 100 aluminum pieces which had been heated red made even the stars lose their shine.
The flare was made out of magnesium, a hulk of heated metal. It worked as targets to lure missiles away from the helicopter, creating a similar wavelength as the helicopters.
The Gazelle, which released the flare, began to descend rapidly.
The first missile jumped into the flare and exploded. The helicopter, which had been increasing its height, descended as if it was falling.
The second missile swept past the Gazelles nose and flew further away.
Bang!
The Gazelle threw down rockets onto the ground without holding back. It attempted to rise in the air directly once more. It was a well-tuned defense, but it was impossible to avoid all four missiles. The third missile landed and attached itself to the first frame of the tail rotor.
The bullet, which was brought with strong kinetic energy, pierced through the metal without the sound of an explosion. The entire power source of the lower frame was crushed. The lights of the helicopter went out as one.
From the navigation system to the chain gun, everything became useless. There was nothing to be fixed. The last missile was sucked into the engine.
BANG!
The Valley trembled.
The helicopter, which was now a burning flame, crashed down into the valley.
Black Mamba stared at the flabbergasting sight before him with his mouth open.
BRR!
The rotor blade began to increase in size. It was a 10.5-meter rotor blade which had detached itself from the body. The sound of it cutting through the air resounded on the ground.
Ack!
Black Mamba rolled further into the cliff in surprise.
CRASH!
The crash echoed. The rotor had embedded itself into the cliff like a dart would have.
Phew, I was nearly f*****.
Black Mamba broke out in cold sweat.
If the rotor had moved at least a meter inward, he would have become a tuna on the cutting board. He began to understand the saying of how ones life was up to the heavens.
Crash!
Another large sound erupted.
It was the sound of the helicopters body crashing into the face of the cliff.
Crii-iiiiiiik!
The sound of the helicopter descending the cliff as it scratched its surface was frightening.
With another loud crashing sound, a thick banging resounded. It was the sound of the helicopter crashing into the earth, and its spare fuels erupting in flames in the next second.
The valley lit up instantaneously. The poor pilot was burned to death without even attempting to escape. He was stuck in the metal frame.
What, how, no way! Exclamations poured out of Jang Shins mouth.
The mercenaries looked on at the ending of the Gizelle with gritted teeth.
Those f******!
Click!
Mike placed his scope on his Dragunov.
Mike, do you have a death wish? Go back in your hole, The Captain warned.
The mercenaries froze at the Captains cold judgment. The Captains intentions were clear. He had held them back in case they were blamed for the scene. The helicopter had crashed in their meeting point because of the enemys missiles. It was indisputable evidence. The team members who understood the Captains intentions silenced their harsh breathing and went back into concealment. The situation was now in Black Mambas hands.
Black Mambas face had stiffened.
A strong fire began to rush up from his chest. Although he had never seen the pilot and their nationalities were different, they were fellow mercenaries. His comrade had burned to death trapped inside a metal cage right before his eyes. Chartres move had also crossed the Stynx.
He silently raised his Dragunov.
There was no way the bastards who gained the information would leave peacefully. He, too, had no intention of letting the enemies live peacefully.
The half-moon that hung in the sky glinted elegantly. Its moonlight was too beautiful for murder. He took off his thick night goggles and shoved it in his haversack.
Black Mambas pupils grew larger. The light which had reflected off the goggles surface glinted in blue light. The green world turned black and white. It was a humans eyes that stood equally against an owls.
Two hundred meters was right before him. He could see the guerrillas who had shot down the Gazelle packing up their launcher as clearly.
Hehe, I cant let you walk away that easily, no.
Black Mamba created a chilling smile. He clicked a 30cm silencer onto his Dragunov. Although it was large, its silencing effect was as worse as the Pamuss silencer. It was just like an object made by those stupid Russians. He didnt use it often as he didnt like it.
Since the battle at Uldi Hamarl, he had used a 3600J bullet all the time. Depleted uranium only strained his gun. In real battles, there were no chances to use such a bullet. As expected, reality and theory were vastly different.
Black Mamba began to aim for the outside members so as to not alert the enemy. The first sacrifice was team four, the furthest team in their position.
Distance 820m, wind north, north-east, speed 2.8m/s, temp 12C began to pass his brain instantly.
Tap tap tap! Tap tap!
It was the three-in-a-row sniping only Black Mamba was capable of.
If the technique had to be named, it was a three-tap. He carried a sniping gun, not a handgun. To cause a three-tap with such a piece of equipment, only Black Mamba, who possessed strong and minute muscles and senses sharper than the tip of needles, could do so.
The heads of three sentries with their machine guns blew away.
Blue color splashed across his scope. The soldier who was packing up fell with blood spurting out of his chest, and the retriever gathering bullet shells had his head slipped off.
The bullet immediately entered the second target. It was a missile team around 500 meters from him. There was no forgiveness from the Dragunov. He captured the third team in cold blood. In 48 seconds, he managed to down all three of the teams, 15 people in total.
Chapter 61 - Chpter 10, Episode 4: The Shadow of Betrayal
Beep- Beep- Beep-
A high-toned sound echoed around the valley. As if to receive the sound in return, beeping sounds rose from all over the place. It was the familiar, cheap sound of the FROLINATs headsets.
Although they used cheap wind instruments as a method of communication, it was enough to alert others of a snipers presence. His targets, which had been out in the open, disappeared immediately.
That f****** silencer!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
Too many targets had gone into hiding while he was shooting down the missile teams. The remaining Strela Team similarly went undercover.
In the end, the useless silencer had mucked it up.
A Dragunov had 105db in a gunshot. With a silencer, the sound went down to 70db. The suppressed sound increased in 10db with every noise it made.
Average conversations were around 60db, and 70db was around ten times louder than the average conversation. It was approximately the sound of a 10-year reunion conversation between ten students. Unless the guerrillas were deaf, it was impossible that they couldnt have heard his gunshots.
Even Black Mamba didnt have a way of suppressing sonic booms.
Clack!
Although there were three bullets remaining, he clicked in another cartridge without hesitation. Since they had all gone into hiding, he had no choice but to search for them.
He opened his headset.
C Black here. I avenged the Gazelle.
C What are you planning to do?
C Do you think theyll retreat with just the helicopter down?
C Hm.
The Captain couldnt continue. How could he ask him to go against 120 by his lonesome as the leader, while the team stood down!
C Im going to catch rats. Have everyone standby.
C Theyre not normal. Be careful.
C Badger meat is thick. Whoever tries to bite it will have their teeth broken off.
C Im sorry.
C Nevermind that; if anything happens to Chartres youre dead.
Turning off the headset, the Captain sighed.
Bastard, to think hed threaten a leading officer when hes just a 2nd class Private! Fine, Ill take it gladly as long as you end this safely.
The environment was harsh for him to lead his team members into battle, especially when they were at their lowest. The terrain demanded a strenuous rock mountain battle. Considering the enemies movements, they werent weak guerrillas.
Rock mountains offered much cover and concealment. It was hard for the sniper to gain a target and to land a clean shot. Every condition was against them. According to Black Mambas report, there were 120 bastards. If the Ratel team attacked rashly, they were bound to be annihilated.
Captain, are we going to keep our heads under the sand? Mike, with his anger issues, began to whisper.
And if we dont?
We need to wipe them out.
The teams eyes glinted red.
Mike, mind your own head. There are over a hundred footsoldiers who know the geography. Leave it to Black and go back to your corner. The words were sharp, unlike sergeant Pauls usual speech.
Can Black handle it? Miguel asked worriedly.
He would need to enter close combat anyway since this is a rocky region. Black moves without a trace, without sound. Blacks close-combat abilities are beyond his skills as a sniper. Theres no point in our intervention; wed only hinder his senses.
Emil was the one to reply. As Black Mambas partner, there was no one who knew Black Mamba better than he.
Hes right. Its my misjudgment. I didnt realize the bastards would flood this place. It seems like Habibs over his head. Theres no way but to trust Black as of now.
At the leaders decision, everyone lowered their heads.
He was called Azrael, but Black Mamba was the youngest of the team. Placed in a situation where they all stuck their heads under while the youngest stood against several opponents, they couldnt withstand the humiliation.
The military force which had entered Er Ekdim was Habibs personal army and sentry led by Payze. They were the most elite forces of the FAP, having been trained by the dispatched North Korean trainers.
If there had been more time Habib would have mobilized his entire northern army. The Captain had been surprised at the number, but the truth was that Habib had only been able to mobilize a tenth of his desired number.
Habib, who didnt know Black Mambas existence, had only mobilized his immediate personal anti-air team and Payzes sentries. For Black Mamba, this was a fortunate event.
Lieutenant Commander Payze was the commander of the reconnaissance team.
He had been tracking the pick up headed towards Ekiya under Ahmuds orders but had failed. It was because Mike, as a veteran, had lured them to Ekiya only to turn back and head towards the helicopters meeting point. In some ways, Payze had been lucky. He had not run into Black Mamba.
Watching Ahmuds purging Payze had sworn this battle to life or death. In observance of Habibs personality, if he won he was loyal, and if he lost he would be purged. Payze was determined to bury his bones in the valley.
Black Mamba shoved his Dragunov underneath a rock.
With the silencer on the Dragunov, the weapon was almost two meters long. Although it could be used for close combat, it was bothersome to carry.
That damned sound, I should change it into a MP or something, he complained as he twisted the silencer around his Pamus.
Even the Pamus had a problem with its silencer. The sound of a Pamuss bullet speed was 2.5 times to speed of sound. Even if the silencer sustained the explosion, the problem was the sonic boom.
The sonic boom was the sound of air exploding around an escaping bullet from its muzzle. Even silencers had their limits. The sound of a small explosion wasnt insignificant during night battles.
A MP5 had a subsonic bullet. Its sonic boom was far weaker.
As Black Mamba required covert activities, the MP5 was more advantageous than the Pamus.
The MP5, at 668mm in parts, was also easy to carry around. Black Mamba was a sniper of a different class who didnt refuse close-combat.
Although the range had decreased 200 meters and there was an additional loss of precision, it wasnt much of a problem. For long-range he had the Dragunov, and the precision was something he could cover with his physicals and senses.
A talented carpenter didnt mind his tools, but a talented mercenary nitpicked each weapon. A carpenter didnt have a risk of death even if the wood was sawed with a dull blade. On the other hand, if a mercenary used a low-quality weapon or a weapon unsuited for it, death was a high possibility.
Black Mamba took out the Dragunovs magazine from the duty pouch. He shoved in five 30-bullet magazines and three 17-bullet Glocks into the pouch.
Checking his Kukri in his leg stripe attached to the belt, he unlocked the safety of his Glock on the other holster. Finally, he checked the Glock which was on his calf.
Close combat was an entirely different matter from sniping.
He could feel several flows. There were different flows of air that climbed up and down the surface of the cliff: the flows of the living creatures breath, the flow of the guerrillas bloodlust, and the hide-and-seek between the animals climbing the cliffside with the lizards which peeked in and out of crevices.
Black Mamba began to erase each one of natures flow and natures energy one by one. Now, there were only 70 presences left in his range. The counted enemy was 120. He had cleared 15, and there were 105 remaining. That meant 35 was outside of his sensing range.
His first target was the Strela team of five who he hadnt been able to catch with his Dragunov. They were those who had been specially trained. They were the highest threat against his team.
Click!
A small sound rang from his first targets position. It was the sound of a twisting safety pin of a handgun. The sound had been smaller than the sound of water dripping, but it sounded like a thunderclap in his ears. The distance was 180 meters, closer than he thought.
Black Mamba, under the cover of his camouflage, angled his body around the rock towards the enemy. The sight of him hugging the rock as he turned resembled a lizard.
The Er Ekdim valley of Tanga was used as the FROLINATs training grounds. It was like their front yard.
The trench in which Black Mamba targeted was made of naturally weathered conglomerate blocked on three sides. Five soldiers were nervously staring at the darkness. It was Air Defence Team 3 of FROLINATs 3rd Guard.
Stupid idiot, werent you taught to cover the safety pin with your clothes before you turn it?
A tall Slavic man began to scold the Arab in a whisper. It was the Northern FAPs unconventional warfare officer Rubnenco.
Rubnenco, a white Russian, began as a Yadboy, or a conscript, and rose through the ranks to become a Spetznatz deployed as First Lieutenant Sceda.
Adiran, adiran!
The Arab who had been scolded nodded away.
Shh!
Rubnenco immediately reached for his night goggles and listened.
He could hear a sound similar to a puppys sneeze. It was the sound which rang when a cough was suppressed as much as possible. It was such a small sound that even Rubnenco, with his high senses, barely caught it.
The sound of Jang Shins cough, which Bell Man had suppressed with sleeping pills, had been caught on Rubnencos radar. The small sound had brought about a crisis.
An eerie smile appeared on the Slavs face.
Shoot, right 170mthe rock which looks like an upside-down triangle is a target.
The supporting sniper, a gandourah-wearing Arab, immediately began to load his RPG shooter. Rubnenco took off his night goggles and handed it to the RPG shooter. The shooter marked his aim and shoved his eye into the scope.
A bloodthirsty smile appeared on Black Mambas face.
The place which the bastard was aiming with his magic wand was the place his comrades were hiding. He found it humorous that a person who was already being trailed by death was attempting to kill someone else.
The sparrow ate the mantis, which was after the grasshopper.
Splat!
The shooter who had been readying his stance to launch the RPG suddenly collapsed without a sound.
Uk!
At that moment, Rubnenco flung his body within the trench as though he was diving. It was a fast reflex; even Black Mamba was surprised.
Hey, hurry up and shoot.
The junior staff shook his friends shoulder, ignorant of what had happened.
اߧ, ߧѧ֧ۧܧѧ ֧ݧҧ! (Careful, sniper shoot!)
Rubnenco whisked the junior staffs leg down. Rubnenco had already plastered himself onto the ground, but it was too late.
Pat pat pat!
The angel of death raised its dark brush and crossed four names of the Lumumba tribes men off the list. The Strelas junior staff and its two guards crashed into the ground.
To those who had just finished preparations, the attack was lightning on a clear day. They hadnt been able to shoot even once. That was the fearsome aspect of snipers.
Its the bastard!
Officer Rubnenco felt chills going down his back. He unknowingly rubbed the top of his head. A new line had appeared across his hair. The smell of hair burning reached his nose. It was the mark of a bullet which had just brushed his head. It was truly a minimal chance. He had lived due to his innate ability to sense danger.
The bastard, Rubnenco, suddenly recalled the rumor which floated around Sahel like a spell. The bastard who could shoot an eyeball 1km away, annihilate a mere company in a minute, throw a rock and blow up a persons head 300 meters away, who enjoyed slicing the neck, and who drank the commanders liver as a side dishthe bastard of all those rumors had shown up. And he had shown that the rumors were true with the three-in-a-row sniping.
Immediate sniping and continuous sniping was a skill told as legends in the sniping world. There was an instance in which instant shots within three seconds was proved a white death by Polands Simo Hayha.
The continuous sniping using the guns throwback known as double-tap was left an untouched region in their world. He had studied, in the Spetznatz skills the method behind continuous and instant sniping for ten years. In the end, he had concluded that it was an impossible feat for the human body.
Rubnenco stared at the RPG launcher on the ground with a regretful gaze. He calculated the kanmas position from the bullets trajectory. He slowly hooked his foot on the launchers stand. He pulled the launcher to him by folding his knees.
Tap!
Rubnenco hurriedly straightened his knees. The bullet bounced off the RPGs frame and dug itself into the trenchs floor. The pool of blood that had filled the trench splashed.
Ugh, that ghostly bastard!
Rubnenco shivered. The bullet had been shot the moment he had moved his leg. The other was an extremely sensitive enemy.
Chapter 62 - Chpter 10, Episode 5: The Shadow of Betrayal
Rubnenco lowered his body as if to dig into the bottom of the trench. The only way to survive such a fearsome guy was by not revealing himself. The moment his fingertips were revealed, they would be blown away by the bullet.
The enemy was an amazing bastard, but he had no intention of going down without a fight. One of the most important parts of the Spetsnaz curriculum was overcoming and blocking fear. If the bastard was a kanma, he was an eschubiaste, one of the elite members of Spetsnaz.
Yi alo alo! Rubnenco hollered. It was to distract the snipers concentration and lure the attacks of his allied soldiers.
That f****** Russian bastard, whys he shouting!
Black Mamba was annoyed. As he was in Legion Etranger, he could understand a few words of several languages. He knew that alo in Russian referred to an enemy. He understood what the enemy was aiming for.
The Russian had an amazing sense of danger. He was the first person he had missed on the first shot. Even his actions were annoying.
From both right and left, bullets poured in from everywhere. Spare flints of rocks and wood began flying around.
Black Mamba left the scene as though his body had been swept away. He climbed the surface of rocks like a squirrel and concealed himself.
Rubnenco, who earned his chance, grabbed the RPG launcher.
****!
The front of the RPG in which the force was triggered was crushed. It was the result of that kanmas sniping. If he had aimed for this situation, it would have been unbelievable. In that case, he would have been some insect with special feelers or a snake with a Jacobsen sense. The enemy was fearsome, but he, too, had special sensory abilities. There was nothing to fear.
The bastard must have climbed over the rock. He would have crawled right towards the bushes. Ha, hows he that fast?!
Rubnenco was shocked while estimating the distance. Thirty meters inwards, the bastard suddenly appeared right before his nose.
The cliffs steepness was around 45 degrees. The bastard had closed in 100 meters in that steepness in 6~7 seconds. On top of that, his presence was starting to disappear.
That wont do. Have a taste of this.
He moved his arms several times while pressing his body into the trench and threw the grenade over.
Ugh, this ******!
Black Mamba, who had been starting to become one with nature, panicked at the incoming grenade. He could tell the enemys plan immediately. If he jumped out, he would be sniped on all fronts by the northern army.
He calculated the trajectory of the grenade as soon as it was thrown. His left leg shot up in his crouched position.
Tap!
His heel kicked the falling grenade precisely. It was one of his hundred reflexes.
The grenade shot forward at a speed much faster than when it had first been thrown.
Bang!
The shards of the grenade, which had exploded mid-air, fell everywhere. It was a moments difference. After watching that young soldiers sacrificial explosion, he detested grenades.
Aaack!
A guard who had been in hiding received the fore impact of the grenades explosion.
Wow, a self-suicide.
Black Mambas mouth lifted into a smile. To Black Mamba, the FROLINATs were evil.
Tatatatata-tututu!
Gunshots rang at the point of the grenades explosion. Black Mamba used that moment to escape from the bushes. The opponent was a trained soldier he had never met before. If the opponent made a trace shot with the RPG, then even he would find it hard to escape.
Crack!
Condensed muscle gave him an extra boost. The dust on the ground rose up. His body, which had been propelled forward, shot up like a cannon. The place he appeared in a flash was in the trench Rubnenco had hidden in.
A black shadow fell from the sky.
Ahhh!
Rubnenco, surprised out of his wits, hurriedly pulled out his bayonet. By the time he could interpret the kanmas movements, he was already within the bastards shadow.
Schink!
The sound of two metals clashing rang out, enough to paralyze the ears.
Kuh!
A grunt escaped Rubnencos mouth.
He had instinctively blocked the Kukri which was about to slice through his body diagonally. The astounding degree of the attack caused his NR2 bayonet to spring out. His chest was open.
Rubnenco, who felt the danger immediately, leaned back and kicked his left foot upwards. It was to launch the dart hidden on the right side of his chest.
Crack!
Agh!
Bang!
At the sound of bones breaking there was a shout with the simultaneous sound of metal digging into skin.
Black Mambas face creased into a frown. The moment he blocked the Russians kick, a metal dart had shot out of his chest. Even Black Mamba couldnt do anything about a dart that was shot from a meters distance. He protected his organs by immediately hardening his chest muscles.
Rubnenco wasnt going down easily, either. His central bones had broken into pieces, but he attempted to butt heads by bouncing his upper body back up. He recalled the survival instincts he had created during the eschubiaste graduation test by sticking an awl through his cheeks.
Dirty bastard!
Black Mambas body covered Rubnencos, which returned to its position like a tumbling toy.
Tup!
When the attack punched straight for the middle of his chest, Rubnencos chest visibly deflated. The fist shattered his ribs and lodged itself deep within.
Rubnencos eyes widened.
Youyou scary bastard, Ill wait for you on the other side!
Blood began to pour out of Rubnencos body as soon as he finished his words. The constricted lungs began to turn the flow of blood.
When the 2-meter man fell to the ground, the blood sloshed around him. The best warrior of Spetsnaz, the strongest who had defeated 30 members of the USAFFE in a bar fight, eschubiaste Rubnencos name was erased from the Azraels death list. Even if some were strong, none could go against Hades.
F****** bastard! Wait? Wait, what?
Black Mamba complained as he pulled out the dart from his chest. The dart hadnt been able to pass the thickness of his muscles and had embedded itself a finger deep. The darts metal shone blue underneath the moonlight.
The dart looked similar to the needle he used to sew his straw basket when he was younger with holes scattered around its tip. He could see a thin rifling hanging around the Russians neck.
He could guess what had happened. The dart had been shot when the bastard threw back his head. It was a fatal attack that would have worked, even if he had known.
Seeing that there were holes in the dart, he knew that it was poisonous. He had heard that Russians used several assassination techniques, but now that he was on the receiving end, he knew it was true. It was dirty, but he couldnt curse them. The person defeated was the weaker person.
The poison began to spread. His eyes blurred, and he felt faint. If it was to the point it could poison him; the poison was several times stronger than the poison of a viper. He could tell why the Russian had said he would wait on the other side.
Black Mamba sat down in the trench and made himself comfortable.
He pulled out his inner energy. The resonance which started from below his stomach began to shake throughout his body. His body trembled. Black blood began to trickle out of the hole in his chest.
Black Mamba opened his closed eyes.
The bloodlust which surrounded him on all sides closed in; this was just the beginning. Some poison remained, but he couldnt leisurely bide for time.
Those who want to die need to die.
Black Mambas eyes turned into one of a crazed predator. The Paranthropus within him awakened. Thoughts of killing the enemy, decimating them, bounced around his head.
He ripped Rubnencos clothes and wiped the blood across his face. Evil ran towards him from all sides, but there was a calmness to Black Mambas movements.
A black shadow jumped out of the trench.
Tutututu!
Bullets poured in like the rain from the other side of the valley. The black shadow kicked against the surface of the cliff like a lizard.
The bullets werent able to chase after the shadow.
The shadow turned around a rock like a rivers stream and disappeared. It was as though a ghost had floated.
The title match with death as their guarantee began. It was the deathmatch of 100 FAP elite scouts against Legion Etrangers legendary Black Mamba. The cost was, obviously, death.
A dark orange ray of light shot up from the right. It was the flame of the RPG7 which the Arabs called a magic wand. Black Mamba pulled his body out by using the Four Paced Movement. An explosion followed his back.
The largest death ranged of an RPG warhead was 35 meters. It couldnt be compared to a 10~15 meter hand grenade. Black Mamba, who had been done in by grenades several times, found explosions traumatic.
S***, theyre not normal.
There was a skilled enemy somewhere. Another shot of RPG followed the direction he had ran to.
Splat!
At the strong impact, stones and sand rose up. Black Mamba, who was about to cross another 15 meters with his Four Paced Movement, flung himself backward like an illusion. His muscles, which had enough pressure to break a bulls legs, withstood the impact.
Black Mamba used Fearless Steps and moved 30 meters out of range. The black shadow slithered underneath the nearest acacia tree.
The adult warheads sound-wave of the RPG, which looked like a pencil, moved at 120 meters per second.
When the targets range was around 300 meters, for example, the light flashed once and the sound rang one second later. The warhead made contact exactly three seconds later. That meant the RPG shooter was around 400 meters from where he stood.
The two sentry members who had shot the RPG stared at each other with blank eyes.
Ababs, is that a human?
How does a human fly?
Youre right. Its not human if it can avoid the magic wand continuously.
Hes the kanma.
Kanma!
The guerrillas faces turned pale.
Were dead.
Should we flee?
You idiot, do you want to be the hyenas dinner?
The reaper had already approached while they were bickering.
Black Mamba took out his hand grenade from his belt pouch. He had prepared two just in case.
In, out, out, out. In, out, out, out.
He brought out his energy by using single beat breathing techniques. The resonating waves which had flowed out of him started to break apart. It was the poison. His circulation wasnt running smoothly. Using his unstable senses, he estimated the point of explosion. The moment he unpinned the grenade, he threw it down with a sidearm.
Zing!
The grenade, which sped across the air with the wound of a wire rope, exploded three seconds after its throw. Its flight time had been calculated. Who would have imagined a person throwing grenades 400 meters away!
Tu!
He ran into hiding without checking the results. If the enemy hadnt died by the mid-air explosion, the enemy would have sought shelter underneath the rocks. Bullets landed in the place Black Mamba left moments prior.
Black Mamba raced out of his concealment as though he was avoiding a mass shooting from artillerymen. The battle was harsh even for him. His poisoned body didnt move as it normally did.
He barely maintained the 30 meters of wavelength. His harsh breathing disrupted his attempt to become one with nature. He was about to die trying to face off against so many with unstable conditions.
When he attacked, retaliation was certain. The RPG and grenade attacks that came to him at random were similarly annoying. The annoying bastards had at least 15 RPGs, several machine guns, and a mountain of grenades. The Fearless steps Light paces, Four Paced Movement, and Hundred Turns were all techniques which placed a strain on his body. His strength started to drain rapidly.
When his resonance wavered, it became harder to grasp the enemys position.
FRONLIATs strategic position was also detailed. It was the three-way ambush he had seen in a military book called 100 Battle Strategies. Three teams created a triangular formation. It was to support and aid the other two teams which lay in a 60-degree angle.
In the three-way ambush, if one team was attacked, the other two could immediately attack in aid. By binding three-way ambushes together, it became a ten-way ambush. By binding several ten-way ambushes, it became an inescapable heavens net. The most advantageous aspect was how everyone within the formation was bound together like military ants in order to maintain the upper hand.
In Black Mambas position, he was being attacked as much as he was attacking. It was a situation in which Black Mamba had to die or the entire Habibs trained scouts had to die. The battle wasnt easy, even for the legendary Black Mamba.
A pressure pointed into the left side of his temple as though the eraser on a pencil tip was digging in.
Flash!
He could see the dark orange flash.
Ugh, that annoying Allah stick!
Black Mamba threw his body to the side with his trembling legs. He couldnt even estimate how many RPGs the enemy had.
Chapter 63 - Chpter 10, Episode 6: The Shadow of Betrayal
Crash!
The rock which he had been hiding in exploded.
The OG7 warhead of RPG7 reached 125 thousand J in the explosion. Its impact could shatter most rocks, and the aftershock blew away the remnants. Lax concealment could only result in exploding alongside the rocks and trees. Escaping was the best way.
Black Mamba, who had extracted his body, hid between two boulders he had targeted. The FROLINAT soldiers lived up to their name as guerrillas and hid very well.
Their point of concealment was between a zig-zagged crevice between the surface of the cliff two meters from the ground. It was a place no one would have found if it werent Black Mamba. Of course, the location couldnt be targeted by a sniper.
Tututu!
Even if they hid well, there was no way to block the bullets coming from overhead. Three people ended up with holes in their heads, and the darts he threw upon landing dug into two others throats.
It was hard to go against an enemy who knew the terrain very well.
He could sweep away guerrillas who ran about in deserted lands like sweeping with a broom. Here, he had to find them as though he was looking for mice hiding in their holes. It required even more time and effort.
Black Mambas body, which had cleared five guerrillas, swayed on the spot. His ears rang.
It was the result of continuous exposure to poison and explosion. His gravity suddenly weighed two times its average. He felt as though he had tied a trucks tire around his waist.
That damned Russian!
Suddenly, anger rose from within. He wished to check the shooting mechanism which had been on the bastards chest. Although the injury was small, the poison gnawed away at his vitality continuously. Of course, any average human would have long since crossed the Styx.
Black Mamba rubbed his body between the corpses. This was to guise himself as one of the corpses to take a breather. Although it lacked finesse, there was nothing good in pushing himself. There was still time for the moon to set, and there were still many he had to kill.
The guerrilla he had plastered himself to made gargling noises. It was the guerrilla with the dart in his neck. The fact that he had not died also meant his own stamina had decreased. It was a problem. He grabbed the handle of the dart and twisted the neck in a circle. The lungs which had been grasping for air quietened. This was the land of barbarism.
His throat burned as though it was on fire. His larynx and esophagus felt as though it was cracking.
Mucus caught on his throat like a COPD patient. He had been told that his throat would turn dry if he was poisoned, and he now realized it was true.
He had grown an immunity against poison as his body underwent changes, but his violent movements had sped up the poisons circulation. Poison was a substance the body rejected and rebelled against. Even an overdosage of Solanine and Chaconine in a potatos skin could destroy red blood cells and paralyze the motor neurons.
If the bodys resistance was stronger than the poison, the poison wasnt effective any longer.
Black Mamba sat in a meditative position. The time given by the enemys loss of sight was golden to him.
He raised his energy, calming his flipping insides. The flow which dropped off abruptly cost him his concentration from time to time. The moment he circulated his energy, he could feel the poisons location in his blood.
His blood and poison were boiling against each other. The poison was destroying blood cells, and to counter that, his marrows were creating even more blood.
He slowly raised the waves within his body and pushed it towards his blood veins as though he was pushing a net. The moment he pushed in the pulse, all the foreign substances gathered in one place. He pushed the contaminated blood towards the injury on his chest.
His injury had already scabbed.
It was one of the many advantages of a Paranthropus. The recovery speed was several times faster than a normal humans. He opened the injury once more in a cross shape. The blood which poured out of him smelled sour. The blood flow stopped. It was in times like these that his fast recovery speed became a problem. He ripped open his injury again with his knife and bled out once more. The expression as he did so was no different than the times he peeled away apple skins.
Tsk!
Black Mamba, who pulled out the water flask from his bag, clicked his tongue. The bottom had been holed by a bullet. He threw the flask away and rummaged the corpses. There was not a single bastard with a water bottle.
The only way to gain water was through the corpses. Black Mamba stared at the corpses. He couldnt see them as anything more than protein.
He raised his Kukri and sent out a resonance. It wasnt visible to the eye, but the blade trembled. He aligned the blade to the flasks neck and sliced it. The aluminum fell apart helplessly. The sliced surface shone like a glass ball.
Yes, Im the kanma. Ill be the animal before being a human.
Black Mamba made a determined face before slicing the corpses carotid with his Kukri. His expression as he received the flowing blood in his flask was pale as though it had been painted white. The color of the corpse and the color of Black Mambas face was no different from one another.
Black Mamba, who was about to bring the flask of blood to his mouth, threw his knife behind him.
Keek!
A sharp scream sounded.
A large bird with a knife in its body twitched on the ground. On its head was a protruding bone, and on its grey feathers was a white dot. It was a guinea fowl. It lived mainly in Tibesti, and there were many in the empty Sahel regions south of Tibesti. The curious bird had seen its end while peeking about.
Black Mamba grabbed the birds neck like lightning and sprinted out of his position. The guinea fowls scream brought about gunshots. RPG launches and bullets rained down on the position he had been in.
Black Mamba crawled between two rocks as though he was a disk. The poor guinea fowls neck was sliced. Blood poured out like a fountain. He closed his mouth around the birds neck and sucked. It was larger than a duck. There was enough in quantity.
Burp.
When fresh blood went in, his parched throat opened up. His body condition recovered with the loss of his thirst and dizziness.
A figure with blood across its mouth like a cat after dining pulled out from between the rocks.
With a bloodied body, fresh blood running down his mouth, and blood dripping down his knife, it was as though the kanma had truly resurrected.
Ha!
Black Mamba smiled bitterly at his state. Who could call him a human now?
He lifted his head and searched the sky. The moon had tilted slightly towards the west. It had been two hours since the battle had begun. His bullet use was much more constant compared to the average user. He had one Dragunov magazine, two Pamus magazines, and two Glock magazines.
A smile twisted around his bloodied mouth. Now that he had escaped his poisoned state, there was nothing to fear. He had cleared eight teams, a total of 40 people. There were still others who had to greet Allah.
Black Mambas attacks became fierce.
Pat!
Black Mamba lifted himself off the ground with a strong kick and bounced out once more after using the acacia tree branch as leverage. Using the rebound of the branch, he moved 20 meters like a bird in flight.
Black Mamba, who had closed in 30 meters in an instant, landed on a boulder as light as a feather. It was a tall granite boulder around 40 meters tall. Due to the overhang 20 meters below him, he couldnt see the guerrillas in hiding.
They, too, were tense. If he jumped down the rock he was bound to be turned into a beehive. Black Mamba struck a mantling position with his head placed below.
Mantling was a cliff climbing technique that required grasping ahold with hands to push ones body up by force.
The reverse mantling left the head pointing downwards, climbing down and maintaining the bodys balance with hands-on holds. It was an impossible descent position with a humans body. Black Mamba left his bodys balance to his lower body and began to descend with his body plastered against the cliff like a spider.
The moment he passed the overhang, he could see the guerrillas disguised in their ghillie suits clearly. Black Mamba clung to a hold with one hand and dangled in the air.
He broke open his Pamus the moment he released his grasp, while falling.
Pupupu!
Three guerrilla heads exploded even before he reached the ground. In a moment of a humans fall in gravity, the falling speed was around 50 meters per second. In a 20 meter height, it took 0.5 seconds to reach the ground. Even the great Black Mamba couldnt shoot in a row in such a situation.
The soldier who had withstood the bullets by twisting his body opened his eyes. A large figure appeared right in front.
Crack!
A strange, destructive sound resonated. It was the sound of a head being caved in by a boot.
Ka, Kanma, Kanma!
The remaining guerrilla stuttered with his mouth wide open. Black Mamba whirled around towards him. the surprised guerrilla threw his gun away and lifted his hands.
Black Mambas right hand twitched.
Splat!
The unforgiving dart embedded itself deeply into his forehead. The guerrilla died with fear still displayed across his eyes.
Black Mamba disappeared. It had truly been a cold-blooded whirlwind.
RPG and bullets poured down on the place Black Mamba had just been. The five corpses were torn into unrecognizable pieces. It was relentless targeting. It was Paynes determination to catch the Kanma no matter the sacrifice.
The battle continued in a similar pattern.
Black Mamba swept over the scouting units, the protecting units poured in their gunfire, and Black Mamba appeared at another scouting unit.
Black Mamba was using his technique of becoming one with nature. The guerrillas unknowingly allowed the reaper to approach and were defeated without resistance.
Payze, leader of the scouts, gritted his teeth.
The bastard who had been attacked with an RPG had flown away like a bird. It was fast to the point that even their Dynamic Visual Acuity couldnt keep up.
Hes truly the Kanma!
Not even pre-made counter plans worked. The bastard appeared like the shadows and disappeared like the dust. There was no way to catch him, even by launching RPGs and mortars.
Beep Beep Beeeeep!
Payze blew on his whistle twice shortly, and once long.
It was the signal to commit suicide attacks. The scouts each loaded their grenades.
Hell, they have no imagination at all.
Black Mamba, who had just wiped out another small unit of sentries, began to complain. Toys that were covered in mud darted out of the ground. They had used their brains and laid traps beforehand.
When the guerrillas ran forward, the dry mud started to fall.
The bayonet and knife flashed in the moonlight.
Slither
Black Mambas body flashed everywhere. No, the kukri flashed in the moonlight.
A blade of tremendous strength and momentum sliced the fragile humans neck and chest without hesitation. The Paranthropus killing instinct exploded.
The Kukri passed over the necks of two other men before the sliced heads rolled to the ground. The heavy 1.2 kg Kukri sliced off the cervical spine and muscles without resistance.
The guerrillas who had been shooting left and right soon lost their necks or had their temple caved in by the Kukris handle. The kukri, which had swung to the right as though it was ignoring the laws of forces, appeared out the other side.
Even with a long sword, a humans neck wasnt easy to cut. The Joseon Dynasty had to strike a sinners neck several times with a heavy knife. There were records of sinners family bribing officials for a clean cut.
The guerrillas body moved forward a few steps due to inertia before falling to the ground. He fell in the exact position he had swung the bayonet forward. It ended in a horrible scene.
The guerrilla who had run at him from behind with a large sword had his neck broken with a crack by blunt force. His movements clearing the five guerrillas had flown like water.
Bang! Bang! Tatata!
Self-destructive grenades went off, and the other two corners of the three-way ambush began to shoot assisting bullets. Black Mamba kicked against the ground and flung his arms open, flying down like a bird, and landed underneath the cliff. It was Flying Display often found in martial arts.
Black Mambas instant transportation speed was overwhelming and was capable of moving 15 meters in an instant if combined with the Four Paced Movement. The bullets and grenades only turned the flints of rocks and pieces of wood loudly.
The length of one side of the three-way ambush was 12 meters. Black Mamba pinpointed the back of a units position with a single movement. The reaper landed lightly on top of the boulder which the scouts were using as cover. The guerrillas who had been shooting meaninglessly before them had bullets lodged in the back of their heads. Five names were erased from Azraels list in an instant.
Black Mamba usually destroyed the brains or sliced the necks in close combat. Payze had ordered a suicide attack, but there was no point. A person who had their nerves cut instantly couldnt explode while dead.
Even the guerrillas who had self-exploded didnt gain anything. When they were on the verge of exploding, their brainwaves turned stronger. Their blood flow rushed raster.
Black Mambas sensitive senses and wavelengths saw beyond the norm. By the time they had exploded, Black Mamba had long escaped the place using the Four Paced Movement. It resulted in the decreasing energy of the attackers.
Black Mamba didnt rush.
He approached soundlessly and sliced the neck or broke the spine like a snake. He threw a rock first to lure shots before attacking. He was one with the tree before lodging a bullet on the back of their heads.
Chapter 64 - Chpter 10, Episode 7: The Shadow of Betrayal
His dart shot pebbles which crushed their heads and killed them by dropping large rocks on top of them
Once something was held in Black Mambas hand, it was an assassination tool, a fatal weapon. Blended with the darkness, he was no different from the kanma.
A boring battle lasting over four hours continued. The battle between the FAPs scout teams and Black Mamba which had begun at one in the morning lasted until daybreak began hazily over the sky.
A bloodied figure of a human appeared behind the machine gunners camp. A strong hand grabbed the riflemans neck, who had been watching the clearing.
Crack!
The cervical spine and occipital shattered with pure pressure.
A palm slapped against another riflemans chest in passing. The sound of chest bones cracking rang out.
Damn, Im tired.
The enemy had been immobilized, but he hadnt been able to kill him. The machine gunner twisted his head the moment he realized something was wrong, just as he raised his Kukri.
His eyes zeroed on the sight of a bloodied devil rising against the moonlight. The smell of blood rushed from the devil before his nose.
Ka, kanma!
The machine gunner felt his logic fail him. Before his brain could react, the blade glinted against the moonlight. The kukri sliced the neck as though it was butter.
Kuk!
A red line appeared on the riflemans neck.
Huya! The junior staff pulled out his short sword with a strange shout.
Clang!
The junior staff had barely touched his short swords handle. The kukri which had just passed the riflemans neck twisted around following the elbows movement. It was the Crane Wings movement, in the theory of a crane hitting the eagle with its wings. The junior staffs head, which had been attacked at the temple, crumpled inward.
It was then that the others neck fell off.
The riflemans headless body and the junior staffs smashed head hit the ground simultaneously.
The eyes of the chest-smashed rifleman widened incredibly.
His face turned pale like paper. He had seen the kanma rumored to drink human blood and eat their flesh.
Agh, ka, kanma!
The moment Black Mamba turned around, he frothed in his mouth and fell backward.
Huh, he died himself!
He had been preparing to deal the final blow, which made him smile in incomprehension. The riflemans heart hadnt been able to deal with the fear on top of its injuries, hence it had ceased to beat.
The machine-gunners camp was covered in red blood. A grenade, still pinned, rolled out of the junior staffs chest. He hadnt been able to use it. As Black Mamba grabbed the grenade, with a flash, darkness cracked apart on the other side.
That f****** Allah wand!
With the flare, Black Mamba immediately kicked against the ground.
Bang!
The warhead decimated the three corpses in blood.
Ack!
Black Mamba was swayed like a falling leaf in the explosions impact.
His muscles which surpassed abnormality had grown tired in the long strenuous hours.
His LTHR had reached the limit, making his muscles unable to exert the full output. Black Mamba, who had been thrown onto the ground, rolled a few ways before finally stopping.
He had been battered by stones and pierced by wood splinters. His consciousness wavered. His minds resonance had grown in the time he had fought the life-or-death battle. He hadnt landed a severe injury as he had landed with the flow of the resonances waves, not against.
Ya ilahi, la- astati-wu- an usaldikah! Taswa kanma. (By Allah, I cant believe it. Ive gotten the kanma.)
Black Mamba stood, battered.
He could see a guerrilla who was dancing with his hands in the air. He was but 70 meters away.
The kanma of their religion didnt die. The guerrilla who had fired the RPG at close range opened his mouth as wide as a lantern.
Ka, ka, ka, kanma!
The human had just been shot by an RPG. The guerrilla looked scared out of his wits. Despite having a handgun by his side he panicked, trying to shove another warhead into the launcher. An RPG didnt launch if the warhead and launcher werent aligned to their degree. It was, in a sense, a safety measure.
Black Mamba regained his equilibrium. The guerrillas hand shook like a twig under the glare of the devil, his soul escaping him. It was to the point his shivering form looked pitiful.
Goodbye. Although I dont know whether Allah would accept a speck of dirt like you.
The dark object which sped through the air punctured the guerrillas lungs and went out the other end. It was the Soviet grenade Black Mamba threw without even activating.
He was out of bullets and darts. The grenade he had just thrown like a rock was the last weapon. Lieutenant commander Payze, once the tyrant of Sahel and commander of the scouts, died by a grenade. If Payze had been in his right mind, he could have shot Black Mamba, who had lost his footing with his gun. Only the strongest survive. There was no if in the battlefield.
With the death of Payze, the explosions and gunshots of Er Ekdim stopped.
The black valley with its grey fog had turned into the Gehenna, or Islamic hell. A human figure walked out of hell covered in blood, with dawn on his back. It was the Azrael who reaped 120 souls, Black Mamba. When the bloodied devil appeared, the bloodlust expanded as though it was pushing away the fog.
His footsteps were sure, his expression closed.
Unlike what it seemed, Black Mambas legs were trembling minutely. Behind him, the path he had walked was littered in blood. It was a line of blood, of both his own and his enemies.
There had been a guerrilla hiding in the place he had thrown himself towards in order to avoid the grenades explosion. He was stabbed in his calf. The guerrilla, who had given a cut, had his neck sliced off in exchange. There was none to tell the story of how the guerrilla managed to land a hit on the kanma.
After Black Mamba left, a bloodied human figure crawled out of the machine gunners camp. The human crawled around after escaping the bunk without a sense of direction until it gave out in a heap of blood. It was the guerrilla whose heart had stopped in fear. He had survived under Allahs protection of extreme fortune.
The Payze sentry unit of Habibs main army sealed their fate in the Er Ekdim valley. It was the result of staying faithful to their lives as mercenaries while fighting against the angle of death.
The Er Ekdim valley was a sedimentary rocky region.
The rocks surfaces had rounded after years of passing winds overall. There were several mushroom rocks that had their bottom parts rounded off by time.
Black Mamba collapsed under the largest mushroom rock. It was a good spot for concealment, as it had an emptied roots hole, and gave shelter from sunlight and windstorms.
His injury from the poisoned dart had already healed and scabbed. His poisonous state had also healed. The other scattered injuries, stabs, bruises, and tears looked fierce in nature but werent much. The problem was the stab wound in his left calf. It was one inch deep and five inches across.
He ripped his gandourah to stem the bleeding and pulled out pieces of wood and metal embedded in his body. After pulling out most of the flints he collapsed back onto the ground.
He didnt have the strength to move. His legs began to tremble from the nightlong use. It was the result of using strenuous techniques that bunched up his leg muscles. Not even his iron-hard muscles could withstand the strain.
Black Mamba felt, for the first time, how important his comrades assistance was. The enemys ten-point formation was the most advantageous against die-alone soldiers like himself.
The heavens net which often appeared in martial arts novels hadnt been a lie. If Emil had provided cover against the RPG with his machine gun, the battle would have ended easily. Of course, the chance of Emil dying in the process of doing so was 100 percent.
He also felt the difficulty of going against a prepared enemy, even if it would have been a similar battle. He couldnt use the poison as his excuse. The enemy could use as many methods to kill him as he would. There wasnt a matchstick savior on the battlefield after all.
Black Mamba stared at the eastern skies, which began to bleed red. The fog which had surrounded the valley began to climb up the cliffs surface. It was the sight of sunrise he often viewed on the small bridge, on top of the boar rock.
Its over.
At Burimers words, ten bloodshot eyes turned towards the Captain. Everyone had clenched their hearts in waiting throughout the night. It had been four hours of continuous explosions and gunshots. There had been over three hundred explosions counted throughout the night.
Even if Black Mamba was talented, he was their teams youngest. There was no mercenary who found comfort in sending the youngest off to chaos. Even Mike who had been ordered to stay put found his insides burning black.
C Black. Black!
The Captain opened his headset and shouted.
There was no reply. Black Mamba had ran and rolled all over the explosions and aftershocks. It would have been strange if his headset had remained intact.
The mercenaries faces crumpled. Everyone imagined a result they disliked. Only Ombuti remained calm. A human was a human, and an Azrael was an Azrael. His owner wasnt going to be defeated with just a few herds of Basenji hunting dogs. Ombutis faith remained unwavering.
Burimer, Mike, begin the search.
The mercenaries left, leaving only Chartres behind.
Ombuti looked everywhere for Black Mamba.
Parts of the cliff had been destroyed. There had been small and loud explosions throughout the night. The ground had flipped and rocks had shattered. After witnessing the scene, worry began to creep in.
Ombuti!
At the sound of a lion roaring, Ombuti cracked his head around. Underneath a mushroom rock, his Wakil lay with all four wings spread apart.
Uwah!
Ombuti ran towards him in a frenzy and flew into tears as he hugged Black Mamba. Ombuti had trusted his Wakils abilities, but his chest had turned into coal.
Uh, what are you doin?
Surprised, Black Mamba spoke in his Gyeongsangdo accent.
Wakil, you are safe! Allhu Akbar! Allhu Akbar!
The man over 40 years old cried in ugly tears.
Ombuti, Im hungry.
Black Mamba was about to die in hunger. His hunger was as large as the energy he had spent. Ombuti hurriedly pulled out his C-ration and chocolate bars from his backpack.
Bell Man, heres Wakil.
His comrades rushed over after hearing Ombutis shouts.
They were horrified upon finding a lump of blood instead of a human. Only his eyes remained black and white, while everything else was dyed in red. Even his face was crusted with dried blood.
Bell Man rushed to check his injuries.
The small scratches werent severe. They were tears from rock splinters or wood pieces that had torn through by the explosions. The large wound was his knife-torn calf.
His muscles had been overturned by the foot-long tear.
Bell Man immediately sterilized the wound and began suture. He placed nearly a hundred stitches.
Black Mamba ate five C-rations while Bell Man was stitching. The moment his meal was over, Ombuti rapidly lit a cigarette and offered it. It was a loyal servant Ombutis dessert service.
By the time the suture had nearly ended, Bell Man slapped his forehead.
Ah, anesthesia!
It was a mistake he often forgot.
You forgot again?
Why didnt you say so? Bell Man questioned his question.
I thought we were short of anesthesia. It hurts. Dont forget next time, Black Mamba replied expressionlessly.
All the mercenaries shook their heads. One was a psycho and the other was a monster.
The Captain grabbed Black Mambas hand.
Good work.
There was nothing to say.
Badgers meat is thick. Black Mamba smiled.
Now that he was full, sleep came.
It was his natural instincts in order to speed up the recovery process while decreasing the amount of energy spending.
Black! Yup.
Ombuti immediately slapped a hand over Mikes mouth.
Be quiet. He fell asleep.
The members who arrived later hung their mouths open.
Zzz- Zzzzzz-
It was ridiculous.
To think there would be a human being who sleeps so comfortably with a snore, after a bloodthirsty battle, in the middle of a battlefield reeking of blood! They were rendered speechless at the level of uncaringness.
Ombuti pulled out his Beretta and stood guard in front of Black Mamba. Jang Shin and Emil watched the back. Bell Man cut open Black Mambas clothes and began his treatment.
Soldier, theres a bunch of dedicated ladies.
Burimer smiled, speechless.
Leave him; even if its Black, he would be tired to death.
The Captain stared at the snoring Black Mamba with complicated eyes.
Jang Shin, Emil, leave the guarding to Blacks servant and follow Mike.
But Black looks injured
Jang Shin and Emil dragged their feet and refused to leave.
What are you bastards doing? We need to hurry with clean up. Take whats needed and stuff. Mikes professional sadism began.
I should take a look at the masterpiece the angel of death worked on all night, Emil said leisurely as he slung his Minimi across his shoulder.
He, too, had become a veteran who was no longer moved by Mikes orders.
Black Mamba continued snoring without a care in the world.
Burimer and Mike formed teams and climbed the surface of Er Ekdims valley.
Ugh!
My God!
The mercenaries who found the scene of battle shivered. Mouris clicked on the cameras shutter rapidly.
The entire cliff had been overturned.
With pieces of splintered rocks, exploded tree stumps, uprooted plants and grass, and entangled corpses, they could tell how fierce the battle had been, in just reflection.
That snake bastards flipped the entire cliff upside down. F***, I cant even breathe from now. Im never going to look at Korean bastards again, Mike murmured under his breath with a tired expression.
The battlefield was nothing compared to the rows of corpses. There was a never-ending supply of that.
The corpses ripped from explosions werent surprising. Aside from Jang Shin and Emil, they were all mercenaries who had once been the vanguards of the battlefield. They were seniors who opened their C-rations to eat in front of pieces of bodies.
Chapter 65 - Chpter 10, Episode 8: The Shadow of Betrayal
Even they had never seen anything like this.
The corpses destroyed by the explosions were nothing.
Corpses missing their heads, heads crushed under rocks, exposed hearts from caved chests, corpses with their waists twisted outwards, and corpses with brain remnants leaking onto the floor were found in uncountable piles.
There were over 32 corpses which had been created either by blunt weapon or hands. They felt an eerie air around them. Corpses riddled with AK bullet holes on their chests and one with a grenade embedded were all unprecedented sights. Even though they were rough mercenaries, they were frightened speechless.
Jang Shin finally began vomiting.
He had just pulled out a corpse from under a rock and had seen the exploded innards. He was an artilleryman. He had thrown artillery from the back lines and had never entered close-range combat. His insides were weak towards the gruesome sights.
Ombuti, who saw Jang Shins poor state, scoffed.
It was embarrassing to watch someone who called himself a warrior quack like a duck behind a rock.
Hes no warrior!
He was someone who mocked the name of Azrael, who had sent many enemies to Allah. Angered, Ombuti began to approach the man. He was planning to send him tumbling down the cliff by kicking the mans rear.
Wait, hes Wakils friend.
At the sudden thought, he stopped his action. He glared fiercely at the man before turning around and headed back towards Wakil.
Jang Shin kept vomiting without realizing the reaper had just visited. This was why ignorance was called bliss.
The team members who had finished organizing the battlefield began to set up their concealment tent.
It was placed under a climbing canopy which extended outwards. The Captain slowed their departure from the battlegrounds for Black Mambas recovery.
Burimer, did you count the numbers?
Yes. Theres 119 dead, none injured. Just the RPGs the bastards have moved are at 20. Theres even an old recoilless rifle and mortar. Ive gathered over 10 RPG launchers and 30 grenade launchers. Ive abandoned the useless STRELAs.
Ha, theyve finally succumbed to evil.
The 20 mobilized RPGs were ridiculous to consider. It meant that the bastards had taken the Ratel team, or rather Black Mamba, as a serious threat.
Youve taken too much of a risk, Captain. Burimer chewed his Captain out.
S***, theres nothing suspicious about this. Whoever it is, Im going to chew him dead.
The Captain gritted his teeth.
Mike threw a complaint filled glare at the Captain.
The idea of 120 guerrillas of the main army filling this narrow valley made him lose his breath. They were lucky to have a super-powered human such as Black Mamba or they would have died.
Captain, were you trying to check the information leak with your subordinates lives on the line? I understand you want to believe in the headquarters. But dont you think this was irresponsible as a leader? Mike criticized in harsh tones.
Im the officer of Legion Etranger. I wanted to trust my organization until the end. Im sorry. The Captain admitted his mistakes honestly and apologized.
Would an apology suffice after someones dead?
Dead? Everyones alive!
If Black Mamba hadnt been here, everyone would have died. The FROLINAT had gathered in that damned small valley like herds of dogs. If this had been any normal situation we would have all died. I demand an apology, Mike spoke back, fuming.
He had been riddled with fear throughout the night. Just thinking about it made him feel unjust.
Bang!
Ack!
The Captain, pissed, threw the water bottle at Mike. It landed on Mikes nose, causing him to shout.
You s*** bastard, its fine if you arent dead. You still havent got you s*** together after being pummelled by Black. You ****, Ill kill you instead.
At the fierce atmosphere, Mike quickly ran off.
Hilariously, the Captain had thrown Korean curses.
He was a captain who normally didnt get annoyed with his subordinates. It only indicated how nervous he was. Mike, too, was someone who bossed those under him but didnt dare fight back against his superiors. The scene indicated how stressed everyone was.
The Captain looked around at his subordinates.
Theres no point in this Raccoon mission. Im going to request a return.
The team members nodded their heads.
Black Mamba, whats your opinion?
The Captain decides. I follow.
Black Mambas words were, like always, short and to the point.
There was no meaning in continuing mission Raccoon any longer.
They had been thrown in as bait, and the spies had shoveled information to their enemies. There was no reason to drag their feet or to gain further confirmations.
Burimer opened up the communication lines antenna.
C Alpha, its Bravo.
C Bravo, heres Alpha. Is Paul okay?
A familiar voice rang over the communication line. It was the lieutenant officer Pedan of Operations, the squadron commander. The captain was pleased to the point of tears.
C Alpha, wheres the communicator?
C Bravo, what, you dont want me? First Lieutenant Etang has gone down to the city for an urgent issue. It was too sudden, I had to stand in.
C Alpha, I want to talk to the commander myself.
Silence descended briefly.
C Understood.
Lieutenant Officer Pedan allowed communication. If the operations team leader wished to speak to the commander himself, it meant that there was a serious problem.
C Paul, are you alive?
It was colonel Philips bright voice, as always.
C Yes, Im alive.
The Captain began to report everything which had happened in progress. He reported everything, including their battle status, the spys existence, their information which was leaking to the enemy real-time, the MP5F bullets they found in Ongur village alongside the guards corpse, their supply lines attack, the misleading information, two contact hours and revealed position, and their emergency helicopters shooting.
C Those pieces of ****, Paul, stop the mission immediately. Wait at the order point.
Colonel Philip ordered the end of their mission and stationed them until further orders.
First Lieutenant Etang had headed down towards the city to meet Twarga at daybreak when communications were few. He hadnt imagined Team Ratel would open communications in that hour. Humans schemed, but the heavens decided the results.
The Captain was relieved. From Colonel Philips reaction, he could tell that their immediate family hadnt abandoned them. He had managed to avoid the worst betrayal.
He first moved out of the battle region and concealed the team deeply within the Bodl Depression. He needed recovery time for his teams condition to improve.
Colonel Philip didnt doubt team leader Pauls report. According to that report, he had been made the worlds greatest fool. He had basically pushed his subordinates backs towards their deaths.
Information such as the Ratel teams movements, their supply drop point, and Gazelles trail was something that was unavailable to others but the lines officers. Also, the bullets and corpse found near Makumbos hiding place was something he could faint on. It was, without a doubt, the DGSE bastards dirty back-door plan.
The Back Door plan was named from a story of a planned robbery and street robber.
The story was of how a street robber managed the walk through the back door, which was open, while the planned robberys members had to fight against the houses owner.
Major Charcosi, what is the point of you being here?
Marshal Charcosi blinked blankly. He didnt know the reason behind his sudden requested presence.
Philip threw the written transmission at him.
Charcosis face turned paler by the second as he read down the transmission until it ended up as ashen as a pigs liver.
Colonel, Ill capture those rats as soon as possible.
Go now, you idiot! Declare a martial emergency and shove everyone with access to this line of communications above company-grade officer in observed holdings.
But what about Deployment commander Geofrey?
Putain, are you stupid? Hes the smelliest one them of all. Put him in a solitary holding cell. If he gets away, consider yourself dead! Philip shouted, red-faced.
The surprised marshal shot outside like a bullet.
The high-quality amplifier began to ring.
C Beep, declaring martial emergency from now. All officers and non-commissioned officers remain in your positions. All soldiers aside from stationed guards to camp. I repeat. Declaring martial emergency.
The NDjamena Deuxieme Reps camp flipped on its head.
Charcosi ran into the communications office first, leading the military police himself.
Bang!
Charcosi entered the room with his foot.
What the hell?
First Lieutenant Etang who had been solving to coded written communications jumped up from his sear.
Ah! Police!
Blood drained out of Etangs face instantaneously.
Putain, I always knew the tail was too long.
Etang threw his communications device at Charcosi before jumping out of the window.
But they werent military police hadnt earned their positions due to their poker faces.
Idiot! Charcosi laughed.
Subordinates were stationed outside of the window.
Crash-
Agh!
What awaited Etang on the other side of the window was the head of a large Pamus. Etang, who had been stabbed in his stomach, rolled on the ground in pain.
Lieutenant Tibel Etang, youre under arrest for intentional strategic information leaks.
The handcuffs clicked around him. Etang gave up on everything. The release of national secret strategical information was 10 years in jail at the least. There was no clemency.
Charcosis smile widened.
The situation had gotten easier thanks to Etangs actions. It was as though he had gained everything without moving.
He immediately ran to the deployments head office.
What is it? Marshals shouldnt be so free to the point of visiting my office for a cup of tea.
Geofrey didnt even stand from his chair.
Major Geofrey, Im under orders to arrest you.
Orders? You should know Im a part of the DGSE. Are these Colonel Philips orders?
Yes. Orders to arrest you for intentional confidential military information leakage.
Hm, any evidence?
Geofreys attitude caused the marshals anger to flare. He was Charcosi, who was always dissatisfied with the DGSE and 11th Brigades lackadaisical and uncaring operational attitudes.
If theres nothing on you, Ill gladly take off my cape noir.
Haha, is the cape noir some Belmondos hat?
A bastard who plans with his as*h*** knows cape noir?
Ha, how the ages have improved. Even the homeless and dysfunctional are capable of mustering pride.
Sharp words were exchanged between the two.
Geofreys words mocked the history of how the Legion Etranger came to be.
The Foreign Force was founded in 1831 by Louis Phillip the first. He had forcibly recruited social threats such as illegal immigrants, street criminals, and violent murderers. He had trained the rough people even more roughly and deployed them into troublesome battles. The reason why it was called the Foreign Force was that the vast majority of conscripts at the time were illegal immigrants.
In any case, Philip Is foreign unit policy became a huge success. It was because the country could solve problems by absorbing societys threatening factors. He had literally caught crabs with a ditch.
At the same time, the Legion Etranger became the root of the main armys envy. Legion Etranger was reserved to be forced into dirty, tough, and dangerous missions alone. Black Mambas Ratel team had also been deployed due to similar reasons.
It was told that Lacro and the advisers of King Philip the first said this to create Legion Etranger:
C Your Majesty, if the French nobility touches trash, the stench lingers on their body. Trash has to be gathered and burned or recycled. We have realized your deep concerns in the Algeria problem. There are over 32,000 illegal immigrants in Paris alone. Their violent tendencies are causing Parisians to migrate to other cities, and the situation is getting out of hand. Your Majesty must have read the petitions to send them away. They are an easy solution. We can gather such trash to create a Legion Etranger. We can send the militarys troublemakers to train them. Theres nothing to lose, as theyre not the blood of our own Frenchmen. C
It was a conversation that reflected how Legion Etranger was seen in those days. Such an image was still rooted deeply today.
You cockroach bastard who doesnt even know a mans dreams. Take him away.
Charcosi shoved down the feeling of wanting to slap Geofreys smiling face.
If my charges arent revealed, be prepared to take off your clothes.
Geofrey glared at Charcosi as he was dragged out by the military police.
Damned s***, you should prepare to take off your own. Every f****** information department whines like a b***.
In all countries, the relationship between field armies and informational departments were sour.
Legion Etranger and DGSE shared stronger sentiments. It was because the DGSE had always been behind the sacrifices of the Legion Etranger mercenaries.
Chapter 66 - Chapter 10, Episode 9: The Shadow of Betrayal
Military police werent along the command lines or communication lines.
They were military order officers with nothing to do. Since they were deployed at Chad, there was even less work. It was a boring position which required heading out to the city in NDjamena and escorting drunk or handful mercenaries back sometimes.
Charcosi was impressed by the Ratel teams strength, which had swept through the rough Sahel. Twelve badgers running through the vast landswasnt it a just movie title! The spy bastards were those who had tried to sweep his role models to death. Blood boiled in rage.
Charcosi moved the military police like lightning.
From the command lines to staff lines, he arrested everyone, including 11th airborne brigades head strategist Captain Roland Manuel, who was placed in solitary confinement. Captain Manuel even suffered injuries.
The officers and military police of Legion Etranger were known to be rough.
They had no choice to become rough since they had to drag in rough mercenaries. Captain Manuel had his skull cracked and crushed under metal sticks when he resisted. It was a common sight in Legion Etranger.
The mole search wasnt hard.
The tough investigators of the military police force managed to find those listed suspicious within the day. Geofrey, who had made fun of the investigators, had three of his teeth broken. The military police members, who had graduated as enlisted officers, spoke with their fists and metal bats.
There were accused as suspects.
There was First Lieutenant Etang, who they predicted had been bribed at Libya, alongside Major Geofrey of Operations from the 11th airborne brigade and strategy commander Manuel of the 11th airborne brigade. Although there wasnt any certain evidence on Manuel, his frequent visits to Geofreys caused suspicions.
Philip was out of his mind. He immediately reported the situation to the 11th airborne brigade and requested an explanation from the DGSE.
In the DGSE headquarters of Marseille, things were tense.
Hey, Miguel. The situations turned worse.
Minister Bonipas pulled out his Gauloise and bit down.
White smoke covered the table.
Do you want one?
No, thank you.
Manager Miguel immediately declined. He, too, was an avid smoker, but he didnt enjoy the dry, sour feeling it left in his mouth. The Gauloise, which smelled of fish oil and womens privates combined, was something he detested. To think he would smoke such things, Serpent was truly a man with strange tastes.
The cigarette prices rose too much. F****** damned taxes.
Bonipas whined away. France was indeed famous for its high cigarette prices. Naturally, cigarette smuggling rose as a trend, and all sorts of cigarettes from all over the world were sold.
In the end, Miguel pulled out his documents. The 11th airborne brigades Operations Major Geofrey was, in fact, the DGSEs main operations team member. He was Miguels immediate subordinate.
How should we deal with Geofrey?
Isnt he your subordinate?
It was always like this. Bonipas never revealed his true thoughts. That was why he was nicknamed serpent. He was telling him to put in a hit-man and, either by assassination or rescue, do whatever he wanted. Of course, using either of the methods would gain criticism, and the criticism was his alone.
We cant kill someone who works his due.
You dont think Geofrey would open his mouth, would you?
Not if they inject him a truth serum.
Philip wouldnt do that barbaric thing, he acts too much like a gentleman.
Its an unfortunate loss of moneyto think that Etang bastard hadnt been there when the communications line was open.
Manager Miguel clicked his tongue.
The Twarga who had bribed Etang in the casino was a DGSE member. In the end, Etang had been fooled by an imaginary person.
Miguel found the situation even more unfortunate the more he thought of it.
The Ratel team disappears from the Sahel and the Commando team enters NDjamena with the rescued Makumbo. Etang is arrested for intentional information leaks. They hand Etang to the enraged Philip, and DGSE retreats from the scene.
What a plan it was, from beginning to end!
It was a plan they had fit around Etang, with all the pieces in place. Their tail was hard to cut now that everything had been upturned.
Its a fight with their eyes covered, but the back door plan cant be revealed.
The media would tear us apart.
The media isnt the problem. The problem is that Mitterrands political policy is about moral politics.
I understand. Ill push this case as something we didnt know.
If you keep sticking out that ducks feet, itll end sooner or later.
I understand. I feel as though Black Mambas a loss.
Bonipas closed his eyes.
He recalled the Korean with sharp features and kind eyes.
He was a human with a tremendous physique despite his looks. He had thought of the mercenary as his most useful card in the pile.
A talented individual cannot compare to Chad. If we leave Chad under our rule, we can expand our influence through Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Gabon, and the Congo.
Thats true. Miguel nodded his head.
The Habre government was the indisputable representative of Africas new countries and their acquainted administrative. If the Habre government collapsed, Frances power over the entire southern regions of Africa, which had once been their colony, would waver.
The immediate quelling of Chads situation was connected to the French-African resource collaboration plans. They couldnt steal from those lands as they had done when it was a colony, but there was an infinite amount of natural resources they could buy cheaply. The uranium in Gabon and underground resources in Congo, especially, was the blood and flesh of France.
Bonipas lowered his voice.
What are the possibilities of the mercenary team returning?
100 percent impossible.
100 percent?
Bonipas narrowed his eyes even more and stared.
Habib lost his rationality. He isnt even taking Makumbo into consideration. Or perhaps he thinks that the mercenary team has taken him. Anyways, hes blocking the returning southern paths with his full military force. Even if theyre talented fighters, they wont be able to stand against a wave offensive with a handful of members.
That mercenary team has Black Mamba. Thats not an easy prey.
Sahel is nothing like the nice shores. They have to fight against the environment and weather. Their battle capacity would be shot about now.
Miguel was certain. He found it amazing that the mercenary team was still alive.
Theres nothing called a hundred percent to people like us. What happened to the thing in your previous report?
Bonipas lowered his voice even more.
If they dont receive their supplies, the only place they can make contact is at Paya. Ive already prepared it in Paya.
Its trouble for us is if they return.
Ill make sure they wont talk.
Their meaningful conversation without subject nor object passed back and forth.
DGSEs dirty operations werent a thing of the past. They used even the most high ranking officials in their operations. Sometimes, people like lieutenant officer Etang became used in the middle, unknowingly. The result was their own destruction.
Etang admitted that he released the details of the plan and the Ratel teams whereabouts to an individual named Twarga. Major Geofrey continued to deny the accusation that he was a spy. DGSE didnt admit or deny the accusations, like always.
The 11th airborne brigade relocated the Operations head, Manuel. Their excuse was to treat him for injuries. The 11th airborne brigade was a higher controlling power above Legion Etranger. Philip, who was left to suck on his fingers, gritted his teeth in anger.
Philip, who finished his first round of investigations, immediately requested the Ratel teams retreat from the Command Post. The headquarters in Aubagne immediately reported the retreat request to the 11th airborne brigade, who had the strategic power. Everything had happened within the day Philip received his report from First Lieutenant Paul.
What! Continue the plan?
Colonel Philip doubted his own ears.
To continue a plan in which information had already been leaked? If this was a joke, it wasnt even funny.
Chief of Operations Lt. Colonel Louis handed over the written paper with a sour expression.
C Legion Etrangers Deuxieme Rep. First Lieutenant Jean-Paul and 11 others are requested to continue the operation. The operation will dissolve 72 hours from the time of this issue.
Louis, what, what is this? Is what I just read even French?
It is.
Lt. Colonel Louis nodded his head with an anguished face.
The retreat of their planned team, which they had thought would be approved immediately, had been denied. There wasnt even a reason listed in the refusal of request the 11th airborne brigade had sent back.
Aggggh, these f****** bastards. These bastards! I should shove them up the as***** of a b***! Dissolved after 72 hours! Are they retreating everyones corpses or what?
Lt. Colonel Louis watched Philip jump up and down with a dark expression.
Colonel, I find their 72 hours operations maintaining request suspicious.
Whats suspicious about that? Theyre asking them to open up a way for the others who are running away with the raccoon in their arms.
Lt. Colonel Louis nodded his head. Not just anyone could be the Colonel of Deuxieme Rep. Even during his excitable rage, Philip had pinpointed the main issue of the order.
F*** this 72 hours or whatever bulls***. Send a helicopter. Its fine even if it gets tailed.
Colonel, going against orders is a precedence to prosecution.
Damn prosecution, Ill do it.
The situations abnormal. The Department of Defence has banned helicopter operations. You might have to stand in martial court.
What? What the f*** are you talking about?
Philips face turned redder than a pigs liver.
They said theyre banning low-flight air carriers as much as the FROLINAT has increased the numbers of portable air missiles
Arrrgh, f***!
Philip collapsed into his chair.
He had tried to move a helicopter personally, but even that had been tied down by the Department of Defences orders. They had probably collaborated with the DGSE.
His conscience didnt let him abandon his subordinates.
Im doing this my way. Send a written order to Robert. Were sending a helicopter. Send an explosives company and a sniping company to the Sahel, and bring back the badger.
No. Its not only you, Colonel. Ill be forced to stand trial at martial court, too.
Ill take everything. Go do it. Now.
Oui!
He replied in the affirmative, but Louis was conflicted. This wasnt a situation he could do anything about.
Lt. Colonel Louis, after sighing continuously, issued a deployment order to the Aubagne headquarters in the end. This time, Lieutenant General Dimanche of Legion Etranger flew into a rage. Philip had forcibly gone against orders to stop the deployment.
The Department of Defence, running out of time, stepped forward.
The most important part of Makumbos rescue mission was the secrecy. The Ratel team had been deployed as a smokescreen as well as bait. If Philip continued to act as though he was crazy and shoved the airborne force into the Sahel, then it gave Libya and the Soviets a reason to interfere.
If the hole broken through by the Ratel team was blocked off, their rescue mission was bound to turn into flames. In the Department of Defences position, it was like throwing sand all over a prepared meal.
They couldnt even dismiss Colonel Philip from his position.
If Philip began to act out with all his knowledge of the plan, several heads were going to fly.
Strategist Advisor Peron of the Department of Defence summoned a meeting of all those involved. It was the second day since Black Mamba finished his dire deathmatch in Er Ekim.
Blood flew in places where blood flowed, and tongues flew in places where words flew.
In the commanding meeting room of Aubagnes Legion Etranger, six people sat around a shining mahogany table.
The faces of the participants were the responsible commanders of Legion Etranger, the Defence Department, and the Operations Department.
They were Lieutenant General Dimanche of Legion Etrangers Command Post, Chief of Operations Major General Montagne, Chief of the 11th Airborne Brigade Colonel, Chief Minister of Foreign Operations Bonipas of DGSE, Strategist Advisor Peron of the Department of Defence, and Deuxieme Reps Regiment General, Colonel Philip. There was no one below Philip in rank within the participants.
Colonel Philips face was already burning red.
Strategist advisor Philip began to convince Colonel Philip with a complicated expression.
Colonel, I understand that this has angered you, but this is a national priority. We cannot deploy Deuxieme Rep. It would mean the loss of all initiatives we have at hand.
Philip shouted in response, Stop that. What national priority! Ive become the worlds biggest fool who has shoved his own subordinates into the lions mouth. My subordinates died without knowing a single thing! Do you think this makes sense? Since when did France turn into an unrealistic, pathetic country?
Bonipas, the strategy minister of DGSE, stepped forward.
Philip, calm down. In three days, Makumbo will arrive at NDjamena. Then you can move the entire Legion Etranger. No, Ill even move the airborne brigade. Right now Team Ratel has to shake up the FROLINAT even more.
Philip made a fist and shook it.
Will there be anyone alive in three days? Are you not satisfied with the meaningless blood which has been spent until now, to ask for more? Youre not satisfied using my subordinates as a back-door operations bait, wanting them to die out in that f****** desert? Im going to hurl. I can deal with you making a fool out of me, but I will not stand by and watch my subordinates be sacrificed! Philip shouted.
He took off his hat and slammed it on the table.
Chapter 67 - Chapter 11, Episode 1: A Desperate Escape
Colonel Philip, Team Ratel has shown amazing mental prowess on the battlefield. Theyve survived 20 days. Why cant they survive another three? Lets put faith in your subordinates. Colonel Tanshe said hatefully.
Philip turned and stared at Colonel Philip with a faraway gaze. He wished to slice off Tanshes thick-lipped mouth that was saying this nonsense.
Team Ratel has fought six large-scale battles alone. Theyve killed over 700 northern foot soldiers. The squadron has managed to wipe out two battalions, and theyre still engaged in mud fights with the hyenas right now. That FROLINAT committee members frothing at the mouth
Philip, whose emotions overran his words, gathered his breath.
The participants on either side of the table began to whisper. It was shocking to hear the numbers of FROLINAT soldiers the mercenaries had wiped out despite being outnumbered by 700. The participants began to talk over each other trying to confirm the information from Bonipas.
Keep listening. The third army led by Habib is known as the best and most evil of the FROLINAT armies. Ive received reports that Team Ratel managed to wipe out half of that army, including their command post.
Wow, if that report is true, this is the beginning of a new legend in Legion Etranger. Congratulations, Colonel Philip.
Strategic Advisor Peron began to clap his hands. Following his lead, the other participants began to clap.
Bang
Philip smacked the table.
This is not a congratulatory matter. You all should know the Muslim tradition of returning what is given with a bloody vengeance. The FROLINAT has scattered a human wall around its Kichi Kichi and New Delhi borders to regain their wounded pride. Its like throwing a net on them only to smash them from behind with a hammer. Thousands are armed with Soviet weapons blocking their southern route. A strand of mercenaries has been shoved on top of a large anvil. A hammer is descending. And you think theyll survive?
.
A mercenary isnt Superman or Rambo. Theyre holding on thanks to Black Mamba, but they, too, are humans who die when shot. You guys have thrown my subordinates to the piranhas and are forbidding me to send even a rescue boat. Three days and theyre dead.
Bonipas raised his hand.
Thats the thing. The plan has gone smoothly thanks to Team Ratel shaking FROLINAT around. Theyve already shown their talents. If they withstand another three days, the plan will succeed perfectly. Our country will gain an immense advantage, and Team Ratel will become legends. Bonipas spoke these cold-hearted words easily.
Philip reached for his handgun and ran his hand over its grip.
I should shoot him.
It was an impossible reality, but he truly wanted to shoot that evil Bonipas to death.
Bonipas, you should go preach your words in front of an elementary schools graduating class. The mercenaries are also someones husband, father, and son. Would you be able to say that when your son is dying somewhere in the Sahel?
Hmm!
At Philips direct words, Bonipas cleared his throat and closed his mouth.
Commander, did you know about this? Philip asked Lieutenant General Dimanche.
Yes, I did.
Dimanche was unable to hide his conflicted frown.
How could you give a one-way ticket to your subordinates? This event sets a precedent for Legion Etranger.
It was a plan decided for national gains. In the end, I have nothing to excuse myself from, to you or the members that were thrown in hell.
He had kept his silence on the point of national advantage, but this was something to be morally criticized. After being questioned by his subordinate his face turned red.
Philips anger drained out of him at his commanders apology.
Bonipas, which team secured Makumbo?
The GCP secured him. Currently, they should have escaped Ongur and passed Nedehli. The routes there are empty thanks to the Team Ratel.
I see. They still havent escaped FROLINATs nets. Thats why you needed two days. Youre trying to get Team Ratel to mess things up even more, dead or alive, to move that advantageous card more easily. Doesnt matter if the mercenaries die. Theyre not even French so a piece of metal would do; some bribery of their families would do. Hahaha!
Philip let out an empty laugh.
Im one of many who looks forward to Team Ratels return. I didnt know they would crush the FROLINAT forces so severely. This is a time when Frances influence is being measured by how settled Chad becomes. Team Ratel is this missions vital part. Since things have already turned out this way, they can hold out for three, or two days longer. The mercenaries arent our countrymen either, anyways, dont you agree?
Minister Bonipas had rolled around in the informational fields for 30 years. He didnt even blink when Philip shouted or acted out. Instead, he countered him with a factual tone.
Bang
Philip smashed the table with his fist and jumped to his feet.
What? Theyre French soldiers and my subordinates!
Theyre mercenaries after money and foreigners.
Bonipas countered, word for word.
They were soldiers invested in for situations just like these. They werent Frenchmen. The reason behind fattening a pig was to send it up to the feasting table. The Department of Defence had approved the backdoor operation. Nothing was going to change just because one of Legion Etrangers colonels rampaged about. Inside, Bonipas laughed at Philip.
Bonipas, do you know what kind of place the Sahel is? You must have only seen it on paper, at your desk. The strategic region that Team Ratel is in, north of the Bodl flatlands, alternates 30 degrees between day and night. During the day, they suffer from dehydration, and during the night, they die from the cold. In the day, they are accosted by mosquitoes and, at night, accosted by sandstorms. A man like you who only schemes behind his desk wouldnt survive two days. My children have fought crazily against the FROLINAT for 20 days these conditions. By now, they should be dead. I am going to send that helicopter and bring them back.
Philip, Napoleon once said to never intervene during an enemys mistake. FROLINAT is barking up the wrong tree. The plan is in its finishing stages. If Team Ratel gives us another 48 hours, our country will be able to gain a political and military initiative. Wed be able to spread Frances influence across Chad and eastern Africa without requiring any more blood to be spilled. Stop being stubborn. If you continue doing so, there will be no choice but to place you in a holding cell. Peron took Bonipas side.
What! Youll arrest me?
Its for the country. Major General Montang added.
Philip, the strategy has already begun, and its nearing success. It may be painful, but national priorities come first. Colonel, youll be a general someday, no? Commander Dimanche supported Bonipas.
Philip fell back into his chair. There was nothing he could do against the united front of all the participants. And, in the midst of all that, his ears had opened up to the word General. He wished to smash in his own head.
He wondered since when had he been so gullible.
Then, what are we meant to do about them?
Philip, drained of all his strength, spoke in a murmur.
We should immediately process their medal of honor and give them their due rewards.
Commander Tanshe spoke as though the mercenaries were already dead.
Whats the point of receiving a medal of honor after dying? How can I face covering their corpses with the tri-colored flag, when theyve been manipulated to their deaths?
Colonel Philip stopped talking and looked at Colonel Tanshe.
Lets exchange our positions. Imagine the airbornes Team Jesepe has become the bait and is being torn apart by the FROLINAT. Would you be able to abandon them, commander?
Im sorry.
At the sudden attack, Colonel Tanshe lowered his head. Their cause was with the national advantage, but there was nothing to gain out of engaging a verbal fight with Philip.
Philips rage died down rapidly.
The plan had already entered its last stages. All responsible parties used national initiatives as their shield. If he kept going against them, the atmosphere would turn into an accusation of doubting his loyalty towards his own country.
The back door operation had also been approved by his immediate commander, Dimanche. As the plan had been put forth by both the Department of Defence and the DGSE, his point of view was no more significant than a coffee mug, even if he raged about. His head ached at the thought of being locked up from further disagreements and several other complicated thoughts.
Philip glared at Bonipas.
Bonipas, you planned this dirty plan, didnt you?
Yes. It was to fool the Soviets and Libyas plans and to make holes in the FROLINATs nets. Although, Team Ratel did rip through an entire part instead of making holes. Ive kept you out for the sake of security. I am very sorry.
Bonipas apology didnt sound like an apology. Philip didnt want to hear the soulless apology. Bonipas was too much like a snake; anything he said wasnt believable.
Hm, and the bastard called Major Geofrey and turned over the information to FROLINAT.
That didnt happen. All information was leaked by that stupid staff mercenary Etang. Bonipas confirmed.
You f*cking bastard!
Philip launched from his seat and swung a fist at Bonipass face.
Argh!
Crash
Bonipas had been punched in his chin and fell over with his chair. He was a man who didnt reveal his thoughts. In Philips eyes, even his fall looked like an intended slapstick comedy routine.
You bastard, what f*cking security. You just wanted to take everything without me. Do whatever you want.
Bang
Colonel Philip kicked open the doors of the conference room and walked out.
Ha! Philips a gentleman, but it seems as though hes thoroughly pissed off.
Bonipas smiled as he rubbed his chin.
It was a beneficial trade, to dissolve the situation with a punch. Philip was angered, but he was still a high ranking colonel. He could tell the importance of this mission.
Since Minister Bonipas has taken the punch for the team, todays meal will be on me. I may have been the humiliating sight, being punched by my subordinate if it hadnt been for you! Hahahaha!
Dimanche looked at Minister Bonipas and laughed freely.
Well, Im a professional at playing the evil role after all. Im glad its been resolved this way. I was prepared to sweat through the meeting. Hahaha! Bonipas smiled bitterly.
Who would have thought Team Ratel would do so well? The Canem and Borkou FROLINATs are hanging around Team Ratel. Whatever anyone says, Team Jesepe has managed to procure Makumbo without having to shoot a single bullet thanks to them. The mercenaries do deserve a Lgion dhonneur. But who is this Black Mamba fellow?
At advisor Perons question, Bonipas began to reply.
He received a call name from the Department of Defence. His details are classified information. Hes a god-level sniper who knows the ancient martial arts of East Asia and is capable of clearing a small military unit within a minute. He wiped out an entire platoon of Deuxieme Reps snipers, alone, in a mock-battle. His close combat is also impressive. Ive heard that he managed to down a crazed bull with a single punch in Corsica. Not all of the stories are believable, but he is a special mercenary.
Ha, I cant believe it. If thats true, it would be a loss to have his bones buried in the Sahel! Tsk tsk. Advisor Peron clicked his tongue.
Its unfortunate, regarding Black Mamba, but Chad is more important.
Bonipas returned his words, emotionless.
He prioritized everything on the national level. An individuals life was nothing to him. Of course, his own life was an exception.
Minister Bonipas, are you certain that Team Jesepe will arrive in NDjamena in two days? Advisor Peron asked.
Three days is plenty; two is a tight fit. Thanks to Team Ratel causing chaos, not even the Soviet or Libyan intelligence departments know of Team Jesepes existence. All eyes are on the Team Ratel. Jesepe will be able to extract Makumbo out safely.
Good! Mercenaries have no point in existing if they dont do their due worth.
Advisor Peron was satisfied. This mission had been put forth in collaboration with both the Department of Defence and the intelligence department. Thanks to Team Ratel, there was going to be a significant personnel selection record added to his resume. A smile automatically escaped him.
This is good news. The Soviets would swim around the wrong waters, and Libya would have to vomit out Chad and the entire four northern regions. Its a perfect political and military victory. Let us cheer for France and the mercenaries.
The Major General offered a toast.
For France!
For the mercenaries!
All the participants raised their wine glasses.
The information about the mercenaries dying in the Sahel had long left their heads.
Chapter 68 - Chapter 11, Episode 2: A Desperate Escape
While the old men in power raised their wine glasses in a toast, inside an air-conditioned conference room in Aubagne, the young mercenaries in the burning Sahel showered themselves in blood to pad the resumes of those old men.
Chartres hadnt gotten a single word wrong.
In ant societies, the old ones led and threw their bodies into danger to protect the organization and the young ones. In humans, the old used the organization from the rear and filled their bellies with the blood of the young. Similarly, nothing was wrong with the saying that money and steel would be able to cover most blood up.
The Department of Defence and the DGSE had used three East-Asian strategies, ˮO (murk the water to fish), | (sound the east and hit the west), and t (use anothers talent to show oneselfs), to place the mercenary group on the sacrificial altar. The old men were satisfied, but Team Ratel fell into an inescapable swamp because of them.
Colonel Philip had flown out of the meeting room and immediately headed towards the Hercules that was waiting to take off. His incompetence had thrown his subordinates into a trap. The old mens words of how mercenaries werent French citizens and should work for their food and pay rang in his ears.
Ha, those dirty f*ckers!
Colonel Philip spat in the direction of Aubagne and stepped on the trap.
Armang, lets go.
You dont look too well. First Lieutenant Commander Armang said as he received his bag.
Of course Im not happy. I feel as though those old men have given me their fleas. Im going to go crazy; my entire body has hives.
The results werent good, I see. But hadnt you already predicted this?
F*ck, my hands and feet are tied, too. They said theyll throw me in jail if I keep insisting on sending a rescue team.
Take a break. You need to decide with a clear head, so as not to leave any regrets. Armang calmed Philip as he offered him a neck pillow.
Whirl
The machine passed the runway and lifted gently. Philip buried himself into his seat and closed his eyes.
The words about rank advancement kept ringing around his head. No, he had long thrown it out of his head, but it remained firmly attached to his heart. The dream of any soldier was to hang a star on their shoulder.
The awarded star is the blood and tears of many subordinates.
They were the right words, but his conscience shook him. Whether it was during peacetime or wartime, subordinates had to be sacrificed for him to become a general.
Colonel, you should try this.
Armang handed him a rectangular box.
Hm, isnt this dish called hoe? When did you prepare it?
Armang threw away the chopsticks that were attached to the wrapper and handed him a fork. On the wrapper, were the words ʱr ˾ (The Great Sushi Emperor) in red. If Black Mamba had seen those words, he would have spat fire from his eyes. The two Frenchmen only regarded it as some strange characters.
I prepared it when it seemed as though you would miss your meal. Its some portable dish called bento I bought from a Japanese store in Marseilles.
Thanks. But why is that Japanese store selling Korean food? Black Mamba told me dishes like these were Korean.
The Japanese are good at copying, arent they? The Japanese Bar in Brouden street has their girls take orders dressed up as Sophie Marceau.
Ive been to that establishment. Female workers have make-up like Sophie Marceau and are taking orders with their breasts exposed, no underwear. Good enough for just the eyes.
Philip attempted to switch out thoughts of the smelly old men at the conference with naked women. It wasnt easy. In fact, Bonipas glare only seemed to intensify in his mind.
Philip shoved a hoe into his mouth with a fork and chewed.
Now that Im eating raw fish, I remember Burimer. My friend must be bored out of his mind in the Sahel.
Youre right. Theres no fish in the desert after all.
Everyone knew Burimer as the fishing maniac in the legion. He always provided the officers and soldiers cafeterias with large fish that he had caught that day from the Shari River.
Hows the taste?
Worse than Black Mambas. When that guy made it, the fish jumped around in my mouth.
He was an amazing guy.
Armang had met Black Mamba for the first time in the officers cafeteria. That had been a new experience. Not even Armang had known that Black Mamba was a call-named mercenary.
That was the day Burimer had caught a large Nile perch and goliath tigerfish from the Shari River. Armang had been surprised at the fish that was over a meter long. And he had been even more surprised at Black Mambas knife handling skills.
Commander, do you remember Black Mambas showcase?
Its something Ill never forget.
Philip hadnt forgotten the show Black Mamba had shown in the officers cafeteria.
A large fish was set up on the cutting board.
When it flapped, even the cooks were unable to control it and struggled. Burimer had poked Black Mambas side. Black Mamba, who had been shaking his head, finally stepped forward.
Even Philip had been interested in how Black Mamba was going to handle the fish.
Black Mamba pulled out his large kukri. He tapped the fishs head with the blunt end of his knife. The fish had been flapping everywhere but then fainted onto the board, only opening and closing its mouth.
With a swish, the blade moved gently as though it was water. The scales fell in a row from head to toe. No one realized that the blade had altered degrees several times in that single sweep.
Without much knife movement, all the scales had been removed.
With another swish, the fishs bones were revealed from the back of its head to its tail. Philip held his breath. The gutting had been fearsome. Black Mamba lifted the remnants as though he was ripping off double-sided tape. After flipping the fish, the kukri passed through one more time.
Wow! All the onlookers exclaimed.
With two swipes of the blade, the large fish had only its head and bones.
The heart of the fish was behind its gills. Usually, when hoe was made, the gills were separated to poke the heart and drain its blood. For large fishes, even its tail had to be cut to drain the blood because the rawness and taste of the fish decreased the more blood seeped into its muscles.
But because Black Mamba was capable of removing all its flesh at once, that process had been forgotten.
A large slab of raw fish was placed on the board.
Tututu
The kukris blade moved to the point it couldnt be seen. Thinly sliced hoe piled on the board. Black Mamba, finishing his job, moved away. Even then, the fish without its flesh was still opening and closing its mouth.
Philips mouth curved into a smile.
Burimer had used Black Mamba as an excuse to enjoy his hobbies, and Black Mamba used his amazing knife skills as cooking skills. The sea bass that jumped inside his mouth and the sweet and spicy Korean chili paste was a joyful memory, and those old men were trying to steal it.
It would be nice if Black Mamba returned and sliced all of those bastards lips raw.
What? What did you say?
Armang, who had been mixing wasabi into the soy sauce, lifted his head.
Ah, nothing. Just saying. Armang, take it away.
Sorry. I ruined your mood by saying unnecessary things.
No. Black Mamba hated Japan the most. Calling them a shameless race. I dont like Japan either. They mock Frances quality products with their replicas after all.
If you look at Asias history, theyre worse than the Nazis.
The weak are the sinners. Make a special forces list to deploy into the Sahel. I should send at least a hundred. Im going to see if Team Jesepe is going to chase me all the way to Africa to arrest me. Prepare for immediate engagement upon arrival.
Philip was planning to greet them by car reinforcements if a helicopter rescue was impossible. At the very least, he wasnt a coward.
***
Its here. Dig.
Are you sure?
It doesnt look as though therell be fish.
Jang Shin and Emil, in suspicious moods, disagreed.
Where Ombuti had asked them to dig, dirt was blowing around.
Water will come out. Ombuti crossed his arms and tilted his head.
He needed fresh water to serve his Wakil.
He also had to wash his Wakils body that had been covered in unjust blood. Two slaves had been added to support Ombutis sudden servitude.
Dig two meters only! Black Mamba said in passing.
Jang Shin and Emil, who had been hesitating, began to move. The two took out their shovels that were attached to the pickup and began to dig.
Those bastards only move when Wakil orders.
Ombuti smiled satisfyingly at Black Mambas back.
When the two became tired, Miguel and Mouris took up the shovels. They took turns digging in pairs until they hit the 30-minute mark. Suddenly, a shout of jubilation was heard.
Yeaaah!
Wet sand began to appear around shoulder deep.
As always, Ombutis talent for finding water didnt fail.
How do you find water?
I just know.
At the captains question, Ombuti answered shortly. Ombutis home was the desert. He had been born in the desert and had wandered the desert for several years.
His eye for finding water pooling regions and veins of underground water channels had grown naturally. Asking him how he found the water was similar to asking Pele if he knew how to head a football.
The team members who were energized began to dig a meter deeper. Water poured out of the ground. A well of around three meters in diameter was made.
Wow! The captain also shouted.
He hadnt seen water for a week after leaving Trident Rock.
They were on the verge of rationing their drinking water, too.
Wait! Ombuti grabbed the back of Mikes clothes as he was about to jump into the water.
Wakil first.
Agreed. Mike conceded without a word.
Ombuti filled up a four-gallon plastic water bottle before running to the tent.
While Jang Shin and Emil filled up the drinking flasks, the mercenaries, dripping in dirt, began to scratch their bodies without rest.
The sweat that had clung to their bodies during the day froze in the nights chilly air. The Saharan winds that blew out of nowhere, attached sands and yellow dirt to their skin and mixed it with their sweat.
They, too, were disgusted by their sour smell, but it also called flies and mosquitoes to them. For mercenaries used to the modern era, it was as though they had met another epidemic.
The mercenaries ran into the pool of water, disregarding who went first or last. It was the first bath in a week. They realized, for the first time, that washing ones body was one of a humans distinct traits.
Black Mamba rolled around his cot without rest.
Those small scrapes, scratches, and of course the gash across his calf was nothing. Of course, that was Black Mambas perspective.
Chui Do Shik had managed to run even with his neck punctured. The scar that he had received by the leopard in Mt. Bang Tae Sans cave had been ripped anew, causing his intestines to leak out. But such injuries were on the level of scratches. Sudden movements taxed him, but his basic movements hadnt been affected. But he had still become Bellmans patient and the captains concern because of those small injuries.
He hadnt been able to refute their argument that his comrades safety would be ensured by his speedy recovery. Well, he did have to maintain a perfect condition to ensure that his team would be able to escape this hell after all.
Ombuti took off all of Black Mambas clothes. He soaked a cloth in water and began to wipe off the blood and sweat.
Suddenly, his nose twinged. He recalled the memory of wiping down Hae Youngs body in the overnight houses kitchen: the soft skin that smoother than paper, the forest he hadnt been able to take his eyes off, and her beautiful chest, her bright eyes that looked as though they were soaked.
She was fine. She had to be fine. He had covered himself in blood to find his mother and to be with her. His brain kept repeating those words, but his reaction swept past his nose and appeared in his eyes. Tears pooled around Black Mambas eyes.
Wakil, are you uncomfortable?
Ombutis hands became even more careful. He had mistaken Black Mambas reaction as immense pain.
Nothing changed because of the careful hands. Black Mamba couldnt laugh or cry, so he pounded his chest out of frustration. A fragment of his memory had flown away thanks to Ombutis insistence.
Ombuti. Ill do it. Just stop!
Black Mamba finally shouted for the first time.
Wakil, please do not steal my happiness.
But he, too, couldnt find a way to cure the Tuareg warrior of his stubbornness.
Ombuti only left the tent after refilling the 40-liter water bottle twice. Bellman, who had been looking after Chartres, laughed in amusement.
Bellman was also wiping down Chartres body with the wrapping cloth. Chartres was always riddled with a high fever. Bellman couldnt leave his spot.
Hey, how popular you are. Whats the secret to gaining that old Tuareg warriors love?
Chapter 69 - Episode 3: A Desperate Escape
Wouldnt it be the same way Bellman gains an old mans love?! Black Mamba returned.
His French had improved.
Wow, Virgin Guy, your French has gotten better to the point you can make jokes. At least now you can ask a young woman to take off her underwear. Lets go straight to the Shari Meridian Hotel when we return.
Tsk!
Black Mamba turned his head.
Virgin Guy was the nickname his fellow soldiers had called him at Deuxieme Rep. It was from their assumption that he didnt know how to ask a woman to take her underwear off, therefore unable to have sex. It dually teased Black Mamba about his bad French and abstinence from women.
But Black Mamba was a pure guy who had decided not to hold any other woman aside from Hae Young. He was also a naive man who believed sex without love was dirty but was also a masochistic man who believed that a man should be able to kill a woman in bed.
He didnt touch any of the women because he didnt have the urge. A thrill ran across him only when it was Hae Youngs breath or a fresh pheromone smell drifted off her. When his eyes clashed against the light blue glare of her clear eyes, his consciousness wavered. She absorbed his manhood tenaciously.
How was he supposed to hold a woman who chewed on gum even after people begged, a woman with an old stench, a woman whose sweat glands were obvious on her skin and with hair everywhere!
Soldiers, especially mercenaries, shoved most of their salaries into a womans hole below and poured it into her mouth at a pub. This was no different for Jang Shin even though he had a wife back in his hometown.
Black Mamba was a special case. Even when he headed out towards the Ajaccio city with his friends, he returned to the camp after completing his basic shopping needs. There had been several bets on whether Black Mamba would have sex or not.
Most tried to get him extremely drunk, using that scheme to shove a woman in his arms. There had been more violent cases when someone tried to drug him. But Black Mamba didnt get drunk, no matter how much he drank. His extreme physicality dissolved the alcohol at once and pushed it out.
No beauty could raise Black Mambas lust. Not even the most beautiful woman in Dae-gu, Chui Min Suk, could seduce Black Mamba in his teenage years. His concentration was the best in the world. Even if he was overcome by lust, he was the type of man to handle it himself rather than be swept up by it. Things like drugs never passed his smell and taste standards.
Every attempt to make Black Mamba hold a call girl had failed. He was rumored to be disabled, but soon the nickname of Virgin Guy had been attached in ill intent. He could withstand anything if he was determined to do so, so it was hilarious that rabbits who couldnt even hold back for more than 30 minutes debated his possible ability or disability.
When Chartres and Black Mamba came to occupy a tent, its owner had to be chased out. The captain, the one who had his tent taken, decided to use the back seat of the pickup as his bed. Jang Shin was, in that regard, chased to the shade underneath a rock.
The captain frequented the tent often on the excuse of checking on Chartres, but it was in fact due to his concern over Black Mambas injuries. It was because if something happened to Black Mamba, not only was Chartres going to be in danger, the entire team was going to be threatened.
Even the cold captain began to panic when Chartres condition got worse. He requested a helicopter from the headquarters, but it was refused because one had already been shot down by a STRELA at Er Ekdim. It was an unexpected consequence.
The captain didnt know that as a consequence of the prior helicopter, Team Ratel had been thrown away at the conference in Aubagne. He didnt know that Colonel Philip had shoved 100 rescue members into Mondo, either.
There was nothing different about a captains tent.
The floor was sand with raised supporting beams on top and covered with a yellow-brown pelt. The tent barely kept out the sunlight and sandstorms.
The captain stared blankly down at Chartres who was moaning in pain from high fever. A helicopter pilot died, and Chartres was in danger because of his misjudgment. He was about to cry as if someone was going to beat him up.
Captain, you remember what I said when the FROLINAT was going after the helicopter, right? You remember what happens if something goes wrong with Chartres, hmmm?
Black Mamba made a fist and shook it.
The captain stepped back, flinching without realizing it.
This was the fist that exploded the northern soldiers head like watermelons. It was the fist that went through human bodies as though they were made of Styrofoam. The weapons that were scarier than any other weapons were that bastards hands and feet.
Black, theres no private or airman who threatens to punch their officer to death in any military on Earth, even more so in Legion Etranger. Dont you think youre being too dramatic, you small, tanned thing?
The captain complained in a thin voice. Bellman began to suppress his laughter beside him.
Black Mamba was lying down and slowly reached for his kukri in his leg belt that he had taken off.
He had felt something strangely alive below the tent floor.
Unlike the strong killing intent he was sensing, its life force felt small. It was the major characteristic of poisonous reptiles, and it was next to the captains feet. A snipers concentration was on a different tier from normal humans
Uh. Black, why are you doing this? Are you crazy? Youre pulling out a sword at such a minor thing?
The captain, scared, began to move back with shaking hands.
Stop!
He was attempting to say Circe(God), but that was too long, so he had blurted out, stop.
When the captains foot moved, the sand rose into the air and a long creature jumped out like a spring. The surprised captain was unable to respond, and his eyes only widened. Bellman had watched the whole thing and blood drained out of his face.
Flash
A blade glinted.
Crack
The kukri sliced off the reptiles head and landed, embedding itself deeply into the wooden post of Chartres bed. If it had been an inch off its trajectory, the kukri would have landed on Chartres body.
A long thing collapsed onto the ground.
It was a horned desert viper. The captain took turns staring at the 1.5-meter long, headless, poisonous viper then at Black Mamba. Bellmans face began to regain its color.
Ha, it seems like its hiding abilities justifies its horn. Black Mamba exclaimed.
The creatures assimilated 100 percent with the sand after crawling into the tent. He had missed its presence.
Large vipers like cobras and black mambas had an impossible attack speed. They could attack their prey a meter away in 0.2 seconds.
The time for a human to react to a perceived threat takes 0.5 seconds. That could be decreased to 0.3 seconds with training, but that also meant no human on Earth could avoid a vipers surprise attack a meter away.
Bellman shook his head. He was more surprised at Black Mambas reaction than the vipers attack itself. He had been able to read the vipers movements and predict the trajectory of his blade all in a single moment.
The captains face turned into stone a second later.
Nothing could be done if he had been bitten by a large viper. His case would be immediate, but he would not survive without antivenom. He had been able to survive this threat thanks to Black Mamba.
Captain, you should buy Black a drink.
Ye, yeah. Of course. When did this snake bastard get in the tent anyways?
His face turned red, recalling the moment he had lashed out when Black Mamba pulled out his knife. Bellman smiled as though he understood and continued talking through that smile.
Ive lit a fire to maintain Chartres condition during the night. It must have crawled in looking for some warmth. Seems like its out of luck having been caught by Black Mamba.
If it hadnt been for him, I would have been out of luck. The captain broke out in cold sweat.
Damn bastard, say something before you pull your knife out.
The captain began to complain. When Black Mamba had reached for his kukri, he had truly been surprised.
It was because soldiers who had been exposed to battles and bloodlust often went on a brief rampage or caused violence. Even thinking about Black Mamba going on a rampage made his head cold.
How did you know?
A bored response answered the captains question.
Instinct.
Instinct? Sense?
Yessir, a sixth sense.
Ooh! Sens a rire (sense of humor)!
Well, a viper wouldnt be able to reach Black Mambas level of sens a rire after all.
The captain and Bellman exclaimed as though they had reached a great understanding.
Black Mambas face turned red. He had studied hard, but he still found English more comfortable than French. Of course, that didnt mean his English was fluent, either. He was certainly lacking in the language department.
Bellman took up the large viper and observed it with amused curiosity. The kukri had knocked off its head without touching any other vitals, a knife thrown while he was lying down. By now, he was used to these feats, but it was still amazing every time he experienced it. That the viper had managed to fatten itself up in this wasteland was also amazing.
Jang Shin! Bellman called.
You can cook this, right?
No problem
Jang Shin smiled, revealing his teeth.
Bellman threw the viper at him. If it was Chin duck, he would be capable of turning such a large snake into an edible dish.
Black Mamba frustrated with lying down all the time walked out of the tent.
Jang Shin was ripping off the vipers skin. A snakes skin was easy to peel off if the skin around the mouth was pulled back to its tail at once. Its intestines fell out, too.
Jang Shin rolled the snake with its flesh exposed around the stolen AKs barrel and placed it next to the fire. When he began to turn it like a skewered meal, grease began to drip into the fireplace. A sweet smell began to spread.
Jang Shin began to share morsels of the meat with his team members who were watching curiously. He received praise that it was revitalizing. They had once resorted to eating worms during their survival training at Mt. Chinto. No one would refuse snake meat.
Chartres, who had woken up from his sleep, walked out of the tent. After eating the roasted meat, he raised his thumb at Jang Shin. His throat had swollen to the point his breaths could be heard. Black Mamba looked at Chartres with a pitying gaze; his life force dimmed day by day.
Black Mambas injuries healed rapidly.
His wounds had closed in a day and scabbed within two. In three days, the scabs fell off. Bellman had opened the bandages to sterilize his wounds and stared with his mouth hanging open.
A muscle that had been torn diagonally required at least three weeks to heal. This was a regenerative ability inexplicable by medical science. Bellman glared at the bumpy scar. He looked as though he was about to shoot lasers from his eyes.
Why? You want to try dissecting it?
Not that far, but what is the reason?
Its because I ate a lot of Korean ginseng.
Bellman, too, believed in the better properties of Korean ginseng. But that was ridiculous.
Really?
And you need to keep in your sexual desires. If you dont let it out, it becomes absorbed by your cells and turns into mitochondria.
It was his revenge for calling him, Virgin Guy.
You damned bastard! You salty bastard.
Bellman raised his fist and shook it.
Black Mamba spent a day next to Chartres because he had been able to move when they were eating snake meat, but then suddenly fell into a coma. The captain requested another emergency helicopter, but it was refused.
The teams mood darkened.
Black!
Chartres, you awake?
Chartres awoke at the break of dawn. Even his muscle stiffness had turned for the better. His voice was clear.
Black, this war isnt ours. Its the war of those old people sitting at their mahogany desks and rolling away from their telephones.
I know. I guessed.
You can never die and never get hurt. You cannot be swept into those old mens schemes, at such a young age.
I get it. Stop talking.
Black Mambas heart was aching. It never bodes well when a critical patient suddenly has a turn for the better.
Yes. Dont get greedy on stuff like improving your track record.
Chartres ignored his advice to save his words.
I fight to live. Thats what Ive done since I was young.
Its frustrating, Ive been in bed for too long.
Chartres kicked around to get up. Black Mamba hurriedly supported him with a large cushion, shoved behind his back. It was an emergency cushion he had made by shoving straws into the concealment sack.
Do you know the difference between ants and humans?
Im listening.
Both ants and humans live in a military organization, share their work, move busily, and cede to those with power. The soldier ants maintain the order of the male and work ants go with the queen as its central power. Did you know there are ranks in working ants, too?
I didnt.
Black Mamba had known, but he said he didnt. It was to lift Chartres mood.
The fact that they battle against their kind in organizations and kill their kind en masse, makes humans and ants similar. But theres a huge difference between the two. In the ant world, those who are old or are male arent treated well. Male ants after finishing their wedding nights are forced out of the group or made to live in harsh conditions. Even the old ants receive the same treatment as those male ants. There is an ant species with a strange name called oecophylla smaragdina in Australia. They force their old ants to work at a field bunk a few ways from their ant house.
Youre talking about an elderly vanguard regiment?
Chapter 70 - Chapter 11, Episode 4: A Desperate Escape
Yes. The old ants head out as vanguards to prevent invaders or act as the airborne special forces to invade an enemys camp. Its a tearful act of sacrifice to protect their young descendants and their military organization.
Like us.
Yes, humans, on the other hand, have the oldies sit safely in the rear while the young are pushed into the battlefield. The old grasp the sweet results while praising those who had died honorably or as sacrifices and those who have bled to their deaths.
To those who die, theyd be given a useless piece of metal and a few pounds. If lucky, maybe a grave.
Thats right, dont fight for those old people. Fight to protect your precious life. Dont become an old oecophylla smaragdina ant. I really wanted to say this to you.
Chartres, Ive understood well and clearly. Thanks. Youre an amazing comrade. I respect you.
Black Mamba squeezed the hand of the old intelligent mercenary. It was a redundant story, but it still seeped into his heart. It had been heartfelt advice from someone who truly cared for his young peer.
A smile rose in Chartres thin face.
To think Id be respected by the legendary Black Mamba, its the best day of my life. Youre smart, considerate, and a young man full of tenacious life. Dont be fooled by the encouragement of those power-hungry men. If they realize your abilities, everyone will try to use you. Dont be fooled by their words, like loyalty or nationality, those idealized words.
I know. Im not stupid. Chartres, if you keep talking youll get tired.
Black, stop blocking my words. I need to say what I need to say before I die. Youd want to chew up those whove forced us into this corner, dont you?
Of course. Im not going to let betrayers and schemers die peacefully.
Black Mambas eyes burned as the fire rose from within. He hated betrayers the most.
Killing isnt the only answer. The FROLINAT may be an enemy, but theyre not our enemy. They, too, are humans who work for their countrys benefit. You, too, should use those old men. If you kill, you become a murderer, and you will one day receive your due return. Keep making them earn you, and consider yourself precious. You need to find your mother and be happy. To think Id be a burden to my comrades instead of helping, f*ck!
Perhaps it was because he spoke too much, but Chartres coughed and his breaths shortened.
Thank you for your advice. You are the best comrade and you need to hold on until the helicopter comes.
Chartres closed his eyes powerlessly. His life force, which Black Mamba could sense on his wavelengths, began to dim rapidly.
Mercenaries existed because of the battlefield, and they were recognized because of their battle abilities. Chartres feared his loss of battle ability more than his injury. And the moment he had decided he had lost it, his will to live had decreased rapidly.
Hes lost his will!
Black Mamba realized instinctively. Chartres had no family. Their skin colors differed, and their nationalities were different, but he was still a person who had looked after him like a brother.
His darkening complexion caused his heart to twist. Chartres had been the first person who had approached him for a conversation in Deuxieme Rep. He had taught him lifes workings and knowledge like an older brother. Chartres had a scholarly face, but he was also an amazing brother and easy to get along with.
He must have regained his consciousness out of worry for his younger peer. Black Mamba left the tent after covering Chartres with a pelt. His heart was heavy like a ball of lead. Chartres injury was mainly his responsibility, but guilt tore at him until his insides felt like they were rotting.
He was also a mercenary who had death as his friend. Bullets didnt choose humans. Lives could be led in all directions, but death approached all as an equal. He recalled his friends who had been buried in nameless graves after an explosion when he was young. If he died here, no one would be able to find his grave.
I wonder when Ill be able to meet my mom!
Black Mambas sigh darkened.
***
The 22nd day of operation Raccoon, 60 kilometers north of Chicha.
Headquarters issued a return order. The problem was that the order asked them to escape to Salal, in Kanem province, by themselves. They stated that there could be no escape aid due to the surface-to-air missiles. The captain ground his teeth.
Those f*cking bastards, what is this sh*t.
Even Burimer and Mouris, who had silent personalities, werent able to hold back their anger and began to fume.
We were pushed back to our original position because of them, but now theyre asking us to get through their defense line? Theyve finally gone mad!
F*ck, the commander has lost his mind.
A stony shadow fell over the teams faces after they looked over the map. Chicha, which was on Payas side road, was located north-west of the Bodl depression. It was over 600 kilometers to Salal. They hadnt been able to break through the FROLINATs defense line at Kanem and were pushed back north-west. Asking them to reach Salal meant that there would be no help.
Black Mamba looked around at his teammates. They all had tired and dark expressions. He had to take them 600 kilometers. There was also Chartres, who couldnt move. How many of them would make it?
Those f*cking Russians, and that damned grail!
The NATO code name of STRELA 2 was the SA-7 Grail. The STRELA 2 was a delayed deployment one-manned air missile reaching only 4 kilometers in range, but it was enough to threaten a helicopter.
Team Jesepes escape route crossed over Koro Taro, New Delhi, Mundo, and NDjamena. The escape route given to Team Ratel was north of Team Jesepes escape route. Their escape route had ultimately been designed to make them shields for Team Jesepe. The captain didnt know that his team was being used as bait to ensure Makumbos safe return.
Suddenly, FROLINATs defense line became more fearful.
They had been planning to escape through Salal, but the net became tighter day by day. It was to the point they came across scouting units several times per day. Black Mamba, who already sensed their presence, had continuously led their vehicle around them.
Team Ratel had descended to Kouba Olanga 100 kilometers south and had been pushed back up towards Chicha. They had been pushed north while trying to avoid the small FROLINAT sentry units.
Black Mamba had recommended retreat, but the Captain had declined. He was dissatisfied with the captain who had become an introvert, but it wasnt as though he couldnt understand. The captain had lost three subordinates at once. He didnt fear the battle but never wished to see another subordinate dead.
In addition to their injuries, Chartres condition turned for the worse.
His stiffening muscles and high fever had knocked him down. When his vocal cords hardened, conversations were impossible. His advice for Black Mamba about being manipulated by the old men became his last words. With a critical patient with them, the teams movements became more difficult.
Ombuti, a sandstorm is coming.
His resonance waves had become a new sense. He could automatically grasp the changes of humidity and wind in the air.
You can feel sandstorms, Wakil, youve become one of us, part of the Tuareg tribe. Ill find shelter immediately.
Ombuti was surprised. His Wakil was an amazing person, no matter how many times he saw him.
Where is this?
Its called Djourab Erg. It should be around 40 thousand square feet. Its the most useless, driest land in all of the Sahel. If you head in towards Djourab Erg, there should be a region full of dunes.
This place feels more like mud than dry sand.
It is said that a large river ran through this place in the past. The river has mixed the sand and mud.
Black Mamba paused, and expelled his resonance waves.
He could feel a large vein deep inside the ground. It wasnt precise, but he could feel the absorbing mudflats and sands up ahead.
If the vehicle landed on top of those, it would be swallowed instantly.
Ombuti, go around 300 meters to the right.
Understood.
Its Wakils decision. We move 300 meters to the right from this point. Each vehicle follows closely.
Roger.
Ombuti didnt argue or question when it was Black Mamba talking.
Left 45 degrees.
Right 30 degrees.
Black Mamba kept ordering the directions.
Ombuti, it seems like there would be a lot of accidents in Djourab Erg.
Youre right. Theres a lot of quicksand around here. Sometimes, when theres a full moon, people get buried underneath sandstorms.
Surprising.
Im more surprised at Wakils ability to avoid the hidden quicksands and whirlpools.
I should be able to do at least this much to have a Tuareg warrior as a servant.
Black Mamba smiled.
Ombuti took a look at his owners face through the rear-view mirror before his face rippled with creases.
I will do my best not to besmirch my owners name.
Black Mamba grasped the back of his neck at the old servants reply. He had taken the joke too seriously.
Those bastards will have a hard time hauling the bikes and panzers over.
Its difficult for those who do not know the path, but its too early to let our guard down since they are used to this region, as well.
Black Mamba was worried.
Even the captains condition was worsening. The only normal person in their group was Ombuti. All the other badgers who had been thrown in the Sahel had lost their teeth. He sighed automatically at the thought of hauling around a sick badger on top of that.
Ombuti avoided the quicksands narrowly and led the first car deep into Djourab Erg, a large sand desert located north of Chad, south of Paya. Its 20 kilometers wide and 200 kilometers long, but it is not connected to the Sahara.
Slowly, a foreign sight was revealed. Ombuti hadnt been wrong when he said the place would be different. A desert without a drop of water was spread out before him.
What a place!
Their environment he had seen so far had been deserted, but Djourab Erg was beyond his imagination. Low mountains of sand filled the horizon in a pattern, as though a giant had gathered and thrown lumps of sand around. On the other side were dunes made from the wind overlapping like the flow of water, making it look like a large saw.
There wasnt a speck of blue to be found.
Not even the acacia trees, which could be found everywhere in the Sahel, existed. Only the dark red sandstones and shades of brown sand that their wheels got stuck in, were spread around.
Ombuti stopped the pickup underneath a large cliff.
Burimer, Mike, Jang Shin, and Emil were still in decent condition and began to set up camp.
Huh! How tall is this thing?
Black Mamba looked up at the large cliff that had sprouted from its roots in the clay grounds. It wasnt a cliff but a large concave of a rock that had been whittled down by sandstorms.
The rock which sprouted vertically like a folding screen looked over a 100 meters tall. It was hard to even compare the eagle rock at his hometowns bridge to its size.
Looks like sedimentary rock, but the top is gneiss, and the bottoms mixed with limestone. Its going to crash after some time.
Black Mamba searched the sand, knocked on the rocks, and even smelled some with his nose buried in them.
Africa was a tiring but interesting continent.
It was a continent of greed and wildlife, where, regardless of human or animal, only the strong survived.
To the north were endless deserts, which compared to the breadth of the U.S. To the west, was a rainforest the size of India. To the south were thousands of kilometers of plains.
This place that frazzled their nerves was the frontier of the empty, dry Sahara. But he didnt know such a dry place existed. Black Mamba had a curious nature, and when he concentrated on a new object, he tended to forget the flow of time.
Burimer, Blacks certainly different. Hes warming up by investigating the region voluntarily, even when hed been told to rest.
Hes the textbook example of a mercenary.
They should all look up to him.
What? A textbook example of a mercenary? Did you have a stroke?
Jang Shin, who had been listening to the captain and Burimers conversation, found it ridiculous. Black Mambas actions stemmed from his curiosity. His actions were no different from a childs whod gained a new toy. He worried about their states of mind as they exclaimed praises.
Damn, one bastards sh*t is prettier than others, is that it?
Jang Shin, who suddenly turned angry, began to dig the ground violently. The faster he set up camp, the faster he would be able to fill his stomach.
A sandstorm began to form.
Bodls sandstorms, which stopped at blinding their sights, was nothing compared to this. The sky and earth were filled with sand, and their sight neared zero. The wind didnt scream but echoed like thunder. It was the sound of the sand scratching the grounds surface.
Ughhh, its annoying, so annoying!
Mike wore his goggles in a hurry as he shook his head with distaste.
This is the reason why those camels have such long lashes.
Jang Shin also shook his head with distaste as he wore his goggles.
The mercenaries had gotten used to the Sahel but became weary of Djourab Ergs sandstorms. They wrapped the litams around themselves more tightly before pressing the goggles around their heads. The minuscule sand and dust were the primary enemies against maintaining their good conditions. It could cause eye disease, bronchitis, laryngitis, and pneumonia.
For mercenaries, their body was their wealth. They had to protect their wealth.
Chapter 71 - Episode 5: A Desperate Escape
The violent sandstorm was gradually calming.
This weather was unique to Djourab Erg. The winds changed rapidly. A sudden storm was prone to send objects flying hundreds of meters away and those winds that raged as though they could blow away camels would suddenly change into a gentle breeze.
Now, lets begin.
Burimer conducted.
The entire team worked to scatter the landmines against the trip wires and installed claymore mines.
Mouris planned the distance and direction, while Burimer marked down each ones buried location on a status plate with a red pen.
They had to collect their mines when they moved. That collection task was tedious. There was a supply issue, but the Mitterrand government had taken the lead in creating a compromising ban on mines, so they had to collect them to avoid national criticism.
It was a bothersome and difficult task, but no one complained because it was better than dying from a FROLINATs bayonet while sleeping.
Aside from Black Mamba, the entire team was bound to die when they faced several of them in close-range combat. A strange human, like Black Mamba who fought a hundred-on-one, only existed in movies.
Mouris, how many sets of claymores did you install?
I set up 8 in total around the 300-meter front, at a distance of 15 meters each.
And the mines?
I placed doubles of 50 sets around 400 and 350 meters.
The captain decided that the front 400 meters would be their first line of defense. Mouris directed the team to bury FM6a mines around the defense line.
The FM6a mine was created by Frances GIAT and based on the American M16a2 antipersonnel mine. It was the same mine, but the FM6a weighed only 500 grams, a peanut compared to the 4.1-kilogram M16a2.
As a defensive weapon, the FM6a was concentrated for resistance rather than an attack mechanism. More explosions meant more casualties.
The FM6a, loyal to its purpose was one of the few effective French-made weapons that the captain acknowledged
The team buried the mines and began digging trenches.
Even Black Mamba joined in when they began to dig trenches. The shoveling skills that he had practiced since he was seven had been recognized even on the bridge. Black Mamba was not the most confident in sniping but in using the ax and shovel.
His strong physique and long experience shone its light in the midst of slaving away.
Pat Whisk Pat Whisk
His actions of sticking the shovel into the sand and removing it flowed like water. While two of this team managed to dig one trench, he, alone, dug two.
His physique was 18 times the human average. As he whisked the shovel around with frightening power and speed, his teammates watched him from afar.
Is he even human? Mouris murmured to himself with a pinched expression.
Would that be possible if I raised a hundred stray dogs? Bellman also whispered.
What are you guys doing? Organize the trenches that Black Mamba dug and connect them with pathways. Should I kick your *ss? Mike scolded his teammates.
The captains expression was extremely dark.
The camp was set below the tall stone so it would have fewer temperature fluctuations and higher moisture, but his anxiousness was fanned by the gathering of unusual factors.
Burimer, do you think I made another mistake?
Dont concern yourself. Whether you did or didnt, there wasnt a choice. We cannot leave Chartres with his high fever out in direct sunlight or heat waves.
Burimer cut off the captains worries.
His darkness lifted slightly.
Higher terrain was naturally advantageous for defense, but they had set up camp in lower terrain for Chartres and worry started to swell.
Burimer, I dont feel good about this.
Is it because of the caravan we saw during the day?
I should have shot it.
Why did you stop Black Mamba?
I dont know!
Was it because of the woman?
Hm!
The captain cleared his throat without replying. In the caravan of five camels and six people, there had been a young woman mixed in.
He had stopped Black Mamba who had pulled out his Glock. The moment he looked at the womans eyes, he had recalled his dead wife.
Captain, youre making a mistake.
Black Mamba had warned him, but he had dismissed it. The moment those clear eyes had invaded his heart, the captain had been unable to kill them.
Dont worry too much. There isnt any evidence that theyre informants after all. Burimer reassured me.
No, Black Mamba isnt someone who kills randomly. There is a reason why he pulled out his gun.
Its something that already happened. Its nothing new when theres a battle every time our eyes open. We have Black Mamba. We just need to fortify our defenses.
The captain recalled the way Black Mambas eyes had glinted when he told him that he was making a mistake.
That damned bastard! Hes threatening an officer on a whim just because his fist is strong. How am I supposed to survive military life scared of a foot soldier?
The captain rambled on about things that stupid Korean veterans said daily. It seemed as though, whether one was Asian or Western, military uniforms made them all the same.
The bastard who had threatened his officer on a whim was next to Chartres.
If muscle stiffness increased, the body twisted on itself. Pain was pain, but the danger of being injured also increased. Chartres neck and face muscles had diminished immensely. He wasnt able to drink water properly anymore.
They were in the wild. If he didnt consume enough water, that became a scientific death in and of itself.
Damn, this is acute tetanus for sure.
Tetanus dormant state was around 3 to 20 days. The piece of grenade stuck in his body had begun to cause a reaction.
Those f*ckeres! They should have used a cleaner grenade.
You bastard, why are you being an idiot when Im already frustrated? Go light the fire.
Bellman chased out Emil who was talking this nonsensical stuff.
Ke. Kegh.
The sound of Chartres voice splitting rang in the air.
F*ck, I need to feed him water. If he continues, hes going to bite his tongue.
Bellman, turning anxious, soaked the bandages and made Chartres hold them with his mouth. It was the only thing he could do in the middle of a desert.
Are there no medicines for him? Mike asked worriedly.
Ive injected him with pentobarbital and penicillin. But they arent effective since his immunity was compromised too much.
Bellmans expression darkened the more Chartres breaths roughened. He called for Black Mamba.
Black, we need to call a helicopter.
Its already been requested.
Is it coming?
Bellman was anxious to the point his hand seemed to poke out of his throat.
Ill check.
Hurry. He needs immediate aid.
I got it.
The reply came from 10 meters beyond.
Unfortunately, the captain and Black Mamba didnt know what decision they had come to in the Aubagne Headquarters conference. The Department of Defence and the DGSE had already deemed the mercenaries deployed and had stopped caring.
Colonel Philip was held responsible by the higher-ups and had to hand over Team Ratels strategic rights to the Airborne regiment. He had pushed a rescue team into the Sahel on his own and wrote a false report.
The information that had been delivered to Philip was faked or cut off. The captains helicopter request was dismissed by the operation commanders hands. The helicopter hadnt even been sent.
Captain, where is the helicopter?
When Black Mamba shouted, the entire ground shook.
The captain who had been checking over the defense formation frowned.
They said theyre heading out in two hours. Considering the flight time, they would be arriving in five. Is Chartres condition critical?
Bellman said its acute tetanus. He has to be sent to the emergency room immediately.
The captains face crumpled like a devils. Unable to overcome his emotions he threw his Famas to the ground.
Sh*t, these f*ckers! Dirty bastards!
The captain exploded in anger towards an uncertain target. His insides were boiling, but he didnt know who to curse at.
He found his calm after a few heaves of his shoulders. The team would be in danger if its leader was shaken by emotions.
Black, the teams safety is foremost. Leave Chartres to Bellman, and go check the outer defense lines.
But
Its an order. Black. Your place isnt next to Chartres. There are eight other comrades that you need to protect. Dont forget that this place is a Fond Rouge (Red Ground).
Black Mamba immediately snapped to attention.
Understood.
His team leader was right. This wasnt the time to whine, swept away by emotions. It was time to decide and move critically.
You didnt forget my words either, right?
At Black Mambas eerie tone, the captain flinched.
The warning to prepare himself when something went wrong with Chartres swept across his mind. He had also been warned when he left the helicopter to be shot down at Er Ekdim valley.
Chartres, do not die. If you die, Ill be beaten up by some inhuman guy. F*cking bastard. Hes threatening me at every turn.
The captain truly wished for Chartres well being as he looked at Black Mambas as he drifted further beyond.
Thinking about his position, an officer who was trying his best not to be beaten up by an airman, he sighed. He had long lost his composure, but if anyone saw how Mike had been beaten up, even Commander Dimanche would have saved his hide.
F*ck, I shouldnt have stopped Black Mamba.
The captains expression wavered nervously. The thought of the six locals who had passed by on the camels refused to leave his mind. He had made a decision based on his emotions, unlike a leader.
Black Mambas words berating him for making a mistake kept ringing around his ears.
He couldnt kill unarmed locals based on suspicions, but Black Mamba wasnt the type to say random things.
Even if it wasnt them, theres plenty of sentries lying around Borkou.
The captain reassured himself. Black Mamba had managed to kill three teams, a total of 15 people, during the move today.
The captain was still anxious.
His battle instincts kept sending a red signal.
Black, how do you feel?
You can appear freely too: Those like you Ive never hated. Of all the spirits who deny, its you, The jester, whos most lightly weighted. Mans energies all too soon seek the level; he quickly desires unbroken slumber, so I gave him you to join the number, to move, and work, and play the devil.
The first verse of Faust rolled out of Black Mambas mouth.
You damned bastard!
It was a leisurely speech, but despite its serenity, it meant that the enemy was coming. It simultaneously mocked him, the irony of a Korean bastard reciting Faust.
The captain gathered the team and gave another warning.
My instincts tell me something bads about to happen. Their activities have suddenly increased. We need to prepare for the worst. Have as many hand grenades on you. Dont light any fires, and make sure everyones on guard. It seems like Black angered Habib thoroughly.
Yes, sir.
Black Mamba, youre in charge of the rear. Their signature move is attacking at both sides. Ombuti, since theres a lack of members, help Jang Shin, like last time.
Okay.
Burimer, are there any more grenade launchers?
If youre talking about the ASG17, theres around 40 left.
You take care of that like last time. It may be humiliating, but hes the best at it.
Yes, sir.
Black Mamba elbowed the captain.
Captain, you dont have to be nervous. If some deniable spirits come, we can just beat them up. The team has to rest to regain their battle capabilities. Ill guard. Have everyone take a good rest.
Mm, Black, your condition has to be in top shape.
Dont worry. I know my body well.
Black Mamba pointed at the faraway rock.
I can look out up to eight kilometers. Theres no problem.
The captain looked at Black Mamba and the rock then nodded his head.
Black will be on guard duty today. Everyone dismissed.
Wow!
Everyones expressions changed into delight. Black Mamba was a human radar. If he was on guard duty, they could sleep without worries. The entire team on guard duty wouldnt match one Black Mamba.
The mercenaries watched Black Mamba scale the cliff. It was vertical, around 100 meters high. His left and right sides moved in sync like a lizard as he scaled the rock and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Chapter 72 - Episode 6: A Desperate Escape
His talents are wasted. He should get rid of that Kepi Blanc and climb Mt. Everest.
I suppose if he climbs like that, he could conquer Mt. Everest within a day. Hed be able to earn so much money if he gets sponsored.
Wouldnt he earn more if he competed in the Olympics?
Whats the point? He doesnt know how to use it.
Right. Hes a virgin with a chastity belt. He doesnt know women, doesnt know alcohol, doesnt know how to gamble. Ive no idea what he does for fun in his life.
Wouldnt he live for killing? There were seven guerrillas in Er Ekdim with their heads sliced off.
Do you suppose he dips his bread in blood when were not looking? Dont the Chinese eat humans too?
Emil and Jang Shin exchanged a meaningless conversation.
The mercenaries who had been listening in shook their heads. They couldnt distinguish whether the two rookies were immature or fearless.
Damn, the bread crumbs I spilled in the Legion Boutique (a small restaurant inside the Deuxieme Rep) are more than what they ate, but theyve left their fear back in Corsica, Burimer complained.
The Angel of Death, the Explosives Devil, the Minimi Sniper. Theyd earn heaps of cash if they formed an independent mercenary group. Do you think theyd let me join?
There was a tinge of true desire in Bellmans tone.
The desert night deepened.
The sandstorms calmed. The slightly sharp moon scattered its light while holding on to its halo. Their first day of the operation was last month. They could tell when a fortnight had passed by simply staring up at the moon.
At 100 meters high, there werent any flies or mosquitoes.
Black Mamba positioned himself alone atop the high cliff like a statue. The Djourab Erg seen from up high gifted him with different scenery.
He could see all of Erg in one view.
There was no need for night goggles. The moonlight was enough. The endless dunes clashed against the cluster of stars on the horizon.
The stars and dunes entangled themselves. Whether it was the stars that were being absorbed by the dunes, or the dunes jumping into the stars, a painting of the beginning was laid before him.
To think animals lived in such dry land!
An unknown animals cry howled endlessly. Sometimes, the supporting beams of the tent creaked, dragging the deserts silence more deeply into the night. Despite being void of even one blade of grass, he respected those who continued to survive in this place.
He recalled his hometown with its clear water and ample mountains.
He hadnt wanted much. He had dreamt of becoming a scholar after studying diligently. He wanted to spread a blanket and write poems underneath the peach tree in his house by the bridge.
He wanted to find his mother and ask why she had abandoned him. No, he wanted to show her how well hed grown. He wanted to eat his mothers warm rice and soup.
How did he end up in a rain of blood, thousands of kilometers away in a foreign land? The days had been a continuation of treading between life and death. Days of reaping lives and soaking the ground in blood. The place he had come to, to live like a human, was hell. Sadness welled up at the irony of having to kill humans to live like one.
He recalled the days when he had trained underneath his masters violent staff as though it was yesterday. He wondered whether the Dolly Varden trout that he used to eat by Mt. Chung Saengs river were doing well. Those trout were classified as salmon because they died shortly after spawning. One, which he wasnt sure if it was a rare one that survived spawning or a male, had been two feet long. No matter how much they grew, Dolly Varden trouts usually stopped growing at nine inches. He had considered throwing that one in his spicy soup bowl but allowed it to live its due life. He had always checked how well it was doing every time he bathed in the river. Connections were made like that.
What am I doing here?
His Master had always emphasized thinking.
What do those fake monks do while they sit in that serious position? Well, they wrap it up nicely, mentioning zen, or mediation, but all anyone does is think. They think of climbing on top of prostitutes and head down to gather a bunch of offerings. Even those fake priests with nothing to do think of making it big one day, so what do you think those secular ones do? Think a lot. If you think, answers come, and decisions can be made. You sometimes contemplate whether that b*tch that you call your aunt should be strangled or sliced, dont you? If you think some more, the answer will come. Hahaha!
Bang
His head rang.
He had forgotten about Jang. He had crawled into this hell because of that dirty b*itch. He hadnt been able to erase the evil woman from his mind because she was his aunt!
Would I have felt better if I buried that woman?
He remembered the day he dug a hole at Mt. Chung Saeng to bury that assistant who had been allowed to live thanks to his master showing up. If he had buried that man, he would have buried Jang, too, for certain.
He remembered Chartres advice, of how the killing wasnt everything. Chartres was right. She was a human worth killing, but with time, he realized that didnt have to be the case. The method which Chartres taught him, of making her owe up to her debt for a long time, seemed right.
He had saved one life worth killing and had become a murderer reaping innocent lives in some random land thousands of kilometers away. There couldnt have been a human who reaped as many lives, in a short time, as he did.
Was he truly cursed at birth, as Jang said?
Could he return to his hometown safely?
He wanted to eat Hae Soons Doenjang-jjigae so badly, it drove him mad. He missed his masters stinging staff.
How was Hae Young?
Was she studying hard? Was she healthy? She must have gained a man. He had heard that in the States, a man and womans relationship was as free as it was in France. She must have someone, white or black. Itd be lonely otherwise.
It was only after he left his masters side that he felt his masters love. It was because of him that he had been able to swim out of the deep ravine called Hae Young. With his staff, he had shattered the hardened past his student carried around like a rock.
It was his master who used to give all of his offering rice elsewhere and return with rocks in the empty bag. He wondered whether he was even praying at his age, well over 80.
Namuamitabul Gwanseumbosal!
A Buddhist phrase rolled out without him realizing.
The sandstorm began to grow once more.
It was Djourab Ergs capriciousness. The weather was hard to predict. A strand of sand covered the moonlight. The desert that had been shining became dark once more.
That damned wind.
Black Mamba put on his goggles instead of the night viewer. He couldnt adjust to the sandstorms. The wind was strong, so much so that the large rock rang. Black Mamba, unable to bear the brunt on top of the rock, ultimately climbed back down.
***
Around the time Team Ratel had entered Djourab Erg, Habib was waiting for a guest in his mansion.
Sir, Ive been told that the chairmans car had just passed Pangaro.
Habib received his butlers report and nodded his head. Pangaro was the first checkpoint from the entrance of the road leading up to his mansion. It had been made in a zig-zag pattern to prevent someone from speeding to the mansion. It took five minutes to reach it.
Habibs huge mansion was located in the Undgar region of Paya Largo, but it was only after the car passed 300 meters in from the entrance, on the path, that it could greet the mansions walls.
Habibs Romanesque, two-story, white mansion was hidden by a large array of trees. It was a rare sight in Paya, which didnt get a single drop of rain all year.
Noel Habib was a member of the highest council in power within FROLINAT, the Council of 11. It had the most voting power, consisting of military figureheads that moved the FROLINAT as a whole.
Habib was wearing a yellow-brown uniform and exuded strong features unique to those who were Tibesti Arabs. The dark, burnt face, thick curls, deep-seated eyes, and slightly widened nose were the traditional features of the Arab locals who lived on the Tibesti mountain range.
Habib was the boss who led the Hawkish Faction of the Council of 11. He was waiting for the head of the Dovish Faction, a council member, and Chairman Tombye. A secret meeting had been established on Habibs request.
Habib sat on the wooden chair on his terrace and lifted a cigar.
His butler immediately cut the edge and lit it. Habibs face wasnt bright. Whether it was raccoons or badgers, some unknown group had messed up his plans.
Where did it go wrong?
The smoke expelled from Habib floated out of the terrace.
The plan surrounding Makumbo had been made by the Hawkish Faction of the Council of 11 to alter the phase of affairs. The leaders were Habib and Goukouni.
Buying time was the main factor of Habibs established plan.
When France began interfering with Chads internal affairs, once more, the FROLINAT sphere of power began to feel threatened.
Its power was stronger than Habres government, but there wasnt a noticeable difference. If France supported Habre, then purely, with the influence of FROLINAT alone, theyd be hard to bear. Even the national media turned against the FROLINAT. It was because the northern army had plundered NDjamena.
They needed time for the FROLINATs best military leaders, Goukouni and Habib, to unite their forces. And to unite their forces, they needed Gaddafis military reinforcements.
The main vein of his established plan was simple.
He, Goukouni, and Makumbo would share roles. Habib was responsible for controlling the Habre army, Goukouni was responsible for Gaddafis reinforcements, and Makumbo was responsible for blocking the French militarys movements to enter Chad, all to gain time.
Makumbo would turn and suggest an alliance with Habres army. France, who was feeling the pressure in military deployment, wouldnt refuse. Habib would begin tailing them to erase the betrayer.
France would begin its operations to save Makumbo.
Makumbo would keep buying time by changing his location continuously. Habib would pretend to chase after Makumbo, but in reality, erase Frances special forces as they were deployed.
As long as Makumbo and he bought time, Goukouni would be able to receive Gaddafis aid of soldiers and weapons. Then, they would unite the moderate factions military strength and increase the speed of FROLINATs revolution.
Once the gauge of a revolution was filled, theyd destroy the governments army and control it, at once. And then, theyd enslave the southern greasy bastards as they had done before.
That was the backstory of the Makumbo case.
But the successfully proceeding plan had suddenly flipped on its head.
The French special forces had broken his army and flipped the Sahel around. While he was chasing after them, Makumbo disappeared. Habib felt deeply suspicious of Makumbos sudden disappearance and the lack of contact.
Hes here!
A yellow Jeep arrived in front of his mansion. It was the GAZ69A four-wheel-drive Jeep that had been produced by the Soviets since 1972.
Habib ran down the stairs swiftly. An Arab dressed in a traditional brown Gandourah came out.
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu (May Allahs peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you). Tombye, its nice to meet you.
Wa Allahaykumut salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu (May Allahs peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you, too). Its nice to meet you, Habib.
Tombye, who possessed peaceful features, was a member of the Council of the 11 and followed a different line from Habib as the leader of the Dovish Faction. A soulless, formal greeting and blessing was exchanged between the two.
Tombye didnt look comfortable.
Habib was the head of the violent military sector of the FROLINAT, the FAP. Habib was prone to execute violent military actions, and even the expressions of those military activities people had toned down. In reality, the criminal activities involved plundering and kidnapping. He was the reason that many tribes that had once supported the FROLINAT turned their backs to support Hissne Habr.
Losing the peoples trust would lead to the crumbling of the FROLINATs foundation. Tombye often criticized violent military activities, but Habib didnt even snort. Tombye found the fact that he was even meeting with rough and violent Habib distasteful.
Habib led Tombye to the large second-floor terrace.
The butler brought out some tea and simple dishes, but the two didnt even look at him.
Chairman, weve been fooled by Makumbo and our countrymen. Im sure that the French special forces are currently tracking Makumbos bait. Another team must have made contact with him. Makumbo should already be in Kanem Province or NDjamena. That bastard should be enjoying his Chateau Mouton-Rothschild* with Robert Tanshe by now. Perhaps laughing until his mouth splits.
*Chateau Mouton Rothschild is a product of Bordeaux, France, and one of the three French generations of wine. It became famous in 1924 for putting famous artists paintings on its labels: Picasso, Matisse, Dal, Mir, Chagall, Cocteau, Kandinsky, and others, were featured. Depending on its vintage, it could be sold for 5,000,000 to 400,000,000 Won in South Korea.
Chapter 73 - Chapter 11, Episode 7: A Desperate Escape
Habibs arrogant eyes flickered with violent rage.
What a dirty murderer.
Tombye avoided Habibs gleaming eyes.
Habibs cold personality and racism towards tribes had caused people to lose their faith in the FROLINAT. Although they were in the same boat, Tombye felt as though Habib was a ticking time bomb.
Habib, calm down. You are the creator of this plan. Makumbo has been with us for many years. I believe that he is faithfully following the plan to give us more time. Ive received reports that the French special forces called The Badgers are still sweeping through Sahel. Ive also heard that there were many losses on our side.
Tombye didnt like Habibs violent behavior and how he distrusted Makumbo. The FROLINAT, without trust, was bound to crumble if the brotherhood didnt remain solid and united.
Habibs eagle eyes flashed with anger.
Chairman, thats the thing. Theyre definitely bait. Weve been lured into a battlefront on both sides. Robert Tanshe had thrown the Ratel at us to cause a diversion and took Makumbo.
Do you have evidence proving those bastards are bait?
In the beginning, I wasnt sure that they were. Considering their immense strength and the information I received from Gaddafi, I didnt think of them as a decoy. However, they definitely are. Its been three days since Ive lost contact with Makumbo, and the Ratel have remained sweeping through Sahel.
Isnt there a possibility that those Ratel people kidnapped Makumbo?
Its small, but that is a possibility. However, I am still convinced that Makumbo has betrayed us.
I dont believe any of this. Ive heard that our forces suffered losses in the hundreds. Do you think it makes sense to use such a large battle force as bait?
Habib felt bitter as he began to think of the losses.
Their strength was immense to the point that even he became uncertain after receiving the reports. He wanted to chew Ahmud out for making him look like a fool in front of the old man.
I didnt think that those bastards were bait since their battle strength was so large. The losses weve suffered at their hands amount to over 700 soldiers.
No, thats impossible. Are you saying that youve suffered so much from just a few frogs? Those 3000 soldiers, who were trained by the Northern Joseonese torture officers, were crushed by a handful of special forces members? Ha, my, my, I cant believe it! Hahaha!
Tombye clicked his tongue and expressed his surprise with laughter.
This f****** old bastard!
Habib gritted his teeth discreetly. He found the old mans pretense of ignorance, even after he had already received all the reports, hateful. He was an old man who would have cheered at the prospect of the hawkish factions weakened power.
Chairman, the information given to you was wrong. They are the Legion Etrangers Deuxieme Rep, who are known to be battle machines. Ive received a report that several companies had moved separately in teams, equipped themselves with heavy weapons, and gathered once a battle occurred.
Habib believed the report Ahmud and Payze gave him to the very last word. Since he was unaware of Black Mambas existence, he could only make the wrong assumptions.
He had been given information on how the French special forces team called Ratel was about the size of a squadron from Libyas intelligence department, but Habib dismissed it.
A squadron sized special forces team had swarmed Sahel?
This didnt sound believable. There was a limit to how much a soldier could gain from training. So, it didnt make sense that ten or so special forces soldiers erased Mustas independent battalion and destroyed Ahmud.
Hm, this hurts our pride. To think three main armies were defeated by mere frogs. What do you plan to do?
I must catch them no matter what. I must hang their heads on the front gate of Tibesti headquarters no matter what it costs me.
Habib gathered even more strength in his blazing eyes and glared at Tombye. His bloodshot eyes were filled with madness.
Tombye wished to leave the place immediately. He had received a report that Habib had suffered a major military loss, but he hadnt known the loss was over 700 soldiers. Laughter pushed up his throat at Habibs actions and at the sight of him jumping around in his seat.
I see, council member Habib, your military loss was great. I didnt know. If you are lacking soldiers, Ill ask the other council members to help you. So, make sure you catch those bastards.
Thank you.
At Tombyes uncaring offer, Habibs insides began to boil.
He wanted to embed a bullet inside him for mocking him by offering help at this point. If they had gathered their forces when he had first asked, he would have been able to set a trap and would have long killed those bastards.
What are you planning to do about tracking down Makumbo?
At Tombyes question, Habib shook his head.
Makumbo has already left by another route. Its less likely, but theres also a possibility that the Ratel team is protecting him. Im planning to destroy the other forces trying to escape to Kanem by reinforcing my own. If they all die, then Makumbos worth will also drop. And wed have to herd those Ratel bastards to end them. If they had been protecting Makumbo, it would be killing two birds with one stone. Chairman, youd have to aid us with some of your forces.
I understand. Ill gain the help of the other members.
Thank you. Wheres council member Goukouni right now?
Hes awaiting Gaddafis reinforcements down at Zaura.
Zaura? Habib repeated.
He had received a report from Payze that Goukounis army had settled at Zaura recently.
Chairman, dont trust Goukouni too much. Theres a possibility that he is also enjoying a glass of Chateau Mouton Rothschild with Tanshe and Makumbo.
Habib, dont share your extreme opinions. Your words can be taken as purposeful dissension.
Tombyes face shimmered with unpleasantness. Habibs words had crossed the line. Those were words that could create trouble between armies.
Chairman, go check if Goukounis FAP is in Zaura right now. Ill bet my entire fortune that Goukounis army isnt there.
Habib didnt step down. The FROLINAT was bounded together by compromises. As long as he had greater benefits for himself, he was prepared to turn his back on them immediately. Therefore, the possibility that Goukouni had turned his own back on them after reading the current flow of events was high. Tombye, who stared at Habib with dissatisfaction, picked up the phone. He ordered his subordinate to check whether Goukounis army was in Zaura, then hung up.
Habib threw his tired body upon the sofa.
The two men paused their conversation and fell into their own thoughts.
That idiotic dovish party had been pursued by the national media and left NDjamena to retreat into the northern regions. Since then, they had been cornered.
Chairman, we should have pushed down south when we had NDjamena in our grasp.
If we had pushed south towards Lark and Hadjer-Lamis back then, France and the U.S. would have sent armies. If the Peoples Army hadnt plundered NDjamena and killed its residents, the national media wouldnt have worsened either.
Habib exploded in frustration after hearing his indifferent response.
If your dovish party hadnt requested a larger portion, that wouldnt have happened.
How does the suggestion to create coalitions based on the population turn into a request for more portions? Your idea of bringing in outsiders is a problem.
I cant stand the sight of those slaves acting as though theyre the owners of Chad. The slaves have taken over the fertile south, while the actual owners, the northern warriors, are made to fight for their lives at the Tibesti mountain range and the Sahel. Meanwhile, the slaves are growing a handful of goats and digging murky wells.
The debate began once more.
Tombyes head ached. The final goal of the FROLINAT was to establish an independent government against outside forces. The FAP had insisted on an Arab-based government with pride as their cause.
The FAPs goal was to regain their pride and establish a military-power based government.
In the past, even the Muslim fishers by Chad Lake had four to five southern slaves under their command.
Habib was someone who was chained by the past.
He saw those southern blacks as traitorous slaves and didnt recognize their citizenship. Habibs goal was to conquer the fertile south and enslave the Christians like in the past.
Enough. Lets be honest, both you and I are bloodthirsty men who are trying to expand our influence to gain central power.
When Tombye took a step back, Habib closed his mouth.
Are you certain that Makumbo has betrayed us?
Makumbo is a sly fox. If Goukouni received Gaddafis reinforcements faster, we could have moved according to our original plan. France has reinforced Clemenceau and moved foot soldiers into the capital. Makumbo, who saw this change, has attached himself to France. If not, there would have been no reason for the communication to stop.The Ratel are the cause of this chaos. Those f****** bastards!
Hm! Tombye sighed deeply and closed his mouth.
Habib didnt open his mouth again.
He was waiting for the situational report on Er Ekdim Valley. Newly founded rage rushed in. He found those bastards called Ratel even more hateful than the betrayers Makumbo and Goukouni.
The plan they had been following to the letter was now tangled up like palm leaves.
Habib shook his head. This situation was as a complicated as the Gordian knot. The big problem was the FROLINATs careless combination of material goods. The bastards who had jumped between their attempts to change their combination from material to chemical were the Ratel.
The Ratel team had interfered when he was about to get rid of Goukouni after noticing his change of heart. While he was dealing with them, he had lost communication with Makumbo. The sheer amount of military loss he had suffered at their hands totaled two battalions. Now, due to his pride, he couldnt forgive them.
From those in the FROLINATs army who had fought against the Ratel team, only a few had survived. Each one of those guerrilla warriors who had survived shivered in fear as they believed Black Mamba was responsible for this travesty. They referred to Black Mamba, who created incomprehensible deaths everywhere, as Kanma, Reuhur, or Azrael.
Kanma and Reuhur were thought to be humans who were reincarnated as the South African traditional spirit Roa. They were magical beings that caused calamities and deaths in a South African language. The Kanma was a more realistic and cold-blooded being than Reuhur and was known as an immortal who drank human blood and filled its stomach with human flesh.
Habib laughed at the rising Kanma rumors that were spreading rapidly across Sahel. Desert tribes originally believed in many myths, revering and fearing the existence of supernatural beings. The harsher the climate humans lived in, the more they believed in myths and revered cruel tribal gods.
The rumors of the Kanma, which was spreading across Sahel, was nothing less than dumbfounding.
There were rumors that the Kanma had sent one platoon to Allah in a single breath, made bullets curve around obstacles to meet their target, and that soldiers were crushed by rocks larger than elephants when they fought back.
Those were all exaggerations the defeated cowards had spread.
Those idiots.
Habib gritted his teeth.
His army had become a mess by chasing after that group of frogs. Due to Musta and Ahmuds failure, he was even being mocked by an old man like Tombye.
Makumbo had escaped through their grasps. Makumbo hadnt acted as though he had betrayed them, but he had truly turned coats. Habibs theory, aside from the part regarding the Ratel team, was close to the truth.
Ring-
The phone rang.
Tombye picked up the phone. He handed it over to Habib without a word. It wasnt a call regarding Goukounis whereabouts.
Oohu, yaallayihi!
Habib, who had been listening to the report, leaped to his feet and began to yell. His face had been gone pale from shock.
What happened to the frogs there are no corpses? F****** s***, what about Payze? Everyones dead, and only one with a critical injury survived?! What! Just one bastard? What are you talking about?! The Kanma flew all night?
Habibs hand, which was holding onto the phone, shook.
A surface-to-air missile, grenade launcher, and 120 desert warriors with RPG 20s were massacred by a single person?! You want me to believe that? You call this a report?!
Crash!
Habib threw down the phone.
He collapsed onto the wooden chair as his strength left him.
His head was buzzing. The personal air defense team and Payzes scouts he pushed into Er Ekdim Valley had been massacred. On top of that, it was all apparently done by a single person.
He couldnt believe it and didnt want to believe it. Ahmud kept talking about the Kanma, but was it really the Kanma? According to the company commander, the Kanma had been on a rampage ever since the air defense team shot the helicopter down.
Chapter 74 - Episode 8: A Desperate Escape
Theyve imagined it. It was a hallucination! Those idiotic bastards are rambling about evil spirits again.
Habib couldnt believe the company commanders report.
A Kanma who had been shot down by an RPG swooped in uninjured? A machine gunners neck slid off automatically, and the assistants face was crushed with a swing of a hand? Does that make sense?
Habib was shouting out loud. He was someone who had experience in battles as a field army sergeant. 120 soldiers were defeated by ten soldiers? No, he had seen too much in his lifetime to believe that they had been defeated by a single person. It was impossible unless Lieutenant Commander Payze lost his mind and gave his scouts reeds to hold onto instead of guns.
Habibs stiff face refused to relax. The wounded soldier who had initially reported the situation was reported to have fallen into a coma. Therefore, there was a high possibility that he had been hallucinating. The person who had destroyed his scouts had disappeared without a trace. The names Azrael and Kanma kept spinning around in his head.
There wasnt a soldier who survived after being a shot by the villain. On top of that, their traveling speed was miraculous. This was someone who showed the true meaning of a hit and run. Where was he going to find this villain who had disappeared? Although the Sahel region was vast, theyd have to find and kill this bastard or keep them alive!
Meanwhile, Tombye stared at Habib, who was fuming. He had been agreeable to the plan, which involved Gaddafi, from the beginning. However, there was no way a government manipulated by outside powers was going to be fine.
Tombyes political goal was to establish a democratic coalition. He had believed that a coalition based on population was the only solution to uniting all of the tribes. On the other hand, the hawkish faction, led by Habib, had insisted on establishing an Arab-based government. Habib, who usually abused his strong military background, was the stone in his shoe and thorn in his side.
Now that he had lost a third of his forces, he was no different than a lion without its teeth. Watching Habib fly into a rage over his loss made Tombye want to buy a meal for those Ratel people. Unfortunately, Tombyes amusement didnt last long.
Your Grace!
His subordinate interrupted his musings.
Your Grace, I cant get into contact with the 1st Command. According to the local informants, Goukounis army isnt in Zaura.
What? Goukouni isnt in Zaura?!
Tombye stood up from his seat, then collapsed back into it. His head was spinning. Habibs prediction had turned out right. Goukouni was also plotting something. He clutched his haggard face with his two hands.
Unlike Makumbo, Goukouni was a large fish who had once been in presidency. The fact that Goukounis army wasnt in Zaura meant that he was leaving the FROLINAT. He wouldnt join Frances side immediately, but this served as his declaration to begin an independent line.
Goukounis army was the core of the FROLINATs strength. His army combined with Makumbos forces left them with only one third of their military force. If they switched sides, then the future of the FROLINAT was bound to turn bleak. Now, even the Council of 11 was about to fall apart.
Ha!
Tombye buried his face in his large hands and sighed.
Habib shot a hateful glare towards Tombye, who was in despair.
That stupid old man
Tombyes careless countermeasures had thrown off his entire plan. Of course, it wasnt entirely his fault. Perhaps this was fate challenging the FROLINATs existence.
Habib, can you meet Gaddafi for me?
Tombye asked this without meeting Habibs gaze. Habib felt an urge to punch the old man in the mouth.
No. I am going to capture the French special forces who were the cause of this entire mess. Including Makumbo, of course. The Sahel is the land of us Muslims, not the land of frogs. Chairman, you should meet Gaddafi yourself. You should make up for your own mistake.
Tombye, who rubbed his face several times, stood up with a determined expression. No matter what anyone said, he was the Chairman of the dovish faction of the FROLINAT.
I understand, Ill leave immediately. You can handle your own work. Salmu ?alaykum (May peace be upon you)!
Ill be expecting Gaddafis reinforcements as soon as possible. Salmu ?alaykum!
When Tombye left, Habib called his butler.
Bring Ahmud out.
Ahmud had become visibly thinner during the past few days. Despite treating his subordinates lives like trash, Ahmud was someone who cared deeply for his own life. The few days he had spent shivering in fear in the underground cell had been hell. Ahmud raised his hand and praised Habib.
Allah is our only God. My Wakil, you will be blessed and have a seat reserved next to Allah!
A smile escaped from Habib.
Ha. Ahmud, stop babbling and put on your military uniform. Ill give you one last chance. Whether its the badgers or Kanma, I want you to bring their heads to me.
Oh, Allah, what a wise decision. May your fights on the battlefield be blessed.
Ahmud stepped back as if her were moving away from hells door. He truly had a cockroachs vitality. Ahmud left the office with a newfound confidence.
The reason why Habib returned Ahmud to his position was because there was no other commander he could trust. High ranking commanders like Musta and Payze, and several others, had been sniped by the bastard called Kanma.
I will send those frog bastards to hell! Those heathens who bathe in pigs blood will be sorry they ever messed with me!
Habib, who was unable to hold back his anger, kicked the UAZ Jeep that was meant for him. The driving soldier, surprised, stiffened like a palm tree. At the sound of gritting teeth, the soldiers body trembled. Habib was a violent boss. He was a man who killed his predecessor. The soldier felt as though he would wet his pants in fear.
The humiliation Habib had suffered before his competitor, Tombye, was burning his insides. How many soldiers had he sacrificed to those bastards? Over 500 of his soldiers had died. Although it wasnt difficult to recruit that many soldiers again, it would take time to train them.
The situation would end with him or them dying. If Goukouni had fled Zaura, the northern army would begin to fall apart. Even his reputation had declined.
However, a desert warrior didnt forget his revenge, even when everything seemed lost. Habib kicked the Jeep once more before he climbed into the car and left in a hurry.
Endoumi Doline, located south west on the edge of Djourab Erg, was 15 kilometers away from Ratels camp. Armed soldiers wearing sand colored gandouras climbed the dune like ants in line. The BTR152 also wriggled up the mountain of sand. Once they had climbed the 40-meter dune, they saw a piece of sunken land that was one kilometer in diameter.
Line up according to your units. Platoon leaders, distribute Jenkems according to each group. The sandstorm will die down soon. Hurry up.
Ahmud yelled at his soldiers while swinging his gun around. He was a man with extreme luck and had hit the jackpot once more. He had been defeated several times, had faked a report, and had been pummeled by Habib until dust flew. If the subordinate hadnt stepped in, he would have had a bullet between his eyes.
Ironically, the crushing defeat at Er Ekdim Valley had given him another chance. Not only had he avoided death, he had also been reinstated into command. The Council of 11 had also given him a direct order to annihilate the Ratel team that was rampaging across the Sahel.
He had also received reinforcements from each army for the first time. That showed how much the Ratel team had managed to annoy the FROLINATs leaders. He had to take on as much responsibility as he had been given in authority. If not, Habib would shoot him in the head.
Ahmuds face was dark. Whether it was raccoons or badgers, hed have to catch them. He, after thinking about the destruction of Payzes scouts, was frustrated.
However, his luck continued. He received a report that multiple pickup trucks carrying a strange group of people were moving across the Djourab. It was accurate information that reported eight people dressed as locals in three pickup trucks. Ahmud moved swiftly on his feet.
If those bastards went into hiding in the Ennedi Plateau, Ahmud would have problems. He gathered every mobile military force around the targeted region. He even received soldiers from other council members. The three days the Ratel team hadnt battled were also the three days Ahmud spent gathering his forces.
The number of soldiers the FROLINAT had was more than enough for a brigade. However, Chads central northern region was far too large. Furthermore, commanding authorities were divided, making it difficult to mobilize the army. This was the limit of a joint military command.
The FAPs 3rd army who had gone against the Ratel team had lost a total of 700 soldiers. The FAPs 1st and 4th armies had also suffered major losses. On top of that, there was a limit to the number of armies which could be aided due to the fracturing higher-ups.
Ahmud, who sat on top of the BTR153 Cupola, gritted his teeth.
I, Ahmud, was defeated and chased around by less than a dozen frogs?
He remembered the moment he hid in the underground shelter of the command post at the BTR cabin. His body shook in humiliation. He nearly rolled over and puked in disbelief when he found out that the number of frogs that had entered Djourab Erg was less than ten. Now that he thought about it, those bastards only had three pickup trucks in Guradi Ridge and Ekiya.
His theory that there was a main special forces team behind them was his own cover up story. The bastards who had entered Djourab Erg were the French special forces. This was the conclusion he reached after going over their previous battles and combining the local reports. It was unbelievable, but it was the truth.
The crazy hyena of the Sahel, Ahmud, had been decimated three times by those few frogs. Even his house had been ransacked. There couldnt be a worse joke or nightmare than this.
Ahmud looked around at the gathered forces around the Cupola. There were three BTR152 units, and a total of 265 soldiers. It was more than enough to crush a few frogs. If rumours spread about this, he would become a laughingstock.
Ahmud didnt let his guard down. The Ratels strength couldnt be measured in numbers. They were the Legion Etrangers sniper team they had heard troublesome reports about. Thinking of the Kanma bastard who had flown around at Guradi Ridge, Toko Toom, and Coromunga made the back of his neck break out in chills.
The other bastards who were in the same special forces as the Kanma had similar fighting abilities. The one who had showered them with the mine throwers at Guradi was as fearsome as the Kanma. A villain who launched grenades as precise as a sniper was something daunting.
Ahmud clamped down on his teeth. Whether he was the Kanma or not, one sniper wasnt capable of changing the battlefield. He, too, was someone who could die when shot by a bullet. He just had to be wary of that sniper. Being conscious of them, he moved every BTR152 he could mobilize in aid. Ahmud was someone who valued his life very much.
It was this or that. If he didnt catch those bastards this time, it was the end either way. Habib had ordered him to shove a gun barrel into his mouth and pull the trigger with his toes if he failed on catching the Kanma again.
He wasnt in a position to laugh at Musta. He had become an even more humiliating figure after being crushed three times and having his house stolen. He felt as though he could finally have his revenge once he peeled off those bastards skins alive and sprayed salt all over them.
Commander, were ready.
Receiving his sub-commanders report, Ahmuds face turned fierce. This was his fourth officer. He had lost three officers in the span of a month. The Kanma had killed those previous three. As long as the bastards positions were detected and being followed, this was the perfect chance to end them.
Move out, lets go catch those white pig bastards!
The 265 soldiers began to move out with their panzer units at the forefront.
Emil left the camp because he was worried about his partner. He had volunteered to stand guard, but Black Mamba was still injured. He couldnt help but to worry. When he finished climbing up the cliff, the sand in the wind slapped his face harshly. Even the stars began to blink in and out of sight within the strong Sahara winds.
F****** s***, this wind is acting up tonight, Emil complained as he stood at the top of the cliff.
He could see Black Mamba sitting down in that uncomfortable position as always. He had tried to mimic him before but had given up due to the pain it caused his legs. Not anyone could sit like a monster.
Black, what time is it?
What, Emil?
The glow-in-the-dark hand attached to his compass was pointing at three.
Its three. Why are you out?
Chapter 75 - Chapter 11, Episode 9: A Desperate Escape
The Captain said for us to switch shifts.
The truth was that Emil came to see Black Mamba because he was worried about him. However, he used the Captain as an excuse because he was too embarrassed to admit it.
Just go and rest. Night goggles are useless in this kind of weather. You wouldnt be able to see the enemy even if they were right under your feet.
The wind had died down, but it was still hard to see. The sky and ground were covered in sand. Even the moonlight had become hard to see.
Thats true, but you need to rest too.
Thanks for worrying about me. Partners like you are the best Wait!
Black Mamba crouched and pressed his ear to the ground.
Emil, its them. Their engines are loud. Its the tanks we saw earlier.
How far away are they?
Around 7 to 10 kilometers?
Those f****** bastards, why do they keep coming after us?
The Captain and that woman are the problem. Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
F***, the Captain must have gone crazy for a moment. Be sure to go beat him up later. I need to report this.
Emil ran to alert the camp.
The camp began to buzz loudly as the mercenaries immediately armed themselves and ran to their assigned places. When threatened by death, they moved fast.
Black, its the Captain. Can you confirm their distance?
Theyre around 7 kilometers away. Their numbers are high.
F***, I cant get a good view because of the wind.
The temperature is going up. The wind will die down soon.
Jang Shin, prepare the flare launchers.
Yes, sir.
Black, move out once they are 3 kilometers away. Guard the rear.
Yes, sir.
Mouris, after the Claymore goes off, grab the machine gun.
Yes, sir.
The Captain used his headset to go over each of the team members assignments. His senses were heightened. He believed that he had mistakenly led the enemies to their camp. This made him feel guilty.
S***, what are those?
Black Mamba saw a single group wearing yellow-brown gandouras move near their camp in Erra Ekadini. Due to their ability to camouflage and their sharp movements, he could tell they were from the same group as those who surprise attacked their rear at Uldi Hamarl.
Theyre the starting scouts.
Black Mamba, who had been aiming with his Dragunov, set down his firearm and spoke into his headset.
Black here. Twelve starting scouts are approaching.
The Captain immediately responded after receiving the transmission.
Let them pass.
Understood. Ill keep my eye on them.
Roger.
Black Mamba understood the Captains plan. If the enemies were going to attack them, it would be more advantageous to drag their main unit into the minefield. There was no reason to alert their guards by shooting down the scouts.
Black, those bastards are approaching the camp.
Let them be. Theyve detected our movements anyway. So, let them look at our camp. Hopefully, theyll go back and drag their comrades here afterward.
Emil was worried, but Black Mamba was relaxed. His sharp eyes followed the scouts who were climbing the dunes. The possibility of them discovering his hidden teammates was small, but unexpected things did happen in life. He was prepared to shoot them if anything happened.
The scouts were careful.
They simply checked the camps existence from afar and turned back without provoking them. When the enemies disappeared back into the darkness, Emil let out a sigh of relief.
Phew!
Emil removed his finger off the Minimi trigger. He trusted Black Mamba, but he was nervous to the point that his fingers had turned sweaty.
Theyll rush over like hounds.
Then well have to give them a very warm welcome.
As long as I have this dude and Black Mamba, I have nothing to fear.
Emil tapped his Minimi with his finger.
Didnt you complain about not being able to trust me before?
Which bastard said that s***?
Emil opened his eyes wide and glared around.
Wait, theres quite a lot.
Black Mamba ignored Emil and spoke into his headset.
Black here. Enemy sighted 3 kilometers away. There are three pathetic panzers.
Stand by.
Done. Moving to the rear now.
Roger.
Black, you said there were three panzers?
Jang Shin will take care of them. With a single shot from the Panzerfaust, that tank will be done. Jang Shin is the type of person who can land shots precisely on a panzer with a grenade launcher. So, we should go catch the mice in the back.
Black Mamba carried his Dragunov and stood up.
Damn, cant you help me up? Youre strong enough.
Emil carried his heavy magazine and complained. The Minimi bullets were gathered in a plastic magazine that contained 200 bullets per cartridge belt. They weighed 3.5 kilograms. The bag, which had ten of those magazines, weighed 40 kilograms. The weight of the Minimi was 7.2 kilograms. This meant that he had to run around carrying 50 kilograms. Emil had the right to complain.
You weakling!
Black Mamba snatched the magazine bag and disappeared into the night within a flash.
My God, Im being called a weakling at this age.
At a height of 190 cm and a weight of 90 kilograms, Emil was heavily muscled. The word weakling didnt suit him no matter how he looked at it.
Clack- Tap- Tap-
Emil pulled out the Minimis magazine and clipped on the cartridge belt. After shaking off his severe cold, he was feeling energetic.
Black, please dont raise your knife and spill blood everywhere.
I wonder if Ill be able to recognize you while Im fighting. I mean, drunk people cant even recognize their own father during the daytime. Emil, you should watch your back thoroughly just in case.
Wow. Thats a horrible joke.
If I accidentally kill you while going crazy, Ill make sure to give you a nice funeral.
Emil began to imagine an enemy soldier with his neck severed and head crushed. His body trembled at the image. Even if he did die, he didnt want to die in that manner.
Ha, and you call yourself my friend. If the enemies plan on coming here, they should come quickly. Im so tired. I feel like I am going crazy.
As expected, Emil had a heart of steel. However, it was hard to tell whether it was his metal heart or his loose screws speaking when he said he was tired before the battle.
Theyre here.
Theyre here?!
Emil put on his night goggles, but he couldnt see anything due to the excess dust. Even technologically advanced gear had its limitations.
Black Mamba turned on his headset.
Enemy ahead, to the right at 2 oclock. Their distance from the Captain is estimated to be 2200 meters. There are around 200 soldiers.
Received. Alert us when they are 600 meters away.
Enemy at the rear, 7 oclock, 3300 meters away.
Received. Black Mamba, you take care of that.
Roger.
Black, how can you sense their distance accurately? Will you teach me how to do it?
You are asking about that again? Okay, Ill teach you. First, you need to be confined in a cave for six months, with centipedes being your only source of food.
Mm, centipedes. If you eat a centipede, your hearing senses are heightened. Then what do you do?
You have to fight with a leopard.
That doesnt make sense. And then?
You need to be beaten by a staff until you are on the brink of death.
You f****** bastard, go f*** yourself.
But its true!
Leave it, you bastard. If you dont want to teach me, just tell me so. Why isnt there a single honest bone in you?
Bang!
Before Emil could finish complaining, an eruption echoed from the back. It was the sound of a grenade launcher.
Following that, there was the sound of a Dragunov.
Black, theyve started! Emil shouted in surprise.
I know, you dont have to tell me. Dont these bastards sleep?
Its the sound of a heavy mortar. Will it be okay? Emil continued, worried.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Crash!
The sound of loud explosions drowned the sound of gunshots. Bright fire streamed across the darkness. The battle of the grenade launchers, RPGs, and machine guns had begun.
Mike looked into his scope with blood-shot eyes.
His new partner, Mouris, was in charge of the Claymore mine and RPG. Meanwhile, Mike had settled into a sniping position to fill in Black Mambas empty spot.
Clang!
The green shadow that entered into the view of his scope crumpled to the ground.
A 700-meter long-distance shot took time to target precisely. Another target escaped after Mike had managed to get him in his scope carefully. It wasnt easy.
Damn, Mikes a monster.
Black Mamba was someone who shot his targets like dominoes at 800 meters. He didnt like Mike, but he had to admit that his abilities were respectable. Mike carefully began to erase the visible enemies one by one.
Black Mamba became anxious.
The enemies who were moving near the rear were approaching cautiously and slowly. His plan to wipe out this invading team and head over to assist the front was ruined.
Why are those bastards so slow?
Emil, who couldnt hold back any longer, took up the Minimi and aimed. Black Mamba pressed down Emils hand.
Wait. Theyre outside the shooting range.
A Minimis shooting range was 800 meters. The enemies were approaching from a 1000-meter point. It was possible to suppress them, but the distance was too far to kill.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue inwardly.
If the enemy commander had intended for the rear invasion to separate their forces, then it was commendable.
Theyve entered the first tripwire zone.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The mimes began to explode before Black Mamba finished his sentence. The first tripwire was placed at 600 meters, the second at 400 meters.
Aaaaaaargh!
The enemies first wave of soldiers attacked, and the mines exploded in a row.
Jeez, those bastards have no imagination at all, Emil said calmly.
The front was chaotic with the sounds of gunshots and explosions overlapping one another. Black Mamba trusted his Captain and his friends, so he continued to wait at the rear for the enemies.
Launching flares. Wear night goggles.
At Jang Shins transmission, all the mercenaries turned off their night view amplifiers at once.
An AN/PVS-5 was embedded with microchannels instead of electron tubes and amplified the light source by 20,000 times. If a flare was seen while the power remained on, the mercenaries risked becoming permanently blind.
This first generation of night goggles, made in the 1960s, was called the Starlight Scope because it relied on starlight.
The Starlight Scope, compared to the nighttime infrared googles, could be folded and were cheaper. On the other hand, if there was no light source around the user, their performance dropped tremendously.
The second generation of optical amplification night goggles didnt just increase the speed of electrons but also increased their size and amplification. Thanks to that, a safe view could be procured even during starless nights. It had shaken off the nickname Starlight Scope.
Pssst- Bang!
The flare, shot by a mortar, shined like a million candles and brightened the desert for 70 seconds.
The enemies swarmed forward like ants under the trailing, falling light.
A smile appeared at the corners of Ahmuds mouth.
Even if they were strong bastards, they were still the size of a squadron. He had 265 people on his side. He didnt need to use Lanchesters law as a reason for why theyd be victorious, because there was already an overwhelming difference in the number of soldiers between the two sides to guarantee this.
The difference in their numbers revealed their power as time passed. All of his forty close subordinates had been sent to attack the rear. The front assault group consisted of soldiers that other armies had provided for him. Even if they were all slaughtered, he would regain Habibs trust as long as he got the Ratel bastards.
If the difference in size was as significant as he predicted, not even their strongest soldier would be a worthy opponent for them. There was nothing to fear, even if the Ratel team was like a large lion. Once surrounded by hyenas, even a male lion was left as bones.
Their numbers are small. Supervising unit, push forward! Ahmud shouted with confidence.
There are many of them.
That was all the Captain had to say after checking the enemies attack route.
Black Mamba had said 200, so there had to be at least 200 soldiers. He could only hope that the rear attackers would be killed quickly.
The BTR began to break the 12.7 mm heavy machine guns. When three worked together at once, their power was immense. The rock the Captain was hiding near cracked and shattered.
Burimer, Jang Shin, get the BTR!
The Captain, whose back was battered by the shattered rock, began to holler. There was no need for orders.
Jang Shin was already assembling the warhead. He was no longer a rookie. He had become a war veteran who had participated in battles that had him straddling the border between life and death several times. Therefore, he was capable of reading the flow of a battle.
Jang Shin holstered the 84 mm recoilless gun on his shoulder. The Panzerfaust had been made 30 years ago but was remodeled two times. The one he had in his hands was the M2CG, which had been developed in 1970.
Chapter 76 - Episode 10: A Desperate Escape
An average warhead had the shooting range of 700 meters, while a rocket booster warhead had 100 meters. It was a powerful weapon to use against an old armored vehicle.
There was also the RPG-7, but its shooting range was limited. If it shot out of its range, not even God could predict where the warhead would land.
Crash!
The M2CGs muzzle flash, which illuminated the night, was incredible. An extensively long line of fire lit up the entire surroundings.
Explode! Bell Man shouted excitedly with his right hand in the air.
Jang Shin lived up to his nickname, Explosions Devil, as he managed to destroy the panzer 700 meters away with a single shot.
The BTR-152, which had received an 84 mm rocket head directly to its front side, flew into the air before landing heavily back down. The rocket from the Panzerfaust could pierce a 65 mm rolled steel sheet. Compared to it, the BTR-152, wrapped with a 6 mm steel sheet, was like paper. The warhead penetrated the front of the panzer, crushed through the inside, and hit the back fuel tank.
Bang!
The panzer went up in flames as the fuel tank exploded.
Jang Shin didnt have the time to admire his piece of work. He carried the launcher and ran for his life.
Bell Man, who was carrying the magazines for the weapon, followed hurriedly. He was a doctor whose responsibility now was to carry explosives.
Bang! Ta, ta, ta!
As expected, there was no way the enemies could miss the extravagant flare of fire that came from the rockets muzzle flash. The enemys grenade launchers and machine guns hailed down on the place they had launched the shot.
Bell Man, who was almost hit, broke out in cold sweat.
F***, Im a doctor. Why do I need to carry an explosives box instead of an emergency kit?!
Bell Man kept complaining as he followed Jang Shin.
Then why dont you die hugging an emergency kit? Jang Shin replied without looking back.
Ha, private newbie, youve got guts after killing some people.
Bell Man laughed soullessly.
Eek!
When a machine gun rapidly shot bullets at them, Bell Man began to pump his legs harder.
Ombuti, that bastard, wheres he gone? Bell Man shouted.
Ombuti, whose job it was to carry the ammo, had disappeared without a trace.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
It was the sound of an ASG-17 that sergeant Burimer shot in three short successions.
Clang!
Another BTR-15, which had been running flawlessly with its co-axial machine gun, was surrounded by the grenades Burimer shot off. The gunner on the roof of the panzer looked stressed and panicked as the tank veered off.
This f****** s***! Throw some smoke shells! Smoke shells! Ahmud screamed as he slid into the turret. He was frightened out of his wits.
Tap!
Dark smoke covered the panzer.
However, Burimer didnt lose a target he had already locked on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
It was Burimers signature three-point sniping. The grenades, which flew out in a row, covered the entire tank.
Crash!
The panzer swayed once like a fishing boat against the wind. With a broken torsion bar, the vehicle began to crumble slowly on itself.
Were hit! Hit! Im unable to move! The driver began to wail.
S***, its too late. Were escaping. Infantry, open the boarding door.
Ahmuds greatest talent was making fast decisions. He immediately opened the back boarding door and escaped.
Clang!
Three more grenades turned the panzer into scrap metal.
The 12.7 mm bullets, which had been flying at the Ratel team, stopped immediately.
Burimer, thank you!
Mike winked at him. He hadnt been able to fight to the best of his abilities since the heavy machine gun suppressed him. He couldnt help but find Black Mamba, who had sniped bastards such as those with his Dragunov, impressive.
When the coaxial machine gun fell silent, the Ratel teams sniping came back to life. The enemies who had passed their tripwires began to fall one by one.
Wow, sergeant Burimer managed to catch the remaining two, Jang Shin exclaimed.
That was the advantage of a high-speed grenade launcher. It had a fast launching speed and no back flares, which meant that there was less of a risk of having its position revealed. He hadnt been able to crush the vehicle because the warheads power was weak, but a panzer without its upper cupola and damaged power pack was nothing but a large can.
When the two panzers exploded, Jang Shin immediately began adjusting the fuse. The Panzerfaust could turn into a high explosives grenade launcher with a slight fuse adjustment.
Clang!
The enemies who had been running in the forefront were swept into the air by the flints and aftershocks. He had targeted the exact center of the front attackers.
Bell Man quickly tossed the warhead to Jang Shin, who caught it like a frog catching a fly, and immediately connected it to the launcher and ran for his life. The Panzerfausts signature bright muzzle flash was like an advertisement of his location to the enemies.
Bell Man kept complaining as he chased after him.
Ahh, Im going to die! Whats Black doing? Why isnt he here yet? Is that bastard pissed off about how I didnt use anesthesia on him before sewing him back up, or what?
Jang Shin, who had sprinted 30 meters, threw his body forward as if to bury himself into a hole. Bell Man, who had followed, similarly plastered himself to the ground.
Crash! Gurgle!
An 84 mm grenade landed nearby, and the hot aftershock waved over them.
Ugh, you s***. Are you planning to run all the way to NDjamena?
Shut up! I need to catch that bastard, but Im not within the range, damn it.
Bang!
Jang Shin, who sent another fire to his target, immediately hauled the launcher and sprinted again.
The downside to the M2CG was its muzzle flash.
The FROLINATs soldier handling the grenade launcher was very skilled. Just then, a grenade landed near him. Because of the enemy soldiers burning desire to catch him, Jang Shin had no choice but to run for his life every time after he launched his attack. Due to the continuous hit and run, Bell Man began to lose his breath.
Hey, youve already shot four rounds. Throw it away now! Bell Man shouted.
Its not as if were going after a tank, so why should I?! Jang Shin shouted back.
Another negative aspect of a Panzerfaust was its internal construction. After three shots, the sight point on the scope tilted out of balance. Like Bell Man said, an accurate shot was hard to make. However, Jang Shin was confident that he could work with the tilted sight point if he used a high explosives area grenade.
An unlikely comment came in through the headset.
Jang Shin, you idiot, why are you running around with a Panzerfaust when youve caught a BTR-15?
The Captains angry voice cracked.
Understood.
Ha! What was I doing?!
Jang Shin pulled himself together and ran towards the rear of the camp with Bell Man on his tail.
A series of mortar shots had far better resistance than the Panzerfaust. There was no reason to show off with a strong, mutually destructive recoilless weapon.
Every time the sound of a grenade went off, one or two enemies died in the explosion. The ones who arrived on the second line of tripwire didnt even care. They ran forward as though they were on drugs.
Mouris had carefully set up the mines to lead the enemies into the direction of the Claymore, but there was no use because they ignored the mines and ran forward.
The enemies passed the minefield and ran into the 300-meter defensive line made of Claymores.
Twenty to thirty enemy soldiers had died from the grenades and sniping, but there wasnt a noticeable dent in the number of soldiers.
Mouris, who had the Claymores control device in his hand, glared at the defensive line.
Flare launching, night goggles off.
Roger.
Pssst. Bang!
The flare Jang Shin launched had brightened the entire desert, revealing the enemies.
Mouris waited for the perfect time to press the control device in order to increase the impact. He rubbed his sweaty palms on his thigh.
All eight sets of those Claymores were his responsibility.
In three more seconds, the armed foot soldiers would attack since they were only 15 to 20 meters away. Considering the enemies attack speed, the Claymores were placed in four sets of two in a direct line.
If Burimer was a professional in explosives, Mouris was the king of booby-trapping. The mines and Claymores were placed strategically by Mouris and Burimer.
They had installed two Claymores to increase the range of the explosion and its concentration. If they exploded in intervals of three seconds, they could wipe out the entire field in range.
The flare brightened the sky again before it disappeared into the darkness.
Mouris turned on his night goggles. Blurry shadows gathered countlessly on the marked point.
Heres a present, you bastards.
He pressed two controls at the same time.
BANG!
The 1440 millet-sized bullet spheres were squeezed out of 700g of C-4 high explosives and swept forward at four times the speed of sound.
The enhanced Claymores caused an explosion that swept across the field within 120 degrees to the 200-meter point. The enemies, who were within the 50-meter radius of the Claymores strongest explosion point, received a massive impact.
However, despite that immense damage, the force of the opposing vanguards attacks didnt lessen.
Those bastards, theyve dowsed themselves in drugs.
A cold smile appeared on Mouris lips.
BANG!
When the third and fourth Claymores went off, the opposing vanguards enthusiasm began to falter.
Even that yellow chick, Jang Shin, is doing his job, so a veteran shouldnt fall behind.
Mouris gathered the controls once more.
Trois, deux, un (Three, two, one)
Beep-
Mouris, who had been counting down, flinched.
It was the sound of a grenade falling close by.
F***!
He threw himself down.
Crash!
The 84 mm grenade, which landed in close range, pushed the ground apart. Unfortunately, Mouris wasnt Black Mamba. After being showered in spare pieces, his body bounced from the shocks. He was thrown like a straw of threshing grain and embedded in a rocks crevice five meters from his position like a rag doll.
His consciousnesses came back after several seconds. His body had hardened from extensive training. He instinctively threw himself into a crouching position. However, his body didnt move.
Mouris gaze moved towards the lower half of his body. He couldnt see anything beyond his waist.
I still have half.
Mouris painfully squeezed out the last of his strength. He pressed the control with all he had, but he didnt feel anything. The place where his arm should have been was empty. Mouris blinked. His arm was gone.
What
Mouris began to laugh as he looked down at his missing lower half and right arm. Slowly, he began to feel numb. He couldnt feel the pain.
S***, theres still another three sets left Mike. My partners going to be pummeled to death by Black. However, at least my comrades would be able to return to Sari, thanks to him. Adios!
Mouris slipped out of consciousness as his last thoughts were of his comrades safe return.
Mouris was from Moroccos Revolutionary Guards.
He was handsome. He had been told that he looked similar to Omar Sharif. There was one pervert that was after his handsome a*s all the time. That bastard was one of the Guards commander, a Soviet.
Mouris, who couldnt hold back any longer, sent the perverse Soviet bastard off in his car with a liquid bomb. Mouris had fled to Legion Etranger to avoid the military police. The light faded from the eyes of Huang Mouris, of Moroccos Revolutionary Guard, 1st Sergeant.
Hoorah, Allah, Allah!
The vanguards broke through the last defense line.
Sergeant Bell Man, the Claymore Do you think something happened to Sergeant Mouris?
Jang Shin, dont imagine things. On the battlefield, one must fulfill their roles to save their comrades. Your job is to push back those enemies until Black Mamba returns.
Yes, sir.
Jang Shin used a large mushroom-shaped rock as a shield while he aimed his grenade launcher.
Plop- Plop-
He shot two rounds and fixed its point of impact. Explosions Devil Jang Shin began to pour in high explosive grenades. Bell Man, who was his temporary partner, began to move the magazines quickly and reload.
Black Mamba may have been at the rear, but the Ratel team had the best mercenaries who had once swarmed around the Sahel.
Burimer stopped their advancements with an ASG-17 30 meters away from Jang Shin. The 30 mm grenade, which followed, played a significant role in pushing them back.
When the grenade launcher and mortar stopped their frontal assault, Senior Airman Miguel and the Captain began to thwart the enemys assisting fire with their Minimi and M60. Mike and Bell Man calmly got rid of the enemies who crossed their defense line. The assisting explosive guns, repressive explosion guns, and snipers worked together like well-greased gears.
The FROLINATs determination, with their advantageous numbers at the forefront, was unbearable. They rushed forward under the shower of bullets and grenades. The 84 mm grenade launcher from the rear shook the Ratel teams armed camp and opened up a pathway for their vanguards. Several machine guns showered light tracer bullets in rows.
Get those bastards grenade launchers and mortars damn it. If you get those, the front assault team can swallow them in one go.
Ahmud, who had suddenly fallen to the rear, began to encourage the grenade launcher shooters.
The grenade launchers and machine guns began to aim for Jang Shin and Burimer mercilessly.
If they shot two to three times, a returning shot immediately came. Jang Shin and Burimer, who couldnt take it any longer, had to change their positions several times. Due to their weapons technicality, their locations were quickly revealed.
Jang Shin gritted his teeth.
He had predicted the location of the launcher from its flare, and shot several mine launchers, but hadnt been able to silence it. The place theyve concealed themselves in was too vague.
Rifle bullets began to fly in. The moment theyd allowed the rifles to approach within range, theyve failed to defend themselves. The Captain felt as though a hand would throttle him at any moment.
Chapter 77 - Chapter 11, Episode 11: A Desperate Escape
Black, hurry over so you can kill me! The Captain shouted this in his head.
Ombuti had unintentionally become an excluded member of the fight.
The battle had occurred so suddenly as he was busy rubbing his butt between two soft sand-stones that he had used as a barrier.
Crash!
The explosion dropped without warning close by him.
Ahh!
Surprised, Ombuti landed on his butt. He climbed back in between the rocks without picking himself back up.
Ugh, those tenacious bastards. I need to be carrying the grenades.
The thought of helping Jang Shin swept through his mind.
Eek!
Ombuti had climbed out of the rocks and poked his head out, then immediately headed back in.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
Pieces of the rock fell apart loudly as bullets hit it.
With the grenade launcher signaling the start of the battle, the sounds of explosions and bullets began to fill the desert.
Bullets flew in from both sides.
The bullets that had passed by his ears made a chilling sound.
He couldnt gather the courage to leave his cover.
He, a Tuareg warrior, couldnt reveal himself as a coward to the others. The actions he had taken to handle his personal matters had led him away from camp and put him in a difficult situation. He had, unfortunately, landed himself in the line of fire between the two sides.
F*** being noble. What even is noble? Ive already decided to serve a master. Itll end soon when Wakil arrives.
Ombuti decided to ease his mind.
He had once organized a private army to fight against the FROLINAT. That had been childs play compared to now. The Ratel team were true warriors, and he was getting older. He wouldnt be of any help, even if he stepped into the battle.
The mercenary group, which his Wakil protected, was undefeatable.
The FROLINAT, made of human soldiers, wouldnt be able to do anything to his Wakil, who was anything but human. Therefore, Azrael and the mercenaries would be able to handle the battle without him.
The battle became more intense. The sounds of explosions and gunshots filled the sky and ground. The intense piercing smell of the gunpowder tickled his nose.
He began to cough and sneeze. Panicked, he shoved his head closer into the small crevice. He wasnt scared of death, but he didnt want to die before he had his revenge.
Musta had died, but Habib, who raped his wife and was a murderer, was still alive. If he died now, how was he supposed to face his wife and daughter?
Allah, I cannot die yet. By your grace, my life has been extended. Please keep death away from me a little longer.
Ombutis sounds of prayer, which had begun gently, started to increase in volume.
All that is in the heavens and earth belongs to Allah. Whether you disclose whatever is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah will on call you to account for it; and will then forgive whom He wills, and will chastise whom He wills. Allah has power over everything. Allah is great! Allah is great! (From Surah Al-Baqarah 2:284)
When the sounds of the battlefields gunshots and explosions grew greater, Ombuti prayed louder.
Although chaos reigned at the front of the battle, the rear wasnt peaceful either.
Oh, this is useful!
Mussang was pleased with the newly assigned night goggles.
The new provision AN/PVS-5 was incomparable to the previous version. Despite the dim moonlight, he could see the entire 400-meter front. The older version wouldnt have been capable of this.
The new night goggles filtered out the crawling enemy in a clear green color. This was because the green vision shot the amplified electrons on the phosphor thin film to generate photons.
Meanwhile, Black Mamba tried to suppress his desperate mind.
Even if he was being rushed, there was a specific order of actions he had to follow.
The enemies who climbed over the dunes began to appear on his night goggles. Over the dune was nothing but open fields for 400 to 500 meters. The moment they climbed over the dunes, the enemies names on Black Mambas death list began to blur.
Black Mamba raised his Dragunov.
It was time for their blood to be spilled across the Sahel. However, it was uncomfortable. He had met his enemy for the first time, and there was no bad blood between them. Thinking about the higher-ups who created this messy situation made his teeth clench
Im a mercenary, and they see me as an enemy, so now what? I need to do my job and work for my food. Theres no such thing as free food in this world, and theres nothing worse than taking something you didnt pay for.
Black, are you casting a spell on yourself again? Teach me.
When Black Mamba spoke in Korean, Emil began to complain.
I need to pay for my food first.
Thirty-five soldiers climbed over the 10-meter dune, and beyond it was the 400-meter mark Black Mamba had decided would be his sniping area. He couldnt have requested anything better for a sniping environment. The dune would be an obstacle for the enemies if they tried to escape. On the other hand, the targets were small. The enemies heads, which were low to the ground, were his targets.
Black Mambas specialty, the several-in-a-row sniping, began.
Ta! Ta! Ta!
The 7.62 mm bullet shot through three supervising soldiers heads. The bullet sustained its momentum as it pierced through their cerebrums, cerebellums, and brain-stems before finally coming out of through their chins.
It was a horrible death, but it didnt look that bad.
The targets died without a sound and plopped lifelessly to the ground.
After the supervisors deaths, Black Mambas Dragunov began to fire at the enemies without rest.
He brought death to them without a sound. Even Emil began to wonder whether Black Mamba had shot his gun at all. Once the invaders realized a sniper was responsible for their fellow soldiers deaths, over half of them had shoved their heads into the sand.
Its the Kanma!
Kanma!
The shouts of the enemies stricken with fear began to trickle in.
They began to scatter like ants.
While some began to dig into the sand like madmen, others turned their backs and started running up the dune.
Tap, tap, tap! Tap, tap, tap!
With two three-in-a-row shots, the six who were climbing up the dune collapsed.
Emil, who was staring at the scene through his night goggles, shook his head. Six had collapsed instantly. Black Mamba was a good sniper. The skill he had for controlling the guns recoil was a mystery.
Wow! Those bastards are fast. Theyre like moles.
Emil was surprised by how fast the enemies had hidden underneath the sand.
Emil sent a silent regard to those poor soldiers. Even if they were hiding, there was no avoiding Black Mambas sniping. If Black Mamba began to use his dimensional sight, concealment was of no use.
A cruel fate was already decided for the enemies who entered the open field. The possibility of living after walking into a lions den was higher than living while exposed to Black Mambas gun. A layer of sand didnt serve as an obstacle for a bullet that had the momentum of 3600J.
Tap!
Every time the low and heavy shot rang out, the sand was filled with blood. The soundless deaths, combined with human imaginations, only increased the enemies fear. They choked in terror and were unable to shoot a bullet in retaliation. Their deaths were meaningless. If Ahmud had also given his direct subordinates a Jenkem, they would have retaliated without fear.
The sandstorm died down.
When the dust that roamed the air settled, stars filled the skies. Black Mamba silently looked out at what he had done.
It had taken three minutes for the rear invaders, all thirty-five of them, to be scratched off his list. In the desert, where Dragunovs firing had stopped, the splattered brains were revealed under the moonlight and shone with a glint of blue. It was a grotesque scene.
Damn, he looks like the main character of the Cannes movie festivals winner.
Emil thought he looked amazing, with his gun lowered underneath the white moonlight, staring out into the battlefield. No, he looked lonely and tormented. Burdens weighed down on his broad shoulders. Black Mamba was two years younger than him. He was at the age where he had a heroic mind, had strengthened his shoulders, and would hold his neck up high.
He was a sniper who didnt like killing, a cool guy who threw his life on the line for his comrades, a pure lover who didnt hold other women except for his true love, a guy who turned into a devil when a gun was in his hands, and someone who turned into a monk when the weapon left his hands. Emil was that guys friend and partner. He suddenly felt very happy.
And he was a bit annoyed.
His job was to prevent enemies from running forward. He was Black Mambas guard. But the enemies had died before they could even rush forward. All he had done was watch a boring movie through his night goggles. However, even that had finished in an instant.
Ugh, blast!
Emil, who hadnt been able to shoot even once, rapped on his faultless Minimi. The new series original Minimi from Belgiums FN company was a spicy pepper that could shoot 1000 rounds per minute. But what use was it, even if it was spicy?! There was no-one he could use it on.
Black, leave some for me.
Emil, dont speak up this late. Ill kick your a**.
Black Mamba smiled at his partners harmless whining. Emil had a bright personality, which made him a blessing. If he had gained a strange partner like Mike, he would have buried him long ago or would have considered transferring.
Those bastards dont have any imagination. They always attack the rear and advance forward. Im growing tired of it.
Emil, the fronts situation is bad.
Damn, you should go. The Captain must be spitting fire by now.
What about the rear?
Ill take care of it.
Black Mamba shot out, even before Emil finished his reply.
Fast as always.
Black Mamba ran as though he was flying off the ground. The flying sand covered him and made him practically invisible.
His body wavered left and right underneath the blurry moonlight. He was using shadow steps as he considered the FROLINAT snipers.
His speed didnt catch up with his hurried mind.
Shadow steps put an enormous strain on his ankles. The injured lower half of his leg began to throb. Even if he had a supernatural healing ability, a deep wound couldnt recover perfectly within three days.
Ha, look at him.
It was Ombuti. It seemed as though the old Tuareg warrior had forgotten entirely about the Captains request for him to help Jang Shin. The sight of his head underneath a rock with his butt sticking out was comical. It was deja vu of what happened at Cheonseongsa Temple. Laughter spilled out of his mouth.
A rooster, who was chased by a goshawk, had flown into the temple during late fall. The panicked creature had shoved its head underneath the Buddhas feet. He thought if he couldnt see the goshawk, it wouldnt see him either. The Master and disciple had laughed so hard, they forgot about the service.
This old man wouldnt die, I suppose.
Black Mamba ran through the dried Wadi like a leopard. He could hear that his comrades were being pushed back by the sound of the guns. His comrades were skilled, but they were nothing against the enemy with greater numbers. The enemies,
which had flooded the front, consisted of over 200 soldiers. He didnt want to lose any more comrades.
No, Miguel!
Black Mamba screamed amid his sprint.
He witnessed the moment the bullet ran into Miguels head like a paused scene in a movie. The bullet slowly dug into the helmet.
The sight of Miguel collapsing had registered unrealistically in Blacks head. The Minimi, which stood on a tripod, rolled into the trench.
Those f****** bastards!
Curses poured out of his mouth.
In a rushed heat, he pushed his bold steps to the max. He jumped into the trench, crossing 50 meters in one breath. He hurriedly adjusted Miguels head and took off his helmet.
F****** s***, Namuamitabul!
A sad sigh escaped his mouth.
A hole, the size of a coin, had appeared on the left side of his fallen friends skull. It was an immediate death, without a need to confirm it.
Miguels body began to tremble.
It was a process that began when the muscles refused to accept the electrical stimulation from the brain, repeating its last contraction and relaxation.
He picked up the bulletproof helmet he had thrown.
He took out the bullet that was lodged in the other side of the helmet. The 7.62 mm bullet, which shot through the Kevlar bulletproof helmet, had pierced through Miguels brain and came out of the other side.
He could tell what kind of bullet it was, even if it was crushed. It was a bullet that had been shot from a Degtyarev, used in WWI. It was an old weapon, but its power was comparable to the current machine guns.
S***!
A piece of 14g metal had ended the life of a human who had lived for 31 years. Black Mamba threw the bullet onto the ground in rage.
Chapter 78 - Chapter 11, Episode 12: A Desperate Escape
As a member of the Deuxieme Reps explosives team, Miguel was close to Jang Shin.
He had previously been a drug control officer in Columbias police force. He had lost his mind after his one and only big sister lost her life due to cocaine addiction.
While he ambushed a drug farm in a jungle with a machine gun, he also sent important figures of those drug cartels to jail, one after another. The cycle of bribery, threats, and eventually, becoming a hitman, was an open method of silencing enemy powers through drug cartels.
The cartel began to throw immense bribes at the crazed man to calm him down. Miguel bought weapons with that money and increased the number of informants.
The cartels began to threaten him through several methods.
Miguel, who had no family and a paranoid personality, hadnt even blinked an eye.
In the end, the cartel sent a hitman for him.
The boring hide-and-seek between Miguel and the hitman began. There were plenty of people strewn about Columbia who would kill for several hundred dollars.
A restaurant worker tried to stab him directly, while a taxi driver attempted to shoot him. There was no point in killing the hitmen, since the cartel sent an endless stream of them. In the end, Miguel, who was tortured by fear and boredom, ran to Legion Etranger.
The magician of the machine gun, the hot-blooded man who fought against drug cartels by his lonesome, the strong backing of the Ratel team, Miguel, had died without a will in Black Mambas arms.
A small, sleek golden piece of metal had resolved Miguels fears. He no longer had to fear the hitmen sent by those drug cartels.
I suppose its a relief that he didnt have the chance to feel any pain.
Miguel had been silent with a strong, responsible personality. They hadnt been particularly close in Deuxieme Rep, but they had become close comrades after surviving across the burning Sahel desert.
Gray-white brain fluid began to leak out of the bullet hole. The high protein fluid in the same class as tofu soaked his clothes. Black Mambas heart twisted.
Miguel was Muslim. Black Mamba sent as much of a Muslim prayer as he could remember.
Allah is the most benevolent and knowing name. All that exists praise your name, Allah, our God. The dictator of the day of judgement, I ask for your help in praise. Your son seeks you at this place, so please give him a seat underneath your feet, and greet him warmly.
Black Mamba tilted his head. Muslim prayers were too difficult.
Is this right? Eh, I dont know. You were a great comrade. I wont forget you for as long as I live. Salam Alleh Kum! (may Gods blessings be with you!) Good!
Black Mamba, who had finished his prayer, praised himself for a job well done.
He liked the simple message, which was heartfelt rather than a formal prayer.
There was something his master had always said: the b*stards who pray well are those who earn good money, not those who serve Buddha well. He had said so to emphasize the heart of prayer, rather than the formalities.
With a crumpled face and barely open eyes, Miguels death mask wasnt very handsome.
Hey, Miguel, dont frown with your ugly face. You look like a street rat.
He gently closed Miguels slitted eyes. The eyelids fell, and the black, burnt face looked a little more comfortable.
Rage filled his chest before sadness took over. The rule of survival stated that he could die if he could kill others, he knew that well. But the death of his friend who had crossed between life and death was too pitiful.
Miguel, youve turned into an old ant, too! I wont leave those b*stards who caused your death alone, Black Mamba swore as he gathered Miguels cold body.
Rage and sadness filled the only Parathropus human on earth. His eyes clouded red, and his head rang as though was banging on it like a drum.
Danger!
His instincts warned him of danger. If he didnt stop here, he would go on a rampage. He remembered the painful memory that had turned him into a night ghost, making him cross the distance between the river to Chungsongs Mount Ju Wang.
Om-ani banmeh-om namsaman da motdanam surisurimahasuri sabeha!
He repeated a mantra once before pulling out a long, shrill scream.
Awoooh!
A loud howl shook the desert. It was greater than the sound of a cannon launching. Even the sounds of gunshots and explosions were swallowed by the long howl.
Black Mamba laid Miguels corpse back into the trench. He could always come back for his dead comrade later. Now was the time to fly around for his living comrades.
When his brief prayer ended, the sound of explosions and gunshots poured into his ears.
He could grasp the entire situation with a sweep of his eyes. The rear cannon and three-inch recoilless cannons were a problem. When he spread his senses, he could sense his comrades busy movements to conceal themselves from the explosions each time. The shell was lower in accuracy but had a large range of impact. The most fearsome weapon for the Ratel team, whose specialty was concealment, was an area-suppressible weapon.
The recoilless 0.68-inch cannon was manufactured by the Soviets, who bench-marked the United States KM67 3.5-inch recoilless canon. With its 3,000-foot shooting range, long-range attacks were possible, and its warheads power was immense. On the other hand, its accuracy failed, and the delay time between assembling and shooting was long. In the end, the 3.5-inch recoilless cannon moved aside for the RPG7 and finished its short life.
They were waging a hit battle, but the Ratel team suffered disadvantages in firepower and numbers. A hit battle was disadvantageous to the minority. The FROLINAT was slowly gaining distance, its main force nearing the charging range. If rifle shots and RPGs joined the fray, the situation was bound to get out of hand.
Black Mambas eyes shone coldly.
The reason behind this civil war was an attempt for those people, the same ones who had once captured African natives as slaves several hundred years before the European powers, to take these citizens as their slaves. He was especially sensitive to inhuman actions due to his childhood trauma.
With a clack, Black Mamba loaded in his Dragunovs bullet.
Its nice that I dont have to cover myself in blood since its urban warfare.
He smiled, revealing his white teeth. It was the same smile as the angel of death, Azrael.
Ahmud was frustrated to the point of tears.
The enemys defense line seemed to be breaking but hadnt yet. He found these tenacious b*stards withstanding the waves of attacks tiring. They were living up to their team name, Ratel.
The losses he had suffered in the beginning due to those land mines and claymore mines were painful, down to his bones.
This was due to the drugs. In order to prevent those young untrained soldiers from running away, he had sent them out after feeding them street drugs. It was a mistake. He had only created a greater loss from a meaningless attack.
Ahmud shoved down his panicking thoughts.
A squadrons overall power quickly decreased when even a single person left the force. As expected, the machine guns frequency was silent. He could see the enemys decreasing firepower.
Charge, charge! Theres a hole in their defensive line. Push forward! Ahmud shouted at the top of his lungs.
The front guards raised their scimitars and pushed forward relentlessly.
Ahmud, surprised at the sound of Black Mambas howl, asked his subordinate, Wait, whats that sound?
Isnt it the sound of a wailing animal?
You idiot, there are no animals around here. What animal could possibly make that noise?
Then shouldnt it be the enemys new weapon?
Ahmud wanted to shoot his subordinate in the head.
This was already his fifth officer. His head was full of sh*t, so much so that his insides collapsed on themselves every time he held a conversation with him.
Ahmud thought of the sound as the passing wind between rocks. Sometimes, strange phenomenons occurred in the desert.
Whats that Hazis b*stard doing? He should have attacked the rear by now.
It was news to them that the Hazis platoon responsible for rear attacks had long vacated the premises.
Not even his subordinate would know what went on in the rear. He only made an uncomfortable expression.
That f*cking b*stard, is he drawing in the sand with a stick? Im going to beat him to death.
Hazis had already died.
Ahmud, whose insides were burning in frustration, waited impatiently for the Hazis platoon, whom Black Mamba had already wiped out, to attack.
The mercenaries faces were bright.
There was no-one but Black Mamba among the living who could howl louder than a male lion.
C Black Mambas here.
C Ive heard, too.
C Woah, Black Mambas here.
The Ratel team, energized, moved their hands and feet much quicker.
Jang Shin was covered in sweat. The same went for Bell Man. They were about to drop dead from avoiding the enemys launches and preventing the soldiers advancements. It had been continuous shooting and running without care.
The FROLINAT ran forward, uncaring of their comrades deaths or the explosions.
Sergeant Bell Man, I think theyve been drugged for sure.
Mm, its not a battlefield panic disorder. Ive heard rumors, but to think Id see a hallucinogen at work myself Is it Jenkem?
Whats a Jenkem?
Whats the point of knowing, you b*stard? Just shoot and run.
Annoyed, Bell Man began to scold Jang Shin.
Jenkem was a drug used secretly across poor African countries like Chad and Congo. Surprisingly, Jenkems main ingredients were human excretions.
The process to produce it was simple. After placing excretions in a bottle, it turned into Jenkem after its opening was sealed with plastic or a balloon and it was left to ferment. It had the same effect as inhaling butane gas. It was highly addictive and harmful to the human body, the prime example of the lowest drugs.
Whether theyve been fed drugs or steroids, Black Mambas here, so everything should be over soon.
Jang Shin began to aim with a much steadier hand.
The unheard predator leapt out of the trench after closing Miguels eyes.
Has that b*stard finally gone crazy?
Mike, who was supposed to be sniping, was shooting with a machine gun like crazy with the entire upper half of his body in sight. It was like a plea for death. The fact that he was still alive was even more surprising. Black Mamba threw his body and shoved Mike behind a rock by grabbing the back of his neck.
Let go, Mouris exploded! Those dog b*stards have killed Mouris! Ahh!
Mike twisted in his grasp as he cried. There was only one method of returning an insane man to sanity.
Sergeant Mike, Im sorry about this.
Smack
It was a hard slap, to the point where the insides of his mouth exploded, but Mikes eyes regained focus. Mike, whose broken consciousness had returned, said something unrealistic.
Where, where am I?
Mike looked blankly at Black Mamba in front of him.
Have you finally regained your senses? What happened?
Black Mamba, Mouris was done in. He survived three days of explosions at Guinea with me, but! Ah, ahhh!
Mike cried out once more.
Mouris was done in?
Mouris face, which was as handsome as a Hollywood actors, swept across his mind. Mouris had followed Miguel. Black Mamba gritted his teeth.
Mike, do you want to be beaten up again?
With a gasp, Mike hiccuped and immediately regained his senses. As expected, the effects of hysteria were astounding.
Mike, this isnt the time to be whining. Grab your Dragunov. You need to avenge Mouris death.
Revenge? Yes, revenge.
Mike regained his coldness and grabbed his Dragunov, then climbed under an obstacle.
Was that the b*stards real personality?
Black Mamba tilted his head. Mike was self-centered. The sight of him going crazy over his temporary partner was new.
Black Mamba left Mike behind and ran towards the front right.
In order to catch the rear mortar and recoilless cannon with his Dragunov, he had to close in at least 650 feet. Bullets poured down like hail, but they couldnt catch Black Mamba, who was using his shadow steps.
Ugh, those damned frog b*stards!
Ahmuds face crumpled after observing the battlefield. He had expected an immense resistance, but this was beyond his prediction. He had sent three waves of Jenkem-infused vanguards just to barely break through the tripwire of mines.
There were too many sacrifices. It was as though he had exchanged soldiers for the amount of distance covered. His sides momentum was great, but the enemys defenses were greater. He found the armored car he had lost at the beginning of the battle even more unfortunate.
He had brought it out, determined. The front vehicle had been shattered by the anti-tank gun, and the other two, which had been showered by grenades, had engines that had broken down. Aside from being an obstacle, it had become useless.
Ahmud clenched his jaw.
The gunshots that subordinates were advancing with began to suppress the enemys firepower. This was thanks to the mortars and recoilless guns that supported them from the rear by countering the enemys grenade launcher.
One minutewith one more minute, the enemys defense line would fall.
If he thought about the battles during which he had suffered at their hands, his jaw clenched.
Hehehe, try your last stretch. Ill hang your corpses on a camels tail and drag you back by Allahs name.
Chapter 79 - Chapter 11, Episode 13: A Desperate Escape
Ahmud smiled, satisfied.
His smile didnt last long.
Tha-that, commander, look to your right!
At his subordinates panicked shout, Ahmus turned his head.
Something was sprinting viciously toward them in a curve.
Is it a bike? Ahmud murmured, looking through his night goggles.
No. Its a person.
What? A human!
Surprised, Ahmud took off his night goggles, rubbed his eyes, and put them back on. The Soviet Confederations night goggles were rather rough and heavy equipment. If worn for too long, they pressed down on the eyes and created optical illusions.
The figure reflected on the night goggles was, as his subordinate said, a human. It was impossible to say a human could run like a bike, but it was definitely a human.
Ahmuds face hardened.
It was the same b*stard who had crushed the command post, the b*stard who had sent bullets flying around the camp. That b*stard was that fast.
Its-its him. That person! That b*stard!
Huh?
Confused, the subordinate began to enter a more focused mode. Him, that person, and that b*stard. No one had the ability to understand the difference between these similar nouns.
Thump
Ahmud kicked his subordinates shin repeatedly.
You piece of sh*t, shoot him, shoot him to death! Ahmus shouted as though he had lost his mind.
The fear and hatred towards that b*stard had frozen his logic. He didnt even know what he was saying.
Hes not in shooting range.
The subordinate looked down at his gun. He was being logical. Any person who asked him to shoot an enemy that was 15 to 1,500 feet away was the crazy one.
At his subordinates surprising action, Ahmuds consciousness, which had taken leave, returned.
Blood rushed to Ahmuds temple.
You idiot, shoot before I make a hole in your skull! Shoot with the machine gunno, go throw a cannon. That b*stard is the Kanma!
Ah, Kanma!
Now realizing the identity of him, the person, and b*stard was the same, the subordinate sucked in his breath. Without time to even finish hearing his commanders instructions, he blew hard on the recorder, which was the length of three finger widths.
Beep beep beep Beeeep beep Beeeeep
The piercing sound waves broke through the sound of gunshots. It was a rule that womens high pitched voices stayed staccato while a mans voice rumbled. The rear supervising unit heard the sound and blew their recorders in the same manner.
Three short sounds referred to a mortar, one long sound noted the distance, and the long sound that was dragged out meant first priority. It was the FROLINATs unique signaling method, as they didnt have steel powder.
Black Mamba ran at his highest speed despite the wound in his left calf. There were 1,000 feet left until he reached his marked concealment object. Because shadow steps required him to run in a zig-zag, he was, in fact, running 1,500 feet, which meant that he was left vulnerable for 40 seconds.
Black Mamba didnt care. A first rated sniper took three seconds to mark a moving target and 0.5 seconds to shoot. Within 3.5 seconds, he moved 130 to 165 feet, and his direction changed twice. This meant that he was impossible to snipe. If they wanted to catch him, they would have to use a shell.
Ahmud felt as though he was on fire.
A human who ran across the desert at the speed of a horse, it was stunning to the point that he lost his words. That single moment of exclamation was all it took for him to reach the rocky surface.
What are you doing?! Shoot, shoot! Ahmud shouted.
Beep Beeep
There was the sound of a moving mortar shell.
A mortar had a lengthy flight time and slow speed due to its high degree of launch and fuel charged descent. It wasnt a weapon that could target one point, either. In Black Mambas point of view, it was annoying, but not a threat. Of course, if several mortars were joined to launch a larger explosion, then he wouldnt have been able to escape.
Black Mamba was in a condition with all of his senses unleashed. The shell that had approached him at 1,000 feet was caught directly on his radar. He immediately calculated the degree and distance. He swiveled to the right and jumped 50 feet.
Bang
The first shell landed at a 100 feet in front of him and dug a useless hole. The second shell fell someplace closer to where he had turned and created a pillar of sand.
Those damned f*ckers!
Black Mamba spewed profanities as he leaped out of the explosions range with his Four Paced Movement. Fireworks fell on the place he had just been standing.
TNT and RDX were usually used in high explosives. Those b*stards had filled it with a paraffin-coated cyan compound. The fireworks which exploded everywhere burned the sand, sizzling.
With a series of popping noises, the Degtyarev poured out bullets as best as it could, but it only raised some dust to the left and right of Black Mamba. It was impossible for a shooter who relied on moonlight to catch up to Black Mambas speed of light.
Three high explosives, and three-inch recoilless cannons were launched, but they lacked the capability to catch Black Mamba, who was sprinting at an uneven pace. There was nothing more to say about the old machine gun, which used a 47 bullet magazine.
He had passed 1,000 feet in 40 seconds. Two large rocks the size of wardrobes were laid against each other ahead of him. This was his targeted resting place. Black Mamba, who jumped against the ground, threw his arms open and rolled once in the air as though he was tumbling before going back down. It was a method of Flying Display. His large build burrowed into the small hole as though he had measured it.
You damn b*stards, Ive had enough of shells at Er Ekdim. Now its your turn to taste them.
Black Mamba was incensed with anger. He was tired of shells. On top of that, those b*stards had shot incendiary bombs, too. He shouted and began to search for the guy who had blown the recorder. He was the b*stard who had been caught on his anger radar.
Ha!
He had disappeared like a ghost. He was a b*stard with an amazing sense for danger.
Bang Bang
Two shells landed on his obstacle in a row, but they couldnt do anything to the large rocks.
Black Mamba immediately began sniping.
He had sprinted 1,600 feet, but not a single breath was out of place. It was due to his increasingly high oxygen intake ability.
Any Korean man who chose to be conscripted knew for a fact that breathing controlled 90 percent of a snipers accuracy. Of course, this was the same for the spawn of darkness.
In the past, if the Korean army didnt like recruits, so they tortured them with PT training fearfully and made them go up the shooting range afterward. Their scores were obviously bad. The next was obvious. With their scores as an excuse, the pick-ax began to dance around and cut people.
The distance to the annoying mortar was 3,000 feet, and outside of the Dragunovs shooting range, but he wasnt concerned at all. He activated his inner eye for the first time in a long time. The three-inch mortar manning team drew closer before his eyes, as though he was watching through a large telescopes lens.
His inner eye was different from his sensory eye. If he raised his wavelengths and used his sensory eye, he could feel emotions. It was, to the word, his brain looking out. On the other hand, the inner eye used the actual eye to capture objects. It was the difference between retrospection and realism.
The FROLINAT soldiers didnt have any defense against snipers.
There was no tension. He could even see them smiling with their teeth exposed.
Did they drug themselves?
It was long-distance, but an open target was no problem at all.
Clang
The one loading the mortar who had been about to place the shell fell onto the ground.
Clang, clang, clang
The confused gunner, observer, and powder loader simultaneously spewed blood. Who would have imagined they would be sniped from 3,000 feet?
The two-inch mortars shooter, who was a similar distance away, also gained a hole in his head. Following that, blood spurted out of the loaders chest.
The recoilless gun shooter and his assistant 2,800 feet away also had their heads blown up immediately after. He was putting the inner eye he had gained through the rough beating on his superior physique to the best use.
Mouris, Miguel, Ive avenged you, although the real people I should be dealing with arent them. Now, shall we begin for real?
Black Mamba, who had just wiped out the rear long-range shooting team, began his vanguard clean-up. Infantries could never be looked down on. All wars ended with infantries.
Now, dear FROLINAT ground dogs, its showtime.
Clang Clang Clang
The Dragunov vomited out its dry bullets in a line. The two guerrillas who were hiding behind a sparse mound of grass felt their heads explode. They were the panzerfaust duo who had troubled the mercenaries the most.
Clang Clang Clang
The two guerrillas who had been launching grenades behind a rocks crevice faceplanted. Following them, the RPG snipers were sniped down.
Black Mambas first target while sniping was always the supporting firearms.
If even a single part of their bodies were revealed, their lives were forfeit, or their limbs were thrown far away. There was even a guerrilla who had the tip of his nose blown off from exposure.
Ahmud had hidden behind the armored vehicle the moment Black Mamba hid behind his obstacle. The only northern commander who had experienced Black Mambas fearsome actions several times was Ahmud. He hid his body without a second of hesitation.
Huh, whats happening. No way?!
Ahmud suddenly felt as though the tide of the battle had changed. The supporting firearms had started to die down. Beginning with the mortar, the grenade launchers, Allah wand, and even the machine guns began to die down. It was the curse of Kanma that his subordinates had talked of.
Scary b*stard!
Ahmud slowly raised his mirror from behind the armored vehicle.
Clink
The mirror shattered the moment he attempted to check the front.
Ack!
Frightened, Ahmud immediately crouched down. The bullet had flown at the moment the mirror was pushed out. The mirrors diameter was but one inch, and his distance from the b*stard was at least 1,300 feet. This was the fearsome sniping of Kanma, who had destroyed his unit at Toko Toom and erased the command post of Coromunga. Ahmud didnt even dare to raise his head.
The threatening explosions began to decrease suddenly. The grenades and RPGs also silenced their breaths.
Black Mamba joining the fray appeared as a blessing to the Ratel team and a nightmare to the FROLINATs. With the mortar, recoilless rifle, and RPG silenced, the firepower of the Ratel team regenerated.
Burimer, who was out of grenades, picked up his M60 machine gun.
Burimers machine gun covered Miguels absence. Mike, who was also relieved of his burden of returning bullets, began to snipe easily as though he was picking out weeds.
As expected of our big brother.
Black Mamba had captured the mortar he had failed to. Jang Shin raised his head, which had been shoved between rocks, and started his mortar once more. The vanguards who had passed the tripwire were his targets.
Bang Bang Bang
Jang Shin began to throw high explosives at a speed of one per every two seconds. By 30 seconds, he had used four boxes of bullets. The result was devastating. The 30 or so guerrillas who had gained the advance path inward had died.
Jang Shin, theres only one box of shells left.
Damn, and they said youd be ill if the battle dragged out!
An explosions devil without any shells was like a woman who met her lover on her period.
Sergeant Bell Man, you should go act as Black Mambas servant.
Jang Shin acted as though he was a protective husband handing off his lover to a guest.
Got it. Be careful.
Bell Man ran through the bullet-raining battlefield without looking back.
His main profession was doctor, but Bell Man was a mercenary. He ran through the battlefield steadfastly.
Black Mamba, hah, haaa!
Bell Man, why are you here? This isnt a hotel. Its dangerous.
Black Mamba looked at Bell Man, who was panting as though his breath would end with displeased eyes.
Haa, ha, theres no place safe on the battlefield. The safest place is right next to you.
Black Mamba checked his ammunition. He had used three rounds while cleaning out the guerrillas who were aiming for a rear attack and two for suppressing the rear firearms support. All he had was one prepared ammunition. There were over 100 guerrillas left.
If youre here, work for your food.
Black Mamba threw five empty cartridges at Bell Man. The fact that a sniper possessed six cartridges of twenty bullets itself was an absolutely unquestionable mystery.
And the bullets? Bell Man shouted as though he had to scream.
If Black Mamba ran out of ammunition? He didnt even want to think about it.
Black Mamba took out 600 rounds of bullets wrapped in paper from his backpack. There was no need for words.
Damn, why am I always slaving for the lower ranks? At least its better than being a warhead shuttle.
Bell Man began to fill up the Dragunovs cartridges with a frightening speed while complaining.
It was something his partner Emil should have been doing, but Emil was currently watching the rear. Sniping was Black Mambas job, and bullet shuttling was his. Bell Man used the hands that normally treated bullet wounds to fill in cartridges that would cause bullet wounds. This was a battlefield after all.
Jang Shin, who had finished using his remaining five high explosives, looked at his Pamus communication device.
C Jang, shove your head back in.
Black Mambas warning rang out across the headset.
Chapter 80 - Chapter 11, Episode 14: A Desperate Escape
C Monster!
Jang Shin left his last complaint before shoving his head back in a safe place. Bullets rained down on the rocks surface. Jang Shin, who felt a chill running down his spine, lost all of his confidence to grab a gun.
To be able to read his movements from several hundred feet away in the midst of his sniping, the shooter truly had to be a monster. He recalled a scene from a trending martial arts novel in his country. There was a pointless joke in which a master spread a sensory vein around his body like a net to read the movements of his surroundings. He didnt know he would ever see it himself.
Black Mambas sniping began from the front.
The Dragunov poured out clanging explosive noises. The FROLINATs camp, which was exposed on its side, was immediately washed out. The place the captain had chosen to be their camp was in the midst of open grounds. Aside from the few rocks and withering grass, there was nowhere to hide. On top of that, there was only forward for the guerrillas who had inhaled Jenkem.
To Black Mamba, these were great conditions.
They jumped out, painting themselves as targets, making it easy to pick them off like picking up acorns during the fall. The three-in-a-row sniping continued. The advancing group which had passed the tripwire was swept away like falling autumn leaves.
Black Mamba usually targeted the middle of the head, because the sacrificed died without a chance to feel any pain. It was the only grace a sniper could give his enemy.
But now, he targeted the carotid artery and heart.
The carotid artery, the aorta in the thigh, and the heart were the places blood spilled the most. At first, thighs could be considered a non-lethal part of the body, but that was wrong. If that place was damaged there wouldnt be enough time to apply first aid.
The soldier who was leading the forefront had his neck blown off halfway. His blood sprayed into the air like a fountain. A second soldier who filled his place had his chest explode with blood.
Black Mamba was already on his thirtieth death from killing those who were at the front, purely by means of blowing up heads and exploding hearts. The guerrilla who had his thigh shot rolled on the ground with loud cries. The blood that flowed out of the aorta filled his vision.
A devastating, unspeakable scene unfolded under the bright moonlight. Pools of blood soaked the sand, and the sharp scent of blood floated around.
Even if they were rugged, their survival instincts were still alive.
The guerrillas, who hesitated, soon fell into chaos. The falling blood, blood, blood! And the cruel death scenes and the fear of being sniped pressed down on their impulsive desires brought about by the drug.
Kanma, the Kanma is here!
Ahhh, Kanma!
The guerrillas who were advancing began to hide their bodies in groups.
Those f*cking b*stards, namuamitabul!
Black Mamba, who had reached his objective, breathed out a sigh.
He had purposefully sniped people to create a sea of blood to instill fear, but he couldnt shake off his own discomfort.
For now, the advancement had been held back. His sniping was delayed, but his comrades safety was first.
He began to pick out the concealed guerrillas in a more comfortable manner, like an assassin. There were two ways to hide from Black Mambas sniping. One was to hide behind an obstacle that could stop a bullet with the momentum of a 3600J. The other was to increase the distance between them beyond 4,000 feet in instant transportation. Of course, neither were choices the guerrillas could make.
Clang
Blood sprayed over the sand every time a bullet rang. The bullets from the supervising unit flew towards those who had turned their backs in fear.
The guerrillas who were unable to run here or there turned into stray dogs and began to dig trenches like crazy.
There were also brave guerrillas who grabbed their guns and concealed themselves quickly. On the battlefield, brave people were the first to die. They had their heads pierced and limbs broken without reservation.
The guerrillas who were advancing with high morals began to mess up their formation. They didnt dare use their deadly weapons. They were sniped the moment they dared to lift their guns. The power of a god sniper was displayed across the vast field.
Tides were hard to turn in games and war once they swayed heavily to one side. The FROLINAT sides atmosphere turned into one akin to the cornered side of a chess game.
As expected of Black Mamba!
The captain lowered his red hot Minimi gun.
It had been a dangerous moment. Black Mamba had caught all the enemys supporting firearms the moment the enemy was about to surge forward.
If Black Mamba had joined even 30 seconds later, they would have been decimated. But an enemy not doing their best was no longer threatening. They werent Black Mamba, so they didnt have the ability to thwart an advancing army and snipe concealed enemies.
He felt a strong urge to relieve himself as he lowered his guard.
Finding some time, he unbuckled his pants and took out his junk.
Ha, Id been scared.
The strong thing had recoiled in like a turtle into its shell.
Mike put down the night viewer and watched Black Mambas sniping with a vacant expression. He unknowingly took his finger off the Dragunovs trigger.
They were 820 feet from him, but it was a 1,600-foot distance from Black Mamba. He couldnt consider the man who erased unseen enemies without rest a human. Even while he watched, ten or so guerrillas who attempted to rush forward rolled to the ground.
Ive been done in by that monster!
Suddenly, he was proud of his bravery.
He had looked down on that Asian yellow-skinned guy at Calvi and ended up broken. He had always been frightened when looking at him but still had some lingering woes. For a sergeant to be beaten up by a private, that was an impossible rule. The only reason he had forced himself on the Ratel team was in order to maybe put a blade on Black Mamba.
But instead of getting close to him with a blade, he was beaten to a pulp for leaving his partner Mark alone. The Black Mamba he had known was the real deal. He was fear, in a word.
Korean Park was human, but Black Mamba on the battlefield was a devil.
He was a devil when met as a foe and a guardian angel when met as a friend.
Yeah, hes my comrade.
Now that he had acknowledged the fact, his heart settled. He felt the last of his ill feelings disappear without a trace.
The captain raised a thumb at Mike.
Mike also raised a thumb. A bright smile was on his dirty, greasy face.
Black Mamba had emptied ten magazines of 20 bullets. It had been ten minutes since he had started sniping. He had wasted over half of his bullets on warning shots. Preventing them from gaining forward ground was as important as killing. His gun barrel had moved over 330 feet trying to snipe and suppress advancements at the same time. He felt as though his eyes would pop out.
Fifty minutes into the battle, both sides had long stopped hearing explosions. Even the gunshots that rang through the desert began to die down. Only the Dragunov puked out dry shots in five to ten-second intervals.
Ahmud was drenched in cold sweat.
His left cheek tickled. When he rubbed over it with his hand, blood splattered off. It was then that the pain reached his nerves.
One ear kept ringing.
His ear had flown off with his snipe. The moment he pushed his face out once more to check the battlefield, he had been sniped. The enemys shooting speed was more fearsome than his chilling accuracy.
He had rolled in battlefields for over 20 years. He filtered out the b*stards gunshots in the midst of the deserts silence. Even a high-ranking sniper needed at least three seconds to mark and shoot a target. The targeting time took longer the further the shooting distance was.
The Kanmas shooting distance was 1,600 feet, and he had pressed his face out one second after the sound. Logic didnt work here. A bullet had immediately flown at him. He had marked and shot a target smaller than half a palm in 0.5 seconds.
Ahmud clenched the remaining half of his left ear and shivered. If he had poked his face out even half an inch more he would have immediately taken a camel to heaven. That b*stard wasnt someone like Kanma, but the Kanma himself.
He had lost his will to fight.
I need to retreat. Ill die even if I do retreat.
It was time to retreat, but Habibs cold face made it impossible for him to turn his back.
The battlefields tide changed once more.
The guerrillas who had been in hiding popped out. They had been unable to bear the soundless deaths, but it was the last stretch.
Warriors, conceal yourselves. Do not advance. Drag the battle out.
The vanguards, who received Ahmuds instructions, repeated, Dont advance. Conceal.
The FROLINAT army werent idiots.
They dug a deep trench and hid, like humans who had lived in the Sahel as their hometown. The broken armored vehicle and sparsely scattered rocks also provided a hiding place.
Forty minutes had passed since the battle began.
The captain began to contemplate. Black Mamba had shoved the enemys morale into the ground, but those who were alive rebelled tenaciously. It was a reenactment of the trench warfare during World War I. His concern was whether to attack around the right and left sides or maintain their formation. Of course, Black Mamba would resolve everything after time passed, but time was the problem.
Should I ask Black Mamba to get rid of them all in close combat?
He was swayed by the temptation, but the captain shook his head. He remembered the nightmare at Er Ekdim Valley. Black Mamba had battled desperately against the main army with firearms all on his own. It was his hearts debt, and he didnt want to weigh it down once more.
Their largest handicap was time. Time was on the enemys side. Black Mamba kept catching those moles, but it took time. If any reinforcements appeared
Just thinking about it was horrendous.
Ah, right, rifle grenades, shouted the captain suddenly.
The enemys firepower was suppressed by Black Mamba. They could now pour it in relatively relaxed.
Until now, the rifle grenades had been a burden taking up space.
They were uncomfortable to use and lacked accuracy. The rifle grenade was one of the dead children of Frances weapons manufacturers, a dinosaur.
C Everyone, use your rifle grenades.
C Oh!
Instead of agreement, exclamations poured in. The rifle grenades lacked so much presence that the team members had forgotten their existence.
C Jang Shin, distribute the rifle grenades.
C Yes, sir.
Jang Shin rolled towards the distribution point like a spinning top himself.
A rifle grenade was different from a grenade. Common citizens recognized grenades, but not rifle grenades. Rifle grenades first appeared in World War I.
Examining the launching process, a rifle grenade required a separate blank and adapter.
First, the adapter had to be inserted into the muzzle in order to insert the blanks. Then, the grenade was inserted at the front of the adapter. When the trigger was pulled, the blank exploded, sending the grenade off through gas pressure.
Here, there were two cons.
A separate adapter and blank were needed. It meant that a day would pass trying to insert a blank and grenade in the middle of a battle. Even if there were several rifle grenades, if the adapter didnt work, the whole thing was rubbish.
The next problem was accuracy. Its recoil was just as frightening, since it was launched by gas pressure. The accuracy fell accordingly. Not even Explosions Devil Jang Shin surpassed a 70 percent accuracy on making it land where he wanted it to land.
On the other hand, its destructive power surpassed a one and a half-inch grenade. A one and a half-inch grenades destructive power was two-thirds of a hand grenades. A rifle grenade was two times more powerful than that. This was the only positive the French Defence Administration had pointed out.
Several countries favored the grenade launchers, but Frances Defence Administration, in its useless stubbornness, insisted on producing rifle grenades. It was unquestionable that the dinosaur GIAT company had lobbied for it.
In short, the captain, Burimer, Mike, Jang Shin, and Bell Man all started shooting bullets at once. The sniper teams rifle shots showed considerable precision.
Bang Bang Bang
The rifle grenade was famed for its loud launching sound and recoil. Every time they shot the thing, their backs bent backward.
The guerrillas who were hiding from Black Mambas sniping suddenly fell under fire. An air-launched grande was impossible to avoid.
Ack!
Aaaaah!
The guerrillas screams after having their bodies ripped apart by the scattering fragments rang around the desert.
Bang, bang, bang, clang, bang, bang, clang
The rifle grenades sounds and the Dragunovs shots strummed a chord. The guerrillas who attempted to fight back against the rifle grenades were exposed and shot without fail. The launching of rifle grenades and sniping created a wonderful harmony.
Ahmud plastered himself like a sticky rice cake to the armored vehicle, the suspension of which had crashed, in order to avoid Black Mambas sniping. Another ten plastered themselves in a row to his front and back. There were another ten pressed against another tanks outer wall like gum. It was a miserable sight.
The guerrillas whose drugs had worn off shivered with chattering teeth.
Chills and nausea were Jenkems side effects, but the fear was more effective. Their comrades were being ripped apart by rifle grenades fragments, their necks ripped off and chests pouring blood after being sniped. It was a scene from hell recreated under the moonlight. Night increased the fear and spread it. The rebelling soldiers who were woken from their drugs were in panic attacks.
Crash
Finally, a rifle grenade fell on the tank.
Aaagh!
A sad scream resounded.
Chapter 81 - Chapter 12, Episode 1: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
The three guerrillas who were showered with the second round of fragments rolled on the ground as though they had lost their minds. It was due to the after-effects of Jenkem, which heightened their senses and sent pain signals to the brain without restraint. A Jenkem addict felt pain several times greater than the average person when the drugs effects wore off.
Plop, plop, plop
The three guerrillas who were rolling on the floor fell silent. The bullets, which had flown from a far distance away, silenced their pain. This displayed Black Mambas benevolence.
Tears rolled down Ahmuds face.
These werent the sad kind of tears for his subordinates deaths. They werent from his tribe, so it didnt matter to him whether they lived or died. He was crying out of anger and frustration.
Allah, did you send the Kanma in order to punish me?! Why did you birth me in this land, only to send that b*stard here!
The Kanma had erased his personal guards, Hazis team, and joined the battle fray.
He was the stupid one to have waited for Hazis rear attack. He had been thinking that those frog b*stards were strong, but something had definitely been lacking. He should have been more careful.
How had he ended up facing that kind of person? He had long broken out of his dreams to become a FROLINAT council member. His survival was the current concern. He rolled his head at the speed of light.
As Hazis was dead, his last hope had also disappeared. As long as such a person existed, it spelled the end for FROLINAT. No, he was in the wrong for stepping right into the eye of death.
Ahmud looked around at the ten or so soldiers who were choking in fear. They were all dead. He had dragged in a large army of 265 people, and all that had remained was them and six others who resisted sporadically. Either way, they were going to die at the Kanmas hands or the fragments of the rifle grenades. To that Kanma b*stard, numbers were useless.
A single person to control the tides of a gunfire battle in modern warfarethere was nothing more unbelievable. The strength drained from his body.
His life became meaningless. There had already been an annihilation army-wise, and disintegration biology-wise. What could he possible do with twenty cowardly people shivering in fear?
Bang
The armored vehicle jumped.
Ugh, that f*cking b*stard!
Ahmuds teeth chattered. There was a b*stard who threw rifle grenades like mad. The armored vehicle jumped every 20 seconds. It had already received four shots. That b*stard was also a fearsome guy. It was as though he wanted to dismantle the tank.
If their shelter disappeared, that was it.
Run? That wouldnt last a second against the Kanma. He was someone who took out an explosives team from 3,000 feet away. Running wasnt going to work at all.
Ha!
He automatically sighed.
Would I be able to catch the Kanma?
He was someone who could slip out of the concentrated fire of mortar and recoilless rifles like an eel. Unless they targeted him with a large diameter artillery, there was no way to catch the Kanma. It meant that, realistically, it was near impossible.
He decided on a retreat.
No, he considered a resignation. Although he would excuse himself to Habib, he couldnt make excuses in front of the Kanma. That b*stard was rumored to rip the skin off a human alive. He was more scared of the Kanma than Habib. That was the reason behind his determination to resign.
Ahmuds survival method was to rely on his animalistic instincts to understand when to retreat.
Officer, send the retreat signal.
His subordinate immediately took out the recorder and blew.
Beep Beep Beep
The hidden guerrillas scattered like ants as though they had waited for the signal. Rifle grenades and sniping bullets chased after the sprinting guerrillas backs. Even the rifle grenade that was continuously marking the tank moved towards the running guerrillas.
Yes, thats your last assignment and loyalty.
Ahmuds eyes looked at the old ants, oecophylla smaragdina, luring the fire and sniping away, emotionless. Here, the old and young werent an issue of age, but an issue of conception.
Ahmud didnt budge from his rigid posture. His subordinate suddenly found his respect rising.
Commander, you should go. Allah will protect us.
Ahmud glanced back. There was a deep trench dug behind the armored vehicles backside. It had been the machine guns camp. Of course, the machine gun shooter had a large hole in his head.
That damned Allah, what did I do wrong to send that sort of evil spirit after me?
These were disrespectful words, but his subordinate didnt hear them as they had been murmured.
Ahmud jumped into the trench.
Subordinate, bury me.
Commander, theres no reason to go this far
You piece of sh*t, bury me when I tell you to! Ahmud shouted.
The subordinates eye welled with respect. To decide to bury himself alive, taking responsibility for their defeat, his commander truly lived up to his name.
There are many b*stards who curse you for being an opportunistic person, commander. Ill hang all of their heads. I respect you. Yessir!
Ahmud found it ridiculous. He had basically ordered someone he bossed around to mock him.
The subordinate, whose loyalty had risen, began to dig rapidly with a shovel.
When his body was covered with sand, Ahmud pulled out a pipe similar to an IV line from his robe and sneakily pushed it through the ground.
That moron, that b*stards not going to live long either. People who act as though theyre morally good or extremely kind never live long.
Bang
Jang Shins rifle grenade crashed against the tank for the fifth time.
Crash
The vehicle that had received a row of rifle grenades finally broke apart, unable to bear the shots. The iron plates fell to the ground, and the outer dome crashed inwards. It was, as expected, a weak product made out of thin iron plates. One side of the iron plate fell over the trench Ahmud was buried in and became a lid.
The subordinate, who was still holding a shovel, spun once on the spot before falling. The shards of the rifle grenade had dug through half of his neck. Ahmuds fifth officer hadnt lasted a few days before dying, too. Ahmud was definitely a subordinate murderer.
A thick silence descended on the battlefield. The white smoke and stench of blood moved with the wind. It was the largest battle the mercenaries had ever fought in.
The captain was the first to climb out of the trench.
His face, covered with sweat and dust, only revealed his white eyes. He could barely control his shaking arms and legs to crawl out due to the overflow of adrenaline.
The gravity weighing on his eyelids seemed ten times stronger.
He wanted to fall down and sleep then and there, but there was too much to do. There was also Black Mamba, who had been fighting all night with his injured body without rest. Although he wasnt human, he was certainly still his subordinate. He forced his falling heavy eyelids open. There was so much to do.
C Battle over. Burimer, are you alive?
C Yes, sorry for living.
Burimer climbed out of the rocks. All of the sandbags he had placed in front of the rocks had exploded, leaving the remains of a hundred bullets.
Are you injured?
Blood was trickling down Burimers forehead. It must have been ripped open by a stray bullet or torn against a fragment of rock. He wiped his forehead with his palm.
Its a small scratch.
Disinfect it immediately. Theyve retired. We need to retire, too.
Yes, sir. Ill be sure to send you the nights fee.
The bills should be piled high at the records.
Hehe, Im planning to go to Concordia and vacation for a week around the world once I get back.
Ive heard that Concordia has a separate place for fishing. Its the perfect place for you.
Lets go together.
Hm, if Black Mambas going, Im going too.
Why Black Mamba?
The pay hes going to receive will be immense. We should share, eh? Hahaha!
The two relieved their tension with white lies.
C Black Mamba?
C Yes, sir.
C Hows the rear?
C Thirty-six cleared. Emils on watch.
C Good! Call him over.
The members gathered one by one. Everyone wore tired and depressed expressions. Black Mamba approached with Miguels corpse on his shoulder, while Bell Man arrived with the upper half of Mouris body. There hadnt been time to find his lower half.
The living team members looked down at Mouris and Miguel with sad faces. Mouris had lost his right arm and everything below his hip.
Miguel had been killed by a bullet through the skull.
Dead without pain.
At Black Mambas words, everyone nodded. At least that was a relief. The living werent able to open their mouths. They could only stare down at their comrades who had turned into mounds of protein.
The captain spoke through clenched teeth.
Everyone, you did well. It was my fault for setting up camp in an open field. If Black Mamba had been 30 seconds later, we would have all died. Mouris and Miguel have lost their lives protecting their comrades.
All the mercenaries nodded. Black Mamba had returned just before the enemy had surged forward. They would have been finished in that second.
Why, Miguel!
Mouris, you idiot!
You impatient b*stard, you should have died after paying me back. Aaaah!
Looking at their comrades pitiful states, their suppressed tears erupted. They hadnt even realized their comrades deaths, too busy fighting. No, they had sensed it when their firepower went down. They had only denied the truth.
Mourning is possible only for the living. Weve lived, and we need to return alive.
Miguel, Im sorry. I sent you off without even treating you, Bell Man cried, clutching his corpse.
Aah, ah, Mouris, Im sorry. If you live, I wouldnt even mind being beaten up by Black Mamba again. Sob, I mean, Ive been beaten up anyway, but live if you can.
Mike began to ramble things that didnt make sense.
Not even the hard-headed, rough mercenaries were able to stop their tears because of their comrades deaths.
Everyone, maintain your calm. We dont even have time to organize the battlefield.
The mercenaries, shaken back to reality by the Captains scolding, dragged their heavy feet and moved busily. Jang Shin inherited Mouris job and began to take records with pictures. It was hard to even gather their equipment with the few members they had.
Black Mamba, who was returning to camp with Miguel in his arms, stopped walking.
What is it? Bell Man asked.
A thick teardrop rolled down Black Mambas face.
Bell Mans heart dropped.
Chartres?
Black Mamba nodded without a word.
He couldnt sense Chartres life force. Only the dim aura of death hovered around.
The groups pace became faster.
Bell Man ran into the tent in a hurry.
The group who returned to the camp faced another painful reality. Chartres, who had been left alone at the camp, had died. The reason behind his death was muscle constriction that had stiffened beyond his limit and uneven breathing.
Stiffening muscles caused immense pain.
Chartres face was extremely crumpled, the evidence of his torture. Intelligent mercenary Chartres had died in torture without a single comrade by his side.
The stiffened muscles didnt relax, even when Bell Man massaged them to his best abilities. His skin was still hard like wood.
Chartres, you b*stard, how dare a mercenary die from something like tetanus?! Burimer wailed as he punched the cots wooden beams.
Black Mamba was unable to take his hands off Chartres body.
He felt as though the body would disappear once he let go. He had suffered through many deaths, but Chartres death was special. He had been his friend and mentor.
God, where are you? Do you not exist in this devastated and rough land? Tell me why they had to die and why I have to suffer so much. Do I need to earn my foods worth? I knew working for debts was scary, but was it so expensive that it had to be paid with lives?!
Black Mamba, why are you searching for God all of a sudden? Chartres was an atheist. We need to set up his funeral and go.
Jang Shin, unlike his usual self, stopped Black Mambas rambling. The way his voice started to rise harshly was worrying. When a predator went wild, no one would be capable of stopping it.
Agh Chartres, aaaaaah!
And as Jang Shin feared, the monsters wail rang out. The wavelengths which were mixed with anger and fear clashed against the cliffs surface. The cliff rumbled, and rocks started to fall. The mercenaries, frightened, ran out of the tent with their ears covered.
Chartres, Chartres!
The desert rang with desperate howls. The mercenaries eyes turned red as one.
He wasnt a monster. Hes a human, Mike whispered to Burimer.
No, a sad monster who wants to become a human, Burimer said with a wet voice.
Chartres hadnt been able to escape his Central European point of view but was knowledgeable in recent and current events. He was also knowledgeable in Eastern Asian ideas and theologies. The comrades were now unable to listen to Chartres valuable lectures.
Black Mamba, who had poured out a wave of sadness, slid Chartres eyes shut. The eyelids Bell Man hadnt been able to close fell down gently. He relaxed each of Chartres stiffened facial muscles one by one by using his resonance.
He felt empty. What was the point of amassing decades worth of knowledge with such effort?! He had been done in by a small creature invisible to the eye. A bullet that weighed less than an ounce could make a heap of protein.
Bell Man ran an autopsy on Chartres. The cause of death had been the pentobarbital he had injected to fight against the tetanus, which had caused a worse reaction. The overdosed pentobarbital had caused a rapid heart rate. Bell Man blamed his shallow depth of medical knowledge.
Pain, sadness, depression, and unjust negative feelings floated around in excess.
Chapter 82 - Episode 2: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
The western side of Singapores Marina Bay was lined with large and small refrigerators and fisheries. Singapore had the second largest fish consumption per person after Japan.
Singapore itself didnt have a high catching rate. Over half of the consumed fish was exported to Japan. Most of its storage places were to store products for exporting fisheries.
There was an old 50 square foot storage container along the western side of the road, which was always closed.
Inside the storage were the remains of fish scattered across the cement floor. There were boxes stocked with salted fish along one side, plus fishing equipment. It was a common sight in fishery storage containers.
In the corner of the storage was a large fish tank, used for breeding farmed fish. No one knew there was a secret set of stairs leading underground beneath it.
Creek Clang
A sleek car stopped in front of the storage container, and the door opened. The cement walls greeted the visitor without color, still depressingly gray. The single 200-watt white lightbulb on the ceiling spluttered, unable to push away the darkness.
The healthy man who had grown his combed hair to his neck entered the storage as though he was sliding in. The man in an original Armani suit topped with Ray-Bans that showed off his handsome features, comparable to those of a movie star.
Unlike his handsome features, the mans gray eyes were unmoving, like a fishs dead eyes, but even those enhanced his charismatic features.
The golden-haired man looked around the storage and helped a woman out of the car. She was a young white woman with flowing golden hair. The woman swayed as though she was drunk.
The blond man pushed the tank with surprising strength. The ten-foot-long tank moved helplessly. He had strength comparable to a grizzly bear.
When the tank was moved, an opening appeared.
The blond man opened the panel attached to the wall and pushed a button. A ladder slid down from the opening.
The man went down the ladder with the woman on his arm without hesitance. The underground, unlike the storage house, was bright as day, to the point they could see the dust floating off the floor.
The long, thin fingers lifted a sharp surgical scalpel from the bed. On the bed were other weapons of all kinds, like sashimi knives, claw hammers, bombs, axes, daggers, and much more in a row.
Perhaps he didnt like how dull its blade was, but he placed the scalpel down and picked up the electronic saw instead. It was a saw usually used to cut frozen tuna.
The lifeless eyes, comparable to those of a dead fish, glanced back. He could see the thin neck of his sacrifice and placed the chainsaw back down.
The blade, which was mismatched on its right and left sides, would destroy the sacrifices muscles and bones uselessly. It wouldnt do for a humans structure to be destroyed by a chain, as its quality would decrease.
What he chose after much deliberation was a piano wire. With seven cords of 0.01-inch wire, the material was a combination of tungsten and chromium. Made under specially requested specifics, its surface was coated with diamond dust.
It was one of his most beloved objects. This was it. That days operation tool was going to be the piano wire. He felt excited when he chose his tool.
The vibration of the sacrifice trembling against the piano wire gave another kind of excitement in and of itself. He felt an orgasm rising from within that he hadnt felt even when he caught a 22-pound tuna at the northeastern end of America. His body trembled at the expectation of his high.
Mm!
The woman regained consciousness.
It was the right time. The golden-haired man was proud of his skills. Targeting sacrifices according to their physical aspects and age so that they would wake at a certain time was his secret skill.
He had only taped the sacrifices mouth and committed no violence. Despite that, the weak sacrifice was sitting still, unable to move.
Hic! The woman hiccuped as she came to her senses.
Her mouth was taped shut. The strange sound of her hiccups rang across the basement. A yellow liquid leaked out between the sacrifices legs.
The blond man frowned. Weakness was a sin. Weak things always ruined his mood.
That days sacrifice was a fresh 20-year-old woman.
Gray eyes slowly examined the woman. Her height was five feet and seven inches, a bust of 36 inches, a waist of 24, and hips at 36 inches. She weighed 139 pounds. Her body measurements were delivered to his brain with a single sweep. She was pretty, sexy, and glamorous, perfect to feel that sparking sensation.
She was apparently a visitor from Australia, but whether she lived there or was born in the United States was none of his concern.
She was a woman who followed him out of interest in his handsome features and blond hair. The vague kiss marks on her neck were a trace he had left behind. She might have been lured by all the brands he wore on his body. Either was fine. The fact that she was there was more important.
There were grips attached to either end of the piano wire.
When he turned around with the wire in hand, the woman sat up. Survival instincts exceeded her fear.
Mm, mmph!
Haha!
A burst of moan-like laughter leaked out of the mans mouth. It was his first humane reaction since he had entered the underground basement.
His adrenaline increased when the sacrifice attempted to protect itself in such a weak manner.
Unfortunately, the woman was unable to take more than two steps. The blond man grabbed her hair roughly as though she was bouncing out of place. The woman was dragged into the mans body helplessly.
The wire whisked around as though it was alive and wrapped itself around the womans thin neck. When the scary wire caught on her neck, the woman began to cry, flooding her face with tears and snot.
When the woman resisted, the wire dug into her neck, and blood ran down. When the man applied more strength, the wire slowly started to slice her neck.
The woman thrashed around but was unable to overcome the mans power. She was like a young crab being crushed under a polar bears front paw.
When the woman moved, the wires slight vibrations gave a rhythm that dug into his sexual senses. The blond man trembled at the height of his excitement. Giving in, his underwear was soon soaked.
Soon, the woman trembled once more before ceasing to move. The blond man slowly sawed away with the wire. Blood began to spew out of the sliced vein on her neck.
A white body that had collapsed in a puddle of blood was the realistic art he loved madly. He didnt insist on white people, but white skin contrasted better with the red blood, rather than yellow or black skin.
The man breathed in deeply. The thick smell of blood pushed out any scrap of a thought in his head. His heavy head grew lighter. The man admired his artwork for more than ten minutes. He felt as though he could suppress his murderous desires for the time being.
The man pushed the woman into the 40-gallon fish tank used for breeding. He opened the panel attached to the wall and pushed the button. Formalin, a chemical, was expelled into the tank out of a four-inch golden pipe.
When the tank was filled with formalin, he pushed the button and stopped the machine. He then sealed the tank with a resin cover, lifted it up, and placed it upright next to the wall.
It was an amazing show of strength.
When the liquid was added to a 40-gallon resin tank, it weighed 350 pounds in total. This wasnt a weight a human could carry.
There were another 30 resin tanks lining the wall in this exact state. With this, there was another one to his basement collection.
Ocelot was his identity, the man who was being chased by Interpol and the United States, alongside 20 other countries, as a legendary killer. He had forgotten his real name, since he had used so many others. All he had left was the code name Interpol had given him.
An ocelot was a feline animal that had golden stripes and lived in southern regions of America. The Amazon rainforest was its usual habitat, and it was said that some lived in the southern U.S. and Mexico.
It was beautiful to see, but it was a fearsome predator who ate monkeys and deer. It was an Amazon assassin, possessing a felines trademark fierceness and secrecy.
The reason for his Ocelot codename was because, unlike his noble features, he possessed a cruel personality of killing and had golden hair.
Those whom he sacrificed were always found in a pool of blood. Ocelot was a unique assassin who didnt use guns very often despite being a first-rate sniper. The lingering smell of blood and iron was his only motivation for living.
After finishing his work, he pulled out a memo from his front pocket. His long white fingers opened the memo with care. The memo, thrice folded, was no larger than a suit button. Its contents were as simple as its size.
[Legion Etranger 11 C Currently at Chad Borkou province. Pays (approx.) 60 thousand dollars]
He hadnt received a request for a long time. He wouldnt move if the price was below 50 thousand dollars, so he never managed to have more than two deals per year. That was why he had to relieve his killing desire in this way.
The reward of 60 thousand dollars wasnt satisfying, yet he had never killed a mercenary. The new experience prompted his mind.
Ocelot took out his lighter and burned the memo. When Ocelot pressed the panel, the ladder appeared from the ground. All that remained in the empty basement was the smell of burning paper and blood.
Miguel, Mouris, and Chartres were laid in a row, and the captain approached to grasp their hands tightly, as though he was shaking them.
Im sorry. Ill return alive with the team members you sacrificed your lives for. I will shatter the jaws of those who shoved us into this dirty chaos. The captain remained calm.
Anger wouldnt help the current situation. He had already lost four major skilled fighters, his subordinates, without a single gain. Even if he killed a thousand FROLINAT members in retaliation, they were meaningless numbers.
Mouris and Miguel had died due to his decision. He had chosen the lower ground in consideration of Chartres, but even Chartres had died in the midst of their battle due to a lack of care. Thirty percent of their power was gone due to his wrong decision.
He shook his head and threw the despair away.
If the captain lost his calm, everyone would become unstable. They had to return in order to crush those who had deceived and abandoned the team.
Ugh, ah!
The captain looked at Black Mamba, who was choking back his tears.
Seems like a nightmare of a battlefield. Azrael has moments when he whines like a woman.
Ha, a picture of a crying leopard of Algeria is something that can be plastered across the front pages of the world news. Black Mamba returned the captains harmless mocking.
Algerias leopard was Sergeant Pauls nickname.
Thanks, Black Mamba.
A smile appeared on the captains dry face.
Algerias leopard was his forgotten nickname. The nightmare of battlefields, Black Mamba, and Algerias leopard could return as long as they were alive.
Burimer reported the current situation. Thirty-six people at the rear, 221 people in front, a total of 257 people were killed. There were none injured.
Mm, that should be right. The captain nodded.
There was no way someone could have been injured. His subordinates had shot them all. It wasnt something to be blamed for, either. There was nothing funnier than debating the humane side of people on a dirty battlefield. Relieving their pain by killing them was a better form of benevolence.
Okay. Seems like the number is about the size of two companies. How many did they put in anyways? Gather all of their weapons and take a break.
The captain sent Burimer away and took out his notebook to organize the situation.
The detailed before and after reports had been written up by Burimer. They were simple memos.
1. 1982/11/7 Mission: Day 2
1st Battle: Uldi Hamarl
Killed: 43
Gathered equipment list:
2. Same day, 2nd Battle: Uldi Hamarl
Dead: Sergeant Mark
Killed: 185 C enemy leader commander Musta
Gathered equipment list:
3. 1982/11/9 Mission: Day 4
Battle: Guradi Ridge
Injured: Private Chartres
Killed: 57
Gathered equipment list:
4. 1982/11/10 Mission: Day 5
Battle: Toko Toom supply line
Killed: 134
Gathered equipment list:
5. 1982/11/11 Mission: Day 6
Battle: Koro Munga 3rd Command Post
Black Mamba solo mission
Killed: 107 C FAP 3rd command post wiped out.
Gathered equipment list:
6. 1982/11/19 Mission: Day 14
Battle: Er Ekdim Valley
Black Mamba solo mission
Killed 120 (FAP special forces)
4 STRELA2 missile team cleared.
Gathered equipment list:
7. 1982/11/22 Mission: Day 17
Battle: Djourab Erg
Dead: 3 C Private Chartres, Sergeant Miguel, Sergeant Mouris
Killed: 257
Gathered equipment list:
Chapter 83 - Episode 3: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
Wow, this is unbelievable!
The captain paused in the midst of his note-taking and sighed. Aside from the small skirmishes that had taken place over the course of 24 days, they had fought in seven large-scale battles.
There was a small margin of error, but they had killed about a thousand of the enemys soldiers. Even the smaller scouting groups Black Mamba had erased during their move numbered over 50. Simply writing out the progressive report was overwhelming.
They would be the first unit in history to fight in such astounding battles!
They had killed 257 in just this battle alone.
He couldnt imagine how many FROLINATs would have swarmed over had Black Mamba failed to destroy the third command army in Coromunga.
During the battles, they had lost four teammates, so what was the point of killing numerous enemies!
The role of a captain was to lead the mission to success and bring back the team safely. These had been meaningless battles. Thinking of the mission that had lost its purpose, his subordinates who had died left and right, and their uncertain return, he automatically sighed.
He had lost two subordinates while Black Mamba was taking care of the rear. They were basically leaning on Black Mamba in order to survive up to then.
The captain turned to look at Black Mamba, who was sitting in a strange position.
Black Mamba!
A presence that couldnt be called human, the survival and return of the Ratel team were ultimately in his hands.
Someone of a unique species who increased his battle abilities by the day, he wouldve been strong enough to take a stroll back to NDjamena while whistling had he not been burdened by the team.
The headquarters had sent a colony of FROLINAT ants instead of the requested helicopter. Now, there was no one he could trust. Even Regiment Commander Philip was suspicious. He wasnt questioning the mans morality, but the organizations reliability.
Ahmud had attacked the Ratel team through the existing information nets reports. The captain who had lost his calm was still under the misconception that the headquarters were reporting their movements. Due to that, he was about to make another decision born of misunderstanding. This was why preconceptions were fearsome.
Burimer!
Oui!
What do you think of todays attack?
Its the same as last time. Our camps location was revealed due to the request for a helicopter. Whether theres a spy or not, we cant trust the headquarters.
Burimer also had no choice but to misunderstand the situation.
Unfortunately, the captain and Burimer didnt know the fact that the spies had been found in the headquarters. They also didnt realize that Colonel Philip had sent out a rescue team after waiting 48 hours, because their trust had been broken.
I think so too. Lets cut off all contact with the headquarters for now.
We cant communicate anyways. Our phone line was cut by one of the warheads.
At Burimers explosive report, the captains face began to wilt.
Sh*t! What about the backup phone?
Im sorry. It was lost during the battle.
Putain, putain!
The captain felt his world tilt. He began to curse naturally in French.
It was said that bad things didnt come in ones but twos. Their misfortune couldnt seem to end.
Now, there was no way to contact the headquarters. There was no phone booth or post office in Sahel, either. Not contacting and being unable to contact were extremely different. They were now isolated in the vast Sahel wasteland. His breaths suddenly came out short as though he was experiencing one of his phobias.
Do you think theyd send a rescue helicopter?
They said they would, but that it wasnt easy to take off. No, perhaps theyre not thinking of sending one at all.
Behedel (fck), est bete de merde (those fcking idiots!)!
Burimers face seemed to crumpled inward. Those were strong curse words for someone like Burimer who usually only used putain or cong as swears.
The two men turned their faces to the murky skies above as though a helicopter was about to arrive.
There were two more hours until the helicopters approximated time of arrival.
Two hours! The captain pressed his mouth closed.
He knew it was hopeless, but the situation was too dire to give up hope. Everyone was tired to the bone from fighting violently since dawn. The mercenaries were dozing with guns in their hands. They were at their limit both physically and mentally.
If only the helicopter came!
He wished for it desperately. The return trip by land was over a mile, and the Ratel team was at a dead end. If they continued to roam around Sahel where FRLOLINATs crowded, they were bound to die. The only person who would survive was Black Mamba.
Four people could board the gazelle. If they abandoned all of their weapons, six people could board, albeit squished together. That meant that everyone could be saved, aside from himself and Black Mamba.
A plane that could be targeted by airborne missiles?
It was a hundred times better to risk the missiles aim than commit to living in hell on earth.
This was the red ground, where enemies appeared out of nowhere.
Two hours was a long wait. The captain, who was unable to communicate any longer, had to chew on his frustrations and despair while waiting for a helicopter that wouldnt come.
Black Mamba was, as always, sitting in the lotus position meditating. The deserts energy that rushed through him invigorated his body. He stood up from his position and exercised his body with the five combined movements. Disbelief filled the eyes of the mercenaries who were dozing on their guns.
At six in the morning, the helicopter became a lost cause. They couldnt even protest because their phone line had exploded.
The Ratel teams mood was at its lowest despite the ruined major FROLINAT army. They were in a f*cked up situation where they had to sustain themselves with the given local supplies for the time being. There was no way their moods would be good.
When day finally broke, the true devastation of the battlefield was revealed.
Both sides had waged a full fronted war with mortars, recoilless cannons, grenade launchers, and machine guns. The scattered bullets of mines and claymores had ripped the bodies apart. It was rare to find a body in one piece along the wired defense line.
Even the corpses that were sniped had been wrapped up in the explosions on both sides, causing their ruin. There were several corpses that seemed to have dragged their spilled insides along as they tried to crawl. On the other hand, the corpses far from the trip wires were clean. These were the guerrillas who had been sniped by Black Mamba.
Its like an ancient cursed land that was reintroduced into humanity! The captain murmured depressingly.
Chartres would have talked about the reason behind human existence and blamed their brutality.
Hm, is Chartres student still training?
At the captains question, Emil pointed at the raised rock. It was the rock Black Mamba had climbed in the early evening. He could see the edge of a white robe fluttering in the wind.
Clang, clang, claaang Clang, clang, claang
A mournful rhythm rang out.
What is he doing?
It seems like hes hurting.
Of all the things he could do.
Black Mamba prayed for the happiness of the dead by banging the end of his weapon handle against the muzzle of his Dragunov.
Spirits of Chartres, Miguel, and Mouris, my comrades and I wish for your spirits journey to a longer next life, for your wisdom to flourish, and for your lifes hardships to end, so that youd gain emancipation from the constraints on yourselves to live a better life, for you all to be guided. All four limbs of the body are worthless in the end, so leave all torment behind by realizing the best of your morals to greet Buddha. Your bodily attachments
The prayer for their souls was accompanied by the sound of metal instead of wood.
The prayer was in beat with a bloodied knife and gun. Tools that brought about death were used as tools to pray for the dead. It was ironic how, instead of a bullet coming out of a gun, a prayer was being shot out.
The baritone voice of a lions roaring harmonized strangely with the metal rhythm. The resounding solo echoed across the Djourab Ergs walls and rippled far.
The captain, Burimer, Mike, Bell Man, Emil, and Jang Shin all leaned in. The sad lyrics and heavy emotions poked at their hearts.
Chartres, my friend, I wont forget your efforts to remain as humane as possible. Mouris, my friend, I will not forget your silent dedication to your role. Miguel, my friend, I will not forget your steadfast and responsible figure. Souls, go to reincarnation, shadows, scatter and make the world more bountiful
Clang, clang, claang Clack, clang, clack, clang
The thick sound of metal ringing out with the solo dedicated to reassuring the dead fell into a rhythm and melted into the livings hearts. They didnt understand the lyrics, but the unfortunate emotions and earnest heart touched them.
Damn, really? Who the hell is that guy? Mike mumbled as he cried.
That man has all kinds of strange talents. Hm-hm.
Emil wiped his running nose. They were of different races and nationalities, but the mercenaries cried as one.
This was Sahel, an evil spirit who beat out music with his gun in the far untouchable air, the angel of death who sang a prayer for souls alone out loud, a sand storm that encouraged the singing devils songs, and people of several races crying. It was in the land of savages, the land where one human couldnt measure up to the price of a camel, Djourab Erg.
When the clanging stopped, Ombuti climbed out from between the rocks. He patted down his robe as he stood and looked around at the dimly lit desert. Even the sounds of explosions and gunshots had stopped. Animals that were surprised at the sound had long run or hid. Only the smell of blood remained.
Wakil finished them all, he commented briefly before moving along.
His lower stomach, which had been unable to relieve itself, had hardened. It had been a fierce fight. He had wanted to relieve himself but checking on his Wakil came first.
Ombuti, who was passing the shattered BTR, twitched his ear. It was the sound of whispering sand. Ombuti took out the Tokarev he had received from Black Mamba.
Ombuti approached without a sound and stared at the ground with a burning gaze. The Tuareg Tribe, who lived in the desert, had relatively good sight. Despite the dim light, Ombuti found a little pipe that poked out of the ground diagonally.
It was a thin white pipe.
Ha! What a cockroach.
Laughter automatically seeped out. It was a method the Tuareg Tribe used often during ambushes. One of the guerrillas was hidden there.
He wanted to dance.
After all, he had been feeling guilty about his cowardly actions. Since he had managed to find a captive, he could hold his head up high.
Ombuti began to play around and blocked the end of the pipe with his finger. There was an immediate reaction. The large flat iron began to move.
Ahmud, inside the ground, felt as though he was about to die.
He suddenly couldnt breathe anymore. He tried to blow out, but the blockage didnt budge. Unable to hold on any longer, he tried to move the flat iron, but Ombuti was standing on it, so it obviously didnt move.
F*cking hell!
The pipe was blocked once more.
It was then that Ahmud realized that someone was playing around with him and that it wasnt from a natural cause.
Allah, why do your torment your child so?! he despaired.
When Ahmuds air supply was blocked a third time, his head started to spin. He lost his strength and remained in a barely lucid state.
Schink
The iron plate was shoved aside. Ahmud, inside the hole, was only able to move his two arms, which swung around the air aimlessly.
Oi, cockroach. Youre a captive. If you follow what I say, I wont hurt you.
His fingers twitched.
You listen well. Are you a northern soldier?
The finger twitched once more.
Are you Ahmuds subordinate?
This time, the finger moved side to side.
Ombuti ripped his headband off and tied up the hands that hovered above the sand with it. Ahmud despaired. His attempt to pull out his gun was long gone.
Ombuti dug out the sand with his shovel and pulled Ahmud out roughly. For a FROLINATs third commander to feel such humiliation, Ahmud wanted to bite his tongue off.
Whether Ahmud committed suicide by chewing his tongue off or cutting his pnis off, Ombuti didnt care. All of his attention was on the mans uniform. Ombuti pulled out the handgun that was hanging to the side and laughed. This was a high-ranking bstard.
There was a Tuareg saying that said one would gain a wife while trying to put the lady next door to sleep. In a Korean saying, it would be similar to trying to take gum off of ones shoe but finding a coin on the ground instead.
Chapter 84 - Chapter 12, Episode 4: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
Having caught a large fish, Ombuti felt extremely happy.
It was Allahs benevolence and Wakils protection.
Allah hu ekbar, what is your rank?
Ahmud refused to open his mouth.
His current situation, where he was under hostage by an old mercenary, left him in disbelief of his reality.
You should reply when I ask. If you meet my master, youll see your skin and blood and brain be broken into pieces with your own eyes.
Hehe, you want to know who my master is? Ill tell you without ripping you off of 500 francs. My master is the person you all call Kanma.
Ombuti kept playing around.
Ah, Ka-Kanma!
Shocked, Ahmud began to scream. Ahmuds mouth, which had refused to open the entire time, let out a scream.
Ombuti felt proud of himself.
A person had to be well-off first. His Wakil had taught him a Korean saying that tigers left their hides and humans left their teeth behind when they died. A FROLINAT commander had nearly fainted at just the name of his master, so he felt proud. A servant was well-off when his master was well-off. That was the tradition of Tuaregs.
Blood drained from Ahmuds face.
Is it true?
Ombuti lifted his chin and announced proudly, You b*stard, why would I lie about this? I swear to Allah that I, Ombuti, am his servant.
It was true. There was no reason for an old Tuareg warrior to lie to a hostage.
Then are you a part of the Ratel special forces?
Ahmud stared at Ombuti as though he was doubting him.
Mmhm, were you raised as a fool? Who are you?
Ahmud hesitated for a moment before sighing out loud.
Haaa, Im done for.
It was over. The Tuareg Tribe was known for taking revenge. There were over tens of Tuareg Tribes he had wiped out, so there was no way the old Tuareg warrior would leave him alive. He was, after all, a commander. Since he was going to die anyway, he wanted to die a commander. He looked up at the sky, which was beginning to glow blue.
The past days had swept by over his head.
Is this the end of me, Colonel Halami Ahmud, who used to treat the entire Sahel like his living room?
Regret passed through Ahmuds eyes.
Im Ahmud.
What? Youre Halami Ahmud?
Ombutis dark eyes widened. He couldnt believe that Sahels rule-breaker, Ahmud, had been hiding underneath the ground like a cockroach. This wasnt some large fish, this was THE fish.
Ahmud nodded without a word. He turned towards the corpse on the ground thatd had half of its neck cut through.
Hes my subordinate. He was loyal, but hes dead now.
He spoke as though his dog he had been raising had died.
Ombuti felt disgusted.
He didnt know what Ahmud looked like. He had heard many rumors that he was indifferent and opportunistic. Considering his tone and personality, it seemed that this truly was him.
The nickname of the lawless one of Sahel is wasted on you. Youre a cockroach. Ill let you meet my master who you must want to see.
Ombuti dragged Ahmud to the camp. Torture was the mercenaries job. Even if he did resist, he wouldnt last a minute the moment his Wakil picked up a stick.
Wait, I dont see Ombuti, Jang Shin shouted.
Everyones minds had escaped them after the battle and the deaths of their comrades.
Is he dead? Mike commented rudely before flinching and turning to look at Black Mamba.
Dont worry. Hes dragging over a hostage.
Huh, hostage? Whys he dragging it over? He should have just shot it dead, Mike complained.
There he is.
Everyones heads turned around at Burimers words.
Ombuti was climbing over the dunes with a 40-year-old uniformed man at the forefront.
Wakil, Ive returned, Ombuti reported as though he had only left to catch a hostage.
Ombuti, you should be reporting to the captain.
At Burimers words, the captain waved his hands.
Its fine. Ombuti isnt my subordinate, but Black Mambas servant. Why did you drag a hostage over? Theyre difficult to get rid of.
Ombuti smiled meaningfully.
If you knew who he was, captain, you wouldnt be able to say that.
What, is he Commander Ahmud of the third army or something?
Yes. He is that very Ahmud. This is Colonel Halami Ahmud of the FROLINATs best army, the third armys commander, Ombuti boasted.
What?!
All the mercenaries drew in sharp breaths.
Hes the b*stard who ran away like a cockroach every single time. I see youve managed to survive the battle of Coromungas command post, Black Mamba said chillingly.
Ahmuds gaze was pinned on Black Mamba.
The one who had mentioned Coromunga was the Kanma. Fear overwhelmed his grudge. He couldnt see his face very well due to the head wrap, but aside from his built body, he couldnt find anything different from an average person. He sucked in his lower belly. He had nothing to fear since he was going to die anyway.
Burimer immediately took out a photo from his chest pocket.
With deep eyes and a high nose bridge, thick horizontal brows and high protruding cheekbones, even though there was sand sticking to his face from the sweat, it was enough to confirm his status.
His is Halami Ahmud.
Hes perfect as the sacrifice for Chartres funeral.
Ahmuds face creased heavily. He understood French. The blood lust carried across each word pressed his heart down. As expected of Kanma. A chill ran across his entire body, his skin prickling as though it was being poked by needles.
I didnt lose to you guys. I lost to the Kanma.
Ombuti translated Ahmuds words.
Dude, we all know that. Tie him up. Well interrogate him after we finish our comrades funeral.
At the captains words, Jang Shin immediately tied him up into a cocoon and shoved him in a corner.
He might try to off himself.
At Mikes suggestion, Jang Shin shoved an M60 bullet in his mouth and sealed it closed with rounds of tape.
Ahmud glared at Mike with dissatisfaction in his eyes, earning strong kicks. This time, no one stopped Mike.
Burimer, lets say our farewells to our comrades who have headed home ahead of us.
Yes, lets. The priest is unique, and the prayer even more so, but it would be hard to find a priest better than him in the Sahel.
Of course. And the Angel of Death, Black Mamba, is perfect to host the wake.
Three more graves were added to the rough and desolate desert for Chartres, Miguel, and Mouris. Six mercenary survivors and one old Tuareg warrior surrounded the graves.
The fake priest, Black Mamba, began to sing a prayer in front of the graves.
For a human who had killed thousands to sing a prayer for the dead, it was a lame joke, but what else could they do? There was no one closer to a priest than Black Mamba.
.Namussangjusibangbul namussangjusibangbub namussangjusibangseung
The song, which dragged on as if to no end, finally ended.
Black Mamba said the farewells for the team as the representative.
Chartres, Miguel, Mouris, rest in peace. I will not forget those who have pushed you into your unfortunate deaths. I will swear on my name as Black Mamba to ensure your families are fine. May there be protection on your corpses, and may there be peace on your souls.
Next, the captain stepped up.
My close comrades, Chartres, Miguel, and Mouris, I promise you the same thing Black Mamba did. I will ensure that the rest of the team returns alive. I will shatter the chins of those who sold you. Salute!
Jang Shin and Emil raised their guns.
Fire!
Bang Bang
Salute, Fire!
Bang Bang
Crash
A large rock fell in front of the graves and caused the ground to shake.
Black Mamba lowered the rock then shook his hands off.
What-what are you doing? Mike shouted as he leaped up from his seat.
It was a long rock that weighed around a ton.
Its a tombstone.
Fourteen lost eyes looked between Black Mamba and the rock.
A tombstone?
Dont you know what a tombstone is? Zeolite, ze-o-lite!
Mikes question was regarding the stone itself, as Black Mamba had only revealed its purpose. Jang Shin and Emil choked on their laughter. Mike was far from forgiven by Black Mamba.
A high-rank master in a martial arts novel would have sliced the rock in two with his palm, but that was an impossible story in reality. Instead, Black Mamba pulled out his Kukri and activated his inner wavelength. The knifes blade began to tremble ominously.
He abandoned all of his complicated thoughts.
He filled up his empty headspace with nothing but the desire to cut the rock.
Slice! Slice!
Schink
The Kukri slid across the rocks surface in an indisputable second.
Wow!
The mercenaries, who were watching with bated breath, exclaimed. The rock had been sliced open as though a reaper had sawed through a wheat stalk. It was a magical scene that couldnt be seen anywhere else. With a few more strokes of the knife, an even surface was made.
Ugh, this isnt something to play around with.
Black Mamba sat on the floor after his muscles lost their strength.
His strength had left him after a few strokes of the knife. His muscles, unable to stand a pressure higher than their average output, flopped out powerlessly.
Even a horses muscles would have had a hard time withstanding the wavelengths.
His determination to write a lengthy memorial epitaph disappeared like expelled gas. He barely managed to write the following with the remaining wavelengths in his blade: H. Chartres. Mouris. Miguel rests here. -B.F. Mussang-
He had shortened the number of letters as much as possible, to the point that he shortened the H for Hakam and Huang, with an H. He was out of strength.
It was a rock he had placed for a bit of fun. He would have never anticipated the catastrophe the rock would bring about in the future.
Captain, the b*stard is Colonel Ahmud. The situation isnt good, Burimer reported to the Captain after interrogating Ahmud.
Theres no situation to worsen. All we have to find out is where theyre stationed and what Habib is thinking.
The FROLINAT is currently having an inner conflict between the doves and hawks. The hawk faction that had been in power is apparently breaking apart. Goukouni had gone into hiding, and Habib has suffered great losses from us, causing a decrease in lead.
Then isnt that good news?
The pride of the upper FROLINAT echelon has suffered, so council member Tombye ordered a full-force mobilization. They have blocked the southern route with three thousand additional reinforcements who are stationed down in Tibesti. Tombye and Romus combined forces of a thousand are after us.
The mercenaries who had been listening in felt their expressions become devastated.
The fact that three thousand had been added to the Kanem and Borkou provinces meant that the FROLINAT had mobilized their entire force.
Damn, did we act up too much?
The captains gaze swung towards Black Mamba.
We killed the bstards who come. So well also kill the bstards who block our path.
Ha, good to know its that simple.
A smile rose on the captains face. It was something only the undefeatable Black Mamba would say.
Ombuti, figure out Habibs location from him, Black Mamba said suddenly.
He was determined to see to Habib himself. He was someone who was harmful in existence, even before being the culprit of his comrades deaths.
Joy bloomed on Ombutis face.
This was it. This was the reason why he had dragged Ahmud, to find the location of Habib. His Wakil hadnt forgotten what he had said in passing.
Ive already checked. He lives in a mansion in Paya. Ive also figured out the location of his mansion.
Good!
And how did they gain our information?
Ahmud received his information from Habib. He doesnt know anything else aside from the reports he received from his sentry units.
Hes no use then.
Mike pulled out his firearm.
Captain, should I kill him?
No, treat me like a prisoner! Ahmud screamed, noticing the intent.
Ombuti, what is he saying? asked the captain.
Hes asking to be treated like a prisoner.
Hahahaha!
The mercenaries laughed. For the very person who had killed four of their own to request to be treated like a prisoner, it was a funny joke. There wasnt a clause regarding the treatment of prisoners, even in the Geneva Agreement.
Wait, hes the one who annoyed us and ate up four of our own, isnt he? Then Ill use him as a sacrifice.
When Black Mamba stood up, Mike placed his gun back inside its holder without a word. When Black Mamba approached, Ahmuds face turned blue. It was the Kanma who was rumored to rip skin apart with his bare hands and drink brain fluid. Even if he died, he didnt want to die like that.
Wakil, why would an honorable one like you dirty your hands with a cockroach? Please, let your servant catch such things.
Ombuti looked at Black Mamba with pleading eyes.
Ahmud wasnt Ombutis direct target of revenge, but his army had destroyed tens of villages and killed their people. He was the enemy of his tribe.
Chapter 85
Musta, who had raped his daughter, had died at his Wakils hands. He wanted to take revenge on this Ahmud b*stard himself.
Since you brought him over, Ombuti, I recognize your right.
Black Mamba knew Ombutis grudge very well. It had to run deep, considering how his wife and daughter had been raped and murdered by those b*stards. He left Ahmuds fat in Ombutis hands.
Mike wrestled with the idea.
Captain, he cant. Mouris, Chartres, and Miguel died. If Black Mamba doesnt do it, we should.
Mike, the FROLINAT and us met as enemies. When you kill the enemy, you need to be prepared to die, too. The amount of FROLINAT soldiers youve killed must be over at least thirty. Would you be able to bear the grudges of all thirty of those people?
The circumstances are different.
Theres nothing different. In the end, the Sahel is the FROLINATs land. Were the invaders. A soldiers role is to fight and kill. If we press him for charges, we need to charge him with murder for unarmed locals.
Did Chartres ghost attach itself to the captain?
He talked like Chartres. Mike stepped back with a dissatisfied face. He had realized the importance of his comrades thanks to Black Mamba. He wanted to take revenge for them but was blocked.
Ombuti threw his weight around Ahmud with a steadfast stance as though he was a judge making a decision.
Ahmud, I am an Immoharen of the Tuareg Tribe. I will make you pay for the many crimes you have committed against my tribe. Will you follow the laws of the desert or receive the judgment of Allah?
Ahmuds face crumpled.
Have you forgotten Allahs teachings?! If you destroy a corpse, your name will be erased from Azraels list one day! Ahmud shouted.
Hmph, a cockroach like you doesnt have to worry about such things. My owner is Azrael. Since theres no time, Ill judge you by Allahs words.
Ombuti dragged Ahmud by the back of his neck and dragged him before Chartres grave.
Let me go! You b*stard, Im a commander. Arent you one of the honorable Tuareg Tribes warriors? You shouldnt be humiliating me, even in death. Just shoot me in the head. If you destroy my corpse, Allah will not forgive you.
Ha, humiliation for a cockroach? Several people youve killed will welcome you on the other side. If anyone asks who sent you, tell them Izmael Ombuti did.
Ahmud instinctively knew that he was about to be burned and protested. Ombuti didnt even blink.
Ha, when did he prepare that? Mike laughed.
There was a pile of broken branches in front of the grave. Ombuti was definitely a busybody.
Jang Shin, hand him an oil tank.
At Black Mambas words, Jang Shin ran to the pickup without protest.
Ombuti, who picked up the extra fuel supply, poured it over the wood.
You cannot do this! Allah, send these heretics and this ungrateful b*stard to hell! Ahmud screamed while rolling on the ground.
That b*stard, hes squealing like a pig.
Jang Shin sealed his mouth with tape once more.
He helped Ombuti set up Ahmud on top of the wood stack.
Wow, I knew he was crazy about cooking, but to think hed start cooking cockroaches!
Cockroaches lay eggs if theyre not killed with fire, Emil responded to Mikes meaningless exclamation.
Ombuti threw the matchstick on the pile.
Whoosh
The dry wood drenched in oil started burning furiously. Soon, the smell of meat burning engulfed the area.
The sight of a human burning couldnt be seen in current society, but the mercenaries who were watching didnt even blink. This was the land of savages, the Sahel of Africa.
How scary. Seems like Allahs judgment is to burn a person alive. Whats the rule of the desert? Emil asked Ombuti without a bit of tension in his body.
You erect a cross in the desert and tie him up. Then, you wait three days.
Hell shrivel under the sun.
The hyenas will rip him apart before that happens.
Woah!
Emil, as emotional as ever, drew in a strong breath of air.
And so Ahmud, who was called the red star of Sahel, who boasted the life of a cockroach, died as a handful of ashes in Djourab Erg. As expected, a pheasants enemy was a hawk, and a cockroachs enemy was a servant.
Jang Shin, who was holding the wrench, glared at the pickup. It was a glare meant for an archenemy. The pickup, which had three holes in it, received his glare.
Damn it, I dont have any spare parts. This has nothing to do with my lack of skills!
Jang Shin threw down the wrench in frustration.
The pickup he had hidden between the rocks had been bombarded with warheads. The traces of a hard fight were strongly imprinted.
Fortunately, the other two had holes in their loading boxes, but this one had a problem with its engine. He had tried to fix it up, but every time he started the engine, it only hatefully spluttered.
Two pickups werent enough for a company of eight to travel. There wouldnt be enough space to load their weapons and supplies.
Sergeant Burimer, why dont we turn back to Tanga and fill up the pickup and supplies at Trident Rock?
Burimer looked at Jang Shin as though he was pathetic.
Are you an idiot? We were pushed up north because we couldnt break through there. Theyre blocking the south to the best of their abilities. Try fixing it up well.
Well?
Yes. Well!
Jang Shin, who had gone from a genius to an idiot in a second, crumpled his face into a wail.
Damn it, all you have to do is move your mouth, but I have to move my hands and feet!
It was the unforgivable rule of an organizations society. With one word from the head, the people below began to suffer.
While Jang Shin wrestled with the pickup using his spare parts and tools, the team members went around gathering spare equipment and bullets. They had ended up in a f*cked up situation where they had to run and battle while also lacking supplies.
While their weapons were weak, there were many of them.
They gathered 15 working RPG7s. Burimer, fearing the lack of bullets, gathered a bunch of Degtyaryovs and 0.3-inch bullets.
Vroom
The pickup with bullet holes all over its hood spewed out a refreshing engine noise.
Yes! Im a genius! Jang Shin shouted in glee.
Machine genius Jang Shin had finally managed to breathe life into the pickup once more.
As expected, Japanese stuff is definitely the best for cars.
Its surprising that such a country exists in Asia.
This was a conversation between the captain and Burimer. Black Mamba was slightly pissed off.
If it had been a different car, it wouldnt have stood a chance. Even if it wasnt shot down by bullets, it wouldnt have withstood the environment or long distances and wouldve broken down long before. His hometown was filled with pain and grudges, but he was helplessly a pampered man.
It became complicated to partner them up without Chartres, Mouris, and Miguel around. There were only two snipers, the captain, and Mike. The only ones who remained in the cover fire department were Burimer, Emil, and Jang Shin. It was hard to fit their personalities and specialties together.
Mike can partner up with Jang Shin. Burimer can move with me.
Black Mamba and Emil were originally partners, and Bell Man and Ombuti were non-fighters. Honestly, only Mike could be Jang Shins partner.
Jang Shins face darkened.
When one was partnered with Mike, they were bound to die. Mark had died first. Mouris had also died. He was the third. He could imagine himself with a gunshot in his head and his insides spilling out.
He looked at Black Mamba.
He was the only wild card on the team who could flip the captains decision around.
Son of a b*tch!
Sergeant Mike was explaining something desperately in front of Black Mamba, probably something to do with himself. The man who looked like a grizzly bear was acting like a fox.
Big brothers there, so I shouldnt die!
Jang Shins shoulders dropped in defeat.
But unlike what Jang Shin thought, Mike was dying.
I swear, I didnt take my eyes off of Mike for a second. I only glanced at Mouris while I was sniping after all. Really, my attention was so dispersed I nearly couldnt battle for a moment. I didnt even kill ten people. But apparently something happened to the mine lines, and Mouris crawled out of his rock for about ten feet. When I heard a beeping noise, I shouted.
Mike stopped talking and glanced at Black Mamba.
His expression hadnt changed. Feeling a chill run through his chest, he continued to talk desperately.
I shouted for Mouris to get down, but the warhead landed the moment Mouris threw his body back into the rocks. You know that the 3.3 inch cant compare to a 2.4 inch. Mouris seemed to jump the moment the explosion sounded. How could I know Mouris would be done in by a warhead?
Keep talking, Black Mamba said without even turning to look. His voice was as cold as frozen dew in late fall.
When Mouris was done in, I went mad. I ran forward without looking at anything, even risking being sniped. But by the time I ran forward, it had already ended. My mistake was not thinking about the landmines. I went mad for a moment after all. After that, it was as you saw. Its true. Mouris was just unlucky.
Mike explained desperately so that Black Mamba would understand. He didnt know why he had to make him understand, but he tried his best.
It was so he wouldnt be beaten to death. When Mark died, he had said hed bury him with his new partner if the new partner died, too. Black Mamba never lied.
Mike, why did Bell Man bring Mouris corpse? Werent you, his partner, supposed to take care of him?
Mikes face turned black.
I was wary of the remaining FROLINATs sniping. Bell Man is a non-fighter after all. I had to protect him.
Mike was proud of his explanation. While it was true, Black Mamba was someone who was especially sensitive of his comrades safety.
Sergeant Mike, well done. Protect your new partner well.
Black Mamba patted Mikes back and disappeared.
What?
Mike looked at Black Mambas back which was growing further away with confusion across his face. Considering the fact that he was prepared to receive a beating, he was rendered speechless.
Did the viper forget his fangs somewhere?
Mike tilted his head. He didnt feel the need to correct Black Mambas sudden kind mind.
Ombuti took up the Alpha wheel, which the Captain and Black Mamba boarded. At the Beta was Bell Man, Burimer, and Emil, while on the Gamma was Mike and Jang Shin.
The three pickups ran out of the battlefield rapidly.
Ombuti began talking to the Captain with an apologetic expression by the wheel.
Captain, Im sorry I couldnt fight with you.
The Captain waved his hands.
What are you saying. You brought Ahmud over. Its the commander Black Mamba lost three times. Ombuti, youve managed to acheive something great. Ive already recorded it in the achievement request form.
Ahha! Ombutis mouth split open.
That was a coincidence. Its like me picking up something my Wakil had left over. Im embarrassed of my past as a warrior.
No. Ombuti is a guide. Sorry, but Ombuti wouldnt be a help to the battle at all. Black Mamba, who is new to the battlefield, is the worst at guiding. Well all have to do something were good at. Ombutis role is to guide, not battle. Im grateful you werent injured.
Im grateful for you putting it that way. Im an Immoharen after all. I felt pathetic when I was hiding.
Ombuti turned his head and looked at the Captain. His face was covered by the litam, so his expression wasnt obvious, but his eyes were smiling.
All of the members including myself are grateful to you Ombuti. Ombutis actions are right on the battlefield. You should look after your own life. You must understand, now that youve been through it, but the safest place is next to Black Mamba. Although your dreams might be slightly violent.
Ombuti nodded. Even after a hundred reconsideration, the safest place was beside his Wakil.
Thank you, Captain. I think theres a traitor who sold our information to the rebels. Ill head to Paya Largo and meet my friends. Ill get rid of the betrayer and return.
It was Ombutis late advice.
No one in their team had told Ombuti about the spy at the headquarters. It was because it was a problem of pride of Legion Etranger.
The captain shook his head.
No. There are rats anywhere and everywhere. Theres no need to push yourself. This is not the time to be hung on small revenges. Lets head together to Paya. I need to reach the headquarters at Paya after all. I have to, even though we might be tailed once more.
I understand. I will also reach out to my Ummah friends at Paya Largo to gain some information.
Ummah were those whod gathered under religious reasons to achieve a political and religious unity under Allahs true teachings.
Chapter 86 - Chapter 12, Episode 6: Death is a Mercenarys Friend (Part 1)
The Ummah, who tried to be as loyal to the Koran as possible, had a strongly critical nature. Obviously, the ones in power recognized the Ummah as a secret organization and tried to arrest them.
Both Chads government and FROLINAT ignored the Ummah, since both the government powers and rebels the same vested interests. The Ummah were unable to gain much power between the two.
The victor in the civil war became the government powers, and the loser became the rebels. Government powers and rebels were but organizational structures. There wasnt a past or future tense.
If the rebels gained an advantage, they would become the government. The previous government would move guerrilla-style as the new rebels. This was the most common situation in most of the new countries in Africa.
Black Mamba understood the two peoples conversations vaguely. It was the same anywhere in places humans inhabited. Human matters were about those who wanted to protect their power and those who had problems with those in power. When the public tilted towards the left it became a revolution, and to the right, it became a civil dispute.
Four out of eleven of their team members had died. The rations, which had been enough for three days, extended to five. Those who were dead were buried, and those who were alive had to eat. After that day, there was no telling whether the rations would increase to seven or ten days. The rations dangled precariously, but no one cared.
Paya was Chads largest northern city. In order to go to Paya from Erra Ekadini, where they had battled in the rocky regions, they had to move northeast through 168 miles of Djourabs desert.
Djourab was an independent patch of desert that wasnt connected to the Sahara.
There was a long path from Massif Ennedis plains to the entrance of the Bodl Depression, Koro Taro, which was in the northeast. Its length was up to 250 miles, but its width was only 15 to 20 miles. With Black Mambas senses and Ombutis experience working together, they were able to get out of the desert patch in record time.
Habib ended up hitting empty land once more.
Habib had blocked the southwestern route between Nedeli to Kema, but because the smarter captain had headed northeast, three thousand soldiers ended up wading through empty waters.
Black Mamba felt wary about their move the entire time.
They were basically crawling into the alligators mouth, risking danger.
Was there a need to go to the enemys headquarters just to receive orders from their own when the trust was broken?
Since they had decided to return, all they needed was to break through the enemy lines. If they didnt have enough firepower, they could steal it from the enemy. Frustration welled up at the captains introverted leadership.
While they were cooling their engines and taking a break, Black Mamba looked for the captain.
Captain, I have a question.
The captain turned his head as if giving the go-ahead.
Why arent we heading down south? Theres no need to communicate. Ill break through.
The captain looked at Black Mamba as though he was stupid. Black Mambas gaze dug through the captains as though it was poking through him.
Flinching, the captain moved back unknowingly. He looked at Black Mamba once more. He had clear eyes, to the point where blue lights swirled in them.
What was that?
He felt a fear that ran down his spine in that brief moment. Those were the eyes of a predator more fierce than an angered lion.
Did my body change for the worse?
Of course, the team and his conditions were poor. He decided he must have imagined it.
What would happen if he fought in this condition?
He had no confidence. Everyones condition was shot, but what was this rock-like b*stard? He was invigorated to the point it became suspicious as to whether he was human.
Im a soldier. I was ordered to retreat from Kanem Provinces Salal with our own forces. The current situation makes that impossible. We need to receive orders in consideration of the changed circumstances. The mole in our headquarters is an entirely different matter.
F*cking hell!
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck.
He felt frustrated, as though he was talking to a wall. They were already chicken thrown into an alligators pit, but what was this martyr mindset?!
If they had been thrown into the mission knowing that they were going to be bait in the first place, he wouldnt have been this indignant. He would have acted accordingly. That was what soldiers did. They were sent into places where death was confirmed, and they set foot in those places knowing they could die. But this situation, where they had been stabbed in the back, was different.
Then what was all that effort to return until now?
I forgot my role and mission for a moment. The raccoon mission is still continuing, even now. I cant ruin the mission.
Hm, then are you saying that youll keep acting as bait and run around with the FROLINAT on our tails?
Thats not it But Ill move through a different route after receiving orders.
Black Mamba fell speechless.
He suddenly remembered the Australian ant species, oecophylla smaragdina, that Chartres had told him of. While the old ants stood as the vanguards for the organizations safety, their problem was that the young Ratel team were the ones who were back-stabbed by the old ants.
We were betrayed. Arent you mad?
Im angry, too, but it wasnt my commander who fooled us. I trust our commander; hes a logical person. We can receive our orders to retreat after reporting the circumstances. This incident came about from outside interference. You have to admit we cant break through the Salal region realistically. If we try to break through by land, youd be the only one left standing.
Oh, f*ck, whys this b*stard such a stickler for rules?
Black Mamba suppressed the desire to punch him.
What would you do if I decided to return alone?
Ill be honest. You have a call name that allows you to act independently depending on your decisions. Its possible that the people who created this back door plan had your independent return in mind. No, they probably knew that. I cant speak for the DGSE, but theres no way the Department of Defence threw a strategically valuable person like you away.
Hm, they think Ill escape if the situation turns for the worst?
Theres no life above ones own. Of course, I know youre not the type of person whod throw his comrades behind and run for your own sake.
What a sly b*stard!
Black Mamba closed his mouth.
He was a wall, a sly wall on top of that. These were words to bind him to his comrades with their lives on the line. He didnt want to talk to him any longer. All of the trust he had built between them had crumbled.
Are all white people as two-faced as you?
Black Mamba innately hated being suppressed. Legion Etranger had also been his first time working with an organization. Any organization, especially the military, worked by deferring to the ones in power. He found it hard to understand Sergeant Pauls involvement with the military organization as someone who wished to be a free soul.
In reality, Sergeant Pauls actions as the captain were something that could cause a recall.
The military was the representative organization that acted on orders. If rules were bent in reverse, they became an uncontrollable organization with weapons. Acting on orders was the true job of a soldier.
When Black Mamba began to show signs of discomfort, the captain began to reassure him.
Lets get some air reinforcements at Paya and return comfortably. We can take a refreshing foam shower at Paya, too.
He wasnt an unmoving wall. He was closer to a fox.
The last order the Ratel team had received was to escape by land. They had to receive a new order in order to change plans, even though their escape through Salal was impossible.
Black Mamba had vaguely sensed the intent of the higher-ups.
Those old men didnt want the mercenary team to return. They had basically shoved the flying chickens that were coming out of the alligators den back in with a stick.
His unbending captain was being willingly pushed into the alligators den. Unfortunately, battles werent a sport. Habib wasnt the type of person to accept a thrown white towel. They had no choice but to fight.
Black Mamba, as a veteran soldier, didnt understand Sergeant Pauls actions. The captain didnt understand either, having become weak-willed after his subordinates deaths.
Black Mambas eyes grew fierce.
This b*stard had left the helicopter to be shot down on purpose. Chartres had died because of that, yet he was still trying to shove the team into hell, not realizing his mistakes. He was someone who could only be beaten to his senses.
Captain, I need to talk to you separately.
Why? Just say it here, said the captain stupidly without reading the mood.
It wouldnt look good in front of the entire team.
Ugh, this b*stards really going to! the captain thought.
Finally realizing the situation, the captains face scowled.
Fine, Ill learn from you. Its a familys honor to receive a one-on-one session with Black Mamba.
The captain attempted to stick to his pride if he couldnt avoid it. Even if he was turned into a paste, no one would laugh at him. His bravery to simply attempt to fight against Black Mamba would be recognized.
Wow, this b*stards the true enemy.
Black Mamba snorted. A leaders position was definitely not something just anyone could take up. His immediate response, changing a beating to a training session, was astounding.
Whoo! Go for it, Captain!
Show us the real deal of Krav Maga.
Kick that arrogant Black Mamba away!
The mercenaries cheered.
Yeah, thats right! The captain applauded his own on-the-spot thinking.
Krav Maga was a fatal martial art that stemmed from Israel, using barehanded and weapon techniques to kill. Its combined techniques and injuries for critical points were its main factors.
The captain took out his M9 combat knife and held it in his right hand as he stood slightly diagonally, using his open left hand to guard against the enemy. It was the perfect defensive stance.
One side of Black Mambas mouth tilted up.
What was this?
He was begging to be beaten up!
He had planned to end this with a single blow, since they were in the middle of their mission, and he was the leader. He had no personal grudges against him, but Chartres death had been hanging around his neck the entire time.
Ill go with bare hands. Ill be expecting your best, strongest attack, Captain.
He hadnt been able to test the Ten Point Continuous Blows of the Five Combines Movements seriously. Any average person had their entire body shattered with a single blow. If they received the Ten Point Continuous Blows, which consisted of ten attacks in a single breath, they were bound to become a lump of meat, but the captain was a Krav Maga master. He could be able to withstand one round.
Ssh
Black Mambas weight went against gravity and flew into the air, like taking steps to ride a dragons back. The sight of him flying into the air without preparation resembled a helium balloon a young child lost to the air.
Ah!
The captain, who had been preparing his nerves at a point fifteen feet away, drew in a breath. A black shadow approached him from his peripheral view. This shadow was the reason behind the guerrillas rapidly falling like straw houses.
The captain fell back and threw his sword to the side. The blue blade reflected the sunlight and glistened.
Clang
A palm pushed the blade away, and an elbow dug into his cheekbones.
Ha.
The captains consciousness left him with a single blow. The Ten Point Continuous Blows whirled like a twirling windmill. The raised knee blew out the center of his chest, and a high attack fell onto his crippled body. Black Mambas body followed the captains flying form, which was falling back like a scarecrow. He looked as though he was in a sexual position.
Craaaack Creak
The sound of slapped skin rang in the air continuously. The captains body shook in the air in close proximity. The bag of straw fell to the ground once the sounds ceased. He had received ten blows in the time from his sail into the air to his crash to the floor.
Black Mamba frowned.
The captain had already lost his consciousness by the time he was going in for his second attack. The rest of the impacts had been dealt gently for educational purposes. It seemed like a Krav Maga master was no different. The physical differences between him and any average person were too vast.
The mercenaries ceased to breathe.
Six pairs of eyes kept flitting between Black Mamba, who stood without a breath out of beat, and the poorly crumpled captain, who had fainted on the ground.
Sergeant Paul, who was called the strongest master in Legion Etranger, had turned into a pile of meat without retaliating once. Everyone looked as though they knew this would happen.
Is there anyone else who plans on kicking the arrogant Black Mamba away? Black Mamba looked around at his teammates with a smile.
None! replied five voices as one.
Mike flew out like lightning and laid the captain down in a shadow. It was affection from someone who had suffered the same thing. Bell Man injected heart and muscle relaxants and began CPR on the captains chest.
Chapter 87 - Death is a Mercenarys Friend (Part 2)
Ombuti gazed at Black Mamba with awe. Black Mamba shivered at the reverent gaze. Even he found the old Tuareg warriors admiration fearful, despite everything else in the world.
Phew!
Bell Mans tearful efforts finally shone. The captain, who had begun to breathe, began to sit up with splayed limbs.
Hes still above average despite being rotten! Black Mamba murmured in surprise.
He had thought the captain wouldnt wake for at least another hour. As expected, a body built through battles was of another tier.
The captain shook his head.
His hazy eyes regained their light. Having found his senses, the captain stared at Black Mamba.
What happened?
I landed the blows, and you received them.
Damn, thats a crystal clear reply. I feel refreshed after that beating.
Should I make you feel even more refreshed?
No, thank you, you b*stard. Id rather go against an African water buffalo.
The man who had hit and the man who was beaten looked at each other and smiled. Men were simple creatures who worked out their small disputes with fists. The two had shaken their remaining anger away with those blows.
Twenty-six days into the Raccoon mission, the FROLINAT who had suffered a resounding defeat lost track of the Ratel team. The pickup crashed up north 25 miles without meeting any obstacles.
Paya was the Tibesti Provinces greatest northern city.
As the greatest oasis city in the world, it had an airport and hotel, reaching a population of twenty-five thousand. Several thousand in number was a surprising amount for an oasis city.
Paya Largo was Payas old name.
Currently, the two names were used together. Paya was used to refer to the city, while Paya Largo referred to the citys outskirts.
Chads security was shot, but they couldnt just walk into the city with artillery and machine guns, so the mercenaries had to go through another round of sweat-filled shoveling. They stocked their weapons in the two pickups and wrapped them up with a tarp. They pushed the pickups in a hole and covered them up with sand. Such things were only possible because it was a desert.
After finishing their work, Ombuti handed some loose pairs of pants to the mercenaries who were laying down.
Paya is Chads largest city. We need to try not to attract attention.
The width of the pants was extreme, while the length was short, with several creases all around. They were the type of pants a Persian prince would wear in movies.
The mercenaries eyes moved towards Ombuti.
Ombuti pointed at the yellow-brown uniforms that peeked out under their robes.
There are too many eyes around. You cannot walk around Paya in that getup. These clothes are outer clothes called Sirwal that Arabs wear. Theyre clothes you wear without underwear.
You dont wear underwear with Sirwal?
Yes. Why would you? Itd be too uncomfortable. Ombuti replied to Emils question.
But dont you wear underwear?
Right. Usually, Bedu or Tuareg people dont wear underwear. I wont ask you all to take them off, so just change.
Black Mamba tried to stop Jang Shin from wearing the Sirwal on top of his combat attire.
Jang Shin, if you dont want to be covered in sweat, take your combat attire off and then put it on.
It looks weird, but it seems like itd be breezy.
Jang Shin struggled with the large sack-like clothes. The Sirwal, which was over six feet in length from the waist, was three to four times larger than traditional Korean clothes.
Ill help you put it on.
Ombuti called Jang Shin over. Usually, the youngest was called to demonstrate under the officers order.
Ombuti made him put on the Sirwal and pulled the waistband closed. He then rolled the remaining cloth over and shoved it into the waist. The lower half of the pants were tied between the calf and ankle at the appropriate tightness.
The mercenaries took off their combat pants without protest and changed into the Sirwals. Even Black Mamba took off his pants that were stiff from sweat and changed into the Arab pants.
Its good!
The loose Sirwal pants had good ventilation and allowed a wide movement range. Their clothes were as amazing as their food. They were clothes that suited the Sahel. He wanted to take off his underwear too, but the cultural difference caused him to remain put.
Hm, we look like locals who ran away from home.
They were wearing the Sirwal, the gandourah robes, and had wrapped most of their faces in litam. The mercenaries outward appearances looked similar to those of the northern Sahara locals.
They only took their handguns and cold knives as weapons.
Eight large people folded themselves into one pickup. It would have been an impossible number had there been more weapons involved.
Paya was located in the underbelly of the Sahara Desert and Tibestis mountain range, one of the places with the least amount of precipitation on Earth. Ironically, Payas main production was farming, despite their low precipitation. The secret that made that possible was the underground river.
Marshes appeared in Paya without rain.
It was water that had been dragged up from the underground river. The Bodele depression and the Tibesti mountain ranges provided water that flowed underground, hence the river.
The water that had traveled through the underground river created a large reservoir underneath Paya. Paya was, in other words, a city floating on water. The locals farmed wheat, date palms, and figs using the water pumped from the underground reservoir. Natures wonders were too deep and wide for a humans small brain to comprehend.
The Ratel team, which had entered Paya Largo, headed towards the Le Marien hotel. The hotel was the sole building that was standing tall. A small lowered light blinked in and out in front of the five-story hotel, which was painted gray. The atmosphere was more like a crematorium than a hotel.
Hey, go to sleep at your house.
Mike thumped the front desk. The man who had been sleeping on the desk woke up wearing a fuzzy look.
Four rooms. We dont need food.
Forty francs for one night. You can check out in the middle, but theres no refunds, said the African man while half asleep, blaring his flat nostrils and speaking morosely.
Yeah, yeah, hand me the keys.
The man looked around at the group with fatigue hanging off his eyelids before opening the key box.
You can have rooms 316 to 319.
The receptionist threw them the keys without even checking their statuses.
Hey, is there an elevator?
Take the stairs.
He waved at the stairs with an annoyed expression. It didnt seem as though his expression would change even if they waved their guns in his face.
Hes the laziest worker Ive ever seen. A boa with a deer in its stomach would be more energetic than him. Burimer clicked his tongue.
An abnormal day becomes a normal day if it continues, said the captain as he patted Burimers back.
Well, would we be surprised if he pulled out a handgun? Battles are a daily occurrence for us, while lazing around is the norm for him, Mike said logically, which was very unlike him.
Although this didnt apply to everyone in the world, there were some who turned into logical humans after a beating.
The lobby was empty, and not metaphorically. It was literally empty.
There was just one other person, an Arab with a turban on his head who was leaning against the wall looking at a tabloid called Le Monde.
Black Mamba took a glimpse at the newspaper the Arab was reading.
His eyes were sharper than a hawks and more accurate than a German milling machine. He could read the newspapers words from 100 feet away.
It was Le Mondes November 4th edition.
The Ratel team had been sent on the mission on November 3rd. It was a newspaper that was 30 days past its printed date. He could accept the abnormality, since Paya was located on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert.
However, the Arabs eyes werent looking at the newspaper. Whether he was or wasnt looking at the newspaper, anyone who looked at anything but their own stuff always had another purpose.
What a strange guy.
His blood flow and brain waves had become stronger for a moment, and definitely after he saw the Ratel team.
Brain waves were unleashed. The resonance that unraveled curled around the pillar and turned another corner.
Theres no current threat.
Aside from the Arab, who looked around thirty, there were no other humans or other threatening factors.
Black Mamba wasnt a person who screamed at uncertainty. He climbed the stairs with his team.
Once the group ascended the stairs, the Arab who was reading the news in the lobby slowly began to exit the hotel. The African receptionist also disappeared through the back door.
A pair of eyes followed the Arab who was walking further away. It was Black Mamba on the balcony of his 3rd-floor room.
Emil, theres a tail on us. Im going to get rid of it.
Hm, a tail? Emil turned his head instinctively.
The linen curtains flapped across the empty balcony.
That f*cking b*stard, hes left me to face the captain again.
His behind, which had been kicked at Gudari, began to ache once more.
Paya was a city that the Frenchmen had constructed during its colonization.
There were dense parks in corners of the city that were laid out like a chessboard.
The buildings ranged from wealthy to poor. While there were two to three-floored buildings of red and white bricks, there were smaller houses built from scraps of metal and wood that resembled tents.
Most of the buildings in the French style were built during the colonized age. They were sad old portraits that were sustained over decades without a single attempt at removal.
The Arab walked through the dark paths without a single moment of hesitation as though they were familiar. He crossed the small park and disappeared down a small side road. Black Mamba followed with leisure.
He couldnt see the back of the Arabs head, but he was calm, because he was following the man with his scent instead of his eyes. Hiding, intruding, and following were his specialties. He didnt have a problem even if the smell disappeared. As long as the man remained within a 1,000-foot radius, no living being could escape his dimensional sight.
The Arabs traces led him to a single-floor red-bricked house.
He brightened, as he had been beginning to feel bored. He leaped up the ten-foot wall without a foothold. His eyes grazed over the inside, and he threw his body up onto the roof.
He could hear the conversation inside without the need to concentrate.
Damn!
There was a major problem.
All he knew of the Arabian language were a handful of greetings. He knew even less of the language near Morocco. There was no reason to listen in when his brain couldnt process the data.
There were five presences, and all of them had strong auras. He could even smell the faint traces of gunpowder. One thing was certain: he didnt know who they were, but they werent just average company workers or farmers who raised date palms.
Its violent, but no matter. It gets annoying if theres a tail after all.
If he had been a policeman, he would have had to state his purpose at the door to search the premises, but he wasnt the police.
They were in a situation where they had to run out of Paya the moment they had a connection with the headquarters. He was also worried about his comrades back at the hotel. He had never attacked someone who hadnt attacked first, but there was no time to waste.
He hooked his foot over the roofs water pipe and looked inside using the upside down hanging method.
He could see two people conversing on the sofa. The Arab he had tailed was explaining something to an older person.
Tueme?! (Who is it?!)
The Arab who saw Black Mambas face hanging outside the window pulled out his gun surprisingly fast. His fast movements brought about his tragic end.
Crash Bang, bang
His left hand shattered the glass, and his right hands Glock smoked. The moment Black Mamba rolled into the living room, the two men with holes in their foreheads slumped forward.
If he hadnt pulled out his gun, he wouldnt have died so meaninglessly.
The conversation in the room ended.
He was going to have to do it anyway. He lifted up the three-seat sofa and threw it at the door.
Crack
The thick sofa crashed the door apart.
Pu pu pu Bang, bang, bang
Bullets flew inside the room as if it was raining. They were all using guns with silencers on them.
The sofa had been bait. His strong left shoulder crashed against the left wall.
Crash Schink
Black Mamba flew horizontally through the hole in the brick wall as though he was lying down. He had used the Golden Mile Moving Wave of Fearless Steps.
A thick cloud of dust covered his view but didnt block Black Mambas movements.
Bam!
The people who were shooting bullets at random fell to the floor. Black Mamba, who was hanging on the ceiling holding onto a lamp, dropped to the floor.
Whoosh
He finally breathed out.
He had taken a single breath to kill the three while throwing the sofa to break the door, crashing through the wall, and hanging onto the ceiling lamp.
All three were in Arab clothing. Two were white, although one looked familiar down to his eyes. He turned the corpse over with his toe.
Huh? A Korean? he exclaimed unknowingly.
Chapter 88 - Chapter 12, Episode 7: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans may have shared some of the same traits, but their exuding atmospheres were different. It was hard to pinpoint, but the difference could be told with a little observance.
There was no way he could feel giddy at killing one of his own ethnicity. Even if the other man had been carrying a weapon, it wasnt something to die for. He had broken into the house, so he couldnt say anything about their retaliation either. He felt uncomfortable at the idea of killing someone innocent.
Damn, what was there for you to gain here that was worth crawling all the way over?
When he took off the mans gandourah while grumbling, a yellow uniform was revealed.
A sparkling badge attached to the left pocket of the uniform garnered his attention. There was a photo of Kim Il Sung in the middle of the badge with a red background. It was a second lieutenants Kim Il Sung badge. He had only heard of it, but this was his first time seeing it.
Ha, a Kim Il Sung badge? Hes one of those red ones.
His uncomfortable mood promptly vanished.
The rumours of North Korea sending their torture squad over to Africa had been true. He took off the badge and placed it in his belt. He rummaged over the corpse, but there wasnt much aside from a poisonous dart, a knife, and a few dollars.
It was the same for the other corpses. Aside from a few dollars, francs, and weapons, they had nothing on them. They didnt even have condoms. It was a visible trait of stereotypical spies.
Africas many sex-related diseases came from poverty, hygiene, and misperceptions, but there was a large European influence, too. Europeans shoveled syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomonas into Africa until the early 20th century. Those Europeans who carried around condoms in fear of the diseases they had spread were similarly pitiful.
Dont these b*stards have registration numbers at least? Theyre some mixed b*stards.
The handguns in their possession were the same. There was a Pistolet Makarova, with a brown handle and a star embedded in the middle. Makarov wasnt some cheap deal like the Tokarev.
The Makarov was Tokarevs sub-model. Copied from Germanys Walter PPK, the Makarov was good to carry and handle. Spies from the Soviet and near the Eastern hemisphere used Tokarevs. It would be enough to use in the place of registration numbers.
With two Africans, two whites, and one Korean gathered as though it was a race exhibition, it was hard to tell their purpose. It was highly probable that they were Soviet spies considering the fact that they had used silenced Makarovs. Being an enemy states spy wasnt a death crime, but it allowed him to shake off the guilt of killing his supposed own kind.
Black Mamba took the objects and Makarovs in the briefcase he found in the living room. He also gathered all the unknown documents on the table. He could simply give them to someone who could read them.
He had eliminated five healthy men by appearing in the middle of the night like a ghost. Both sides had used silencers, but he had broken down the door and crashed through the wall.
The neighboring houses lights came on at the sounds.
A black shadow flew over the houses fence like a ghost.
The captain had forgotten Libyas presence behind the FROLINAT.
Chads northern government was controlled by Libyas large influence. There wasnt a place where Libyas hands didnt reach.
The five people that Black Mamba had killed were Libyas informants. They were the headquarters of an attack operation against team Ratel who were staying in the hotel. No one knew that the head of the operation had been cut off, not even Black Mamba. Although he had gotten rid of the immediate threat by coincidence, he couldnt imagine the threat that was approaching.
The captain wasnt an idiot.
He had predicted a breach from FROLINAT within the hotel as a possibility but had still risked the threat. The only place with a phone connection from Chads northern Sahel to NDjamena was the Le Marien hotel.
Chads social infrastructure was poor to the point of being devastating.
It didnt have a railway network, not to mention its lack of road networks. Even this insufficient road network was lost during rainy seasons. Electricity was provided only to the nearest NDjamena regions and spots within large cities.
There was no way its communications lines would be stable. The long-distance lines between cities were from the stone ages. They had, in fact, decreased in quality since the French colonization, due to its civil war. If anything improved, it was the amount of money in the high officials back pockets.
The captain glared at the back of the fat communicators head over the barrier. Hed had to open communications and call for air reinforcements in order to save his subordinates. The communicator sweated under such a savage glare.
He chased his sleep away by pinching at his thighs. His body sunk like soaked cotton, and his chin lowered automatically. Communication was more important than rest, but there was no promise he would reach them. His heart raced to the point that his hand wished to jump out of his throat, but there was nothing to do but wait.
The lines managed to connect after an hour.
C Alpha, this is Bravo.
C Bravo, this is Alpha.
C Alpha, this is
Arrrghhh, f*cking hell!
The captain roared out. The weak lines ignored his heart. The connection had ended the moment they barely introduced themselves.
The captain cursed the weak social infrastructure in Chad.
He moved mountains to maintain his composure and not shatter the cheap phone in his hand.
He had to wait for another connection in despair. Chads connection lines were as dry as the deserts water strains. There was no promise in waiting.
To locate their location through the transmission in NDjamena was impossible. That was something possible only in countries with organized communication lines. Chad, with its ruined lines, made it impossible to find the origin of the connection from the receiving end.
France had been more concentrated in harvesting the natural resources in Chad than the development of it as a colony. It was the same for all the other European countries. And so, a century passed with no improvement.
Since an already deprived thing had been robbed, all it had left was bones. Chads current situation was actually no different from Koreas past immediately after liberation. The captain couldnt have imagined the cause of Chads poor connections was Frances responsibility.
Black Mamba climbed up the wall and slipped into the room without a sound upon returning to the hotel. The verandas window rattled at Emils snoring. This was the backlash of traveling across Sahel without sleeping for a month.
He took off all of his clothes and entered the bath.
When he turned on the tap, clean water poured out. Paya had plenty of water despite being a desert city due to its underground water supplies.
Its magic!
He was moved to tears. The provided soap was brittle, but it washed away the thickened sweat and dust and blood quite well.
Any normal person had to wash. The fact that one could wash to their own desire was a source of great happiness. Washing was what made a human a human. A human was a Homo Lavares (Latin for washing), someone who washed. Anyone who wandered the Sahel for a month would have agreed.
He hadnt even guessed how valuable the clear water that flowed down Mount Chung Saengs river like purified water was back then. Humans were definitely imperfect existences who only learned from experience and understood through emotions.
Emil had fallen into a deep sleep spread across the bed, still in his Sirwal. Black Mamba knew he was tired but was angered that his partner had forgotten the basics.
You idiot, Emil!
At the quiet call, Emil opened his eyes. He felt underneath his pillow. His senses, which had been trained on many battlefields, were on edge.
Put on your clothes and keep your pistol near.
Oops, when did I fall asleep?
Emil slapped his own face. He had made a big mistake, because he had let his guard down during a long rest. He took the Glock his partner was handing him with a guilty face.
Aside from the captain who was gritting his teeth in the hotels communication room, all of the other team members were in a similar situation to Emils. Black Mamba hadnt thought of that.
Dont snore. I will shove a bullet up your nose.
Black Mamba plastered his back to the bed after muttering such a scary warning.
I need to rest when I can.
Sleep overwhelmed him the moment he laid back, despite its hard and dirty condition. No one had rested well since the moment they were sent on the mission a month before.
His body was full of energy, but his brain was unable to stand the fatigue. Fatigue overwhelmed him like a tidal wave. Mu Ssang slept as though he was dead.
It was a two-story wooden building with blue roof tiles.
The mansions planks were fitted head to head around the center pond, creating a flat front garden in the Japanese hiraniwa style. A sudden rush of wind blew the fallen leaves into a pile.
They were blown up high into the second-floor window. The man standing by the window closed it. A brown leaf slid down the closed window slowly. The man gazed at the leaf sliding gown the window with emotionless eyes.
The leaves that were blown up by the wind fluttered around the air, lost, until they lost their force and fell back onto the ground. The leaves landed on the pond or on the ground, swaying and scattering chaotically. The mans gaze didnt stay on the leaves for long. They followed a part of his life he had lost.
The colorful leaves that pleased his eyes were just a moment in time. The leaves that swayed everywhere, following the early winter breeze, were but dried, dirty nuisances. The leaves that left the tree were no longer called leaves, but trash.
He was the very leaf that fluttered around without a purpose. He was the leaf that was lost from its tree, like a phrase from a very old story, like duckweed without its roots. He suddenly found his fate pitiful.
Flowers are blooming, and leaves are in season.
An exclamation that a 70-year-old man would have said came out of Mu Ssangs mouth. Feeling his heart seizing, Mu Ssang closed his eyes and shook his head.
Red lips pressed against his as though they had been waiting. Warmth, as though a brand had been marked on him, washed down his nerves.
Love you!
A heavenly sound like an angels voice tickled against his ear.
It was a meaningful phrase that many women said with their souls injected in the words, or soullessly. Of course, that referred to someone else, not him.
Long, white fingers unbuttoned his shirt and slid over his chest.
Oh, if only it was just a little softer.
Her soft hands, which seemed to lack any bones, slid across his iron-hard chest.
Oh, your nipples are already on fire. Let me check there, too.
The hand that escaped his chest slid down his pant zipper and burrowed in. The lips that were on his forehead licked down his face and opened to teeth, digging in as though returning home.
Huh! the man cried in a strange voice. His young body burned as hot as the firecrackers in his urban community school neighborhood.
Whether he was in his mothers arms, or his Aunts house, or the largest room on Chun Sung temple, or the overnight house in Bijin county, he couldnt tell. It was fine, wherever he was. He didnt care as long as Hae Young was in his arms. Hae Young was still a novice. Of course, he rushed into it, too. They kissed and loved each other hesitantly. Their teeth clacked against each others and left red marks all over the place.
Hae Young dragged his hand into her underwear. He could feel course hair on his fingertips.
Her care was precise. It was always neat as though it had been brushed. He once asked whether she brushed down there when she brushed her hair and was punished with no sex for a week.
That had been the day before. He held back a laugh. Hae Young, as expected, couldnt stand a day. She attached herself to him like a washing board. She swallowed his center like an anaconda. He fell into the peak of pleasure as though he was falling from a great height.
Clack
A small sound from reality sent a signal through his brain, connecting him back to the real world. Several possibilities swept through his mind in a single moment like a panorama. Legion Etranger, Chads special forces, a sniper, guerrillas with exploding heads. Huh! Guerrillas?
His awakened senses created and sent several signals. His consciousness sparked awake, as though someone had poured cold water over him.
He recognized the sound of clacking as the door lock being opened.
If he had been in a normal state, he would have felt the intruder climbing up the stairs, but Hae Young always lowered his guard. He was more angered over his interrupted dream than the intruders presence. How many years had he suffered from the tent in his pants!
That f*cking b*stard, Ill dice him into pieces.
Chapter 89 - Episode 8: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
Black Mamba took out two metal darts from his hidden pouch.
He wanted to slice him into pieces with his kukri knife, but there were two other people stationed in the corridor. Bait was best used fresh.
The pouch he always had around his left hand was approximated to be an antique of the Chung Dynasty. It was a bronze pouch covered in a dinosaurs hide that he had bought in Paris Clignancourt antique shop.
He bought his beloved purchase at 1,000 francs. The hide that lined the inside was soft, while the outer bronze material was hard to the point that even his kukri couldnt scratch it.
Moreover, he could store over 20 five-inch darts in the hidden pouch. He had asked a traditional steel master in Ajaccio to make 200 to his standards.
The door opened without a sound, a gun barrel shoved between the gap. They were highly trained movements, secretive to a fault. Of course, that was like childs play to Black Mamba.
Black Mamba, who stood next to the door, grabbed the wrist that held the gun with his left hand and pulled abruptly. A needle buried itself inside the mystery mans artery without giving him a chance to react as he was dragged into the room.
Uh!
A large gust of wind escaped the intruders lungs. A shoulder lodged itself into the intruders collapsing chest, and the intruder flew out of the door. Black Mamba followed the corpse like a magnet.
Pa pa pa pa
Bullets dug into the intruders body, which bounced into the corridor. The intruders reactions were similarly fast. They threw their bodies to the floor and attempted to shoot again.
Black Mamba kicked against the opposite wall and used his momentum to fly onto the ceiling.
Schink
Two darts flew out like raindrops falling from the sky.
Ugh.
Oomph.
The two masked men, who were holding thick, silenced guns, crumpled like empty sacks. The darts were buried deep inside their foreheads to the point that only their ends stuck out.
You damned b*stards, I didnt even get off. Whyre you intruding now?
The more he thought, the angrier he became.
I need to take what I can.
He picked up the handguns that had been dropped on the floor. They were berettas with silencers. Berettas were expensive handguns, much too expensive for those beggar-like FROLINATs to use.
Even the highest-ranking FROLINAT commanders used cheap Tokarevs. Small countries like Libya and Barshaba used Mikarovs, not Berettas. Something seemed strange.
Black Mamba, wha-what? Emil stuttered awake.
It seemed as though he had been deeply asleep. Black Mamba suddenly grabbed the back of Emils neck and dragged him to the bathtub.
When he shoved the showerhead into Emils face, Emil freaked out.
Gurgle
Stop, stop! Black Mamba, what is it?!
Emil, listen well. There are assassins. Ive gotten rid of three. You shove these b*stards in the room and go tell the captain in the communications room. Im going to Bell Man and Jang Shin.
Emil dragged the three corpses into the room and took off their masks. Two were Arabs, while the other was white.
Do you know him? Emil asked.
Ha, are you stupid?
Emil acknowledged that his question was stupid. There was no way someone in Africa would know Black Mamba.
This isnt some novice guerrilla. Its a hitman. Emil, head to the communications room. The captains in danger.
Emil ran down the stairs, while Black Mamba ran down the corridor.
Bell Man and Mike were in room 316. In 318 were Jang Shin and Burimer. Ombuti was out meeting with his Ummah friends.
There wasnt a single spider out in the corridor.
The Chad Civil War had even driven away the footsteps of explorers and tourists. Foreigners who visited the Tibesti and Ennedi Plateaus of Sahara ceased visiting. The Le Marien Hotel had closed.
Black Mamba grabbed the door of room 316, but released it and ran up the emergency stairs. Understanding the situation was the first priority.
The hotel was a five-story building.
The iron door that connected the emergency stairs to the rooftop was, as per normal, locked. He grasped the fist-sized lock and flexed his muscles. With a cracking sound, the entire piece of metal fell apart.
He kicked the iron door aside and ran out. Going down the water pipe like a squirrel, he flipped his body to the fourth floor. He hung upside down like a bat with his feet on the balcony rail using the Eased Gripping Motion of Fearless Steps.
He could see the inside of room 316 through the balconys window.
Black Mambas lips twisted up. This was the expression he wore when he was amused. Bell Man and Mike were kneeling on the floor with their hands tied behind their back. The intruder kicked at Marks toes with his heels. The opening and closing of Marks mouth looked comical. Fortunately, the two intruders were standing with their backs to the veranda.
Bell Mans eyes, upon finding Black Mamba, widened.
The figure hanging upside down outside the window with the night as its background was definitely Dracula. It was surprising. The intruder, who saw Bell Mans expression, turned around with the gun in hand.
Putain, cong!
Surprised, Black Mamba leaned backward as though he was rolling his hips into his back and pulled his upper body parallel to the ground. The intruders gun spewed fire at the same time.
Bang, bang Crash
The low quality plastic glass that made up the entire veranda crashed down with the sound of bats hitting sandbags. Black Mamba used the tension in his back to rip through the air and shoot into the room like a cannonball.
Black Mambas body, suspended in the air, turned fiercely like a wind mill.
It was the Double Engaged Air Attack. Eagles used both claws in the air to grasp at each other and shake their opponents fiercely.
Pa pa pa Pa pa pa
The intruders fired at a surprising speed. A humans moving eye had its limits, a blind spot, like how ears had a hearing range. The intruders were unable to target Black Mamba, who was spinning fiercely in the air.
Ta ta Ta ta
There were two rounds of two taps.
The intruders crumpled as though they were fainting by the time Black Mamba touched the ground. Theyd each had their heads and chests shot by the double taps. Bell Man and Mike stared at Black Mamba with blank eyes.
A small pistol had a low impact rate. The moving force of a 0.35-inch parabellum used in a Beretta was within 400 joules. It was 25 percent of a 0.21-inch mini pistol. A special soldier had a risk of retaliating despite an injury. Black Mamba always used a double tap in risky situations.
Mike and Bell Man looked from the intruder to Black Mamba with uncomprehending eyes.
Black Mamba had appeared outside the window upside down, smashing the verandas window, then he ran in and killed the intruders, all in one breath. The situation was over before they would even regain their senses.
Black Mamba, those b*stards asked for the captains location. The captains in danger. Mike spoke rapidly with his ruined face.
Ive already sent Emil. Youre really pathetic.
Mike and Bell Man turned their faces away in shame.
They wouldnt have been able to find an excuse even if they had ten mouths.
They had lowered their guards and been done in due to their deep sleep. They were indignant, but it was ultimately their fault. On top of that, Bell Man had made the mistake of alerting the intruders to Black Mambas presence.
Black Mamba, thank you. I owe you my life once again. I was stupid, Bell Man apologized with a shamed face.
They were intruders that no human could have withstood. Im glad youre alive. But Bell Man, it looks like youre a panda man now. Is Mike a glasses-wearing bear? Hahaha!
The two were sporting black eyes due to the hitmans violence. Black Mamba was unable to hold back his laughter.
Damn it, stop laughing. They were shoving guns on our foreheads. What were we supposed to do? Im not you, Bell Man complained.
Whys that man acting up?
Mike was kicking the corpse on the ground in a fit of madness.
You know that his personalitys shot. Hes probably doing that because his pride took a hit.
That idiot. Wait, Jang Shin!
There was a high possibility that a hitman had intruded Jang Shins room, too. Black Mamba kicked his way out of room 316. Just then, the door to room 318 opened, and Jang Shin jumped out with Glocks at hand.
Bang Bang
Jang Shin opened fire. Surprised out of his wits, Black Mamba threw his body onto the corridors floor and shouted, Jang! Its me!
Ack, big brother? Why are you coming out of there? Jang Shin screamed.
You piece of sh*t, did you tape your eyes shut?
He threw out his frustrations, which stemmed from fear.
It was a hitman. One ran off.
What time?
A minute ago.
It had only been a minute since he was messing up room 316.
Something happened.
Jang Shins face was splattered with blood. Half of his left ear was falling off, and his nose had caved in.
Bell Man!
When Mu Ssang called for Bell Man, Jang Shin shook his head.
No problem. The sergeant is just injured.
Bell Man ran into room 318 as Jang Shin began to shout rapidly, Black Mamba, you need to get rid of him.
Tsk!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue and ran out.
The smell of blood passed the corridor and went into the lobby. He didnt know who the hitman was, but if he allowed him to get away, their teams traces could be revealed. Black Mamba jumped the stairs in a rush.
Guest, please mind your
Dude, mind your own.
The desk man who was blocking his path in the lobby bounced to the floor as though a buffalo had rammed into him.
Vroom
By the time he crossed the lobby, a motorbikes engine roared.
Motherf*cker!
Black Mambas face crumpled.
Crash
The front door, which was made of strong oak wood, shattered. Black Mamba, who shot out like a cannonball, crossed the grounds as fast as the wind.
Ugh, what?
Bell Man faltered as he jumped into room 318. The corpse strewn across the doors entrance had caught his foot.
A masked man had collapsed in front of the shower booth located near the rooms entrance. A large knife had been twisted into the man, making the wound wider. Blood spluttered in his gaping chest. The rooms floor sloshed with water.
Bell Man frowned at the amount of blood.
Thats a confirmed kill, Mike whined as he trailed behind.
Burimer, where are you?
H-h-here!
The sound of strangled breathing came from behind the couch.
Damn!
Burimer was gasping on the couch with his arms wrapped around his abdomen. His face was twisted from holding back the pain. Bell Man hurriedly supported Burimers upper body.
Jang Shin, go grab the emergency bag from my room, Bell Man shouted as he took out atrophine and morphine from his spare bag.
He-here.
Jang Shin was frozen.
Burimer had been shot when he blocked the front. If Burimer died, he would be riddled with guilt for the rest of his life.
Sergeant, dont die! What do I do? Aaaah! Jang Shin cried.
You little b*stard, get your sh*t together. Confirm-Contain-Communicate, dont you know that?! Stop the blood flow from the exit wound. Bell Man shouted.
Bell Man washed the entrance of the bullet wound with a disinfectant and scraped out the metal and clothing pieces which had followed in. A penetration wound was easier to treat than an internal wound.
Some said that the pierced wound grew bigger when the bullet was pulled out, but that wasnt true. There was no difference in the size of a penetrated or extracted bullet hole. The only difference was when a rollback phenomenon occurred, in which the bullet flipped around.
Its my fault. The sergeant covered me when that b*stard shot at me. The sergeant was done in while trying to protect me! The sergeant has two daughters, what do I do? I should have died. I should have been holding a handgun! Agh, aah!
Jang Shin kept crying as Bell Man treated the wound.
Dude, stop that. Its a mercenarys duty to be shot at with guns, and its a mercenarys duty to live or die, Mike shouted, unable to watch any longer.
He became more eloquent day by day since he was beaten up by Black Mamba.
Surprise flickered over Bell Mans face.
This is surprising. It only went through the stomach and back. To think it didnt touch any of the viscera, how fortunate. I thought Id never see a day when I witnessed a flesh wound, Bell Man exclaimed once more.
The exit wound was also clean, as there had been no rollback phenomenon. This was because the bullets moving force hadnt decreased from such a close-range gunshot.
Bell Man finished the treatment and slapped Burimers shoulder.
Oi, fishing man, stop whining. You dont even need to go to a hospital for this. You can go wrestle with the giant piranha in Shari in a few days. Get up.
Chapter 90 - Episode 9: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
Jang Shins mouth widened into a grin in the middle of helping, and he kneeled towards the east where the Mecca lay.
Allahu ekbar! Allahs grace saved our sergeant. Mecca, be forever. Allahu ekbar!
Jang Shin repeated the rising and falling prayer as he shouted Allahs name. He looked as though he was about to convert into Islam.
Hey, Burimers Muslim, not you. I almost went mad listening to Black Mambas weird prayers. Now youre driving me up the wall. Mike spat his complaints without ill will as he felt his chest unclench.
He could guess how much stress Jang Shin had been under.
Sergeant, Allahs the best. I cried for Yuanshi Tianzun when the intruders came, but it didnt work. But the sergeant came to life when I shouted for Allah.
Yeah, right, this b*stards finally gone out of his mind. What the hell is he talking about? Mike grasped the back of his neck.
There was no way hed know who Yuanshi Tianzun was.
Uuuugh, it hurts, it f*cking hurts. You quack b*stard, did you even use anesthesia? Burimer began to fuss once he regained his senses.
Look at this guy talk. Black Mamba doesnt even give a peep when Im stitching bare skin. Youre a big guy, suck it up. Should I put you to sleep for the rest of your life?
You b*stard, your specialtys in non-anaesthetic procedures. Im a human. Why are you comparing a human to a monster? Compare that monster to its own kind.
It looks like you wont die, since youre talking your head off.
Ha, I lose every ounce of affection I have toward you every time you talk. Go treat Jang Shin. His close combat skills were rather good, actually. I lived thanks to him.
Bell Man sewed up Jang Shins falling ear and bridged his nose by filling it up with cotton.
Its a miracle, a miracle! Hahaha!
He had become odd-eared, but Jang Shin kept laughing. His dead mood had risen immediately after hearing Bell Mans assertion that there wasnt a problem.
Bell Man slapped the back of Jang Shins head after treating him.
Crying and laughing, what are you doing? Trying to audition for French comedies? Besides, whats up with this hotel?
They had used silencers and cold weapons, but there still had been a commotion. However, the hotel workers didnt seem to have any reaction. It was either that the workers didnt care at all, or they were in cooperation with the intruders.
They had received a surprise attack, but the whole ordeal had blown over without much loss. Everyone regained their balance.
Theres nothing normal in this country. Oh right, hows the captain? Mike shouted, startled in the midst of his whining.
Im here.
The captain entered the room, panting, with Emil right behind him.
Hows Burimer?
Astounding. The bullet had been fired at such close range that it went through without rollback, a phenomenon in which the bullet flips around, as the back of the bullet is much heavier than the front with the loss of momentum. There werent many soft tissue injuries, either.
He was blessed by Allah, then. And Black Mamba?
Hes going after the hitman.
Ahhh!
The captain expelled a vague huff of air that was between a sigh and a cry. The masks that were all over the floor filled his sight, to his distaste.
He had understood the situation while he was climbing up the stairs from the first floors communication room. His wrong decision had nearly demolished the team. He couldnt raise his head due to guilt. Not knowing how to face Black Mamba when he returned, the captain kept sighing.
Its a relief. Theres nothing to it but Allahs grace. We should all become Muslims at this rate. Allahu ekbar!
Mike offered an Arabian prayer with a solemn face, but it was too early for Mike to be praising Allah.
They didnt know that a greater threat was approaching them after this minor incident.
Black Mamba jumped over the hotels fence in a single jump.
He could see the red rear lights growing further away. Black Mamba threw his body like the wind, kicking off the fence.
Its too late!
He ran as fast as he could until the roadblocks were crushed under his feet, but it wasnt enough. The bike had already sped up. Not even the great Black Mamba could catch up to a speeding motorbike.
A Glock didnt have the necessary range, and the darts werent adequate for long-distance throws. He searched for something to throw while running, but nothing stood out. He couldnt even find a pebble because the streets were lined with bricks on either side.
He saw a road blocking barricade. The three pod barricade, made of arm-width thick iron rods, was rusted red.
Great!
He ripped out the metal rod without slowing his speed. The connecting points ripped out at the immense strength as though the road had cracked open. The distance between the bike grew to 820 feet as this happened.
Black Mambas back bent like a bow. His resonance whirled around before concentrating in his right arm. The moment his left arm shot forward, his back, which had been curved as the full moon, straightened, and his twisted hips twisted to the opposite side. It was the perfect throwing posture. The metal pipe that was boosted with momentum and power flew out at a fearful speed.
The hitman turned around at the sound of the air being sliced, and his pupils dilated. An increasing dot, something with tremendous bloodlust, was coming at him. He had suffered through many experiences as a DGSE clean-up member. This meant death.
Putain, I didnt want to do this in the first place. To think theyd provoke a monster like him, the DGSEs losing their touch.
Thwack
The rusted metal pipe with the width of an arm shattered his spinal cord and poked out of his chest.
Crash
The bike slid across the ground as it threw across the road. The hitman, who had lurched to the ground, bounced around before coming to a stop.
A rush of pain, as though he had been skewered by a hot metal stick, was the last thing he felt. Both the bike and the human crumpled like tissue paper. The unnamed DGSE hitman finished his life like this despite his perfect escape. It was all due to meeting such a monster.
Sh*t, he died.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Anyone who survived after being skewered by a two-inch-thick pipe was a zombie, not a human.
All the hitmen who had attacked the hotel had died. His attempt to figure out who was behind the attacks went up in smoke. He took off the hitmans mask. He was a mixed-race man with a healthy physique.
That was it.
Black Mamba retrieved the Beretta and didnt bother touching the corpse. There would be nothing but dust on such a person even if he rummaged through his belongings. All it would do was add to his nightmares.
Black Mamba looked down at the ruined corpse. He looked back at himself anew, as he had skewered a man who was running away in order to live without hesitation. He was no different from insect exterminators.
Ha, I should live by whatever means in order to live like a human! But am I a complete human when Im making graves for other people in order to live myself?
Wherever he was, a blood storm was bound to follow. He had erased six people from his hit list that day alone. The asura his master had talked of, the spirit of death, was him. Was there achievement associated with killing the living?
After killing whom he had to kill, Black Mambas shoulders fell as he walked back to the hotel.
By the time Black Mambas team arrived in Paya, Ocelot had touched down at NDjamenas airport runway.
It had taken a day to travel from Singapore to NDjamena. There was no route from Singapore to NDjamena. If there wasnt, he just had to create one. Ocelot wasnt a moralistic human who abided by the rules of other humans.
He used slightly illegal methods but killed no one. All that happened was the pilot and co-pilot losing their bladders, and the Parisian passengers returning home at a slightly later time.
You pathetic existences! You should be praising my benevolence.
Soldiers were crowded around the runway, chattering like alligators. He supposed it could have been surprising, the fact that a hijacked passenger plane as large as that had landed safely.
An adequate object came into view.
It was a plane that was being tailed by an aircraft refueler. It was a Douglas C47 Skytrain, a medium-sized transport. It was an antique that had been produced 30 years earlier, but long-distance travels were its advantage.
Silently, Ocelot slid up the rear ramp.
He was fast. Others would have mistaken him as the shadow of a passing cloud.
Kalim was a medium transport aircraft pilot in Habres army. His beloved Douglas C-47 Skytrain had been serialized 20 years ago, but it was still energetic.
The days mission was to relocate the stored military supplies at Cameroons Duala airport to NDjamena. The French government had started to supply weapons and rations to the Habre army last November. They had stocked rations that were rotting away in storage, but they were enough to use in the war against Chad.
It was 1,330 miles to Duala in a straight line. He could slap a womans butt once he finished the six-hour return flight and was safely at the Meridien Hotel.
Kalim finished filling up the tank and took off in a happy mood.
The aircraft stabilized 18,000 feet in the air. He switched the flight into auto mode and chatted with the co-pilot. Kalims good mood didnt last long.
I believe you should go to Paya!
Kalim and the co-pilot fell into silent panics at the sound of a third voice.
A golden-haired ghost appeared in the cockpit.
It had to be a ghost, as there was no other existence that could appear so suddenly, like smoke rising from the cockpits floor.
Who-who are you?
Ahh, Kanma!
They were in a standoff. The NDjamena airport was filled with security measures. How he made it through security and entered the sealed cockpit were questions that didnt help, even with answers. The reality was in their faces, threatening them.
The co-pilot reacted more realistically.
He took out his pistol in a flash. Kalims eyes widened. The ghosts movements were faster than the trigger, as it had already grasped the wrist in which the pistol was held.
Crack
The wrist bone cracked, and the scene of the ghosts hand wrapping around the co-pilots neck registered slowly in his eyes.
Cr-ack.
The co-pilots neck was broken like wooden chopsticks. Kalim became an abiding lamb that very second.
The Skytrain that had been heading to Duala changed directions 18,000 feet in the air and headed east. The mission to head towards Dualas airport had been wiped from Kalims brain.
Kalim thought of himself and his tribe as more important than the nation. He didnt have a single iota of intention to have his neck snapped by the ghost.
Kalims plane arrived in Payas skies two hours and thirty minutes later.
C Approach control, this is Skytrain 167, altitude 4,000 feet. Requesting landing.
C Skytrain 167, your landing is denied. I repeat, Skytrain 167, your landing is denied.
The control center denied his landing with certainty. There was no control center that would welcome a foreign flight with open arms.
Panicked, Kalim turned to the ghost.
The damned ghost simply stared at his unspoken question of what to do. It was a silent order to fix things himself.
C Theres a problem on board. I request an emergency landing.
C Skytrain 167, wait at your altitude.
Go down to 930.
Kalim followed the damned ghosts orders without a token of protest.
When the Douglas that was circling the airport once more began to lower its altitude and approach a landing speed, the control tower flew into action.
C Skytrain 167, raise your altitude.
Get down to 310. Speed 250, and flap 23 degrees, ordered the ghost as though he was the control center.
C Control, I have no choice. The airlift is dropping. Please open a runway.
Kalim followed his orders like a puppet.
Grumble
When the aircraft lowered its altitude even more, the control center threw down a warning.
C Skytrain 167, raise your altitude. You will be shot if you dont abide. I repeat. You will be shot down.
Targeted? Very well. Flap 32, gear down.
Kalim followed the orders with cold sweat running down his back.
The Paya airport had long entered FROLINATs control. He would be arrested the moment he touched down.
Kalim didnt care about that.
He was from the northern Lumumba Tribe. Even if he was arrested, all he had to do was switch sides. He could even be treated as a hero since he had an aircraft.
Insect, is there a weapon onboard?
Kalim turned to look at the ghost with a strange face.
What about a weapon?
Kalims face paled in the middle of his question. The ghost was wearing a parachute and putting on its harness.
Well, it doesnt matter if there is or isnt, I suppose. There should be enough fuel after all.
You, you crazy b*stard!
Long, thin fingers wrapped around his neck.
Good work, insect.
Crack
The ghost who had snapped his neck like a twig jumped off the rear ramp.
Kalim, who was far from the ideal soldier, was the traditional African soldier who cared most for himself and his tribe, so he finished his life meaninglessly. And he was soon fated to turn into a pile of ashes.
Grrrrrr
The Skytrain had already entered its landing phase. It headed onto the runway at a tremendous speed.
Ocelot, who floated in the sky, looked down as though he was admiring his own masterpiece before floating down.
Crash
The aircraft crashed into the runway. The plane, which had turned into a ball of fire, rolled into the control tower as its momentum dictated.
A small personal aircraft on standby at a spare runway attempted to move away, but it was too late. With a resounding crash of collision, an even larger explosion followed.
Chapter 91 - Chapter 12, Episode 10: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
It was ammunition that had been stored in the fuselage tank of the plane.
The two planes that had crashed into each other were burning furiously. The situation wasnt finished.
With a loud bang, a large fireball erupted. The main wing separated from the fuselage and fell like rain. Like a bomb, the flying wing sped toward the vehicle they were in.
The airplanes fuel tank was located inside it.
The principle of how a plane flew was simple. The planes engine, which caused it to go at a high speed, caused a lower pressure on top than on the bottom. To reduce the effects of gravity, the fuel tank was placed specifically to combat it. For commercial planes, the fuel tank was usually in the shape of a box beam. For military planes, however, exposing the fuel tank was the worst possible thing one could do.
The large wing that had broken off hit the fuel tank like a knife.
Boom
An explosion much more powerful than anything theyd ever experienced before erupted. Flames bursted upward and caused billowing fire and smoke. The sound of sirens, screams, continuing explosions, and sweeping winds filled the air. With the second explosion, the Paya Airport was in chaos.
Ocelot, who was parachuting down in a relaxed mood, had a smile on his face. He thought he could understand how Nerora, who had watched from atop a balcony after setting fire to Rome, had felt.
This is the second most fun thing after hunting humans. I should continue making the most of it.
Ocelot was one to say such gruesome things with ease. After gaining such satisfaction from the Paya Airport, Ocelot would soon go on to cause more trouble.
Ocelot wasnt a human.
The people who celebrated the full moon on New Years Day with fireworks were no different than burning rats or bugs in a fire. The dancing flames and shouts of humans were nothing more than an entertaining sight to watch.
Located 160 feet above ground, Ocelot waved his left hand.
His fingernails, as sharp as a knife blade, stuck out two inches from his fingertips. His joints twisted unrealistically so that his hand reached the back of his neck. The line of the parachute finally broke.
The canopy and the man were both freed.
The canopy flew out into the wind, and the man was pulled to the ground by gravity. With a thud, dust flew out. Even with such great force, his flexible latex-like joints absorbed the shock.
The invention of humans inhibited evolution, but they are useful. Humans are full of contradictions. I am too, full of contradictions! he mumbled as he headed to the warehouse area where there were many storage units. Paya was a city deep within Africa. He was lucky that it had an airport, because if it hadnt and hed had to go by land, he would have seriously thought of giving up on the clients request. Ocelot treasured cleanliness and wouldnt have wanted to travel for several days in a jeep bombarded by dust and sand.
Even though it was late at night, the warehouse area still had several trucks ready for freight.
That will do.
He spotted a Dodge truck come out of the warehouse area. In the trucks cargo space, a black shadow flitted inside. Unaware of its stowaways presence, the truck passed the airport and accelerated.
Creak
The sharp sound of bending metal was heard.
Whats that?
When the driver turned around, his eyes grew so wide, it looked like they would tear. The cargo area was being ripped apart. Two white hands were shredding through it as if it was paper.
Reuhur, Reuhur! yelled the driver intensely. The truck swayed.
Human, look forward!
The voice was so serene that it could have put him to sleep.
The driver immediately stopped screaming. The low voice penetrated straight into his brain without passing through his ears. Experiencing severe fear, his consciousness suddenly became immensely clear.
The mans words sounded like the command of a god from heaven. Ocelot had the skill to use the powerful resonance of his voice to penetrate the human mind. He didnt have the power to kill them with it, but he could make weak-minded humans his puppets.
Wheres the hotel?
The driver replied without hesitation, Its in the city of Sitonga.
Are there hotels anywhere else?
The only hotel in Paya is Meren.
Alright. Drive.
The fearful driver stepped on the accelerator without answering.
Since Hotel Le Meren wasnt too far from the airport, it didnt take more than ten minutes to reach it.
So its around here.
In the darkness, a pair of eyes gleamed as it stared at Hotel Le Meren. It wasnt a reflective sort of light, but similar to the red glare of a predator.
Ocelot pulled out a pair of Raybans from his pocket and put them on. The dark lens covered his frightening eyes.
Youve done well.
The truck driver suddenly shuddered. It wasnt the sound of a god as he had heard before. This time, it was a murderous tone.
Please let me live.
You ask too much of me.
Ocelots gaze locked onto the Misbaha hanging in front of the driver seat windshield.
Is that a relic the weak humans rely on?! Ignorant fools!
The Misbahas string broke as it fell into Ocelots hands.
How pretty. If it was colored with blood, it would be even prettier.
Slam
The Misbaha was thrust into the drivers forehead.
The Muslim Misbaha was similar to the Catholic rosary and had a Quran attached at its end instead of a cross. The hand made Quran imitation was dyed in red.
Ocelot was reminded of his client.
He was sure Tawar was just an alias. The top assassins always confirmed the identities of their clients. Ocelot didnt care who the client or target was. An identity check was only necessary for crafty and weak humans.
Murder was his hobby, and his sole source of pleasure.
To kill and the act of killing was what was importanthe didnt care about the frivolous other purposes that surrounded it. He only needed the money received from the clients to live in the human world comfortably.
Youve received payment, so you must do your moneys worth.
Ocelot stepped through the door of the hotel nonchalantly.
It was approaching midnight.
Ocelot stopped his hand that had reached out for the neck of the black man who was asleep with his nose buried in the desk. There were eight squirming humans here. He didnt want to waste his time spilling useless blood.
No, he had refrained because the man looked dirty. The sight of his sweaty neck made his urge to kill dissipate. Ocelot shuddered then wiped his hands on his white handkerchief, which was embroidered with a rose.
To Ocelot, the urge to kill was at the same level of sexual lust. As sexual attraction was needed for lust, he only killed when he felt a certain charm about the kill. Ignorance was bliss. The deskman who had one foot near deaths door was left to sleep in peace.
His sensitive hearing that was greater than that of a hunting dog picked up the breathing of eight men. The count was perfect.
Oh, were there already guests here before me?
The inside of the building was filled with the smell of fresh blood. The smell of blood was always refreshing. Once he smelled blood, the sleeping predatory instinct within him arose. Blood, he wanted to see blood.
Like a woman, he licked his red lips and looked back at the black man at the desk.
All he had to do was swipe his fingernail across his artery. His contemplation was short. He wanted to see blood in a hurry, but he refused the dirty man.
In a relaxed manner, Ocelot went up to the second floor, then stopped to listen. A humans hearing could register 20 to 20,000 hertz. Ocelot could hear 20 to 400,000 hertz, six or seven times better than normal. When he couldnt sense any noise, he went up another flight of stairs.
The captain was the first to realize something was wrong.
After experiencing many wars, his body was sending him warning bells. The heavy sensation that seemed to be pushing down on his body was like the time he had been targeted by a homing missile in Algeria. It was a situation in which he couldnt escape the inevitable.
His war experience was setting off an alarm in his head. They needed Black Mamba. He prayed that Black Mamba was wearing his headset.
C Black Mamba, Black Mamba.
He had requested help from him several times but there was no answer. It had been a farfetched hope. Black Mamba, who had entered the city, had no need to be listening to his headset.
However, the captains desperate hope had not been for nothing.
Black Mambas spatial awareness picked up on Ocelot. His spatial awareness skill worked like a submarine sonar and made it possible to decipher the exact location of a persons presence. It was different from his ability to sense human presence.
How could this be?! How could something so impossible happen?
The entity that he registered with his spacial awareness skill was himself.
There are two of me?
If it wasnt a doppelganger, then his spatial awareness wasnt working properly. Neither option made sense.
Theres no rule to say there couldnt be another human like me.
He suddenly got goosebumps. Just thinking of another person with skill similar to his wreaking havoc at the hotel was a gruesome thought.
Please! Please!
Crack
The brick started to split, and his hearing was elevated to its maximum potential. The dark shadow sped through the night like lightning to reach Paya.
Everyone, get ready to attack.
The mercenaries pulled out each of their guns, locked and loaded. No one expressed their doubt. Bell Man and Jang Shin pushed Burimer under the bed.
Damn, what can we do with these flimsy guns? Mike muttered as he ran into the shower. Bell Man and Jang Shin hid behind the sofa. The captain hid behind the door.
The silent room was suddenly filled with tension.
Click
It was the sound of a lock turning on the door.
Hes here!
Quiet!
Bell Man stopped Jang Shin from talking.
The locked door rattled angrily. The mercenaries held their breath and concentrated their attention on the door.
How, how could this be?!
From behind the sofa, Bell Man let out a scream without realizing it.
Crack
The metal door bent inwards as it was slowly pushed open. The eyes of all the mercenaries grew wider.
Crack Unable to resist the force, the hinges broke off. The door that should have opened outwards was pushed inward. It had lost its upper hinge, now dangling on just its lower one.
Lit up by the dim light of the hallway, a long dark silhouette stretched out toward them. He was an enormously tall man with hair that came down to his shoulders.
Puh puh puh Puh puh puh
The Glock and Berreta exploded with fire. They were mercenaries trained well by Black Mamba. Their surprise soon changed to attacking.
The man who had been standing in front of the door suddenly disappeared. As if he hadnt been there from the beginning, there was no trace of him. All the mercenaries could do was blink. Thinking they had seen a joint hallucination, they rubbed their eyes. The only reason they knew this was reality was due to the broken door.
Stay alert!
At the captains command, the mercenaries all headed toward the wall. Having to stay alert inside a room was ridiculous, but this was no normal human they were dealing with.
Bang
The wall that connected them to room 319 exploded. Something dark swooped through the dust and cement and ambushed them. Upon hearing gunshots, the captain reacted instinctively. He shot with the Glock continually.
The human shape flitted in and out like a flag waving in the wind. The captain couldnt believe his eyes. Only after five of his bullets missed the figure did he realize his dire situation. Was a human able to maneuver around bullets even possible?!
Puh puh puh
The special sniper was noticeably different. He shot in between the intermittent breaks of Mikes shots and showered him in bullets.
Swish
Ocelot lightly maneuvered through them and attacked the captain.
Ack! Mike jumped in surprise and rolled out of the way.
Crash
With immense speed, an unknown entity crashed into the shower wall.
Mikes eyes went dark.
The object that the man had thrown at the captain without even looking was a pen. The pen shot through the concrete wall and stayed nailed in place. Cold sweat ran down his back. One wrong move, and he would have died from a flying pen.
When Ocelots godlike powers came into play, the mercenaries couldnt establish a proper target, since the surface area of the target had become a hundred times smaller in an instant.
The bullets that Mike had shot only sent dust flying from the walls. Even Bell Man and Jang Shin were unable to find the opportunity to shoot. His movements were impossible to decipher without Black Mambas quick and consecutive shots.
The captain shuddered at the sudden realization. This opponent couldnt be human. His murderous intent that sent chills down his spine and the merciless evil that seemed to shake the captains very core caused him to become paralyzed.
They couldnt avoid it or prepare for ithe was too powerful for them. They had the sudden realization of how it felt for a human to go up against Black Mamba.
Anticipating his death, the captain closed his eyes.
Chapter 92 - Chapter 12, Episode 11: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
He had pathetically dragged his comrades to their death. He couldnt bear to see Black Mamba again. Even death would put him more at ease.
The captain emptied himself of all hope.
Oh!
The captain rolled sideways without his own intent. It was Burimer who had been hidden under the bed by Bell Man. Burimer had used all of his remaining strength to pull at the captains ankle. The captain had fallen due to it and rolled to the ground like a desert spider scuttling for cover.
Swoosh
A menacing fist passed by him with a roar and landed at the place where the captains head had been moments ago.
Shoot, shoot! Burimer yelled.
That sly punk! Mike screamed.
Bell Man, Jang Shin, and Mike were having a difficult time trying to find the right opportunity to shoot. The invader was like a character from a fantasy novel who transported from one place to another in the blink of an eye, and now the captain and Burimer were both intertwined with the target. They couldnt kill the invader with their comrades in shooting range, so they didnt dare pull the trigger. Their hearts were just burning in anxiety.
Ack! A bug dares to interrupt me. With a strange laugh, the invader spit out these words from his mouth. The anger of his missing punch was now directed at Burimer.
Thud
Ack!
Burimer screamed in agony. The invader kicked Burimer in the stomach, then yelled at the captain.
It was too extensive to explain in detail, but the time it took the invader to break through the wall and yell at the captain was only two or three seconds. The mercenaries target locking wasnt able to catch up to his movements. In their eyes, the invaders silhouette seemed to be stretching in and out like a rubber band.
The captain, his face pale white, repetitively pulled the trigger.
Shwoop
The invader split into two, then three, then four. The captain was unable to hit any of the targets. The eight bullets that had been left in the magazine were all gone.
Click
This was the sound of an empty clip. The captains mind went blank. He hadnt been able to graze a hair, and yet his magazine was already empty. Disappointment and defeat overtook him.
Sophie, Daddys sorry! The face of his daughter waiting for him to return to Marseille flashed clearly in his mind.
It wasnt yet time for the captain to die. Burimer had constantly met bad luck, while the captain was blessed with good luck.
With a crash, the bent front door fell as it came clean off its hinges, a dark shadow standing in front of it. The shadow had run through the door like a grenade and slammed into the assassin, who had reached out to grab the captain. The assassin was flung out of room 319 through the collapsed wall.
Black Mamba stood there, frowning intensely. The expression on the face of his comrades upon seeing Black Mambas impeccably timed arrival was a sight to see. They looked like babies who had just found their mother after being lost at an amusement park.
Black Mamba!
The same word shot out of all the mercenaries mouths.
Black Mamba is here! Were going to escape.
Wait! Black Mamba stopped the captain.
Ill take care of him. Bell Man, treat Burimer.
The captains face turned red. Due to his fear, he had completely forgotten about Burimer. If there had been a mouse hole, he would have gladly crawled into it.
Black Mamba let out a sigh of relief. He had made it just in time to stop the attacker. There had been good reason for him to run there like his life depended on it. A person with this sort of skill would have already ended them if he had used a gun. In that respect, they had been lucky.
The monster that had been flung from the room got up and dusted off his clothes.
Only then did Black Mamba observe his adversary in detail. He was a 6-foot-tall blond man built like a Greek statue.
Who the hell are you? Unlike his calm voice, the whites of his eyes were full of murderous intent.
Black Mamba flinched.
The sight he saw in front of him was a mass of blood. The man looked as if he had been molded by blood, and he could sense the cruelty and violence emanating from him. The man reminded him of the rough version of himself in his dreams. There was good reason to have sensed him as his doppelganger.
The reason he flinched was not because of the mans cruelty or evilness; Choi Do Shik was more vicious than this man. Compared to the predatory viciousness emanating from this man, Choi Do Shiks cruelty was like a weapon that cut up souls.
It was his voice that had caused him to flinch.
The sound of his voice penetrated his brain and shook him. He felt as if he needed to answer him, similar to the effect of Choi Do Shiks hypnosis technique.
Ohm mani ban mae hom! Oh ohm!
Unknown gibberish came out from Black Mambas mouth. Chanting in this language was able to rid the world of evil. Although he was unable to use its full potential since he wasnt fully enlightened, he was still able to spread its power across the room.
Ocelot suddenly felt uneasy. Unlike the sound, something else seemed to have penetrated through his body. His mind seemed to ring, and his thirst for murder was quelled.
What is he?
Warning bells went off in Ocelots head.
Can a human follow my movements?
What is this immense power I sense?
What is that strange chant that quelled my lust for blood?
Question after question ran through his brain. He was unable to resume attacking and instead observed this human carefully, like he was a lion that had met a tiger.
Warning bells sounded in Black Mambas head, as well.
Could this guy be human?
The place where his shoulder had collided into him throbbed. Even if he had run into a boulder, it shouldnt have hurt this much.
The violence emanating from him made his skin crawl. He wasnt sure if he was intentionally spewing such energy or if he had done it unknowingly, but either way, he was like an indestructible predatory cat. Plus, what was that strange voice?
Black Mambas face grew as hard as stone.
It didnt have much effect on him, but to the average human, he was sure it would have a detrimental effect.
Black Mamba glared at Ocelot.
Such skill belongs to a mute, what a waste. Ha!
The invaders eyes, which were glaring at Black Mamba, grew bigger. His opponents eyes glittered, and he realized that he had met someone like himself.
Oh, youre a hybrid. A hybrid, but someone like myself. Im glad I was able to come all this way to meet you. How interesting. How incredibly interesting. Hahaha!
Ocelot sucked on his lips, which were redder than a womans, and smiled without opening his mouth. It was a habit that came out when he became excited. This was similar to the habits of actual ocelots.
Black Mamba! Hes dangerous. Even guns are no use.
The captain couldnt bear to say that Burimer had been attacked. Between Black Mamba and the invader, a tension as thick as fog hovered in the place. There was no reason to cause Black Mamba to waver.
Captain, hes not an opponent that guns will be any use against. We have to figure out a defense tactic and figure out a way to block his attacks. We cant attack first, Black Mamba warned him in a low voice.
This is driving me crazy. Is this really Earth? Have we really not just been transported to another world?
As I thought, this is a horrid place. How could someone like Black Mamba show up here? Its the worst.
The yankees must have run nuclear experiments here. Only a person exposed to radiation could end up like that, dont you think?
Emil and Jang Shin chatted without any sense of anxiety. They truly were the best rookie warrior combination.
The captain exchanged the magazine of his Glock.
Black Mamba, well help you.
Captain, this is a Fogham Zech situation. Do not exit the room. Use the bed and the furniture to barricade the door and the balcony. You must not attack first, Black Mamba warned him again sternly. The opposition was not human. If they attacked carelessly, they would all be swept away.
Big brother, that guys insane. Can you beat him?
Of course. I am Mu Ssang, after all, Black Mamba reassured Jang Shins concerns.
He had trained using the thousand-year-old Oh Geun Gong. For him, it was much more disturbing to fight against a martial arts master like Choi Do Shik than the monster in front of him now who only had a massive physical advantage.
Black Mamba pushed his energy into him.
First, he had to stop him from acting unpredictably. Even in the desert where stars showered down from the sky, he had continued to train to achieve enlightenment. He had been able to create an energy field since the day he placed the headstone over Chartress grave.
The weak resonance could grow quickly and spread over a wide range.
Huh, what is this?!
Ocelot, who had been running wildly toward him, suddenly lost his balance and wavered. Unlike the unsavory feeling he had felt before, this one felt different, as the wave crashed over and swept through him. The average person wouldnt have felt it, but Ocelot, with his overactive senses, noticed its power instantly.
He was suddenly put into a bad mood.
Are you a mercenary, too? asked the invader again. He spoke English well.
You came already knowing that.
My targets were the eight members of Legion Etranger. A monster like you wasnt part of the clients hit list.
Hit list?
Black Mamba was taken aback. A request from a client? Who, and for what reason, would send this extraordinary man? What purpose did a couple of special task mercenaries serve
He suddenly had a lot to think about.
I am that mercenary.
Ocelot put his index finger up and wagged it back and forth.
Dont pull my leg. A powerful mutant as a mercenary? The striped hyena will laugh upon hearing this.
Mutant?
Oh ho, oh dear, are you not aware of your identity?! Im a demigod. You, too, are like me. Oh dear, my chest is still sore. I am Ocelot. Lets be friends. Haha!
Ocelot made the grand gesture of opening his arms out to him as he laughed.
Black Mamba already knew that this man was similar to him. Having inherited godlike abilities from his mother, he, too, had once had the skill to teleport. This skill had been transformed to his spatial perception skill, but the root of the skill remained with him.
The man kept claiming they were the same, but Black Mamba didnt agree with him. Friends with that crazy lunatic? Hed rather commit suicide with his pen*s in his mouth.
His adversary was blabbering on nonchalantly while Black Mamba was on full alert. He could see the violence burning behind the whites of his eyes. He was smiling now, but he could attack and bite at any moment.
I am mercenary Black Mamba. Whether youre a mutant or a new species, you can think whatever you want. I dont know what youre talking about.
Haha, pathetic fool, an all-powerful being became a mere mercenary and ended up as a civilian.
Mere mercenary? Civilian? I dont think thats anything that someone who kills the Chinese for a living has the right to say.
Black Mamba looked for an opportunity as he dragged the conversation on. If he charged after his comrades, he couldnt control the situation. Even if he was to get into a fight with him, the consequences for those in the surrounding area would be detrimental. That was the reason he had to get him out of the building.
Ocelot was flabbergasted.
He was astonished to think that this man thought he was a mere human.
The Chinese? Dont make me laugh. Humans are but the subjects of my hobby. Mutants are the highest predators of the food chain. Murder is the art in which a mutant displays its dominance. Im different from the bugs that kill for mere pennies.
The mutants words bothered Black Mamba.
A mutant was a deviant, an oddity, a freak of nature. He was no freak of nature, which meant that he was a deviant. Deviant wasnt a familiar word in the Iran vocabulary.
I am human. These men are my friends.
Look here, hybrid, just as a human cannot live like a cockroach, a mutant cannot live like a human. Do you know how much these clothes you just put a hole in cost? You wouldnt be able to buy it with three months of a mercenarys salary. Why would a mutant live like a lowly civilian?
Black Mambas eyes flashed red.
He was disgusted by his words. They all held traces of racism, superiority, and believing in his own superiority.
Nigimi ppong, you punk! The clothes on your back, your sunglasses, dress shoes, and even that mousse slathered on your hair are all items that were made by the hands of these lowly civilians you talk about. If you think humans are dirty and you hate them, then take it all off and walk around naked, you punk!
Black Mamba no longer wished to listen to the punks frivolous banter. He was beyond insane. He pulled out his Glock and showered him in bullets.
Puh puh puh
Oof! Ocelot, who had suddenly been overwhelmed with bullets, spun like a top. The bullets swept past the place where his head and stomach had been and landed in the wall. The unstoppable three taps whizzed forlornly through the empty air.
Impressive.
Black Mamba was sincerely impressed. Ocelot had avoided his unannounced triple shot within a short distance. He was indeed not human.
Ocelot cocked his head in confusion, his beautiful golden hair fluttering. He had the facade of a man that would send any shallow woman head over heels.
Oh, very nice. You can get rid of the toy now.
Ocelot was full of confidence. Guns were a joke. Unless it was the new and powerful Berretta, other guns were no match for his physical skills.
Chapter 93 - Chapter 12, Episode 12: Death is a Mercenarys Friend
The hand that knocked away Ocelots wrist became another weapon as he swung it at his neck. Ocelot stepped back in a blur as his arm extended and a fist charged into his chest. Thud! It sounded like a drum.
The speeding hand hitting his chest made a sound as if it had hit a Kevlar bulletproof vest. After attacking Ocelots chest, which caused Ocelot to jump back, Black Mamba used his elbow to hit his chin and went into his more advanced attacks. He continued by using all the best martial arts moves he knew.
Ocelot wasnt an easy adversary, either. His upper and lower body extended and shrank away flexibly as if flying away in the wind. Black Mambas strongest moves were used for attacks, while the middle tier was used for defense. Hands and feet made contact with each other.
Ocelot wasnt having a difficult time combating against Black Mambas martial arts skills.
Black Mambas opponents joints were more flexible than his. No, Ocelot was more like an octopus that didnt have any joints. Even within close range, his feet would attack Black Mambas stomach, and his heel would come up from behind his back and hit his head. Even if Black Mamba was able to just barely avoid him, he would have his chin kicked by the top of Ocelots foot. His elbows bent outward, and his hands hit his neck. His feet, which had just grazed past him, suddenly swung back and hit his head. Black Mamba was just able to avoid a critical, hit but the guys movements and power were becoming faster and stronger.
Not only was Ocelots physique great, but his speed was just as impressive. His strange timing and angles of attacking were tiring Black Mamba out in trying to avoid them.
Gong
Ah! Ocelots chin suddenly stiffened. Finally, the strength of the energy force took full effect. When he placed his head backward, gravity took hold of him.
His hands and feet felt like sandbags. This was the scary nature of a gravity attack. The first attack established the zero point, then the tenth and twentieth attacks were difficult to pass.
Having attacked a thousand times, Ocelot stumbled with the weight of his heavy sandbag-like movements. Black Mamba had come right up close to him like a shadow and started to attack him with fervor. Ocelot was able to avoid half of them, but he took the brunt of the other half. The attacks to his chest and thighs damaged him severely. He contracted his muscles to protect himself from the energy penetrating his insides, but his muscles were ripping and collapsing. His breathing became heavy, and his speed died down.
Wow! Emil, who had been watching with bated breath, suddenly let out an exclamation without meaning to.
Mike hurriedly covered Emils mouth with his hand. It had been a violent collision between the two infinitely powerful entities. In the situation where Black Mamba was winning, if he became distracted, it could affect the flow of the battle. Mike was carefully observing the flow of the battle. Black Mambas mercenary status wasnt given to just anyone.
The faces of the mercenaries, who had become their audience, turned red. Even Bell Man had become distracted by the battle so that Burimer was sadly left forgotten.
Ocelot was furious.
The bug wasnt fighting fair. He had wanted to fight head-on, one punch at a time as two gentlemen mutants. There was nothing he could do to defend himself when he was attacking him while Black Mamba was attached to him like a tick. His nose was bleeding, and his teeth were broken. A couple of his ribs were cracked, too. How could the invincible mutant end up like this?
Die! screamed the wounded predator in frustration. The air shuddered, and the hotel building echoed with the sound.
Oh!
Black Mamba had predictive teleportation, his veins pulsing. Like a shadow, Ocelots hands and feet flew at him, and Black Mambas back bent backward to the point of almost breaking. It was an attack that ignored the principles of inertia. Pang
A chilling rush of air passed him. The air seemed to shift under its power.
Black Mamba broke out in a cold sweat.
If he had bent forward to avoid it, his neck would have been sliced through. The object changed direction midair and sliced through the air once more. Ocelot had abandoned his pride and pulled out his whip, which Ocelot had named Gorgon.
The whip was made with piano strings and wrapped with a whale muscle cable. It was coated with diamonds on the ends and had the highest elasticity, ductility, and lethality all in one. With Ocelots power, he could easily cut a person into two with one swing.
Due to the whips unique ductility and elasticity, it was able to change directions quickly.
The whip master could use it with ease, just a snap of his wrist to control the direction and power. Due to the whips unique flexibility, it was a weapon that was difficult to defend against.
Black Mamba had never fought against a whip before.
Ocelot pressed down his thumb and snapped his wrist up and down to swing the whip. Crack! With the force of inertia, the whip left a chilling sound in its wake. Black Mamba could have never dreamed that the whip that had cracked past him could suddenly swing back at him.
Astonished, Black Mamba rolled to the ground.
He fell hastily to the ground to avoid it like the character in a martial arts novel, although he looked more like a sub-character than the main.
The whip grazed his back. His skin ripped, and red blood flowed from its trail. This was the power of the diamond coating. Even if it just grazed the skin, the skin could peel away.
When Ocelot started to adamantly swing his whip, Black Mamba was unable to find a way around it. The whip, which changed directions and moved from side to side with ease, was unable to defend against and only caused him to be backed into a corner.
He couldnt even hide for cover. Even if he were to hide behind a tree as thick as his thigh, he and the tree would both be cut in half. The immense power of the attacks left Black Mamba with cold sweat running down his face as he mustered all his agility to avoid getting hit.
A whip was designed so that if the strength put into the handle was ten, the resulting attack would be 100 due to its centrifugal and centripetal force.
The 18,000-square-foot space of the hotel garden was filled with trees.
Once the two monsters were able to battle freely, the surroundings were left in chaos. The outdoor table and chairs shattered, the thick trees in the gardens were chopped down, and the statue of elephants and donkeys were all left broken. Anything within the vicinity of the whip was left in shambles. The tornado that was left in its path created a dust storm of leaves and water that clouded their vision.
It wasnt the end of the whip but the mans wrist and fingers. Black Mamba soon realized the true shape of the whip. With the slight movements of his wrist and finger, Ocelot was able to freely control the whip. To read the opponents movements, it wasnt enough to just use his dynamic visual skill. He used his spatial perception skill to record Ocelots muscle movements directly into his brain.
Black Mamba soon became used to the whips movements and swiftly started to move through them. He changed the focus of his attacks from defense to offense. Black Mamba saw an opportunity and headed to the side.
Ocelot, not expecting such an attack, spun like a top. Swish
The secretly launched second attack swept past Ocelots left eye and left a long gash on his face.
Tsk! Black Mamba clicked his tongue. He had failed in his attack because he had miscalculated the guys movements. Based on his opponents fighting intuition, a similar attack wouldnt work again.
Ah! Having spilled blood, Ocelots anger exploded. He was unable to deliver a critical hit and was only angering his opponent, so the sound of the flying whip became more powerful. The gandoura he was wearing was already gone. His exposed upper body was built.
Oh no! Black Mambas pivoting foot sank into a hole dug by a rodent. Black Mamba had trained his balance by standing on a spinning log. Without delay, he immediately regained his balance, but Ocelots animalistic instincts didnt miss the small window of opportunity.
Ocelots foot had fallen into the hole, so he had to move with his left foot for support. Ocelots whip flew toward the left side of Black Mambas waist, striving to take a big chunk out of his skin.
Agh! Black Mamba, caught by the counterstrike, thrust out his left arm to block the whip. Swishing, the whip that was as thick as a finger wrapped two to three times around his left arm.
Hahaha! Ill cut you in two. Ocelot laughed with a crooked smile on his face. He felt embarrassed for being beaten to a pulp by this hybrid.
With his strange hand movements, the whip closed the distance between them. Crack! The sound of it sent chills up Black Mambas spine.
This could be trouble. The shield he was wearing on this left hand was able to resist the power of the whip. Black Mamba thanked the unknown creator of the shield.
Ocelot pulled at his whip. This incredible power was all due to its inertia.
At that moment, Black Mamba flew up from the ground. Black Mamba didnt fight it with his power and instead embraced it. With the addition of his pushing up from the ground with the initial pull, he was able to close in fast. He was showing some vulnerability in exchange for breaking his opponents bones.
When Black Mamba charged at him, it was Ocelots turn to be taken aback. He hadnt anticipated that the opponent would run at him.
It was easy enough to say it, but putting it into action was impossible. A humans base survival instincts would reject it. Who in their right mind would risk their arm to slice the neck of their opponent?
Ocelot had reigned supreme for decades.
There had never been a time when he feared for his life. On the other hand, Black Mamba had experienced such a thing when he had battled against Choi Do Shik. There was a big difference in having fought against another strong opponent before.
Ocelot shook off the whip from his wrist, but it was already too late.
Both of Black Mambas feet flew straight at him. When he avoided the foot that aimed for his shoulder, the other would graze his head, and if he maneuvered to attack his head, the heel would come straight for his face.
Black Mambas attacks ensued as such.
The skill required him to hit a target, then bounce off that hit to aim at another target. It was like a fly landing and immediately flying. Black Mamba continued this pattern to land hits on Ocelot.
From midair, his kicks rained down on him like hail. Deeply affected by the attack, the surroundings became filled with flying dirt and grass.
Ocelot was flabbergasted at the second onslaught.
Sixty years earlier, he had been the product of a Russian Siberia Kosac research project. He was furious at finding himself losing to this young punk.
He was certain that his opponents physical build was weaker than his own, but the longer the fight continued, the more he seemed to be losing his advantage because of his Black Mambas strange movements. It was Asian martial arts that Ocelot had only ever heard about.
There was a limit to defense.
One slight moment of putting down his guard had left his shoulder exposed.
Crash Ocelot collided with the garden landmark as he was flung back. Crack The six-foot-tall garden statue was uprooted and flung into the air. With immense strength and amazing speed, it was like two tigers with the strength of elephants were fighting.
Black Mamba was about to stomp down on Ocelot, who had rolled onto the ground but flung backward as if someone had pulled him from behind. Crack! The whip whizzed past with an ear-splitting sound.
Ocelot soon caught up to him to close the distance between them and kick him. Black Mamba was kicked in the chest while Black Mamba punched Ocelot straight in the face.
Ack!
Argh!
Both screams were heard at the same time. Black Mambas ribs were broken at the same time that Ocelots nose collapsed. Ocelot, who had been close behind Black Mamba, stepped back as he wrapped his hands over his face.
Ack, youre a stubborn one.
Black Mamba swallowed his scream. A fracture had occurred in his third and fourth ribs. When Ocelots kick had come toward him, he had used all his strength to hit him in the chest, but he only grazed him in the end. In the same place where the whip had touched him, a piece of his flesh was missing.
He had shattered his jaw and broken his left clavicle; he was getting what he deserved.
The world was indeed wide. Who would have known that another powerful human like Choi Do Shik would exist!
After colliding with each other, the place of impact felt paralyzing, as if his bones had been broken. His hands and feet, which had also been bruised, were throbbing.
Should I use the resonance?
He contemplated it for a moment, but Black Mamba decided to fight him simply with his body. This could be the only chance he could train in such a manner. When would be meet another incredible force as this one again?
As Choi Do Shik had done in Siberia when his teachers staff had upgraded his skills, this guy would help his growth. If Ocelot knew what Black Mamba was thinking at that moment, he would have thrown up blood and fainted.
Ocelot was slowly starting to lose consciousness.
Like a chef that had been beaten up by his ingredients, he exploded in anger. Ahh! Ocelots rage made the hotel windows shudder.
Who the hell are you?
How could you throw a bomb into the hotel garden. Are you out of your mind?
His angry voice echoed loudly. In a fight between whales, there was always a shrimp that had its back split in the middle. In this case, it was the hotel manager and deskman.
With a swish, a glowing circling was drawn. The diamond caught the moonlight and lit up white, then passed swiftly across the two angry mens necks before falling to the ground. Their bodies fell immediately afterward. It seemed there was no way to avoid the inevitable for a human life destined for death.
The two men whom DGSE had planted at the hotel disappeared in vain. It was the manager and the person who had called the assassin to target Black Mambas comrades.
Chapter 94 - Chapter 13, Episode 1: Far Far Away Lake Shari
The hand that knocked away Ocelots wrist became another weapon as he swung it at his neck. Ocelot stepped back in a blur as his arm extended at the same time a fist charged into his chest. Thud! It sounded like a drum.
The speeding hand hitting his chest made a heavy sound, as if it had hit a Kevlar bulletproof vest. After attacking Ocelots chest, which caused Ocelot to jump back, Black Mamba used his elbow to hit his chin and began to use his more advanced attacks. He continued by using all the best martial arts moves he knew.
Ocelot wasnt an easy adversary, either. His upper and lower body both extended and shrank back flexibly as if he was flying back and forth in the wind. Black Mambas strongest moves were used for attacks, while the middle tier was used for defense. Both of their hands and feet made contact with each other.
However, Ocelot wasnt having a difficult time combating against Black Mambas martial arts skills.
Black Mamba was fighting against an opponent whose joints were more flexible than his. No, Ocelot was more like an octopus that didnt have any joints. Even at a close range, his feet would attack Black Mambas stomach, then his heel would come up from behind his back and hit Black Mamba in the head. Even if Black Mamba was able to just barely avoid him, he would have his chin kicked by the top of Ocelots foot. His elbows bent outward, and his hands hit his neck. His feet, which had just grazed past him, suddenly swung back and hit his head. Black Mamba was just able to avoid a critical, hit but the guys movements and power were becoming faster and stronger.
Not only was Ocelots physique great, but his speed was just as impressive. His strange timing and angles of attacking were tiring Black Mamba out in trying to avoid them.
Gong
Ah! Ocelots chin suddenly stiffened. Finally, the strength of the energy force took full effect. When he placed his head backward, gravity took hold of him.
His hands and feet felt like sandbags. This was the scary nature of a gravity attack. The first attack established the zero point, then the tenth and twentieth attacks were difficult to pass.
Having attacked a thousand times, Ocelot stumbled with the weight of his heavy sandbag-like movements. Black Mamba had come right up close to him like a shadow and started to attack him with fervor. Ocelot was able to avoid half of them, but he took the brunt of the other half. The attacks to his chest and thighs damaged him severely. He contracted his muscles to protect himself from the energy penetrating his insides, but his muscles were ripping and collapsing. His breathing became heavy, and his speed died down.
Wow! Emil, who had been watching with bated breath, suddenly let out an exclamation without meaning to.
Mike hurriedly covered Emils mouth with his hand. It had been a violent collision between the two infinitely powerful entities. In the situation where Black Mamba was winning, if he became distracted, it could affect the flow of the battle. Mike was carefully observing the flow of the battle. Black Mambas mercenary status wasnt given to just anyone.
The faces of the mercenaries, who had become their audience, turned red. Even Bell Man had become distracted by the battle so that Burimer was sadly left forgotten.
Ocelot was furious.
The bug wasnt fighting fair. He had wanted to fight head-on, one punch at a time as two gentlemen mutants. There was nothing he could do to defend himself when he was attacking him while Black Mamba was attached to him like a tick. His nose was bleeding, and his teeth were broken. A couple of his ribs were cracked, too. How could the invincible mutant end up like this?
Die! screamed the wounded predator in frustration. The air shuddered, and the hotel building echoed with the sound.
Oh!
Black Mamba had predictive teleportation, his veins pulsing. Like a shadow, Ocelots hands and feet flew at him, and Black Mambas back bent backward to the point of almost breaking. It was an attack that ignored the principles of inertia. Pang
A chilling rush of air passed him. The air seemed to shift under its power.
Black Mamba broke out in a cold sweat.
If he had bent forward to avoid it, his neck would have been sliced through. The object changed direction midair and sliced through the air once more. Ocelot had abandoned his pride and pulled out his whip, which Ocelot had named Gorgon.
The whip was made with piano strings and wrapped with a whale muscle cable. It was coated with diamonds on the ends and had the highest elasticity, ductility, and lethality all in one. With Ocelots power, he could easily cut a person into two with one swing.
Due to the whips unique ductility and elasticity, it was able to change directions quickly.
The whip master could use it with ease, just a snap of his wrist to control the direction and power. Due to the whips unique flexibility, it was a weapon that was difficult to defend against.
Black Mamba had never fought against a whip before.
Ocelot pressed down his thumb and snapped his wrist up and down to swing the whip. Crack! With the force of inertia, the whip left a chilling sound in its wake. Black Mamba could have never dreamed that the whip that had cracked past him could suddenly swing back at him.
Astonished, Black Mamba rolled to the ground.
He fell hastily to the ground to avoid it like the character in a martial arts novel, although he looked more like a sub-character than the main.
The whip grazed his back. His skin ripped, and red blood flowed from its trail. This was the power of the diamond coating. Even if it just grazed the skin, the skin could peel away.
When Ocelot started to adamantly swing his whip, Black Mamba was unable to find a way around it. The whip, which changed directions and moved from side to side with ease, was unable to defend against and only caused him to be backed into a corner.
He couldnt even hide for cover. Even if he were to hide behind a tree as thick as his thigh, he and the tree would both be cut in half. The immense power of the attacks left Black Mamba with cold sweat running down his face as he mustered all his agility to avoid getting hit.
A whip was designed so that if the strength put into the handle was ten, the resulting attack would be 100 due to its centrifugal and centripetal force.
The 18,000-square-foot space of the hotel garden was filled with trees.
Once the two monsters were able to battle freely, the surroundings were left in chaos. The outdoor table and chairs shattered, the thick trees in the gardens were chopped down, and the statue of elephants and donkeys were all left broken. Anything within the vicinity of the whip was left in shambles. The tornado that was left in its path created a dust storm of leaves and water that clouded their vision.
It wasnt the end of the whip but the mans wrist and fingers. Black Mamba soon realized the true shape of the whip. With the slight movements of his wrist and finger, Ocelot was able to freely control the whip. To read the opponents movements, it wasnt enough to just use his dynamic visual skill. He used his spatial perception skill to record Ocelots muscle movements directly into his brain.
Black Mamba soon became used to the whips movements and swiftly started to move through them. He changed the focus of his attacks from defense to offense. Black Mamba saw an opportunity and headed to the side.
Ocelot, not expecting such an attack, spun like a top. Swish
The secretly launched second attack swept past Ocelots left eye and left a long gash on his face.
Tsk! Black Mamba clicked his tongue. He had failed in his attack because he had miscalculated the guys movements. Based on his opponents fighting intuition, a similar attack wouldnt work again.
Ah! Having spilled blood, Ocelots anger exploded. He was unable to deliver a critical hit and was only angering his opponent, so the sound of the flying whip became more powerful. The gandoura he was wearing was already gone. His exposed upper body was built.
Oh no! Black Mambas pivoting foot sank into a hole dug by a rodent. Black Mamba had trained his balance by standing on a spinning log. Without delay, he immediately regained his balance, but Ocelots animalistic instincts didnt miss the small window of opportunity.
Ocelots foot had fallen into the hole, so he had to move with his left foot for support. Ocelots whip flew toward the left side of Black Mambas waist, striving to take a big chunk out of his skin.
Agh! Black Mamba, caught by the counterstrike, thrust out his left arm to block the whip. Swishing, the whip that was as thick as a finger wrapped two to three times around his left arm.
Hahaha! Ill cut you in two. Ocelot laughed with a crooked smile on his face. He felt embarrassed for being beaten to a pulp by this hybrid.
With his strange hand movements, the whip closed the distance between them. Crack! The sound of it sent chills up Black Mambas spine.
This could be trouble. The shield he was wearing on this left hand was able to resist the power of the whip. Black Mamba thanked the unknown creator of the shield.
Ocelot pulled at his whip. This incredible power was all due to its inertia.
At that moment, Black Mamba flew up from the ground. Black Mamba didnt fight it with his power and instead embraced it. With the addition of his pushing up from the ground with the initial pull, he was able to close in fast. He was showing some vulnerability in exchange for breaking his opponents bones.
When Black Mamba charged at him, it was Ocelots turn to be taken aback. He hadnt anticipated that the opponent would run at him.
It was easy enough to say it, but putting it into action was impossible. A humans base survival instincts would reject it. Who in their right mind would risk their arm to slice the neck of their opponent?
Ocelot had reigned supreme for decades.
There had never been a time when he feared for his life. On the other hand, Black Mamba had experienced such a thing when he had battled against Choi Do Shik. There was a big difference in having fought against another strong opponent before.
Ocelot shook off the whip from his wrist, but it was already too late.
Both of Black Mambas feet flew straight at him. When he avoided the foot that aimed for his shoulder, the other would graze his head, and if he maneuvered to attack his head, the heel would come straight for his face.
Black Mambas attacks ensued as such.
The skill required him to hit a target, then bounce off that hit to aim at another target. It was like a fly landing and immediately flying. Black Mamba continued this pattern to land hits on Ocelot.
From midair, his kicks rained down on him like hail. Deeply affected by the attack, the surroundings became filled with flying dirt and grass.
Ocelot was flabbergasted at the second onslaught.
Sixty years earlier, he had been the product of a Russian Siberia Kosac research project. He was furious at finding himself losing to this young punk.
He was certain that his opponents physical build was weaker than his own, but the longer the fight continued, the more he seemed to be losing his advantage because of his Black Mambas strange movements. It was Asian martial arts that Ocelot had only ever heard about.
There was a limit to defense.
One slight moment of putting down his guard had left his shoulder exposed.
Crash Ocelot collided with the garden landmark as he was flung back. Crack The six-foot-tall garden statue was uprooted and flung into the air. With immense strength and amazing speed, it was like two tigers with the strength of elephants were fighting.
Black Mamba was about to stomp down on Ocelot, who had rolled onto the ground but flung backward as if someone had pulled him from behind. Crack! The whip whizzed past with an ear-splitting sound.
Ocelot soon caught up to him to close the distance between them and kick him. Black Mamba was kicked in the chest while Black Mamba punched Ocelot straight in the face.
Ack!
Argh!
Both screams were heard at the same time. Black Mambas ribs were broken at the same time that Ocelots nose collapsed. Ocelot, who had been close behind Black Mamba, stepped back as he wrapped his hands over his face.
Ack, youre a stubborn one.
Black Mamba swallowed his scream. A fracture had occurred in his third and fourth ribs. When Ocelots kick had come toward him, he had used all his strength to hit him in the chest, but he only grazed him in the end. In the same place where the whip had touched him, a piece of his flesh was missing.
He had shattered his jaw and broken his left clavicle; he was getting what he deserved.
The world was indeed wide. Who would have known that another powerful human like Choi Do Shik would exist!
After colliding with each other, the place of impact felt paralyzing, as if his bones had been broken. His hands and feet, which had also been bruised, were throbbing.
Should I use the resonance?
He contemplated it for a moment, but Black Mamba decided to fight him simply with his body. This could be the only chance he could train in such a manner. When would be meet another incredible force as this one again?
Just as Choi Do Shik had done in Siberia when his teachers staff had upgraded his skills, this guy would help his growth. If Ocelot had known what Black Mamba was thinking at that moment, he would have thrown up blood and fainted.
Ocelot was slowly starting to lose consciousness.
Like a chef that had been beaten up by his own ingredients, he exploded in a fit of anger. Ahh! Ocelots rage made the hotel windows shudder.
Who the hell are you?
How could you throw a bomb into the hotel garden. Are you out of your mind?
His angry voice echoed loudly. In a fight between whales, there was always a shrimp that had its back split in the middle. In this case, it was the hotel manager and deskman.
With a swish, a glowing circling was drawn. The diamond caught the moonlight and lit up white, then passed swiftly across the two angry mens necks before falling to the ground. Their bodies fell immediately afterward. It seemed there was no way to avoid the inevitable for a human life destined for death.
The two men whom DGSE had planted at the hotel disappeared in vain. It was the manager and the person who had called the assassin to target Black Mambas comrades.
Chapter 95 - Episode 2: Far Far Away Lake Shari
The five mercenaries were lined up against the third-story balcony with their eyes opened wide. Jang Shin ran hurriedly into the shower. When they heard him throwing up, Mike frowned.
Does that punk still think of blood as blood?
What should he see it as?
Thats red water, just water. Didnt you hear what Black Mamba said? Everything depends on how you perceive it, Mike replied to Emils question with a stern expression. Mike was progressively becoming more philosophical.
Emil looked at Mike with a strange facial expression. General Mike had received a beating from Black Mamba several times. Emil remembered hearing about something called Stockholm syndrome. If he was uttering philosophical nonsense like everything depends on how you perceive it, something must have happened to his brain for him to become a fan of Black Mamba.
What should we do if he ends up saying he wants to be Black Mambas partner?
Emil became slightly worried.
A man that could slice through a neck with a whip is even scarier than Black Mamba. Do you think Black Mamba can win? Jang Shin asked with a voice full of apprehension.
He has to win. If Black Mamba loses, then our necks are on the line.
As expected, that man was never one to answer a question in a straightforward manner. Emil was confused as to whether he should laugh or cry.
Why isnt he using a gun?
Look at his movementsin the time it takes to pull out a gun, hell be sliced five times by that whip.
What about the kukri?
He cant get past the whips radius.
As Mike and Emil analyzed the fight, the two predators battle was reaching a climax.
Swish
With that sound, Black Mambas back bent backward 90 degrees. This wasnt a skill that was possible, even with regular training. A human muscle was unable to last long enough to hold it in that position. This was a skill plausible only for Black Mamba.
The whip passed his chest and landed on the statue of the donkey. The head of the decorative piece fell to the ground. The moment it landed with a loud thud, Black Mamba charged forward explosively.
The neck! Black Mamba had read the wrist movements and lowered his upper body as if he was falling forward. The whip cracked in midair then changed direction to fly toward the back of his head.
Losing his advantage, Ocelot quickly raised his left hand to defend his face. Black Mamba used the back of his hand to slap away the whip aiming at the back of his head and pushed away Ocelots defense.
His forehead crashed into the undefended area with full force.
Crack! The sound of a nicely dried gourd splitting echoed.
Agh!
For the first time, a scream came out of Ocelots mouth. His face, which had already been attacked once before, was now a bloody mess.
Ocelot followed closely behind Black Mamba, who was pulling back. His consecutive attack skill exploded. It wasnt ten consecutive hits, but ten wheels bombarding him at once.
Ocelots upper body, which allowed him to use the full impact of his skill, was beaten to a pulp like ground garlic and shook like a sandbag. But even at that moment, Ocelot grabbed Black Mambas arm.
If he was unable to stop his movements, then he decided to just break his back instead. Surprised by the sudden burst of brute strength, Black Mamba was pulled in like a piece of straw.
Ocelot had made a mistake.
Black Mamba, who had allowed himself to be pulled in, limp, shoved his fist into him and pulled his arm back. He threw Ocelot around like a Judo athlete.
Ack!
Ocelot was flown into the air by Black Mambas strength.
Crash
The flying body landed on the second story balcony, smashing it, and fell inside. Following it was an agonizing scream. Inside the hotel, the light of two life forms died out.
Youre obsessed with blood.
A fight was only a fight between those who could fight. That was the difference between humans and wild beasts. Uncontrolled strength was a weaponand an evil one. It wasnt human. Ocelot was not a worthy being in Black Mambas eyes.
Its existence in the world was but a menace.
Black Mamba pulled out his kukri. Someone who wasnt useful to the world had to be erased.
Bam! Ocelot crashed through the wall and popped out. His gold hair fluttered around in the air. His two eyes shot red lasers toward Black Mamba.
Huh, have the beasts instincts exploded out of you? That beastly instinct is all you have that warrants you commenting on the worthiness of civilians, taunted Black Mamba.
Die, hybrid! Ocelot sped to close the 50 feet between them. The whip flew through the air with immense ferocity. Like a striking bolt of lightning, the whip raged through the 50 feet.
The whip wrapped around a tree and pulled it out of the ground before it crashed and shattered the lamppost, table, and chairs. The debris from the mess blocked his sight.
Black Mamba initiated his spatial awareness and was able to read Ocelots movements one step faster than a human. Black Mambas body swayed, able to avoid the attacks with ease. They were only 15 feet apart, but he was always half a step faster so that his shadow couldnt be caught.
Black Mamba grabbed the whip, which was only possible because he had been able to read his opponents movements with confidence.
Ah! Black Mamba gasped. The handle had a launcher. Bang!
With that sound, the whip that had flown away from him flew back like a boomerang. Ocelot followed the whip and went after Black Mamba, who had lost his advantageous position.
In his hand was a shining sword. The explosion of the whip had revealed the hidden sword within it.
Ha, is this the martial art that you blabbed about?
At the valley in Er Ekdim, Rosque had already beaten Black Mamba. If he was fooled again, he would have been an idiot. He had already prepared the next move when the whip had flown out of Ocelots hand.
Clang
The powerful collision made the hotels windows shake.
Ocelots sword was just as powerful, able to resist the immense strength of the kukri.
Black Mamba was no match for Ocelots strength. His arm bent, and he staggered as the sword continued to swing at him.
The close-contact battle caused Black Mamba to be pushed back. Ocelot was much more equipped in strength and quick movements. Each of Ocelots hand and foot movements were deadly. If Black Mamba had been forced to name it, Ocelot was a beast.
Clang, clang, clang
Each time Black Mamba blocked an attack, the force of it shook his bones. While he was being pushed back, he threw up blood. His organs had been shaken up.
What what is happening? Emil asked the captain. It looked as though Black Mamba, who had been winning against the monster, was now on the losing side. The instantaneous change in the attacks between the two monsters was extremely difficult to follow with his eyes.
How the hell would I know?
Captain, arent you a master in Krav Maga?
Whoa, you fool, whats the point of Krav Maga in front of those monsters? My eyes cant even follow their movements.
Is Black Mamba losing?
He looks to be losing at the moment, but its so fast that I cant really tell.
Hey, quiet!
After a collision between the two predators, they both took a step back and created distance between themselves.
The leaves and dust that had been flown into the air, blocking the moonlight, slowly settled back on the ground.
What am I doing right now? Black Mamba was jolted back to his senses. This was the enemys territory. He had a comrade that was at deaths door; he didnt have time to casually continue fighting for the sake of training his physique.
Was I always this selfish of a person?!
Guilt stabbed at his heart and caused him to abandon his greed.
Flowing water doesnt rot, and a rolling stone doesnt grow moss. He had thought that this saying meant that he always had to continue moving forward.
The goal to create the perfect physique rotted the mind!
He was finally able to understand the power of change through ones mind. The characters of the idiom, Jung Hae, Don Oh, Jung, or Samadhi, meant to become accustomed to and Hae, or Pan, meant an open heart. Once open, it continued to flow, and once it continued to flow, it continued to grow.
It was a moment of epiphany for him. A pillar rose up in his consciousness.
Swoosh
Black Mambas surroundings started to move in front of him, and his energy changed to that of a typhoon.
Is the hybrid tired? Ocelot, thinking he had found an opportunity, pushed forward like an eagle targeting a rabbit.
You fool. Black Mamba concentrated all his energy once he had come to his epiphany. He shot the energy beam right into Ocelots ear.
Ack!
Ocelots face contorted like that of an evil spirit. Something pounded his head like a hammer. Ocelot, with his eardrum in immense pain, fell into disarray.
It was just a small opening of time, but it was enough. With a swishing sound, Black Mambas kukri split the air like lightning.
Ack! An agonizing scream erupted. Hybrid, you just wait.
Ocelot grabbed at his chest and jumped over the wall of the hotel.
Damn, it was a bit shallow, Black Mamba lamented.
As expected, Ocelots physique was incredible. In a situation where it should have split his heart, it was only pushed inward. It was a reaction that didnt require any action from the brain. All he had been able to do was split his left lung. A normal person would have died whether their heart or lungs were hit, but for a man with this physique, it hadnt been a critical hit.
Black Mamba was lost in a moment of thought.
Should I chase after him or not? He had deja vu and remembered Choi Do Shik, who ran away with his neck stabbed and half his arm falling off. That night had also been full of stars like that night. If Ocelot had been Choi Do Shik, he would have attacked back even after his chest was split. Black Mamba turned away after glaring at Ocelots back. He was strong yet stupid.
Black Mamba, just wait. I will chew you up.
Ocelots last words trailed out from behind him.
He was a ghost-like humanno, entity. He had appeared out of nowhere and disappeared without a trace after causing havoc all around him.
Miserable punk, next time Ill skin you and slice you up into sashimi.
Black Mamba felt like he had been scammed after meeting a weird punk. His body was a mess. All his bones were dislocated, and his arm and right jaw bone were fractured. Several ribs were also broken.
Both his upper and lower body were a bloody mess. Two chunks of skin were missing due to the whip, and his muscles were damaged here and there. Only after being hit by a speeding truck multiple times would one end up in such a state.
Oh, I feel like Im going to die.
Black Mamba dropped the blood-stained kukri and plopped on the ground. He wanted to chase after Ocelot, but his body wasnt listening to him. Every joint seemed to be creaking.
Why had he given up on chasing him? It was because he knew that even if he chased after Ocelot, he couldnt guarantee that he would win. This was the enemys home ground, so gaining back his physical condition was the first priority. He may have let him go because he was the only man in the world that was similar to him.
What a relief!
This was the first time he had fought with everything he had since he wore a soldiers uniform. Every shred of his cockiness melted away and made way for relief.
Ocelot was a man with an impossible physique. On the other hand, he was easily excitable, and his thinking was slow. His mentality couldnt keep up with his physical power. Using his energy force and spatial awareness, he wasnt a difficult opponent to defeat.
All his strength seeped out of him as he flopped to the floor.
F*ck, there sure are a lot of stars.
Black Mamba!
His comrades ran toward him.
What happened to him? asked the impatient Mike.
My attack was a bit shallow. I broke three of his ribs and split his left lung, so his heart was probably affected, too.
Hes probably dead then.
Black Mamba shook his head. Thats nonsense. Hes not one to die that easily. After a couple of months of pain, hell recover.
No way! Is he some black cat with nine lives or something? Mike jumped in a fury.
The captain looked around the chaos around him and muttered to himself, His chest was split open, but he wont die? This place is just full of monsters. I definitely need to retire.
The 5,200-square-foot area looked like it had been decimated by a bulldozer with not a single place left undisturbed. The grand trees had been cut and uprooted and ground into sawdust. Rocks were broken, while human-made structures were also in shambles. Even the stonework was nothing but rubble. Two decapitated bodies half-buried in the dirt completed the setting.
Is this the aftermath of a battle between two people? muttered the captain with an expression of disbelief. Their mission to save the Raccoon had become stranger and stranger as time went on. Now, even an unimaginable monster had come after them to wipe them out.
Whoa, we should give up our call name as the rescue team. The captain sighed with a sense of defeat.
Out of the way! Bell Man pushed Mike out of the way as he ran toward Black Mamba holding a stretcher.
Whew, he got sliced real good. Is this pastry or a salmon fillet?
Bell Man let out a long sigh.
Chapter 96 - Chapter 13, Episode 3: Far Far Away Lake Shari
The captain, Mike, Jang Shin, and Emils faces all flushed white with fear.
The scar left by the whip was gruesome, as the diamond coating on the whip had acted like a saw.
He had avoided getting hit by a direct shot, and each hit had only just grazed past him, yet his skin was still torn open like a wide-open mouth. His skin looked like it had been chewed up and spit out by a pig. Black Mamba looked to be pretty calm about it, but his comrades faces had become immensely pale.
Bell Mans comment of whether he was pastry or a salmon fillet, both of which involved precise knife cuts before cooking, made sense.
Zeolite powder, stat!
Jang Shin hurriedly reached into the first aid kit and pulled out a pack that was as wide as two fingers and handed it to Bell Man. Zeolite powder was a blood coagulant. It caused the blood to seep into the veins quicker and released clotting elements. By speeding up blood clotting, it made it that much faster to stop the bleeding.
Bell Mans hands moved rapidly.
He opened the zeolite powder packet while readying the chitosan bandages, which were also used to quell bleeding.
There were thirty-six places that Black Mamba had been injured. Looking at his state, he was in danger of going into shock. According to Bell Mans judgement, if he didnt stop the bleeding within five minutes, Black Mamba could die from blood loss.
Bell Man was blotting the infected wound with alcohol when he froze.
What is this?
His eyes grew wide. It looked devastating on the outside, but the bleeding had already stopped. The shallow cuts were no longer bleeding, and the deep wounds were clotting quickly. Even with the zeolite powder and chitosan bandages, stopping the bleeding this fast was usually impossible. It was as if his wounds had been clamped shut the moment he turned around.
Blood coagulation happened when fibrinogen was changed to fibrin. Although it depended on varying conditions, it usually took about ten to twenty minutes for the blood to start clotting.
As time passed, bleeding persisted, even if smaller veins were damaged. In this case, several arteries had been cut. This was incredible. He was a human that logic surpassed.
Bell Man let go of his suspicions.
Trying to understand something impossible only made his head hurt. When dealing with Black Mamba, it was hard to decipher what was normal and what wasnt. He even had to suppress his greed in wanting to analyze Black Mambas peculiar blood.
If the bleeding has already stopped, there was no reason to apply emergency clotting protocol. He had already put the chitosan bandages back in the first aid pack and reserved them for later use. The chitosan bandages are built like sponges. When they were wet with blood, the chitosan protein reacted with it and patched the broken veins.
If all critical patients were like this guy, Id be out of a job. All I have to do is clean and stitch! Hahaha.
Bell Man gathered the disinfectant and first aid kit and let out a dispirited laugh.
Bell Man, remove your hands for a moment. Black Mamba, who had been lying down, sat up.
His fractured jawbone and clavicle werent too big of a deal, but the real problem was his ribs. The ribs function was to protect important organs such as the heart, liver, and lungs.
If more than two ribs were broken, it caused severe complications, including possibly causing strain on the organs, nerves, and blood flow. The lungs were especially prone to damage.
If the lungs were damaged, it became a critical situation. The amount of oxygen intake decreased and made the healing of other wounds a slower process. The slower healing caused more critical results to follow.
When Black Mamba activated his resonance, he was able to register his blood circulation and internal organs. However, he couldnt fix his bones. He had to manually check those.
He splayed his fingers wide and placed them on his left chest. He inhaled deeply and touched each rib as if he was playing the piano. When he was in junior high, he had been beaten to a pulp once. He had learned this checking skill back then.
The second and fourth had a fracture, and the third was broken.
The broken third rib was putting pressure on his lung. He gritted his teeth, breathed in deeply, and put both his hands on his left chest.
Ah! He decompressed his diaphragm and pushed upwards. His right thumb and index finger pushed deep into his skin, almost as if it would penetrate it. He grabbed his pushed in rib and slowly pulled it outward. Black Mambas eyes popped, and sweat fell from his forehead.
Bell Mans eyes became huge, and he could barely breathe.
A human being able to repair a broken rib himself was a medical miracle. Crack This was the sound of his ribs being shoved back into place. His comrades shuddered. Bell Man wiped his sweaty hands on a towel.
Ah!
Bell Man sighed in relief after finishing the procedure on Black Mamba. The other mercenaries, who had also been holding their breath, all breathed sighs of relief.
Thats amazing. Frances army is a mess, but on the medical side, its the best in the world. You will be known as the best doctor ever. When we return, well have to cancel your medical insurance.
Black Mambas expression looked much more comfortable as he answered casually, That sounds great. Every time I see the deduction on my paycheck, it makes my heart ache.
What are you going to do about the lung damage? We dont have the supplies or the medication to treat it. You can let it naturally heal itself, but the pain will be intense.
No problem. Prepare some food for me before I gobble up Bell Man.
Jang Shin immediately put down his back pack. He threw two packs of rations to Black Mamba. Mike intercepted them and opened them for him so he could eat.
This wont cut it, will it?
The more, the better.
Jang Shin knew how much Black Mamba ate after a raging battle. Jang Shin started to pull out a bunch of things from his backpack.
Dried lizards, a pit viper, rattlesnakes, grasshoppers, large spiders, a chameleon, a scorpion All the dried foods he possessed made an appearance. Jang Shin always seemed to have a lot of food with him.
Mike and Emil stared at Jang Shin with their mouths hanging open.
Black Mamba, were out of morphine.
When have you ever used it? Do as you usually do.
Ha, youre no fun. Bell Man smiled and injected the morphine.
Emil and Jang Shin whispered to each other.
What, how could he joke like that!
Hes trying his best. Just laugh.
Bell Man s expression was distraught.
Bell Man, how bad is the injury? The captain was seriously anxious. Even the smallest injury to Black Mamba was detrimental to the team.
Captain, if it was you, youd have already died twice. Bell Mans reply was full of emotion. The road to Paya had cost the Legion Etranger team a lot without reaping any rewards, due in part to the captains stubbornness.
Haha! The captain laughed bitterly. There was nothing left to say.
Bell Man, feeling a bit sorry, reported properly, Five broken bones, wounds in thirty-six places. I dont have enough thread to stitch them all up, yet theres nothing much we can do. Hes not in shock, I dont have to stop the bleeding, the wounds arent infected, and his muscles have returned back to their original places. All I have to do is sterilize and sew him up
So, whats the verdict? yelled the captain at Bell Man as he repeated the same thing over and over again.
His injuries are serious, but it doesnt seem to be that big of a problem.
If you think of it as serious, then it is, and if you dont think of it as much of a problem, then it isnt. Which is it? Is it serious or is it not a problem?
Theres no problem since its Black Mamba.
Look how easy that was. Whyd you make it sound so complicated? the captain muttered to himself.
Bell Man glanced over at the captain, who seemed to be reacting more angrily than usual. It seemed like he had switched souls with Mike.
Are there no internal problems?
Of course there are. He has five broken bones; how could he not have internal problems?
Bell Man didnt realize the fact that he was acting crabby.
Nigimi joto, joto, joto joto joto! The captain repeated joto several times while pulling at his hair.
Whats wrong with him today? Is he on his period or something? Bell Man muttered as he stitched up the wounds.
Black Mamba closed his eyes and observed his vitals. Small pieces of glittering specks were floating around in his blood. They stuck to his veins or were swept away through his circulation.
Even without concentrating, he was able to automatically call up his resonance. Every time he did so, the glittering specks moved around much more rapidly.
New cells were born, and a large quantity of oxygen was delivered. His circulation became two, three, then four times faster. The tensile strength of his veins increased to account for the increase in pressure, so the places where the bleeding had stopped werent clotted with scabs. His natural ability to heal had become faster. The glittering specks attached to the places that were broken. The broken bones started to repair and stick themselves back together.
Black Mamba stood up from his seat.
I should thank that Ocelot.
The battle with Ocelot had caused him to upgrade his mental stamina. His internal movements had been amplified, and his regeneration ability had grown faster. His teachers words that only a fight against a greater force would make him stronger had been correct.
What happened to Sergeant Burimer?
Bell Man shook his head. He wont be able to recover.
Damn, lets go!
Jang Shin tried to help the staggering Black Mamba, but he waved him away. His outer wounds were no big deal, as they were already quickly healing. The problem was his internal wounds. He couldnt quickly calm his chaotic heart.
In room 318, Burimers face was as white as a sheet.
Each of the mercenaries faces were dark. Black Mamba pushed up Burimers eyelids. His eyes werent focused, his pupils dilated. Black Mamba frowned. Truthfully, there was nothing to see. Like a flat tire, his life was slowly seeping out and away.
When the bullet had passed cleanly through his stomach and out his back, everyone had hailed it a miracle, but that elation hadnt lasted past 20 minutes.
One light kick from Ocelot had created this destructive situation. Burimer had given up his life to save the captain. No human could have withstood the strength and speed equal to those of Black Mamba.
Through the thickly wrapped bandages, blood seeped out. Bell Man shook his head. The grazed kick had ripped apart his stomach as if it had been a knife.
What a scary monster. His small and large intestines are ripped. Even if we were to evacuate him to a hospital, it would be impossible to treat him. Ripping open a stomach with one kick. Who would believe this?!
Damn, what is the identity of that monster? The captain pulled at his hair.
Will he be able to regain consciousness?
He has reached his limit.
We have to hear his last words, Black Mamba said in a stern tone. What point would it be to live a few more hours in pain? Bell Man injected the remaining two epinephrine shots into his thigh.
Black Mamba! It was a delicate and weak call.
Im here, fisherman.
Burimer tried with difficulty to focus his dimming gaze. What happened to the monster?
Black Mamba got rid of him.
Of course he did!
At Mikes reply, Burimer smiled weakly. Black Mamba, Im going to have to cancel that boat ride on Lake Shari I promised you. Watching the sunset from that view would have been very nice.
Burimers voice was growing quieter. A majority of the sound was that of air escaping.
You shouldnt speak.
As Jang Shin interrupted, Mu Ssang stopped him.
Leave him be.
It was his last words. Delaying death for a few more minutes wouldnt change anything.
What is this?! Dying in a hotel room, how embarrassing. Burimer was spitting up blood. As the air pockets shriveled, they were forcing out blood.
Meeting a monster like that, I can now understand how those Frolinat punks felt. Black Mamba, make sure to rescue our comrades. Punish the jerks. And my familyyy.
Im Black Mamba. Dont worry about Silvie, Leah, and Julie.
Thank you. Black Mamba, you are faithful and just. I enjoyed the time I spent with you. Black Mamba, dont bury me in this land. You wont be able to take my coffin and bulldoze over Frolinat, will you? Cremate me and bury me at home. Damn, there are no fish in the desert. I miss the gefalaves, a species of fish similar to sea bream that can be caught in the oceans of Calbi. I was going to capture the monster at Lake Congo with you If you sit on the back of the Queens Dock Ferry at Whales Swansi Bay, youll see the red wood building. Julie had asked to change it to blue
Chapter 97 - Chapter 13, Episode 4: Far Far Away Lake Shari
Without finishing the end of his sentence, the light in Burimers eyes went out.
Maybe because he had died in his comrades arms, Burimer closed his eyes comfortably. Bell Man lifted his eyelids and checked his pupils, then shook his head.
Hes dead. Our sergeant is dead. Wahhh!
Jang Shin hugged Burimer and cried. Even the captain looked broken up.
A single tear fell from Black Mambas eye. The hot tear rolled onto Burimers pale cheek.
Even with his last breath, he was a man who worried about his family and comrades, which made their hearts ache.
Mu Ssang, your mother, mother, take care of your mother. His father too had asked him to take care of his frail wife with his last breath. The image matched Burimers death.
Farewell. You were a great comrade and friend.
This was an absurd end for Sergeant Burimer, who had two daughters and was a fan of fishing. His legendary fishing stories had now come to an end. They would no longer be able to hear of his special skill, shooting a needle into an impossibly small space, anymore.
Yes. Whatever words one used to describe it, life was short. The thought that there was life after death was ridiculous.
The captains eyes trembled as he watched Burimers corpse being laid down. Burimer wasnt just any soldier; he was his right-hand man and the one who had led the team, having been the oldest among them.
Burimer had two daughters, five-year-old Silvie and seven-year-old Leah, who were at their most adorable ages. His daughters had lost a father, and his wife had lost a husband.
And he had lost his friend and a competent comrade. Even if death was normal for a mercenary, he was still a father, a husband, and a friend. He wasnt the type of person who deserved to die this way.
Burimers death was the same as if the captain had killed him himself. Compared to men like Black Mamba and Ocelot, humans seemed so weak. Who could have imagined that a light kick from an insane assassin could take out the light of life from someone?!
Burimers death was directly related to the captains missed judgement call. It was the result of his stubbornness to regain communication even when Black Mamba had hit him to make him come to his senses. He had surpassed sadness and was now furious. There was nowhere to release his emotions. He felt that his skills as a captain were pitiful.
An emotion he couldnt exactly describe filled his chest and hit him squarely in the heart. On his previously dry cheeks, a trail of tears rolled down. The composure he had tried so hard to keep was swiftly collapsing.
Black Mambas face turned quickly around.
The captain was crying while banging his head against the wall.
Captain, dont show us this pathetic side of you. If the leader is shaken, the team is shaken as well.
Black Mamba, its all my fault. Because of my stubbornness, Chartres died, then Morris, Miguel, and now, Burimer. I dont deserve to be a leader.
So?
Im giving up my position to you.
Black Mamba suddenly became extremely annoyed.
The worth of a leader was recognized in times of hardship. Humans tended to give up in defeat when they were placed in a difficult situation. He could understand their feeling of remorse and pressure, but it was nothing short of pathetic.
Captain, stop saying gibberish. Im a private. If a group of mercenaries is led by a private, even donkeys will laugh at us.
Before youre a private, youre a call name agent. You are a high-ranking special force agent.
Black Mamba didnt answer and instead went to the window.
With a creaking sound, a metal pipe holding up the curtain was pulled off with ease.
Its too long.
Black Mamba folded the 13-foot-long metal rod in half then folded it in half again afterwards. The metal rod broke into four clean pieces.
Its still too long.
He folded the metal rod in half, then folded it again. He bent an inch-thick metal pipe as if he was folding paper.
Mikes face was ashen as he was reminded of an unsavory memory. The captains face also looked less than comfortable. He frowned vigorously at the piece of pipe he held in his hand.
Its uncomfortable because there are so many.
He removed one of the metal pieces and threw it at the wall.
Clang
The captain jumped at the raucous sound, the image of Mike filling his head. Just thinking about becoming a captain who was beaten by a lower ranking official gave him the chills.
Three is still too many.
Clang
Two is still uncomfortable. I dont think Ill get the full effect from them.
Clang
Good!
The last remaining two-foot-long curtain rod spun in his hand and made a menacing sound as it whooshed through the air.
Stop, Im sorry. The captain dropped his head.
Black Mamba took turns glaring at his comrades.
Are you going to follow the commands of someone with one year of experience or one with 20 years of experience?
The three mercenaries played along and teased together.
Of course you should follow a more experienced leaders commands.
Of course, the soldiers must fight according to rank.
The lieutenant must take care of the little things.
Haha! I dont like Psychology, the mind. Orthopedics, hands and feet, is much more my style.
Black Mamba threw the curtain rod he was holding at the wall.
Thud! The pipe traveled deep into the concrete and the end vibrated with the movement. The mercenaries who were watching shuddered along with it.
Black Mamba, Im sorry. I wasnt thinking about how to approach the situation and was only worried about shifting away the responsibility. I was short-sighted.
The captain was sincerely sorry. He had made the wrong decisions, and Black Mamba had been the one to fix them all. How many times had he been indebted to him for saving his life? Debt, whatever form it took, always made the receiver feel burdened and handicapped, and debt from saving a life was even more serious.
If you know, then thats enough. I brought this upon you as well.
Black Mamba blamed himself, too. After he had cleaned up the enemy forces, he had let down his guard. He had thought he had cleared the danger and grown too cocky. And so, he again lost a comrade, but regretting it now wouldnt change the past.
Captain, do you live to be happy?
Dont all people want to be happy?
No, to live on, you need happiness. Happiness is a necessary tool with which to survive.
Oh, another complicated philosophy? complained Emil.
Black Mamba turned toward Emil. Emil, you look for women every weekend. If sex was painful, would you still want to be on top of women?
Of course not.
Thats exactly it. Excitement and happiness exist to aid in survival and reproduction. We dont live to feel happiness; you feel happiness to live. If you feel sad, do you die? No. Happiness and sadness are like ice cream. As time passes, they both melt and disappear. You may be sad and miserable, but we must live and move on. Okay, lets move on. The blue bird isnt something meant to find but something that finds you.
Wow, Black Mamba, youre so good at talking.
Alluh, shop shop! Mike and Bell Man cheered.
The captain was in awe. Hes a philosophical beast with loyalty to boot. Hes so cool. Hes the one who should be a leader, but he was embarrassed to call himself a captain. I have to do what I have to do.
Jang Shin, collect the weapons from the dead. Mike, take records of their faces. Bell Man, treat Black Mambas wounds properly. Emil, take care of Burimer.
The captain spat out command after command. He had faltered for a moment, but being a leader wasnt something anyone could do.
Burimer died in a way that suited him. Lets make sure to take care of his family for him, Black Mamba mumbled to himself. In war, the most significant death was one given to save a comrade. His family would be extremely sad, but the mercenaries made peace with it. If they were going to die anyways, it was better to die a worthy death.
The faces of the soldiers looking down at Burimers face were dark. Killed by the kick of an assassin. If he had died in the field during a battle, they wouldnt have felt as miserable.
Six corpses lay side by side on the floor of room 318, two Arabs and four Whites. There wasnt a single identification card in any of their belongings to figure out who they were. Only their corpses and Berettas were left.
Captain, do you have any suspects you have in mind regarding who sent the assassin?
At the very least, I know it cant be the poor Frolinat punks. The captains mouth felt bitter as he answered Emils question.
They seemed to be falling deeper and deeper into a trap. DGSE might have thought of their team as a threat and had a high possibility of not being happy with their return. He kept imagining the worst.
Captain, what do you think that monster was? Jang Shin shivered.
How could I know? He introduced himself as Ocelot. Of course, that has to be a nickname. He said he received a request from a client.
A client?
The mercenaries all made the same sound at the same time. They hadnt heard the details of Black Mambas conversation with Ocelot.
Hm! The captains expression grew darker.
Were they important enough to have a skilled assassin like that come after them?
Was he, perhaps, after Black Mamba?
If that was the case, then it was definitely from the DGSE headquarters. They were the only ones who knew enough about Black Mambas skills. If they were to return, they would be the ones in an uncomfortable situation. If they had taken account of Black Mambas skill and sent Ocelot, then this would all make sense.
Captain! Look at this, Black Mamba interrupted the captains thoughts.
Five Macarov guns were dropped onto the sofa.
What is this now? The captains eyes grew wide.
There was no way he hadnt heard of Macarov. He was just asking how Black Mamba had come upon them.
I followed the guy we were interrogating in the lobby and took out five of them.
Huh! The captain and his comrades all gasped reflexively.
Was he saying that the assassins came in while everyone was asleep, and he had taken care of them?! This was unbelievable.
What do you think?
Black Mamba pulled out the documents he had collected. I dont know. Two Black people, one North Korean, and two Whites. I found this at the enemys hiding place.
Oh! The captain spat out a gasp.
Every dog and cow are after us, muttered Mike.
Is this a random number table? It probably belongs to the KGB or Libyas army.
It wasnt even surprising. Chads sponsor was Brezhnev, secretary to Gaddafi.
Bell Man, take good care of them. When we return, those may end up being the most expensive things we own.
If evidence was revealed that the Soviets were part of the Chad resistance, the DGSE would cheer.
Everyone, listen up well. You will all erase the memory of Black Mamba and Ocelots fight. Understand?
Yes, sir!
Our return to safety is in Black Mambas hands. As you can all see, Black Mamba is special. I do not wish for our friend and guardian angel to end up like a monkey in a zoo.
Dont worry, hes one who always wanted a normal life. We arent stupid enough to put someone whos shared blood with us in a difficult situation, Emil responded.
Of course. Black Mamba is our friend before hes our comrade, Mike commented after hearing Emils words. Everyone nodded their heads.
The previous communication was wrong. Before they come for us, lets get out of here.
When Emil had finished wrapping Burimers body in a sheet and was ready to start moving out, Ombuti came in.
Traitor! Mike pulled out his Glock.
After Ombuti had disappeared, the assassins started trailing them. Ombuti was the most likely suspect.
Forget it. Ombuti is a comrade, Black Mamba yelled out.
Alright. At Black Mambas word, Mike put his suspicions to rest.
If Black Mamba said he wasnt, then he wasnt. He was the leader of the mercenaries thoughts. Also, there was no reason for Ombuti, who worshiped Black Mamba, to betray them.
Ombuti was able to register the situation immediately. I am not a traitor.
Thats right. Ombuti is our friend.
Wakil!
At Black Mambas words, Ombutis eyes filled with tears. He felt rewarded for having run around trying to avoid being detected by Frolinat.
Wakil, were you hurt?
Jang Shin and Emil had put on clothes they found around the hotel, but Black Mamba looked like a mess.
Dont worry about it. Lets talk later.
Ombuti closed his mouth. If his master said so, then thats what he had to do.
Jang Shin whispered to Ombuti, Hes not in a good mood. Burimer died.
Sergeant died? Really? Ombuti jumped in surprise.
Thats not all. Another person like Black Mamba appeared.
A person with Wakils skills? Dont tease me. Ombuti couldnt believe a word of it.
Go out to the garden. It will be a sight to see. The guy who Black Mamba attacked got away.
He escaped Wakils hands?
Chapter 98 - Chapter 13, Episode 5: Far Far Away Lake Shari
Ombuti wasnt as surprised that a skilled fighter had shown up as he was that said fighter had only sustained injuries and escaped. If he had escaped the hands of Wakil, then he had definitely not been human.
Ombuti, did you find anything? the captain said, cutting off Jang Shin.
Captain, we have to leave quickly. If it becomes known that the hitman failed, then theyll all come rushing over here.
The captains heart felt heavy. Ombuti thought that these men were the FROLINAT special forces, but he was sure that they werent. He secretly hoped that it was the FROLINAT special forces instead of what he suspected.
I dont think the FROLINAT army would come after us. Either way, lets get out of here.
The mercenaries jumped out consecutively from room 318s balcony window. For the special task team, jumping out of a third-story window was no obstacle. Black Mamba jumped out last, carrying Burimer who was wrapped up in a sheet.
None of them worried that they hadnt checked out of the hotel properly. When they had been trekking through Sahel, the Legion Etranger team hadnt been invisible but instead were the prey of an evil predator. There was no one who would know whether they checked out or not anyway.
The manager, who was the sleeper agent, and the receptionist had their necks removed by Ocelot. The other two lobby workers were also killed by Ocelot. The Le Merien Hotel, which was the only hotel in Paya, had become a ghost house within a day.
The Legion Etranger team exited the city without a sound.
Black Mamba and Ocelots battle had completely obliterated the whole hotel. The surroundings looked like the warzone of a battle that had used heavy weaponry.
Due to civil war, the civilians didnt think much about the happenings outside, but the amount of noise that had continuously echoed couldnt be easily ignored. Paya was FROLINATs home ground. The Legion Etranger team had been cut to half, plus Black Mamba was heavily injured. If FROLINAT decided to target them, they would easily be taken over.
Two hours later, their team had escaped Paya and found a place to hide upon arriving at Erg Maldan. The mercenaries were preparing to leave by pulling out the pickups that had been buried in the sand. Once again, they were sweating buckets.
While Jang Shin was getting ready to cremate Burimer, Ombuti slowly disappeared. Ombuti, who had disappeared for a few moments, returned with a humongous bone propped on top of his shoulder. It was seven feet long and extremely large. Flabbergasted, they all stared at Ombuti with surprised eyes.
These mysterious bones sometimes appear here. Theyre either the bones of a dinosaur or some large animal. I brought it because we dont have a headstone for Burimer.
Jang Shin and Emil, who were sweating as they collected firewood for the cremation, looked at him while frowning.
What are you talking about. A headstone?
We cant cremate him. Sergeant Burimer was a Muslim. If you cremate a Muslim, then they cannot find their way back to their body and will forever have to wander through purgatory.
Since Ombuti had never been one to express his opinion, it was an unexpected turn of events. The surprised looks all turned to Black Mamba. They all seemed to say, hes your servant, so you deal with him.
Ombuti, Burimer requested that we cremate him as his last wish. I would like to fulfill his last dying wish.
We cant. Wakil!
The mercenaries eyes all grew large.
What in the world?! Ombuti actually told Black Mamba he couldnt do something! Jang Shin exclaimed in surprise.
Wakil, Im not going against your wishes. Burimer was a servant of Allah. If we cremate him, then he wont have a body to return to and will forever be unable to escape hell.
Black Mamba was a Buddhist, but he knew of other religions that spoke of heaven and hell and how deeply ingrained it was to their culture and identity. Heaven and hell were within ones heart. With a body and soul, what world was impossible for humans to make up?!
It was Burimers last wish.
He probably didnt want to put his comrades in a difficult situation, so he said that. We cant cremate him. We can bury him like the other comrades, then come back later to bring him home.
Black Mamba stared at the captain.
Burimer left his last wish to Black Mamba. The choice is up to you.
Regarding religion, simple things could become complicated and difficult. The captains voice was ringing loudly in his head already. He didnt want anything else intruding into his thoughts on top of this.
Black Mamba saw Ombutis desperate look and nodded his head.
What you say is right. Im not a Muslim, but your desperation has made me change my mind. Lets bury Burimer for now.
Black Mamba accepted Ombuti into his heart. He saw the humanity in him as he desperately hoped to preserve Burimers afterlife, although Ombuti had no real connection with Burimer. Their interactions had been those of a mercenary and an usher for the last month. It was hard to find any human that would care so much for a mere acquaintance.
Burimer was buried in an unknown place on the north side of Djourab Erg. It was a place that had neither rocks nor trees to use as a headstone. The large unidentified bone was placed in front of his grave as a headstone, more like a marker to come back to later.
The bone that Ombuti brought was no different than the bone of any animal. He had secretly hoped it was from some ancient animal but was disappointed to find it wasnt.
The captain didnt say a word until the entire burial ceremony was complete, his face as rigid as stone. On account of his stubbornness and stupidity, Burimer was dead and Black Mamba was badly hurt. His guilt was killing him from inside.
As a soldier and an officer of Legion Etranger, his pride was shaken. A cowardly and incompetent leader had caused them to bury many more precious lives. He was embarrassed to face his men after dragging them to Paya even after Black Mamba had beaten him to a pulp to persuade him otherwise.
Damn, maybe it really is time for me to retire. Black Mamba thought he had only said this for laughs, but the captain was seriously contemplating retirement at that moment.
Captain, what happened to the communication with headquarters? asked Bell Man.
Negative, Emil answered instead.
The shoulders of all the mercenaries drooped. Their last hope at being rescued by helicopter had disappeared, and they had lost Burimer without reaping any benefits. In their hearts, they were starting to favor Black Mamba as their leader instead of the captain.
Ombuti grabbed the wheel and hesitated before spitting out what was on his mind. Captain, dont misunderstand. Hear me out.
Ombuti, youre one of our team members. As a team member, youre allowed to say whatever you think.
Thanks. As you know, Captain, because of Wakil, we were able to resist being wiped out by the enemy. Im sure you also thought that this operation was strange, Captain.
Go on.
Through my Ummah friends, I was able to gather some information. They say that Makumbo was already rescued by another team and has arrived at NDjamena.
Hm! The captain sighed deeply.
To put it simply, we were a throwaway card meant to cause havoc. I told Wakil about it, but all he did was recite some strange philosophical phrases and smile. Our team is being used to stall for time. The operation has already ended, and we were thrown away.
The captain asked in a straightforward manner, Do you have any evidence?
My friend is the driver for Chairman Tombye. Tombyes cook is also part of Ummah. I even have a friend whos a DGSE sleeper. FROLINATs situation isnt great right now, either. Makumbo fooled them with fake intel and decided to work with Habre instead. FROLINAT had planned to stall for time by using Makumbo, but because of us, their plans were messed up. The harder we hit them with the hammer, the worse a nail protruding outward hurts our own fingers. DGSE and the government army are probably ecstatic right now. An ordinary straight received an ace of spades and turned their hand into a royal straight flush. Of course, the ace of spades is Wakil.
Hm, so thats what has been happening!
The captain let out a deep sigh. He had already suspected this. If FROLINAT was already aware of the situation, then operation Raccoon was over, and the Legion Etranger team had been abandoned. He knew why they sent over a hitman. If one wanted to quiet a rooster, its head would have to be cut off. He knew why they had sent over Ocelot, a monster of an assassinthey were afraid of Black Mamba.
He wouldnt put it past the DGSE to pull a stunt like this. They said that the worlds most formidable intelligence agency was the CIA, the toughest was the KGB, the most resilient was Mosad, and the shadiest was the DGSE.
There has been no word from our staff, right?
The captain was saddened by the fact that he had to ask their resident sleeper about his own regiments staff. None. The DGSE might have already alerted them to their attempts to destroy our team entirely.
That may be true The operation has already succeeded, but weve been used as bait! muttered the captain self-consciously.
Ombuti confidently said, Im not a hundred percent, but a thousand percent sure of this. Thanks to our team, France was able to involve Goukouni. Tombye and Habib believe that Goukouni has betrayed them.
Goukouni is the head of the northern troops. Why would he betray them?
Because of us, theyre claiming that the trap laid out for Makumbo has been torn apart. Makumbo came over to Frances side, so Goukouni decided to follow the tide and join them.
Haha, I would expect something like that from them. My men have died, but it had made them all the happier? This is some messed up comradeship. It really is picture-perfect. Thats great, just wonderful. Hahaha! retorted the captain sarcastically.
Has he gone into shock? Has he gone insane?
Ombuti turned and glanced over at Black Mamba. As always, his eyes were half-closed and he was locked in meditation. Wakil was as deep as the ocean, so it was difficult to ever know what he was thinking.
Because we had been wreaking havoc, FROLINAT is now on the verge of collapsing. As a result, we have earned the wrath of our own headquarters. Theres a clause that the FROLINAT members came to an agreement with. To decimate the mercenary special forces.
Huh, FROLINAT has been pushing them to kill a team with only ten members?
They say he even promised it to Allah.
Ombutis information was plenty trustworthy. The most important information was usually acquired by paying someone a bribe. Even if the information was secured in the best way it possibly could be, someone needed the money in order to eat, sleep, and shop.
Is this something I have to apologize for, or is this bigger trouble? Black Mamba, what do you think?
If we get hit once and hit back twice, the opponents will get scared. If we get hit once and hit back ten times, then the opponents will bow down to us. If we get hit once and dont do anything, then we will get hit twice, ten times, every day. Black Mamba had his eyes half-closed as he answered without even turning his head.
Hahaha! Thats an answer typical of Black Mamba. If we get hit, then we have to hit them back. Ombuti, youve done well.
If I was of any help, then Im happy. Salam Allecum.
Im also happy to be alive thanks to Black Mamba. Salam Allecum.
Ombutis words were neither unexpected nor worthy of inspiring anger. An individual always had to sacrifice things for the good of the group. It might not have seemed fair, but it was something theyd come to accept. That was why they had all come crawling to Paya in the first place.
The problem was whether it was sacrifice or devotion, which was the difference between sacrificing oneself or being sacrificed. Although the result was the same, the side that was being taken advantage of would feel cheated and wronged.
Hm! A sigh escaped the captains mouth naturally.
How could they break through their front lines?
Even this filthy feeling could only be felt if they stayed alive. However dirty it felt, it meant that they had to stay alive for now. The captain had no intention to continue being their puppet. If he was to lose his military mind one more time, he was sure Black Mamba would beat him to death.
Three thousand anvils were standing guard, and a thousand hammers were coming at them. The Legion Etranger team members were like beans in a food processor. No, they were a rock that was stuck within the complex gears between FROLINAT, Chads troops, Libya, the DGSE, and the French army.
In a situation where the enemy was swarming toward them like an army of ants, their team had been slashed in half. No, taking into consideration their ability to harness weapons, they were of no use. They didnt have enough members to coordinate attacks between the snipers and the backup. The surviving members were all reaching the limits of their physical and mental stamina.
Bell Man interrupted his contemplation. Captain, lets stop attempting to communicate with headquarters.
Because of the hitman? The captain understood Bell Mans intent immediately.
Chapter 99 - Chapter 13, Episode 6: Far Far Away Lake Shari
I suspected this but after hearing Ombuti, Im sure now. It is definitely a mafia contractor. Im sure, Captain, that you have someone in mind.
The captains face grew dark.
A double contract was when someone placed a price on both teams, whether they were on the opposing side or the same. Whether the operation failed or succeeded, the team that was involved would eventually have to be erased to get rid of the evidence. There was a saying that once the rabbit was caught, the dog used to catch the rabbit was also no longer needed. It was a betrayal used most often by the mafia.
Even if the DGSE is known for playing dirty, itll be hard for them to create a double contract without the militarys agreement. The captain tried to deny their suspicions. To agree with Bell Man would be a big hit to his pride as captain.
The French army has a strong sense of itself. A rooster takes care of its own flock and pecks at those that listen to it well. Anyone from the outside is discriminated against. Many have already assumed that Legion Etranger is disposable.
Bell Man stopped sharing his opinion and stared at the captain. Bell Man was originally a CIA agent in charge of East Africa, though nobody was aware of this fact. Although it wasnt revealed, he knew the story behind the curtain like the back of his hand.
There was an implicit deal?
At the very least, the DGSE closed their eyes toward the situation. The government army and the intelligence agency were able to get Makumbo and the political initiative on their side thanks to us. They will be celebrating their victory. Men arent like the oecophylla smaragdina that Black Mamba talked about. If the Legion Etranger team starts blabbing about what has been happening, there will be a lot of people that will be in trouble.
Is that why they sent a hitman?
They probably didnt even think to make a double contract before they sent us on the backdoor operation. They probably assumed that after a couple of battles, wed naturally end up buried in the desert, but our operations succeeded, and we continued to survive, so their outlook started to change.
Are you saying that because its difficult for them to shut us up, it would be easier for them to bury us in the desert?
We were stabbed in the back from both sides. The DGSE must enjoy dirty operations as much as the CIA. To kick them in the butt, we have to survive and return safely.
Were like badgers thrown into a pool of alligators. On top of that, there are piranhas and an enormous wild cat mixed in with them. How cruel.
The captain felt as if all the energy had escaped from his body. The piranha was the hitman who had snuck into the hotel in the Paya. The enormous wild cat was obviously Ocelot. Even without Bell Man pointing it out, he was certain that this was a double contract being used to chop off the lizards tail.
They had succeeded in the backdoor operation because they had Black Mamba, so the double contract had failed. As a result, the mercenaries had been able to stay alive in a situation where they surely should have been killed. The truth was always ugly. The captain didnt wish to say the ugly truth from his own mouth.
Theyve made a big mistake. The incentives that Chad has gained may sound great, but Black Mambas worth is much greater. Their stupid bird brains miscalculated. Lets imagine Black Mamba as the enemy: being alive would be a nightmare.
The captains lips slowly curved upwards.
I want to see how headquarters will react once we return with Black Mamba.
Oh ho, you mean that monster? Do you think we can control him?
To his comrades, he was a guardian angel, but to the enemy, Black Mamba was a nightmare come to life. Seeing him face Ocelot made them all realize that truth with ease.
Even if the rest of us end up buried in the desert, Black Mamba will make it back. Without getting revenge on the dirty traitors, he wouldnt be able to close his eyes in peace, said Bell Man strongly, unlike his usual self.
But how can he? How much could an individual do to take on an entire organization? Even Le Monde wont write an article that will flush the country down the toilet.
Thats why we must sacrifice ourselves so that Black Mamba will definitely be able to return home.
Ah shut up! Why are a bunch of old farts blabbing like teenage girls?!
Black Mamba opened his eyes.
Did we wake you?
No. I was just thinking about who would hire Ocelot. He even pointed out that there would be eight mercenaries. That means he already knew that Miguel and Morris were dead. Whos the punk watching us and acting like were pieces on a chessboard?
It doesnt even surprise me anymore. I wouldnt even be surprised if the Soviets sent a nuclear missile flying at us.
Bell Man shook his head at the captains words. To be stupidly brave is one thing, but laziness is dangerous. There may be many eyes watching, but theres only one person who could have hired him. Black Mamba, its like youve heard.
France has some nerve using their tax dollars to send a hitman after a military team in the middle of an operation. I should have known.
At Black Mambas criticism, the captains face soured.
Its not the military. They wouldnt be so corrupt as to use both a backdoor and a double contract. Theres a high chance that its the DGSE. The DGSE could have easily found out our position by planting a sleeper.
The captains words werent confident.
Whether its the military or the intelligence agency, or Mitterrand himself, it doesnt matter. Anybody who stepped foot on this operation will have to accept the consequences handed out according to my calculations.
Black Mambas words were both cold and heavy.
The captain and Bell Man both trembled. They could see flying heads in the air and chopped-off limbs falling to the ground clearly in their minds eyes. Black Mamba wasnt anti-government, but he had shown allergic reactions to those who abused their power. He didnt care whether they were the minister, commander, or chief.
Dont worry, I wont go galivanting on my own like a lunatic.
Hm! The captain smiled bitterly as Black Mamba read his mind.
Even if they were filthy, it was still his country. If Black Mamba decided he wanted to have it his way, who could possibly stop him? He was secretly worried for a moment.
How are you feeling?
Its bearable. Ill recover soon.
Be careful. You have 43 cuts alone. While I was stitching you up, I found that seven of them were still open. Broken bones are more of a problem than the cuts though. Be careful for the time being. Ooh! Im still shaking. Bell Man shuddered. He could still see the pastry-like cuts and hear the crunching of ribs as Black Mamba pulled them out manually with his own hands.
Black Mamba, just focus on getting better. Our lives are in your hands, but what was the identity of that monster? He said something about being a mutant.
Hes similar to me. If he had been trained in martial arts, I would have lost. Its probably better not to mention him.
Mu Ssang avoided the subject. He thought explaining the details would be a hassle, and all he really wanted to do now was rest.
Weve already decided to do that. Who would believe us, even if we told them? Slicing through a persons neck with a whip, avoiding bullets, hes the type of person who could only be seen if he jumped through a Hollywood movie screen.
Im more surprised by the person whos using our team like this than that monster who came after us. Wherever you go, people must be all the same. If the old farts hadnt sent a hitman, then I would have just ended it with a few beatings
How embarrassing. As a leader and a French general, I apologize.
Why is another victim apologizing? Captain, all you need to do is worry about your remaining family members.
True. The captain turned his head, embarrassed.
He was ashamed and still drowning within the organizations set guidelines. The Korean was planning on how he should take care of the family members of his dead comrade. He was dreading defeat and wondering if he could make it back alive, while the Korean was setting plans for the future after they returned safely.
Black Mamba, are there raccoons and badgers in Korea, too?
Yes. Although theyre a bit different from the ones here.
Black Mamba had his eyes half-closed and was meditating while he answered blandly. He understood the captains wish to change the subject.
Are raccoons more expensive than badgers?
Raccoons are used exclusively for training. Badgers are more expensive, as theyre sold for medicinal purposes.
Damn, Pieff named this team wrong. The badger was used as bait to catch the raccoon, after all. Why are we the ones who have to deal with this? the captain muttered sadly, unlike his usual self.
The organization is the real monster. An individual is slowly sucked into the organization until he becomes one with the organization. He eventually believes that the organizations motives are for the greater good and persuades himself that the means justify the ends. As Chartres once said, he turned into an old monster. Do you think they can even remember the puppets they had at their disposal for their own means? Black Mamba said without much interest.
What about our comrades that died in vain?! Those damned jerks!
The captain pounded the windshield with his fist.
His men had no direct conflict with FROLINAT. They only killed and were killed because they were ordered to. Their previous order had been all a sham, a scam. Thinking about his dead men made his blood boil.
Captain, youre the one who said that soldiers had no right to live normal lives. Were soldiers, and we have a duty to finish our given task. Its not a problem.
The captain stared at Black Mamba in disbelief.
At some point, this guys words and actions had changed. He showed no signs of being shaken, seemed calm in demeanor, and his voice never changed tone. He was so level headed that it was almost scary.
Black Mamba, arent you angry?
Captain, were soldiers. The foreign mercenaries were the first to be used as a bulletproof shield. If youve eaten, then you have to pay the price of the meal. There are some who pay for the meal without eating it. There are also some who flip the table and ask for payment for the meal. Theres no one that would be happy to find out that they were betrayed. For the time being, whats important is that we stay alive.
The captain replied, Now that its over, I can see the obvious result, but why did I make those absurd decisions? Ive sacrificed my men for no gain whatsoever. What could someone stupid like me possibly be able to do?
Captain, in Korea, there is a popular saying: I knew that would happen. When a coup detat gains power and a president that rains bullets on his civilians is voted into office, thats when this phrase is commonly said. Once you know the result of a certain action, all of the reasons and causes connect to make the result look obvious. Those that believe that they knew this would happen always beat their chest in regret. Simply put, its hindsight bias. To say it in more words, its the assumption that you are more adept at predicting the future than is actually possible. After finding out the result, your brain tricks you into thinking that you could have already anticipated this to happen. Its a psychological illusion. Captain, you did the best you couldve done in the given situation. Thats good enough. You and I are both imperfect humans. What you have to do now is not worry about your past mistakes, but plan for the future. We have to concentrate on the situations that are to come.
The captain stared at Black Mamba for a long time.
Even though Black Mamba was younger than him, having been a monk, he seemed to have tasted the sweetness and bitterness of life more than he had. What kind of life had he led? The sudden wave of curiosity pushed back his depression.
Youre right. We have to return alive for us to beat them or shoot them to death. From now on, youre excused from all tasks. Move your things, and dont even help out with little things like preparing meals. You will only concentrate on building up your condition and your part in the upcoming battles. Understand?!
Understood.
They suspected they had been double-crossed, but they had no evidence. The mercenaries didnt continue to dote on a suspicion that had no hard evidence, because all it did was hurt their pride and kill their morale.
A straight line on a map from Paya to NDjamena headquarters was 552 miles. The straight path was 552 miles, but the actual path that needed to be traveled in secret, no one knew how long it was. They could tell their path would be a bloody trail. The captain anticipated that they would have to travel around 1,100 miles. His heart became as muddled as the thick dust that rose up from the pickup truck.
The pickup veered forward the rest of the course. It was full force ahead.
Huh! Black Mamba, who had been lost in thought, quickly grabbed the wheel and turned it. The pickup just barely swerved around a fallen acacia tree.
Oh dear, I fell asleep. Wakil, Im sorry. Ombuti hung his head in embarrassment. This wasnt normal for Ombuti, whose home was the desert. His decreased stamina and lack of sleep had caused him to drive while half asleep.
Ombuti, Ill drive. Get some sleep.
Black Mamba, are you an idiot? Have you already forgotten what I told you? the captain retorted angrily.
Narrow-minded punk! Black Mamba cursed the captain under his breath.
Chapter 100 - Chapter 13, Episode 7: Far Far Away Lake Shari
Bell Man could clearly see through the captains emotional state.
Bell Man had compared the French army to a rooster, which was their symbol, and criticized them. In Latin, the rooster that symbolized France was pronounced Gaul, which was also the original name of the country in French. Starting from the 16th century, the royal families of France engraved the rooster into their family crests. Even though the evidence pointed to this being absolute truth, he was still trying to deny it. Black Mamba, feeling a bit awkward, started to refill his empty magazine.
Black Mamba was good at reading a situation, but he wasnt great at reading humans complicated emotions.
For instance, an old married couple would have more and more things they suddenly forgot about, like when a husband forgot to flush the toilet after taking a dump and the wife who went in afterward screamed. The husband felt disappointed in the wife for making such a fuss about it, because the wife had done the same thing before, and he had kept his mouth shut and flushed it for her. If the wife even cared a little bit about him, then she wouldnt have felt the need to embarrass him like this. Logic and emotion clashed. Everyone thought through situations with both their heads and their hearts. The captains position right then was the same as the husband.
Black Mamba, who had been meditating, quietly called for them to stop. Ombuti!
Ombuti immediately turned the wheel and stopped, showing the side of the pickup.
Pop, pop, pop
A hundred sixty feet ahead, five bullets pelted the exact place they would have been if they had kept driving. The captain quickly readied his Pamus gun, while Black Mamba touched the muzzle of his own gun.
Tui tus! (All dead!)
From under the sand, a hand holding a gun popped out of the ground. Throwing off its cover, an Arab wearing a gandoura crawled out of the ground.
The Arab who had been shot in the stomach yelled, Kanma, you will be cursed. The fires of hell will burn you.
Sure, sure. Weve already been in and out of hell plenty of times already.
Black Mamba shot the Arab right in the forehead. The middle-aged man collapsed with his head buried in the sand.
Oh my!
Ombuti and the captain stared at each others faces.
It was surprising enough that they had dug a hole as cover, but Black Mambas actions were even more surprising. He had registered that there was someone in the ground from 160 feet away while they had been driving and shot them accurately to boot.
Sight and hearing alone werent enough for this to make sense. With the sounds from the car and the wind, it would be hard to hear any small noises. His skills seemed to become more and more surprising.
After Black Mamba had battled for his life with Ocelot, his spatial awareness skills had been upgraded to the next level. Even without a specific target to search for, he was able to pick up on small details. If Ocelot found out about this, he would pound the ground in regret.
Before, he let out resonance to pick up on the enemys location, but there was a downfall to using resonance. If it hit a rock or other obstacle, it couldnt penetrate it. There would have been no way he could register those who were hiding underground, and there were also other restrictions to it.
Lets go check it out.
The captain jumped out of the passenger seat. When they removed the camouflaged cover, they found two corpses covered in blood and sand. One was a child smaller than the length of a rife.
Those punks deserve to die!
The captain ground his teeth together.
Bell Man, who was checking the corpse, reflexively asked, How did you know? Although he had accepted this impossible feat, he couldnt help but ask.
During a battle, it was easy to bypass such a phenomenon, but in a situation where they were out in the open, it was hard for Black Mamba to keep his skills hidden. He couldnt just stand by with the enemy lying in wait for them.
There are three of me: the me I know, the me others know, and the me that neither I nor others know.
No one understood what this answer meant, but the mercenaries didnt bother asking any further. Maybe he had caught this habit from Chartres, but Black Mamba would sometimes say things that no one could understand. They just accepted it and got lost in their own thoughts.
Black Mamba was trying to figure out his identity, too. The me I know is Mu Ssang. The me others know is Black Mamba. The me neither him nor others knew was that he wasnt a human, but an entity he wasnt aware of.
During his battle for survival, his spatial awareness skill had become much more pronounced. He was able to decipher where the obstacles were disturbing a signal. He couldnt tell if it was from their brain waves or their veins, but he could differentiate between humans, animals, and bugs.
His range had also widened. Within three hundred feet, he could sense those who were hiding underground. If he was given adequate time and he really concentrated, then it was possible.
But the downfall of his spatial awareness skill was the length of time he could use it for. Thirty minutes was the limit. If he used the skill for thirty minutes, then he would have to rest for at least ten minutes to not burn out. If he overextended himself, then he would get a nosebleed or be hit with a headache. The Legion Etranger team decided to move for thirty minutes, then rest for ten minutes.
He wasnt sure if the spatial awareness skill he gained at Chinto Mountain was due to his training there or if it was a special skill found at that specific location. If it was a skill that he was gifted, then he had to resist flaunting it, like his teacher had warned, so that he didnt cause damage like Ocelot.
Captain, I found them and killed them coincidentally.
Of course. Its a coincidence now, and the coincidences will continue.
Haha!
At the captains response, Ombuti and Bell Man nodded their heads and chuckled. The stern captain had changed a lot, too. If one didnt change after almost dying multiple times, then he was a lunatic.
Skills surpassing logic had a limit. Even if they were to tell someone, no one would believe them, and if they did, there was a chance it would boomerang back and harm them instead. If they could use it, then it would most definitely be used. The captain and Ombuti knew the evils of human greed well.
Their team hid the supplies and did their best to reach Trident Rock. Black Mamba rode in the backseat of the leading vehicle and was doing his duty as a human radar with his eyes half-closed.
He laid out their travel path like it was a chessboard. With his spatial awareness, his radar was searching through every crevice. It was a strategy that was no different than actual radars.
Two hours passed. Black Mamba again stopped Alpha and shot at a point 100 feet away. Thirty seconds later, he fired again.
Clear!
The captain nodded his head and raised his hand from the passengers seat, then snapped his wrist back and forth. Beta and Gamma stopped so that Jang Shin and Emil could jump out.
They dug up the two people with a shovel. There wasnt actually much to dig out, since the cover was made out of thin twigs and felt.
This is unbelievable. Jang Shin gasped. The hole was muddy with the blood of the two corpses.
Black Mamba had caught five separate guerrilla troops who had been hiding in the ground for days.
Black Mamba, this might complicate things.
The captain clicked his tongue as he stared down at the corpses.
Damned punks. It was a coarse but effective tactic.
Black Mamba wore an awkward expression, too.
He could easily decipher FROLINATs plans.
The enemy had laid out troops to ambush them on the trail that the Legion Etranger team had decided to take. They were human booby traps. There was no way to know how many more were lying in wait to attack them.
It was a harsh action, but if they had enough men, it was actually a productive plan. It would definitely cause them stress as well as decrease the speed of their travel.
There was a different reason for Black Mamba clicking his tongue.
The enemy had used child soldiers to pad their troops numbers. There were usually two child soldiers with each adult one. It was cowardly, but this was Sahel. Black Mamba was determined to obliterate the one called Habib.
FROLINAT hadnt added Black Mamba into their calculations, so they hadnt been able to direct their troops properly. There was no point anyway. There was no strategy left for them to use.
The captain gave up on confirming each situation. If Black Mamba declared it clear, then there was no point in wasting time to check it.
Black Mamba and Ombuti led the way.
Ombuti, four miles out, theres a small army approaching.
Ombuti thought for a second, then turned the steering wheel to the right. Ombuti, who knew the roads well, was able to meet the opposition as he turned right, and Black Mamba took out 24 men in a heartbeat.
Suddenly, grenades started to fly at them. It was FROLINATs rear army. They had used their comrades as bait to catch the mercenaries. From that point on, their team started to be chased again.
On the 29th day of Operation Raccoon, the Legion Etranger team finally arrived at Mousso. Mousso was a village located 40 miles east of Paya. They went up and down several times and ended up on the northeastern side. Unable to head south due to the oncoming pressure of enemy forces, they were forced to change direction toward Mnedie.
During that time, the pickup that had been working well up to that point stopped. White smoke curled up from the radiator. It was the same pickup that had been showered by bullets earlier.
They raised the hood and watched Jang Shins expression, which wasnt good.
There was a crack in the radiator, and the coolant was leaking. The coolant couldnt circulate, so the engine couldnt cool down. It was unfixable.
Captain, its not repairable.
Putain. Mike kicked the broken pickup.
Bury it.
At the captains command, Mike, Bell Man, Emil, and Jang Shin worked like lowly army troops. The ground was mixed with sand, but there was a lot to shovel, as the hole had to be big enough to bury the truck. Even if it was hard work, they had no choice but to do it to cover their tracks.
Ombuti, find a place for us to build a camp. The captains voice cracked. Due to physical stress, his voice box was damaged. Even the captain, who was used to war, had reached the limit of his stamina.
Captain, theres no water here.
To the east, there was a desolate land called the Mnedie Plateau. Since it was exposed to the sandstorms of Sahel, it was a land of endless sand dunes. There were large rock formations and caves from time to time, but there was no water or plants anywhere.
Jang Shin, how much water do we have left?
We werent able to refill for the last five days. We only have ten and a half gallons left.
It would be hard to survive more than a couple of days with a little more than ten gallons.
Ombuti, can you find water?
Im not familiar with this area, so it will be difficult.
Ombutis expertise was the Sahel area from Niger Bilmar to Djourab Erg. He wasnt familiar with the Mnedie Plateau on the east side.
Damn. First, lets look for a place to build our defenses and rest. I feel like my spine is about to collapse.
Difficult situations kept arising.
Jang Shin, who was holding a wrench and hammer, crawled out from under the vehicle.
Sir, put it down.
Black Mamba, who was functioning as a human jack, placed down the pickup with a thud.
Will it be difficult to use?
It doesnt look good. Its a complete mess. The suspension is already broken, and the engine gasket has been knocked out of balance. The acceleration joint is also shot. The belt has hardened and is in need of changing.
You sure have a complicated way of saying that its done for. Will it be hard to fix?
Jang Shin slammed his palms on the hood of the vehicle.
We have no spare parts. No engine gasket. Nothing. Were even out of gasoline.
Its only been a month since we picked up a new car
Its because we pushed it too hard in this harsh environment. We should be grateful it even lasted this long. Or we should thank the men that made this three-year-old junk car.
Good work. Black Mamba pounded the cars body.
It was a miracle that the pickup had even lasted this long. Even though it was customized, the pickup was a commercial vehicle. It wasnt a military vehicle or an armed truck. For the last month, it had traveled through grasslands, wastelands, swamps, and deserts with its engine running until it was on the brink of exploding. They were happy it had lasted a month for them.
Oh, damn. What more can we expect from a product made from monkeys on an island? Only the outside is nice. Those damned monkeys, said the captain, annoyed. Black Mamba and Jang Shins mouths dropped open. Only two days earlier, Captain had praised Japanese-made cars. His mind must have left him.
They took turns staring at their other five comrades with their lively eyes. Other than the one person they were unable to properly categorize as human, they all looked battered.
With white cracked lips, bloodshot eyes, and sharply protruding cheekbones, they were like zombies. The only thing that differentiated them from zombies was their glittering pupils. Their bodies had reached their ends a long time ago. They were resisting death merely with the mentality and hope to return home alive.
Chapter 101 - Chapter 13, Episode 8: Far Far Away Lake Shari
The Peugeot P4 Jeep tank sped forward through the ravines while spouting dust. Six Sovamag trucks created by Oberon followed behind it. Ten people could ride in the Sovamag. Inside, it held food, water, and weapons. Colonel Philip had sent 51 men as the Badger rescue team.
The Peugeot P4 military Jeep was the vehicle used by the French military since 1980. It held two passengers and was designed with half of the vehicle covered and the other half open. It was created with the motive to be able to transport sensitive equipment and ammunition safely.
However, it eventually disappeared because it wasnt able to fulfill any of the needed requirements fully. Since it could hold only two passengers, it wasnt good for the transport of soldiers. Because of its split compartments, it was inefficient for storage and couldnt hold a machine gun. It was no wonder the Legion Etranger team had abandoned the Peugeot P4 and resorted to using a regular pickup truck.
The Peugeot P4 Jeep would eventually be a model several years later for the Benz G class. The original model quietly disappeared after multiple design failures on the French side.
The destination Pieff had in mind was 37 miles north of Chicha, where he had last communicated with the Legion Etranger team. Communication had been disconnected after that. For obvious reasons, his destination was the point of their last contact.
What the hell happened to this country? screamed Pieff. The northwest road to Shara from Kanem Province had disappeared, and they were still 105 miles away from Shara. In the 93 miles they had covered, five of their vehicles had to be left behind due to the state of the roads.
Commander, this isnt erosion. This was destroyed by human hands.
What?! The intentionally blocked the roads?
Pieff felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head at Lieutenant Henrys report. His war instincts were on full alert.
Everyone, out, get out. Hide.
The 50 soldiers riding in the Sovamag jumped out of the vehicle like grasshoppers. The members of the elite Deuxieme Rep didnt take more than five seconds to exit the vehicles.
Whee whoo
This was the sound of an airplane at short range. Lieutenant Henry used all his strength to get out of the Sovamag that he had been using for cover.
With a bang, the RPG7 bomb whizzed past the Sovamag and crashed into an area ten miles away. Rations and ammunition had all been stored in the Sovamag. Lieutenant Henry rolled on the ground due to the blast.
Damn it, Henry! Pieff screamed. The scene of Henry being attacked was stuck in his memory in slow motion.
Pieff stopped Sergeant Centienne from running toward him. Dont rush. Its an enemy trap.
We have to save Henry.
Their target isnt Lieutenant Henry; its the Sovamag. Pieffs heart grew cold.
If the truck was destroyed, they would be in big trouble. With the roads closed and no Sovamag to keep them undercover, the Jeeps and five trucks in the middle would end up like rats in a cage.
Shooting team, aim at the RPGs. Feeling rushed, Pieff screamed out his orders, completely forgetting about his headset. The command was unnecessary. The four platoon sniper teams spread out like a fan. Meanwhile, the heavy weaponry and shooting teams escaped to find cover.
Puh puh puh Whoa, Allah, Allah!
The sharp sounds of the AK and the dull ringing of machine guns started to echo. Clouds of rocks and sand rose up, and the sounds of the enemys screams started to become louder.
The Deuxieme Rep started to shoot after figuring out the location of their targets.
Sergeant Centienne dragged Pieff and ran in between the rocks. Regaining his calm, Pieff pulled out his headset from his inside pocket and put it on. The moment he put it on, he heard Henrys voice.
C Commander, Commander!
C Oh! Henry, are you okay?
C No problem. Its just a scratch. I thought you had gotten hit, Commander.
Pieff smiled bitterly. He felt pathetic for not having thought of the headset earlier.
C Their skills sure are shoddy. What are the shooters doing?
C Theyre looking for a shooting point. Were heading there.
After receiving a response from them, a loud explosion from a 2.3-inch grenade rang. After finding the position of the target through three shots, they started to fling bombs at them.
C Alpha, Bravo left-right bypass maneuvers.
C Cavalli, target the machine gun.
C Yes, sir.
The recoilless rifle shooter, Cavalli, was already aiming at his registered targets.
Whee Bang!
Hit by the bomb, the machine gun and the person behind it both went flying into the air.
Having hit the machine gun shooter with one shot, Cavalli quickly scanned the area for his next target.
C Got the RPG.
C Got the machine gun.
Whee Bang!
Before the report was even finished, another RPG flew and hit the Sovamag.
C What, what is that?
Lieutenant Henrys eyes grew big.
The bomb that penetrated the trucks engine shot straight through it and sprang back out. The fiery red flames were heading toward Henry. All the color on his face drained.
Those damned punks, using such a brutish way to shoot through a truck!
With those last words, Henrys body was ripped to pieces. Henry, who had avoided being hit by the RPG, ended up dead by a missile. This was definitely war.
Thwack The brute that had shot out the RPG soon had a hole in his forehead. Once the sniper team started to move, FROLINAT could no longer use their strength against them.
Due to the onslaught of bullets from the opposing side, they were unable to hold their necks out and eventually were wiped out. Their ambush was quickly quieted by Cavalli. The FROLINAT ambush team didnt gain much before they were systematically taken care of.
The suddenly started battle didnt last more than five minutes. It was a battle that showed the strength of the Deuxieme Rep.
Centienne, report the damages.
Lieutenant Henry has been killed.
What, Henrys dead? The guy who told me no problem five minutes ago is dead?! Pieff was distraught. The skills and weapons used for the ambush were nothing special. He was just surprised by their unexpected attack. The Deuxieme Rep hadnt been sitting around waiting for it.
He had thought that he had cleaned them out completely, but his liaison officer was dead. The Deuxieme Reps best gunman had lost his life against untrained guerrilla troops. It was a truth he didnt want to admit.
Was he shot down?
He was in the middle of the RPG blast.
Huh, that damned scum!
Pieff was at a loss for words. It wasnt even tanks but humans. Whether it was the man who shot the missile or the man who was hit by it, in his 17 years in the military, he had never seen or heard of such a thing. He was consoled by the fact that at least he must have died without pain.
Other than one who destroyed the Sovamag, we didnt have any additional losses. Ten enemies killed, capture the weapons!
Forget it. Theres no point writing up that trash of a report.
Pieff covered Liason Officer Centiennes mouth and scanned his surroundings with angry eyes.
Damn, what is this? How could we be this unlucky?
Commander, this is getting serious. Valboir, the head sniper stepped up.
Everything in the war is taking a turn for the worst.
We were attacked before we even got exact communications from the intelligence agency. We wont be able to handle going into Bodele.
Ten members of the Legion Etranger team are wreaking havoc around Sahel.
We dont have Black Mamba, he finished.
Hm! A sigh escaped from Pieffs mouth. Valboir, my babies are being killed. Ive received orders from the captain. No, even if I hadnt, we would still head north. Lets go save our babies.
Oui! Valboir responded, but he felt uneasy about it.
Commander Pieff was from headquarters. He had worked in Algeria for the last three years, but he had no field experience. He had been greedy on his first field mission and caused his entire team to be destroyed before.
A war tactic devised based on drunken courage, attachment, anger, or other similar emotions had at least a 50 percent chance of failing. A cowardly leader was much better than a reckless one. Valboirs heart felt suffocated.
Pieff ground his teeth as he remembered Lieutenant Henry.
After the rescue team distributed the food and weapons into the trucks, they started to move.
For two days, the rescue team crossed over Kanem Province.
They passed through Nedeli and arrived at El Mezir in Ulda Harmarl, which was northwest of Bodele and northeast of Djourab Erg.
Once they entered El Mezir, their nightmares began.
The ruined badlands, the endless sand dunes, the dirty swamps, the dried-up forests without a single green leaf, the incessant flies and mosquitoes, and the ongoing dust storms. Pieff shuddered in disgust. If it wasnt to rescue the Legion Etranger team, they would have immediately turned the Jeeps around.
F*ck, where the hell is the red gorge? Commander Pieff glared menacingly at the native who was driving.
Well arrive at Uldi Harmarl in 40 minutes.
Step on it. Whether the engines explode or not, just step on it. Well have to start searching there first. Ugh, freaking flies!
Swish Swish Pieff rolled up the war map and swung at the meddlesome flies that were inside the vehicle. Even the flies were driving him insane.
Pieff had made a big mistake.
The Bodl lowlands were FROLINATs home ground. Within the Kanem and Boruku Provinces, FROLINAT were everywhere, like a pack of dogs. Pieff had jumped into the net that he had forced the Legion Etranger team to enter in hopes of defeating Kanma. He was like a crab walking into a trap.
Puh puh puh Ack!
Eck!
Without warning, gunshots suddenly rang out. The three men riding in the leading Sovamag fell, spouting blood. Without even a moment to get out of the vehicle, bullets showered from 165 feet away on the right side. The M60 that had been stored in the Sovamag was obliterated.
Check it! Get on the ground, Pieff screamed.
Three soldiers approached from all sides in a zigzag pattern. The soldier who checked the trap on the ground announced, Three suspected guerrilla targets, eliminated.
When Pieff saw the trap with his own eyes, he was on the verge of insanity before he was just barely able to come back to his senses. The dug-up hole in the ground was covered with a top made with interweaved twigs and reeds. Inside the hole were two young children and a man with a dirty beard who had been reduced to rags. Surprisingly, the two children had metal chains attached to their ankles.
The damage?
Team Three sniper Lapparent and Poer are dead due to injury to the thorax, gunman Tieri suffered a gun wound to his side.
How could such a sh*tty thing happen?!
Pieff was lost for words. The hole ambush wasnt an attack tactic but a diversion tactic. The surprise attack could cause damage but would lead to more harm to the attacking team once a counterattack was initiated. Unless they were intending to commit suicide, it wasnt a plausible attack.
He had heard that FROLINAT was evil, but he had never imagined they would do something this cruel. Not only had he lost his aide, but he lost another three men in an instant. Anger exploded out the top of Pieffs head. This was why the lead recon was useless.
The enemy had let the leading vehicle pass and targeted the middle, which meant there had been no time to prepare defenses. Pieff was lost in deep contemplation.
The rescue team cheered as they arrived at the red gorge.
After four days, they had finally found water. Luckily, it was clear flowing water from a stream. It was the place that Burimer had fished in using his Dragonov. The mercenaries who had sand in their throats, eyes, ears, and noses rejoiced.
Four of his comrades had died, but death was a part of being a mercenary.
The dead were buried in the hearts of the living, and they had the right to rejoice in their survival.
On the second day, Sergeant Centienne showed up with an expression of abject fear on his face. Were in trouble. Last night, seven were killed.
Pieff stood there, blinking. His numb brain was unable to comprehend the Liaison Officers words.
Commander, I think you should go see it for yourself. Sergeant Valboirs voice was dark.
Seven men! Pieff bolted up as his body was hit with the reality of it.
Muhammad, Brown, Tieri, Asus, Mubay, Ranobi, Huntai How could this be?! Pieffs mind went blank.
Each of the dead men was slashed below the chin with a sharp knife. It had slit through each of their vocal cords and esophagus.
Jerero assassins!
Pieff swallowed a moan. Their skills were incredible. It was the work of the brutal Mount Tibesti assassins of whom he had heard rumors. They were a clan of people who hunted in the harsh conditions of the Tibesti Mountains.
Other than in certain areas, the plateaus of the Tibesti Mountains were completely barren. There werent even a lot of animals that lived there. Honed by nature, the clan had become accustomed to stealth and definitive attacks. Their honed hunting skills were being used for assassinations.
Still, there was something suspicious. How had the other comrades not realized this was happening?
They used something strange.
Chapter 102 - Chapter 13, Episode 9: Far Far Away Lake Shari
Medic Carnot handed over a plastic bag.
What is it?
Drugs.
Drugs? Pieffs eyes became huge. Why were drugs coming out of here?
Its Jenkem.
Jenkem? You mean the Jenkem thats made from fermented human waste?
Yes, exactly that Jenkem. Its pretty pathetic to call it a drug, but its hallucinogenic properties are phenomenal. Its a powder, so you dont have to take a capsule orally, and it doesnt require injection with needles. You can easily just wrap it up in a plastic bag and inhale it through the nose, and its highly addictive.
So youre saying that the assassins drugged the sleeping men with Jenkem to make them defenseless before they killed them?
Thats what I suspect.
Nigimi Ddugural! Pieff trembled.
The face of Valboir, who had been listening, also darkened. Their men had been drunk off of a drug of fermented human waste then put on the cutting board to get their heads chopped off!
The world seemed to be crashing down around them.
Valboir, didnt you lay out land mines in front of the military camp?
We laid out plenty.
What about the guards?
Ive already checked. Were guarding the place tightly. Muhammad and Brown were attacked by the invaders.
How did they manage to get through?
We were attacked from the back.
No way. This was the same situation we discussed last night., it would take them over a day to pass through the gorge, even with the proper climbing equipment. Ah, how did this happen?!
Pieff was struck by a headache. He moaned while grabbing his head with both his hands. He had said it with his own mouth that another attack was unlikely, meaning they didnt need to worry about placing defenses there. Now, he wanted to rip his own mouth apart.
The gorge behind Uldi Hamarl was the place where Black Mamba had taken down 22 of Mustas special forces. Pieff couldnt even have dreamed that FROLINAT would have used the caves that the mountain goats entered and exited.
Captain, we have to retreat. The enemy getting into headquarters is a threat in itself. The damage to us will be great. Valboir suggested they retreat.
We cant. Were the Deuxieme Rep. We cant show our backs to those pathetic fools like cowards.
You fool, who are you calling pathetic when they got past the guards without leaving a trace? Valboir screamed silently to himself.
Theyre despicable. They will stop at nothing. Youve seen it with your own eyes! We have to give up.
Lieutenant Paul turned the tides at Sahel with just eleven men.
This isnt Paul, its Black Mamba.
Pieff was at a loss for words.
It had been four days since he had run out of headquarters with 50 men from his company. They hadnt been able to battle them properly once but still ended up utterly defeated. He had already lost another eleven men.
Valboir, youre saying that the Legion Etranger team is destroying these punks all over Sahel.
Because they have Black Mamba. I bet all my money that if Black Mamba was on our side, we wouldnt have had to sacrifice a single person.
I agree with your logic but
Captain, were in a more dangerous situation currently than the Legion Etranger team. We have to retreat.
And after we retreat?
Well call in the helicopters and tanks to bulldoze over them.
Is your head a mere accessory? Do you want to be the one to pull the trigger on starting World War III?
Valboir knew that the lieutenant was stupid, but he hadnt thought that he would be so dense as to be ignorant of the government and politics. Frustrated, Pieff scolded Valboir and sent away his men.
Everyones expressions looked to be full of fear. After waking up, they found their comrades necks gaping open like fish gills, yet the enemy had not left a trace of their presence. They couldnt help but be afraid. Men were more afraid of knife wounds than gun wounds. This fear was primarily due to the visuals.
Pieff shook his head.
If he retreated in this manner, his name would forever be dirtied by the Deuxieme Rep. He would also have to say goodbye to any sort of promotion.
For the time being, well finish heading to the top. We cant just retreat without even catching a glimpse of the Legion Etranger teams tail.
You can make a decision after reporting to the captain. Pieff glared at Valboir with red eyes.
Valboir didnt avert his gaze.
Nigimi Ddugural, Centienne! Pieff called the communications officer.
After spitting out curses, he was reminded of Black Mamba. He regretted the absence of his petit kenarung. A god-like sniper and a man with impossibly phenomenal skills, if he had Black Mamba, he wouldnt have ended up in this embarrassing situation in the first place.
Pieff had found out how bad of a curse nigimi ddugural was from Koreans he had met recently. He had insulted them first by calling them petit kenarung, so he couldnt really blame them. He had just laughed. From then on, nigimi ddugural became Pieffs trademark curse word.
After ending the communication with headquarters, Pieff regained back his confidence. Valboir, Captain has left me in charge of leading all operations.
Valboir shook his head and stepped back.
Since Black Mamba was part of his platoon, there was no one who knew of Black Mambas skills better than him. Black Mambas shooting skills were not only the best, but he also had the ability to seek out the opposition with surprising accuracy.
The Legion Etranger team had been saved at FROLINAT headquarters thanks to Black Mamba. The commander believed in the battle skills of the Deuxieme Rep, but this was an overestimation.
Valboir had been a part of the war for seven years. There wasnt anything left to analyze in this battle. The special task team that was stuck in this net was slowly dissolving like salt thrown in water.
Damn, if we had the Legion Etranger team, their survival rate would have shot up to ten times as big it is now.
General Valboir looked down sadly at his dead men. Their necks were gaping open like open mouths. He sensed that his end would be just as gruesome.
Valboir, there may be more men that were drugged with Jenkem. Check it out, then well organize the troops. Well leave in two hours.
Pieff had made his second mistake.
While he was taking his time organizing, FROLINAT had been ripped to pieces. FROLINAT didnt have up-to-date communication equipment, but they had their own ways of communicating.
The Legion Etranger team stung like a bee and swept through their forces like the wind. FROLINAT hadnt been able to catch even the shadow of the Legion Etranger team. The DGSE had intentionally dropped information about them but since they were unable to receive it, they were unable to even catch a glimpse of the badgers tail. It was the 24th day of Operation Raccoon.
While the Legion Etranger team had been obliterating Ahmuds troops at Djourab Erg, the rescue team had been digging themselves into a hole at Uldi Harmarl. The reason these two teams had missed each other was that the DGSE had messed with the information.
If Lieutenant Paul had reported Chartress communication of their location at Djourab Erg, they wouldnt have had to sacrifice their team members for no reason.
The rescue team had started from Uldi Harmarl and headed in the direction of Amju via Cortaro. If Pieff had gone right instead of left to Djourab Erg, they would have been able to meet up with the Legion Etranger team.
The moment they believed that both sides would find happiness, both sides had fallen suddenly into a situation that warranted despair. A black and white picture was much closer to reality than the colorful nature of fairytales. Because humans were unable to see past situations right in front of their eyes, reality became a fun-filled hell.
In a risky operation, the lower-ranking men were the first to die. Interestingly enough, those who had died on the Legion Etranger team were veterans. Sergeant Mark, Chartres, Miguel, Morris, and Burimer had all died. The only veterans left were Sergeant Mike and the medic, Sergeant Bell Man.
On the other hand, the three rookies had survived without a scratch.
It was an unbelievable situation in which the veterans died and the rookies stayed alive. It meant that Black Mamba had unknowingly protected his friend Jang Shin and his partner Emil. No, if Black Mamba hadnt had a cheat key, his team would have already been decimated.
After losing Burimer in Paya, the captains leading style changed. He only moved after listening to the opinions of his team members or receiving advice from Black Mamba. The fact that Sergeant Burimer was no longer with him and that Mike, who had been promoted to second in command, wasnt as skilled contributed to his decision to do so.
Were in a serious predicament. The enemy is chasing after us like a pack of dogs, our vehicles are broken, our stamina has reached rock bottom, and we have no source of transportation. Any of you have any ideas?
Bell Man raised his hand. Captain, lets return to Tibesti. Even though Tibesti has difficult terrain, we should be able to handle it. Lets go into the mountains and wait for the rescue team there.
Bell Man was considering the barren route to the north.
What do you think of Bell Mans suggestion? Ombuti, you would know best.
That will be impossible. Its easy to go into Tibesti but difficult to come back out. If you think that place is similar to Mont Blanc, youll be in deep trouble. Compared to Tibesti, Mont Blanc is like heaven. Tibesti is a mountain range located inside the Sahara Desert. Its a rugged plateau that spans 3,415 miles from Emikushi out to Libya. The temperature range can fluctuate up to 122 degrees at times. Unless youre a native who has lived there, it will be difficult to cope, Ombuti objected stubbornly. If they went into the Tibesti mountains, FROLINAT wouldnt be the worst of their problems. The rough paths and terrifying weather conditions could kill the mercenaries.
The temperature difference is 122 degrees?! It might be better if we were on Mars or the moon, exclaimed Jang Shin. Ombuti knew the weather and roads the best as a native there. He agreed with them in silence. The team members had been devastated by the 77-degree Fahrenheit temperature difference they had experienced in Sahel. They all shuddered at the thought.
Black Mamba was surprised, too.
A temperature range of 122 degrees meant that within a day, one would experience the strange phenomena of being in both the hottest day of summer and the coldest night of winter.
Do we have to turn on the air conditioner during the day and the heater at night? This isnt Earth, this is Mars.
It was surprising to find that humans lived in a place like this. In Korea, even the 50-degree temperature change between winter and fall caused many to catch colds. One hundred and twenty-two degrees wasnt even imaginable.
Im sick of running away. I say we either let ourselves be destroyed or destroy FROLINAT and see it through to the end.
Everyone nodded at Mikes words.
I also dont want to die while running away. Id rather die fighting.
Thats right. If Im going to be shot, then Id rather be shot in the heart. If I get shot in the back, Ill be too embarrassed to die, Jang Shin added to Emils comment.
Black Mamba, what do you think?
A Korean predator attacks when chased. A passive defense will only lead to sacrifice, concluded the captain.
Weve all come to an agreement. Were the Deuxieme Rep. Even if I become a sacrifice, we will charge at them head-on.
Black Mamba raised his hand. Wait. We will return to Paya. Well obliterate the head of the Habib. If we get rid of him, then the northern army will fall into confusion. Using that as a distraction, well rip through the net and head south. Well replenish our supplies and vehicles at Trident Rock. Then, well blow up the poor punks with the explosives we stocked up on and return to NDjamena. At Le Meridien Chari, well take hot showers. Well call in women and sleep for three days. We will rest in peace for a month at the hotel.
Whoa! The mercenaries cheered loudly. Just listening to the description felt refreshing.
Lets go! Lets hurry and end this and shatter the heads of those headquarter punks.
My treat.
Lets throw a grenade into Philips room.
Lets stab the necks of those DGSE punks.
No. Lets first have some fun with the ladies of Le Meridien Chari.
Le Meridien Chari was a hotel in NDjamena. The luxurious hotel suite was usually meant for foreign visitors, costing 60 dollars a night. It was five times more expensive than the normal cost of living for a family of four in Chad.
If were short on money, Ill lend it to you, added the captain.
Yeah, right! The mercenaries booed.
If we were going to borrow money, we would always borrow it from Black Mamba. Black Mamba will gain tens of thousands of francs as a reward from this battle.
Right, we could all receive Black Mambas reward money and live in Corsica. Hell at least help set up a cafe for a friend.
On account of Black Mambas speech, the depressing atmosphere changed drastically. Strength returned to the mercenaries as they all started to talk.
The captain raised his hand. Thats a good idea. They wont be expecting us to hit Habib anyways.
The captain had been backed into the corner by his repetitive passive decisions. This time, he had a determined resolve. Lets head to Paya. If we chop off its head, it will flail around aimlessly for a while.
Ombuti agreed the most fervently. He glanced over at Black Mamba, who was smiling widely. Only then did he realize that his assertion to find the Habib hideout wasnt something he had just blurted out without considering.
Thank you, Wakil. I am forever your servant. Ombutis eyes flashed with worry. It was the only expression that Black Mamba feared.
A giant bomb fell upon the once great atmosphere.
Our vehicle has disappeared!
Chapter 103 - Chapter 14, Episode 1: Counterattack
!
The atmosphere changed with Jang Shins short comment. Their heightened excitement collapsed at once.
Nigimi Ddugural! The captain wrapped his arms around his head.
He had forgotten the fact that their pickup had fallen to pieces. A vehicle was used to drive, not to drag around.
Then the captain raised his head, confidence radiating off of his face. No problem! Its less than 25 miles to Paya. Even the weaklings of the airborne brigade can run that far. Were the Deuxieme Rep.
The captain began to spout irresponsible claims as he chewed out the airborne brigade. He seemed to have truly lost a screw after the ordeal in Paya.
The mercenaries began to chatter.
We cant lose to those b*tches who lick the soles of our feet, after all.
Those Commando b*stards wont measure up to us.
Weve even run 60 miles before.
Yeah, we can jump that 25 miles just fine.
Thats nothing compared to the objective of cutting off the leaders head.
There might even be a young lady in a Ferrari going by. Who knows? The Deuxieme Rep could hitchhike with just a few words.
The dead atmosphere became lively once more. The most beloved special forces of the 11th airborne brigade was the Commando team. Their airborne forces and the Deuxieme Rep were on bad terms.
The Legion Etranger was established by Philip Is approval of LaCroix and his advisors proposal. In that time, the enlisted members were 11,000 of Frances illegal immigrants. The officers selected to train such people were a commander and his subordinate who had been last in their training regiment.
The Legion Etrangers progress was still at 30 percent. French people spoke of freedom and equality as their motto, but there was an underlying conscience of inequality. The airborne brigade considered the Legion Etranger similar to a servant who did the dirty work on their behalf.
The Deuxieme Rep was the Legion Etrangers best special force.
There was a fierce competitive spirit, but there was also a deep grudge between them for past discriminations. The captain had just pointed out their most sensitive topic.
Black Mamba looked at his teammates with a dumbfounded expression. There was a limit to bluffing. What faith did they have to shout such big words?!
Of course, the Deuxieme Reps training regimen as tremendous. They were capable of withstanding a 60-mile march, but that was on their best days. Currently, it was impossible for them to march 60 miles, or even ten. By the time they reached Habibs mansion, none of them would be able to move. Had their judgements clouded to the point they couldnt consider their own health?
The captain looked at Black Mamba. A smile was covering his face. He did this on purpose. Theres no slyer fox than him.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The leader wasnt an easy position. A leader had to know when to lie sometimes.
He overheard Ombuti mumbling, I heard that cats consider themselves lions if theyre raised together. Do they consider themselves the Angels of Death after travelling with one for so long?
Ha! Black Mamba smirked. Soldiers were all about morale anyways. If they took a break and increased their morale, their recovery speed would similarly increase.
You soldiers should all take a rest. Ill keep watch until daybreak, Ombuti announced bravely.
Only himself and his Wakil were in better conditions anyways.
Wow! Thank you, Ombuti. Emil lunged to capture Ombuti in a hug, as he had been appointed first watch.
Sahels night temperatures between November to December plunged below 68 degrees. There wasnt much discomfort in sleeping as long as they hung a mosquito net first. The mercenaries lowered their burdens of keeping guard for the first time and slept. Of course, their trust was placed more heavily on Black Mambas animalistic instincts rather than Ombuti keeping watch. The beast was half-awake and half-asleep.
The deserts night continued to grow darker.
Aside from the hyenas short calls cutting through the night, sleep hit them heavily. The milky way that winded through the night sky curled to the right.
C Beep beep.
The captain woke at the call of his headset, and he pressed the headsets communication switch in a flash.
C Captain, ten camels. Presuming theyre a guerrilla scouting unit.
It was a transmission from Ombuti, who had volunteered to be on guard.
Huh, camels?
The captain shook off his sleep and looked at his watch. The needle, which was glowing in the dark, pointed to two. He had fallen asleep around seven in the evening, so he had been sleeping for seven hours. This was a length of sleep that he hadnt experienced in a long time.
He drained some water from the tank and wiped his face with a towel while his loosened muscles regained their tenseness. The horrible headache, which felt as though a hammer was pounding at an inserted metal plate in his head, had also calmed down.
C Whats up with you? You usually report to your Wakil first.
The captain brought up the slight annoyance he harbored.
C Wakil needs to sleep. Its not so dangerous a situation that it requires his attention.
Damn, this b*stard! Ombuti was someone who spoke frankly to the point that others sometimes felt hurt. This time, he had basically implied that his owner was like the roots of a Korean ginseng, while they were the roots of a common radish. The slight annoyance surged into anger that bubbled on the surface.
C Its not a caravan?
Travelers who were used to the terrain often travelled throughout the night to avoid the days high temperature. The night was also more advantageous in avoiding the FROLINAT, who were scarier than robbers.
C No. They have guns.
C Damn, do those b*stards never sleep? Whats the situation?
C If you leave them be, theyre simply passerby.
C Current distance?
C Within two miles.
C Understood. Keep watching them.
The captain took a moment to organize his thoughts.
Even if they did return to Paya and crushed Habib, their escape was concerning. There was no certainty that they would be able to steal a vehicle. Trident Rock, which held their hidden supplies, was 220 miles away. It was too far to travel to without a vehicle.
There were two bikes on the pickup, but they were unbefitting for long-distance relays. They also didnt have extra fuel. Their current fuel could only last them 125 miles. Moreover, if they all hung off the bike while travelling, it was most likely that theyd be killed in an instant.
A camel! The captains mouth twitched up. A camel could run up to 25 miles per hour, and it was no lesser than a vehicle on Sahels crazy terrain. Those b*stards had brought them a form of mass transportation at the right time. He liked it.
Steal their camels. Disguise ourselves as merchants. Enter Paya. Crush Habibs mansion. Steal the mansions vehicles. Black Mamba stops the enemys attacks. The plan to run all the way to their supply station ran through his mind.
The crux of the matter was getting rid of those b*stards without startling the camels. Camels were incredibly sensitive animals compared to their appearances. If they killed a camel with a misfire or scared them away, nothing could be gained from the situation.
He had already thought of a solution for that: Black Mamba. If Black Mamba did it, he could take care of those ten people quietly without startling their camels.
The captain searched for Black Mamba.
Does that guy never sleep?
Black Mambas resting place was empty. The captain began to climb a dune without hesitation. If Black Mamba was missing during sleeping hours, he was most likely on the highest dune in the region.
As expected, Black Mamba was staring at the night sky on top of a dune, as was Black Mambas hobby. He usually snuck out while his comrades were sleeping to look at the night sky. Of course, his comrades tended to sleep better when he was staring at the stars.
Black Mamba, are you imitating the nomadic herders again?
Captain, have you already turned into a sleepless old man? Black Mamba returned sharply without turning around.
Hmph, you salty b*stard. Why dont you take a look at yourself first?
Me? Im young. Look at the sky.
The captains eyes turned to the sky. There are too many stars.
The solemn beauty Cant you feel Gods arrogant gaze?
The Angel of Death, the Devil of Sahel, lost in emotions?
The one reassurance I had in Sahel was the night sky.
Reassurance? What reassurance?
My hometown. The home where my fathers buried, where my mother resides. I left it because I hated it, but I still miss it. Sahels night sky is my hometowns night sky.
The captain stared at Black Mambas silhouette.
His strong shoulders that could hold up mountains were sagging. He recalled Black Mambas old self in that helplessness, waiting for his mothers return from the grape farm out on the big street. The undefeatable special mercenary, code name Black Mamba, Sahels Azrael of a Thousand Deaths, was still human.
Black Mamba, dont you need sleep? It was an admonishment based in worry.
I slept well. I only woke up because of the camels footsteps.
Then you should already know that there are scouts on the camels.
I smell a mix of blood and gunpowder. Ten camels.
The captain was lost for words. Did this b*stard have some kind of refined listening device? He had better hearing than a submarines sonar. He knew of the ability but was always surprised whenever it came into play.
Thats it. Lets gift ourselves some camels, although Habib might disagree. You can take care of it without scaring the camels, right?
The captain ordered ten immediate deaths as easily as ordering sliced cucumbers.
Bien, no problem. Black Mamba took out his Pamus from his backpack.
The Dragunov emitted loud noises despite its silencer. A Pamus shot was 100 decibels. With a silencer, it could be lowered to 60 decibels. Sixty decibels was the sound of day-to-day conversations. It wouldnt even be heard 650 feet away.
He saw Ombuti when he climbed up the rock and sand hill.
Ombuti, who was looking through his night goggles, smiled, which indicated that he had been expecting Black Mamba.
Ombuti, how good is a camels hearing?
Ombuti glanced at the thick silencer that was on the Pamus barrel. A camel is stupid. Its sensitive and calm, but fierce in temper. Its sensitive to sounds and vibrations, while stunned before lights and movements. Its hearing is far better than a humans, but it wouldnt move at the sound of a silenced Pamus 650 feet away.
Good. Wouldnt they be surprised if the people riding them fell or started spouting blood everywhere?
It will be surprised if said person shouts. It wouldnt be surprised at some falling or bleeding. With your skills, Wakil, wouldnt you be able to finish them all off in three seconds?
If I crush their occipital brains and cerebellums, they wont be able to shout. I need to prepare.
The young Korean and old Tuareg warrior talked of murder as though they were talking about the weather. This was the land of savages, the Sahel of Africa.
His front view was an open desert.
The camel scouts moved in a line arrogantly. It was a simple row from Black Mambas position in front of them. They were arranged efficiently to be shot consecutively.
Cling Cling
He pressed on the inserted magazine with his thumb to check the condensed force. He pressed several times with his fingers before taking out two bullets.
Click
The magazine clicked into place with a small sound.
A 30-bullet Pamus magazine was sometimes given with messed-up springs. If the spring didnt push up the bullets with precision, a misfire was bound to happen.
It was a rare occurrence, but small details in sniping could come back as critical mistakes. It was one of the reasons why snipers favored stability more than performance.
When he pulled on the loading handle, the clunk of metal retreated, causing the bullet to fall into place softly.
Clack
The chunk of metal fell back, and the chamber opened. It was ready to kill.
A first-rate sniper was someone who prepared. Such snipers searched, checked, and confirmed ones conditions, including weather, environment, and the targets movements. An able sniper didnt have words like luck or coincidence in their dictionary.
Black Mamba, who was pulling the camouflage over his gun barrel, twitched. A black scorpion climbed slowly out of its hiding place. It had raised its front claws and was raising its tail. A sense of challenge and blood lust radiated off of the little guy.
The scorpion spun around in front of his nose with its tail in the air. These were the exact movements scorpions made before attacking. It was small, but it was poisonous. Black Mamba slowly pulled out a hand dart.
However, the scorpion had had no interest in Black Mamba.
It had been aiming for a large beetle that was climbing out of the ground. Losing interest in interfering with a battle of survival, he pushed his dart back into its pouch. An animal hunted for its own survival, and humans hunted their own in case others interfered with their comfort. Humans simply had to hunt humans, while scorpions hunted scorpions.
Chapter 104 - Episode 2: Counterattack
The greatest piece of knowledge that Black Mamba had gained at sniper training was his logical and critical point of view. Black Mamba already had a strong mentality. He had learned the necessity of maintaining his cold judgement, therefore applying that point of view with patience to dissect a situation by logical means.
There was a sniper, too, in a herd of lions. The sniper in hiding waited until its friends herded their prey into its range. When the prey entered its range of target, it ended the preys life cleanly, at once.
The hunter queen, the female lion who made the kill, was the true commander of the group.
The male lions were simply the doormen who created the atmosphere, a necessary son-in-law necessary to spread sperm. The hunter queen of a lion herd wasnt someone who was large and fierce, but someone who could wait.
Black Mamba waited until the sacrifices full front was revealed. Getting rid of ten moving targets on a camel was as easy as eating ten pieces of chicken off of a skewer at once. The only problem was getting rid of them secretly so that the camels werent startled.
The first camel came to the targeting point his brain had memorized. It was barely 650 feet away. As if in a trance, he pulled the trigger without a moments hesitation.
His advanced sight registered the bullets shooting mechanism in real time.
The back of the casing casket, which was detonated by suppression, exploded. The charge inside the shell ignited with the shock, and a massive gas pressure of 1,700 joules pushed the bullet out. The bullet, which rotated two and a half rounds following the third lines groove, escaped the barrel.
The notion of shooting a human had long disappeared. The consciousness of murder itself had disappeared. It was as the captain had said: there was simply a target and an enemy.
The pressure of having to make a clean shot, the intent to kill, the guilt of killing, everything had disappeared. He became the gun, the wind, and the target.
Black Mamba had entered the mindless level of a sniper, which was said to be a snipers final evolution. No, it was the mindless stage of becoming one with nature. He had simply ridden himself of the last of his distaste. Mindless peace also meant mindless murder. How horrible was it for the murderer to not even register the murder!
Bang
A weak sonic boom exploded.
The head of the soldier on the rear camel swung back. The bullet had dug accurately through the pressure point located at the back of his ears. The bullet, which went through the medulla and diencephalon, flipped once inside the cerebrum. The corpse, whose soul had left for the other world the moment the bullet entered its brain, collapsed onto the camel. It was a silent kill, to the letter. The camel didnt even blink. The 0.21-inch NATO bullet was an enhanced piercing bullet in exchange for its impact technicalities. The impact the sacrificed received was as small as its width.
The damage of impacting and piercing bullets depended on the situation. On average, bullets with a larger width caused more severe damage at close range, while bullets with a smaller width caused more severe damage in long-range attacks. This was also an important reason behind the large bullet sizes of close-range weapons.
Bang, bang, bang
The camel-riding soldiers fell in a row, from back to front. Camel caravans moved in a line following the head. The intention of this formation was to avoid sandstorms.
In Black Mambas point of view, they were ten targets lined up in equal distances. It had taken three seconds for the first camel soldier to collapse silently. Seven had collapsed on the camels, while three had fallen from their camels backs.
The Habib scouting team left for Allahs side without knowing the reason, side by side. Not one out of the ten had been able to shout. The camels, as Ombuti had explained, didnt care about the humans deaths. Nodding, they walked as they had before.
Wow! That was perfect, Ombuti shouted before running down the dune.
The black scorpion similarly finished its hunt.
The beetle, which was clasped between the scorpions front claws, resisted until its wings buzzed and tore. The end of the scorpions tail dug deeply into the beetles exposed back.
The beetle, which had been rather lively in its resistance, immediately cowed. The scorpion ate the still beetle raw. The six legs that had been kicking in the air lost their strength and fell limp.
The survival of the fittest happened anywhere as long as life existed.
Whether it involved animals or plants, living things fought for their lives. They pushed away their competitors, gained their own territory, and were unable to escape the fate of killing other living things or being killed by others.
The creation of order between living beings was an extremely natural phenomenon. The debate of cruelty and pity were only pieces of emotion that a beings central consciousness created.
It was the same for humans. Human race and organizations evolved through survival. Their structure evolved while they were struggling to survive.
Black Mamba looked down at his Pamus, which was still smoking. He had inherited it from Chartres. He grabbed its butt and shoved the barrel into the ground. The Pamus dug deeply into the sand.
Tap
He punched the last length of the gun, forcing it to disappear deep into the ground.
Im sorry for straining you. Rest well. Namuamitabul! He recited the Buddhist scripture as though he was praying for Chartres in the guns funeral.
The magazine he had just used had been the last Pamus magazine.
There was no pickup. Their situation wasnt advantageous to carrying around a gun they couldnt use immediately.
Wakil, Ive finished polishing it.
Ombuti pushed an AK47 forward. The scratched gun glinted and shone. He had even removed the dust that had filled its cracks with a needle. Black Mamba, who had been looking at the gun, raised his thumb. Ombuti giggled, revealing his teeth.
Theres no difference between an AK or Pamus, but having no silencers going to be a problem.
He had said there was nothing different, but an AK47s precision was 5MOA. The gun was extremely lacking from a snipers standpoint.
The AK47, which the Soviet Union had created and released in masses, had become a bestseller among communist countries, Africas third world countries, and guerrilla armies. The AK, which only had eight separating parts, was well-constructed and had less need for minor fixtures.
An AK47 was much better suited for a desert environment than a Pamus.
It rarely broke, as it had large attaching parts and simple constructions. The 0.3-inch bullet similarly had a good firing rate. On the other hand, its recoil was severe, and its accuracy was lacking.
In detail, its mechanics were 1MOA, or Minute of Angle, referring to the mechanic precision of creating one-inch visibility of a target within 100 yards, which was 300 feet.
This meant that an AK47 could make a five-inch object visible within 300 feet. The MOA was a unit of measurement.
An AK47 appeared as 15MOA in 1,000 feet. That meant, in a 1,000-foot shooting, the target was 381mm. It also meant that there was no use in targeting a target beyond 300 meters.
An MOA represented the mechanical precision of shooting when all conditions were perfect. If there was even a 15-inch misjudgment in the MOA, it meant a 3.2-foot to 6.5-foot inaccuracy with even the most trained sniper.
This also meant that when a trained sniper targeted a chest 1,000 feet out of range, the bullet either went over the targets head or landed on the ground.
It was, in a word, a gun bought for cheap pleasures, but this wasnt the time to be picky about cold or hot meals. There were many armies who bore grudges and wished to drink the mercenaries blood. Their magazine supply kept decreasing, while their enemies increased. They were in a situation where they had to thank Allah for even the cheapest of AKs.
Ombutis previous work had been heading a camel caravan.
He took a sweep before finding the head camel. Ombuti grinned widely after they recovered the ten nostalgic ships of the desert.
There were two reasons behind the camels nickname being ships of the desert.
First, before cars were created, the sole transportation method of the desert was camels. Second, the camels swayed from side to side as they walked. Their manner of walking resembled the swaying of a boat as the rows were pulled from front to back.
Camels were animals adjusted to the deserts climate. They could sustain themselves for a week without food or water using the water stored in their fat lumps and muscle pockets.
They could also decrease their water usage by altering the amount they sweat.
There was also a strange physical ability. While a camels body temperature could rise to 114 degrees, its brain temperature didnt rise over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. This meant that it could move normally in high-temperature environments, unlike humans.
Humans brain temperatures rose with their body temperatures. This was the same for other animals. When a humans body temperature reached 107 degrees, the protein that made up the brain became roasted like tofu, then a fatal situation, a loss of brain function, caused immediate death.
Most hospitals indoor temperatures were limited at 107 degrees. Any temperature above that was useless for humans.
Another physical ability of the camels was their mouths. Their lips, which were as hard as rocks, allowed them to eat cacti with sharp thorns. They even crunched on acacia leaves. It was basically an equal-opportunity eater of the desert.
A grown camel could carry 440 pounds of weight and move over 37 miles. This was due to its special physical abilities and strong body that was adjusted to the desert. The Bedouin called camels Ata Allah, which meant Gods gift. Of course, they were only Gods gift to humans, not from the camels point of view.
In the camels point of view, humans wouldnt be considered Gods gift as much as a devils curse. Humans were demon-like existences that made them work and peeled their skin to make tents after they died. On top of that, humans drank the blood from their main veins when they were in trouble.
Frankly, camels were much lazier and pickier than cows or horses.
When they were saddled with heavy loads, they caused a ruckus, and they didnt like to move once they were kneeling. Ones with particularly fiery tempers spat saliva that smelled pungent. Of course, the critiques of their lazy and temperamental personalities were from humans.
It was different for the camels.
Humans weighed them down with heavy objects, then made them walk through the blazing heat of the sun with whips. They were obviously prone to anger, but then the humans complained that they had bad personalities or that they didnt listen.
Ombuti grabbed the leash of the head camel.
Eeeehng!
Seven followed, while the other three didnt. Ombuti, who looked carefully at the other three, shoved the barrel of a Pamus into the largest of the threes temple and pulled the trigger.
Thud. The poor animal fell to the ground. Ombuti dragged the head camel as though nothing had happened. The other two meekly followed the group.
Ombuti lowered the sheepskin water pouch saddled on the camels back. When he opened the lid, the strong smell of alcohol wafted out. Ombuti whooped in delight.
These b*stards, what a great gift youve given us! Im so thankful. The FROLINATs are good guys once you get to know them.
He was so overjoyed that he called his sworn enemies good guys in a flabbergasting comment.
Ombuti took out a wooden cup from his breast pocket. Wakil, take a sip.
You go first. In Korea, the elder always goes first. Black Mamba waved his hand.
He had lived in a society where age mattered the most in a social environment, so he found Ombutis politeness overbearing.
Then Ill check if its drinkable. Ombuti considered it confirmation of the drinks safety.
Ah! Its great.
Ombuti drank roughly until his throat was filled before passing the alcohol pouch over. Black Mamba received the pouch and handed it to the captain. There was no such thing as the youngest drinking first in Korea.
This isnt the alcohol that those beggars drink, right?
The captain tilted his head after a glug. Maybe this is Arrack?
Ho! Ombuti was slightly surprised at the captains conclusion. Arrack was the finest alcohol within the Sahel region. It was made from distilled alcohol of date palms, and not even the tribes of Sahel drank Arrack unless they were wealthy or of a higher rank.
Right. This isnt something those b*stards would drink. They probably attacked a caravan and looted it.
Ombuti pointed at two camels who were similarly saddled with baggage.
Those two are from a different herd.
Hm, they killed a caravan and stole their camels and valuables.
Right. Caravans fear those b*stards more than robbers, but these are now our possessions, so have a sip.
Ombuti filled the cup once more before offering it.
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Chapter 105 - Chapter 14, Episode 3: Counterattack
Black Mamba reached for the drink carelessly and frowned.
His throat was on fire. The sensation lasted for over 50 seconds. The shock was as great as his senses sensitivity. Ombuti hurriedly passed him a piece of chocolate. Ombuti was someone who had successfully transitioned from a Tuareg warrior to an accompanying servant.
Its like a high-quality whiskey. No smell, cleanits good alcohol.
He had almost coughed, but he managed to praise the liquor with a straight face. A man was all about bluffing to retain their pride. His master had also taught him never to forget bluffing.
Ironically, palm wines werent made out of palm trees. It was made out of fermented date palm sap. The sap was gathered by creating knife slashes on the bark of an old date palm tree. In the end, it wasnt wine, but a sap beverage.
Arrack was made from a distiller called Arrabak, which distilled the palm wine. Arrack meant sweat in Arabic. It was called as such because of the way the wine dripped drop by drop when it was distilled, like sweat. It could be seen as a similar structure to Koreas soju distiller, which made soju out of distilled makgeolli.
The amount of Arrack that was produced from 20 pounds of palm wine was four pounds. Ombuti was right to be overjoyed, having procured three pouches of such rare Arrack alcohol.
Ombuti clicked his tongue after rummaging through the bag on the camels back.
Captain, its a camels date palm.
The merchant must be buried in the desert then. The army of those dirty people! Jang Shin gritted his teeth.
Its nothing to be surprised about. The Sahel is lawless. We might have provoked the FROLIANT too much this time A shadow fell over Black Mambas face.
It was probable that the weaker the FROLINATs united front became, the more violent the Peoples Army (FAP) would become as they attempted to increase their sphere of power. They were taking the shortcut to destruction, but the locals would be dragged into unspeakable pain for the duration of that time.
A dried date palm was called a camels date palm in northern Africa. Aside from being a high-quality snack, it was also used as a substitute for a meal. They were imported to Europe in great quantities.
Ombuti was happy.
The Arrack and camels date palms were the alcohol and food that the Tuareg Tribe considered the best. He was but a helpless desert man.
Wakil is someone who brings about fortune. Allah has sent us food and drinks.
F*ck fortune Black Mamba smiled bitterly at Ombutis cheer.
That they were bringing about fortune was quite a thing to say to someone who had no luck at all!
Fortune was an impossible thing. If luck had been with him, how could he have lost his mother and turned his back on his hometown? Why would he have been ripped from his most beloved person to the other side of the world? Why would he be murdering people in a foreign land thousands of miles away? The servants words only caused chaos in his head.
When Ombuti appeared with nine camels in tow, the camp came alive. They were about to run a full course marathon to Paya. The mercenaries, who had managed to avoid becoming wasted, were energized.
Lets go!
Chop, chop!
They looked as though they were about to race to Paya on the camels right away.
Black Mamba missed Burimer and Chartres. They acted as the balancers of the team and directed the teams conversations. He didnt know about the rest of those who remained, but he was certainly missing those empty positions.
It was said that Habibs mansion was the third armys control tower. Destroying the mansion meant wiping out their most evil force, the third army. It was the most efficient way to open up the net and drag them out.
But his team members were too tired.
Their battle abilities were 30 percent of their average. Black Mamba decided to move by himself. He could take two boxes of grenades and shake them over the mansion like he had with the third command post. His comrades were his companions and a burden. If he ran around by himself, he could finish matters more quickly.
Captain, Ill take care of Habib by myself. You just wait.
No, we cant send you there alone. Were the Deuxieme Rep, disagreed the captain strongly.
There was no way Habibs mansion security was relaxed, and Black Mamba was the core of their team. He had nearly driven himself crazy waiting for the battle of Er Ekdim to come to a close with his insides burning. He never wanted to go through an experience like that again.
Mike, Bell Man, Emil, and Jang Shins expressions looked unnatural, too. It looked as though their pride had taken a blow.
Black Mamba, youre not making sense. Didnt you lose Ahmud when you were wiping out the third command post last time?
Yeah, we cant trust you. You might lose Habib.
Right. Youre just a strong man. You dont have a very meticulous nature.
Unreasonable criticism poured out as though they had been waiting for their chance.
Black Mamba yielded as he scratched the back of his head. He felt as though they would resort to stronger measures if he stayed stubborn.
Wait. We cant just leave when there are good wine and food. We still have five hours until daybreak, Ombuti argued with logic.
What does camel meat taste like? Bell Man licked his lips.
Its a mix of beef and pork. Its softer than lamb and has a lot of nutrients.
That means its the best. Jang Shin, what are you doing?
Jang Shin sent a worried gaze at Black Mamba and the large creature at Bell Mans urging. Perhaps he could cut it with a Wang Mi Za, the largest kitchen knife company in China, or a long knife, but he didnt dare begin disassembling a structure nearing one ton with just a dagger.
Black Mamba took out his kukri and stepped forward.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on the animal. The image of the animals bones, muscles, nerves, and veins surfaced in his head. Perhaps it was his legendary butchery skill? He numbered the order of cuts in his head.
Slash
With a flash of the blade, the animals head fell off, and its limbs fell apart.
Schink, schink, schink
The blade glinted some more.
The mercenaries who were watching widened their eyes. Using a cow as his basis, the sirloin, tenderloin, chop ends, and ribs fell out in clean cuts.
Its 22 pounds per part. Try your best, he said as he wiped the blood on his kukri on the camels skin. He turned to Jang Shin.
Black Mamba, when we return, lets quit being mercenaries and set up a butcher shop.
At Bell Mans comment, Emil, who had zoned out, sighed deeply. Damn it, this is why I dont like Black Mamba. There are endless possibilities for him even if he does stop being a mercenary.
Emil, stop roasting him and take out the liver. Jang Shin raised his knife and dug in.
They werent in a good situation, but there was wine, and meat as an accompanying dish. There were stars in the sky and a fire pit crackling in the desert. Glasses were exchanged, and secret conversations went back and forth.
Emil, are you full?
Im stuffed.
Jang Shin, think you can manage a woman?
Yes sir, I think I can send her half to death.
Good, youre meant to send a woman half to death. Weve already lost five comrades to those b*stards. Mark, Miguel, Mouris, Chartres, and Burimer have already been buried in this blasted land. As you may all know, our stalker is called Habib. Habib is the one who killed five of our comrades.
Captain, unless youre running for president, lets move.
Hahaha! I prefer being a mercenary team captain who can run around rather than a president. Theres a saying that those who open the poeler, a French dish thats ruined if the lid is opened during cooking, before its done are fated to live alone for the rest of their lives. Lets not overwork ourselves. If you cut the head of a snake off, its tail simply flops around no matter how big the body might be. Lets go send that stalker b*stard to hell.
According to saying, a cornered rat would bite back. The Ratel team wasnt a rat but a fierce badger.
On day 31 of Mission Raccoon, the captain was the only one who had experience riding a camel.
Nothing had to be said for rookies Emil and Jang Shin, but Bell Man and Mike were also inexperienced. The Arabian romance in which a couple ran off into the sunset on camels was just that, a movie.
Mike, Bell Man, Emil, and Jang Shin had to take a rudimentary riding lesson for a day. Emil and Jang Shin frothed at the mouth due to Ombutis harsh training. Bell Man and Mike also gave their all on the crazed camels backs to the point that they looked pitiful.
There was no problem for Black Mamba. His problem was over the moment he grabbed the stubborn camels jaw and glared into its eyes.
By the time the sun began to set, a camel caravan began to cross the Djourab Erg. The four beginners wore dark expressions. Ombuti had said that it was similar to riding a woman, but that had been a lie.
A woman moved according to rhythm, but a camel only moved according to its walk. Their butts and waists were wasted at the camels uneven rolling and pitching in a strange rhythm.
The camels were as arrogant as they looked.
When they were angered, they spat a bucket of saliva before revealing their teeth, rolling back their front lips. They raised their heads and looked down over their chests. It was a posture and look that picked fights.
Mike received a shower of spit after hitting the camels mouth with his palm. The smell of a camels spit was horrendous. Mike had even pulled out a gun at the shower. Others also wanted to shoot the camels they were on and walk instead.
Their trip to Paya lasted longer, as they had to move around the locals and work with the camels at the same time. They were at the point of hiring an animal trainer.
Black Mamba was a martial arts practitioner who had mastered the art of balancing. A moving camels back was nothing compared to the tree bark that shook in a torrent of water. The camel and human moved in sync, as though they had been glued together.
The mercenaries glared at Black Mamba with a mix of respect and envy.
You b*stards, do you know the logs down Mount Chun Saengs river? Try spending half a day on the top of one of those trees.
Hey Black Mamba, how did you do it? Bell Man asked during a break.
Ombuti and the captain were people who had rode a camel before, but not Black Mamba. They found Black Mamba, who treated his camel like a puppy, amazing.
Whether its a human or animal, its all about the carrot and the stick.
Whats the carrot, and whats the stick?
Didnt Ombuti teach you? If you want to get closer to it, scratch under its chin. Brush its fur, and massage its leg muscles.
I see.
Emil, who was listening in, received a spray of spit after scratching the camels chin. Bell Man rolled to the ground after receiving a kick from the camel for attempting to massage its legs.
Ha, fcking sht!
There was no way a temperamental camel would shake its tail for a few pets. The only reason the camel listened to Black Mamba was that it had been cowed by the exuding killing intent.
Black Mamba knocked on the camels head and gave it a handful of dates. The camel, who brightened up, lowered its head and tapped on Black Mambas chest with its neck. The smelly saliva was rubbed onto his front.
Wow! Wakil, when did you learn how to train a camel? Ombuti asked in surprise.
I didnt. Is this a female? It seems to like me.
Hahaha, its a female. It seems like it recognizes its Wakil.
Even the stupid camel showed happiness at receiving food from someone who had given it a fright. There was nothing different between a human and an animal.
The sound of the empty, vast land was the same over timewild animals howling from afar, camels huffing and puffing, teammates complaining of stress, and the wind ripping through the empty lands, shaking the silent world.
The brown land shook at a long hyena howl that seemed to shatter the moon before it settled back down. He recalled the wolf couple who had once walked near the bridge underneath the bright moonlight. They were those who used to be uncaring, whether he followed them around or not. Compared to the hyenas, how noble and calm the wolves were!
In the middle of the night, a mist of the milky way was strewn largely across the sky. The cold lands increased the brightness of the moonlight. The red halo surrounding the half-moon conquered the skies. The stars that were suppressed by it bubbled like boiling water.
By the time they passed Djourab Erg and neared Paya, the ground shook ominously.
A storm is coming. At Black Mambas warning, the mercenaries strung their litams around their heads and took out their goggles as one. A storm was pushing down from the northeast. Sand and dried grass were swirling in the air.
The stars blinked, hidden behind the wind. This was a literary description. Frankly, the sand was blocking the view of the stars. The grains of sand that were carried by the wind were as small as flour, invisible to the eye.
The red sand moved underneath the red moonlight. Ombuti made the camels kneel in a circle to block the wind. If there hadnt been a storm, it would have been an enjoyable night stroll.
Chapter 106
Ssssst
Would even a devils cry be as horrible as this?
The sandstorm covered their world.
Pull the tarp over you and burrow underneath the camels belly! Ombutis shout was carried away by the wind.
Black Mamba, who recalled the way he had been overrun by grasshoppers, immediately borrowed the camels protection.
Woooooo Woooo
The sound of the wind and the weight of the sand pressing upon him forced him to recall the moment he was attacked by pebbles for an hour in a bout of deja vu.
Sssssss
The storm was as fast as it was fierce and ended quickly.
Sand-covered men began to wriggle out from underneath the camels.
F*cking hell.
Gargling and sputtering, Emil began to spit out the rough sand without a thought.
Metallic elements are mixed into the northern Saharas sands. Your hair condition will become worse with an increase of testosterone, didnt you know?
What, Ill become bald? Surprised at what Bell Man had said, Jang Shin took out his comb.
Theres nothing that leads to a humans worthlessness more!
All Black Mamba could feel after climbing out of the sand was emptiness. Humans were nothing but creatures who hid underneath the sand, even when acting out, with a single sign of a sandstorm.
The huge amount of sand began to thin. The stars were revealed as though a curtain had been drawn. Soon, the skies were filled with stars once more. It was the scene of stars which reached from horizon to horizon. The endless scene was brief, but something that engraved itself into the network of neurons in their brains. How minor was the humans fight, when they were as small as dust and unable to live beyond a hundred! Black Mambas resonance wavered automatically.
The fake camel caravan arrived in Paya after two in the morning. They had wasted six hours trying to cross 118 miles due to the four inexperienced riders who fought with their camels the entire way.
They were chilly to the point that their shaking looked pitiful. When night fell in a desert, the temperature decreased exponentially. The Saharas winds, which were below 50 degrees, stole their body heat away continuously. While Black Mamba enjoyed the Sahel night atmosphere, the mercenaries who had fought against the cold with bitterness took a turn for the worse. Humans definitely had to be talented in order to do anything.
Ombuti led the group to a large brick storage house at the edge of Paya. It was a proper building made of red bricks. One side of the wall had collapsed, but it was large enough for ten camels and more. It was also free from outsiders eyes, as it was built far from the other locals houses.
You have an amazing place.
It was thanks to my Ummah friends. This is a date palm warehouse that was built in the colonial era.
Chad was riddled with outside influences ever since it declared its independence in 1960. It didnt have the money, time, or skills to construct new buildings, so all the buildings that remained standing in Paya were from the colonial times. Only the poor regions multiplied after its independence. In that perspective, Korea was an amazing country.
Jang Shin, I need hot soup.
At Mikes urging, Jang Shin moved his frozen body. Jang Shin had been given the cooks position, although it wasnt his specialty. It was because of the common misconception that Chinese people were all cooks.
Jang Shin began to boil the soup for his frozen comrades. Whether it was fortunate or not was up in the air, but Jang Shin was a creative cook.
He sliced the camel meat in pieces and added several other preserved foods to make the soup. A lizards head and leaves floated around in it, while a caterpillar revealed its flaky form.
Ha, I finally feel like Im alive again. Thanks, Jang Shin. The captain raised his thumb as he blew on the hot soup.
There arent any explosives in there, right? Hehehe! Emil joked as he chewed on the caterpillar.
Jang Shin was perhaps the most indispensable member of the mercenaries who were abandoned in the Sahel. He never threw away the plastic packs and plastic spoons that came with their supplies. He didnt even throw away the bullet boxes.
He often grabbed plants, insects, and reptiles and even stored smelly caterpillars and herbs in the containers. Like the southern Chinese man he was, he fried, steamed, and cooked dishes using insects and reptiles as ingredients without reservations.
No one complained about the scorpion stir-fry, lizard meat, fried beetles, or ant stir-fries that Jang Shin handed out. They were just glad that Jang Shin didnt hand out worm pastes or fried flies. Even Ombuti raised both hands in a surrender at Jang Shins creative and provoking ingredients. Even the wild cook of the bridge, Mu Ssang, lowered his head before the true master.
Their roles had also increased with the loss of more members.
Mike took care of the supplies, while Bell Man acted as the captains advisor. Emil and Jang Shin took care of the spare work and cooking, respectively. Black Mamba was in an entirely different category of his own.
Around four in the morning, Ombuti returned from his meeting with the Ummah.
There were many people from several levels of society in the Ummah he was involved in. The information he gained was immense.
Ombuti began his explanation while drawing with a stick on the ground.
Habibs mansion is located in Ecole Mosque. Its a 30-minute walk from here. The mansions lands are over 15,000 square feet. Its main house is a white two-story Romanesque building. Theres a large open corridor near the front of the two-floor building. The second from the right is Habibs office and bedroom.
There are two other buildings opposite the main building.
One of the single-story buildings is used as the living space for subordinates and guards, while the smaller one is used as housing for the house managers. There are guards living on the first floor of the main house, too. Theres a swimming pool and shooting range inside the mansion. The walls surrounding the mansion, made of red brick, are ten feet high. The front gate is made of 0.7-inch iron plates. The sentries make rounds every 15 minutes. Theres a 690-foot-wide grass field from the outer wall to the mansion. These arent good conditions for an invasion.
What an amazing mansion. That field of grass is going to be a problem.
We just need to get all the guards first, Mike shot down Bell Mans worries.
Whats the number of guards?
Theres 70 guards living there and around ten guard dogs. Theres a machine-gun post on the roof of the main building and another at the front of their driveway.
Wow, theres no other fortress like it, Jang Shin exclaimed.
Hes an evil man, so he cares much about his own safety. Habib is a confirmed racist. He thinks of anyone other than Arabs as slaves.
The captain analyzed the combat powers of the Ratel team and Habibs side. Combat power was a theory that the German-invading forces came up with during WWII. It measured the amount of compatibility the invading forces had with the mission.
It decided the compatibility in consideration with all of the following components: region, natural occurrences, time and place, capability of close-range invasions, and more.
A battlefield combat power analysis attempted to establish an optimal operation plan by comparing the allied combat power and the enemys combat power by considering the terrain and natural conditions. In conclusion, the combat power analysis was made to obtain the maximum effect at the lowest cost.
The captain had made his name at the officer school and become a veteran through many Deuxieme Rep lessons and battles. He was someone who had achieved the height of analyzing combat powers.
He had suffered through several crises due to his straightforward nature, but he was a talented commander. The Ratel teams survival had been thanks to Black Mambas combat ability and the captains cold-blooded battlefield analysis.
There were many strategists who could use the surrounding nature in a better method and alter the time and place to ones advantage to lead a disadvantageous battle to victory. One such representative battle was general Yi Sun Shins Battle of Myeongnyang and Zhuge Liangs Battle of Red Cliffs.
Yi Sun Shin and Zhuge Liang were both talented combat power analysists.
On the other hand, the Gyeongsang armys left commander, Huwan, and right commander, Minyoung, who had died in the Battle of Ssang Ryeong, were the worst commanders and sucked at battlefield analysis. The Battle of Ssang Ryeong was a good example of a blind battle, where the invader had no knowledge of the enemy, ally, terrain, or weather.
The captain clapped his hands.
Attention. Weve already killed enemies in the hundreds. These 70 scarecrows arent a problem. Their reinforcements are the problem. How much time do you think wed have until the reinforcements move?
The Tibesti Region is under Tombyes authority. Tombye, whos the chairman of the dovish faction of the National Liberation Front, resides in his mansion at Paya Largo. Theres a second command post near the outer airfield. Itll take thirty minutes for their reinforcements to move out after making contact.
Ombutis answer made the captains face brighter.
That would be enough. Hows the security around here?
If youre talking about the FAPs control, its good. Theres no one who acts out under their rule, after all. Theres not a single person out on the streets after sunset, Ombuti said snidely.
Thats the desired situation.
Captain, lets make a plan. Too many words cause too many dreams, and too many dreams make a plan go to ruin. Mike hurried.
Yes. But we should first decide whether we should shatter them in a grand gesture or just take out Habib.
Since were doing this to divert their attention, we should break as much as we can. We should shatter it so that they come to their senses, Jang Shin said, befitting his nickname as the Explosions Devil.
Those who agree with Jang Shins plan?
Everyone nodded.
Black Mamba smiled secretively and didnt open his mouth.
The captain had purposefully led the teams consensus to causing a ruckus. In a logical plan, he would have silently assassinated Habib by himself and sent a box of grenades as a gift.
But he understood the captains intentions.
Habib was a great sacrificial gift. The captain was attempting to relieve the grudges of their team members who had died.
Their cause may have been too weak for this to be called revenge.
While the Ratel team had suffered five losses, the enemy had suffered over a thousand deaths. Humans were emotional creatures as much as they were logical. Ones own swelling finger was more painful than anothers chest pain. Numbers were just numbers. That was why wars never ended in the human world.
Great, lets smash things up. Jang Shin, how much extra support fire do we have?
We have six rounds of 3.3-inch M2CGs, 20 grenades, and 40 rifle grenades.
And a Soviet grenade launcher?
Were out of those grenades.
Hm! At Mikes answer, the captain turned to look at Black Mamba, who was smiling.
Black Mamba was someone who understood his thoughts like a mind-reader.
Their supporting firearms had turned into a burden thanks to their vehicles breaking down. Since they couldnt throw them away, they could bury them all in there and recover the back-up weapons theyd hidden at Tanga.
Thats enough. Well bury everything and run to Tanga. Jang Shin and Bell Man will be Alpha. Jang Shin, youll break the main building and guard posts with a recoilless cannon and break the front gate. Bell Man, youll cover Jang Shin with a machine gun. Bravo will be me and Mike. Mike and I will throw grenades at the guards blocks. Gamma will be Black Mamba and Emil. Black Mamba, youll focus on long range shooting. Emil will wipe out the escaping guards with your Minimi. Well all pour in with the cannons front gate gunning as our signal. Black Mamba, you should clear the machine gun front first. Any questions?
Do we enter the mansion? Mike asked with an agreeable air.
No entry. Were snipers, not stealth agents. Black Mamba will snipe while we support, so everything will be wiped out cleanly without the need to enter.
Ombuti spoke up suddenly. Captain, I want to participate, too.
Surprised gazes swung onto Ombuti.
The b*stards who wiped out my village are Habib and Musta. The b*stard who raped and killed my wife and daughter was that Habib. Ive been dreaming about killing those b*stards for the past five years. Musta was killed by Wakil in Uldi Hamarl. Today, with Habibs death, my wife and daughter will be able to go to Allahs side in peace. Please.
No. If something happens to you, well all lose our way across the desert and shrivel up to die. And, as I said last time, Ombuti, youll only be a distraction on the battlefield.
The captain cut off his plea without a second thought.
Ombutis head lowered in disappointment. He also found his intention to join the battlefield quite improbable. It would be like a jackal entering a lions herd.
Black Mamba spoke up. Ombuti, I understand your wish to kill your enemy yourself. I will drag Habib to you.
Chapter 107 - Episode 5: Counterattack
Black Mamba was someone who detested rape.
His Aunt, Jang, had twisted his life by accusing him of rape. Black Mamba was someone with a grudge embedded in his bones on top of the suspicions he had about his mothers disappearance.
A rapist had to pay his sins through death. Ombutis daughter, who was raped, had only been 13 years old. He had marked Habibs name with a red marker ever since they planned their return to Paya.
The captains face grew dark.
Black Mambas declaration was something that went directly against his plans to not enter the building. This had never happened before. He was mostly just surprised.
Black Mamba, youre making things difficult.
Captain, Ive respected your position as the leader up until now, but this time its different. If you disagree, Ill execute my own mission. I will kidnap Habib and use him as a hostage.
Ugh! The captains face collapsed at Black Mambas pressure.
It was hard to ignore Black Mambas intentions, and it was hard to approve of them. Invasion, distraction, and assassination were the Deuxieme Reps specialties. They could break into a mansion with 70 guards in the span of a second. Keeping Habib as hostage was also something that could be considered, but the problem was Black Mambas safety. If something happened to him, the Ratels team return would become impossible.
Bell Man stepped up to create a consensus.
Black Mamba, well capture Habib alive. There wont be a problem as long as you watch our backs.
The mercenaries nodded as one. Having harm fall on them was better than harm falling on Black Mamba. Their possibilities of returning alive were aligned with Black Mambas well-being.
Accepted. Ill watch your backs so you can enter the mansion with ease.
Hehehe, theres nothing to fear with Black Mamba backing us up. I need to find out what Habib looks like.
At Bell Mans words, Ombuti took out a rolled piece of paper from his loose gandoura. When he rolled it open, a complicated caricature was revealed. The large star-shaped scar on his forehead was unique.
It left a strong impression of the Tibesti Arabs. The darkly burnt face, thick curls, deep-set eyes, and wide nose were traditional features of the Jerero Tribe of Tibesti.
This was drawn with a foot, Mike decided simply.
A friend who works in his gardens drew this. The drawing may as well have been drawn with a foot, but youd be able to recognize him with the scar on his forehead. That scar was probably given by my wife, who fought back with a rock when she was raped. My wife Ombuti swallowed the rest of his words. He couldnt humiliate his family any longer.
Ombuti, just you wait. Ill make sure he remains alive until hes in your hands. Ill let you destroy your enemy under Allahs name. I promise you that with my name as Black Mamba on the line, Black Mamba promised for the first time with his name.
Oh, Bismela! Allah has sent the Azrael, the angel of death, the Islamic warrior who rules over death, the salvation of God, to me. As long as Wakil has promised, Habib is finished. I am Wakils slave. My life is for you, Wakil! Salam Alleh Koom!
After finishing his speech, Ombuti jumped up and knelt down with a thud. He raised his hands into the air and gave a solemn bow with his body lowered to the ground.
Uh, what are you doing?! Surprised, Black Mamba jumped up and avoided him. He had known that Ombuti called himself his slave but had received the notion half-jokingly, thinking he would stop sometime soon. But what was this?! Something serious had happened. He felt as though a large lump was attaching itself to him.
Wakil, I promise to give all of my life to you. I will keep this promise with Allahs name! Salam Alleh Koom! Ombuti knocked his head on the floor three times.
Oh my goodness. Im twenty years old, you old man.
He had gained an old servant now. Black Mamba wrapped his arms around his throbbing head.
Ombuti couldnt see anything else besides his rose-tinted world.
The Azrael was the angel of death to his enemies, but the angel of salvation for his allies. Black Mamba was the angel of salvation Allah had sent to him to relieve his pitiful misfortune.
He had rampaged after losing his wife and daughter, blinded with revenge, but soon felt the limits of his weakness. Black Mamba had appeared when he had given up on revenge and was simply crying tears of blood. With incredible battle powers, an open heart, and strange inhumane abilities, he was the true incarnation of Azrael.
According to Allahs prophecy, he would appear when you were at your worst. Black Mamba was someone who could measure up to the Warrior Azrael, who ruled over death.
Ombuti had a traditional way of thinking, but he wasnt an idiot.
Black Mamba was someone who had wiped out the infamous FAP. The very Musta who had gained his fame under the nickname Kanma had also died in a single blow. Even the evil Colonel Ahmud had been gifted in his hands.
Black Mamba had just said that hed capture the evil spirit Habib. His revenge was finally complete. Black Mamba, who had come from a mysterious place in the East, was an amazing warrior.
Serving a great warrior benefactor who finished off their enemies was the pride and tradition of the Tuareg warriors.
The moon was in the sky. It was a very disadvantageous night for a surprise attack.
Six black shadows ran down the street like ghosts. Not even an ant could be seen on the streets, like Ombuti had said.
Se porti! (Wait!) Black Mamba stopped the group. There was a watch box 330 feet ahead with a black door. It was the first checkpoint Ombuti had mentioned. It had been disguised rashly as a normal house, but it couldnt fool Black Mambas senses.
Ill get rid of it. Black Mamba flashed, then disappeared.
He didnt want to drag the fight out. They had to crush Habib and run to Bata Province as fast as they could.
Un, deux, trois, quatre, theres four.
He was on top of an acacia tree 100 feet away from the watch box. The hidden angel of death confirmed the numbers as names to wipe off his ledger. There were two on the roof, which was raised between red bricks, and two inside.
The two guards on the roof were talking about something funny and laughing, knocking their shoulders together.
I have no personal grudge against you. Blame our meeting on us being soldiers.
Black Mamba pulled on the trigger without hesitation. Pah pah Holes appeared on their chests and foreheads. The guards eyes widened in the middle of passing time with meaningless conversations before they fell to the ground.
Black Mamba kicked off the branch he was standing on.
Rustle
Using the rebound, his body streaked across the air. He flew 100 feet before he landed on the roofs head, and from there, he landed on the roof.
Most of the houses in the area covered their rooves with woven straw. The inside of the house could be seen immediately after pushing aside some of the reeds. They had no protection against rain, as there was no rain.
He lifted the reeds aside. Two mixed Arabs in uniforms were snoring.
Pat, pat
The shadow disappeared immediately after creating holes in their foreheads.
Black Mamba who had disappeared in a flash appeared 650 feet back, below the acacia tree once more. It was a large tree, seeming to be at least 165 feet in height. The most common type of palm tree in Paya was the Royal Palm. It climbed several feet into the air without branches and reached out with thick leaves.
Black Mamba climbed the palm tree very well, despite the lack of any handles or footing. His fingers dug deeply into the sleek trunk. He pulled up as though a rope was pulling him from above and seated himself 130 feet in the air with the leaves. His movements were those that monkeys would have drooled over. There were 1,500 feet until the mansions main house, and he could see the inside clearly.
Entrance cleared. Enter after a minute. A thousand feet in. Prepare to be spotted.
Get rid of the sentry and machine guns in the front gate.
No problem. Roger that.
Habibs mansion was a mix of grand buildings and well-maintained gardens, similar to a palace. There was a fountain imitating Mount Emi Koussi in the middle of the grass.
To see a fountain in Paya, where a single drop of rain never fell! Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Fine, hed make the b*stards blood flow like a fountain, as well.
Habib was someone who shouted about sacrificing blood for his people. He was a bstard who wanted to free the hungered people from outside influences. He was the bstard who wanted to create Allahs world that was happy.
It was all rubbish. The b*stard could save several thousands of people by simply getting rid of his mansion alone. If he shared just the water he used for his garden, several farming families could avoid droughts.
Black Mamba attached the silencer to his Dragunovs muzzle. He could see the roof of the main building from his tree. The machine gun camp that was hidden behind concrete obstacles also had a searchlight.
The Ratel team had to climb 1,000 feet uphill to enter the mansion. If Ombuti hadnt gained the information, they would have become feed for the machine guns upstairs. He marked down his targets according to the watch box by the front gate, the machine gunners up on the roof, and the machine gunner near the searchlight.
The checkpoints role was to watch the road coming up to the mansion. It had to be erased first in order to conceal his comrades advances.
Clang Clang
The two guards who had their faces blown off fell back. The second targets were the machine gunners on the roof and their sub-gunners. The reason why he had climbed the tree was in order to catch those b*stards.
The dark face that filled his scope was a human who didnt know what his fate would be 0.3 seconds later. Crack- The sound of a bullet cracking a skull rang out. Sometimes, his sensitive ears were bothersome.
Black Mamba turned on his headset after getting rid of the front guards and machine gunners. He could see his comrades who were entering secretly by the walls.
Dock cleared. The bear is sleeping. Enter.
Thanks, location?
Fourteen hours, 1,600 feet back, palm tree.
Conceal yourself. Roger.
The mercenaries movements began to speed up.
There was nothing to fear now that Black Mamba had opened up a path. The mansion came into view the moment they passed the black gate.
Jang Shins energy faltered at the large mansions aura.
His stomach flipped. He could tell what kind of humans Habib and his followers were simply by looking at the luxurious mansion. Even the Deputy Director of Public Security of the Anhui Province lived in a hut compared to this mansion. How similar were these b*stards who filled their bellies by selling their peoples names?!
They charged their high-speed missile 500 feet from the black gate, using the 84mm anti-tank gun. The 3.3-inch M2CG was the second improved version of Calgustaps recoilless cannon. In addition to the melded gunpowder used in anti-tank weapons, it could be used exclusively with normal high explosives.
The recoilless gun was beginning to retreat after the emergence of RPGs in Europe and the US. On the other hand, it was still beloved in Africa and Asia for its cheapness.
A pair of slitted eyes glared at the iron doors that stood still. The b*stard who had run Hou Ing, his wife, over with his car, the same Public Security Head Chief who had stolen his son, his house was similarly large and black.
Jang Shin had the second highest kill count after Black Mamba.
If Black Mamba was the nightmare of battlefields, he was the Explosives Devil of them. After running around the rough Sahel for a month, being chased and killing, all he had left in him were killing intentions. And the mansion in front of his eyes was evil. The Habib b*stard in that mansion was the evil one who had bothered them all.
Crash
The reason why Jang Shin had brought his recoilless cannon was because of its strong warhead. The M2CG warhead was three times more explosive than an RPG7. The front gate, which was made of 0.7-inch double iron plates, turned into a piece of tissue paper.
The iron gate crinkled apart like a Styrofoam panel with a single blow of the high explosive. The two guards who were wrapped into the explosion also flew into the air.
The mansion that received the sudden attack buzzed to life. Guards and armed soldiers burst out like a swarm of bees. Some of them ran to the main building, while the others made a fan position to guard the surroundings. The mansion soon turned into an invaded chicken coop with the sounds of explosions, guns, emergency bells, and shouts.
Thats right. All the honey bees should come out at the sight of a hornet.
Clang, clang, clang Clang, clang, clang
It was three-tap sniping. Black Mambas Dragunov began to spit fire as though it had been waiting.
The guards who had been watching the premises fell like dominoes and buried their heads into the ground.
The grass turned red.
Sniper!
Lock down, lock down!
Chapter 108 - Episode 6: Counterattack
The guards who were swept back in a fierce tide began to enter the building once more in a rush. They looked like ducks being chased by a temperamental dog. When blood began to spurt out of those who fell behind, they started to push and pull at each other, reaching the height of chaos.
Emil and Bell Man, who had entered the building, were worried. The captain and Mike, who were meant to be supporting them from the back, were silent.
This was their chance to batter the guards who Black Mamba had herded into the building in one fell swoop. If the guards regained their senses, they would be attacked in isolation.
Damn it, did they leave the machine guns to the doctor, or are they all sleeping? Bell Man complained as he rearranged his Minimi belt.
But Sergeant, you work better with a machine gun than a scalpel.
I suppose. Since theres nothing to put anyone under, after all.
Thats why people keep calling you a quack.
Yeah? Well see what happens when youre hurt.
Hm, then all I have to do is remain uninjured.
Ha, says a b*stard who shoots machine guns with his mouth.
Emil was someone who fought back word for word. His confidence had reached the ceiling after rolling around the battlefield for so long. Bell Man raised his hands in surrender, unable to get to the point.
Look, Emil, I think we rushed in too far.
Dont worry, sir. My partners watching us, Emil replied to ease Bell Mans worrying.
Black Mamba had told him to move around as he liked, so move around he would. He couldnt trust the government, but he could trust his partner.
Damn it, I should be able to see something to snipe, Mike complained.
Habibs mansion was ten to thirteen feet higher than the surrounding terrain. He wasnt able to tell what was happening over the mansions red walls, which hid what was going on.
The captains heart was racing.
The two rookies and Bell Man had moved too fast. He hadnt been able to mark the exploding point as they rushed in. He had to do that before he could move into position.
It was then that red flares were sucked into the mansion in rows.
Woah, as expected of Black Mamba!
Hes something special.
The captain and Mikes faces brightened. Those were signals Black Mamba was sending after reading the flow of the battle.
The captain and Mike began to launch their rifle grenades at the flared points. Rifle grenades had to be launched after the grenades were attached separately, then the rifle was shoved into the adapter. The launching speed was slow, but its power was two times stronger than that of average grenades.
Rifle grenades could lack accuracy, but the captain and Mike were skilled snipers. One rifle grenade was launched every ten seconds. The guards barricades and watch points, which were stacked like barracks, began to shatter.
One more, since I brought it anyways. Jang Shin launched another highly explosive grenade at the barricades.
Crash Bang
A fire broke out as the barricades crumbled.
Ya ila hi, harik! (No, fire!)
Akmidu-ilahi-ka bisruah! (Douse the fire first!)
The members in the command post and the workers who were hiding behind the barricades jumped out. The chaos reached its highest point as civilians mixed with the guards. They couldnt enter the building in fear of the explosions, and they couldnt go outside in fear of being shot.
Tatatatata
Emil and Bell Man, who were hiding behind the fountain, opened fire. Bullets didnt discriminate against their targets. Soldiers, civilians, and workers fell to the ground without fail.
The guards were busy hiding behind obstacles rather than fighting back, scattering like ants.
Damn it, the pig b*stards over there.
Eek!
Blood gushed out of a commanders temple. He was yelling while waving his curved sword in the air. The guards wouldnt be able to dream of an organized fight for as long as a sniper was in action.
Kill the heretics!
Hide, hide!
The guards who saw Emil and Bell Man began to rush forward, shooting them at random. There was no way Black Mamba would leave them be, considering the entire battle was in his sight. The advancing guards rolled around the grass, unable to last even five steps.
Sniper!
Hide!
Even the bodyguards were busy hiding.
A group of soldiers rushed out of the main building.
They were the Jerero Tribe, Habibs main bodyguards. Bullets started to pour out of the building to protect them.
The fountain began to break apart. Bell Man and Emil pulled back their heads, unable to move. Two RPG shooters aimed for the fountain in a kneeling position at their momentary ceasefire. The others rushed for the front gate and poured out their bullets together.
Black Mamba had no reason to lose a prey that had revealed itself. He sniped the RPG shooters without fail.
Agh!
A shooter who had his chest shot decided to surrender and died without pain. The other shooter wasnt as fortunate. A piece of shrapnel that had bounced off the launcher sliced off the left side of his face.
Ahh, its the Kanma!
There was no one who chose to help the guard, who rolled around the grass clutching his bloodied face. All the remaining guards were far too busy hiding themselves at the shout of Kanma.
Jang Shin, who was aiming for the main building, suddenly felt torn.
If he killed the b*stard called Habib, Black Mambas reputation would be hurt. Suddenly, a group of soldiers running towards them filled his vision.
Fine, you guys have it.
Phewwwww
A bright orange flare of light brightened the dark.
Bam
It landed between them, living up to his nickname of Explosives Devil. The shocks and flints erupted with a 65-foot radius.
Four who were in the center of the blast had their bodies ripped to shreds, while the guards on the outer ring were swept away by the aftershocks. Bang Bang The grenades with delayed explosions piled on and swept away the rest of the guards. It was the concentrated fire that the captain had emphasized.
Kanma, Kanma! hollered someone at the top of their lungs.
The remaining guards ran for their lives, hiding behind decorative rocks and trees. They were able to avoid the machine guns, but they met a worse fate. Their heads exploded from the shots that came from nowhere.
It hadnt been three minutes since Jang Shin blew apart Habibs front gate, but the guards were already on the brink of extermination. The 40 or so civilians had also died. The mercenaries attacks were swift and strong.
Craaash
The high-explosives grenade that Jang Shin had launched reached 30 feet away from Habibs office on the second floor, on the dot. A part of the second floors terrace crumbled. This was the Explosive Devils sly attack. Jang Shin was planning to lure the hyena out of its den.
Another was launched through the first-floor window.
Baaang!
Red flames began to spew out of the window. Following the recoilless cannon, rifle grenades began their concentrated fire on the main building. The guards who were watching the battle unfold plastered against the windows, and screams echoed through the explosions.
What?! Habib woke up from his drunken sleep after drinking too much Arrack.
He could hear the unending shouts and explosions.
Is this a dream?
Bang
The building shook. He could hear someones groan from afar.
What is this? Habib leaped to his feet and looked for his subordinate.
Guro! Guro!
Habibs subordinate, Sergeant Guro, was on the grass. Blood gushed out of the hole in his chest. It would be nothing but a fantasy for the sergeant, who was entering rigor mortis, to answer the call.
Where did the b*stard go?
When the gunshots and explosions continued, he picked up his rifle and slammed his way out the door. Upon walking onto the terrace, Habibs jaw hung open.
The sky was filled with explosions and gunshots. Grenades and bullets were pouring in from all ends. The searchlight was burning fashionably, illuminating all sides. Even the watch boxes were on fire, filling the air with smoke. Corpses lined the guards units and the front garden. They were all his guards.
Is this a dream?
Habib pinched his own cheek out of reflex.
It twinged. Was this reality?
It was hard to accept the scene before him. Who in all of Paya would dare attack him?!
Hamas! Hamas!
The soldier who was shooting from the terrace ran over. He was in uniform.
Sir, Im here.
Command the guards. The enemys smaller in number. Concentrate both our people and our firepower.
Captain Hamas saluted, then jumped out.
Damn it, all the useful ones are dead. Fcking Kanma. Habib gritted his teeth. All his talented commanders like Ahmud and Musta had been killed by the bstard called Kanma.
Butler, butler! There was no reply.
These b*stards, where are they all?
Habib was on the brink of going crazy.
Two corpses on the grass jumped out at him. He ran down the stairs.
Guro! Mesud!
They were his subordinate and butler.
Agh, b*stards!
There was obvious pain in Habibs scream. Both were his childhood friends, friends who had followed him out of home at the age of ten.
Habibs head began to whirl after seeing reality. Who were their attackers? He could guess a few suspects from certain leads.
Guh, Abduhl! You f*cking swine!
Habib always blamed his enemy, Abduhl, for everything. Abduhl was the main VIP of the dovish faction that Tombye led. Abduhls forces had suffered the most in his quest to track down the French special forces. He always accused Habib of intentionally wasting his forces, which was also true.
Habib, who had lost a major part of his forces to the French special forces, also whittled down his opponents army. Of the 260 who were sacrificed in the Battle of Djourab Erg, 220 were Abduhls subordinates. Abduhl had the right to rampage.
Abduhl was someone who continuously pointed out Habibs failure in the Makumbo plan at the peace conference. There was no one but Abduhl who would attack him.
The b*stard had pushed forward with a full-front assault when his claims didnt fall through.
You dirty b*stard! I wont be done in like this.
Habibs imagination didnt even consider the Ratel team. He only gritted his teeth and planned to get rid of Abduhl.
FROLINAT wasnt a coalition based on ideals and moralities In the first place. It was a gathering of combined powers, something power-hungry madmen needed. And since there was no loyalty or camaraderie, a sudden betrayal wasnt strange. Even so, he hadnt known that theyd seriously send a hitman.
That fcking sht!
The guards commander ran up to the second floor while Habib gritted his teeth. Blood was dripping down his left arm.
My Grace, you must escape.
Muhammad, who are these b*stards?
I dont know, but you must run. Theres no time, Muhammad shouted back at Habibs shout.
You rtard, get your sht together! Habib kicked Muhammad. Call the second base camp and tell them to move out.
Muhammad, who was kicked by Habib, ran to the office and picked up the phone.
Muhammad! The invaders are few in number. Tell them to send one company here, and mobilize the rest to send to Ahbdul. I dont need his corpse. Tell them to bring his head! Habib shouted.
Habib was someone who had aged on the battlefield. He could guess the number of invaders by the gunshots. There was barely a task force of invaders within his mansion, yet there were over 70 of his guards. All they had to do was press back the invaders. What he needed was Abduhls capture.
Habib had never encountered Black Mamba, leading to this miscalculation.
He had pulled the trigger on FROLINATs downfall with a single misjudgment.
My Grace, Ive reached the second base camp. Theyre sending three companies to Abduhls house, and one will arrive here in 20 minutes.
Too late, too late, tell them to get here by motorbike or camel or whatever! Habib roared back at the guard commanders report.
Whats the problem out there?
Habib opened his eyes wide. He had sent Hamas, but the explosions and gunshots hadnt lessened, unlike his hope.
Jang Shin was hiding his body in the machine gun camp in front of the searchlight. He could see Habibs outline clearly.
I suppose that b*stards the Habib guy. If not, its fine.
Psssssh
Habib threw his body to the side at the sound of a high-speed explosive.
Bang
The shell crashed through the office window, as though its entry had been measured with a ruler, and exploded inside. Habib, who was 65 feet away from the explosion, bounced out of the terrace. It was a launch to capture Habib that only Jang Shin would have been capable of.
Habib was unable to regain his senses after landing on the grass. He felt as though he was floating down amid vibrations. Habib woke himself by slapping his own cheeks harshly.
He saw an unrealistic figure of Muhammad twitching on the ground without either of his legs. Habib clenched his teeth. This had far surpassed anything his mansions guards could deal with.
He ran through the grass on his swaying legs. He could reach the underground bunker if he ran just 100 feet ahead.
An emergency bunker had been built 16 feet underground his mansion.
It had strong concrete walls that were two-feet thick and foot-thick metal doors on the outside. If he entered the bunker, he could hold out until the reinforcements arrived.
Sht. Who the fck is that b*stard?
Chapter 109 - Chapter 14 Episode 8: Counterattack
Damn it. How dare they attack one of their own?
Emil kicked the dead ratel. The kick, full of emotion, sent the corpse flying into the opposite wall.
Ombut smiled bitterly.
Haha, ratels usually feed on their own kind.
What b*stard named our team ratel then?
The Captain slapped the back of Emils head.
That b*stard is our indomitable commander Pieff.
That d*mned middle-aged pervert. Hes no help at all. I knew he was a b*stard ever since the pervert called me a little shrimp. Im the crazy one to have followed him around. Im going to shake him upside down when I get back. Black Mamba raged.
The faces of comrades who had met a pitiful death passed before his eyes. If he hadnt been recruited by Pieff, he would never have come to Chad, nor would he have endured such pain.
If ratels ate their own kind, it was the perfect name for a team that had been betrayed and stabbed in the back. He hated the pervert who gave his team its name, even more than those who wanted to kill them.
Pieff would have found the criticism unjust.
All he had intended was for the team to embody a strong life force like a ratel and return safely. He had volunteered to go to the Sahel to save them. Although the situation had turned into something more akin to torture than rescue.
This was why he had to be careful to tie up any loose ends.
Ombuti wasnt easily able to control the camels. It was the same for the mercenaries. They dodged here and there to avoid being trampled.
Its the injured ones fault! Ombuti shouted when he lost hold of his reins.
The bleeding one was causing the other camels to jump around. They were on the brink of being trampled at any moment.
Animals related to cows are usually docile. This is something else.
Black Mamba concentrated his gaze. He couldnt make out the thing that should have been between the animals legs.
He got his testicles bitten off. It has lost its testicles.
The mercenaries cringed at Black Mambas words. Even Black Mamba himself felt his lower regions flinch.
To be born a male and yet lose your testicles!
It was a horrible thing to imagine. His father had been wise. If he had attacked the badger so he could catch it, he would have ended up like that male camel.
Black Mamba looked at the castrated camel with pity in his eyes. But everything had to be wrapped up quickly so they could escape. There wasnt time to delay because of a single camel.
I feel sorry for it. But what would be the point of living without those? He murmured things that offered no reassurance and pulled out his kukri.
The large kukri drawn from its sheath exuded a calm, cold energy within the dark shed.
Namuamitabul. May you be reincarnated into a better life. Rest in peace, live in joy, and may your soul be protected.
Schiiink-
The kukri that left Black Mambas hand flew like an arrow.
Crunch-
The kukri wedged into the jumping camels temple.
It was a large kukri weighing 1.2 kilograms and was 33 centimeters in length. The end of the blade pierced the camels skull and poked out of its ear on the other side. Its motor nerves and medulla were severed immediately.
The camel had a convulsion, fell onto its front knees, and lowered its head. It was an instant death without pain.
Namuamitabul!
His heart, which had been unmoved when killing humans, twinged at the murder of an animal. Humans were truly contradictory creatures.
Amazing! Youve destroyed its medulla and cerebellum in one fatal blow. The Captain said in disbelief as he looked at the dead camel.
He was surprised, not only by the accuracy but the power which had pushed the blade through its skull. A camels skull was several times thicker than a humans. It couldnt even be pierced by a parabellum bullet.
He now understood why the guerrillas had been unable to scream before dying from Black Mambas keen blade. It had destroyed the victims motor nerves and sensory cords.
It could instead be a benevolent murder!
Perhaps Black Mamba wished to make the death painless when death was inevitable.
The mercenaries were all absorbed in their thoughts.
What amazing concentration and power! Is the strange spell hes casting from memory part of some ancient eastern martial art? Would he tell me about it if I asked him? Bell Man wondered.
Allahu akbar! My master truly has a godlike power. It is a merciful murder according to Allahs law. He increases his strength by invoking the spell of the East. Ombuti misunderstood the parting prayer.
How fierce! That b*stard wouldnt rattle on me, would he? Mike looked at Bell Mans face. Whether he was rattled or not, Sergeant Mikes worries continued.
Muslims would cut the animals throat when they went in for the kill.
Christians regarded such actions as barbaric, but such criticisms only stemmed from ignorance. It was empathy that limited the animals suffering. It was also to drain out the blood they regarded as unhygienic.
The way of killing animals described in the Koran was a compassionate one.
Make sure the animal for killing is given food and water and is in the most comfortable state before killing the animal with the sharpest weapon, in the quickest manner, to minimize the pain of death.
The way Black Mamba killed the camel was done according to the Korans teachings. But it was all beyond Ombutis understanding.
When the rampaging camel was dead, the others calmed down. Only Jang Shin and Emil ran busily around.
Wakil. Have you succeeded in your plan? Ombuti asked once everything had died down.
Theres nothing but corpses and ash in Habibs mansion.
Ya illahi! (O God!) Allahu akbar, ashukruka, ashukruka!
Ombutis head popped up like a spring.
Emil, give the head of the stalkers to Ombuti.
Emil pointed at Habib who had been thrown in a corner of the shed.
Hes over there. Weve made an effort since Black Mamba asked us to bring him back alive.
Habib!
A shout of anger, torment, and sadness sounded out. It was the sound of a soul that had survived the pain of the single purpose of revenge.
One-half of the western skies were painted orange. The upper part was bright, while the lower part was turning brown. It was the normal sunset scenery of Sahel.
A Jeep and three trucks advanced slowly over wooden panels, crushing them with the sunset in the background. It was Pieffs rescue team who had been attacked at Uldi Hamarl.
The rescue team had circled the Bodele Depression for a few days between Amju and Aodanga, pushed on by the guerrillas concealed waves of offensive. They were unable to defeat the guerrillas who jumped out of the ground like moles. It was as though they were trapped in a funnel of ghost ants.
Pieff had experienced hell these past six days. They suffered the relentless attacks of guerrillas who hid inside beats, the assassins that swarmed their camps, the intolerable temperature that shot up to 25 a day, the sand storms that came without warning, and the mosquitoes and flies that swarmed in droves. Hell was marching on.
Two kilometers ahead was an Arab lying flat on the horizon wearing a burnt yellow gandourah. It was Captain Hamas who was watching the rescue team.
Another man wearing a gandourah bent down next to him.
Hamas, where are they heading?
Hamas immediately passed him the binoculars.
Theyll camp at Er Ekdim.
Have you finished preparing the net?
Yes sir, well crowd them into Sisashat marsh.
Sisashat? Hehe, the Kanma will finally fall into this very Kikalis hands. Uhahaha!
Your attack and retreat strategy has worked, commander.
Hehe. Bodele is our front yard. Ahmud was stupid to have attacked them from the front when they have better firepower.
I congratulate you ahead of time, future Colonel.
Of course. Im different from that stupid Ahmud. Theres an Eastern saying, that to attack you must both know yourself and your enemies. That b*stard Kanma wont escape my grasp.
Well begin when night falls.
Theres no need to push yourself. Just shake them up a little.
Confidence exuded from Lieutenant Colonel Kikalis face.
Centienne. Is that front valley the Er Ekdim?
It was a question that would have been asked of a guide but sadly he had suffered a critical injury and was lying down on a stretcher.
Yes. Its a good place to hide in, and is easy to defend as the cliffs are steep.
Im tired. Lets set up camp here.
Pieff wiped his face with his hand. Grains of sand, which had been stuck to his sweat, fell to the ground.
Centienne turned the handle towards the valley.
Damn it. I feel like Im chewing on paper. I never imagined Id miss the menu in the cafeteria. Pieff complained as he chewed on a steak from his C-ration.
Pieff was oblivious that team Ratel was filling their bellies with scorpion fries and beetle soups.
Its been over a month since team Ratel was sent out, Pieff mumbled as he looked down at his stretched feet while leaning against a rock.
How empty were the human body and the human soul inside!
In less than a week, the gentleman of Deuxieme Rep, Pieff, looked worse than a beggar on the street. His shining eyes had dimmed and his clean beard had turned into a mass of a scrub. His bright features were now as dark as coal. His lips were bruised white and his cheekbones burnt bright red from the sun. Even Antoine Watos thin make-up as Jean Valjean looked better than Pieff.
Its been six days since we set foot into the Sahel.
How do you think they survived?
They have Black Mamba!
Sergeant Valboirs words had a hint of jealousy.
This is the valley where Black Mamba decimated the FAP special forces single-handedly, is it not?
Yes.
Ha! Then where does that leave me? Ive lost my precious subordinates instead of saving anyone.
Dont worry commander. Youre not Black Mamba after all.
Those words dont reassure me in the least. Ive heard Black Mamba received a focused RPG attack here.
Beeeeep-
The sound of an RPG being launched rang out before he could finish his words.
Here we go again!
Spread out, spread out! Valboir shouted at the top of his lungs.
The men who were preparing the camp ran like crazy in search of cover.
Bang-
Agh, that cursed Allah wand! Someone shouted.
Vrrrroom- Tutatata-
The sound of motorcycle engines shook the night. Bullets flew in relentlessly from the Degtyarev machine guns that the b*stards had mounted on their bikes. This was their strategy against snipers. They had been caught out many times in the past.
There was no way Deuxieme Reps battle forces would be pushed back by the fragile FROLINATs. Bang- Bang- Kakakaka. The mortar, loaded in a moment and aimed along the target line, spewed out its shells. Lines of tracer bullets from the machine guns flew into the night.
Stop! Cease fire!
The battle that had started suddenly, ended just as suddenly.
Ugh. Those damned b*stards!
Valboir gritted his teeth. There had been a few additional rounds of RPG, but the machine gunners had disappeared in an instant. The battle had only lasted a few minutes. There would be no time to move the sniper team if the battle continued like this.
The Sahara wind blew as though nothing had happened and the stars twinkled against the night sky. If it hadnt been for the smell of gunpowder in the air, it would have been like any other day in the Sahel.
Uuuh, f****** hell! Pieff growled.
The enemy harried the rescue team several times a day. They poured in their shells and disappeared in an instant. If they gave chase, a surprise attack was waiting for them. Pieff couldnt risk going after them for fear of ambush.
Valboir. Report the damage!
Theres one dead and two critically injured. As for material damage, theres one emergency tent and half a
Stop, stop! I dont care if the entire emergency tent comes crashing down. Another death! One of my subordinates dead! Aaagh, f****** hell Pieff shouted, halfway out of his mind.
Its not your fault Commander. The attacks are just too vicious.
No. I have been foolish. Once again Ive lost my men without any gain. Uuuhuhuhu!
Pieff wrapped his arms in front of his face and cried. Valboir stared at his commander but he couldnt allow himself to blame him.
Such a situation could not have been resolved by DeGaull or Petain alone unless someone like Black Mamba was there to help. It was the fault of Colonel Philip and his staff for not analyzing the battle combat balance properly. Pieff raised his head.
Centienne. Prepare the telephone lines.
Pieff was blinded by success, but he wasnt an idiot.
Chapter 110 - Chapter 14, Episode 9: Counterattack
He wasnt a highly educated officer like First Lieutenant Paul either.
He had lost half of his team without having ever come across the FROLINATs main forces. Pieff regained his senses. The Ratel team was important, but saving the lives of his subordinates was a responsibility he could not ignore. It was stupid to sacrifice his men to save others. Realizing this fact a little too late, Pieff decided to retreat.
He reported the situation to headquarters and requested a withdrawal. Pieff finished his report and gathered together the members of his team.
What a sight!
They didnt look like the formidable soldiers of Deuxieme Rep but like a group of beggars who lived on the streets. The problem wasnt only their appearance. Their eyes, that had been full of life, had shriveled with exhaustion and fear.
A ball of fire surged up inside his chest.
His anger was directed at the old men who had caused young blood to be spilled in a futile rescue attempt. He had lost sight of his old self that had championed the Ratel teams deployment and spearheaded the rescue team mission.
Humans were creatures with highly sensitive mental capability. That sensitivity meant that they were easy to hurt. The human brain created a relentless cycle of accusation and delusion to protect itself.
Soldiers. We are terminating the rescue mission at this time. We will do our utmost to make our escape from this accursed place.
Wow!
The mens faces brightened visibly.
Commander. The guide who had been shot died just ten minutes ago. Sergeant Bronin, in charge of role allocations, reported with a solum expression.
The guide died? Were you not able to remove the bullet?
The cause of death wasnt the trauma from the bullet, it was acute sepsis. The bullet dug a piece of dirty cloth into the wound.
Pieffs face turned black.
Whether he had died from shock or sepsis wasnt important. The problem was that the guide was dead.
The Sahel, especially the Bodele region, was a perilous environment. There was both desert and swamp. Rocky mountains would appear out of nowhere and vast shrublands blocked their path. Once they crossed a dune, a river would suddenly check their progress. The map would be useless without a guide.
I suppose theres nothing we can do about it. El Mezir, which weve passed, is south. 96 kilometers south-west to be precise. Headquarters have agreed to send a helicopter 35 kilometers from El Mezir, in Arkemangas Doline region.
We have five injured. Is there no way to bring the helicopter closer?
Arkemanga is the best way to avoid STRELA. Move out now.
Valboir stopped Pieff.
Commander, its dangerous to move during the night without a guide. There are several marshes scattered about.
Its dangerous either way. Do you want to be hit by those b*stards Allah wands again? Take the Jeep upfront and start it up. Ill ride Beta.
Pieff didnt want to stay another second in the Sahel after the retreat order had been approved. The company of 50 special forces operatives had been cut in half without a single battle.
When his anger died away he was filled with feelings of helplessness and fear. He dismissed the criticisms and negative reports, which would inevitably follow, from his mind. The urge to escape hell was his only consideration.
The rescue team struck camp and moved into the night.
With the P4 Jeep in front, the surviving 23 members rode in the three cars.
Theres a light at two o clock behind us.
Well move out left.
Pieff adjusted their route based on the Jeeps report.
10 minutes later there was a second sighting.
A light at 10 oclock.
Move off left.
20 minutes later the headset rang once more.
This is Alpha. The wheels stuck in the mud.
What? This is a rocky part of the desert. There are no marshes.
Pieff wasnt confident even as he said it. The Bodele Depression had several regions that didnt match the map.
Clack- The first vehicle ground to a halt.
Beeeeep
The engine revved urgently, but the car didnt budge.
Centienne!
Commander, the wheels stuck.
Pieff felt the pressure rising in the back of his head and he threw himself out of the car.
Se dunkfaibble! [1]
His hand, which was clenched around his pamus, began to tremble. The rescue team was entering a narrow path like a pear-shaped bottle. On top of that, it was marsh with a hard surface but soft underneath. It was then that he realized that he had been caring too much about the guerrillas and had ignored the terrain.
Gamma bravo, turn back.
Impossible. Half of the wheels sunk in.
Everyone get out of the car and pull it out. Hurry!
Flames of fire rose up before he had time to finish his sentence.
Tens, no hundreds of torchlights surrounded the cornered rescue team.
I am Lieutenant Colonel Kikali of the 3rd FOLINAT army. You are surrounded. I will not kill if you surrender.
His French was fluent.
Pieff felt all the energy drain out of him.
This is the end! How stupid I am!
He had been lured into the b*stards trap. He should have realized when he saw the series of lights.
You chickenhead, chickenhead! Pieff berated himself as he banged his head on a rock.
He wanted to crack his head open because he had let himself ignore what was happening right in front of his eyes.
Pieff could not deny what should have been obvious to him. Everything was crystal clear now it was over, but he had been unable to see the mountain as he traveled through it.
Kakakaka-
Machine gun fire opened up from the rear.
No! Pieff shouted.
Tutututu- Crash-
The guerrillas fire concentrated on the Bravo from the rear.
Stop firing, you f****** idiots. Cease fire! Pieff shouted until his voice shook.
We surrender! We surrender!
Centienne immediately took off his tunic and waved it in the air.
The gunfire soon stopped.
The result was devastation. Two vehicles, which had been crushed by an RPG, were on fire. He could see some of his subordinates strewn across the ground. Pieff cried tears of blood.
Ironically, the rescue team had become prisoners of Lieutenant Colonel Kikali, a subordinate of Habib. The prisoners were three officers, three non-commissioned officers, and four privates. 10 in total. 13 had died during the unprovoked attack.
This was occurring about the same time the Ratel team had just finished breaking apart Habibs mansion.
Habib, upon waking, stared blankly at the Arab standing before him.
The glare, which seemed as though it would eat him up, was truly disconcerting. Where else would Habib have received such a gaze?
Who the hell is this b*stard?
Bang-
The Captain struck the back of his head with the butt of his gun.
Ombuti, theres no time.
Ombuti, who had been breathing like a king cobra after a sniffer rat, moved back. He nodded at Black Mamba in acknowledgment and covered Habibs head with a bag before tying it off. It was a gesture indicating he was simply following his masters orders.
Jang Shin looked down at the five canteens that the ratel had ripped apart with a pinched expression. They still had some distance to cover but they had no water. A water bottle was no less than 10 francs. It wasnt expensive, but they couldnt be found anywhere in the Sahel.
There was only one bag of camel date palms left. And there was only one regular water bottle. Even their rations were out. They needed transportation and weapons, but food and water were more important. Jang Shins face crumpled.
Are you all ready? Go!
Its annoying, so annoying, Mike complained as he climbed onto the camel.
The camel didnt want to let a temperamental man on its back and turned around. Mika and the camel began to fight once more and Black Mamba intervened.
Keeek
Frightened by his ominous glare, the camel let out a screech, before freezing on the spot.
Mike. Give it some camel date palms before trying to ride it. Get along. Yeah?
Mike looked between the camel, which remained as docile as a sheep, and Black Mambas back.
F***! How fierce he must be for a camel to be scared! I shouldnt mess with him. Not at all. Mike jumped onto the docile camels back.
The Ratel team entered Djourab Erg after an hour.
Djourab was a desert. The camels footprints were visible. Usually, the sight of sand epitomizes the word desert, but that wasnt true. Most of the desert was made of rocks and pebbles. Even the Sahara desert made up only 15% of Erg.
Ombuti stopped the camels as they entered Djourab Erg. There were eight in total. Of the original ten, the head camel had been killed and one by Black Mamba after losing its testicles.
He pulled out two of the camels who were difficult to manage and gave the docile ones to the mercenaries.
Captain, you go ahead. I will catch up after tying up some loose ends.
Dont be too late.
The mercenaries, who understood Ombutis intentions in erasing their tracks, went ahead.
Hehe. I know how to have some fun.
Ombuti tied a long rope to the end of the camels tail which was wrapped inside a bag. It was a fuse that had been connected to a pouch as small as his fingernail. Inside the pouch was gunpowder salvaged from bullet casings. It was part of the additional firepower created by Jang Shin.
Ombuti took his time drinking his Arrack.
He was trying to widen the gap between himself and the mercenaries. After an hour, he loosened the two camels leashes and lighted the fuse.
The fuse on the camels tail sputtered as it burned. Finishing his preparations, he pulled out his ocelot whip and lashed the camels behind.
The diamond claws ripped into the camels behind. The two camels had their tails on fire and they ran about in a frenzy. They galloped off towards the southern Ennedi plains.
Nikmok [2], you all should suffer a little.
Ombutis deep eyes creased into slits. It was a smile of satisfaction.
According to Jang Shins calculations, the first explosion would occur in 15 minutes. The camels, which were loosely tied, would then separate. Afterward, explosions would occur in intervals of ten minutes. Camels, that were frightened by such sounds, could run at 40 kilometers per hour. Wherever they ran, they would cause suffering for anyone who was chasing them.
He still had one last thing to do.
Ombuti gathered the palm tree leaves which he had brought from Paya and tied them to the camels tail.
He climbed up on his beloved horse, no beloved camel, and launched forth with a hum. The palm leaves on the camels tail swept away its tracks.
20 minutes after the Ratel team kidnapped Habib, sounds of gunfire and explosions rang out in Amoul. Habibs 3rd FAP army stormed into councilman Abduhls mansion under orders. The fight between the deployed army against Abduhls guards ended in a stalemate. Abduhl had reinforced his personal safety.
The fighting between the private militias, which began with Habibs misunderstanding, soon spread like wildfire. The FROLINAT, undermined by mistrust, was soon swept into division.
The DGSE and the Department of Defense, who had been watching the FROLINATs situation, whistled in glee. The clustered thread had been unraveled due to the interference of a handful of mercenaries. The French government was excited by the success of a foreign mission, which was unprecedented, but a few were unable to get a good nights sleep.
The mercenaries traveled down south comfortably after leaving Paya.
There were no incidents nor surprise attacks. It was a result of Habibs misunderstanding and Ombutis sly methods.
On top of that, the scouts that had been tailing them had mistaken Pieffs rescue team for team Ratel and were forming a net. The rescue team had been of some help, after all.
The mercenaries traveled down south fighting their camels instead of the FROLINAT.
Jang Shin, Emil, and Mike kept vomiting. Camels walked differently from horses. Their front foot and their hind foot moved at the same time. The movement caused the body to swing from right to left. Those who were unaccustomed to the rolling effects got camel-sick. Jang Shin had to suffer the accusing glares of others, having destroyed the vehicles at Habibs mansion.
The captain halted the procession as the ground began to roast under the sun. They had been fighting and moving since the previous day. Everyone was so hungry they could have eaten their camels.
Ombuti, what is our current position?
Ombuti made a dot on the map.
Here. 80 kilometers south of Paya. 10 kilometers out on the northwestern road.
How much more time do we have?
Ive created a distraction, so we should have another day.
[1] Unbelievable
[2] son of a
Chapter 111 - Episode 10: Counterattack
Mike, they know that were the attackers by now, right?
If theyre not chickenheads. They would have realized by the bullets.
Bell Man had a different opinion.
No way! There would be even more chaos. They wouldnt have been expecting a surprise attack.
True, but they should have noticed Black Mamba by now.
Or run around with tears in their eyes now that Habib has been kidnapped.
Ombuti stepped up.
No. FROLINATs councilmen are not comrades in arms but co-operate out of necessity. The armies would fight amongst themselves. Now that Habib is out of the way, whoever takes the 3rd army is the victor. FROLINAT will be blinded by the meat in front of their eyes, and soon collapse.
Ombuti was certain of his opinion. He had fought against the FROLINAT for two years and spent three years as an informant. He was the most well-educated person within the FROLINAT and FAP structure. In his mind, he could picture what was in store for FROLINAT.
The hammer and anvil tactic will fail if theres an internal conflict. I still cant guess whether that guy Black Mamba is a tiger or a fox. By the way, its going to be hard to get to Tanga.
The captain looked at the camels which were herded in the shade of a rock. They had to reach Tanga and retrieve their supplies no matter what. Even he was getting a headache thinking about the prospect of riding a camel, despite having ridden a horse before.
He had been able to avoid the b*stards by pretending to be a Bedouin, something he hadnt imagined he would be in his life. But there was no guarantee that his luck would continue. If they clashed with the FROLINAT without any bullets, the results would be too fearful to imagine.
Ombuti, how about going to Trident Rock?
We need to ride 220 kilometers past Chicha and then onto Boruku.
Hell! Travel another 220 kilometers on those stubborn beasts backs? Itll drive me crazy! Mike shouted.
Even Jang Shin and Emil gave a deep frown.
We dont have to use the road, so the distance would decrease a little bit.
These words didnt reassure the three mercenaries who were sick from riding the camels.
Trident Rock, in which theyd hidden their supplies, was 10 kilometers north-east of Tanga oasis. 220 kilometers wasnt that far, but the transportation sucked. The three who were camel-sick sighed repeatedly.
Mike, did you check the supplies?
We have 1000 standard bullets for three Degtyarevs, 700 bullets for two Minimis, 15 rifle grenades, 40 hand grenades, 2 claymores, 10 sets of mines, but were out of 5.56-millimeter bullets. Weve abandoned the pamus except two for the rifle grenades. Weve enough AK47 bullets. Theres six stolen RPG launchers, 30 portable warheads, and three hit shells.
What a state. And the Dragunov?
We have five of those, but there are only two cases of bullets.
Two boxes of 7.62-millimeter bullets meant 400 rounds. If the Dragunovs became unusable, there would be a huge hole in their capability. A sniper team equipped with guns and no bullets. It would be a truly sad state of affairs.
Thats devastating, give all the 7.62-millimeter bullets to Black Mamba. Jang Shin and Mike, you grab the RPGs. As for the warheads, put together a P7. Emil will carry on using his warhead. Bell Man, take the Degtyarev just in case. Take good care of the rifle grenades. It sucks, but we need to use them if things become desperate. Everyone check your pistols.
Its a pity the Degtyarev bullets and AK bullets are not interchangeable. We have got a mountain of 39s.
Mike looked at the pile of AK 39 bullets with frustration.
They were the same 7.62-millimeter bullets, but the Dragunov and AK bullets werent compatible. The Dragunov used 7.62 mm 54R bullets, while the AK used 7.62 -millimeter 39 bullets. There was a difference in the length of their casings, one a snipers bullet and the other an assault bullet.
This is bad. Even Black Mamba would have a maximum range of 300 meters with an AK. How many did you get?
Only ten, since there wasnt a vehicle. Ive 30,000 bullets left.
The captain glanced at the luggage on the camels.
Its not a horse, so Im worried about the weight distributions. Take 10,000. Theres too much stuff.
Understood. If we dont have enough Ill borrow from the others. Mike said without arguing.
5.56 millimeter Nato bullets were 12 grams, but a 7.62-millimeter bullet weighed 22 grams. With 30,000 of those, the bullets alone would weigh 600 kilograms. The box and casing weights were on top of that. It was a huge burden to carry across a long distance on a camels back. The US changed from 7.62-millimeter to 5.56-millimeter during the Vietnam war for exactly this reason.
Jang Shin, what about the food?
Weve just eaten the last of our C-ration. There are ten kilograms of camel palm dates and ten liters of Arrack. There are 30 liters of drinking water.
Its good to hear theres some Arrack left. Ombuti, how long can we survive on camel date palms alone?
They are perfect as rations. 200 grams a day would easily be enough nutrients.
Camel date palm was the main food of the Bedouin and Tubu tribes. It was an exemplary food full of vitamins, carbs, protein, and sugar. It was often used as an accompanying dish to high-quality wines in Europe.
Thats your opinion. The captain said as he turned to look at Jang Shin.
Jang Shin immediately started calculating. There were eight people including Habib, which meant they could sustain themselves for five days on one 10 kilogram bag of camel date palms. Five days was more than enough for them to get to Tanga.
Theres also the beetles and scorpions that Jang Shin has gathered.
The captain smiled. It was a relief that Mike had finally bonded with the team.
Ha! Jang Shins dishes are extremely edible. Still, that fly fry mixed with mosquitoes heads and spider soup was going too far!
Im expecting medinensis spaghetti from him at this point.
Bell Man raised both of his arms to mimic the length of the medinensis worm.
Ugh! The captain mock vomited.
The medinensis was a blood-sucking parasite that was found commonly in Africa and India. Although it looked like a horsehair worm, it reached up to two meters in length. It emerged from a humans skin once it was time to lay its eggs.
The captain had once seen a medinensis break out of a local girls thigh when he was stationed in Guinea. He had been repulsed by the sight of it. Even the captain found it hard to shake off the fear of this worm, in spite of experiencing some terrible things as a veteran.
Be careful everyone. Im more scared of that guys cooking than I am of Black Mamba. You dont know when youd go mad or be poisoned.
Hahaha!
The mercenaries laughed at Bell Mans whining. They were revolutionary mercenaries and enjoyed the little leisure they had to its full.
Captain, we need to partner up again.
The captain nodded at Mikes words.
Half of their team had already been sacrificed. The only one with a living partner was Black Mamba.
Aside from Black Mamba and Emil, Mike and Jang Shin, Bell Man and I will be together.
Its easy to partner up, d*mn it.
The atmosphere turned moody. The sacrifice of their comrades, which they had cast from their minds, suddenly returned to haunt them.
What? Did I say something wrong again!
Mike glanced at Black Mamba for approval.
Captain, which route are we going to take? Ombuti asked in order to change the subject, having noticed the change of mood.
Guide us by the fastest route. All I can think of is beating those whove betrayed us, and those whove stabbed us in the back, to death.
Hehe, you can leave those b*stards to Black Mamba. I, on the other hand, am missing the smell of the ladies skin at Le Meridian. I want to roll around for three days and two nights with three of them. Of course, Ill get my partner to pay.
Emil was truly about to go mad. Battle made the male hormones go haywire. For someone like him, who couldnt easily control his hormones, it was necessary to adopt a different type of torture.
To the call girls of Le Meridian!
To Emils p*nis!
Everyone joined in with Black Mambas toast.
Water is going to be a problem. Ombuti, how are the camels?
Theyll be fine without water for three days. There will be forests and water once we enter Bodele. Ill take care of the camels.
Thats a relief. Lets go.
Kikalis unit was of medium-size with two BTR152s, five Soviet trucks, 30 bikes, and 80 camels. The entire force had 220 members, while 20 of which were constantly out on scouting duty. Kikali, who had learned from Ahmuds and Mustas deaths, had now focused his forces on reconnaissance.
10 members of Pieffs rescue team had become prisoners. The only able-bodied of them were Pieff, First Lieutenant Valboir, Sergeant Centienne, staff sergeants Bronin and Maxim, five in total. The other five were injured.
Lieutenant Colonel Kikalis method of treating prisoners was somewhat benevolent.
He simply isolated the commanders Pieff and Valboir and provided the others with an emergency tent.
Thanks to this, the medic, Sergeant Bronin, was able to take care of the injured. Pieff and Valboir werent treated badly other than the leather binds on their hands. For Pieff, who had always seen the FROLINAT as a violent organization, it was an unexpected situation.
The Kikali unit moved out from the rock region, in the direction of Paya.
A camel was faster than a vehicle. The camels, which moved in two lines, were like in a scene from a movie. If they had seen the three members of the Ratel team dragged around by their camels, they would have cried in frustration.
By the time the sun rose to the middle of the sky the soldiers at the front were waving their red flag to indicate they had found water.
Halt!
The camel riders spread out in a semi-circle. A camp was set up directly with the Wadi as the background and a kettle prepared.
Pieff and Valboir were offered a pan of something that wasnt bread or rice cake, and a wooden cup of a sweet liquid that accompanied it.
Valboir, what is this?
Its an ugali made of cassava powder. You need to tear it apart with your hands and dip it in the palm paste.
Valboir ripped apart the ugali and dipped it in the sauce. Pieff had worked in Algeria for a brief period of time but wasnt used to Africa. He was recalled after failing his mission.
Theres no taste. But I should eat since Im hungry.
The two men, who were famished, ate the ugali. It looked like a pancake made in a hurry. The worst kind of death amongst deaths was starvation. That was because starvation was a form of inescapable pain. Even Pieff, who had table etiquette, forgot about his fork and hurriedly used his hands.
Are they mad?
Pieff frowned as he sucked his fingers.
It wasnt because of the bad food. Guerrillas were swarming up to him like ants. He thought they were simply curious, but he soon realized it wasnt that.
Kanma, Kanma!
Riouhuh!
Ra-astati-u an Usattica!
Alluh, harikun!
The guerrillas shouted as they fired into the air. One group was turning around and around, slapping their rears. It looked like a re-inaction of a crowd of fans greeting a famous actor.
Pieff was confused.
He was only a professional soldier. He wasnt Jean Gavin or Alain Delon. He couldnt understand what the crazed guerrillas were doing. Although the locals of Chad probably wouldnt recognize a French actor in any case.
Valboir, what are they saying?
Theyre saying theyve caught a devil.
Valboir had been stationed in Djibouti for five years. He could make basic conversation.
A devil?
Yes. Kanma, or Reuhur, is the devil that southern Africans fear. It also means a human possessed by a devil.
Are they treating us like devils because were a different race? Damn those b*stards. Those barbarians havent even heard of the Geneva Convention.
Valboir stopped Pieff who was huffing and puffing.
Commander, they may look like beggars but they are full of pride. Youll be attacked if you call them b*stards. Theyre asking for the judgment of Allah.
Allahs judgment?
For burning someone alive.
Ha!
Pieffs mouth closed like a clam. He didnt look at the guerrillas and instead chewed away at his ugali. The idea of being burned alive made his heart shrivel.
Chapter 112 - Chapter 15, Episode 1: The End of Habib
He was sucking the ugali off his fingers when three men with their heads and necks wrapped in cloth appeared. Two had guns slung over their backs, while the other pointed his weapon at Pieff and Valboir.
Come with me! The soldier said in fluent French.
Pieff was prepared to die. He had surrendered despite his position as Deuxieme Reps commander. He had done it to save his subordinates. Pieff prayed silently for a quick death, instead of being burned alive.
The mummies dragged Pieff and Valboir to the central tent.
A proud looking middle-aged Arab greeted the prisoners while sitting. Valboir observed his surroundings with uncertainty and fear. Pieff, who was prepared for the end, was calm.
Kikalis gaze rested on Pieffs face.
Kanma, take a seat.
A sharp-witted mummy immediately gave up his sheepskin seat for Pieff.
These b*stards have manners despite being barbarians. Thats not the electric chair, is it?
Pieff sat on the chair with composure.
It is good to meet you, Kanma. I am Lieutenant Colonel Aham Kikali of FAPs 3rd army.
I am Lieutenant General Pieff of Deuxieme Reps 4th regiment.
Why do these b*stards keep calling me Kanma? Is it some derogatory term for the French? Its offensive.
Pieff glared at Kikali, narrowing his eyes.
Kikali looked at the middle-aged man before him as though he was about to tear into him.
What a strong gaze! I sense a powerful aura.
Kikalis heart raced. He had finally caught the great warrior, called the Angel of Death, with his own hands. His efforts, made day and night, had finally paid off.
His features were befitting a great warrior.
His gaze was as fierce as the lightning that streaked across the desert sky, a Keisel beard which enhanced the mans dignity, eyes that sat deep, and a rectangular forehead which was revealed by his swept-back hair. Thick brows, layered lids, long limbs, and his calm demeanor, despite being a prisoner, this was truly the Kanma that shook the Sahel.
Lieutenant Colonel Kikali rose to his feet and made a silent bow.
Im glad we have met, in spite of the circumstances. Would you like some tea?
Pieff could only blink at the unexpected pleasantries.
Kikali brewed a red-colored tea and poured it into a cup. It would be unusual for a warrior to pour tea, and it was only for those who he respected. It was in the Tuareg tribes tradition to offer the finest treatment to the best warrior.
This is a tea called rooibos, from southern Africa. I enjoy it, as it is good for health. Im not sure if it will suit your taste.
Pieff was in a daze as he took the teacup.
The teapot was an antique affair decorated with angular cuts. Somehow, he found it difficult to believe that a minor FROLINAT member would enjoy tea. And what could he make of this almost ceremonial etiquette?
Dont mock me. Kill me now.
Kikali glared at Pieff through his cloudy eyes.
What are you saying? I am a warrior of the Tuareg tribe. You may have killed plenty of FROLINAT warriors, but that is not my concern. Killing is something we do as enemies. It is not a sin.
Kill many warriors, me?
Pieff was confused. He had been hounded ever since he stepped foot in the Sahel. He had been beaten around like a village drum. He may have killed several during the battle, but that was hardly the same as plenty. When had he killed those countless FROLINAT soldiers?
Valboir, who was standing behind him, had to hold back his laughter. Lieutenant Colonel Kikali was mistaking Captain Pieff for Black Mamba.
Considering Pieffs physicality, the misunderstanding was feasible. With his strong angled jaw, his piercing gaze, and sculptured muscles from working out, he had an imposing presence.
Hahaha, you could say Ive profited from your actions. Ive managed to take control of the third army thanks to you getting rid of Colonel Ahmud and Lieutenant Colonel Musta.
Pieff was now even more confused.
I dont understand what youre saying. Ive only heard the names Ahmud and Musta. Ive never met them.
Kikalis face hardened.
Im disappointed that a great warrior, the reincarnation of Azrael, would lie. Are you afraid of death?
Theres no reason for me to lie. I entered the Sahel but five days ago. Ive suffered your relentless attacks ever since. Ive also lost most of my men.
You entered the Sahel five days ago? Not a month? Surprised, Kakli jumped up from his seat.
Yes.
If youre not the Kanma who shook the Sahel this past month, then who are you?
Ive already stated my identity twice, but Ill do it again. I am Captain Pieff of the 4th regiment of Deuxieme Rep, under the Legion Etrangere. I hope youll treat me according to the Geneva Convention, as your captive.
Then what about the Kanma?
I have no idea what youre talking about.
How, how is it possible? Saoud, what is this?
Even as Kikalis direct subordinate, Saoud had no way of knowing what Black Mamba looked like. Black Mambas fame had spread right across the Sahel, but no one had seen his face. He had either killed them or had been wrapped under litam cloth and goggles when seen from afar.
I I dont know. Its true that we dont know Kanmas face. Thinking about it, they were captured too easily.
Saoud broke out in cold sweat. Although he had congratulated himself on his strategy, attacking and retreating repeatedly, he now saw that something was odd. He had heard the Kanma had once shot a motorcycle soldier 1000 meters away. But the captive Kanma wasnt that good.
Then that guy wouldnt be the Kanma either, eh?
Kikalis finger, which was pointing at Valboir, was visibly shaking.
Thats right. He is my subordinate who was sent in with me.
No, you are the Kanma! If you are not the Kanma I will tear you to pieces for trying to deceive me! Kikali worked himself up into hysteria.
Deceive you? Exactly when did I deceive you?
Pieff was astounded.
That d*mned b*stard had misunderstood all on his own and was now insisting that he had been deceived. That was why they were called barbarians.
Then, who exactly is the Kanma?
Why are you asking me? I dont even know what a Kanma is.
Nicmok! Kikali suddenly shouted in Arabic.
Nicmoki? Valboir, what does that mean?
It has the same meaning as Nigimi Ddugural in Korean.
Those who had heard about the Nigimi Ddugural story between Black Mamba and Pieff knew it well.
Pieffs face turned red. As he was just about to retort with the same Korean swear word, Kikali threw him a dagger. It was his M9 bayonet, which had been confiscated upon captivity.
Take off his handcuffs.
Pieff was confused the moment his leather cuffs were released. What was happening now?
Kikali pulled out his dagger.
It was a khanjar with an unusual blade that curved backward. It was easy to change trajectory during use, but, at the same time, was limited by the fact that it was not straight.
Now take up your sword and attack me.
You want me to show you what I can do? No problem.
He was confident in dagger play. After all, he had once been a close-combat instructor for the Deuxieme Rep.
Pieff took his bayonet and wielded it around in the air. It was to engrave its weight in his hands. The dense weight calmed his trembling mind.
Step-
Pieff took a series of small steps towards his opponent and lunged at his chest, before dragging the blade upwards. Fast footwork, like fencing steps, tapped onto the ground. It was the basic form of Krav Maga.
Clang- Clang-
His first attack was easily blocked.
You will die if you do not give it your all.
Provoked by his opponents words, Pieff dragged up all of his skills.
Clang- Clang- Clang-
The khanjar and M9 bayonet began to pour out ear-piercing sounds.
The primary skills of swordplay were strength and speed.
But after an exchange, Pieff became grave after he realized he was lacking in both.
He tried to jab into his opponent by dubbing and hooking the others blade, but it had no effect. His opponent easily blocked his flourishing movements with his short swings and exchanges. The strength he put into the blade was immense, causing his palm to crack under each impact.
Tsk.
Pieff let down his guard and attacked. Taking injuries into consideration during close combat only ended in defeat. The fear of injury made the body rigid and forced uneven movement.
The large bayonet, which was piercing his enemys left shoulder in a straight line, abruptly changed directions and aimed for the neck. The most vulnerable part of the human body was the neck. He was bound to protect it instinctively.
Clang-
The dagger, which was behind his back, had already turned to deflect his bayonet outwards. It was as though his opponents blade had appeared out of nowhere. The dagger, which deflected his blade away, twirled and aimed straight for his forehead. It was too late to pull in the bayonet which was already outstretched. Pieff felt cold sweat break out all over. By the time he stretched his head back to the point of breaking, a kick flew into his chest. It was too late, even in the moment of recognition
Bang-
Kuh!
In a daze, Pieff hurriedly stepped backward.
Scchink-
Pieff, who was surprised by Kikalis sudden move and the following crosscut, fell to the ground and rolled over. A handful of hair was scattered into the air. Pieff looked up at Kikali with a blank gaze, unable to stand.
The forbidden move during a duel between two professional swordsmen was the crosscut. Crosscuts had a huge delay in their movement, and it was hard to inflict damage. This meant that one was vulnerable to the point a crosscut was capable of reaching the opponents eyes. The pride of being Deuxieme Reps best close-combater was shattered.
Lieutenant Colonel Kikali was going through an even greater mental shock.
No, no way!
He had been reluctant to believe it, but it really was the wrong person. He had heard that the Kanma had once sliced off his opponents head in one blow. He was so fast that the head remained in position momentarily, and he didnt have to swing it twice. His opponent knew how to play around, but that was it. He really was a fake.
Kikali fell into his chair.
Ha!
He let out a deep sigh. A man that threw grenades like a machine gun, whose close-combat skills sliced off heads like plucking out roots and whose movements skirted around RPG shots like water? According to people who witnessed it, Kanma was, in fact, the reincarnation of Azrael.
He had devised a plan to catch the Kanma to the point his hair fell out. He used wave attacks in reverse, as they were commonly used against an enemy in a much greater number.
He had attacked during the night with an agile unit to avoid the fearful snipers and escaped in a flash. He had increased the loss of blood little by little while abandoning his greed. His strategy to draw them into the marsh Doline was formidable.
But what was this? He had endured so much suffering, only to catch some weakling who couldnt even reach the ankle of Kanmas abilities. The happiness of a lifetime he felt in catching the Kanma turned into rage.
Aaah! He was but a Kanma in appearance. Drag that swine out of here! His hysterical shout rang across the tent.
The mummy slid into view and immediately chained Pieffs hands and feet in irons.
What are you doing? Dont you know the Geneva Agreement forbids prisoner abuse?
Crash-
His protest was answered with a kick.
Drag him out now! Kikali shouted.
His treatment had suddenly changed.
The civilized guerrillas were now barbarians. When Pieff protested, his head was beaten relentlessly with the butt of a gun. Thanks to him, even Valboir, who remained still, was attacked.
The two were thrown into the corner of a shed with their hands and feet shackled in chains. They were punched without provocation, and their rears were kicked.
Pieff was speechless.
He cursed himself for thinking these rebels were civilized. The b*stards had only mistaken him for Black Mamba. It appeared that talented people were treated differently, even amongst their enemies.
Valboir. Why am I being treated like this?
Because you have a hard-to-restrain subordinate.
That d*mned b*stard! Hes the one who misunderstood the situation. So whys he taking it out on me?
Because your appearance is too good.
Valboir replied sarcastically, as he was beaten up alongside Pieff.
This f****** world, where the strong always get better treatment! Pieff complained in a whisper.
This was why other peoples lives looked better from afar but were desperate up close.
Kikali stormed into Paya before the morning dew could dry. He was overjoyed at the prospect of becoming the 3rd armys commander after making his entrance in such grandeur.
But the FROLINAT was in over its head. The small number of French special forces had swept across its front yard, and yet they had been defeated. Habibs 3rd army and his special forces had been broken and made immobile.
Kikali had destroyed the French special forces and captured its commander. It was an achievement that would recover the dented pride of the 3rd army. He could almost picture chairman Habibs smile from ear to ear.
At Manni Oasis, 50 kilometers from Paya, Kikali received some shocking news.
Yaallahyihi! The mansion in ruin and Chairman Habib missing?
Kikalis burnt face turned as white as a ghost. It was quite unbelievable, like the Sahara desert turning into a lake.
What b*stard did that? Was it Chairman Tombye? No, that old man doesnt have the guts. Was it Chairman Ahbduhl?
The informant visibly shrank at the scary aura.
Chapter 113 - Chapter 15, Episode 2: The End of Habib
Th thats thats not intelligence I can gather. There are rumors of Habib sending his 3rd division to attack Councilman Abduhls mansion.
Damn it. So it is Abduhl!
Kikalis heart sank with a thud.
The moment had finally arrived. As a high ranking officer, he knew how the FROLINAT worked. The mistrust for each other had finally turned into a rift. Kikali held the back of his neck and sat down on the ground.
As Kikali was going through a mental breakdown his aide Saoud acted on his behalf and confirmed the information before sending out an informant.
Saoud, do you think Wakil is safe?
Inshalla! We can only hope there is no pain. Allahu-akbar!
Saoud wrung his hands together. The invaders had demolished the building, massacring the guards and workers. It was either a bone-deep grudge or the attack of an enemy faction. The possibilities of their Wakil being alive was less than the likelihood of a humans head surviving an elephants stomp.
Allahu akbar. May Allahs grace be with Wakil! Kikali offered a short prayer.
Habib was from the Jerero tribe, which produced assassins, quite different from Kikalis warrior tradition. Still, Habib was someone he had served for the past ten years. His heart shrank. On the other hand, he suspected it was retribution.
By the way, couldnt it be the Kanma that attacked my Wakil?
Theres a strong possibility. There were over 80 armed soldiers within the mansion. The b*stards appeared suddenly as though they had fallen from the sky and slaughtered 25 guards and workers within 10 minutes before disappearing. It was a frontal assault that would be impossible if it werent the Kanma.
Mmm, then the militias action should be false information. Do you think its the work of the DGSE?
Saoud shook his head.
Frontal assault isnt the DGSEs style. Its possible there is a conflict between the council members, but Id put more weight on Kanmas surprise attack.
Kanma! Exactly where did that terrifying entity come from!
Could it be the Yanks human weapon?
Hahaha, your imagination has grown these days. Your thoughts will only grow more confused the wilder your imaginings!
Thats true. I think we should avoid the b*stard if we can.
Avoid? I, Kikali, fear nothing.
Kikalis glare intensified.
Even if the Kanma was to be feared, he had his pride as a warrior of the Tuareg tribe.
Commander, Im am also a Tuareg warrior. But this is the time to conserve our numbers. All the army units that have gone against him have been wiped out. Even if we do prevail, we need to be prepared for immense blood loss. Ahmud and Musta werent idiots.
Saouds heartfelt advice changed Kikalis mind.
Youre right. Theres no point in risking more blood when our master is gone. Kikali agreed with a pinched expression.
Saoud was an officer who earned his degree in military science in Nigeria. He made quick decisions and was good at thinking out of the box. He was a strategist and, in many ways, made up for Kikalis weaknesses.
Of course. The North Korean interrogation soldiers referred to this kind of situation as forced Chunhyang.
Thats ironic. Theres no one to acknowledge my amazing feat. Its a Horohoro situation without any allies. Hahaha!
Kikali laughed without emotion. Now that his master Habib was gone, he was like a kite without strings.
Im sorry to say this thinking about what happened to Wakil, but its a good thing.
What is a good thing?
Commander, you are the great hope of the Tuareg tribe. How long can you act like a puppet for the Jerero tribe? Wakils plate wasnt big enough to hold you, commander. The Kanma has erased Ahmud and Musta, even the Wakil. The Kanma has effectively severed the chains that were binding you. I believe that Allah has sent Kanma here to extend his grace to you, commander. Allahu akbar!
Kikali listened to his aids words in silence.
He was a commander in the style of a warrior of old. He had always been overshadowed by Ahmud and Musta. His political skills were always worthy of praise.
A crisis was indeed an opportunity. With the mansion destroyed and the boss missing, it was twice the opportunity. There was no way the egg would be safe when the nest had been destroyed. The Habib era was over. The FROLINAT would either be reborn or remain broken. How much longer would he have to act as someone elses dog?
It was all true. The large and small rocks which had been impeding his path had been removed in one fail swoop.
I wasnt too pleased with Wakil either. Wakil said nothing when Ahmud and Musta threatened us. In a way, the Kanma has relieved our suffering on behalf of our tribe.
He may be our enemy, but hes a respected warrior. What are you going to do with the fake Kanma? Its a bother to drag him around. Should I bury him?
No, even if he is not the Kanma, he is his superior officer. He should be of some use.
Understood.
Kikali gazed at the eastern sky which was beginning to light up with the sun.
Hell be autonomous. He will unite persecuted tribes. Kikali is the tribal wealth of the Tuareg! His heart swelled.
Is there a reason to go to Paya? Kikali asked for his aids thoughts on the matter.
I was hoping youd head to Vir Wakiv.
Vir Wakiv? You mean the marshlands in Berdalle?
Kikalis eyes widened. This was advice he had not been expecting.
Yes. Its where the Abbas battalion is stationed.
Hmm! Its at Vir Wakiv, I see.
Kikali immediately understood what his subordinate was trying to say.
Abbas was from the same Tuareg tribe as himself. His aid was talking about a united Tuareg tribe military conquest.
Wakils army had suffered a major defeat by the French special forces, which was where the Kanma was. All that remained was unit forces like himself and Abbas, and the Bintal battalion, which was tracking down Makumbos whereabouts.
The likelihood of us being absorbed into another councilmans army is greater if we return to Paya, right?
Yes commander, you and I may be assassinated. If we unit with Abbas and drag in the militia, well be able to dominate Batanes.
Hm, the Province of Batanes
Kikali suddenly became pensive.
There was no reason for him not to become a warlord. With the Batanes Province as his base, as long as he had Abbas co-operation, there was a real likelihood of that happening.
Kikalis face turned red with excitement.
His thoughts were long, but he made quick decisions.
Saoud, change direction to Cubalonga. Well go to Berdalle.
Yes, its a wise decision, Chairman Kikali!
Hmm, it does have a nice ring to it.
While Kikali was heading south-east with Pieff in tow, the Ratel team was heading south-west with the kidnapped Habib. Cause and effect spun around head to tail. The Ratel teams attack on Habib had pulled in Kikali and Kikali had turned away from the gates of Paya after wasting his time pursuing Pieff.
The Ratel team decided to camp at Boruku Oasis which was known to be the kingpin of the north-west routes. Black Mamba jumped off his camel right in front of the Oasis. There was a sour smell in the air of sulfur dioxide.
Stop!
At Black Mambas command, Ombuti, who was leading, pulled on his reigns and steered the camel towards the rear. The other camels followed their leader and turned back.
Black Mamba was pressing his ear to the ground with a strange expression. He heard the rumble of tens of camels and the smell of diesel in the wind. It was a large battalion coming towards them.
Ombuti!
Yes, Wakil.
How far to the Oasis?
Two kilometers.
It was right before their noses. The FROLINAT was moving forward with the oasis in their sights.
Is there a place to hide around here?
Theres scrubland 20 minutes north.
We cant head north. What about the south?
The south consists of plains. Theres nowhere to hide within four kilometers around.
The mercenaries tensed at their quandary.
Captain, theres a pack of dogs coming at us eight kilometers from the north-east. Its a battalion made up of camels, panzers, and trucks. At their speed, theyll come across us within 20 minutes.
The captains face fell.
Damn it. Theres not a day of peace. Paya should be in ruins, is it one of the dogs on reconnaissance?
What are we going to do?
Hmm!
The captain was unable to come up with a solution immediately. This was the worst possible situation. There was no shelter and they were short of bullets. Their biggest problem was that they had to replenish their water at Boruku. It had been a day since they ran out of water.
Captain, we cannot meet their forces with our current strength. Ill solve this. Everyone, fall back.
You cant do that. Were a team.
The captain gritted his teeth. Black Mamba wasnt their father, and Deuxieme Rep were not babies.
Black Mamba was torn by the captains determination, despite the risk of death. Deuxieme Reps pride and honor were indisputable. Black Mamba conceded.
Thats not good. The enemys sending in motorcycle scouts. Theyll come across us at any moment.
OK. Lets think about this after falling back.
The captain moved the camels and retreated two kilometers.
The sun hung on the western horizon and bloomed an even deeper red.
Theres a sandstorm coming. Black Mamba murmured as he looked up at the sky.
The tiny grains of dust that covered the sun was visible through his Paranthropus eyes.
Ombuti was always at Black Mambas side.
He saw what was happening, and immediately tapped the camels knees to get them to sit down in a circle. The mercenaries quickly dug underneath the camels bellies.
Captain, a sandstorm is on its way. Things will be more difficult for us if they camp at the Oasis. Ill go and see the enemys encampment and return.
Black, a days delay is acceptable. We need to wait until they leave.
The FROLINATs headquarters should have understood the situation by now. Theres no time.
Black
Crash-
Black Mamba jumped up from the ground before the captain could finish.
Aghh! Its not as if I can stop the guy, or even hit him! Hes driving me nuts! The captain jumped up and down on the spot in frustration.
Woooooo-
The sandstorm began to whirl just as Black Mamba predicted. The dust completely obliterated the sunset and the sky turned black.
Black Mamba met the sandstorm with the Boruku Oasis right in front of his nose. He covered himself with a tarp and threw himself onto the ground.
Wooooooo-
The din of the upper current merging with the lower current, twisting like a dragon, shook the desert. Torrents of wind passed by, including those which emerged from its vortex, those which were as hard as iron, and those which stabbed like a spear. The wind became him, and he became the wind.
He witnesses and becomes one with the emptiness of the Five Skandhas!
Unconsciously, he chanted a phrase from The Heart Sutra. He was the wind, and the wind was him. There was nothing in existence, and everything simply flowed by form, sensation, recognition, volition, and consciousness. Without the Five Skandhas, he was meaningless. Black Mamba now acknowledged the deep meaning behind the name his master had given him, Mu-Ah.
That was it! His master had meant for him to stop caring. To let everything go. It was karma if he remained attached, and void if he let go.
Several thousand miles away, in that corner of the desolate wastes of Africa, Black Mamba, no, Mu-Ah, engraved his masters wishes onto his heart. His mental stability was able to dominate his fierce instinctual personality after the genetic change, the instinct to see blood. It was all thanks to his teacher.
Crack-
A clear and refreshing breeze swept through his brain as though he had bitten through a strong mint.
Black Mamba jumped up, throwing the tarp aside.
He stood there like a floating scarecrow, without bending his knees or spine.
Woooo-
A gigantic gust of wind with a long tail rose after belching out a long moan. Its sheer power lifted the sand as though it was the aftershock of an earthquake.
Ah, so this is my moment of self-realization!
There was nothing different physically, but the frustration he carried as though he was trapped in a cave had evaporated. The pressure which had pressed on his brain stem had disappeared without a trace. His head turned as clear as the autumn skies.
The sandstorm had carried the sunset away.
Boruku Oasis was a grade-A oval-shaped Oasis, 1000 meters long, and 600 meters wide. It was filled with palm, acacia, and saru trees. With the haze of hypnosis obscuring it from view, it gave the appearance of a dense black color floating on a lighter black color.
The night demon crossed the dyed land of black full of cracks, like a fluttering leaf blown by the cold winds.
Chapter 114 - Episode 3: The End of Habib
Black Mamba emerged 300 meters away from the Oasis on top of an escarpment of small rocks. He could see the group of soldiers milling around while setting up camp.
Thats odd. Why are those b*stards setting up camp outside the Oasis?
One of FROLINATs main tactics was to extort the local population in the form of tax. They shared their military rations in exchange for provisions. If it didnt go well, they erased the village. There were two wells in Boruku. For FROLINAT to have set up camp on the outskirts of an oasis, instead of using the well, made them appear as though they werent all bad.
Allah, Allah!
It was the chant of the guerrillas preparing for the sunset salat. The Imam, who was wearing a blue gandourah, was leading the service. With five tents roofed with felt, the vehicles and camels lined up in rows, and the guerrillas at prayer, it was clear the unit was well-organized.
Why are there so many!
Black Mamba frowned. There were over two hundred at prayer.
. Allahu Akbar!
The prayers had a ring of desperation and caused strange emotions to rise up inside anyone who heard them.
What are they asking for so desperately? Are they so certain in their Gods existence, and believe their God would respond?
His insensitive remark was something unsuited to a battlefield.
You brat, wheres a Buddha? A Buddha is something you make.
That was what his teacher always used to say.
Ah, thats a Sovamag!
His eyes, which had been half-closed while he was lost in thought, suddenly widened. There were smaller vehicles in between the rows of trucks, a Sovamag and a P4 Jeep.
He blinked. He wondered whether his eyes were deceiving him. But no matter how many times he looked, the small truck was unmistakably a Sovamag. He was confused. Sovamags and P4s were vehicles that were distributed to military units, not two years previously. There was nothing in stock to be sent overseas, and unless theyd gone mad, the French government wouldnt supply them to FROLINAT.
The only reason he could think of was they belonged to the four units of mission teams that were sent out as support. It was a team that was ordered to create more diversion before retreating, but as anything could happen on the battlefield, he wouldnt be surprised.
A hundred words wont compare to a trip, I should move my hands and feet.
Black Mamba moved into the camp like a thread that was being unraveled by the wind. The resonance which had been course and strong had turned soft like the breeze.
Sssss-
A gust of wind wrapped around the five tents.
The tents were empty. As Black Mamba thought of escaping the guerrilla camp, he suddenly flinched. He could make out a human shoved into the corner of the Sovamags loading box. It was a soldier with his hands and feet shackled with an iron chain.
Ha! Is that a man?
Black Mambas eyes widened. The square face and Kaizel beard filled his vision. It was Lieutenant General Pieff.
Why is the commander here? Did that guy have his backstabbed too?
Surprised, he took another look at the mans face. Pieff looked trashed, but he still had the remains of greasy aura left in him. He also thought he recognized the others, although their faces were hidden behind the bullet cases.
He couldnt work out what was happening.
If he couldnt understand, he could simply ask. As he slipped into the loading box, Pieff flinched and gave a nervous smile. This was the reaction of someone in trauma. Black Mamba could sense the others shaken mentality.
Black Mamba loosened his litam and revealed his face.
Vuhhhh vuhhh vm!
Pieffs eyes widened as though he had seen a ghost. He could only make v sounds. He had met an unexpected person in an unexpected place, in unexpected circumstances. With a loss of his wits, he had lost his words.
Shh!
Black Mamba securely wrapped the litam around his face once more.
Pieff stared at him in disbelief.
Is that the bumbling duckling of the Pyrenees?
When one surprise was over, another one appeared. The man had not changed, he had transformed. Pieff felt as though he was facing a large cliff. He wasnt a duckling anymore, but an eagle, a pterosaur.
Commander, I need an explanation.
Even his voice had changed to a lower register. In reality, it was probably inflammation from breathing in too much sand dust.
We came to rescue your isolated team.
Pieff threw out the words and lowered his head. His face as a commander had withered.
Ha! Rescue us?
Black Mamba breathed out in ridicule. This was a difficult fight, even with the entire Deuxieme Rep in action. What could a few mercenaries do! He could imagine the obvious scene. He wanted to ask what they had expected when they set foot in the Sahel. He felt as though it would be a long conversation.
Allah, Allah! Allahu-akbar!
The large ringing saved Pieff from his uncomfortable position.
Black, the sunset salat is almost over. You should run first. Pieff urged.
The mummy combo, who hed renamed the two jerks, would come at any moment. Black Mamba was relaxed.
Theres nothing to worry about. Can you walk?
My leg is broken, but I can walk with a stick.
Black Mamba looked at the left leg which was wrapped in a piece of wood as a splint.
Pity, and that man?
Its Valboir.
Woah! Even the vice commander!
Black Mamba was constantly being surprised.
He lost consciousness, but theres no injury.
Of course, that was in Black Mambas standards. A broken arm and cracked skull were expressed as a scratch.
We were beaten up by those b *stards.
Pieff swallowed his anger at being beaten after they found out he wasnt the real Kanma.
Is there anyone else?
Ten were captured. Theres Sergeant Centienne, Staff Sergeant Bronin, Senior Airman Maxim, and five injured.
Ha! What to do?
Black Mamba was conflicted. If it was just him, he could escape the place at any time, but he now had other burdens.
Massa-u alkair, Kanma. [1]
There was no sincerity in their sudden greeting. Bang! In a single movement, Black Mamba grasped the necks of the mummies who were climbing the loading box with a single grasp.
The mummies were pulled into the loading box-like carrots pulled out of the ground. They felt their souls wandering the boundary between life and death. Their faces turned purple from the firm grasp to the neck. Black Mamba allowed them to breathe by loosening his grip a fraction.
Keeeegh!
Their faces turned red trying to get oxygen. The neck was where the sensory veins passed to the brain. The two mummies were sorely affected and became like snails on salt.
But how did these b*stards know about Kanmas existence?
Black Mamba tilted his head. How was it possible these guerrillas could know his movements?
Pieff smiled bitterly. The demeaning treatment that had occurred during his mistaken identity as Kanma passed through his mind. Several emotions, humiliation, rage, and embarrassment surged, causing him to tear up.
Black Mamba took out his Kukri.
When he concentrated, the resonance rumbled and swept into his knife. The blade vibrated with a whine. A light flashed. Clang! The iron chain, as thick as a little finger, was sliced off.
Hah! Pieff suddenly doubted the quality of the iron chains.
Setting aside his surprise, Pieff turned to ask.
What are you planning to do?
They captured my head, so Ill capture their head.
Pieff was horrified at the casual reply. It wasnt a joke that you would make in the camp of an enemy. Even if he possessed astonishing skills, he was still human. Didnt he see the guerrillas that were swarming the ground like tadpoles?
Black Mamba slapped Sergeant Valboirs cheeks. He didnt know if hed wake up. There was blood matted to the back of his head. It was the wound from being bashed in with the butt of a gun.
Jeeze! What am I going to do with him?
Pieff stumbled up, and took off his uniform before putting on the mummies gandourah and sirwal. After wrapping the litam around his head, he became mummy number three. He dressed mummy two in his uniform and left him in a corner.
Lets go and greet the commander.
Pieff, who was now mummy three, looked at Black Mamba blankly. It was a gaze aimed at a crazy person.
Where did that unlikely confidence come from?
Pieff wondered if Black Mamba had caught a high fever. It wasnt likely, as he had been wandering around the Sahel for over a month. Black Mamba didnt care what Pieff was thinking. He picked him up and dropped him outside the loading box.
Black Mamba sauntered towards the central tent. Pieff leaned on the AK as a crutch and followed with a limp, resigning himself to the situation. In their appearance, the two were no different from guerrillas. No-one stopped them.
Saoud, who was looking at the map with Kikali, suddenly looked up.
What is this?
Whoevers not the leader, be quiet.
At the unexpected French, Saoud raised his gun like lightning.
Click-
Agh!
With a dart in his wrist, Saoud dropped his gun and moved back, clutching his wrist.
Youre not my subordinate. Who are you? Kikali asked in fluent French.
Its the Kanma you wanted to meet, Pieff said with a confident voice.
What?
Schink-
With a flash, the khanjar flew.
Gasp- Ah!
Kikali and Saoud breathed out as one. The khanjar had flown out like an arrow but was calmly grasped in Black Mambas hand, right before his face. It was as though it had been handed to him.
Crack-
Once more, the khanjar flashed and flew, embedding itself in the table. Whether it was deliberate or a coincidence wasnt known, but it had landed right on Berdalles Bata province which Kikali was looking at.
Im here as a guest. I want at least to be served a cup of tea.
It was a calm voice.
Those damn b*stards! Are they standing guard or not? Hey!
Stop, everyone step away.
Kikali stopped his subordinate and made the guards move back.
Saoud, hes a guest. Hand him a chair.
Kikali was moved.
The Kanma had appeared like a miracle. He didnt know how he had got here. He didnt want to blame his subordinates. The two invaders had demonstrated that he was the Kanma by their actions. No, it was enough with the pressure which pressed on him like a rock.
Good to meet you. Im Lieutenant Colonel Kikali of the 3rd army, the 3rd battalion. No, now Im the Tuareg warrior Kikali.
Black Mamba read the mood. Kikali was trying to treat him as the representative of the Tuareg tribe.
Black Mamba. You guys call me Kanma.
Mmm, as expected!
Kikali poured out the tea.
Thank you. Its an honor to share the tea of a Tuareg warrior. Allahu Akbar!
Black Mamba lowered the litam which covered his mouth and drank a sip of tea. Then he raised the cup above his head and lowered it.
Curiosity rose in Kikalis eyes.
It was the perfect example of the Tuareg tribes Imohag etiquette. The two tasted the tea without a word.
Suddenly, Black Mamba saw his transformation. He had a calmness he hadnt had before. If it hadnt been for his realization during the sand storm, he would have turned the oasis into a sea of blood to save his comrades. Killing wasnt the only solution. The best approach was to avoid conflict. There was a similar phrase recorded in the Tao Te Ching.
Respect could only be earned by first respecting the other. He had learned the manners of the Tuareg tribe while staying with Ombuti.
You have prepared a camp on the outskirts of the oasis, unlike other FAPs. You are a Tuareg Imohag who knows honor. If you had disturbed the locals I would have attacked immediately. You deserve my respect.
Kikalis mouth dropped open.
Its my familys honor to gain the respect of Azrael. I also respect you, warrior of all warriors.
Kikali and Black Mambas mood turned bright as though they had been friends for ten years.
Pieff, who had turned into a tied-off sack, spat fire from his eyes, or rather, he was lost for words. Kikali had killed his subordinates in droves. He could picture his men who had their heads sliced off like fish on a chopping board. Respect for someone who deserved no more than being ripped apart made his insides crumble.
Black Mamba. What are you saying? Kill that bastard now! Pieff exclaimed with a red face.
We are soldiers who kill and die under orders. There is no revenge between soldiers, only missions.
Pieff felt cold as though someone had thrown water over his head.
Cest mauvais!
This was the second time he received such a criticism, and Saouds words dug deep into his chest. How humiliating was this, as Duexieme Reps officer!
Kikali. Are you FROLINAT? Or a Tuareg warrior?
I am the Imohag of the Tuareg, Kikali said with pride.
He didnt plan on going against FROLINAT, but he had long decided to become independent.
Then our conversation will be easier. I want my comrades returned.
Then what can you give me?
I will return you, Habib.
Habib!
Hah!
What!
Exclamations of astonishment escaped from each individual.
I see, Habib has been captured! It was you, just as I thought.
[1] Hello, Kanma
Chapter 115 - Episode 4: The End of Habib
Kikali didnt ask if it was true, or that he didnt believe it, or any other question along those lines. Suspicion and mistrust would only insult the great warrior, and compromise his honor.
Pieff was the only one who couldnt regain his composure.
Black Mamba. This will be an amazing coup. You will be given the Legion DHonneur. Ill remain as a hostage but you must arrest this butcher!
My God, this mans lack of understanding is incredible. Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck.
He had brought him along to translate because he said he had been stationed in Algeria, but his Arabic was terrible. He would have been more useful if he had simply kept quiet. He was a fraud who sprayed sand everywhere without wit.
Black Mamba calmly approached him and whispered in his ear.
Commander, one more word and Ill beat you up.
What? You b*stard!
Pieff tripped backward. The fear of being swallowed whole by a great white shark engulfed his entire body.
Language was created by the brain. The vocal cords were controlled by the dysarthria, after passing the nervous system and motor nerves. In a situation where someone couldnt find their words, it meant the loss of the brains ability to calculate and sequence vocabulary. Even if there wasnt a problem with the articulation, a strong shock to the brain could cause muteness. Pieff, who had had his calculative brain compromised, could only roll his eyes.
Kikali lowered his voice.
Many of Habibs subordinates followed him on instinct.
Black Mamba. The Tuareg tribe has chosen to walk the path of the Tuareg. Habib is a butcher who knows no honor. I do not want to receive a rotten apple. I decline your offer.
Kikali narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Saoud, who had just returned from treating his wrist. He smiled. It meant that he was doing well.
Hmm! Black Mamba grunted.
This was not what he was expecting. It was a difficult situation, as he had regarded the exchange of hostages as a done deal. His dark, sunken eyes stared at Kikali.
Is this the reincarnation of Yeo Po, the icon of betrayal? No, its more like the Tumu Crisis.
There wasnt a single person who didnt know of Yeo Po, who was a professional at murdering foster fathers. The Tumu Crisis was the story of the sixth Ming Emperor Zhu Qizhen who was held hostage by the Mongols near Tumu. The Mongol leader Essen offered an exchange for Zhu Qizhen, but his brother Zhu Jianshen refused and ascended the throne. He became the Chenghua Emperor. In short, the Tumu Crisis, was when Emperor Zhu Qizhen was a hostage and he was denied an exchange by his brother.
Kikali was also someone who vied to take charge when his boss was kidnapped. He was like a cuckoo. Black Mamba wanted to hand Habib over black and blue, but now that plan was ruined, he lost his enthusiasm.
Should I turn this b*stard into Zhu Qizhen?
Esen was very clever in trying to return Zhu Qizhen without conditions. The northern faction was in conflict due to the division between Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Jianshen. In the end, Zhu Qizhen was dethroned and assassinated. It would be worth seeing what would happen if Habib learned what Kikali had said before releasing him.
Do I need to kill them all?
A thin red aura began to seep from Black Mambas eyes. It was the animalistic nature of a Paranthropus. Black Mamba was unforgiving of betrayers and backstabbers. A Paranthropus animalistic instinct was violence and full-frontal attack. Many of his comrades held captive would die, but that was their fate.
I need a more rewarding exchange.
Black Mamba raised his head. His burning eyes glared at Kikalis face. In fear, which seemed to stab through his brain, Kikali immediately turned away. Saoud and Pieff came into sight. Saoud was smiling, and Pieff looked as though he might cry.
It seems like Black Mamba thinks his commander has an inferior combat ability and doesnt know how to read the situation.
Ce mauvais! [1]
Kikali shook off his fear by giving Pieff a mocking smile. It was the same words Pieff had once said to Sergeant Himlet while testing Black Mamba a year before.
The reward I want is you, Black Mamba. I want to work with you. I respect your strong combat ability and Ive been swayed by your sincerity towards people.
Are you an Amenokal? Black Mamba asked out of the blue.
You know a lot. I am TIbestis Atibel [2] Amenokal. [3] If we work together wed be able to create a Tuareg kingdom, connecting Nigerias Bilma and Tibesti regions. There will be over 40 thousand if we unite all the Tuaregs in the Sahel. Youll become a king.
Putting aside the fact Im not king material, will Libya, who are under Soviet control, watch the Tuareg kingdom grow right under their noses?
With your talent and fame, well be able to unite all the tribes in the Sahel. If they can live in comfort without a threat to their lives theyll support us. If we take over the buffer zone between Libya and Chad, well achieve international recognition.
Black Mamba looked at the middle-aged Tuareg warrior who was speaking with passion.
Did this guy read The Three Kingdoms several times or something?
He sounded like Zhuge Liang discussing the three divisions. His give and take dealings were a mix of Cao Cao and Liu Bei. He wasnt a cuckoo but a raccoon. He was someone to be wary of.
Im not someone whos troubled by an old Tuareg servant. Ill pretend that this discussion never happened.
When Black Mamba refused sharply, Saoud spoke up.
Black Mamba, sir. How long do you intend to remain Frances knife? Dont you want to be the owner of a harem with hundreds of beauties under your control? Dont you want to choose meals served by the best cook in the world every day? The Chinese idea of a plentiful banquet of millions is the dream romance of any man of the desert.
A smile formed on Black Mambas mouth.
Could I put Hae Young in that harem? Her mum would appear with a bat in her hand!
Saoud, Im a man of simple tastes, which arent enough to keep a woman. Im satisfied with a single piece of ugali and a cup of date wine.
Black Mamba paused, and then glared at Kikali.
I can say one thing for certain. The first problem you Tuareg have is your mentality of victimization and the notion of being a chosen people. Your tribe is still wielding the shamshir and raiding caravans. You long for the slavery of the past and are still using slaves. Isnt your belligerence the reason why the European powers refuse your independence?
Hmm! I see theres a large cultural and social misunderstanding here. A humans rank is determined the moment theyre born. Noble blood is different from the very beginning.
I believe the status of a human being begins with acknowledging another human being. All you have to do is be loyal to your position as the Tuaregs Amenokal, while I remain loyal to my role as a mercenary.
Kikalis face relaxed. He wasnt simply a strong man. He was educated and had a resolute personality. He wasnt someone to be swayed.
I dont want to have you as my enemy. We might not be friends, but Id like us to remain good neighbors.
It appears the Tuareg tribe wont be lost any longer under a leader like you. Ill accept your request. Allahu Akbar!
Black Mamba took off his litam and revealed his face. As he extended his right hand, Kikali smacked his palm with the others twice. It was the Tuareg tribes expression for agreement and accepting the other as a neighbor.
Black Mamba, I have a request, too.
Kikali took out his khanjar. Black Mamba nodded and drew his kukri. It was said that the Tuareg Immoharens pride reached the skies. He had also heard that their technique, which had been refined and improved over hundreds of years, was astounding. Of course, someone who talked without experience had to taste the paste to tell whether it was chili or bean. It was the same for him.
The last quarter of the moon hung in the desert sky.
Oooo, Kikali, Kikali!
Immoharen Kikali!
The guerrillas chanted with torches in their hands.
Kikali wasnt able to move for five minutes.
His opponent stood with his left hand holding the Kukri limp by his side, without making any defensive stance.
Kikali rubbed his eyes once more. This was the third time. Every time he tried to attack his opponent he blurred as though he was made of magical grains. The moment he relaxed his intention to attack, pressure like a mountain pressed him from all sides.
As expected, Azrael!
Kikali relinquished the need to win. This was a human who had overstepped the boundary of being human. He was able to relax, once he abandoned his goal and accepted the exchange as a lesson.
Kikalis body swayed from side to side.
It was the Mutember that the Tuareg tribe had mastered. With each step forward, there was half a step back from side to side. It was a dance that blurred the attackers target point as the distance closed. At the height of its momentum, they were able to move from side to side like water.
So thats how he did it! Pieff exclaimed.
He hadnt realized when they were fighting but now understood why he had lost. He had waved his hand around meaninglessly at the strange footwork, unable to pinpoint where to strike.
Ssss-
Kikali aimed an extended kick to the lower body with immense strength. As soon as the opponents balance was shaken, he would attack with his khanjar. It was Kikalis strongest move, which made the opponent expect a stabbing attack and thereby create confusion.
Crash-
Agh!
Black Mamba hadnt budged an inch. Kikali, who had made a swipe at his legs, now groaned at the bone-shattering pain. It wasnt a human leg, but a metal beam.
Crack-
Aaah!
Kikalis chest was struck by a palm and he quickly staggered back. It was a single blow of immense power.
Saoud intervened to prevent Kikali from falling over. Thanks to him, he was able to avoid the embarrassment of rolling onto the ground. Kikali shoved Saoud away.
Thank you for your consideration.
Black Mamba only smiled.
Now, lets go see my friends, shall we?
Kanma, no, Black Mamba, sir, weve unfortunately had to kill five people, Saoud said with a stricken face.
What! You barbaric b*stards! Did you kill some prisoners? Dont you know what the Geneva Agreement says? Pieff shoved his finger at Saoud with a reddened face.
Pieff still hadnt understood just how savage the Sahel really was.
Im sorry, but they were critically ill. There are no hospitals like in France out here. Their lives were bound to end in pain. I have been benevolent! Saoud attacked Pieff in return.
Seeing an old white b*stard acting out in front of great warriors made his mood turn sour.
Wha what did you say? Youre a first-rate murderer! Ill make you stand trial in Paris, no, at the international court! Pieff jumped up and down in rage.
Ugh! This b*stards driving me crazy.
Black Mamba was stressed out.
Commander, this is the Sahel, and weve met as enemies. Its unfortunate, but theres nothing we can do.
Get out of the way Black Mamba. Ill kill all these b*stards!
Pieff raised the rifle he was using as a crutch.
Bang-
A loud crack rang out. Black Mamba slapped the back of Pieffs neck with his hand.
You jjonman-ah, Im sad too. So? Are you going to give up on your life, too? Try rolling around in the Sahel for a month or two, you b*stard, and then youll understand what Saoud is saying.
Doubt suddenly rose in Pieffs darkening mind.
What does jjonman-ah mean? It sounds like a Korean swear word, like nigimi ddugural.
Black Mamba. The FROLINAT may disband, but they will never stop tracking you down. The FAP, especially, will attach themselves like ticks. The FAP warlords have decided to let their next leader be the one who takes off your head.
Ha, those poor things! What are they going to do with a privates head? Ill tell you something. The Tuareg tribes Immoharen is my servant. I wont consider you my enemy in consideration of my servant. Rather, Ill help if I can.
Thank you!
Kikali lowered his head. The words of a great warrior carried more weight than a mountain. With Kanmas cooperation, the coalition of the Tuareg tribes would become much easier.
At an hour after midnight, six camels left Boruku Oasis.
On the back of the camels were all those who had been held captive, Pieff, Valboir, Sergeant Centienne, Officer Maxime, and Sergeant Bronin. Their mood had turned into rage throughout the two days due to the violence and the lack of food. Black Mamba wasnt bothered by his comrades moans. They were better off dead if they couldnt withstand such minor pain. He enjoyed the night air on the head camels back as though he had just visited a neighbor.
[1] What an idiot
[2] a large gathering of tawshet, a small tribe
{3} title for the highest Tuareg traditional chiefs
Chapter 116 - Chapter 15, Episode 5: The End of Habib
Kikali hadnt returned all of the rescue teams supplies. He only allowed them their food, water, and personal weapons. He frowned, even while doing so, saying that it went against Tuareg tradition.
He had some resentment for being denied a collaboration, and returning war spoils was a forbidden act of the Tuareg tribe. They were a tribe of looters who had survived in that way for hundreds of years. When someone was captured they were either made a slave or released after a ransom. The stolen loot was shared amongst the Tawshet.
They were a tribe that believed the Tawshet would be ruined if stolen goods were returned to the enemy. Instead, Kikali presented them with six camels. Sharing their wealth with a close neighbor was the height of etiquette represented by an Immoharen.
Black Mamba accepted it without emotion.
He had saved his friends and had gained a positive response from an enemy. That was enough. He found the loss of vehicles regrettable, but the gift of the camels was some compensation.
When Black Mamba arrived with Pieffs group in tow, the camp erupted in disbelief. Black Mamba watched them without a word, completely detached. There were five mouths to feed, including Pieff. There was no need to tire himself out, by trying to explain.
His burdens had only increased. Ombuti headed towards the oasis after loading the camels with water bottles. No one questioned what hed said to Kikali. The mercenaries who ended up throwing a reunion party in the middle of the Sahel were out of their minds. Black Mamba snored away on the bed Ombuti made for him out of woven straw.
The camp was thrown into disarray while Black Mamba napped.
The five surviving members of team Ratel and the five who had been held prisoner as a rescue team had much to talk about. Commander Pieff and Sergeant Pauls conversation lasted until daybreak. One full of surprise and the other full of anger.
It was sunrise, but team Ratel was unable to leave.
Black Mamba hadnt woken up yet. There was no one, on either the Ratel or rescue teams, who wanted to wake up Black Mamba. Beauties needed lots of sleep, and warriors needed lots of sleep too. The truth was that no one had the confidence to wake neither the beauty nor the beast.
In the end, the captain and Pieff decided to remain a day longer. The rescue teams condition, after maltreatment by the guerrillas, wasnt good. There was no doubt that they were sick. The men were treated by Bell Man and rested another day.
That evening, the captain called Jang Shin over.
Jang Shin, drag Habib here.
Yessir.
Jang Shin brought in Habib as though he was dragging a sack. Habib wasnt able to control his body properly, but Bell Man and Ombuti only watched. They looked at him in disgust, as though theyd get dirt on themselves by touching him.
Why is he in such a state?
All there was of Habibs injuries were the one on his left heel and right hand, both made by Black Mamba. There was no reason for him to be so ill.
He has rotted a little due to the weather.
Bell Man croaked, choking down his laughter.
The captain and Pieff looked at Jang Shin in bewilderment. There was no way a human would rot due to poor weather, humans werent food. It meant that someone had tortured him.
The captains eyes moved to a point between Habibs legs. His clothes had turned red.
Lower his pants.
Jang Shin peeled them off awkwardly.
S***, its been sliced off! Pieff shouted in horror.
The FROLINAT killed their prisoners, while the mercenaries cut off the penises of their captives. His heart shrank at the endless brutality. If he hadnt been saved by Black Mamba, he would have ended up like Habib.
The captain glared at Ombuti.
There was only one person who could commit such an atrocity. It was Ombuti. Even if Habib had done some terrible things, one couldnt take it out on a prisoner.
Moreover, they hadnt reported to him. They had overstepped their authority. Ombuti began to inch behind Black Mamba, away from the accusing gaze. That only made the captain look on with more hatred.
Ombuti, I know you want to take revenge for your wife and firstborn, but Habib is a prisoner. Torturing a prisoner without permission warrants a military court-martial.
Sorry. I went crazy for a second. Ombuti replied without emotion.
His blood loss is under control and we have given him morphine. He wont die. Bell Man protested.
The captain shook his head. That guy wasnt normal, either.
The penis was the symbol of being a man.
The captain would have understood had they just cut his arm. But the guy who called himself a medic was relaxed as though he had cut Habibs nails instead. His humanity had dried up on the battlefield with all the blood and the loss of life. He began to worry about his subordinates mental health.
Captain, were going to kill him anyway. Id have cut it off, too.
Even Black Mamba agreed.
Pieff stared at Black Mamba blankly.
Theyre crazy. Theyve all gone mad!
The captain turned to look at Pieff.
Pieff had given him the position of team leader, but he was his boss. Pieff was speechless and didnt discuss the rights and wrongs. He was currently going through a chaotic phase.
With the unimaginable events the Ratel team had gone through, Black Mamba had grown into a fearsome presence, but the poor decisions of his superiors and the mercenaries who had lost their humanity meant he was having an identity crisis.
The captain decided not to discuss it further.
It had already happened. It was also difficult to punish Ombuti, who had voluntarily become Black Mambas servant. It was a leaders curse to have a god-like subordinate.
Ombuti, if you act up once more, I wont forgive you.
The captain rounded up the conversation with a final warning.
Habib couldnt believe the reality of the situation he was in.
How could the third most powerful of the 11 member council, who led the FROLINATs third army, and who should be Chads president, be reduced to such a state?
Had his soul been stolen by the Kanma? If this was a dream, it was a very bad one.
That fierce old Tuareg had beaten him like mad before he could regain his bearings. That crazy b*stard had even cut his penis off.
According to Ombuti, they were team Ratel, of the French special forces. They were the ones who had attacked and destroyed his mansion. It was unbelievable.
He couldnt live long now anyway. He didnt want to show his vulnerability when he was going to die anyway.
Habib, wheres Makumbo right now?
Habib glared at him with his cloudy eyes. He was second in command of FAP, and the third council member of FROLINAT.
Are you trying to imitate the Omerta? [1] If so its a rather poor attempt.
Omerta? Ha! Those frogs and dogs arent worth talking to.
It was a guarded response. The captain smirked.
Haha! I may talk with dogs but I dont talk to human butchers. Habib! Slaughterer of the Sahel! If you do not reply, Ill burn you alive and scatter your ashes to the wind.
What!
Habib glared at the impertinent white man with widened eyes as though he might rip him apart at any moment.
To Muslims, death was the knot between the living and the dead, and the bridge which led them to their next lives. Death was regarded as a part of life and the body was the house of the soul. The grave was a temporary place where the soul resided after leaving the body. If the body disappeared or was destroyed, there was no house for the soul to return to.
Burning the corpse after death was an evil crime that destroyed the souls resting place. Burning the body meant shoving eternal life into eternal death, the act of a devil. It was the greatest sin. Therefore the corpse had to be buried well and intact.
You dirty b*stard! A desert warrior doesnt humiliate the enemy. You are worse than the hyenas who steal rotten meat.
The captains face turned red.
Someone had a right to be angry but it wasnt Habib. The person who committed all kinds of evil was Habib himself. His talk of a warriors honor made his insides flip.
You worthless trash, youre not a warrior. A warrior doesnt harm the weak. You raped and killed countless unarmed locals. Isnt your nickname The slaughterer? Camels would laugh at you, a murderer who talks about morals and humility. One-third of your army consists of boys barely over ten. How many boys did you use as bullet barriers? How many girls did you kidnap as sex slaves? Youre a b*stard with the head of a pig!
That was a minor sacrifice for the greater good. We may be strong politically, but our army is weak. We need to increase the number of revolutionaries in order to escape the grip of the imperialists. Its just a method of increasing battle strength. The children whove joined Allahs greater will are similarly honored. Habib insisted strongly.
The captain wanted to shove the barrel of his gun in Habibs mouth and pull the trigger to shut him up.
You crazy b*stard! What are you strengthening the military for? Independence? With what right do you talk about independence when youve looted and murdered your own people? Youre the worst of humankind, whove lost their minds to power. Youre dogs who commit genocide against citizens to exercise your power. I dont want to debate with someone who regards people as nothing but collateral. Shove that meaningless excuse away and answer the question.
Habib said nothing.
Woah! Since when did that old man become so eloquent? Emil said sarcastically.
We really should have sent that man to the national council. Keke! Mike laughed.
Black Mamba, who was listening, butted in.
Habib, Im Black Mamba, whos called the Kanma.
Ah! Youre the Kanma?
Habibs eyes grew wide.
Overwhelmed, he could only make croaking noises. For this Asian looking young man to be the Kanma, who shakes the Sahel? What he had imagined and what he now saw didnt match.
Habib, I met Kikali yesterday.
You met Kikali?
Habib looked as though he had been hit by a hammer.
I offered an exchange of hostages with you and the captured mercenaries.
A and?
He refused the exchange, immediately and firmly.
Thats thats impossible!
Habibs pale face turned as white as a corpse.
Black Mamba gave a mocking smile.
He said he didnt need a rotten egg.
Ugh! That snake!
Habib made a fist and trembled.
You should have been nicer to your subordinates.
That dirty Tuareg sword-holder. How dare he betray me, when I raised him?
I may be a Buddhist, but I respect your religion. Ive been told that your soul wanders the Gehenna forever if the body is burned. I dont like you, but I understand that youre an exceptional warrior. Ill treat you like one. If you answer me, Ill bury you properly. Ill make a mark so that your subordinates would be able to find you. I promise this in Black Mambas name.
Chad had been under Frances rule for a long time. The upper class and most of the bourgeois knew French.
Habib stared at the ground. It was broken French, but he understood enough. Each and every one of Black Mambas words tore at his chest and thrashed around his head. He had lost everything, his desire, his status, and his honor.
Habib raised his head.
Black Mamba was somewhat surprised. Pieffs face seemed to have aged ten years. Hed heard that Oh Ja -Seos hair had turned white overnight, and Habib was the same. The slaughterer Habib, who made the Sahel shake in fear for decades, had become an old man who had forgotten the meaning of life.
The Kanma is human, I see. It must have been Allahs will for a human, like you, to exist! You may be my enemy, but youre a respectable warrior. I will tell you what I know. Make my death a quick one.
Habib became cooperative, deciding to change his stance.
Pieffs eyes grew wide.
The old man who had been as resistant as wire core had suddenly changed into a spring wind. There was a Korean saying which said the schools dog would be capable of reading after three years of training.
Black Mamba had turned into an entirely different person within a month. Other than transforming his physical abilities, he had become persuasive and eloquent. Pieff had felt as though he was looking at an experienced diplomat when Black Mamba was talking to Kikali. Now, Black Mamba looked like an adult playing with a child when dealing with FROLINATs evil warlord, Habib.
Pieff realized the baby duck has left his nest, and flown into the sky.
[1] Omert (as practiced by the Mafia) a code of silence about criminal activity and a refusal to give evidence to authorities.
[2] Au revoir, petit canaron! [Goodbye, my baby duck!]
Chapter 117 - Chapter 15, Episode 6: The End of Habib
He couldnt have imagined that the baby duck would be going through his old notebook with a bloodthirsty expression
It was a notebook that Black Mamba, no, Mu Ssang named Debt and Repayment Records. On the front cover of the notebook were the faded words debt should be returned tenfold, revenge a hundredfold.
Hes a gay b*stard, but not a bad guy.
Black Mamba hesitated after wondering whether he should write Pieffs name in the notebook, before putting it back in his pocket. Pieff didnt realize that the worlds largest threat had soundlessly brushed past him. This was why the saying ignorance is bliss was known better to the world than knowledge is power.
The captain began questioning once again.
Councilman Habib, are you ready to reply? I may be able to let you live depending on how you cooperate.
Huhu, why would a human want to live after meeting the Kanma? Stop barking lies and do whatever you want. Kill or let me live.
Wheres Makumbo right now?
I see. Youre not asking because you dont know, but because you want to check, no?
Habib looked up at the captain with a mocking smile.
Ahem!
The captain coughed to relieve the awkwardness of having his intentions revealed. There was no difference between Habib, who had been betrayed by his subordinates, and himself, who had been abandoned by the Department of Defense.
France is amazing to have thrown away such talented people like you as bait. Or is the bait comparably minor when trying to fish up a large haul like Chad?
Stop talking nonsense and answer the question. The Captain said in annoyance.
Idiot!
Black Mamba, who had been meditating a while away, laughed at him. Habib was trying to piece back his pride by mocking France. The ever so stickler for the rules captain was being shaken around by an aged Habib, without resistance.
Theres no reason not to tell you. Makumbo is in NDjamena. One of our informants confirmed the betrayers presence in the presidents palace.
Damn it!
The captains face crumpled.
He had predicted it, but it felt as though he had shoved a handful of wild mustard in his mouth, hot and sour.
Is Makumbos surrender real?
Theres no such thing as honesty in that dog-like fence-sitters dictionary. The plan we had with Makumbo at the very beginning was ruined by mad bstards like you. We didnt imagine that you bstards had been wind -pointers. I find myself pathetic to have been fooled by such a stupid frog. I want to ask you something. How many of the special forces were put into Kanem and Borkou?
Were all there is.
No!
Habib zoned out for a moment.
You probably cant believe it, but theres no reason to lie. Over 900 of my subordinates have been killed by you. Theres about 1300 dead in all of FROLINAT. This improbable situation is because of the Kanma, no, that person called Black Mamba, for certain.
Habib paused for a moment to collect his breath.
To think such a person could existI did nothing wrong. I have simply been defeated by a Kanma who isnt human. Have I been abandoned by Allah? Habib murmured as though he had lost his mind.
Theres nothing to feel unjust about. Half of my subordinates have died as well. Weve only killed in order not to die. What was the reason for your attacks, when you already knew Makumbo had escaped?
Do you really not know! A deserts warrior does not suffer humiliation. You have all tramped on the pride of the FAP. Regardless of my death, the FAP will continue chasing you until the end with their pride on the line.
Ha, theyll throw away thousands of soldiers just for the sake of pride?
Its not only to regain pride. Kanmas infamous name had surpassed fear amongst FROLINAT. Its only with Kanmas death that the FROLINAT would be able to conquer the Sahel.
Hm, weve become that famous! Where did you get information about us?
The captain didnt ask how he gained the information but from where. Howhe already knew.
I received information from Libyas intelligence agency. We were similarly fooled. We believed the information DGSE released without knowing it was a part of a plan. We wasted our precious time trying to catch you, thanks to that. From that perspective, you all are unfortunate. Its something like piglets thrown into a lions fence. Hahahaha!
Habib laughed in delight. He was in a pitiful state, but there was no retreat for the mercenaries, either.
Captain, theres no need to listen to him anymore. Lets kill him already.
Jang Shin pulled out his beretta in anger.
Thats right. We knew all of that already. We need to kill that bstard, and shoot all those bstards in headquarters.
We need to beat up those DGSE b*stards first.
Emil and Bell Man were similarly worked up.
The captain laughed inwardly at his subordinates who were acting exactly as hed planned.
Wait a moment. Theres something else that needs to be confirmed.
He stopped his overeager subordinates.
There was no need to question Habib at this point. The only reason he was going over obvious facts was to prompt anger from his team members, who were under considerable mental strain.
What was the origin of fear that caused humans to give up on survival?
When the lifeboat of reliability sank in the middle of a vast ocean, when one was bitten by a black mamba in isolation within a thick rainforest, when there was no more water in the last bottle in the middle of a desert, when one came across a starved tiger with a bullet-less empty rifleit was none of that. A true threat to survival was not such impulsive and violent threats. The threat that seeped in like water, little by little, was true fear.
And that was the situation the Ratel team was in.
They were isolated in a foreign land, their enemies chased them relentlessly, comrades died one by one, with an absence of experienced veterans
The only working force that allowed them to hold on until now was the inhumane existence called Black Mamba. Even so, the long term stress made the team members exhausted. The trigger to their frustration was anger. The captain was more academic, but he wasnt stupid.
Ask me quickly if you want to know something. Im too tired. Habib rushed his questioning.
The b*stard who passed on the information from headquarters has already been arrested. Did the Legion Etrangeres command also know about the back door teams existence?
Habib made a stupefied face.
Why are you asking me that? Didnt you guys receive orders from the 11th Airborne brigade anyway?
Ha, thats right.
The captain made a bitter face.
He wanted to know whether the back-door plan had been an individual project of the DGSEs, or had been processed under silent cooperation by the highest members of Legion Etrangere. Nothing changed even if it was one or the other. It was the last resistance of an unfortunate heart that wished to deny the betrayal of a family hed long shared food with.
The captain suddenly detested himself.
Damn it, Ive grown old. Should I retire before I experience something more humiliating?
He had an urge for discharge, which made him conflicted.
Tell me the FROLINATs containment network.
Ha, it seems like you dont want to die. Itll be hard. Your surprise attack on my mansion was well planned. I sent out an order, by mistake you see, assuming Abduhl was responsible. Seeing how youve survived until now, only demonstrates the chaos the council must be in. Still, I refuse. The Sahel is our living room. The entire National Liberation Army has headed out to seal the return route. Even the stationed army in TIbesti has been released. You b*stards are in between the gravel and hammer and only have destruction left.
Black Mamba stepped forth.
Habib, last question. I need you to reveal where Bata provinces Abbas battalion is.
How surprising, youve managed to find a part of Mor. That betrayer, Kikali, must have told you.
Yes. Even he didnt know the exact position.
Habib laughed inwardly.
That bstard Kikali had hidden Abbas battalions position from Black Mamba. Now that the bstard was planning to become independent, he could understand. Abbas was similarly a Tuareg tribal leader, like Kikali.
If Kikali was the Vilma and Tibestis Amenokal, Abbas was Ennedi and Bata provinces Amenokal. Kikali was trying to get rid of the other Amenokal using Kanmas hand. Power was more addictive than drugs. They were all the same.
Habib wanted to send Kanma on a train to hell for destroying everything he had established in the past decade with a single blow.
Kekeke!
Habib cackled with shaking shoulders.
Everything is Gods will, I will wait for you below. Allahu-Akbar!
Habib closed his eyes after saying everything he wished to say.
His power and life had both come to the end. All that remained was a betrayed soul and broken body. What had he tried to gain by killing all those lives? He felt empty.
A short life was the training ground of the soul. He only feared for the punishment of throwing his soul into eternal darkness and had no more regrets in life.
Black Mamba, we need to know where their soldiers are stationed. Mike prompted in a hurry.
Black Mamba took a glance at Habibs face, before shaking his head.
No, his mind had died before his body.
What the hell are you saying? Anyone will blow if you cut off a few fingers.
Bell Man stopped Mike, who took out his Ka-bar knife.
Blacks right. Theres no point in torture.
What, you want to treat him like a prisoner?
Emil, it seems like the sergeants confidence has grown.
Mike flinched.
He had heard Jang Shin whispering to Emil.
Trou du cul putain. [1]
Mike, who wasnt able to hold back his anger any longer, kicked Habibs side relentlessly. Habib didnt even react.
Mike, the dead dont speak. Black Mamba said softly.
There was a smell of rotten corpse about Habib. His soul had died.
Bell Man, what should we do about this?
The captain poked at the lump with his foot.
They were in a situation where saving ones own body was no mean feat. It wasnt suitable to drag around a hostage. It was also questionable as to whether there was any point to a hostage when FROLINAT was so divided.
Theres a Korean saying that goes, the person who ties the knot will untie the knot. Give him to Black Mamba.
Black Mamba, you hear that?
Ok. The person who knotted isnt me but Ombuti. Ombuti will figure it out.
Do that, then.
A rebel guerrilla wasnt a part of an official army. Obviously, they werent a part of the Geneva Agreement. There was no reason to treat a madman like a prisoner, either. Habib himself had claimed he was a warrior, but he was nothing but trash whod lost his human instincts. He was nothing but trash rotting in religious prestige. Trash and waste had to be cleaned out by the cleaner. The captain, whod lost interest, separated from the rebelling leader who was placed in a pitiful situation and left with Pieff.
Ombuti, present.
Black Mamba left Habibs end to Ombuti.
Ombutis mouth hung from ear to ear. He teared up, moved.
Wakil, thank you. I will repay this favor with the rest of my life.
He kneeled and banged his forehead on the floor.
His owner had left the clean up of his enemy to him, as promised. His eye spewed embers in the thought of finally delivering his revenge.
The Sahel night wore on.
Black Mamba forgot the passing of time in a deep sleep. The flow of blood which had been crashing down like a stream in the rain had turned into thin veins. The silver pieces which had been mixed with the blood increased in number. The silver dots followed the stream of blood and swirled around the brain.
Shhh-
There was a sound of summer rain.
Crack-
Mm!
The man in the bed awoke at the sound.
It was the sound of Ombuti at Habibs resting place. Ombuti could be seen treating Habib with care. The sound had been Ombuti slapping Habibs thigh to inject an atropin.
Ombutis intention could be read in an instant. He was going to give Habib, a sane man, as a Bismillah[2]. He closed his eyes as if he hadnt noticed.
Ugh. Habib groaned.
Ombuti sighed in relief. A bismillah had to be done as a living sacrifice. He couldnt use a dead bstard as a fresh sacrificial being. He had been worried that the bstard had died.
Ombuti shoved his face up close to the point that their noses could touch. Words sharpened with blood came out of his mouth.
Anta kelb, do you know who I am?
Habib closed his eyes, which he had forced open to look at Ombuti. Everything was bothersome.
Ugh, its that old b*stard again. Stop annoying me and just kill me.
Habib, its time for the bismillah.
Habibs eyes flew open.
Bismillah! With what right?
[1] That mo*********** b*stard.
[2] Sacrifice
Chapter 118 - Chapter 15, Episode 7: The End of Habib
It was disgusting. The old man before his eyes was a b*stard, who appeared out of nowhere, to hit and spit at him. Realizing that he had fallen to the point of being mocked by a clumsy old man only made him smile bitterly.
There were thousands and millions more who held a grudge against him anyway.
Even the North Korean officer had said that a fallen dragon in a stagnant river would be laughed at. He gave up fighting back and closed his mouth.
But he didnt know the b*stard would cut his p*nis.
As a man, he was trash of the worst kind. Despite being called a butcher, he couldnt have sliced the p*nis of any man. Women were an exception.
Looking at the red eyes that flashed in expectation of the upcoming violence made his insides flip. Now that the world had turned upside down, even a worthless human was getting on his nerves.
Hehehe! Of course, I do. Ive only dreamt of killing you, sir Habib, and Musta for the past five years.
Habib wasnt even surprised. Empty laughter came automatically.
There are over thousands of people dreaming that impossible dream in just Southern TIbesti. Youre but one of those thousands. I dont know how I ended up in this situation, but my name isnt something an old man like you can dare to mention, Habib said with derision to Ombuti.
I see youre still living in a fantasy. Youll regain your senses when your brain is shattered, and your skin is torn.
Ombuti emitted blood lust.
Hehe, kill or let me live, do whatever you want. I wont be bothered.
Habib closed his eyes and pressed his back to the floor.
Ombuti felt the fight leave him. Even when fishing, the fish had to resist for one to feel the thrill at their fingertips. It was as his Wakil had said, there was no meaning in killing a dead souls body.
Grit
The corpses of his wife and daughter, who had been raped and killed mercilessly, flickered across his eyes. This wasnt a rage that could be resolved with a few punches and the cutting of a p*nis. He felt conflicted. Rather, he couldnt think of a good solution.
Ombuti!
Huh, Wakil!
Ombuti was surprised. His master was someone whose presence couldnt be felt, even when one was standing beside him.
Ive disturbed your sleep, Wakil.
No. I was awake. Are you getting ready for the Bismillah?
Yes. I was thinking for a moment.
Bismillah originally meant by the will of God.
It was the most used word in a Muslims day-to-day life. Bismillah was recited, before eating or drinking water.
Bismillah had to be recited before butchering an animal or killing a sacrifice in order to avoid Hades. Some tribes in the southwestern side of the Sahara desert used Bismillah in reference to the sacrifice placed on the altar.
Habib raised his head and began to protest.
Black Mamba, you promised me the death of a warrior with your name on the line! I want to die as a warrior.
You crazy b*stard, youre the one who first went back on your promise to answer honestly. My promise had already scattered with the wind the moment you kept your mouth shut regarding the position of Abbas army.
Ill tell you now.
Habib was nervous.
The half-deranged Tuareg tribes old man looked as though he wanted to peel off his skin layer by layer. There were several ways to die. Whether it was a bullet to the head, roped to a tree, or stabbed to the heart, he didnt fear such methods. But there was a different meaning to being tormented until death.
Too late. Ive left your punishment to Ombuti already.
That doesnt make sense! Are you saying that a little promise is worth more than information on escaping? Habib shouted at the top of his lungs, unbelievingly.
Obviously. Promises are important.
Black Mambas reply sounded bored to the point that it was hateful.
Agh, what kind of human are you! You, for a lowly slave, for that slave
Wakil, that b*stards not wrong. Dont take your slave into consideration and gain the information you need.
Ombuti, who was surprised, grabbed onto Black Mambas sleeve. His revenge was a small matter, while the teams safety was a large matter.
Who dares to say that Black Mambas slave is lowly?
Growl
A howling that was deeper and heavier than a male lions roar shook the desert. Black Mambas eyes sent out a beam of blue light.
Ombuti, servitude and nobility is decided by yourself. You are a warrior who places importance on trust. As the head of the family, you are risking your life for your familys revenge. If I change my mind constantly, Ill lose my servants trust. Id give up the information and work towards the location rather than become a master without trust.
You crazy b*stard! You and your servant are both mad!
Ohh, Wakil!
Habibs face crumpled to rot, and Ombutis face turned into one of reverence.
What kind of master in this world would treat his servant so highly!
Ombuti cried inwardly.
Ombuti, bury him.
What?
Ombuti, who didnt understand the meaning behind his words, asked back.
Theres no reason to hadas your hands. I heard of something called Allahs judgment. Something about leaving a person tied to a post in the middle of a desert. Theres no need to do that. Just bury him, but leave his head out. Let him experience the worst fear and torment until he dies.
Chui Do Shik used to clear the grounds on a whim and buried people with the excuse of ninja training. The hopelessness and despair of being unable to move a finger were unimaginable unless suffered personally. Rather than training, it was a punishment that destroyed a persons spirit.
There was a similar punishment called Hom-Dai in ancient Egypt. It was a punishment that involved burying a person alive within a coffin. Hom-Dai later evolved into a form of live burials.
Ombutis face brightened.
Oooh, thats a good method.
Ombuti understood Black Mambas intentions. Wakil left Habibs punishment to Allahs will. The Sahel region was the spotted hyenas habitat, a breed commonly found in the area. Whether the starved hyenas were able to find Habib or not was up to Allahs will. His owner was a fair and fearful person.
Ombuti tied Habib up and went down to the river, five yards away from camp.
Yawm al-din[1], that scar on your forehead is the mark my wife left behind. Now, it is your turn to receive judgment.
Habib struggled to open his eyes. His eyes, which had lost their focus, turned towards Ombuti.
He remembered. There had been a woman who resisted strongly. Unlikely a local, the woman cracked his head with a rock.
He spoke as though he was mumbling.
Youre that womans husband? Maktub[2]!
Ombuti took out a long object from his backpack.
The object glistened in the moonlight.
Hm, isnt that the Ocelots whip, which was lost?
Yes. It dropped near the back garden of Le Marienne hotel, which you flipped over, Wakil. I kept it for you.
Ha, I didnt even think about it.
Unfortunately, theres no handle, but its an amazing weapon. Its good for your use, Wakil.
Its not a well-intended object.
Now that he was talking about it, it was ironic. His Kukri was a weapon that had drunk more blood than the Ocelots whip.
A weapon follows its users will, like money. Theres no such thing as a bad weapon. Its the human who uses it that makes it worse.
Hm, youre right, but I dont need another weapon.
Wakil, youre a perfect warrior who has equipped both the close and long-range attacks. On top of that, if you gain a weapon that allows you a middle-range attack, youll become undefeatable.
Hm, Ill think about it. Did you take out the object for that b*stard?
Thats correct. Ill use your wealth just this once, Wakil.
Alright.
Give me your permission, please.
Ombuti was a strict servant.
I allow you to.
Thank you.
Black Mamba, who guessed Ombutis intention, nodded and stepped back. Ombuti was a slightly scary human.
Crash
Argh!
A desperate shout rang across the desert. The surface of Ocelots whip was coated with pieces and dust made of diamonds. It was as though small thorns were embedded thoroughly. The whip swept past his shoulder. Clothes were ripped, causing the skin to tear and bleed.
Slap
Agh, you f****** son of a swine!
When the end of the whip swept past his cheek, his skin was ripped, revealing his cheekbones. Ombuti moved the whip several more times. Ocelots whip revealed a horrible power. With a few more swings, Habib became soaked with blood.
Ombuti rolled the whip up and stored it in his backpack.
Wakil, Ill store this with care. Think of a way to use it. Its too good to give it up.
Thanks.
Ombutis truth touched him.
They had different ethnicities and different ways of thinking, but the truth was always communicated. The old Tuareg warrior had been honest. Truth from the depths of the heart should always be received kindly.
Warmth gathered in Black Mambas eyes, which was looking at Ombuti. He felt happiness from gaining another family in another country. It does not matter if you are not blood-related. As long as there were truth and minds were connected, that was considered family.
Ombuti dug the ground with ferocity.
Overwhelmed with happiness, he dug the ground until his hands shattered. Ombuti measured the depth of the hole and picked Habib up. The old man was strong.
This cant be possible. Allah, please shove these heathens and betrayer in hell, Habib shouted with the last of his strength.
Ha, hes not a bit different from that Amuhd b*stard. Black Mamba, who was watching the works with cold eyes, laughed.
Its a curse that was passed down since the crusade.
I dont get it.
Allah, who loves humans, wont be as free to listen to the pleas of this b*stard.
Ombuti pushed the sand in the hole, smoothing the surface with his feet.
All that was left was the round head above the ground.
In that friends perspective, it is resentful. Yaksas met Ashura, so theres nothing to do. You should blame fortune.
Wakil, I didnt know such a day would come. Thank you. I dont know how to repay this debt.
Ombuti, you dont say such things between family. Im relieved that I can sleep more easily from today onwards.
Shukran. Ha-da-apdal yaoumin pi-haya-ti.[3]
Tears streamed down from Ombutis eyes.
Ombuti remained awake for the entire night and searched the river at daybreak.
Oh, Allah, Allah, you are fair and great. Wakil is also fair and great.
Ombuti raised both of his hands up high and kneeled.
He kneeled towards the east, bowed five times, and bowed twice towards his masters tent.
The soil where Habib had been buried was turned over. It was the marks of an animals paws. Blood dried around the hole. All there was left was a few pieces of clothes and pieces of thick bones. It was the remains of Sahels butcher, Habib. He had died in the hands of the hyenas.
Habib had been buried with just his neck out of the ground. Predators bared their teeth and roamed, but he would have been unable to raise a finger. Ombuti felt goosebumps rising across his skin, thinking of the fear and desperation Habib would have felt.
It was over.
He had returned the fear and despair that his wife and daughter would have felt from the attack. It was the perfect revenge. As the saying goes, reap what you sow.
Hahahaaa! Ombuti shouted at the top of his lungs.
It was a mix of anger, exaltation, and sadness. Black Mamba, who had appeared silently out of nowhere, watched the scene.
Good, youre not a man if you forget revenge.
Ombuti gathered the remains and shoved them into the hole Habib was buried in. Islamic teachings refused to humiliate the dead. Black Mamba raised a headstone. He had kept his promise to Habib by giving him a marker.
The stone was engraved with the following:
[4].????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???
On the 35th day of mission Raccoon.
The raccoon team had marched without rest for 24 hours. The distance didnt close, as tired as their bodies were. The marching speed barely reached four kilometers per hour. It was due to the newly associated mercenaries, who were untrained.
Their decision to travel with camels had been right.
They were able to avoid FROLINATs traps by avoiding the road. They had only met FROLINATs scouts twice after leaving Paya on the third day. They also met the side effects of avoiding the local informants instincts.
Ombuti, is there a reason why the FROLINAT scouts move in units of 10 people?
Muslims hold great importance to the number 99. Another name for Allah is 99. It is believed that all would become one by the hundredth name onwards. During the crusade, Sanpara, the hero of that time, had sworn to Allah that he would kill 100 enemies. Sanpara had killed 99 enemies before suffering a serious injury. Before he died, he used a broken piece of his bone to kill the hundredth enemy. Those beggars are imitating warrior Sanpara, sending out nine scouts with a single watch.
Ha, to act like a hero when theres no trust between subordinates, theyre funny people.
They are an organization without the qualifications of a human as youve mentioned Wakil. They lack benevolence and trust, which is why they put a watcher. Its the same for fighting units. They form units of 9, 49, and 99 members, and place one watcher for each group of nine.
Theyve filled the number 10, so isnt that a slight against Allah?
Black Mamba tilted his head.
[1] The day of judgment
[2] God willing
[3] Thank you. Its the best day of my life.
[4] Dugel Habib, head of all evil, rests here. (Read from Right to Left)
Chapter 119 - Chapter 16, Episode 1: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
A camel rider swayed back and forth as the camel ran, and swayed side to side as the camel walked. When a novice rode without a leading person, a hangover was promised.
Black Mamba and Ombuti looked comfortable while they conversed, as though they were in the living room. Black Mamba didnt move as though he was floating on air, and Ombuti swayed with the rhythm of the camel, as though they were one.
Ombuti had spent his entire life with the camel while Black Mamba was a trained warrior who mastered the balance of his body. The onlookers were rendered speechless, but to themselves, it was daily life.
Pieff and Valboir, the newbies, were being tormented over the same obstacle that Mikes back had suffered. They were envious of Black Mamba and Ombuti, who acted as though they were on vacation.
Valboir, are they human or not? Pieff asked sourly at the annoying sight.
Just take it in, sir.
Ha, its a flower field, not a playing field!
Commander, be careful. If you pull on the reins too hard, itll get mad.
Mike poured criticism over Pieff.
Damn it, even that Mike b*stard thinks of me as some weakling. All those guys involved in the mission had their genetics overturned or something.
Its likely their genetics would change. After all, theyve been through a backdoor plan, on top of a hitman. Commander, you should be careful too. If we hadnt come as the rescue team this time
Valboir stopped talking and shivered.
It hadnt been a day since they began moving together, but hed felt Black Mambas ferocity to the bones. The FROLINATs ambush units which had made the rescue team suffer, hadnt been an obstacle at all. They were erased with a few rounds of AK at a 50 to 100 meters distance. The members didnt even bother checking.
He had once been attacked by a mamushi, but Black Mamba had sliced its head off with his knife, from afar. He noticed a bike scouting team from several kilometers away and avoided them. He was basically the guardian angel of the Ratel team.
The most fearful ability was an untraceable movement. Sometimes, Valboir couldnt feel his presence despite standing at an arms distance. Black Mamba was like a shadow and moved like the wind. Getting under the skin of a sniper with the skills of an assassin, only made ones life more rigorous. Rather, bound to death.
Valboir swallowed his words or he could end up dead.
I can understand the guide, but whats with Black Mamba? He doesnt even move on top of that camel.
Just think of it as normality, sir, Valboir replied carelessly.
There was no way a whining boss could look good in his eyes. Usually, he respected Pieffs strategic mind and combat skills, but after entering the Sahel with him, he was let down on several fronts.
The commander hadnt been able to express a leaders charisma during critical moments. If Black Mamba hadnt saved them, they would have been buried like their subordinates in the desert.
Pieff wasnt a bad commander as Valboir complained. In the presence of Black Mamba, he was lacking. That was the reason why men and women shouldnt be around someone superior or prettier than them.
Black Mamba waved his hands.
He told him to stop whining and to ride the camel properly. Pieff frowned.
My little duckling, how far have you gone!
Pieff was having a hard time accepting reality.
Thats right. With 10, theyre offending the grace of God. Thats why Wakil and Allah are giving them their punishment since the first to die are the commanders and watchers.
Thats because they smell rotten.
Ombuti felt embarrassed.
The mercenaries smelled rotten, after all. Likewise, Wakil and himself included were exuding an unbearable stench. It was the smell of sweat and dust that had been accumulated throughout the day. It had been a long time since they washed.
It wasnt just the smell. The gandourah, which had been smeared with yellow dust and blood, turned into an unpredictable color. There werent any spare clothes or water. Not even Ombuti could do anything about it. Wakil couldnt blame him, yet he couldnt help but feel remorse.
Wakil, why dont you have a sip of Arrack?
Thanks. Roll it up well before you throw it.
There was no way that Ombuti could understand an old Korean saying.
Roll? Is there a skill that rolls Arrack like a rug? Or is he asking me to mix the camel date palms in the Arrack?
Ombuti didnt understand what he meant, but he took out a cup from his pockets and filled it with Arrack.
Black Mamba sent out resonance waves. He had been able to control the direction and weight of the resonance through several awakenings.
Dun
The resonance pressed down on the air above the glass. When Ombuti pressed his camel closer, Black Mamba shouted.
Throw!
Ombuti threw the cup without hesitation. He did whatever his master ordered. Black Mamba snatched the cup lightly from the air. There hadnt been a drop of alcohol spilled.
Black Mamba smiled in satisfaction.
It works. There was a physical force behind the wave. Its the intent. A strong intent was the answer. Its still weak and unstable, but its as the master had said.
Black Mamba was moved. He couldnt tell whether this was a supernatural ability or martial arts. It seemed as though those air walking motions introduced in martial arts novels were non-fiction.
He wasnt sure if it was possible. If he could hone the resonance into something sharper like a spear and put more physical force behind it, it would become a monstrous weapon. It was like those handless murders depicted in martial arts novels.
What an amazing master.
Ombuti looked at his owner, who was drinking the alcohol, with admiration. There hadnt been a drop of alcohol wasted. As hed thought, Wakil was the reincarnation of Azrael.
Valboir, did you see that?
I have eyes, sir.
Pieff didnt have the mind to notice Valboirs rebellious rebuke. Ombuti had filled a cup with alcohol, and Black Mamba had received it. Alcohol was liquid. It should have spilled but it didnt. It was a scene that ignored all laws of physics. This wasnt a circus. How was that possible, on top of camels?
Valboir, what is it that he cant do?
Pieff felt his insides twist. One b*stard was drinking alcohol on the back of a camel in leisure while another was rolling on the ground breathing in dust from continued falls.
Just leave it be, sir.
I cant leave it be, thats the problem. Agh!
Pieff, who had been distracted, finally fell off the camels back.
Youll be like that soon, so dont worry. The Captain helped Pieff up from the ground as he smiled helplessly.
The Ratel team began to put up camp 200 kilometers away from Paya at midnight, near Troud forest. Mike, who had barely escaped the level of a first-grade rider, whipped the six new riders into shape endlessly and managed to shorten the distance.
Ombuti dragged the camels north, seating them in a row along a semicircle. He intended to use them as wind blockers. The mercenaries, who were tired to their bones, snored as soon as they entered their sleeping bags.
It was a peaceful night, without Saharas breeze.
The only disruption to the silence was the small wind storms and camels breaths, which were brought to life by the unstable ground.
Black Mamba wasnt able to fall asleep.
Ombuti had made him a comfortable bed out of dried grass, but sleep only turned further away.
Ddaeng-choo had once said that the universe was in his eyes once closed, and he was in the universe when his eyes opened. It was a different comprehension of one is all, all is one, but in the end, everything had no meaning.
When he closed his eyes, he recalled his hometown. When he opened them, he felt an adrenaline rush. It wasnt concern but indifference. It wasnt despair that flooded his chest, but regret.
He had killed so many, that he questioned his existence. Had he died and turned into a ghost, or was he walking among the living. Half of his comrades had died, and new comrades had filled their place. He felt chills running down his back at the play of the unseen hand.
Mother!
His mothers white face floated on the surface of the tilting moon. He missed her deeply. Although she had abandoned him in his youth, he was no longer disappointed and lost the urge to question her. He simply missed her despite being full of worries.
Mu-Ah, what do you think being filial is all about?
Its to give my father a good massage and to eat my mothers food gratefully.
And what else is there?
Its to be mindful of my actions so that my parents arent cursed at.
And?
Im going to take my parents to good places.
Hahaha, you are full of filial piety. I see theres no need for extravagant words. When two minds become one, the conclusion is that alcohol tastes better shared. If it must be expressed into words, itll be like so. Firstly, show respect. Keep your parents minds at ease by exhibiting good behavior. Secondly, be responsible. Behave well so that your parents wont take the blame for any faults. Lastly, express your gratitude. You should always provide your parents with things that they enjoy and become their pillars. At least, you have the fortune of filial piety, so dont worry.
His master had said that he has the fortune of filial piety. That also meant that he could serve his mother soon.
He had goofed around during his youth and hadnt been able to serve his parents.
He had become enemies with his uncles family, so he couldnt even make his parents proud. Even if he wanted to serve his parents, he had none. His master had called him filial, but he was the worlds greatest b*stard.
When could he sit on a table alongside his mother?
When was the time that his master had mentioned?
That moon would be in a place his mother was. The tip of his nose suddenly twinged.
He also worried about his master, who lived alone.
His master had made a ferocious predator a human. He had an old lady in Gongyang city, and would send her money to give to his master, but he still wasnt relieved. His master wasnt someone who gathered wealth. He was someone who chewed on grass after giving away his rice to the poor. He was someone who slept on the cold floor, after giving away all the winters wood stock.
Hae Youngs face which was white as a lily, filled the moon.
His body shivered at the thought of her eyes that came alive underneath her shadowed and lowered lids, her high nose bridge, her thin lips, her full and firm breasts, and neatly arranged hair that fell above her smooth stomach lines. He wanted to fly to California immediately.
If only he could return aliveNo, he had to return alive.
Clack clack
Sshsct
It was the sound of camels chewing on firm acacia stalks. The other sounds were of camels washing their bodies in the sand.
His reminiscence broke apart.
Ugh, that damn animal!
It was an animal he couldnt love.
A cow looked elegant and acted accordingly. It simply moved its mouth and didnt make a noise, or drool. On the other hand, a camel made its actions rather hateful. Its chewing was as loud, and it drooled. When it shook its head, drool flew all over the place.
Could he return alive?
It wasnt fear, but loneliness which filled him.
The number of people who had died by his hands had reached the thousandth mark. He hadnt counted accurately, but it was at least over 1,100. It was too brazen to force his own life over theirs.
He had been emotionless while the rescue team and his comrades flew in anger. The moment the mercenaries signed the contract, their lives were exchanged with money. They had become one of the many pieces of horses the French military moved at will.
The pieces move was up to the one who controlled them. They had to execute an effective plan, according to their station. Horse pieces had to act like horse pieces. That was the theory of two minds becoming one.
What he was really mad about was the hitman who had appeared in Payas hotel. It was a horrible betrayal. It was the lowest form a greedy and selfish person could reach. It was like leaving a persimmon on top of a tree branch to pick, then shaking it once one started climbing it. No, it was like cutting the tree from the bottom.
Those damned b*stards, Ill make you pay.
An eerie smile rose.
On the 36th day of mission Raccoon,
The Ratel team reached 60 kilometers ahead of Trident Rock. Ombuti, who was suspicious of a tracking team, had avoided the route towards Bodele. Instead, he drew a route around Payas southeastern side, which increased the distance.
A day on a camel was equivalent to 60 kilometers.
Even with 16 kilometers of continuous march, the distance they covered barely reached 50 kilometers. Compared to a caravan, it was half of what could be covered. It was due to the hasty lead, and the piles of heavy weapons and bullets. They had been able to cover that distance, too, because of Ombutis experience.
Paul, lets take a break.
At Pieffs request, lines appeared across the Captains forehead. This was the third time. His heart raced. To him, it was something to be mad about.
Commander, we require a resupply urgently.
I know. But look at them.
Chapter 120 - Episode 2: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
Pieff pointed towards the back.
Nigimi joddo!
Curse words they couldnt understand popped out of the captains mouth involuntarily. Sergeant Centienne and Corporal Maxim who were wavering precariously on the camels back came into view.
The condition of the two heatstroke patients did not look good.
The heatstroke patients had been exposed to the dry environment for long periods of time. Heatstroke was not particularly dangerous in and of itself. As long as they were kept hydrated and allowed to rest adequately, they would be able to recover. The problem was the environment.
The Sahel does not have the temperate environment of Corsica. Temperatures of over 25, dry winds, burning sunlight and no available shade, combined to create conditions that made it easy to get heatstroke.
If heatstroke got worse, it could lead to hyperthermia. Hyperthermia could be deadly. The body could still control body temperature when you had heatstroke. For three days, Belman put water on their skin to make sure their situation didnt deteriorate.
Ombuti, find shade.
Ombuti led the 11 camels into the shade under a boulder. The midday sun was relentless. Due to the synergy of radiant heat, even under the shade, the temperature remained at 30.
30 minutes rest
Belman and Bronin spread out a tarp and laid down Centienne and Maxim. Jang Shin, how much water do we have?
We have half a bottle left.
Belman and Bronins expressions grew dark. To lower the temperature of the two patients, they had used up all the water. They had limited the water everyone could drink so that they could use it for the patients.
Theres nothing we can do. The patients come first. Bronin, bring the bandages.
Belman undressed Centienne and Maxim.
Oh no, their temperature is over 40. Bronin, hurry!
Belman took their temperatures and frowned. They were both on the verge of reaching hyperthermia.
Bronin brought over the water, soaked bandages and washed down their bodies the best he could.
Belman yelled after franticly searching for a saline injection.
Nigimi Ddugural! The camel stepped on it. Bronin, do you have saline?
Yes, I have two sets.
What are you doing? Hurry up and bring it. inject it.
The commanders face was grim.
FROLINAT had been quiet for the last few days. It could have been due to the inner conflicts of their military or the fact that they had been traveling by camel. Even though they were not being chased by them, the mercenaries were already in a lot of misery, because of water.
Their water had been all used up to lower the temperature of their patients.
Even the three packs of water Ombuti had got from the Kigali unit were all empty. The problem was that there was literally nowhere to get water.
The road from Djourab to Kanem Province doesnt have a wadi with flowing water or an oasis. After refilling the water bottles at Boruku oasis, they hadnt seen a drop. Of course, there was no rain either.
People are not camels.
Even healthy people find it difficult to last under a blazing sun without water for a day. The team members had to dig holes to try and gather morning dew on their tarps.
The commander couldnt help but sigh.
They were not a rescue team but a burden. After five members were added to the team, their situation had deteriorated. The communication liaison Sergeant Centienne, medic Sergeant Bronin, and rifleman Corporal Maxim were no help in battle tactics. Commander Pieff and Lieutenant Valboir were useless in a desert war.
Sergeant Burimer was sorely missed. Burimer would have been able to find food and water and would have figured out a way to collect it, while they continued to travel. Mike was rough and impatient and so was eliminated. At least Ombuti had found some camel meat that could be used for rations. Without that, they would have had to survive off of scorpions and beetles.
What is their condition?
Theyve got over the worst, but the problem is what will happen in the future. The other members are also showing signs of dehydration. If we cant find water, there is a high chance that some will get muscle spasms or start to hallucinate.
What is the solution?
The severe temperature and dehydration is the cause. If they rest for three days and we plunge them into Lake Chari, they will naturally get better.
Belman described an obvious recovery option that was not plausible at this moment.
Nigimi Ddugural! The powerful Ratel team has been reduced to toothless African wild dogs.
Luckily, Black Mamba seems to be doing fine.
Lets hope so. This sickly pack of wild dogs is leaning on an alpha lion to pass through the territory of hyenas!
Commander, your descriptions are getting ever more profound.
Shut it!
The commanders sighs grew deeper at Belmans attempt at a joke.
Located in the middle of Chad, the Sahel is the driest desert in the world.
Especially in the north-east, where there are rough rocks and sediment mixed in with the soil, making it barren.
The hot sun and Sahara winds constantly steal any remaining water from the area. The dry earth is easily swept up by the winds. The exposed layers of dirt are then dried again by the sun and wind. This was the reason that the eroded land had expanded so rapidly.
There was no water or plants, so there were obviously no animals either.
Sick of dried dates, Black mamba went out to hunt but couldnt find an animal worth eating. The only prey he could find were lizards or bugs.
Pieff and Valboir were sighing also.
Valboir, I cant lift my head.
I feel the same way. Who could have imagined such an absurd predicament.
We were supposed to be rescuing them but we have become a burden instead. Well be cursed for some time to come.
Valboir secretly ate a potato. His loyalty to the commander, who was worrying about their status when their lives were flitting near death, had hit rock bottom.
Wakil, Wakil! Arent you able to find groundwater?
Ombuti whispered in a quiet voice. Black Mamba shook his head.
Its too deep. We cant dig 10 or 20 meters. Even if we could I wouldnt recommend it. The men who have heatstroke dont have the muscle strength or the lung capacity of the others. It means they didnt take good enough care of themselves as mercenaries. We are not weaklings needing protection but battling soldiers.
Ombuti felt a chill running down his spine.
It sounded like he said he didnt want to help those who could not help themselves. Wakil was usually soft with those he felt attached to but sometimes he was frighteningly strict.
But I would like to fill my stomach. Im sick of dried dates.
Do you think a lizard or a rat will fill your stomach?
What about a hyena?
Im not sure. It will be hard to find and they eat rotten meat so
Ombuti didnt ask how he would catch one. If Wakil decided to, there would be nothing to stop him.
Whether its good or bad, well find out once we eat it.
Black Mamba went out to hunt without a gun.
He had eaten a rotten snake in the past so there was no reason he couldnt eat a hyena.
Kerki, which connected Djourab Erg to the Bodele badlands, was a chaotic environment. The outcrop, that could be seen in the valley, was not created by water but by the wind. The sand from the Sahara winds had piled up to a height of 30 to 40 meters to create massive sand dunes. Between the grass desert, there was a place that is heavily forested as if water had passed through it in the past. In other words, Kerki was the highest peak within the waterless badlands.
Black Mamba activated his spatial awareness skill while standing on top of the dune.
Anything hiding in the ground, crawling bugs and lizards, four-legged mammals, and hopping birds, was caught in his radar.
For the dry badlands, it was not such a low number. But they were all small animals. There seemed to be no larger ones. Black Mamba activated his spatial awareness four times in increments of 1000 meters.
Is it this guy?
He felt the gravity of a large mass between rocks. It was similar to that of the puma he had encountered in the cave at Mount BangTae.
Swish Like a leaf blowing in the wind, his shadow moved. When he passed the dunes and the tree savannah, he saw it standing on top of a large hill that looked like a high stacked cake.
The spotted hyena had rough reddish-brown fur dotted with grey. With the sun behind it, it looked grand as it stood there confidently. They say that hyenas are nocturnal but that must not be necessarily true.
It will weigh over 80 kilos. Well get a good amount of meat out of that.
Black Mambas lips curved upwards. He would soon find out how powerful it was.
The hyena is known to be as skillful as a puma in a fight. In the wild, pumas have often had their kill stolen from them because hyenas travel in packs.
Oh ho!
Black Mamba laughed.
The hair on the hyenas back stood on end as it went into a crouch. It had already decided Black Mamba was prey. In this desolate land, it had never met its match and so it was without fear. Either that or he was just hungry enough to feel the need to attack a human.
Most predators dont attack humans. It was due to years of genetic evolution that instilled this fear in them. Most animal researchers agree it is because a humans shoulder is higher.
Black Mamba turned his back on it.
Grr Afraid it would lose its prey, it jumped off the ledge. It passed the waterless wadi and ran towards Black Mamba.
Good! Thats a thank you from me.
He was relieved he didnt have to go chasing after it. He had tracked the puma to a cave at Mount BangTae, but now his physique was in a much worse state. There was no living thing on this earth that could cause him harm.
The hyena paced back and forth in close vicinity. It was planning to tire out its prey.
Black Mamba watched for the moment of attack. Ohgeumgong was based on the movements of beasts. A beasts movements are data that will become blood and skin.
Its pulse quickened. Its pupils dilated and looked upwards. Its muscles contracted as its front legs bent slightly. It raised up its stomach and placed all its strength in its hind legs.
Thud It pounced at him with tremendous force. Its viciousness resembled that of the puma. When it opened its mouth to bite his neck, Black Mamba punched it with an explosive uppercut to its lower chin.
Thud It was perfect timing and distance without an inch of error.
The creature screeched and tumbled backward, landing on the ground with a thud.
The hyena didnt have time to scream.
Its whole body trembled and it collapsed. The predator had become the prey. That was the end of the hyena.
Whoa, he sure smells.
Black Mamba lifted the beast over his shoulders and returned to base.
The mercenaries cheered on one hand and were dubious on the other.
The meat of a predator was usually not tasty. Especially hyenas which they knew to eat rotten meant. Their eyes looked suspicious as to whether they could eat it. Black Mamba didnt pay them any attention. He had a different reason for capturing the hyena.
Blood can replenish water, minerals, and vitamins.
Belman! Feed Centienne and Maxim blood.
Belman clapped.
Wow, medically, that is the best method.
Jang Shin hurriedly ran over with a water bottle. With familiar skill, he cut the artery of the hyena and filled the water bottle with its blood. He handed the water bottle to Belman and then chopped off one of the back legs. He wanted to try to see if they could eat it.
Pieff, who had tasted barbecued hyena, frowned.
Jang Shin. I cant request a souffle but this is tougher than the leather of my army boots. Even with herbs, it would be awfully stinky.
Jang Shin turned to the rest of his comrades with an uncomfortable expression on his face. Everyone shook their heads.
Jang Shin, Ill admit it, the fried scorpions tasted better.
Emils words hit the nail on the head.
Jang Shin swallowed his tears and gave up on the hyena.
Black Mamba shook his head.
I guess youre still not hungry enough.
Jang Shin, do you have the ssamjang I left with you?
Oui!
Its similar to dog so it will taste better with ssamjang for flavor.
Black Mamba cut into the hyenas back leg with a knife, slathered it with ssamjang and ate it. Ten different expressions stared back and forth between his mouth and the meat.
It smelled awful but that wasnt bad enough to make it inedible. Compared to centipedes or beetles, it was much better. It was just their prejudice towards it.
He ate the entire leg and then stood up.
You can eat it or not. Im going to sleep.
Either way, the plan was to feed the patients with blood. In case of emergencies, he had to get some sleep any spare moment he got.
Emil whispered to Jang Shin.
See, a servant is different.
The idiots who dont know the world of real cooking can get lost.
Jang Shin, who had got his confidence back, yelled.
Belman woke up Black Mama.
Black. Im sorry but I need you to find me some more blood.
Im not a magician.
Black Mamba shook his head.
Look, Im not a vampire. The results look good. Im asking you as a favor.
Belman said firmly again.
Its hard to find a large animal
It was a bother but he couldnt say no when the patients needed it.
Wait!
Someone got caught on his radar. He was close, someone that was not there a few moments ago.
Is it someone that was returning after going out?
Chapter 121 - Episode 3: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
A hundred meters ahead, there is a hyena underground, announced Black Mamba.
Ombuti cocked his head.
The hyena that Wakil had caught was most likely the dominant animal of the territory. The spotted hyena, unlike the striped ones in the Savannah, does not travel in herds. The alpha males invariably travel alone.
Wakil, the spotted alpha male hyena would never have allowed another hyena to come into its territory. There is a strong chance it is a warthog.
Warthog? Are you talking about the black pig that lives in the Nigerian Savannah?
Black Mamba revealed his lack of knowledge regarding the habitats of animals.
They live south of the Sahara also.
Thats good to hear. A wild pig would be a hundred times better than a hyena. In Korea, we use pigs blood to cook a delicious soup.
Ew!
Ombuti threw up.
Thats right, sorry about that.
Muslims are highly sensitive about food ingredients.
Even on the brink of starvation, they will not touch food that is not kosher. A pig is an unclean animal. Blood is also deemed as unclean. So it was understandable that Ombuti might vomit upon hearing that pig blood soup was delicious.
He, of course, respected Ombutis religion but that didnt mean he had to practice it. Koreans, to this day, still eat coagulated blood soup in vast quantities. They live just fine doing that.
Let me know the exact location. I will lure it out.
A hundred meters ahead in the direction two oclock, there is a thick bush. To the left, towards the back, about five meters in, youll find it.
Black Mamba called over Jang Shin.
Get ready to receive some wild pig blood this time.
Wild pig? There are wild pigs in the desert?
Youll see it soon enough.
Black Mamba directed Ombuti who began climbing up the dune.
Ahh! Boom-
Ombuti screamed and stomped his feet. Oink! The pig squealed from inside the ground and a black beast scrambled out.
Wow! Are you a magician? Jang Shin joked.
A magician pulling a dove out of a hat was easy. Pengyou pulled a large wild pig out of the ground. A pig that size in this desolate wasteland? Nature sure was amazing.
With tusks as long as a mans fingers, short, fat legs, shoulder muscles like boulders, and eyes full of anger, its presence was intense. Even a puma would want to avoid a warthog that is angrily charging at it in a trail of dust.
Haha, my blood soup is being delivered on a plate.
Black Mamba pulled out his kukri. He had to save all the bullets he could.
Oink The wild pig who had been charging toward Black Mamba suddenly changed direction and headed toward Jang Shin. The animals instinct must have been sensitive enough to pick up on the fact that the opponent he had originally aimed for was stronger than itself.
Are wild pigs smarter than hyenas?
Black Mamba was lost in useless thought but Jang Shin had trouble on his hands.
Ah! Go away! What did I do?
Jang Shin had been getting ready to cut its throat to collect the blood but pretended otherwise.
It wouldnt be called charging if it was meant to stop when ordered to stop. Jang Shin, surprised by the sudden attack, pulled out his Glock.
No, dont use that. We need to get the blood. Figure it out with Kung Fu.
Belman yelled.
Ah, fuck! What the heck do you want me to do.
The warthog looked like it weighed a ton. If Jang Shin used his martial arts moves, there was a good chance he would get crushed.
Panicking, Jang Shin abandoned the water bottle and ran for it.
Go to Black, go to Black!
The warthog ignored Jang Shins screaming pleas.
The mercenaries were all waiting to see how Black Mamba would take care of the warthog. The unexpected spectacle had distracted them and they were now grabbing their stomachs laughing at the site of the warthog chasing Jang Shin.
Jang Shin, youre gonna get caught. Run faster!
The mercenaries clapped and cheered Jang Shin on.
Jang Shin was going crazy. He wanted to turn his Glock on his snickering comrades. Behind his back, he could feel the warthogs breath.
Black, stop him. Do something!
Not for nothing.
Emil screamed.
Shut up, you mixed mulatto!
Jang Shin, hes catching up with you!
Black, if you open it up, Ill give you a years worth of food.
That sounds good.
Swish The kukri left his hand.
The knife flew like the wind and landed in the back of the warthogs head with a crack. The warthog was stopped dead in its tracks. The weight and speed of the kukri were easily able to penetrate the skull. The beast didnt even have time to let out a scream and fell. The wild pig had been unlucky to have come in contact with him.
The ending had been simple compared with all the chaos that had gone before.
Pieff and Valboirs eyes widened in amazement.
How how is it possible? Pieff yelled.
He had lost miserably to Kikali, but he wasnt bad with a blade. Black Mamba had taken out the immense Kikali in one strike.
However, close contact fighting was a lot different from throwing skills.
It is almost impossible to hit a moving target like a charging warthog with accuracy. A humans dynamic visual acuity is not that good. On average, say it is about 24 frames per second, that would mean that if you could increase it to over 24 frames per second, you would get a smooth transition of rolling video. The vision of a bird of prey, on average, would be 200 frames per second. Due to their superior visual acuity, they were able to spot and catch their moving prey.
Taking into account the changes in direction and the lack of dynamic visual acuity, a human being could not fix on a target moving at 40 Kilometers per hour, and it wasnt even with a speeding bullet but a throwing weapon. It would only be possible with the dynamic visual acuity of a bird of prey, the power of a bear, or the agility of a tiger.
To put it simply, he is one scary dude.
Even without Valboirs obvious comment, he was already pretty awesome.
Hoo, hes scary. I cant even think about how I would take out the peditu kenarung.
The fact that our commander hasnt been able to let that prospect go is even scarier.
Pieff shuddered.
No, Ive forgotten all about it. I dont want to die with my head split open like a pig.
Now I can see how it will end for those fools who stabbed us in the back.
If you pulled the tail of a tiger, you must be ready for the consequences. That guy is a fox with the hands and feet of a tiger. I cant figure out how to deal with him.
The DGSEs shady plans did not match with the macho thinking mercenaries. Pieff, like the other officers of Lgion trangre, did not like the DGSE. He secretly hoped that Black Mamba would go in and wipe them out.
They arent even surprised.
Valboir clapped his hands as he pointed at Belman, Emil, and Mike.
They have probably got used to it.
Who do you think raised that monster?
Haha, you already know. I taught him how to use a blade,
Even in their current predicament, Pieff was still trying to show off.
Yea right! If showing him a few moves is teaching him then Black Mamba is my master.
Valboir decided to stop talking.
You d*mned punk, Im just a pushover, am I?
Jang Shin kicked the warthog, severed its artery and collected the blood. Then he quickly skinned it and removed its organs and innards. When he had finished he muttered a couple more insults to the wild pigs carcass.
Hey! Attack knowing your opponent, you mulatto.
He glared at Emil viciously.
Even that mixed mulatto is being racist!
Mike stared at Black Mamba.
Emil is altogether mixed race. Spains ancestors are of Celtic-Iberian decent. The Celtic-Iberians are a mix of Iberians, who were the natives, and Celts, who came from France.
Damn, this shitty world where you cant even say anything if youre dumb.
Mike knew nothing about European ancestry or history. Having no way to argue, he muttered to himself.
That is why I respect you Wakil.
Ombuti wiped the blood off the kukri and handed it back to Black Mamba. The kukri had penetrated through the hard skull but its blade remained sharp.
Three liters of blood were collected from the large warthog.
Belman fed the poor warthogs blood to Centienne and Maxim. Blood was excellent for replenishing water, minerals, and any vitamins that had been lost.
The remaining blood was shared amongst the other mercenaries. Ombuti frowned. Blood was not kosher. It was unimaginable for a Muslim to drink blood.
Black Mamba gave the blood, that was reserved for him, to Emil. Emils biorhythm was starting to waver. He was in the first stages of heatstroke. Ombuti, not realizing what was happening, cheered up.
According to the Koran, the pig was an unclean animal. Those who eat pork were deemed to have sinned. Pigs blood was even worse.
The reason Muslims started to look down on pigs was that they had originally been nomads. Cows, sheep, and camels were animals suitable for nomad life.
A pig is an omnivore and doesnt eat grass. They eat grain or fruit just like humans. They competed for the food supply. Cows, sheep, and goats produce milk but pigs do not. To the nomads, an animals milk was an important nutritional source. Pigs were inconvenient for nomads to herd around with them and they were not suited to survive in high temperatures.
A nomads life was poor.
Pigs ate food that the people needed and werent even able to provide them with milk. Unable to endure high temperatures, they died easily during travel. They were also not used to moving in herds so it was hard to keep them under control during travel.
In the eyes of the Arabs, pigs were seen more and more as useless animals. They eventually became an animal they avoided altogether. There is always a cause and an effect. The Korans teachings reflected the history and culture of the nomads who wrote it.
Jang Shin cooked a wild pig barbecue, the like of which they hadnt had for a long time. The hungry mercenaries gorged through the meat until only a stack of bones remained.
Centienne and Maxim were able to get up as if nothing had happened and joined the barbecue party. It was thanks to filling their stomachs with pigs blood and getting adequate rest.
Ombuti was smiling to himself. His master spoke to him harshly but he was weak when it came to his attachments.
The main reason for Chads civil war was because of the fight to retain the territory of Aouzou. Aouzou was located north of Tibesti between Libya and Chad.
Aouzou, which was shaped like a battle drum, was 110,000 kilometers square and bigger than Korea. Other than the oases of the Bedouin, the land of the Sahara desert was pretty much useless to those living there.
When uranium was found in Aouzou, the story changed for this forgotten land. Libya created a rebel army and took over Aouzou. From that point on, the civil war in Chad became more intense.
As Habib had predicted, Goukouni had another plan in mind.
Goukouni was a person as much in tune with politics as the president was.
He didnt see Makumbos secession as a simple betrayal and realized that it was a plot to join forces with the FROLINAT army. In reality, FROLINAT did not have the manpower to push out the Habre government which had France helping them. He decided he needed an alliance and pulled in Gaddafi.
Contrary to what Habib predicted, Goukounis negotiations with Gaddafi succeeded. The alliance had just switched from FROLINAT to Goukouni.
The price for receiving more men was to give up Aouzou. It was a betrayal to the country but Goukouni had a dream to build an empire of his own.
Goukouni planned to combine the provinces of Boruku and Kanem and make it his own. He decided to move his troops from the Libyan border of Zaura in Kanem Province to Cortaro.
The Ratel team had been the ones to block Goukounis dream.
Because the Ratel team had been sweeping across the Sahel, they had sapped the power of the FAP icon Goukouni. The way the natives thought about FAP was changing. Sensing the dangers of an oncoming changing tide, Goukouni folded up his sleeves and took matters into his own hands.
Goukounis 1st FAP troop was a complete brigade controlled by FROLINAT. Goukouni had put out all his manpower here to follow the Ratel team. And so the Ratel team had come to meet their greatest adversary.
Kerki is an oasis 24 kilometers north-west of the Tanga oasis. This was the last place that had groundwater coming up from the Barelgazal groundwater canal. From here to the north-west in the direction of Djourab Erg, there is not a place for hundreds of kilometers where they could see a drop of water. This was the reason that the Ratel team had faced such hardships to get here.
At the wadi, there were hundreds of men in brown uniforms and ganduras busily moving between the lines of tents. There were 480 men within Goukounis 1st troop.
In the far west, in a personal barrack, a small individual had his hands on top of a portable table and was looking down at a map. He was an Asian in his early 40s, wearing a gandura and sirwal, with a turban wrapped around his head.
Chapter 122 - Chapter 16, Episode 4: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
His face was as strong as a dried old tree, his body without a trace of fat and his pupils gleamed like a wild animal. With just one look, anyone could tell that he was no ordinary man. The two hands he had placed over the table were full of scars. It was evidence of the hard life he had lived.
Instructor Shawn, weve found Hadad.
Ack! The messenger, who had appeared from behind the barracks, suddenly jumped backward.
A missile flew past his head and crashed and shattered as it hit the tent pole. It was a teacup that had been on the desk.
You idiot, Ive told you a thousand times that my name is Namir and yet you continue to call me Shawn. Should I cut out your tongue? This is why you blacks are useless. You dog, why dont we call you Tubilis or we can just call each other friends?
The Asian cursed in fluent Arabic.
Well, how should I..?
Hadad, that punk, is telling me when I should come and go? He needs to be taught a lesson. Tell him that I told him to come.
Oh no, please save me. If you, Namir, dont go with me, Ill be killed.
The messenger pleaded with him. He had become well accustomed to these threats being stuck between the bad-tempered battalion commander and the even worse tempered instructor.
Where is this punk? Is Hadad scarier than I am?
As he got angry, his dialect changed from his normal one.
Of course not. He is talking with his staff, so Namir, sir, you have to go to meet him.
You idiot, why didnt you simply tell me that I had to attend their meeting.
The messenger was crying a river inside.
Miserable punk! Hes the one who suddenly threw something at me for no reason and didnt let me speak
The messengers eyes rested on the tent pole.
Thick shards of glass were embedded deep inside the pole. The messengers body began to tremble. If he had been hit with the teacup that Tubilis had thrown, he would have ended up like that.
FAPs army instructor Sun WooHyun, wanted people to call him Namir, but he was best known as Tubilis. [1]
In 1974, the ambassadors of North Korea and Libya had established diplomatic relations. Afterward, North Korea sent out their torture crews and instructors to Libya.
A minor figure in the reconnaissance team, Sun WooHyun was sent to Libya in 1978 as a training instructor for the special task force. Afterward, in 1980, he became a founder member of Zimbabwes 5th platoon. When he returned to Libya, he was recommended by Gaddafi to be hired as the FAP battle instructor.
When Goukounis army was marching to Cortaro, Sun WooHyun left the Tibesti training grounds and joined them. In the Goukouni army, his rank was similar to that of a battalion commander. It was understandable that he didnt like Hadad telling him to come and go as he pleased.
Welcome.
Why did you call? Im busy.
Sun WooHyun responded arrogantly.
Instructor, there is a scary Asian mercenary in the French army called Kanma. Have you heard of him?
Ive heard you were worried because he was becoming a big complication.
The reason we are in a rush is because of him. His highness, Goukouni, is hoping to chop his head off to regain the trust of the rebel troops.
Im not surprised. Ive heard that hes killed thousands of our comrades. Ive also heard that hes practically wiped out all of Habibs men.
He is an incredible sniper and assassin. We have lost contact with three teams that we sent out for reconnaissance.
Hmm, the reason you called me was because of him?
That is correct. Finally, a worthy opponent has shown up for you. A fight between Kanma and Tubilis! Only the grim reaper can take on an evil spirit, dont you think? Ack!
Hadads chattering head was slammed onto the table.
SwoopThe bayonet ripped through the fabric and Hadads ritam slid off. The blade had hit exactly the point where the ritam had been tied. Hadads eyes became bloodshot in anger.
Tubilis, do you want to die?
Hadad pulled out his gun.
Are you planning to kill me with that toy?
Hadad glared at Sun WooHyun with stern eyes.
Hahaha! Kanma is even known to dodge RPGs. Tubilis, do you think you can avoid bullets?
Hadad, I told you not to call me Tubilis.
A knife-like gaze penetrated Hadads eyes.
Punk, hes so vicious. I cant get accustomed to those eyes.
Hadads gaze locked onto Sun WooHyuns right hand. Another knife was already waiting there. Cowering, Hadad slowly put down his gun.
Tubilis means devil or the grim reaper.
It was a nickname the guerrilla troops had given him after tiring of his vicious training instruction. Sun WooHyun did not like the nickname Tubilis and went on to call himself Namir, which meant I am the dragon. In Arabic, Namir meant a tiger.
The tiger is a symbol of valor.
Taking into consideration Sun WooHyuns fighting style, the nickname was not particularly appropriate. Arabs have a strong sense of pride. The officers of FAP did not want to call a small Asian by the name of Namir.
Hadads mouth tasted bitter.
He had wanted to teach the arrogant Korean a lesson but had been humiliated instead.
For the sake of Goukounis image, I will give it up.
Ha, if you call me Tubilis one more time, Ill rip out your teeth.
Hadad retreated but the tainted atmosphere remained.
Ah, that temper! I have received reports that the French mercenaries are heading toward Koro Taro. You will have to go out there and survey the scene.
Youre telling me to pay my dues.
As I said, I am only giving you the opportunity to fight an opponent worthy of you. Tubilis, I mean Namir, will be able to take on Kanma without a problem. Or is Kanma too difficult for you?
Hadad started to scratch at Sun WooHyuns pride.
If you let me have the Tubu clans reconnaissance team, Ill think about it.
Sun WooHyun avoided giving him a direct answer.
They had heard numerous rumors of Kanma in Boruku Providence. Rumors are rumors because there is no evidence, but rumors spread because there is some truth to them. Even if half his ability was an overinflated rumor, he would still be a force to be reckoned with.
This incredible warrior had been tossed into Chads civil war by the French government but he didnt appear to have a definite side that he was loyal to. He had come to a foreign land and been forced into a war that had nothing to do with him, and he did not want his bones to be buried in the desert sand.
When he heard that Habib had a Jerero Tribe assassin, Goukouni sent out a reconnaissance team from members of the Tubu clan. The 20 teams consisting of 10 men were no mere undisciplined guerrillas. Sun WooHyun had spent 18 long hard months training them.
The Tubu clan from the highlands of Tibesti had always been a war fueled tribe. If they were not fighting, they were hunting. They were so vicious that the other tribes around them had left to avoid them.
The warriors of the Tubu clan were experts at camouflage and using swords.
Once modern weapons and equipment were given to them, they became an intense killing machine. Even Sun WooHyun had difficulty when fighting against three of them at once.
Understood. Ill send over the reconnaissance team under my control. If you can catch Kanma, you will become the hero of the rebellion forces.
Ha, I have no interest in being a hero to those poor fools who cant even pay their dues.
After saying things to severely hurt Hadads pride, Sun WooHyun disappeared.
Hadids staff all sighed with relief. Soon, all sorts of curses directed at Sun WooHyun came spurting out of their mouths.
Shut up! You idiots! Hadid yelled angrily.
You all hid your heads in the sand when he was here and now you blab on after hes left! With his temper rising, he wanted to just kill all of them here and now.
The next day, at around the time, the sun was setting, the Ratel team reached their position 12 kilometers from Trident Rock.
Stop! Black Mamba warned.
There was a smoky smell of gas hovering in the air. Ombuti halted the lead camel and the others followed immediately afterward.
In the Sahel, the atmosphere was not stable. Not only did the Sahara winds blow but the local whirlwinds bombarded them relentlessly.
Captain, its smoke from a vehicle. We cant pinpoint the location or distance.
Weve caught up with them.
The captains face was sour. If they moved without a plan, they could end up in trouble.
Everyone get ready to find cover, we will move once we figure out their location and numbers.
Paul, I will go get the rest of my men.
Pief started to walk. The captain shook his head.
You must be tired so just rest. We have enough men.
Pieffs face grimaced.
A mere five men is enough? He was telling him to stay out of the way because his men werent good enough.
Paul, are you going to be like this?
As Pieff became angry, the captain turned to look at Black Mamba. As always, he had his eyes closed and was peacefully sitting on the camels back.
Ssiba jotto! A commander who is wary of the opinion of a private is a story worth the front page of Le Monde.
Pieff muttered then quietly stayed put.
Have your men rest and you, commander, can help us.
Sure, I can at least help.
Pieff gained back some of his strength.
The captain didnt trust Pieffs men. Battle skills and reconnaissance are quite different. If he were to send out inexperienced men for surveillance, they could be exposed and end up showered in bullets.
The area that Mike and Pieff had partnered up to survey was the north-west toward Kichikichi. Mike, who had been going up a hill, instinctively lowered himself close to the ground.
From the top of the hill, he saw a large campground that had been built along the dried up wadi. The 1st platoon of the rebel army had been commanded by Hadads battalion commander to find and destroy Kanma.
Mike clenched his fist twice, then opened up his palm, and pressed down on it. It was the sign that they had spotted the target and to find cover. Having received the signal, Pieff flattened himself onto the ground. Mike slowly crawled back to the others.
Commander, check out the area four kilometers ahead to the left.
Pieff picked up his binoculars.
Cest tank hwaia blu! Its like an army of ants.
A gasp escaped Pieffs lips.
There were over ten large barracks. They could see two retractable field artillery guns covered by a BTR152 and a tarp. On both sides, there were five machine guns at the ready.
Mike, how far is it from here to the place you hid the supplies?
13 Kilometers past the spot they are situated.
Jegiral, were in trouble. First, Ill have to report to Paul.
After getting the report from Mike, the captains insides burned. With their current numbers, it would be impossible to fight against such a large army. His mind was drawing a blank at the prospect of having to bypass them.
We have to go around them.
The Ratel team had traveled 20 kilometers toward Ekiya. If they had to go to Amju and Tanga to skirt around them, it would make their 15-kilometer distance increase to 60 kilometers.
To stay away from the Hadad army, they would have to waste an entire day.
As the night drew on, the sandy winds became more intense. Black Mamba covered his eyes with goggles and wrapped the dirty ritam securely around his face. After over three months of use, it was now nothing but rags. The smell of it gave him a headache.
Ombuti, why did Allah make a place like this?
Allah never told us to live in this place. The humans who have decided to live here at their own will are the ones who are experiencing discomfort. Dont humans search for God when they are in hardship?
Ombuti smiled.
That sounds like the right answer. I was being naive. Halt!
Black Mamba raised his hand.
The captain flipped the night vision switch on. 3700 meters ahead, three large boulders popped up clearly in front of them. It was Trident Rock. The captain glanced over at Black Mamba. He didnt seem to need night vision goggles.
The army has done well.
Wow! Water.
The eyes of the exhausted mercenaries suddenly became alive. The supplies had not been the problem. Freshwater that was flowing between the rocks was right in front of them.
Mike, Emil, bring some back.
On the captains commands, Mike and Emil moved their tired bodies. They were the last two who had any stamina left.
Sergeant, please look to the left of the beat.
Emil, who had been surveying the surroundings, called Mike over. Mike came crawling out from between the branches of a thorny bush.
He took the night vision goggles and increased the focus.
Surrounding the three tents were hundreds of bikes on standby. The cantonment encased in darkness was dead silent. It was the Tubu clan 1st special task reconnaissance team lead, by Sun WooHyun.
Nigimi Ddugural, its their reconnaissance team, Mike said trembling.
Of all the places the enemy would make a base camp, it had to be right under Trident Rock where they had hidden their supplies.
Oh, Allah!
[1] [devil, grim reaper]
Chapter 123 - Chapter 16, Episode 5: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
Quit looking for Allah. Your glorious Allah is the one who brought those punks here to this place.
Mike retorted bluntly.
The fact that we are still alive is due to the mercy of your Allah?
Shut up. Just because we pray doesnt mean Allah will kick those guys in the butt and chase them out of here. He wouldnt even yell at them. God is but a god.
God is but a god? Is this guy always so good at speaking?
Emil was nervous. Black Mamba had once told him that when a person changes suddenly or says things he usually doesnt say, then they are about to die.
Mulatto, do you think we can clear out those punks?
Mike had very little patience. If they werent careful, their beat would be exposed. Ruminating about their difficulties, especially being short of supplies, made him grind his teeth.
Sergeant Mike was normal. He was relaxed around Emil. As expected, once Black Mamba was out of the way, his usual speaking habits returned.
Haha, what sort of shooting are you going to do with that cheap thing?
He laughed as he tapped the AK47 Emil held in his hand.
Black Mamba seems to use it just fine.
You, sergeant, are not Black Mamba. And neither am I.
Nom de chien, [1] you must be going crazy sitting on fresh supplies with that dirty butt of yours.
Mike was full of regret. Three kilometers away, his comrades were waiting for water with their lips cracked open. It was like being unable to get to the sexy ladies because they were being guarded by a fat mother.
It is a place with clean water.
It was as Emil had said. Whether it was the natives, the caravan, or FROLINAT, they would all be at the place where there was water. The reason that the rest of the guards were at Trident Rock was that there was fresh water there.
Emil, status report. It hurts my pride but it is a problem that Black Mamba has to figure out.
Not having a battle headset is driving me crazy. The damned camel, no, is it that badger thats the bad guy?
Emil muttered as he ran into the darkness.
At the supply dump in Paya, the camels had caused chaos and stepped over a large proportion of their equipment and food. Among the emergency equipment that had got damaged was their communication headset.
Having heard Emils report, Captain gathered the mercenaries together.
Its a fiasco. The place they decided to sit their butts on is at the beat that has the supplies. They are telling me it is two platoon-sized groups.
It means the leaders of FROLINAT have got their act together. By beating Habib, they were able to gain an additional three days.
Jang Shin pulled his hair out at Belmans words.
Ah. Are you saying we have to move around with those annoying punks on our tails again? Oh my Allah, please send all the stalkers of this world to hell!
Hm, its going to get a bit complicated. The only silent gun we can use is the Dragunov. The problem is, even if we use a silencer, in the middle of the night it will still make noise.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Even with the silencer on, the Dragunov produced 70 decibels of noise. 70 decibels is the sound of five teenage girls meeting for the first time in 10 years. His major skill was now redundant. At the last moment, their plans had been thwarted.
We cant engage in battle. Their headquarters are 13 kilometers away. Paul, we cannot get into a fight.
Pieff forcefully objected.
If we wait until day breaks, we may be picked up on the enemys radar.
Valboir brought up another objection.
Then are you saying you want to fight their army at night?
Belman was also in opposition.
The debate continued.
The captain couldnt come to an easy decision.
If they engaged in battle, then the enemys main army would come pushing their way. They didnt know when they would leave, so they couldnt just sit around waiting. The water and food in front of them were like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. During this desperate time, they hadnt had much luck.
Black Mamba looked around at his comrades.
Pale faces covered by beards, hollowed eye sockets, bloodshot eyes, white cracked lips, they looked like a bunch of zombies.
They had been enduring the harsh environment and ongoing battles for over a month. For the last four days, they had only had a bite of dried dates to fill their stomachs and collected dew to wet their lips.
The captain had also nearly reached the end.
He was on the verge of collapse but was resisting it by sheer force of will due to his sense of responsibility to his comrades. It was clear to see how he would be feeling to be stuck in this position when their essential supplies were sitting right in front of their eyes. Pieffs troops were in an even worse state. Not used to the Sahel, his men had been completely devastated by its effects.
Theres no choice. I have to finish it.
If there was any other way, I wouldnt let you go, but there is no choice. If you cant use bullets, then youll have to see a lot of blood.
Ill go.
Black Mamba put on the backpack and stood up.
Can you do it alone?
Is there any other option?
The captain shrugged his shoulders.
Of course, there was no other option. If Black Mamba didnt step up, there was no way they could take on 60 men without appropriate weaponry. Going into battle with comrades who were practically zombies? That would be impossible.
I can be of use, said Pieff.
Black Mamba stared at him for a long time. Pieff had a physique that he could take out with one hand behind his back. Whether he lived or died would be up to fate.
If you follow my command, then I give you permission to come with me.
I will.
Pieff collected his pamus, Glock, and bayonet.
We cannot have gunshots heard.
The captain reiterated. It was a quiet night without even the sound of bugs. The sound from an AK firing is 110 decibels. The enemys headquarters was 13 kilometers away but it wasnt far enough for them to not have to be careful.
No problem.
Black Mamba smiled widely and checked his equipment.
One Dragunov with five magazines, three Berettas plus magazines, and his kukri, was all he had. The Glock, that he usually used, was out of bullets.
Emil, wake me up in two hours.
Black Mamba fell asleep immediately hugging his Drugonov. His ability to sleep or wake up at will was another one of a snipers skills.
Emil looked down forlornly at his sleeping partner.
It was an innocent and pure face. When that face wakes up, he will become Azura, a spiller of blood. An angel of death who despised murder, Emils face was full of pity.
Captain, Ill go too.
Captain glared at Emil.
Look, I only want to send Black Mamba. Black is a special task force assassin before he is a sniper.
I cant send my partner in there alone.
Hey, dont make a fuss. You said the enemy at Uldi Harmarl that were taken down by Black Mamba was highly skilled. Didnt you say you couldnt handle even one of them?
For Black, they were a piece of cake but they were scary.
You are a special task shooter but you are not an assassin. Both you and I would be nothing but a burden to Black. Think about the battle at Er Ekdim.
Emil shuddered. It had been a battle of showering gunshots, screams, and injuries that Black Mamba had swooped in to clear the field and save them.
What about the Commander?
I dont know. That guy is weird. I dont know if its guilt or what but he keeps looking for a way to die.
Hell only get in Blacks way
Ha, you were the one who said you wanted to follow him.
The captain laughed. Even if there were three of Emil, he wouldnt be able to beat Pieff. It was just his manifestation of comradeship.
Dont you think they might leave after two or three days?
Are you stupid? When day breaks, their guards on bikes will be making their rounds with their eyes peeled as if they were looking to find and kill lice. The only way for us to live is to get rid of them before daybreak, collect the supplies, and getting the hell out of here.
D*mnit!
Emil was angry but agreed.
They only had three boxes left of Minimi bullets. Each box contained 200 shells. Three boxes meant they only had 600 shots. In less than two or three minutes, they would be out. He hated the thought of it but it would be his partners fate to endure another shower of blood.
While Black Mamba is resting, make sure you get clear observations of the enemys whereabouts. Wake Black Mamba at three in the morning.
Oui!
Emils answer was weak.
All he had to do was wake up his partner, he couldnt believe it. No, even that was not needed. Special task snipers had a biological clock. When the time comes, their eyes open.
Two hours passed by swiftly.
Emil, please take good care of my lover.
Emil was near tears as he received the Drugonov from him.
Partner, dont overdo it. You have to meet that Jjin Ssoon woman back home.
Hey, she is a younger sister of mine. If you lay eyes on her, Ill kill you.
Black Mamba shook his fists.
Please be careful.
I am Black Mamba.
Black Mamba patted Emil on the shoulder then melted into the darkness. Pieff hurriedly chased after his disappearing shadow.
Mike!
Ah! You scared me.
Mike dropped his night-vision goggles as Black Mamba tapped his shoulder.
Scary punk!
Mike turned to Black Mamba as if he had seen a ghost. Who would have thought it was possible to tap the shoulder of a top-notch sniper without being detected! If he had been an enemy, his head would have been off before he had time to notice.
Mike handed over the night vision goggles.
Black Mamba shook his head. There were some clouds but the full moon lit up the sky. The night vision goggles would have been no more than a nuisance.
A special task force snipers eyes were different from those of average people. He could take a picture of the landmarks, and the things moving in it, and store it in his brain. Compared to the average person, he could make an appraisal of the target ten times more quickly and accurately. With these additional skills, he was able to figure out the lay of the land in the blink of an eye. The night vision goggles would be a hindrance to him.
Commander!
Shh!
Pieff, who caught up from behind, took the night vision goggles.
Are there any changes?
No. The guards on the right switched an hour ago. The ones on the left switched just a few moments ago.
They were 850 meters from the target. There were three barracks.
They were right next to the place they had hidden their supplies at Trident Rock. They had set up camp with their backs to the rocky hills. They were hoping to use them as a barrier if needed. If they hid behind the rocks and attack, it would become more difficult. They would have to figure out a way to clear them with the handicap of not being able to use a gun.
There were machine guns placed on each end of the camp.
When they passed the forest, there were low bushes and beyond sparse areas of dried vegetation.
Pieff checked the road and clicked his tongue.
Beyond 450 meters, there was a 400 meter stretch of open land. The surroundings did not provide a way to get to them undercover. If they were to go out to that point, they would be open targets for their machine guns.
Their leader is top-notch, Pieff exclaimed as he observed the surroundings.
They had picked the perfect spot with the perfect defense set up. His assumption that the guerrilla troops would be sloppy quickly disappeared.
Either side wont be able to communicate with each other.
It means their discipline is phenomenal. It will be impossible to get through.
Pieffs face grew dark.
Commander, I will stay behind.
No, if gunshots are fired, everything will be ruined. Plus, Black Mamba is in charge of operations, Pieff interrupted.
Mike glanced over at Black Mamba.
Black Mamba, who peacefully had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
Its too far to check how many there are. It looks to be around 50 men. There are about four who are still awake and two standing guard.
Black Mamba, do you have a way to get in? We dont have much time.
How do we get through the open area?
Black Mamba didnt even glance at the two desperate people and instead looked at the moon in the West. It looked like today was another day that he had to drench himself in blood.
How lonely!
The Ratel team members had all been drenched in blood together. Being united was a big help in itself. Even if the second-hand passes by quickly, you can still tell the time by the hour and minute hands. There were no mavericks.
Black, what are you planning to do?
Charge in, beat them and capture them.
Thats an excellent plan.
Mike laughed with his teeth exposed to the irresponsible statement.
Mike, go back to the team.
Mike shook his head. This was a chance to finally see blood. He was offended by the suggestion to go back.
You are a private and I am a sergeant. Ack!
His stern exclamation was met with a heavy blow to his neck. Mike, struck with precision and force, collapsed.
Oh!
Pieff jumped back in surprise.
[1] worse than a dog
Chapter 124 - Chapter 16, Episode 6: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
It was soon dawn.
Dawn is the moment when the sunlight brightens up the sky before sunrise. The period between sunset and nightfall, when the light is at its most beautiful, is called dusk.
In December, sunrise at NDjamena is at 06:09 AM.
Dawn in the desert was short-lived. In the city, dusk lasts about 40 minutes but in the desert it is an hour.
Darkness was an assassins friend.
Black Mamba had about 30 minutes remaining to move under the cover of darkness. There was no time to bicker with Mike.
Its always the insecure ones that make a fuss about rank. Whichever way I think about it, the lesson is not worth learning.
Pieffs face turned to stone. It sounded like he was saying this to him and not Mike. He had cold sweat running down his back.
The commander will wait here with Sergeant Mike.
Look here, Black
Before Pieff could answer, Black Mambas body had already disappeared into the darkness. Pieff was taken aback. It wasnt as if he could abandon the unconscious Mike and follow him.
Damn punk, Im never going to buy him another fine meal.
Pieff expressed his disappointment passive agressively.
Black Mamba passed through the forest like a leaf in the wind. Not even his clothes made a sound. Once the forest ended, the dried wadi showed up in its place.
He checked his Beretta and kukri, then looked at the time. It was 4:33 AM. In 36 minutes, dawn would break. This was always the time when a humans concentration was at its weakest.
He was 480 meters away from reaching the barracks, it was located outside his range of spatial awareness.
Whoong The ripple spread through his body and shot outwards. When he concentrated on its direction, the range increased. There were 60 men in the vicinity and six who were awake.
On the right and left side of the camp, there were four machine guns, and two guards pacing back and forth continuously. Their defenses were solid, contrary to what they expected from guerrilla troops.
It was time to become an assassin.
Black Mamba took in every surrounding living thing, dirt and rock, trees and grass, and animals, into his body. His energy dissipated throughout the environment and the cells in his body were unraveled so that he dissolved into the air around him. It was his nature camouflage ability.
What is that?
Pieff had been using the moonlight to observe Black Mamba but upon seeing this he fell back in surprise. Black Mambas body slowly started to fade. Like a drop of black ink falling into clear water, his body melted into the environment.
The man that had been standing there moments ago had suddenly blown away like pollen from a flower, dispersed like ink in water. Pieff rubbed his eyes in disbelief and put on his night-vision goggles. Green silhouettes of humans could be clearly seen.
Pieff looked up at the sky.
From the West, the full moon rose above the horizon and lit up the sky. It was bright enough to differentiate between human shapes. Pieff focused his eyes to search his surroundings but he was unable to find Black Mamba.
Are the guards all sleeping standing up? Pieff muttered as he stared through the night vision goggles.
The green silhouette had approached them but none of the guards seemed to have noticed.
The green silhouette overlapped the machine gun on the right.
A shadow from behind extended its arm and gave the guards neck a sharp twist. Pieff flinched. He could practically hear the bone cracking. He got goosebumps.
Crack- The neck snapped easily under the power of the metal like arm. The guard, who had felt a presence, turned his face, and immediately got his neck twisted. Whoosh-
The sound of escaping air was heard. The esophagus and pharynx were both broken so that the guard died without being able to let out a scream.
Black Mamba leaned the corpse against the wall and hid behind it. Soon, another guard approached.
What! Are they both sleeping?
If you fall asleep, dont you know youll get in trouble with Tubilis. Do you want to be out in the gravel fields all day? The sentry muttered as he shined his lantern on the dead guard.
Black Mambas hands were waiting for him. He shot up from below, puncturing the guards chest and blocking his airways.
Ah! Ack!
With his nerves shot, the air from his lungs leaked out. Black Mamba caught the two falling sentries and leaned them against the wall.
Pieffs hands became sweaty.
Black Mamba was moving like a ghost. Having disposed of four sentries, the shadow slid to the right in the direction of the other machine gun. The two sentries slumped over onto the ground.
Ugh! My head.
Mike shook his head and got up.
Ah, Sergeant!
Did you sleep well?
Pieff was in deep concentration with his face shoved right into the night vision goggle lens.
Wheres Black Mamba?
Hes already got in after wiping out the sentries.
Mike hurriedly got up.
Commander, if there are no guards then surely we can make it through the open area and get inside.
What! You want us to just run over there?
Of course, the commander and sergeant cant be sitting here with their hands behind their backs while the rookie is in there risking his life.
Fireworks flew out of Mikes eyes.
Thats right. If anyone found out, he would have to bow his head in shame.
It would be the end of his life.
Youre right, I am Black Mambas commander.
Pieff shot up as if in a trance.
Mike and Pieff, not only had similar self-deprecating personalities but also suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder. With them, the logic of any given situation always surpassed the analysis of it. They were unable to accurately gauge their skills and became obsessed with their perceived outcome of a situation. In reality, similar situations had often arisen. Like those who put themselves up for election as if placed in a trance, it is a pathetic pattern displayed by many humans.
The guards and sentries were cleared by Black Mamba without a sound, and he melted into the barracks. Even in the Sahel, there was morning dew. In the middle of the barracks, the guerrilla troops were lined up in rows sleeping, with twenty men on each side. Although it was cold, all they had for cover was a layer of tarp.
You are soldiers and I too am a soldier. We met as soldiers so I hope you dont think yourself too unlucky. Namu Ahmi tahbl!
He took a moment of silence for the dead.
The nightmare attacked the sleeping guerrilla troops.
Slash slash The sharp blade of the kukri went around slashing throats like he was slicing cucumbers. Within just six seconds, he had ended 20 lives. A gruesome scene lay before him. The smell of blood and the atmosphere of death filled the inside of the barrack.
The nightmare moved stealthily to the next barrack.
Ddalgis ahl kwadiruh, ahmata kunta jjabanan! [1]
Black Mamba flinched. The man who had been sleep talking suddenly changed his position and started snoring.
Damned punk, you scared me. What an incredible imagination he has, Allah will look after him well.
His cruel blade slashed through the neck of the sleeping men in an instant. The ones who got their esophagus and pharynx cut cleanly through couldnt even let out a gasp before meeting their death.
Sun WooHyuns eyes shot open.
His right hand reached under his pillow. He grabbed the handle of his trustworthy NR-2 bayonet.
You punk from room forty-nine.
Room forty-nine was in a North Korean mental hospital. The curse was referring to the patient as crazy or insane.
The two invaders deserved to be called lunatics. They had infiltrated the base with bated breath but they had not been able to stop the sound of their clothes and their footsteps on the sand. It couldnt compare with the heightened senses of Sun WooHyun. Even the lowest ranking reconnaissance members had better skills than them.
Mike and Pieff targeted the barrack at the back. Their commander was their main objective. Pieff was hell-bent on trying to show off his skills and Mike was lusting after blood.
They came across a guard who was lying fast asleep on a tarp.
Pieff blocked his mouth with one hand and slashed his throat with his bayonet with the other. In that time, Mike quietly entered the barracks.
Mike smiled happily.
He saw a man sleeping peacefully on a bed, oblivious to the world. If he was sleeping on a bed, then he had to at least be commander level. Swoop Without hesitation, the bayonet swooped down. It stabbed through the third and fourth rib and penetrated the heart.
Hup! Mikes eyes grew so large it looked like they would pop out.
The man who had been lying down, suddenly spun in a half-circle and extended his bayonet to stab through the enemys chest. It was a movement as natural as that of picking up a spoon. Mike, whose vision was restricted by the night vision goggles, had missed his chance. The bayonet stabbed into him and the left side of his chest burned with searing pain.
You idiotic punk!
Sun WooHyun was about to twist the blade out when he let go of the handle and bounced out of the way. Clang Pieff had come charging to stab Sun WooHyun but he easily avoided him. All of a sudden, in Sun WooHyuns hand, was another bayonet. Pieff used his grounding skill from Krav Maga and pulled Sun WooHyun down by the back of his neck. Sun WooHyun charged into his lower body and kicked him. The two men rolled around until they became one mass.
Tu dadadak Two more blows were exchanged before they both fell.
Kuh! A suppressed gasp escaped from Pieffs mouth. He pressed down with his full body weight and started pounding but it worked against him. The enemys knife like hands swung at his ribs. It took his breath away and his vision blurred.
Swish A spear the size of a finger left Sun WooHyuns hand.
Clang Pieff was able to block the incoming dart with his knife. He rolled once, then got up to get back into position.
Slash With a flash before his eyes, Pieff felt a searing pain on the lower half of his body.
Ack!
The scream came out by reflex. His body squirmed like a salted worm and all his strength left his body. Distracted by the sword coming to stab him, he got kicked in the groin.
Thud Sun WooHyuns foot made contact with the back of Pieffs neck. It was a scissor kick.
Pieff collapsed onto the floor and swung his knife as he gritted his teeth. Being a commander in Deuxieme Rep was not a position he gained from winning a game of poker. He was still a veteran who had endured many things.
As Sun WooHyun took a step back, Pieff rolled toward the entrance as if his life depended on it.
Oh, are you leaving? I cant let you do that.
Swish swish The two darts that left Sun WooHyuns hands hit Pieff in the thigh and his side.
Thud Sun WooHyun followed it with a round house kick to his temple. Pieff fell like a tree with a loud thud. The night vision goggles dropped to the ground and rolled away.
Theres another one with owl eyes.
It was the last thought that Pieff had before he fainted.
Sun WooHyun, who had easily dealt with the two invaders, jumped in surprise.
It was the smell of blood. It meant the assassin had penetrated their defenses. He checked his weapons and quickly ran out of the barrack.
Assassin! Assassin!
Once he had searched the second barrack, he heard screams coming from outside.
Dela ddun!
Assassin!
Ip tide bee sura [2]
Chaos ensued.
Darn, how did they know?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. There was no way anyone who could register his presence when he was using his natural camouflage skill. None of the 34 men who had gone to visit Allah had uttered a single scream.
Is there someone else with special skills?
He would never have dreamed that the commander and Mike would have dug their graves. His curiosity did not last long though. A guerrilla he had not taken care of woke up.
Denta muh shi nun? [3]
The half awake guerrilla grabbed his gun. Flash The kukri flew at him like lightning.
Ack! The guerrilla troops all woke up from their sleep.
Crack It would have been better if they hadnt. The kukri smashed into his face. The force of it was so strong, it twisted the guerrillas head completely around.
Dela ddun! [4]
Another guerrilla troop quickly got up.
You fool! Of course Im the enemy, do you think Im your friend?
Whing An army boot stomped on the necks of the half awake guerrilla troops. Their spines snapped and their faces were crushed. In the second barrack, eight mens lives disappeared.
You punk! Run to the back of the boulders! A scream echoed.
The guerrilla troops retreated like low tide and in an instant the camp was empty.
Black Manbas judgement of the situation was surprisingly fast. The guerrilla troops were surprisingly smart. They were similar to the ones he had wiped out at Uldi Harmarl. The prospect of assassination was now gone but he could easily jump into the middle of the running masses and wipe them all out.
Hmm, the leaders seem to be smart. I could have ended it in two minutes. Its going to be a bit more trouble now.
Including the guards, he had killed all of 34 men.
27 men had run up to the mountains for cover. Black Mamba moved the kukri to his left hand and pulled out the Beretta with his right. Adrenaline was racing through his blood. The situation had turned into a dog fight.
[1] Kill all the filthy punks.
[2] Get out of here
[3] What, who is this punk?
[4] Enemy!
Chapter 125 - Chapter 16, Episode 7: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
Haha, Ill leave behind my cumbersome body.
Black Mamba sniggered. He was 110 meters from the boulder at the back, if he ran undercover, he could get there in 15 seconds. 15 seconds gave him plenty of time to sweep up all of them.
The rabbit that was trying to attack flinched at the eagle.
What is that?
Black Mambas gaze was directed at the privates barrack in the back. There was a man coming out of the barracks drenched in blood. With eyesight close to that of an owl, there was no way he could fail to recognize the figure at 10 meters away. It was Pieff. The muscles he had contracted to run at explosive speed, quickly relaxed.
Silly man, he ended up causing a scene.
His determination fell away. Black Mamba started to walk as he watched the backs of the retreating guerrilla troops.
Pieff was only partially conscious.
The will to live was the only thing allowing him to move his body. Black Mamba sighed as he looked over at Pieff. He had been cut here and there with a thick blade. His skin was hanging open, a chunk was missing from his side, there were darts stuck to his side and thigh, he was a patient with multiple injuries.
His side and thighs were not the big problem. It was his breathing. His broken ribs were putting pressure on his lungs. If this situation continued for 10 more minutes, he would die from asphyxiation. Black Mamba hesitated for a moment then placed his thumbs on Pieffs sides. As if he was going to punch a hole through them, he pressed in his fingers and grabbed the broken rib bones.
Crack He pulled the broken ribs and put them back in place. Pieff shuddered in agony.
Ahh! A scream came out of his unconscious lips.
Thud- He repeatedly hit the left side of his neck. After pulling the two ribs back into their rightful place, Pieff breathed a lot easier. A dark bruise appeared on the spot where the fingers had dug into his side.
You fool, if you dont have the skill, it is more helpful to stay out of the way. Black Mamba muttered as he wiped away the sweat from his forehead.
He was anxious about this harsh medical procedure. He ripped his clothes to use as bandages to stop the bleeding and got back up.
Suddenly he registered another presence inside the barracks.
It was a weak presence with all its will to do battle gone. There was not enough time left to investigate. If he gave the guerrillas time to regroup, it would become that much more difficult. He had already lost time due to treating Pieff.
The smell of blood floated around the barracks and silence fell upon it.
The three barracks in front of him and the two behind him were completely empty. The guerrilla troops who were able to escape the nightmare had disappeared into the hills.
There was not a single bullet fired in the direction of the barracks. These men did not have guns with them at all times and if they had not escaped as fast as they did, they would have lost the opportunity to counterattack. From the hills, the energy of soldiers crept toward him like a fog. These were not the same as the child soldiers they had used as cannon fodder. They were the special forces specifically trained to target Deuxieme Rep.
Nigimi Ddugural, this is going to get complicated.
He looked at Pieff with indignation. Because the pathetic punk was poking his nose around without knowing what he was doing, he had created a difficult situation. If he hadnt been the commander, he wouldnt even have bothered treating him.
If youre not going to listen, then you will have to get a beating. Believe me, if you get to witness the third level of my skills then youll stop getting in the way.
The eyelids of the unconscious Pieff fluttered.
It was 110 meters to the top of the hill. It would take six seconds if he were to run straight to it, 10 seconds if he ran in a zigzag. Swoosh He decided against running straight. This would make it easier to avoid becoming a target for the men who were aiming at them.
He changed direction every 0.9 seconds.
Every time he changed direction, a strong wind whipped up around him. The best sniper in Deuxieme Rep was Mike. The time it took for Mike to mark a target and shoot was 1.2 seconds. That meant that unless it was a fluke, there was no way to catch Black Mamba.
How could there be a human-like that!
As if he had teleported, the figure, who had been coming in a zigzag, suddenly disappeared. Sun WooHyun mouth hung open as he aimed his gun from one side to the other. He didnt get a chance to shoot one bullet. Nor did his other men.
Sun WooHyun assumed this was the Kanma that Hadad had told him about.
The men he had commissioned were made up of 50 from the Tubu clan and 10 volunteers. 34 had been killed and only 26 had been able to escape. He had killed two of them but their losses were much greater. The smirking face of Hadad flashed before him.
Damn punk. Ill be sure to kill you one day!
He ground his teeth.
Its Kanma!
Kanma is here.
He could hear his comrades chattering.
You fools!
Sun WooHyun was flabbergasted.
He had heard about Kanma more than he wanted to already. It was all a hoax. A man who was able to dodge RPGs and bullets! Was he some character who popped out from an American superhero movie?
Most African tribes are simple-minded. If they cannot understand something about themselves, they will look to a higher power to explain it.
Superstitious fools. If hes Kanma then I am Tubilis, no Namir!
Sun WooHyun was determined in his will to fight. Kanma was a formidable opponent but he too was called grim reaper. He had no intention of lowering his tail. It was too late for that.
While Sun WooHyun was angrily grinding his teeth, Black Mamba was climbing up the boulder like a spider. He was able to move his right and left hands and feet at the same time.
The warriors of the Tubu clan, who were looking around nervously, were suddenly struck from above. Black Mamba had silently climbed over the hill.
Eck
The guerrilla who got his head struck by the kukri didnt have time to make a sound. It was Black Mambas specialty to cut through both the nervous system and the respiratory system in one go.
Before Black Mamba was a sniper, he had been an assassin.
18 times stronger than the average human, his eyesight was not compromised by darkness, and with the ability to increase his bodys efficiency, with animalistic instincts, he was the king of the night.
The nightmare of war escalated in the darkness.
He approached them as stealthily as a snake and then stung them like a scorpion. He jumped from boulder to boulder like a mountain goat and ended their lives as swiftly as a puma.
The guerrilla troops fell into a panic. The assassin was on the attack but they did not know where he was. Without a target, their guns were useless. The Tubu clan warriors grabbed their swords and shamshir and chased aimlessly after the shadow man Kanma.
Before his presence had been known, he had been hidden in the dark corners of the Sahel to quietly murder his victims. Even the chirping bugs seemed to be holding their breaths. His spatial awareness powers intensified in the dark. With his ability to find where the enemy was hiding in the darkness, there was nothing to stop Black Mamba.
The Tubu clan warriors were an adequate threat to him also.
Even with their lives at stake, their swords would swing, and they would use their comrades as bait and counterattack. They were much different from the guerrilla troops he had faced previously. They were skilled in the use of their weapons and swords. If the ones he had met at Uldi Harmarl were assassins, then these men were warriors. It was a large burden to have to kill them off quietly.
Crack A guerrilla soldier hiding between the boulders got his head twisted completely around. Swish- As a subtle sound rang out, Black Mamba swept away like a balloon blowing away in the wind.
Two soviet made bayonets NR-2s suddenly plummeted into the ground where he had been standing. Black Mamba, who had been flat against the rock, used his agile skills to quickly jump over the boulder.
Puk puk puk The bullets landed in the spot where he had been.
What? Is he human? Sun WooHyun exclaimed in surprise.
The enemy who had been right in front of his eyes suddenly disappeared from view through his night-vision goggles. He had thrown his bayonet and shot at the place he had estimated him to be, but he had disappeared like a ghost.
He had wasted the chance to catch him with his perfect placement of his men as bait.
After losing his opportunity, Sun WooHyun quickly switched his location. His opponent had amazing skills as was rumored. If he hesitated in one spot, he would be dead in a heartbeat.
Black Mamba touched the part of his cheek where the bullet had grazed.
There was blood on the palm of his hand.
Pretty good. That might turn into a cross.
Of all the places to hit, the bullet grazed the part of his face the puma had left a scar. Now it would form the shape of a cross. He pulled out a gauze from his backpack and placed it over his cheek.
Of the survivors, there was one who had pretty good skills.
He had thrown a sword as bait and then shot in the location of where he anticipated he would move to avoid it. He had even been careful enough to use a silencer so that his location would not be compromised.
Hes pretty useful.
Even among Deuxieme Rep, he had skills that were difficult to come by.
Crazy punk, how can he be so fast.
After quickly getting away, Sun WooHyun calmed his beating heart. There are many special task force members in North Korea. From every navy, army, and reconnaissance group, his skills had received much recognition and acclaim.
He was the best when it came to reconnaissance and one to one combat. Within 10 meters, he could throw a spear and hit a cockroach. A cockroach is very sensitive to movement and sound. He had the skills to overcome the adaptability of a cockroach and be fast enough to predict its movement and to catch it.
Kanma was able to avoid the bayonets which landed five to six steps behind him. He was unable to follow his movements with his dynamic visual acuity. After failing in getting him even after perfectly calculating his gunshots, Sun WooHyun started to sweat.
F*ck, Im Namir Sun WooHyun. Lets do this!
Sun WooHyuns bad luck was brought on because of his pride. There is a sky beyond the sky. He had confidence in his skills but hadnt realized that his opponent was one who could throw a needle from 10 meters away and still hit the target.
Eek!
Sun WooHyun dug into the ground to push his body into the air.
Puh puk Bullets continuously flew at him and exploded around him.
Ha, Im already accustomed to the double-tap.
Eekee! He mustered all his strength to roll away.
Puh puh puk Sun WooHyun was just barely able to avoid getting shot as he slammed his head against the ground.
There was a smell of burning protein.
The last shot had got a piece of his hair. It was not a double-tap but a triple- tap.
Youre no joke,
He got chills down his spine. If it hadnt been for his alert instincts, he would have had a bullet stuck in his head.
As he collected his breath, there was the sound of hook-guruk and a scream. The scream was not a scream exactly. It was the sound of air escaping from someones throat. The sound when the head is sliced off.
His opponent had forced him between these boulders and then casually went looking for his comrades. He was a terrifying man worthy of being called Kanma. Sun WooHyun wiped his itchy face. His palms were wet with cold sweat.
As the cloud cover disappeared, the fat white moon rising from the west poked out its head. Splatters of blood dripped down in between the rocks.
Once his sight was restored, the battle got more intense.
The guerrilla troops, many of whom had been killed left and right without a sound, were now upping their resistance. The surviving guerrilla troops formed into teams of two.
Ack! Its Kanma!
The assassination had changed to a scream filled massacre. If their partner was attacked, they screamed on his behalf. It was a way to let the rest of them know where the enemy was located.
Clang puk puk Black Mamba kicked away the bayonet aimed at his stomach and placed two bullets in his opponents chest with a double-tap. At that moment, a shamshir popped out of the ground.
Ah! He almost got his leg chopped off. His big toe gripped into the earth. Using his momentum, his body sped forward. The shamshir hovered in the air and passed by him. PukThe Tubu clan warrior who had popped out of the ground fell with a bullet hole through his head.
The moment he landed, the corpse immediately jumped up and swung his sword. It was a perfectly timed attack aligning with his landing.
Allahu akbar!
God damn!
Black Mambas left foot kicked the sword, and using the momentum, spun in the air, then kicked his adversary in the temple with his right foot. It was a move that defied the laws of nature.
Thud With one kick, the opponents spine snapped and his face turned 180 degrees resulting in the unnerving sight of a man looking up at the sky with his body lying face down.
Heup!
He exhaled the stale breath and deeply inhaled fresh air. He did not think that the corpse would get up again.
It was the guy who had been hit with a double hit to the chest. For every result, there is a cause. He pushed the corpse away with his foot and ripped off the clothes from his chest.
Metal plate!
He was surprised at seeing the metal plate on the mans chest. It was a poor quality bulletproof vest. He felt bad for the men running around with heavy three-millimeter metal plates under their uniforms but it had saved the mans life, if only once.
Chapter 126 - Chapter 16, Episode 8: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
He couldnt help but laugh and figure out which idiot thought of that absurd idea. It was like a god from the Roman Empire had risen in the 20th century. They thought they heard the sound of gunshots but doubted it to be true. Although it seemed absurd, it meant that they shouldnt think lightly of the enemys battle skills.
Even a person who was the most skilled at martial arts does not have wings to fly. He had to use the ground to use his strength. They were able to attack the legs of those in hiding and flung them into the air. Another person would come and finish them off. They were immensely skilled.
They were trained to use swords and guns. They would throw away their lives for a battle tactic as they were more focused on killing the enemy than saving their own. Each of them was just as good as Pieff in close contact battle.
Are these men from the Tubu Clan?
He remembered a couple of the tribes that Chartres had mentioned. If the Sahara Desert was home to the Tuareg Tribe, then the TIbesti was home to the Jerar and Tubu Clan. Both were warrior clans.
Those from the Jerar Clan were small and fast. Those from the Tubu Clan were big-boned and strong. They were fearless and born with innate skills for war. As a result, they were cruel and deadly. The coming of age ceremony for the Tubu Clan required them to bring back the ears of four men. They were a vicious clan who experienced murder since their mid-teens.
Black Mamba caught his breath, then went out to hunt again.
Out in the wild, Black Mamba was different compared to a cobra that attacked everything in sight, even if they were not an imminent threat. There were reports that a cobra would bite a target ten times, proving its persistence and cruelty. The Tubu Clan charged at him, without thinking of their own lives, but it was all for nothing upon meeting Black Mamba.
Cigarette smell!
It was the cheap smell of a cigarette that was not properly fermented and dried. The smell diffused through the air and hit him from about 100 meters away.
If emitting resonance was an active surveillance skill, spatial awareness was like a reflection in the mirror. Although there was no hindrance, it couldnt decipher the exact type of object that similarly emitted resonance. There were both pros and cons regarding the matter.
He registered a presence in the left direction. He concentrated on the approximate direction of the target. It was seven meters above the boulder. He waited with bated breath, but he could not avoid Black Mambas skill.
Hell be nice to have on our side, he exclaimed. That guy placed the gun under the boulder. He was planning to watch his surveillance skill while luring him out with the smell.
The undercover guerrilla pounced like a predator attacking its prey. His clothes did not make a sound even as it fluttered in the wind. As the moonlight faded, Black Mamba pulled the trigger from over his shoulder.
Click
The sound of an empty gun echoed.
Damn! The magazine was empty. He had forgotten about holding a Beretta. He had forgotten the basics. If the enemy had come at him with a gun, that would have been a dangerous situation.
A sniper instinctively counted his remaining bullets. The Glock he was using has 17 shots while the Beretta has 15. He had been counting to 17, for no reason. Using a weapon that you are accustomed to was very important.
Whing
Black Mamba shot an uppercut to the jaw of the enemy that had flown out from beneath his feet. He was half a beat too slow and missed hitting him in the jaw. Using that to his advantage, the enemy shot out from between the boulders, swinging the Shamshir.
Ah!
Black Mamba uttered an urgent exclamation for the first time since the battle had started. His positioning had been compromised. His right hand, which was holding the Beretta, bent like a whip. Luckily, he bent his arm outward in time.
Ting
The sword bounced off the gun pistol.
The eyes of the blitz-attacking guerrilla grew large.
Schwing
The Kukri swung around. His neck got caught in the blade of the Kukri. His head flew upwards.
The body which had lost its head flopped to the ground like a bale of hay.
There had been an attacker hiding where the cigarette smell was coming from. He had laid a double trap. It was a tactic that calculated actions based on human psychology.
They were not men that he could let his guard down around, even for one second.
He felt a piercing gaze coming from the left. He saw a man desperately trying to get into shooting position. It was the man he had attempted to uppercut in the jaw.
Even with the missed hit, his jaw was severely broken.
An impact to the jaw could affect the brain. If it was enough to break the jawbone, it could lead to an aneurysm, and he might lose consciousness. That guy was stubborn enough to fight the aneurysm.
If he was to be impressed by the opponents fighting skills, he wouldnt be called wars nightmare.
Crack
The heavy military boots broke his spine. Even though he moved as swiftly as the wind, the strength it had was phenomenal.
Covered in blood, Black Mamba took his time to catch his breath and refill his magazine. He had erased 21 opponents. With six opponents remaining, the hunt was almost over. As the battle raged on, he was splattered with more and more blood. His reflexes, however, got sharper like the end of his blade.
Die!
A Tubu Clan warrior who was hiding between the boulders dashed at him like lightning. He had already been on his radar. The murderous eyes and the shining blade of the sword moved slowly in front of him as if he was part of a time slip. That, too, was one of his instinctive powers. When he got drunk on blood, everything around him seemed to move in slow motion.
Black Mamba slid to the side like a ghost. That was only possible because his reflexes and powerful muscles had surpassed the limitations of those of regular humans.
The attacker had swiped at the empty air, and the guerrilla had lost his target. The guerrilla troops rolled once over the ground and returned to their attacking position. Their body was as elastic as a rubber ball.
Stop, right there!
The space of five meters was cut short, instantly. The guerrilla who had gotten back into position to attack again was taken over by a black entity.
Thud
A heavy boot as powerful as that of an orangutan slammed into his face.
Crack
His skull and spine shattered. He died instantaneously.
Jing
His chest collapsed.
Ppuk
It was the sound of a gun going off. Suddenly, time seemed to go slowly. Like water flowing, the air rippled as he was able to see the oncoming attack. It was too late to move out of the way. He crossed the Kukri over his chest to block it.
Clang
A loud noise ripped at his ears. The thick blade of the sword rang in his ear as it clashed into his Kukri. If the powerful attack had happened before he had arrived at the Sahel, he would have most likely lost his grip on the Kukri.
Black Mamba turned his head.
An awfully skinny man wearing a military uniform and a ritam wrapped around his head came into view. Black Mambas lips curled into a smile.
Impressive how you use another person as a distraction and hide behind their breath and heartbeat. Lets meet again after I catch the rest of your underlings.
Before he could even finish his words, the topic of the sentence became irrelevant.
Sun WooHyun stood numbly. The perfect opportunity to execute his second attack had also been a failure.
Did he just block my bullet with that blade? I must be seeing things because I havent been able to eat gochujang for so long.
Sun WooHyun couldnt believe his eyes. He had been so surprised that he didnt even register that the opponent had spoken to him in Korean.
Damn, hes drunk on blood.
Black Mamba started to blame himself. Being cool-headed was a basic requirement for both snipers and assassins. Believing in his phenomenal skills while he got drunk on violence, had him forgetting the basics. He had forgotten to be diligent with his movements and had been lax on surveying his surroundings. In that state, he knew that if he had gotten hit by the enemy, he would have no one to blame but himself.
Black Mambas movements changed again.
He didnt stop for even a second. He moved to the right, left, front, and back continuously as if he was dancing. His movements were like the wind, and it got faster like lightning. The guerrilla troops got their heads cut off, and their skulls smashed, without even realizing that Black Mamba had been heading towards them.
From above the boulders, the shadow of a sword fell upon him.
Crack
He stepped on the neck of the man lying on the ground. The mans spine broke, and he died instantly. Other than the man he had just met previously, that would be the last underling. The Tubu Clan warriors who had instilled fear in TIbesti were all easy prey for Black Mamba.
Hoo hoo hoo, ho
He controlled his breathing to recoup his energy. To get rid of five at one time, he had moved for three minutes without taking a breath. His oxygen-deprived muscles were trembling.
With three deep breaths, his muscles were able to relax.
It was all thanks to the amazing recovery speed of the Paranthropus. Now, there was only one left who seemed to be emanating the most viciousness, thus far.
Sun WooHyun hid with bated breath under camouflage on top of the boulder above him.
The screaming stopped. The 60 men he had dragged here for reconnaissance, melted away, without being able to shoot a single shot.
Is that person even human?
He was an insane man possessed by a ghost. He must be Kanma.
It was a shame to have lost the dead soldiers, but they were not his men anyway. The problem was maintaining his reputation. The sleazy face of Hadad flashed before his eyes. To save his reputation, he had to at least put up a good fight, even if he were to lose to him, eventually.
In one breath, he got rid of five men. His muscles stiffened just at the thought of taking him on. He had counted the opponents breath to find the ideal time to attack, but he could not find an opportunity. The strange man hadnt even been breathing. Attack and defense were based on a rhythm. When the rhythm aligned, the strength of the attack or defense increased accordingly. He seemed to defy logic.
He is human. He is human.
Sun WooHyun chanted that, took in a deep breath of air, and pushed it deep into his gut. Being nervous would reduce the flexibility of his muscles. He moved his fingers and toes diligently to relax his muscles.
Sun WooHyun put away his Makarov and picked up his sword.
That guy was able to block an oncoming bullet from a close distance. In the time it took to aim, heads have flown off. With that skill, in the time it took for him to aim a gun, he would be discovered. Even if he were to get a shot to stick, the chances of it being critical would be low. A sword would be better. He was confident in his close-range fighting skills. There were hundreds of men who had met their last fate at the blade of his sword.
He sensed his well-trained battle skills, but he was still human.
Sun WooHyun had a skill he knew would be his advantage. There was a limit to a humans VO2max and lactate threshold, even with extensive training. He had gotten rid of 60 men at close-range. If the guy who had battled without breathing was not exhausted, then he must be an alien or a cyborg.
Sun WooHyun glared down eight meters below Kanmas back. He saw the back of someone huffing for air and his trembling muscles.
Haha, he is definitely tired. Hell want to lay down right then and there.
Sun WooHyun smiled happily.
That guy had moved around for three minutes without taking a breath. His reflexes were incredible. If his reflexes were this fast, then his recovery speed would be fast too. That is the only opportunity he could get where his muscles were relaxed.
Ah, he sure is taking his sweet time!
Black Mamba was frustrated. If that guy decided to run away, he would have to waste precious energy chasing after him. Even with him pretending to look tired, that guy was not charging at him recklessly. It was the tactic he used to lure in the hyena.
Sun WooHyun focused all the energy in his body to spurt forward to attack Kanma.
He was aiming for the seventh disc of the neck. The seventh disc of the neck was the only place where blood vessels and nerves did not pass through. It was the weakest part of the human body.
Clang
The sound of metal on metal rang loudly in their ears.
The Spetsnaz, which he had put all his strength into, was blocked easily.
Ah! Sun WooHyun gasped while gritting his teeth. He was immensely powerful. Even if a bear had been swinging a sword, it would be weaker than that. His hand, arm, and shoulder all went numb.
Sun WooHyun used the reflecting force to flip through the air and land gracefully. To not take advantage of this situation was unlike Kanma. The moment he landed, the swinging sword came flying towards him.
What?
Sun WooHyun blinked. Kanma was standing there smiling. He was embarrassed by his failure.
Youre awfully faint-hearted.
Sun WooHyun did a double-take.
Hearing Korean in Africa!
What is this sound? A Korean comrade?
Black Mambas eyes grew wide at the sudden outburst of a North Korean dialect.
It seemed incredible that the opponent standing in front of him had spoken in a North Korean accent. In the middle of Africa, in a blood-splattering war, who would have thought that he would come face to face with a North Korean Communist!
Chapter 127 - Chapter 16, Episode 9: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
Blade-like gazes were exchanged between them. The extremely thin man emanated a viciousness. His body was well-built. He was all muscles. His body, built with interwoven blood and muscles, looked like it would clang like metal if you were to hit it with a hammer.
But what was that? He was so small. Black Mamba had no choice but to look down at Sun WooHyun. Sun WooHyun glared upwards at him.
North Korea was rumored to have nothing to eat, and it was true.
If you did not eat while your bones were growing, you couldnt get tall. He was short. Sun WooHyun only reached the height of his shoulder. He was probably about 163 centimeters.
He was reminded of the time in his childhood when he couldnt get enough to eat. Out of all the pain and suffering in the world, hunger was the worst. Getting beaten and yelled at was nothing compared to being hungry.
How little had he eaten while growing up that his body turned out half his size!
How bad could it have been to come all the way to Africa to make a living, eat, and shovel dirt here!
Suddenly, he started to feel sorry for the little punk who was emanating all sorts of viciousness.
Black Mamba had been mistaken. He had made an assumption based on prejudice.
Sun WooHyuns actual age was in his mid-30s. In the 1950s to 60s when Sun WooHyun had been growing up, North Koreas economy had been better than South Koreas. His short stature was hereditary, and his rough skin was due to the harsh conditions he lived through in Africa.
The vicious, predatory eyes slightly softened.
The teachings of the military government had kept him alive, thus far.
Why is that son of a b*tchs vicious eyes changing weirdly like that?
Sun WooHyuns feelings were hurt. Because of his short height, he had been looked down upon wherever he went. Of course, every time, he was able to show them that the smallest peppers are the spiciest.
Hey, are you a South Korean? Take off that thing thats covering your face. Lets see that face of yours.
My face? Are you going to tattle on me to the grim reaper once you go to the other side? Ill grant the wish of a man who will die soon.
Black Mamba unraveled his ritam.
Oh! Thats Kanma? Sun WooHyuns eyes grew wide.
He was not only, young-looking, he practically looked like an adolescent Korean. Good-looking, too. His physical build and proportion made him look very handsome. Sun WooHyun had pictured him to look like a thug in his 30s. He was shocked to see otherwise.
How unexpected. Who would have thought that the rumored Kanma would be this young, pretty little thing.
Hey communist, I am well aware of my superior genes. Your genes seem to be of high quality too.
Sun WooHyun was slightly annoyed. He knew his stature was small. Had that guy seen him before to blab on about genes and all that?
You sure talk a lot for such a young punk. Ill show you what Ive got.
Sun WooHyun unraveled his ritam. A blackened face appeared. On his forehead and cheeks were deep wrinkles. He looked over 40. His skin tone looked like the natives, but he was positive that he was Korean.
Korea, China, and Japan are three Asian countries that looked similar, but there were specific differences between them. Foreigners couldnt easily differentiate between them, but a Korean with good perception would recognize one of their own in a foreign country.
In the most remote countryside of Chad Sahel, Africa, a North Korean and a South Korean met as enemies. Was this statistically possible? Black Mamba and Sun WooHyun stared at each other from afar. What an incredible coincidence.
Is this communist a soldier?
Black Mamba broke his silence. Sun WooHyun looked up at Black Mamba through his slit eyes.
Communist? How ridiculous. I am a revolutionary warrior. Youre a reactionary South Korean kid, arent you?
Black Mambas eyes turned cold.
Revolutionary warrior? Reactionary? You are a communist. Just because youre of the same race as me doesnt mean Im going to hold hands with you and rejoice.
Sun WooHyun smiled. After seeing his young face, his tense body slowly relaxed.
Young comrade, you should come back after youre done being breastfed.
Communist, age, is not what you should be worried about. Be careful of your old bones, instead.
Oh ho, this young punk is trying to make a fool out of Namir, its hurting my feelings.
Black Mambas lips curled up slightly.
Namir? You keep calling yourself Namir, are you referring to yourself as a dragon?
Sun WooHyun flinched.
I guess I was right. You sure picked a cringe-worthy nickname for yourself. How embarrassing.
Black Mamba had passed the adolescent stage in his early 20s. However, making fun of the communist amused him.
For a moment, they were silent.
The comment he had said in annoyance after looking at Black Mambas powerfully built physique and handsome face, backfired on him.
I guess all communists, yourself included, cant act their age? Isnt that right narochi[1]?
What did you call me? Narochi?
Sun WooHyuns dark face quickly turned red. The nickname that he had enjoyed for himself was suddenly revealed by the South Korean punk. He was truthfully embarrassed.
This young punk has no respect. Come at me.
Sun WooHyun put out his left palm and hid his sword-holding, right hand behind his back. He was half a step forward with his left foot and his back foot slightly bent. It was the stance of an attack.
A smile crossed Black Mambas face.
After a few words of conversation, his viciousness and fighting spirit had dissipated. No, he had never intended to kill him in the first place.
Is this the calmness that came with superiority?
Black Mamba looked calmly at Sun WooHyun who was zig-zagging back and forth, closing the distance between them. How quickly he changed his position to get closer, was phenomenal. Since the communist was of the same race as him, his actions didnt bother him too much.
Pieff and Paul had learned Krav Maga, but they had only seen their stances and positions. Compared to the depth of Ohgeumgong, their skills were like a long-haired impersonator in front of a ghost.
The weapon was no different than an extension of his hands.
Sword skills were 90 percent stabbing techniques. Only unskilled gangsters tried to slice and swing with it. The fact that Black Mamba could chop off heads with a Kukri was a strange sight.
Sun WooHyun, who had been rolled up in a ball, relaxed like a spring. The sword he had hidden behind his back, stabbed at Black Mambas navel. The navel was located at the center of the body. It was the slowest moving part of the body. Black Mambas stomach slid inwards. His strong abs pulled the skin of his stomach in deeply that it stuck to his back.
The sword which missed the target, caused Sun WooHyuns shoulders to flinch. The outreaching hand pulled back quickly. Had Black Mamba not turned back 90 degrees in time, the blade would have stabbed his neck in a flash.
That was close. The hidden sword was a fake weapon, and the real weapon was your empty hands.
Quick, punk, youre proving to be difficult.
Kanma had avoided the attack without even having to move his feet. Seeing his opponent moving with ease brought Sun WooHyun shame. He was not someone he could compete with. How was it possible for someone to be this powerful in his early 20s!
I am Namir, master of the sword.
He forced himself to be courageous. He was already marked for execution, and he didnt know how long he could hold out anyway. Even if he were to die, it would be better to die battling the all-powerful Kanma than to be killed pathetically like a dog.
KKiyot!
His left foot kicked up sand to block his opponents vision before he jumped off the ground with his right foot. Sun WooHyun went in to stab his face.
Clang
The blade of the sword clashed, and he spat into Kanmas eyes.
Black Mambas neck bent ninety degrees to the back.
That was not a movement possible by human standards. No matter how many times he experienced it, he was always surprised. As his opponent was distracted, Sun WooHyun aimed for his lower body.
Thud
Ack! A scream escaped Sun WooHyuns mouth. It was not the leg of a person but that of a hundred-year-old tree stump. He gritted his teeth, and with all his might swung his sword to stab it.
Clang clang
He was like a wall. No attack worked. Even his specialty of knocking his foe off balance did not work. If he tried to attack again, he was sure he would break his leg.
Sun WooHyun couldnt understand it. A straight stab was an attack used when in close proximity. The opponents sword hit the oncoming sword away, but it swung perpendicular to it. That would have been impossible to do if he had not been twice as fast.
Black Mamba gracefully dodged the flamboyant and cheap attacks. Stabbing, slashing, and twisting movements dissipated upon meeting his Ohgeumgong defenses. Even without using his spatial awareness skill, he was able to read his opponents every move.
Sun WooHyuns attacks were similar to Rubnenco, who was a member of eschubiaste. There was no longer any tension.
Yap!
Sun WooHyun aimed for the eyes. When Black Mamba removed his hands, he blew out the poison dart he had hidden in his mouth. That was his final card. At the same time, to distract him, Sun WooHyun shoved the sword toward his lower stomach.
Clang
When the opponent hit the sword away, a smile crept up Sun WooHyuns face.
Got him!
The smile quickly turned into a frown.
Swish
The palm of Black Mambas hand came at him at a comparatively faster speed than hed seen previously. Instinctively, he bent his neck back to avoid it, but the palm headed toward his shoulders instead.
Thud
The right hand hit Sun WooHyuns clavicle, stomach, and chin. That was the triple hit that had been taught in Ohgeumgong. If he had been hit by the ten hit combo, he would have become a bloody mess.
Thud thud
A shout echoed at the same time.
Useless.
Ack!
The shock from that hit made him double over backward. Upon getting hit on the chin, Sun WooHyun spun like a top and collapsed onto the ground. The attack on his chin made his brain rattle and shook his inner ear, causing him to lose balance. It also resulted in fainting. Even the best reconnaissance officer, Sun WooHyun, was no match for Black Mamba.
Black Mamba was one who knew how to maneuver his body easily around the opponents movements. His battle skills were on an entirely different level. Sun WooHyuns battling skills were phenomenal but they were only by human standards.
Black Mamba spat out the poison dart he had held in his mouth.
Anticipating that, he caught the oncoming poison dart right in front of his nose with his teeth. Black Mamba had gone through a lot after Rosce Rubnenco had hit him with a poison dart. If he was to be fooled by the same thing twice, he didnt deserve the nickname of wars nightmare.
Punk, you sure hop around like a grasshopper. Quit being a baby. Youre a communist, but I went easy on you since youre of the same race as me.
The fallen Sun WooHyun flinched.
Whew, just because were of the same race
Sun WooHyun had sprayed him with sand, spat in his face, bit him with his teeth, and spat out poison darts. He had thrown every cheap shot imaginable. He resisted the urge after contemplating whether he should kill him or not.
The moon was up now. From the east, a soft blue light spread out. After erasing the lives of 60 men in a sea of blood, Hypnosis came to take him away.
Up on the hill, only the remnants of devastated chaos and the smell of blood remained. Black Mamba casually stretched his arms, legs, and back, then leaned on a boulder. When the anxiety rode up the escalator and unraveled at its peak, the exhaustion came to him all at once. He didnt want to move a muscle.
Targeting someone up close was much more ambitious than targeting someone far away. Blood splattered and pieces of brain gushed out. In an instant, life flitted in and out. Inborn evil boiled over after clashing with the instinct to kill.
When bones broke, muscles ripped, and the soul left the bodyit felt like ecstasy. At that moment, you would insanely run around, reveling in the thrill of violence. When the battle was over, a feeling of futility he could not overcome, rushed over him. Somehow, he had become a monster of war.
He hated that the most.
The energy of the deceased stayed in the air. The soul of the deceased traveled around here and there. A powerful energy dug into his mind. Although his body was still bursting with energy, his psychological exhaustion washed over him like a wave.
He searched his pockets for a cigarette. Smoking was the worst habit a sniper could have. The smell of smoke on the body spreads very far. Cigarettes could impact ones sense of smell too. But still, after every massacre, it was something he longed for desperately.
Hoo
He inhaled the smoke deeply then blew it out.
The smoke rose like a giant cloud due to his high lung capacity. The Cohiba cigars unique scent and bitter taste washed away the smell of blood. It was a scent that reminded him of Chartres. He was getting sick of living in this ambition-filled earth.
He stared at the communist who was splayed out on the ground.
Sun WooHyun had his nose shoved into the rough ground.
The reason he let the communist live was because he, too, was a Korean.
Truthfully, he was glad to see him.
The communist punks are not human.
Ever since he was young, he had heard that from his father and his neighbors several times. With strong brainwashing, the communists were practically known as the monsters-with-horns. When he had found out that the monster-with-horns were based on Japanese lore, he smiled bitterly.
For humans, a closed-off environment and repetitive teaching were a horrible combination. It was not difficult to get brainwashed. You just have to block outside information and propagate repetitive teaching.
Mu Ssang, himself, had spent a large part of his past being brainwashed. It had got to the point where he thought Park JungHee was the only president.
Only after he had become a mercenary was he able to see the relationship between a North Korean and a South Korean through objective eyes. It was the dictators of North Korea and South Korea who had used their powers to block the eyes and ears of their civilians.
What should I do with this guy?
[1] Worm
Chapter 128 - Chapter 16, Episode 10: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
He pulled his knife from its sheath. With a wave of his hand, he could have removed the communists soul from his body in one swoop. But unlike his thoughts, he could not bring his hands to do it.
Hm, I should have just killed him.
He clicked his tongue.
If he was going to kill him eventually, he should not have gone easy on him during the battle. It didnt feel right to kill someone whom he had allowed to live.
The thought of killing him weighed on his conscience, but letting him go did not feel right either. Up to this point, he had never hesitated in killing anyone he had named as his enemy. Why didnt he kill him? Why was he hesitating now?
Black Mamba looked at his hands. He had killed thousands of men with these hands, 60 men that day already, so what did it matter to kill one more?
Was it because of his teachers words that killing is easy, but bringing back to life is hard? No, he was just being indecisive.
There is a seed that makes a human being, human. That seed is blood. When a beast loses its maternal instincts, it reverts to living on its own. A parent and their offspring would eventually compete for food and even mate with each other.
The only creatures that establish boundaries and connections through blood are humans. Humans instinctively separate into groups. If that group becomes larger, then the flow of blood connection also grows stronger. Me, my family, relatives, neighbors, birthplace, countrymen, citizens, etc. In this way, it continues to grow.
They say that if you move to foreign lands, you will become a nationalist.
The moment you leave your own country, your identity reverts to being loyal to that country and people, and you set your boundaries according to this simple logic.
The reason Black Mamba let the communist Sun WooHyun live, was that they were in Africa. The reason he didnt hesitate was that they were in Africa. If they had met as enemies in Korea, he would have killed him without hesitation.
Thats what it was. The reasoning behind his decision was based on his own sense of identity!
I didnt allow myself to trust my intuition and had arrived at a decision based on guidelines created by other people!
Black Mamba realized that accepted guidelines and boundaries had made him fall into thinking in a particular way. If there are guidelines set, then inevitably, boundaries are created.
Boundaries separate people from one another. The dividing line results in a disconnect. It causes fights and disagreements. It is because you end up with a my side vs your side kind of perspective.
He felt childish for trying to deny his Korean identity. He had turned away from his relationship with his family, comrades, people, and his country, thinking that he had no use for them. He believed he, as Mu Ssang, had freed himself from such futile attachments.
What had been his motivation all this time, and what had been his goal? He had lived within the smallest confines, only content to find his mother and live comfortably himself!
He had chosen to walk the path of a man and to fulfill the same requirements of any other human.
Crack A crack appeared in his reasoning that all he had to do was to live comfortably by himself.
Black Mamba stared at Sun WooHyun splayed out on the ground. This was the person who had made him examine his own identity.
But why is a North Korean with FROLINAT? Is he an escapee?
He couldnt understand it.
Black Mamba had no interest in it. He had no reason to be interested in it. In Korea, he had been moved here and there, and after receiving the Kepi Blanc, he was busy assimilating himself into mercenary life.
Unlike South Korea, North Korea put in a lot of effort into Africa. They had built an embassy, sent out a torture team, and sold weapons at cheap prices.
In August 1980, Kim Il Sung sent his torture team to Zimbabwe. That team, on the orders of President Mugabe, created an allied 5th brigade. The 5th brigade became the sword in Mugabes hand.
Mugabe, in conjunction with Bokasa and Ahmin, became known as the three black communist dictators. He had marked Kim Il Sung as his role model and had wanted to become a god.
That same year, the 5th brigade, armed with North Korean weapons, was sent into what would become known as the Matabele Massacre. These men would kill 20,000 Matabele citizens. Sun WooHyun had been a member of the torture team and had participated in the operation. The concept of communism is for everyone to live well together, but it became the kind of communism where one person lived well by killing thousands of its citizens. The Matabele Massacre was what made Sun WooHyun disillusioned with the communist mantra.
Gaddafi and Mugabe were best friends.
Dictators click with other dictators. Gaddafi, who was inspired by Mugabes 5th brigade, taught him a bigger lesson.
Mugabe eventually adopted his tactics.
The Military Chief of Staff ordered General Constantino Chiwenga to create a secret alliance with Gaddafi. The alliance sent a specialist to Libya to train its defensive tactic team.
Sun WooHyun, who was becoming skeptical of Mugabes ambitions, elected to be transferred to Libya. Gaddafi was the same kind of dictator as Mugabe.
He was constantly thrown into battle as a member of the cleanup crew or part of the resistance. Slow to assimilate to life in Libya, he went over to the FAP army under Gaddafi as an instructor.
After experiencing an existential crisis, Sun WooHyun had to endure blood and chaos to survive for this long. His life was as difficult as that of Black Mamba.
Tubilis Sun WooHyun meeting Azrael Black Mamba! Every result has a cause.
When one is drenched in the blood of a battle, even with some stamina left over, one cannot help but feel exhausted. Black Mamba leaned on a boulder, stretched out both his legs, and nodded off to sleep.
Unless you were born a psychopath, everyone knew that fighting to the death was not only physically torturous but also psychologically draining. An intense dancer could collapse once they get off the stage. Similarly, when the horror of the battle was over, all the muscles started to relax, one by one.
Once his keen senses were able to relax, everything felt meaningless. Right next to him was a corpse with a bashed-in head and sliced neck, but he didnt pay it any attention. It was nothing but a piece of meat.
He noticed a person crossing over the plateau, crawling toward him. Judging by the speed of his movement, he was frozen in fear.
Is that Emil?
Ugh, Black!
Emil, over here!
When Black Mamba called, Emil got up quickly and ran over to him. The only thought in his head was that he had to protect his partner at all costs. He quickly found cover between the rocks and began to survey his surroundings.
Its over. Quit wasting your time.
Emil emerged from the rock feeling a little embarrassed. Looking at Black Mamba he noticed the small wound on his cheek.
Black, did you get hurt?
Just a scratch.
Whew!
Emil looked around at the scene of battle and let out a long sigh.
It was nothing short of hell. There were corpses dispersed all over the place. The ones that were shot with their brains oozing out were on the cleaner side. Necks twisted, faces broken, chests collapsed, decapitated, everywhere they looked, there was blood. He had seen this several times before but could never get used to it.
The blood-soaked rocks reflected the light of the rising sun and left a grotesque colored painting on the earth. Emils body shuddered. This is hell. He was the Angel of Death, an enemys nightmare for a reason.
Whats that?
Emil pointed at the unconscious body of Sun WooHyun.
Gae reuk
Gae reuk! Whats that?
There just is something like that.
Im too tired to even talk, Black Mamba answered halfheartedly to end the conversation. He was exhausted and had no energy to explain the entire history behind the meaning.
Emil looked around.
Where did the commander and Sergeant Mike go?
Pieff hasnt returned?
Black Mamba cocked his head in thought. Mike would be difficult to save but Pieff, who had received emergency treatment, could make a full recovery. Hed been able to make the walk to the cantonment three kilometers behind them.
Look for them in the barracks.
He pointed at the barracks with his chin.
What, then?
Its what you think. The two of them dug their own graves.
Emils face turned white.
Those idiots, they didnt know their place and jumped into the battlefield of Azrael!
Emil ran to the barracks as fast as he could. Black Mamba had a good idea what had transpired, but everything seemed a bother to him just now, so he let him go. Mike must not have been able to make it back while he was nursing Pieff, or maybe he was just feeling guilty.
They were stupid until the very end!
Thinking about it made him even more annoyed. The average person who was asleep could not register someone disguised under the natural camouflage. Because Pieff and Mike, who had followed behind him, had dug their own graves, he had to dance with swords all night and get a scar on his face to show for it. He was not invincible, and however great his physique was, as a human, he would die if he got shot multiple times. If he had the opportunity to avoid danger, then he had to do it.
Mike must be dead.
Judging by the weak energy he was picking up, it would be difficult to save him.
Black Mamba splayed himself across the rough ground. His heavy eyelids drooped with exhaustion.
For three days, he had barely slept. He had been under the strain of battle for the last six days straight. If it hadnt been for his evolved physique, he would have died from physical exertion.
Hunger, sleep, and lust are the three animal instincts needed for survival. Hunger and sleep were instincts that one needed to stay alive, lust was to maintain the continuation of the species. An individuals need to survive would always win over the need to maintain the continuation of a species.
One would have to be alive to bear children. Lust is something that can be resisted. Hunger can also be endured if knowing that prolonging it could cause death. But sleep is not something you can control, even if you knew you were risking your life without it.
As if he had immersed himself in hot water, his whole body relaxed.
Even if one was to become accustomed to murder, the psychological damage it inflicts is inescapable. The captain was suddenly reminded of the purpose of war. It was an easy way to trick the newly wired brain. He couldnt help but smile.
A persons brain is split into two spheres.
The brain, molded over the centuries by the motive of ambition, had come to a point where it justified murder to maintain survival. Later the brain further evolved during the cultural period, thus rejecting the concept of murder. The cultural, moral, and ethical portions continuously rejected murder. The psychological stress that occurs in war is due to the clash between ambition and culture. The way to avoid this clash is through sleep. Black Mamba lay on the ground and snored.
Mon dieu cest incroyable! [1]
Valboir, Centienne, Bronin, and Maxim all groaned upon witnessing the scene of the blood bath.
The corpses with their chests broken in, bodies twisted, heads exploded, and throats slit, were laid out all over the place. The captain, Belman, and Jang Shin, on the other hand, werent fazed at all. This was normal for the place where the Angel of Death had done battle. The issue was Black Mambas safety.
Its Black!
Belman pointed at the blood-soaked mess.
The captain and Jang Shin jumped in surprise and ran over to him.
Black, are you hurt?
Ah haha, friend!
Jang Shin had tears streaming down his face.
Stop it. Wakil has fallen asleep.
Ombuti stopped Jang Shin.
What? What kind of person sleeps after getting covered in blood?
Wakil is always like that.
As always, Ombutis trust in Black Mamba was as deep as his devotion to his religion.
Why are you making such a racket!
Black Mamba opened his eyes and yelled at them.
Ah!
Jang Shin fell backward in surprise.
Belman ran over to Black Mamba.
Youre OK after all, Belman muttered in exasperation.
Other than the wound on his cheek, he didnt have a single scratch. He was definitely not human.
Any internal injuries?
No. Im tired. Why are you waking me up.
Haha, Ill be damned!
At Black Mambas attitude, his comrades faces all looked like Pierrot.
Ombuti pulled out a new shawl and gandura from his backpack and handed it to him.
Wakil, you look horrific.
Is there a market around here?
At the unfunny joke, Ombuti smiled sheepishly.
I borrowed them from the ones without heads.
Bronin and Maxim got away from Ombuti as quickly as possible. Centienne stared at Ombuti like he was a monster.
Whos that? Hes still alive.
The captain tapped the unconscious Sun WooHyun with his foot.
Narochi, no jjol dda goo!
He was still of the same race as him so he didnt feel right calling him a snake.
How one used language depended on the environment you grew up in. For Koreans, calling Sun WooHyun a narochi would mean that he was a snake, just like the French being called frogs.
The three men stared at each other.
JJol dda goo? Whats that?
Ill keep him alive for now.
I see. Youre keeping him alive for the time being?
[1] What in the world, I cant believe it!
Chapter 129 - Chapter 16, Episode 11: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
The captain nodded his head.
He thought that jjol dda goo meant I will keep him alive for now. It was the same instance as when the Australian natives had said kangaroo meaning I dont know but they had understood it as kangaroo and named it so.
Captain, Belman we have a big problem.
Emil said out of breath as he ran to them from the barracks.
Commander and Sergeant Mike are dying.
Are you telling me theyre dead or alive?
The captains tone was calm. There was nothing more to be surprised about.
They are still alive.
Stupid, I thought they were acting weird since yesterday.
Belman dragged Bronin along and ran to the barracks. The other mercenaries followed right behind them.
Valboir! What do you think youre doing!
The captain screamed. He was reaching the peak of annoyance. They werent a rescue team but a burden. He resented Colonel Philip for sending these useless men. If his own team members had not experienced such atrocities previously, he may have ended up being just like them.
Leave the commander and Mike to Belman. Take your team to go collect the supplies.
Im sorry.
Lieutenant Valboir took Jang Shin, Centienne, and Maxim and ran to Trident Rock.
Living and dying are up to their own fate.
Black Mamba closed his eyes again. Other than his wish to get some sleep, he didnt care who lived or died.
Ah choo-
Sun WooHyun sneezed. The flies in the Sahel were relentless. He hadnt woken up even when the captain had kicked him but he had woken up as the flies flew up his nose and blocked his airways.
What is this situation?
He could not remember why he was lying on the ground. His mind which seemed to have gone out did not return. Separate from his mind, his body was intuitively starting to examine itself for injuries. His nervous system was functioning normally and his body seemed to be fine. There was no trace of bleeding. Only one place did he experience the sensation of pain.
Kanma!
The severe pain brought back his hazy memory back into his consciousness.
I was destroyed by that Kanma kid.
Hit by the reality of it, Sun WooHyuns mind spun vigorously.
He had examined his body but had found no injuries. Kanma could break someones skull with one blow or explode his heart without any bother. He could not figure out why his body was left intact.
Also, his hands and feet were not restrained. The unexpected situation caused him confusion.
Did that Kanma punk take drugs?
He remembered him saying that the North Korean Communists were still the same race as him.
He slowly opened his eyes.
He opened his left eye, which was on the opposite side of the sunlight, in a sliver only. If his eyes reflected the sunlight, they could know that he was conscious.
What?
The devil was asleep and snoring. He was splayed out comfortably. He had never imagined that there would be a guy who could sleep peacefully next to an opponent he had beat into unconsciousness. This was the first time in his life he had met something this insane. He, as Tubilis, had never been treated in this way before.
Treating me like a worm.
Sun WooHyun thought that he wouldnt be able to suppress his anger unless he could get revenge of Kanma. He checked his surroundings with his eyes barely opened. He saw his abandoned bayonet at an arms reach away.
Narochi, you want to try coming at me again?
The monster spoke without even opening his eyes.
Ah!
Sun WooHyun, who had slowly reached out his hand for the bayonet, flinched and retreated. That guys senses were too alert.
You dare to look down on the Sun WooHyun, reconnaissance leader Namir?
Sun WooHyun blurted out in anger.
Of course I do. Even women arent scared of red worms like you. With those pathetic skills, how could you call yourself a dragon? Red Narochi, dont you think? I will applaud your bravery though.
Sun WooHyuns face turned as red as a pigs liver. How dare he call this celebrated reconnaissance leader a red worm? Although when comparing himself to Black Mamba, he couldnt really disagree that he was merely a worm. His skyrocketing pride had come crumbling down.
Ack, you son of a b*tch! Die.
Sun WooHyun attacked like lightning. His blade and physical combat skills were no match for him. He decided to just hold him down and pound him on the ground.
Oh, you punk, even women dont cling this much onto me.
Thud-
In an instant, the sky and the earth switched places and he fell to the ground like a frog. Smoky dust filled his nose and blood poured out of it like a geyser. He blinked like a cow that had fallen over on a frozen lake. He had meant to hit Kanma over the head and twist his neck, but he could not move his thoughts into action.
Only after some time passed, did his brain allow him to accept the situation. Kanma suddenly disappeared from view and with a sudden punch to his nose, Sun WooHyun fell backward. He didnt know how it happened, but that was the result.
He hadnt thought a lot of the South Korean kids martial arts skills. He had gained the title of Tubilis, the battle instructor, but this guy was on a different level. This guy was the true Tubilis.
Its an efficient, concise, and merciless action.
The captain, who had been watching, accessed.
Wakil, if a laughable punk tries to pick a fight with you, then they must be taught a lesson.
Ombuti respectively handed him a thick acacia club. Ombuti had reached a point where he could pinpoint the desires of his master and move according to his wishes.
Scary punk!
The captain was more scared of Ombuti than Black Mamba. When they said that the ministers servant is scarier than the minister himself, they must have been talking about him.
Youve done well.
Black Mamba grabbed the club with a joyful expression on his face. Ombuti had brought him a freshly cut tree and had wet it with water.
It hurts many times more when hit with a newly fallen tree.
An item soaked in water causes it to stick more, and for longer, to the skin. It meant that the impact and the pain it causes is that much greater. The pain penetrates internally. Even during the Chosun Dynasty, they had beat the worst criminals with water-soaked clubs.
Ha, with that stick?
Sun WooHyun smirked. Because he was so young, he knew nothing. As a reconnaissance leader and torture instructor, he was trained in enduring such situations. Sticks under fingernails, pouring spicy soup inside nostrils, shining bright lights into eyes so they couldnt sleep, branding them with hot coals, he was aware of every inhumane tactic possible. He could handle getting beaten with a club in his sleep.
Ill drain all the red water from you.
Black Mamba smiled creepily.
The captain flinched. Just looking at a club in Black Mambas hand gave him the creeps.
Just chop off his head why dont you.
The captain truly felt bad for the small Asian who was acting calm.
Are you going to play dirty and torture me?
Sun WooHyun glared at him with venom in his chinky eyes.
Why are you asking something you already know?
Slap-
Oof!
Sun WooHyun jumped in surprise and was barely able to hold back the scream that was about to escape him. With one hit, his whole body was covered in cold sweat.
Why is my mentality so weak.
Slap- slap-
Ack!
Sun WooHyuns eyes grew so wide it looked like they would pop out of his head. A thick trickle of blood flowed down his forehead and temple. He barely held in his scream. He tried to dissipate the pain through mental resistance but it did not help much.
A humans body remembers a continuous stimulation to a specific area. If there is an overstimulation to one part, it will decrease its sense in the area. Of course, different parts of the body have different thresholds.
The main skill in torturing is to create continuous stimulation without killing the person. If you stimulate as much as you can to one part then apply a similar stimulation again, the sensation exponentially grows. The pain obviously multiplies. Its the simplest yet most terrifying torture technique.
He hit him quickly and rhythmically like sewing with a needle.
He made sure to overlap a third of the areas he had hit previously, then he hit again in the same spot. The person being hit knows that he will be hit again and has to wait for the pain to come again. With that much accumulation of anxiety and fear, it becomes difficult to maintain sanity.
Every time he hit him, he released a little bit of his resonance into it. The resonance caused the cells to tense up, then the club stuck right to it. In Black Mamba style, very intensely.
Ack, you son of a bitch!
On the eighth time, he screamed. Sun WooHyuns will to fight unraveled like a bale of hay in water. Even as he clenched his teeth, when the beating happened, his mouth opened to shout in pain. No, he had been preparing to scream and had spit it out on the moment of contact.
After hitting him 10 times, Black Mamba adjusted the intervals.
The 10 hits were the same concept as aiming at a target from the shooting line. He had to calculate the extent of time the opponent felt pain and had to anticipate how fast he should react to the sensitivity to the pain.
Sun WooHyun was a person immensely trained to withstand such torture.
The rebounding force of the club was no joke. Black Mamba decided to increase his power. Weak-medium-weak-strong, at five-second intervals. Even Mike, who had experienced the lowest power level at six-second intervals had shit blood. For Sun WooHyun, it was four times as strong as that of Mike.
Should we start now?
You son of a bitch, what are you planning to do?
Sun WooHyun, whose face was as red as a pigs liver, let out a loud scream.
You are definitely a communist who needs to learn a lesson.
The acacia club fell on him with the rhythm of weak-medium-weak-strong.
Slap-Slap-Slap-Thud. That was the order. Four beatings, every five seconds.
Ack, ugh!
It was not the physical pain that was so bad but the psychological one. Even the torture training he had endured previously didnt help him cope with this. All manner of screams echoed through the desert night sky.
Bronin, who went into the first barrack, screamed.
The lantern fell out of his hand.
Ack, what is this?
Slap-
Belman, who was following behind him, hit Bronin on the back of the head.
Idiot, what are you doing. Hurry up and find the commander and Sergeant Mike.
What what is this?
What do you think it is, its Black Mambas masterpiece.
Sergeant Bronins hands shook.
Inside the barrack, there were 20 corpses lying on the ground and there were pools of blood on the floor. Having never seen such a thing before, his mind seemed to be unable to take it all in.
Belman looked around the barrack and grabbed Bronin by the back of the neck.
Pathetic fool, hurry up and move before I shoot you dead.
At Belmans stern reprimand, Bronin stumbled hesitantly into the second barrack.
Emil came running in and yelled, there is a personal barrack in the back.
Damned punk, you should have told us earlier. Jotto, Im afraid Ill see this in my dreams.
Belman muttered as he headed over to look for the personal barrack.
Oh dear, commander!
Belman ran quickly into the barracks.
Pieff had fainted leaning on the bed. Sergeant Mike was lying on the bed. A large NR2 bayonet was lodged in the left side of his chest.
Belman called for Bronin as he put his ear to Mikes chest to examine his breathing.
Bronin, where are you?
Bronin showed up with a soulless expression on his face.
Commander, this is hell. The second barrack
Shut up, Sergeant Mike is in critical condition. His lungs are damaged. The commander has passed out from performing CPR on Mike.
Is it an air chest injury or a blood chest injury?
Nigimi ddugral, its a blood chest injury. The blade had penetrated the chest and as it was twisted, it damaged the lungs. The loss of blood was decreasing his blood pressure.
We do have a manual ventilator.
Thats a relief. You can apply pressure. Emil, bring the bandages. First, well have to hold the bayonet in place.
Bronin, who had finished the emergency treatment, wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Are you able to blow air into him?
He was such a healthy man to begin with that I was able to spare him some time.
Belman, who had been measuring his breathing, stabbed two needles deep into him.
Luckily, it avoided his heart. Ill have to prep him then go into surgery.
What about the commander?
Black Mamba must have treated his wounds for that man. Its no rush. Hes just exhausted.
Pieff, who had been attacked by Sun WooHyun, was a complete mess.
Although compared to Mike, who had been critically injured, his situation was not as bad. Belman removed the darts stuck in his thigh and side and started the treatment.
Oww Ahh
In the wee hours of early morning, a sound like that of a weeping ghost echoed.
Whats that sound?
Bronin, who was using the guns and tarp to make a temporary camp, shuddered as his hair stood on end.
Chapter 130 - Chapter 16, Episode 12: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
The bizarre scene that he had witnessed left him speechless. He wanted to cry as he listened to the horrific screams of torture.
Its Black Mamba. He said he was going to let him live but it looks like hes decided to remove his bones one by one. Emil answered nonchalantly.
Bronins face turned white.
Hes torturing a professional? And hes removing his bones one by one to boot?
Emil stared at Sergeant Bronin with a look of incredulity in his eyes. If he wasnt a higher rank then he was, he would have hit him.
Sir, the Sahel is not Corsica. If you dont get that crap out of your head, you wont survive here.
Wha what? How dare you speak to me like that?
Bronin glared at Emil.
Huh, look at that guys eyes.
Bronin turned away as Emil continued to glare at him. He didnt have the stomach to stare at someone who had killed so many.
Valboir, who had been gathering the supplies, was also in a state of nerves.
The screams were so desperate that he got goosebumps. They were not the screams of someone fighting against another human being.
What is that sound? Is it the sound of a dying hyena?
Black Mamba must be dealing with the communist. Just let him be and continue shoveling. Jang Shin answered nonchalantly.
Communist? You mean that Asian from before? Jang Shin, you carry on, Im going to go check it out.
It wont be anything you want to see.
The things you shouldnt see are the best ones to watch.
Valboirs curiosity got the best of him. Black Mamba was a special person. Whatever he did was special. For Valboir, who had always wanted to be a writer, Black Mamba was an intriguing character.
Hes not a normal human being either.
Jang Shin shook his head and concentrated on digging. They had to hurry up and haul out the pick up and fill it with the supplies.
Sun WooHyun was rolling around on the ground like a ball.
He tried all he could to avoid the beatings but it was no use. The club hit him consistently and accurately without a single mishit. The guys action was like an automatic press machine that guaranteed exact results.
Black Mamba limited the beating so that it wouldnt break his victims bones. He was a man with great fighting skills and stamina. He was worthy of going around calling himself Namir.
He had teasingly called Sun WooHyun a sidekick but the idea stuck.
He decided to take in the communist. Even the best attack dogs get eaten when they attack their owners. Black Mamba was going to resolutely show him who was boss. For Sun WooHyun, that was extremely bad luck.
It was the wee hours of the morning when the darkness had not yet begun to fade.
Even though his vision was impaired, each strike of the club met its mark. Sun WooHyun got goosebumps at Kanmas skill. This guy was definitely a wild beast. His eyes even appeared to be emanating a red light.
The monster had no mercy. If he had asked any questions Sun WooHyun would have answered them but all he did was beat him and say nothing.
Sun WooHyun had never imagined that he would ever experience this sort of pain and fear in his life. He had been on the brink of death from gunshot wounds and injuries so many times, he had lost count.
But this time, he was being beaten without a single bone being broken. He thought he would be able to laugh off a beating with a club but he could not.
The pain was tearing his mind apart, and he felt like his spinal cord was about to snap. He wanted to lose consciousness but it did not happen. Every time the club made contact with his skin, he was shaken from his fading consciousness.
The screaming had slowly subsided.
Sun WooHyun could no longer rmove. Tears, snot, spit, and sweat, all the fluid in his body, had been drained away. What was left of him was splayed across the floor like a dead frog.
Stop, stop
His will to fight had left him. He mustered all his strength to plead for his life. Even if he was to die, he did not want to die being beaten like a pathetic dog.
Who are you? Are you Namir or Narochi?
I am Namir.
Black Mambas lips curled up into a smile.
Good, as a Korean, you should at least have that much pride. Today is not the only day.
The beating he thought would last forever suddenly stopped.
Sun WooHyun, you have been chasing around thinking the world was small, then you met a monster and your life was over! He lamented.
Vengeance should have been boiling up inside him but instead he was just thankful that the beatings had stopped. He was amazed by this guys ingenuity.
For the last fifteen years, he had learned all sorts of ways to kill someone. Sun WooHyun trembled then let go of consciousness. With the screaming stopped, silence filled the room.
Valboir was at a loss for words.
This was not something a human could do. He had imagined this formidable Asian would be difficult to break but had been turned to rags in exactly three minutes.
Is that really the same quiet Korean who had served under me?
Any thought of Black Mamba as an inferior had disappeared.
Sergeant Bronin!
Bronin jumped in surprise and grabbed the bedpost to regain his balance. Emil glared at Bronin with narrow eyes. He almost dropped Sergeant Mike onto the floor.
What a monster! Even though we are on the same team, Im still terrified.
Bronin placed his hand over his trembling heart.
Although Mike had been brought in with a bayonet sticking out of his chest, the captain was not surprised. Mikes actions had been no different to jumping into an alligator pit hoping to die.
Black Mamba looked at the dying Mike without emotion. The punk who had always been a nuisance to them because of his inferiority complex, had finally caused some real trouble.
The stupid idiot had run around without knowing his place and had met his death. If he had not stopped him, he could have caused the death of his comrades. In war, it is not the cowards that cause trouble, but the ones that do whatever they feel like.
Will he live?
Well have to wait and see, but if the surgery goes well, he could live.
Is surgery possible?
Hes the same blood type as Emil and Centienne. Its not the best environment for surgery but I can cut away the damaged portions and bandage him up.
Phew, please do your best. I dont want to lose any more of my comrades. The captain sighed in relief.
Black Mamba is half killing the guy he named as his sidekick.
He will have a plan. Everyone is in awe of his incredible power but hes also a deep thinker.
Ombuti, wake him up.
Ombuti poured water over the face of the unconscious Sun WooHyun.
Huh poo!
Sun WooHyuns eyes shot open as he rolled his body and got out of the way.
The mercenaries were in awe. He was a person who was trained to react instinctively to any situation.
Sun WooHyun collapsed as he tried to lift his body. It was a consequence of the injuries he had sustained during torture. He fell several times before he was finally able to stand upright.
Sun WooHyun held his blade in front of him and got into position.
Even in these circumstances, he was ready to fight. His mental resolve was strong.
Black Mamba nodded his head.
Useful!
Although he wasnt giving it his all because he had marked him as a potential sidekick, this guy was not an easy person to break. His mentality was strong and his body was well trained. His judgement of him had changed from useless to useful in an instant.
Because Sun WooHyun was so strong willed, he had to take this opportunity to make sure he knew his place once and for all so that he could not bare his teeth against him ever again.
Swish
Black Mamba jumped into the air.
A white streak passed through the air.
Hup!
Sun WooHyun tensed as he crossed both arms over his chest in defense.
Thud! His left hand sent the defending arm upwards and he hit Sun WooHyuns chest with his right palm.
The ending was flamboyant.
Thud! The left hand grabbed the neck and flipped Sun WooHyun upside down to slam him down onto the ground. This was a skill that was not part of Ohgeumgong.
The mercenaries who were watching the merciless scene trembled in the background.
Dont you think that would have broken his neck?
Valboirs body shuddered in fear.
Hes incredible. In that moment, he turned his neck and landed on his shoulder. Emil announced.
Captain, Black seems to have a great deal of pent up anger. Belman said with a fearful expression. As a fellow human, he had never seen anyone with the ability to beat someone to that extent.
The guy attacking and the guy getting attacked are both incredible. I would have been happy to have been knocked out in one shot.
The captain got chills all through his body as if he had the flu.
At the time of Chartress death, he had received a beating from Black Mamba. Seeing the state of the Asian who called himself Namir, he realized that his own beating had been nothing in comparison.
Keck!
A boot stepped on Sun WooHyuns neck.
His breath was cut off. All the strength left his body and he could not move his fingertips.
Idiot, there is a black sky beyond the blue sky. Dont you know the saying blue sky of black sky? Stop clinging onto me with that weak body of yours and stay down.
Black Mamba slowly released the strength from his foot.
What did you say? Weak!
Sun WooHyun was so shocked that his mind went numb. He had never imagined that someone would ever call him weak
Hey punk, just stay quiet and still. The more you flail around, the worse it will be for you.
Are you saying that theres more I have to fear.
Thats right. My heart hurts that I have to kill a fellow Korean even though you are a communist. Are you sure you wont die from another beating?
Nigimi jotto, I dont think so.
Hoohoo, better to live as a coward than to die a hero.
Black Mamba scoffed then moved his foot.
Cough cough Sun WooHyun gasped desperately as his airways cleared. This guy was even able to calculate the changes in his breathing capacity. It made him indignant, but he was dealing with someone not human.
Just kill me.
Ah, you really cant understand what Im saying can you? That is the Spetsnaz knife right? Do you want to come at me again?
He kicked the knife on the floor with his feet, so that it slid toward Sun WooHyun.
Sun WooHyun jumped in surprise and cocked his head instead of picking up the weapon.
No thank you. I wont end up a dead veteran. After I get my energy back, lets battle it out .
After? Yea right.
Black Mamba raised his fist. As he gathered the resonance into it, his fist began to tremble and made the surrounding air vibrate. Suddenly, he smashed into the boulder with the speed of lightning.
Thud
With explosive power, a huge chunk of rock fell away from the boulder with a thud.
Wha what!
Sun WooHyun bolted upright in a panic. His eyes widened as he took turns staring at the boulder and Black Mambas fist.
Quit fooling around. You dont think your shoulders are stronger than this boulder here, do you. If I wanted to kill you, I could have done it by now.
The chilling words and cold gaze shot at Sun WooHyun like an arrow and hit him square between the eyes. His eyes felt like they were burning, like he had sprayed a handful of pepper at him.
Ahh!
Sun WooHyuns face drained of blood and he whimpered. He felt as if a monstrous weight was pushing him into the ground.
The Eastern sky was slowly turning red.
Before daylight, he had to hurry and figure out a plan get out of there as soon as possible.
Ive done as best as I can for the time being, so Im going to rest for awhile. Communist, you can rest too.
Black Mamba threw down the club and then leaned on a boulder with his eyes closed. As his comrades got ready to leave, he had decided to get some sleep.
Whether you choose to kill me or let me live, do whatever you want.
Sun WooHyun flipped and laid on his back. His sharpened will had been extinguished. He was human and that man was not human. To try to defend himself against a man who was not human would only cause himself harm.
Tears filled Sun WooHyuns eyes.
His past flashed before him. He had patrolled the DMZ zone for a year. He hadnt had direct contact with the South Korean soldiers or the UN army but he could sense their freedom. With the commanders recommendation and the Party commissions blessing, he had been able to enroll in Ganggeon General Military Academy. He wasnt particularly gifted but he was able to rise in the ranks due to the influence of his father .
After listening to South Korean broadcasting he had been found out by the agency. He was not prosecuted thanks to his fathers connections but he could no longer rise in the ranks. Worried about complications, he decided to request a transfer to Zimbabwe. He had gone around and around until he met the true Tubilus that day.
A week ago, he had been commanded to return home.
The reason was that he had illegally crossed over the border into Chad. That didnt make any sense. As a soldier, it was enough to get permission from the officer in command, there was no need to apply for permission from the embassy.
Sensing that something wasnt right, he called a friend of his who worked there. From what he learnt, he suspected that his father may have been executed.
If he was to return, it was likely he would also be executed.
Whether he died upon returning home or whether he died from getting beaten by this monster, it was all the same. He felt relieved to have accepted his fate.
Snore snore
Sun WooHyun stared down at the snoring monster.
He looked at the dagger in his hand for a long time and shook his head. His body already knew that if he attempted to attack once more, that would be the end of him.
This man was impossible to understand and he gave up trying to. It is impossible to understand someone who is crazy. And the really crazy ones become heroes. Just like Abe and Kim Il Sung.
Chapter 131 - Episode 13: Sahels North Korean Human Weapon
The snoring stopped.
Communist, dont you want to return to FAP?
Black Mamba asked with his eyes closed.
I dont want to work with those stupid fools any longer.
You can leave if you want. I will give you food and a camel.
Sun WooHyun refused instantly.
What the f*ck? You said Im your sidekick! Youre responsible for me now.
Responsible? Yeah right. Youre driving me crazy. What is this unreasonable persistence?
Im resentful of you beating me, so Im going to stay by your side until I get to beat you back.
Will you be able to earn your own meals?
Im still the best leader of the reconnaissance troops there is. Dont you worry about me pulling my fair share of the weight. Sun WooHyun blurted out angrily.
Are you really going to act like my sidekick?
I never liked North Korea. I had thought it was strange that they told me to return so I checked with a friend who worked at the consulate and he told me my father had been killed.
Do you have other family?
The only family I had left was my father. Im what the South Koreans call an abandoned duck egg. I cant go back dead, and dont you think its better for me to be next to a South Korean comrade than those black idiots? Ill play your sidekick, so just feed me.
Black Mamba smiled happily.
The sidekicks blood circulation and brain waves were stable. He was being sincere. Black Mamba wanted to test him before deciding whether or not to continue beating him. The situation seemed to be progressing better than hed hoped.
After thinking it over, Black Mambas mind broadened. He was not so petty as to mark the man as an enemy just because he was a communist.
Ill build you a home and give you plenty of rice and soup to eat, would that be enough?
Haha, theres nothing more I could wish for.
The North Korean soldier who had lost his home and the South Korean mercenary who had been pushed out of his home, stared at each other and smiled. They were in a faraway land, the African Sahel.
The black comedy play ended.
Cest incroyable! [1]
The captain exclaimed with gusto after they had returned from surveying the surroundings. The guy had been beaten to a pulp by Black Mamba, but the short Asians bayonet skills and battle mentality was impressive. It was so interesting to watch that he forgot his hunger.
Valboir, what do you think will happen if I go against that guy?
Dont you think you could survive at least ten hits?
The captain shook his head.
Thank you for thinking so highly of me. If I was fighting for my life, I wouldnt even be able to last through three. That guy is a human weapon.
Who they called The Communist was small in physique but was extremely well built. His attack skills were deadly and cruel. His body and mind were trained to the highest potential and he was a real killing machine.
I think the communist is North Korean.
Probably!
The two of them worked out Sun WooHyuns identity. They knew it to be true that the FROLINAT training instructors were North Korean.
It wasnt only Chad.
Uganda, Central Africa, Zimbabwe, and every other dictator run country were inspired by the North Korean army. The killing skills and cruelty of the North Korean soldiers were legendary in Africa.
Valboir, Korea seems to be a unique country.
Huh? What do you mean?
The country itself is not very powerful but the individual skills of its people are phenomenal. Its a mystery.
Thats true. Koreans have relatively small numbers drafted but they are hard-working and respectful. Their physical skills are good too. Whenever a Korean enrolls in the army, I scrutinize him and take him into my team every chance I get. If the commander had not ended up in that state, I would have said to pick up the North Korean right away. Hahaha!
No way. Black Mamba had already chosen him.
Can we trust him?
Eh hm!
The captain clicked his tongue at Valboir and looked at him pathetically.
You were Blacks commanding officer and yet you still dont really know him. His thinking is as deep as he is powerful. He can see many steps ahead. If you leave him alone, it will all be to our gain in skin and blood. Dont worry about it and let him do what he wants.
Many people think that those who are overly interested in physical fitness are dumb. In reality, that does tend to be true. Those that learned martial arts or sports from when they were young had focused all their energy on growing their physical abilities and their mentality is often weak.
But the Black Mamba the captain had seen was like a raccoon disguised as a tiger. The reason he compared him to a raccoon was that he did not express his feelings openly. If he had expressed his opinion, then there was definitely a good reason for it. Getting rid of the communist would strictly be Black Mambas decision.
There were other things the captain had to worry about.
He was the person who had attacked Pieff and Mike.
Valboir, call Black.
Hes asleep.
The speed at which he falls asleep is worthy of his call name status. Let him sleep. He will obviously be very tired.
The situation wasnt so peaceful that they could leave Black Mamba to sleep deeply.
Before the captain had even finished talking, Black Mambas eyes shot open.
Its the sound of bikes. They are coming this way from the direction of their headquarters.
Were in big trouble.
The captain and Valboirs faces flushed white. There were corpses all over Trident Rock. Even if they were to kill the messenger, they would still run into problems.
We have the communist, so what are we worried about.
Black Mamba was annoyingly calm. The captain and Valboir looked over at Sun WooHyun.
Communist, whos that on the bike?
Theres no reason for me to answer.
Sun WooHyun was sick of being called a communist. But if he insisted on being called Namir, he would be teased as a narochi again.
I guess you dont want to eat the soup.
Hes a messenger of Hadad. I make contact with him twice a day.
He responded immediately. Food was always a big incentive. No, the two people had already found a connection. They were just trying to protect their own pride.
Communist, get on a bike and ride out there. Meet him at the entrance and send him back.
Valboir, who had been listening, didnt agree.
Black Mamba, what are you saying. How can you trust him?
Valboir, you can pray to the gods and eat what I give you.
The captain put his hand over Valboirs mouth.
Vroom Sun WooHyun rode off on the bike in the direction of Tanga.
Valboir, if its possible, try not to get involved with the things Black Mamba wants to do. If you dont get over that nosy behavior of yours, youll get yourself in trouble.
The captain whispered quietly.
If that guy goes to FROLINAT and hands over our information, arent we in big trouble?
You still dont get it. The communists already turned his back on them.
I will bet a thousand percent that he will not return.
Alright, Ill bet a thousand percent he will. Haha! I just made some money.
Well have to see to be sure.
Valboir still could not agree.
A few moments later, Sun WooHyun showed up. As the captain put out his hand, Valboirs face turned sour.
Ive earned my meals. It looks like Hadad is planning to position himself here. I told him that I was heading to Tanga.
Good. Lets hurry and finish this and eat.
The captain glanced at Valboir as if proving a point and mustered his troops.
Okay, we dont have time. Before it gets light, we have to erase any trace of us and then get out of here. Emil call Centienne, Maxim, and Jang Shin. Valboir, you lead them.
Black, let me see you for a moment.
The captain took Black Mamba to the barracks. The unconscious Pieff and Mike were lying on the beds. Belman and Bronin were busily prepping for the surgery.
Black, what happened to Mike and Commander Pieff?
I dont know. You can ask the communist.
Black Mamba pointed at Sun WooHyun.
Did you do that?
Black Mamba pointed at the bayonet in Mikes chest.
Sun WooHyun nodded.
Hes large but dumb. The son of a bitch got hit with a bayonet the moment he stepped into the barracks. The slow kid didnt even attempt to quieten his breathing. He does seem to have a long lifeline though by the look of it.
The reason the troops retreated to the back was because of him then?
Guilty. If that piece of fat had found a way in, I assumed a bunch of assassins had broken through. I raised the alarm and told them all to retreat, although that didnt help much. Now that I think of it, that piece of fat saved my life. If it wasnt for him, my head would have been chopped off without me even knowing why.
I see.
Black Mamba nodded his head. It was as he had expected. Mike would forever be a nuisance to him. Pieffs actions didnt make sense either.
The man who shoved that blade into Mikes chest is already dead.
Sun WooHyun, comprehending what he was getting at, nodded his head.
Guilty, theres no point in seeking revenge. Thanks to that idiot, I was able to keep my head intact.
The captain was frustrated by listening to the foreign language. He didnt know any Korean.
Black, what are you talking about?
Pieff and Mike are not Black Mamba. They deliberately disobeyed my command to stay back and survey the scene. Because those two had jumped into battle so recklessly, it put me in a difficult position. Those two peoples irresponsible actions put the entire team in danger. With my call name jurisdiction, I will lower the rank of commander Pieff and Sergeant Mike until our operation is complete. Until this operation is over, those two people will function as privates designated as Legion Deuxieme.
Black Mamba closed his mouth after sharply expressing his opinion. He had not kept his mouth shut because he hadnt known about the authority he had as a call name. He had only kept his mouth shut to respect the authority of his superiors. If Pieff and Mike continued to act on their own, it would put their entire team in danger.
Alright, with you ranking as call name, the ranking of the two of them will be temporarily lowered to Legion Deuxieme class.
The captain understood Black Mambas hidden agenda. He was trying to make it so that he no longer needed to worry about Pieff due to his higher ranking.
He again realized the importance of his partner. He had been wrong this time also. He should have called Mike back right away and sent another member for surveillance. Mike was already known to be impulsive but Commander Pieffs conduct remained a mystery.
What are you planning to do with that thing?
The captain pointed at Sun WooHyun with his chin.
Ill deal with him.
Will there be any problems?
No
Alright.
With that short exchange, the situation was resolved.
Sun WooHyun had officially become Black Mambas sidekick.
Ack, wueck wueck
Centienne and Maxim ran out of the barrack and vomited. There were tens of corpses with their heads cut off inside. It was worth vomiting over.
Following behind them, Jangs Shin expression quickly changed.
He had seen his fair share of corpses in his lifetime but he had never had an experience of such a pile of decapitated corpses at one time before.
Pathetic idiots!
Jang Shin cursed at Centienne and Maxim as he tried to resist his own churning stomach. He was sorely reminded of the time he had thrown up at Er Ekdim valley and was almost killed by Ombuti.
Sun WooHyun, who examined the scene, felt his heart go cold.
There were exactly 34 corpses with their heads cut in a way that was just enough to kill them. There was only one assassin, Kanma, someone who he feared would show up in his dreams. No, right now, he was Black Mamba, who promised to give him rice and soup.
Sidekick, you have a radio?
I do.
Sun WooHyun pointed to a corner of his barrack.
Huh, isnt that a remote T34 PTC29?
Its what the Americans handed over to the Soviets in World War Two.
Huh, its an object with a history. Does it work?
If you yell into it, it will work.
Contact headquarters. Tell them you got Kanmas tail. Say you are following him towards the direction of Vilmar.
Sun WooHyun nodded his head without argument.
He had no reason to worry about the Chad independence army anymore. In any case, he hadnt been paid in three months.
Will you give me my share of payment.
Ill give you a lot.
A smile spread across Sun WooHyuns face.
The captain came out of the barrack with a water bottle. It was covered in bloodstains. He drank out of the water bottle without even thinking twice about it.
Black, youve done well.
Too many words make meaning more unclear. Between comrades flitting between life and death, one sincere word is plenty enough.
The captain forced everyone to help in erasing their tracks.
The bike and tarp, and all of the corpses, they dragged to the wadi and dumped them in the valley. All the small leftover things they buried in the ground. He too quickly started digging. He covered the bloodstains with the sand. The enemy was right in front of them. If they left a trace, they were sure to be followed.
[1] Thats incredible!
Chapter 132 - Episode 1: Sahels Night Sky
Valboir, you can finish up here. Get Black Mambas sidekick to lure the punks inside of Bodele. There is a high chance those punks will come through here. Erase the signs of battle as best you can.
Captain left the task to Valboir and headed to Trident Rock. Bellman, Jang Shin, and Emil ran over with shovels.
Stop right there!
Captain stopped them and turned to Black Mamba.
Black, were short on time. Can you help us out? There isnt even anyone here to see.
Captain did not forget the fact that Black Mamba had moved a one-ton boulder when they were making a headstone for Chartres. How could anyone forget such an incredible scene?
Black Mamba hesitated for a moment then stepped up to the task.
Fox-like man, thats why he only brought our own comrades over.
It was easy to know what Captain had in mind. Bellman, Emil, and Jang Shin were not ones to go around, exposing his secret.
Would it be possible?
The resonance was weak, but he could activate more power with the help of gravity. If he could control the direction and range, he would use it to shovel dirt.
Whoong
The resonance that started from his head circulated in his body and filled his blood. He concentrated hard on the task at hand.
Shwah
Black Mamba shifted the sand and dirt beneath his feet as his body dug deeper into the ground. Using gravity in conjunction with his resonance created a new effect.
Ooh!
The four mercenaries eyes grew wide as they witnessed the magic-like scene. Even Captain, who had requested this, did not know that Black Mamba was capable of such a skill.
Black Mambas body sank into the ground so quickly that only his head could be seen above the sand.
Thats unbelievable. Is he a human mole? That guy is like an onion. The more we peel, the more there is to see.
We just have to accept it as it is. Haha, is he the fabled sandman now? It is difficult to label him as human.
Bellman laughed at Captains words.
The quick-witted Jang Shin was already climbing up the hill. He was surveying the area. Although they were comrades, the rescue team was much different from the Lattell team. No good would come out from them finding out about Black Mambas inhuman characteristics.
Black Mamba had traveled two meters into the ground and had found the pickup truck using his spatial awareness skill.
Schwah
Using his resonance, he pushed the sand away.
Hup! He held the end of the vehicle and pulled with his strength.
Once the pickup truck budged, the momentum pulled it up.
Kururoong
With immense power, the pickup truck was pulled out onto ground level.
Sand flew in all directions as the pickup truck covered with tarp landed on the ground in front of them.
Oh, cest incroyable.[1]
Quest-ce qui se passe![2]
Even the mercenaries, who had become accustomed to him, exclaimed in surprise.
Black Mamba used the same method to pull out the remaining three pickups.
Sun WooHyun stood flabbergasted.
What kind of human is that?
He wanted to cry. Thats not a human. He wondered if even a cow could pull out a pickup truck from underground. The thought of escaping when the opportunity presented itself, collapsed and fell into the ground, like sand sinking back into its hole. Black Mamba was not someone he could go up against, for the sake of pride.
There was another reason why he wanted to cry.
It was the number of supplies that were stashed in the pickups.
The reason why Black Mamba had wiped out the Tubu clan was because of those pickups.
That was the Lattell team that Black Mamba had been keeping alive, best known as the French special task team who had been sweeping across the Sahel. His reconnaissance team had met their end because they had unfortunately decided to build their base camp there.
They had chosen that place, thinking it was a strategic advantage, but it ended up being a poisonous trap!
The mere fact that they had chosen the wrong place to sleep led to the horrific deaths of 60 men. Although he had directly taught them, he didnt have much of an attachment to them. He wasnt angry or guilty about it, but he was still in disbelief. Sun WooHyun was devastated.
The man, who met Black Mamba as an opponent, found it hard to remain sane.
Those who judged and moved based on logic ended up missing their mark on a subject who moved impossibly. Sun WooHyun felt the same way.
While the mercenaries yelled in surprise, Ombuti raised both his arms.
Oh, Allah! After saving the world, you sent your disciple Muhammad and Black Mamba to rid this place of evil. Allah hu Akbar! Look at his majesty! That man is my master. Allah hu Akbar!
Sun WooHyun stared blankly at the old religious servant. He felt threatened by him but couldnt pinpoint the reason. Without realizing, he raised both his arms.
Black Mamba, Allah hu Akbar!
Each of the mercenaries gazes shifted to Sun WooHyun. He slowly put down the two arms he had raised.
What exactly is the identity of that man? Is he Kanma wearing the disguise of a human?
Sun WooHyun glanced over at Black Mamba, who was resting calmly in the shade of the pickup. He looked relaxed while the rest of his comrades were sweating profusely.
The leader grabbed a shovel to dig and sweated as he organized the weapons. Meanwhile, the lower-ranking underling was smoking a cigarette leisurely. Something about that picture seemed wrong.
He had become the sidekick to an underling, so he didnt have much say in the matter. However, the one they called Black Mamba was no high-ranking officer. He was not a high-ranking officer, but it was more confusing because he seemed to be on a higher standing compared to the rest of them.
That son of a b*tch looks cool even when hes smoking.
His resentment and resistance quickly burnt out. Ombutis contagious virus was starting to affect Sun WooHyun as well.
Paris St. Dominique was located on the second and third floors of the west building on 14th street. The exterior of the building was in ruins, but after entering the seven meters door, a colossal interior greeted you. That was home to the DGSE, a French intelligence agency known for its rough and questionable methods.
DGSE was a government intelligence agency known to be more sly and secretive than the KGB. Unlike the Korean intelligence agency who were unpleasantly loud, they functioned exclusively below the radar. Compared to the Korean intelligence agency that operated on the ground, they worked secretively underground. If DGSE were to be seen in public, it would become the topic of sensational news.
DGSE was separated into four departments: strategy, information, operation, and technology. The strategy department was in charge of commanding the special forces. As the DGSE was part of the military, the special forces were under their power and at their disposal.
The foreign strategy department was located on the seventh floor, which looked over Paleburg Square. The national strategy department was led by the DST, so the leader of the foreign strategy department was the actual person in charge.
The office, decorated with luxurious mahogany furniture, was full of cigarette smoke. It was the smell of Goluz, which stank like a fish.
Chief Boniface was standing at the window, smoking his second Goluz. Director Miguel was standing next to the door, waiting for him to turn around.
Dammit, you should quit smoking so much.
Miguel fanned away the thick smoke.
Miguel, you say things are not going well?
In a creepy voice, Boniface mentioned it in a way that sounded neither like a question nor a statement. He gazed out at the window.
Miguel was unable to open his mouth.
He was not asking because he didnt know the answer. It was more of a reprimand.
The six hitmen we sent have been annihilated. The two sleepers got their heads cut off.
Seven.
Miguel corrected the count.
Haha, one of them had become a kabob as he was trying to run away. Of course, this would be the handiwork of Black Mamba.
Thats correct. The agents escaped by riding their bikes. Even Ocelot cant get a motorcycle rider with a steel pipe from 100 meters away.
Ocelot? Are you talking about slayer Ocelot?
Damn Serpent! Youre planning to sacrifice me, arent you?
He talked as if he didnt know what it was about. Miguel wanted to shove his fist in the guys face. Although it was not formally reported, using Ocelot had been Serpents idea.
There is a report that several explosions have occurred at Hotel Le Meren. Ocelot has gone missing.
Unbelievable. Does this mean that Ocelot has lost to this guy?
Hes terrifying.
You say they have infiltrated Habibs camp at Paya?
Yes, they have killed all the guards at the camp and kidnapped Habib, then disappeared. Paul has put up a strong tactic in place.
Paul is not a rash man. There is a high chance that it was Black Mambas idea. Thanks to the mercenaries, everything is working out great. Im not sure if I should be smiling or not.
His mouth tasted bitter. It was a complicated situation. They couldnt go head-on with the almighty Lattell team over. The person who had created this complicated situation was himself.
Where is their current location?
Weve lost communication and theyve disappeared like smoke.
This is driving me crazy. Is there a chance that they may return?
There is a hundred percent chance that Black Mamba would be able to return alone. His comrades would just be a burden. It was my fault for instilling such a strong sense of comradeship as Legion Etranger.
That goes for me too. I had anticipated the destruction of the tactical team and Black Mamba returning alone. I never thought that he would protect the rest of the team with his tactics. Dont you think by now they would have realized our backdoor and double contract?
Lieutenant Paul was in charge of all those operations.
The response warranted a strong affirmation.
Boniface continued to blow out smoke without speaking. If he had known the extent of Black Mambas skill, he wouldnt have needed to use the backdoor tactic in the first place. The Goluz tasted especially bitter.
There is a variable. FAP, taking a hit to their pride, has joined the mission.
No, Black Mamba is the type of person to climb out of hell himself. Isnt he called Azrael?
The natives call him Kanma, as well. He has us on a leash and is trying to shove us into the fires of hell.
What do you think?
Boniface asked out of the blue.
Ha, weve stepped on the tigers tail so they will be anxious.
Miguel was frustrated by the Chief, who was unwilling to expose his true feelings. The Serpents specialty was cutting the head and tail of the oppositions words and using it against them. Even though he knew about it, it was still a sneaky trick.
I cant get rid of him, France needs a figure like him. Unlike Ocelot, he is a rational mutant.
Is there evidence that he is a mutant? Isnt Black Mamba an Asian trained in the mystical arts of Ohgeumgong?
20 people have analyzed 200 years of intelligence reports about Asia. They are still looking into it currently. They have yet to find evidence worth trusting.
Just because hes Korean, doesnt mean they have caves as well. Regardless, the important thing is the fact that he is rational. Do you know the importance of rationality?
It is a double edged sword. He wont go flying around like a crazy person, but he can carry out revenge in a sophisticated manner if he wants to.
He is not a mere sniper. He was able to take down seven seasoned hitmen. There is a high chance he is a warrior and an assassin.
Are you suggesting that he didnt use his full powers at Mt. Chinto?
I believe that to be the truth. The skills we saw at Mt. Chinto were incredible. However, he would not have been able to protect his comrades and beat the swarm of FROLINAT troops with skills to that extent. Im sure he was more skilled than what we had predicted.
Its probably more than that. He fought with Ocelot and became a target of continuous shots. Yet, he turned an entire platoon into a blood bath. With his powerful build, he has the potential to wipe out anyone he pleases. Unlike Ocelot, Black Mamba is rational and intelligent. Ocelot might be more powerful, but I believe that Black Mamba is better equipped with the skills needed for battle.
Miguel came to an analysis that was close to the truth.
What should we do?
Well have to pacify him.
Pacify
Boniface blew out a long stream of smoke then sat on the sofa.
Sit. Dont you think we need a sacrifice?
Miguel fidgeted nervously.
Their real task was starting now.
Major Jopre and a couple of practitioners wont cut it. Ill take responsibility for it.
Miguel said the words that Boniface wanted to hear. He was the Chief of Africa and his superior. If he couldnt avoid the responsibility, he thought it would be better to accept it on his own.
Whew, I know this is all my fault. Not being able to see the full extent of Black Mambas skill was your fault.
I accept full responsibility.
Itll become a nightmare. Are you sure you dont want to call a helicopter now?
I know it will be challenging to perform in the current circumstances. The north of Chad is larger than France. In Boruku and TIbesti, Stellas troops are all over the place. General Germain will never sign for it.
For the tactical team to get a helicopter in the air for a large-scale military operation, they needed the permission of the Secretary of Defense.
[1] Oh, unbelievable.
[2] How could this be!
Chapter 133 - Episode 2: Sahels Night Sky
Hoo, if we had been able to get rid of him then, we wouldnt have anything to worry about, but theres nothing we can do now. Think of a way to steer away from the curse. Ill talk to the oldies in the government.
After giving his command, Boniface started on his third cigarette.
Damn, am I another one of his sacrifices? Damn Serpent, I wish hed stop smoking that fishy cigarette.
Miguel left the office, clutching at his dizzy head.
Arago! That damned Arago project, that damned gangster!
Boniface sucked on the end of his cigarette angrily. The large fear-filled eyes of the children were stabbing at his conscience.
The Arago project was not something he had initiated.
It was the tragedy that Napoleon III had created. In French military history, there is no one as lucky as Napoleon III.
Louis Napoleon was technically the nephew of Napoleon. Louis was the son born between King Napoleons younger brother, Louis, and the daughter of Queen Josephine. In Napoleons perspective, he was the nephew. In his wifes perspective, he was the grandchild. If this had happened in Korea, they would have been beaten to death.
Louis had been wandering around like a vagrant before he got the opportunity to gain power in the current political climate. The prisoners and workers had become tired of the government and longed for the return of Napoleon. The business owners hated the socialists, and the workers hated the republican politician, Karenyak. He used that opening to become the president and rose to the throne.
Louis Napoleon had been raised practically like a gangster, so there was no way that he could lead a country with the charisma and skill of Napoleon I. He was ridiculed for being a fake Napoleon all his life. Wanting to raise his self-esteem, he tried to gain power in foreign lands and went around, causing wars around the world.
African Colonization War, Indochina War, Crimean Warhe isolated the country through hostility. He dispatched the military to Mexico and got wiped out. He waged war with Prussia and lost miserably. In 1866, he used the excuse of a French missionary being killed to wage a war with Korea. He was obsessed.
In 1865, they had found a unique cave with fossils, in Pyrenees Charle Tortabel. It was unique because the fossils looked like it belonged to a rare species.
The Arago cave gained interest from researchers. The royal intelligence agency was interested in it for a different reason. The people who had traveled into the cave had been found dead, with their bodies twisted grotesquely.
The royal intelligence agency blocked off the cave immediately and started analyzing it.
Three days later, a boy in his teens popped out of the cave. The tiger-like boy started attacking the people of the village.
The walls were broken, and the front doors bashed open. There was nothing that could stop the boy. The boy was strong like a wild bear and as agile as a tiger. He attacked and killed people and animals without any discretion.
The remote countryside of Tortabel became a sea of blood.
The soldiers who were dispatched there focused their energy on trying to kill the boy, but he ended up killing 120 of those soldiers instead.
The Catholic church named Totabel as Satans land and blocked people from entering it. Louis Napoleon, who had gotten the information from the royal intelligence agency, thought of that situation differently. He made a terrifying decision. He would erase both men who caused trouble, and looked down on him, at one time.
He decided to figure out the secret of the Arago cave and destroyed his enemies with it. That was how the Arago project started. It was an idea worthy of the narcissist Louis Napoleon.
Many African boys died from the experimentation of the Arago project. There were no changes to the boys who were trapped in the caves. They died painfully instead.
In 1870, after Louis Napoleon lost the war to Prussia, he sought asylum in England. His incredible plan of sending a mutant assassin to Bismarck was soon disbanded.
The Arago project continued secretly even after the death of Napoleon III. In 1910, the royal researchers found a unique chemical that caused the boys deaths.
When the unique chemical absorbed water, they found that it proliferated and caused an infection as it entered the bodys system. Back then, there was no concept of a virus. The researchers named this chemical, excita.
That winter, Bin Bakarura survived the experiments. He had been kidnapped in the back alleyways of Paris and had been a subject for experimentation.
The third republic government agency raised the child who had lost his memory, as an assassin. Bakarura, who had been injected with the Paranthropus gene, changed drastically. He ran faster than a horse and was stronger than a bull. On the other hand, his intelligence had been decreasing.
It was due to the Paranthropuss strong bone structure.
As the skull became thicker, there was less space for the growing brain, which resulted in a decrease in his IQ. It was easy to control Bakarura who was intellectually compromised. Government leaders were murdered with no confirmed suspects for five years, since 1912.
The intelligence agency rejoiced, but it didnt last long. Bakarura, realizing that he was different from other humans, started to act out and became uncontrollable. Eventually, Bakarura murdered the royal agents and disappeared without a trace. 10 years later, he returned as the murderer, Ocelot.
In 1950, the SDECE, which was part of the DGSE, continued the Arago project after they discovered Ocelot. By luck or not, no other mutant was formed after Bakarura.
In 1980, DGSEs research department, SDECE, took on the Arago project. Boniface became the projects director. He used Africa as a source for more experimental subjects.
Boniface put out the half-smoked Golnaz angrily. The action seemed to symbolize all the children who had died painfully.
Hoo, when working for the government, one has no choice but to sacrifice their ideals. If it will benefit the country, then I dont mind going to hell.
He shook his head and accepted his fate. Figuring out who would end up as Kanmas sacrificial lamb was more important.
Bonifaces state was a reaction often seen within an organization that struggled with power.
They brainwashed themselves into believing that their actions were for the organization or country, but in reality, it was just a way to gain themselves power. The motive was to maintain their power and their own safety. The fact that they didnt realize that, was their downfall.
He had avoided telling Miguel the specifics, but the Black Mamba he had seen in the Sahel was shocking. Black Mamba was a mutant that France had wanted to get their hands on for ages. He was a perfected item. What would happen if the government agents were to get their hands on Black Mamba?
Just thinking about it was terrifying. He did not fear a predator, but he feared an intelligent predator.
Boniface had decided to persuade Black Mamba with everything he got.
Having a scapegoat would not be enough. He held the red phone in his hand as he pressed the button that blocked spy equipment. The list of old men he had to intimidate flashed through his mind.
They were: The Secretary of Defense, Germaine; the DGSE President, Lasco; the Foreign Forces Commander, Dimanche; the Chief of Staff for the tactical team, Montang; the head of the 11 organizations Colonel, Dash; and the governments Chief financial officer, Perong.
The phone kept ringing.
After finishing a long phone call, Bonifaces face looked distraught.
The problem is the Cultural Minister, Jacque Long.
The third thing he needed to take into account other than the sacrificial lamb and allocation of funds was the Legions top officer. He was sure that Jacque Long would be furious at the idea of their troops being beaten around by the foreigner, Black Mamba.
Wait, Jacque Long has a hidden gay lover.
Boniface smiled bitterly.
Jang Shin, is there a problem with the vehicle?
There is not.
Bellman, how did Mikes surgery go?
It ended well. I sucked out Centienne and Emils blood and had it transfused.
Damned punk, and he calls himself a sergeant.
Captain grinded his teeth. The person who added Mike as a member had been Pieff. These two annoying men were now lying pathetically like a hot mess. They were in a state of emergency, and to top that off, he had to deal with these two burdens.
Captain yelled out.
Jang Shin, hurry and pass it around. My stomach is stuck to my back.
Oui!
Jang Shin handed out two ration packs to each person.
The mercenaries gulped down the ration packs. It was their first meal in four days. Jang Shin and Emil vowed to never complain about the taste of rations, ever again.
Wakil, should we cook some ramen?
This man is the worlds best butler!
Black Mamba stared at Ombuti. How fast his learning capabilities must be to be able to read his feelings so thoroughly and quickly.
Ive been drenched in too much blood. Its oily and gross. I was craving something spicy and hot.
I assumed you would. I would like some too.
Ombuti, who had tasted Korean ramen before, enjoyed the spicy and savory flavor of it. It had been a long time since he became a fan of it.
Ombuti brought over a large steaming bowl.
Wakil, please eat.
Wow, it smells incredible. Lets eat it together.
Sun WooHyuns head spun.
What is this? Who is this sly old dog?
From the way Ombuti acted, he was obviously a servant. He was perplexed by these thoughts.
He was a sidekick, and the old man was a servant.
He couldnt figure out whether he should be standing in front of or behind this man.
He felt pathetic for contemplating his ranking, next to an old African man.
Oh I dont know anymore.
He decided to stop thinking about it any further.
Black Mamba called Sun WooHyun, who was standing far away.
Hey communist, lets eat together.
Quit calling me communist. I am Sun WooHyun.
Black Mamba made his eyes look big on purpose.
You werent Namir?
I dont have a face.
Of course a narochi has no face. I havent seen the face of a worm, and Ive never heard of anyone else seeing it. The truth is, I was contemplating whether to keep you alive or not. It was not in my plan to find out your name.
Scary punk!
Sun WooHyuns heart felt cold. He had forgotten about that guys menace. It meant that he wouldnt blink an eye while killing someone who had no name. Sun WooHyun realized that the person in front of him really was the Angel of Death.
Hey communist, they say that you can check out the mountains after you eat. You can finish the complicated dialogue afterward.
Call me Sun WooHyun.
When Black Mamba insisted, Sun WooHyun finally took a seat.
The dark souls who had gone to the army all knew this.
After shooting practice, after finishing their rounds, after building walls, after being pushed around by their superiorshow spectacular that one chopstick full of ramen cooked in a metal pot tastes.
The ramen was shipped from Daegu, on special orders.
The shipping costs were ten times more than the price of the ramen itself. Black Mamba held to heart the words of his father, who said, you see a persons true character in front of a meal.
Shin Ramen was the first Korean ramen created in 1963. Once Lotte and Nongshim jumped on the bandwagon, Korea became the ramen capital of the world.
Black Mamba enjoyed eating ramen too.
Why else would he have shipped ramen all the way to Africa?
He even paid for it with his own money to have it included in the supplies that arrived in the Sahel.
When Sun WooHyun tried to sit next to Black Mamba, Ombuti pushed him away. Then, he pointed to the seat next to him. Sun WooHyun, who had been overpowered, moved with a bitter smile. The old man was no pushover.
Upon tasting the ramen, Sun WooHyuns eyes got big.
Comrade, was this made in South Korea?
The noodles were chewy and savory, and the soup was refreshing and spicy. Sun WooHyun was in love with the taste of the ramen.
Of course, did you think it was made in Chad? Look at the label. Japanese ramen was nothing in comparison. Its only oily and expensive. Hey, you cant go drinking all the soup by yourself.
Dont be so stingy, this is the first time Im eating this, but youve eaten this plenty of times.
Oh, you thin little punk. Jang Shin, throw me a pack of steak. Ill have to fill his stomach if I want him to use his strength.
Thats right. You should feed me meat if you want your sidekick to use his strength. Oh, what do you expect me to do if I stay starved?
The young and old Koreans bickered over the remaining ramen soup. That was the ambitious land of the Sahel.
Chapter 134 - Episode 3: Sahels Night Sky
A smile crossed Captains face.
It was the face of an older brother looking at a younger one. The number of men who had died at Black Mambas hand was now too many to count. The rookie Black Mamba who had been miserable after committing the first murder was now gone. Now, Azrael, a man who could end the lives of 60 men and be hungry afterwards, remained.
The old military men would be content to clap for him as a mercenary, but Black Mamba was not someone who should be rolling around in the desert at war.
Black Mamba was young. No, he was very young.
Because he was so young, experiencing a lot of blood would only mess with his psyche. A war that promises no tomorrow and the continuous need to commit murder could cause a psychological disorder. The sidekick was Korean like Black Mamba, so it might help him mentally.
Its strange to see that side of a person we call, wars nightmare.
Captain smiled at Valboirs comment.
He doesnt seem human at times, but in reality, he is more human than all of us. He has a strange way of attracting people to him. Hes like the youngest who you should look after to make sure that they dont cause any trouble.
Valboir cocked his head.
Youngest my ass, hes terrifying, even when hes on the same team.
Sun WooHyun was surprised for the second time after eating the ramen.
Eating such a thick steak thats heated warmly
He couldnt have imagined anything like it in North Korea.
North Korea had military rations as well. Rice was dried and wrapped in an aluminum package before you poured water in to cook it. It wasnt really cooked rice, it was more like porridge. The taste was one thing, but it didnt provide much nourishment and only smelled sour.
The average armies were not even given these rations. They were only handed out to the reconnaissance team and the Pyongyang Defense team. The other armies were given a brick-like biscuit made of compressed mixed grains. It was hard as a rock and had to be melted for five minutes in the mouth before you could swallow it. It was not meant to be nutritional but more to relinquish hunger.
It was new. It tasted good. It smelled good. It was awfully big.
He felt cheated for having to eat the FROLINATs nasty ugali when such good food existed.
He was now 35. He had been born and raised in North Korea for 30 years. Thanks to his father, who had been a soldier, he had plenty to eat and had gotten as much education as possible.
He had secretly enjoyed freedom by listening to the outside radio stations, but it had not been enough for him to betray his country.
After leaving his country, the five years he spent in Africa had been similar. Mugabe and Gaddafi were dictators, just like Kim Il Sung. No, they were worse. They used their civilians as pawns.
It was a country poorer than North Korea. Their people were stupid and lazy, and their armies were weak and outnumbered. He felt that he was better than them and enjoyed helping the dictators grow in power.
What is this?
The food these people were eating was shocking.
They were eating ramen brought over from South Korea and large pieces of cooked meat.
In the 17 years he had served his country, had he ever eaten such a large and soft piece of meat before? He hadnt.
Of course, they had three meals of rice given to them each day. Sometimes, there was fish, but there was never meat. Even when he served as a company commander, meat was only on the menu during the holidays or special festivities.
One time, his father had climbed up a mountain for a week to bring back the head and foot of a bear. The black bear had suddenly appeared and attacked the warrior. The bear had been immediately killed. The warrior who had gotten hit by the bears paw broke his neck and died.
He was reminded of the bears sad eyes and the glaring eyes of the warriors staring down at it. How badly they must have wanted to eat meat. Wanting to climb the ranks, he had ignored the look in their eyes and gave the bear up to the military. He was promoted on account of that.
As Sun WooHyun consumed the ramen and piece of steak, cracks began to form in his pride for his country and his fathers loyalty. A humans belief was like cement. The stronger the cement, the harder it was to break.
Hahaha!
Sun WooHyun sucked on his oily fingers and smiled happily. Now that he had escaped, the annoying politicians he was sick of, were done for. The head of staff had treated him like sh*t.
The engines on the pickups and bikes which had been covered by the tarps started fine. After finishing their meals, the mercenaries checked the vehicles, collected their weapons, and moved quickly to load up their supplies.
Sun WooHyun turned to glance over at Black Mamba nervously.
The mercenaries left Sun WooHyun, who was a captive to Black Mambas discretion and pretended he was invisible.
Comrade, dont you need a hand?
Leave it!
Black Mamba didnt even look at him and continued spouting smoke from his cigarette. His comrades always felt sorry for him. Not helping him was the best way to help him.
Sun WooHyun stood awkwardly and took turns staring at the busy mercenaries and Black Mamba.
Sidekick, itll be better to have a weapon that youre used to, right?
Black Mamba threw an AK-47, Makarov, and NR-2 sword at him. Sun WooHyun caught it unconsciously. Upon receiving it, he realized that they were all Soviet-made weapons.
He nodded his head. He was more detailed than expected.
I can use any weapon you give me. I can even shoot the American punks missiles.
Good for you! How are your aiming skills?
Within 700 meters, I can easily aim for a shot in the head.
Right. If a soldier cant do that much, then you should just go and die. Use this.
Black Mamba threw the Dragunov to him.
Sun WooHyun was flabbergasted.
He did not command him to convert over to their side. He did not ask for a favor to switch sides. There was not even one warning. He nonchalantly handed Sun WooHyun a weapon as if he was daring him to shoot at the back of his head.
What if I shoot you in the back of the head with this?
If you think you can, go for it.
Sh*t!
Sun WooHyun sighed deeply.
He trusts me for no reason. How could there be a human like this!
He was not an entity that he could have taken on, to begin with. His heart swelled with rising heat. The Ombuti virus was starting to take hold of him.
Black, what should we do with the camel?
The guide and the ex-FROLINAT commander will know best.
Black Mamba stared at Ombuti and Sun WooHyun. It meant that he expected them to deal with the situation as they saw fit.
Sidekick, how many FAP members are crawling around?
Sun WooHyuns eyes flashed menacingly at Ombutis question.
Damn punk, just because Im Black Mambas sidekick, do you think that Im yours too? I am Sahels Namir.
Ombuti glared at him haughtily.
Is that so? You dont even know what it means to be a servant. A servant is like a family, and a sidekick is just a subordinate. A servant advises the master while a subordinate only obeys commands. It means you are just a subordinate.
Whawhat, stop talking nonsense.
Shocked by the ridiculousness, Sun WooHyun could not speak.
It seemed to make sense and lacked sense, at the same time.
Ombuti pulled out his Beretta.
And I wish you would not call yourself Namir in front of Wakil, do you want to die?
The black gun was pointed to his chest.
Uh-huh, look at this crazy old man.
At Ombutis sudden change in action, Sun WooHyun quickly stepped backwards.
I guess its settled now.
Captain and the rest of the mercenaries smiled.
As expected, the Tuareg-raised civilian was no pushover. Sun WooHyuns expression turned sour upon the sudden attack.
Sun WooHyun looked at Black Mamba.
He hoped that he would rearrange the hierarchy for him, but all he did was close his eyes and meditate. He didnt pay any attention to the argument. It was like a selfish husband who refused to get involved in the fight between his wife and mother.
Sun WooHyun sighed deeply, then opened his mouth to speak.
300,000 men were put out to battle in TIbesti. All the mountain tribe assassins and the Tubu clan have been called into battle. The men who were killed this morning were the Tubu Clan special forces. Their skills are not to be taken lightly.
Seeing how they were all cleared, they werent that great.
Corporal Maxim interrupted. Maxim had been thrust into a nightmare when he couldnt get a single shot at Kikali.
Swish
The Spetsnaz sword swished through the air like lightning and disappeared.
Comrade Maxim, look at your upper body.
Oh, what is this!
Corporal Maxims upper body suffered a total of five rips: both his left and right shoulders, both sides of his upper body, and his chest.
I am the winner of the military swordsman competition. I could take on 10 comrades, like yourself, without blinking an eye. You wont be able to take on three of the Tubu clan warriors. If it hadnt been for Black Mamba, you would have ended up like that.
Sun WooHyun pointed to the valley where they had dumped the bodies. Maxims face turned red, and he slowly stepped back.
Goukounis troops are all over Tanga oasis while Tombyes troops are heading toward Chicha. Abdul and Romu are heading toward Paya as well. As time passes, wouldnt it become more difficult?
Youre saying the ones at the oasis are following us? Well have to move quickly. Ombuti, what should we do with the camels?
We can go to Tanga and sell them.
Wont it be dangerous?
Dont worry. I have a lot of acquaintances in Tanga.
Still, take the sidekick with you.
Sun WooHyuns face went sour. He was sure he was pushed back in rank.
Ombuti went to Tanga to sell the 10 camels.
He purchased 30 turbans and loose clothes that the natives wore. He also bought plenty of palm wine to make the mercenaries happy. It was extremely expensive but thanks to his good skills in sales, he had been able to sell the camels for a good price.
After saying goodbye to the camels, the mercenaries cheered.
They were not members of the Bedouin or Tuareg tribes. They were foreigners who were used to speeding vehicles. They had been stressed out by the slow speed of the camels and had ended up getting heatstroke and depression from it.
Jang Shin, check the supplies and report back to me.
Now, no experienced ranking officials were there to check their supplies. The only surviving members were three rookies, Valboir, and Maxim. Pieff and Mike were lying in a cot while the medic, Bronin, and communications officer, Centienne, were worse off in battle compared to Bellman. The rescue team was nothing but a burden to them.
Bike: 2
Pickup: 3
Rations: 200 sets (10 members, 7 servings)
Dried camel dates: 25 Kilograms
Water: 200 Liters
MO60 mine thrower: 1 (M24 30 bombs)
M60 caliber rifle: 1 (5,000 bullets)
Minimi machine gun: 2 (10,000 bullets)
Claymore landmine: 20 sets
Grenade: 40
Rifle grenade: 200 bullets
Dragunov: 5 (3,600 bullets)
Pamus: 8 (12,500 bullets)
Beretta: 3 (300 bullets)
Glock: 4 (360 bullets)
AK-47: 20 (15,000 bullets)
Degtyaryov machine gun: 2 (3 of the 47 shot magazines, 2,000 bullets)
There was silence.
Hm!
After checking the report, Captain clicked his tongue. The high-speed automatic grenade launcher was missing from their supplies again. The idiots from headquarters didnt give them the grenade launcher they requested. Instead, they gave them a bunch of useless guns. He wanted to break the neck of the supply administrator.
Captain had seen some fun with the Soviet AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher and was in love with it. Whether it was against a charging army or a standing army, it seemed to be the high-speed automatic grenade launcher they needed for battle.
The high-speed grenade launcher was like a machine gun for grenades. Its power was a combination of a rifle and a grenade. It was the most used weapon in a squad or platoon.
When they were battling a large number of opponents, and the targets were either too far or too close, this was what they used to combat them. Compared to the high-speed grenade launcher, the Pamus was like a childs toy.
Besides having a significant delay time, the grenade launcher also had a recoil so powerful that it caused the shooters back to bend backward. It also affected their accuracy. It didnt make sense against guerrilla troops who flitted in and out. In the time it took to shoot one grenade, they could probably shoot three or four enemies individually.
Chapter 135 - : Sahels Night Sky
The French Direction gnrale de larmement (DGA) was a place that oversaw the conduction of ground weapons, shipbuilding, aviation weapons, development of missiles, and information of technology. They were often criticized as a group that didnt know what efficiency meant and was slow as a snail. However, the DGA had been unresponsive.
It was easy to gain a high-speed grenade launcher, even if one wasnt in the organization. There were 100 sleeping MK19 high-speed grenade launchers imported from the US in the 11th Airborne brigades weapons shed. It was an import used for research development. The MK19 was weaker than the AGS17, but it wasnt comparable to a rifle grenade.
That f****** b*stard Bernoulli, Ill kick his rear.
What wasnt there would not appear even if his hand was about to crawl out of his mouth. The Captain relieved his rage by cursing at Major Bernoulli, the commands supply administrator.
The administrator wouldve had a lot to say, feeling unjust.
Bernoulli had applied for an MK19 from the 11th Airborne brigade, but all hed received in return was a reply that it was unavailable, as they were using it for comparability testing.
The United States and the Soviet Union began developing high-speed grenade launchers from the 1960s. NATO, on the other hand, had been uninterested. In fact, there were no registered high-speed grenade launchers in NATOs appointed system. As of now, only England and Germany had supplied them in real battles.
The Captains complaints were the French armys complaints.
France, one of the major powers of Europe, had many weapon companies that boasted a long history. They had countless companies ahead of the UK and America in price competitiveness and technology.
Frances defense deficiency was due to the leftist governments nationalization policy.
France had been controlled by the Left partys Paul Doumer, Albert Lebrun, and Vincent Auriol since 1930. The leftists pursued a unified policy that bound all the private defense companies to the government in 1936.
Large defense companies such as Dewoitine, Blriot, Marcel, Bloch, and Potez were united and nationalized. Nationalization and state governance werent familiar with words like efficiency, innovation, and development. That went both ways for democracy and communism. It was also the same for Korea.
There was one positive aspect of nationalization that interested the public.
A defense industry that produced lethal weapons werent directly involved with the lives of the citizens. Naturally, it was far from the public interest. Since it wasnt connected to their interests, the publics eyes moved away from the industry.
There were always humans worth less than a cockroach, who gained their peas in places the public eyes didnt reach. They were mostly politicians and officials. France was no different from Korea.
Vincent Auriol, who became the president as the key player of Frances popular front, always used to say:
Id rather give up my brioche[1] than fill those capitalists bellies.
The after-effects of those words were critical.
The state-operated defense company became a useless dinosaur with a large body. Its senses slowed helplessly, and its actions similarly lagged. It lost the flow of the market, and became stingy to the users demand.
While the Soviet Union, the UK, and the USs defense grew remarkably during WWII, France sat sucking on its fingers. A defense companys business operated on the markets demand and the users request. The French defense company, which lost both of its business points, were pushed relentlessly behind the US and UK.
The French defense industry lost the momentum of post-war growth and collapsed, causing its weapons development to fall significantly. They pressed for the privatization of defense companies in late 1987, but the after-effect was profound. A weapon system that should suit the battlefield began to suit the desks instead. The users needs were reflected more slowly than snails due to the bureaucratic system.
GIAT, who made their rifle grenades, was also the dinosaur defense product of nine defense companies and GIAT coming together.
GIAT continued to push back the development of automatic grenade launchers despite the militarys requests. They gave the excuse that its demand had been too little, but it was because most of their development researchers had been disappointed and left for other countries.
The French army wasnt even able to secure a normal, high-speed vehicle. The United States beat them to it and operated tactical, high-speed vehicles such as the M151 Mutt Jeep in 1961 and the M715 Kaiser Jeep in 1967.
At the time of the creation of mission Raccoon, the Defense Chiefs fretted over the lack of off-road vehicles that could withstand the rugged terrain and volatile weather.
The DGA was slower than slugs, but its pride was the best in the world. The roosters pride didnt allow it to acknowledge the Yankees Mutt or Kaiser. Instead, they asked Renault to remodel Toyotas long-haul pick-up truck for tactical operations as a remedy.
Frances arms acquisition business was of its own making.
That ensured the independence of the weapons system while sacrificing diversity and suitability. It was the complete opposite of Korea.
A weapons life depended on its efficiency.
Weapons had been constantly evolving since history, with a single proposition of efficiency. Rifles, cannons, tanks, traps, jetsall weapons pursued efficiency. There was none who didnt know the difference between efficiency of independence and efficiency of diversity and fitness.
Independence had little meaning in the modern general-purpose weapons market. Securing independence was sufficient with strategic weapons such as nuclear bombs, submarines, aircraft carriers, and the Aegis combat system.
Even high-nosed Americans purchased grenade launchers from South Africa and sub-machine guns from Israel, for their use. France was a country that could only be satisfied with their own production of bullets, grenades, and magazines.
The possibilities of the Captain receiving a high-speed grenade launcher as a supply was none, since the beginning. It was fortunate that they were able to gain supplies at all, thanks to Black Mamba.
Jang Shin.
Oui!
Take care of the supplies and throw all those polar bear trash away.
Oui!
Jang Shin dug a hole and pushed in AK47s, Degtyarevs, RPG7s, and mountains of bullets.
What a waste!
Black Mamba found the waste of iron unfortunate. He recalled the memories of his childhood where he searched the mountains and plains for a scrap of old metal to earn some money. That had been a time when one FAPs PPSh-41 could earn him five bars of soap. He recalled his monk friends who were swept alongside the explosion. Memories he didnt wish to recall began to float in his mind.
Maxim, put an M60 on the Alpha. Bellman, put the patient in the Beta. Everyone, put your headsets on.
The Captain paused amid his orders and glared at Sun WooHyun.
North Korea was an organization noted as their enemy. That human had been someone who led the FROLINAT not a moment before. He trusted Black Mamba, but the suspicion in his mind didnt fade.
Black, we can trust him, right?
Theres not enough combat members. Hes a useful guy.
Black Mamba glanced at Sun WooHyun.
Lackey, if you want to drink meat soup on this rice for the rest of your life, act well. One wrong move and Ill beat you up again.
The scent of blood wafted at the word of violence.
Sun WooHyuns neck burrowed in.
The mention of a beating was scarier than a warning of getting his neck cut. Saying shocking things to others while emotionless, would be called a talent if it was one. Sun WooHyun preferred torture that involved ripping his skin off rather than being beaten up by Black Mamba.
Fu***** hell, what did I do to deserve those threats! Do I need to be a servant?
Sun WooHyun slacked determinedly. The old man, Ombuti, was right. Being a servant was better than being a lackey.
Ssun, grab the machine gun.
The Captain gave Sun WooHyun the M60 instead of the Maxime without hesitation.
Why is a private and first Lieutenant bossing a Major around? Sun WooHyun grumbled in Korean as he grabbed the M60 on the pickup.
Their ranking systems were different, but there was still a difference between a lieutenant and a major.
He didnt dare express himself in front of Black Mamba, but Sun WooHyun was a stubborn person who was talented and prideful. He wasnt someone the Captain could handle so easily.
Captain, one of the pickups is broken.
Fix it! the Captain shouted at Jang Shins report.
There was a problem with the engines head gasket, causing sand to enter. Its possible to fix, but it takes two hours to detach the engine and clean it out.
Damn it. All those island b*stards produce faulty things. The Captain frowned.
They were in trouble. Three vehicles were needed in order to move two patients. Their weapons stock could be another problem if one became absent.
Renault remodeled them, though.
Shut up. Theyre the same b*stards.
The Captain looked at the eastern skies, which were turning red.
It would soon be sunrise. Muslims conducted their salat with the sunrise, then headed out. There wasnt enough time. His mind was in a rush, but the vehicles werent working. They couldnt even abandon their car due to the added lumps.
Lackey, is there a possibility for Hadad to change his route? Black Mamba asked Sun WooHyun.
Theres no way to tell. The messenger said two companies were breaking off to Koro Taro through here. Hadad is a very prideful person.
Black Mamba picked up the bike attached to the pickup and put it down.
Then, theres a 100 percent chance that theyll head this way. Jang Shin, load a box of grenades on the bike.
Why dont you take an RPG7?
It takes time to load, and its inaccurate. Make it so that itll be able to launch an M24 shell instead.
Jang Shins eyes widened, before he dissolved into laughter.
Hehehe, you want to use mortar-based high-speed explosives as grenades? Its only something Black Mamba will be able to do. Ill make a separate detonator on the end of those grenades.
Make the fuse slightly longer than the grenade, to increase the time to five seconds.
I get it, you crazy b*stard.
Jang Shin instantly made a 1.84 kilograms worth of large grenade by remodeling the mortar grenade, expected of the Explosions Devil.
What are you planning to do?
I need to earn some time to fix the pickup. Im going to lead them to Koromunga after creating a scene, Black Mamba replied shortly to the Captains worry and pulled on the throttle.
The desert-use motorbike was an order-based creation from BMW.
It was a monster that emitted a massive output of 1,200 cubic centimeters and boasted a maximum speed of 260 kilometers. Black Mamba stepped on the accelerator and opened the throttle slightly before releasing the clutch.
Vrrooom
The bike shot out with an explosion, sending red sand into the air.
Ugh, wait, Black!
The Captain, who was about to give him the rundown, was covered in sand.
Black, tap the red dot on the end of the grenade with your Kukri before throwing them! Jang Shin shouted.
The bike disappeared into the savannah without a reply, leaving dust in its place.
S***, thats cool!
Sun WooHyuns face was flooded with desire.
The bike twisted in its place, unable to control its overflowing power.
Black Mamba was impressed.
This really is something. I should have used it a long time ago. From now on, your name is snakehead.
The feeling of riding felt just like the twisting of a two and a half meter monsternorthern snakeheadhe had caught in Nakdong river underneath the bridge.
The snakehead pushed against the rough terrain with pure strength. It was possible due to the great width of its tire, wider than the average cars. The wide tire and strong power was enough to move off-road. He was immersed with the snakehead. Any 20-years-old fresh-blooded man wouldve been enraptured with the romance of a motorbike, at least once in their lifetime.
The snakehead ran through the sparse grass around the savannah and the lower, upturned layer of the wadi. Black Mamba aimed for their back, going widely around Hadads camp.
Around two to three hours of playtime should do.
On top of a slope which showed Hadads entire camp, Black Mamba leisurely watched the slow movements of Hadads battalion from 1,000 meters away.
Half of Hadads battalion were getting ready to move out.
Three BTRs and a truck was fuming smoke. Even the bikes and camels were ready.
The sun poked out from the horizon.
The sunrise salat has started.
The spread-out soldiers began to gather towards the central tent.
Black Mamba slung the shoulder-back on his neck with the cloth Jang Shin gave him. He opened the grenade box and shoved 20 hand grenades into the bag.
A French-made E07 hand grenade was 850 grams. With 20 slung around his neck, it felt heavy. He gathered two smokescreen grenades and two soy grenades into the chest rig.
Lieutenant Colonel Hadad, Im sorry for spreading ashes over your holy outing. Allah will give you additional points if you die during your prayer, so be reassured.
Boing
He released the clutch and pulled the throttle tighter. The snakehead jumped out like a bullet.
The sound of a bikes engine was combined with the murmured prayers.
Black Mamba ran straight towards them, but no one in the camp cared. It was obvious. No madman had moved their bike head-first into a FAP camp in the Sahel.
[1] A type of light sweet yeast bread, typically in the form of a small round roll.
Chapter 136 - Episode 5: Sahels Night Sky
Black Mamba stopped his snakehead 400 meters near the camp.
They, too, were praying hard for the happiness of their generation and the peace of their age.
His heart twinged at the thought of raining fire on the guerrillas who were praying their salat.
Your freedom ended when mine began. Theres nothing I can do for you as an enemy. This isnt about good or evil but survival. May you rest in peace.
Black Mambas thoughts werent reassuring at all as he took out the soy grenades from his bag.
The main ingredient of a soy grenade was white phosphorus.
White phosphorus had a stronger adhesiveness and ignited on its own. Its fire didnt die down once in contact with skin or clothes, despite buckets of water. The only way to stop the skin from burning was to cut it off. The kerosene which was added as a supplementary material spread the phosphorus further.
The white phosphorus was considered a forbidden weapon by the Geneva Agreement.
NATO was similarly reducing its production. It was a product, which shouldnt have been released, but had been, to use against the FROLINAT. The French military revealed their two-sidedness in such a manner, with minor offenses like these.
White phosphorus acted as a weapon and a smokescreen at the same time.
During a battle, there were two actions to take to hide from sight. Firstly, to cover ones own figure, and secondly, to hinder the enemys sight. It wasnt difficult for Black Mamba to aim at unseen enemies since he had dimensional sight.
A soy grenade weighed around 700 grams in average.
400 meters wasnt too far a distance.
Click
The safety clip and safety pin were released. The twist which began from his ankle reached his shoulder, nearly twisting it 360 degrees.
His muscles, which were made of fine fibers, wound tightly like a coiled wire rope. The force which began from his sartorius muscle, to his quadriceps, and the femoris, exploded past the soleus, back, pectorals, biceps, and triceps, causing the grenade to streak through the air.
Voom
The grenade, which turned into a far black dot, landed in the middle of the praying guerrillas.
Bang
Bang
The two grenades which landed without a pause had, unfortunately, exploded five meters in the air simultaneously. White smoke and white fireworks filled the ground, 20 meters in diameter.
The result was destructive.
Aaaah! Save me!
Fire!
Whats happening!
Surprised shouts and desperate screams rang throughout the wetlands. Those who were covered in white phosphorus rolled on the ground like mad, while others ran in search of water. No human could withstand the pain of burning flesh. The scene was unbearable to watch.
Hm! This ones too strong, not something to be used again.
Even Black Mamba was surprised. It wasnt as though he didnt know the specifications of soy grenades. However, there was a difference between knowing and seeing.
White phosphorus heated to 3,000 degrees Celsius. He frowned at the sight of burning clothes and flesh under the gurgling fire. It was a shocking scene for him, who had made killing without pain his motto. Then again, he wasnt in a position where he could pray for forgiveness.
Namu Amita Bul! Ill send you all quickly.
That was all he could do to apologize. He took out the remodeled M24 high-speed grenades from the rear box. Jang Shin had prepared six.
The 1.84 kilograms were light to pick up but hard to throw. He calculated the weight and distance and decreased the distance to 90 meters.
Jang Shin said to hit the red dot on its end, didnt he?
He smashed the red dot with his Kukris handle and threw it with all his might. His muscles had basically substituted the gunpowder.
Clang
Woosh
A mortar grenade, with a speed of 90 meters per second, crossed 310 meters and landed in the center of the chaos.
Bang
Mortar grenades were incomparable to hand grenades. The six guerrillas, who were wrapped up in the center of the explosion, flew into the air from the explosive pressure. The aftershock launched shell casings and metal flints 30 meters into the air.
The remaining five grenades were thrown in a row. He narrowed his eyes and selected points of multitudes before throwing the grenades over.
Hadads army had gathered to uphold their salat. The exploding mortar grenades made it seem as though it was Gehenna.
Its an attack!
Its the Kanma!
Hide, hide!
The FROLINAT camp turned into a washed-out anthill from a naughty childs urine. The ants couldnt dream of biting apart the childs legs. They were busy screaming and shouting, instead of firing back at the explosions source.
Black Mamba had used six mortar grenades in ten seconds, so he switched to smoke grenades. Even if his sight was blinded, it wasnt a problem since he had dimensional sight. It was one of Black Mambas most fearful battle abilities.
Black smoke wrapped around the white smoke, which filled the camp. Covered in the smoke, Hadads army was unable to escape this nightmare.
The fragmentation grenades, which came strung out of his shoulder bag, slung around his neck, began to fly. Bullets flew in his direction after their explosions, as though the enemy had realized his location.
Black Mamba didnt feel threatened.
It was impossible to aim an AK at distances over 300 meters. All the bullets were blind bullets.
I should be going since Ive dealt a blow.
He roughly pulled his snakehead back. He had killed around 70 to 80 people, but that was like a ladle of porridge from a cauldron. They were bound to attack like a swarm of bees once everything had died down.
Saharas wind drew back the smokescreen.
Hadad, who had been hiding behind a BTR, jumped out.
ImImpossible!
Hadads eyes grew wide that it almost tore..
It had been a minute. His army had been crushed during their few lines of chanting. At the sight of his dead soldiers, injured and crazed camels, and the flaming bikes and BTRs, Hadad felt as though hed surpassed the level of great shock and could die from the lack of air.
There was no one but the Kanma who could produce such a large loss in a brief moment.
Kanma, aaargh, Kanma that b*stard! Curse you!
Hadad roared like a lion with a reddened face in the shade of a pigs liver.
Follow his tracks. We must catch him!
Hadad grabbed his rifle and climbed onto a bike.
Give chase!
Kill that damned heathen!
People began to scream.
The BTR revealed its heavy form as it came out of the smokescreen. The other two were unable to move as theyd been broken by the grenades. Countless bikes jumped out after it.
Lets begin our hide-and-seek.
Vrrrrm
The snakehead raised dust.
Tutututu
The 12.7 millimeters coaxial machine gun on the BTR released bullets with the thickness of a finger. The threat of a heavy machine gun was incomparable to a rifles.
Eek!
Surprised, Black Mamba raised his speed.
The sun peeked a foot over the horizon.
The Bodele wetland was covered in fog, created from the rising temperature. Hadad was in a rush. The further the b*stard ran, the harder it would be to trace him.
Follow him!
Hadads bike unit chased the snakehead like ants on their warpath. The BTR slowly fell back.
Black Mamba leisurely escaped into the Bodele, maintaining a 400 meters distance. Time was on his side, with the fog assisting him.
Hadad was about to go mad. He shot whenever the b*stards figure flashed in the fog, but the b*stard ran better in a zigzag pattern.
Shoot, damn it, shoot! No, separate, separate!
Crash
He responded with a grenade.
KanmaIll curse you!
Hadads eyes turned red. If it was possible to kill with ones gaze, Black Mamba would have been killed a hundred times over.
Allah, is he truly an evil spirit?
Hadad lost his rationality. The distance between him and the b*stard was slightly out of range. Every time he closed the distance, a grenade flew in his direction, and every time a grenade landed, he lost one or two of his soldiers.
He lost two of his subordinates once more. This was the fifth time. They had been giving chase for 40 minutes, but were unable to catch him.
Is there a grenade with a 400 meters range?
Hadad was unable to understand. He had heard about the Kanmas fearsome abilities until his ears bled.
Still, this wasnt possible.
The b*stard was riding across rough terrains on a bike. Was it possible to hit a moving target, 400 meters away, while doing so?
Hadad wouldnt have thought of hand thrown grenades even in his dream.
You f****** dogs, speed up! Step on it!
Black Mamba could hear Hadad screaming at his subordinates. He would have gotten as mad, had he been in Hadads situation.
I guess this is enough.
He had somehow passed Aodanga, 80 kilometers away from Tanga. It had already been 70 minutes. That was enough time for Jang Shin to fix the car. Black Mamba suddenly raised his speed.
VroooomC
The snakehead suddenly sped afar with a loud explosive sound.
Step on it, step on it, I said!
There was sorrow in Hadads orders. He felt unjust and mad. He was losing the perfect opportunity to catch the b*stard.
Vroom vrooom
The bike riders tried their best, but it was impossible for a flimsy Soviet bike to catch up to a 1,200 horsepower, in the first place.
The bike chasers looked like a dog chasing after a chicken on the roof. Hadad had lost 18 additional subordinates by simply chasing after the Kanma.
The Allah wand, bring the Allah wand!
Hadad personally slung the RPG over his shoulder and shoved the viewfinder onto his eyes. He was someone whod been praised as Gods launcher. He could easily cover the distance of 450 meters if he aimed right.
The Kanmas back grew wide before him.
Youre dead.
Bang
A warhead sped 420 meters per second as it escaped the launcher.
Ha, what the hell?
Hadad rubbed his eyes.
The Kanma b*stard was flying in the air, firmly gripping on the bikes handle. No, he shot into the air. The warhead passed through the gap between the Kanma and his bike. The shell, which landed 100 meters further, exploded on the ground.
Hadad tore his hair apart.
Oh, Allah! If you have created the devil to show your holiness, then shouldnt you be responsible for the devils actions too? Is it our fault for not serving you properly, or is it your mistake to have glanced away at this moment, Allah?
Hadad had turned into a philosopher after meeting a nondestructive being. Hadads lament became a legend and floated around the Sahel for a long time afterward.
Black Mamba turned the chase away and returned to camp in leisure. When the dust began to rise, the mercenaries simultaneously poked their heads out and stared at the horizon.
Blacks coming back.
Wow!
Everyone responded excitedly at Emil, who surveyed the area with a binocular.
What happened? Valboir asked rapidly.
My attacks have led to half-burnt corpses. I shoved all their bikes into Aodanga.
They wont be able to regain their senses for some time while trying to organize the army.
The Captain didnt bother asking. Black Mamba was on the level of a catalyst. When he used hit-and-run tactics, not even regiments would be able to fight back.
Lets get going!
Ill lead the way on a bike.
Ok.
The Captain nodded at Black Mambas proposal. They were out of spaces due to the patients, anyway. There was no need to worry about sneak attacks with Black Mamba at the front. He worried about the enemys sniping, but Black Mamba wouldnt step forward unless he was confident.
When Black Mambas bike went ahead, Ombuti got on the bikes backseat as though it was normal. Sun WooHyun frowned as he gripped the M60 on the Gamma.
Is that old man an Eminai or something? Whys he jumping on the back seat?
The Captain controlled the car.
The pickups will go by Alpha, Bravo, and Gamma. Black Mamba will be Charlie. Charlie, youll be in charge of the 400 meters front. Two shots in case of an emergency or use a headset communication. Over!
The headsets and night-vision goggles the camels had destroyed, had resurfaced through the supply line. The supply batteries and chargers which had been destroyed in battle had also reappeared. The supplies that the team members had been most concerned over werent the fire weapons but the headsets and night-vision goggles.
Not even God would have had the time to gather night goggles, headsets, and batteries in the Sahel. The Ratel team members had been unable to sleep peacefully at night, from the fear of night battles.
The enemies didnt choose between day or night battles. If the FROLINAT ever attacked during the night, theyd be unable to handle it without night-vision goggles. Night-vision goggles were as important as rifles to snipers.
There wasnt enough space to store things as one pickup had been given to the patients. Even without Black Mamba and Ombuti, the pickup was like a beansprouts tangled roots with fuel tanks, water, food supplies, and weapons.
The Captains sigh grew heavier.
Chapter 137 - Episode 6: Sahels Night Sky
Black Mamba slung his Dragunov diagonally across his shoulders and settled the Pamus on his bikes handle. The reason he volunteered to be the front scout was because of the underground ambushes.
The FROLINAT commanders werent idiots, either.
FROLINAT had lain ambushes around their escape path like a spider web, surprised by the Ratel teams deadly sniping abilities. It was a self-sacrificing move that would decrease the number of soldiers sacrifice and administer additional damage.
The ambushes with the guerrillas, hidden underground with tarps and grasses, were threatening enough. The largest reason why Pieffs team failed to fight back was due to those ambush units.
It was also a tiresome matter in Black Mambas perspective.
His head ached when he continuously used dimensional sight. Sometimes, he had to send out his resonance to ascertain the location of the ambushes he caught in his dimensional sight. His tiredness was bound to build.
The Captain had turned greedy for the fastest course out, now that their supply issue had been resolved. It also meant that he was tired and impatient. Ombuti led the group towards Nedeli, according to the Captains wishes. Nedeli and Salae were adjoined. They would be able to leave the Sahel, as long as they entered Salae.
Black Mamba stopped his bike.
Pat
Pat
He shot twice at the grounds surface, 50 meters away to his right and left, as though nothing had happened. A while later, the sand turned red. The following vehicles passed without lowering their speeds. It was the fifth repeat of a cleanup since they followed Barel Gazals south-heading underground waterway.
Black Mamba stopped his bike once more. He could hear the ringing of camels bells, 700 meters ahead.
Is it the scouting units again? Its too annoying.
Black Mamba raised his Dragunov as he complained.
Stop! Its a camel sentry. Im cleaning up.
Understood. Roger.
Vroom
The snakehead increased its speed. It fought up the 20-meters-high dune. When he reached the top, he could see the camel caravan of 10 members clearly.
Pa pa pa
The guerrillas, who were moving unguarded, fell to the ground in a row. Two witty ones hid behind their camels bodies, but it was no use. They only brought about the death of two innocent camels.
Keeee
The camels collapsed after the strong bullets had shattered their skulls. The guerrillas, who jumped out, had their head holed in before they could even drop to the ground. 10 people had been erased off Azraels death list in the blink of an eye. The Azrael turned his bike, not wasting a second of his time.
The ambush and scouting units grew in number as they approached the provinces border. The Ratel team headed south at top speed, but Black Mamba was far too tired. A Paranthropus body was healthy, but there was a limit to a humans mental health. The overusing of his mental abilities had brought about his demise.
Ugh!
A groan escaped Black Mambas mouth as the sun began to set. The bike lost its balance and wavered. A pain similar to when Chui Do Shik shoved the needle into his brain, squeezed around his head. He felt as though his brain was turning into crushed tofu.
Wakil, you need to rest.
There was worry in Ombutis tone. His Wakils back was soaked in sweat. He had heard his master groan for the first time. This meant that his Wakil was in severe pain.
Black Mamba shook his head a few times before pressing the start button.
Theres not much distance left. We need to breathe through when we can.
No. You need to rest.
When Black Mamba became stubborn, Ombuti reached out and snatched the bikes handle away. His Wakils soul was of Azraels, but his body was of a humans. To Ombuti, his Wakils safety was his priority, and the other mercenaries life or death was none of his concern.
Its bearable.
No. This is my first time seeing you like this, Wakil.
Hm!
Black Mamba wiped his face with his hands. Cold sweat was rubbed off. His head rang in clanging noises, followed by a headache. It felt as though someone had shoved a metal plate in his head and was hammering it.
Fine. Ill take a break.
Black Mamba got off his bike.
The Captain rearranged the order of the members on board, once he caught up.
Ombuti, Black Mamba, Bellman, and I will board the Alpha. Valboir and Maxim, get on the bike and follow the Alpha.
Black Mamba disagreed.
Wait, Bellman, you take care of sergeant Mike. Lackey, you get on the Alpha first. Emil will be in charge of the M60.
The Captain nodded without a thought.
The Beta with two patientsBellman and Bronin, was a target of protection. It was like using one pickup as an ambulance. Jang Shin and Emil boarded the Gamma, which watched their rear. There was an M60 on the Gamma, with their bike and weapon supplies.
Without Black Mamba, the Alpha had to take charge of the front scout. The lackey was previously the FAPs battle training officer. If Black Mamba placed him in the front, it was the right decision.
The Alpha went ahead, and the vehicles distances closed together.
This was due to the nervousness that was brought about by the absence of Black Mambas radar.
The Captain flashed the light on Black Mamba, who was on the backseat.
He had closed his eyes. As always, it was hard to tell whether he was sleeping or not.
Damn it. Ive rushed too far.
The Captain blamed himself. Hed been drunk on Black Mambas immense physicality.
Black Mamba had been moving and battling without sleep for the past 38 hours. He had erased Hadad armys advance guard points, lured their main army to Vilma, and cleaned the ambush units without rest. Black Mamba had endured a strong march that even iron man wouldnt have withstood.
Those damn b*stards!
He cursed automatically. He was cursing at the old men who had planned this entire thing, and the FROLINATs FAP who attacked without giving up. He was similarly mad at commander Pieff who was laid on the Beta. He still didnt understand why the commander jumped rashly onto Black Mambas strategic mission.
Comrade Ombuti, stop.
Sun WooHyuns Arabic stopped the Captains train of thoughts. The moment the pickup stopped, Sun WooHyun shot three times with his silenced Pamus.
Papapa
He had aimed at the puddle of mud, which was 10 meters away to their right.
Splash
Two humans jumped out of the puddle.
Ah!
The Captain shouted unknowingly. There was no time to react. He aimed his Pamus, but he already knew it was too late.
You jjon-ganna piece of s***!
Papapa
Sun WooHyuns Pamus spat another round of fire.
Agh! Kuh.
The humans, who had jumped out in a ready position, fell with a splash together. Thick mud splattered everywhere.
Phew!
The surprised Captain swiped down his chest and rose from his seat.
Wait a moment, Sun WooHyun stopped him.
Pa pa pa
He glared at the puddle for a while before opening fire once more. Blood splattered out of the large mud puddle. The wriggling puddle turned calm.
Lets go!
The lackey shouted with confidence.
How did you know?
I used to be a FAP officer. I know those FAPs battle tactics very well. I saw a small bubble floating up. Its the method of the Jerero tribe, hiding until the very end so that wed let our guard down.
Sun WooHyun was fluent in Arabic, but his French was abysmal. Still, he was at a level where he could communicate.
I see the reason why Black Mamba sent you to the front. I should seriously consider making a Korean-only special force. The Captain nodded.
There was nothing normal when it came to Koreans. It seemed as though there would be many advantages in creating a Korean-only special force, like the Gurkhas mercenaries.
Ombuti smiled at the handle.
Well done, lackey.
Hmph!
Sun WooHyun turned his head and raised his chin at the recovery of his pride.
The Ratel team, which had started from Tanga and entered Nedeli within the day, had traveled 156 kilometers in total. Nedeli was located south-east of Djourab Erg. There were only 540 kilometers to NDjamena. They had arrived at the borderline of Kanem province.
Stop. Well eat and wait until the clouds withdraw.
They couldnt proceed without Black Mambas guide on a dark offroad. There was a large underground waterway passing through Barel Gazal and Chad lake, connecting the Bodele. It was one of the many rare regions where water could be found in the Sahel.
Captain, if we move according to our speed today, wed be able to escape those b*stards blockade line by tomorrow.
You think?
Valboir was hopeful, but the Captains face darkened. They had gotten rid of seven ambush units during their seven-hour travel. They had also wiped out three entire camel scouts. They had basically left their traces behind.
They might have gotten away today, but the situation wasnt good.
Those FROLINAT old men were certainly angry.
The nearer they reached Kanem and Borukus province lines, the more concentrated the ambush and scouting units got. This meant that they had released countless of 10 to 20 member units, after them.
The reason why the Captains face turned dark was due to Black Mamba. The situation had never been bright for them from the beginning. Black Mamba was basically the mother hen who led the chicks around. A chick, without its mother hens protection, didnt last a day.
The border was filled with provoked FROLINAT who were prowling like mad hyenas. There was nothing to be done, with a sick mother hen. The lackeys presence, at least, was like the rain during a drought.
The lackey was paying up for his food, as Black Mamba had believed. Emil had managed to turn the enemies into rags due to his pre-detection of two ambush squads and a camel scout. From team Ratels point of view, whose firepower was rapidly declining, they had gained someone worth 10,000 soldiers on their side.
They were in an ironic situation where the French troops whove come to their rescue were bed ridden and a burden, while the Korean, who was once an enemy, filled in Black Mambas role with half of his abilities. The Captains worries didnt end deep into the night.
The Ratel team was unable to greet the bright morning. They hadnt been able to pass the border, as per the Captains worry. It wasnt because of the lack of moonlight, but rather, Black Mambas absence.
By the time midnight came, the Captain entered the lit-up tent. Bellman, who was clinging to the field bed, raised his head.
How is he?
Hes still suffering from headaches, and theres a high fever. Pain relievers and headache relief arent working
And the cause? Is it endemic?
I cant tell. I can only assume things by looking at his immunity. As you can see, all we can do is give him symptomatic therapies by washing him down with cold or hot water.
Bellman pointed at Bronin, who was wiping down Black Mambas body with a wet towel.
S***. The Captains face hardened.
Sergeant Bellman, his fever reached 42 degrees Celsius.
Bellmans face turned yellow at Bronins report. A temperature of 42 degrees Celsius meant that the brain had long turned into soft tofu.
The atmosphere outside the tent was as bad as the atmosphere within. The mercenaries wandered in and out of the tent with concerned faces. Emil and Jang Shin were sitting in front of the tent, like chicks fed with centipedes. They looked like old men whove lived out their lives.
Black getting a fever is something the hyenas would laugh at.
Right. What are we supposed to do if he lies down while we move past the border, which is a crucial moment?
Jang Shin glared at Centienne and Maxim, who were complaining.
What are we supposed to do? Ha, youre f******, arent you?
He looked as though hed hit them both if it werent for their ranks.
Jang Shin, whats the reason behind that offending glare?
Emil grew mad at Centiennes words.
Black battled for 40 days without sleep. How do you think you guys are still alive? Black saved your sorry a***s from becoming roasted as captives by the FAP. Black is sick because of you guys!
What? Blacks sick because of us? Thats ridiculous.
You guys didnt shoot a single bullet after joining us. Dont you realize who made it possible? If it hadnt been for Black, you guys would have long been dead. You guys are only thinking of your safety. You selfish b*stards.
Emil rambled on the thoughts that hed been suppressing deep inside his mind.
Im a non-combat soldier.
Oh, I see, then sergeant Bellman must have been mad to run around with a machine gun when hes a field doctor. He would have killed at least 50 people by now.
You s***, how dare you talk like that to a lieutenant.
Centienne glared when he had no more excuses to make.
Crack
Agh!
Centienne, who had the back of his head hit by a palm, stumbled a few paces forward as though hed collapse.
Who the f*** did that?
Its me, you f***er. I want to rip your mouth.
Ahh!
When a blade flashed before his eyes, Centienne rushed backward in fear.
Chapter 138 - Episode 7: Sahels Night Sky
You lying, worthless b*stard. Whats the point of having a signal soldier when we dont even have a walkie-talkie?
When Sun WooHyun approached him with a large knife, Centienne moved back as his face turned blue.
What are you doing? What did I do?
I blame Black Mamba for saving a worthless b*stard like you, who wouldnt survive a day in the desert. Theres no reason to let a thoughtless lump of a b*stard stick with us. Ill pull your head out and turn you into a rotting piece of wood.
Sun WooHyuns narrow eyes gleamed like a madmans.
You crazy s***, well see what happens.
Unable to withstand his temper, Centienne and Maxim left the spot. A rabid dog had to be avoided.
The Captains face creased into a frown. He had heard everything that happened outside. There wasnt a non-violent mercenary amongst the mercenaries. Fighting and punching were minor happenings.
The problem was their conflict. Conflict was born from distrust and complaints. The Ratel team members had a relationship beyond brotherhood, as they had crossed the line between life and death several times, together. The ones who had survived were no less than Black Mambas servants.
Jang Shin and Emil blamed the rescue team that Pieff led. They thought that the rescue team had become lumps of burden, instead of offering aid. They believed that Black Mamba had become sick from pushing himself to his limits for the rescue team. A lieutenant was nothing to them. Black Mamba was more important.
Centienne and Maxim were disappointed that the team members theyve come to rescue were treating them poorly. Their conflict, which had been undersurface, had been brought to light by Black Mambas absence.
Bellman, did you hear what happened outside?
Its a conflict brought about by the absence of a mental stabling force. Theyre simple men, so you dont need to feel sorry for them.
Thats true.
Bellmans face didnt light up despite him nodding. It was a conflict that would disappear once Black Mamba woke up. However, him not being in good condition was a problem.
Black, please wake up.
The Captains insides burned like coal.
F***, wheres the damn servant s*** gone when his owners dying?
That damn servant s*** is here.
A tired and sad voice rang behind his back.
Ah! Ombuti.
Surprised, Sun WooHyun whipped around, twisting his neck bones. Even he, who acted as though there was nothing to fear in the world, felt awkward around Ombuti.
Ombuti glared at Sun WooHyun with dark eyes with an unknown bunch of grass held in both hands.
An old servant wanders in the dark looking for Wakils herbs, while a young lackeys chewing the old servant out in comfort! Tsk tsk.
Sun WooHyuns face crumpled as he was now accused of being immature.
What are you going to do with that bunch of grass?
Ombuti entered the tent without replying.
F***, is a servant some kind of royal duty or something? Sun WooHyun complained weakly.
What is that? Bellman asked.
Its a huvluv. Ive finally found it.
What are you going to do with that?
I will give it to my Wakil.
Lines creased across Bellmans face. He was a doctor. That unknown African herb was, obviously, not in his medical dictionary.
No, I cannot use an unknown herb on a patient. I dont even know its properties.
Its my tribes secret.
No, even if its Goryeos ginseng.
Then, are you going to leave him like that? Didnt you say that pain and fever relievers didnt work, and you were unsure of the cause? Ombuti said in anger.
Still, I cant give him some unknown herb, Bellman fought back.
Move. I dont have time for this. He may be your comrade, but he is my master. Its a remedy from Africa.
Ombuti pushed Bellman away and began to brew the huvluv in a pot. He added some dried roots that he had in his pockets, once a sour smell began to spread.
Huvluv was a multi-purpose herb used by desert tribes for healing since ancient times. It was similar to the Korean ginseng, as it did have numbing properties alongside nutritious effects. The Tuareg tribe had a secret, sacred method of pulling out the huvluvs most important sap.
A thick sap with a strange scent appeared. Ombuti began to feed the boiled sap to Black Mamba.
Wakil, you are a strong person. Allah and the Tuareg ancestors protection will be upon you.
Ombuti kneeled on the ground and began to pray for a long time.
The cells of a Homo Paranthropus were qualitatively different from those of a Homo sapien. For a Homo Paranthropus, the master gene known as PGC-1 was activated to multiply mitochondria.
Mitochondria were biological engines that existed as a unit per cell. A Paranthropus could increase the number of mitochondria to two or four. It meant that the cells which held those mitochondria increased from four cylindrical units to eight or 16 units.
Black Mamba was still living as a slave, in his uncles house, at the time of his awakening.
His muscles, bones, and blood hadnt been able to go through much change back then, due to a lack of nutrition. His brain, especially, hadnt been able to develop fully. His brain was still of a Homo sapien.
It was one of the many favorable occurrences among his misfortunes. If his brain had gone through the development as a Paranthropus, he would have been no different than Ocelot.
Black Mambas body had constantly gone through slow, but certain evolutions through many battles. The PGC-1s activity hadnt stopped. It attempted to strengthen the underdeveloped brains condensation and strength.
A Paranthropus brain placed more importance on its own physical safety and survival. Its attacks became stronger and overwhelming while its limitations slowly decreased. The brains usage also dulled as the skull thickened. Simply put, it turned itself into a strong monster. In terms of brain activity, it regressed.
Black Mamba had lived in limited, wilful conditions since his youth. The warm love he had received from Park Jin Bo and Kim Mal Soon, his life as a monk, the training of the five combined movements, and the realizations he had earned in the Sahel caused his brain to refuse regression.
The pain Black Mamba was currently suffering from, was a phenomenon called apoptosis. Brain cells were programmed to die and would later heal into stronger cells.The pain was due to the overwhelming pressure on his nervous system from the rapid cell division and elimination. The clash between PGC-1 and brain activities were causing pain at the same time.
The huvluv that Ombuti had administered began to activate its properties. His temperature dropped, and his pain alleviated. It was the holy Buddhas fire. Paranthropuses were born in Africa. The African wild ginseng, huvluv, had stabilized the Paranthropus genetic activation.
Sergeant, the temperatures dropping! Bronin cried out, almost in tears.
What, are you serious?
Bellman moved around hurriedly.
Crash
Clang
Loud sounds rang. The nurses table, where he had arranged the medicines and tools, had fallen.
Quiet. Wakil has fallen asleep, Ombuti spoke solemnly with a raised chin.
Right. Sorry. Bellman shriveled.
In a warriors world, the strongest was the best. It was the same for a doctor. The one who successfully treated the patient using rare medicines or pieces of grass was the best.
When the fight between the Homo sapien and Paranthropus ended, the fever dropped instantly. Black Mamba slept with a snore. When he awakened, hed have become an iron-willed man.
On the 40th day of mission Raccoon.
Black Mamba opened his eyes. His head which had been filled by a fog-like heaviness was refreshed. His stiff body had returned back to normal, and his headache had disappeared.
Huh? Whys the old man doing that?
Ombuti had fallen asleep beside him, bent and squished like a shrimp.
Hmmm, I see.
The smell from the canteen and his mouth were the same. He instantly understood the situation. He could almost see the old man wandering around, in the dark, looking for herbs.
The Sahels temperature in December was hot to the point that skin burned during the day and cold to the point that bones clattered at night. He lifted Ombuti and laid him on his bed.
Ombuti had made a bed for himself on the ground with a thin tarp as he left Black Mamba to sleep on a dry straw bed. He called himself a servant, but he acted more like a father.
His bones should be aching since hes old.
He opened his sleeping bag and covered Ombuti with it, before leaving the tent. The eastern sky was slightly dyed with ashen colors. It was the beginning of dawn.
But how did he wake up?
He had woken up from a foreign sensation. His senses were sensitive, but his body was unaffected by heat and cold. He didnt wake up due to the cold.
Breathing!
He realized instantly. He had felt something out of place with the breaths that surrounded him. With his sensitivity, he woke instantly when there was a change to his outer surroundings, even when he was asleep. It was an instinct that a martial practitioner gained after training ones heart to its peak.
One of the many breaths had stopped.
The two familiar presences outside his tent were the Captain and Bellman, who were on guard. He ran into the tent. Nothing was wrong with Pieff, Mike, and Ombuti.
He rushed into the next tent.
Emil, Jang Shin, Sun WooHyun, Bronin, and Valboir were asleep. No, there were only four who were breathing. Emil was the one who had stopped breathing. Surprised, Black Mamba examined Emil.
Wide eyes, stiff muscles, and blue face, it was the textbook example of death by hypothermia.
Emil, Emil!
He had cried out loudly, but there wasnt any reaction.
His heart, what about his heart?
He grabbed Emils wrist, but didnt count his pulse. Black Mamba could hear his heart beating by simply listening. Emils heart was beating thinly and unevenly. It was weak, as though it would die out, any second.
F****** s***! Hes in reentry.
He kicked Jang Shin, who was snoring, despite the chaotic situation.
Jang, call Bellman over.
Whawhat?
Surprised, Jang Shin leaped on his feet and pulled out his gun. It was a rather fast instinct, but there was no time for praise.
Emils in danger.
Ah, Black Mamba!
Dude, get to your senses! Call Bellman over. Emils dying! Black Mamba kicked Jang Shins butt.
Emil is going to die!
Shocked and awoke, Jang Shin escaped the tent like a bullet.
Bronin, boil the water! Bellman shouted as he rushed over.
This idiotic b*stard!
Bellman slapped Emils cheeks and took off his wet clothes. Emil was an idiot who slept in wet clothes despite his many warnings.
Jang Shin rushed over with atropine from the medical bag.
Bellman kicked Jang Shin.
You crazy b*stard, do you want to give him a shock? Not even epinephrines going to work at this stage. Massage him!
Jang Shin had been kicked many times since his sleep.
Bronin and Jang Shin dedicated themselves to massaging Emil while Bellman began CPR. Valboir and Sun WooHyun, who woke in the chaos, also joined in.
Bellman groaned once he pulled out the in-ear thermometer.
30 degrees Celsius! Were in trouble.
They could lose another comrade at any moment. Jang Shin took off his clothes and pulled himself close, underneath Emil, to share body heat. Bronin covered Emil with towels, and slowly poured hot water over them. Everyone moved to their best abilities.
Damn it, to think Id have to make a fuss over a man in my life. Does it even make sense to freeze to death in Africa? Jang Shin shouted in annoyance.
You idiot, when the chest temperature decreases, you freeze to death. Just being an ice pillar doesnt mean hypothermia! the Captain shouted, having jumped into the tent, moments before.
Black Mamba soaked the towels in hot water and massaged Emils skin with ferocity, but the situation didnt get better.
Bellman, theres no choice. Give him the epinephrine.
Bellman hesitated at the Captains orders but ultimately injected Emils vessel with epinephrine. His hand shook minutely. Injecting someone in reentry with cardiotonic was dangerous. A single mistake could stop the heart entirely.
Death by hypothermia occurred when the body continuously lost its temperature to outside conditions. When the bodys temperature fell below 30 degrees Celsius, an arrhythmia could occur, causing the heart to stop. There were no precedents of anyone saving a heart from failure except for Jesus.
Similar to contact lenses, a human body was as delicate and fragile. The internal organs and cells could only be active in body temperatures between 30 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius.
With an average body temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius, the upper body could only take 3.5 degrees Celsius at its lowest, while the lower body could tolerate 6.5 degrees Celsius. When the average temperature dropped beneath 30 degrees Celsius, the heart would stop, and when it rose above 40 degrees Celsius, the organs would start failing. In simpler terms, one would freeze when the body temperature fell beneath 30 degrees Celsius, and the organs would start failing when it was above 40 degrees Celsius.
Chapter 139 - Sahels Night Sky
The northern central region of Chad was prone to endless sandstorms from the Sahara Desert. It was so frequent that the UN reported 200,000,000,000 grams of dust was sent over to the Atlantic Ocean from the Sahara and Bodele deserts each year.
A research report also stated that the organic matters from Africa sent into the Amazon by the sandstorms were the reason why the Amazon Rainforest sustained itself. There was another statement from the north-eastern regions of the Sahel, which said that there wasnt a day whereby the sandstorms took a break.
In December, the Bodele and TIbesti regions consisted of strong winds and high-temperature differences. A temperature that reached beyond 30 degrees Celsius during the day would be lower than 10 degrees Celsius at night. Some regions faced negative temperatures. While it caused heat-induced headaches to some, death by hypothermia was also frequent.
The tired members were prone to sleeping in their sweat-soaked clothes.
The wet clothes absorbed their temperature, and their temperature continued to fall as the water from the clothes evaporated.
Ombuti and the Captain, who were bright in desert survival, always checked in with their conditions and minded their body temperatures. Sun WooHyun was similarly skilled at maintaining his condition. The problems lied with the rookies, Emil and Jang Shin. The two believed in their youth and strength, which led to lazy habits.
Emil and Jang Shin had been kicked awake and were even sworn at as chicken heads by Bellman, several times during the mission.
Bellmans face darkened.
Emils heartbeat wasnt picking up despite the epinephrine injection.
Theres no effect.
The team members faces darkened at Bellmans words.
What the hell! The one on fire is fine, but the normal one is freezing to death? Ugh, this damned Africa! F****** hell, Sahel!
The Captain grabbed his head with both his hands.
Black Mambas face was similarly frozen. Emil was his partner. He felt as though hed go crazy just watching him die. How good would it be if he could press the blood vessels on his hand and direct some life force, just like those martial arts novels! However, a novel remained a novel.
He searched through his memories with determination. He felt as though hed remember something.
Soul-Returning Pain Administration! Black Mamba exclaimed.
It was his masters whip, also known as Soul-Returning Pain Administration. It referred to the high degree of pain unleashed to call back a soul once it received its shock. It was a torment that caused one not to pass out as it tore through the skin and vibrated the organs.
It was a type of whipping that he didnt even want to recall, but his teachers whipping had been a form of an Interrogative Blood Pacer. After being whipped, the body felt hot, and the muscles relaxed. After several rounds, all the bad substances in the body seeped out.
Compared to the Muchi sibariage, which was a torture technique, the Soul-Returning Pain Administration was a healing technique. In retrospect, an evil mans whip would be poisonous while a good mans whip would serve as medicine.
His body remembered his teachers point of targets, time, and strength control. He couldnt forget even if he wished to, as hed been hit until his soul almost dissolved with blood splattering all over. Hed never tried it before, but he was confident in hitting someone. It was better to try something rather than sit back and watch.
He was looking for a suitable weapon until the tents supporting rods came into sight. He took out two rods without a thought. The rods were bendy as it was made out of aluminum and coated resin. He felt as though it would wound right around the skin when hit. It was perfect for whipping.
Everyone, move back!
His comrades, who were attached to Emil, flew back like thrown stones. He swung the two rods in the air several times before hitting Emil without restraint.
Slap slap slap slap
Two rods moved as fast as raindrops. It was a whipping that moved 10 times in a second. Emils naked body soon turned bright red.
Black Mamba, what are you doing?
Surprised, Valboir and Bronin grabbed his arms. Black Mamba shoved them away.
Ahhh!
Valboir and Bornin were flung outside the tent and rolled to the floor. They looked like soccer balls, which had been kicked away. The mercenaries, who were surprised by his immense strength, were unable to step up.
Still, there were some brave people who didnt know their place at all times.
You damn b*stard, are you trying to kill Emil?
Centienne grabbed the metal pipe used for the cars jacket grip and aimed for Black Mambas head.
You, what are you! Bellman shouted in surprise.
Clang
The sound of metal clashing against each other rang.
Centiennes mouth fell open. He exchanged looks with Black Mambas head and the metal pipe several times. The one-inch diameter metal pipe had been bent like a rice stick. Centienne entered into a mental breakdown.
Sergeant Centienne, do you want to be beaten to a pulp?
A fierce warning echoed in Centiennes head. It was the sound of a monster growling.
Ah!
Centienne, who was washed in primitive fear, threw the pipe away and rushed backward. Even then, Black Mamba didnt stop his whipping.
Ombuti wasnt the type to stop his masters actions. No, he was rather gawking in admiration at his masters health. Jang Shin and the Captain didnt stop Black Mamba either. There was always meaning to Black Mambas actions. Even Bellman had stepped back to watch the strange happening.
Slaaaap slap
Papapapapa
Craaack
Several impactful sounds rang. The rods began to move even faster. The whipping sped up to 1,000 hits of revolutions per minute. Several parts of the skin were torn open at the immense whooping. Blood splattered like aerosol. Those were indescribable injuries.
Black Mamba flipped Emil over with the tip of his toes. He had whipped Emils front enough, so now the back had to be whipped equally.
Those who didnt know what was going on slowly lost their color. That was an evil person lashing out at his partner like he was cooking fish.
Sun WooHyun experienced a new sensation with an emptied head. A psycho lashed out with two rods as the fireplace lit in the background. That was the b*stard who had the Kanma, reincarnated within himself.
He knew how painful it was from experience. He hadnt been able to pee after being pummelled by that damned b*stard. It was a horrible whipping that damaged the hidden muscles of the body. That b*stard who was whipping his comrade to a faster death was truly the devil.
Centiennes face wasnt any different.
He had known that he was a crazy b*stard, but now it was certain. Black Mambas face, which reflected the fireplaces light, looked like the devils. The scar on his cheek, which flashed in between his attacks, made him look more vicious.
I must be mad. Ive hit that guy!
He admonished himself.
Black Mamba had been hitting Emils front for five minutes and was currently at the three-minute mark for his back. Even Black Mamba sweated as he whipped. It wasnt easy to control the degree of pain, time, and target points.
Emil, who was just about to cross over to the underworld, was at peace. He had never felt like this in his entire life. Would his mothers womb be as comfortable? Would Catherines chest be as nice? He felt as though he could whistle freely.
He saw a faint light at the tip of his nose. The light called to him.
[Welcome, this is the place for the unfeeling. It is a place where you can relieve all sadness and pain. You will be comforted. You will truly be in peace.]
His peace shattered the moment he was about to step into the light. A monster was hitting him relentlessly. It was painful. It was beyond painful. The light continued to call him over, but he couldnt move. The monster frowned. It seemed like it was saying itd murder him if he didnt return. The monster resembled Black Mamba very much.
He begged for his life, but his mouth wasnt moving.
Uuuuuh.
Black Mamba heard a small groan by his ears. He didnt stop his whipping.
Black, save me!
It was a thin voice, only Black Mamba could hear, but it gradually became louder. He threw the rods away and listened carefully.
Thump thump
The heart was beating. He could feel the cardiac muscles moving and gathering strength. Black Mamba called Bellman over with his hand. Bellman hesitated but ended up walking over. Looking at the whipping made his knees weak.
Its done.
Its done? You didnt send him over, but its done? Sun WooHyun mumbled with suspicion.
Bellman, who had plastered his ears onto Emils chest, shouted.
He did it! Hes alive!
What! Hes alive?
Woah!
Bronin, Jang Shin, and even the Captain rushed forward and massaged Emils limbs.
After 10 minutes, Emil finally opened his eyes.
It hurts. It hurts so much.
That was all Emil said before he fainted.
It was only right that he fainted. Emils body did not remain fine. His body was covered in red and blue bruises as though hed been shoved into a chimpanzee cage. Several areas of his skin were torn and bleeding.
Black, is that an eastern healing method? Bellman asked.
Black Mamba smiled.
No. Just dying and dying by a beatingtheyre the same thing.
Bellmans eyes grew wide.
Thatsthats impossible!
But, you cant die if youre in immense pain.
Black Mamba, who didnt have anything more to say, left unbelievable words before leaving the place. He felt embarrassed to see his partner in such a state.
The Captain and mercenaries faces turned white.
Did he beat him up so that Emil would wake from the painful shock?
Its basically Wake up if you dont want to die. What a horrible guy, Centienne and Maxim whispered.
Just dying and dying by a beating is the same thing.
At Bellmans words, everyones eyes turned to Black Mamba.
Crazy b*stard.
Scary f*****.
I shouldnt associate with him.
Kanmas not enough for that guy.
Their common thought, however, was that a sadist had appeared in their group. Ombuti was in a different world of his own.
As expected of my master. He brings the dead back alive.
Sun WooHyun slid next to Centienne.
Sergeant, I want to tell Black Mamba youve been complaining about him behind his back.
Ah! What are you saying? Youve no idea how grateful I am to Jang Shin and Emil. What complaints can I have against Black Mamba, who saved me so many times? Ive been praying for Black Mambas revival this whole time! Centienne leaped in his place.
The distrust and complaints between the two groups had disappeared like a washed-out stream with a single performance. It was like how a runny nose was nothing compared to pain-inducing diseases.
Emil had woken up. Hypothermia offered no after-effects as long as he didnt die. He recovered instantly.
Emil woke up in perfect condition except for his chattering teeth. He had seen hell in the moment of awakening. Black Mamba, with the moving firelight in his background, was the devil.
The relentless whipping had sucked out his senses and left pain, which twisted his brain. It was the first kind of torment hed felt since his birth. He had wanted to faint once more, but he couldnt. He had only been able to faint once the whipping was over.
Emil made his statement as he described the comfort of death and shining light with stutters.
So, you see, I was about to head into the light, when a monster that looked like Black Mamba started to hit me all over.
And?
It was so painful. I realized such pain existed for the first time in my life. I couldnt even die because of the pain.
The mercenaries, who were listening, shivered in fear. How painful had it been for a dead person to jump back to life!
Black Mamba isnt my partner. Hes a crazy Charon.
Emil ended his story with that sentence.
Charon was a boatman who carried dead souls on a boat across the rivers Styx and Acheron. Black Mamba, who pulled Emil out of hell, became a crazy Charon.
Emil glanced at Black Mamba.
The shocked mercenaries were unable to fall asleep. Only Black Mamba was sleeping peacefully on the reed bed Ombuti had provided.
He was a b*stard who had fallen asleep without a word of apology after beating his partner half to death. Emil made a fist and shivered. He wanted to land a punch, but the after-effects were too fearsome. He recalled the scary whip and tormenting pain. Simply looking at his partner was enough to send him into shock.
But why does my body feel so light?
His body should have been aching all over between his bones and muscles, but it felt light enough to fly. It made him want to fight against Black Mamba for once.
Still, thats something not to be done.
He could almost imagine himself sitting by the Champs-lyses, begging for money with a hat and broken limbs. Emils cheeks trembled as he looked at Black Mambas sleeping face.
That s***s complaining when I saved his life! Black Mamba complained with narrowly-opened eyes after Emil left.
Chapter 140 - The Returning Battle
Now that Black Mamba had recovered, he had been forgotten and overshadowed by the chaos that Emils near-death hypothermia had brought about. The fact that Black Mamba had collapsed was a new deal for the mercenaries. Of course, there were two who didnt forget.
Lackey!
When Sun WooHyun turned around, Ombuti had an evil look on his face.
Wakil regained his strength by drinking that grass brew.
The words grass brew were slightly accented.
You petty old man!
Hehehe, Wakil said glass beads must be strung together to turn into a treasure. Ombuti left, parting those frustrating words.
Sun WooHyuns face crumpled. He became impatient. Ombuti was asking him to prove himself. He would have to show some actual results to be acknowledged by Black Mamba.
Sun WooHyun did not realize that Ombuti spoke out of his own will.
That rotten old man is a servant with some nobility!
Or so he thought, but his insides were burning. There was an ominous feeling that his position was going to be decided. No, there wasnt even a confirmation that Black Mamba would take him in.
Theres no other way but to attach myself.
Sun WooHyun was resolved. He was going to be a part of the family, regardless if he was a servant or a slave.
No one thought of waking Black Mamba until the sun rose. No one dared to approach except for Ombuti, who brewed tea for his masters morning with a bright face. Sun WooHyun shook his head. Fanatics who chanted their fatherlands name wouldnt be able to reach that old mans level of devotion.
Mission Raccoon, Day 41.
Black Mambas health and Emils rising from the dead raised the mercenaries morals. However, their situation couldnt be resolved with simple morals. The Ratel team had been pushed back by 120 kilometers from Nedeli to Koro Taro. They could cross over from Beurkia to Salae with one more step, but taking that step would be difficult.
The FROLINATs defense line turned stronger the more they traveled, and the net distance continued to decrease. They had to turn the handle towards Borkou province since they had failed to pass the blockage, despite Kanem provinces border being at the tip of their noses.
The moti tactic of destroying the enemys small units and hiding their traces didnt reap any more effects. Soldiers crawled out of the anthill endlessly. The FROLINATs determination in catching the Kanma and nailing him against a palm tree was unbearable.
Koro Taro was at the tip of the Bodele Depressions north-east regions. The temperature differences during the day reached 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. The mercenaries became wary after Emils hypothermia experience and became more concerned with their personal hygiene. Still, everyones conditions were poor.
Pieffs group members, who were rescued by Black Mamba, were in terrible condition. They were suffering from PTSD caused by the war, on top of dysentery, causing more problems for the Captain and Bellman.
The Captain could only sigh. Black Mamba could have broken through the enemys defense lines if Pieff hadnt come. They werent a rescue team, but an escape deterrent instead.
Ombuti had been traumatized by Black Mambas blackout incident. He blamed himself for having faith in his Wakils tremendous physical strength. He realized that his Wakil might have the Azraels soul, but his body was still that of a human.
He once heard that his Wakils hometown had clear differences between the four seasons. The temperature ranged between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, even during the worst days. A humans body adjusted to its environment. Ombuti believed that his Wakils body had received continuous shocks from the Sahels violent climate.
The temperatures fluctuated by 30 degrees Celsius in the Bodele Depression and Djourab Erg. One had to avoid the wind and prevent their skin from touching the air during sleep in order to maintain body temperature. Ombuti was born in the Sahara. He knew this better than others.
He dug a pit and gathered rocks which had been heated in sunlight during the day to be buried. On top, he laid palm tree leaves that he had gathered and dried reeds. It wasnt his sleeping place, but his owners.
Black Mamba, who tried to stop Ombutis devotion, ended up surrendering with both hands and feet. Ombuti was acting for the greater good by satisfying himself and was exemplary of Laozis unbending will. No one could stop his actions, so there was no need to refuse his sincerity and cause him discomfort.
The mercenaries greeted Ombutis loyal servitude with both hands. It was because Black Mambas condition was directly connected to the teams survival.
It was also Black Mambas responsibility to control the Korean who had become their greatest combat support. Sun WooHyun wasnt a mercenary or their team member. He was simply Black Mambas lackey. He didnt listen to anyones orders but Black Mambas. It was his final stand as the second leader of the scouting unit. The mercenaries had long been acting with Black Mamba as their center.
Ombuti glared unsatisfyingly at the special bed he had made. Unfortunately, his master had given his bed to sergeant Mike.
His master had fallen asleep on the ground facing the cold wind. A hateful b*stard was easily using something that hed put a lot of effort into for his master. He didnt care whether Mike was a patient or that he was about to die.
A talentless b*stard who doesnt know the honor of warriors has become a burden, Ombuti gritted out through the front of his teeth.
A useless b*stard acting like his master had caused so much suffering in Tanga. The b*stard had awoken from the dead, too. The Tubu clan was rumored to be originally fierce people. His master was an undefeatable warrior, but what could a worthless b*stard do against a clan?
Even then, the sergeant had said something unbelievable.
Damn it, to think my life has turned into something that needs saving from a black servant. Im embarrassed by my cape noir. Id rather die than have my Texas ranger pride be stepped on by a yellow s***.
Ombuti wanted to stab the b*stard when he had heard those words. He thought the b*stard had changed a little since he had been beaten up by his master, but a dog could never change its habits after all.
That b*stard still didnt realize that someone had helped him survive. He was someone who didnt know guilt and humiliation. The more Ombuti thought, the more angered he became.
Youre not even a warrior. Rather than becoming a burden to my comrades, I would have long killed myself.
Ombuti left the tent after throwing down those harsh words. Mikes eyebrow twitched amid his sleep.
Jang Shin, who finished his meal, went to look for Sun WooHyun.
Sun WooHyun was crouched before a bonfire.
What are you doing, lackey?
Im drying Black Mambas combat shoes. Im Sun WooHyun. Dont call me lackey.
Sun WooHyun didnt even turn to look at Jang Shin. He was resolved in becoming a servant.
God, that humans been contaminated by the Ombuti disease.
Jang Shin was almost in laughter. The sight of a North-Joseonese, high-ranking officer drying a South-Korean mercenarys wet shoes was truly pitiful.
Ssun, take the Minimi on the Beta and set it up in the trench. Help me take down the bullet supplies too.
Sun WooHyuns eyes narrowed at Jang Shins orders.
Im Black Mambas lackey. As a junior private, you dare to order an officer around?
Jang Shin was annoyed.
Dare? Look, youre a prisoner right now. What the hell are you talking about?
You f****** s***, Im Black Mambas lackey, not a prisoner. Dont you know that youll be exempted from the Geneva Agreement if you force a prisoner into slavery? Maybe youre too ignorant to know such things, Sun WooHyun shot back.
In Sun WooHyuns point of view, it was impossible for a private to order an officer around. In fact, Jang Shin didnt have the power to boss Sun WooHyun around.
Wang Ba Dan! Jang Shin shouted at a loss of words.
He couldnt hold his anger back as he was someone who placed importance in appearances.
Fine, lets solve this with our fists. Ill acknowledge you if you beat me.
Of course, its fisting for men.
Sun WooHyun dusted his pants as he stood immediately.
Wow, Jang Shin, show him your Kung Fu abilities.
Show the lackey the spicy taste of Deuxieme Rep!
The mercenaries had high expectations for Jang Shins performance as a high-level martial artist. It was the rule for an existing rock to look down on a new rock.
Jang Shin began to move in steps as he lowered his body, stretching out short, fast attacks without rest.
Yo! Ha, hap!
If Tae Kwon Do was an out-fighter, Bajiquan was an in-fighter. It used the Open Gate Eight Extremities Fist to attack, block, and attack. Wrists, elbows, and knees revolved like a water mill. It was like a childs play compared to Black Mambas Ten Point Continuous Blows, but it looked rather flashy.
Sun WooHyun fought with the Kyuksul techniques he had refined for over 17 years. There were several similarities between Bajiquan and Kyuksul. The techniques of attacking in defense and defending in an attack, the form of counters, and the short, fast attacks were similar. Both were field techniques that had no large, sweeping movements.
Craack
A sequence of hitting and blocking fists, elbows, and joints exchanged as they used techniques such as popliteus attacks and unbalancing attacks. Sun WooHyun was pushed back in the first half of their exchange.
Good job, Jang Shin! The mercenaries screamed.
Who do you think will win?
Didnt you see the fight between Black Mamba and Ocelot? Im not interested in childrens play, the Captain replied uninterestedly to Emils question.
How was that a fight? It was a calamity.
Emil shivered.
Just thinking about the two monsters fighting at the garden of Le Marien Hotel made him leak. Walls had crumbled with a single punch, and the building had shaken with a single kick. They couldnt be called humans when they flew 10s of meters in the air and were capable of ripping off a humans head with just a whip.
Thats why Im saying those two are mice.
But Captain, youre in the mouse rank too. I saw you getting knocked out by Black Mamba with a single punch.
B*stard, why are you bringing that up? I think the Korean is going to win.
I feel like hell lose.
Thats why youre a newbie. Look at his form. Hes barely moving the center of his body. Look at his gaze, he may be moving back, but he saw through Jang Shins attacks. That means hes composed. On the other hand, Jang Shins running out of time.
Jang Shins wrist and legs were hurting. His opponents arms and legs were as hard as tree bark. He gained more damage the longer he fought. He controlled his breathing to land one major blow.
Sun WooHyun had been protecting the center of his body while he allowed non-critical places to be hit. Suddenly, his expressionless eyes shone. The attacks which had been pouring in like rain had paused momentarily. It was the half of a half beats rest.
He pushed through the small weakness. Sun WooHyun swung like a whip and crashed on Jang Shins thigh.
Ah!
The moment Jang Shin tilted, Sun WooHyuns forehead bashed against his head. Jang Shin, who had received an unexpected attack, defended himself with the Kings Will of Defeat. It had a grand name, but the movement only consisted of a straight reach.
Bang
Sun WooHyun hesitated at the attacks which landed on both of his sides.
From then on, a heated exchange of kicks and punches began. Jang Shin was advantageous in the technical aspects, but Sun WooHyun was more advanced in wits and single exchange. Sun WooHyun purposely allowed mediocre attacks to land on his body while looking for the chance to land a critical blow.
Jang Shins attacks turned chaotic, the more time passed. His concentration had lapsed in the attacks, which tried to poke at his eyes, kick his legs out, and bite when possible.
Sun WooHyuns hands and feet had begun to move more fiercely amid their battle. In the end, Jang Shin was beaten to a pulp. Not even a Baijiquan master was capable of going against a Kyuksul master whose techniques were geared towards killing.
The mercenaries, whod gained nothing, licked their lips.
We shouldnt provoke the Korean.
Black Mambas fighting methods were unrealistic. The opponent was demolished in a single blink. His attacks didnt move their hearts as it couldnt be seen. On the other hand, the lackey seemed to fly in the air. The mercenaries acknowledged the lackeys abilities.
It was Emil, Jang Shins friend, who had found the situation most unfortunate.
Jang Shin, what the hell? Im embarrassed to even lift my head as your friend. You should fight him again after learning some moves from Black Mamba.
Damn piece of s***, how did he even become my friend? Jang Shin frowned.
Black Mamba was training in the Eighteen Beats of Shock, which had evolved from the Ten Point Continuous Blows. It was an attack that landed eighteen resonance-enhanced blows in a second that the Ten Point Continuous Blows was used. Black Mamba was returning from his training when he saw Jang Shin and Sun WooHyuns disheveled state.
Are you kids? Growing up with fights?
The two stared at each other blankly at the accusation of immaturity, before bursting out into laughter. It was a fact that men were all about fists.
Chapter 141 - Episode 2: The Returning Battle
Jang, lets replenish our proteins for once. Im going to catch an ostrich, so get ready.
Sure!
Try to get ready without fighting.
Black Mamba disappeared with his Pamus.
The two people whod turned into immature siblings froze momentarily.
Hmph, how could there be an ostrich in this kind of place?
Jang Shin replied to Sun WooHyun, Lets make a bet. I want to bet on your knife that Black will bring back an ostrich.
Jang Shin looked at Sun WooHyuns Spetsnaz long-knife. The large, thick exterior made it suitable for cutting meat and grinding spices.
Dotti, I bet on Jjangs Beretta that hell fail.
Simply shooting well didnt mean one was a good hunter!
Sun WooHyun laughed mockingly at Jang Shin. He had gained a realization when he prepared and served a bears bile to commander Kim Il-Sung. Hed rushed into it with too much confidence. There were many bears in the Nanglim mountain ranges. Hed thought hed gain several bear biles in one or two days. Only after he had wandered around the mountain for a week did he realize that even if one had a gun and that there was something to be hunted, hunting wouldnt necessarily happen.
Hed have to see, to catch, didnt he? However, an animals scent and hearing was several times more sensitive than a humans. An ostrich could even sprint. How could Black Mamba catch something that ran 80 kilometers per second? On top of that, it was nighttime. There was no way a large ostrich would be in the middle of a wasteland with no trees. Sun WooHyun glared at Jang Shins Beretta with confidence.
Jang Shin raised a large pot and began to brew. Onions, garlic, flour, butter, salt, and spices were stocked sufficiently.
Hey, Jjang, are you preparing for a feast? Thinking of shoving rocks into that pot? Sun WooHyun laughed mockingly at him and shortly after, Jang Shin was laughing too.
Black Mamba didnt say empty words. When he said hed catch an ostrich, it meant that hed already seen traces of one. No animal could avoid his sensitive detection senses.
That Spetsnaz blade was already his. He may have lost the fight, but he wanted some reaps. He didnt have an iota of intention to walk away without gains, like any other Chinese.
Jang Shin was planning to make a fricassee[1]. It was for the patients. They had spices and sauces, with a cap course. A warm stew would relax their insides since an ostrichs meat went well with wine.
He began to fry the onions, garlic, and potatoes in a small pan. Every time he rounded the pan with wine, the pan got steamy and sizzled.
Sun WooHyun laughed at private Jjangs mindless absorption with cooking.
I heard rookies are full of pride, so I guess all that deal is to maintain his pride.
Sun WooHyuns delight didnt last long.
Its Black Mamba! sergeant Maxim shouted amid his patrol.
It was hard to differentiate human figures with a night goggle. Then again, they were in a wasteland where no human presence was detected within 50 lis. The only human who could pop up was Black Mamba.
Hehe, hes given up.
It hadnt been 30 minutes. Sun WooHyun immediately shoved the night goggles onto his eyes and saw something large draped around his shoulder.
What the hell?
Surprised, Sun WooHyun zoomed in.
The large object across Black Mambas shoulder was an animal with two legs. It was an ostrich.
How the hell can this happen!
Sun WooHyuns face crumpled.
Sssssh
Black Mamba arrived at the camp as though hed been carried by the wind.
He tossed the ostrich to Jang Shin as though he was tossing a chicken and disappeared.
Jang Shin reached out with his hand, speechless.
S***, this is cheating.
Its not cheating. It only means that you dont know Black Mamba very well yet.
Nimi jotto! Haaaa.
Sun WooHyun sighed like an old man whod reached the end of his life.
Jjang was right. He tended to rush into things without knowing Black Mambas intentions. Despite his display of talents, he tended to look down on Black Mamba just because of his youth. Jjang did deserve his knife. He had no choice but to hand over the knife.
How did you catch it! Sun WooHyun attached himself to Black Mamba.
How did he catch an ostrich in the middle of the night, in such a short time?
I smelled an ostrich.
F***, just dont tell me if you dont want to, Sun WooHyun complained before giving up on the conversation.
Black Mamba had told the truth, but he obviously took it as a joke. He still hadnt gained enough trust to become Black Mambas servant.
Brown stew was made with beef and lamb, while white stew with winged animals. An ostrich was a two-legged bird. Jang Shin was able to make an amazing fricassee despite the lack of ingredients. The thick scent of white stew drove everyone mad.
Jjang, youre pretty good.
Thanks to the food, Sun WooHyun managed to forgive Jjang. It looked similar to the food he hadnt eaten in a long time.
Gaoli bangzi, dont call me Jjang.
Hehe!
Sun WooHyun laughed at Jang Shins refute. Curses werent curses when there was a mutual understanding between two people.
Jang Shins more considerate than Black Mamba. The Captain raised his thumb.
Of course. Black gives you a beating while Jang gives you delicious food, Emil replied sourly.
Hahaha, Id rather be frozen to death. I dont want to be beaten to death, you see? Valboir agreed.
Hear, hear.
Obviously!
Everyone agreed aggressively. It looked like Emil was about to conduct a rally at any moment.
Emil, doesnt your body feel light?
Emil flinched at Black Mambas words.
The diarrhea youve been suffering from for days, has stopped, hasnt it?
At the second question, Jang Shin turned his head and began to look elsewhere. He was nervous to hear what the b*stard would say.
Your body will turn even better if youre whipped some more.
Ugh, no!
Emil distanced away from Black Mamba as though hed been burned.
Its really good, hard to explain, but good.
Never. You can do anything good to yourself.
He was certain.
Black Mamba was conflicted. Jang Shin would be a greater threat if he trained in the five combined movements after some whipping. However, he didnt seem to understand his honesty.
Youll regret it later.
No. If I regret it, Im the son of a b*stard.
That part gets stronger, too.
ReaReally? Then, aaah!
Emil, who was about to agree, snapped his mouth close and shivered. That guy was the devil. He was the devil who lured people in with sweet words and shoved them in hell. No, he was the Kanma. Emil was determined to never be lured by the Kanmas whispering.
No. I wont do it, even if that part turns into a metal rod.
Idiots, I tried feeding you! Black Mamba shouted as he moved away.
He was going to use them after some reformation, but he gave up.
Jang Shins hot stew gave the tired mercenaries minds some peace. When meat and alcohol ran through their bodies, their sour mood grew livelier once more.
Ha, the atmospheres great.
Pieff appeared with a limp. Surprised, the team members rushed to their feet.
Commander, if you walk
Pieff waved Bellmans protest away.
No, I can walk. Ive been a burden to you all. I want to apologize for my foolishness towards you and Black Mamba, from the bottom of my heart. Pieff lowered his head.
Whys that old man still here and not in the parliament? Emil whispered into Jang Shins ears.
He probably isnt nominated yet, Jang Shin replied in the same manner.
It meant that everyone had lost trust in Pieff.
Black Mamba, thank you for saving me.
Were comrades. Theres a Korean saying which says, one must be ready to take off their clothes if they want to help somebody else.
Its a good saying. Ill return the favor.
Its nothing much, but since you mentioned that, heres something. I want you to treat everyone here to a haute cuisine at Maison Troisgros[2]. Okay?
Ugh, youre going too far. Thats worth three months of my salary.
Pieffs expression grew sorrowful in exaggeration.
Hm, I never realized a Deuxieme Reps commanders life was so cheap.
Pieff raised his hands.
OkOkay. The Sahel has gathered all kinds of poison in Black Mambas mouth.
Pieffs presence made the teams atmosphere even brighter.
Crack
Black Mambas ears twitched. He heard something out of place amongst his comrades cheers.
Crash
He captured the sound of something hard falling on the ground.
Stupid b*stard, whys he being a burden until the very end?
He sighed in regretful silence but didnt say anything. The dead remained dead. He didnt want to break the cheerful atmosphere.
If its this soft, sergeant Mike would be able to eat it.
Bellman poured some soup into a canteen and entered the tent. Black Mambas unfortunate gaze followed him.
Bellman returned immediately.
Captain, sergeant Mike has committed suicide.
What! Mike?
The Captain dropped the soup plate he was holding. His head spun as though hed been drowned in cold water. The mercenaries threw down their food and rushed towards the tent.
Mike had shot his temple with a silenced Beretta. Red blood and white brain fluids leaked from the hole in his head.
Mhh, he took the bite as soon as I left.
Pieffs face crumpled into a frown. He had detected some unnatural movements from the guy, but he hadnt thought of suicide.
The mercenaries shared a lost expression. Mike had been a troublemaker, but he had also been on the brink of reforming his personality as he crossed the line between life and death, several times. There was a saying that people acted differently right before their deaths, and he really had died.
Black Mamba looked down at the corpse with an unfeeling gaze.
He didnt have much of a connection with Mike. Instead, hed beaten him up due to several provocations, so their acquaintance had been more like enemies. Black Mamba hated racist people and was prejudiced against others. He had once considered ending Mike off at Calvis lucerne cliff. However, seeing him die so meaninglessly pained his heart.
Mike had been a part of the Texas states state defense forces.
He had too great a pride for Pax Americana that he became a racist. He spoke of the USAs greatness like a habit and treated other countrymen as though they were lesser, causing everyone to dislike him.
France was one of the countries who hated the USAs hegemony to the utmost. Black Mamba didnt have much emotional hate towards the USA despite being part of Frances military. The government always seemed to curse the USA out for its selfish gains, but he hadnt agreed.
A country had no choice but to be selfish, just like an individual. There wasnt any person in power who wasnt selfish. A powerful person who didnt put a countrys gains at the forefront of their mind shouldnt be a politician, but the head of a religion.
As a person, Mike was simply immature, not bad. He was exemplary during their mission and performed his duty. He treasured his life very much. Black Mamba didnt know why he suddenly committed suicide.
Whats the cause?
I think it was PTSD from the battle. Hed been tormented by the thought of being a burden to his comrades.
This f****** idiot! the Captain shouted in anger.
The man seemed to be changing, but no. Mike had led Black Mamba into danger by unexpected actions and had also decided to choose a meaningless death.
There was a time and place for death. Mark, Mouris, Miguel, Chartres, and Burimer had all died as warriors, amid a brave battle. Their deaths were etched in everyones heart.
Committing suicide amid struggle caused the comrades depression and lowered the teams morale. Mike had become a huge burden to his comrades by choosing a meaningless death.
Hu! he sighed.
Six out of 10 members had passed. Black Mamba and himself were the only surviving snipers. Emil was Black Mambas supporter, while Jang Shin was his firepower reinforcer. Bellman was a field doctor, not a combat member.
They were now in a situation where there wasnt any choice but to pair off with the rescue team. It was a relief that the strange Korean called Ssun that Black Mamba had dragged over was competent.
Black Mamba banged his Minimi barrel with his Kukri as he sang a prayer. Mike was buried on a low hill by Koro Taros southern waterway, Kouba kanga, amid slow prayer.
[1] A dish of stewed or fried pieces of meat served in a thick white sauce.
[2] The highest-ranking Michelin star restaurant.
Chapter 142 - Episode 3: The Returning Battle
[Dear Buddha, we pray that you receive and guide him to the pure, carefree Buddhas lands. May he have no suffering or worries, but rather receive only happiness. We wish the same for his descendants, relatives, and good friends from all over. He is respectfully waiting for your great concern, protection, and care while we respectfully wait for you to receive, guide, and enlighten us.]
Black Mamba sang the chant with sincerity. The Kukri and Dragunov, which had been bloodied by countless people, created a beat that rang across the red terrain for a long time.
He didnt know whether the bloodied song for the soul would be of help or curse them instead. It was but a form of tradition and comfort created by humans, so what was the point of debate!
Whether Mike was a racist or a troublemaker, death was fair. Everyone was born differently, but death came to all equally.
Death marked the end of a presence and all provocations. What was the point of fighting and creating discourse in a life that didnt last a hundred years!
The sad song, which sounded as though itd end, created a strange resonance with a thick ringing coming from the empty barrel. The unfortunate feeling of sending the dead and the heavy atmosphere overwhelmed the members hearts.
There was a story for everyone, whether the person was white or a benefactor. The faces of parents and siblings, and the sights of their hometowns that were once forgotten came to mind. They were of different races and nationalities, but all the mercenaries soon teared up.
Hm, hm, its a suitable funeral for a place of the dead like the Sahel, Pieff murmured as he wiped his tears away.
He was the person whod shoved his subordinates to death, blinded by the idea of promotion. He had buried 10s of his beloved subordinates in the Sahel. The life hed led in confidence until then, seemed meaningless.
Even Sun WooHyun, who was a Tubilis, teared up.
He had spent the majority of his years trying to rise through the ranks, therefore living like a violent gang member. Memories of his mother whod died in his youth, and his father who must have been shot by now, flashed by. He could almost see his hometowns mountains and rivers accompanied by beautiful hills and clear water.
Damn it, what the hell is that? Is it a song or a rhyme?
In the end, a tear rolled down his cheek.
Mikes suicide forced the Captain to make his decision.
They had spent 40 days at the height of their nervousness. All of the team members were at the limits of their battle-induced stress. There wasnt anything that could prevent a second Mike from happening.
Truthfully, Mikes death had been brought about by Ombutis sharp words. He was a strong ranger from the strongest country in the world, the USA. He hadnt been able to control his anger when the old local, who was lower than him in position, mocked him. The Captain, who didnt know the truth, could only worry himself in fear.
Bellman, how are the mercenaries?
Its not good. Emil still has diarrhea. The diarrhea took up much of his strength, which led to hypothermia. Jang Shin has been struggling with fever and vomit since yesterday. I think its dysentery.
Emil had regained his strength from Black Mambas Soul-Returning Pain Administration, but Bellman wasnt aware.
Dysentery? Is there any medication for that?
The Captains face turned dark. Dysentery was a minor disease in a developed society. It could be easily avoided by looking after ones own hygiene, and when treated fast. Shigella bacteria were highly contagious. In a field with poor medical systems, the entire unit would be rendered incompetent.
Ive given him sulfamethoxazole and ofloxacin, but neither showed much improvement.
What about the others?
Valboir, Centienne, Bronin, and Maxim arent doing well either. Theyre suffering from PTSD.
How are they suffering from PTSD when they havent even been in battle! The Captains voice grew louder.
Bellman smiled bitterly. The members that Pieff had led were feeling helpless from what the Captain had pointed out.
Their physical capabilities have decreased immensely, so there are plenty of chances for that to lead to diseases and mental health issues. Its at least a relief that Lt. commander Pieffs recovery has sped up.
Dont even talk about that man. Damn it. Youre basically saying that everyone is sick except for Black Mamba. You dont look too good, either.
Bellman gazed blankly into the distance. He was suffering from hallucinations. Long-term pressure on mental health caused disharmony between the outer and inner senses. That was PTSD. It also was the brink of madness.
Bellman, who considered the cause of dysentery to be from contaminated water, began to limit drinking water. However, he came across an obstacle. There were enough water filters but not enough disinfectants.
Ombuti helped with all that he could. He used the tarp to make distilled water and gathered Nara calabash to treat the mercenaries with dehydration.
Nara calabash was a fruit from the Nara vines, which grew in sandy lands, and was about the size of two adult fists. Nara vines were a special kind of plant that sourced for water between the Namib Desert and the Sahel, reaching 10s of meters underground. It was an amazing plant that could survive without water for a year.
Bellman, try giving the members this.
Bellman looked suspiciously at the unknown, sticky sap that Ombuti gave him. It had a tacky red color and a horrible smell.
What is this?
It is fresh fenestratum sap. It is often used by my tribes ritual head as medicine. It cleans contaminated water and is great for killing parasites.
Bellman frowned. Bronin, who had been standing beside him, also shook his head.
I know how unbelievable those African ritualistic treatments are amongst tribe pontiffs. I cannot give a strange plant to the members when we dont even know if its poisonous or not.
When Bellman expressed his denial, Ombutis face darkened.
Good job, Ombuti.
Black Mamba, who had been watching, received the plastic case in which the sap had been contained and drank from it.
He gave the canteen to the Captain. The Captain drank some and handed it over to Valboir. Valboir shook his head and passed it to Maxim. Those who ended up drinking the sap were the Captain, Sun WooHyun, and Pieff. Everyone else had refused, as the sap smelled horrible and looked disgusting.
It was time to move at dawn. The Captain and Bellman approached Black Mamba while he was tidying up his sleeping bag.
Black, we have a problem.
How can there be a problem when were in one?
Black Mamba stopped moving his hands and stared at the duo.
All the members are suffering from stomachaches. It was the water, I presume.
Werent there already symptoms since a few days ago?
Their conditions suddenly got worse. Jang Shin and Centienne are excreting blood.
Black Mamba made an awkward expression. Dysentery could be solved with a few days of good rest alongside some pain relievers. The fact that they didnt have time for treatment was the problem.
You should have listened to Ombuti in the first place. There are rules in the Sahel. Modern medical science isnt everything.
Hm!
Bellman, who couldnt refute, looked at the Captain for a while before sighing. He had nothing to say as hed refused the fenestratum sap Ombuti had worked hard to get.
Ha, so youre saying that theres no one but the lackey and the Captain who can fight.
Black Mamba sighed automatically. The FROLINAT wasnt their only enemy. The Sahels environment was a much more fearful enemy.
Black, should I give them that strange sap Ombuti got?
Theres a Korean saying that goes, theres medicine to be found in poison. You should apologize to Ombuti and ask him for help. Bellman may be a good doctor, but modern medicine isnt everything.
I hate this. I hate this red land, Bellman complained as he left his place.
The Captain sought Black Mambas advice with a dark expression.
Black, what do you think we should do?
Black Mambas emotionless eyes were fixed on the Captains thin face.
I always recommended a straight-up breakthrough.
Didnt we already fail?
Why do you insist on Kanems route? We can head straight towards Bata province and fall sideways into Ati. We may have to take the long way around, but Ati is a larger city than Paya. We can call for a helicopter in Ati.
Black Mamba made a line with his finger on the map.
The Captain slapped his forehead with his palm.
Ugh, youre right.
The thought of escaping had him missing the other routes. Bata was a stand-off region. Neither the government nor the enemy had been able to hold a footing. It was also a place where neither cared. The headquarters fifth line had been organized, so all their problems would be resolved once communications got through. For the first time in a long while, the Captain smiled.
The members drank the fenestratum sap and rested for an entire day. No, everyone had fainted. Black Mamba and Ombuti were left with no choice but to stand guard. Not even the Captain was in a situation to stop them.
The full moon embedded in the middle of the night, and the stars which filled the spaces, lit up the surroundings. Nighttime in the Sahel was filled with mystical sights, and it was the only time when the sandstorms were asleep. They had been sent off for a mission last month. It had been over a month and 10 days since they had wandered around the Sahel.
Wakil, are you uncomfortable anywhere?
Im always great, thanks to you, Ombuti. Im always grateful.
Im doing something any servant should do. Only when you are alive, Wakil, could everyone return.
Ombuti, Im an average Korean. I have limits too.
Wakil is the Azrael. No one can stop the Azraels path.
Ombuti, whose face was like the skin of a small tree, smiled. His Wakil was always humble despite his age.
Im a little, special Korean. Im not the Kanma or the Azrael.
Of course. Youre just the Wakil to me. Use lackey Ssun as your subordinate. He is the best warrior. Theres no warrior like Ssun in the Tuareg tribe, either.
There are a lot of warriors in Korea. There are several 1,000s of warriors like Ssun.
Huh! 1,000s!
Ombuti was shocked. It was an amazing story to hear that there were 1,000s of warriors like Ssun.
It wasnt a lie. There were over 10,000 North Korean special forces agents like Ssun. There was similarly a large amount in South Korea. When comparing the militarys training regime and numbers, the Korean Peninsula was the first in the world.
Then, armed guerrillas and desert robbers wouldnt be able to set foot in Korea.
Right. No bad people wandered the streets at night. Even a young lady can walk the streets alone at night.
He wasnt wrong. Black Mamba couldnt bear to say that those who remained outside after curfew were either brought to prison or the Three-Departments Educational Center.
Oh, Allah, theres nothing more like heaven.
Ombuti was truly impressed. How could there be a country on Earth where a woman could freely walk around alone at night! That deserved to be called heaven.
Do you have any other family members?
I have an uncle and a cousin, but I dont know where they are. The civil war has ruined everything.
Ombutis face lined with creases as he wore a melancholy expression.
Theres no sanctuary. War is a pitiful thing. Ive also lost my friends due to the wars effects. Ive mentioned something unneeded. Sorry.
Ombuti shook his hand.
No, its no problem. Wakil cannot apologize. Wakil is a special person. I can see Allahs blessing clinging onto Wakils soul. Wakil is someone who will do great things in this land.
Haha, how can a b*stard who cant take care of himself do great things? Black Mamba laughed.
He was the idiot whod been chased out of his hometown and had parted from his lover after being accused of rape.
Wakil is too humble. I will spend the rest of my life cleaning Wakils shoes.
Ugh! Black Mamba automatically sighed.
Ombutis unbreakable loyalty only brought sighs.
Whys that human not sleeping and coming over?
He could sense a human approaching the sentry point.
What are you going to do with me? Sun WooHyun shouted out of the blue.
Sun WooHyun was the living example of a traitor who was without a safety line. Hed washed his hands off the FAP and couldnt return to his country. He was in a situation where hed be arrested upon arrival in Libya. There was nowhere for him to go.
Sun WooHyun was good at reading the situation, like a ghost. Seeing how things had run over the past few days had him realizing that Black Mamba was the evil mastermind of all masterminds.
Chapter 143 - The Returning Battle
Sun WooHyun had snorted upon knowing that Black Mamba was a second class private. Black Mamba was a talented person whose limits couldnt be measured. A dog would laugh if a military left a talent, worth an army, to the second rank.
There were cases in his country whereby a politician would disguise as a lower-ranking soldier to work in the militarys commanding sector, albeit for a different purpose. That was done to root out opposing rebels.
Black Mamba is a high-ranking secret agent.
Sun WooHyun was certain of this. The rank of a second class private was just that, a rank. Black Mambas position in the team was beyond the position of a team leader. He simply didnt stand out in comparison to the leader.
The only thing he couldnt understand was Black Mamba not realizing his worth. Sun WooHyun thought it was probably due to his lack of social experience, which could be adjusted. Sun WooHyun was planning to act as an agent for Black Mamba, who didnt acknowledge his worth properly.
Sun WooHyun had reached a theory closer to the truth, but if at all, he didnt know Black Mamba. Black Mamba was a mentally mature person who lacked acknowledgment of his worth. He was called the Sahels devil, but he was also a progressive who sought to find the conditions of what made humans, humans. The only reason Sun WooHyun found him lacking was because of the motto he had made in Mt. Chung Saeng called the Indestructible Three Flames.
The Indestructible Three Flames referred to non-discrimination, non-superiority, and non-privilege. It was the basis of an indestructible common identity that would spread throughout the great Sahel and the entirety of Africa.
Black Mamba knew his worth but simply didnt take advantage of it. Someone who was lacking would always nitpick on someone more successful.
Sun WooHyuns impulsive actions were a result of the traumatic experience of losing his association. After he was shattered by Black Mamba in his lonesome, he left the pool of FAP hed swam in for 17 years. He had the mindset of a child whod lost his mother in the middle of an amusement park.
He had been told that hed be given a house and food, but there hadnt been a straightforward deal. Moreover, Ombuti was a servant, and he was a lackey. His position was unstable. It was upsetting for an officer of a communist country to work so hard to end up as a servant. However, that was reality. He couldnt think of anything else in the first place, as all he knew was killing people.
Annoyance filled Black Mambas eyes. He was already burdened to death by Ombuti. Now that hed saved one of his ethnicity, the b*stard was asking him to take responsibility. He was like an archenemy in this situation.
I should just kill him since hes so bothersome!
Black Mamba was slightly regretful. Although Sun WooHyun was a help to their forces, he was only a barking spitz, in his opinion. He was both needed and unneeded. They were on an endless path to escape. He had nearly snapped at the additional barking presence beside him.
Sun WooHyun moved several steps back, noticing his mood quickly. Calamity followed a monsters anger.
Ugh! Black Mamba sighed.
He had grown fond of the annoyance after some time. His desire to kill didnt surge.
Clack
Wakil, should I kill him?
Eyes that were embedded deeply on rough skin flashed with killing intent. He looked as though hed pull on the trigger if Black Mamba did so much as blink.
What, what are you trying to do here!
Sun WooHyun flashed backward as his face turned blue.
This scary old man!
Goosebumps formed on his back in streaks. The old man acted out more in comparison to the first unit bodyguards who were fanatics of Kim Il-Sung. He was more afraid of Ombuti than Black Mamba.
Black Mamba got serious.
Sun WooHyun, lets get this straight. I place more value in a world of free will more than anything else. Communism is a new form of organization that doesnt acknowledge free will. I may have left South Korea because of hatred, but I hate North Korea even more. Truthfully, my head is too stubborn to believe in a Red like you. Would you be able to abandon your hometown, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea?
That communist country was the one who abandoned me first. I didnt like communism in the first place, Sun WooHyun replied without a hint of thought.
Would you be able to abandon your ideal of communism?
I had been associated with the ideology of free will in the first place. Its the reason why my father was politically murdered. I was tired of being kept under watch and suppression.
Sun WooHyun realized that this was an important moment in determining whether he could be part of Black Mambas family or not. He tried his best, like the time he was interviewed for the officer position.
There are a lot of problems in a free will society. Its said that one can choose their lifestyle and position by will, but thats not true. Some are born with a golden spoon in their mouth, while others are born sucking on their fingers. Equal competition doesnt begin with the same shoes. Its a world of hyenas and alligators, where the fittest survive. Its a world where one will starve to death without a job. You, whove lived with equality, wont understand how scary paying for your food is.
I need to work for my food if I want to be treated like a human. Im going to be comrade Black Mambas servant and work for my food.
Servant! Why a servant?
Comrade Ombuti said a servant is like a family.
Black Mamba turned and stared at Ombuti. Ombuti, who was listening in on their conversation, immediately pretended as though he was doing something else. He didnt know Korean, but he was quick-witted enough to know what Sun WooHyun was trying to do.
I dont know you well. Ive been educated in anti-communism and have deep roots with it. Its hard to trust you despite our ethnicity. You dont know me that well either. Im not that great of a human to have someone be my servant.
Comrade Boss Black Mamba, no, comrade Wakil, Ill just call you Wakil like Ombuti. Ive lost all my connections because you made a mess and dragged me here. If you arent going to kill me, then you can use me like those water canteens you keep by your side. Ill work for my food as I had promised.
A smile rose on Black Mambas face.
Sun WooHyun was quick-witted but not hateful. He was also a good speaker. Well, what was the point of debating communism and democracy? It wasnt worth a bullet in the savage Sahel, where ideals were murdered and killed. It wasnt a place for ideals but humans. Luckily, ideals werent one of the many conditions of being a human.
Im sorry for calling you a lackey. Ill call you officer Sun from now on.
When Black Mamba got serious, Sun WooHyun shook his hands like a buzzing beagles tail.
No, no. I like that name. Call me that.
I cant. Youre at least two times older than me.
Two times!
Sun WooHyuns black, burnt face crumpled.
What are you saying? Im from the 48 rats year.
Black Mambas eyes grew wide. The man was older than him. The rats year meant that he was 34 years old.
I was wondering why his physical and mental health was in great condition when he had an old face.
Black Mamba blinked.
Lackey, you need to serve Wakil well. Wakil isnt someone you can measure and use. If you serve him well, youll become an important person too, Ombuti interrupted, reading the mood.
A Korean warrior at Suns level was sufficient to help Wakil. He could serve his purpose by standing guard while his master slept.
That damned old man with the wits of a ghost!
Sun WooHyun shivered. The old man sent warnings that poked right at his innermost thoughts.
Hah, fine.
Im a noble of Imoharen and am 42.
Damn it. Hes telling me to crawl more fiercely than Im supposed to.
Ugh, I get it. Sun WooHyuns sighs grew longer.
Wakil is a precious being with the soul of the Azrael. Dont even expect him to speak highly of you. If my master speaks highly of you, Ill kill you.
Ok. Wakil, dont you praise me. I dont want to be shot by a veteran.
Sun WooHyun smiled. He found Ombuti quite concerning and straightforward. The Tuareg veteran was easier to deal with than Black Mamba.
Sun WooHyuns face grew brighter at the aspects of setting foot in Black Mambas circle. At the sight of Ombuti training the newbie, Black Mamba smiled.
The Captain looked at Black Mamba, who was returning to camp, as he had been unable to sleep. Ombuti was right behind him, and the lackey was carrying Black Mambas Dragunov behind Ombuti.
So, the ranks were decided.
The captain smiled amusingly.
Black, how is your condition?
Fine.
We need to have a meeting.
A meeting? With who?
The Captains face turned sour at Black Mambas question. He pointed at Black Mamba with his thumb and pointed to himself.
Ha, theres no one but me.
His shoulders suddenly weighed down. He sighed and followed the Captain.
Currently, the Ratel team was in a bad situation. There werent enough people.
Bellman was suffering from hallucinations, Emil was wrapped in bandages after being beaten up by Black Mamba, Jang Shin was suffering from diarrhea, and Pieff could barely move. On the other hand, Centienne, Maxim, Valboir, and Bronin were suffering from depression and dysentery. There was nothing like a field medical center compared to this.
The only people capable of fighting were the Captain, Black Mamba, and Sun WooHyun.
Stars that filled the sky and cold air greeted the humans the moment they left the tent. The border between Boruku province and Bata province was also the border of the Sahel belt. It was close to two to three degrees Celsius on the latitude, but the temperature turned colder instead.
The Captain collapsed onto a red-brown sedimentary rock.
Sit.
The Captain waved at the opposing rock.
Black, I think we provoked the FROLINAT too much. Did we kill around 1,500 people? No, much more. We even killed Habib, so those old men must have had their rears twisted and tied.
They must think of us as weasels in a chicken coop.
A weasel was more cruel and fiercer than a badger. Unlike other predators, it killed all the chickens in the coop upon invasion and would get away with one in its mouth.
Those b*stards are closely observing our moving routes. If we dont get out before the hammer and anvil becomes stronger, well be killed like dogs.
I agree. It isnt a problem that can be solved with the Moti tactic.
The Captain nodded as he wore a tortured expression.
While a smart ally was hard to use, conversation flowed more smoothly. On the other hand, a stupid ally required time and effort to explain the pre and post consequences of a problem.
I need to make a difficult request again. Hm
The Captain couldnt talk. He was disgusted with himself for asking Black Mamba, who was still young, to cover himself in blood.
Captain, theres no need to stall. Didnt you already make a decision? Before Black Mamba, Im a second-rank private of team Ratel. The Captain makes the orders, and I follow. Theres no need for emotions now.
The Captain stared silently at the Korean, who placed great restrictions on himself. It was an old face with kind eyes, which had long escaped the frame of youth. There wasnt a sight of the Angel of Death or the nightmare of battlefields.
The seated posture opposite him was no different than those Parisian public school students. It made his heart twist. The greatest sacrifice of this plan was possibly, Black Mamba. A young man was spilling a substantial amount of blood due to the old mens greed.
Thanks. Time is not on our side. I need you to break through Berdalle, the front gate of Ati.
Kikali told me Abbas army and the north-eastern command post is in Berdalle. I dont know its exact position. If I do, I can destroy it.
Black Mamba had given up finding the position of the FROLINAT to give Habib to Ombuti. Back then, Black Mamba had already chosen Berdalle as their escape route. Hed left the decision to the team leader, the Captain.
Wakil, Abbas army is located in Dombrey forest, near the Vir Wakiv wetlands. That is the north-eastern command post.
Ombuti, who had returned with their tea, provided a piece of unexpected information. .
The Captain brightened up.
How did you know?
I heard the information from my Ummah friends in Paya. Abbas is the Tuareg tribes betrayer. He attached himself to Habib and led the suppression of the Tuareg tribes.
Chapter 144 - The Returning Battle
Ha, now that I think about it, all of those whove made Ombuti angry are being killed by Black Mamba. It seems like the Tubilis should attach itself to Ombuti instead. The Captain laughed.
There was nowhere for the raccoon to go, and it was only Ombutis enemies who were paying for their sins. The situation had turned ironic, as a local guide was gaining the greatest benefits from mission Raccoon.
Are there no obstacles to the Wakiv wetlands?
Its 86 kilometers in a straight line from here to Wakiv. There are rocks, small pebbles, and red sand in the 100 kilometers radius. Youll understand if you imagine those Texas wastelands depicted in southern Hollywood movies. Its an empty land, so theres no need to worry about those b*stards ambushes either. Theres not a hint of the enemys shadow until weve reached the destination.
Amazing! Black Mamba exclaimed as he listened.
100 kilometers without a person in sight, that wasnt something imaginable in Korea, with its small land size. He felt an urge to shove all the land brokers from Korea, there.
The Captain grew delighted as he looked at the map.
Good. Theres a valley 20 kilometers north of the Wakiv wetlands. Well camp there, and Black Mamba can move out. Its 245 kilometers in a straight line to the Wakiv wetlands. A day would be enough if we run our best.
Got it. Ill just bring the lackey.
Black Mamba stood up. He wasnt the type of person to waste time or hesitate.
Emil, Valboir, Centienne, Maxim, and Bronin can be of help to the battle.
Theres no need. They may be a help, but mobility is the main concern in this plan. I cant insure their life or death if they lag behind. I dont want to lose any more comrades.
Soldiers moved at orders and died from orders. The Legion Etranger was famous for its camaraderie. His comrades had become his family through several battles.
Whats the point of seeking revenge for a dead comrade!
Soldiers killed or were killed. Emotions like revenge were a luxury. Comrades had to return alive together.
The Captain began to move by the time dawn came.
The Ratel teams movement began at the beginning of dawn, to avoid the strong sunlight of noon.
South of Koro Taro was the Bodele depression, while the east was towards Djourab Erg and the Ennedi plains. The Ratel team took the long way towards the south-east, crossing the empty red land.
As Ombuti had described, red, dim sand continued endlessly. It was another kind of emptiness in the desert. There were no plants aside from some dried clumps of grass that looked like someone had thrown onto the ground.
A scenery that wasnt of Earths, but it was a land similar to Mars surface, which NASA had declared. The pickup pushed through the off-road and arrived in Berdalles valley within three hours of their departure from Koro Taro. The valley was 18 kilometers away from the wetlands.
Jang Shin, how many boxes of grenades do we have?
We have four. Theres a lot of rifle grenades.
That cant be modified. I dont need those. Lackey, pile on three boxes of grenades.
Okay. Ill prepare the machine gun and RPG.
Figure it out yourself.
Black Mamba checked his weapons without rest and immediately got on the bike. He had to get rid of the anvil before the hammer falls, to prevent the back of their heads from being targeted. Heat rose off the ground like worms from the sweltering land. It was time for blood to be splattered.
Good! Black Mamba said shortly at Sun WooHyuns appearance.
Sun WooHyun had taken off his gandourah and shalawat and changed into a yellow-brown combat uniform. He intended to make the best use out of camouflaging with the forest. Sun WooHyun didnt sweat a drop despite the heat which washed over them. He possessed a body that was trained to its peak.
I always looked better in uniform.
Black Mamba had praised his trained physiques, but Sun WooHyun misunderstood.
Thank you, and Im sorry.
Black Mamba had fought with gritted teeth for the past 40 days like a mother hen protecting its chicks. The Captains mind was all over the place as he pushed the teams youngest member to another battle.
Its nothing, Black Mamba said as he started the engine.
Be careful. As-salamu Alaykum.
The washed-out eyes of a veteran teared up. He couldnt finish his words as the emotions surged.
Black Mamba thumped his chest.
Im Sahels Azrael. As-salamu Alaykum.
Sun WooHyun, who was dragged into the mess, complained.
We dont know whether the enemies are of a battalion or a regiment, but its just the two of us going? Damn that f***** Captain b*stard, hes gone mad!
Lackey, you dont know anything besides waving your sword around and shooting guns. Youve eaten the steak to your fill, so work hard for your food. You still havent realized how scary food prices are.
Sun WooHyun whined at Black Mambas scolding.
Damn it, but still, the foods too expensive. I feel like Im being pulled into hell.
Yeah? Even if I can put you in Legion Etranger?
They dont take people from communist countries.
I have at least that much power. I can even take you to Korea.
Youre not lying, are you?
I dont lie.
Sun WooHyuns crumpled face bloomed like a trumpet flower.
He had finally received a promise. Sun WooHyun lightened up. The larger the rice cake, the more water one got. Age and experience werent a problem. Black Mamba was a large rice cake that couldnt be held with two hands.
Im Namir. I dont have a problem with 100 or 1,000 of those black, burnt faces, Sun WooHyun rushed to praise himself.
He was even thinking of luring Black Mamba over to Zimbabwe. Mugabe was an evil man, but he knew the value of people. He gave extremely special treatment to talented people. He would assign a position higher than a National Defense head to Black Mamba. Sun WooHyun forgot Ombutis warning.
Two large bikes ran across the rough, wet terrain mixed with sand. Red sand flew all over the place. It was only 18 kilometers from the Berdalle valley to the Wakiv wetlands. The bike entered Wakiv in less than 15 minutes.
The environment suddenly changed. The wet, red lands faded into the background, and a yellow, dried grassland appeared. When they passed the dried grassland, they caught sight of green grass and a village.
Berdalle was a small city on the border between Boruku province and Bata province. It was the overlapping point between desert climates and steppe climates. The steppe region, which had once been covered in green, revealed its bare yellow surrounding.
A moment later, a land of swamps and wriggling wadis were spotted. It was the Wakiv wetlands. It was created from the underground waterway from the Pitri lake down south and Chad lake. Chad lake wasnt truly dead. It was simply hiding.
Finally, a blue, no, a green color could be seen.
It was the Dombrey forest, as marked on the map. The Dombrey forest was a depression, less than 45 meters above water, located on Bata provinces north-western border. The center of the Wakiv wetland was the Dombrey forest.
Its a forest! Its greenery! Black Mamba exclaimed without realizing it.
He hadnt realized he was missing greenery. It was the first green forest hed seen in 40 days. He was lost in the moment, forgetting the fact that he was in the middle of a mission.
Those who were buried in the middle of a mainland forest didnt realize the importance of food. He hadnt known the importance of a forest while living in one back in Korea. The happiness didnt last. Fruit flies and forest mosquitoes gathered like clouds. The little evil beings hed lived without for the past few days welcomed their new prey with gusto.
Damn, Africa!
His exclamation soon turned into frustration.
Black Mamba and Sun WooHyun hid their bikes at the entrance of the forest and began their search. According to the marked map, the forest was 12 kilometers long and five kilometers wide, in an oval shape. Its area was basically 47 square kilometers.
Africa always seems to go beyond logic! Black Mamba exclaimed.
It looked like a green drop in the middle of an endless wasteland.
Its because of the wetland.
Sun WooHyun was bored. The three-sided forest was filled with colors, unlike this place.
Five villages were scattered around Dombrey forests northern line. There wasnt a village inside or to the south of the forest. The northern command post was probably located in the south, where there werent many villages. Black Mamba immediately headed down south.
There was an outstretch of trees such as palm trees, acacias, and eucalyptus trees. Meanwhile, shrubs such as trellis, shackle trees, and afridi wood stopped his path.
This place wasnt safe from the drought, either.
Once they entered the forest, there were empty patches everywhere, which was unlike its outer appearance. It seemed as though some machine had pulled it out. There was dry, dead wood lying around, while leaves dried themselves yellow.
Sun WooHyun tapped randomly on a dead tree.
Wakil, how are you going to search this large forest?
Well!
Well?
Sun WooHyuns face crumpled. The forest was at 47 square kilometers on the map. It was an area that would give a regiment a hard time.
Theres a lot of villages on the northern plateau. Theres no reason for the FROLINAT to begin farming. The northern part of the forest is barely half of the entire forest.
That didnt reassure Sun WooHyun at all. Whether it was a small or large stream, ants couldnt cross either. How could the two of them search under the time constraint?
Simply searching through the south would last several days. Another problem was the ambush units. It was hard to tell when the ambush units would start shooting.
Black Mamba could read Sun WooHyuns unstable thoughts. He would obviously be feeling solemn since he wasnt aware of Black Mambas talents.
It was a large forest, but once he used his skills, the search wouldnt be as hard. His dimensional sight and scent could scan a diameter of one kilometer. If he divided the forest into a chessboard, it required him to move 20 to 30 times, which would take him two hours to search the forest.
Kikali had said Abbas army was a regiments camp, but Ombuti had said it was the north-eastern command post. A large organization would create as much food waste and excretions. He could find the camp by simply smelling.
Lackey, they must be using outposts, right?
They should be using at least five to six. Ill go look for them.
Sun WooHyun began to fly around once he entered the forest. He analyzed places that looked like it might have outposts and searched for traces of humans, moving rapidly through the forest.
Sun WooHyun, who was busily moving around, returned to Black Mamba.
He was leaning against an ukali tree in a relaxed position with eyes closed.
Boss, isnt the forest too large to look for a rabbit hole without a plan?
Sun WooHyun was dissatisfied with Black Mambas leisure, but hed spoken around the matter to avoid provoking his sensitive anger. He hadnt decided on Black Mambas title yet. Hed been calling him comrade and Wakil, and now boss.
Shh!
Whoosh
His dimensional sight spread. Countless living creatures were engraved into his head like a waterflood. It got complicated until his head felt like it would burst. Dimensional sight allowed the ki of animals to be engraved into the brain. It overran the brain to the point that his insides felt overturned. He worked towards erasing the presence of small animals and insects from his brain.
Damn it, is he here to meditate?
Sun WooHyun complained, ignorant of what was happening.
It isnt here.
Black Mamba stood and sprinted off.
Whawhat the hell, is he playing around?
Sun WooHyun was speechless. To run in a natural environment, it seemed as though hed forgotten where he was. His chest flipped at the idea of pouring bullets. He felt as though he wouldnt live to his fullest if he stayed by that madman.
Black Mamba, who crossed over a kilometer instantly, spread his dimensional sight once more. He moved in such a manner five times. Sun WooHyun, who was chasing after him, was about to die. Even if he sprinted without considering the pace, he often missed Black Mambas tail.
Is that even a human?
If a rock blocked his path, he went over it like a feather. He grabbed a branch and twirled around it like a gymnast before launching out like a bullet. He could rush over 10 meters with a single jump.
Those obstacles werent obstacles. Sun WooHyun ran until he sweated, which constricted his chest, even for someone whod once ran through the Nanglim mountain range like it was his living room. However, he wasnt able to catch up.
Black Mamba smiled at the location of his fifth move. Hed finally found an outpost. He could smell cigarettes and hear careless chatters, even a stereo.
Chapter 145 - Episode 6: The Returning Battle
The ends of Black Mambas mouth went up slightly.
He had already approximated the location of FROLINATs north-eastern command post during the move.
After turning into a Parathropus, his hearing and sense of smell had turned into something beyond a hunting dog. Voices of various people rang in his ears, and his sense of smell was almost paralyzed from the onslaught of excrement and food.
The reason why he used his dimensional sight everywhere was to find an outpost. Frankly, there was no need to check on everyone. He had already figured out their locations. All he had to do was move his body and erase them.
Black Mamba was trying to break in an underling.
Sun WooHyun, who had lived in a world of surveillance, had a habit of doubting and weighing another humans worth. He was the type of person who could trust another by confirming the truth with his own eyes.
An underling only realized the fear of a boss after being pushed to ones limits. He had already decided to take in Sun WooHyun, so this was a good opportunity to test his abilities.
D*mnit, youre driving me mad! Sun WooHyun panted, barely catching up.
His lungs were about to fall out of his mouth, trying to catch up to a mountain goat that ran faster than those who lived in the Nanglim mountain ranges.
Shh, theres a sentry point 250 meters away, 10 oclock. There are two guards.
Really? Really? Honto? Zhen-de ma?
Sun WooHyun found it hard to believe. They were in a forest that was tangled with trees and bushes, making it hard to see ten meters ahead. Was it even possible to know the distance and number of people? If it was a joke, it wasnt funny.
Shut up, and follow me.
Slap
A thick palm slapped the back of Sun WooHyuns head.
Aargh, my eyes are going to fall out. Do it gently, Sun WooHyun whined as he followed.
The tension which had risen around him in blue had lessened. He was already swept up by Black Mambas mood.
Ah!
Sun WooHyun swallowed his surprise. The mans actions which were unlike a human was incomprehensible. There was a hidden guardhouse about 20 meters ahead, between the branches of the acacia tree. It had been carefully hidden with leaves and bushes, but he could recognize it at a glance.
Did he get information from Ombuti? If so, how did that human know the outposts location?
Sun WooHyun couldnt understand Black Mamba as long as he remained within the boundary of human logic.
Theres another point 200 meters ahead, three oclock to the right. Check it out.
Sun WooHyun left without a sound of protest. He returned a moment later, and nodded his head.
How did ya know?
Just because!
Just because? Impossible!
It was that just because again. Frustrated, Sun WooHyun closed his mouth. That was why he didnt like those who were talented.
Theres another outpost 250 meters away, at the top of the triangle between the two other posts.
Sun WooHyun left towards the rear without even waiting to hear the order from reconnaissance.
Two are guarding.
Theres a Boma[1], 30 meters behind that post. Did you check?
F****** hell!
His face burned.
The role of scouting members was to search and destroy. He had only confirmed the location of the unit like a cannon, and had missed the separated watch only 30 meters away. His pride as a supporting member of the scouting unit had hit the floor.
Black Mamba smiled.
Theres no need to blame yourself. Youve done everything you need to. I heard you managed to get rid of the ambushing guerrillas very well while I was blacked out.
The sight of Black Mamba giving praise after administering hellish training was like a fox, not a snake.
Sun WooHyuns expression turned strange.
I feel like Im being praised by the teacher in my public school.
Even Sun WooHyun, who was stubborn and doubtful, had been pulled around by Black Mamba.
Theres no need to feel guilty or compare yourself. A pig doesnt know the outside world within its one-meter fence. A giraffe is able to see the horizon.
Darn, you saying Im at the level of a pig or something?
If you confine yourself to your standards, you begin to lack confidence and view things with a twisted sense. A pig is not a giraffe. A pig has its uses as a pig.
At the following words, Sun WooHyun nodded his head. He had lived ten years as an elite. He had honed his abilities and advanced through the ranks without fail. He was wrapped in the idea of being the best that he hadnt been able to acknowledge other people.
So youre saying, theres a universe beyond the sky. Seems like being a boss isnt something anyone can do.
Sun WooHyun became embarrassed of himself as hed once gone around calling himself Namir. He had considered his boss as a competition, even after he decided to become Black Mambas family. He had thought about using him and hadnt thought about changing himself. Perhaps, this was why there was a saying that goes, humans didnt change their nature until their deaths. His face burned.
The FROLINATs footing and plans were borne by the heads of North Korean officers like you, I assume. Where do you think their hideout is?
Black Mamba observed Sun WooHyuns darkening face and changed the topic of conversation.
When the base is made dependent on the forest, we operate with sighters: north, east, south, and west, based on the unit in the center. From the forests size and shape, the post in front of us is on the major axis. The first post should be around 1,500 meters, and the rear post 250, so the command post would be in line to the back within 1,800 meters.
Sun WooHyun predicted the position of the command post, with the watch post and supporting sights.
Youve got it right. We need to replenish our energy if were going to cause a scene. Take a break. Im going to check it out.
Black Mamba disappeared in a flash.
I got it, right? That means Wakil already knew where it was. This isnt some ghost or nothing. What kind of human is that?
Sun WooHyuns dizziness got worse as he experienced the human called Black Mamba.
Sun WooHyuns predictions were right. There was a military unit within a round wooden fence on the rightmost rear of the three-point triangle of watch points and posts, 2,000 meters away. A large army was stationed across a swamped wadi, over 200 meters wide.
Hes better than our Captain, or Pieff, Black Mamba murmured.
Sun WooHyuns physical and mental aspects were both great. If Black Mamba could fix his doubtful and wilful personality, he would be someone useful.
Black Mamba smiled eerily at the confirmed command posts location. With them ruined, they had a clear path to Ati. He was tired of the Sahel, after drenching himself with endless blood and suffering the loss of six of his comrades. He couldnt remember the last time hed showered under clean water.
Lackey, show me your Tubilis ability. Were going to silence the sighting and guard posts, then shake up their headquarters.
Were going to attack?
Sun WooHyuns eyes shook. Black Mamba was someone who had erased the 60 members of the Tubu clan hed brought with him, soundlessly. Black Mamba would be undefeatable as an assassin.
The FROLINATs defense headquarters was composed of two to three military units, and was commanded by a veteran sergeant. The communist officers who have had enough of ranking in-play were enforcing ranking in-play between FROLINATs warlords.
That meant the north-eastern command centers stationed soldiers were at least 700 to 1,200 people. On the other hand, the command center didnt create a regiment as there were no armor or heavy weapons units.
But what if Black Mamba infiltrated during the night?
700 or 1,200, it didnt matter. All that mattered was the time it took and how long his concentration lasted. The assassination itself wasnt impossible. He could see the red sea of blood before his eyes. Hundreds of headless corpses! Sun WooHyun, a Tubilis, shivered.
Theres not enough time. Were going to attack and fall back, drag them out and beat them up. Ive brought three boxes of grenades, you see. Hehehe, I found them rather fun to use.
Black Mamba smiled wickedly.
Were going to beat them up with just the two of us, Wakil?
Sun WooHyuns eyes grew wide.
Is there anyone else?
Black Mamba looked around jokingly.
Have you gone mad?
Black Mambas eyes turned sharp.
Sun WooHyun stumbled back a few steps in surprise. His skin, which was sensitive to blood lust, prickled as though it had been poked by a needle.
Lackey, were you joking about being a servant? Were you lying when you said you wanted to be a family?
I didnt say that
I know. You still have much to learn from Ombuti. Humans dont follow and trust Buddha or God after witnessing them.
Guilty. My mouths in the wrong. Ill do as Wakil says.
Youll live if you believe me, and die if you dont.
Hehehe, Ive never seen a better cult leader like you.
Black Mamba had been honest, but Sun WooHyun took it jokingly like always. It was hard to change a perspective which had lasted through 34 years. Of course, he was going to experience otherwise quite soon.
A cult leader? No one can do that. For now, were going to run them out and lead them into the forest.
You talking about maneuvering tactics?
Yes.
So thats why you were talking about leaving those number-49 guards behind since theyre suffering from diarrhea.
I would have liked some assistant with firing, but my comrades will be at risk when the enemies start pouring out. I dont want to lose any more comrades.
You arent the Kanma. Youre a weak-hearted man.
A smile rose on Sun WooHyuns mouth. He had been told that a man wasnt a man without poison. As expected, Black Mamba was still young.
You act however you wish, to your abilities. I dont need another Mike. If things become hard, focus on survival.
Black Mamba dropped the conversation and separated his Dragunov before placing it in his bag. Sun WooHyun had been in an assistant position of the scouting units, so he could mind the rest himself.
This time, rapid response and concentration were required. Black Mamba covered his Pamus with a silencer and pulled out of the forest easily, like a leopard. Sun WooHyun submerged into the forest, towards the right watch post.
The watch post was made in a primitive figure, of a treehouse, eight meters off the ground between tree branches. Sometimes, the most simple method was the best method. The post between the acacia tree branches was hard to recognize even upfront.
It was built for watching invaders and getting rid of them, instead of guarding against them. If they had built it with defense in mind, they would have cleared the surrounding obstacles to gain a wider view.
It was obvious that the FROLINAT soldiers had regarded life with wariness by the shape of their post. Of course, as someone who had killed people, with a total surpassing over four digits, it wasnt something he could say.
Black Mamba approached them, leaving 20 meters in between and took out his camel date palms to chew on while he observed in leisure. He could interpret the involved units will and level of training by the attitude of those on the watch.
As a joint-military organization, there were several levels of training between FROLINAT soldiers. Some were young soldiers who hadnt been given the most basic training, while others were elite veterans who had experienced all kinds of things. While there were soldiers on the level of mountain bandits armed with the AK, others had trained units armed with the Strela-2 and Automatic grenade launchers.
There were even units on the level of Deuxieme Rep.
He had met them in Ongur Oasis as scouting units attacking the Gazelle, and another scouting unit in Trident Rock around the supply beat. If he hadnt resolved the situation, the Ratel team would have buried their bones in the desert.
The underlings abilities were all over the place, but it corresponded with the military units commander. Their level of attacks differed according to their ability.
The two guards who were carrying their guns upside down were more invested in their conversation than being on the watch. The taller one took out a dead caterpillar from his pocket. It was yakori, eaten as snacks.
Their conversation grew heated as they chewed on the caterpillar. It seemed as though they were bad-mouthing someone since they were laughing loudly. A corner of Black Mambas mouth went up.
They were troublemakers who didnt know what guarding was. He could guess the level of the north-eastern command posts military unit. It was a fortunate discovery for him but a misfortune for the enemy.
Its driving me crazy!
Black Mamba grumbled silently as his hand chased after a fly, which was digging into his eyes. They were small flies called arungo, which lived in the Wakiv wetlands. They were small, like fruit flies. They were a vicious species that burrowed into any hole, even with a gap as thin as paper.
The actual enemy in Chad wasnt the guerrillas, but the flies and mosquitoes. The flies were more hateful than the mosquitoes. The horse flies even bit through the skin, making one even madder.
When that b*stard bit, it stung to the point of jumping up and down. The bitten area grew into a red bump and blistered when scratched. All the mercenaries were suffering from one kind of skin problem to another. Only Black Mamba, who had tight, hard skin, wasnt suffering from any skin illnesses.
Mosquitoes began to attack, alongside the flies, since he was in a marshland within a forest. It became hard to continue his motionless cover. Unable to stand it any longer, he took out his face-covering goggles from his backpack.
He was getting tired from the arungo. It was when he was determined to get it over and done with that the shift came swaggering with their guns slung upside down. When the changing shifts came, the guards slid down the acacia tree.
Ive never seen anyone more pathetic!
Black Mamba complained in a small voice.
[1] A hiding spot that hunters make for hunting; An enclosure set up to protect a camp or herd of animals.
Chapter 146 - The Returning Battle
The story dated back to decades earlier, when Black Mamba, no, Mu Ssang, was fighting a bloody battle against Chui Do Shiks group.
Mu Ssang had always doubted Chui Do Shiks survival, and he had indeed survived. Someone had once said a person fated to die would die by a scratch to the hand, and a person fated to live would survive a hole to the heart.
Chui Do Shik, who was afraid of the evil spirit that followed him with an ax, had run to the best of his abilities. His speed would have caused a racing horse to froth at the mouth. His pressured heart had allowed him to speed up.
Blood spurted out of his sliced arm and neck.
His pouring blood was swept alongside the falling snow blizzard, creating a rainbow of blood. Even if Mu Ssang abandoned the lackeys, he would have had a hard time catching up to Chui Do Shik.
Chui Do Shik looked critical. A pencil-thick stalactite penetrated the larynx and poked out the other side. It looked like the hairpin women wore horizontally in their hair.
If Chui Do Shiks major vein had been penetrated, he would have died instantly. It was where all the nerves were concentrated. A surgical scalpel was embedded deeply near his dantian. His left arm was missing from the elbow up. His broken ribs, which had shattered from the wooden needle hed thrown, wasnt even an injury.
Those were injuries any average person would have died from, but Chui Do Shik wasnt an average person. He was someone who had been trained in the secret long-living technique of Higashi Hongan-ji.
Chui Do Shik hadnt died, but he was on the brink of greeting King Yeomla.
He hung onto life as he was desperate to live and executed the ninjas long-living technique until he took his last breath.
He had stopped the flow of blood in his arm and lower stomach, but there wasnt a way to stop the blood coming out of his neck. He refocused his concentration from the loss of blood into making full use of his secret pace. The secret pace wasnt the right technique to use to cover long distances. However, for short distances, it could create an explosive speed within five kilometers.
Chik-sho! Okyubo-mono!
Lament left his mouth as he felt the pain of betrayal from his student. Of course, Chui Do Shik was the only one who considered Mu Ssang his disciple. To Mu Ssang, Chui Do Shik was his archenemy.
Energy seeped out of his dantian, where the scalpel was embedded. He hadnt gone ten li before the explosive speed decreased rapidly. If number 37 came after him, hed die. His speed continued to decrease despite his desperate heart.
The back of his head tickled when he imagined the blue-tinted ax, which was unlike Mjolnir.
Kono-yaro, koroshite-yaru.[1]
Unknown words of rage and curses came out of Chui Do Shiks mouthincomprehensible with his harsh breaths. A leopard cat that was searching for food ran away at the sight of Chui Do Shiks crazed eyes.
Haa, theres no such thing as death for Japans first-rate citizen!
Chui Do Shik, who managed to escape to Sang-Nam from Mi-san valley, smiled in relief.
The regional road 451 appeared brightly. A motorbike came into sight around the bend with two uneven roars of the engine.
Vrrrr
Chui Do Shik, who was standing on the lower bank of the mountain, attacked the bike.
Despite his critical injuries, he approximately landed 10 meters of distance gracefully, like an owl.
Chui Do Shik landed on the motorbikes handle like a ghost.
Crack
The rider flew over the edge of the cliff before he had time to process the impact on his chin.
Chui Do Shik, who managed to shatter the riders chin with his silent attack, twirled around by the grip of his hand on the handle and landed on the seat. His movements were soft to the point that Namsadang groups eldest master would have cried.
Craack
The motorbike, along with its new master, disappeared into the darkness. The poor gas deliverers corpse would only be found in spring when the snow melted. A hardworking delivery man who was delivering gas to an all-purpose store and food stop in Sang-Nam disappeared, just like that.
There was a White-White cults safe house in Hongcheons Gwangwon-ri. A middle-aged couple sold dried fish in a normal two-story slab building in Hongcheon market. The couple had both gone under a willing operation for the White-White cult.
Chui Do Shik arrived at the safe house by the time dawn came, covered in blood. A ninja always prepared his own safe house in consideration of the worst-case scenario. It was a safety measure for unknown dangers.
Chui Do Shik began his restoration project once he arrived safely at his safe house. Basic medicine and surgical tools were prepared there.
The stalactite piercing his neck was his greatest concern. The stalactite, which was as thick as a pencil, had destroyed his cervical spine and airway. Both were strung and skewered together like a mountain bandit. He had stopped the bleeding by pressuring the vein, but the blood had started to flow in reverse, causing internal damages.
The White-White cult arrived one by one after receiving the emergency call while Chui Do Shik was treating himself in the safe house. They immediately took their cult leader to the nearest surgical hospital in Hongcheon.
The nurse who was dozing off at the front desk woke up in surprise as though she was struck by lightning. She didnt even have the time to scream at Chui Do Shiks damaged appearance. The bodyguards shouted at the shaking nurse to prepare a surgery room.
Chui Do Shik was a doctor who had graduated from the medical university of The University of Tokyo. He conducted his own surgery by looking at a mirror. The nurse fainted at the sight of the stalactite being pulled out without anesthesia.
The cult members immediately kidnapped the doctors family.
Chui Do Shik was treated at the hospital for a month while he held the doctors wife and daughter as hostages. The doctor sent out a vacation notice before treating Chui Do Shik under the surveillance of other cult members.
The broken airway was replaced with an artificial airway. When the first round of treatment was concluded on the 45th day, Chui Do Shik returned to his safe house in Gwangwon-ri.
Chui Do Shik wasnt grateful to the doctor who gave him the treatment. Other humans were nothing more than tools, aside from himself. There was no difference between the doctors and nurses, compared to the scissors and needles. His bodyguards moved the hospitals equipment and medicines to the safe house. The doctor and his family disappeared without a trace.
There was a cause and effect for everything in the world. Mu Ssang had fought back in order to live. That action had caused a butterfly effect, causing an innocent gas delivery man, a doctor and his family, and a young nurse to die. Who would have guessed the cause behind their deaths!
Chui Do Shik began to treat his internal injuries after finishing up on the visible wounds. Internal treatment lasted longer than surgical treatment. It was due to the blocked ki points, which were damaged from the reverse blood flow.
Grit
Chui Do Shik gritted his teeth as he honed his mind and body into treating himself. To catch the dog which had bit its owner, he didnt rest. Both his internal and outer injuries turned for the better, but his rage turned out for the worse.
He had spent over six months using the secret method to treat his internal injuries. He had recovered over 90% of his dantian, but the loss of his left hand impacted greatly. It had been a clean, fearsome shot, which would have cleaved his neck off.
Recalling the rampaging blood lust and lightning fast hand movements of number 37 made his heart freeze over. He lost over 10 years of his life using the Higashi Hongan-jis secret long-living technique to treat his internal injuries.
The long-living technique increased the bodys hidden potential using Higashi Hongan-jis secret liquid medicine. The telomere grew shorter by forcing the cells to grow.
He recalled the humiliating and threatening events of that day.
There was the benefit of a surprise attack, but he could have killed the b*stard easily. The scalpel that the b*stard had thrown in that brief moment had ruined his dantian.
He had failed to retaliate due to the scattering ki, and had even lost his arm to the b*stards ax. It had been a clean shot, fast as lightning and cut through the weaves of air. If it hadnt been for the minute instinct hed grown over the years, his neck would have fallen. The b*stard was a genius martial artist who evolved himself constantly.
Coming out of the lotus position, Chui Do Shik stretched his hand and legs. Slicing, bending, shaking, grabbinghis hand and feet began to move more quickly. Wind began to flow within the room.
Throb
A strong wave of pain welled up from his dantian. Chui Do Shik stopped his warm-up and frowned. His balance shook once his body lagged.
Phew!
A sigh escaped. At his current condition, there was no promise as to when hed fully heal.
Grit
His teeth gritted automatically. He got angrier the more he thought. The cave hed named his sanctuary, was equipped with the best conditions. It was a hiding place hed reinforced with immense amounts of money and people.
One eel had ruined his great plan. His plan to create superhumans within the sanctuary and organize a pro-Japanese faction in the government had fallen to ruins.
He had to give up the sanctuary to Bang Tae San. There was no use for a revealed location. His emotional pain was greater as he had been back-stabbed by someone he considered his disciple.
Cough
When violent energy rose, a trail of blood came out from his mouth.
He hurried to stabilise his inner energy. Violent changes of emotions only delayed the recovery speed as it badly affected his body.
To think Ill be betrayed by the dog I raised!
He still couldnt believe that he was ambushed by number 37. He couldnt imagine how the b*stard escaped the cave.
There was a security device attached to the stalactite cave and its door. When the switch was operated from within the cave, an emergency siren rang, locking the door. Although initially, there was no way number 37 could find the door, he couldnt figure out why the siren hadnt rung.
Chui Do Shik couldnt have known that Mu Ssang escaped from the stalactite cave by the small slot between the rocks, so his questions only ran deeper. Assuming he had escaped from the cave, he couldnt imagine how the subject approached close enough to land a fatal blow without leaving a presence.
He was someone whod received the secret ninja techniques of Higashi Hongan-ji.
He could feel a bug approach. But he had been tricked by that b*stard.
Of course, number 37 was someone with impressive abilities. His physical aspects, which were unlocked, were something that overpowered himself. But things which remained unlocked would remain a hidden possibility. A lion was prone to be eaten by wild dogs after all.
Then what happened to the five on guard?
There was no way the five brainwashed guards would leave number 37 alone. Number 37 was rabid. There were five elite guards, but the winning chances were slim. There was a high possibility they maimed each other.
Ah!
Chui Do Shik slapped his knee. There was buried gold in the secret room. Number 37 would have had no way of knowing, but worldly matters ran that way. The fact that he managed to escape didnt make sense.
He needed money to maintain his power and build a future. Chui Do Shik dragged his unstable body and went to search for the gold himself.
Chui Do Shiks Japanese name was Sai Dojiku.
Before he left, he was someone who had established the White-White cult in Busan and Kimhae, amassing the numbers of followers to the point of raising the cults prestige.
Chui Do Shik had been abandoned by the Ji-ri mountains river, not a hundred days old. A Japanese monk, Takahashi, took him in after seeing the baby turn blue, almost close to death.
Takahashi was Otaniryus head leader, an enemy of Japans Higashi Hongan-ji. Takahashi had taken the abandoned Chui Do Shik in during his return from visiting Ji-ri mountains Cheoneun-sa.
Higashi Hongan-ji was a mainland ethnic group sent from the mainland Hongan-ji during the Sengoku Era, in the year 1244. In 1602, Dokugawa Ieyase ordered a Hongan-jis monk, called Kyono, to create ninjas.
When Kyono established a separate temple in the eastern lands that he was awarded, Hongan-ji was divided into Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji.
Higashi Hongan-ji became Shinsengumis headquarters during the last years of the Edo era, and the main training center for roamers and ninjas. That later developed into tradition, creating a line of ninjas called the Otanipa.
The former called the ninjas, a samurais dog.
It was absurd. The ninjas of Sengoku were simply another division of martial artists.
Samurai were Japans upper class elites. If there was a difference between them and Koreas elites, it was that samurais carried a sword, while Joseon elites carried a smoking pipe. Many ninjas became war generals during the Sengoku era. In the end, samurais could be regarded as social rank, while ninjas were martial artists.
When the Joseon era entered the revolutionary stage, and with Busans Dharma school at the center, Higashi Hongan-ji immersed themselves in economical activities and the spread of the White-White cult. It was a place that later became the Japanese soldiers base when Japan attacked Joseon.
According to the ninjas rule, they had to begin training from their teenage years when the bones were still flexible. When they turned over 15, the bones would have hardened, making it harder for them to train the secret methods.
No parent wished to turn their child over to the infamous, inhumane teachings of Higashi Hongan-ji. However, Higashi Hongan-ji managed to fill in their numbers by kidnapping children or orphans. For Takahashi, it was normal to take in Chui Do Shik.
Takahashi was satisfied after finding out Chui Do Shik had a superior frame. He adopted Chui Do Shik, and raised him as a ninja. Takahashi, who supported the far-right, began to hatch a long-term plan to raise Chui Do Shik into Koreas Higashi Hongan-jis branch head.
[1] That son of a b***h, Ill kill him.
Chapter 147 - Episode 8: The Returning Battle
Even if they resembled the Tang dynastys military, their armys discipline was all over the place.
The four began their meeting with a loud conversation, leaving their posts. The guards on post took out a large piece of paper from their breast pockets.
Ha, my f****** God! Black Mamba laughed in disbelief once more.
He had thought they were changing shifts, but they were exchanging naked pictures of women, ripped out of a penthouse magazine. The next shift took it. It was some tearful display of camaraderie.
There was no need to watch them any longer. Black Mamba picked up four rocks the size of a chestnut bur.
Whisk
Whisk
Rocks flew in a row. The after-effects of the rocks were worse than bullets.
The moment those hard rocks came into contact with their skulls, it poured on their stored momentum. The four guerrillas werent able to scream due to their crushed skulls.
Four stiff standing corpses fell to the ground all at once. It was the benevolence of the Angel of Death by administering painless death, which was unavoidable as long as the soldier wore his uniform.
Black Mamba began to approach the rear boma after getting rid of the guards with ease. The boma buried underground made it impossible to snipe at. Two others were hiding in the boma as well. The cover of the boma was camouflaged in branches and vines, making it hard to notice even when it was right in front of ones nose.
Approaching it in silence, Black Mamba flipped the cover open.
U-seo ya-hu?[1]
When the gun was shoved in their faces against the sudden light, the soldiers in hiding screamed in surprise.
Ne-oo-ttu karsh![2]
Those were one of the few Arabic phrases Black Mamba had learned.
The two black men stared at the gun barrel with blank expressions. Black Mamba poked their chests with it. Flinching in surprise, the two guards crawled out of the boma.
Crack
Crack
The two black men fell unconscious when the butt of the gun crashed against their temples.
Lackey, are you done?
Sure, I did it quietly.
Then move to the first station.
Got it.
After a moment, Sun WooHyun appeared, waving his hand.
There was a white womans naked spread in one of his hands. One of his ears was drenched in blood.
Why did you bring that?
Im still a young man. This is a treasure that cant be bought with money.
Ha, as if!
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck.
Did you kill those guards with rocks?
Bullets are a waste on them.
Sun WooHyuns heart shivered. He couldnt believe it, even as he witnessed the scene with his own eyes. There were corpses with broken skulls and rocks splattered in blood.
Once again, he felt that the young mercenary before him was the Angel of Death. Black Mamba showed no mercy towards those he considered his enemies. Sun WooHyun couldnt be fooled by his usual countenance, which was pure and cared about life.
Lackey!
Ah, my God. What is it?
You know how to speak their language, right?
Thats normal. Ive been rolling around with the blackeys for five years.
Check their numbers and equipment.
Thats my speciality. Ill figure it out easily.
Sun WooHyun grabbed the pinky of the guerrilla who had fainted and pushed it back towards his wrist without hesitance.
Crack
White bones ripped out of its skin and poked out, with the rip of its joints.
Guuuh!
The fainted guerrilla woke up, shouting and thrashing about. Sun WooHyuns firm hand grabbed the captives maxilla.
Shh
Sun WooHyun placed a finger on his lips and slapped the mans cheeks without hesitation. Body language worked all the time.
The guerilla, who had his mouth torn and nose bled, immediately closed his mouth. When Sun WooHyun grabbed the guerrillas fingers once more, he paled and began to move his mouth at the speed of light.
There are 760 people in total. There are 460 left at the base, and he says the rest moved to Koro Taro to reinforce the first army. There are six watch points at the outer border, four machine gun bases, a mortar, and field artillery.
Damn it, a field artillery?
Black Mamba frowned. It was obvious Gaddafi had gifted it. He was a b*stard who possessed greed for surrounding lands, after building his wealth on the oil business. A large-caliber field artillery was a threat, even for him.
Are there any other units around?
None.
Figure out their number of firearms.
Sun WooHyun shook his head after breaking three more fingers.
Theres nothing a lower-ranking one would know.
Sun WooHyun dragged another guerrilla over, who had been awake. The guerrilla began talking even before his finger was cracked.
There are six 62 mm mine throwers, four 82 mm, and two 85 mm field artillery. If it was the Soviet 85 mm field artillery, it should be the BC-3 tank cannon. It can be used as a howitzer too. Its difficult when this is working. The shells over 15 kilograms. It was an old thing that had been used during WWII, but the northern Vietnamese army had used it during the Vietnam war. Lets just say there are a lot of machine guns.
You know it well.
Sure, I know Soviet weapons.
There wasnt any more information to gain.
Send them.
Black Mamba nodded.
Schink
White light flashed. The captives necks were cut with Sun WooHyuns knife.
Breaking fingers and cutting their Adams apple was a technique Black Mamba used often. Most special forces used similar methods. They had evolved their torture and killing methods based on medical knowledge.
Black Mamba and Sun WooHyun went around the forest after getting rid of all the posts to learn about the forests terrain and environment. They were analyzing the battlefield. The more they prepared, the higher the possibility of survival.
Sun WooHyuns eyes flashed. The forest had dried from drought and there were several dead trees. They could make a FROLINAT roast by luring them into the forest and throwing soy grenades at them.
Sun WooHyun didnt have an iota of thought to fight directly against the hundreds of guerrillas.
Wakil, how about fire?
We cant do crazy things like Zhuge Liang.
Black Mamba licked his lips. Attacking by fire was tempting advice, but it was an impossible plan to execute.
If the Battle of Red Cliffs had been a historical fact, then JoJos army would have been stationed near the red rivers Ho-Book fortress, north of the Jang river. That was a place with a high populace.
Thoughtless people praised the Battle of Red Cliffs, but who could reward the innocent lives that burned to death from the fire?
Who were they fighting for? What were they fighting for?
There was nothing an armed soldier could say about ones death, but the locals who lived relying on the forest were innocent.
Sacrificing innocent lives for his own convenience was truly the act of Kanma. The Dombrey forest was isolated from the southern Boruku and Batas northern lands, set apart by barren lands. Burning such a precious forest only made him a real devil.
To win, many acted without consideration for others in history, but he was just a mercenary. He was not a devil but a mercenary who killed without choice.
Black Mamba looked into his Dragunovs viewfinder once more.
There were two magazines in his pocket, six in holding, and four in his bag. 12, 20-round magazines made 240 bullets.
It was a substantial number of real bullets for a sniper to have. The reality was that there were more guerrillas than the number of bullets he possessed. There were 600 rounds of wrapped-up backup bullets in his backpack, but there wouldnt be enough time to insert them amid battle.
As always, Black Mamba didnt consider the number of bullets.
He would end up using his Pamus once they were lured into the forest. There were 10 Pamus 30-bullet packs in his spare bag. That was enough. Once he ran out of bullets, he could always use the enemys weapon. Even a rock would turn into a weapon in his hands.
Lets go sweat it out.
Black Mamba slung the Dragunov over his shoulder and stood. Sun WooHyun was surprised.
Wait a sec. Did you think about attacking with fire?
We cant use fire. If it spreads to the northern forest, hundreds of locals will die without time to escape.
Is that the southern Joseon way of democracy?
Its a humans moral.
Whats the point of worrying about locals you havent even seen?
Sun WooHyun was unable to give up on the fire plan.
Black Mamba looked at Sun WooHyun in silence.
A commie was a commie for a reason. The very people who shoved hundreds of their ethnicity to death by 6.25, were communists. Sun WooHyun, too, didnt care about the many locals whod burn to death.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Lackey, if you want to come with me, you should give up on the Lenin ideal that allows you to use any means for an end. Theres nothing in the human dictionary that says you can use any means to an end.
Fine.
Whatever the boss said, went. It didnt reach Sun WooHyun deeply, but he agreed.
Why are you trying to attack during the day when we havent even finished patrolling?
Were done with patrolling. If we keep stalling, our tails will be revealed to Goukounis army. Were going for a frontal breakthrough.
A frontal breakthrough, right now!
Sun WooHyuns mouth dropped open.
Two people attacking an enemys camp equipped with heavy weapons in broad daylight?
Declaring Black Mambas madness was at the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it back down.
Assassination or attacking by fire wouldve given success a higher possibility, but a frontal attack was like asking for death. It was worth freaking out when the plan was similar to not having a plan.
Look here. Theres over a regiment in numbers left at headquarters. You arent mad, are you?
If you have determination and ability, 400 or 500 are nothing but numbers. Youll live if you want to die and die if you want to live.
Theyre b*stards equipped with field artillery. Lets just assassinate them during the night. The other mercenaries are sleeping like the dead, so theres no reason to rush so much.
Black Mamba glared.
A lackey doesnt need a mouth and only their ears to listen. Are you scared of a few hundred bumbling guerrillas? Arent you ashamed of your nickname, Namir? He shouted and left into the forest without turning back.
Sun WooHyun clicked his tongue.
Tsk, his kis fierce when he gets mad. Im no monster like Wakil.
It was said that the innocent would be struck by lightning when standing next to a sinner, now he was about to cross Styx river.
Wakil, Wakil, hold on a moment.
Black Mamba, ways ahead and forging on, didnt reply.
Ai, s***! Ill die either way. Ill go crazy too.
Sun WooHyun followed, giving up.
His blocked sight suddenly cleared up. Black Mamba raised his hand. Sun WooHyun, who was following him, lowered his body.
A large wadi blocked the path between Black Mamba and the north-eastern command post. It was the marks of a river which had flowed way back. It was a natural moat of about 200 meters in width. The naturally defensive wadi had to be the reason why they placed the command post in that location.
How neat.
Both sides of the valley had been cleaned. There was no way to go around it. It was over 400 meters towards the command post from where they were hiding. It was an astounding defence ground.
Sun WooHyun began to complain after observing through his binoculars.
This isnt good. I can see four field artillery, three machine-gun camps, and seventeen tents, just from here.
I can see someone, a lieutenant colonel. It looks like theyre beginning to cater.
For Black Mamba, who had superior eyes, 400 meters was right before him. There was no need for binoculars.
It was about the same size as the Third Armys command post in Toko Toom. No, there were more tents. There were rows of tents made with raised wooden walls and straw roofs.
From its size, it could house over 1,000 people. There were three Jeep cars, 20 bikes, and he found 10 Camels at the side of a building. Machine guns were lined to the wooden fence.
Huh!
Sun WooHyun breathed in sharply.
Damn it. Theres a tank. Look behind the tent at your 11 Oclock.
Hm, I can see the gun barrel and road marks. By the size of the barrel, is it a T-34?
Thats right. Its an old one with a 76.2 mm smoothbore and a 7.62 mm DT machine gun.
It flowed down here since the Russians made them in tens of thousands. How irritating.
Black Mamba was conflicted. If the tank came after them with a smoothbore, it would become annoying. Even if it was an antique, it could speed to 40 kilometers per hour on off-road. It was as threatening as two machine guns.
It could be just a display model.
What are you saying?
The Soviets gave away their antique tanks to third world countries after the production ended. Theres not enough spare parts or bullets since too much time has passed, so they usually put them up as threatening displays.
I guess well figure out.
[1] Who is it?
[2] Come out silently!
Chapter 148 - Episode 9: The Returning Battle
He always acted first and talked later.
Black Mamba decided his order of targets depending on how threatening they were.
He couldnt run over a tank with grenades. In terms of danger, the field artillery was first as it had a wide range of attacks. An 85 mm cannons greatest field radius was 30 meters. It was hard to jump past that range with a single attempt. He had to clean out the field artillery camp first, then neutralize the machine guns as rifles were nothing.
The FROLINAT left 400 meters empty, which was an advantageous terrain for a sniper. Over half of the army would be wiped out from his attacks by the time he crossed back over the wadi. A battles victory or defeat, relied on the degree of impact, in the shortest amount of time.
Black Mamba took out a grenade from his sub-backpack.
Sun WooHyuns eyes grew wide at that sight.
What are you going to do with that?
He wondered if Black Mamba was going to use it as a booby trap, but that wasnt it.
A gift!
What did you say? What, you gonna throw that at the command building?
Obviously.
Obviously?
Sun WooHyun was speechless.
The distance of 400 meters was out of range for a rifle. A grenade was a throwing weapon, which used the muscles of ones arm and hand. The throwing distance, on average, was barely 30 meters. If he took his joints dislocating into consideration, he could throw up to 50 meters.
A grenade weighed within 700 grams, similar to an 800 grams spear. The Olympic record of spear throwing was around 90 meters. It was said that the Roman army threw the spears over 200 meters using a leather rope, but that was hard to believe. He couldnt tell what Black Mamba was trying to do.
He acknowledged that Black Mamba was a monster, but he was also human.
Their enemy was a large army equipped with heavy weapons. Modern warfare was about firepower. That wasnt the age where warriors lurked around with spears on the bridge. Even if he lent a hand, they were going to die together. Looking at the expressionless face of Black Mamba made his insides collapse.
Damn number 49, Ive gotten used to dog fights.
He swallowed those words. He remembered the time he was beaten up till he bled, which blocked his throat. Number 49 was an isolated mental hospital located in North Korea.
Entrenched, Sun WooHyun took out a tool from his backpack.
He didnt like the rock they were using as an obstacle. He was about to dig a trench.
Theres no time. Black Mamba stopped Sun WooHyun.
Something unbelievable happened.
Dust and rocks began to scatter away from Black Mambas feet. It was the same scene he had seen when Black Mamba dragged up the sunk pickup from Tanga. Black Mambas body began to settle into the ground. He had seen it once, but it was still amazing.
Are you boiling soup with that claymore?
Right.
Regaining his senses, Sun WooHyun took out six claymores from his backpack and disappeared. A moment later, Sun WooHyun returned and recommended moving their attacking point.
Lets move. This place isnt a good place to start attacking from.
Well, I guess these few rocks arent going to work as concealment.
Sun WooHyun picked up the grenades as though they were potatoes and gathered them in his backpack, before standing up.
The new place Sun WooHyun chose was a rocky hill that provided both concealment and cover. Officers took up the role of analyzing battlefields. It was Black Mambas weakest point.
Black Mambas battle ability was based on cheat-level physiques, assassination, and sniping. There was a limit to his overall battle planning and strategies. Sun WooHyun covered Black Mambas lacking parts as someone who had previously been a major to the scouting squad.
Sun WooHyun placed a Minimi stand along the rocks, which were split like a slingshot, and slotted in his scope. Black Mamba began to scold him.
Theres no need for a scope for 400 meters. Just shoot.
Whyre you scolding me? You sound like Emiani, Sun WooHyun complained as he took out the bullet cases from his backpack, stacking them.
He would have to shoot until those Minimi bullets melted.
Im just frustrated.
Whyre you throwing your weight around? Isnt the night attack better?
Sun WooHyun mentioned a night surprise attack once more.
If I planned on attacking during the night, I wouldnt have brought you along. The FAPs mad to the point of breaking. I need to attack and fall back quickly, since the back of my heads tingling.
I get it, but what on earth do you want me to do?
The chasers were from Goukounis first army, where he had been an officer. There was only one reason for sending three regiments per army. They were seeking the destruction of the French army. He understood that there was no time, but he was about to die from insecurity.
Ha, those b*stards are eating lunch when were starving.
Black Mamba looked at the sun in the sky as he spoke with ease. There wasnt a fleas leg of nervousness in the human.
Sun WooHyun looked inside his mini scope.
Black faces poured out of the building which looked like groups in a cafeteria. White steam came out of the drum bucket in front of the building.
It looks like theyre eating Githeri. How well-off.
Why do those b*stards smell like curry? Black Mamba complained.
Githeri was a soup that was made from beans and corn. It became quality food when vegetables, potatoes, cassava, curry, and meat were added. It was the main dish of locals in Africas central regions, including Kenya.
Locals of Chad didnt have the concept of lunch. They ate two meals, breakfast and dinner. Only a few of the riches ate three meals a day. Sun WooHyun was right when he said they were well-off.
The worlds originally an uneven place. Well, I suppose youre better off if you eat before you die. But I wont feel as guilty.
If they were normal, they would have sent RPGs or mortars.
However, Black Mamba didnt have a normal battle habit. Bombarding didnt compare to sniping in death rates.
As long as they didnt do dot explosions and cluster shells, there was a low possibility of death for those wrapped up in the explosion. The evidence had become blatant through the Vietnam war.
Black Mamba took another grenade from his backpack.
Sun WooHyuns eyes grew large. There was already a boxs worth of grenade lined up. Black Mamba began to organise his backpack after taking out 48 grenades, which was worth two boxes out of three.
What are you planning to do?
It was something Sun WooHyun asked often.
I said it earlier, didnt I? Its better to give the gift yourself.
What are you talking about?
Just watch and shut up.
Huh!
Sun WooHyun was surprised.
Black Mamba pulled out the safety pin and the attached ring.
Whisk
The grenade, which left his hand, flew like a shell. 400 meters were crossed in an instant. Sun WooHyun looked at the tail of the grenade with large eyes, as it disappeared into a dot.
400 meters meant three to four seconds of flight.
Black Mamba threw the grenades immediately after removing the safety pin. It flew, one after another.
Five more flew in, even before the first grenade exploded.
Crash
The first grenade landed squarely on the field artillery.
Crash
Another large explosion shook the skies, immediately after.
Wow! Sun WooHyun exclaimed unknowingly.
Black Mamba really wasnt human. He didnt know whether it was intentional or by coincidence, but the grenade had landed right on the tanks 85 mm charging barrel.
Shells that were used for tank guns of 105 mm or less had separate bullets and shells. To launch, they were loaded by injecting the charge into the case before attaching it to the gunpowder.
Gunpowder was weak to moisture, which was why it was packed in separated, sealed boxes. It was unknown whether they were training or being lazy, but the FROLINAT army had left the gunpowder next to the tank.
Craash
The gathered gunpowder blew away both the tent and the nearest three trucks. At the sound, 30 or so camels ran about the camp in a frenzy. Several of them ran into the group of FROLINAT soldiers who were having lunch. Chaos occurred. Sun WooHyun forgot about his Minimi at the unbelievable sight.
The following grenades destroyed the field artillery camp and machine rifle camp.
In an instant, four field artillery camps, and five machine gun camps had been disarmed. Following that, the tents, cafeteria, and vehicles were destroyed.
Sun WooHyun gazed at the scene with his jaw hung. He didnt even realize the machine gun had left his grasp.
An automatic grenade launcher wont compare to that. Ive caught a devil monster, not a human, he mumbled to himself unknowingly.
A humans physique couldnt possibly cover 400 meters. Even if one did, it wasnt possible to aim something over 400 meters accurately. A humans eyes couldnt discern the target point within 0.5 seconds.
Black Mamba continuously turned the impossible, possible. It was because he wasnt a human. It wasnt something that could be talked over liquor, either. If anyone heard, theyd end up treating him like a mentally disabled.
Hes not human!
In the end, Sun WooHyun reached the same conclusion.
Black Mamba was able to find two enjoyments out of grenades.
Firstly, destroying Habibs Third Army at Koromunga and secondly, destroying Hadads base camp in Tanga. The grenades did their job this time, too. He regretted not using it earlier.
After sweeping out the exposed support and troop concentrated areas, the soy grenades flew in a row.
Bang
Bang
The sound of soy grenades was different from the sound of compressed grenades. It exploded in the air and spread a white smokescreen, creating a sea of fire.
The north-eastern FROLINAT command post turned into purgatory after receiving 40 rounds of grenades and six soy grenades. Everything was on fire. The sounds of grenades and oil created a second round of explosions that rang.
The third FROLINAT army of Abbas was under major duress. Soldiers jumped out of the burning tents like ants. The cafeteria, which was attacked squarely by a grenade, had turned into ruins. The number of people injured increased as most of the soldiers were there to eat lunch. All of this had happened not one minute into Black Mambas first attack.
Its the Kanma!
Its the curse of nightmares!
All there was, were enemies who fled without their tableware or guns.
Sun WooHyun zoned out at the fire, screams, and explosions. That was the battlefield of a monster. All the plans and calculations he had done had turned useless.
He could understand why Black Mamba was known as the Kanma throughout the Sahel. He was a human who far surpassed the humans limits. He realized how stupid he had been in trying to control such a being.
What is it!
Bang
A commander wearing a full uniform with the markings of a lieutenant colonel jumped out of the tent. It was lieutenant colonel Abbas, who was enjoying his meal.
Crack
The flint that whisked past his face embedded itself in the door frame. The aftershocks whirled by him. Abbas reflexively jumped back into his tent.
Whatwhat is happening!
He shouted, but none replied. The soldiers and camels ran about like mad, and corpses lined the floor.
Anything that looked like a tent was ruined. He couldnt even tell who was attacking and from where. All that came to his mind was the person called Kanma.
Its the Kanma! Hide. Counterattack! Abbas shouted as he shook his rifle, but an empty echo sounded.
There was no soldier to hear the shouts from within the camp, and it wasnt a situation which the commanders authority could resolve.
Black Mamba, who wasted all of his grenades, took up the Dragunov. His current Dragunov was his third lover. The previous gun barrels werent able to withstand his continuous shots.
Clang
Clang
Clang
Clang
Black Mamba carried on with his continuous shots. The soldiers who had jumped out of the tents rolled to the ground in rows.
Sun WooHyun, who was looking into the scope, felt his jaw drop open. The unrealistic scene of humans falling like dominoes filled his lens. It was a scene hed never imagined or seen. He would never have imagined that a sniper could use a sniping rifle like a machine gun.
How scary!
All he could think about was how scary that was.
Sun WooHyun was also a first-rate sniper who could be counted on three fingers, within the scouting, airborne brigade. The airborne brigade boasted a deadly level of training.
However, a humans physical limits couldnt be overcome with training. A sniper couldnt pull on the trigger in intervals of 0.5 seconds. Black Mamba was someone who borrowed the appearance of a human, but he was not human.
Crash
A grenade exploded on top of the commanders tent. Spare flints and pieces fell into the tent. Abbas jumped out into chaos, half in resignation and another half without choice.
Chapter 149 - Episode 10: The Returning Battle
Shamua, gather the warriors to the rear of tent 13 with the loudspeaker.
Kidili, you goddamn b*stard, get to your bombing point! Get all the mortars working.
Shoot all the camels!
Abbas, who had pulled out his shamshir, began to roar at the company and platoon commanders. The officers ran like crazy to deliver the orders to their units.
That, those b*stards!
Abbas rage reached his head. The soldiers began to shove gunpowder number six into the 82 mm cartridge case. Since grenades were flying over, the attackers hiding place had to be within one kilometer.
Even if they altered the shell degree with charge number one, the range was out of reach. If the soldiers used charge number six, the shell could travel at least eight kilometers with an altered degree.
You mindless idiot, why dont you exchange the shells with gunpowder, hm?
Abbas glared at the mortar conducting operator as though wishing he was dead.
They were professionals under the guise of professionalism. Eight of their mortars had broken from the grenade, which had landed, leaving only four. Those who couldnt operate such a few were worth dying.
The officer who noticed Abbas intentions ran forth to kick the gunners rear. The mortar operator regained his senses and punched the back of a blank soldiers head to change the gunpowder.
With the commander as lead, the soldiers regained their calm. It had been five minutes since the attack started, that the Abbas army began their counterattack and launched the first shell.
The machine-gunners jumped into their camp and grabbed the machine guns while the mortar launchers lagged. They were fast and brave but at the same time, stupid.
Their heads were sniped at without fail, and holes were left in their chest. The machine-gunners leaped out of their trench in gear. The fast and accurate sniping gave them more fear and confusion than the explosions. The north-eastern FROLINAT command post was receiving unspeakable damages by a single persons attack.
Lackey, stop zoning out!
Ah, what the hell!
Sun WooHyun was lost and startled by Black Mambas attacks. With his head back in the game, Sun WooHyun began to pour in bullets.
Kakakaka
The clear sound of Minimi bullets filled the air. Minimi bullets poured all over the place where the soldiers were gathered.
Most of the soldiers separated like ants in the rain, but there were a few that ran forward in bravery. They, in turn, became sacrifices to the Minimi.
Sun WooHyun was also a talented killer. He maintained the effectiveness of Black Mambas sniping with an oppressive fire. When the Minimi pushed back the guerrillas, the Dragunov ended their lives. It was a North-South Korea collaboration occurring in the middle of the Sahel.
Black Mamba didnt spare anyone. Instead, he rushed.
He sniped regardless of whether the bullet landed on their heads or body, which was unlike his usual. His comrades could retreat only when the camp was destroyed. The plan was to disarm them as quickly as possible.
Ting
Crack
Finally, a countering bullet from the command post sparked fire against the concealing rock.
Thathat! Sun WooHyun shouted at the unexpected movement.
In a flash, Black Mamba had moved 10 meters away. He had changed his sniping position in an instant.
It was the movement he had seen in Tanga. He had moved in flashes, like that, as he destroyed the Tubu clan. Those were martial movements, which moved softer than a ballerinas toe kick, slid across the surface without preface, and jumped like a dragonfly leaving a leaf.
Those movements were the reason why hed endured the humiliation of getting caught, even after catching Black Mambas shadow twice, perfectly.
Thats one of the mystical movements made in martial arts novels. Ill learn it no matter what.
He became determined to learn, even if he had to wipe Black Mambas s***.
Unfortunately, Sun WooHyun didnt know that the fearless steps were an impossible skill with just human muscles. The immense pressure on the ankles and calves would be damaging. It was an ability only Black Mamba was capable of.
Eep!
Sun WooHyun, whose gaze had been fixed on the fearless steps, ducked down.
Bang
Bang
Shells landed 40 meters in front of him. Splinters showered down his hiding place.
The landing spot closed in threateningly. It was the sound of Abbas army getting ready to heat the weapons.
Its fortunate Wakil broke the 85 mm.
If it had been the 85 mm high explosives grenade, he would have been hurt.
Voom
Black Mambas grenade shot up in a parabola. It was a curve throw. The grenade turned into a black dot and disappeared.
The grenade that traveled 450 meters landed on the 82 mm field artillery concealed behind the enemy. The gunner, loader, ammunition carrier, and observer were swept into the explosion and turned into bouncing fish meats.
To put it simply, he was sniping field artillery camps. Figuring out the launching point with his dimensional sight, Black Mamba began to silence the mortars with his grenades.
Amazing, youre amazing! Sun WooHyun shouted, unable to hold back his excitement.
That was a battle hed never imagined. It was like a one-man army. Black Mamba wasnt human but a natural disaster.
Abbas wasnt an idiot.
Realizing there werent as many attackers, he gathered his soldiers and launched mortar and RPG attacks to what he presumed was the enemys hiding spot. It was like a raccoon herding.
The intervals between Black Mambas explosions grew longer. The guerrillas began to hide their bodies after realizing the snipers presence. Magazines began to run low.
When the intervals grew longer, Abbas left two units in the command post and made the rest advance.
Servants of Allah, attack! Attack! The loudspeaker rang.
Roaaar!
Allah, Allah!
God, punish the Kanma!
When the sniping began to decrease, the guerrillas in hiding attacked as one.
Although they had suffered monstrous damage from the continuous grenade attacks and sniping, many survived. Over 200 in number began to attack at once.
Ha, who are they?
There are still some groups left.
Black Mamba and Sun WooHyun freaked out.
They shot until their Dragunov and Minimi heated up, but that wasnt enough to stop their advance.
Have they gone mad?
They could be drugged. Have you heard about jenkem?
I had heard about it from Bell Man last time. I heard theyre fermented from feces and urine.
Well, theyre dirty b*stards, eh?
Bullets poured like the rain in Fall.
Forget it. Lets run.
The two gathered their weapons and ran without looking back.
Lackey, you figure out whether to flee or hide, Black Mamba shouted as he ran ahead.
Sun WooHyun gritted his teeth at the irresponsible words, but there wasnt even time to get mad. Mortar shells began to pour down. They were artillerymen Black Mamba hadnt sensed.
Beeep
It was the sound of a falling shell. Sun WooHyun threw his body at the sound of a whistle. Unfortunately, he landed on thorn bushes. Sharp thorns pierced his arms and legs inconsiderately. There wasnt time to complain. He shook his belly off the ground and crouched.
A mortar shells travel speed was within 120 meters per second. That meant that the shell would land two seconds after the sound.
Bang
Damn those f****** b*stards, its a dog fight.
The shell landed 100 meters away from his position, rather meaninglessly. Sun WooHyun swore at the thorns all over his body.
Mortar shells kept flying, but it was randomly aimed.
Sun WooHyun searched for Black Mamba after regaining his senses, but there wasnt a trace.
What kinda human moves like lightning?
He ran to the beat without leaving any time to pull out the thorns. They had arranged the boma into beats after getting rid of the guerrillas ambush squad. It was an obvious reaction as someone whod been on the scouting unit. It was a profession that required a hiding place to increase the chances of survival.
Sun WooHyun arrived at the place where theyd set up the claymores and gathered the switches before hiding. Something black whisked past him as he fiddled with the switch.
Lackey, press after three seconds.
Guerrillas filled his sight. They were soldiers Black Mamba had lured over.
Whatwhat kinda human are you? he exclaimed.
Black Mamba was truly someone made for battle.
Sun WooHyun lured the enemies 50 meters in before pressing the switch. He ran forward to the two-toned explosions.
Black Mamba watched the scene of 20 or so lured soldiers, being ripped apart by steel bearings with cold eyes. He had moved with the hit-and-run tactic in mind from the beginning.
Bullets didnt discriminate against humans. There was no choice but to die, even if it was a stray bullet. There were no heirs hed instructed to set his funeral, so he wouldnt be able to eat in the afterlife.
There were too many enemies. It didnt look like the 360 hed been informed, but over 500. That or the lackeys Arabic was bad.
He had no choice but to use the Vietnamese guerrilla tactic with the advantage of his physical abilities. There were enough bullets. There were ten Pamus magazines, making it a total of 300 rounds. As long as he didnt shoot warning shots, he could use one against one. Thick red light rose in Black Mambas eyes.
An eagle-eyed view of Dombrey forest revealed yellow spots, not green, which made it look like bleached hair. The thorn trees and capensis, which were weak to droughts, lost its green after death.
The battle conditions were advantageous for Black Mamba.
There was no need for him to become one with nature, either. His yellow uniform made it hard to discern him amongst the dead trees, even with Gods sight.
He was very wary of field artillery and tank fire. The shell of mortars couldnt compare to field artillery or tank fires. A tank was constructed to fire armed shells to pierce the enemys tank. The energy of a tank shell came from kinetic energy. T-34 was an antique, but its shell traveled over 800 meters per second.
Even when using hit shells, the speed reached 600 meters per second. Mortars were 5 to 7 times faster, which meant it had a horrendous speed. Not even Black Mamba was able to avoid a mortars shell after its launch.
With its fast speed, a field shell also brought about great damage. In the case of T-34, they had to change gun barrels every 20 rounds. It was one of the weaknesses of field artillery.
Crack
A short and strong explosion could be heard from the field artillery.
Black Mamba didnt move from his hiding place. He could tell whether it was an aimed shot or not with his dimensional sight.
Cra-ash
The shell landed on a rock over 100 meters away.
Funny guys. What are they trying to do with armor-piercing shells?
Black Mamba scoffed. Armor-piercing shells were made to pierce. It had to be used against the enemys tank, or to break through an obstacle. In order to kill a person, they had to use HE shells. If they werent able to think of other methods, it meant that the soldiers were still in confusion.
Black Mamba couldnt have known that the veteran field artillerymen had died, causing newbies who couldnt differentiate between armor-piercing shells and high explosive grenades to load shells randomly.
Black Mamba began to decrease the number of FROLINAT soldiers with the burden of field artillery and mortars on his back, using the hit-and-run tactic.
The deathmatch between Goliath and David began. Dombrey forest that was located on the border of Bata province, slowly dyed in the color of blood.
Bang
Bang
Bang
One group of guerrillas fell to the ground at the double-tap sniping. The attacker disappeared with a whisk, and bullets poured into the empty place.
FROLINAT soldiers moved in 10s and fives, without exception. Their military ran by attaching officers to each group of fours and nines.
None of the five guerrillas were able to recognize Black Mamba who was attached to an acacia tree like a lizard.
Pa pa pa
Sonic booms rang. The five who had bullets to their heads fell at once.
Black Mamba, who was hiding his body like a ghost ant, took care of his sacrifices and slid back into the forest like a snake. A grim reaper approached the guerrillas who were hiding behind a gosa tree. With a crack, necks were twisted.
Bang bang bang
The guerrillas, who had their foreheads drilled with a Glocks three-tap, swayed like dancers before falling to the ground.
The rock that Black Mamba had kicked landed on the last guerrilla, who aimed his gun, as he showed resistance for the last time.
Agh!
At least, he died with a sound of protest.
Its the Kanma!
Over there!
Bullets poured like rain. The sound of rustling footsteps grew louder.
Heres a present!
Chapter 150 - The Returning Battle
Black Mamba released two grenades without their safety pin by his feet and disappeared without a sound.
Bang
Explosions and shouts could be heard as chaos reared its head behind him.
Hassan, that idiot, is he conducting or not?
Abbas felt his insides burn black. Over 250 people had rushed into the forest. There was no officer who didnt know of the Kanmas mercenary unit, and how few they were in number.
They were a regiment with two heavy weapons, RPGs and machine guns.They could demolish a unit easily with a spit. However, the battle hed thought would end with an advance didnt finish after 15 minutes had passed.
Kidili, I will cut your head off if you dont work properly.
He roasted the faultless field artillery commander, but there wasnt anything the launchers could do. There was no way for them to tell where the enemy was, in that large forest. They were launching shells at a whim, as they were ordered to, with barely any specifications.
Take all the mortars and go to the forest.
Commander, we cant observe anything from within the forest.
Hm!
It was true. Mortars from 30 years ago, which didnt have a separate observation tool, were used. It was useless in a forest that blocked the view.
The first and back guard posts must have been done in, right?
Hes the Kanma.
That was enough of an answer.
Like sparks produced between two stones, an attack with chilling precision, impact, and killings, coupled with untraceable retreats, all pointed to the Kanmas specialty. Any units that went against the Kanma didnt suffer from military annihilation but biological demolition. There wasnt a chance that the posts survived.
That cursed b*stard, I cant accept it.
Commander, we may have suffered, but this is a good opportunity. If we catch the Kanma, you could be the next Habib.
Abbas shook his head at his officers encouragement.
That b*stards an impossible existence. All the commanders who went against him lost their lives. Even Grace Habib was defeated. Hes not human but a devil.
Abbas went through a round of shivers. His fear against the Kanma and the immense rewards hed gain from killing him bounced around his head, messing it up.
There are over 250 warriors who went ahead. You could send out the tanks. Even with the Kanmas fearsome presence, he wont be able to go against a tank.
I was about to do that anyway. Officer, send out the tanks. Ill be on number one myself. Im going to die of frustration, otherwise.
Vrrooom
Two T-34s began to emit immense amounts of smoke.
Kidili, take the subordinates and enter the forest. Activate all the booby traps and reinforce them with gunpowder. Show him the ability of the Tuareg tribe.
But, the chances of the soldiers getting sacrificed is higher.
You s***. We can always get more soldiers. If we ax down a few in a village, others are bound to follow. I can sacrifice all of my subordinates if it means killing the Kanma.
Abbas eyes glared.
Yes, understood.
Major Kidili led his subordinates into the forest at a run. Abbas boarded the tank.
Its the Kanma, hes there! a soldier shouted at the sight of moving grass.
Tutatatata
Bullets poured all over the place the soldier indicated.
Crack
A wooden piece was embedded into the soldiers head. The piece had flown in from the other side. Surprised, the guerrillas turned back and poured on another hail of bullets. Black Mamba, who used the fearless steps, had already moved 50 meters out of range and was pouring bullets onto another group of guerrillas. The innocent thorn tree that Black Mamba was hiding in was ripped apart by the bullets.
Eep, the Kanma.
When Black Mamba disappeared with a flash, the guerrillas stared and followed his movement with blank expressions.
Black Mamba moved around the battlefield at a fearful speed as he used the fearless steps.
Bang bang bang
The Pamus released bullets in two taps per second. Black Mamba, who had wiped out one strategic group, flashed and disappeared.
Five in thirty meters, five in fifty meters, they dont learn, do they?
It was the bait strategy the FROLINAT often used. It was a plan that pushed their comrades to be bait, aiming for a counter the moment an attack came in. The luring part to capture was understandable, but the baiting tactic didnt work at all.
Black Mamba was able to sense a humans presence with his nose and ears, within the range of an AK gun. Once they entered the 100 meters range, he could note the numbers and distance accurately. The sewage smell of guerrillas who hadnt washed filled his nose, and their heavy footsteps rang in his ears. He knew, even if he didnt want to. There was nothing he could say about their smell since he smelled as bad.
Humans, unlike animals, relied heavily on their sight. 90 percent of outside information was gained through sight. No wonder people said that ones eyes were an extension of ones brain.
Predators like tigers relied strongly on smell and sound, rather than sight. During the night, their reliance on sight reached 20 percent. Black Mambas senses were similar to a predators. A battle within the forest was limited to sight. Overall, it was more advantageous for Black Mamba.
Ten guerrillas were approached. They were in a guarding formation, where five remained 30 meters back from the first five, using the distance as a cover. Black Mamba, who was on the ground, sank into it without a sound. It was one of the functions of resonance waves hed found recently.
The guerrillas walked past Black Mamba, whod become one with the ground. Black Mamba was a god-level sniper who could control his farts, coughs, and liver movements, even without the skill to become one with nature. The ending had already been determined for those who could be seen and those who couldnt.
Black Mambas body slid upright once the cover squad went by.
Pip pip pip
The objects that left his hand reflected the light. It was the small AK bullets hed gained from a dead guerrilla. The bullets that flew in a row successfully pierced the main artery behind their neck.
A bullet with a sharp end was a superb silent weapon. The guerrillas who had their necks pierced let out gurgling noises, before croaking over like empty sacks. They became the first humans to lose their lives to a hand-thrown bullet.
Tap
Black Mamba kicked off the ground and held onto an acacia tree branch. He twirled and landed on the branch. His Pamus exuded fire without rest.
Papapa
The short screams of another strategic unit under fire rang throughout the forest.
The guerrillas shared similar reactions. Bullets poured, and RPGs flew. Innocent acacia trees were shattered. Trees which the RPG warheads landed on were uprooted, and its roots covered the sky. Black Mambas uniform was ripped in several places due to the flying flints and pieces.
The battle didnt end easily.
Black Mamba got rid of them in herds, but there were too many from Abbas army that entered Dombrey forest. The FROLINAT didnt give up despite the unit officers screams or their crazed minds from eating jenkem. Blood flowed like a river between the clash of two ill intents.
Damn it, cant this get anymore quiet!
Black Mamba shook his Pamus and complained. Although the silenced Pamus wasnt as loud as a Dragunov, its sonic boom was uncontrollable. The sound of its boom was louder than a normal conversation. Countering bullets flew in every time he shot, as cover activities were hard to accomplish. He began to doubt the effectiveness of using a silencer.
Since the beginning of the battle, 30 minutes had passed.
At the point where hed wiped out half of the deployed soldiers, Black Mamba went to look for the prey himself. The FROLINAT who had been hunting Black Mamba were being hunted in return. As time passed, Dombrey forest was charged with more blood lust and madness while explosions and gunshots rang more fiercely.
Seven guerrillas gathered underneath a eucalyptus tree with pale faces. Three comrades suddenly died from thrown rocks, causing their heads to explode. The rocks had shattered their heads without premonition, as though it had fallen from the sky.
Its the Kanma!
Are we all dead?
The guerrilla wept as he held onto the gun that was taller than him.
Were all going to die. He shattered their heads to drink their brain fluids, didnt he?
Should we run?
Tubilis will cut our necks off.
You little s***s, shut up.
The older guerrilla who was standing behind them glared.
Crack
Ahh!
The head of the man who was talking, exploded. A shout could be heard from another guerrilla. It wasnt simply shattering a head, but piercing and embedding the rock into the head. The body twirled from the kinetic energy and collapsed. White brain fluids dripped out of the side of his shattered head.
The guerrillas, who were surprised by the eerie death, didnt dare to raise their guns. Surprised, some even leaked yellow water from between their legs.
Aaaah, the Kanma!
The officer was done in!
Crack
Crack
The rocks kept flying. Following that, two old soldiers fell to the ground, and their brain fluids dripped out. The rest fell into static shock.
Herium bel-lily haish.[1]
It was one of the few Arabic phrases that Black Mamba knew.
Aaaaah!
The surviving teenage soldiers threw down their guns and ran in the opposite direction of the command post. Fortunately, they hadnt consumed jenkem.
Sensing a presence, Black Mamba jumped up the tree and concealed himself in surprise. The forest, which allowed him to move in all directions, enhanced his battle abilities. He looked down on the unfortunate foot soldiers who were moving in a ready position. From their small frame, they were probably teenage soldiers.
He had already used up 20 needles and 10 darts.
He sliced off an acacia branch with his Kukri and sharpened it to the length of his palm. The ends of the wooden spike hed sliced horizontally was usable.
The one at the back should be the overseer.
He couldnt tell whether theyd consumed jenkem, but the reason behind the young soldiers fierce attacks was their leader.
Shik
The wooden spike, which flew like an arrow, pierced the last guerrillas shoulder horizontally.
Aaargh!
The wooden spike buried deep inside his bone, leaving its edge out. He had thrown it against a non-lethal part with precise strength control so that its end could be seen. Hed done it to create fear. Hed only made it so that the guerrilla wouldnt die immediately from injured lungs, but it wasnt a survivable wound.
The attacked guerrilla rolled on the ground with anguished screams.
Ten-na Kanma. Herium bel-lily haish.[2]
Uwa, its the Kanma!
The young soldiers scattered like spiderlings without a hint of resistance. A faint smile rose on Black Mambas face. It was as he had thought.
They would become another threat if they joined another army, but an enemy without fighting spirit was no longer threatening. It was a tainted battle between greedy old men. He didnt want to kill young soldiers, if it was possible.
Another group went past the tree. This time, all five of them were adults. A black shadow fell from the tree. He added additional weight to the pull of gravity and stepped on a mans head.
Gaaah!
A humans spine cannot withstand 2,000 kilograms by structure. A strange sight of a skull cracking down on its cervical and vertebra occurred, embedding itself on the upper body.
Wooden spikes flew at the guerrillas, who turned toward the direction of the scream. The attacker disappeared, even before the human hedgehogs crashed to the floor.
From Pamus, Glocks, Kukri, wood, stones to bees of the forest, they were weaponized. Endless types of weapons created a hurricane of blood, depending on the situation and location.
Superiority in numbers was a lost deal. The soldiers of Abbas army were unable to catch the shadow of Black Mamba, who moved like a puma and hid like a snake. Vigour left the battlefield, and fear abounded.
Did the lackey roast the claymores to eat?
Only two of the six claymores had gone off. Two more should have gone off as they were installed together, but there was nothing.
Hasnt he finished mixing them up?
Black Mamba was forced into submission during the entire time of his stay at his uncles house. He didnt want another persons submission.
The relationship he wanted for himself was an external relationship Hegel had explained. He wanted coexistence where both could remain themselves, but with an alpha leading. The main reason why he sent Hae Young away was that he decided there was no alpha between them.
The reason why he didnt like Ombutis loyalty was similar. He wanted coexistence where both could display their uniqueness. On the other hand, Sun WooHyun was too independent.
Vrooom
The sound of a moving, unrestricted vehicle shook the forest.
[1] Run if you want to live.
[2] Im the Kanma. Run if you want to live.
Chapter 151 - The Returning Battle
It was the sound of a T-34 crossing the valley and entering the forest. It was the b*stard who was launching armor-piercing shells, unable to differentiate between s*** or piss.
What the hell? For display! Ha, this lackeys been fooling me.
The killing range of a 76.2 mm HE shell for horses was within 30 meters. If the tank shot at long-range and machine guns at close-range, he didnt have a way out.
The adults kept talking about the fearful presence of a North-Korean tank during 6.25 several times. He received a tank countering training from Legion Etranger, but he was still nervous.
The specs of the T-34 that Sun WooHyun had reported ran through his head. Four boarding, 76.2 mm main battery, two 7.62 mm DT machine guns, a commander on the cupola, a 79 mm thick front plate, and a 17 mm head plate.
He had heard the American navy shoved grenades up the T-34 aim barrel during the 6.25 war, but those were just the Yankees bluffs. A juice can wouldnt be able to enter a T-34s aim barrel. Perhaps if they hammered the grenade in, it could.
There was another American soldier who had claimed he shoved an M1 into the aim barrel and shot a whole clip worth eight rounds, killing the driver and gunner. That was impossible. The front of the tank shook too hard to gain footing.
There was a record that stated the hatch was drummed with a hammer to shove in the grenade. However, that was also impossible. A T-34 hatch was like a manhole on the road. Even if the Soviets metal wielding skills were horrible, it wasnt so weak as to be broken by a hammer.
He recalled some of the weaknesses of the T-34. Its aiming device was off, lowering the tanks precision. It couldnt even procure the surrounding view as it was equipped with a two-seat cupola. There were a few blindsight as the vision was slit and the periscope was weak. It also had slow engagement speeds.
In that case, its just a big metal can. Hehe, they must be out of their minds to drag a tank into a forest with limited sight.
Hed forgotten about his physical abilities. They were fast to recharge, but he should avoid them while the muzzle was still turning.
The tank wouldve been the grim reaper for normal foot soldiers, but he wasnt an average soldier. He was someone who forwent his pros and fought with his cons. He was more than overjoyed to greet something that offered itself as a sacrifice in close-range.
Rustle
Black Mamba jumped up the acacia tree. He jumped off another branch and hid on another branch 20 meters high.
Krrr
The tank rolled beneath him with a strange sound. The smoke that came out of its low-quality engine resembled a smokescreen. He pitied the commander who was busy looking around atop the cupola.
Hes trying to get himself killed.
The b*stards confidence was rather high when he could be killed with a few hand movements. The rear foot soldiers followed them in groups of ten, in distances of 10 to 20 meters. He was suddenly conflicted.
There was no way the tanks machine gun would sit by while he took care of the soldiers. Attacking the tank would cause the barrage to land on the soldiers. The soldiers were separated, front and back, making them harder to take care of.
Heres something good.
He could hear buzzes despite the loud tank. He spotted a large beehive hanging between the front and rear soldiers on an acacia tree.
Tap
Empty Pamus magazines shot out from Black Mambas hand like arrows and sliced the beehive stalk.
Crack
The beehive landed on the guerrillas head.
African hornets were known to be fierce.
Buzzzzz
Countless of angered hornets streamed out from the beehive.
Ahh, tebor, tebor![1]
Ib-taid, bishu-roo-ah![2]
Ib-taid, ib-taid![3]
Chaos occurred. The fight between humans and hornets began. His burdens decreased as the hornets got rid of the rear soldiers.
Creek
A crack echoed throughout the forest as the advancing tank came to a stop. He couldnt hear due to the sound, but the commander had probably seen what was going on behind him with the periscope.
Abbas turned his head. He couldnt see the rear properly, as his sight was blocked by black smoke.
What are they doing?
Black Mamba kicked off the branch and flew when Abbas turned his head. After turning once in the air, the wars nightmare landed stably on the tank like a feather.
Sensing something, the commander turned back around.
What?
Instead of an answer, a hand as strong as steel gripped the commanders neck.
Kuk!
A belch escaped the commanders throttled neck.
Huh, Ive seen you before.
Hed seen the commanders face before. He remembered something from the huge scar on his forehead. It was the lieutenant colonel he saw in front of the cafeteria tent.
Are you lieutenant colonel Abbas?
Abbas eyes widened as though he was hit by lightning.
Ka, Kanma, kek, kugh.
Black Mamba relaxed his hand slightly.
Allah, until when will you leave the Kanma in his rampage?
What is this b*stard saying? Youre Abbas, right?
Kanma, Allahs curse will be upon you.
Abbas didnt know what he was saying amid his fear.
Stop bullsh**ing. Allahs busy cleaning up the mess you b*stards left behind. Why would someone so busy look for me, dont you think?
They were b*stards who looked for God after committing all kinds of atrocities. A red light rose in Black Mambas eyes. It was the sign of blood lust.
You annoying b*stard.
Cra-ack
Abbas had broken his neck and went into a seizure.
Damn it. He cant reply any more.
Black Mamba raised his hand as he grasped around Abbas neck. Abbas was pulled out of the cupola like radish. When he flung his hand, the corpse landed on the ground in an arc. His actions had been uncaring, as though he was shaking off a flint on his hand.
It was the meaningless end of FROLINATs north-eastern commander, Abbas. They were b*stards who pushed young boys to the front line drugged, to be their bullet shields. The thought of them being the worst humans alive had been deeply rooted in Black Mambas head.
Black Mamba tapped a grenade in the cupola without looking back at Abbas, who became plastered.
I heard those young soldiers did this during 6.25, will it work?
Nothing was impossible.
Bang
The entire tank shook. All that was left was for the people inside to become roasted meat, as the grenade went off in a small cabin. The pressure of the rising gas gathered around the top hatch, looking for an escape. Black and red fire and shards exploded out. The smell of blood was mixed with the stifling scent of smoke.
Black Mambas mouth rose at the sight of the tanks rear. Two to three guerrillas had received concentrated attacks from the hornets, and collapsed on the ground. Some had run away, while others were swirling clothes theyd set on fire. Over half of the 20 whod been shot by the hornets were resisting.
His Pamus began to spout fire.
Agh! Its the Kanma!
Hide!
The guerrillas who were looking for cover from the hornets were wiped out cleanly in a flash. The soldiers who were following the rear groups tail were erased without a chance to resist.
Seems like theres a use for hornets too. Eep!
Black Mamba slid around the other side of the tank like a lizard.
Clang
Clang
Clang
The bullets bounced off the tank like peas.
There he is!
A group of soldiers rushed out.
Idiots, you should pull the trigger before shouting.
Pa pa pa
The Pamus spewed fire.
When the leading guerrillas started collapsing, the following guerrillas turned and ran.
Clang
Clang
Clang
Dry gunshots rang out. Blood spurted out of the backs of the guerrillas.
You damned swines, how dare you servants of Allah turn your back!
The commander fired his gun at the running soldiers without mercy.
Agh!
A wooden stick pierced the commanders eye.
Youre the swine. You son of a b****. Live in torment before you die.
Black Mamba added another spike to the commanders stomach in anger.
Vrrm
The second tank suddenly appeared on top of the hill after crossing the wadi.
Tutatatata
Clang clang clang clang
The DT machine gun spewed fire.
Darn!
Surprised, Black Mamba leaped off the tank and hid his body in the caterpillar.
Criiik
The tank stopped with a sharp creak. Its turret turned. Something with a zing pressed against his temple. He was the target.
That heartless b*stard!
Black Mamba kicked the tanks caterpillar away and threw his body.
Bang
It was on aim. The smoking cupola was blown off in its entirety. It was said to have a helpless aim, but that wasnt so. The rubble and aftershock swirled violently. It was a high-explosive grenade. It seemed as though the idiots finally learned how to differentiate their shells.
Black Mamba used his fearless steps to flee. Leaves and dust rose around his feet, which ran like the wind.
Grrrrr
The piercing sound of a tank gearing up rang throughout the forest.
Tutatatata
The bullets pouring out of the two DT machine guns went after him.
Fragments of rocks and trees leaped off the ground. Black Mambas body jumped from side to side like a popping kernel. It was the heights of shadow steps.
Criiiik
Crash
Another field artillery fired. Considering how it was loaded manually, its speed had been fast.
Cr-ash
The shell that swept past Black Mamba landed on a slope 40 meters away. Rocks and dust rose into the air thickly. Black Mamba had already disappeared, turning his direction to another angle.
Grrrrr
The tank turned abruptly and chased after Black Mamba. The gunshots stopped.
What can you do with a 48 round Degtyarev!
Black Mamba laughed as he ran. The T-34s first machine gun model made in 41 was a Degtyarev armed with a drum magazine. The tank violently crushed some trees as though it heard Black Mambas mocking laughter.
Tank number two began its march of anger after losing sight of Kanma and breaking its allys tank.
Craaack snap
The sound of treeswhich had withstood a droughtbeing cracked was heard unendingly.
They were determined but had chosen a bad opponent. The gunner and loader who had changed the magazine searched to the best of their abilities, but the target had long left their periscopes sight.
Moving 200 meters instantly, Black Mamba plastered himself against the back of a sedimentary rock like a lizard.
Those s***s cant respect elders!
The T-34 was produced in 1941, making it a 40 years old antique. It was, in a sentence, the grandfather of all tanks. It felt like cheating to be moving so normally.
The antique tank itself wasnt a threat, but it became an annoying presence when mixed with soldiers. Itd be like giving the enemy a chance to commit a joint attack if he gave them time to fight their way out of shock. He decided to get rid of everything before the soldiers gathered.
The gun barrel twirled. They intended to shoot randomly at places which could work as a cover.
Crash
Dombrey forest shivered from the large crash.
The shell was wasted on a rock. Unfortunately, the T-34 didnt have a communication device or video equipment. The periscopes sight was also small. There was no way to analyze Black Mambas movement.
Crash
Crash
The tank continued to launch shells. It was determined to get rid of anything suspicious. Sometimes, a stray shell was scarier than the gunner. One shell landed on a concealing rock.
Black Mamba slung his body into the air with the dragons back riding steps using a branch, and he continued upwards with the four paced movements.
Tutatatata
The DT Machine gun spewed fire. A machine gun controlled by a gunner who had restricted sight was not a threat.
Black Mamba, who crossed over the air like a tiger, landed on the hatch like a butterfly. Black Mamba pulled the hatchs handle with tremendous strength.
There was the breaking sound of a hinge from within, but it didnt open easily. He sensed approaching guerrillas.
Theres nothing a hedgehog can do about its eyes, I suppose.
Crash
A fist wrapped in resonance crashed down on the protruding periscope. It was a fist with more destructive powers than a hammer. The periscopes hinge broke apart with a crack.
Crash
The periscope rolled into the cabin at the second hit.
Its the Kanma!
Allah, please save your slave whos sinned.
Chatters of fear could be heard from within alongside the sound of a rolling grenade.
Sorry.
There wasnt time to spare. He dropped the grenade and ran into the forest.
[1] Ahh, hornets, hornets!
[2] Run, hurry!
[3] Run, run!
Chapter 152 - Episode 13: The Returning Battle
Bang
Explosions rang. A larger explosion that shook the forest rang several seconds later. The stocked shells had set off another explosion. The weaker frontal and rear plates exploded. A storm of fire swept across the surroundings.
The gun that had jumped into the air twirled before landing on the ground with its barrel embedded in the ground. It was an astounding sculpture, but there wasnt time for admiration. Black Mamba escaped the scene at his fastest speed in surprise.
Five to six guerrillas who were swept up in the explosion were shredded. Just like that, two tanks that Habib worked to get his hands on, were turned into abandoned metal.
Looks like tanks arent that big of a deal.
Black Mambas eyes strayed to the sight of the tank, which was burning grandly. With another bang, the black smoke and fire gained another level. The fuel had exploded.
A black, burnt object flew in the air and landed before his feet. It was an ankle that had been dismembered from a human. It had been a foot that ran across the ground vigorously. A shining life had turned into black ashes, instantly.
Color is nothingness, and nothingness is color, becoming one is meaningless in time, ruleless in space, and therefore infinite!
Black Mamba quoted a phrase from the Heart Sutra without realizing it. When color was meaningless, there was no point in caring. Tanks were objects, and the ashen foot was also an object. If the unfortunate feeling of breaking a tank wasnt there, the feeling of killing another human was from his instincts and not his consciousness. It was simply the result of the wrong acquaintance. Casualty! It was but a small movement of dust between the many interactions of humans.
There. The Kanma is there!
The screams woke those who were still in shock. A few guerrillas with good sight noticed Black Mamba, who had become one with the rock. The tickling feeling, which made him feel as though he was onto something, broke apart.
Crash
Clang clang clang
RPGs and bullets poured in.
F****** b*stards!
Sssss
Black Mamba flew into the air on the coattails of the RPG explosion. It was a new technique hed made when he was bombed in the Sahel. He unimaginatively named it, A Movement for All.
Papapa
Bullets poured out of the air like rain. The guerrillas, who were confused at the loss of their target, lost their life meaninglessly at the three-tap sniping.
His physical abilities grew the more he fought. The order continued like so: Black Mamba shot, the guerrillas fired, and Black Mamba wiped out the supporting firearm users.
How many of them are there? Black Mamba shouted, annoyed.
He had gotten rid of over 150 people in the forest alone. They were like cockroaches. They crawled out endlessly.
Bang bang bang
Three RPGs were launched simultaneously. Black Mamba threw his body to the launching point. The FROLINAT officers werent chicken heads either. They began to use the RPGs as a group. They were attempting to shove Black Mamba into a three-point frame by launching three at the same time. It was the same tactic the Third Army used in Er Ekdim.
Within three to four seconds, 70 meters could be covered. Black Mamba slipped past the RPG shooters while they stuttered. In one, two, three, the necks of both the gunner and sub-gunman fell.
Black Mambas teleportation speed reached 20 meters. He had used fearless steps the moment the RPG locked on, killing both gunners relentlessly before disappearing. He intended to increase their fear.
This is the last one.
The grenade was thrown. It landed 200 meters away. He used the fearless steps to throw a rock, 40 meters away. It landed 70 meters away from the grenade.
Crash
Ahhhh!
A shout could be heard from the grenades explosion point. Soon after, another guerrilla who was hit by the rock, screamed. It was an all-in sniping method hed based off his superior speed. The guerrillas werent able to imagine a grenade coming from several hundreds of meters away.
Telattun!
Its the Kanma!
Screams and shouts rang from both sides.
Clang clang clang
Crash
Tutututu
The small guerrilla unit focused their random attacks on the location of the shout. Both sides fired up their RPGs and machine guns.
Work at it!
Black Mamba smiled derisively, before whisking himself away in search of new prey.
Fear froze logic. The entire forest suddenly came alive with explosions and gunshots. The FROLINAT soldiers were all in fear of the Kanma, with no exceptions. Fear of battle was added to the mix. That created a bizarre situation where anything that moved was shot at.
Fortune didnt last forever, even on the best of days. Destruction called rather ironically. Black Mambas face crumpled as he turned to a corner of a thick forest.
A wire as thin as thread caught on the end of his feet. It was a booby trap made under the orders of commander Kidili within Abbas army.
Sst
Three arrows were launched at his back.
Its irritating!
Black Mamba was tired of those haphazard booby traps. His concentration had gone down from the long battle drenched in blood.
Schink
He moved his Kukri and sliced the arrows in two easily.
Rumble
A huge log with embedded nails fell from somewhere, over his head. Falling objects were a double-tapped booby trap.
Ah! he gasped automatically.
However, it was too late to avoid it. There wasnt even time to move his hands or feet.
Ugh, whatever.
He readied his forehead to crash against the rock. It was better to give an impact than receiving one to lessen the damage.
Crash
The log was as thick as his waist. It cracked and broke into two. The nails embedded in the log, bent.
My God!
Surprised, Black Mamba felt his own forehead. He hadnt expected the log to break.
How did this happen? Its like a steel skull!
Black Mamba didnt remember the change he went through a few days ago after the coma he earned from straining himself.
F****** hell!
It wasnt the time to be amazed. Black Mamba left the scene as fast as he could at the smell of gunpowder. The last hidden hand behind the trap was a hollowed log filled with gunpowder.
He pushed off the ground and almost broke his ankle.
Crash
An explosion crashed over him. His body bounced outward from the pressure. No, he sent his body flying with the pressure. The pressure that seemed to press on his vice and the pain that ran through his body shook him awake instead.
He loosened his body which landed on the ground with a crash and rolled. It was to lessen the impact. He hid his body behind a rock without time to manage the pain.
He wouldve been worn out from the booby trap had he not increased the ability of his fearless steps. The booby trap that Abbas had created without many expectations had thrown the great Black Mamba into danger.
He became nervous. The guerrillas would be deaf had they heard the explosion. Theyll be swarming the place like ants soon. Fortunately, his backpack made out of kevlar properties was fine, and he could move his hands and feet without straining them.
As expected, bullets rained down. He came under fire as the rock was chipped off.
This is bad. I need more time.
He had avoided a fatal injury, but he couldnt hear. He couldnt use his dimensional sight either. He would turn into a beehive if he remained still. That was the greatest danger he faced after wearing the military uniform.
Well, life and death are up to heaven after all.
He gritted his teeth and ran, jumping off of the rock. His body created an explosion of power, knowing it rested on an absolute crisis. He ran several meters away in a flash of a shadow.
Woah, the Kanmas injured! the guerrillas shouted.
Tens of guns poured bullets in the direction of the passing shadow faster than an arrow. Black Mamba, who pushed his shadow steps to the limit, disappeared in a few seconds.
Eep, its really the Kanma!
Allah!
The guerrillas, who lost their target, fell into a mental breakdown.
Follow him, hes injured!
Youll be given money and women if you inflict an injury!
Whoever hesitates will be shot!
The officers and commanders shouted. The guerrillas began to search as soon as they regained their senses.
Yeaaah! Catch the Kanma!
The ground moved in the place where the guerrillas had passed.
Spew
A huge beast jumped out from the ground. It was Black Mamba, covered in sweat, blood, and sand.
Kuk!
Blood leaked from between his fingers, which was grasping his left shoulder.
Beep beep
He could hear the guerrillas exchanging whistles without interruption.
He activated his four-paced movement, continuously moving 200 meters out of range, and seeped into a rocks crevice. When he removed his hand, blood drained out. A burning sensation followed.
F****** hell, this is what happens!
A stray bullet had made a hole underneath his left shoulder bone. It was peeking out of his bulletproof vest. A bullet that had approached him from his front had embedded itself diagonally below his armpits. Blind bullets were truly the most fearsome foe in a battle.
Fortunately, his senses were returning. His hearing was returning as he could hear the sounds of explosions, similar to that of a popping air bubble. He also recovered his sense of smell. The smell of copper blood filled his nose like tides. Black Mamba, who was taking out his blood pressure bands from his backpack, paused.
Pheeeeeeeew
It was the sound of a shell crossing the air.
And its landing point?
S***!
It was where he was hiding. He kicked off the rock and threw his body in the air.
Crash
Argh!
A rare shout came from Black Mambas mouth. He had moved 20 meters instantly, but the hot air and suppression washed over him. It hadnt been an RPG but a field artillery. It was the 85 mm BC-3 that Sun WooHyun had told him about. The b*stard had once survived a grenade.
There was no way the enemy launched that with a fixed aim. He had been done in by a blind bullet and a blind shell. It was the unluckiest day of his life.
Fortunately, he couldnt catch anyone in his 200-meters-range dimensional sight. He wrapped the band around his wound and tightened it with a compression bandage. There were still many enemies. He didnt have the leisure to make them waste bullets.
Guh.
He groaned as he tried to stand. Harsh pain flooded him from his left waist.
Damn it!
A piece of shard the width of two fingers had embedded itself through his bulletproof vest. He pulled out the shard in annoyance and threw it down. The shard hadnt embedded itself deeply. The vest had protected him as the first layer, and his muscles, the second layer. It had prevented the shard from going any deeper.
My ribs out.
One of his ribs had broken from the impact of the shard. Even if his vest and muscles protected him, the kinetic energy couldnt be stopped. The outer injury wasnt large. An injury that small could automatically heal even when left alone. However, his broken rib was a problem. There was a risk of ripping his organ when left unattended.
He took off his vest and grabbed the fifth broken rib with his thumb and forefinger. His fingers dug into his side as though it was making a hole. It was something hed already experienced.
Fortunately, it wasnt a complex fracture but a simple one. It was the same theory as coal. When exposed to outside pressure, lower-quality coal would shatter while higher-quality coal would snap.
He grabbed the rib, which was pushed inside with his pincer fingers, and dragged it out slowly. He was able to see within his body with his dimensional sight, making it usable in such situations.
He grabbed the rib, which was pushed inside, with his pincer fingers and dragged it out slowly. He was able to see within his body with his dimensional sight, making it usable in such situations.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead with a cracking noise. Not even the strong body and mind of a Paranthropus could withstand the pain which seemed to tear through the skin and twist the bones. He pulled the rib back into alignment and wrapped his side tightly with a compression bandage. Strength drained out of him at the end of the procedure.
Cells increased in numbers in his veins. His automatic regeneration had begun. If there hadnt been a battle, he would have recovered in three days. However, the problem wasnt those three days, but the current.
Are those b*stards mad?
Explosions and gunshots didnt end around him. Black Mamba tilted his head. A manhunt never lasted long. They were bound to recognize each other if they fought in broad daylight instead of night-time.
Ha, theyre knocking on places that I would most likely hide in.
He smiled coldly. He could sense at least 100 guerrillas on his radar. It wasnt a small number, but he didnt consider them a threat due to the lack of blood lust.
The FROLINAT regained their peace while Black Mamba hesitated. They were energized at the thought of Kanma being injured. The commanders changed their tactics and destroyed anything that could be the Kanmas hiding place. They thrashed around the place and poured bullets, RPGs, and grenades into suspicious places.
Both sides were seeking to end each other. An injured predator was bound to act out even more. With an injury and a crisis, the Paranthropus awoke. Black Mambas eyes gleamed in red. The instincts of a Paranthropus came to surface. It was the true coming of the Kanma.
Chapter 153 - Episode 14: The Returning Battle
Battle instincts overwhelmed him. He automatically became one with nature. The main point of becoming one with nature was based on a skill that erased the Morphic Field.
What was a Morphic Field?
All things possessed its own form and shape. What made this possible was a specific energy frame created according to its space. It was, in other words, an energy field.
On the other hand, it referred to the objects composition and movements, the push and pull, and the spreading of power in the space made. Life forces created a connection between nature and other living things.
The reason why he could feel a presence from objects was because his senses were intercepted by other living things life forces. There was a difference in the presence between a tiger and a cat, a pine tree, and a flower.
Becoming one with nature was a skill that blocked out the interceptions of those living beings. It was the upgraded version of erasing small ki, found in martial arts novels. On the flipside, resonance was the enhancement of interceptions.
The nightmare of battlefields attacked the guerrillas search party. The Kukri became his hands and feet. The FROLINAT who were unable to sense him were done in easily. Black Mamba jumped out from the ground, trees, and rocks like lightning.
Heads exploded at his fists, backs folded in two at his feet. When the Kukri flashed, their bodies split in two. Their upper bodies were holed by a thrown rock. It was the appearance of a blood-crazed monster.
Adrenaline and dopamine increased physical strength with proper distribution, but an overload could paralyze reason. Unrelenting hand movements broke through bones and muscles. Black Mamba attacked without a thought for his injuries. Dombrey forest was soon covered with scared guerrillas shouting and randomly firing guns.
The north-eastern guerrillas were busy running from the suppressed fear which wrapped around them. They even shot their commander to run away. Amongst the dead was Major Kidili, who set up the booby trap. It wasnt long before the gunshots and shouts died down.
Hassan, who was hiding between the branches of a baobab tree, tucked his chin in even further. He felt as though the mere clacking of his teeth would call the Kanma over.
Everyones dead. Ah, everyones dead. Allah, please protect your pitiful slave from the Kanmas hands. Allah, you are the sole greatness, justice, and God.
Hassan murmured frantically. He prayed out loud, despite the fear of being heard, so that Allah could hear his prayer. Unfortunately, Allah didnt hear Hassans prayer.
Kegh!
His neck was gripped in hands as tight as iron. Hassans eyes bulged out. It was the Kanma, who appeared without a trace. His consciousness fled to Andromeda.
KaKanma!
Hassans eyes lost their focus as it met a pair of blazing red eyes. Yellow liquid flowed down from between his legs.
Realizing that this was his end, the thoughts of his old mother and young siblings passed Hassans head.
Did they feel this fear as well?
He recalled the gazes of the locals hed axed to death, all done with a felling and single-bit axe. The owners of the necks he had cleaved were those hed once ate, laughed, and talked with. Suddenly, tears ran down his face.
What a weak b*stard!
Black Mamba threw the guerrilla that was in his hand to the ground without consideration. A red doll dropped from the branches of a baobab tree.
Kuh, kugh.
Hassan twisted his body in pain after strangely twisting his spine. Hassans pained groan was the only sound in the forest.
Crack
A foot loaded with immense weight stepped on Hassans neck.
There was silence. A red diablo stood alone in a devastated forest. It was Black Mamba, with his Kukri and Glock in each hand. His red-lit eyes slowly returned to its original color.
He looked at himself. The Kukri was suitable for slashing down and sideways, but it wasnt suitable for slicing up and stabbing. He was bound to be covered in blood from the sliced necks and chests.
His brown-yellow uniform was dyed red. He had become a red beggar, no, a rag. Blood that drenched his clothes ran down the folds and dripped onto the ground. The litam which wrapped his face was also drenched in blood.
Master, your student wasnt able to escape the instincts of an animal. Please forgive your student.
His consciousness had remained the same, but he hadnt been able to control himself. He had drowned himself in blood, momentarily.
Black Mamba fell silent after a glance around. He couldnt see a single clean death. Corpses that were crushed, sliced, and shattered were lined. There wasnt another path to hell like this. This was hell.
Namu Amita Bul, may you live in fortune in your next life!
The guard had lied. He had killed 180 by attacking the command post and erased 230 in the forest. There were those whod ran after killing 410, and there were still soldiers in the command post. There was no way to tell how many there were in total. Black Mamba would never know that the guard was an idiot who didnt know math.
So many of those dirty b*stards had come. Well, theres not much difference between 300 and 500. Theres no need to kill those whove run and hide, I guess.
The 300 to one death-match in Dombrey forest closed its curtains. The guerrillas who survived the battle began to spread evil stories of the Kanma once again throughout central Africa.
He had a presence that ran faster than a horse, flew through the skies, didnt die from bullets and shells, sucked on brain fluids, and drank bloodThe Sahel was overflowing with stories of Kanma like boiling soup, for a long time.
Black Mamba picked up the Dragunov hed hidden. He hadnt imagined that those b*stards would set up booby traps. There was a saying that one mistake could ruin 10,000 preparations, and hed experienced just that. The pain and mental strain returned at the end of the battle.
He became tired at the end of a massacre, as always. The pieces of meat and streams of blood were, without a doubt, his artwork. Anger surged through him, but he didnt know where it was aimed.
For whom and for what had he ended all these peoples lives? There was no one to ask, and no one to answer. He felt unjust and lonely, but became frustrated as he didnt know why.
Namu Amita Bul Gwaneumsa Bosal!
He killed them as an enemy, but they had their reasons to live and their justice to serve. A prayer came out of his mouth, instinctively.
Tension bled out. When his tension dropped, his muscles screamed, and his bones creaked. He was filled with nothing but the thoughts of going to sleep immediately.
Pain surged from his left arm where the bullet was lodged. His left rib was equally painful. He was safe due to the bulletproof vest, but his body had received shocks from five shells.
A bulletproof vest wasnt able to exempt the full kinetic energy. The force was received in its entirety. The kinetic energy of a bullet was within 1,700 Joules. It was enough to break the ribs protected by a bulletproof vest twice over. His strong muscles and bones had withstood the impact, but the shock had been strong.
Hah, Ive become weaker! he sighed.
The continued tension, lack of sleep, and battle had worn down his body. His senses and reactions had decreased without him knowing. The result was an injury.
Agh!
Black Mambas face crumpled as he raised his arm. The shoulder was the only joint in the body that could rotate 360 degrees. The bullet which had dug into his bone was preventing that movement. He could withstand the pain for now, but hed also gained a large handicap in battle.
He gritted his teeth, pulled off the compression bandage, and ripped off the hemostatic compression band. The band made out of polaroids was a temporary way of stopping blood loss. His tissues could become necrotic after long wear.
His regenerative speed could also decrease if the bullet remained inside. Blood leaked from the bullet wound. The hole was as wide as two of his fingers. The tissue damage worsened since the bullet didnt penetrate properly.
Chartres had once said that he entered Legion Etranger because he disliked a life that revolved around drama, but in reality, it was a documentary. Black Mamba, on the other hand, wanted to live life like a documentary. Instead, he was living life like a drama.
Hehe, drama or documentary, theyre both ice creams that melt under the sun. Theres nothing different in life after all those curves at the very end. Hehehe!
Black Mamba laughed like an old man whod lived his life to the fullest. Bellman was far, and the enemy was near. His battle abilities would plummet if he didnt get rid of the bullet. He took out morphine from his emergency kit and injected it between his shoulder and chest. He waited a moment for the medicine to work before pulling out darts from his ankle.
He confirmed the location of the bullet between his muscles using his dimensional sight. The bullet had dug 40 mm underneath his shoulder joint in the teres major muscle. The battle wasnt over. Shots rang when he was heating a knife in a fire.
Bang
Bang
It was the sound of the Soviets Makarov pistol.
Why does that b*stard shoot a Makarov when I gave him a Beretta? Black Mamba complained.
He had given the lackey a Beretta and an M9 knife after hearing that the lackey lost his sword while trying to steal Jang Shins Beretta.
The lackey was someone with great survival instincts. He must have crawled out of his hiding place after the battle ended. Black Mamba realized he didnt care. People like Mike, who ran about regardless of ones lack of skills, were those he truly hated.
Sun WooHyun approached with a rustle. He stared at Black Mamba with a blank expression. His chest felt stuffy. He could see the demon covered in blood clearly. Black Mamba didnt even turn to look at him. He was busy embedding a red-hot knife in his shoulder.
Ssst
White smoke rose, and the tangy smell of burning flesh spread.
Wakil, were you shot?
Somehow.
Theres no need to burn the skin since we have a compression band. Give me that knife.
Receiving the knife, Sun WooHyun began to cool it down by pouring alcohol all over it.
Are you not going to bite on something? Your teeth are going to break.
Hurry up and pull that metal out, Black Mamba replied petulantly at Sun WooHyuns question.
Sun WooHyun sliced the muscles with experienced hands and rummaged around the skin with pincers. Cold sweat dripped down Black Mambas face. He would have pulled it out in one go had he done it himself, but this b*stard was driving him mad by poking around all over the place. Sun WooHyun clicked his tongue after pulling out the bullet with the pincers.
Whyd the bullet go around instead of driving right through? Ive never seen a bullet wound so large. Its a tumble.
Shut up and bandage it.
Pulling out a bullet from raw skin was no easy feat. Even the great Black Mamba spoke with a strained voice.
A bullet took on a streamlined shape to reduce air resistance. Streamlined, the center of its gravity moved towards its back. If the gravity shifted to the front, the orbit became unstabilized during its flight.
The story of turning to bullets to make a wound larger was false. The reason for rotating the bullet by inserting a steel wire was to stabilize its flight frequency.
When a bullets advance was blocked, its front struggled to go ahead. The bullet would then shake as though it would flip. It was called a rollback or tumbling phenomenon. It meant that a bullet without its penetration power would spin in its place. Naturally, the surrounding tissues would shred.
It was cleaner for the bullet to pierce into the skin straight. A penetrating injury left fewer marks and was fast to treat and recover from. Black Mambas injury was similar to twirling an embedded knife.
Sun WooHyun poured alcohol into the wound and sprayed a styptic agent. There werent enough compression bandages. Black Mamba loosened the litam around his head. Sun WooHyun wrapped the blood-dripping wound with the blood-soaked litam. Both the patient and helper didnt protest. Suturing was something that Bellman had to do. Of course, only if they returned alive.
F***, its hard to earn money.
Two people complained silently at the same time. Working for ones food was truly difficult. Flies gathered in a black swarm at the smell of blood. The corpses thrown around the forest were soon covered with flies. They entered all the holes they could, through their wounds and face.
Gold flies laid their eggs on the corpses, while fruit flies poured their larvae as though they were attacking. Regardless of victor or loser, all flies needed were corpses to lay their eggs on.
Chapter 154 - The Returning Battle
Sun WooHyun found the sight of the crushed corpses and dark clouds of flies revolting. Black Mamba chased away the flies lingering around his right arm and digging in his ears and nose. The flies returned like a cloud soon after. He clicked his tongue and called Sun WooHyun over.
Lackey, theres another bandage in my backpack.
You didnt give it to me earlier.
I forgot.
A battle between life and death required high concentration. His overworked brain had pushed unimportant matters aside. Sun WooHyun loosened the litam and pulled out the compression bands to wrap the wound afresh.
Black Mamba stared at the litam for a while before throwing it aside. He was annoyed by the flies, but he didnt want to wrap a blood-soaked cloth around his face.
His strength had drained the moment the bullet was removed. His stressed muscles convulsed in protest. His muscles screamed for nourishment. He leaned against a tree and began to heal his muscles. He took out a handful of camel date palms from his backpack and chewed on it.
Black Mamba received bullets and rubble shocks worthy of five hammers coming down on him. If he had been shot by 5.56 mm bullets, it wouldve been bearable. Of course, his bulletproof vest would have torn, as there wasnt time to analyze which bullet to avoid or allow in the battlefield.
A sharp pain ran up his arm with the slightest of movements. He found it reassuring. Feeling pain meant that his nerves werent injured. It was a welcomed pain. The problem was whether he could move, not the pain. Pain was something hed been familiar with since the age of nine.
Wakil, dont you need a morphine injection? Sun WooHyun asked carefully.
Did this human eat something strange?
Black Mamba looked at Sun WooHyuns changed attitude with strange eyes.
Its possible youd be distracted trying to hold back the pain.
So, its between a pain that scatters my concentration and the risk of losing my senses. Which do you think is more dangerous?
The immediate and realistic danger has passed, and theres no point in holding onto pain, right?
I see. Do it!
Gee, even if Wakil is a superhuman, pain is pain. Dont worry. Ill guard you, Sun WooHyun muttered as he injected Black Mamba with morphine.
Black Mamba wanted to smack his talking mouth. He didnt mind much, but those words were ironic considering how the lackey had hidden throughout the entire duration of the battle. In several ways, he was different compared to Ombuti.
When five seconds passed, he felt a light pressure on his chest. It was the starting symptoms of the morphine injection. Eight seconds later, the pain vanished. The effects of morphine were truly great.
The morphine also brought about another effect. His head cleared, and his dimensional sight poured into his surroundings. There were many whod run and some who were hiding. He didnt care. There were always a few lucky ones in every situation.
Those who had survived the battle were shriveled up in fear. Those whod lost their will to shoot were no longer a threat. Instead, he became wary of those who were drugged. It was something that went against ones determination.
Sun WooHyun looked at Black Mamba with respect in his eyes. His figure, which leaned against the palm tree, looked comfortable. It would have been the sight of a farmer taking a break after a days worth, had it not been for the blood. Black Mamba was a human whod taken the same pose after beating him up, to go to sleep.
Is he truly human?
It was one of Sun WooHyuns questions. The sole figure had destroyed a battalions worth of soldiers. Angel of Death, the nightmare of Sahel, Kanmahe lived up to those names. Sun WooHyun felt ashamed of himself for feeling so proud of his nickname, Namir.
They had been surrounded by hundreds of enemies. How many could he have killed? He considered himself the best in terms of battle abilities, but a frontal assault against hundreds of enemies was an impossible feat, even for him.
His limit was 20, an exaggeration. After that, he would have died like a beehive. He had hidden in the beat when the battle became more intense. He hadnt come all the way to Africa to die like a dog.
Black Mamba hadnt cared in the least. Sun WooHyun folded his pride once at Black Mambas strength and blood lust and twice at his fearlessness. He had witnessed a true warrior. It wasnt simply about his undefeatable battle abilities, either.
He was a bigger man who considered other people and pitied those who had died while trying not to lose his humanity in the midst of battle. Sun WooHyun silently admitted his defeat.
Ill be a real lackey.
Sun WooHyun lowered his stiff back.
Lackey, move your ugly face out of my sight.
Black Mamba cracked an eye open and shoved Sun WooHyuns forehead back with a finger.
I lost to you. Youre the hero of all.
Ha, stop barking madness. Give that hero s*** to the dogs.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly.
Noja once said that the best plan was no war. The person who fought from daybreak to nightfall as a mercenary was himself. In what way was he a hero?
Would his master understand? Did he predict his future, running around like a devil? Black Mambas face darkened like the cold fields in Autumn. Sun WooHyun suddenly felt bad.
Wakil, sorry about something. I hid in the beat in fear of my own life.
Sun WooHyun rubbed his face in guilt.
Good job. Youre a lackey, not Black Mamba. You would have helped in the battle but would be bound to death. I dont want to go through the pain of losing someone close to me again. Ive had enough of dogged deaths like sergeant Mike.
Damn, the plates are different.
Sun WooHyun nodded. The sizes of their plates were different. Black Mambas back suddenly looked wider.
Right. A FAP sub-officer is nothing to a Deuxieme Rep private.
That depends on the private.
Black Mamba resigned to the complaint. Sun WooHyun took out four sets of C-rations from his backpack.
I brought Wakils food with me. You worked hard for your food. You should eat.
Hunger had caught up with him. Black Mamba brightened up.
You act like Ombuti day by day. Finally, youre acting like a servant.
Ive been learning a lot from the senior servant.
Sun WooHyun smiled.
Black Mamba estimated his battle capacity after recharging his energy. It was hard to exert 60 percent of his battle capacity due to the low energy and injuries. His condition wasnt good, but he didnt have an iota of thought to retreat in front of the enemys base.
Reactivating the network was easy, with the command post left intact. Theyve taken it on the chin. They had to break and move past the enemies as fast as they could before the Bata provinces soldiers became their gravel.
Black Mamba raised his body with a groan.
Lets go rob an empty house. We need to break them so that theyll never catch up.
You can do that with that body? Sun WooHyun pointed to his injured shoulder and side.
Thats why I need a lackey. This time, I need support.
Okay. Ill pour in everything.
He checked his watch. Three and a half hours had passed since the beginning of the battle. It was already 2:30 PM. Black Mamba had gotten rid of over 400 people within half a day and was seeking to erase some more. Sun WooHyun could see the flames of Asura coming off Black Mambas back as he followed.
Black Mamba and Sun WooHyun headed towards the north-eastern command post, leaving behind the forest full of dead ki. They were headed towards another deathmatch.
The north-eastern FROLINAT command post was composed of 20 tents, a cafeteria, weaponry, and headquarters. The buildings were made out of palm trees, its roofs and walls made with reeds. Most of the buildings had burned down during the first wave of attack as it was weak to fire.
Black Mamba looked at the smoking command post with cold eyes. There were some tents on fire, but there were more burnt down.
Sun WooHyun looked at the busy FAP soldiers attempting to reorganize their camp with pitiful eyes. He had always seen blood in the past, and even now, after meeting a stubborn b*stard. However, Black Mamba wasnt a normal, stubborn b*stard. He was a monstrous human who chased his targets until the end of the earth.
Wakil, I took with me a few rifle grenades.
Sun WooHyun took the rifle grenades out of his backpack. He had said a few, but there were a lot.
You shouldnt be experienced with it.
I can use any weapon that enters my hand, whatever it is.
Sun WooHyun connected the adapter with familiar steps and placed the grenade.
Bang
Urgh.
Sun WooHyun flinched at the sound of its large explosion.
This is worse than a Kostoy[1]. The recoil is going to finish off a person.
Sun WooHyun showed amazing accuracy despite his complaints. The grenade, which flew in the air, in an arc, landed right on the headquarter tent. Following that, another round of grenade landed on the same building.
All the standing buildings were hit by a rifle grenade. The tents were dry due to the long drought. They were swept into a fire instantly. The command post, which was attacked again by a stubborn b*stard, turned chaotic once more.
Its the Kanma!
The Kanmas come again!
The members, who had been suppressing the fire and tidying the mess, scattered like spiderlings in search of cover.
Tens of armed guerrillas poured out of the main buildings and tents, which were on fire. Shouts and curses were exchanged. The guerrillas didnt take aim as they shot randomly into the other side of the wadi. They were self-marking targets who didnt know the basics of battle.
Were all the idiots left behind? Whyre they untrained?
Black Mamba tilted his head and grabbed his Dragunov.
Theyre better off dead. Sun WooHyun raged at the pathetic sight.
His pride had taken a blow as someone who had been a training officer.
Clang Clang Clang
The triple tap of his Dragunov began. Several guerrillas out in the open fell to the ground instantly. The guerrillas finally regained their senses and scattered, in search of a hiding place.
Tututu
Tututu
His skills of using a Minimi was, as hed said, better than Emil. He didnt lose a target as he shot three rounds per aim, decreasing the wastage of bullets. The guerrillas who were jumping out of the burning buildings fell under the Minimis sniping. Sun WooHyun was a battle machine, brought up to the highest ability a human could reach. It was just that his presence was marred beside Black Mambas feats.
The camp was steadily destroyed in the joint attack between Black Mamba and a North Korean training officer. The wind blew, turning the entire camp into a sea of fire. The guerrillas who jumped out of the buildings to avoid the fire were sniped at without fail.
They were the only guarding unit left behind in camp. The commanders and warriors had all been killed in the forest. They didnt have enough commanders, possessed low fighting abilities, and lacked supporting heavy weapons. A miserable sight of a one-hit-one-kill occurred.
Nothing moved on his radar. He had sniped over 50 people. Adding to the numbers wrapped in the explosions and killed by Sun WooHyuns hand, the FROLINATs north-eastern command post had been annihilated in biological terms.
The stuffy smell of burning corpses tickled his nose. Black Mamba placed his Dragunov and Pamus down to look at the burning camp afar.
Even though they were b*stards who committed crimes worse than animals, his chest twinged. He had killed over 485 people from the FROLINAT in a day. They, too, were someones son and father.
Wakil, are you going to clean up?
Sun WooHyun glanced at Black Mamba. He had agonized over a name to call Black Mamba for several days, but now he was determined to call him Wakil. He had thought about it a lot.
Sun WooHyun had heard that South Koreans didnt like the word dong-mu. Hed turn into paste if he called him a son of a b****. It was difficult to call someone so much younger than him, his boss. He didnt want to call him Black Mamba, either. That was because he recalled his self-portrait of demolition.
In the end, he decided to call Black Mamba, Wakil, like Ombuti. He volunteered to be his servant, so Wakil was right.
You want to go in there? I refuse. If you want to burn to death, you can go by yourself.
The camp had turned into a ball of fire. He was bound to be barbecued if he jumped in.
F***, I really dont like the way he talks.
Namu Amita Bul, greet your other life, cross the threshold of hell as quick as you can. May you be blessed and reformed in your latter life. May your soul rest in peace!
Black Mamba prayed for a better afterlife for the dead, in a respectful manner. His calm chants floated around the heated earth.
The battle was over. Black Mambas face, as he picked up his weapons, was peaceful. It wasnt the face of someone whod ended several hundred lives in half a day.
Sun WooHyuns face darkened. His heart shivered. This was a hard human to understand. No, he was Janus. He was someone who created a holocaust like mad, then prayed for their afterlives with a sorrowful face. His expression had turned peaceful the moment the prayer ended. Even he couldnt act as if nothing had happened with a chickens death. An ominous concern rose to his mind. Had he jumped into the arms of a devil?
[1] It is a North Korean grenade launcher, a copy production of the Soviets GP-25 Kostyor. Its recoil is harsh and its launch sequence is limited.
Chapter 155 - Episode 1: Follow Your Heart
Do I look weird? Black Mamba stared at Sun WooHyun with a raised brow.
No. Wakil is always right.
Lines creased in Sun WooHyuns face. At his sudden attempt to smile, his expression had turned into a weeping face.
We were going to kill them anyway. Whats the point of reasoning, and crying crocodile tears? Its all an act and an excuse. A painless death is the greatest gift. Have you ever heard of the saying, follow your heart?''
What does that mean?
It means you need to do as your heart wills and that you shouldnt hesitate in what youve chosen to do.
Black Mamba swayed as soon as he finished speaking. Sun WooHyun rushed to support him. Black Mambas face turned white as a sheet. His movements had caused the blood to drip out from his shoulder and side.
Wakil, nevermind about that, look at yourself. Did you have to push yourself so far! Do you have a death wish?
Sun WooHyun spoke with a strained voice, unlike his usual self. He pitied the man who sacrificed himself to save his friends.
Damn it. He still looks great even when hes giving a lecture.
Sun WooHyun had lived for his gains. He had lamented the loss of an easy path to success upon hearing the persecution of his father. He didnt know a young man could look this cool.
Lackey, abandon the thought of tomorrow. Life is about a tomorrow that never comes.
Black Mamba shoved Sun WooHyuns hands away before fixing his posture.
S***, a baby is discussing the semantics of life. But it was well phrased, I suppose.
Sun WooHyun rubbed the blood on his palms onto his pants. Black Mamba looked up at the top of a palm date tree, 30 meters away. Glaring, he charged his Pamus with a clack and aimed.
My hearts not willing, he murmured, before lowering his gun.
What?
Its a scared rat. Lets go.
A face as black as coal peeked out between the palm leaves. After stretching his neck out to check the path Black Mamba had left to, he slid down the palm tree.
He was the Sala tribes child, Nitanga, who was hiding atop the tree. Once he reached the ground, Nitanga drummed his chest and began to breathe. Once his airways opened, he panted rapidly. Nitanga finally collapsed to the floor after finishing a one-man show by himself.
Thank you, Allah. Your servant nearly had a heart attack. Thank you for saving me from the grasps of the Kanma. The Kanma had left due to Allahs grace. Allah is the one and only. Bismillah!
Nitanga was a normal teenager who used to love catching yakori in Dombrey forest. After the DGSEs contact, Nitangas job was to watch over the eastern gates entry and exit of FROLINATs north-eastern command post.
His job wasnt hard at all. It was a simple job that required him to check the soldiers coming in and out of the north-eastern command post while catching yakori.
Nitanga, who was completing his usual routine, had zoned out at the sight of the north-eastern command post being attacked. The command post had gone up in flames, and countless soldiers were jumping out. Surprised, he had hidden on top of a variant tree. Nitanga hadnt been able to move an inch until the battle between Black Mamba and FROLINAT had ended.
A tremendous battle of tanks and field artillery began. In the battle between the legendary Kanma and hundreds of soldiers, Nitanga had been watching the devils fight without even breathing. The Kanma had appeared dripping in red blood. The Angel of Death, Azrael, who took humans names as he willed, had appeared after hundreds of FROLINAT soldiers had been erased.
He had nearly fallen out of the tree when he met his icy gaze. When the gun was lifted to aim, he nearly leaked. Fortunately, the Kanma had left without killing him. The priest had been right. The reincarnated Azrael only killed those who were evil.
When praying to Allah, one always had to kneel on the floor. After finishing his prayer, Nitanga quickly climbed up another tree. He shivered in fear, afraid that the Kanma would change his mind and cut off his neck.
Nitanga finally climbed down the tree by sunset. He carefully entered the forest but soon ran back out with a yellow face.
It wasnt a forest of trees but a forest of corpses. It wasnt the ground but red paint. Countless corpses were strewn all around the forest. Rocks were shattered, and trees were broken. The entire forest had been upturned. The smell of gunpowder and blood flipped his insides.
Eeep, its the Kanma!
After several convulsions, Nitanga wrote a report according to how he was taught. The report was simple.
[Destruction of FROLINATs north-eastern command post]
Place: Bata province, Berdalle, Dombrey forest.
Dead: 500 to 600 people.
Losses: The entire command post, all of those stationed.
Eraser: Kanma.
Nitanga handed in his report and resignation to the DGSE regional headquarters in Algeria, Africa. The reason behind his resignation was written as, I dont want to die with my head blown off or my neck sliced off. He had finally realized how scary an informants life was, something he had jumped into without fear. Nitanga returned to his life as a yakori gatherer in Toruba village.
Black Mamba shook his head in the midst of climbing on the bike. His sight blurred. His grip loosened, and his hand on the handle fell loose.
Damn it. Ive bled too much. God, my precious blood!
His consciousness continued to darken.
Wakil, look at me!
Sun WooHyuns voice faded away as though he was underwater.
Wakil is human, after all!
Sun WooHyun gathered Black Mamba, who had turned into a frog and clicked his tongue. It was hard to hold onto Black Mamba with his small frame while boarding the bike. It was fortunate that their camp was nearby.
Black Mamba returned. No, a blood demon which resembled Black Mamba returned. The camp turned into a swarming beehive that had been poked with a stick. Even the patients who had lied down to recover from dehydration crawled out. Black Mamba was someone who had survived several battles and walked out of them, fine. They couldnt even guess how fierce the battle had been.
Bronin took off the battle uniform with a pair of scissors. Bellmans hand began to shake as he checked Black Mambas condition.
Black Mamba had received nine bullets. Three had landed on the upper half of his bulletproof vest, which ended up as blue bruises. He had received the other five on both sides and his stomach, which turned out into black bruises. The bulletproof vest was useless. An average human would have hovered between the boundary of life and death due to the broken bones. Bellman pulled off the bandage on his left arm.
What the hell?
A large wound the size of an Olympic flame, skin, and muscles which were burnt together, marks of a rummageit was a mess.
Ha! Bellman gasped as he checked the bullet wound.
The entire muscle had been ruined after attempts of digging the bullet out. The blood and muscles surrounding the wound were blue from the secondary contamination. The surrounding structure was as good as a crumpled paper.
Lackey, I need an explanation.
A vein popped on Sun WooHyuns head. Dogs and cows seemed to call him lackey, just because Black Mamba did.
Took out the bullet with a knife.
What!
God, isnt that just a story from those legends?
Emil and Jang Shin were surprised.
Taking out the gunpowder from a bullet to sterilize and removing a bullet from a bullet wound with a knife, those were all fake stories that were only possible in movies. A humans body was incapable of withstanding pain and shock.
Putain, you idiot, arent you risking tetanus?
The Captain jumped, having lost Chartres to tetanus.
You f****** weaklings, what about it!
Sun WooHyuns face crumpled at the swear.
Bellman smiled as he pointed to the contracted muscles with his scalpel.
He sterilized it rather well. All the extra gunpowder and foreign substances from the bullets rollback had been removed. Ive got a lot less to do, thanks to that.
Bellman organized the injured area with his skilled hands, before sewing it up.
Mh!
Pulling out the last bandage on the side, Bronin lost his cool. It was a large wound, 20 mm across, and 80 mm long.
Sergeant Bellman!
Bellman tilted his head at the wound.
Is it possible for a shard to enter at that angle?
Sergeant, look here.
Emil took out a crushed Pamus magazine from Black Mambas spare bag. Both sides of the magazine had turned into paste and were entangled.
It is a field artillery shell from its size. The shard landed on the magazine first, before bouncing into his side.
Bellman finally understood the diagonal wound. If the magazine hadnt become his first protector, Black Mamba would have his job transferred to a purgatorys station guard. Bellmans heart grew cold.
He rummaged around his skin and pulled out the shard.
He did an impossible feat for a humans endurance, Pieff concluded.
The mercenaries, who were standing about, turned pale.
He even dragged his rib back into place.
The Captain pointed at two black bruises. Blood drained out of the mercenaries faces. How vicious he was, to pull his broken rib back into place!
Ill bring Wakils bike over. Veteran, lets go together.
Sun WooHyun, who hadnt heard anything good about his troubles, brought a hovering Ombuti to the backseat of his bike and disappeared. Emil and Jang Shin stared at each other.
How horrible. He took out a bullet with a burning knife by rummaging around the muscles. Could we do that?
I refuse. Were ordinary people. We cant even move during diarrhea. Its only something Black can do.
His temperature is dropping. He needs a blood transfusion.
Whats his blood type? The Captain replied to Bellman.
Blood type B, a Rh+.
Thats me, me. Take just enough so I wont die. Im giving it to sergeant Mike and my partner. Am I some sort of a donor or something? Its driving me mad, Emil complained as he revealed his arm.
Both Centienne and Maxim also raised their arms.
Sun WooHyun lashed out at Bellman upon his return with the bike.
How is the Wakil? How long does he need to recover?
Theres a side wound, broken ribs, ligament injury, tissue necrosis, scapula ligament tear, and blood loss at 25. He wont be able to use his left arm for a while. Its a 48-week diagnosis. At least two weeks, even if its Black.
Sun WooHyuns face rapidly darkened.
Damn, its because he attacked the command post at the very end
Those were injuries a normal person would have died from. The aftereffects of straining to destroy the command post were large. Ombuti and the Captain returned from their search for water and entered the tent.
Lackey, what happened?
Sun WooHyun glanced at Black Mambas sleeping figure helplessly before answering.
We were given the wrong information. There were over 600 soldiers, equipped with tanks and field artillery. The Wakil and I got rid of them all.
He gave a short reply, leaving out the fact that he had been hiding throughout the entire battle.
He cleared a tank and 600 soldiers! The Captain shouted in surprise.
Right, I recommended a night battle, but Wakil was worried about their tracking and rushed.
I see.
The Captain nodded his head.
Black Mamba was the god of night battles. He had thrown away his advantage for his comrades safety. 600 was a horrible number, even if they were untrained guerrillas. It was fortunate that he had returned alive.
Black was hurt critically, but why are you fine, lackey? Emil asked an unwelcomed question.
Im Namir, Sun WooHyun. Sun WooHyun kept bluffing.
He became small in front of his Wakil, but there was nothing to fear against some stray mercenaries.
Thank you so much, lackey. Wakil is safe, thanks to you. Youve saved two lives.
There were tears in Ombutis eyes. Sun WooHyuns chest twinged. Ombuti wasnt a servant but a father who loved his son. He suddenly recalled his own father that he had forgotten about.
There is nothing to thank. I wasnt able to help much. Wakil is the Azrael. I was honored to be with such a god.
Sun WooHyun smiled wryly at Ombutis acknowledgment. Sun WooHyun still didnt know what type of man Ombuti was. The two lives Ombuti had mentioned were his own and Sun WooHyuns. He was a person who would have shot Sun WooHyun without question if he had been the only one to return alive.
Chapter 156 - Episode 2: Follow Your Heart
Despite being the one giving treatment, Bellman himself was a dehydrated patient. As he administered the treatments, his hands were trembling minutely. Even Bronin, who was acting as the nurse, was wiping away the sweat, beading on his forehead.
The mercenaries waited for the treatment to end with dark expressions. Black Mambas injury wasnt just a loss of firepower. It was the beginning of devastation. Shadows clung to Pieff, Captain, and Valboirs faces. Black Mamba had opened a retreating path for them, but they werent happy at all.
Ombuti sneaked out of the tent carefully. The loud engine of a bike was heard. An hour later, Ombuti returned. There was a bunch of huvluv in his hand.
Thank you! Bellman exclaimed.
He was the same Bellman who had called the plant a distrustful spell of Africa, just a few days back. However, hed seen the medicinal effects of huvluv with his own eyes.
Ombuti brewed the huvluv with several other medicinal herbs. Bellman grounded its roots and plastered its sap all over Black Mambas wound before wrapping it up with a bandage.
Jang Shin massaged Black Mambas limbs with his frail body. Emil drenched a towel and cooled his temperature. Centienne and Maxim were chasing flies away by shaking the tarps around. All the mercenaries gathered to treat Black Mamba.
Paul, the DGSE has made a big mistake this time.
Its not a mistake, but an intentional move, the Captain replied sourly to Pieff.
Just thinking about what theyd done made him want to vomit.
No, Im talking about Black Mamba.
What do you mean?
The Captain stared at Pieff with guarded eyes. Pieff was a talented officer, but he was hung up on advancing through the ranks. He had changed as a result of overcoming several crises, but humans didnt change so easily.
They miscalculated Black Mambas value. Black Mamba isnt a tactical weapon but a strategic weapon. If they had known Black Mambas value, they wouldnt have created such a ridiculous situation. Weve basically caught a string of salvation from heaven.
The Captains brows went up.
Commander Pieff, I dont want to listen to your speech on using humans as tools, any longer. Black Mamba is our brother. I will shoot anyone who considers using Black Mamba for personal gains.
Pieff shook his hand.
Huh, you scary man. I care about Black Mamba as well. Im worried that Black Mamba wouldnt be able to overcome his blood lust once he returns. We can all gain something if Black Mamba stops being so stubborn. You should reassure him a little.
The Captain stared at Pieff. Pieff would still reveal his greed for advancements despite going through the tribulations of life or death. Humans truly didnt change so easily. If Pieff hadnt dragged the rescue team without a plan into the Sahel, Black Mamba wouldnt have been hurt. Suddenly, he felt annoyed.
Black isnt just a strong person. Hes a guy who was always ready with a much fearsome brain. There will be a lot of people crying for mercy. Theres a high possibility of him killing those whod sent a hitman after him and those whod leaked our information.
Kill!
Chills ran down Pieffs spine. There werent just one or two whod played around behind their backs. There were several generals and high-ranking members from the intelligence department. Black Mamba was someone whod erased a FAP command post within half a day. If he went rampant in Paris? Movies like King Kong and Godzilla would look cute.
Geofrey, Im sorry, but youre as good as dead.
Major Geofrey, whod been sent by the DGSE, was his best friend. The request of salvation, which had been on the tip of his tongue, went back down.
Captain, were ready to head off, Emil reported, energized.
Emil had found his normality after overcoming his diarrhea. He had certainly seen the advantages of huvluv.
Wont Black Mambas condition grow worse during the trip? Pieff worried.
Its a retreat path Black made with his injuries. Bellman, will there be a problem in moving Black?
We need to travel faster instead. Theres a limit to field treatments. Theres a lot of physical damages, but the risk of tetanus is greater. We need to get him into a treatment facility.
The Captain called Ombuti over as he went over his map.
The indoor hospital in Ati City would be dangerous. Theres a hospital in the outer regions, how are their facilities?
Its an NGO hospital. I dont know much about their facilities. However, their doctors skills and equipment should be better than the local hospitals.
Good, Black has been saving us the entire time. Now, its our turn to save him.
It was a retreat path Black Mamba had made in a desperate battle. There would be nothing worse than losing the path due to sitting around. Sun WooHyun wrapped Black Mamba with a blanket and moved him into the back seat of the pickup. Ombuti grabbed the handle, and Emil and Jang Shin boarded. The Captain and Sun WooHyun rode the bikes as guards.
Pieff, Centienne, Maxim, and Bronin rode on the Beta. The Beta acted as an emergency car. Bellman and Valboir rode on the last Gamma. The pickup, which had turned into an emergency car, sped past the outskirts of Berdalle. They drove quickly to the south-east as though their tail was on fire.
Either during his break or during the time the engine cooled, Ombuti moved to gather huvluv. He boiled huvluv sap for Black Mamba to drink and punched the sap on his wounds every hour. Sun WooHyun shook at that sight, which resembled a long-fond wife tending to her husbands every need. A servant wasnt something anyone could do.
Ombuti, where are we going?
Surprised, Ombuti turned as he teared up.
Wakil, youre awake! Weve traveled 210 kilometers south, past Berdalle. How do you feel?
Not bad. How much time has it been?
A day at most.
Black, stop whining and sit up. Arent you embarrassed to be knocked down by a metal shard smaller than your finger?
Black Mamba was unable to hear Bellmans jokes. He had fallen asleep. The Paranthropus cells within him had awakened at the damages to his body. It froze all body movements and generated energy to heal those physical damages.
Black Mambas body was going through cell division, and cells were increasing rapidly. His temperature jumped past 40 degrees several times. Bellman and Ombuti, who didnt know the reason behind such changes, were burning inside.
It was day 44 of mission raccoon. Ati was Chads greatest north-eastern city, with 35,000 in population. There were bus stations and an airway. Ati was along the path of the Batha River, coming from Sudan east to west.
Cities developed in water regions. The Batha River soaked the dry land and gathered in a lake called Fitri, 90 kilometers to the west.
The north side of the Batha River belonged to the Sahel, while the southern side belonged to a steppe. It was basically separated into two sides, in which one had humans living by a river.
Lake Fitri wasnt largely inhabited, but it was a large river spanning 35 kilometers in length and 24 kilometers in width. Several thousands of people from Batha and Guera provinces relied on Lake Fitri for their day to day life.
In the beginning, southern Batha and Guera near Lake Fitri were made of Chads Arabians who were associated with FROLINAT. Habrs army pushed the Arab FROLINAT to northern Batha.
In the FROLINATs point of view, the land was theirs. From past history to present, humans fought over water and fertile land, writing histories of wars.
The hospital operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres was located two kilometers south-east of Ati City. In a rush, Ombuti drove the pickup more harshly.
Ombuti, we need to hide the team members first! the Captain shouted from his bike.
Ombuti glared at the Captain in dissatisfaction.
Wakils condition isnt good.
The members are also struggling. If we approach in a group, the information network will catch us! We need to move light!
Nigimi jotto!
Finally, Korean curses jumped their way out of Ombutis mouth. He changed directions towards Baskeval valley, near the Batha River.
Therell be a place to hide if you enter the valley. Figure the rest out yourselves.
Ombuti immediately turned the handle away from the entrance. His heart pounded as if he had popped a bean. Sun WooHyun leaped onto the car. Emil, whod regained his condition, ran like crazy and followed suit. The Captain glared.
And what about the others who are injured?
I need to guard Wakil. Were all done for if Wakil doesnt wake up anyway.
Theres still Bellman. Captain, you said that partners should be together through life and death yourself!
Emil didnt budge either. After jumping between the boundary of life and death several times, he had gained the confidence to stand up to his Captain.
My God!
The Captain gripped the back of his head. Their determination made it obvious that they werent going to listen to orders. All there was left in their team, who could fight, was himself and the two who werent listening.
Bellman, Jang Shin, Pieff, Valboir, Centienne, and Maxim had zero battle capacity. The lackeys words were right. They wouldnt be able to continue their battle as long as Black Mamba remained injured.
Captain, you stay behind.
Ombuti was desperate to leave.
A servants position is good after all, Sun WooHyun exclaimed silently.
No! I need to communicate! the Captain shouted.
Sun WooHyun and Emil stared at each other. A fire sparked between their eyes.
Im the lackey.
Im the partner.
Ombuti said that a servant was more important than a subordinate.
Im his partner and friend.
The Captain sighed and shouted again.
God, both of you, stay behind!
The Captains words were dismissed.
Are you stronger than me?
Sun WooHyun raised his fist. He seemed determined to follow, even if it meant fighting for the place.
Oi, are we going there to fight? Theres a lot of female doctors in an NGO hospital.
What about the women?
Your face is the weapon here.
F***.
Those were conclusive words. Sun WooHyun slid slowly out of the pickup with a fixed glare on Emils face. Sun WooHyun, himself, would admit that his features were rather fierce. The nickname Tubilis was made, partly due to his harsh features. Despite his well-endowed position as an officer, he was still single because of those features.
You weakling, Ill do this for Wakil.
Ha, you muscle-brained b*stard!
Emil smiled victoriously at his win.
Ombuti drove the pickup roughly. He had wasted five minutes because of those weaklings. Tears streamed down his face, thinking of Black Mambas face with blue lips.
Wakil, Ill make sure you return awake, even if it means losing all my blood.
Ombuti pressed on the accelerator.
The MSF a.k.a. Medecins Sans Frontieres, was a humanistic medicinal rescue organization created by a French doctor and a journalist in 1971. Atis MSF hospital was built in 1980 to fight against a filariasis outbreak.
The drought, which began in the late 1960s, drove the whole of North Africas central regions to its death. Lake Fitri and Lake Chad continued to shrink. In 1980, the area of the lake was halved. The Batha River barely maintained its flow.
The number of mosquitoes continued to rise year by year, with the lack of river flows and the emergence of lake floors. The swarms of mosquitoes became a calamity for Ati locals.
Filariasis was a parasite as thin as a thread, carried and spread by mosquitoes. Nevermind the bloodsucking, countless locals were infected with the filariasis.
When infected with filariasis, the lymphatic vessels would be blocked by the parasite, causing the legs to swell, and skin to harden. Over time, the skin turned into the hardness of an elephants skin. People were easily infected. When one was infected, it spread in the community, for decades.
When the swelling was left untreated, lymphatic fluid gathered between the tissues causing it to turn thick and hard. When the tissues hardened, lymphatic fluids were no longer absorbed, worsening the swell as it entered its critical stages.
It was from that point on that the pain increased, making it hard to walk. When the opportunity of timely treatment was missed, it progressed into elephantiasis. The legs would turn into elephant legs, causing the person to live in torment for the rest of their lives. On top of that, the gathering of lymphatic fluids could cause an endemic disease or cancer, such as angiosarcoma. That was filariasis elephantiasis.
Bang
The treatment door was opened as though it was broken through.
Oh my God!
An anthelmintic bag dropped from Rudrey Edels hand, in fright.
Chapter 157 - Episode 3: Follow Your Heart
A local middle-aged man ran into the office with a bloodied man on his back. Following his entrance was a built young man and another middle-aged white man.
Edel worried that her office door would break, as it had been difficult to gain. It had only been a month since they got rid of their way station[1].
Hal hunna-ka tabi-boon amu mumarl-lidun?[2]
The middle-aged man shouted roughly in Arabic.
Uwah!
The children waiting for their turn in the lobby broke into tears at once. Edels surprise turned into anger.
What is this rudeness?
Woman, shut up. Its an emergency patient. Treat him now! the middle-aged man shouted in reply.
Most of the time, Ombuti was a man of few words, but he would also act like a tiger who was missing its cub when it came to matters regarding Black Mamba.
Edel stared at the Captain, unable to understand Ombuti. He, at least, looked like someone she could talk to.
Hm, Sophie Marceau!
Emils mouth opened wide. He felt as though his eyes were being cleansed.
A woman in her mid-20s was wearing a loose under armor shirt labelled M-S-F. Emil had seen nothing of females but flies and mosquitoes in the desert for two months.
There was a young, beautiful, and bountiful woman.
She was comparable to Sophie Marceau, who was long praised like the angel. Emils eyes flipped. His concerns regarding his partner were sweeping away like the tide. The place was filled with clear eyes like a lake and cherry-colored lips.
Emil turned and spat on his hand to rearrange his hair. The Captain smiled wryly.
Mademoiselle, Im Legion Etrangers mercenary, Emil. Please allow me the honor of kissing your beautiful hand. Id like to keep your beauty in my heart for the rest of my life.
Emil lowered his head with his left foot behind his right and a crooked right arm, in the manners of a 19th-century palace tradition.
Argh!
Edel pressed her forehead and tilted. Emils looks werent describable. A sour smell came in waves from his sweat-filled uniform. Arranging hair that was filled with oil and dust was impossible in the first place. A beggar in the backstreets of Paris wouldve been 10 times cleaner. She shivered at the sight of the beggar prostrating his gross romance. The rough Arabian was a hundred times better.
Look here, do you think I leave the hospital door open, chewed by flies and mosquitoes, for mad people like you? Do you think I sleep on the floor on a single Styrofoam bed, leaving all those comfortable beds, to hear such romantic words? Get out of here!
Edel turned on her heels after screaming but soon turned back.
What are you doing? Do you want to kill the patient? You, the big old man, move him to the bed.
Emil, who was taken aback by Edels fierceness, ran to bring the bed over. The Captain lowered Black Mamba onto the bed in a crouch.
Who just shouted?
The opposite office door was slammed open. A 50-years-old man ran out of the office, breathing shallowly.
The Captains hand flashed to his Glocks handle before letting it go secretly. By the stethoscope around his neck, that man was a doctor. The middle-aged man wasnt wearing a gown, like that woman. His clothes were a mess.
The toe cap of his black combat boot had a hole, leaving the mans big toe sticking out. His clothes were similarly worn. He was wearing a faded Hawaiian shirt with cargo pants. The middle-aged man suddenly grabbed the front of the Captains shirt.
Are all the MSF doctors suffering from bipolar disorders?
The Captains fantasy of an ideal MSF was shattered.
You, what are you going to do about this?
Aboutabout what? the Captain stuttered at the unexpected attack.
Goddamn it!
The Hawaiian-shirt man shoved the Captain away before frowning.
Professor Giz, are you perhaps saying?
Tears pooled in Edels eyes.
Yes, its that. That damned thing is cut.
Oh my God! What do we do?
Edels face lost its color. She rushed into the office. The Hawaiian-shirt man took after her shortly.
What did we do?
Cut? What, the rubber on his underwear?
The three men blankly rolled their shoulders. The Captains mood turned worse. They had come to request help, but it seemed as though they had made some huge mistake. A moment later, the two walked out of the office with heavy expressions.
What is it?
Nothing for you to know. Lets take a look at the patient.
The cold wind flowed around. The Captain couldnt even ask to make a call. Both looked like mothers-in-law whod eaten a pebble. He felt as though hed be beaten up by their stethoscopes if he did.
Oh, hes rather handsome.
Edel half-screamed, half-commented on Black Mambas face after wiping the dirt off with alcohol. Her features, which looked like an angered mother-in-law, soon bloomed like a vibrant flower. The Captain looked at the woman with disbelief.
Rudrey Edel was a young woman with a headstrong personality. She transferred to Chad after graduating from Londons medical university, before she obtained her degree. Lasers seemed to blaze out from her eyes.
When the bloodied face was cleaned, a face, comparable to a womans by its intricacy, was revealed. His thin yet full eyebrows, high nose bridge, and clear lip lines were revealed. Even the scar, which was engraved like a cross on his left cheek, looked cool.
Edel took off his gandourah and sirwal with practiced ease. When the blood-soaked bandage was peeled off, his sculptured, naked body was revealed. A muscled bodywith no hint of sagging skin and sculpted musclesthat looked like coiled wires exuded its presence under the white light. The lasers turned into hearts.
The Hawaiian-shirt man began to complain.
Doctor Edel, a patient is an object of treatment, not an object of admiration.
My words exactly!
The two mercenaries and guide agreed with the mans words.
Oh, what are you saying? Even youd be impressed, professor Giz. David would cry at this body.
Hey, Im a straight man. I dont have any interest in other men.
Professor Giz walked past while glancing at Black Mambas face, but soon whirled around and ran, attaching himself to the bedpost.
Imimpossible, incomparable!
Professor Gizs eyes had turned large. The event that took place on that day, five years ago, in Bangtaesan, played on his mind.
It was the boy who carried his heavy figure through the heavy snow, at frightening speed through the mountain after he fell off the cliff. The same boy who had suffered from a Harriet memory loss and forgotten his past. The boy who had recovered his memories with fierce determination.
Professor, do you know him?
Hes my friend. Doctor Edel, send him to the surgery room right now. Bonnie, Bonnie!
A girl slightly over ten years old ran over.
Bring Doctor Walter here.
Yes, doctor.
The girl shot out like a spinning top.
And what kind of scene is this?
The Captain and Emil blankly stared at the chaos before them.
Oh, Allah has protected my Wakil. Allah, you are the one and only.
Ombuti raised both of his hands in happiness. Seeing a chance, the Captain grabbed professor Gizs arm as he passed by, heading towards the surgery room.
Doctor, I need to make a call.
Youre incomparables friend?
Were brothers whove shared our blood.
Fine. Theres a phone in that office, so use it, break it, whatever you want. Im in a hurry, so.
The doctor wrestled the Captains arm away and disappeared into the surgery room.
Emil, have we really returned to civilization?
Well, it seemed as though a violent virus had spread throughout the world while we were in the Sahel.
Its fine as long as the phone isnt infected.
The Captain ran to the office.
Professor, why did you call for me? You know, all you need to administer is pentobarbital to prevent tetanus.
Doctor Walter began to complain. He had rushed over, leaving his patient behind at Bonnies alert of a critical patient. The patient was a long-term patient who was non-critical.
Thats the thing. He looked as though hed die any second
Professor Giz smacked his forehead with his stethoscope. The patient had a fever of over 40 degrees and had been bleeding through his reopened wound. However, his temperature had dropped, and he had stopped bleeding. Even his blue-colored skin had regained its color.
A blind shot is more fatal than a penetrating wound. Its due to the tumbling phenomenon. However, this isnt it. Didnt the wounded area look like it had been cut with a sharp knife? If it hadnt been for the carbon scars, I wouldnt have been able to diagnose an injury at all. This is my first time seeing this.
And your theory?
The cell-analysis, histogram, and Pap test show no problem. Theres no inflammatory reaction, even after the debris reached his fatal wound. His red cell index and leucocyte readings are way different from regular people. Is he an alien?
Professor Giz flinched. There was nothing good about Walter gaining an interest in Mu Ssang. He slapped Walters back and pushed him outside the door.
Oh, hm, Ive made you worry for nothing. Ill buy you a drink later.
He decided to destroy all records of Mu Ssangs blood samples.
Its those idiots who caused a scene, I see. Whyre they making a big fuss over a week old injury? This is why stupid soldiers cant be doctors, Walter complained at Emil with a glare.
Walter, in his mid-30s, was a medical graduate from Munich university. With Edel in mind, his judgment was biased. He knew a lot about a humans body, next to God, as a surgeon.
The Asian youth, lying down as a patient, was someone blessed with Gods body. On top of that, he was pretty, like a woman. Wrapping bandages should be done by local nurses. It was obvious why Edel was wrapping the bandages. Walter originally had ill feelings towards rough and rude soldiers. His jealousy exploded.
Idiot humans who know nothing but shooting bullets.
Not all soldiers are stupid.
Black Mamba opened his eyes. He had long woken from his sleep but had pretended because he was feeling awkward from the gentle strokes.
Oh!
That took Edel by surprise, as she tied off the last of Black Mambas bandages.
Thanks.
Its fine. Youre a patient, and Im a doctor.
When Black Mamba looked up at her for a moment, Edels face turned red.
Hey, if youre done, get out of here with that blood-reeking smell. Patients are waiting in line outside! Walter shouted.
Walter, stop. Hes my friend.
Doctor Giz?
Black Mambas eyes widened.
Did you regain all of your memories? Giz smiled wide.
My God! You are Loren Giz, Black Mambas friend. Where am I?
Giz immediately understood Black Mambas intentions of emphasizing his name. Mu Ssang didnt want to reveal his identity.
Its the MSF hospital.
MSF? Then why are you here, Giz?
I contracted with the MSF out of boredom. Im more surprised that youre here, friend.
Ha, this is why connections are scary. Ive entered the Legion Etranger.
Didnt you hate violence and blood?
Only humans blessed by God can live to their tastes.
I see. Let me make some introductions.
Professor Giz called Edel and Walter over.
Let me introduce them. This is Munichs b*stard, Roman Walter, and this is Liverpools beauty, Rudrey Edel. Theyre idiots who roll around the field, abandoning their work and easy lifestyle. Guys, this here is Legion Etrangers warrior, Black Mamba.
Black Mamba, Black Mamba introduced himself shortly.
Walters expression turned into a frown. An MSF doctor was the subject of admiration. It wasnt as though there werent rude people, but this guy was just uncaring. That annoyed him even more.
Oh, Black Mamba! What an awesome name. Im Rudrey Edel, but you can call me Rudrey.
Edel pushed her hand forward for a handshake. When Black Mamba shook her hand lightly, her breathing grew quicker. Walters eyes flashed ominously.
After their introductions, Giz sent the two away with the excuse of a private conversation.
Youre a secret agent?
Something like that. Dont address me as Mu Ssang.
Got it. Ill call you Black Mamba. Are you the Kanma?
Mm, did the rumors spread all the way here?
As Id thought. Who else other than Mu Ssang would flip the FROLINAT on their heads? Theres a rumor floating around saying that the Kanma would kill all the bad soldiers, allowing a peaceful life.
Keke, Ive become a savior?
F*** savior, its like trying to be Muhammad when youre being called the devil. Theyre clinging to such rumors because theres nothing to hope for. How did you get so injured?
I had a large scale battle yesterday noon.
Yesterday noon? Well, you do have a special body, after all. I should warn them to shut their mouths.
Gizs expression turned strange. A bullet wound couldnt heal within 24 hours. He once again confirmed that Black Mamba was a unique person.
Hows the degree of injury?
Even if its you, incredible Park, youd need a weeks rest. It would be a years bed rest for anyone else whos normal.
This much of an injury isnt counted. Ati shouldnt be a safe zone in the FROLINATs eyes, wont there be a problem?
Not even the FAP touches the NGO. There are times when they steal our medical supplies, but they dont harm anyone. Even those b*stards fear international pressure.
What is your position here? Africa is no match for your specialty in neuropsychiatry.
Whats the point of sectors in Africa? Im yesterdays surgeon, todays internal medicine prescriber, and tomorrows birth obstetrician. I was fighting around with guinea worms in Sudan when the filariasis called me here. Maybe it was you, friend, who called me over. Africas a big deal. Those damned parasites are about to conquer us, humans.
[1] Way Station: A portable tent for Mdecins Sans Frontires.
[2] Is there a doctor or nurse here?
Chapter 158 - Follow Your Heart
Are parasites such a large problem?
It goes beyond your imagination. The contaminated water and unhygienic living conditions, with the increase of mosquitoes and flies, are the problem. There are over 10,000 parasite species. The children with protruding bellies either have dietary protein malnutrition, or its filled with tapeworms and roundworms. Trypanosomatida, Plasmodium malariae, heartworm, Schistosoma haematobium, Entamoeba, Clonorchis, capillariasis, trypanosomiasisits endless.
How horrible.
Giz pointed at the hole in his shoes.
The parasites are one thing, but food shortage is the bigger problem. Ive been buying food with my savings for new shoes, but theres not enough. Even with a professors salary and the MSF headquarters support, theres always not enough.
Black Mamba nodded. He had visited only three villages during his mission. Dried lands, the attacks of grasshoppers, the plundering of FROLINATs guerrillas, and women holding onto their babies remains, were recalled in his memories. That was enough to understand the Sahels locals, living in poverty.
Why is an associate professor from Paris university suffering so much down here?
Its a life shorter than a century! I want to live as my heart wills me to.
As your heart wills you to
He was following his heart. There wasnt a way for Giz to know the Diamond Sutra, but it was common knowledge for all. Giz, in his humble clothes, suddenly looked like a bigger man.
A life lived for others, Giz had been on his self-appointed journey while he acted as an Ashura. Their hands were similarly soaked in blood but for different purposes. One had used it to kill while the other had used it to save lives. His nose twinged, and his heart cried.
Whats filariasis?
Its a parasite carried by mosquitoes. Its an evil creation that blocks the lymphatic vessels and renders the legs useless.
I didnt know there was such a thing. What about that cut you mentioned?
Its the Dracunculus. It breaks out of the skin when its time to spread its parasites. Some idiots caused a scene while I was pulling it out carefully. My concentration broke, so it was cut off.
What happens when its cut off?
It gets more difficult. That thing creates infections in groups. Soon, the limb would be inflamed and calcified, which only leaves one with the choice of cutting their leg. Weve placed the patients leg in water for now, but theres not a chance for that thing to crawl back out. Its a ruckus.
Is it possible to remove it by surgery?
Weve no way of knowing where that s*** is hiding.
Giz, bring the patient over.
Black Mamba felt sorry. He had met a friend he hadnt seen in a long time, but his companions had disrupted his friends treatment. He felt as though he could do something about the parasite with his resonance. He had the idea that, if he could emit his resonance, he could also pull it out.
A moment later, Edel brought a ten-year-old girl who was covered in tears.
Giz, can you show me what the Dracunculus looks like?
He would be able to locate the parasite more easily within the body, using his dimensional sight, if he knew what it looked like.
This is the other part which was cut off during operation.
Giz handed him a Petrischale. A disgusting parasite which looked like a knitting thread was nearly a meter long. It was an annoying creature, just by sight.
Black Mambas face crumpled at the girls state. The tunnel that the parasite seemed to have dug was horrible to look at. The red flesh had been pulled out of the dark skin, causing blood and fluids to drip out. It was an unbelievable sight.
When Black Mamba covered the injury with his hand, the child flinched. The amount of pain she had gone through was telling.
Dont worry, child, Black Mamba said softly.
He had said it in Korean, but the child smiled shyly. The dimensional sight was another form of intent. Black Mambas intentions had been sent to the child.
He found the remains of the Dracunculus with his dimensional sight. It was below the knee cap, between the tendons and muscles. There was no sign of life. In such a state, not even medical equipment like an x-ray or computerized tomography could find its location.
Voom
He raised his resonance and shoved all his intentions in pulling out the Dracunculus. Hed experienced pouring out all of his resonance, but hed never tried pulling something out. He succeeded in separating the parasite from its group, but it was hard to drag it out.
He sweated. Hed been enlightened in the Sahel and managed to execute control over its direction and force, but hed only expelled the resonance and had never pulled. Using his resonance without moving, caused pain to spread all over his body. His wounds were being treated quickly, but it was far from healed.
Giz didnt know of Black Mambas relationship with Hae Young. He encouraged Edel slightly.
Doctor Edel, Black Mamba knows how to use the mystical power of ki from the east. What hes doing now is extremely hard. The users life may be sacrificed.
Oh my God, to treat someone by shortening his own life, Blacks the true symbol of a knight.
Edel took out her handkerchief and wiped the sweat off Black Mambas forehead. Giz smiled slyly.
This isnt working. I need to change the way I think.
Black Mamba raised the resonance in his upper body and lowered it to his lower body. Entropy always flowed from the highest to the lowest points.
In the end, his decision was effective.
Slide
The dead parasite was dragged little by little out of the tunnel. The girl frowned. Black Mamba used his resonance with meticulous control.
Aye-na you-melli-moo-ni?[1] Edel asked the girl.
Na-am, yahoo-ku-ka.[2]
Hm!
Black Mama yelled before removing his hand. He flipped over his right hand, which had been over the wound.
Oh, how is this possible!
God! Its magic!
It was the rest of the Dracunculus cut body. Giz and Edels eyes widened as though it would tear.
Oh, Lord. Its done. We dont have to cut her legs anymore.
Edel threw her body at Black Mamba in joy. When a womans soft body hugged his own, Black Mamba became conflicted. He, too, was a healthy man. Rather, he was a strong man incomparable to normal men. A part of his body moved.
Doctor Edel, you should treat Kitois injury.
Hmph!
Edel walked inside with the sniffing child in tow.
Shes a nice young lady. Pure, determined, smart.
I see.
Black Mamba only nodded his head. She was a woman who didnt match his blood-soaked self.
You idiotic b*stard. How did you do that?
Just. Its hard to explain. Giz, you wont understand even if I do.
Well, its the same as the past. Youve become stronger.
Maybe! Im not scared of that b*stard anymore.
Sai Dojiku?
Black Mamba nodded. Giz was one of the few friends he had, who knew his secret.
How do you feel?
Good.
His heart felt warmth. He had saved a girls leg with the hand hed used to kill countless people. That moment opened Ashuras eyes to good deeds.
The world looked brighter by simply pulling out a hidden parasite from a girls leg. The more he killed, the more his heart felt steadily empty. To feel such satisfaction by treating a single child!
Black Mamba fell into deep thoughts. He memorised the process of finding the parasite with his dimensional sight and separating it with his resonance before pulling it out.
He had gained a new skill while treating the child, too. His master had always said, one gained by giving. He named the new usage of resonance as sucking-resonance. His ability to name things was as horrible as always.
Knock knock
Ombuti knocked on the door and entered.
Wakil, weve finished contacting the headquarters. The helicopter has landed.
That fast?
It seemed as though they were already prepared.
Hmm, that doesnt make their sins go away.
Black Mamba smiled evilly. His hands werent healing hands. His hands were used to smash lightning.
And the point of landing?
Its here and Baskeval. It will arrive in 80 minutes.
Its finally the end of this annoying Sahel!
Glee rose in Black Mambas face.
Ill get ready to pull out.
Ombuti, quick-witted, moved out of the office in a flash.
Black, you cant use that power all the time, right?
Well, maybe two to three times a day? Any more would be hard.
He was tired from pulling out the Dracunculus, after all.
Hm, so youre not abled after all. Black, have you thought of setting up a cult in Africa?
What?
Black Mamba was very surprised that he spoke in his dialect.
Giz, I went around the Sahel, killing people for a month and a half. Im simply disgusted at hearing the name, Sahel, at this point. Theres nothing more the heart wants than to leave, now.
Ugh, leave it, MSF isnt something someone as young as you should do anyway. Youre someone bound for greater things. Still, its unfortunate.
If everything happened according to Gizs greed, he would have dragged Black Mamba into the MSF. He really was superhuman. With his ability, he could treat countless people.
Sorry. Ive got a lot to do in Korea.
Giz looked at his young friend. Five years had turned his friend from a baby-smelling child into a sturdy man. He was a friend who had become more manly and more mystical. His friend was at the age where he had to play in large waters to grow.
Ive been paying Africas relief fund for a long time. Africa turned out this way because a large responsibility fell upon my ancestors. Here, even a hanging clock has to be under lock and fleeing has to be keyed in, so that its not stolen. When we donate sausages for young, malnourished children to eat, the adults eat it all in the kitchen. When we give money to educate the children, the teacher takes it and runs off. There is no one to trust here. It was due to absolute poverty. I realized that morality and ethics werent worth a bar of chocolate for humans who were collapsing in hunger.
Ive been raised in a good environment, surrounded by good food. I received a secondary education and was respected by the society. Everything I received was from my parents and the governments support. Then, how was the country able to get its money, technology, and culture? Europe was insignificant compared to other continents in the beginning. Europe was able to fill its stomach by cutting ties with Africa, Asia, and America. Theyre not embarrassed by their actions but instead mocked and disparaged Africa. You should know since Japan is near your country. In the end, I decided to do things that I can do with my own hands.
Black Mamba stared at his older friend. It was passion. There was a firm foundation in his heart, and the passion for action was boiling atop.
Are you happy?
Mu Ssang, you once told me the saying, Everything comes from the mind, didnt you? Its that. I needed happiness in order to live.
Amazing!
He was moved by Gizs passion. His hands were meant to kill people, while Gizs hands were meant to save people.
Am I happy? he asked himself.
He wasnt.
Giz, keep the Dracunculus incident as a secret for me.
Hmm, my mouth will be like a clam if you help me solve three other childrens plight. Ill even shut the mouths of Edel and the children if you do.
Giz jokingly pulled his lips with his hands and gestured his palms. It was a joke he hadnt seen in a long time.
Youre trying to take advantage of a five-year reunion with your friend? The real Kanma had been my friend Giz, all along.
The heavens gave you abilities so that they can be used.
Right, right. Lets hurry before the helicopter comes. If theres anything I need to do, we need to get it done now.
Dont forget the fact that youre a patient. Dont push yourself.
Are you giving me medicine after being sick? Im, in fact, a fake patient.
If youre a fake patient, then all the patients in this world are fake. Its not good to push yourself. But then again, I dont want to lose this good opportunity.
Edel brought three children in, herself, without asking the nurse. She was also quick-witted. She was surprised by Black Mambas skills but had realized there wasnt anything good in revealing it to the world.
God, please forgive me for pestering my friend! These are the children whore infected with filariasis. Theyve already entered stage three. Weve lost the chance to treat them.
And the medicines?
Not even dihydrostreptomycin would work outside of its allotted treatment time frame.
The skin of the children, which should be soft, was in ruins. Their fat tissues had increased, causing their legs to be thicker than an adults. Calcification had progressed a lot.
White flakes were all over, and pus was leaking out of the skins folds. It was as described, these were elephant legs. He grabbed a childs leg. He could sense the foreign presence without having to use his dimensional sight.
Do I need to turn this filariasis parasite to dust?
Thats it. Grind it down like flour. When it turns into dust, the tissues will absorb it.
Black, please. They can be treated once the lymph fluids flow properly.
Edel shook her tight fists as though she was giving encouragement.
[1] Doesnt it hurt?
[2] Yes, it tickles.
Chapter 159 - Episode 5: Follow Your Heart
Resonance was a flow of interference. It used limited frequencies, like natural frequency, to increase the vibration. It was a similar simulation to how a whip could draw an arc of several meters with a single flick of the wrist.
He grabbed the childs leg and aligned his flow to the parasites. He could definitely feel it movingthe living thing underneath the dermisbetween the tissues. It was weak, but there was a lot.
His resonance wrapped around the parasites. The small vibrations turned into a large flow. The parasites, which were swept up by the increased energy waves, resisted. The bugs were grounded to dust like a tree house in a hurricane and a pea in a stone grinder. The children didnt know what was happening in their bodies.
Breaking firewood apart was easier than grinding it to dust. Black Mamba collapsed in exhaustion after treating all three children. Lightning flashed before his eyes, and drums hammered in his head. It was the after-effects of draining his brains energy with a weak body. Edels eyes flashed in expectation.
Black, are all the filariasis dead?
I turned them into dust and grounded them finer than flour.
Oh my goodness, this is the best day of my life! Edel raised both of her arms and cheered.
Children, you can keep your beautiful legs now. You wont be teased anymore. Thank Doctor Black, here.
Ashu-kuruka! ignorant children shouted as one.
Edel grabbed the childrens hands and jumped in joy.
Is this such a happy deal?
She was a young woman with plenty of energy. She had no personal greed. Her pure joy made the onlookers feel as happy.
Black Mamba stared at Edel. This woman, who believed in this unnatural situation, was as strange.
Doctor Edel, do you believe what I just said? Arent you supposed to call me a liar at this point?
No. There are humans you cannot trust after ten treatments, and humans who can be trusted with a single look.
Damn, the storys turning to an unstable direction.
Despite her rather beautiful face, she was a woman with a four-dimensional way of thinking. Black Mamba slowly became worried.
Tutatatata
The loud sound of a rotor shook Baskeval valley, near the Bata River.
Commander, the helicopter has arrived, first lieutenant Valboir said in an emotional voice.
I can hear. Its a commanders return with an extended life after sacrificing his subordinates. Im disgusted with myself for taking the sound of the wind blade as my countrys anthem.
Five out of 11 of the Ratel team had survived through 44 days of the devastating battle. Only five out of the 50 members of the rescue team he led, had survived. The decrease was a result of being chased around and not from battle. If Black Mamba hadnt saved those whod become captives, they would have been buried in the desert. There was nothing more terrible as a commander.
Valboirs gaze turned towards the ground at Pieffs lament. He had been jumping in joy at the thought of returning, forgetting that many of his subordinates did not make it. He wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.
Valboir, raise the flare. Those whove survived need to live.
Boom
A line of red flame flew into the sky from within the valley.
Boom
The Chinook, which confirmed the flames, turned its heavy body and shoved itself into the valley.
A Gazelle hovered 100 meters up in the air, while three circled around, in guard. Two Chinooks landed on the dry wadi under the protection of two Gazelles. A SAMU medical team exited the Chinook with their stuff pouring out of the rear ramp.
Hoo, weve survived! Jang Shin sighed.
The SAMU members moved the patients with practiced skills. Bellman and Jang Shin released their guns and laid down on the emergency beds. Theyd let go of their guns for the first time in 44 days.
Im a son of a b**** if I ever set a foot back in Africa, Jang Shin said as he gritted his teeth on the bed.
My words exactly! Bellman smiled thinly with dark, pressed eyes.
Whyre you loading that?
The relocating officer was looking at Sun WooHyun in disbelief as he pushed a bike into the rear ramp.
Black Mamba said he needed it.
Black Mamba! Understood. Hey, make sure these are tightened in.
The officer ordered his subordinates without a word of protest.
Hehe, Ive gotten myself a beloved horse thanks to Wakil. Ones for Wakil, and ones for me.
Sun WooHyun knocked on the 1200CC BMW bike seat in satisfaction. In North Korea, it was a luxury that one couldnt dream of. It didnt make sense to leave such a precious thing behind.
Everyone has boarded.
Lets go greet our hero.
The heliborne regiment headed towards the NGO hospital, leaving behind chaotic noises.
Tututututu
The propellers loud noise shook the hospital, and there werent just one or two. The Captain entered the office.
Black, the helicopters are here.
The Captains voice was mixed with inexplicable emotions.
There are four Gazelles and two Chinooks. There are two Mirages on sight, 30,000 feet in the air. Hehe, it looks like those old b*stards are in a rush.
A mirage?
Getting transported with a Mirages guard was an act of respect, not even the Head of the Department of Defense could receive.
It seems like theyre finally ready to receive their hero.
The Captains heart was worried. Black Mamba knew the details of what had happened prior to these events. He worried about what that anger could cause. Pieffs concerns werent just his, alone.
Two Chinooks landed on the front yard of the hospital. The four Gazelles moved north, east, south, and west in a defensive position. Two armed commando teams of 20 jumped out of the Chinooks and surrounded the hospital.
A tall, handsome, sturdy soldier entered the hospital. It was an officer whod received a first lieutenants position in the 11th Airborne brigade.
I am team leader, first lieutenant Richie of the 11th Airborne Brigade. Who is sergeant Paul?
Act! Im team Ratels captain, first lieutenant Jean Paul.
The lieutenant waved his hand in a bothersome manner.
Ah, whatever. Wheres Black Mamba?
He was arrogant. It wasnt something they hadnt been through before, but the 11th Airborne brigades arrogance and prejudice was something he wanted to chew off. The army looked at Legion Etranger no differently than how the Airborne brigade saw them. The ends of the Captains face trembled.
Black Mamba, who was talking with Giz, didnt even look at the lieutenant. Ombuti smiled in the corner of the room. The arrogant lieutenants attitude being shattered by his Wakil was a scene, clear in his eyes.
His Wakil didnt like people who believed they were born privileged. He also didnt like those who had a sense of superiority or people who discriminated against others. Things like ranks were nothing but pieces of metal for his Wakil. The lieutenant looked like someone who should be beaten up.
Giz, didnt you say that the water fleas were the source of the filariasis spread?
Thats right. The locals drink contaminated well water. They are digging more wells with the aid of my country, but there arent enough finances, and its hard to care. The Sahels too large.
That should be right. Creating water supplies isnt something that can be achieved within a day or so. Itd be hard to find those underground water sources, either.
Of course, its hard. Were having difficulties administering effective treatments because of the lack of clean water.
Water fleas arent bacteria, are they? Do they come in micro sizes?
Theyre around one millimeter.
Yeah? Then, to use the water, cant you filter out those fleas with a mesh?
Oh, a mesh!
Giz slapped his forehead.
Why didnt I think of that? I feel like Ive turned into a monkey after years of rolling around in Africa. Its astounding how Ive suffered to solve this problem when there was such a simple answer.
Even Giz treated the lieutenant like an invisible person. He was a stubborn breed, enough to throw away the professors position and volunteer for the MSF. He had bandaged wounded soldiers on the battlefield several times. He didnt care a bit for the lieutenant who was turning red beside him.
That mercenarys gone mad after committing an achievement.
Richie, who became a tied sack of wheat, was outraged. The sight of those two, ignoring him right before his eyes, was a spectacle.
A mercenary was still a mercenary, no matter his achievements. On top of that, the b*stard in front of him was a legioner deuxieme classe[1]. He wouldnt be able to raise his head if rumors abounded of how he was ignored by a second class private.
Are you Black Mamba? Richie interrupted their conversation.
Flick
Black Mamba took a button off his patients gown and flicked it with his fingers. It was a secret move no one had witnessed.
Slap
A large spider that was crossing Richies combat boots was flung off its course by the button. The shattered spider landed with a slap on Richies boots. It was a precise strength control. Blue liquid soaked the front of Richies boots and slid down.
It seems like the airborne brigade doesnt clean their boots on average, Black Mamba mocked, lying down on the bed.
The lieutenants face turned into the shade of a pigs liver.
He didnt know what happened, even if he wanted to rage. Paul and Emil barely managed to hold their laughter in. It was obviously a prank by Black Mamba. They could easily see what Black Mamba was trying to do. He was trying to make the lieutenant act out of his own will, by provoking him. Edel began to clap excitedly in the midst of all that.
Black, youre a genius. I respect you for suggesting mesh as a solution. This deserves an award.
Edel kissed Black Mambas cheek. Black Mamba, who had been attacked out of nowhere, made an awkward face. It was an act that would have excited a man his age. Black Mambas expression flashed back into its emotionless state.
No. Edel, youre the respectable person here. You didnt spray Chanel No.5 or applied lance rouge. You didnt put on Emanuel Ungaros clothes or dressed up with a Chloes scarf. However, youre still the third most beautiful woman in this world.
Black Mamba simply expressed what hed felt. The dimensional sight was automatically embedded in his voice. His truth and sincerity echoed in Edels heart. Black Mamba didnt imagine that his words would be the rope around his neck, closing in.
According to psychologists, the opposite genders direction of gaze differed according to love and sexual attraction. When it was love, their gazes landed on ones face. When it was sexual desire, their gazes were fixated on intimate parts of the body such as the butt, chest, thighs, and between the knees.
Edels beautiful face shone brightly. Her eyes were filled with hearts, which was fixed on Black Mamba. There wasnt a rule, which stated that only men could be attracted to women. Emil despaired.
My Lord in heaven, do you still have some talents to hand to that guy? That damn b*stard, he wasnt wearing a chastity belt after all.
Black, that is the second greatest praise Ive heard in my life. Your first should definitely be your Mama. Im going to pry you for a long time on why Im third and not second.
Edel smiled with her eyes and pouted. Emils sorrowful wail was stuck in his throat. It was the height of cuteness that left a mans confidence, bare.
Howhow long has it been since she met him, to call him Black? Give me a chance too!
Emils insides were burning.
Ive experienced the worst of the Sahel enough to understand how rough it is. You, whove abandoned your safety as a young woman to work for those who are neglected, are beautiful. Although, there are some who pride themselves for a rats tail worth of rank.
The lieutenants anger, which hed been suppressing, finally exploded. It was hard to watch the b*stard act in the first place, but he couldnt ignore those mocking words.
What? How dare a mercenary
Crack
The lieutenant, who had been raising his hand to seemingly slap Black Mamba, bounced off the wall like a squash ball and collapsed. The other lieutenants, aside from Richie, flew across the air like riceless sacks and rolled on the floor. No one saw the palm which slapped the lieutenants chest.
Oh no, that b*stards attacking a patient.
Black Mamba twisted his body on the bed.
Kukuku! Edel coughed, trying to hold her laughter in.
Shed never imagined the existence of a man like him on earth. He was a hundred times more interesting than the MSF, and a man she was curious about. In addition, he was handsome.
Oh, damn, its finally happened.
Paul swept his forehead. The lieutenant, who was crumpled in the corner of a lobby, began to turn red. It was an acute respiratory failure that had resulted from his lungs deactivation. It was due to a pulmonary convulsion from the resonances attack.
Oh no, its a lung embolism! What do we do!
Edel rolled her feet. The man would die within five minutes if left alone.
So annoying!
Black Mamba raised his body from the bed with a groan. Hed slapped him away with his palm to leave no injuries, but the man was about to die from a lack of oxygen. He flipped the lieutenant over with the tip of his foot and stomped once on his back.
Splat
Blood splattered out of the lieutenants mouth. Black Mamba had been rough, but it was effective. The lieutenant began to breathe like mad with the return of his normal airflow.
Oh, oh my God!
Jeez!
Giz and Edels eyes grew wide at the violent treatment method.
B*stards who cant differentiate bean paste from feces should have a taste of it themselves.
Black Mamba winked at Giz and Edel.
[1] Second Class Private
Chapter 160 - Episode 1: The Return of Black Mamba
Richie stared blankly at Black Mamba after taking in a deep breath. The pain in his chest felt like he had been severely broken. He hadnt been able to see Black Mambas movements and had flown out three meters to end up slamming into the ground. The desire to take him on completely disappeared with a sheer difference in skill.
Captain, I am Black Mamba. Dont you dare speak to me thoughtlessly! That action can only be done by the strong towards the weak. While you were peacefully asleep, we spent nights awake with bloodshot eyes, getting hit by the harsh sandstorms of the Sahara. While you were enjoying a feast, we had to replace our meals with beetles and scorpions. While you drank Evian, we were running from the enemy with dry throats.
Black Mamba stopped talking and glared at Richie.
Why am I wasting my time talking to him? Killing him would be simpler.
Richie flinched at the cold demeanor. Edel hurriedly brought over a cup of water. Black Mamba gulped it down and continued speaking.
Captain, look at how shabby those men are. For 44 days, these warriors fought 19 battles and survived. They were Captain Paul, medic Bellman, private Emil, private Jang Shin, and our guide Ombuti. Compared to your freshly pressed uniform, theirs are drenched in sweat and blood. They are patriots who had flitted between life and death to get to this point. Treat them with honor and respect. I am the Sahels Azrael, Black Mamba. If you dare speak down to us again, I will take your neck apart from your body.
Richie got goosebumps. His skin actually stung. It was due to the viciousness emanating from Black Mamba. That man is not human but a wild cat, no, a monster. His mind was getting fuzzy from sensing a resentment that could easily rip him to shreds.
French generals were especially prone to feeling elite. They treated the Legion Etranger as lowly soldiers, hoping to gain a buck to their name. Richie was no different and could not get rid of his bias towards Legion Etranger.
When they had first headed out, he had been thoroughly warned by Tanshe.
Treat the surviving mercenaries with respect and make sure to never get on the bad side of Black Mamba.
Tanshes fearful warning only piqued his curiosity. He had a sudden desire to test Black Mamba. How strong would a mercenary truly be?
Richie regretted it sorely. Due to his curiosity, he had stepped on the tail of a tiger. They say curiosity killed the cat, and it looked like he was about to be killed.
He was prideful but not stupid. The man, who was rumored to have killed 1,000s of men in the Sahel, was real. His words were also real. Black Mamba could most definitely decapitate him and throw him to the FROLINAT. If he didnt want to die like a dog, he had to keep his head down.
Hm
Richie raised his body and saluted.
Attention, 11th brigade, seventh platoon commando team Captain Richie, I have come to escort the Sahels heroes.
Thank you.
Richies quick wit saved his neck but caused a different problem. Edel stepped forward to escort Black Mamba and his team.
Rudrey, what do you think youre doing? If you suddenly decide to follow them, then what will happen here? Walter spat out in annoyance.
Doctor Walter, I am not an official MSF worker, and I do not get paid. I am volunteering to go elsewhere, so what power do you have over that decision?
Rudrey!
Walter, I never permitted you to call me by my name. Call me, Doctor Edel.
Edels expression was frosty. She didnt like the sticky nature of his skin, so naturally, she hated it when he was looking at her. She despised the German doctor, who was obsessed with only his opinions.
Doctor Edel, please reconsider. We need your help here, we have many patients.
I know. There are patients waiting for our help all over the world. These people feel the same way.
You cant. If you are not here, how will the hospital run?
Walter argued passionately. He had been nervous from the time the Asian patients started acting up. The only reason these poor men were still alive was thanks to Edel. The woman he had grown to love for the past year was about to leave.
This is a matter that the head of the hospital would consent.
I cant understand it. The mercenaries are like hyenas. The SAMU medical team has been arranged for them, so what is the reason behind your decision?
That is my choice. I have no reason to explain or make logical sense of my actions to you.
Eek! Walter huffed like a bull.
Doctor Walter, I have received a contract. Edel will return when Black Mamba has fully recovered.
At a loss for words, Walter could only glare at Black Mamba, who got into the Chinook.
You just wait.
Kudududu
The chinook started roughly. The natives, who had been waving in front of the hospital, hurriedly got away from the rising dust. The children continued to wave cheerfully, even when they were covered in dust. Tears filled Edels eyes.
Children, stay well. Ill be back soon.
She greeted them loudly then turned back to face Black Mamba. His eyes were
closed, but she knew that he was not asleep. He always had his eyes closed. Professor Giz had said that it was training. What kind of training required ones eyes to be closed? If you closed your eyes, you would only fall asleep.
Edel poked Black Mambas thigh with her finger. It felt like she was poking at hard Oakwood.
Ow, it feels like my fingers will break
Edel exaggerated. There was no reaction. She felt annoyed. If he was a man, then he should show some sort of reaction.
Black, how are you feeling?
You buried six of your comrades in the desert. They say you enter and leave life with nothing, but my heart aches. I am afraid that the memories of the dead, living in the hearts of those alive, will become dull, he mumbled with his eyes closed.
Edes heart fluttered at the deep voice that echoed as if it was reverberating in a cave.
They were suave words coming from a suave man. It suited him well.
A beast with intelligence!
It was the judgement by Edel, who was blinded by love.
Oh! Such inspirational words, I must write it in my journal.
No need to do that.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. Sahel was too rough to live in for a human. After killing many lives and losing his comrades, he had become an adult. He had matured to a point where he could calmly embrace the cheerfulness of a young woman. His teachers words were rightin each loss, there is gain.
He looked down at the disappearing land through the Chinooks window. The
annoying flies and mosquitoes, the nameless poisonous creatures, the sandstorm that erased everything in a single night, the peaceful night sky, the sunset dying the western sky, the ravaged villages, the starving children, and the FROLINAT soldiers who were bulldozed over like weeds.
He shook his head and erased the images. He comically remembered Giz, who had mosquito bites all over his face. An expression full of conviction, it was a happy face.
He didnt know why the young woman had decided to follow them into such a miserable situation. He slowly opened his eyes and stole a glance at Edel. Her star-like pupils were right in front of him. Surprised, Black Mamba quickly closed his eyes. Edel smiled widely.
While the patient and the doctor were fooling around, Emils heart shed tears.
Jang Shin, I should have gotten berated with bullets and be buried by bombs.
Idiot, then you should be wearing a coat made out of wood and placed in a coffin, Jang Shin replied harshly.
Damn punk, and I call him my friend.
Emil pounded his chest. The Captain was a senior who had seen all the sweetness and bitterness of life. It was easy to see inside Edels mind, which had been enamored by Black Mamba. Black Mamba was innocent. His heart was only filled with a girl named Hae Young.
He severely doubted whether Edel could melt the heart of the monk-like man. His heart ached at the thought of the kind and innocent-looking young woman, who was bound to get her heart bruised.
It was 420 kilometers from Ati to NDjamena. On the Chinook, which traveled an average of 260 kilometers per hour, it would take about 100 minutes.
Inside the Chinook cabin, the Ratel team was having a meeting unlike any that they have had, up in the air. With the roar of the aviation engine and the whirring blades, they had to raise their voices.
Captain, what reward awaits us?
Jang Shin, who had now recovered, asked. Jang Shin hoped to have his own Chinese restaurant one day.
Itll be great. Normally, in this instance, the commanding officer and privates
will be promoted. As a result, the pay will increase from 100,000 francs to 200,000 francs.
Jang Shins face grew bright. Thats plenty enough. He could pay for Hous surgery and still have enough to start up a small restaurant.
Greedy punk, six of our comrades were killed. Do you think we prioritize the reward We should first shoot and kill the punks who shoved us in the alligator pit and released piranhas onto us, Emil blurted out angrily.
The atmosphere grew dark.
Captain, what are you going to do?
Emil, who suffered mood extremities, pressed on for an answer.
What do you mean by what am I going to do? We are soldiers and mercenaries. Do you want to meet with the Le Monde reporters? Will you be making an appearance on Canal+[1]? Bellman retorted cynically.
Then, are you telling us not to do anything?
And what would you do otherwise? The organization is no joke. Even if we were to drive a wedge between the mercenary commander and the general, it wont do anything more than cause a fight in the doghouse. If you talk, it will cause trouble for the foreign military base. Bellman continued, Dont you know what kind of organization the DGSE is? If we go all out, we may be able to leave a scratch on their reputation, but the result will be our annihilation. The CIA may not worry about mere civilians, but the DGSE will shut anyone up if they make a fuss. Weve already experienced it at Paya.
Are you telling me to hold it in when I have lost six of my comrades? Sergeant Bellman, if you are afraid, step aside. Ill shoot the damned punks and kill them all.
Enough!
The Captain was about to throw a fit, but Emil stopped him.
Quit babbling nonsense. The perpetrators are the upper echelons of the DGSE. Bellman is right. The DGSEs resolutions were always rough around the edges. If we talk, there is a 100 percent chance that they will shut us up. We are closing our mouths.
Shut our mouths? Who says you can do that! Jang Shin, who had been standing calmly, exclaimed angrily.
To bring back 10 mercenaries, they sent two Chinooks and four Gazelles. They even sent two high-altitude mirages. Even France elites dont get this sort of treatment. Why would the military overact this way? the Captain replied before closing his eyes.
Hahaha, its because of Black Mamba. They are afraid of the Angel of Death. It means that those sitting on top will be sweating anxiously. They cant control an entity that wont follow the rules.
Bellman snickered as he looked back at Black Mamba. Jang Shin and Emil nodded their heads vigorously.
I dont need reimbursement. What was that weird ant that Chartres told us about? Shit, Ive become a bonehead after being buried in the sand with scorpions all this time.
Emil tapped his head with the Spetsnaz sword.
You were always a bonehead. Oecophylla smaragdina.
Jang Shin had his revenge on Emil, who had scolded him previously.
Thats right. We can bring the Oecophylla smaragdina to those punks sitting on top.
We can have the oldies bring back each of our comrades, themselves?
Thats a great idea. Black, you sure are smart, Emil said cheerfully.
Burimer has two daughters and an elderly mother to take care of. Chartres had parents. Morris has no family. We dont know where Miguel, Mike, and Marks family are. If they have kids or parents they send money to, it could be a problem. I wish I could take care of the remaining family members by providing them with a pension, fund, or something, the Captain proposed.
Understood. Well have the oldies pay for that too.
I want to take off my military uniform. Im confessing this to you now, but Im allergic to blood. I even embarrassed myself by throwing up during the war. I dont want to return to China. To gain citizenship in France, I have to wait another four years. This is a personal request, so Im a bit embarrassed, but I want to be a French citizen, Jang Shin said shyly.
Thats not difficult. That can be done just by beating the DGSE officer a couple of times. Any requests for you, Bellman?
Its a bit complicated to say here. Ill put in a request at a later time.
Hm, looks like whatever it is, it may cause me a bit of a headache. Captain, what about you?
I understand the use of the backdoor strategy for an intelligence agency. However, I cant forgive them for using a double contract. I swore in front of Burimers body that I would punish those who sent the hitmen and those who revealed our information.
The Captains eyes flashed in red.
[1] Frances premium television channel.
Chapter 161 - The Return of Black Mamba
Alright. We are brothers who have held hands with each other as we arose from hell, he told his brothers so he could subside their anger.
We have buried our dead comrades in our hearts. The Oecophylla smaragdina will cause them severe anxiety We will either beat them or shove their heads into a toilet. We will get our revenge.
Hahaha, what? We will give them their just desserts. We should have at least given them their wives bloomers.
At Bellmans words, the Captain, Emil, and even Sun WooHyun, who were pretending not to listen, trembled. All three of them had their share of a beating from Black Mamba.
The weak-boned oldies will die. Well receive all the presents they will offer us beforehand. Do you agree?
I agree, the comrades all answered in agreement.
Ombuti, do you wish for anything?
I will follow whatever you wish for, Wakil.
Ombuti glanced over at Edel then lowered his head. Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. They say that an old rat knows how to avoid poison. He could clearly see what Ombuti was thinking. After seeing Gizs fate, he came to a realization. Give without wanting anything in return.
What about you, sidekick?
If I can be by Wakils side, I will be happy.
Sun WooHyun was proud of his quick-witted answer. Requesting something small would make him an idiot. If he kept his eyes on the bigger prize, he would continuously gain more as time passed. The Captain clapped his hands and got everyones attention.
Once we return to NDjamena, they will separate us, using treatment as an excuse. Bellman, Emil, and Jang Shin, leave everything to Black Mamba and I and assist with nursing everyones injuries. There will be an investigation from the inspection office and the DGSE. You have to tell them exactly what happened.
Captain, go to NDjamena headquarters and lay bait. Scare the oldies. They will be busy making phone calls with the Oecophylla smaragdina surrounding them.
Hahaha, is that a diversion tactic? I will make sure to scare them severely. Thanks to Black, a lieutenant gets to scare a commander.
Ever since we stepped foot into the Sahel, nothing is progressing normally.
Thats right. We are eagles flying in from the Sahel.
For the comrades buried in my hearts!
Ooh hoo, for the five eagle brothers!
At the Captains exclamation, the rest of the team cheered. The Captains prediction was exact. The return of the Ratel team was well funded. They were escorted by three commandos in black uniforms and got into the Hercules. The Hercules headed straight for France. They didnt have time to see the faces of their remaining comrades.
Emil was fine but was separated from them as a PTSD patient. Black Mamba, who had suffered critical injuries, was taken to the army hospital immediately. Edel followed, but that didnt make much difference.
The identity of the returning comrades were well protected by the DGSE and military headquarters. Those who were involved signed a non-disclosure and kept their mouths shut. The Ratel team, which Black Mamba had led, became a government secret.
Paul got his ear reattached with surgery after he had lost it at NDjamena, battling a Chad soldier. After finishing the treatment, Paul acted as if he had been called by his superiors for a status report.
Kkwang
With a rough kick, the office door flew open. Paul entered the colonels barrack. He entered, decked in a gandourah soaked with blood and sweat. He would let Black Mamba do what he needed to do. However, as the team leader, he did what he thought was necessary.
Paul, calm down.
Move, you stupid punk
He kicked lieutenant Armangs groin, who was blocking his way. Paul was able to subdue him with one hit.
Ack!
The poor officer was squirming like a dried squid on top of a stove.
When the guards started closing in, he pulled out his Glock. The surprised men pulled back, and the Captain kicked open the door to the colonels office. No one could block the menacing Paul. Colonel Philip stood up from his seat as he entered.
Sit
Philip pointed to a chair on the opposite side. Paul didnt even spare it a glance. He glared at colonel Philip with bloodshot eyes as if he wanted to rip him to shreds.
A colonel was an elite ranking official in comparison to a lieutenant. The gap between a colonel and a lieutenant was as wide as the Gorges du Tarn[1]. Paul, who had Black Mamba backing him, did whatever he pleased.
Your eyes look like that of a baby puma who had lost its mother.
He was not one to be swallowed by rank. Colonel Philips gaze looked past Pauls vicious glare. He had lived too comfortably to be able to withstand Pauls murderous gaze.
Philip was in an uncomfortable situation.
Pauls eyes had no hesitation. Philip could sense that he would willingly shoot a bullet through his head in a heartbeat. He had expected it, but it was worse than what he had anticipated.
Tatatata
Loud footsteps echoed outside the door. It was the sound of approaching soldiers who had been informed of Pauls disruption.
Philip called over his aide.
Armang, tell Charcosi, who is standing outside the door, to come inside.
Attention! We will arrest Lieutenant Paul and escort him out of here.
What nonsense are you talking about? Remove the strike force.
But
You idiot, do you want to broadcast to everyone that I got downtrodden by a lowly sidekick? Do you think a colonel wants to show his weakness in front of his soldiers? Is that it? Ah!
Philip took out his anger on his unassuming aide. Major Charcosi glanced hesitantly at lieutenant Paul, who was ravaging the place like a crazed warthog. He had worked with Paul in Guinea, once. He was the one who had arrested lieutenant Etang, the informant who had handed over government intel. He could understand how betrayed lieutenant Paul must be feeling at that moment.
Paul, put away your pistol. Dont you think we should talk about this first? The colonels threat was that of a fish out of water.
Stop talking nonsense. I buried six of my comrades in the Sahel. Thanks to Black Mamba, I only lost an ear, but truthfully, I already left my soul back there. My life means nothing compared to the betrayal we had endured.
Lieutenant Paul didnt flinch an inch.
Ha, Dreyfus prison! Do you know Black? If you imprison me, he will break down the walls.
He trusted his backing. The pistol aimed at the colonels forehead didnt waver one bit.
Charcosi, do you want to continue looking at an embarrassed colonel? Philip yelled angrily.
All right. Paul, take it easy.
Charcosi no longer agitated Paul and lowered his pistol. He had no right to charge and arrest the heroes of the war, and he didnt want to anyway.
Did you know this too, commander? Paul asked as if he would bite his head off.
Whoo!
Philip sighed deeply. He couldnt come up with a lame excuse for the comrade, who had risen from hell.
Whew, Im going to be ostracized. I only realized that a backdoor tactic was happening after I received your call, and it had already been 16 days since they had started it.
What are you talking about! It had been the 18th day since the punks emergency line was destroyed. That night, Chartres died of tetanus while waiting for an extraction! Paul yelled at him.
Philips gaze fell onto the table. How did he end up being reprimanded by someone inferior? His heart felt heavy.
Im sorry. The government officials had commanded it directly. They threatened to try me for treason if I was to inform you about it.
Paul turned cold.
Ha, are the lives of your men lighter than a threat?
At the righteous criticism, colonel Philips face flushed white. He had at least hoped that those words would never be spoken. How nervous had he been after agreeing to the backdoor tactic! He had persuaded himself that it was for the good of the government, but he knew it was because he had been hoping for a promotion.
Philip stroked his arm with a somber face. Oil from his skin got onto his hands. He was embarrassed to make eye contact with Paul, who now looked like a zombie.
Paul, it was hard for me too. After I sent in the rescue team, they froze my accounts. They were only released five days ago. I was devastated to hear that Pieffs team had been annihilated. Thank you for returning alive. Please make sure to tell Black Mamba that I am grateful to your team for saving Pieff.
The pistol trembled in Pauls hand. The dried, cracked skin of his face flashed with maliciousness.
You can tell Black Mamba yourself, colonel. You will probably become the first general to die in the hands of a private.
Philip stared at Pauls face with desperate eyes. He had done the best that he could, but had ultimately been of no help to the Ratel team. Pieff, who had been forced into a rescue team, had ended up being a burden instead. According to the report, Black Mamba got injured because he was trying to protect Pieff.
Paul, Im sorry. You know how it is. I may be a stupid leader, but I am not a traitor.
Dont you dare say that. Six of your men died in the Sahels abyss. You have killed six sons and fathers in that desolate land. The admirable Legion Etranger had given up his men as bait to the enemy. You gave the enemy our information and pushed us into a corner. Oh, huhuhu!
Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Paul covered his face with his palms.
Ha, how could this be!
All Philip could do was sigh. Ultimately, the person who had caused this was himself. There was nothing he could say. Trying to make up excuses now would just ruin his image.
He anticipated that by next month, he would be promoted thanks to the Ratel team, no, Black Mamba. The promotion came at the expense of his mens hopelessness and blood. That was always the case wherever you went. He had gained a reward through numerous mens sighs and bloodshed.
While they were dying in that dirty land, what were you doing colonel? Miguel, Morris, Mike, Burimer, and Chartres wouldnt have died if you had approved of sending precious help. You cant do that!
Pauls screams echoed loudly.
The staff poked their head in through the door. Philip waved his hand for them to leave.
Im at a loss for words. You can beat me until your anger subsides. I threw a punch at Bonifaces jaw, so I might have to take off my uniform too.
At Pauls coldness, Philip tried to look pitiful.
Ha, if you lost your uniform because you threw one measly punch, the dogs would laugh. While you were throwing mere punches, the comrades you had betrayed were dying.
Paul snorted. He was disgusted by Colonel Philips attempt at sidestepping the situation.
Paul, stop it. The colonel did as much as he could to find you. It was your fault too. You disconnected communications, so we were unable to send in the helicopters.
Lieutenant Armang tried to persuade Paul to stop.
Paul, calm down. We lost two gazelles looking for your team. Because of the damn Stella, we were not able to send in more helicopters. The reason your team was stuck there was the DGSEs fault, but it was also just bad luck. Lieutenant Louis has taken over headquarters.
Thud
Pauls fist hit Armangs face.
You punk, the moment we try to communicate, you sold our location to FROLINAT, so how could we continue communications?
Oh, you punk, beating up those you think are below you.
The poor aide had a nosebleed and couldnt put up much of a fight. If Pauls anger could be suppressed after a couple of beatings, then that would be a better deal. No, Paul was not the problem, Black Mamba was. The reason the colonel remained quiet was that he knew Black Mamba was backing him.
When we tried to make contact in Paya, at the hotel, hitmen were sent in. Burimer was sacrificed. If it wasnt for Black Mamba, we would have all died. Once you extracted Makumbo, was the Ratel team a burden to you? You used a double contract so you can hide the backdoor tactic. Is that the face of French honor?
What double contract? That is an unwarranted accusation. I know the DGSE used shady tactics but its not to that degree. It must have been the assassins that Habib sent.
Philip jumped up and down in denial. Pauls accusation was dangerous. There were many dirty tricks among the intelligence agencys tactics. A double contract was a dirty tactic used by the mafia.
Morality aside, if it was to get out in the open, the perpetrators would have to stand trial in court. For those who lived off of honor, it would be a big hit. For the sake of the countrys reputation, it was better to lie about it until the end.
Ha, you should have told us.
Paul smiled bitterly.
[1] A canyon formed by the Tarn between the Causse Mjean and the Causse de Sauveterre, in southern France.
Chapter 162 - The Return of Black Mamba
Paul, who had been wandering the desert for a long time in battle, had a shriveled face. It looked as though skin laid over his bones. Philips heart ached. He was reminded of his past life, looking down at Notre Dame in Paris. His face seemed to show the difficulties of his past.
No, I am telling you the truth, Philip said seriously.
Paul snorted. Colonel Philip, who always tried to be gentlemanlike, was nothing but a politician. He was getting addicted to pushing his superior farther back into a corner.
Paul pulled out a Beretta with a silencer on, from his holster. Surprised, Armang reached out for his holster to grab his gun. Suddenly, the Beretta fell onto the table with a clang.
This belongs to the hitman we met in Hotel Le Meridien, in Paya. I will give this to you as a present. I still have six more left for you. They were not mere guerrilla troops but trained assassins. Im sorry we crawled out of the depths of hell you pushed us into.
What hitman?
Philip was sincerely surprised.
What do you mean, hitman? Why would a hitman appear in this situation?
Philip was so surprised, he had forgotten about Pauls sarcasm.
Seven of them had been hiding. They had crept up on us when Black Mamba had been away looking for the spy. Black Mamba arrived just in time to get rid of all of them, but while Burimer was trying to save Jang Shin, he was killed.
That cant be! You suspect the DGSE, dont you? That couldnt have happened. The weapons were all destroyed, and the hitmen were all killed. Isnt there no evidence?
Philip was hopeful. The DGSE was not one to go to such extremes, but if it was true, they did have the capability to hide the truth.
Haha, it will not be easy. We buried them in the desert after sprinkling preservatives all over their corpses. They will be fine for up to a year.
Why would the DGSE go through all of that after capturing Makumbo? Im 100 percent sure it was someone from FROLINAT or Libya.
Paul ignored Philips denial and continuously said what was on his mind.
Dont tell me its not possible. If FROLINAT was that sophisticated, they would have already taken over Chad. Which side do you think will act more rashly, Black Mamba, or the DGSE? Of course, you wont have a say in the matter, but I thought you should know.
A smile slowly formed on Pauls face. Telling him now meant that Black Mamba did not have to mention it later.
Damned punks, what the hell did Boniface do!
Philips face turned sour.
Paul, lets stop this.
Armang stepped in as his superiors position had been disregarded. The gun, which had been pointing at Philip, turned to Armangs chest.
Armang, shut up. I wanted to beat you dead, but Im resisting because you were once my comrade. If you interrupt one more time, I will shoot you. I learned one thing from the oldies who sent the hitmen. If they become scared of talk or get annoyed by it, we just have to shut them up. If you dont want to shut up for the rest of your life, then keep your mouth shut now.
Armang flopped onto the floor in surprise. If he dared to open his mouth one more time, he was sure he would be shot.
Im a peaceful man, but Black Mamba is dangerous and persistent. There will be a lot of oldies wetting their pants, dont you think?
He was now openly threatening him. Philips face became hard as stone. He was one of the oldies Paul had mentioned. He could imagine the monster, no, Black Mamba, turning the military headquarters into a bloodbath. If the situation escalated, it could go all the way up to the president. If they investigated and found the bodies, the situation would get out of hand. If all went to hell, his promotion would go down the drain.
Paul, stop. If you go around causing fights, it will be bad for everyone. You worked with me in the past, havent you? I may be political, but I will never betray my men for the enemy. I will sell the six Berettas to Boniface for a hefty price.
Haha, Ill give it to you as a gift for your promotion. Unfortunately, I can only give you four. The other two are in Black Mambas possession.
Philips face darkened. He had no way out.
That will become an issue. Well, thats something Boniface has to worry about, not me. Lets talk about something a little less serious.
Philip could not stand it any longer and waved his white flag. A smile spread across Pauls face. His smile was as rigid as a gargoyle sitting on top of Notre Dame.
The colonel claiming that it would be bad for them was not wrong. A cover-up story was always filled with poison and thorns. Only someone with a monkey brain would think they need to get pricked by a thorn or drank poison to feel pain.
The cover-up story was captivating and had detrimental effects. If he was charmed by it, their destruction would be sitting there with its mouth wide open. His mind told him to stop, but his heart felt heavy.
His logic and emotion were unable to make amends and were of separate entities. So, the real burden went to Black Mamba. He could not endure it, and the opportunity didnt come to him either. The only thing he could do was to complete Black Mambas requests and force colonel Philip to increase their piece of the pie. However, lieutenant Louis interrupted him.
Makumbo was extracted on the 17th day of the operation. The commander was planning to send in all the troops to rescue you once they found your location. When we lost communication, he couldnt wait any longer and decided to send in Pieff. Why didnt you call?
Paul snorted at their last attempt at appeasing him.
Ha, I already told you before. Once we gave you the coordinates of the supply stash, the guerrilla troops got on our tail. When we requested the Gazelle, guerrilla special forces disguised as Stella came at us. Whenever we made contact with headquarters, the guerrilla troops would be on top of us like insects. So, how could we possibly maintain communications with you? We were sick, tired, and wanted to bang our heads on the boulders. Black Mamba battled them all by himself. Dont even bother uttering nonsense about FROLINAT spies, who were listening in on us.
Hm!
Lieutenant Louis shut his mouth as he turned red. He ended up embarrassing himself for trying to divert the blame.
Paul, the spy who was communicating with the enemy has been arrested and is being investigated.
Oh right, who is that punk?
He is a major of the 11th brigade named Geofrey. Etang has been taken to Dreyfus.
An uprising against the government meant 20 years in prison. There was no reduction. It would be the end for Etang, as an officer.
Finding out that a Legion Etranger officer like him existed will cause the alumni to turn in their graves. Has major Geofrey been taken to Dreyfus too?
He has taken new recruits from the 11th brigade.
Poor guy, he will soon get his head chopped off by a Kukri.
Paul expressed his condolences for the miserable weed named Geofrey.
Huu!
He couldnt help but to let out a deep sigh. His comrades would not return from the dead even if he killed the traitor and the spy. Was he even qualified to blame colonel Philip? He, too, had made many mistakes in strategy. If he had listened to Black Mamba, he wouldnt have lost Miguel, Morris, and Burimer. His fault in judgment had caused their deaths.
Paul, this is something the government must investigate. Dont go into it any further. We will both end up for the worse. No one could have predicted that you would be attacked so persistently. The DGSE only hoped that you could distract FROLINAT for a couple of days. The backdoor team made several mistakes, so the operation went on longer than expected. Your immense skill as a team leader covered the deficiencies of the backdoor team. I will go to the government and give them hell for you. They will be afraid of Black Mamba and will lend their ears to me. We are mercenaries who move according to orders. Lets just think that we played an important part in the countrys plan and put it aside.
Philip rid himself of his pride and pleaded. He might have been a man obsessed with promotion, but he wasnt reckless.
Are you telling me to take what is given and shut my mouth?
Thats exactly it. You know how it is. The DGSE has the authority to place any strategy in play. We can talk all we want, but we will be the ones to pay the price. We are but soldiers who do as they are told. If we complain, we will be nothing more than thugs.
Philip tried to persuade Paul with logic.
Im fine with it, but what about my dead men? What are we to do about their remaining families?
A thick tear dropped from Pauls eye. Philip covered his face with his two hands. An elite officer had no choice but to take into consideration the politics of the situation. He was obsessed with promotion, but he still valued honor and was a soldier who cared for his men.
Six men had died in vain. No, including Pieffs team, 51 men had died. The death of the 45 men from the rescue team were exclusively a result of his misjudgment. He wanted to cry too. Paul spouted angry words at him, but as the decision maker, he had no one to blame.
The faces of his staff members were full of remorse. There was no honorable war. War was filthy. Behind those sacrificed were the sadness and pain of the remaining family members.
Paul, the force of the Ratel team, is the greatest in France. I will give up my reward and start an inquiry. I will also find ways to support their family members. I received a report from the DGSE, but you should send me yours at your quickest convenience.
Colonel Philip pulled out the report from his desk.
This is the report for the battle in Berdalle, in the Dombrey forest. It came in this morning from the DGSE headquarters. This was the command center for the Third brigade of FROLINAT. It was an important base where three of Habibs armies had resided. 612 were killed, and the base was burned. I cant believe it.
Hahaha, how interesting to find that the DGSE headquarters status reports have come up so quickly. Black Mamba had gone into this battle to save the surviving team members who were ill and tired. Black Mamba took his jjol ttagu and swept them out.
Jjol ttagu? Whats that?
Hes a North Korean special task soldier that Black Mamba brought over to our side. Hahaha, even as you listen to the report, its hard to believe, right?
Paul smiled. All the battles they had fought were unbelievable.
Jjol ttagu? What a weird name. Tell me the truth about Black Mamba. I am the one who gave him his call name. Even if he grandfathered the call name, he cant get rid of two organizations at once. Either the DGSE has lost their minds, or this man is not human.
The only thing that you did well as a colonel was to add Black Mamba to the tactical team. The Ratel team has killed 2,465 FROLINAT members, and the number of killings by Black Mambas hand alone is 1,996. You probably got the report too, but FROLINAT is finished. Not only did they lose a majority of their men, but the remaining members are scared witless by the aftermath of the Kanma. They are in an uproar over their current leader. He will soon disappear into history.
What, one team killed 2,465 men!
What, Black Mamba killed 1,996 men?
Thats an unbelievable number. A scream escaped out of Armang and Louiss mouths. They were more surprised by Black Mambas body count than the fact that FROLINAT had been disbanded. Paul laughed haughtily.
Hahaha, this number will never show up in history again. Black Mamba is not only a god-like sniper but he is also a god-like assassin. To put it simply, he is an artistic murderer. Black Mamba is not merely a powerfully built warrior. I will guarantee it, but if he decides to kill someone, no one in the world can stop him. In the Sahel, he is known as the ghost Kanma or the Angel of Death.
Paul scared him one more time, then pulled out two Makarovs and a bundle of loose documents from his pack. They were items that Black Mamba had found when he attacked the spy in Paya.
We have plenty of evidence. Black Mamba cleared a Soviet spy he suspected in Paya and was able to collect this from him. Sell it to the DGSE at an expensive price. Ill give the Makarovs as a present to congratulate you on your promotion. Ill write the details in the report.
He had scared him enough, so it was time to hand him a carrot. Philip jumped in surprise as he examined the item with lieutenant Louis.
This is an incredible item. Armang, call the code deciphering team immediately. This document proves that Polar Bear was directly involved with the situation in Chad. Call the DGSE right away.
Louis put the document in a vinyl envelope and placed it in a safe as Armang ran out.
Ill give you another present now. Look, orderly, bring it in.
Paul was a veteran who had a fair share of assistants. He knew how to maintain control over people. Even as he gave him a gift, he continued to emphasize his rank. The orderly came in, holding a flamboyant flag.
After Black Mamba single-handedly destroyed the Third brigade of Coromunga, he handed Habibs flag to us.
Ohoh, this is a gift to be presented to the President.
Philips lips broke into a large smile. With this, he could gain his promotion. Paul showed him the number he wrote on a notepad.
-44, 19, 2,465, 1,996, 6-
This is our status report. Isnt it simple? We fought for 44 days looking for Raccoon. We engaged in a total of 19 battles, we killed 2,465 men, Black Mamba killed 1,996 of those men, and six of our men couldnt return with us. I will never forget these numbers until the day I die.
As promised, Paul did not mention anything that had become of Ocelot. If Ocelot was mentioned, he would have to reveal Black Mambas special skills, and they had all decided against that.
Colonel Philip, lieutenant Louis, and lieutenant Armangs faces flushed white. Against the massive FROLINAT troops, these men had fought 19 battles and survived. They couldnt even imagine how horrifying it must have been for the Ratel team to get here, having faced death numerous times.
Their eyes were locked on the number 1,996. Can one person kill almost 2,000 men in 44 days? He was not human but the devil. According to the government records, the most one had killed was 542. It was a record by Finlands sniper, Simo Hayha, during the Second World War. Within five years, he had killed 542 men.
He was called White Death. The nickname was created because he wore a white uniform and targeted Soviet soldiers while hiding in the snow.
There was now a new legend. Simo Hayha had killed 542 men in five years, but Black Mamba had killed 1,996 men in a month. There was no need for comparison. Hayha was a sniper, but Black Mamba was a skilled assassin with numbers worthy of being called the Angel of Death.
A new legend, no, the birth of a devil. Whew! Is this the end of the world?
Lieutenant Louis sighed at the end of his sentence. After the shock subsided, Philips face crinkled into a frown.
He will have a bone to pick with me.
Chapter 163 - The Return of Black Mamba
Of course you will have a lot of grievances. You will be grinding your teeth trying to get compensation for your losses. The White Death is nothing compared to Black Mamba. He was a human, but Black Mamba is Azrael. He is dangerously scary for those who had betrayed us. In his hometown, he broke the arms and legs of a friend who betrayed him, removed his heart, and fed it to the pigs.
Oh, thats how you escaped from Legion Etranger.
His eyes did look scary. He must be a psychopath.
Crazy punk, who would have known that his personality would be so crass!
Colonel Philip, the tactical lieutenant, and the aides faces turned white at Pauls scare tactic. The staff who were standing outside the office looked at each other. Black Mamba had suddenly turned into a psychopath.
Black Mamba, forgive me for making you a villain.
Paul pleaded for forgiveness from the bottom of his heart.
Damn, if your motive was to threaten us, then you have succeeded. Please try to calm your friend. I would like to avoid a confrontation with a man as scary as him.
Philip wanted to get away from the menacing conversation as soon as possible. He had a lot more to discuss with the oldies before Black Mamba charged into the office. Paul, who was having fun with the situation, had no plans to stop.
Well. It wont be easy to persuade him. When he was torturing the guerrilla troops, he broke their fingers one by one. After he was done with their fingers, he went on to their toes. White bones poked out of their palms, and their muscles could be seen.
Paul ended his sentence then looked around at the faces surrounding him. Their faces were full of anxiety.
He pulled out the muscles. He plucked each muscle, buried in blood, with precision. It was hard for me to continue watching.
Ugh, how cruel. He was that kind of person!
Commander Louis folded his hands as if his muscles were being plucked.
Paul continued, Breaking fingers and toes are considered child play in his torture technique.
Torture technique? What is that?
It is a Korean torture technique that requires hitting with a club to fold the bones.
Paul stopped talking and glanced at Philip. He looked anxious.
Yes, you arent human if you arent afraid of this.
You hit them with a club specifically to target 206 bones before it increases to 400. You dont touch the skull, but you target the pelvis to fulfill the number. To put it simply, it turns you into an octopus. I can still hear the desperate screams of Mike and Poro. Even the guy, who got all his fingers and toes broken, easily gave up. Amazingly, even as all the bones in his body broke, his mind seemed clear. According to Black Mamba, you time the infliction of pain to keep the mind clear, Paul explained the torture technique which Black Mamba had described to him in detail.
There was silence.
Anyone who heard that would be at a loss for words. It sounded as if every bone in the body would be broken. He had never heard of such a skill that could keep a persons mind clear while every bone in the body broke apart.
Haha, this is why the mafia is always threatening people.
Paul continued describing and enjoyed seeing the color drain from their faces. Philip was slowly losing his mind.
Was it your team who destroyed Habibs residence and kidnapped him?
Colonel Philip didnt know the specific movements of the Ratel team after losing communication with them. It was because the DGSE had intentionally broken the communication.
To be exact, it was Black Mamba. The other comrades and I were always just a tribute.
I see.
After we lost contact, we got a report from the DGSE, which said that Habibs residence had been destroyed and that he had gone missing. I finally understood what was going on then.
Philip gritted his teeth.
Damned punks, now that they are fighting against Black Mamba, they release me.
The DGSE and the government organization had not only taken advantage of the Ratel team but him as well.
Habib must be dead then.
Black Mamba is one persistent man. After finding out all the information, he chopped off Habibs p*nis then buried him in the desert with just his head sticking out of the sand. We found the remains of his skull in the morning after the hyenas were done with him. The animal ended up in the stomach of another animal, so he seemed to have found his rightful place. Whoever angers Black Mamba will not be forgiven.
I would have never thought that he would be one to enjoy such cruelties colonel Philip stuttered.
Crazy punk. He swallowed his thoughts.
He remembered the battle at Dien Bien Phu he had fought 30 years ago while holding a LeeCEnfield rifle in his hands. He had gone from hand to hand combat to stabbing the enemy with his gun knife. One of the guys, who had become scared, put up his hands in surrender. Philip had been drunk on blood and stabbed him in the chest soon after.
He could still see the eyes of the scared young soldier in front of him. Murder was something you couldnt avoid as a soldier. However, even when one killed another human being, there was a dignity to maintain.
Gruesome torture for the sake of investigation was one thing, but to get rid of an enemy that way made him inhumane. It made sure that he could not move his body as a drooling predator approached him. The fear and desperation that Habib felt would have been unimaginable. The curiosity they had for Black Mamba changed to that of disgust and fear.
The Angel of Death had returned. Black Mamba had vowed revenge on him and survived through hell. Philip rubbed his forehead. His hand was full of cold sweat.
He was seriously scared. Tomorrow, he would be the general he had always wished to become. It looked like he would be encroached by a nightmare before he could receive his reward. The fabricated DGSE report sent warning bells off in his head.
[Of the 612 men killed, 145 men had died from blunt force trauma. The weapon was either a club, a rock, or something unknown. The unknown weapon was probably a part of Black Mambas body. The remaining 19 men were assumed to have been killed by a vine of some sort. Those who died had been killed almost instantaneously. There were no survivors found at FROLINATs headquarters]
That sort of action would make him a catastrophe. A catastrophe was not something that could be controlled by man. It was called a catastrophe for that reason. He could have never imagined that Black Mamba was this dangerous. If they had known, there would have been no reason to start the backdoor tactic. Just thinking about it gave him chills.
I will send a report in three days. There is just so much to write. Even if I condense it, it will be at least 100 pages long. Black Mamba is an emotional being, so if you give him a lot of gifts and let him hit you a couple of times, it might appease his anger. Otherwise, you can live in fear for the rest of your life.
Hm!
Philips face became stiff. Paul looked from Louis to Armang and smiled.
It will be the same for you too. The nightmare of war will come and find you. Dont forget that Habibs p*nis had been cut off.
Black, Im sorry.
Paul even dumped Ombutis crimes onto Black Mamba. The more afraid the oldies got, the bigger their reward.
The faces of the three people flushed white. After sending in the tactical team, they had done what they could, even if it hadnt been the best effort. The problem was whether Black Mamba would accept it. In Black Mambas shoes, their actions didnt help but instead were a string of continuous betrayals. He wouldnt be content with merely punishing them.
A disaster was not called a disaster for no reason. If they couldnt change Black Mambas mind, they would be the victims of something gruesome. That fact shook their brains.
A fist that could explode a mans skull, a kick that could break a spineit was gruesome just thinking about it. He was a man who had broken a boulder with his bare hands at Mt. Chinto. Even that had only been a portion of his full skills.
Why dont you hit me 10 times instead?
I cant. Those in pain are ravaged by anger and sadness, which digs deep into their soul. Its a way to remember the attacker. I assure you that Boniface will soon become a transgender.
At Pauls threat, Philips mouth dropped.
Ever since this guy has been hanging around Black Mamba, hes changed.
Paul had been a strict soldier who obeyed all chains of rank. Right now, he was acting more like a middle mafia boss.
You know how Boniface is.
Boniface was the director of the foreign tactical department of the DGSE. Currently, he was the commander in chief. The fact that he could lightly mention such matters regarding Boniface was blasphemous. The person talking could say whatever he wanted, but the person listening was on the verge of wetting his pants.
As Ive already told you, I will meet with the leaders of the government and the DGSE to get the proper compensation for you. Please calm him down for us, Philip pleaded sincerely.
He felt pathetic for pleading to a lower-ranking official, but his opponent was Black Mamba. If the angered predator charged out of the hospital, he was done for.
Well see. He grinds his teeth and feels the urge to cut the traitors necks. What can I do to change his mind? Truthfully, there is something I promised Black Mamba. Its a bit difficult to say.
Paul shrugged his shoulders, a gesture that suggested he was embarrassed to speak of the details. Philip frowned and insisted otherwise.
I promised him that I would let him hit you at an amount that corresponded with the number of our dead comrades. Only after I made the promise did I send him on his way. I was able to make this compromise with him since you had at least sent out the rescue team. There are 100s of guerrilla soldiers who had gotten their heads chopped off by his Kukri. In Tanga, he had chopped off the necks of 60 Tubu clan men.
Paul enjoyed scaring the government officials. The things he was telling him werent exaggerations but the truth. Black Mamba could sneak into the presidents room and chop his neck off if he had wanted to. Anyone who became aware of his skill would be filled with fear even if they were a god.
Dont try to scare me too much. Im old, and my bones are frail. You said that we would become octopuses once he performed his torture tactics? If I get hit by him once, I will probably die.
Philips face turned so yellow, he looked pathetic. The color of the staffs faces didnt look too great either. If their leader was going to get beaten, there was no way they would be safe from it either. As much as they tried to think of it as a joke, it was not something to joke about. Just thinking about the killer, who cut the necks off of 60 men in one location, made their skin crawl.
Paul, if he hit me, I will die.
Commander, even if Black Mamba is reckless, do you really think he will kill you? The only people he killed were enemies.
Would Black Mamba think were on the same side?
The colonels worry-filled question made Paul laugh.
That is the problem isnt it? The crazed Black Mamba would even eat a cobra. Regardless, just get beaten. It will be easier to get hit and admitted into a hospital. Isnt that better than being murdered in your sleep or having to live your entire life looking over your shoulder?
Paul pleaded for forgiveness once again.
Black Mamba, forgive me. The more you act like a villain, the more we will gain from the oldies.
Yes, but his beating scares me
The serious meeting turned comical all of a sudden. Paul knew there was nothing more he could do. He was a French citizen who had graduated from a French military school and was now a government soldier.
Even if you whine about being betrayed, you will only end up getting a dishonorable discharge. If you move based on emotion, you may end up marked as a traitor.
Paul continued, Even if you were to release the scandal to the media, it would only become sensational for a while before dying out. Frances media outlet is free. However, if it is related to the country, it will be strict. The situation will have a few lines written in Le Monde then be shoved back inside a desk.
The best solution was to come to a compromise with Black Mamba. His power was lesser than colonel Philip who would soon be promoted. He scared him enough, so he should be flying around doing what he must.
The reason he told colonel Philip about the DGSEs double contract was so that he could pressure the government with the information. Black Mambas entity was an immense threat to the DGSE and the government. They wanted to bury him, but they were unable to. If they tried to shut him up, their necks would suffer under Black Mambas hands.
Thanks to Black Mamba, Bellman, Emil, Jang Shin, and I were able to come back alive. We have handed over our lives and the lives of the other six comrades to Black Mamba. The oldies will have to make some compromises with Black Mamba.
Hm, all of you have made the right decision, but they will have the worst person as an enemy.
Philips face looked troubled.
Hm, do your best to fight against the wild cat.
Paul decided that he had pressured Philip enough. Fear was an emotion that had a quick effect on a humans psyche. If the scared Philip relayed this fear, their reward would become bigger.
In Paris, there was a hospital that took care of government officials named BM, meant for VVIP patients. The VVIP hospital room had a separate bed meant for high ranking generals. The living room was taken over by Ombuti and Sun WooHyun, and Edel occupied the bedroom.
While Paul was scaring colonel Philip, Black Mamba was casually examining the ward. The hospital room was like a five-star hotel suite room. It had a phenomenal medical team, food similar to that of a hotel room service, the cheerful and smart Edel nursing him, and the loyal Ombuti and Sun WooHyun by his side. Heaven could not be better than this. He recovered quickly by devouring five servings of food, satisfying his ravaging hunger.
Chapter 164 - The Return of Black Mamba
The intelligence agency DGSE and the tactical team got rid of Black Mambas entity quickly. Other than his initial, they had erased his age, case history, and even his physical dimensions. It was normal to do that for a call name.
Worthy of being the best hospital in the world, Meta Shef Blanc and Plober finished the shoulder surgery perfectly. They splinted the broken shoulder and reattached the ripped joints. They also arranged the disorderly muscles back into place.
They were able to combat the cavitation[1] by using pig muscles to temporarily connect the tissues that had been damaged. And with that, the surgery ended.
As requested by BM, the rest of the treatment was handed over to Edel, the lioness doctor. The nickname came about from her protective nature around her patients, who she treated like her cubs. She would do whatever that was needed for them.
She did everything from sterilizing the wounds to changing the bandages. The hospital was unable to record anything and could only observe from afar to fabricate their reports.
BM, no, Black Mambas wounds started to show signs of recovery after three days. After the second regeneration of cells, they started to grow in size. Black Mambas hunger increased to 10 servings.
Ombuti and Sun WooHyun were well aware of Black Mambas large appetite. Even Edel wasnt surprised by it. Ombutis gaze softened around Edel as time went by.
Jjol ttagu, hit me on the side with your palm.
I dont want to. Tell Ombuti to do it.
Sun WooHyun slowly crept away when Edel glared fiercely at him.
Wakil, this servant is making you alysh[2], Ombuti yelled from outside the room with flour all over his hands.
Oh, you immature fools.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Within four days, Ombuti and Sun WooHyun became more conscious of Edel and did whatever she requested. Black Mamba was too dense to know why.
Edel, help me out.
A cat-like smile crept onto Edels face.
Get ready.
Her small fist lightly grazed his broken ribs.
Hit it hard.
I cant.
Edel shook her head back and forth. No woman in the world would hit the man she loved, especially when he was injured.
Why do I even bother?
Adorable, monster man, dont worry. The callus is currently remodeling. Black, even if your arm falls off, you will pop right back up. Although I hope nothing like that would ever happen.
Edel stroked his badge and smiled. Sun WooHyun had suddenly disappeared without a trace.
His broken bones would take longer to heal than his flesh wounds. His ribs, which broke and damaged his organs, would take at least four months to heal properly. If it was a hairline fracture, it would take around four to six weeks.
Black Mamba had two broken ribs. A normal person would not even be able to walk. Black Mamba had pulled out and reattached the broken ribs by himself during the war. Due to that, his recovery time was much faster.
There were two mechanisms involved in healing broken bonesthe initial and direct internal remodeling followed by the second phase of recovery. Each mechanism had its own processes. However, they worked together to ensure a quick and efficient recovery.
The stages to a full recovery went as follows: infection, soft callus, hard callus, remodeling, and final recovery. To summarize, the recovery of broken bones would begin with seven days of infection, taking about two to four weeks to develop into a soft callus, and another three to four months to harden. After a total of about four months, the bones would begin to merge into its original structure.
The concept of callus can be compared to Piccolos arm in Dragonball when he got his arm cut off and it regenerated. The memory of the arms original structure was stored in the embryonic cells, allowing the creation of another copy. If the callus was strong and fast, then quick regeneration like Piccolo was possible. Of course, Black Mamba wasnt Piccolo, but his recovery speed was surprisingly as fast.
For Black Mamba, his callus regeneration was illogically fast. The broken ribs had already gone into the hard callus phase in four days. It was incredibly fast compared to the regular duration it should have taken. His recovery took a quick 360-degree turn. The small scrapes and cut were negligible.
As a doctor, Edel knew the severity of the injuries. She knew how to treat it and any other problems that could occur from daily life activities. She made sure none of it would cause him discomfort and paid attention to even the smallest scabs. Under her watchful eyes, the Baldgras doctors got severely stressed. That was why Edel was nicknamed the lioness.
Ombuti, the Captain would be doing what he should now, right?
Hes a conservative man, do you think he could shake up colonel Philip?
Hes gotten a lot messed up than before, so I trust him. Call NDjamena.
They blocked outside contact.
What? When?
It was when Wakil first got admitted into the hospital.
What? What are these idiots doing?
A vein in Black Mambas forehead throbbed. He hadnt known because he had been focusing on recovery for the last couple of days. It was said that the person who shat his pants would be the one complaining about the smell, but the things they were doing were ridiculous.
Do we have to run around a bit?
There is a good gym in the basement, Ombuti replied with an irrelevant answer, unable to comprehend what he was saying.
Jjol ttagu, tell the black punks outside to come inside.
Three black-suited DGSE agents holding MP5s came inside. Black Mamba greeted them while sitting up in bed.
Attention!
Quiet, I am a patient that needs to relax. What organization do you belong to?
Im sorry.
Huh, how dare that low ranking punk ask Wakil a question? Sun WooHyun scoffed unbelievably.
I will not ask you a third time. What organization?
Im sorry.
The black-suited agent repeated the same answer like a parrot. The lowly guards knew nothing about Black Mamba. They were only ordered to strictly guard over him. Those within the DGSE jurisdiction could not have their identities revealed.
Sun WooHyuns foot shot upwards.
Thud
Like a whip, it hit the black-suited agent in the temple.
Son of a b****, didnt Wakil say that he wouldnt ask you three times?
Ombuti dragged the fallen agent into the corner. In the meantime, the other agents didnt alter their stiff stance. They were going crazy, unable to defend themselves against the people they were guarding.
Organization? I wont ask you twice.
It was a peaceful question that excluded rank. The second agent flinched.
Swish
Thud
Sun WooHyun moved like lightning to block the black-suited agents attack. The sudden attack led to a reflex defense.
Ack!
The black-suited agent fell after blocking the attack. He kicked him in the neck so that the IV swung around to its original position.
Tsk tsk! Slow and unimaginative.
At Black Mambas criticism, Sun WooHyun blushed.
Thud
The last black-suited agent fell over.
You wont say anything either, right? Black Mamba asked, knowing full well they couldnt answer.
I have a long way to go before I can catch up to you, Black Mamba, Sun WooHyun said as he watched Black Mamba do pull-ups.
Whatever was in Wakils hand would turn into a weapon. There was no way you could not be amazed by his swift and powerful moves.
Ive beaten his dogs so the owner will soon show up. The little punks are making me angry while giving the excuse that they are guarding the place. Move them.
Black, should we fill the full 10 hours? You think theyll have midazolam and methocarbamol?
Ombuti stared at Edel, who was searching through the medicine cabinet, with wide eyes .
Its not even surprising. Shes similar to Wakil. Her butt and breasts are big too. Hoho!
Ombuti smiled with his eyes. The more he saw her, the more he liked her.
Jjol ttagu, whats that? Isnt it embarrassing to hold hands with a pathetic guy like him? I will have to start training in a week. If you dont want to die, you better start building up your strength now.
I understand.
Sun WooHyun didnt say another word. No, he was full of happiness. The only thing left for him in this world was his body, and that was his only wealth. Wakil said he would make it strong, so there was no reason to hesitate any longer.
The seventh floor of the foreign tactical DGSE headquarters in Saint Dominique was filled with smoke from the Goluz. After finishing the long phone conversation, Boniface had a splitting headache.
Smart punk, he sent lieutenant Paul first to threaten them. Damn, it looks like the serpent will get eaten up by Black Mamba. They should kill all the fantasy writers who said that the serpent is the strongest after the dragon.
Boniface muttered nonsense under his breath while glaring at the documents on his desk. This would not blow over with a weak attempt at compensation.
Black Mamba was after him specifically.
The Ratel team would want compensation for their losses.
Compensation for the dead comrades.
Change in the ranking of the leaders.
List of the defeated.
Like a snake, he scanned the confidential documents with slitted eyes.
Damn punk, this wont do.
Knock knock
Miguel entered.
Director, the Kanma is on the move. He turned the security guards into pulp. The Baldgras dispatch team is on standby.
What? Didnt you say he had gotten shot and is severely injured?
If it was anyone else, he would have died multiple times. You know that friends physical build defies logic?
This is insane. Tell the agents to come in. Id like to hear it directly from them.
Attention! Captain Gaston reporting.
Report on the current status of Black Mamba.
He has been hospitalized for four days and has removed the bandages and casts from his full upper body. He only has scars from 35 shallow injuries. He is doing light stretching and weight training in his hospital room. According to director Blanc, he could be discharged in 10 days.
This is driving me crazy. Even after crossing the Styx, he removes his casts in three days and starts to train. Does that even make sense? Why did he turn the agents into pulp?
Due to the security breach.
Idiots! Whos the dumb punk who did that?
Director Landre ordered it.
Boniface pressed the button to call his assistant while wearing an expression of disbelief.
Call the idiot.
Boniface no longer talked about Landre. He was only in that position to uphold the image of the cultural minister, Jacque Long. Once the government tactical team took hold, he would be transferred to the foreign department.
Gaston, cancel the security. Get rid of the listening devices. Do you not know what will happen if we poke a sleeping tiger? Huh!
Yes, I will immediately do as you ordered.
Gaston, who had taken the brunt of Bonifaces annoyance, ran out hurriedly. Boniface flicked angrily at the Goluz he had been holding between his fingers. Miguel was able to escape from the fishy-smelling smoke.
Miguel, are the agents badly hurt?
They are asking us to knock them unconscious.
Interesting. The Kanma will have mercy on us. I will process your resignation today, Miguel. Disappear for a couple of months.
Ill do that.
Miguel felt relieved. He took responsibility for the backdoor tactic and double contract and put in his resignation. It was a tail cutting technique. He didnt even feel cheated. He had come to terms with it once he received the report. Miguel sincerely wanted to avoid the wrath of the Kanma.
The person taking over your position is Hugo Landre, Boniface mentioned as Miguel walked out the open door.
Miguel turned back quickly.
Landre? Hes a pencil-pushing bureaucrat with no field experience, do you think it will be okay?
He is the nephew of the cultural minister, Jacque Long. I have to live too. He will have to face Black Mamba. He will either die from getting beaten or put in his resignation.
This is typical of the serpent. Hes trying to shove him into the mouth of Black Mamba.
Miguel nodded his head. Any organization could not avoid such a situation. It was a way to get rid of the evidence through legal means.
They switched Miguel with an Arab in his early 40s and had him step into the office. He had a bald spot in the middle of his head. His balding was severely accelerating.
Vice president, I came as soon as you called.
Landre, go to the Baldgras hospital. Go alleviate Black Mambas mood. Do whatever he asks.
Landre was well-built physically but was one to cause trouble during operations. He was someone they needed to get rid of. Boniface kicked out the troublesome punk.
That night, Landre went to the Baldgras hospital right away. He was antsy and wanted to know what kind of monster Black Mamba was.
I am the tactical director for the DGSE, Landre.
When he bent over, the bald part of his head shined as it reflected the light. Edel did her best to hold in her laughter. Landres eyes flashed as he turned around to face Edel.
Oh mademoiselle, it pains me to see such a lovely lady in a sterile hospital like this.
[1] The production of small vapor-containing bubbles or cavities in a liquid or tissue.
[2] A doughy starch, most often made from millet and served with stew.
Chapter 165 - The Return of Black Mamba
Edel was in shorts and a tank top with a sleeveless shirt wrapped around her chest. She was beautiful and exhibited an aura of youth and health. She also had a bright and cheery personality. Even if Roman Walter was a normal man who didnt craze over women, he would be drooling over her.
Landre, having found a gem, suddenly forgot his mission. With sleazy eyes, he started examining her.
His gaze traveled up from her ankles, her strong thighs, and stopped at her tight butt.
Gulp
Landre swallowed then pulled his gaze back upwards.
Her waist was thin, but her chest was full in comparison. She had smooth falling shoulders, a thin and delicate neck, a small face, proportioned facial features, flawless skin, clear blue eyes, and voluminous hair that she half-heartedly tied up in a bun.
The vision of Saint Dominique hotel flashed before his eyes. The bouncing bed, the skilled movements of her body. A part of his body started to stir and grow.
Do you want to get your eyes gouged out?
The clanging noise brought back Landres mind, which had been wandering in Andromeda.
Edel, who had grabbed the surgical scissors, dropped it to her surprise. It was because she felt Black Mambas gaze. A woman could instinctively sense when a man was staring at her without having to physically witness it. Her cold face quickly melted into sweetness. Caramel could not compare to how fast she melted.
Mr. Landre, its nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy your time here.
Edel greeted him then moved to a position that blocked Black Mamba from view. She waved her fist slightly over at Sun WooHyun before stepping into the bedroom. She looked like she might throw up. Sun WooHyun raised his eyebrows.
Huh, that lioness sure is something, Ombuti said in awe.
The Tuareg tribe were monogamous, but a majority of the other Arab and African tribes were polygamous. The first wife should at least be as strong as her so that the Wakil would stay comfortable.
You son of a b****, do you want your neck removed?
Unlike Ombuti, Sun WooHyun was more direct with his threat. Ombuti stopped Sun WooHyun, who was on the brink of attacking.
Relax. Wakil will take care of it.
Did you see her grab the scissors in that fierce way? Thats some temper.
To become Wakils woman, she must be that way.
Did you see her swing her fists just now?
Shes very adorable.
I think Edel is scarier than Wakil.
Haha, thats how you differentiate a good woman. By the way, the DGSE must have lost their touch to send a loser like that. Tsk tsk!
What should we do? That guys more like a thug from the streets instead of the shiny DGSE.
Sun WooHyun and Ombuti whispered to themselves as they looked pathetically at Landre.
How ungentlemanlike. Have some respect.
When Landre burst out in anger, Black Mamba cut in.
For what reason did you come here?
What a bunch of incredible punks! Did all the disrespectful punks decide to come together at once here?
Landres forehead wrinkled into a frown. He had already known that Black Mamba was a horrific and disrespectful punk. There were truckloads of documents on Black Mamba in the tactical department. Just reading about them sent chills up his spine.
Seeing Black Mamba for himself boosted his self-esteem. He looked like a regular Asian man that wasnt all that special. Landre looked down on people of color. He wanted to pound on these punks who should merely be his assistants, but if he messed up his first task, he would be the serpents lunch. He lowered his head after controlling his bubbling anger.
Black Mamba, Im sorry I caused you discomfort. It was the mistake of my men who were only trying to ensure that you concentrated on getting your needed treatments.
Ive got my treatment under control. There is nothing to worry about. Get rid of those men and make the call instead.
Black Mamba pointed to the men who were stacked in the corner of the room. He was arrogant. It put Landre in a bad mood. A DGSE director was on the same level as a colonel. Regardless of rank, having a young punk talk to him like that annoyed him.
A phone call has already been made.
Youre quick. Get rid of the men in black, standing in front of the door.
Do you mean the guards? I will remove them right away.
Im glad you are quick to understand. Now, hand it over.
What do you mean?
Landre was confused. All of a sudden? What did he want him to hand over? If it was Miguel, he would have understood right away. He was nothing but a tool to block the leaking dam.
The list!
List?
I guess you arent ready for this conversation yet. Go back and ask your commanding officer.
How dare you
Landre raised his eyebrows. He forgot the words of his commanding officer, which was to do whatever Black Mamba requested.
Slap
Sun WooHyun hit the back of Landres head. He couldnt finish his sentence and fell forward.
If youre told to leave, you should just leave. Youre asking for a beating, arent you?
Sun WooHyun focused his emotions into his foot and kicked Landre hard. He wanted to turn Landre into an octopus after witnessing him staring sleazily at Edel. However, he resisted knowing that this guy was needed to fulfill their motives. Ombuti joined in and tossed him outside the door like a bag of trash.
Son of a b****, I have to beat the shit out of him to gain some points with Edel.
The sidekick was learning fast.
Its impossible to talk to these punks, impossible! Black Mamba muttered.
I dont think they understand whats going on here yet, Ombuti concurred.
It wasnt something they should have been complaining about, having cut the conversation short themselves.
Hm, this will only make it more expensive.
Black Mambas eyes turned unfriendly.
On the third floor of the DGSE foreign tactical team African division directors office, a man was making a call. The top of his head flashed as it reflected the sunlight. He had a patch on the back of his neck for pain relief and was wearing an expression of severe distress.
The red light on the phone kept blinking. The audio listening device had been activated.
Director, why are you so set on making an enemy out of Black Mamba?
Hm, just because of this one guy, our tactical team is going to be ruined. Even the serpent seems to be afraid. This is about Frances pride. It is the responsibility of the tactical team to erase the man that is a threat to our country.
Unfortunately, Landre didnt think that he was one to be pummeled in front of a beautiful lady. He only thought of getting rid of the man who was a threat to the country and the organization. It was a symptom of his arrogance.
This is because they see the pride you have for your country. How much have his injuries recovered? Even if he is injured, he is not one you can attack foolishly.
They say he is recovering fast, which means he is experiencing minimal discomfort from daily activities, but I dont believe it. When he was talking to me, he was still sitting in bed.
Colonel Tanshe broke into a large smile. After receiving Landres phone call, he wasnt sure what to do, but the idiot had called him first. The DGSE would be in charge of guarding Black Mamba. It was the best opportunity to get rid of Black Mamba.
The punks right-hand man, jjol ttagu, is no joke either. Those three are nothing compared to the skills of my men. How should we plan the attack?
We cant move the tactical team. If the serpent finds out, hell eat me alive. Ill make a path for infiltration.
If the director directly leads the team, then I will have the attacking team ready.
The sordid Tanshe coerced Landre to be a part of his plan.
Alright, I will lead the team.
After finishing the call, Landre gritted his teeth.
Damn punk, he dares touch my body with his yellow hands!
He was feeling a combination of jealousy and embarrassment, which messed harshly with his mind. Right then, Landre had made the worst decision of his life.
In the hallway of the hospital break room, three team members were enjoying their coffee time while wearing white gowns. The atmosphere didnt look too cheerful.
Cavani, did you check BMs side stab wound?
Yes, the skin cells have repaired themselves and new blood cells have finished regenerating. His broken ribs are currently in the remodeling phase. The callus is hardening quickly over the broken ribs. I can feel only a slight swelling to the touch.
Have you used the EGF[1] on him?
Not at all. The lioness refused.
This is driving me crazy. We anticipated three months for recovery, but hes practically cured within five days. At this rate, he will be at full strength in a couple of days. Theres no way this could happen if he is human. There isnt much time.
Blanc and Flaubert had wanted to gather just a drop of BMs blood contrary to the directions of the intelligence agency. Their attempts had failed time and time again. The government agents were one thing. The old Arab and the Korean staying around him at all times were another. Even if they somehow got past them, it was impossible to escape the vigilant eyes of the lioness.
Blanc was the director of surgery. Meta Shef Flaubert and himself were blocked from entering BMs room. They had been caught attempting to collect BMs blood by the lioness. Getting the intern, Cavani, to do it for them was proving to be immensely frustrating.
They didnt know how lucky they had been. If Ombuti or Sun WooHyun had been the one to catch them, their wrists would have been broken instead of being kicked out.
Maybe he was exposed to radioactivity?
Weve already tested for radioactivity. There is not a drop of Cesium in his system.
Flaubert cocked his head. Several machines in the hospital emitted radioactivity. The workers usually exhibited about three to four millisieverts of it in their bloodstream.
Other than the people exposed to outside contamination, some exhibited traces naturally. If a random sample was taken from the public, most would exhibit at least 0.3 millisieverts in their system. The fact that he, a human, showed no record of it was weird.
Maybe he was genetically engineered?
Dont talk nonsense. We are just beginning the stem cell research. They had just started adjusting the first button in place. Even that took 100 years to accomplish.
Blanc waved his hand, indicating it was preposterous.
Then, what the heck is he?
Shh, lower your voice. Didnt you hear him tell you not to be curious? Blanc warned Flaubert.
I think hes a mutant. An ancestor of mine had been Napoleon Is attending physician. During that time, the Arago cave incident had occurred. Every villager who had gone into that cave died, but one boy had come out alive. I think BM has genes that are similar to the boy from that cave. If I could get my hands on his blood and stem cells, I would win the Nobel peace prize.
At Blancs words, light emanated from Flaubert and Cavanis eyes.
If the Arago cave incident was real, then we must get that blood sample.
Flaubert prodded his intern.
Cavani, did you fail today too?
Im sorry. The old Arab and the young Asian wont let him out of their sight.
Do whatever it takes to get it. His spit, urine, feces, skin flake, tear, snot, or whatever.
The Arab and the Korean are keeping a close watch. Avoiding the lioness is also proving to be difficult.
Idiot, quit your crying and think of a way. If it was easy, do you think I would pay you to do it? Blanc yelled at his lowly intern.
Blanc, with his current rate of recovery, there is a high chance he will be able to check out by spring.
Blanc shook his head at Flauberts nervous rambling.
Not spring, from my perspective, hell be fully recovered in about 10 days. His recovery speed is progressively getting faster.
Unbelievable. The recovery pace went from four months to 10 days? Its not like hes an amoeba or something!
Flaubert reached for the back of his neck.
What about his shoulder gun injury?
Blanc gulped down the rest of his coffee. The one place they had given up on was the gunshot wound on his shoulder. A humans shoulder was the most flexible out of all the other animals. Its structure was complex and highly sensitive. It was obvious that it would need plenty of time for recovery. At the time of treatment, BMs shoulder was in the worst shape possible. The injuries to his side damaged his muscle and broke his rib, but the gunshot had blown out his shoulder, including pieces of bones and muscles. It was because he had continued fighting even after he was severely injured. Flaubert, who had looked over the injury, estimated less than 50 percent of his normal shoulder movement for the time being.
The damaged subscapularis and teres minor are almost fully healed. Surprisingly, his muscles seem to be regenerating. About 10 millimeters are growing from each end.
How could something so incredible happen? Are you saying hes not human, but an axolotl[2]?
A vertically damaged muscle could regenerate and heal on its own without additional medical treatment. A broken muscle could be stitched back together through surgery. However, in the case of muscle loss, it would take years to recover. In the case of Black Mamba, he had lost three centimeters of it.
His stem cell regeneration is so fast that it will connect to the rest of his tissues by tomorrow. It may sound strange, but the new muscle fibers seemed to have engulfed the artificial pig muscles we placed inside him.
Whawhat! It engulfed the pig muscles?
Blanc and Flauberts mind went blank. They had used pig muscles, which closely resembled that of a human, to prevent it from shriveling up inside the body. If what Cavani said was true, then it meant that his muscles were using the substitute to feed its own regeneration. It was a process that could only happen in sci-fi novels.
Damn, what the hell did I learn from all that time in medical school.
Blanc groaned.
Blanc, there is one method Ive been thinking of.
Unfortunately, Flaubert lost his opportunity to tell him his idea. He also lost his chance to obtain a sample of Black Mambas DNA forever.
Thud
A can the size of a fist flew in through the window and fell to the floor.
Swish
The can spun in circles and started emitting a hazy, grey smoke.
Ack, save me!
[1] Epidermal growth factor.
[2] A Mexican neotenic salamander that is closely related to the tiger salamander. It can regenerate parts of its body almost instantaneously.
Chapter 166 - Episode 7: The Return of Black Mamba
Ack!
There had been no blitz attack like this one. Blanc, Flaubert, and Cavani were surrounded by tear gas. They tore at their chests while crying tears and snot.
These men were not demonstrating citizens of Korea in the 80s or army kids who endured basic training. They had zero experience with tear gas whatsoever.
The break room door swung wide open. Three men in black uniforms wearing black masks ran into the room.
What are these punks doing here at this late hour, creating a scene?
Hurry, the operation can only take three minutes.
The men in black masks hit the back of the doctors necks, which led to seizures. With the sound of a crack, Blanc and Flauberts dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize disappeared into thin air.
Fifth floor. The attending nurse and doctors are neutralized.
Currently, it was exactly 11 oclock at night. The targets were three men in the VVIP room on the seventh floor of suite B at the end of the west wing. The strike team told the guards on the seventh floor to leave. They met the agents as they were heading up the elevator. They avoided unnecessary collateral damage.
Aller, Aller.[1]
The movements of the three men running through the hallway became more stealthy. They did not make any stomping noises and only left the sound of light footsteps behind them. The rubber combat boots given to the commandos were dulling the sounds of their movements.
One, two, threethere are nine. Cest inutile[2], it took them two days to show up.
Black Mamba creepily smiled as he got up from bed.
I will follow Wakil as the prophet of the Tuareg tribe.
Youre kidding, right?
No. I mean it.
Ombuti smiled brightly. Even though assassins were charging towards them, they did not display an ounce of nervousness.
If we understand the kind of person they are and stab at their weaknesses, it is easy to anticipate their next movements.
You mean, you were aggravating Landre on purpose?
The idiot called himself the new African Director. It means that the people who betrayed us cut their losses and went into hiding. If we want to find them, we have to get rid of Landre. Im no thug, so why would I go bothering some random pathetic man for no reason?
Sun WooHyuns heart went cold. He realized that he had manipulated Landre to launch a surprise attack on them. Black Mamba was a persistent man worthy of his call name. To make an enemy of such a man meant that there would not be a single day whereby he would be able to sleep peacefully.
How did you know he would do something so rash even when he was aware of Wakils identity?
He wouldnt believe it unless he directly experienced it. A man who crazes over women would turn a bit crazy if he was beaten in front of a beautiful woman. He probably wanted to take this chance to get rid of Wakil and gain acceptance from the organization, Ombuti explained to him.
Black, dont kill him. You have to give the idiot a chance to become smart.
Oh dear, Edels heart is purer than that of an angel. How could your heart be as beautiful as your face!
Edel smiled bitterly at Ombutis words. Her response actually meant to beat the s*it out of Landre, but Ombuti was overreacting.
Whats the point of being pretty when the person you want attention from is not remotely interested. I want to hit him.
Edel swung her fists with her back turned to Black Mamba so he couldnt see. Black Mamba commanded them as he went out the door.
Sidekick, there is no threat to us other than the punks coming this way. The door is bulletproof, but we cant let our guards down. If I miss anyone, shoot them. Theres no need to worry about the aftermath.
Thats a task Im confident in. Dont worry.
Sun WooHyun pulled out his Beretta and checked his magazine.
Swish
Black Mamba blended with the hallway as he activated his natural camouflaging skill.
Edel rubbed her eyes. The man had disappeared into thin air, so it was normal to not believe what she had seen. If she had not been a naturally calm woman, she would have definitely screamed.
Mister Ombuti, Black is
Edel, its one of Wakils skills. Pretend you didnt see it. Wakil is the resurrected Azrael. His powers cannot be revealed to the world.
I am aware of that. He is a special person. When he helped treat the children at Haiti hospital despite his injuries, I felt my soul echo. Whatever he did or however he looked, I could never believe it. As long as Black doesnt kick me out, I will stay next to him for the rest of my life.
Sun WooHyun was touched by Edels determination. He was jealous of Black Mamba, who had found a woman like her. There was no one in the world like her.
There is no one in the world as dull as Wakil. I will tell Wakil about your feelings for him.
No! Edel yelled.
I believe that there is something much bigger than the love between a man and a woman. I dont want to make Black uncomfortable because of my greed.
An angel! The Angel of Death and the Angel of Love. Oh my God.
Idiot, is now the time to reference the Angel of Death?
Ombuti glared at Sun WooHyun, who was making a fuss.
What if Black gets hurt? His bodys not fully recovered.
Wakil getting hurt? If a wasp attacks, thousands of honeybees will die. Even if a hoard of honeybees attacks, the wasp will never get hurt. Its like worrying whether an elephant would get stepped on by an ant.
Sun WooHyun squashed any worry that Edel had.
The VVIP room was at the end of the west wing of the cross-shaped hospital in suite B. The ceiling had a row of lights that brightened the entire hallway, and it would remain on even at night.
The guard that was always at the desk by the stairway entrance was no longer there. Only the green floor tiles were lit up by the bright fluorescent ceiling lights.
Huh, these punks have put in a lot of effort.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The VVIP room had its own elevator. A guard would have stood in front of the personal elevator at all times. The invaders reached the seventh floor without much interference. They had either neutralized the guards or warned the hospital staff earlier on.
Shuffle
It was the footsteps of two people moving as one. They had turned a corner but were unable to see Black Mamba, who had been camouflaging with the concrete walls.
Thud thud
They were both hit in the stomach before they collapsed onto the floor.
This is the perfect size to take out the trash.
A large laundry cart caught his eye. Black Mamba shoved the two men into the cart.
Once Landre stepped into suite B, he knew something was wrong. He did not see the two men whom he had sent in first. He immediately retreated.
Shoot the ceiling lights. Everyone, put your night vision goggles on.
His instincts had been dulled from sitting behind a desk for so long, but it did not completely rust away.
Thud thud thud
The men ran out from behind the pillar and broke all the ceiling lights. Suite B fell into darkness. They had been able to quickly hit all the ceiling lights in one shot. Their shooting skills were phenomenal.
Although their skills were great, their choice of target enemy was bad. After getting rid of the lights, he didnt even give them time to put on their night vision goggles. A strong wind blew past the hallway.
Thud
Thud
Tutak
There were a couple of bouts of sounds before the surroundings became quiet once more. Seven dark figures were splayed all over the corridor.
Swish
Black Mamba flew into the air like a ghost and turned at the pillar.
Pupupupuk
Landre instinctively shot at the black shadow that was charging at him. The MP5 automatic pistol had 13 bullets. In two seconds, he cleared out 30 shots.
The shadow was too fast for him. With each second shot, he would move to avoid the bullets.
Puk
His vision went black at the fifth shot.
What is this?
That was his last thought as Landre fell unconscious onto the floor. Humans were curious and thinking creatures.
Idiot, if I didnt need your mouth, I would have shattered your skull. Why did you have to make things so complicated?
Black Mamba grabbed his ankles and dragged him across the floor. He tossed the unconscious invaders one by one into the laundry cart. The laundry cart was pretty big with a length of 1.5 meters and a depth of 1.2 meters, but it was still not spacious enough to fit them all comfortably. Once he shoved Landre in, it became a human mountain.
Even an injured tiger was still a tiger. Blacks decision to clear an entire platoon of commandos by himself didnt make sense. It was the DGSEs bad luck that Boniface sent over Landre, who he thought was an idiot. Colonel Tanshe, who was head of the organization, had also stepped in shit.
??The boy and girl lived in the same village. The two of them liked, like??
It was a song he had sung together with Hae Young on Bijin Island. The off-tune song, amid a somber atmosphere mixed with the darkness and the creaking wheels of the laundry cart, added an element of creepiness to the hallway. Love had flown far away, and Mu Ssang was now continuously wandering in a world full of blood and violence.
Wakil, good job.
Its nothing. I was just picking up the litter.
Still, they were some vicious trash.
Ombuti joined Sun WooHyun and pushed the cart into a corner of the living room. Sun WooHyun slid outside. A few moments later, he returned with a bunch of weapons.
Edel pretended to be calm, but her heart was pounding. It had only been three minutes since Black Mamba had left the room. He had picked up nine fully armed men and thrown them into the cart like trash. It was just as Mister Ombuti had said. He was the resurrection of Azrael.
The two men who served him were great, respectively. They were skilled and completely loyal to their master. It was not because they had a contract or because of money. They had a bond based on the trust and affection they have for each other. It was a relationship that Edel wanted with him too.
The image of her father, who had been assassinated by a traitorous comrade, and her mother, who had gotten sick from longing for her husband, came to mind. If only Black Mamba had been by her fathers side. She suddenly got teary-eyed.
Rudrey Edel, a twenty-five-year-old young woman, had been thrust into the black land of the holocaust. She was a fighter who did not lose her smile even in the most desperate of times. She was a woman who had her fair share of tragedy.
Sidekick, the one in the green mask dug his grave last night. Reveal the identities of the other men and get a statement from them.
Im good at something like that. Edel, can you grab me a tooth extraction tool? I have to get them to their senses first.
Ombuti dragged the man in the green mask across the floor and tossed him in front of Black Mamba. Ombuti removed his mask and slapped him across the back of the head with his thick hands.
Slap
Slap
Slap
He didnt hit his cheeks but exposed his scalp instead. Ombuti was a strong, spiteful man.
Landre had experienced offensive attacks as the tactical director. The moment he returned to his senses, he poked Ombutis eyes. It was an instinctive reaction.
Ack!
When the fingers poked into his eyes, Ombuti screamed without realizing it. There was a flash of light. The two fingers fell to the floor. Landres unfortunate decision had led to a tragic result.
Aack
For a long time, the agonizing screams echoed around the room. The back of the Kukri, which had severed his fingers, hit his pressure point as it passed by. The screaming stopped and was replaced by the sound of blowing air.
Landre looked up blankly at Black Mamba, who was sitting at the edge of the bed. His body was paralyzed, so his brain could not register what was happening. What exactly was the situation currently?
Ombuti, I need to create an atmosphere to start a conversation.
Ill bring him back to his senses for now.
Ombuti was extremely angry as he almost lost both his eyes. He took off Landres shoes and beat him savagely on the head with it.
Stop, Im telling you to stop right now.
Landre, whose head was severely beaten, yelled out. Blood was trickling down his face, but his eyes did not lose focus. He grabbed his bleeding left hand with his right and growled.
Black Mamba, what are you doing? Do you think you can live after doing this?
Edel, who was preparing to staunch the wound, frowned. The man who had broken in with a hoard of men in the middle of the night was not daring enough to threaten them.
He was reminded of a memory he had wanted to forget. There are men like that. These men lived their entire lives privileged. And so, they felt entitled around everyone all the time and believed they were superior to them.
Black, I think that man will only come to his senses after being beaten.
Edel left and went back into the bedroom after saying those terrifying words. She did not dare to see the horrific scene that was about to come.
[1] Go, go.
[2] This is useless.
Chapter 167 - Black Mamba’s Three Tap Shoots Hope
The stupid punk abandoned by an angel. Tsk tsk!
Ombuti clicked his tongue and turned his head. The following story was easy to anticipate. Wakil could shove whatever he wanted into the mouth of the fool who cant tell the difference between chocolate or s***. He could feed him chocolate or s*** if he felt like it.
Swish swish
The Kukri flashed through the air. The metal rod holding the IV bag split cleanly in two. He prodded it with the end of the Kukri, and the 1.2 meters metal rod broke off and landed in Black Mambas hand.
Ah!
Landres face changed color. He had cut a metal pipe with a sword as if it was a piece of cake. He hadnt heard or seen anything like it before. It was already too late when he realized the person in front of him was not a pathetic flimsy identity but Black Mamba.
Black Mamba, I am sorry. If you dont want to make a bigger mess later on, lets end it here.
Black Mambas lips curled into a slight smile.
You may have started it, but I will end it. Im a person who uses my body, so I dont care about a complicated result. I should be the one threatening you, but you are threatening me instead. Im suddenly getting very angry.
Black Mamba angrily swung the metal pipe through the air. It was not a simple whooshing sound but a vicious echoing thud. It sounded as if it was breaking the air apart.
I am the tactical director of the DGSE. Do you think youll be okay after doing this to me? Landre yelled.
Youre going to be beaten to death, regardless of your rank. Plus, I dont think the person who brought over hitmen in the middle of the night has the right to utter such words in this situation.
Lets reach a compromise. Whether its money or promotion, I will make sure to reward you accordingly.
Youre not worthy to compromise with me. First, Ill break apart five of your spinal discs and pull apart your nerve endings. Youre married, arent you? When you have to use the bathroom or eat meals, you will need the help of your wife. Well, if your wife runs away, we cant do anything about that. The medical field has developed a lot these days, so if you work hard for 10 years or so, you should be able to pick up a fork again, someday.
Whawhat are you talking about? Are you insane?
Landres eyes looked anxious. If he meant what he said, he would tear apart his bones so that he would have to crawl for the rest of his life. Based on his viciousness, he could probably do that and more.
Landre, do you think you got to that position through your own skill? You are a punk who goes around with your head as a mere accessory. If you were an important entity, the organization would not have given you that seat. That is a dangerous position where one must fight against an enraged Black Mamba. Ambition and pride is only great when ones abilities are at its foundation. Wait, why do I even bother explaining this to you?
Black Mamba glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.
Black Mamba, what good would it do for you to attack the current tactical director? If you want money, I could get it for you. Its not a problem.
Shut up. If you open your filthy mouth one more time, Ill start by breaking off all your teeth.
Cold sweats poured down Landres face. For 18 years, he had threatened plenty of people, but he had not once been threatened before. The detailed and realistic possibility of the threat made his entire body tremble.
Is it already time for bed? Landre, you just stepped on the tail of an enraged Black Mamba.
Thud
The metal rod slammed into his shoulder.
Ugh, if you want to step foot into the tactical team, then you must be able to take on this much!
Thud thud
Damned punk, you attacked the tactical director, so now youve reached your end.
Landre spat out poisonously. The DGSEs tactical team was always known for its rough and cruel operations. Since they were deployed into many dangerous situations, they had been trained to withstand torture for up to two years. The torture training went over methods of overcoming fear and psychological pain.
Thud thud thud
Ack
It was a triple shot. Instead of poison, a groan escaped Landres lips. As the torture reached its climax, the pain multiplied. The metal rod sped fiercely through the air. Like the beating of a drum, he matched the timing of the rhythm with his attack.
Ack, ackk!
Desperate screams started echoing through the hospital room. It sounded similar to a dying animal. Edel was so surprised that she hurriedly closed the door and went back inside the bedroom.
Even Black Mamba found it hard to retain composure for stage two. It was not a force that Landre could endure. Ombuti turned away with a flushed face. Sun WooHyun, who was beating the commando and the commando, himself, both looked on in shock.
Save me. Please. Ack
Before he could finish the first stage, Landre was already begging pathetically. Black Mamba didnt even bat an eye. He continued to beat him with the metal pipe.
Within a minute, Landre stopped moaning. The stink of urine spread through the room.
Youre nothing but talk. Your bones are weak.
Idiot punk!
Ombuti dragged Landres ragged body into the bathroom.
The faces of the commando erasers team members flushed white.
The most basic yet most productive torture
It was a fear that crept up into their minds. Sun WooHyun didnt even have to go through the hassle of breaking their fingers.
Landre, if you answer my questions truthfully, I wont beat you anymore. If you dont, then the beating resumes.
Landre nodded his head forcefully. If the devil-like punk would stop hitting him, then he was even willing to give up his wife.
Whos the person who had ordered and led the double contract?
It wasnt me. It was the previous director, Miguel. Savate Miguel.
Where is he now?
He handed in his resignation and went into hiding. He is at a mansion in Provence. There is an address on the internal reports.
Alright. Tell me who was involved in the backdoor operation and the double contract, the person who had threatened colonel Philip to stop him from sending a helicopter to rescue us, the person who had leaked our information, and the traitor from the inside. List them out clearly.
A notepad and pen fell in front of Landres eyes.
If I approve of your report, I will end it here. Be aware that your bones and nerves are still intact at the moment.
Landre nodded his head like a maniac. His resistance had broke before he had even reached the first stage of his torture technique. That was to be expected. When had he ever been threatened by a beating stick?
Landre concentrated harder than when he had been taking the CPGE[1] test. His activated brain could even remember the address of Miguels mansion, which he had once vaguely glanced over.
Black Mamba readjusted the metal pipe in his hand as he glanced through the homework he had assigned Landre.
Whywhy? I did my best. Save me.
Landre resisted with his last remaining strength.
There was silence.
Thud
Ack!
Without a response, the metal pipe fell on him like hail. The second attack ripped his skin open. Landre was drowning in his own blood. Again, the pen and notepad fell in front of him.
Again!
Landre forced himself to remember so that he wouldnt be killed. However, there was nothing else left to tell. He had already listed everything he knew in the first report he had handed over.
Its precise.
Yes, it is. I did my best from the beginning.
I already knew that.
Thenthen why?
You forgot the end punctuation.
Ah, devil! Ack!
Landre had just been able to regain his senses, but he had no choice but to let it go again.
Crash
His head crashed onto the floor.
Goosebumps spread across Sun WooHyun and Ombutis arms. Even the devil wouldnt be able to control humans the way Wakil could.
Sidekick, what are those black punks?
The 11th Airborne Brigade commandos.
Pulling out all your cards now, arent you? The 11th Airborne Brigade, then that must be colonel Tanshe?
Black Mamba checked for Tanshes name in Landres report and took note of it. He glanced up at the bedroom door.
Edel, I know youre peeking through the door crack. All that running is making me hungry.
Hehe.
Edel showed up embarrassingly while biting her finger. The cold patient room suddenly became warmer with her presence.
Black, how about the spicy chicken stew you taught me yesterday? The recipe seemed simple enough.
Spicy chicken stew? That sounds great.
Ombuti and Edel started cooking while Sun WooHyun started a different sort of cooking of his own. That was the civilized country of France.
On the second day, the hospital, which should have been boiling like cooking porridge, remained quiet. Invaders had charged into the hospital, three doctors had gotten critically injured, and six nurses had been hospitalized with concussions. Plus, their target had been against the people residing in the VVIP suite. Without outside help, something like that would never have happened.
Black Mamba was relaxed. The one who was frustrated ended up digging the well. The person who needed to come would eventually show up, and the person to create a plot would make one. The perpetrator would end up in a torturous situation that they could not imagine, and the desperate battle that he must fight would mature him further.
He ended the phone call with lieutenant Paul and organized his thoughts. As expected, the DGSE, who were fast at receiving intel, had already waved their white flag. Landres sudden disappearance had placed Bonipas, the foreign tactical minister, in a difficult position. The 11th Airborne Brigade, who were known as rhinocros, had once again dug themselves into a hole as their name had suggested.
Colonel Robert Tanshe and the 11th Airborne Brigades chief of staff, Langdon Cecil, had been in charge. With Bonipas, who had been leading the foreign tactics in Chad, they had planned the entire operation.
He glared at the name written on the notepad. It was the list written by Landre. It was similar to the basic stages of his torture techniquethe increase in pain stimulation, and the assumption that the pain would go on forever, which made the brain obsess the need for survival. Even if it wasnt Landre but his grandfather, who was in this position, neither of them could have written a more detailed report.
[Backdoor Operation]
Planner: Head of staff for foreign tactical in the Middle East and Africa, Miguel.
Approver: Foreign tactical director Bonipas, the DGSE President Lagos, and government headquarters secretary Jermain.
Additional Approver: Lieutenant general Dimanche, government headquarter chief secretary Montagne, and Strategist Advisor Peron of the Department of Defense.
Those who had attended the meeting regarding colonel Philips decision to send in a rescue team: Foreign tactical director Bonipas, government headquarter chief secretary Montagne, strategist advisor Peron of the Department of Defense, and colonel Tanshe.
[Double Contract Operation]
Planner: Head of staff for foreign tactical in the Middle East and Africa, Miguel, and colonel Tanshe.
Executant: DGSE tactical five, teams one to seven.
Approver: Said to be a direct order from director Miguel but was most likely based on the orders from the upper ranks.
Mission: Clear out the Ratel team survivors.
Result: Mission failed. Six men that had been deployed to Hotel Le Meridien were killed. Team seven retreated for two kilometers and was destroyed.
Eraser: Black Mamba.
[NDjamena Legion Etranger information leak]
Ratel team location leak: Major Geofrey.
Intel gatherer: Libya government headquarters.
Deuxieme Rep: Communications director first lieutenant Etang.
In order to allow the DGSE to surround their intended target, they leaked information to the enemy forces. Lieutenant Etang was a scapegoat used to hide the identity of major Geofrey.
A minute of silence passed.
Damned punks!
He couldnt help but sigh. It was looking to be out of reach. By saying that they wouldnt take responsibility meant that they were willing to flip the table on them.
He remembered all of his comrades hopes that he had discussed when they were being brought here by the Chinook. Black Mamba had a different idea. He was drawing a much bigger picture.
Images of Chartres, who had died from tetanus, Burimer who had died from a busted stomach by Ocelot, and Morris who had his lower body blasted away flashed before his eyes.
Hm, Ocelot!
The name escaped out on a gasp. They did not say a word about Ocelot. If they brought him up, the problem would become complicated. Only humans could deal with problems made by other humans. If a monster intervened, their focus would become cloudy.
Wakil, you have a visitor.
At Ombutis announcement, he was instantly brought to his senses.
You came fast.
Chief Bonipas has come, himself.
Ombutis face brightened. He was a sleeper of the DGSE. His rank did not allow him to look into the face of Bonipas.
Ill go.
The actual chief Bonipas who they call Serpent?
The gentleman looked down at Landres pathetically crumpled figure, who was shoved into the corner.
Thud
Black Mamba landed lightly onto the floor.
The middle-aged man turned his head. He was wearing a corduroy hat pushed down low over his face and a basic brown shirt. It was the outfit of any average man on the streets of Paris. When he lifted his head, he could see the snake-like slits of his eyes.
Did you kill him?
I dont have the time to congratulate you on your hard work.
Surprising to see that you can recognize a formidable force at your age. Ill introduce myself. I am the DGSE tactical director, Bonipas.
You know who I am, so I wont introduce myself.
Both men made eye contact. Bonipas eyes were shooting lasers. Menace shot out of Black Mambas eyes toward him.
Ack!
Bonipas took two to three steps back without even realizing it. He felt as if hed been stabbed by Black Mambas gaze. He did all he could to return back to his original position.
[1] Classe prparatoire aux grandes coles.
Chapter 168 - Episode 2: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
Serpent Boniface is known for his rough ways of controlling his operations.
Black Mamba emanated his anger. A human who met a tiger in the wild would always end up losing his grip. It was amazing to see the old man resisting to fall prey to such a temptation.
Boniface was drenched in cold sweats. The thought of being attacked by a wildcat, no, a monster, had him trembling in fear. If he had never experienced meeting Ocelot before, he would have already shat his pants right now. He regretted ever having underestimated him just because he looked young.
Idiots, he was not a wildcat but a monster. Black Mambas ranking for danger should be doubled.
The alarm in his head was ringing loudly, warning him that he might die in this situation if he wasnt smart about it.
Id like to see that you are willing to come to a compromise. If you had foolishly come with guards by your side, I would have killed all of you. Unwrap the bundle you have ready for me.
The monsters growling snapped Boniface back to his senses.
Many ears are listening in.
Boniface looked at Ombuti, Sun WooHyun, and Edel.
Im the judge of that. If its something my friends cannot hear, then I wont hear it either. The assassins are currently out of commission. They wont be able to listen in.
Black Mambas reference to the assassins pressed the urgency of the situation.
Can I send the black punks and the idiot away? They are expensive assets to France.
Ha, they are proof that the DGSE tried to assassinate the heroes of the war. Im glad I appeared merciful to them by sparing the life of the assassins. I will send these punks to the French courts to await judgment. I already received their statement on the matter. You and colonel Tanshe will be sitting up on the stands too. the man who looked like he wouldnt shed a single drop of blood even if you poked him with a needle said those hard-hitting words with a cold expression on his face.
Hoo, you idiot!
Boniface glared viciously at Landre. Even before all this happened, they had been in a bad position to reach an agreement. Now, he had to start the negotiation without a shred of clothing on his back.
Of course, we will award you what is due. For the idiot, Ill give you 1,000,000 francs, and for each black punk, 100,000 francs.
Boniface put down an offer that could not be refused. Ombuti and Edel, who had been listening, took in a deep breath. 1,900,000 francs, it was an imaginable amount of money. It was enough to buy 20 of the well-known and expensive 80 square meters Paris Gustave Eiffels apartments.
Black Mamba multiplied 258 won to calculate the amount. Converted, it amounted to about 500,000 won. If he sold it at Nam Dae Moon foreign exchange, he could get 1,000,000 won with it. The sudden outpour of money almost made his jaw drop. The reason he became a mercenary had been to acquire enough money to go find his mother. It was better to have more money than none at all.
Haha, he must be desperate. So hes the bundle of money we were looking for.
Black Mamba was content. Those punks deserved to die, but he was glad he decided to keep them alive for negotiations sake.
Include 15,000 square kilometers of land in Chad.
Huh, what are you talking about?
Bonifaces eyes grew wide. Black Mamba smiled slyly.
Theres nothing to be surprised about. I wont ask for the fertile, southern part of Chad. The land Im requesting is the abandoned badlands 13 degrees north of Pitri lake.
Why would you want a land full of nothing but lizards and scorpions? I could give you a land that belongs to another country?
I already know that the political power of Habre has been handed over to you. Tombalbaye, who had been helping Gaddafi, even gave 100,000 square kilometers of Aoju to Gaddafi. Technically, Chad belongs to France now. Its a land that the FROLINAT had taken over. Habre wont blink an eye over that tiny piece of land anyway. That, or you can sit up on the stands in court with the idiot over there.
Would Antonio, who had to go against Aoju, felt like he did now?
Black Mamba, who was only saying what he wanted to say, looked like he had the devils horn coming out of his head.
Ah, you damned punk, if the 15,000 square kilometers of space in Dpartements is a tiny piece of land, then show me around there too!
Boniface yelled to himself silently. If Black Mamba handed over the statement of Landres attack to the courts, then their political position would be in jeopardy. France would become a laughing stock.
No, this man was the one who got rid of the meddlesome punk for me.
Even the cold Boniface, who was called the serpent, was no match for Black Mamba, who was cutting him off continuously to get what he wanted.
It is a political problem. Even if we assume that Chad is under French rule, we cannot give up foreign land to a personal entity. Not only the Chad government, but the legalities of it all will go on for two pages.
Eventually, Boniface raised his white flag.
Its not like youre asking for my land anyway. If you make it look like its a reward for conquering the Tuareg tribes land, it will give them adequate reason, and they can flaunt it as well.
Has the ghost of Faubourg Saint-Honore[1] possessed this guy!
Boniface ended up being surprised several times. It was like being up against a veteran politician.
I will let you know the location of the badlands that I want in a month.
Black Mamba emphasized it as badlands instead of land. Ombuti, who was listening, inwardly exclaimed in amazement.
Oh Allah, my assumption had been correct. Allah has sent Wakil here to save us from the rebelling Tuareg tribe. Praise Wakil! Allah hu Akbar, Allah hu Akbar
Edel dragged the zealous Ombuti into the bedroom. Boniface was sincerely curious.
Why are you obsessing over that useless piece of land? There is no oil in Chad. There is only a little in the Kanem province. Do you want to crown yourself king or something?
You dont need to know.
Black Mamba cut him off. He wasnt in the mood to have a prolonged dialogue with the old man. He wanted to kill him, but because he needed him, it was taking all his energy to suppress that desire. According to the information that Landre had given him, Boniface was quick thinking, practical, and realistic. He was the best man to be negotiating with. Trying to negotiate with a stubborn military man or a pencil pusher bureaucrat would have made his mind numb. Bonifaces cooperation was pivotal to get the things he wanted.
Now that weve established our egos, should we move on to the needed transactions? If the conversation gets too long, it will make my backside sore. There is a comfy sofa in the room. Edel, please prepare us a cup of coffee.
Boniface stared at Black Mambas back as he went back into his room. He was a lowly Legion Etranger private in his mid-twenties. After rolling around in Africa, he gained the nickname Kanma and came back with all sorts of evil around him.
Boniface opened the silver-colored case that had a number keypad on it. Even the thin document lock case had a number keypad on it. Boniface opened up the document after opening the lock. The feast on the table had been a menu he had devised relentlessly for the last two days. He glanced over nervously while trying to stay calm.
Black Mamba looked over the document for a long time. The reason it was taking so long was because of his lack of French reading skills. Boniface, not knowing that, was getting frustrated. He gulped down the coffee Edel had brought over. The coffee scraped down his dry throat as it went down.
I dont want to talk about my exploits or rewards. You forgot to add in the hazard recovery.
Hazard recovery is something the Legion Etranger will take care of.
The reason these men died was because of the Aubagne meeting. When lieutenant Paul was requesting the rescue helicopter, these people were alive and well. France had abandoned their countrys soldiers and thrown them into the fires of hell in hopes of extracting a criminal murderer.
When Black Mamba cut him off, Boniface looked back at him nervously. The man who defied logic would speak beyond logic. It was as expected.
The participants of the Aubagne meeting will go to the Sahel for repatriation. You, Montagne, secretary of treasury Peron, and colonel Tanshe. You will apologize and plead for their forgiveness in front of their graves.
Bonifaces face turned white.
Why is that name there? I cant believe that idiot told him everything.
He wanted to grind Landre to shreds. On the other hand, he doubted if any of them could have resisted blabbing about everything if they had been turned to rags just like him.
Borku, northern Kanem province, Ennedi, and TIbesti were currently in disarray. The places where Black Mamba had torn through like a tornado left FROLINAT in a state of panic. The dwindling FROLINAT troops were frantically looking for new recruits to fill up their numbers. The cycle of attacks and counter-attacks were happening in an effort to regain more recruits on their side.
You want me to go into Mondo Cane where the crazy hyenas are running around?
He could not allow that at all costs.
Black Mamba, you know this is not realistically feasible for us. We are old men with nothing but bones left. Is there no other way?
Boniface tried to look as pitiable as possible.
What are you talking about! How beautiful would it be to see the generals and their staff personally paying their respects to those who lost their lives while fighting for their country? Not only will Le Monde and Canal+ come, but reporters around the world will come with their cameras in hand.
If we die, then whats the point?
Thats right. I forgot that you are old men of Oecophylla smaragdina. Ill let this pass then. Go to the families of the deceased and give them a sincere apology. Otherwise, you will all get hit once with my fist. Pick one of the three.
Bonifaces face turned grim at the mounting pressure. All three were impossible. Every soldier who had been beaten by Black Mambas hands and feet had died. Their heads were bashed in, their chests collapsed, and holes were made in their stomachs. He was scarier than a starved lion.
It would not be easy to even issue an apology. The participants of the Aubagne meeting were not individual entities. The government and military representatives would all crash onto the ground. He was especially lacking the confidence in persuading the government officials.
Black Mamba glared coldly at Boniface, who was suffering greatly. The men who used others as pawns refused to bow down to those same pawns. Boniface didnt want to be beaten to death, and he couldnt go to the Sahel.
Your decision is taking too long. I will add in another request.
Whawhat!
Boniface jumped.
Those who participated in the Aubagne meeting will donate 3,000,000 francs to the family members of every Ratel team member that had died.
Ack!
A clashing ring echoed inside of Bonifaces head.
It was the sound of HK54 bullets falling out of the crushed box.
These are the bullets I found on the body of Makumbos guard.
Boniface jumped in surprise and glared at the bullets. HK54F 10 millimeters were bullets used by the GIGN and DGSE.
How did this punk end up with this?
Another clashing ring echoed at the top of Bonifaces head. This time it was a Beretta with a silencer attached. The Beretta, with its serial number erased, and a silencer attached had belonged to the double contract hitman.
Ack!
A deep moan escaped his mouth. There was no way out. The guys threats were notorious. He didnt even give him a chance to breathe.
I will go to the Sahel.
Boniface surrendered. If he kept resisting, he couldnt imagine what other additional requests and pressure would come his way.
I wish you luck.
Black Mamba smiled. Bonifaces face turned sour.
Promotion to lieutenant for Pieff, promotion to colonel for Paul, promotion of the sergeants and privates to the second rank, the warriors to the third rank, Legion dhonneur award certificates, citizenship for all the surviving soldiers, payments for battles and special services, three months extended vacationgood.
It was luxurious, to say the least. He was worried that it would pull the pillars out of Frances government.
I will add a couple more things.
Add? What more do you want to add?
Boniface jumped in surprise and started to stutter. The dignity of the cold-headed serpent had disappeared, and he was now a mere old man being chased down by loan sharks.
You will give citizenship to my servant Ombuti and my sidekick Sun WooHyun. You will donate 5,000,000 francs to the famine fund in the Sahel. For the families of the killed soldiers, you will set up an insurance policy for them amounting to 1,000,000 francs. In the case that it does not increase in revenue by at least five percent, the government will pay out the remainder. The insurance will stay in place for 50 years. Finally, you will give the doctors without borders 1,000,000 square meters of the 0.1 millimeters Messi.
Bonifaces face turned grim. He closed his eyes to go over the unbelievable things that Black Mamba had requested from them. Getting citizenship could be done right away. The 5,000,000 francs donation would look like a noble cause. The problem was the insurance policy. Its not the cost but the legalities of it.
Do I have to beg at the pant legs of Jacque Lang and Gissing? Would it work to scare Germaine?
The faces of the picky cultural minister and the treasurer came to his mind.
You are asking for too much.
No, you can do it. You will do as I request within five days.
There was complete silence.
Black Mambas confidence caused Bonifaces heart to fall to his stomach. He could not fathom what gruesome situation this man would cause this time.
Whats the purpose of the 0.1 millimeters Messi?
In the Sahel, there is an outbreak of a parasite called filariasis. It is a terrible organism that interferes with the ability of ones legs. Messi is a medium that can filter out the parasite.
Boniface stared at Black Mamba with surprised eyes. The cold-blooded murderer, Black Mamba, did not match with the character of a caring donor. It was the same for the famine fund donation. He couldnt understand why he was requesting millions of francs to help a bunch of blacks he had no association with.
What is your reason for doing this?
Eungmu soju eesang kishim
Emmu sottu eesam kittam?
Black Mamba smiled without responding. The smile spread from the ends of his lips to his eyes.
Oh!
Edel, who was bringing out the fruit, became entranced as if she was dreaming. She saw an aura of light emanating from Black Mambas face. She, too, had contracted the Ombuti virus. The virus seemed to be highly contagious.
[1] It is a street located in the eighth arrondissement of Paris and is cited as one of the most luxurious and fashionable streets in the world.
Chapter 169 - Episode 3: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
Rudrey Edel, wake up. How will you ever gain back Papas farm by being so lax?
Edel pulled at her hair as she tried to shake away the vision that she kept seeing in her head. If only that man had been next to her father.
Papa!
Her father had died while living for another. Black Mamba, who was currently pulling the strings of the French officials in the government, reminded her of him.
After gaining independence, Chads chaos only grew bigger for the next 10 years. In 1975, No?l Odingar, who was part of the Sara tribe, started a coup dtat. President Tombalbaye was assassinated by the coup detat army, and the reigning terror increased afterward. Edel had been 18. She had just enrolled into Londons medical program.
Chad had been the best at producing cotton and exporting in the world. Out of the 9,000,000 people in Chad, 8,000,000 of them were farmers. Out of the 8,000,000, 3,000,000 had cotton farms.
South of NDjamena toward Shari lake was a place called Pende lake and Doba lake, where it was mainly used as cotton farmland. Her father, who owned farmland in Pende lake, had the prestigious class A land for cotton farming.
Her father had been a medical general in the English army for 20 years. Even after buying the farmland in retirement, he did not let go of his medical training.
Her father had spent half the year elsewhere. He visited various locations to treat patients, make schools, and teach hygiene. With the money he made off the cotton farm, he bought medicine and medical supplies. It became the cash cow, which allowed him to build schools.
Colton Wayneright Edel was the name of her respectable father. He had been strict to himself but selflessly kind to others.
When the president was assassinated, FROLINAT started to seize power. The rebellion forces began to invade all the farmlands. Her uncle, who had taken care of the farm in place of her doctor father, did his best to protect it. He gathered up the workers and stood guard around it, holding LeeCEnfield rifles.
Her father, having heard of the worsening situation, drove back in his beat-up pickup truck, when the fight broke out. The farmers crucified her father.
The workers had all been Christian. They believed that her father, who had treated the Arabs, was a traitor. He is Judas who fraternized with the Arab traitors, that had been her fathers crime. It was ridiculous. Her father did not discriminate among his patients. They, too, had been treated by her father in the past.
Axes tore at his delicate skin and broke his bones. The blood of the father she had been so proud of dyed the cotton fields in red. Her uncle had arrived quickly afterward with a wicked smile on his face that she could never forget. She had been hiding in the cotton fields with bated breath.
Why did you use all your hard-earned money on the black punks? Those blacks you loved so much were seduced by the little money that you had, invaded your land, and got you killed. They are animals. If you feed and give them a little money, they will do whatever you tell them to, like animals. You, my brother, had caused this, so dont resent me too much. I will raise Edel well because she will have to marry Andrew. Thank you for handing over this large farm to me. Hahaha!
The wicked laugh that echoed in her ear could never be forgotten.
Papa, I will do whatever it takes to get your farm back. I will get my revenge. However, I am not the devil. Papa, you raised me to be too kind.
Edel turned around to shed a tear before bringing over the fruits and tea.
Black Mamba, I thank you for not mentioning Ocelot at all. You are too kind. Of course, this will also be part of the negotiation?
The stupidest person in the world is the one who breaks their own food bowl and overthrows the card table.
Ha, incredible. You are more intelligent than Fabius.
Boniface didnt understand what he meant by the card table, but he understood the food bowl reference. The 22-year-old Korean man could be seen as young. It was incredible to see him enacting the devilish battle skills and psychological warfare behind that handsome face.
Is Ocelot dead?
He ran away after being critically injured.
Ocelot ran away
Bonifaces eyes grew wide in surprise. The two wildcats had battled it out. One was still fine, so that meant the other was not. However, the crazy wildcat, Ocelot, ran away? It was hard to believe.
This was the guy who had turned Darfur into a bloodbath. He had been able to rip apart the troops after being a sodden bullet rag. This meant that Black Mamba was a scarier entity than the crazy wildcat.
There was another reason as to why he had stayed quiet during Miguels planned operation. He had wanted to gain data from the battle between the two beasts. There was not enough information to determine if Black Mamba was a mutant or if he was a martial arts master. However, there was no point in figuring all of this out now.
He is known as a national assassin, but he is actually a psychopath mutant. Having lost a wounded predator would create a big problem.
Its not something a man who let loose of a predator should be saying.
Boniface flinched at the sharp gaze.
Well, the use of Ocelot was exclusively planned by Miguel. Miguel took responsibility for it and was fired.
Another reason why that punk should die. A wounded wildcat. A large-scale bloodbath may soon occur.
Oecophylla smaragdina. Boniface had tossed Miguel to Black Mamba as prey. It was easy to see what he was doing, but he pretended not to notice. There was no reason to prod Boniface any longer at this point.
It is a dangerous situation. I, too, have a request. Kill Ocelot. I will give you a reward that you will not regret upon completion. He is a nuisance to France.
Im getting the feeling that you were also part of the plan.
That is true. The project to create a second Ocelot is currently in the works. I will have them stop the operation. If there is a powerful monster like yourself here, there is no point in creating a monster with only brute strength. Its not guaranteed that we can even make one.
I cant understand it. France is a powerhouse country. Is there a desperate reason to continue with such a project? Either way, that guy is not normal. If I get the chance, I will get rid of him.
Either way, Ocelot would only be a threat to the world. He could not leave a creature who thought of humans as prey that he could hunt.
Thanks. I can predict what you will do within five days. I will not interfere. A man has no power to block a catastrophe. I will use all my powers to fulfill all your requests.
The long negotiation was wrapped up. The result was a detrimental loss to Bonifaces side only. With each sensitive issue, Boniface was knocked out by Black Mambas viciousness. The deal between a monster and a man was already determined.
We have finished up our negotiations. This is a direct result of your faults, so I wont thank you for it. Shakespeare had said that when the sound of gold echoes, the fighting stops. I know that you have gotten a promotion through this. I congratulate you on becoming the tactical director.
Black Mamba lifted the coffee cup. At the same time, Boniface awkwardly lifted his coffee cup. Bonifaces shoulders sagged as he collected his bag. After being harassed by the villainous loan shark for two hours, he suddenly felt old.
Idiot, why do you even bother breathing? You dont even deserve to breathe. Just die, die.
Boniface kicked Landre, who was splayed out in the corner of the living room, with all his might. Boniface turned back to face Black Mamba before he left through the door.
Black Mamba, intelligent beast, I will give you a special present. We will become great partners.
An ambiguous smile formed on Bonifaces face. Men in black uniforms ran into the place and removed the ragged burden.
What is this? The feeling of being outrun right in front of the finish line?
Black Mamba cocked his head in confusion.
Baldgras military hospital was three kilometers away from Sen lake. Since there were no tall buildings to the north of it, you could see Sen lake from the VVIP room on the seventh floor.
After finishing the negotiations, Black Mamba went to the window and stared blankly at ?le Saint-Louis. Ferries continuously went up and down the lake. He couldnt see their faces, but he knew it was full of skin rubbing humans on it.
It had only been three years since he had left his home country, but it felt like it had been 10s of years. There had been an artist who once said that the world had changed when he had woken up, and he, too, felt that his life had been completely flipped around.
He placed his hands in front of his eyes and stared. If you glanced over it quickly, you would assume that it was the delicate hands of a woman. However, if you look more closely, there were 100s of scars on it. The hands that had once hit a moktak in Amja had now erased 100s of lives. His teacher had told him that the life of an ant was no different than that of a human, but who could that be!
Whew!
He let out a deep sigh. Boniface was an old member of the Oecophylla smaragdina. He had used all his strength as if he was participating in a game of tug of war. For the last couple of nights, he had wracked his brain trying to get the dirt out of the French government, and he had finally finished it now.
After resolving the heavy burden, a rush of despondency overtook him. Even though he was troubled, he was busy wiping the tears away from others. What was the point of all this as he wandered around the foreign place, abandoning everything he had had?
Who was this for, and what was the purpose? All he had wanted to do was find his mother and live a normal life with her in a house that he built. Instead, he killed 100s of men and became a wreck.
He had wanted to be comforted, but there was no one to comfort him. Many would follow an angel, but no one would tightly hold a bloody hand. It was either an enemy or a minion. It was lonely. He suddenly felt a rush of sadness.
Que tengo miedo a perderte.[1]
Perderte despus.[2]
Quiero tenerte muy cerca.[3]
He hummed to Besame Mucho without realizing it. It was the song he had enjoyed listening to on the second floor of the Mokjo house, which was Hae Youngs house. The falling leaves knocked on the window as the yearning song knocked on his heart. That day, he had decided to let her go.
Ah, Hae Young!
The name he had vowed never to call again, escaped his lips. His heart melted.
Even the all-powerful Black Mamba could not defeat this pain! He leaned his swaying body onto the windowsill.
An empty boat, an empty boat. A drifting empty boat. One may see when it leaves, but one is unable to tell where the drifting boat will end up.
He let out a long sigh.
You must let go of all the obsession! he mumbled quietly to himself. It was the last thing his teacher had said to him on the day he had left.
Yes. Wherever your heart takes you, nothing will be able to predict its path.
There were still many things left to do. He clenched his jaw tightly.
The eyes of Edel, who had been preparing the bed, were glistening with tears. The worlds strongest warrior and the man who had played the veteran intelligence director had disappeared. Only the contemplating face of a sad young man remained.
Black, you too are a soul with many scars.
The large and clear eyes, which were like a lake, were filled with tears that had trickled down her cheek. A woman might not be able to understand words, but they had the superpower to understand the meaning of a sigh from a man that she loved.
Crash
Ombuti, who had been cleaning up the mess, came running into the room. His usual servant-like attitude was gone, and instead, he looked like a villain ready to catch a snake. The serene atmosphere was interrupted.
Definitely, the great Wakil. You got us things we couldnt ever imagine receiving. The serpent froze in front of Black Mamba. It will be a documentary I would never be able to see again. Its a shame the Captain and the rest of the team were not able to witness this themselves.
I have both strength and justification in my hands. If I cant do anything with it, I am an idiot.
A benign smile formed on Black Mambas face.
Wakil, I have surrendered to you. Wakil is all-powerful. Please train me well.
Even in this situation, Sun WooHyun was thinking of himself.
Black, thank you. It will be a lot of help to the poor people in the Sahel. You are a true angel.
Edel revealed her aching heart to him and fell into his metal-like chest.
Why are you all acting like this? Youre embarrassing me. Stop it.
Black Mambas face grew red as he slightly pushed Edel away. Ombuti couldnt stop himself from laughing. Wakil put down his gun and couldnt hide his embarrassment. He was like a schoolboy. It was good to see this side of him.
Sidekick, bring the Sciacarello. If we dont drink at a time like this, when else would we drink?
That sounds great.
At Ombutis agreement, Sun WooHyun excitedly went to retrieve the alcohol bottle.
Ombuti, call lieutenant Paul. We will all gather here in five days. We have to unravel our presents, and as promised, roll around the Meridian hotel for four days and three nights.
Yes. Emil will be ecstatic.
There are no condoms in Africa. You will have to fit the size and get plenty ready.
Sun WooHyun whispered in Ombutis ear while glancing over at Edel.
Sidekick, Im not interested, so you can prepare as much as you need for yourself. On a side note, there are many STDs that even a condom cannot protect you from.
What? Whats that?
Ask Edel?
Ombuti pointed over at Edel, who had lasers coming out of her eyes. Sun WooHyun jumped and pretended to be doing something else.
Call lieutenant Kikali too. Let him know that it is time to become independent. How long is he going to be stuck behind FROLINAT, wiping their ass for them?
You already knew about this.
The FAP recruits look to be mostly from the Tubu Clan. Its obvious to see the fox-like Kikali hiding behind a herd of wolves with bated breath.
Ombutis face brightened. He was not only powerful but intelligent. He was proud of himself for deciding to serve Black Mamba as his servant. Ombutis eyes glistened in determined anticipation.
To the comrades buried in our hearts!
For our comrades!
To the future of the Tuareg tribe!
For the Tuareg tribe!
To the poor citizens of the Sahel!
For the citizens of the Sahel!
To our all-powerful Wakil!
For Wakil!
It had been two months since they drank without having to worry about bullets coming their way. Their party lasted until the next morning. Apart from the two men, Edel had also passed out. Black Mamba cleaned up the mess and muttered to himself.
However strong the alcohol was, he would never get drunk. It was a symptom of the excita virus that had contracted. Most poisonous substances would instantaneously be broken down. He would have to drink at least a 75.5 degrees Fahrenheit Puerto Rican Bacardi or a 96 degrees Fahrenheit Polish Spritus by the gallon to get drunk.
Black Mamba muttered as he lifted Ombuti and Sun WooHyun like a sack and threw them onto the bed. He flinched while he was trying to move Edel. Edel was asleep with her head lying on the table, her shiny blond hair wrapped around her face.
Swish
His left hand swept past like wind. The hair that had been surrounding her face was brushed neatly to one side. He could also use his Ohgeumgong skill to brush back the hair of the beauty.
The beautiful woman was pretty even when she was a mess. Even without lipstick applied, her lips were red and slightly opened. Her light breath had the sweet scent of a young woman and wine.
[1] I am afraid of losing you.
[2] I am afraid of the future.
[3] I want to keep you close.
Chapter 170 - Black Mamba’s Three Tap Shoots Hope
Those were pheromones any male wouldnt be able to resist. Blond hair turned into black. Clear lines turned into small, compact sizes. With long inner eyelids that shaded the eyes, a long neck like a deer, and a detailed collarbone, Hae Young came to mind.
The slight glimpse of white teeth between two ripe, cherry-colored lips caused a deja vu. He was in Bijindos guest house. With a heated collarbone and a curved naked silhouette that shone underneath the morning sunlight, which came through the window like arrows, that was Hae Young. His male instincts twitched.
He wanted those lips. He wanted to ravage that weak body. He approached unknowingly. His back slowly bent. There was a cherry right before him. Black Mamba, enraptured in his own hallucination, couldnt see Edels trembling eyelids.
Crash
Suddenly, there was a small noise and vibration. It was the sound of a heavy object falling onto the floor.
Hm?
His consciousness, which had been roaming, returned to reality. The woman who was sleeping, leaning across the table, was Edel. He looked down at his lower body, which was nearly tearing through the patients gown. It was the first time he had lusted for someone since coming down from the mountain.
Black Mamba stared at Edel for a while before draping a shawl over her shoulders and leaving the medical office.
Bang
It was the sound of the door closing. Edels eyes twitched open. She glared fiercely at Sun WooHyun, whod fallen off the bed. Sun WooHyun had gained the ire of a female lion unknowingly. Sun WooHyun, who had no idea about the turnout of his future, climbed back underneath the bed and slept peacefully. Black Mamba twisted into a lotus position on the roof of the hospital.
You damn idiot, why is your mental strength so weak!
His masters chiding remarks rang and pounded in his head. A Paranthropus, with its strong physicality, also possessed a strong lust. The combined repetitive expelling theory focused on calming the mind and stabilizing the heart. His teacher had controlled his disciples lust by using a method of illusion called Expelling All Meetings.
Expelling All Meetings was, as it said, meeting all kinds of beauties throughout the night then expelling them by vomit. It was the kind of illusion that made one think s*x was troublesome. One wouldnt even be moved by the most beautiful person, due to several horrible experiences. The person under the illusion was tortured, but the person casting the illusion also had to pour immense amounts of ki.
Namoradanada-ah-yaya-namakal-ya-barokiche-se-bara-ya-mojisadabaya-mahasadabaya
The recitation of the heart-stabilizing chant continued throughout the night. Black Mamba was taking the hard way around, leaving the easy way aside. The conditions of being a human were that hard.
No matter what happened throughout the night, the sun rose. A missive found its way into the hospital room early in the morning. It was in an aluminum case sent by the DGSE. Black Mamba sent the messenger away before pressing his left thumbprint to open the case.
There were three types of documents signed by the president, the Department of Defense, the guards, the minister of culture, and the commander of Legion Etranger. There was a calculated check, a notice of an order of merit, and a noted order.
Whys it this fast!
It was way too fast. It hadnt been a week since he flew over from Chad. Korean officials were slow at processing their work but were far better than the French officials.
The work of French officers had an infamous reputation. They had low wages, low wills, and low responsibility. According to their normal work processing times, the reward would have taken shape at least three months later. It was obvious how Bonipas had rushed those workers.
He pushed aside the thick documents and checked every billing statement. He didnt have much interest in a metal piece of badge or the orders from above. Of course, that was because he didnt know its value.
Ha!
He checked the billing statement once more.
20,182,000 francs!
He multiplied the official exchange rate by 213. His brain rushed to calculate the unrealistic number. It was 4,300,000,000 won. He had threatened Bonipas for 50,000,000 and 10,000,000 dollars, but he hadnt been able to grasp its volume.
The eye-dropping number turned Black Mamba into the countryside Mu Ssang. In 1981, when he left Korea, one average sack of rice had been 12,800 Won. 4,300,000,000 won meant 335,937 sacks.
How much was the jja-jang again?
It was around 360 Won, which meant 12,000,000 dishes.
Hehehe, its an amount the Ha-Dongs family wouldnt be able to finish for the rest of their lives. I wish I could send it to my father in the underworld.
Happiness rushed into him like the tide. He could find his mother without worrying about expenses. He could send the Jin Soon siblings their school expenses and pocket money. It was also enough for university registrations. He could also fix the temples leaking roof at Mt. Chung Saeng.
The notice of merit and telegram order didnt even reach his eyes. The devil Kanma of the Sahel, the Angel of DeathBlack Mambas origin was the bridge villages Mu Ssang. Mu Ssang was a poor boy who had grabbed the gun to make money.
Compared to the French people, the Koreans led extremely packed lives. A vacation? That couldnt even be dreamed of. One had to work like mad to eat and live. 12 hours of labor was the average. If one acted like the French and ate lunch for over one to two hours, they would be fired immediately.
They also worked on Sundays. The reality of Korea was that large companies could provide at least a half-day and Sundays rest, but a medium-sized company could only allow the staff to rest once or twice per month. There were several cases when a midnight call was made to request staff to report to work.
In terms of working hours, Koreans worked triple the amount compared to the French people. That didnt mean they lived in luxury. They aged as they worked to their bones. Retirement plans? That was a dream. They were too busy paying for their childs education.
Hed worked for 45 days and earned 4,300,000,000 won. It was astounding.
500 francs per corpse!
One life was equivalent to 500 francs. Converting that amount to won gave him 100,000 won. In 1981, a first-time workers pay at a market bank in Korea was 180,000 per month. This meant that life was no less than a months check. It was a black comedy.
He had officially killed 1,996 FROLINAT FAP soldiers. The result of killing 1,996 soldiers was 998,000 francs. There was no other black comedy than receiving money per corpse after herding several people to their deaths. Sour bile crawled over his throat.
1,996 people!
Hed killed many. He sighed. He had killed 2,000 people trying to save 10 people. His master had said that there was no difference between the lives of humans and ants. He had weighed every comrades lives with the other 2,000 lives. He couldnt even guess how much karma had been piling on him.
Is this the gift that Bonipas was talking about?
It was 2,000 francs in estimation. He was someone who received what he deserved but refrained from getting attached to money. Hed once entered an acting troupe to earn some money for his education and wandered the mountains.
If this was how they were going to pay him, he could forgive the Oecophylla smaragdina, whether theyd betrayed or cheated him. Of course, that was on his terms. He was going to make them pay for his comrades debts separately.
Being betrayed and fooled didnt feel good, but compared to how hed lived until now, it was on the level of cuteness. There was a human whod used his cousin as a slave for five years without offering a single cent. He was a mercenary. He obviously had to bleed to earn money. Complaining about being fooled and betrayed was just the complaints of a picky person. That was why hed ripped off as much as he could.
On the other hand, the Oecophylla smaragdina were doing what they thought was the best on their level. According to Bonipas excuse, he was twisting an uncertain hand together to make it certain.
The straight attack which Bonipas had thrown had definitely worked. Black Mamba had handed him a greater bunch to squash any complaints. He was, as expected, an abnormal person.
He could almost imagine the mans next steps. He was going to send a hook, an uppercut, then a clinch. There wasnt anything bad in his view. Hed taken as much as he could for his comrades. Avoiding someone because of dislike only made it harder for a person to live.
Black Mamba thought hard about why his anger cage wasnt surging. It was leisure for the strong. He could let things flow as it did as he felt leisure in his heart. He could simply erase things from existence if things went wrong.
Erase things from existence if I dont like them? Did my thought process change?
Black Mamba flinched. It was a dangerous way of thinking. It was the thought process of a beast.
The 45 days hed spent in the Sahel passed by his head like a panorama: A hunger which beetles and scorpions couldnt fix, dehydration from a brain on fire, endless battles and killing, horrible flies and mosquitoes, the calm night sky, the annoying sandstorms, young soldiers who begged to live, and old guerrillas who called for Allah, even in the moments when their heads were torn off.
Im a human as long as I can think and look back. He screamed in his mind.
Black Mamba threw the documents in the safe and jumped to his feet. The matters of the living had been settled, so now it was time to clear the debts of the souls who had died.
Ombuti, lets go for a hike.
Is there a place to hike in Paris?
Edel tilted her head at the sudden proposal. Paris was a city constructed on plains. All there was, were small rolling hills.
Were going a little ways away.
Far? Then Ill get breakfast ready right now.
Edel turned away with light footsteps. Her front apron with frills flapped around. She was vibrant, with no signs of the craziness from the past day.
Ombuti understood quickly like the best butler he was.
The s*** stick sent some documents to us yesterday evening. Its 2.6 kilometers south, following Provinces Annecy lake. Theres a wooden two-story house behind the Beograd hotel, 700 meters up the mountain.
Damn, that b*stard, hes going into hiding at such a far place. Itll be hard to move by car, wouldnt it?
Its 630 kilometers by car. Ive requested a Gazelle from the s*** stick. Ive already prepared hiking clothes and gears. Ive also prepared a special 50 meters rope, since its a cliff region.
As expected of the best butler, Ombuti had prepared for everything.
Wakil, your mercenary friends are coming over this evening. Should we just go ahead?
Black Mamba slapped his forehead.
Ah, Ive forgotten. Will there be enough time?
With no arms on the Gazelle SA342, it can reach a speed of 300 kilometers per second. We can reach the destination in 100 minutes. Theres no reason for Wakil to wait until nighttime.
Right, we need to drink till our belly bursts. Wakil, lets go right now, Sun WooHyun agreed.
Edel glared fiercely at Sun WooHyun.
No. Dont think about hiking or even walking until you finish breakfast. Black is a patient.
Ha!
The three men, who didnt dare to make any sound, sat on the table.
Huh? Samgye-tang? How did you make this Edel?
Black Mambas eyes grew wide. He thought she had prepared coq au vin from the smell of chicken. Shed been skipping around since morning, so he hadnt expected her to brew samgye-tang. He didnt know how it would taste, but it was similar to samgye-tang with its jujube, chestnut, ginkgo, pine nut, and rice.
There was a Korean restaurant behind the hospital, on saxgar.
Thank you, Edel.
Its a rule not to thank each other, between family. Edel smiled beautifully.
Her eye bags had swell, but it only added to her innocent vibe. Black Mamba was suddenly blinded.
Her concern and consideration for him, despite the effort needed, poked at his heart. Gorgeous beauties and good-looking bodies didnt interest him much. It was a love that grew over time that was scarier. This woman had both of Hae Youngs grace and innocent beauty. Edels smile began to grow scarier.
Miss Edel, wheres my samgye-tang?
Lackey doesnt have breakfast.
What? Even Ombuti has one but not me? I like samgye-tang very much.
Sun WooHyun ignorantly tapped on his bowl with his fork as though he was protesting.
Bang
A plate filled with a few dried sausages landed before Sun WooHyun. They were leftover sausages from yesterday, which had been served as wine accompaniments.
This is your breakfast, Mr. lackey. If you dont like what Ive prepared, you can eat outside. If you do, then Black would also have to eat outside.
Shed given more emotions to the dish in replacement for its lacking qualities. Finishing her speech, Edel disappeared into her bedroom. Sun WooHyuns face crumpled. It was a great threat. If he decided to eat outside because he didnt like the food, she planned on taking Wakils food away too. If that happens, Ombuti would pull out his gun.
What the f***, is it that week for her?
Sun WooHyun grumbled as he chewed on the hard sausages. Black Mamba smiled and placed a chicken leg on Sun WooHyuns plate. It was his generosity towards someone who wasnt aware of his sin.
Kukukukuku
The Gazelle landed on the hospitals roof at exactly nine in the morning. Black Mamba and Sun WooHyun, who was in their hiking gear, climbed on. The Gazelle quickly moved south with a loud motor noise in its wake.
Wakil, Im confident with mountains. Lets go up together.
I know. We dont have time. We cant have our brothers waiting for me to clean up a single rat b*stard. Tell the pilot. Were getting off 50 meters above the destination. The helicopter will go around the lake once and lower a fast rope at the same location in 30 minutes.
Chapter 171 - Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
It was 440 meters from Paris to Annecy by air. The Gazelle, which had started from Val-de-Grace hospital, entered Annecys air by the 105th minute. Annecy lake was a lake within the mountains, surrounded by the Alps mountain range. Many visitors came during their summer vacations due to its low temperature. Even during summer, the temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius.
The lakes east coast was filled with large cliffs and ski resorts which gathered tourists, while the many kinds of fishes living in the river gathered the fishermen.
Annecy lake in January was deserted. The Alps mountains were covered underneath a white blanket. The large lake which reached 36 degrees had become frozen and blue water could only be seen in its center.
The Gazelle flew over Annecy, which was covered in snow and entered the southern side. The Angel of Death wasnt a tourist. The Gazelle ignored the string of hotels and climbed up the mountainside behind Beograd hotel.
Wakil, the destination is in front.
A small two-story house could be seen in the forest, like the scenery of a postcard. It was Miguels hiding place that s*** stick Landre had told them about.
Why do b*stards who plans and backstabs always get to enjoy life in the accompaniment of great scenery? Someone needs to change the rules, Sun WooHyun complained.
The Gazelle, which had entered the vicinity of the house, turned in its place and dropped rapidly. When the Gazelle began to drop, a snowstorm created by the blades strong wind rose thickly into the air.
Should I land?
Remain at 20 kilometers per hour and 50 meters in height.
Ah! The pilot screamed shortly.
A passenger had jumped off the plane without a fast rope, too quick to be stopped.
Ahhh! Emergency! We need to save him!
Sun WooHyun screamed back at the crazed pilot.
Mind your own business, you b*stard. Aller, aller!
At Sun WooHyuns lashing, the pilot increased his speed unknowingly. Black Mamba, who used the fearless steps eased movements wild steps, used the helicopters winds to move through the air. When he opened his hiking-purposed windbreaker, his range of movements increased. He instantly flew over 500 meters through the rift in the air.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight the moment he landed. There wasnt a human in sight within a diameter of 300 meters. It was the winter season, which had crossed negative 20 degrees Celsius. Those who came in search of the lake had a special purpose.
The snow came to his knees. The wind, which whirled down the mountain, threw snow in his face until he couldnt open his eyes.
Damn it, I was wrestling with sand a few days ago, and now Im wrestling with snow, its a f***** life.
Black Mamba wore his goggles and attached the snow chain to his hiking boots.
Woooo
Black Mamba, wearing his white snow jacket, ran through the snow as though he was sliding.
The evolved version of the fearless steps had added agility to his power. He passed the snow-covered needle leaf branches like the wind, without touching them. The snow fell off the branches from the aftershock of Black Mamba passing by.
Two and a half kilometers were crossed in a second. He jumped over the two meters fence surrounding the log house and shamelessly knocked on the door.
Knock knock knock
The winds rather strong, Miguel muttered as he reworked his fishing equipment.
There were always cases of broken branches, swept by the wind, knocking on his door.
Knock knock knock
Surprised, Miguel tilted his ear. It wasnt a natural sound. It was a knocking sound with fixed intervals and firm strength. Horrified, he shoved his fishing equipment to the floor and stood up.
The only people who knew about the houses location were his wife and the security personnel above the DGSEs second level. There was no reason for a high-ranking DGSE member, or his wife, to climb the Alps in the middle of a snowstorm. One had to walk over four kilometers on the mountain path to reach the secret summer house.
The serpent has abandoned me!
Chill ran down his spine.
Knock knock knock
The knocking was heard once more. It was a devils invitation to hell.
Damn it, its never the good guys who come knocking, but the bad guys. F****** hell!
Miguel pulled out his Beretta and turned on his camera switch. A tall Asian filled his finder. He was wiping the snow off as he took off his jacket with an eased expression, as though he was visiting his neighbors house. He was right in front of the door.
Ugh, Black Mamba!
Miguels face was bleached white. The man was wearing winter gear with a goggle, but he recognized the man instantly. His sight blacked out as he was someone who had refused to dispatch a rescue team.
If it had been a hitman, he would have had a slim chance of survival. However, if his opposition was Black Mamba, there was nothing but despair. Miguel bit his tongue to regain his senses. Miguel was someone whod led the toughest fifth unit in a strategic mission.
He immediately searched his desk for a white phosphorus bullet. Black Mamba wasnt someone who could be fought against with a measly Beretta. The only effective weapon was a white phosphorus bullet. He opened the magazine latch with shaking hands and pulled out the magazine. He pulled out the bullets and shoved five white phosphorus bullets in. The nine millimeters white phosphorus parabellum bullet was made in 1972 by the DGSE to suppress terror activists. It was a bullet type that had been abandoned under strong criticisms for its extreme cruelty. He had saved some for himself, out of curiosity.
Clack
Miguel, who had assembled the magazine, placed himself beside the front door.
Craack
The oak door, with an arms length thickness, broke apart.
Ah!
Scared, Miguel jumped into his room. Black Mamba had shoved the door open when there wasnt a response to his continuous knocks. It was a rather rough visit.
Miguel, we need to talk.
Papapa
Miguel answered with bullets. A large phosphorus bullet exploded the moment it came into contact, spreading white phosphorus everywhere within a diameter.
Black Mambas upper body swayed like a willow. His dimension sight ability was enough. The barrel moved minutely, and he foresaw the bullets trajectory the moment the muscles contracted. He was a master at avoiding any impending danger.
Boom
Boom
The bullet exploded against the wall, and white smoke covered the entire living room.
Clang
He shoved the bullet aside with his Kukri.
Boom
White smoke covered Black Mamba.
Damn it, this f****** b*stard!
An angry curse jumped out.
Schschschink
His Kukri sliced through the air at ferocious speeds. The smokescreen which had spread at a close range was split apart. Black Mamba jumped out between that space.
Woosh
Woosh
The white phosphorus fire, which had spread everywhere, disappeared with the wind. The white fire that landed on his clothes were sliced off with his Kukri before it could start sizzling.
Bang bang bang
Miguel, who used up all of his five bullets, pulled on the trigger without rest.
Devil, its the devil!
He was choking on fear. A human who swept away white phosphorus with a knife, it was an unbelievable sight for his eyes.
Black Mamba became busier. He had to sweep the white phosphorus fire away and avoid the bullets. His fearless steps were activated to the utmost. Black Mambas body flickered across the room like a ghost. Miguel couldnt even find his target.
Whoosh
Black Mamba jumped into the room. Miguel was thrown by his collar like hay, into the living room filled with white phosphorus.
Aaaaaargh!
A devastating cry echoed. The weight of white phosphorus was similar to air.
Crack craack
The smoke-filled living room swallowed its new sacrifice.
Miguel rolled on the floor like mad. However, it wasnt enough to stop the sizzling white phosphorus flames. White phosphorus could be activated even inside water. The only way to get rid of it was to cut off the flaming part with a knife. When in contact with skin, it had to be sliced off.
Save me. Black Mamba, Im sorry! Save me!
Miguels desperate shouts echoed against the crackling white flames. The thick smell of kerosene and protein spread through the air. The flames swallowed the house instantly.
Eh, I rushed too much.
Black Mamba didnt have a way to save Miguel from the white flames. He was in a situation where hed be burned if he didnt escape in time.
Crash
The back wall was shattered with a single kick. Black Mamba jumped out of the house. With the increased air supply, the fire flamed intensely.
Black Mamba stared at the log house with regretful eyes. He hadnt decided whether to save or kill the man yet. He was even thinking of ending things with a light beating of the muchi-sibari-a-ge if Miguel gave a suitable excuse. The panicked guy had rushed into the self-made fire.
Namu Amita Bul, may your next life be peaceful.
The log house which was swept up in flames resembled Chui Do Shiks house, which had killed five in Bangtaesan. The snow had piled to his knees on that day too.
There are two b*stards left.
After staring at the flaming building with regretful eyes, Black Mamba disappeared as though he was sliding off the snow. It was fortunate that there wasnt an issue of a forest fire.
Ugh, Im hungry.
Black Mamba had left the hospital at nine oclock in the morning. He appeared back in the hospital exactly at lunchtime. No one would have imagined hed gotten rid of Miguel, who had been hiding 600 kilometers away from Paris, in Annecy.
Black, was the hike enjoyable?
It wasnt.
Seems like it. Look at me.
Hed thrown his outer jacket away in the log house, but sparks had reached his hiking gear.
Edel dragged Black Mamba into the hospital room and tore the hiking clothes with scissors. His right arm, which had been discoloured with red burns, was revealed.
White phosphorus exuded a flame of over 3,000 degrees Celsius. Hed swept the sparks away before it landed on his clothes, but he hadnt been able to stop the small sparks, which were as small as sesame seeds. Even his skin, which was as strong as shark skin, was weak against strong heat at 1,000 degrees. Edel washed off the melted fiber on his skin with alcohol and plastered on burn gauzes.
The Alps are dangerous during winter. Avalanches frequently occur within Switzerlands Central Alps. You wont be able to beat nature, Black. Its best to visit the Annecy lake during summer when the Southern Alps fall towards the Mediterranean. Youve no idea how much the Italian tourists talk about it. I guess theyre not as overboard as you, Black, to borrow a helicopter for that. Oh, what am I doing, chattering away to a hungry person.
Edel stopped chattering and ran to the kitchen with her flapping front apron. Black Mambas stoic face slowly loosened. Ombuti, who was helping her treat him, smiled widely.
Isnt she wise and beautiful? She didnt ask a single question that would concern you, Wakil. Shes not a talkative person, but she made an effort to change your mood. Shes a rare young woman with wisdom. Perhaps, you should stop calling her Rudrey.
Ombuti offered a piece of small advice.
Ombuti, are you saying you want to be an old matchmaker? Edels beautiful, adorable, and wise. Shes too much for me.
Why would you say that? Theres an Amazig saying, which goes, anything left unused will turn into s***.
I have a woman I love. Shes far away, but Ive never forgotten her. I believe theres loyalty to be kept between a man and a woman.
Ombuti nodded.
The nobles of Amazig thinks similarly to you, Wakil. However, greeting someone as your wife and enjoying women are different matters.
Ombuti pressed on the matter, unlike his usual self. In his opinion, there was no woman like Rudrey Edel, who suited his master in this world.
Edel is a rare woman. Ive managed to abandon my preconception of the stereotypical indulgence of white women, thanks to her. Shes not the problem here. Its me. Theres a saying that tells you to calculate whether a gain is justified before taking it. Im a mercenary, a log that floats around a sea of blood. Ill never know when itll flip. Edel is a woman who displays strong affection.
Youre right. She has a lot of love. She even gave the lackey two dried sausages, so that he doesnt starve! Hahaha!
Ombuti slightly interrupted his speech. It had been right before Black Mamba was about to continue his sentence. Ombuti, who was like a snake, didnt want the topic of the conversation to change.
Hahaha, right. The lackey will never realize the meaning behind those two sausages for the rest of his life. Im still young, but Ive never fooled myself for a gain right before my eyes, out of self-indulgence. In the judgment of my consideration for Rudrey Edel, and not myself, it can be said that I made the right decision. I dont want her to live in worry and instability for the rest of her life.
This sounds similar to the Emmu sottu eesam kittam that Wakil sometimes mentions.
Yes. Im talking about Eungmu soju, eesang kishim[1]. A humans mind is unable to make the right decisions in an excited state. Only after some time has passed, then one regrets their foolish decision and bemoans it. In the end, maturity is the problem.
Oh, I am unable to understand
Ombuti moved away, wrapping his arms around his head.
I dont know either. Whether Im Mu Ssang, Black Mamba, Ashura, Yatcha, Kanma, or Azraelwhy would I touch such an innocent angels body with these blood-soaked hands!
Black Mamba spoke as though he was mumbling.
Kehahahaha, Black! Your partners here.
A European black bear pushed through the bulletproof glass doors.
[1] One for all, all for one.
Chapter 172 - Episode 6: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
A thin man jumped out of the big lump.
Woah, what is this? Were you rolling around Epang Palace while we were shoved in a shed? Is that it? Jang Shin exclaimed as he saw the hospital rooms size and equipment.
Emil slapped the back of Jang Shins head.
Dude, go look for Epang Palace in your own country. lyse Palace is the best around here. However, this place has a front hall, a kitchen, a bedroom, and theres a separate living room too. Is a hospital room meant to be like this?
Of course. Black Mamba is the Azrael. Whod make fun of the devil who holds a death list? A hospital room isnt the problem here when theyre about to have their heads holed in.
The silent hospital room turned rowdy at the appearance of a pair of cockroaches that were always at each others throats.
Black Mambas hospital room was, in fact, a VVIP room that had been used as a vacation and training room for the past 10 days. The room of over 300 square meters was filled with several types of exercise equipment and food. The smell of Black Mamba and Sun WooHyuns sweat would have seeped had Edel not refreshed the room.
My God! How is Miss Edel here?
Emil cried like a bull when he saw Edel, who was preparing to greet the guests. Edel turned around and calmly smiled.
Ive been planning on apologizing for what had happened back in Ati. Ive heard youre Black Mambas friend, so I hope we get along.
Thethen?
I wont stop you from conjuring any imaginations.
It was a very vague reply.
Yeyeah?
Emil stared at Edel like a bull that slipped on ice. Emils brain was slow. He realized the meaning of her words several moments later. It means whatever I imagine becomes a reality!
Aaaagh! Black, youre on!
Before that, comrade Emil, lets have our round.
A yellow face he had feared to see during the night jumped up out of nowhere. Emils neck curled right back in.
Scary Korean b*stards!
When Emil closed his mouth, the world grew silent. Emil reassured himself with all the work he had dedicated to juene during his hospitalization and suppressed his feelings of indignation.
Following them was Paul and Bellman, who brought a group of guests with them into the VVIP room. The sudden rush of guests brought light to Ombuti and Edels eyes, like lanterns on fire. Black Mamba, who had been lying down on the bed, also stood up. Ombuti and Edel grew busier.
All the members who had survived the Sahel had gathered. They finished their greetings by clasping their hands and knocking their arms together. It was the greeting rituals of rough men.
Paul, what happened? Are they the families of the dead?
Im sorry I didnt tell you in advance. Theyre Burimer and Chartres families. Unfortunately, we couldnt check on Mouris, Miguel, Mike, and Marks families. Mouris and Miguel didnt have any families while Mike and Mark do. However, they couldnt be reached.
At Pauls explanation, Black Mamba turned towards Ombuti.
Ombuti, go check on them by using the s*** stick. They should be faster at finding people than the command post.
Understood. Theyll dig deep if I tell them youve ordered this, Wakil.
Of course, youve prepared a plan for their families. I thought it was my last duty as the Captain to share the sadness with them, with respect to our friends. Everyone, what do you think?
Agreed.
Captain, you should change departments and work at the senate.
Paul made a sour face. These b*stards always told him to go to the senate. If he really did, an unfortunate shooting accident involving all the senators who sold the citizens to fill their pockets would occur. Hed often heard of Black Mamba comparing Koreas national senate to a dog fight. France was as bad.
Let me introduce you all. Here is sergeant Burimers family, his mother, Madame Emily, wife, Madame Julie, and his daughter, Silvie, and Leah. Here is sergeant Chartres father, Pierre and his mother, Madame Emma.
That friend is Black. He looks fine despite suffering serious wounds. This short friend here is Jang Shin, and the bear-looking friend is Emil.
Six pairs of eyes were concentrated on Black Mamba. He felt the pain as though he was pierced with 12 arrows. It wasnt the end of the reward agreement hed discussed with Bonipas. Things were about to get difficult from now on.
Black Mamba kneeled on the ground while Emil and Jang Shin lowered their heads.
Im sorry. Im truly sorry. We were the only ones to return thanks to Burimer and Chartres sacrifices. I wont be able to understand your pain of losing a child, a husband, and a father. I cant do anything but to be sorry.
Thats too much. I got to know my sons story, thanks to your return. Fortunately, that little b*stard managed to save his friends before dying.
Chartres was brave and wise. He remains as my brother before a comrade, in battle.
How were my sons last moments?
Pierres voice was calm, but his wrinkled face was glistening in tears.
He left peacefully in his comrades care. He always advised me not to be fooled by the empty words of those in power and to hold my value above others. He also asked me to take care of his aged parents.
Chartres had been left behind in the tent when the team was battling against the FROLINAT. He had died from a lack of oxygen due to the side effects of tetanus, which contracted his muscles. He hadnt been able to leave any dying words behind. Black Mamba couldnt tell the old couple the truth.
Thank you. I feel much more relieved knowing that my son has left to Gods side in peace.
Pierre bit his lips and looked up at the ceiling as though his son was there.
Im sorry. Ugh!
Black Mamba finally burst into tears. It was said that the pain of losing a child was greater than Mt. Meru. The sight of Pierre trying to manage his composure made him recall his fathers last days. That overlapped with Chartres kind and mindful moments when he was still alive. His heart was uncontrollably filled with sadness.
Dont cry. Sergeant Paul told me a lot about you. Youre my second son.
Madame Emma patted Black Mambas back as he coughed. Her old trembling hands made it even more saddening.
Did my son leave in peace, too?
Jang Shin stepped forward at Madame Emilys question.
Im Jang Shin. Sergeant Burimer took the bullet while trying to save my life. Im sorry. Its a life I gained thanks to the sergeant. Ill be your son instead.
Everyone whos survived is your Burimer and Chartres. All five of us will be your sons.
At Pauls words, Madame Emily and Madame Emma began to cry.
Thank you, its our fortune to have gained five new sons, isnt it! We should all stop crying. Aaah! Madame Emily sobbed as she asked everyone to stop.
Thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, he sobbed.
Waah!
Mom!
When Julie began to cry, Silvie and Leah followed. Edel also began to sniff in a corner. Black Mamba had never experienced a womans tears. It was difficult to find five women crying all at once.
Madame Emily, sergeant Burimer left a will with Black Mamba.
It was Ombuti. He had appeared like a ghost, noticing his masters discomfort. Madame Emily took out her handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
Im ready to hear.
Sergeant Burimer was worried about his family until the very end. He entrusted his family to me. He asked me to bury him at his hometown in Wales by Swansea Bay. He told me the red door on the hill behind the Queens Docks ferry terminal was his sweet home. He asked me to color it blue, as his wife would have wanted. He also said he had no face left to see you, Madame, and his two daughters.
Aah! That stupid old man, Ive already asked someone to change it to blue since I missed him. Ahhh!
Julie covered her face with her hands and cried. Silvie and Leahs cries grew louder.
It was another round of a storm. Death wasnt the end. The sadness of those remaining grew deeper. He wanted to fight against a regiment of FROLINAT soldiers instead.
Uh-uuuh
The cries of the procession leader rang in his ears. The face of an eight-year-old who followed his fathers procession with a casket on his back had overlapped with Silvie and Leahs faces.
This wasnt what I intended.
He had added fuel to the fire instead of suppressing it. Perplexed, Black Mamba changed his plan of action. He aimed for the children.
Youre the sister, Silvie, and youre the little one, Leah?
Black Mamba grabbed Silvie and Leahs hands. Hed lost his father when he was eight, but Silvie was seven. Shed lost her father at an age where she could or couldnt understand death. His heart twinged.
Ill protect you both.
Boom
His empathizing heart activated his dimensional sight, which reached the two girls.
Yes, Mister, Im Silvie.
Im Leah.
Youre both very pretty. Im your uncle. Call me, uncle.
Ok, uncle!
Come here, let me hug you.
Silvie and Leah wiped their tears and clung to Black Mamba.
Oh my!
How?
Madame Julie and Emily both exclaimed.
Silvie was extremely shy to strangers, while Leah couldnt control herself properly due to mild autism symptoms. The children, who had refused their grandmothers hugs, had hugged Black Mamba. It couldnt be more surprising.
His strategy had worked. Burimers family stopped crying in surprise. Even Chartres parents looked at Black Mamba with astonished expressions. Only Edel smiled warmly, as though she knew everything.
Black Mamba glanced at Edel. Had one ever seen the dark yellow Pheasant-eye sprout amongst the remains of snow at the end of winter, when plum blossoms began to bloom? It was, as the name of the flower, a smile overflowing with happiness.
A spark landed on his heart, which had been trained to be as hard as iron. The southern name for the Pheasant-eye was Adonis amurensis. Black Mamba didnt know that the flower signified sad memories.
Edel, can you take them to the bathroom?
His voice, which had always been dry, carried a hint of emotion.
Jang Shin, Black, that b*stard, knows how to use vous, doesnt he? Speaking down to us because he doesnt know how to use respectful language? Ugh, that swindler.
Emil, shut up. Black is always right. Whats it to you whether he speaks respectfully or not? Leave him be.
Oh, f***, this b*stards been contaminated by the Ombuti disease. Emil grabbed the back of his neck.
Excuse me, you big man over there, stop chewing out your friend and chew on the chairs instead. Dont you want to eat?
Edel pointed at the pile of chairs. Ombuti revealed all of his talents as the best butler. He bossed around the lackey, Emil, and Jang Shin to finish up the meal preparations. Tables and chairs were moved from the hospitals cafeteria, and food ordered from the nearest hotel was set in rows. Edel covered the table with flowers as though she had become a florist.
Thick snow began to fall. Outside the window was a blizzard, and inside the room was a haute cuisine decorated with thick candles and flowers. The dead remained dead while the living continued with their life. Sadness and happiness melted away like ice cream, with time.
So the government and high ranking officials of the military department will leave for Africa in two days to transfer our friends bodies.
Ohh, how could that be!
Thank you, God.
Of course. I knew Black Mamba would be able to do it.
You b*stard, didnt you call him a swindler just now?
Jang Shin, Emils archenemy, laid him a path to hell.
Hehe, who could cheat the DGSE other than the greatest swindler? Do you think those b*stards will return alive?
Thats true. I pity the Oecophylla smaragdina.
Not only them, but their comrades families were greatly surprised too. It was unheard of for the Department of Defense and governments high ranking officials to personally search for the deads remains in Africa. It was obvious how much Black Mamba had threatened them. The gifts continued.
A trust insurance of 10,000,000 francs will be set up for the families livelihood. The insurance period is 50 years. Out of the 500,000 francs each year, 150,000 francs will be given to Burimer and Chartres families, while 200,000 francs will be on hold. The 3,000,000 francs the Oecophylla smaragdina had funded is for the veterans family funds, for the future of the Legion Etranger families. Ive recommended Pierre and Julia as the directors. Id like both of you to discuss this and co-manage it.
Is the trust insurance and veterans fund separate?
Of course, it is. How will you manage to insure your retirement and educate your children? I threatened them slightly.
It wasnt a slight threat at all. It was the reason why Bonipas had grieved.
Ha, all of Bonipas hairs should have fallen off by now.
Paul nodded.
Ill brief you on the individual rewards next.
Edel came out of the hospital room with a file. There was nothing like holding ones tongue.
The dead will advance thrice through the ranks. Sergeant Burimer will be a senior sergeant, and sergeant Chartres will be a vice-senior sergeant. The survivors will advance twice in ranks, making lieutenant Paul a real Captain. Congratulations on your promotion. Bellman, I guess youd have to return your cape blanc.
Haha, to wear the cape blanc in sacrifice for my comrades deaths
Chapter 173 - Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
Bellman, who had been a caporal-chef, became a sergeant. There were no separate ranks for sergeants in the Legion Etranger. As a sergeant, Bellman had to take off his cape blanc and wear a cape noir, which the commanders wore.
Soldat Emil became a caporal-chef and a veteran mercenary. A caporal-chef wore two gold lines on their cape blanc instead of a single black line. Jang Shin, who had been a second class private, became a caporal.
They had all advanced by two ranks, but the atmosphere wasnt bright. Six of their comrades had been buried in the desert. They couldnt act happy before the families of those who had passed either.
Weve all suffered to death, so the rewards should be as great. Theres an additional reward on top of the combat, expertise, and weapons allowances. The special reward is three times your average allowance. It means youre getting three times the amount of your total pay.
Three times!
Jang Shin and Emils eyes grew wider.
Oh, my God! The Department of Defense must have been scared witless!
Black Mamba smiled bitterly at Bellmans words. Bonipas, whod been frightened, had increased their pay under the clause of special rewards. The old men at the Department of Defense must have allowed it to pass, acting as though they had no choice.
Senior officer Burimer will receive, in addition to his familys rewards, 750,000 francs, while sergeant Chartres will receive 680,000 francs. Paul will receive 800,000 francs, while Bellman, Emil, and Jang Shin will receive 500,000 francs. Ombuti will receive 100,000 francs as a special reward. Ill tell you the exact numbers separately, later.
Ugh, well be choked to death by all that money, Emil murmured.
Amazing. It was a good decision to leave it to Black. Bellman smiled.
It was, as expected, three times the amount hed been expecting. It was better to have more money than not. The faces of the families of those who had died and the survivors grew brighter.
Theres another gift too. The president and the general of the Department of Defense are giving separate rewards. They have come up with 500,000 francs. Our brigade also raised and sent 50,000 francs. Out of 550,000 francs, 150,000 francs are given each to Ombuti and Sun WooHyun. This is to thank Ombuti for being our guide and accomplice, and Sun WooHyun for being our helper.
What are you going to do with the rest of the money?
Ill add 50,000 francs to the 250,000 francs. From there, Ill allocate 300,000 francs to Silvie and Leahs education fees. With that amount, theyll be able to graduate college.
Julie jumped to her feet and bowed.
Black, thats going too far. Weve received plenty of allowances and rewards. Im afraid my husbands death will be painted another color.
I understand what you fear, Julie. Burimer has died in honor, and everyone acknowledges that. The special rewards from the government and the Department of Defense are a result of my threats. You should at least buy yourself a grape yard and think about both you and Emilys retirement. Ill take care of my cousins education. However, the best wines should be for me.
Black Mamba stopped talking and winked.
Oh, Burimer, to send such an amazing cousin like this, Ill forgive you for all the time youve wasted on fishing. Children, thank your uncle Black.
Silvie and Leah swallowed the food in their mouth like baby swallows.
Thank you, uncle.
They gathered their mouths to give a soulless thanks before immediately turning their gazes back onto the table. The two kids didnt know the meaning of 300,000 francs and Gods blessing. They were enamored by the macaroons that were right before their eyes. It was a meal that both adults and children ate happily.
Now, our long journey has ended, and the calculations youve left to me has also wrapped up.
Black, youve really done well. No, it was something only you could do. I wont be able to give you the inquiry payments, but Ill give you your success rates.
At Pauls words, Bellman, Emil, and Jang Shin agreed violently.
Hehehe. Ive been waiting for those words. Ill use you to your bones. The condition is to visit the deads families every year on La Fete Nationale every July 14th, and today, January 18th. This is an installment that will last 50 years.
Its an evil resolution, but I like the terms and conditions. We all agree to divide the 50-years visits between us. Applause!
Ive never felt so good receiving an evil post-installment plan.
Everyone clapped at Paul and Bellmans words.
Now the fight is gone, and happiness remains. If anyone has problems regarding the way I solved this, say it now, and if you dont, I want you to never speak of it again.
Black Mamba looked around at his comrades and the families.
Theres no way weve any complaints. Youve ripped off a whole lot.
Hehehe, I can nearly see the rotting faces of Bonipas and those old men.
Youve dusted out those old mens slush funds too.
Were just grateful.
There couldnt be any complaints. The enforcer was setting forth his own money.
There are no complaints, but Black, how much are you receiving?
Jang Shin glanced at Black Mamba, who was wiping Leahs mouth, which was smeared with ice cream.
You crazy b*stard, everythings a secret with him. Emil slapped the back of Jang Shins head.
The Chinese duck was good at everything except for his fondness of money.
Agh, damn it, Im just too curious. If we got 500,000 francs, did Black get 10 times that amount? 20 times?
Everyones gaze began to flounder when Jang Shin stubbornly pushed the issue.
Black, Ill contribute some of my money to Silvie and Leah.
Ill add mine to the fund too.
The mercenaries stepped up to help.
Thats not needed. The governments relief funds, the charity funds, and rewards should be enough. Ill take care of the two children as Ive promised Burimer. If you do want to participate, then discuss giving relief funds to the Sahel with Edel. I still cant forget the sad eyes of the Sahel mothers clinging on to their children who had died from hunger.
Black Mambas words turned the atmosphere solemn. Their memories recalled the world that involved humans killing each other, the drought and civil war, the desolate lands swept away by locusts, and situations that couldnt be fixed with a single will or determination.
Black, youve given us too great a gift. Whats the point of those old mens money? Theres nothing greater than the sadness of hunger. Well contribute to the relief funds for Africa.
Right. Now that Silvie and Leahs funds are established, I dont need a great sum either.
Pierre and Julie stepped forward to add to the funds. Black Mamba shook his head.
Ive already ripped off 50,000,000 francs for the emergency food relief within the Sahel region. I thank you for your intentions. However, I want my brothers and families to live in comfort.
Woah, 50,000,000 francs!
Everyones mouths fell open at the unimaginable amount. 50,000,000 francs were enough to buy the commerce sector in Paris.
Exactly how much did you rip off?
As much that needs to be used.
Black Mamba smiled and looked at the people sitting around the table. Everyone was in high spirits. He felt proud. Hed made all these people happy with his ability. Fists had its value depending on its use.
It was said that negative feelings spread 10 times faster compared to positive feelings. That difference was a result of the development of human brains. The brains cerebral cortex, which controlled emotions and reason, was developed later during human evolution.
Negative feelings like anger and hatred were factual and didnt need a creation stage. On the other hand, positive feelings like love, empathy, and respect had to go through a mental stage called assimilation. It was easy to increase the feelings of hatred and anger, but that also meant it was harder to spread happiness.
This is your last gift. In two weeks, theres going to be a medal ceremony at Elysee Palace. The medals hold the title of a fifth level Chevalier of legion dhonneur and will be presented to both the dead and the survivors.
Black Mamba threw the last, saved sack of presents. The most delicious dishes were bound to come last.
Wow!
Exclamations and claps erupted at once. It was unbelievable.
Were receiving legion dhonneur! Bellman muttered.
Black Mambas power was beyond his imagination.
France never awarded the legion dhonneur to foreigners formally and only rewarded them with the title. Many mercenaries had left behind incalculable feats since Legion Etranger was created, but none of them had been formally awarded.
The Ratel team were the first variable, and the first mercenaries to be awarded the legion dhonneur directly. It was the guilty conscience of the Department of Defense and the DGSE who spoke as one.
No one had been able to protest the results from the mercenaries war when Bonipas convinced the Oecophylla smaragdina. The Department of Defense, especially, took a fiercer stance as Black Mamba had rescued them from GIGNs initial mission failure.
The aftereffects of the war played a part too. The FAPs hawkish faction lost their strength, and the collapsed FROLINAT swept away by internal crises, had reached the point of opposing warlords.
Gaddafi and the Soviet Union had lost the timing and cause of the attack. Thanks to that, Hissene Habre had been able to push the FROLINAT up north with France on his back.
France had been able to gain both the cause and enactment of their movement. They raised their guard against Libya and stabilized the Chad government. Frances vested power and influence, which had been shaking within southern Africa, had been able to stabilize like concrete. The great adventure of a mercenary from South Korea with a call name had accomplished all that. Compared to the number of benefits that the Ratel team had given them in the form of military strategies and advances of technology, their rewards were like a piece of bread. Not even the culture minister, Jacque Long, who was rumored to be critical, was able to raise a counter. Anyway, everyone was happy. The fight disappeared when the clinking of gold rang.
Black, what about my request? Jang Shin asked in a low voice.
How can I forget my friends wish? Emil, Jang Shin, Ombuti, Sun WooHyun, I congratulate you on becoming French citizens.
Yes! Hooray! Emil shouted while Jang Shin and Sun WooHyun screamed as though they were mad.
Ombuti only smiled. As always, there wasnt an inch of mistake to be found in his masters actions. All he had to do was perform his duties as a servant, no matter what his nationality was.
Edel quickly passed them their citizenship. Their cheerful shouts shook the snowing sky. It wasnt a hospital room but a party hall.
Black, its really nice to see. Youre a virus. A happy virus, Edel whispered as she leaned on Black Mambas shoulder.
Dont say embarrassing things like that. Im happy when everyones happy.
Black Mambas face, which was always expressionless, formed a vague smile. Hed thrown hope with a hand that delivered death. The world was chaotic.
Not many humans can take anothers pain and happiness as their own. Why dont you call a meeting at this point? How does Black culture sound?
Edel had lived understanding anothers happiness as hers. She didnt ensnare herself with her fathers hopeless revenge and regained their wealth. Shed killed her non-resolvable hatred with dedication and volunteered for her entire life.
Shed never seen people who were this happy in her entire life. Edels heart was similarly filled with happiness. The person, who sliced hatred and sadness with a single swing of a blade and threw a happiness bomb, was Black. Emil, whod been listening in, raised both of his hands.
Agree, I totally agree! Everyone, an angel has just decided on a gathering. The gathering is to be called Black culture! The head is Black Mamba. Everyone who wants to join, raise their hands!
Emil was always drumming and hammering on everything by himself.
Woooo! Hurray for Black culture!
Shouts filled the hospital room. Silvie and Leah also clapped their hands. Black Mamba and Edel glared astonishingly at Emil. And so, the gathering called Black culture was created.
As the atmosphere lightened up, Black Mamba sneaked off. His heart felt heavy. He was worried about the Jin Soon siblings and his aged teacher. He wanted to wrap things up quickly and fly back to his hometown.
Geofrey, youd be hiding rather well, wouldnt you? Youre the b*stard Ill never forgive.
Edel brought Leah into the hospital room as Black Mamba wore his outer clothes.
Black, I know its hard, but wont you take a look at Leah? I think her autism is on the brink of reaching the second stage. I think the first was immobilizing her mechanical functions. Her walking is unstable. Seeing how she cant talk properly, Im suspecting cerebral thrombosis or brain embolism. How happy would this child be if we could separate the blood clots like filariasis?
Black Mamba recalled feeling something out of place when he hugged Leah. It was hard to pinpoint, but it had felt as though something had been crushed.
Hm, are you saying that autism will be treated automatically if the blood clots or blood flow returns to normal?
I think so. Is it possible?
Whats the difference between a clot and an embolus?
Its a blood clot if the blood is hardened due to thrombosis in the local blood vessels. If the blood clots in the local vessels near the hearts blood flow, it results in an embolization. An embolus should be easier to treat. Of course, brain surgeries are dangerous, and many cases cant be solved. Its hard to find the blood vessels after all.
Lets see her first.
Edels face brightened at his agreement. Black didnt say anything false. Black had once fixed a patient who had the untreatable Medina parasite and a patient who had filariasis, in Ati, on the spot. Her heart swelled with hope at the prospective treatment of a poor child.
Leah, do you trust your uncle?
Yes, I like my uncle.
Chapter 174 - Episode 8: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
Close your eyes.
Black Mamba lightly held Leahs head with his two hands. The brain was still an unreachable realm despite modern medical advances. A single mistake could cause an accident.
Boom
His dimensional sight swept past her brain. There wasnt much difference. Nothing changed, even after several tries. Black Mamba decided to change his approach. The dimensional sight was a basic detective sense that located the animals living energy.
A parasite was detectable because it had a different wavelength. In order to detect the unique substance, he had no choice but to use resonance. Unlike the dimensional sight, resonance was physical. There was a risk of turning a weak brain to mush.
Trust yourself when taking action. The moment doubt settles, your consciousness will turn Namu Amita Bul back into Namu Amita Bul. Fists cant break a rock, can it? It breaks from will.
It was his masters words that hed heard endlessly while he trained in the five combined movements.
Booom
The resonance which swirled around his veins and meridian was pushed down into his two arms. He rescinded most of the resonance, leaving partially behind. He pushed the thin strands of resonance into her veins as though he was pulling fuel out of Korean paper.
It was said that an adult humans vein length added up to 120,000 kilometers. 10 percent of that length was in the brain. It was extraordinary, even without the minor veins.
His hair grew damp from sweat. Sweat dripped down from Black Mambas forehead. Edel carefully wiped them off with the hem of her clothes.
Found it!
It had almost taken an hour. He had found several blood clots near the motor and language central systems after sweeping every vein with his resonance, several times.
The resonances vibrations grew stronger.
Boom
Boom
It kept knocking on the clots as though it was breaking the hardened vein apart. He wasnt able to increase the resonances power in case the sensitive construction became damaged.
It took 30 minutes for him to drill through all six blood clots. Two capillaries had lost their elasticity and were damaged, but that wasnt a major problem. Black Mamba collapsed, completely tired out. His entire body was wet as though hed been in water.
Edel, Ive managed to break through all six capillaries.
Edels face brightened.
Oh my god, youve finally done it!
Ugh, Im never going to do this again.
Oh, look at all this sweat. Oh, dear!
Edel hovered, not knowing what to do. As a doctor, she knew how much strength Black Mamba had used. What Professor Giz had said about him shortening his lifespan didnt seem like a lie.
Its fine. When do you think this kid will recover?
The dead cells will be replaced or regenerated in about two months. Ill check in on her with an MRI tomorrow.
Thats good.
Leah, how do you feel?
Leah didnt respond to Edels question.
Leah, you need to reply if someone older than you asks a question.
Yes, I feel really good, Leah replied immediately.
I dont get how he does it!
Edel shook her head. She had never been refused by a child, even in her memories. Children could tell whether a stranger truly liked or disliked themselves. That man was someone who could make a disabled child open her heart to him. There wasnt a man like him in this world.
Her father, whod hung limply off the cross, she who had to hide from fearshe had grown to respect the emotional strength from those incidents. Black Mambas strength was something unimaginable within humanity!
She even wanted to foolishly ask him to seek revenge for her father but not anymore. He wasnt someone who took on an individuals request like a problem solver. He was the Ashura who saved the world by burning himself. Her face turned bright red, like a Rhododendron indicum.
A mother knew her childs differences, best.
Oh, Leah! What happened? Youre walking with your head straight, Julie said in happiness.
Leah had always walked with her head, tilted to the right.
Madame, Leahs been completely treated.
What do you mean?
Julie looked at Edel with an inquisitive expression.
Leahs speech and motor centers had been blocked by capillaries. The brain cells had died due to a lack of oxygen.
That, how is that possible, the hospital never told me that. I thought autism waswhen did you conduct the surgery? Julie stuttered.
She couldnt understand what Edel was saying.
Black opened the blocked veins in her brain. The brain is homeostatic. The necrotic parts will be replaced by healthy cells once the oxygen and nutrients are supplied. Your days are going to be different from now on. Shell run around and chatter away like a sparrow.
Oh, how wonderful would that be. Black, is doctor Edel speaking the truth?
Julie looked at Black Mamba. It was a desperate gaze. Julie looked like she might believe a pebble was a stone if Black Mamba said so.
Mom!
His mothers face overlapped with Madame Julies face. Hed once scraped his knee on Shinjak-ro. His mother whod licked his wound because they had no medicine, his mother who had secretly handed him a rice cake at her familys reunion party, and his mother who used to mend socks underneath the dim light. Mothers all across the world were similar in that way, whether the land or water changed.
Julie, Leah will be a troublesome child, whod bounce around, unable to restrain her newfound strength in two months. Ill swear that by my name, Black. My cousin has to be better than all the other children, right?
Oh my god! Leah becoming a troublemakermy husband has sent you. Hes sent me Mr. Long-Legs! Oh!
Julie clung on to Black Mambas waist as she cried.
Shed momentarily thought of dying the moment she heard of her husbands death. What could she do with the few dollars of veterans aid? Fear overstepped her sadness.
She had no courage to continue living with her two daughters. Black had kicked her murky future away and fixed her daughters autism too. Her chest had been filled with darkness even when she had stepped inside the hospital room. One ray of hope turned her entire world brighter once more.
Ive no idea how to repay this huge debt. I heard monsieur Ombuti and the lackey are your servants. Ill be your maid, then.
Black Mamba jumped at the unexpected declaration. His head swirled.
What are you saying! No, theyre not my servants but my friends. Julie, you can repay me by helping others.
Of course. Of course, I will.
Julie nodded her head like a Chinese grasshopper.
Emil and Jang Shin, who had been enjoying macaroons and tarts, began to whisper to each other.
Look at that b*stard. Hes making an older woman cry on top of all the young women. Those kind of bad b*stards need to be sent back to the Sahel.
Have you rubbed cheese over your eyes? Hes gained another follower. I feel like he would establish a new religion soon.
Ha, right, that guy hates showing off in front of other people and would rather die. Hes basically the dark lord or the boss behind the scenes, someone among those types.
How unfortunate.
What is?
If we used a dojo in China, wed have gathered mountains of money. It probably wont happen, would it?
Shh, Ombutis coming. Dont call Black Mamba a b*stard if you dont want to be chased out into that snowstorm.
Damn it. I cant even chew my friend out because of the servant.
We need to be wary of Edel too. Shes becoming more and more like Ombuti.
The Ombuti virus is really scary. Its fatal.
Tsk, its so unfortunate. A dojo would have earned us so much.
Jang Shin was unable to hide his dismay, as any other money-loving Chinese would have.
There was no party that didnt end. Night fell. Ombuti brought the families to the reserved hotel.
Black, my new son, may Gods protection be with you.
Emma and Emily werent letting go of Black Mambas hands.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Pierre couldnt move away, either. Julie had shoved her crying face into Black Mambas chest. Leah had fallen asleep in his arms.
His heart warmed. Sympathizing was a part of a humans condition. Sympathizing with positive emotions contributed to a humans happiness. Happiness was necessary to live, and sympathy was needed to be happy.
This is harder than the battle of Er Ekdim. Black Mamba sprawled across the bed.
Everyone was happy, thanks to you. Weve made you out to be a cold-hearted, evil man to gain those rewards. Colonel Philip, no, major general will go into hysterics whenever he hears your name. Forgive him, wont you? Paul laughed in glee.
Good. Showing your emotions doesnt help. We only need to gain what we need to gain.
Those were emotionless words. Paul was shocked. The sight of his unbending personality towards his emotions, despite his young age, was always surprising.
Is it because he had lived as a monk before?
Do you find it strange that Im not mad?
Yes. It could be said that you are the greatest victim of mission Raccoon. You had to roll around in a sea of blood, the very blood you hate, due to betrayal and schemes. I find it heart-wrenching. Youre not a human whod flip out from emotional rage, but I had thought youd cause a scene.
An organization has its own will. The will of an individual is bound to be overlooked by the organizations will. There are many unfortunate variables. Paul, youve made several decisions for the sake of the organization in Chad, too. We simply need to forgive, but never forget.
Pauls back grew cold.
This human wasnt just a human who was strong in battle. He was a human with high intelligence. He was a human whod followed the leaders decision despite knowing his leaders mistakes, for the sake of the organizations survival.
Youve handled things smoothly, but I still find some things unfortunate. I wanted to beat them up some more.
Paul, curses go away when the gold jingles. Weve got a lot of knots here and there, but were soldiers. Mercenaries, on top of that. Since the countrys given us appropriate compensation, we should forget about it.
Paul couldnt help but laugh. His actions until now, which had been aimed towards relieving Black Mambas anger under colonel Philips order, became meaningless.
Paul, you led the team very well. You have some stubborn sides, but you were an amazing soldier. Its a life that doesnt last 100 years. A good friend makes life bountiful. Youre Black Mambas good friend.
Black Mamba slapped Pauls back with the back of his hand.
Hmm, its nice to hear a compliment from Black Mamba. Your presence is like salt, which makes everyone around you happy. You didnt minimize your rewards trying to gain your friends, right?
I received enough. Bonipas and Jermains heads would have ached. The newly instated Head of Africa had commenced a surprise attack just then, much to my gratitude.
Keke, why dont you shove your head up an alligators jaw if you want to die. Did you kill everyone?
Whats the point of killing those small fries? I frowned, and they gave me a bunch of bribes in exchange for silence.
Theres no point in thanking them, is there?
Theyre humans with stinking rears. Theyd be over the moon since Ive received those bribes.
I suppose Miguel wont survive your temper.
I went to Annecy Lake this morning.
Annecy? Are you talking about the Annecy in the Southern Alps?
He was hiding there. He was really scared of me. He became roasted.
Roasted?
He covered himself in white phosphorus. There wont be any traces of his bones.
Youve given him Allahs judgment, then.
Pauls back became cold again. He was someone whod sinned, but to burn him in white phosphorus was something only the Kanma would do. That b*stard had been playing with Burimers two daughters not a moment ago. He had been worrying about the childrens future and crying over the old couples hands. It was certain. His base nature was that of a monsters.
So, is everything over?
Theres still that b*stard Geofrey and colonel Tanshe.
Ha, well, youre not going to listen to me even if I stop you, so I should just express my regrets to them.
Their fates were over now that the Angel of Death was eyeing them.
Do you know where the 11th Airborne Brigade is located?
It seems like you need some explanation. The 11th Airborne Brigade belongs to the Special Integrated Command. Eight regiments are organized under their command. Our Deuxieme Rep is a part of those eight regiments. Each regiment operates two or three GCP[1]. The GCP is an elite combat group of 12. Theres a high possibility that those whove attacked the hospital are the GCP. Theyre the people you need to be wary of.
If theyre the elites, theyve all been discharged. Black Mamba laughed, but Pauls expression didnt relax.
On your level, perhaps. Anyway, theyre the mobility strike team. The GCP is an elite organization that moves out in three minutes, the main regiment in five with a signal. When Tanshe learns of Miguels death, hes going to send over a smoke of humans. If they camp out in blocks and focus their firepower, you wont be safe either.
Thats why Im moving today. Dont forget. Im an assassin.
Paul slapped his head.
Right. Who can stop a shadow? What I wanted to say was that the airborne brigade isnt an easy organization. The main headquarters of the airborne brigade is at Dover Beach. Tanshe should be at the headquarters, while theres a high possibility that Geofrey would be at George Island. Theres a Unified Elite Post commanded prison in George Island. The serpent may have gotten rid of Miguel but not Tanshe. You cant leave any traces of Black killing that b*stard.
Youre right. Le Havre and George Island, this is becoming annoying.
[1] Groupement des Commandos; The Commando Parachute Group.
Chapter 175 - Episode 9: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
He was in a difficult position. George Island was 60 kilometers away from the nearest Coutances Bay. He couldnt swim across, and there werent any suitable boats to sail. It was hard trying to get rid of a betrayer.
My friend has a yacht at Coutances. That friend travels back and forth Gunji island frequently.
Its not hard to catch a mouse as long as you know the location of the mouse hole. Its a breeze anyway. I need to get rid of Tanshe first. That b*stards the body.
It wont be easy.
Just get me a map and some information and act as my dummy.
Well, that isnt hard.
Black Mamba made an eerie smile. The battle and calculations were over. All that was left to do were the dishes.
[01:30 a.m.]
A dark shadow dropped out of the seventh floors VVIP room. It was Black Mamba, with a Yankee hat pressed on his head. The shadow which ran through the empty Rue de Svres jumped into an alley.
The taxi driver, who had just dropped a customer off and was pulling out of the same alley, stepped on the emergency brake.
Putain, puis debout? the driver lowered his window and began cursing.
Gare Saint-Lazare![1]
100 francs fluttered before the drivers eyes. The taxi driver nodded without a word. Gare Saint-Lazare was just around the corner of Val-de-Grace hospital.
The direct train to Rouen had already started to speed up. A shadow that flew over the entrances barricade jumped over two platforms and attached itself to the racing trains entrance. The shadow twisted its body before it was absorbed into the train.
The direct train of Paris-Rouen crossed 172 kilometers in one and a half hours. Black Mamba became one with nature to meditate in the resting room. The conductor passed him twice but didnt notice Black Mamba sitting there.
[03:15 a.m.]
Black Mamba caught a nighttime taxi stationed at Rouen station and headed towards Le Havre. French taxis were infamous for their rough driving. The taxi driver, whod been paid triple the amount, sped down the empty road. The driver pulled off a feat of 72 kilometers in 35 minutes.
Upon arriving at Lafayette Square, Black Mamba paused to find the direction using his senses. A humans nose had a small amount of iron. Humans lived without realizing that they could sense directions with their noses.
500 meters north-west.
There was a faint smell of gunpowder and a thick, heavy smell of oil.
Woosh
The night demon rushed through the empty streets.
Five minutes later, a dark shadow appeared on Rue Pompidou, the closest street to the sea. A brick wall of four meters blocked his path. Black Mamba checked the organized barracks map that Paul drew for him, once more.
The dark shadow flew over the wall like a bird. His target was the officers camp, located behind the main headquarters barracks. The shadow which swept past the individuals homes seeped into the apartment where high-ranking officers resided.
[03:25 a.m.]
Of course, theres nothing like maverick generals. This isnt something I can often do.
He complained inwardly.
He hadnt been able to check Tanshes room number. There wasnt enough time to check all 15 rooms either. It was bothersome trying not to touch innocent people.
Theres no choice, then.
He stomped towards the guards office at the entrance. A soldier on duty was sleeping with his head on the desk.
Tap
Tap
He knocked on the glass. The soldier didnt move. If anyone was lax, it was him. He pushed the door open and tapped his shoulder.
The soldier on duty shouted in frustration.
Leave me alone! Ugh!
An iron grasp clenched around the soldiers neck.
Colonel Tanshe!
Pas de tu?
Black Mamba slightly twisted the soldiers neck. The blood lust of a beast shook the soldiers senses.
Colonel Tanshe!
Deuxime tage, neuf.
The b*stard, fortunately, had quick wits.
Bang
Black Mamba gave him a comfortable rest before heading towards room nine on the second floor. He rushed to the roof before hooking his feet over the edge and tearing away at his targets window frame.
His fingers could rip through the wood.
Craack
The aluminum frame was helplessly pulled away by his strength. There wasnt a latch on the inner wooden frame. The shadow was swallowed into the room.
The room was littered with random things. When he opened the door, he came across a living room connected to the kitchen.
Ugh!
Black Mamba swallowed his gasp at the putrid stench. A hot wave of air followed the offending smell and washed over him.
It was offending to the point that the kebab he ate four days ago crawled back up his throat. It was in situations like these that his sensitivity became a problem.
These b*stards are like animals!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
The living room was a mess. There were worn clothes mixed with alcohol bottles and s*x machines, thrown all across the floor. Two pairs of men and women were sleeping, entangled in each other. The mess was worse than the living quarters of the bachelors behind the streets of Paris.
Two women and a man were sleeping with their black forests revealed while a b*stard was pointing his rear to the sky. The violent urge to kick the white a** reared its ugly head.
He rummaged around the military uniforms across the room with the tip of his toes. Both were lieutenant colonels. He smacked the womens pressure points and crushed the lower back of the two soldiers heads.
Crack
Their cervical spine went out of place. Theyd have to suffer for a year, at least. Of course, s*x was out of the question for four years. Black Mamba was surprisingly small-minded.
He opened the door of the opposite room, where the sound of snoring was coming from. The room had a similarly offending smell.
There was a plump, middle-aged man with a Kaiser Beard on the bed with a young woman. That b*stard was also a sight to see. He was snoring with his face shoved between the womans legs. From the type of clothes on the floor, that girl was also a call girl.
Grr
Zzzzz
He smiled mockingly at the non-humorous sight of the call girls pubic hair flying around from the b*stards snore.
Damn b*stard, and Ive been starving for four years!
His annoyance expanded by twofold.
How ignorant humans were!
Those who slept peacefully with their nose between a womans legs, without knowing death was upon them, were humans. The b*stard had lost his survival instincts due to his assimilation with society.
He flicked the outer pressure point of the womans ear. There were many scenarios where people were made to faint from hitting a pressured point. However, such methods didnt seem possible without proper knowledge.
He enjoyed using the method of shaking anothers brain until they faint. It was a stronger version of a blackout. The best parts of the body to shake the brain without killing was the tip of the chin and the temporomandibular joint.
Crack
The sound of a dry firewood breaking rang. Black Mamba could crumple iron with the flick of his fingers. The woman who had her temporomandibular joint flicked fell limp without a chance to scream. He grabbed the womans neck and threw her into the living room as though she was a can of beer.
They were the type who gave away their precious bodies, created by their parents, without putting in any effort. There was no reason to respect them just because they were women.
Tanshe!
The snoring stopped at the sound of a predators growl.
Qui est-tu?[2]
La Faucheuse!
An unnatural and eerie voice rang across the room.
Click
The bedrooms light was flicked on. Tanshe shook his head from side to side and opened his slitted eyes.
Qui est-tu? he asked the same question.
It was the stereotypical action of those who ordered people around with their fingers. It was a question held with certainty that it would be answered by another.
Stupid b*stard, he still doesnt get it when I said Faucheuse. It must have been some time since he held a scythe, his senses are dull. Maybe its because he only knows how to scheme and send the hitmen from the back, his senses are all over the place.
Ah!
Tanshes consciousness connected with reality the moment he heard the words scheme and hitmen. Tanshe, whod raised his body in fright, launched himself towards the clothes hanger where he had hung his gun holder. Still, he was about as fast as a maggot.
Black Mambas foot crossed the air in a woosh. It was a 100 won attack, which made his leg bend like a whip.
Bang
Splat
The fat body, which had been kicked on the side, flew across the room and landed on the opposite wall.
Uhhhh!
Tanshe was panting and couldnt breathe properly. Five of his ribs had shattered with a single kick. It would take a superhuman to withstand that pain.
A b*stard on an elite ready-to-dispatch squad holds a s*x party with a group of call girls, flinging his gun aside? How ridiculous or should I say, how benignant a French soldier is on the matter of s*x.
Bl-Ack-Mam-Ba! How? he gasped.
His broken ribs had punctured his lung. It was hard to pronounce words with a collapsed lung. Tanshe didnt have the mind to answer Black Mambas taunt. Black Mamba was standing right before him, but he couldnt believe his eyes.
You shouldve known that you could die while trying to kill others. You dare send hitmen after Black Mamba? Did your galls blow up, or did logic fail you?
Black Mamba, are you planning to go against 4,800 soldiers from the air brigade or are you planning to wage war against France?
The pain had thrown his hangover and sleep to the wind. Pain and embarrassment had run through his head the moment his consciousness returned.
You idiot, are those threats? You and Miguel planned the hitmen who were sent to Paya, right? Im not Black Mamba if I leave the men behind the attacks alive.
If youre going to kill me, kill me now. Youll be chased for treason in this country, Tanshe growled on the floor.
Black Mamba was a b*stard known for pulling the heads out of bodies and tearing the hearts out of chests. He didnt want to beg for his life from a butcher. He couldnt think straight due to the undeniable strength that had gone into the attack.
Ha, this b*stard, you make threats so politely. You f*****, think of yourself. Sergeant Burimer is waiting for you underneath that desert.
Schink
Black Mamba pulled out his Kukri. The blade gracefully glinted in blue underneath the light. The more blood it drank, the sharper the Kukri became.
Black Mamba, save me. Im sorry. I did this for my country
Tanshe began to shake. His courage was weak. It broke the moment a real, direct threat appeared before him. It had shattered the moment he understood Black Mambas determination to kill, leaving him with no chances.
You dirty b*stard, sergeant Mouris didnt let go of the claymore switch even in the moment of his death. Is it the position which makes a human so f*****, or is it the f****** human, who rises to the position? Its not my concern anyway, but its offending.
Schink
Scink
The Kukri glinted in a cross. Black Mamba wasnt a weakling who only knew how to raise his voice. He also wasnt a slow, murky person who hesitated on taking action.
Aaaaagh!
A desperate cry seeped out. His stomach had been sliced into a cross. Tanshes organs rolled out.
Bang
A foot kicked his neck. His esophagus and airway were shattered instantly. He made large, breathy noises as air struggled to enter his airway.
You f****** bastard, Legion Etranger is also a part of the airborne brigade. How dare you send your comrades to death, then tie their hands and feet! To add on, you sent two hitmen to take the merit for yourself? That is how sergeant Burimer died, by the tear in his stomach. He died trying to save his subordinate! Chartres suffered a bitter death because you blocked the arrival of the rescue helicopter. Youd have become a colonel by taking all the merit, wouldnt you? The power and money to bring call girls into your room must have been more important than the 100s of innocent lives. Yes, you should die in suffering. Kneel and beg before Chartres and Burimer once you cross the river Styx. If they ask who sent you, tell them Black Mamba did.
Black Mambas gaze towards Tanshes darkening eyes was cold. He was a stereotypical mountebank. There was no need to analyze the backstabbers actions. Simply going after his past would bring a truckful of dirty merits.
You dirty b*stard, you better live with morals in your next life.
[03:35 a.m.]
The black shadow which escaped the 11th Airborne Brigades headquarters disappeared without a trace. On the second floor of room nine laid the knocked out men and women and Tanshe, who was struggling to push his organs back into place.
He wanted to ask his friends and the women for help, but he couldnt move or make a sound. Tanshe slowly died in pain. There was no mistake in Azraels actions.
[06:48 a.m.]
Black Mamba, who arrived in Val-de-Grace hospital, shot into the air like a demon. He jumped off the narrow ridge once before slipping into the window.
Paul!
A light grey hair poked out of Black Mambas bed.
Did you already get it done?
Black Mamba nodded without a word. Paul checked his watch before shaking his head side to side.
Amazing, how did you move to get it done in six hours?
Something that shouldnt be done again.
Black Mamba shook his head. Traveling on several public transportations had wasted his strength.
No one would believe that you did it, but anyone would have believed that your skills made it possible.
Theres no evidence, and no one can make it a problem. A high-ranking officer was throwing a s*x party in his private quarters with call girls when he was supposed to wait on ready-to-mobilize orders. The newspapers and broadcasts would swarm like bees.
The commander of the airborne brigade holding a s*x party in official quarters? Amazing. It seems like France is rotting inside, too. Paul sighed.
Im going to let Geofrey be for now. Tanshe and Miguel were the main actors, while the b*stard was a side actor. The two had pushed forward with the backdoor and double contract plans, while Geofrey received Tanshe and Bonipas orders to leak information.
Are you planning to let him live?
Of course not, Im Black Mamba. When Tanshe and Miguels devastating ends are revealed, hell be shivering in fear and agitation. Ill consider letting him live if he goes mad.
Horrible!
Paul shivered. He was talking about drying a human to death, as expected of the Kanma.
Tanshe was the reason why Burimer died. That b*stards the one who locked Philip in for trying to send an emergency helicopter. Ive split his stomach like how Burimer had suffered. Im very interested as to how the old men will react.
Ha, today, no, tomorrow, itll be chaos.
Hehe, the Oecophylla smaragdina would have no choice but to head to the Sahel.
Black Mamba had been assured before Bonipas that hed have no choice but to go to the Sahel.
Paul tried to get rid of his goosebumps.
Id rather jump off Corse cliff than be your enemy. Major general Philip must be shivering in his boots too.
Clack
The door to the hospital room opened.
Edel wordlessly handed him a heated mug of coffee.
Edel, why are you here at this hour?
Black Mamba looked at Edel surprisingly. With slightly swollen eyelids and roughened face, it was obvious that shed stayed the night.
Take a good rest. The suns rising today, too.
Edel wrapped Black Mambas hands around the hot coffee before leaving.
What is this?
[1] Saint-Lazare station!
[2] Who are you?
Chapter 176 - Episode 10: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
Quest-ce qui passe[1]? How could there be such an idiot in this world!
Paul banged his chest. The b*stard was someone who went looking for a cooled pot au feu[2], leaving aside a Province Bouillabaisse recommended by Curnonsky.
Black, are you stupid, or are you just pretending to be? Im about to hate on the woman whos filled your head. I cant imagine a better woman than Edel. Im advising you as a friend here. You must catch her.
Paul was spitting, slightly overexcited.
A relationship is difficult no matter how many years have passed by, a cuckoo cries sorrowfully on top of the moonlit Wol Song San!
Black Mamba expressed his heart by using the seventh verse of Tathgata, which described the hardships of gaining wisdom. Wol Song San was the Wol Song San mountain in his bridge-village. Of course, the language sounded alien to Pauls ears.
Say something I can understand, wont you? Sometimes I get confused as to whether youre a monk or a mercenary.
Huhuhumans are chaotic themselves, arent they? My heart was already torn when we got separated. If I accept this play of fate, my heart will crumble entirely.
Paul banged his chest.
Oh, youre driving me mad. Emil nicknamed you, chastity belt, didnt he? You didnt get a single letter for the entire year, didnt you? Exactly who is that woman? Are you the butterfly wife, no, the butterfly gentleman?
Black Mamba felt dizzy from the outpour of questions.
Edel isnt your sister, so why are you getting so worked up?
Its because Im frustrated, you idiot.
She is a woman who brought light into my dark life. Shed be sad to see no one greeting her when she returns from her long journey.
Is there a certainty that shed return? As the saying goes, a man who leaves will return, but a woman who leaves will not. Youre still young, which makes you ignorant. Youll come to regret this when youre older.
We simply have to meet in our next lives if she doesnt return. Its a love that couldnt be kept alive due to my foolishness and idiocy. Regret is an extravagant word for someone like me.
Pauls patience shattered at his stubborn words. While there were guys like Emil who ran at anyone wearing a skirt, there were also stupid, pure men like the b*stard before him. Humans truly did have many colors.
How are you so frustrating? Are women some treasure, or are you contaminated by some virus? I cant believe a smart person like you can be so stubborn.
We live our lives like drunkards anyway, so being drunk on foolishness is not that bad too.
Black Mambas face turned cold like the fields in late autumn.
The heavy snow turned light as the day brightened. The light snow which scratched down the window created a deja vu. It was on the day when he had helplessly stared at an airplane tail that was headed towards Los Angeles. He had felt the snow landing on his teary face.
Have some rest for now.
Black Mamba looked as though hed placed the Alps on his shoulders, tired and burdened. Paul couldnt speak any longer and left the room.
Act!
A messenger arrived just as he was finishing his lunch, under the protection of a stationed guard.
What is it?
Im Captain Jaber, affiliated with the Department of Defenses stateroom. Allow me to report to you the ministers words. The president should have officially awarded you the medal at Palais de llyse, but I send my regrets for being unable to do so as youre under the conditions of a call name. My present is a reply to your gift of FROLINATs Third command posts flag. That is all.
What flag? Aha, Habibs flag. Did that end up in the stateroom?
Yes sir, several people, including the minister of the Department of Defense and the minister of culture, fought over its ownership.
Ha, whats the point of fighting over that piece of cloth? What strange old men.
Jaber disappeared after handing him the aluminium case and oak box.
Hmph, how do I use this hard paper when it cant even wipe the back of a metal case? Its just a traditional method those Oecophylla smaragdina use to suck on the blood of the young.
Black Mamba threw the decoration and certificate aside.
There were five levels to the legion dhonneur that Napoleon designated. In ascending order of distinction, there were the Chevalier, the Officier, the Commandeur, the Grand Officier, and lastly, the Grand Croix.
Legion dhonneur was also known as the Legion of Honor. It was originally awarded to soldiers, but citizens and foreigners could also receive it. There had been no Korean recipient for the legion dhonneur until 1980.
Oh my god, Legion Grand Officier! Edel exclaimed once she confirmed Black Mambas certificate of award, which hed thrown aside.
Legion Grand Officier was a decoration given to the head of state of foreign countries. It was of a different standing compared to the Chevalier, which was awarded by nomination. Emil and the others rushed over.
Wow, Ive only ever heard of this. This is my first time seeing it.
This isnt possible. Why do we get the common fifth grade while Black Mamba gets the second?
What are you saying? Is there anything that Black Mamba lacks compared to the head of state of a foreign country?
You s***, do you become a head of state with fists?
Blacks smart.
Emil and Jang Shin started fighting with each other, like always. Emil was slightly stupid. On the other hand, Jang Shin liked to tease. They always fought when they were together, yet they always remained together, unseparated.
Whether its the Chevalier or the Grand Officier, theyre both not worth any money.
The mercenaries, including Edel, fell silent at Black Mambas comment. The Grand Officier was a certificate of nobility the government had assigned. It wasnt something to be thrown about carelessly.
Only Ombuti was smiling with pride. His master was the reincarnation of Azrael. Yes, the Grand Officier was given to the head of state, but it was just a materialistic object for humans. Ombutis nose reached the sky.
It was an obvious response from Black Mamba, who wasnt interested in honor and pride.
Upon opening the smaller wooden case, Black Mamba smiled. It was a silver Walther PPK, a beautiful thing that could only be used as decoration.
Whyre you laughing?
The Walther PPK was the gun that Hitler had used to commit suicide. Its also a gun that the head of National Intelligence Services had used to shoot president Kim in South Korea. Jermain has given me the signal to shoot him with this gun if he makes a mistake in the future. Hes an old man whos strong with chances and fast in response. Perhaps, thats why hes sitting on that seat.
Its beautiful.
Edel, I would have gifted this to you, but this is an object known for its unholy name, killer of rulers. I dont want this to be Edels gift.
Oh, Black! Thank you.
The sincerity behind those cold words strummed her heart. Moved, she planted a kiss on Black Mambas cheek.
This was love! Shed fallen into a well of happiness with a single phrase of consideration. Her cousin Andrews sweet words and expensive gifts were bothersome compared to this.
Oi, you millionaires, Ive prepared you your snacks.
Ombutis quick wit drove the rest of the group out of the room.
With only the two left behind, Edel moved to open the curtains. The view, which had turned white, shone brightly. The distant Montparnasse Cemetery and Luxembourg Gardens, which had been covered in the snow, came into view.
How wonderful would it be if it snowed in Ati?
She recalled the faces of the children in order. African volunteers were always accompanied by danger. They were also known as diseases and terrorism. Diseases could be treated, but terrorism couldnt be stopped.
If she was a warrior who caught diseases, Black was a warrior who caught terrorists. She wanted to return to Africa with Black. She imagined herself standing next to Black with a needle as large as a gun. They paired well.
Hehe!
Edel laughed, lost in her imaginations.
Im not greedy or possessive over him. I just want to work with him. Edel defended herself.
Ombuti entered with two long, narrow glasses.
Wakil, Ive tried making sorbet[3] with my poor skills.
Humans relaxed when they ate sweet food. The great butler Ombuti was trying all kinds of tricks for Edel, whom he came to favor.
Black, isnt the world without greed and formality so beautiful?
Edels cheeks reflected the rays of the sunrise as she pointed to the window, glinting like ripe apricots.
Mm!
Black Mambas heart quivered. It was a beauty as shocking as Hae Youngs neck. She was the second woman who exuded pheromones.
Edel, youre a wise and beautiful woman. Im a rough mercenary. Im fated to live on the edge of a blade day after day. For someone so attractive, what is your reason for sticking with someone who reeks of blood?
Edel had a mouthful of sorbet.
Black, I want to transfer this sorbet from my mouth to yours. What do you think would be my reason?
Hm!
Black Mamba groaned. It was a refute that indicated the same intentions. Hed been returned what hed given. She was a strong opponent.
Black, do you have a woman?
Edels question was peaceful as though she was asking whether he had a sister.
Why do you think so?
A woman is sensitive to the changes of love. Like sharks after blood. All females have a strong desire to spread their seeds, just like men. Theres no reason to leave a strong, shining male like you.
Kekeke, what an amazing theory of genetic biology, on top of an amazing superpower. Black Mamba laughed cynically.
One day in June, when the cuckoos cried sadly, was she, who approached like a streak of dreams, staring sadly at him with wet eyes beneath long lashes.
There was a woman who had grabbed my hand when I struggled alone in a dark world. She became my sister and my mother. She left for her dreams, but I dont blame her. I only thought itd be hard for love to persist between a man and a woman who cant be stepping stones for each other. Back then, I was her burden. Im now waiting as Im finally able to carry her burdens.
Ah! Edel exclaimed shortly.
A man she loved had said he was waiting for another woman. No woman wouldnt find her heart in tatters.
At the same time, she was moved.
A man who didnt hold on to his lover because he was her burden, and a man who waited for the woman because he could finally carry her burdenit was the kind of sentence that would appear in pop songs.
Her heart had wavered because he was this type of man. He was an innocent and loyal man to the point of stupidity.
Black, Im going to wait too. Im going to wait for you as you wait for her.
Its a foolish thing to do. We met due to our work. Its only been 10 days.
Youre saying things that are unlike you, Black. Theres no other paradoxical thing like time. Do you want to live a day with the woman you love or live the rest of your life with the woman you dont love?
There was pin-drop silence.
His heart stung. Those were the words hed thrown at Hae Young. Hae Young had laughed. She had said shed make him love her and live with her for the rest of his life.
He felt conflicted. It wasnt as though he didnt know Edels intentions. She wasnt a weak woman. She was a strong-willed woman with a clear opinion but with a soft heart.
Objectively, Edel was the woman who suited him the most. His father had once said that a b*stard who made a woman cry was a b*stard of a b****. It was a very complicated situation.
I know what your answer is. Mine is the same. I dont care what youll look like or what youll do. This is of my own free will. Ah!
Crash
Emil rushed into the room like a bull. Edels proposal was cut short due to the intruders interference.
Ya-ho, Black, Black!
While Black Mamba was relieved from being pulled out of the complicated situation, Edels eyes turned into triangles. The human who always interfered was that b*stard.
Black, Jeanne has agreed!
Who is Jeanne? Agree to what?
Oh, I havent told you apart from Jang Shin. Ive seduced a nurse at the military hospital, you see, and shes agreed. To leave for a month-long cruise, that is.
Damn it. This b*stards gone and done it again.
Black Mamba pressed his head. Emil was a b*stard who liked anything in skirts. Mercenaries of the Legion Etranger were popular amongst women. A mercenary loaded with money was sweet prey. The stupid b*stard had been caught by a woman again.
So, you seduced a main nurse at the hospital that you were taken to and planned a trip to burn flesh and bones with her, is that it?
Wow, Black, you really are smart. Youre good at summarizing! Emil exclaimed at such a minor thing.
So, when are you leaving?
Were going to Toulon this evening.
Today?
Black Mambas eyes grew wide.
Oh, how nice. I hope you fare well, Mr. Emil.
Edel flashed into happiness. She was smiling as though a rotting tooth had fallen off.
Kahahaha, thank you. Im going to express all the charms of a man called Emil to Jeanne.
That f****** idiot, hell be expressing all the money and loads, is what hes saying.
Black Mamba looked at Emil pathetically.
[1] What is happening?
[2] A French beef stew.
[3] A type of frozen dessert made with water and fruit juice or puree.
Chapter 177 - Episode 11: Black Mambas Three Tap Shoots Hope
Emil, was your transfer decided?
Whod complain when Black Mamba recommended me? Major general Philips decision came through yesterday. Ill be in the equipment supplies management department as soon as my vacation ends.
Emils right thumb and middle finger had been paralyzed for some unknown reason. It could have been hit by a metal flint during the battle, or it could be a mental disconnection following his PTSD.
Now that the sniper had lost the sensory of both fingers to pull the trigger, it became a cause for discharge. Emil had grown up as an orphan. He wasted his youth throwing fists around. Shooting guns were all he knew.
He was in a position that would require him to work as a nature preservation guard in Corsica upon discharge from Legion Etranger. Black Mamba had requested a transfer of departments for Emil, out of pity.
Good. Take a good rest before you return. Im only going to warn you about one thing. Be careful of women.
Whats there to life? You eat, you fight, and you release, Emil said confidently, as though he was right.
Ha, you simple, idiotic b*stard. How old is that woman named Jeanne?
Wewell, I didnt ask.
Ah, f***, this b*stards sick in the head.
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his head.
Look here, friend, a woman in her right mind, wouldnt take a one month trip with a man shed only seen for a few days.
But, thats my charm.
Ugh, I shouldnt even try. Im going to hold on to the 400,000 francs out of your 460,000 francs in allowance.
What? That doesnt even make sense. This is tyranny even if youre the chairman of Black culture! Im the owner of my account! Emil was infuriated.
Hehe, no. Your pay is in my secondary account because I requested it. Ill give you the rest when you return from your trip, so you know.
Ahh, f***. Jeanne asked me to buy her a diamond ring as a representation of our love.
Give her a one-carat ring then. 60,000 francs is more than enough to use in a month.
Ohhhh, I cant even fight him on this. What am I going to do?
Black Mamba didnt even pretend to hear Emils mumblings. Edel, whod been listening in, hid her mouth and giggled. Everyone around Black was humorous. Of course, that was only on the conditions of humor as shed never regarded Emil as a man.
Bellman and Jang Shin entered the hospital room.
Whats up with all these people today? Are you planning to leave too, Bellman?
Black Mamba looked at Bellman with a surprised expression. Everyone was trying to leave as though theyd promised on it.
Yes. I dont have the confidence to run with an emergency rucksack on my back, around the battlefield anymore. Ive worn a cape noir that Im not fated with, thanks to you, so Im going to leave without regrets.
Are you trying to start a business?
My head hurts when it comes down to anything blood-related. I dont even want to touch a humans body. I can still see the rivers of blood in front of my eyes. Isnt it funny for a doctor to have PTSD?
Its not funny. Isnt it even more strange to be normal after being covered in that much blood?
Youre right. Hahaha!
Bellman laughed emptily. Hed returned alive, but his consciousness was still floating around the battlefield.
Its a pity about your doctors license. You should do something in order to eat and live.
Ive already applied for a discharge. Im planning to return to my hometown and begin a weapons shop. Ive enough money to fund this thanks to you, friend.
Emils going to the headquarters equipment supplies management. Hell be pulling weapons out of his back for sure.
Hehehe, he should obviously help out with his brothers livelihood.
There are enough funds for sure, but there should be some problems with your status?
Black Mambas concern wasnt uncalled for. Bellman was a nickname. Not revealing his true name, meant there were problems.
Thats why I need your help. Im about to be a sans papier[1].
Isnt it solved with a French citizenship?
The problems a little complicated.
Bellman dragged Black Mamba to the reception room. He talked with Black Mamba for a long time.
No problem.
Bellmans face grew bright at Black Mambas final words. He immediately started packing his things into his carrier bag.
Youre planning to get discharged, too, right?
Jang Shin nodded. His dysentery had been fixed, but he wasnt free from PTSD. He showed signs of vomiting whenever he saw red, and his left wrist started trembling.
Your wrists have to be strong for you to cook. Wont there be a problem?
Itll get better over time, I suppose. Chinese food has to be shaken in the first place, hehehe!
Jang Shin glanced at Edel and laughed humorlessly.
Youll be fine.
My life has been a continuation of failure and anger. My first fortune was meeting you, peng you[2]. That meeting changed my life. Thank you. Peng you saved my life. You can take my life any time that you need it. Ill go running with a mortar for you, friend.
Crazy s***, dont say things like mortars and make your dumplings well. Doesnt Hou Ing need a second surgery? Do you need additional funds for your business?
No problem! Ive received 52,000 francs. Its money that cant be gathered by a Chinese laborer in several 100 years. Theres enough money, and Ive enough talent. Im planning to admit Hou Ing to a hospital in Singapore and open a dumpling oriented restaurant there.
Youve decided. Customers will swarm until your restaurant bursts from your hand skills. You should serve them scorpion skewers and beetle crisps, sometimes. Itll be the famed dish of Singapore.
Peng you, tell me anytime that you need my life. All the members of Black Culture have entrusted their lives to you.
B*stard, stop saying nonsense and go. Its a fight against time for Hou Ing.
Jang Shin left for Anhui with his belongings.
Paul, where are you sent to?
Ive been transferred to Djiboutis 13th regiment as its company commander. Im leaving too.
Why is everyone leaving like their backs on fire?
Black Mamba tilted his head. Those people who had been playing around yesterday were rushing out like meat falling from broken containers.
Hm, its the specialty of the Ratel team, isnt it, to run after eating? Weve been drunk and feasting for the past few days, so we need to run before the invoices come.
Where are you planning to go for your vacation?
Im going to a beach in Nice. Ive three months of vacation, so Ive already discussed with my wife about trying for a child with this opportunity.
Thats good. The place is important when trying for a child. The products quality becomes better when you passionately make it in a secure location, you see. Hahaha!
Dude, say that for yourself. Youre a bachelor, and Im a husband with 10 years of experience. Dont make wrinkles before a maggot. Puhahahaha!
Paul laughed cheekily at the fact that hed gained one up against Black Mamba. It was a broken look compared to his first impression.
You have to make that child with your best efforts. Im going to be its godfather.
Im jealous that my unborn child will have Black Mamba as its godfather. Ill gift you my Pamus.
Thanks.
Gifting a gun that a mercenary had used as his weapon, meant entrusting his life in the other persons hands.
The four mercenaries separated like the tides. They had long forgotten about the promise to tumble for three nights and four days at the Meridian hotel in NDjamena.
Black Mamba simply considered it a coincidence. He didnt see Ombutis strange smile rising on his face. He also didnt witness the moment when Edels eyes had met with Ombutis eyes.
The old rat, Ombuti, pulled Paul into a warm embrace. Ombuti whispered into Pauls ears.
Captain, how are you so witless at such an old age? You need to create the atmosphere for master and Miss Edel to do that, dont you see? The vibe is about to be in ruins because of that witless Emil b*stard.
Sun WooHyun gazed reverently at his senior, who roasted the mercenaries with skilled hands. If he was going to act as a servant, hed have to do it in the underlords house.
Ombutis power climbed towards the sky. Even Paul, whod been the Captain, was unable to budge before him.
Sorry. I dont know how time passes when I spend it with Black. Take care of everything.
Paul returned to the room.
Miss Edel, theres a Korean saying that goes, theres no tree which doesnt fall after 10 nicks. Drag him to the beaches in Nice.
Bang
All the people who were planning on leaving had already left.
More people were about to leave. It was the military department and government officials leave, who Black Mamba had referred to as the Oecophylla smaragdina.
Over the luniversit street that the Ministre de la Dfense possessed, crossing the Seine river, was the Concord square. A festival was going on in the square. The general of the Department of Defense, Jermain, was continuing a speech before all the reporters from both outside and within France.
The bodies of those loyal to our country, whove sacrificed for our country, are buried in the rough lands of the Sahel. France will not forget the sacrifices of their great souls, regardless of their nationalities. We love you, soldiers. Legion Etrangers senior officer Al Burimer, senior officer Paul Mike, sergeant David Mark, sergeant Huang Mouris, sergeant Hakam Chartres, and sergeant Huang Miguelthey are those whove sacrificed their precious lives for their second country, France. As a reply, the commanders of each level and government officials are leaving for Africa today, to collect their remains. The army of honor, France, respects their name and will not forget your sacrifices. Hoorah, France!
Ooo! Hoorah, France!
For Legion Etrangere!
Yeah! For Legion Etranger!
The crowd cheered.
Paul and the others hadnt left yet. They looked at the parade from the corner of the square. Tears were pouring out of their eyes. Their comrades whose bodies had been long buried in the Sahel were being reincarnated. It was, in all, Black Mambas power.
Black, youll be our Wakil forever.
Paul wiped his tears with his sleeve. Bellman, Emil, and Jang Shin werent any different. They couldnt hide their flowing tears.
Now, well introduce our personnel who will be collecting the remains. The general of Legion Etranger, lieutenant general Dimanche, major general Philip, major general Montagne of the 11th Airborne Brigade, the Head Strategist Advisor of the Department of Defense, Peron
Woah!
Wow!
Exclamations were heard every time a name was announced.
Edel looked at the cheering crowd and the haughty old men with disappointment. The operations manager Bonipas, who stood at the center of power, couldnt raise his head before Black Mamba.
No power or position could use its power against an overwhelming violence. The violence was even more destructive when it had a justifiable clause.
Father!
The sight of her father, whod bled on a cross, overlapped with the old men on stage. Who could call those men stupid?
The crowd was busy living their lives. They were too busy to even stare at the stage. They didnt know what was going on behind the curtains. How would they react if theyre told that those generals and high ranking politicians were headed to Africas desert in fear of Black Mambas fist?
As expected of those Oecophylla smaragdina! Black Mamba exclaimed as he watched the crowd from a corner of the square.
The old men were using their supernatural abilities to change sad news into cheers.
Theyre amazing people! Ombuti also exclaimed.
I always wonder. Is it the person who sits on those high positions, or the high positions that makes the person special?
Theres no point in wondering. Theyre people born with the ability to blind the crowds eyes. Although its unfortunate that I dont get to see them being punched by Wakils fist, its a good enough occurrence for our past comrades. Wakil is a great person.
Ugh, dont say cheesy things like that. Theyd be going with strings of guards attached, wouldnt they?
Theyll be bringing the Marine Airborne Corps with them.
Ill shoot a hole in the back of their heads if you want.
Sun WooHyun looked as though hed immediately follow the procession of leaving cars.
Follow them where? Arent you tired of those sandstorms? Lets go eat now that weve confirmed theyve left.
Im not tired at all. This is 100 times more interesting than the 17 years Ive been a scout. Lets go.
Miss Edel, the Haute restaurant on Rue Hiboli is a Michelin rank. Lets go.
Oh, Michelin! Wont it be too expensive?
The Wakil is a millionaire, so why the worry?
Still, the price of that meal could relieve the 100s of people from hunger, Edel whispered to Ombuti, so Black Mamba doesnt hear.
Theres 50,000,000 francs. Wakil may be disappointed.
Edels mouth closed like a clam at Ombutis words.
Are we eating snails this time too?
Lackey, you cant fuss over those snails with your hands like last time, do you understand? My face was burning.
Black Mamba began to speak with his accent, without any burden. It meant that his mind was relaxed.
Now, lets head over. Lets see how expensive that Michelin restaurant is.
Black Mamba walked ahead. The pride of a countryside boy from the bridge had swelled. Black Mamba had long forgotten his novice past, where he had to dine with Pieff.
[1] A person without proper documents to prove their identity.
[2] Buddy.
Chapter 178 - Episode 1: Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
Good morning Ombuti, Black Mamba said to Ombuti, who was preparing his petit dejeuner[1], upon finishing his meditation.
Did you sleep well? Although a good nights rest would be hard with a lonesome beauty next door, Ombuti chewed him out.
Despite his loyalty, Ombutis eyes were lit on fire whenever it came to Edel.
Is it Mexican tacos today? Black Mamba avoided the issue.
Its amazing how you can differentiate the types of barbeques with a nose that cant smell a lady.
Black Mamba raised both of his hands in defeat, at the master of complaining.
Did Edel leave for a walk?
Ombuti directed his glance towards the bedroom. He creased his forehead and lowered his mouth to show that her condition wasnt well.
It seems as though shes in a poor mood.
Thats rare, Edels usually cheerful.
When Black Mamba turned back, Ombuti and Sun WooHyun shrugged their shoulders. How would they, a young man approaching middle age and a man reaching his later years, know a womans mind which is said to change 12 times a day?
Ive finished preparing your meal. Why dont you call her over yourself?
I will!
Black Mamba knocked. There was no response. When he opened the door slightly, the grand lyrical tenor of Pavarotti echoed.
Lets drink, lets drink from the joyous chalices
that beauty blossoms.
And may the fleeting moment
be elated with voluptuousness.
Lets drink from the sweet thrills
that love arouses,
because that eye aims straight
to the almighty heart.
Ah! Lets drink,
my love: the love among chalices
will have warmer kisses.
It was a song played at the Verdi Festival, a song that was fond to his ears. Edel was looking outside the window on the edge of her bed. La Traviata meant a woman who strayed.
A woman who strayed!
His heart twinged. He could read another persons emotions and thoughts. Edel was always cheerful, but she often exuded unstable brain waves. It meant she had deep worries or was troubled.
Edel!
Oh!
Surprised, Edel rubbed her face with the shawl across her shoulders. When she turned around, her face was moist.
The city covered in snow is beautiful.
Those were made-up words that didnt match the mood. Instead, two large eyes wet in tears were saying, I wasnt looking at the snow.
No man wouldnt be shaken by a beautiful womans pitiful features. Black Mamba ruled over his sizzling heart with his mind organizing laws.
Every person had their own story. It must have been a serious case for a young woman to run to Africa as a volunteer. If it was a case that he couldnt take responsibility for, it was better not knowing.
You cant see the Champs-lyses from here.
You also cant see the Montmartre cemetery.
Hed advised her not to be depressed, and she had answered that she wasnt. Champs-lyses was the place where the prostitute, Marguerite, and the nobles son, Armand, had shared and ended their love.
Marguerite had been buried as an unnamed body in Montmartre Cemetery. Many men had swarmed around her when she was young, beautiful, and shining. Not a single man had visited her grave with a flower afterward. It was the Dumas French story of the saying, Naked, I came from my mothers womb and naked, I will depart.
The Seine comes after food.
Black Mamba didnt want to touch a beehive. A hidden story was always complicated. His life was already complicated. He didnt want additional pressure. Edels gaze stopped on his back, which had turned away. Disappointment lingered in her light blue eyes.
Wakil, youve finished washing the dishes and have thrown the Oecophylla smaragdina out in the Sahel. Why dont you take a break?
Ombuti gently recommended a break after the meal. Ombutis body was struggling to put his master and Edel together in a room, as quickly as he could. Accidents happened naturally between two young and hot-blooded youths.
I am taking a break.
A response like that of an unfermented baguette was returned.
You cannot call connecting two dots, a break. Pardon me, but why dont you seek a surface and a line?
A surface and a line!
Black Mamba understood the underlying meaning of those words. It meant to let go of his burdens.
A good idea. I should go see Philip now that all my injuries have been treated. I need to receive my rank certificate anyway.
Stupid Wakil, that wasnt what I meant!
Ombuti cried in his heart. Wakils smart head was always headed in the wrong direction when it came to anything that concerned Edel. No, his Wakil was simply too dense.
A Paranthropus recovery speed was truly amazing. Black Mamba had shaken off all of his injuries within two weeks. He stood before a floor-length mirror with only his underwear. He checked on all of his injuries and the scar across his stomach.
His head rotated 270 degrees, as though he was an octopus, pressing his face to his back. This magic was possible due to his flexible joints and rubbery, firm muscles.
All that was left of his shoulders bullet wound was a scar in the shape of a trumpet flower. It had healed. Even the injuries he had gained from the pieces of metal and other minor scratches, had turned blurry. The largest wound had been on his side, where a piece of explosive had horizontally embedded itself. 150 millimeters from his side to his back had been split. It was a scar that Jin Soon would have cried and created a scene over.
He had gained 107 new scars in the Sahel. No, including the scar across the left side of his face, it was 108.
Have I engraved 108 anguishes onto my body? he counted the scars once more as he mumbled.
It was 108. He didnt know whether it was a coincidence or fate, but he felt off.
Three pairs of eyes snuck glances at Black Mambas body. Sun WooHyun shook his head while Ombuti made a vacant expression. Edel gave a pitying look rather than looking surprised. It was as though tears would leave her huge eyes at any moment.
Black, dont you feel any pain?
No.
Edel pressed on the bullet wound with her finger.
How about now?
Nothing.
Take good care of your body.
Ill do what I need to do.
Flinching, Black Mamba took half a step back. Edel was looking up at him from beneath his chin. Tears were clinging to her light blue eyes, which were as clear and wide as Annecy lake.
II get it.
All the others have advanced ranks, what about you, Black?
Edel changed the conversation when the mood took an awkward turn.
Theres no meaning to advancing. Lackey, have you built up your body yet?
Black Mamba, unable to withstand the attacks of a ripe womans scent and her eyes, turned to look at Sun WooHyun.
Ive been running to death for the past week.
Weve just begun. Were going to create your base for the next week.
You must train him hard. I cannot be relieved when Wakils guard is so weak, Ombuti added on, like a sister-in-law.
Ugh, that damn mouth. Sun WooHyun glared at Ombuti.
Hm, a mercenarys wealth is his body. You need to maintain an optimum condition for whenever you need it to live longer. Lackey, what do you think are the limits to a human body?
A fist cant be stronger than a rock.
Wrong. A fist cant be stronger than a rock, but a humans mentality and will are stronger than one.
Isnt that something everyone says?
Not really. The frequent mentions of the human bodys limits arent limits. The body is limited by the minds control. It can earn a burn or injury by a strong suggestion. Our body is a slave to our minds as can be seen with the placebo or nocebo effects.
Youre saying that youre going to grind me to the ground, arent you?
Bingo, were going to pull out all the sewage gained from the 35 years of training youve had in the underground training room and raise your undiscovered battle instincts.
Sun WooHyuns face was dyed black. He knew how scary the words pull out meant.
The fitness center of 2,000 square meters was empty. The authorities had restricted its entry for two hours in the early morning and one hour in the evening.
Huff huff huff
Ho
Huff huff huff
Ho
Hands and feet crossed the air between one rapid and one slow breath.
Baaaang
The sound of air exploding shook the fitness center every time a hand or foot came into contact.
The five combined movements and the single beat breathing technique were methods that brought out an ideal balance of power from a Paranthropus. For the cells to create ATP from glucose and organic matters, they needed oxygen. They needed as much oxygen according to the amount of ATP produced.
The single beat breathing technique increased the ratio of oxygen to its peak according to the ATP used and distributed it to the cells.
Flowing water doesnt rot; Rolling rocks dont gain moss.
The five combined movements werent martial arts that increased inner ki. It was an outer movement that increased the bodys limits by breaking through its peak forms, little by little. The expression outer movement wasnt right either, since realistically, there werent any inner martial arts in the first place.
Black Mamba used the body teleportation method flashily, moving his body to the east and west.
Pa
Paak
The sound of tearing air rang in sequence. The fitness center, which was as large as a sports ground, was instead, too small.
The fearless steps dragons back riding steps and the four paced movement could teleport him through 15 meters. It looked like a rubber-stretching shadow in the eyes of the three people. It was a phenomenon whereby their dynamic visual ability had failed to read his movements.
Hitting, beating, and twisting the circular elevation, which gave several kicks in a single jump, the 10 point continuous blows which exploded like sparks, and the 18 beats of shock which whirled like windmillsSun WooHyuns mouth fell open. He didnt even realize hed drooled from the corner of his mouth.
Hhh, thats the real deal. Im going to imitate it no matter what.
Sun WooHyun was in a fervor to receive at least one of those skills. He wanted to learn, even if he had to die from Black Mambas beatings.
Woosh
The surrounding grounds, which had been trembling, calmed down. With the lightning pumpkin impacts as his final move, the 36 methods of the five combined movements 216th practice had ended in 25 minutes. It was a training that had taken him three hours a year ago.
When Edel approached him with a towel in hand, Black Mamba reached out. Disappointment whirled in Edels eyes as she handed the towel over.
I shouldnt have told him.
Edel cursed her mouth for admitting her love ahead of time.
Okay, Lackey, lets begin.
Clang
50 kilograms of barbells landed before Sun WooHyuns feet.
Isnt this too light?
Sun WooHyun picked the barbells up with one hand. He was strong, compared to his weak physique.
Sun WooHyuns cheekiness soon turned into screams. Ombuti hung Sun WooHyun upside down on a Smith machine, set in the corner of the fitness center.
Now, begin.
Ugh, what is this?
All martial arts start with a light upper body and heavy lower body. To train your body, youll have to raise and attach your hanging organs and increase your blood flow. Begin.
Sun WooHyun had to do shoulder presses, hanging upside down on a Smith machine with 50 kilograms barbells. Deus had hung Mu Ssang upside down a cliff for three nights and four days. Hed even weighed him down with two 100 kilograms rocks on his arms.
Sun WooHyuns consciousness wavered even before he reached the sixth press. The blood which had reached his head pressed on his brain. His sight turned red.
Aaack! Aaargh!
Sun WooHyun had survived through life with stubbornness and gall. He continued the abnormal shoulder press with determination, assuming that he wouldnt die. It was at the five minutes mark that his sweat dripped down like rain. A puddle of sweat was created under his head.
Theres grease stuck in my stomach.
Sun WooHyun gritted his teeth to the point of breaking out in guilt. North Koreas training was far more inhumane and harsh.
Im not going to let go even if I die.
He grasped his wavering consciousness. Seven minutes had passed. His muscles didnt contract any longer.
Uuhaaap!
He couldnt even shout. Stubbornness wasnt working.
Boom
The barbells, which had been raised momentarily, fell to the ground. His red sight turned black. The human whod been fighting for all hes worth fell silent. All that remained was a body which swayed limply like a bagworm.
Oh no, what do we do?
Edel stood from her waiting place.
Leave him. Ombuti, get him down and pour some cold water.
Splash
Ombuti relentlessly poured cold water that was filled with ice over him.
Awoke, Sun WooHyun narrowed his eyes and began counting down from 10. It was the fastest method to regain consciousness in the condition of overheating.
Sun WooHyun counted two sets of 10 and stood up. He tilted several times before finally regaining his center.
Ho, your mental strength is good.
Even Black Mamba was surprised. It was hard for a human to regain body balance in a few seconds after passing out from brain pressure caused by blood flow. He felt as though Sun WooHyun was worth teaching. Of course, in Sun WooHyuns perspective, it was more than a sour occasion.
Im ready.
Ombuti!
Ombuti brought a one and a half meters stick. It was an FRP pipe of 30 millimeters in diameter, wrapped with pure rubber all around. Black Mamba grabbed the black stick and rose to his height.
Uh, Kanma!
Fear passed by Sun WooHyuns eyes. He still remembered the time he was beaten by Black Mamba, after provoking him, until he shi**ed blood. Five parts of his body cringed, and his bladder twinged.
Soul-returning pain administration!
The whipping which was torturing enough to recall souls in fright was the same beating that had dragged Emil back from the underworld after Bellman had declared him dead. The beating which didnt even allow blackouts was the same beating that tore away at ones skin and stirred the organs. Sun WooHyun became nervous.
[1] Morning meal; breakfast.
Chapter 179 - Episode 2: Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
A sound of stripping rang. It wasnt an impact but a tear. The stick wrapped in raw rubber slapped against the skin underneath the wet clothes.
Kuh!
Sun WooHyuns mouth fell apart. The strong pain from a fistful of skin being torn away bolted through him. It was harsh, beyond the imagination of what the elite training program of North Koreas special forces could be. No one would believe the fact that a scouting regiments officer had screamed with a single bash.
The soul-returning pain administration wasnt a simple whipping. It had to be administered through pointed attacks directed at where the ki flows converged and crossed. The point of impact would be at the area with sensitive skin, where most of the humans senses were gathered. It was a technique that only Black Mamba with his dimensional sight or a master of heaven seeing eyes could do.
Slap
Slap
Sun WooHyun twisted his body like an earthworm on salt everytime a blow landed. His senses, which had been surprised to the point of wariness, began to cry. The indescribable pain ran through his body from the tip of his feet to the center of his head.
Slap
Slap
Slaap
Slaaaaap
The whipping grew faster. A beating of the soul-returning pain administration came in tempos of moderato, allegro moderato, and allegro. Sun WooHyun felt as though his body was being stripped to pieces. He had tried to live well after meeting a talented human, but he was about to die like a dog on the third dog day. The faces of his kind mother and strict father came to his mind.
Kuaaagh!
Aaaagh!
The stricken screams rang across the underground fitness center. Edels body flinched every time it was heard. Sun WooHyuns body began to emit heat when the whippings grew in number.
It hadnt been three minutes when Sun WooHyuns body grew lax across the floor, no longer rolling in screams. He couldnt bring himself to avoid the beating or to shout. He simply trembled every time a slap landed. He was beaten according to the beating.
Edel made a fist and shook. Shed heard about this before, but hearing and seeing were different things. For the love of God, how could a human beat another human so harshly? It wasnt something a human should do, even if it was for the sake of training. She wanted to leave the place but couldnt, in case something unfortunate occurred.
Sun WooHyuns body grew red with heat. His temperature rose to the point that Ombuti could feel the heat from just a foot away. Black Mamba was similarly having a hard time whipping him with the right strength, density, and time. A single mistake could send Sun WooHyun across the river Styx. His senses grew sharp like a needle. His brain, which had to calculate large amounts of information, began to waste energy. Sweat dripped down Black Mambas chin like a river. It was hard to gain a usable lackey.
10 minutes had passed. A stagnant smell circulated. A pungent smell that shouldnt exist spread rapidly. Edel and Ombuti, who were attacked, grabbed their nose, and stumbled back.
Black Mamba dabbed his finger in the urine and brought it before his eyes. It was black urine mixed with bubbles of blood. It was the remains of dead cells with stagnant excretions and old ailments.
Hed be very refreshed. I should make it even more refreshing.
Black Mamba grabbed Sun WooHyuns limp form and threw him into a tub filled with ice.
Gaaaah!
Sun WooHyun leaped into consciousness. His body had reached its highest temperature. The temperature hed felt in the water at zero degrees Celsius was not from the cold but the heat. It was like skin coming into contact with frozen ammonia gas, gaining burns.
This b*stards refusing my hospitality.
Black Mamba shoved Sun WooHyuns chest back down and pressed him underwater by his head.
Aaaaagh, save me!
Sun WooHyun resisted. It didnt work. He was like a frog underneath a bears paw. The strength of a sapien was comparably weak to a Paranthropus.
Black, sticky blood appeared on the cold water like ink. Edels face grew white. What kind of a horrible scene was this, following the horrible whipping? A human who flapped around with survival instincts and a human who suppressed the fighting human with blood pouring out of the sweat glandsit was a scene that could only come from hell.
Edel decided to stop Black. The training was good, and all, but a person was about to die. From Edels medical knowledge, it was proven that feeling immediate cold after increasing ones blood pressure would lead to death by shock.
Black! You
Miss Edel, believe in Wakil. All you need to do is believe him.
Ombuti stopped Edel.
Ombuti, drag him out.
Black Mamba finally released him after 10 more minutes. Sun WooHyuns face was unexpectedly peaceful. In the end, Sun WooHyun didnt die.
Edel, inject him with some epinephrine and give him an intravenous injection. The drop rate should be five times the average.
Edel didnt question him anymore and got to work. One could not expect an answer from a person who lacked sense. Ombuti also moved quickly. He cleaned the dirty water and turned the fans to their highest setting to remove the smell.
Sun WooHyun regained consciousness two hours later.
Where am I? Who am I?
Sun WooHyuns consciousness floated around like a thick fog.
Ugh, this lackey b*stards spilled a lot! Ombuti complained.
Lackey, thats something I heard a lot. Its from a scary b*stard, someone scary.
Lackey!
Black Mamba called him with resonance in his voice. The strong, resonating sound blew past his ears. His floating consciousness was brought back to reality.
Ah, monster!
Sun WooHyun crawled into a corner to hide, like a cockroach surprised by the light. Fear was the only thing in his mind.
Run!
Sun WooHyun leaped to his feet. His body reacted without a moments judgment from his brain. He stumbled a few steps, swaying.
Stop!
Sun WooHyun stopped like a puppet.
Youre going to cool down your body for the next five minutes. Begin.
Sun WooHyun moved like a marionette. He stretched his limbs, twisted his hip, and rolled his neck.
Youre going to run at full speed on the spot. Your knees have to reach your chest. Run!
Black Mamba counted to 10 before shouting again.
Breathe, three times in and 10 times out.
Sun WooHyun panted as his face turned blue.
You will not breathe while running and will do so when I tell you to stop running. When I say left, you will run to the left. When I say right, you will turn 90 degrees and run to the right. Understood?
Yes!
Left!
Sun WooHyun, who had been running in his spot, turned to his left and ran.
I said, dont breathe! the devil growled.
Run at full speed. Right!
Stop. Left!
Bring your knees up to your chest!
The devil, with a stick in hand, ordered without rest. It was a no-oxygen interval gallop training. No-oxygen interval gallop training caused the muscles to tire quickly, making it hard to continue for over three minutes.
The hidden effect of a no-oxygen interval gallop training helped to strengthen bones. When the body is shoved to its limits with the no-oxygen interval gallop training, the bones raise its calcium density automatically. It also had the effect of maintaining and organizing the body, which had gained a steady flow of ki from the soul-returning pain administration.
Black Mamba tested Sun WooHyun to his limits like a devil.
Boom
Sun WooHyun, who managed to last 30 minutes, collapsed to the floor. The livers acid, which had been released from an empty liver, gave off a sour stench.
Black Mamba dragged Sun WooHyun and threw him down beside the tub.
The soul-returning pain administration began once more.
Crack
Sun WooHyun opened his eyes when the stick landed on him once more.
Motheryour unfilial son is going to die in the hands of a monster.
Tears streamed down from Sun WooHyuns eyes. He didnt even have the strength to shout. He wanted to avoid it, but neither his fingers nor his toes could move.
His muscles, which had been loosened all-around, had forgotten how to move. Still, his senses were alive. His senses suffered a shock with every beating.
Black blood dripped out of Sun WooHyuns nose and mouth. Blood also came out of his anus. Edel shivered at the devastating sight.
Black Mamba was cold. He didnt even blink. He lifted Sun WooHyun and shoved him into the ice tub again. Sun WooHyun no longer possessed the figure of a human. He was but a living zombie.
Ombuti, get him on your back.
Sun WooHyun, who was moved to the hospital room, was injected with an intravenous injection again in his still state.
Ugh, its hard to make a human, Black Mamba complained as he began to practice the interrogative blood pacer.
He had used the method that his teacher once had, a long time ago. Muscles could only grow more resistant after the clumped, blocked blood vessels were cleared, allowing for faster blood flow.
The combined repetitive expelling theory was a detestable method that doused the human body like an iron being doused with water and oil. Sun WooHyun became the test subject of such a devious experiment. The original combined repetitive expelling theory wasnt something that humans could withstand. The method Black Mamba used was, at least, a slightly weaker version.
The same training continued the next day. Sun WooHyun also became wasted the next day. A week passed. The suffering that Sun WooHyun had went through that week was incomprehensible with just words. If he had been a human with lesser determination, he would have crossed the river Styx long ago.
Sun WooHyun was reborn in Paris Val-de-Grace military hospitals underground room in France.
[On the 22nd day of hospitalization in Val-de-Grace hospital.]
The seventh day of Sun WooHyuns reconstruction whipping passed, it was time to leave the hospital where theyd stayed and eaten for free.
Black Mamba headed towards the city with Ombuti for a visit. He had accepted Ombutis proposal to gift the maids whod suffered from cleaning and washing their clothes.
Wakil, wouldnt a commemoration gift be necessary to share between the brothers whove survived out of hell?
Thats a good idea. What do you think is best?
A gold which never changes would be good. There are high-quality, kindly priced jewelry in Paris.
Black Mamba nodded.
There are many historical jewelry stores gathered around Place Vend?me. There are famous brand stores following Rue Saint-Honor.
I dont know the place.
Its but 10 kilometers away from the hospital. Place Vend?me is a block away from the Concord square to the east where the old men made a ruckus last time.
Thats near. Lets go.
When Black Mamba agreed, Ombutis mouth slowly split into a smile. Ombuti called a taxi. The taxi stopped in front of Mauboussin, famous in Rue Saint-Honor.
F*** kindness.
Black Mamba came out of the store, complaining in fright at the unkind prices. A shady looking white-gold ring worth 10,000 francs got him shaking in disbelief. The high-class jewelry customers of Mauboussin were royal families or millionaires. Countryside Mu Ssang had nearly screamed at the evil prices.
In the end, he purchased eight wallets at a leather specialty store called Goyard. Ombuti sneakily added in Edels gift too.
What should we give the Madams?
We can give them a basket of fruits each. Ill prepare it adequately.
Ombuti lowered his head and smiled secretly. His intentions had gone slightly out of its path, but hed reached his goal. The gifts for the workers had only been an excuse. Hed basically fooled his master, for his foolish master wouldnt gain a woman even after 100 days.
Whod go to hell other than myself!
Ombuti made a fist.
Black Mamba, who had been walking around Rue Saint-Honor, stopped before a macaron[1] store. The several kinds of colorful macarons in tones of pastel grabbed his attention.
Macarons were a type of meringue famed for its great harmony of a crisp outer shell and soft, sweet inner shell.
Mother!
His father had often bought bean paste bread for his mother, who loved sweet things, every time he was headed to the market. Although he had frequently forgotten about his sons request for comic books, he had never forgotten his mothers unrequested sweet bean paste bread.
He would share the bread with his mother while they sat together on the pavement. His mother would give half to him and eat the other half, little by little.
He had swallowed his half and glared at the other piece of bread his mother was eating.
Its good, isnt it?
His mother would smile and hand him the bread that she was eating. He used to eat all of what hed been handed, immaturely.
Its good, isnt it? Its good.
The question, accompanied by a bright smile, rang in his ears like an illusion.
Mother! Were under the same sky, but why are you wandering in the ground? His heart suddenly turned stuffy, and his nose turned sour.
Black Mamba entered the store as though he was lured. He bought a box of red macarons decorated with a cute character. Ombuti, who didnt know what was going on, tilted his head.
That evening, they finished their dinner and ended their meal with coffee and ice cream that Edel had prepared.
Ombuti pulled out the wallet theyd bought.
Its a gift that Wakil had prepared. Wakil, you should give it to her yourself.
Ombuti didnt mention the fact that it was a commemorative gift for coming out of hell in one piece.
You worked hard.
Black Mamba gave Sun WooHyun a black wallet and Edel a red wallet.
Ugh, my stupid head, I should have persuaded him to buy a ring.
Ombuti felt his insides rotting for the reason that only he knew.
Oh, calfskin nubuck! Its Goyards best.
Edels face brightened like a sun coming out from the clouds. Ombuti smiled in satisfaction while Black Mambas heart dropped.
[1] It is a French sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond meal, and food coloring.
Chapter 180 - Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
It was that expression. A warm expression alongside his rough hands, which pressed onto the sweet breadthe same bread she ate right by his side. Edel, who met Black Mambas gaze, smiled. The bright smile from her two eyes slowly spread across her face. He stared at Edels face, feeling lost.
Wakil, its embarrassing for me to receive things all the time.
Sun WooHyuns greeting catapulted Black Mambas senses to reality, and he immediately thwarted his gaze.
Ah, the coffee scent is rather thick today. Who made it? Black Mamba told a white lie in embarrassment.
That witless b*stard, Im going to roll him into dust one day.
Ombuti planted his fierce eyes onto Sun WooHyuns face. Hed barely managed to chase Emil away, but another witless b*stard was ruining the mood at critical moments.
Ive nothing but my body to give, due to my poor fate.
Sun WooHyun was still setting up a shield. Being the salty person that he was, he emphasized that he had nothing to give in return.
It wasnt that expensive. I hope you like it.
Of course I do. Black, thank you. Ill keep this for the rest of my life, Sun WooHyun replied.
Edel hid her slightly excited face behind the wallet.
Its nothing much, dont embarrass me by acting so grateful.
The macarons that Black Mamba had bought on impulse came into view. Edel had been the one to remind him of his mother, so she was the rightful owner of the macarons.
Edel, this is a gift.
He awkwardly handed the box of macarons to Edel.
Edels eyes, upon receiving the box, slowly grew bigger.
Macarons!
A word, with so many meanings behind it, escaped her like a sigh. Black Mamba was sensitive to humans emotions and brain waves.
Edel, is there a problem?
No, no. Black, this is the best gift Ive ever received.
Edel brought the box close to her chest, as though someone would steal it away from her. Tears were brimming in her eyes.
Seems like theres a story.
Black Mamba looked at Ombuti. Ombuti shook his head.
Lets share that.
No!
Edel slapped Sun WooHyuns hand away and ran into her bedroom.
Mywhat feisty hands. Whys Miss Edel acting like that?
Black Mamba continued to make an awkward expression. Ombutis face crumpled.
That b*stards just like Emil! Thats why he has no woman.
Angered, Ombuti looked as though hed pull out a gun at any moment.
Edel, whod run into her room, carefully took off the wrapper. When she opened the box, the rows of neatly placed macarons greeted her. There was a chocolate engraving of Bon Courage![1] on them.
Dad!
Tears fell in droplets. She had also loved sweet biscuits, like most teenage girls. She had loved macarons the most, amongst them.
Her mother had protested her eating sweet things as it was unhealthy, but often, her father would secretly buy macarons after returning from an overseas business trip. She would share them with her father in the attic, hiding from her mother. The sweetness that had spread across her mouth had been heaven.
Rudrey, this is an absolute secret from your mother.
Ill keep the secret, so give me one more.
You little evil thing, here, I hope you choke on it.
Her father used to shove a macaron too big for her into her small mouth and tapped her jaw shut.
Her father, who she had respected the most in the world, and the macarons that she had shared with her father in secret was complete happiness. It had been the greatest, most joyful break in the world.
Her father, the attic, and the macarons. The tears which had been accumulating in her chest poured out continuously.
Father, he gave me macarons. Father, youve given me macarons through him. Im scared Ill burden him. Hes 1,000 times stronger than you, father, but he doesnt like blood. Im so scared hell leave if I tell him your story. Father, hes so precious to me. Father, your revenge! My evil uncle, what should I
Black Mambas face hardened. He had spread out his senses because he was worried about Edel, who was acting differently from the norm. Edels self-confession had been embedded clearly into his ears.
Damn it. Its always like this! Its my fate, isnt it?
Black Mamba stood up instantly and opened the bedroom door.
Edel raised her face.
Black!
Surprised, she stopped crying immediately. With a man in her room, who hid the rooms light and stood like a metal tower, the atmosphere became tense.
Edel read an unknown emotion from him for the first time. In a hurry, she wiped away her tears. She was grateful not to have worn mascara.
Black Mamba approached. Edels heart shriveled to the size of a pea.
Is he mad because I cried too loud? What if he tells me to go back to Africa immediately?
Edel, I want to hear your fathers story in detail.
What do you
Edel was surprised. How did Black know about her father?
Im Black Mamba.
The strong voice rang like a crash. Her beating heart instantly calmed down.
Black, I did think of entrusting you with my fathers revenge after seeing your strength. After all, I need to regain my inheritance. However, youre more important to me. How can I stay by your side if I ask you to take revenge for me, knowing that you hate the sight of blood?
Are you saying that youll forget about taking revenge because you lack power?
Yes. I cant share your burdens, so how can I add more onto your shoulders?
Edel, Im going to decide.
Edel stared up at the man who was a firm as a rock. She recalled the memory of him treating the children with his injured body. No one could stop him if he decided to do something.
Sit. Theres enough space.
Pat, pat
Edel patted her bed with her palm. Black Mamba sat on the bed. The bed didnt even move.
You just have to hear me out. Ive been burning myself with this for seven years. Theres a sarira on my chest.
Hm, I didnt know women formed sarira on their chests. The storys going to be long, isnt it? Ombuti!
Ombutis wrinkled face turned wrinklier when he saw the two of them sitting together on the bed.
Coffee! Ombuti, you sit down too.
Yes, sir!
Ombutis answer was overflowing with strength, ignorant of the situation.
Edels story took two hours to tell, and it still didnt end. The story, which had started off in calm tones, had progressed into one with tears and emotional outbursts. It was one of the characteristics of a strong, young woman full of emotions.
Black Mamba cursed himself for deciding to listen to her story. His weakest point was foreign languages. He grew confused from the mashed pronunciations and butchered words. Ombuti, whod been catching glimpses of his master, intervened in Edels story.
Miss Edel, let me summarize. Your father, Colton Wayneright Edel, had finished his long military service and organized the familys inheritance to start a cotton plantation in Doba, near Pende lake. He had supplied the locals with medical aid and education businesses using the profits he had earned from the farm, am I right?
Yes. I heard he had used all the profits he had gained from the farm. Father had always traveled throughout northern Chad, aside from the cotton gathering seasons. Sometimes, he even went to Batha or Ennedi. Father had considered the cotton farm a cash cow, a way to increase rescue activities.
Ooh, he is a respectable man. When your father bought the land, a portion of your uncles inheritance was involved. Your uncle had many complaints regarding Mr. Coltons actions. The farm was attacked several times by armed suspected militant men while Mr. Colton was out on his check-up rounds. Your uncle had created a defense group by arming the workers of the farm. He then alerted your father of the attacks. Your father, upon his return, was killed on a cross by the armed militant men. Your uncle was overseas when that had occurred, am I right?
Yes. All of them were wage workers who were treated by my father. They had called my father, charitable pere[2]. They had attacked with a woodcutter and an ax! I recall that scene every time I close my eyes. It tortures me.
I respect you. Youve grown so well despite the horrible memories of your childhood. It seems to be Monsieur Edels protection. Im sorry your father was executed. Your father had returned the next day after the incident. Miss Edel was hiding in the cotton fields at the time and had overheard your uncles words. So, your uncle Nick had organized the attacks on the farm to steal your fathers inheritance. He had bribed the workers and killed your father. Your fathers crimes were communicating with the FAP and acting as a spy by giving them information. Even the governor of Logone Oriental acknowledged your fathers status. The farm was given to your uncle, is that right?
Yes. The group that attacked the farm should have attacked under my uncles orders. There hasnt been a single attack since my uncle became the owner.
Then, why did your uncle let you live, Miss Edel? There wouldnt be an inheritance problem if Miss Edel disappears, too.
My uncle is trying to marry me off to Andrew.
Who is Andrew?
He is my cousin, my uncles son.
Ombuti immediately understood the entire situation.
Hes trying to take Miss Edels share of the farm as her dowry, without even paying the capital gains tax. Perhaps, Nick already took it.
Are all Tuareg nobles born smart?
Black Mamba was impressed by Ombutis ability amid his anger. Ombuti had summarized Edels two-hour story within five minutes. He could be well off working as a lawyer.
Edel, how big is the farm anyway? That Nick b*stard willingly killed his own brother just for that? Black Mamba, who had been listening in silence, asked.
It should be 7,500 acres, 30 square kilometers in meters.
Black Mambas head was incapable of understanding the British metric system. It was the same for kilometers of an area. It wasnt a unit that was used in Korea, where there were more people than land. He had to calculate it by pyung to understand.
99,000,000 pyung! Black Mamba shouted in surprise.
9,000,000 pyung! The land his father had gained by working himself to death for 10 years had been 2,000 pyung. 9,000,000 pyung meant his father had to work for 45,000 years. Imagining his father wielding his sow since the stone age made him laugh.
Amazing. There are big farms in the southern regions, but there wont be much on such a grand scale.
My father had used all of my grandfathers inheritance too. It should be the biggest farm in Logone Oriental province.
Still, materialistic goods shouldnt be more important than a humans life. Edel, I hate people who backstabs the most, in this world. Im going to take care of this matter. It isnt for your revenge, Edel. I simply hate it when greedy, vile people live well. Are you planning to continue your fathers volunteer occupation when you inherit the farm?
Of course. Theres nothing better than money, but theres nothing more foul smelling than money which is piled. Im sensitive to smell as Ive inherited my fathers blood. I cant stand the rotten smell that comes from stagnant money.
Relaxed, Edel began to joke around.
I need to return to my hometown soon. Ill trust your words, Edel. However, theres a difference between believing and the truth. Im going to send the lackey to investigate. Ive invested in him, so I need to use him.
Edel had a mountain of words to say. The full cotton blossoms which had bloomed as though a cloud had settled on earth, the story of how she had broken a white ants hill with other children who had their belly buttons left out, the huge butts of the half-naked women who shone in sweat, the kind children who had clung on to those womens butt, how she had come to hate Africa when she had suffered from a high fever by too many mosquito bitesendless stories swam around in her mouth.
Black, I wont thank you. You said there is no need for thanks between families. However, Ill say that I love you instead.
Right. Wait, what? Black Mamba replied, then glared at Ombuti. He was certain that that sneaky servant had coached her to say so.
Lackey, you have work to do. How is your condition?
I cant even move. This isnt the figure of a human. Are you trying to bite my skin off?
Sun WooHyun, whod been skinny originally, had grown slightly fatter during his stay in the hospital as he frequently ate greasy foods and rested well. He was on the verge of getting rid of his scary form when he became a zombie, no, a skeleton within the week, once more.
His ribs could be seen profoundly underneath his under armor shirt. Currently, Sun WooHyun was just skin plastered between bones. Now, his hopes of dating women were dashed. He began to rebel a little in disappointment.
Dont worry. According to the exams, his overall physicals have improved.
Edel waved her hand at Sun WooHyun to indicate that it wasnt a problem. The zombies expression crumpled, but no one cared. Black Mamba smiled. He liked Sun WooHyuns confidence, which remained still after all that he had gone through.
The appearance isnt important. Humans gain their strength from the lever principle of their bones and muscles. As you know, your power is the result of your weight and speed squared. If you increase your weight, your speed decreases. To increase your speed, you need to decrease the weight of your muscles and bones and strengthen its quality. This is what the combined repetitive expelling theory aims to do. Doesnt your body feel lighter?
My sight got better, and my body feels light to the point that I cant feel the weight.
The bodybuilders muscles are built by increasing muscle cells through the balloon method. To increase strength, you need to break down the muscle fibers and increase the absolute amount of muscles. The soul-returning pain administration increases cell activity and expels waste that blocks the cells division. This is a secret method of 1,000 years.
That basically meant he had gained superpowers. Sun WooHyuns face brightened. He exclaimed with a determined expression.
Then hit me every day!
[1] Hang in there!
[2] Father.
Chapter 181 - Episode 4: Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
Whats this b*stard saying?
Surprised, Black Mamba jerked back.
Creeaaak
The chair sharply scraped as it was pushed back. Ombutis eyes grew dark. It was as though he was questioning how such a person could exist.
Wow, you should watch your words. People might think Im the sadist, and youre the masochist if they overhear. The soul-returning pain administration wont have any more effects on you. It will be hard to induce cell division at your age.
Thats f****** unfortunate.
Sun WooHyun looked disappointed. The effects of the soul-returning pain administration was definite. His body had turned light to the point that he couldnt feel his weight for the first time that week. His speed had turned two times faster, all of a sudden.
Even his enteritis, which hed been suffering from for the past 10 years, had disappeared. His body was so light he wanted to have a go at Black Mamba. Of course, he didnt have an iota of thought about saying that.
Is he saying that hes going to stop hitting me because hes scared Ill surpass him?
Sun WooHyun couldnt get rid of his self-centered way of thinking.
How do I train from now on?
Kyuksul isnt bad. Train yourself with the seven methods that I taught you in variations and gallop 10 kilometers every day. Half should be weight breathing, and the other half, no-oxygen breathing.
Do I also need to keep training on my shooting?
You can get more stable shots when your bones and muscles grow stronger. All the waste in your body has been drawn. Your body should have regressed by at least a decade younger.
Edel and Ombutis eyes flashed at the words of a decades regression. Eyes filled with greed were directed at Black Mamba.
Wakil, I want to be hit too. Ombutis eyes lit up.
It was the same for Edel. Not even God can stop an old mans desire to remain young and a womans attachment to youth.
Haha, thatll be difficult. I already applied the lowest level of the soul-returning pain administration for Sun WooHyun. If I lower it any further, there wont be any effect at all. Will you be able to withstand the level of beating that Sun WooHyun withstood?
Ombutis face crumbled. Disappointment settled on Edels face. The level of beating that the lackey had received was like indirectly asking them to die. What was the point of dying when they wanted to live and be young!
I also wasted a lot of ki this time. My teacher gave me a thorough wash and lost 10 years of his life. It is the worlds rule to gain something by losing another.
Black Mamba turned to Sun WooHyun and smiled.
You gain one by losing another? Its difficult to the point that it reduces a persons life?!
Sun WooHyuns expression turned into one that is a cross between a smile and a cry. Who could sacrifice themself like Black Mamba, seeking nothing in return!
What about him? Hed just blamed Black Mamba for refusing further training, on purpose. In retrospect, he was a captive. He had received all kinds of benefits just for being someone of the same ethnicity. He had even grunted for more after receiving all kinds of things like a pig.
Ah, I thought I knew that those with less saw those greater than them as idiots! How am I so foolish? Im a pig.
Something hot swept past his skin. Sun WooHyun leaped to his feet and kneeled.
What the hell are you doing?
Surprised, Black Mamba avoided him.
Wakil, youve given too much to someone so stupid. You have saved my life, you have given a lost b*stard a nationality, and youve also given me a large sum of money. You even taught me martial arts and fixed my illness without considering your own toil. I complained about getting more even after being graced with all kinds of kindness and dragged my feet. Im a pig-like b*stard, no, Im a swine.
Whyre you suddenly talking about that? Everyone does it.
It was that. He had filled anothers weakness and parts that they had lacked without expecting anything in return, at such a young age. There were no conditions or calculations. How old was he! Sun WooHyun was truly embarrassed.
No. I should be embarrassed. I hid at the beat without fighting in Dombrey forest, but Wakil never mentioned anything about it. If Id guarded you back then, you wouldnt have been injured at all.
Ombuti flew to his feet.
What? You hid like a rat while Wakil fought all those tanks and reinforced enemies by himself! I thought something was strange. Still, you stayed by his side and kept all the good things for yourself! I should have buried you in the Sahel a long time back!
Edel grabbed Ombutis arm, which was about to pull out a gun. Edel felt Ombutis eyes, which were ablaze, on her. The eyes that used to be dark were now filled with white. Edel shook her head lightly. The fire had died out. It was the moment when the hierarchy of Emil-Sun WooHyun-Ombuti-Edel was set.
Everythings good when the ending is good. Whyre you bringing that up when everythings wrapped up? You were almost killed by Ombuti when I just started raising you.
Sun WooHyun glanced at Ombuti.
Ombuti, you can shoot me. Im a b*stard who is below an insect!
Sun WooHyun sobbed. Tears streamed down from his eyes. Sun WooHyuns face was fierce and rough. A woman on a blind date would scream. It was a face that had no tears in its fortune. He wasnt a Tubilis for no reason. The tears streaming down his horrible face was unspeakably grotesque.
Ombuti leaped on his feet and kicked Sun WooHyun.
You f****** idiot, dont you know that Wakil made you a warrior by sacrificing his own ki? Your duty is to protect Wakil for the rest of your life. If a bullet flies, block it with your own body, even if its a knife! If you forget a servants duty once more, Ill have your head!
The Tuareg warriors charisma could be felt throughout the entire hospital room, despite his old age.
Edels eyes shook. How could a human trust and follow another human when he wasnt even God! Her heart trembled at the two mens fight.
This wasnt a loyalty born from an understanding but a loyalty where one submitted their everything. It couldnt be explained by the word loyalty, either. It was the clashing of hearts between true men.
The lackey was always suspicious of his surroundings and slacked off. He was the type of person who didnt trust others and kept his heart close to himself. Black had dragged such a person in, like a black hole.
Is that the world of true men? Is that persons existence special? I want to cry and be kicked as a man too.
She lamented her birth as a woman for the first time in her life.
Ive nothing but my body to give to Wakil. Im reporting to you officially as lackey Sun WooHyun.
Sun WooHyun kowtowed[1] three times, before kneeling completely. Black Mamba patted Sun WooHyuns arm.
Sun WooHyun, Ill acknowledge your declaration. I dont like restrictions. I dont want my life or another persons life to be restricted. You came to me on your own free will. If you change your mind, you can leave whenever you want. It is your own free will.
Bang
Sun WooHyun banged his forehead on the floor.
I swear to the heavens that Ill live as a lackey. Just give me food and clothes. Ill give all the rewards that Wakil has given me to Miss Edel. I must have lost my mind because of the sudden, large amount of money.
Lackey, Ill take that heart with good intentions. However, invest that reward in Ombuti. I need Ombuti to do something for me, anyway.
I will.
Black Mamba closed his eyes. Another persons life had settled on his shoulders, just like that. It was as his master had said, he was blessed with lasting connections.
Lackey, if you want to work with me, you need to abandon three things.
Black Mamba paused and turned his gaze to the ceiling. His father was smiling proudly.
The sadness that he had felt from being discriminated against, humans who detested the fact that they lacked power, humans who filled their stomachs by stealing others earnings, those who stole lives to maintain their power, greed, and jealousy, didnt discriminate between races or ethnicity.
Firstly, throw away your idea of distinction. The dogma that the organization youre associated with is special and always right is the fundamental cause of conflict and torment between a society. Being different doesnt mean its wrong.
Secondly, throw away the consciousness of supremacy that comes with distinction. You become incapable of respecting others with that mindset. If you do not respect another, people will turn hostile, and fights will break out. How do whites see blacks? They see them as people of lower standing and have committed an unforgivable sin called slavery for 100s of years. Look at the Arabian locals of the Sahara. Theyre no different from the blacks. Are humans better than chimpanzees? No. Theyre simply different.
Lastly, throw away your psychological entitlement. If supremacy is the unexpressed state of mind, entitlement is an expression of psychological supremacy. Those who hold onto a rats tail worth of power, money, connections, and knowledge, consider themselves above others and place themselves above the sky. They ignore the law, dont keep order, and ignore traditions. Theyre those whose souls have been tainted.
Oh!
She wanted to hang those words in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Her heart rate picked up.
Edels light exclamation shook the atmosphere. Ombuti had been kneeling next to Sun WooHyun, listening in.
Ive thought about a lot of things in the Sahel and realized more or less. What do you think is the greatest pain amongst all pains that humans can feel?
Hunger.
Sun WooHyun and Ombuti nodded at Edels reply.
Right. Its hunger. Those whove never been famished spoke fulfilling words. Ive seen the children of the Sahel starve to death. I saw Professor Giz and Edels hard work. I also heard Mr. Edels life story from Edel. His life is justified. There are always excuses for an unjustified life. An excuse that comes with a reason, but the reason isnt justified. I want to create a land where one can eat, learn, and work well, as far as my powers can reach. I want to create a world that doesnt need excuses. Thats my goal as Black Mamba.
His final words rang like a predators low-resonance howl. The hospital room shook as though itd been greeted by an earthquake.
Ombuti, Sun WooHyun, and Edel looked at Black Mamba with gratification. Light emanated from his body. His revealed determination shook objects.
All will go as Wakil has planned! Ombuti and Sun WooHyun shouted.
Your dreams will be realized.
Edel didnt want to call him Wakil, like Ombuti. The reason was something that only she knew.
Ombuti, bring the world map, no, the map of the central regions of the Sahel.
Quick-witted, Ombuti immediately understood his request for the 15,000 square kilometers map that he had received from Bonipas.
Ombuti, do you know anything about the Aouzou region?
Its an empty land, north of the Ennedi plains. Its a volcanic region 1,000 meters above water, so water is not available. Theres nothing aside from the dried, red soil and wind.
The population?
Its an abandoned land. There are two to 3,000 inhabitants in Aouzou, but no one really lives there. Its a land that president Tombalbye had presented to Libya in 1972. Habres government is currently at war with Libya on the issue of national borders.
A volcanic land 1,000 meters above the ground? Thats not right.
Black Mamba shoved his nose into the map again. Ombuti slowly crept out of the room. Wakil had Wakils job, and he had his.
Black Mamba, whod been looking at the map, slapped his forehead.
Ah, I forgot about Bellmans request.
He opened his door and shouted.
Lackey, tell the dark guy outside to come in!
A member of the stations strategic department was called in. They became Ombuti and Sun WooHyuns feed after Landre had caused a scene. They were ordered to do all kinds of things, even cleaning the bathrooms. A strange scene of the DGSE members delivering ice creams and taking out the trash continued.
Act!
Tell Landre to run over right now.
Monsieur Landre left the company, the officer spoke nervously, frozen in his place.
Oh! He was a smart friend, how unfortunate.
Black Mambas expression suddenly dulled. He looked like a brother whod just lost his sibling. Nubelle, the team leader of the fifth strategic team, suddenly lost his balance. The very person who had broken 15 of Middle East Africa Manager Landres ribs was the VVIP hospital rooms guest. It was spoken about in silence but everyone knew. If these were crocodile tears, it was well-acted.
He is the devil.
Nubelle straightened his head out. An unfortunate accident of his bones ending up in the grinder would occur if he lost himself to the devil.
Whos the next in position?
It is Monsieur Ecjose Ariba.
The confidential information leaped out of his mouth, by itself.
Tell him that I want to see him.
Act!
Tsk.
Black Mamba licked his lips. It was truly unfortunate. It was said that the old was good, and he had been a b*stard that he could take advantage of, but hed gone to see his child at home. Well, Bonipas wouldnt have taken the humiliation, lying down. The b*stards skull could have ended up on a countrysides grassy field.
It hadnt been 20 minutes when a man as thin as bamboo, who looked about 40 years old, stepped inside the hospital room. His physical build was similar to Sun WooHyuns.
I apologize for seeking a meeting so suddenly.
Ariba flinched. Black Mambas words were polite, but his eyes were sharp. His eyes stung from Black Mambas glare. It was understandable that secretary Bonipas, who was called the serpent king of snakes, had been crushed by this gaze. He breathed and straightened out his lower stomach.
Black Mambas consults are a priority.
Neither exchanged their station nor their greetings. Both knew each others status very well, so there was no need to repeatedly introduce themselves as people who had secret identities.
I have a request. Sergeant Bellman, real name Davis. Previously, hes a CIA agent. Davis is tracked by the CIAs clean up team for leaking internal mission information. Can you solve this problem?
Huh, how did Bellman get through Legion Etrangers strict investigation? He must have used a second identity. This is a hard problem to solve, as it is the CIAs internal problem.
Ariba was conflicted. He couldnt say anything about the foreign intelligence agency because serious problems could occur with rash intervention. There had also been a time when the two clean up teams clashed.
[1] An act of worship that involved kneeling and bowing.
Chapter 182 - Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
The Phoenix Program that the CIA commenced in 1969 aimed to kill all the communists in political power and their remaining cells. The plan, which was spearheaded by William Colby, who was then the head of the Vietnam CIA division, progressed violently.
The American military, Navy SEAL, and Vietnams military and police force commanded by the CIA was mobilized. Assassination, torture, and terror proceeded, and they even committed atrocities, including killing crowds of planting farmers.
The SDECE, now known as the DGSE, had a large number of local informants back then. Several of them were killed or imprisoned due to the Phoenix Program.
The head of the Chinese SDECE asked the CIA to change its strategy manual. The head of the CIA regarded the request as an interference of activity. The fight for pride turned into an assassination battle between agents. A combined total of 20 agents from both sides died in two months, and for the first time, an SDECE project manager was assassinated.
This was unknown to the outside. The French foreign relations stated that several Vietnamese-French were killed due to misjudged shots. The French intelligence department hid behind a veil. In addition to the DGSE, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (DRSI), the Ministry of Home Affairs DRM and DPSD, and the Customs DNRED never stepped forward. For the head of intelligence to reveal internal documents and appear on South Koreas media was unimaginable.
From then on, an unspoken rule that involved intervening in other agents projects was not condoned.
Im not asking you to save Davis. The person who leaked the information was his boss. Davis was unfairly accused and is holding on to papers that can serve as evidence.
Hm, thats a frequent occurrence in intelligence organizations. His boss must have blocked his evidence submitting route. The CIA has 30,000 people as full-time workers. It wouldnt be strange to have such trash in the body of a dinosaur.
You b*stards are worse than trash, you f****** s***!
Black Mamba snorted in his mind. The DGSE was as bad when it came to dirty jobs. It was funny how they judged others when they tried to kill their own soldiers who were carrying out a mission. It was like a dog rubbed in s****, accusing a dog rubbed in fleas.
Thats right. Davis will do the rest as long as you open the route for him.
His crumpled expression smoothed out.
Interfering will be a problem, but I can help with that much.
Ariba disappeared off somewhere with a telephone in hand. It was a coded message, which made it hard to understand. A small smile graced Aribas face as the call ended.
Boss Bonipas said hed talk with the CIAs executive director, himself. Is there anything else you need? I received an order from the headquarters to complete anything tasked as long as its within reason.
No. Im leaving for NDjamena tomorrow. Tell Geofrey in George Island that Black Mamba sends his regards.
Regards?
Ariba flinched. The Kanmas regardsthat was basically asking him to wait with his neck stuck out. Recently, Geofrey had been unable to eat, traumatized by fear.
Ariba realized that Black Mambas tenacity was the true cause of fear. Hed burned Miguel to death in the middle of the Alps mountains and had brutally murdered colonel Tanshe by infiltrating the airborne regiment.
There was a rumor spreading around the intelligence headquarters involving Black Mamba. Once you get on his bad side, youre as good as dead. Hearing the guys words made it sound as though he knew the connection between the DGSE and Geofrey. Chills ran down his back.
Right. I will.
Sorry, Geofrey. It seems like the strategic division cant protect you any longer.
Ariba felt sorry. Unlike Miguel, he thought highly of the traditional HUMINT work. The basis of HUMINT was trust between superiors and subordinates. Trusting that ones intelligence agency would shield ones identity stopped the agents from betraying.
All Geofrey had done was to work with the DGSE. He had made a smokescreen that involved Etang, but everything had gone south due to colonel Philips rushed work.
Geofrey had already entered Black Mambas shooting range. They had to protect a helper until their last breath, but with Black Mamba as their opponent, it was better to give up. The entire intelligence department would be met with a disaster if they tried.
He wouldnt be able to contact the CIA if hes being tracked by the clean up team. Tell the Davis guy to contact this number after a week.
Ariba wrote down a number on a piece of paper and handed it over.
Send Bonipas my thanks. Ill forget all ill feelings from this moment onwards.
Thank you. The ministers diarrhea and headache will finally be solved.
Aribas face brightened. The upper levels of the DGSE hadnt been able to relax at all, due to Black Mamba. It was a common understanding that Black Mamba was an uncontrollable predator. It would be a great loss if Black Mamba, who was valued as a national treasure, went against them.
Ive only let go of some past grudges. Ill be cutting off necks, next, without warning.
How terrifying. Well prepare a Hercules for NDjamena, in return.
My, even the electricity fees!
Black Mamba was truly surprised. He hadnt expected them to pay for the electricity.
This is Monsieur Bonipas and my sincerity.
Ariba pushed over a thick envelope. Black Mamba, who received it, smiled in satisfaction.
You two know how to connect with people.
The minister said that fights disappear when gold clinks.
Ariba smiled sourly. He recalled his bosss words, which were to give everything down to ones clothes when its time to give. Black Mamba was a fierce predator. He had to be given many feeds to be silenced.
Viva France! Black Mamba suddenly shouted a cheer.
Trips to Africa were always a problem. There werent direct flights, and the planes movements were always loose. He was grateful to those who had prepared a flight for him, on top of the electricity fees. France was a grateful nation.
Ariba was confused by the sudden shout. It was said that talented people had psycho tendencies, and Black Mamba was as hard to grasp.
Viva France! Ariba shouted with a tortured expression.
Edel, check how much is in there.
Black Mamba handed the envelope to Edel. Edels eyes grew wide upon seeing its contents.
My god, 300,000 francs! There would still be some left for you, Black, even if you take a trip around the world with a woman.
You can take a cruise vacation if you want, Edel.
Hmph, its not as if youll go with me anyway. Whats the point of going on a trip by myself?
You can meet a gentleman.
Tsk tsk, those overconfident ones?
Edel snorted as though it was a chore. All the men in the world were scarecrows compared to Black Mamba.
Its enough for everyone if you take 100,000 francs each.
Their mouths dropped open. This was too great a gesture. Sun WooHyuns mouth split open. The master had allocated 100,000 francs for their vacation. A big rice cake was bound to give more droppings.
Wakil, the sum is too great.
Theres nothing like too much, theres only big happenings. You figure it out, Ombuti. You can use it to invest or drink yourselves to death. Whatever!
Wakil can use it for your trip home.
Keke, theres a lot of b*stards who can give me that fee. Lets see how much Philip throws up. Kekeke!
Black Mamba laughed like a gangster.
Lackey, you have something else to do.
Whatever you say, Wakil. I can bring you the presidents head.
Sun WooHyuns loyalty and confidence reached the skies.
Nonsense, why would you take the neck of a president whos staying still? Im heading to NDjamena tomorrow after tidying up some things here. Ill be reporting to Philip, then leaving for Korea.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Those who were sly were more prone to moments of idiocy.
Wakil, do we need to be separated for three months? Ombuti asked in fear.
There was nothing like his expression. It looked like a girlfriend was sending off her boyfriend to the Korean Army Training Center.
Theres a lot to do. Lackey, you should dig into governor Kuera first. He smells rotten. Investigate the Samaria farm case seriously and report.
Okay.
Dont kill that Nick b*stard.
I wont kill him.
Dont touch a hair on him. If hes the one behind Monsieur Coltons death, Ill hang him on the cross myself. A betrayer has to be judged by Allah.
For a moment, Black Mambas craze for blood could be seen by the light pink hue in his eyes. Memories of his uncle who had tried all kinds of tricks to steal his brothers strip of land and his aunt who had shoved her cousin into s*** flickered before his eyes.
Hehe, I wonder if theyre fine? Yes, they must be living very well.
Black Mamba smiled eerily.
The military hospital workers of Val-de-Grace erupted into cheers on the morning of the second day. The VVIP guest on the seventh floor had finally left. Theyd been suffering from all kinds of discomfort due to the unknown guest.
They had to go through four check procedures for one bag of laundry. They had to do a little leg work every time they moved to departments C and D of the seventh floor since department B was blocked. Their underground fitness center entry had also been restricted. Most of all, the men in black had been thorns in their necks.
VVIP was bound to impose on normal people whether they wanted to or not. That was why careful actions and higher morals were demanded of them. Of course, reality was a s***hole.
Creaaaak
The Hercules lowered its great body. Except, it had been an extremely inefficient flight of over 10,000 kilometers with four people on board.
The three Gazelle, which had been waiting on the runway, each headed to their respective destination. Black Mamba towards the base by Shari lake and Sun WooHyun, beside Oriental. Ombuti and Edel were on the Gazelle with extra fuel.
The call name Black Mamba submerged by the end of the Chad mission. All there was left was a normal second class private mercenary called Park. Black Mambas return to the base was arranged in secret.
The only person who had returned to camp amongst the Ratel team members was Black Mamba. Everyone else had left for their vacations. Even after their vacation, nobody returned. Captain Paul left for Djibouti while Emil left for the Aubagne headquarters. Bellman and Jang Shin were retiring.
Oh, Park!
Pieff, who had received the commandant position, greeted him in front of the headquarters regiment with wide arms. The badge drew Black Mambas attention. He raised his eyebrows.
Crack
Agh!
His greeting was returned with a punch. Pieff, who had his chin punched in by a palm as hard as iron, rolled onto the ground like a fallen leaf.
There were plenty of reasons for the beating. Pieff had been the one to recommend a small group of snipers. Pieff had been the one to choose the members. Pieff had also become baggage for jumping into a rescue mission without a plan.
It was unjust in Pieffs perspective. He had received Pauls advice to bribe Black Mamba the moment he arrived. His chin had been shattered even before he could produce the envelope in his pocket.
The mercenaries, surprised by Black Mambas unhesitant handiwork, stared on.
Pieff, I didnt shatter your brain because youre my direct commander. Ill let go of all ill feelings with this.
Of course, Pieff, who was blinded and deafened, couldnt reply.
What are you doing? Move him to the medical office.
The crack in his scream caused the mercenaries to run over, moving Pieff away.
Huh! That b*stards the flying viper.
His temperament had turned worse after the mission.
A few mercenaries who recognized Black Mamba began to whisper.
Beeep
Bam bam bam
Veteran officer Charcosi, who was contacted, appeared like lightning. A veteran unit rushed at Black Mamba with vigor, in gunpoint position.
Stop!
The sound of thunder reflected the ground. The mercenaries covered their ears and most tilted, losing their balance.
Stop, Charcosi you f****** idiot, do you want to kill all the kids!
Lieutenant colonel Louis ran out of the tent blue-faced, as though he was rolling.
Lets go in. The major general is awaiting you.
Major general?
Black Mamba glared at lieutenant colonel Louis. Louis, on the receiving end of his sharp glare, stumbled back with a flinch.
Hoo, its terrifying. Was he the same guy that had left for the Sahel?
Louis wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand.
Oh!
Quick on his feet, lieutenant colonel Louis ruan back into the tent.
A party soldier came out a beat later.
Act! The commander is awaiting you.
Armang, its noisy outside.
He wasnt asking because he didnt know. Officer Armang looked pitifully at Philip. Philip looked very nervous.
Crash
The door was banged open. Lieutenant colonel Louis ran in.
Its Black Mamba. Pieff was taken out by a single blow. Hes being carried to the doctors office.
Chapter 183 - Episode 6: Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
To Pieff? That damned b*stard, it seems like hes been possessed by a ghost as Paul has warned. Weve prepared large meat, so theres nothing to worry about.
Unlike his grand words, Pieffs face had frozen hard. Legion Etranger had a strong military thanks to its freedom. There hadnt been an incident where a mercenary attacked a direct regiment commander since its founding. The predator which couldnt be leashed by proprieties was Black Mamba.
Pieff, especially, had jumped into the Sahel to save them. This meant that Black Mambas anger was beyond his imagination.
Louis panicked. He had clearly seen Pieff being carried out, covered in blood. He was a scary guy who bashed people right before one could present a gift. Nothing could prevent Philip from suffering the same thing.
Look, Armang, wheres the colonel uniform that the major general wore before?
Its in the storage room.
Good. Change him into that now.
Armang immediately understood. He had been told that Black Mamba had strong attachments to his companions. There was a high possibility that the shining field of stars would make Black Mamba angrier.
The major general nameplate was immediately moved into the desk, and the major general flag was shoved to a corner. Philip took off his major general uniform with a rotten face and changed into the colonel uniform.
A duck would have laughed if it heard that a general feared a single mercenary, but the story took a different turn when the subject was the Angel of Death. The number 1,996 wasnt that of duck or chicken heads but humans.
He was the undefeatable nightmare of wars, the reincarnation of Kanma. Even a general was nothing but a weak, average person before a devil who ended peoples lives with ease.
General, forget about Black Mambas age or rank. You cant make any mistakes. You need to understand that this isnt Black Mamba but the Ange de la Mort[1]. Bonipas, whos known to be colder than a snake, shook in fear because of that monster. You need to think hard about why the DGSE had changed his nickname to Ange de la Mort.
Philip was annoyed by lieutenant colonel Louis long-winded scolding. The sight of all the officers sweating in fear was ironic.
I know, I get it. Hes the monster who chased lieutenant general Dimanche, the strategist advisor, and the Airborne Regiment to the Sahel. I should lower my head since Im a foot lower than them. What else?
Philip needed the cigar that he had abstained from, very desperately. He looked all over his desk but couldnt find a pipe.
Tanshe and Miguels legendary deaths were the reason why the DGSE had changed his nickname to Ange de la Mort. There wasnt any evidence that Black Mamba, who was hospitalized in Paris Val-de-Grace hospital, had killed them. It was impossible considering the time and distance that were concluded.
The DGSE and those involved were certain that Black Mamba had planned the revenge kills based on circumstances. On paper, he was their subordinate, but in reality, he was a nightmare.
He wanted to flee if possible, but he couldnt avoid a report from a war hero. However, as Paul had said, he didnt want to live with a chill across his lower head either.
Theres a Korean saying that went, if youre going to get hit, its better to get it done and over with. You need to enjoy it, if you cant avoid it, Philip murmured listlessly.
Philip was nervous and clearly not enjoying the situation. He couldnt even remember that hed thrown away his pipe after declaring abstinence from smoking.
Knock knock knock
Hm!
Philip was startled by the knock on his door. It was a song that lured the soul of the devil.
I did all that I could. That guys my subordinate for goodness sake.
Philip gathered all the strength in his lower stomach and shouted from between his teeth.
Enter!
Black Mamba, who saw him in the colonel uniform, smiled slightly.
Hes wrung scared. I should start shaking him.
Act!
Ugh!
The entire office shook at his salute. The commanders stick fell out of Philips hand from the shock.
The b*stards giving a scare from the get-go.
The smell of blood came from a sharp, raised blade. Goosebumps traveled across his skin before a piercing, prickling feeling spread. His body was suppressed, and he even felt dizzy. Cold sweats broke out across Philips forehead.
Clack
Quick-witted, Armang placed a shield by setting down tea on the table.
Youve worked hard, Black Mamba.
Shut up, you weakling.
Hup!
At the fierce warning and gaze, Armang immediately closed his mouth. The position of a subordinate, who had to be kicked around by Paul and cursed at by mercenaries, wasnt easy either.
Rerest!
Philip looked at Black Mamba carefully. A darkened face with a white cross scar engraved on his cheek gathered his attention. He was too scared to look at Black Mambas flashing eyes.
Philip tried his best to maintain his pride. His opponent was Black Mamba, but he was a mercenary. A duck would laugh its liver out if it heard a rumor about a general being squished, in fear of a mercenary.
Have you recovered from your injuries?
I was able to clean out the trash without any problem.
Thats a relief. There were many concerns.
Concerns, huh?
Eyes as cold as ice dug into Philips eyes. Philip suddenly wanted to go to the bathroom.
Come now, sit. Ive heard enough of your achievements from Paul. I was inspired by your heroic actions.
Its due to good support. I could only save four and had to bury six in the desert. Its due to my lack of ability.
Black Mamba accented the words support, six, and lack of ability.
Ugh, this b*stards coming on strong.
Philip grew nervous. The guy had a strong grudge just like Paul had said. He was talking in place of his dead comrades and had blamed the failure of providing support on Philip.
Youve saved four from hell because youre Black Mamba. I find myself pathetic to simply apologize.
Hmph, you want to get away with just an apology? No way. Black Mambas face hardened.
I heard something from Captain Paul.
Philips face froze.
What? What did you hear?
Black Mamba finished his tea and tightly held the teacup.
Crack
Philip and Armangs eyes grew wide. The China bone had shattered. The pieces of chinaware scattered on the table. Philip flinched with every noise it made.
Can chinaware be shattered with a single grasp?
Philips gaze shook unstably.
Eh, this is the problem with Chinese products, Black Mamba raised his fist as he complained.
The worth of my dead comrades and mine!
Philips face grew yellow.
Look, didnt Pieff walk away with just one? he gasped.
Pieff is just a major. General, lets end this like men. Seven hits!
Damn b*stard, why is my rank an issue when Im about to be beaten to death!
Philip found it unfair. His eyes went from Black Mambas fist to the pieces of chinaware scattered across the table.
At this age, are you telling me to die from your beatings? Bonipas has walked away without any problem, Philip complained, throwing all his pride aside.
Bonipas has also gifted me many things.
Ah, f*** it, that f****** bastard!
Armang, who had been listening, grabbed the back of his neck. The threat was like a gangsters, demanding a gift upfront.
I worked on Bonipas gift! I convinced the military and government officials until I lost my hair.
I dont find that commendable. Its weak compared to what the Ratel team had pulled off.
This b*stards just like the mafia. Would I be able to reassure him with the gift that I prepared?
Philip fell into a conundrum. He kept thinking that the bag he had prepared was too small. A bomb dropped while he was hesitating.
Im going to retire and go back to Korea.
Philip flew to his feet at the announcement.
No! Why?
I saw too much blood. I dont like blood anymore.
Black Mamba also gave an ultimatum. He didnt have a single thought of being discharged. There was no reason to give up such a good job.
No, no, never a discharge! Philip refused strongly.
He could never accept that. Black Mamba was a national treasure, a presence that was worth one military unit.
Leaving aside Frances internal problems, their international problems were causing them a headache. They were constantly pushing themselves to maintain the control that they previously had over Africa. The uses for Black Mamba were endless.
Additionally, Black Mambas presence alone had raised Legion Etrangers position within the military. He was basically the goose that laid golden eggs, no, the cheat key of treatments for all diseases.
Philip looked at the golden goose that was trying to escape its cage. Retirement was never going to happen. However, he couldnt forcibly stop his retirement either. All of his teeth would be pulled out if he offered a five-year mandatory service. The only solution was to give him an explosive gift.
Black, why did you choose to be a mercenary?
Philip slowly and craftily laid out a net.
I was pushed out by modern society.
I dont understand. Is Korea such an amazing country that a talented man like you is ignored?
An eagles chick without feathers can still be eaten by a crow.
Are you saying that you became a mercenary because of someone else? What are you planning to do from now on?
Im going to live a free life that is undeterred by anything.
A free life! Lets figure out a way. Wait outside for a moment while I negotiate with the associated countries.
Act!
Mu Ssang saluted and left the office.
It was only then that Philip took a deep breath. Hed been suppressing his breath the entire time.
Commander, the gift weve prepared is enough. What other gifts are you planning on giving?
Louis, thats the reason why you couldnt advance through the ranks. A gift that cant move a person isnt a gift. In Korea, they call that polite skin. Do you think Black Mambas someone who wears polite skin?
He was right. Black Mamba was someone who had to be impressed. Stars werent given for no reason. Louis rotten face crumpled without a word of complaint.
Hehe, his head should be aching since I started on strong.
Black Mamba leisurely enjoyed his coffee in the waiting room. The atmosphere was filled with fear after he had crushed Pieffs chin. It was a method he had learned from the gang he had bashed up in Dae-gus Chilseong market. It was unfair but effective. He was rather expectant of Philips gift.
Armang called him 30 minutes later.
Im going to make an offer first. You can become an officer since youve gained a French nationality. Give up your Korean citizenship.
Give it up?
Yes. France has decided to give you a rank. According to the law, a dual-citizenship bearer cant become an officer.
Ha!
He breathed out. A private could easily become a colonel with just a word of forfeit. There was a difference in treatment between the French and Korean colonels, even if they were of the same rank.
Give up my citizenship?
Korea had been a place that had brought him pain and tears, with nothing received in return. A Korean citizenship could be thrown to the dogs. France had been graceful since he was acknowledged! If he became a colonel, it could be of great help to the project that he was planning.
Im not going to give up my nationality.
An opposite answer that differed completely from his thoughts leaped out of his mouth.
What did I just say?
Black Mamba wanted to punch his mouth. His mouth had moved on its own, rebelling against his brains control.
Dude, offer it again!
As he internally cried bloody tears, Armang began to whisper into Philips ears. Philip looked disappointed.
General, Black Mamba is a mercenary with strong morals and loyalty. Asking him to give up his citizenship might turn his mood sour.
Right. Such a person would have a greater pride. This was my mistake.
The whispers came to him like a stereo.
Its not a mistake! That b*stards stating all the wrong facts. Offer it to me again! Black Mamba cried internally, but the bus had already left its station.
Sorry. I was thinking from my perspective. I wont mention a nationality change again. I have a second proposal, however.
A second proposal?
Well, I can explain after I get the necessary files.
Armang handed Philip the typed out files.
Philip opened them and began reading.
Words that made Black Mambas jaw hang open poured out of Philips mouth.
Did that man get high from the daylight?
Black Mamba looked at Philip with stilted eyes.
[1] Angel of Death.
Chapter 184 - Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
He had the passionate eyes of someone who wished to give. Those werent the eyes of someone high on drugs. Drugs! He recalled the time when he had worked at the night BOSS as a newbie waiter.
The prostitutes focus on the room sofa had been blurry after drinking bottles of Philopon. She was long gone and unaware that her skirt had flipped open, revealing her dark forest.
Hed slapped a crazy b*stard lost in dirty doings back to his senses and dragged him to Mt. Chung Saeng. He crossed paths with his teacher when he was digging a hole in the ground for a live burial.
Like a dog on its worst day, hed cried after being beaten by his thin teacher. His teacher had turned a monster who had lost his will and self-control back into a human! She was an evil woman that he couldnt forgive.
I only broke a few of her bones, so she should be living well. Yes, she should be.
Griit
The thought of Hwa Ja made him grit his teeth while releasing a sound dimensional energy. Bloodlust gathered in his sharp-edged eyes.
Philip misunderstood.
Wow, look at this b*stard. Hes conveying his words with a gaze. I should finish this up before he says anything troublesome.
Philip took out his last hidden card. It was the main explosive hed prepared in consideration of Black Mambas personality.
In fact, youll be a freelancer from today onwards. France has decided to give you freedom.
Freelancer?
What dog-s*** is this? Black Mamba repeated the question in surprise.
Ah, its not a freelancer. We cant humiliate Black Mamba by calling him a freelancer, can we? The title Mercenaire de la Justice[1] should be right.
Black Mamba stared at Philip, who was drumming and beating the chimes all by himself. Freelancers were free lancers. A word originating from mid-century Europe, it referred to mercenaries who earned money by moving from one battlefield to another. It could be considered humiliating.
I dont care what its called. Are you saying that I dont need to live in the barracks?
It is up to you whether you want to stay in South Korea or take a trip around the world. Your office will be prepared in the Special Integrated Command Post, but its for the public to blindside them. Whod control Ange de la Mort? Theres no reason for you to live in the barracks, Philip said refreshingly.
Jeeze, what is all this? Its a shower of flowers.
Philip was basically telling him to play around in the flower field while leaving behind traces of his existence in the French military. He nearly hummed.
He could finally return to his hometown. He wanted to return quickly and get his bloodied heart washed off with his masters help. Black Mamba tried his best to control his brightened expression and grin.
France is truly a charitable country for rewarding me with an expensive salary when Im playing around and eating, he mocked, hiding his true feelings.
He was trying to control his expression.
France is a truly democratic country. It cant do anything demeaning, can it?
Of course. I wouldnt expect less from a country that scrapes womens wallets with pieces of rocks and brand names engraved into pieces of cloth.
Black Mamba kept his sarcastic tone, but Philip laughed it over.
Hahaha! All the money in the world is earned by men, and all the money in the world is spent by women. Of course, they target females. You should understand the notion of spending your retirement days in peace.
Major general Philip started speaking nonsense after finding his peace. A strong warm breeze washed over the place. Armang, who had been crumpled in a corner, brought out additional tea.
All you need to do is join a specially assigned mission as requested by the country. In a sense, you will receive the treatment of a colonel in the status of a major.
Hm!
You will be given a special diplomatic status to act freely in Korea. Is that too many positions for you?
Black Mambas expression grew softer. He was at a loss for words from the continuous flow of rewards. It had exceeded the benefits he was expecting to gain.
A diplomat?
Yes. A missive will arrive soon from the Foreign Services Department. It seems like your position in Korea isnt that good. All we have to do is prepare a loose position at the United States Embassy. A cultural counselor or military attach position should do.
Youve even dug through my past as a convict.
Of course. Youre a precious treasure to France. Your value is higher than the Clemenceau carriers. We even confirmed the fact that you were wrongly accused of a crime that had been crafted to defame you. In our case, wed like to thank Korea since theyve chased you out of the country. Weve considered your circumstances. If you wish to continue living in Korea, the status of a diplomat is a solution.
Hm! To that degree
It was impressive. His own country had labeled him a convict by accusing him of a crime while France was doing all kinds of things, like making him a diplomat.
What about Korea?
They would have handed him a few coins emphasizing patriotism and used him for all kinds of dirty work.
What if he died during one of those missions?
They would have considered him less than a dog. The spies of North Korea was a representative example. On top of that, the United States Embassy meant the military department backed him up. That could easily take off a wifes underwear. He gritted his teeth.
I have one last small gift.
Another gift!
Black Mambas head swirled.
Armang!
Armang handed the envelope to Philip.
Its your vacation fee.
Black Mambas eyes grew wide upon seeing the amount. 500,000 francs wasnt an amount that a mere general could offer. He refused for the first time.
This is too much for vacation money.
France has gained an unimaginable military and diplomatic advantage from the success of the Chad mission. If a king had been in rule, you would have been honored with lands and awarded the position of a noblesse dpe. This is the money spun voluntarily by the promoted upper brass members and government officials.
It sounds like threats were involved there
Including myself, were humans who eat fruits without doing anything. Weve been playing and eating around thanks to you, so of course, we should offer you vacation money. I also struggled in the jungles of the Indochina peninsula during the first few years as an officer. The 44 days you spent in the Sahel must be beyond whatever I can imagine. I will no longer make childish excuses. Thank you, and Im sorry. I hope you can rest well and shake off the dirt youve accumulated.
Tears started welling up in Philips eyes.
Thank you.
Black Mamba expressed his gratitude with sincerity. General Philips brain waves were rough, not chaotic. He could feel the mans sincerity. He was a man worthy of being a general. Black Mamba, who was pleased, opened his mouth to thank him once more.
HmGeneral!
Philip waved his hand. Experienced, he quickly wrapped up the situation.
Its fine. A little lacking but be understanding, wont you? We should prepare a new contract. Hey, officer!
When he finished signing the rushed contract, Philip handed him a sealed envelope.
Theres a 10 digit passcode in the envelope. Make sure you memorize it before destroying. You will be connected to a DGSE member-in-charge if you press the code on any phone. What youre lacking is experience. Ill fill that space up. You can fall if you keep walking while looking behind you. Forget about the past, and lets work together.
Agreed.
The head of Africas DGSE division is waiting for you. He should have prepared another gift for you, or should I say a net that binds you! A sad smile landed on Philips face.
Act!
When Black Mamba disappeared, the charisma of a general disappeared like ice melting in the sun. Philip raised both of his hands and cried out.
Hurrah! Ive impressed him!
Philip shook off all the nerves and fear which had been pressing on him like a rock. He had avoided a horrifying beating, and he no longer had to live with a tickling neck. On top of that, a strategic weapon whose value couldnt be measured had embraced his hands. It also came cheap.
General, about the special military advisors position, wouldnt that be a problem?
All the other clauses that were gifted to Black Mamba had already been negotiated with the following departments. However, a position like the special military advisor didnt exist anywhere in the military, since Philip had made it up just now. The fact that only three people could order him around was even more astounding.
Wouldnt a special call name status be enough? Armang similarly asked the commander.
Do I look like an idiot? You guys still dont understand Black Mamba. That friend wants to live his life as quietly as possible. Hes not a friend whod abuse his power. Neither is he a small person who grows attached to his position. Hes an uncontrollable predator. Even the most ferocious predator is bound to follow a trainer who truly cares for him. The special military advisor is a soft chain that binds Black Mambas heart to France.
Ah!
Louis and Armang exclaimed a moment too late as they finally understood his intentions.
Wont there be a problem with the Department of Defense and the Department of Interior?
Black Mambas a warrior who had received the title of Grand Officier. Ill have to wage a cold war for a while. Im sure everyone would sign the paper. If theyre stubborn about it, all I need to do is scare them about buying Black Mambas hostility.
Louis and Armang nodded. Unlike his gentleman-like aura, Philip was a quick thinker. A star wasnt meant for everyone, after all.
Hehe, not even those Chin-duck, whos known to be born as businessmen, would negotiate better than me.
Philip felt proud. Most importantly, hed rid the knot in Black Mambas heart. The advantages hed given Black Mamba was nothing compared to the national gains. It was like gaining 1,000,000 profits with a single dollar. He nearly hummed.
Armang, send the French Korean embassy a bouquet. Write Thank you for sending us a talent in big letters! Hahahaha!
Black Mambas emotion was similarly buoyant to major general Philips.
Well, theyre spoon-feeding me, so theres no reason to refuse.
Black Mamba grabbed his spinning head and left the tent.
A major was the greatest rank for warrant officers. There was a difference of six ranks between a corporal and a major. A call name didnt have much meaning, but hed skipped over six ranks. On top of that, he would be treated like a colonel.
A major was different compared to a Korean command sergeant major and warrant officers. It was the connecting pin between an officer and their subordinates. It also played on the same grounds as government officials and generals. It was a position created to give non-commissioned veteran officers a break since there was nothing to do.
It didnt matter whether he was a commissioned officer or a non-commissioned officer. It was fine as long as he received his salary. He had approached many deaths. The weight of all those lives made him very tired. A loose major was far better than an officer who bore the weight of his subordinates.
Black Mamba wasnt an idiot either. It wasnt as though he didnt know why France was giving him great favors.
Abilities were given by the heavens for us to use.
He didnt mind. He was in a world where one used while others were being used. Each earned their keep by using their own skills, and it was a world where the talented obviously earned more money.
It was better to have more money than not. He could send enough money to maintain the temple and eat suffocatingly expensive dishes without any worries. He could also send educational fees to the Jin Soon siblings.
For someone who spoke of giving away a large amount like 50,000,000 francs for Africas refugee aid funds, Black Mamba was ungenerous towards himself. A person didnt change easily.
Why couldnt I give up my Korean nationality?
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldnt figure out the reason. His country, which he loved but couldnt seem to like! It was Black Mambas, no, Mu Ssangs dilemma.
On the second day, Black Mamba took the Hercules and flew to the headquarters in Aubagne. He tilted his head upon receiving his ID at the Ministry of Personnel Management.
Conseiller de Militaire spcial[2] was written on his occupation line. Major general Philip had said there was an office in the Special Integrated Command Post, but he didnt listen, nor had he heard of it.
Adjudant[3], what is a special military advisor?
I dont know either. The counterintelligence department will explain it to you.
There was no way for the officers of the Ministry of Personnel Management to know about a position that Philip had made up.
Corporal, assist the advisor to the counterintelligence department!
The officer, around his mid-50s, shouted as though he was annoyed. It seemed as though he didnt like the fact that such a young man had become a major.
Black Mamba frowned when he entered the counterintelligence department of Aubagne headquarters. The small room was filled with the smell of smoke. A man, who had been sitting cross-legged on the chair, stood up.
With a straight suit and ironed pants, a Cartier watch, Goyard handbag, and Gigliotti shoes, he was dressed like a stereotypical Bobo.
Ange de la Mort, its a pleasure to meet you. Im Valvoue.
Black Mamba only nodded.
Ange de la Mort, you must first promise to sign the secrecy documents.
Horrifying words filled every paper. There were clauses of confidentiality and a list of punishments that followed with the release of confidentiality. Mu Ssang glanced at the documents before tossing it aside.
Why do I need to sign these? Also, dont call me Ange de la Mort.
Valvoues eyebrows moved.
The intelligence department has registered your name as Ange de la Mort. You are a special case for the DGSE and Department of Defense. Youre a person of high security. On the surface, you are a lower-ranking officer of Deuxieme Rep sent to the Department of Defense. The special military advisor position is a cover for your existence as the call name, Black Mamba. To be specific, youre a special agent under the Department of Defense whos being cared for by the DGSE. You will be educated on confidentiality handling for the next three days.
So, on average, Ill be receiving the salary of a major from Legion Etranger. I will also be receiving the salary of a special military advisor from the Department of Defense for just playing around. If the government requests, Ill be a special agent with the call name Black Mamba. Am I right?
Mu Ssang understood what Philip had said about receiving twice the salary of a major. Aside from the white-washing of his identity, the special military advisor position was made to balance out his salary.
Ange de la Mort, youre rather smart. Will you sign now?
[1] Mercenary of Justice.
[2] Special military advisor.
[3] Chief executive officer.
Chapter 185 - Episode 8: Major General Philip Impresses Black Mamba
I told you not to call me Ange de la Mort. If you punks hadnt betrayed us, I wouldnt have been called that in the first place. Ive already killed 2,000 men. What would change if I killed one more?
Menace emanated from Black Mambas body. I hate him. This was the person who used men out in the field like chess pieces, sitting comfortably while plotting at his desk.
Valvoue was the first DGSE director who had seen and done everything before. As the first counterintelligence government official, he was in charge of protecting the identities of important individuals. The acting administrative team was always at the higher rungs of the hierarchy.
Used to being the top dog, Black Mambas threatening nature didnt really scare him. He just thought of him as a yellow man who was good at shooting. The third time was the limit for Black Mamba. Valvoue had already called him Ange de la Mort a fourth time.
A full tiger was forgiving. However, Black Mamba was not one to hold back for the fifth time. Not only did Valvoue pull the whiskers of the tiger, but he had also made a big mistake by poking his fingers into its nostril.
Ange de la Mort, you
Thud
Black Mamba, who had been sitting on the other side of the table, stretched out his foot and slammed it onto Valvoues cheek. With an accuracy of a whip, it avoided all the obstacles laid out on the tabletop and hit its target.
Ack!
With the footprint stamped onto his cheek, Valvoue rolled his way towards the wall at the back of the room. A couple of his teeth that had fallen out were glistening as it reflected the light.
This son of a b**** just wont listen. I dont even like being called Black Mamba, but you call me Ange de la Mort.
There was always someone in the organization that called for a beating. Hes so used to bossing others around, thinking that hes higher than the sky like those Korean politicians.
Fuck, ke omba![1]
Valvoue pulled out a gun from his holster.
Ha!
Black Mamba was flabbergasted. He dared to pull out a gun at the special call name, Ange de la Mort?
This meant that the communication inside the DGSE was disastrous. Either that or this punk was seriously stupid.
Swish
The teaspoon that Black Mamba had been holding left his hand. Like a drop of rain, it penetrated Valvoues wrist.
Bang
A shot went off. Unfortunately, it went off in Black Mambas direction.
Clang
Crack
Black Mamba used the coffee cup saucer to block the oncoming bullet. The saucer shattered after it got hit.
Ack!
He screamed after one tempo. Valvoue grabbed his wrist and rolled on the ground. His eyes had rolled back, revealing only his whites. Black Mamba picked up the last coffee cup.
Youve removed from your seat now, havent you? You cant say anything if you die now.
Usually, Black Mamba didnt resort to using his hands, but when he did, he saw it to the end.
Clang
A thin-looking doll slammed the door open as he ran in.
Black, wait, wait!
Black Mamba glanced back.
It was the head of the Africa division, Ariba. Ariba quickly checked on Valvoues status. His cheekbones were shattered, and his gums broken. A thick spoon was sticking out of his wrist. Ariba doubted that he could ever fully recover from it.
Oh no, Im too late.
No, youre early. I havent killed him yet.
Black Mamba put down the coffee cup that he had been holding in his hand. Ariba nodded his head. From his judgment, Black Mamba was an immensely dangerous entity. He had learned enough from what had happened to colonel Tanshe and director Miguel.
Hes lost one of his wrists. Should I be relieved that hes not dead yet? Ariba muttered.
Having pulled out a gun at Black Mamba, Valvoue was blessed to still be alive. Ariba called in an agent and kicked Valvoue out.
Whats with bringing that idiot here?
Hes more of a pain than Landre.
Black Mamba kept his mouth shut. There was always one person in an organization that caused trouble. If the troublemaker was associated with someone in power, he would usually cling onto the organization to get a piece of that power.
Next, the troublemaker would cause havoc to the rest of the members of the organization. The responsibility fell on the organization. For a public organization, the damage went straight to the citizens. Its something he had seen happen too many times in Korea.
Black Mambas face turned cold. His blade-like eyes stabbed at Ariba. A government that knew the extent of his skills would have no reason to hand him a contract listing all these legal obligations and clauses. Valvoues extensive threat was beyond logic too.
Instinctively, if he had some sense, he would have figured it out. He could gain no affection for these punks. Compared to these punks, colonel Philip was stubborn. At least, he had loyalty and comradeship.
Ariba, I dont like to be tested.
What do you mean?
Swoosh
The air inside suddenly wavered. The restricted resonance pushed the air surrounding Aribas face. The entire time he had been at Val-de-Grace hospital, he had trained his resonance control. It had reached a point where he could block the air when in close contact.
Ah! What is this?
Ariba screamed. He couldnt breathe. It felt like he was submerged in water.
Kuck, kuck!
Aribas face turned blue instantly. His lungs could not take in air, and he started to hyperventilate. If this continued for two minutes, the brain cells would start to die.
Ariba, do you think I wouldnt know? What did you hope to achieve from sending an idiot here to test me?
Kuck, it was curiosity. Spare me!
Tsk, did the DGSE mess with your employees DNA or did they only hire those with problems? Why are all of you so suspicious?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. These punks would be suspicious of their own deaths.
Please dont kill me. Kuck!
Aribas eyes rolled to the back of his head.
Im disgusted by you, but Ill let you live for now.
Black Mamba stopped the air blockage and released the resonance. For a moment, the air in the room rippled. Ariba took in deep breaths of the air that he had been robbed off. Black Mamba quickly controlled his breathing too. He had used a large amount of mental and physical energy.
Should I cut off your wrist or your ankle? If I cut it off when youre distracted, it wont hurt as much.
This guy really is Ange de la Morte.
Ariba did his best to retrieve his wandering mind.
You knew about it. My curiosity has gone too far. I apologize.
I dont need your soulless apology. There will be no second chances. Next time, Ill snap your neck.
I understand. I apologize again.
Black Mamba ripped the contract that Valvoue had handed him.
You deaf punk, bring the real contract.
Hoo!
Ariba let out a long, defeated sigh. With shaking hands, he pulled out the contract from an aluminum bag.
The details of the contract were simple.
This was the governments present that colonel Philip had been talking about.
Will the father almighty help you?
He raised his head to the sky. The ceiling made of gypsum board blocked his view. He was disappointed that he couldnt see the blue sky.
No matter how much he thought about it, the governments conditions were too good to be true. It was specifically catered to suit him. The only restriction was that he had to agree to be deployed to any secondary operation. As a soldier, that was already a given.
What is the reason for giving me such a generous offer?
You dont give yourself enough credit. To extract Makumbo, the government had even requested the help of Clemenceau. They had put in an astronomical amount of 10,000,000 francs into the operation. It would have easily ended if they had employed Black Mamba for 20,000 francs instead.
Thats true. Truthfully, it was troublesome because I had to take care of the other comrades. If I had been by myself, I could have finished the operation within a week.
Thats exactly it. Other than the Communist Party of China and the Soviet Union, France is the only other country that utilizes a foreign deployment team. Africa, which France is heavily invested in, has many disputes. Tribal disputes, country disputes, its endless. You are Frances hidden sword. With you, there is no need for us to deploy large armies that will end up being criticized by the masses.
Are you going to use me as a hitman?
Ariba jumped.
Dont be ridiculous. No one is dumb enough to hammer a nail in with a diamond. You are the best joker card we have in our arsenal.
I may have gained French citizenship, but I have no national pride for your country. How could you trust me enough to invest so much in me?
I dont even trust myself, so how could I trust you? We are only realistic and efficient. I wont insist on the idealistic notion of national pride. Pride for your country doesnt just occur by talking about it. When you do your best for the country and get rewarded accordingly for the results, national pride will soon follow without any force. Plus, finding out that you are respected will also instill a sense of national pride. You have the skills that France needs, and France will pay you for the usage of those skills. This is the negotiable source that will maintain our trust with each other.
They say that the intelligence agents are cold-blooded and it must be true. I like it. I get paid a salary even when Im not working and when I am working, I get a large incentive for completing it. Theres no reason for me to refuse this deal.
Mu Ssang signed his name on the contract.
I have a question. I need an explanation on the Special Operations Command Center.
Currently, the Special Operations are composed of the army, airforce, navy, and military police. This organization was made to regulate the combined troops of the Special Operations Force. The first group is the fixed organization, the second group is reinforcements, and the third group is the preliminary organization. Currently, the first group has reached its end. For the second and third groups to reach the fixed state, it will take over 10 years. Black Mamba, you will be an anomaly, but regardless, it will be good for you to know about it.
Ariba marked on the map as he explained.
{@PIC:127306}
The first group is the special force army(BFST), the first fixed navy force(1er RPIMa), 13 fixed units(13e RDP), and four special air force units(4e RHFS). Thats how it is set up. There are a total of 3,800 men. The navy has six commando teams with 600 men each. They are specialists in invasions, explosives, surveillance, sea attacks, sea terror, hostage rescue, and other atomic, biological, and chemical warfare. The air force has 250 commandos, Powtoon passenger plane(C-160 Transall), and special helicopter force(Escadrille spciale dhlicoptres).
Black Mamba was highly interested in the organization of the Special Operations Force. It had already been 30 years since the armistice between North Korea and South Korea. There was enough reason for the Koreans to create a Special Operations Force on their end. Plus, it was information that he could use to create his own black culture team.
How are the two groups organized?
Unfortunately, only the 11eBPs(11e Brigade parachutiste) commandos and engineering regiment are established. Like I said before, creating all this will take over 10 years to establish. The French bureaucracy is the worlds best.
Bureaucracy existed 3,000 years ago too. What is the total number of men right now?
Its fluid. Currently, we have 3,800 army troops, 600 navy, and 400 air force. That makes it a total of 4,800 men.
It just sounds like a fancy Special Operations team, but isnt this the size of a normal brigade? In Korea, their Special Operations Force team has 10,000 men and 30,000 men in the navy.
South Koreans who are on standby against the North Koreans is a special situation. France truthfully has no flagship. 4,800 men for the special forces is not a small number.
Are you telling me to use these men if I need them?
Thats right. You can just press the 10 digit password to notify them. Once you call them, it will be approved. They might be small in number, but their skill and weaponry are top-notch.
Alright. I will do my best for France, who recognizes me.
Welcome. The DGSE will do its best to support you.
Are you going to dig through my personal life in Korea again?
No, no, no! Nothing like that will ever happen.
Aribas expression was full of sincerity. Black Mamba snorted to himself.
You punk, Id rather trust my uncle than trust the DGSE.
Black Mamba had been able to see the true face of the DGSE through the Sahel operation and the aftermath of their return. They stopped at nothing to get what they wanted. Their motto was to achieve their goals no matter what it took.
That wasnt really a big problem. If they got on his nerves, he could kill them later.
After completing the secret freelancer contract between the DGSE and Park Mu Ssang, Black Mambas affiliation with Mu Ssang had disappeared. All that was left was the call name, Black Mamba. Now, he was Major Park.
There was no feast that didnt end. Black Mamba hurriedly took off after leaving major Geofrey trembling in fear. After checking his account at the BNP Paris Bank, he received his checkbook.
Thanks to Landre, he had earned 1,900,000 francs. He had earned 20,182,000 francs from the Raccoon operation and had received 500,000 francs as a gift from colonel Philip. All of that was now sitting in his bank account.
He let Ombuti take care of the 300,000 francs that Bonipas gave him as vacation money. On top of that, he had received an additional 40,000 francs from elsewhere to add to the vacation fund.
His bank account contained 22,622,000 francs. If he multiplied 252 for the franc/won exchange rate, it added up to 5,700,744,000 won. Not only was the bank teller surprised, but he could not believe the amount either.
The Mu Ssang, who had grown up naive in the countryside, no longer existed. No, he was still the country boy, whose hands trembled while buying an egg or a bag of rice.
Black Mamba stared at the 10 digit number. It was an astronomical amount for an individual. However, he still had a long way to go before reaching his intended destination. It was still not enough.
I see. As time is relative, so is money! Whether I have a lot or little money depends on how my heart interprets it.
Black Mamba smiled. Be freed from your greed!
[1] Damned punk, die!
Chapter 186 - Episode 1: Monk Dae Woo
[1st April 1983]
The DC-10 that Mu Ssang was riding entered into the Korean airfield. Funnily enough, it was April Fools day. He had left and returned like the wind.
Mu Ssang stuck his face next to the airplane window. Even the white clouds looked different spread out under the airplanes wings. Through the clouds, he started to see parts of the islands.
Did they call this place Kogunsan-gundo? His eyes became hot without him realizing it. It was a home that he loved but did not like. In the year 81, on November 22, he had left Gimpo Airport. Sixteen months felt like 16 years.
Unlike the DC-10s bad reputation, its heavy body landed softly onto the landing strip. As the plane approached the landing strip apron, an announcement came through the speakers.
Wed like to thank all the passengers for choosing Daehan Airlines. It has been four hours and 15 minutes since airplane 768 has taken off from Singapore.
It was not French, but the familiar sound of his home language. It was not the Sahel that smelled like blood, and it was not France, where he had to endure relentless psychological warfare. It was the land where he had been born and raised.
Memories of the unending sandstorms, the sizzling sun, the buzzing hoard of flies, and the piles of corpses came to his mind. As he was exiting the jetway, he lifted his hands and smelled them. The smell of blood stabbed at his nose. It was a smell that was imprinted into his soul.
Could it be possible for me to live a normal life?
Fear suddenly overtook him.
The airplane has been delayed? We just got on here, what are we going to do?
Mother, we only have to wait for an hour. Lets hurry and leave. Father, lets go.
Alright. Son, we are putting you through so much trouble.
This was probably how a Seoul daughter-in-law felt when she sent her Gyeongsangdo in-laws on vacation. The cadence of the familiar language pushed away his fears.
It was a home full of pain and sighs. Eventually, he couldnt withstand it and had left, so why was his heart fluttering at the sight of it?
This had been the place where his soul and body were made. It was the land where his father was buried, and it was also a place where his mother would be living. That was the reason why he couldnt give up his citizenship.
His heartbeat raced, and his nose felt numb.
Im here. Whats so great about my home country that I am acting this way?
Why was this strong young man tearing up?
It was not a good sight to see. He quickly glanced around at his surroundings. Everyone was busy living their own lives.
What is this?
When Mu Ssang left through the gate, he was confused. Many people were crowding around the baggage carousel. When he had left this place, the airport lobby had been empty. Not even two years had passed, but the busy airport atmosphere felt strange to him.
Five countries had opened up their doors in 1981 for foreign travel. At that time, an average person could not even dream of traveling to a foreign land. It was something unimaginable to those in current times.
On January 1st, 1983, the government created a yearly passport for those over 50 at 2,000,000 won.
At the time, 2,000,000 won was enough to buy a small building in Sillim-Dong. To the poor citizens, it meant that they had to keep quiet and work until their deaths. It was a ridiculous condition, but at that time, it was the norm.
Still, the citizens who had lived their lives suppressed by the dictators dreamt of traveling to foreign countries. The small lobby of Gimpo Airport became a marketplace.
That was also the time when 17 housewives from Busan had brought back the Elephant rice cooker from Shimonoseki. There had also been a newspaper report of an overstock of rice cookers. The wives had started the trend of buying Elephant rice cookers on vacation to bring back home.
At the time, the 1.8-liter Elephant rice cooker cost 13,000 yen, which was equivalent to 39,000 won. They would buy the rice cookers and sell it in their country for 140,000 won. Those housewives had been showcased as nuisances in the Japanese newspapers and had brought heartache to their country.
Mu Ssang was distracted by the crowd of people in the airport lobbya couple walking while holding their childs hands, an old man wearing a bowler hat, a grandmother wearing a hanbok, and a young man and woman standing close to each other. Everyone looked bright and happy.
It was not the red badlands or the churning sandstorms but a place filled with happy-looking people living their lives. It was not depressing Africa but Korea.
He arrived at Seoul station by airport taxi. From the next car, he could hear the loud sounds of an old-time medley.
Even a thatched house is good for me as long as I am with you.
It was a song called With You by Nam Jin. Before he had left for France, it was already famous. A cheap and simple sounding drum beat, a light synthesizer, and a microphone that exaggerated the echoit was the sound of home.
The childish lyrics were well-received by his ears compared to seductive French songs. His roots must have inevitably been those of a Korean. Mu Ssang stood vacantly at the plaza and breathed in the smell of fish cakes, spicy rice cakes, and Korean pancakes. He looked composed on the outside, but inside, he was nothing but a country bumpkin out in the city for the first time.
He was decked in slicked-back short hair, dark Ray-Bans, a fitted suit, and a backpack slung over his back. It was not a style easily seen in Korea.
People passing by glanced over at him from time to time. Sometimes, young women came close to stare at him. If he smiled widely with his teeth showing, all of them would jump in surprise and run away.
His build was no different from when he had left, but the way his eyes looked had changed. Even if he had changed, he couldnt help his inner self. The gleaming eyes of the tiger changed to the calmness of a deep lake. Even if thunder and lightning fell upon him, his eyes remained peaceful.
Those who had been meditating for a long time and had reached enlightenment always had clear peaceful eyes. Mu Ssangs eyes glistened with the deepness of a red sunset. They were the eyes of Azura, which he had gained from murdering numerous people.
Even muggers who made contact would avoid him without pulling any shady tricks. Mu Ssang smiled widely.
You have good instincts.
Now and then, there were always numerous muggers at that station. Even with just his senses, he could anticipate their moves. Not everyone could be a mugger. They didnt even come near Mu Ssang.
He picked up a couple of bottle caps from the plaza.
Swing
The bottle caps flew out, spinning.
Ack!
A young man in his early twenties turned around, holding his wrist. He was the man who had been raising his hand at the old man. A scream erupted three times. All the muggers from the other stations dispersed like low tide.
Those punks are ruining my music. Hahaha!
Mu Ssang chuckled, revealing his white teeth. All the muggers got their wrists broken. It was a sensitive body part made up of eight bones. For about a month, the punks wouldnt be able to lift a finger. In a few months, they would be able to regain normal use of their wrists. However, from then onwards, they wouldnt be able to perform the more delicate functions of hands that were required for stealing. He enjoyed that sort of freedom. This was not the Sahel. You could never know when a bullet was about to hit the back of your head.
The street vendors repertoire had changed.
I sowed my seed in the night you gave me. The first time we met, my heart was only for you, my dandelion.
It was the familiar sound of Jo Yong Pils music. He looked at the album cover using his magnified eyesight. It was Jo Yong Pils new song, My One and Only Dandelion.
In that summer wind, that summer wind, you blew away like the falling leaves.
Devastation fell upon him. Mu Ssang turned to stone as if he was struck by lightning. Until a verse of the song finished, he couldnt move away from the basement entrance.
Ah, Hae Young!
He exclaimed. Yes. As he was being blown around by the summer breeze, she had left to find her own path, like a dandelion. He felt like the leaves that had been flying around the garden had whooshed through his heart.
His heart, which had gotten lighter from catching the muggers, suddenly became lonely. It was filled with the autumn wind. He slowly approached the car.
Edel!
He was not abashed by the ordeal. The thought of Edel slightly pushed Hae Young aside. A woman who continued to follow her path and was as beautiful as a sculpture but realistic and smart. He had almost kissed that woman, mistakenly thinking she was Hae Young.
Oh, what a fool! Im embarrassed to face my father.
Mu Ssang shook his head as he confessed this to Edel.
Sidekick and Ombuti would take good care of her. They had to. La hula!
Even as Azrael Black Mamba, he was still young.
Mu Ssang bought tickets for the train and went to look for the British Embassy.
Oh, how could this be! I have come to see Mu Ssang once again.
Hamilton greeted him like a long lost son. He wrapped his arms around Mu Ssangs shoulders and spun him around.
Uncle, Ive returned safe and sound, thanks to you.
Thanks to me? You look well.
You too look well, Uncle.
Mu Ssang was practically the same age as Hamiltons son. He called him uncle but the two of them were actually friends. Mu Ssang remembered how Hamilton had helped him without expecting anything in return. He could get into the foreign army directly with Hamiltons help.
Hamilton always referred to himself as his lifesaver, but all he did was mess up some thugs, carry him to the hospital, and pay his medical bills. He only did what he felt like doing, and he didnt think much else about it.
In the Saha World, there were many bad people, but there were also many good ones. Thats why he had thought of his teachers words regarding the Saha World. If there were only kind people, then it would be heaven. If there were only bad ones, it would be hell. The Saha World was so interesting because all types of people were living in it.
His teacher was never schooled on it, but he had deeper philosophical thinking compared to anyone else he knew. Sometimes when he casually threw out words, they carried such deep meanings that they became difficult to understand.
Its a present for Hamilton.
Mu Ssang presented him with the silver Walther PPK that he had received from the military headquarters.
Hamilton examined the gun in detail. Suddenly, his expression turned strange.
Mu Ssang, this is not a light gift. This is too much for me to receive.
A present is but a present.
He had picked up over 20 guns in the Sahel. Giving away one wouldnt make the tiniest of a difference. At the polite gesture, Hamilton chuckled.
Hahaha! Do you know or not? This gun is a precious artifact that Hitler had gifted to his generals during World War II. Other than the barrel and internals, the rest of the gun is made entirely of silver. This is a treasure that collectors all over the world will pay good money and get their hands on. If you put it up for auction, it would probably start at 100,000 dollars.
Ack, its one of a kind, the leader killer! The damned colonel, he should have explained it properly to me. What a waste, Mu Ssang thought.
He had thought that it was just a metal item, but it was actually silver. It was also a one-of-a-kind Hitler collectible!
One hundred thousand dollars was equivalent to 400,000 francs. That would be worth 30 years of his salary when he was a private. A million dollars would be worth 300 years of salary.
Acid traveled up his throat.
Hahaha, Hamilton is a gentleman. You have to do at least that much to showcase the quality of a gentleman.
Despite the bloody tears seeping out of his heart, Mu Ssang laughed out loud.
Oh, thank you. Im thankful to you, Mu Ssang, who knows me better than a pistol.
Hamiltons overly chatty reaction looked cheeky in Mu Ssangs eyes. This was why they said ignorance was bliss.
Mu Ssang quickly found a unifying solution. He asked for the fastest ticket to Gumi and got onto the selected seat.
Whew, thats complicated. I hope the car arrives quickly, he thought.
He was getting stressed out by the sweeping crowds of people and tried avoiding the cars. The way people were looking at him made him even more uncomfortable. Some women even snickered at him. He felt like a monkey at a zoo.
Wherever he went, he always seemed to clash with the people in his home country. It was something he had to come to terms with upon returning to a world full of ambitious humans.
Mu Ssang avoided the mountain path, and instead, he headed up the unpaved section. Feeling rushed, he jumped over any obstacles and skipped from one tree to the next.
There were no telephones in Amja. They could send casual letters to a friend asking how they were doing. It would usually take three months to receive since they had no other form of communication. Although his teacher wasnt the type to answer such letters, he still felt extremely worried about him.
Iljumun came into view. He had built it up himself with his clumsy handiwork. He had not been worthy enough to work in Amjas Iljumun, but he had built it quickly without the teachers approval.
A long piece of board in the corner of Iljumun was dangling in the wind. It was a plaque. Mu Ssangs heart dropped. Even if his teacher was strong, he was still 90 years old.
He quickly ran inside. There were no people.
Clink
Clink
Only the sound of the hanging chimes moving in the wind could be heard.
Teacher! Teacher!
He ran up the mountain. The silence that was pressing down on Amja had disappeared. Amja did not answer. His mind felt distant.
Mu Ssangs hands trembled, thinking of the possibility that he had passed. If his teacher wanted to hide, he could block the energy that would have him located. Still, his presence could not be detected with his spatial awareness skill.
Crash
The temple door flung open hard. It almost fell off its hinges.
The temple was minimalistic as always. Not even a single picture of Buddha was present, which was unusual to see in such places. As always, Buddha was falling asleep, and the wooden percussion instrument was resting on the altar. The place where the thin old monk usually sat was now empty.
Mu Ssang put his finger into the water bowl and tasted it. It was fresh. It was water that had not been out for over a day.
Did he go out to the friarhood?
Mu Ssang plopped down on the floor of the big room. His beating heart was calming down. Only then could he hear the sounds of a cuckoo bird echoing throughout the mountain.
How selfish were humans? He had mercilessly ended the lives of hundreds of men, yet he had pleaded for the well-being of his only teacher.
Hm, what have I become?
Mu Ssang frowned.
Chapter 187 - Episode 2: Monk Dae Woo
Its life energy was too weak to be considered an animals but too strong to be considered a bugs. How could he have missed the signal coming from only 10 steps away? It meant his heart had been too chaotic to sense it.
He opened the door and entered. There was no sign of life there. The defecation of wild animals was found in the place where the firewood had been piled up. The stench of the place was overbearing for his nostrils. It seemed like a fire had not been lit up for a long time.
Huh! My goodness, what is that?
Mu Ssangs gaze turned to a corner of the gongyanggan. Two baby raccoons were digging their heads into the ground in an effort to hide. The energy he had sensed had been from them.
He burst out laughing while watching the two fight each other to hide in the ground. It must have been scared by the sudden appearance of a human. Gongyanggan was a much better habitat than the typical mountain cave. The more cunning raccoon attacked its sibling.
It had been over 100 years since humans started using fire. The human digestive system could no longer tolerate raw meat. To live, they needed to go through the mid processes of cooking. If a raccoon was forced to eat its own, then that meant that his teacher either ate raw meat or had given up meat altogether.
What is the old man doing with the money Ive sent him to be living in a place like this?
He wasnt complaining because he didnt know. With that money, he would have paid the enrollment fees for the bodhisattvas who whined that they didnt have enough money, paid for old man Parks medical bills who complained that he couldnt get treatment, and he would have taken the young pregnant women who became single mothers to the hospital. Even without witnessing it, it was obvious.
The problem was his teachers age. Even with regeneration skills, you couldnt fight old age. He had to hold the flower ceremony, but the temple cook seemed to no longer be there.
Hes always the saint. Why do I even bother?
His sympathetic feelings turned into resentment. The people who came to the temple were mostly leeches. They didnt want enlightenment because they were too busy robbing his teachers pockets. He felt sorry for his teacher, who would laugh and willingly give them everything he had. The only person who filled his teachers pocket was himself.
At the gongyanggan, there was a large pot for cooking rice and another for soup. He opened up one of the lids only to find dried up herbs from a leftover soup.
They were radish stems and mugwort. With his sensitive smell, he was also able to pick up hints of perilla powder. It had been at least a month since the herbs were cooked there.
He opened the lid of the other pot. A huge spider sat in the middle of its wide web and stared at him. There were several dead flies stuck on its web.
Huh! Wheres the firewood?
He didnt even see the lumber, which was usually stacked up on the side. Before he had left, he had stacked up three years worth of firewood. All of that had disappeared, and all that was left were wild animals dungs. Did the firewood sprout legs and crawled up the mountain by itself?
Maybe, teacher has passed away, and a leech has taken over the empty temple?
His anxiety slowly spread through his body again.
Tap tap tap
It was the sound of a cane hitting the ground. The sound was low and rhythmic like a resonating howl. Mu Ssang, who had been depressed like an ant who lost its antennae, sprang back up.
His teacher always tapped at the ground with his cane whenever he walked. It was his way to ensure that he didnt kill a single bug.
Its teacher!
Tuwang
A black streak stretched and left through Iljumun. A raging wind raced to the bottom of the mountain.
Ah, Mu has returned. You used your unnatural skills instead of receiving the energy of nature. Tsk tsk, you threw away your basics and forcefully gained your skills. Well, it is what it is. At least you wont go around getting beaten. Hahaha!
The severely thin old man broke into a smile.
Clop clop clop
The old mans footsteps continued without missing a beat.
Mu Ssang cocked his head in confusion even as he was running. He could hear the continuous tapping of the cane, but no footsteps could be heard. The sound was echoing from only 400 meters away. He would be able to see him once he turned the corner.
Now that he thought about it, he could not sense a life force. The cane was walking by itself.
Can this be a spirit!
He was surprised by how little he knew of the immensity of his teachers state in the past. This was the difference between a master and a novice. He had no idea before. He would have never understood his teachers greatness if he had not realized how to summon spatial awareness and resonance in the Sahel. That was why they said the stupid were brave.
A tornado spun around the mountain. A small old man, who used a cane to walk up the mountain, came into view.
Teacher! Hahaha!
Mu Ssang ran towards him in the speed of light and cried as he hugged his bony teacher. He was like a child who had found his mother after being lost at an amusement park.
Yes, you have come!
As if he was greeting a child, his teachers words were peaceful.
Wah! I was so worried about you.
Azrael, the nightmare of war, Kanma, Ange de la Morte, and Black Mamba no longer existed. Once he met up with his teacher, he became the young apprentice he had been before.
Hmm, have you turned into a child after drinking foreign water?
Monk Dae Woo stroked his head as if he was greeting one who had returned from praying at the friarhood.
In front of you, teacher, I am always a child.
Hm, lets take a look at you. Your body has become much stronger.
The wrinkled hands touched his strong shoulders and stroked his metal-like spine. Monk Dae Woo examined his apprentices body with warm eyes. Even in the past, it was a body with many scars. It now had three times as many scars. A large scar remained on his left cheek.
The bigger problem was the smell of blood emanating from his apprentice. It was not 10 or even 100. It was a smell that could only occur when 1000s of lives had been taken.
Youve been through hell and back.
Monk Dae Woos voice slightly shook. He had anticipated it, but his heart ached upon realizing what his apprentice might have gone through.
Its nothing. Hell is but the living room of chaos. I was more afraid that teacher had passed away.
Child, I have not completed my enlightenment, so how could I die just yet? You are not destined to receive much. All there is to give is Amja, which is but the size of my hand. Hahaha!
The temple may be small, but the land around it is huge. If I sell it, it will make quite a bit of money.
Child, you can sell it after I die. Oh, my leg. What are you doing? Carry me.
Mu Ssang turned around and carried his teacher on his back. He was weightless like an empty bag. He was not only thin but was practically just skin and bones. He had given up meat, so there was no way he could have retained muscle and fat.
Mu Ssangs eyes turned cloudy.
Teacher, why is your body like this? What happened to the temple cook?
Dont worry. It is the result of reverting to raw foods. I got my fortune told by a well-known fortune teller. He told me that I would live with a full stomach thanks to a rich apprentice. Haha.
He must have only eaten intermittently without utilizing the temple cook. Mu Ssangs heart ached, and tears started streaming down his face.
What have you been doing all this time to have turned into a skeleton?
Do you still obsess over the exterior? Between a thin puma and a fat one, which do you think is normal?
Teacher, you are not a puma but a person.
At his comment, Monk Dae Woo chuckled loudly. The old teacher and healthy apprentice went on chatting as they climbed up the mountain together.
Skin is the only difference. We have arrived. Hmph.
Oh!
Mu Ssang jumped in surprise. His teacher, who had been on his back, disappeared like smoke. In the blink of an eye, he was sitting on the patio. It was a skill he couldnt even attempt to copy.
Teteacher!
Lower your voice. Dust will fall.
What is that?
Mu Ssangs eyes glistened.
Child, do what you need to do. To an old man, yesterday is today, and today is no different than tomorrow. You must have done 10s of 1000s of things. Where, where are you going?
I will serve you tea, teacher''
Oh child, dont make a fuss and just sit. It has been a long time since I have had tea. I dont even have tea.
Why? Dont you enjoy drinking tea?
Even if you were a troublemaker, how could I sit here and sip tea after sending my apprentice to hell.
Teacher, your apprentices sins are numerous.
Tears filled Mu Ssangs eyes. His all-powerful teachers only weakness was tea. He must have quit it because he had been worried about his apprentice. He could feel his teachers heart, which was filled with love.
Child, youre making your teacher tear up. Lets continue our chat after one hit.
Crack
Mu Ssang started blinking at his teacher. Monk Dae Woos expression was that of disbelief as he looked at his broken cane. He glanced back and forth between his apprentices head and his broken birch tree cane. It was a cane that didnt break easily even when slammed into a boulder.
Hm, is this another upgrade to your body?
Yeah, I got badly hurt, so my servant had cooked up something similar to wild ginseng to feed me. After I woke up, I became like this.
Monk Dae Woo cocked his head in confusion. As he listened, he realized there was no such knight like Mu Ssang.
Hm, your mind has been weakened, and only your body has become stronger. Do you have other symptoms? No, Ill check it out myself.
Monk Dae Woo grabbed Mu Ssangs head with both hands. At once, his 10 fingers landed on all the pressure points of his head.
Swoosh
A small tornado appeared around Monk Dae Woo. Mu Ssang felt as if a refreshing herb scent was circulating inside of his head.
How strange. There are no issues with its contents. Who is your servant? What does a humble love look like? No, lets talk about that later. Did you get to taste some foreign women? According to the young folks, they say that they placed their flags on those white horses. Hahaha!
Relieved, Monk Dae Woo returned to his joking self.
Oh teacher, how could you say such things? Buddha would be horrified to hear that.
Mu Ssang jumped up and down. His teachers jokes had become more severe.
Hm, you know one but not two. Those country boys have to go around poking their flags to make babies so that Buddha has more means to make a living. The ones that are making babies already left for the city, so no rising young monks are entering the monastery.
Teacher, please
He was horrified by the thought of someone overhearing them, but Monk Dae Woo continued with another inappropriate joke.
Look at Buddha in the temple. All he does is suck his fingers. Even an old man like me, who wanted to eat hamburgers, has been stuck sucking on my own fingers. Theres no metal in our pockets, only oil. You only end up drooling in front of an old white grandfathers picture. This is all because you have no tact.
Monk Dae Woo tapped the patio ground hard with his broken cane. He must have wanted to eat that hamburger badly.
I can do whatever needs to be done. I brought over 20 female monks last time. However, you kicked all of them out.
Oh child, you have to bring fresh ones so that my eyes can at least have a treat. I want one that has no thoughts for Buddha. One who will stare at you with eyes that exhibits a desire to suck your chest and bottom. What am I going to do with the old ones with stinky armpits who cant even grind properly on you? If you want to go for a ride, always make sure to pick a fresh one.
Mu Ssangs head spun at his teachers reckless words. His teacher had always threatened to gather his apprentices seeds and spread them around. It was hard to withstand it.
I know all there is to know. Ive done all there is to be done.
Yeah, right. Ever since you left for the country, you havent given anyone affection. Do you think your teacher wouldnt know? You forced yourself to let go of a nice young lady, didnt you? Nice work. Then, you would have locked yourself inside the bathroom and cried. Tsk tsk!
Oh, how did you know?
Mu Ssang was very surprised. How would his teacher have known about him and Rudrey Edel? Did he read my mind?
Youre too obvious. You couldnt even lay a finger on someone willing. What is the purpose of being a soldier if you dont even have fun picking up women? Even the old ones are hitting on them, so why is a young man like you not interested in women at all? What a waste of a good product. Tsk tsk!
You see. Western women have a weird smell
Oh, I was hoping to hear sex tales that involved riding a white or black horse, but I guess that ship has sailed. You should be ashamed. You should also be sorry to the organ that gets up but dies down because it has nothing to do every day.
Mu Ssang scratched his head. He didnt necessarily want to keep women at bay. Suddenly, he began to think that his longing for Hae Young and his chivalrous perception of love as a one-time occurrence was stupid. He had focused so hard on training that women never really crossed his mind.
His inhumanly sensitive sense of smell and vision presented a problem too. Instead of embracing women, the idea of a stench emanating from their body, their large pores, and white flaky skin made him avoid them even more.
Ive been so busy. I havent had time to see any woman.
Oh, stupid child. Youre not even aware that your skill is at fault. Tsk tsk!
When his teacher criticized him, Mu Ssangs mood suddenly shifted.
I was breaking my bones to get the money to support you. I didnt even get the chance to go near a woman.
Monk Dae Woo looked pathetically at him while tapping his head with his broken cane.
Hahaha, you novice, a woman has to be seduced. Theres nothing natural about paying a woman who has that sort of occupation. Even if you sow your seeds there, they wont be able to produce you any seedlings. They say foreign women are easy as long as you dont get crabs. They drop their panties often. All youve to do was suck your fingers while you were there. That was my mistake. I should have taught you how to pick up women instead of training you on the Ohgeumgong.
Monk Dae Woo stroked his apprentices head as he beat his fist against his frustrated heart.
Oh dear, a couple of them have already taken hold of you.
Chapter 188 - Episode 3: Monk Dae Woo
Slowly, Mu Ssang started laughing. His teachers body might have been only skin and bones, but his power was still intact. Even his playfulness and childlike brightness were still the same. His anxiety disappeared completely.
Teacher, quit your soulless joking. Its not even that funny. Stop trying to satisfy your needs from your apprentices stories and go get your own. If you have no money, then sell the place. You dont even have anything to give to your apprentice anyway.
Look at this disrespectful punk. I think youre the one who needs to pull out your account. Ive only been eating vegetables so I cant get my energy up. You got me used to the best cuts of meat and then went off running to a foreign country.
Monk Dae Woo licked his lips with his eyes ablaze.
Oh, how scary!
Child, I used to wear a bowler hat and spit my way around town too.
Puhahaha!
Hahaha!
The teacher and apprentice laughed raucously. After exchanging frivolous jokes, they finally arrived in Amja.
Teacher, wait just a little longer. Ill prepare an offering for you .
You have nothing, so what are you planning to do?
Our time to chew plants is now over.
The mountains in early April were incredibly cold. It was even cold for him, so he worried about his teacher. Even special powers could not prevent the pains of old age. There was a lot to talk about, but he knew he should warm up the room first before continuing their conversation.
First, Mu Ssang looked for an ax. Some time ago, he had made and ordered an ax from a blacksmith. It was named Jang Han Bu. He stared down at the rusty ax blade. The angst he must have felt!
He had originally made the Jang Han Bu for chopping the necks off of filthy men. If he had not met his teacher, what would have happened? Just thinking about it was terrifying.
Jang Han Bus ax blade was 30 centimeters in width and double-edged. It had a thickness of 30 millimeters, starting from the connector region of the handle. The ax was a terrifying weapon to be considered just a tool for chopping down trees.
He brushed the rusty ax blade with his palm. The rust fell off of it. It was a result of using his resonance. After rubbing it two or three times, the blade glistened in blue as its sharpness returned.
Child, put down that terrifying item and fix the electricity first. Its been a year since Ive watched television. Do you know the pain of not being able to watch fresh white legs going up and down for this long?
Yes, Ill start the fire first and quickly fix it for you.
Monk Dae Woo muttered to himself as he stared at his apprentices back, disappearing into the woods.
Skilled, such a skilled person. His road to chaos and enlightenment looks to be the same. He will burn himself to brighten up the world. His explosive energy has been diminished, and the smell of blood has already attached to his soul. What to do? Namo Amitbhya!
Monk Dae Woo chanted with his eyes closed. The smell of blood emanating from his apprentices body made his heart numb. Even a warrior who had swung his ax for 10s of years did not have the deep smell of blood that his apprentice carried around him.
The world needs chaos sometimes. I should at least get rid of the smell thats attached to his soul. Ill have to relinquish the stirring myself. Apprentice, its been a while since you felt my power. You have grown quite a bit, but I have a hidden trick up my sleeve. Hahaha!
Tap
Monk Dae Woo flicked the last bead with his thumb and shot up. The purveyor of the stick would soon be trembling from it. This was the mountain of the cuckoo birds song.
It had been a long time since Mu Ssang had excitedly swung his ax around. He had been 23 years old. At the age of 18, he had gained the nickname, godly ax. He had flung the necks off of three people and chopped the arms of Baek Baek pontoon.
Swish
The ax slit through the air. The ax did not even make a sound as it sliced through the bottom of the tree. The tree that had been standing for 10s of years fell with a thud on the ground.
Swish swish swish
The axs blade glistened in the light. Instantly, the branches fell, and the wood pieces were sliced into the length of a mans arm. It was a skill only seen in Chinese legends.
Soon, a mountain of logs were piled up high. Mu Ssang didnt even bother tying them up with a manila bar. Instead, he lugged it on his shoulder as he climbed down the mountain.
His left arm faltered a bit, and his knee buckled. One log which had been peeking out on his left side pushed into the right side.
10s of logs sitting atop him trembled ever so slightly. It had trained him to sense such vibrations of movement. A master trained from daily tasks.
Pak
Pak
A strange sound echoed through the lawn. Monk Dae Woo cracked open the room door. Mu Ssang was excitedly chopping down the firewood.
His apprentice had thrown the ax away and was chopping up the firewood with his hands. He playfully swung down at it with his hands. Every time his hand made contact, the birch firewood split in half with ease. He couldnt help but laugh upon observing the scene.
Haha, that guy is cutting firewood using resonance! The creator of the skill will jump up from his grave if he sees that.
Monk Dae Woos eyes curved into a crescent. It had never happened before, and it will never happen again.
In swift movements, a power could be felt. The air whizzed with each movement. It had been the sound of air being split. The apprentice was about to complete his task.
Haha, thats good. Every interval is coming alive.
He could imagine built, strong muscles under his apprentices clothes. Mu Ssangs physique was not ideal. He was tall, but his bones and muscles were not that large. He was actually on the thinner side.
Incredible!
His apprentices physique had always taken him by surprise. His muscles looked to be twisted tightly together like rope for strength and had the added elasticity for agility. His bones were so strong that if he got hit by a speeding car, he would be fine. The ligaments connecting the bones and muscles were stronger than that of a whale.
Standing here now, he had become an Asura with the help of his incredible genetics, training, and his experience in ending numerous souls.
It is Buddhas will. Namo Amitbhya!
There were high chances that he would become a nuisance to society. However, the fact that he had come under his wing was again, Buddhas will. As luck would have it, it was also Buddhas will to send him to war.
War usually turned a man into a beast, but for his apprentice, he had returned as a human. His menace and wildness had been released. All he had to do was release the menace from his eyes.
I need to come up with a reason if I want to give him a beating.
Monk Dae Woo smiled wickedly.
Mu!
Yes, teacher!
Mu Ssang stopped working and turned his head.
Have you shown your skills to others?
Well, you see
Mu Ssang hesitated. He had forgotten his teachers request several times. Recently, he had blocked the air to suffocate Ariba. He had done it without thinking due to the inherent anger he had for that man.
You have forgotten your teachers request and have gotten drunk off your strength.
Im sorry. I was short-sighted.
Mu Ssang lowered his head in shame.
There is a sky above your sky. If you become cocky from small pleasures, you will lose the ability to gain much bigger things. The world is not simple. Physical skills are not that noteworthy, but mental skills can bring about stronger effects on the world. Karma can swing back like a boomerang and put you in a difficult situation.
I will keep that in mind.
You only keep in mind what your body experiences.
What! Teacher, I understand even with you just telling me. What should I do if your prediction comes true?
Theres nothing to worry about. Do you not know that you must wash, tighten, and oil your engines to get it running properly? In martial arts, you must continuously move your bones so that you dont get rusty. I also heard that you cursed your teacher by calling him an old man.
Im in trouble!
Mu Ssangs face turned sour. He had not thought of his teachers heightened hearing skills.
Today, I have to listen to your stories all night, so prepare to do so after finishing tomorrows dinner preparation. Hmhm!
Monk Dae Woo laughed heartily, shoving his feet into his rubber shoes before going up to the temple.
Haha, this muddied world needs an Asura. Having raised him gives my life enough meaning in this world. However, what woman could dig her way through his barricaded heart? In this time and age, what does it matter if he brings home a foreign wife? He needs to get married and have children so I can hand all this over to him. I should go throw a tantrum and ask Buddha to blow a hurricane into that boys heart.
Mu Ssang inspected the large rooms furnace. Ash had completely blocked the portion of the furnace where smoke and heat were released. He pushed the fire poker deep into the area to clean it out. He lit dried pine needles and surrounded the firewood with its flames. The furnace, which had not seen fire for a long time, swiftly sucked up the fire.
He stepped into the big room and checked to see if smoke seeped in from other places. Smoke was filtering in from all over the place. The strong fire started heating up the damp floor.
Mu Ssang went down the mountain, holding a pail. In Chunsang mountain, there were places with white mud. Rough red mud must be sifted, but white mud would spread onto the ground immediately after mixing with water. The Sahels Azrael was Chunsang mountains fire.
Teacher, please sleep in the little room tonight.
Haha, its becoming a hassle ever since your return.
Mu Ssang quickly hid his dirty hands behind his back.
Haha, teacher will not be having intercourse anytime soon, so what does it matter to you?
Only your speaking skills seem to have gotten better after being out of the country. Light the fire in the small room too. Itll be damp.
I will do that.
Youve come a long way, are you not tired?
Haha, theres no way Ill be tired.
A persons body is no different than a machine. Overexertion causes problems to parts of the body, and if that persists, it will cause damage. Dont overdo it.
Monk Dae Woo smiled cheerfully. Even as a teacher, he could not comprehend his apprentices immense physicality. Even if 5,000,000 people had died, his apprentice would be fine, but for the teacher, it wouldnt be the same.
There are raccoon babies in the gongyanggan.
Ah, that thing. During winter, it snowed a lot. It crawled into the lawn, so I threw a couple of sweet potatoes. From that day on, it kept coming daily. I cant send it away empty-handed when it comes over. Every time it came, I gave it sweet potato or corn. It must have seen me as a pushover. It made its place right in the gongyanggan.
It even had babies.
Yes, it seduced a stupid mate and made babies. Never in my life have I seen such a shameless creature. If you wait a little bit, itll return. Theres a lack of food there, so it comes back after finding some.
Hahaha! That is very likely of you, teacher.
It was what he had expected from his teacher. While his apprentice was snapping the heads off of lives like the stems of a cucumber, the teacher had saved a family of raccoons.
There was no younger brother better than his older brother and no apprentice better than his teacher. As he was destroying life, his teacher had dedicated his life to save it.
He put firewood into the small rooms furnace and cleaned the gongyanggan. He left the raccoon nest alone. There were no ingredients left in the gongyanggan. There was not one radish sprout or a single lettuce leaf. The raccoon wouldnt have left anything behind.
It was over four kilometers to get to the market. There was nothing to burn right now. He had sent over the gamulchi from NDjamena to the Korean embassy in France.
He could have gotten it faster if he had sent it over by the Hercules and consigned with France. That had been his mistake. However, based on Chads abysmal delivery skills, he couldnt say much, even if it arrived a year later.
People were cunning. It was six kilometers away from the market. He could easily arrive there in 10 minutes. 20 months of comfort defeated 20 years of time.
Should I buy a bicycle?
Mu Ssang was going on about buying a bicycle when he had earned enough money to buy 1000s of apartments. A persons nature did not easily change.
Mu Ssang ran down the darkened mountain to the city. He bought ingredients to make food and a can of kerosene before hurriedly returning to Amja.
The Murata generator turned on without any trouble after putting in the kerosene.
That was my mistake.
He blamed himself for not filling up the kerosene supply before leaving. His teacher was not one to buy oil for himself. He didnt know how to use the light bulbs, refrigerator, or the television by himself. His teacher would use whatever was available and would still be content without.
It had been a long time since the teacher and apprentice had enjoyed each others company.
Hm, still the same as always.
Monk Dae Woo watched his apprentice as he ate straight from the rice cooker. His smile seemed to reflect in every wrinkle. He didnt care if there wasnt any electricity, if his room was cold, or if he had warm food to eat.
It had been a long time since he had lived without the comforts and ease of foreign items. His apprentice was sensitive and kind. If it made his apprentice comfortable, then that was enough for him.
Greedy humans had forced his selfless apprentice to become an Asura. That was also Buddhas will and a burden his apprentice was forced to carry. The apprentice could be the reincarnation of Bali[1]. He was sad that the end of his story was covered in fog.
[1] A good and wise Asura that was on the same level as God.
Chapter 189 - Episode 4: Monk Dae Woo
You put every good ingredient in there.
Monk Dae Woo smiled as he tasted a spoonful of black sesame porridge. He had crushed dried abalones and ground beef, with a touch of pepper to mask the smell. Monk Dae Woo had lived 90 years without any family. His heart felt warm from his apprentices devotion.
It had been two months since hed eaten a cooked meal. Not only was it not raw, but there were seasonings in it that his digestive system rejected. It was a meal that his apprentice had prepared with care. Monk Dae Woo summoned his resonance to break apart the food in his stomach.
Humans gained energy by eating food and breathing. Through digestion, the ingested food would break down with the help of digestive enzymes and produce blood sugar for energy. The mitochondria would convert the chemical energy into ATP and other molecules that could ultimately lead to apoptosis. What this meant was that if humans were able to directly absorb the needed molecules, then eating nutrients would not be necessary. This was called gongryung jikyung.
To reiterate, when it became ambiguous to differentiate, gongryung was the line that separated animals and plants. Monk Dae Woo had reached the state of gongryung jikyung by training himself to absorb the natural energy, which had helped produce the nutrients that he needed. He did not need to cook a meal, and instead, only had to drink a cup of water to replenish himself. Still, Monk Dae Woo did not put down his spoon for a moment. He wanted to revel in his apprentices warm heart with each spoonful of porridge.
I cant keep him by my side just because I treasure him. How great that he was able to rid himself of the contaminated menace! He had pushed his apprentice to open the floodgates for murder so he would not be able to reach Buddhahood. If born as livestock, then one must live as livestock, and if born human, then one must strive to become human. Hahaha!
Monk Dae Woo stared at his apprentice, who was shoving rice into his mouth until it was filled to the brim. Mu(o) was a son and a grandson before he was an apprentice. He had seen him his entire lifetime. A proud smile rose on his face.
Mu had become who he was now, as a result of his surroundings. He had lost his parents when he was young and had grown in an abusive household full of rage and resentment. His body had changed to almost that of a mutant, and he had been bullied by Baek Baek to a point where he was reborn with murder engraved in his brain.
At the time when he had desperately needed an outlet for his murderous rage, Hamilton had come to find him. The best kind of fate happened naturally. He had not been in a position to reject him, and so he had pushed his apprentice to leave to become a mercenary.
A mercenary was a position in which one could legally kill without repercussions. His apprentice had returned after dissipating his murderous rage. What happened when murder filled the mind? A man enraptured by murder would bleed bad luck. Just thinking about it turned his heart cold.
His apprentice had returned healthily, so there was nothing more he could have wanted. He had no intention of arguing against someone whose eyes were of a pale red shade. The color represented the remains of the violence that had embedded deep in his brain. The only way to get rid of the violence was to use his assault skill.
Would my assault skill work on that body?
He highly doubted it.
Teacher, have you never seen your apprentice eat this much before?
Oh! You surprised me. The sesame porridge is tasty.
Monk Dae Woo, who had been lost in thought, jumped in surprise and stuck his finger into the bowl of porridge.
I put in the best meat cuts and crushed some abalone to make it. Arent you glad your apprentice has returned?
Would you look at that? Now, you are blatantly bragging that you made me eat meat.
Hahaha, you pretended not to know when you already did long ago. I decided to do whatever I want. You have to stay healthy for a long time.
Child, I am 88 years old. In a few years, Ill be 90. Ive lived as much as Ive needed to.
You have to live until this childish apprentice finally matures. I even earned a lot of money in Africa. I will prepare a lot of good food for you, so eat to your hearts content and die happily.
Alright, I will stay alive until I wipe my dung on the walls. When you have to clean up that mess a couple of times, you will pray that I die quickly. Hahaha!
Huh, whats so bad about dung? Anyway, what did you do with your cook to end up in this state?
I can survive a week with a handful of rice. If I crave grains and vegetables, I can go down the mountain to collect it. There is no need for a cook. The cook also asked for a salary. What money do I have to pay him a salary?
I send you money every month.
Child, that money is yours, not mine.
Oh, yes, yes. Is that why you starve yourself and sleep in the cold?
Mu Ssang pulled at his hair. When his teacher started talking nonsense, there was no stopping him.
Child, do you expect me to climb up and down the mountain at this age?
What did you do with all the firewood that I had left for you?
What are you complaining about? You may very well hit your teacher at this point. I gave the firewood to old man Kim and Park. Those two have bad backs.
Mu Ssangs face slightly hardened. It was typical of his teacher, but still, it was not right. Even if his teacher had given his permission, he felt that these people were wicked for taking all that firewood to themselves. Old man Kim and Park were in their 60s while his teacher was almost 90. What was the older teacher to do! Those men would rob from the poorest of the poor.
Oh, you sure are a saint. What did you do with all the money that I had sent you each month?
I saved it up so I could send you to college once you returned.
Monk Dae Woo searched through his pockets and pulled out his bank account booklet. Mu Ssang received it from him. It was a periodic installment savings account. All the money he had sent was recorded in it. There was a total of over 2,000,000 won. Mu Ssang jumped in surprise.
Teacher, you didnt spend a dime at all. What is this?
Child, my ears are going to fall off. What do you mean, what is it? Its money. You cant live as a high school drop out in this time and age. I was contemplating whether I should sell the temple to send you to college, but you ended up going off to war. At least, I dont have to sell the temple now. Ill get to keep my possession. Hahaha!
Monk Dae Woo licked his tongue over his lips and chuckled.
Teacher!
Mu Ssang was so choked up that he could not say anything. His teacher was not one to save money. The food he had received, he had donated to the poor, and any money he had, he had given to those who needed it. He even gave food from the friarhood to wild animals. Even if he had nothing to eat, his teacher would not worry about it.
This sort of teacher had saved up money so that he could send his apprentice to college. He was moving the heavens and earth for him. Was he something that the teacher obsessed over? The teacher who had no greed for anything!
His heart ached. Suddenly, the memory of the greedy Baek and wicked Jang crossed his mindthe men who had forcefully dragged their nephew into becoming a servant. If they had not met at Wol Song San mountain, he would have beaten them to death.
Father!
His father couldnt close his eyes peacefully as he had worried about his son and wife during his last breath. His fathers dark face coincided with his teachers thin face.
Mu, your fate depends on how much effort you put into your life. See and learn as much as you can. You can only see as much as you know and do as much as you see. Always continue to study.
Ill do as you say, teacher.
When he had spent time with Chartres, he had realized how short his education was. What his teacher wanted for him was what he wanted for himself.
Teacher, this is the ability to control nature, isnt it?
Child, why is that important? Its the same as soy milk gained while making tofu.
Oh my!
His teacher was comparing his skills to soy milk. Mu Ssang had expected his teacher to say such things. Nature control was the state in which one communicated with nature. In Jwadobang, a similar skill could be learned to emulate such communication, but it was weak compared to the actual gongryung jikyung skill. Gongryung jikyung could only be gained through mental training and self-reflection.
The myth that one must cut all social and economic ties to gain such powers was nothing but a sham. What purpose would it serve for a man to become a tree trunk or a boulder?
Gongryung jikyung was said to be a skill that emerged when a human became fully human. If you reach gongryung jikyung, you would automatically reach enlightenment, but even that could have served little purpose.
This old teacher is one thing, but you have changed a lot too. Lets hear your story.
Teacher, I can no longer see the spirit of the heavens and earth as I had periodically seen before.
Monk Dae Woo slapped his knee.
Oh, thats great. Visiting heaven and earth is different from the courage it takes to form it. Your mind has become a subordinate for your strong body and it has come to gain this skill. If your mind is unable to control this, you will experience a mental breakdown and become an infamous serial killer.
Yes. Your apprentice has already experienced this several times. If I get angry, I would hear drums in my head, and everything in front of my eyes would turn red. For a moment, I forget who I am.
Had you thought of that when you tried to kill the child called Hwa Ja? What was the purpose of the menace and viciousness seen in Godae kings? It is the result of a weak mind being overtaken by skills gained through bloodshed.
Mu Ssang put down his spoon and listened to his teachers schooling. His teacher had been referring to his special genetics.
Is this apprentice the same?
No. In your case, your skills are tied to your body. I have released the murderer in your mind so that it would subconsciously disappear. You are much different than the martial arts masters who have gone before you. Havent your senses grown to be more special than before?
He was definitely a teacher. He was able to point out his changes as if he had seen it with his own eyes. He was a teacher who could see lifes lessons in the normal routines of life.
Yes, like a brush, if you learn to control a gun, the senses associated with pulling the trigger become that much stronger. I can easily see the opponents next moves too.
That is a consequence of repeated experience. This is because you only focused on strengthening your body and not your mind. If you werent lazy about training your mind, you would have gained more magic. Tsk tsk.
Monk Dae Woo clicked his tongue as if in regret. The skills of the mind would be much more of an upgrade compared to physical gains.
Oh, dont reprimand me so harshly. How could a soldier comfortably take time to train his mind? All of his energy would be used up to build on his strength.
That is true too. At least, you wont go around getting beaten. Haha, you are like a wire rod.
If the ancestors who trained us martial arts skills saw that we were getting beaten, they would jump out of their graves.
Hahaha, who would attack the invincible you? Dont talk nonsense.
Monk Dae Woo finished all of the black sesame porridge and poured water into the bowl.
Oh! Is that a washer?
Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide. Water spun inside the bowl. Monk Dae Woo drank the water that he had poured into the bowl. The bowl became spotless as if it was licked clean.
He could also summon resonance, but he couldnt control it the way that his teacher did. In the past, his teacher had never shown him his skills. Showing his powers to the apprentice now meant that he had come to accept his skill. A farmer, who could steer a tractor, could not fly a plane.
Youre amazing.
Its nothing. It is but a small skill learned from hitting the moktak. My stomach feels content receiving such a good meal from my apprentice after two years.
A meal with you, teacher, is always a feast. Even if there is only fermented bean soup, it is much tastier than that of an expensive banquet.
Oh, dont talk nonsense. How tasty could it be to sit and eat with an old man like myself? All there is to eat is a piece of kimchi and a few other vegetables.
Haha, you told me that a meal is not eaten with the mouth but with the heart.
Mu Ssang cleared the last piece of kimchi that was left in the bowl. He placed the kimchi in his mouth and strutted out. He finished the dishes quickly and stepped into the room to check the fire in the furnace.
Tang tang tang
The sound of the generator running, the blinking lights, the sad hooting of the fern owl, the echoing sound of the wind rustling through the trees, and the warm floor surrounded the old teacher and his apprentice who were sitting over a blanket.
Even if I am a soldier, Ive killed too many people. In the abysmal place called the Sahel, I have
Oh, no!
And so, I hid in the sand with just my head sticking out, and flies would come flying into any hole it sees on my body
Haha, how could this be! Namo Amitbhya
The light in the room, where the thin old man and the muscular young man had sat in, did not turn off all night. Soft sounds of laughter and gasps were filtered through the door.
In the wee hours of a foggy morning, Mu Ssang was warming up his body with each of the 36 Forbidden Practices before he jumped into the stream. Although his body didnt react to the cold air like that of an average person, he was much more sensitive to it. It had been a long time since the winter months had passed, but the stream was so cold it felt his skin would fall off.
The water was cold and clear. He felt as if hed returned from hell. He had missed this stream under the Sahels hot sun!
The water and air are only as good as Shintoism. Shintoism, Shintoism.
Mu Ssang enjoyed the cool water with his head stuck out.
Ah!
Puack
Suddenly, Mu Ssang kicked off the bottom of the stream and moved his position like lightning. In the place where he had just been, a rock slammed and stuck. It was a rock the size of a large pot. It came with such power that you could see the bottom of the stream when it made contact.
What is this catastrophe!
Mu Ssang looked around in surprise as the sound became more intense. His eyes grew large. A pile of pebbles covered the sky like a hoard of grasshoppers in the Sahel.
Eu kyah, kyah, kyah!
Again, Mu Ssang kicked off the bottom of the stream and moved his position.
Splash splash
A majority of the pebbles fell into the stream, but a portion of it changed direction and started chasing after him.
Ack, thrust attack!
Chapter 190 - Episode 5: Monk Dae Woo
Churi sul was a kinetic power. It was a mentally challenging skill of a different class compared to psychokinesis, where you bent spoons or balanced plates. It would be impossible for him to do it even if he died and was reborn again.
Crash
Pebbles rained over Mu Ssangs head. Even the all-powerful Mu Ssang could not avoid the pebbles that were following him around like a motion-detecting missile. It was not a one-time attack but an ongoing one.
Tudadak
Puk puk
The heavy stones took a toll on the mans delicate body.
Ack!
His screams shook the mountains. Mu Ssang tried to avoid the stones that were chasing after him by jumping from one place to another. Unfortunately, the water that had come up to his thighs made it difficult for him to maneuver. Instantly, he was continuously hit on the head, body, and limbs.
Schwoop
Mu Ssang shot out of the water like a cannonball. The rocks chased after him from behind. He was trembling from fear, but he didnt have time to give it any attention. The impact of the falling stones was no joke. The rocks left holes everywhere as they landed into the ground.
Pak pak
Every time he changed direction, the dirt and grass beneath his feet came flying up. With one false move, he would have been done for. He had used all his effort to make sure he didnt get caught by the stones that were chasing after him.
Oh no, its a rabbit hole.
Mu Ssangs face turned yellow. Once he came back to his senses, he realized he was at a rocky slope.
On top of Mt. Chung Saeng, there was a large area of rocky slopes. Boulders and rocks followed the curve of the mountain and were stacked high and wide. Rocks ranged from the size of a seedling to those as big as houses. Only small blades of grass or shrubs were found growing in between the rocks as large trees could not inhabit the area.
Mu Ssang was in dismay. Looking around, he was surrounded by boulders and rocks. His teacher could turn everything around him into a weapon with his churi sul and use it against him. It was like handing a magazine to an opponent using a machine gun.
Puang
Puang
As expected, rocks the size of soccer balls came flying toward him. The rocks flew at him with such incredible speed that he almost wet his pants.
Oh!
The surprised Mu Ssang jumped around like a shrimp inside a frying pan.
Crash crash crash
Every time he moved from boulder to boulder, another stone came crashing into it.
There were remnants of destruction everywhere he looked. It was as if bombs were going off. Its power was as strong as that of a grenade. Mu Ssang tensed up. If his teacher went into training mode, he became a monster. There was no such thing as half-assing in his books.
Ah!
Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide. Several fist-sized rocks were floating in the air above the rocky slopes.
Schwah
The sound of a summer rainstorm could be heard. The floating rocks flew up into the air.
Howhow is that even possible?
In the early spring morning, a hailstorm rattled the earth like thunder. The rocks started falling one by one.
Teacher, are you trying to kill your apprentice?
Kwarur boom boom boom
His screams were drowned by the loud crashes. Mu Ssang ran as fast as he could to get out of its way. The gravel falling onto the rocky slopes left a cloud of thick, rising dust in its wake.
The rocks continued to fall on him. At this point, the rumbling sound and the flashing sparks made it seem more like a natural disaster than a man-made attack.
Ahh!
Ack!
Screams escaped one after another. Even the grandfather of martial arts could not have avoided all the falling rocks. He was relentlessly pelted on the head, arms, legs, and body. The pain that had penetrated his bones made him scream in reflex.
That was not the end.
Whoong
The rocks started to move on their own. Mu Ssangs eyes flashed as his body stumbled. It looked like another wave of rocks was about to rain on him.
Schwaah
The fog circling the mountain swirled around him.
Ack!
Puang
Mu Ssang jumped in surprise as he kicked off a boulder and ran away from the rocky slopes. To avoid the onslaught, he had no other choice but to hide in the ground. He picked a relatively softer portion of the land and used his resonance to dig a hole.
Kwa ruru
Mu Ssangs body slowly sunk into the ground. It was the digging skill he had gained in Sahel.
Swoosh
The sky turned black.
Ahh, thats cheating!
He felt rushed. He had only dug up until his thighs.
Not a chance.
Running out of time, Mu Ssang lifted a large boulder over his head to block the oncoming attack. It was a rock wider than the size of a front door.
Kwa dadadang
Objects weighing over 10s of kilograms slammed into the surrounding boulders with immense force. This time, tree trunks and roots were included. Mu Ssang staggered, unable to control his shock. His head became numb, and his knees started to throb.
Mu Ssang screamed, Teacher, you said you would beat me at night!
The fog wavered, and the sound echoed loudly past the stream.
Haha, your voice is loud. Child, do you know about Song Yang?
His teachers voice was annoyingly calm. He spread his spatial awareness like a spider web, but he could not register his teachers location.
Why are you talking about a stupid China man in this situation?
Trying to find his teachers location, he continuously made conversation.
My apprentices head is so empty. Its making it difficult for me to attack you. Now, theres no reason for me to give you an opening, right? I have to make do with whatever damage I can give.
At his teachers teasing, Mu Ssang became highly agitated.
Teacher, lets do this for real. Ive grown a lot too.
Child, what do you mean by that? Do you think you have become a warrior now that you can pull off a couple of tricks?
I almost forgot!
Mu Ssang slapped his head. He did not expect the resonance to come spinning at him like a drill. As his teacher had mentioned, his head must have turned into stone while only his body had become strong.
Dumb child, cover up that dangling thing. Are you protesting in front of your wrinkled teacher?
Ee kee!
Now that he thought about it, he had looked pathetic. This was the day that the Sahels Azrael, Black Mamba, was going to meet his ruins.
Nimi Ddugural, its like coming to a gunfight with a bat. If the old man keeps using his churi sul skills, then theres nothing I can do.
Mu Ssang tried to find cover as he muttered to himself. His entire body was full of bruises. There were five bumps on his head. His arms and legs were numb, and his back was sore. His teacher had focused his beatings on his head, arms, and legs.
Child, I can hear everything. I, at least, am giving you time to dress because I am your teacher.
Ha, is that why you were trying to obliterate your apprentice with a rock?
Please, if you were one to be squashed by a boulder, you would not have come back alive as the Sahels Kanma. That body of yours is one good product. Hahaha. Should I start playing with my apprentice now?
Shh
His teacher suddenly popped out of nowhere.
Do you see it now? This is the difference between one who has superpowers and those who learn to utilize their full human powers. Those who have come to realize their true potential will only grow stronger as their mind widens, and they can move as they please.
Thats unfair. Without moving a finger, you can hide in the air using stealth powers and throw rocks at your apprentice. How can your apprentice defend himself against that?
So, is that why? What was it? You were planning to use your Dragunov to shoot at your teacher?
Well, an apprentice cant do that.
Ha, are you planning on hand to hand combat? Alright. We have to conserve the natural environment. Come to the rocky slopes.
Monk Dae Woo hit the ground with his cane.
Oh! Its a scam.
Mu Ssangs eyes grew large. His teacher had dissipated like a fog. In a single moment, his opponent had disappeared. Even his stealth skill did not allow him to melt into the air. He could not even anticipate the cards hidden up his teachers sleeve. Now, he could understand how FROLINAT had felt battling him as an opponent.
Swish
Mu Ssangs body got sucked into the air as if he was a floating leaf.
Mu Ssang realized deep in his bones that there was a large skill gap between his teacher and himself. He was out in the open while his teacher was nowhere to be seen. His sensory skills and spatial awareness skills were useless. He could do nothing but be entranced by the natural environment.
He could not tell when and where his teacher would appear. The only thing he could try was to actively use his resonance.
Whoong
He emitted his resonance in all directions, which made him dizzy. The air trembled.
Got you!
He was confident when he could compensate for anything by using his body.
Pak
He kicked off the ground and shot up like a bullet. His speed allowed him to penetrate through the air. The fog split in half.
Oh! Pretty good!
Monk Dae Woo jumped in surprise. His apprentice had figured out the disappearing skill. The air wavered. The thin old man appeared out of thin air.
Pak
Pak
Schwing
Schwing
An amazing battle scene broke out. Mu Ssangs body swung like a wheel and simultaneously shot 36 attacks.
Ddu dadadak
Hands overlapped with hands and feet overlapped with feet. A rocks shard could not withstand their fight and revolved around the two fighters.
The first incredible battle ended. The rocky slopes and the place where the battle had taken place were left in ruins. A boulder was pulled out as it flew and flipped over, landing back on the ground. Mu Ssang looked like a mess. His clothes were tattered, and his body was bleeding profusely.
The attack split his skin like a sharp blade. On the other hand, Monk Dae Woo looked completely fine as if he had just come out for a leisure stroll to sightsee. The difference they had was their abilities to limit physical contact.
Ahh!
A roar echoed through the air like thunder. Red lasers shot out of Mu Ssangs eyes.
Thats right. Now, we will begin.
Monk Dae Woo was very anxious to the point of exploding. The deeply hidden monster was awakening, which marked the beginning of the battle.
Upon meeting a strong opponent, the sleeping Paranthropus had been awoken.
Boom boom
The sound of drums rang in his head. His vision turned into the color of blood. Kill him! Rip him apart! Blood and murder filled his mind. Only this time around, he could maintain his sanity. He was in a state where both his entities existed at once.
Keu, ah! Teacher, are you intentionally testing me?
Yes, I am. You should never let go of your concentration. Attack as much as you would like.
Be careful, teacher. Ack!
Mu Ssang flew like a grenade.
Hoo ang
The air shook.
Hup!
Monk Dae Woos hand split the air.
Bang
The sound of a bomb exploding was heard. At the immense power, Mu Ssang was tossed into the air and flung several feet outward.
Boom
A pine tree that had been standing in its way exploded. Even after obliterating through a pine tree, it still maintained incredible power. He continued to roll until he collided into a boulder.
Thud
Ugh!
Mu Ssang yelled as he jumped off the ground. Monk Dae Woo shook his head back and forth. He was the Asura that he had expected.
Boom
Boom
Boom
The teacher and apprentice fought with increasing intensity. Small pebbles were flung into the air by their tornado-like power, and boulders split when their hands and feet missed each other. Mt. Chung Saengs rocky slopes were thrown into chaos.
The attack of the Paranthropus who had retained the mentality of a Homo sapien was terrifying. His battle skills had increased tenfold from that in the Sahel. With the combination of Ohgeumgongs wild strength, it was difficult for Monk Dae Woo to compete with him.
Monk Dae Woos attack was like splitting firewood.
Crack
Mu Ssangs neck bent 90 degrees upon being hit. He shot the back of his feet into Monk Dae Woo as his body bent over. It was a back kick.
Ee Kee!
Monk Dae Woos upper body swooped out of sight. It was like magic how he could quickly make his body disappear.
Boom
An incredible blast swept past the place where they had been. Monk Dae Woos clothes split in half as if cut by a knife.
In that instant, Monk Dae Woos feet split the air in front of him.
Thump
An incredible force collided into Mu Ssangs chest.
Chwing
When he bounced off, the opponent swept past Monk Dae Woos chest. Mu Ssang hovered back like a leaf flying through the wind.
Ho-oh! Your skills have increased greatly.
Monk Dae Woo was flabbergasted. Again, he couldnt inflict critical damage. Due to the counterattack, he had been unable to get close contact. His intent to destroy the opponent and his menacing battle skills were both terrifying.
Monk Dae Woo flew down with his ripped clothes disheveling in the wind. The attack had broken apart the seams of his clothes. If he had not defended himself, his chest would have been broken open. It was terrifying. If he had gotten the full blast of the attack, he would not have survived it either.
Boom boom boom
The apprentice and teacher battled again. His initial attack had already lost its meaning. Mu Ssang charged onwardpunching, kicking, headbutting, and shouldering his way in. Monk Dae Woo calmly evaded all his oncoming attacks. They looked exactly like an angry bull and a defending bullfighter.
Ack!
With a yell, Monk Dae Woo twisted his upper body like a pretzel and charged inward.
Thud
Mu Ssangs back kick landed on his target. When he defended against the attack coming over his head, the other foot lashed out like a whip and aimed for the back of his head.
Monk Dae Woo dropped one bead of cold sweat. What kind of person had joints as flexible as that of an octopus? It was hard to anticipate his moves with his senses. It was getting progressively difficult to defend against the attacks of his free moving hands and feet. Plus, even after throwing continuous attacks, his strength did not seem to dissipate at all.
Schwang
Ddudung
Monk Dae Woos fists continuously swung at both of Mu Ssangs temples.
Ah! Mu Ssang yelled as he was pushed back by several steps.
It wasnt the exclamation of pain but anger.
Chapter 191 - Episode 1: Neo-psychopath
Thats not a human head but a piece of metal!
Monk Dae Woo grabbed his right arm that was now numb up to his shoulders and took two steps back. He had summoned up his resonance and gone at him with all his strength. However, his fist bounced off as if he had hit a wall. Not only did it surprise him, but it sucked all the strength out of him.
Mu Ssang shook his head slowly and glared at Monk Dae Woo.
Its the enemy. Kill him. Rip him apart.
The ringing in his head grew louder. His blood circulation increased. His muscle cells expanded quickly. His eyes were ablaze.
Ah, youve blown your top.
Monk Dae Woo took a step back without even realizing it. He looked like a bull that had just missed being slaughtered by a hammer. The vicious gaze made his skin prickle.
Pang
The boulder he had shot off, crumbled. Mu Ssang came flying at him like a missile.
Clang clang clang
The resonance came from both sides in successions. Every time his hands and feet overlapped, power exploded from it.
Monk Dae Woo was having a difficult time. It felt like he was battling a robot instead. The penetrating attack couldnt project itself internally. Instead, it created a slow numbing sensation throughout his body. Using his thunder skill on him previously proved to be useless.
The eastern sky started to brighten. Dawn almost turned to dusk. Monk Dae Woo had hit him non-stop for the last hour, but the apprentice who should have been knocked out looked to be perfectly fine. The only things left in ruins were the rocks and bamboo trees around him.
This wont do.
Monk Dae Woo felt rushed. It was a peaceful morning. The village below would have most likely heard the explosion that had echoed throughout the mountains. Even if he were to tell him to stop, there was no way it would be heard by a man that was on the brink of explosion. In this early hour, no one would be visiting this deep into the woods, but it was still dangerous.
Ohm, aranam!
His energy inflated like a balloon. Monk Dae Woo rolled up both his hands into a ball. The power inside of Monk Dae Woos body whirled around him like a tornado.
Whoosh
The energy between his two hands started to pressurize. The air suddenly disappeared, and a strong wind that could fling a stone started to blow in its place.
Ball energy was a skill that would pressurize and spin the air like a ball, creating an explosive power that could be used. To the seemingly indestructible apprentice, it was the best method. If he could throw this at Mu Ssang head-on, it would explode, breaking his bones and skin.
Hup!
He flung out his hands, which he had been holding together. For the first time, a loud exclamation escaped Monk Dae Woos lips.
Shwing
The pressurized ball of air flew and split the surrounding air.
Ooh, ugh!
Mu Ssang recognized danger instinctively. An unknown danger was coming toward him. It was already too late to avoid it. A master would not avoid an oncoming attack from an opponent because it was more detrimental to lose ones positioning than the attack itself. Mu Ssang blocked his face from the attack and rolled his body into a ball.
Puk!
Monk Dae Woos yell echoed.
Bang
The pressurized air exploded.
Ack!
Mu Ssang didnt try to avoid the explosion. He tried to decrease as much surface area that was exposed to the attack and concentrated on defending himself. Like a baseball that was hit with a human baseball bat, the ball of air bounced off and flew outward.
Kwah kwah kwah
Bamboo trees that were as thick as Mu Ssangs thighs broke apart consecutively.
Thud
Six bamboo trees had turned into firewood. The ball of air fell into an open area filled with kudzu.
Kwah rururu
An immense wind swept across them as a result of the explosion. A 10 diameter radius from the spot of the blast had become buried in dirt and dust.
Mu!
Monk Dae Woo moved like lightning in surprise. He ran as fast as he could toward his apprentice to check his status.
How could this be!
Monk Dae Woos expression turned strange. He was coughing blood and splayed on the ground, but his brain waves looked to be intact. His body was a mess, but they were all external wounds. He had just been blasted off his feet by the sudden explosion.
The skill would have completely obliterated the strongest of warriors from Godae, but he had survived with just a skin tear and a slight concussion.
Child, how are you unaffected by my resonance energy beam? What kind of hell did you endure back there?
With a mentality much stronger than the average person and an immense physique that could withstand the blast, his apprentices powers had reached a point that matched his. His body was not one to be affected by the hwanhone attack.
The hwanhone attack did not work against a mentally strong opponent. This also meant that they had a strong self-awareness. His apprentices body was special. The ball of air that had been thrown at him could not penetrate past his muscles or inflict any internal damage.
For the hwanhone attack to work, Monk Dae Woo had to shake Mu Ssangs mentality and body functions.
Hoo!
A reflexive sigh escaped him. In his attempt to teach his apprentice a lesson, his body had turned into jelly. Unfortunately, it looks like my power is no match for him. He couldnt even erase the menace hidden deep within him.
It looks like I had beaten my apprentice for no reason. In the meantime, he had also exhausted a large amount of energy. In the wee hours of the morning, he had gained and done nothing. As his apprentice liked to say, he had dug his own grave. Monk Dae Woo looked down at his apprentice with a distraught expression.
Child, are you alright?
The splayed out apprentice did not speak.
Hoo, the 80 years of training had all been for nothing. The path of the apprentice is different, but my greed was too extensive.
He let out a deep sigh. Monk Dae Woo yelled out in annoyance.
Child, quit acting, and get up immediately.
Haha, did you know?
Mu Ssangs eyes opened a sliver, looking at his teacher.
Your brain waves and circulation looks fine, so how could I not know?
Im so disappointed. I thought that you would make more of a fuss.
Dubious child, your external wounds will be fine by tomorrow, so why should I make a fuss?
Hm!
Mu Ssang staggered with every few steps that he took before he found his balance and stood up.
Look, my nose is bleeding. If I didnt block my ears, my eardrums would have popped. How could you use such a powerful skill on me
Hm!
Once he heard his apprentices nagging, Monk Dae Woo fainted and fell to the ground.
Oh, teacher!
Mu Ssang rushed over and placed his ear to his teachers chest. His heartbeat was erratic, going from fast to slow. It was a result of over-exhaustion. Never would he have imagined that his teacher could control his internal functions by will. He only thought that his teacher had exhausted all of his energy on his apprentice. Mu Ssang quickly picked his teacher up and placed him on his back.
As the eastern sky lit up brightly, the bloodied apprentice carried the unharmed-looking old teacher on his back and went down the mountain.
Take that, child.
Monk Dae Woo stuck out his tongue as he laid on his apprentices wide back.
Teacher, are you very tired?
Hoho, I couldnt achieve my intended result, so all my strength seems to have been sucked out of me, Monk Dae Woo replied in exhaustion. He sounded like a dying patient.
Wouldnt the world go the way that I want it to? Dont worry too much about it.
Alright, a mountain is a mountain and water is water, but my greed was too great, and has caused you distress.
Dont you think you should refrain from waving your fists around at this age?
It is for the sake of my apprentice, so how could I resist? How is your headache?
Its much better. The seizure cycle got extended to six months, and the pain has greatly dissipated.
Oh ho, you are skilled. What if it was cured after you were critically wounded? There is a chance that it is a side effect of the sehone skill. There is also a higher chance that it may be due to the brain battling a body that has switched its identity. There is a chance your brain could have completely switched over too.
Dont say such horrible things. There is a guy named Ocelot who has turned into an animal.
You are also a specially designed psychopath.
Mu Ssang, who was taken aback by this statement, tripped over his feet.
Oh, dont joke around with me. Where can you find a psychopath as normal as me in this world?
Thats why I said you were special. A psychopath is a result of ones genetics and environment. If the MAOA gene becomes too prevalent, it blocks the secretion of serotonin. As a result, one could lose their sense of morality and become violent.
Growing up in an abusive environment and the mutated genetics fits the profile of a psychopath. If these are the requirements, then it was inevitable for me to become one, Mu Ssang muttered to himself.
Thats right. A psychopath can end up in two ways depending on the environment that he grew up in. Growing up in a privileged environment could breed someone like Hitler. In a non-nurturing environment, one could end up a serial killer like Henry Lee Lucas or Pedro Lopez.
Legion Etranger kept documentations of terrorists and serial killers and educated its members on them. He already knew about the two serial killers his teacher had just mentioned. Both had grown up in a hostile environment and had become murderers. Ocelot is 100 times more dangerous than those men. What if I become like Ocelot and kill humans as a hobby? The mere thought of it was horrifying.
Are you saying that your apprentice could become a murderer?
Hahaha, how could my apprentice turn out like that? You are not on either side of the spectrum. You are a special case since you make your own decisions based on morality. Although you seem to have a higher sense of morality than the average person, you also have a side where you can kill without feeling guilt or remorse. You may think that you killed those who had deserved it, but that sort of thinking is not normal. No one in this world deserves to die.
Monk Dae Woo continued, Your brain moves in such opposite directions that you could be considered a neo-psychopath. To put it simply, you will become a new species. The headache you are experiencing may someday disappear, but in any case, there is a high possibility that you would turn out as an entirely different entity.
His teacher was serious, unlike his usual self. Mu Ssang was lost in his thoughts. The words neo-psychopath and new species floated in his ears. He could read his teachers thoughts. His teacher was telling him not to be so cocky about his identity.
A new speciesit may have been the result of something from back in the past.
Yes, the Earths history is 1,000,000,000s years old. The current type of human species has come to be after 1,000s of years. Do you believe that within a couple of 100,000 years, a monkey can turn into a human? Can you guarantee that a mutated specimen has not existed before that? You are a species that has skipped the contemporary order of evolution. Give me your injured arm.
Mu Ssang poked his left arm with his thumb. Blood squirted out like a fountain.
You dense fool, you pushed it in too deep.
Its no big deal.
Surprised, Monk Dae Woo tried to put pressure on his vein, but Mu Ssang stopped him.
Huh!
Within 10 seconds, the bleeding stopped.
My recovery has gotten much faster. Within 48 hours, all that would be left of this wound is a scar.
What you have said about a previously known species could be correct. It may be my prejudice, but a strong physique may be the humans current state. However, the new species will have stronger brain capacity.
Mu Ssang unwittingly accepted those words.
Yes, you sure chose a difficult way to tell your apprentice that he is dense. Dont worry. Whether you question my identity or my guilt, it wont change the way I think.
Thats good. I was afraid that you would have an identity crisis once I sent you away. The heavens must have had a reason for sending down an entity like yourself. I am afraid of the moral standards that you will create for the world.
Teacher, I dont want to cause chaos in this world. I want to live and protect those who are abused and hungry. I am preparing a small piece of land in Africa to help those people.
How skilled of you. How big is the land?
Im thinking of a place relatively the size and width of Gyeonggi-do.
Monk Dae Woo flinched.
Hmm, your scale is much bigger than that of your teacher. Have you made specific plans?
Not yet. At the very least, I will become an Asura to those who block me from accomplishing my goals.
That sounds good. All this time, your teacher has only been passing out the rice. Meanwhile, his apprentice is doing much bigger and better things. Hahaha!
That air ball skillwill it be possible for me to learn too?
Curb your desire. It is not yet time for you to learn it.
In the desert, I had figured out how to use the intermediary ball skill by combining the donggong and intermediary ball skill.
Monk Dae Woo chuckled loudly.
If you havent figured it out yet, then you are an idiot. There is no such thing as a basic intermediary ball skill. My teacher had taught me that skill in my younger years. The combination of the donggong and the intermediary ball skill used to be called mangong(). While the donggong is used to release energy, the mangong is used to create movement with your resonance. Thats why they say it feels heavy.
Whew, I should have known.
Mu Ssang felt his energy drain from his body. He had wanted to show off his new skills to his teacher, but his criticisms had deflated his eagerness.
At least, it looks like you havent been playing around. Your initial differentiation will soon disappear. Since my apprentice is such a good learner, my mouth will have it easy.
Hahaha! I guess so.
Mu Ssang laughed out loud. He was happy that he did not have to explain all the day to day situations that had happened. At his teachers ease, a smile naturally rose on his face.
While they were absorbed in deep conversations, it soon became nightfall. Monk Dae Woo went back up to the temple, and as promised, Mu Ssang put up an offering before heading in the same direction.
The moment he arrived at the gongyanggan, two yellow lights shuffled around quickly after it squealed a warning. It was the ungrateful raccoon that his teacher had mentioned.
The mother raccoon stood in front of her babies and growled at him, baring her teeth. A stupidly brave raccoon that had dared to threaten Black Mamba existed in Korea.
Mu Ssang yelled, Hey, I am the owner. How dare you glare at me when you dont even pay rent. Stay quietly in the corner!
Twing
The raccoon, who was scared by his threatening gaze, put its tail between its legs and slowly backed away.
Even a mother protecting its babies could not be a match against a powerful predator like himself.
Huh, I guess teacher is getting old. Neo-psychopath, my ass! Im pretty merciful myself.
Mu Ssang smiled and prepared the offering.
Chapter 192 - Episode 2: Neo-psychopath
He washed the rice and settled it over the fire before mixing a namul. The sweet smell of sesame oil greeted his return. What was the associative thinking that made Koreans feel like Koreans? Mu Ssang was certain that it was sesame oil. There werent many Korean dishes that didnt include sesame oil.
French dishes, to his limited knowledge, didnt use sesame oil. Instead, they used olive oil as a substitute. Sesame oil was an additive that satisfied both the scent and taste. It tasted like a mixture of cloves and olive oil.
The baby raccoon began to chitter as though it was excited from the smell of sesame oil. When Mu Ssang turned around, the mother raccoon hurriedly turned its head.
Youre hungry, arent you?
The raccoon b**** wasnt shameless any more. It glanced at him with the child in its arms.
There. You s***. I wont chase you out since my teachers acknowledged you. Raise your child well.
He sliced a piece of the beef he had bought in the market and threw it over. When the baby raccoon approached the lump of meat, the mother raccoon slapped the back of its head with its front paw.
That b**** is really stubborn.
It was like any other mother who would restrict its child from eating a strangers offerings. Mu Ssang enacted his becoming one with nature skill. It was hard to maintain becoming one with nature for long periods.
A human couldnt become a natural matter on purpose unless they had a weightless soul like his teacher. According to his teachers critical judgment, becoming one with nature was nothing more than a low-level replication of a fraud.
Its not working.
Despite his efforts, the raccoon b**** didnt lower her guard. It only glanced at the human while slapping the two childrens heads, as they whined for the meat.
Ah!
Mu Ssang finally realized that his entire body was drenched in blood. He was astonished and became sad.
Ive become used to the smell of blood!
Hed considered his blood-drenched form to be normalcy! He automatically sighed. Hed been covered in blood every day, that itd become comparable to sweating.
Then, what of his teacher?
Had he watched on as his student entered the praying square reeking of blood? Well, he was someone who had axed the Buddharpa to light the temples fire, so he wouldnt be bothered by what he had seen. The student and his teacher were alike, as the same dish to the same rice.
Mu Ssang jumped like a startled elk and sprinted out of the temple kitchen. He took a set of a practitioners uniform and ran to the river.
His teacher called him right after he had finished preparing for the pujana.
Mu-Ah!
Yes, Im here.
He had to be respectful when his teacher called him by his Buddhist name. His teacher only called him by his Buddhist name when he was about to teach him something. He had preferred the time when he was called a b*stard. Mu Ssang entered the main room and kneeled.
An announcer was reporting the news as though she was reading the Declaration of Independence from the TV set above the wood. The president was in the background, plastered with an arrogant expression. Others were standing nervously, with their buzzed side hair. With glaring eyes and a pressed mouth, his aura was overwhelming.
Through the autonomous clean-up of media organizations, he gained a great achievement from removing fake media companies and criticizing news reporting agencies. The media was able to consolidate due to the presidents decisions
That was followed by an explanation of how the society had been renewed with the expansion of housing improvement projects in new villages and the Samchung re-education camp.
That f****** b*stard!
Bloodthirst flashed in Mu Ssangs eyes. Things like autonomous closure and consolidation were all bulls***. They were calling the governments violent control of the media to shut down the criticisms as an achievement. Praising a matter which had already been concluded in 1980 was the medias way of sucking up to the most powerful.
The housing improvement project had been enacted by covering perfectly fine tile roofs with tin plates and replacing stone walls with cement blocks. Farmers had to suffer economically and endure the following storms in that duration. There had been endless corruption during the implementation of the project too.
What about the Samchung re-education camp?
He recalled an awful memory of when he was beaten up by metal bats and rifles butts. The citizens, who had their ears and eyes covered by the controlled media, didnt know the truth. Foreign countries were more informed of the countrys situation. He recalled the Chad locals who couldnt even breathe with a gun right before them.
That f*****, I should cut his head off!
A desire to kill suddenly reared its head.
Crack
No.
His teacher swatted the chair with his bamboo stick. Mu Ssang hurriedly composed his mind.
Sha Mu-Ah, this isnt the Sahel. If youre going to cause a scene, leave at once.
Hehe, theres no way your apprentice would do that. I just didnt like seeing that humans f****** face.
Hmph, you still! Hes a human with his own role. Think of the chaos youd cause if you pluck that mans neck. Hes controlling the chaos, albeit through oppression, isnt he? If the world becomes chaotic, the ones to suffer would be the powerless people.
Ah, Ill be careful.
It wasnt surprising that his teacher had gained the sight of thoughts. What couldnt his teacher do when he could easily create explosions out of air? Mu Ssang had so much to protest like the grains found on an islands beach but swallowed it down.
He didnt want to disturb his teachers peace. Well, compared to Chads horrible reality, South Korea was livable. To compensate his growing guilty conscience after sending Ombuti and Edel away, he had prepared an ointment.
Have you prepared the Buddharpa?
Yes. Ive made it simple since its breakfast.
You b*stard, that is what Im scared of. The smell of sesame oil is reaching the heavens.
Hehe, I only prepared some vegetables.
It is nice to have a capable apprentice. Im tired of that human too. It seems like the Buddharpas out of the question since the Buddha prefers a rebirth. Hahaha!
The great monk laughed as he turned the TV off.
Mu-Ah, you have something to do from today onwards.
Ill execute it to the best of my abilities.
You s***, stop using phrases. Its disgusting for someone so young. Look into the mirror.
His teacher acted as though he was shivering when he gave him a mirror.
What do you see?
A really handsome guy smiling.
Hm, that face isnt too bad. The problem is your annoying personality. Look at those eyes, do you see the red bloodlust engraved deep inside them?
Mu Ssang flinched. It was a fact that he had been aware of. Hed known since his transfer to the hospital after completing the mission in Chad. He saw the raging bloodlust deep inside his eyes. He hadnt seen it with his eyes but with his brain instead.
I know. Its probably the result of my killings.
Amita Bul! The Earthly realms have their own flows and rules. Wars are one of the weights that maintains the Earthly realms. Youd have pulled the trigger many times as a mercenary while I beat my wood. I have no intention to lecture you on death. Youve already suppressed evil with evil in the eyes of humanity, so theres no good or evil to debate. The good and wrongdoings of humans are worthless in the perspective of the universe.
Are you worried about the weight of those souls?
Hum, murder is another way to increase debts. Karma weighs heavier in the wheel of Samsara. The heavier the karma, the more weighed down your soul becomes. A heavy soul would turn into insects or a smaller life. A buddha is a position that the lightest soul can reach. Clean your mind from today onwards and pray for the dead. You need to wash your soul, which is weighed down by these souls. Wash your soul that has been drenched in blood.
Your apprentice will do as you say.
Look. Even that stubborn b**** is trembling from the smell that you are emanating. Its a mother raising its child, which makes it completely normal to react despite erasing your existence. Your body has become dulled by bloodlust unknowingly. If you leave a body murky, it will seep into your soul and increase the weight of your karma. Repeat the Sutra of a Thousand Hands and calm your body by praying for the dead souls.
Yes, Ill do it to the best of my abilities.
Mu Ssang agreed with his teachers words, 100 times over. How many people had he killed with his hands? The gifts from the Oecophylla Smaragdina had seemed worthless after meeting his teacher.
100 corpses were nothing to be proud of!
Simo H?yh? had killed the Soviets trying to protect his country, but hed killed countless people in exchange for money. Between himself and the dead, there was no connection.
Had there been a time when one man had caused a genocide against 1,000 people? Hed become a representative of dying a thousand deaths, just as his teacher had said.
His experience and actions were gathered in his body. His body was currently drenched in blood. He was also suffering from a headache due to its strong smell.
He returned to the kitchen after finishing his prayer. The raccoon family had disappeared. It seemed as though theyd fled after a scary guy had shown up during their relaxing stay with a benevolent guy. Mu Ssang had felt neglected.
Mu Ssangs days were peaceful since his life had returned to that of a monk in training. He would practice the 36 forbidden practices and the five disjointment methods upon waking at four in the morning. After that, he would jump into the river to wash before he began to meditate. He would begin his prayer at six and sing the soul-refining chant.
After the morning routine, he would practice the five combined movements for two hours. Once it ended, he would gather herbs and plants. He would study for the university entrance exams after lunch. Fortunately, hed finished his GED before leaving for France. He would serve dinner at six and pray for the evening service at seven. He would give a soul-refining service for two hours afterward. Once he had left the temple, he would study until midnight and go to sleep. His life was filled with leisure to the point of disbelief.
Mu Ssang was surprised to learn that the original exams had disappeared. The original exams had turned into an education achievement exam.
This is unfortunate.
He had felt dizzy upon knowing hed have to enter the university after taking the education achievement exam. His study had been based around the original exam.
There were rumors of how the president had gotten rid of the original exams after forcefully threatening the educational department. It was said that the presidents son was stupid to the point that he couldnt pass the original exam. Mu Ssang had laughed when he heard that. It was a rumor, but the president was capable of doing more than that.
He had finished preparing for the exam by buying two types of education center textbooks. Studying one textbook several times was better than flipping through several textbooks. Usually, people who didnt know how to study had several references.
He couldnt immediately leave to look for his mother, either. There was always a reason behind his teachers orders. 14 years had passed, so one month was nothing. His teacher had said his mother was alive before he had left for France.
Obviously, he had believed his teacher. No, she had to be alive. It was also disrespectful to look for his mother when his body was soaked in blood.
There was a cotton farm located next to a meander Pende lake on a greased land in Doba, Chad Oriental. The Gazelle had left Sun WooHyun adjacent to the Pende lake at a blind spot, leaving without turning back.
Hm! he automatically exclaimed.
The field of white before him was a cotton field. It was white all around, as though a snowstorm had passed. It was white to the horizon. Even the trees were different. Cotton had strong stems but were seasonal plants. Those were maidenhair trees. Its height was nearly two meters tall.
There were also many cotton fields in his hometown, Gaesung. They would usually plant cotton in the remodeled mountain fields. Even that was barely 30 pyung. Arranging the small fields in seven rows would cost below 100 pyung. The entire mountain would turn white in August.
Sun WooHyun became lost in his memories as he stroked the cotton tree that was as thick as his arm. The cotton that Sun WooHyun had seen was Indian. Its growth was short as it was an annual plantshort, rough, and tough. Asian cotton would grow in North Korea while upland cotton would grow in South Korea. Everything was seasonal.
His awe of the grand scenery lasted for a moment. He didnt know how to take care of the task that Wakil had entrusted him. Wakil had told him to do well. Well, he didnt know how to do well. Sun WooHyun wanted to finish Wakils task to impress him, but his expectation was the problem.
It would have been nice if he had sent Ombuti along. Should I just kill them all?
That wasnt it. That wasnt how Wakil did it. Negotiate? Not that either. It was hard to guess his Wakils intentions and why he had been sent instead.
Aha! Sun WooHyun exclaimed as though a ghost had possessed him amid his struggles.
Hes basically telling me to do whatever I want since he trusts me!
He could also guess the reason why he had sent Edel along with Ombuti. Wakil was hinting at him to see blood if needed. Sun WooHyun realized that his entire life had revolved around the orders of others.
As expected of Wakil, hes wise for his age. I, Sun WooHyun, am impressed. Ill figure this out well since Miss Edels involved.
Sun WooHyun was impressed and moved by the words that Black Mamba had thrown out of annoyance.
I should start moving. The ministers one of them. Well, Wakil should be able to suppress him once he returns.
A small girl came into his view just then. She was wearing khaki-colored pants and a loose t-shirt. Her feet were bare. She was holding two water cans the size of herself.
Bonjour, enchant!
The girl hesitated. She looked warily at the strange man.
Pouvez-vous maider, sil vous pla?t?[1]
[1] Can you help me, please?
Chapter 193 - Neo-psychopath
It was a soft and friendly voice. Sun WooHyun was confused as to whether it was his own. The young girl hesitated before answering in French.
Oui, quest-ce que tu veux de moi?[1]
Oh, yeah! Sun WooHyun shouted enthusiastically.
He had done well by pressing down on his boonie hat. His face looked like a tubilis[2]. All the women, including those in North Korea and Africa, screamed when they saw his face. It was only Rudrey Edel who had treated his knife-scarred face with normalcy. That was why Sun WooHyun had come to be in Edels faction.
Jai une question a vous posez. Ou-est le Samaria Farm?[3]
Devant votre nez![4]
Merci, merci!
His fortune continued. The girl was one of the Samaria Farms main house workers. He had gotten rid of the idea of kidnapping someone for information. There was no need to wait until nightfall anymore.
Isnt there a well on the farm?
The girls face turned dark.
Im being punished right now.
Who? Who is the b*stard that is punishing such a pretty girl?
The girls mouth fell open. Women possessed emotional processing, which was 100 times faster than men. Empathy was the way to a womans heart.
The master. I was found talking about Sir Edel.
Hm, whats wrong about that?
The master doesnt let us talk about Sir Edel. Men are beaten by sticks while women have to draw water all day.
Huh, Ive never seen such a bad man.
When Sun WooHyun took her side, the girls face grew bright.
Whats your name?
Akra!
Oh, Akra! Your name is as beautiful as your face. How many men work on the farm?
Tubilis Sun WooHyun had tried his best. He had learned 30 different ways of treating women from Edel in the hospital. Firstly, one had to agree and praise their beauty. He had to comment on a half-chewed dumpling with praise.
Theres many. A lot.
Sun Woohyuns energy seeped out at the uncertain answer. He wanted to ask how many of those men had carried guns but decided not to. Chads illiteracy rate was 97 percent. It could be said that its entire population was illiterate. Some children couldnt even count.
I guess I need to check it out myself.
Sun WooHyun carried the water buckets on Akras behalf and followed her. A lopsided, weak wired fence door stopped his path. There were two entrance protector bars and no guards.
The girl passed the entrance and kept walking. On both sides were fluffy cotton fields. Sun WooHyun walked along without a hint of nervousness, enjoying the scenery.
A huge white concrete building appeared 10 minutes into the walk. It was a two-story house of Romanesque architecture. A short acacia tree was seen around the house with a wooden fence protecting the parameters.
Sun WooHyuns eagle eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. There was a guardhouse in front of the houses entrance. There were two b*stards with Lee-Enfield rifles on guard. Lee-Enfield was a mass-product rifle from the English Royal Small Arms Factory in 1930. It was old but more powerful than the modern rifle.
There was a guard net set up on the right side of the house. Edel had said the farm was 900 pyung. Considering Chads security, it was possible to have a separate guard force.
Sun WooHyuns head began to work quickly. 900 pyung meant five and a half kilometers per side. It was basically over 1,000,000. In military terms, it meant at least 100 nets.
There were around 20 rooms in the house, and there was a Jeep located to the left of the houses garage. Edels uncle and his dog of a son could be in the house.
100 meters away, he could see a barrack-type building made of bricks and wood. He had guessed that it was the personnels quarters. In COTS, that meant 80 people in size. From the farms size, it was likely that the workers accommodations were scattered.
Who the hell are you?
A harsh voice rang while Sun WooHyun was analyzing his surroundings. It was a young, African teenager holding a gun upside down. He had approached in a swagger. There was a scent of alcohol. The guard slapped Sun WooHyuns arm. He had predicted the b*stards actions, but he had sacrificed his shoulder, pretending that he was an idiot.
Ugh!
Sun WooHyun tilted in an exaggerated motion, spilling the buckets. Even then, his eyes were busy observing the surroundings.
Takali, mean! That man helped me carry the water buckets, the young girl protested at the young teenager.
Go away. You cant bring a stranger in.
The black teenager shoved the girl away. The girl rolled on the sand.
YouIm going to tell the butler on you!
Hmph, you do that.
It seems like the ones in power are those with guns. Should I just slice off that s***s neck? Wakil would have shattered him immediately.
The bulky African teenager didnt realize that his life was hanging on the edge of a cliff. He raised his chin and threw his weight around.
Look, get the f*** out of here. Ill make a hole in your skull.
Clack
Takali pulled the rifles safety back.
Number 49 you f****** b*stard, Im going to leave your head on for now, Sun WooHyun turned around as he muttered in North Korean.
There was nothing to see anymore. Lousy guards like them werent his match even before Wakil had raised his combat abilities. They were untrained b*stards who drank during work.
An arm poked out of the larva-looking object underneath a palm tree.
Zip
The zipper came down. Sun WooHyun wriggled out of his sleeping bag like a grown caterpillar coming out of its larva.
He shook his head like a fluttering insect and washed his eyes with the water in his canteen. Countless stars filled the sky. A white milky way crossed the heavens while a half-crinkled light hung on the western horizon.
It is a frightening yet beautiful day to see blood!
Sun WooHyun organized his sleeping bag and took out the disassembled Pamus from his backpack.
The Pamus is Over-Spec for dogs and f****** b*stards. Yes, it is. I should see some blood. It has been some time.
Sun WooHyuns thoughts changed as he assembled the barrel and head. He placed the Pamus back into his backpack and equipped the Spetsnaz knife on his lower left arm. He checked the Glocks on his calf and hip and placed four magazines in his small bag. He also checked the piano strings and 20 darts in his upper pockets. Even his mumbling habits had started to resemble Black Mamba.
Its showtime. Nick Wayneright Edel, wasnt it? Lets see what the f***** who killed his older brother looks like.
Dadadada
Sun WooHyun began to sprint at a fearsome speed. One leap was nearly two meters long. He had completely taken to his changed body. The Samaria Farm appeared at the corner of his eyes.
No, Wakil always did things head-on.
He changed his mind as he was about to jump over the fence and headed towards the houses front door instead. Sun WooHyun had been deeply traumatized by Black Mambas teachings.
There were two guards. One was asleep in the guardhouse, while the other was sleeping outside.
Crack
The guard who was sleeping outside the box had his neck twisted off. He ignored the guards newfound strange appearance and entered the box. Sun WooHyun grabbed the guards hair and slammed his gun on the guards head.
Kegh!
The guards eyes grew red from the unexpected attack, as though it would burst.
Ill kill you if you make a sound.
The guard nodded his head like a woodpecker.
Crack
Sun WooHyun cracked his neck with the back of his hand. The guard who had his airway opened started breathing rapidly. Sun WooHyun mockingly smiled after checking his face.
Hear hearits the f****** b*stard number 49! Youre well in my grasp. You see that?
Sun WooHyun pointed at the guard whose neck had been twisted off. The long, dangling tongue, which had fallen out, flickered in green under the light.
Uuuhhhhhh!
The guard shivered violently, to the point that it was pitiful. Sun WooHyuns anger dissipated instantly. They werent soldiers but simply countryside farmers with guns.
How many men are armed?
23.
Where are they?
They are at the guards quarters behind the workers quarters.
And how many workers are there?
120 workers are living on the farm. Around 400 to 500 came in since its harvest season.
Is the farm owner in the house?
What? Yes, hes in the third room to the right on the second floor.
The guard revealed information that he hadnt even asked for, in fear.
How is it this easy?
Sun WooHyun tilted his head. There wasnt a need to use his specialty or break the guards fingers, either.
Crack
It was the sound of twigs breaking. Sun WooHyun tilted his body instinctively.
Clang
The guardhouses window shattered. The bullet which had passed by Sun WooHyuns cheek embedded itself onto the wall. A black line flashed the moment the guards face relaxed.
Schink
Sun WooHyun, who had escaped the guardhouse, rolled into the drain. Takali, who had his Adams apple sliced by the knife, collapsed.
Bang
Bang
Bullets followed Sun WooHyun as he sprinted towards the fence.
Damn it. I thought it was too easy. Im not the stork yet, huh?
Sun WooHyun wanted to bang his head open for acting like Black Mamba. He had made a bigger mess out of things when it could have ended easily.
God, its an intruder!
Catch him!
Bang bang bang
Guards poured out of the building. Bullets started pouring in heaps. If there was anything to consider fortunate, it was the guards lousy shooting.
Sun WooHyun jumped over the drains and buried himself in the cotton fields. The sounds grew louder. All the arc lights surrounding the house came on at once.
Ive become really stupid here, but this is my profession, after all. Lets see some blood for the first time in a while.
Sun WooHyun laughed with a twisted smile.
What the hell?
Surprised by the gunshots, Nick Wayneright Edel sat up. The woman he had wrapped around his leg fell to the floor and rolled underneath the bed.
Master, please forgive me.
She was barely in her mid-teens. The girl, whose chest had barely started rising, kneeled in her naked form.
Move!
Nick kicked the girl aside and wore his clothes. He hurriedly took up the interphone and pressed zero, which connected him to the guard box. The ringing continued. He pressed one which connected him to their lodgings.
Clack
Sir, its Enduma.
What were those gunshots?
Theres an intruder, sir. The guards are going after him.
How many intruders are there?
Dont worry, sir. Theres only one.
One?
Nick sighed in relief. The FROLINAT was pushed up north, but Dobas security was like a doghouse. The starved locals turned into violent mobs randomly. The locals and some robbers swarmed his farm often to beg for food. He had to hire armed guards, separate from the provinces officers.
Is it a robber?
Dont worry, sir. Its just a rat.
Good, theres no reason to let a cotton rat live. Gather the vigilante and kill him. Report back to me.
Crash
Nick shoved the phone down and collapsed onto the bed.
F****** damn Africa!
A land without law or rules alongside dirty, smelly humans, increasing numbers of flies and mosquitoes, and insects crawling into his househe was tired of it all.
He wanted to sell the farm and return to England, but the unstable market negotiations made it hard to sell. The negotiations that required him to hand over 50 percent of the farms share were still underway.
Just killing that rat is enough.
The plantations farm owner was a king, whether it was chaotic or not. He could order the laborers around or kill them. Nick went back to his bed. The black girl glanced at him and slowly laid down beside him. Even in his dreams, Nick wouldnt have known that a wolf had entered his farm instead.
Mukampa, the rat is hiding in the cotton field. Gather the corps, send two guys up on the roof, and turn on the searchlight. Were going to catch the rat from now on! Enduma shouted with vigor.
Including the 23 armed guards, there were 30 vigilantes with feelings, axes, and spears, rushing into the cotton field. The two strong searchlights set up on the houses roof similarly searched the cotton field.
The soils good!
Sun WooHyun praised the black, fertile soil covering the ground, as it was soft. North Koreas soil had been weakened by the weather, and therefore, grainy. The country even lacked fertilisers.
How much rice could he yield if he planted rice in this large land? Sun WooHyun calculated mentally to the best of his abilities. 300 pyung could bring 350 kilograms while 900,000 pyung could bring 10,000,000,000 kilograms.
North Koreas food shortage was growing intense by the day. The land should be growing rice, not cotton.
Why am I thinking of that?
Sun WooHyun laughed at his silliness. He was a French citizen who served a South Korean master. North Korea was another mans country now. It was a country filled with bad memories.
Drag
Drag
His bare feet that were covered in soil stopped his trail of thoughts. A guard walked through, tearing the cotton apart with his gun. Sun WooHyuns combat abilities rose in the blue light.
Sst
A small resonance, inaudible to the concentrated ear, rang.
Kuh!
A small groan was heard. Sun WooHyun snatched the handle.
Split
The blood that streaked through the sky turned the white cotton, red. The guard, who had his neck sliced in half, fell to the ground. The murder weapon was a small dagger attached to the end of a piano string.
Sasasa
Sun WooHyun escaped the cotton trees like a ghost.
[1] Yes, what do you want from me?
[2] Devil.
[3] I have something to ask. Where is the Samaria Farm?
[4] In front of your nose!
Chapter 194 - Neo-psychopath
Sun WooHyuns body was as thin as a bamboo tree, barely reaching 165 centimeters in height. While the reeds of mainland Asia were 80 centimeters, Indian reeds grew up to two meters.
Sun WooHyun could run around and clear a path through the thickest parts of the cotton field without having to duck. On top of that, it was nighttime. The night battle in the thick cotton field was absolutely advantageous for Sun WooHyun.
Besides, Black Mamba had remodeled a four-cylinder 1,500 cubic centimeters into a six-cylinder 3,600 cubic centimeters. Sun WooHyun, who was equipped with a greater engine for his small figure, overflowed with power. His sight and senses had similarly increased with the soul-returning pain administration, so there was nothing to fear.
Theyre scarecrows.
While he was completely concealed, the enemy had to comb through the cotton field. The cotton stalks shook every time they moved. They were b*stards who didnt know the concept of silent movements.
It was an unfair battle where he had hidden, and the enemy was in plain sight. Having gained enough confidence, Sun WooHyun focused his attention on joining the hunt. The tubilis appeared silently like a cotton rat whenever the cotton stalks shook.
Blood spurted and screams rang through the night sky. Even the searchlights on the roofs had helped him. They were basically pointing out the targets for him.
Rustle rustle
It was the sound of clothes brushing against the cotton stalks. Sun WooHyun immediately moved forward and hid his body ahead of time.
Hey, bring the lantern over. There are traces of a rat.
Bare feet passed before Sun WooHyuns eyes, who was lying down on the ground.
Schink
A knife slit through the mans ankle.
Agh!
A tortured scream rang. The armed man, who had his ankle sliced, rolled around the ground like mad. Sun WooHyun felt satisfied. Hed accomplished slicing off a thick ankle bone in an uncomfortable position. That showed great progress. He became grateful to his Wakil, once more.
There!
Tela-toon!
The guards sprinted forward, pushing the stalks aside violently.
Rustle
Crack
The ankles of the guards who had advanced without a plan were cut mercilessly.
Ack!
Aaagh! Below! The b*stards cutting out ankles!
Chaos spread across the cotton field immediately.
Hehe, theres nothing else like lower body attack. This is addictive.
Sun WooHyun dissolved into a smile.
Shoot.
No, there are people on our side!
I cant find the target.
Do you want to die? Just shoot!
Bullets started pouring in. It was as though they didnt care whether their people were hit.
Sun WooHyun had long escaped the scene. Bullets had entered the bodies of those who were suffering in pain.
Try your best.
Rustle
Sun WooHyuns body flapped from head to toe like a swimming seal. It was a silent moving technique that the scouting units had exaggeratingly named, flashing steps. When used, it would push the ground back by using the knees and big toes to increase speed.
It was the devils technique of gaining two rabbits with one stone. In this case, it was both speed and silence. However, as a result, many warriors suffered joint dislocations, which led to dischargement. Sun WooHyun instantly rounded the guards rear.
Sun WooHyun followed the guards like a shadow, living up to his name, tubilis. A massacre that combined strangulation and assassination occurred.
Ting
The piano string wrapped itself around the rear guards neck. The guard was dragged to the bottom of the cotton tree without a chance to speak until the string flung back.
Slap
Blood spurted out of his neck. The unfortunate soul left its body without a chance to scream.
The rear! The b*stards behind us!
The shout spread throughout the night sky after five names had been wiped off the Azraels list. A dart pierced through the back of the shouting mans neck.
Kurgh!
The tortured scream pushed the guards and vigilantes into a sea of chaos and fear.
Bang bang bang
Terrified, the guards started pulling the trigger at random. Remains of the cotton trees sprang all over the place.
The b*stards a professional killer. Search in groups of two. Anyone who falls back will be killed! Enduma shouted.
F***, groups of two!
Sun WooHyun took off the dead guards t-shirt. He shoved the rifle in the t-shirt and threw it far away. It was an ancient method that was good at luring enemies who were frightened out of their wits.
Clack
There!
Catch him!
Guns started to crack. The vigilantes relentlessly pulled their triggers.
The b*stard doesnt have a gun! Vigilantes, attack!
The vigilantes armed with axes and sticks gathered around the place where the gun had fallen. Sun WooHyun, who was positioned behind them, threw darts continuously.
Agh!
Ugh!
Kill him!
Aggressive shouting combined with screams were heard.
Bang
A shadow had collapsed after being shot in close range with a Glock. He was a vigilante who had whipped the cotton stalks around violently with his stick, in fear.
These f****** b*stards, I didnt shoot you because itll be a waste of bullets.
Sun WooHyun was excited. He could catch every movement and sound of the enemy. His strength, speed, and senses had all been enhanced. The killing techniques hed learned in the scouting unit was displayed to its best ability.
In the past, he used to pull the string with both hands after wrapping it around the neck. However, now, he could easily pull. Even the darts he had thrown, embedded itself deeply until he couldnt see its handle. His shooting had also become more refined as his Wakil had promised.
I am Azraels warrior. You f****** s****. Ill crack your skulls open and pull out your spines, Sun WooHyuns voice growled across the field.
Kanma!
The Kanma has appeared!
Shouts riddled in fear echoed. The bloody fights focus had shifted. Now, the chasers went into hiding while Sun WooHyun sought them out to end their lives. The cat chasing the rat had their positions reversed.
Sun WooHyun used the wire, darts, and Glock at the right moments to continue the massacre. He killed those in hiding and those who had run away.
The shouts, gunfire, and chaos died down. A heavy silence descended. Only the cotton field glowed in blue under the moonlight.
Hey, you rats, Im over here!
Sun WooHyuns overconfident scream rang across the night sky. The ripple across the silence died down once more. Only the moon, which leaned towards the west, shone its light.
Hm, theres no answer.
There was strength in Sun WooHyuns shoulders as he left the cotton field. His chin was raised slightly.
What are all those things?
There was a mass of people gathering in front of the personnel building. All of them were simply standing as though they were mute. They threw several glances and rushed back inside the building. The longer the night passed, there were bound to be several dreams.
Sun WooHyun closed his right eye and leaped over the fence. The searchlight came on without exception.
Bang
Bang
Bullets started pouring in from the roof.
Bang
Crack
The searchlight had shattered with a single shot.
Hehe, Im Namir now, not tubilis.
Sun WooHyun was completely enamored with himself. It was possible. Shooting a target within 40 centimeters outdoors with an 80 meters range gun was impossible.
Bullets continued pouring in randomly from the roof.
Those newbies are shooting when they can barely get their stance right.
Sun WooHyun lowered his body and ran in zig-zags. Bullets kept pouring in from the roof, but it was impossible to shoot the shadow that ran like the wind.
Sun WooHyun crossed the field and entered the house in three breaths. He grabbed the water pipe and crawled up like a squirrel. He grabbed the edge of the roof, and shot up, just like that.
Ah! What the hell?
The guard hurriedly aimed his rifle at the black shadow.
Bang bang
Sparks beamed out of the shadow that had jumped into the air. He had deflected the bullets, faster than the eye could catch. Two bullets had entered the guards forehead as he attempted to shoot the rifle.
Aaah!
An African with a bat ran at him. He was at least two times bigger than Sun WooHyun in physicality. Sun WooHyun leaned back as though he was doing a limbo.
Voom
The bat skimmed over his chest.
Sun WooHyuns foot came up as his balance tilted to the back.
Plop
A strange impact was delivered. Even before the man could scream, Sun WooHyun had flipped back up like a spring.
Crack
His ankle landed on the collapsed mans neck like an ax.
Bang
The tall man fell to the floor with his neck bone broken.
Arent you thankful? Whats the point of living without your d***? Just die.
Sun WooHyun acted like Black Mamba as he exhaled muddled breaths.
47 and Ive lost about 16. Well, theres tomorrow and the next day.
Sun WooHyun jumped off the roof without hesitation. Sun WooHyun had come to disregard the height of seven to eight meters.
Clack
Clack
The main door was locked. He took out a long piece of metal from his pocket and shoved it around. It was unlocked.
Hehehe, Wakil would have shattered it with force. Im technical.
Sun WooHyun entered the house like it was his own. A strong African man jumped out from behind the door as soon as he stepped a foot indoors. With unstable eyes, his mentality had appeared unstable.
Sun WooHyun looked at the man with pitiful eyes.
Do you want to die?
The man hesitated at his sharp gaze before studying Sun WooHyuns frame.
Haaaaaa!
A kitchen knife came at his chest.
Haha! Sun WooHyun laughed.
The idiot must have gained confidence from his small frame.
Tap
The mans eyes grew wide.
Craack
It was the sound of bones breaking. The arm with the knife was twisted the other way.
Psst
Blood splattered. The mans mouth dropped open. Bloodshot eyes looked down at the knife that had embedded his chest. The hands around the knife were definitely his own.
Aaagh!
F****** like you need to experience this to know whats right and wrong.
Sun WooHyuns arm made a semicircle.
Crack
Blood started oozing out of the middle-aged African mans mouth.
Bang
Red blood spilled over the light green carpet.
Cold eyes glared at the pale-faced men and women who were there. There were two middle-aged women, an old man, and two girls.
Who are you?
The old man stepped up.
Please, save us. Im the butler Barongo. The two women are chefs, and the two children are our delivery girls.
Do you know what happened?
The butler shook his head.
We dont know anything. We simply woke because of the loud gunshots.
Those who carried guns and knives were all killed by my hands. 47 had died, and the rest fled.
Imimpossible!
My God!
The butler and women couldnt speak with their jaws hanging open.
Im the warrior of Azrael. I am also the representative of Miss Rudrey Edel.
The butlers face grew bright after several blinks.
Really? Where is our miss?
Shes in a safe place.
Ohh! Our lady was alive.
Oh, God! Our young lady is alive! Ahh!
The butlers face grew bright while the two middle-aged women held each other and cried. They had found it unbelievable that the guards and vigilantes were massacred, but had believed that their young lady was still alive.
Is there a b*stard called Nick upstairs?
Yes, but there are guards
Let me say this again. Ive killed all of those who were armed.
Areare you speaking the truth?
The warrior of Azrael doesnt lie. If you doubt me one more time, Ill kill you.
The words filled with the stench of blood made everyone close their mouths. Their eyes were still filled with mistrust.
Whos that b*stard?
Sun WooHyun pointed at the African man who was still breathing.
Hes the small masters secretary.
Bang
Sun WooHyun had pulled the trigger and made a hole in the mans head before the butler could finish his sentence. Blood and brain fluid ascended into the air before dirtying the carpet.
Aaack!
The women screamed.
Shush. Thats the last one. Lead the way.
Yes, sir. Ill guide you.
Butler Barongos arms and legs were shivering. Sun WooHyun looked at the women. They were shivering miserably.
Azraels warrior doesnt harm the innocent.
Sun WooHyun straightened his shoulders and raised his chin. Even then, his small height didnt live up to his aura. The middle-aged womens faces relaxed.
Young master, theres a guest.
Barongo opened the door without knocking. He was a butler who could read the situation faster than anyone, a skill he had gained from his long life experiences. Master had soon been replaced with a young master.
What the hell? Why are you opening the door without my permission? a shout rang from within.
Sun WooHyuns face crumpled the moment he entered the room. There was a sour smell, and a woman crouched on the bed. He could almost imagine the picture.
You dirty swine, thats because this isnt your room.
Sun WooHyun was proud of himself for saying such a cool comment. If he hadnt served his master, he wouldnt have dreamt of saying it. He couldnt imagine Wakil being beaten up, even in his dreams.
The thin man sitting on the sofa leaped up.
Whatwhat the hell is this b*stard?
Eyes accessorized with a monocle rapidly assessed the intruder. He was wearing clothes drenched heavily in blood. It was impossible to see the colors underneath, coupled with a frightening face and awkward French skills. Nick had been waiting for Endumas report. His brain struggled to make the calculations.
Butler, who the hell is this b*stard?
There was a saying that those who were kind didnt find someone themselves, and those who did werent kind. The moment Nicks brain had come to its senses, it rang an alarm. He sneakily opened the tea tables drawer and grabbed a gun.
Hes a guest.
Guest? You crazy b*stard.
Nick raised the gun. Sun WooHyuns hand twitched. The dart, which had flown without a sound, skewered Nicks wrist.
Agh!
A painful shout echoed.
I thought you were a dirty piece of work since you killed your own brother, but it turns out youre an impatient b*stard.
Crack
Sun WooHyun slapped the mans face, closing the distance instantly.
Crash
Nick fell to the ground along with the tea table. Nicks soul wandered the boundary of life and death with a single hit.
Chapter 195 - Episode 5: Neo-psychopath
Nick was a man of noble blood. His brother might have been the one to receive the position, but he had lived his entire life ordering people around. His reputation as a noble would worsen if he had stepped up. Despite the chaos and gunshots outside, he didnt care. Peasants were bound to personally take care of their own matters.
It was like lightning in broad daylight for him. Hanging out with those blackies was degrading enough but to be slapped by a yellow one?
When would Nick experience such humiliation as a noble? His mentality had crumbled at the oppressive violence. Nick blankly gazed at Sun WooHyun.
Sun WooHyuns mind became complicated. According to Miss Edel, the greatest villain of all was Nick Edel. The loud battle had continued for over an hour.
Hed thought that the mastermind was very strong since hed been staying put in his room. However, to lose his mind over a single slap, that wasnt an evil mastermind but a half-a**ed prune. Sun WooHyun had even suspected that the real mastermind had already escaped, leaving behind a decoy.
Youre Nick Wayneright Edel, right?
There was absolute silence.
Nick couldnt reply as his soul had escaped.
You are Nick Wayneright Edel, am I right?
The same question was repeated. He could sense Sun WooHyuns bloodlust. Nicks brain sent out warning signals, even in its haziness.
II am.
Im Miss Rudrey Edels representative and the Azraels warrior.
What! Edel? I see. Edel has sent you.
The moment he had heard Edels name, Nicks spirit returned. Blood started rushing to Sun WooHyuns cheeks.
This f****** b*stards digging his own grave.
He barely managed to control the urge to bash the mans head.
Youre the intruder. What happened to the guards?
If youre talking about those guys holding the knives and guns, theyve all returned to Allah to seek their punishment.
I dont believe it.
Nick shook his head from side to side. The intruder could have led them astray to infiltrate his room.
I dont care whether you f****** s*** believe me or not. Youre the b*stard who killed his brother, Colton, to steal the farm. Right?
Still not replying? Im starting to get pissed off.
When Sun WooHyuns face began to darken, Nick rapidly waved his hands.
Wait, wait. Lets negotiate.
Negotiate?
A mocking smile landed on Sun WooHyuns face. Nick, who had misjudged and thought that hed gained the mans interest, began to talk rapidly.
I dont know what Rudrey promised you, but the only inheritance she has is a house in our country. Ill make a counteroffer. If you kill Rudrey, Ill give you 50,000,000 pounds. Youll become a billionaire and live the rest of your life in peace.
Nick narrowed his eyes and glared at Sun WooHyun. It was an expression that questioned his decision to turn down such an offer. Sun WooHyun suddenly felt dizzy.
50,000,000 pounds!
It was an immense amount that could pluck the underlords nostrils and more. It was a bet that would have shaken his mind, had he not met his Wakil. It was a large sum that could make him point his blade elsewhere and more about a month ago.
Hehehe, its a bet that flips the eyes around.
I can even make you a British citizen if you need it.
Ho, 50,000,000 pounds and a British citizenship! Amazing but too bad, Ive already been blinded by a human who doesnt have greed. That human told me to live a proper life since its not going to last 100 years anyway. Ive stupidly thrown away money and fell into the trap of loyalty, trust, and friendship. You know, those worthless things.
What the hell are you talking about? Nick shouted.
He heard first-rate killers had unstable minds, and the guy before him was exactly the case.
Hm, if I take that money, neither would I be able to flee to Mars nor live in England. You want me to get beaten to death for 50,000,000 pounds? No, that cant happen. Youll know why Im saying this once you experience your bones getting beaten. In conclusion, I dont need money from a man who asks me to kill his own nephew. Lets begin now.
Sun WooHyun looked for a suitable object. A girl shivering in the corner of the bed caught his attention first. Her figure looked familiar.
Raise your head.
Her face was filled with fear, accompanied by tears and hair plastered to her cheeks. She was definitely someone hed seen before.
Huh! Youre Akra?
She was the girl hed met and helped at the farms outskirts. One side of the girls face had a blue bruise. It was a mark from Nicks kick.
Mister!
Sun WooHyuns lid blew right off at the girls mumbled pronunciation. His eyes flamed in anger.
Did that b*stard do this?
Hic, mister
The tears that had been welling in Akras eyes finally fell.
So you touched and beat a girl who didnt even bleed, is that it, you f****** son of a swine? You killed your brother, you requested the death of your nephew, and now you forced a child who hasnt even developed yet! Im going to settle things in black and white today.
Sun WooHyun looked around the bedroom.
Oho, a golf stick!
About ten golf clubs were arranged neatly on the wall. Sun WooHyun looked at them and grabbed the second wood brush.
Voom
Voom
The golf club emitted strong air-trembling vibrations.
This is the perfect fit.
Sun WooHyun nodded. The length and weight were perfect. He didnt realize he was copying Black Mambas words and actions.
Upon realizing the intruders intentions, Nicks eyes grew wide. On the other hand, the butlers jaw had dropped open.
Impossible!
You f****** b*stard, it is very much possible. You tried to shove my life into hell with just 50,000,000 pounds. Thats enough of a sin to die. Moreover, I can never forgive a lolita b*stard.
Woosh
The fiberglass shaft bent and slapped itself onto Nicks back.
Crack
Aahck!
A shout erupted. Nick contorted like an earthworm on salt.
Uhh!
A strange sound, indecipherable as to whether it was an exclamation or a shout, came out of the butlers mouth. The world must have turned its back on the powerful farm owner-English nobleman for him to get whipped. He realized the short eastern man wasnt an average man at all.
Eehehehe!
Sun WooHyun laughed eerily. Sad memories of sh**ting blood after being beaten up by his Wakil had filled his mind.
I always wanted to try it.
He tried his best to remember the spots and timing of Black Mambas beating.
His talent grew the more he hit. His haphazard beating slowly gained its structure.
Crack
Agh!
Crack
Crack
Ah, agh!
Crack
Crack
Crack
Ah, agh, argh!
Sun WooHyun had lost himself in the small vibrations of the trembling muscles, the sensation of whipping right across the skin, the beats of the impact, and the screams that had followed after the impacts. It seemed as though there was nothing more enjoyable on earth.
Ehehehehe!
Sun WooHyuns eyes glinted. The butler slowly attached himself to the wall.
Rrring
Ring
The interphone rang.
Oh!
The golf club stopped moving midway. Sun WooHyuns reason had returned from its walk. The clean, middle-aged white man was gone, and a lump of red meat was in his place.
Butler, why is he like that?
Sun WooHyun turned around to look at the butler. The butlers face was white. Azraels warrior had reached another level of fear.
Youyou did that, Sir Warrior.
I did?
Surprised, Sun WooHyun rapidly leaned down and placed his ears near Nicks chest.
Phew, I thought the f****** b*stard died.
Sun WooHyun patted his chest down. Wakil had told him not to kill the man. Hed almost made a mistake on his first assignment.
Dude, be relieved. If it hadnt been for Wakils orders, I would have taken apart 400 pieces of your bones. You f****** b*stard, I didnt have an ounce of sympathy until I was 35.
The butler rolled his eyes. He didnt know what those words had meant, but the last few sounded sad.
Ah!
Sun WooHyun turned towards Akra. She was shivering with her face buried in the bed.
Damn it. Im going to get beaten up by Wakil.
Hed shown an unsightly sight before a child. It was one of the many things that Wakil had hated.
Akra!
Yeyes, Mr. Warrior!
Akras eyes couldnt meet Sun WooHyuns eyes.
Go downstairs and take a break.
Akra went downstairs. It looked as though she was rolling.
Rrring
Rrring
The interphone rang again.
Butler, take the phone. If its an outsider, tell the person the owners out, and if its an insider, tell the person to come here.
The butler went to pick up the interphone with wobbly legs.
Ah, commander! The master asks you to come to the office immediately. Report once you get here. Hes downstairs right now, yes.
The butler lowered the phone and reported to Sun WooHyun.
Sir Warrior, its the leader of the guards, Enduma. Hell be coming here shortly.
Hm, good job. He should be one of the many who ran.
Sun WooHyun placed the brush back in its place and grabbed the seventh iron.
Ehehehehehe!
His expression, which had been filled with disappointment, broke into glee. This was the chance to blow any of his regrets away. The butler plastered himself against the wall and looked like he was about to dig into it.
Enduma crossed the grass field with staggering steps.
Tubilis, tubilis! he muttered continuously.
A devil had come into the farm, not a rat. Over 50 of his subordinates had been killed meaninglessly. It was unbelievable but a reality.
Hed silently twisted or sliced their necks and ankles with knives. It was a butchering that no human could do. He didnt want to cross paths with the devil again. He was determined to leave the farm once he had reported to the master.
Why are these s**** acting like this?
Enduma glared at the chefs and the girls with a bewildered face. They acted as though he wasnt there. Normally, they would bend their hips at his entrance.
Do you want to die? Enduma shouted in anger.
He would have kicked them all had he not decided to leave the farm.
Shh!
The chef brought a finger to her mouth and pointed towards the second floor.
Hm! Enduma grunted with difficulty.
It meant that the master was angered, so he should walk up silently. He had made his own interpretation of the gesture. The remainder of Endumas life was about to go downhill due to a single misjudgment.
Knock
Knock
Come in.
The butler opened the door. Once he entered the room, Enduma became confused. He had prepared for a sound scolding, but the scene inside the room was foreign.
There was a stench of blood, a lump of meat abandoned on the bed, and a small human glaring at him with shining eyes, holding a golf club. Enduma glanced at the butler.
Barongo, wheres the master?
Whys that man acting so weird?
The butler was smiling senselessly. Suddenly, all the hairs on his body rose.
Ah, its that guy.
Enduma, who realized the situation a moment too late, hurriedly reached for the Lee-Enfield on his shoulder. Sun WooHyun, who had been sitting on the sofa, closed the five meters between them instantly. He shoved the rifle aside with his left hand and kneed Endumas chest with his iron-like knees. A crack and a shout echoed together.
Kugh!
Enduma fell forward. His chest had collapsed with a single hit.
Ehehehehehe!
A satisfied smile appeared on Sun WooHyuns face as he raised the seventh iron. Hed been told to keep Nick alive, but he hadnt been told to do the same for Enduma.
Crack
Crack
The seventh iron had its own unique purpose aside from its intended purpose.
Agh!
Ah, agh!
Agh, agh, argh!
Enduma screamed and struggled like a pig on a chopping board. Sun WooHyun cautiously paid his attention to the rhythm and strength of the impact. He wanted to increase and lengthen the amount of joy as long as he could.
10 minutes passed. The smell of ammonia and vaporized sulfur dioxide had filled the room.The human on the floor had disappeared, leaving only a shell.
This dirty b*stard. Butler, check on him.
Barongo had several grudges against Enduma, who was violent and rude on average. Barongo moved as though he was flying and kicked the mans side, before pressing his ears to Endumas chest.
He is still breathing.
What a tenacious b*stard.
Sun WooHyun threw the golf club aside. His face was shining brightly, as though hed gotten rid of the burdens hed been carrying for the past decade.
Butler, heal these b*stards.
Should I call the tribal priests if theres no doctor?
Whatever you want.
Twilight had come after all kinds of chaos. Sun WooHyun laid down on Nicks bed. A good kind of tiredness washed over him.
Sir warrior, are there any other orders?
Sun WooHyun opened his eyes, which were about to close.
Butler, do you like Miss Edel?
Of course. We were most happy when the first master was around. Master treated us like humans. He treated our illnesses for free, gave us food, and sent the children to school. Miss Edel is an angel. She ate the same food and slept in the same rooms as us. Hell began when the second master took over after the first masters gruesome death. We couldnt eat properly and had to work to death. Those who had resisted or complained were sent to prison. Some had their hands chopped off while others were killed. The 20 francs we received as wages were reduced to 10 francs. Even that wasnt given properly.
10 francs? How do you survive on that?
Sun WooHyun frowned. Even if Chads market was cheap, 10 francs wasnt enough for a family of four to survive in a month.
We either ate once a day or starved. Were only praying for Miss Edels safe return since thats all we can do.
I see. Miss Edels a beautiful, wise, and hardworking woman. She should be loved by everyone. Of course, theres a human who doesnt think so
Whatwhat kind of damn b*stard doesnt like our lady? the butler frothed at his mouth.
Chapter 196 - Episode 6: Neo-psychopath
Kekeke! Sun WooHyun cracked up, unable to hold back his laughter. The butler was an amazing person for calling Black Mamba a damn b*stard. On the other hand, it felt refreshing. A regular citizen must have felt this way when they watched a powerful person get chewed out as a criminal.
There is such a human. He is dull to the point that you would want to beat him up, but hes not a damn b*stard. You should watch what you say about my master.
Master?
Barongos heart lurched. Azraels warrior was a fearsome person who had decisively wiped out 50 armed guards and whipped a noble.
Two humans who used to swing their absolute power around were currently twitching like a caterpillar by his feet. How fearsome could his master be when the individual standing before him was already inhumane?
I take back my words.
Hehe. A man who doesnt understand the hearts of women is worth cursing at, for sure. Are there any other traitors that I need to take care of aside from the guards and vigilantes?
His words reeked of bloodlust and iron. He looked like he would kill all the betrayers. Barongo glanced at the eastern man who kept on talking with an accent, then quickly lowered his head. His face was scary. There were horizontal knife scars across his face with holes like volcanic craters.
Tubilis!
He hurriedly swallowed his thoughts, which had almost popped out of his mouth and stepped back.
All the traitors became vigilantes. That organization is the gathering place for all the trash that has betrayed my master for a few bucks. The guards were outsourced, hired by the small master. Theyre rumored to be the remaining butchers from the FROLINATs FAP.
Sun WooHyun smiled in condescendence.
Do you think all those murderers committed suicide by Pende Lake? Those b*stards are nothing but trash to me. The labor overseers were the guards and vigilantes, werent they?
Yes, the workers couldnt say a thing because those pieces of trash had threatened them with knives and guns. The workers are missing their benevolent master and waiting for the ladys return.
Sun WooHyun silently laughed. That was impossible. Ten percent of an organization came from the immediate bandwagon, 80 percent out of self-preservation, and 10 percent from loyalty. Nicks remaining cells had to be all over the place.
Ill look into the details later. So, youre saying there isnt a problem with controlling the workers, right?
Who would dare fight against you when youve crushed the guards and vigilantes, Sir Warrior?
The butler suddenly kicked Enduma, who was barely breathing.
This b*stards the one who had started the revolt with the small master. Hes the person who had nailed our master on the cross. Please give us your benevolence to handle him ourselves. Barongos eyes flashed dangerously with a hint of bloodlust.
Did this old man get contaminated by a violent disease?
Sun WooHyuns mood turned sour. A difficult situation could occur if the violent disease kept spreading.
I cant allow that. Only my master and Miss Edel have the right to take care of those b*stards. If they die, you will be held responsible.
Yes, I understand.
The butler moved away with a disappointed face.
Sir Warrior, what should we do about todays work?
Huh! Work?
Sun WooHyun realized that there was an annoying second round of work to be done. Restating orders was harder compared to killing and breaking. The really difficult work had just begun.
Butler Barongo, do you know how many full-time workers are there on Samaria Farm?
There are about 2,000 of them. A thousand three hundred eighty workers live and work on the farm, while 620 of them are nonnatives. Most of the workers live outside the farm after marriage. We also hire more temporary workers according to the workload, a minimum of 500 and 1,800 at the most.
What? So youre saying there are over 3,800 people working on the farm, right?
Yes, its currently harvesting season, so weve added another 2,000 foreign laborers on the job.
Ha!
Sun WooHyuns mouth fell open.
This was unimaginable. It would take some time for him to get used to it.
Samaria Farms scale was beyond his imagination. Three thousand eight hundred workers had impacted him more than the scale of 900,000,000 pyung.
Butler, gather all the farmworkers to the grass field.
Yes, I understand.
The butler picked up the megaphone.
The large grass field outside the house was filled with people by sunrise.
Sir Warrior, 1,360 have gathered out of the 1,380. Twenty of them are either injured or unable to move.
Unable to move?
They are the workers who are now unable to move after being beaten up by the vigilantes.
Sun WooHyun nodded without saying a word. There was no reason to ask. Sun WooHyun had suppressed them with force after all. This was the land of barbarians where only the strongest survived.
Lets go!
A satisfied smile landed on Sun WooHyuns face. The quick-witted butler had made a platform on the grass using a packaging box. Sun WooHyuns small height was always a handicap. Sun WooHyun was more envious of Black Mambas height than his handsome face. He found the butler endearing.
Most of Chads cotton farms were plantations. They were operated by a European farm owner who hired locals. The locals were tortured with poor working conditions and harsh labor. The local workers were no less than slaves. There were no human rights to be seen.
Under Nicks power, Samaria Farm had been more brutal. The gathering had begun once the morning dew disappeared. There had been no lunch or break time. Shouts and whipping had rained down every time someone tried to stretch. The labor had ended only when the darkness fell.
The workers who were starved all day and exploited for labor ate a lump of ugali[1] and fell asleep like the dead.
Samaria Farm was too large. Workers whose homes were near the battle woke in fear of the gunshots, but many werent aware of the chaos that had happened during the dawn. The workers who had gathered on the field were chattering everywhere, exchanging information. There was nothing like a morning frog call.
Sun WooHyun was overwhelmed by the dark sea of people on the platform. He couldnt bear them all. He tentatively began to blame Wakil for his predicament.
Be quiet!
Sun WooHyuns warning was buried underneath all the voices.
Damn it, the cliffs shook, and the ground trembled when Wakil shouted. Im nothing compared to him.
Bang, bang, bang
When exhaustion caught up with him, the gunshots rang. The chattering stopped. Sun WooHyun turned to look at the butler. The butler was holding up a Lee-Enfield. Smoke was coming out of its barrel, which was pointed towards the sky. The butler smiled.
Was this the second version of Ombuti?
Sun WooHyun nodded. The butler held strong grudges and was quick-witted. He had also gone overboard. The actions he had taken until now were exactly like Ombutis.
Sun WooHyun gathered strength in his lower belly and shouted with pauses in between words, Silence! I am Azraels warrior. All the guards and vigilantes were killed by my hands. I shoved the false farm owner, Nick, and the head of guards, Enduma, into prison.
Huh!
Whoo!
Surprised, the workers began to chatter once more. They couldnt believe that the farm owner and the head of guards were imprisoned. They couldnt believe that those evil b*stards were all dead. Their voices grew louder.
Sun WooHyun flapped his hand at the butler. The butler immediately handed him the Lee-Enfield.
Bang
Bang
The voices stopped.
Silence! Those little sh*ts who open their traps from now on
Sun WooHyun raised the gun in the air and bashed it with the side of his hand.
Crack
The head of the Lee-Enfield and its connective parts fell apart in half.
Ill turn you into this.
A frightening silence pressed the field.
Sun WooHyun raised his voice.
As you all know, Nick Wayneright Edel is an evil man who killed his brother and stole the farm. I was ordered by Wakil to disorganize and kill his evil dogs and capture him. This was also by the request of Miss Edel. Miss Edel is currently acting out on a separate task as per Wakils request.
Yeah! Were free!
The missis is alive! the workers shouted.
Who is your master, Sir Warrior? one of the workers bravely asked.
My master is someone called Azrael. The FROLINATs FAP calls my master the Kanma.
Woah, the Azrael!
The Kanma, Kanma!
The workers began to murmur. Sun WooHyun was confused. How could they have known Black Mamba?
Sir Warrior, we are all Christians. There is no one here who doesnt know of Azraels fame. He killed all the Islam FAP rebels like rats.
Butler Barongo raised both of his hands in the air and began leading the chant.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
The workers shouted back as one.
God has sent us Azrael to save his tortured young sheep. We sing for his Grace to be upon us! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Azrael is our shepherd! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
We trust Azraels servant as we trust him. Hallelujah!
We trust him! Hallelujah!
Dawn was upon them. Hallelujahs filled the Samaria Farm out of nowhere.
What the hell was this!?
Flabbergasted, Sun WooHyun stared at Barongo blankly. He was an old man who could steam those communist leaders for a meal. He had moved the workers at an opportune time. He had made Black Mamba their leader when he wasnt present and had given him the power.
Barongo raised his hands once more. Sun WooHyun was scared of the old mans capabilities.
Brothers, the farm owner, Nick, and the head of guards, Endumathe devils who have worked us to death and starved usare now imprisoned. Azrael has taken back those evil mens power!
He has taken it all!
Azrael has sent us Gods warrior to save our poor lambs!
He was sent!
There couldnt be a better cult. When Barongo led the chant, hundreds and thousands of workers shouted back as one.
Were all Africans this smart?
The butler had a reflex and situational understanding that was comparable to Ombuti. Sun WooHyun began to worry. He felt as though he would be second to Barongo, as he was second to Ombuti.
What the hell? Wakil was fated to be a fortune teller after all, whether he liked it or not.
Sun WooHyun snorted. He remembered Jang Shin, who had once said that money would come by itself once Black Mamba wore a turban.
Muslims called the Angel of Death, Azrael (Az-ra-il), while Christians called it, Azrael (Az-ra-elle). Whatever the name, Black Mamba became an icon to both Muslims and Christians.
Damn it. I suppose a human has to be perfect, first and foremost, he thought.
He suddenly became sad. While one guy had earned followers a million miles away, some guy had to sweat blood and tears throughout the night, sweating over the control of workers.
What should we call you, Sir Warrior? the butler asked.
Tubilis, no, call me Namir.
Sun WooHyuns Im a dragon illness was acting up again.
Azraels warrior is called Sir Namir. Hoorah for Sir Namir! the butler shouted.
Hoorah!
It was a communist-style forewarned propaganda. The more it progressed, the more ridiculous it became. The butler laid down the cushions before he could even start.
Was that butler a comrade politician who was trained in North Korea?
He truly began to doubt the man.
Ugh, whatever.
Sun WooHyun raised both of his hands. The crowd turned silent immediately.
I, Namir, became Miss Edels representative on the orders of Azrael. Listen to my orders carefully from now on. I will give you all one hour. Create 14 organizations of 100 for each accommodation. Each organization will choose one representative, 11 in total. They will be known as the 10 member council. The 10 member council will then discuss among themselves and choose the Elder. Begin!
Sun WooHyun was an intelligent man who had graduated from the Kang-Gun military school. He completely learned the falsities of socialism while being away from North Korea for five years. Socialism could be summarized as Speak not of the falsity but the truth instead.
To ignore reality, they filled the place with illusions instead. In detail, it meant controlling the masses with force and surveillance. Humans werent cows or horses. No one could continue living in an illusion when the reality was sh*t.
Samaria Farm was like a grenade thrown into a campfire. There were many underlying complaints. It wouldnt be surprising if a rebellion occurred.
Sun WooHyun decided to upheave the entire past order. In his view, Miss Edel was going to be Wakils woman. He had to change the entire farm system that Nick had created for the past seven years to make it Wakils farm.
Workers were impulsive and had never experienced creating a democratic council by themselves. The smart butler had to run back and forth advising people on what to do, drenched in sweat.
After more time had passed, the 10 member council and the Elder were finally selected.
Butler, arent they all old people?
Sun WooHyun was confused. The 10 member council werent healthy, young men but older than middle-aged men.
They were threatened by violence and danger for the past seven years. They fear violence, the quick-witted butler whispered in his ears.
The butler gathered the 10 member council representatives and the Elder below the platform.
Butler, bring the armband.
Yes, sir!
It was a red armband with two white lines. He had made it in a hurry with the help of the housemaids and staff.
Sun WooHyun personally wrapped the band around the members left arm. The red armband was one of the many North Korean methods used to control a cell organization. The armband lived up to its use as more people from the crowd became mesmerized.
[1] An African high-protein maize flour porridge.
Chapter 197 - Episode 7: Neo-psychopath
Sun WooHyun lowered his voice as much as possible on top of the platform.
Baki, Kingurae, Sukuli, Umbiku, SongoiI name you all the 100 member council by the name of Namir. Those who couldnt be a part of the council will be named a part of the 10 member council.
Thank you.
From now on, the answer will be given in salute.
Sun WooHyun taught the 100 member council and the 10 member council the motions of a salute. A similar movement was created after repeatedly practicing for 20 or so times.
Butler, bring the 10 member councils armband.
Yes, sir!
Their repeated practice finally showed its effect. Salutes came in places where it wasnt needed. Sun WooHyun distributed the 10 member councils armbands to the 100 member council.
The 100 member council will now give the 10 member council their armbands. From now on, all work will be done in groups of 10. When the 10 member councils work is deemed lacking, the 100 member council will report this to their leader and take back their armbands. Understood?
Yes, sir!
Sun WooHyun decided that was enough. He could oversee 14 members of the 100 member council himself, but he couldnt oversee the 10 member council at the same time.
Sun WooHyun became drunk on power. The flow of people who had moved according to his orders, and the true power in awarding armbands by his willhe became drunk on the sweetness of it all. He didnt realize the armband could turn an innocent person into a monster. Hed underestimated the power of the armbands that were given to ignorant people.
From now on, youll segregate yourselves accordingly into groups of 100s and 10. The 10 member council will stand in front of the groups of 10, and the 100 member council will stand in front of the groups of 100s. Get into rows!
Yes, sir!
After some confusion and shoutings, troop lines of 5 by 10 had covered the entire field.
Everyone, listen well. Ive learned that your wages are 10 francs per month. From this month henceforth, I, Namir, will increase your wage to 20 francs with the power granted to me by Azrael and Miss Edel.
An explosive announcement was made. Sun WooHyun knew that the conservative socialist crowds would be very mesmerized by the sudden reformation and incentives.
Woah!
Hoorah! the workers cheered.
The 100 member council will receive 50 francs, and the 10 member council will receive 30 francs. However, the council member will be dismissed if someone fails to maintain their work performance and repeatedly comes in last on performance reports.
Whoo!
The 100 member council and the 10 member council cheered at the sudden increase in wage and their newfound position.
Butler, I will give you one month. Make a cafeteria in the workers lodgings. Make it big enough so that all the workers can eat comfortably.
Yes, sir!
The butler had turned into a repetitive answering machine.
I will assign a one hour break after your morning shift, starting tomorrow. Eat and rest comfortably. The farm will provide you with three meals a day as soon as it is prepared.
Yeaah!
Yes, sir!
An immense cheer rang. It was predictable. Their supposedly two meals had decreased to one ever since Nick became the farm owner. The workers had to skip breakfast or find food themselves. Most had substituted their food by eating cotton flower buds that had not bloomed.
There was an increase in the number of workers infected by diarrhea or parasites. Obviously, their working capacity fell. They continued to work the workers to death in order to increase the harvest. Whether Sun WooHyun could stop the cruel cycle or not, it was something to look forward to.
The farmworkers only ate two meals a day, even when Doctor Edel was around. Those who had sought three meals a day among the Chad citizens were less than one percent. Three meals a day was an explosive proclamation to them.
Im Wakils servant. I cant let them starve to death.
Sun WooHyun gave them everything. His calculations were simple. The failure of socialism had been a result of ignoring an individuals greed for accomplishment. Hadnt he been disillusioned too? There was a vast difference between those who had worked without meeting his eyes and those who had worked as though the work was theirs.
Your basic wage will be 20 francs. There will be bonuses according to your monthly performance growth as judged by the 100 member council and 10 member council. The judgment will be based on your performance and loyalty. The first group of the 100s will receive 1,500 francs, the second group will receive 1,000 francs, and the third group will receive 500 francs. The rewards for the 10 member council will be greater. The first group of 10 will receive 200 francs, the second will receive 100 francs, and the third will receive 50 francs.
Wow!
Exclamations rang across the farm. The end of Sun WooHyuns mouth rose. Wakil was definitely planning something big. He thought hed read a portion of Wakils thoughts.
Would he gain 10 returns of a 10 dollar investment or 40 returns of a 20 dollar investment? That was what Black Mamba used to say.
Wakil is testing me.
Wakil didnt like suppression and held importance on effort-based results. He said that humanistic treatment and hope for better living conditions would change Africa.
Im going to show Ombuti that Im more useful than him.
Sun WooHyuns eyes raged with fire.
You, the one whos carrying a jembe[1].
The worker, who was suddenly called out, turned around in confusion.
Yes, you. What is your name?
Its Spudi, sir.
Which group do you belong to?
Spudi looked at the 10 member council with a worried expression. Someone from the 100 member councilman ran up to him and whispered his organization into Spudis ears.
Im in the fifth 100 member group and the third 10 member group.
Oh! Good job.
Sun WooHyun flicked a one franc coin at Spudi.
Spudi, if the fifth 100 member group takes first place, and the third 10 member group also takes first place, how much would you earn?
Spudi racked his brain for a while before raising his head.
55 francs, sir! he shouted.
Oh, good job.
Sun WooHyun threw him another franc.
Thats right. This means that the best 10 members from the 10 member group would receive an additional 55 francs.
Yeeaaahh!
When the actual bonus was announced, a clamor echoed the entire place.
Silence, the worker who performed the lowest amongst the 100 member group and 10 member group will have two and three francs subtracted from their basic wage, respectively. If both the 100 member group and 10 member group youre involved with comes in last, you would receive 15 francs.
Spudis face crumpled. The difference between 55 francs and 15 francs was too large. 55 francs could get him meat for his family. Spudis face turned fiery with greed.
Sun WooHyuns mouth quivered into a smile. It was the basic strategy of a carrot and stick.
I will place butler Barongo, who is the 1,000 member representative of this farm, as the head overseer. Each 100 member council and 10 member council will listen to Barongos orders to complete their jobs and get it checked. Barongo, step forward.
Sun WooHyun tied a black armband around Barongos left arm.
Black represents nobility and death at the same time. I will give all farm operative authority to the 1,000 member representative. Head overseer, I hope you make the Samaria Farm a happy place to work in.
Sun WooHyun stopped talking and looked around at the workers who were concentrating with blazing eyes. This was it. They concentrated on every word he had said as it decided their losses and gains. This was why capitalism had developed quickly.
Those who are loyal will be awarded, and those who sin will be punished severely. Barongo, do you swear loyalty to me, who is Azraels warrior and Miss Edels representative, Namir?
Yes, sir! Barongo shouted a salute in return.
As expected of Barongo, his wits and reflex were amazing.
Azrael is your owner, and Miss Edel is the true master of Samaria Farm. Does everyone understand?
Yes, sir!
Do you swear loyalty to me, the temporary farm owner, Namir?
Yes, sir!
I, Namir, will protect and give you plenty of food with the power given to me by my master, Azrael. What will you guys give in return?
Loyalty to Sir Azrael! butler Barongo replied quickly.
Loyalty to Sir Azrael! the workers chanted back.
Sun WooHyun was all smiles. With the increased break time, meals, and wages, hed organized and taken over the workers. The result was great compared to what he had done.
Baki, take the first 100 member group and search the battlegrounds. Gather all the corpses and weapons. The rest of the 100 member groups will continue their daily tasks. Begin!
Yes, sir!
Loyalty was now solidified.
What should we do about the outsourced workers, sir? Barongo asked.
Let them carry on with their usual routines. Gather them here as soon as they arrive. Butler, youll be in charge of the outsourced workers too.
What should we do about the corpses?
Dig a suitable hole in the cotton field and bury them all. Next year, the cotton will probably bloom well.
Yes, sir!
Barongo, call a doctor over. Treat Nick and Enduma and give them enough food. Im going to take a break.
Ill prepare the bath and clothes, sir.
Butler, I dont know the details of farmwork. I dont even want to know. Isnt there a mountain of work to do? You dont need to take care of me.
Yes, sir!
Barongo stared at Sun WooHyuns swaying back for a long time as he walked away. His dark eyes were shining in greed.
Hehehe, Ombuti, you called me a muscle-brained b*stard, hm? Just use my strength for Wakil and nothing else? Im someone who can get things done.
Sun WooHyun returned to the house filled with pride. Sun WooHyun was someone whod looked up to a capitalist structure since his early 20s. He had gained some insight into the structure while wandering around other countries beyond North Korea.
Evil monsters and innocent humans were all people. Sun WooHyun had tried his best, but the allure of absolute elevation in benefits and status wasnt light. It was to the point that an innocent person turned into a monster.
***
Mu Ssang replaced the old tiles on the temples roof and the TV and refrigerator, which had constantly lost electricity. He turned the temples side house into a kitchen and upgraded the bathroom with a modern flushing system. Surprisingly, the workload progressed quickly.
90 percent of the roof tile renewal was mostly carrying mud and tiles onto the roof. That wasnt a difficult job for him. Mu Ssang placed the necessary mud and tiles on the roof before the workers were called.
If he rolled his feet lightly with several tiles in his hands, he was instantly on the roof. It wasnt a hard job. The workers often tilted their heads. Monk Dae Woo didnt say a word. Instead, he smiled from time to time. The roof replacement was completed within a fortnight. There were still 10 days to go for the soul-refining service to be over.
A telephone booth came into his view as Mu Ssang returned from grocery shopping. He impulsively shoved a 50 won coin into the booths slot. His fingers paused before he could finish turning the dial. He almost dialed Hae Youngs house.
Haah!
A long sigh was exhaled. His head had forgotten, but his fingers hadnt. Mu Ssang pulled his finger away from the dial and stared at the numbers for a long time. There wasnt a place that he needed to call desperately.
Mu Ssangs human connections were limited. He didnt like forging new connections with humans. It was a result of the accumulated, horrible trauma from the five years he had spent as a slave in his uncles house, the inhumane treatment he had received from his neighborhood at the half-submerged bridge town, and the humans who had used and backstabbed him since young. Those sad memories had prevented him from doing so.
The tendency grew worse as he lived the life of a gentleman. He hated intervening in other peoples lives and couldnt accept others intervening in his life. Mu Ssangs estranged personality was one of the reasons why Monk Dae Woo had forced him to go overseas.
Rrring
Rrring
He wanted to contact Jin Soon, but it was too late in the evening. He wasnt desperate, but he had felt the tugging of his heartstrings.
Senior Patrol Officer Park Mu Ho of Inje division.
It was a deep voice he hadnt heard for five years. Like a panorama, he recalled the days when he had trekked up the Inje Nature Preserve with Mu Ho.
Hyung, Im Mu Ssang.
What? You damn b*stard, where are you?
The rough, grating voice carried across the line punched at his eardrums.
I came back to the country a few days ago.
Came back? Were you overseas?
Ah!
He hadnt said anything to Mu Ho hyung[2] when he had left the country. The conversation was about to get complicated.
Its nothing much. I just went out to deal with something.
A few moments later, a rather exasperated voice came through.
If you say so. Minas growing well. She graduated this year. Shes missing you very much, which is a problem. Other than that, everythings fine. Grandma Park passed away last year. The other elders are fine.
Senior Patrol Officer Park knew Mu Ssangs personality better than anybody else. He removed all the unnecessary details and went straight to the point.
Do you have enough money for Minas education?
You little s***, what the hell are you talking about? The money you gave us from selling all those peppers is still more than enough. Dont worry. Should I hand the phone to Mina?
Dont. Theres no reason to shake up a normal girl.
Guess so. That girl followed you around way too much.
The child experiment number five that hed taken care of while escaping Mt. Bang Tae and couldnt ignore was Mina. He had asked Mu Ho to take care of her as he had been in no situation to raise her.
There wasnt much to say after learning of Mina and the elders whereabouts. One was a silent person, while the other was secretive like a mountain bandit.
Ill go visit you soon.
Yeah. Do what you can until your minds settled.
Mu Ho still thought that he was struggling with woman problems.
Mu Ssang stood there blankly for a while after the call ended. He hadnt asked for Mu Ho hyungs health or his wifes. This wasnt something cool but a phenomenon of an apathetic mind. He hadnt been this bad even when his mind had deteriorated.
Mina!
She was a child who called him papa, a child who had been born from a libertine mans rape of a mentally retarded Lee Suk Ja, and a child who had been abandoned by her father after he had killed his wife for being in the way.
The law was far, and money was close. No, the law was useless before money. He had made sure that the man would ride in a wheelchair for the rest of his life by breaking his joints. However, what was the point? Mina had already become an orphan.
He suddenly found his fate despairing as he floated around like duckweed without roots.
LؾЕrM ˺ddo~![3] Dirty b*stards, if youve given up on being a human, Ill give you the conditions of being an animal.
[1] It is a goblet-shaped drum of African origins, carved from a single piece of African hardwood with a head made from animal hide.
[2] Older brother.
[3] Even the heavens will end one day despite its eternal form, but theres no end to the hatred in ones heart!
Chapter 198 - Episode 8: Neo-psychopath
Mu Ssang muttered the ending phrase of Chang Hen Ge[1].
A myriad of memories filled his mindhis lost mother; his uncle and aunt Jang; Hwa Ja; his uncles and aunts who had ignored him and made fun of him for no reason; Jang Young Suk who had committed suicide in the end; the sly prosecutor number seven Kim Dal Su; the violence and starvation he had suffered in prison; the guards who used to joke about not starving him to death; the judge who had given the final decision without expression; the unknown people who had bashed his head around with the butt of their gun; and unfamiliar faces.
The world was filled with animals. Several efforts were required for him to return to his hometown, but his clouded mind refused to lift.
Mother, I wish to return to the Mu Ssang of the past who used to play around and get scolded. Namu Amita Bul!
Mu Ssang shortly told Jin Soon of his return and left the phone booth feeling weak. His teacher had told him to go forward without attachments, but his heart raged with hatred every time he left the temple. At this rate, he didnt know when he would be able to erase the smell of blood from his body.
Jin Soon, who had received the call late in the evening, stayed awake the entire night. Her oppa[2], whom shed missed in agony, had returned. Her heart, which had turned into coal from worry, began leaping in anticipation.
She boarded the first bus to the city and ran towards the northern city bus terminal. Jin Soon ran through the gates even before Mt. Chung Saengs fog lifted.
Time was independent. Each one of the 500,000,000 people on Earth had their individual time. The status and frame of mind similarly altered the value of time. Two years could be meaningless to an old person.
Two years for a man in his early 20s was a long time. It was an even longer time for a woman whod just bloomed. Jin Soon was no longer the countryside chick who used to wear baggy clothes and drag old, run-down rear cars around. She exuded shining youth and figure by dressing herself up in a bright, white two-piece on her skin and pearl-colored high heels.
Her hastened steps stopped right before the temples entrance. A man was cutting down firewood; his upper half of the body left naked. He was wearing nothing but pants, and the thick firewood seemed to break apart like watermelon.
Scary at first sight, no one other than her oppa would swing a large ax like a whip. No, she could recognize her oppa from 10 li away because of the strong pheromones that her oppa exuded. It was 100, no, 1,000 times more addicting than drugs.
Jin Soons two eyes plastered themselves on his light-brown skin and muscles.
Oppa!
She swallowed her heavy breaths. With a body like a statue and muscles made from God, her oppa had become even more handsome. The men who had competed in Mister Korea had amazing muscles, but compared to her oppa, it was nothing but water balloons.
Every time the ax moved up and down, his delicate biceps and tricep muscles moved dynamically with the trapezius like a wave. His back, which was drenched in sweat, reflected the sunlight. It temporarily blinded her eyes.
A drop of sweat rolled down from the moving triangular muscles to his spine. The body shone underneath the sunlight as though it had wrapped itself around. It was the beauty of wildness, the true charisma of men.
Aa, ah! Jin Soon moaned unconsciously.
Youre here!
Mu Ssang turned around. The smile, which began from the corners of his mouth, creased through his cheeks and formed a wrinkle at the edge of his eyes. It was a comforting smile, the type of smile which greeted a sister after she had visited her neighbor. It was a calm smile.
Crazy b****!
Upon regaining her senses in a flash, Jin Soon wanted to punch her own eyes. She must be mad to feel excited by her oppas body.
Oppa!
Jin Soon ran. When one of her heels came off, she threw the other pair off.
Oppa, aah, hic!
Jin Soon squeezed Mu Ssangs hip as though hed run away and cried her eyes out.
Ugh, youre a grown woman, why are you crying like a child?
Mu Ssang patted her butt with his palm.
Hm!
He flinched. The feeling on his hands was new.
Ha, this kids grown up now.
The scent of a grown woman and the sweet smell of shampoo tickled his nose. The girl who had brought him leftovers after stealing it from aunt Jang had grown into an adult. The high school teenager who had taken care of his solo life had become a woman.
Did you worry a lot?
I hate you, oppa. My heart turned into coal because of you. Jin Soon beat Mu Ssangs chest.
Mu Ssang smiled and hugged her. She was his only remaining friend.
Brat, you know how strong your oppa is. Stop worrying about needless things and make some useful pants.
Jin Soon rolled her eyes until all the whites could be seen. She hated her brother for saying something that had flipped her insides without knowing what she had felt.
Hmph, where do I find such useful pants? Ill bring something if youre worth half a won. My youthful business went haywire because of you, good brother. Can you believe this body of mine is still single?
Jin Soon pushed her chest out slightly. Jin Soons chest had already surpassed Hae Youngs once she had entered university. Mu Ssang began sweating as the plentiful breasts advanced.
Brat, your makeup is coming off.
He was naked with steam coming off. Jin Soon didnt budge, her face buried in his chest. She was drunk on the mans strong skin scent.
Her brain, which was addicted to the strong males pheromone, lost its control over the body. Her legs twisted, and her hearing closed off. She forgot where she was, what she was doing, and had lost touch with reality.
Her brain, which closed off connections to the outside world, began replaying her long-term memories. Time began to rewind.
There had been a stream near the bridge, which flowed into a river. Usually, it flowed gently and wrapped around her ankles, but things turned different when rain fell.
The stream, which used to flow gently, reached the 10-years-old girls belly button. Her oppa used to save her when she was stuck in the stream and had offered his back without a word. Despite their one year age difference, her oppas back had been strong like a stone.
Oppa walked with ease across the strong stream that carried rocks beyond. Frankly, the stream wasnt scary at all. Shed waited because she enjoyed being carried by her oppa. She used to squat in front of the river and wait until her oppa had shown up.
When her oppa finally showed up, she sniffed his scent with an extremely unfortunate face. Once she had jumped onto his large back and buried her cheeks in, she would fall asleep. She liked the smell of her oppa. When the rivers water had fallen below her knees, she became disappointed. The cheeky girl used to wait for the summer rain every year.
And so, 10 years had passed. Oppas scent could wake her up from her dreams. She was happy. She was so, so happy.
Ahem, arent you attached to him for too long? A flowers going to bloom on the streets.
Her mind, which had been ruffling through her stored memories, returned to reality.
Oh my God!
Surprised, Jin Soon finally released his arm.
Huhu, Soon, youve come. What do you exactly like about that slow b*stard to attach yourself like that?
I dont like you, monk grandpa!
Jin Soon glared at the monk with a blushed face.
Huhuhu!
Monk Dae Woo only laughed.
Oh, oppa!
It was then that Jin Soon noticed the new scar on Mu Ssangs face and screamed. Her eyes ran across Mu Ssangs body.
Oh, gosh! What happened!
He originally had a body full of scars. Now, it was covered with scars to the point that his original skin color couldnt be seen. At least, the keloid[3] didnt appear due to his fast regeneration. White scars were scattered all over his brown skin.
Tears fell from Jin Soons eyes.
Ugh, oh my God, I went to school because of your torn body. My siblings and I drank your blood to study. Oh my God, what should I do?
Jin Soons face had turned blotchy from the tears. When he was younger, he had been scarred by his uncle and aunts violence. When he grew older, he was scarred from an accident. He gained a job overseas but returned riddled with scars. Her heart was torn into pieces.
Brat, thats why people say you need to earn like a dog and spend like the dead. Your good results bring worth to my earnings. Stop crying. Teachers watching, and its embarrassing.
Hands like strong hooks rubbed Jin Soons head.
Oppa, seriously, what happened?
You brat, you keep digging into things youre not meant to know. Ive been having fun by myself.
Monk Dae Woo stepped forward. He was about to starve with his disciple at this rate.
Soon, that b*stards someone who can avoid the grim reaper. Stop worrying and prepare the meal. Whats the point of that b*stard having skills? A womans kind hands are 100 times better than hands like iron.
Hey, teacher!
Jin Soon wiped her tears and entered the kitchen. Monk Dae Woo began to scold Mu Ssang.
You b*stard, whats the point of showing such a horrible sight to a young girl? Think of how scared she would have been to see scars of bullet holes and torn skin. With your senses, you would have known that she was here even before she reached the gate.
Mu Ssang scratched his head as he wore his clothes.
Hehe, youre right. I should have quickly put on some clothes.
Monk Dae Woo pressed on the bullet wound on his shoulder to check.
Its a clear shot. The bullet was removed cleanly without the need for skin surgery. Your body should be a national treasure, thats for sure. Were there any internal injuries?
Wow, youre asking that now? Im completely fine. My bodys as strong as gold since you have trained me so hard, teacher.
You little b*stard, now youre blaming me? Should we exchange some sparring rounds, as teacher and apprentice?
Ugh, youre going to beat me up with churi sul and throw me around with ball air explosions, arent you? Jin Soons here, so let me go.
When Monk Dae Woo raised his staff with a smile, Mu Ssang ran away with his hands on his head.
Hohoho! Old monk, give him a sound beating. Jin Soon laughed with her arms around her belly by the kitchen door.
I will. Theres not a single b*stard who has turned out well after making a woman wait. Be kind to that b*stard, wont you? A mans made according to a womans effort. Even Buddha has said to raise as many children as possible. Now, should this old man start washing away his disciples wrongdoings? Hahaha!
The monks face was full of smiles as he headed towards the prayer room. Still blushing, Jin Soon hurriedly removed her gaze from Mu Ssangs back. The monks words of bearing many children echoed in her ears.
Mu Ssang finished his evening service and began to enjoy his leisure time with his head on Jin Soons knee. Jin Soon fished out an earpick from her handbag and raised Mu Ssangs head to her lap. He used to have difficulties sleeping after Hae Young had left, half wasting away until he barely fell asleep from Jin Soons ear picking.
Hm, it isnt refreshing. Why are my ears so ticklish? Someone must be talking behind my back. Is it general Philip or Bonipas? Could it be those old Oecophylla smaragdina? Is that Sang Han b*stard chewing me out for not contacting him? Could it be the lackey b*stard talking bad about me? I think its the lackey after all, Mu Ssang muttered.
I have no idea what youre saying. Why do you have so much ear wax?
The foreign substances that Jin Soon had dug out of his ears were building up like a mountain.
Mm, you see. I went to this horrible desert called the Sahel for over a month. Its a place where no human or water can be found even if you travel an entire day. Sandstorms occurred every day, so sand went into every hole in my body. Theres nothing to eat, and once, I saw a child drinking milk from the mother who was already skin and bones. Guerilla b*stards would attack randomly, rape women, and eat the children
God!
Oh, shoot.
Mu Ssang slapped his own mouth for running off. It wasnt something that Jin Soon should have heard.
Oppa, be honest. What did you do overseas?
Your oppa is a soldier.
Soldier?
Jin Soons eyes grew wide. A soldier? What on earth was this devil ascending news! Hed said he had gained a job, but what was this about being a soldier?
The foreign mercenary division, to be precise.
There was no way for Jin Soon to know the difference between soldiers and mercenaries. Her heart sank at the news. The stories she had heard since her youth of the FAPs violent actions, the defense militarys rebellion, and the partisans armed with spears, filled her head.
Oppa, get rid of that job. You dont know what could happen to you.
Jin Soons eyes were filled with fear. Her life would be meaningless if something happened to her oppa.
Men have their duties. Some work for their family to live, while some pick up the gun to protect their family and nation. I realized something while I was overseas. The basis of my body is of this lands soil, and the basis of my mind is of this lands water.
Huh, youve become weird oppa. Didnt you leave because you didnt like all that dirty stuff in our country?
Jin Soons large and refreshing eyes grew larger.
This brat, shes a beauty.
Mu Ssang smiled. Frankly, Jin Soon was a pretty girl who wouldnt lose out against anyone, anywhere. She was thin and tall, at around 170 centimeters, with clear and healthy features.
If you look up, you dont see the ceiling, and if you look down, you dont see the ground. When youre in a well, the sky is all you can see.
You must have contracted some virus from the old monk to be talking about Buddhism. Look at you. Theres not an area without a scar. Is your body some canvas, oppa? How much did you suffer to become like this? Buddha must have sent you back alive.
Mu Ssang smiled inwardly. The Muslims paid their gratitude to Allah, while the Christians paid their gratitude to Jesus. Jin Soon had said it was because of Buddha. Humans created the idea of gods to reassure themselves and blame someone else.
[1] A literary masterpiece from the Tang dynasty by the famous Chinese poet Bai Juyi.
[2] An older male, or older brother. It is a term used by females to males.
[3] An overgrowth of scar tissues that are usually benign and not contagious. In serious cases, it could affect skin movement.
Chapter 199 - Neo-psychopath
Whats there to be worried about? Gaining a few more scars isnt a big deal for us guys. Strong, good fighters are the best within mercenaries. I advanced straight through the ranks and earned a lot of money. You shouldnt save your pocket money, yeah? Buy a lot of pretty clothes and eat a lot of delicious food.
Jin Soon laughed inwardly at his bragging. Oppa was someone who had lied about having rice when there wasnt enough for him the next day. He couldnt have saved much money for himself either since he had paid for the five siblings education.
She was working part-time to save the money that oppa had sent her, but with four of her siblings in need, it was a great burden.
Wow! Really? I should head to the department store tomorrow, Jin Soon replied in fake excitement.
It was the money that oppa had earned from spilling blood. To buy clothes and dine out with such money was something punishable by the heavens.
Yes, it marks the end of Jin Soon, the screaming girl on the bridge, and marks the new coming of happiness for Jin Soon, the beautiful nurse.
Whats the point, though? Oppas going overseas again.
No. Im going to live here from now on. I only need to go to France when they need me.
Really?
Aaaagh!
Surprised, Jin Soon had accidentally shoved the ear pick into Mu Ssangs ears. Not even the Paranthropus could withstand that paink.
Oh my God! Sorry, Im sorry! Hahaha! Jin Soons mouth split open.
Oppa doesnt have to live overseas anymore. He is going to live in Korea. Her mood inflated like a balloon that floated around the sky.
For real? Youre not going to return to the foreign army and live in our country instead?
Ha, I went through an extremely complicated and funny process over there, but the higher-ups there are letting me do so because theyre scared theyll get beaten up by me.
Ha, I cant believe it.
Uh, its real.
Mu Ssang felt sad. Well, it wasnt something that Jin Soon could easily believe, he supposed.
Youre really going to live here, right?
Jin Soon wasnt interested in the receiving end of her oppas beatings. She was entirely pinned on the fact that he was going to live in Korea.
Gosh, you brat, you really cant trust me, can you? Im going to live here and only go overseas when my job requires me to.
Wow, thats great! Thats super great! Whoo!
Jin Soon raised both her arms and shouted a cheer.
Im studying for the university examinations nowadays.
Oppa, youre studying again!
All kinds of emotions flashed across Jin Soons face. Past memories stifled her heart. Her oppas past sufferings and accidents had been brought about by that Jang woman and her relatives. She felt as though every twisted event was settling back in its place.
Oppa, you thought well. Thank you so much. Your father in heaven will be so glad. Youre not going to leave those things alone, are you? Jin Soons eyes gleamed in blue.
Those things!
If oppas not going to do it, Ill open her head up with my sickle and crack it down the middle.
Jin Soon gritted her teeth.
Oppa was someone who had to study. The In-dong street gang, prosecutor Kim Dal Su, and Jang Chi Soos street gangs were oppas enemies. That automatically made them her enemies as well.
Jeez, you brat, are you a gang member? Why would you open up a skull with your sickle? You should learn to control your temper a little.
God, oppa, theres nothing wrong with my temper.
Jin Soon pouted at Mu Ssangs advice. Mu Ssang smiled. Jin Soon had visited his single room during her middle school years to prepare food and even did his laundry. She was the only one who had learned the truth of the entire incident.
Despite her cheerful disposition, his heart twinged at the thought of Jin Soon worrying for him.
Look, look. Those people who had shoved their nephew into jail and sent a gang after his life, are they worthy of being called humans? They arent humans. Theyre the devil. Humans are humans, and animals are animals.
Jin Soons face started to flush. Oppa had become more at ease after becoming the old monks student. It was fortunate that hed gained his peace and returned to the person he was before. However, in times like this, she grew frustrated. She didnt like how he glossed over things while spouting the words of Buddha.
Hehe, a human who behaves outside the conditions of a human has no choice but to live like an animal. Should I thank them since theyve helped me rear my talents and helped me earn lots of money? Mu Ssang muttered.
Oppa, stop reciting spells. Dont you know that Wu Taks family have become very wealthy?
They created a company out of the money they have received from selling my fathers land, didnt they? Theyre people who have gathered money in heaps even before I left for France. They have also named the company Good Heart Lodgings which is unbefitting.
Mu Ssangs expression looked crabby. He knew exactly how his uncle had run the company, after all.
Thats not all. A few years ago, they started a gasoline company and a medicine company. I heard they shoveled money into their pockets. I think its called Good Heart Oil and Good Heart Medicines.
Hehehe, Good Heart, huh! Do you think those things can be deemed as a hometown? Your oppa has brought a handful of money. Dont worry.
Mu Ssang grinned. How much could they earn in the countryside? In the past, he saw the buses lining in front of Good Heart Lodgings as undefeatable. Well, it was nothing now. With the money that he had currently, he could buy Good Heart Lodgings and more.
Jin Soon smiled. Her personality was easygoing and calm. It didnt matter whether oppa had money or not. All she needed was her oppa. Money could be earned. She had her hands and feet, so what worries could she have!
Oppa, you have a lot to do here. Do you need to keep attending that Legion place?
No. They would give me a hefty sum even if I played around here. Theres a lot of people who fear me, you see. The higher-ups wont call for me as long as possible. Pick my ears for me, wont you? I think those higher-ups are cursing me out.
Hohoho, oppa, you are scary. Who can go against you when you have plastered 30 gang members with knives and axes to the ground? What should I make you tomorrow?
Jin Soon was the stereotypical daughter, the eldest of the family. Her cooking and living skills, which shed learned even before entering school, had surpassed her mother, Ha Dong Daek.
Remember not to leave behind the smell of meat when the teachers here. Just stew some bean paste soup and make some sprout paste for the side dish. Give the teacher something soft like soup.
But, oppa, you need to eat meat.
Oppa could eat an entire chicken for a meal and finish five kilograms of soup in a single sitting. Jin Soon looked as though shed leave immediately with her handbag.
Mu Ssang had felt conflicted. Jin Soon was someone who would pluck Hades nostrils for the sake of her brother. She was also someone who would walk the entire village towards the city to buy a box of meat for her oppa. He immediately changed the conversation.
Soon, your bodys grown very well. Youre taller, and your skins an art. Wheres the girl who used to run around the field with tanned skin?
Jin Soons face turned red as though it was burning.
Really? My chest got bigger too.
Jin Soon gathered her E cup sized breasts and raised it to the sky.
Hm, its definitely grown. Its more pleasing to see and perkier compared to that of the French women.
Mu Ssangs conscience was still stuck in the sibling relationship that was formed 10 years ago, but it wasnt the case for Jin Soon.
Hhh!
Jin Soon shivered with a strange groan. Her head felt strange with that single comment. She threw her top aside and raised her blouse to her shoulders. Mu Ssang freaked out when her white skin was revealed.
Hey, brat, what the hell are you doing!
He immediately stretched out and lowered the blouse.
Im trying to show you my chest.
Mu Ssangs face turned into one of horror at Jin Soons calm reply, as though he had been shot by an RPG.
Hold on. Are you trying to see your oppa with a nosebleed?
Ive been yours since 10 years ago. Im trying to show you properly since you always treat me like a small kid.
Brat, were family
Ha, is the 104th cousin still family? Jin Soon smiled.
Fine, fine, God, I lost. Its certain, okay? Your chest is very big.
Mu Ssang wrapped his arms around his head.
Hohoho!
Jin Soon laughed until her neckline showed. It was her first loud laughter shed shown since her oppas lover had left for the States. Oppa hadnt changed one bit. Shed heard several stories of how soldiers became animals from her father and uncles. Her heart grew tighter at his unchanged, gullible personality.
Jin Soons hands went over Mu Ssangs chest. There were scars all over his hard muscles. Like worms, it caught on her fingers. Currently, she was studying to be a nurse.
She couldnt imagine how horrible the battle must have been. Oppa had earned money by walking into hell, which allowed herself and her siblings the opportunity to study. Her heart twinged in pain every time her fingers caught a new scar.
Ssshhh
A strong wind blew by. The wind chime which dangled on a weight shook, started clanging here and there. Spring rain started to fall little by little.
Oppa, its raining outside.
A warm room, a loving sister, and scattering spring rain, nothing is lacking or needed.
Are you emphasizing on sister again? Im a woman too. Jin Soon glared as she protested half-heartedly.
Mu Ssang replied with his eyes closed, Theres a phrase that goes, ʾԊ ҹꌦ. It means to put the beds together and listen to the raindrops. Since youre putting two beds together, it refers to the brotherhood and sisterhood between family, and not that of husband and wife. I want to listen to the sound of rain with you with our bed, side by side, for the rest of my life.
It was a pitiful voice.
Oppaaaa!
Jin Soon felt the deep sadness hidden in his words. She felt unjust and sad, but her oppa saw her as nothing more than a sister. Oppa didnt have a family. Oppas dearest wish was not to have a woman but to have a family.
Yes, that could be for the best. I could take care of oppa for the rest of my life instead of caring for my kids. Jo Jin Soon, you should have known oppa will be uncomfortable when you try to be greedy. Still, I want to be oppas woman.
Jin Soons heart split into two. Her tears flowed like the river, which followed the stream. The atmosphere settled heavily.
Are they third graders now? Mu Ssang asked suddenly.
Yes, Yeon Soon and Gye Soon also went to university. They were clamoring to see you too, oppa.
Those girls who used to have stuffy noses all the time are already attending university? Hoo, time really has passed. Why didnt you bring them along?
Why should I bring them? Those girls would be so busy talking over each other that I wouldnt have time to talk. They all became b*****es, you see. Theyre going to make a big ruckus over you, and Ill be the cold rice.
I see, my popularity hasnt gone down at all, hahaha! Mu Ssang laughed jokingly.
Ha, f*** popularity. Oppas who burned a womans heart should leave.
Eh, I get it. Im going to go exercise.
Where do you think youre going? Does a womans lap look so cheap?
When Mu Ssang raised his head, Jin Soon pressed it back down to its place.
Jin Soon, I want to find my mum immediately.
Of course. You arent a wanted figure anymore, and your sentence is over.
Hehehe!
Mu Ssang made a weird noise. The Sahels Kanma was a criminal in Korea. Laughter kept spilling out of his mouth. Even during his house confinement, he had to be careful not to miss the night hour patrols. He would be carried to the Three-Departments Educational Center if he had made a single mistake, such as staying out past the curfew. He couldnt do anything to his enemies despite him being right there.
Teacher has ordered me to carry out the soul-refining service for a month.
Tsk, that old teacher who teases his sole apprentice.
Hm!
Ah! Oh my God!
Monk Dae Woo cleared his throat loudly from the large room next door. Surprised, Jin Soon flinched.
Keke, teacher can hear everything from within 10 li. He can also hear you cursing him out even if youre a 100 li away, Mu Ssang lowered his voice.
Ahem!
The dry cough rang even louder. Mu Ssangs neck retreated. Jin Soon giggled as quietly as she could.
Teachers intentions werent to teach me the soul-refining prayer. Hes someone who thinks nothing of the Samsara. He isnt someone who would get attached to purifying the soul.
Then what are his intentions?
Hes acting like that because hes worried that his student will go mad. Hes telling me to cool down the boiling blood for a month.
Gosh, arent both of you living complicated lives? Whats there to life? You fight back when something attacks and dig through when the path is blocked.
Hehe, yeah, everything you say is right. Its a life that wont reach a century, so whats the point of wasting life? Mu Ssangs voice grew smaller.
Mu Ssang fell asleep with his head on Jin Soons lap. He slept peacefully like a young child. Jin Soon stared down at him with sadness in her eyes. No matter what anyone said, oppa was someone with a lot of baggage in his heart.
Miss In!
That was the woman her oppa loved. It had been a steady two years of happiness for her oppa, but the woman had left to chase after her dreams. She left, like taking a gifted candy away from a child.
That selfish b****!
Grit
It was the sound of teeth grinding against each other. She didnt know why the woman did so. She certainly didnt want to know, either. Was there a greater reason for throwing love away?
If it had been herself, she would have died instead. If she had to follow her oppa overseas for 10 years to earn money, she would have willingly followed.
All she could think was that the old b**** had used her affection-starved oppa.
Jin Soon closed her eyes. Time flowed backward to 10 years ago. In the middle banks of the bridge where wild chrysanthemums had filled the grass, the autumn wind had snapped against the reeds and bushes as it passed.
Oppa had been sleeping underneath the thick willow. His face was swollen and blue. His lips had burst, and his nosebleed had dried on his face. She could see his half-filled basket and his sickle.
Those had been the marks from the beatings of his great uncle. Jin Soon had cried. She hated the In-Dong old man who had injured her brother all the time. She had cried because she pitied her brother, and she also hated herself for not being able to do anything. She wanted to do whatever she could for her oppa.
There was nothing a young girl could have done. She had only received things from her oppa. He had done the hard work in her stead, gave her crops, chopped the firewood, got rid of the weeds, and carried her across the deep stream.
When she grew older, her four siblings placed more burden on her oppa. The five siblings had drawn his blood for their studies. Thus, she kept on receiving and hurting for the past 10 years.
Chapter 200 - Episode 10: Neo-psychopath
Time had passed, and the young girl turned into a mature woman. She had become a woman four years later from when her oppa had been taken away. Her oppa was only tough on the outside, but he had a fragile heart.
Adults would have classified Miss In as an affluent person. Her skin was as white as the inside of a gourd, and her face as small as a fist. She had well proportioned facial features and carried herself with grace and elegance. She was perfect in every way. Her eyelashes were especially extravagant. They were so long you could place 10 matches on top of it. Under her long lashes were teary eyes that glistened so brightly. Any man who looked at her would be left with their mouths hanging open.
Those very eyes had seduced her oppa. It made her insides boil, but she was the woman that her oppa had chosen. She had no choice but to accept her as a sister. Jin Soon would prepare meals for her and her oppa, then turn around to wipe the tears away from her eyes.
She had done all that and yet that woman had left her oppa to go study abroad. She had been ecstatic. She had raised both her hands and cheered. However, she had made a big mistake. Her oppa held deep attachments. He had eventually lost his way and became a wreck. Her oppas residual pain tore into her heart.
Her oppa had lived such an unfortunate life that he deserved to find happiness. She wanted to take away all the unlucky things from her oppa and bear it herself. If she had known this would have happened, she would have grabbed that womans hair by the roots and made sure she couldnt leave. She had endured the stake to her heart because her oppa had been happy. Alas, that woman had left her oppa.
How could she do that?
She could never have done it. She was not the short-haired 10-year-old girl who had tied her hair up until you could see her white neck. She was not the same girl who had cried because she was tired from a days work of farming.
She was a grown woman with E cup sized breasts that thoughtless men had drooled over. She was a mature woman who her oppa had longed for upon leaving to a faraway place. Whenever her oppa wanted her, she wouldnt mind leaving her body in his hands and doing whatever he had requested.
I love you oppa, thank you for letting me stay by your side. I wont be greedy. Just let me stay beside you until I die.
Jin Soon moved her lips onto his pursed lips.
I still want to be enveloped in your embrace. I dont want to grow into an old virgin.
You want to give as much as you love. She wanted to give him everything. Jin Soon was desperate.
Jin Soon could not fall asleep as she was drunk off the mans pheromones. Her all-encompassing love had pathetically disappeared into her dreams. He did not lay a hand on her. He was a man who didnt eat what a desperate woman was craving to give away. He should be punished with 25,000,000 stones for his inaction in this situation.
Did you have a good night?
Monk Dae Woo asked ploddingly after finishing a bowl of white porridge. Jin Soon sighed deeply.
Oh, it was all wrong. I felt like a losing temptress trying to seduce Buddha.
Monk Dae Woos eyes grew wide.
Oh, that wont do! I intentionally kept my ears shut all night. Child, you will end up choking if you keep this up. Its not natural for a young man to hold back this much.
Dont talk nonsense. Soon-e is like a little sister.
Child, you are separated by 100s of relatives, so what is this nonsense about family? Shes tall and pretty. Shell take care of someone useless like yourself, so what more could you ask for? Plus, shes got big hips, which are great for bearing children and large breasts, which will help with milk flow. You could travel all over the world and not find another match close to her.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang grabbed the back of his neck. At some point, Jin Soon had boiled his teacher in a shabu-shabu pot, which turned him soft in her hands.
Grandfather monk is the best. Ill massage your shoulders for you.
Even upon listening to the embarrassing talk, she put on a bright smile. She ran over to him and massaged his shoulders.
Oh, thats nice. Soon-e was the one who took care of me when you had left your old teacher. A loose man like yourself needs to find a tactful woman like Soon-e.
Teacher, come to your senses. She is a temptress. You shouldnt get seduced.
Shut up. Youre one to give everything you own to everyone else and end up being hungry. Soon-e will have to take care of you.
Ha, for someone who doesnt have a single grain of rice left, I dont think you should be telling me this.
Child, I dont need worldly possessions. You, on the other hand, have many things left to do in this world. What can you do without money? However much you blab about mercy, it is no use. One bowl of rice and one piece of bread into your mouth is considered merciful enough. Even just taking a bath together in the front lawn is considered merciful. That is how a businesswoman would be able to feed herself noodles and buy condoms.
Oh, teacher!
At his relentless words, Mu Ssang grabbed the back of his neck and glanced over at Jin Soon.
Wow, grandfather monk sure talks refreshingly. Theres no difference to the lectures I hear in school. Youre the best. The best!
Instead of being embarrassed, Jin Soon took it even further. She shot up her two thumbs in response.
Oh!
A sigh escaped Mu Ssang reflexively.
Quit acting like a bull and go out on a date with Soon-e. Youll also turn into a smelly old man if you continue staying around a smelly old man like me.
What? A date?
Mu Ssangs eyes got bigger.
Uh-hum, a man and woman need to stay close together to bear children. Ku hu hum!
Monk Dae Woo ended the conversation and turned around to go back up to the temple.
Alright, well be back before its time for the Chun Do ceremony.
Mu Ssang bowed deeply. His teachers actions might seem childish, but he always had a deeper purpose. When time passed, he knew he would realize that there was a good reason behind everything.
In front of the straw bridge, there was a small alluvial zone made by the Nakdong River. It was only 100 meters wide, and once you passed the fields, it would suddenly reveal a creek beyond it.
They called it a creek, but at 50 meters wide, it was pretty substantial. Past the creek, there was a large river island. The Nakdong River curved widely before falling dramatically into the river island. It laid a large egg, then turned three kilometers out, ending in a trickle.
The river island of the straw bridge was 500 meters wide and four kilometers in length. It ended at the white sands, passing through the forest. It made the marine beaches look like a joke. If you followed the creek, you would walk past Sanggok village, Jonggok village, straw bridge, and finally to Hajok village.
After walking for about an hour, you would finally reach the bus stop. If you walked through the less populated path for about 20 minutes, you would reach the straw bridge.
That was the cheap 10,000 won bus. The passengers piled in until they were packed, up until the second step.
Oppa, this is normal. The next one will be the same too.
Mu Ssang had on an uncomfortable expression, but Jin Soon had pushed her way up the steps and into the crowd. She couldnt easily push through. Only after Mu Ssang had told them to move, did the conductor girl quickly move to give them space to get onto the first step.
Were going!
The conductor girl pushed Jin Soon into the bus with a belly nudge. It did not look like it was her first time doing it. It was enough to go against the Ohgeumgongs body slam.
Oh!
Mu Ssangs face was full of pity. It was a young face of someone who had yet to pass her pimply adolescence. The job was too dangerous for a girl whose bones had barely hardened. However, that, too, was their reality.
Hey, you b****. What were you thinking to let more people in here? You want to die?
Rough curse words blasted out. He was a bald, unpleasant looking man. He had a knife scar across his cheek that seemed to identify him as a thug.
The conductor girls face grew red, but she ignored his cursing. When she didnt react, the bald man raised his hand. He looked like he was about to hit her.
Mu Ssang shook his head back and forth. Wherever he went, there were always pathetic thugs. Many thugs had shaved their heads like him. It was a way to rebel against the long hair rule.
Mu Ssang used his hands to push the conductor girls back inside, then walked up onto the step after slapping the chest of the bald man.
Ack!
The bald man let out a strange sound as he was shoved deep inside. His mean expression was extremely wrinkled. He looked like he was in a lot of pain and would not be able to sleep for a long time.
Tap tap
All right! the bus conductor girl exclaimed as she pounded the bus.
Vroom
The bus zoomed forward without even closing its door. It was a time when such a scene was natural to see.
The driver turned the handle hard once to the right and then to the left. Complaints poured out from everywhere. The passengers on the crowded bus were squeezed into the bus with no space in between them. It was a learned skill meant to control the passengers.
A smile crept up on Mu Ssangs face. The surroundings looked the same now as it did 10 years ago.
Jin Soon was wearing a two-piece outfit, but Mu Ssang was wearing a vintage pair of jeans and a pushed down Yankee hat. They were a strange-looking couple out in this countryside.
Plus, Mu Ssang was over 180 centimeters tall, which was rare at that time in Korea. Jin Soon with high heels on almost reached 175 centimeters. Every passengers gaze was locked onto the two of them like a target.
Yea!
Mu Ssangs eyes went to the conductor girl. She only reached up to Jin Soons chin. Short in height, she was wearing a red beret that was held in place by a hairpin onto her bob haircut. Under the beret, he could see a small mole. On her left temple, there was a small black mole the size of a pinky fingernail. It was his uncles second daughter.
A lot of time had passed, but not too much that he would forget the girl he had called Jum(mole) soon-e. Based on her age, she would be in high school now.
It wasnt even anything special. Most girls stopped going to school after graduating from junior high. Girls around 15 to 16 years old usually worked at textile factories to start weaving fibers or dying fabrics.
Their delicate hands would allow their younger brothers to study, and their older brothers to attend college. They would buy red undergarments for their parents and save up diligently to purchase a calf. It was a heart-wrenching job.
She had been one of the only family members who had helped him when he was being abused at his uncles house. Have 10 years passed since then? In the potato fields, when Jang had been making a ruckus, he had decided that he would someday repay her.
Mu Ssang was about to open his mouth when Jin Soon poked his side.
Oppa, pretend you didnt notice. Call her when there isnt anyone around, Jin Soon whispered in his ear. She was extremely quick-witted.
I see!
A 17-years-old girls emotions were strong. She was not in a glamorous state, wearing her blue uniform with droopy pockets and the silly beret on her head. She wouldnt be too happy with a bunch of nicely dressed students in their school attires around her.
Vroom vroom
The old bus dropped off two people at the straw bridge and did its best to plow on. He was contemplating whether he should give it a push, but it suddenly whizzed away powerfully.
The bus disappeared after spewing cloudy black smoke behind it. Mu Ssang slightly activated his resonance. The dust dispersed away from the two of them, but Jin Soon didnt notice.
It had been the winter of his freshman year in junior high when he had visited Hadongs house before entering the Moonkyung barracks. It had been 10 years since he had come back home. The clock at the straw bridge seemed to have stopped during that time.
Other than the place where Shinjak street had been built, nothing else had changed. Even the mountains and the old pine tree that stood there remained the same. The stream that flowed in front of the village was no different.
He suddenly felt choked up. The times he had been hungry, sad, and depressed quickly unraveled before him. Jin Soon squeezed Mu Ssangs hand without saying anything.
An American army Jeep was speeding by. The driver, having seen the man and woman on the road, pressed on the accelerator hard.
Crash
The rocks that were lying on Shinjak street sprang up onto them. With Mu Ssangs eyes, he could see the mans every move and intention. The punk holding the steering wheel was a thick-lipped black man. His lips were just thick enough for one serving if he were to slice it up with a sashimi knife.
Vroom
The dust rose like a cloud around the two people who got out of the way and covered them.
Pang
A rock shot out like a bullet as it bounced off the tire and flew towards Jin Soon. Mu Ssang kicked the rock away with his feet.
Ooh, hahaha!
The American soldiers in the Jeep laughed as they made grotesque gestures. One of them stuck up his middle finger, and another swung his lower appendage round and round.
They were American soldiers who had come out wearing Hawaiian shirts and Boonie hats. There was a place called Camp Carol out in the countryside. Even if it wasnt the weekend, there were a lot of American soldiers who came out to play there. Even that was no different from 10 years ago. There were a lot of idiotic and uncultured American soldiers.
God damn!
Jin Soon pounded her fist at the back of the Jeep as she cursed at it. She was annoyed by the dust that had enveloped her, but she didnt even realize that she could have gotten hurt by the rock that had been hurling towards her.
Wah, haha!
Mu Ssang smiled so wide, his gums showed. The well-built Shinjak street, the rundown willow tree, the flying dust, and Jin Soons brazennessthat was home. It was the landscape of his home and the smell of its dust.
Mu Ssang picked up two rocks the size of eggs. If they hadnt done those dirty things, he could have just let it pass. The Jeep was about 70 meters away from him at the moment.
Mu Ssang put out his hand playfully.
Schwang
The rock sped at a terrifying speed toward the Jeep.
Puk
Puk
Two of the Jeeps windshields shattered. Mu Ssang was a person who could place a grenade at a point, 400 meters away. Breaking the windshield of a Jeep from a mere 100 meters away was a piece of cake.
The driver, who had been whizzing away joyfully, slammed on the brakes.
Screech
Thud
The Jeep swerved, then stopped as it rammed into a street light.
God damn!
An American soldier got out of the drivers seat and yelled. The American soldier sitting in the passengers seat got out and pulled out a gun. Mu Ssang and Jin Soon were the only ones on Shinjak street. They were only 100 meters away. The American soldiers looked around for a long time before kicking his tire.
Son of a b****!
The uncultured cursing made its way into Mu Ssangs ears. A black woman who had been in the backseat came out with her hands holding her head. Blood was dripping down from her head. The woman wagged her finger at the driver.
Chapter 201 - Episode 11: Neo-psychopath
Oh, that lady will need to rub on some ointment for that. Hehehe!
Although worried, Jin Soon was laughing hysterically. The soldier, who was in the passengers seat, grabbed an ax from the back of the Jeep.
Jin Soons eyes grew in size. The two men had argued fiercely before one of them grabbed an ax. The American soldiers that Jin Soon had seen were all ignorant and crass. She was afraid that something gruesome was about to happen.
Fortunately, the ax did not crash down on anyones head, but instead, it swung through a window. The American army Jeeps had bulletproof windshields. A bullet could not penetrate through it. The brunt force of the thrown rock had left web-like cracks across the windshield. To see through the Jeep, they had no choice but to take it out completely.
God damn, God damn!
They stood witnessing the comical situation where the soldier was relentlessly hacking away at his windshield. From afar, it looked like he was destroying the Jeep with the ax.
Oppa, what are those Yankees doing? Why are they breaking apart their Jeep?
They must have gone crazy. They should have been more careful while driving, he replied with little emotion.
Oh, both their front windows are shattered.
They were driving quite recklessly, Mu Ssang said, pretending to not know what happened.
You did it, didnt you?
Jin Soon looked at him suspiciously. There was no way that a normal driving vehicle would swerve and run into a streetlight.
You tend to enact revenge on those who have caused someone grief without good reason. Theres no way you would have left those soldiers who mocked you in that dirty manner alone.
Well. It is written in Buddhist scripture that you should not forgive those who act like dogs to pretty women. Soon-e is no simple beauty.
Oh, hohoho, thats true. You should have given them a lump on the back of their heads.
Jin Soon laughed at his playful words.
Ha, if I hit the back of their heads, their skulls would have cracked open into two.
Mu Ssang broke out in cold sweats. He could not hurt a person over something so trivial in the middle of the day. Jin Soon had become rougher since the last time he had seen her.
They had removed the raggedy windshield, but they couldnt get the engine to start. Only the sound of a dying motor could be heard. They said that American-made cars were good, but it must have excluded its function. The driver opened the hood and looked at it for a while before slamming it back shut.
Immensely annoyed, the American soldiers started hitting and kicking the Jeep. Jin Soon couldnt stop laughing.
Miserable fools!
Mu Ssangs face reflected contempt. That was the first time he had made an enemy out of the American army.
Jonggok village was about four to 500 meters away from the straw bridge. As he walked on the path, Mu Ssang was reminded of the time that he had been dragged to Shinjak street by Baek Bu.
Cuckoo
Cuckoo
One lone cuckoo bird sang in the distance.
Would the cuckoo bird born among the long-tailed bushtit be happy? At least the long-tailed bushtit would raise it with care, so the cuckoo bird would have been in a better situation. He was like an abandoned cuckoo bird egg that had been thrown into the nest of an attacking long-tailed bushtit.
Jum Soon was also like a cuckoo bird egg. Hyang Shim Travel was famous for mistreating their women conductors. Jang Sang Su, who was the director of the company, was Jangs second younger brother.
The womens conductor dormitory was a 10 pyung slab room. 20 women lived in the room together. They worked for two days and rested for a day. They were paid 3,200 won per day as compensation. In a month, they would make 64,000 won.
For those who had worked for a long time, they were given 25,000 won for housing and food expenses. The salary they were paid for hanging onto the end of a bus door all day while being cursed at was a measly 39,000 won. At an immensely hungry age, there was not much money left after buying some snacks and makeup.
Even the working schedule was murderous. Usually, they would wake up at five in the morning and work until 11 at night. They were at an age where they loved to sleep. Any chance they got, they would hold onto the entrance door handle and catch some sleep.
The women conductors had their bodies checked each time they went to work. The inspectors would use the opportunity to touch their breasts and butt with any chance that they had. They would say that they felt something was off and send them into the inspection room.
When the women stepped into the inspection room, they would be stripped naked completely. All the unsavory things that happened to those women were left to the imagination.
Baek Bu and Jang must have made money that way and started up an oil and pharmaceutical company. Jum Soon might have been a long-tailed bushtit thrown into a cuckoo birds nest.
Oppa, what are you thinking so hard about?
Hm? Oh, Jum Soon.
Oh, you care too much. Well, that uncle couldnt do much for you, but at least he gave you a lot of attention. Hes very sick. I heard he got run over by a bull and hurt his back badly. He was the head of the household, so it has been rough for his family. Jum Soon had enrolled in school but decided on becoming a conductor instead.
Must be troublesome for someone so young.
I heard shes having a very hard time. I met her last time, and she said she wanted to die. It isnt really the work thats hard, but the fact that they strip her down often to steal from her. I want to help her, but Im not in a good state myself. When I graduate, Ill make sure to help her.
Jin Soon, are you going to be a nurse after you graduate?
Yes, my dream is to help and care for those who are sick and in trouble. Oppa is a patient too. Your heart is in pain, so you definitely need me. Hehehe!
He stared at Jin Soons side profile. Her refreshing profile, passionate stance, fearless actions, and the way she could understand others feelings reminded him of Rudrey Edel.
There are a lot of animals, but there are also a lot of humans. Shall I go collect the long-tailed bushtit eggs that were thrown into the cuckoos nest.
There you go again with your incantations.
Jin Soon glared at him, unable to understand what he was talking about.
They finally arrived at the old house after talking about random things. Standing in front of the front door, Mu Ssang was hit by conflicting emotions. Up until he was eight years old, he had lived there with his parents with nothing more that he could want. Time had passed, and the setting had changed along with it.
The Nakdong River and the green fields that he used to be able to see clearly from outside his front door could no longer be seen. They had cut down the field in half and raised a seven meters high four-way freeway, which blocked the view.
The sound of the cool lake breeze and water rippling had disappeared. In its place were the sounds of tires riding over asphalt. Memories of his father, mother, Lee Kang Chul, and all his childhood friends that he had played with flashed before him.
The weak wooden door was now replaced with a metal door. The blue metal door was rusty in certain areas. It was the only place in his childhood where he had been happy. His heart felt heavy.
Father, Ssang has returned. After 15 years, your son has returned. It was a little difficult, but because you looked over me, I was able to make it back home.
Mu Ssangs eyes filled with tears as he stroked the stone wall. His father had stacked up the wall himself when he was seven years old. Mu Ssang could still remember lugging the heavy rocks in an effort to help his father.
Oppa, what should we do? The house is the same as before, Jin Soon asked cautiously, seeing Mu Ssangs glum expression.
Ill have to buy it again.
Youre going to buy it?
Jin Soons eyes opened wide.
Baek Bu sold it without permission. This is the house where my mother will go back to. Of course, I have to buy it.
It was the house that he was born into as a result of his father and mothers love. It was a happy home for the three-member family. Todays motive was to retrieve back the house.
He scanned the house from over the wall.
The house looked no different from how it did before. The childrens clothes and work uniforms hanging on the clothesline in the front lawn flapped in the wind. Mu Ssangs hand froze mid-knock.
Was he going to tell the resident that he had lived there 15 years ago or tell him that the house was forcefully stolen from him and he wanted it back? Should he tell the resident to sell the house to him now?
The real reason was that he didnt want to meet anybody. After his father had died, his relatives had gossiped about his mother instead of helping them. Even though he despised them, he would greet a related elder if they passed by. Even if they were to break his spine, he had no desire to bow down to any of them.
Mu Ssang gave up on the front gate and instead went to the crumbled wall that had broken during a storm long ago. If he wanted to jump over the crumbling wall, he had to pass the peach tree fields. The Poncirus trifoliata trees, which were like a fence to the peach tree fields, had grown well throughout the years. At the height of three meters, it was tangled tightly together that even sparrows could not sit inside of it.
He remembered that he had made an arrow from the Poncirus trifoliata tree the year that his father had passed away. His father had laughed at the poorly constructed arrow.
Son, what is this? The sparrow will catch you instead. You cant make it like this. Ill recreate it for you using this pine tree root. Make sure not to shoot anyone.
Of course, if you catch a rabbit, I will cook it for you.
Is that so? Can we not tell mother and just eat it ourselves?
No. Your mother, whose body is very weak, should eat a lot of it.
His eyes suddenly grew hot. He jumped over the tree trunk. The peach tree fields were completely uncared for. It was tangled with many weeds and vines that it made it difficult to walk through. It had been a long time since humans had tended to it. The branches of the peach trees, which had not been trimmed, grew in every direction.
The crumbling wall looked the same as it had always been for the last 10 years. Past the wall was the peach tree fields. There was no reason to put in any effort to fix it. Sensing a human presence in the house, Mu Ssang quickly jumped over the wall. That place had been his home in the past, but not now. He could not trespass into a house that someone else lived in without even notifying them.
They said that someone is living in the house.
When I lived here, it had been empty
Jin Soon knocked on the front door.
Only after knocking several times did he hear someone sliding over to the door in slippers. The door opened, and a balding forehead popped out. It was a man who looked to be in his late 30s.
Who is it?
Uh, are you not Sang Chul?
Mu Ssang looked ecstatic.
Who?
The man looked at Mu Ssang with suspicion.
Brother, its me, Mu Ssang.
What? Are you Mu Ssang? The studious and good fighter? The son of Jin Bo Park, Mu Ssang?
The young man opened the door and examined Mu Ssangs face carefully, then jumped in surprise.
Jotto, its real. How long has it been? Its been 15 years. Youve both changed so much that I didnt recognize you. Are you the daughter of Mrs. Ha Dong? You look just like your mother.
This is Jin Soon. Youve changed a lot too, brother. Soon-ah, this is Sang Chul from Jonggok village. The kid that burned his book bag in the fire pit because he didnt want to study has turned 30.
Hey, you were the kid who drooled because he wanted to taste the Suk Bingo ice cream.
Ha, do you remember when we went on a field trip, and you only drank half that bottle of cider? Sang Jin and you were fighting over who would drink the remaining flat cider, and you ended up crying over it. What is so great about flat cider that you wouldnt even give your younger brother a sip of it? Tsk tsk!
Sang Chul, who couldnt gain anything from this battle, quickly grabbed Mu Ssangs hand.
Hey, why are you reminding me of those embarrassing moments. Lets hurry up and go inside. Soon-e, you sure got awfully pretty.
I was always pretty. However, it looks like you got married.
Yes, I seduced an assembly worker from the industrial center and quickly got married last year. My wife has gone to the Public Health Center with the kids.
Mu Ssangs lips quivered upwards. Unexpectedly, he had met his old-time neighborhood friend. The two of them had played together when they were young. It was indeed home. In the countryside, even if there was a five-year difference in age, you still considered them a friend.
Thanks to him, he could comfortably look around the interior of the house. The interior of the house was just the same as it had been 15 years ago, and the room that Lee Kang Chul had rented out was no different either. Even the kitchen door that his father and Mr. No had built remained the same. Mu Ssangs heart was filled with more sorrow.
When he opened the backdoor to the porch stoop, a refreshing breeze flowed inside. It would have been great to just lie there in the summer with his shirt hiked up. It was the place where he had earned marbles and pogs from the neighborhood kids. It was the place where his mother had given him frozen rice drinks and snacks.
Their porch stoop was the same, but neither his father nor his mother was there. Only their young son, who was now an adult, had returned from a long trip to sit at their porch stoop now. The flow of memories brought tears to his eyes. Jin Soon, who was quick to notice, had squeezed Mu Ssangs hand tightly.
Sang Chul had a different surname from Mu Ssang. He wasnt family, so there was no pressure. Because they had a significant age difference, there hadnt been much interaction. Naturally, when Mu Ssang left, they had thought that it had to do with something personal.
How many kids do you have?
I have one daughter. Where have you been that you dont even contact me once?
I live in France now. I came to visit.
Wow! France, you mean France in Europe?
Yes!
A country boy like you ended up all the way there. What do you do there?
Im a soldier.
Wow, youre a French soldier. How strange. You were a strange one since you were young. By the way, now that you are here, I need to pay you rent.
Rent? What are you talking about? Mu Ssang asked in surprise.
What do you mean? Youre the owner of this house. Baek Bu wrote out the rental contract five years ago. He told me to pay you the rent in full when you came back.
Sang Chul was even more surprised as he answered him.
What nonsense is he talking about?
Mu Ssangs face looked like that of a mad bull. When he was 10, Baek Bu had sold the house to the Do family. When the Do family had left, they left the house empty.
I have been out of the country, so I dont know about it. If you have the contract, bring it here.
F***, what are you talking about? Baek Bu probably scammed you. Wait here a moment.
Sang Chul brought over the rental agreement. The contents were simple. It said that there would be no deposit, the monthly rent was 30,000 won, the rent would be paid to Mu Ssang, and that it was a renewal of the rental agreement.
On the contract, the name Park In Bo was clearly written under Park Mu Ssang. Five years ago would have been the time when he was in prison. Did Baek Bu give back the house during the time that Jang had framed his nephew?
He racked his brain, trying to figure out what Baek Bu was up to.
Whew, if he was a stranger, I would beat the shit out of him.
Chapter 202 - Neo-psychopath
Anyway, Im not sure. You can use it the way that you usually do. I dont need the rent, just take care of the house well for me. Please also tend to the peach tree fields.
Can I really do that? Ive lived here for five years, so I owe you 1,800,000 won in rent! Sang Chul exclaimed.
He had saved up 1,800,000 won in the last five years for rent. He had suddenly accumulated a fair sum of money. Mister In Bo was someone who would never prick anothers conscience when it came to money problems. He had saved up the rent payments like his savings with the possibility that Mu Ssang would return.
You gave me a lot of apples to eat when I was younger. I even ate three of your chickens. Ill call it even with that. Lets just say you paid me the rent, and you can buy your daughter something good to eat. Buy your wife a present too. If you dont take care of the house properly, I will come back to collect the payments.
Wow, ever since you came back from living in another country, youve become quite generous. Im thankful enough to hear you say that, but I cant do that since Im older than you. Ill give you half the rent and take care of the house and your fathers grave. Leave me your bank account info.
Oh, you dont have to.
Even fleas have pride.
Eventually, they rewrote the contract for the rent payment to be reduced in half and included the condition that Sang Chul would agree to take care of the house. The remaining rent was used to maintain his fathers grave in Yeongok village.
Both sides were happy with the agreement. It was an agreement only possible in the countryside. Jin Soon, who had been pouting, eventually smiled too. That is very like you oppa. The house and your fathers grave is 100 times more important than a wad of cash.
Although did you steal the radio that one time?
Oppa didnt steal it. Wu Taks father had stolen it after he had returned from gambling. Gyeongjas mom even informed us of Wu Taks fathers return. They had gotten scared when the police came charging in and dumped it on oppa instead.
Jin Soon argued with immense annoyance.
Thats right. We knew that Mu Ssang could never do that. However, Baek Bu, Baek Mo, Hwa Ja, and Wu Tak went around spreading rumors that you were the stealer.
Its all in the past. Im leaving now.
Oh, I must have said too much. It all happened ages ago, so why did I even bother bringing it back up? My wife will be back soon. You should eat dinner before leaving.
You said you were busy. Ill come back next time.
Mu Ssang left after resisting Sang Chuls persistent invitation. Sitting in his mothers house would only cause his heart more discomfort.
After leaving the house, Mu Ssang was lost in deep thoughts. He could not figure out what in the world was happening.
Soon-ah, do you know something that I dont?
I dont know anything. I moved to Daegu afterward, so I never saw anyone from that family.
Alright, lets go to my uncle first. If hes badly hurt, I should go see him.
The only family member who had treated him kindly without judgment was his uncle. His aunt had even provided him with a warm meal and hand-me-down clothes. Mu Ssang was not one to forget even the smallest of kind gestures. He was busy, but he couldnt just pass by.
His uncle had 20 acres of paddies and five fields. With that much, they had no trouble feeding themselves. While he walked through the town, he saw a couple of villagers, but nobody recognized Mu Ssang.
He pushed aside the fallen door and stepped inside the front lawn. His aunt, who was cutting up cattle feed on the front lawn, stood up. She was carrying out a task that usually required two people to complete. Her husband was bedridden, and her two daughters were out working trying to earn money. Even if anyone were to help, it would only be intermittent.
Isnt that Jin Soon? Whos that young person?
Maam, have you been well? Its Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang bowed. At first, she stared at him blankly, before jumping in surprise. Her cheeks felt like it was burning.
Oh my! Ssang?
Yes, its Ssang, who you gave clothes to.
Oh, child, you are still alive!
His aunt ran over and hugged him.
Lets go inside. After your uncle ended up like that, its like hes barely living.
Wow, are you preparing the cattle feed all by yourself?
You know it better than I do. The neighborhood is not very helpful. These days, there isnt a single person to help me with the farmwork.
His aunt dabbed her tears with the end of her shirt. At a single glance, he could tell that the household was falling apart. The straw bridge neighborhood had always been prone to family fights even before the Korean War. Even as time passed, the resentment throughout the years only grew deeper.
Soon-ah, let me just finish this up, then well go inside.
In May, they usually let the cows loose to eat the grass in the fields, as they usually didnt cut up straws for their consumption. It meant that she didnt have the time to cut them loose for grazing.
Aunt, give me the sickle and bag.
Oh, what for? I can just feed them straw.
Mu Ssang grabbed the straw cutter even when she had refused his help. He pushed the straw in with one hand and pressed the cutter with the other.
Puk
Slice
Puk
Slice
Swiftly and instantly, he finished a bushel by himself, which had left Deok Suns eyes wide open. The garden inside the house was also full of weeds. The planted peppers were wilted while the weeds grew wildly.
Mu Ssang put water inside the pot and lit a flame underneath. Meanwhile, Jin Soon borrowed working pants and grabbed a sickle.
Swish
Swish
As the sickle passed through, her hands swiftly pulled out the grass.
Jin Soons skills were no joke either. She had collected a bushel in the blink of an eye. She filled the straw and fodder into the pot and sprinkled rice bran over it.
Clang
Wow, this looks delicious, she commented and closed the lid of the pot.
Mu Ssang smiled. Jin Soon was always so refreshingly blunt.
My goodness, you were good at working when you were younger, but now you are like a machine. If you and Jin Soon get together, it will be perfect.
Jin Soons body squirmed at the comment, and her face blushed red.
Oh, look at that temptress!
Mu Ssang clicked his tongue. She was so blunt in front of his teacher, but in front of the family, shes acting all innocent.
Lets take a look at uncle.
Alright! Lets head inside.
The bedridden man was lying under a thick blanket. The stale smell of someone bedridden for a long time stabbed at his nostrils.
Husband. Open your eyes so you can see whos here.
Wife, is someone here?
A rumble barely escaped his throat. It was the symptom of pneumothorax.
Its pneumothorax?
Jin Soon nodded without saying a word. Oppa had learned all the medical terms back in junior high.
Sir, its me. Mu Ssang.
What in the world? Ssang has come. Lets see your face.
He pushed his eyelids upwards. His glazed-over eyes couldnt focus, and his gaze floated about.
Youve become a man. I could barely recognize you. Jin Bo and his wife would be awfully happy.
How did this happen?
A bull attacked me.
Let me take a look at it.
Mu Ssang removed the blanket. The stench hit his nose hard. Jin Soon turned her head away too. Mu Ssang didnt flinch.
Oh, what to do? It will smell a lot.
Mu Ssang didnt answer and continued examining him slowly with his body bent over.
Who did this to you?
You could feel the chill in Mu Ssangs voice. The injury was not from an attacking bull but rather, from being beaten with a club. Beating someone with a club was his specialty. The bruising on his body was from injuries that had been incurred by a weapon. Even after 10s of years had passed, he might have been able to fool a ghost but not Mu Ssang.
What are you talking about? Nothing like that happened, his uncle denied forcefully.
Tell me, who is the punk that beat you up with a club as if he was threshing?
Husband. Tell Ssang what happened. I havent spoken a word to anyone, and its killing me inside.
His uncle hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth to talk.
Alright, I cant just die like this without telling someone about the unfairness Ive been through. Do you know about the Sabuk situation?
I dont know.
It was four years ago when Chun Doo Hwan had caused a scene. I had finished the autumn harvest and gone to the Sabuk coal mine to earn a little money for our kids school expenses.
Hm! Are you out of your mind? Thats too dangerous, Mu Ssang gasped.
Hard-working people usually went to the coal mines or did other work when the harvest season was over. They did it to earn money for their childrens school expenses, to send their aging parents on vacation, or to buy their hard-working wife a ring. It was outdated, but it was a way to show their affection.
Its not like that. I worked at the shelter in Ji Jang mountain in Sabuk. The situation was uncomfortable there, but I was able to withstand it for a couple of months since I could make money. In April, the mineworkers went on strike. The company must have negotiated the pay poorly with the union. What would I know? I just stayed where I was.
His uncle continued, Truthfully, the accommodation there was not fit for humans to live in, and in comparison to the work being done, the pay was pretty measly. I could understand why the mineworkers had decided to go on strike. The person who left the government ran over the striking mineworkers with a car. Two of them had died, and three were badly hurt. After that, all hell broke loose. 1,000s of the mineworkers had revolted, so they had to call in the police. I wasnt involved in the demonstration. What knowledge would a lowly worker like myself have to help start a fight?
You were probably arrested by the association, and the captured mineworkers probably pulled you in with them.
How do you know so well? You sure are smart. The leader of the mineworkers and the government had reached an agreement that ended the demonstration. However, the army started to charge in afterward. They worked with the police department and suddenly started arresting all the mineworkers and took them away. I didnt even know what was happening and got arrested with them.
Cough
Cough
His uncle let out a dry cough.
Get some rest.
Its alright. I feel so angry and cheated that I can only die after finishing the story. I only went there because they told me they wanted to see me at the regional development meeting. The moment I went into the police station, they handcuffed and dragged me into the basement. They made a bunch of honeycomb-like cubicles in the basement where they beat us with clubs and kicked us, shoved our heads into the water, and tortured us in various ways. Thats how I suffered a shattered knee and a broken back. They starved me for three days while they beat me. I was released on the fourth day. They loaded me onto a Jeep and dumped me at a hospital where they barely treated me before taking me home.
They probably threatened to arrest you again and beat you to death if you uttered a single word, right?
You know it well. I was so scared. Thats why I only tell people that I was attacked by a bull. However, I feel so cheated. I cant just die like this.
Did you hear anything while you were being tortured?
I often heard that the president had ordered them to strictly handle the situation. From what I have heard of their conversation, they said 20 mineworkers had died, and 100 have become handicapped. I was so scared.
You dont remember anyones name?
Of course I remember, the one who always tortured me was called Kim Young No. There was also Yoo Young Chul, and someone called Chief Jang.
Mu Ssang nodded his head. He didnt know what the Sabuk situation was, but he knew who was controlling them within the government. Although a hassle, if he really wanted to, he could have found the mastermind behind the situation. All he had to do was search through the Ministry of Information.
Were you rewarded with anything in return?
Reward? They said we, communists, should be glad that they were merciful enough to not kill us.
His uncles eyes were shaking with rage. It was the painful look of a powerless civilian.
Damned punks, how did you get treatment?
I was hospitalized for two years. The hospital payments cost 10 acres of land. My daughters, who had been going to school, had to work in the factory and as a conductor instead. Oh, hoo hoo!
Tears streamed down his uncles face. They were bitter tears. Another victim had appeareda consequence of those who had used their power unrighteously. He was reminded of Hyun Dong, who had gotten his knee shattered when he was arrested at the university. He had gotten caught for being out past curfew and also for his long hair.
Huh, this country has not changed at all. I should break that punks neck.
Mu Ssangs eyes gleamed in red. He was reminded of the clubs and stocks that had rained down on him like hail. The government, which should be protecting its civilians, was beating them with clubs instead. Amid everything, there was the president. Like himself and his uncle, how many people were shedding bloody tears because of them?
Mu Ssang was lost in contemplation. His teacher would have forbidden him to do it, but his heart was enraged. He longed for the land of ambition, Chad, where he could do whatever his heart desired.
Oppa!
Ok, alright. I got it.
He knew even without Jin Soon telling him. It would be too strenuous to shift such a long-established order.
Where are you hurt?
I cant use one of my knees, and my back hurts, which is why I cant stand. The hospital said that nothing more could be done for me.
Oh, what can we do? Thats why he cant move a muscle.
His aunts eyes were full of tears.
Mu Ssang carefully laid his uncle straight and lifted his left leg. It was the leg with the shattered knee. He was in pain. He lifted his right leg again.
Ack!
A scream escaped from his lips.
It looks like your intervertebral central core has slipped out.
Jin Soons eyes widened. She had said it with her lips twitching. All she had to do was watch what her oppa was doing.
Aunt, from this point on, you have seen nothing.
She didnt know what he was talking about, so she confusedly blinked at him.
Oppa will try to cure uncle, so he wants you to pretend that you didnt witness anything.
Alright. If he can get a little better, I would do anything.
Deok Sun pretended that Mu Ssang was just giving him a massage.
Chapter 203 - Episode 1: Repay Favors Ten Fold, Vengeance A Hundred Fold
Sweat dripped from Mu Ssangs face. Deok Sun held her breath while Jin Soon made a fist and did not once look away.
That was the first time she saw her oppa struggling. She didnt know what it was, but she felt like something incredible was about to happen.
She was a third-year nursing student. Intervertebral disc prolapse was hard to treat. She could not guarantee that one would completely heal even with surgery. It usually caused paralysis to the lower half of the body and was difficult to recover from. It meant that uncle would most likely have to live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Whoong
The resonance echoed once again.
Huh, incredible! How could they be so cruel?
Mu Ssang clicked his tongue. The ligaments that connected the tissues in the knee were completely shattered. The broken bone had healed in a malaligned position, and so, he had to align it using a prosthesis.
It would be hard to try to fix it in this state. The people that did this to him were horrible, but the doctors who treated him were just as bad, if not worse. Either that or they were frauds.
Lastly, Mu Ssang used his resonance to shake up the stiffened muscles before ending his treatment.
Oh, that took a lot out of me!
When Mu Ssang let out a sigh, Jin Soon quickly wiped away the sweat from his forehead. With bated breath and eyes that sparkled with anticipation was Deok Sun, who had been waiting patiently.
Uncle, try standing up.
Mu Ssang helped his uncle to sit up while supporting his back.
Oh, this will not work. Ive spent three years lying like this.
Itll work. Trust me and try standing up.
Ha, really!
His uncle grunted as he applied strength. Mu Ssang supported his uncles weight with his own strength.
Huh, it doesnt hurt! How is this possible?
His uncle, who had staggered to stay upright, wrinkled his face as if half-smiling and half-crying.
Oh, husband. Does it really not hurt? Deok Sun exclaimed out loud.
Wife, my ears will go deaf. I am alright now.
Slowly, very slowly, try moving your feet.
With support, his uncle moved his feet. One-steptwo-stepthree-step.
Oh, that, that!
Deok Sun was so surprised that she couldnt speak. Jin Soon was surprised too. A patient who had been paralyzed from the waist down was walking. She stared at him as if she was going to swallow him whole.
Thats enough for today!
After encouraging his uncle to take five steps, Mu Ssang sat him back down. Jin Soon immediately placed blankets behind his back.
Im sitting. Sitting. No, walking. I walked, uncle mumbled to himself.
Aunt!
Oh, yes, yes.
Uncles back will get better from now on. The bones in his knee did not heal in the correct position, so I wont be able to fix that.
Oh, how can we thank you! How can this be possible? Your father and mother were such good people that they must have sent you to save us. Sob! How can I ever repay you?
Deok Sun made a fuss, not knowing what to do.
Theres no reason to repay me. Listen to me carefully. I did heal him, but his joints and muscles are weak, so it will take two to three months before his spine is fully recovered. Buy a bed. Before he goes to sleep, tie weights to his ankles. He should go for a little walk every day. After about two months, he should be able to walk on his own with crutches.
Oh my goodness, thats more than enough. Heavenly Father, Buddha, thank you. Thank you!
Deok Sun put her hands together and prayed in every direction.
Wife, you should be thanking Ssang. Why are you looking for Buddha and God instead? There is no Buddha or God in this world. Ssang is Buddha and God.
His uncle joked with a smile. Tears fell from his wrinkled eyes.
Oh uncle, dont say such blasphemous things. If my teacher finds out, I would be beaten to death. Ill come back again next month. You must not tell anyone that I healed you, Mu Ssang warned firmly.
Of course, I understand what you are saying.
He nodded his head like a swaying grasshopper. Mu Ssang refused their persistent offer to stay for dinner and left the Straw Bridge. He didnt want to end up running into family members that he did not want to see while he was still within the area.
Oppa, dont go doing something stupid.
Jin Soons eyes were fired up as she lifted her fists. He had felt a vast amount of hopelessness here for the longest time. Usually, reserved people who suddenly act rashly surprised others the most.
Alright. I want to live quietly too.
Mu Ssang smiled bitterly. He knew of the heartache that Jin Soon had suffered.
Oppa, how did you heal uncle? Is it a power that is taught in books?
Im not sure if you could call it a power, but its called hyungtae gongmyung jang. Teacher calls it resonance.
Hyungtae gongmyung jang? Whats that?
Its hard to explain. I learned by watching teacher do it, and I figured out how to use it.
Mu Ssang breezed through the subject. Should he have said that he had gained the skill by killing a lot of people, or should he have said that he had figured it out from swimming through the bloodbaths?
Either way, oppa, you are mysterious. I feel like you will later disappear into the sky, riding away on a crane.
Jin Soon wanted to ask him many things, but she kept her mouth shut. If thats what oppa insisted, then that was it.
Soon-ah, lets go out for a bit.
To do what?
I want to check out the registration right away.
He felt rushed. His house in Jonggok village symbolized the happiness that he had with his father and mother. He could not let that fall into the hands of someone else. He had the intention to purchase the house, but it turned out that the house had already belonged to him. It was as ridiculous as a dog eating grass. Baek Bu and Jang were incredibly strange and did the most illogical things, but he couldnt help but suspect that they were up to no good.
After seeing the deed to the house, it made even less sense to him. The owner had changed from Park Jin Bo to Park In Bo, then six years ago, it had switched to Park Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang searched his memory and recalled his fathers fields. He had checked the number and received the registration papers. Within a similar time frame, his name had been posted on the registration form. He felt like hed been possessed by a ghost.
Oppa, what happened?
Well, I wouldnt know.
Isnt it Wu Taks father making amends for his wrongdoings?
Oh please, dont talk nonsense. If its not actual kindness but one that was just for show, that might make sense.
Jin Soon said with a bitter smile. Thats right. Thinking about those types of people in power was frightening.
Mu Ssang checked the deed again. 10 acres of Yeongok villages fields and the five acres of fields in the Straw Bridge were listed under his name.
The deed had changed around the time that he was in high school. Did the world go crazy during that time? Did it explode at the time and emitted radiation or something?
Why would Baek Bu and Baek Mo change the possessor of the house and land to their nephew?
He shook his head. That was impossible. It would make more sense to believe in fairy tales where a fox turned into a woman or a tiger becoming friends with a deer.
Reality was reality and not a fairy tale. A fox was and would always be a fox, and a tiger would always eat the deer. Turning a new leaf was not an option when it came down to his relationship with Baek Bu. The only thing to do was to meet Baek Bu, face to face.
Oppa, if you arent planning to kick your way in through their door, then get that thought out of your head. You know how lame Rodins The Thinker looks like in front of a beautiful woman?
Yes, alright.
Jin Soon tried to calm Mu Ssangs repressed energy all day.
Gyeongbu Expressway was a wall that separated the neighborhood and the fields. To get to the river, one had to walk through the dark path and pass the box.
What is this?
Mu Ssang was taken aback by the transformed surroundings. The wide flowing river had become dry. The rivers width shrank to half its size, and the water had become muddy. The earth and sand got washed into it, reducing the width to about 10 meters. It was now more of a small lake.
According to the adults, when the Andong Dam was finished, the water depth decreased, and the increase in construction caused the build-up of sand and debris. Some people blamed the freeway.Damn! They turned the river into a wreck.
Pollution from the construction site flowed into the river and killed all the fish. In turn, that stopped the bird migration here, causing a mess. Now, no one comes here to fish.
Now that he was paying attention, he could see the fishes floating in the water with its bellies up. The vast water weeds were no longer there.
Damn it! Carps, guppies, eels, freshwater sprats, leopard fish, and snakeheadsthey are all gone. Oh, we cant eat clams or seaweed.
Mu Ssang was disappointed. His heartfelt memories of the place have been destroyed.
Youll be in trouble if you end up eating the fish from the polluted lake. The people in Japan had eaten fish from water contaminated by metal and ended up getting Minamata disease. It was a nightmare.
Oh shit!
Mu Ssang glared at the construction site in disgust. This country had no underground resources or tourist locations. It could only survive by building factories and exporting goods. Unlike Chad, Korea progressed in a virtuous cycle.
Once the factories came in, numerous people were able to get jobs and could send their children to school. The children who gained high school education were able to contribute to the countrys progress. If the factories had not been built, Sang Chul would have ended up as a peasant because he had nothing to inherit.
However, he was still disappointed. They said that within 10 years, mountains could change. Now, he could see that it was true even if it had changed for the worse. He became sad, thinking of his childhood memories that were linked to the place.
He went upstream without even having to cross the bridge. He carried Jin Soon on his back and passed through the willow tree forest, wading in thigh-deep water. Fortunately, the willow tree forest had not changed much from before.
He removed his outer coat and laid it on the ground for Jin Soon, before stretching out under a willow trees shade. The pile of willow leaves softened the ground for his back to rest against comfortably.
The dark green leaves of the willow tree would grow as big as his hands by the end of April. In between the small leaves, he could see the white clouds floating in the blue sky. The leaves would become so thick after a month that it would be impossible to see the sky through it.
The whisper of the wind flowing through the willow tree, the sound of the rustling leaves, the sound of swaying reeds and flowers, the chirping of different types of water birds, the sound of jumping fish, and the softness of Jin Soons thighit was home.
The sun did not burn the skin, and the lack of dust storm made it possible to open ones eyes. There were no swarms of flies and mosquitoes. There was no gunfire or explosions. It was heaven.
Would aunt be at the house?
Its Saturday, so all the girls will probably be there too.
I couldnt buy any presents, what should I do?
Your healthy return is already a great present. Youre like a father to them. We should stop by the grave too.
Of course. For the time being, Ill have to be stuck at the temple for the next 10 days, praying five hours a day.
Five hours a day? Grandfather monk is asking for too much.
Jin Soon pouted.
Teacher may look rash, but he has hye an. He has his reasons for everything.
What is hye an?
The body is the physical state. Cheon an is the eyes ability to see beyond this realm. It is like foresight. Hye an is the ability to see ones true self. For example, you can act innocent all you want, but your fiery nature will undoubtedly show. Hes probably secretly clicking his tongue at you.
Whatever. You know how much grandfather monk likes me. Is there something else other than hye an?
There is also bup an and bul an, but I dont know it well.
Does it have anything to do with the healing powers you used on your uncle?
What powers? I have only learned a similar skill to that of the cheon an, by coincidence. I was reprimanded for not properly learning the skill.
Mu Ssang jumped. Compared to his teachers powers, his skills were amateurish, at best.
You know what, hes so strict to his apprentice, but why is he so gentle with me? Why is teacher so gentle?
Should I tell you the truth?
Like you can lie to me? Spill it before I appoint a jury.
Grandfather monk told me not to tell.
Dont mess with me.
Mu Ssang lifted his fist and shook it.
What in the world! How dare you wave fists that can break boulders in front of a beautiful woman? How pitiful for the ambitious Cho Jin Soon.
Hurry up and spill it. A womans lips should be as light as a dry reed.
They werent particularly talking about anything, but conversations between men and women were usually like that. They spent their time talking about frivolous things like that.
According to grandfather monk, he said that your menace is too strong. He said that your dark aura is growing.
That only happens in fantasy novels. Teacher was lying to you.
I dont know whether hes lying to me or not. He said that I was born with the energy of water. He said that I should stay by your side to balance your aura.
Ha, how silly! Teacher must be getting old. You really believe that?
Of course, I really believe it. If I dont trust the person who has the hye an sight, then who should I trust?
Oh, my head!
Jin Soon was already a handful as it is, but his teacher had given her even more hope. The girl would end up as a virgin ghost because of him. Jin Soon poked at Mu Ssangs frowning forehead with her finger.
Dont worry about it too much. Grandfather monk said that your dark energy will fade when you reach 100 years old. Ill stay by your side for the next 80 years. Hehehe.
Jin Soon stuck out her tongue.
Hahaha! I give up. I give up. They say that a beautiful woman will be forgiven no matter how much nonsense they spew. Do whatever you want.
The mention of 80 years got him laughing.
A beautiful woman is saying that she will stay by your side, but you treat her like some leftover chewed up gum. Oh, how you hurt my pride. Oh, father in heaven, take back your son.
Jin Soon pretended to lament as she dabbed her eyes with spit to mimic tears.
Oh, silly girl, my teacher may be soft in your hands, but why are you bringing my father into this?
His large hands ruffled Jin Soons hair.
Hehe, do you know how much I dreamt about coming to this forest with you? Im so glad you came back safe and sound.
Jin Soon swallowed the words, I love you, oppa. It might be words that she had to keep to herself forever.
Chapter 204 - Episode 2: Repay Favors Ten Fold, Vengeance A Hundred Fold
The willow trees leaves rustled from the sudden gust of wind. Scattered rays of the sun hit his face like laser beams. Jin Soon took off her jacket and covered his face with it.
Why do you like a hollow shell of a man like me? Mu Ssang mumbled the question with his eyes closed.
Jin Soon was what they called a Queen Bee. She was tall and slim, and her face was perfectly symmetrical. She was a beauty. Plus, her personality was easy going. Any man with eyes would be drooling buckets in front of her.
What reason do you need to like someone? There are many men in the world, but there is no man like you. Im going to spend the rest of my life cooking for you and washing your underwear.
Mu Ssang yelled, Hey, dont be ridiculous. Do you want to die a virgin?
Ha, whats wrong with dying a virgin? There are a lot of people who grow old as virgins. Nuns devote their lives to God, and bhikkhunis devote themselves to Buddha. Im going to devote myself to nag at you for the rest of my life. So, dont you worry about it.
Ha!
He couldnt think of anything to say. He had hoped that she would date a good man in college, but that didnt work out.
There are probably truckloads of boys falling head over heels for you. What have you been doing all this time?
I was dragged out to some meetings a couple of times, but those boys are like children. None of them emitted the aura of men. They were either thugs or mamas boys, so I kicked them to the curb.
Oh, if you just took them seriously for a little while, they will look different. If you are too sure of yourself, your perspective will be distorted. It is the difference between seeing gentleness as weakness, catering to your needs as multiple personality disorder, and thoughtfulness as indecisiveness.
Jin Soon shook her head. Having a chicken over a pheasant was one thing, but having a crow in place of a pheasant would be a bit of a complication. She had the same virus as the unwavering Ombuti.
I may look a bit slow to you, but Im not a ditz. I know how to differentiate between intuition and common sense. Anyway, because you are such a good catch, the idea of marrying me off to another man has gone out the window.
What makes me a good catch?
Jin Soon started to count her fingers.
Youre smart, strong, affectionate, determined, kind, a good fighter, and now you even make good money. 10 fingers wont be enough to list it all.
Ha! Youve got thick rose-colored glasses on, dont you?
Mu Ssang clicked his tongue.
As long as I live my entire life with them on, there wont be a problem. The truth hidden by fact is no different than a lie.
Oh, you sure are smart. Ever since you started college, your persuasion skills have gotten much better.
If you start getting awkward around me, Ill become really sad. Im okay with being a housemaid or a cook. Im good at working and cooking.
Jin Soons expression turned sorrowful. The day that oppa had left for a foreign country, she had secretly gone to the airport. She went even without knowing his flight time. She had cried all night while watching the planes take off and land.
When she opened a book, he was in the book.
When she looked up at the sky, he was in the sky.
When she stared into the lake, he was in the lake.
Oppas face was everywhere.
She could see him but could not reach him.
If she extended her hand now, she could touch his face.
Scared that it might push oppa away, she hid her hand away.
Tell me just once that its okay to extend a hand.
No. Dont say anything. Id be your shadow, like always.
When she closed the book,
When the clouds blocked the sky,
When the wind shook the lake,
Oppas face was always there.
Yesterday and today, I am waiting.
Couldnt you extend your hand to me just this once?
Is that too much to ask for? Would the heavens forbid it?
If it was a dream, I didnt want to wake up, and if it was not a dream, I want to remain asleep.
Tomorrow, 10 years from now, 100 years from now, I would still be there.
It was the song that she had sung crazily to herself as she walked along the path at night. Every time she had missed him, she would hum the song. Now, she would naturally hum the song whenever her heart ached for him.
What should I do about her!
Mu Ssangs expression turned serious. Her confession was as red as blood. It was desperate and beautiful. The blatancy of the confession caused him a heartache. What was her reason for loving such a man who had nothing to offer? They said that there was no reason behind love. The reason was purely the fact that they just do.
There is no end to the sunlight, but the grass is both long and short.
He let out an exasperated sigh.
If Jin Soon found out the identity of Black Mamba, the Sahels Azrael, and the Angel of Death who had taken the lives of 1,000s of men, would her feelings for him remain unchanged?
Her feelings would obviously not change. She would only be immensely sad about it.
He hated himself as he laid his head on Jin Soons lap, whose soul was innocent. He was Asura, who wasnt even once haunted by the souls of the 2,000 people he had killed. Not even one dead mans soul had visited him in his dreams. That was why his teacher had claimed that he was a neo-psychopath. Was he worthy of receiving this kind of love? He hummed to himself without even realizing it.
I have survived an unrelenting life.
As if on a trip, I followed the beckoning of my mother.
Generosity might change, but the truth was like a diamond.
Love would set like the sun, but affection would have no end.
I returned here because I had memories of the place.
I circled back from far away to return here.
If I returned, would my bloodied soul be cleansed?
Would love be possible with hands covered in blood?
I came here by crossing the Styx river.
I killed others for my own survival.
I came here because I was still alive.
Could I hold on to happiness with hands covered in blood?
The soft baritone voice echoed through the willow tree forest. The tone was accompanied by a mixture of sadness and pain. Jin Soons heart ached. The fact that she had missed him was like a childish complaint of a pitiful schoolgirl compared to oppas sorrow and loneliness.
Stop it oppa. Im getting teary-eyed.
The tears welling up in Jin Soons eyes fell on Mu Ssangs face. She had cried the same way 10 years ago on oppas back as he sang Clementine to her. Today was sadder than the memory she had of that day.
How much she had mourned on the day that her respectful and righteous oppa had been framed for a crime of assault. When his reputation was ruined, the woman he had loved had even left him. Oppa, who had been left all alone, couldnt stand it any longer and had left his home.
She knew what type of work the mercenaries did. The place he had left for had been hell too. The numerous scars on his body were an indication.
Jin Soon looked down and continuously stared at the thin face lying on her lap. The cross-shaped scar on his cheek caught her attention. How much pain he must have had to endure every time he got hurt!
He would have killed many people to make up for the numerous pain he had to endure. How painful and lonely it must have been for him since he was far away from home. She felt sorry for her oppa who could not live a normal life and escape his fate.
Even though hed traveled a long way, he had not changed one bit. He remained kind-hearted due to his strength, and he couldnt let go of the love he had for the one woman he had loved his entire life. He had such an attachment that he took care of the five siblings who had abused and tortured him instead.
Oppa, arent mercenaries those people who go out to fight in wars? Even God can hurt innocent people by striking lightning at the wrong places. A soldier killing an enemy during war is not something you can control. Dont hold it too close to your heart. To make amends, you even give offerings every day.
There was only silence around them.
Mu Ssangs eyes widened. She was very persuasive. That was why people said that its important to go to college.
Oppa, arent you incredibly tired?
There is nothing easy in the world. There was a lot of mental stress, but there were instances where I was mentally comforted too. The desert night was terrifyingly desolate yet beautiful. Some stars twinkled from one end to the next within the vast sky. The wavy dunes reflected the shine of millions of stars. The moon rose with the sound of the bells on the camels neck. It filled the heart with the sensation of being alone in this world.
Wow! Its like a poem. A poem. Is it Shangri-La or Mureung Dowon?
Mu Ssang smiled bitterly. If the Sahel was Shangri-La, then Korea was heaven. Based on how one described something, it could look as different as night and day.
Northern Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, was the place where the villagers traveled by camel. It was the place where women carried their starving children next to their naked bosoms and chased away the swarming flies.
Jin Soon couldnt sense the reality of it.
The Africa that she knew of was the desert and the jungle that was full of wild animals. Africa was just a place full of Black Congolese whom she had seen in movies. In her head, she could only associate vast diseases like yellow fever, typhoid fever, and cholera with the place. Mu Ssang had a similar sense of how Jin Soon had viewed Chad.
The operation in Chad that I was thrown into had been a civil war between the north and south. Compared to Chad, our country is blessed. During the day, it was so hot your face would burn, and at night, it was so cold you could die from it. Sandstorms continuously blew while swarms of flies and mosquitoes sucked your blood day and night. Even the flies were different than the ones in this country. Mosquitoes as big as wasps would suck your blood to the extent that it would make you jump in pain. I couldnt even drink water in peace since it was polluted and filled with bacteria. After many years of erosion, the rivers and lakes had all dried up. There were times when we didnt have a drop of water to drink for three days straight. We only had the option of slicing open a camels neck to drink its blood. That is what northern Chad of the Sahel was like.
Oh my! It sounded like a fantasy before, but it feels like hell now. Thank you so much for returning back safely, oppa.
Isnt the world just like that? When a person returns home, it is filled with nostalgia and longing. You see as much as you know and feel as much as youve seen. The desert is like a fantasy. Beautiful but also deadly. However, even in a place like that, humans find a way to survive.
This place is no different. There are a lot of sad people thrashing about in hell. If it hadnt been for you, I would have been in the factories dying cloth until I reeked of chemicals instead of attending school.
Youre strong. You will do well even without me by your side.
Jin Soon shook her head. Even a cow needed a secret hill. A person like oppa, who had overcome the odds after experiencing so many obstacles, was a special case. If oppa had not helped her, Yeon Soon and Gye Soon would have met the same fate as Jum Soon and ended up as a conductor.
Oppa, Im hungry. Shall we go visit one of our old fishing spots?
Jin Soon changed the subject to steer away from the somber atmosphere.
Hey, look at the waters state. How can we catch fish from such a dirty pool of water?
The clear lake water had turned into a foamy polluted lake from the construction runoff. The clams that he had easily found and enjoyed when he was younger had bid their goodbyes.
Since we are together, I couldnt even smell the stench of the fields. With oppa by my side, Im already full. Lets just walk.
Mu Ssang stumbled. His hair stood on end every time she mentioned being full because it felt like she was referring to something else.
Ha Joongs sandy shore was so wide that other beaches couldnt even compete. There were a lot of pretty seashells around, just like those on the beaches. Jin Soon took off her high heels and bounced about in the sand.
Her hair flew around from the strong wind of the lake, her green midi skirt ruffled, and her hands were busy trying to fix the flipping ends of her skirt.
That moment overlapped with the images of his moonlit vacation, no, his final vacation with Hae Youngthe twinkling stars which had looked like it would rain down on him, the gust of wind that felt like it would blow the world away, the lips that had turned blue from the cold, the woman who had placed her cold hands on her bosom and laughed, her passionate seduction, the airplane that had disappeared into the clouds, the tears that had wet his cheeks, and the strong gust of wind that blew through the hole in his heart.
Yes, I should be content with only one love.
His heart wavered for a second before finding its rightful place once again.
Kweh kweh kweh
The sound of the pheasant brought him back to reality. Ha Joongs forest was like a heaven of its own. Many birds like pheasants and sparrows had inhabited the forest.
April was mating season for the pheasants. A male pheasant flew around the forest and made a racket with its chirping.
The male pheasant usually did many childish things to impress its mate. It flew around and cried to make itself more noticeable.
If it couldnt find an adequate flight pattern, its flight became short. There was a repetition of short flights and landing. As a result, it became easy prey for hawks, other predatory birds, and animals like foxes.
A cooked pheasant is good!
He picked up a couple of round rocks. He found a large male pheasant. Mu Ssang quietly blended with the forest. Jin Soon did not realize that Mu Ssang, who had been walking beside her, had disappeared.
The male pheasant made a raucous without realizing that a dangerous predator was targeting it.
Kweh kweh kweh kweh
The male pheasant sat on the edge of a thick branch, crying loudly. It was 10 meters away. He could hit it with his eyes closed.
Fwit
The rock that had left his hand hit the pheasant squarely on its head. The pheasant that had extended its neck and made a scene suddenly keeled over. Overtaken by a predator, the male pheasant didnt have a chance to pass down its genes with its flamboyant feathers.
Mu Ssang, who had disappeared, returned with two large pheasants in his hands.
Where have you been? Oh, when did you catch the pheasants? Jin Soon asked in confusion.
They surrendered to feed my hungry companion. They were fighting over who would make the sacrifice, and they both decided to take the fall for each other. They were both thugs. Even pheasants wouldnt enjoy good fate if they try to wield too much power over those below him.
Hohoho, oh, thats all a myth.
Jin Soon grabbed her stomach while laughing. Her oppa had special skills even when he was younger. He became strong ever since fourth grade and was good at catching deer and rabbits. It was no surprise to her that he had caught two pheasants.
What do we have as complements for the meal?
Bomdong, garland chrysanthemum, and green garlic will be out in the fields. Theres even spinach. However, there is no water to clean it with.
Hahaha!
Mu Ssang laughed out loud. It had been the time when they were getting ready to counterattack Habibs base camp. Jang Shin had told him that there was no vehicle to travel with. He was reminded of the blank look on his comrades faces. How flabbergasted they must have been!
Even the frigid winter had a scent. The cabbages and radishes that had been buried in the earth were ripening. At the end of April, there were a lot of things to eat, so they werent too worried about it. The problem was that there was no clean water to wash them with. It was the same feeling that he had felt when they were preparing to leave, but there had been no vehicle available.
Chapter 205 - Episode 3: Repay Favors Ten Fold, Vengeance A Hundred Fold
F*ck, Id rather die than suffer from an illness.
Humans struggled to adapt to new situations outside the norm. The bridge village had clear, full streams, due to its many rocks. The fact that he couldnt use the water in his hometown was incomprehensible.
It was the same water yet different in the Sahel and the bridge village. While one was a lifeline, the other existed like air. However, the bridge had suffered greatly from the damage.
That was the law of equivalence. Gaining one meant losing another. They had controlled the floods by building a dam, which in turn provided job opportunities, but that had destroyed the environment.
I wonder if those things have disappeared since the river became sh*t.
He suddenly recalled the soldiers sprouting up from the water like bubbles in the dark early evening amid the thick fog. He wondered if the soldiers, who used to march in meaningless orders of lines, had disappeared. He had thrown their corpses into the Nakdong River during the battle. Perhaps the FROLINAT soldiers he had killed were wandering around the Sahel aimlessly.
I should concentrate on making the roasted pheasant.
He sliced the pheasants belly with the tip of his thumb. The stomach spilled open as though it had been cut with a knife. He pulled out all of its intestines and slathered it with mud.
Jin Soon started the fire with dry twigs and threw the slathered pheasant into the fire. The two stared at the drying mud ball, which began to harden in the fire. Silence ensued.
Oppa, cant you do something about those things now? Jin Soon said abruptly.
She referred to the humans as things, but there was no way Mu Ssang would misunderstand.
Its hard to resolve this in court. I was impatient, or should I say I went temporarily mad?
We have Kang Young Sooks will and those things affidavit of admission, so how hard can it be to sue them? You need to get rid of the dirty crime that you have been framed for. However, it would be hard since that damned b*tch committed suicide.
Jin Soon was persistent. They were crafty humans who had used her oppas strong sense of justice to push him into a trap. Looking at them living their lives well made her want to throw up all the rice that she had eaten four days ago.
The thing is, its hard to get them with the law. I could kidnap and beat them up without thinking of the consequences. I should be able to get rid of the accusation of rape, but I would be charged for kidnapping and violence instead.
He could have flipped the judgment on his own, but Sang Han, who would have assisted with the kidnapping, the weapons, and marks, would be a problem. The Jang family would happily make a fuss with the police and prosecutors. He didnt mind, but the people around him would be affected.
Then how will you clear your name, oppa?
Hehe, I couldnt do anything since there were soldier-wannabes back then, but I can slowly start now.
What are you going to do?
If you stab a person, you need to charge the stabber. Of course, I cant leave sewer trash alone, even if it was used as a weapon. Ive wrapped up some stuff. Only the hand-axe gang remains. However, you see, they are nothing to me since Ive seen worse on the battlefield.
Nothing? They messed up your life, oppa, and theyre nothing? Jin Soons tone went up a pitch.
Brat, Im the one whos affected. Why are you getting mad? Oppas life isnt ruined. I got to drink foreign water and earn a lot of money thanks to the b*tchs family, so its a good thing.
Mu Ssang patted Jin Soons back.
Back then, I even thought of killing the Jang familys mother and children. I was found digging a burial hole for them by the teacher and got beaten up really bad. However, after returning from the dead several times, I figure theyre nothing to me. I feel like my father wouldnt like it if I attacked my own family, either.
Oh, yes, what a saint.
A saintly smile appeared on Mu Ssangs face.
I learned the only animal that can look directly at the sun is the chameleon. No human on earth is clean enough to face the skies directly. Sattvas are sattvas because we carry sins throughout our lives. I bet there are countless people out there plotting their revenge on me.
Wow, are you really my oppa? That old grandpa monk is amazing. Hes turned oppa, who held on to grudges, into a Buddha! So? Youre going to forget everything they did and live with the one-for-all, all-for-one mantra?
He smirked even more at Jin Soons mocking. It was a smile as cold as early winter.
I cant do that. Im planning to shake all the money out of that man I call uncle and the witch who serves money like Buddha.
That is ideal, but wouldnt that be too weak a revenge?
Jin Soon tilted her head. Money could be earned. How could taking money count as revenge? He had truly become soft ever since he had left for a foreign country.
Hehehe, those humans have an entirely different perspective on money from us. What do you consider most important?
Of course its you, oppa, and my family. I have nothing to compare your value with, so should I say its absolute?
Thats it. Soon, what would you do if someone takes oppa and your family away?
Id go mad. Ah! I see. Jin Soon came to a realization.
Losing her oppa was a horrible thought. There would be no point in living. They considered money as God, so taking it away would cause extreme pain to them. Oppa was someone who kept his word. She suddenly found the Jang family very pitiful.
Wow, oppa, youre evil! Jin Soon exclaimed.
Oppa wouldnt sit back and watch. No, oppa truly was an amazing person.
Huhuhu! Stop praising me. Its almost done. We should visit my fathers grave afterward.
The clay had turned brick-red while they were chatting. Mu Ssang cracked the clay open. The feathers stuck to the clay came off cleanly as though a plastic wrapper was being removed.
Its white skin appeared with steam coming off. He sprinkled salt and pepper all over the pheasant and wrapped it with arrowroot leaves. Then, he covered it with mud again before placing it back in the fire.
Farmers who always climbed mountains were bound to finish their meals there. They always came prepared with basic spices like salt, pepper, and pepper powder. It was the same for Mu Ssang. Since his youth, he always carried spices in his pockets. The habit remained until now.
Brat, my patience is at its limit. Lets eat.
When he cleared the mud, a sweet smell exuded off the pheasant immediately. Jin Soon swallowed her drool. Oppa was a magician. He was a magician who performed solely for one audience. Her consciousness floated around in happiness.
Thanks, oppa. Oppa should have been there when King Sunjo fled to Uijo. I heard he chewed on uncooked rice since he was too busy running away.
No, brat. I hate the country called Joseon and that human, especially. If I had been guarding him, I would have kicked him into the Imjin River.
Mu Ssang shivered. He hated the Joseon dynastys kings, but he hated Injo, Sunjo, and Gojong even more. He felt as though lice were climbing all over him whenever he thought about them. They were the icons of incompetence, stupidity, childish immaturity, and jealousy.
The person who had abandoned his people and fled during the night, the person who had lit the Imjin River with oil to navigate his way, the person who had accused Lee Soon Shin of being a rebel out of jealousy, and the person who didnt even appear on the battlefieldthat was King Sunjo.
When Sunjo wrote his memorandum about the deceased honorable servant, Lee Soon Shin, he said, The pity towards him will always remain a regret in my heart. I will raise his position to the right minister to reassure his bright soul and return all my debts by opening a temple to hold his funeral. Only his soul will be honored by my special favor. Here I proclaim, and so it will be.
My special favor? That was a frustrating phrase that would raise ones blood pressure. The people who lived under such a useless king were pitiful.
Ugh, again, that temper of yours! Jin Soon ripped the pheasants leg off and stuffed it in his mouth.
She would have to hear a history lecture if she let him be. Oppa was good overall, but he cared too much about the countrys well-being.
History lectures were boring. What did it matter whether Sunjo had abandoned his people in the past or not? Rent and their university registration fees was an existing problem.
You brat, damn!
Mu Ssang looked at Jin Soon and smiled in satisfaction. The sight of her tearing the meat up with her bare hands looked so natural. If Edel was the careful, intelligent beauty, then Jin Soon was the natural, pure friend.
Hm!
He flinched. How did he end up thinking about Edel?
Wow, this is amazing. Its so good! Mu Ssang exclaimed in surprise.
Mu Ssang was an ignorant fool when it came to relationships between men and women.
Craack
Craack
Jeez, I told you not to eat the bones, didnt I? You still are! Land animals have thin and strong bones, so its more dangerous.
Jin Soon didnt know that a Paranthropus teeth were stronger than a hyenas, and their digestive juices were like a crocodiles.
Stop scolding me, shut up!
He stuffed Jin Soons mouth with a pheasants leg.
His fathers grave in Yeongok village was clean. The grave was clean and covered with turf. There werent any weeds. It seemed that his fathers grave was regularly maintained. There werent any acacia trees or vines either, which meant that someone cleaned the grave every year.
Who was it?
No one would have cleaned it. The relatives at the bridge village? Theyd rather wash their hands in bean paste. He would give them 100,000 dollars if they truly did.
Aunt Ha Dong? No. Unlike men, women werent interested in maintaining graves. The idea of maintaining an ancestors grave wasnt appealing at all. He didnt think his fathers old friends would take care of the grave either.
His right to the land had returned, and his fathers grave was regularly maintained?
There were two possibilities. Either his mother had survived and regained ownership, or his uncle had gone mad, returning his house and the surrounding lands.
The first was what he had hoped for. If his mother had returned, there was no way Ha Dong wouldnt know. The two were closer than blood-related siblings, after all.
The second possibility had a slimmer chance than the first. The bridge turning into the sea would be more feasible than his uncle and aunt changing their minds.
Anyway, his aunt and uncle held the key. He felt as though hed have to face his uncles family as soon as the prayer service ended. He felt extremely annoyed.
He arranged the offerings that Jin Soon had prepared. He finished the prayer and sprinkled rice liquor all over the grave before lighting a cigarette and leaving it on the incense altar.
Father, you liked cigarettes, didnt you? This is an expensive foreign cigarette called the Cohiba Siglo. You feel frustrated for passing away so quickly, dont you? If youd been alive, your son would have given you a pack of good cigarettes. Well, if you had been alive, I suppose I wouldnt have fled overseas after the incident.
Mu Ssang slumped in his seat and began to tell his story. Yeongok village came into view from the graves standpoint. He could see the paddies spread in front of the village and the dam on the left.
He could also see the field that his father used to spray fertilizers on. Hed been addicted to it. He used to play in the river while his father worked, catching eels and fishes. The happy, sad, and painful memories unraveled in his mind like a panorama.
Dad, I made lots of money, just like I promised. You wouldnt want your only son to starve. Im planning to help the people living in difficulty and guide them to take charge of their own lives. Dont call me invested. Humans only have 100 years to live, dont they?
Ten years ago, he had visited his fathers grave before escaping his uncles house. He had cooked crawfish and filled his smelly rubber shoes with water to set them on the altar. He had promised to earn more money and to give his father a grand feast.
He had kept his promise and earned lots of money. However, would his father welcome a son who was a mercenary?
He couldnt tell.
He recalled his mothers face, which hed shoved into the deepest corners of his mind. It had been 14 years since his mothers disappearance. His teachers words on how he shouldnt resist the fate of connections or force them in a certain way had also been a burden.
What should he do?
He wasnt a teenager anymore, and it wasnt as though he didnt have the power. He had even thought of uniting all the gangs in the country to order a search for his mother.
I should study first, he thought.
It was funny how he had to hold a book with his bloodied hands, but that was how human society worked. Those who became heroes from encouraging murder like Genghis Khan, Hannibal, Caesar, Alexander, and Napoleon were the true sinners.
The body count of his murders was incomparable to their human sacrifices. It would barely amount to the blood in a birds foot. A monster would even get rid of his past records as a criminal for an understanding relationship with others.
Including Hideki Tojo, the war criminals of Japan who were executed barely amounted to seven people. King Hirohito, who had the greatest responsibility, wasnt even held responsible. In the afterworld, those who were dirty remained dirty, and those who were clean remained clean.
Look at him. He received a great amount of money and a medal for killing thousands of people. That was how the world worked. Whether one had to despair or attempt something, it was ones own responsibility and life.
Father, rest in peace. I couldnt visit often. I was busy fighting in another country. I wont be able to come by often. Im busy studying and living too, you see. Ill find Mother as soon as I can. Be well.
After bidding him farewell, Mu Ssang swaggered down the mountain. Jin Soon didnt open her mouth the entire time. Jin Soon knew when to talk and when to stay silent like a ghost.
A scream greeted Mu Ssang as he entered through the door.
Kyaaaah, its oppa!
Chapter 206 - Episode 4: Repay Favors Ten Fold, Vengeance A Hundred Fold
Four young women rushed out. There was Yeon Soon and Gye Soon, who became university students, Mal Soon who attended high school, and Do Soon, who was in middle school. The four girls became chaotic as they clung on to him while rubbing, biting, and kissing him. Mu Ssang raised both of his hands.
Stop, stoooop!
Cold sweats started forming when their heavy breasts came attacking from all sides.
Kid, youve suffered a lot out there. Look at you. Youve become one fierce man. Deok Suns just told me that you came by recently.
Ha Dong was someone empathetic and shed a lot of tears. She didnt know how to let go of Mu Ssangs sleeve. How could she feel anything less than pitiful longing for Mu Ssang, who she regarded as her son despite not being blood-related?
I didnt suffer, I ate well and enjoyed myself overseas. Did anything happen while I was gone?
Its the same as always. Lets head in.
The four girls grabbed Mu Ssang and rushed into the house. A bright smile spread across Jin Soons face. That was her oppas charm. Oppas existence itself brought happiness to others.
Oppa was still the Mu Ssang oppa of the bridge village. That was proof of the amazing person he was.
Youre hungry, arent you? My big kid said you didnt even get to eat lunch. Mal Soon, why dont you get some eggs? Yeon Soon, you can get the water started and catch a chicken. Gye Soon, you get the steamer on. Ou Soon, get the water boiling.
Ha Dong instructed her daughters. Even his captain, who went running around the Sahel, was incomparable to her as a conductor.
Mal Soon ran immediately and grabbed two eggs from the birds nest. She handed both eggs to him with a smile. Her smile was as warm as the eggs in his palm. That was family.
He poked the top and bottom of the eggs and sipped it down. A healthy combination of sweetness and sourness swept across his mouth. Not even caviar of truffles could measure up to this.
The order of the Ha Dong familys kitchen was truly amazing, with six women inside. A meal was created in an instantwhite rice, soybean paste soup, steamed tofu, acorn paste, and proper homemade dishes. Suddenly, something got caught in his throat. When had he been served such a meal?
It was of a different tier compared to the French dishes served at a restaurant. That was it. There wasnt any love. As expected, the bridge village was full of things he had shared.
Jin Soon brought out a large, full pot. It was filled with white chicken soup. His hunger got the better of him at the sweet smell. The pheasant he had eaten during lunch had long been digested.
The four siblings settled around the head seat and questioned him endlessly. They asked him all types of social questions before questioning him about his pay and how he kept his skin smooth and firm.
Jin Soons siblings were smart-mouthed. His brain started to shut down from the double-sided attacks. He couldnt tell whether the food was entering his mouth or his nose.
You brats arent letting your oppa eat! Mouth, mouth, mouth!
When Ha Dong lectured with her unique posture, the house turned quiet immediately. It was the kind of aura that he couldnt mimic, the type that was usually present in families. He automatically smiled in satisfaction.
[Black Mamba, start a family. Where a weary, damaged soul rests is not the body of a woman they love but the warmth of a familys embrace.]
That was what Chartres had said before his death.
Chartres, you were right.
He suddenly missed his mentor, Chartres.
I wonder if that b*stards enjoying himself? He better not spend all his money on that nurse.
He worried about Emil.
Ha Dong knew of Mu Ssangs appetite. There was a big pot of chicken soup mixed with rice and another big pot of rice with hops.
Ssang, eat slowly. Youre going to get a stomachache! Ha Dong scolded Mu Ssang, who was stuffing the food into his mouth.
Oppa, youre a pig.
Ehehehe, Do Soon, you said the same thing 10 years ago.
Hmph, Oppa, youre a stupid pig. I told you my name is Ou Soon, 10 years ago.
You, you rude little brat, you dont get to talk like that just because your oppa tolerates it. Since when do you talk that way? Yeon Soon, wheres the broom handle? Ha Dong shouted, her face turning blue.
The girls were acting rude, not knowing who was older or younger since Mu Ssang took their disrespect as cuteness.
Hehe, oppa, its fine, isnt it? Oppa eats more than a pig after all, Ou Soon muttered as she hid behind Mu Ssangs back.
Do Soons right.
Ugh, oppa, its Ou Soon!
Oppa knows, Do Soon.
Aaaagh! Youre unfair!
Ou Soon couldnt do anything to Mu Ssang since she hadnt grown into her full height yet. The dining room was as loud as the mercenaries cafeteria.
Ajumma, you remember the time you sent me that white chicken soup when my ribs broke because of that bulldog?
Whats the point of remembering that horrible incident? I still tremble whenever I think of those b*stards.
Ha Dong Daek clicked her tongue. That had been a difficult time. She couldnt give Mu Ssang pocket money because of her husbands sudden death. He got kicked around by the head teacher and had three of his ribs broken because of that.
Those horrible humans hadnt even given their cousin any money to attend school, yet they had ordered him around like a slave. The thought of them made her shiver.
Theres a similar white chicken soup in France, you see, called the coq au vin. Its made of chicken, onions, garlic, ham, and mushrooms broiled in wine. However, its worth over 30,000 won here.
How is a single dish 30,000 won? Ha Dong Daek asked in surprise.
France is a well-off country, so their food is expensive. I remembered the chicken soup you sent me every time I ate the coq au vin.
What else could I do! You nearly died trying to live under those stuffy people. You should be relaxing after all the sufferings, not running around with a rifle in your hands! Its making me angry.
Ha Dong raised the end of her clothes and wiped away her tears. Even Jin Soon, who had been tearing the chicken fat for him, started to tear up. She didnt know what her young siblings were thinking, but she found her oppas difficult life very pitiful and unfortunate.
Ajumma, did you know that the deed to my fathers old house was changed back to my name?
Really? How did that happen? I dont know anything about that. Your uncle sold that land a long time ago to buy his bus, after all. Was he possessed by a ghost or something?
Ha Dong Daeks eyes widened. Mu Ssang clicked his tongue. If Ha Dong didnt know, it meant that his uncle had changed ownership without her knowledge. It was a mystery.
Mu Ssang was only released after two hours of interrogation by the four siblings.
I couldnt prepare a gift for you ahead of time because I didnt plan to come here. Ill give you pocket money instead.
Kyaaah, oppa, youre the best!
Mal Soon and Ou Soon were all smiles after receiving 100,000 won each.
Yeon Soon and Gye Soon need date fees and makeup, right?
Of course, oppa!
We need a lot. A lot.
Yeon Soon and Gye Soon lifted their chins. Jin Soon smiled, and Ha Dong Daek shook her head in annoyance.
Here. Buy some clothes and makeup.
He pulled out some new checks and distributed it between the two.
Yeaaaah!
The screams of two young ladies echoed across the front yard.
Jeez, kid, whats the point of giving those girls so much money? What can they even do with it?
300,000 won was two months worth of pay for an employee in a large company. Ha Dong Daek had the right to be surprised.
I earned it to use it, right? If my siblings dont live well-off lives, Ill be a horrible oppa.
The siblings, who gained a large amount of pocket money, ran around laughing.
Its the money that your oppa worked his bones for, so save it, you brats. Ha Dong Daek stood and rapped on their heads.
Mu Ssang brushed off his clothes and stood up.
I should be going. I have a service to perform in the evening.
Of course. Dont be late, okay?
Mu Ssang handed Ha Dong Daek, who had accompanied him to the door, a bank book.
What is this?
Ajumma, this is the university registration fees for those five brats. Its about 400,000 won for a year of lessons in a private college, isnt it? So, that totals up to 2,000,000 won. Use it for my sisters university fees, and go buy and raise some cows.
Ha Dong Daek shrieked in surprise.
My God, why should I accept this huge sum? No. Its the money you have earned with your blood. Its impossible. My deceased brother-in-law will curse me to hell!
Mu Ssang shoved the bank book in Ha Dong Daeks trembling hands. Unlike his pretty face, his hands were as rough as a hogs feet.
Father will like it. I couldnt attend university because I did all those dirty things, right? I realize humans only act like humans when they learn and expose themselves to society. Educate those brats. Its a world where your daughters have to learn something, at least.
No, I know how hard you worked overseas to earn this money. I can feed them enough with the money I get from the aid. Its enough to send them to university and more. I cant take this money no matter what, its embarrassing!
Ha Dong Daek led a humble life. As an adult, she couldnt receive a sum of money that was unjustified.
Ajumma, I earn a lot of money. Whats the value of money between two people whore more than friends? The food that Mal Soon has served me is worth more than these few pieces of paper. Money has to be used by the people who need them.
When Ha Dong persistently refused, Jin Soon took it.
Mother, make oppa feel comfortable.
I dont know. You guys repay him after completing your studies. Cant you sleepover tonight? Will the monk say something?
My rears going to shatter if I miss a day of service.
Whys the monk so scary? Soon, you send your brother off, okay?
Mu Ssang hugged Ha Dong Daek tightly.
Ajumma, you need to live healthily for a long time, okay? There should at least be one person to greet my mother when she comes back.
Of course, of course. Someone has to give my sister a good warm meal, after all. That old monk will scold you if youre late. Hurry along.
A smile came naturally to Ha Dong Daeks face as she watched Mu Ssangs tall, broad frame walking away. He suited her thin, tall daughter very well.
Sister, Im fine with them liking each other. Ssang grew up so well, so which part of the sky are you under?
Ha Dong Daek turned around and wiped away her tears.
He immediately took his driving test after finishing a months worth of soul-refining prayers. He had to earn a separate small-vehicle license in order to ride a BMW bike. Those that worked under 125cc could use a normal drivers license, but the northern snakehead was 1,200cc.
The French auto license could easily convert into a countrys drivers license. It was easily solved with a notary on the translated license, a photo submission, and a fee payment. He had earned the license, but his northern snakehead was nowhere in sight.
Frustrated, he bought a local car. He needed a car to take his teacher around. Teacher was healthy, but he was reaching his 90s. His teacher couldnt do anything about his aging body even if he attained mystical abilities. A hardware aging on a body without basic reconstruction couldnt be fixed.
After buying a secondhand Hyundai Pony, Mu Ssang nearly jumped out of his skin at the unexpected gift. Hamilton had sent him a Fiat Panda as a gift. It was the latest 850cc panda made by Fiat in 1982.
Surprised, Mu Ssang immediately called minister Hamilton. Hamilton laughed.
I thought a Panda would be the perfect car for climbing up and down the mountain. Its expensive, but its not worth half of the Walther PPK you had gifted me. Monk, this transaction, no, this gift exchange cant be canceled, got it?
Hamilton spoke with determination and ended the call.
Mu Ssang laughed. The flag hed taken from the enemys command post turned into a silver gun, and now, it had turned into a famous car. Maybe the car would change into an armored vehicle later. He laughed at the proceedings, much like Andersons fairy tales.
Mu Ssang said this in reply to Hamiltons speech:
Thank you. Goods are proportionally valued to a persons usage, after all. I cant cancel this exchange either.
A seven-shot revolver, which could be used as a gun for suicide, was worth nothing to him. A guns value depended on how well it could kill. Its external appearance, historical value, and antique value were not factors that he needed to consider.
The light green Fiat Panda made him happy as it came from someone who shared the same values. It was the car that would become his teachers feet. It had good fuel storage and sleek appearance. He also liked the fact that the rear seats could be folded, turning it into a bed or carrier. Productivity wise, it was incomparable to the Pony.
On the second day, Mu Ssangs mouth was left agape. When he returned from harvesting herbs and mushrooms, the snakehead hed been waiting for finally appeared right in the middle of the temples front yard. It was as though Murphys law and Sallys law had been mixed up. Hed received a Fiat Panda after a week of owning the Hyundais Pony. In a few days, he had received the snakehead.
It had been a month and a fortnight since his return. The delivery address was sent from the French Foreign Consulate. There was even an apology letter attached to the address note.
They explained how they had to change some parts, which were damaged by the weather, and the time it took for them to fix the damage. Now that he re-examined it, it was shining new. They hadnt fixed it, the thing itself was new.
He didnt care about the apology letter. He was satisfied with the fact that France had taken care of its repair fees.
Chapter 207 - Episode 1: The Syria-Ruman Plan
Mu Ssang ran his hands over the snakehead as though he was greeting a long lost lover. That was the guy hed bore the brunt with, in the Sahels rough deserts, empty lands, and steppes. He was overjoyed to meet his old friend.
Moreover, its 600cc double horsepower engine was overwhelmingly powerful. Combined with his physical abilities, it could easily jump over the mountains rocks and streams.
Tsk tsk!
Monk Dae Woo clicked his tongue. His b*stard of an apprentice had bought a Pony, followed by a foreign four-seater car, and a strange monster that couldnt even be called a bike. There were a lot of things to ride on, for a person who didnt even use a bike.
You brat, why are you so interested in things that emit gas rather than Jin Soon? You should be bringing in a wife, whats with all this? Running and walking are training, too. What are you going to do with these things? Do you want to become a car dealer? Tsk tsk.
Hmph, youll change your opinion once you take a ride, teacher.
Eh, you brat. If I get distracted by that kind of junk, Im a damned feather, not a damned fool.
Monk Dae Woo used homophones to assert his stance. He had never been in a car or even ridden a bike before. Monk Dae Woos opinion altered within an hour.
Mu Ssang brought his teacher on the Panda and drove him to the three-river harbor, which was located in Yecheon, Poongyang.
Huh, it doesnt even make a sound.
It is soundproof and has a soft engine.
Uh-huh, expensive cars are really good. It slides like the sled that I rode in my youth! monk Dae Woo kept exclaiming.
The scenery around him didnt even catch his attention.
The next day, monk Dae Woo finished his morning service and rushed his apprentice along.
Shamua, lets hurry up and go.
Yes, Im going, going.
Mu Ssangs mouth twitched into a smile as he headed out with the car keys. The previous evening, his teacher had suddenly asked him to pay for driving school lessons. His mouth had opened wide at the explosive statement. His teachers age was uncountable. Disregarding his age, the fact that his teacher had asked him for driving school lesson fees was astonishing.
Monk Dae Woo immediately enrolled for the regular first class lessons and attempted to take the driving test. The comfort and speed of modern technology had shaken his masters strong will at 90.
Mu Ssang worryingly asked his teacher on their way back, Teacher, why didnt you apply for the second class?
Brat, whats the point of getting a second class license? The least Ill have to drive around when things get hard is a taxi, right?
Aigoo, dont even talk about things that wont happen. Why are you worried about food? Im trying to tell you that the first class license is difficult to earn. You should change it, at least for now.
Hum, youre looking down on your teacher, arent you? What are you going to do if I earned the first class license?
If you pass within a month, Ill bow 3,000 times.
And if I fail, Ill teach you the military techniques that I know.
You promised.
Yes, a human who knows the scripts doesnt go back on their words! Mu Ssang shouted in delight.
Dagger techniques like the Krav Maga were nothing but short-handed tricks. The military techniques of the Goryeo tradition were the true finishing edge for the five combined movements.
A week later, monk Dae Woo ruffled around his clothes after the evening service. He pulled out a plastic card the size of a name card. He rubbed some saliva on it and plastered it on his forehead. It was an immature move that he saw the children attempt while playing Ddakji-chigi. Mu Ssangs disgusted expression landed on his masters forehead. Upon recognizing the card, he shouted.
You cheated!
Earning a first class driving license within a week had to be a scam. The second tiers passing rate was 30 percent, but the first class license was 13 percent on average. That was only after people had driven around some old run-down truck for three weeks in the driving school. It was a fact that he had confirmed while earning his license.
He couldnt stop his teacher who had passed, but he found the examiner who had passed him more incomprehensible. The examiners eyes must have gone blind. There wasnt a power handle on the testing porters. Those taking the test had to sweat over a handle, which didnt even turn.
The trucks on the testing grounds had a stiff handle, a clutch at the wrong degree, and a ruined brake lining. Testers had to drag the porter through an S-course and a T-course while sweating heavily. With a single mistake, they were requested to get off the truck.
What of the driving test? The engine would automatically turn off if the clutch and excels timing was slightly off. The truck was bound to slide back during a climb. There were countless people with stamps on the back of their application forms. Gaining a license within a week was impossible.
Hahaha, I received my theory test ahead of time, you see. Thats right, I got 82 points for that and finished my driving test in one go.
Pride spread across his teachers face as though he was bragging about how amazing he was. It wasnt the kind of face a teacher of the heavenly wills should make.
No. That is impossible.
Hm, I do find my apprentices denial of the obvious truth very pitiful. You cant believe it, hm?
Of course. It doesnt make sense, does it? Oh, I see. Teacher, you used your powers, didnt you? You created confusion in the examiners mind and
Slap
The bamboo stick came flying as always.
You b*stard, are you accusing me of cheating? To begin with, your teacher has amazing athletic senses! Kekeke!
Mu Ssang zoned out while his teacher laughed loudly to the point that his Adams apple could be seen. The way he laughed was rather awkward.
F*** athletic senses, hes used all the heaven-seeing power in his arsenal.
He had used his dimensional sight when he applied for his drivers license in France, after all. It wasnt something unjustified. Mu Ssang, now bound for 3,000 encouragement bows, crumpled his face.
һР Ӱ ¶ ^, everything is a dream even if it is organized, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, the dew, or the lightning. One should know impermanence and show it. F*** impermanence!
He added an expletive at the end. Mu Ssang shoved down the Diamond Sutra. The golden candlelight wavered at its force. Hed finished 3,000 bows and chanted the Diamond Sutra 100 times, but the chaos in his mind couldnt accept his actions. There were more concerns rather than relief in his head.
Candles flickered with the wind, and with a victim came an assaulter. The one who used violence was the attacker, and the one who was beaten up was the victim.
He refused to live in a world where the perpetrator and victim had to be categorized. The one who has thus gone were meaningless words. The Serengeti plains approach to eat or to be eaten was more suited for the unattached soul.
It was a silent night in the mountain.
Clang
The wind tapped on the wind chime hanging on the edge of their roof.
Hoo
Hoo
The barn owls hoots were the only sound in the darkness.
Ha, I guess this is why teacher said that I didnt have an affinity with fire.
He pulled out a notebook from his pocket. The edges of the palm-sized notebook had worn out. It was made from cheap material and much time had passed anyway.
There was a scary sentence pressed onto the outer cover of the notebook. The writing had slightly faded over time.
[Repay Favors Ten Fold, Vengeance a Hundred Fold]
Those were the words he had written after leaving his uncles house on the bridge at the age of 13. He had been mature for his age. It was said that a Korean tiger didnt forget the hunter who made it bleed for 10 years. A Paranthropus was a much fearful predator compared to a tiger.
He opened the notebook. Its insides had turned yellow. Names were listed on the first page in small letters.
[Mother, Jang Pil Nyuh, Pak In Bo, Pak Hwa Ja, Kim Dal Su, Jang Chi Soo, Hand-axe]
There were more names on the next page.
[Lee Kang Chul, Kang Young Sook, Kang Choon Shik, Moon Mi Ja, Lee Ki Chul, Waterfly]
Third page.
[Ha Dong Ajumma, Sam Chul Ajussi, Director Lee of Ki-Sung Oil, Sang Hans parents]
The names on the second lineKang Young Sook, Kang Choon Shik, Moon Mi Ja, and Waterflyhad been crossed out. They were humans who had already died, or hed taken revenge on. There were only five names recorded on the third page.
They should be living well so they can greet when Azrael visits. Hehehe!
An eerie smile seeped out. Just like hed thought, he wasnt someone whod knock on wood and chant some prayers.
Shamua!
Ugh!
Mu Ssangs neck was drawn in.
Yes, teacher?
Prepare another room.
Yes, teacher, Mu Ssang answered immediately.
His teacher was really amazing. He had recognized the sliver of murderous ki behind the several layers of walls. It seemed as though his teacher was preparing to greet a long-term guest from the way he had asked for a new room to be prepared.
Hm, I suppose theres no reason to worry about the firewood as long as the debt remains.
Mu Ssang shoved the notebook into his pocket and let out an exhausted sigh.
On the second day, the still Chun Sung Temple became crowded like the marketplace because of the crowd of workers who filled the temple since mid-breakfast. Teacher had asked him to clear out a room, but he had turned over the side temple instead.
It was a small act of resistance against his teacher, who had restricted his actions. On the other hand, he wanted his teacher to be comfortable.
He built another building with three rooms. He got rid of the steep stairs towards the main temple and installed a long rampway. He modernized the temple kitchen and added a dining room. He upgraded the toilet stalls too. He also hired an old granny who didnt have any children from the Gong Yang province.
Monk Dae Woo treated the entire chaos as though it didnt exist. He laughed, like always, and left them to do what they needed. With his newly gained drivers license, monk Dae Woo would drive the Fiat whenever he wanted. The teacher, who was enamored by driving, had no time to interfere with his apprentices actions.
It took two months to remodel the side temple. Mu Ssang had to concentrate on his work, study, and train without being distracted. He gathered herbs and mushrooms like the old times and sold them to the market. He also caught rabbits and deers for their meals.
He thought it was a waste of money to buy beef and pork for himself to eat. Mu Ssang was the kind of guy who would concern himself over the price of his meals but would not hesitate to spend it on his teacher and Ha Dongs family. He was a rich man, but the monk apprentice, Shamua, remained the same.
Monk Dae Woos overall physical appearance had also improved. It was because of the healthy food that his apprentice had prepared for him in the past few months. Mu Ssang had once lectured him about food being more important than Buddhas energy. As a result, he had to drag three truck tires around the temple grounds, which was three times larger than the neighboring school track grounds.
While Mu Ssang had his hands threaded to his nose, the Paris minister of the Department of the Interior, Manuel Pione, was down with a strong headache.
Ah, f***, why are these b*stards going around Paris, of all places! Tell them to die in their own lands!
The minister of the Department of the Interior, Pione, glared at the Army Military Police director, commander Allen Majif, and the director of the GIGN Military Police Department of the Interior, Ordo. Majif and Ordo kept their mouths shut and stared at the wall. There was nothing to say. What could they say about terrorists crawling everywhere like cockroaches, even if they did kill them?
The cases behind the terrorist attacks went back to April 82, with the explosion on Champs-lyses Rue Marbeuf. The terrorist attack on Rue Marbeuf had been a result of Iraq and Syrias discord.
The target on Rue Marbeuf was an Iranian newspaper company known as the Al-Watan Al-Arabia. The terrorist organization had attacked the companys building under Syrias orders. 60 people had died due to this incident.
France was a benevolent country when it came to immigration and asylums. There was an endless flow of immigrants and refugees from Africa and the Middle East, and a rising number of illegal immigrants.
Due to that, there were countless gunfights between Israels intelligence members and PLO officers and bloody revenge between sects from the Middle East in France.
The countrys security authorities tried not to interfere, taking into consideration the opportune relationship they had with the colonial countries. They left them alone to tear and fry each other.
The Marbeuf explosion had an entirely different nature. Several French citizens were sacrificed. France felt unjust as the victim. It was like two intruders fighting in a strangers house, and the house owner dying in the process.
The incident didnt end there. With the Marbeuf terrorist attack as a starting point, several terrorist attacks occurred in the following days. On top of that, foreign diplomats were killed.
When it was revealed that the captured terrorists were from the ANO, the French government reached the limits of their patience. The gendarmerie started annihilating the cockroaches.
Gendarmerie was a paramilitary that acted as the police and soldiers at the same time. It had over 100,000 members for a specially-run French organization armed with tanks, field artillery, and helicopters. It seemed as though the terrorist attacks had died down, thanks to the strong gendarmerie.
A year from then, in April of 1983, Frances national rail had exploded. The TGV from Paris-Lyon barely escaped the accident. Following that, the leftist writer Jean Ede Hyie was kidnapped and killed by the terrorists, while the head diplomat of Morocco was sacrificed to the terrorist explosion.
The ANO had brought about much organized and widespread attacks compared to the Marbeuf attacks. The GIGN of gendarmerie had sent out a full force of 40 units, but it wasnt enough. The terrorists kept crawling like cockroaches.
The DGSE had chased the terrorists backers restlessly until they revealed that the Syrian secret police, the extreme leftist faction RAF[1], was the true mastermind. The terrorist organization, which had moved during the Marbeuf attacks, moved once more.
As the minister of the Department of the Interior, who was in charge of internal and external security, it was something to go mad and rage about.
[1] Red Army Faction
Chapter 208 - Episode 2: The Syria-Ruman Plan
The Ministry of Interior had mobilized all of its military police. They had enforced fingerprint checks and allowed immediate kills on the scene when arresting terrorists. Despite the strong countermeasures, the terrorist organizations activities didnt wane.
The terrorist organization had begun taking hostages, kidnapping, threatening, and assassinating people. They had also started targeting public places such as bus stations, theater entrances, and train stations.
Mitterrand had grown a horn and declared war on the terrorist organization, which targeted France and its citizens. The department of National Defense had mobilized three divisions of their army and lifted some of the burdens from the director of Border Police. Illegal immigrants were immediately deported or killed.
Frances internal defense was the responsibility of the National Police Department and the Military Police. The Military Police had spearheaded the war against terrorist organizations with GIGN at its forefront, while the National Police Department had arrested over 100,000 illegal immigrants.
Anyone that had caused trouble of any kind or was deemed capable of cooperating with the terrorists was deported. The plan to uproot the weeds had been a success. The rate of terrorism had decreased.
It was too early for the French departments of defense to raise their cheers. A wooden boat had been found by the military police, and it had sunk as it tried to secretly approach Liano beach. The representative of the Ministry of Interior had declared that a smuggled terrorist bombed a drifting yacht. The representative had further explained that they were tracking the terrorist since their escape from Syrias Latakia airport.
A few days later, corpses of women and babies were salvaged along the La Spezia coast around the Ligurian Sea. Italy had announced that the people on the yacht, which France had sunk, werent terrorists but family members. It had led to a wave of criticism from the citizens.
Mitterrand had campaigned for moralistic politics. He had stepped back due to the blemish on his image. The search for illegal immigrants had stopped, while the tanks and armored vehicles were recalled from the borders. The terrors began to occur once more with the presented opportunity.
That was the summary of their war against terrorism, a year after the Marbeuf explosions. The most annoying farming crop was millets. Millets and rice were cousins. They were difficult to distinguish from one another. That was why picking out terrorists from cities was as hard.
Mitterrand, who had attacked all sides, ordered the minister of Interior, Manuel Pione, to find a way to stop all the terrorist activities.
Pione was frustrated. How could he stop the terrorist activities with his hands and feet tied together?!
He was basically ordered to catch a robber in a house with open doors. That was the reason why Pione was pulling out his hair. Three counter-terrorist representatives racked their brains but found no solution.
Commander Majif, do you know how fast cockroaches breed?
Army Military Police director, commander Allen Majif, had been wiped out for the past 30 minutes. He replied petulantly to the unexpected question, Minister, Im not Fabre.
One female cockroach can breed 800 eggs in three months and 100,000 eggs in a year. If we dont shove DDT into the cockroachs lair, France will turn into a cockroach den.
Cockroaches were a derogatory term for Arabians. It wasnt something a high-ranking government official should say, but no one cared, since the ANO [1] cell members were more capable of breeding.
Im about to go mad because of the unending amount of terrorists. Weve already lost 15 soldiers.
However, we cant pull our feet out of their war as per their request.
ANO had made a final offer to stop all terrorist activities once all of Frances oil fields were given to President Assad. This meant that they were backed by Syria.
That cannot be done. If we dont get our fuel from Syria, 15 percent of our oil has to be imported from Saudi Arabia. That will cause an astronomical loss. We can never give them up.
Thats why we need a plan. I need to report to the president tomorrow. At this rate, not only mine, but all of our heads will be gone.
Neither Majif nor Ordo had a specific plan. They straightened their necks and closed their mouths. They hated Syria for backing those terrorist organizations, but they couldnt send armed forces into a country of their governance either. Besides, the ANO wasnt an enemy that could be easily handled by a few special forces.
Both the DGSE and the Ministry of Interior had confirmed the plan to destroy the ANOs training grounds as their last escape route but had wavered as there was no way to go about it. They had found an exit, but it was a useless one. They were so agitated that their hands almost crawled out of their throats because the terrorist producing company had been in Syria.
Syria was a country that secretly funded those terrorist training grounds through the secret police. France was in a f*cked-up state in which one had to intrude a neighbors front yard to strangle their pet to death.
Syria and France werent in a good relationship. Syria had fallen under Frances governance after its defeat in the 1920 Franco-Syrian War. France had taken Syria as its mandate and became its true ruler for 25 years until 1946.
Syria had gained its independence, and the French military retreated. However, the situation had changed with the development of oil fields. Since 1956, the northeast oil fields of Suwayda, Karatchok, and Rumeilan were developed by French investors.
Syria was one of the main countries that showed unexpected violence, like North Korea. Their way of governing was also similar. They ruled through surveillance and violence.
The way that Dictator Assad and his Baath Party had controlled Syrias citizens was through the secret military police. There were over 120,000 secret military police members in a country populated with 17,000,000 citizens.
If Assad had gotten pissed and declared a nationalized oil industry, things would have become complicated. There were other problems besides its existence as an oil supplier in the economy that made one reluctant to touch Syria. One was the Soviet Union.
After the Soviet Union had appointed Syria as a bridge to the Middle East in the mid-1960s, its military, political, and economic standing had strengthened. If one had touched Syria rashly, it could fall into a complicated situation such as a battle of wills with the Soviet Union.
Monsieur Ordo, did you find the location of their training center?
According to the information provided by the DGSE, its located 36 kilometers northeast of Aleppo city, in Kaparja Valley.
Near Turkey, I see. What if we send in the GIGN through Turkey?
That isnt possible. They are the ANO, a fundamentalist group of Islams terrorist organizations. Their group alone amounts to 2,000 members. We predict there are at least 400 resident members in the Kaparja Valley training center. That place must be the actual headquarters. Weve been informed that their training members have increased, which means their overall numbers have increased.
What if we send in the entire GIGN?
That cannot be done, nor can we succeed even if we do so. Those b*stards are equipped with weapons of mass destruction from the polar bears aid. We need to send in the airborne regiment to wipe them out so that theres an aerial backup.
Damn, just send a nuclear missile and be done with it.
Pione was honest. ANO was the most horrifying among terrorist organizations. They would choose random targets. They had exploded a bus in Marseilles just yesterday. Three innocent civilians had died, and 15 were critically injured.
Those b*stards are becoming more fearless. Theres no guarantee that they wont throw explosives at the Louvre or the Palais Garnier and open fire randomly. Commander Majif came up with horrible scenarios.
Were going to have to declare war in Syria at this rate. A damned four dollars worth of scenery
Pione sighed. Commander Majif and Chief Ordos faces similarly dimmed. They faced a higher risk of losing their jobs compared to Pione.
Beep
The phone rang. Pione pressed the anti-wiretapping button and raised the phone.
Minister, its director Bonipas.
Switch the phone.
Its Pione.
Minister, Consul Dijolle was kidnapped at Beirut.
Damn b*stard, he talks like a waiter rattling off a menu, Pione thought as he resisted his urge to shout.
Damn, its the ANO, isnt it?
Yes. Theyre demanding 10,000,000 francs for his body and the handover of the oil field in Suwayda to Syria.
Huh, theyve finally lost their minds. Exactly what did Assad feed them for them to act out this way? What should we do?
Theres no point in catching the cockroaches in front of our eyes. We need to burn their den.
Uh-huh, you think I dont know that? Theres no way.
Didnt I give you a solution last time?
A solution?
Pione tilted his head. Pione had taken over Joseph Tuirans position as the Minister of Interior. Pione, who was previously a Canal+ news anchor, didnt know much about the code name Black Mamba.
The Oecophylla smaragdina, who were shipped to the Sahel as a body recovery team, had almost died. FROLINAT didnt dare touch the airborne regiment due to their completely restricted power. Their problem had been the Sahels harsh climate. With extreme temperature changes, sandstorms, and attacks from the herds of mosquitoes, the old men had withered and crumpled.
Minister of Interior Tuiran had joined the retrieval team later after upholding all responsibility towards GIGNs initial mission failure. Tuiran was unlucky. He had stepped on an FM6a mine that the Ratel team had installed during the battle of Djourab Erg. There was no consequence without a cause. Black Mamba had basically promoted Pione to minister.
Isnt there the Ange de la Mort?
Ange de la Mort?
Im talking about code name Black Mamba.
That was when Pione remembered the name Black Mamba. He had seen it in one of the many files he had received. It was something a minister should know.
Look, Director, I know Black Mamba. This isnt a playground. The Aleppo invasion is a problem, but what can a single person called Black Mamba possibly do?
I see, there was poor handover from the previous minister. I suggest you read Black Mambas file again. Now.
The phone clicked off.
Commander, do you know anything about Black Mamba?
Hes a person known as the undefeatable Eastern Swordsman. Information about him is strictly limited to those related to him and specially cleared people. Wouldnt his files be accessible to you, with your security clearance, Minister?
Majif avoided mentioning him. The Chad plan had succeeded, but his military police were largely affected in turn. He didnt want to talk about Black Mambas achievements that he, himself, couldnt believe.
Pione opened a safe and took out Black Mambas original files. A long time passed.
Tap
Pione placed the file back on his table and raised the phone.
Connect me to Director Bonipas.
Bonipas here.
Is everything in the file true?
Its a file written by the DGSEs Technical Design Division and Intelligence Department.
An offended voice traveled down the wire.
Its just hard to believe.
You have to. Sending Black Mamba is the only way to break through this situation.
I understand. Since theres no other way, Ill trust you, Director.
Ill vouch for him. If Ange de la Mort solves this, youre in my debt.
Of course.
Then, immediately send out a coded notice for Black Mamba, no, Ange de la Morts return, please.
Very well.
For your reference, dont call him Ange de la Mort if you happen to meet him. You cannot call him a corn killer either. Our companys manager had to retire from being disabled after calling him Ange de la Mort.
Ha, hes a monster, just like the file mentioned. I understand.
Corn killer was a fictional character that the French Department of Defense and the DGSE had created to hide Black Mambas identity. Back then, each corn that Monsanto had exported to France had an average of 988 seeds.
The number of corn seeds was equal to the number of corn hairs. Adding the seeds and hairs together made up 1,996. The number of FROLINAT guerrillas that Black Mamba had cleared was 1,996.
That was the story behind the DGSEs nickname for him. Now, he had another humorless nickname besides Ange de la Mort, corn killer.
The 31st of July, 1983.
Mu Ssang frowned after opening the Daily Chiwoo news. The newspaper was continuously delivered from the day he had returned. Of course, it wasnt a newspaper that he had paid for or asked to be delivered.
There was a short, two-sentence advertisement on the classifieds page.
[Looking for an escaped son. He considers himself an ear of corn with 1,996 seeds due to a delusional disorder. Will reward after contact.]
It was the DGSE strategic divisions code for Mu Ssang to work for his food. Of course, the phone number listed was fake.
That damned serpent b*stard, an ear of corn with 1,996 seeds with a delusional disorder, huh? Is this your cheesy revenge for letting some money fall out of your pockets?
Mu Ssang crumpled the newspaper in his hands and gritted his teeth.
Those b*stards are in a rush, arent they? Sending in a private plane of all things. Why are there so many tackles anyway?
Looking for a lost son meant that they wanted him to come to the DGSE headquarters. A reward meant that they were sending him a private plane. If he was sent on a mission, not only was his exam going to become a problem, his plan to get rid of the sh*t sticks would have to be pushed back. He would also have to delay the search for his mother.
Should I get a lackey to find my mother instead? Those National Security Agencies would make a fuss, he wondered.
Mu Ssangs worries added on.
Teacher, Ill be overseas for a while.
Black Mamba, no, Mu Ssang lowered his head.
Haha, are you going to earn some money?
Hey!
Be safe. Earn lots, too.
Monk Dae Woos face was serene. It wasnt any different from how he had greeted Mu Ssang when he had left for the markets to sell herbs.
Vroom
The snakehead roared as it rushed down the mountain.
Its become a world where Asura is needed. Namu Amita Bul! I have to deal with my weak back, watch the television, and ride the Fiat while my apprentice goes around wiping evil deeds. Eh!
Monk Dae Woo climbed back up towards the main temple as he complained. He wanted to enter Nirvana, but his apprentice kept creating trouble.
[1] Abu Nidal Organization.
Chapter 209 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Bellman, hows the business going?
Oh, Black! Its enough to live on. If Americas security was a little weaker, you could have built a summer house in Maine, Black. Hurry over. Ill steam for you a sea lobster that is fished right out of Maine.
Bellmans cheerful voice ran down the line and raced through 1,000s of kilometers. His real name was Davis, but Bellman was a name that Black Mamba had gotten used to.
Ill eat that lobster next time. I got called in, you see. Can you guess anything?
Mu Ssang didnt want to be dragged into something without knowing the situation. Bellman used to be a CIA scene officer in Central Asia. Gaining some information shouldnt be hard with his connections.
Got it. Call me in two hours.
Bellman didnt disappoint him. He shared information regarding the terror attacks in France and the possible backers behind the attacks in Syria.
Thanks. If I collect some guns again, Ill send them through Emil.
Kekeke, thats good. Be careful.
Black-haired and white-haired beauties underneath the 18-seater private jet trap bowed their backs in a traditional, oriental way. One was a tall, blue-eyed Norman woman with a high nose bridge while the other was a brown-skinned, half-Spanish woman. Both were wearing tops that revealed most of their breasts and a short miniskirt that barely covered their lower body.
Enchant. Je suis se voire!
Ha! F*** you! he replied in Korean.
When they bowed with their revealing clothes, a womans G-cup chest fell out. Unlike Black Mamba, who was surprised, the woman simply rearranged her clothes with a smile.
Hm, shes trying so hard, Black Mamba mumbled in Korean.
It was a type of s*x business. Regardless of the east or the west, the best form of bribery was s*x. Bonipas must have blabbed to the Ministry of Interior that Black Mamba was weak against women. Well, he supposed the misunderstanding was justified considering how Edel had stayed by his side the entire time during his hospitalization.
Black Mambas gaze swept past the two women who were attempting their most sexy poses. The white woman with shiny golden hair spread her legs slightly. It was a provocative pose. She was sexy enough that men would drool over her.
Useful! Black Mamba commented soullessly and entered the plane.
The golden-haired woman and an extremely curvy woman stared at each other in disbelief.
When he pressed a button, the seat automatically transformed. It was a seat that was much more comfortable than a bed. It was way different compared to his first flight on a DC-10, which he had boarded with a heavy heart.
The countryside Mu Ssang, who used to wear worn-out jumpers and stretched out pants, had disappeared. Back then, he had been a sans-papiers[1]. Now, he was the special military advisor, major Park, attended by golden and black-haired stewardesses.
Black Mamba had meditated throughout the entire flight. His posture didnt change, despite the jet turbulence and the 50 meters drop from the air.
[You dont think your sins are cleared now, do you? F****** b*stard, Ill send you to court once and for all. Im going to show you the power of a prosecutor.]
The words of prosecutor Kim Dal Soo, who had said it on the day of his probation, rang in his ears. Even now, he could still see the mans eerie smile and smell his rotten breath. He hadnt been able to say anything back then. He could have turned the mans face into mush with a single wave if he had known how to become one with nature back then. Otherwise, Kim Dal Soo would have been discovered as a corpse.
Kim Dal Soo, you should be living a good life since youve received bribes for the next few years. Enjoy that bonus for now while I work for food. Power of a prosecutor? Youre a wimp who cant do anything without the organization behind your back. Ill show you my power instead.
His brain, which should have been satisfied with his rising value, kept reminiscing about the past.
Bonuru, do you know him? Jeanne asked the blue-eyed woman.
Not at all, we only received orders to serve him well. What do you think do whatever he asks for means?
Hm, Id jump on him even if there wasnt such an order. Hes got a good build and looks handsome even though hes yellow.
Who do you think he is? He didnt even blink when the airplane was shaking. Its strange that the company didnt tell us his name.
Its strange, but I dont need to know that. There are only two important things here.
Kikiki. A wallet and the lower bottom?
Mm, a man whos successful enough to ride a private plane, and a man whos handsome enough that one looks forward to his next generation. What else do you need?
Since its going to be nighttime when we arrive, I guess
Jeanne twisted her long legs.
Crazy b****, are you already overflowing because of a male?
Hes too handsome to be yellow, dont you think? His body is a piece of art. Theres not a spot of fat.
Ugh, its already hard.
Bonuru poked Jeannes breast with her finger.
Oh, Bonuru, stop, stop it. I get wet easily. I dont want to change my underwear. Jeanne shivered.
Jeanne, dont get too greedy. Dont you remember the last time you received a warning?
Hmph, the officer from the DGA was at fault. Who told him to be blinded by sex? I only lent him my lower body to gain some information. That f***** got me a six months suspension from office, do you think that makes sense? Im going to eat up the general director and embarrass him by showing up on Canal+. Jeanne sniffed as though she was mad.
Crazy b****. The problem is that the information was about the development of le cholera. You received 5,000 francs by handing the information over to a consultant, didnt you?
My lower body is expensive. That bald officer was a rabbit, anyway. I saw the losses, you know.
Shut up, you got a good catch during your suspension as a nurse, didnt you? Give me that man.
Hohoho, that bulky, idiotic mercenary? Dont even mention him. He got mad after a night. I burned his insides into crispy soot. We went off on a cruise, you see.
Huh! Jeanne? A cruise?
Black Mambas ears twitched in the middle of his meditation. The two stewardesses were hiding behind the stewardess room. They were chattering, thinking theyd lowered their voice, but everything could be heard like a stereo.
He flipped his consciousness at the mention of Jeanne, stupid mercenary, and cruise vacation. She was the woman who had accompanied Emil on vacation. The world really was a small place. The two women kept chattering.
So? How did you eat off him?
I told him that only a man with good economic skills could get my parents permission. Then, he said he had 500,000 francs saved up.
500,000 francs?
The blue-eyed womans voice went an octave up. Black Mamba rubbed his ears. The sudden change in sound frequency had given his ears a shock.
B****, shush. The VVIP is sleeping.
The curvy woman gave a warning. The blue-eyed woman lowered her voice immediately.
Sorry, if its a mercenary in his early 20s, isnt he a fraud?
You think I cant tell the difference between a fraud and the real deal? No. Hes an idiot who didnt even know how to lie. He said he had 60,000 francs in hand and wanted to get married immediately.
What about the other 400,000 francs?
He mentioned something about a temperamental friend holding onto it. So, I received 50,000 francs for our wedding preparations.
Oh my, oh my! 50,000 francs? How lucky.
In a frenzy, the blue-eyed woman stomped on the planes floor in her slippers.
Keke, the 50,000 francs was the problem. He said he could regain the other 400,000 francs when the vacations over. However, that damned friend of his had returned to his country.
Damn, that idiot got ripped off by his friend.
Yes. Thats what I said. He got ripped off. I literally jumped up and down. How couldnt I, when my 400,000 francs went away just like that?
Oh, how unfortunate. So?
Ugh, suddenly, that b*stard got angry at me. He said he would shoot anyone who speaks poorly of his friend, even if its the president.
Oh my, oh my God, isnt that b*stard a pervert? Maybe the person that he calls his friend is gay?
Stop making up nonsense, that b*stard had an obsession with spraying semen all over women. I got mad too. I asked him who was more importanthis friend or me?
So, what did he say?
That damned b*stard. He said that I was important, but not as much as his friend. He said hell make a hui out of me. Do you know what hui means?
Its a type of raw fish that those yellow people around the eastern edges eat, right? I saw it in the cafeteria at Koreas airport. You cant do barbarians that eat dogs. Did you break up?
You b****. Why would you throw away a fountain? I tried to convince him with some amazing service in bed.
Ha, Id rather die than be ill. Those b****es of a rag are doing a lot.
Black Mamba, who was labeled a swindler and a gay, snorted in disbelief. He felt as though he would go deaf if he heard anymore, and therefore closed off his senses.
There was one truth to the womens chatter. Emil was an idiot. He was an idiot who had shoved his blood-earned money up a womans bottom.
That damn b*stard, he ended up shoving his pe*is up a rotten bucket even after that confident display. How stupid is he to plan on marrying such a cheap woman? Black Mamba lamented.
Like any other typical Spanish, Emil was an emotional guy who liked to play and spend his money. He was the kind of b*stard who would shove his blood-earned money up a womans rear.
Even upon his return to France, Emil couldnt get a hold of the 400,000 francs. The 400,000 francs were currently in Ombutis account. Ombuti would give Emil his money periodically. It was the best medication he could give Emil, who lived his life without calculations.
On the other hand, it wasnt as though he couldnt understand. Emil was a street boy who had grown up without parents. He didnt receive normal education, and the grandma hed been taking care of had passed away just a few years prior.
Emil was someone who starved for love. He was the perfect target for swindlers and slags. Sweet words and gestures easily swayed him.
I should make him marry as soon as possible. However, what should I do with those rags? They dont seem useful as tablecloths even if I do wash them.
Black Mamba wondered about those rags respective departments. Frances Ministry of Interior was large. Aside from the central department, no one knew the actual number of employees working in the Internal Defense, Regional, and Foreign departments.
Eh, mademoiselle!
The blue-eyed woman and curvy woman ran over like the wind.
Monsieur, would you like a glass of wine? We also have Sciaccarello.
The blue-eyed woman raised her legs slightly and placed it on the chair holder. Her white thighs were revealed. There was a dark shadow over the deepest part of her skirt, but Black Mamba didnt even pay it any attention.
There was no reason for a person to raise their chopsticks for a turbot hui after refusing a fresh longtooth grouper hui.
No, which department do you belong to, ladies?
The two women stared at each other at the unexpected question. Their faces reflected confusion as they internally questioned the b*stards identity.
Im a government official too. Im in a position where some power can be used. I would like to repay you, friendly ladies.
Were in the VIP protection division of the Ministry of Interior. Im Jeanne. This is Bonuru.
A reply came immediately.
VIP protection division? Hmm!
It was a rather funny name for a division, but there was a division called the VIP protection division in the National Police Department. He snorted. He could tell the French government workers were as useless, considering how they had assigned these rags as VIP protection workers.
Well, among all animals, humans were the only ones to be lured by visual aspects. The same went for females and males but specifically males.
The way a human male looked at a human female ran on the border of absurdity. They denied a flat butt responsible for healthy births and praised raised butts.
They criticized strong, thick waists that were as strong as metal cans and praised useless ant-thin waists. They hung their necks on facial features that had nothing to do with reproduction.
Having double eyelids had nothing to do with reproduction. Having high nose bridges didnt create superior children, either. An exceptional beauty with a 0.2 millimeters epidermis was no better than one of the lowest quality.
Besides, a human male measured a womans capacity based on these useless features. They sunk themselves on the baseless belief that a beautiful, kind woman would perform better. The rags before him were externally beautiful and thin. They were overflowing with kindness and elegance.
Alright. I have a lot to think about. Dont bother me and be on standby.
The two womens faces scrunched up at his order to leave.
Monsieur
A predators glare escaped Black Mambas eyes. He was about to lose his sense of smell from their stench. Their stenches were stronger than when he had used to shovel excretions out of an antique bathroom. Just talking to them made him think about the guinea worm he had pulled out of a childs leg.
Leave!
The pouting blue eyeball and coal rushed to their waiting room. The blue-eyed woman and the curvy woman were now blue eyeball and coal to Black Mamba.
Damn, I should change the pedestrian laws for women, elderly, and children. How are they crazier! he complained as he shoved his body into the comfortable chair-bed.
He recalled the child who had ran towards him with a gun that was as tall and his teacher who had thrown his apprentice several meters outdoors at the age of 90.
As for women, it was up to them. While there were flower-scented women like Edel and Jin Soon, there were also foul-smelling women like blue eyeballs and coal.
I should wed that b*stard off to someone as soon as possible. Right, Mi Soon!
He recalled Yang Mi Soon, who used to live alone in the next room during his middle school days. She was the third daughter of the Jeomchon farmhouse and had always tried to help him out.
She was a poor older sister who had fled to her parents house in fear of her husbands abuse. Yang Mi Soon, who was brimming with love and also understanding, would make a great match with Emil, who lacked love. The b*stard struggling in a thick swamp was about to greet a new flower blooming in the morning.
The Ministry of Interiors private jet flew by a layer of clouds and decreased its speed as much as possible. Paris familiar cityscape spread beneath his feet. Normally, he would have to go through the departure process with the French Embassy in Korea, but a private jet had been prepared for the first time. That was how urgent they were.
Hehehe, this is the chance to raise my wage. Ill show them what a hallucinating patient can do. Black Mamba smirked.
Berliozs Symphonie fantastique resonated. The damn b*stards had turned on the fourth movement, of all things, called Marching Towards the Guillotine. The massive cello and bass were led with heavy steps at a 4/4 beat in G minor.
It was a dark piece that he didnt like. The contents of the song were clichd and dull.
An idiot who loved an older woman faced a denial of love. The distressed idiot killed the woman and headed to the guillotine. Whats funnier was that the entire story was a hallucination.
Mu Ssang hated the agenda of ambiguous passion without reason. A cow would laugh at the fact that this was the most renowned romantic symphony.
It was a symphony that seemingly predicted his future of floating around a bloody sea. He hated the piece even more for reminding him of the love he had shared with Hae Young, which was like a midsummer nights dream.
Ba-am
The landing wheels descended on the ground gently. He was already annoyed because of those rags. His mood worsened upon landing in Paris.
[1] An immigrant without proper work permits or identification.
Chapter 210 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Damn. I cant get used to it.
Black Mamba grabbed his ear, which was still ringing in pain, and stood up. His sensitive ears hadnt been able to withstand the air pressure within the airplane, which took form upon landing.
Air training was done below 1,000,000 feet high. Back then, he hadnt known that going above 1,000,000 feet would bring about deafening sensations and unbearable pain.
He pressed his ears with his palm and compressed the air. Slowly, some of his hearing returned. Sensitive ears werent always good. Exceptional symptoms appeared when he was unbalanced physically, causing even more sensitivity. However, that didnt mean he had to use a ship, which would take several days.
Those damn b*stards, they simply cant see me be comfortable, can they? They should order me around to a lesser degree.
The small discomfort unfolded into a complaint. It wasnt the type of complaint that a salaryman who attended work only two to three times a year should make. Korean salarymen who suffered from increased workdays and overtime work hours would have frothed at the mouth and criticized him.
Act!
The military police captain saluted in greeting. When an army of military police dressed in suits rushed out to make a row, Jeanne and Bonurus eyes grew wide. They became even more curious about the yellow King-Kongs identity.
After losing a huge opportunity, Bonurus eyes were filled with disappointment. She wasnt given a chance to approach, so what could she do? The man who was like ice didnt even give her a chance to carry the smallest bags.
That damn b*stard!
Bonuru swallowed her curse. Now wasnt the time to curse and regret. Flashy words were coming out of the ice-like mans mouth.
Captain, grab those two women.
Black Mamba motioned at the blue eyes and burnt skin with his chin.
Oui!
The captain didnt even ask. Hed been assigned by the higher-ups from the headquarters to follow the VVIPs orders.
Bind those two. They might run away, he added another order for their arrest.
Oui!
Four military police guards ran towards them and clasped handcuffs around their wrists. Jeanne and Bonurus faces turned into the shade of a pigs liver at the sudden attack.
Agh, what are you doing?
Let go. Ill formally report you!
Blue-eyes and burnt-skin shrieked around. It was only after their stomach had gained a punch that they fell silent. The captain turned around and looked at Black Mamba.
They released classified information and undermined my authority with racist slurs. Im disappointed that such beings are working in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Find out everything regarding their past activities. A drum-worth of dust should come up. Everything regarding their past work should be investigated, starting from the Policy Planning Division to the Arms Recovery Division. Ill personally check their status after my mission is complete.
Oui, the prisoners wont see the sun until you come back, special military advisor, sir.
Hm, you understand things very well. You can take the merit for their capture and future charges, captain.
Black Mamba patted the captains back. The captains face grew bright.
Officer, put them in the Military Police Departments solitary confinement. There will be no meetings granted.
A cold gaze burrowed into the womens back as they were dragged away roughly. It was Jeannes misfortune and the beginning of Emils happiness.
[In Paris Rue Saint-Dominique, No. 14, DGSE headquarters.]
Is this my first assignment in four months?
Black Mamba looked up at the seven-floor building. The special military advisors office was located at the Special Integrated Command Post. It was created to conceal Black Mambas identity. There was no reason to attend work at all. His true office was located at the DGSEs main headquarters.
Bienvenue, Black Mamba, ca va?[1]
A man who looked like dried pollacks reached out for a handshake. He was the vice-head of operations, Bonipas. He was the man who had fooled the Ratel team and shoved them into the alligators mouth, and the Santa Clause who had gifted Black Mamba with great presents.
In his mid-50s, Bonipas was as cold-blooded as his appearance. Unlike usual, his face was accompanied by a forced smile, which was grotesque. He had no choice but to be cautious since he had suffered under Black Mambas hands before.
Black Mamba shook Bonipas hands awkwardly while looking at his glassy eyes. He remembered his dead comrades every time he saw the man.
Enchant de vous connaitre.[2]
Bonipas eyes grew narrow at the simple greeting, as though he was smiling. Bonipas issued him the orders. It had the signatures of the minister of the Department of Interior, Pione, and the Director of the DGSE, Lagos.
Allow me to introduce Mister Ordo, the GIGN military police director of the Department of the Interior.
A man in his 40s, who looked as tough as bamboo, reached out his hand.
Enchant. Je suis Brais Ordo.[3]
Black Mamba.
He replied plainly and ended their brief greetings lightly. The edges of Ordos eyes were raised, but he didnt make a move. According to Frances organized structure, the Department of Interior was as powerful and widespread as the USs Department of State. Its exact name was the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Provinces, and Regional Affairs.
The director of GIGN was under the Department of Internal Affairs and presided over 38 organizations and 420 members of the GIGN. The GIGN special forces were famed for its specialty in suppression. His rank was of a colonels, but his actual rank was of a generals.
Black Mamba was a meager major in the Department of Defense. On the surface, Ordo was the king, and Black Mamba was the servant. The only reason Ordo was unable to make a move was that their places had been switched.
Black Mambas rank and position were extremely unbalanced. His rank was that of a mercenary sergeant. His position was the special military advisor, and only three people in the country could command him. They were the president, the minister of the Department of National Defense, and the director of the DGSE.
It was a position higher than his superior, the director of the GIGN, and similar to that of the deputy minister of the Planning and Coordination Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. His real abilities were more fearsome than his titles or position. He didnt want to touch the mad dog rumored to have impulsively crushed people. Anyway, Ordos mood turned sour from their first meeting.
Bonipas pressed on the interphones button. Soon, a sharp-looking, 40-years-old man stepped inside the room. He had the face of a pollack and wore thick glasses. He was the Nakdong Rivers crucian carp for sure.
I wonder how the crucian carps and the villagers are doing?
All the humans of DGSE tasted like bland rice. He had automatically judged all their members negatively after a bad first impression.
This is manager Claude, a friend of mine from the Department of Foreign Operations.
Black Mamba simply nodded. He wasnt a clueless second-rank private anymore. He was a major and the special military advisor, ranked as a colonel who could sit across a general and drink coffee. He wasnt a soldier who could be led around the nose by a mid-level boss of a spy organization anymore.
Lets head to the meeting room.
When Bonipas clicked on a remote, the bookcase behind the table spun around. An elevator door appeared in its place. It was like a scene he had seen several times in movies.
Whirrrl
The elevator descended for a very long time before it stopped.
Ding
Were 175 meters underground.
Ordo and Claude flinched at Black Mambas comment. Bonipas only nodded.
Amazing!
There are many things to be surprised by. Lead the way.
Strength seeped out of Claudes tight shoulders. Black Mamba was known as an untouchable figure and a mad dog among the higher-ups of the DGSE.
His nickname was understandable once his past actions were traced. Colonel Tanshe of the Airborne Regiment had his limbs crushed and died in pain with his stomach sliced open. The manager-in-charge, Miguel, had been burned alive. His next-in-line, Landre, had 100s of his joints broken and his senses destroyed, which led to half-paralyzation. In the end, he had handed in his resignation and left the intelligence department.
Black Mamba was then acknowledged as the mad dog who didnt discriminate between friend or foe, the Azrael, and the worst weapon on record. No one amongst the DGSE managers wanted to take over Landres position. In the end, the low-ranking manager, Ariba, took up the position as though he was forced.
The managers pain didnt stop at that. Manager Valvoue, who was sent to NDjamena, had been finished off. After he had his chin shattered and his right wrist broken, Valvoue left the intelligence department with the excuse of acute PTSD.
They didnt know when the mad dog would strike once more. The mad dog wasnt just a mad dog, but a horrifying b*stard that could kill people with a simple graze. Claude was extremely nervous.
Zzzzing
The thick gold-plated doors opened softly on both sides. The thickness of the door alone seemed to be over one chi. Several monitors and machines filled the 50-pyung space.
Only second-tier workers with access can enter the intelligence operational room.
Its a great facility. Do you also tap?
Black Mamba looked over the glass door into the room. There were 100s of soldiers with headphones over their heads, attached to monitors.
Of course. Were at a level that supports an entire city, although lacking, compared to the United States of America. Currently, weve raised the dials due to the simultaneous terrorist attacks.
Claude, we dont have enough time, Bonipas rushed him.
Claude briefly summarized the situation. Firstly, he explained the terrorist explosion that took place on the Champs-lyses Rue Marbeuf in April of 82 and its connection to the recent chain terrorist attacks.
He continued the explanation by addressing Frances position, who was at this point, being cornered by both sides. Various points were covered, which included the fact that they couldnt send large-scale forces to Syria, a sovereign state, the threat of provoking the Soviets who were supporting Syria full-time, and the immense numbers and arms of the terrorist organization.
So, youre asking me to get rid of something that the entire GIGN couldnt get rid of? You want me to wipe out the armed terrorists and break their training grounds to the point that it cant be used again?
Black Mamba glared at manager Claude with the eyes of a chicken that had just eaten a scorpion. The information didnt differ much from the information he had obtained from Bellman. He didnt like their attitude of glossing over major details. Claude flinched. He felt as though the stench of blood was surrounding him.
Damn, mad dog, whyre you aiming me?
Mister Ordo coughed at the uncomfortable feeling.
Yes. Weve analyzed the special forces battle 20 times with the Technical Division. According to our analysis, we decided that only the special military advisor can break through this situation. Were impressed by the advisors subterfuge and close-combat abilities. The advisors entire skillset is comparable to the airborne forces regiment.
Huhuhu, what a compliment.
Black Mamba laughed emptily. Frances Airborne Regiment had around 1,000 people. Could he go against 1,000 people? If he attacked with hit-and-runs as he did in Dombrey forest, it was possible.
Claude started up the projection. The screen landed on Cyprus, which floated in the middle of the blue Mediterranean before zooming in towards northern Syria, below Turkey.
This is Syrias Aleppo. It is the second-largest city in Syria following Damascus. Its a city full of cultural heritage sites due to its long history.
Just speak to the point. You wouldnt have called me to tour the Mesopotamia heritage site, right?
The screen was pulled once more at his cutting response. The deep, dark, multi-colored river and the remains of a building appeared so vibrantly he thought he could grasp it.
36 kilometers north-east of Aleppo city, is the Kaparja Valley in Halabs province. There are remains of a ruined castle inside the valley from the Byzantine Empire, near a place called Der Aman. That is where the terrorist organization trains themselves. According to our investigations, the terror was backed by a faction of Palestines terrorist organization called the ANO[4].
ANO? Ddugural! Black Mamba cursed in Korean in a low voice.
In summary, the terrorists were cell members of the Black September Organization and the RAF, and their supplier was the Black September Organizations training grounds in Syria.
With a terror supplier near Syrias city, the support of Syrias policies in both big and small matters, and the power that the Black September Organization held, it was obvious that Mitterrand, Pione, and Bonipas would tear their hair apart.
When he had been training in Deuxieme Rep, he had learned that the number one terrorist organization was the Black September Organization. The officers referred to them as the bully among all terrorists.
The bully of terrorists, ANO, was an extremely radical terrorist organization created by Sabri Khalil al-Banna. Al-Banna was a terrorist organizer from the PLO. He was better known as Abu Nidal than Sabri Khalil al-Banna and was the stereotypical evil terrorist leader.
Al-Banna had rejected Arafats moderate stance in 1974 and had established the Fatah Revolutionary Council, also known as ANO. ANO became the leading terrorist organization under the Black September Organization, which kept its identity hidden.
Alongside Hamas and Jihad, ANO was one of the three major Arab radical terrorist organizations. ANO had committed over 100 terrorist attacks in Central Asia, USA, UK, France, and Israel, with around 1,000 members officially sacrificed. The non-official number, including the deaths of civilians, was predicted to be way over the estimate.
There was a rumor that its partner organization, Black September Organization, was founded with the Soviets aid, but it was never confirmed. However, there was enough room for doubt with the Soviets continued financial aid to Iraq and Syria. Hussein and Assad had worked as Brezhnevs front guides, after all.
Syria and the ANO were like a crocodile and a crocodile bird. Deconstructing the Black September Organization, which fell under the protection of Syrias best secret police, wasnt an easy matter. Although, they wouldnt have called him in the first place had it been easy.
The RAFs the feather, and the ANOs the body. Syria gives them their foothold while France is being beaten up, Black Mamba summarized easily.
Ordo nodded his head.
Right. The ANOs terrorist training center is also receiving RAFs new recruits. Their officers are Syrias secret guards and the Peoples Republic of North Joseons officers. We call this place Ruman.
Ruman? The Ruman from Sagans poems? Ruman is also known as pomegranates in Arabic. It seems like the GIGN employs people based on their cultural knowledge, Black Mamba mocked.
[1] Welcome, Black Mamba, how are you?
[2] Nice to meet you.
[3] Nice to meet you. I am Brais Ordo.
[4] Abu Nidal Organization.
Chapter 211 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Black Mamba had a painful memory of losing six of his comrades due to the backdoor plan and double contract plan. There was no way for him to have positive notions of the DGSE, their higher order GCP, and the GIGN, who were the cause of the incident. He had spat out cutting comments, influenced by his deep-rooted mistrust.
During the Sahel plan, the GIGN had used the Ratel team as their smokescreen to pull out the raccoon. They had failed and had to receive GCPs full assistance to barely succeed. It was something he had come to learn after his return.
If the GCP and GIGN had moved properly regardless of the backdoor plan, Chartres and many of his friends wouldnt have had to die. However, the country had abandoned the Legion Etranger, whom they should have supported, and instead, gave their full support to the GIGN.
In other terms, the GIGN was treated like VIPs while the mercenaries were treated like nomads. In Black Mambas perspective, the GIGN and GCP had shoved the Ratel team to death and had played around until his comrades died. He naturally began to loathe them.
North Koreas involvement was nothing to be surprised about. North Korea had been falling behind South Koreas economic and diplomatic growth since the 80s. So, North Korea began to focus their attention on Africa and West Asia, which South Korea had failed to notice.
North Korea and Syria called themselves brother countries. Assad was someone who had learned how to control and surveil his citizens from Kim Il Sung. Assad had simply called in a fierce dog and gifted it with iron claws.
Bonipas and Claude smiled bitterly at Black Mambas provocations. Ordos face crumpled. It had been Ordo who had given the Black September Organizations training center an Arabic name.
A pomegranates mesocarp and epicarp were red. When its skin burst, red seeds spilled out. With the similarity of a hand that spilled the blood of sinners, and the pomegranate, which spilled red seeds, he had made an adept comparison!
Mister Ordo considered himself culturally refined. Most of Frances upper society members considered themselves culturally refined or culturally knowledgeable.
Most of them had racist ideals against Asians. Ordo was no different. Despite going through Black Mambas many records, he didnt trust him.
Chinese were good at bluffing. (Ordo didnt have access to see Black Mambas identity.) The documents hed read on Black Mamba were filled with impossible information. It was a solid fact that a single person could not go against an organizations unified strength.
Even a lion would run away with its tail tucked between its legs when five to six hyenas attacked. There was a scientific limit to a humans physical ability. A human couldnt run as fast no matter how hard they trained, and they couldnt be stronger than an ox.
Ordo, who had just regarded Black Mamba as a Chinese with good aiming skills, was offended. For him to know that Ruman meant pomegranates and Sagans poems?
He was still a Chin-duck who smelled of onions. For someone of a lower rank than him to mock the GIGN, he had to be out of his mind.
It seems like not all the past criminals of Legion Etranger are idiots. Did the Department of National Defense change the rules? Perhaps, they award call names based on their cultural knowledge.
It was a reply which wavered between an exclamation and a mocking. That was when Ordos head crashed onto the table with his chair falling to the side.
Ssah
An unknown object passed the back of Ordos head with an accompanied air vibration.
Cra-a-ack
The object embedded itself in the concrete wall. Anger surged through him before shock could be registered. If it hadnt been for his instincts that were refined after several battles, he would have died without knowing what had hit him.
Putain, je nen vous plui.[1]
Angered, Ordo pulled out his gun.
If a skull is shattered by a peanut, is that considered murder, involuntary manslaughter, or a comedy? The military judges will rot their heads over it. This isnt as good as the Korean peanuts, but its okay.
Black Mamba chewed on the peanuts comfortably as he spoke in a bored tone. He didnt seem to care about the gun, which was pointed at his chest.
Arachide?[2]
Ordos jaw dropped open upon confirming the objects embedded in the wall. Six peanuts had formed a circle in the concrete wall. It had been the roasted peanuts theyd prepared as snacks.
This b*stards the real deal. Hes not a human but the devil.
The back of his head grew cold. Did the peanuts kill a GIGN supervisor? He feared what the media would say more than he feared death. He slowly pushed the gun back into its holster.
There are a lot of stupid people in Legion Etranger, but theres no coward. Whether the person is a criminal or an idiot, a soldiers job is to kill the enemies well, isnt it? Its because of those mercenaries you mocked that your subordinates were able to pull out the raccoon. If you mock those mercenaries again, youll be the first soldier to die by a peanut. Je Suis desole[3].
Black Mambas French was still haphazard.
Clap clap
Bonipas clapped his hands.
Black Mamba, Monsieur Ordo is our guest. Dont scare him.
Ordos face, which was regaining its color, frowned once more. Sometimes, the sister-in-law who stopped her mother-in-law was more hateful.
Monsieur, you want to deploy the GIGN members to Aleppo, right? Black Mamba hit the mark.
GIGN is the best anti-terrorist team.
No, Im talking about deploying them to Aleppo.
There was silence.
Ordos face turned red. In the beginning, he was thinking of creating a team that was based around the GIGN, then adding Black Mamba to their midst. Now, hed heard the Black September Organizations information clearly and saw Black Mambas ability for himself. Hed been clinging onto the thread of ambition and had ignored reality. Still, that didnt mean he had to agree to the situation.
Black Mamba, are you saying you can get rid of Ruman by yourself?
Of course. I need to go through five steps. Infiltration, Search, Confirmation, Annihilation, and Retreat.
How? That is missing, isnt it? Ordo shouted.
Calmez-Vous. Ordo, how I go about doing this is up to me. The call name Black Mamba isnt something I had pulled out of a casino. I always work roughly. I get rid of all those complicated procedures that you guys follow like a manual to control the surroundings before attacking.
Ordo was lost for words. He was right. There wasnt a pattern to Black Mambas operations in his battle analysis. Immediate responsive battles and improvised attacks without the need of aid were his specialties. If GIGN was the chef who made B rations in modern kitchens, Black Mamba was someone who made A rations in a field flowing rivers of blood.
Mister Ordo, I dont have a lot of patience. I saw the disagreement in your expression since the beginning, and your brainwaves were unstable. Things like pride dont help solve a case at all. If youre that confident, why dont you send the GIGN to Aleppo? Theres no hole to crawl through the ground, and air-drops are impossible. Theres a lot of air missiles and radars from the Soviet Union lining the Kaparja Valley after all. The shooting range of a Strela-2 and Igla is 5,000 meters and an S-75 at 15,000 meters. To avoid the Soviets radars, youd need to go higher. Is there a GIGN member who can fall from 15,000 meters in height? If there is, good luck. Ill just watch.
Black Mamba drove him up the wall and folded his arms. His actions seemed to say, bring it on.
Hm!
Once more, Ordos face rotted into crinkles at his loss of words.
Haa
Hooo
A strange noise rang.
Claudes face had ripened red. When else could he watch Mister GIGNs high nose get shattered into pieces? Blood had rushed to his face in his attempt to hold back his laughter.
On the other hand, Bonipass mind was drawing a blank. The guy had surprised him. Black Mamba had somehow known about the air missiles stationed in Kaparja Valley.
Ordo gave up cleanly. If the GIGN was a wolf, this guy was a tiger. A wolf and a tiger cannot hunt together. If he kept insisting, his pride would be harmed. He glared at Claude and apologized.
Excuse moi.[5]
Ce nest pas grave[6]. I came on too harshly.
When the atmosphere eased up, Claude continued to explain.
Rumans residents are predicted to be around 300 to 400. Weve based the number on provisions and deaths. Syrias secret police are supplying them with food, weapons, and clothestheir basic needs. Their weapons are from the Soviet Union and North Korea, friends of terrorist organizations.
Friends of terrorist organizations meant AK-47s and RPG-7s. It had been the best-sellers among terrorist organizations due to their cheap prices and widespread uses.
There isnt a place that those northern beggars left alone. Exactly what kinds of weapons do they have?
Im disappointed with the Helios video security satellite were currently developing. The video we filmed isnt clear as the HUMINT activities were obtained from long distance. Aside from the personal firearms and support arms, there are four of North Koreas 76 millimeters mortars. They also have machine guns, submachine guns, grenade launchers, hand grenades, and several types of mines. The 82 millimeters recoilless mortar and ASG-17 Plamya grenade launchers were supplied by Syria. Theyre at the level where enacting large-scale public terrors wont be a problem.
Claude, weapons arent important here. Black Mamba shook his head.
Theres something even more fearsome than people and weapons. Its their conviction that theyre doing the right thing. In other words, the Black September Organization is a cult. Also, their sympathizers are another problem. The Black September Organizations training grounds in Kaparja Valley have historical value. Currently, Islamic terrorist organizations are made up of Shiites.
We know that.
We need to understand their family tree to know our foes and allies. The Shura, which was established after Prophet Muhammads death, completely excluded Prophet Muhammads paternal family. From Bakr-Umar-Osmans line of secession, Muhammads fourth cousin, Ali, became the fourth Caliph in 45 years. The traditional Caliphs appearance, which had been neglected, was temporary. Ali was assassinated. Alis son Husayn was also assassinated. The assassinators were sent by Syrias Umayyad dynasty. Muhammads direct descendants criticized the central Arabian power in Syria and left in anger. They are the Shiites. The central power of Syria became the Sunnis under the definition of a legitimate community.
What does Islamic history have to do with the current situation? Ordo asked snidely.
Black Mamba turned and stared at Ordo. Flinching, Ordo looked the other way.
Hm, amazing. So, you understood that far? Ill explain the rest. Bonipas stepped up.
Ordo, there isnt a tree without roots and a child without a father. A head is attached for one to think, Black Mamba finally spoke and closed his mouth.
Ordos face grew red. There wasnt a humiliation like this. He shifted a few times in his chair but ultimately settled. He couldnt rush out of the door either as it would be beneath him.
The Shiites dont acknowledge the Sunnis Caliph. They selected an Imam amongst Muhammads descendants and gave him the power beyond a Caliphs religious and secular power. The Shiites were divided once more in the 11th century. The Ismailis, which is also known as the Nizari, became the founder of radical violent attacks and initial assassins. They are assassins who didnt use poisons or traps but daggers. To them, the attacks arent political assassinations but religious conversion. The place of settlement for those radical, violent Ismailis was Aleppo. Aleppo meant religious conversion to the Ismailis. All the modern Arab terrorist organizations are taking the middle-ages assassin as their role model. Hezbollah, Hamas, and Jihad are all the same. The Shiites and Syria are obviously not in tune. Aleppo is a cuckoos egg in Syrias arms. Some day, it will be the gasoline that burns Syria to the ground. The reason why the Black September Organizations training center was able to settle in Aleppo was due to Assads intelligence. Assad is hiding his intentions to pit his enemies against each other. Hes saying he wont stay still if France attacks Ruman. Not because he likes the Black September Organization, but because he wants to swallow the oil field that France has developed. Thats why this plan needs the highest level of secrecy. Dont you think so, Black Mamba?
Right. The largest problem is that Aleppo is home to the Shiites and the Ismailis headquarters. Most of the locals around Aleppo are the Black September Organizations eyes and ears. Also, you could see them as warriors who are ready to grab their guns whenever and wherever. This means that, with a haphazard attack plan, well be suppressed by both the locals and Syrias secret police whove converted. Thats why we need to attack like lightning and escape like a shadow so that the Syria and the Aleppo locals wont realize. So, the eggs shell cannot be cracked, and the white mustnt be touched while extracting the core. This is why I mentioned the Shiites history.
Bonipas turned to look at Ordo. He looked as though he was saying, this is how smart our Black Mamba is or something along that line.
Haaa! Ordo sighed deeply.
Hed been completely defeated by an eastern yellow. He hadnt known that a mere mercenary could be so knowledgeable in Islams history and could go against the important strategic variables.
Hu, fine. Ill be leaving now. I understand theres no place for us in this Ruman plan. Black Mamba, it was an enlightening meeting. Ill buy you a drink later.
Ordo stood up and left with crouched shoulders. Claude accompanied him and returned.
Its surprising that the man, whos known to be stubborn, would willingly buy drinks for someone. Did his brain structure get upended with that shock?
He must have found the money and efforts invested until now too wasteful to simply hand the plan over to Black Mamba. At least he gave up like a man. The GIGN had been suffering the past year after all.
That doesnt matter. Whether its the GCP, GIGN, or ANO, I simply need to bury them all if they get in the way.
[1] F***, I dont like you.
[2] Peanuts?
[3] Sorry about that.
[4] Calm down.
[5] Excuse me.
[6] Its fine.
Chapter 212 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Hm! Bonipas and Claude breathed rapidly.
Removing whoevers in my way, that strict mindset was Azraels true personality.
Claude cemented his thoughts. He was never going to be fooled by Black Mambas innocent face and slurred pronunciation. That man was the Ange de la Mort, the Angel of Death. He could become Miguel or Landre with a single mistake.
Yeyes. Whether its the GCP or GIGN, theyre frogs in front of you, Black Mamba.
That rotten brat!
Bonipas glared at Claude. Talking about frogs with Black Mamba was like seeking the wrong address. In fact, Black Mamba took it the wrong way and answered snidely.
Destroying a training center where 400 crazy warriors have gathered out of religious beliefs and stayed without a sound? Without a trace? Thats something that calls for more money.
Black Mamba frowned at Bonipas. Black Mamba wasnt interested in the life cycle of a snake and a frog. His brain was already overwhelmed with the burden of coming up with a solution to erase Ruman.
Replicated firearms that were made in North Korea had modeling problems, and it would die when hit.
The 82 millimeters recoilless mortar and ASG-17 were also threatening. Those were weapons he had become very familiar with after using it in Chad. An automatic grenade launcher with a good firing rate was more troublesome than one with a great explosion. There were countless heads and even more weapons. He might even have a few holes in his body from the grenades, as he had received from Dombrey forest.
Bonipas insides turned into coal as he glanced at Black Mamba. It was the ANO that the mighty Department of Interior had surrendered to. If this plan succeeded, the DGSEs reputation could rise to unmovable peaks. On the other hand, the more Mitterrand and Piones necks stretched, the more theyd doubt the DGSE.
If Black Mamba lifted the difficulties of the plan for them, everything would be well. Bonipas signaled to Claude with his eyes. Sweets must be given to someone who cried.
Ordering Black Mamba doesnt come cheap. Minister Pione, who has the sword of Damocles, offered a separate price. If you get rid of Ruman within two weeks, you will get 5,000,000 francs. If you get rid of Ruman within a month, you will get 2,500,000 francs. Of course, this is separate from the fees given by the DGSE. For now, we need to put out an urgent fire before the higher-ups turn their eyes this way.
Thats good. Gold is the best way to kick a lazy persons a**. Ruman or pomegranate, lets crush it.
Black Mambas expression relaxed like a spring breeze. Bonipas shook his head. The young mans slyness was enough to roast the ministers.
Well prepare the necessary equipment first. If you have any other special requests for equipment that are not included in the mandatory list, you should request them ahead of time, Claude reminded them in a hurry..
He looked as though hed give Black Mamba nuclear bombs if he requested it.
Dragunovs silencer is the problem. I cant tell whether its a silencer or a cars muffler. Can you create another customized Dragunov?
A Dragunovs silencer was eight inches long. It was heavy and didnt do its job. He had suffered its incompetence during the entire mission in the Sahel. Claudes face brightened.
Weve already prepared it. Soldier Emil of the Legion Etrangers Weapons Division had requested a custom-made silencer for Black Mamba with the Technical Design Division two months ago. The custom-made silencer is made with duralumin and coated with a mix of glass fiber and ceramic. The overall size and weight were decreased by 50 percent and 70 percent, respectively. The silencer is at 85 decibels.
Oh, thats good.
Weve made 10 separate Dragunov for Black Mambas use. We have raised the guns mechanics to an M60s durability and altered its design for smoother magazine transitions. The scope was also changed from four times the fix to 10 times. It had passed the 500 meters shooting test a few days ago. Its accuracy rose as much as the durability was refined. The weight increased to 700g.
Oh, thats good. That doesnt matter since the silencers weight has decreased. Black Mamba smiled in glee.
For someone who used a rifle like a machine gun, the guns durability had always been a problem. He almost found the DGSEs tear-filled efforts praiseworthy.
Theres a scary weapon that soldier Emil had requested to be fixed.
Clack
Claud opened an aluminum case. He wore his leather gloves and slowly pulled out a whip from the case.
Huh, thats!
Black Mamba was slightly surprised. That was Ocelots main weapon, the Gorgon.
We found that it was made with piano strings in the middle, entwined with whale tendon and Kevlar fibers. It is of amazing quality that comes with elasticity, ductility, and lethality. We made an additional handle and added a pentagram weight at its ends. If you twist the handle open, itll turn into a dagger. Its an amazing weapon, but its too heavy. Whod swing a whip the weight of a Stegosaurus tail?
I will.
Black Mamba received the whip and swung it around.
Voom
The air in the room swirled around. The coat stand was caught after it traveled once around the room.
Crunch
The thick wood was crunched apart. Black Mamba flicked his wrist.
Crack
The five-point weights at the end of the whip embedded deep into the concrete.
Bonipas and Claudes faces turned white. Bonipas had gone through similar situations several times, but this was the first demonstration of Black Mambas strength that Claude had witnessed.
The blackjack, which wouldnt have been broken by an ax, had been crushed under the whips power. Could anyone call this guy a human?
What if a human body had been in the whips trajectory?
Claudes hands and feet grew cold. He finally understood what a real threat was.
Black Mamba had never used a whip before. He turned into a child who had received an interesting toy.
Voom
Voom
Voom
The whips shadow stacked itself up in the air.
The whip started to move faster. The silence became more deafening inside the wide room. The air that had been pushed away by the whips movements seeped outside. The differences in air pressure increased inside and outside the room.
The air inside the room started swirling fearfully. It was like a small-sized tornado. Bonipas and Claude hurriedly found their way underneath a table.
Voooom
The airs vibrations became more intense. The furniture within the room began to tremble. Bonipas and Claude looked at each other with tired eyes.
Voom
The pressure created by the whip lifted unbelievably.
Whirl
The air inside the room whirled fiercely.
Its good!
A satisfied smile appeared on his face as he gathered the whip. He had his Kukri for close combat, Gorgon for ranged combats, and Dragunov for long-range attacks. He basically had one-two-three punches. He suddenly grew thankful for Ombutis loyalty. Ombuti had been the one to pick up Ocelots whip as he ran away.
Is there anything else you need?
I need an MP5.
No problem, I recommend the most recent MP5SD3. Its easy to carry around as its barrels short in length, with a retractable stock. It uses subsonic ammunition, which gives softer sounds and weaker firing glares. Its noise level was calculated to be around 70 decibels as it has a built-in silencer. Its about the sound of a small truck passing by. Its accuracy is two and a half MOA[1], and its range is 200 meters.
Its an amazing accuracy for a machine gun. What are the cons?
It uses a nine millimeters Parabellum shell. Piercing strength is weak. Its hard to get through a bulletproof vest 50 meters out of range.
That isnt a problem. I can simply crush their heads.
Claude felt dizzy at the simple reply. As expected of the Ange de la Mort, he was a corn killer.
Do you need any additional equipment?
I need a backpack that can support the Dragunov and MP5. It should be bulletproof. I also need a compact bulletproof vest and compact helmet that can protect my shoulders. Ive grown tired of grenade rifles in Chad. Weight isnt a problem.
He stopped talking, pulled out a dart smaller than a chopstick from his outerwear, and handed it to Claude.
Make 2,000 of these. I need you to provide me with two boxes of grenades and an explosive composition powder.
Of course. Ill explain the course of action from now. Between land and air attack, which do you prefer?
Im from the Deuxieme Rep. Is there a need to crawl through the ground? I can simply fall from the sky.
Theres a lot of problems with airdropping.
No problem, why would you have called me if there wasnt any? Alls said and done when Ordos pulled out. Kukuku!
Black Mamba revealed his teeth and laughed. He didnt like Ordo from the beginning as he reminded him of Pieff. The atmosphere he had exuded was one of a racist. Hed purposefully provoked him to send him away.
Claude zoomed into the map and started the briefing.
Very well, with the land route I constructed, it will take 10 days, but it will take four days to reach the mission point by air. From Marseilles to Turkeys border
Wait, why does the air route take four days? Wouldnt it be better to get there by Turkeys Adana airport?
Adana airport doesnt allow military planes to land. Kaparjas air defense network is the problem here. Were taking a direct flight from our country to Osmaniye, Turkey. After you land in Osmaniye, youre going to pass the border by road. The distance by land travel will be 130 kilometers.
Black Mamba shook his head after examining the map.
I dont like it. Change the drop-off point to here.
Plunk
A dart landed on the projection screen. It was barely 10 kilometers away from Kaparja Valley. Claude shouted after checking the darts location.
No! Those b*stards Strela-2 and Iglas firing range is up to 5,000 meters. Even a normal anti-aircraft gun will reach up to 4,000 meters. If they have an S-75, 15,000 meters will also be dangerous. Choosing the falling altitude would only allow them to track you. Not even Hercules can withstand several Strela shots.
Hm, they didnt put up the recent Buk missile, did they?
How did you learn of the Buk, which was just launched two years ago? No, thats not the problem. If its a high-atmosphere target Buk, it can reach up to 25 kilometers in the air. Theres a zero percent possibility of the recent Buk being stationed at Kaparja. Within the Soviet Union, only important cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have the Buk stationed. The North polar bears might sell it to Syria in about 30 years. They may have stationed the downgraded S-75. Syria bought 25 sets in 78.
An S-75, hm? Theyre probably stationed in Kaparja since its near Turkeys border. How many meters high can the Hercules reach?
According to the manual, it can reach 11,500 meters. Depending on the fuels condition, it can reach 13,000 meters. Are you saying? Claudes eyes grew wide.
Thats it then. Im falling from 13,000 meters.
Bonipas and Claudes jaws dropped open. They never heard of a falling attack from 13,000 meters high. The Airborne forces training heights were 1,200 meters. Even within special circumstances, the maximum was 3,000 meters.
During normal training sessions, the canopy breaking altitude was at 900 meters. It was because opening the canopy at an altitude of 900 meters or higher would increase the risk of sudden accidents due to the rapidly changing air currents and temperature differences. Changes in airflow were unpredictable above 5,000 meters to 13,000 meters. The parachute might be caught in a descending air stream and crash like a stone.
Another constraint was the temperature. The tropospheres altitude decreased by 0.65 degrees Celsius, with every 100 meters increase in altitude. A ground temperature of 20 degrees Celsius meant a temperature of zero degrees Celsius at an altitude of 3,000 meters and -60 degrees Celsius at an altitude of 13,000 meters. To avoid being seen by the ground guards, the canopy had to be opened at an altitude of 1,000 meters. This meant one had to free-fall from 12,000 meters in the air between -60 to zero degrees Celsius at a speed of 180 to 250 kilometers per hour. The sensory temperature would fall to -100 degrees Celsius. He was more likely to die of shock during the fall. It would be impossible to pull the bridle with a sane mind.
No, thats committing suicide! Claude shouted.
Black Mamba, do you think a human can descend from 13,000 meters in the air? That involves free-falling for 12,000 meters! You will die from shock. The weight composition to destroy Ruman is 70 kilograms, alone. The weapons and explosives are over 120 kilograms. Do you think a human can bear all those weights and still get into a landing position? Lets say you did land. Will you be able to avoid the bullets? Its an impossible plan, Bonipas explained with a worried face, inapposite to his usual attitude.
Black Mamba smiled.
Hehehe! Bonipas, lets be honest here. Theres no need to act anymore. Youve planned this entire mission based on my abilities, didnt you? Theres no need to act concerned as though youre worried on my behalf. I know you as well as you know me. The GIGN and GCPs rough courses of action have long become infamous around the world. France isnt a country that would consider Syrias refusals. In the end, you cant use them because they cant fall from an altitude where the missiles wont reach. You have no choice but to call me. Isnt this true?
Bonipas eyes widened.
Huh, youve become a fox instead, Black Mamba. Youre right. We did plan the mission with you in consideration. Weve become estranged with Turkey due to the problems in Armenia. Traveling by land is difficult, and even more so with air travel. Landing in ADA or Hatay airport near Aleppo is similarly hard for military planes. There is no other way but to fly from our country and deploy soldiers into the mission area from high altitudes, Bonipas admitted honestly.
Black Mamba was a human he should never make an enemy of and lie to.
Bonipas would always see images of commander Robert Tanshe with his stomach split open and Miguels crumbling skull in white phosphorus. If he didnt have Philip as his middle man, he would have met with the same horrible fate.
It seems like theres no reason but for me to go. Claude, contact Minister Pione. Tell him to prepare 7,000,000 francs since Ill complete the mission in 10 days, including the infiltration time.
Bonipas smiled after hearing that. It was as though hed expected such a response.
[1] Minute of Angle.
Chapter 213 - : The Syria-Ruman Plan
Black Mamba trusted his body. When he had to HALO jump from 13,000 meters above ground, he would descend 12,000 meters, at 70 meters per second, at -50 degrees Celsius. If he fell without protective gear, his soul was bound to leave his body before he landed on the ground.
One had to wear an air-pressure suit when falling from high altitudes so that blood wouldnt accumulate at the hands, feet, and head. Too much blood in the head would cause sleepiness and blurred ones decision-making skills.
In high altitudes, there was nothing to indicate the right balance above the clouds. A person could only consider themselves floating in the air. Hands and feet would lose their senses. Failure to check the pressure indicator would throw them down at 200 to 300 kilometers per hour, leading to a rough landing!
Deuxieme Rep used all kinds of safety gear when conducting a 5,000 meters HALO training session.
13,000 meters was a terrifying altitude!
A 70 kilograms gunpowder sack, a 50 kilograms equipment sack, a parachute container, and a sub-parachute weighed around 135 kilograms in total. It was hard to wear a pressurized G-suit that restricted all limbs, a helmet, and an oxygen mask in the first place. So, it became questionable whether the fat panda could move its limbs to control its landing position.
Syrias archenemies were France and Turkey. There were plenty of anti-aircraft fire weapons stationed along Kaparja Valley near Turkeys borders. They didnt know whether the S-75s were stationed, but an invasion plan had to proceed with the worst scenarios in mind. A 12,000 meters free-fall took around 150 seconds, and an additional 110 seconds were wasted after opening the canopy from 1,000 meters.
260 seconds wasnt a short time. If he was spotted by an anti-aircraft gun or a Vulcan during his landing, it would be the end. With gears and heavy equipment attached that restricted his bodys movements, it was a one-way ticket to greeting Allah.
A quick escape was also necessary after landing. Having all kinds of safety gear on would only expose him to the Mukhabarats radar.
What was the most feared name in Syria?
It was the secret police, Mukhabarat. Simply hearing that name could make a Syrian flinch. No one knew who operated the organization or who the informants were. It was known to have 1,200,000 members in total, but no one knew the exact number.
There was an example of Mukhabarats intelligence capability. In 1982, two workers from South Koreas Ministry of Commerce, who had visited Syria after many trials, visited a carpet store in the backstreets of Damascus. The owner had sold the rug hed bought from a local at 500 Ls at 1,500 Ls.
The owner, who had received a complaint, told them it was the governments regulations. As a socialist country, Syria had high market prices. The locals, however, enjoyed a lower price. The two Korean workers had complained about the Syrian governments price regulations. Of course, they had complained in Korean.
Two tall men had greeted the Koreans return to their hotel at the gates. The two Koreans were immediately arrested. In fluent Korean, the Mukhabarat agent began to investigate them.
The two workers of the Ministry of Commerce had lied and said that they never criticized Syrias government. A moment later, another agent had appeared. They had reenacted the conversation between the two Koreans down to the very last detail.
It was something to be scared about. Not only was the Mukhabarats presence surprising, but the fact that they had understood Korean was even more so.
The two had been released after signing a document in which they swore not to speak badly of Syrias government. It went unspoken that they werent able to comment about Syrias government the entire time that they were there.
In order to avoid unexpected dangers, he had to wear his uniform and decrease the fall time as much as he could. Black Mamba decided to trust his bodys abilities that no one else knew.
With a T-score of 5.2 comparable to the duralumin of a honeycomb multi-layered skeleton and a 15-layered, multi-plated, spring-structured skin, his circulatory system could process five times faster than an average human. His friend, Professor Giz, had come to that conclusion after examining him. Professor Giz had called him a new species without hesitation.
The air pressure at an altitude of 13,000 meters was around 0.25 bar. It was the pressure of boiling blood. He believed that his strong skeleton and skin could withstand the speed and decreasing temperature for every 100 meters, and his blood could deceivingly circulate and replenish oxygen levels.
Invasion isnt an easy deal for me either. I wonder if I can breathe Paris air again, Black Mamba complained meaninglessly.
As usual, there was no reason to tell them the techniques of his approach. The DGSE Intelligence Department and Technical Design Division would write fiction stories of the mission when it ended anyway.
I completely understand. Weve prepared a fitting reward for your troubles. The landing would earn you 1,000,000 francs, erasing all the terrorists in Ruman would be 2,000,000 francs, and the destruction of their base would be 4,000,000 francs, while photographs will be compensated separately at 500,000 francs.
Hm, 5,000,000 francs would be fine. I dont want to take photos.
An eraser man with a camera around his neck was a style that could only appear in one of those cheesy Japanese mangas. It was a gag that only people behind their desks could come up with. Just imagining it was already horrible.
5,000,000 francs was equivalent to 120,00,00,000 Korean won. It was 520 years worth of a Korean bank managers salary. It was a rather satisfying, no, an amazing achievement considering that this was his first official overseas mission. He didnt want to perform poorly just to earn an additional 500,000 francs from shoving a camera everywhere.
Bonipas had offered another deal.
If you bring the documents from Ruman, Ill offer up to 1,000,000 francs based on its importance.
Black Mamba stared at Bonipas belly, which protruded out of his body. His physique was thin like a bamboo, the type that emphasizes belly fat, even when he was small. He looked like a bread store owner who wouldnt offer a single discount.
He was an amazing bread store owner. Unlike his appearance, Bonipas was giving and optimized on chances. He always betted beyond what Black Mamba had thought he would.
It seems like you found some joy looking through those documents from the Sahel.
Bonipas nodded his head.
Its true. Weve managed to press down on the North polar bears nose and gained a few advantages thanks to you.
Good. Ill do that much since weve known each other for a while.
Thank you. Youre honestly the only one capable of this plan. To avoid foreign diplomatic frictions, you will need to erase any traces of invasion, action, and retreat.
No problem!
Bonipas face brightened. As expected of Black Mamba, it was a plan that had required him to enter an enemy state and erase the base where 100s of mad fanatics had resided. Moreover, he had to erase them like lightning so that no one would notice. Who else other than Black Mamba could agree to an impossible mission like that!
I dont want to become frozen and add my remains to a tell[1]. Prepare a mask and glove to protect my skin. Ill deal with everything else myself. Do you have the retreat route prepared?
Claudes face darkened.
Its 25 kilometers from Ruman to Turkey. Once you go past the border, theres a village called Antakya. There, you need to reach out to a DGSE agent. Hatay Airport is 50 kilometers away from there. The agent will wait for you with regular passenger passports and documents.
Black Mambas eyes narrowed.
Claude, are you stupid, or are you just acting like one? This is a battle that requires me to fight against 100s of enemies armed with firepower in the enemys base. Even if I do survive, do you think my body will be fine? You want me to escape with my body in pieces? Once they realize Im a mercenary from France, Aleppo and its 100s of locals will attack me like piranhas, tearing away at my meat and bones.
Black Mambas worries werent excessive. The Syrians, with their half-rooted French culture, would stone him to death and more.
The Syrians hatred towards France was more than the Koreans hatred towards Japan. That also meant that France had done far worse things to Syria compared to what Japan had done to Korea.
The Syria that existed today was compressed and crinkled into a lump. Syria had once been a great nation that represented regions, including Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel. It had been referred to as Levant Syria.
France and England had played a part in shaping Levant Syria into its current state. France had been at the forefront of the Crusades since the 11th century. Back then, the knights of France had destroyed and looted Syrias archaeological sites.
In the mid-16th century, they had gained a strange autonomy over Syria from Turkey called the Foreigners Residence Agreement. France had used the autonomy to loot from Syria.
After World War I, Turkey had stepped back from its governance over Syria, which had sparked a fight between France and England over Syria, a potential war trophy.
In 1916, France and England had created a Sykes-Picot agreement and divided Levant Syria. France took what was now known as Lebanon and Syria while England had swallowed Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine. Syria had vomited blood over the deal.
In 1917, the nation of Jews, Israel, had entered the land of Palestine under the Balfour Declaration.
France had taken over Syria once more in 1920. Back then, France had made a historical mistake it should never have made. It had separated Lebanon from Syria with the excuse of protecting the Maronites, a Catholic faction.
So, Levant Syria had been divided into six countries, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Iraq, and Syria. France had created the powder keg of the Middle East, the hotbed for terrorism.
France had endlessly continued to plunder oil, mineral, and cotton from Syria during its control. They had even overstepped their power and gave the north-east Alexandretta region to Turkey. It was a similar case to the brutality that Japan had committed when they handed Gando over to China in 1909 under the Gando Convention.
In 1925, Syrias independence uprising had broken out all around Damascus. France had suppressed Damascus uprising with overwhelming military violence. France had taken Syrias best resources for 26 years until April 17th, 1946, when the troops had moved out.
France had done many inexplicable things it shouldnt have done to other countries since the time of its imperialism. In other words, Europes Japan was France. Of course, the same went for other European countries. Europe and the United States horrible actions had simply been covered up because of their reign in the Golden Ages.
Korea had remained divided due to a powerful countrys intervention. According to the powerhouses mutual relationships, Syria had been divided into six areas. The severity of each countrys historical misfortunes shouldnt be judged by comparison.
However, one thing was certain. When the citizens were divided, the country lost its strength. A powerless countrys future belonged in the gutter. The citizens, who had selected a wrong leader, were bound to find full retribution.
There was silence.
Claude couldnt answer the question regarding his retreat route and shifted from side to side.
Wont there be some leeway in the mission if you gain Turkeys cooperation?
Bonipas felt uneasy at Black Mambas rightful words. France and Turkeys relationship wasnt that bad. However, there had been strains with Mitterrands government when moralism had fallen into place.
Turkey and Armenia were long-time enemies. Their hatred and long-running emotions were deeply rooted compared to the relationship between Korea and Japan. The problem had begun when the Muslim Seljuk Turks had conquered Christian leadership in Armenia during the 11th century.
Armenians had been massacred several times throughout history. It was known that over 2,000,000 people were killed. Armenia had requested an apology and reparations from Turkey. Turkey had given excuses by saying that it was a side-effect of World War I and migration. They had stepped back, saying that an apology and reparations didnt make sense. It was like the replicated relationship between Korea and Japan.
Mitterrand had interfered with the fight between the two countries. He had sided with Armenia. France had once looted from Syria and Armenia with the help of Turkey. There were no ever-lasting friends or foes in international relationships. There were only mutual interests.
The stupid Mitterrand has involved himself with Armenias problems. Its not easy to use Turkeys Hatay Airport since our relations have deteriorated. Wont you be able to escape by yourself? Bonipas pleaded.
Huh, what a lacking plan. Its too weak, isnt it? Youll be in a difficult place if I just return to Korea, director Bonipas. 10,000,000 francs for clearing Ruman, including the terrorists and 2,000,000 francs for the documents.
Black Mamba negotiated his reward to twice its amount. He felt a deja vu. Hed once threatened his uncle to leave the house if he wasnt given 1,000 won a month. 1,000 won was the least amount of money he could survive with and spend on school supplies and books.
A frustrated person was bound to dig the well. The mission was a contract mission. He had to work for his food, but there were too many variables. He was going to be rude if left with no choice.
Bon![2]
Did he agree?
He was taken aback by the resounding agreement. 10,000,000 francs wasnt something that he could simply agree to. He felt as if he had played right into Bonipas hands. That sly fox!
Bon! We should drink the water since the salts been consumed.
The bus had already left the station. Black Mamba agreed like always. It wasnt going to be easy, but it wasnt impossible.
Phew! I did it!
Bonipas sighed in relief. He seemed to have aged 10 years from the discussion. His gall had been shrinking in fear that Black Mamba would run mad. The Ruman mission was an impossible mission for even the best soldiers of the GCP and GIGN. No, deploying them in the first place was impossible. There was no way to enter Ruman.
The governments power had weakened when the terrorists attack targets grew concentrated at public facilities. There were already calls for the presidents impeachment in the council. The governments heels were on fire, trying to get past the citizen and councils criticisms.
There was no one to lean on except for Black Mamba. The Ruman plan had been an impossible plan with Black Mamba in consideration since the beginning. The rushed plan had been organized weakly. Fortunately, the situation, in which theyd have no comeback against Black Mambas disagreement, had been resolved. Bonipas wanted to cheer.
[1] An artificial mound formed with accumulated remains.
[2] Good!
Chapter 214 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Chapter 214: Chapter 26, Episode 8: The Syria-Ruman Plan
Black Mamba and Bonipas calculations differed in range and starting point. The ANO was secretive b*stards, like snakes and poisonous, like scorpions. Their budget for the past 13 years had gone over 300,000,000 francs. Including the social expenses that they had spent, the number was astronomical.
Compared to the millions of francs theyd have to keep spending, Black Mambas 10,000,000 francs were nothing. They were in a situation where they had to give 100,000,000 francs if Black Mamba had requested it. A mutual relationship where both sides gained their interests formed the greatest partnership. Between Bonipas, who was logical and giving and Black Mamba, who had a formidable battle strength that was comparable to a warship, they formed a good harmony.
Bonipas reached out his hand.
I thank you for your cooperation. Syria is considered as our enemy, but at the same time, as Frances important economic partner. This mission is a sensitive matter. The government wont comment if you succeed or fail.
Of course. Black Mamba smiled bitterly and shook his hand.
Black Mamba would normally be summoned through major general Philip. Hed already guessed their intentions when they smuggled him into the country in a personal plane without Philips involvement. The French government was planning to erase the ANOs terrorist training center and pretended as if they didnt know.
They would act the same if he had died during the mission. The French government would turn, saying they hadnt known. A living Black Mamba was valued over Clemenceau, but a deceased Black Mamba was nothing, like the corpses of the homeless in Paris backstreets.
I personally think its an impossible mission too. Im sorry.
Its surprising that the serpents apologizing to my face. Just prepare a lot of money.
Wrinkles stacked on Bonipas forehead. To address him by a nickname that not even the departments head minister had used, was the b*stard. Black Mamba only smiled.
A wise man served another who recognized his talents and helped him grow. He didnt know whether he was the smart bird or if France was a sinking ship. At the very least, as long as there was a necessity for each other, a good relationship would continue. In fact, it was a clearer relationship than something wrapped in loyalty and debt.
The Ruman mission wasnt easy at all. The leaders and cooperators were a larger threat than Allahs warriors. Aleppo was a large city with over 1,000,000 residents. According to Bellmans information, most of the north-eastern locals favored the ANO, who had sought the restoration of Levant Syria. At least one percent of them were devoted followers. Clashing against a local? That was the worst thing that could happen.
However, it wasnt something to be scared of either. When the target was unclear, the one carrying out the mission was bound to go mad, like what had happened during mission Raccoon. This mission was clear. The target was Ruman, and the goal was annihilation.
Beyond that, this was pure hunting that forwent humanity. There was no additional burden to protect anyone as it was a solo mission. The less mental load, the more he could concentrate on the mission. His specialty was assassinating. If the opponents strength was unaccountable, he could simply kill them one by one.
Advisor, weve prepared your stay at Hotel Muguet.
Theres no need. Is there an indoor training hall?
There are three gyms and two shooting ranges.
Ill revamp my body while waiting for the gears then.
The Victoire training gym on the fifth basement is the largest. Is there any equipment or rooms that you need?
Claude immediately understood Black Mambas requests.
I just need an outdoor field bed.
Black Mamba refused the special suite room that the DGSE had prepared and entered the basements training gym. He needed time to raise his battle instincts, which had scattered due to his meditations and services, and he had to get used to the whip.
Three days later, Bonipas appeared in the training gym. He looked at the training floor, which had been completely trashed and shook his head. The 2,000 square meters room had turned into ruins. Countless numbers of gym exercise machines had broken down into metal pieces.
The metal pipes were broken, and the metal sheets had been ripped as though it were paper. All the wire ropes had been cut and scrunched into a ball. Several dumbbells were embedded into the concrete wall while the entire floor was scratched as though some monster had visited, cracked, and shattered it. It was the scene of at least 10 Tyrannosaurus rampages.
Wow, did an alien monster go mad in here?
Black Mamba, who had been meditating in the middle of the ruins, opened his eyes.
What is it? I said I needed a week.
It was a definite negative response. Whips were soft weapons. Hed begun to feel the weapons resonance more clearly after learning its techniques using the five combined movements. A softness had wrapped around. Drawing a greater power out of smaller power, the weight of air
Bonipas had interrupted him when he was on the brink of realization.
Advisor, we have a problem. An explosive went off in Aroport de Paris-Orly. Those b*stards had installed an explosive in a trash can outside the airport. Its been done by a professional. The person who did it had managed to perfectly time the trajectory of substances and explosion time. Two have died, and thirty were injured.
Is it the ANO again?
We have received information from the 22nd department of the German Democratic Republic. Theyre the Black September Organization. Its a separate terrorist organization led by Abrahim Samrin, the second in rank at ANO.
What trash. Now, theyre walking around in broad daylight, Black Mamba judged coldly.
From the information passed on by Bellman, hed already learned that the Black September Organization and the ANO were part of a bigger organization. ANOs leader was Abu Nidal. The leader of the Black September Organization had been hidden behind a veil, until now. Apart from the ANO, Samrin also led the Black September Organization. For decades, the Southern Intelligence Departments had basically been fooled by Abu Nidal.
Mitterrand and Pione are causing a ruckus, I suppose?
Im sorry we didnt give you enough time to prepare.
Theres nothing we can do about it. I understand Abu Nidals religious beliefs and griefs, but hes knocking on the wrong door. Indiscriminate terrorism against an unspecified crowd isnt something that can be forgiven. If theyre trying to assassinate Mitterrand like a jackal, we can only assume that theyve abandoned the identity of a human. Theres only the path of an animal for those who have refused the humans wheel of life.
Theres another bad news.
There is plenty of bad news today! Hehe! Black Mamba laughed, expressionless.
Bonipas also laughed bitterly. An Intelligence Department was created to identify and get rid of problems. There wasnt a single good Intelligence Department on earth that delivered good news.
An S-75 was confirmed to be seen at Kaparja Valley. According to Mossads information, the downgraded version that had been transported to the Middle East in 1963 was given to Syria and Egypt a year ago.
Thats certainly not welcomed news. High-altitude missiles are made in masses. With the radar and defense units under consideration, a regiment of army should have been deployed, at least.
Black Mamba didnt feel anything. Instead, he was recalculating his next move based on the worst case scenario.
S-75s are launched by three launching units and one radar unit. One unit is made of three companies. There are 180 members each. The total members are predicted to be around 700, including the guarding unit.
Black Mamba couldnt ignore the possibility of clashing against the Syrian soldiers based around Kaparja Valley. No one knew what would happen in an invasive search and destroy mission. Information was always lacking, no matter how many times it was revised.
Did you figure out the specifications?
Its the initial V750V system. Three rounds are considered one set. The range is 25 kilometers, and the altitude is 11,000 meters. If one fails to launch, the system will automatically launch the other two in sequence.
The impact altitude will be close. My butts going to tingle the entire time. Are we ready to go?
The Hercules is awaiting you at Aroport de Paris-Orly. Advisor, all the equipment that you need is on it.
Ugh, my luck!
Black Mamba walked out of the gym with an unfortunate expression. Was it called Murphys law? When there was something to gain, something would block his path from getting it.
The strictly sealed underground gym on the fifth basement floor was reopened. The facility manager was called by Claude to sign a document. It stated that he had to forget everything he saw in the Victoire training gym during its reconstruction.
Did they have a violent sex party or something?
The manager tilted his head as he went down to the fifth basement floor before his eyes widened in shock.
Ah, what the hell!
His scream echoed across the entire basement. The manager called the waste van first.
Bonipas whispered to Black Mamba as he sent him off to Aroport de Paris-Orly.
Special military advisor, consul Dijolle Baylout was kidnapped by those b*stards 10 days ago. Weve already given up on him. Itd be nice if you help him escape, but if you cant, it doesnt matter. If you do manage to rescue him, the government wont ignore your accomplishment.
Thats a scarier request than asking me to save him. Black Mamba smiled.
In the seventh sector of Aroport de Paris-Orly, a tactical carrier Hercules lifted its heavy body into the air. The Hercules swerved largely to its right and turned its head towards the Mediterranean. It did so to avoid the countries involved in the Warsaw Pact.
There were only four people with 130 kilograms of equipment in the large 80-ton cabin. There was only one human, who seemed non-human at the same time, sitting silently in the large passengers cabin. It looked as though he was sleeping.
It was 3,300 kilometers from Paris to Aleppo and 3,600 kilometers in flight distance. The distance was ideal for a Hercules without any weight to bear, which could even travel 8,000 kilometers without rest. Due to the light load, much of the fuel had been conserved.
Claude and two Strategic Division agents, who had boarded as the support team, had nothing to say. The VIP, whom they should have been taking orders from, hadnt been talking for hours since boarding time. For the past two hours, hed been tapping with his wrist and fingers and nodding.
The agents who knew nothing about the mission had heaps of questions piled up like Mont Blanc but had no way of asking. Their job was to support the special military advisors high-altitude fall. They still had six hours left before reaching Aleppo. The VIP had asked them not to make a single sound. The two agents, who had to communicate by hand, nearly fell sick from boredom.
Claude elbowed an agents side and pointed at Black Mamba. His head was leaning to the side. Hed finally fallen asleep. The three stared at Black Mamba, who was snoring away, with incredulous expressions. He was about to face a 13,000 kilometers high-altitude fall without any safety gears but was sleeping and snoring away. He must have had the nerves of steel.
[1984 August 6th, 02:00.]
The Hercules, which crossed the entire Mediterranean, entered the land.
Advisor, were 20 minutes away.
Black Mamba opened his eyes.
Current location?
We will be approaching Turkeys Osmaniye mountain ranges in 10 minutes.
Its the time of Asura!
He gently clenched his teeth. His peaceful time was now over. It was time for Azraels return.
Advisor, arent you scared?
Im human. If I wasnt scared, I wouldnt be human. Humans have their reasons for being human. Whats the seed that characterizes humans? Its the self-constraint of not intruding in anothers happiness to gain your own. If you cant stand someone elses happiness, you shouldnt shatter it. I, Asura, am the worlds cleaner, Black Mamba mumbled to himself as he slowly prepared for his fall.
He slung the parachute container over his shoulder and fixed the spare canopy over his chest.
He secured the gunpowder bag and backpack on his hip. He wore the helmet, the ceramic-made mask which covered his entire face, and the carp gloves before checking the altitude on his watch to wrap up the preparations.
Vrrrm
The helicopter shook once. The Osmaniye mountain ranges had the low-lands Turkey to its west and the high-lands Syria to its east. It was a mountain range of barely 2,000 meters high, but it was the border that separated the East and West.
The mountains atmosphere always moved unstably with the hot air of the west and the cold air of the east. Sometimes, there were 100s of lightning strikes, and sometimes, it rained cats and dogs. The helicopter trembled as it crossed over the mountain range.
Whoosh
His dimensional sight was automatically activated. A pressure, which felt like it was pressing onto his left temple with a stick, dug into his head. Black Mamba, who had been ready and waiting, shouted at Claude.
Claude, connect me to the pilot now!
Claude turned on the intercom connected to the cockpit.
Pilot, this is the advisor. I need you to report the current location and altitude.
Were 80 kilometers north-west of Aleppo at Rajo Mountain, and the current altitude is at 9,700 meters. Ive lowered the altitude to avoid turbulence.
Raise the altitude to 13,000 meters.
Roger.
Voooom
A heavy vibration reverberated throughout the cabin. The Hercules raised its head and rapidly rose in altitude. There were no friendly stewardesses on a military carrier.
Putain, whats wrong!
At the sudden movement, one of the agents fell out of the chair and rolled on the floor. Claude grew nervous. It had only been three days since he had met Black Mamba, but for the past three days, hed been surprised by many things compared to the past 45 years. There had to be a suitable reason for Black Mambas nervousness.
Claude attached himself closely to the view window and looked down. Just as expected, a major threat awaited when a military carrier passed an enemys territory.
He saw a small spark below before it suddenly expanded into a black-red flare.
Aaah! A missile!
Orange flashes lighted around the Hercules tail even before Claude could finish speaking. The cartridge, which was hanging on the pylon, vomited several flares. The V750V warhead jumped into the flare. Yellow light spewed across the orange flame. A waterfall of light poured down by the observatory window.
Damn b*stards, it wasnt Kaparja Valley but Rajo Mountain.
Black Mamba gritted his teeth. The German Democratic Republic had given them the wrong information. Syria had constructed a missile base in Rajo mountain instead of Kaparja Valley. Hed been told that they gathered intelligence beyond the East and West, but it had all been a lie.
Pilot, raise the altitude!
Aaaaah, raise the height, raise it! Claude shouted as though he was about to bite through the intercom. The two agents whose faces had turned pale also screamed along.
Chapter 215 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Black Mamba was calm. The S-75 missile system was made to launch the second and third missiles if the first had failed to hit the target. The first missile had, fortunately, hit the flare, but the remaining two would continue to follow.
He wanted to kick the Hercules rear as it tilted from side to side trying to soar through the air. He found it laughable that he was forced to wait for another explosion to hit, despite his immense strength.
F****** hell, the old man shouldve been here!
His teacher would have done something. He would either split up the missile by ball air explosion or turn the seeker into a blind man. He would also crash two missiles by using psychokinesis. His teachers ability wasnt like magic tricks where he could bend spoons, but like teleportation, he could move rocks, which was the real deal.
It was the highest form of ability granted by the heavens that he couldnt acquire. The ability was for someone who was part of Buddhas constitution in which he wasnt.
God!
Oh, my love Sabina!
The panicking screams coming from the three babies had pierced his ears.
F****** idiots, what a fuss.
No one would remain calm before death, but as intelligence agents, their whining made them look stupid. The mercenaries that they had considered below them were the true warriors. Chartres could still joke around with a bullet wound in his shoulder, Miguel had died with a machine gun in his hands, and Burimer got himself shot while trying to protect Jang Shin.
Ce mauvais! Tais-toi![1]
The roar of a tiger blasted through the cabin. The agents and Claude, who had been shouting, grabbed their ears.
Claude, arent you embarrassed? How could an Intelligence Departments manager forget the S-75s system manual? The missiles speed has reached maha despite its high launch. We can avoid them easily at this height.
Claudes face turned bright red. He wanted to bash his head for losing his mind at the sudden fear of death.
This is embarrassing. Im sorry.
The S-75 was originally designed to catch the United States surveillance helicopters. The Hercules was slow, but it was already 10,000 meters up in the air. The chance of being shot was low.
Ah, the left, left, theres two incoming!
An agent who had been looking down from the window started shouting. The Hercules swerved largely to its right after confirming the missiles impact point. That was the limit of the carrier. It couldnt rapidly maneuver itself like a fighter aircraft.
The red-black flare approached by the second. The S-75 missile warhead V750V had a strong thrust, but as an air missile, it had a slow speed of 1,000 meters per second.
It was comparably slow, reaching 10,000 feet in 12 seconds. It was enough to catch up to the Hercules, which moved at 120 meters per second. The large vehicle tried its best to move away from the missile. It attempted its fastest speed and rise, which made the body tremble as though it would break.
Boom
Orange lights streaked through the night sky. Another explosion soon followed, scattering red pieces. It was chaff, an aluminum that was heated to 1,000 degrees.
1,000s of aluminium pieces flew through the night sky, which was lit in orange. The Hercules, which had thrown all its chaff and flares, began to move out of range as quickly as it could.
One missile had been lured by the flare. The missile, which ran into the orange light, exploded and bloomed into black flowers. The remaining missiles chased after the helicopter tenaciously.
Vvrrrrr
The red light pierced the orange flare as though it was ripping through silk.
Putain, putain![2]
Claude, who was attached to the left view, started swearing. The agent who had been standing on the right view rushed to grab the parachute container.
Black Mamba was relaxed. The Hercules helicopter didnt fall apart from a single missile. Even if they were bombed, there had been enough time to escape. They could have broken through the door and jumped.
Booom
The helicopter shook severely.
Beep
Beep
Beep
The emergency siren began to ring loudly.
Aaaah! Weve been hit! Weve been hit!
Claude shoved his head underneath the taxing chair. The agents, who were out of their minds, stopped wearing the parachute container and wrapped their hands around their heads.
You f****** idiots! Black Mamba smiled.
Hed released his entire dimensional sight. The missiles warhead had been unable to overcome the air pressure and self-exploded 30 meters ahead, on their left.
Theyd managed to avoid a direct hit but had been showered with metal pieces instead. The S-75s V750V could send pieces flying across 65 meters in the troposphere and 250 meters in the stratosphere. The Hercules used a Sable engine. A heavyweight champion wouldnt go down from a few punches.
Grrrr
The Hercules changed its direction to Aleppo in a rush, like a pheasant being chased by a hawk. The three DGSE b*stards were in a panic. Black Mamba crossed the cabin with waddling strides. He grabbed the intercom and called the cockpit.
Pilot, this is the special military advisor. Report the current altitude were on and the damage weve faced, right now.
Were at an altitude of 12,500 meters. The left main wings engine loss rate is at 100 percent, the aileron is damaged, and the tail lift hydraulic system is damaged too, over!
Will there be any effects on the flight?
There wont be any problems. Well face some troubles with evasive turns and gaining altitude, but there wont be more than a five percent effect on the flight.
He could see the running gasoline from the window.
Oils running. Is there any problem?
Its the left wings third tank. There wont be a problem, sir.
Black Mamba sighed silently in relief. Theyd suffered small damages aside from the broken engine. A planes oil tank was located on either side of the wing. A military plane separated the tanks into compartments in case of attacks. A Hercules had 10 oil compartments. The third was comparatively small.
Technician, is there a risk of explosion?
The cons of large aircraft carriers like the Hercules was its slow speed and fuel tanks. The aircraft would turn into roasted meat in mid-air if a tank exploded.
Currently, there are no dangers, sir.
Pilot, report the current location.
Were 30 kilometers before the mission point, at the Simeon mountains.
Good. Follow the original flight plan.
The Hercules emitted smoke below its left-wing but withstood the strain stoically. Unlike the plane, the humans couldnt regain their composure.
Slap
Slap
Slap
The sound of the impact on their skin rang across the carrier. The group regained focus in their eyes.
Theres no problem with our current flight. Well maintain the course.
Yes, understood, sir, Claude answered amid his confusion.
Get your s*** together, you f******.
Black Mamba kicked their rears, too, before waddling to the door. The carrier, which went through a very violent welcome, maintained an altitude of 12,000 meters. The altitude slowly began to drop above the rudder.
Advisor, were in the targets skies.
I know, he responded shortly to the agents report and checked the altimeter and AAD.
Advisor, the pilot is calling.
He received the intercom that Claude had handed over.
This is the pilot here. Were at 11,800 meters, but there is a turbulence in the north-east going at 30 meters per second. We need to move 50 kilometers north to avoid the turbulence.
Is it a jet stream?
No, sir. In the summer, jet streams tend to go up around 50 degrees in the north latitude. Its an unstable storm that sometimes occurs between the troposphere and stratosphere.
Got it. Proceed as usual.
Roger.
Hed decided to burn it all off with his body instead. Dreams lasted as long as the night. He didnt know when an emergency might occur. He wondered how far hed be pushed by the wind if he attempted to dive.
Vroom
The drop signal sounded. He tightened the helmet and harness. An agent opened one of the two-layered doors. The harsh sound of wind rang as though it would split his eardrums despite the closed outer door.
Advisor, we wish for your safe return! the agents shouted as one.
Black Mamba smiled at them and headed to the door. The weight wasnt much, but the two bags on his hip had ruined his walk.
The inner door closed, and the outer door opened. A bluster of wind from the ink-like air flew in. He felt as though the iron handle he was holding on to would be plucked out.
The atmospheric pressure was 14.7 psi[3]. The air pressure within the carrier was controlled to 10.92 psi according to its altitude of 8,000 meters. At 12,500 meters, the air pressure was 3.6 psi. He could be sucked out without any preparations.
He could be swept along with the wind if thrown rapidly. If he was sucked into the engine or propellers, that would mark his funeral. Throwing ones body 12 kilometers above ground into the darkness, amidst a harsh current, which wailed like a ghost? He wouldnt be human if he wasnt scared.
F***, will the steering line[4] work? Black Mamba complained as he aligned the canopys opening mark to 1,000 meters.
The Ain Dara Hills, where hed meet the slipper, was 15 kilometers north-east of Kaparja Valley. He had to cross at least 15 kilometers during his HALO jump. If the wind pushed him further to the north-east, hed face some serious problems.
Dudududu
The carrier shook once. It lifted into the air before it dropped. There was great turbulence. The agents inside the strong-glass doors made an X with their arms and shook it up and down in disapproval. It meant that the situation wasnt right for a jump.
I could live or die. Namu Amita Bul!
Black Mamba blurted out an irresponsible comment before throwing his body into the darkness. The human with pieces of baggage larger than himself disappeared into the dark space at once. His prayers echoed around the gate, where the thick wind blew.
Claude and the agents attached themselves to the window. They stretched their necks as far as they could and looked down. They couldnt see anything. They couldnt even see the nighttime parachute light. Only darkness was seen as though it was the entrance to hell. Well, there was no reason for Black Mamba to turn on the night light since he was the only one falling.
Hes left! Claude murmured with an exasperated voice.
Hes gone! The agents echoed together and stared at each others faces.
The two shook their heads. They had doubts, but the person they addressed as the special military advisor had really gone through with the 12,000 meters jump without any safety gears.
Will it be possible?
Impossible. Hell become a crater in Kaparja Valley after turning into a lump of ice.
Wont the strong winds carry him to Baghdad?
The parachute wont even reach the container. Hell drop off somewhere in the Syria desert, tangled in wires.
Then, what was that stupidity?
I dont know anything else other than the fact that hes the Department of National Defenses special military advisor. Hes a colonel or something?
Why would a colonel commit suicide? Is this a cyborg test by the Technical Design Division?
Dont be ridiculous. Anyway, that was one hell of a suicide.
The intelligence agents who didnt know of Black Mambas true identity spilled the thoughts that theyd been holding back. They concluded that it was a flashy suicide.
Creaak
The Hercules turned its head and headed towards Lebanon. The pilot had no intention of getting hit with another missile during their return.
Claude stared blankly through the window. He felt as though hed sent a lover away. Black Mamba was a human that was unlike a human, but it didnt seem as though he could win against the environment.
Even if he did manage to infiltrate, could he erase the impenetrable Ruman and return by himself?
God, please protect that dehumanized man. He may have stray hands and speak harshly, but hes a true man.
Claude began to pray as he clasped his hands together unknowingly. He was beginning to show the first symptom of the Ombuti virus.
Claudes mind felt uneasy the entire way back. He felt cowardly for sending Black Mamba into hell while he returned to sit behind a desk.
Sir, what kind of sorcery is this?
Whether its a prank or sorcery, it is none of your business. Its a mission that you shouldnt know about with your access level. Im enacting internal law F12a2. I hope youll open your mouths after youre buried.
Claudes face turned stiff. The agents affirmed with a sigh.
Whoosh
Black Mamba fell in a straight line with his head down. He accelerated at a horrifying speed. The altimeter jumped around fiercely. The strong currents pressed down as the air pressurized. His belly attached itself to his back.
To decrease the falling speed of a HALO jump, one had to spread their limbs wide and lean back as much as possible. Instead, he increased his descending speed to its maximum. The sensation of viscera slipping out of his a**hole wasnt pleasant at all.
He descended at 120 meters per second, but the wind pushed him north-east relentlessly. He felt that he was being pushed four to five meters per second, although he had enjoyed the pull of gravity. He was drifting further away from the landing point.
Black Mamba, who had escaped the strong air currents, advanced into a flying position. The altitude was 8,000 meters, which meant hed descended 4,500 meters instantly. He released his buckle and allowed the two bags to fall below his waist.
The bag connected to his parachute fell long beneath him. That was when his body had become free from its restrictions. White frosts covered his front visor. When he raised his hand and wiped his visors lens, he heard the sound of friction. The glove, which was made of carp leather and coated with kevlar, had become hard like wood.
His terminal velocity was 60 meters. The air was clear and fresh. A lonely dot fell diagonally to the north-east where the sky was void of light.
The ground rushed up to him with an altitude closing up to 1,000 meters.
Open!
His hand, which habitually went to his rear, paused. By setting the altitude of descent, the canopy would open automatically without the need to pull a bridle[5].
The CYPRES[6] activated.
The canopy opened instantly.
Clack
With the counter-gravity at work, his body was lifted with an immense shock. He sighed in relief. Even Black Mamba would worry about the parachutes functionality whenever he jumped.
[1] This is bad! Shut up!
[2] F***, f***!
[3] Pound per square inch.
[4] Handles that help to control a parachute.
[5] It is a webbing strap or cord that affects the launch of a parachute.
[6] A specific make and model of an automatic activation device(AAD), a device that automatically activates a parachute.
Chapter 216 - Chapter 26, Episode 10: The Syria-Ruman Plan
That wasnt something a human could resolve. The DGSEs Technical Design Division had examined and organized his parachute, but the worry persisted.
There was no choice. Dropping at 60 to 100 meters per second could crack even the skull. Even Black Mamba had no chance of surviving. There was a spare parachute, but that lacked safety. It was smaller without air holes and steering lines. Besides, it couldnt withstand the weight of 220 kilograms.
The MC1 maneuverable parachute used vents and suspension lines to control direction changes and parallel travel. A trained airborne agent could move horizontally within five meters during a one meter descent. This meant that a person could move five kilometers during a 1,000 meters fall.
The compass attached to his altimeter only showed the bearings, so there was no way to know the distance in the dark. He couldnt even tell how far north the currents had taken him. He had no choice but to head south.
Heat rose from the ground. His frozen helmet and gloves began to thaw rapidly. He manipulated the steering lines to head north. The dark blue canopy slowly crossed the black sky. It was the appearance of Black Mamba, who would later shake Syrias foundations. The Magi had known of Jesus birth, but no one knew of Azraels descent.
Two blue lights appeared in the sky. It was Black Mamba who had opened his night vision, not Azrael. A canopys descending rate was six to 10 meters per second. The parachute was decreasing 90 percent of his speed.
150 seconds had passed since he had opened his canopy. Although he increased the time of descent by creating atmospheric waves using his resonance, the explosives and equipment had increased the time of suspension.
160 seconds later, his bags dropped on land, and Black Mamba landed like a feather. If it hadnt been for the night vision, it wouldnt have happened. There were many cases of people who had injured their ankles or knees by miscalculating the distance.
Damn it, that was close!
He automatically sighed in relief. He couldnt have found the hard ground underneath his feet more welcoming. He wanted to kiss the ground, like Pope John Paul II. He hadnt known hed miss the ground this much. Free falling, drifting, opening the canopy, and landing had taken up 400 seconds. That 400 seconds had felt like 400 years.
He was on a dry hill without a single tree in sight.
Woosh
He activated his dimensional sight. No humans were detected within 500 meters. All he could sense were wild animals, who actively searched for food.
Black Mamba moved busily. He pressed the immediate release button and removed the parachute, before taking out the field shovel from his backpack.
The shovels handle was a three-stage attachment, and the blades length was twice as long as the standard. It was a tool that Emil had requested the DGSEs Technical Design Division to make, especially for Black Mamba.
Hed already become a master of shoveling during his bridge-town years. He dug a hole at a fearsome speed and buried the parachute and accompanying spares.
Burying used products was the first stage of infiltration operations. By now, the Mukhabarat, also known as the caveman, should have been alerted. Syrias 300,000 armies of men would most likely be experiencing an emergency too.
A flare launcher had the same rocket-launching system as a MLRS[1]. The flare launcher on a Hercules could release 30 in one set. They had wasted two sets, which meant that over 60 flares had poured out. The flashes of flares and missiles in mid-air could be witnessed from over 1,000s of kilometers away.
He finished his work and leaned against a tree stump. Hed wandered through the desert several months ago. Now, he was at an abandoned corner of a mountain in the Middle East. He smiled, laughing at his fate as a drifter.
His entire body felt stiff, as though hed been beaten up by his teachers staff. It was the damage that had accumulated from the strong, cold air pressure and air currents. He was definitely mad for dropping naked from 40,000 feet above ground at night.
There werent any other physical abnormalities, but his entire nervous system had been excited from the sudden external shock. His ears, which rang as though bees had entered, was the major problem.
Even amid discomforts, he was hungry. He shoved in a handful of camel date palms coated in chocolate, before laying down. This, too, was a special-made calorie snack from the DGSEs Technical Design Division.
The physical body of the new species was amazing, like always. His bodys senses and nervous system had returned to its original condition after a short break. The adrenaline coursing through his body had found its balance, and his hearing was no longer compromised.
The world truly didnt move as one had planned. Who would have known that the missile was at some random place and not Kaparja Valley?
Wrong information was worse than having no information. If they hadnt known anything, they would have raised the altitude above 13,000 meters as soon as they crossed Syrias borders. He imagined Bonipas fearful face after receiving Claudes report. Hed have to sweat a lot trying to alleviate Black Mambas anger.
What a funny world. Should I just rob this b*stard off everything when I return? I could have died, but I did arrive on the first attempt. I should forgive him.
He liked the comfortability that came with building a home and eating home-cooked meals, but he also enjoyed the thrills. Perhaps, living on the edge of a knife where life and death wavered was his fate.
Darkness, which was as black as ink, covered the view. He couldnt discern north, east, south, or west, and even the insects were silent. Only a strange stillness covered the hill where grass patches were found between crumpled rocks.
Where was this place? He took out a 1:7000 scale tactical map. The eyes that emitted blue light swept across the map and its vicinity. Even if he had eyes that could see through the darkness, it was hard to imagine a three-dimensional terrain from a map. Some places were similar, and some not.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight once more. He braced the oncoming headache and expanded his sight to 1,000 meters. Still, he couldnt detect any human presence. He had to do something to gain something. He pulled out a rescue transmitter from his backpack.
He pulled out the antenna and flicked the switch. A blue light silently came on from the machine. Whether the machine could call in the slipper was a question to be answered.
There was a lot of information regarding the machine in a book that was as thick as a novel. The geostationary satellite would catch a signal and send the position to its mother. The mother would then send the altered signal to the slipper. The explanation went along those lines.
There were no hardships to driving even if one didnt know how a car worked. He didnt care about the rest as long as the rescue transmitter was sent to the slipper. Life worked the same way. A person could live without knowing philosophy and science. A human who lost their human characteristics were comparable to that of a cars handles going missing.
Dry heat washed over him. The temperature wasnt that high, but it felt hot due to his recent plunge into cold air. He was experiencing a temperature difference of 100 degrees Celsius within 10 minutes.
The neon needle pointed to 02:45 a.m. on his watch. Hed suffered through all kinds of things before the game even started, but it had only been 45 minutes. He pulled the camouflage tarp over himself and closed his eyes. He had to rest during a mission whenever he could.
Hm!
He woke from his nap. There were people. Two people were climbing the hill from 200 meters away. Bright lantern lights poked here and there. Incomprehensible Arabic words were exchanged.
Damn!
He hadnt concealed his explosives bag. That was why comfort had led to mistakes. Steady footsteps were heading towards a certain location. Black Mamba clicked his tongue and pulled out of his hiding spot.
He was in an empty field. There were a limited number of people whod come to such a place in the daylight. It was either the Mukhabarat or the slipper. Two men appeared. One middle-aged looking man wore a straw-like tobe and a keffier while the younger man wore loose pants and a short-sleeved shirt.
Black Mamba slowly crept behind them and whispered a code.
Has the olive farm done well this year?
Hakan?[2]
The voice had come from a very close place where they could feel someones breath near their ears. Surprised, the young man jumped while the middle-aged man quickly pulled out his dagger.
It was a calm and strict response that any civilian could have shown, but it was also like loosening ones hair before a ghost. Black Mambas chest twisted to the side, and his palm filled up the space between them.
Slap
With a light slap delivered to the middle-aged man, he collapsed without having a chance to scream.
Egh!
The young man shouted.
Schink
A light resonance rang. The young man, whod been moving back and reaching into his chest, grabbed his neck.
Kuk!
The young man fell back as he let out a stifled shout with a dart in his neck.
Tsk tsk, to throw your life away for a question, dont you think thats a waste? Black Mamba uninterestedly judged before checking his watch.
It was 04:50 in the morning. There wasnt an hour left until sunrise.
I heard the Mukhabarat were amazing, but it seems like that was all rumors.
He searched the two mens bodies. A traditional Arab swordKhanjarcame out of the young mans clothes. Whether it was a gun or a knife, he was dead, so it didnt matter.
He found a sheepskin wallet, note, and a Tokarev from the middle-aged man. He assumed that the middle-aged man was a Mukhabarat, and the young man to be an informant. He searched for identity cards in their wallets, but couldnt read as he didnt understand the language. If one didnt know, one had to ask.
?a va Vous passez?
The middle-aged man shook his head.
Do you know English?
He shook his head again.
Do you know Korean? Black Mamba shouted in anger.
Of course, he didnt know.
F***** hell, I need to learn Arabic or something, he said, with no intention of doing so.
He could pick up martial arts extremely well but was the complete opposite when learning languages. Learning French alone had caused his brain to melt.
Hah, look at the guy run.
The middle-aged man had escaped towards the lower hill while Black Mamba was distracted. It was the greatest survival instinct. He snatched the handle, which was poking out of his backpack.
Zzzing
A black line launched out. The Gorgon wrapped around the middle-aged mans ankle. When his shoulder muscles twitched, the healthy man turned into a fish caught in a net and landed underneath his foot.
When the Gorgon wrapped around his ankle, it tore through his skin and crushed his flesh. The mans white ankle bones were revealed. The weapon was too terrifying for it to be used at ease.
Half of the middle-aged mans soul left. To him, it was as though hed met a devil.
Guuuuh
Guuuh
A primitive sound escaped from his throat.
Sorry about that. Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
His lower chin had shattered at the first slap, after all. French or English, it couldnt be communicated. He felt slightly sorry, but what could he do?
He began digging another hole with his shovel. Labor that used the same muscles repeatedly was hard and meaningless. Digging with a shovel was one of the many difficult tasks he had attempted at his uncles house. He heard Korean soldiers dug holes and trenches all the time. They dug trenches, but he was digging a grave. He shoved the dead young man into the hole.
Kuuuu!
The middle-aged man resisted against the grip on his arm. The humans survival instincts after sensing an oncoming doom grew desperate. He pointed to his mouth, moved it as though he was writing, then lowered his head. Every time he lowered his head, the broken lower jaw rattled uselessly.
Black Mamba handed the man his fountain pen and notebook. When he shone a lanterns light on him, the man began to write.
Je sais que le fran?ais.
You know French? Youre a Mukhabarat?
The middle-aged man nodded. Many in Syria knew how to speak French after Frances long domination. The Mukhabarat, who was known to be the first secret police on earth, had a high academic background and was very loyal.
Assad, whod entered the center of politics, belonged to the small faction of Alawites amongst the Shiites. The Christians, who took up 30 percent of Syrias population, had supported Assad strongly. It was because Assad didnt encourage religious oppression. Many Christians within the Mukhabarat knew how to speak French.
Was there an emergency order?
Re?u un appel Trois.
That meant they had received a report on the fireworks in the sky at three. It was an extremely efficient emergency line. A search and defense order had been given, not even an hour since it had happened.
Where is this place?
Le Maydanki Lake Village.
F***, the Maydanki Lake? he gasped out.
Maydanki Lake was a long, narrow, ribbon-like lake that was near Turkeys border. Hed been pushed over 20 kilometers away from the contact point at Ain Dara Hills. If he hadnt lowered his fall by diving, he would have crossed Turkeys border.
Im sorry.
Crack
His palm cracked down on the mans head. The middle-aged man trembled for a while before falling forward. He had turned the mans brain into soup with a single blow. He was going to be killed anyway. Sending him off without pain was also benevolence and kindness.
Black Mamba took off the middle-aged mans tobe and shoved the man into the hole. Mukhabarat may be the figure of fear and hatred for Syrians, but he had nothing to do with them. He buried them to clean his traces, but it wasnt a fun job. He slung the loose tobe around his uniform and twined the keffier around his head. Even if his clothes were messy, it didnt matter as long as he didnt stand out.
Black Mamba spread out the map once more and reconsidered his routes. He couldnt move with his bags since the Mukhabarat was moving. It wasnt for his safety. It was to avoid any unnecessary deaths.
Tutututtu
Two helicopters appeared in the sky at dawn. A huge amount of paper fell from its tail like snow.
[1] Multiple Launch Rocket System.
[2] What?
Chapter 217 - , Episode 11: The Syria-Ruman Plan
Wow, I heard Syria is a third-world country, but this is amazing. They are already spreading propaganda s***! Black Mambas exclamation soon turned into laughter.
The accomplishments of Assads government were stuffed into a palm-sized paper written in both French and Arabic. It was the public enlightenment speech that Korea had often used in the 60s to 70s.
[President Assad prevented the fights between each faction and spearheaded the Syrian political policies to embrace the Christians. Syria, unlike its brother countries, was able to develop steadily. Circumstances of the Muslim Brotherhood who besmirched the Muslim name from Lebanon and Egypt entering our country have been captured. Those who report or kill the members of this evil organization will be rewarded. We would like the public to cooperate with the Shabiha in their pursuit to catch them.]
The Sunni Muslim Brotherhood was an organization that had publicly declared and committed Assads assassination. Assad was from the small Alawites faction of Shiites. Assad had been very wary of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood. The reason behind Mukhabarats initial founding was to flush out the Sunni spies and members.
The Shabiha was created by Assads cousin, Namir al-Assad, and his brother, Rifaat al-Assad, in 1982. Shabiha meant violent gang. They were a violent organization that had been controlled by the president, and they had also received aid from the government.
Unlike his excuse in which he had called them the public police support militia, Shabiha was another chain that had suppressed the citizens through violence and terrorism. Assad was basically Kim Il Sungs student, who had learned how to maximize surveillance and fear effectively.
80 percent of Syria were of the Sunni faction, 17 percent were of the Christians, and one percent were of the Alawites, which was Assads faction. Assad had smartly declared himself the protector of all religions and dragged the majority of Christians to his favor.
Assad was preventing the bomb from going off by playing hot and cold, but his governments power was weak to the point that it could crumble by a single mistake. If the Sunnis had agreed to become a part of the Muslims Brotherhood, Assads ship would have capsized. That was why Assad, who was in agreement with the ANO, had shown such hostility to the Muslim Brotherhood organization.
Oh, I should attack the enemy with their enemy.
He came up with a plan to distract the Mukhabarat. It was to create problems and later, pushing the blame to the Muslim Brotherhood. He didnt question how. A method was bound to present itself with a direction in mind.
For now, he had to contact the slipper. His head only spun at the foreign terrain, despite his efforts.
Ugh, whatever. All I can do is wait for the slipper, I guess.
He folded the map away and used the backpack as his pillow to lay down. An average human could walk 20 kilometers in four hours. A trained intelligence agent could arrive before six. Black Mamba enjoyed his nap on the hill blowing soft breezes.
Syrias north and south temperatures differed greatly. The north, which was a part of the Mediterranean climate, was always warm and breezy. The cirrus clouds that drifted across the blue sky was the norm. On the other hand, the central and southern parts were occupied by Syrias desert. That was why it was called the country of wind and deserts. In summer, Damascus temperature went up to 45 degrees Celsius while Maydanki Lake hovered around 25 degrees Celsius.
Finally, the morning came. The slipper didnt appear. He was told that the rescue transmitter didnt have a limited range as it was connected to a satellite. This meant that the slipper had been involved in an accident or had stupidly turned off his transmission. He flicked the rescue transmitter off and shoved it in his backpack. If the slipper didnt come, he had to go to it.
Its azure[1]! he exclaimed unknowingly.
The sun was just about to rise. Several cirrus clouds were floating in the opaque blue sky, drifting with the wind.
The cirrus clouds, which were floating amongst the spring wind in pieces, were like dandelion seeds. He couldnt come up with another expression for the cold, blue sky other than the word azure.
He could see Maydanki Lake from afar. It was a long, narrow lake, as though a ribbon had been stretched. A few storks were circling freely over the lake where the steam fog rose.
It was a peaceful and lovely sight. He had forgotten about the history of the lake where remnants of Syrian Orthodox Christians, which Turkey had massacred, remained at its bottom.
A boy, around 10-years-old, appeared to be herding the sheep towards the lake. He had skillfully herded the sheep to the plains with his long stick.
Fruit trees were lined up around the organized farmlands following the lake. He could see two red swings. A young girl was swinging around while a man who seemed like her father was cutting down the bushes with a machete. He was a hardworking farmer.
How blessed was this scene compared to the Sahel! For a moment, Black Mamba lost his train of thoughts over the peaceful scene. Was it like the scene on the straw bridge? No. It was the scene of Inje Nature Preserve. Moving slowly across the fields, Syrias mountainous village, which was not in any rush, looked just like the scenery at Inje Nature Preserve.
The girl who had been playing on the swings was complaining to her father. She was kicking up a fuss while wiping tears from her eyes. The father pretended as though he hadnt heard her and continued working.
Damn, what a cold b*stard.
Black Mamba walked towards them.
Sabah al-Khair?[2]
It was one of the 30 Arabic words hed memorized.
Naam, madha hunak?[3]
The young man grew extremely tense at the strange mans appearance. He had nothing else to say in the language, so there wasnt any way to lower his guard either.
This man isnt a farmer.
Black Mamba knew at once. He was someone who had worked since he was 13. He could recognize how trained a person was by a single movement. The man didnt even know how to wield the machete. His hands werent rough, either. Tears clung to a pretty girls eyes, who looked around six years of age.
Black Mamba pointed at the wooden doll in her hands. Its neck was broken.
The man wielding a machete shook his head and stepped forward. He was asking him to leave, without sticking his nose in other peoples business.
Marhaban![4]
Black Mamba smiled at the girl and held out his hand. Mina of Injes Nature Preserve, who had waited for her pa-pa to return to Injes countryside, was here too.
Marhaban! The girl smiled as she handed him her doll.
The mans eyes widened. His daughter had just smiled at a stranger!
Wael tended to avoid people after injuring her legs, which had caused her facial muscles to grow stiff. She didnt play with friends around her age and hated it when adults approached.
Flick
The machete which had been in the mans hands moved to Black Mambas hands.
Scink
A thick olive tree branch was cut in one smooth motion.
The man stared blankly at Black Mamba. His gaze switched from his hands to the knife. Why was the knife hed just been holding, in the strangers hands?
Schink
Crack
Crack
The machete moved seamlessly. Black Mamba truly had the potential to become a sculptor. The dimensional sight was an ability that could spread the diagram of an objects form by using the brains senses. He could compare a completed picture to what he was working on, in real-time.
He could also complete any work quickly with the use of his resonance. A dull knife could be sharpened. The mans eyes grew wide. The dull machete hadnt stopped sharpening at all. It was a skill that not even the moonlight sculptor, who was told to have carved a sculpture larger than a dinosaur within a night, could have attempted.
Laastati an usadiq![5]
A doll larger than what the girl was holding was created in 15 minutes. It was an assembled type, where the head and limbs could be taken apart. It was a girl with a lively expression, Mina.
Wow, shukraan[6]!
The girls expression grew bright as she received the toy. The girl stuck her head out and kissed Black Mambas cheek.
Ah, no!
The man stared at Black Mamba with a confused expression. The mans skills were good, but his daughters reaction was even more surprising. His daughter didnt even kiss him!
Black Mamba threw the machete at the man. The man opened his hands in reflex. The knifes handle landed in his hands as though it had been handed. The man became even more confused.
Your left leg looks uncomfortable.
The girl couldnt understand French. She tilted her head. He grabbed the girls leg and shoved in his resonance. There wasnt a problem.
The man tried to stop Black Mamba, but he hesitated. Something was pushing him back, so he couldnt approach. It was like a finger pushing a balloon away. The mans face froze.
Can you try walking?
Black Mamba held the girls hand. Her body shook every time she used her left leg. Upon closer examination, the girls left face seemed awkward. It was hemiplegia. He sat the girl back on the swing and touched her head with both of his hands. He had already experienced breaking through blood clots in the brain before.
His resonance unraveled in her head like a thread with ease. A lot of concentration was needed in order to use both dimensional sight and resonance at the same time. Sweat beaded on Black Mambas forehead. 10 minutes later, he found all of the six blood clots.
The girl had banged her head on something very hard. Shed either tripped, fallen from a tree, or rolled down the stairs.
He raised the intensity of his resonance. He knocked on the blood clots as though he was extracting it. Fortunately, the blood clot had formed recently. It wasnt that hard.
Knock knock knock
Blood started flowing through her vein. He could see the brain cells resuming their activity with his dimensional sight. When he lifted his hands off her head, the farmer handed him the towel hed slung around his shoulders with both hands. Black Mamba took the smelly towel and wiped the sweat off his face. The mans expression brightened.
Whats your name?
Wael Jadir, sir, the man replied on her behalf.
Black Mamba turned to look at the man with a smile.
You know how to speak French. Did your girl ever injure her head?
How did you know? She fell from a fig tree last year, upside down. Who are you?
The man looked to be 10 years older than Black Mamba, but he had spoken formally.
Theres no need for you to know. The kids been treated.
Treated? How? the man asked in a high tone.
Was it a treatment instead of a massage?
Her cerebral veins had been damaged due to a strong shock. It must have gone unnoticed since there werent any external injuries. Its a symptom called hemiplegia. After some time, half of the body will become stiff, and the left leg will become unusable. Your girl almost became disabled due to your ignorance.
No, how could that be? Who on earth are you? the man asked the same question again.
????![7]
The man had asked for his identity, but he couldnt answer with Black Mamba. Kanma? Corn killer? Azrael? Ange de la Mort? None of them. He couldnt tell the man his real name, Mu Ssang, either.
Mu Ssang was a synonym for swordsman. He was from the east, so he was the eastern swordsman. He had avoided responding to such a name. After saying so, he realized hed been no different from Sun WooHyun, who went around calling himself Namir. His face burned.
Du-bai-bull-pa?
The mans pronunciation was very thick.
Dong-bang-bull-pae!
Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
F****** hell!
He stopped trying to fix the mans pronunciation. What did it matter between ddu-bai-buru-pa or dong-bang-bul-pae, when he was already named after the devil of hell!
Wael, come to father, the man called for his child.
Ooh!
The man stared at the girls legs. How could it be! Her shaking leg had stabilized. There was strength in her left leg.
Wael!
The man hugged his daughter. The strange young mans mention of treatment echoed in his head.
How did this happen?
I penetrated her blocked clots. Shell be running around freely, a few days from now.
Oh, how could this be! Are you an apostle of God? the mans voice trembled.
Tears were falling from his eyes.
No. Im a passing acquaintance. I hope you live well with your daughter.
Black Mamba turned around. It had been an impulsive action. Hed begun to care more about other peoples matters due to his rough childhood. However, now, it was time to work for his food.
The man ran over and kneeled.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, my name is Bakri Jadir. I dont know who you are, but to me, youre a devoted apostle of God. Please, give me the honor of serving you a meal.
What are you doing?
Cold eyes looked down at the man. The mans eyes were filled with trust and sincerity. His unstable brain waves were due to his extreme excitement. Black Mambas eyes grew soft. Sincerity always warmed the heart.
The man looked down at Black Mambas clothes. Hed worn a tobe around his uniform and a keffiyeh on top. His shoes were combat boots made of Gore-Tex, which the Technical Design division had made especially for him. He was obviously an outsider. Even his unusual backpack was a problem.
I dont mean anything else. I simply wish to dine with you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. My house is on the outskirts, far away, Bakri quickly concluded on his behalf.
Fine. Wait, I cant go empty-handed to a house on my first visit now, can I?
Black Mamba walked down to the lake. The man grabbed his daughters hand and followed.
Maydanki Lake was healthy. Fishes swam freely within the sapphire-colored lake. Some fishes were thicker than his arm. There was a mix of carps and catfish.
Black Mamba took out his Gorgon. When the fearsome-looking whip appeared, Bakri flinched.
Woosh
A sound like a great motor tearing through the air rang. The six-meters Gorgon twisted like a dragon in the air.
After gaining some speed in the air through several turns, the Gorgon landed on the waters surface.
Boom
A strange sound exploded. The waters surface split into two. Two fishes, which were over two rulers long, floated to the surface with its bellies pointing up.
Boom
Boom
The whip cracked down again.
The lake had been living peacefully for a long time. It was destroyed by the unexpected, violent stranger. The surface of the lake returned to its original disheveled state.
Bakris eyes widened. Seven fishes were floating on the waters surface with their bellies pointing up. There were seven members in his family. It was pure coincidence, but Bakri was looking through pink-tinted eyes.
Lord, thank you! Youve finally sent an apostle to this land. I praise you, my Lord. I praise Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
[1] A bright blue color like that of a cloudless sky.
[2] Hello?
[3] What is it?
[4] Hi!
[5] I cant believe it!
[6] Thank you.
[7] Dong-bang-bull-pae: The eastern swordsman
Chapter 218 - Episode 12: The Syria-Ruman Plan
That was going far overboard. Black Mamba felt aggrieved. The man was worse than Ombuti! The mood became weirder because of his whim of kindness.
Ugh, whatever. Let him sing or scream. Im going to get the fish.
There were still scenes for Bakri to awe over.
Boom
He activated his counter resonance. It was a skill he had learned in Ati, where he had pulled out medina parasites from the leg of a girl called Kitoi.
He used his spine to balance himself before emptying half of his body and wrapping the fish with his resonance. When he released the constraint, the resonance rushed back into the empty half of his body. The fishes that had been floating on the surface were dragged towards Black Mamba.
Aah, how could this be? Bakris eyes widened as though it would tear.
He unknowingly fell to his knees and began to pray. Gods apostle had descended on earth. The true being had appeared before him. He felt as though his chest would explode from the honor.
Black Mamba wasnt interested in Bakris actions. He had gotten used to Ombuti falling on his knees and praying at every second. He spread the tall reeds near the lake across the floor and started cleaning the fish with practiced hands. It was something that he did all the time at the bridge village. The bundle of seven, arm-thick fishes was quite heavy.
Bakri, its small, but its a gift.
Upon receiving the fish, Bakri swayed at its heaviness. His expression was of someone whod been moved. Gods apostle had bestowed him food that hed gained miraculously. It was an everlasting honor for his future generations too.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Holy being! The Antioch wasnt wrong. The Antioch was Gods words! The true apostle Ddu-bai-buru-pa has come. Thee who came in Gods name, may you be blessed! Bakri shouted with both hands in the air.
Even Wael, who had no idea what was going on, kneeled next to her father and cheered.
Ugh, damn, hes Ombuti down to the core.
Black Mamba felt conflicted. He only helped because Wael had reminded him of Mina, whom he had come to know by some misguided fate. It had truly been an impulse. He had also caught the fishes as a gift without much thought.
He was already embarrassed by the nickname, Eastern Swordsman, but the mood had heightened his embarrassment. Out of nowhere, an Ombuti II was created in Syria.
Are you a follower of the Coptic Orthodox Church?
Black Mamba didnt know much about the Orthodox Church, but he knew the Antioches were a group of churches that had left the Roman Church.
The Coptic Church refers to the Egyptian Orthodox Church. I am a follower of the Syrian Orthodox Church.
The Syrian Orthodox Church, also known as the Antioch Church, was a rather radical member of the Oriental Orthodox Church. They were known for denying Jesus humanity and only accepted his holiness. In simple terms, they accepted Jesus as God and denied Jesus as a human.
The denial had brought about jarring results. When Jesus humanity was rejected, the fact that he was born to save humans had been dismissed too. The act and the holiness of salvation similarly became lies. While the Roman Church had claimed that the Holy Spirit came from the Holy Father and his Holy Son, the Syrian Orthodox Church had claimed that the Holy Father came from the Holy Spirit. With the denial of the Holy Son, the salvation of sins had also been denied.
Loyal to Monophysitism, the Syrian Orthodox Church was threatened by both Islam and Christian churches. While many Christians had referred to the Oriental Orthodox Church as heathens, the Oriental Orthodox Church was a traditional church that had a shared history with the Roman Catholic Church.
The Orthodox Church needed a place to lean on after 1,000 years of threats. They believed that a physical apostle of God would save them from their poverty. To them, Gods apostle would come in the figure of a hero.
Despite being an apprentice monk, Black Mamba was more of an atheist, no, a believer of pantheism. He had no bias against any religion but wasnt lured by them either. Monk Dae Woo used to click his tongue and called him a b*stard with the seal of a monster.
Im a normal person. Ive only gained a few different abilities by coincidence. Its an ability that anyone can earn through hard work.
What? Oh, yes! Ill keep that in mind, sir. I wont tell anyone aside from my family of your feats, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Bakri smiled as though he had understood everything. The sight of Black Mambas modesty, who tried to hide his true self, was the characteristics of an apostle.
Ha. Ha. This is driving me mad.
Bakri was Ombutis perfect copy, from his exaggerated actions to his quick-wittedness. Black Mamba replaced his awkwardness with a strengthless laugh.
Then, should we go? Anti ami-ra, Anti Wael ami-ra.[1]
Black Mamba lifted Wael and sat her on the backpack on his hip for balance.
Kyahaha!
Waels clear laughter rang across Maydanki Lake.
Syrians were rumored to have a cold personality, but it wasnt the truth. They had a habit of guarding themselves against foreigners due to surveillance and control. They greeted guests and served them, like any other Arabs. Once they grew close, they tended to give everything they had. They were the complete opposites of Japanese, who pretended to be friendly but would immediately draw a line afterward.
It was a single-story house built with mud walls. The house could be seen from afar. Sheep were running around their front yard. As Bakri had said, there wasnt a single neighbor in sight around the house, which was one kilometer away from Maydanki Lake.
Syrias houses were built from clay bricks and crushed soil. The houses had an open structure. The houses interior could be seen from outdoors, and there wasnt a fence. Hae Youngs house was conservative. Japanese people tended to hide themselves and their front gates in the house, away from the streets. There were always curtains on the windows facing the outdoors. It was the mindset of hiding. Syrians shared similar cultural beliefs with Koreans but contrasted greatly with the Japanese.
Isnt it uncomfortable to be so far from the village?
We moved away because of the people. Bakri smiled sadly.
His expression looked as though he had a lot to tell.
Discrimination isnt right. Whether its Islam or the Orthodox Church, there will be differences, but there cannot be discrimination.
Oh, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, your words are right! Bakri agreed strongly.
Bakri, its Dong-bang-bull-pae, not Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Uncomfortable, Black Mamba tried to fix his pronunciation once more.
Yes, its hard to say. Domba-ye-buru-pul!
Ugh, Ddu-bai-buru-pa sounds better.
Black Mamba gave up immediately. Sometime in the future, the Orthodox followers would build the worlds tallest building in Dubai, called Burj Khalifa, after their hero, Ddu-bai-buru-pa Khalifa.
The line between home and the garden was unclear in Bakris house. An old man, who was watering the olive seedlings, smiled brightly. His family came out soon afterward.
Marhaban. Purusa sa-yi-da, ana Dong-bang-bul-pae.[2]
Ya- Illah-hi, Ssuritu bima euri patika. Purussa ssai-da, ana uda-abu Bakri. Hal indaka aola-d?[3]
His greeting was returned twice in length. Taken aback, Black Mamba turned to look at Bakri. Bakri smiled.
In Syria, we tend to introduce each other by asking questions about our sons. My father is Abu Bakri, and my mother is Oom Bakri. My sons name is Alli Jadir. My father just asked how many children do you have, sir.
What? Children! Ha, Im about to go mad, Black Mamba reared back.
Im a bachelor.
Mata-tatajauwaju? Ma-alapudal, hadi-yatu atzawa-z am annuku-d?[4] the old man muttered as though he was dissatisfied with Bakris translations.
The old man looked as though he would hand him a congratulatory gift at that very moment.
In Arabic countries, especially Syria, it was basic manners to return twice the length of an initial greeting. The longer the initial greeting, the response was expected to be thrice as long.
The Syrians greatest goal was to marry and have many children. The first question they would ask a guest was the whereabouts of their children. If the guest was not married, they would ask when. It was similar in the sense where relatives would nag the Korean bachelors and bachelorettes on New Years.
Black Mamba had received a grand welcome from Jadirs family. The Bakri family had four sons and daughters, a wife, and parentssix people in total. They didnt think of Black Mamba as a strange person, despite his looks. They regarded him as a good person since Bakri had brought him over.
That was something worth learning from the Syrians. The parents, who raised their children as the center of their world, were later served by their children until their last dying breaths. Sending elderly parents to a nursing home was criticized by society. It was a case worth stoning to death.
Futur[5] were usually served light, but because they had a guest, it turned into a feast. Mansaf, pita bread, aubergine, snap steak, and several types of salad were served. The addition of a lamb roast completed the meal.
When the family gathered around the table, it became loud. Men and women ate separately in Arabic culture. They didnt talk to each other, either. Bakris family was rather progressive. They were an exemplar of a family that Black Mamba had desperately wished to have, even in his dreams.
This person is Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa from the far east. He is currently traveling through Syria. We met by coincidence, and he treated Wael with a mystical treatment from the east.
Wow! Really? Thank you.
Thank you.
The entire family thanked him, following Bakris words. They were a pure family who had no doubts. Wael walked into the room confidently. She wobbled with every step, but she was in a much better condition compared to before. Her facial paralysis had already worn off. She bounced back quickly, as all young kids did.
Ooh, look, look!
Wow, Waels smiling!
Shes walking quite well.
The familys eyes widened.
Oom Bakri ran from her seat and hugged her granddaughter.
Wael, how do you feel?
I feel very good. My head doesnt hurt either. I can walk straight now, Wael replied cheerfully to her grandmas question.
Ooh, what a miracle!
Wow!
The breakfast table was filled with exclamations. That wasnt some simple treatment. It had cured her entirely.
Thank you. Youve lifted the heavy clouds off our family. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, our familys in your debt. From now on, you are part of our family, Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Wow, hoorah for Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
At the grandmas declaration, the adults and children all cheered. The old and young tilted their foreheads against Black Mambas and rubbed their cheeks against his, creating a ruckus.
Theyre a good family!
His heart felt warm. A loving family was the foundation of a healthy society. Hed kicked his way through life to get away from hatred and jealousy. To him, it was an extremely wishful sight.
Syrians had a lot in common with the Koreans. They thought luck would run out if they did not finish their food and liked it when their guests asked for more. They encouraged him to finish all the food on the table.
Black Mamba ate two lamb hind legs greased with olive oil, steamed fish painted with spices, five pita bread, and one plate of mansaf. The Bakri family was surprised and overjoyed at his large appetite. Black Mamba, with his large appetite, was one of the best guests that the Bakri family had ever hosted.
Bakri didnt mention what he had witnessed, to his family. When the children asked how Wael was treated, he answered that it was a mystical treatment from the east instead. When they asked how the fishes were caught, he said that it was sent by God. He was a smart man.
The noisy meal ended.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, please rest.
Bakri took Black Mamba to his office. The office was a room without any door blocking it from the outdoors. Black Mamba was surprised at the unexpected paper collection.
Bakri, youre not a farmer.
Three years ago, I was a history professor at Aleppo University. I worked there as a guest professor but was chased out three months ago.
Isnt Assad pacified against the Eastern Orthodox Church?
He needs the Christians support to suppress the Sunni factions majority. Discrimination remains. Since were foreigners, we cant do anything about it. Theres actually another reason. Hahaha!
Bakri faked a laugh.
It seems like you have a lot to tell.
If I sin by talking about my minor pains and end up dirtying the apostles ears
Black Mamba raised his hand and stopped Bakri in mid-sentence.
Bakri, Ive said this before, and Ill say it again, Im not an apostle. You can call me Dong-bang-bull-pae. I like being the Eastern Swordsman of this peaceful family compared to an apostle or a messiah. A poor human ignores the requirements of being a human. Did you ignore the requirements of being a human?
Bakris face creased. The memory of his eldest son, who was kidnapped and killed violently by the Shabiha, filled his mind. It was a brand of evil that he would never forget. The scab that hed forced on fell off. Blood flowed.
Youre right. Ive ignored the requirements of being a father while trying so hard to be a human! Kugh, ugh! Bakri cried.
The stranger wasnt a young man from the east, but he was an apostle that he could rely on. With someone to rely on, countless tears fell.
Bakri, Im ready to listen to your story. Ive lived an unimaginable life. You can tell me anything you want.
Thank you. I am the descendant of the Patriarch of Antioch, who first separated from the Roman Church 1,500 years ago at the Council of Chalcedon. The Syrian Orthodox entered the current northern mountain ranges to avoid the Christians and Islams threats. However, that was no longer our land. Assad may start a peace legislation, but discrimination and punishments were still the same. Despite my lacking knowledge, I led the Orthodox Church as a deacon[6] after my father. I frequently checked the Mukhabarat and Shabihas whereabouts to free the church worshippers from danger. Three years ago, I was arrested by the Mukhabarat while walking to Sharran to buy sausages. They accused me of being a part of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Wait, the Muslim Brotherhood?
Black Mambas eyes sparkled.
[1] Youre a princess, Wael, a princess.
[2] Hello. Nice to meet you, Im the Eastern Swordsman.
[3] Wow, welcome. Welcome. Im Bakris father. How many children do you have?
[4] When are you getting married? Will a congratulatory donation or a present suffice?
[5] Breakfast.
[6] An ordained minister of an order ranking below that of a priest.
Chapter 219 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Yes, it is the very organization formed by Hassan Al-Banna in Egypt. Its been half a century since its creation. It has long surpassed the level of a terrorist organization and has transformed into a political organization. Theyre growing their voices by installing bases in the Middle East.
I know. It is an evil organization where the higher group involves themselves in politics, and the lower group commits terrorism. Their base should be in Syria too, I suppose?
Assad destroyed the Aleppo base, but theyre not the kind of people to step back, either. Although theyre hiding from the Mukhabarats eyes, theyre still active. The workforce supply is infinite, after all.
The Sunni faction, which accounted for 80 percent of Syrias citizens, was working for the Muslim Brotherhood. Luring 10 percent of the Sunnis into the terrorist organizations propaganda could simply turn Syria into hell.
Bakri, you may have already noticed, but Im on a separate secret mission. There isnt much time. Do you know the location of their active base?
Bakri stared at Black Mamba with questioning eyes. Why was he looking for such a dirty organization? Assad would be the only one skinned if theyre erased. Bakri let go of his doubts immediately. The apostle was a holy being. The act of questioning him, itself, was wrong.
Even if Ive been accused as an insider for the Muslim Brotherhood, I still dont know where theyre located. My cousin, Mohammad, works as an information broker with several other brothers in Sharran. Theyre acting as fundamentalists for the Sunni faction. They might know their whereabouts.
Black Mamba began to think. The DGSE hated Assads government for protecting the ANO. He felt the same. Syrias military strength could go against Israels. Even the Mukhabarat, who was told to have 100 to 200,000 members, were well-organized.
Going against them would only tire him out more. He couldnt simply kill them all like Ocelot, either. There was no bait like the Muslim Brotherhood to divert Assads attention.
Bakri, whom he had coincidentally met in Syria, could become a huge connection lead for him. He could gain the information that he didnt know. The mission period was 10 days. He had barely used 24 hours. There was enough time.
Im sorry for interrupting you. So, what happened then?
The Mukhabarat asked me for a list of Muslim Brotherhood followers who participated in the anti-government protests and activities. I didnt know the Muslim Brotherhood and told them no one in my region acted against the government.
Ah, I see it now. They were aiming for something else?
Yes. The Mukhabarat, who were in league with the Shabiha, was aiming for the followers wealth. They knew I was innocent too. They forced me to choose between getting shot by several bullets or the list of names. I remained stubborn and told them that I couldnt sell my religion. On the second day, my eldest son, Ahmad, appeared before my eyes. Ahmad was barely nine years old. They threatened to kill my son if I didnt hand them the list. I withstood the threats and told them to kill me instead. The next day, the officer handed me a wooden box with a smile. Both of Ahmads wrists were in the box. There was an opal ring, which I had gifted him on his birthday, on the left thumb of the black burnt hands. I knew they were horrible people, but I didnt know they would really kill my son. I can still see the officers rotten, yellow teeth! Cough!
Bakri held back the tears that were about to escape his eyes.
No!
Black Mambas eyes flashed. He was frequently told of the terrorists cruelty, but they were part of the government. Those who were government officials had committed an act of terrorism. They were no different from the FAP of the Sahel. He could tell why the Syrian people were scared witless.
What else could a father feel after receiving his young sons hands? They threatened to kill my second and third child.
Those f****** dogs, it must have been hard to withstand that.
I am a leader of a religion, sir. I couldnt destroy another persons happiness to avoid my misfortune.
Amazing!
Black Mamba was truly impressed. Bakri was a faithful follower. How could sacrificing oneself be as easy as it sounded! He would have broken down, fearing for his familys lives.
They continued to torture me while I was half out of my mind.
Bakri lifted his shirt, revealing the upper half of his body. There were several torn scars found, indicating the imprint of heated metal.
A week later, their attitudes suddenly changed. I was released after signing a non-disclosure agreement. I was released, just like how I was taken in without reason. I was also fired from the professors position at Aleppo University due to the incident. Later, I found out that Assad had ordered the release of all confined Orthodox followers to get on the Orthodox Churchs good side.
Youve successfully endured the horrible situation.
Black Mamba was truly impressed. There were many smart and knowledgeable people in the world. However, it was rare to find loyal and steadfast people with a great soul in this world. He wanted to help Bakri.
No. I am a coward. I may have withstood the torture with my faith, but I became more afraid after being released. I was terrified by the thought of having my skin torn and flesh burnt again. I feared that my family would be harmed, which was why I moved here and hid quietly. I couldnt build up the courage to avenge my son, either. I swore revenge on them in my heart daily and stabbed those b*stardschests in my mind, but I was too busy hiding like a rat. I am a coward, sir!
Bakri finally burst into tears.
Hm, you must have suffered from the pain of having your intestines removed.
Yes. Im but a normal man. What could a person who majored in history do against them? All I know are some shooting techniques that I picked up from the military. The Mukhabarats eyes are everywhere. It is hard to possess any gun.
Hoo, I thought you acted similarly to Ombuti, but both of you went through an identical incident where a rabid dog bit you in the past.
What? I dont understand, sir.
Ah, its nothing. There was a reason why they had accused you, wasnt there?
Yes. I studied history at Frances Paris Three University. I wanted to know about the different ethnicities and religions and understand the reason why weve been fighting each other for 1,000s of years. I criticized the war between Islam and Christians several times during my lessons. Its as you said, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, there is no fault in having different religions and ethnicities. I thought that we needed to understand and accommodate one another.
So, there was an inside reporter.
Yes. A brother who serves our God reported me as a heathen.
That is a common situation in countries that control their citizens through violence and surveillance. What happened to the person who reported you?
He received an award from the government. He now operates a large farm west of Maydanki Lake.
Do you want to take revenge?
Anger flashed across Bakris eyes.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, I dont mind the injuries that Ive gained. I lost my son while trying to protect my religion. However, the very religion I had protected with my sons sacrifice had abandoned us. My wristless son visits me every night in my dreams. What should I do?
Father!
Black Mambas heart twinged. The Arab locals believed that a damaged corpse was sent to hell. Between a father who died leaving behind his young son, and a father who lost his young son to death, which would be more painful?
He was itching to interfere again. His rationality held it back.
No, Ive got too many things to do. Mu Ssang, you b*stard, are you trying to solve everyones problems?
Bakri, were you able to understand the reasons behind genocides and holocausts from studying history and religion?
Bakri shook his head.
I was wrong. I realized something after losing Ahmad. Genocides and holocausts werent due to religious and ethnic problems, but it happened because of the greediness associated with those factors. Ethnicity and religion are nothing but a cover to hide greed.
I think so too. In the first place, separating ethnicities and debating over religion was due to greed. Greed is the foundation of all conflicts and fights. Those who harmed Ahmadharmed a young soul because of their greed. It wasnt due to a political belief or religious suppression.
Black Mamba drank the fruit juice that Oom Bakri had served and took deep breaths. His head was shouting at him to hold back his instincts, but his heart was boiling up. In the end, his mouth had betrayed his head.
Bakri, you are a father before a religious leader. Young Ahmad can only escape hell after those b*stards are placed in hell. Revenge is sweet. You need to take revenge if you want to escape the pain that digs down to your bones and sprays salt over your wounds.
Black Mamba wanted to hit his own mouth. He had just told Bakri, who believed that he was an apostle of God, to take revenge. Hence, setting off the course of fate.
Oh, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, youve spoken. Those who are bound to go to hellI, Bakriwill raise the blade of Khanjar from this day henceforth.
At that moment, Bakri looked like he would pick up his sword and cut off those b*stards heads.
Bakri, calm down. Anger wont help you take revenge. You must remain calm even when you stab the knife through your enemys chest. You may have lost Ahmad, but dont forget that you still have your daughters and son.
Ah!
Bakri collapsed and cried rivers of tears. That was it. That was what it meant to be a father. A father who was willing to take revenge but his other childrens well being had hindered his decision. It was the dilemma of a good father.
Dont rush. It is said that 10 years isnt too late for a good mans revenge. Ill help you.
Boom
The apostle had spoken. Bakris mouth fell open. Taking revenge against the Mukhabarat and Shabiha was near impossible, no matter how much he had struggled. However, the Ddu-bai-buru-pa had just said that he would help. His heart was filled with glee.
Ahmad, Ahmad, God has sent Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa to us because he finds you unfortunate. Finally, you will go to our Lords lands, Bakri murmured as though hed lost his mind.
A humans consciousness could easily lose stability after going through extreme emotions.
Wheres Gods heaven? If there is a heaven, the bird who crosses the sky will reach it first. If its in the sea, the fishes who live in the sea will reach it first. If its on earth, the moles will reach it first. Gods heaven is within me. If I know myself, that knowledge will be Gods heaven. If I dont know myself, Gods heaven will not exist anywhere.
His strong baritone voice drummed on Bakris heart. Bakris consciousness returned. The apostle had spoken an adaptation of a passage from the Gospel of Thomas that he was familiar with. However, Black Mamba had conveyed an entirely different meaning.
Ah, this man is truly the apostle sent by God. He is enlightening me from my foolishness. God has sent an amazing soul, here and now, to save my unfortunate soul.
Bakris boiling heart started to calm down.
Excuse me, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, do you desire anything, despite who you are? Bakri asked out of nowhere.
Do great souls have greed? He was truly curious.
Of course. I am very greedy. I want a large family. I want to build a big home. I want to set delicious food and wine on the table and talk with my family as we eat. My fatigue after a days work will probably disappear if 30 family members or so rush out of the house to greet me. I want the people around me to be happy together. I want to offer food to those who are hungry and provide a family to those who are lonely. I want to lend strength to those who were taken advantage of because they were powerless. I want to feed 100,000, no, 1,000,000 people to their fill. I want to give joy. I want to give them comfort. Have you ever seen such a greedy man like me?
Bakri, who listened to his speech in awe, leaped to his feet and kneeled before Black Mamba, putting his hands together in a prayer. His forehead landed on the rug loudly.
Bang
Bakri Jadir, son of Alli Jadir and descendant of the Bishop of Antioch, wishes to share the desires of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. I am your servant. Please, use me as you will.
What!
Black Mambas face darkened. What kind of situation was this? A human who had studied in the Western hemisphere calling himself a slave? What kind of foolery was this?
What do you mean, thats impossible! We only met two hours ago. I dont know you, and you dont know me.
Bang
Bakri banged his head on the floor once more. The impact was stronger.
It must hurt. Black Mamba flinched.
Love happens instantly. You cant believe love only exists between a man and a woman, right?
Bakri stopped talking and gazed intensely at Black Mamba.
S***. Why is he looking at me like that? I heard there were a lot of Arabian gays. Maybe I got caught by one?
Suddenly, Black Mamba felt goosebumps rise all over his body.
There are people whose true intentions are felt in the instant of a fireflys light, and there are people who remain as guests until the olive tree bears fruits. Waels heart was closed off after her body suffered from discomfort. She was a child who didnt talk to anyone but her family. My girl opened her heart as soon as she met you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. A childs eyes free from greed is the mirror to all humans hearts. You couldnt leave a whining child be. You made a toy for her and went through the trouble to fix her illness. And
Chapter 220 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
Wait, all humans have something they desire. How are we called humans if we dont care for each other? I did an obvious thing. Its not something worth praising.
He felt as though the skin on his face would fall off if he heard more. Black Mamba interrupted Bakri in embarrassment. If Ombuti hadnt trained him to stay still, he would have long fled the place.
Thats it. Our family was threatened endlessly, simply because were part of the Orthodox. Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, you helped someone you just met without conditions. Jesus is great because he reaches out to those who are weak and lonely. Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, theres no need to think about the kind of person you are. As a fellow human, Im awed by you.
Oh, f***ing hell Black Mamba muttered, overwhelmed by Bakris conviction.
He tried so hard not to become a slave, but there were people who insisted on becoming his slave. What kind of irony was this!
Hm!
Someone made a sound outside of the office. Old man Alli walked in after taking off his shoes. Black Mamba stood up and immediately offered him his seat.
Im sorry for interrupting your conversation, he spoke in fluent French.
Black Mamba blinked.
I love my wife and daughter-in-law, but womens mouths are not to be trusted. I purposely pretended as though I didnt understand French. Please understand, apostle, sir.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. It seemed as though the stereotype that womens mouths were as light as reeds were the same in both western and southern hemispheres.
I understand, and I am not an apostle.
Im sorry. If youre uncomfortable with the title, Ill call you Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa like my son does.
I dont care what you call me. Listening in on peoples conversations, even if theyre your family, is considered rude.
I apologize once more, sir. It is sinful, but in a matter of great importance that concerns my family, I had to listen. I may doubt all the humans in the world, but I trust my son. He is a firm believer and a child with a special degree of justice and loyalty. This entire situation was caused by his nature to confront injustice and firm loyalty. He lost generations worth of wealth and honor and ended up in some countryside far away due to the corrupt government and secular sects. Please accept my son. No, please accept us, the Eastern Orthodox Christians. I dont know when those Shabiha b*stards will humiliate my daughter-in-law and harm my grandchildren. I am thankful to still be alive. Please, at least help my son and grandchildren, so that they can be free from the wolves and lead normal lives.
Ha, my God! Black Mamba instinctively exclaimed in pity.
Many people in the world lived in harsh conditions. Those were conditions that cannot be resolved by oneself. Wasnt that why he had sent Ombuti and Edel to the eastern regions of the Sahel?
His teacher had said that he was blessed with connections. New relationships kept forming. Bakri called himself a coward, but he was braver than anyone else. Bakri was someone who had protected his fellow Christians, risking his death. He was someone who didnt make a move due to his love for his family. People would call him a righteous person. Black Mamba decided to move Bakris family to Chads lands.
Bakri, I, Dong-bang-bull-pae, am planning to make an autonomous district in northern Africa. It will be a land where humans respect each other, a land that gives each person their due reward for their hard work, a land that provides equal opportunity to all, and a land without discrimination, bias, or privilege. Will you follow?
Ill follow you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, he immediately answered.
Bakri and old man Alli kneeled on the floor.
There is something you must keep in mind if you want to accompany me.
We will listen, sir.
Bakri, you are a deacon who leads the Syrian Orthodox Churchs Christians. Look at Israel. They could have lived alongside one another if they shared, just a cheeks worth, with the Palestinians. Palestinians have suffered enough pain from losing their country. Look at their privileged mindset. How selfish and arrogant they are despite knowing the amount of pain they have inflicted. Do you believe that your religion and associated organization are right while other religions, like Christianity and Islam, are wrong? Arent you overwhelmed by the idea that only your religious ideals are right, and therefore youre above all others? Have you ever thought of releasing your restrained anger and grudges on those weaker than you? Ask your soul. Arent you embarrassed by yourself?
Bakri and old man Alli were too embarrassed to raise their eyes. The man before them wasnt the young man who had laughed and enjoyed himself on the dining table, a moment ago. Danger seeped out of him. A voice as majestic as a lion had embedded its meaning into their heads. Arent you embarrassed by yourself? His last question made their heart pound. He was questioning them in the language of souls.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I, Bakri, suffer from anxiety when I hear anything concerning heathens. That word is always associated with the definition of a massacre, which is full of hate and prejudice. This is the same for Islam and Christianity. Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israelites: Sun, stand still over Gibeon, so the sun stood still, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. This text is from Joshua 10. It shows the poisonous, self-righteous, selfishness of the mind. How can God interfere in the fights of men and erase others? If that is true, then God is only Israels God. In that situation, God was created to reassure humans. If God is truly like that, then I, Bakri, will abandon God. I will consider your words as gospel, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, you are not Gods apostle, but the incarnation of fire and human. I, Bakri, will no longer cling to God. I will abide by your endless greed, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. I will create a world where there is no discrimination, racism, or privilege. I want to create a peaceful world that rewards hard work for my sons and daughters. I want to be a man who is not embarrassed by himself.
Yes. I may be old, but I also want to work until my bones turn to dust. So, consider your desires granted, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. I will not build a wall in my heart against anyone, whether they are of different ethnicities, religions, or wealth.
Bakri and the old mans eyes were burning with passion.
I believe that life is the process of one discovering the conditions of being human. Humans must be responsible for another persons life, no matter who it may be. It is their own.
Oh, those are amazing words. We will try our best.
No one is above or below anybody else. Old man, dont you consider me your family? Dont say things like slavery, servitude, or any other horrible words. Ali Jadir, Bakri Jadirbrothers, Im in your care.
Black Mamba stood up and bowed. Ali and Bakri leaped to their feet and grabbed Black Mambas hands to draw him closer.
Ooh, thank you. On behalf of my family and brothers, I thank you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. We will live happily as Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas slaves.
Alli Jadir, Bakri Jadir, with this, Ill accept you as my family.
Black Mamba raised Alli and Bakir from their bent stances. With this, he earned intelligent men that were well-versed in the fields of history and religion. A smile crept up. Bakri could measure up to Ombuti, perhaps be an even better butler than him. Having more talented people by his side was ideal if he was planning to create an autonomous district.
Suddenly, he worried about the lackey. Sun WooHyun was a straightforward person who liked to brag. He wasnt as stupid as Emil, but he was the type of person who could be manipulated.
Humans evolved while facing a crisis. That was how he had become himself. That was also the reason why he had sent Sun WooHyun to the Samaria Farm alone.
Still, he worried. He had trampled all over the guy to get him to his senses, but a corner of his heart was feeling restless.
He should be doing well.
Far away in Africa, there was a man who couldnt sleep. He called for Akra and asked her to clean his ears.
Wakil must be chewing me out, right? Im in trouble. I will be severely scolded by Ombuti.
His ears tickled even more from his worries.
Bakri, I must meet your cousin, Mohammad.
Mohammad will be overjoyed to greet you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. We can only move at night, however.
What if we moved now?
The Mukhabarats surveillance structure has no loopholes. The Mukhabarat and Shabiha have eyes everywhere. A foreigner can be spotted immediately. We also have no idea who the informants are.
Huh, they keep on eye on this mountain village from out far?
We have more locals than it looks. There are five villages near Maydanki Lake, including Sharran and Gobelaka. Around 20,000 locals live here. There are 130 Mukhabarat members, and 10 percent of them are Shabiha and informants, which makes up 2,000 in total.
Wow! Black Mamba breathed rapidly.
It was unimaginable that 10 percent of the population were gang members and informants. Even during Al Capos reign, Chicago wasnt that bad.
The Mukhabarat in charge of the Gobelaka district is the worst of all of them. There is a man called Azar of the Kurd tribe, and he wields the sword very well.
Uses the sword well?
He recalled the two men he had buried above the rivers flow. The middle-aged man had used the knife skillfully.
Is Azar a middle-aged man who wore a tobe? He had a black wart on top of his eyebrow.
Hm, its the b*stard, yes. How did you know?
Black Mamba smiled. The world was small, after all. The b*stard he had killed at dawn was the b*stard they were talking about.
I met the b*stard and a young man wearing a half-sleeved t-shirt at dawn. They are no longer breathing.
What!
How! Cough, cough, both father and son exclaimed in surprise.
The old man was so surprised that he started coughing. Bakri and the old man raised their arms and kneeled on the ground loudly.
Thud
We praise you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Evil has fallen off from this world with your grace on earth, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Azar is the same b*stard who ordered the Shabiha to kidnap Ahmad. The young man is Diav, and hes a member of the Shabiha. Countless families have gone missing since Azar arrested them. God has sent you, our apostle, out of pity for our kind. Youve saved our daughter and avenged our sons death! We dont know how to repay you. May you, the one who arrived in Lords name, be blessed!
Ugh, I cant get used to this. The b*stard who kidnapped and killed Ahmad deserved to die. Bakri, theres no such thing as blessings between families.
Oh, Lord, may you bless Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Again, the blessing. Black Mamba gave up. It seemed as though Bakri couldnt get rid of his habits even after he had sworn to abandon God.
Go bring Mohammad. He should be overjoyed to hear this news. Diavs the b*stard who mocked Bassel, after all, Alli encouraged his son.
Ill go immediately. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please make yourself comfortable.
Vrrrooom
A bikes motor rang as though it would break.
Less than an hour later, a strong 40-years-old man appeared with a tobe around his shoulders. Upon entering the study, the man immediately kneeled. Mohammad, who had heard the gist of everything that had happened from his beloved cousin Bakri, wasnt hesitant at all.
May Ddu-bai-buru-pa be blessed. I am Mohammad Jadir.
Mohammad, did anyone follow you?
Uh, no, sir. Mohammads heart immediately sank as he understood the implication.
There are two people 500 meters away. You were being followed.
500 meters? How?
Im sorry, sir. What should we do?
Mohammads exclamation was suspicious while Bakris was filled with guilt from the lack of precautions.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight. 500 meters away, a figure holding up a binocular appeared. Due to the distance, the details werent clear.
There are two. Theyre behind a rock as big as a car. Theres a large tree beside the rock.
Ah, batata tashor[1]!
Mohammad was scared out of his wits. The rock that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was referring to was a rock shaped like a potato. There was a large gum tree next to the rock. It was the place where he used to play with his friends during his youth. Bakri had been right. The man was a descended apostle. No, that wasnt the problem.
Mohammads face turned yellow. His uncles family would get into trouble because of his carelessness. Mohammad wanted to die.
Theres no need to worry. In fact, it worked out for the better. Ill capture those b*stards and use them to locate Bakris enemies. Black Mamba smiled.
Bakris face brightened while Mohammad couldnt hide his anxiety.
Aleppo was Syrias second-largest city after Damascus. Aleppo established its importance after the development of the northern regions oil fields. Sharran, located 50 kilometers away from Aleppo, was a concentrated target of the Mukhabarat. Moreover, there was a bomb assembly factory in Sharran. A stationary platoon had guarded the factory.
Many feared the Mukhabarat because there was no way to restrain them, whether by power or by law. There were many cases where they killed an innocent person and manipulated the evidence to accuse the victim of being a spy.
Bakri, is there a place nearby where I can interrogate them?
Theres a jasmine hill 300 meters behind our house. There are remains on top of the hill which are predicted to be from the Mesopotamia period.
Wont there be tourists around the remains, then?
Not at all. The castle made of bricks collapsed, revealing a creepy underground tunnel that was rumored to be haunted by ghosts. No one approaches the place.
Thats great. Two of you will wait at the entrance of the remains.
Ah!
What?!
Bakri and Mohammad were surprised to the point that they couldnt shout for their God. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had disappeared even before he finished his sentence. They were bound to go mad. A person had disappeared right before their eyes, after all.
Bakri smiled and looked at Mohammad. Bakri was wearing an expression that seemed to say that he had made a point.
[1] Potato rock.
Chapter 221 - Chapter 26, Episode 15: The Syria-Ruman Plan
Chapter 221: Chapter 26, Episode 15: The Syria-Ruman Plan
Are there any changes? the man in the khaki military uniform, who almost dozed off standing against a rock, asked.
His voice was filled with annoyance.
They arent coming out of the house, at all. Even the foreigner, who was strolling around the garden, cant be seen, the man answered while viewing through the binoculars.
He was wearing a half-sleeved checkered shirt and a keffiyeh on his head. Syrias weather was similar to Koreas, but Syria had stronger sun rays. Most men wore hats.
People in the southern regions wore ghutras on their heads and fixed it with the agal because of the high temperature and strong sunlight. People in the northern regions wore traditional keffiyehs as the temperature wasnt as high.
Dont take your eyes off them, even for a second. That b*stards the foxiest amongst all foxes. He disappears in a blink. Damn, what am I doing so early in the morning?
The man in the military uniform yawned until the corners of his mouth stretched before dabbing away the tears around the corners of his eyes. He was annoyed since he had to keep an eye on a district that wasnt under his jurisdiction.
Sir Abdul, where do you think Sir Azar went without telling us?
Hmph, hes probably on top of a woman somewhere. Why do I need to suffer because of that b*stard?
Abdul was very annoyed. He had been on the receiving end of the district officers temper because of Azars sudden disappearance. He had planned on asking for half of the profits once Mohammads tail was found.
Jawadi, make sure youre watching them properly. Once everythings over, youll receive Bakris herd of sheep and Mohammads younger sister.
Ha, of course, sir. Those Orthodox Christians must be planning something since Bakri had taken Mohammad with him in a rush. Kekeke!
The young man called Jawadi laughed in delight. When he thought about Mohammads younger sister, Bassel, his lower half became excited. He still had lingering feelings for Bassel after violating her small chest and smooth butt.
Good, we can accuse that foreigner of being one of the Muslim Brothers. Bakri will be nothing once we have evidence. That b*stard still has some wealth, after all. Lets catch ourselves a big one, hm? Hehehe!
Abduls mood lifted. The higher-ups had told him not to touch the Orthodox Christians without clear evidence, but evidence could be created.
You guys look happy in the early morning. Can you see well?
Ah!
At the sudden voice, Abdul and Jawadi turned their necks quickly that it almost cracked. A tall Asian wearing a tobe with a keffiyeh pressed on his head, swaggered toward them. He had appeared out of nowhere, as though he had fallen off the sky or shot out of the ground.
Whowho are you?
Hes that, that b*stard, the foreigner whos staying in Bakris house
Abduls hand slipped into his breast pocket before Jawadi could finish talking.
Shik
The air separated. The Gorgon wrapped around Abduls arm like a falling meteorite.
Aaaagh! an ear-splitting scream escaped from Abduls mouth.
The veins and muscles on his arm, which held the gun, were torn off. The gun fell to the ground as his wrist snapped. The diamond pieces coated on the whip ripped off even more skin, revealing white bones.
Shut up, or Ill cut off your necks.
Woosh
The whip accelerated as it swung through the air and landed on a rock.
Crash
Pieces of rock scattered in the air. With a flick of his wrist, the whip shot up like a snakes head. The Gorgon wrapped itself around an olive branch of the thickness of an ankle. When he tugged his wrist, the branch sliced off and rolled on the ground.
Blue-tinted eyes swept past Abdul and Jawadi. Abdul trembled from the aftershock of having his arm nearly cut off. Abduls mouth shut like a clam at the vicious display of power.
Jawadi shivered and dared not to fight back. He didnt attempt to run because he feared the Gorgons power that hed just witnessed.
You pieces of s****!
Sik
Black Mamba silently smirked, revealing his white teeth. He hadnt understood the entire conversation, but he could guess from the words Azar, Bakri, women, inheritance, and a few more. He didnt have a fleas leg worth of consideration to treat trash like human beings.
Whisk
Splat
The Gorgon stretched forward like a spear and pierced through Jawadis right shoulder. The five-pointed end snapped his muscle veins, ruptured his muscles, and disappeared.
Gaaah!
Shut up. Dont you think its unfair for the other b*stard if youre the only one unharmed? We need to be fair.
Jawadi couldnt understand what the other person was saying, but he closed his mouth to the best of his abilities. He instinctively understood that if he screamed any further, hed feel the whips power again.
Whoosh
The Gorgon flew through the air once more.
Riip
It unexpectedly tore off Abduls shirt, scratching his skin. Abdul and Jawadi stared blankly at Black Mamba in fear.
Stop the blood!
Abdul wrapped his bleeding arm with his torn shirt. Jawadi also took off his shirt and wrapped it around his shoulder.
Lead the way!
Body language was enough to substitute an unfamiliar language. Abdul and Jawadi became docile like elementary children.
Bakri and Mohammad, who had been wandering around the entrance of the castles remains, widened their eyes. Three people were walking up the mountain. The Ddu-bai-buru-pa was herding two shirtless men like sheep.
The b*stard with a makeshift bandage around his arm was Mukhabarats Abdul, someone they had feared to make eye contact with. The other b*stard, whose shoulder was drenched in blood, was swaying from side to side. They couldnt believe that the humans who used to wield absolute power were in such a state.
Ill lead you underground, sir.
Bakri and Mohammad dragged the two men into the dark castle remains. Bakri lit an oil lamp and led them down the stairs. He was a very thorough person.
The basement was rather deep. They finally reached a leveled underground space after turning four flights of stairs. As rumored, the underground was eerie with rising thick pillars of stone. Further inside, a pillar had crumbled, causing the ceiling to collapse.
Good! Lets get straight to the point since there isnt much time.
Black Mamba sat on the large stalactite base. Bakri volunteered and began to translate.
Whowho are you? Abdul, who was now used to the pain, questioned while clenching his teeth.
He received a ruthless reply in return.
Shut up. I ask, and you guys answer. I will break a finger every time you hesitate to answer. If you dont answer at all, I will peel your skin off.
Abdul and Jawadis faces crumpled at Bakris translation.This is a nightmare. They tried to deny reality, but the pain in their arm and shoulder prevented them from doing so.
Name and affiliation?
Jawadi gathered his courage and replied obediently.
Im Sarab Jawadi, a Shabiha member of the Aleppo regional branch.
Youyou are Jawadi? Mohammad trembled from head to toe.
His sister had muttered Jawadis name in between her cries.
What is it?
Thatthat b*stard. That b*stard is the one who raped Bassel!
Damn, that b**** was Mohammads sister!
Jawadi returned to his senses and ran towards the stairs. Women had a low status within society in Arab countries, but rape wasnt acceptable. It was custom to put the rapers p***s on a cutting board and chop it off. It would be fine to dismiss the accusation outside, but right now, it wasnt an ideal situation.
Thatthat b*stard, catch him! Mohammad stuttered.
The Gorgon stretched out like an arrow and wrapped around Jawadis ankle.
Agh!
Bang
With the Gorgons flick, Jawadi soared across the air and landed beneath Black Mambas feet.
Brat, youre not a chicken head, so where are your revision skills?
Black Mambas eyes turned emotionless.
Rape!
Black Mamba was traumatized by rape. A light-red dot appeared above his white sclera.
Ssss
Bloodlust exuded like mist. Jawadi, who had his ankle torn, couldnt scream. Mohammad pulled out a Khanjar.
You are before Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Mohammad. Calm down.
Bakri tapped on Mohammads shoulder. Bakris words had pacified Black Mamba instead.
Mohammad, I leave the clean-up to you. Dont rush the matter.
Im sorry, sir. Ive overstepped my boundaries.
Its fine, I understand. Bakri, shoot him if he runs away.
Black Mamba winked and threw Abduls gun at him.
Name and affiliation?
Black Mambas eyes turned towards Abdul.
There was silence.
Abdul didnt interrupt while Bakri was translating. Abduls thumb was soon in Black Mambas hand.
Let go!
Abdul resisted, but it was like hitting a raw egg against stone.
Crack
The sound of a cracking dry stone echoed.
Gaaah!
Abdul screamed desperately when his thumb was pushed back toward his wrist. Black Mamba held his index finger.
If you make another sound, I will break another finger. I see theres still nine left.
Abdul understood even without Bakris translation. He desperately held back an escaping scream. The b*stard before him, who had appeared as though hed fallen off the sky, was a devil from hell.
The veins and white bones that were ripped off from his flesh glistened underneath the oil lamp. Mohammad and Bakri shivered. Bakri had suffered a greater shock. The apostle, who had been as warm as the spring wind, had turned colder than the northern blizzards. Was that fearful person the same apostle who had played with Wael and laughed around the dining table?
On the other hand, his chest grew warmer. He was the deacon of Syrias Orthodox Church. He couldnt do anything but watch with bloody tears as his fellow Christians were threatened, chased down, and powerless. Look, the way he had treated all the sinners sternly by firmly punishing themwasnt that what an apostle who would bring changes to the world should look like?
Name and affiliation?
Abduls mouth gave way after suffering a round of horrible torture.
Im Aziz Abdul of the Mukhabarat, Third Divisions Sharran officer of the Aleppo region.
Abdul, tell me the total number of the Mukhabarat, Third Division agents, and Shabiha in the Aleppo region.
There are 14,300 people in the Aleppo region and 150 agents in the Third Division. There are about 20,000 Shabiha. There are 1,200 intelligence workers in the Third Division alone.
Huh!
Black Mamba was slightly surprised. The place looked like any other highlands with sparse villages. Countless police personnel had assembled around the peaceful village. Suddenly, he realized that he had made the right decision. Going against them would only cause problems.
Do you know where the Muslim Brotherhood is located?
We suspect theyre in a region called Hraytan, a new town in Aleppo, but we havent located them yet. Mohammad should know.
At Bakris words, Black Mamba turned to look at Mohammad.
The Muslim Brotherhood is Syrias local militia, and its base is located in Hraytan, where it is made up of underground networks. After Assad bombed the Hama mosque, the central regions Sunni factions principalities started joining.
Mohammad, you b*stard, you are a Muslim brother! Traitor, may you be cursed by Allah. Abdul gritted his teeth.
I am an Orthodox Christian and have nothing to do with Allah. Allah knows how many people have suffered because of your evil actions. You will receive Allahs curse instead.
Mohammad took off his shoes and slapped Abduls cheeks apathetically. Abdul began to scream as his cheeks swelled like baking bread.
Youyou b*stard! Do you think youll be safe after this?
Abdul gritted his teeth. Having his cheeks slapped was a greater humiliation than death.
Dont worry about others, and worry about yourself instead.
When Bakri stopped him, Mohammad spat on Abdul and stepped back.
Mohammad, do you know their figures?
Their armed members are approximately 450 and the unarmed members around 2,000. The unarmed members usually lead the protests and riots. Ah, theres something you should know. Theres an ammunition factory in Sharran. Syrias military stands guard there.
Thats good.
Black Mamba smiled, revealing his white teeth.
Theyre b*stards who dont know much. Ive wasted my time. Theres no reason for them to live since theyre useless.
As soon as Black Mamba finished talking, Bakri pulled on the gun slider.
Clack
When the cold barrel touched his forehead, Jawadi started to protest.
Save me! Why arent you asking me anything? Bakri, Ill tell you who killed your son!
Bakri smiled.
Try talking.
Black Mamba stood up effortlessly.
Bakri, you take care of the rest.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, youve granted us great honor.
Bakri and Mohammad lowered their heads. Black Mamba, who was climbing the stairs, turned around.
Itll be bad for them to act up.
Abdul and Jawadi frowned. They knew the evil b*stards next move.
Crack
Crack
Abdul and Jawadis arm joints were pulled out, followed by their hip joints.
Bakri shoved the gun back into his chest pocket after realizing Black Mambas intentions.
Well take care of them quietly.
Black Mamba waved his hands as though he entrusted their lives to them and left the basement. There was a second underground basement below the one they were in. The place had an awful energy, and the eerie atmosphere kept poking at his senses.
Its over.
Two lives perished from underground. Bakri and Mohammad had an overwhelming grudge. No way would they let a Muhkabarat and Shabiha live. If theyd forgiven all sinners with a religious cause because of their beliefs, Black Mamba would have been disappointed.
Jawadis corpse was brutalized. His organs and tongue were taken apart while injuries decorated his entire body. Mohammads anger had exceeded Black Mambas expectations.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, Id like to burn these b*stards.
Mohammads eyes gleamed.
They need to serve a better purpose. Bakri, do you have any sacks to put them in?
We can use potato sacks, sir.
Bakri left the basement in an instant.
Mohammad, I heard you run an organization. Slip the location of the Muslim Brotherhood to the Mukhabarat.
Yes, sir. What should we do with their corpses?
Trash them in front of the Mukhabarats Third Divisions office. Even better if you write, get rid of Allahs enemy, Assad. Hehehe!
Bakri and Mohammad instantly understood. The plan was to have Allahs enemy fight against each other.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, sir, youre sly and evil. Bakri smiled easily.
I dont like either Assad or the Muslim Brotherhood. Children grow by fighting each other.
Hehehe! You are right, sir. Do you think the Mukhabarat would respond immediately?
A government worker is usually slow. Theres a joke about a dying person. A politician would ask for the persons address, a religious follower would ask about the persons wealth, the persons children would ask for the password to his bank account, and a government worker would look for the regulations handbook. Government officials will only work quickly when their a**es are kicked. So, Ill be kicking their a**.
The two couldnt laugh. The joke was filled with bloodlust. The undergrounds atmosphere turned colder at the fearsome beings joke.
Chapter 222 - Episode 16: The Syria-Ruman Plan
Should we leave Mohammads corpse here?
Theres no need to waste our efforts on moving him. This place is cold, eerie, and empty. This is the perfect place as a mortuary. Ill call some of my brothers over in the evening and throw them in front of their office. You can prepare a prayer.
Brother, Im a deacon, at least by title. So, of course, I should pray.
Bakri smiled and started to say a funeral prayer.
Merciful God, pitiful souls are headed your way. They might have been evil, but I do not want them tortured. I pray that You forgive their souls and reincarnate them as kind people who love others, Bakri said a short line of prayer and closed their eyes with his hands.
My brother, Bakri, youve always been too kind. Theyre the b*stards who killed Ahmad and raped Bassel. They need to suffer from a burning heart by Hells flames.
Bakri smiled bitterly at his cousins berating. If Mohammad had heard Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words, he wouldnt have said such evil words.
Mohammad, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa said a soul is the purest thing in the universe. There is no good or evil soul. When a soul gains a body, nothingness is created at the same time. A good person gains kindness, while a bad person gains wickedness in nothingness. When a life ends, all the gathered nothingness spreads across the world, and the soul returns to the universe. A human with a scattered will is considered a different being. How can you love those who are alive, if you cant accept the dead? As per Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I want their soul to be at peace and to be reborn as kind people.
Surprised, Mohammad blinked. Bakris words felt foreign. It was a very different perspective from his usual beliefs. At the same time, it sounded right. Still, evil was evil. He thought it was unfair for an evil person to return as a pure soul after death.
I see, I see.
Mohammad shoved the corpse roughly into the potato sack.
Black Mamba was deep in other thoughts. Arabians regarded a womans virginity as a serious matter. Mohammads younger sister, Bassel, would have a hard time marrying due to the rumors.
Ombuti, who was a member of the Tuareg tribe, held women with great importance. There was a huge age gap, but Ombuti could take good care of Bassel for the rest of their lives. For someone who wasnt even married, he dared to imagine the unimaginable.
Bakri, did you find the b*stard who killed Amad?
Yes, according to Jawadis confession, the b*stard who killed Ahmad is a Shabiha member called Aksur. Azar and Adiv were taken care of by Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. If you just handled Aksur, the spies, and the traitor, Ahmad can finally rest in peace. May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. One whos come in Gods name, may you be hailed! All praise, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Mohammad, do you feel avenged?
Thank you. I feel as though Ill have a good nights sleep from today onwards. One whos come in Gods name, may you be hailed! All praise, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Hahaha, still, you wont be able to sleep well tonight. I need your help with something.
Itll be an honor.
Mohammad held the communications guard position in the Syrian Orthodox Church. Hed experienced many horrible things while trying to protect the security of his people and the Orthodox Churchs Christians. More than anyone, Mohammad was someone who desired power.
Compared to Bakri, Mohammad was impressed by Black Mamba for a completely different reason. If Bakri admired Black Mambas humane nature, Mohammad admired his inhumane nature. Often, humans would choose to see what they wanted to see and believed what they wanted to believe.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was a calamity for his enemies with his endless skills, firm decisions, and unforgivable method of using corpses. He found the Mukhabarat and the Muslim Brotherhood pitiful for becoming Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas targets.
The next dawn, a piercing scream rang behind the office of the Mukhabarats Third Division. It was the scream of a passerby who had opened the potato sacks that were abandoned on their back door. Sharrans Mukhabarat Third Division raised an emergency.
Abdul and Jawadis corpses, which were in the potato sacks, were immediately moved to Aleppos headquarters. Aleppos headquarters had concluded that it was the act of terrorists. From the way their fingers were broken, skin ripped off their arms and legs, and injuries all over their bodiesit was the traditional torture techniques of a terrorist.
Syria favored terrorist organizations. The only organization capable of doing so was the Muslim Brotherhood. On top of that, the letter written on the potato sack had angered them.
[Get rid of Allahs enemy, Assad. Assads dogs will be cursed until their seeds die out].
The Mukhabarat became the target of a series of terrorism acts following Azar and Diavs deaths. It was a concentrated effort from the Muslim Brotherhood. A state of emergency fell upon Aleppos headquarters.
At the same time, Black Mamba was headed for Hraytan with the moonlight as his companion. Hraytan, which was located south of Maydanki Lake, was 47 kilometers from Gobelaka. The high road, which Assad had built to earn the northern Sunni factions trust, connected Sharran to Aleppo. Thanks to the road, the bike arrived in Hraytan in less than 30 minutes.
Its there.
Mohammad pointed at the declined masjid[1].
Just go past it. Wait outside and stand 500 meters away.
Yes, sir!
Black Mamba, who had been sitting behind him just moments before, disappeared. Mohammads run-down bike disappeared, exuding black fumes.
The mosque had a large white dome in its center, inspired by Iranian infrastructure. The circular Syrian mosque had tall white pillars cloistering a large garden.
The smell of brimstone, heavy oil, weapons, and the thick scent of gunpowder stung his nose. Mohammads information wasnt wrong. In other words, Hraytans masjid wasnt a place of worship led by an Imam, but it had been a terrorists hideout instead.
Boom
His dimensional sight activated. Around 300 people were seen inside the building.
Hm, there shouldnt be any commoner performing the salat at three in the morning. Should I shake them awake?
Those b*stards should be nervous since Mohammad had leaked some information about them. He pulled out five more grenades from his backpack.
Woosh
His first target was the most important area in the masjid, the mihrab.
Woosh
Woosh
Woosh
Grenades flew in a row. Two of them were soy grenades. Once Black Mamba shoved four grenades down the Minaret and Sahn, he ran away without looking back.
Boom
Boom
Grenade explosions followed.
Go. Leave for the outskirts and find a building that is under construction.
When Mohammad felt the bike suddenly sway, he freaked out.
Huh, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Go!
Voo-oo-om
A bike sped down in the dark. The bike stopped 900 meters away from the masjid. They were in front of a five-story building that was left with just its external skeleton.
Mohammad didnt understand Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas actions. What was he planning, standing far away from the place where he had thrown the grenades? On the other hand, he had high expectations. His cousin, Bakri, had told him to just trust the man. The joy from Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas contribution to their holy war caused a surge of adrenaline.
Black Mamba took out the Dragunov from his backpack once he settled on the fifth floors stone slab. It had been seven months. He was glad to greet the shining gun again.
It was called a Dragunov, but it wasnt actually one. The DGSEs Technical Design Division had replaced its gun barrel, recoil pad, and scope. The accuracy had slightly improved from a two MOA to a one-and-a-half MOA while the construction, sequence firing speed, and scope had been significantly enhanced.
Mohammads eyes widened. He knew how to handle guns for someone who spent a decade as a communications guard at the Orthodox Church. They were very far from the mosque to the point that it couldnt be seen. It wasnt a distance that a Dragunov could overcome.
Mohammad, you slipped the information to those b*stards too, right?
Yes, I revealed that Assads dogs were going to move at dawn.
Good, lets raise some vengeful spirits among the Muslim Brotherhood.
He finished assembling the gun and turned the silencer on. As Claude had reassured, the new silencer was light and compact. It was incomparable to the previous one. The 12x variable scope gave him a clear sight compared to the fixed 4x scope.
Hmm, did those slow frogs gain their heads back? Those DGSE b*stards have some use after all.
If the DGSE had heard his comment, they would have regretfully vomited blood since they had invested 10,000,000 francs on Black Mambas new equipment. A 20-bullet magazine was slid in smoothly.
Click
The magazine holder clicked cheerfully.
He adjusted the scopes visibility. He could see the masjid burning brightly through the scope. His sight was filled with people shouting in the chaos.
Tap
A person had fallen from trying to douse the flames.
Tap
Tap
Black Mamba initiated his specialization, the double-tap fast-sniping. It took 10 seconds for him to use up all 20 bullets.
Mohammads jaw hung as he looked on at the masjid through a pair of binoculars. Uncountable humans jumped out from within the building, which was in flames. Most of them were carrying guns. Some had moved to stop the fire while others spread across the outskirts. They were a well-trained organization.
The armed people, who were running toward the outskirts, fell to the ground in rows like leaves swaying in the wind. A few group leaders who conducted the fire suppression fell to the ground too. Mohammad didnt realize that he was drooling from the corner of his mouth.
To shoot a sniping gun like a machine gun without a single misfire? That was a killing machine instead of a human. No, the god of death. Mohammad wanted to know Ddu-bai-buru-pas identity badly, to the point that he felt sick.
Tap
Tap
Black Mamba instantly wasted another 20 bullets from a new magazine.
This should be enough to get the angry badger to attack the wolf.
Black Mamba smiled and separated the Dragunov to store in his backpack. Mohammad felt chills running through his entire body.
Mohammad, lets head to the ammunition factory.
Yes? Yes, of course.
Mohammad went down the railless stairs. He was so surprised that his legs started shaking.
Ah!
Mohammad fell down the stairs in a single slip.
Be careful!
A strong hand pulled Mohammad back up after he had lost his balance and fell.
Thathank you.
Sweat beaded on Mohammads forehead at the thought of his likely fate when he fell off the fourth floor.
Are you going to eradicate the ammunition factory, sir?
I plan to touch it a little. Its only fair for me to provoke the Syrian army since Ive just done the same to the Muslim Brotherhood. Allah said to leave a lot of profits from bargaining and pour oil over fights.
Kekeke!
Mohammad choked on his laughter at the impossible words. He relaxed at Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas nonsense. Mohammad relentlessly pulled on the throttle in excitement. Mohammad was someone whod lived and avoided the wolf with a wringing heart. With a tiger on his back, he felt alive.
There was a forest three kilometers south of Sharran before reaching Cema. The bike turned east, leaving the forest on its right. Mohammad, who was riding the bike, pointed at the valley within as he passed the forest.
Theres a factory in there.
Mohammad, hide somewhere proper. Ill return in 10 minutes.
Pat
Black Mamba disappeared instantly.
Hes ruthless. Bakri was right. He isnt an apostle but an existing incarnate of God.
Mohammad didnt dare offer his help. He had a presence that was beyond the heavens of a different dimension. Offering to help Black Mamba would only get in his way.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight at the valleys entrance. 600 meters was a rather close distance. He activated his external sight. There werent many buildings on the surface aside from a long road, neat barricades, and a stone wall that blocked all three sides. He could see a few dome-like figures all over the place. That wasnt a factory but a ammunition storage facility.
That wasnt Mohammads fault, but a mistake on Black Mambas part for failing to distinguish a storage facility and a factory.
Great. Ive wasted my time carrying these heavy explosives along, Black Mamba complained.
Black Mamba swerved around the valley and approached the ammunition storage facility from the back. A cliff that was almost 100 meters in height appeared. He went down the steep cliff without hesitation. He used alternating wall around wall, which swayed half of his body left and right.
The guards hadnt set up any posts around the 100 meters cliff, trusting its steepness. It was a form of reassurance. When a human trusted a situation too much, they would ignore the hypothetical dangers of a situation.
He cleared the cliff in a minute. All the buildings looked similar externally, but it was easy to find the ammunition storage. It had a strong gunpowder smell, while the building with a heavier oil scent was the weapons storage.
Peoples guards were usually down at three in the morning.
Tap
Tap
Black Mamba rushed into the guard post and slapped the head of a surprised guard with his hand. It was the quickest killing method without inflicting outer injury.
A guard couldnt keep the keys to the ammunition storage room anyway. He had to be quick and decisive. Ammunition storage rooms were mostly built underground. Black Mamba wondered if he should dig with his resonance or crack the locks open.
Digging underground was confidential, but it took up time and energy. The internal concrete walls were also a pain. Using a timed explosive would be easier, but it could raise the alarms.
Well, since chaos was my main aim, lets see how fast the Syrian five-minute contingency unit moves, he leisurely spoke as he grabbed a safe the size of a childs head. When he used his muscles to open the safe, its door ripped, but its shape was still intact.
Creaak
The moment he opened the iron doors, which was the width of his hand, a loud siren went off. Black Mamba ignored it and ran into the ammunition storage room. The bullet boxes, which had been stored in rows, were thrown about without a care. Most of them were rifle and machine-gun bullets.
Hm? What is this?
It was a box filled with American double backs. The US had labeled Syria as evil. There was no way theyd be supplying Syria with military equipment. He felt as though something was misleading.
[1] It is the Arabic term for mosque. It is a place of worship for Muslims.
Chapter 223 - Chapter 26, Episode 17: The Syria-Ruman Plan
The American military equipment found in Syrias military ammunition storage was connected to the Lebanese Civil War. Lebanon was a country that had struggled with conflicts between the Pro-Western Christian government and Islam when it first separated from Syria.
In 1958, a large-scale civil war had broken out between the Pro-Western Christian government and the Progressive Islamic Fundamentalists in the united citizens front. The U.S. had started a strong force called large-scale military intervention. The violent civil war had been suppressed on the surface, but sparks had flown everywhere.
In 1975, the Islamic armed organizations had gathered to resume the total war. At the simultaneous provocations, the Lebanon government and Christian forces got beaten up ruthlessly.
Syria had used the excuse of wrapping up the situation to send two active-duty divisions from Beqaa Valley. The Islamic rebels had cheered.
Assad was from the Alawites factiona small, neglected group. After entering office, he had grappled to gain the recognition of the Sunni faction, the majority party. It was expected that Assad would help the rebels and push out the Maronites.
Their expectations had returned as a betrayal. Unlike Islams expectations, Assad took the Maronites side, the concentrated Christian powerhouse of the Lebanese government. The Islamic rebels had their ankles axed off by someone they had trusted. Of course, they were mad.
The Western powers were also confused, but there was a story behind it. There had been a secret pact between the CIA and the Mukhabarat.
Syria had stationed three divisions in Lebanon since the beginning of 1970. Assad had dreamt of Levant Syria, ignoring reality.
Assad didnt want to release his control over Lebanon. He also didnt want the Sunni faction to gain control. He had longed to earn the Christians support to strengthen his weakened power base.
The CIA had accurately read Assads intentions before approaching him. In 1975, the CIA had found evidence that Syria possessed a mass-murder weapon, Sarin and VX. The CIA then pressured Assad.
The Jewish political powerhouses in the United States had a simple goal, Protect Israel. Protect the Pro-Western Christian government.
The U.S. and Assads intentions had been aligned. Assad had mobilized the additional forces to push out the Islamic rebels, while the U.S. had ignored Assads possessions of mass-murder weapons. That was Aleppos secret pact.
While the CIA had ignored the great number of mass-murder weapons in the evils hands, they had also supplied them with military weapons. The evil would always be an ally at the discretion of the U.S. They werent the worlds police. The U.S. was but a powerful country that moved according to the wishes of its people and the Jews.
From the Muslims point of view, Assads actions were regarded as a betrayal. That was the reason behind the Muslim Brotherhoods decision to execute Assad. Bakri had also been released from prison because Assads government had coveted the Orthodox Christians favor. Such political flows were bound to explosively clash in the future. Black Mamba was the very person who had pulled the trigger.
Black Mamba had no way of understanding the Middle Easts complicated political ties and the secret pact with the CIA. Whether the duffle bag was made in America or Korea, he could resolve his suspicions later.
The whining siren prompted him to act fast. He quickly went through the stacked boxes. He was confident at locating a needle in a haystack, but when a needle was hidden among similar-looking hairpins, it wasnt an easy feat. He founded what he was looking for in the ninth lane.
Its a lemon.
Lemons were an F1 grenade that the Soviets had mass-produced during WWII. It looked similar to a pineapple, but it was called a lemon. It was because the American grenades were called pineapples. It weighed 600 grams and didnt differ much from Frances F1 in terms of explosive power.
Somehow, all grenades had an F1, whether it was from the Soviets, France, or America. He shoved the lemons into the duffle bag. There was still space after he had shoved in five boxes worth of lemons.
Ho, isnt this something that you would see in a museum?
While shoving the lemons aside, an RKG-3 anti-tank grenade appeared. It was a large, bat-like 1.2 kilograms grenade that the Soviets had used during WWII. It was a strange grenade with an internal parachute in the bat.
The parachute was attached to attack the top of a tanks cupola at the time. Its directional explosion was great, but it wasnt useful in battle.
After sweeping in a box of those bats, the duffle bag became full. It was five boxes of lemons, 100 in total, and a box of bats, 20 in total. The weight of the duffle bag exceeded 80 kilograms.
Even if he did take everything in the storage room, there wasnt much to use. He couldnt carry around a rocket launcher or bring a mortar around an enemys territory. Hand grenades were the easiest to handle.
Black Mamba was a human recoilless grenade launcher. No, he was more precise than a grenade launcher and could cover a long-range. Aiming a grenade into an enemys territory as though he was sniping? That was like the reincarnation of a war god.
He briefly thought about arming the Syrian Orthodox Christians. He shook his head and erased the thought. They were peaceful people. He couldnt drag them into a bloody war to achieve his own goals.
Yes, Im going, Im going. You brat, Black Mamba complained as he glared at the whining siren.
There was no point in destroying its internal wires. He took out 300 grams of C-4 from his backpack and attached it to the high-explosives box, before shoving in its head. He set the timer to 100 seconds.
F***, the five-minute contingency unit will be waving their empty hands at me instead. Keke.
Laughter escaped from his mouth. The entire storage room was about to be blown apart. No one had moved from the outer lights around the camp after it had turned on.
Eh, theyre coming now.
Since Black Mamba could sense some soldiers moving out of the tent, he could leisurely move around. His dimensional sight was a crafty skill that could read movements within a radius of 500 meters. There was no reason to rush.
Adios! Have a trying day.
After saying those playful words, he attached himself to the cliff. The 80 kilograms duffle bag and 40 kilograms backpack didnt hinder him. The weight didnt matter as long as his hands and feet were free. A large lizard slipped down the cliff.
An explosion occurred when he was about five meters away from the top.
Boom
Crash
A large explosion erupted after a small one. The entire lid of the ammunition storage room flew into the sky.
Woosh
The blow from the explosion smacked Black Mamba, who was just about to climb up.
Huh, its helping me.
It was the kind of pressure that would have exploded any average persons intestines. Black Mamba rode on the shockwave and flipped easily over the cliff.
Boom
Boom
Continuous explosions rang from the ammunition storage room.
Woosh woosh woosh
Bullets soared in groups. They were the rifle bullets from the storage room. Mercury fulminate was weak against heat and shock, unlike its composition. The explosions and high temperatures had caused 1,000,000s of bullets to fly everywhere. The orange light from the bullets gunpowder rained down in the night sky.
Ek!
While watching the fireworks, Black Mamba hurried and hid behind a rock. Defective shields were useless against continuous explosions. There was plenty of ammunition in the 10 by 10 meters storage room. Sounds of explosions that deafened the heavens kept ringing. Cleaning it up would be hard, but that was the responsibility of the person in charge of the storage room.
A great firework display went off in Sharran Valley. The sky turned red, and countless orange streaks split the night sky.
Eheheheh! Good, good! Explode! Explode!
Mohammad twisted his legs while walking under the shade of a rock and laughed strangely. Satisfaction ran through his spine every time an explosion went off. Even at his most satisfying moments, he couldnt have been happier than now.
He was a blessed man to be watching the worlds greatest firework display for free. Since his birth, there wasnt a more refreshing and exciting display than at that moment. The sorrows of his pastwhere he had been discriminated against for being an Orthodox Christian and chased away to other landsdisappeared instantly. He hadnt expected that such an exciting moment would happen when he decided to follow Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. It wasnt dangerous either.
Hooray, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Mohammads eyes flashed with passion and excitement.
Black Mamba and Mohammad returned at 4:30 in the morning. In two and a half hours, Black Mamba had gotten rid of the masjid that was the Muslim Brotherhoods base and blown the south-western Syrian militarys ammunition storage room.
There were two large olive trees in front of Bakris house. There was a stone on the third branch of the right tree. Mohammad reached for it and dropped the stone. Black Mamba glanced at him and lost his interest. It was a common communication method used by those of the underground organization.
Black Mamba took a shower and leisurely went to sleep. Mohammad immediately headed outside again without rest. A man appeared from the forest while he was walking 300 meters in the lakes direction.
Sir Mohammad, all the Mukhabarat that were stationed around Maydanki Lake and watching the villages have disappeared. I dont know what happened, but the Shabiha have also disappeared.
Hehe, there are more watchers around Afrin Village, right?
How did you know? the man asked in surprise.
Hehe. A true leader to lead all the Orthodox Christians have arrived. He has come. The Mukhabarat and the Muslim factions wouldnt care about us anymore. Tell all the followers. Tell them not to enter any of the Sunni factions villages. Tell them to refrain from traveling. If we remain quiet, there will be no danger.
The mans eyes widened.
Ooh, has the apostle that weve been waiting for finally arrived?
Yes. Discreetly tell our brothers that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has come. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has caused conflict between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Syrian military. Take care of yourself and gather information on both sides.
Yes. Ill take my leave.
The man disappeared into the darkness.
Kekeke! A fight between the badger and wolf, hm? Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was right! Kekeke!
His strange laughter didnt stop. Alli, Bakri, and Mohammads conversation lasted until the next morning. Mohammad, who had been talking about Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas successful feats until his mouth went dry, couldnt shake off his excitement. Alli and Bakris mouths had also turned dry from the exclamations.
Tututututu
At the break of dawn, a helicopters motor echoed loudly. A Soviet Unions original Mi-24B Hind-A helicopter went around the lake once and flew towards Aleppo. Another helicopter followed, throwing propaganda papers that made it seem as though it was snowing.
Hehehe, its starting! Mohammad smiled with bloodshot eyes.
Brother, what does it say?
It is obvious. Everyones panicking because of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas actions. We will be massacring all the Muslim Brotherhood members who threaten our countrys security. All citizens should cooperate. We will kill anyone with a weapon. Soon, other Mujahideen will join the Muslim Brotherhood. Syria will flip on its head.
You think so? Even when Assad has sided with those terrorist organizations?
Bakri was suspicious. Mohammad shook his head.
No. Theyve only been playing the crocodile and crocodile bird for each others benefits. They turned their backs on each other the moment Assad raised an issue about the countrys laws.
The case that Mohammad was talking about had happened in 1973. There had been a law in Syrias constitution, which said that only Muslims could become the countrys leaders. As Assad was a part of the Alawites, he had removed that requirement.
The reason was that most of the members were from the Sunni faction, which made up 80 percent of the population, and they had referred to all Muslims, aside from those of the Sunni faction, as heathens. In Syria, the Alawites were treated similarly to any other Christian faction. In Assads point of view, the law that blurred the lines of his power wasnt beneficial at all.
Assad removing the constitutions requirement had angered the exclusive Sunni faction. Then, they spread the word that Assad was selling Allahs land. The Muslim Brotherhood had caused minor riots with the aid of 1,000s of masjids throughout the country. That had been the start of Assad and the Muslim Brotherhoods poor relationship.
The Muslim Brotherhood had organized terrors and riots while Assad had used the military to ruthlessly stop them. He had even attacked the masjids.
The Muslim Brotherhood had taken a step back due to Assads strong move. Then, Black Mamba had exploded their central head while they were gaining their strength underground. The silent grudges that Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood had against each other started the third round.
Krrr
Krrr
Kudududdu
A loud Caterpillar disrupted dawn.
Huh, a tank, too?
Its the Third Armored Brigade stationed in Sawran. Assad must be determined to have them leave Turkeys borders.
Tanks lined down the road from the north-east. It was a Soviet T-34 with a sound top. It was ancient, but it was a grim reaper for foot soldiers. A truck filled with soldiers followed.
Syria and Turkey were like a monkey and dog. The tank brigade in Sawrana border townwas the defensive line against Turkey. That meant the Syrian government was observing the situation closely enough to pull tanks out of their borders defense line.
Syria had accepted the Soviet Unions tank units. There were 10 tanks for a company. A platoon had three tanks, and a company had three platoons each. Including the tank that the commander was riding on, there were 10. A battalion had three companies, and a regiment had four battalions. To summarize, 10 out of the 120 tanks in Sawran would be deployed to Aleppo.
Mohammad and Bakri shook their heads. One move from Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had shaken the entirety of Syria. His scale was different. Bakri looked at the room where Black Mamba was sleeping and gritted his teeth.
Chapter 224 - The Syria-Ruman Plan
The helicopters and even the tanks stationed in the border were dispatched. He felt as though the world would flip. The situation had escalated unpredictably. Bakri was slightly scared. His familys safety depended on his decisions.
God, please save our poor souls. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please lead us to the land of peace.
Boom
Boooom
Explosions and light beamed from far away even before he could finish his prayer. It was in the direction of Aleppo. The nightmare that had occurred three years ago was repeating itself.
Back then, Assad had decimated all the buildings suspected to be under the Muslim Brotherhoods possession with tanks and planes. Back then, it was internationally known that there were 30,000 deaths. Truthfully, however, there had been over 100,000 deaths. Most of those that had been killed were innocent citizens. Just the Orthodox Christians sacrifice alone had exceeded 10,000.
The fight between Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood had begun once more. Even if it was an organization of terrorists, Assad was a mad b*stard who shot cannons into his citizens homes.
What if Assad decided to annihilate the Orthodox Church? Just thinking about it made him tremble. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had said that a life of submission would never gain freedom. He was right. Bakris attachment to Syria faded. The promised land that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had talked about was their only hope.
Bakri Jadir, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa said the location is unsuitable, the leader has to leave. A life filled with anxiety and fear has to end in my generation. I need to go where the tiger takes me once Im on its back, right?
Bakri gritted his teeth again.
Black Mamba was in a deep sleep, unconcerned. He even snored loudly. A herbivore always slept with its senses on guard. It also slept lightly. A predator rested when it could. That way, it could move properly when awake.
Aw, whys Mister Dubi sleeping all the time?
Six-years-old Wael was bored. Wael liked the mister. He had fixed her limping leg and healed her aching head. She also liked playing with the doll that mister had made and given her. She liked playing with mister, but she was growing bored since he slept all the time.
Wael grabbed a strand of wild alfalfa and tip-toed near the bedroom. She had long forgotten her fathers stern orders of not waking Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Wael held back the curtains and tip-toed into the room.
Black Mambas mouth slowly tilted up. Wael shoved the soft alfalfa flowers into his nose and gently turned it around.
Zzzzz
His snores became louder instead.
Aw, damn it! What do I do?
Wael shoved a finger into her mouth and thought. Black Mamba opened his eyes slightly and examined Wael. She was so cute that he wanted to squeeze her.
After contemplating, Wael struggled until she had climbed the top of the beds headboard. She jumped from it and landed on Black Mambas chest.
Ma-da Hoo-na-ka? Del-la-toon![1] Black Mamba shouted in exaggeration.
Ehehehe! Mister Dubis a sleepyhead!
Ugh, why is a princess so heavy?
Black Mambas hand fell back down limply when he tried to lift Wael into the air. Wael swung her small fists around like a windmill.
Save me! Black Mamba shouted while his face was being attacked.
They couldnt communicate, but neither had cared. Even Waels brothers had snuck in and joined them. They pulled on Black Mambas ears, stuck themselves onto his back, and pulled on his hair.
Black Mamba complained jokingly, Ya Il-la-ha, Ootl-lubu Alii-suaph.[2]
An Al-il-ha-hi![3]
Surprised, Bakris wife ran into the room. Black Mamba raised his hand and stopped her. She didnt know what to do and rolled her feet.
Thats his true self.
Bakri smiled widely as he lightly jolted his wifes shoulder. Like a small fortune, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had filled the somber house with the boastful smiles of his children. If he wasnt the apostle, then who was!
Bakri, how do you say surrender?
Its tel-litti-sil-lan, sir.
Black Mamba raised both of his hands up high and shouted, tel-litti-sil-lan. Bakris wife ended up laughing. Even the old couple, who came and tried to stop the children, laughed at the ridiculous sight.
I cant believe it.
He is the one we need to follow. He has a pure and great soul, despite his presence and lion-like strength. I have decided to serve Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa as my master.
Ill respect your decision. Bakris wife smiled happily.
While he was playing around with the children, Black Mambas eyes flickered. Someone was approaching the castle remains. The person had a purpose and moved carefully with a restricted breath. His rescue transmitter was activated at the remains. Hed set it up after returning from exploding the ammunition storage room.
A-na a-siph. Ana mashukul-run assai-ut ala-na kal-lil-lan.[4]
He picked the children off of himself and called for Bakri.
Bakri!
Yes, Bakri is here.
I have a guest. Ill be back soon.
Ill prepare your dinner, sir.
Okay.
Bakri didnt ask why. His actions down to his personality were just like Ombuti. He was a useful person. Black Mamba wore a tobe and pressed the keffiyeh down on his head.
Theyre running pretty fast.
Vroom
Vroom
Tanks were moving in rows, two kilometers away. 10s of trucks filled with armed soldiers followed its rear. The road was filled with dust. The locals had rushed out of their homes to watch them.
Oh, damn!
The boy he had seen at dawn was crossing the road with a herd of sheep. The tanks didnt slow down. The boy waved his stick around desperately and shoved the sheep off the road.
Damn b*stards!
In the end, two sheep were crushed underneath the tanks wheels. The rows of tanks went by without a care. The crying boy looked miserable.
He recalled his childhood friend, Jang Suk, who had gotten into a car accident with an American Jeep while running downhill. Jang Suk had passed away, but there wasnt any compensation. The police, who had come to investigate, had berated Jang Shins father about the accident instead. Another dirty world had appeared before him.
Seems like the tanks have moved out from the borders. Well, his head should have exploded since the ammunition storage blew up. Try fighting to the best of your abilities. Black Mamba smiled.
The fiercer they fought each other, the more advantageous it was for him.
The remains were barely three to 400 meters away from Bakris house. When the wind blew, an eerie sound echoed. There were no houses around the remains because there were rumors of ghosts haunting its surroundings.
The castles foundations were magnificent, but there were only remains of its walls. That was because the locals had taken the castles bricks.
The sunset settled over the eerie castle remains. The red sunset covering the yellow-brown remains was a ritual that had continued for 3,000-years. Everything that the old people had attempted to protect was buried over time. Like an ice-cream melting in the sunlight, it melted in time. Every gain and loss had turned into a handful of sand.
The passing sunset became even more colorful. Even the few pieces of cloud turned red.
Its good!
Inexplicable feelings rushed over him. It was an ensemble of fragments of his past and nature. Whether humans fought or killed each other, nature remained in its place, and time passed without change. The winner and loser remained buried over time, like the castles remains.
Hed shoved the rescue transmitter between the cliffs overhang, where it was unapproachable. He saw a man walking around the area where the rescue transmitter was. In the end, the man had given up and hidden since he couldnt find the transmitter. He was a smart person.
The man was dressed similarly to him. He had on a tobe, but instead of a keffiyeh, he was wearing a wide-brimmed hunting hat. He was a person who didnt want to reveal his face. Black Mamba slowly crept up behind him and said the secret code.
Hows your olive farm this year?
Hic!
Surprised, the man flew to his feet and shouted. Black Mamba fixed his initial impression of the man. This was a timid man. Ombuti had been calm even when he was threatened.
How is your olive farm this year? he asked again.
Thethe drought made it sweeter and reduced its bitterness.
The droughts severe. Did the Euphrates Rivers water level go down?
It went down to 45 percent. By next month, itll go down to two percent.
The mans eyes were darting around anxiously. Black Mamba stifled a smile at what looked to be a parody of Charlie Chaplin. 45 percent meant that his destination was 45 kilometers away. Two percent meant that the guide was alone.
Did you not get the signal yesterday at dawn?
I did. I already arrived here yesterday.
Yesterday?
Black Mambas eyes flashed. His glare looked like that of a stabbing knife. The guide flinched and stepped back.
This b*stards strange.
Black Mambas brows twitched. Everyone got scared when they met his glare even if he didnt exude bloodlust on purpose. The b*stard acted like an idiot, but his gaze was unwavering.
Why appear now?
The guide hesitated before answering.
Your actions were very suspicious.
Suspicious?
Yesterday, I started from our meeting point, the Ennedi plains, and arrived at Gobelaka Village at 6:00 in the morning. You didnt turn on the rescue transmitter. I searched the surrounding area in the harsh, cold winds. The rescue transmitter started signaling again in 22 hours.
So, youre suspicious of me?
There was silence.
Black Mambas eyes darkened. Some b*stards didnt realize their position and overacted. The b*stard had misunderstood his position as the DGSEs chief of strategies.
He didnt suit the world of SPY. This type of person would build up many complaints within a period and were easily lured by the oppositions deals. Either the DGSE had selected the wrong slipper, or he could be someone who was specifically trained to be a double agent.
Boom
His dimensional sight activated. A cold feeling swept past the guides brain. His brains wavelengths were stable. His teacher would have been able to read the mans thoughts with his sight of thoughts, but Black Mamba was at the level of reading wavelengths and physical abnormalities.
Well, I suppose hes trustworthy since the DGSE has selected him through a lie detector test.
Black Mamba cleared his doubts. Once doubt started kicking in, there werent any limits. Human brains were imaginative. When doubt crossed a certain limit, it would start to create its own stories. In other words, he could become delusional.
Foolish b*stard, you just need to complete the job that has been assigned. Since when did slippers interfere in a consultants main activities?
Black Mambas rebuke was valid. A spy could be categorized into three types: An officer(Head of operations), agent(spy), or cut-offs(the connecting link between an officer and an agent).
Spies who specialized in destruction and murder like Black Mamba would be classified as consultants. Consultants had total control over their operations as they made the decisions. Slippers and moles were local spies. They were basically temporary workers. The mans actions were like a temporary worker going against his boss.
Ththats, the man mumbled at Black Mambas words.
Take off your hat.
The man quietly took off his hat. He was a middle-aged Arab who had very dark skin.
Do you have a vehicle?
No. We walk.
Ce mauvais!
If he moved alone, never mind 45 kilometers, 450 kilometers wouldnt even be a problem. However, if he moved with a b*stard who looked a little lacking, 45 kilometers would take the entire day.
Syria was Frances courtyard. Even if their relationship was bad, France had regulated it as a half-colony for a long time. Even Korea, which was in the same position, was overflowing with smart pro-Japan members. He exhaled a sigh at the thought of having such a stupid person as his guide. The guide looked around and asked Black Mamba.
Are you alone?
Is there a problem?
That wasnt the type of question a slipper should be asking. Black Mamba found Bonipas pathetic for assigning him such a slipper. Well, the actual selection could have been reviewed by someone below a managers position.
When Black Mamba answered his question with another question, the guides face crumpled.
I see!
Black Mamba had no idea what he saw. He was getting more annoyed. Black Mamba seriously considered shoving the guys remains under the castle and getting Mohammad to be his guide.
Your nickname?
Zaitun!
An olive? Ha!
Zaitun meant olives. The guide had protruded cheekbones, a narrow forehead, and a pointed jaw. He was basically an olive.
Although an olive had many uses as a healthy ingredient and oil, it was treated lower than its branch and leaves, which was a symbol for victory and peace. The man looked like an olive, but his presence was like an olive too. Without realizing, Black Mamba laughed silently.
If Korea ever sends military aid to the Arab world, it should be named zaitun. It would symbolize power.
There is no time, Zaitun rushed him.
Zaitun. How does a b*stard who doesnt have time come without a bike? I already wasted a day waiting for you.
I had no choice since I had to avoid the Mukhabarats eyes.
The b*stard became even more annoying the more they talked.
Wait here.
Black Mamba went down to Bakris house.
Mohammad, can you get a bike?
There wont be a problem, but there are more well-made bikes in the third divisions office, Mohammad added his personal opinion.
Youre just going to blame the Muslim Brotherhood for thefts like these?
Of course. Thats how the environment is. Their security is also a mess. Should I steal it? Mohammad smiled.
The Muslim Sunni faction and the Orthodox Church had their roles reversed within a day. The Sunnis were currently unable to breathe and were laying flat on the ground. Mohammads liver had swelled since he last met Black Mamba.
I cant wait until nighttime. Theres not enough time.
Then use my bike, sir, even if its a bit old.
Black Mamba pulled out a bunch of francs from his pocket.
[1] What? Its the enemy!
[2] Aigoo, call the ambulance.
[3] Stop that!
[4] Sorry, mister has to go somewhere.
Chapter 225 - Episode 19: The Syria-Ruman Plan
It was part of the 50,000 francs that he had received from the DGSE as local operation funds.
Its 10,000 francs. Buy a bike and create a temporary shelter for the Christians. If the Sunni factions radicals start resisting, it could turn into a national crisis. Care for your family and trustable followers separately and establish an open communication system.
Mohammads eyes widened. In Syria, 10,000 francs was a large amount. Aside from the amount, the fact that he was given a large amount for people he hadnt even met was unbelievable. Emotionally moved, Mohammad fell to his knees and started crying.
All praise Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! I thank you for your kindness on behalf of my brethren. One who has come in Gods name, may you be praised! I will engrave your noble trust.
Black Mamba gave Bakri another 20,000 francs.
Bakri, Syria is a country where the government controls its market prices and trade. If a civil war happens, there will be a shortage of food and living necessities. Prepare for that in advance with this money so that no Christians starve. I will leave Syria the moment this mission is complete. When Im ready, Ill relocate all of you. Soon, this land will become hell, Black Mamba naturally gave out the necessary orders. He was starting to attain the frame of a leader.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, isnt this the funds for your operations? Bakri asked worriedly.
Hahaha, I dont need separate funds. If I happen to need it, I can just rob a bank.
Bakri and Mohammad nodded their heads at his intense description. There was nothing that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa couldnt do once he set his mind to it.
I will remember Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words. One who has come in Gods name, may you be praised!
In sha Allah! Ill be borrowing two bikes.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, my sister, Bassel, insisted on greeting you, so Ive brought her over, Mohammad said with difficulty after glancing at him several times.
Bring her.
A slender woman wearing a hijab kneeled. She was a young woman whose large sad eyes peeked through the black cloth. In Syria, women who lived as Orthodox Christians also wore the traditional clothes of Islam. If they didnt, they were usually dragged and publicly humiliated.
Praise Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Thank you. I have continued to live as I couldnt die because of a shameful body. I wanted to greet you before I die, sir apostle.
Die? What is she saying?
Surprised, Black Mamba turned to glare at Mohammad.
Its the shame of our house, Mohammad, who was suppressing his overwhelming rage, mumbled.
Black Mamba snorted. Islam considered it their familys shame when a woman was humiliated. Hed heard that they would force suicide or eviction. He hadnt known that the Orthodox Christians would do the same too.
Bakri, Mohammad, listen well. I understand you all follow the Muslim customs to live. There are many things to learn from Islam, but there are also many inappropriate customs to be discarded. Did Bassel commit a sin? Shes but a victim. Are you asking her to bear all the sins when you cant even help overcome the familys nightmare? Is that it?
Unable to hold back his anger, Black Mamba slammed the stone chair that he had been sitting on.
Bang
The chairs armrest exploded. The family members flinched in surprise.
As men and the leaders of your families, you couldnt protect Bassel. Why are people pushing the blame on a weak woman when they have failed to perform their duties? All of you should be ashamed. If I return to find Bassels body harmed in any way, I wont forgive you.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be blessed. We will keep that in mind.
Mohammad and Bakri lowered their heads. As men and the leaders of their families, hearing those words crushed their hearts.
Bassel, come here.
Bassel shifted forward on her knees. Black Mamba placed his hand over Bassels head and blessed her.
Bassel Jadir, you have not sinned. The sinner has been punished. If you consider yourself guilty, I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, pardon you. I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, declare your heart and body pure.
Oh, thank you. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, thank you.
Bassel, who was moved, began to cry. Her hijab was soon soaked with tears.
Ooh, it is an honor, Mohammad and Bakri chorused.
The apostle had spoken. Bassel was now a completely innocent and pure woman. The two mens faces brightened up. They werent happy with Bassels misfortune, either.
F****** hell, what the f*** is this!
He was mad. They forced sexually assaulted women to commit suicide, considering them a shame to their household. Women were forced to wear dark clothes with only their eyes visible to keep mens desires in check. They publicly stoned a woman to death if she was found cheating on her husband. They were a mad organization.
Although of a different instance, the country that dragged women away for having long hair and shoved a ruler when one wore a skirt shorter than 30 centimeters was his own, Korea. That kind of world couldnt be ideal at all.
Korea, the Sahel, and that place was a doghouse. Sexual desires were a natural instinct that protected a species population. The capability to control that desire was one of the conditions of being human. To him, it was a hellish world where the weaker party would take the blame for another persons uncontrolled desires.
The desire to become better and to reveal oneself were natural human instincts too. What sin did these women commit that they have to live their entire lives wrapped in black cloth? How was it a sin to reveal well-grown legs?
Bassel, a good world will come. I will let you live in a world where it is unnecessary to wrap yourself in that kind of cloth. I will create a world where you can wear short skirts and pretty makeup while walking down the streets. Live well until then. I will select your husband with my own hands.
Bakris mother and his wife, who had been listening in, rushed forward and kneeled before Black Mamba.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be blessed! Thank you. You are the light and hope for us, women. One who has come in Gods name, may you be praised! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be everlasting! the three women cheered loudly.
Ugh, Im going to go madmad! I will turn into a cult leader at this rate, Black Mamba complained in Korean.
Hed heard that women quickly converted into cult followers compared to men, but that was ridiculous. He was also slightly afraid. If he acted like sergeant Paul, who used to bless all battlefields, he would really turn into a religious leader.
Bakri and Mohammad dragged the duffle bag out with much trouble. Black Mamba slung the duffle bag horizontally around himself and shoved the backpack on top. There was a long way to go. Black Mamba said his farewells to Bakris family, who had become his followers overnight.
There was a saying that those who met were bound to part, but looking at the family who came to bid him farewell made his heart twinge. The family members he had come to care for were growing in numbers when he hadnt even found his mother yet.
Ugh, my life. What should I do about this habit of prying into another persons business!
He automatically let out a sigh.
Bakri and Mohammad delivered the bike to the castle remains. Having lived through rough times, they went home and pretended as though they didnt see Zaitun.
No. A bike will catch the Mukhabarat gate guards attention. We need to travel by foot at night, the guide began to protest.
Look, Zaitun. Theres no need to worry about the Mukhabarat. Ill take care of them. You can stop worrying and lead the way.
Why should I trust you? Guidance and route are under my control. I dont want to die like a dog.
Let go, this f****** b*stard.
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. If self-entitlement was a piece of art, that was it. They only had to travel 45 kilometers. That b*stard wasnt thinking about creating a route around security but instead, walking under the dark. Ombuti had led the team through the rough Sahel lands, across 5,000 kilometers. He truly began to miss Ombuti.
Damn you, you f****** b*stard!
In the end, Black Mamba exploded.
Bang
Zaitun only agreed after his eye got hit.
Two old bikes ran down south, emitting black puffs down highway 217. Out of the 1,500,000 people in Aleppo, only 1,000,000 lived in Aleppo. The population near Turkeys borders up north was very low.
From Gobelaka Village to Kaparja Valley, the only large villages were Afrin and Nahda. Other than that, small-scale villages were made up of houses grouped in 10s and 100s.
From Maydanki Lake to Aleppo, there were wide flatlands. They followed along the hills, with endless olive trees and pomegranate trees in view. The flatlands were either filled with white cotton fields or a mill farm. The moment he saw the cotton fields, he thought of Edel. She had left because she wanted to, but it was a job filled with hard labor.
I wonder if Edels well? Her face may get burns from examining the terrain and weather.
Hae Youngs image was growing blurry while Edel was starting to fill her place. Thinking of how hed just worried about Edels face burning under the sun got him flustered.
It seems like Im a male, after all! The saying is truethe mind grows distant when physically apart.
The guide ended his straying thoughts.
Its the gate.
300 meters ahead, a wooden barricade was blocking the road. A strong lantern light shook up and down violently. There was a b*stard in a Hawaiian shirt, a b*stard in a short-sleeved tobe, and a b*stard in a leather jacketit was the Mukhabarat.
Dont be afraid and slow down. Ill figure things out.
Black Mamba changed his mind in the midst of pulling out his Glock. The Mukhabarat evoked fear out of all Syrians. He heard they arrested people for a single misspoken word, and they would get shot immediately. Experiencing how they treated the public wouldnt be bad.
The bike stopped in front of the barricade. The b*stard holding the lantern approached with a swagger. The other two b*stards were leaning on one leg with cigarettes in their mouth. They looked just like the street gang members in Korea. Considering their attitudes, they werent about to pull their guns out immediately.
Ah-hllan wa shahllan bi Qarah Bash.[1]
The b*stard, who greeted them with a crooked smile and a cigarette in his mouth, was wearing a palm-tree and dolphin printed Hawaiian shirt. He definitely wasnt welcoming them. Black Mamba remained expressionless while Zaituns face turned yellow.
Oi, where are you going, and where are you from?
Werewere heading to Aleppo from Gobelaka.
Zaitun shivered so much that he looked pitiful.
And who is that b*stard?
II dont know him.
Oi, take off your ghutra.
The lantern light fell directly on Black Mambas face. He complied and took off his ghutra.
Huh, are you Chinese?
Black Mamba shook his head from side to side and turned his palms face-up to shake them. It meant that he didnt know and had no business with them.
The b*stard, who was wearing a khaki-colored tobe, frowned.
Oi, are those b*stards our friends? the b*stard in the leather jacket asked.
His eyes were on the duffle bag, which was loaded on the bikes carrier.
Bakri had told him that there were two meanings when the Mukhabarat asked if they were huwa sadi-ki[2]. One was to confirm whether he was a pro-government member, and the other was whether to decrease their toll fee. Saying La[3] would get one arrested or shot.
La!
Clack
The b*stard at the back raised his safety pin. It was obvious that he had the intention to kill and loot his belongings.
Damn b*stard!
Kugh!
The leather jacket b*stard, who had been aiming at him from the back, grabbed his neck and fell to the ground. A dart as thin as a chopstick had pierced his neck.
Whwhat?
In shock, the b*stards in the shirt and tobe grabbed the rifles slung around their shoulders.
Sst
Splat
Splat
The Gorgon landed on their shoulders and immediately assembled their rifles into his bag.
Aaargh!
The b*stards in the shirt and tobe, who had their right shoulders shattered, fell forward. The leather jacket b*stard had already stopped breathing. Black Mamba tossed him into the bushes at the side of the road.
Woosh
His corpse flew 20 meters away. The other two, who suffered major injuries, were also thrown relentlessly.
IsIs that even human?
Zaitun was freaking out. He hadnt gotten a proper look at the weapon that had shattered the Mukhabarats shoulders. He was faster than a leopard and stronger than a European brown bear. Moreover, his hands had moved without hesitation.
Hes a scary b*stard.
Zaitun broke out in cold sweats.
Hey, Zaitun!
YeYes!
He looked as though hed cry any minute. Black Mamba was almost worried that he would wet himself.
Translate.
Black Mamba grabbed Zaitun and dragged him into the forest.
Hargh! Zaitun screamed.
The Hawaiian shirt b*stards head was broken. White brain fluid was flowing out of his skull.
Tsk! Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
Hed thrown them to avoid obstacles, but he couldnt distinguish every rock on the forest floor. The b*stard in the tobe had knocked out from the continuous shock. He was on the better side of health. He shoved the b*stard in the tobe over and slapped his spinal point with his palm.
Quack!
The effects were immediate. The b*stard in the tobe spat out black blood and regained his senses.
Ask him whether theres another gate to Kaparja. Tell him that if he doesnt answer properly, Ill tear apart his arms and legs, one after another.
Muslims were very afraid of harming their bodies. That was because they believed that the soul would return to its body. Black Mamba had learned enough in the Sahel.
Hoo!
Zaitun grew scared as though he was the one who was being threatened. Considering how he had been acting all along, he was someone whod survive even after his arms and legs were torn apart just like a dragonfly without its wings.
He says theres another unit.
Confirm the concentrated location of the soldiers and the Mukhabarat.
He says theyre searching for the masjids that were spread throughout the country. He doesnt know much about the happenings in Damascus, but apparently, battles are happening in Aleppo and Sharran.
The answers came immediately.
This is important. Check the numbers of Syrian military units around Kaparja Valley.
This time, it took rather long.
He says theres none within a radius of 10 kilometers.
Crack
His palm landed on the b*stard in the tobes head. His neck cracked without a single scream. It was an immediate death.
[1] Welcome to Qarah Bash.
[2] My friend.
[3] No.
Chapter 226 - For Whom The Bell Tolls
His hands had moved relentlessly. Zaituns fat cheeks quivered. That guy was like the devil. No, he was the devil. Most DGSE strategic agents were stupid and rough, but that guy was on a different tier. Hed gone through the entire international agent list, but there wasnt anyone similar. He became much more nervous. His throat would break with a single mistake.
How long do we have until the mission point?
Just listening to his voice was scary.
15 kilometers left, sir.
Lets go.
Yes, sir!
Zaituns tone had since changed.
Tutututu
Two helicopters appeared above the road, where the two bikes moved. The helicopters had turned on their night lights and were flying south.
Black Mamba increased his sight. It had a flat canopy and a double intake system that poked out of its front like a dragonflys eyes. It was an initial Mi-24A Hind. The initial Hind was made haphazardly to work as both an attack and a transfer system. A pilot, co-pilot, weapons controller, and up to eight armed personnel could board the cabin.
Hoo, thats a lot of money. Black Mamba laughed as he stared into the sky.
The Mi-24A was made with the American Huey in mind. The 12.7 millimeters heavy machine gun was all the firepower it had. The one that was heading south had a 30 millimeters twin-barrel machine gun and a 122 millimeters rocket pod. The Soviets had sold them their antiques and ripped off the remodeling fees. It was the same rip-off that the Yankees had done to Korea.
The carrier helicopter following the Hind helicopter was a Huey UH-1. It could carry up to 18 people in a stretch. The only antique on that plane was a machine gun that had appeared in the Vietnam War.
The Hind and Hueys appearances meant that they were attempting to transport all the special forces to the targeted region. Ironically, an American helicopter was operating well within Syria, a communist country.
Those Yankee b*stards are selling everything through their a**holes.
Despite the Cold War, the American weapon traders were still selling weapons in the west and east. He suddenly thought of Korea, which had its weapons system under the U.S. control.
France thought of Korea as the U.S. dumpster for unnecessary weapons. Bonipas had once criticized that Koreas system of acquiring weapons was a result of lobbying and bribery in the U.S.
France complained that they had attempted to get rid of the technology and weapons while it was still in the package because of the military mafia. There was no permanent friend or foe in the international society. There wasnt a guarantee that the U.S. would be in their blood pact forever. France warned that if a country didnt improve its own development system, it would shed bloody tears one day.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. France described it as the military mafia, but that was an insult to its military powers for clinging on to the U.S. pants sleeves due to the lack of its own traditional system.
Zaitun, wheres the helicopter headed for?
Qarah Bash is four kilometers ahead.
The Hind launched a rocket even before Zaitun could finish talking. A red light streaked across the night sky. It was in the direction of Qarah Bash.
Boom
A loud explosion rang. The Soviet 122 millimeters rocket power was astronomical. Its area of impact was almost the size of a handball arena.
The Hind spun once in the air before hovering 300 meters above the ground. It was entering an attack stance. Streams of fire were released.
Woosh
Woosh
Woosh
Launching sounds similar to that of the downpour of rainy seasons played. Black-red fireworks continuously rose from the ground.
If ground forces failed to maintain a land-to-air offensive, it became food for helicopters. There were more instances where helicopters inflicted more damage than fighter planes. That was because it could hit targets accurately while hovering at low heights.
The Huey released a round of machine guns before turning to lower its altitude. It was about to land.
Babababa
The Hinds 30 millimeters machine gun and heavy machine gun spewed fire at the same time, providing cover for the Huey.
Strands of fire sprouted from the ground. The tracer ammunition traveled through the black sky.
Boom
Boom
The high-speed proximity fuze lit the sky grandly. The Muslim Brotherhood had high-quality weapons too.
Both sides were using either Soviet or American weapons. That was why there were conspiracy theories about the U.S. and the Soviet Union constantly encouraging wars to sell their weapons.
Theyre really going at it.
There wasnt anything more exciting than fire and fight scenes. Of course, being involved wouldve been frustrating, but being an onlooker was fun.
Black Mamba stopped his bike and entered viewing mode. He was barely two kilometers away from the war. He could see the situation clearly. Zaitun kept rushing, but Black Mamba ignored him.
Damn, its over.
The stream of fire from the ground and the Hinds flight route had overlapped. The Hind showed an impressive maneuver at that very moment. It flipped its entire body and fell on a steep degree that was like a ski course. Its movements were fast that it seemed as though it had instantly teleported. The members on board the cabin would have created a commotion, but the piloting had been spectacular.
Boom
The air missile exploded right next to the Hinds tail rotor. The Hind swayed but soon regained its balance. Like its nickname, the air tank, it had a strong exterior.
The angered Hind started firing rockets in a row.
Boom
Boom
Boom
The ground shook from the explosions. On the ground, an ammunition storage room or a fuel tank exploded. He couldnt tell the situation on the ground, but those were impressive attacks.
What if that guy attacked him?
If the helicopter released rockets and chain guns from the sky, he would be powerless. Like a grasshopper in a field, he would probably jump around before being torn to pieces.
Could he surpass the helicopter with his Dragunov?
It was a sudden curiosity.
I should figure out the countermeasures of a helicopter.
Being prepared raised no problems. That days observations later became a great help to the Congo War. After all, he was able to withstand an American helicopters formation attack.
Black Mamba suddenly took out his Gorgon. The Hinds motions, which accelerated after it tilted diagonally, remained in his head like a film.
Would it be possible since its faster than following a straight course?
Woosh
The tip of his whip showed a strange movement. The original method had used curves. Along with his enhanced physicals, Black Mamba had often used it as a spear to stab, but such movements were extremely limited.
Woosh
Woosh
Woosh
The arcs that his whip drew gradually became smaller. The whips arc slowly approached the arc of a cycloid curve.
Voom
The air vibrations changed. The whip flew past his imaginary target as though it had teleported.
Aha! This is it.
Layers of circular curves were raised in the air. Zaituns gaze became more intense over time, as though he was looking at a madman.
Flick
The Gorgon had shivered throughout before the entire layer of circles disappeared. The Hind and Huey had also disappeared. Black Mamba smiled in satisfaction after placing the Gorgon back into its case. It was the birth of the cycloid technique.
They really fought to their best of abilities. Lets go!
He left the battleground behind him and pulled on the throttle. The old bike didnt exceed 50 kilometers per hour, no matter how much he had pulled on the throttle. He began to miss his snakehead. It exceeded over 100 kilometers per hour with a five seconds lap time. Zaitun didnt look relaxed at all. It was no longer the timid face that he had shown before the Mukhabarat.
Its the gate, sir! Zaitun shouted from up ahead.
Like before, there was a barricade. A lantern light was turning about in a circular motion.
Im going ahead.
The speedometer couldnt exceed 60 kilometers, even at its fastest speed.
Putatataa
The bike trembled as though it was about to break down. For Black Mamba, who used to ride on bikes that ran 300 kilometers per hour, it was something to be frustrated about.
At 200 meters, Black Mamba threw a grenade.
Woosh
The grenade flew straight through the air and sneaked into the guard posts window.
Boom
It was an attack that no one had anticipated. Red flames escaped out of the posts windows and entrance. In a single explosion, the person who had sent the stop signal before the post and the two Mukhabarat who were inside died.
Woosh
Another grenade flew in. It was a confirmation kill.
Boom
The burning post shattered into pieces.
Bang bang bang
The Gorgon broke the barricade. The shattered wooden blockade was scattered.
Putatata
The old bike didnt spare a second and rushed by.
Zaitun, whod been following him from the rear, nearly fell off his bike. Unstoppable was the right word for that b*stard. Hed definitely thrown a grenade, but how did it land 200 meters ahead?
Swinging a whip from a running bike to break through a barricade wasnt something that could be seen in Hollywood movies, either. Zaituns face crumpled.
Black Mamba examined his surrounding terrains even while driving. Lacking battleground data would bring about greater damage. Highway 217 had been swept away like the cloister of the lowlands. It was a long, deep U-shaped terrain that looked as though an iceberg had swept past.
I should avoid the road. If they shove in a large-scale force, Ill become a cornered rat.
While analyzing the terrain, Zaitun abandoned the main road and entered a side road. The old bike struggled to climb the dense forested hill. The top wasnt that far. They arrived at its peak in 10 minutes. It was approximately 650 meters above ground.
Zaitun parked the bike at the top.
Huh, whats that b*stard doing?
Bang
Black Mamba, who had followed after him, kicked his bike. As a result, Zaitun and his bike rolled down.
What are you doing? Zaitun shouted.
Black Mamba went after Zaitun, grabbed him by his collar, and shook him.
Zaitun, what is your identity?
He looked on with burning glares.
Identity, what are you talking about?
That building in the forest on the right is the ANOs soldier training groundRumanisnt it?
What! You can see that?
Zaitun looked surprised to the point that he could pass out. It was a night without moonlight and just stars. There was no way that a building two kilometers outside the valley could be seen. As hed thought, that guy was a monster.
Hmph, why would you stop the bike at a skyline, if not on purpose? You couldnt have known the battlefield tactics that even a private knows. What is your identity?
Bloodlust exuded out of him. Zaituns heart sank when he faced Black Mambas burning glares. The extreme torture training that he had received in Bethesda wasnt working.
II am a local informant, Zaitun. It was a mistake. Im not an agent specially trained to be an informant, Zaitun answered with a clear voice even when he was trembling.
Black Mambas heart wavered. Local slippers were often given simple missions or a small-scale target with less care. Many agents werent specially trained.
However, he had too many suspicions of the guy to trust him. Black Mamba could read the pulse, muscle movements, and brain waves of other people. Despite several surprising situations, the b*stard didnt waver. He had pretended to be surprised and scared instead.
Zaitun could fool a ghost but not him. The problem was whether he could suspect Zaitun just for that. There were various kinds of people amongst the 5,000,000,000 people on earth. Could that be his natural reaction?
Shouldnt there be a reason behind the b*stards late appearance and his insistence on walking?
Ugh!
Black Mamba groaned while contemplating to trust or kill the guy. His left side prickled. His dense muscles soon tightened, which stopped the sharp object from piercing his side any further. The pain spread immediately afterward.
Damn, its poison.
He grabbed Zaituns hand, which had reflexively stabbed his side. Black Mambas hands had a vice-like grip that could bend iron.
Crack
Kugh!
A suppressed scream and the sound of cracking bones could be heard at the same time. A humans hand had 14 finger bones and five palm bones. The 19 bones had become one mushed ball. An object the size of his palm dropped to the ground.
Zaitun wasnt easy either. He overcame the shocking level of damage and pulled out a gun with his injured hand. It was a surprisingly fast reflex. His white sclera flashed.
Scnk
A small sound pulsed.
Die, you monster!
Zaituns eyes widened like a lobsters as he reached out with his hand. There was no Glock or a wrist.
What?
His brain had failed to grasp the situation. Just then, an extremely untamable pain rushed over him.
Kuuuuh~
Crack
Black Mamba stabbed Zaitun on the pressure point of his neck.
Kuhuhkuh!
A strange quivering sound resonated. Zaitun withstood the impact that was enough to break his neck. The tendons and blood vessels of his neck swelled up as though it would tear away at his skin. His entire upper body trembled as though he had been electrocuted by high voltage electricity. In military terms, he had lost all battle capacity. Their exchange ended in the blink of an eye.
Those idiots have gone in over their heads again.
Black Mambas face crumpled. A guide attacking a consultant was an unimaginable case.
His back muscle twisted on its own. It was a strong poison. Although he had been injected with traces of the poison, his side was already immobilized. Soon, the paralysis spread to both of his upper sides.
He recalled the time when he had been poisoned by that Russky ba*stard in the Sahel. Hed suffered so much that he swore to rip the b*stards limbs apart.
He used his dimensional sight and internal sight to examine his internal body. There was an outer injury below his twelfth rib, called the floating rib. The injury looked like he was stabbed by a knife with two teeth on its sides. A black cloud-like substance was penetrating his body through the injury.
Ommani banmehom om!
He raised his resonance. The resonance that began from his lower belly started shaking his whole body.
Voom
His body shook. The poison, which couldnt penetrate any further due to the resonance, twirled in its place.
Shhh
His spine felt coolish. The small particles that illuminated from his spine began to spread. It was a counteragent that he had named, shining. His veins absorbed shining like an inks smear.
Shining, which had responded to his resonance, spread to his blood like flying pollen. A huge amount of oxygen was absorbed, and his blood flow rapidly increased. A cooling feeling as though hed just eaten mint, spread from his spine to the rest of his limbs.
His muscle spasms stopped. The poison, which had been trapped in his side, was absorbed into the particles. He pulled out his Kukri and slit the injury into a cross. Black blood flowed out.
Chapter 227 - Episode 2: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Is he still not dead, or did he die sitting?
Zaitun looked at his victim with blurry eyes. The human, who was unlike a human, didnt move from his sitting position. Zaitun didnt doubt his death. His limbs would have been paralyzed in 0.1 seconds, and he would have stopped breathing in 10 seconds.
Zaitun found his death unfortunate. Hed managed to inject the Peskett CCW by the sliver of a chance. It was the perfect timing, and he was in perfect condition. Like a shadow, hed even been trained to manipulate his heartbeats using hypnosis and drugs.
Hed been plenty careful, but as expected, the guy was overwhelming. Hed attacked in his most peaceful state as though he was slapping his friends back, but he was still critically counterattacked. He wanted to check whether the target was dead, but the paralysis wasnt wearing off. The b*stard was too scary anyway that he didnt want to approach him.
Kaparja Valley had the best conditions for a guerrillas headquarters. Its surroundings were filled with rocks. It was a rocky mountain where grasses couldnt grow due to its dry and non-nutritious, weak sand.
Thanks to its geographical factors, it was hard for enemies to raid, and it was also a good place for surveillance. Enemies had to walk five to six kilometers into the mountain to attack the training grounds. In the meantime, there was enough time to either set up a defense or flee.
Sufficient water flowed out between the rocks for 1,000 peoples drinking and daily purposes. There was a waterfall deep inside the valley. The hydroelectric generator, which the Syrian government had installed for them, supplied them with electricity. The fact that they could use electricity in the middle of Syrias mountainous regions made Kaparja a blessed land.
The cliffs surrounding both sides of the valley created a canopy. They could avoid air surveillance, and it could withstand long-distance field artillery attacks.
There were several natural caves on the cliffs. The caves could also be used as an emergency hideout. They could also drill the rocks to create caves for living spaces.
Abu Nidal had accepted all of these blissful conditions. The problem was food. Not a single fruit tree could grow on the mountain. There wasnt any land to farm on, either. It was a deserted place where they could only starve if the food supply discontinued.
Jamal, who was wearing a black headscarf, lowered his binoculars from the eastern watchpoint of Ruman and tapped his friend. The black headscarf indicated a leadership position within the five-member squad.
Barjani, a person appeared and disappeared off the eastern hill.
Really?
Im not sure since it happened so suddenly. Its the Kindall B-zone where the captain of security had ordered concentrated surveillance on.
Didnt you imagine it out of hunger?
Damn, I am hungry.
Jamal gently rubbed his growling stomach. Their daily assigned meals had decreased from three to two until they were only given one today.
Until last month, Syria had spared no effort in supporting its military logistics. The supply trucks, which started from Aleppo, commuted all the way to their meeting point below the mountain. Supplies that were left around their meeting point were then transported by donkeys to their headquarters that were five kilometers away.
The number of supply trucks that had visited every other day began to decrease since the latter half of last month. If the trucks didnt come tomorrow, theyd have to eat the donkeys that did nothing but played around.
In the past few months, the Mukhabarat, who supplied the ANO, was busy preparing a face-off against the Muslim Brotherhood. On top of that, Syria was in chaos due to Black Mambas mess. Aleppos Mukhabarat headquarters had no time to worry about the ANOs dining tables. Jamal would have to starve.
Jamal, shouldnt we tell the captain?
Damn, Ill be kicked out if I tell him something uncertain.
Jamal wasnt bothered. He was completely sick of fighting. Hed been enamored by the Pan-Arabism ideals during his studies at Aleppo University and had involved himself with the ANO. His pride dissolved within a year from working for the righteousness of God.
He had enough of the indiscriminate destruction and unreasonable murder. He was tired of life from being chased and tortured by mosquitoes and poisonous insects in the mountains. Now, all he could think of was to get back home.
Jamal, what are you going to do? Barjani asked.
Jamal wanted to hit his own mouth for saying something worthless. No, he wanted to throw the binoculars that the Syrian government had provided them.
He pushed the bullet in his left thigh back and forth. Hed grown a habit of pushing around any bullet embedded in his thigh when he was anxious.
Hed been shot while fleeing from blowing up a police officers house in Paris. The bullet was stuck on his thigh, but he couldnt pull it out since he was too busy running. He had returned to the training center in 20 days.
Funnily enough, the wound had healed with the bullet still intact. The bullet, which had become a part of his body, didnt give him much discomfort. The ANOs directive office had called Jamal a warrior with Allahs blessing. He even wore a leaders mark due to the miraculous bullet.
There were individual reasons behind those who were involved with an organization. Barjani was a follower of Abu Nidal. No, he was someone who regarded Abu Nidal as God. Refusing his ideals were bound to have one reported as a traitor.
Becoming a traitor meant being locked in the punishment room. The punishment room, which was constructed from digging through the cliff, had barely enough space for two people to lie down. For days, people had to starve and fight against poisonous insects while they were inside.
Im not sure, lets not wake the captain and just bring our group over.
In conclusion, Jamal woke the five members of his unit and left Ruman. Jamal carefully climbed the eastern hill, which was called the Kindall-B zone. With that, it ended 30 years of Jamals life.
A Paranthropus body was incredible. In exchange for bleeding a bucket of his precious blood, his paralyzed muscles relaxed.
Father, teacher, you cant trust anyone in this world.
Black Mamba blamed his father and teacher. His father had said that one had to be honest for others to be honest. His teacher had told him to find trustworthy attributes instead of suspecting others. They were all nonsense. He couldnt trust anyone in this world. That was his newfound realization.
Dang, my precious blood. God, hows there such a strong poison?
Black Mamba, who was now relaxed, wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. It hadnt taken two seconds for Zaitun to stab his side with a strange object and for him to crush and slice off his hand.
Most poisons had an incubation period. Like all viruses and bacteria, tetrodotoxin took time to diffuse. Most poisons didnt affect him. It would neutralize the moment it diffused. It was a side effect of the Excita virus that he had been contaminated with when he turned into a Paranthropus.
This time, the poison that he had been attacked with diffused without a chance to neutralize. It took five minutes for him to expel. If he hadnt gained resonance, he wouldve hovered between life and death despite his deceptive anti-poison constitution.
Kekeke, its surprising that hes still resisting.
Zaitun laughed with a face crumpled into the likes of a devil. Hed displayed an unimaginable amount of patience. Hed ripped the edges of his tobe with his teeth by moving his cracked neck bone. Hed stopped the bleeding of both of his hands with his mouth and feet.
The injuries on Zaitun were shocking. He had displayed astounding strength and mentality. Even Black Mamba was impressed by the fact that hed wrapped both of his hands with his tobe.
Black Mamba, whod been frozen the entire time, began to move. He shook his ringing head and grabbed the weapon on the ground. It was similar to the actions of a ratel that woke from a cobras paralysis.
No way? Zaitun gasped.
His eyes widened to the point of tearing. The dead b*stard was moving. If a corpse moved, it wouldnt be a human but a zombie. He hadnt stabbed deep enough, but hed injected the guy with botulinum toxin. The botulinum toxin version F, which had no incubation period, was a product of the DIAs medical information center in partnership with Johnson and Johnson.
Once injected into the body, it would destroy an organisms nervous systems synapses at a fearful rate. The entire body would be paralyzed instantly. An immobilized human would die within 10 seconds. Since the nerves were paralyzed instead of the muscles, the human resembled a toy without batteries.
The poison of the botulinum toxin was crude. It could kill an elephant in 30 seconds. It was the strongest poison in existence, which could kill 5,000,000,000 people with 100 grams. Botox, which women considered the symbol of youth, was a substance diluted to one/billionth of its potency from botulinum toxins type A and B.
A human who moved after it had been injected with the botulinum toxin? If it was a dream, it was a very bad one. If it was real life, that guy was a zombie and not a human.
Black Mamba glanced at Zaitun, whose mouth was open and turned to look at the weapon in his hand. He wasnt interested in Zaitun, who couldnt fight anymore. It was a specialized weapon for murder. He could smell blood by simply looking at it.
There was a round hammer attached to the back with the handle as its balance, and an attached blade with teeth on its right and left. There was a stranded gold thread by the uppermost handle where the clasp was. Underneath the handle were two buttons. Its entire length was around 25 centimeters. He recalled seeing an image of the weapons during his training in the Deuxieme Rep.
A Peskett CCW?
He remembered. It was a multi-purpose murder weapon that the SOE[1] had designed during WWII and given to agents. Itd been developed by Charles Smith of the SOE equipment research department.
SOE had called the collection of agent-based weapons like the Peskett CCW and Merican SAK, the Q Kit. The character Q of the movie 007 was based on the developer, Charles Smith.
That was the first time he saw the weapon in person. The weapon in his hand was much more refined and elegant compared to the Peskett CCW.
How vicious. That hammer would be for bashing a persons skull, the gold thread for strangling, and the teeth for stabbing one into critical injury. The square button to inject poison, and the round button for the teeths compartment and projection. Whats the small hook at its tip for?
Black Mamba levelled the teeth towards Zaitun.
Hm! Zaitun let out a gust of breath in surprise.
Ah-hah, its the button for launching the poisoned teeth.
As if to tease, Black Mamba turned the weapons around and pressed the round button. The tooth, which was as long as his finger, flicked into the handle without a sound.
Zaitun, you have astounding endurance to swallow your screams while your hands were being crushed, and your wrists were being cut off. It should take at least the DIA, KGB, or Mossad to create a person like you. Dont even bother bringing up the CIA. Theyre good at strategies and public works, but they dont have traditional and specialized spies like you.
Black Mamba twirled the weapon around as he walked back and forth. He was relaxing his stiffened muscles.
Whatwhat the hell are you? How are you not dead? Are you even human? I heard those frogs did some weird human experiments, is that you? Zaitun kept asking instead of answering his question.
Woosh
The Gorgon stretched all the way. Black Mamba had learned the cycloid technique, which created the fastest acceleration speed. The five-pointed spear at the end of his whip crossed the space between them, at once.
Kugh!
Zaituns right toe was crushed.
Zaitun, Ill be sad if you dont realize the situation youre in. Didnt I tell you that I have a bad habit of tearing peoples limbs apart when Im sad? I ask, you answer. If you answer to the best of your abilities, Ill kill you clean and give you a burial.
Zaitun felt his sight darkened. A needle wouldnt go through the guy. That b*stard could do more than tear his body apart, like pulling at a beetles legs or ripping off a dragonflys wings. Going against that monster wouldnt allow him a single chance of survival. His 35 years of life was over now.
Zaitun was a follower of Islam. He didnt fear death, but with a ruined body, his soul had no place to return to. He didnt want to wander in jahannam[2], leaving aside a brighter world.
I swear on the Day of Resurrection, I swear on the accusing soul that God shall gather the humans bones.
Zaitun continued and recited a verse from the Quran, On a day when their tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do. That day, Allah will pay them in full their deserved recompense, and they will know that it is Allah who is the (very) truth, that makes all things manifest.
His mind settled.
Very well. My chances of survival are as low as the possibility of your revival from the botulinum toxin. If its not my organizations secret, I will answer honestly. Just kill me neatly.
What a man. Names are meaningless anyway. Your affiliation?
The DIA[3], shadow number three of the Middle Easts headquarters.
DIA shadow?
Black Mamba nodded. Zaitun being a DIA shadow agent, explained his strong physique and mentality.
Hold on! Black Mamba lowered his voice.
His senses had dulled from the poison. The enemy had already approached his 250 meters mark. He pulled out an MP5SD3 from his backpack. The short MP5 could easily fit into his backpack without any disassembling.
Zaitun, your efforts werent in vain. A guest has come. Wait a moment, wont you?
Rustle
Black Mamba blended into the forest like a leaf fluttering in the wind.
Hum, corpses will pile, Zaitun sighed.
He didnt know whether the guy was human or not, but one would have to hit the guy with mortars to kill him. The traditional-styled terrorists, who carried around a Kalashnikov, were as good as dead.
Black Mamba attached himself to a large sandstone rock like a lizard and looked down.
One, two, threesix in total. Why are there so few of them?
Three teams of two were all there was. There wasnt anyone else he could sense with his dimensional field perception skill, either.
Should I test out the beauty, then?
Black Mamba flinched amid his mumbling. If his teacher found out that he considered humans as mere targets for gun practice, hed have hit his head until the wooden table cracked.
Whoo, seems like all the effort that I put into the prayer services at the temple is reverting, Amita Bul. He automatically lamented.
For now, he had to get rid of those b*stards and crash their headquarters.
The distance was 180 meters, which was quite far for an MP5, but he didnt care. A human skull wasnt a bulletproof vest. It was a distance good enough for a parabellum bullet to enter their heads and flip around their brains.
Pa-pat pa-pat pa-pat
It was a three-hit double-tap. Five of them, who had been climbing the hill in a fanned out position, died almost simultaneously.
Ya illahi hakan hada![4] Jamal freaked out.
Five of his friends, whod been climbing the hill with him, were shot at the same time. Jamals brain failed to comprehend the situation. He unknowingly raised both of his hands in the air.
Save me! Allah, please consider this sinner.
What a long life he has, or should I say good odds of survival?
Pat
An object that was similar to a hammer hit the back of his head. Jamals consciousness faded into darkness.
[1] Britishs Special Operations Executive.
[2] Hell in Islam.
[3] Defense Intelligence Agency of the United States.
[4] Ah! What in the world!
Chapter 228 - For Whom The Bell Tolls
Black Mamba tucked Jamal underneath his side and sprinted towards the middle of the forest. The longer the night lasted, the more dreams there were. Unsettled matters had to be completed to prevent further trouble.
Zaitun flinched. A black shadow approached as though it had emerged from the ground. A black object was dropped beneath Zaituns feet like a reaped bunch of hay. It was a healthy-looking Arab wearing dishdasha pants[1] and a faded t-shirt.
Already? Zaituns eyes widened.
Hed returned after disappearing for 10 minutes.
He couldnt have been alone
Five were called to Allahs side.
Huh!
Zaitun became speechless. The MP5 was a gun known for its excellent noise performance, but its ringing could be heard within a range of 300 to 400 meters at night. The guy was basically saying that he got rid of the enemies 500 meters outside of the range and kidnapped one in 10 minutes. It was impossible.
Zaitun cleared his suspicions. That was a human who shook off the effects of botulinum toxin within five minutes. From the beginning, he was a human who was beyond the logic of this world. He had to consider it for the sake of his own mental health.
Black Mamba threw Jamal down and didnt spare him a second glance. He moved a large, flat rock in front of Zaitun and sat.
Lets keep talking.
Zaituns astonishment disappeared. During the eight years of his life as a shadow, hed gone through all kinds of impossibilities, but hed never gotten used to murder. There was still some reluctance left in him.
The human before him was someone who had killed five people just moments ago. That fact had long been erased from the guys head. Killing a chicken wouldnt have produced such indifference. The guy was the psychopath of the century with a nuclear bomb in his hands. Zaituns heart felt suffocated as though someone had placed a rock on top of his chest.
The DIA had been created as a means to counter the Soviet Unions nuclear threats in 1961. Since back then and now, the Yankees were good at whining and exaggerating.
The air force had whined that their nuclear missiles were behind the Soviets when it came to potency; the navy had whined that there was an increase in the Soviets threat of nuclear submarines; the army had whined that the Soviets armed forces were developing tank-deployed nuclear weapons.
The conclusion had been to unify and increase the army, navy, and air forces spy system. Their headquarters were set up in Bethesda, Maryland, and they had also established a large scale spy training and redevelopment center.
While the CIA concentrated on the production and refinement of information networks, the DIA concentrated on destruction-based missions through field agents. Unlike the CIA, who turned the world into a frenzy now and then, the DIA moved underwater. In secret missions, they sometimes disguised themselves as the CIA. Most of the CIAs destructive missions could be seen as the DIAs handiwork.
Shadows were the DIAs main field agents. They were real, traditional secret agents who mainly destroyed buildings and assassinated targets. The DGSE had predicted that there were 800 shadows in action.
A new shadow recruit from the special forces underwent three years of redevelopment at the Bethesda training center. The shadow program went above and beyond the Delta forces training program.
The officers would kidnap the trainee to inflict extreme torture or disguised themselves as an enemy states spy to lure them with beauties and money. There was a horrible education program that surpassed the KGBs counter-torture training too. The best agent and murder weapon, shadow, was created after they passed all those stages.
I cant tell you the national secrets.
Of course. How did you get into the DGSE?
Hehehe, those idiots! The DGSE has been struggling to keep up with their performance since Mitterrand increased the SDECE. The officers were on fire for trying to increase the number of slippers. An officers graded capacity is largely based on the number of local informants they gathered, after all. I cursed Assad out a few times in the bathroom at a park, and they immediately came knocking.
Tsk, those idiots who know nothing but to throw their weight around! There should have been a filter.
I didnt pass the lie detector test last year due to a mistake. The officer had looked past it. His resume would be affected if a local agent under his control is considered fake, after all. Fooling the lie detector isnt a big deal. That stupid machine cant detect agents who believe their lies to be the truth. All shadows should be able to pass it.
Damn b*stards, there are holes all over the place despite showing off.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The DGSE officers were engaged in racial superiority and cultural arrogance. They had the misconception that Arabs and colored ethnicities could be treated like children. That was the reason why they had failed to filter Zaitun out.
What are your intentions? Why did you attack me?
Zaituns dark red face had been bleached white. The lax countermeasure hadnt been enough to stop the blood flow from his exposed major veins. Black Mamba pulled out an explosion-proof tape from his backpack and wrapped both of his arms firmly.
Thanks.
Zaituns face creased. He tried to smile, but his muscle couldnt move properly.
My role is to protect Assad. Basically, to kill people like you. America doesnt trust Mitterrand. Hes been through all kinds of bullying, trying to gain power outside his domain and promoting something vague like moralistic politics as his ideal. The NSA decided that France is trying to get rid of Assad to swallow down Syria.
Youre protecting the evil side?
Black Mamba looked on in disbelief. It had been long since the U.S. had reported Syria to be on the evil side.
Why are you acting like an amateur? What evil? Thats a fake ideal that those in power make up in times of need. In reality, Assad is Americas VIP. Most Middle East countries are governed by the Sunni faction. The goal of the Islamic countries dominated by the Sunni is to overthrow Israel. As you know, America is influenced by Jews. Assad is Americas, no, the Jews trojan horse against the Sunnis government.
Still, thats not enough reason. The U.S. is a country that holds human rights with great importance. Assad is a dictator who uses surveillance and violence as a method of ruling. The U.S. protecting someone who has killed 1,000s of their own citizens?
Whether Assad is a dictator or not, it doesnt matter. If Assad falls, Israel and Lebanon would fall into danger. The Muslim Brotherhood has over 20,000 armed members. Its entire organization is made up of units of 100,000, while its hidden supporters add up to over 100,000,000. Soon, the Middle East will be drenched in blood because of them. If Assad falls, nevermind Syria, the entire Middle East would fall into the hands of extreme fundamentalists. Damn, I can see the lobsters from the Bay of Fundy. Ha, ha. Zaitun gasped.
When blood ran low, cells wouldnt receive the appropriate amount of oxygen. A person would turn weak and hallucinate.
Black Mamba tipped over his canteen and dripped water into Zaituns mouth.
America wants the ANO to shake up France. Assad must be safe. You hate Assads government, but Assad mustnt be shaken now.
Of course, this is your vision as well as Americas?
Hehe, yes. I thought France would send their airborne regiment or at least 10 teams from the GIGN. When you showed up alone, I was flabbergasted. What could you do alone? I considered you a pitiful being that would die after suffering some damages.
You didnt think of killing me but decided I was a threat later on?
Yes. I nearly had a heart attack when you got rid of the Mukhabarat. When you managed to throw a grenade into a guard post 200 meters away, I knew something wasnt right.
Zaitun, it seems like youre a consultant and not a spy. An agent wont have the broad vision and analytical capabilities to read current events like you do. As far as I know, youre the best agent Ive ever met.
F*** the best, Ive turned this way and cant do anything. Zaitun laughed humorlessly.
Who are you? What are you?
Im the Eastern Swordsman, a Korean.
Oh, a Korean Oriental Invincibility! Good. Its a waste for you to be in the frogs den. The Eastern Swordsman, why dont you think of joining America? America cares for its talents. They can offer 10 times the reward that youre receiving.
Im the Eastern Swordsman.
They were words said with confidence. A smile flashed on Zaituns face. That guy was a real man. There werent many who strongly valued honor and trust in a world obsessed with wealth.
Youre a trustworthy fellow to have as an ally, but a dangerous person to have as an enemy. I guess I can only hope that my country wont clash with you. If Assad dies now, there will be great chaos. Countless people will die, and 1,000s or even 1,000,000s will become refugees.
Black Mamba tilted his head.
Why do you keep mentioning Assads assassination? Assad isnt my target. Ill disappear after getting rid of the ANO.
What! Is your only target the ANO?
Zaituns eyes widened. The ANO was the hidden knife that Assad had secretly raised. Hed figured that Assad was the Eastern Swordsmans final target all along. There was no reason for the Eastern Wordsman to lie, and he didnt seem the type to do so.
Kekeke! I cant believe Im about to lose my life over a single mistake. I suppose its the fate of all spies.
The U.S. wouldnt directly support the terrorist organization. How far are they involved in Syrias affairs?
Zaitun hesitated for a moment before replying.
The CIA and DIA are working together and have interfered significantly. The CIA provides them with informed missions and weapons while the DIA is in charge of Assads safety and eliminating assassins. I cant tell you the real mission.
Zaitun closed his eyes. It was a sign that he had nothing further to say.
Hm, the interference of the Yankees!
Black Mamba groaned. His heart felt heavy. The Soviets and the U.S. were known as the strongest countries on either side of the world, but that was an ignorant misconception. The dictionary definition of a national power stated an overall ability in developing a country and increasing its chances of survival.
The U.S. overwhelmed the Soviets by at least three times when it came to politics, military, economics, and technology. The amount of influence the U.S. had over the world was 10 times stronger than the Soviets. The U.S. was the only country in the world that had division-scale offshore landing capabilities. The U.S. only needed the Soviets as the head of all evil.
How could he not be pressured when a powerhouse, the U.S., was involved. Just thinking of their uncountable intelligence gathering, self-sufficiency, and modern weapons made his heart lurch.
Damn those old b*stards, didnt they know, or did they not tell me despite knowing?
Negative emotions towards the DGSE kept piling.
Zaitun opened his eyes.
Thank you for treating me like a gentleman. Ill give you a small gift. The DGSEs manager of the Middle Eastern affairs in the Intelligence Department is the KGBs mole. There should be a CIA mole. Youre more dangerous than a nuclear bomb. I need to tell them the existence of the Eastern Swordsman. Its so hard and tiring. Just kill me as you have promised. Damn, my daughters waiting for me in New Jersey.
Black Mamba liked Zaitun. The guy loved his country and his role and had a stable mentality. He wanted to make the guy his lackey, but he wasnt someone who could be lured. It was already too late. Now was the time to relieve his pain.
He was a man with damaged limbs who was dying in a land far from his daughter and his hometown. His teachers words about death in life and life in death filled his heart. Unable to raise his hand immediately, Black Mamba gazed tenderly at Zaitun.
The clouds drew back. The quarter moon, which would soon turn into a full moon, revealed itself. The empty land drew its bare face underneath the blue-tinted moonlight. It was an area surrounded by overlapping barren plains filled with sparse bushes and grass. There werent any trees, rocky hills, or cliffs.
Guh! Jamal woke up.
Pi ayiyi maka-nin naheunu alan?[2]
His head was spinning, and his sight turned hazy. A heavy pain rushed over from the back of his head. He tried touching it with his hand. It was fine, without any tear or wounds. However, it hurt so much.
Ma-da hunna-ka?[3]
The pain that rushed up his spine brought him back to his senses. His hazy consciousness regained its steadiness. Hed lost his consciousness after a black shadow fell on him while his comrades had died from losing their heads. Jamal realized the situation that he was in. His hands and feet werent bound, but he was a prisoner.
Im dead!
Jamal was devastated. Thoughts of being put through extreme torture filled his headfrom having his neck ruthlessly cut off, hanging on a tree with his skin torn off, and burning to death over a fire.
Those were the methods that the ANO used to get rid of religious critiques. All heathens were religious critiques. Even Assad, who had abandoned the Islamic mindset, was a heathen that needed to be punished.
Hed been taught to commit suicide when taken prisoner by a heathen. He didnt have a gun or the Khanjar that he used to carry by his side. He had to bite his tongue to die, but he didnt have the courage.
Two men came into his sight underneath the bright moonlight. The man, who was leaning on the rock, had no hands. At a glance, he could tell that the man was being tortured. The material wrapped around his arms was soaked in blood. It looked dark underneath the moonlight, but hed experience cutting off hands to know what it looked like.
Someone was sitting up straight beside him. Jamal gasped. He recalled the shadow who had shattered his five comrades heads and came onto him like a tiger.
It was him. Jamal knew it instinctively. That person was the one who kidnapped him. He had to run to live. He feared torture because he had tortured others.
Stok!
Jamal, who was about to gather strength in his legs, jumped. His ears rang. No, his head was ringing. He curled up like a caterpillar and wrapped his head.
The man turned around.
Hic!
Surprised, Jamal breathed rapidly. Like a predator, bioluminescent eyes were hovering in the air. His limbs lost all of its strength. He couldnt even dream of fleeing.
The man turned back around as though he didnt care.
Goodbye!
Black Mambas palm left and landed on Zaituns chest. There was an impact. Zaituns heart collapsed once more.
Uuuh!
Jamal covered his mouth with his hand. Black liquid kept flowing out of the mans mouth. That human was scary, no, that was a scary being.
Black Mamba dug the ground with a gloomy expression on. The DIA shadow, Zaitun, who had been assigned to protect Assad, was buried in an unnamed hill in Kaparja Valley. There were two lines engraved on his headstone.
[Zaitun, the man who adopted violence to maintain peace, rests here. For whom did he toll the bell?]
[1] A loose white garment that is worn by Muslim men in the Arabian peninsula.
[2] Why am I here?
[3] What happened?
Chapter 229 - Episode 4: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Zaitun, greed is a homo sapiens instinct. Conflict and wars are human instincts. There is no Noahs Ark in this world. Even at dawn, a dove wont come with an olive branch. Peace or safety isnt easily earned. Your peace and my peace is different. You couldnt keep your peace because you were weaker than me. You who lost your name, and you who loved your country and mission, rest in peace. May greed, truth, and morals guide you to praj?. May you reach nirvana, to the holy fire, come, come, come upward!
The thick baritone voice echoed slowly across the empty mountain regions of northern Syria. Black Mamba truly mourned the death of the unknown American spy, Zaitun.
Knowing ones worth was a condition of being human. Zaitun was someone who had exchanged his worth for death. Today, Zaitun was buried, but tomorrow, he could be rolling around the empty lands as a nameless skull. Everything that lived to fight would struggle with death.
Jamal felt warmth in his heart. He didnt understand the language, but the honesty in the language reached his heart and shook his head. To think that the guy, who was like a monster, would bury his enemy and mourn their death. Hed thought that the guy wasnt human, but Black Mamba was the most humanlike hed ever witnessed. Confusion flickered across his conscience.
Exactly where did that thing come from? Is he an alien?
Jamals imagination went beyond the Earth.
His glow-in-the-dark needle pointed at 2:10 in the morning. For some reason, nothing went well during his missions. It was as though he was cursed. Zaituns irrationality had taken up most of his time. It was time to work. He turned towards the guy that he had captured.
Ah!
He slapped his forehead. Hed been arrogant again. He was supposed to obtain information from that guy, but there was a language barrier. To add on, hed sent Zaitun, who was born an Arab, to Allahs side.
Are you a member of Abu Nidal?
The blue fire floating in the air turned towards Jamal.
Ahh! Azrael!
Jamal felt his heart drop. He screamed unknowingly. The Azrael had reincarnated. It was said that Allahs judgment would come when the world was dried up like crushed paper. It was time for the judgment of his actions. He was obviously going to go to hell.
II am, thats right, but no. Im not saying that Im not a member, but I couldnt leave even if I wanted to. Yes. I am a member. Ive done something I shouldnt have. Ive only done what the leaders told me to do.
Those were incomprehensible words, but he felt relieved. Hed replied in French, which was something Black Mamba hadnt expected.
Bingo! Whats your name?
Azrael, please, forforgive me.
Jamal collapsed into a kneel.
Dude, Im asking for your name, Black Mamba replied.
The sadness from sending Zaitun off turned into annoyance.
II only did what I was told to do. If I resisted, I would have been executed for disobeying orders. I want to go home. Please, dont bury my name, at least! Ahh!
Jamal was frightened and desperate. Azrael was the angel of death. If the angel spoke his name, it would be wiped off the list. If a name was wiped off Azraels list, hell would immediately welcome the person.
Black Mamba raised his eyebrows. He hated whiny humans the most. He controlled the urge to bury the guy.
The prisoners blood pressure rose. His unstable brain waves were overworking his senses. The b*stard was consumed by his fear. Black Mamba didnt want to kill someone who understood French. He had to use the b*stard as a guide to return.
Dude, what the hell are you saying?
Slap
Jamals eyes returned to its position after a strong slap.
Im as much of an Azrael as you are. Answer me.
Jamal gave up entirely. There were countless people he had killed over the past several years. Including heathens, there had also been Sunni Muslims of the same faction. He killed whoever the leaders told him to kill.
He could hear the curse of a pregnant woman whom hed burnt with oil to death. You will receive Allahs curse! All the actions hed taken as an ANO member went by like a panorama. He couldnt go to Allahs side.
Name?
Its Amud Jamal.
Jamal, I will be questioning you now. If you give me the wrong answer or reply slowly, Ill pull out a finger. If we run out of fingers, Ill pull out your toes. If you lie, Ill pull out your arms.
Jamal felt light-headed.
Yes, yes, Ill answer anything.
Is that place the ANO training center?
Yes, we call it the Aloadins[1] Lodgings.
Aloadin?
The European Crusaders referred to the Assassins leader as the Old Man of the Mountain. Aloadin is its Syrian term.
I see.
Black Mamba was aware of the legend of the 12th-century Crusades leader of Assassins, the Old Man of the Mountain.
The leaders told us to say [I, the son of prince Aloadin, order you in the name of Abu Nidal. You will kill all heathens. You will kill all betrayers of Islam. An angel shall guide you to heaven even if you sacrifice your body for a mission.]
Hm, theyre the traditional Oecophylla smaragdina. Theyve brainwashed suicide terror into a holy crusade.
Islam considered suicide as a sin. Black Mamba understood the ANOs destructive methods and suicidal terrorist methods. At the same time, he could guess the relationship they had with Assad. The Abu Nidal b*stard was someone who mimicked the role of the Old Man on the Mountain. The Assassins were the current Alawites. Assad was from the Alawite faction.
He couldnt tell whether the head of ANO, Abu Nidal, was a Sunni or an Alawite, but he was Assads partner. It was as Zaitun had said. The ANO was Assads hidden knife. Zaituns misunderstanding was reasonable.
Here, the Old Man on the Mountain was something that required explanation. The history of the terrorist organizations ideals had been engraved deeply within Syria, after all.
In the 13th century, a French clergy member, William, had called the Order of Assassins, the Muliech. Muliech was a misspelling of the Arab word Mulhid in its past tense, Malahidah. It meant deviant. It represented the Order of Assassins, which was completely different from the previous Islam.
The Aloadin had constructed the most beautiful castle in the world, the Alamut. It was a castle decorated with gold and silver. It was also filled with precious fruits accompanied by a river of milk, honey, and wine flowing down the waterways. It was a place with countless beauties and feasts and a place that had every imaginable entertainment. That was the Alamut Castle.
Aloadin had brought talented teenage boys to his castle and drowned them with such delights before brainwashing them with drugs. The young men had believed that Aloadin was Muhammads reincarnation and willingly threw their lives away. By Aloadins order, they had thrown themselves off a cliff towards the endless depths without any hesitation.
Aloadin often told this to young men who were selected as assassins:
This is the order of prophet Aloadin. You must kill so-and-so. If you return, angels will lead you to heaven. Even if you die, I will send an angel to lead you to heaven.
That was the message. Aloadin had fooled them into believing that assassination was a holy religious duty. The Arab terrorist organizations were the ones who had used Aloadins rationality of violence as an ideology, and Assad had also adopted it as his governing ideology. Assad and the terrorist organizations had no choice but to be aligned.
It was said that the Assassin factions most prominent headquarters was in Aleppo. If the legend of the Old Man on the Mountain was true, there was a high possibility that it was located in Kaparja Valley.
The place where a humans dignity fell, the place where young blood was spilled from lies, and the place where the Oecophylla smaragdina had been bornit was the Aloadin.
Did history repeat itself? A disgusting b*stard called Abu Nidal was in a soiled place, waiting to be crushed.
Hehe, thats a good name. Did honey and wine flow in the Aloadin Lodgings?
Not at all. Theres nothing except for mosquitoes and poisonous insects, Jamal answered in a far more relaxed tone compared to his prior nervousness.
How many members are there in the training center?
Aloadins Lodgings is Abu Nidals headquarters and training center. There are 350 warriors and 250 officers and trainees. There are 60 special forces members called the security personnel. Their roles are to monitor and get rid of betrayers within the organization.
Jamal even told him things that he didnt need to know. Black Mambas face creased into a frown. That meant there were 660 members. It wasnt something to be taken lightly.
Bonipas, that damn b*stard!
He swore inwardly. Bonipas had said that there were 400 members at most, so did those 400 members procreate or something?
There were 1,000 members at most. A few days ago, 40 members had entered France by a rowing boat.
That was important information.
Their target?
If the higher-ups havent changed their target, it should be the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and the Opra Bastille.
Damn b*stards!
Their targets were public facilities. Abu Nidal was planning to make it grand this time. They were probably ordered by Assad or advised by the U.S. His mouth turned sour like it had been sautd.
Black Mamba took out his encrypted compression satellite communications device. In other words, it was a device that coded normal speech before a marked recipient could receive it.
There was a risk of having his signal intercepted, but he couldnt ignore the threat it imposed on innocent people. He had no choice but to trust the device.
Code serpent, ANO 40 in. Target is Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and the Opra Bastille. Over.
Black Mamba immediately turned off his communications device. That wasnt an all mans land like the Sahel. It was the Middle East where spies from every country participated in the playing field. If he wasnt careful, he could be tricked.
Jamal, whats the reason behind telling me such important information?
I made the wrong decision. Like every other organization, the ANO lost its purpose of maintaining tradition and turned into a monster. It turned into an organization filled with madmen thirsty for blood. I dont want to have any more nightmares. I want to live the rest of my life forgiving those whove sinned and start cultivating some land.
Black Mamba stared at Jamal. His blood flow and brain waves were stable. At the very least, it wasnt a lie.
I will believe you for now. Explain the Ruman, no, Aloadin Lodgings.
There are four wings in the headquarters where the previous members lived and trained in. Its located to the lodgings east. There are seven trainee camps, and theyre inside the valley. The shooting fields are in the north and south, while the respective officers remain in the center. The rotation officers are
Jamal explained to the best of his abilities by drawing on the ground. It was quality information that Black Mamba hadnt been expecting.
There are weapons storage rooms and ammunition storage rooms in the caves, which were made by drilling through the cliff. Their locations are close to each of the officers quarters. Theres a large natural cave inside the valley. No one is allowed to approach that place aside from the leaders. Sometimes, outsiders and the leaders come and go. Oh, theres electricity flowing through the fence outside at night.
How, when theyre so deep inside the mountains?
Theres a water-powered generator inside the valley, sir.
Those human butchers are living in a utopia.
Black Mamba snorted. The ANO wasnt any simple terrorist organization. They were b*stards who would turn into a military organization with time. It could have been the creation of Aloadin in the modern world.
Black Mamba raised his night vision goggles. Even if he had superior night vision, he couldnt rely on just starlight to tell apart objects that were two kilometers away. He adjusted his binoculars to amplify the vision.
The intake tower and watchtowers came into his sight first. There was an endless stretch of iron fences. The Aloadin Lodgings were massive in size. The iron fences before him were 700 meters. That meant the lodgings were over 160,000 pyungs. He could see 10 buildings, although he couldnt tell whether it was made of bricks or stone.
The 65 kilograms of C-4 he had on him wouldnt be enough. Hed done well to bring grenades.
The crescent moon leaned towards the west. His glowing watch pointed at 02:40 in the morning. It was the darkest hour of the night. Hed confirmed Aleppos sunrise at 06:19, which meant that he only had four hours left.
Jamal, thank you for the honest information. The ANO is an evil organization that should not exist. I will erase Aloadins lodgings today. Are you coming with me?
Jamal was hesitant to reply. He truly hated the organization, but hed been in it for decades. Could he shoot someone who was his comrade just hours ago? If he decided against going, Azraels wrath would befall him. Black Mamba read Jamals thoughts.
You dont need to participate in this battle.
Ill follow you. What should I call you?
Dong-bang-bull-pae!
Ill follow you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Damn, even this b*stards calling me Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Black Mamba complained in Korean as he returned Jamals gun.
Jamals eyes widened. Did he hand me back my weapon?
Black Mamba smiled at Jamals expression.
If you have the confidence and skills to shoot me, you can.
Jamals face turned yellow. It was as expected of the Azrael. Jamal was tired of Black Mambas all-knowingness from reading his thoughts.
Black Mamba took out a Dragunov from his backpack and placed it to the left of his bag before setting up the MP5SD3 to the bags right. The MP5SD3s testing results were satisfactory. There wasnt any recoil from the barrel during his double-tap snipings, which had often occurred with the Pamus. Its sequence attacks had improved. The silencer had also been enhanced. It was an effective weapon for close combat.
He confirmed that all 20 of his darts were in the lower compartment of his backpack alongside the Gorgon. He placed another 100 in his side bag. He checked for the Kukri in his left holster and the Glock on his ankle.
He took out 10 grenades from his backpack and placed it in his suspended pouch. He finished arming himself by storing 10 MP5 magazines with 30 rounds each and five Dragunov magazines with 20 rounds each.
[1] The Syrian term for the Old Man of the Mountain.
Chapter 230 - For Whom The Bell Tolls
Jamal, whod been watching, felt his jaw drop. An ANO member fought with an assault rifle. The weight of Black Mambas weapons alone, which could overturn an entire country, was heavier than him. He considered Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa extraordinary for moving with such weight.
Black Mamba had an excessive number of grenades on him28 French E07 fragmentation grenades, 20 soy white phosphorus grenades, 20 Soviet RKG-3 anti-tank grenades, and 100 hand grenades.
Finally, he assembled 2,000 grams of C-4s to blow up the buildings and facilities. The C-4 was similar to soft rice cake sticks. It could be taken apart or merged when needed. 65 kilograms of C-4s was made into a bundle of explosives.
Jamals mouth hung open once more. The mountain of grenades and the large number of explosives that had been inside the duffle bag blew away the remaining doubt in the corner of his mind.
The Azrael had descended on Aloadin Lodgings, which had been around for 1,000s of years. The Azrael was the angel of death. It was a fearful creature with 70,000 feet and 4,000 wings. It ruled over the Third Sehakim.
The Aloadin Lodgings was an impregnable fortress that even the French military had given up on. That was a fight between the Azrael and the Aloadin. His breath faltered, and his blood boiled.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, arent you going to survey the area? There is tight security around Aloadin Lodgings. There are over 600 armed soldiers.
His master was strong, but the Aloadin wasnt an easy fortress. There wasnt a route to break in from outside. He was worried about his master, who was about to attack without surveying the area.
Ive already heard everything that I need from you.
Jamal flinched. His master was impatient. Sharp-witted, he realized hed said something unnecessary.
Then, Ill carry your explosives bag, sir.
Its heavier than it looks. If you carry it, youll be a sitting duck for blind bullets. I dont want to bury my subordinate in a deserted land.
Black Mamba assembled an explosives bag from the backpack. He lifted it, slung it over his back, and unified the backpack with his own body by using the velcros as buckles.
Are you planning to start now?
Theres no reason to delay.
Black Mamba gave Jamal the high-frequency transmitter and Glock that was once Zaituns.
Jamal, hide yourself behind a cover or trench once the battle begins. Use the Glock for self-defense. This machine is a high-frequency transmitter used to repel insects. Raise the switch once I start attacking. You can avoid misdirected attacks, and I can find you easily. Think about your old parents, who are waiting for their child.
Jamals expression turned into one that was half-smiling and half-crying. The sight of his hometown, Tal Shahan, which was surrounded by olive forests and pomegranate trees, filled his mind.
Think of my old parents? Is my father still raising sheep? Is my mother still curdling the sheeps milk for cheese?
After leaving behind the comfort of his family, he was attacked by mosquitoes and poisonous insects for the past eight years. He would have become a wood crafter within half a year. Instead, hed picked up the gun as though he was possessed and thrown out his books.
Why did he?
In a daze, Jamal looked at Black Mamba. The ANO leaders had demanded his life. No one had reminded him to think of his parents. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had told him to value his life.
Tears flowed down from his eyes. The man was someone hed just met as an enemy too. However, hed allowed him to live and trusted him. He even cared for his safety. Until now, Jamal, who was pressured and followed the entire time, had never been treated or trusted like a human.
His heart, which had declined since his submission to force, started beating once more. His life, which had been constructed around hatred and anger, collapsed in a rush. Abu Nidal was an illusion. This was the person he could follow and trust. His tears flowed uncontrollably.
Bang
Jamal kneeled before Black Mamba. He raised both of his hands and shouted.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, thank you for trusting me. Hassan Jamals son, Amud Jamal, will protect Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas back with his death! I will become your sword and shield for the rest of my life! he sobbed.
Woah!
At the sudden outburst, he hysterically laughed. Jamal wasnt a threat even if he picked up a weapon. Black Mamba was only using him as a substitute guide instead of Zaitun. He recalled the words of trusting another to earn back their trust.
Were father and teacher right, after all?
He thought about how he was left with no choice but to trust others, despite the backstabbing and betrayals he had endured. He took out a high-quality miniature camera from his backpack and handed it to Jamal.
Jamal, Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. My battle abilities are beyond yours. If I care about your safety, it will reduce my battle capacity. What you need to do is to film the Aloadin Lodgings. You cannot film my fights. I need you to record the entire aftermath of Aloadin Lodgings after its destruction.
Yes, sir.
Black Mamba smiled. Now, he could earn the 500,000 francs that hed given up. Jamal would complete his task, and he would take the money. Black Mamba was also evil for fooling the enemy into granting his wishes.
Jamal, who was heading forth, flinched and turned around. That was the third time. There was no presence. There were no footsteps. In the end, he couldnt hold back and turned around.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was following him and standing five steps away. Every time he turned around to check the evanescent presence, he was exactly five steps away. Jamals heart turned hollow once more. He was human but not exactly a human.
The creature with the best camouflaging ability on earth was the octopus. An octopus could change its color on a cellular level and even adapt its texture to its surroundings.
Black Mambas becoming one with nature was of a higher level than an octopus ability. When camouflaged with the interference field of surrounding objects, he couldnt be distinguished by human senses. When next to a rock, he became a rock, and when next to a pine tree, he became a pine tree. With a higher level of becoming one with nature and fearless steps, Black Mamba gradually lost touch with the realm of human senses.
If hes not the Azrael, then who is he? Why should I know? Ive already chosen him as my master.
Jamal shook off his curiosity. So what if he was the Azrael? He preferred the Azrael who cared for him than a God who forced suicidal terrorist attacks on him. Jamal crossed over two more rocky hills while imagining all kinds of things.
Master, the Aloadin Lodgings is just past this place.
Jamal stopped walking as he was about to go over a rock.
Hide yourself.
Jamal turned around. There was no one. All he could hear was the blustering wind that passed through the rocks.
Im here.
Jamal entered through the crack of the rocks where Black Mamba had hidden. It was an open field beyond the rock. Beyond the open field was Kaparja Valley. It was an elongated basin rather than a valley. Far away, the crash of a waterfall could be heard.
300 meters ahead, a large castle wall blocked his sight. It was inside the valley which hadnt been exposed to his night-vision goggles. Plastered cement surrounded the seven meters high pile of rocks. It was the mark of a wall restoration. Some mortars were sticking out of its side curve. He could also see a machine gun field stacked up on sandbags.
Hah, look at these b*stards play. Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
A searchlight from the watchtower moved tirelessly across the darkness. A mere terrorist organization had put so much effort into security. Black Mamba laughed after confirming the range of their search length.
Haha, are they placing their trust in their geographical advantage and Syrias kindness?
They searched 10 meters in 20 seconds. 20 seconds was enough for an armed soldier to cross 120 meters. From the rock where Black Mamba had been hiding to the fence, there were two to three other hiding places. Even a snail could access the fence while avoiding the searchlight. This meant that the night-time guards were overconfident.
Black Mamba nodded after checking the fence. That wasnt it. A rhombus fence of four meters high stretched endlessly across the valley following the castles wall. Jamal had said that electricity traveled through the fence. With every 100 meters, there was a watchtower of 10 meters high.
A circular spiked fence covered the front and back of the rhombus fence. It was a simple but effective cover. Someone could take at least 10 minutes to cut down the circular fence. This meant that the searchlight could slow down. It was impossible for the average person to enter.
These b*stards are not playing around.
The facilities were excessive to even be considered a mere terrorist organization. He could finally understand why Bonipas had whined. They had the geographical advantage and heavy artillery. Several 100s of armed forces under the cause of religious beliefs were roaming everywhere. It was hard to accomplish an air attack due to the cliffs canopy. It was an impregnable fortress in which even the special forces would have a hard time deciding a victor.
There were training facilities all over the oblong-shaped site. There were respective training centers for individual fighting, mass fighting, shooting, invasion, and explosion. Their camps werent temporary structures but permanent structures made of cement and bricks. It wasnt the kind of facility that a mere terrorist organization would set up. This meant that Assad had funded them enthusiastically and that they had gained enough profits from holding people hostage.
Jamal, wait here.
Pa-at
Black Mamba launched forward before he finished talking.
Ah!
While Jamal let out a gasp of shock from the sudden movement, Black Mambas figure was already buried in the darkness. A black shadow flickered underneath the moonlight before it disappeared entirely. It was the movement of a hundred ghosts that Jamals ordinary eyes couldnt keep up with.
The searchlight efficiently scanned through the entire field, but it couldnt catch up with his fearless steps.
Woosh
A large creature flew over the fence.
He crossed the individual fight training center in the blink of an eye. Black Mamba infiltrated the concrete building that he targeted. It was a large building that he assumed was the headquarters. He gathered his breath for a moment.
Ruman was silent at dawn. Only animal cries and the sound of running water could be heard. The white moonlight and thick fog added to its eeriness.
Rustle
Rustle
Two guards walked past, right before his eyes.
The guards marked down their routine on a corner pillar before returning to the trainees camp. Five minutes later, another pair of guards appeared from the other side. They also marked their turn on the pillar and returned to the outer camp. It was a shift guard system in which they monitored each other.
Black Mamba distributed his targets. There were 32 sets of 2,000 grams C-4s with combustion agents. He placed two sets for the headquarters and each camp, one set for the weapons and ammunition storage, two sets for the cave that Jamal had found suspicious, and the rest for the generator dam and training centers.
Suddenly, he recalled consul Dijolle Baylout whom Bonipas had asked for. There were countless caves and over 10 buildings in the large base. There wouldnt be enough time even if he searched until dawn.
Hell meet me if hes lucky.
He would live if they met, and he would die if they dont. That was consul Dijolle Baylouts fate. He decided not to care.
He felt several presences on the first floor. There were at least 60 people. He peeked in through the window. A routine shift was being held, and people were moving back and forth along the hallway.
The reason behind his infiltration was to gather data. To earn 2,000,000 francs, he had to take out the grains of the pomegranate[1] before crushing it. He became one with nature and entered the building like a gentle breeze. Bioluminescent eyes analyzed the room as much as it could.
Its interior facilities had quite an assortment. It had a bedroom, laundry room, bathrooms, and even a library. He slipped into the bedroom. Around 20 people were asleep, with guns tucked by their sides.
They were the ones that Jamal had referred to as Abu Nidals security personnel. The stench couldnt be expressed with words. He pulled out his Kukri, then pushed it back. He could blow them up later. Killing all of them would only increase his labor cost.
He searched the entire first and second floors but found nothing. He couldnt tell what the crawling Arab worms were saying even if he saw them. He couldnt find any hidden document or anything that looked important at first glance.
Black Mamba, who had no gains, thought about giving up before reconsidering it again. It didnt make sense for a large-scale facility like that to have no relevant documents. The villain always created secret areas under pressure. He decided to concentrate on finding hidden areas.
Breathing!
A breath more delicate than a mouses caught onto his dimensional sight. It was a weak breath, as though it would break off at any comment. He couldnt tell the location. The overflowing presences were bothering his dimensional sights expansion.
He had wasted five minutes pinpointing the breath, which was beneath the chicken coops floor at the end of the building. Hed overlooked it several times because of the chickens life forces. Amazing b*stards. They werent satisfied with a fortress and had created an underground space beneath the chicken coop.
F***ers, they used their brains.
They were disgustingly cautious. When he carefully pushed the chicken coop away, a thick wooden door appeared. When he opened the door, a black staircase appeared.
Bingo!
He immediately shoved the door away and entered.
Woosh
He grabbed the chicken coop with his Gorgon and pulled it gently. After dragging the chicken coop back to its place above the wooden door, he went down the stairs.
At the end of the stairs, he closed one of his eyes and opened the door. As expected, bright lights illuminated. A space of 30 pyungs or more appeared. Three blurry white ceiling bulbs at about 20 watts hung from the ceiling.
The space was divided into two parts. The larger room had 10 monitors, and electric devices lined up. There wasnt a person to be seen. He entered the other room. It was a normal office with some office necessities. Pictures of a hairy-nosed middle-aged man and a thin man hung side by side.
A man, who had both his arms and legs tied to a chair, caught his attention at once. There was a video filming device set up in front of the man. There were several torture devices on the surgical trayextraction forceps, dental drill, auger, pharynxes, and many more. The smell of dried blood reverberated.
[1] Another term for Ruman. Ruman is pomegranate in Arabic.
Chapter 231 - Episode 6: For Whom The Bell Tolls
There was a pool of blood below the feet of the old man in his fifties. He was barely breathing, with injuries all over. All 10 of his fingers had been cut off, and his collarbone broken. All of his toes had been shattered. Varying marks from being hit by a hammer were visible. His side had been dug into with a soldering iron while his thighs, shoulders, and stomach had wounds all over from a surgical scalpel.
It was known as the Chinese lingchi. Lingchi meant slowly climbing up and down a hill. It was a horrible form of execution in which a sinner was bound to a pole, and their flesh was sliced little by little, like sushi, to prevent excessive bleeding. According to Chinese records, sinners had to suffer 3,000 cuts at most.
Rather than to receive a confession, lingchi was carried out like a performance for the onlookers, and it helped to satisfy the executioners sadism. It was an extreme act that no human should commit.
There was still blood dripping from around the wounds of his cuts, an indication of how skilled the executioner was.
Those f*cking b*stards!
He automatically gritted his teeth. There was a limit to torture. The man looked like hed been tortured for several hours. It looked like details of the torturing had been videotaped too. That wasnt something any human should do.
Once in the Sahel, Black Mamba had tortured a FROLINAT soldier by breaking a few of his fingers during a fast-paced battle. However, he hadnt tortured someone to this degree. The b*stards had completely destroyed their dignity as humans. They were an evil organization that shouldnt have existed.
Frankly, the fear and torture caused by his all-torture technique were beyond disembowelment or lingchi. It left a persons bones, muscles, and organs irrecoverable from the impact despite leaving no surface wounds. The victim would lose consciousness within a short moment.
For someone who used the all-torture technique, Black Mamba wasnt in any position to call out cruelty. However, other people were cheaters, while he was a romanticist. Thats what he perceived, so what else could he believe in?
He examined the man with his dimensional sight. His blood pressure had dropped, and his brain waves were unstable. These were the effects of long-term blood loss and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. From his breathing, Black Mamba could tell that his lungs had suffered damage too.
Torturing one until their death wasnt Abu Nidals method. The ANO specialized in explosive terrorism and kidnapping. They tried not to destroy the persons body in exchange for a large ransom. Of course, if the price wasnt paid, they would deliver a neatly cut head.
He grew curious about the mans identity. He wasnt Consul Dijolle Baylout. An old man wouldnt be able to withstand torture that broke down the body. A person had to be specialized in anti-torture or have a strong mentality to withstand it.
Oi. White man!
There was no response to his call. He worked as a miracle savior from time to time, but he couldnt bring a person from the dead. What appeared to be the victims belongings were scattered across the tablea car key, stationery, a small notebook, a Swiss knife, and a key chain. Strangely, there was also a miniature Kukri. None of the belongings revealed the mans identity.
I guess I dont have a choice.
He gave up on the man and searched the room. He didnt even look at the five bookshelves and tables. There was no reason for an approved DGSE document to be on the table.
Boom
He activated his resonance. When there was a space on the wall or floor, his resonance vibrated differently. There was an exceptionally heavy response from the left wall.
Bingo. You cant fool me.
He raised the bookshelf away from the wall. An embedded gold safe was sitting right there.
Hm, what to do?
He was a mercenary, not a robber. His hands could shatter rocks, but he couldnt break a safe made of pure gold. Even if he could, he wouldnt cause a scene like a weasel in a chicken coop.
There wasnt enough time either. From what he could tell, the b*stards whod tortured the guy were away for a moment. He didnt know when the b*stards would return. Two million francs lingered before his eyes when he thought of giving up.
He had to try. He grabbed the safes handle and gathered his concentration. His inner eye activated. The safes operational gears appeared vaguely in his mind. He concentrated until his head hurt. Its figure grew more distinct in his mind.
It was a four-layered dial. Trying to match the dials would be easy as long as he could see the wheels alignment. Turning the dials aligned the gears metal rods. Next, he had to remove the internal latch. He began to draw upon the latch with his inhalation wave.
Click
The three latches of the golden safe, which wouldnt budge, came undone at once.
Phew, I should become a robber instead of a mercenary.
Black Mamba wiped off the sweat gathered on his forehead. Detailed jobs required a high level of concentration. His eyes stung as though they had fallen out, and his head became dizzy.
He calmed his mind with meditation before opening the safes door. Several golden bars stacked on top of each other flashed under a bright white glow. The yellow-tinged light greeted the invader. Black Mambas face brightened.
Oh, whats this! The fruits of my labor! All praise Allahs benevolence.
He was a countryside guy whod only seen gold spoons and necklaces. His head turned dizzier at the flashing golden mountain. He instinctively and unknowingly prayed.
It wasnt just the gold. There were documents and videotapes on the first shelf, a wad of cash on the second shelf, and golden bars throughout the lower shelves in five kilograms and 10 kilograms50 in total.
There were 1,000 stacks of 100 dollar bills in bundles of 40. That was 4,000,000 dollars in total. He didnt even look at the bunch of coins. He hadnt known that a terrorist organization could be so rich. He considered changing his occupation from a robber to the head of a terrorist organization.
Tsk!
It was an astounding amount, but a bit too much. He didnt even have a bag to place it in.
I should finish my work and return for the profits later.
Deep regret was seen on his face after he closed the safe door.
The mans gone.
His life force, which had been hanging by a thread, ended. There wasnt life inside the room anymore. He had to examine the room filled with electronic devices next.
Creak
The sound of friction from the chicken coop rang from above.
Eek!
Black Mamba immediately closed the safe and returned the bookshelf to its original position. He hid behind the dead man and activated becoming one with nature.
He sensed three people on his radar. They were either those who had tortured the victim or the operators of the electronic devices room. That was the core of Ruman. It was strange how the place was left unattended for even a brief moment.
Clang
The basement door opened.
I miss pizza too.
Lets order something through the phone.
Black Mamba was surprised. He hadnt expected to hear English in Syria. The two men entered the room in a chatter. Another person followed them quietly.
The two b*stards were wearing gandouras, while the last one was wearing the Syrian military uniform without any rank. They took out their liquor and placed fries wrapped in oil-absorbing paper on the table. They were planning to snack and drink throughout the night. From Black Mambas viewpoint, that was a completely unwelcoming situation.
Black Mamba, who was pulling out darts from his pouch, pushed them back in. There was no need to scare the snake by beating the grass. He could get rid of them after completing his work and collecting his profits.
Shire, lets finish it up if youre done eating. Well drink ourselves to oblivion once everythings done.
I get it, so dont rush me. Oi, Paskal Belmont, are you dead?
The guy named Shire pushed up the mans eyelids and placed his thumb and forefinger on the mans carotid artery.
Damn it! Oi, Dyson, this b*stards really dead.
Weve got everything that we need from him. It doesnt matter if hes dead.
Damn, we could have gotten a hefty sum if we handed the guy to Abu Nidal, you know?
Leave it. Weve got what we needed. Just getting our pay will be enough.
Sadam, whens the supply truck coming? Were out of whiskey.
Itll be arriving tomorrow morning. They must have failed to pay any attention because of the mess in Aleppo. I apologize, sir, the Arab in the military uniform replied very politely.
Paskal Belmont? Bonipas should know. F*cking b*stards, Ill pay you with a whip. You guys wont be eating any food tomorrow.
They were b*stards who drank comfortably after wringing a human ragged. He immediately included their names on his list.
Shire, how was the training for those Horazan b*stards?
Im almost done filling up the ranks. Theyve begun training three days ago.
Hehe, how do you think Mitterrand will react with his a*s on fire?
Theyre all half-mad. Wont it be a problem later?
Its nothing for us to be concerned about. Those heads must have planned something.
Black Mamba realized something important while listening to Shire and Dysons conversation. Those guys were American spies. From their destructive methods, they were probably the DIAs shadows. Theyd created a small organization called the Horazan by gathering extreme terrorists. The members were commissioned to train in Ruman and were now preparing to attack France.
He suddenly had an idea that the real reason behind his deployment to Ruman could have been due to the Horazan. It was a likely story if the fox-like Bonipas had orchestrated it.
He wanted to beat the truth out of them by using the all-torture technique, but he didnt have time. He didnt want to go that far, either. He was a spy, not an eraser. Whether it was the Horazan or the ANO, he could just blow them up.
Black Mamba left the basement without a trace. He was planning to teach them a proper lesson after doing his part and gaining some profit.
Shire, something just passed by.
B*stard, dont say things like that. The number of humans who have died here in the past thousands of years has crossed the five-digit mark. I bet its crawling with ghosts.
Humans couldnt foresee the future. How would one know that a terrible fate was waiting to swallow them?
A black shadow crossed the field like a wild bird. His first target was the camps, which he presumed to be the terrorists dorms. There were six permanent camps made of bricks built on a concrete foundation, and four temporary camps made of wooden structures that looked like a corset topped with metal trusts.
The black shadow sneakily pushed the door and entered. The camp was designed similarly to the Korean militarys old camp. There was a path in the middle with beds on both sides. It was designed to maximize the number of inhabitants within a small space.
There were 50 people with greasy hair and mustaches sleeping under a dirty blanket. The assassin had come, but the guard was sleeping with his head between his knees. Even then, he had a firm grip on his AK rifle.
Black Mamba looked down at the different types of snoring terrorists. Why were they suffering here? They were sons, husbands, and fathers. Were their religious beliefs strong enough for them to abandon their families?
No. They were rattlesnake offspring. They were humans who would spit venom everywhere once their training ended. Some people were hopelessly dragged around like Jamal, but there wasnt enough time or any way to pick out the rotten apples.
Im not a gentleman or a judge. I am the Azrael, the eraser. I wish you all well.
Black Mamba attached a C-4 set under their beds and created a self-exploding device. The device was a set that combined a detonator and a timer. All he had to do was add the C-4s to a medium and connect them. It only took him six seconds to add the two together.
It took him five seconds to infiltrate the first camp. The setting time had taken six seconds, and there were 10 targets. He needed 110 seconds in total.
He allocated 600 seconds to get through the ammunition storage room, weapons storage room, the headquarters, and the training centers. He estimated 300 seconds to find the headquarters entrance and 30 seconds to escape. He needed 1,040 seconds altogether. The timer was set to 1,040 seconds. His watch was also set to 1,040 seconds.
He planned to direct his resonance with accurate travel and preparation time. If explosions overlapped, even 25 kilograms of powder could blow up the entire camp.
Would it work? Explosives werent his specialty. He wasnt confident. He recalled the explosives masters, Mouris, Chartres, and Burimer. They were strong, responsible friends. He shook his head and concentrated on his work.
Black Mamba faced an unexpected obstacle during his mechanical set-up. There were five tent camps, the 24-person tents that the Americans had used in the field during WWII.
He recalled the Horazan that the Shire b*stard had mentioned. They were those b*stards. He was confused and didnt understand why so many people wanted to become terrorists.
Theyre the b*stards wholl attack public places randomly, right? Ill end you all. If you die, you wont suffer the pain of being grilled into a crisp. Arent you grateful?
Black Mambas eyes burned intensely as he took out Zaituns Peskett CCW. He hadnt known that he would be using such an ugly assassination weapon. However, there was no reason not to flaunt his abilities when he had the best weapon available.
Rumanthe place that started the traditions of assassins and suicide terrorisms in the Arabic regionswas greeted by the true assassin, the king of assassins. The Horazan, which was about to be known as the worst terrorist organization, encountered the Angel of Death even before it could advance.
You guys make your decisions, and I will make mine. Teacher, forgive your apprentice.
When he pressed the lower button on the handle, a blue-tinted tooth-like knife appeared. The tip of its blade, which had the strongest poison, botulinum toxin, gleamed ominously. It was the moment when Horazans misfortune and the DIAs failure came to be.
Chapter 232 - For Whom The Bell Tolls
The tip of the Peskett CCWs tooth scratched the victims neck. There wasnt a need to cut deeper. 100 grams of that poison could wipe out the entire population on earth. Its effects were guaranteed as long as some of it penetrated their veins.
The ominous tooth-like knife flashed, leaving behind afterimages.
Woosh
The wind that shook the tent moved onto the next camp. It barely took five seconds for Black Mamba to cut 20 terrorist wannabes and leave.
By the time he entered the next camp, hed ended the lives of 20 Horazan. Blood flowed proportionately to the squared diameter of a vein. The blood flowed from the carotid artery to the brain at 500 millimeters per second. The botulinum toxin had turned their brains into mush in just one and a half seconds.
The victims reactions were extreme. They opened their eyes and grabbed their necks while coughing. They died in that state. It was the potency of the botulinum toxin F that Zaitun had trusted and never doubted. Black Mamba was amazed by its devil-like power.
30 seconds later, camp one of suicide special forces, Horazan, was quietly erased from the world without any traces of their existence. The hands of death that had spread across the Sahel were now stomping out the evil in Kaparja Valley. Asuras cruel hands had saved countless lives, but the world didnt know.
Woosh
The black shadow ran across the valley at a terrifying speed. The scenery changed as he climbed 300 meters. The canopy that connected both sides of the valley seemed as though it would collapse. It was the place that Jamal had told him about.
There wasnt a need to search for the ammunition storage room, either. The place where the guards guarded with blazing eyes was the ammunition storage room. Two guards were hidden in the crevices of the cliff, 15 meters above the cave, while two others stood in front of the caves entrance.
It was well-hidden but impossible to fool Black Mambas senses.
Whisk
The darts crossed the space between them. The darts traveled directly across and pierced the hidden guards necks by the entrance.
Uh
A gasp that was unlike a shout could be heard. It was a state when the lungs released air. The dart, which pierced their necks, dug upwards diagonally and shattered their medullas. The guards lost their lives without a single scream.
By the time the guards heads fell, two more darts flew through the air and descended in a gentle curve. It was the convolution technique that hed learned recently. The darts, which fell from the sky, dug deep into the hidden guards heads. In the receivers position, it was like lightning on a clear day.
Kugh!
The victims limbs trembled before their heads rolled forward. At least, they were able to make a sound before they died.
There was no time to check whether a siren had been set up.
Crash
With the complete impact, the thick ammunition storage room door fell apart.
Crack
With a front kick, he sent the door flying and ran inside. Fortunately, there wasnt any siren.
Black Mambas eyes widened. The cave was far too big. He felt as though hed stepped into the prayer hall of a cathedral. The rows of black and khaki boxes blocked his sight.
He found an overhead crane while looking for a place to attach the explosives. His sight followed the cranes rail, and soon, his eyes wavered.
Mimissile! he groaned unconsciously.
An S-25 Berkut surface-to-air missile hung. It had a slim, black body with propelling boosters at 12 meters long. There were 20 missiles lined as though in formation. It was a fearful sight. Only then did he understand why the ammunition room was so big. That wasnt an ammunition storage room but a missile storage room.
The S-25 Berkut was an older missile modeled for the Dvinas development. The Soviet Unions true surface-to-air missile was the S-75 Dvina. It was a missile that had overtaken the United States reconnaissance aircraft U-2. Black Mamba would have feared it.
The Berkut was old, but the specs were progressive. The medium-range missile had an altitude reach of eight kilometers and a range of 32 kilometers. Its flight speed was faster compared to the Dvina. It was developed in 1928, and nearly 10,000 units had been produced.
The Berkut and Dvina missiles were stationed all across the Middle East. The country with the tightest missile defense line was Syria.
Assads true enemy wasnt Israel but Turkey. He had moved a portion of the mid-southern air defense line against Israel to Aleppos northern regions, by Turkeys borders. Syria had set up large-scale missiles in Rajo mountain and Kaparja Valley for extreme situations. That was also part of Assads intentions to seize Frances ownership of oil fields.
It was the result of the CIAs tight-knitted mission and the reason why the missiles had been moved to Kaparja Valley, which the DGSE had failed to notice. The two large air missiles that the French intelligence department had failed to notice were revealed after Black Mambas infiltration. France had blown their nose without touching it. That was the power of the special call name, Black Mamba.
Putain, whats wrong!
Something was wrong. Hed overheard from the two Yankees conversation that they were planning something there. Considering the situation so far, Syria and the ANO werent simply allies. As Zaitun had said, there was something more to Assads secret special forces.
It was strange since he had initially heard that two water generators had been installed. There were too many suspicions. Even the unapproachable cave that Jamal had talked about was bothering him.
Ah!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. He hadnt considered visiting the unapproachable cave and water generators in his lap time. There were barely five minutes left. Hed missed the important places. It was impossible to replace the explosives on a new target in under five minutes.
I should head back in.
Black Mamba wasnt the type of person to hesitate. Now was the time to act, not think. He attached one rice cake to the Berkuts body and searched for another explosive to create a chain explosion.
I knew it.
Long wooden crates stacked into twos, which were above the palette, caught his attention.
Bang
The 30 millimeters wood, which received his punch, tore away like styrofoam.
Bingo!
There was no reason for the MANPADS to be absent when the Berkut was around. Four 1.2 meters of silver bodies rolled out of the box. It was the Strela-2s warheads called the MANPADS. There were 40 boxes of MANPADS. That meant there were 160 in total.
He stuck a rice cake on the MANPADS box, which was worth 2,000 grams. The Berkuts warhead weighed 200 kilograms. 20 units meant 4,000 kilograms. Each MANPADS warhead was 1.8 kilograms. 160 of them meant 288 kilograms. It was hard to imagine the impact of the 4,288 kilograms high-explosive warheads.
Its effects would be limited if the natural cave that was surrounded by 120 meters of bedrock absorbed its impact. On the other hand, the entire valley might collapse if Kaparja Valleys rock structures were weak. No one could tell the results.
His sense of smell, which was much more sensitive than a dogs nose, easily found the smell of oily metal. The cave, which was barely 50 meters away from the ammunition storage room, was the weapons storage room.
Crack
Crack
The guards, who had their heads punched in, died without pain.
Bang
The door latch broke with a single kick. There wasnt even time to check the weapons. He attached two rice cakes, grabbed a bag, and turned without looking back. The bag was for the gold that he was about to steal.
There were eight rice cakes left. His backpack became slimmer after removing 50 kilograms of explosives. When his fearless steps were activated to its utmost, a black line appeared straight down the side of the cliff. At a speed of 60 kilometers per second, he had run 100 meters in six seconds. His aim was the ANO headquarters with its tempting gold.
Black Mamba lifted the entire chicken coop away and ran underground. Several chickens flapped, but he didnt care. There was barely 120 seconds left until the first explosion. He could turn into a crisp with a single misstep.
Bang
The thick basement door went flying with a kick. He got rougher as time was running out.
What the hell?
The three people whod been drinking stood up. There was no reason to answer them as he lacked the benevolence to spare humans who acted like animals. He snatched the Gorgons handle.
Flick
The Gorgon flew across the air. Three heads floated in the sky without a single scream heard. The results were no different from Ocelots rampage in the Sahel.
Pools of blood oozed out from the headless necks. It was a horrible sight that one shouldnt ever witness, but Black Mamba didnt even blink. He would have interrogated them to gather information if he had the time, but he didnt.
Yes, you are the b*stards who I dont have a problem killing.
They were b*stards who were carrying out a horrible plan. Whether it was the U.S. or the Soviets, they wouldnt be able to say anything. They would just be classified as missing. That was the fate of those who worked overseas.
Time passed terrifyingly fast. 10 seconds had passed instantly. He swept the victims objects on the table into his bag and kicked the bookshelf away.
Bang
The thick bookshelf made of oakwood flew across the room and crashed on the headless corpses.
Thankfully, the b*stards hadnt touched the safe. Hed been relieved of the trouble to unlock the safe again. Otherwise, he would have had to give it up considering the time.
Ruman was about to become a huge fireball. He swept the documents, videos, wads of cash, and the gold bars into his bag. 40 seconds remained.
Black Mamba stood before the victims and prayed once he finished his work. At least by title, he was a monks apprentice. He would feel uncomfortable disappearing without reciting a single line of prayer.
I dont know who you are, but I took your revenge. Be well in the afterlife. May your flesh be unharmed, Namu Amita Bul!
Black Mamba, who was about to step out of the entrance, returned. He placed two rice cakes in the big room where all the electronic devices were. That was an important place, similar to the radar control station and other major facility buildings. He had 30 seconds left.
Black Mamba flew upwards and attached two more rice cakes to the outer wall of the building before running towards the outer fence. A watchman blocked his path.
Tenta mushinoon![1]
A bullet replied to the watchmans scream.
Papat
An MP5 spewed fire.
Agh!
With a hole in his forehead, the watchman snapped his head back as though it was about to break. Black Mamba ran without turning back. There were 10 seconds left.
Agh! The second watchman he met returned to greet Allah. The searchlight turned inwards as though it had noticed something suspicious. Black Mamba ran without any concern.
Dellatoon![2]
Bang bang bang
Bullets poured out of the guard posts alongside a shout. The snipers eyesight couldnt catch up with his sprint. Dust, which was raised from the ground as a result of the bullets, followed the sprinting Black Mamba. Seven seconds before the explosion, Black Mamba leaped over the metal fence and disappeared into the darkness. It had been 28 minutes since his invasion.
Ruman woke up.
Whoosh
The outdoor light came on. Shouts echoed, and members armed with guns poured out of the headquarters. It was an extremely quick reaction.
Beep
At a laptime of 1,040 seconds, Black Mambas watch stopped.
Boom
A thick explosion rang. A red flare flashed. Following that, explosions could be heard in intervals of a half-second to one and a half seconds. The interval that Black Mamba wanted was 0.3 seconds.
The combined explosives that the DGSE had given him were stronger than he had thought. Humans and various kinds of rubbles flew into the air. Rumans night sky lit up brightly. It was the best kind of fireworks display.
This isnt what I imagined.
150 meters away, Black Mamba tilted his head as he stared at the burning Ruman. The explosions were weaker than he had expected. His resonance-induced explosions had failed. Explosions werent his specialty as hed expected.
The problem was the missile storage room. The surface-to-air missile warhead was weaker than the surface-to-surface or surface-to-ship missiles, but there were over 160 of them. If all 4,288 kilograms of the warheads exploded at once, itd take out the entire area of three kilometers in diameter. The valley had to be shaken even if it meant suppressing the caves explosion.
Just then, the ground shook.
Boom
Kaparja Valley lit up after a large explosion. The C-4s that hed placed in the ammunition storage room had exploded a little late.
Sound traveled slower than seismic waves. A dark red light and smoke in the shape of mushrooms rose to the sky.
Boom
The ground rang again. It was the second wave.
Woosh
The ground shook violently.
Woah!
Black Mamba rushed to cover his eyes.
Flash
A red dragon flew upwards. A pillar of fire that was 10 meters in diameter crossed the valley and pierced the opposite side of the cliffs. Unmeasurable air suppression and rubbles caused by the explosion used the cave as its springboard to escape. It was an unprecedented bombardment of four tons of TNT.
Boom
The cliff, which had been in its direct line of fire, shook. The flares brightened up Kaparja Valley.
Brrr
Sounds followed. Dark clouds in the shape of tall mushrooms filled Rumans skies.
Voom
A storm comparable to a hurricane rushed towards the inner depths of the valley. It was the second wave that filled the empty air with particles left behind from the explosions. Dust and specks of rocks filled the sky.
Huh, its collapsing.
The cliff slowly tilted.
Baaang
The cliff that was 120 meters high collapsed down into the valley. The debris and dust clouded the moon. It was a destructive scene that not even Hollywoods blockbusters could imitate.
Oooh, amazing. B*stards, you should be on this scale to play with explosives. Hehehe.
That was an astronomical scale of playing with fire. Black Mamba fell in love with his first creation.
What?
Surprised by the explosion, Abu Bansiri leaped up. No, he tried to get up but fell on his bed instead.
Agh!
Boom
The entire building shook once. The floor slab collapsed. Bansiri rolled to the first floor without help. He rolled on the ground and jumped to his feet. His body, which had rolled around the battlefields for 20 years, saved him from the shock.
Crumble
The building vibrated. Bansiri ran out without a second thought.
Oh, Allah!
Allahs name unknowingly escaped from his mouth. His mind went blank white.
Slap
He slapped his cheek as hard as he could. In a sea of fire, Aloadin didnt change. There wasnt a single building untouched, including the storage rooms and camps.
[1] F****** crazy b*stard!
[2] Enemy!
Chapter 233 - Episode 8: For Whom The Bell Tolls
The scent of thick smoke and burning flesh filled Aloadin Lodgings, a sacred ground of 1,000 years.
Oh, Allah, why did you bring such evil to the holy grounds of Aloadin! Ah!
Bansiri staggered after a sudden gust of wind pushed him back. A storm followed the first wave of fire.
Woosh
The valley engulfed the flames like a whale. There wasnt a fire dragon like it. From the stream of fire to corpses, everything was engulfed. Fragmented rubbles from buildings, ashes, corset metal plates, flaming plywoods, clothes, and even detached human limbs swirled around the fire. Nothing else could describe it other than the flames of hell.
Was it a dream?
Slap slap
Bansiri kept slapping his cheeks. His ringing ears regained its hearing slightly. The sound of fire, wind, and his subordinates painful screams and shouts could be heard all at once.
He turned around. The left side of the building had completely collapsed. His bedroom was originally on that side. The right side had similarly tilted 30 degrees to the right, but it hadnt collapsed. That was originally the security personnel and officers dorms. It was a relief.
Bansiri stared blankly at the burning training centers. As the third person in power within the ANO, Abu Bansiri was one of its founders. His secondary position was lieutenant colonel of the Syrian Presidential Guard Brigade. Hed anticipated the rise of a true Islamic country for over a decade. Hed tolerated a dangerous life by putting aside his greed and safety. He hadnt even gotten married.
He had connected the ANO organization with the Mukhabarat, dragged the Soviets to participate in constructing an air defense system in the north, and ensured that the CIA had biological weapons. It was the groundwork for the nationalization of all oil fields in the east.
If they nationalized all the oil fields, there was no way that Mitterrand would remain still in his anger. Mitterrand would no longer threaten Syria if they crushed the French jets with the Berkut, Dvina, and MANPADS. They had been on the brink of completing their preparations.
When the organizations reputation improved, applicants overflowed. It had been a chance to expand the organization. 400 trainees and 95 Horazan suicide special forces were on fire. They would have wrapped up the 14-months training in the next three days. Everything that hed created for the past 15 months was now in flames.
He experienced a phantasmagoria of his past dangerous life. As the central power of the Assassins faction, Bansiri was a noble. In his youth, he had left to study abroad in the Soviet Union. He had graduated from the M. V. Frunze Military Academy and started his career as an officer in the Syrian Army.
In 1968, Bansiri had volunteered to enter the KGBs spy training education center. His hatred towards France and Turkey, who had taken advantage of his country, became his motivation. Syria didnt have enough strength to resist. If one lacked strength, the enemys power could be reduced. The method that Bansiri had chosen was terrorism and assassination.
He had been taught confidentiality and ideals in the MarxCEngels Institute of Moscow. Four months later, he had moved to Lenin Institute of Technology to receive two years of spy training.
He had learned physical training, close-combat, several weapons training, techniques of destruction, the composition and usages of poison, the use of cameras, wiretapping, methods of communications, and several assassination techniques. Two years later, he had received concentrated training of six months on explosives technology and anti-torture techniques.
Bansiri had returned to Syria after three years of training. In 1972, he had combined forces with Abu Nidal and Samrin, who ran a small terrorist organization and founded the ANO. The ANO became Assads hidden knife.
He had been assigned the major general of Aloadins training centers and concentrated his efforts on training terrorist warriors. Abu Nidal led the ANO to attack Assads enemies. Abrahim Samrin led their sub-organization, the Black September Organization, and inflicted random terror. It was a two-sided plan to hide the organizations identity.
Did I fall into Gehennom? Bansiri murmured.
There was nothing he could do. His mind went blank. His body floated.
Gehennom was Arabs hell. There was no one and nothing there. There wasnt any sound, color, space, or time. There was no pain or hunger. Nothing could be done in the given eternity. It was just himself.
The perceived time was long, but it was only mere seconds in reality.
Sir Bansiri! General! His subordinate ran over with a limping leg.
His subordinates scream reverberated around his ears like a mosquito. His consciousness returned. He had to understand the situation first. He could mourn his losses later.
That wasnt an external bombardment or an air attack. The culprit was part of a destructive mission team. How? He questioned. Aloadins front was guarded by the ANO while the Syrian special forces guarded the valley.
To infiltrate Aloadin, one had to cross 300 meters of empty land and get through the six meters wide circular metal and electric fences. There was a guard post with watchmen rounding the premises every five minutes. What about the land grenades around the fence? The pikes with poison? An outsider couldnt possibly infiltrate the perfect defense terrain and boundaries.
Bansiri shook his head. The enemy had already infiltrated, and the aftermath was clear. Perfection wasnt something permitted to humans. He and the organization had similarly achieved impossible feats.
How are the security personnel?
52 out of 66 can still fight, sir. All 20 officers are also safe. Theyre rescuing members crushed underneath the collapsed buildings! Jarkawi shouted.
His hearing hadnt returned. Since he couldnt hear, he shouted.
Phew, thats a relief.
The security personnel and officers werent idiots who swung their knives and shot their guns around. They were well-educated and had specialized skills.
Those who gathered because of religious beliefs were the true core of ANO. If the rat b*stard had installed the explosions properly, he could have lost all 66 security personnel and 20 officers. If they were gone, ANO would have to retreat from their grand stage.
Jarkawi, control the chaos by sending the security personnel and officers into the training centers. I fear there might be a second wave of explosions. Were there any losses at the castles walls?
Ive just received a message. There were no losses.
Tell them to tighten the security. Shoot anyone whos lingering around.
Jarkawi immediately raised the walkie-talkie and gave quick orders.
Abwar, prepare the castle guards for code red. Shoot anything thats moving within the perimeter. Prepare the mortars.
Beeee
The walkie-talkie rang, and a red light came on.
What is it! Jarkawi shouted.
Commanding officer reporting the losses in the training centers. Four barracks, six tents, 140 out of 212 out of commission, 250 out of 367 trainees out of commission, and all 95 Horazan dead.
Whawhat? Jarkawi stuttered.
There couldnt have been a greater manpower loss. Bansiri turned and looked helplessly at his subordinate.
We have 72 in numbers as all 117 trainees and Horazan are dead.
What? Are you saying there are only 189 out of 674 soldiers alive? Bansiri shouted.
Jarkawi silently nodded.
My subordinates, my poor subordinates are Half-spirited, Bansiri fell to the floor.
Oh, Allah! Are you telling me this isnt a dream! What did I do wrong for you to test me with such tribulations? Like throwing away an old pair of shoes, why are you abandoning a slave that only lives for your will? Bansiri furiously kicked and punched the air.
Sir Bansiri! Jarkawi shouted.
Even if he was mad, he couldnt blame Allah. If anyone else had overheard, he would have gotten into trouble.
Hehehe, its unbelievable that an explosives terrorist has attacked the great ANO. Jarkawi, take the security personnel and eliminate the fire. Officers must lead the members to look for that rat. You must catch that rat. Mobilize the security personnel to control this chaos.
Yes, sir! Jarkawi raised the device and began to throw orders in a frenzy.
Damn, even the storages were attacked.
Bansiri pointed towards the inner parts of the valley where red flames raged.
Is this a dream? Jarkawi turned his gaze towards the burning valley.
B*stard, stop muttering and move!
Surprised, Jakwari grabbed his rifle and ran towards the training centers.
F****** swine, Ill tear your limbs apart. Bansiri gritted his teeth.
Ruman had suffered great losses, but its command team had survived. When the security personnel made their move, the chaos started to die down.
Ah!
Bansiri ran into the half-blown building. He had to cooperate with the chemical explosives division and Syrian air defense strategic team located inside the valley. The unknown destructive mission team might have infiltrated the place too.
Hah!
Bansiri pulled out his rifle in surprise. The chicken coop had been abandoned in a corner while the underground entrance had been blown away. Bansiri ran down the stairs as though hed gone mad.
Ya illahi, hakan hada![1]
The secret room had been destroyed. The CIA intelligence agents and his subordinates, who had been working together, were now headless corpses. Even the Berkut emergency control room had turned into particles.
The safe, what about the safe?
Nothing. The golden safe had been emptied, leaving behind a black sheen. His thin veins exploded from the overwhelming rage.
Aaaaagh, dalkis al kwadiru, kunta jjabanan![2]
His sorrowful cry resounded in the basement.
Black Mamba, who was enjoying the fireworks, flinched.
Damn, which b*stards cursing me out?
He dug his ear with his pinky.
Beeee
It was the danger siren. A strong searchlight projected from above the castles wall. He was caught.
Huh!
Black Mamba sprinted to the best of his ability.
Babababa
Bullets poured like rain. It was the machine gun field above the wall.
More machine guns joined in the orange lights direction.
Flick
Flick
Black Mamba, who launched his shadow steps, flickered left and right. The searchlight, as well as the entire group of machine-gun shooters, couldnt catch up.
What the hell is that guy doing?
He was so surprised that he nearly tripped on his feet. Like a madman, Jamal was screaming to the skies with both of his hands raised.
Allah has sent Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Land of corruption, land of a 1,000 years, greet Azraels arrival with joy! All evil souls, greet my master, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Poor souls, seek Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas grace! Bismillah! Allah
The guy had lost his mind. He was causing a scene in the middle of a hail of machine-gun bullets. He wasnt Emperor Nero looking down at a burning Rome, so what was he doing?
That b*stards mad.
He grabbed Jamals waist and thrust his body away.
Papapa
Several bullets landed near him. Others landed on Black Mambas back. There was a firm protective barrier on his back. The backpack, which carried 360 kilograms bars of gold and 4,000,000 dollars, blocked the 7.62 millimeters bullets.
Argh!
The moving force of a 7.62 millimeters machine gun bullet ranged around 4,000 Joules. He was tossed as though a bull had pushed him. Black Mamba didnt resist the impact and reduced it by twirling his body like a spinner.
Papapa
The sound of rocks shattering under the bullets force was scary. If hed been a moment late with his actions, hed have turned into a beehive. Even then, he was worried about the condition of the bundled money.
The searchlights traveled towards him from the walls. There were at least five machine guns. The rock that he had used to conceal himself started breaking apart. The rock, which had been there for a long time, suffered.
Hed flipped their place inside out, but they were counterattacking almost instantly. It meant that those b*stards werent newbies but from the main force.
Is the wall intact?
Since it was one kilometer away from the radius of impact, it should have withstood the shock from the explosions. There was no reason to worry about the mortars mounted on the wall. The 76 millimeters mortar had a minimum range of at least 1,000 meters. Hed be bothered if those b*stards took out an RPG-7 or grenade launchers.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, youve saved my poor life, ohhh!
Jamal cried once he saw Black Mambas back. There were bullet holes all over the backpack.
Oh, let go, old man, youre distracting me! he shouted back and released the duffle bag with the grenades.
The searchlights directed the allies to the target. However, it also revealed the enemies location to Black Mamba.
Hmm, I should give you a gift since you gave me something.
Blue sparks emanated from Black Mambas eyes. His back, which had received several bullet shots, ached. If he hadnt been carrying the gold-filled backpack, he would have died.
He numbered his targets. There were four mortars mounted on the castles wall, five machine gun camps, and seven watchtowers with searchlights.
Beeeeeep
This time, the signal was long. Black Mamba grabbed Jamals neck just as he was preparing to throw the grenades and shoved him under a rock. The moment gunpowder flashed by the wall, a great explosion rang from the bottom of the hill.
Crash
Rock fragments and dust drifted in the air. It wasnt the kind of power that an RPG-7 should have.
Ugh, those f****** b*stards, theres nothing theyve done right! Black Mamba shouted.
It hadnt been a North Korean 76 millimeters field artillery, but an OTO-Melara Mod 56 howitzer. They couldnt have reached a range of 300 meters, otherwise.
A list of the OTO-Melaras specifications came to his mind. It had a barrel of 1.47 meters, a limited range of 11 kilometers, an elevation of -7/+65, a muzzle speed of 416 meters per second, and weighed 1,273 kilograms.
Black Mambas face turned yellow. Its biggest advantage was its elevation. It was an impressive weapon that could shoot a target at a distance of 300 meters by entering a negative elevation. Well, OTO-Melara did make great artillery guns, after all.
Black Mamba hurried. Setting the OTO-Melara to a negative elevation would be disadvantageous as it would destabilize the landing point, but there were five b*stards up on the wall. If all five of them started shooting fire, he didnt know where he would end up, but Jamal would turn into soup.
[1] F***, oh my God!
[2] Aaaaagh, those f****** heathens, f****** b*stards!
Chapter 234
What if he ran with Jamal?
The OTO-Melara Mod 56 howitzer had a caliber of 105 millimeters. It could also be used as a direct fire weapon by lowering its elevation. If he jumped out from his hiding place, he would end up being directly hit.
The further he ran, the more advantageous it was for the field mortar. Around Kaparja Valley, there were open fields without a single thriving tree. The moment he reached 1,000 meters, the chances of him entering the explosion field of 30 meters in diameter would increase exponentially. He couldnt escape the howitzers range even if he ran 20 li.
The 105 millimeters howitzer was incomparable to the RPG. While the explosive yield of an RPGs warhead was 200,000 Joules, a 105 millimeters howitzers impact was 6,000,000 J. Anyone who jokingly swept past its range would end up dead. His conclusion was that he couldnt retreat. Even before he could take 10 steps, hed become prey to the machine guns or turned into shreds by the howitzer.
Light flashed above the castle walls. The shell moved 416 meters per second and landed the moment light flashed.
Boom
Boom
The sound of explosions and launches rang at the same time. A boulder, which had been standing 30 meters to his right, shattered. Dirt and rock fragments poured down like rain. The impact was strong.
Bang
A shell landed near them, 20 meters to the left. The ground shook, but Jamal was calm. Hed curled around the camera in case it broke. He didnt blink even when the large caliber shell covered in dirt landed beside them.
Black Mamba smiled. He recalled how Ombuti had prayed to live with his head stuck underneath a rock. The guy acted rash, but he was daring and had a strong sense of responsibility.
The mortar was too close and couldnt aim well with a negative elevation. The shooter and the observer were using their brains to gain zero-point focus like a rifle. It was a good idea, but the weapon wasnt living up to their expectations. Despite knowing his location, it couldnt land a hit and was causing a scene.
An OTO-Melara could fire three rounds in a minute. Currently, its interval between rounds was 10 seconds. Two howitzers were currently aiming at him. If all five field artillery started shooting at once, hed have to withstand 12 kilograms of high-explosive shells every four to five seconds. He didnt want to, ever.
Hehe, this is it. Thats the end of getting pushed around. Im going to show you what the bat bombs feel like. Its something I brought over with much effort.
Black Mambas eyes radiated blue light. Field artillery was a great target for his anti-tank grenades. The anti-tank grenade had been formulated correctly, but it hadnt performed well during WWII.
That was because its throwing range was within 15 meters due to its weight of 1.2 kilograms. If a tank was right before a persons eyes, how many could throw a grenade calmly and efficiently?
For Black Mamba, it was a grenade made just for him. He had an iron heart that wouldnt budge even when faced with a landslide, nonetheless a tank. And even then, he had a superior physique and martial arts abilities.
The resonance whirled once around his body.
There were several anatomical planes to a moving body. When moving back and forth, the body would divide into the left and right sections. It was called the sagittal plane. When moving left to right, the body would divide into the front and back sections. It was called the coronal plane. When twisting the body, it would divide into the upper and lower sections. That was the transverse plane.
The bones, muscles, and veins moved in harmony with those planes to gain strength. Martial arts was an advanced study of human anatomy, which demonstrated the maximum harmony of the body when it corresponded to those planes.
Black Mambas body shifted from the coronal plane, the sagittal plane, to the transverse plane. Energy started gathering from the nerves of his toes and traveled up to his calves, thighs, pelvis, and shoulder. The accumulated energy would later spread throughout his entire body.
Woosh
The grenade that left his fingertips soared through the air at 150 meters per second.
Babababa
Bullets poured out from machine guns, but Black Mamba had long hidden himself.
His dimensional sight wrapped around its trajectory. The trajectory of the grenade and the people moving around its landing point was drawn in his head like a picture.
Two seconds later, it landed three meters away from its landing point. Soon, another one followed. This time, its trajectory altered two meters. There was no explosion. It was a practice grenade that hed thrown without pulling the safety pin. He was approximating the landing point of his soy grenades.
I think I have it.
Woosh
An intense airwave sounded. The battle of death had arrived, but the gunners were too busy recharging the mortar and altering the elevation.
Click
A small parachute, which reached five meters above the ground, protruded from the RKG-3 anti-tank grenade.
Whistle
The grenade fell with its parachute in tow. It was a comical scene, but the results werent hilarious at all.
Bang
The power of a 1.2 kilograms anti-tank grenade was definite. The 1.3 tons howitzer, which was ready to launch, flashed and fell outside of its field. Jamal, whod been watching with binoculars, shivered.
Aaaaagh!
The gunmens shouts shook the air. They were thrown off the castles walls as a result of the explosion.
Flicitations. Je vous souhait bonne chance la ou vous shait![1] Black Mamba muttered a soulless farewell and started throwing grenades at full force.
Pheeeee
Pheee
The cute parachutes, which looked like toys, continuously appeared above the castle.
Bang
Bang
Bang
A grand fireworks display began.
The field artillery fell right under the walls while the gunners, aiders, and observers who were swept away by the explosions bounced out. Chaos occurred.
Jamals mouth hung open. Apart from covering a great distance, Black Mamba accurately aimed at his targets like a mouse entering its mouse hole. Five OTO-Melara field artillery was destroyed by eight anti-tank grenades.
Oh, Allah, the God of Wars has arrived! May all be done in Allahs will! Ennumul hart[2], ennumul hart! Jamal automatically shouted in surprise.
It was too early for him to be surprised. Black Mamba wiped out the howitzers and shifted his target to the machine guns.
Click
Pheeee
An anti-tank grenade landed without a single mistake on the left side of the machine gun field, spreading its parachute.
Bang
The machine gun and gunner jumped into the air at the same time.
Woosh
Woosh
Grenades kept flying by. A parade of fireworks happened along the area. Screams echoed in the night sky, where the explosions and fireworks occurred. The castles outer walls, which had withstood 1,000s of years, suffered.
Luckily, a grenade landed on a pile of OTO-Melara shells that were preparing for reload. The shells spewed out a fire as though it had found the situation unjust, like the duck eggs by Nakdong River.
Ba-ang
A heavy explosion erupted. The entire Kaparja Valley lit up.
Boooom
Chained explosives had the most beautiful explosions. All the gunners whod been attacking were swept away.
Craaaash
The castles walls groaned as it twisted its body.
Crack
In the end, a side of its wall collapsed.
Aaaagh!
A group of recoilless mortar gunners and RPG launchers, who were rushing up the side, fell to the ground along with the collapsing wall.
Ehehehehe!
Click
Click
Jamal peculiarly laughed while pressing on the shutter several times
Bang
Bang
Crash
Boom
RPG-7s and bullets poured into the rocky fields from Ruman. The cameras flash had revealed their location.
Jamal, press the red button. Its the anti-glare device! Black Mamba shouted.
While it had been his fault for not telling him earlier, Jamal was unstoppable. Hed told the guy to take pictures, and hed risked his life for it. If he was an attention-seeker, he was a strange one.
In the far future, Black Mamba would complain that Korean women were worse than Jamal. After all, they would only eat after saving pictures of all the food that they had on their phones.
Woosh
Woosh
Woosh
Every 0.2 seconds, grenades flew in a row. Their target was the searchlight on the watchtower. He hadnt been able to pinpoint their exact locations, but the lights were directing the bullets that were flying around their hiding space. It was annoying.
Bang
Bang
Four watchtowers exploded in a row. The searchlights, which had annoyed him, disappeared at once. Ruman burned brightly in the darkness.
Black Mamba, who was now relaxed, wiped the sweat off his forehead. He hadnt known that the b*stards would use field artillery. Hed almost gotten himself exploded. The watchtowers outside of his throwing range couldnt reach the rocky fields with their searchlights.
Abwar, Abwar! Captain Jarkawi shouted into the radio.
Ever since the explosion, their communication had stopped. There was no way for the head of the artillery to answer when he was greeting Allah. Suddenly, he felt nervous. If the field artillery and machine guns around the castle walls were destroyed, it would be like fighting without an arm.
Messenger, go check the castles outer walls.
Yes, sir!
Jarkawi was shaken. He couldnt tell what the unknown enemy was aiming for. To keep attacking even after inflicting monstrous blows? Perhaps?
Chills ran down his spine. It was a speculation, an extremely unreasonable speculation, but the enemy was attacking on a level that would not only affect Aloadin but wipe them out entirely. They were persistent b*stards. Jarkawi shuddered.
Sir Bansiri, Sir Bansiri! He shouted into the walkie-talkie.
What is it?
An indifferent voice cracked. It was a weak voice. Jarkawi tilted his head. Major Bansiri wasnt the kind of person to lose his strength even if he had starved for 10 days. Jarkawi didnt know the reason behind his bosss loss of rationality.
Major General, those b*stards seem to be plotting the annihilation of our organization. The castles defense guards were taken out by their attacks.
What? The castle walls mortars and machine guns were destroyed?
A surprised voice was heard over the radio.
I lost contact with the head of the artillery, sir. Ive sent a messenger. Its a monstrous loss. Well become a laughing-stock if we lose to those b*stards. We must catch them and peel their skin off.
Hehehe, thats a good idea. Theyre the b*stards who soiled the holy land of a 1,000 years. Ive lost pride in watching over Aloadin. Kill all those b*stards, and then well kill ourselves. Ill lead. Group our entire forces into units of five and be on standby. Make sure to conceal them and prepare for close combat.
Yes, sir. Ill prepare them. Wont there be reinforcements?
Hehe, the strategic division and the chemical explosives division are 10 times more valuable than us. Theres no reason for them to aid us.
Jarkawi tilted his head. Somehow, the major general sounded dejected.
Sir Bansiri, we must catch and execute them. Well become a laughing-stock to all if we lose the b*stards who provoked us. We must punish those frogs.
Execute!
Bansiris consciousness returned. Headless corpses came into his sight. One of the dead subordinates had been his younger cousin. Since the association with the CIA required a high level of secrecy, hed asked his younger cousin to keep an eye. A Syrians love for their family was known worldwide. He had no choice but to be responsible for the death of his cousin.
Yes, I need to take the gold back and hang their heads on the castles walls.
With his returned senses, Bansiri kicked the broken door away and ran up the stairs.
Jarkawi, do you have those b*stards location?
Yes, sir, its the Kindall B-zone.
The rocky hill in the east?
Yes, sir.
How many more snipers do we have left?
We have three sniper officers and 10 special snipers.
Prepare them immediately.
Yes, sir!
His subordinate ran like a dog with its hind on fire.
It must be those b*stards sent by the DGSE. F****** heathens, taste some fire.
Bansiri caressed the Barrett that CIA agent Dyson had given him. It was a new sniping gun which had been developed two years ago. Although it was a semi-automatic rifle, it had an accuracy of one MOA.
The power of the Barrettes 12.7 millimeters medium machine gun bullet was devilish. It could pierce through concrete and cars. It could shatter most concealments and kill the enemy. Bansiri had been completely charmed by the Barretts power. If there were any cons, it was that he couldnt buy more, and it was too heavy.
He had to use snipers to catch those b*stards. He was completely advantageous in a fight. Snipers could get their opportunity as long as the advancing warriors diverted their attention.
Bansiri gathered his surviving subordinates. He had to raise their morals for them to desire revenge.
Hear, Allahs warriors. Those b*stards are the heathens of France. Theyve killed our brothers by evil means. Those b*stards have infiltrated like rats and used explosive terror against us. Look at the burning corpses of your brothers. Your brothers whod been burned in the hands of the heathens wont be able to enter Allahs world. Those b*stards are stranded in Kindall B-zone. We must kill those b*stards to send our sacrificed brothers into Allahs world! Brothers, let us avenge our brothers by taking those heathens necks!
Whooo! May there be Allahs judgment!
Kill them! Lets cut those heathens necks! the members raged.
It hurt a mans honor to leave their friends behind in hell.
All brothers in training, team up in twos. I will only receive up to 10 teams as the shock troop. Jarkawi, concentrate on the backup firearms. Allahs wand, concentrate your fire on Kindall B-zone. Recoilless artillery and machine guns should suppress the surrounding region. Brothers, if we die in the midst of attacking the heathens, well be buried in Aloadins lands. Aloadin will greet you all with angels!
Yes! Kill those heathens!
Yeah, kill them!
The potential terrorist trainees fought each other for a spot.
Black Mamba shook his head. Those guys were tenacious. A storm of fire had gone by, but most terrorists had survived. He could clearly see people running about. Some guy with a thick mustache was giving a passionate speech, but he couldnt understand. From what it seemed, they were preparing to attack.
Bababa
Bang
Bang
RPG, recoilless artillery, and machine-gun bullets poured out of Ruman. It was a force shooting instead of a target shooting. Several rocks around the hill shattered, and dirt danced around.
Jamal, bring the grenade bag over.
Black Mamba smiled coldly.
[1] Congratulations, I hope you have better luck next time!
[2] God of war.
Chapter 235 - , Episode 10: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Lets see this through. Ill give you after-sales service.
Black Mamba smiled coldly. He was planning to tear apart their reinforcement fire weapons with his grenades.
Bansiri is someone who claims to be from Aloadins main line of descent. He is tenacious and poisonous to the point that no one likes him. The guy is the training major general and the security personnel general.
Yeah? Poisonous b*stards only lower their heads after being thoroughly beaten up. Jamal, pull the grenade pins and throw them to me.
Hm! Jamal stifled his exclamation.
What had he said? Hed never ordered something like that before.
I dont have three hands.
Jamal understood immediately. Jamal was someone whod witnessed Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa throwing grenades like they were machine guns. He pulled on the pins without rest and threw them. The rest was something that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa would figure out.
Black Mamba didnt even look as he grabbed the grenades that Jamal threw.
Whoosh
Whoosh
Whoosh
The grenades lined up like prayer beads and flew towards Ruman. An automatic grenade launcher couldnt have moved at such speed. The grenades, which traveled around 300 meters to 500 meters, were sucked into the sea of fire.
Bang
Bang
Bang
It was like fanning a burning house. The buildings broke apart after they were initially hit by the C-4s, and the terrorists who were suppressing the flames flew into the air. Ruman, whose flames had subsided, was met with misfortune once more.
The ANO, who had been planning their attack formation, were hit by lightning in broad daylight. Stupid people had their limbs torn apart, while smart people scattered like tiny ants looking for cover. An ironic scene played out where the bomb terrorist specialists, ANO, were being terrorized by bombs.
Agh! What is this? Bansiri shouted as he was searching for the sniping point.
Its an automatic grenade launcher! Scatter, scatter! Find cover! Counterattack! he shouted at the top of his lungs.
Ugh! You b*stard of a devilno, you devil!
Bansiris teeth chattered at his hopelessness. His subordinates, who had been planning an advance, were torn apart. Most of the fire support and snipers whod been stationed near the obstacles were wiped out. He could vaguely see some of his subordinates thrown into the air. That wasnt reality but a nightmare.
He could go mad searching for the attackers identity. There wasnt an organization with such overpowering attack skills in the whole world. What kind of b*stard in this world would shoot with an automatic grenade launcher?! Those were devils that the heathens god had sent to wipe out Allahs warriors. He was boiling with anger.
Jarkawi, reassemble the advanced unit once more. If we fail to catch those b*stards, Ill practice Wahhabism[1] and not Sufism[2].
Bansiris eyes turned bright red. He couldnt think of anything else other than tearing the skin off those b*stards and grinding their bones.
The sound of RPG and rifle shots stopped. In 25 seconds, he had thrown 50 grenades, a hail of them. The sight of Ruman in chaos came into his view.
Thats why you shouldnt cause too much of a scene. Why would a tiny b*stard start a small protest?
Black Mamba shoved the rest of his grenades into his bag. He only had four C-4s left. With targets remaining, he planned to reinforce the explosions with the leftover grenades.
Hhhh, its stiff.
Black Mamba whirled his arm around. His body, which hadnt known tiredness, complained about being overworked. Hed started from Gobelaka in the early evening. It was currently 3:50 in the morning, and hed been moving for eight hours without rest. Hed been battling for 70 minutes, since 2:40 in the morning. Even if he wanted to go get some water from a mountain, hed have to take a break so that his muscles could regain their strength.
The sun rose at 6:19, which meant that dawn would appear in an hour. There wasnt enough time. He didnt know how the situation would change when daylight arrived.
He got into the lotus position, calmed his breathing, and controlled his mind.
Whoosh
The air swirled as it entered his body. His cells, which had been inactive, became active once more.
Hmph!
He stretched out his limbs and laid down. His mental fatigue was worse than his physical fatigue. He desperately wanted a cigarette. He didnt smoke often, but he wanted a cigarette every time he was tired.
The moon, which had been hiding behind the clouds, revealed its face once more. A vast, empty sight that couldnt be seen anywhere in Korea was revealed. Wol Song San was a mountain that had a mother-like warmth. It had a thick forest, and clear water flowed down its rivers. Bellflowers and grass grew everywhere, while crimson glory vines and hard kiwis turned ripe in autumn.
The mountains there looked empty. There were almost no trees, and the entire mountain was made of rocks. There were a few shrubs and weeds on the colorful side of the rocky surface.
He could picture every grass field on Wol Song San and every strand of wild chrysanthemum on the lower fields. The country he loved but couldnt love, and the country he missed when away but hated when he returned. Jamal interrupted his reminiscing.
Ugh! Jamal shouted.
Thwack
At the same time, a dart flew from Black Mambas hands. The dart skewered the b*stard that had shoved its poisonous tail into Jamals ankle. The skewered b*stard kicked up a protest. The scorpion, which was around three inches long, had a yellow body with a black back and tail.
Omdruman! Jamals dark face turned pale.
The twisting scorpion was torn apart by an angry foot.
Deathstalker!
Black Mamba felt tense too. Deathstalkers were poisonous scorpions that lived in Africas northern and central regions. They had the strongest poison among scorpions. It was a poisonous b*stard known for killing adults two hours after injecting them with its venom.
Ughhhh! Jamal trembled.
His leg, which had taken the scorpions poison, was hardening. His muscles vibrated like waves.
Allah, it is unfair that youre calling a servant whos just met his master. This servant will return to Allahs side, the providence of this world, and the owner of all. Bismillah! Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Im sorry that I cannot serve you any longer.
Jamal was on the brink of death, but it wasnt such a complicated situation for Black Mamba.
Ugh, what an annoying servant who makes up all kinds of drama, Black Mamba complained in Korean as he grabbed Jamals ankle.
Boom
He activated his inner eye with his inhalation wave. He felt the poisons aura seeping into Jamals blood and bodily fluids. It was invading quickly, like ink spreading in water.
Hm!
He shook his resonance violently, once. The scorpions poison, which produced a shock reaction called anaphylaxis, was extracted.
Gush
Discolored blood flowed from his injury. The scorpions poison was soon dragged out of his body.
Agh! Jamal shouted.
His blood flow had reversed momentarily due to the strong suction. His heart took a huge toll with the reversed blood flow. Unimaginable pain would strike.
Stop whining. Its over.
Black Mamba slapped Jamals leg. It stopped seizing, and Jamals face regained its original color.
Theres no way!
Jamal was surprised. Just when he thought he was about to die, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had removed the poison. Allahs apostle had arrived. He was someone who had saved a dying person. Jamal leaped to his feet and raised both of his hands. He immediately bowed five times.
Oh, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! An amazing soul has come. One whos above all, lowly servant Amud Jamal greets your holy presence. Only Allah is above your holy presence. Bismillah!
Jamal, Im a normal human. I just know a few tricks.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be everlasting. I will know it as such.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. He was just like Jadir. He took the scene for what it was and didnt doubt it. Perhaps, Jamal was just that naive. Their untouched naivety might have turned them into fanatics. Black Mambas body had moved slightly out of their hiding place while he treated Jamal.
Aghh!
A wounded animals groan left Bansiris mouth. That couldnt be. The attacks were far too accurate. The training centers, which had crumbled in the first round of attacks, were completely ruined. His subordinates corpses scattered everywhere, their groans and screams, and the burning debris stabbed at his heart. About 50 to 60 of his subordinates had returned to Allahs side. Bansiris face was similarly drenched in blood.
Jarkawi ran over with an emergency bag. He sprinkled zeolite powder all over his torn cheeks and ears before covering it over with a dry chitosan plaster. It was the best way to stop blood flow. American military stationeries were easy to use and as effective as always.
Move! I must catch that b*stard.
Bansiri shoved his subordinate away before digging into the pile of concrete. He shoved his eye onto the scope and used all the senses he could to search the entirety of Kindall B-zone. He was sure that the Barrett could destroy any obstacle in its path as long as he discovered the enemys location.
F*cking heathen, Ive got you now! Bansiri screamed.
A round helmet appeared in his scopes sight. There wasnt any reason to miss it at 450 meters, and a bulletproof helmet was more like a piece of paper in the aim of his Barrett.
Bang
A strong 12.7-millimeter bullet moved out of its barrel at three times the speed of sound. A long trail of smoke followed. The b*stards head would be crushed in 0.3 seconds.
The sound of the Barrett was as great as its power. It couldnt be attached to a silencer, either. Black Mamba immediately ducked down upon detecting the flare of the gun. The bullet, which had streaked past his cheek, pierced the rock behind him.
Crack
Pieces of rocks jumped as though they had exploded and attacked his helmet. His head started ringing.
Ugh! Black Mamba stumbled.
A sniper.
He instinctively ducked his head down.
Ive got him! Bansiri cheered.
There hadnt been any blood on his scope, but the b*stard had staggered and fell. He immediately began to shoot rapid-fire. The top part of their rock broke apart at the second and third impacts.
Tatatata
The rocks, which flew around everywhere, knocked on his bulletproof helmet and swept past his neck.
Ugh!
It was sniping that he hadnt detected. He felt the back of his tingling head with his palm. Blood came off. His heart sank. He would be buried within the year if he wasnt careful. The sniper was talented, but the rifles strength was unfathomable.
Among all the current rifles in use, only the Barrett could create such a powerful attack. He could only tilt his head at the name. Since 1982, the Barrett had only been used by the American army. It wasnt exported to any foreign country. For a mere terrorist organization to use a weapon that even the French army couldnt use? It was unbelievable.
Those damned Yankees!
Somehow he kept colliding with the Yankees, and in an unfriendly manner too. He felt as though hed go head to head against them someday.
Jamal, the rock thats 30 meters away is the retreating mark. Aller!
Yes, sir!
Jamal picked up the bag full of gold. The servant had to manage his owners wealth.
Huh! Jamal groaned in surprise.
His master had carried and moved the bag like it was nothing. He tried his best, but it didnt move an inch. A human couldnt possibly bear 400 kilograms.
How did Black Mamba run with this?
Oh, you weak b*stard, just take yourself.
Jamal immediately ran towards the rear at Black Mambas order. He moved like a lizard as he crawled on the floor. He acted appropriately for a terrorist with eight years of experience.
Black Mamba immediately took his grenade bag and launched his body to the right. His previous location had already been revealed. It was a location that gave him access to the enemys locations, but there was a high probability that Ruman would shoot the entire field around his location.
Bansiri removed the empty magazine and replaced his bullet with a flare bullet. He was planning on sending the concentrated fire to blow away their hiding place.
Warriors, Ive got him. Send the rest to Jahannam!
Red light flew in a row. They used the flare as a guide for throwing shells, RPGs, and recoilless mortars.
Pheeeee
Phewww
At least five shells landed right on the rock that hed used as cover.
Crash
The rock, which had been as tall as a standing car, blew up into pieces. Jamal, whod escaped to the rear, patted his chest down. His master truly was the god of war. If theyd been a little later, he would have returned to Allahs side.
Whisk
Black Mamba, who had teleported 20 meters instantly, sent his body flying once more with the crawling movement. The demon who had been running since dawn slipped on the cracks between rocks that were as slim as needles. He was 50 meters away from his initial hiding place.
Theyre hiding the gold for me. Black Mamba smirked.
The shattered rocks had completely covered his gold bag. There wasnt a need to worry about losses anymore.
Nimi jotto, theres nothing like a cockroach den.
Rumans attitude had changed. Their sniping accuracy had improved with the aid of reinforced firearms. Like all terrorists, they were more tenacious than a whales tendons.
Moreover, 100 or so reinforcements were coming down from the valley. As expected of the Arabs, they didnt know when to give up despite the destructive loss theyd suffered.
Hed experienced enough of the FROLINATs madness where soldiers were high on drugs. These b*stards could have been fed drugs, too.
Ill wipe you all out. He gritted his teeth.
He hadnt thought of retreating, but the situation didnt permit it either. They were the kind of b*stards who would hunt him down if he did. By daylight, the Mukhabarat and Syrian Army would cover Kaparja in darkness to aid them.
Grenades were good for suppressing wide areas, but their killing rate was lower compared to sniping. An MP5 couldnt cover a distance of 320 meters to 800 meters from Ruman at an effective range of 200 meters. He pulled out the Dragunov from his backpack. The assembly time took three seconds.
The ANO just happened to walk out of Ruman in pairs at the time.
Ooooooh, Allah, Allah!
Terminate those heathens!
They were like crushed pomegranate seeds who kept popping out of the pomegranate, or in this case, Ruman. They were b*stards who poked their heads out to die. Black Mamba raised his Dragunov with a smile.
You lame b*stards, did you think I was the Explosives Devil? Youre all dead.
Clang
Clang
Clang
The Dragunov spewed fire. As he fell, the head of the first terrorist exploded all over the place like a watermelon. The second victims head exploded before the first one could reach the ground. Grotesque scenes of dark fluid being hurled into the air continued.
[1] A form of Islamic practice that insists on the literal interpretation of the Quran.
[2] A form of Islamic mysticism that is characterized by specific values, ritual practices, doctrines, and institutions.
Chapter 236 - For Whom The Bell Tolls
Hehehe, those DGSE idiots arent that useless, I suppose.
Black Mamba laughed in satisfaction. The DGSEs Technical Design Division had maintained the Dragunovs battering capacity instead of improving its durability and sound reduction. Despite its name, it was an entirely different kind of gun from the Dragunov.
The titanium-molybdenum mixed barrels heat dissipation performance and internal durability had improved. Theyd even paid attention to the details by coating the muzzle with diamonds. The muzzle had to be precise for a stable trajectory.
The silencer and scope performed excellently. The explosion sound and sonic boom had decreased by 50 percent. Its fire had also decreased significantly. The 200 millimeters fire, which had exploded, decreased to a spark near the barrel. The flash suppressor was the first requirement that guaranteed a snipers secrecy when sniping at night. A scopes variable 10x resolution was unmatched to a fixed 4x scope of the past. He could see his targets features 400 meters ahead. Wings had been given to the god-level sniper.
The advance group spread left and right the moment his sniping began. They were trying to disperse his focus. They were definitely well-trained. Black Mamba immediately retracted his scope and increased the width of his sight. 300 to 400 meters was just right ahead. There was no need for a scope.
Clang
Clang
His sniping turned into a double-tap fast-sniping. Charging towards Black Mambas gun barrel was pointless confidence. They were just like bumblebees attacking a hornet. The pomegranate seeds popping out of Ruman were crushed ruthlessly.
Al-mawt wahid, al-mawt ithnan, al-mawt thalatha, al-mawt arbaa![1]
As he observed Ruman through the binoculars, Jamal started shouting frantically. Jamals kill counter increased rapidly. In the end, his jaw tightened. The count was meaningless.
In less than 30 seconds, 24 terrorists had jumped out of Ruman and rolled on the ground. The moon, which leaned to the west, looked down silently on the mortifying scene.
Black Mamba, who had wiped out the entire advance unit, started clearing out the remaining support firearms from within Ruman.
Clang
Clang
The cheerful explosions rang without rest.
Part of the body had to be exposed during an attack. The exposed body parts were shot without rest. If they revealed their arms, their arms would fall off, and if they revealed their nose, their nose would be blown off.
Bang
The bullet, which bounced off the howitzer, crushed the gunners face. It was a one-cushion snipe. The recoilless mortar gunner had his neck pierced by the bullet after it went through the howitzer. A snipers hand was blown off after it had revealed itself. An ammunition transporters head exploded while he was running around with an RPG shell box.
After 30 seconds of sniping, Black Mamba moved from his location like the wind. A b*stard with good instinct gave his position away with a flare bullet. Hed be covered in explosions if he had given them time to target.
Woosh
A grenade flew. An ANO member, who was shooting a machine gun from the trench, flew into the air.
Bansiri wasnt an easy opponent. He was both a sniper and an officer with sharp instincts. Every time Black Mamba sniped, he caught the minor barrel flare and shot a leading flare. Snipes and explosions followed the flare. Those were sensitive reactions, but they didnt produce anything. Every single time, the sniping position was destroyed a moment too late.
Jarkawi, send out the advance unit! Protect the mortars!
Frustrated, Bansiri started shouting. Three surviving 82 millimeters Karachi mortars joined the fray.
Bang
Crash
The ground caved in under the impact of the 3.1 kilograms anti-tank grenades. The advance group jumped out again.
The mortars were completely covered by the heap of crumpled concrete, but that couldnt fool Black Mambas dimensional sight.
Click
An anti-tank grenade crossed the sky.
Beeeeeep
The grenade fell on a parachute.
Ah, what is that?
A gunner, who had found the falling grenade by pure luck, shouted. The gunner should have run instead of shouting.
Bang
A loud explosion swallowed his scream. Four mortar gunmen turned into a mass of blood by a single grenade.
Woosh
Woosh
The following grenades shattered the two mortars without fail.
Black Mamba raised his Dragunov after taking out the mortars. Advance soldiers in units of 10, who were no longer protected by the firearms, were crushed instantly.
Sscary b*stard! Is that b*stard even human?
Bansiri took his eyes off the scope. The mortar and advance units had been wiped out instantly. The snipers hed raised with effort for the past three years were also killed. The loss of the two sniper units with 20 people in total, which was rumored to go up against a company per person, was painful. There werent enough members.
The b*stard wasnt human. He was someone who rolled around the battlefields like he had played with a knifes edge for 20 years. He received unimaginable attacks, but there was only one attacker. He could tell from the pattern of the enemys sniping and grenade attacks. Once he guided a focused attack after confirming the b*stards barrel flash, another sniping followed from a different location within one to two seconds. A human couldnt move that fast or attack in rows. How could such a person exist? It was an unimaginable reality, a nightmare. That was an enemy he couldnt fight against. The destructive anger that had overwhelmed him flooded out like tides.
Jarkawi, did you request for reinforcements from the strategic guard division?
Yes, theyre coming to support us, sir.
Bansiris expression didnt brighten up much. The guard unit was just guards. They were incomparable to the members of his organization. That wasnt an enemy that they could defeat with a few guards personal weapons. Bansiris sigh deepened.
Black Mamba drew a large arc and returned to his initial hiding place. A shadow covered Jamals back while he was filming with an infrared camera behind the rock.
Jamal, fill in the magazines.
Agh!
Surprised, Jamal drew out his gun like lightning. An iron clasp immediately grasped his wrist. Empty magazines and ammunition packs fell to the ground.
Its me. Fill the magazines.
Yes? Yes!
Still surprised, Jamal started filling the Dragunov magazines in a rush. In the next few hours, he was greeted by a lifetime full of surprises. Going forward, he felt as though nothing would surprise him anymore.
Tenacious b*stards!
Ruman, which was on the brink of destruction, didnt stop resisting. Bullets kept flying randomly. A normal commander would have surrendered or retreated. He didnt feel like clapping for their strong mentality. Instead, their tenacity was making him more annoyed.
He recalled the DGSE files that Claude had shown him. The ANO were b*stards who cut the heads of captives whose ransom werent paid for, b*stards who threw bombs at civilians, and b*stards who raped young girls and pregnant women ruthlessly. Whatever their goal was, they were creatures estranged from the circle of humanity. Creatures should be treated like creatures.
Ill root all of you out.
The Dragunov started spewing fire again. Its target was the guards in military uniforms climbing out of the valley.
Splash
The commander holding a rifle had his head blown off.
Black Mambas consciousness was concentrated on a single thing. His consciousness disappeared. His awareness of using a gun dissipated. Thoughts of killing his enemies also vanished. He was entirely focused on the repetitive action of finding a target and pulling the trigger.
Clang clang clang
Clang clang clang
His double-tap evolved into a triple-tap. The soldiers fell like dominoes. Frightened soldiers rushed to find cover. Their order collapsed instantly. There was no point in hiding. Grenades followed them without missing its target.
Sir Bansiri, we must retreat. We need to escape while the guards are distracting them! Jarkawi shouted.
His screams were heard from underneath a 30 millimeters iron plate, which looked to be the backboard of their shooting range. There were countless bullet marks on the plate. Jarkawi wasnt in his right mind either.
Hh, I, I Bansiri, defeated by a heathenha! Bansiri sobbed, unable to complete his sentence.
Hes undefeatable, sir. We need to at least maintain the surviving officers and security personnel. 60 minutes left before sunrise. Reinforcements will come when the day arrives!
Of course. We should prepare for tomorrow. Retreat to the shelter!
The ANO survivors moved like tidewater while the guards fought. There was no such thing as loyalty in the terrorists dictionary.
Their resistance suddenly ended. Silence descended on Ruman. He couldnt see any more targets. Even the unit that was climbing down the valley retreated in a rush after being shot several times.
Black Mamba lowered his Dragunov, whose barrel had turned a burning red. The grass that was pressed against the barrel started fuming and turned yellow. Hed gone through 20 magazines in a row.
The first round of cockroach eradication had ended. Black Mamba deconstructed his Dragunov and shoved it into his backpack. He took out a hip flask, sipped on Sciaccarello, and lit a cigarette.
How many did he kill? He estimated around 600 to 700 people. Hed wiped out half of them with explosions and erased 300 people with grenades and snipings. Hed sniped around 30 unknown, weak soldiers. The numbers were similar to the number of people he had erased at Dombrey forest.
That had been an easy battle compared to the desperate fight back then. The more he had to protect someone, the more difficult the battles. He worried about Jamal, but he wasnt a comrade that required his protection.
Disregarding the rights and wrongs of morals, he couldnt simply ignore the massacre. He wasnt a messenger of God, and he didnt have any religious beliefs or interest in politics.
It was his job to kill and destroy, like a salaryman who tapped on his calculator after work to organize the days sales slip. The ANO who had received Azraels visit were simply unfortunate. Perhaps, like theyve said, either Allah had forsaken them or Azrael had cursed them.
It took six minutes for him to burn a stick of Cohiba Siglo. He blew out the last stretch of smoke and threw the empty hip flask into his backpack. Smoke and alcohol were a snipers enemy. He didnt enjoy it. He blew away the emptiness he had felt from the murder with a glass of alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Jamal stared blankly at Black Mamba. Hed been uncertain, but in the end, Aloadin was destroyed. The impregnable castle Aloadin, also known as the holy land of assassins with a 1,000 years of history, had been single-handedly erased by Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Jamals expression grew solemn. That was his chance to restart his wasted life.
Black Mambas eyes lingered on the heap of rocks that covered his bag. Now that his mind was calm, the reality that he had 400 kilograms of gold was starting to hit him. One baby stone ring was worth 50,000 won. He couldnt calculate. There were also a few million dollars worth of cash in his backpack.
Eh, do I have to work when I have that much?
His worries piled. He couldnt fight with 400 kilograms on his back. Rather, the bags straps would break.
Well, no one would steal it anyways.
An eerie laugh escaped him. In the past, unable to pay tuition fees worth 800 won, he had been beaten until his ribs broke. It was unusual for a countryside boy dressed in ragged clothes, who had shivered in the freezing cold, to leave a billion-dollar bag uncovered.
Since Ive swept with a broom, I should mop.
He pulled out an MP5 from his backpack. The weight of his backpack was reduced. The number of lives lost was equivalent to the weight that his backpack had shed. Even the lives that had managed to survive would soon perish. Black Mambathe nightmare of battlefields and the Angel of Deathwas about to visit again. The disgusting, tenacious b*stard wasnt the ANO but Black Mamba.
Black Mamba calmly checked his weapons. There was no such thing as being too prepared. Critical damage always came from a lack of preparation.
There were five 30-round MP5SD3 magazines, a Glock on his left hip holder, another Glock on his left ankle, the Kukri on his right side, 20 darts in his secret sleeve, four spare Glock magazines, and the Gorgon in the backpacks bottom compartment.
He ended his preparation by wearing his special-made bulletproof helmet. The backpack made of bulletproof materials was also a bulletproof vest. Jamal carried his rifle and leaped to his feet.
Jamal, wait here.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please retract that order. You told me to record the entire scene. Im ready to die for the cause. No, I will never die until I finish carrying out my duty, sir.
Ha, f***, another weirdos attached himself to me, Black Mamba groaned in Korean.
Just moving around allowed fleas to attach themselves to him. Wasnt the blessing of human connections, which his master had mentioned, over yet?
Fine, follow me.
Woosh
He disappeared even before he finished talking. The very person who had destroyed Ruman went through its front gates without hesitation. Not a single bullet came his way.
Black Mamba frowned slightly. The thick smell of burning proteins and blood poked at his nose. There was no other chaos like that. All the buildings, facilities, and constructed objects were burned and destroyed. Only thin strands of smoke rose from the destroyed buildings.
Behind him, Jamal was at a loss for words. There were countless burnt and torn corpses everywhere. The screams of humans who had lost their limbs, and the humans rolling on the ground with their bodies on fire, that was hell.
Hed conducted several destroy missions himself. However, compared to the scale of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, his was like a fight during playtime. His body automatically trembled. That wasnt the arrival of an apostle, but Azrael!
But did it matter who he was? He was his master. Jamal shook his head and started taking pictures of the scene.
[1] One death, two death, three death, four death!
Chapter 237
A humans life was resistant. Despite the three attack combination of explosions, grenades, and sniping, there were still survivors. Black Mamba used his resonance to search the building and facilities remains, as well as underground. Ruman was vast in scale. It would take the entire day to search every corner of the place.
The MP5SD3 had a targeting time as short as its barrel. It wasnt much different from a big-sized Glock. It had a weaker piercing power compared to an assault rifle, but it was more than enough to kill a human. The kinetic energy of a nine millimeters bullet could pierce a weak humans muscle and crush their bones. With a built-in silencer, gunshots sounded like air escaping a tire. It was best for close-range shooting.
Splat
Splat
A hole was left on a terrorists head, who was pretending to be dead amongst a pile of corpses. The person, whod been gasping for air while clenching his chest, had no reason to do so anymore.
Aside from the sporadic gunshots, the screams and groans had stopped. The remaining ANO survivors held their breaths as they noticed the appearance of a scavenger. But that wasnt enough to fool Black Mambas senses. Whether they wanted to fight back or not, they were killed relentlessly as long as they were alive.
Uuuh, save me.
A survivor, whose lower half was almost roasted, raised both of his hands.
Bang
A hole was planted on his forehead mercilessly.
Woosh
A hole found itself on the terrorists forehead, who was trying to push a barrel from behind the barracks where light remained. The only benevolence that Black Mamba offered was to send them off in a painless single blow.
Please save me. I have a family to look after
The bearded man, who was rubbing his hands together, had his jaw smashed by a front kick.
Did you b*stards listen to the victims pleas?
He spat. They were b*stards who killed, destroyed homes, and tortured the innocent. When administering pain to someone else, one must be prepared to receive the same pain. Rubbing hands wasnt worth anything to him. A mechanical massacre continued. Those who were weak or injured couldnt avoid the touch of death as long as they were alive.
Hm!
Black Mamba, who was erasing the survivors in a daze, hesitated. It was a dangerous sign.
Ting
At the sound of the explosion, Black Mambas chest caved inwards and attached itself to his back like a piece of paper. An object with high velocity passed by his chest.
Ha, its that guy.
The guy, who had sniped with a Barrett, annoyed him with the trace flare.
Boom
His dimensional sight activated. He was 100 meters away. He could see the blueprint of the vast underground. Black Mamba flew off the ground. He jumped up, like leaves swept away by a whirlwind.
Ting
Ting
Tatata
Bang bang
Bullet poured in like rain. There were at least 10 guys shooting at him.
Flick
Flick
His shadow steps and four paced movement were activated at the same time. Several rounds of bullets had raised dust in vain.
A specialized sniper needed at least two seconds to focus on a moving target and pull the trigger. No sniper on Earth could catch a target that teleported 15 meters in a moment. He arrived at his destination point after three intensive rounds of target firing.
Haaa!
Black Mamba leaped forward and caught the Gorgons handle from the air.
Voom
The Gorgon, which gained centrifugal and gravitational force, descended into a cycloid curve.
Crash
A deafening sound, which seemed like it could rupture the eardrums, rang. The entrance, which was hidden under the grass, fell apart. It was a golden door of at least half a foot thick. The golden door had withstood the attack, but the guides that supported its top and bottom gave way.
Tap
The angel of death landed on the floor. His sharp eyes darted around while gathering information. It was a basement of around 100 pyungs, separated into two levels. Unexpectedly, there were a lot of people. There were 30 people with bags on their backs on the lower floor. The upper floor was an attic. There were concealed crenel slots under the attic gable. Around 10 people had their rifles stationed there. They were snipers.
Black Mamba immediately recognized the security personnel and officers that Jamal had spoken of. Those 40 people were core members of the ANOs main command group. The edge of Black Mambas mouth twitched. He would have reaped platycodon instead of ginseng had he not been cautious.
A moment of silence passed. A hilarious sight where 40 peoples jaws hung open was seen. Black Mamba, who reaped a great haul, looked satisfied while the faces of the ANO officers and security personnel slowly lost its color. 80 eyes filled with fear collided with two eyes filled with satisfaction.
Its the b*stard! Kill him! Bansiri shouted from the attic.
Its the devil!
The heathen!
Agh!
Their screams, which were like singing frogs, rang. The terrorists who had temporarily lost their minds from Black Mambas invasion regained their senses. The members in the attic changed their positions. The members on the lower floor also raised their weapons. Some pulled out the Khanjar, some pulled out guns, while some pulled out axes and chains.
Kill the dirty heathen!
Send the devil to hell!
30 people with all kinds of weapons rushed in at once. Black Mambas eyes turned bright red. He was a masochist who believed in noblesse oblige.
Those b*stards were leaders who had abandoned their subordinates to survive. Those b*stards, who had claimed to build the realm of gods, abandoned their friends. He was tired. He wasnt planning on letting them live in the first place, but a surge of anger had rushed over him.
As Bansiri looked down from the attic, his expression turned into one of victory. No matter how amazing that b*stard was, he couldnt defeat 30 warriors. Hed managed to enter the secret zone by using explosives, but he was about to turn into mush. The b*stard arrived at his deathbed with his own feet.
Woosh
A loud airwave, which shook the ground, reverberated.
Streak
The Gorgon attacked. Only people like Black Mamba or Ocelot could wield the monstrous weapon of six meters in length and 17 kilograms in weight, the Gorgon.
Agh!
Ahhhh!
Streaks of blood flew alongside desperate cries.
Woosh
Woosh
Voom
The whip moved at a terrifying speed like a living creature. Anyone caught in its path was sliced like a radish.
Die, you devil!
A scythe swooped in from behind as it had been waiting for an opportunity to aim at Black Mambas back.
Cling
The scythe, which bounced off the whip, returned at a much faster speed.
Ugh!
The attacker screamed in fear as his weapon returned with a blue glimmer.
Creak
Perhaps it was due to his advanced screams, but the scythes owner died quietly.
The terrorists who attacked with felling tools were sliced diagonally. Those with guns had their wrists severed. The thrown axes bounced back and embedded into their comrades foreheads. The Gorgon pierced the attackers chest before they could even react. Viscera spilled out of their open chest.
The Gorgon moved at an increasing speed. The air in the room started swirling rapidly.
Woooo
A tornado was formed. The ground trembled as it was pushed away. White smoke wrapped and hovered around Black Mamba. The weapons that the terrorists threw bounced off the white wall.
Anything that entered the Gorgons range was destroyed. Necks, arms, and legs flew while waists were torn apart. All the knives, axes, guns, and felling tools that the security personnel had used were destroyed. Arms and legs flew around the room following the whips shadow. If the Gorgon was a mixer, the security personnel were apple slices in the mixer. It was the advent of Azrael.
The 10 snipers in the attic couldnt even bring themselves to pull the trigger. The devil was amidst their comrades, and they couldnt catch the target. He was way too fast. They could only make meaningless groans with their jaws wide open.
Hhh, thatthat thing!
Bansiri lost his mind. His subordinates were turning into a paste instead of the heathens. His mouth hung open with drool leaking from the corner of his mouth.
The road to hell appeared the moment the Devil pulled out his whip. Half of his forces had been wiped out instantly. The human body was sliced and crushed by a simple passing of the whip. His mind left him at an unimaginable and horrifying scene. The b*stard wasnt only a sniper at the level of an evil god, but he was an evil god. He was the evil god mentioned in the heathens holy scriptures, Asura.
Allah, did you send Asura to reveal your almighty strength? Why did you pick your faithful servants as Asuras prey? His sorrowful cries were buried by screams.
The basement was filled with the sound of the wind and humans screaming.
Aaaah, its the devil!
A member of the security personnel threw away his parrying dagger and escaped Black Mambas range. He ran to the best of his abilities, but the Gorgon was faster.
Woosh
The Gorgon followed the personnel like a flying snake and wrapped around his neck.
Splash
The blood that spilled out from his neck formed a rainbow in the air.
The Gorgons attacks were violent, but it had a flexible rhythm.
Whoosh
The Gorgon, which returned from its cycloid curve, sliced another personnels arm aiming at him with a gun and crushed the back of an officer who was about to tackle him.
Jarkawi was panic-stricken. An unimaginable situation was happening before him. There were barely four to five security personnel standing on their legs. In one to two seconds, they would be sliced apart too.
Sir Bansiri, we must flee! Everythings over. That person isnt human! Jarkawi shouted.
Shoot! Just shoot with whatever you have! Bansiri shouted as though he hadnt heard.
The officers who were sniping at Black Mamba from the attic were fortunately veterans. They realized that now wasnt the time to be wary of losses.
Tatatatata
Bullets poured out.
Black Mamba blew off the last victims head and disappeared in a flash. His body reappeared in the attic, which was elevated eight meters above the ground.
Ting
The heavy whip of six meters long was carried across a cycloid curve, lashing at the riflemen.
Eeeeh, Allah!
The terrorists limbs turned weak when Black Mamba appeared in the attic. Like a regular ghost that remained still before the ghost of a general, their limbs stiffened before the overwhelming terror.
Aaaaah!
Another hell unfolded. The scene wasnt much different from an octopus being sliced atop a cutting board. Brave officers who advanced were sliced into three pieces. Their neck was cut off, followed by their waist. An officer who managed to barely stop the whip with his rifles barrel had his head crushed. He was undefeatable against 1,000,000 foes.
Sir Bansiri, we must escape to zone D! Jarkawi shouted.
Yes, yes, we should.
Bansiris consciousness returned to reality. He threw away the decoration on the wall with his Barrett to press a hidden button.
Vrrrr
The ground opened up. Bansiri threw his Barrett away and hauled his body into the gaping hole. Jarkawi followed soon after.
That wont do.
Voom
The Gorgon stretched out like an arrow.
Agh!
Jarkawi, whose back was pierced by the five-pointed spear, screamed desperately.
Hmph!
Black Mamba pulled back his whip. Like a fish pulled out of the water, Jarkawi flew in the air and rolled before Black Mambas feet.
Vrrr
Bang
The Gorgon crashed down onto the holes entrance.
Damn b*stard, hes dug a rat hole.
Angered, Black Mamba stomped around its perimeter. The entire underground shook, but the floor didnt budge.
Hes got a long life!
He gave up entirely. There was much to do. There wasnt enough time to be concerned over a single rat.
Jarkawi squirmed despite his crushed back.
Keeh! You dirty heathen, may Allahs curse be upon you!
Evil was evil. He still cursed despite his imminent death.
Splat
The Gorgon pierced his head. It was the meaningless end of Jarkawi, who dreamt of reconstructing Aloadins kingdom with Bansiri.
Lackey, I wont understand even if you curse me out.
Crack
With a kick, Jarkawis body folded into half. Black Mamba released his anger at Jarkawi since he had lost Bansiri.
A sudden silence visited the basement. 15 seconds had passed since Black Mamba jumped in after shattering its entrance. The silence was deafening since it had been filled with screams not a moment ago.
All the terrorists who had been hiding underground were annihilated, except for the b*stard called Bansiri, who had escaped. No, they were ruthlessly annihilated. There was no way that a scene with blood, internal organs, filth, and severed arms and legs could be clean.
Eyes that were light red turned clear. Black Mamba looked somberly at the devastating scene. There wasnt a single, clean corpse.
The Gorgon was a medium-range weapon. It destroyed any obstacle in its path at the speed of sound. It didnt only target its victims but cleaved them into pieces. It was a horrifying outcome.
He had killed countless guerrillas and terrorists, but none of them had ended up in such a terrifying scene. That was why he didnt want to fight with a medium-range weapon most of the time. At a fit of impulsive anger, hed swung the Gorgon around.
He picked up the Barrett, which the b*stard called Bansiri had discarded before fleeing. It was heavy. It was around four times the weight of his Dragunov. Its bullets kinetic force was similarly amazing. However, it didnt suit him because it lacked in battering capacity and gave a huge recoil. It was a good weapon, but it was more suitable for shooting down helicopters.
Jamals face turned pale after following him into the basement.
Gurgle
He barely managed to hold his vomit back. There were piles of cleaved corpses, the ceilings and walls were drenched in red, and the floor was covered in blood. The situation outside was horrible, but this was shocking. If he hadnt gone through such experiences as a terrorist, he would have vomited and embarrassed himself.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was estranged, standing in the middle of hell with pieces of flesh on his whip. It was an intense visual shock. He was the true, all-consuming solemn avatar. His mind went blank. Without realizing, he had collapsed into a kneel.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, my owner! Have mercy on your slave. Only Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is holy aside from Allah! La illaha illallah Ddu-bai-buru-pa rasulullah![1]
Jamal pressed his forehead on the blood-soaked floor. Jamal had just proclaimed a testimony of his faith, but there wasnt any way for Black Mamba to know. He had regarded the entire display as one of Jamals upgraded dramatic reactions.
Jamal, are you hurt?
No, I am fine because of your honor, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Did you take the pictures?
Yes, Ive executed your orders.
Stand, Jamal.
Woosh
He shook the Gorgon using his resonance.
Plop plop plop
The blood and pieces of flesh were easily removed.
Flick
The Gorgon was coiled up and stored into his backpack. Only then did the smell of the victims urine and blood overwhelmed him. His insides bubbled and started feeling queasy. He couldnt help but smoke a cigarette.
He threw away the Barrett that he had been holding on to. Jamal sneakily took it.
Is he Ombuti number three?
He acted just like Ombuti.
When he pulled out a Cohiba Siglo, Jamal immediately lit it on fire and stood upright. The weak smoke from the cigarette suppressed the smell of blood.
Jamal, are you scared of me?
Yes, sir. If it hadnt been for you, master, Id have fainted from fright.
Im scared of myself too. Black Mambas face settled heavily.
Who else, if not Asura, who had detached 700 human souls from their bodies overnight!
Asura!
The Asura in the legends and stories was his avatar. The being whose good and evil was enigmatic, the being who rebelled, the being who was angered by the loss of its family, and the being who was the subject of fear but was a protector at the same time.
Asuras personality varied with religion. In Hinduism, it was an evil God that resisted against the good deity, Devas. In Zoroastrianism, Asura was compared to Ahura Mazda, who suppressed the evil deity, Devas. The reason behind the opposing descriptions was due to the conflict between India and Persia. That was why religion was perceived to be created according to human needs.
What about Buddhism? It accepted both the demi-gods, Indra and Asura. Like its rounded ideals, Buddhism didnt discriminate between evil or good and accepted both Indra and Asura as its protectors. Between Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism, Asuras only similarity was its love for conflict. Asura was an entity who fought endlessly.
Fate had pushed him on Asuras path despite his reluctance. He wasnt complaining. 10 years ago, before he left the bridge, he had carved a phrase onto the villages front tree. Id rather become a hungry stray dog wandering the deserted lands instead of a pet who shakes its tail anticipating its owners food. It was cheesy, but that was how he had survived. He would continue living that way.
[1] Only Allah is our God, and Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is his messenger!
Chapter 238
Look at the actions of the ANO!
They were the Order of Assassins. Their true purpose was to reconstruct the Aloadin kingdom. Their values were upheld by the teachings of Ismailism. They were an extremely exclusive sect. For their own purposes and the execution of what they believed was good, they only hear what they wanted to hear, and see what they wanted to see.
Other religions, sects, and ideas were subjected to demolition. Others happiness wasnt their concern. They executed extreme actions of superiority and discrimination that Black Mamba hated.
Like how Asuras status alternated between good and evil depending on the religion, good and evil could always be adjusted according to human values.
Being good or evil werent the conditions that made one human. In fact, the universal moral code should serve as guidance for human conditions. Black Mambas face brightened up. His trip to Syria hadnt been a waste. He had an idea of the conditions that conformed people to be human, a question that had been sitting heavily on his mind.
Deep in thoughts, Black Mambas forehead creased.
Kuhwuwuwu
A great howling knocked on his brain. It was a howl filled with bloodlust and ill intent.
Jamal, didnt you hear anything strange?
I didnt, sir.
Jamal looked puzzled.
Kuheueue
The howling sounded again.
I see!
Those werent sound waves transmitted through the air. The howls were like emotions transferred directly to his brain. It was something hed experienced at the Nakdong River.
On a foggy night where there was a full moon, countless soldiers had risen from the river in lines. There hadnt been a single sound or water ripple. They had simply emerged, head first. There were corroded metal hats on their skulls. They had surfaced with backpacks on their backs, and corroded rifles slung around their shoulders.
When the formation had been established, their silent march began. The sound of boots walking across the water made it seem as though they were walking on the ground.
Clack clack
Canteens knocking against the butt of their rifles sounded.
Kuuhuh
A long cry, which sounded as though they were begging for something, had replaced their chants. The marching skeletons had stood before him in lines, like always. 1,000s of skeleton soldiers howled together.
Kuuuhaa
Kuhuuuh
They wanted something. He just didnt know what. What could a 12-years-old who had been confined to the life of a slave in his uncles house know? He could only watch. There was resentment in the skeletons eyes. At least, that was what he thought.
Uuuuuwooo
Rustle rustle
Clack clack
The marching skeletons had disappeared into the water again.
No one else had seen the skeleton soldiers aside from Mu Ssang. His teacher had referred to them as the lost bodies. He had sealed the ability, saying that it was an evil secondary skill only a human with developed dantians could see.
However, that wasnt the howling of the hollow presence hed experienced in the past. It wasnt lost souls, either. They werent the remains of a pure body, but the real deal. It was a howl filled with madness, bloodlust, injustice, and all kinds of negative emotions.
His blood boiled. A similar fighting spirit from when he had met Ocelot arose within him. He wanted to tear apart the being, which made the sound. Black Mambas eyes turned light red. He started emanating a strong bloodlust.
Master, master! Jamal shouted pathetically.
Jamals face turned blue from the intense bloodlust.
Yeah?
He turned his head towards the direction of the whining.
Aaah!
Jamal screamed when he made eye contact with Black Mamba. At Azraels arrival, all of his hair was raised, his eyes turned light red, and his expression turned grim.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
He was the angel of death whose stare was said would end a humans life. Jamal shoved his head between his knees and quivered.
Boom
One side of his head rang. A peppermint scented energy spread around his brain and cooled it down. His head felt more refreshed.
Om manni banme hom, om
He calmed his mind with the mind centering technique.
Black Mambas eyes returned to its original color. His hair, which had been floating about, swayed back down. The bloodlust, which had filled the air, disappeared like it was washed away.
Jamal, did you know about this place?
Jamal raised his head at the calm voice. As usual, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was expressionless.
Did I imagine it? No. He was the Azrael.
Jamal shook his head from side to side.
Jamal, I asked if you knew about this place.
What? Yes! Despite eight active years with the ANO, I didnt have a clue. After all, I was a special forces warrior and didnt stay very long at the Aloadin.
Special forces warrior?
Its a self-destructing terrorist, to be exact.
Ha, youd be willing to self-destruct when ordered to do so? Isnt Islam especially wary of bodily harm?
Its considered an exception when punishing heathens and betrayers. We were told that Aloadins angels would descend and restore our bodies to normal.
F*** that s****. Those b*stards are saying whatevers convenient for them. Black Mamba snorted.
Those were techniques that the Korean politicians had often used. Whatever they did, it was all considered romantic.
Yes, sir. I also believed them before I met you, master. Now, I feel as though Ive awakened from a nightmare.
People become heathens when their basic morals are swayed by the frustration and dissatisfaction with reality. Hm, should I break it?
He embedded the Gorgon with his resonance. Its body vibrated. The Gorgon hit the floor with its violent vibrations.
Whoosh
Bang
The floor shattered.
Hm?
Despite a power enough to shatter a 10-inch concrete slab floor, only the surface broke. The floor was covered with 50 millimeters of rock. A black light illuminated from between the broken rocks. He embedded another wave of resonance into the Gorgon.
Vrrr
The Gorgon vibrated. Its vibration became more intense. A cloud of white smoke started following the whip.
Ha!
Bang
The Gorgon flew in a cycloid curve and landed on the floor violently.
Rumble
The large basement shook as though it would collapse. Jamal, who was covering his ears, stumbled.
Huh!
The Gorgon bounced back up. Electricity ran through his hands at the unnatural rebound. He almost released the whip. The black floor didnt budge. It was made from an unusual type of metal. It had returned the exact cycloid curve like a squash court wall. There was no chance of shattering it.
Jamal, this place wasnt built by the ANO. Theres another basement underneath. Bansiri opened this place to escape.
He tapped on the floor, which the Gorgon had once opened, revealing a 50 centimeters diameter circle.
There are several secret places in Aloadin built during ancient times. I could wear the five-point badge due to the bullet in my thigh, but in actuality, I am an outsider. I dont know the organizations secrets, sir. Im sorry.
What are you sorry about? The ANO were the ones who built a secret hiding place beneath a pre-existing basement. Its just unfortunate that I dont have the time to investigate it.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The unknown howling remained in his brain, causing discomfort. There were about 40 to 50 minutes left until daylight. There wasnt enough time.
I wonder if I can visit again?
After checking his watch, Black Mamba left the underground basement with a regretful expression. The unknown presence remained at a corner of his mind.
The sun still rose despite the empty plains. The sunlight soared beyond the meaningless rocky hills like spears. It was 30 minutes before sunrise.
Master, dont we have to leave? Jamal asked carefully.
He feared for his master, who seemed to be too comfortable. Kaparja Valley was an isolated region, but the grand explosions at dawn and the sound of demolishing cliffs could be heard from 100s of kilometers away.
Jamal, an important target remains. Hold on.
Black Mamba took out the encrypted, compressed satellite transmitter from his backpack. He spread the parabolic antenna, which was the size of two palms. He changed the transmitters compiler hull mode to dialog mode. There was a possibility of interception, but now wasnt the time to be picky.
Dong-bang-bull-pae here, there are 1,000 pomegranate seeds raised with electricity and water. There are some pollutants amongst the crushed pomegranates. A lot of money is needed for repackaging. There are also dodo birds nests. Call back in five minutes if youre interested in purchasing.
Click
He turned the switch off after saying what he wanted to say.
A dodo birds nest referred to missiles. The pomegranates raised with electricity and water meant that there was a hydroelectric power plant. The pollutants referred to biological and chemical weapons. Hed made them up randomly but trusted that the DGSE would figure it out.
Grrr
An embarrassing growl came from Black Mambas stomach. Jamal fidgetted in embarrassment and pity. It was the wrongdoing of a servant who had disregarded his masters hunger. On the other hand, he found his masters humane side welcoming, unlike the untouchable position hed been in.
Tsk, the explosives took up the emergency rations space.
There were too many things. Hed only packed a few C-rations to reduce its weight. He hadnt known that the situation would get critical so quickly. His stomach had long digested the C-ration.
Jamal pulled out a hard bread from his pocket. Tortillas were baked round dough filled with fresh vegetables and ham. However, the bread was just baked tortilla dough pressed together. It was due to the food shortage.
Without enough fermentation and proofing, it became hard as stone. Jamal focused on cutting off the soiled bread crust with his pocket knife.
Master, its not much, but please take it.
Jamal humbly handed him the bread. Black Mambas sunken eyes darted between the bread and Jamals gaunt face. The mitochondria in his cells, which produced ATP, moved actively while his brain waves started stabilizing.
When the brain waves stabilized, the image captured on his dimensional sight was brighter. On the other hand, without enough cell activity, it would destabilize his brain waves. Jamals were grey. That meant his metabolism was slow.
Thanks.
Black Mamba received the bread gratefully. A humans true nature appeared in times of crisis. Jamal, himself, was starving. Black Mamba was thankful that Jamal cared enough to give him the bread that hed been saving up for himself. If he refused others sincerity, it would be an insult. He cut it in half and handed it to Jamal.
Sir, your servant is fine.
Jamal, theres no human above other humans and no human below other humans. Dont call me master. Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. Theres a country called Korea at the eastern end. Anyone who shares their food is considered family over there. You and I will share a bread today. I recognize Amud Jamal as my family. You and I, Dong-bang-bull-pae, will become brothers, and you will receive my protection.
Black Mamba, whose communication skills and cheating abilities have improved, showed the aura of a nobleman.
Jamals eyes widened like big raindrops. He received the bread with trembling hands. He pulled out a cloth from his pocket and wrapped the precious bread. It was a bread that the apostle and Azrael, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, had offered. It was a holy object that he had to preserve as long as he could.
Jamal fell to his knees.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, how can I be your brother? Thats impossible. Ive walked the path of a sinner because of the foolish ideas Ive had during my youth. Your great soul has saved me, one whose worth is lesser than a worm, and its more than an honor to be treated like a human, sir. I will hold your shoes for the rest of my life.
Black Mamba smiled in silence. Somehow, he had become a terrorist, but he was pure by nature. A humble person couldnt be evil.
The civil twilight[1] cast a halo above Black Mambas head. Jamal looked up at Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa in awe.
Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim, Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Ddu-bai-buru-pa! [2]
Jamal burst into tears. The awaited apostle had arrived. He wasnt a weak apostle who was all talk, but a true apostle with strength and power. Even the Ismailis, a small sect of the Shia Muslims, had waited a long time for the apostles arrival.
The bread tasted horrible. It was hard as a rock, not sweet, and salty. It was a typical kind of training center food. For someone with crocodile teeth, he didnt mind, but the average human would hurt their teeth from eating it.
Jamal, theres no time.
Black Mamba rushed Jamal, who wasnt eating the bread.
I cannot eat this bread, sir. It is a holy object that will convey the legend of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa for generations.
Hah! Black Mamba pounded on his chest out of frustration.
For some reason, all the humans he took in became more strange. He didnt realize that he was the cause.
Jamal, its said that a ghost who dies after eating has lived a good life.
What does that mean, sir?
It means one must eat to their fill and maintain a healthy body before returning to Allahs side.
Ah! Those are amazing words. Still, I cant. I will search in the food storage room. Date palms can still be eaten even when its burnt, sir.
Ah!
Black Mamba slapped his forehead at the word date palms. There was a customized C-ration in his backpack, which the DGSE had given him. The C-ration was filled with special chocolates made from date palms. Hed forgotten about it trying to concentrate on the battle.
In Paris Rue Saint-Dominique, No. 14, the DGSE strategic headquarters,
The Gauloises filled Bonipas office with a fishy smell, like always. Bonipas was staring at the wall before him with a cigarette in his mouth. A huge electronic map of Paris was reflected on the wall.
The DGSEs Ministry of Interior went into full-fledged emergency mode after receiving Black Mambas compressed message. Currently, 10 groups of the GIGN were lurking around Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and the Opra Bastille. The entrances guards and guides had been replaced with agents from the strategic division.
Bang
The strategic office door was flung open. The head of strategies, Ariba, and the head of intelligence, Claude, jumped in.
Did it happen?
[1] , the period right after dawn or just before the sun rises.
[2] In the name of God, the most gracious and merciful, may peace be upon Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Chapter 239
Bonipas leaped to his feet. His wheeled chair tumbled backward.
Ugh!
Ariba and Claude, who entered the room, covered their noses in a hurry. There was a strong smell of cigarettes. The two men didnt smoke. They didnt understand why Bonipas would smoke a cigarette that smelled like fish. They didnt know the reason why Bonipas was smoking the Gauloises.
Its Black Mamba.
Black Mamba?
Curiosity crept up on Bonipas face. For someone who had predicted the ANOs bombing terrorism, it was unexpected news. The tightest bow hed pulled wasnt Black Mamba but the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and the Opra Bastille.
There were over 1,000 ANO members in Ruman
What is it! Bonipas interrupted Claude, mid-sentence.
His heart lurched. The number of members in Ruman that the DGSE had predicted was 300 trainees and 100 veterans. 1,000 was equivalent to an airborne regiment. The Ruman plan itself was a pain, but now he should be worrying about his chances of survival since he had given the wrong information. If Black Mamba attacked him with his bioluminescent eyes, no excuses could make up for it.
He destroyed them.
The ashtray on his table went flying.
Crash
The glass ashtray met its grand ending after hitting the wall.
You damn b*stard, dont you know how to get to the point? Tell the results first!
Silence filled the room.
Confused, Claude and Ariba kept their mouths closed. Their cold-blooded boss, who was called the serpent, lost his composure and turned emotional whenever Black Mamba was mentioned. It was unfair, but he was their boss. The two didnt understand the torment Bonipas had to go through because of Black Mamba. They also didnt know about his Black Mamba phobia.
Hm, he is worth the price. Befitting as Frances treasure and strategic weapon. Bonipas sighed in relief.
The cell members who had invaded their country were nothing but branch members. Since Black Mamba had dug out their roots, they would end up dying on their own. As a result, his position strengthened.
There are more important issues. Somethings wrong in Kaparja Valley. Black Mamba sent a message saying theres a hydroelectric power plant, a strategic missile base, and more hidden biological and chemical weapons.
Is that true? How can there be a hidden Syrian base near a terrorist organization? Blood drained from Bonipas face.
If the message was real, it meant Assad wasnt just using the ANO.
According to Black Mambas information, we assume that the ANO and Assad arent partners but a secret organization he had raised himself, Claude said with certainty.
Ughhh, that foxy b*stard, what the hell! I thought Assads actions were odd, but it seems like theyre resisting against France. F****** swine!
There was nothing to doubt if it was Black Mambas information. The hydroelectric power plant was probably designed to power up the missile units and to build a biological and chemical weapons production factory for the long-term. No way could they stop Assad from nationalizing the oil fields. Bonipas collapsed on his chair, devoid of strength.
If you intend to purchase, you can contact him.
Black Mamba said so, hm? Amazing, hes an amazing person. Of course, we should buy it. Contact him immediately. Three pieces for the destruction of their hydroelectric power plant, their biological and chemical weapons storage facility, and their missile base.
What fortune! Glee filled Bonipas face. He hadnt asked for it, but everything was happening according to his wishes.
Boss, three pieces might require your arbitrary authority to Aribas face shifted.
Shut up. I can give him more than three, even 30 checks. Ill figure out the rest. If it isnt for Black Mamba, not even 300 or 3,000 would have cut it. Its an emergency. Contact him before he changes his mind.
Yes, boss.
As Ariba and Claude ran out of the room, Bonipas stroked his jaw.
Damn, will my jaw be fine when he returns? Philip has a cotton fist, but that guys a nuclear weapon. Shockingly, 1,000 terrorists were hiding in Ruman. No, the guy who got rid of them is even more impressive.
Again, hed given Black Mamba the wrong information. It was obvious how hed flash his bioluminescent eyes at him in anger. Images of Miguel, who had died from being turned into a lump of coal, and Colonel Tanshe, who had died with his intestines spilling out, appeared before his eyes. He felt a chill.
He once said that all fights would disappear with the clink of gold coins, didnt he? The more I think about it, the more it is an aphorism, Bonipas muttered as he picked up the telephone.
Since he had already handed all information regarding the airport and the opera house to the Ministry of Interior, they should resolve it. Kaparja Valley was an issue that he had to immediately discuss with the president. He pressed the red anti-tapping button, then zero.
Your excellency, its Bonipas.
Why is someone 10 times busier than me calling? Have those b*stards started?
Mitterrands nervous voice traveled down the line. Even the president felt anxious about the large-scale public bombing.
Theres a greater issue. Weve received a coded message from lAnge de la Mort. He said there is a hydroelectric power plant, a biological and chemical weapons storage facility, and a high-altitude missile base in Syrias Kaparja Valley. Theres a risk of those terrorists bringing the biological and chemical weapons into our country.
Hm!
The silence lasted for several seconds. He could vividly imagine the Presidents shocked expression before his eyes. Several wrinkles would appear on his wide forehead and the ends of his long mouth. Biological and chemical weapons werent comparable to explosives. Bonipas waited on the telephone.
You wouldnt have picked up the telephone without some kind of plan, right?
A solemn voice ran down the line about 10 seconds later.
LAnge de la Mort wiped out the ANO terrorists training center. We must move LAnge de la Mort.
What? Hasnt it only been four days since LAnge de la Mort initiated the Ruman plan?
We cannot understand an illogical existence with common sense, your excellency.
He must have fought a great battle, would there be any problems? No, I believe that friends a freelancer, did he accept it in the first place?
LAnge de la Mort completed his assignment by erasing Ruman. He even gave us important information as a service eppaye[1]. It seems like we need to prepare at least three pages to change his mind.
300,000,000 francs. Assad must have lost about 300,000,000 francs. On the other hand, France collected a profit of 30,000,000,000 francs. Is there any other way?
Bonipas laughed silently. The president knew better that there wasnt any other way. It was a formality to ask the opinions of the department head of intelligence and strategies.
There are exactly two ways to get rid of Kaparja, your excellency. Either by using the ICBM or attacking by air. ICBM is an unreachable dream, and we cant shove the Mirage into the Dvina and Berkuts claws. The only way would be to use LAnge de la Mort.
Although the Mirage had great ground attacking abilities, it was weaker during air battles. The Mirage, with its weak radar detector, could only be a feast for surface-to-air missiles if it was launched.
The Mirages pros and cons had been distinctly revealed during the fourth Middle East war. While it had destroyed Egypt and Syrias tank units with air-to-surface attacks, it mimicked a leaf in the wind with the surface-to-air missiles.
Mitterrand fully understood Bonipas words.
Dont worry about the money. Well use some of the emergency funds. I cant leave Assad alone. Hes a betrayer. Try convincing your friend.
Of course, your excellency.
Oh, the Sahel land that your friend requested previously. Im done talking to Habre. Whether he wants to raise scorpions or lizards, let him do whatever he wants. A gift shines when it comes with a bonus.
Thank you. LAnge de la Mort is rather obsessed with land than money. Hed be very willing.
Mitterrand looked at ease once the call was over. His heart had jumped in surprise, but he could somehow trust Black Mamba. France would have turned into an international laughing stock if it hadnt been for that friend in Chad. He wondered if that person would bring back great results as he did before. 300,000,000 francs was the price of chewing gum compared to the national profit that France would receive.
The indicator light on his encrypted, compressed satellite transmitter blinked. The DGSE had replied. The machine sounded as he raised the small handset.
Were willing to buy them all. The offered price is three checks. Well pay the remaining in real estate.
Beep
The message ended.
Real estate? Aha, I see what you b*stards are doing.
Black Mamba laughed silently. They were making all kinds of gestures with a land that had already been a given. He could imagine Bonipas sly head at work. The land was his anyway, as long as he set up a fence in Chad.
Jamal, what can you do with 30,000,000 francs in Syria?
I dont know, sir. I cant imagine. Wont we be able to buy all of Aleppos markets?
Lets go. Its a job worth 30,000,000 francs.
Jamal, who didnt understand English, climbed to his feet with his luggage. Black Mamba had demanded 30,000,000 francs, but Bonipas had offered 300,000,000 francs instead. That was how sensitive he was to the situation in Kaparja Valley.
Ruman was still burning. The battlefield spread under the sun looked different from what hed seen with night goggles. It was like crushed pomegranates. The pomegranate had been destroyed, and its seeds pulverized and burnt. The terrorist training center, which Claude had intentionally called Ruman, was now just crushed pomegranates.
Black Mamba shook his head. Hed accumulated even more wrongdoings before he could wash away his wrongdoings from killing so many people in the past. Now, he was accumulating more. That was the fate of Asura. Despite being a God, Asura was nothing but a creation that couldnt escape the circle of life. It was him.
Jamal, Im going to destroy the hydroelectric power plant and the missile base in the valley. The main target is the facilities. Theres no need to kill the army, I suppose.
Please tell me what I need to do.
Youre not ready to move with me. Just do whatever you are capable of doing.
He ruh bos pede bot trevier![2] Jamal mumbled.
Right. All he had to do was record his master at work, as evidence. He wanted to fly around with his master, but that was impossible. A human who interrupted the Azraels arrival was like a grasshopper being grounded to dust underneath a carts wheels. Filming the scene and gathering resources was his responsibility.
I understand. I will record my masters work carefully.
Black Mamba checked his remaining weapons. There were four sets of 2,000g C-4s, 30 grenades, 700 rounds of 7.62 millimeters bullets, and 600 rounds of 9 millimeters parabellum bullets. The close-combat weapon had around 300 darts left. The Barrett slung around Jamals shoulder caught his attention. Jamal had also gathered the 200 rounds of 12.7 millimeters bullets, which Bansiri had left behind. He recalled Ombuti, who had gotten him the Gorgon. Since he was using the Gorgon very well, there must be a use for that junk of a gun too.
Getting rid of the missiles was easy. All he had to do was infiltrate silently and guide the warheads explosions. There wasnt a problem with exploding the hydroelectric power plant either. It would shatter with 20 or so grenades.
The most troublesome task was to get rid of the biological and chemical weapons. He did not know much about biological and chemical weapons. It wasnt a situation where he could easily ask the DGSE, either. Just thinking about the power of the botulinum toxin made him tremble.
Since 1970, Syria has been developing biological and chemical weapons with support from the Soviet Union and Egypt. The DGSE had concentrated its surveillance on Egypt and Syrias biological and chemical weapons. Black Mamba was certain that the closed-off cave, which Jamal had mentioned before, was their biological and chemical weapons storage facility.
Aside from the respiratory system, the Sarin and VX could also penetrate through peoples skin. If the gas was released, not only would he be affected, the innocent locals would be met with devastating results.
Even the Botulinum and Antrax bacterias were troublesome. Not only were their mortality rates high, but there was also a high risk of being contaminated again because of its strong resistance. It was likely that he would burn down the house, trying to catch a flea. There was no other way but to melt it in high temperatures. It was unfortunate that he had no more explosives to use.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, why dont you consider attacking at night to reduce the number of casualties? Jamal understood Black Mambas concerns immediately.
Hm, night
He grew deeper in thoughts. The darkness was his world. The problem was the importance of Kaparja Valley. There was a secret terrorist training center, a missile base, and a biological and chemical weapons storage facility. It was a place with strategic importance. There wasnt a chance that Syria would look over its explosion. Aside from time being a problem, the investigation team and reinforcements would come running soon.
Do you know the formation of the Syrian Army around Kaparja?
I roughly have an idea. The Syrian Army created the military by merging the military structures of the Soviet Union and North Korea. Theres a lot of specialization units, and the armies are organized into brigades. The entire standing army should be around 270,000 in number while there are 400,000 reserve soldiers. Of course, the 120,000 Mukhabarat serve as their backup.
Jamal removed a bullet from the Barretts magazine. He started drawing a map on the ground with the tip of the bullet.
Theres an infantry battalion 10 kilometers ahead, in Dar Taizzah. Its a basic infantry unit without any helicopter or tank power. The second nearest battalion is the fourth ammunition battalion, 20 kilometers north of Sharran. Two days ago, they were blown away by an unknown cause.
Huhu, I blew it apart.
Ah! Jamal exclaimed shortly.
Well, an ammunition storage facility meant nothing if Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa wanted it gone.
I heard the Muslim Brotherhood committed simultaneous terrorism two days ago. Is that also your doing, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa?
Haha, yes. I made them fight the Mukhabarat to take their attention away from Ruman.
Oh, Allah! Jamal exclaimed in admiration.
He truly was the God of war. Now he understood why the Mukhabarat, who were patrons of Ruman, couldnt give them any supplies. They had been too busy fighting against the Muslim Brotherhood and minding their losses.
Then the Mukhabarat wont be a problem. Although the third armored brigade stationed in Sawran is the strongest, theyre acting as a strategic force to keep Turkey in check. They wont pull out easily. The only battalion that would be a threat to you, master, is located here.
Jamal drew a straight line towards the south-east. He pressed the bullet down on Smad, 75 kilometers ahead.
[1] After-service.
[2] Do as you should!
Chapter 240
Its the Third Airborne Brigade known as the elites. As Assads bodyguards, theyre well-trained and equipped with tanks and helicopters. If the situation was reported in time, they must be ready to move out.
Hm, if only I had some explosives
Black Mamba went inside the storage room. The Ruman plan, which hed thought would end quickly, entered a new phase. The plan had developed into one of a larger scale.
Who do I toll the bell for?
Suddenly, he questioned why he made the difficult choice. It was a question that had remained since the Sahel. What was the reason behind his reaction towards the biological and chemical weapons? It was as though a thorn got stuck in his throat. Hed completed his job. All he had to do was return and take a long rest.
Was it his caring nature? Well, he did care too much. He couldnt overlook a problem once it lingered in his mind. He had felt compassionate on a whim. He wasnt a philanthropist, and neither was he a devoted Greenpeace member.
The biological and chemical weapons were a completely different problem from Wael in Gobelaka Village. It was not his concern whether Assad had missiles, biological, or chemical weapons. If it was used against the citizens of Syria, it came at the expense of electing the wrong leader. If Israel was accused, it would be akin to declaring war between the two countries. If it was launched in Turkey, it would symbolize the deep-rooted hatred between ethnicities. Whatever happened, it would be considered political. In the first place, it was not even his problem.
Was it for the money?
Of course, money was important, but hed already earned enough to last him a lifetime. The gold and dollars buried underneath those rocks added up to almost 10,000,000,000 won. He could buy 50 of his uncles Good Heart Lodgings with 10,000,000,000 won. It wasnt about the money.
Was it about the land?
He preferred land over money, but that wasnt it either. Frankly, what could he do with a land the size of Gyeonggi-do in the northern regions of Chad? It was nothing but a bag of gold that would give him all kinds of troubles. Then why did he want that treasure?
Ambition?
Suddenly, the back of his head rang as though it had been shot. Did he have any ambition? He couldnt think of any apart from his personal wishes. He hoped to find his mother, build a large house, and invite Mina and Ha Dongs family to live happily with him.
He wanted more people to be happy. He wanted to leave a mark in the world. That was ambition. His wishes had evolved into ambitions. The small seeds had grown into a watermelon. If he didnt have any ambition, he would have retired immediately after his return from Chad. He wouldnt have to send Ombuti and Edel to Chads northern regions. That had all been a sign of greed, to leave a mark of his existence in the world. In philosophical and pedantic terms, it was greed, a desire for self-actualization.
Ah, this is why teacher said I lacked the foundations of Buddhism! Ambition is also a condition of being human! An exclamation escaped him.
His father had birthed him, and his mother had raised him. His teacher had humanized him. His teacher was aware of his students ambitions and didnt prepare him for a Buddhist initiation ritual.
His wish to live with his mother had also extended to Ha Dong Daeks family and Mina. There were a lot of Ha Dong Daek, Mina, and mothers in the world. There were a lot of Jang, Kim Dal Su, and Bae too. He wanted them to remain hopeful and be an exemplar of how working hard could improve their lives. He wanted his family to sit around the dining table in peace. Everything would happen as his heart desired if he gave everything he had. There was no reason to forcibly stop his determination.
Oooooo! Im Dong-bang-bull-pae, Mu Ssang!
A grand howling echoed around Kaparjas cliffs amidst the heavy rain. His frustrated mind cleared instantly.
Ah!
Jamal, who had been dozing off against a pile of concrete, woke up in a startle. Jamal suffered mental and physical shocks all night, unable to rest. He was about to lose his mind. He desperately needed rest.
Jamal, lets take a break and look at the situation. Is there a good location?
Yes, there is. There are a few caves on the slopes of the cliffs inside the valley that people can access. Master, youd be able to climb easily.
Jamal widened his eyes as if to say he hadnt gotten enough rest. Black Mamba nodded. There were caves on the cliff face above the missile storage rooms.
Lets go. My nose will spoil if I stay here any longer.
Dark clouds gathered. Syrias north-western region was within the Fertile Crescent region. The yearly precipitation in Damascus was around 200 millimeters and around 800 millimeters in the Kaparja region. Under the influence of the Mediterranean climate, regional torrential rains were unusually common in August and September.
Suddenly, it started pouring. The burning flames died down instantly.
Craaack
Lightning flashed between the dark clouds, followed by thunder. Was it Allahs wrath? Was it the resentment of the countless people who had lost their bodies? 100s of lightning bolts hit the ground.
Kaparja Valley was an area frequently visited by lightning. Buildings crumbled, and lightning bolts disappeared. Metal weapons worth 200,000 pyungs were scattered amongst Aloadins ruins.
Crackle
Suddenly, a thick lightning bolt split and was absorbed into the ground.
Clang
A strange explosion was heard. A secondary electricity loss occurred. High-voltage electricity traveled through the rainwater. Ruman illuminated in white.
Jamal fell to his knees. The land of honor, Ruman, which the Old Man of the MountainAloadinhad created, garnered Gods wrath. He raised both of his arms into the air and shouted.
Oh, Allah! The cursed land of blood that was blessed by Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Allah welcomes the baptism of blood. With this, it is proven that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is Allahs apostle! Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar!
Jeez, these humans live and die by Allah.
Black Mamba, who was momentarily distracted by the grand sight of rain and lightning, grabbed the back of Jamals collar and ran. They wouldve turned into roast had he been a moment late.
The Kaparja Valley was part of the Great Rift Valley, which continued from Syrias plains to Mozambique at 4,800 kilometers on a moving fault zone. As if it had been cut out with an ax, it was located on a highland 500 meters above sea level. There were many caves along the fault zone filled with metamorphic and limestone rocks.
It was 100 kilometers south of the Euphrates River, and there werent many water sources around, but the water flowing out from the fault zones had created torrents. The valleys water increased rapidly due to the rain. When faced with snow and rain during outdoor missions, ones body temperature would fall, and the bodys metabolism would slow down. He had to avoid the rain.
Black Mamba stopped in front of a cliff, which was impossible to climb without the appropriate climbing gears. The cave above the 80 meters overhang was his target.
Jamals face darkened. It was already a difficult cliff to climb, but the rain had to pour too. He didnt dare dream of climbing up the slippery cliff.
Mamaster, this place wont do, Jamal said in a fearful manner.
He had been completely subdued by the vertically steep cliff. It was a cliff that even Aloadins warriors hadnt dared to climb. The 150 meters vertical cliff had no gaps for finger or foot placement. On top of that, it was raining heavily. His master had amazing abilities, but this wasnt it.
Jamal, get on my back.
How could I? Jamal stepped back in surprise.
Theres not enough time. If we stay around, the guards will detect us on their radar.
Uck! Jamal shouted.
He was lifted and thrown over Black Mambas backpack like a dance.
Metamorphic rocks endured extreme heat during its formation. Even if the cliff looked smooth, the surface was rocky in close view. It wasnt easy for an average human to climb with bare hands, but it was effortless for Black Mamba.
He could support his entire weight with one finger and shove it through a slot as small as a toothpick. The alternating wall around wall skill, which copied the movements of a lizard, did not require any cliff-climbing equipment like xiles, slings, harnesses, or plugs. The large lizard attached itself to the slippery cliff. Soon, his left and right limbs started moving rhythmically as he climbed up the cliff without hesitation.
Jamal, who was on top of his backpack, clung onto the gracious Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas neck to avoid his death. He was on the verge of peeing. He didnt have the leisure to think about anything else. He wanted to slap his own mouth for recommending a cave as their resting place. Black Mamba, who climbed 80 meters instantly with his bare hands, wrapped the Gorgon around the overhang and rode on its rebound.
Kuuugh! Jamal shouted as he held his breath.
His soul left his body as they sprang into the sky from far up the cliff. Black Mamba, who instantly landed on the overhang, jumped into the dark entrance of the cave. Although Black Mamba did all the work, Jamal was the one frothing at the mouth by the caves floor.
Good!
It was a limestone cave large enough for people to stand and move in. He hadnt seen the cave from below as it was covered by the overhang.
Grrr
The sound of flowing water came from within the cave. The cave was damp. When he rubbed his palm against the caves surface, water came off. The dampness wasnt comfortable, but anyone who left home suffered anyway.
Flap flap
Whoosh
It wasnt the sound of rain coming from outside the cave, but the sound of bats flapping their wings. The owner of the cave was displeased with its intruders. Its flight was silent, but it had to flap its wings in small spaces like caves.
Hed sensed countless life forces the moment he jumped into the cave, but he wanted to remain as peaceful as possible. The owner of the cave wasnt receptive to the idea at all.
The owners not welcoming its guests.
Black Mamba drew out his Gorgon. Bats werent aggressive, but some species attacked when its area was invaded. There was no reason to touch them if they didnt attack, but if they did, he didnt have a choice.
Kikikiki
A swarm of bats flew out. Countless red eyes flashed in the air. He wouldnt die from being bitten by a bat, but its bacteria could contaminate his body. If he was unlucky, he could get rabies.
Whoosh
The Gorgon shook once in the air. He was planning to scare them away, but the bats took it differently.
Flap
When a person rushed in, 100s of them followed.
The cave was filled with the sound of bats flapping its wings.
Whoosh
The Gorgon drew circles in the air. A funnel-shaped formation appeared before Black Mamba.
Splat splat splat
A whirlwind of blood appeared in the air. The bats broken wings and body parts fell to the ground like rain.
Shoosh
When half of its kind was sacrificed, the remaining bats simultaneously retreated into the cave.
Whoosh
The Gorgon raised another whirlwind. The bats corpses were blown into the deeper parts of the cave. Jamal could only watch with his mouth agape. What couldnt his master do? He couldnt help but be surprised every time he saw something unimaginable.
The guest, who chased the owner away, pulled out a tarp from his backpack and threw it at Jamal.
Its a nice place. The reinforcements will have a difficult time getting through the rain. Meanwhile, take a good nap.
Black Mamba opened his sleeping bag and climbed in. Exactly three seconds later, the sound of snoring was heard.
Jamal gathered his remaining energy to resist his heavy eyelids from closing. He didnt know if the bats would disturb his masters sleep or if the situation would change outside. He was a servant who had to protect his master.
In the end, Jamal was defeated by the devil of sleep after struggling with his eyelids for a long time. For someone who didnt know about Black Mambas sensitive senses, Jamal had misplaced his confidence by trying to stay awake.
The explosion of the 4,000 kilograms high-explosive bombs shook the active fault zone. The pouring rain leaked into the cracks.
Crack
An unusual movement occurred in the deep underground. No one knew what happened. The Asian enjoyed his sleep with his wings spread open while the Arab enjoyed his sleep crouched in a corner.
On August 20th, 15:00, the sixth day of the Ruman Plan.
Theyre here!
Black Mambas eyes flashed open. The sound of rotors echoed through the heavy rain. Syrias north-western regions had a rough terrain. Although there was no famous mountain, the terrain had developed flatlands between the highland mountains and rocky mountains.
For a tank to approach Kaparja, it had to travel through the flatlands and mountains, which were now muddy. Although it was barely 75 kilometers away, it took at least a day to reach Kaparja. The helicopter was for surveillance.
Pupupupupu
The sound of its rotor rang as though it was splitting through the air and rain. It was the unique rotor sound of the Hind, called Satans Carriage. The Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter could withstand 7.62 millimeters bullets, and its lower fuselage equipped with titanium plate boasted durability against 12.7 millimeters mortars. It had a range of 450 kilometers, but it could fly up to 800 kilometers with lesser equipment and fuel tanks.
Black Mamba raised his binoculars. At a distance of four kilometers, the Hind attack model with its tandem-style piloting and first-generation Side-by-Side Hind was flying. The Mi-24P attack model was equipped with a strong four-turn Gatling gun and two 30 millimeters GSh-30K machine guns. It was a formidable opponent.
It seems like theres a chance for me to use that stupid heavy gun.
Black Mamba looked down and smiled at Jamal, who was hugging the Barrett in his sleep.
Jamal, theres a guest.
Huh!
At the silent warning, Jamal opened his eyes and flung his body down. It was a response befitting of a prior terrorist.
There are two Satan Carriages.
It seems like the helicopters only came because of the rain, sir. Im looking forward to future sightings. Jamal smiled as he attached a magazine to the Barrett and handed it forward with both hands.
He looked amused despite the appearance of the two attack helicopters, which were considered devils to the ground soldiers.
It was difficult for a Dragunov to pierce a heavily armed Hind. It was said that the Barrett could pierce a 34 millimeters iron plate at a distance of 500 meters and a 23 millimeters plate at a distance of 1,200 meters. Now was a good opportunity to test out the power of the Barrett, which hed only heard about.
Black Mamba leaned against the cave wall and shifted into a sniping position. He turned the scope to test out the focus.
Woah, the scopes amazing.
When he aligned the focus on his target, the distance was automatically marked on its lower right. It was a remarkable piece of technology. At this rate, it seemed like a dog or cow could become snipers too.
Destroy the Muslim Brotherhood who attacked Kaparja valley.
Upon receiving such an order, Hassan headed to Kaparja valley in the mood for a picnic.
Chapter 241
The strategic air force defense guards immediately requested help from the Third Airborne Brigade stationed in Smad after being forced to retreat by Black Mamba. The Syrian military had ruled that the invasion was conducted by the Muslim Brotherhood. In Kaparja Valley, there were ANO special forces specialized in explosives and guerrilla warfare. The military had judged the situation with optimism. It was Hassans misfortune, as well as Assads.
Hassan didnt like rainy days. It had also rained 15 years ago, on the day when his father burned. The Wahhabism[1] rioters had orchestrated a merciless massacre in the village. All the heathens and Shiites had been killed, while the unsympathetic Sunnis had been accused of betrayal and burned at the cross.
His father had been crucified. The flames had burned mercilessly despite the pouring rain. He could never forgive the murderers who had borrowed Gods name. On that very day, at the age of 19, Hassan had willingly joined the Baath Party. He had picked up a rifle and led the battle against the Wahhabists. Hassan had his own sense of justice. He had heard his father screaming while it rained on. He hated the rain.
I curse my fate,
I wanted to live peacefully.
My father had shouted at me,
Kill all who use Gods name.
I couldnt deny the order.
Im walking into the fire.
Im sending the traitors to God.
I love my wife,
But I love Assad more.
I love my son and daughter,
But I love the Levant even more.
The heathens to hell,
The traitors to hell.
Allah-hu Akbar,
Allah-hu Akbar.
Hassan hummed his own composition.
Cling
His humming stopped. The old fuel dispenser nozzle was acting up again. That was an aircraft hed maintained for at least 100 times over three years. Now, he could recognize any issue by simply listening to the sound. There wasnt a problem with his flight, but it had bothered him.
Those damn white b*stards! Hassan complained as he slowed down.
Two Hind attack-models were placed in storage centers because it had lacked certain parts. The reason why they couldnt create a unit was due to the Slavic white pigs. The military has had enough of their rip-offs.
This was a reconnaissance mission. Two Hinds was more than enough. The Muslim Brotherhood were damned traitors who were no more than grasshoppers jumping around with RPGs and Kalashnikovs. Grasshoppers were grasshoppers, no matter how they jumped. When crushed under a tank, they turned into shawarmas[2].
Just thinking about the remaining Wahhabists being wiped out by their strong machines and Gatling guns cheered him up. Hassan would never have imagined the existence of a special grasshopper that could catch eagles.
Hassan lowered his altitude once he entered Kaparja Valley.
Number two, the watch isnt working. Remain at 600.
Fahimt[3].
There were eight assault search soldiers on the second craft that followed. In the event of an assault, they would check for victims on the first Hind.
Flight captain, the watch isnt working. I cant observe the ground. Ill lower the altitude to 400.
Fahimt.
Hassan pulled on the pitch lever and lowered the altitude.
Did I go astray?
The training center buildings couldnt be seen even after he had lowered the altitude to 400. Hassan tilted his head. He couldnt trust the buildings made by the Slavic white pigs. He rushed to pull the aerial map up on his console. The coordinates were correct.
Two, somethings wrong. I cant see the buildings.
Flight captain, I think theres a problem. Requesting for assault search team deployment.
Lower your altitude to 200 and check again.
Hassan delayed the deployment. He didnt want to create unnecessary casualties since the remnants could be preparing for an ambush attack.
Fahimt.
That damn rain is turning me blind, Hassan complained.
The rain didnt stop. His sight was hindered by the fog that rose from the valley. He activated the night vision and connected it to the hood.
Flight captain, all the buildings and facilities are destroyed. I see countless corpses. Nothing is moving. Requesting assault search team deployment.
What? The ANOs been destroyed? I cant believe it. Send the team down.
Fahimt.
Hassan didnt believe it. Kaparja was an impregnable fortress. The Muslim Brotherhood could do nothing to it. Uneasiness crept within him. Like always, he was unfortunate on rainy days.
Number two lowered its altitude. Hassan raised his altitude and guarded the premise.
Black Mambas sight was similarly hindered. His field of view didnt even reach 10 meters because of the rain and fog. His scope became useless.
Boom
He activated his inner eye and dimensional sight at the same time. Like a camera, the dimensional sight focused on a target before zooming in on them. A machine wasnt all-rounded. A humans natural ability was as important.
The target was the pilot of an armed Hind, which was lowering its altitude. The weakest parts of a rotorcraft were the tail boom and tail rotor. Unfortunately, the Hind was flying face front. He couldnt see its tail.
At a distance of 800 meters, south-west wind at eight meters per second, +/- 110 millimeters, Black Mamba adjusted his aim according to the Barretts technicalities, which shot a bullet at 1,080 meters per second.
All rifles accuracy had improved considerably since the 1970s. The scopes development turned a moderately trained soldier into a good shooter. But there was a difference between a good shooter and a good sniper. The ability to shoot well was a minimum requirement of being a sniper. Aiming in a different direction was also one of them.
Black Mamba had chosen the armed aircraft to find the zero-point. It was burdensome to fight against a heavily armed attack aircraft with a new Barrett.
Attacking the weakest first was a common skill in the animal kingdom too. Another reason was to find the Barretts zero-point in advance, before dealing with the attacking Hind.
Its said that bad things came in pairs. The armed Hind hovered 30 meters above the ground. A fast rope was thrown out from its side door.
The moment the assault search soldiers attached themselves on the fast rope, sparks flashed from the oversized muzzle brake[4].
Bang
The powerful 50-caliber 99 millimeters bullet pierced the three-layered bulletproof shield. The large bullet started tumbling after losing most of its momentum.
Crack
The 12.7 millimeters bullet flew horizontally and landed directly on the center of the pilots face. The result was obvious. It was just like a melon that had been stepped on. The cockpit was painted with blood.
Ahh!
The stunned co-pilot had blood all over him. The pilot, who had his face crushed, collapsed forward. The control stick moved together with the dead pilots arm as it was pushed to the right. The aircraft tilted to the right instantly. The co-pilot, whod zoned out, banged his forehead against the console.
His nose broke, but thanks to that, he came to his senses. The strongest human instinct was self-preservation. The co-pilot instinctively moved before he could even grasp the situation. He pushed the pitch lever and control stick as far as he could and pressed on the right pedal.
The co-pilot had long forgotten about the assault search soldiers who were hanging on the fast rope.
Vrrm
The engines RPM increased rapidly. The aircraft lifted its head, leaned slightly to the right, and raised its altitude.
Aaaaagh! Screams echoed.
The assault search soldiers, who were hanging on the fast rope 50 meters above ground, fell one by one. The Hind wasnt in a position to care about those soldiers. It tried its best to escape another attack by continuously raising its altitude.
Ill cut off your tail.
The Hinds tail was revealed as it turned to its right. His inner eye could see lice eggs on the hair shaft in the shape of a wagon wheel. The tail rotor shaft approached the crossbeam.
Distance 1,100m, south-west wind at eight meters per second, +/- 120 millimeters, adios!
Black Mamba ruthlessly pulled on the trigger.
Bang Bang
Flames flashed.
Crack
The tail rotor shaft, which received two hits, fell apart like it was sliced.
Prrr
The silver-colored pallet, which separated from the tail boom, soared into the air. The Hind, which was about 250 meters high, hesitated.
Using Newtons law of motion, a helicopters tail wing would balance the aircrafts body according to the main rotors movements. The direction of the main rotors rotation changed according to the manufacturing design of each country. European and U.S. helicopters rotated counterclockwise while French and Soviet helicopters rotated clockwise. Since the Hinds main rotor rotated clockwise, the tail rotor would stabilize the aircraft tilting to its right by rotating counterclockwise.
The body, which lost its tail rotor, started spinning around. It would end up falling, but the co-pilot made a fatal mistake. When its altitude dropped, he pushed the pitch lever as hard as he could.
A strong lift was applied to the main rotor. Without a tail rotor to stabilize its tilt, it triggered a descending thrust. The Hinds body whirled around like a pinwheel. Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Ah, whatwhat is it doing!
Hassan, who witnessed the unnatural movements of number two, searched the ground. He couldnt see any anti-aircraft weapon that could have possibly shot it down. The second Hind spun like a pinwheel and hit the ground.
Number two, number two, Altun, Altun! Hassan cried aloud.
A reply in the form of an explosion was heard.
Bang
The large body crashed against the opposite cliff. The Hind, whose cockpit was shattered, slid down the 70 degrees steep slope.
Crrrrriiing
The sound of the iron plate scratching against the rocks echoed through the valley like a crying ghost.
Bang
The metal frame couldnt overcome gravity without its wings. The Hind, which dove straight into the valleys floor, exploded again. Dark red flames and smoke filled the sky.
Phiiii
A large amount of water vapor surfaced and clouded his watch.
Haa
Jamal exhaled the breath that hed been holding back. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had taken down the Hind with two shots. Hed promised himself not to be surprised anymore, but he couldnt help it.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa-hu Akbar! Jamal shouted with his arms raised in the air.
Ugh, traitor of Islam, I will not leave you be. Hassan pounded on the cockpit with his fists.
The sudden barrelling of number two happened because its entire tail rotor had fallen off. Number two hadnt been shot by a missile or anti-aircraft artillery (AAA). It was hard to believe, but a sniper had blown off its tail rotor with a large caliber firearm.
Could one tear off a tail rotor with a firearm? If it was a joke, it was a bad one. Altun was too unfortunate. To be shot down by a stray bulleteven a camel would laugh at that. Hed been complaining about how he couldnt perform the salat while aboard, and now, he was abandoned by Allah.
Hassan was burning with a desire for revenge. The risk of a sniper wasnt even considered. Coincidences were coincidences because they didnt repeat. To snipe a 50 millimeters target from 1,000 meters away while the rain poured on? That couldnt even be considered a joke. Altun was simply unfortunate.
He could see through the rain with his night vision. The opponent was blind. There was no reason to avoid the enemy. He suspected that the sniper was on either side of the cliffs.
Tututututu
He steered up the valley and searched the left cliff. He searched until his eyes were about to fall out but couldnt find anything suspicious. The spot where he suspected was good enough to snipe number two had crumbled entirely, all 100 meters of it. Black Mamba had caused it the day before.
Black Mamba stared emotionlessly at the attacking Hind that traveled up the valley. It wasnt a good angle for targeting. The moment the b*stard turned to descend was his time to target.
The Mi-25P Hind GOES-342 TV/LR flight equipment and HUD system had night vision capabilities. The night vision and display were set up together. It was enough to search the cliffs from a close range.
Hassan turned the aircraft before an air defense strategic base. He grew suspicious of the right cliff.
Whoosh
Whoosh
Two 30 millimeters machine guns started firing from the Hind.
Bang
Bang
The explosions shook the cliff. A moment later, Hassan launched the rockets again. His target was the black hole of a protruding cave.
A third shot was directed towards the caves entrance.
Bang
Smoke escaped from the caves entrance. If a sniper had been hiding there, they wouldve turned into a roasted chicken. Hassan shot wherever he deemed as suspicious. It was basically a rug-tufting shot.
Tutututu
The helicopter approached their hiding place. At a distance of 500 meters, the Barrett shot the target without hesitation once it came into sight.
Boom
At that moment, the Hinds head lowered. Hassan, who had discovered the suspicious cave, also launched an artillery attack.
Bang
Two explosives landed on the cliff, which was 10 meters away from the cave.
Cling
The bullet, which had been directed at the pilot, hit its blade instead. A hole had developed on the blades hinge, but it wasnt enough to land an impact on the Hind.
Bang
The second bullet hit its blade again. Unfortunately, it was the same one he had hit with the first bullet. A part of the blade fell off.
Tsk!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue as hed been aiming for the cockpits shield.
You damn traitor, youre there, huh?
Hassan had seen the flames sparks from eight parts above the opposite cliff. The helicopters body resounded, but he didnt care. The old helicopter frequently rattled due to its age. It wasnt something to be bothered about.
Whoosh
Woosh
The 30 millimeters GSh-30K fired away.
Bang
Bang
Bang
A grand firework display scattered across the cliff. The cave shook. Its particles even flew into the cave.
Black Mambas sniping position didnt change at all. He had followed the Hinds movements without moving himself. Even Jamal felt at ease. As Allahs messenger, it was impossible for Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa to be defeated by machines. His faith was unwavering.
Battling against the Hind, which had machine guns and four-turn Gatling guns, the Barrett was obviously at a disadvantage. It couldnt stand a chance in terms of firepower. That wasnt all. Black Mamba was stuck in a cave, while the Hind could move freely.
Hassan, who was a seasoned pilot, raised the altitude and increased the distance. Black Mamba was in a difficult situation. He couldnt see the Hinds tail due to the protruding cliffs. When the Hind started attacking at a 35-degree angle, the cockpit was covered by its main rotor.
[1] It is a form of Islamic practice that insists on the literal interpretation of the Quran.
[2] It is a type of flatbread dish in the Middle East.
[3] Roger.
[4] A device attached to the muzzle to counter recoil and unwanted muzzle rise.
Chapter 242
Tsk, that sly fox! Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
That guy was very careful. To kill the pilot, Black Mamba had attempted to target the cockpit and take out the tail rotor, but he wasnt given much chance. The only option left for Black Mamba was to knock against the main rotor, which had a good defense.
He still felt deep regret for leaving the MANPADS behind before blowing up the ammunition storage room. He deemed that there was no point in turning the prayer beads for a dead child anymore. Did the Hind think hed just sit around?
Bang Bang Bang
Black Mamba relentlessly pulled on the trigger after finding the zero-point. The target was the connecting joint between the blades and the hub.
Despite the muzzle brake, the Barretts recoil was murderous. His muscles, which were like wires and ropes, suppressed its recoil and withstood its firings.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Sparks continuously escaped from the blades joint.
Hassan and Black Mamba exchanged punches in a 900 meters long-distance battle. The four-turn Gatling gun, which was attached to the lower part of the Hind, turned. 200 50-caliber bullets crossed the air in a single breath.
Crack crack crack
Countless fireworks appeared across the cliff. Hassan wasnt an easy opponent. He shot close-range bullets despite the restricted view.
Its slowly breaking down. Lets see how long it will last.
With his inner eye, he could see the degree of the blades rotation changing little by little. This meant that the blade was severely damaged.
Bang bang bang
Continuous blows were directed to the joint. The bolt, which was attached to the hub, shattered.
Voom
A blade slipped away and disappeared into a dot.
Ugh! Hassans face creased.
Putter putter
The rotors sound had changed. The fuselages movements werent as smooth. This meant that the main rotor was missing a blade.
What the hell is that b*stard? Hassan, who was stunned, shouted unknowingly.
Chills ran down his spine. The Hinds main rotor blade was strong enough to withstand a large caliber field artillery. Even with a hole, flying wasnt a problem, and it could bounce off bullets at certain angles. This meant that the shots were aimed at its weakest parts. The b*stard had aimed accurately despite the pouring rain. That kind of sniping was impossible for a human being.
Hehe, it didnt earn the nickname of air tank for nothing. You dirty Sunni traitor b*stard, Ill see this to the end.
Hassan clenched his teeth. Anger had overwhelmed his fear. He had to avenge Altuns death by killing that devil of a b*stard. It was a combination of the strongest helicopter, Hind, and the best pilot, Hassan. The nickname, air tank, wouldnt live up to its fame if he lost control over a missing blade.
He couldnt flee in fear of a single fundamentalist b*stard. Disregarding his pride, he didnt have the nerve to greet his father in heaven. The b*stard was a poisonous rat anyway. He couldnt escape, and it was only a matter of time until he became roasted since his location was revealed.
The Hind blasted heavy punches in retaliation to the series of jabs.
Bang
Bang
Bang
30 millimeters explosives landed on the cliff in a row.
What an amazing guy! Black Mamba exclaimed.
The helicopter was worthy of its nickname, air tank.
Damn!
Hassans fist landed on the console. He couldnt strike properly due to the lack of stability. Bit by bit, the landing points became misaligned. He wanted to decrease the distance and land a critical hit but didnt dare make a run at the ghost-like b*stard.
Hassan believed in the Hinds strength. The Hind had withstood a direct hit from an RPG in Afghanistan. Nothing could happen with a few more bullet hits.
Black Mamba believed in his physical strength. If the opponent struck, he could wrap the Gorgon around the overhang and jump down. Both sides have placed their faith in different things, turning the battle into a dogfight. Landing a strike in the cave would be Hassans victory. If he managed to remove another rotor, it would be Black Mambas victory. It had turned into a battle of who could hold out the longest.
Jamal, magazine!
Yes, sir!
The Barrett shot endless rounds.
Bang bang bang
Bang bang bang
It was a continuous three-point sniping. None of Black Mambas shots were wasted. He battered on the blades joint without rest.
Hassan responded with the Gatling gun.
Brrrrr
Lines of black-red flares were lit across the dark void.
Bang bang bang bang
The 50-caliber bullets penetrated the caves entrance. Pieces of rocks scattered and struck his body. He could hear the bats fluttering inside the cave.
Eh!
Cold sweat trickled down. Black Mamba would have died if it was a missile launcher instead of a machine gun. The risk doubled after the impact force was created.
Jamal, magazine!
Here!
It was the third magazine replacement.
Jamal, hide yourself! Those were Black Mambas parting words before he hurled his body into the air.
Ah, master!
When Jamal cried out of fear, hed long disappeared.
Whoosh
He pulled out his Gorgon.
Crack
The five-pointed spear at the tip of his whip swung once in the air and embedded itself deep into the cliff.
Black Mamba, who hung on the cliff like a spider, raised the Barrett with one hand and fired away.
Bang
Bang
Bang
His strong muscles withstood the Barretts recoil and weight.
Lights flashed from the lower part of the Hind.
Tap
Like a pendulum, Black Mamba pushed against the cliffs surface and moved to the other side.
Bang
The cliff released debris after suffering a direct hit from the machine gun.
Spat
Black Mamba spat out the pieces of stone and dust that had entered his mouth.
Whwhat the hell is that?
Hassan pried his eyes open. The enemys muzzle flare bounced around the cliff. He didnt understand what was happening. When he was prepared to fire in the flares direction, another attack came from 10 meters away. Hassan floundered, unable to make a run at the phenomenon that he couldnt understand.
Black Mamba used the Gorgon to reposition frequently. By using the pendulum force, he could avoid the machine gun and explosions while firing a counterattack. It was unfortunate that there wasnt an audience to witness the great sight.
Cling
Another blade slipped away from the hub with the last bullet. The accumulated damage had eventually led to a catastrophe. The Hinds body swayed with its nose raised.
Ah!
Surprised, Hassan pulled on the pitch lever as hard as he could. It was a useless fight. Not even an air tank could survive after losing two of its blades. Its altitude decreased rapidly after its tail separated. The cockpit fell entirely into his sight.
Hehe, it hits you in the face when your guard is down, thats the rule.
Clack
Bang bang bang
Black Mamba shot with ease after replacing the magazine.
Papapa
Three bullets penetrated the cockpit shield at once. Two bullets shattered the console while the other bullet crushed Hassans shoulder. Blood was spilled everywhere.
Agh!
A scream resounded from within the cockpit, but no one was there to hear it. Hassan gathered his hazy mind. A friend, who had fought with him for three years, lost its wings. There was no chance of survival.
MashaAllah[1]! You won. I will go to heaven since Ive battled and put my life on the line. Hoorah Assad! Hooray Baath!
He had shouted out of habit. The face that came to mind wasnt Hafez al-Assad with the long nostrils. Instead, it was his wife awaiting his return at the house in Aleppo with Arabian shawarma. Unknowingly, his cheeks felt wet.
Crack
Another bullet pierced through the cockpit shield. He could see vibrations from the bullet and the air surrounding it.
Bang
A slower bullet brought about greater damage. Hassans right chest was blown wide open.
Is that b*stard a god or a devil?
It was a passing question right before his death. The Hind lost its force and crashed in a spiral.
Bang
The explosion shook the entire valley. Smoke from the dark red flames rose. The valleys water, which had increased with the rain, engulfed the helicopters remains. The burning jet fuel heated the waters surface.
Awar Hassan, who was the Syrian Third Airborne regiments top pilot, returned to Allahs side. Hed tried his best until the end but found the wrong house number instead. Hassans opponent wasnt the despicable Islamic fundamentalists but Dong-bang-bull-pae, Black Mamba. It was Hassans misfortune.
Phew!
Black Mamba released a long sigh before lowering the Barrett. He wiped off the beads of sweat on his forehead. The battle was a test of patience and time. If the Hinds power was slightly stronger, he could be in a difficult situation.
His arrogance had gotten the best of him, which caused him to lose focus. Advanced modern weapons were not to be taken lightly. With enough equipments procured, destruction and murder were simple matters. The only problem was invasion and retreat, which he considered an easy task for an eraser. But the sudden appearance of a modern weapon like the Hind was a threat to his mission.
Compared to the Hind, the T-34 tank in Dombrey Forest was nothing. There wasnt a way to avoid air attacks unless he had his teachers psychokinesis ability. The Hind attack models gave him a new problem to solve.
The dark clouds had dispersed during his battle against the two Hinds.
Tap tap
The rain was coming to a stop. The valley wind cleared away the thick fog.
Mon dieu, cest une incroyable.[2]
Jamal gazed blankly at the bottom of the valley where the dark red flames were dying out. A power beyond a humans imagination became the subject of awe.
His heart trembled at the thought of his masters power. The attachment and loyalty he had for his country were long gone. His countrys precious helicopters were destroyed, but only images of his parents filled his mind.
Black Mamba bent down and jumped into the cave. His face was covered in blood, sweat, soot, and dust. His eyes flashed dangerously at the beggars face. Jamal kneeled unknowingly.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. I praise the victory of your greatness.
Stop saying nonsense. I nearly died.
No human can go against someone sent by Allah. Please bring my parents into the world youre creating, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Of course. The family members of my family are naturally my family too. Syria would likely turn chaotic. Theres a village called Gobelaka in the southern hills of Maydanki Lake. Ask deacon Bakri Jadir for shelter.
Is he a Syrian Orthodox?
Yes. Youre not obsessed with the dogma of a righteous religion, are you?
Of course not, sir. While I was a terrorist, I realized that self-righteousness is scarier than a gun. The same goes for the fight between Assad and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Good. There are differences, but thats not wrong. Everything becomes clear when you try to understand the others perspective.
Different but not wrong, Jamal mumbled.
The people he had referred to as heathens up until now must have regarded him as a heathen instead. Were they sinners because they had a different religion and a different interpretation of social status? Were the orders of the ruling class all Allahs teachings?
The time hed spent in his self-righteousness and egotism was a waste. Suddenly, he felt the weight of his sins on his shoulders. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa wasnt Muslim. However, he became a trusted existence. Hed wasted his life being fixated on an illusion.
Jamal, can you get down from the cliff by yourself?
Hehe, Im not you, master.
Jamal broke away from his train of thought and laughed in embarrassment.
Hm, there is no hiding place quite like this one. Tsk! Black Mamba smacked his lips.
Please bring me to the ground, sir. I know the terrain around here very well. My abilities will only interfere with yours. Ill find a retreat.
Black Mamba liked Jamal. He was sharp-witted and knew how to gauge the situation. He was just like a butler. He was the right person to manage Edels farm. Black Mamba carried Jamal out of the cave, on his back.
Hm!
The Gorgon swung in the air alongside a brief cry.
Crack
The five-pointed spear at the tip of his whip dug into the opposite cliff. He pushed against the cliff using the Gorgon as a rope. When his position stabilized, he moved the Gorgon and pushed again. Jamal was 10 times more terrified than when he was being carried up the cliff. He didnt even think about the human arm that was lugging 200 kilograms of weight. He felt like hed throw up from simply looking at the cliffs.
Jamal, remember Bakri Jadir of Gobelaka Village, Black Mamba repeated before he activated his becoming one with nature.
Sss
His body blended with the air. Jamals eyes focused. His masters body had turned blurry and disappeared right before his eyes.
Oh, Allah!
Jamal went speechless.
There were two drawbacks to becoming one with nature. Firstly, the skill couldnt last beyond 30 minutes. The brain couldnt withstand the lack of concern from a master in the mountain and the highest level of nothingness. Secondly, it delayed fast movements. The idea of moving itself disrupted the process.
Five minutes later, Black Mamba released his becoming one with nature. The valley was unexpectedly empty inside. There was no reason to maintain his becoming one with nature if there wasnt much security. He could avoid them by simply assessing the surroundings with his senses. A black shadow burrowed into the valley like a meteor.
Kaparja Valley was shaped like a horizontal gourd. It had a length of 15 kilometers with the narrowest width at barely 200 meters and the widest width at 1,000 meters.
The valleys width widened with every step he took. The ANO was located at the narrowest end while the missile base was stationed at the widest end. The ANO was basically the gatekeepers. Assad had used his brain.
His first target was the restricted cave. Hed been certain that it was the biological and chemical weapons storage facility after hearing Jamals explanation. According to the DGSEs information, Syria possessed a large number of biological and chemical weapons. According to the first worlds largest intelligence agency, the location of the biological and chemical weapons was in Qudsaya, near Damascus. They werent aware of any other storage facilities. There was a high possibility of it being the second facility.
Black Mamba rushed through the harsh mountain using his fearless steps. Deeper into the trail, the terrain got rougher. There was a mountain of rocks made up of small and large rocks that were as sharp as blades. He was surprised by the sudden appearance of a marshland after jumping over the rocks. A bike would have a difficult time getting through the terrain. Allahs hands had reached this rough terrain too. He could see remains from the past and abandoned buildings around the valley.
[1] What God has willed.
[2] My God, this is incredible.
Chapter 243
If the ANO hadnt settled, the desolated land would have been filled with people shouting Allah-hu Akbar instead of ancient remains and abandoned buildings.
What did religion mean to the Arabs? Were their lives so stifling that they couldnt live without clinging onto religion? Did they lead submissive lives where they were bound to operate under the grind called religion?
Was it the teachings of Allah for Muslims to express hatred and anger in the form of bloody fights towards other Muslims because of their differences in beliefs? Did these people prioritize order above a humans value?
Countless questions popped up in his mind. He couldnt understand. Hed said that differences werent wrong, but he couldnt accept that mentality easily.
Koreans didnt curse at others even if they spoke about killing and beheading Buddha. When others said incomprehensible things like mountains being mountains and water being water, Koreans didnt curse at all. Koreans didnt harm those who announced their faith in Jesus and those who condemned others with lesser faith to hell. Whether it was a division or unification of religion, what mattered the most was the conditions of being human.
Universal human values certainly existed. Like how special laws took precedence over common laws, a consciousness wired like a time series conquered the mind. Even he was like that. Could others accept his hard work even when he had so much money? He didnt think many would understand.
Everyone had their own problems and were entitled to their own thoughts. Humans turned into monsters the moment they were united and grouped. The evils of imperialism, fascism, and Nazism were formidable. Even after decades, its influences remained in the modern world like a cancerous tumor. While it came in different shapes and sizes, the Joseon sadaejuui was also the toxic remains left by humans under the influence of a large-scale illusion.
The judgment of good and evil was extremely fluid but sometimes comparative. Was Assad evil? He couldnt judge yet. He suppressed and monitored the citizens using the methods of a dictator, but he had his own reason since judgments could change in the future. However, creating biological and chemical weapons and storing them was evil. At least, it was evil in his perspective. Assad wouldnt have planned to use the sarin gas to get rid of grasshopper herds or anthrax to fight against alien invasion. In the end, he would use it against humans.
He was Asura. Asura got rid of those who polluted the world, whether they were good or evil. He preferred a chaotic world over an orderly world. He preferred an entertaining hell over a monochromatic heaven. He was Asura, who willingly visited those who crushed humans dignity.
He could finally sense a humans presence three kilometers in. A narrow path, which a pull cart could barely pass, was blocked by a bunker. It was a machine gun field built firmly on a pile of stones.
The two barrels poking out of the holes were Degtyarevs earlier model, the PK machine guns. He recognized the barrel instantly as it was a close replica of the Degtyarev. Due to its range of 1,500 meters, the PK machine gun was utilized as an AAA[1]. It instantly became an AAA when placed on top of an AAA mount. It could be said that Syria was distressed by the fact that it was their only choice of weapon since they had a weak air force.
Its big.
The line of rocks piled behind the bunker was about the size of an apartment block. The barracks, which could be seen through the cracks of the rocks, were presumed to be the soldiers quarters. It was a terrain where all equipment and supplies relied on air transportation. Kaparja Valley itself was isolated from the outside world. This place was much more isolated. There was a good reason for the facility to be built in such a location where outside interactions were strictly limited.
Its good for me.
Black Mamba flashed a white smile. Alternating wall around wall was the best skill to use during a mountain battle. A large lizard with a backpack slid up the rock. It could see the half-exposed bunker clearly from 20 meters above.
Syrian soldiers in tan military uniforms and green-grey caps were seen. Attached to the right of a machine gun were a shooter and a spotter. Including the assistant, who was holding onto a rifle, it added up to three. Since the latter half of WWI, The Soviet Army had started working together with machine gun shooters and snipers.
Several Soviet snipers had joined the Peoples Volunteer Army during the Korean War. The Allies of WWII werent successful with their advances because of the snipers presence and had even faced a critical mission delay.
The U.S. Marine Corps First Divisions advance on Hungnams northern mountain in November 1950 was a good example. Lieutenant General Edward Almond, commander of the 10th army, had ignored signs of the Peoples Volunteer Army involvement. He had ordered division leader Smith to advance quickly into the mountain.
The U.S. Marine Corps First Division, who had marched along the mountainous path, met with a terrible fate. Many commanders and their vehicles werent spared by the abrupt bullet attacks. 1,500 vehicles and soldiers, which were stretched in a long line on a narrow mountainous path, had fallen prey to the snipers. The First Division had lost their chance to advance as they were occupied with the sniping that flew in day and night. The U.S. Marine Corps had suffered from sniper phobia during their retreat from Yudami-ni, Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri.
Of course, the human wave attacks conducted by the Peoples Volunteer Army, which were 10 times their numbers, and the severe cold were crucial factors that had led to their retreat. It was unfortunate that they had missed the chance to advance. Even though they were not well-armed, the Peoples Volunteer Army had several veterans fighting in the Civil War. They had perfectly demonstrated the snipers capabilities on the mountain.
Did the Allies suffer a one-sided defeat because of the Chinese and Soviet snipers? Yes. They had no snipers to launch a counter-attack. The United States and Western powers had abandoned the snipers operation after WWII. They had regarded it as inhumane.
There was no humanitarian war. War in itself was inhumane. It could be said that Western civilizations superior mentality of seeking humanity in wars was unrealistic. If a sniper who sniped soldiers was inhumane, then was a nuclear bomb humane for indiscriminately killing countless people?
The U.S., U.K., and France started training snipers wholeheartedly after they had been defeated several times by the snipers during the Korean War. Theyd self-contradicted themselves.
The Syrian soldiers didnt even dream of the grim reaper who had appeared above their heads. In nervous stances, their sight was fixated on the narrow entrance. Black Mamba felt slightly bad for them. They were soldiers loyal to their duties. They werent terrorists or guerrillas.
You have your jobs, while I have mine. Tout me condolences![2]
Whoosh
Black Mamba spread out his limbs as he flew down. He looked like an owl that was about to attack a rat.
Ba-ang
Clang
His feet bent like a whip and kicked the shooter and spotters heads, before flipping into a tumble and smacking the assistants helmet with his palm.
That footwork had carried a weight exceeding one ton. Half of the shooter and spotters heads were gone. The assistants head had sunk into his shoulders. Not a single sound was heard. Those were rather violent motions. Black Mamba believed that dying without fearing for ones life was the greatest mercy.
He went around the line of piled rocks. A cave with a thick iron window revealed its dark throat. Four Syrian soldiers at attention were guarding the left and right side of the cave. They looked nervous too. They had heard gunshots, ringing, and explosions since early morning. They were barely three kilometers away from the battlefield. It wouldve been strange for them not to feel nervous.
The iron window was blocked from inside. He examined it using his night vision. A metal shield door completely blocked the cave. It was a door they had installed from carving out the entrance of the cave. It was obviously a storage facility for biological and chemical weapons. There was no reason to keep vegetables sealed, after all.
Bingo!
He shouldnt be happy, but he had found his target. If Jamal hadnt told him about the possible location, he would have missed it entirely.
Do I need to kill again?
He automatically let out a sigh. Around 10 soldiers were digging the ground around the barracks from 30 meters away. The iron window and shield door was the problem. It was difficult to escape the guards watch when entering, but it would be harder to silently get rid of them.
He wanted to avoid killing, but there was no way. He pulled out the Peskett CCW. With a single scratch, the botulinum toxin paralyzed the central nervous system and brain at the same time. It was an ominous weapon best for a silent kill. When he pulled out the lower half, gleaming blue fangs revealed itself.
Black Mamba enacted becoming one with nature before approaching them like a grasshopper. The Peskett CCW streaked across the air silently. The main blood vessel, which connected the brain and the spinal cord, was his target.
There was a slight tingling sensation, like a mosquito bite. The soldiers, who were slapping the back of their necks, froze instantly.
Rustle
The four soldiers collapsed instantly. They had all collapsed with their mouths agape and eyes wide open. As expected, the botulinum toxin was potent.
Nimi jotto, forget being an eraser, Ill become an assassin at this rate.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly while putting away the fangs. No security system was sighted. The ANO must have had faith in the rough terrain and the soldiers, or they might have forgotten about it.
He grabbed and pulled at the palm-sized lock.
Crraaaack
The lock was still intact, but the shackle was ripped off. He threw the lock aside and opened the iron window. Natural humidity was absent from this cave. This meant that there was a separate air conditioning system powered by electricity.
He threw the four corpses inside the cave and entered. By his 10th step, a dark shield door blocked his path. It didnt have any gap for a piece of paper to pass through. There was no locking device, either.
Its been a while since Ive used my strength.
He pulled out his Kukri, stabbed it between the door and its frame, and activated his resonance.
Ooo
The blade vibrated. He lowered the knife. The blade caught onto something in the middle. It was the doors latch.
Haa!
There was a bulging vein on his forehead.
Ooooo
The blade gleamed in blue.
Cling
Something inside was cut off. He pushed the door gently. It slid open. Bioluminescent eyes glowed in the dark cave.
Huh, whats all this?
Black Mamba groaned after surveying the cave with his night vision. The cave was several times wider than its entrance. There were three-tiered iron racks bolted on both sides of the passage. 200 liters of drum containers filled the middle and bottom racks.
The third level was occupied by a yellow ball tank and a white piston-shaped container. There were at least 400 rusty drum containers. He could even see a forklift stationed inside the cave. It was unmistakably a biological and chemical weapons storage facility. If the stored objects were biological and chemical weapons, then there was enough to wipe out the entire Middle East.
The U.S. Civil Defense Committee had released data revealing all the upsides of biological and chemical weapons. Lets compare the relatively weak poisons such as anthrax and sarin gas to a nuclear bomb.
The production cost of killing within one square kilometer of an urban area was one dollar for anthrax, 600 dollars for sarin gas, and 800 dollars for a nuclear bomb. Looking at its effective range would leave ones mouth wide open. Five tons of anthrax covered 88,000 square kilometers, five tons of sarin gas covered 260 square kilometers, and a nuclear bomb covered 200 square kilometers.
It was said that if a B-52 bomber or Tupolev released five tons of anthrax at a high altitude, the entire of Korea would fall into its effective range. If was a lazy mans excuse and an irresponsible politicians deception. It was a warning that North Koreas massive number of biological and chemical weapons could bring about disastrous consequences when released.
One ton of VX could kill 23,000,000 people. The reason why biological and chemical weapons were called dirty weapons was because of their unspecified damages and the accompanying side-effects of extreme pain and long-term after-effects. Dictators received pressure internally and externally. In terms of cost-efficiency, biological and chemical weapons were the only dirty weapons a dictator could drool over.
The DGSE had predicted Syrias biological and chemical weapons inventory to be around 4,000 to 10,000 tons. A large amount of medium was required to obtain purified anthrax. Not all substances in the drum containers were toxic biological and chemical weapons, but there was still a large amount.
Damn b*stard, is this Assad b*stard planning a holocaust of the century?
He was bothered by the unimaginable scale. Biochemical toxic substances should be burned to avoid second-hand damage. The problem was that there werent enough tools to burn them all at once. Four C-4s worth 2,000 grams wasnt enough. It was impossible even if he had added the remaining 30 grenades.
It might be possible if 10 Berkut missiles exploded inside the cave. He dismissed that idea. He didnt know how to set off the missile launch system and couldnt locate it anyway.
Nimi jotto, I need Jang Shin or Mouris.
Explosives werent his expertise, after all. He didnt even know how to create instant explosives because of his lack of interest.
Wait, that is? Black Mambas eyes flashed.
An LPG gas cylinder hanging from the forklift caught his attention. It was a forklift with a gas engine. Considering the size of the enclosed cave, he only needed to secure two more bombs. Black Mamba closed the door and headed to the guards barracks. He feared that some of the toxic gas might leak.
Soldiers were working on road repairs with shovels and pickaxes in front of the barracks. It seemed as though lackeys worked on roads, be it in the ROK Army or Syrian Army. The ROK Army infantry held pickaxes and shovels more regularly than rifles. That was the reality that everyone experienced as Ttanggyes OB. The abbreviation Ttanggye meant scratching the surface, but it also meant that they often shoveled the ground.
Black Mamba threw darts while his body was plastered on the grounds slope.
Tap tap tap
The darts, which had been sleeping in his pocket, flew out like arrows.
[1] Anti-aircraft artillery.
[2] Everyone, you have my condolences!
Chapter 244
Kugh!
Hugh!
Three soldiers, who had their necks pierced, made gurgling sounds before collapsing on their fronts.
Ya-ssa-tir? [1]
Ya-tura, madha hunak? [2]
The other soldiers stood around in confusion. Some soldiers continued digging. The secretiveness of a frigid soldier and loose military rules were to be blamed.
Flick flick flick
The darts kept flying. The soldiers, who were standing around, grabbed their necks and fell to the ground. The 10 soldiers, who had been maintaining the area, didnt have a reason to work anymore.
Keee
Keee
A crow was cawing on top of the barracks decorative beam. A soldier jumped out of the barracks and chased it away. Like Korea, West Asia regarded crows as a bad omen. They chased crows away with the assumption that these birds carried bad news.
Flick
A dart pierced the soldiers neck like a beef brochette. Crows did deliver bad news, after all.
Bang
Black Mamba pulled out his Glock and kicked down the entrance. Hed already figured out the number of people inside. There were six.
What the hell!
The soldiers, whod been rolling around their beds, leaped to their feet. The armies were the same everywhere. The veterans rolled around while the lackeys worked hard.
Grim Reaper!
His Glock spewed out a fire as soon as he replied.
Bang bang bang
Bang bang bang
His triple-tap attacks instantly hit six people. It had only been a second. The bullets penetrated their foreheads and drilled through their skulls. Their brains turned into mush before their sensory system could detect the foreign substance and process the painful sensation.
Blood and brain fluids drained from the soldiers foreheads, all of whom had collapsed without a word. Black Mamba looked around the barracks with glassy eyes.
Black Mamba was a neo-psychopath. He was a compassionate and loving person, but when he didnt care, he was detached from any emotions. If he held up a gun to kill someone, someday he would be killed too. That was the life of a soldier.
There were all kinds of weapons and equipment in the barracks, but he couldnt find the object he was looking for. He opened the opposite door and entered. It was a restaurant and a storage room.
Bingo!
There were six 100-kilogram propane cylinders. Four were filled, and two were empty. He moved the four filled gas cylinders into the cave.
He was hesitant to touch the objects in fear that they might carry poisonous substances and bacteria. The forklift was the best vehicle to attach explosives to. He pushed the forklift to the middle of the cave and attached 150 grams of C-4 to the gas cylinders. It only had to be ignited, so there was no reason to waste too many explosives.
He left two gas cylinders and unscrewed its nozzles. That would create chain explosions.
Shhh
The pungent smell of fermented onion and garlic pierced his nose.
He quickly retreated at the sudden stink attack. It was a cave filled with poisonous gases and bacteria that could kill millions of people. A little spark could turn him into a roast. Even Black Mamba rushed to escape.
He set the time of explosion to 200 seconds after installing the timer on the explosives. He also coordinated the watchs lap time in his right pocket to 200 seconds. The fireworks display was ready. He closed the storage facility door, which was thicker than both of his hands, before sealing it with explosive adhesive tape.
Hehehe, I wonder what a cocktail made of propane and poisonous gases taste like?
He laughed eerily before moving toward the valley. The rest was up to the explosives and the storage facility filled with gases.
The clueless explosives devil didnt even know the upper and lower limits of a propane gas explosion. Without sufficient air supply, explosions would become unstable or end in a misfire.
A propane gas explosion has a lower limit of 2.1 percent and an upper limit of 9.5 percent. This means that an explosion would occur when the concentration of propane gas in the air is between 2.1 percent and 9.5 percent.
If the concentration of propane gas in the air is more than 9.5 percent, there would be no explosion due to the lack of oxygen supply. Black Mamba should be grateful to the Syrian Army for installing air conditioners inside.
[In the commanders office of northern Syrias air defense strategic force in Kaparja Valley.]
Lieutenant General Wahid Latif had stayed up the entire night. His attempt to fall asleep was futile due to the continuous ringing of explosions and noise from the battle.
The security companies he had sent out for a power reconnaissance had lost 20 of their men and returned like dogs with tails between their legs. The commanders report was absurd. A sniper unit invasion? The entire cliff had collapsed from point C3 to C5? The ANO being trashed around? It was all unbelievable. Hed kicked his commanders rear, but he still felt uneasy.
There were two Berkut site security companies. There was very little in number, considering the importance of the base. It was because the ANO special forces were located near the valleys curve.
But to annihilate 1,000 ANO battle freaks? Lieutenant General Wahid Latif couldnt understand. A few days ago, hed just received reports of movements from the Muslim Brotherhood. He couldnt believe that they had a special forces unit strong enough to wipe out an entire part of a valley.
Lieutenant General Wahid Latif wrapped up the matter by alerting the Third Airborne Regiment of the enemys attack. The two companies couldnt leave the missile site at all. That was a problem for the special forces and airborne regiment to solve.
When the next day came, two more powerful explosions were heard. He started worrying about the warheads in the spare storage room. Restless, he finally picked up the interphone.
Lieutenant, wont we have to check in on the situation?
Sir, there are at least 1,000 ANO special forces members in the valleys region. How could our soldiers, who are trained and experienced, be defeated by those fundamentalist rebels whore lacking in every aspect? I also received a message from the Third Airborne Regiment that theyve sent over two Hinds. The situation should be resolved by now.
No. Theres something wrong. Something doesnt feel right.
Understood. Ill prepare the reconnaissance force immediately.
Our duty is to prepare for launch and defend the area at all times. We cannot get caught up in the battle. Just send out the squadron.
Yes, sir!
Lieutenant General Wahid Latif couldnt hide his anxiety. He picked up the interphone again. He called the Third Airborne Regiments situation room. Any phone call or direct contact with the ANO members was illegal. He wanted to call them himself, but leaving behind any traces of contact would get him standing in the military court.
Any organization formed by man had loopholes. If Lieutenant General Wahid Latif had acknowledged the seriousness of the situation earlier, Black Mamba would have noticed the difference in numbers and left after getting rid of just the ANO.
When Black Mamba left the Kaparjas biological and chemical weapons storage facility, gas had leaked from the two large LPG cylinders and started mixing with the air. The cave was filled with vapor clouds.
Fresh air flowed out from the air conditioners while drawing out the air filled with gas. The concentration of propane inside the storage facility remained fixed at eight percent. The air flowing out from the air conditioners circulated slowly around the cave due to the high humidity, which suppressed the gas.
Once liquefied, the LPGs weight was reduced to a range between 1/600 and 1/700. This meant that the leaked gas diffused 700 times faster. Theoretically, if 100 kilograms of LPG leaked, then 1,200 square meters would explode into vapor clouds at once. The explosion wasnt comparable to 100 kilograms of C-4. It was more powerful. Without anyone knowing, Black Mambas single attack had brought about extreme results.
It was necessary to understand Assads position to consider both sides here. Assads position was similar to the relationship between Korea and Japan.
Hafez al-Assad wasnt an illogical head of state who obsessed over biological and chemical weapons. Assad butted heads with Israel and Turkey. To be more specific, Turkey was his main enemy, with Israel next in the order.
In Syrias point of view, Turkey was a neighboring country that had been bearing grudges since the construction of the Ottoman Empire. The two countries could be compared to Korea and Japan, except there was no sea separating them. It was border against border.
There were two main reasons why Assad hated Turkey more than Israel. Firstly, it was the issue over land. Hatay, which was located in the southern provinces of Turkey, had been regarded as part of Syrias land for generations. It was like Jiandao.
When France invaded Syria and ruled in the governments stead, Hatay declared their independence and was later known as the Hatay Republic. That had been a result of a treaty between France and Turkey. The Hatay Republic merged with Turkey in 1939, barely 10 years after the declaration. That was a decision that France and Turkey had come to agree to without Syrias cooperation.
It was a similar situation to Korea. Japan had handed Jiandao over to the Qing Dynasty in 1905, obtaining usage rights to the South Manchuria Railway and a mine excavation rights in Fushun. The Korean Empire, which had been deprived of diplomatic rights, could only suck on their fingers.
Syria had suffered in silence. No one had represented them under Frances governance.
Despite being a dictator, Assad was a nationalist too. He had requested for Hatays ownership after the government had declared independence, but Turkey didnt budge. France had always sided with Turkey. They reasoned that too few Syrians were living in Hatay. From then, Assad regarded Turkey and France as his eternal enemies and gritted his teeth.
Secondly, it was because Turkey had interfered with internal affairs. Turkey had sneakily badmouthed Assad, who was one of the Alawites of the Shiite sect. They had swayed several Sunni factions to start riots randomly.
Furious, Assad had deployed a JAB tank, created a terror organization to infiltrate Turkey, and supported the Kurdish PKK, which was an opposition party in Turkey.
Turkey wasnt an easy country either. They had randomly beaten Syrias northern regions with their superior air force and had supplied the Muslim Brotherhood, a military organization in Syria, with weapons and funds. There wasnt an enemy like them. Korea and Japan had lasted alongside each other without direct conflict due to the sea separating them. Could that be considered fortunate?
In 1982, there was a massive uprising of Muslims from the Sunni faction, backed by Turkey. Enraged, Assad had launched napalm bombs at their hideout in Hama. Over 15,000 Syrian citizens had died as a result of extreme oppression. That was the Hama massacre.
It was an unfortunate incident, but Hafez al-Assad had achieved an incredible political gain. He had solidified his power and was recognized as a strong leader throughout the Arab world.
After gaining more supporters following the Hama massacre, Assad had become bolder. He had planned to take a shot at Turkey and nationalize the oil fields under Frances name. The Kaparja project was secretly conducted. Kaparja Valleys ANO special forces, biological and chemical weapons, and missiles were part of his plans to shake Turkey and France.
Assad had planned a biochemical terrorist attack against France and Turkey using the ANO. The air defense strategic force was made to counter Turkeys air force. Of course, his sister-in-laws France jets were also its target. Assad was the Middle Easts wolf, who had secretly sharpened his teeth.
His end couldnt justify his means. However, considering Dr. An Jung-geun and Yun Bong-gils achievements, Assads actions were understandable. Villains had their reasons, after all.
Black Mamba didnt know about Assads situation, and even if he did, nothing would have changed. He didnt have to fret about the complex historical and religious conflicts between Syria, Turkey, and France. All he had to do was complete his job and earn his keep.
He could pass 100 meters in six seconds using the fearless steps at its peak. He could pass a kilometer in a minute. Startled by the sudden change of environment three minutes into his lightweight sprint, Black Mamba exhaled.
Huh!
The entire scenery had changed into an open field. There was a grassland surrounded by a long stretch of cliffs. The basin filled with rocks was replaced by lush greeneries that had sprouted up around Kaparja.
Black Mamba rubbed his eyes at the refreshing sight. He hadnt expected to see a mirage of the Sahel in Syrias desolate northern regions.
Of course, it was real, but it looked so much like a mirage. An active fault zone had formed the area as a result of the large difference in ground elevation, but no one knew.
The basin hidden among the trees obstructed his view.
Boom
His dimensional sight activated. The resonance spread rapidly like an opening fan. Countless presences were detected on his radar. It wasnt the kind of situation to readily jump into.
Black Mamba immediately climbed up the cliff. Halfway through the steep hill, the watch in his right pocket stopped beeping.
Bang
The C-4 attached to the LPG gas cylinders exploded. The gas cylinders released a large amount of hydrocarbon as it was blown apart. After 1/1,000 of a second, a vapor cloud explosion occurred in the cave. The smaller the space compared to the explosions volume, the higher pressure the explosion would have, and the longer the fire would last.
Baaang
The 150-millimeter thick shield door was blown several hundred meters away. Kaparja Valley shook. The 3,000-degree Celsius firestorm swept across the cave. The air conditioners continuously supplied fresh air, and the midtemperature air continuously mixed with the hydrocarbon.
Bang
Two more gas cylinders had exploded, releasing more hydrocarbons and causing another explosion. It was 10 times stronger than the initial blast. A powerful blast pressure struck the caves walls and flowed out of the entrance. The sarin gas, VX gas, and anthrax bacteria disappeared without a trace because of the immense pressure, and the 3,000-degree Celsius firestorm.
According to experimental data, an apartments interior columns and bearing walls would crumble when subjected to a pressure of 0.2 kilograms per square centimeters. The destruction of an interior bearing wall could lead to the destruction of an entire building.
During the second explosion in the storage facility, the immense pressure of five kilograms per square centimeters hit against the caves walls and ceiling. The cave, which had suffered damages from the first explosion, met its end after receiving the fatal blow.
The entire cliff shook, unable to withstand the pressure.
Rumble
Crash
A part of the cliff, which stood 120 meters high in the air, slowly caved in like those seen on a slow video.
Rumble
The dust and rubble, which was floating around, blocked the sun. It was the second catastrophe.
The explosions didnt end there. The gas that had leaked outside caused a third explosion.
Flash
A flash of at least 1,000,000,000 candelas was reflected.
Baaang
The firestorm swept across a radius of 300 meters.
[1] Huh?
[2] I wonder, whats going on?
Chapter 245
Wow!
Black Mamba flinched during his climb up the cliff. Flashes of white light entered his vision after the sudden flare.
Rumble
The aftershock followed. The cliff shook. He almost fell. He attached himself to the cliff like a lizard and looked down at the valley.
A dark red cloud in the shape of a mushroom rose. He could hear the ground sizzling with his senses. The fire crackled as it greedily absorbed the surrounding oxygen.
Fire. There were flames everywhere, which seemed like it could swallow the world. It burned passionately like his wasted youth.
Hae Young!
An empty call escaped his mouth without him realizing it. It had been at Bijindo during Christmas Eve. There were hot stones in their guesthouse, and her body was still warm. She had been the hope of his life at a time when he had struggled to live normally, hiding away his unique abilities.
Shed left, and fate had thrown him on the path of Asura. No, there was no such thing as fate. He, himself, had chosen to walk the path of Asura.
A love between the Asura and a human? It seemed like the title of a novel. Could he hold her body, which was white as snow, with his bloodied hands? He shook his head. The more Asura became one with Mu Ssang, the more he grew distant from her.
Now, even if she were to return, he wasnt sure he could hold her. There was a joke that men wanted a woman to be their first love, while women wanted a man to be their final love. His first love had crossed the Pacific. He was walking on the path of Asura beyond the Indian Ocean.
In a bedroom on the second floor of a semi-modern traditional house where the elegant Hiraniwa garden could be seen, Hae Young had lifted the turntable needle on a record before reading a book on the couch. Like a cat, he had jumped and laid on her thighs while purring. The sad lyrics of Bsame mucho by Consuelo Velzquez flooded his heart.
Que tengo miedo a perderte [1]
perderte despus [2]
Quiero tenerte muy cerca [3]
When love grew distant, the lyrics of the popular song filled his ears but
You have to live well. Meet a good person.
Although the ground was burning, a cold wind had swept past his heart. A cold parting drifted across the burning flames.
Damn!
Crack
Rumble
The sand and rocks that had flown into the air poured down like rain. His consciousness returned to reality when debris started knocking on his head. Frightened, Black Mamba immediately wore a helmet. Even love fell short against survival instinct.
The flames continued to burn intensely. He hadnt known the LPG vapor cloud explosion he had created on a whim could be so powerful. An explosion in an enclosed place filled with saturated air was incomparably more powerful than an explosion of compressed air. When combined with hydrocarbon, the explosive strength of propane gas increased exponentially. When coincidence overlapped with his haphazard ability, it created the hands of God.
The corner of Black Mambas mouth quirked up. The discomfort, which seemed like there were thorns stuck in his throat, disappeared. Was there any point in deciding a good or evil way of killing someone? There was no point in saying that shooting was less cruel than stabbing and killing by a knife or that killing by slicing off the throat was crueler than stabbing the heart. It was a legal, moral standard that humans voluntarily created for themselves. Killing another without administering as much pain was the true benevolence of someone whose intention was to kill.
However, compared to other executions, killing people by releasing gases and bacteria was on an entirely different level. If someone held a gun, it meant that they were prepared to die at any moment. If someone held grudges, it meant that they were prepared to take revenge.
Biological and chemical weapons didnt discriminate against its targets. A farmer walking along a field with an ax slung across his shoulder, a laborer who tightened a bolt with a monkey wrench, a student working hard to solve math problems, and a housewife serving rice with a rice scooper everyone would die. They werent prepared to die, nor did they have a reason to die miserably. That was the reason why Black Mamba despised dictators, guerrillas, and terrorists.
Well, the explosion should have blown away the poisonous gases and bacteria. Assad must be feeling quite bitter.
Whether it was bacteria or poisonous gases, it shouldnt be able to withstand a firestorm that burned the ground. The explosion was powerful enough to demolish the cliff where the storage facility was located. The result was obvious that he didnt even have to check.
It wasnt a gamble. The sarin gas, VX gas, and anthrax stored in Kaparjas storage facility were substances that Assad had gathered over five years with Egypt and North Koreas help. Five years and a total investment of 300,000,000 dollars had disappeared instantly. The amount that Assad had invested in the air force, missiles, the production of biological and chemical weapons, and training the ANO in Kaparja Valley totaled up to about 1,000,000,000 dollars.
As Mitterand had said, considering the profit that France would gain from this, 300,000,000 francs was worth the price of a pack of gum. Of course, the amount would be frozen if Black Mamba died on the mission. Mitterrand and Bonipas were wise. They had nothing to lose either way. They were completely different from Koreas politicians who wasted the taxpayers money and backstabbed each other.
The flames died down quickly. That was because there wasnt any phosphide. Three kilometers below, the valley had turned dark. Particles from the explosion and the cliffs destruction had blocked the sunlight. The haphazard explosives devil, Black Mamba, who had played around with fire, destroyed the entire Kaparja Valley. It had been a fact since ancient times that standing next to an idiot would destroy both sides. Nature wasnt an exception.
So far, the plan had been a sequence of fireworks. He recalled how his mother would always scold him for playing with fire and that hed pay for it if he did. His heart throbbed at the memories of his youth.
Mother, please be alive. Ill serve you well even if I have to mobilize 1,000 people or 2,000 people to find you.
He wiped away the tears, which had gathered at the corner of his eyes. The undefeatable Black Mamba, Dong-bang-bull-pae, was also a womans son. He was also a son who missed his mother.
Snipers have mastered the art of controlling their emotions. Black Mamba had become accustomed to suppressing his emotions from a young age. He immediately shook off his feelings and returned to reality.
Good! Theres still the main act left.
Black Mamba climbed up the remaining distance of the cliff after throwing in a comment. He hadnt carried out the mission with a grand purpose. It was just a part of his mission. Hed only destroyed one out of his three targets. There were two left. The danger that came with poisonous gases and bacteria had already left his mind.
The rabid b*stard from the East, Dong-bang-bull-pae, entered the final phase of his mission. It would be the biggest blow on Assads government since its beginning. Assad could only hit the ground.
What the hell?
Startled by the explosion, lieutenant general Wahid Latif dropped the interphone. He hadnt even called the Third Airborne Brigade yet.
Lieutenant, what was that sound?
Uh, thats
There was no way for his lieutenant to know. He rolled his eyes, unable to answer.
Did you send down the squadron?
Yes, theyre preparing themselves.
Latif exploded.
You b*stard, what kind of preparation takes four days and three nights! Do you want to be a takfir?
No, sir!
The shocked subordinate rushed out of the command post like a top. Takfir referred to an individuals declaration of infidel or apostasy. In Islam, just hearing the word takfir was fear in itself.
The takfir culture was prevalent in Southwest Asia, especially in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria. It was the conflict between the Sunnis and Shiites. They justified their act of revenge with takfir. Behind the blood-shedding terrorisms and calculated holocausts was the takfir culture with its deep-seated ideas of privilege and separatism.
The Quran centered on themes such as peace and tolerance. Islamic leaders always shouted for peace and tolerance. However, the reality was hellish.
If a tribal holocaust was happening in Africa, a religious holocaust was happening in Southwest Asia. Religion, which was supposed to make people happy, forcefully tormented them. This was the reason why Black Mamba laughed at their deceitfulness and intolerance.
Latif pushed a button on the interphone and called for the leader of the guards.
This is the commander. Theres a possibility of a kafir[4] infiltration. Activate the Shala-sha defense.
Yes, sir.
A siren disrupted the silent valley. The Northern Air Command Post came to life. The sound of feet busily running around was heard, ammunition was being passed around, and machine guns were set up on the trenches.
F****** hell, did the sweet shop get lit on fire?
While the siren wailed, the soldiers ran with guns at a ready position. He could even see a commander shouting over their heads with a rifle. Black Mamba did not flinch.
An explosion that shook the ground rung at close range. It would have been strange if they didnt sound the emergency siren. He was more surprised by the fact that they didnt sound the emergency siren from the beginning.
The scenery above the cliff contrasted in color. The entire place was filled with all kinds of smells. It smelled so familiar. There was a smell that forest trees exuded during photosynthesis. Like those on Wol Song San, the pampas grass rubbing against each other also exuded a burning smell. There was the smell of rain. There was also the combined smell of mountain birds, lizards, rodents, and crawling insects.
He inhaled and filled his lungs with fresh air. For the past few days, hed been inhaling dry air above the empty wastelands and smoke from the burning flames. The fresh air breathed life into his cells.
Unfortunately, he had carried over the smell of explosives from the camp, which had mixed around with the air. Humans were the only beings that couldnt live alongside nature a foreign and an unnecessary presence.
He turned his eyes toward the basin. He could see the entire basin in a single view.
Amazing!
The exclamation came automatically. It was Black Mambas first time seeing a large-scale missile field. The oval basin measured 1.3 kilometers in length. A rectangular missile field was located in the center of the basin. It was divided into four sectors of 400 meters by 700 meters.
A missile site and a camp were located on the top right field, with security and storage centers located on its lower field. A radar site was located on the top left field, with a guards camp located on its lower field.
Why are there so many?
The missile site was packed like a cutlery holder in a restaurant. There were over 120 tents. It was completely different from what he had imagined. He didnt know where to begin.
There was a large rectangular missile attached to the gantry load. ? of it was angled upright, while ? of it was mounted at a 45-degree angle. It was directed toward Turkey. A triangular B-200 yo-yo radar was located behind the missile.
Trailers werent allowed entry in Kaparja Valley. It either meant that a huge amount of their goods was moved by air or there was a secret road behind the camp. He couldnt even tell how much Assad had spent on Kaparja Valley. That showed how long Assad had gritted his teeth against France and Turkey.
The S-25 Berkut had been deployed since 1952, which marked the beginning of surface-to-air missiles. The Berkut lacked mobility and flexibility due to technical problems with the radar and seeker. The site was rectangular-shaped because it was impossible to secure a target, with a 360-degree coverage in airspace.
In other words, the warhead should be directed toward the east to catch an aircraft carrier approaching from the same direction. A limited air defense sector was a huge handicap to the construction of an air defense network. It meant that if an aircraft carrier came in from a different direction, although the radar had detected it earlier on, they had no choice but to suck on their fingers.
The Soviet used a high-performance anti-aircraft gun in place of the lacking air defense sector. All of that had ended up being a waste. The altitude of the fighter aircrafts increased endlessly. Not even a high-performance anti-aircraft gun could reach the tail of a bomber, 10 kilometers up in the air. That was also the reason behind the Soviets hasty development of the S-75 Dvina.
The Berkut also had its advantages. The launching weight was lighter than the warhead weight and intercept altitude. While the Dvina had a launching weight of 2,300 kilograms, the Berkut had a launching weight of only 570 kilograms. The gantry load was also lightweight. From Assads point of view, there was no point in shooting down a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The medium-weight Berkut missile would have been enough for Kaparja, considering that his targets were the French and Turkeys air force.
After deploying the Berkut, the Soviet Union had developed a series of S-75 and Buk missiles. 11,000 Berkuts, which had become rubble, were sold to North Korea, Eastern Bloc, Syria, and Egypt at cheap prices. Currently, the only places with Berkuts in the Soviet Union were air defense sites in areas of lesser importance. That was why the U.S. and Russia had an advantage since they continuously developed new weapons.
The Berkut required a large number of missile sites as it could only defend some air defense sectors. In order to secure the airspace, combat information was acquired using the Berkut 1:1, with the use of the yo-yo bands.
The yo-yos detection information worked with the B-200 radar on the radar site and the A-11 / A-12 antenna. The large missile site would become useless with the destruction of its core B-200 radar as much as a double relay was necessary. Of course, that was only temporary. It wasnt something that the French authorities had hoped for.
No way could Black Mamba have known that it was a Soviet missile site. That was Jang Shins specialty. He suddenly missed Jang Shin, who had transferred departments.
Damn, wont it be over if I just set everything on fire?
It was said that bravery came from ignorance. All he could think of was blowing everything up. It wasnt a Strela but a surface-to-air missile. The larger the prey, the more he had to be wary.
He had no reason to jump into the dark camp.
Sssss
Black Mamba, whod been standing under a rock, slowly sank into the ground. He completely disappeared into the ground and filled the hole with falling leaves as cover. He was waiting for night to fall.
[1] Im scared of losing you.
[2] Im scared of losing you later.
[3] I want to feel you close to me.
[4] Arabic term for unbeliever.
Chapter 246 - For Whom the Bell Tolls
[August 21st, day seven of the Ruman plan]
At 02:00, Black Mambas eyes flashed open. A professional sniper could control their internal clock because of their thorough training. The bodys internal clock referred to the variation of ones circadian rhythm, which was synchronized to the one-millimeter diameter suprachiasmatic nucleus. The nucleus was located just above the hypothalamus, where the optic nerves connecting the retinas of both eyes intersected.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus would detect sunlight entering the eye in the morning and send a signal to the pineal gland. Upon receiving the signal, the pineal gland would secret melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone. Melatonin was a hormone that helped promote sleep for up to about 14 hours. For our kind, the most natural sleep cycle was 14 hours after sunrise.
Legion Etranger snipers were trained to wake up at a certain timing after maintaining their sleeping schedules for six months. It was a training that conditioned ones body by weakening the suprachiasmatic nucleus function.
Woosh
Branches and fallen leaves were scattered. Creatures ran and hid. A mole cricket covered in soil jumped out from the hole.
Keee
A raccoon, which had been wandering around Black Mambas hiding place, fled in fear.
Voom
The ground shook once. Soil and foreign substances were scattered around.
Splat splat
Black Mamba spat out the dirt in his mouth. He wouldnt recommend hiding underground. It was filled with earthworms, mole crickets, and moles, while bugs such as earwigs and larvae bit on ones skin. Unknown insects would enter through the ear and nose holes. No one could stand it unless theyre a trained sniper.
He completed some basic stretching exercises before going over his weapons. It was time for another fireworks display. Hed already looked into the missile camp guards next rotational shift. If they switched at 02:10, the next one was at 05:00. He had three hours to spare.
Wooooo
The night lingered while a wolfs long howl echoed in the background. The slender crescent moon played hide-and-seek among the floating clouds, while countless stars filled the sky. It was a night where night vision was not required. It was the night of the Angel of Deaths descent.
He looked at the missile site under the cliff. A hypnosis cloak enveloped the valley. The camps outer searchlights moved with the flowing fog, like the islands of an archipelago.
The guard watchtowers stood jarringly along the fence as if it protested against anyone who overlooked its existence. He never imagined that the camp would be so huge. He felt as though he could buy all the sweet rice candy in Korea if he sold all the barbed-wire fences around the camp.
Why didnt they station guards around the cliffs?
The question suddenly struck him. His location was over one kilometer away from the missile site, but not close enough to view the enemys camp. The answer was obvious. A watchdog guarded the front yard or garden, not the living room.
Kaparja Valley was inaccessible to humans but not to Black Mamba. The ANO blocked all areas with a high possibility of invasion, while bomas and listening devices were stationed all around the rocky mountains access points. Black Mamba didnt notice that he had intruded unintentionally.
Several soldiers were lined up across the guards camp. They were preparing for the next rotational shift. A person on top of a platform was giving a passionate speech while waving around his rifle.
dear servants of Allah, Gods kingdom is almost within reach. When Muhammad delivered Gods message, gone was the Jahiliyyah[1] and entered the Islamic Age. The heathens and renegades barbaric riots are threatening the true Islamic community. Theyve started riots, accusing our great leader Assad of being a hypocrite. The Islamic renaissance, as mentioned by the Muslim Brotherhood, meant the rise of the takfirs. The Islam they talked about was the takfirs. They will take your lives, rob your wealth, and rape your sisters. We are the warriors of Sir Assad, the protector of our state. We must lead the forefront with resolute determination to crush all kafirs[2]. The kafirs have invaded the holy land of Aloadin. Allah is with us. Let us protect our families. Lets kill the traitors of Islam. Lets nail them to the cross and burn them all
Ooooo, Assad, Assad!
Latif, Allah-hu Akbar!
At the commanders speech, the soldiers raised their rifles to the sky and cheered passionately. If Black Mamba had understood the meaning behind the speech, he would have recalled the Arabic saying, If you ask directions from a crow, it will lead you to a corpse.
A crow that fed on corpses would naturally find its way to one. A human trapped in the mentality of division would consider their actions righteous. Humans listened to what they chose to hear and learned whatever they wanted to know. Islams misfortune stemmed from the mentality of division.
Black Mamba didnt understand the mans speech even after hearing it completely. He only understood a few words. They were Assad, the Muslim Brotherhood, takfirs, and kafirs. Those words were associated with hate and discord. Why did humans hate and discriminate against one another? Why didnt they love one another despite loving dogs and cats?
Perhaps it was an idealistic question. Even animals fought amongst its kind. However, the fight would end immediately when one side surrendered. They didnt pull out a sword to fight back.
Only humans dreamed of revenge. Humans laid low until an opportunity to attack arose. Humans lowered their heads as a sign of defeat but waited for an opportunity to attack back. Why?
Whatever lived, fought. The basics of discord were appetite and libido. Humans added in another factor. It was greed. Animals didnt fight once there was enough food. Humans didnt know the limit of satisfaction. The fact that Catholicisms central philosophy centered around poverty and Buddhisms central philosophy centered around nonpossession proved the influence of human greed.
The ends of Black Mambas mouth curled up. The outcome of pitting the Syrian Army against the Muslim Brotherhood was better than he had expected. They still believed that the invaders were the Muslim Brotherhood. That was good. The Ruman plan was extremely confidential. If his identity was revealed, the relationship between Assad and France would become strained, and his actions would be futile.
He suddenly became disgusted by the spitting commander on stage. That Oecophylla smaragdina b*stard, he thought, before lowering the Dragunov he had pulled out. The man wouldnt be able to survive if the camp was blown up. There was no need to alert the snake by mowing the grass.
Black Mamba slid down the cliff and hid amongst the bushes. He was 300 meters away from the barbed-wire fences, which were located outside of the camp. Three layers of circular-barbed-wire fences and rhombus-barbed-wire fences surrounded the camp. High voltage current was obviously flowing through it. The barbed-wire fences were seven meters wide and five meters tall.
Guard watchtowers were located every 200 meters along the outer defense line. There were even stone bunkers in between the guard watchtowers. Looking closely, he noticed several bells attached to the barbed-wire fences. The defense line was so heavily guarded that an average agent wouldnt dare enter.
One had to remove three meters of the circular-barbed-wire fences with bells to deal with the rhombus-barbed-wire fences flowing with high voltage current. It was a simple yet effective barrier. A highly trained spy could easily remove the most complex electric fences. The fences and group of guards were merely an obstacle. Of course, that was not a problem for the ignorant Black Mamba.
The remaining explosives were barely eight kilograms. Could he detonate 120 missiles with eight kilograms of C-4 explosives? Hed rather be ordered to stab an elephant to death with a toothpick.
Should I just wipe them all out?
Black Mamba considered his options while running his fingers over the Peskett CCW. The situation would be easier if he could erase every living person in the camp and threaten the missile launching agent to rewire the missiles for self-destruction.
Frankly, he was tired of killing. A competitive spirit rose when he went against strong opponents like Ocelot, but the death of weak humans only increased the weight of blood on his hands. The emptiness he felt after killing people was similar to the exhaustion one felt when removing chicken heads.
Lets decide after I see the real deal.
Whoosh
A black shadow crossed the empty land. The searchlights dizzily spun as it combed the outskirts.
Flick
Flick
A new technique was used, which was a mix of the four paced movement and dragons back riding steps. In the first place, the searchlights couldnt catch up with a shadow that jumped 15 meters instantly.
Crack
The grounds surface hollowed out at the strong impact. The Angel of Death lightly crossed the barbed-wire fences. It was like a cheat skill. The fences should be raised to 20 meters in order to block his path.
Two darts left Black Mambas hands before he landed on the ground.
Hugh!
Two guards grabbed their necks and collapsed.
Tap
The shadow disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind the sound of a chestnut falling onto the ground. It was 400 meters from the outer barbed-wire fences to the missile site. The black shadow crossed the vast land like the wind.
Zaitun, you said you wanted peace, didnt you? I want it too. Destruction for peace! Its as contradictory as your weapon, Black Mamba mumbled as he took out the Peskett CCW.
The PK machine gun fields were situated along the outskirts of the rectangular missile field. While the outer defense line was avoided, he had no choice but to destroy the inner defense line. The guards would be able to hear him working on it unless they were deaf.
Darkness was Black Mambas friend. There was no need to become one with nature when his opponents were regular soldiers. The black shadow slithered into the bunkers like a snake. A guard, who had his major vein punctured by the Peskett CCW, lifted his hand to his neck.
Mosquito
One died quietly while another guard mumbled a groan before tilting his head. This meant that the botulinum toxin in the Peskett CCW had weakened.
Black Mamba personally visited each of the 13 bunkers. All that remained in place of Azraels path were soulless lumps of protein.
The missiles that were positioned upright in the dark looked like monsters. There were four sets of Berkuts tied onto a gantry load. Black Mamba speedily searched his mind. It was the S-25P Berkut of 6.7 meters long with a diameter of 0.56 meters and a weight of 570 kilograms. It was a lighter derivative with a shorter range.
When one S-75 missed its target, two others would automatically chase after the same target. On the other hand, the S-25 had an orderly system that launched one at a time. It was an ancient system.
He immediately leaped onto the gantry and looked for a toolbox. The system wasnt well-maintained. Red scales had formed on the corroded gantry load. That was likely since it was made 25 years ago. The b*stard was also a grim reaper to a rusty second-hand model.
Missiles were normally secured onto the gantry with a clasp. There was always a toolbox on the gantry to dismantle the clasp.
Crack
He tore open the toolbox and grabbed a large wrench.
Hmph!
He dismantled the clasp and lifted the missiles. 570 kilograms wasnt an easy weight, even for Black Mamba. He had to work under the moonlight.
Ugh, its hard to work for food, he grumbled while carrying the missiles on his shoulder.
Bang
He threw the missiles down while trying to move it to the highest point of the missile site. It was a cumbersome task. Black Mamba had come up with the dumbest idea, which was to accumulate all the missiles like a scrap metal dump before blowing it all up at once.
Aref, I heard something.
I heard it too.
Two guards approached his working site.
Huh! Aref, was there an order for a missile retrieval in the middle of the night?
Never heard of it. Damn air force b*stards, theyre handling the precious missiles like trash.
Black Mamba snickered as he overheard their conversation. The guards didnt doubt the current situation at all. Well, they wouldnt have imagined someone moving a 570-kilograms missile.
Ah, whatwhat is that?
When Black Mamba appeared out of nowhere, one of the guards stuttered in surprise. Someone had appeared out of nowhere while carrying a missile of over six meters in length. He deserved to be speechless.
Tout mes condolences![3]
Woosh
He swung midway to the left before swinging to the right.
Bang
Bang
The guards, who were hit on their heads with the missile, silently turned into paste. They were the first and last humans to be killed by the body of a missile.
Throughout his mission, hed been bothered four times. Even a dog got mad when its plate was touched. The guards, who had appeared around his working site, had their souls separated from their bodies without hesitation.
Black Mamba worked like an ant, unlike his usual self. Two hours later, four massive piles of missiles appeared. Hed stacked 120 missiles into groups of 30 like firewood after dismantling the clasp. One would have a hard time processing the unbelievable sight even after seeing it with their own eyes.
He landed on his rear after accomplishing a feat. In two hours, hed dismantled and moved 68 tons worth of objects. The Paranthropus energy and strength had hit its lowest. He had to supply his body with sugar and oxygen for a fast recovery. He shoved the special chocolates made out of date palms into his mouth.
Black Mamba had done something useless again. If it were Jang Shin, he would have worked on 30 missiles considering the number of explosives and terrain. Detonating 30 Berkut missiles would blow up the entire missile and radar sites instantly. The Northern Strategic Air Defense Force would end up like a dogs fur without the core system.
Hehehe, Im doing all kinds of things in my life. Oi, Mitterrand, I dont like doing labor.
He continued to laugh. He considered his actions hilarious, which was gathering all the missiles in one place due to the lack of explosives. Black Mamba hadnt expected that Mitterrand would give him an allowance of 300,000,000 francs for the missiles.
By the way, wont I turn into mush if everything exploded at once?
The warheads itself weighed at least 24 tons. Cliffs had collapsed after he had exploded the storage facility with 20 warheads. This time, there were 120. He grew slightly worried. Searching for any type of information that wasnt stored in the synapses was useless.
Well, something should happen.
[1] The time and state of affairs in Arabia before the advent of Islam in 610 CE, also known as the Age of Ignorance.
[2] Non-believer / heathens.
[3] I give you all my condolences!
Chapter 247 - Episode 22: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Entering and leaving was a problem but being an eraser was not. Consuming was easier than producing, and destroying was easier than creating. There was always a way. It was only a matter of skills. He didnt act like a calculative person, either! The lack of something didnt measure up to an abundance of something.
The rash Explosives Devil took out the remaining four sets of 2,000 grams C-4s from his backpack. He had to blow up the power plant, but the dam wouldnt budge with a bunch of C-4s. Hed probably only blow up some fishes. He could blow up the power plant with 30 grenades or drown it with his strength.
He attached one set of explosives to the four piles of missiles and shoved in a detonator.
What do I set the lap time to?
He couldnt predict the explosive strength or range, since he had skimmed through explosives lessons while in the Deuxieme Rep. He could only predict its unpredictability.
If he increased the lap time, the explosives were more likely to be detected. All the missiles, which had been standing tall like a forest on the gantry load, disappeared. Hed gotten rid of all the guards, but it was only a matter of time before he got caught. After much deliberation, he set the timer to 100 seconds. 100 seconds would give him enough time to move 600 to 700 meters away from the explosion.
His third attempt at playing with fire entered its last phase. After following a productive schedule, the Explosives Devil jumped over the barbed-wire fences and fled.
Rumble
He heard the water burbling deeper inside the valley. The dam blocked the upstream, but water flowed like waterfalls from both sides of the valley. Black Mambas eyes widened as he approached the waterfalls.
Huh, look at these b*stards.
There was a hidden road behind the missile camp. Without a trailer, they wouldve required a Hercules aircraft to move the heavy objects. The operation would have gotten more difficult too. There was no way to avoid the DGSEs radar if they frequently operated transport aircraft.
Building a road on the rough mountain terrains must have used up a large sum of their money. Assads government had invested most of their efforts into Kaparja Valley.
Hes going to suffer, but that isnt my problem.
Black Mamba abandoned the road and climbed up the valley. His last target was the power plant. The terrain got rougher as the valley became narrower.
C-4 was most well-known among explosive composition groups, which included type A, B, C, and H. Composition B types were a mixture of RDX and TNT, often used for large-caliber artillery and missile warheads. It had a combined ratio of 63 percent RDX, 36 percent TNT, and one percent wax. Aluminum powder, which was a plasticizer, would be added when necessary. It was 135 percent more powerful than a TNT. The explosives in the Berkut warheads were made up of composition B2 and an additional aluminum component.
100 seconds could be considered long or short, depending on the urgency.
Click
Click
The clock stopped.
Flash
A flash brightened up the night sky.
Baa-ang
A powerful explosion shook the entire valley.
The explosive velocity of a composition B2 was 8,500 meters per second. 70,000,000,000 joules of force moved at a speed of eight kilometers per second across the vast land, pushing away everything in its path. The gantry load and yo-yo bands flew away like pieces of paper.
Whoosh
Debris and firestorms swept over everything within a radius of 300 meters, including the missile site, radar site, air defense camps, other facilities, and trees.
Several man-made machines and structures were crushed by the flying debris and melted because of the pressure waves. Humans went through the same thing. Their bones and flesh dissolved without a trace.
Lieutenant general Wahid Latif, who had been anxiously waiting in his office for the reconnaissance forces report, covered his eyes from the blinding light. The building walls were demolished instantly. The flames swept through the office. Lieutenant general Wahid Latif spent his final moments feeling the hot steam on his skin and was crushed as though he had been in the grinder. He hadnt even heard the explosion.
Outer guard Ahmed ran for his life as soon he saw the flash. His experience from when Assad had dropped the napalm bombs over Hama prepared him to instinctively run.
Hama city had descended into chaos the moment light flashed in the air. There were people frantically rolling around as they attempted to put out the fire on their bodies, people fighting each other as they raced to the nearest fountain, and people holding onto their necks as they struggled to breathe. There had been no other hell. Ahmed was so surprised that he dropped his binoculars.
As a member of the post-processing team, he had witnessed hell that day. Corpses scattered across the road were burned to the point that their gender was unidentifiable. Buildings melted while trees turned into ashes. It was a re-enactment of that day. He had supported Assads utilitarianism and nationalism. However, on the day when a bolt of lightning had destroyed Hama, he regretted being a member of the Baath Party.
Oooooo
Expanded air rushed after him at a fearsome speed.
Oh, Allah! Is this retribution!
A solid barbed-wire fence blocked his path. Ahmeds ability was useless against the fence, which was seven meters wide and five meters tall. Ahmeds heart raced ahead of him. In reality, he barely managed to take two steps.
The pressure waves, which moved 22 times faster than the speed of sound, swallowed Ahmed whole and spread to the outer facilities. The weapons and storage room and the guards living quarters were torn to pieces and blown into the air.
Oooooo
Large clouds in the shape of a mushroom drifted endlessly into the sky.
The Northern Strategic Air Defense Force, which Assad had invested in, was tragically crushed in 0.3 seconds. Only a vague outline of the concrete buildings, which was located on the outskirts, remained. Only 170 out of 1,720 personnel survived, which consisted of 1,420 air defense force members, 260 guards, and 40 civil engineers. Even the survivors werent in good shape. Half of them suffered from severe burns because of the radiant heat.
Ugh!
Beeeeeeeep
It didnt feel like a part of his body was immobilized. His entire body vibrated.
F***, Im going to die!
Black Mamba sprinted as though death was on his heels. It was the biggest threat weighing down on his brain since he gained his supernatural senses. He pushed his fearless steps to the extreme and rushed deep into the valley like a madman.
Fla-ash
A flash of light brightened up the entire valley. A heat burst, enough to roast his skin, pushed its way in. His clothes burned in yellow, but he didnt have time to look back. He leaned his body against the winds force and exerted his legs even more.
Bang
Crash
Crack
Missile fragments and all kinds of debris poured down like rain.
Ting
Something, perhaps a fragment, had hit his helmet. His head buzzed.
Splat
Something heavy struck his backpack.
Agh!
Black Mamba, who was pushed from the back, rolled onto the floor. It was an impact that twisted his insides. The moment he leaped to his feet, a strong wind swept over. His back bent backward in a sway.
Fragments that had grazed his side crushed the fig tree behind him.
Whoosh
This time, it was his head. His head snapped back to the point that it cracked.
Bang
The rock before his eyes shattered.
F****** hell, f*** a 100 seconds!
There was no time to avoid all the debris that was pouring down like rain, despite knowing its trajectory. Smart people hid while stupid people ran about.
Hed overestimated the power of the 120 missile warheads. He blamed his fingers for setting the timer to 100 seconds, but it was a matter of the past. He activated and spread his dimensional sight like a large net to avoid the incoming debris.
A large bedrock entered his sight while he sprinted around like a b****. He dived behind the bedrock.
Bang bang bang
The bedrock suffered the debris painful hit.
Ugh, Id rather die than be sick.
He barely caught his breath. There were at least 10 holes on his backpack. Although the backpack was made of bulletproof material, his back would have suffered if they hadnt placed a titanium plate in the backrest. It was surprising how the debris managed to fly 1,000 meters away.
Im going to learn the art of explosives even if I have to pay the Explosives Devil lesson fees, Black Mamba resolutely decided as metal pieces continuously hit the bedrock.
The explosion in Kaparja Valley was immediately reported to the concerning partiesthe perpetrator and interested foreigners. Langleys Operations Division was the first to receive the situations report. Like how the KGB was called Lubyanka, the CIA was called Langley after the location of its headquarters.
The Operations Division, alongside the Intelligence Division, was the core of the CIA. They carried out secret missions, intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and most overseas agents fell under its division.
Movies often portrayed the CIA as an incompetent organization with a large budget. They often appeared as the villain who poked around using large amounts of money before ending the entire operation with no gains. The CIA would turn an ordinary news reporter or a police officer who lacked presence into a hero.
Movies were movies for a reason. The CIA was often talked about because of their unsuccessful overseas missions, but on the other hand, large-scale overseas missions were made possible because of them. Koreas NIS couldnt even dream of it.
The CIA wasnt an easy organization. They were the worlds best intelligence agency with the smartest brains, modern equipment, and astronomical budgets. There was no reason for the U.S., which valued rationality, to invest 1,000,000,000s of dollars on a useless intelligence agency.
22 kilometers above Syrias northern air, a long-nose-cone aircraft circled around Aleppo and Kaparja Valley. It was a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft that had departed from Saudi Arabias Riyadh Air Base. Information from the ASARS-2s synthetic-aperture radar was transmitted to Langley in real-time through the Milius Aegis cruise, which was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz.
In the Operations Head office, Louis Adams face contorted. There were 100 clear developed photos on his table. It was photos of the biological and chemical storage facilitys high-pressure explosion, the Hinds fall and explosion, and the missile camps explosion. His bushy eyebrows lifted, and his flipped lips twitched.
Explain.
Adams orders were always simple. He didnt treat women well just because they were beautiful. Of course, Samanda Matilda wasnt a cheap woman who expected greasy comments from tasteless middle-aged men.
Its exact to the pictures, director.
Oi, there are no intruders. Did Aloadin set itself on fire while roasting coffee?
Look through the rest of the images. These are optical images from the KeyHole (KH-11, CRYSTAL, KENNEN reconnaissance satellite), Matilda replied coldly.
The U.S. reconnaissance satellites photographed the Earth using the KeyHole series Big Bird (KH-9)s panorama film. A separate aircraft attached to the satellite would send back the films. When the film canisters were full, the reentry vehicle would leave the orbit and descend on Earth using a parachute. Transport aircraft C-119 would snatch the falling reentry vehicle from the air and retrieve the films. In 1980, electro-optical cameras with CCD sensors were attached to the KH-11 satellites, and the retrieval of films was no longer an inconvenience.
Damn, did the KeyHole break or something?
Adam slammed the file of photos back on the desk. The satellite had photographed Kaparja Valley in intervals of 10 seconds. No intruders were found anywhere in the photos. There were just flames and mushroom-shaped clouds.
What do you think?
We lost contact with Shire and Dyson, who were dispatched to Kaparja Valley. We shoved in a Dragon Lady (nickname for U-2) since the KeyHoles resolution was low. Unfortunately, the heavy rain hindered it from taking a clear picture. According to the Investigation Divisions report, the ANOs headquarters, ammunition storage, and Assads s*** were blown away. Weve unfortunately lost our cuckoo nest.
The CIA had commenced a plan to take over Frances northern oil fields in exchange for overlooking Assads possession of biological and chemical weapons. Assads s*** was a code name for his biological and chemical weapons, while the cuckoos nest was a code name for Kaparja Valley. The operations director, Adam, knew Kaparja Valley like the back of his hands.
Ah, I know that. Whats the point of touching a dead mans possession? My interest lies in the eraser. Whether they are the b*stards from the Muslim Brotherhood or the Milli[1], we must take appropriate actions accordingly. Im suspicious of Turkey. The Muslim Brotherhood doesnt have the resources to blow up the cuckoos nest.
Matilda shook her head.
Its not the Muslim Brotherhood or the Milli. Theres only one intruder. The Investigation Division gave the intruder a code name, Abaddon.
Black Mamba was finally recognized by the CIA as a ruthless terrorist named Abaddon. Adams drooping eyelids lifted.
One? Matilda, I dont like jokes. The ANO is Assads special forces. Youre saying that a single person wiped out 1,000 terrorists ghosts? Rambo will cry. Stop joking. That damned aftershock hindered our expensive equipment from capturing the intruders, thats all. If youre going to write a novel, move out from your desk and head to Area 51.
When Adam denied it, Matilda snickered.
Hm, Rambo wont be able to maintain his reputation against Abbadon of the Apocalypse. You might not believe it, but there was only one intruder. If Im wrong, Ill gladly move to Area 51. Of course, there might have been a rear fire support group. A week ago, an unidentifiable vehicle was attacked by the Dvina in Rajo Mountain, north of Aleppo. They must have dispatched an air force. We tracked the vehicles movements, and apparently, it departed from France.
Hm, France! The airborne regiment fired from behind, while Abaddon invaded in his lonesome and blew up Aloadin?
Adam groaned. The cuckoos nest was a plan to clear the French rice scoopers that were stuck like chewing gum to the Middle East. If they could place a foot on Syrias northern regions, Iraqs oil transportation would be easier too. The plan needed to succeed in order to live up to Reagans high expectations. He was turning hysterical because of an unknown b*stard who had messed up the plan.
We cant be sure, but Abaddon is most likely Frances masterpiece.
Adams eyes flashed at Matildas words.
[1] MIT, Turkeys National Intelligence Agency.
Chapter 248 - Episode 23: For Whom the Bell Tolls
You truly think so? Adams expression turned serious.
Manager Matilda wasnt the type to say anything that she couldnt be held accountable for. There was always a reason behind her self-confidence.
Director, I only lie when Im meeting a man. Theres definitely one intruder. Look at this picture.
Her long fingers spread 10 photos captured by the satellite camera across the table.
Click
When the switch was flipped on, the backlight table lit up.
The angle of the raindrops deflection was reconstructed into a three-dimensional shape. You cant see the intruder, but someones moving out there, for sure. Compare the form with the surrounding objects. The measurement is at a meters worth.
Adams eyes widened as he stared at the photos. 10 photos were taken at intervals of 0.1 seconds. The raindrops deflection moved 20 meters in one second.
What the hell? Are you saying that Abbadon moved at 20 meters per second?
Thats it. The fully equipped Green Berets moved at six meters per second. The intruder is a haunter[1]. If you look at the photos taken after the dark clouds have cleared, Aloadins outer barbed-wire fences havent been tampered with. According to the Investigation Divisions reenactment of the intrusion, Abbadon didnt break through the fences but jumped over it instead. Hes an explosive specialist who lured a sequence of explosions in the facility using at least 20 explosives. From what we can assume from the explosions range, at least 70 percent of the terrorists must have been out of power. Dont ask me how. I dont know either. The rest must have been wiped out by the rear fire support group. I think Abbadon is an active haunter eraser.
The haunter whom Matilda spoke of referred to people with supernatural abilities. There were two types of people: Those with psychic abilities and those with mechanical abilities from having artificial muscles or lightweight hydraulic stents implanted. These human weapons were being developed in the seventh sector of Area 51.
Kekeke, does that make sense? There are at least 1,000 ANO members. An extreme suicide squad of 100 members called the Horazan joined them recently. The terrorist organizations defense line is beyond the White Houses since theyre terrorists specialized in breaking through it. Did the ANO and Horazan get high on hashish? Are you saying that Abbadon is an invisible human? Leave your desk if youre going to write novels.
Adams twisted smile turned into laughter.
Nothings impossible if he had received a separate infiltration training at a speed of 20 meters per second. Even the predator in Area 51
Hey, stop! Just continue with what you were talking about, the director interrupted Matilda mid-sentence.
Area 51 was a taboo topic even among the CIA officials. Matilda flinched after realizing her mistake.
Do you think France developed artificial muscles or lightweight hydraulic stents?
That cant be. Its impossible with Frances level of genetic engineering. Theyll need at least 50 years to catch up with Area 51. Matilda shook her head.
When her shiny black hair flowed along to the movement of her head, it reminded him of a scene from a shampoo advertisement. Her long fingers pushed back the few strands of hair that had strayed on her forehead.
It wasnt an intentional scene but an innate ability. A part of his body twitched at the alluring sight. Flustered, Adam pressed down on the stretching member. This wasnt the time to lust after a subordinate, nonetheless a female mantis.
Hm, thats true. Maybe hes a surviving product of the Arago Project? Adam came up with an impractical speculation.
France had rambled on about creating a superhuman since Napoleons time. They have likely created a mutant. France was quite advanced in parapsychology.
The Arago Project was a failure. According to a moles report, the research building and cave were sealed.
Well, without knowing their place, those frog b*stards turned innocent children into
Adam swallowed back the word sacrifices. The project in Area 51 was much more than that. He was in no position to blame others.
Director, you should know that haunters only have one ability. The Abbadon is capable of moving. The DGSE must have trained the transfer haunter using camouflage and explosives. Assads s*** mustve been erased along with the explosives. The support helicopters were shot down with missiles. They must have taken the Strela from the Strategic Air Defense Armys arsenal.
France has created quite the weapon.
Its not a weapon that the DGSE developed on their own. As the name suggests, hes an unknown being that had either crawled out from hell or fallen from the sky.
Haunters dont move so actively. What is he?
A haunter that has both physical and mental abilities? Its what we are looking for. Hm, hes quite amazing. I heard that Frenchmen have good manners, maybe Ill ask him out on a date. Hmm!
That mantis of a b****.
Adam ignored Matilda, who was twisting her lower body while humming. From being tempted by a similar situation, at least five men in Langley had their cheeks slapped and lower bits almost removed.
Samanda Matilda was the manager of the Information Investigations Division and an expert negotiator. She was a beauty who turned heads and also a killing machine who could murder 10 Green Berets at once. He did not want to become her sixth casualty.
A haunterdamn.
His mouth turned sour. His managers speculation of Abbadon being a haunter made sense. Otherwise, it was unexplainable. Adams chest felt stuffy. The haunters psychic ability was amazing, but his combat power was unknown. Even the haunters in Area 51 couldnt enter the battlefield because of internal malfunctions.
Even if he did receive fire support, one haunter b*stard had wiped out the impregnable Aloadin fortress and turned it into a wasteland. Only a haunter who moved with active precision could bring about such absurd results.
Even Rambo Sylvester Stallone would cry at the appearance of the trained hitman, no, trained terrorist. The impact on the cuckoos nest was already a problem, but a being like the Abbadon would be a burden forever.
Director, we dont have the time to discuss Abbadons identity right now. We need to pull out the cuckoos nest, even in its broken state.
Matilda directed Adams attention to a more significant problem. A failed operation had to be quickly resolved to avoid external attacks.
We cant move now as long as Assads chopsticks remain on the table. Are there any humans on our side in Kaparja?
Bee
The interphone interrupted their conversation. Adams face wrinkled while listening to the interphone.
Got it.
Bang
Adam slammed down the phone.
Matilda, the b*stard really blew up the missile camp.
What? The missile camp!
This time, Matilda was surprised. Assads chopsticks possessed an amazing security system, but the Third Airborne Brigade had protected them. It was hard to believe that the ANO was attacked and that a regular air defense military base would collapse in such a short time.
This is a big deal. France can now shove their Mirage freely in Syrias northern regions. Assad wont be able to curry any favor with France. Hehe, how do I report to the Enforcement Division that a part of the Socrates Project had failed?
Adam fumbled around as he started losing his patience. The Socrates Project was part of Reagans executive core plan to push for Pax Americana.
The Socrates Projects purpose was to study the flow of disruptive technology which would help control the enemies, and to respond properly to the depletion of fossil resources including oil. In other words, it meant exploiting the Third Worlds resources, filling Americas stomach, and developing technology that would crush b*stards who dont listen to them. The Socrates Project was just an excuse to be a bully.
The cuckoos nest was a part of the Socrates Project. Attorney general Davis was someone who could have a private meeting with the president at any time. He visualized the attorney generals face.
Report the truth. You will get a nosebleed if you try to wriggle your way out of this.
Hoo, Davis will be hopping mad.
Attorney general Davis is an impatient person. If the report is late, he will release a hurricane from his mouth. Director, youll fly away like a dandelion seed.
Well, I suppose thats true.
Adam smiled bitterly. The cuckoos nest, which theyd invested in for three years, were gone. Assad was missing his teeth and claws. Now, they wouldnt dare touch Frances share of the north-east oil fields.
30,000,000 dollars worth of operation fees were scattered across Syrias desolated lands. There was a shortage of information for a report that had to be urgently written. If he reported that an unidentifiable entity named Abbadon had ruined the project, the swivel chair beneath his rear would disappear.
Theres not enough information. There are always limitations when it comes to machines. Do you think Shire and Dyson are still alive?
Those two are nothing but sadists. Theres no use in them being alive, Matilda snapped.
The two operatives leased from the DIA had created problems across several difficult operations. She had to wash the dishes every time they created problems. She was sick of them.
Matilda, you cant trust machines too much. They are competent agents. Their role is to acquire the ANOs leaders and Syrias powers. The most important point of an engagement operation isnt the agent themselves. The target is the key point. If the target is a terrorist and a sadist, the agent should reflect on those characteristics. Sharing the same goals with the target can help earn trust and achieve a sense of unity. Shire and Dyson shared Abu Nidals ideals and were awakened to the reality that they needed external help. We dug through those cracks, and that was the first step of our operation. Morals and ethics arent worth anything as much as a mans nipples. You must not forget that these human operatives are the reason why our company still exists.
Ugh, yes, why not?
Matilda shivered at Adams admiration for the theories of human rights. They were in a world where they looked at the ground from the sky every day and listened to the conversations in the Syrian presidents office from Langleys office. The era of human intelligence had passed, leaving a world of zeros and ones. To her, human intelligence was purely secondary.
Matilda, humans are the subject of intelligence. I know youre capable, but youll lose the core if you rely too much on machines.
Yes, I get it. Send out a consultant to manage the scene, if you can. Abbadon appeared and wiped out the cuckoos nest. We cant report that now, can we?
Your head would be gone first if we do
and the wheels on your chair would give out.
Stop talking about those wheels and send out the Blackbird immediately. Use the KeyHole to track down the guy.
Well have three KeyHole channels focused on Syria. Director, you can support me by assigning the DIA shadows instead of psychopaths like Shire and Dyson, Matilda persisted on the issue.
It was a hysterical response from an old woman in her mid-30s. Adam gradually found the lively face before him annoying.
Right. Ill support you as much as I can. If you dont catch that b*stard, Ill fire you first before the wheels on my chair give out.
Yes, yes, of course, you would. Ill drag Abbadon over in a dogs leash.
Matilda left the office, licking her red lips. It remained unclear if she could put a leash around Black Mamba.
Adam kept Zaituns existence a secret from Matilda. Zaitun was the best consultant whom the CIA could operate. To control Assad, he was necessary. A consultant had the authority to move independently. He only contacted the headquarters when needed. Adam would never have imagined Zaituns death.
F****** hell!
Bang
The innocent desk was kicked away. The wrong guy had shown up to disturb the cuckoos nest, which had been progressing smoothly. Protecting Syrias oil rights, excursion from Frances control, and preventing the Soviet Unions expansion into the Middle Eastall three bluebirds had flown away from his hands. The executive secretary position that hed been anticipating, along with his current position, was at risk.
Abbadon, Ill peel off your skin for sure.
He gritted his teeth and lit his cigar. His determination to stop smoking collapsed in a week.
[In Damascus Tishreen presidential palace]
My apologies, your excellency!
Bansiri performed a deep bow after he finished his report. Assad didnt say a word. His gaze was fixated outside the window, somewhere beyond his office. Outside his window, the star above the minaret shone brightly. When he entered the presidential palace, he had sworn on a star above the minaret that hed make Syria a strong country and drive away external influences. The reality was still a gutter. All kinds of thoughts swirled in his head.
The reason why he feared the Muslim Brotherhood wasnt because of their power but because of their dangerous ideals. Pan-Islamism was an empty ideal, but the foolish Sunnis were easily swayed by it. They fixated too much on the Qurans verse, You were sorted in classes.
They idealized a world dominated by the Sunnis. The classes they wanted to solidify were the ruling Sunni faction and the lower-class non-Sunni faction. That was a prayer he couldnt accept.
Whether they were a Sunni, Shiite, or Alawites, they were all people and citizens of Syria. They were in a country that had been weakened and torn apart by external forces. He wanted to create a strong country with well-off citizens. Realistically, it wasnt as easy. Endless obstacles emerged. After a long period of silence, Assad finally opened his mouth.
Abu, my child, I know you well. You tried your best. Did you say the b*stard is an Iblis[3]?
Yes, your excellency, Im sure he is an Iblis made of fire. Your excellencys wealth and warriors were burned down. Your finest warriors had their waists sliced and necks cut by a swing of the b*stards fire whip. I still cannot believe it!
Abu Bansiri was overflowing with tears. He was angry and pained. Hed barely managed to escape after losing 1,000 of Allahs warriors. He could vividly hear Jarkawis tormented screams as though it had followed him. If it hadnt been for Jarkawi, he wouldve been torn to pieces by the Iblis whip.
[1] Psychic.
[2] A slender tower with a balcony, typically part of a mosque.
[3] A name that referred to the primary devil in Islam.
Chapter 249 - Episode 1: I Toll The Bell For Myself
Although he looked indifferent, Assad felt a grating pain inside. The ANO was the first bloody organization founded by religious maniacs. They were the hyenas who would make their way into France and Turkey in three days. Hed lost 1,000 of his completely concealed fangs. There was no point in crying over spilled milk. Assad decided to be brave.
Allah! Please receive your slaves in heaven.
He reassured himself by blessing those who had died. With his temper, he would have executed Bansiri, but Bansiri was the leader of the military that he was raising after all.
Lieutenant colonel Abu, calm down. What do you think is the mans purpose? No, who was that man?
Dealing with the situation was important, but he had to punish the intruder in order to reinforce his authority as the president. The Sunnis couldnt even breathe after he had dropped the napalm bombs across Hama city. That was the true face of those who governed. Despite talking their heads off, they kept their mouths shut when they were forced to abide.
From my worthless knowledge, your excellency, the b*stard is a human weapon. It was difficult to distinguish his race since he was moving too fast. The countries in question are Turkey, Israel, France, and the U.S.
HmTurkey and Israel are not capable. If the mans identity is a human weapon, he must have jumped out from Mojave Desert of Area 51 or Arago cave. Yankees are evil, but they dont have a reason to betray me since were alliances. Is Mitterrand the target? Assad muttered.
A qisas wont be enough. We have to control the b*stard with thar. Weve lost our main power, but the Black September Organization led by Samrin is still safe. I will devote the rest of my life to ruin those difdi?a[1]. I swear this by Allahs name and you, your excellency. I, Abu Bansiri, and the ancestors of the Bansiri family will keep to this oath! Bansiri shouted confidently.
Mentioning his ancestors meant that he committed himself and his entire family. He was not a daft terrorist. He was a terrorist sworn under beliefs and self-will. He had already lost 1,000 subordinates. He no longer had any regrets in life. Bansiri raised his determination through fear and anger.
Difdi?a, I will cut off your waist, slice your neck open, and break your chest.
Bansiris eyes burned with a vengeance.
Just thinking of the two eyes that burned like fire, and the whip that cut through his subordinates made him mad and scared at the same time. Any average person would have lost their mind due to acute PTSD[2].
Bansiri didnt view fear as an obstacle. Fear could be avoided. He couldnt go against a b*stard who wasnt human. However, he could annihilate the b*stards country and wipe out his clan. That would push him into the depths of despair.
Bansiris twisted desire for revenge was directed towards France and the people surrounding Black Mamba. It was about to be a bloody thar.
Qisas was a method of revenge mentioned in the Quran. It was similar to the talion principle recorded in the Code of Hammurabi. Life had to be repaid with another life. The perpetrator had to pay for their sins by recompensing a loss with an equivalent loss. However, qisas only applied to the perpetrator and their family. It was a tradition that limited the possibility of reckless revenge.
Thar was subjected to the perpetrators family and anyone else involved. It was an act of blood revenge. The tradition of thar was deeply rooted in the Arab world.
Retribution against ones family members most certainly led to a vicious cycle of revenge. After killing one another, the victims and perpetrators would often become entangled. The cause disappeared, leaving behind nothing but hatred and grudge.
With the uprising of thar, a fight between families would turn into a fight between tribes before escalating into doctrinal debates and sectarian conflicts. The endless dispute between the Sunnis and Shiites stemmed from the tradition of thar. Perhaps, the cruelty of thar existed in the background of Jesus cry for love and forgiveness.
Of course. Ive ordered the Third Airborne Brigade to kill him. You will assassinate Samrin and conquer the Black September Organization. Turn difdi?as hideout into Jahannam[3].
Yes, your excellency. I will devote my life.
Bansiri pledged to carry out the blood revenge and bowed three times before disappearing. Assad spoke of assassination and ruthless terrorism despite being the president of a country. Perhaps, it might be due to the fact that he was a direct descendent of Aloadin[4], who also committed blood revenge and indiscriminate assassinations.
Assads expression didnt loosen up even after Bansiri had left. The loss of ANOs special forces was painful, but there was a bigger problem. Besides the Northern Strategic Air Defense Force, there was a biological and chemical weapons storage facility in Kaparja Valley. It wouldve been ideal if the b*stards actual target was the ANO.
No, he wouldnt be able to. Ive no choice but to trust lieutenant general Wahid Latif and brigadier general Massud.
Assads anxiety didnt disappear. He had suppressed the Sunnis by turning Hama into a sea of fire, which solidified his power. It seemed like he was walking on a stable bridge, but the Muslim Brotherhood had acted up, and an unknown monster had appeared. It was like a nail protruding from a carpet. The discomfort didnt disappear. He didnt know that the very person who had kicked the Muslim Brotherhood was the Iblis.
Hadjer, are you there?
Yes, your excellency!
A middle-aged man with a khanjar and shamshir on both sides of his waist appeared like the wind.
Send an urgent message to the second army. Tell them to block Turkeys borders completely. Particularly, set up a double net in the direction toward Hatay Province and north of Maydanki Lake. Order brigadier general Massud to move quickly.
Your excellency, there wont be any problem in Lebanon, right? The difdi?a might have left a high-speed boat on Lebanons coast and a submarine offshore. If the Iblis escapes on a high-speed boat and gets on the difdi?as submarine
The head of the Presidential Guard shared a plausible scenario. It was the most realistic escape route. Assad cut off Hadjer mid-sentence.
Hehehe, if the Third Airborne Regiment is a hammer, the second is its anvil. I want the anvil to chase down the Iblis to Lebanon. Can you guess the reason?
Your subordinate is not capable of reading the mind of a noble soul, your excellency.
Hadjer tried to be as modest and respectful as possible. One could only live long enough by ignoring the intentions of those in power. Ones thoughts could be revealed in a single misstep, after all. Of course, his true intention was to become a powerful leader. A dictator feared smart aides. Hadjer could stay by Assads side for five years because he had displayed the right amount of stupidity and exchanged pleasant commentaries.
Hehehe, the b*stard burned 1,000 special forces members to death. I will also burn him to death. There will be an immediate war if napalm bombs are dropped near Turkeys border. Lebanon is our backyard. Ill chase him there and turn him into a difdi?a roast with napalm bombs. Hadjer, command the Third Fighter Wing to keep two bombers on standby. Ill be sure to check if that flying b*stard is an Iblis or a frog roast.
Thats incredible, your excellency. Your subordinate is amazed by your plans. Allah-hu Akbar!
The head of the Presidential Guard hurried out of the office to fulfill his orders.
Allah, please do not test your servant. Please have mercy on Syria.
Assad kneeled and sincerely prayed. Three rounds of Bismillah went by, but he still didnt stand.
Even Hafez Assad himself could not escape the notion of common sense despite being a hero of his time. He could never have imagined the prestigious Arab world that he dreamt of would be upended by a presence outside his field of knowledge. Those who stood on the opposite spectrum of Black Mamba never had a good ending. That was why people were advised to avoid tenacious b*stards since old times.
[Paris Rue Saint-Dominique, No. 14, the DGSEs Headquarters Strategic Operations Office.]
Director, theres good news and bad news.
Manager Ariba glanced at Bonipas. Bonipas always received the bad news first. Black Mamba was the only exception. He always reacted sensitively if Black Mamba was involved, regardless if it was good news or bad news.
Black Mamba?
As expected, the core of the message revealed itself immediately. Ariba laughed silently.
Yes!
If its him, tell me the good news first. If my heart stops beating after hearing the bad news first, Ill have to suffer the ill fate of not hearing the good news.
Bonipas drank the cup of water before him with gusto, as though he wasnt joking moments ago. It sounded like one, but Ariba understood his boss well. Black Mamba was a moving natural disaster. Matters involving him always distressed their hearts.
Its a real-time report from an agent dispatched to Kaparja. An explosion occurred in Kaparja Valley.
Of course. Black Mamba himself is unpredictable. So?
Multiple explosions are confirmed to be seen, four kilometers outside of the range. The entire valley has turned into a sea of fire. From the explosions range and its recurrence, it is presumed that Black Mamba has erased every single target. He might have blown up the power plant too.
Hmmph! Hooo.
Bonipas exhaled for a long time after struggling to breathe for a second. Hed expected it but didnt realize that it would actually be destroyed. That Black Mamba b*stard was truly a moving natural disaster. He didnt question whether the report was real. Attempting to understand a human that was beyond common sense would just torment his brain.
Woo, huhuhu, Assads neck will fall. Thats impossible with the number of explosives Black Mamba has. How did he do it? I cant ask the Yankees for satellite images, how frustrating.
Since France didnt own any advanced security system like the Blackbird or Dragon Lady, they had to rely on human intelligence. France only launched the Helios 1 reconnaissance satellite in July 1995. On the other hand, the DGSEs ability to gather human intelligence surpassed the CIAs.
The last explosion was a massive one that raised a black mushroom cloud 400 meters into the sky. Its strength was about a small nuclear bomb.
Hoo, he could have stolen a nuclear bag from Iran, who knows? Whats the point of guessing when hes someone beyond common sense? I should contact the central bank and prepare his money. Whats the bad news?
We lost contact with Zaitun.
Zaitun?
Bonipas tilted his head. The head of the DGSE had no idea about the local informants identity.
Hes Black Mambas guide.
What!
Bonipas trembled. He was so surprised that he landed on his feet. The loss of an informant mostly referred to their death. However, this was not just about losing a local informant. The problem was that the informant had guided Black Mamba. His long years of experience sounded an alarm in his head.
Was he problematic?
Bonipas immediately pointed out the main issue.
Probably. There was a case where a tester overlooked a negative response from a lie detector. You witnessed it during the Chad mission. Black Mambas the type to look after his people. Hes not the type to put a guide at risk. He probably found a problem with the guide and eliminated him. The person-in-charge was detained and questioned immediately.
Manager Ariba handed him a brief report with a summary of all the important points. The serpent would swallow him instantly if he gave a lengthy explanation.
Hmm, Im turning mad.
Bonipas cradled his head. He had nothing to say about the Chad mission since he had purposefully leaked the information. But this time, he was really stabbed in the back.
Is he a double agent from the CIA?
Nothing has been confirmed.
Aribas answer was positive. The DGSE Intelligence Division had already noticed the CIAs involvement. The Ruman plan had a hidden purpose, which was to stop Americas shameless attempts at landing their spoon on Frances table. That was also the reason for rushing the Ruman plan.
Nimi Jotto, problems always arise despite Black Mambas overwhelming achievements.
Bonipas was influenced by Black Mambas frequent use of Korean swear words. It was subtly stimulating and felt great once it left his mouth.
Bonipas collapsed into his chair. Black Mambas involvement was top secret. There was no chance that the CIA would notice the Ruman plan. However, it was likely that a regional consultant would tackle Black Mamba based on their own judgment.
Do you think Black Mamba was attacked?
Impossible. Hes Black Mamba. Hes probably running this way to grind and drink our blood.
B*stard, dont scare me. Bonipas glared.
Comedy would turn into tragedy, and tragedy would turn into comedy as long as it concerned Black Mamba. He could never forget Miguel and Tanshes tragic endings. A big problem had emerged on top of the fact that the Dvina had attacked in the wrong location. His self-preservation instinct went wild.
Call the inspector general over, and youcheck all the informants statuses right away. Constantly check on Kaparjas situation too.
Bonipas dragged out a puff of his cigarette. There was no beginning or end when it came to a fight between two intelligence agencies. It was a fight in the dark where one bit another. There wasnt a need or a reason to curse the CIA. The one deceived was the idiot. To be precise, hed drunk a cup of water while the CIA had consumed a lake. The Syrian plan was jeopardized.
Hehehe, good for you, you damn Yankees.
His mouth, which had been hanging from ear to ear, slowly returned to its natural position. The problem was that the cup of water he had drunk was extremely sweet. He could almost see the incoming predator with his glowing eyes.
What do I need to give him this time?
He had to feed the predator to appease him. Bonipas concerns piled up.
An unexpected storm broke out in Kaparja Valley.
Woooosh
The atmosphere was rapidly sucked into the Berkut camps vacuum. The surroundings grew dark. As a result, branches, grass, and leaves floated around and blocked the sunlight.
Haaa, I almost died.
Five minutes later, the terrible storm stopped, and rubbles poured down like rain. Black Mamba shook his head and shivered after scanning the area. The valley, which used to glow in blue, turned into a crazy womans messy hair. The entire valley was covered in dark ash and dust, as though a small volcano had erupted. There were rubbles everywhere.
I went too far, I admit. Why cant I hear anything?
He couldnt hear the sound of birds or insects. The entire world was quiet as though he had entered a vacuum.
Huh!
[1] An Arabic term for frogs. An Arabic reference for French people that has the same meaning as b*stards who eat frogs. Americans use the word cocksucker more than frogs.
[2] Post-traumatic stress disorder.
[3] Hell.
Chapter 250 - Episode 2: I Toll The Bell For Myself
He couldnt hear the birds. The sleeping birds had been struck with lightning on a clear day. Some birds had turned into mush because of the debris, some birds had ruptured organs because of the explosion, and some birds were scattered around the valleys floor because the aftershock had swept it away. Those that were still alive struggled to keep its beaks open. There was no way that it was yawning.
The world wasnt quiet; He just had his own problems. Now that he thought about it, he couldnt hear any of the words hed said. His ears were deafened. He pushed his pinky into his earhole and stirred it. Blood was smeared on his fingertip.
Nimi Jotto, this is what happens.
His eardrums had been affected by the explosions blast waves. A slight headache followed. His ears started ringing as though a bee had entered and stung it. Following that, other parts of his body started complaining of pain. There was a large bump on his head, and despite suffering from several burns, the pain only rushed in later.
Thank god.
He welcomed the pain. It was a good reaction, which meant that his senses were awakening. Pain was an evolutionary mechanism that protected the body.
He twisted into a lotus position on the spot. He controlled his mind using the mind centering technique and built up his resonance to heal his injured organs. His immediate priority was to recover his unstable body senses. Without his senses, Black Mamba was no better than a missile with a broken radar.
Boom
An intense vibration spread across the valley. Black Mamba, who was in the lotus position, didnt even move. His physical senses hadnt returned yet. He felt dizzy, as though the sky and earth had switched places. A floating sensation overcame his body.
Two types of faults created earthquakes. A deep fault zone resulted in large-scale earthquakes while a surface fault zone resulted in small earthquakes. Kaparja Valley came to be a long time ago due to the changes of a normal fault zone, which led to the formation of a hanging wall block.
The terrain of a small strike-slip fault creep, which sat above a deep fault zone, was Kaparja Valley. For this kind of fault zone, a minuscule amount of impact on the deep fault zone in its core resulted in immense surface changes.
When a reverse fault zone or a normal fault zone which slid downward vertically received large impacts on its surface, the ground would change, making it more noticeable. Finding it was quicker too. A strike-slip fault, however, didnt change the surface as much.
Kaparjas lower block had been moving side-to-side, five millimeters a year, since ages ago. Because it was a strike-slip fault that moved side-to-side instead of a normal fault dip, it was hard to notice without any long-term examination. No one knew that Kaparja Valley was created from a normal fault zone, either. The right cliff of 100 meters tall was the footwall block.
The constant impacts from the explosions blast waves aggravated the core of the deep active fault zone. A stable deep active fault zone didnt even move after receiving the impact of tons of explosives. However, Kaparja Valley had an unstable deep active fault zone.
The plate, which had received tensile stress, slipped straight down. By the whiplash effect, the small movement in the deep focus fault left a massive impact on the surface fault zone.
A fault required a lot of energy to displace, but once its surface started to misalign, the rocks slid down instantly. Earthquakes usually occurred at that very moment.
Not all active fault zones were dangerous. A fault zone where a recent earthquake had occurred was considered safe. An inactive fault zone that had accumulated a lot of energy for a long time was a feared presence. Black Mamba, who had been playing with fire, finally pulled the trigger of Kaparjas active fault zone. The surface of the fault zone sank three to four meters.
Boom
This time, the ground shook. It was an aggressive vibration that twisted his body.
Ha! Is there still anything left to explode?
Amidst calming down his internal injuries, Black Mambas meditation dissolved. Unfortunately, Black Mamba had simply considered the vibration as another explosion. He patted his ringing ears as he climbed up the valley. The valley became narrower. The dam wasnt far.
Four kilometers upstream from the Berkut missile camp, a rockfill dam blocked the narrow valley of 40 meters wide. A rockfill dam was stacked with stones so that it could withstand the waters load and filled up with concrete to reinforce the cutoff wall. The structure was resistant to the pressure of water flowing horizontally but vulnerable to the pressure of water flowing vertically.
Craaaack
The cutoff wall started cracking because of the collapsing hanging wall block.
Creeeaaak
The footwall block, which had been supporting the dams lower structure as a bedrock, started sliding down. A distance of over three meters was made between the cliff on the right side and the valleys rift surface.
A rockfill dam maintained a stable position with the weight of the dam itself. However, if the lower weight fell into disarray, it could no longer withstand the horizontal water pressure. There were at least three tons of water collected from the rainfall.
Crack
The center of the dam, which failed to overcome the horizontal water pressure, snapped open.
Bang
The dam of 20 meters tall exploded out at once. 300,000,000 tons of water, which were trapped within, roared. The small and large rocks that made up the dam flew into the air like leaves. The water dragon that had found its freedom jumped up to a height of 30 meters.
Roooar
The water dragons roar shook the valley.
Cling
The intake screen flew away like a piece of paper. 0.1 second later, the water wheel flew away, and water rushed over the power plant.
The power plant was overcome by the tremendous pressure like a biscuit crushed under feet. Following its demise, the electrical substation was destroyed.
Crack
Crack
Sparks scattered across the waters surface almost instantaneously. The entire transformer was uprooted. It didnt take two seconds for the remaining traces of the power plant to be erased.
The workers in the power plant knew nothing. The water dragon struck 20 humans at dawn while they were sleeping. On top of that, the water dragon chewed apart their fragile bodies after throwing them into the air. Their organs ruptured from the water pressure, and their heads were crushed by the rocks and concrete that rushed toward them at the speed of sound. They returned to Allahs side without feeling any pain.
The valleys upstream, which was barely 40 to 60 meters, couldnt withstand the water dragon.
Woosh
The water dragon, which overflowed the valley of 100 meters deep, poured down at 50 meters per second. Even rocks the size of houses were swept away by the water like autumn leaves. The same went for trees. Trees were uprooted, and its bodies split apart from being swept away by the water storm.
Uh-h!
The ground rose and fell. Black Mamba nearly collapsed from losing his balance. That wasnt a good sign. He felt something strangling his entire body. He didnt know what it was, and hed never experienced it before.
An earthquake!
Black Mamba slapped his forehead a little too late with his palm. Hed created inertia from the continuous explosions. He thought that the ground shaking was an obvious consequence of his fireplay. If his dimensional sight had been unimpaired, he would have realized the problem earlier.
He suddenly remembered the upstream dam. What if the dam collapsed? An earthquake wasnt the problem. His mind flashed into action. A wary gaze turned to the cliffs on both sides of the valley. The valleys width was barely 200 meters, and the height of both cliffs was about 100 to 120 meters. The plan to blow up the dam disappeared from his mind.
Hed be buried if the upstream dam exploded and crushed if the cliffs collapsed. The trauma from being crushed under the Mungyeong Silver Mines coal mountain in his middle school years rushed back. His liver shrunk into the size of a pea.
It took at least three minutes to climb the cliff of over 100 meters high. What if the cliff collapsed during his climb? Hed become a fly struck by a fly swatter. Unless he enacted the bodys ki weight decreasing skill like those mentioned in martial arts novels, he wouldnt be able to escape the disaster.
Ah!
Black Mamba screamed while actively looking for an escape route.
Kuuuuu
A water wall was approaching. It was a mad water dragon. The water, which filled the entire valley even as it rushed down, was at least 50 meters tall. His mind went blank.
Aaaaaaah!
The Paranthropus cells roared as it sensed a threat. Adrenaline gushed. Two pairs of strong vacuums sucked in oxygen as fast as it could. Blood, which flowed 10 times faster, raced through his veins at 50 meters per second.
The cells that were supplied with plenty of oxygen released ATP in large amounts.
Voom
Voom
The atmosphere around his body shook. His strength doubled. The dense muscle fibers contracted energetically. Black Mamba jumped to the right cliff at the speed of light. He skipped over 30 meters in one jump.
Flick
Flick
It wasnt the fearless steps or anything else. He crossed 100 meters in four jumps and attached himself to the cliff. The water wall was right before him. The pressure of the wind against the water wall hit his body first.
The American black bear climbed trees very well despite weighing over 100 kilograms. The secret to its climbing skill was its strong shoulder muscles. With its strong shoulder muscles, it could drive a toenail of three centimeters long into a tree and pull its body up as if it was jumping. On the other hand, the honey badger used its sharp claws that were almost 10 centimeters long and leg strength to climb trees. Black mamba was a combination of the American black bear and the honey badger.
Uah!
He used up a lifetimes worth of strength. He jumped up 25 meters and attached himself onto the cliff. He planted his fingers onto the cliff. He raised his body with muscles that were 30 times stronger than a humans. He jumped up 20 meters at one go.
Crash
When he was about to jump once more, the water wall crashed over him.
Aaah!
A desperate scream was heard, which was unlike Black Mamba. The roaring water buried his scream. Was the impact comparable to being hit with a large hammer by the legendary Titans? His intestines twisted.
Crack
The rock hed been holding crumbled.
In the presence of nature, Black Mamba was nothing but a stray leaf. The turbulent currents immediately swallowed him amidst his screaming. All that remained in his hand were crushed pieces of rocks.
50 meters per second was equivalent to 180 kilometers per hour. A wind speed of 50 meters per second could blow away a human. What would become of a human who was swept away by the currents moving at the same speed?
Even veteran divers would give up diving if the currents flow rate was three knots or more (1.6 meters per second). If it wasnt for the Paranthropus body, his limbs would have torn apart at the moment of impact.
The raging currents crashed down at the speed of a sports car running on the autobahn. Black Mamba couldnt regain his senses. He was swung around by the roaring water dragon and couldnt tell the sky apart from the ground. However, there was something far scarier than the turbulent currents.
As if fired from a catapult or a ballista, rocks and logs that were swept away by the currents rushed at him. A direct hit meant immediate death.
Crack
Bang
Even in his confused state, he instinctively crushed the rocks and logs that were rushing toward him.
At this rate, he would turn into a dead water spirit. He struggled to move his hands and feet. He still couldnt swim even after his rear had been kicked several times by the swimming instructor in the Mediterranean. It was impossible to outmaneuver a water dragon in the first place. He was barely avoiding and pushing away the obstacles instead.
Riip
His helmets chin strap tore. The helmet disappeared in a flash. Black Mamba didnt even realize a piece of his protection gear had disappeared.
He tried to float back up to the waters surface, but it didnt work. The strong currents bounced, flipped, and moved him around like a ball. He couldnt even locate the waters surface.
Black Mamba widened his eyes. He knew hed die if he continued to move along the currents. He activated the separated disconnection skill of the combined repetitive expelling theory. He pressed the tip of his tongue on the roof of his mouth and stiffened his perineum muscles. He willingly circulated the ki inside his body around the conception vessel and lung meridian. He could only become one with the water after he calmed his heart. He could only walk on a thin line of hope after he figured the waters movement. He barely got into position.
Ugh!
A strong impact was inflicted on his back when he tried to ride the currents using his resonance. His sight turned blurry. Hed consumed a mouthful of water during the attack. He lost his balance. A wooden branch around his body size was secured onto a strap of his backpack
Strip
The strap that was made of Kevlar and aramid fibers tore.
Rumble
The log, which scraped his back, flowed down with the currents. If it had hit him directly, he would have died. He felt a chill in his heart.
The currents also ripped the backpacks waist and chest straps. There were emergency rations, chocolates, and weapons in the backpack. Black Mamba quickly reached for it. However, he caught hold of the Gorgons handle instead of the backpack. The backpack, which had persisted with him through life and death situations, disappeared. Now wasnt the time to mourn its loss when he was about to die.
Danger approached the vulnerable being who had lost his helmet and backpack.
Bang bang
The objects floating on the water continuously banged onto his head and back. He didnt have time to avoid all of it when he was being swept away. The moment he avoided a large log, a shadow crossed him.
Crack
A strong impact landed on the back of his head.
Mother!
He lost his consciousness.
A transformer, which was the size of a mid-sized refrigerator, hit the back of Black Mambas head and disappeared. It was the power plants symbol of resistance after it had received a sudden attack.
150 seconds had passed since the dams explosion. The water rushed down eight kilometers and reached a point that was one kilometer away from Ruman. The Berkuts storage centers were located there.
Rumble
Water was forcefully pulled into the crevice of a collapsed cliff. Black Mamba was also pulled in by the undercurrent. Perhaps it was retribution for ending so many lives. Black Mamba, who was swept away by the currents, fell underground through the wide slot of the cliffs surface. The water dragon, which had confined the evil, rushed steadily into the lower streams.
Syrias Third Airborne Brigade independent advance team had moved with the nights help. Brigadier general Massud, who had received the presidents orders, took the lead in a T-62 tank. He was running out of patience from losing contact with a helicopter.
Three T-62 tanks, which were known as the king of melee, and three T-55s led the way with a roar. Three BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles and 50 trucks followed. The trucks were packed with armed soldiers, to the point that movement was limited.
It was a large-scale advance team that involved 1,800 members out of 5,200 brigade members. Brigadier general Massuds orders were to mobilize the brigades reserve vehicles and to commandeer common transportations.
Chapter 251 - I Toll The Bell For Myself
Jamal hadnt forgotten his duties. Firstly, he had to protect his masters wealth, and secondly, he had to increase his masters wealth. The problem was that his master had disappeared after throwing aside the backpack. The items in it were obvious. It wouldnt be that heavy unless there was gold. If the wealth landed in the hands of those b*stards because of his negligence, it would mean trouble.
At an early age, Jamal had chosen to become a terrorist because he was passionate. Thanks to his master, he had snapped back into reality. He had felt empty as though he had woken up from a midsummer nights dream. Why did he believe that killing and torturing others was a pathway to heaven? He considered himself pathetic for spending eight years in a madmans organization. Once again, he was grateful to his master for introducing him to the wheel of life.
Whether or not the Hind, which his master had defeated, sent an SOS to the Brigades headquarters, the Third Airborne Brigade was bound to rush in. Brigadier general Massud was an Alawites with a temper. He should be on his way by now.
Kindall B-zone was one of the routes into the valley. It would become an invasion route if the Third Airborne Brigade brought along tanks. Jamal was determined to relocate the backpack filled with gold.
When am I going to move all this? Should I be thankful that the backpacks safe since it was buried under those rocks?
Jamal sighed at the sight of the mountain of rocks. The rocks, which had shattered from the ANOs bombardment, shielded the backpack. His liver shrunk at the b*stards heated cannonade and accurate sniping. He was well aware of the Aloadin warriors combat power. He suddenly found his master rather impressive for destroying them.
Jamal took one hour to move all the rocks. His palms were sore, and his back ached since he had done so in a hurry.
Hmph!
He tried lifting the backpack, but as he had expected, it didnt move. Even a donkey would have struggled with such weight. His master was certainly not a human being since he had run around with it on his back. He wasnt Ddu-bai-buru-pa. The only way to move it was to divide the load.
A yellow light radiated when he opened the bag.
Gold!
Jamal inhaled. It was the first gold bar he had ever seen. There was a vast difference between imagining it and seeing it for himself. The backpack was full of documents, shimmering gold, and stacks of dollars, which sum was inestimable.
Jamal unconsciously looked around. His heart raced unnecessarily. As expected of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, he didnt care and had thrown the large sum away like it was a pebble. Where could he move it? His mind raced.
Aha! The raccoons cave!
He suddenly remembered. In Kindall D-zone, which was slightly higher than Kindall B-zone, there was a raccoons cave that only he knew. Last winter, hed caught a raccoon, built a fire by the caves entrance, and eaten it. Raccoons were sly and chose the most unpredictable places as its emergency exit. To carefully spot the emergency exit, he had to smoke in its hideout. It was the only time he had truly enjoyed himself, all while living a life embracing messed-up virtues.
The raccoons emergency exit was inconspicuous and didnt get wet even when it rained. It was the best place to hide the backpack. Jamal divided the weight into amounts that he could carry and moved back and forth. He managed to complete the task after crossing a distance of 700 meters, seven times.
Jamal, who had fallen asleep due to exhaustion, woke up to an explosion. The sea of fire and the dark-red pillars of fire, which filled the valley, had to be his masters work. Jamal rapidly pressed on the cameras shutter.
Familiar with the terrain, he climbed up the cliffs side and continued to take long-distance photos. The problem was the severity of the explosion. Mushroom clouds soared endlessly, and pillars of fire filled the valley. Of course, the ground shook. It was an earthquake. There was a dam upstream. He grew concerned for his masters safety. He desperately prayed, but the dam exploded. An unimaginable amount of water poured out.
His master was in the currents, which seemed like it was swallowing the world. Jamals reasoning skill vanished from his mind. He could only stare blankly at the currents overcoming the entire valley. There was nothing he could do.
Master isnt human. Hes Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Jamal gritted his teeth. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was Allahs apostle. Even natural disasters couldnt break him. Who else could he trust if he didnt trust his own master? Jamal captured a few photos and turned around. His job was to protect his masters wealth and to wait for him.
Hurry up! Massud shouted into the communications device.
The leading tank struggled as it had fallen into a pool of mud. Two T-62s were busily attempting to pull it out with ropes.
Ugh, this damned rain!
Massud blamed the innocent sky. Hed departed immediately after receiving orders to move quickly from the Presidential Palace, but problems surfaced everywhere. The Third Airborne Brigade stationed in Smad was originally tasked to defend Aleppo. Their attempts to depart the day before had been delayed due to the Muslim Brotherhoods attacks.
Hed sent ahead two precious Hinds, but they had not been responding. The problem was the muddy road. A trip that would have taken less than two hours to Kaparja had extended indefinitely. Massud, who had lost two precious helicopters, was in a rush. In Black Mambas perspective, the plan to provoke the Muslim Brotherhood was a godsend.
With three tanks lumped together, the entire battalion had to be on standby. He grew frustrated since the advance was delayed because of the First Tank Platoon. Their primary weapon, the T-62, was causing problems.
A tank platoon usually consisted of four units. That way, they could move in two units and switch between offensive and defensive roles while on the move. Despite possessing four T-62 tanks and four T-55 tanks, the Third Airborne Brigade formed three units. It was due to a lack of parts and maintenance problems.
Massud turned to look at the BMP-1. It was a fighting vehicle that had nothing desirable in terms of mobility, transportation capacity, and firepower. Its weak defense was the only reason why he held it back from leading. Massud wasted time, unable to do anything.
The concept of infantry fighting vehicles had originated from the Soviet Union. The first product they had developed was the BTR-152, which earned the stigma of a metal can. The Western world and the Eastern Bloc had only laughed at the BTR-152. Unwilling to stand down, the Soviet Union had introduced the BMP-1 in 1966, which utilized cutting edge military technology. From then on, the BMP-1 solidified the concept of infantry fighting vehicles.
The Soviet Union had been concerned about their advanced technology leaking. Since the Soviet Union had been reluctant to send the BMP-1 abroad, only Syria and Egypt possessed the vehicle in the Middle East. The Soviet Union had provided the BMP-1 to Syria and Egypt for testing during the 1973 Yom Kippur War[1].
In the Valley of Tears Battle, allied Egyptian and Syrian forces had raided the Israel forces. The main character of the battle was the BMP-1. The U.S. had been taken aback by the performance of the infantry fighting vehicle, which name was made known in the Valley of Tears. It was also the reason why the U.S. had actively pursued the development of infantry fighting vehicles.
Massud was temperamental, but he was not an idiot. The enemy was a small number of elites, but they were strong enough to break through Aloadins Lodgings. It was obvious what kind of weapons the small special forces units would use. It was most likely RPGs and recoilless guns with a wide-area suppressing shell. He had no choice but to let the tanks lead to prevent any more of his subordinates from being sacrificed.
Five kilometers away from Kaparja Valley, the soldiers in the stuffed trucks were all forced to get down. While tanks and armored vehicles could climb the mountain, trucks could not. Over 1,800 soldiers gasped for air as they chased after the tanks.
The Third Airborne Brigades troops persisted through the rugged terrain and approached the entrance of Kaparja Valley. Massud, who had sent six tanks ahead, was full of confidence. The enemys combat power was strong but relative. RPGs and recoilless guns wouldnt be able to even penetrate the T-62s front armor, what more its side armor. It was a hindrance to the special forces units.
How much longer do we have to travel until Aloadins Lodgings? Massud asked the observer who sat on the cupola.
We have 500 meters left, sir. We only need to turn the corner ahead.
Push forward. Were going to run those b*stards over and crush them to death.
Yes, sir. Forward! Agh!
Bang
A powerful explosion swallowed the screams of the front tank operators ahead. The valley shook.
Damn, somethings happened. Hurry up! Massud shouted into the communications device.
A mushroom cloud soared high into the sky. A problem would certainly arise. Six tanks and three infantry fighting vehicles emitting black smoke rushed into the valley.
Wait, what is this sound?
Massud tilted his head. A hammering sound among the loud sound of running tanks shook the valley.
They must be in the middle of a battle. Driver, speed up.
Massud sent down an order to hell.
Growl
Suddenly, the sound became louder. Massud shook his head. It was neither the sound of explosions nor the sound of the wind. Suddenly, he grew anxious and wondered if he had underestimated the enemy. Massud started shouting at the front machine gunner.
What is this sound?
I dont know, sir. There are no problems in sight.
Stop for now. Make sure to guard all sides. Hassan, send some scouts into the valley.
Massud decided to be careful for now. His wariness kicked in too late. The grim reaper appeared right under their noses. The observer screamed.
Yaa ?ilahii![2]
Grrrrr
Suddenly, a yellow wall of 20 meters high greeted the Third Airborne Brigade. Massuds mind turned blank.
Oh, Allah! The front tank operators and infantries screamed in unison when they discovered the yellow-colored water wall.
Mette bu a rabhi![3] Massud yelled into the communications device until his throat turned hoarse.
Ipta-id bishruah![4]
Allah, hapiz![5]
The soldiers crammed in the tanks cupola started chattering like woodpeckers.
Vroom
After grasping the situation, the tanks and armored vehicles emitting black smoke retreated.
The marching line immediately turned chaotic. The infantries that were following them jumped everywhere like spiderlings. Several soldiers were crushed under the tanks caterpillar as it reversed.
Kaparja Valley was shaped like a gourd. It had a narrow entrance but a wide middle. The currents, which had lost most of its momentum in the middle of the valley, regained its velocity near the entrance. The 300,000,000 tons of water was a catastrophe in itself.
Both tanks and humans moved very slowly before the approaching doom. Massuds insides burned, but there was no way out. He could only scream like a mad person.
Grrrr
The water wall leaped to its feet.
Aaaaaaagh!
The water dragons roar buried Massuds scream.
Bang
A large mass of water moving at 150 kilometers per hour crashed against the machines and humans. The 42-ton T-62 medium tank was flung like a piece of paper. The T-55 also flashed into the air before falling upside down. The BMP-1 was not excluded. Rocks weighing between two and three tons, which were swept away by the currents, struck the tanks and armored vehicles.
Dozens of tons of tanks rolled around in the water like cans kicked with ones feet. The soldiers didnt get to scream before they were devoured by the currents. Kinetic energy was directly proportional to mass and squared in proportion to velocity. Whether the source of impact was water or a car, the material had nothing to do with the damage.
The soldiers were shocked to see 100s of tons of cars running at full speed. A horrifying display of bodies disintegrating into nothing took place.
The valley kept vomiting out a lot of water. The basin-shaped valley entrance turned into a lake. 1,000 soldiers from the armored personnel carriers and special forces units sank 10 meters below the water depth. The armored personnel carriers and 1,800 elite soldiers didnt manage to shoot a single bullet before they were swallowed by the water.
Grrrr
The devils water, which swallowed the mighty Third Airborne Brigade in 10 seconds, searched for lowlands until it flowed nonchalantly into the region of Ad Dana. Nature was inherently indifferent. Humans personally interpreted these actions and made a big deal out of it.
There was a saying that went, a fire left behind burn marks, but water did not. There was nothing left in the valley where 300,000,000 tons of water had swept past. Aloadins Lodgings (Ruman) outer barbed wire fences, the remains of the burnt facilities, the remains of the explosives facilities, and 1,000s of corpses had all disappeared without a trace. The biological and chemical weapons storage facility, which had burned down, similarly vanished without a trace. The devastating remains of Berkut and almost 2,000 corpses were also swept away. All that remained in the open valley was a combination of rocks and logs.
The natural disaster didnt stop at that. One minute later, the valley shook violently. The cliffs had been withstanding the bedrocks fall. The cliffs couldnt bear the shock of the currents moving at 150 kilometers per hour.
Bang
Bang
Several places in Kaparja Valley collapsed. The grounds surface vibrated, and a roar echoed. The spectacular scenes continued, but no one saw it. No, countless dazed eyes watched on. They were the 800 soldiers from the Third Airborne Brigade who had barely escaped and survived the water dragons mouth. There was also another witnessJamal, who had observed Black Mambas bizarre activities from start to finish. Jamal, who was a loyal servant, did not hesitate to press on the shutter.
Bonipas had called Black Mamba a natural disaster. It was a rhetorical comment, but Black Mamba had indeed caused a natural disaster. It was the result of sheer chance and coincidence. Kaparja Valley, which had existed for 100s and 1,000s of years, disappeared. The large sum of money and time, which Assad had invested in, vanished without a trace. There was a common saying that went, while humans plotted, the heavens were what made it possible.
Those who were affected by the Ruman plan were Assad and the CIA. Was it retribution for burning 15,000 of his citizens with napalm bombs? Assad received tremendous blows as Syrias dictator. He lost the ANO and the special forces whom hed placed high expectations on. The biochemical bombs, which hed invested a large amount of money on, burned and disappeared. The missile field, which would be the cornerstone of the supreme Syrian plan, was blown away.
The Third Airborne Brigade, which composed of the Alawites faction, also disappeared. The mortality rate alone amounted to 4,000 people. The cumulative material and physical damages added up to a loss of 4,000,000,000 dollars.
The CIAs ambitious Socrates Project faltered in its advancement. Theyd lost their chance to push France out from the Middle East and didnt manage to monopolize the oil routes. It was a bone-aching loss.
With losses, there were also gains. Black Mambas brutality provided Turkey and Israel with intangible gains. The threat of indiscriminate terrorism, including biochemical bombs, were circumvented. France had earned incalculable gains.
Ultimately, the beneficiaries of his actions were the citizens of France, Turkey, and Israel. If Black Mamba had not erased Aloadins Lodgings and the biochemical bombs, they would have been victims to the ANO and Horazans indiscriminate terrorism and biochemical bombings.
For whom did Black Mamba ring the bell?
Dong-bang-bull-pae, was he truly the savior, or was he Asura? Was he an apostle of God or the Angel of Death?
[1] The fourth Middle East war, the cause of the first oil crisis.
[2] God, what is that!
[3] Make an emergency escape!
[4] Hurry and flee!
[5] God, help us!
Chapter 252 - I Toll The Bell For Myself
The law of nature was too broad, which made it seem chaotic, but it never forgot the punishment of the weak. Was it nature or a twist of fate? The Third Airborne Brigade led by brigadier general Massud had been the very unit that poured napalm bombs over Hama city. Water punished the Third Airborne Brigade, who had punished 15,000 lives with fire. Bells didnt ring by itself. Someone would ring the bell while others listened.
This exists because of that.
This happens because of that.
Without this, there is no that.
When this dies, that dies too.
Clotho controls the thread of fate.
Lachesis measures the thread of fate.
Atropos cuts the string on the loom.
Birth, growth, and death were the same. Who could dictate human affairs like they were cutting the corners of tofu! No human would toll the bell for others. They would toll the bell for themselves. The action was romanticized or criticized based on coincidence and the situation.
The very person who had caused the natural disaster was not in a desirable situation himself. The strong currents had dragged the unconscious Black Mamba underground in a flash. A medium-sized excavator with a folded bucket and arm could enter and leave the opening of the fault, which had widened as a result of Black Mambas fireplay.
Grrrr
The water that flowed through Kaparja Valley swirled into the large gap.
Black Mamba rode on a steep slide pool inclined at 45 degrees. The sound of 1,000s of tons of water pouring at 100 kilometers per hour reverberated. A humans body was weak as a leaf. He rolled and flipped around like a spinning toy toward the dark underground.
If the cave had a rugged terrain, there was no way he could survive. If the caves cliff was any steeper, he wouldve turned into a rice cake, or a stalagmite wouldve pierced his body. The smooth, straight surface had saved Black Mamba.
The favourable trip ended quickly.
Woosh
The majestic sound of a waterfall echoed underground. A large underground cave under a 200-meters thick bedrock received the oncoming water with its jaws wide open. That was a place where tectonic shifts caused deeper rock cracks, and melted limestones escaped into the groundwater.
Grrr
The water, which had hastily carried Black Mamba along, enjoyed its free-fall into the lake that was 150 meters below ground.
Crash
The black air spat out a human-like figure. The being, which had enjoyed his brief freedom in an unsightly position, dropped helplessly on the waters surface.
What would happen if a human fell onto the waters surface from a height of 150 meters? If it were a large water surface area, the damage was comparable to the damage sustained from falling onto the ground. Water was weak against shear resistance, but surface tension would take form on a large water surface area. The shock that Black Mamba received was comparable to the shock a frog felt when someone grabbed its hind legs and slammed it on the ground.
Splash
The being, who was flung into the underground lake, started sinking deeper.
Hgh!
After receiving an overwhelming shock to his body, his consciousness returned. He instinctively moved his hands and feet to stay afloat on the waters surface. His neurons connected back to reality.
What the hell?
The extraordinary Black Mamba mumbled like an idiot. His mind gradually awakened after wandering in the fog. His body felt stiff and was tingling all over as though he was beaten up with sticks. Absolute darkness with no lights, the roar of a waterfall that fell from the distant sky, and a chill that penetrated his skinit was a moment where he questioned his identity and whereabouts.
The acute pain stimulated his mind even more. He patted the back of his head with his right hand. There were two large bumps, and blood scabs were found tangled in his hair.
I lost my consciousness.
He recalled the large lump of iron that had passed by and bashed his head. It was a blow that wouldve shattered his head. Hed survived thanks to the huvluv he had eaten in the Sahel, which gave him iron-like qualities.
The darkness, strange sounds, stuffy air, and seclusion intensified his anxiety. Anxiety was a self-preservation mechanism that took over when ones awareness couldnt distinguish time and space. One felt anxious because they couldnt fix their egos in place. It was the fear of time and the fear of places. Humans eased their anxiety through two behaviors, by escaping reality or reorienting reality. Black Mamba obviously belonged to the latter.
He refined his mind with breathing exercises.
Woosh
A wave of fresh mint whirled around his head before it went to his spinal cord. His head felt cold, and his back turned hot. His spinal cord released numerous glowing particles. Blood quickly flowed as it expelled energy and oxygen. His stiff body loosened up, and his hearing senses returned.
After most of his senses returned, his night vision activated. Two blue glass beads burned in the darkness. The blue lights floating on the waters surface acted as light reflectors. It was the luminescent bacterias that lived underground. When he looked through the low-magnification night vision goggles, a blurry green world appeared before him.
Hed reorientated his location. His anxiety disappeared, and courage swept in. Unlike the water that was cold as ice, the caves air was warm.
Where is this place?
He couldnt figure out the unfamiliar place. He could remember everything up until the dams explosion and his head injury. The neurons and synapses quickly signaled each other to get a hold of the situation.
Its an underground cave.
His brain, which had collected information, finished its calculations and came to a conclusion. The process and progress were omitted, but it was certain that he had been pulled into an underground cave. He immediately conducted a physical examination on himself. Except for the heavy blow that he had received on the back of his head, there were only minor bruises and abrasions.
My clothes! Tsk tsk.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue after examining his appearance. His entire upper body was naked. His uniform shirt, bulletproof vest, and linen tank had all disappeared. His backpack and helmet were missing too. The Glock hed attached on his ankle vanished along with its holster. His pants were torn to the point that it only covered his upper leg area. It was fortunate that his private part wasnt dangling outside.
Clearly, all the weapons and food in his backpack had disappeared. The remaining weapons were the secret pouch around his wrist, the Kukri wrapped around his left chest, and the Gorgon in his hand. Hed lost all his chemical weapons, leaving behind only cold weapons. His heart ached from the loss of the reconstructed Dragunov.
His left hand was wrapped firmly around the Gorgon despite the strong currents. Hed held onto it so tightly that the handle made of specialty resin and natural rubber had imprints of his fingers. The back of his head turned cold at the thought of the water pouring out from the exploding dam. He was proud of his hand for not losing its grip on the Gorgon amid the currents that moved faster than a BMW bike. Laughter escaped him. It seemed as though he was born to be a warrior, after all.
Something touched his leg. It was a lifeless being, which was why its approach had escaped his notice. Rather, his senses were not functioning properly yet. He shoved his hand into the water and picked up the inanimate being.
F***!
It was a slimy corpse with all of its bones shattered. The two sloppy holes where eyeballs had fallen out from glared resentfully at him. He threw away the body in his hand. He raised his visibility. He saw many objects floating around the underground cavity. It was either charred or torn bodies. 100s, no, countless were floating around. The waterfall falling from mid-air kept throwing up corpses.
Aaah, is this retribution for all the lives Ive taken?
Still trapped deep underground, he let out a sigh. However, he wasnt in a situation where he could lament leisurely.
Grrr
The water roared. A water hurricane rose and flung itself aggressively in one direction. It sought a new exit by breaking down weaker walls with pressure.
He moved his hands and feet to escape the vortex but failed. Water was not Black Mambas strength.
Grrrr
A dark hole with gaping jaws came into view. It was the pathway to hell.
Nigimi Jotto!
He moved his hands and feet desperately. He struggled to resist the strong currents. The cave was right before his eyes.
Woosh
He swung the Gorgon and wrapped it around a protruding rock near the caves entrance.
F****** hell!
He swore again. He had only managed to wind a single round around the rock. One round wasnt enough to create a knot. The Gorgon was released in vain. A black entrance swallowed Black Mamba.
Dong-bang-bull-pae? Yeah, right. Im on a train to hell despite all the boasting. Kekeke!
He laughed. There was a saying that one could survive a tiger as long as their mind stayed alert, but the currents were nothing like a tiger. While a single punch could destroy a tiger, he could do nothing against the rapid currents.
He didnt fear death. His teacher had said that those who were bound to do many things wouldnt die easily. There were still many tasks for him to complete.
If he continued to be dragged along, he might end up in a strange underground world like the one in Jules Vernes novel. Of course, Jules Verne did not know that even the Himalayas, which had the thickest crust on Earth, was less than 70 kilometers in height. 120 kilometers below ground wasnt a separate world where strange creatures resided, but a mantle where rocks melted into liquid form. He had no intention of being pulled into a mantle where his bones would melt. He waited for a chance to whip out his Gorgon.
Uuk!
Splash
Surprised, Black Mamba shoved his head underwater. The caves ceiling had suddenly lowered. He nearly headbutted with a stalactite. It was a steep limestone cave. There were stalactites all over the caves ceiling.
He was not a tourist. He was an uninvited guest on the train to Hell. Stalactites werent a treat to the eyes, but a life-threatening weapon. If he collided with a stalactite while speeding close to 100 kilometers per hour, even his iron head would not be able to survive. Like an obstacle race, he had to avoid the stalactites to preserve his brain fluids. Black Mamba repeated the motions of ducking and raising his head as though he was playing Whac-A-Mole.
Ugh!
The water velocity was also high-risk. Surprised, Black Mamba shattered a standing stalagmite with his fist. His stomach nearly ripped open. The caves floor was covered with stalagmites like awls. He was in a s***hole of a situation in which he had to avoid the floors stalagmites and the ceilings stalactites while being swept away by the currents moving at 100 kilometers per hour.
Caves made his teeth chatter. Hed survived being trapped in a dark cave for seven months in Bang Tae San. Those days when he had to live on rotten snake meat and scorpions felt like a nightmare. Thanks to those experiences, he had gained night vision and supernatural senses, which was lifes blessing in disguise.
Black Mamba tried to wrap his Gorgon around the stalactites but failed every time. He couldnt find the right time due to the rapid currents. The stalactites and stalagmites threatened his life every time he seized the opportunity.
The battle for survival continued. He would have prayed if he had a religion, but he was born unlucky. He continued to rattle on four-letter swear words. He would have long been dead had he not trained to balance his body in Chun Saeng Mountain.
Besides stalagmites and stalactites, a more dangerous feature to look out for in caves were cave bends. If he didnt move with the currents at the right timing, hed be tossed to the caves wall, splattered like a frog. The back of his head grew tense with every bend. Hed prefer to fight the entire Syrian Army 100 times over.
Black Mamba was a stubborn, tenacious person who had survived seven months being trapped in a cave as a teenager. Although the situation was agonizing, hed resisted until the end. He shattered small stalactites and stalagmites, while avoiding large ones. When cave bends approached, he kicked the water with his four paced movement to assimilate with the currents. F****** hell streamed out from his mouth. He felt like hed go mad if he didnt curse.
Frankly, Black Mamba was not in a position to complain. He was the very person who had caused the calamity and exploded the dam. Even the normal stalactite cave turned into an underwater cave because of his fireplay. He got what he deserved. Although the air was stuffy, fortunately, it flowed through the cave.
That didnt mean he could relax, either. He didnt know what would happen to him if he was continuously dragged underground. He would die the moment he ran out of breath. The oxygen density was slowly decreasing. He started to feel cold.
A Paranthropus strength wasnt infinite. The combination of accumulated damage, ice-cold temperature, and the lack of strength consumed his energy quickly. He became a starved and exhausted human called Alice, who was being pulled into Wonderland through a rabbit hole.
Even then, he was hungry. He subconsciously patted on his back. There was no way his backpack was there. He dozed off in a few blinks. It was due to the lack of oxygen. Memories of Hae Youngs hot body, Jin Soon who looked at him like he was an everlasting sunflower, and Edels lovely face passed. He also recalled the gold hed thrown aside.
Damn, gold will only come if I survive this.
He recalled his warm mother and his kind father. His throat felt congested. His father had told him, an eight-year-old boy at the time, to protect his mother. The thought of his father weighed on his chest. His father had acted as the pillar of stillness so that they wouldnt leave the wheel of life. However, he hadnt been able to protect his mother.
Mother, my poor mother! A tear rolled down his cheek, leaving it damp. His mind regained its activeness. He hadnt been able to carry out his fathers will. He wouldnt be a man named Mu Ssang if he didnt fulfill his fathers will.
Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. Im Park Jin Bos son, Park Mu Ssang.
His scream suppressed the sound of crashing water. Somnolence quickly caught up with him. He would die if he fell asleep. He wrung out his remaining strength. He used breathing exercises to maintain his body temperature.
Crash crash crash
It was the sound of a waterfall. He couldnt predict the distance, but it wasnt too far. It was an emergency. If he moved along with the currents, he would die. All kinds of troubling thoughts faded from his mind. He also forgot about his hunger and thirst. The only problem now was his survival.
At that moment, the strong currents hesitated. The cave suddenly widened. The cave of two to three meters wide expanded to four to five meters wide. The ceiling stretched two meters higher. It was his last chance.
A cave terrace!
He could finally gain a foothold on the surface that was slick as a mirror. A cave terrace indicated that water had passed through the cave in the past. In terms of cave structure, it was likely that another cave hole existed.
Woosh
The Gorgon darted toward the caves shield, which poked out of the wall. The five-point spear at the end of his whip wrapped around the peak of the caves shield. The whip was secured tightly.
Ha!
An explosion of energy spread to all of the muscles in his body. He bounced off a stalagmite and pulled his body out of the water using the dragons back riding steps.
Crack
The entire stalagmite crumbled.
Plop
His body, which had received a significant boost, propelled out of the water like a cannonball.
Chapter 253 - Episode 1: Meeting With The Unknown
Ha!
The explosive scream suppressed the sound of the crashing currents. With a stroke of luck, Black Mamba jumped out of the water like a cannonball and landed on the terrace.
Whoo!
He exhaled a deep lifeless breath. If it wasnt for his Gorgon, escaping would have been impossible even with the power of an adult male horse. While regular muscle contractions burned carbohydrates and fats to produce energy, explosive muscle contractions consumed large amounts of ATP accumulated through anaerobic reactions. His upper limb muscles and lats, which had exploded with energy, quivered. A part of his fascia was damaged.
That kind of power would have overturned a heavy truck in its momentum. If the whip was a climbing rope of moderate thickness, it would have snapped, unable to support the weight. He was thankful for Ocelot, who had discarded the whip and fled. No, he was grateful for Ombuti and Emil, who had respectively taken care of the whip and repaired it. There is this, so there is that. Because this occurred, that happened. It was one for all and all for one.
Woah, its greasy ice.
He stabilized his balance and inhaled. The terraces width was barely half the length of his hand. If he hadnt activated his night vision and dimensional sight, he would have overlooked it. Hed barely managed to gain a foothold on the terrace, but that wasnt the end. The wet vertical wall was so slippery that a fly would have fallen off. If he hadnt been whipped with his teachers staff during the physical balance training in Chun Saeng mountains valley, standing up would have been a problem.
The strong currents flowed at lightning speed under his watch. It moved so quickly that a lump of metal would be swept away if it was thrown in. He turned away. He felt as though hed fall into the currents if he kept looking at it.
He patted down his chest, relieved at the fact that he was still alive. It was a miracle that he had even managed to escape without physical injuries. He thanked his ancestors and the bones of Wol Song San in his heart. The Azrael of the Sahel and Ddu-bai-buru-pa of the Middle East fell to his knees before natures tyranny.
How could he have known if the waterfall ahead was 1,000 or 1,000,000 meters deep? The fear of the unknown overwhelmed the fear of the present crisis.
Hed escaped the first trial, which was the ice-cold currents. Now, the game was on. He didnt know how far hed fallen underground or if there was an exit. His only hope was that air continued to flow through.
He had to loosen up his stiff muscles to climb up to the surface. He embedded the Gorgons handle into the caves wall and secured himself by wrapping it around his waist. He loosened up his stiff muscles with breathing exercises and kept his body warm with resonance waves. Movements slowed down with colder body temperatures. His body had to be in top condition so that he wouldnt miss any chances.
ȥȥȥ֪ YX was a saying in the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. It meant one would learn while going, going, going, and understand while doing, doing, doing. Among many of Black Mambas motto, this was one of his favoritesa person who wasnt prepared couldnt seize the opportunity, and a person who did not act would not see any results.
The water was cold as ice, but the ground was hotter than that of a summer day. The temperature in Aleppo during the Ruman plan had been 18 degrees Celsius, which was quite refreshing. The temperature of the cave had exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. With every 100 meters into the underground, the temperature increased by three degrees Celsius. He was roughly 700 meters below ground.
700 meters underground! It was horrible. He might have to wander several 1,000 kilometers before making it back to the surface. After all, he had wandered seven months around Bang Tae San before finding an exit. He grew frustrated.
Its not 7,000 meters, so 700 meters should be a piece of cake.
As always, Black Mamba handled the situation in a collected manner. No b*stard would help him even if he cried. Hed only waste his energy whining about something that he should be handling alone.
The cave was like a cauldron filled with lava and limestones. The existence of limestones meant that the place used to be the sea. It had been the sea since its beginning. Lava had flown due to a volcanic eruption. Then, a reverse fault had occurred due to a massive earthquake.
His head automatically ducked at the grand dynamics of nature. Before nature, he was nothing but a day-old dog despite his physical strength and martial arts skill. If humans were a day-old dog, then hed be a mosquito!
When he moved 10 meters forward, the cave terrace disappeared. The surface of the wall, which shone like a mirror, had formed a 120-degree overhang. That indicated a recent plate movement.
He couldnt place his foot anywhere on the slick cave wall.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight. Its range was limited since he was exhausted. He concentrated until his head started ringing. 100 meters was his limit.
70 meters ahead, the air moved in reverse directions. When air mixed, it meant that there was another space. His experience from searching for an exit in Bang Tae San had helped. The distance between the waters surface and the ceiling was barely 1.5 meters. He couldnt move in a pendulum motion as he had in Kaparja Valley.
Slap
He slapped his forehead. Hed forgotten about his Kukri the entire time he was using the Gorgon. He pulled out the Kukri from its holder. The light-blue blade, which downed large amounts of blood, glowed silently. It was acting out since it had been overlooked.
You damn brat, the rule is that the first wives are put on the back burner with the arrival of a concubine. First wives are only remembered when the mans struggling, you understand? he muttered.
Hed continued to question and answer himself while trapped in Bang Tae San. Hed even conversed with himself using different voices. The habit, which hed formed to control his destructing mind, returned. It was an ideal solution during isolation.
He wrapped the Gorgon around his waist and pulled out five darts with his left hand. Although it was made of tungsten, he needed five to support his weight since it was as thin as chopsticks.
Crack
The Kukri embedded itself deep into the caves wall. He maintained his balance with the Kukri, reached out his arm, and shoved the bunch of darts into the caves wall with his left hand. Next, he shifted his weight onto the darts and moved his Kukri to embed it into the next part of the wall. He moved both of his hands to proceed across the caves wall like a monkey swinging through the jungle.
It was easier said than done. It was an impossible move for the average human. Like drilling an anchor bolt, one would have to gather enough strength and repeat the motions of embedding a knife into the solid rocks, push their body forward with one arm, use their muscle strength to embed a bunch of darts, and pull out the knife before embedding it into the rocks again. The process required a lot of energy. His sweat poured down like rain. The humid air also played a part.
There has to be a small cave. A limestone cave always comes with a smaller cave. Ive struggled enough. Im not an earthworm. I need to be rewarded. Im going to have a feast on a grassy field under the shining sun. Kimchi soup, bean paste soup, and budae soupIm going to have it all. I need to bear babies with a woman too, Black Mamba continued to mumble.
A deep well would reveal its bottom when water was continuously collected. A Lamborghini wouldnt run without fuel. His sight blurred. His cheatable strength hit bottom. He felt as though hed fall into the swirling currents if he didnt stop talking.
Eureka!
The scent of the air changed. At the height of three meters, there was a black hole with its jaw wide open. Without hesitation, he grabbed the darts embedded in the wall, twirled around like a gymnast on an iron bar, and jumped into the air.
Uck!
It was a false alarm. The back of the terrace, which was barely the width of a cheek, moved straight down. The cave continued with its direct descent. Surprised out of his wits, Black Mamba immediately shifted as much power as he could to his toes. It was too late. His body, which couldnt overcome the inertia, quickly rolled into the black hole.
Ha-ah!
Woosh
The Gorgon swung toward the other side of the wall. He used his remaining strength.
Fuuuu**
It always missed by an inch. The Gorgon was six meters long. Considering the length of an average arm, this meant that it was vertically over seven meters. He fell without wings. Suddenly, his lower body felt empty, and the world grew quiet.
Aaaaaah!
His shout echoed for a while.
Black Mamba spread his limbs wide open and tried to figure out the most stable falling position. He was either going to live or die. If he was going to die, there was no reason to waste time worrying about death since it was a promised fact in life.
Woosh
A piercing wind swept past his ears like a knife. It was the type of free fall he had experienced countless times in the Deuxieme Rep. He used to spin around, switched directions, and held hands with his comrades. Now, he was trying to slow down his falling speed. There were two differences. Firstly, he didnt have a parachute, and secondly, he was about to hit the ground instead of the sky.
If one fell from the sky, a grave was prepared, but if one fell into the ground, a burial was out of the question. He didnt want his skeleton to roll around if he died.
Even if he tried everything, there was no way around the law of physics. When he accelerated, the wind pushed back his fat cheeks. During a free fall, the speed was at five meters per second in the first second, two seconds later at 14 meters per second, three seconds later at 23 meters per second, four seconds later at 32 meters per second, and five seconds later at 41 meters per second. After 12 seconds, gravitational acceleration and air resistance would counterbalance each other, causing one to descend at a speed of 53 meters per second. 53 meters per second was approximately 190 kilometers per hour. He was falling at a speed of 190 kilometers per hour, naked and without goggles.
He started the counter. But what was the point of counting when there was no bridle handle? Through the repeated training sessions, he had formed a habit where he counted meaninglessly.
He struck the wall with his Gorgon several times while falling. His prayers for a slower falling speed went unnoticed every time. He couldnt overcome the falling weight even with the darts embedded in the caves wall.
His night vision was useless in the absolute darkness. There was no visual information. He could only fall into the endless darkness.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight despite his weak state.
F***, am I some kind of martial arts hero? I dont need an odyssey!
Black Mamba grew anxious. At this rate, he wouldnt be able to avoid turning into a paste. A change occurred at count 48, point 2,200 meters. The direct descent into a hole of seven to eight meters wide ended. His dimensional sight expanded from 20 meters, 50 meters, to 100 meters. It meant that he was entering a large space.
At count 50, a big mirror-like plate appeared in the darkness. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. The plate immediately turned into a mat. If he could see something, it meant that there was light. He hadnt thought about a light source several 1,000s of meters underground.
While he could identify an objects shape and its distance using his dimensional sight, its texture and inherent meaning couldnt be deciphered. It meant that the amount of information he had received was insufficient compared to what he had observed. The arched mirror, which was as large as a house, zoomed in before his eyes. Its shining parts floated in the air as though it had been cut off with scissors. It looked like the eyes of a huge beast or a crescent moon on earth.
Its a lake!
Black Mamba was ecstatic. A bean-sized hope was better than having none at all. The mirror rapidly increased in size. He could see the lake with his naked eye, without any need for his night vision. His surroundings also brightened up a little.
At count 70, he crashed at approximately 3,400 meters. The waters surface filled his sight. In martial arts novels, there were all kinds of godlike methods that allowed a person to walk on air or fly. A thousand horses air travel, eight-legged back flying, and heavens ascending light all kinds of godlike abilities appeared without a plausible explanation. Fiction remained fiction. There was no way to slow down an object experiencing gravitational acceleration.
He got into diving position at count 90. A large lake appeared right before his eyes. The only way to minimize the physical damage of his landing was to decrease the surface area by dividing the water. He raised both of his arms next to his ears and placed his palms together. He had no choice but to leave his fate up to his strength and luck. An awl streamed down like the rain.
Whoosh
Splaash
Two seconds later, he landed.
Kugh! Black Mamba gritted his teeth and swallowed his groan. It was comparable to landing on the ground. The abrupt shock jolted his intestines. His nerves were in disorder from the pain of his joints breaking and his muscles tearing.
He pulled up his knees close to his chest and spread his arms at the moment of impact. Every single joint in his body creaked at the sudden break. He would crash on the floor if the lake was shallow. It was better to suffer from broken joints and torn muscles than getting his brain smashed.
Fortunately, the lake was deep enough. The moment when gravitational acceleration and water resistance counterbalanced, he spun his body and rose to the surface. The black water turned blue as he approached the surface. There was a transmission of light coming from somewhere.
Splash
His wrinkled face shot out of the water. With skin that had turned blue, bloodshot eyes, and blood escaping through his gritted teeth and nosehe looked like a devil that had emerged from the water, no, the asura.
Whoosh whoosh
Black Mamba frantically inhaled the air. He felt like his shrunken liver would burst. His overworked muscles quivered. His lungs, which had stopped functioning, expanded rapidly.
Hup hup hup
Hoooo
Hup hup hup
Hooooo
He caught his breath first before implementing the breathing exercises.
Woosh
Oxygen rushed in immediately.
Amazing! he exclaimed.
Although the air density was low, the oxygen saturation level was high. It seemed to be 1.5 times higher than the air at ground level. His boiling blood returned to its natural state, and his quivering muscles calmed down. When his body stabilized, he could finally take in his surroundings. 300 meters ahead of him, a blue land glowed. When he looked back, a horizon came into sight.
Chapter 254 - Episode 2: Meeting With The Unknown
The lake was unpleasantly sticky and buoyant. A bunch of glowing blue dots rolled around and covered the entirety of the waters surface. It was either a colony of noctiluca or luminescent bacterias. He hadnt expected a clear blue lake. The unusual sight overwhelmed his imagination. A heavy silence pressed down on the lake.
Plop
Plop
Even the faint sound of something leaping out from the water intensified the silence.
It was like an illusion, a deja vu. The sniper units of the Deuxieme Rep had conducted acclimatization training sessions in Africa three times a year. The Great Rift Valley in East Africa was their central training location. It was a natural sniper training ground that included the necessary obstacles for training like rough mountain terrains, steep slopes, jungles, wetlands, lagoons, huge lakes, and sandy beaches.
Black Mamba had been more intrigued by the scenery rather than the training. When night fell, a radiant light spread across Lake Malawi. The fishermen who lived around the lake floated 100s of oil lamps on the lake to catch the usipa, a species belonging to the sardine family. Countless oil lamps floated down the stream in the darkness like the Milky Way.
1,000s of biting midges, which had been lured by the light, roamed in the water. The number of Chironomidae had continued to increase. It covered the waters surface and created large towers underwater, which was 100s of meters high. He had been enthralled by the blue mist surrounding the lake, the Milky Way moving on the waters surface, the pillars of midges flocking around, the usipa jumping to eat the midges, and the heartbreaking appeal of the fishermen who lived in solitude.
The sound of splashes which indicated that something was jumping around and the field of water rings rolling around the waters surface resembled the night scenery in Lake Malawi. It was more of an unusual sight rather than a breathtaking one.
He utilized his night vision to the optimum. 500 meters ahead, he could see a land glowing in a slight blue hue. There was nothing but the horizon to his right, left, and back. At the very least, hed arrived close to land.
Huh, how wide is this place?
According to the battlefields analysis, the horizons distance changed according to ones eye-level height. The distance between the visible horizon and a human with an eye-level height of 1.7 meters was around 4.6 kilometers. Since he was submerged in water from the chest down, his eye-level height was at 0.7 meters. According to the Pythagorean Theorem, he was three kilometers away from the horizon. It was hard to predict the lakes size.
A lake that was 1,000s of meters underground with a horizon. Did that even make sense?
A peaceful underground world, an endless lake, a bluish twilight, lights floating on the waters surface, a land that radiated light, and abundant oxygenif he presented that to the scientific community, it would flip the world upside down. Would they treat him like a madman?
Ugh, whats up with the temperature?
He was surprised. The underground was ridiculously deep. The heat was predictable. The temperature of the underground cave that he got dragged into was 40 degrees Celsius. He had fallen vertically for 90 seconds. The current depth was approximately 5,230 meters. There were many variables, but the temperature should have been 150 degrees Celsius. Even the Paranthropus ancestors could not survive a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius. However, he was fine. It was so hot that he had a hard time breathing. His body temperature was about 50 degrees Celsius. There was nothing ordinary about the place at all.
Well, Im not normal myself.
He stopped questioning the situation. His head would ache if he continued stressing himself. Perception was a combination of reality and theory. With the absence of theory, there was no way to perceive reality.
An ignorant Yankee arrived at the safari by helicopter. He drank a bottle of coke and threw it away. The bottle landed in the Kalahari Desert. A bushman found the coke bottle and shouted:
[How wonderfulGod has given me a gift!]
It was a scene from a movie. A Greenpeace member would have made a fuss about how it polluted the environment. The bushman didnt understand the significance of the coke bottle in the middle of the desert. Despite its existence, it was unrecognized because there was no theory behind it.
Not everything he saw was real. Compared to the vast universe, a humans knowledge was worth nothing. Even if it was, how much could one possibly know!
He didnt know how much time had passed. His stomach twisted in hunger. He had no choice but to rely on his strength to survive the unfamiliar world. But, he had to eat to gain strength.
Is there anything to eat?
An aquatic ecosystem was denser and more stable than a terrestrial ecosystem. There was a higher possibility of finding creatures underwater than on land.
Boom
He gathered the last of his strength and spread his dimensional sight. His range barely extended past 70 meters. A splitting headache swept over him. It was evident that he was exhausted.
There were creatures. Unexpectedly, he could sense several creatures swimming in the water. He unwound the Gorgon, which was wrapped around his waist, and held it in his right hand. This guy had a stronger bloodthirst compared to the Kukri. It felt bitterly cold because of the countless lives it had absorbed.
Ssss
He sensed something gliding through the water toward him.
Splat
The Gorgon dug into the waters surface like an arrow.
Keeeh
A scream sounded. It couldnt be a fish if it screamed. No, since he was in an unusual world, perhaps the fishes were capable of screeching.
Splash
A creature the size of an adult seal jumped out from the water, dripping with blood. Its gaping mouth made up a third of its body.
What is this?
Black Mamba was surprised as hed expected it to die immediately. The Gorgon pierced through the strange creatures brain. The brain was a critical organ for every living creature. Regardless of species, one would lose their combat abilities once the brain was affected. What was this creature running toward him with its jaw agape and dripping with green blood? It was a monster.
Ill cut your head off then.
With a flick of his wrist, the Gorgon wrapped around the monsters neck.
Ting
He snatched the handle back.
Hm?
The Gorgon didnt cut through its neck. Although he was weak, he had enough strength to slice off a tigers neck. That meant the monsters hide and muscles were extremely tough.
Splash
Splash
The monster squirmed hysterically.
Swish
He flicked his Gorgon again. The Gorgon dug deep into the monsters neck. Several seconds later, the protesting monster floated on the water with its tongue hanging out. Since it had a tongue, rather than a fish, it was either an aquatic mammal or a reptile.
What is this?
Black Mamba frowned as he inspected the victim. Its entire body was covered in fur, and it had four legs despite being a mammal. It had webbed toes like a platypus. However, it was dripping green blood. It was an unknown creature, after all.
The monsters head was unanticipated. It had an abnormally large head, and its mouth took up half of its proportions. The teeth lined in two rows were sharp like knives and curved inwards. The teeth were a combination of shark and snake teeth. It was shaped in that manner so that its prey couldnt escape once bitten.
Black Mamba named the strange creature the Big Headed Monster. He was very bad at naming things.
He dipped his finger in its blood and tasted it. It numbed his tongues senses. The b*stard was poisonous like a pufferfish.
Do I eat it or not?
His brain suffered complications, but his liver protested. Well, death was not an exception, be it by famine or poison. He trusted his body. His body had cheat skills that could deconstruct the botulinum toxin, which was known as the most potent poison on Earth.
There was a saying that if a ghost ate before dying, it had the gall. He sliced its stomach with his Kukri and tore off its flesh. It felt like he was tearing off a metal plate. However, there was no reason for him to deny it since he had once filled his belly with scorpions and beetles.
He pulled out its liver and chewed on it. It tasted like wasabi; spicy and sharp. However, it was edible. His liver went into shock when the food arrived. Starting the meal was hard, but before he knew it, he was eating at an alarming speed.
He instantly finished off four legs and one rib, leaving behind only bones. It was as chewy as his leather combat boots, but Black Mambas teeth were as sturdy as an alligators. All that remained of the monster was its head, hide, and intestines. Black Mamba even drank its blood. He quenched his thirst, and his stomach began to bloat.
Hehehe!
Black Mamba laughed in satisfaction from being full. Both humans and animals were happy after being well-fed. Humans didnt live for happiness. Humans were content to be alive.
Dong-bang-bull-pae, are you happy? he asked himself aloud.
You mad b*stard, would you be happy after consuming an unsavory monster? Id rather chew on military combat boots! Kekeke!
Black Mamba laughed while patting his belly. It was a reality that would make anyone cry, but he preferred to laugh it off instead.
The Paranthropus body was exceptional. The digestive system immediately broke down the meat into proteins, fat, carbs, and minerals before transporting it to the blood and lymph vessels.
His lungs inhaled air like a snakeheads engine. The mitochondria, which received nutrients and oxygen, quickly converted it into energy. The cells that had lost its liveliness came to life. Blood rushed through his veins.
Hehe, it seems like Im the monster instead.
The monster laughing with green blood smeared on his mouth after eating another monster was himself.
Ah!
Black Mamba flinched amidst enjoying being full. Countless creatures rushed toward him. Momentarily distracted, hed forgotten about the blood seeping out from the corpse.
Here, go away after eating this.
He threw the monsters corpse, which he was holding, far away. Water bubbled in the place where it landed like a boiling soup. The sound of countless creatures screeching and shouting enveloped the silent lake.
Black Mambas chest felt a chill from watching the aggressive mouths emerging on the waters surface. Creatures that rushed for blood were predators, regardless of species. Even the tilapia fled when piranhas approached in groups.
He was a terrestrial creature who could only use his energy on the ground. He wouldnt be able to fight back if he was attacked underwater. Suddenly, he felt disturbed by the monsters head and teeth, which hed eaten just moments ago.
A large creature appeared from the splitting water as he attempted to swim toward the land. Like fire lamps, its eyes flashed two meters above the waters surface. Its scream echoed across the lake while it swung its long neck around.
Oh my god, a Muraenosaurus! Have I watched too many Hollywood movies? Black Mamba, who was astounded, mumbled.
Like a turtle, it had a long neck, small head, sharp teeth, and a flat body. From his knowledge, an eight-meters long body was a feature of the Muraenosaurus.
Rumble
The Muraenosaurus gnawed on a creature that looked like a seal and raised its head.
Keeeeee
The creature released a desperate cry. The other creatures swarming around the corpse started scattering like spiderlings. While some escaped to the far sea, most headed toward Black Mamba.
Nimi, f***!
The appearance of a Jurassic dinosaur scared Black Mamba out of his wits. The creatures were aiming for the pheasant instead of the chicken. No, the creatures were aiming for the chicken instead of the pheasant. To those b*stards, his fragile body was a better feast. He hastily moved his arms and legs to get to land.
Countless underwater predators chased after Black Mamba, who fervently glided through the waters surface. The great Dong-bang-bull-pae wasnt so great, after all.
Nimi jotto, there are all kinds of things here.
Curses kept flowing. The large creature, with its back on the waters surface, sped directly toward him. It caught up with him instantly. Its speed was no joke. The smaller creatures fled when the b*stard appeared.
Kuuuuuuaaa
A majestic howl echoed around the lake. A creature, which size could overcome the Muraenosaurus, jumped frantically out of the water.
Uhh!
He could only exclaim at the overpowering presence. With a body standing taller than 10 meters, a three-meters wide mouth, four flapping gills, and teeth the size of his armsit was the epic figure of a Kronosaurus, a tyrant from the Cretaceous period.
A massive mouth with countless embedded Kukris spun toward Black Mamba like a swinging blade. However, the tyrant of the lake in the Center of the Earth had picked the wrong opponent.
You b*stard, do you think Im easy?
Woosh
The Gorgon flitted through the air. Now that Black Mamba had regained his strength, his movements were different. It even sounded different. The Gorgon soared in a cycloid motion.
Crack
The monsters head was bashed to the side. Half of its large head shattered from the impact.
Splash
Green blood splattered into the air.
Monsters were also made of blood and flesh. It couldnt withstand an impact that would crush iron. Its large body fell into the water.
Kuaaaaagh
A whirlpool had formed due to the monsters resistance.
Ssss
The strange creatures gathered instantly. The water bubbled. They were naturally aggressive creatures. The monster that looked like a Kronosaurus was instantly crushed. Even a boss turned into prey when injured.
Keee
Kehhhh
Grrrr
All kinds of grumbling sounded around the lake in the Center of the Earth.
Amidst the chaos, Black Mamba took the opportunity to flee. If he didnt, hed be torn apart by the unfamiliar creatures in the Center of the Earth. His muscles roared with reawakened energy. A powerful kick launched him forward like a dolphin out of water, and his arms exceptional swinging bounced his body across the waters surface.
After tearing apart the Kronosaurus body, the creatures immediately went after him. Some followed after him by almost flying above the water. Black Mamba had leaped out of the water by the time the creatures reached his ankle. He rolled once in the air before landing lightly on the ground.
F****** hell.
He zoned out at the herd of creatures fighting one another after having lost their prey. It was a neighborhood where creatures of 10 meters long and two meters wide roamed about! They were creatures from 1,000,000,000 years ago. No, they looked similar to those creatures of the past.
Teacher, it seems like a monster has landed in a monster neighborhood! Kekeke!
Black Mamba laughed as he deprecated himself.
Chapter 255 - Episode 3: Meeting With The Unknown
Damn, it really is a cursed lake.
A reaction had developed on the sensitive areas of his body: between his legs, his armpits, and between his toes. He was about to go mad from the itch. He was either affected by the lakes poisonous water or a parasite. He wanted to scratch but held back. His emergency kit had disappeared along with his backpack. Irritation caused by external forces would spread when scratched. He wanted to wash down his sticky body with hot water, but how could he? He could only depend on his strong anti-poisonous body.
The land was as strange. There wasnt a single tree or a handful of sand. There were only blue-glinted rocks. Even the bedrock that he was standing on had a bluish glow. Near the edge of the lake where the water lapped, luminous powders had formed a narrow shore in the shape of a ring.
He automatically let out a sigh. It was a horrible place that wasnt even comparable to the hellish limestone caves in Bang Tae San. A novelist tired of old-fashioned depictions or a pastor who threatened followers with hell would find great inspiration here.
He was beyond unlucky. Hed fallen into a more dreadful Jurassic world moments after he had escaped the currents of an underground cave. No, there was sufficient oxygen and the slightest bit of light. There was food as chewy as military leather boots in the lake too. Wasnt that considered elegant enough for a world 5,000 meters underground!
Look, there was a grand display of a lost world, and he was blessed to witness the wonder of Earths beginning, which no other human could see. He was standing right before a miracle. He was the only one who could wake up to this knowledge among all other ignorants! He should be happy since he was blessed with such marvelous fortune.
Thats how he reassured himself, but his sighs only grew deeper.
There was no term to describe his experiences. Dramatic, dynamic, amazing, variety, or spectacleno word could explain it. While others bemoaned their regular lives wishing for an adventure, he had hoped for a regular life while living an endlessly dramatic life. The world was magical.
The land was as silent as the dead. There was no wind or sound. There was no soil or any strand of grass. Well, soil couldnt exist anyway. The land was basically a bedrock. Soil was made by mixing inorganic matter and decaying organic matter from animals and plants in rocks that had been broken down by weathering.
Soil couldnt exist when there was no weathering. Of course, plants couldnt exist without soil. The kind of thick forests that appeared in the Jurassic world of fiction novels were just illusions. While ecosystems were formed deep in the sea due to hydrothermal vents, land was an entirely different problem. Without plants, there were no animals. To avoid starving, he had no choice but to hunt those underwater monsters.
There were luminescent rocks all over the land while glowing bodies reaching several meters in length floated in the air. Exactly, what kind of space was this!
He missed the faint sun that appeared in apocalypse novels. There was no evaporation without the sun and thus no convection. His soaked body was not going to dry up, either. He didnt know that a world without fluid dynamics would be this frustrating.
He suddenly recalled a line from The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck. [The dawn came but no day. In the gray sky, a red sun appeared. A dim red circle that gave a little light, like dusk, and as that day advanced, the dusk slipped back toward darkness.]
Steinbeck had described the west sun covered by dust as a dim world. He wouldnt use that expression if he saw the scenery down here.
During the time of west pioneering, white migrants chased Indians, who had lived on the western lands for 1,000s of years, out of their homes. As long as one put up a stake on open land, it was theirs. The white people had overturned the grasslands and started cultivating. When the roots that held the soil together disappeared, the earth lost its moisture.
With an imbalanced ecosystem, there was severe destruction. The earth that had lost its moisture was blown off layer by layer. Several meters of surface soil was blown away until a bedrock appeared. In the end, the starved farmers flowed toward the bottom rungs of the city. The Grapes of Wrath discussed humans greed as its main subject but clearly described the importance of land in metaphors.
A thin layer of crust surrounded the Earth like an apples skin. Even the thickest parts were barely several kilometers thick. The soil that covered the crust reached several centimeters to meters. As described in The Grapes of Wrath, it disappeared instantly, revealing a bedrock.
All creatures living on land relied on the thin and fragile paper-like soil for survival. Humans would destroy the paper-like soil, which was the foundation of life like it was nothing. Humans were basically choking themselves. Of course, Black Mamba didnt sympathize with the main characters torment and anger in the story. He laughed arrogantly at the white people who killed and chased the local Indians away.
The only reason he had recalled the line from The Grapes of Wrath was due to the hazy surrounding of the Jurassic world. Perhaps it was also because hed once contemplated introducing agriculture in the land that he was constructing in Chads northern region.
At least there was a red sun in The Grapes of Wrath, but there was nothing here. Black Mamba didnt even think that a similar situation to The Grapes of Wrath was happening on the Samaria farm several 1,000s of kilometers away.
It was fun guessing the contents of a gift before unwrapping it. One could try shaking or weighing it to guess the contents. That was the combination of presumed reality and concept. However, a Jurassic world 100s and 1,000s of kilometers underground couldnt be shaken or weighed. There was no existing concept, either. There wasnt enough information. He could only feel frustrated. Strength seeped out of him. He began to question the likelihood of escaping such an endlessly spacious place.
How could there be oxygen when there were no trees? How could it be bright in a cave 1,000s of meters underground? How could a lake be so cold when it was supposed to be boiling? Endless questions arose.
Black Mamba was also suffering from another situation. While there were surprises, there was no mental confusion. The body could endure, but the mind had the right to be confused. Despite the extreme gap between perception and recognition, he had felt comforted by the situation as though hed returned to his hometown. He wasnt troubled by the heat that was almost 50 degrees Celsius or the atmosphere that was of a different composition.
Is it because of the Paranthropus cells?
He forgot about his urgent circumstances and started thinking. Ever since he became a Paranthropus at the age of 11, he had suffered from nightmares while he was asleep. In the nightmares, he fought with enormous monsters and non-human bipedal creatures to take over a large structure made out of stone.
The dreams had lasted for a month and didnt continue any further. He felt as though a link was missing. The hot sun, lush trees, heavy rain, lightning, and volcanic eruptions, which had continued in the background of his nightmares, looked similar to the current Jurassic world before him.
He shook his head and got rid of his thoughts. What did it matter if those scenes were similar or different? He wasnt going to continue living in a dead world anyway. Of course, the pressing problem was gathering information about the absurd underground world and escaping to the surface.
Black Mamba searched through his mind. Hed read countless medical and biological books since middle school to understand the changes in his body. He was at a teachers level.
Sodium chloride was needed for luminescent bacterias to grow. The shining objects floating on the water and air were likely to be light-emitting bacterias or symbiotic organisms that survived on salt. Luminescent fishes that lived in the sea were symbiotic organisms of luminescent bacterias.
It was likely that those luminescent rocks on land were either moonstones or its variation. Hed never heard of a moonstone that shone so brightly. The current brightness of the Jurassic world was at the level of an astronomical twilight[1].
He scooped up the lake water and tasted it. He knew it was salty when he floated to the surface, but to be sure, he checked again. It had a light consistency, and it was salty. It was said that with gain, theres a loss. Hed lost the light and gained water. However, he was about to die from thirst despite the great lake before him. To survive, he had to drink the sticky green blood regardless of the side effects.
He scooped up a handful of shimmering sand. The black sand was mica, and the clear sand was quartz. Some other unknown minerals had similarly good reflectivity.
Kimberlite?
Kimberlite was a mineral that became famous because of diamonds. That was because diamonds were often found in Kimberlite pipes. The constituent minerals of kimberlite were gold mica, titanium, chromium, apatite, and magnetite. It usually shone.
No, is there any active volcano around here?
Suddenly, the back of his head turned cold. The problem wasnt about the diamonds anymore. Kimberlites were formed between the crust and mantle. Kimberlites and diamonds only appeared on land after a volcanic explosion. It meant that there was a volcano in the Jurassic world.
Upon his realization, his nose detected an ashy scent. There was a mixture of sulfur and ammonia in the air. It meant that there had been a recent volcanic eruption.
Nimi f*****, am I meant to be swept away by lava now? he shouted.
If it was Gods idea of a prank, it was too harsh. He didnt know if it was just him, but he never found a way around bad premonitions. Uneasiness flared up. When he thought that things couldnt get any worse, he still had more to go.
What is that?
There were big and small dark rocks along the side of the lake. It looked like a front yards threshing floor sprinkled with beans. He had to gather as much information as he could to survive in an unfamiliar environment.
Woosh
His Gorgon wrapped around the pot-sized rock. He used the whip in several convenient ways. Unlike its appearance, it was light. The object he effortlessly dragged over wasnt a rock. It was a mass of sand grains that looked like a sponge. He tapped it, and it collapsed. A sticky substance came off on his hand.
Stromatolite!
He unconsciously let out a groan. Stromatolites were sediments created by the sticky calcareous component of cyanobacteria that accumulated sand particles floating on the water before growing in layers. Cyanobacteria was a photosynthetic bacteria that prospered on Earth for 1,000,000,000s of years and also responsible for producing oxygen on Earth.
His question was resolved. Cyanobacteria or similar microorganisms absorbed the light from moonstones to photosynthesize. The reason behind the high oxygen saturation level was the cyanobacteria, which would have produced oxygen for 100s of 1,000,000s of years.
The lake water was sticky because of the prospering cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria might have evolved into a red color to absorb blue light and to photosynthesize. Under the bright red sun, the lake could even look bloody.
It was a Jurassic world where the Earths ecosystem had been preserved since the Precambrian period. Since there was no water or wind on land, it was not an ideal environment for land plants to grow. Even if a seed from the surface fell in by chance, like himself, it was unlikely to sprout.
On the other hand, the marine ecosystem, which was full of rich organic matter, had developed rapidly. Large aquatic animals could exist because of the high oxygen saturation level. There could even be a Megalodon of over 30 meters in length.
Hm!
A strand of his dimensional sight, which he had spread out like a net, flickered. An entity disappeared instantly even before its location and shape could be recorded. If it was a living creature on Earth, it would be surprising. If the creature had teleported, it would be even more surprising.
He sent out resonance waves.
Brrr
The entity, which he had detected on his active detective sound wave, slipped away. It was climatic. Nothing could escape his resonance waves unless it was a stealth creature. Now was the time when the French Academy of Sciences was enthusiastically developing stealth technology. Hed heard about the concept of stealth technology from Claude.
Did I sense it wrongly?
He tilted his head. His portraying sense might not be functioning properly due to the continued onslaught of damages and a completely different environment. The land to his right shook slightly. Black Mambas gaze turned.
Huk!
Surprised, Black Mamba leaped 20 meters to the back as though he was bitten by a snake.
Blackblack leopard!
He was at a loss for words. How could a leopard exist in the Mesozoic Jurassic world? That creature was definitely a black leopard unless he was under the influence of hashish or was suffering from a fever.
He shook his head and looked again. A black leopard, which was one circumference larger than a Siberian tiger, stood tall on a fallen rock 10 meters away. With a tilted head, its gaze looked arrogant.
Black Mambas brain analyzed the new enemy. With a length of three meters, a shoulder width of 1.5 meters, a tail length of 1.5 meters, a weight ranging from 400 to 500 kilograms, sharp teeth, and red eyes, it exuded an overwhelming aura that no creature on the Earths surface would be able to replicate. The Kronosaurus that he had gotten rid of in the lake didnt measure up. A similar chill from when he had met Ocelot in the Sahel ran down his spine.
I think there is a problem.
Black Mamba blinked. He couldnt piece together its figure. The dimensional sight ability created a form for any invisible living beings. The foundation of his strong combat power had been the image formation that he used to grasp and determine ones shape, strength, and weakness.
Ocelots image was evil and very violent. Even the monster hed fought in his dreams was the same. That guy was like water. He couldnt feel any good or evil intentions. He couldnt even create an image of the overwhelming presence before his eyes. All he could feel throughout his body was a pressure that seemed to fold him into pieces.
Om Mani Padme Hum! Ooom!
The ground shook with the impactful Six Sanskrit Mantra. The black leopard flinched. It seemed like it was shocked by the resonance waves during his declaration. The uncomfortable pressure disappeared instantly.
He gritted his teeth when it came to leopards. The nightmare he had to go through in Bang Tae Sans cave returned once more. The culprit behind the three claw scar on his left cheek was a leopard. Like furrows, deep scars were left on his back by a leopards claws. Before he killed the b*stard, his entire body had been shredded, and his intestines had poured out. It was now a piece of meat, but back then, the leopard had been a formidable enemy to his weaker self.
It was strange to call a person weak for beating up a leopard, but that was in comparison to his current strength. The leopard trauma reawakened. The black leopard looked tough, but it was still a leopard.
Ill kill you!
His life force and malice exploded.
Bang
He spurred on out of the bedrock.
Whoosh
The Gorgon approached the black leopard, like lightning. When the black leopard avoided his attack by tilting its head to the side, he moved his wrist to change the direction of the five-pointed spear.
The five-pointed spear changed direction like a snake and pierced its head.
Grk
The black leopard couldnt avoid the unexpected combo attack.
Crack
An explosion sounded.
Crash
A scream echoed, and a large body rolled on the bedrock.
What the hell? Black Mamba was surprised.
[1] The darkest of the twilight phases. During astronomical twilight, the geometric center of the Suns disk remained between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon.
Chapter 256 - Episode 4: Meeting With The Unknown
The dart, which should have dug into its brain, bounced off. The strength of a physical blow was determined by the impact administered per unit area rather than the total force.
For example, picking up a 500-won coin on the floor only to have a passerby step on ones fingers could end with a slight frown. On the other hand, if the passerby had been wearing heels, one would be met with the misfortune of having to rush to the hospital. It was because while mass and gravitational acceleration remained the same, the narrow surface area of the heels caused higher stress.
The titanium darts stress force, along with Black Mambas physical abilities, could pierce an iron plate. It meant that the black leopards hide and skull were more durable compared to an iron plate. No wonder Black Mamba was so surprised. Black Mamba failed to see the small electric flash that flickered from the black leopards targeted area.
The black leopard tumbled across the ground before standing up nonchalantly. The creature, which was larger than the Siberian tiger, moved like a cat practicing aerobatics. Its fluidity, which was expected of a feline creature with a flexible spine, and its powerful upper and lower muscles graced his eyes.
Thatyoudamn! I knew you were a monster, you leopard lookalike.
Black Mamba grew nervous. There were monsters like Ocelot. It was a world where Kronosaurus roamed around. He knew very well that what he saw wasnt all there was.
The black leopard shook its head from side to side as though it wasnt just a small impact. No one in the world would be happy after a slap to the cheek. Its image, which had been calm like water, flared up like fire. The black leopard opened its mouth wide.
Grrr
A majestic roar, which was incomparable to a tigers growl, erupted. The concentrated sound waves were directed toward Black Mamba without a single scatter. The roar, which had a strong ELF [1] of seven hertz, crashed into Black Mamba.
Vrrr
The ground rumbled in the place where the ELF passed.
Agh!
Black Mamba flew into the air and landed on the bedrock. His vestibular system vibrated. Sky and land reversed. Stars filled his eyes, and his head started buzzing. His organs protruded as though it would burst. It was the kind of shock that would place the shock of Kaparja dams explosion to shame.
The black leopard was capable of two types of ELF attacks. Its weaker attack was a frequency wave that exploded out in a spiral. The bend of a strong ELF with a seven-hertz attack could shake the water molecules of a living organism. Organs were twisted with the weak attack, and cell membranes were destroyed with a strong attack. Black Mamba received a low-level attack. The attack was effective against living organisms. It couldnt break through concrete walls or iron plates, which lacked moisture.
A high-level attack raised the ELF and rotated it in a double spiral. The compressed air trapped in the spirals vibration acted as a grinding particle that would pierce the target. It could break living things or inanimate objects, regardless if water molecules were present or not. It could even drill through diamonds with a reduced attack range. Organisms would be smashed into cells. No matter how large or strong the opponent was, it meant immediate death.
The black leopard, which disabled Black Mamba instantly, jumped up and sat on a crystal rock 30 meters away. It stared at the swaying intruder with burning eyes. It shook its head from side to side as if it didnt understand. It was a unique creature that acted no differently from humans.
Black Mamba suffered a great loss. He was attacked by a cannon as a payback for the slap. Hed underestimated the black leopard as a simple creature. He hadnt imagined a long-distance attack. Hed gained sufficient internal damage. His insides felt queasy, and he almost wanted to vomit. He felt as though his brain had turned into mush.
Mmph!
Black Mamba stood up with a bleeding nose. It was quite a sight. His skin had turned blue with blood pouring out from all seven holes of his face. With a strong will, he stood up but staggered, unable to regain his balance.
About 70 percent of the human body was made up of water. A low-level ELF attack shook the water molecules that made up the human body. When a fundamental component of the body was damaged, the destroyed cell membrane would affect all the organs. A Paranthropus had 10 times more cells than an average human. The cells, which had excellent tensile and shear strength, endured the impact.
Om mani padme hum!
He relaxed his stiff muscles and quivering organs with breathing chants while keeping an eye on the black leopards movements.
Whoosh
Shiny particles flowed out of his spinal cord and returned the damaged organs and muscles to its original condition.
The Paranthropus nervous system quickly registered and cleared away the shock. Macrophages poured out, accumulated the damaged cell membranes, and redistributed them. Black Mambas physical recovery speed was on an entirely different level from when hed been active in the Sahel. It was Asuras nature to become stronger on the battlefield.
The origin of the ELF weapons dated back to World War II. It started when Austrian inventor Dr. Zippermeyer had invented the Whirlwind Cannon. It created an explosion within a combustion chamber that produced ELF and launched a man-made whirlwind from a nozzle. The whirlwind frequency was said to have shattered a thick wooden board 183 meters away during an experimental test. Since then, ELF weapons were neglected due to technical problems with direction, pressure, absence of grinding particles, and miniaturization.
The most lethal frequency for living organisms was around seven to eight hertz. It had the same frequency bandwidth as the resonant frequency of flesh. With enough pressure, it could crush the human body. The French weapons development division was secretly developing nonlethal weapons with those features.
Black Mamba instinctively knew that hed received an ELF attack. The creature had exuded intense energy since the beginning. A black leopard that was capable of a low-level ELF attack! The damned Jurassic world was chaos itself.
What he couldnt understand were the ELF attacks direction and pressure. If he were forced to theorize, he would say that the creature vibrated the air and internal moisture in his body. That was the principle of an ultrasonic humidifier. The creature standing tall on the rock was a monster of all monsters.
He felt as though he could imitate it. Anything could be drilled through as long as the resonance waves could rotate and compress the water in the air into a specific level of gravity. Even if he couldnt, he could vibrate the water molecules in its body and turn its organ into mush. It would be hard to execute immediately, but practice made perfect. That was how he lived until now. Asuras real secret ability began to sprout in the Jurassic world 5,000 meters underground.
Krkrkrkr
Like a human, the black leopard wrinkled its nose as it growled.
That b*stards laughing at me!
Sparks flew out of Black Mambas eyes. Dong-bang-bull-pae, Black Mamba, had been defeated by a cats roar. Even if he brought humiliation upon his teachers name, itd gone too far. The effort and blood hed poured into training along with his battle abilities were wasted. Moreover, instead of resuming the attack, the b*stard tilted its head around as though it was laughing its head off. His pride crumpled.
Agh, you d*mn beast!
The Paranthropus primal nature exploded. Kill! Tear it apart! A drumming sound rang across his head. Black Mambas eyes turned pink. An objectified bloodlust rushed forward. The stronger the opponent, the more powerful the Paranthropus competitive spirit exploded. The black leopard lowered its stance, sensing that something was off.
Crash
Small pieces of rocks scattered itself onto the bedrock that he was standing on.
Woosh
He closed a distance of 20 meters in a flash. The Gorgon darted through the air at a fearsome speed. The black leopard teleported.
Crash
The whip shattered only a rock.
No, the back!
Black Mamba spun around like a spinning top. The b*stard didnt use a brain-muscled method that exploded ones muscles to cross space. It was an ignorant teleportation technique. No, like his teacher, it used a real dimensional teleportation technique that folded space.
The black leopard opened its mouth wide.
Hmph, you think Ill fall for it again?
Black Mamba slid 10 meters to the right.
Growl
An insurmountable level of frequency reached across in a whirlwind. The ELF traveling through the air was sucked into a lake 100 meters away.
Kuuuu
A large monster that hed never seen or heard of jumped into the air and crashed back into the water. It was a large monster with armor all over its bodya creature called the Sarcosuchus. Its large body of 12 meters long had a hole in its middle. Blood poured out of its wound like a waterfall.
It was a gruesome alligator creature. It was like a dead shrimp amid a whales fight. It didnt make sense for a Sarcosuchus to represent a shrimp since it could consume a Tyrannosaurus.
Huh!
His mouth hung open. The monster didnt show any sign of life. Water boiled up around the corpse. The creature, which could have been on the top level of the Jurassic lakes food chain, died in a single blow.
The b*stards low-level ELF attack didnt simply disarm the enemy. It could drill holes and turn their insides into mush. His heart sank. He realized that the black leopard had used the ELF attack on him in the form of a small jab.
The owner of the roaring sound, which hed heard in Kaparja Valley, was the black leopard before him. Somehow, the creature might have been calling out for him. Of course, it wouldnt have called him over to make friends. The b*stard was a natural destructive weapon.
If the black leopard was let free on the surface? Just thinking about it left his heart feeling cold. Even a Paranthropus couldnt withstand the creatures attack. It was a big world, after all. Cold sweat ran down his back.
The black leopard opened its mouth again.
Flick
He moved 10 meters to the right.
Grrr
At that very moment, attacks poured down onto his landing point. Hed fallen for a false move. The black leopard had only opened its mouth to get him to respond before attacking his landing point with a low-level ELF attack. It had observed his habit of moving to the right when avoiding an attack.
Huk!
Crash
Surprised, Black Mamba slammed the ground with his Gorgon and borrowed its rebound to use the four paced movement to its utmost.
Woosh
By sheer luck, an air vibration swept past his side.
Craaaack
A drilling sound was heard from afar. There was stone dust. A solid crystal stone had gained a deep hole without much noise. Hed die immediately if it directly hit him. At the overwhelming power, cold sweat ran down all over his body.
The black leopard nodded its head. Surprised? It seemed to mock him. Black Mamba abandoned his assumption of it being a creature. The black leopard was as smart as him.
The black leopard opened its mouth again. Black Mambas body swayed from side to side. Water Beetle Steps was a technique that mimicked the movements of a water strider, which moved frantically on the waters surface. He was trying to distract the creature from its target.
After experiencing it two or three times, he estimated the width of the low-level ELF attack to be at least three meters. He didnt know its range, but as long as he avoided the width, it wasnt that threatening.
Woosh
A black line streaked down. Ah! He was done in again. Black Mamba turned his head 90 degrees to the side.
Flick
Although it had aimed for his head with its front paws, which was as big as pot lids, it only swept past his ear. It was too late to avoid. He sacrificed his arm and shoved the Gorgons handle forward.
Ugh!
Grrk
Black Mamba, who was attacked on the shoulder, screamed. The black leopard also yelled when the Gorgons handle pierced its chest. The black leopard leaped back into the air but dropped onto the ground due to the impact on its chest.
Black Mamba rolled down the bedrock. He was held back by almost three times the difference in their weight. Even with a scrape, the impact was similar to getting shot by a 12.7-millimeter medium machine gun. His organs quivered, and his bones rang. Theyd both exchanged blows.
F***!
His collarbone broke with a single front paws attack.
Crack
He dragged his collapsed collarbone back up to set it back into place. There was obviously no time to visit the hospital. No, he would end up at the Mang Shan mountain at this rate.
Grrrrraaa
The black leopard roared. The Jurassic world vibrated. About 150 meters away, the lake water lapped. It was both a roar and a frequency attack. It was nearly 150 decibels.
The sound of car horns, nightclubs, and rock concert venues was approximately 110 decibels, and it caused temporary hearing loss. Without a silencer, the gunshot of his Dragunov reached 115 decibels.
In fact, 150 decibels was 100 times louder than the background noise of a nightclub in full swing. To counter the creatures sound waves, Black Mamba compressed the air in his ear with resonance waves and blocked it. Still, his head rang.
Kaaargh!
This time, the human screamed. He gathered as many resonance waves as he could to lace into his frequency. The black leopard flinched. It worked. He could send out resonance waves through his voice. Black Mamba had copied the black leopards skill in a flash. One had to learn good things quickly.
Grrr
Red sparks escaped the black leopards eyes. The b*stard was mad. The black leopard moved first. Black Mamba also moved after the black line was drawn.
Screech
A bloody explosion sounded. Both of the black leopards paws moved in the air like meteorites as it struck, scratched, and punched. The b*stard copied his moves too. Black Mambas body fluttered like the weeping willows near a stream. Evasion and defense skills were taught first in martial arts, followed by attack skills.
The black leopard had great physical strength. Like a hummingbird, it moved its claws five times in a stationary position. Its last attack targeted his chest. Black Mamba forced his chest to cave in. The moment the black leopard lost its balance, a hammer fist swung up to its chin.
Crash
His fist hesitated at the heaviness. The creatures head snapped back.
Woosh
His knees, which were heavy like weights, flew upward. The black leopard disappeared in a flash.
The black leopard appeared behind Black Mamba as he drew out the missed kick. Was it the Location Exchanging Shape Movement like those in martial arts novels?
Flick
Its front paws moved down like a shooting star. His cheeks trembled due to the air shift. If it landed, he would die.
[1] Extremely-low frequency.
Chapter 257 - Episode 5: Meeting With The Unknown
Black Mambas body stretched forward as though he was collapsing.
Whomp
The back of his hair was ripped off by the black leopards front paws. He moved his foot using the elasticity of his falling motion. He performed a front kick in an unimaginable position with both hip and knee joints twisted at 90 degrees.
Bang
Kegh
After getting kicked in the groin, the black leopard soared and twisted five meters into the air before landing. It was a heavy blow this time. He saw the black leopards hind legs trembling. Human or animal legs were bound to tremble as a result of being kicked in the groin.
Hehehe, b*stard, youre not the only one who knows how to fake a move.
Black Mamba crackled in satisfaction. The fights momentum changed from time to time. There were times when martial arts masters were done in by street fighters because they didnt know how to fight.
The black leopard was a b*stard that didnt know the value of its strength. It wasnt capable of fully demonstrating its superior physical abilities. Its flow of attacks broke off here and there, and there was no sequence. It was a young child with immense strength. One blow from the child could relocate him to the northern Mang Shan mountain[1].
Krrrao
The black leopard, which had been countering his attacks until now, leaped in for the first blow. No b*stard wouldnt get mad from getting their bits kicked. It was also a part of Black Mambas plan. The more excited one was, the more their weaknesses were revealed.
Black Mamba threw down his Gorgon. Tools were just tools. It was a cumbersome obstacle in a fight that only flashed back and forth. While an equal amount of skill and instinct were necessary to fight the black leopard, hed lose if he didnt catch up to its speed. The more hesitant the b*stard got, the more advantageous close-range exchanges were for him.
Krrrng
The black leopard spurred off the ground and rushed forward in a terrifying momentum. Black Mamba avoided its attack by shaking his body with the water beetle steps before jumping onto the black leopards chest.
Ha!
Kuagh
The monster that was unlike a monster, and the human, who was unlike a human, confronted each other again. The outfight in which both sought a chance to land a hit turned into a dog fight. A dog fight where one monster was entangled with another transpired.
Woosh
Black Mamba delivered a quick uppercut. The black leopard, which was rushing in, stopped as though something had pulled it from behind. Black Mambas fist scraped under the black leopards chin. It was an unwarranted existence with the ability to suppress its own inertia despite having a large body.
Swoosh
The black leopard twisted its body to the right and flicked its tail.
Crack
It landed on his thigh without a miss. Hed condensed his muscles at the moment of impact, but his femur ended up cracking. It was no different from an iron rod. Among all animals, no predator would use its tail as a weapon except for tigers. The b*stard used its tail despite being a leopard. It was Black Mambas mistake for not thinking of a tail attack.
The black leopard hurled its body forward like a cannonball the moment Black Mamba faltered. Heads collided.
Crash
The strange sound of a car crashing head-on at full speed was heard.
Kaang
The black leopard staggered back as though it was drunk. The black leopard had miscalculated. Black Mambas head was made out of iron, sturdy enough to survive a hammer.
Kkugh!
Black Mamba also staggered. Stars sprang out of his eyes. His head rang. He blacked out for a second. The back of his neck, neck muscles, trapezius muscles, and pectoral muscles buffered the shock and spread the impact throughout his body. Shivers ran down to the tip of his toes.
A head-butting black leopard was bizarre, but it was a reality. He was puzzled by the stars jumping before his eyes. The black leopards head was unexpectedly weak. He could smash its head if the five-pointed spear couldnt pierce through.
Vvvvvr
Air was vibrating from the center of the black leopards head. Black Mambas eyes sparkled. The b*stard had a unique skill it could use to defend its body. However, it couldnt use the skill at will. It was comparable to a baby who just started walking.
The b*stard was certainly not used to fighting. A lion born and raised in the zoo would be eaten by hyenas when abandoned in the grasslands. It starved to death because it didnt know how to hunt. Although he couldnt explain, he was confident that the black leopard was a zoo predator. It had never experienced a deathly fight.
What set humans apart from animals was that they were determined and had a fighting spirit. Black Mamba was the Asura who fought countless battles. He suppressed the pain and stormed forward.
The eighteen beats of shock were carried out in grand motions. Hands, feet, head, arms, elbows, and knees rotated around like a water wheel. Like hail, it was a strong attack that produced 18 consecutive hits in a single breath. The black leopard was beaten like an old house that was getting robbed. The black leopard wasnt so easily defeated. It slowly adapted to Black Mambas speed. Moving flexibly like a feline creature, it avoided and counter-attacked with its front paws and tail.
When Black Mamba targeted its eyes with the talon attack, the black leopard leaped to avoid it. He stretched out his arm, and a variation of the circular long-range reach knocked on its head. The moment a crack sounded, he slapped both of its ears in turn with the crane wings movement. The heads antler movement, the hundred circles of double attack, and the resonance of tigers hatred followed.
Tutatatata
Crack
Crack
The black leopards front paws were entangled like logs, while the sound of bones breaking could be heard from Black Mambas arms and legs. The black leopard felt like dying after facing the eighteen beats of shock. Its soul was about to leave from avoiding and blocking the attacks of the other creature, whose rhythm and angles had changed with time.
The black leopard didnt want to fight. It had never fought. The monsters that lived in the lake didnt deserve to be its opponent. It didnt need to kill them either as they were not its food. However, the black leopard had felt a familiarity with the foreign entity. It instinctively knew that the entity was very similar to itself. It had approached, wanting to gain knowledge. Alas, the entity was rather frightening.
The entity, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, got stronger as he fought. He attached himself like violets living at the bottom of the lake while causing it pain. He was like a leech. The black leopard continued to fight while mimicking the entitys movements, but the damage had accumulated.
The large mammals living in the lake could be dealt with by a single tap of its paws. However, that entity didnt die even after several attacks. The black leopard couldnt die, but it didnt like pain either. Why was that entity causing it pain?
Bang
The black leopards endless questions stopped with Black Mambas right angle of impact.
Krr
The black leopard received a powerful hit squarely on the chin. Its large head was thrown back into the air.
Papapapa
It received over 18 consecutive hits in a second.
Kraang
The black leopard teleported, unable to endure the pain. It had volunteered to fight after observing Black Mambas every move. However, that wasnt enough to overcome the dimensional sight. The dimensional sight could predict the behavior of living things. Despite its superior speed, that was the reason why the black leopard was continuously getting beaten up.
Now that hed finished his warm-up, Black Mamba flew after the black leopard.
Crash
Kuuuung
The black leopards head shook to the right and left as it was trapped in Black Mambas heads antler movement. The black leopard teleported to avoid him, but Black Mamba gave chase.
The black leopard couldnt form a proper defensive magnetic field in response to the flashing blows. Faint lights flickered all over its body, but it couldnt reinforce the target point at the right time.
Bang
Bang
The human and animal crossed a distance of 10 to 20 meters in a flash. There was an explosion every time it happened. It was an extreme clash, reminiscent of an artillery tank war or a partisan warship war. Whenever an attack missed its target and landed on the bedrock, stone chips and dust scattered.
The consequences of the attacks werent as catastrophic as the clashing energy. If theyd been above ground, the entire ground wouldve shattered. There was nothing but rocks in the underground world. The floor was also a large bedrock. At most, stone chips and dust scattered.
The black leopard was ahead in terms of speed and impact, while Black Mamba was good at consecutive attacks and improvisation. The adaptability and agility of the human who had learned martial arts overpowered the superior physicality of the black leopard. Furthermore, his dimensional sight also puts him at an advantage.
Strange enough, the black leopard didnt use its strongest teeth. Like a human wearing a leopards skin, it used its two front paws, hind legs, and sometimes its tail. On the other hand, Black Mambas entire body was a weapon. The black leopard had no choice but to be pushed back by the whirlwind of attacks.
To Black Mamba, the unfamiliar tail attack was his biggest threat. He was hit three times. His left femur had cracked, and a couple of his ribs had remained intact. His femur had accumulated enough damage that it would break with one more hit. That was all purely because of the b*stards tail attack. Every time there was an air vibration around his target point, his attack broke off as though hed hit cotton. Every time that happened, hed be done in by the b*stards counter-attack.
The black leopard was worse off. It had received 38 consecutive hits from the mad humans relentless attacks. It suffered from a cracked skull and broken ribs. It had a hard time forming a magnetic field because of the muscle ruptures.
The human and animal jumped back at once, leaving a distance of 50 meters in between, and swore at each other. Both had instinctively created a distance too far for teleportation. Black Mamba feared the black leopards speed, while the black leopard feared Black Mambas consecutive attacks.
You damn cat b*stard!
This stubborn thing!
Or so, the conversation went.
Grrrr
The ground rang. His dimensional sight detected a whirlwind of frequency. The black leopard, which found a new attack approach, attempted its low-level ELF attack again. Black Mamba smiled. At first, hed been done in due to ignorance, but he wasnt going to be fooled again.
Boom
His resonance eruption fixed the ground in place. The black leopard sent extremely-low frequencies through sound waves. No matter how strong it was, it was useless if the air, which acted as a medium for the grinding stone particles in frequency attacks, was immobilized.
Hehehe! Youre dead now.
Black Mamba furiously ran toward it.
Ssss
The black leopard disappeared. The b*stard before him had simply disappeared.
Hah!
He sent out his dimensional sight, but his dimensional net didnt detect the b*stard. Had it become one with nature? No. It had to die to avoid becoming one with nature. An animal full of vitality couldnt dodge his dimensional sight. How could a creaturethe black leopardimmediately suppress its instincts to be all and one!
Boom
He sent out resonance waves. His brain analyzed the reflected active waves and formed a shape.
What the hell?
Surprised, Black Mamba shouted unknowingly. An object, which had not been there, was detected 70 meters ahead. The reflected image was absurd. It wasnt the black leopard but the shape of a blanket placed on a clothesline. It was 20 meters in length and width.
He could guess what it was. Eyes could create optical illusions, but resonance waves had no errors. He intuitively knew that the shape of the blanket was the black leopards original form. Unable to endure the threshing, the black leopard had hidden using a stealth skill. It didnt matter what had to be done.
He had a teacher who could hide his body in space. Any other methods had no reason to exist. It was quite abnormal to see anything ordinary in the Jurassic world.
You need to shake the blanket after hanging it, right?
He sneakily grabbed the Gorgon that hed thrown away. The dimensional sight, which hed spread out like a spider web, flickered.
You damned cat, Ill kill you.
Woosh
The Gorgon gained speed after one round in the air.
Crack
A part of the air shifted. The corners of Black Mambas mouth tilted up.
Woosh
Woosh
The Gorgon sliced through the air relentlessly. It was a movement that incorporated the all-torture technique.
Bang
Bang
Bang
The sound of impact lingered. It sounded like a blanket beaten with a stick. The Gorgon could shatter rocks and slice through bodies.
Kuuung
A painful scream echoed.
The black leopard was about to die. Nothing could recognize it if it removed its pigments and suppressed its life force. However, the absurd entity had easily caught onto its location. At this rate, the non-nuclear cells surrounding it would escape. It took time to recreate those. Unable to stand it any longer, the black leopard forcibly compressed some of the unstable non-nuclear cells.
The black leopards large paws appeared in the air.
Bingo!
Delighted, Black Mamba threw the Gorgon away and grabbed the black leopards paws with both of his hands. It was so thick that it couldnt be held with just one hand.
Woosh woosh woosh
He spun it around and threw it onto the ground.
Bang
Kuung
A painful scream echoed. Its hind legs and tail slowly appeared.
B*stard, you think I cant see you if you hide?
Black Mamba was very confident. He was the kind of person who saw things through to the end, and in this case, until his opponent was down. He gave up the black leopards leg since it was too thick and grabbed its tail instead. The black leopards torment began. Black Mamba swung it around by its tail, slamming the blanket onto the ground once, twice, and thrice.
Crash
Kuuung
Crash
Kuung
Crash
Kuuung
Was it around the 20th hit? The black leopard, which had been fighting back, started drooping.
Ssss
The black leopards body was revealed, but it was small. It was just a circumference larger than a common leopard. Its size was merely 20 percent larger. It was gray in color instead of black.
Huh! Is this the same guy?
Anyway, it was a peculiar creature. In military terms, the black leopard was out of combat. It was breathing, but all of its bones had shattered. No matter how persistent it was, it wouldnt be fair if it remained fine.
He felt sorry for beating it up mercilessly. Frankly, he was the one who had invaded the black leopards peaceful space, right?
Oi, blacky, sorry about that.
He threw down a meaningless consolation and sank to the ground. Black Mamba himself was messed up. There were at least 10 broken and cracked bones. He was exhausted. His field combat abilities had progressed exponentially from when hed roamed around in the Sahel. If hed remained the same from back then, one of the black leopards low-level ELF attacks would have done him in.
Black Mamba glanced at the black leopard that had stretched out like a Mollusca, turned, and transitioned into a lotus position. He used his resonance waves to heal his organs and bones, then ruled over his internal damages with breathing exercises. He gradually entered a state of calmness through silent meditation.
Are you calling me blacky?
He didnt know whether it was verbal or internal, but its message was conveyed. Black mamba wasnt even surprised. He didnt let external disturbances affect him during silent meditation. He could only hear ones inner voice. There were instances when a good master was distracted by antics and ended up being a swindler. Black Mamba replied without hesitation.
Yes, b*stard, youre blacky because youre black in color.
[1] Graveyard.
Chapter 258 - Episode 6: Meeting With The Unknown
Am I blacky?
The black leopard mumbled internally. There was a hint of excitement in its thoughts. Black Mamba was slightly embarrassed. The blacky hed called out without much thought became its name. He felt sorry since the receiver seemed to like it.
Right. Youre blacky.
Thanks. But what are you?
Im what you call a human. Im Dong-bang-bull-pae.
Human? Dong-bang-bull-pae, could you share your knowledge? Your knowledge and way of thinking seem very different from mine. I need to understand your knowledge and perceptions to start a conversation.
Yeah.
Woosh
His brain suddenly felt a cool sensation. The poking sensation he felt on his brain tickled him. At the same time, he could relive a block of blackys memories as though it was his.
Wait, are these blackys thoughts?
Black Mambas meditation broke off. The moment he realized it was blacky that had sent him those thoughts, his consciousness returned to the present.
F***, what is that!
Dumbfounded, Black Mamba could only look at the black leopard. The b*stard, which he thought would die soon, was staring at him in a comfortable position. It had returned to its original shape. It had also recovered at a tremendous speed. That wasnt the problem. Now that he was in the right mind, he was aware that those thoughts had come from that b*stard instead of his inner voice. He was at a loss for words.
Human Dong-bang-bull-pae, thank you for sharing your name and knowledge. With this, I have gained attributes and a form. I have become a defined existence.
Ha! Is it at my teachers level? Mind language of enlightening wisdom? Translation of intentions?
Despite their language differences, its intentions had successfully reached his brain. In other words, it was a standardized thought wave. Ones ears could pick up languages through air fluctuations created by sound organs when conveying IPA in which the brain would analyze.
If intentions could be transferred directly to the synapses in the brains language center, there would be no need for languages. Did the blacky convey its intentions directly to his brain? The situation was turning more and more like Wonderland. It was a living fantasy. Was that even possible?
I see!
Black Mamba slapped his forehead. Hed conversed with the black leopard in his silent meditative state. It meant that he could convey his intentions through his resonance waves. There was no reason why he couldnt convey his intentions through resonance waves when he could deliver resonance waves through his voice. That would be the mind language of enlightening wisdom, featured in martial arts novels.
He calmed his mind with the mind centering technique. He disregarded the external disturbances and engaged his inner mind.
Boom
It automatically triggered his resonance waves. It was soft and resistant. It wasnt the thick, violent resonance waves that usually rushed around. He placed meaning in his resonance.
So, you gained attributes and a form? What are you? Arent you a black leopard?
What was that thing? His curiosity might drive him mad. It was an isolated ecosystem from the Mesozoic era. According to the evolutionary tree and no matter how far back he went, the leopards origins dated back to no more than 4,000,000 years ago.
It was hard to connect a point from 100,000,000 years ago to a point from 4,000,000 years ago. While the differences in geological age were ambiguous, there was too much of a difference. The saber-toothed tiger, which belonged in the same family tree as the leopard, was a good example. Based on the geological time scale, there wasnt much of a difference between its appearance and the leopards appearance.
No. Im an atypical being that exists yet doesnt exist. According to your stored memories, Im neither an animal nor a plant. The black leopard is an image you made up yourself. You have a bad memory with leopards. That memory recognized me as a black leopard. So, I appeared in the form of a black leopard. Now, I exist as blacky, because you gave me that name.
What? So if I recognized you as a female human, you would have appeared as a female human? Does it work like that?
Of course.
Damn, how good would it be if I had recognized you as Edel?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. It was a ridiculous thought. If the black leopard was speaking the truth, there wouldnt be a reason to fight so violently, and he could have spent the time well and peacefully.
Can you change again if I recognize you as a female human?
Kekekeke! Youre lonely, arent you? A rock will always be a rock no matter how much you wish it to be a diamond.
The blacky crackled. The b*stard, which had sent terrifying low-level ELF attacks with glaring eyes, seemed so different.
I see.
Black Mamba came to a realization. The black leopard was something like a god. A true god wasnt a presence that could be justified. How could an inferior human understand and conceptualize a higher being?
An ant could only recognize a humans finger as a large pillar. The same went for humans. When justified and conceptualized, gods were no longer gods. In other words, that gave meaning to something insignificant. Hed given a meaningless presence, which took up space, the concept of a black leopard, and it had turned into a black leopard.
When concepts combined with reality, it turned into beings. He hadnt thought of that since the possession of names was natural. He was born a human and existed as Mu Ssang since that was his name. He acted like Ddu-bai-buru-pa, which was why he was called Ddu-bai-buru-pa. The black leopard had become a black leopard with his definition and became a purposeful existence with the given name, blacky.
Describe your past from before you became blacky.
I dont have a past. The concept of past and future only existed when I became blacky. It is considered foolish to find meaning in meaningless things. I will explain to you the primitive knowledge I have within me.
Long ago, when the past couldnt be defined by a humans concept of time, the master of the Earth was the Concretus[1]. They were the owners of the Epidium and me, blackys master. The Concretus extended their lives with advanced science and medicine. It optimized the genetic map and revived species that died from accidents or age with genetic engineering. I, blacky, was one of the elements required for the Concretus revival, who died in the Age of Twilight.
What a surprising story. If thats the case, I can understand the existence of atypical and non-conceptual beings. Your master must have removed the necessary parts from others to fill in any missing parts of those that needed treatment. Was it a level of philosophy beyond medicine? Why did the great Concretus disappear? Are there any other intelligent beings?
I dont know other intelligent beings other than the Concretus. Primitive knowledge is based on self-preservation. It is extremely unstable and fragmentary. It cannot be judged or reasoned with at all. My knowledge has increased from gaining self-awareness, but Im still lacking. It means I cant answer complicated questions. I need you to understand simple things.
They were responsible for the fall of intelligent beings. They extended their lives using science and medicine. Their lifespan of 120 years extended to 500 years. They praised science and medicine. Enamored by their longer life spans, they desired for eternal life.
They focused on extending their lives even longer once they fell into the dogma of transcendent science. They could live up to 700 years. They were like gods but not gods. They had developed genetic engineering enough to create me, blacky, but signs of the Age of Twilight, which soon followed, also appeared. The longer they lived, the slower the evolution and the lesser the diversity.
Blacky continued, Species evolved by overcoming pain and danger. There was no reason for the Concretus to be in danger or be tormented when advanced science had been achieved. The Concretus genes grew weaker across 1,000,000s of years.
Anything alive evolved through a selection. Weaker species with malignant genetic factors were eliminated earlier on, breaking off any genetic link. For example, patients with congenital heart disease or diabetes would die earlier, unable to live out their lives. A person with weak leg bones would die earlier from being chased by a ferocious beast. It meant that their genes couldnt pass on.
But the Concretus didnt die until their lives ran out. With science and medicine, the Concretus lived for 700 years. It could even revive a Concretus that had committed suicide. Was it a blessing or a curse?
Wow, to not have the freedom to die is like hell. Those malignant genes must have increased in number, Black Mamba thought.
Yes. Over the course of 1,000,000s of years, the gene pool grew full of malignant and modified genes. The entire species became weak, and genetic diseases and mutations continued. The HeLa cells, especially, were the problem since apoptosis couldnt function properly. A deformity in which specific body organs would grow endlessly was found. In human terms, it was gods punishment for those who disregarded divine providence.
Viruses and bacterias are components of the Earth, just like air. Cells evolve by fighting and cohabiting with viruses, even accepting parts of it. Viruses invade cells and leave imprints of their DNA. Cells that overcome viruses become even stronger. In summary, it gains immunity and delivers genetic information to the next generation. The Concretus didnt give a chance for their species to be tormented.
They used vaccines, immune serums, antibiotics, and clones to save lives. The opportunity for immune genes to grow was deprived, and the weak genes were passed onto the next generation. The Concretus were isolated from the cycle of natural evolution due to advanced science, Blacky went on.
Although they managed to extend their lives by manipulating genes like telomeres, their immunity system and bodies weakened. In the end, birth rates dropped significantly. Inevitably, they had to resort to external fertilization to create offspring. Strange enough, the offspring born from external fertilization wasnt the Concretus but the Epidium.
You mentioned an Epidium before. What is an Epidium? Black Mamba asked.
Kekeke, thats you. There seems to be a human species called the Paranthropus in your memories. They were originally called the Epidium. The weak Concretus wanted a strong descendant. They modified all kinds of genetic information to strengthen the body and improve sight. The existence born from that was the Epidium.
They were strong, but for some unknown reason, the Epidium had low intelligence. They didnt even reach the intelligence level of a Concretus offspring. It was probably due to their weak genes. They were flustered by the birth of a strong and unintelligent child. The Concretus tried everything they could for a long time but werent able to solve the problem.
They used the Epidium, which couldnt integrate into their society, for two purposes. The tame Epidium took on the hard work for the Concretus. Meanwhile, they injected transmitters into the violent Epidium and released them into nature. They wanted to observe the evolutionary processes following natures cycle. Youre a descendant of the violent Epidium that the Concretus released into nature.
Huh!
Black Mambas mouth hung open at the great story that took place during the ancient times. Apparently, 100s and 1,000,000s of years before the emergence of modern humans, a highly intelligent civilization called the Concretus had existed. The Paranthropus, no, the Epidium was a result of the Concretus unsuccessful external fertilization. He couldnt help but be surprised.
Blacky continued the story.
The aged died, and the birth rate decreased over time. The populations deceleration phase got out of hand. The Concretus named the day of their last birth the Button of Twilight. 50,000 years from the Button of Twilight to their extinction was referred to as the Age of Twilight.
In the Age of Twilight, they created soulless beings to transfer their souls into them. That was their last attempt at stopping extinction, I suppose. Countless experiments were carried out. The Concretus slowly dropped from Twilight to Darkness through successes and failures.
They didnt acknowledge the existence of the experimental outcome. They referred to the creatures of the experiment, Adras, as non-existent beings. According to your knowledge, Adras is a kind of homunculus. While the Epidium were just idiots, the Adras were non-existent beings with bodies. Basically, pitiful creatures without souls or self-will. Well, I suppose the concept of pitifulness was created after they were given their names, Blacky carried on.
Their end was brought about by a massive meteorite impact. While the Concretus could block a meteorite with their advanced science, they were helpless. They had the ability but hadnt been prepared. They had focused all of their resources and manpower on genetic engineering. They had to, to prevent extinction. Large-scale volcanic eruptions and shifting tectonic plates tore the Earth apart. The Concretus couldnt do anything.
When society fell into chaos, a hole opened amidst their fight against the viruses. The Concretus conducted indiscriminate genetic manipulation and created drugs to protect their immune system. Countless virus variants were created in the process. They believed that they could control the virus outbreak, but that was just arrogance. Viruses evolved too. The Concretus that was almost in the last phase of extinction during the Age of Twilight suddenly disappeared. Either way, they would have silently disappeared within 1,000 years or so.
How could this be!
Black Mamba was extremely confused. It was a story about an ancient civilization that resided on Earth 1,000,000s of years ago and how their extreme intelligence drove themselves to extinction. All the knowledge hed learned and memorized until now seemed useless. He felt as though he was listening to the future of Homo sapiens, who were completely immersed in scientific universalism. Did the arrogance of intelligent beings lead to destruction?
A part of the Earths crust, where the experimental factory was located, collapsed. Some of the liquefied Adras flowed into this place. The liquefied Adras was designed to be sensitive to viruses. It is the same for me. Theres no such thing as life for the Adras. Environmental maladjustment and viral infections would kill the Adras. All the Adras that flowed in here were destroyed, Blacky explained.
I dont know why I am alive. Ive simply kept my place, neither dead nor alive, for several years. The smell of the Epidium woke me up. I am glad to call myself by my name. Im glad to experience this emotion called happiness. My master, the Concretus, disappeared in the Age of Twilight, but the genetically enhanced Epidium survived by adapting to the Earths climate. Im surprised an Epidium still lives. Theres a good concept called friend in your memories. I want to be your friend.
Gosh!
The blackys long story ended. Black Mamba had nothing to say except to exclaim. It was an unbelievable story, but the Mesozoic era had existed before him, and there was a blacky called the Adras.
[1] A concrete presence.
Chapter 259 - Episode 7: Meeting With The Unknown
A friend!
Did he have any real friends?
He stared at the blackys eyes that glowed in orange. 1,000,000 years ago? 2,000,000 years ago? It was a creature from a distant past. He couldnt associate the creature waving its tail while lying comfortably on the rock with the weight of its years. The creature was like a cat three times the size of a male lion.
He was a descendant of the Epidium, which had existed at the same time as the creature. Hed become a half-descendant by force, but he wasnt about to complain. If he hadnt turned into a Paranthropus, he would have lived out the rest of his life in a cold cell, chewing on his grudges.
The reason why he found comfort in the unfamiliar environment was due to the imprinted memories of his Paranthropus DNA. He must have adjusted easily to the mixture of sulfur and ammonia in the air and the temperature beyond 50 degrees Celsius because he was a Paranthropus, no, a descendant of the Epidium.
At most, the origin of modern humans dated back to 200,000 years. Now, he couldnt trust that, either. A highly intelligent civilization, which had created the peak of humanity, existed 1,000,000 years ago. All the scientific knowledge hed learned and memorized became worthless.
There was an irreconcilable gap between 1,000,000 years and 200,000 years. When walking down the streets of Seoul, he couldnt be compared to Lucy, an Australopithecus afarensis. At the same time, he was like any other human who knocked on someone elses shoulder countless times a day.
When he was older, he went through countless books, trying to figure out his identity. There were no useful articles in the country. Hae Young had managed to gather some articles and documents from overseas for him. That didnt give him a clue, either. However, he did improve his English skills.
The knowledge accumulated by mankind was trivial compared to the vast universe! It was less than a cup of water from the sea. He naturally grew solemn at the great passage of time.
The failed outcome of the external fertilization by the Concretus, a distant elite humanity, was the Epidium also known as the Paranthropus. Finding the source of his identity 5,000 meters underground felt like a fantasy!
His inexplicable tendency for violence, his sanity despite killing 1,000s of humans, and his growing strengtheverything was understandable. Hed been through a crisis after collapsing from a fever in the Sahel.
The Paranthropus, which had been genetically engineered by the Concretus, suffered a side-effect that turned the brain into muscles. If his brain had been invaded, he would have turned into a neighborhoods idiot. A Homo sapiens with a cold rationale and the wildness of a Paranthropus, that was his identity. A Homo sapiens-Epidium mutant.
If he told the truth to Hae Young, her masters thesis would be approved immediately. He shook his head. There was no evidence to prove the theory. It was questionable as to whether humans could reach the underground world in the first place. No, that wouldnt do. There would be great chaos.
Several powerful countries would capture the lakes creatures by attempting all kinds of methods. They would extract the creatures DNA and dissect their insides. The variant viruses might spread across the surface and threaten humanity or turned into biological weapons.
This place could be his half-selfs homethe Paranthropus and the Epidiums home. There was no end to a humans greed. It was not a place one should touch mercilessly like that of the Native Americans. Black Mamba decided to seal his mouth forever.
Great. Its said that men become friends through fistfights. Ill gladly be your friend.
Thank you. Friend Dong-bang-bull-pae, why did you attack me? I wanted to talk to you.
Black Mamba couldnt come up with a proper reply. It was unbecoming of him to say that it had all been due to a bad memory associated with leopards.
Sorry. I felt threatened.
I understand. Its the emotion called fear and hatred.
Why didnt you use your strong teeth? A leopards strongest weapon is its teeth.
You still dont understand. Im not a leopard. I turned from a non-existent Adras into an existent leopard because of your vision. Thats the purpose of the Adras that the Concretus desired. The owner decided whether dumplings, noodles, or buns would be made from flour. Adras is like a premade dough, ready to be used.
Damn, I understand, but I cant get used to it.
Black Mamba was confused. He felt the limit of his lacking knowledge. He had instinctively selected biology as his field of study. Now that he thought about it, the exam was right around the corner. Yet, he was rolling around in some Jurassic cave.
Human Dong-bang-bull-pae, Ive explained everything based on the knowledge and concepts that Ive gained from you. Thats the limit. Im a genetically engineered creature. Thanks to you, Ive gained self-consciousness and the ability to learn. I can be better with time. Evolution is great. Im surprised that a descendant of the idiot Epidium has this much knowledge.
Blacky spoke as though it was mocking him.
Im more surprised that youre able to converse with me using the knowledge youve stolen. I wish you knew more about the Concretus.
Black Mamba envied the science of the ancients, which had extended their lifespans to 700 years and created an existence like blacky.
The word stolen isnt right. You allowed me to take your knowledge. The primitive knowledge in me is too abstract for a detailed explanation.
What is this primitive knowledge?
After my creation, the Concretus integrated offensive and defensive skills into me to defend those creatures. I know nothing about science and medicine. I was used as a means to watch and protect over those creatures nearing the end of the Age of Twilight.
Black Mamba nodded. As long as blacky was near, there wouldnt be a problem with those Tyrannosauruses. Their necks would break with a single front kick, and their bodies would shatter with a single ELF attack.
Exactly how many years have you lived?
I cant explain using the concept of years. There is no concept of time here. Theres a large creature in the lake. Thats the 1.6 millionth creature.
Woah! The 1.6 millionth creature?
Black Mamba swayed.
Im the 64th descendant of Mil Yangs Park family, right?
The large creature in the lake that blacky was talking about mustve been the boss of the lake ecosystem. Approximating a large dinosaurs lifespan at 100 years and half of its lifespan dedicated to adulthood, it meant that the creature was 80,000,000 years old. In comparison, there was a difference of 100,000,000 years. He felt nauseated at the weight of 80,000,000 years.
Can I talk with the other creatures too?
Thats impossible. We can communicate and exchange knowledge because were the same kind. We are the only remaining traces of the Concretus, probably.
Black Mamba swallowed his comment regarding Ocelot. He couldnt be certain whether the b*stard was an Epidium or something else.
You managed to avoid my detection by changing your shape. How did you do that?
I only followed the emergency manual. Im made up of two types of cells. Nuclear cells control non-nuclear cells. When nuclear cells erase all pigment cells from non-nuclear cells, streaks of light pass through. When the molecules that make up the cell are arranged in a lattice-like mesh, infrared rays are also transmitted. To do that, I have to increase my bodys surface area, which takes time.
Blacky continued, Diamonds are transparent and hard, but graphite is dark and soft. The properties of a material composed of the same carbon changes according to the arrangement of elements. In my case, the nuclear cells control the non-nuclear cells, changing the molecular structure that makes up my body. When the non-nuclear cells are layered, they become denser, smaller, and harder. When non-nuclear cells spread across a wide surface, they become large and transparent.
Im neither a plant nor an animal. I dont have the unique life wave of an animal. While I am capable of becoming transparent with the release of my layered cell-structure, I am incapable of using my defense system. That is also the reason why I was defeated by you, friend, since I chose to hide.
Ho. Surprising. If you erase your pigment cells, your membranes will become transparent, which disables your retina. What do you do with the food in your stomach?
Biological science was amazing. Modern humans couldnt even dream of it. Blacky showed him the Concretus level of science.
I dont see anything with my eyes. My eyes are something you created, friend. I dont need an organ called the eye. I dont need to fill my liver with food like you, either. The nuclear cells combine the elements in the atmosphere to give me the energy I need. There are no limitations to becoming transparent.
Amazing.
Black Mamba was truly surprised. Blackys cells were a living factory that created energy by combining elements on its own. It was neither a plant nor an animal, but a third species. Hed gained an incredible being as a friend. His teacher had said that hed gain a friend during hard times, and it seemed to be this creature.
Its hard to talk to you. Humans are more alert only after they sleep.
I understand. It is in your knowledge that friends protect each others backs. I will protect you.
Wow, you really did take all my knowledge and thoughts. Like a doppelganger, I think?
Black Mamba ended the conversation and rose from his meditation. Long conversations were hard. His head ached as though it was about to shatter. Continuous resonance waves caused extreme stress to his brain. The first time was always hard. Hed soon get used to it.
Blacky melted right before his eyes. It spread all over the floor, turning into a blanket.
Your mouth will turn if you sleep on the hard rock floor. Sleep on top of me.
Huh!
He could only exclaim. Blacky had really taken his memories and knowledge.
Jamal had waited three days for his master to return to Kaparja Valleys Kindall D-zone. He struggled like an ant on top of a heated iron plate. His master had disappeared after turning the 16-kilometers valley into rubble.
The Syrian Army flowed in like colonies of ants. It was obvious. His master had created a great scene. The impact that Assad had received was innumerable. There was no way Assad could remain still when his eyelids were flipped out.
He had to wait for his master, but it was getting harder to avoid the search parties. Jamal gathered the dollars and documents from his backpack. He also grabbed the videotapes and other things. He shoved the gold deep inside the raccoons burrow and covered it with raccoon waste and soil. Jamal bowed thrice in the direction where Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had disappeared.
Master, Ive waited but will be leaving due to the situation. Please forgive this servant for not greeting your return. I will follow your orders and wait for you in Karjai village with my parents.
Jamal waited until nightfall and moved his unwilling feet. He moved like a shadow, as hed lived as a terrorist for eight years, and disappeared up north to avoid the searchers eyes.
Guooooo
Kueeeeee
He woke up to the sound of strange screeches. Blue-lit rocks with the still air, the endless lake, and countless luminescent bacteriasit was the unchanging underground world.
Black Mamba stared blankly at the lake with boogers around his eyes. Two large creatures were wrestling. One was the tyrant Kronosaurus, and the other was the emperor of the sea, Tylosaurus. Both were large lizards with short necks and huge jaws, reaching over 20 meters in length.
Damn, how did those dinosaurs roars become my alarm clock?
Oi, friend, did you sleep well?
His mattress moved. Surprised, Black Mamba leaped up. The mattress moved again, and blacky appeared. Blacky was a friend that took time adjusting to.
Friend, is there water on land?
No. Theres a lot of water in the lake.
Damn b*stard.
Black Mamba reached for his burning throat and glared from the side of his eyes. Hed want nothing more than Jin Soons sujeonggwa.
Friend, I need to go back up to the surface. Is there a way?
He felt as though hed go mad if he remained in the dead underground world. The desire to shower in hot water overpowered his hunger. He was truly a modern human.
He could escape the cave as long as he climbed for 90 seconds out of the 4,400-meters sinkhole that he had fallen into. The lake water from Kaparja dam should have drained out by now.
Thats difficult. I could turn my body into a rope to help if it was some 100 meters, but the caves ceiling is over 4,000 meters high.
Wont it work if I pull out those creatures tendons and turn it into a rope?
Black Mamba pointed at the monsters, which were fighting and spraying blood everywhere like a fountain. Hed thought of all kinds of ideas since yesterday. Should he make a hot air balloon out of the dinosaurs in the lake or find some upstream in a volcanic area? He could find a flying dinosaur. Everything was for nothing. There wasnt a realistic way.
Are you an idiot? To dissect all 100 of those creatures and make a 4,000-meters long rope, youd have to
Whatever. I know. I was just throwing around ideas out of frustration.
Use your body.
And by that you mean?
Black Mambas eyes gleamed. He was gifted with physical strength.
You fell into a hole. Its directly perpendicular, but you should be able to climb up with your abilities.
A 4,000-meters climb, hm
He could climb 30 to 50 meters per minute with the alternating wall around wall. Half a day should do. Hed be using a lot of strength, but the Paranthropus strength was like an endless well.
Wait a moment, friend.
Blacky disappeared in a flash and appeared again. An object that looked like a half-transparent plastic bag dropped beneath him.
It wouldve been nice if there were remains from the Concretus creations, but theres nothing. The flipped tectonic plates and volcanic remains covered everything. Some machinery had fallen in here too, but time made it worthless. This is the only thing left.
What do you want me to do with a plastic bag?
Wet it with water and put it over your hands.
Black Mamba splashed it with the lake water and shoved his hands in like it was gloves.
Hm?
The plastic bag slowly shrunk into the shape of his hands and soon penetrated his skin. On the surface, it seemed as though he was wearing nothing.
You are an Epidium, after all. The object only reacts to those with the Concretus DNA. Try poking the ground.
Black Mamba raised his hands and swung them down toward the ground.
Crack
His hands pierced the rock and were embedded deep inside. The sound wasnt loud, either. He felt as though hed just sliced through styrofoam.
Chapter 260 - Episode 1: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
What the hell!
Surprised, Black Mamba lowered his fist to the ground.
Poof
Poof? It was not a bang but a poof, and his fist just went through the bedrock.
No way!
Black Mambas eyes widened. It was an underground world that far surpassed common sense, but what kind of illogical situation was this? He didnt feel an impact, either. It was as if hed punched tofu.
There was a dimensional difference between shattering a hard object and piercing it. When an object failed to break with a strike of the hands or feet, the rebound came as a direct shock. That was also the reason why one would injure their fist or wrist when attacking the opponent.
The plastic bag had not only increased his original power by several folds but buffered the rebound. It was an extraordinary object. Black Mamba turned to stare at blacky with his eyes wide open.
What is this?
As expected, the power of a failed Epidium is astounding. That object is an artificial muscle made of layered active proteins. In the Age of Twilight, the Concretus body suffered because of their thin bones and weak muscles. It was similar to the chronic muscular dystrophy you have in your knowledge.
Blacky continued, It was impossible to control 500,000,000,000,000 cells despite their advanced genetic engineering technology and medicine. It was a bothersome hereditary disease that improved momentarily, but it was not long before the original symptoms returned. The Concretus, which regression proceeded rapidly, found it hard to sit or walk. That object was a medical support device developed to protect their weak muscles and bones.
Hah, those medical support devices must have done them in.
That is not quite true. It power-ups a muscle contraction up to five to 10 times its original power. The Concretus that wore these objects only alleviated their discomfort temporarily. Half of the Concretus wore the medical support device like armor during the Age of Twilight. It was not for people with exceptional powers like you, but the weak Concretus. Unable to withstand themselves, the Concretus ultimately made beings like me, the Adras, to transfer bodies.
Hoo, what an amazing race.
A mere medical support device could kill a person. It was an object that the American and French government would set their eyes on if they caught wind of it. Those two countries were out for blood, trying to create an artificial muscle suited for military purposes. That was the same for the Soviets, First World countries, and international organizations. It was an object that would go for 1,000,000,000s of dollars if auctioned.
Thank you for the gift. Im afraid I have nothing to give you in return.
That object is not mine. Thank the owner of the object, the Concretus. If youre grateful enough, get me a gift too.
Hehe, youre a human in all but appearances. What do you want?
The Adras is weak against viruses. Our nuclear cell membranes burst once invaded by a virus. It means death in a humans vocabulary. Thats the reason why I cant leave this place. However, when an Epidium comes into contact with a special kind of virus, it produces powerful antiviral blood. I realized this after analyzing your blood that transferred onto my skin during our fight, Blacky replied.
Oh-ho, you were going to kill me and draw my blood.
Kekeke, I wont deny that. We werent friends then.
Blacky crackled like a human. It wasnt a genetically engineered creature anymore, but a human wearing a black leopards skin.
Huh, I suppose this is fate, too!
It was a nerve-wracking chain of fate. The virus that blacky was talking about was the ancient virus he had named Excita. Hed almost died after getting infected by the Excita virus from kissing the skeleton at Wol Song San.
Thanks to the virus, he remained fine after being bitten by a salmusa. He didnt suffer from a single cold and grew up healthy despite the unfavorable environment. He wasnt even affected after Wu Tak had poured the poisonous pesticide stock solution into his mouth. It felt strange to realize that his creature friend would need his blood.
My blood certainly does have the ability to protect against any poisonous substances or microorganisms. Ill give it to you willingly, friend, if it helps.
Black Mamba drew a line across his radial artery with his Kukri. Blacky didnt refuse. It opened its enormous jaw and downed the pouring blood. A Paranthropus blood hardened immediately after bleeding outside the body. Blacky sucked on the wound like a baby sucking on a bottle.
Dude, are you a vampire! Stop sucking.
Blacky moved back, licking its lips.
Kuuuu
Blacky suddenly leaped into the air. Each strand of its fur rose like needles.
Kugh
Kwueeg
It started screeching and rolling on the ground. Its fur alternated between black and white color.
Hehe, b*stard. I nearly died too.
Black Mamba snickered. Hed gone through hell and back after he had been infected by the Excita virus on Wol Song San. Although he didnt know what it was back then.
Blacky stabilized in 10 minutes. Black Mamba found it slightly unjust. Hed suffered from the virus for days, after all.
Thanks, friend.
Its fine, are there any downsides to this artificial muscle?
Its basically weak against heat since its made out of protein. There can be irreversible reactions when exposed to temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius.
Dude, thats not weak against heat. Thats extremely resistant.
Your standards and the Concretus standards are different. When the artificial muscle becomes exhausted, its pushed back out of the skin. Once it rehydrates, the main constituent, which is the protein, activates again. It wont absorb water from your body. It probably needs some time to rest. I dont know any more details.
If it dries out, I can just soak it in water or blood. Since youre an object from the past millennia and can only draw strength from water, youre now billions water armor.
As always, Black Mamba created names carelessly.
Friend, dont you want to head up to the surface with me? Black Mamba asked.
I want to escape. Despite your short life, Ive realized that youve had an interesting time on the surface. Astonishingly, youve been able to live such an intense and dynamic life. I want to live that way too. There are no changes here. If I had self-consciousness before, I would have committed suicide long ago.
Well, thats true.
He understood blackys feelings. If he was forced to live in an underground world without a single breeze or tree while listening to the screeching monsters day in and out, it would have been hell.
Then lets get out. Is there a reason to be attached to this place?
Its hard to do so now. I need time to adjust to the land above. I also need to recover my body, which was damaged by you. A part of my nuclear cell structures was destroyed. I need to wait until it regenerates.
I understand. Cells get attached to the environment if one remains in the same environment for several 1,000s and 1,000,000s of years. Youll need time to adjust even if youre a genetically engineered being.
Get on. I cant fight, but I can be your ride.
The black leopard offered him its back, which was wider than a horses back.
Im fast enough.
This is an island. This place you named the Jurassic world is bigger than you think. In your terms, its 200 kilometers wide and 400 kilometers long. Youd need to cross the lake and run at least 130 kilometers to reach the vertical cave.
Damn!
Black Mamba got on blackys back without protesting. Not only did he want to avoid entering the poisonous lake, but he was also tired from the vastness of the Jurassic world.
Grrrrrr
Blacky let out a majestic roar. The lake swayed due to the sound waves. It was a signal for the creatures to make way.
Crack
Blacky jumped into the lake without hesitation. It leaped over 30 meters and landed in the water, but there was no splashing. It was truly a creature that ignored the laws of physics.
Woosh
Blacky sped through the currents at a speed that would make a speedboat cry. Black Mamba raised the Gorgon in his hand.
Woosh
Keeeeek
A medium-sized monster, which had followed them fearlessly, got whipped by the Gorgon before floating on its back. The water soon boiled. He felt spooked whenever he saw a view that looked like piranhas rushing in.
None of the large reptile sea creatures attacked, but the small and weak predatory dinosaurs did. It was a situation where the strong recognized the strong. Black Mamba flicked his Gorgon 20 times while crossing the river. Blood rained down every time.
20 minutes had passed. A land appeared on top of the lake like a mirage.
Woosh
The Gorgon wrapped around a seal-like creature as it was lifted.
Keeeh
The creature with the Gorgon around its neck kicked around.
Crack
He rapped its head until it knocked out and tied it around his waist.
What are you going to do with that? Blacky asked.
Its lunch.
What an uncomfortable life.
Great to know that youre comfortable.
Wait here.
Blacky leaped into the lake once more.
Kueeegh
A scream rang.
Woosh
A large sea reptile jumped up to the surface. It was a large creature, which looked like a combination of the Tylosaurus and Mosasaurus. Blackys large body, which was attached to its head, looked like a huge bump.
Kuoooo
The large monster struggled, spraying its blood everywhere like a waterfall.
Slap
Its large body splashed the water as it tried to escape by shaking off blacky, which frame was smaller in comparison. The whirlpool settled. Blacky pushed the dinosaur with its paws, swimming peacefully toward the shore.
Your lunch. I managed to grab one of those few boss-level monsters.
Kugh, you damn b*stard!
Black Mamba, who didnt even blink at the most shocking matters, found himself at a loss for words. It handed him a monster that was 25 meters tall with a weight of 10 tons for lunch. Well, he couldnt expect humanistic concepts from blacky, he supposed.
Itll be useful to use its tendons as a rope.
That wont be hard. Even if I cant land powerful attacks, I can dissect him easily, Blacky said.
Blacky glared at the Boss-saurus.
Slip
The Boss-saurus large body was horizontally cut as though it was sliced by a knife. Blacky pulled the ELF finely as though it had used a cutting machine. Its muscles and bones were separated immediately. Black Mamba thought itd be great to employ blacky if he did start up a slaughterhouse.
Look, friend, a fishs belly is the most delicious part.
The belly fat? Got it.
Like a tuna, the muscles in the lower part of the Boss-saurus belly were divided into pieces. Black Mamba used the tendons that blacky had pulled out to bind the seal-like creature. It was almost 200 kilograms in weight. His memories of Bang Tae San remained a trauma. Black Mamba was someone whod bring food with him, no matter what crossed his path.
Blacky rushed through the land at a terrifying speed. The wind pushed Black Mambas fat cheeks back with every jump. The number of sea sparkles rapidly decreased as they traveled further on land. Despite possessing night vision, he could barely see several meters ahead.
The entire colony of sea sparkles disappeared. He was surrounded by absolute darkness. Blacky ran in the dark without rest. Well, it was a creature that didnt need eyes in the first place. At all times, Black Mamba looked out for danger using his dimensional sight. The air density lowered, making it more humid. The smell of sulfur intensified.
Just when he thought they were approaching the volcano, the scenery changed. A cliff reaching several kilometers high blocked their path. It was the central pillar of the Cretaceous worlds ceiling, in a sense. The more they approached the pillar, the lower the ceiling became. Two kilometers ahead, he could see the ceiling.
Friend, weve arrived.
They were barely three kilometers away from the active volcano. He jumped down and looked up at the ceiling. It was almost 200 meters high. He finally felt as though he was in a Jurassic world.
Huh, amazing.
There were countless sparkling objects stuck on the ceiling. Every time the active volcano rumbled, the gems lit up in colors. Although hed found kimberlites, there was a possibility that it was diamonds. However, he wasnt greedy for them. What was the point of diamonds when he was about to die? He was only surprised by the sparkling scenery of the dark underground world.
A vertical cave with a diameter of 20 kilometers above the ceiling opened its dark mouth wide open. From the ground to the entrance, there was a 200 meters distance. Even if he did jump, he could barely cross 25 meters. Hed have to fly to reach the height, that was if he had wings.
Black Mamba looked up at the gaping cave entrance and frowned. The caves mouth, which flashed before his eyes every time the active volcano vomited, seemed like it was challenging him to try.
Friend, I should have pulled out more tendons.
You forgot what I said. The Epidium are really stupid.
Blacky disappeared in a flash. A gray rope fell from the air.
Woah! What kind of a cheat existence are you?
It wasnt Jack and the Beanstalk but blackys furry tail. It was true that it could extend parts of its body. When he grabbed its tail, it began to pull him up like a lift. Black Mamba didnt have to exert any energy.
His heart lurched when he approached the entrance of the vertical cave. His father had often given his mother gifts. A ripe peach, a crimson glory vine from Wol Song San, a beautiful comb he had bought from the market, a pretty plate, and a four-leafed clover. Despite the small gifts, his mother had received them with a bright expression. His throat clogged up. His mother had gone missing, and her only son was wandering around the underground world.
Mother, Ill bring you a gift. You need to stay alive.
He hit something sparkly on the wall with his Kukri. Sparks flashed, but the object remained unharmed. It really was a diamond. He dug out the diamond, which was larger than a walnut. He would give it to his mother once he found her.
Friend, what was that flow of intense emotions just now?
Its love. Its longing, Black Mamba replied.
Love and longing, hm? I want to feel that too. Do you think its possible if I travel with you?
Did you forget that youre the Adras? Its possible.
I see. Well, this is all I can do to help. Ill find you, friend, once I adjust to the outside environment.
Thanks, blacky. Ill see you on the surface in the future.
He jumped and shoved two hands into the vertical wall. Although it was a sturdy cliff, his hands were embedded up to his wrist. The billions water armor was a gift given at the right time. It was like giving suction abilities to a lizard.
Ive memorized your DNA. Ill find you, wherever you might be. Goodbye.
Chapter 261 - Episode 2: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
Blacky patted Black Mambas back with its paws as though theyve been friends for a decade and disappeared into the dark. Black Mamba couldnt take his eyes off his friends back for a long time.
Hed felt a sense of solidarity beyond their common origins. It could have been the synergy between the Concretus slave, the Epidium, and the vessel of the soul, the Adras. Both of them were tools created by the Concretus, after all.
Ha, I know humans with balls will become friends after a few punches, but Ive become friends with a stranger. Anyway, how long do I need to climb up this thing!
He sighed. The longest vertical cave in the world as of now was the Voronya Cave in Georgia. It was at least two kilometers long. A vertical cave was different from a cliff. Humans instinctively felt fear from darkness and concealed spaces. He had a fear of caves.
Fear and mental pressure exhausted his strength at a fast speed. Countless people lost their lives while exploring the Voronya Cave. When the count had exceeded 100, the authorities sealed the cave.
Black Mamba had a trauma of caves. He felt like he wasnt alive, even though he was, during the seven months he had spent trapped in the cave at Bang Tae San after Sai Dojiku had kidnapped him. He had to climb four to five kilometers up in the dark with a weight of 200 kilograms on his back. It wasnt an easy task, even for a Paranthropus. His chest felt stuffy. The dark tunnel felt like the entrance to hell.
There was another element of fear. An active volcano was rumbling three kilometers away. For now, it was steam explosions, but the cave could easily collapse once magma explosions occurred. With an earthquake, a portion of the cave ceiling could collapse.
Several tons of explosives had brought about earthquakes and exploded the Kaparja dam. Hed shoved a basket over his head by playing with fire. If the cave ceiling collapsed, hed be Sun Wukong imprisoned underneath two celestial mountains. Well, his head was as hard as Sun Wukongs anyway.
Red lava trailed along the ceiling cracks and dripped down to the floor.
Nimi jotto, if I get caught up in that, Epidium or not, Im going to end up a skeleton.
Black Mamba looked up at the ceiling with tired eyes. It would be the end of him if the vertical cave was connected to a lava tube. He didnt want any lava pouring right above his head. He could only hope that the volcano wouldnt throw a temper tantrum.
Another problem was the passage of time. It wasnt a vertical cave hed fallen into. 1,000,000,000 years was enough time to create something out of nothing. There was a possibility that a new layer of crust had formed over the cave. That situation would cause a mental breakdown. The problem now wasnt about how he was going to climb the cave but rather how he would face the unexpected situation.
Well, something should happen!
As always, his concerns didnt last long. A rice store worker, who later became the richest company owner in South Korea, always asked his subordinates, Did you try? It was reckless, but he admired a humans will expressed in that short phrase.
A heavy silence, which seemed to merge with the dark, filled the space.
Crack
Splash
Only the sound of his hand sinking into the wall rang. He dug out a section of the cliff with his left hand to create a left foothold before stretching up to hold onto the next section. At the same time, he stepped his left foot onto the foothold and pushed his body up so that the right side of his body went through the same movement. That was the alternating wall around wall technique.
The Paranthropus strength, combined with the billions water armor, created an impressive powerhouse. His hand dug into the wall, even with the slightest press. He didnt need to look for an overhang or a foothold. Obstacles were cleared with a single punch. Modern science couldnt create such a unique item. Black Mamba shrugged off those stray thoughts and concentrated on his climb.
Seems like I passed the trial. Im not fated to die so easily, huh.
200 meters ahead, the complexity of a sedimentary limestone cave remained. He sighed in relief. The main component of limestone was calcite. Calcite was soluble in acid rain or underground water. For water to be acidic, it had to be in contact with carbon dioxide in the air or organic acids accumulated from plant decomposition. It meant that the vertical cave was, in some way or another, connected to the surface. In any case, there was a way out.
Limestone caves were more complex than lava caves. Calcite that dissolved in the water created all kinds of shapes, such as stone pillars, stalagmites, curtains, and shields. To Black Mamba, who was climbing vertically, it was a foothold and an obstacle.
Even the solid rocks that were embedded became obstacles. If it hung over his head like an umbrella, he had to break it or climb around it. He had no choice but to regularly use his resonance waves to avoid such obstacles in the dark. Like a bat, he could identify any obstacles with ultrasonic waves.
As he climbed up 500 meters, the faint light emanating from the bottom of the volcano with its every heave disappeared. Night vision and the inner eye was useless in absolute darkness. There had to be at least some light to raise the capacity of his night vision, and his inner eye could only activate once it detected a certain object. If he couldnt see, his inner eye had nothing to zoom in on.
Crack
He shattered a flat rock shield hanging over his head. Obstacles continuously appeared, despite it being a vertical cave. The sound of rocks falling toward the distant Jurassic world was like a wailing ghost. He could turn into one of those rocks if he slipped. Cold sweat ran down his back.
Ugh, theres no end to this. I need to take a break.
It wasnt easy climbing a vertical cave without any equipment in the first place. His arms ached three kilometers through the climb. He still had strength, but his hunger and thirst caused problems. His stomach screamed for food, and his muscles trembled as it lacked energy.
He supported his entire weight with one hand and began to dig into the caves wall. Using up all of his strength, he dug out rocks the size of his head. The billions water armor acted like an undefeatable ally. If he didnt have it, he would have been wiped out while trying to dig into the rocky wall with his resonance waves.
He roughly dug out a resting place and shoved his butt in. He rested for two hours. He unpacked the lunch that he was carrying on his back. The moment he released the Gorgon around its neck, the seal-like creature screeched. Water creatures seemed to be more persistent than land creatures, seeing how it had survived a cracked skull.
Namu Amita Bul, may you be reborn on land in your next life.
Still, he didnt forget to pray. He ripped the creatures artery with his fingernails and drank its blood. Hed brought it all the way here alive just to drink its blood. There was no water bottle or water. He had no choice but to drink its blood.
He split its belly and pulled out its liver and heart before chewing on it. The liver was prone to spoil quickly, but it was absorbed quickly into the body. It was also rich in nutrients. Of course, that was according to a mammals terms. Poison also accumulated in the liver. There was also poison in the bodies of water creatures. His tongue became numb, but he didnt care. His body wouldnt be affected by the poisons of living things. The all-poison resistant body featured in martial arts novels was him, the Paranthropus.
Hehe, Im the real monster here, not this b*stard.
Laughter escaped from him. He tore apart raw flesh with his teeth in the absolute darkness. Blood was dripping all over his mouth, and his eyes gleamed in blue. It wasnt the appearance of a human.
One of the seal-like creatures hind legs disappeared in the blink of an eye. It tasted horrible, but he had to save as much food as possible. The dinosaurs meat was thick and tasteless, but it was several times better than rotten worms, scorpions, and insects. He tied the remaining meat with the Boss-saurus tendons and slung it over his back.
The air changed.
His sensitive sense of smell and touch detected the change in air density. Sulfur and ammonia had decreased while carbon dioxide had increased. It meant that there was another space nearby. He pushed his strength further and climbed quickly.
A large vertical cave was often created by several uvala sinking together. It meant that there was an entrance on the surface. Of course, a horizontal cave would appear if he ran out of luck. That would only happen if a large-scale tectonic plate movement occurred after blacky fell into the underground world.
He didnt know how many changes had occured over the years. If a new crust had covered the vertical cave, it meant that what he had detected wasnt the surface but a horizontal cave. There wouldnt be any other misfortune.
He activated his resonance waves to determine an accurate location. There was a strange airflow 500 meters opposite him. His heart raced. He was finally getting out of the land. Hed climbed up more than five kilometers. Aside from his strength, it wasnt something that a human mind could handle. He could only hope that the exit was connected to the surface.
What?
Black Mamba paused amid his climb using the alternating wall around wall. There was a light in the darkness. It was weaker than an oil lamp but stronger than a firefly. Was it a sea sparkle? He grew curious. He had to go around the other side to check. He had to travel a distance of 100 meters around the vertical cave of 30 meters in diameter. 100 meters was a daunting distance for his body that was beyond exhausted.
His worries didnt last long. He changed direction and headed toward the light. He missed the light too much to give it up. He could activate his night vision as long as there was a little bit of light in the cave.
The closer he got to the light, the more it shone like a mirror. The cave got steeper. That wasnt normal. Why did the limestone cave change so suddenly?
Moreover, the billions water armor slid slowly off the back of his hands. It looked like a snake peeling off its skin. He wouldnt have noticed if not for the faint light, which activated his night vision.
Ugh, its humiliating, but what else can be done?
He opened the front of his pants and held it out. He was just about desperate to relieve himself anyway. Urine consisted of 95 percent water. Now wasnt the time to debate things. He didnt have the confidence to climb the steep wall without the billions water armor. The powerful stream soaked both of his hands and disappeared far below. The billions water armor, which was peeling off his hands like a snakeskin, penetrated back in.
Huh? What is this?
It wasnt a colony of sea sparkles, but rather something solid stuck on the wall. He dug around it with the billions water armor and pulled out the shiny object. It was metal in the shape of a cucumber cut vertically. He cleaned the surface with his hands equipped with the billions water armor. The rocks stuck to the metal fell off.
The light got brighter once the rocks fell off. He grasped it tightly with the billions water armor and twisted it. Despite a power strong enough to bend steel, it didnt budge. Black Mamba didnt think long about it.
Theres nothing more like an everlasting battery. Im going to use you well.
Black Mamba placed the strange metal in his mouth and climbed up the wall using alternating wall around wall. How fortunate was it that he could distinguish objects even in the dark?
Nimi Jotto!
A shout echoed around the cave. It had taken him five hours to climb up, only to be greeted by a horizontal cave. Hed been hoping the whole time, but God hadnt listened to his sincere prayers. It was a completely different place from where hed been swept away by the currents. It was hard to estimate the depth. Strength drained out of him at the thought of searching through another cave.
Black Mamba had the wrong idea all along. The vertical cave he had climbed out of wasnt an uvala terrain but a meteor crater. If a large meteorite fell on limestone terrains, the immense impact would create a crack right along the craters sphere.
The split limestone then changed according to the heat and pressure generated during impact. The bedrock created in such a manner was the breccia. The breccia would turn into a waterway, melting the limestone with its water. Several years later, a vertical cave was formed.
Cenotes, which were commonly found in South America, turned into vertical caves in such a manner. Cenotes were an underground pool where water from above seeped through the limestone layers.
When a part of the Eurasian Plate of the Mesozoic Era was lifted as a fold, an anticline occurred in West Asia. The existing bedrock ended up splitting because of the pressure of the plate, which was 2,000,000 square kilometers wide. That was the reason why the lower part of the valleys cave opened up into the underground world. Due to the large-scale tectonic plate movements at the time, the Concretus civilization disappeared from the surface without a trace.
There was no way that a vertical cave was connected to the surface in the first place. Black Mamba suffered the misfortune of having to pierce the center of West Asias plate by crawling underneath it. The terrain created by the breccia brought great wealth to Assad but tormented Black Mamba. When there is this, there is that, and that occurred because of this.
Ugh, something should happen.
He collapsed onto the caves floor. How fortunate that a human could lie down? Hed climbed up almost 6,000 meters and not 4,500 meters. His limbs ached, and his head buzzed. He twisted into the lotus position and maintained his inner peace.
He stared at the seal-like creature. Six years ago, hed survived two weeks on a single rat snake. As long as it didnt decompose, he could last a month.
Come on, Dong-bang-bull-pae. You have food, and you have air. The blue sky awaits you.
He slapped his cheeks and started digging into the Boss-saurus belly. Black Mamba began his march of isolation in the dark after filling his stomach. At least, the glowing rock he had gained out of pure luck became of great help.
The cave continued endlessly. When he passed a hole the size of a dog hole, an area the size of a football field appeared. When an underwater cave appeared, he dived and climbed up a flowing waterfall. Several times, he forcefully widened the small passages and climbed through it. Despite his immense power, Black Mamba started feeling tired.
Hed earned it. He cursed himself for exploding all the missiles in Berkut.
F****** b*stard, you blew off those missiles without a single thought, which is why youre suffering now.
Damn f***er, how was I supposed to know? Im not Jang Shin.
30 would have been enough to blow the whole place apart.
Ugh, dude, what am I supposed to do about it now?
You crazy b*stard. Why didnt you do things in moderation? Was someone about to capture you?
Shut up, idiot. I need to earn my money, right?
He endlessly mumbled, walked, ran, crawled, and swam. A rare scenery appeared before him sometimes due to the faint light, but he didnt spare a glance. He was not a tourist but an escapee with his life on the line.
Black Mambas senses were special. He could sense the change in air pressure and density. His sensitive senses worked as a guide every time the cave split into different passages.
The cave went up and down, but he was approaching the surface. He could tell just by the difference in temperature. The hot air had changed, enough for him to feel the cold. That meant the surface wasnt far.
Chapter 262 - Episode 3: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
He stopped keeping track of the date after his biological clock passed 15 days. The longest cave in the world was the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky state. Its length alone was discovered to be 563 kilometers. The damned cave, however, was longer than the Mammoth Cave.
In Latin, calendar meant an interesting record. It seemed as though the ancient people had been interested in the changes of day and night, the four seasons, the sun, and the moon. There had to be a change for time to have meaning.
The underground world was a dead world. There were no sun, moon, rain, wind, or changes in temperature. There was only enclosed darkness and heavy silence. He didnt know whether he was alive or dead. There was no meaning to date or time. A world on pausethat was the cave.
There was an Arabic story of a man who was lured by the mirages while driving his caravan and was trapped inside a secluded castle in the desert. The man finally returned home 100 years later after finding the castles exit. A white-haired grandma spoke of his return, Father, you look the same even though 70 years have passed. The moment the healthy man heard those words, he aged rapidly. The man, who experienced hair loss and was full of wrinkles, collapsed and died.
The question as to whether the man would have lived peacefully without knowing the passage of time was an unnecessary one. The story was about how perception had preceded reality. If one was made to hold a wooden stick and was hypnotized and made to think that the wooden stick was a hot piece of coal, they were bound to get burned.
In the past, he used to jump up and down angrily at the unfairness of the world, but he was now an adult who had to take responsibility for the consequences of his actions. It was a bleak situation, and he was hungry and exhausted. Hed die the moment despair won. There was no miracle. The determination that came with its possible or I can do it was the key to his problems.
He forgot about the passage of time. When he grew hungry, he filled himself up with the dinosaurs meat, and when he grew tired, he laid back against the cold rock floor. The horizontal cave, where heat from the surface couldnt reach, always maintained a temperature around 15 degrees Celsius.
The dinosaurs meat, which remained surprisingly fresh for a long time, began to spoil. Black Mamba stared down at the smelly Boss-saurus stomach.
I suppose its my last feast!
Hed have to light his eyes on fire to look for insects after eating this meal worth 10 kilograms or so. A Paranthropus body needed a lot of energy because of their active metabolism. It was the same concept as a car with high horsepower consuming a lot of fuel.
Black Mamba ate up the remaining meat while he prayed. Thinking of his future survival was a luxury. The fact that he was still alive was more important. 200 kilograms of meat disappeared, leaving nothing but the seal-like creatures hide. That was his last portion.
The meat was tasteless and slightly spoiled, but even that disappeared. The cave ecosystem was weak. Not many creatures could adapt and survive the absolute darkness. Bats would live in caves with entrances leading outside, but there were no living creatures aside from the troglofauna.
There were only springtails, grylloblattodea, kurasawatrechus, blind burying beetles, and blind rolling beetles at best. There were very few, and they were all white and small.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight. Three to four springtails were detected on his radar.
Woosh
A variation of the grand sweeping flow spread out. His palm swept across the floor like lightning, catching five springtails. The ohgeumgong with 1,000 years of history was reduced to a mere technique for catching bugs.
The creatures in the cave werent only small but also lacked nutrients. It was barely enough to satisfy his hunger. The few days he had managed to catch some blind fish in the lake was purely out of luck.
Hehehe, this should be the perfect diet plan for those middle-aged women with belly fats. Will death come before I lose weight?
A skeleton laughed with flashing blue eyes. Unable to endure his hunger any longer, Black Mamba started tearing at the seal-like creatures hide. It was chewier than the military leather boots. Hed prefer to eat those instead.
Pah, pah, I was happier complaining about my misfortune! Kekeke!
Black Mamba laughed as he spat out the coarse strands of fur. It was fortunate that he had the seal-like creatures hide, at least. Humans dont live to become happy. They are happy to be alive. Someones words left a deep impact inside his heart.
How comfortable and delightful it was living among modern society above ground! There was clear water, fresh air, green grass, lights that came on with a press of a button, and cooked food that appeared on the table from just opening a wallet. He hadnt experienced real devastation even though he thought he had.
Nimi Jotto!
Black Mamba grew hopeless at the sight of a small lake before him, which was around 10 meters in diameter. The cave was blocked. Hed searched everywhere, but there was nowhere to escape. He couldnt detect any space even with his resonance waves. Hed encountered blocked caves several times. They were blocked, but a parasite cave would always appear during his search. Hed forced open a small hole up to 10 times its original size with the billions water armor before crawling into it.
No!
A shout layered with several emotions echoed through the cave. Hed finally arrived, only to no, this couldnt be it. His heart raced. He ran around like a farm girl in search of her missing cow at sunset. He activated his dimensional sight back on the path where he had come down from with his hands clasped over his hungry stomach and felt each surface with resonance waves. In the end, there was no side cave.
F***, misfortunes a fortune, this is the end!
He collapsed onto the floor. He tore the remaining hide he had saved up like dried squid strips and shoved it into his mouth. He chewed on it for a long time and turned it into a soup before storing it in his stomach. Both humans and animals became aggressive and illogical when hungry.
F***, Ill create my own luck since there is none.
He gritted his teeth and stood up. There was nothing like giving up, despair, or devastation in Black Mambas dictionary. Hed survived a hellish life for five years since he was nine, after all.
Should I start digging?
He looked up at the cave ceiling that remained solidly in place. 200 meters? 300 meters? He had extraordinary strength and the billions water armor. Time was the only thing he needed to dig through the cave ceiling. At some point, he would reach the surface.
Food was a problem. Unlike blacky that could sustain by combining necessary elements together for absorption, he was a human who needed to eat. The probability of starving to death before digging a hole to the surface was high. It was a foolish approach.
Wait, if theres a lake here, this means water is sourced from somewhere. He suddenly thought.
If there was no water source in the cave, it could mean that there was an underwater passage in the lake.
Splash
He had already jumped into the lake before he could gather his thoughts.
The cold lake was unexpectedly deep. The longest he could remain underwater was 12 minutes, and the lake of around 10 meters in diameter could be thoroughly searched with several dives.
Hm, what is this?
The glowing metal in his hand got brighter. He didnt know whether it was because of the water or some other reason. Finding a hole was breezier with the light. Finding a hole to escape was more important than some strange metal. Black Mamba started searching inside the lake with the unique bright metal.
Its there!
Just when his lungs started trembling, he found a dark passage. It seemed passable as long as he shoved his body in. Happiness overwhelmed his senses and circled his whole body. He wasnt fated to die yet.
Black Mamba scrutinized the metal once he left the lake. The metal had reacted to something. Until now, hed regarded it as a flashlight that was about to fizzle out and using it without much thought. There had to be a source.
A snipers eye was different from the average persons. They had different observation skills and a unique ability to characterize objects. That was because their main job was to determine the size of their targets.
The trapezoidal object had a hole in the shape of a flame at the top, which was five millimeters in diameter. The narrow side was one millimeter thick and five millimeters wide, and the wider side was 10 millimeters thick and 10 millimeters wide. Its length was 80 millimeters. It was a poorly crafted ax. No matter how many times he looked, it was a man-made object with personal touches. However, there was no reason for such an elaborate artifact to be several 100s of meters underground. He stroked it with his hand. It was smooth, like silk.
Hoh?
The metal turned warm. It was certainly an object that gave off cooling sensations when touched. He tilted his head and shoved the metal between his thighs. That was the warmest part of a humans body.
Woah! What a funny guy.
The object turned cold like ice. It was so cold that his balls shriveled. A metal that turned cold when the surrounding temperature was high and turned warm when the surrounding temperature was lowhed never heard of such magic.
Hed been experiencing all kinds of strange and absurd situations ever since he was stuck underground. Well, it was absurd that he was even there. No matter how long he looked, he couldnt tell what it was.
Well, I suppose time will tell.
He placed the metal between his teeth and bit it before jumping into the lake. The passage was just narrow enough for his shoulder to fit. He pierced the wall with his billions water armor and pulled his body up. If he didnt get out in 12 minutes, hed drown to death and remain stuck between the rocks.
Splash
A dark head emerged. Fortunately, the underwater passage wasnt too long. There was another hole in the area where he stuck his head out. The passage wasnt connected to another horizontal cave.
Hup hoo hoo hoo
Hup hoo hoo hoo
He controlled his heavy breathing and searched for an exit. There was none. The hole wasnt that wide, either. There were some developed joints here and there, but no gaps for him to escape through. At least, there was air.
Damn, Ill have to dig, wont I?
His impulsiveness exploded. He jumped up from the floor and punched the ceiling with his raging fist.
Crash
The sound of an exploding cannon rang. Cracks ran down the ceiling. He shoved his hand up to his elbow in between the cracks and pulled.
Crash
A flat rock the size of a desk fell.
It was gneiss. A gneiss was a type of hard rock in which sedimentary slate had transformed under high pressure and heat. That meant the terrain was sedimentary. Two hands dug apart the gneiss ceiling like crane forks.
Three meters in, his strength depleted. The billions water armor resurfaced above his skin. That meant it was overworked. Hed have to return to the underwater cave through the narrow passage to soak it. He didnt want to go through any more narrow passages.
How about this?
He pulled out the glowing metal. He tried shoving it into the ceiling. It went right in, without much resistance. That was only possible if the metal was like an ultra-vibrating blade that only appeared in the movies. There was no way for a powerless object to create such extreme vibrations.
What a strange object.
No matter how closely he viewed it, he couldnt tell what it was.
Grrr
He flickered back into consciousness when his stomach rumbled for food. It ached, as though it was tearing apart. He didnt know how many days had passed since he last ate.
He shoved the metal into the ceiling and created a large circle. A 50-millimeters circle was created. It was just like cutting tofu with a knife. He pushed a finger into the crevice and ripped it off. The efficiency wasnt bad.
Bingo!
His work picked up speed. All he had to do was poke around the rock with the metal and rip it off. He felt something cold, five meters deep. He stopped working and sent out his resonance waves. The reflected atmosphere felt different. It felt like there was another space beyond the ceiling. He wouldnt have felt it if the space was small. That meant it was big.
I see!
The ends of his mouth slowly curved upward. There was a lake above him. Considering the temperature difference, he had almost reached the surface. The possibility of it being an underground lake was greatly reduced.
What if that was, in fact, an underground lake? The Paranthropus, Black Mambas life would end. His worries didnt last long. The longer the night, the more dreams. His life would have ended long ago if he was fated to die.
Cra-ack
He ferociously ripped apart the cave ceiling.
Droplets began to line the ceiling. Cracks started appearing on the solid ceiling. He shoved the metal in and drew a line. Water poured down through the cracks.
Bang
He bashed it with his head. As expected of his iron-like head, water started pouring and rumbling. Around three to four seconds later, the ceiling collapsed from the cracks. Surprised, Black Mamba jumped and attached himself to the cave ceiling. A person that was once bitten became twice as shy.
Rumble
The violent lake water poured in. The three-meters tall limestone cave immediately turned into an underwater cave. Immense water pressure pressed down on his body.
Here I go!
He kicked against the floor of the cave and escaped through the hole in the ceiling. It was, as he predicted, a lake. He didnt know whether he was above ground or underground, but the fact that hed escaped to a wider area was comforting on its own.
What is this?
Black Mamba frowned. The thing that he was stepping on felt strange. Something rustled and shattered. He looked down with the metal in between his teeth.
There were piles of skeletons at the bottom of the lake. The bones, which he had stepped on, shattered. The countless corpses floating around the underground lake and the waterfall that had spat out the corpses from a distant height was finally seen.
Now wasnt the time to worry about the skeletons. Judging by the water pressure, he was 130 meters underwater. Divers disease? Now wasnt the time to consider that. Hed wasted 11 minutes underwater. His lungs were about to explode.
Woosh
He kicked against the floor and shot out. The skeleton, which had received the brutality of his strength, shattered. The area from where he took off turned white. The surface of the lake, which had been calm, vibrated.
Splash
A dark figure jumped out of the lake like a cannonball.
Chapter 263 - Episode 4: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
Hoo, huuu.
He inhaled, desperate for air. His lungs, which had shrunk, began to pump madly once fresh air entered. Blood flowed through his blood vessels at a speed of 20 meters per second. Air started rushing in like a waterfall, creating cells. His relaxed muscles regained its tension, and his skinny body parts stretched.
Recognition was quicker through scent than sight. All kinds of smell that had mixed with the air rushed at himthe smell of trees, dirt, and humans feces. Abstract concepts appeared as real images. It was a lake on the ground. Hed finally reached the surface.
Freedom!
A roar loaded with joy rang. The waters surface rippled. Black Mamba raised both of his arms and stretched his thoracic cage as much as he could. The sweet smell of water felt like heaven. How long had it been since he breathed in the fresh air! How could it be so different from the underground lake? Tears poured out unknowingly.
Yes. Hope didnt exist separately. The heart that never gave up was hope in itself. Black Mambas true strength was his mentality and not his body.
The slender new moon hanging around the western skies was cold. Light fluttered with the wind. A flock of unknown seasonal birds passed by the new moon as they flew through the night. The frogs that came out for a walk jumped in the silence. The white noise wavered. That was the view on the ground.
I should thank the gods!
He exhaled a deep sigh. He could feel the power of nature and the great passage of time. Hed been confident, but he was nothing but a small creature living like a parasite on Earth. How nervous had he been trying to escape the waters surface! Too preoccupied with distinguishing between underground and ground, the depth of the lake didnt even cross his mind.
A fog slowly drifted across the lake water. Dawn wasnt far. Anywhere on the ground was okay with him. No one would understand the pressure of a dark enclosed space. Only those who had suffered from the absence of both light and space would recognize the importance of freedom.
Places such as prisons wouldnt exist if humans never desired freedom. A prison was ideal for humans who lived like pigs, after all.
How long had it been since he felt a sense of freedom! He crossed the lake water leisurely and headed to the shore. Like a genie that had just crawled out of a lake, he was a sorry sight. One side of his balls flashed between his pants, which had long turned into tight underwear.
Damn!
He clicked his tongue. The creatures hide he had wrapped around his waist had long entered his stomach. He didnt have any clothes or weapons. All he had was the Kukri in his left chest holster, the Boss-saurus tendons wrapped around his waist, a piece of diamond, some strange metal in his mouth, and the Gorgon.
Wait, the Gorgon?
The Gorgon, which he had wrapped around his waist, disappeared. It seemed as though the knot had loosened when he escaped the blocked underground ceiling. He couldnt simply dismiss it as an object. There hadnt been a more reliable weapon than the Gorgon during the Ruman plan. Aside from the fact that it was a little too light for his taste, it was the best medium-range weapon.
He looked down at his hands. There were no traces of the billions water armor. Hed been told that with a loss, there would be another gain, and hed lost the Gorgon and gained the billions water armor instead. If the Gorgon was a regular item, the billions water armor was a unique item.
I should ask Bonipas to create another one. I have the right material for it too. Should I call it Dragon if its made out of a dinosaurs tendons?
He tapped the Boss-saurus tendons that were wrapped around his waist. It was regretful, but the Gorgon could always be recreated. Instead of rejoicing over the gain of a unique item, hed be called a miser if he mourned the loss of a regular item. A dinosaurs tendons were more pleasing to look at than a whales tendons.
Growl
His stomach protested.
Brat, dont rush me. Ill fill you up.
He pulled out a slim tendon from the bunch of Boss-saurus tendons. It was 12 millimeters thick and eight meters long for something considered slim. It was heavy too, enough to prove that the Boss-saurus was the strongest in the underground world.
He used both of his hands to pull it. The tendon stretched three times its length. When he released it, it returned to its original length, just like a rubber band. It had amazing elasticity and tensile strength. No matter how amazing it was, the tendon was nothing but a fishing line to Black Mamba.
He stretched the tendon and wrapped it around the Kukris handle. As lacking as it was, he was going to use it as a substitute for the Gorgon.
Whoosh
The Kukri broke through the waters surface like rain. The Sakala fish, which had been swimming peacefully in the lake, met with misfortune. A Sakala fish was from the carp family and ranged from 60 to 70 centimeters in length.
The Sakala fish, which was pierced by the Kukri, headed straight into Black Mambas stomach. He didnt even remove its fins or scales. He only pulled out its intestines using his fingernails and shoved it into his mouth.
Whoosh
The Kukri broke through the waters surface again. This time, it was an Amur catfish. The catfish also disappeared into his stomach instantly.
How long had it been! His stomach cheered. His digestive system, which had shrunk to accommodate the nail-sized insects in the cave, stretched out. Blood started transporting nutrients to his shriveled cells. His blurry vision regained its prime form.
The sight of him sitting naked by the bank and eating fresh fishes from the lake in the dark was both heartbreaking and eerie. If Jin Soon had seen him, she would have cried. Still, he was happy. He was happy to the point of tears. Both humans and creatures found happiness with a full belly.
The smell of decomposing garbage lingered. It was the stench from his body. A pig would even run away from him. The stench, which hadnt affected him when he wandered around the cave, began to punch at his nose from the moment he landed on the surface.
Ive returned from the world of monsters to the world of humans. So I should act more like a human.
He washed his tangled hair and rinsed his body that was covered with blood, liquids, sweat, and dust. The lake water turned dark. He also washed his pants before shaking it gently. He finally felt human. Someone once referred to humans as homo lavender. It was true. Humans washed up. Humans who didnt wash werent humans.
He wondered for a moment, looking at how his military pants had turned into a rag, no, underwear. It was an Islamic society. If he walked around with just his underwear, hed be stoned to death. He sliced off a thick bunch of reeds. He weaved them back and forth into a thatch. He wrapped the poorly made skirt around his waist and tied it with the tendon.
Haha, what the hell!
He couldnt have looked more like an African local. He was at a loss for words. He left behind a burst of empty laughter and climbed up the bank.
How can this be?
Black Mambas eyes widened. The swing by the bank looked familiar. It was the red swing that Wael had often ridden. An elite sniper recollected terrains and obstacles from their photographic memory. He couldnt have imagined it. He looked around.
The surrounding scenery was familiar. The field with rows of olive trees, the lake that stretched out like a long ribbon, and two fishing boats that swayed with the tidesit was the place where he had first met Bakri Jadir. He saw an empty hill far away, without a single tree in sight. It was the place where hed fallen from the sky.
No, Maydanki Lake?
Black Mambas mouth hung open. It had to be fate! Hed crawled out from the underground, only to end up in the place where hed fallen from the sky. It was like a tale of Sun Wukong running around on Buddhas palm.
He finally recognized the mountain of skeletons at the bottom of the lake. They were the Kurds and Syrian Orthodox Christians that the Turkish Armed Forces had massacred. It really was the Maydanki Lake. The humans wrongdoing had been forgotten over time, the locals around the lake continued fishing for food from the lake to serve on their table. A lake that hid a sad history spread out before him in the dark.
He was sick of water. Violent water explosions, the currents that had carried him underground, and the Jurassic world that was sticky with poisonhe had ended up being done in by water this time.
Other places had also been done in. It was the CIA and the Mukhabarat. Manager Matilda of the CIAs Information Investigations Department had to suffer through director Adams onslaught of swears. With a large budget, she had been assigned to all three channels of the KeyHole, including the Blackbird and Dragon Lady.
They had supplied two groups of DIA shadows and 20 first-level intelligence officers to track down Abaddon. No results came up. Abaddon had disappeared like smoke. After poking around Syrias northern regions for 40 days, Matilda raised both her hands in defeat. This was what she wrote in her report:
[Abbadon is predicted to be a dual haunter created by France. It is believed that the Kaparja dam had exploded due to the earthquakes shockwave. Abbadon was either erased by the 3,000,000,000 tons of water that poured out all at once or crushed under the collapsed cliffs.]
From start to finish, it was all just speculations. Adam had the right to shout after receiving such a horrible report. Matilda gritted her teeth. The damned Abbadon had left a large dent on her perfect resume.
If she had operated the KeyHole and Blackbird for a little longer, she would have caught Black Mamba jumping out of Maydanki Lake. She was tenacious but had missed the last puzzle. There was a saying that went, humans planned, but the heavens produced the results.
Assad had released 20,000 Mukhabarat around Kaparja Valley and its surrounding 200 kilometers radius. 20,000 people set forth on a low-profile search but found nothing. After all, while they were searching the surface, Black Mamba was searching for an exit underground. Assad couldnt look for the Iblis anymore. He had to move all the Mukhabarat to put a stop to the violent Wahhabism riots.
It was a blessing in disguise. Black Mamba had suffered, but he was erased from the Syrian and the U.S. intelligence networks. Of course, the person himself didnt realize that.
Black Mamba collapsed back onto the dry yellow grass after filling his stomach with fish. Now wasnt the time to worry about people who had been murdered decades ago. Fatigue washed over him. His body relaxed like a doll without its strings.
He stared at the new moon in the sky. It was the same new moon he had seen when he landed in Gobelaka, which was far from the promised landing point at Ain Dara Hills.
Damn, how many days has it been?
It was 52 kilometers directly from Maydanki Lake to Kaparja Valley and 83 kilometers by road. From his point of view, it was a short distance. If the crescent moon had turned into a full moon followed by a new moon, it meant that 20 days had passed.
A long time had passed after he had counted up to 15 days underground. From the length of the beard he had grown, he deduced that the moon had revolved once around the Earth. That meant he had spent 49 days underground.
Hed only spent two days in the Jurassic world. That meant he had spent 47 days wandering around Syrias northern underground. If he traveled 30 kilometers in a day, it meant that he had completed a total distance of 1,410 kilometers in 47 days. He had basically dug around the entire Western Asia plate like a mole.
A revival after 49 days! Kekeke, its like a ghost returning on the 49th day. What about it? Im alive, arent I? Kekeke!
He laughed while staring at the moon. He had ironically returned after 49 days. His teacher had never accepted a followers request to serve a 49-days funeral. His teacher had always sent them back after screaming about how it was a waste of time. He would often tell them to give food and money to the poor instead of offering it to the dead.
The 49-days funeral rite was a rite that entrusted a dead mans soul to the kings of the underworld. Traditionally, the rite was 10 days long and not 49 days. The soul was judged by 10 kings every seven days. From king Jin Gwang on the seventh day to king Tae San on the 49th day, judgment took place every other seven days. On the 100th day, the soul would meet king Pyung Deng, king Do Si in the first year, and by sucking up to king O-Do Ryun in the third year, the soul would end the three-years rite. The fact that a Confucian supremacist had been on a Buddhist three-years rite was irony in itself.
The accumulated stress overcame him like a waterfall once he relaxed. All he could think of were horrible memories. That all happened because he had played with fire. There was no one else to blame, either.
Blackys biomat was good, though.
The scent of grass and fresh air blessed his hoop-nose. Black Mamba was the kind of person who could sleep even when he was buried underground. Snores were soon heard.
Dawn broke, moonlight passed, and the sun peeked out. Black Mambas eyes flashed open when he sensed a presence. 300 meters away, light footsteps knocked on the ground. It was a childs.
Un ciel bleu![1]
He let out an exclamation the moment he opened his eyes. It wasnt ominous darkness. It was the blue sky, which looked as though itd shatter from a single touch. The cold wind brushed past his cheek. He slowly rubbed his cheek. He found traces of the wind. It had left traces of water on his dry cheek.
His senses returned. The smell from countless living organisms and organic matter on the earth flowed into him. Even the manure left scattered around the olive trees was fragrant.
The chattering of the small birds was a delight to his ears. How uncomfortable it had been to wake up to the Cretaceous worlds dinosaurs roarsthe loud and deep roars! Warm sunlight tickled his neck instead of the insects that had glowed in blue. He wasnt around the eerie lake full of monsters anymore. Several unknown water birds flew gently above the lake. It was the peaceful, heartwarming scenery viewed from the surface. It was the blessing of life.
Cest le plus bon jour de ma vie![2]
He pulled out his Kukri. There was rust on the bluish blade. A knife that remained in its holster was bound to rust. That was a non-negotiable fact. Not even his trained Damascus-powered knife could overcome the poison and humidity of the underground world.
He grabbed the surface with his thumb and used his forefinger to wipe it off.
Woosh
The substances on the surface were wiped away. His face was reflected on the bluish surface. His beard overwhelmed his hollowed face. He was wondering whether to cut his beard when light footsteps approached him. Two red shoes stopped before him.
Marhaban!
It was Waels tinkling voice.
Marhaban lam nataka-bal mundu jaman?[3]
When Black Mamba turned his head, Wael stepped back.
Wael, its ajussi.
Black Mamba smiled widely. Wael, who was hastily moving backward, widened her eyes in surprise. Two eyes moved rapidly up and down Black Mambas body. Ajussi was a word that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had taught her.
Amma? Ajussi?
Ya, habiba![4]
Uwaah
Wael cried as she jumped with outstretched arms. He lifted her and twirled her around. It was the helicopter game that Wael liked to play.
Kyahaha!
Her laughter swayed the fog that surrounded Maydanki Lake.
[1] Blue sky!
[2] Its the best day of my life!
[3] Hello, its been a long time, right?
[4] Aw, you cute child!
Chapter 264 - Episode 5: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
Hahaha!
He erupted in laughter. The warmth from her small body dissolved away the torment and stress hed accumulated over 49 days. So what of it? A good ending made everything better.
Wael, how is your leg?
Ma-ma yaeni hada?[1]
Wael looked down at him curiously. Black Mamba pointed at her leg.
Aha!
Wael jumped down, ran all the way up with a bounce, and ran back.
Haqqan ka-na mushalian.[2]
Ya Ilahi! Haqqan?[3]
Black Mamba exclaimed in surprise. Regardless of age, men could only outlive women by agreeing and reacting to their words. Wow, Really, Woah, and Oh my god were the four combinations of words that would make any conversation flow between a man and a woman. It was exaggeration in theory.
Ya Ilahi[4]! Kyahaha!
The childs cheeks turned peachy as she giggled. Her black eyes twinkled in excitement. She was so adorable that he wanted to bite her. He wanted to protect her laughter. He had turned into a monster who ate other monsters, and he ended up being envious of naive humans instead. However, his dreams were too extreme for an ordinary life, and hed come too far to go back.
Youre too young to be out here all alone. Lets hurry home.
It seemed as though she went around everywhere after she had healed from her unilateral paralysis. He lifted Wael in the air and set her on his shoulders, giving her a shoulder ride.
Kya-haha
The ringing of laughter filled Maydanki Lake, which had lost a fair bit of water.
Black Mamba, who was walking toward the lake upstream, turned his feet slightly toward the sparse forest. There were a lot of villagers gathered in front of the village. The small village with 160 houses near the lake was Gobelaka Village. Bakris house was one kilometer away from the village.
A middle-aged man was kneeling on the ground. Five men with their entire faces covered in cloth were standing before him. They wore dishdashas and khaki military uniforms that were in tatters while carrying rifles and knives. The atmosphere was very intense.
A man wearing a keffiyeh was reading off a scroll. Other than the few words such as Wahhab[5], fatwa[6], al-wusul[7], and hisbas[8], he didnt understand anything else.
Once the man finished reading, the villagers cheered. Based on Black Mambas experiences, the temperament of Arabs was like a narrow canyon or a wadi. Rapid currents would flow through the narrow canyon when it rained, and the dry wadi of deserts would turn into streams. After some time, it always returned to normal as though nothing had happened.
One of the armed men raised a machete and stood behind the middle-aged man.
Is he?
Curiosity killed the cat. The machete fell. Black Mamba immediately covered Waels eyes and ears with his hands.
Ahhh!
Blood spilled out like a fountain along with a pitiful cry. The middle-aged man struggled after the blade fell onto his neck. Cutting off a humans neck wasnt easy. Only those who were specialized with a knife could cut off a persons head at once.
Bang
A gunshot rang. The man stopped moving.
Ajussi!
Shh, lets go.
There were laws in Syria. It wasnt a pleasant scene to watch, but he couldnt just interfere either. The emergence of an unknown armed organization was a threat. He started worrying about Bakris family.
A single-floor house with walls made of earth appeared. Wael jumped down. She shot into the house like an arrow.
Ha, that little brat.
The child, who had been expressionless and quiet, became playful.
Dad, ajussi came. I was right, wasnt I?
Bakri, who had been fixing the broken fence, leaped to his feet.
You little brat, you went down there again, didnt you?
Hmph, but I met ajussi!
Are you sure?
Yes!
Wael nodded her head like a spring. Bakris heart raced. Ever since his daughter learned the word uncle from Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, she used the Korean word ajussi instead of amm[9]. There was only one person who Wael would call ajussi. His daughter didnt even call her uncle Mohammad amm. Her illness had healed, but the wounds in her heart hadnt.
Akh Jamal, it seems as though Sir has arrived.
Akh, which also meant my brother, was a term used to refer to a close friend or someone of the same religion.
Who are you speaking of?
Jamal, who had been milking the sheep, turned to look at Bakri.
Akh, theres no one I call Sir other than Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa?
Jamal grabbed the half-filled bucket of sheep milk and got to his feet. He had been waiting with a desperate heart, but that was too abrupt. How could he trust the words of a six-year-old child? On top of that, she was a girl. The perception of women in Arab was too pitiful. They considered women as possessions, like cows and sheep. A womans word had no power.
Hadritak Bakri, are you certain?
Hadritak was an appellation for the elderly or someone respectable. It had a similar meaning to Koreas old pal or teacher.
Do you still not know him? Sir is someone who comes and leaves as he wants. An exploding dam or a collapsing mountain wont stop his feet from moving. He comes in Allahs stead.
Those are very kind words, Bakri, but Im just a normal human.
A man whose private parts were barely covered with a skirt made of reeds and face full of hair stepped into the yard.
Ah, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
The bucket of sheep milk in Jamals hand dropped.
Whoosh
In a flash, Black Mamba crossed the distance of 10 meters between them and carefully raised the bucket with his foot.
You shouldnt throw away food.
He raised the 20-liter bucket and gulped it down. The half-filled bucket of sheep milk disappeared instantly. Black Mamba, who emptied the bucket of sheep milk, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Kah, its good. The sour taste is refreshing.
Dubi, youre a pig!
Wael, who was jumping around Black Mamba the entire time, shouted.
Hahaha, youre right. Im a pig, ajussi.
Black Mamba chuckled.
Clang
The empty bucket fell. Bakri and Jamals consciousness, which had drifted to Andromeda, returned. He was wearing a strange costume, but they recognized Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa at a glance. The reckless actions of someone instantly drinking an entire bucket of sheep milk could only be him.
They hurried to kneel. Arabs didnt lower their heads or bowed to others. They also didnt kneel. They only kneeled because they didnt regard Black Mamba as a human.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, what happened to
Bakri, I need some clothes.
Ah, right!
Bakri slapped his forehead as he rushed to his feet. Wael ran over carrying a tobe.
Oh, jeez.
It seemed as though the women inside the house had seen his figure. Unlike most Syrian households, Bakris family was open-minded. No women donned the niqab or hijab. Even so, they couldnt shake off the traditional culture that centered around men. If another man had stepped inside the house naked, there would be chaos. Bakri would have stormed over with an ax in hand, while the women would be questioned as to whether they had seen the mans body.
Black Mamba sat on a large rock in the middle of the yard after covering his body with the tobe.
Bakri, Jamal, its nice to meet you again.
Allahu Akbar. Hada afdal yaumin pi-hayati-duh shuduh Ddu-bai-buru-pa wa sadi![10]
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I hope youve had a safe journey.
Ashkorak[11]! What was Wael doing down at the lake so early in the morning?
She always visits the place where she first met you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Every morning since you left, she always sneaks out despite our countless protests.
Haha. It seems like Ive gained the affections of a young lady. Jamal, youve found your way here.
Jamal lowered his head further.
Im sorry, Master. The Syrian Army rushed into Kaparja Valley in large numbers. I couldnt wait for you, Master, and had to extract myself.
Good job. Ones life cant be compared to some mere gold.
Ah!
Jamal and Bakri exclaimed at the same time. It was as expected of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Who else could be that generous! Bakri, who had heard of the events that had happened in Kaparja from Jamal, shivered from head to toe. He thought he knew Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa well, but it seemed as though he still had more to learn. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas abilities knew no bounds.
Master, Jamal brought some of your belongings with him when he evacuated. Mohammad and Jamal also moved the gold over. Weve hidden them in the castle ruins basement, on top of the hill.
Black Mamba jumped to his feet in surprise.
Why, youve done something dangerous. There should be countless Mukhabarat and soldiers scattered around Aleppo City. Did anyone get hurt?
No, we are safe because of Allahs grace and your protection. I couldnt leave your wealth be, Master.
Black Mamba shook his head at Jamals words.
Jamal, gold may be important, but it is not comparable to the weight of life. What would you have done if someone died? Next time, place your life as the highest priority. Anyway, good job.
Ill keep your words in mind, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
The two men bowed deeply. Those were the words of a true apostle. They were determined to serve Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa with their lives once more. Black Mambas protests had gathered their loyalty instead.
Jamal, did you bring your parents here?
Yes, sir. I am indebted to Hadritak.
Good. What happened to Kaparja?
He was worried whether the pouring lake water had created any problems for the village downstream. His target had been the terrorists and soldiers and not the average citizens.
I moved the backpack filled with gold to a higher terrain after you infiltrated deep inside the valley, Master. The Kindall B-zone was an entryway to the valley, which doubled the risks of exposing the backpack. In the end, my timidness saved your wealth, Master. Even the tanks were swept away by the strong currents. The backpack would have long disappeared if I didnt move it. Hehehe!
Youve made the right decisions. Black Mamba smiled widely.
My limbs still tremble thinking about the water that filled the valley, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. The 50-meter tall lake water rushed down faster than a car. The Third Airborne Regiment, who had moved forward with tanks in the lead, were washed away and destroyed. Both cliffs in Kaparja Valley collapsed, and the entire valley disappeared.
Woah! Was it so extreme? Ive gone a little too far. Assad must be pissed, Black Mamba replied as though hed simply rammed a stake into a pumpkin.
Flabbergasted, Bakri and Jamals mouths were agape. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had blown apart Ruman, the biological and chemical weapons storage facility, the strategic air command post, and the dam. Hed also incapacitated the Third Airborne Regiment and changed the entire Kaparja terrain. He had the cheek to call that a little too far. He was someone who could sink the entire Arabian Peninsula if that was considered a little too far.
The spear and shield, which Assad had prepared with great care, disappeared. He must be gritting his teeth. Hadritak has sent akh Mohammad to gather information. Its time he returned. We should be able to get some detailed information when he returns.
Mohammad is trustworthy. Bakri, restrict your family and followers from going out for now. Theres going to be a rise in conflict. Some unfortunate displays took place in front of the villages entrance.
Bakris facial muscles loosened up. He understood the situation immediately.
Its the Wahhabis acting up. They are people who call themselves the warriors of Islam, using the principles of the Sunni fundamentalists.
It seems like the Mukhabarat have overlooked them.
Black Mamba got straight to the point. Intelligence agencies were neither good nor bad. They were good if it benefited the country and bad if they produced losses. There were no concepts like terrorism to them. Their only concern was whether someone was useful or not. There were times when decisions were solely made for the benefit of their organization and not the country. It would be faster to find a virgin in the red-light district than requesting for morality from an intelligence agency.
Terrorism could be a reason behind the existence of intelligence agencies or the justification of intelligence-gathering activities. The British intelligence agencies had been established because of the Irish Fenians explosives attacks in 1870. Russias secret police, the Okhrana, had also been established because of the attacks between anarchists and nihilists.
Most intelligence agencies, including the CIA, used terrorism as a means of survival during information acquisition. The terrorism defined by the state agencies were different from the publics definition. In simple terms, intelligence agencies and terrorism were like Siamese twins. After all, Assad had raised the ANO and Black September Organization of Ruman as the first blood too.
The Saud royal family were nobilities of Wahhabism. They were a representative royal family who used Wahhabism as the national law to suppress public disapproval and maintain their tyranny. On the other hand, Assad, who was pan-Arabism, used the destruction of Wahhabism to gather the citizens under one dictatorship. Regardless of their moralities, both governments were involved in terrorism.
That brought about the rise of complex dynamics and heterogeneity of the Arabs. When Assad mobilized his army to destroy the Muslim Brotherhood, Saudi Arabia secretly supplied military funds and weapons to the Muslim Brotherhood.
That was also the reason why the Arab world couldnt do anything about Israel, continuing on their self-destructive ways. Black Mambas title was the foreign relations cultural counselor of the French Embassy in Korea. Although it was a worthless seat without a desk, he had constantly received reports on the international dynamics.
Yes, youre correct. Theyre using the violent follower cells of Wahhabism to control the same Sunni faction. The man that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa saw was a Sunni follower who went against the religious laws. The reason was his negligence to punish his 18-year-old daughter for not wearing a hijab and for loving a man of a different religion.
Woah! How can that be a reason?
Black Mamba was shocked. The hijab was something that he could force himself to understand, but killing a father because he failed to punish his daughter for loving a man of a different religion? There was no other madness.
[1] What does that mean?
[2] I really love it.
[3] Oh my god! Really?
[4] You gave me a shock!
[5] The founder of the Islamic fundamentalism movement, Wahhabism.
[6] A former ruling or interpretation on a point in Islamic law given by a qualified legal scholar.
[7] Islamic fundamentalists.
[8] An Islamic doctrine that means accountability. It is an individual or a collective duty of intervening to maintain the norms of Sharia law.
[9] Uncle in Arabic.
[10] Allah is great. My master Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has returned. May the greatest day of my life be praised!
[11] Thank you!
Chapter 265 - Episode 6: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
Yes, youre right. The Wahhabis are madmen who interpret the Quran to their tastes. They even publicly executed someone for entering the masjid with his left foot. Theyve expanded on the phrase what your right hand possesses in the Quran. If an adult woman above the age of 16 didnt wear the hijab or niqab or falls in love with a heathen, theyre exiled to the desert or stoned to death by the villagers. This is their expanded interpretation of the ninth chapter in the Quran, You must not regard your father or brother as a friend if they choose to become an atheist. If there is an atheist among you, the person is of an unholy group. The Arabian Peninsula of the seventh century was a polytheistic society where conflicts between tribes never ceased. They were foolish people who accepted the centurys interpretation of the Quran up until the present day.
Bakri criticized Islamic fundamentalism fiercely. From an outsiders perspective, Wahhabism was a monster that revealed the genuine face of a twisted religion.
Woah, they really are mad b*stards. Is the heathen involved with that lady a Christian?
Yes. He is the son of Malik Marwan under my care, Ahmad. He is a kind man who protects our fellow Christians.
What happened to the daughter of the executed man?
She should be locked up in the public hall. Islam considers marriage with a heathen sinful. The fundamentalists regarded a woman as a devil after a night with a heathen. They will make her pray for repentance for three days and tie her up on an olive tree outside the village on the fourth day. Then, the villagers will throw rocks at her until she dies.
Ha, how crude. Do the villagers agree with such actions?
People of the Levant are prideful and place great importance on their respectability. They believe that her actions have diminished the villages honor. Few pitied her, but they cannot share their opinions. If theyre reported for going against the religious laws, the Islamic warriors will attack them. Perhaps they lost the ability to sympathize with someone elses pain as a result of suppression from dogmatism.
How ironic. Assad is turning his enemies against one another. Theres a saying that one must do as the Romans did when in Rome. Syria is an Islamic country. Jamal, as a follower of Islam, what do you think?
Jamals face turned pale at the piercing question. How many people had he killed with his hands in the past eight years? The ANOs thoughts and code of conduct were based on the fifth verse of the ninth chapter in the Quran that went, capture the heathens, besiege them, and lie in wait for them in every way. However, if they repent, then set them free. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas question was an accusation. He felt like his heart was bleeding, as though it had been stabbed by a knife.
I wish to die from the embarrassment of my actions. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has lifted the darkness that was covering my eyes. Hadritak Bakri showed me my foolishness. Theres no way that Allah, the all-loving, would desire such cruel methods. Refrain from killing others, even for revenge. There shall be Allahs guidance. is a phrase from the Quran. The Quran teaches one not to take the lives of enemies. Wahhabism justified murder sprees with religious laws.
Youre right. It doesnt make sense that religious laws, which reflected the seventh centurys society, are made applicable to modern society. They are b*stards who look at the pointing finger instead of the moon that theyre told to look at. A religion that should be healing the soul cannot be chaining it. Holding onto a doctrine without commonality is not by Allahs will but of mankinds greed.
Bismillah, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words are right.
Its wrong to sentence a young man and woman in love to death. Didnt the young man receive any punishment?
It isnt a crime to rape a woman who doesnt wear the hijab or niqab. All blame falls on the woman who looks at a mans naked body and seduces him.
Ha, gosh, should this place be called a paradise for men or the choir of psychos?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue at Jamals reply. It was a land of barbarians and no different from the Sahel.
Ring ring
The bell rang.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, it looks like the bathwater is ready. Well prepare some food and new clothes for you while you wash.
Thanks. Call Malik and his son over.
Ah, then youre?
Bakris face grew bright. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa believed in humanism. If the apostle decided to interfere, the problem was considered solved.
What kind of law prevents one from loving another because of different religions? Stoning a woman who hasnt even bloomed to death, what kind of absurdity is this? I cant stand still, can I? Damn b*stards!
Black Mamba headed into the house after Bakris son, fuming.
Marhaban!
Black Mamba raised his right hand and greeted. The men and women in the dining room immediately raised their right hands to their chests, bowed, and chorused.
Marhabtain!
No one raised their heads after the exchange of greetings.
Ugh, Im going to be bald, bald!
Black Mamba sighed and gave his blessings.
My God be with you. You will be safe from enemies and free from diseases.
Only then did they rise and crossed themselves. An old couple with white hair kneeled on the ground.
Bismillah, may Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. I am the father of Amud Jamal, Abi Barjani Jamal.
Black Mamba immediately grabbed the old mans arms and held him back from bowing.
Nice to meet you, Barjani. Be at ease.
Thank you. Thank you for returning my lost child. Although I am old, I want to dedicate the rest of my life by serving you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Its fine. Since Jamal has returned, welcome a daughter-in-law, and live out the rest of your life in peace.
Thank you. May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. Bismillah!
It took 10 minutes for them to be seated around the table. The food had nearly cooled down from all the greetings. Black Mamba shook his head. He was tired from following through the complicated Arabic greetings and mannerisms.
Syrian food was heavily influenced by France and Persias traditions. Their vegetable and fish dishes were developed with variations of poultry, sheep, and camel dishes. People in the Levant[1] region took light futurs[2]. However, to greet a special guest today, a feast was prepared.
Harees was camel rib soup boiled with beans, similar to the Korean galbitang. Musakhan was similar to the Korean spicy chicken stew. Mansaf was bean grains on top of rice, with chicken and thick sauce.
There was a massive amount of food served on the table. The meals were prepared for Black Mamba, who had a large appetite. Only men sat around the large table.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, lets eat.
Old man Alli loudly gestured to start eating.
Bakri, call the women in.
Black Mamba didnt pick up his fork. Bakri understood immediately and assembled the women.
Tislam[3]! Lets eat together.
No, sir. Women only eat after men.
Old man Alli tried to stop Black Mamba. Bakris family was more liberal than others but couldnt escape the Arab worlds deep-seated traditions.
Alli, Barjani, Bakri, and Jamal, hear my words. I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, have explained this before. There is no human above another human and no human below another human. This is the same for men and women. I am a Korean from the East. Koreans considered those they share food with as family too. A family consists of people dining together. From now on, all family members will dine together.
Bismillah, by the words of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, four men chorused.
Black Mamba thought that his own words were cringy, but it seemed like they could understand if he spoke in such a manner. He had no other way to fix their deep-rooted traditions that placed men first and women last.
The head of the household, old man Alli, awkwardly called over his wife and daughter-in-law to the table. Black Mamba lifted Wael and seated her next to him. Only then did Barjanis wife take a seat. The ends of Black Mambas mouth curled upward. He certainly had what it took to become the head of a cult.
The meal started off carefully. Black Mambas stomach rumbled. He lifted a large camel rib and engulfed it all at once.
Kyahaha, Dubi! Youre a pig!
When Wael laughed, the entire table turned silent. Knife fights were prone to break out when one called another a pig. Moreover, she had called Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, a pig! The adults froze at the childs insolent words.
Wahaha, youre right. Ajussi is a pig. Grunt grunt. Black Mamba laughed and tore off a small piece of meat before putting it in Waels mouth.
The womens faces brightened up. The men who were holding their breaths exhaled in relief.
The dining table soon grew cheerful because Black Mamba didnt hold back his hearty appetite. Syria had been under the influence of France for a long time. Most adults knew how to speak French. They mainly talked about the disposition and traditions of the Syrians. Black Mamba deliberately avoided discussing the politics and affairs of Syria. In the first place, it was customary not to discuss politics and religion at the dining table.
Black Mamba was delighted. For a very long time, hed been desperately wishing for a lively family dinner. He didnt consider them as outsiders. Anyone who came under his protection was considered his family.
The desperate wish that he had been longing for was granted 1,000s of miles away in a countryside house in Syria.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Malik Marwan and Ahmad have arrived.
Black Mamba released himself from the lotus position at Bakris voice. The breathing exercises helped improve his natural healing capacity according to the degree of his internal injuries. His shattered clavicle and femur fused back stronger.
Bring them in here.
A middle-aged man in his 50s and a young man in his early 30s kneeled outside the study.
Assalamualaikum! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. Malik Marwan and his poor child greet you.
Oh, my God, why do they keep doing this when I told them not to.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue internally.
Come in.
Black Mamba stared at the middle-aged man with wrinkles across his face and the young man who looked slightly past his teens. His face looked haggard, as though hed gone through severe pain. He was told that the girls age was 18. The man, no matter how much he lowered it, was around his mid-30s.
50 points!
Black Mamba scored the young man as though he was picking out a son-in-law.
Hm?
Black Mambas eyes twinkled. He could feel an ancient aura specific to masters of martial arts from the young man. There had been no proper martial arts inheritance in the Middle East.
The Levant region suffered through a series of uprisings and terrible battles against the Mongolian horsemen, who had invaded like a tide in the past. Their fighting methods and martial arts disappeared without a trace as years passed. The magical assassination technique taught by the Old Man of the Mountain was also lost. They were too busy trying to survive the numerous external invasions and fighting among their tribes.
Boom
He forwarded a hint of bloodlust toward the young mans legs
Rustle
Ahmads legs flinched. Black Mamba forwarded a hint of bloodlust toward his right shoulder. His right shoulder moved back slightly.
This ones good.
He was a guy with inborn senses.
Boom
He raised his bloodlust. The bloodlust almost evolved into a physical attack. Ahmads entire body shook back and forth. His face had turned blue, but he was still kneeling.
Thats someone with a strong mentality and tenacity.
The scores immediately went up. Fear usually overwhelmed the people on the receiving end of the bloodlust. They turned into a frog before a snake, and they turned into a mouse before a cat. Ahmad had endured the fear. The bloodlust retreated instantly.
Ughh, what a scary person.
He couldnt even breathe due to fear and pressure. Ahmad looked at Black Mamba as his face got paler. His eyes were filled with awe.
Ahmad, did you learn assassination techniques?
Ah! How did you know? I learned the Mamluks secrets when I was little, sir.
Mamluk referred to the white slaves who had created the military elites of the Islamic society since the ninth century. The white slaves were the Kurds, Slavs, and Byzantines. They were raised to be soldiers and freed from slavery when they reached adulthood.
The sultans and caliphs preferred Mamluks because they had no religious backgrounds. They became the core of the Muslim militaries from the eighth century to the 16th century. Leaders from each faction selected a handful of Mamluks and raised them as assassins. They were the infamous Mamluk assassins.
Mamluk? Did you acquire the Circassians inheritance?
Yes, sir!
Give me both of your hands.
He grabbed both of Ahmads hands and projected his resonance, alternating between right and left. While the left side of his body was clear, there were several blocked pathways on the right side of his body.
Are you left-handed? Your right shoulder and hip are injured.
Ahmad and Maliks eyes widened.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! Ahmad was originally right-handed. However, the right side of his body became paralyzed after he was run over by a bull in his youth. A member of our family knew the Mamluks secrets and managed to heal his paralysis, but his right hand ended up being dull. My son worked hard to become a left-hander.
Ahmad, how old are you?
Im thirty-two, sir.
Damn, this sneaky b*stard!
There was an age difference of nearly 14 years. According to martial arts novels, it was like a toad aiming for a duck. Black Mamba changed the title from young man to young b*stard. Black Mamba retracted his additional points.
Ahmad, what is the name of the woman you love?
Its Idia, sir.
Good, are you willing to put your life on the line for Idia?
If its to save Idia, I willingly offer my life, sir. If need be, Ill attack the village this very night to rescue Idia.
[1] It refers to a large area in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Western Asia.
[2] Breakfasts.
[3] Thank you!
Chapter 266 - Episode 7: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
Is it because of your pride?
No, sir. Idia is mistreated because of me. As a man who loves her, I want to take responsibility.
Black Mamba carefully observed Ahmad, who was overflowing with determination. He was unique for an Arab. Arabs usually regarded women as mens possession.
That was because of the fourth clause of rule one in verse three of chapter four in the Quran, marry a good woman, two, three, or four times That was an excerpt without a beginning and an end. The phrase started with, If you are unable to take in orphans justly. In other words, if a couple lacked the confidence to care for an orphan, they should take in a refugee or an unmarried woman to take care of the child. The latter part of the excerpt stated to respect women.
The Quran was created between the seventh and eighth centuries. Back then, the Arabian Peninsula suffered from rough nomadic lifestyles, long-term caravans, and frequent wars, which resulted in more orphans and refugees. Social outcasts either became beggars, turned to prostitution, grew ill, or starved to death. The fourth clause of rule one was like a welfare system in the Goryeo Dynasty called the levirate marriage system.
Despite the moral teachings, the women of Levant were not closely associated with the words human rights, respect, and consideration. They were treated like mens possessions and treated worse than humans. Why did such an evil tradition exist?
That was because the Arabs, who were immersed in a culture that centered around men, disregarded the beginning and ending of the Qurans verse and interpreted it to their liking. The discrimination against women extended to other religions, heathens, and foreigners.
They disrespected, ignored, mistreated, and acted out all kinds of inhumane behaviors to them without a single thought. Aksurs guiltless abduction of Bakris son was an example. Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt were worse off with their deep-rooted Arab traditions.
Even in the 1980s, women were not allowed to travel around the Arab regions alone. Foreign women were especially at risk of rape. Those were illogical actions, but there were still victims up to this day.
So, he does have a manly side.
The mans blood flow and brain wave, which he examined using his dimensional sight, were stable. That man was telling the truth. He looked like a stuffy rat with a body like Sun Woo Hyuns, but unlike his looks, he was honest. If he had said otherwise or whined for help, Black Mamba would have beaten him to death. Ahmads score progressed in his mind again.
Black Mamba had grown up lonely. An honest and loyal human was the greatest gift for him. The reward of labor he gained in Syria from almost dying was a person. Even with 1,000,000 gold, it was hard to find someone who had his back. Like Bakri, Mohammad, and Jamal, Ahmad was a useful person too.
I should beat him up properly.
For Black Mamba to entrust his back to him, he had to develop the mans abilities. The all-torture technique he had planned turned into the soul-returning pain administration. Ahmads cries would soon be heard.
No! How do you plan to face a group of armed Wahhabis with your knife alone? What about the villagers whore guarding Idia? Do you plan on killing them too? No, youll return to Allahs side even before that happens. No, never! Malik protested in fright.
Malik, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is speaking. Calm down, Bakri gave him a warning.
Malik couldnt stay still. No father could remain still when their only son was marching to his own death.
Father, all fault lies with me. Id rather die bravely in a fight than live as a coward.
Ahmad, your opponent is a group of armed men. Are you confident?
Yes, sir. I only need my Khanjar. I dont fear death.
Are you sure?
Whoosh
The moment an airwave sounded, a large Kukri landed loudly in between Ahmads knees.
Crack
If it had landed an inch forward, Ahmads private part would have been sliced off.
Uk!
In fear, Ahmad could only stare blankly at the Kukri embedded in the floor. What was this? He hadnt seen, heard, or felt it.
His overflowing confidence shriveled up like his startled balls. The rumors about Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa hadnt been wrong at all. Cold sweats ran down his back. Ahmad pulled out the Kukri and handed it back politely with both hands.
You should distinguish bravery from boldness. The Kukri I just threw moved at a speed of 200 meters per second. An assault rifles bullet moves at a speed of over 800 meters a second. If you cannot spot my flying Kukri, do you think you can spot an oncoming bullet? The world is large. Dont be arrogant because of a little skill. You may find Idia precious, but you are precious to your father.
Black mamba held back his words for a moment. His father, who had lost his life meaninglessly due to parathion poisoning, and the tear that streamed down his dark face during his last breath was a memory that Black Mamba could never forget. It was the sorrowfulness of the head of the family who had to leave behind a frail wife and young son. His solemn face was watered down with pity.
A fathers only hope is his son. Children are a fathers driving force to survive the harsh world. Can you imagine your fathers sorrows after losing you?
His baritone voice shook the house made out of earth walls. Ahmads insides shook from Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas cold looks. Hed forgotten about his old father, overwhelmed with the thoughts of saving Idia.
Ah!
Malik, Bakri, and Jamals eyes turned blurry.
Hes the true apostle who loves all humans.
Hes someone I can trust and follow.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa isnt the apostle but the reincarnation of God.
The three mens feet trembled from the overwhelming emotions. Ahmad leaped to his feet and kneeled.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please, tell me what to do.
Ahmad, can you survive a day in the abandoned underground castle ruins of the hill until the moon rises?
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, there are ghuls[1] and sila[2] in that place. Humans cannot enter. Please, forgive my foolish son, Malik frantically begged.
Malik had misinterpreted the situation, thinking that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was punishing his son.
Malik, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is speaking. Do not overstep the bounds, Bakri warned him again.
Im sorry.
Scolded by the deacon, Malik could only sigh out loud. Black Mamba laughed inwardly. He had ordered Bakri to spread rumors of monsters in the basement of the castle ruins. He thought it would be useful for his mission. The rumors had spread well.
Ahmad, if you attack the village, you will certainly die. You said you are willing to die for Idia if need be. If you enter the castle ruins basement, Idia will live. Will you die in her stead?
Yes, sir. Thank you. I will gladly enter the basement, Ahmad answered without hesitation.
Good. Then wait here. When it gets dark, enter the castle ruins basement.
Thank you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. I will do as you ask. Ahmad lowered his head.
Hehehe, you damn sneaky b*stard, did you think an 18-year-old girl was easy to get?
Black Mamba had on an evil smile. He was only doing that out of spite. He had initially planned a happy ending for Syrias version of Kap Sooni and Kap Doli.
Because of his personality and twisted pride, Black Mamba couldnt ignore the fact that both a man and a woman in love would be separated and killed due to traditions. Although he had to return to his station and had a mountain of work to complete at home, he wouldnt be Dong-bang-bull-pae if he ignored the injustice right before him.
Malik was devastated. Since a long time ago, the castle ruins were a place where ghostly sounds were heard. No one approached the place. Two months ago, deacon Bakri warned them not to approach the castle ruins as there was an evil spirit in the basement.
A horrible rumor spread among the Orthodox Christians almost immediately afterward. It was the rumor of a Sila shredding two Mukhabarat to death after they entered the castle ruins basement. The rumors turned into facts when the Mukhabarat and Shabiha conducted a widespread search for the culprit. Arabs believed in myths due to ancient polytheism and believed in unusual evil existences.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please allow me to enter the castle ruins basement with my son.
Malik was at his wits end since his only family line was about to end.
Malik, can you welcome a Muslim girl as your daughter-in-law?
Of course, sir. Idia is a smart and kind girl. Shes too good for my son. I can only wait for your order, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Im Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Nothing will happen. Go back to your home and wait.
Black Mamba smiled. Maliks anxious heart calmed down instantly. He just met Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa for the first time but didnt doubt and trusted him. Resonance waves were interference fields. Malik, who believed that Black Mamba was an apostle, was easily convinced.
Bakri, did you exact revenge on your sons enemies?
Ive drowned the traitor and spy in Maydanki Lake but have not been able to get rid of Aksur, a member of the Shabiha. The Sunni extremists joined the Muslim Brotherhood movement. Rifles were given to the Shabiha members when several riots broke out across Aleppo city.
Where is Aksurs house?
It is in Dourakli Village, across Maydanki Lake. It is the largest red-bricked house in the village. He stays at home over the weekends. It will be hard to attack him since he moves in a group of three after sunset.
Black Mambas character was direct and radical. The only Arab tradition he liked was the qisas, a self-help system. There were no partial and arbitrary judicial institutions. All the gang members who had raped Kang Young Sook were released while he was imprisoned for trying to save the woman. He still gritted his teeth over that incident.
Ahmad, do you think a b*stard who kidnapped and murdered a nine-year-old boy deserve to live?
No, sir.
You will come with me. I want to test your skills.
Yes, sir!
Black Mamba wore a dishdasha and a gandoura. He covered his head with a ghutra and secured it with an agal to hide his face. That was the regular everyday wear in Syria. Ahmad stood silently on standby, wearing a similar ensemble. Those were movements of one who had mastered the Mamluk Circassian assassination techniques.
Lead the way.
Yes, sir!
Maydanki Lake was a small and narrow river, like a ribbon. The narrowest point was barely 600 meters wide. Ahmad, who arrived at the dock, gave out a low signal. The bow of the boat, which he had tied to the dock post, dangled. The water level had declined by at least three meters.
Ah, how is this possible! Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, the water level has declined.
Thats my fault.
What?
Ahmad immediately lowered his head after questioning his words. Questioning an apostles words was a huge disrespect. If the apostle said so, it was so.
Black Mambas face creased.
Damn, itll be annoying if all the lake water flowed to the underground cave. Why is my fate so twisted that Im creating natural disasters wherever I go?
He was slightly worried. Over 10 or so villages relied on the Maydanki Lake to support their lifestyles. If the lake dried up, the locals who grew olive and date palm trees would be in trouble. Now there was another reason to relocate the Orthodox Christians.
Ahmad tried to untie the rope attached to the dock post, but there was no way that he could. A tightly-secured rope supporting a boat of over two tons couldnt be untied with a humans strength. Unable to watch on any longer, Black Mamba grabbed the manila rope and dragged the boat up, loosening the knot.
Huuh!
Ahmads eyes widened to the point that they would pop out.
Theres no time.
Ofof course!
Ahmad ran toward the dock post.
Slap
The boat, which regained its freedom, dropped into the lake.
Boom
Ahmad kicked off from the dock and threw his body down. He landed lightly on the unsteady boat, three meters below.
Hm?
Ahmad hesitated when he turned back to look at the dock. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa wasnt there.
Hurry up and row.
Hup!
Surprised, Ahmad swallowed a breath of air. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was standing in the shade, like a picture. Ahmad hadnt seen or felt him move. It was getting harder to stay focused.
As the deacon said, he isnt human but the reincarnation of God.
Ahmad shook his head and began to row skillfully. The trees around the Maydanki Lakes banks were either olive or date palm trees. The locals took advantage of the warm Mediterranean climate and the plentiful lake water to focus on fruit farming.
The olive fruits hidden between the lush leaves and the date palms stuck together like a bunch of grapes awakened him to the passage of time. The fruits had been as small as beans the first time he saw it after his crash in Gobelaka Village on August sixth.
In two months, its size was the width of his thumb. The dates were already slightly red. By November, hands would get busier as they reached for the olives and dates. It hadnt been intentional, but hed caused a big problem by drilling a large hole at the bottom of the lake.
Ahmad rowed silently. He rowed carefully too, afraid to disturb Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa in his thoughts.
What do people think of Aksur?
Evil. He is greedy and lustful. All the virgins have disappeared from the four villages located near the middle of the lake. Several followers had their wealth stolen by the b*stard too. For a long time, we wanted to get rid of him but havent, in fear of the backlash.
Hehehe, heavens net is wide, and it doesnt miss any evil. What time is the salat?
The sun floated in the middle of the sky. Black Mamba asked while looking up at the sky.
It starts in 10 minutes, sir. The village bell will ring to tell the time, Ahmad replied after checking the watch.
And how many minutes is the midday salat?
They pray for at least 10 minutes.
He checked the map that Bakri drew for him. Dourakli Village was 500 meters away from the lake.
Theres not enough time. Wait in the boat.
Whoosh
A white line lined the boat and dock. The next dock was 20 meters away. The boat on the receiving end of his force was pushed back. Shocked, Ahmad stabilized the boat and turned back to the dock. By then, there were no traces of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
God, this young lamb has met its master. Please dont let my lowly abilities disappoint my master, Ahmad prayed earnestly.
He feared the blessing that came out of the blue. He had met a trustworthy master and was currently on his way to save the woman he loved. Perhaps he had rescued a neighborhood in his past life.
[1] An evil spirit or demon in Muslim folklore believed to plunder graves and feed on corpses.
[2] They are talented shapeshifters, often appearing in the female human form. They lead travelers and nomads astray, leading up to their deaths.
Chapter 267 - Episode 8: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
He wanted to test Ahmads skills, but he feared that it would draw attention.
Ring
Ring
Ring
The village bell rang thrice. It was time for the midday salat. It was better to use the salat as a cover to move quickly than becoming one with nature to avoid attention. Black Mamba pushed his fearless steps to the utmost. He crossed 500 meters in 30 seconds.
Most Syrian houses came with gray walls made of earth. The red-brick house immediately came into view the moment he entered Dourakli Village. The house looked pristine, like the house of a villain who stole other peoples wealth by manipulating them. There were four presencesthree wives and no childrenwhich meant that Bakri was right.
Like a shadow, Black Mamba infiltrated the house with his becoming one with nature. The rooms in Syrian houses had no doors. There were space divisions and bamboo blinds to cover the entrance. He found Aksurs room without having to use his dimensional sight. A large body was kneeling on the floor, praying.
I see. Even this b*stard wants to go to heaven. Prayer and guns, very Arab.
There was an AK-47 on the ground by the feet of the prostrating man, who was mumbling through his prayer. Black Mamba felt slightly apologetic for disturbing him during his prayer, but there wasnt enough time.
Crack
The blade in his hand fell lightly onto the mans neck. Aksur, who had his major vein targeted, collapsed in his praying position.
Why is this b*stard so f****** heavy?
Black Mamba left Aksurs house, lifted, and fixed him by his side. It was easier to kill him, but the qisas was Bakris right.
Whoosh
Black Mamba, who carried Aksur like a bag, crossed the grassy fields at a frightening speed. The few farmers who were praying in the olive farm didnt even feel the passing gust of wind.
Bang
A healthy man was tossed onto the boat like a sack of potatoes.
Lets go!
Ahmads mouth hung open. Two minutes had barely passed. In two minutes, Black Mamba had captured Aksur in Dourakli Village that was 500 meters away. It was an impossible feat unless he was the incarnation of God. If hes determined, nothing can stop him, deacon Bakris words were accurate.
Kugh!
Aksur awoke from the impact on the boat. He raised his head and looked at Black Mamba in a daze. Laughter escaped Ahmad. His soul would have left his body if he had experienced the same thing as Aksur.
Aksur?
Uhhh, who are you, b*stard?
Thats not something you need to know.
Slap
A large hand slapped his cheek. Several teeth fell out of his mouth.
Ugh, that must hurt.
Ahmad shivered. Aksur didnt even have the time to feel the pain. He lost his consciousness the moment he was slapped. He shouldnt have woken up.
Black Mamba went down to the castle ruins basement with Aksur around his shoulder. The castle ruins basement remained eerie, and the atmosphere was heavy to the point of discomfort.
Oh, God!
Old man Alli, Bakri, and Mohammad, who had been waiting in the basement, lowered their heads.
Bang
Black Mamba threw Aksur down.
Do as you wish.
Thank you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, how can we ever repay
Enough, the b*stard has sinned. Hes only paying the price. There shouldnt be a discussion of debt among family members. There is no witness.
It was time for them to clean up after the mess. Black Mamba turned to look at Mohammad after leaving Aksur in Bakris hands.
Lets leave.
The situation had turned complicated because of his conscience.
Yes, sir, a qisas is a fathers right after all.
Mohammad followed Black Mamba up the stairs.
You b*stard Aksur, God has sent the apostle to deliver your judgment! Do you think you can avoid heavens judgment forever?
The tormented cries of a father, who had lost his son, followed behind them.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, things are heading south. You should hurry your escape, Mohammad said with a worried expression.
Assad must have directed the end of his blade toward the Orthodox Christians, Black Mamba said as though he was stating facts. A chicken had two legs, while a table had four legs.
How did you know?
Its a method that dictators use frequently. Theres nothing better than the clean sweep of heathens to salvage a nations pride. I can see through Assads plan, trying to earn the good graces of the Sunni and weakening the Muslim Brotherhood.
Youve read it accurately, sir. I was informed by an insider that once the riots in Aleppo are suppressed, theyll immediately sweep clean the heathens. Its a re-enactment of the past, trying to catch two rabbits with one stone.
Hm, it seems as though Ive aggravated the matter.
Black Mambas expression turned solemn. The fire was about to land on the innocent Orthodox Christians.
No, its something that has happened several times in the past and something that will happen sooner or later. Assad wont be able to lead the government with the support of a handful of Alawites alone. Up until now, he has been walking on a tightrope between the handful of Orthodox Christians and the many Sunni.
Whats his excuse?
Its the concept of Mahdi. Unlike the Sunni, the Alawites dont follow the concept of Mahdi. Assad declared himself the Mahdi sent by God. There isnt a single Orthodox Christian who believes him to be the savior. Hes writing out an inducement, but thats just a thorn in the side. The Sunni doesnt believe in Mahdi. Thats a reward of salvation given to a follower who is faithful and lives righteously. Now that the situation has changed, his interests have fallen in line with the Sunni, who opposes the Mahdi, Mohammad explained with a somber expression.
There are some similarities between the Sunni beliefs and the teachings of the Buddha.
The beliefs arent to be blamed. The people belonging to the religion are the problem. We are tired of the endless bloodshed and religious conflict. This land isnt for non-Muslims. Even if we manage to survive, history will repeat once more.
Is the communications line between the followers completed?
Yes, sir, weve completed the emergency line and gone through our movements too. The Orthodox guards are in charge of communications.
And did you procure the supplies?
Yes, sir. Market prices have risen. Weve procured the supplies beforehand with the wealth that you shared. Us Christians are indebted to you, the apostle.
Theres no debt to discuss. How many are relocating?
48 families, making it 460 members in total.
Woah!
Black Mamba let out a breath in surprise. Aleppos northern region had a small population. He thought it would be 100 people or less considering the size of the area under Bakris supervision. It was a mistake not to consider the birth rate in Syria and their large families. The birth rate in Syria was notably high. At least seven to eight babies were born on average, and three generations lived under one roof. There were at least 10 members per family.
Some Christians insisted on staying despite the threat. The figure includes brothers who are willing to move.
Its more than I expected. Its not easy to leave a hometown full of memories. I understand, but its a pity. This place will turn into Gehenna soon.
Thats for certain. The remaining people will become refugees and wander without rest. It is heartbreaking, but nothing can be done for people who cant distinguish opportunity from hardship. Most families and believers are burning with anticipation. Aleppo is a battlefield. The fire will land here soon.
Hm!
Black Mambas heart started feeling heavy like lead. Like Africa, the image of the Middle East was as dark. He found himself in the middle of a war, terrorism, a society divided by religion, female oppression, and the power struggles of a dictator.
If he had taken care of Ruman and left, he would be back in Korea studying peacefully. However, hed wasted nearly two months running interferences and gained 460 lives on his head. Hed earned the problems himself. It was a huge responsibility yet troublesome at the same time.
Why did he shove his foot up a very bothersome trap?
Like always, it wasnt on a whim. He desperately made an effort to be recognized as a part of a family when he had lived as a slave in his uncles house. From a young age, he woke up at five in the morning to help with the housework and farm work. If the teachers hadnt been understanding of his situation, he wouldnt have graduated elementary school considering his frequent absence.
In the end, it had been for nothing. He was a slave and a prisoner. He had dreamt of escaping Chateau dIf[1] the moment he realized he couldnt be a part of a family.
He was like them. They were people whod been persecuted since their great-grandfathers time. They were people who had nowhere to vent their worries. It didnt matter whether they were Orthodox Christians or Muslims. They believed in him and decided to be under his protection. Power had its advantages when granted by the heavens, which was unconditional love.
Hm, the Muslim Brotherhood must have set foot since Aleppo turned into a battlefield?
After Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa crippled the Third Airborne Regiment, the guards were too busy recovering the regiment instead of suppressing the riots in Aleppo. The roots of the Muslim Brotherhood are deep and wide. They have plenty of manpower and funds. The situation wont settle anytime soon.
And the level of danger will increase accordingly. We should devise an escape plan.
Yes, sir!
A temporary landing point is our priority.
He couldnt confirm the size of his land in the Sahel. Hed have to procure enough areas to settle 460 people. He couldnt build a refugee camp where RPGs and mortar shells flew around like that in Palestine, after all.
Mohammad unfolded the 1:7,000 military map that he had managed to get his hands on.
Ive marked down Cyprus as our landing point. Cyprus is a haven for all illegal immigrants. Greek locals often rioted for independence, and theyre currently in anarchy because of Turkeys claim over the north. Its divided into four areas: the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the buffer zone under the jurisdiction of the United Nations, and the Akrotiri and Dhekelia, where the British military base was located. Theres no social system to filter out illegal immigrants, which makes it all easier for smuggling.
You said its anarchy. What would you do if the brothers who entered the country illegally got caught in a dangerous situation?
Black Mamba frowned. The Arabs tendency toward shameless and guiltless criminal activities was infamous. Women and children would be exposed to danger if the security was s***. His Korean way of thinking couldnt accept that.
Weve lived like that until now. Israelis and Palestinians wandered around the lands for 1,000s of years without a country. Were the same. No, were 100 times better off since there is hope. Were prepared to make sacrifices so that our descendants can live safe and sound. Were tired of being chased and threatened.
Mohammad looked calm as though the decision to move was trivial. Well, a lot of Koreans had moved to the cold and barren Manchuria and the Maritime Territory during the Japanese Occupation.
Mohammad, Cyprus isnt suitable. The temporary landing point will be France.
What?
Mohammads eyes widened. Although it was temporary, there wasnt the slightest possibility that France would greet 460 people at once.
Dont worry about the move. Ill figure it out even if I have to shake Mitterrand by the neck.
Oh, God, thank you.
Whats your escape route? Black Mamba asked before a complicated prayer was recited.
The Orthodox had complicated speeches like Islam. Bakri and Mohammads were on the shorter spectrum in length.
We will be heading south using the darkness as a cover. There are plenty of smuggling boats heading toward Cyprus once we cross the borders of Lebanon to Tripoli from Homs. There are plenty of smuggling boats heading toward France and Italy once we land in Cyprus. We can also get help from the Lebanese Orthodox Christians.
Youll have to travel over 540 kilometers on land with women and children. Thats not all. Wont you have to cross the Mediterranean Sea on a small ship? What are the chances of success?
At least half, Mohammad replied with confidence.
Black Mamba wanted to open Mohammads head to see what was going on inside. On the other hand, he pitied them all. How much did they suffer that they were willing to sacrifice half of their kind just to leave?
No. I cant shove people whove been tormented all their lives into another crisis. I will leave for Damascus after I wrap up Ahmads issue tonight. I will apply for asylum on behalf of 460 people at the French Embassy. You need to organize all documents on personal information, details of suppression, and the cause of racial discrimination and wipeout.
Ill be on it immediately, sir.
How many brothers are guarding them?
Five in total. We dont have guns, but they all have experience from serving in the Syrian Army and are good at martial arts.
Lets wipe out all the b*stards who call themselves warriors of Islam tonight. Arm our guards with their weapons. Most of the members are women and children. We cant drag them across a land amid chaos.
I would like to hear your opinion, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Youll have to escape Syria on your own, of course.
Black Mamba drew a line across the map. It was a route toward Turkeys Hatay Province and ?skenderun Harbor. Mohammads eyes widened.
Well go through the fastest route in the shortest time possible. Well head directly toward Hatay Province. Its barely 30 kilometers to the nearest border village in Turkey, Camuzk??las?. Ill prepare the vehicles there. If you move fast, a day should be enough. Ill get rid of any dangerous factors during the trip. Its 96 kilometers from Camuzk??las? to Turkeys ?skenderun Harbor. Ill station a passenger ship in ?skenderun Harbor. Youll run straight to Frances port of Toulon. Im naming the mission plan, Cutting Bamboo.
Black Mamba ended his sentence like he was actually cutting through bamboo. Mohammads mouth hung open.
Willwill that be possible? Ah, I apologize.
Mohammad lowered his head regretfully for refuting Black Mambas statement.
If its impossible, I shall make it possible. Im Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
[1] The island where Count Montesquieu was imprisoned.
Chapter 268 - Episode 9: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
Black Mamba accepted reality. Hed become their apostle purely by chance. It was an embarrassing and overwhelming title, but he did call himself Dong-bang-bull-pae. The being, who refused to bend in the east, was himself.
A man shouldnt pull out of the mess he made. I would cut through the wind if I pulled out my knife.
Hatay was originally called Alexandretta and only became famous after the filming of Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. The area was 4,700 square kilometers, which was eight times the size of Seoul. Hatay, which was Syrias territory, became Turkeys territory after getting caught up in the sly political tactics of Kemal Atatrk, the father of Turkey. Syria watched on as it lost Hatay to Turkey. His greed to reacquire Hatay resulted in Assads accumulation of biological and chemical weapons.
It was hard to differentiate Turkey and Syria when it came down to religious and ethnic persecution. The Kurds fled to Syria to avoid the racial wipeout, while Armenians and Orthodox Christians fled to Turkey. Of course, neither of them were welcomed on either side.
At all times, there was unpredictable tension around Hatays borders. Fights broke out randomly. However, it wasnt at the level of a few warning bullets, like the Korean DMZ. They shot with mortars and rocket shells. One had to risk their lives to cross the border.
Instead, Black Mamba welcomed the conflict. Both sides needed only a spark to go up in flames. He could use that conflict to escape unnoticed. That was why Black Mamba had decided on the shortest and fastest route.
There wasnt a problem with Frances cooperation, either. Bonipas was a talented negotiator. Black Mamba hadnt killed Bonipas because there hadnt been a better communication channel than him when he returned from the Sahel. Debt should be repaid with debt. France was rather benevolent toward immigrants and asylum seekers. 460 Syrian refugees werent a big deal. Mitterrand might even welcome them to emphasize his governments support for morality and human rights.
Black Mamba was rash but not stupid. Sufficient calculations and evidence backed up his claim as the Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Mohammad couldnt close his mouth. If that were the case, the Orthodox Christians would be able to escape without strife. However, there was little possibility of actualizing such a reality. Turkey was Syrias enemy state, and France wasnt some pushover.
Moving 460 followers, transportation vehicles, and large-scale passenger ships; crossing borders and Turkeys cities; protecting the fellow Orthodox Christiansnothing was easy. He believed in the apostle, but he doubted the plan.
Thenthen are we?
Black Mamba wasnt nice enough to clear Mohammads suspicions. He continued talking.
Its approximately 600 kilometers to the French Embassy in Damascus, and it will take two days back and forth. Ill move with Ahmad. You must finish preparations by the 11th of October, which is four days from now. Well move quickly. They can only take things transportable by hand.
Yes, I understand, sir, Mohammad answered as though in a trance.
And so a great escape plan was conceived haphazardly while the world slept on. That was Black Mambas answer to the question, Did you try? A leaders worth didnt rely entirely on precision. It also relied on ones decision-making skills, if they were decisive enough to cut off a tangled thread when necessary.
Apostle, I believe they have finished.
What a sad reality. Black Mamba nodded.
It had been a long time since the screams stopped. They were unfortunate people oppressed by religion and dictatorship. If it wasnt for the self-serving society, they would have to keep facing the murderer. A citizen left unprotected by the country wasnt a citizen.
Theyve cut him like sashimi.
There were pieces of flesh covered in blood on the basement floor. Aksurs fingers and toes were severed. It was revenge for cutting off their sons wrist. The qisas ran deep in the Arabs DNA.
He wasnt about to criticize or scold them. Black Mamba had a strange tendency of acting strong around the strong and weak around the weak. His view on crime was conservative enough to be biased. He behaved strongly around shameless criminals who kidnapped or raped the weak, including defenseless women and children. He didnt believe in preventing crimes through correction and guidance. He preferred relentless revenge.
Crimes are prevented from the fear of punishment. That phrase later became the foundation of his legislation. Monk Dae Woo had lamented that his character was unlike a Buddhist.
The sight of Bakri, who sat crumpled on the ground leaning against the castle ruins while blinking away his tears, came into view. He must be feeling the emptiness that followed after revenge.
Ahmad, God has taken pity on this father of yours and sent me Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Youll be able to rest in peace now! Uh-uuuu!
Theres nothing more like a butcher shop.
Bakri and old man Alli, who had collapsed on the ground, leaped to their feet.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ahmad can now rest in peace. Thank you.
Bakri, your other child who is still alive, is more important than your dead child. Bury Ahmad in your heart and prepare for the future of your remaining children.
Ah, is it starting?
Ill lead the believers myself. Discuss with Mohammad and prepare to immigrate immediately.
Thank you, God! Finally, finally! Uhuhuhuhu!
Bakris heart swelled since his desire to escape was becoming a reality. Even if it was just for a day, his lifelong wish to live peacefully was about to be fulfilled.
My brother Bakri, youve finally gotten your revenge. Congratulations. Ahmad, cut the swines neck and legs before tossing him into the lake. Hell reincarnate into a fish in his next life if he remains in a fishs stomach, Mohammad spoke in a snappish manner.
Ahmad silently picked up a large jungle knife. Black Mamba shook his head. The Arabs were persistent when exacting their revenge. They burned the body of the dead or chopped them into pieces so that the soul couldnt reincarnate. The elites of the Joseon dynasty used to dig out the corpses buried in the grave and chopped them into pieces. There wasnt much he could say.
Sick of the smell of blood, Black Mamba turned toward Maydanki Lake to look at the eastern Orthodox Christian village. To the west of the lake, there was a well-organized farm, while the east was filled with barren hills. There were cleared farmlands between the hills. It was similar to the morning scenery in Gangwon-do.
To the west of the lake, there lived the Muslims, while in the east, there lived the Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox Christians, who used to live in the west, moved to the east because they were robbed of their wealth and couldnt stand the discrimination. In other words, the lake was divided between the Muslims and the Orthodox Christians.
He looked around three villages. The largest village was village number 45. Although the villages were small due to the lack of farmland, it was mostly because of the governments control over the organized communities.
The Orthodox Christians were frequently accused of spying or guerrilla reinforcements. The truth wasnt important. The village was cleared, and the locals were forced away to desolate lands or the desert after an accusation was made.
The Orthodox Christians houses were nothing more than temporary residences. They built the walls carelessly with rocks, soil, and wallpaper and covered it with a tin roof. The officials didnt bother knocking on the houses as long as the rain didnt leak through, and it looked modest. That was because they were used to the frequent attacks by Islamic extremists and orders of eviction.
They couldnt go to the hospital even if their child was injured. Syrian hospitals didnt accept heathens. They stole lands, even if someone else farmed it. A grown daughter was prone to receive hate. There was nowhere for them to turn, either. The Syrians who couldnt call Syria their home were the Orthodox Christians.
All the people he met in the village looked tired and sad. Their backs were hunched from the weight of life. Everyone who met him avoided him. It was also hard to converse with them.
Tsk, I feel like Ive turned into a pest or a disease.
He clicked his tongue. They were people with fear ingrained in their blood and saw outsiders as feared subjects. Their timidness exceeded his expectations, which was based on the information he had heard from Bakri and Mohammad.
Marhaban! he greeted a young boy who was leading a herd of goats.
The childs face stiffened. His blood rushed, and his brain waves became unstable.
Mamarhabtain.
The boy, who was about the age of 10, ran to the village and mumbled a greeting in return.
Black Mamba turned his feet. He wasnt about to shout, Ive come to save you all, like he was Jesus. Hed be nothing but trouble to them if he kept wandering around.
Beginnings blossomed from small occurrences. He shared a fate with them ever since he met the six-year-old girl, Wael. It wasnt as though he was incapable. They were people he had already decided to accept. He couldnt ignore them, not when they were overwhelmed with anxiety and fear!
Darkness approached. Black Mamba smiled as he rummaged through the Boss-saurus tendons.
Hehe, would Ahmad be shivering in the basement? Maybe, he wont even blink since hes brave.
The weight of the tendons that hed brought over was about 80 kilograms, and those were the small ones. The tendon connecting the lower chin to the skull was at least 60 centimeters wide. Hed purposely brought it, enamored by how it strengthened the Kukris rebound.
He picked out a tendon of about two centimeters wide and two meters long. Its tenacity and elasticity were great, and it was heavy. It was best used as a stick. He swaggered up the hill with a one-of-a-kind bat.
What the..?
Black Mamba tilted his head when he heard a strange sound. From a distance, he could hear a chilling cry alongside screams.
Kyeeeee
It was the very sound he had heard before commencing the Ruman plan.
Whoosh
His fearless steps were pushed to the limit. A whirlwind rushed into the castle ruins basement.
There were 150 steps leading to the basement. The white dust, which had accumulated over the centuries, rose. He halted at the lowest step. The basement was bright from the five oil lamps that Ahmad had brought with him. Hed brought quite a lot, perhaps out of fear.
What the hell is that?
About five raccoon-sized monsters were gathered around Ahmad, attacking him violently. It was an unexpected scene.
They had bright red eyes, spikes like that of a hedgehog, sharp teeth and nails, long tails, and movements that werent comparable to martens. However, he still couldnt come up with a name after searching through the animal encyclopedia in his brain.
Ahmads clothes were soaked in blood.
Keeek
The creatures flew like arrows. Ahmad stretched out with the knife in his left hand. It was the best defensive move executed at the right time.
Clang
The creatures turned once in the air with their mouths agape and retreated.
Haaah!
Ahmad swung the shamshir in his right hand in an arc. The shadow of the blade gleamed in white. It was the dual-wielding swordsmanship. It was better than Black Mambas in terms of fineness.
Hes not bad. Woah!
What was most shocking were the creatures.
Clang
The shamshir that landed on the creatures waists made a clanging sound.
Keegh
The creatures, which landed on the floor, immediately counterattacked. The blade couldnt cut through their hides.
One of the creatures, which had been aiming for the mans back, leaped without a sound. It was a double-sided maneuver that predators often used. Ahmad was too busy fighting off the other creatures that were attacking him from the front, left, and right. He failed to notice the creature that was aiming for the back of his neck.
Ugh, that idiot!
Whoosh
The Kukri flashed.
Keeegh
A piercing scream was heard from the creature when it received the Kukris accurate aim.
Bang
The creature crashed against the other side of the wall and flopped onto the floor.
Huh, its not dead?
Black Mambas eyes widened. The creature was trembling, unable to withstand the pain. His Kukri had failed to pierce its hide. The creature was simply shoved toward the wall by its force.
Ahmad shouted.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please avoid them! Theyre sila. Blades wont work on them!
Even in his difficult circumstance, Ahmad told him to run instead of asking for help. Black Mamba raised the young mans score.
To a mere creature?
Black Mamba jumped down the stairs, his blood starting to boil.
Whoosh
A thick airwave that twisted the surrounding air sounded.
Shhh
The Boss-saurus tendon swung in the air. It wasnt as effective as the Gorgon, but it was heavy enough to break apart a living creature.
Bang bang bang
Kiiieeeegh
Keeee
The creatures were thrown relentlessly into the air and slammed onto the wall and floor.
Hah, impossible! Is there such a creature called sila?
He forced out a breath in surprise. Not a single one was dead, all of them struggling to stand. The tendon was heavy enough to shatter a rock. Even if their hides resisted, their bones should have shattered. Hed grinded the terrorists and their weapons together in Rumans basement like a juice mixer with his Gorgon, after all.
Ahmad. Is that a cat, a rat, or a bird?
Ive never seen such a creature before either, sir. I feel as though theyre much bigger than rats considering their teeth and tail.
Youre right. Strange things have been happening since that Ocelot b*stard popped up. Wait, Ocelot?
He got a brain freeze as though he had just drunk cold water. Was he the only one who had inherited the Epidiums gene? There was Ocelot, after all. What if an animal managed to survive after coming into contact with the Epidiums gene?
Wouldnt the sila of the Arab legends or the Himalayan Yeti be created in such a manner? The problem was that if such a creature was released into the outside world, not only was the environment going to crumble, humans wouldnt be able to defeat it either.
Its not a land that I like, but I cant leave such creatures be.
The creatures existence would only harm the world.
Kyaaar
The creatures bloodlust and attacking instinct evolved. Sparks leaped out of their red eyes. They had recognized Ahmad as the prey and Black Mamba as a greater foe. There were no other idiotic animals that would run toward a prey alongside a stronger enemy before them.
Whoosh
A black line was drawn. The biggest b*stard leaped off the ground and crossed a distance of 20 meters instantly. They were playing with Ahmad. Their momentum and speed increased.
Crack
A fist with an iron grip was wrapped around the creatures neck.
Keeeee
The creature struggled. Black Mambas skin tore due to the creatures sharp claws. Its claws were as sharp as his Kukri.
I should get rid of the dirty remains.
He swung his arm around in the air and flung it toward the ground relentlessly.
Crash
A stone, which was at least two feet wide, shattered. He looked carefully at the creature that laid limp on the ground. There was a gap between its sharp anterior teeth and molar. It didnt have fangs. Its teeth were typically seen on a rodent. He could only assume that the creatures were variants of rats.
Riip
He grabbed the creatures upper and lower jaws. He ruthlessly tore apart its jaws with his immense strength, snapping its body into two. A strong bloody scent started to spread. He had to properly get rid of it in case it was remnants of the Epidium.
Chapter 269 - Episode 10: I Should Gain the Rewards of Labor
The Epidiums blood had a remarkable regenerative ability. As long as blood and oxygen continued to circulate, their bodies would regenerate even when their organs were ruptured or when cell death occurred. He experienced it several times himself. Death only followed with the destruction of a heart or a shattered body.
The creatures teeth and claws, which seemed to be inherited from the Epidium, were threatening. He wore the billions water armor and shoved his hand deep inside the creatures stomach. The billions water armor that absorbed the blood sunk into his skin.
Another creature seized the opportunity and charged forward.
Crash
He struck its body using a form of the grand impact point.
Kegh
The creature was buried in the rock floor. Bits of rock flew in the air.
Mon Dieu![1]
With the billions water armor, the impact of his fist increased by five times. The creature, which refused to die even after he had slammed it with the dinosaurs tendon, turned to mush with a single punch.
Shshsh
Three smaller creatures quickly fled to the basement. They retreated like rats.
Ahmad!
There was no reply. Black Mamba, who was about to go after the rats, turned back. Ahmad had collapsed. He was panting, and there were cold sweats all over his face. He was a fairly strong guy. Ahmad didnt let out a single groan.
Ah, their claws and teeth are poisonous.
Black Mamba wanted to feed him his blood, but humans werent capable of overcoming the powerful antitoxin flowing in the Epidiums blood. He was bound to die of shock before the poison could be counteracted. Perhaps his blood could surpass the botulinum toxins potency.
Boom
He grabbed both of Ahmads hands and activated his resonance waves. He emptied the right half of his body and shoved the resonance waves into the left side of his body. It was the inhalation wave he had used in the Sahel to extract the parasitic worms. The poison, which had spread to his body fluids and vessels, was pulled out effortlessly. Black Mambas inhalation wave was steadier to use.
The side effect of the inhalation wave was that he couldnt filter out the foreign substance. Pungent blood dripped from Ahmads hand. His face regained its color. With a few more rotations of his resonance waves, bright red blood was drawn.
Uuuu, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Ahmads facial muscles loosened up.
Idiot, how were you taken down by rats?
Im sorry, sir.
Ive drained the poison. Sit up.
He placed his hands on Ahmads tailbone and head, then sent out his resonance waves. The hand with the billions water armor was a weapon of all weapons. He could break Ahmads skull if he didnt control his strength. He sweated while attempting to operate it gently as if he was caressing a womans breast. The resonance waves shook once inside of Ahmad. Sending out the resonance waves would stimulate cell units. His internal organs and muscles that were affected by the poison would likely recover faster.
Thank you, sir.
They arent ordinary creatures. There must be a reason why they didnt come outside and remained underground.
Black Mamba walked deeper into the basement. Ahmad followed him with the oil lamps.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight. The rat creatures were like people acting as ghosts in front of ghosts. They were hiding between the lion statues.
Ahmad, dagger.
Black Mamba weighed the khanjar in his hand and threw it.
Whoosh
Keeegh
An airwave, impact, and a screech rang out at the same time.
Ahmad rushed forward and looked at the crack. He could see two red eyes that reeked of poison. He stabbed the shamshir into it relentlessly. The creature bit the tip of his sword.
Cling
A clanging sound reverberated. Ahmad stared blankly at his shamshir, which now was missing a tip.
What is this?
Ahmad shivered. That b*stard could break apart a sword, which had been refined dozens of times. He would die if he was bitten. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, who had killed such a creature in a single blow, clearly wasnt human.
Dont interfere. Its a mutant with unimaginable defensive and regenerative abilities. Its jaw should be 10 times stronger than a tigers.
Ive never imagined such a creature before.
Theyre the worst creatures on Earth. You wont be able to handle a single one of them. The only reason you survived was that these b*stards like playing with their prey.
Uugh, damn creatures.
Ahmads face crumpled as he collapsed onto the ground, realizing hed been nothing but prey. He wasnt wrong. If Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa hadnt arrived in time, he wouldve ended up in those creatures stomachs.
Itll mean trouble if one of them reaches the surface.
It will be a calamity.
Slip
The billions water armor penetrated through the layered stone floor effortlessly.
Imimpossible!
Ahmad rubbed his eyes. How could a humans hand penetrate the hard rock floors like it was cutting through tofu? He had experienced Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas miracles several times up until now, but he always felt like it was a dream.
Black Mamba ripped apart the rocks as though he was tearing styrofoam.
Krrrr
The creature bared its teeth and emitted its poison. Ahmads heart raced at that sight.
Black Mamba didnt care and dragged it by its hind legs.
Kiigh
The creature rolled its body into an impossible angle of 180 degrees and bit his hand.
Clack
Its strong teeth, which were capable of cutting through metal, couldnt cut through the billions water armor. There was no need to throw it to the floor, either. He pulled its neck while it was in his hand. In his hand, which was enveloped with the billions water armor, the creatures hide and muscles that rebounded metal were nothing but putty.
Uh, careful Ahmad shouted.
The b*stard, which was attached to the ceiling, dropped down without a sound.
Hmm, a creatures a creature for a reason.
The b*stard, which had lured with an attack, acted as though it had lost its balance. He used a figure of the piercing white crane without turning to look at it.
Crash
His fingers, which had gathered like a drill, pierced the creatures body and poked out of its other end.
Slash
Black Mamba, who briefly tore its body apart, headed toward the dark corridor to find the last b*stard.
Aah! Mahdi, Sir!
Ahmad unknowingly called for the Islamic savior. He felt as though his consciousness had detached from his body at the surreal scene. Overwhelming strength always brought about reverence and awe.
Crack
Crack
The sound of bones snapping under his feet was terrifying. The deeper he went, the more bones appeared in the basement. Countless small creatures bones were on the floor. Several human bones and a large animals bones were scattered all over too.
Oh, how can this be!
Ahmad grabbed a rusty khanjar and shivered. It was a beloved object of his uncles. It had been three years since his uncle went missing. He was the very uncle who had taught him martial arts since his childhood. He hadnt known that his uncle had turned into the vile creatures food.
What is it?
Its my uncles.
He was done in by the creatures. Im sorry for your loss. There are at least 10 skeletons in here.
A total of 16 people have gone missing for the past decade. We suspected the Mukhabarat. We thought we could only live with our hands tied, but to think they were eaten by the sila!
Ahmad trembled.
Brat, there are dinosaurs underground and creatures that consider dinosaurs a piece of gum.
Black Mamba laughed inwardly. Not everything in the world was as it seemed. It was unfortunate, but too many lives had been sacrificed to pray for one mans death. Humans were the real monsters.
Why do you think people entered such an eerie place?
I think the small bones are from rats, and the big bones are from the animals outside. Perhaps the sila lured the humans and animals in with telepathy?
or they were humans with immoderate bravery. The creatures could not escape the basement for some unknown reasons. If they could willingly leave this place, both humans and animals would have been hunted to extinction. Theyre creatures that cannot be killed with bullets.
Uuuh, how can this be!
Ahmads heart started pounding. A calamity was breathing right next to them, but all they were concerned about were the Mukhabarat. How could they be so foolish!
Can you find your uncles remains?
I cant.
Black Mamba thought it was impossible too. The creatures had left behind too many bones, and they were all mixed up.
Ahmad, take the remains and move them to the entrance. Ill get rid of the remaining creature.
Black Mamba refused the oil lamp that Ahmad offered him and entered the dark basements tunnel. Ahmad looked blankly at Black Mambas disappearing back. His triangular back looked like an angels back.
Black Mamba held the glowing metal he had obtained from the underground world in his hand and traveled deeper inside.
I knew it.
Inside the dark tunnel, there were glowing bones, which he suspected was the Epidiums remains. He already located the remaining creatures hiding place. His goal was the Epidiums remains.
He picked up a femur. It was smooth like the pebbles by a river. He flicked it with his fingers.
Ting
The clanging of metal sounded. It was similar to the Epidiums remains he had found in Wol Song San.
While the bone infected by the virus was the skull, he remained wary of the other bones. Black Mamba took off his gandoura and grabbed all the bones. He didnt miss a single finger bone. With a single accident, the bones could spell the end of humanity.
Damn creature.
The remaining creature attacked him from behind. Black Mamba had read its every move the entire time. He flicked his wrist and grabbed its neck. The billions water armor pierced the creatures hide.
Kirrrr
Bubbles of blood frothed at the creatures mouth before it fell limp.
Hehe, what a treasure this is. The rewards from this trip are enough with this. I wonder how much Bonipas will offer if I present to him one that is still alive? No. I cant give him the corpse without knowing what hell do with it. Humans should just live as humans, thats best.
He suppressed his sudden desire for money and split the creatures body with the glowing metal. The dull metal sliced through the creatures hide, something that his Kukri had failed to do.
Hehehe, I dont know what it is, but its an astounding object. This itself is a treasure, a good reward for my labor. I need to name it, but what?
Boom
He extended his dimensional sight and searched the entire basement. It would mean trouble if any other living creatures reacted to the Epidiums remains. There was no life force. Black Mamba gathered the Epidiums bones and came out of the tunnel. Now there was no reason to hear the eerie sounds coming from the castle ruins basement.
Ahmad reached his hands out to receive the gandoura full of the Epidiums bones. Surprised, Black Mamba stepped back.
No! This is an object you cannot touch. Leave the human bones be, and move all the creatures corpses to the surface.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, are these the sila?
Ahmad looked down at the creatures, grim-faced. Their smaller organs were twitching, despite their pulled necks and torn bodies.
Theyre a scarier existence than the sila.
What are the bones that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is carrying? Ahmad gathered his courage to ask, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Theyre the source of all evil. You shouldnt touch them, either. There are plenty of secrets in this world that you do not know. Bring a can of gasoline and a thick metal container.
Black Mamba sent Ahmad down to the village and picked up an Epidiums skull. Its long head, firmness, and smoothness were no different from a modern human skull. Once, he had almost been tormented to death by a skull. He grabbed the wet skull with his hand.
It is!
A fiery heat rushed up to his hand. It was the same reaction he had experienced at Wol Song San, at the age of 11. The excita virusits vector agentactivated whenever it came into contact with water. It was the last of the Epidiums remains in the world.
There were around 5,800,000,000 people on Earth. There had to be a few humans who were awakened by the Epidiums remains. The possibility of running into the Epidiums bones was lower than winning a lottery, and the possibility of awakening was even lower.
Still, that was his third time coming across with an Epidium, from Wol Song San, Arago cave, to the castle ruins basement. There was a possibility of finding an existing monster like Ocelot living there.
An awakened rat looked like that. If a cat was awakened, it could eat up lions and tigers before ending humanity. A Jurassic dinosaur could be revived with the emergence of the Epidium variants. He grew slightly worried.
Fu***** hell, do I need to act as an Epidium eraser too? Ugh, my life! he joked about it half-truthfully and half-jokingly.
His reality was already a headache, but some humans who lived 100s and 1,000s of light-years away were annoying him too.
He burned the Epidiums skulls and the rat creatures corpses with gasoline. The Epidiums skulls were strangely weak in a fire. They burned rapidly like dried firewood. Thanks to that, he found a weakness. The Epidium variants were weak in a fire. He was also weak around a fire.
Ahmad gathered the heap of ashes into a metal container that was at least five millimeters thick, which was used to boil milk. Black Mamba had asked him to bring a thick metal container, and he actually brought one.
Black Mamba crushed the metal container to seal it. He banged on it with his billions water armor and compressed it into a ball. He lifted the underground stones, dug a deep hole, and shoved the ball sealed with the Epidiums bones deep inside.
Crash
The metal ball pierced the ground and disappeared.
Ahmad, Ill be returning from Damascus in two days. Dont fly around haphazardly trying to rescue Idia.
Ill keep your orders in mind, sir.
Ahmad didnt have enough gall to go against the apostles words. Black Mamba forgot to whip Ahmad into shape as he was busy fighting against the rat creatures. Thanks to them, Ahmads groans would be put off to another day.
At the main entrance of the French Embassy in Ata-al-Ayyoubi, north-west of Damascus Fayez Mansour highway.
Creaaak
A heavy motorbike stopped in front of the metal gates. A healthy Asian young man patted the bike and jumped off it. Black Mamba had traveled over 620 kilometers directly from Maydanki Lake. The Egypt 100cc bike had managed to bear seven hours of full-speed travel.
A station guard blocked his path.
Stop, comment est-ce que vous aidez?[2]
A chaque hour ce puis sa soleil.[3]
Quest-ce que vous avez dire?[4]
A chaque hour ce puis sa soleil.
Il faut tourne sa langue sept fois dans ca bouche avant de parler.[5]
The station guard looked up and down Black Mambas face as though he was looking at a madman.
[1] My God!
[2] Stop, what do you need?
[3] Tomorrow brings tomorrows sun.
[4] What did you say?
[5] You should turn your tongue seven times in your mouth before talking. Its a french expression that means to think before you speak.
Chapter 270 - Episode 1: National Treasure
During overseas operations, call names were authorized to request cooperation from the host countrys embassy where they operated. They were also allowed to mobilize personnel from the embassy when necessary. A chaque hour ce puis sa soleil was the code that replaced a special military advisors ID card.
In fact, the embassies in each country were accredited spy lairs. The U.S., the Soviet Union, France, the U.K., and Israel were specifically substandard in their cases. It wasnt unreasonable to consider the head ambassador as the spies leader.
While a team dispatched from the 11th Airborne Brigade watched over the French Embassy in Syria on the surface, half of their staff members were the DGSEs strategic operations agents. The agents were currently active in Kaparja under Bonipas orders. If they had remained, Black Mamba wouldnt have been in such a bewildering situation.
F****** hell, how were the guards educated? Black Mamba grumbled in Korean.
Hed traveled on paved and unpaved roads for the past 12 hours without rest. Dodging the checkpoints only doubled the time.
The temperature completely changed once he passed Idlib and entered the desert. Although it was October, the temperature ranged around 30 degrees Celsius. I must have gone mad, he must have said that phrase at least 100 times while traveling down Route 60, which stretched across the desert.
He had arrived only to discover that the station guard didnt know the code. Bonipas reassurance that he would be able to receive help anywhere in the world was s***. Now, he had another reason to shake Bonipas neck.
Black Mamba looked down at his attire. He looked like any other Syrian in their specific clothing, additionally covered in white dust. Grime flowed down his face. He looked like a beggar, he admitted. He barely suppressed his explosive anger.
If you dont have any business, please leave.
The station guard poured oil over the raging fire within him.
Contact the ambassador.
Did you make an appointment?
A mocking smile was planted on the station guards face.
I made an appointment in advance.
I received no notification.
The station guard responded stiffly, like a dried pollock. He was driving Black Mamba mad. Black Mamba considered beating up the b*stard after overhearing the conversation in the guard post.
Look at that idiot. He doesnt even look like a military advisor. What more a special military advisor? Maybe its a temporary position he gained from helping out with Mitterrands political campaign.
But sir, thats the password we got from the boss. The ambassador said we should bring him over immediately, wont there be a problem?
The newbie was restless.
Corporal, Im the guard leader. Im the king, and that yellow b*stard is a monkey. Monkeys belong to the zoo. The main entrance to the French Embassy isnt some monkeys cage.
Haha, f*** these b*stards!
Black Mambas eyes flashed. He could hear the conversation in the guard post like it was playing on a stereo. The guard leader was playing around despite knowing his identity. Those b*stards were racially discriminating. Black Mamba used up the last of his patience.
I am the guest whom the ambassador is expecting. Youre making a mistake.
Clack
The station guard aimed a pamus at him.
If you dont step back, Ill shoot you.
Ha, my God! I am the special military advisor. I want you to confirm it if youre still in doubt.
You b*stard, if youre the special military advisor, Im the defense minister. Get out of here.
Ha, this b*stards treating me like s*** because Im of a different color.
Black Mambas patience snapped. He disappeared the moment the station guard pushed his gun forward. As though he was flicking a bead, Black Mamba rolled out his index finger and flicked the station guards forehead.
Craaack
A cracking sound rang.
Aaagh!
A tormented scream broke out. His eyes lost focus with just a single flick. The station guard staggered as though he was drunk and slumped down.
What the hell?
Three guards popped out of the guard post.
You b*stards are offering yourselves, right?
Slap slap slap
The guards who had their cheeks slapped fell to the ground one by one.
Une seconde, attend une seconde![1] The guard leader came rolling out of the post.
Theres no second you f*****!
Slap
The guard leader, who received a stinging slap, spun once in the spot where he stood and fell. The few teeth that fell out of his mouth glimmered under the intense sunlight. That was a slap loaded with emotions, unlike the slaps Black Mamba had given prior.
Sergeant, do you really not know who I am?
Uuugh!
Comme on fait son lit on se couche[2], do you know that saying? Ill make you lie down for the rest of your life if you keep feigning ignorance.
The guard leader staggered up.
I will ask again. Who am I?
You didnt identify yourself.
Hah!
He snorted in amusement. That b*stard was trying to showcase his racial superiority despite knowing his identity. He was the kind of b*stard who would claim nothing had happened when questioned later. He would never have imagined that his conversation would be heard from 100 meters away like it was playing on a stereo.
Let me ask you again. Im the special military advisor. A chaque jour cepuis sa peine, dont you know? Do you want to stand in a court-martial?
There was only silence.
The sergeants mouth opened and closed, unable to reply.
Hah, you f*****. The sergeant is the king of all the guard posts, huh? And a yellow monkey should go back to the zoo?
Ugh!
The sergeants face creased. Now, he had no excuses to make. The bloodthirsty shout ended the uncertainty he had about how his conversation was made known.
Attention!
Oui!
The guard leader clicked into position at the roar.
State your affiliation and title.
Im sergeant Sarco Riverie from the 11th Airborne Brigades Third Battalion.
Black Mamba glared at the sergeant with a raised brow.
Sergeant, do you have a death wish?
His cold glare dug into the mans head.
Im sorry, sir.
Sorry? Who am I?
Youre the special military advisor, sir.
Your excuse?
Im sorry, sir.
Do you have any family members?
Im unmarried, sir.
Black Mamba tore off the sergeants epaulets. There were always b*stards who acted out needlessly with a rats s*** amount of power. They didnt deserve forgiveness.
You mocked me despite knowing my position from the beginning. Youre demoted, sergeant Sarco Riverie, to a second class private from this moment onwards. You will be escorted to the court-martial for insulting a superior and humiliating the flag.
Butbut sir!
Guard leader Sarco Riveries face darkened.
I tore off your epaulets instead of your neck. Say another word, and I will pull apart your neck.
Damn, I stepped on s***.
The guard leader lowered his head, unable to say a word because of the overwhelming aura. The consequences of mistreating a guest were harsh.
Stand, you b*stard.
He kicked the station guard who had been rolling on the floor ever since the forehead flick.
Call the one in charge over.
The station guard sprinted into the building as though he was rolling.
Tatatata
Three guards in uniform came running out of the main building. A guard wearing the rank of a major stepped forward.
Are you the head of the guards?
Yes, sir. I would like to check your identity as per regulations.
Black Mamba stared at the head of the guards. That b*stard was putting on a show too.
A chaque hour ce puis sa soleil.
The head of the guards face creased. It was the nuclear bomb that the ambassador had forewarned about. He was the person the ambassador had warned about several times to serve with etiquette. The stupid sergeant had only reported him as a high-ranking official.
You b*stard, report properly.
The major unleashed his anger on the sergeant.
Crack
The sergeant, who had the area between his legs kicked, hopped on one leg while gritting his teeth. Lackeys always suffered a sad reality, whoever they were.
God, theyre really putting on a show.
Black Mamba stopped judging the guards who kept putting on a comedy show.
Act! Im unaffiliated second-class major Pontaine Ecjose.
Ecjose clicked his heels together and raised his hand in a salute.
Im the special military advisor.
My apologies, sir. It seems like my subordinates forgot the code.
Major Pontaine Ecjose, are there only chickenheads gathered in the 11th Airborne Brigade? Educate your subordinates well.
Thatsan exaggeration, sir. Ecjoses face creased.
Hed also stepped in s*** because of the idiot, Riverie.
Im very patient right now. One more word, and Ill pull your ribs out.
Ecjoses mouth closed like a clam at his warning and unrelenting aura. Ecjose turned to glare at sergeant Riverie.
You f****** idiot, I knew youd get into trouble someday. Hey, put sergeant Riverie in the holding cell.
What is it?
The ambassador of Syria, Julian Jopine, turned to Ecjose with disapproving eyes. The healthy man who came in after Ecjose looked like a beggar covered in dirt. He wasnt dressed like someone who should be entering an ambassadors office.
Ambassador, hes the special military advisor.
What?
Surprised, Jopine leaped up.
Did you check his identity?
Yes, sir!
Unable to find the right words, Jopine looked at Black Mamba helplessly. The eyes hidden under the ghutra were colder than dry ice. As the ambassador, there was no way that Jopine wouldnt have known about the situation in Kaparja.
All of the embassys operative agents had moved out to locate the very man before his eyes. The man who had overturned Kaparja and went missing stood there like an illusion, after 52 days.
Nice to meet you. Im Julian Jopine.
Ange de la Mort, Black Mamba replied shortly. He grabbed his hand and released it immediately.
Jopine was startled. That was the Angel of Death who had wiped out Assads secret camp and erased 4,000 people. He grew nervous.
I want to talk to Bonipas.
Of course.
Black Mamba was immediately led to the communications room. He pressed the anti-eavesdropping button and punched in his personal DGSE call number.
On the eighth floor of the DGSEs headquarters, in the director generals office, also known as the swimming pool.
A map of Syria was spread over the center of a dull mahogany table. The director general Piel Lagos, director of operations Bernier Bonipas, and director of intelligence Musa Kabaye were having a coffee break after a heated debate.
Bonipas, did you get rid of the cancer cells attached to the Elios Project?
I sent the bribed b*stard and the information-leaking b*stard to court-martial. Ive also exiled five Crolsa workers assumed to be the CIA agents.
This is a big deal. At this rate, when are we going to launch our own satellite? The progress of the ground camps construction has already been delayed by 50 percent.
Its a humiliating matter. 10 years to launch a reconnaissance satellite? That makes me want to send all those technological science researchers and arsenal workers to the 19th century.
Im more frustrated. Director Bonipas might have a cheat key called Ange de la Mort, but Im a dog flea. Even the Yankees and ours blanc are coming after my rear. My brain is almost fried after gathering information from some local agents. France has turned into a floating coffee bean due to the delay of the Elios Project, director Kabaye complained as he lifted his cup of cold coffee.
Its my fault. Ive spent a lot of funds on the ground wiretapping camp. The funds poured into Allueroua, Perigueux, Domme, Massif Central, and Albion alone added up to 1,500,000,000 francs. Lagos turned to look at Kabaye apologetically.
The satellite project had met with hardships because the funds were directed toward the wiretapping system.
The construction of the wiretapping camp is important in order to catch the movement of those terrorist organizations. The construction of the Prencherlon is related to the satellite business, after all. It cant be seen as a waste. The problem is the inefficiency of the Intelco[3]. Its far behind the U.S. in terms of the informations quality and quantity, Bonipas interfered to defend his superiors position.
While human intelligence activities couldnt be ignored, the trend was satellites and wiretapping. They wouldnt have lost track of Black Mambas position if they had a reconnaissance satellite.
France was currently being pushed out of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as their front yard, Africa, due to the U.S. aerial attacks, with the CIA and the NSA at their forefront. Aside from the informations quality and quantity, they couldnt match up in speed. There was nothing that they did correctly after the left-leaning government took control of the flag. The defense companies heavily influenced by bureaucracy gave excuses during the time that they should be producing results. The problem was the reconnaissance satellites.
Just stationing satellite camps in four places, New Caledonia, Mayotte, Petit Touder, and Tours, added up to 2,000,000,000 francs alone. The council is determined to burn me on the stove by stalling for time, Lagos explained as he rubbed his saggy cheeks.
Director Kabaye, is there new information on Aleppo?
Bonipas changed the subject. The satellite launch wasnt a problem that could be resolved in one or two days. Black Mambas location was their pressing problem.
The Yankee informants stationed in Aleppo have disappeared like the tide. I feel like Langleys Adam received a critical blow this time. Black Mamba is Frances national treasure. Weve lost the said national treasure.
There was deep regret on Kabayes face.
You still havent found a lead on Black Mambas location? Lagos asked as he straightened up in his chair.
Black Mambas missing status was not only the DGSEs but the department of defenses biggest loss. Lagos similarly felt as though he had lost a lottery ticket that hed won. Nothing more could be said about Bonipas, who directly managed Black Mamba.
Theres not a single trace. The U.S. reacted negatively. The CIA focused the KeyHole on Aleppos skies by changing its altitude and sent countless Dragon Ladies and Blackbirds. Even Smith, the direct head of consultants in the Middle East, appeared in Kaparja. Five DIA eraser teams poked around Aleppo with Assads help. All of the activities stopped last week. The intelligence division came up with two theories. Firstly, a major project that the CIA had been working on was affected due to Black Mamba. That gave them a reason to track Black Mamba, and they ultimately concluded he was dead. The intelligence division also believed him to be dead. Black Mamba was either swept away by the water and torn to pieces or crushed under the tons of the collapsing cliffs. Were planning to withdraw the remaining informants weve sent out.
How many informants were sent to Aleppo?
46 trackers, 120 slippers, and 30 operative agents.
Youve mobilized the entire supporting agents in the Levant region.
Thats how important the case is. Black Mambas battle capacity and survival rate were proven in the Sahel. Hes the kind of guy to live just because it would be wasteful to give up that much money. The moment he disappeared, I ordered the embassy in Syria to investigate the special military advisors location. We cannot conclude his death until we see his corpse. He might even be crawling out of hell right now.
Bonipas spoke the truth, as though he had attained god-like senses after being traumatized by Black Mamba.
[1] Wait a second, wait a second!
[2] We sleep on the bed we make.
[3] The space company that the French department of defense invested in.
Chapter 271 - National Treasure
Im desperately hoping for that too. Black Mamba is our countrys national treasure. He might have also discovered some important information from the CIA, which makes his loss even more disappointing. There must be a reason why Langley went into a frenzy looking for him. Its truly regretful.
Kabaye was a DGSE man. He groaned about the loss of important information more than the loss of a human.
Losing such a person is truly regretful. Even he couldnt have done anything about the natural disaster triggered by the dam explosion and collapsing cliffs. I truly wonder if hes alive. Hoo! Lagos groaned along with director Kabaye.
Hes a natural disaster himself. Black Mamba is someone that cannot be described logically. To be frank, hes like Ocelot but with sanity. Not the kind of person to die easily. Im not giving up until the end.
Bonipas remained stubborn. A dying man wouldnt die without resisting. A man fated to live would survive falling into the crevasse of Mont Blancs Aletsch Glacier.
Deep down, Bonipas was anxious. Black Mambas value was a realms worth of difference compared to the launch of a reconnaissance satellite. He resolved Frances unsolvable problems effortlessly. Black Mamba was a national treasure who couldnt be replaced with someone else.
Black Mamba, you need to come and collect your money. A dead man would rise from the dead for 300,000,000 francs.
Bang
Amid Bonipas longing for his precious treasure, the office door opened. Manager Ariba shot in with a red face.
Manager, please! Mind your manners.
The secretary came in after him and grabbed his arm.
Damn, its an emergency! Ariba shook his arm away.
Aah, its fine. The director waved his hand.
The secretary silently closed the door and left.
Excuse-moi. Its the particular class, Ange de la Mort.
Quoi![1]
Bonipas mouth hung open in shock.
Crash
The coffee cup shattered into 1,000,000 pieces on the floor. His arms and legs immediately turned weak. Even Lagos and Kabaye froze for a while.
Where?
There is an emergency call from the Syrian Embassy.
Hehehe! Bonipas laughed eerily and turned to look at Lagos and Kabaye, whose mouths were agape.
Bang
Bonipas left the room and slammed the door.
Lagos and Kabaye turned to look at each other.
Its the return of the Angel of Death. Director Bonipas was right. It seems like he picked up fortune telling after being traumatized by Black Mamba.
Director Kabaye, youre in big trouble now. That guys specialty is shattering chins and shaking out corn kernels. Your chins about to be smashed in! Hahaha!
A smile spread across Lagos face. Black Mambas appearance cleared away the reconnaissance satellite problem from his mind.
Even the president knows how dangerous Black Mamba is. I deserve punishment for giving him the wrong information. Introduce me to a talented plastic surgeon, wont you?
Even director Kabaye was smiling.
The return of our national treasure, hm? Or is it the return of a monster? Maybe the predator will turn docile once Bonipas gives him plenty of food. Bonipas is better than I am at walking on tightropes. Kahahaha!
A smile crept up on director Lagos face too.
England joked about how Shakespeare was non-exchangeable for India, but Black Mamba is someone we cant substitute for Africa. Directory Kabaye agreed.
Bonipas jumped down the stairs, three steps at a time. He slammed the office door and gathered his breath. Even the cold-blooded man called the serpent lost his composure over Black Mambas revival.
Director!
Ariba pointed him to a red phone.
Yes. I should greet the demon king.
Bonipas picked up the phone.
Ange de la Mort?
Nice to hear from you, director Bonipas.
An irritated voice traveled down the line from several 100 kilometers away, hitting on his eardrum.
Hum!
That was Black Mamba with his deep voice. His head swayed as though he had fallen off a cliff.
It is really you. Did you go to another dimension? Did you crawl out from hell after pulling out Hades teeth?
Woah, did you pick up fortune telling while I was gone? How did you know that I crawled out from another dimension?
Hehe, nothing could hold back Black Mamba for 52 days unless its a dragon from another dimension or the King of Hell. Did you have some fun?
Bonipas soon regained his calm, living up to his nickname, the serpent.
Its no fun when youre on the receiving end of things. The food was horrible. You should know the situation in Kaparja, right? You must have sent out a lot of informants.
Of course. Your success has already been reported to the president. Mitterrand is burning with desire to flaunt before Turkey and Israel. Even Assads attitude has changed. Weve been supporting the opposition by leaking information to Mossad and the MIT. Youre Frances national treasure.
What treasure? Ill give you the details in my report later. I have a request. Im applying for the asylum of 460 Syrian Orthodox Christians.
What? What kind of nonsense is that? Bonipas, who was taken aback, asked in a shrill tone.
Ah, theres no need to be so surprised. Theyre migrants who have helped me. The starting point will be from Maydanki Lake of Aleppo city, moving along the route of Camuzk??las? and ?skenderun Harbor of Hatay province and Toulon. Our last landing point can vary according to the situation. I need you to negotiate with Turkey to let them pass the border. Im looking forward to a transport bus in Camuzk??las? and a passenger ship at ?skenderun Harbor. Ill handle the rest. The mission name will be Cutting Bamboo. Will it be possible? Black Mamba asked.
Dude, the asylum for Orthodox Christians? What kind of nonsense is that? Everyones eyes are about to pop out while awaiting your return.
Bonipas was astounded. Those werent words that a person who had gone missing for 52 days should be saying. He couldnt grasp the guys way of thinking. He was a national treasure and a precious one at that.
Youre refusing?
It felt as though a hammer suddenly slammed onto his head.
What are you saying. The date? Bonipas leaped to his feet.
Refusing? There was bloodlust in that single word. He was the b*stard who had pulled out the intestines of the Airborne Regiments lieutenant colonel Miguel because of his betrayal and burned him to death with white phosphorus. He could almost see Miguels charred body before his eyes.
October 13th.
Damn, theres five days left. There wont be a problem negotiating with Turkey about passing their borders. Syrias going to be hard. I dont need to explain, do I?
Ill handle passing through Syria, Black Mamba assured.
Please dont blow things out of proportions. I get a heart attack every time you do something. Im about to drop dead in an emergency room because of heart failure.
Stop whining. I can hear you laugh from all the way here. Ill believe you and go ahead with the plan.
Ok. Ill do some work this time around.
Merci, consider me indebted.
Oh, merci!
Bonipas was smiling from ear to ear. Black Mamba had personally said that he was indebted. Now, he had solid insurance. He rubbed his chin unknowingly. He didnt have any thoughts of getting his teeth knocked out.
Any additional requests?
Ive lost all my weapons. A Dragunov, an MP5SD3, 300 darts, two boxes of high-pressure grenades, a bulletproof backpack, and a bulletproof vest should be enough.
Non problem. Ill send the necessary items within 24 hours by international transit. Standard weapons should be available in the embassy.
Understood. The level of security of this call?
You can trust it 100 percent.
The CIA started on an unfamiliar project in Ruman. Ive secured the related documents after erasing some b*stards called Shire and Dyson. Itll help.
Wow, the intelligence director was right. You truly are the national treasure of France. Ill help you return immediately by sending in the United Special Operations Command Force.
Bonipas immediately changed his stance. The White Bear had moved out of Chad because of the documents obtained by Black Mamba in the Sahel. He didnt mind spending the DGSEs annual fund if he could flip the scale weighing toward the CIA in the Middle East.
Dont make things worse. If you want to help, send an ambulance.
Right.
Bonipas immediately shoved a Gauloises cigarette in his mouth as soon as the phone call ended. His heart was still palpitating.
Director!
Wait a moment. Bonipas waved his hand and smoked the Gauloises cigarette until its end.
Manager Ariba understood completely. Both of them were the best in their field. His director might argue with Black Mamba, but they had something in common. Similarly, he found himself burning with anticipation, waiting to discover the aftershock that Black Mamba, the natural disaster, would bring.
Ariba, Black Mamba caused trouble again. Hes going to bring 460 Syrian refugees to France. Bonipas opened his mouth as he rubbed his cigarette.
Whaaat?
Aribas eyes widened to the point of tearing. That was an unexpected development. If he had heard the news while eating a sorbet, he would have broken his teeth.
Are you going to heed to his request?
If I dont? Should I tell Black Mamba youre against his plan?
God, director, please dont joke about that. Even if I die, I dont want to die by white phosphorus or get beaten to death. I have a family to support, manager Ariba spoke in a rush.
Hehehe! Bonipas giggled.
Manager Aribas phobia of Black Mamba was more severe. He was considered normal.
Theres a saying that goes bon cheval, bon eau[2]. A talented person has to be treated with the same respect. Listen.
Bonipas pressed a button and allowed him to listen to the recorded conversation.
Its not that hard of a request. The MIT[3] is in a festive mood. The borders should open with a single phone call.
Hehehe, youre right. Hatay would have turned into the land of the dead had Black Mamba not burned down the biological and chemical weapons. Turkey managed to blow their nose without touching it. The MIT should pay him at least 1,000,000,000 dollars for his troubles.
It wont be easy leading 460 people out of Syria.
You idiot, hes a natural disaster. People outside of logic work outside of logic. The destruction of Ruman was 100 times more difficult.
Thats true. However, director, you sound like youve fallen in love with that fearsome guy, Ariba teased.
His director frequently swore and threw tantrums, but he would quietly look after Black Mamba.
Dont be ridiculous. Did you receive the soft bulletproof material and air defense system from Israel?
Yes. Theirs is better than ours.
Those damn s*** lumps of technological science researchers! Anything else we received? By the extent of his smile, Mossad might even hand over his wifes undergarments.
Were negotiating a few things. Mossad is extremely cooperative. Its an unprecedented gain weve never encountered since our department was founded.
Hehehe, a national treasure, I say, a national treasure.
Director, youre the national treasure who is capable of moving the treasure. We can throw a feast for those 460 countryside Syrians at Nice hotel every single day. Its a business in which wed be profiting 100 times and over as long as Black Mambas indebted.
Hehehe, Black Mamba personally said hes indebted. Who else can hear such words aside from me?
Wont Assad realize that everything had been our doing?
Weve already released some information to the MIT and Mossad, so hell get to know eventually. Assad wont be able to say a word. What can he say when the flood and earthquake got rid of all the evidence? Ive never seen such a clean operation before. Hahahaha!
Bonipas laughed refreshingly. Assad had lowered his stubborn tail thanks to Black Mamba. Israel and Turkey would be pulling out their livers because of their excessive debt. Black Mamba had given them the biggest gain they had ever received in the history of the DGSE.
Ambassador Jopine kept glancing at Black Mamba, who was sitting opposite him. Hed been eating the whole time, as though a beggars ghost had possessed his body. The Kajid Veau[3] plate was emptied instantly. He was already on his 20th serving. Black Mamba emptied two of the two-liters milk carton packs and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
Phew!
Jopine unknowingly let out a long sigh. The person before him wasnt the Angel of Death but a food fighter. He could almost imagine the chefs tired face.
Ange de la Mort!
Call me, Dong-bang-bull-pae. I didnt learn the formal language. Please excuse my rough language.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, is there anything else I can do to help?
10 large buses, six MP5s, 3,000 bullets, and three boxes of grenades. Within 24 hours.
Where is your destination?
The abandoned castle behind Gobelaka Village, west of Maydanki Lake, in Aleppo.
What about the drivers?
I dont care if theres one or not. You only need to make sure it all arrives at the location provided.
Thats not difficult. Ill make sure youre escorted to the border without any trouble.
Despite being an accomplished diplomat who was older than him, Jopine served Black Mamba well. A truly powerful person deserved to be treated with the same respect. Jopine finished his memo and pressed the interphone to call Ecjose.
Major Ecjose, you need to move 460 people to the special military advisors desired location. Make sure you move them safely. Summon all the agents who were sent to Kaparja immediately.
Yes, sir.
What did you do with the soldiers who offended the special military advisor?
Ive ordered for the main culprit, Sarco Riverie, to be placed in the holding cell.
What are you saying? Place everyone from Riveries team into the holding cell and investigate them. Make sure theyre deported back to France once the first investigations over. You wont be able to avoid the responsibility either. Im simply overlooking yours because the special military advisor said he would. Thank the special military advisor.
Thank you. I thank you for your benevolence, special military advisor.
Ha!
Black Mamba was astounded. While the major didnt truly offend him, he hadnt said that hed forgive him either.
Focus on moving the Orthodox Christians. Ill overlook your case with that.
Thank you.
Black Mamba was impressed by Jopines quick-witted brain. Jopine managed to save his subordinate, and at the same time, pledged his subordinates loyalty to serve Black Mambas cause.
By sunset the next day, Black Mambas weapons, which were imported from France, arrived. There were two specially-made combat uniforms, combat boots, a bulletproof backpack, a modified Dragunov, MP5SD3, two Glocks, 500 darts
[1] What!
[2] Its a French expression that means good water for a good horse.
[3] Milli Istihbarat Teskilati, also known as Turkeys National Intelligence Agency.
[4] Stewed cows hind leg.
Chapter 272 - National Treasure
All of the weapons were specially-made for Black Mamba. He welcomed them as though his hands and feet had returned. The combat boots and the uniform were sand-colored, which didnt stand out. He was satisfied with the specially-made uniform. He wore the uniform, equipped his weapons, and wore the loose gandoura on top.
He pulled out the backpacks bulletproof plate and attached the Boss-saurus jaw tendon on it. Despite its tenacity, the Boss-saurus tendon couldnt withstand the power of the strange metal. It was sliced like a paper cut with scissors.
The Boss-saurus jaw tendon was lighter than the bulletproof plate and had better defensive qualities. A 7.62 millimeters bullet wouldnt be able to pierce through it. In battle, his weakest body part was his back. The risk that came with battling would decrease substantially when the back was equipped with protective gear against bullets. It was like a treasure for battling mercenaries. The Ruman plan had caused him much pain, but at the same time, it had given him many rewards too.
Amazing! he exclaimed.
He liked how they handled his request as fast as lightning. The distance was 4,300 kilometers from Paris to Damascus by air. While their quick response was surprising, Frances decision to send him the equipment by a supersonic aircraft was even more so. France really did know how to use people.
Bonipas had said this when offering him French citizenship, Black Mamba, I respect your love for Korea. However, patriotism can only last so long with constant mistreatment. France doesnt force patriotism. Patriotism naturally comes when one receives equal treatment from their country. You have what it takes to receive endless benefits, and France will earn your trust.
It was true. Great powers werent created randomly. While they seemed haphazard, they spared no expense when it came down to the nations interests. They boldly invested in talents and achieved results beyond their investment. What about Korea? They focused on patriotism without giving any special treatment. The politicians or high-ranking people ate all the achievements, while the source was given only a few words of praise.
Could a Korean intelligence head make such hasty decisions like Bonipas? It was impossible. The director would have wasted at least one week feeling out the intentions of the higher-ups before attaining a stamp of approval. No, the person in that position wouldnt have dreamed of using a supersonic aircraft in the first place.
Korea was a country where the soldiers, who were supposed to protect the country, created an organization called the Hana Council and came into power after devising a coup detat. Government officials, high-ranking officials, and military commanders who sang praises about the country and the nations welfare were those blinded by personal prejudice and corruption.
The judicial system, which should be guiding the people, became a bat that hit them instead. He had left his country because he had been hit. Could they make the same decision as Bonipas for the nations interests? Thinking about his motherland, which he loved but couldnt like, made him depressed.
The embassys front yard became noisy. Large buses lined the yard. Black Mamba shook his head to clear his thoughts. He pulled out the shiny metal and analyzed every part of it. He didnt have the opportunity to look at it closely since he was busy moving around.
On the surface, it looked like titanium. He had attempted to break it with a hammer, drilled a hole through it, burned it with a torch, placed it in hydrochloric acid and dry ice, and all kinds of destructible methods, but nothing worked. Instead, it turned cold when he tried torching it and heated up when he placed it in dry ice.
Ha, fine, you damn amazing b*stard.
It was an object stranger than the billions water armor. He did discover three of its properties. Firstly, it didnt receive any influence from the surrounding temperature. It always maintained a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Whats even more surprising was that when the surrounding temperature rose beyond 100 degrees Celsius, its surface temperature dropped rapidly.
Secondly, it was hard. A diamond was incomparable. He only wasted the drill bit while trying to drill through the metal. Thirdly, it reacted to the billions water armor. It was nothing but a hard metal in bare hands, but when he smashed the iron plate with his billions water armor on, it pierced through the metal like tofu. It meant that an element was present to dismantle the molecular bonds upon contact.
Was there an object more stranger than that in this world?
Well, anything is possible when beings like blacky exist. Its best suited to be a whips head.
His hair roots would suffer from trying to understand an object that he couldnt wrap his head around. He stretched out the Boss-saurus''[1] tendon of 10 meters long, shoved it through the metals hole, and tied it firmly. It was a replacement for the Gorgon.
Now that he had assembled it, it didnt look bad. It was a tendon from the strongest dinosaur of the Mesozoic Era, and it was a metal that seemed to be a meteorite. It was the combination of the strongest and unique items on Earth. He grabbed the whips shorter length and swung it lightly.
Whoosh
Crack
The metal at the end of his whip embedded itself deeply into the concrete wall. It seemed like it could pierce through a tank.
Hehe, this things amazing. I need to name it
He fell into deep thought, unlike his usual self. The black leopard immediately became blacky the moment he had named the underground worlds Adras, blacky. He had learned a lesson about the meaning of names. Blacky would have been a pig had he imagined a pig instead of a black leopard.
Ah, I see!
He slapped his knee. He called himself Asura. Asura was the strongest war deity who traveled between heaven and hell. The five holy weapons in Asuras hands were the sun, moon, knife, Vajra, and twine. The knife, Vajra, and twine were weapons that destroyed the evil beings in heaven and hell.
Asuras weapons were the knife, Vajra, and twine. That matched up to his arsenal of weapons. He used the Kukri as a knife, the strange metal as a Vajra, and the Boss-saurus tendon as a twine. What a coincidence!
Is this heavens will? Am I walking on Asuras path as teacher had said?
He took out the Kukri and the whip and stared blankly at them. He decided on their names. He held the metal and the Boss-saurus tendon tightly and announced their names solemnly.
Youre Vajra, and youre Rakshasa. Youre Vajra and Rakshasa of Dong-bang-bull-pae, the weapons that destroy evil beings.
Rakshasa was Asuras holy weapon and a deity at the same time. The names seemed fitting. It was an opposite reaction from when he had named the gloves, billions water armor. With that, Asuras five holy weapons were gathered. The holy weapon of positive energy, the Dragunov, the holy weapon of negative energy, the billions water armor, the Kukri, the Vajra, and the Rakshasa.
Black Mamba headed toward the soldiers grounds to familiarize himself with the Rakshasa.
What are those?
There was a big red cross on the large buses front and back windows. It was a sheet with printed red crosses. There was a large banner plastered on the sides of the buses.
[Emergency group evacuation of waterborne infectious disease carriers] By The International Red Cross Organization and sponsored by the French Embassy.
Hehe, Ecjose must have exhausted his brain, he laughed.
The stubborn soldier had used quite the trick. Waterborne infectious diseases were transmitted when one came into contact with patients who had dysentery, typhoid, paratyphoid, norovirus, hepatitis A, and more.
Hed used his brain to prevent Syria from interfering. Humans used their brains well when there was a purpose. In his opinion, it was a brain that he welcomed, for someone who had planned a hard breakthrough. There was nothing to be afraid of, and preparations meant no conflicts.
Act! Once spotted, Ecjose ran over to salute Black Mamba.
Good idea. Well done.
Thank you, sir. Ive prepared 12 buses with enough seats and three more trucks for the luggage. Wont there be a lot of them if this is a migration procession?
Oh-ho, I didnt think of that. I wont forget your consideration.
Thank you, sir!
A smile slowly appeared on major Ecjoses face since he had recovered points in his favor. He had been freaking out ever since the ambassador told him that special military advisors had the power to punish field officers.
On October 12th, at 23:00.
A Jeep with a large red cross mark attached to the side fender and a red cross flag attached to the front car led the way. 12 buses and three five-ton trucks followed.
There were countless checkpoints from Damascus to Aleppo. The Syrian government had increased the number of checkpoints in fear of the Muslim Brotherhoods rising riots.
Ecjoses effort paid off. Most of the checkpoints only confirmed their papers before allowing them to pass through. Some checkpoints that approached them for inspection were bribed by Ecjose, which allowed them to pass through. Despite being a socialist country, Syria took bribes in exchange for a free pass.
Five villages located in the east of Maydanki Lake around Gobelaka Village grew busy. The men and women, who had belongings on their backs and heads, gathered in the vacant field in front of the temple. The Orthodox Christians guards went back and forth on their bikes, rushing them forward.
Vrroom
A headlight shone on the rough terrain.
Oh, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is coming! the locals, who were waiting, shouted optimistically.
When Black Mamba got off the Jeep, 100s of locals kneeled and greeted Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Jamal, who had a Barrett slung over his shoulder, and Ahmad, who had his shamshir, stood beside Black Mamba, one on each side. They were determined not to let anyone approach him without permission. When Black Mamba raised his hand, the commotion stopped.
My brothers, youve been through many hardships. Humans do not live to be happy. Theyre happy to be alive. If there is no happiness in life, you have to change life itself. The Orthodox Christians, who live on the west bank of the lake, were excluded from this migration procession. They are not desperate. Brothers, your desperation moved me, not your religion. I will move you all to a temporary residence in France. I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, want a world where efforts come at a fair price, a world where people are treated according to their ability. When the time comes, you will all live in a land of freedom where there is no oppression. There is no need to bring extra money. All necessities like food, clothing, and shelter are provided. There is only one thing that I want. It is the happiness of my brothers.
Yes, hooray, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Oh, God! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised!
The Orthodox Christians cheers shook the castle ruins.
What the hell! Ddu-bai-buru-pa? This is like the return of Khomeini!
Major Ecjose, who was pushed back by Jamal and Ahmad, looked on with eyes wide open. That wasnt the special military advisor, but the leader of fanatics. The difference between the special military advisor who had destroyed the guards and the person standing there was too great.
Two kilometers away in Qatmah Village, north of Gobelaka, a small fight occurred.
Father, this is our last chance. Theres nothing more to lose. Deacon Bakri and Mohammad witnessed plenty of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas good fortune. Hes a person with unimaginable strength and a warm heart. Hes the person who healed Wael.
Son, how long do you think I can live? I dont want to leave the land where our ancestors inhabited for generations.
Hes the apostle incarnate. He got rid of the sila and returned grandfathers remains to us. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is going to create a new world. If we dont leave now, well never have another chance, the young son continued to persuade his father.
No. Im not staying because I dont believe him. Clearly, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is the apostle who God sent to lead us because He found us unfortunate. However, Im an old person wholl be nothing but a burden to Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Without old people like me, the chances of survival are higher for young people like you. Im old and will only become a burden on this long trip.
Fafather! Not even animals live like this. I cant live in this place any longer, where we live in fear every single day. Father, you need to live the rest of your life in comfort. Arent you tired of this place where you lost your family and wealth overnight?
The young son ended up bursting into tears. He couldnt leave his old father behind, but he didnt want to miss the opportunity either.
Son, hurry up and leave. You are young. You should find a new life.
Vroom
The roar of a bikes engine sounded outside.
Ozalin, what have you been doing? Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has prepared buses for us all. Theres no time. He even brought food trucks! their fellow guard shouted from the bike.
Buses? Food?
Yes, you brat. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has prepared buses and food for everyone. We dont have to walk until our feet bleed with heavy loads on our backs. He even said all necessities are provided.
Ohh, its a miracle. May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. Father, did you hear? We only need to get on the bus. We can leave this cursed land!
Oh, God! Son, hurry. We cannot offend him by making him wait.
This time, the old man rushed. He wanted to live like a human too. Hed only remained stubborn out of fear that he would become a burden to his son.
The rumor that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had moved France and the Red Cross Organization spread like wildfire. The locals, who gave up on fleeing, immediately packed their belongings and left. They were people who didnt dare cross the border, people who were weak, and people who feared robbers and the Mukhabarat. All the Orthodox Christians fled their homes, with no one left behind.
Bakri, Mohammad, whats happening? You told me there were 460 people, didnt you? Black Mamba asked in bewilderment.
540 locals had gathered. There were 80 more people. Ashamed, Bakri could only lower his head.
I apologize, sir. Please, forgive them. 40 people changed their minds at the last minute, and 40 of them are Kurd Muslims. These are the people who had placed their lives on the line to escape Turkeys past violence. However, they couldnt live comfortably here either.
Hm, this has become a headache.
460 was already overwhelming, but that number turned into 540. The back of his head throbbed. Mohammad introduced him to a well-built 40-year-old man with sharp eyes.
Hes the representative of the Kurd tribe, Ibrahim. I brought him here since he requested to greet you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
The man kneeled. Immediately, the remaining 39 men, women, and children kneeled along with him.
[1] A name that Black Mamba made up.
Chapter 273 - National Treasure
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! I am Abdul Ibrahim. The Mahdi from the East will lead all of you. Follow him without a doubt! Like lightning, I heard Allahs message the moment I heard Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words from brother Mohammad.
Wait, Im not the Mahdi. Im a normal person like all of you. If Im the Mahdi, Assad, whom you all call the butcher, is also the Mahdi, Black Mamba interrupted, taken aback by the sudden description of Allahs prophecy and ramblings of a savior.
Was it their naivety or desperation?
Not only did the Orthodox Christians consider him a savior, but the Kurd tribe did too. It was extremely embarrassing.
It wasnt too surprising once one got to know the details. The Levant region hadnt had a peaceful day with migrant invasions happening in both the West and the East and internal conflicts lasting for 1,000s of years. The people, who suffered and struggled with persecution, desired a savior. The concept of a savior was deeply instilled in their lives and religion. It could be considered similar to the Maitreya belief.
Black Mamba didnt realize how special he was. He didnt know that his actions and abilities impacted the public. He requested asylum for a village because he had found them pitiful? A countrys president would not have come up with a solution like that. The Mahdi, who created miracles out of a strand of hope, had appeared. That was enough for the Kurd tribe to go crazy over.
Ibrahim leaped to his feet.
Please, dont be ridiculous, sir! The Orthodox Christians havent even met you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. If you deny calling yourself the Mahdi, even after pitying those in hardship and giving them hope despite the trouble it caused you, it would be like denying Allahs existence! We are the Kurd tribe who lived peacefully while farming and raising our livestock in Osmaniyes mountains. One day, soldiers with guns attacked us and ordered us to leave. They were brutish and didnt offer a single explanation. My father, who protested, was killed on the spot. The members of my tribe, who didnt know a single Turkish word, were murdered ruthlessly. I was angry. I attacked the polices weaponry as soon as I closed my fathers eyes. This dirty world has turned the average sheep herders into guerrillas!
Ibrahim gathered his breath as emotions began to overwhelm him. Mohammad approached.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ibrahim is called the lynx[1] of Osmaniye. Ibrahims family are battle warriors who fought against the Turkish Armed Forces for three years. The women also have plenty of guerrilla experience. Theres a legend in Islam that a man killed by a woman will go to hell. The Kurd tribes women are much fiercer than men. They are farming experts and battle masters, Mohammad whispered into Black Mambas ears.
Oh? This old mans a fox.
Black Mamba knew Mohammads intentions. He had gathered the Kurd tribe members to ensure the safety of his followers who were incapable of fighting. Mohammad was the head of the Orthodox Christian guards. Black Mamba didnt deny him from doing his job.
Ibrahim, if you have more to say, continue.
It was hard to resist the fight with just a handful of people. We crossed the border and escaped to Syria. We landed here, by Maydanki Lake, after wandering around for a while, but the discrimination and persecution remained the same. The lives of the Kurds are less than the Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox Christians get to stand trial, but we dont have that right. Our farms and fruit trees were bound to be taken by other Syrians, even if we cultivated them. If we labored, we received half of what the Syrians earned. Our children were malnourished from the lack of nutrients, and the elders got sicker because of diseases. Were arrested without reason, and our wives and daughters didnt step outside in fear of rape. We also wish to live like humans. Please, consider us pitiful.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please, at least let our children live like human beings! the Kurd tribes men and women cried out while banging their heads on the ground.
Mahdi, please, we want to live like humans. Please lead this pitiful Kurd tribe.
Ibrahim started banging his forehead on the ground. His desperate cry as he begged to live like a regular human broke Black Mambas heart. He could almost feel the grudge piled in layers. He was right. A human should live like a human.
He observed the kneeling group. They needed help. Tears streamed down the womens rough cheeks, and the childrens wide eyes twitched in anxiety. They were panicking in fear of rejection.
This is the sorrow and torment of a stateless ethnicity!
A chill swept over his heart. Despite being one of those who had lived in hell, at least he had been blessed enough to be born in Korea. At least, he had a country.
Enough, Ibrahim. Dont abuse the body you received from your parents. I see theres no elderly, only young people and children.
Black Mambas voice grew warmer like the spring breeze.
The elderly, who had reduced mobility, committed suicide, sir.
What? Suicide? Why? Black Mamba asked in surprise.
Escaping the border is a challenging journey. The entire tribe would be massacred if the elderly were caught because of their weak bodies. The decision was made because they did not want to become a burden to their descendants.
Ha, how can someone make that decision! Black Mamba exclaimed in regret.
A parents love for their child was the same worldwide. How tormented had they been to commit suicide for their descendants sakes! Those people had already burned the bridge behind them. They had struggled to leave behind what remained of their DNA, despite ending up on a dead-end path.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, we are all young. Everyones below the age of 40. We also have battle experiences. Well become your blades and guns, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Please take us in.
Blades and guns?
Those were unexpected words. Black Mamba turned to look at Mohammad.
The Kurd tribes determination and bravery are similar to the Gurkhas of Nepal. Rather than living life in servitude, they intend to follow you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, even if it means dying in battle.
Theyre quite decisive, arent they? I suppose fate led us to this meeting.
Black Mamba felt as though he was being dragged into a black hole. In the first place, hed caused this whole mess because he had pitied the Orthodox Christians. There was no reason for him to neglect the Kurd tribe, who had nowhere else to go. This happens because of that, and that happens because of this. His connection to the Orthodox Christians had led him to the Kurd tribe.
Fine. Humans cant live like animals. Ill take you in. Have you heard of the world that I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, am creating?
Weve heard, sir. A religion that binds a person isnt a religion. The role of religion is to heal the mind. If ones religion is precious, another persons religion is as precious. Dont discriminate against it and abandon the idea of superiority. Take as much as you work for, and earn as much as you try. Even in our dreams, its the life we, Kurds, desire. Well follow you loyally, sir. Allahu Akbar! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be eternal.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised. Allahu Akbar! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be eternal.
The cheerings of 40 people sounded around the castle ruins.
Damn, Im really the leader of some fanatic cult. Ugh, whatever. Just go with the flow, I guess.
As always, Black Mamba decided to think lightly of the matter. There wasnt much of a difference between 460 and 540 people.
Stand up, Ibrahim. Ill recognize you as the representative of the Kurd tribe. Control your tribe members and board the 12th bus. Get your supplies from the embassy staff and follow their directions.
Thank you. Well serve you with all our hearts, sir.
Ibrahim disappeared after he bowed three times.
Advisor, sir, that is some popularity. Not a single politician on Earth could measure up to that. Advisor, I respect you. Ecjose, who was dressed in a white gown, smiled.
Are you teasing me?
Black Mambas eyes turned cold. There was no reason for him to like a b*stard who scratched on his thin and irritated skin. Black Mamba was prepared to release the all-torture on him if he made a single wrong move.
What are you saying, sir! Theyre all pitiful people with nowhere else to go. Im glad to help them. I realized theres no one more hot-blooded than you, advisor. I really do respect you.
Surprised, Ecjose fixed his expression and waved both of his hands in a frenzy.
Theres no need for respect. It would have been troublesome had you not prepared two more buses, major. I didnt think of the military rations, either. Thank you in many ways.
Its nothing, sir. Its something I should do. Ill escort you to the border with my subordinates.
Your role ends here. Theres no need for that.
No, sir. Id like to help in any way that I can. Before you leave, I have one request to ask from you, sir.
What is it?
Please forgive my subordinates for offending you. Its my fault for not guiding them properly. You can demote me, but Id like you to forgive them. Sergeant Riverie is currently supporting his old parents. Hes a guy who knows nothing apart from the military.
Are you serious?
Black Mamba glared at the major.
Im serious, sir.
Major Ecjose, sergeant Riverie is punished not because I was offended but rather, because he discriminated against other races. You think he can change his mindset?
Ah, I see. Yes, sir, he is racially biased. Ill take responsibility for that.
Ecjose was deeply moved by the young special military advisors words. People who rose to a high position at a young age had a strong conscience. They found rudeness and contempt unacceptable. However, the advisor had punished sergeant Riverie because of his racist attitude. Since young, he was a person who could tell apart the good from the bad.
Good. Pass my words to ambassador Jopine. Ill reduce sergeant Riveries punishment by three years. However, he has to write a memorandum to get rid of his racist beliefs and attitude. Youre responsible for educating him, major. Report his progress after three years. If his mindset changes by then, Ill void his punishment entirely. Even the soldiers.
Thank you for your benevolence, sir.
Ecjose bowed deeply. He hadnt expected Black Mamba to forgive so easily. He was an open-minded person. The Syrians had a reason for believing in him so much.
Black Mambas gaze softened. The major was a useful person who knew how to take responsibility.
Major, you dont know how someones life might change. For now, they might be someone with a bag on their backs wandering around without a destination, but they might become someone that people envy in the future. Major, if you have a problem in the future, contact Legion Etranger Headquarters supply officer, Emil. Hell connect you to me.
I thank you again, sir. Thank God for allowing me to meet you in my lifetime, special military advisor.
Black Mamba flinched. Major Ecjoses gaze burned like fire. It looked like the eyes of a bull after it found its match. He reeked of danger. Another human demonstrated the signs of the Ombuti virus before him.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ibrahim feels guilty for boarding without a price. Why dont we entrust him with Idias rescue and test the Kurd tribes battle capacity at the same time?
Thats a good idea, but we dont have time.
Theres enough time, sir. I released some of the guards to spread a rumor about a cholera outbreak around the Orthodox Christians living quarters. Not a single person would dare to approach. The Kurd tribe might become Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas finest army in the future. We do need to give them a chance to prove their loyalty and ability. The village is barely 1.5 kilometers from here. You can leave for a while, sir, while I take care of the locals, Mohammad urged again.
Ill do that then. Call Ibrahim over.
Black Mamba had a great revelation. He always moved alone. Since he was planning on building an autonomous region, he would require an army. Hed considered lieutenant colonel Kikali from Habibs army since he was a member of the Tuareg tribe, but he lacked faith. Whether Ombuti managed to convince the man was a mystery.
There was a saying among the Tuareg tribe that helping to carry a neighborhood girls bag might earn one a wife. The Kurd tribe, who were very loyal, could be a significant presence compared to the Mamluks. That moment opened warrior Black Mambas eyes to politics.
Ibrahim, gather five warriors. Were going to save the pitiful girl.
Thank you, sir. Ibrahims face brightened up.
Thank you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Glee filled Ahmads face, who had been suffering in silence the entire time.
Master, should we kill them all with our Barretts from here?
Jamals eyes gleamed. His master was acting unusual for someone who had ferociously wiped out Ruman. There was no need to mind the details. By securing a sniping point, he could easily wipe out all the guards and rescue the girl.
Jamal, animals must be treated like animals, and humans must be treated like humans. The villagers are just misled citizens trapped in the wrong culture.
Black Mamba smiled at Jamal. Jamal hadnt completely gotten rid of his terrorist tendencies.
Im sorry. I didnt think that far. Jamal nodded and moved away.
Eh, what is this?
Black Mamba looked at the fierce-looking Kurd tribe members in wonder. They carried 19th-century musket long guns, and some spikes made out of shaved wood hung off their waists. They were the stereotypical mountain bandits from the 19th century.
Listen well. No one should use guns. You can kill those who call themselves warriors of Islam. You cannot kill the villagers.
Yes, sir. Suppress those who resist with a stick. Bakir, leave the guns behind. Beat some sense into them.
Yes, sir!
A young man, who received Ibrahims orders, gathered the muskets and put them away.
I really should keep an eye on the Kurd tribe.
There was a clear line of command and uniform movement to their actions. They werent some rugged guerrillas. Hardships trained people. They werent the kind to receive persecution as part and parcel of their lives like the Orthodox Christians. They were people who would have survived the Sahel if conditions had allowed.
[1] Eurasian lynx.
Chapter 274 - Episode 5: National Treasure
The autonomous region he had planned in the Sahel was the size of Gyeonggi-do. He could obtain a larger land with Frances cooperation. It was a funny situation in which he had to negotiate with France to obtain land in Chad. President Habre, who was Frances puppet, didnt have much power, nor was he interested in the North. It was a tragedy created by a country with s***ty politics.
The Sahel region was barren, but its value changed depending on how it was optimized. There were almost 40,000,000 Kurds who were persecuted for being countryless. There were 1,200,000 Syrian Orthodox. Countless other people were also wiped out because of their race. The Jews founded Israel with help from the U.S. There was no reason for him not to build a country with Frances aid. There was a land with countless people to fill it. It was also an idea that could expand the small and overcrowded Korean Peninsula. However, those idiot politicians in Korea would never understand.
The yard before the castle ruins was busily lit up with several bright lights. Three portable generators, which were prepared by Ecjose, powered up the bright lights.
He saw Mohammad, who was skillfully guiding the guards and embassy staff. The 540 locals were silently filtered out like flowing water. The guards inspected their luggage. Those found with large luggage had to reorganize on the spot.
Once their luggage passed the check, they were given small papers with warning notices before they were assigned to the buses accordingly to families. An embassy staff attached tags to their luggage while an operative agent moved them to the trucks.
I gained an unexpected talent.
He was impressed by Mohammads performance. There was no need for him to interfere. Mohammad, who had mastered administration, was capable of becoming his right hand.
Well, its also my responsibility, I guess. It looks like Ive got to bid this place farewell once Ahmads lover is rescued.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. After he had drilled a hole through the bottom of the lake, the lakes water level started decreasing. Once Maydanki Lake dried up, itd be hard to farm with an annual rainfall of only 300 millimeters. It would be a calamity to the Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe who relied on the lake to survive. Therefore, their relocation was his responsibility.
At two oclock in the morning, the surroundings were enveloped in darkness apart from the bloated crescent moon. Ahmad led the Kurd tribe warriors and rushed down the hill without rest. The Kurds were agile like mountain sheep. They quickly caught up with Ahmad, someone who had mastered the art of assassination.
Black Mamba trailed behind the group without their knowledge. It was to prevent any unnecessary losses on both sides. There was one palm tree standing in the front yard of the council hall.
Flick
Black Mamba flew up like a feather. He wrapped the Rakshasa around a branch that was 15 meters high and pulled himself up once more. While waiting for Ahmads group to arrive, Black Mamba seated comfortably on the top of the tree. He was going to observe how the rescue team moved.
Dogs started barking once Ahmads group arrived at Gobelaka Village. Humans couldnt fool a dogs senses.
Woof woof
Bark bark
When one started barking, the others followed too.
A house owner came out with a stick in hand.
Did a lynx come down? Down, you, be quiet.
The house owner looked around and patted the dog before heading back into the house. Ahmads group minimized the sounds of their footsteps as they entered the village. Their target was the council hall, where Idia was locked up.
In a village that was totally dark, only the council halls oil lamps burned brightly in the center.
Those Wahhabi swine!
Ahmad gritted his teeth. He was raging with bloodlust. There, his precious Idia was locked up. Idia would be executed when dawn broke. He wanted to kill everyonethe b*stards who wanted Idia dead, the warriors of Islam who killed her father, and the villagers. Dont kill rashly. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas warning pressed down on his beating heart, which was overwhelmed with the intention to kill. Ahmad turned to look at the Kurd tribe warriors.
Brothers, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa said we could kill those who are carrying guns. Id like to kill those b*stards. Can you suppress the villagers whore guarding Idia?
Yes.
Five shadows blended with the darkness. A volunteer guard, who had his head bashed in from behind, collapsed.
What?
The guards friend turned his head in surprise and was attacked on his forehead. The Kurd tribe warriors moved in pairs and silenced the patrolling guards ruthlessly. The Kurd tribe warriors approached the council hall after silencing all six guards.
Ahmad glared at the council halls entrance. Those b*stards were guarding the entrance. Two masked b*stards were sitting on chairs while smoking. Unfortunately, oil lamps hung around the entire front yard. To approach them, he had to reveal himself in the light.
It took at least three seconds to close a distance of 20 meters. That was enough time for the enemy to raise their guns and pull the trigger. He was bound to turn into a beehive without a chance to wield his knife. The distance was too far for him to throw a dagger.
Ahh, ah!
A frail voice sounded while Ahmad was deep in thoughts.
What sound is that?
Its the sound of a woman moaning.
Really?
He overheard the smoking b*stards conversation. Ahmad was confused. What kind of ghost was that?
Oh, stop. Hmm
The moans lasted for a long time.
Amazing!
Black Mamba was impressed. A female Kurd tribe warrior was hiding around the corner of the building, behind a large wooden box filled with coals inside. Luring men with sexual sounds were skills used often by ninjas. It wasnt a skill that a female Kurd in Arab would typically use. His boredom disappeared, and curiosity arose.
A b*stard, who didnt get excited from hearing a womans moans at night, was a eunuch. One of the b*stard stood up with a gun in hand.
It seems like a woman got herself in and over her head.
Catch her, and bring her here. Lets execute them all at once tomorrow. Kill the guy immediately.
Crazy b*stards!
Black Mamba was astounded. They were all kinds of mad, now that he was listening closely. He knew that Wahhabis were half-mad, but that was extreme madness.
Rustle
Rustle
Heavy footsteps approached.
Ahh, be gentle.
Aishe lowered her voice. She pulled her aba[1] to one side, revealing her shoulder, before grabbing a dagger that glowed in blue.
Hehehe, are there only lusty women in this village? You dirty b*stards, come out of there immediately. Ill bed the woman in your place.
The man jabbed the exposed shoulder with the tip of his rifle.
Tap
A white hand appeared out of nowhere. It grabbed the barrel and pulled.
Huh!
The man instinctively tightened his grip on the rifle. His upper body was dragged along.
Whoosh
A dagger jumped out from the dark. The blade, which was the length of a palm, accurately dug into the area between the third and fourth ribs. That had been an accurate and quick hand movement. Even Black Mamba flinched.
Kugh!
The blade pierced the lungs and heart, leaving behind only its handle. The man glared at the woman who was wearing a black shalwar[2] and a loose aba.
How dare a woman
Grth
Blood frothed at the mans mouth.
Bang
Silently, he collapsed onto the floor like an empty sack. His death was instant.
Dirty b*stard, youre not going to heaven anytime soon.
Aishe glared at the dead man.
Amazing. Black Mamba was rather impressed by the live scene playing out.
Hey, what are you doing? Captains going to murder us if you try to have fun. Didnt you hear him say we should guard closely?
The b*stard, who had remained in his position, raised his butt off the chair.
Whoosh
Ahmad flung his body forward.
What the?
The masked man was completely distracted by the womans moans coming from the back. By the time he noticed Ahmad and raised his rifle, it was already too late. Ahmads shamshir flew into the air and descended from the crescent moon.
Splash
The blade sliced the man from his head to his midriff. The man collapsed in his own pool of blood.
That slacking brat, his practical skills are s***.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. It looked flashy, but it was all for nothing. He found it ridiculous that a guy equipped with assassination techniques would attack with a downward slash after a flying kick. Piercing was more accurate and quicker than slashing. If the warriors of Islam had learned martial arts, that would have given them time to counterattack. The brat had no real experience.
Thanks, Aishe, Ahmad whispered to Aishe, who had been following him and was plastered against the entrance.
Hurry up, slacker, Aishe replied coldly.
Ahmad awkwardly brought his hand up to the door when Aishe elbowed his side. She pulled out a small bottle from her pocket and poured it over the door hinge. A light olive smell wafted up.
Aishe gently pulled the door open. The thick wooden door opened without a sound. Ahmads face creased, and his pride was nowhere to be found.
In a village without a masjid, the council hall was built for the community prayer. The place was also utilized for the discussion of the villages matters and for the village leader to evaluate those who violated religious laws.
Ahmad looked inside through the small gap of the door. A woman wearing a white niqab was seen in the corner. He recognized Idia instantly. His heart started pounding. Three masked men with rifles sat on chairs while talking to each other. They were the Wahhabi b*stards who called themselves the warriors of Islam. Three other identifiable volunteer guards were playing dice.
How many b*stards? Bakir, who had caught up with Ahmad, whispered.
Theres three with rifles and three with sticks. Brothers, Im leaving the ones with sticks to you.
Ahmad and the Kurd tribe warriors exchanged glances.
Bang
Ahmad kicked the door open and rushed in. The Kurd tribe warriors, who followed behind, rushed immediately toward the villagers carrying the sticks.
Denta musinun!
Surprised, the masked men raised their rifles.
Whoosh whoosh
Ahmad consecutively threw his daggers forward.
Agh!
Ugh!
The masked men shouted after the daggers dug into their shoulder and stomach. Ahmads shamshir had missed its target. The blade lashed past the third mans neck the moment he aimed the rifle.
Bang
The rifle fired, and his head fell off.
Damn b*stard, die!
The man with the dagger embedded in his stomach suddenly geared up to fight. He raised his gun at Ahmad.
Damn, you fool.
The dagger in Aishes hand left.
Crack
The dagger landed squarely on the mans forehead right before he could pull the trigger. Surprised, Ahmad immediately sliced off the other mans neck, whose shoulder was pierced by the dagger.
Who are you, b*stards?
When the strangers attacked, the Gobelaka volunteer guards freaked out. They immediately raised their sticks and got into a defensive position.
Crack
Crack
The guards didnt measure up to the Kurd tribe. They swung their sticks all over the place and immediately turned into mush by the unexpected beatings.
Ahmad shook the blood off his shamshir. It was dangerous, but everyone was dealt with.
Ahmad! A piercing scream rang.
Dont move. Ill kill this b**** if you do.
Ahmad and the Kurd tribe stopped moving immediately. A masked man aimed a gun at Idias head. Red eyes glared at Ahmad. Those eyes burned with hatred.
Eee, you dirty b*stard!
Ahmads eyes darkened. Hed been arrogant. There werent five of them but six. He hadnt thought of the wooden altar behind Idia. He wanted to beat his chest, but the milk had already spilled.
Hehe, abandon your weapons.
Damn!
Ahmad threw down his knife. Although slightly hesitant, the Kurd tribe warriors similarly lowered their sticks.
You dirty f*****, let the woman go now.
Hehe, you killed my friends, didnt you?
The gun pointed at Ahmad.
No!
Idia resisted. The masked man slapped her ruthlessly. She fainted in a single blow.
You dirty heathen, farewell.
God, please, at least let Idia
Ahmad started praying. However, the bullet didnt come. The masked man flinched.
Kugh!
A groan escaped the confident mans mouth. Blood accumulated underneath his feet. An unrealistic sight in which a body was sliced from bottom to top occurred.
Bang
The man collapsed. He was nothing more than meat hanging on a hook in a butcher shop.
Thathats?
Ahmad and the Kurd tribe warriors eyes widened to the point of tearing. They saw an arm pierce through the wall. The council hall was made out of mud walls. It was sturdier than cement walls.
Ghuls!
Bakir and the Kurd tribe warriors shivered.
Bang
The wall collapsed. A man wearing a grey gandoura walked out of the gaping hole.
Whoosh
Crash
The Rakshasa, which fell while drawing a cycloid arc, sliced the wooden altar in half. There wasnt even a scream. The masked man fell on the floor with his body cut vertically.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Everyones mouths hung open.
You idiot, did you learn from the Circassians Mamluk with your a**hole? Cant you count the number of enemies?
Im sorry, sir. Ahmad lowered his head at Black Mambas scolding.
You made seven mistakes today. Ill beat you up to the point of death.
Ill receive any punishment, sir.
Woman, whats your name?
Black Mamba turned to look at the quick-witted female Kurd tribe warrior.
Its Aishe, sir.
Aishe, you did well.
Thank you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Aishes eyes twinkled as they looked at Black Mambas face.
Were retreating. The gunshots should have woken the villagers up. Bakir!
Yes, sir!
Erase anyone who blocks your path.
Yes, sir.
Ahmad carried the unconscious Idia on his back. The group moved out like the wind. Some villagers tried to stop them, but they were knocked down with a sound beating.
Hooray, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
When Ahmad appeared with Idia on his back, the Orthodox Christians cheered. Mohammads slyness brought about results. There was kindness in the way that the Orthodox Christians looked at the Kurd tribe. Religious walls were nothing but falsities built on segregation and dogmatism.
Depart, dont speed!
Black Mambas shout echoed throughout the abandoned castle ruins. He was announcing his departure to Syria, where he had involuntarily experienced all kinds of hardships and gained all sorts of things.
[1] An outer garment.
[2] Shalwar is a trouser that can be wide and baggy or cut quite narrow. They are typically worn by women and men in South Asia and Central Asia.
Chapter 275 - Episode 6: National Treasure
Depart, dont speed! Ecjose repeated into the radio.
Vroom
The 12 buses and three trucks followed closely behind each other as they left the castle ruins, with the Jeep leading ahead. Major Ecjose grabbed the leading Jeeps handles.
When Black Mamba boarded the leading Jeep, Jamal and Ahmad quickly climbed on its back seats. Mohammad, who had missed the timing, smiled bitterly and boarded the first car that Bakri was on. The guards who were armed with MP5s boarded the first and 11th bus, while the 12 DGSE operative agents took over the bus steering wheels.
The wide plow-lands, olive trees, and palm trees surrounding Maydanki Lake, which was waiting to be harvested, grew distant. Old man Alli cried silently. It had been 40 years since he was chased out of Aleppo and had relocated to the west of the lake. He had worked on the farm and raised sheep until his hands became deformed.
Like a kaleidoscope, memories from when he had moved to the East to escape the Muslims persecution and the tyranny of the Mukhabarat, and the challenging days that followed, played out in his mind. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had appeared like a ray of sunshine in a world filled with dark clouds. Humans need to live like humans. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas teachings drummed on his old heart.
Son, you should serve Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa to the best of your abilities.
Father, he has no desire for fame nor greed for money. He only extended a helping hand to us, Orthodox Christians, out of pity. I worry about how I can be of service to someone whos like the wind.
You can follow whatever he desires to do. Hes someone whos not disturbed by the ugliness of the world, so you can become his shadow and carry out all the dirty deeds on his behalf.
Ill remember that, father.
Bakri was also overwhelmed with all kinds of emotionshope, anxiety, regret, glee, skepticism, and excitement. The bus filled with 48 people inside passed the fields silently, like dead rats. The children lingered by the windows as they looked on at the surrounding darkness while the women silently wept.
Unlike the buses, a rather comical conversation took place in the Jeep. Over 90 percent of Aleppos roads were unpaved. Black Mamba maintained a steady position despite the Jeeps abrupt movements.
What amazing motor skills.
Ecjose kept glancing at Black Mamba, who had boarded the Jeep first. As though he was asleep, his position remained as it was despite the Jeeps unsteady movements. He was like a machine gun bolted to the vehicle. Ecjose had discovered that the advisor had learned ancient Korean martial arts, but he didnt realize that it was to such an extent.
Advisor, have you ever considered running for Bundesliga? Ecjose asked out of nowhere.
Bundesliga? Which countrys mercenary group is that?
An answer, which was like shoving a cultivator on a rice field, returned.
No way!
Surprised, Ecjose nearly drove the Jeep over the valley.
Have you ever heard of Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester United?
Are they talented mercenary groups?
Kekeke!
Manchester United, a mercenary group? Ecjose laughed his head off while banging his hand on the steering wheel. He was a downright countryman who didnt know the renowned Bundesliga of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, or Manchester United! Ecjose, the soccer maniac, was beyond astonished and furious.
Ahmad and Jamal, who was sitting on the rear, looked on coldly. How dare he laugh at Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Ahmad carefully pulled out his khanjar. He was going to slice off that rude mans head. Jamal grabbed Ahmads hand and motioned his eyes toward Black Mamba. Ecjose, who didnt realize that his life was spared in that very moment, kept choking on his laughter.
You do know Cruyff, Zico, Beckenbauer, and Maradona?
Arent they soccer stars?
Thats it. Advisor, sir, you could be an undefeatable star. I may be French, but I prefer Germanys manly game and Englands fiery nature. My uncle is the owner of Frances most prestigious Paris Saint-Germain. Why waste a physical that could possibly belong to the worlds greatest star? Id highly recommend you.
How much is the yearly wage?
Maradona, who led Barcelona to victory in Copa del Rey last year, earned 20,000,000 francs. Isnt that amazing?
Woah, it is.
Black Mamba was slightly shocked that a mere soccer player could earn 20,000,000 francs. Well, he was someone who made 30,000,000 francs per venture. He could earn more if he shook Bonipas inside out.
It is amazing. You can earn fame and money at the same time, Ecjose offered the bewildered Black Mamba.
Wont it mark the end of ones career if their ankle gets injured during a tackle?
Thats correct, but that wont happen considering your physical abilities, special military advisor.
Black Mamba had said so out of concern for the other players, but Ecjose took it as Black Mambas concern for himself.
How can a monster play with humans? Monsters should play with monsters, Black Mamba lamented.
Soccer was a physical fight. Any player who bumped into him would be shattered. Initially, he wasnt interested in soccer. How could he participate in something that might destroy people?
Please contact me if you change your mind, sir.
Ecjose couldnt shake off his idea. It would be a late entry, but Ecjose could envision him as the greatest soccer player. Ecjoses desire ended in a happening, but it triggered Black Mambas interest in sports.
The migration procession went down route 217, all the way from Maydanki Lake to Afrin. From Afrin, they entered Rajo road and headed up north. While it was only 40 kilometers directly to the border, Syrias northern highland roads were terrifying. Most roads were narrow and unpaved, to the point that vehicles couldnt pass through easily.
By the time they approached Syrias border village, Rajo, they were 800 meters above sea level. The narrow cliff road, which was spacious enough for a bus to pass through, continued. It was 15 kilometers from Rajo to the border. For a direct path that could have been 25 kilometers, theyd approximately crossed 110 kilometers. The row of buses headed toward the border after passing Rajo.
The Jeep stopped. There was a barricade blocking the road. Ecjose stopped the Jeep and walked toward the checkpoint. That was their 10th. Every time, they had to stop and get their papers checked before setting off again.
Why are there so many checkpoints? Black Mamba complained.
Theyre political enemies that share a border, after all. Theyre archenemies with an endless number of people risking their lives to pass the borders. The Kurds come over from Turkey, while the Orthodox Christians escape to Turkey. Border guards on both sides will kill the refugees on the spot, regardless of their origin. They sometimes accept refugees considering international standpoints, but most of them are killed.
Damn b*stards, people come before religion. How can religion come before people?
Black Mambas rage intensified at Jamals explanation. There were conflicts between the Northern Muslims and the Southern Christians in Chad, but there were religious conflicts here too. Here or there, the people were the problem.
Jamal tucked in his neck after his explanation. He, too, had killed people ruthlessly using a religious excuse. Ecjose got onto the Jeep after wrapping up the conversation with the guards at the checkpoint.
Go! Ecjose shouted enthusiastically.
Ecjoses brain worked well under the guise of the Red Cross Organization. The lie about quarantining cholera patients on the outskirts of the country was convincing. The situation was resolved once Ecjose, who was wearing a white Red Cross gown, showed them the papers. The Syrian police and guards didnt even approach the Jeep. Ecjoses nose reached the skies.
At 4:30 in the morning, Black Mambas eyes flashed open. It was the smell of a battlefield. The smell of heavy oil, gunpowder, and ammonia from human wastes filled the air.
Ahmad, how far is it until the border?
Its right before our nose. About five kilometers.
And the terrain of the destination were heading to?
The terrain drops rapidly. There is an erg of one-kilometer wide after this place. Once we pass a kilometer from the erg, there will be lower hills. The border fences pass along the hills.
Hm, so the excuse about us quarantining patients with waterborne infectious disease wont work from here on. Should we argue that were exporting the Orthodox Christians with cholera to Turkey?
Kekeke, thats a good idea, sir. The Syrian border guards will give us oil supplies. Jamal and Ahmad laughed at Black Mambas joke.
Wait, major, stop the car. Theres a checkpoint one kilometer ahead.
The Jeep slammed to a stop. Ecjose switched the gear to neutral and turned to look at Black Mamba. Could he see through the inky darkness, moreover one kilometer ahead? No, they were on an unpaved road that curved around mountains. The situation made it impossible to see 50 meters ahead, even with the Jeeps headlights on.
How did you know, sir?
Hes Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Jamal shot off an answer.
Damn b*stard! Hes not letting me speak.
Hm!
Ecjose clicked his tongue and lifted the radio.
Turn off the headlights and engine.
The headlights and loud engine turned off immediately.
Major, itll be hard to pass through peacefully, wont it?
This seems like the last checkpoint, sir. Weve been using the excuse of quarantine up until now, but the borders right after this. The place indicated as their quarantine site is right here. Itll be hard to make an excuse. Should we just wipe them out?
Nothing good will come out of making a fuss.
Master, should we wipe them out with this?
Jamal raised his Barrett. His master had given him 1,000 bullets after returning from work. Jamal had turned into a child who whined about not being able to use his new favorite toy.
Are you planning to call the border guards over? Ill let you shoot as much as you want. Just wait.
Ssss
Once he got off the Jeep, Black Mamba blended with the darkness. His entire presence disappeared before one could count to three.
Huk!
Ecjoses eyes widened. How could that be? The person, whod been standing right before him, disappeared.
Hello? Do you know what happened to the advisor?
Hes Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ahmad answered Ecjoses question, which was like asking if a chicken had two legs.
Ha, Im an idiot for asking that question. Who is he, really? A special military advisor who leads 540 fanatics, how astounding! Although, I also feel like Im becoming one of those cult members.
Ecjose was from the Airborne Regiment. He didnt know anything else other than Black Mambas position as the special military advisor, a position of the same level as the presidents chief secretary considering his special abilities. Hed been drawn to Black Mambas humane side and not his strength. He suddenly realized there was a reason why the modifier special came with the title.
Hey, didnt you hear a cars engine?
Well, no, I didnt hear it. How can there be a vehicle down here? There are no roads.
I suppose. What crazy b*stard would drive down here at dawn?
Black Mamba looked down at the guards on duty from the checkpoints tin roof. They were Syrian guards wearing green helmets. There were two outside the barracks and seven asleep underneath his feet.
I guess theres no need to kill.
He took out the Rakshasa. They were innocent guards carrying out their duties. This wasnt a battlefield, either. Killing innocent people to save others was self-contradicting.
Did I imagine it?
One of the guards tilted his head.
Whoosh
A faint noise like the wings of a dragonfly fluttering sounded.
Slap
Slap
The gray-brown Rakshasa poked the back of the two guards necks and disappeared. Both guards collapsed at the same time.
Black Mambas fine control reached its peak. They passed out after he attacked their spinal artery with the tip of his whip. Black Mamba opened the door to the checkpoint and entered as though it was his own house. The Rakshasa whirled around in the air.
Slap
Slap
Slap
The seven guards, whod been sleeping side by side on the bed, fainted at once.
Is this guy the leader?
The intruder carried the guard who had two crescent moons on his epaulet and disappeared.
Black Mamba appeared like a shadow in the darkness.
Ah, adadvisor! Ecjose shouted.
Why are you so surprised? Ive disarmed the checkpoint. This guy seems to be the leader.
Plop
A guard with a well-built physique rolled over toward Ecjoses heels. Ecjose was at a loss for words. Did he really disarm a checkpoint that was one kilometer away in five minutes and captured the head guard? It was unbelievable, but the evidence was right before him. Ecjoses brain was in a state of confusion.
Ecjose, check the deployment status of the Syrian border guards.
Within the Arabian Peninsula, Syria had the strongest army. There was no way that Syria would overlook their border guards considering their tense relationship with Turkey.
He left the prisoner to Ecjose and leaned against a rock while relaxing with a Cohiba Siglo. The DGSE had even sent him his favorite cigar. He had desperately wished for a cigar while wandering around the underground caves. He couldnt smoke the cigars made by the Gobelaka locals as it was too bitter.
The taste of cigars before commencing a mission was special. Others said that the taste of cigars after sex was most exquisite. He had never experienced it before, so he didnt know.
Slap
The guard, who was slapped hard on his cheeks, opened his eyes. His unfocused eyes were directed at Ecjose.
Where am I? Who are you? the Syrian guard, who was now a prisoner, asked first.
Youre a captive. Ill let you live if you tell me the deployment status of all the border guards.
Ha, b*stard, you are like the hind legs of frogs, you think Ill tell you? He spat.
Ill treat you like a captive unless you tell me nicely.
Do whatever you want.
Black Mamba heard Ecjose and the captive bickering.
Ugh, that idiot. Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
Not all soldiers were the same. There were soldiers with experience and those who were inexperienced.
How annoying!
He was about to call Jamal over but lifted his own butt instead. The longer the night dragged out, the more dreams there would be.
Move, Ecjose.
Ecjose moved, his face flushed.
Raise your head.
A steady voice, which was overflowing with bloodlust, echoed. The captive raised his head awkwardly and glared at Black Mamba. He was determined not to open his mouth. Black Mamba stared into the captives eyes.
Ugh!
The captive screamed. Red eyes filled his field of view. Those were the eyes of a monster, no, of hell. The world turned white as his consciousness floated away.
Chapter 276 - National Treasure
The captive was swept up in extreme fear after being exposed to Black Mambas bloodlust. Black Mamba grabbed the captives head with both of his hands.
Boom
He directed his resonance waves into the captives brain. The experiences from being swept into the underground by the lake water and enduring 47 days of hardships while wandering the underground caves had enhanced his mental ability.
His resonance waves got stronger because of his enhanced mental ability. His resonance waves spread throughout the captives nervous system, which was unstable due to fear. The captives brain lost its capability to think. Like a child, he was ready to answer the questions.
Ahmad, translate. If you answer the questions nicely, I wont shove you down to hell. Ill give you food and let you rest.
Yes, sir!
The captives expression relaxed after hearing Ahmads translation.
Your name and company?
Im officer Amadi from the 12th brigade of the Syrian Border Guards, the captive replied without realizing what he was saying.
Ahmad, confirm the number and deployment of the Syrian Border Guards.
Yes, sir!
Ahmad and the captives conversation continued for a long time.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ive finished. Should I kill him?
Whats the point of killing him? I promised him his life.
Jamal covered the captives face and tied his hands and feet before shoving him between the rocks. Ecjose could only watch from afar.
Sir, this region is called Nahob Hyrang. Its under the control of the border guards from the seventh unit of the 12th brigade, with 1,200 guards watching over six kilometers. The entire brigade has 6,000 members, and they own a tank battalion.
Its rather packed since the area is by the Hatay borders. Their firearms?
They have RPG-7s, Sagger anti-tank guided missiles, 75-millimeters artillery, and 106-millimeters artillery as their support weapons. On a side note, the Third Panzer Brigades T-55s, 20 T-62s, and 10 BMP-1s are stationed strategically along Sawran. In an emergency, the Heliborne Battalion in Tell Rifaat that is 60 kilometers away should come to assist.
Ahmad was smart. He summarized the information told by the captive and only relayed the necessary details.
An infantry brigade with a tank battalion? Did they learn their lesson from their defeat in the Yom Kippur War? Major Ecjose, how long will it take for the Heliborne Battalion to arrive as reinforcements from 60 kilometers away?
Theyll take at least 50 minutes, sir, considering the Syrian Armys lazy attitude. 40 minutes to move out, and 10 minutes to pray to Allah, major Ecjose, who had zoned out and was startled out of his musings, replied.
Ecjose didnt know what was going on. When they had first met, the young Asian, who had risen to an unbelievably high position, was an unpleasant sight. In other words, he had been jealous.
His jealousy didnt last long. He was moved by the just and humane side of the advisor, who had willingly saved over 100 Syrians whose lives were on the line. However, that wasnt all. He was also drawn to Black Mambas unimaginable physical abilities and his natural majestic aura, which was similar to a lion.
The captive, whom hed convinced and threatened, started staring at the advisors face. He didnt even threaten the man. Was it hypnosis? That couldnt be. There was no single hypnosis in the world that could be carried out in the blink of an eye. Ecjose realized the world was truly vast.
What about the formation of the Syrian Armys Heliborne Battalion?
The Syrian Air Battalion follows the Soviet Unions regime. They have 18 attack helicopters and six transport helicopters.
Black Mamba nodded. The number of deployed forces around the narrow region was overboard. 18 attack helicopters could fight against 180 tanks.
Hm, theyre going for an offensive defense instead of a counter-defense. Theyre planning to land an impactful blow using the Syrian Armys signature sequestration tactic. Assads determination to reacquire Hatay is commendable.
He could almost understand Assads intentions. Assad had planned to throw the biological and chemical weapons in Turkey and swallow Hatay while Turkey descended into chaos. Black Mamba was the person who had unintentionally shattered Assads dream.
The location of the biological and chemical weapons storage facility was revealed after he had coincidentally captured Jamal. Assads greed became a momentary dream with the disappearance of the biological and chemical weapons. He now understood Bonipas comments regarding Turkeys enthusiastic cooperation. Turkeys intelligence agency couldnt have known the existence of those biological and chemical weapons, after all.
Black Mamba started thinking. Hatays border alongside an organized offensive battalion was like an iron fortress. He could escape with his eyes closed. However, he had a large lump of 540 people. What if they were bombarded? There could be horrible results. Hed have to suffer a lifetime worth of guilt.
Advisor!
Hm?
Black Mamba broke away from his thoughts and turned to look at Ecjose.
Why dont we use the operative agents to attack the Syrian tank battalion? We can pit them against Turkey and escape during the chaos. I brought an 81-millimeters LLR Brandt mortar and an 84-millimeters M2CG, just in case.
Attacking in the East and escaping through the West, thats a good idea. Black Mamba slapped his knee.
Hatay was positioned along the Turkey-Syria border and stretched out like a rubber band. It was an area filled with sparks. It could ignite well on its own, as long as he landed a direct blow. Ecjoses foolish brain had come up with a good idea. What a cute b*stard!
Is it a rocket booster shell?
The 84-millimeters M2CG was a good recoilless gun, but it was single-shots handicapped. Even if the shell didnt land on a tank in one shot, it had to be discarded. The rocket shell was a powerful shaped charge with a range of 1,000 meters. With the penetrating power of 650-millimeters steel plates, rocket shells could survive the 350-millimeters T-62s front armor and more. Regular high explosives were short-ranged and harder to use against tanks.
Yes, sir. There are 10 rocket shells and two high explosives.
Thats good. Are there any Brandt mortars in the embassy?
Yes, theres a lot of mad b*stards in Arab, after all. Once, there was a crazy b*stard who loaded explosives inside his truck and drove right in. Mortars are the best threats. However, its too heavy to be carried around.
Five boxes of bullets with a 42-kilograms body should be around 100 kilograms. That wont be a problem. Call the operative agents over to prepare the weapons. Jamal, bring me a map.
Jamal opened a 1:7,000 military map. The Nahob region was elevated to the south and grounded to the west. While the Syrian terrain was around 500 to 800 meters above sea level, Turkeys terrain was a flatland with an altitude of 200 meters. The terrain would be disadvantageous for Turkey if a war broke out.
There was a long stretch of low hills and ergs located 40 kilometers across from Orababa and Haman. The three-kilometers wide road in Nahob Hyrang was the DMZ between the two countries.
Ahmad, does the captive know anything about the tanks deployment?
He doesnt know much.
A mere officer couldnt have known the deployment formation. Hed only asked because he was hopeful. Now, he had to trouble himself to check.
Advisor, Im sorry, but none of the operatives know how to handle the M2CG, Ecjose reported with a frown.
All DGSE members are idiots.
Of course, sir. They know nothing besides backstabbing people, Ecjose agreed. He strongly sympathized with them.
In every country, soldiers were not fond of the members of the intelligence department.
Ahmad, call the Kurd tribe warriors over.
The silent Black Mamba thought it was good news. Bonipas could lower his paycheck with the excuse that the DGSE had helped out on the field. He didnt know that the French government was ready to take off their underwear for him when needed.
The RPG-7 or the Panzerfaust was the guerrillas magic wand. The Kurd tribe warriors who had a lot of experience in mountain battles would find it familiar. Ibrahim had brought along nine tribe members. There were seven men and two women.
Ibrahim, do any of your warriors know how to handle the M2CG Panzer?
If youre talking about Panzers, weve once dealt with the Panzer 100 and Panzer 150. Its a new model, but there wont be a problem if you teach us how to use it.
Theres no significant difference aside from its range and power. Remove the projectile protection cap. Attach it to the launcher. Raise the front grip, sight, and trigger of the launcher. Load firmly. Put the target into the sight-reading piper and fire. Discard the launcher and escape quickly. Easy, right?
Yes, sir, its easy. There wont be a problem.
A smile lingered on Ibrahims face as he answered cheerfully. Surprisingly, the young Mahdi had plenty of cute traits. He was funny and made one feel comfortable. He didnt flaunt his position and would lead the front despite the risks. Aside from respect, he started feeling a sense of familiarity with Black Mamba.
Good. I, Jamal, and Ahmad are going. Only seven fast-footed warriors should come along. Major, pass over any spare rifles to the warriors.
Ecjose handed Kalashnikovs to the Kurd tribe warriors. Black Mamba smiled at him. He was a careful person. He intended not to leave behind any traces of involvement.
Aishe, the Panzer weighs over 10 kilograms. Will you be able to run with it? Black Mamba asked Aishe, who had volunteered to follow him.
Theres no problem. Once, I ran around with a 20-kilograms ammunition box. I can do anything for Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa and my siblings. Aishe laughed.
It was a hearty laugh. She reminded him of Jin Soon, who had raised her four siblings since the age of 10. Four years had passed since Ibrahims tribe settled around Maydanki Lake. He couldnt imagine how young Aishe must have been when she started picking up the rifle. He pitied her for the hardships that she had to suffer through.
Jamal, did you get the grenades?
Yes, sir, three boxes.
Jamal was the very person who had witnessed Black Mambas grenade sniping in Kaparja Valley. His master, who could pinpoint targets with a grenade from a long distance, was the worlds greatest weapon. He shared the box of grenades with Ahmad, and each carried a bag.
The Kurd tribe warriors shared the 81-millimeters Brandt mortars, gun plates, barrels, and bipods between themselves. All the other warriors slung one box of bullets around their shoulders. On top of the Panzers weight, each carried a weight of over 30 kilograms. It would be difficult to move quickly in the dark.
Ill carry them.
Black mamba united the mortars barrel and plate, slung five boxes of bullets on his back, and placed the mortar on top of his shoulder. The 81-millimeters Brandt mortar had a barrel, gun plate, bipod, and sight weighing 42 kilograms in total. The L41A1 high-explosive bomb weighed five kilograms per shell. 20 shots were equivalent to 100 kilograms.
Woah! Ecjose and the Kurd tribe warriors shouted.
Im a little strong. Lets go. We need to pop one and run before dawn breaks.
Black Mamba and the Kurd tribe warriors disappeared into the darkness. Ecjoses mouth hung open. How could a human run with a weight of 150 kilograms on their back? That wasnt a human but a bear. He shouldnt be a soccer player, but someone on the American Football Conference. A gray bear would charge ahead with a rugby ball. The five defensive backs would fly off at once, trying to block him. The advisor would sprint 50 yards alone and touchdown! Ecjoses eyes became blurry. A mans strength was truly admirable.
Ibrahim, who was the guide, ran like a tiger. He didnt seem like someone in his 40s. Black Mamba and the Kurd tribe warriors followed behind.
Ibrahim stopped. Theyd moved four kilometers toward Orababa. Black Mamba looked up at the sky. The crescent moon, which was transitioning into a half-moon, hung low in the western sky. It would soon be dawn.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, the Syrian tank battalion is in Kunera basin. The basin will come into view once we move 500 meters past the hills.
Ibrahim, Im going to observe the enemy camp. Ill be back.
I know this region very well, sir. Ibrahim followed.
Black Mamba took out two night-vision goggles and threw them at Ibrahim and Jamal.
Jamal, go into hiding and wait for me.
Black Mamba pulled out an MP5SD3 from his backpack.
Yes, sir.
Jamal didnt question him about his safety. He could not imagine anything that would harm his master.
Pa-pat
Black Mamba shot two times while climbing the hill and disappeared in a flash.
Pat
Pat
The sound of a sandbag being hit was heard twice in a row. Black Mamba silently appeared again after getting rid of several hidden guards.
H-how did you
Ibrahim looked at Black Mamba in bewilderment.
The Syrian Army wouldnt leave a zone overlooking the camp empty. I erased three hidden guards. There wont be any guards within a 300 meters radius.
Ah, Mahdi!
Ibrahim realized what Jamal had meant by Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas endless abilities.
A large camp appeared before them. Searchlights lined the outer camp like beads, and the perimeters were surrounded by barbed-wire fences. Tanks and trucks were organized accordingly. Watchtowers lined the outskirts. The searchlights moved side to side as it skimmed the area.
Great. There are over 20 tanks in sight, sir.
Ibrahim handed the night-vision goggles to Black Mamba. Black Mamba waved his hand.
Im looking at it too. That vehicle located outside with a coaxial machine gun attached to the flat turret is a BMP-1, not a tank. Can you see it?
What? Yes, sir. I see six of them. Ibrahim flinched. Hed forgotten that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was the Mahdi.
That captive b*stard must have been confused. I think there are at least 50 considering their positions. How many people do you think are there?
The number of barracks have exceeded our expectations, sir.
Theyre a joint echelon of tanks and infantry. The infantry is also made up of large-scale battalions.
Black Mamba estimated the number of people by the size and number of the barracks. Syria had lost 100s of tanks in the Yom Kippur War because of Israeli infantrys anti-tank weapons. Syria had only formed a joint tank and infantry battalion after the defeat.
Lets go. Its time to create some fireworks.
Hehe, Ill show the b*stards what hot fire truly is. Ibrahim quivered in excitement.
Both the Turkish people and Syrians were the same. He had lost all of his siblings while fighting against Turkey with faulty weapons. He had also lost his son in Syria. It was time for revenge.
Chapter 277 - Episode 8: National Treasure
Syrias northern plateau only had an annual rainfall ranging from 200 to 300 millimeters. It was hard to find lush forests due to the lack of water. The soil, which was too weak for weeds to even grow, suffered accelerated weathering symptoms. Bedrocks had developed, and organic matter became scarce. There was a vicious cycle of vegetation shortage in the barren land. The symptoms in the Kunera area were particularly severe. It was desolate, with a few sparse shrubs. It gave one a good view, but it was easily exposed to attacks.
The hill, where several sparks were hiding, was located on a ground higher than the Kunera basin. The tank battalions entire front was visible beneath their eyes. There were infantry battalion barracks to the left and right of the tank battalion.
Night-vision goggles were unfamiliar objects to the Kurd tribe warriors, who had never encountered them before. When the tank battalion emerged clearly before his eyes in shades of blue, they couldnt hide their surprise. Once the target was confirmed, Black Mamba called for their attention.
Listen, warriors. The extent of our purpose is to start a fight between the wolf and the lynx. We only need to light the fire. It doesnt matter if its the tank or the infantry battle truck. Were leaving immediately after attacking the targets, regardless of the results.
Yes, sir.
The Kurd tribe warriors immediately understood Black Mambas intentions. Although the bedrock was advantageous for cover, it did not protect them from the sky. Nothing could be done if a helicopter flew over. They were likely to turn into meat soup if they didnt attack and run quickly.
Jamal, youll be in charge of the mortar gunners and Ahmad, the ammunition supplies. Flares!
Yes, sir!
Ahmad shoved two flare shells indicated with a red dot into the barrel.
Pheeeee
Boom
50,000,000 Kendal lights illuminated above the two battalions of the Third Tank Brigade in the Kunera basin camp.
Shoot the marked targets!
Ibrahim pushed the trigger up and placed a T-62 into his scope. Once, without a scope, hed blown apart an armored vehicle with the antique Panzer 100. A large target stationed under bright lights was too easy.
Boom
When fired at night, the M2CGs flare was attention-grabbing. A long streak of fire brightened up the launching point. A funnel-shaped gunpowder capsule erupted the moment the shell landed. Combustion energy reaching thousands of degrees poured out toward the empty area. A metal jet, which flew at a speed of 8,000 meters per second, drilled a hole through the armored tank just like a welding machine. The remaining impact swept through the vehicles interior. The T-62, which didnt have a composite metal plate, was knocked out by one shaped charge.
Bang
Bang
Bang
The Kurd tribe warriors started shooting immediately afterward. The speed of an M2CG Panzer was 700 meters per second. It landed on the target tank the moment it was launched. Like pressing a finger through paper, the metal jet pierced through the armored plates.
The unrestrained flames swept inside the tanks.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Intense explosions rang. The targeted tanks and armored vehicles soon burned in red flames.
Hit! Hit! Hit!
Jamal flailed his right hand in excitement. A rocket had pierced the front of the BMP-1, which was stationed close to Jamal. The armored vehicle flew and landed loudly.
Bang
The 30-millimeter armored vehicle was too weak to withstand the 84-millimeter shaped charge.
Combustion energy from the metal jet, which had pierced the armored vehicles front, was overflowing. It flowed through the cockpit and cabin and then swallowed the rear oil tank.
Boooom
An overpowering roar sounded. The flames, which had swallowed the oil tank, caused a second explosion. The BMP-1, which turned into a fireball, spiraled and flipped over.
Eeeee!
Aishe, who had exploded the armored vehicle, screeched. No matter how brave she was, it was hard to fight with antique weapons. The horrible memories of soldiers chasing her up the cliffs with frostbitten fingers disappeared instantly. Sparks from the fire had swept past her entire body. She even peed a little.
She glanced at Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. He was smiling at her. Aishe was left dazed. He was someone strong and beautiful, therefore realms apart. Aishe glared down at her hands, with skin that was as hard as turtle shells. She suddenly grew sad.
Boom
The armored vehicle caused consecutive explosions. The upper gun turret flew up at least 10 meters in the air. Flares that found their escape rose toward the sky. It was an unlucky tank attacked by a high explosive with metal jets.
1, 3, 4 tanks hit. 5, 7, BMP-1 hit. Those brats cant even land a hit on stationary targets. Do they even know how expensive M2CG Panzers are? Damn brats who dont even measure up to Aishe.
Ibrahim glared. The warriors, who were in charge of the second and sixth tanks, lowered their heads. Black Mamba couldnt help but smile. Even if they had experience with launching Panzers, they had lived as farmers for decades. A 70 percent hit rate was an impressive achievement. They deserved praise.
Good job. Were leaving at once.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, we still have four shots left, Ibrahim protested.
Ibrahim, did you forget my warning? Well be surrounded by explosives if our positions revealed. Run.
Im sorry, sir.
Beeeee
The siren rang before they could end their conversation. The tank battalion woke up to the surprise attacks. Sirens rang annoyingly, and lights began to illuminate the entire camp. Soldiers jumped out of their tents, and the BMP-1s roared to life.
What is it?
Startled by the explosions, Commander Ali Diav of the tank battalion jumped out of his tent. The parking lot was burning in flames. The tankers were running frantically toward the tanks.
Whawhats happening? Those damn Ottoman swine!
Diavs sleep wasted away. The Turkish Armed Forces were attacking. Theyd finally revealed their true colors after a long period of silence. Diav ran back into the camp.
Commander, its a surprise attack! An officer ran into the tent, his uniform still in disarray.
I know, you b*astard. Connect me to the infantry battalions commander, and call the gunner units over!
Surprised, the officer ran back out of the camp. Diav started screaming once he got his hands on the radio.
All company leaders should move immediately! Report the losses!
First company, two tanks and one BMP.
Second company, one tank.
Third company, two tanks and one BMP.
There was silence.
Like a devil, Diavs face creased once he received all the reports.
Ughhh, those b*stards, Ill kill them! Prepare to move immediately. Load shells at point three.
Vrrrm
The tanks roared to life altogether. The supply trucks with shells started driving frenziedly. The Syrian Army guarding Hatays border was always prepared to launch an offensive defense. They regained their composure at a surprising speed.
One had to punch twice after receiving a single blow.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Whoosh
At once, 10 heated 106-millimeter howitzers started firing toward their registered coordinates. Their target was the Turkish 12th Division Tank Regiment stationed in Hassa.
The sparks, who had landed a square punch, escaped the location in a frenzy. Jamal and Ahmad, who had moved 300 meters beyond, set up the mortars like lightning. Jamal, whose bones were almost buried because of the guerrillas warfare, moved automatically.
Hehehe. Theres nothing better than an angered beehive. Ill have them regain their senses.
Ahmad shoved a high-explosive shell into the mortar barrel as he laughed. Ahmads laughter and words mirrored Black Mambas.
Boom
Whoosh
Bang
The shell landed near the drill ground.
Two, three, zero. Black Mamba decided on the coordinates.
Boom
Two shells landed near the tanks, which were covered by camouflage tarps. The tanks that were covered with debris remained fine, but the stationed gunpowder charges exploded.
Boom
Flames enveloped the entire place.
Two, two, zero.
Boom
The bombed truck folded like a crumpled tissue paper. Unless it was Jang Shin, high explosives would be used for wide-area suppression. There was no need to adjust the angle and coordinates as long as the shell landed nearby.
Good. Continue.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Ahmad shoved the high-explosives shell into the barrel, working his back to the point of it snapping. The maximum firing rate of the 81-millimeter Brandt mortar was 20 rounds per minute. Five shell containers were emptied in two minutes. The 81-millimeter Brandt mortar differed significantly from the 60-millimeter light artillery. The Syrian troops who were stabilizing descended into chaos again.
Move!
Black Mamba, Jamal, and Ahmad moved quickly. The attack ended five minutes after the flare launched. It was the classic hit-and-run in which attacks poured in before the victim could find their launching position.
Theyre here. Now!
Ibrahim clenched and shook his fist. Dozens of falling stars crossed the sky from the northwest. It was the Turkish Armed Forces field artillery attack.
Bang
Bang
Bang
The large-caliber artillery shells landed all around the basin.
Booom
One of the shells landed near the area where the sparks were hiding.
Run!
The area caught on fire. Their roles as sparks were over. Overwhelmed by the Turkish Armed Forces shell attack, there would only be unfortunate accidents if they remained. Black Mamba moved the group 500 meters to the back. It was a scene that they wont be able to see again.
The shells launched by both the Syrian and Turkish armies flew across the night skies like falling stars. The sky above the Kunera basin blazed in red. Sounds of explosions disrupted the night.
Hehehe, good, good! Ibrahim clapped his hands.
He didnt recall ever being that happy since he was born.
Huh, thats one sharp-witted guy. Why is it coming over? Ibrahim, its a BMP. At a distance of 700 meters, shoot once it climbs the hill.
Broom
A BMP-1 climbed the hill.
Boom
Ibrahim, who was waiting in anticipation, pulled the trigger once its bottom plate was revealed.
Bang
The BMP-1 moved backward after its rear was kicked at a short range. Soon, smoke and flames spewed out intensely. The rear cabin door opened, and soldiers popped out.
Tap tap tap
Tap tap tap
Black Mambas three-tap firing sequence began. The soldiers who escaped the cabin received holes in their heads and chests in the blink of an eye. They didnt even have the time to resist. Jamal, who had raised his Barrett, lowered it with a sigh.
They wouldve felt extremely indignant. They hadnt been able to contact the rear artillery unit beyond the line communications. The BMP-1 was en route to request for reinforcements when it had unfortunately caught Black Mambas attention. The encounter with the cruel guy was the tankers fault.
Jamal had witnessed Black Mambas ability plenty of times, but the Kurd tribe warriors could only drop their jaws in surprise. It hadnt taken him three seconds to shoot down 12 people. Ibrahim raised both of his arms.
Look, brothers. He is Mahdi Ddu-bai-buru-pa, who will lead us all! All praise, Mahdi Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Allahu Akbar!
The Kurd tribe warriors kneeled together and shouted at the top of their lungs.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! Allahu Akbar!
Brothers, stand. Theres no time. The flame has been lit. I dont know how far it will spread. We need to capitalize on the moment when the Syrian border guards move to support Kunera. Lets head to Camuzk??las?.
Yes, of course! We cant abandon treasures.
The Kurd tribe warriors rushed forward to retrieve the Syrian soldiers weapons. Ibrahim ran toward the coaxial machine gun, which was connected to the BMP-1s turret.
Ibrahim, dont make our master wait! Jamal yelled.
Hm, its a pity!
Ibrahim shifted his lingering gaze and jumped down the tank. His eyes were filled with regret. Hed wanted a machine gun so desperately. If he had one, he wouldnt have lost his siblings.
Ibrahim, dont pick up such measly weapons. Ill prepare whatever you want later.
Thank you, sir. Thank you.
Ibrahim lowered his head. He wasnt a farmer. The soul of a warrior had awakened within him since he met Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Whoo, theyre really going at it.
The explosions grew louder. The Jeep shook.
Clang
Clang
The friction between the wheels of the moving tanks and the track sounded. It was the tanks coming to support Kunera. It didnt matter who had hit whom first. They were archenemies currently in a frenzy trying to swallow each other. No one knew how far the flames would spread.
Dawn passed, and the sun hung above the horizon. The very people who had thrown the sparks returned.
Oh, God, its Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
The Mahdi has returned!
The locals, who had been facing the north while the explosions took place, screamed a cheer.
Mohammad, create five groups of 100 each.
Yes, sir.
Major Ecjose, youve done well.
When Black Mamba patted his shoulder, Major Ecjose lowered his head.
Advisor, I didnt know there would be such an exciting and rewarding day in my life. Its an honor to know you, advisor.
What an honor. If you need my help, ask for it.
Thank you.
You guys did well. I wont forget your help.
Black Mamba shook hands with each of the DGSE members. He had to cross the border on his own now. Their roles ended here.
Mohammad, Ill return after scouting the enemy camp.
Black Mamba disappeared in a flash. A narrow, long erg and hills appeared once he ran down the steep path. It was the place called the Nahob Hyrang. The border passed through the center of Nahob Hyrang.
Funny b*stards, theyve all disappeared and left the house empty.
Black Mamba smiled. A few guards were protecting the fence with personal firearms. The main battalion and firearms had already moved to Kunera.
Clang
Clang
Voom
The sound of friction continued. The reserve units tank was heading north. Trucks filled with infantry followed the tanks in a line.
Syria had fought a tank battle with Israel over the Golan Heights in the Third Middle East War. Despite their strong military and geographical advantage, Syria was defeated by Israel. The reason was the difference in power concentration. Israel systematically crumbled Syrias forces, who were obsessed with defense, using their concentrated tank power.
Having learned from the Third Middle East War, Syria adopted the military doctrine of strategic choice and concentrated power. They used the tactic of deploying power in high terrain with strategic positions and assembled all tanks during a battle.
Syrias doctrine of strategic choice and concentrated power ended up in vain during the Fourth Middle East War. Battlefields were like living beings. If battlefields moved according to a manual, even cows and dogs would have been a general on the field.
Chapter 278 - National Treasure
Those idiotic b*stards! Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
Syria still hadnt come to their senses even after they were defeated by Israel. What if Turkey pushed through Nahob Hyrang and concentrated their power in Camuzk??las?? However, he was thankful to Syria for their incompetence.
The commanders understanding of operations and the soldiers wills had been the decisive factors of victory during the Yom Kippur War, the Fourth Middle East War. A soldier who was more insistent on protecting his own life couldnt measure up to a soldier who was determined to protect ones family and country. Israels tank had moved forward, unafraid of being shot, but Syrias tanks had been busy searching for a place to hide when a shell landed too close.
Israel had lured Syrias main forces with a small number of special tank forces and shoved their tank army down empty lines. Deceived by their tricks, Syria had made a tactical mistake of giving a highway to Israel for their advancement. The repeated tactical mistakes had led to their strategic defeat.
It had been 10 years since the Fourth Middle East War ended, but Syrias tactics didnt change. Like ants, they gathered in Kunera where the battle took place. The Syrian Army executed the commanders who didnt follow the laws. That was a useless law established because commanders had fled the battlefield several times during the Middle East wars.
What of the soldiers? Every Arab military was engaged in religious dogmatism, class consciousness, and corruption. The commanders considered the soldiers as their slaves. Despite the poor working conditions, abuse, stolen merits, unpaid checks, and even before an enemy, they ordered the soldiers to bring war gains back to their homes.
He knew that the Korean Army wasnt much different. The early 20s was the brightest period of ones life and a detrimental period that would determine ones future. The first three years of ones 20s were more precious than the latter 30s.
The country shoved young men into the dark military in the name of loyalty for their country. Those in power or with a strong backing managed to avoid it. Instead of loyalty, it caused dissatisfaction and relative deprivation.
They were fed smelly food every day and abused with the excuse of military adjustment. They had to buy young children candy while on duty, and once they left the gates after being tormented, only the cold wind blew. That wasnt all. There was a second trap called the rewardless Reserve Forces duty waiting for them. Would loyalty for a country develop in such conditions?
Bonipas had said that France didnt force patriotism. He had said that patriotism only thrived when the country rewarded the citizens for their hard work and service. He was right. Exporting goods and raising the GDP didnt create a powerful nation. That was why Kuwait or Saudi Arabia couldnt become a First-World country despite the increasing flow of money from selling fuel.
Damn b*stards!
He shook off his thoughts. The Syrian Armys pathetic movements had reminded him of Korea, which he would prefer not to think about.
The barbed-wire fences were weak to the point that it was useless compared to Koreas DMZ. There was only a single layer of rusty iron. When he tapped it with his hand, which was equipped with the billions water armor, it crumbled. He heard there were a lot of mines in Koreas DMZ.
Boom
His resonance waves actively searched the location. It rushed past the grounds surface. The countless big and small lumps on the ground reflected in his mind.
F***ing hell, I knew it.
The strangely shaped ones were rocks, and those with uniform shapes were mines. While there were more anti-tank mines, there were also land mines. The mines covered a width of 500 meters.
This is more like a narrow door! What should I do?
It would take too long to get rid of them one by one. He pulled out the radio. Avoiding them was his best bet.
Mohammad, can you hear me?
Yes, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
There are mines laid all around. Cut some shrubs. Make as many sticks as you can.
Yes, sir.
Like a person who handled information, Mohammad understood immediately. Black Mamba started complaining once he turned off the radio.
Damn, nothings easy. If I dont take the exams on time, teacher will beat me up.
Black Mamba turned his gaze toward Turkeys border while complaining. He sensed a few presences approaching from 300 meters ahead.
And what the hell is that?
Three men in civilian clothing appeared in Turkeys DMZ. A man was holding onto a self-sensitive circular mine detector in one hand while two other men pointed an M16 forward and laughed, respectively. The man, who was laughing, held up a large banner with both hands. He couldnt have looked more like a guide waiting to greet someone at the airport.
[ACCUEIL! AMI]
Welcome! Friend? Are they cooperators?
Bonipas words flashed by his mind. He lowered the Dragunov, which hed been raising. Three men, whod stuck a foot inside hells door, crawled between the fences. They looked like stereotypical Turk farmers with flat caps, loose pants, and kaftans[1]. Black Mamba flashed behind them like a devil.
Qui est vous?[2]
Ah!
The men jumped at the voice coming from behind them. The man holding onto the M16 raised the rifle quickly.
Slap
Ugh!
The man grabbed his wrist and stumbled back.
What the hell?
His rifle was in the other mans hand. The man stared blankly at Black Mamba. The two men, who had also pulled out their guns, hesitated.
Are you the MIT? Youve come to greet me.
Black Mamba threw the rifle back.
Ange de la Mort?
They spoke fluent French. Black Mamba nodded his head.
Im the Angel of Death.
What amazing skills. Were the MIT. Did you cause the battle in Kunera?
Yes.
Amazing. By yourself?
I have friends.
The men stared into each others faces. The man holding the mine detector nodded. The man, who was holding onto the large banner, pulled out a radio. He spoke two unfamiliar words into it and ended the communication.
The Ange de la Mort, who wanders around Hatays demilitarized zone, can only be an Asian.
I caused a commotion for my own purposes. I do feel sorry for that.
Its a good thing. We were just surprised that those Syrian swine landed the first punch. I received orders from the higher-ups to give you unlimited cooperation. 10 MIT units are searching the Nahob Hyrang for you. Where are the refugees?
Theyre waiting in the rear.
Syria buried a bunch of mines in the DMZ. This isnt an ideal point for border crossing.
Ill take care of that. All you need to do is move the migrants to Camuzk??las? from here.
Some of the Syrian guards are still around.
Ill take care of that.
What about the mines?
Ill take care of that too.
The three MIT agents looked confused. Their reaction was as though he had mistaken himself for a magician.
It takes a long time to detect the mines.
There wont be a problem if you follow me.
Black Mamba walked forward. The Turkish agents hesitated before rushing after him. Black Mambas feet moved faster. The three agents ran to the point that their breaths choked their throats. The Turks were known all around the world for their machismo tendencies. The desire to not lose made them forget about the mines. They crossed the DMZ and passed the fences on Syrias side.
I told you nothing would happen, didnt I?
Black Mamba turned to smile at the MIT agents.
Hh!
The three men turned pale when they looked back. They had jumped around the DMZ thoughtlessly. Nausea arose.
Sometimes, men risk their lives for small things. Black Mamba smiled.
Ugh!
The agents sighed and wiped down their chests. Theyd followed the b*stard 500 meters across the minefield thoughtlessly. They felt as though theyd returned from the dead. They had never seen such a guy in their lives.
When they cross, you guys lead the people over from here.
What are you going to do about the mines?
Ill deal with it. Cutting bamboos and such, Black Mamba said and disappeared.
Is he mad?
Hes not mad. Hes a monster.
Whether hes mad or a monster, we only need to follow orders. By the way, how do we get back?
We can only wait for that mad guy.
If I know, Id be mad too.
The MIT agents shook their heads. Their retreat was pushed back after following Ange de la Mort.
Mohammad, how many sticks did you prepare?
500, sir. We tied a red rope around the ends of the sticks.
Good job. There are mines located across a width of 500 meters. Ill mark the places where the mines are located. Make sure the people are properly informed.
Yes, sir.
Ibrahim, Ahmad, and Jamal will lead the way. Mohammad, youll be in charge of middle communications. All guarding followers with radio will lead the groups. The Kurd tribe warriors will bring up the rear. Any questions?
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I apologize, but wouldnt it be more effective if we crossed the border according to family units? Ibrahim carefully suggested.
Black Mamba shook his head.
The main border guard forces may have moved north, but there are still checkpoints and guards. Itll take longer to move in small numbers. If the battle in Kunera unfolds, this place will become dangerous too. The Heliborne Battalion from Tell Rifaat will fly over soon. We need to move quickly. Ill take care of the remaining guards.
Of course, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
You can hide in the forest thats located one kilometer ahead of the DMZ. Take good care of the women and the children. We set off now.
The Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe warriors were those who had suffered. They hid their bodies along the terrain and passed the erg and hills, heading toward the forest. Black Mamba wiped away his cold sweats. Theyd managed to overcome the most challenging phase.
Mohammad, wait here. When I contact you, move the people out in groups. Ill guard the people after marking the mines.
Yes, sir.
Jamal and Ahmad, it will be an arduous breakthrough from now on. Were going to wipe out the Syrian guards whore watching over the barbed-wire fences. Mohammad and Ibrahim, wait for the signal.
Yes, sir.
Jamal called Bakri aside.
Hadritak Jadir, did you take care of our masters wealth?
Of course, I did. My family members abandoned their belongings and carried his wealth in portions.
What about the documents and dollars?
Dont worry. I have them. We dont dare treat our masters wealth poorly.
Thank you. Our masters too brave. We must manage his wealth well from hereon.
Of course. I would even eat pork if that helps our master.
Hehehe, I may be Muslim, but hadritak, youre an Orthodox Christian. You can eat whatever you want from now on without being concerned about other peoples opinions.
Hehe, youre right. Freedom. Freedom!
Bakri and Jamal shared meaningful smiles. Like a miracle, theyd traveled all the way to this point without many hardships. Freedom was right before their eyes.
All the guards, who were within a 300 meters radius from the fences, were met with lightning. The Dragunov spewed fire without rest.
Clang clang
While doing a routine check around the barbed-wire fences, a guard had his head cracked like a watermelon.
Ping
A grenade flew like a bullet. Without fail, it was sucked into a guard post 200 meters away.
Bang
The guard post exploded. The grenades kept flying in. All four guard posts within the 300 meters radius were crushed instantly.
Black Mamba always saw things through to the end.
Clang
Clang
The Dragunov kept spewing fire. Surprised by the explosion, all six soldiers, who had jumped out of their guard posts, were downed. All guards within the 300 meters radius couldnt escape Black Mambas eyes. He disappeared in a flash, gunshots rang, and blood flowed out. Jamal and Ahmad didnt dare interrupt. Jamal was nearly burning with desire to use his Barrett, but there wasnt even time to mark a target.
He used his dimensional sight. 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, and suddenly a grenade flew.
Whoosh
Bang
A guard, who had been hiding behind a rock beyond 300 meters, was thrown into the air along with the rock. 40 guards were erased within three minutes.
Jamal, hand me your Barrett.
In a standing position, Black Mamba received the Barrett and began his long-range shooting.
Bang
Bang
Bang
In a row, 50 rounds were sucked into a guard post that was one kilometer away.
Hehe, as expected of our master.
Jamal and Ahmads mouth hung open. The Barretts rebound was impressive, even if it had a muzzle breaker. Not only was his sequence firing, which was suppressed by the rebound, impressive, but his accuracy was also even more so. Human figures kept dropping onto the floor in the distant guard post.
Bang
Bang
The Barrett kept firing. All the guard posts within one kilometer on both sides were shattered.
Jamal, this should be enough for those who have survived to hide their heads in the dirt, right?
Hehe, even more, sir. I doubt if there are survivors in the first place, but those who survived must have wet their pants. Jamal laughed.
His master was truly the person who had overturned Kaparja. A strong male was beautiful. He felt invigorated.
Thank you, God.
Jamal prayed unknowingly. A servants position was determined by their masters standing in the Arab world. He was most fortunate to have been saved and handed the opportunity to serve a strong master. Perhaps, he had saved a village in his past life.
Black Mamba grabbed the iron pillars and used his strength.
Craaack
It was entirely uprooted from the base. The power of the billions water armor was incredible. His hand crushed the iron pillars, and the square barbed-wire fences were ripped apart. A 10-meters wide hole was created just like that.
Oi, friends, Im done with the cleanup.
The heads of three MIT agents, who had been laying low and covering their heads from the grenade attacks, slowly emerged. Each one of them looked pale. They stared at Black Mamba as though they had seen something they shouldnt have. Theyd experienced all kinds of hardships, but they didnt realize that theyd met someone so monstrous. He wasnt just mad. He was insane. He wasnt a human but a monster who lived in the lake in the form of a human.
Mon dieu, cest incroyable.[3]
Im on the slightly stronger side.
Slightly stronger?
The three MIT agents faces creased.
[1] A long belted tunic.
[2] Who are you?
[3] My God, its incredible.
Chapter 279 - Episode 10: National Treasure
Humans were humans, not fork cranes. Black Mamba realized his mistake. Hed rushed to move without much thought.
Whys this so weak? They dont even know how to set up a pillar.
Oh, tabiki[1]. What can they do with their hamster brains? They dont know anything despite the teachings of Turki[2] that lasted over 1,000 years.
Those golden hamsters only know how to dig holes. Everything they made is poorly constructed.
The three agents raised their chins at the same time and clicked their tongues. It was an act of contempt. The agents strongly sympathized with his weak excuse. He had once heard that the ethnic tension between Turkey and Syria was beyond Korea and Japans, and that seemed to be right.
The Turks referred to the Syrians as hamsters. The highlands, where the golden hamsters were often raised as pets and test subjects, were located in Aleppo, Syria. The Syrians referred to the Turks as saffah[3], which established their mutual resentment.
Syria had been under the Ottoman Empires rule for a long time and had suffered several holocausts. In recent years, their precious Hatay was seized by the Turks. The Turks looked down on the Syrians, and the Syrians hatred festered into torment. It was just like Korea and Japan.
Boom
His resonance waves spread across the surface. He checked the areas where there were buried mines and began shoving the sticks down. There was no need to mark the anti-tank mines. They didnt budge, even if he jumped on them. Whether anyone would dare to do that on top of a mine was questionable.
Can humans see through the ground?
The MIT agents were in disbelief. The madman was jumping around everywhere while poking in sticks attached with red ropes. The two other men, who had followed him without hesitation while carrying backpacks, were also mad.
Dont bother. He must be one of those people with sensory abilities. There are plenty of people who can find things underground in Istanbul. We only need to do our job.
Well, hes the hamster leader that brought along a herd of hamsters, so he should be familiar with the underground.
When the agent, who had a rifle slung over his shoulder, spoke as though it was nothing, the other agent, who was holding onto the mine detector, also shrugged it off.
Even the agents couldnt escape the Turks arrogance. Turkish men with their resolute machismo tendencies didnt like acknowledging other peoples talents.
It didnt take 20 minutes for him to mark the mines. Black Mamba checked once more with his resonance waves and raised the wireless radio.
Mohammad, send them group by group, in intervals of 10 seconds.
I understand, sir.
100 men and women carrying wrapped luggage rushed out of their hiding place and crossed the hills. Black Mambas eyes grew alert. There were approximately 900 meters of exposed distance to get to the barbed-wire fences. He had already cleaned out 300 meters on both sides and tapped over 1,000 meters, but it was still not time to relax. He raised his dimensional sight to its utmost.
If you insist on visiting Allah, I have no choice but to send you off.
Clang clang
The Dragunov fired away. The RPG gunner and finder that were 500 meters away collapsed forward.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, everyone in group one has arrived, the religious guard-in-charge reported while panting.
Friends, lead them.
Got it.
One of the MIT agents led the first Orthodox Christian group and disappeared.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, everyone in the second group has arrived.
Good job. Friend, take care of them for me.
The second group also disappeared along with another MIT agent. By the time the third group arrived, nine MIT agents in farmer attire had appeared.
Sin Bay[4]. Im Ocak Bir.
A sturdy man, who looked like he was in his early 40s, requested a handshake. Ocak was January in Turkish. Bir referred to the number one. That meant 12 groups were dispatched to assist him, and that guy was the one in charge. The Turks class consciousness was no exception to the intelligence agency. Aside from assigning a temporary code name, the MIT also assigned a temporary number for every operation. The nickname Alarek On referred to the youngest of an operative team.
Ange de la Mort.
Ha, youre more like the angel of salvation rather than the angel of death. Its astounding how youre helping that many people to escape. Refugees to be transferred into limousines, ha, its unbelievable.
Limousines?
Theres no need to head directly to Camuzk??las?. Limousines await you once you cross the DMZ. Were moving according to orders, but greeting hamsters at the border with limousines? Hahaha!
Bir laughed as though he couldnt believe his own words.
Well, I suppose thats true.
Black Mamba didnt like how Bir looked down on the Syrians by calling them hamsters, but he understood the animosity between the two countries. It wasnt much different from how the Koreans referred to the Japanese as Jjokbari. For someone whos on the receiving end of help, he didnt want to cause problems, either.
Are you Japanese?
Non, Coren, Black Mamba replied instinctively and flinched.
He answered that he was Korean after he was assumed to be Japanese. He must have relaxed too much nearing the end of a complicated problem. However, Ocak Bir was also strange. Informants usually didnt ask others for their personal information.
Nice to meet you. Turkey and Korea are brother nations. My father participated in the Korean War. Im Havu? from the MITs operations department. It means carrot in Turkish.
Kuk, call me Dong-bang-bull-pae.
Black Mamba silently laughed at Havu?, whose face flushed like the color of carrots. Havu?s code name suited him. As he was talking to Havu?, the last group, who were the Kurd tribe, escaped with the agents help.
Havu?s eyes followed the stream of people who avoided the sticks with red ropes. He had already received the report that the Ange de la Mort had marked all the mines, ensuring a safe passage. He was surprised that the man could sense that many mines.
What an amazing guy.
There were several people with unique abilities among the operative agents. Some operatives could smell things several times better than others, and like a seal, some could even stay underwater for more than 10 minutes. It seemed like the Ange de la Mort was an operative with unique abilities too.
Boom
Boom
Intense explosions were continuously heard from the north.
Bang
Bang
The brief explosions were from tanks. That meant the battle had progressed.
Wont there be any problems?
No, there wont. We have stronger tank power. The M48A3 Patton and M60 Patton will overwhelm Syrias tanks. Were a tier above them when it comes to both weapons and technology.
Tutututu
A Heliborne Battalion flew in from the east. They were the reinforcements from Tell Rifaat.
The battles intensifying.
No problem. Attack helicopters will be coming in from Hatay. Assad will surely pay the price for provoking Hatay.
I thought it was originally Syrias territory.
Less than 10 percent of the Syrians live in Hatay. They are mostly the Turks. I heard there are mostly Koreans in the far east region of Manchuria. I dont understand why Koreas staking a claim over that territory.
Hah!
Black Mamba was rendered speechless. Havu? spoke factually, as though his concept of territories were like tables having four legs.
The self-propelled artillery shootings will start soon. This place isnt safe. We need to leave this place as soon as possible, Havu? urged.
Bakri, what are you doing? You need to leave quickly, Black Mamba spoke to Bakris group, who were still moving slowly.
Jamal approached and whispered into Black Mambas ear.
Master, Bakri and his family have been guarding your wealth.
Aha!
Black Mamba exclaimed even if he was late to the game. He was so busy that he had entirely forgotten about the papers, videotape, the bunch of dollars, and gold. It was careless of him since there were over 4,000,000 dollars and 400 kilograms of gold. Bakri and Jamal must have struggled while trying to carry all of that.
He took off his backpack and threw it at Jamal. 400 kilograms worth of gold was approximately 21,000 cubic centimeters. It was 27.5 centimeters in length, width, and height. His backpack was more than enough to fit that capacity, but the weight was impossible for ordinary people to bear.
Jamal, you can do whatever you need to do with the money.
Yes, sir. Ill protect it to the best of my ability.
What does he mean?
Black Mamba had meant for Jamal to use it on the Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe, but his reply was unusual. However, he should be able to use it wisely since hes friends with Bakri.
Master, its ready.
Jamal couldnt do anything to the heavy backpack and had to call Black Mamba over. Black Mamba lifted the backpack, as though it was light, and slung it around his shoulder. Jamal shook his head. It was about time he got used to it, but the sight surprised him every time.
Master, the camera that was used in Kaparja and other small things are in the outer pouch.
Good job.
The heavy backpack was reassuring. The gains he obtained from this Syria trip couldnt measure up to what he had obtained in the Sahel. He was definitely compensated for his labor.
Once they escaped the DMZ, 15 limousine buses were waiting for them in a line.
Why arent you boarding?
The 540 Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe, who were standing in line, kneeled together. Bakri was the first to open his mouth.
Allahu Akbar![5]
Allahu Akbar!
540 people chanted after him.
Akbar ha-da!
Akbar ha-da!
Afdal yaumin pi-hayati-duh shuduh Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Wa sadi![6]
Afdal yaumin pi-hayati-duh shuduh Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Wa sadi!
Oh!
Black Mambas eyes started watering. It had been complicated and challenging, but it was rewarding. The warmheartedness of 100s of people rushed toward him. He felt as though something in the corner of his mind broke. The pressure, which seemed to hound the corner of his mind at all times, disappeared.
Whoosh
Resonance waves swept past his entire body. He shivered. His body felt infinitely lighter. Something had changed.
Habibi! Lets go together.
Wael hopped forward but nearly tripped over a rock.
Oh, youll fall, habiba.
Black Mamba teleported and picked the child up.
Look, this child is everyones hope. All humans need to be responsible for at least one life, and that is your own. You cannot take care of yourself when freedom is taken away from you. I give all of you your freedom. Now, you all must live to help this child and the next generation learn to take responsibility for their own lives.
Without leaving a single person behind, his baritone voice reached everyone who had crossed the line.
Huriyah![7] Bakri shouted at the top of his lungs.
Huriyah!
All at once, the screams of 540 people echoed across the border. The morning sun rose. Like a waterfall, the bright sunlight poured over the backs of the people who were dressed in worn clothes. Those who had never been deprived of their freedom didnt know how precious that was.
Unlike most countries military culture, the Korean military suppressed the freedom of their soldiers. Those who didnt suffer in the army would never understand why soldiers risked their lives to sleep outside the military for at least one night.
Ahmad came forward, held hands with Idia, and kneeled.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, ya hayati[8]! Thank you for the new life youve given us. Well serve you with our lives.
Ahmad, I get sick when I hear someone offering their life. Youre responsible for Idias life. Value yourself. Idia, this is someone youve gained out of hardship. I hope you live happily with many sons and daughters.
Thank you. You saved me, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, and in return, Ill devote the rest of my life to serving you! Uuh, hic! Idia cried.
Her father was executed because she had fallen in love with a heathen, and she was supposed to die by stones. Although she was unconscious during the rescue, she found love thanks to Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas grace. Was there a greater blessing than this?
No, Ahmad is the one who saved you. If youre happy, Im happy. Bassel, Ill find you a husband if there is no one you like. Aishe, I think you should calm down a little. What man would propose to such a scary person? Theres a lot of handsome men in France, but they all have tiny galls.
Hahaha!
All the Orthodox Christians broke out in laughter. The solemn mood was lifted instantly.
Stand, everyone. Youve all suffered. A passenger ship awaits you all at the ?skenderun Harbor. My Turk friends will guide you. When you arrive at Toulon Airport, French officials will greet you. I, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, reassure you that no one would be persecuted for their religious beliefs or ethnicity. No one would be arrested carelessly or punished without trial. All men and women in love can marry with their parents permission, and the children will receive education according to their abilities. No one would be subjected to brutal customs like honor killing[9]. No one would be executed by such barbaric customs. Well separate for now. Felicitations[10]. Je vous souhaite bonne channce lou vous se vivre[11].
Black Mamba waved his hand. His role was now over. The rest was up to Bonipas and the French officials.
Arak lahiqaan''[12]. Barakallahu Feek Ddu-bai-buru-pa![13] the Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe shouted at the top of their lungs.
Bassel rushed forward and rubbed her cheeks on Black Mambas cheeks.
Thank you for giving me a new life. Ill wait for the day to serve you.
As if she didnt want to lose, Aishe popped out from behind and whispered into Black Mambas ear.
I wont be greedy, but please let me be near your side.
Uhh, um!
Black Mamba didnt know where to turn when other Arab ladies rushed forward to show their affections. The locals rushed toward him to rub their cheeks and grab his hand, creating general disorder. When the chaos didnt end, Bakri and Ibrahim stepped forward to manage the crowd.
Amazing. A savior from the East, hm? Havu? smiled widely.
Ha, my face is burning. Regardless, theyre honest people.
Black Mamba rubbed his face with his hand. He was unsure if they were naive or desperate. Compared to the Koreans, their customs were too different.
[1] Of course.
[2] It is how Turkish people refer to their country.
[3] Butchers.
[4] It means the term Mr. in English.
[5] Allah is great!
[6] My master Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has returned! May the greatest day of my life be praised!
[7] Freedom!
[8] My life!
[9] A mans right to kill a woman if she has brought shame or dishonor upon the family, regardless of the truth.
[10] Congratulations.
[11] I wish you good luck where you live.
[12] Well see you later.
[13] May Gods blessing be with Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Chapter 280 - National Treasure
Arabs are honest? You must have misread them. Arabs are good liars, considering their useless pride. They dont consider lying as an evil deed. They only consider it evil when the lies are exposed. Since spewing out lies is a part of their lives, they add words like Wallahi[1], Uksum Billah[2], and sadiqnii[3] to emphasize their credibility. That only indicates how normal lying is to them.
Havu?, the Syrians I met are honest people. Arent the Turks known worldwide for their unyielding pride? Black Mamba countered Havu?s criticism.
Hahaha, thats true. Were funny humans who treat men without sex experience like idiots while debating the purity of women. However, I heard Koreans are good liars and have extreme machismo tendencies?
Black Mamba closed his mouth at the counterattack. He wasnt wrong, after all.
They didnt add a single phrase like I swear on Gods name or believe me. This means that they have accepted you as their true leader. You should be a political leader rather than some operative agent.
What are you talking about? Theyre victims of Turkey and Syrias religious intolerance and racist governments. Their lives, which revolved around the practice of takfir[4], were too devastating. I couldnt ignore them simply because of my compassion. A temporary deviation, so to speak, Black Mamba jumped to protest.
A political leader! Chills ran down his spine. Were there any decent political leaders in Korea? Those politicians poured out promises they couldnt keep during the election period and chased after their own greed once elected. Just listening to the appellation made his body tingle as though fleas were crawling all over him.
I dont agree with the governments racist policies, either. Takfir is a practice that should cease to exist. You did something that no one else could have done. Ill call you God if you dislike being called a politician that much. Who else could take pity on the refugees and save them?
Ugh, stop it. Ive got goosebumps all over me. Havu?, I feel like well be good friends. Black Mamba waved his hands.
I get it. A friends abilities should be kept secret. All the agents who witnessed your unique abilities wont speak of it either. Even if they mention it, itll be nothing but drunken ramblings.
Havu?s gaze softened. A destructive agent wasnt a human but a cold-blooded animal. They committed inhumane, unspeakable actions without a second of hesitation once they began an operation. The kind of romance and love that appeared in 007 movies only existed in movies.
Unknowingly, Havu? was drawn to Dong-bang-bull-pae, someone who was young enough to be his youngest brother. He was too humane to live as an operative agent. A person with unique abilities and a warm heart, how charismatic! Perhaps it was due to their ancestors friendship, but he was fond of Korea. They also shared racial similarities with Turkey. Havu? didnt know his increasing affection was a result of the strengthened resonance waves. Of course, Black Mamba didnt realize that, either.
Black Mamba nodded. While there was a saying that said it was better to trust a womans mouth more than an informants, Havu? seemed like a person he could trust. Within the intelligence community, there were several superhumans from the States, the Soviet Union, and Israel. It couldnt be helped if some of his abilities were made known. No secrets could be kept hidden from the world. The Ange de la Mort, who was Frances secret weapon, was bound to be exposed. It didnt matter as long as Mu Ssang, which was his biggest secret and also his Korean identity, remained unexposed.
Lets hurry, friend. A jet is waiting for you at Hatay Airport. The French officials might feel anxious, fearing that weve kidnapped you.
Thats their problem. A week turned into two months. Im growing attached to Syria.
Black Mamba turned to look at the clump of Mindungsan rocks glistening under the strong sunlight in Nahob.
On October 10th, 1984.
The 15,000-ton Pariah passenger ship carrying 540 Syrian refugees headed toward ?skenderun Harbor. 10 French immigration staff and 20 officials from the Ministry of Interior rushed toward them the moment they boarded. Their ragged clothes were replaced with fresh ones, and citizenships were issued on the spot.
The refugees, who were rendered speechless, hugged each other and cried in disbelief. At the continuing miracle, they reaffirmed their belief in Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas status as Gods apostle.
One person pouted and grumbled the entire time. It was Jamal who couldnt be by his masters side. Black Mamba had ignored Jamals desperate gaze. Hed grown tired of Ombutis overwhelming devotion since following him out of the Sahel.
The 18-seat jet landed at de Gaulle Airport. A passenger walked down onto the runway. The person was a tall, strong Asian carrying a large backpack which covered his entire frame. It was Black Mamba.
Mon dieu, cest un faible.[5]
A slim man with a grown beard greeted him with a bright expression. Claude was taken aback by Black Mambas fine form. Not a single scratch was seen on his body. No one knew what Black Mamba had gone through better than himself. Hed been expecting a wreck and had even prepared an ambulance.
Faire vos propre travaille.[6]
Claude flinched at his cold words. The monster wasnt happy. Sirens went off in his head.
Black Mamba was actually displeased. His mood had turned sour because of the other persons cheerful attitude. Zaitun had revealed that the manager of the Middle Easts intelligence department was a planted seed. Claude was the manager of the Middle Easts intelligence department. He had no reason to happily greet someone who had shoved him into a s***hole. Claude might have been the one who had assigned Zaitun to him. Things came and went in equal measure.
Another reason behind his sour mood was the guilt he felt from the many lives he had taken. Hed killed, but this time, he had killed too many. The number of people he had killed couldnt measure up to the body count in the Sahel. It wasnt his intention, but the results were destructive. Now that it was time to calculate his deeds, his mood changed for the worst.
He recalled the Sahel plan in which he had earned money from killing the FROLINAT guerrillas. Earning money based on the number of people he had killed? The scent of blood, which he had managed to wash off, rose again. He couldnt help but feel depressed.
He didnt care about the evil ANO and Horazan terrorists twisted judgment. Hed unintentionally killed too many Syrian soldiers. Regardless of Assads greed, the soldiers had been carrying out their duties loyally and had their own families.
A cars waiting for you. Were heading straight to the headquarters.
Did manager Ariba go babysitting? Why are you here?
He, my friend, has caught the Ange de la Mort phobia. He claims that he breaks into cold sweats just by looking at your face. So, Im here instead.
Im nicer than I look.
F***, did you wipe out 1,000s of people with your kindness? Im about to s*** here. What happened to that damned Zaitun b*stard? He must be dead since he didnt kill this b*stard. Claude complained internally.
When they had met in NDjamena, it was as though he was facing a predator. Now, he felt as though he was looking at a calm lake. That scared him even more.
Mon dieu, national treasure!
Upon entering, Bonipas ran toward Black Mamba as though he was about to welcome him with a hug.
Ive no interest in men. Black Mamba shook his head and collapsed onto the couch.
An operative agent should not behave that way before the head of the intelligence department, but the special military advisor was a non-commissioned officer. Both were of equal ranks.
This b*stards unnecessarily scaring people.
Bonipas face creased. A middle-aged man, who was seated by the meeting table, leaped to his feet and raised his hand.
Director of Intelligence, Musa Kabaye
Black Mamba. Call me, Dong-bang-bull-pae.
Black Mamba gently held the mans hand and released it. There was a risk of the billions water armor shattering his hand.
Dong-bang-bull-pae, Ive hindered your mission by giving you the wrong information. I apologize.
Kabaye, who was sharp-witted, apologized as fast as he could. A strange light flickered in Black Mambas eyes. If he was the director of the DGSE, he was third in power. A director offering a personal apology was unusual. An issue, which he was planning to hang over Bonipas head, disappeared.
On a Day when their tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do. On that Day, Allah will pay back to them in full their just reward, and they shall know that Allah is the evident Truth.
Black Mamba didnt churn out an answer but recited a verse from the Quran instead. Hed come to like the verse that Zaitun had recited before his death. Jamal had translated it into French for him.
Damn, the guys pissed off.
Bonipas and Kabayes expressions grew stiff. Their hearts sank at the verse, which mentioned that one would be rewarded as much as they confessed. Just as expected, a direct response flew in their faces.
Ill dismiss the surface-to-air missiles. However, I need to go over the issue with the guide. Zaitun was the third shadow from the DIAs Middle East Regional Headquarters. In my opinion, he was the DIAs representative for Syria.
Hm! Bonipas and Kabaye groaned at the same time.
From the coded message that had been transmitted, they had figured that it wasnt an ordinary matter. They had no excuses for planting a high-ranking DIA spy as Black Mambas guide, even if that meant being beaten to death. Safe to say, the project that the U.S. had been advancing in Syria was just as important. They were in a situation where they had to reset their internal information system.
Is the b*stard dead?
There isnt a single person who breathes after going against Dong-bang-bull-pae.
That sentence reeked of blood. Bonipas realized that Black Mamba was a starved predator once more.
I apologize. Thats my fault.
Bonipas meekly admitted his wrong. Black Mamba started cheering internally. He was now controlling the flow of the conversation.
Zaitun used a Peskett CCW coated with botulinum toxin. I find it hard to believe that the U.S. supplied such a strong poison to a mere agent. Isnt such a weapon and poison specialized by the KGB and Mossad? Black Mamba questioned.
Mm, botulinum toxin! That should be the Sergiev Posad Research Institute near Moscow. Botulinum toxin is purified and cultured while the Ebola genetics are professionally developed there. Zaitun might have been connected to the KGB. Perhaps its a cooperative operation between the KGB and the CIA?
Bonipas and Kabayes faces darkened. A secret project had been progressing in Syria. Whatever that was, it was certainly a plan to meddle with Frances national profits in the Middle East.
Yes. The Soviet Unions Ministry of Defense and the KGB are working together to develop biological weapons. There were traces of the KGB and the CIAs operatives meeting in Damascus, Kabaye confirmed Bonipas suspicion.
Bonipas immediately raised the phone and sent down several orders.
Is the manager of the Middle Easts intelligence department, Claude? Black Mamba asked out of nowhere.
Yes.
Heres your first gift. Arrest Claude. Hes a planted weed of the KGB.
Black Mamba threw a straight jab with the gift that Zaitun had left him.
What?
Bonipas and Kabayes eyes widened to the point that they almost tore.
I dont believe you. Kabaye blinked.
Director, Zaitun personally confessed it. He also left a clue that theres a mole within the CIA, Black Mamba said coldly.
Kabayes face paled while Bonipas leaped to his feet with the phone in hand. The Operations Department had a system that filtered out contaminated water within the DGSE.
Ariba, arrest Claude immediately and lock him up. Activate the suicide prevention program.
Bonipas, this is unbelievable, Kabaye, whose face was flushed, resisted.
Director Kabaye, do you not know Black Mamba yet? Hes the national treasure. If we bash around the person who assigned Zaitun as his guide, a connection is bound to be found.
F***, I cant believe this.
Director Kabaye was in denial, but he couldnt stop Bonipas orders. He sighed and collapsed back onto the couch. Managers were the core of the operations. If Claude was a mole, substantial information from the DGSE was possibly leaked to the Soviet Union. His position would be at stake too. His future was looking dim.
What if Black Mambas information was handed over to the KGB too? Kabaye looked anxiously at Bonipas.
Director Kabaye, dont worry too much. Claudes security pass is only at level three. He has no access to Black Mambas personal information.
Kabaye could only sigh at Bonipas assurance.
Bonipas, heres your second gift.
Black Mamba took out various personal belongings from a pouch and spread them across the table. There was a car key, note-taking materials, a small notebook, a swiss multi-knife, a keychain, and a small Kukri.
What is this? Did you go stealing things around the airport? Confused, Bonipas looked at Black Mamba.
The CIA went around stealing things. These objects belonged to a person who died from being tortured in a basement located in Ruman. I retrieved them since he looked like someone special. The b*stards named Shire and Dyson called him, Paskal Belmont.
Paskal Belmont!
Bonipas and Kabaye leaped to their feet.
Crash
The sofa overturned behind them.
Damn, these guys are dramatic.
Is he dead?
I said hes dead, didnt I? He died from being tortured. The culprits were CIA agents with the code names Shire and Dyson. I got carried away by their inhumane torture methods and sliced off their necks, Black Mamba said as though hed sliced off a couple of ants heads instead.
Bonipas forced his eyes closed and gritted his teeth.
Those damn Yankee b*stards, theyre going hand in hand with the ANO. Im not leaving them be.
Who is Paskal Belmont?
Hes the regional director of the DGSEs Middle East branch. He was kidnapped right before the Ruman plan. Were in trouble. If the information was handed over, our plans for the Middle East would turn into dust.
Hehehe, it doesnt matter what those b*stards got out of Belmont. I retrieved them all. Heres your third gift.
[1] I swear to Allah.
[2] I swear on Allah.
[3] Believe me.
[4] The practice of accusing another Muslim of apostasy or declaring another Muslim as an infidel.
[5] My God, youre a legend.
[6] Mind your own business.
Chapter 281 - Episode 12: National Treasure
Black Mamba mockingly smiled as he placed five videotapes on the table.
Those b*stards recorded Belmonts confessions. I couldnt check the rest of the videotapes.
Oh, my God! You truly are a national treasure.
Kabaye, who had resigned himself to the situation, leaped to his feet. His pale face slowly regained color. It was as though hed found a rope in hell. Bonipas face also lightened up.
Bonipas, we need to analyze this, director Kabaye rushed.
Hold on.
Black Mamba pulled out a thick pile of documents from his pouch.
This is your fourth gift. These documents were found in the CIAs safe. Something should pop up if you analyze it.
Ohh! National treasure, thank you. Ill take my leave.
That was the best news he could ever receive. It was like the rain during a famine for Kabaye, who was currently behind in the intelligence war against the CIA in the Middle East. Kabaye grabbed the documents and ran out.
Black Mamba, youve given us a huge advantage. Those documents are far more important than the destruction of Ruman. Now that we have them, we can land a blow on those gangsters. Hehehe, I can almost see Adams horrified expression.
The DGSE had been pushed behind because of the CIAs advanced technology and production speed. Despite having their influence over the Levant region threatened, an apple was still placed in Frances mouth when they were asleep. Not even Bonipas, who was nicknamed the serpent, could maintain a neutral expression.
Hm, I can hear my earnings increasing. Heres your final gift. Ive taken before and after photos of Ruman and Kaparja.
Black Mamba handed over a small camera and leaned further back in his seat. He pulled out a Cohiba Siglo and started smoking. It was an indication for Bonipas to begin counting his earnings.
You took photos despite complaining about how bothersome it was?
I had someone do it in my stead.
Ha!
Bonipas let out a deep sigh at his vague reply. He glanced at Black Mamba. He used to exude the ferocity of a predator, but now it was as though he was looking into a deep lake. Hed grown so much despite it being barely a year after the Sahel plan. That applied to his battle capacity too. His mental development, however, was more impressive. How far could he go? Bonipas couldnt tell. He grew pleased. He had spent 30 years of his life devoted to the safety and national interests of his country. Run with your feet when youre young, and run with your eyes when youre old. His eyes had estimated Black Mambas worth to be equivalent to Frances wealth.
How much do you want, Black Mamba?
I am both a French and a Korean citizen. Im not a businessman but a warrior. My loyalty to France is a fact. I cant pull out a scale to weigh handias[1] like Im in the streets, right?
Ha, thats scarier to hear than seeing him waving about a knife.
Bonipas grew silent. The battle advantages and the value of the gifts that Black Mamba presented was beyond his imagination. It was incalculable. It made 300,000,000 francs look miserly. There was a limit to monetary rewards, after all. Bonipas went over the estimated amount in his mind.
Bonipas happy thoughts continued. Black Mamba knew the value of the documents and videotapes that he had personally stolen from Ruman. He had no intention of bargaining since that would affect his dignity.
The DGSEs budget was beyond anyones imagination. Bonipas wasnt the kind of idiot to grumble and drag out an agents performance fee. He knew complaints disappeared the moment money was involved. Bonipas was someone who understood the effects of money better than anyone.
Bonipas train of thoughts ended by the time Black Mambas Cohiba Siglo reached its end. He glanced at Black Mamba, who was making donut rings with the cigars smoke.
National treasure!
He was truly Frances national treasure. National treasures should be treated like one. Hed only gain a headache from nitpicking over every detail. Sweeping everything up in one blow was an ideal approach frequently advocated by the b*stard before him.
Black Mamba, lets make it 500,000,000 francs for now.
500,000,000 francs for now?
Black Mamba was surprised to the point that his heart almost beat out of his chest. His sleep flew out the window.
Ah, wait!
Surprised, Bonipas waved his hand.
Dont be angry. I know that 10 checks dont quite make up for this, nevertheless five. However, the government also has difficulties. Expenditures of more than 100,000,000 francs per case are subject to unofficial approval by the Congress. In fact, their approval isnt the problem. Rather, it is the risk of exposing your identity as Black Mamba. Well compensate in other ways, Bonipas pleaded.
Spending 1,000,000,000 francs on a single person? The new council heads wouldnt understand. Being thieves, they would froth at the mouth over the subject of wasting blood-borne tax.
F****** hell, the three pages of checks he spoke of werent 30,000,000 francs but 300,000,000 francs.
Black Mambas head started ringing. The scale was on an entirely different level. Bonipas had offered 300,000,000, but hed taken it as 30,000,000. Frankly, Bonipas had been the one to make that mistake, but on the other hand, it also meant that he was reasonable and fair.
500,000,000 francs was equivalent to 130,000,000,000 won. Hed gained himself a fortune. On top of that, he was getting additional bonuses. Eheya dia! Black Mamba concentrated his full attention on maintaining a neutral expression.
What do you mean by another way?
Tell me what you want.
Cold sweats dripped down Bonipas back. That b*stard was like the sharpest knife in the world. While there was nothing to fear with it in ones hands, a single mistake would cut off his hand. He was that kind of knife.
About the Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe, please prepare living quarters in a region for the families, grant them citizenship, and provide them with settlement support and work. They used to farm, so loaning them land to work on seems like a good idea. You can deport anyone whos not working or acts unruly after a single warning.
Your last request is strange. Theres no free rice, huh? Done!
Bonipas accepted it coolly. He couldnt gloss over any of Black Mambas requests. They were already on it. France only had to waste a few million francs and ensure that 540 people lived comfortably for the next few years. It was, in fact, a simple request.
Secondly, return any cultural assets that have been plundered from Korea.
What are you talking about?
Do you not know? In 1866, a French fleet invaded Korea. At that time, when the fleet lost in battle and retreated, they looted Koreas cultural assets. It is what they call wartime looting.
Ive heard of Egyptian and Chinese cultural assets but never Korean cultural assets.
Black Mamba closed his mouth tight. That was his way of saying, Do what you need. Bonipas, who was embarrassed, picked up the phone. The duration of the conversation extended.
The National Library of Versailles has a collection of books called the Oegyujanggak.
It cant be just that.
There are many Korean ceramics in the Sevres Museum in Paris. It was donated by a French diplomat, Victor Collin de Plancy, during his stay in Korea. Cultural assets that have been duly purchased by individuals cannot be returned.
What about the Oegyujanggak books?
French domestic law stipulates that returning foreign cultural assets is not allowed. Its difficult unless the law is amended.
Bonipas expression grew tense.
Thats the mindset of a thief. Is it enough that the enacted law states the impossibility of returning stolen foreign cultural assets? Didnt France thoroughly investigate the cultural assets plundered by Germany and received them all back?
Haha, youre not just a boxer, are you? Youre well-versed in history.
Bonipas was pleased with Black Mamba. Young people who were socially aware were treasures of the state. Cultural assets werent simply expensive antiques. They represented history and spirit. A tribe without history and spirit would lose their future, just like the Kurd tribe.
Black Mamba was like the Korean royal family book stored in the Versailles National Library. Both were French, but their spirits were of the Coreens. Black Mamba, who insisted on his Coreen nationality, was regretfully naive and bold at the same time.
Black Mamba, I want you to listen to me and not misunderstand. That is a matter of national power. Did Germany return the cultural assets because they are a righteous country? If you think so, youve only used a single brain cell. Germany lost the war, and France was the victor. To survive, Germany had no choice but to return all the cultural assets. Otherwise, they would have faced harsh retaliation.
Bonipas stopped talking and pressed the bell to request tea from the secretary.
Sorry. I was so tied up. I cant believe I forgot to serve tea to the national treasure. Japan exhibited and seized 1,000,000s of Korean cultural assets. There are more Korean cultural assets in Japan than in the mainland. Did Japan return those cultural assets to Korea? Germany returned the cultural assets as part of their survival strategy and apologized for slaughtering the Jews. Korea is economically dependent on Japan and has nothing to compare against in military terms. Japan has no regrets, so they portrayed an arrogant front. If Korea dominates Japan economically and militarily, the cultural assets will be returned.
Nimi Jotto!
Black Mamba cursed his own mouth for bringing up the topic. He was ridiculed for trying to do something worthwhile.
The Korean government never officially requested France to return their cultural assets. Moreover, that only shows the Korean governments negligence toward their cultural assets. Currently, the Korean government is built on unlawful coup detat foundations. You dont know when society will devolve into chaos. Currently, its unclear whether the cultural assets are properly managed at all.
Korea should deal with it on their own.
Black Mamba spoke in an unsteady tone. It grated his bones that he couldnt refute Bonipas words. Despite the frequent cries, numerous relics and cultural assets had disappeared during the Japanese occupation. The citizens level of consciousness was also low. Furthermore, Korea had pulled out stones from their national treasure pagoda to use as bricks and melted uncovered gold jewelry to sell as bars. The politicians and bureaucrats were only interested in power and had no sense about cultural assets. He had also heard the news of France stealing Koreas national treasures from Professor Giz.
Those f****** b*stards!
With no way to refute, he grew frustrated. Bonipas started talking in a relaxed tone.
Is there any way for Korea to retaliate against France for not returning their cultural assets? You have the power to make demands. The same goes for international relations. In the end, it is the logic of power alongside the political leaders perception of problems. Musyu, who became the president of the coup dtat, gave up nuclear development and missiles to gain approval from the U.S. Without power, not only will you not be able to find your possessions, they will also be taken away. That is the international community. Political leaders and officials in Korea who cant recognize and utilize a talent like you are idiots.
Bonipas finished his speech with biting criticism. Black Mamba had nothing to say. He felt angry and thought it was unfair, but hed gain nothing from voicing out. He had forced France to take a part of Chad and requested a part of it too. Bonipas critique wasnt wrong. After all, that was the logic of power.
Please show some sincerity when approaching the matter.
Black Mamba wanted to crack apart those Korean leaders heads with the Rakshasa for wasting his time and effort.
Of course, I should show my sincerity. I dont have the galls to refuse Black Mambas request. Koreas future is bright as long as youths like you exist. Ill try my best to make sure that theyre returned to Korea after talking it through with the Minister of Culture.
I can only hope for good outcomes.
Black Mamba decided to stop talking from then on. Bonipas wasnt the kind to speak recklessly. Theyd come to this point because Bonipas was willing to show his sincerity. Bonipas immediately shifted the topic of conversation.
What are you going to do with the region in the Sahel? Weve finished talking with president Hissene Habre. Youre eligible for up to 25,000 cubic kilometers of land. The president and the minister of the Interior, Pione, must have been very impressed by your performance. They were very willing to push the matter forth.
Huh! That much?
Black Mamba was surprised. The land was two times the size hed requested. He wasnt just called the national treasure. France also treated him like a national treasure.
My friends searching for a good region. Ill be certain once I visit.
Do that. France will always be behind you.
and Black Mamba will always be in front of France.
The older male lion and the young male lion exchanged glances.
Thanks. We make great partners. Youll soon be the richest man in Europe.
A smile appeared on Bonipas face. He knew when to step forward and when to step back. Negotiating on critical subjects could only worsen a relationship.
Youll soon become the head director of DGSE.
Black Mamba smiled in return.
[1] A Moroccan cactus fruit.
Chapter 282 - National Treasure
Bonipas didnt ask about Black Mambas plan to utilize the land in the Sahel. He only mentioned that he would help. Unwarranted curiosity and interference was the leading cause of a deteriorating relationship.
Where are you going to use all that money?
All the better with more, isnt it? You only live more comfortably if you work more in your youth.
Youve figured out lifes secrets 20 years earlier than I did! Kekeke! Bonipas laughed as he slid forward a blue-colored card embellished with a golden lily.
Lilies were Frances national flower. Golden-colored flowers represented high-ranking officials, while silver-colored flowers represented the average government workers.
The minister of the Interior, Pione, sent you a gift. To be precise, its to bribe you to be more lenient with him. The monthly usage limit is 50,000 francs, the cash withdrawal limit is 50,000 francs, and the usage period is within 30 years. In France and other developed countries, credit cards are widely used compared to cash. Credit cards are gaining popularity in Korea, as well. Use it as your pocket money.
Bonipas offered without hesitation. One who was fed salt would drink water. Bonipas, no, France knew how to utilize their people.
Merci!
Black Mamba unhesitatingly took the card. If he could scrape 13,000,000 won monthly with the card and withdraw another 13,000,000 won in cash, that meant it wasnt a small amount of money. 26,000,000 won was 10 times the annual salary of a banker from a mid-sized company. The amount was too much for it to be considered pocket money. Once again, he realized his value had increased dramatically due to the Ruman plan.
The settlement was concluded. It had been an impressive feat, but the rewards were incomparable. Hed earned more than enough. Both Black Mamba and Bonipas were satisfied.
If youre not tired, Id like to ask you something.
Now that hed relaxed, Bonipas finally expressed his curiosity. His patience was truly like that of a serpent.
I am tired, but I should relieve you of your curiosity.
What happened in Kaparja Valley? Im about to die waiting for the written report.
I wiped out Ruman and found the biological and chemical weapons stored in a cave. There were 100s of 200-liter drum containers and metal sealed containers. I feared that carelessly exploding them would cause a leak. I shoved four large propane cans into the cave and caused a vapor cloud explosion with the compositions. Since the area was sealed, the pressure was astounding.
Huh, that was the best way to get rid of poisonous gases and bacteria. There must have been a shortage of compositions, so how did you get rid of the Berkut camp?
That was the problem. There were over 120 of them.
120 missiles? Bonipas shouted in surprise.
Despite it being an obsolete missile, the Berkut was like rat poison to the Mirage with its radar and evasive system. 120 Berkuts meant that it was impossible for the Mirage to move past Syrias borders.
I didnt have enough gunpowder or time. I gathered all of them in one place and lit them up with a composition.
You ripped off all the missiles that were set up on the gantries and exploded them all?!
Bonipas mouth hung open. Black Mamba nodded without a word. The unpleasant memories from spending nearly two months trapped underground, which had been a result of his useless actions, came rushing back.
Im at a loss for words. I would never have imagined hearing such an absurd story in my life.
He had gathered all of the 570-kilogram warheads in one place and exploded them. Bonipas stared blankly at Black Mamba with his mouth agape. Bonipas knew the guy wasnt human, but his actions seemed so foolishly inhumane.
Dont stare at me like Im some kind of monster. I didnt know the explosion would be that powerful either. The dam exploded while I was climbing back up the valley.
The explosive power of 120 missile warheads must have shaken the weak plate and crushed the dam.
Thats exactly it. The lake water trapped in the dam rose to a height of 50 meters and covered the power plant before sending it away. Ugh!
Black Mamba stopped talking and shook his head. The frightening memory made his mind race.
I was swept into a crack created by the earthquake. What happened next should be obvious. I was swept into the deep underground and had to crawl back up. It had felt like forever.
Black Mamba summarized it simply, leaving out any mentions of the underground Mesozoic world. He didnt want to go over every detail nor tell him anything. He would consider himself fortunate if he wasnt sent to a mental hospital after explaining the existence of the Concretus, which had attained the pinnacle of science 1,000,000,000s of years ago, the Epidium, and the dinosaurs.
Youve suffered.
It isnt easy to earn 500,000,000 francs, now, is it!
Bonipas could only laugh at his dry humor. Only Black Mamba could accomplish and survive through such a plan.
Even Hollywood movies cant replicate your experiences. Rest well and submit the report tomorrow.
Im a little tired.
He wasnt just a little tired. He was exhausted. He hadnt had time to rest comfortably in over two months. His Paranthropus body also had limits.
Ah, right, Rakshasa!
Black Mamba searched his backpack while standing. Hed lost his Gorgon when the lake water carried him away. He removed Vajra from Rakshasa and handed it over to Bonipas. The Vajra was 100 times more important than the Boss-saurus tendon. Modern technology could replace the Rakshasa, but the Vajra was irreplaceable.
You can make a whip out of it. It is eight meters long and weighs 30 kilograms.
What on earth is this?
Bonipas tilted his head as he received the heavy brown-yellow material. It looked like the tendon of an animal, but no animal had such long and thick tendons.
I dont know either. Its something I have gained unintentionally. Leave its elasticity be, and balance it out with something that weighs 1.5 kilograms.
A whip that is eight meters long and weighs 30 kilogramsare you hunting for dragons? The technical team will have a field day. Ill contact you once its completed.
Bonipas didnt question him any further. Black Mamba wasnt the kind of person to answer them either. Bonipas divination shone through once more. Black Mamba did beat up a dinosaur in the underground world, after all.
Hows rhinocros''[1] operative manager, Geofrey?
Black Mamba turned just before leaving the office. Bonipas heart raced. The scent of blood filled the air. Black Mamba had returned from the Sahel after getting rid of two out of three traitors, Miguel and Tanshe. Geofrey, who was imprisoned on George Island, had been the only one spared from the Arab takfir.
The DGSEs management became anxious after Miguel and Tanshes execution. It got to the point where rumors floated around about how suicide was better than being in Black Mambas bad books.
Geofrey suffered from extreme PTSD. He went mad and committed suicide in the end.
Oh, he died happily.
Ruthless b*stard, he was going to wring him dry.
Bonipas felt a chill in his bones. Death was better than having Black Mambas threats hanging over the head of a prisoner. He realized that Black Mamba hadnt killed Geofrey because he wanted him to suffer the same kind of fear he had experienced in the Sahel.
The operations manager of the 11th Airborne Brigade, Geofrey, was actually an officer from the DGSEs Middle East Operations team. He was a direct subordinate of manager Miguel, who Black Mamba had burned to death.
The DGSE had poisoned Geofrey to his death in fear that Black Mamba would discover his true identity. It was an unjust death in major Geofreys standpoint since hed only carried out his tasks. However, that was the fate of an operative.
A limousine crossed the Seine and entered the Champs-lyses. Place de la Concorde passed by outside the car window. It had been the place where the frightened French military dignitaries held their Sahel departure celebration.
Pft
Laughter escaped his mouth. Chartres and his friends, who were buried in the desert, came to mind subsequently. That, too, was the destiny of a mercenary.
Advisor, are you recalling some good memories?
Ariba, who was behind the wheel, glanced back. The silence almost suffocated him.
Do you think God would let a blood-stained human reminisce good memories? Some conflicting thoughts momentarily came to mind. Its more surprising that youre bringing me to my accommodation since youre such a busy person.
Im the manager-in-charge by title, so of course I should take care of Frances national treasure. Bristol Hotel provides great comfort, living up to their prices. There are a few Korean dishes in the restaurant too. A female agent who is studying Korean is staying in the next room.
A female agent studying Korean? Did the DGSE get lessons from brothels? You b*stard. Ill bet my entire wealth on the fact that shes a high-ranking call girl.
Black Mamba laughed at him internally. Bonipas didnt use cheap methods like that. It was clearly Aribas doing.
Ha, the treatment sure has changed.
France is a country of free will. You are treated according to your ability.
Treated according to my ability? Theres nothing scarier than those words. You see, you need to pay the amount that youre fed.
Boom
The suite room trembled. Black Mamba scratched his head as he looked at the backpack he had just carelessly thrown. Hed forgotten that it was filled with 400 kilograms of gold.
Rrring
The room interphone rang.
Advisor, is there a problem?
Nothing. Which bank is the most trustable in France? Black Mamba asked.
The BNP Paribas bank. However, we shouldnt be talking about banks now
Thanks. There wont be much to do, so take a break.
Clack
B****, you want me to open that place instead of the banks entrance?
Black Mamba interrupted the female agent and hung up. He had no intention of boarding the scheming plane. Hed already worked with Paribas bank before. There was also a branch located in Korea.
The suite room was comfortable as per Aribas assurance. Despite sufficient conditions favorable to good sleep, he couldnt rest. A mans ambition and desire to leave a profound impact on the world urged his legs to move.
He couldnt fly back to Korea anymore due to the work hed started. Ombuti and Edel had started up a grains company in NDjamena. Of course, theyd done that under his orders. Africa was, in simpler terms, a unique continent. Despite 90 percent of the population working as farmers, 100s and 1,000s of people died because of starvation every year.
There wont be a problem with cassava, but growing coffee will be a problem.
After researching vegetation and weather, he had decided on cassava and coffee as his main crops.
Cassava belonged to the tuber plant species. Their stems resembled that of cotton, and their tubers resembled sweet potatoes. Their length ranged from 30 to 50 centimeters, and they had a diameter of 20 centimeters, which was much larger than sweet potatoes. Tubers contained 20 to 25 percent starch. They were also rich in vitamin C and calcium. Cassava would be more than enough as stocks. The starch collected from the tuber roots of cassava was tapioca. Many people were aware of tapioca and not cassava because they were widely used to make starch, caramel, confectionery, snacks, and pastes.
They were also easy to grow. The stem would be cut into lengths of 30 to 40 centimeters and planted at one-meter intervals, the roots would secure itself, and the tubers that looked like sweet potatoes would grow within six to 12 months. The crop wasnt affected by soil quality or climate, and there was a high yield per unit area. The downside was that as much as they produced, they consumed a lot of effort.
The cassava wasnt a widely grown crop because they needed large amounts of water. However, there was a water shortage. As long as the problem was resolved, the cassava was a crop compatible with the Sahel regions high temperature and sunlight.
I can find water and drag all the underground pipe companies in Korea there to make it official.
Black Mambas motto that something should work came round once more.
Coffee was the problem. If cassava was a crop that they could eat and survive on, coffee was a cash crop that would bring in money from the consumers. Production was not as important as quality. That meant the environment was a difficult element to control.
Coffee was best grown within 20 on the north-south latitude. The higher the altitude, the slower the growth rate. When planted in those conditions, high-quality coffee cherries were produced. About three months of dry environment control was needed for flowering, pollination, and watering. Water was essential for coffee to flourish.
One of his candidates was Agbaya in Ennedi Plateau, about 23 north. The altitude of 1,000 meters and dry climate made Agbaya an ideal location. The place was worth testing as long as water was available.
The problem was that he knew nothing about coffee. All he knew was how to enjoy a good cup in his dark attic room, accompanied by plenty of sugar and cream. He had been made aware of how useless his actions were when he became a mercenary.
Ugh, whatever. I can just bring in a professional.
Black Mamba stopped wondering, like he always did, and pulled the covers up. Instead of looking for his mother, he was wasting his time on people, wounded and tangled in relations. It was frustrating. The more he thought, the more his head hurt. He was a warrior. He wasnt a revolutionary or a politician. He wasnt Moses, either.
On the second day, Ariba was called in by Black Mamba and forced to do labor. Black Mamba loathed doing paperwork. Ariba ended up pulling a muscle in his arm from scribing Black Mambas words on paper for three hours. He couldnt ask another worker to do it in his stead since it was a classified matter. From the next room, the sighs of a woman, who had missed the chance to gain 10,000 francs, could be heard.
Four days later, in the Versailles President Council meeting, Mitterrand looked intently at each participant. The minister of Foreign Affairs/Interior/Local Government Pione, Defense general Charles Jermain, head director of the DGSE Lagos, chief of staff Bordo, and the observers, Bonipas and Kabaye from the DGSE and the military police chief Majif were present. They were the highest-ranking members responsible for Frances defense and security.
Is Frances national treasure resting well?
Mitterrand turned to look at Bonipas with a smile. He was in a great mood after reading Bonipas report.
Yes, sir, hes currently staying at Bristol Hotel. Hes been spending time taking walks, swimming, and meditating after sending all the agents away, saying that theyre annoying.
Make sure he isnt uncomfortable, director. He should rest as much as he deserves.
[1] It is a nickname for the 11th Airborne Brigade.
Chapter 283 - National Treasure
Sir, Black Mamba doesnt even leave his hotel room. He stays in there like a dragon sleeping inside a cave and spends time alone training or meditating. Like a monk from the East or some religious leader, he isnt interested in alcohol, women, gambling, food, or games. The best way to treat him is to leave him alone without causing any interference.
Mitterrand laughed at Bonipas reply.
What kind of young man lives like that? I heard he has a big appetite. Hes a strong man, but he should feel tired and restless. Id like to dine with him, but its difficult because of his nature as a call name. Ill send over the presidential palaces chef while hes still staying in the hotel. Chef de Partie Prechant knows his Korean cuisines. I enjoy the Korean bulgogi he makes.
Oh, that is a benevolent decision, sir. Black Mamba will be pleased.
Bonipas bowed respectfully. The president sending over his chef to take care of somebody elses meal was a great courtesy. It wasnt just calling him the national treasure, but also treating him like one. Black Mamba was impressive, but the president who didnt mind taking such measures when it came down to national interests was a respected figure too.
Now, let us begin. I feel like the usual boring meeting will be enjoyable and amusing today.
Mitterrand started the meeting with a bright expression. The minister of the Interior Pione spoke first.
The border guards killed three terrorists with weapons around midnight yesterday at the Haut-Jura National Park near Lac Lman. We confirmed that they were from the same group of people who had infiltrated the de Gaulle Airport and the Opra Bastille. With that, weve arrested 40 terrorists, as reported by Black Mamba. Weve also wiped out 12 members from the Black September Organization. There are no signs of upcoming terrorism by the ANO, RAF, and Black September Organization in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse. Traces of the escaped terrorists crossing the borders of Switzerland and Italy were found. Those b*stards attempted to flee out of fear, minister Pione explained confidently.
They finally reached higher grounds on the issue with the terrorists, which had initially fallen into the mud. Hed even endured a stomach ulcer from all the stress accumulated while dealing with those multi-active terrorists for several years. He wanted to carry Black Mamba around on his back. He could now rest comfortably in bed.
That is the result of Black Mamba crumbling Ruman. Theyve grown fearful because of the unexpected strong blow. Police director Majif, please dont lose this chance that Black Mamba has created for us. You must chase them down and uproot them all. Chief of staff Bordo, please block all borders to Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Germany. Reiterate to their organizations that France will return 10 times the damages it received.
Yes, sir. Ive already alerted the border guards of the emergency and sent the Special Warfare Forces down as reinforcements. We are establishing a counter-terrorism cooperation system with the four neighboring countries. Well certainly decimate all three terrorist organizations this time, minister Pione said with confidence.
Black Mamba personally erased over 1,000 terrorists and blew apart their nest. Military Police director, you should try establishing a similar reputation this time.
Ill try my best, sir.
Director Majif could only nod his head bitterly. The destruction of Ruman was hard to believe, but it was irrefutable. That was the truth, after all. He had swallowed his pride after initially opposing Black Mambas deployment.
Director Lagos, did you analyze the CIA documents that Black Mamba brought? Mitterrand turned to look at director Lagos.
One of the five videotapes contain the confessions of the Middle East regional director, Paskal Belmont, and the supporting testimonies of consul Dijolle Baylout. The Ruman plan was similarly recorded here and there. If Black Mamba hadnt stolen them, France would have lost their rights over the Syrian oil fields and become enemies with Assad. The other four videotapes contain the confessions of high-ranking officials from England and Deutschland. They must have been kidnapped too. The ANO is Assads Bloody Fist organization. That was the result of gang members and street members coming together. The documents that Black Mamba presented revealed the ill-intentioned relations between the CIA, ANO, and Assad. The third man in power in the ANO and the leader of Ruman, Bansiri, is currently the major general of Assads personal guards.
Dirty b*stards. I initially thought that both the CIA and Assad have the tendencies of cartel bosses, but it makes no sense that theyre holding hands with a neighborhood gang. In other words, weve been used. The CIA aims to restrain France, right?
Yes. It is a despicable operation that aims to reveal Europes immorality by using the ANO. They had planned to either anonymously send the tape to the Arab leaders or use it as the last hand for negotiations. They were aiming to drive us out of the Middle East by turning the Arabs pride against us.
Hm, morals. Well, I suppose we arent very decent, either.
A dog with s*** on its fur cant say anything to a dog with fleas on its fur. All countries use some method of force, Lagos answered as if that was a fact.
Intelligence agencies werent the Ministry of Health and Welfare or the Military Police department. They were considered useless existences that only consumed government funds.
Hm, Black Mamba seems to have resolved a difficult situation. Are you planning to hand over the videotapes to England and Deutschland?
No, sir. Although that could work as a temporary relief, we could gain more if we present the evidence on the negotiating table with the Yankees.
Haha, director Bonipas, Im afraid you will have to deal with that. If you can handle Black Mamba, those drug dealers will not be a problem for you.
Mitterrand turned to look at Bonipas with crinkles by the edges of his eyes. Bonipas answered silently with a nod. Pressure straightened out his shoulders automatically. That was the Black Mamba effect.
Mitterrand referred to the CIA as drug dealers because of their top-secret project called the MK Ultra. In the 1950s, the CIA had started on an extreme project that manipulated human minds using LSD. In 1974, their mind control project, which utilized drugs, was made known to the world after information was leaked to the New York Times. With confirmation from the American Medical Association, the CIA suffered more humiliation when they were labeled as an immoral organization. In actual fact, the MK Ultra project was the study of combining humans, animals, and machines. The revelation back then was only the tip of the iceberg. After the incident, the MK Ultra project was relocated to Area 51.
What happened to regional director Belmont and consul Dijolle?
Unfortunately, we couldnt find traces of consul Dijolle, and regional director Belmont couldnt withstand the torture. Consul Dijolle was probably taken care of after his confession. Were planning to return his possessions, which Black Mamba found, to his family members.
Damn b*stards! How dare they torture an allys high-ranking official to death. They need to be punished with the Arab takfir.
Bang
Mitterand, whose face was flushed, banged his fist on the table.
Black Mamba already took revenge, sir. He slew the DIA agents who tortured Belmont into half, diagonally. The water explosion buried the 20 CIA agents in Ruman. Even Zaitun, who we suspected to be a consultant, was killed by Black Mamba.
As expected of Black Mamba. How exhilarating! Mitterrand exclaimed.
There was no answer to the dark feud between intelligence agencies. Conclusions got lost in the tug-of-war of who was responsible and who was not. Only Black Mamba could come up with such an exhilarating solution. What a clean retaliation! All the participants in the meeting turned slightly pale. How could a human be split into half? Just hearing those words made their limbs tremble.
Our best gain is discovering the true intent behind the CIAs Socrates Project that was progressing in Syria.
I saw Bonipas secondary report. What exactly is the Socrates Project and its aim, that theyre advancing it with such secrecy?
According to the information that we received, theyre secret officials under the direct orders of the president. The higher-ups are covered in veils, but the low-ranking officials are composed of DIA agents and related researchers. They were aiming to secure strategic energy and resources. Their targets were Third World countries with unstable regimes and bountiful resources.
Selfish b*stards, it was a long-term plan in which they would stuff themselves by twisting the necks of those whore struggling. There is no difference between those Yankees and Zipangus. The Jap started the war to expand their reach of resources in Southeast Asia, right? Now that I think about it, there is a difference in terms of depth, but weve played a part. Keke!
Mitterrand laughed cynically. The foundation of international relations was power. Morals and justice was simply makeup. Lagos continued talking.
There are two stages to the project that they were pushing in Syria. Firstly, to obtain Syrias northeastern oil fields under our possession by secretly aiding Syria. Secondly, to connect Syrias Hasakah and the Kirkuk pipelines in Mosul and Iraq to the Mediterranean Sea.
What did you say?
Connect the oil pipelines in the Middle East to the Mediterranean Sea?
All the participants shouted in surprise. If that happened, France could only suck on their fingers while protecting Aden Bay from Djibouti.
Major construction work would have taken place to connect the oil pipelines in Syria and Iraq to Abu Kamal, followed by the port of Baniyas in the Mediterranean. The Yankees would have had a stable oil route upon completion. The U.S. government spends 4,500,000,000 dollars annually to protect the oil pipelines in the Middle East. Upon completion, the cost would have dropped to less than half its current worth.
Hah, Ive never felt such satisfaction in a long time. Did the CIA notice Black Mambas existence? They must be gritting their teeth by now.
Mitterrand was elated. The Yankees had blown away their chance to replace the unstable Persian oil transport routes and the opportunity to save almost 2,200,000,000 dollars. He grew slightly concerned for Black Mamba.
They should be. They have reconnaissance satellites and the Blackbird, after all.
Didnt you say that the operative agents from the CIA retreated?
For a month and fortnight, they attempted to track Black Mamba by deploying extensive manpower and modern technology in the Aleppo region.
So they left after confirming Black Mambas disappearance?
Yes. Black Mambas plan to pit the Muslim Brotherhood and Assad against each other came to fruition. Assad is suspecting the CIA. Traces of Black Mamba disappeared, and all their operating points and resources disappeared. Without any gain, they lost all reason to remain. Black Mamba didnt intend for it, but the CIA has written another chapter in history about their incompetence. That must be the reason why Bonipas calls Black Mamba a natural disaster.
The corner of Mitterrands eyes creased.
Hahaha, youre right. A national treasure to France, and a natural disaster to enemies! We are raising the highest toast to his name. It wont be enough with just a Lgion dhonneur.
Mitterrand was simply happy. His insides had been in turmoil because their ally, the U.S., had persistently bullied them for years. Finally, he landed a solid punch. It felt like all of his pent-up frustration was dissolving.
Black Mamba should receive the medal, of course. Director Bonipas wouldnt have expected a single person to overturn an entire plate. There is another good news, sir. The collapse of Kaparja has halted the Yankees progress of building Echelon in Syria and Iraq. If we speed up the Elios Project and rush to build the enterprise, we should be able to catch up with the Yankees information system.
An unexpected gain. We should hurry. I can only hope the press refrain from mentioning the public invasion of privacy. Tsk!
Mitterrand clicked his tongue. The Frenchelon was a large-scale surveillance system that used satellites. A politicians enemy was not another politician but the press. Of course, that was when the country was stable.
Weve already earned more time. Assads been wagging his tail since he lost the Air Defense unit and biological and chemical weapons.
Hehehe, his heart must be trembling in fear because of the empty northern skies.
Yes. Assad doesnt have a choice now. He cant go against Frances wishes with the Mirage tunnels open.
The participants expressions brightened up at director Lagos reassurance.
Black Mamba basically chased away the Yankees and turned Assad around. At this rate, I want to give him a piggyback ride.
Mitterrands mouth hung from ear to ear.
According to the director of Arms Acquisition, Syria has requested for our arms to be exported several times.
At the ministers words, all the participants turned to look at Bonipas. The exportation of arms was the responsibility of the DGSEs operations department.
That is also an unexpected gain. Syria has requested for us to sell 80 Mirages. Their request for self-propelled artillery and other weapons amounted to 11,000,000,000 francs.
Olle!
The participants mouths stretched wide open. That was great. Syria had been pursuing the acquisition of F-5s and Fighting Falcons. Assad had recklessly turned to France to purchase weapons. Now, there was a way to get rid of the bunch of Mirages and spit on the Yankees faces. Amazing.
Councilmember Dasso will jump in joy. 500,000,000 isnt enough. I should tell him to send more checks to Black Mamba.
Mitterrand even joked around playfully. The destruction of Kaparja Valley didnt end with the extinguishment of their existing and future threats. On the brink of being pushed out of Syria, France had basically hit the jackpot by thrashing the CIAs head. Even Turkey and Israel were wary. The president was at the peak of his mood.
Director Bonipas, sending Black Mamba out there was truly the hand of God. The Yankees are essentially kicked off at checkmate. I wont complain about the DGSEs funds ever again. The minister of Interior smiled in agreement.
A cheerful meeting of its firsts ended.
Mitterrand turned to look at Bonipas.
We cant avoid conflict with the U.S. if they catch a whiff of Black Mambas existence, right?
Chapter 284 - Ombuti Flies
Considering their scale, theyd probably place a huge bet and try to gain as much as possible. To lure him over, theyd probably waste a considerable amount of money. The Yankees didnt abandon the MK Ultra project despite all the finger-wagging. Black Mamba is a superhuman with brains, the greatest donor[1], as well as the greatest consultant. It can be said that hes the evolved form of Arago Project, which you had abandoned, sir. If the Yankees get their hands on Black Mamba, the Ultra Hominid project that theyre advancing in Nevada will take a turn for the worse. Fortunately, his identity hasnt been exposed yet.
Bonipas instilled a slight fear. The CIA hadnt abandoned the MK Ultra project. The press and council caused all kinds of commotions with just the surface of the project. The core biological experiments were relocated to Area 51 in Nevada. He hinted at the president to watch over Black Mamba since they didnt know the kind of monsters that would appear from Area 51.
Its embarrassing, but were only ahead of others when it comes down to history and culture. Shouldnt we review Black Mambas treatment before the CIA wags their tail at him? Isnt the rank of a major too belittling for someone with the title of special military advisor? Why dont we use this opportunity to appoint him as a colonel?
He wanted to give the guy a star, but that was impossible unless he was a French citizen. He could appoint him as a consul by the authority of the president.
His current station should be enough, sir. A major is the highest rank among the lower ranks, and it is positioned above a junior officer. It is a position without responsibilities but with power. Its just enough for him to move while his identity remains hidden. Last time, he denied the lieutenant colonel offer too.
What a strange guy. How can a young person have no desires?
Hes a prideful and loyal person. Hes not the kind of person who would be swayed by the Yankees money bait. Ive confirmed his average wage to be 500,000,000 francs with my signature.
Mitterrand shook his head.
Thats why Im worried. Koreas politics, economy, culture, and everything else are tied down to the U.S. Koreas a country that will catch a cold when America sneezes.
Sir, are you afraid of those Yankees threatening Black Mamba with the excuse of Monsieur Jeons presidency?
Yes. Those b*stards who dont know whats s*** or food will probably pressure Black Mamba.
Thats a predictable scenario, but you dont have to worry, sir. Black Mamba applied to Legion Etranger because he was displeased with Koreas reality. He said he loves his country but hates it at the same time. He considers France his second homeland. He personally said that hed stand in front of France. Ill manage him well, sir.
Bonipas was overflowing with confidence. Black Mamba loved his homeland but detested the corrupted leaders. Black Mamba didnt fear or side with power. He was not an idiot whom Jeon Du Hwans government could use without a just cause.
Oh, hell stand before France? Such confident and righteous words, as deserving of the national treasure. Its something I want to communicate to those weak French youths. I should put it in the council speech. Director, dont you think 500,000,000 francs is too little?
Mitterrand didnt feel at ease. Black Mamba wasnt just a murdering machine. Like a strategic weapon, he could instantly change the flow of operations. He was worried that Black Mamba would be swayed.
He didnt say a word about his wage. Although that, on its own, is scary. He has requested for us to help the Syrian refugees whose escape he had assisted. He has also requested for the return of several Korean cultural antiques.
When Mitterrands thoughts drifted, Bonipas took the opportunity to mention the return of the cultural assets.
The refugees wont be a problem, but therell be much chaos over the return of the cultural assets.
Mitterrand grew conflicted. He had to amend the Protection of Cultural Property law to return them. It wasnt an easy problem to resolve.
Jack Lang will probably make a scene, but we can return it at the right time. I dont think we should ruin the national treasures mood over a few antiques from Korea, Pione added, supporting Bonipas.
What do you all think?
Mitterrand looked around at the participants.
We cant compare lifeless antiques to a living national treasure. France is a benevolent country.
Director of Defense Germaine replied as though stating the obvious. Like Jack-in-the-boxes, the participants nodded their heads in agreement. Even Majif, who was frowning, didnt want to ruin the mood by saying anything.
Right. France isnt petty enough to lose Black Mamba. Minister Pione, try appealing for that in the next session. We can ask the prime minister to convince the council.
A smile was plastered on Mitterrands face. France managed to retain a genius whom Korea had discarded. His mood improved immediately.
Black Mamba, I did it.
Bonipas sighed in relief at the positive responses from the president and officials. Until now, there hadnt been a single case where France returned foreign cultural assets. It was impossible unless the government decided on it.
Director Bonipas, I want to award him the Grand Croix of the Lgion dhonneur, what do you think? Shouldnt we raise his honor at least?
Sir, Black Mamba is an incomprehensible human. After completing the mission in Chad and awarding him the second-rank grand officier alongside a certificate and medal, he had referred to them as stiff paper that cant even wipe his behind and a piece of metal. To him, a true partnership is more valuable than an award. Theres also the risk of exposing his identity as a call name if you name him a first-rank. We can lend him support in the construction of his autonomous region in the Sahel.
Hahaha, the grand officier is a piece of metal? What an incredible guy. Ill push whatever that needs to be permitted, so director, take good care of him. First, lets give Black Mamba a private jet. National treasures should be treated like national treasures. Im proud of you for discovering the said national treasure, director.
Thank you.
Bonipas was smiling from ear to ear. Thanks to Black Mamba, hed been promised the position of head director. Hed gotten hold of a lump of gold due to a well-placed decision. It was all because hed admitted to Black Mambas potential. If hed acted pridefully, he would have been burnt to his bones just like Miguel. For the first time, he realized that there was a different perspective to blessing and anger.
Why does our friend need land in the Sahel?
It seems like hes thinking of building an autonomous region. He always took pity on those who were tormented and starving, after all. It seems like the devastation that had swept through the Sahel caused him pain.
Ollah! What an incredible friend. The Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe whom he had helped escape from Syria must have suffered the same thing. Perhaps a true philanthropist has appeared in this chaotic world. He is a person with a mysterious ability and mind. Lets help him to the best of our abilities.
God, that devil-like human, a philanthropist?
Taken aback, Bonipas started hiccuping at the presidents words. To Bonipas, Black Mamba was a hot potato, no, a burning diamond.
Prechant, this is really good.
The plate placed on top of the suite living room table was emptied clean. Black Mamba looked up at the chef with a pleased expression as he chewed on a steamed rib.
Amazing. You devoured 25 portions. I am proud to be a chef.
Prechants face brightened up. A chef could only feel happiness when a customer was satisfied. Prechant had attempted his best for the customer with a huge appetite. Not only did he have the pride of a cook, but the customer was also a guest whom the president had personally entrusted.
He shouldnt mind a customers status. Whatever their status, they were but precious customers to the cook.
He had reached out for advice from the Korean embassys chef in France and only used ingredients he carefully selected. He even went out of his way to import all kinds of Korean sauces with strange names like gochujang, soybean paste, and soy sauce.
Wow, the presidents chef is really distinguished.
Black Mambas expression relaxed as he bit into the galbi. He didnt need to visit any restaurant, thanks to Prechant. Not only could he eat French food, but galbi, bulgogi, japchae, bean paste soup, and kimchi soup was also delivered to his room.
Prechant worked his magic at creating dishes of different shapes and tastes with the ingredients. The combination of the best ingredients and a great cook excited Black Mamba. Prechants existence comforted him better than the 500,000,000 francs.
They wasted over a week concluding the Ruman plan. The wrap-up grew complicated because the eraser plan had escalated. Of course, it was a happy wrap-up. He managed to eat well, thanks to the chef whom the president had sent over.
Why a personal jet? A business-class seat on an airplane wouldve been enough.
Black Mamba just laughed it off when he received a call from Bonipas. Transporting a personal jet over to Korea would flip the world over. The police would drag him to the nearest mountain immediately. Hed prefer to give up the plane than gain the attention of those government officials.
He had nothing much to bring. All he packed was gold, a bunch of dollars, weapons, underwear, and a suit. That was the life of a mercenary.
That should do it. Now, should I head out to the land of golden sand and flies?
He shoved 10 francs under the pillow and left the room. Bristol Hotels suite room had a private elevator. Not even once during his stay did he leave his room. Black Mamba opened the room door for the first time. At the opportune moment, a slim woman emerged from next door. It was the agent who knew Korean. Hed completely forgotten about her existence after forbidding her from approaching.
After locking the door, the woman turned around and saw Black Mamba. Her wide eyes darted between the suite room and Black Mamba.
Oh, nice to meet you. I was slightly disappointed.
The woman smiled brightly. She was a stunner. A special sniper memorized other peoples faces like they were taking photos. He finally registered her features in his mind her double eyelids, the small dots between her eyelid and lashes, slim nose, sensual and thick lips, soft golden waves, firm butt, and bountiful chest that many men would ogle at.
She was Jeanne, an employee of the so-called High-Level Personnel Protection Department of the National Police Department under the Ministry of Interior. Black Mambas eyes widened. He was as surprised as when he had met blacky in the underground world.
Huh, youre the wrench without water, the rag that cant even compare to a kitchen towel?
She was the nurse who had left with Emil on a cruise trip and the b**** who had attempted to steal Emils money but ended up getting caught red-handed by him on the jet. Hed shoved her in jail, but she was already selling her lower half here. Well, a female seducing a male wasnt a crime. She would have been released after a few days anyway. Black Mambas eyes grew alert. She was a woman who acted foolishly despite having all four limbs attacheda breed worse than cockroaches.
Kyaaa!
A piercing scream rang. The woman, who was exposed to his killing intent, collapsed. The miniskirt that barely hid her rear shifted, revealing her black bush. Some might even mistake Black Mamba as a rapist.
Crazy b****. Shes still not wearing any underwear.
Embarrassed on her behalf, Black Mamba turned his head.
That fierce disabled b*stard!
Only a single memory filled her mind. He was the first human she had failed to kill. She was shoved into the police holding cell after attempting to open his pant zipper. The disabled b*stard, the only unjust ice-cold man in this world who didnt know how to treat a woman properlyhe was that b*stard. Her mind blanked out the moment the monsters eyes and her memory of the bioluminescent eyes matched.
They want me to burn this b*stards flesh and bones?
Losing control of her senses, she peed a little. Her lower half grew wet. She remembered his warning. If she was caught in the act again, her neck wouldnt be spared. Rather than burning flesh and bones, her head was about to be sliced off. Even if she pleaded, she was going to end up in jail.
Sirens rang in her head. Her will to live overpowered her fear. Like it was a matter of life or death, Jeanne immediately stood up and ran to the emergency stairs. Her pair of high heels slipped off, and the scarf shed been wearing on her head fluttered away, but she didnt waver.
What the hell?
Black Mamba stared blankly at the killer heels that rolled around the carpet, unamused by the situation. Only the cold wind blew along the hotel corridor. His masculine pride to catch a woman on the run was nonexistent.
Ariba, you b*stard. How dare he try to wipe away the national treasure with a rug? Youre dead.
Black Mamba shook his hand that was equipped with the billions water armor. Manager Ariba was only guilty of trying his best to appease the national treasure. Manager Ariba turned into a pitiful man for his lack of wit. Ariba wouldnt have made such a mistake if he had known about the prohibition of prostitution in Korea, a country advanced in the treatment of sex.
Black Mamba deposited the gold, the bunch of dollars, and Boss-saurus tendons at Paribas bank before heading off to the de Gaulle Airport. After verifying his card, which was embellished with a gold lily, the worker processed his deposit without a single protest at a one-stop speed. As for the weapons, he left them in the DGSEs weapons storage room. All that was in his backpack were a few pieces of clothing. He felt invigorated, as though the blood stench was washed off.
Act!
A soldier, whod been waiting at the entrance, guided him to the parking lot.
Ha, the waste is substantial.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. He had to board the shiny eight-seater jet alone. Black Mamba was stingy to the point that he even regarded the money he spent on a taxi as wasteful. A pilot, co-pilot, and stewardessthree people had to be activated for a single passenger. There was no greater waste than this.
It isnt a waste but an investment. Your bike is stationed in the rear storage compartment.
Bonipas smiled brightly. Bonipas came to send Black Mamba off since manager Ariba was sent to the hospital after Black Mamba flicked his forehead with his fingers. Bonipas was attentive. Considering the helpless traffic situation in Africa, hed shoved the BMW bike into the plane for mobility.
Oh, the snakehead is here? Thanks. Contact me once you get in touch with a professional on coffee and cassava farming.
Dont worry. I can guess what youre planning, but it will be hard. I hope you reap good rewards.
Im worried since I started this whole thing. Something should happen.
[1] A person who provides blood, organs, or other body parts for transplantation, transfusion, etc.
Chapter 285 - Ombuti Flies
Black Mamba smiled, revealing his white teeth. His straight teeth sparkled under the sunlight. Bonipas eyes struggled against the brightness. The cold serpents heart flinched at the youths burning energy.
That wasnt the sinister smile usually seen on him when he returned from missions. Instead, the smile revealed his confidence to crush all obstacles in his path and represented the pride he had behind his actions.
Bonipas heart grew warm. He was someone who placed his safety on the line to help hundreds of people escape, even though they were not related. He spent his money and time on a desolate land dedicated to lower-class people who were persecuted and starving.
Would I have done that if I had Black Mambas abilities?
Bonipas shook his head. He was too old to act out of passion. Rather, hed grown weary. Not only him, but also no one in the world could act like Black Mamba.
If one had the heart, they didnt have the ability. If one had the ability, they didnt have the heart. Some had both the heart and ability but could not act. There was a saying that none remembered the time they were tadpoles. All humans thought others were satisfied as long as they themselves were satisfied. Black Mamba was an exception. The fact that he took pity on people who were tormented and starving was ridiculous since he had so much on his plate.
Is he the benevolent Asura or Don Quixote consumed by passion? Whatever he wants, I hope he achieves it.
Bonipas mumbled at the jet that was taking off loudly. He supposed it wasnt that bad to have one Don Quixote in a world tainted with selfishness and greed.
In district four of Avenue Charles de Gaulle, 28 kilometers southwest of NDjamena Airport, several bulldozers were pushing the land, and thousands of people with shovels on their shoulders were crawling all over the land like ants. It was President Hissne Habrs first industrial project site now that his power had solidified.
A large signboard was situated where the roads and infrastructure were already completed.
Wakil Commerce Company
That was the company name written on the signboard that was raised high on the lump of steel frames. It was the name of the grains and textiles company that Ombuti had established. Ombuti was stubborn to the point that he even named the company Wakil.
The factory site surrounded by rhomboid wire mesh was large enough that it made the rows of warehouses look shabby in comparison. Ombuti had accomplished every single order that Black Mamba had said in passing. That included setting up a grains and textiles company, moving in as soon as an industrial complex was planned in NDjamena, keeping the factory site as large as possible, and positioning the company by the sites entrance.
Aside from the wide cargo road through the front security post of Wakil Commerce Company, there was a narrow road of white gravel. The signage Wakils Road was by the small path. It took five minutes to cross the path between the palm trees that provided shade on both sides before a cozy two-story building made of red bricks revealed itself.
The door to the redbrick building opened. A slender beauty in a white gown stepped onto Wakils Road. She was the doctor from the MSF whom Black Mamba had described as an ointment of compassion for his broken empathy, the angel of Liverpool as per Professor Giz, and the very lady whom Ombuti was trying to get his wakil to marryRudrey Edel.
Rustle
Clack
Edel headed toward the front gate, following Wakils Road. The window on the second floor slid open.
Miss Edel, are you going to the front gate again? I dont know when wakil will arrive. I told you, I only received news that hes coming! Ombuti shouted.
She walked toward the entrance as soon as she woke up, and now, shed walked the path, back and forth, at least four times. Even onlookers would feel suffocated.
I know, Uncle. Still, I have a feeling he must be here now. The gate guards dont know him, do they? Hell feel sad if no one greets him when he returns home. I look like an idiot, dont I?
Edel turned around and smiled. Tears glistened in her large eyes. Ombuti felt like his heart was stuck in his throat. He couldnt understand his master no matter how hard he tried.
Miss Edel was a lady who didnt fall short in the areas of beauty, education, body, and mind. Werent youths his age supposed to be hot-blooded? How could he be so uncaring?
No, not at all. Its my master whos ignorant. Whats this, after a year of no contact? He should have told us the time, at least.
Hes someone with amazing feats. You know what they say about heroes making their women sad. I feel like hell come around this time.
Edel walked toward the gate and sang.
Its been 357 times since Helios and Hypnos changed.
And your breath wets my heart today, just like yesterday.
Who are you to make my heart race with a single breath?
The moon rises, the sun rises, and the shadows grow longer.
But your shadow remains a pastel color in my dreams.
Who are you to make me hold your shadow in my arms alone?
Even flowers lose their scent when their petals fly with the wind.
But your scent lingers even after days and nights.
Who are you to me that I cant erase your scent?
The dust rises, and the dew falls, my heart is warm, so why cant you stay?
My longing has turned me lovesick, so why wont you turn around?
Who are you to cause me so much ache if you cant stay?
Why wont you look for me when your scent lingers today, just like yesterday?
Edels song pricked Ombutis heart. He had listened to that song all year. It was driving him mad. Was the woman in his masters heart an exceptional beauty in this universe or something? Ombuti couldnt believe that a woman better than Edel existed.
Ugh, Im going mad, mad! Miss Edels going to wring herself dry.
Ombuti clicked his tongue and closed the window.
Bang
By the time Edel showed up at the front gates of Wakil Commerce Company for the sixth time, a small and sleek jet landed in NDjamena Airport. It was the eight-seater private jet Dassault Falcon that flew nonstop for five hours from Paris.
Voom
The snakeheads engine roared as it left the airport. The snakehead crossed Rue Brosset road and passed the Chad station of Legion Etranger. Black Mamba stopped at a hill where the Shari River flowed under his feet.
Storks jumped around the sand and looked for food, while brave fishes jumped across the waters shiny surface. Although the people around were ever-changing, the scenery of the Shari River remained the same.
He rolled his feet slightly and stood on a rock where he had accompanied Burimer to fish. That had been the place where Burimer had caught a one-meter perch. The memory of Burimer haughtily laughing remained vivid in his mind. He could see the faces of his comrades who had protected and guided a rookie and walked through the chaos with him. Although they were harsh, they were warmhearted people.
He could vividly remember themChartres who had died because of his own mistake, Burimer who had died trying to save Jang Shin, Mike who had committed suicide after acting out like an idiot, Moris arm that had fallen apart with the claymores trigger still in his grip, Mark whose head was blown apart by a sniper, and Miguel whose lower body was blown away. Hed sung a farewell prayer every time his comrade died, knocking his Dragunovs barrel with his Kukri. Africa had changed his life.
Dear friends, Im planning to sow seeds in the place where youve scattered blood. The world may have forgotten you, but I havent. If anyone still remembers you, it means youre not dead. Adios!
He scattered a bunch of wildflowers across the river. Fish that mistook it as food gathered around. The flower petals that floated down the river disappeared as the water bubbled. Of course, struggle existed within a habitat, be it on land, in the river, or the sea. Animals or plants, they were all aggressive. As long as there were living beings, fights couldnt be avoided. The living was bound to die. Besides the time of death, the cause of death mattered too.
The cities in NDjamena had been redesigned by French military engineers during the French colonial period. The city center was well arranged in a circular shape, but the buildings and streets were messy. Like most African cities, only buildings from the colonial period in NDjamena were maintained.
Like slums, most of the buildings that had been built after independence had reeds or Cordyline branches for walls and metal plates for roofs. That was because the locals who had lost their houses and wealth from the civil war fell into poverty, and the regional locals who couldnt stand the famine had relocated to the cities.
The bike couldnt speed up. The chaotic road was filled with cars, bikes, carts, and camels carrying loads on their backs. There was no traffic system, either. He could only sigh at the people who were fighting on the road despite the existing complications.
Suddenly, people started running. They jumped over obstacles as though they were in a hurdle race and kicked as though their lives were on the line. The shops lining the side of the road were flipped over, and curses were flung around. The people were heading in the direction of a truck with a water tank.
Hundreds of people turned aggressive, trying to fill their dirty plastic cans with water. The drought was never-ending, and the social infrastructures were a mess. He wondered if the country would ever function properly.
The reason why he visited the city was to buy flowers. He was planning on getting them a large flower bouquet to celebrate their business achievement. It would be too awkward if a business owner showed his face without bringing anything. He also wanted to give Edel some flowers since they hadnt seen each other for a long time.
Damn, whys it so hard to find a flower shop?
Black Mamba complained before stopping his snakehead by the road. The street signs in NDjamena were written in both French and Arabic. Most of the store signs were written in French too.
It was not that he couldnt read those signs. There really were no flower shops around. Hed searched the entire city of NDjamena, which was surrounded by flying dust, but found nothing. It was hard to ask for directions, either. If he attempted to ask, people would run away hysterically. The same people who ran away would peek at him from behind buildings or fences.
When approached, they would rush into their homes. Even the children, who should be at the peak of their curiosity, looked from afar. If he waved, they would run away.
Do I look like I have the plague? Maybe a military veteran?
He looked down at his clothes. The DGSEs Technical Design Division had designed clean-cut everyday wear highlighting the merits of military uniforms. Although it had a lot of pockets, it looked nowhere near a uniform. Still, they were scared.
I guess it makes sense.
A sigh escaped. The FROLINAT, who had occupied NDjamena for some time, turned theft, rape, and arson into a norm in their daily lives. The locals had associated foreigners and military uniforms with fear and force. A foreigner in military uniform was someone to be feared.
Even the children didnt approach. He recalled following the American Jeeps around in his youth with his friends. When the children came, the American soldiers would throw them chocolates or cereals. Both humans and animals grew tame before food. The American soldiers would laugh at the children who fought one another for the food on the ground.
There were funny b*stards too. Those b*stards would point at their pants while shouting, C*ck, c*ck. Once the children showed them their young c*cks, the b*stards would throw them sausages. To get those sausages, the children fought one another to see who would pull down their pants first.
In return, one of the b*stards had even opened the zipper of his pants to show off a dark stick. When the children screamed at its size, the American soldier threw chocolates in exchange for their reactions. It was the kind of joy one would feel from looking at monkeys performing tricks in a zoo. He hadnt known since he was little, but he now knew that they were the lowest form of life from American soil.
He could clearly remember the dirty faces of those children and his friends, who used to chase the Americans around. He grew sad. Then again, he didnt want to be rude like the American soldiers who had thrown him chocolates and chewing gums. Around other people, that wasnt appropriate behavior.
Noon approached. The sun hung in the center of the sky without a single cloud by its side. That was promised in Africa. His underwear was soaking wet from his attempts at finding some flowers. The flies began to gather after detecting the scent of his sweat. They dug at any opportunity they hadhis mouth, his nostrils, his eyes, his ears, and anywhere that had holes. He still didnt like this damned land of Africa.
Damn, dont these b*stards propose?
Black Mamba, who was mentally exhausted, gave up his search for flowers. Finding a congratulatory flower bouquet in NDjamena was very unlikely anyway. The possession of flowers was proportionate to a citizens income and not about cultural differences. After all, flowers had no economic advantage since it was a representation of luxury.
Flowers didnt get rid of hunger or brought in money. After some time, it only incurred extra garbage disposal fees. It had no other uses other than it being an unconventional healing method. Flowers were meant for those with a secure lifestyle.
Chad was the poorest country within the African continent. The Northern Army and Southern Army, Islam and Christianity, and the Kukuni faction and Habre factionthat was the country where all kinds of military groups were divided into fours and fives and fought every day. How could they turn to flowers when they have to worry about their lives that were on the line and food shortage?
Disregarding the flowers, what should I do about the gifts?
He was the owner, at least by title. He had to act accordingly and not give them anything worthless. A gift was a gift only when the receiver felt touched. As a member of the Tuareg tribe, what would Ombuti like? Black Mamba pulled at his hair. Ombuti was a comrade who had saved his life and a person who had become his family. He wanted to give an appropriate gift but couldnt come up with any ideas.
There were countless tribes in Africa, each with their unique gifting customs. Some tribes would go mad when they were gifted money, and some tribes would start a war when they were gifted pants.
Chapter 286 - Ombuti Flies
He was so concerned about the gifts because Ombuti was the Immoharen of the Tuareg tribe. The Tuareg tribe believed in many myths and nitpicked many things. The Immoharen position was a noble status, and they were very prideful. Of course, Ombuti was the kind of person who would gladly wear the pants, no, the skirt that his master bought for him.
He wanted to give him something meaningful, as much as he was an overbearing uncle and loyal person to him. Behind the identity of Azrael and the Angel of Death was Mu Ssang, a shy Korean man. Off the battlefield, Black Mamba was a Korean youth who had plenty of love to share and knew how to take care of the elders.
West Africa was like Frances front yard. There were plenty of DGSE agents who lived in Africa. What kind of gifts would please a Tuareg Immoharen? He wouldnt have to worry if he had asked.
His something should happen mindset was the problem.
Wait, no one dislikes gold. I should find a jeweler.
Black Mamba snapped his fingers as though he had a big revelation. If there was no appropriate gift, he could give money instead. However, the Tuareg tribe considered the gifting of money as a great offense. Ombuti wouldnt take it that way, but he would comment about his masters wealth and save it in his stead. Gold had the highest monetary value. The loud engine sound rang across NDjamenas central Tombalbaye street.
What the hell, this is like trying to locate a countryside farmer in Seoul.
Not a single jewelry store came into sight despite searching for over an hour. He couldnt find a flower shop or a jewelry store. All he could see were clothing stores or food stores. Well, there was no reason for the locals to desire extravagant things when there was a shortage of clothes and food in the first place. That was the reason why Ombuti had set up a company that handled crops and edibles. This damned country was overflowing with flies, mosquitoes, and sandstormsnot a single desirable aspect. He truly began to hate the country called Chad.
Damn it. I should have brought some gold bars.
It was too late for regrets. His gold bars were resting peacefully in the underground vault of BNP Paribas bank. Black Mamba rubbed the pink-colored diamond in his pocket. If he didnt plan on giving it to his mother, he would have given it to Ombuti.
Wait, Edel!
Hed forgotten about Edel, who was with Ombuti. Ombuti came in second. He wasnt thick-skinned enough to shove his face in front of a woman he hadnt met for a year.
Ugh, Im about to go mad.
He spent three hours on the street. His eyes stung from trying to find a jewelry shop. The Dassault Falcon, which had departed Paris at nine in the morning, landed in NDjamena Airport at two in the afternoon. Currently, it was five in the afternoon. Mentally exhausted, Black Mamba collapsed on the staircase of a building and smoked his Cohiba Siglo.
What the hell am I doing?
He looked pathetic, crouching on the staircase while exhaling donut-shaped smoke. The actions hed taken despite flying over to Africa on a private jet was illogical.
Huh?
As he exhaled smoke after smoke, his wandering eyes came to a halt. There was a circular plate nailed to the buildings pillar. The French writing on the circular plate grabbed his attention.
[TOTAL Bijoutiers/atelier de mtal prcieux]
Total jewelers! All the metal around the world?
Black Mambas face creased. He immediately moved himself a few paces back from the building and looked at it from top to bottom. No matter how hard he stared at it, the three-story building was not a jewelry store. The buildings granite wall was thick enough to repel 75-millimeter artilleries, and the windows were the size of a palm. The closed wooden door was encased in iron bars and plates. It was a fortress, not a jewelry store.
Whether they handled gold or gems, the jewelers he knew of had clear windows for their entire storefront, and they were illuminated inside. They were designed in such a manner to create the urge to buy. This damned shop was the opposite. It didnt announce its presence. Perhaps this was why he couldnt find a jewelry store. Although the building was made in consideration of the substandard social safety in Chad, that was too concealed.
Boom boom boom
He had a hunch that the door was at least a palms width wide.
Clack
The palm-sized window clicked open. He could barely see the mouth of a white man with shining oily skin.
I came to buy gold.
Show me your money.
His thick lips, which looked as though it could serve an entire plate if cut with the Kukri, moved despicably.
Show my money?
Forcing a customer to show his money! He couldnt tell whether the man was looking for a fight or running a business.
If you dont have money, leave.
He had unhesitantly made the request.
Ha, look at this damn b*stard talk.
Black Mamba tried his best to calm his rising temper. He nearly planted his fist through that mans shiny mouth. He helplessly took out a bunch of francs from his pocket and shoved it in the mans face.
You are a customer.
The heavy door creaked open. The white man closed the door immediately after Black Mamba stepped in. Black Mamba felt as though he was being confined.
It was a jewelry store, all right. Display cases were spread all around. The owner removed the iron plates, which covered the cases. Gold, white gold, diamonds, opals, pearlsall kinds of jewelry exuded their brilliance. For a shop handled by an inhospitable owner, there were many products.
Look. I swear to Allah, they are all real.
B*stard, its suspicious, Black Mamba murmured in Korean.
Havu? mentioned that those who swore to Allah amid their conversation were always liars.
How much is this? he asked, holding up a heavy golden donkey statue.
30,000 francs.
25,000 francs.
Get out!
Get out? Ha, Id rather die than suffer.
Black Mambas face creased. Something that could be achieved easily in France became a self-earned chore. The high-end boutiques on Paris Rue Saint-Honor were expensive but of quality. He wanted to stop, but hed already invested an hour searching for this store. He didnt dare search for other stores.
Most of the African locals were nomadic or from farming tribes. They regarded animals as their companions and friends. They also regarded camels, goats, and donkeys as the highest form of congratulatory gifts. The number of livestock in their house represented their wealth.
The Maasai tribe and Tuareg tribe did not consider those without livestock part of their community. A golden donkey statue was the best offering for a member of the Tuareg tribe. Although it wasnt knowledge that Black Mamba could have possibly known, he was lucky.
What should I get for Edel? Maybe a ring? Is that too inconsiderate?
He recalled how embarrassed he had been, looking at her happy expression after receiving a cheap purse. He lifted a bracelet embedded with diamonds and asked. It seemed quite expensive.
How much is this?
32,000 francs.
Fine. Wrap it.
One should inquire about the worth of gold before making a purchase, but he didnt. He was skeptical but decided to bear with the rip-off. In the first place, it was wrong to expect an enjoyable shopping experience in NDjamena. Still, his pride didnt allow him to glare at an average citizen either.
Black agate misbaha, bon, bon.
The owner offered him a misbaha that glimmered in black. The object was commonly seen in Arab countries. The misbaha were sacred objects that the Muslims used during prayer. The misbaha looked similar to the Catholic beads, but instead of the cross, a Quran was attached. The misbaha was made from the finest black agate. That was due to their belief that black agate chased away ghosts and evil creatures.
Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad were all born around the fifth century. The Catholic beads took inspiration from the Buddhist prayer beads. The misbaha took inspiration from the wooden fish and stick chants. The three great religions shared many religious aspects. They were only picked apart and divided by humans whims.
How much?
Ill just give it to you for 1,000 francs.
Black Mamba tilted his head. Although many knew the worth of gold, the worth of agate was still unknown to many. He didnt know the market prices, but agate wasnt cheap gems. They were comparable to amethyst.
1,000 francs was equivalent to 260,000 Korean won. The amount was absurd, according to Chads market price. The owner was ripping him off because he was a foreigner.
You b*stard, do you think Im an idiot?
Black Mambas eyes turned cold. The anger, which he had been repressing, exploded. He glared at the owner, who was shaking his fats around. If the owner hadnt said just give, he would have been less mad.
He placed the misbaha on the row of display cases and tapped it with his palm.
Whoosh
Dust rose. 10 black agate beads shattered. It was an imitation made of sand and coated with black gloss. It was a good imitation too.
Oh?
No!
Like magic, the bloated owners white face turned dark. Black Mamba himself was surprised. Hed doubted but didnt think it was actually fake. Initially, he had intended to break the black agate and give the owner a difficult time.
You f****** b*stard!
Upset, he grabbed a golden bracelet and used his strength.
Crack
The bracelet broke. Its inner surface was bluish-white. It was an imitation, with gold paint painted on lead. It was a method often used by swindlers.
What are you doing! the owner shouted, his face now the color of the fake bracelet.
Shut up, f*****.
He was an idiot who had never considered the existence of a human who could snap a thick lead bracelet into two. Perhaps, he couldnt discern the situation since Black Mamba had discovered his scam. Frustrated, Black Mamba took out the golden donkey statue and placed it on a display case. When he was about to slam down on it with his palm, a pair of chunky hands grabbed the golden donkey statue, the bracelet, and misbaha before disappearing into the inner room. That movement was faster than the market stand gestures.
Ha, hes faster than I am. Now, how do I scold him so that rumor will spread?
Black Mamba laughed. He couldnt use force against a citizen, but this b*stard had crossed the line. He sat on an iron chair and waited until the owneror swindlerreappeared. He found the man repulsive, but it wasnt a crime deserving of death. If the man apologized, he would consider flicking his forehead as a means of forgiveness.
The fat swindler reappeared from the room. The situation progressed differently from his expectations. Instead of the real deal, he reappeared alongside two built black men with intense glares.
One was spinning a folding knife, and the other was licking an ax. They looked exactly like typical street gang members. Both of them had looks that could kill.
They had flat noses, torn lips, and a few knife scars on their faces. That kind of face would make any kind-hearted customer scream. Hed heard that some had fled the FROLINATs defeated battalions and southern FAP to NDjamena. They were of the same kind.
Oh, youre asking for it.
Talkis al quadir, kunta jaba-nan![1] the swindler shouted with confidence.
Naqud, dod ingil mel. Katu you meh-oud al-mawt.
The man with the ax revealed his yellow teeth, muttering incomprehensible words. Although he didnt understand the meaning of the sentence, he understood the words naqud[2] and al-mawt[3]. The man was saying that hed be killed if he didnt hand over his money. Those street members were as ignorant as they looked.
Look at this guy talk! Hes saying things that will get him in trouble. Killing a customer and stealing their money? Isnt this exactly like those scenes that I saw in movies? Hahaha!
Black Mamba laughed in astonishment. Those b*stards were attempting to kill him, even when they should be groveling on the floor. It was a completely different story from what he had predicted.
There was a reason behind the fortress-like entrance and windowless walls. They were operating a specialized business that mooched off wealthy foreigners.
Black Mambas eyes grew cold. The mens fates were decided the moment they revealed their weapons and killing intent. What a sad self-centered world they lived in, unable to foresee the future because greed had blinded them!
Are you guys originally thieves or b*stards who act like thieves when needed? Ive never killed civilians before. If you apologize, Ill walk away with a few of your teeth, Black Mamba warned with a low voice.
The swindler with the protruding belly hesitated. Didnt that man fear his friends who held an ax and a knife? The fat mans face creased, understanding the customers words immediately.
Qutil![4]
Hehehe!
At the simple order, the man holding the knife with the twisted lips laughed. The b*stards eyes glinted in anticipation for the forthcoming violence. A pungent smell filled with bloodlust swelled. His brain picked up the scent instead of his nose. That b*stard was someone who had killed several times. Black Mambas eyes turned colder. Barely a day passed since his decision not to spatter any more blood on the ground. His efforts to see less blood was futile.
The b*stard with the knife ran forward and stabbed the entrance handle.
Ha!
Black Mamba could only laugh. He was foolish for locking the door in an attempt to catch a tiger that had entered his home. What idiocy.
Whoosh
The knife swung toward his chest without a single word of notice. There was no hesitation in that hand movement. The African must have learned how to handle a blade. It was like a ghost trying to attack a general.
Slap
Huh?
The eyes of the man who wielded the knife widened. He didnt know how it had happened, but his knife was in the other mans hand.
Huh, Opinel!
Black Mamba had exclaimed several times today. Opinel was a folding knife created by Frances blade specialist, Opinel, at the end of the 19th century. Its blade was made of Damascus, and its handle was made of ivory. A street gang member couldnt possibly possess such an object. It was clearly stolen from a customer, who was presumably dead.
[1] You dirty heathen, Ill kill you!
[2] Money.
[3] Death.
[4] Kill!
Chapter 287 - Ombuti Flies
This b*stard should be in a coffin.
Black Mambas body bent the moment the b*stard, who had lost his knife, moved his hand toward his chest.
Pa-at
He moved his palm gently as though he was chasing away flies and swept past the mans shoulders.
Crack
The sound of someone stepping on dry firewood was heard. It was the sound of bones breaking, no, the sound of bones shattering.
Gaaaah!
A pitiful cry rang. The gang member collapsed on the spot like a folding empty sack. Black Mamba didnt care. He kicked the dropping gun up to his hands and crushed the mans wrists with his military boots before proceeding to the ankles.
Craack
Ugggh!
The man opened his mouth wide at the sensation of his ankle bones shattering.
Youre too loud.
The appreciation magnifying lens on the display case flew through the air. The palm-sized magnifying lens was shoved into his mouth.
Kugh
He stopped screaming.
Beings who escape the cycle of humanity deserve to be punished like creatures. You wont be able to use your arms or legs for the rest of your life. Crawl around like a bug until your death, b*stard.
Bang
Crash
The gang member was kicked right into the display case, shattering the glass. He was on display alongside the fake gold that lined the cases.
Crack
The Tokarev in Black Mambas hand was crushed like foam. Its gun barrel and handle shattered, while the slide and spring popped out.
The fat swindler slowly tried to sneak away.
Bang
The Tokarev barrel tore through the fat mans ear and embedded into the wall. Surprised, the swindler froze. Black Mamba flicked the Opinel in his hand. Cold eyes followed the swindler.
Uuuuh!
The man, whod been standing still by the door, flew. He drove himself into the furthest wall like he was drilling into it.
If you move a single inch, Ill drive you into the wall instead.
The mans eyes moved toward his knife. He nodded like mad.
This is something good. Ombuti should like it.
He pressed down on the folding knife and closed the blade. The Opinel was a modified version of a dagger that the Berber tribe of the Sahara had used. Opinel had increased the knifes quality and practicality by restructuring the dagger. Opinel was rumored to have created 100 knives as a gift for his Berber friends. Opinel was the most valuable treasure to the Berber tribe. It was an item that Ombuti would like.
Haaa!
The other man holding the ax got to his senses and charged toward Black Mamba while screaming bizarrely. It was the final resistance by a prey consumed in fear. Like an illusion, the hand-ax that flew like an arrow toward his head was soon in Black Mambas hand. It was a variation of his skillStealing Guard of 100 Hands.
The owner of the ax didnt even get the chance to be surprised. The axs blade twinkled in the light and rushed down like a meteorite on his shoulder. A few moments later, both of his arms separated from his shoulders and fell to the ground.
Aaaaaagh!
Following his scream, blood started flowing like a fountain. Unable to overcome the extreme pain, the owner of the ax rolled his eyeballs, revealing only the white of the eyes.
Crash
A foot decked in boot immediately flew into the mans open mouth. His gums tore, and his teeth flew in several directions. He would only eat baby food for the rest of his life now that his entire jaw was shattered.
I wont cut your legs so that you can carry the other man around.
The two African street gang members were silent like the dead. Their brains had shut down due to the immense shock. Black Mamba had given them a punishment harsher than death. If he hadnt visited his comrades before, hed have taken the necks of those b*stards.
Hey, swindler!
Heeeek!
The owner, who had been standing frozen like a statue with his mouth wide open, screeched in surprise. Yellow liquid streamed down from between his legs and onto the concrete floor.
Stop that b*stard from bleeding out.
The fat swindler moved like lightning. He ripped his clothes off and bound the ax owners arm, but that wasnt enough to stop the arterial bleeding. Black Mambas face creased. Although Black Mamba had decided not to see blood, he ended up seeing it anyway. That wasnt a battlefield but a jewelry store. His mood had reached its lowest point.
Make a proper deal.
The swindler disappeared and returned like lightning. His hands trembled as he placed a gold donkey, bracelet, and a black agate misbaha on the display case.
Ha, what the hell. This means that all the objects in the display cases are fake, right?
Black Mamba was flabbergasted. It seemed as though he had hidden the real deal somewhere in the inner room.
How much is it?
Please save me. The fat man, whose entire face was covered in sweat, desperately shook his hand.
You b*stard. I asked how much?
He raised his voice. The swindler collapsed onto the floor that was covered in blood and knocked his head.
Please, just save me.
This b*stards turning me into a robber.
The store owner was overwhelmed with fear. He couldnt process the transaction. Black Mamba left 30,000 francs on the display case.
From my experience, you must have taken at least double the price. This much should be enough, right?
Yes? Yes!
The fat owner nodded his head back and forth like a Jack-in-the-box.
Now that the transactions over, we should deal fist to fist.
Slap
Crash
The obese being, who was hit on the cheek, flew across the room and landed in a roll. Teeth flew and landed on the ground.
The other cheek will find it unfair if only one side gets the attention, dont you think?
Uuuwuhhh!
The swindler quickly shook his hands.
Slap
A resounding impact rang from the other cheek. This time, he flew in the opposite direction and rolled around. Hed managed to withstand a slap that no other soldier had survived. He immediately kneeled and lowered his head. He was an obese person with survival instincts.
You must have prepared yourself for death when you killed others, right?
Black Mamba pulled out the shamshir that decorated the entrance wall. It didnt matter much to Black Mamba whether it came with a blade or not. He didnt consider the qisas a barbaric tradition. Life should be repaid with life and wealth with wealth. Swindlers were worthless, but that b*stard had killed. Murderers were the worst. Black Mamba couldnt bear to see evil people living their lives happily.
Charitable pre[1], please be benevolent. I have an old mother in Pompidou, uuuuahh!
The terrified swindler started crying. Black Mamba, who had intended to cut off his neck, hesitated. He hesitated at the word mother. The name Pompidou also played a part.
Mother, hm.
His heart ached every time he heard the word mother. His mother could be anywhere under the foreign skies. The man deserved to die, but his nationality made Black Mamba hesitate. He tapped the blades body with his hand. The thick metal blade broke into half.
Live like a human, wont you? If you live like an animal, youll die like an animal. Im letting you live since youre not even worth killing.
Flick
The broken blade dug deep between the mans legs, right into the floor, until it couldnt be seen.
Bang
The gate, which was as thick as his arm, broke into two with a single kick. Black Mamba disappeared through the open doors.
Vrrroom
The roar of his bikes engine grew distant.
Hhhhuuh!
A painful groan escaped the jewelry owners mouth the moment the engine sounds faded. Although the terrifying being had left, he couldnt lift his head. He felt as though the devil would return for his neck the moment he did.
Black Mamba felt bitter. His mood was ruined from the first day of his return to Chad. If he didnt have the strength, he would have been robbed off of everything by those b*stards and turned into fish food for the creatures in the Shari River. Past or present, the land where human conditions were abandoned and the world where creatures ran about remained the same. Even the faint sound from his engine of 1,500 cubic centimeters couldnt lift his spirits.
Perhaps a land of barbarians suits me better.
He was Asura, the king of all creatures who had defeated them with the Rakshasa.
Its unexpected to see such a scene in Chad.
Black Mamba was slightly surprised by the construction site in the fourth district of Avenue Charles de Gaulle. Although the construction sites size wasnt much of a big deal, the fact that he could see any measurable ongoing construction in Chad was incredible.
According to Bonipas, Avenue Charles de Gaulles cotton production company was a project managed with Frances loan. Habr, who had received a loan of 1,000,000,000 francs, decided to use half the amount on himself and gave France 25,000 square kilometers of land in return. In Habrs perspective, the land was useless with or without.
It was very different compared to Koreas construction sites. There were only humans with shovels and pickaxes and a few construction vehicles on the land that reached the horizon. He sighed at the pathetic sight to the point that it was comical.
Construction work in Korea focused on speed, like a contest that could only be achieved with concentrated resources and manpower. With the completion of the Gyeongbu Expressway and the Soyanggang Dam in 1970, Korea became a construction-oriented republic. Social infrastructures such as industrial complexes, seawalls, dams, and roads rapidly expanded while the construction of apartment complexes boomed.
In the 1980s, construction companies that had gained power through domestic constructions were pushed to the Middle East like a tide in the oil boom. It was said that misfortune and opportunities came hand in hand. Opportunities only came to those who were prepared. Korea had met with two consecutive oil shock attacks but also had the fortune of becoming the Middle Easts only oil specialist team. In the background of Koreas forgotten barley fields, an industrial force poured out their sweat and blood in the desert.
Air was money for construction companies. For someone who was used to Koreas pali-pali culture, Black Mamba was astounded. At that rate, he wondered at which century would they be able to complete the construction. Although, that wasnt something he should mind.
Vroom
Black Mamba stared at the construction site for a little longer before heading toward his autonomous region.
What the hell is that? Damn, what the hell?
On top of the 30-meter tall iron construction hung a panel that introduced itself as Wakils Commerce Company. The sentence May Wakils Commerce Company/Masters Grace Cover Africa was written on it.
He felt his face burn. Only Ombuti would name a company as such and mention grace in the same breath. Wakils Commerce Company could be overlooked. Fortunately, it wasnt named Ddu-bai-buru-pa Company. Ombuti was the kind of person who would name the company Mu Ssang Company if Black Mamba had told him his real name.
The companys rectangular site measured 1,000 meters by 3,000 meters. Ombuti had secured nearly 1,000,000 pyungs, achieving his goal of the bigger, the better. The land was far too large for a relatively new company. It was the outcome of Black Mambas land trauma that had been triggered in Korea because of the shortage of land.
Vroom
The snakehead turned once around the companys outer fence. The long iron fence of two meters tall was a simple defense line. It had zero defense capabilities. There were five gate guards with automatic rifles in hand, a two-story brick building located at 10 oclock from the gate, six warehouses the size of handball fields located at three oclock from the gate, the lap time of 2.3 seconds from the fence to the two-story brick building, an ideal sniping location located on the left front of the rooftop, and the lap time of 32 seconds to suppress the internal guards. He instantly analyzed the place and envisioned an eraser process.
Wait, what am I f****** doing?
He flinched in surprise. Perhaps it was a habit? Perhaps it was his workaholic tendencies? When he arrived at Ombutis company, he immediately planned an attack and retreat route and searched for a sniping location. He was doing too many useless things. Hed delved too far into his mercenary life that hed grown a habit of dividing the people of the world into murderers and victims of death.
The front gate of Wakils Commerce Company wasnt crowded. Aside from the trucks that looked as though theyd break down and donkeys pulling carts, there was nearly no visitor. About 95 percent of Chads population were farmers. It also meant that the transportation system was lacking.
Ombuti wanted to venture into production and transportation. Transportation was profitable. Africas flow of money had suffered due to the lack of transportation systems. Controlling the flow of produce would allow money to roll in automatically.
Ombuti wanted to provide the citizens with jobs instead of generating money. He had to work in the production field to create many jobs and become of help to the regional economy. Black Mamba had entrusted all decisions to Ombuti. That was Ombutis responsibility as the boss.
Stop!
A guard, who was neatly dressed in a yellow-green military uniform, blocked his path. He could see a guard holding up a rifle inside the post. It was the Kalashnikov that Emil had managed to sneak away from the weapons storage.
Business?
I came to meet the one in charge.
Call him boss.
Haha, right, I came to meet the boss.
Get off.
Black Mamba meekly got off the bike. The guards eyes didnt stray away from the bike. It was strange for a Chad local not to be surprised by a BMW bike of 1,500 cubic centimeters.
ID!
Ha, this b*stard. Oi, is this the airport security station? Black Mamba shouted.
The guard didnt even move.
Its the rule.
Ombuti must have trained you well. Im wakil.
I cant even if youre the wakil. ID!
The guard acted tough, to the point that even a nail wouldnt have drilled through. There was no room for flexibility. However, he couldnt scold a guard who was loyal to his duties. He handed him the special military advisor ID card.
Sbard Gulbeig? What kind of name is that?
The guard tilted his head. The person who had given Black Mamba such an unusual pseudonym was manager Miguel from the DGSE. Sbard referred to the dark world, and Gulbeig meant one who chased gold. It was proof of his ill intentions since the beginning. He had almost forgotten about the name since it held no meaning to him.
Oho, you know how to read French? Ombuti chose his workers well.
Hey, stop mentioning our boss name like that.
The guard frowned. Black Mamba felt satisfied. It meant that the workers respected Ombuti.
By any chance, is there a female doctor called Miss Edel here?
Ah, Dr. Edel! She came here several times, mentioning the arrival of a precious guest. I have no idea who this b*stard is to make her wait. Oh!
Taken by surprise, the guards eyes rapidly moved up and down Black Mamba. At that moment, he remembered his boss order. Hed said that an important guest was visiting late at night. The guard hadnt thought of that since it was still early.
Could you take off your hat, please?
The guards tone suddenly changed. Black Mamba took off the boonie hat that covered half of his face.
Hey Endada, is the boss expecting an Asian guest?
Yeah. He said the persons tall and built.
F***!
The guards dark face quickly turned pale.
Hey, my ID.
Ssorry.
The guard rushed to hand the card back.
Que tengo miedo a perderte.[2]
Perderte despues.[3]
Quiero tenerte muy cerca.[4]
A sad song played by Black Mambas ears.
[1] Father.
[2] Im afraid of losing you.
[3] Ill be scared still.
[4] I want to have you near.
Chapter 288 - Episode 5: Ombuti Flies
Edel knows Besame Mucho?
Black Mambas ears were 100 times better than the ordinary people. Edel was walking to the rhythm of the song.
Clack clack
He could hear the sound of her feet on the gravel. He listened carefully. Her rhythm was similar to his. It was the same, down to her off-beat walk to the word pederte[1]. It seemed as though she had learned it at Val-de-Grace military hospital.
Edel had a noble soul. She regarded other peoples pain and happiness as her own. She was an angel who relieved her anger and pain through devotion and volunteering, unlike himself, who remained strung on revenge.
Edels song had filled his dry heart like ink spreading across water. The Angel of Love, Rudrey Edel, who loves the Angel of Death, Azraelthere couldnt have been a more off-beat song. It wasnt as though he didnt know Edels heart. He just couldnt understand. He couldnt understand why a noblewoman like her would like Asura, who reeked of blood.
It was said that not even gods could read a womans mind, so there was no way for him to know either. He had left the woman with the elegance of Hae Young and the purity of Jin Soon for a year out of fear that his heart would be swayed. However, the strong emotions that her song embodied effortlessly filled all that time spent apart.
Perhaps the saying was precise, the less we saw of a person, the further they would drift away! As Edel slowly and quietly made her way through, Hae Young was pushed to the side. His heart ached slightly. He could fly to California on his private jet any time. He could find Hae Youngs address and research station with a single call to the DGSE or Bellman. Why couldnt he?
Fear. For four years, he feared her absence and missed the letters that she used to send. What if there were traces of a man in her room? What if her heart was still cold?
He didnt want to touch a bleeding wound where a scab had barely formed. Hae Young could throw him in the depths of emptiness with a single word or action. He feared her as much as he loved her.
No. He was being shaken, not Hae Young. He feared his own heart, which was slowly shutting her out. He excused himself by saying that he couldnt touch her with his bloody hands, but the truth was that he feared the blurring memories.
Although hed vomited blood about how one should only love once, the guilt he felt was no different from others, with hypocrisy pressing down on his mind. Black Mamba blankly listened to the repeating lyrics of I fear losing you.
Edel matched the rhythm of the song to her footsteps. Memories of Black who had sung while looking out the hospital window of Val-de-Grace and the lonely sight of him humming to Besame Mucho played back in her mind. She didnt know that the meaning of the lyrics had expressed her heart so perfectly. After singing it a few times, she was hooked.
He should be here now.
It was now her seventh time walking to the gate for a check. Shed devoted her life to people who were lonely and tortured, but somehow, she had fallen in love instantly.
Blacks heart was stronger than a racing horse and soft like a dandelion. His mind was tougher than steel, but his insides were purer than a young girls. Blacks friends, alongside Uncle Ombuti, were enamored by his strong aura that they didnt notice his weaker side.
Shed been so surprised the first time she met Black at Ati Hospital. She had been more surprised by him prioritizing to save a child in his injured state than his ability to heal incurable diseases like guinea worms and filariasis. The soldiers feared him, but the children loved him. Someone who was strong against the strong and weak against the weak, there truly was someone like that! And at that moment, she felt her soul calling out to follow that man.
When he had gifted her the macarons with the lettering Courage! she immediately fell for the mans pure soul. Her fathers noble dream had collapsed because of a monstrous betrayal and violence. A noble soul could not serve as a defense against primitive violence.
Unlike her father, Black had a power that went beyond her reality and dreams. She wanted to watch the heights that he could reach, what he was capable of, and help out.
She recalled memories of her time in Val-de-Grace hospital looking after Black Mamba. Although she found joy in helping the sick and poor, the time she spent looking after him had been 1,000, no, 1,000,000 times better. Just thinking of it made her hum to Besame Mucho.
Its a bit shameless singing I want to have you near. However, his breath is sweet. Im not going to be greedy. He gets hurt easily. Youre also a doctor. I only want to help him. Come on, Rudrey. Youll be fine!
Rudrey shook her small fist.
Oh, the angels coming over again! a guard who was inspecting the half-broken truck shouted.
Edel heard the guards voice as she walked down Wakils Road.
Oh, they might have heard me. What should I do? Edel was worried that they might have overheard her thinking out loud.
The sun descended, leaving behind a red sky. Before the guard post, a man was smiling with the sunset as his background. It was a man whose presence shone among 1,000s and 1,000,000s of people. Edel rubbed her eyes. It was Black.
Black!
A clear soprano filled the damp air. Edel ran down the gravel road. The ends of her gown, which fluttered in the wind, looked like butterfly wings.
Ah!
She rushed. The moment she missed a step, arms as strong as iron wrapped around her wrist and raised her like a doll. It was Black Mamba, who had teleported across 20 meters.
Oh, Jesus! The best day of my life.
The clear blue lake shimmered. Black Mambas heart trembled. Her single-minded devotion, which came in strong waves, was too pure. It was longing. Having a place to return to with someone waiting for you was a happy reality. His worries evaporated as warm feelings flooded in.
Edel, Im not a good man. Why were you waiting for someone like me who reeks of blood? Youre acting like a
Black Mamba couldnt finish his words.
Black, theres no such thing as good men or bad men. It doesnt matter what kind of man I like. Instead, you should be asking why I love you.
Why do you love me? he asked like a fool.
Its empathy and desire.
Empathy and desire? Black Mamba repeated in surprise.
Women desire men who can empathize. Please dont ask any further. Women despise logical conversations. This is my answer.
Edel tip-toed and kissed Black Mambas cheek. She wanted to kiss him but lacked the courage. His cheeks felt warm. He hugged her thin waist, her soft body. Black Mamba felt dizzy. Did he save a village in his past life?
Wow! Even the guards in the guard post rushed out to exclaim.
Idiots!
The mood broke. Edel pouted and smiled despite the pool of tears in her eyes. It was the peak of cuteness that would test the courage of any man. Even Black Mamba, who Jang Shin had once called the Buddha among all Buddhas, felt his heart race.
Wow! Youre the best, Miss Angel.
Is he the guest you were expecting?
Angels lover has come.
The guards talked among themselves in a disorderly manner.
Damn, this is embarrassing. Whos the leader here? Black Mamba turned to look at the guards.
Yes, sir, Im the second divisions guard leader, Mjimu.
A tall black man with a solid physique stepped forward.
Todays work attitude is commendable. Ill reward the second division.
Black Mamba took out 100 francs from his wallet and gave it to the leader.
Woah, hooray for the wakil!
No human on Earth, regardless of race, disliked money. Their monthly wage was 20 francs. There was a reason behind their cheer.
Lets hurry. Ombutis neck is about to stretch out the window. Hes been opening and closing the window all day despite him telling me that youre arriving tomorrow.
Edel grabbed and dragged Black Mambas hand.
Did Ombuti do this?
Black Mamba stopped before a signpost that read as Wakils Road. The width was just enough for two people to walk through. There was white gravel spread on the road and a tunnel made of rose vines. On the outskirts of the tunnel were replanted palm trees that provided cool shade. There were also Box-leaved Holly and Ixora Chinensis, which added more shade and grandeur. Comparable to the distance to Andromeda, the sight was far from Chads image. Black Mambas mouth hung open.
Yes. Only wakil walks on this road. Not even Uncle Ombuti walks through here. Its like a land of fairy tales, right?
Edel blushed. Black Mamba paused. He could feel Edels sweet intentions as she emphasized the fact that the road was only for wakil. A road like a fairytale? No. That was a replica of the decorative garden in Loire Valleys Chateau de Villandry.
Villandry castle, known for its beautiful garden, was built during the Renaissance era. Among Swiss and Italian couples, the Love Garden of the second flower garden salon was a top pick for wedding venues.
Ombuti had spent money on replicating the Path of Cheer, one of the many paths in the garden. For someone who was stingy about money, it was an unexpected decision. It was obvious what Edels thoughts were as she walked back and forth the road.
Oh, its pretty.
Edel picked a red Ixora Chinensis flower and arranged it in between her hair. The red flower stood out against her blond hair, which looked like spurned gold. Golden hair, a red flower, and a smooth white face, those features combined exuded a harmonious aura.
Black Mamba unknowingly wrapped his arms around Edels waist and brought her closer. She silently exclaimed as her chest pressed against his iron chest.
Mmh!
Edels consciousness traveled to Andromeda. Her head screamed no, but her body voluntarily snuggled into the mans arms. Black Mambas consciousness returned because of Edels startled voice.
Ugh, this is Ombutis scheme. Hes going to drive me mad one day.
Black Mamba internally yelled. The Ixora Chinensis had an aphrodisiac effect. Ombuti had attempted all kinds of methods to get him and Edel together at Val-de-Grace hospital too. The narrow road was part of Ombutis tenacious plan to get him and Edel together.
Edel, are you eating well?
Black Mamba wanted to punch his mouth. Hed attempted to say something to make it less awkward for the softhearted Edel, but his mouth had betrayed his mind.
Oh, Jesus!
Surprised, Edel released her arms that were around Black Mambas neck and retreated. Black Mamba found it interesting how Edels white face had magically turned red.
White women were usually open to the idea of sex. They had casual sex with men whom they just met and separated like it was nothing. Edel was an unbelievably naive exception.
Yes, I eat as much as you do, Black. I eat Korean food very well too.
Korean food?
Black Mambas eyes widened. Shed once bought a chicken to make samgyetang for him in the hospital, but at that time, he was a patient. It wasnt easy for a western woman to enjoy Korean food.
Jang Shin taught me how to cook it. Sometimes, he sends me Korean sauces and ingredients. I can eat gochujang now, too.
Edel pushed out her chest. It was as if to say, Im doing well, arent I? It was adorable. Who would have thought that she was 26?
His heart skipped a beat. He found her efforts to match his tastes adorable. What kind of man wouldnt love such a woman? He pulled out the case with the gold bracelet from his backpack.
Edel, this is a gift.
Edel, who opened the case to see what it contained, jumped in her spot.
Oh, my God! There must be nothing left in your wallet!
Its not that expensive.
Dont talk like you dont know. This is from Louis Cartiers collection, the best line of diamonds from Cartier. You need to offer at least 150,000 francs.
Huh!
He gasped. That was an object hed bargained for 30,000 francs after beating the owner up. That price also included the gold donkey. Hed become a robber unknowingly.
Help me put it on.
Edel lifted the bracelet to his eyes and gazed intensely at him. The red blush that had crawled down to her chin was almost pitiful. She was a woman of misfortune. Her uncle had murdered her father and stole her inheritance. Rudrey Edel was a part of Les Misrables. Luckily, he had brought along the misbaha, which was said to bring good luck. He secured the bracelet around her wrist and took out the misbaha, which looked like a necklace.
This is also a gift.
Ah, a misbaha!
Edels face shone brightly. Shed received two shackles. Internally, she was all smiles. She gathered her thick golden hair and raised it. A pale neck that seemed capable of breaking with a single tap was exposed. Her collarbone received the sunsets reddish glow.
Gulp
He swallowed his saliva instinctively. That was the uncontrollable male instinct.
Om Mani Banme Hum!
Black Mamba chanted a mantra to rule over his heart. The Om Mani Banme Hum was undergoing tribulations in the far land of Africa. Black Mamba turned around and sneakily took off the billions water armor. He was used to it now, but a single mistake could lead to a disaster.
With the black misbaha surrounding her white neck, her delicate neckline stood out more. Usually, Edel didnt wear rings or necklaces. The only accessory on her was a pin she wore on her hair. Beauties were of a different species. An accessory could enhance ones beauty. She showed him why women were crazy about jewels.
It suits you.
Really?
I cant lie.
I know very well. Still, women like to listen to plain lies that confirm plain truths sometimes.
Thats not a good habit. Its a waste of time and emotions.
Haha!
Edel ended up laughing. Was there any other man like Black Mamba who was as oblivious toward a womans mind? Well, that was one of Blacks charms too. She couldnt imagine Black lingering around women.
[1] Fear.
Chapter 289 - Episode 6: Ombuti Flies
He wouldnt be Black if he danced around women and said pleasing things. Black was rough. He was a man who walked his own path relentlessly. He shattered anything in his way. He pushed them away like the hail or storm.
That wasnt a rhetorical description but the truth. He had destroyed captain Richie at the MSF nursing station in Ati because of his rudeness. He had beaten up the invaders who attacked Val-de-Grace hospital like they were rabid dogs. He even turned the intelligence heads into scarecrows. Frances highest-ranking officers had volunteered to go to Africa to retract the remains of Black Mambas comrades.
His actions alone were refreshingly clear. He had said after listing his requests to director Bonipas, No, you can. Youll end up doing all that I asked for within five days. Those who betrayed him met the worse fates. That was when he felt the thrill. It got to the point that he shuddered at his two-sided personality.
There were times when his hurricane-like force turned soft. It was when he faced Les Misrables. He was incapable of ignoring the pitiful and the tormented. Such a man was referred to as manly in Korea. The term didnt represent gender but the worth of a man.
Those who abused their power and stepped on other people didnt know the pain of being stepped on. The rich didnt know the sufferings of the poor. The educated didnt know the frustrations of the uneducated. That was human. I know your pain and I will solve your problems were phrases that hypocrites often used.
The political leaders who had emerged after Africas independence had forgotten all about the elephants pain the moment they sat on the ivory chairs. They shoved their countries and citizens into a dark era worse than the colonial period. The moment they sat on the chairs, their eyes turned blind, and their ears went deaf. Only their mouths functioned.
To understand another human, one had to view things from anothers perspective and experience their life. Black was such a human. Edel, who was wearing pink-tinted glasses, viewed everything he did as something great. She didnt know Black Mamba had threatened Bonipas into giving him large sums of money and stolen the jewels by beating the jeweler owner to death. She also didnt know that he was the kind of person to call a service car owned by the DGSE to save his own money on taxi fares.
She could hear Black Mambas heartbeats since her ears were pressed against his chest. The rough heartbeats of the man she loved sounded sweet. Blacks heart pulsed 0.5 times per second. It beat once to her second beat. It was slow to the point that she had almost suspected bradycardia when she examined him at the MSF nursing station. On the other hand, it was strong. His blood flow velocity was beyond anyones imagination. It was an impossible speed to obtain, even if she were to inject adrenaline and Digitoxin at the same time. At that moment, she realized that Black Mambas existence went beyond the limits of humanity.
He was the most human shed ever seen despite his inhumanity. He had a small mouth, big eyes, and big ears. He was more action than talk. That was Black. Edels heart warmed up at the comfort of his rough hands. If she didnt love such a man, who else would she love?
She had been taken aback after witnessing his womanish hands break through concrete and bend a metal pipe. She shelved all her questions away and simply considered him a man outside the realms of humanity. A monster with a human at its core was 100, no, 1,000 times better than those monsters with the appearance of a human.
Black, do you remember what you told me at the MSF in Ati?
My weakness is my memory. I wasnt in my right mind, either, since I was injured.
That was one of the many aspects Black Mamba didnt understand about women. Women continuously tried to recall the words men said. They remembered every conversation down to every word, even from several years ago, with their superhuman memory. Hae Young and Jin Soon were like that too.
You didnt put on Chanel No. 5 or Lance Rouge. Youre not wearing Emanuel Ungaro and didnt doll yourself up with a Chloe scarf. Still, youre the third most beautiful woman Ive ever seen in this world.
Edel lowered her voice as much as she could to replicate Black Mamba.
Ugh, of course!
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck.
Thats what you said. As a doctor myself, I can say that my shell is superb. Countless men shower their praises and seek my attention.
Of course.
Black Mamba agreed without a second thought. B*stards who werent taken by Edels appearance were either men with no d**** or gays.
They were all barking dogs. Medically speaking, all women are the same when you remove two millimeters thick worth of skin. Im Edel, the human, not a mannequin covered with two millimeters thick worth of skin. Still, you praised the human Edel who existed, rather than the woman covered with beautiful skin.
Hahaha, thats quite a cynical evaluation.
Heheh, its an ostensive evaluation. The moment I heard those words, I felt happy. It felt like I had the entire world in my arms. I wanted to get to know you. As a woman, I have no choice but to be curious about a monster that proved to be more human than ordinary people.
Edel swallowed the following words, Youre a man, and I was soaked by your manly charms. A woman would sound immature if she revealed all her secrets.
There are countless men scattered around the River Thames. There are bound to be pearls among the countless shells.
Based on human evolution, women are more realistic than men. No foolish woman would search the River Thames for a pearl when theres a diamond before her eyes.
Edel laughed upon finishing her words. Black Mamba had no choice but to laugh along. He recalled the pleasant conversation hed shared with Hae Young under a roof. Hae Young had said something similar. It went along the lines of how women frequently made the mistake of choosing a man they loved instead of a man who loved. The words she added toward the end of her speech made it even more hilarious. Shed mentioned the reason was that they had yet to escape the level of animals.
They had no choice but to stick close to each other since the road was narrow. Edel used the narrow road as an excuse to wind her arm around his arm. Edel didnt wear makeup. She didnt put on perfume, either. The natural smell of a pure womans body rushed in.
Black Mamba hated the smell of makeup and cheap perfumes the most. It paralyzed his senses and disrupted his dimensional sight.
Black Mamba inhaled her scent unknowingly. It was an aphrodisiac that contested Hae Youngs pheromones. He thought no other woman but Hae Young could smell so pure and fresh. Hae Youngs friend, Chui Min Sook, had once been Miss Korea but lacked the scent of a woman.
Her breast that pressed gently against his arm, the unusual sensation of her hip bumping lightly against him, and her scent combined with the scent of the Ixora Chinensis stimulated his primal instincts relentlessly. Black Mamba was knocked down by the soft attacks he had no defense over. If he hadnt pushed his mind organizing laws to the peak, he would have been done in by Ombutis schemes.
Edel, dont you blame me?
Blame you? Why?
I made you do something hard. The Sahel is a rough region. The Ennedi Plateau is a deserted land with no humans. You must have met several wild animals by now.
Edel stopped walking and looked up at him for a long time. The sunsets halos gathered in her light blue eyes. The silent, calm pool in her eyes made him raise his guard.
Damn. It feels like Im being pulled in.
Black Mamba shivered internally. He wanted to bash the head of the person who said, eyes are the windows to the soul. The eyes of a beauty were the gravesite of men.
Ive lost my father and my farm, but Im not so stupid as to misinterpret your intentions. Ive learned many things and wondered about what I should do for a long time.
What conclusion did you reach?
I realized that I am a weak woman. Uncle Ombuti looked after me like I was his daughter, but I suffered. If it hadnt been for the fact that you requested it, Black, I would have given up.
Are you prepared to run the farm?
Not at all.
Edel shook her head from side to side. Shed learned the most that she could with uncle Ombuti by her side for the past year, in fear of disappointing Black. The conclusion was devastating. She confirmed the fact that she wasnt the kind of person to rule over others.
I heard the news of how Mr. Lackey had managed to suppress the rebellion from uncle Ombuti. The Samaria farm is no longer mine. Its Blacks farm.
What!
Black Mamba flinched in his place. Even if it was the complaints of an immature lady, that was overkill! 9,000,000 pyungs of land wasnt like peanuts that could be given and received as one pleased. It was a world where brothers killed each other for a field with trenches made of forklifts.
Its not free. Its Edels dowry. Edel smiled.
Guh!
Black Mambas eyes widened. A shadow flickered past Edels face.
If I say so, Black, youd faint, right? Oh, you look like youre about to. Hahaha!
The clear sound of laughter rang across the drylands. Black Mamba looked embarrassed.
This is my first time hearing you laugh.
You idiot, Im not laughing because I want to.
Rain poured down on Edels heart.
The farm has already left my hands. Uncle Nick owns 90 percent of the shares, and the remaining 10 percent is under Governor Ibrahim Mutafas name. It is probably the promised shares for helping uncle Nick.
Ill take care of it, Black Mamba answered as though it wasnt a problem.
Edels face brightened up. Black was truly a man who didnt hesitate.
Just listening to your words make me feel better. Every single day, uncle Ombuti tells me stories about you, Black. With a weapon, the Azrael, and without a weapon, the savior. He said you are his religion and the meaning to his life. It should be easy for someone who can shake the French president by the neck to get rid of a few bad people.
Edel raised her small fist and shook it.
F***, what did that damn old man tell the gullible Edel?
Black, uncle Nicks shares are yours. Give me the governors shares. It used to belong to my mother, after all. People have their own stations. I treat people who cant go to the hospital because they cant afford it, and Black is someone who treats those ill from power and money.
Ha, how eloquent.
Black Mamba was surprised. He thought she was a naive woman, but she was decisive too.
Dont you think its a waste?
Wealth unfitting of ones station makes them poor.
Well, well say youre right for now. Were you with Ombuti the whole time?
Yes, I traveled through the whole of the Sahel to the point that all three pickup trucks you gave us broke down, Black. I also met a lot of Tuareg tribe members. Uncle Ombuti even got into a fight with one of them called colonel Kikali. When uncle shouted that he is Azraels representative, Kikali threw his knife away.
Hm, I think I understand.
Lieutenant colonel Kikali from Habibs army was a man with many ambitions. He wasnt the kind of person to give up his investment. Now, he didnt have to worry about Kikalis forces anymore. Now, he could bring over the Kurd tribe anytime.
Black, you werent hurt, right?
Im very healthy that its a problem.
Theres a new scar on your forehead. Please dont get hurt.
Tears gathered in Edels eyes again. She rubbed the scar gently with her fingers. If possible, she wanted to remove it with an eraser.
Oh, that? Its the scar from banging my head against a leopard three times the size of a tiger.
Hmph, you dont have to tell me if you dont want to. Edel pouted.
Its true. Black Mamba scratched his head.
Well, whod believe blackys existence anyway? He wondered if the creature had adjusted to the surfaces climate.
Lets go inside. I smell blood from your body. You must be very tired.
Really? Hm.
He raised the hem of his sleeve and sniffed. The scent was sharper than usual because of the blood he saw at Total jewelers.
Go shower. Im preparing for dinner. Im sure youll be pleasantly surprised.
Edel dragged him along by his hand. Black Mamba was silently impressed. She was from a noble family, which must be why she was different. Edel had salvaged a conversation that could have turned awkward quickly. She relieved his burden of explaining by changing the subject.
She was a woman who understood that an outburst of emotions took too much from another. Her actions and words were elegant. She was a lady with restraint and care engraved into her bones. Edel was an elegant woman with Hae Youngs passion and Jin Soons pureness.
Is Ombuti at the company?
Yes, hes been pulling at his hair trying to construct the textile factory. Hes totally into the business.
Thats a talent I didnt know he had.
The Cinq Freres Aiglers[1] are helping him out a lot.
Cinq Freres Aiglers? What did she mean by Five Eagle Brothers? It came out of nowhere.
Blacks friends! Emil, Jang Shin, Bellman, Paul, and Edel. Hehehe!
Edel included her name on the list of Sahel survivors and giggled. Black Mambas mouth turned into a smile. Like a jewel, she was a woman whom hed fall for if he didnt get a hold of himself.
Well, they are shareholders. Of course, they should help.
Black Mamba smiled. The Five Eagle Brothers had invested half of their paychecks each to Ombuti. The only person who had fully invested was Emil. Of course, that had not been willingly arranged.
Ombuti had clicked his tongue after hearing about Jeannes interference. He had committed the ruthless act of investing Emils 400,000 francs, which Black Mamba had entrusted, into his companys capitals.
Emil had kicked up a fuss, but Ombuti didnt even snort. Emil could only frown when Ombuti had told him to protest to Black Mamba if he found it unjust. He could already imagine Black Mambas club before his eyes.
Edel, call me Dong-bang-bull-pae from now on.
Bonipas had mentioned the CIA and how they were tracking him. To avoid more trouble, he had to restrain himself from using the call name Black Mamba. There was nothing to fear, but people around him would be at risk if his identity as a consultant was exposed.
Okay. Dubai, you should call me Rudrey, then. Im asking you for the third time.
Edel revealed her bitterness at Black Mambas insistence on calling her Edel.
Fine. Grudging Rudrey!
Edel shot him a glare.
Youre doing well, Miss Edel.
Ombutis mouth hung from ear to ear as he looked out from the second-floor window. His wakil and Miss Edel were walking side by side down the white gravel road.
Greeneries, red flowers, and a narrow white gravel roadhis master and the future lady of the house were walking side by side down the road no one had stepped foot on. He didnt know that his master would arrive a day early.
Ehhehehehe!
A burst of unusual laughter escaped from his mouth. They looked like a picture. The finest picture he ever wanted to draw finally came to life. It was worth living a long life, as he finally got to witness his masters gentle side for the first time.
[1] Five Eagle Brothers.
Chapter 290 - : Ombuti Flies
Ombuti was exhilarated. Wakil and Miss Edel were walking arm-in-arm down the gravel road. Edels face was as bright as the full moon when she looked up and talked to him. He had no regrets about the money he had spent on Wakils Road, which had amounted to 200,000 francs.
Ombuti suppressed his desire to jump down and greet wakil desperately. He could never break that atmosphere. That brat Emil and the witless lackey had ruined the mood he had barely managed to create at the hospital in France. If they werent wakils friends, he would have shoved an Opinel into their mouths.
Hehehe, I am wakil and Miss Edels godfather. Ombutis life is finally blooming.
Ombuti laughed spontaneously. Wakil was someone bound to be king. Miss Edel was someone overflowing with the grace of a queen. Although his master was young, it was better if descendants were conceived faster. He hadnt met a single woman who was more graceful and wiser than her in his 45 years of life. Wakil was someone like the wind. He didnt know when hed leave again. There were more dreams when the nights grew long. A couple had to get married when the time was right.
There was another good news. It concerned the lackey, who never listened to him.
Hehehe, how dare a lackey ignore the words of his superior? Now, he only needs to be beaten up.
There was a Korean saying that went, the more ignorant one was, the braver they got. Ombuti had been astounded when he paid a visit to the Samaria farm in Doba. The farm had turned into a s***hole after the lackey had recklessly messed up the role of the boss. Workers without armbands had become slaves, while those with armbands acted like they were the owners. The destruction that followed was unspeakable.
Wakil hated ranks and privileges more than scorpions. He was going to report it all to the wakil. Those who didnt listen to their seniors deserved to be beaten with sticks.
Oh, hes arrived.
Bang bang bang bang
Ombuti, who ran down the stairs as if he was rolling, charged forward like a bull.
Ah!
Startled by his ferocity, Edel released her arm and ran away.
Wakil! Ya Ilahi, la astatie an usadiq![1] Assalamu Alaikum! Ombuti shouted as he hugged Black Mamba.
Cheeks were rubbed to the point that skin would have peeled.
Ombuti, are you well?
Wakil
Ombuti couldnt continue, his throat jammed. How long had it been since he had last heard his masters voice! Tears rushed down at the firm greeting, which would have remained rooted even if Tibesti collapsed. He also blamed his master for giving him so much work to do and not even contacting him once.
Im fine, aside from the few strands of hair that Ive lost from worrying about you, master.
Uncle, you are losing hair because of the business. Dont blame it on Black, Edel shot back.
Hahaha, that is true. Miss Edel has worked hard.
Ombuti turned to look at Edel as though she was the cutest person on the planet. There was nothing like a father who loved his daughter right then and there.
Let me see. Are you hurt anywhere?
After checking Black Mambas shoulders and sides, Ombuti kneeled on the floor.
Bismillah. Allah, thank you for your grace. Thank you for taking care of your son. There is no God except Allah. There is no truer person than wakil. May all the people look up to
A lengthy prayer of gratitude followed. Black Mamba could only wait for the prayer to end in an awkward stance. It was frustrating, but now he had grown used to it.
Ombuti, you assembled the building well. Its surprising to see such a high-quality building in Chad.
Black Mamba was amazed by the buildings exterior. The two-story brick building, which was inspired by French designs, measured 600 pyung by 200 pyung. It was small, but the terrace and awning were extended to increase openness and block the sunlight. It had a wide yard, and the view outside was blocked by the campanula and fig trees lining the outskirts. Sprinklers were turning around the yard. It was rare to see such a luxurious building in NDjamena.
It is all thanks to wakils grace. You can find the records room and my office on the first floor, while the second floor is decorated with wakils bedroom and office. Ive built the workers offices and cafeteria in a separate location. I paid special attention to this building so you can rest well, wakil.
Ombuti explained with an expression that expected praise in return. Black Mamba could only snort. How many times would he visit Chad? Once or twice a year at most. He could have just built a room, but instead, he had wasted money on a building. From Wakils Road to the building, the entire construction seemed like a waste.
What do you mean? Why would you invest so much for a single persons rest? You can use this building, Ombuti. Youre the boss. The companys owner is Ombuti. It has nothing to do with me.
Wakil! Are you abandoning me! Ombuti pitifully cried as he collapsed back onto his knees.
Oh, why are you doing this again? Black Mamba grabbed his arm in surprise.
Ombutis actions were on par with Hollywood actors. No, it was more like the historical dramas centered around the Joseon dynasty. He was so realistic to the point that Black Mamba wondered whether Ombuti had imported Korean historical dramas for reference.
Wakil, I am wakils slave! A slaves wealth belongs to the slaves owner. Moreover, wakil provided the starting funds for Wakil Commerce Company! This company is yours. I am only the manager. If wakil says youre abandoning the company, it means youre abandoning me too.
Ugh, Im about to go mad, mad!
Black Mamba wanted to cry. His head had been hurting ever since he met Ombuti.
Okay. Im the companys owner. Ombutis the boss, and Im the chairman. Okay?
Hehe!
Edel giggled, unable to hold back her laughter. Dubai still didnt understand uncle Ombuti. Uncle Ombuti was someone who considered Dubai as his king and son. He had no interest in wealth. He had exaggerated to prevent Dubai from making any excuses.
Ill prepare for dinner.
Edel left her seat. The trust shared between both of them struck her. She recalled her father and uncle while looking at Black and uncle Ombuti. Others were like so, but her biological uncle had killed her father to swallow the farm whole. How far could a humans greed and viciousness go?
Ombuti tilted his head. Wakil from a year ago exuded a violent aura like a starved lion. Previously, as he stood before him, his skin would prickle as though he was facing the deserts wind. Now, he was softer than linen. He wondered whether his master had gotten weaker due to an injury.
Wakil, did something happen?
I got lost underground for two months. Nothing significant happened otherwise.
Ombuti tilted his head.
Did he find a mine?
Can I look around the house?
Oh, yes, please head in. Its a bit lacking since it was built in haste.
Hah, youre asking me to live all alone in this huge place?
The living room on the second floor was as large as a garage. Black Mamba had lived in a cupboard at his uncles house, a small square study room, and the attic of a workplace. A 50-pyung living room was excessive for a youth like him.
Its too small considering wakils position and face. Youre not alone. You have Miss Edel, right?
Ombuti threw a small bait.
Tsk, dont talk about that.
Black Mamba swallowed back the words about his wavering mind. He could see through Ombutis scheme of shoving two passionate young adults under one roof to conceive children.
Masters room?
Black Mamba stopped before a room with the nameplate Ma?tre de Maison.
Its the office that wakils going to use. Whether youre here or not, the owner of this company is you, wakil, Ombuti emphasized. He had to tightly hold his masters reins to keep him around.
Theres nothing less compared to Paris bureau.
An office and a break room could be seen in the master room. The room was filled with daily necessities and a desk. There was even a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. He opened the window. He could see the entire construction site over the palm trees. Having two necessary living necessities in one place provided him with sight and convenience.
Even the air conditioner?
There was an air conditioner right in the corner of the office. Chad and air conditioners were a bad combination. Only hotels that served foreigners in NDjamena would have air conditioners. Even the fan in Ombutis room turned and creaked. Black Mamba was slightly moved. He found Ombutis efforts very affectionate even if his return had been undetermined.
Matsushita? Isnt that Jap?
Black Mambas face creased into a frown as he examined the air conditioner. He recalled Sai Dojiku while thinking of Japan. Black Mamba was someone with strong patriotic emotions.
Emil sent it. He seemed to have gotten it from the provisions team after learning that wakil was building a house.
Ombuti immediately wound out an explanation that seemed to say that no one was at fault. His wit and reactions were at level 100. Black Mamba took out the Vajra and drew a line across the air conditioner.
Crack
The air conditioner, which had been working fine until then, split into half. Surprisingly, Black Mamba was a narrow-minded person.
Oh, Allah!
That was the ability of a god. Hed worried for nothing. His master had returned even stronger. Now, nothing could harm his master. Tears escaped his eyes. Ombuti, who was slightly older now, immediately organized his feelings and responded.
Wakil, it seems like the Japs objects are of poor quality. Ill see if I can get some Korean products.
Of course. Korean products are far better than the Japs. Ill send you all the necessary electronics when I visit next time, Black Mamba said, mentioning the impossible.
Compared to Japan, Korea in the 1980s was at the walking stage of electrical advances.
Oh, by Allahs grace. Allahs grace should be shared with everyone. We should import Korean electronic products and sell them to those with money, Ombuti said, adding on to the lie.
It was the perfect master-servant combination.
That sounds like a business. Is electricity stable?
Not at all. It disconnects at least three to four times a day. The company runs a Murata generator as a spare, just in case.
Ombuti glanced at Black Mamba. Now that hed said it, that was also an object made in Japan.
We should start equipping personal development equipment.
A sigh escaped from him. Chad was like Korea in the 1960s. With infrastructure like that, businesses would have a hard time running. He thought president Park, who had poured all of his energy into constructing social infrastructures like generators, rails, and highways, was better than the African dictators.
Chad is overflowing with manpower. Other than that, everything else lacks.
Theres a Korean saying that goes, simply beginning takes up half of the journey. The other half should follow naturally.
Black Mambas belief that something should happen activated. Black Mamba was someone who lived by the time solution to survive the chaotic and rough life. The best solution to human worries was time.
Dubai, the meal is ready. Uncle, lets go.
Edel appeared at the door, wearing an apron.
Ah!
Black Mamba slightly exclaimed. His heart dropped. A pink cat with a cute expression was printed on the front of the apron.
Hae Young!
His synapses provided a glance into his past. There was a large traditional building with hiranis and a garden.
Ring ring
When he pressed the bell, the sound of dragging slippers followed. The small door opened.
Youre late. Heres your punishment!
Hae Young grabbed Mu Ssangs manhood and shook it. Mu Ssang, who had been squeezing himself through the small room, was done in helplessly.
Aaaaah, youre killing Mu Ssang!
Mu Ssang exaggerated.
Hohoho, its big!
Hae Youngs body shook as she laughed. The red-pink cat, which was printed across her white shirt on her chest, shook its paws as though it was going to scratch.
Ah-ah, this is sexual harassment. Youre a woman, so why are you doing this?
Hmph, you talk a lot for someone whos almost in submission.
Hae Young refused to release her grip.
Are you not wearing a bra again?
Hae Youngs breasts were right behind the printed cats paws. Hae Young would always tease him by forgoing her undergarments. He could almost see her skin, which peeked out behind the shaking cat.
Hm, youve finally learned how to read other peoples minds! You little leery brat!
Ha, Id rather die than agree. Do you like to tease your lover who is overflowing with hormones so much?
Who enjoys what, you say? You shouldnt say stupid things like that now. What do you think of my outfit?
It suits you well. The naive youth vibe is overflowing.
Of course, Im a good example of how a person completes an outfit. I would have become a model had I not been so good at studying, Hae Young bragged as she tilted her chin up.
Aw, now youre just bragging!
Unlike his complaining mouth, his eyes refused to look away from the cats front paws. The morning sunlight gathered around Hae Young. His eyes sparkled. She had been the only ray of sunlight in his dark past.
Dubai!
A clear soprano voice brought him out of the darkness.
Hm? Oh, right, we should eat.
Black Mamba smiled awkwardly before heading out of the room. Edels face grew slightly downcast.
The first one should be his mother. I knew it. The second one is a woman, Edel muttered softly.
Women had a superhuman ability that could recall every single word uttered by a man.
Wow! What is all this?
Black Mambas mouth hung open when he entered the kitchen. There was kimchi stew, ugali[2], namachoba[3], chapati[4], and jollof[5]. Amid all those African dishes, there was also Korean Kimchi-jjigae! Moreover, there was a large bowl of white rice.
[1] God, I cant believe it!
[2] It is a type of maize flour porridge made with corn and cassava.
[3] Alligator skewer.
[4] It is an unleavened flatbread.
[5] It is a one-pot rice dish.
Chapter 291 - Ombuti Flies
Food represented culture. And what food was the best representation of the Korean culture? It was kimchi and rice. Koreans who were staying abroad missed eating kimchi-jjigae and rice the most. That was the same for Black Mamba.
The diced kimchi that floated around, the slightly browned pork belly chops, and even the red soup looked right. The chef de partie of the presidents residence, Prechant, made him a rather good kimchi-jjigae, but Edels soup could taste different. He lifted a spoonful of soup, drawn in by the spicy and salty smell.
Uck!
He was shocked. Black Mamba had to use all of his strength to straighten out his scrunched up face. What the hell was that? There wasnt a single trace of refreshing taste, and only sourness and greasiness coated his tongue, which startled his throat.
He blinked and glanced at Edel. She looked nervous. She looked like a student waiting to receive praise after handing in her homework. How could he throw a stone at her face? Black Mamba desperately flattened his frown and raised both of his hands.
Oh, this is amazing. Rudrey, how did you make it?
It was wonderful in an entirely different sense. He wanted to know how it was made.
Oh, Im truly happy that you like it. I heard that kimchi-jjigae should have a strong sour taste. I added some vinegar, tomatoes, and pepper to make the soup. I also added some butter because it tasted mild. Dubai, you said you didnt like smelly seafood before, and anchovies are smelly. Jang Shin told me to put kimchi in water boiled with anchovies, but I boiled it with lamb soup instead.
Edel was all smiles. The food she had struggled to make received praise from the man she liked. Even the feeling of resentment toward the kimchi soup that had aggravated the cut on her finger, which she had gained while dicing the kimchi, disappeared.
Urk, vinegar in lamb soup, tomatoes, pepper, and butter? No wonder! Black Mambas teeth chattered.
The ingredients alone sounded like the epitome of greasiness.
Wonderful, excellent! he said as he swallowed the lump of grease and lifted his thumb.
Oh, thank you.
Edels chin and nose were uplifted. She knew that the recipe Jang Shin had taught her fell short by two percent. She was beyond proud of her decision to compensate for the dishs shortcomings with her skills.
I knew you would like it. Have some more.
Edel ladled more kimchi-jjigae into Black Mambas bowl. Black Mambas eyes settled into resignation.
Oh, Allah! Cant Edel be Jin Soon?
He missed Jin Soon, who could prepare all kinds of delicious dishes.
Black Mamba glared at the sour, greasy, sticky, and unfamiliar dish as though it would disappear with enough intent. He would have preferred spoonfuls of botulinum toxin over that. Rudrey, who didnt look away with a bright smile plastered on her face, was even scarier than the Syrian tank army. He glanced at Ombuti. God! He was spooning the kimchi-jjigae into his mouth peacefully.
S***! What the hell is this?
Black Mamba ate a spoonful of oily jollof and shivered. Jollof was a dish made with thin slices of chicken and several stir-fried vegetables, requiring no special technique. Exactly what kind of technique did she use to make it taste like a spoonful of oil and sand? What combination did she use to make it taste that offensive?
Rudrey, is there any special recipe behind this jollof?
I added cloves and diced clams for extra flavor, Rudrey answered confidently.
You enhanced the flavor of a chicken dish with clams?
That was something to be feared. With the combination of chicken and clams, it created the most offensive taste. Cloves only enhanced said taste. Moreover, she didnt wash the sand off from the clams properly, adding extra texture to the dish. Humans were not chickens. Tears started forming at the corner of Black Mambas eyes as he chewed on the sandy jollof.
Miss Edel, you did well. Look at wakils tears of gratitude. It is a really delicious meal.
Ombuti leisurely enjoyed the kimchi-jjigae and jollof. The sight of his closed eyes and moving jaw made it seem as though he was a gourmet exploring the sea of taste.
Damn old man, hes got amazing endurance.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. It seemed as though Ombuti hadnt spent 45 years of his life in waste. To detoxify a dish that could contest the botulinum toxin required great endurance. Ombuti added the final blow.
Wakil, Miss Edel prepared these dishes since she first held the knife three days ago. Isnt the outcome amazing considering that it is her first time?
God, is he implying that the ingredients have been out since three days ago? Oh, Allah, my stomach, may you rest in peace.
Sadly, God didnt grant Rudrey Edel cooking skills. Rudrey was horrible at cooking.
Rudreys cooking skills have come to light, Black Mamba agreed, blinking back his tears.
Will Ombuti be okay?
At the age of 45, ones bodily functions would begin to deteriorate. His liver was stronger than a hyenas. It didnt matter if he ate rotten meat, but he was worried about Ombuti.
After surviving a torturous meal, Black Mamba immediately ran to the master room. He feared the kind of non-existent desserts that would appear. Startled by the kimchi-jjigae, he had even forgotten about giving Ombuti his gift.
Ombuti, is the jollof good for you? Black Mamba asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Shh, a man shouldnt blame a womans dish even if his tongue dries out and his teeth break. A graceful gentleman should enjoy eating any womans dish, no matter the cost, as that is his pride, Ombuti said as he glanced at the door.
F***, Im about to be poisoned to death. Theres no time to worry about my manly pride.
Black Mambas face creased as though he had eaten a rock. God was fair, after all. God had blessed Edel with angelic features and a kind heart, leaving out cooking skills.
Ombuti, Im sorry for not sending you any flower bouquets.
Flowers? It is a problem since we opened the company without wakils blessing.
Ombutis face darkened. Like most African tribes, the Tuareg tribe had a lot of superstitions surrounding spirits. His master was Azrael. Ombuti believed that with the flowers, his master had cast a spell to send away evil spirits.
In Korea, people celebrate the opening of a new business with flower bouquets and large wreaths. The flowers represent a blooming business. I went around NDjamena city for two hours but couldnt find any flower shop.
Ombutis face brightened up at Black Mambas explanation. As long as it wasnt just a spell to chase away evil spirits but also a means of celebration, that was fine.
Oh, Bismillah! What a good tradition. Wakils country is a good place, after all. Ive been blessed with the time youve spent on me alone, wakil. There are no flower shops in NDjamena. There are no traditions of gifting flowers and no opportunity to buy flowers since everyones busy living their lives.
I can tell.
He automatically nodded in agreement. There was no reason for the poor to buy flowers when their food supply was being threatened. Not even the upper class practiced the tradition of gifting flowers. He had done it all for nothing. He took out the golden donkey and misbaha from his backpack.
It is unfortunate, but here are your substitute gifts.
Ombutis mouth split from side to side. He immediately crawled down from his chair and received the gifts on his knees.
Ohh! A golden donkey and a black agate misbaha! Wakil, you are almost an African! Donkeys are symbols of wealth. Misbaha is Allahs blessing. These are rare and good gifts.
I know that much. I hope your business flourishes. Bismillah! Black Mamba replied as though he was aware of such fundamental facts.
Thank you. Even the misbaha is real. Half of the jewelers in NDjamena are swindlers. They hire a Kuri[1] technician to make counterfeit products. Theyre people who can cut off your nose even if you leave your eyes wide open. Foreigners, especially, must be wary. There are many cases when the owner turns into a robber.
There was slight trouble, but I wasnt fooled.
Slight trouble meant that he had turned them into disabled people instead of killing them. F*** not being fooled. He wasnt fooled because he was lucky.
Something did happen.
Ombuti was quick-witted as always.
I bought it at Total jewels, on the second street of Tombalbaye. There were two gang members with weapons, so I roughed them up a little.
They attacked you, wakil? Their eyes must be rotten. Wakil, youre truly gracious for allowing them to live. The donkey statue must have cost over 50,000 francs. Youve spent too much on someone like me.
Ombuti didnt know what to do with the golden donkey miniature. 50,000 francs in Chad was a large amount of money. A laborer could barely earn 10 to 15 francs a month. A laborer would have to work 320 years to earn 50,000 francs. More than the money, he was moved by his masters benevolence toward his servants.
Ugh, this is worth 50,000 francs!
He felt guilty. Hed basically ripped off 170,000 francs from the owner. The owner who had tried to cheat him of his money and even attempted to steal was the bad person, but that compared to a fair transaction were different matters. It was as though the owner had swindled, and hed robbed.
Im wakil. Ombuti, youre a precious family member. Money isnt a problem. Ill be happy if my familys happy.
Thank you. Wakils grace is great.
Tears filled Ombutis eyes at the word family. What kind of servant wouldnt be loyal to a master like him?
How is your business?
Ive been buying concentrated amounts of corn, date palms, peanuts, and cotton. Im currently expanding the distributors across Sudan and the east of Zaire. Ive been buying large quantities of cotton from Dobas Samaria farm.
Samaria farm is Edels farm, right? Is the lackey doing well?
Thats the thing he finished off the Nick b*stard and those who revolted, but theres a problem.
Problem?
Black Mambas eyes flashed. Sun Woo Hyun liked to brag. Hed sent him, trusting his power, but it seemed as though he had caused trouble instead.
Not just one but several. Ill explain the details later, sir.
Ombuti paused. He had to use the bit-by-bit technique to raise his masters anger. The following technique brought about desirable effects when he released little information at a time. Ombuti was sharp.
He must have caused a lot of trouble if Ombutis being this serious about it. Damn b*stard, what did he do?
Black Mamba got slightly worried. Ombuti went into festive mode internally as he watched his masters face turn rigid.
Lackey, I wish you the best. You deserve to be punished since you didnt take good care of your masters wealth.
His master had no idea how annoying the lackey was when he acted like a king before his eyes. Advising him didnt work, and Ombuti couldnt beat him either since they had physical differences. Hed waited for wakil to arrive. Ombuti was planning to be the fox that borrowed the tigers strength.
Are there any other problems?
I havent been able to buy any date palms and peanuts, which are specialty products of the Sahel. The mid-northern Chad region is famished to the point that children are dying of hunger.
It has been eight years since the drought began, after all. Saharas sands are invading farms, and the date palms arent growing properly, so what harvest would there be? The situation must have worsened now. The hunger would end if the south supplies their corn and rice.
It was unfortunate. The famine in the Sahel was critical when he last visited during mission Raccoon. He recalled the babies whose skin was plastered to their bones as they sucked on their mothers breast. The southern land of Chad between Shari and Logone River was fertile. It was enough to support 10,000,000 Chad locals.
The unstable government and corruption ruined everything. There are no sewage systems and no vehicles or roads to transport products. The grain majors are not handing over anything either, despite acquiring all businesses.
Didnt the government release their emergency military rations?
Not only do they lack such rations, but they also dont keep the citizens in mind, as they are busy fighting for power. The 50,000,000 francs, which wakil had received after threatening Frances Bonipas to contribute to the relief aid, refused to come out from Habrs stomach. As a member of the Anghel tribe, he only takes care of his own tribe. Mountains worth of foreign relief products disappeared out of nowhere like a fart. The politicians took half of it, and the government officials took the remaining half. The amount delivered to the locals barely reached 10 percent.
Damn b*stards!
A fire burned from within. The most unbearable pain in life was hunger. He recalled the tearful hunger he had suffered during his youth. There was a time when Korea had survived on foreign relief supplies alone. Families with small farmland received one sack of flour every month. The remains of the flour had been of great help at that time.
He had managed to eat lunch with the large bread the U.S. had provided during his school years. If that hadnt existed, he would have died from the lack of nutrients. If the relief systems messed up, there was no point in providing aid. No, only the ones with power would flourish. The bountiful southern foods were pointless. Humans were more problematic than natural disasters.
Should I get rid of Habr?
Then, there will be a second Habr.
I suppose.
Black Mamba and Ombuti both smiled bitterly. The problem wouldnt be resolved with Habrs death. Ombuti let out a sigh at wakils disappointment, and Black Mamba let out a sigh in remembrance of Koreas foul politicians and officials. Anyway, he had to give what he received.
Ombuti, I have a request.
Wakil, you dont have to request anything. Please, go ahead.
Ill send you 100,000,000 francs. Buy large quantities of food. One-third of Wakil Commerce Companys profits belong to Allah. Use Allahs money and provide aid to the Sahel locals. Order 100 trucks from Korea immediately.
Ah, 100,000,000 francs!
Ombutis eyes widened. 100,000,000 francs! His master was an amazing person, but that was unbelievable.
BNP Paribas bank will wire in the amount tomorrow. Wakil Commerce Company centers around local businesses anyway. Businesses must grow alongside the people. Using as much as we earn is also important.
[1] Chinese.
Chapter 292 - Ombuti Flies
Oh, there is no God except for Allah. Praise the wakil!
Ombuti shouted with overwhelming joy. He was born a merchant. 100,000,000 francs? He couldnt even wrap his head around that huge sum. He wouldnt have believed it if the president of Chad had said it, but whatever wakil said went. That wasnt the Angel of Death, Azrael, but the second coming of the God of Wealth, Islamse. He finally understood the saying that went, 100 rolling date palms couldnt contest a rolling pumpkin.
The Wakil Commerce Company had 3,500,000 francs as its starting fund, making it the largest grain dealer in Chad, excluding international major grain dealers. Wakils colleaguesPaul, Emil, Jang Shin, and Bellmanhad invested 1,300,000 francs. Alongside wakils investment, it totaled up to 1,700,000 francs. He had rearranged his entire fortune to invest 500,000 francs. If wakil had invested 100,000,000 francs, the entire company would belong to him.
Wakil, did you open a central bank in France?
Mitterrand gave me around 100,000,000 francs for working hard.
Ombutis mouth hung open at the crazy answer. Mitterrand must be mad to have given wakil 100,000,000 francs. At that moment, he realized that there was another reason for wakils late appearance.
Ombuti, this is the beginning. As a future leading businessman in Africa, you shouldnt be so surprised by such an amount.
Ah, yes, of course! Youre right, sir. Still, its too shocking.
That was true. With a capital of 100,000,000 francs, he could contest for first place in Africa against international major grain dealers like Cargill, Continental, Louis Dreyfus, and Bunge.
For someone who had operated a caravan since his 20s, he used his business sense to quickly come up with an estimate of the numbers. A 20 percent annual net profit from conservative operations could earn him 20,000,000 francs. In terms of grain trading systems, which referred to money as money spent, that level of profit was like swimming on the ground. With the annual revenue of 20,000,000 francs and a processing plant, wakils wealth could accumulate like Mt. Emi Koussi. Ombutis loyalty limited his mind from thinking of ways to increase his masters wealth.
Wait, one-third of 20,000,000 francs is 6,660,000 francs. According to wakil, I need to contribute twice the amount of our current capital to the Sahel each year. To waste wakils precious wealth and that large amount of money for nothing? No, no way!
Ombutis business instincts triggered an internal scream. Was his wakil trying to save all the beggars in the world?
Wakil, those people have nothing to do with you. Are you spending all of your precious wealth on people who dont even know what wealth is? Half of the Sahels residents are the wicked FROLINAT!
Ombuti protested his decision like never before. It wasnt as though he didnt understand his wakils warm heart, but they were also in a situation whereby even the Chad government had given up on helping. Why should wakil, who wasnt even a Chad local, solve their hunger problems with his massive wealth? Moreover, it was the FROLINAT too!
Ombuti, hunger is the greatest suffering. When youre hungry, you cannot be human. Ombuti, you and I, the Tuareg tribe, and the Anghel tribe are no different aside from our skin color. You know most of them are cooperating with the FAP because of the threats and violence. Ombuti, if you didnt follow me, you would probably still be the DGSEs informant, dont you think?
Yes, thats true. I would probably be buried in that sandy ground already.
Ombuti looked like he was in torment. Black Mamba smiled.
Humans are distinguished from beasts because they have a compassionate heart. When you meet someone, you grow to be attached. When youre attached, you become family. The FROLINAT are humans too. Even the nastiest of people shouldnt starve. Humans are humans, and hunger is hunger. Im doing this because my heart is telling me to do so. That is called one is all, and all is one.
Black Mamba wrung his brain out, trying to convince Ombuti. His resonance waves automatically activated and merged with Ombutis emotions.
One is all, and all is one! Oh, Allah! My master is a true savior.
Ombuti was impressed. Wakil wasnt the Azrael or the Islamse. Wakil was wakil. The inhabitants of the Sahel, who were starving to death, were pitiful. Still, no one thought to offer them help.
Ombuti thought that they were being punished for sinning against Allah. However, wakil unhesitantly said that he would help by feeding them with his wealth. His heart that pitied humans, that was the heart of God. One is all, and all is one. Everything should be given without hesitationthat was the words of God.
Humans are humans, and hunger is hunger.
Those were excellent words. Allahs words poured down like a rain of flowers from heaven. That was the words of his young master. Despite his limited understanding of French, his heart resonated with every word. He was wakils first servant. He grew immensely proud of himself.
Ombuti started a lengthy prayer. He thanked Allah for gracing him the chance to meet wakil and praised his wakils noble will. He looked back at his past life. He had only thought of himself and his own familys comfort. He never thought about the hunger and suffering of others. That was natural. He didnt have the leisure to look after others in the barren desert.
Allahu Akbar! I understand wakils noble will. I will send food in the name of wakil. Wakil, you are the true leader. Wouldnt it be nice if those pigs inconsiderate of the citizens deaths understood wakils noble will? Humans are humans, and hunger is hunger. Those are truly the words of God! Allahu Akbar!
Tears gathered in Ombutis dark eyes. Tears similarly accumulated in Edels eyes, whod been listening silently. Her eyes hadnt been wrong. He was too great a person. He was a human who understood the meaning of true love. There were so many words she wanted to say, but her mouth didnt move. All the praises she could think of seemed to contaminate Dubais pure humanity.
Woah, woah, why are you guys crying? Dont spoil the mood. Hahaha!
Black Mamba laughed awkwardly.
Of course. Bread must be shared for it to be delicious. I thank God for sending you to me, Black.
Edel wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and smiled softly at him. Black Mambas face burned. What was the point of piling up money? Hed only asked Ombuti on a whim after recalling the pain of hunger from when he was little. Now, he was embarrassed. Even quoting the words of monk Sung Chul made him feel awkward.
Now, this is embarrassing. Im doing what anyone else would do.
Ombuti immediately refuted.
Wakil, its not something that everyone can do. Chad wouldnt turn out like this if anyone can do it.
My teachers in Korea. He taught me not to hope for anything in return and do whatever I want. Im just doing what I want to do.
Ombuti was, again, impressed.
Do whatever you want without expecting to be rewarded. It was similar to the words recorded in the Quran.
Those are great words. I will engrave wakils words in my heart. Corruption and the unstable political situation are both problems, but the greater problem is the grain majors. They are taking advantage of the miserable situation in Africa to satisfy their greed. The whole of Africa, including Chad, are bruised by their greed.
What are you talking about? It is my first time hearing about grain majors. Whats the relationship between Africa and these grain majors?
Black Mamba was unaware of the international grain trade system. He grew up in Korea, which had been cramped, and wandered the battlefield as a mercenary. It wouldve been weird if he knew. When he was little, the school distributed loaves of bread called small bread. It wasnt until he was an adult did he realize that the bread came from the U.S.
Last week, I stopped by Kinshasa to buy flour and cassava. We secured the quantity of cassava but gave up on flour because it was too expensive. The Congo Basin is the main regional producer of wheat. I couldnt find out why the wheat was so expensive in a wheat-producing area. The regions a rainforest, so it was unlikely that there were droughts like in the Sahel.
Did you find out why it was so expensive?
It was the grain majors interference. There is a multinational grain company called Continental in Kinshasa. Those b*stards played a joke.
Where is Kinshasa?
Black Mamba didnt know much about Africas newly independent countries. He only came to know of Chad when he first entered the operation. He searched through his memories before recalling that Kinshasa was Congos capital.
Isnt Kinshasa the capital of Congo? Have they started trading already?
The African border is not very strict. People can do business with other countries without going through complicated procedures. Unlike Chad, Congo is a country rich in resources. Knowing this information will help you later, sir.
Ugh, Im already sick of Africa. If you didnt open a company, Ombuti, I would have already left for Korea. I dont even want to know.
Mu Ssang shook his entire head. The thought of the Sahels flies and mosquitoes and the endless wastelands and deserts made him shudder. Besides, how much blood did he shed on that land? If he hadnt bothered about creating the autonomous region, he would have returned to the temple and rested his back on the heated floors.
Black Mamba didnt know. At that moment, he couldnt have guessed that less than a year later, he would be wandering through the Congo Rainforest until he got tired of it. Humans never knew what would happen in their lives. Life got boring if you could read your own future, after all. It was hell because humans didnt know. That was why the Gods of Olympus admired human life.
So whats the problem with this Continental?
Continental established a modern flour mill in Kinshasa in 1973. With the shortage of dollars, Congo signed a contract with Continental to pay copper in exchange for flour. The southern part of Congo is a region with a large number of copper reserves, called the Copperbelt. Congo couldnt properly pay Continental due to a major accident at the copper smelting plant.
Congo must have requested a delay in payment.
Youre right, sir. Continental exploited the Congo disaster. They didnt accept any deferral requests, and they drastically reduced the wheat supply. Congos wheat is monopolized by Continental. People with baskets form lines in front of the bakery, and grain vendors are on fire trying to monopolize said stores. So it became an ironic situation in which people starved to death because of the lack of flour in a wheat-producing region. 10s of 1,000s of people died in Kinshasa alone due to the Continental Flour incident. Those b*stards wont be able to escape Allahs wrath.
Anyone who plays around with food deserves punishment. By the way, couldnt they have just paid the price with copper ore? Black Mamba raised the question.
They didnt necessarily have to pay with copper. If the smelting plant was destroyed, they could have settled the deal with ore.
Congo, of course, said they would pay for it with original ore. Continental did not accept that. They used the typical method of taming governments, which is frequently used by major grain vendors. The aftermath remains, which explains why flour is priced outrageously.
Those damn b*stards, a world-class company committing such an atrocious deed? They must have expected the disastrous results.
They probably did that because they expected it. Eventually, Mobutu admitted defeat. He gave Continental the exclusive right to buy wheat, the exclusive right to supply flour, and the remaining amount was paid in cash by the central bank. Congo still couldnt set up a mill because of Continentals clever interference.
Ha, impossible! That means Congo sells all of their wheat to Continental, only to buy back the flour that they make at a higher price!
The more Black Mamba listened, the more dumbfounded he became. He knew the company had acted pompously, but he couldnt believe a state was being bossed around by a company. At that time, Black Mamba knew nothing about the power and greed of the major grains.
Thats exactly it. They bought all the wheat and sold the flour at an outrageous price. The flour in Kinshasa is 20 percent pricier than the flour in NDjamena, a city that still suffers from food shortages.
They are doing a lot of things. Not only are the dictators threatening their lives, but a grain majors suffocating them too. The African locals have become gazelles thrown into a crocodiles pit.
Youre right, wakil. The people who have leaders such as Tombalbaye, Goukouni, Habib, and Mobutu are pitiful. They dont care whether the country is struggling or if the people are starving. They are the same breed as the grain majors, in which they only focus on their greed. Wakil has nothing to do with Chad. Thats why I respect wakil.
Black Mamba shook his hand.
Hey, stop that. When I get the chance, I should use my hand to mess up that company called Continental.
Please do that. Ombuti smiled in satisfaction.
Wakil never spoke empty words. Continental was bound to get seriously hurt one day.
Im sorry for deviating from the main conversation. Im currently purchasing flour from Sudan. I will bring the ledger and report the capital stock and business situation in detail later. Firstly, I think I have to report to you about the location where the autonomous region will settle.
Do that. Business stories are bothersome. Ombuti, you handle that on your own. Oh, right, unlike his status, that idiotic gang member had an off-the-shelf luxury Opinel.
Black Mamba threw the Opinel, which originally belonged to the gang member, toward Ombuti.
I dont need it, so you use it, Ombuti.
Ah! It seems like todays a blessed day for me.
Ombutis dark, deep eyes sparkled like a child receiving a toy. Ombuti was also a warrior. A good knife was a welcome gift. Ombuti, who was studying the knife with vague interest, suddenly jumped in his place.
This is a Tasenzoter! Oh, Allah!
Why are you so surprised, uncle? What is a Tasenzoter? Edel, whod been listening silently all this time, asked.
Chapter 293 - Episode 10: Ombuti Flies
Edel, who had been quietly listening to their conversation the whole time, interrupted out of curiosity for the first time.
It seems like shes a woman, nonetheless. She must have several questions she wants to ask.
Black Mamba laughed internally. It was said that a womans curiosity was comparable to that of a cat. However, a lady from a noble British family was truly different. It wasnt easy for a man to interrupt a womans conversation, regardless of race. On the other hand, a woman could easily interrupt a mans conversation. Of course, the conversation grew tiring when a third party intervened, regardless of gender.
Will my mother accept a blond, blue-eyed daughter-in-law?
Black Mamba quickly got rid of his lingering thoughts. With his mother still out there somewhere under the vast sky, he didnt want to be struggling with romantic problems.
Ombuti secured the blade by pressing the folding stopper and flicked the tip of the blade.
Cling
A clear sound rang as though hed tapped on a glass.
Miss Edel, can you see the wave patterns on the blade and the cloud patterns on the ivory handle? The wave patterns represent the strongest Damascus blade, and the cloud patterns represent the elite tribe, Kel Ayr Tawshet. The other nine authentic Opinels dont have patterns on the handle.
Oh, its pretty! It must also have a high antique value.
Its practical and sharp.
Ombuti struck the corner of the table.
Slice
The two-inch thick Homaika top was sliced off smoothly. Edel flinched. The blade was sharper than she thought.
The Tasenzoter originally referred to a mask that the Amazid[1] warriors used to cover their faces. These days, it is known as the litham. Its known that Opinel made 100 daggers, but he barely made 10 daggers for himself. Others are imitations made by his disciple. The real blades were presented to the French royal family and nobilities, while the only Tasenzoter was given to the Amenokal of the Kel Ayr Tawshet whod been staying as a guest.
Who is this Amenokal?
Amenokal is a title for the head of a Tawshet, a united group of the Amazid tribes. Like a war chief, in a sense. Kel Ayr is the Tawshet of the Amazid from the south-west of Niger. The gifted Opinel, which was considered the Amenokals personal weapon, received the name Tasenzoter. From then on, the Amazids symbol changed from the mask to the Opinel. The value of the Tasenzoter was not interchangeable with money. If Kikali finds out where the Tasenzoter has ended up, his eyes will flip. However, he can only swallow his greed in fear of wakil, hehehe!
Ombuti laughed joyfully at the unexpected gain. As long as the Tasenzoter was in his hands, it was the end for Kikali. He could almost see that mans creased face. After all, Kikali had been demanding the same amount of power as his wakil, not realizing that wakil had let him live.
Huh, that old hunting knife is the holy weapon Tasenzoter of the Amenokal?
Black Mamba was slightly surprised. There were 400,000 Kel Ayr Tuareg tribe members. It seemed as though he had saved a village in his past life, for every object he had discovered was a unique item.
Yes. The Tasenzoter holds authority over the Kel Ayr Amenokal and the military command power over the masked warriors. In the past, the Amazid warriors raced through the entire desert under the orders of the Tasenzoter Amenokal. For me to receive the Tasenzoter, which has been missing for 20 years, is proof of Allahs immeasurable providence.
Hm, I see.
He could guess Ombutis intentions. Ombuti was ambitious enough to use the Tasenzoter to control the Kel Ayr warriors.
Wakil, the Tasenzoter isnt something I can take. Ill return it to you, Ombuti said as he folded the knife and politely handed it back.
What are you saying? I have nothing to do with the Amazid. I wont have any use for it unless I am cutting fruits. Ombuti, youre an Immoharen. The rightful owner is you.
Ombuti immediately jumped up and got on his knees.
May wakil be blessed with eternity! There will be no other human above wakil. I am your eternal servant, wakil.
Ombutis eyes were filled with tenderness as he looked at his young master. It was just like his master to treat the Tasenzoter like it was nothing, despite knowing its value.
Ombuti wanted to give his master something or anything, but he received his endless grace instead. His master had saved his life and allowed him to exact his revenge. It was impossible to repay his master in his remaining lifetime. If he had an ounce of the lackeys ability, he would have acted as his masters hands and feet on the battlefields for the rest of his life.
Wakil was a mysterious being. He was best described as a free-spirited person. Ombuti was a Tuareg warrior down to his bones. He had received a powerful mental and cultural shock after his master had told him to spend his wealth on food for the Sahel. Wakil was someone with a noble personality, aside from the grace he had experienced personally. His role was to support wakil. Ombuti had to earn enough money to support him financially and gather power to take care of the dirty work. Ombutis eyes burned in eagerness.
Wakil, can you give me some of your time?
How long?
About one month should be enough to visit all the Amazid tribes of the sub-Saharan region.
Black Mamba shook his head. He had to take the national exam soon. No, he had to look for his mother. His teacher had told him not to rush, but as a son, he couldnt help himself.
Ombuti, you know why Im starting an autonomous region, dont you?
Ombuti looked helpless. Wakil was a righteous man. When it came to the actions of the Amazid, it couldnt be referred to as exemplary. No, they were more like offenders.
As followers of Gaddafi, they slaughtered the citizens of Chad, and some even drove the natives out of Mali and occupied the north. Persecuted was too vague a word to describe those people.
I hope to bring in Kikalis military power, at least. Lieutenant colonel Kikali has gained the trust of his subordinates, but warriors are bound to follow the authority of the Tasenzoter.
Black Mamba shook his hand.
Theres no need to rush. Im starting an autonomous region not because I want to gain power. Its because I cant ignore some people despite the hassle that comes along with it. These people cant escape the shackles of pain despite their efforts. I want to give them the will to live and at least some hope. Theres no reason to attract people you dont really want. If you need some warriors, I can bring in 10s of 1,000s of them.
Oh, as expected of you, wakil. But
Black Mamba raised his hand and stopped Ombuti from talking.
I know what youre thinking, Ombuti. Ill accept those whore suffering from the Tuareg tribe.
Thank you. What about the warriors you spoke of, wakil?
I came to be acquainted with some Syrian Orthodox Christians and Kurds. They were persecuted in both Turkey and Syria and had to live with death hanging over their heads. They are loyal people who consider me their Mahdi.
What do you mean by Mahdi?
It means savior in the Levantine language.
Ah, Kurcha!
Ombutis face brightened up. According to the traditional language of the Amazid, savior translated to Kurcha.
Amazing. Wakil, 1,000 of my steps cant compare to a single one of yours. I didnt know youve already paid a mind to it.
As a matter of fact, I have, but it all stemmed down to coincidence. People who are bound to meet will meet. Keep in mind that I started the autonomous region not to gain power but to save the poor.
Of course. Ill focus on expanding the business for now.
I dont have much time. I should stop by the Samaria farm tomorrow with Edel. Edel should do her part too.
Are you going to visit the farm before heading to Korea?
I should return if Ive met everyone that I need to meet. My personal affairs also need my attention. Are you planning to come along?
I really want to, but I cant move as I wish. For now, Ill try my best to expand and stabilize the business.
There will be another opportunity. When I go to Korea, Ill find and send a plant construction company. Prepare the necessary procedures and factory construction base drawings. Koreans are the fastest in the world when it comes to building factories.
Thank you. Its a pity I cant attend to you, wakil.
Ombuti was very disappointed. How spectacular the days had been when he spent them with wakil in the Sahel! He wanted to visit the country called Korea with his master, but he wasnt as mindless as the lackey.
If I finish my work, Ill remain in Korea. Ill invite you soon.
Ah, did you leave Legion Etranger?
Ombuti was surprised. France wasnt stupid enough to let go of a superhuman like his wakil.
Ah, no, thats not it. Im now a special military advisor. In other words, a freelancer. Keep this a secret from everyone else, Black Mamba replied as he briefly mentioned his new post.
Ohh, this is good news. Bonipas used his brain to keep you tied to France, wakil. Wakil, you should stay put and take all the money that they give you. France is a country thats coveting for you.
Experience and age didnt come without wisdom. Ombuti immediately pinpointed the French governments intentions.
I know. Still, I should work as much as Im paid. Im planning to work hard.
Thats right. Wakil, youre still very unaware of your worth. Wakils problem-solving skills are beyond a humans common sense. There is no one with your abilities in this world, wakil. The French government is running a business that earns them huge profits.
Ombutis eyes gleamed with pride. His masters charm was that he was strong against the strong and weak against the weak. What kind of b*stards were the DGSE? If Bonipas wailed at him and made a plea, wakil was the kind of person to agree without much thought. Ombuti grew slightly worried.
Old rats can truly get to the bottom of it!
Black Mamba was amazed by Ombutis expertise at reading intentions. In reality, nothing could frustrate him. If France had approached him forcefully, he would have made them pay before leaving. However, France had given him a fair amount of payment and treated him justly. As mentioned by Bonipas, it would be nice to be able to use each other.
There is nothing to worry about. I also pick as much ppongbal as the French do.
Pongparu?
Its a Korean word. It means picking up another persons intentions. Shaking off everything they have.
Uhahahaha!
Ombuti laughed while clapping his hands. Wakil often said funny things. Conversations turned pleasant automatically.
Of course. There will naturally be ppongbal as long as youre there, wakil. Your worth is beyond the value of an army, after all. Wakil can do whatever you want and use your position as you wish.
Their conversation grew long. There were lots of stories to share and more to talk about.
Oh, were out of red tea again.
Rudrey, can you give us some coffee this time? Black Mamba requested a change of beverage immediately.
The two pots of red tea that Rudrey made following the kimchi-jjigae didnt disappoint him. The red tea brewed with boiling water became tannin tea. He had been drinking the bitter red tea like it was poison.
Yes, theres good coffee.
Edel raised herself off the seat. Shortly after, Ombuti excused himself to go to the bathroom.
No way, this too?
Black Mamba hesitated. The aroma of the coffee was overpowering. For someone who was burnt once, he shouldnt judge a drink by its aroma. Black Mamba glared at the light brown liquid, which could taste like stale water.
Dubai, this isnt the common Brazilian coffee. This is the Alata mocha from Ethiopia. Try to get a whiff of it first before taking a loud sip.
Black Mamba did as she asked.
Hell, what is this? All the coffee that I drank up until now is petrol? Black Mamba shouted.
He was so surprised that his Korean accent made an appearance. His brain couldnt control his heart that was in shock. It was a reverse outcome as he had expected it to taste like hell. Edel had managed to overcome his disappointment with a cup of coffee.
The exquisite blend of sweet, sour, and bitter taste woke every cell in his body. It was a thrilling taste and aroma. Edel smiled, please that she had proved him right.
Thank you, uncle Ombuti.
Edel winked at Ombuti. The veteran, Ombuti, didnt even blink in her direction.
Hahaha, this is the kind of skill that would put a professional barista to shame. The Tuareg tribe enjoys coffee. When the sun sets, a caravan would stop its journey and have the camels sit in a semicircle to block the sandstorm. The cup of coffee you sip as you sit against a camels back while watching the deserts sun disappear is a work of art.
Ombuti opened his eyes and described the deserts scenery as though he was reciting a piece of poetry.
Good. That kind of scenery and leisure would give people the will to live even if the coffee tastes like stale water, Black Mamba agreed.
The atmosphere surrounding the cup of tea was more important than the taste of tea.
Of course. I was the happiest when I was returning home after a long peddle. Those damn FROLINAT!
Ombuti gritted his teeth. Hed managed to avenge his enemies thanks to wakil, but the happy times had passed. Black Mamba spoke immediately into the middle-aged mans empty heart.
Is it the trauma of a widower? I should get him a family soon.
The image of Mohammads sister, Bassel, filled his view. Although the clan had treated her poorly because she was a woman who was soiled, Bassel was kind. She was too good for the 45-year-old man.
Hm, bury those sad memories, Ombuti. You gain this when you lose that, and gain that when you lose this. Relationships continue like so.
Ah, I apologize, wakil. I am happier to be serving you now. Now that Ive avenged them, my wife and daughter should be resting happily by Allahs side.
Ombuti lowered his head as he apologized and continued the story. It was hard to grow coffee in Chad because of the lack of rainfall. Just like a spell, he felt like wakil could come up with a solution to the existing problem.
[1] The title the Tuareg members use to refer to their tribe.
Chapter 294 - Ombuti Flies
Special military advisor, I dont understand why youre aiming for a land where there are sandstorms, flies, and mosquitoes. If I were you, I would have asked for the Loire Valleys ancient castle. I could live happily for the rest of my life with just the tourism revenue alone. Actually, since youve got the land, Ill give you some information. Keep an eye on the Ennedi Plateau. Africa has bountiful resources and cheap manpower. If you secure a water source, you can reap some profits from production and farming. Europeans are mad for coffee. No tea can catch up with the aroma and flavor of coffee. Water doesnt exist only on land, you hear?
It was a story that manager Ariba had told him in passing. Unlike Ombutis expectations, Black Mamba knew nothing about coffee. He didnt know their features and that various kinds of coffee existed. He considered them simple drinks one had after a meal or during a conversation.
He had studied medicine, genetics, and physics to better understand his bodys secrets, and later, he studied weapons and battle tactics after becoming a mercenary. The only reason why he considered coffee as a cash crop was because of manager Aribas advice.
Ombuti, I dont know much about coffee. Ive never seen a coffee tree either. Why else would I have asked Bonipas to arrange for coffee and cassava experts to come? Black Mamba admitted honestly.
Things he knew were things he knew, and things he didnt know were things he didnt know. Ombuti smiled.
Of course, youre right, Wakil. Coffee farming should be handled by coffee experts. The boss only needs to know how to make money and hire more people. All we need to do is prepare the money to hire experts and create an environment for people to work. As the saying goes, a quack doctor can kill a patient. The boss shouldnt get in the way of what the hands and feet are doing. Wakil can win the hearts of others and is sufficiently lazy to ignore the minor details. You have the best qualities to be a boss. Hehehe!
Ombutis face creased as he smiled. His master had finally visited the company after a year. Ombuti felt calm after dropping a verbal blow on him.
Huh, I dont know if youre praising me or insulting me.
Black Mamba got a whiff of the Alata mocha and drank it. It was the drinking method taught by Edel. An intense flavor, which he couldnt describe with words, filled his mouth. Not to mention the coffee hed tasted in Korean cafes up until now, it was also incomparable to the coffee available in French luxury cafes. Of course, the coffee there was made with a spoonful of sugar and two spoons of prima creamer. It was sweet in and of itself, with its own unique taste.
Ombuti, this will surely bring us profit. It has been said since the old times that people have their own station in life. My favorite thing to do in life is to destroy hateful people and spend large sums of money. Firstly, procure the Alata mocha seeds and their variations and then push for their growth when the expert arrives. You have my entire backing on this.
Thank you. Ill draw up a trial factory immediately since there is plenty of land in the factory.
Isnt there a contender for the Alata mocha? From what I heard, European women of nobility like drinking Luwak coffee.
That is just the frivolous hobby of frail women who obsess about appearances and money. Luwak isnt the name of a coffee but the name of an Indonesian cat. It is a peculiar land creature that eats coffee cherries. Farmers raise them in cages. Its known that theyre fed coffee cherries in which fermented cherries are obtained from their feces. Theyre produced in small scales, so theres nothing to worry about. Its highly-priced, and only a small number of people drink it anyway. The best coffees in Europe are the Colombia Medellin and Jamaica Blue Mountain beans. Ethiopias Alata Mocha isnt receiving the recognition it deserves because of transportation problems. Its fresh coffee cherries arent delivered to the consumers on time.
I suppose there isnt much choice since the traffics messed up. Ill be able to lend a plane once the productions running. Move it across Sudan, and pull it out of Djiboutis Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Djibouti is Frances backyard.
Wakil, your methods are direct as always. Ombuti smiled.
Wakil had a distinct way of solving problems instantly. Well, that was because he had the resources to support such methods.
Do you have a place in mind? The crops should come after the selection of land, right?
How did the negotiations from the other time end?
It was agreed that I would receive 25,000 square kilometers.
Huh! Its twice as much as the initial 10,000 square kilometers.
Ombutis eyes widened. Even Edel was surprised. Shed suffered so much from following uncle Ombuti around the Sahel. She had been doubtful, but he had actually ripped off a large amount of money from the French government. Her impression of Dubais abilities turned into one of respect. Now, she understood why he didnt mind the farm in Doba since it was like nothing but a marble in his pocket.
It happened. I didnt even scare them this time, but they were tripping over themselves trying to be nice. Hahaha!
Ya Ilahi! Bismillahi rahman-i r-rahim, shukran Allah Al-Hadi-ya. MashaAllah. Allahu Akbar [1]! Youre amazing, Wakil! You truly are someone who has Allahs blessing.
Its nothing. I worked hard for it this time, Black Mamba said with a smile.
Miss Edel, can you bring me my map from the office?
Once Edel disappeared downstairs, Ombuti cornered him.
Wakil, I dont understand you. Wakil is Allahs best representative. Do you know the fundamental reason why Islam was split between the Sunni and Shiites for thousands of years? It is because Prophet Mohammad did not leave behind an heir. Miss Edel has the elegance and respectability of a queen. Why dont you take her in? A ripe date has to be harvested. Youre driving me mad!
Ombuti was straightforward with his words. He was Wakils Aklankuru. Aklankuru referred to the head servant of an Amenokal and was responsible for managing the Amenokals personal life.
Ombuti, I hope you dont mention this problem for now. I need to look for my missing mother. Korean culture dictates that a mothers permission is required for a wedding, Black Mamba said, making an excuse.
It was the truth, nonetheless.
But
I believe it is not right for a son to play around with love when his mothers missing.
A shadow flickered across Black Mambas face. Ombutis heart ached. Wakils pain was his pain. He didnt know that Wakil, who had the power of Azrael and the wealth of Islamse, was in such pain. Hed forgotten that Wakil was someone elses son too.
I understand. I didnt know you were in such pain. Allah must have given your servant a trial. Youll surely find your mother, Wakil. I will pray to Allah too.
Thanks.
Black Mamba found Ombutis understanding attitude slightly doubtful.
However, when you find your mother, you must take in Miss Edel.
As he expected, Ombuti refused to let the matter rest.
I have a lover, someone whom I havent settled my relationship with yet. Let us talk about this in the future.
Wakil, a talented man must have a lot of women to maintain his pride. Wakil must have 12 wives, according to the 12 palaces of the imperial family.
What! What are you talking about? Dont the Amazid believe in one wife per man? Black Mamba said, shaking his hand in denial.
12 wives! Just hearing it made him dizzy.
The Amazid have different traditions. They have no choice since its a matrilineal society. Wakil is someone wholl be king.
Edel, who was standing outside the door, nearly dropped the map that she was holding. She didnt hear the details, but she had overheard their conversation on mothers and 12 wives. Although she blamed herself, she also felt annoyed. She felt relieved that Dubai was avoiding her because of his mother. She blamed herself for making Dubai uncomfortable when he was hurting.
Why is he encouraging Dubai to get 12 wives? Uncle Ombuti cant do this to me! That is betrayal.
Edel clenched her fist and shook it. Her bitter feelings toward Dubai turned into one of anger toward Ombuti.
Edel, who was very annoyed, threw the map harshly on the table.
Bang
Hm, was it a slip of her hands?
Ombuti, who didnt know that Edel now viewed him in a negative light, tilted his head and spread the map.
Chad is divided into three areas. To the north, there are drylands and the Tibesti Mountains range. Its not a place for humans to live. The central region is divided into the Bodl Depression in the west and the Ennedi Plateau in the east. Its the place where we searched for the raccoon, Wakil. Even with a semi-dry climate, the rainfall ranges from 300 to 800 millimeters. To the south is the region south of Lake Chad and the Batha River, with a tropical monsoon climate. With rainfall around 1,200 millimeters, 90 percent of Chads locals live there. The land is also fertile, making it a good place to settle.
The land Ive been promised is the north of the central region.
Habr would never hand anyone the foundation of his power, the south. While theres a lot of water in the Bodl Depression, its turned into a place of famine as of late, with mosquitoes and flies. We could plant crops like corn from Kanem to Bahr el-Ghazal, but theres been an increase in the number of tsetse flies lately.
Remove that region from the list.
The Bodl Depression was a place full of swamps, thorn bushes, and infested with flies and mosquitoes. Kanem and Bahr el-Ghazal were still beneficial locations. There were many residing locals too. There was a possibility of the immigrants coming into conflict with the locals, and Habr wasnt the kind to simply let it go.
That is the region I was thinking of.
Ombuti drew a line from Ounianga Kbir, north of the Ennedi Plateau, through a point in Agbaya, which was barely 100 kilometers away. He outlined a rhombus shape around Fada on the Ennedi Plateau.
Its around 25,000 square kilometers wide. The reason why I chose this place was because of the water. I found a hidden lake while exploring the Ennedi Plateau. There are approximately 18 small and large lakes concentrated in a certain region.
Ombuti drew a long oval with his pencil.
You cant find these lakes on any map. The 18 lake districts are approximately 650 square kilometers. There is a village called Ounianga Kbir near the largest lake, Lake Yoa. The locals around call it the Lakes of Ounianga.
There is a lake! Are you saying they abandoned such land?
Black Mamba was surprised. The Ennedi Plateau was a land that Chad had abandoned. Aside from the few cities like Fada by the plateaus south, there werent even locals around the northern regions. It had remained as a French land after gaining independence in 1960 before it was returned in 1965. If there were 18 lakes, that was more than enough for people to make a living.
Theres a reason why there are no locals in the region. The locals of Ounianga Kbir fear the ghosts that wander around the Serir lakes. I also saw the ghost myself.
Ghost?
Black Mamba turned to look at Edel at the sudden mention. Ombuti was the kind of person who believed in Arab superstitions but not Edel.
Yes, I saw it too. It was a man with long hair whose face was red like a monkeys butt. The man appeared while I was eating some C-rations with uncle Ombuti and silently sat right next to me. I was surprised but gave him some C-rations thinking that he was a local. He slowly reached out his hands but
Edel shivered. She had been so surprised back then. Just thinking about that made her heart leap. She took a few deep breaths before continuing the story.
What reached out werent human hands but three fingers that looked like a ravens claws. The nails, which shone in black like a blade, looked to be about 50 millimeters in length. Back then, I was so scared that I screamed.
Hmm, and?
Black Mamba grew curious. He briefly recalled the CIAs MK Ultra project that Bonipas had mentioned. If other people overheard, they would have considered that weak woman gossip, but he couldnt laugh. There were people like Ocelot and existences like blacky. This was there because there existed. Not everything in the world could be seen. Of course, the man might have experienced some abnormal genetic variation because of the lack of oxygen in the plateau from long-term exploration.
Uncle Ombuti and I ran to the Jeep while the ghost remained still because of my scream. We ran like mad, but the ghost jumped behind us like a kangaroo. It was really quick. It almost caught up with us.
It is the truth. Its height was similar to Wakils, and its body was covered with muscles. Sand rose in the place where it jumped off, Ombuti added.
It could be the brains projection of my image according to the persons perception.
Hed once heard something similar from his neuroscientist friend, Professor Giz. He had mentioned that those who claimed to have seen a ghost or a doppelg?nger werent liars, but rather, it was an illusion of their brains.
Dubai, youre saying that the incident might have been a doppelg?nger phenomenon in which our brains failed to match the external sensory signals with the frontal-parietal and temporal lobe signals due to damage, right?
Edel immediately mentioned the chaos of the signal processing system of the brain that couldnt match the external and the internal signals.
Theres no reason for you guys to lie since ghost mirages exist in real life.
But Uncle Ombuti and I saw it with our own eyes. We even felt it. Theres been no report of touch based on the research findings.
You even felt it?
Yes, I felt the rag, which was draped around its body like a cloak, brush against my face.
Edels face turned blue. She looked as though shed faint any moment.
[1] How can this be! I thank God for his grace and mercy. To receive such a great gift! Praise God.
Chapter 295 - Ombuti Flies
Edels words were specific yet unbelievable at the same time. People were bound to see mirages after wandering around the desert for a long time. The Ennedi Plateau was a place set deep inside of Africa where human traces ceased to exist. According to the research findings of the DGSE, there were hyenas, gazelles, wadans, parrots, and lizards, but there could be chimpanzees or other variations of it.
She must have been really scared.
For a woman who was usually calm when faced with misunderstandings or threats, the situation had freaked her out. Black Mamba patted her back pitifully as she started hiccuping.
Miss Edels speaking the truth. The locals who live in Ounianga Kbir said they once lived around the Serir lakes. However, they moved to Lake Yoa because the ghost started eating the villagers.
When Black Mamba started looking iffy, Ombuti provided more evidence. No one would believe that such an incident had taken place, even his wakil.
Did you estimate the number of locals around the lake?
I couldnt narrow down the number since they were all scattered. However, the only village, Ounianga Kbir, had around 100 families. They rely on the lake to fish and live their days on a farm growing corn the size of a palm. They were initially scared of me, thinking that I was a ghost. They shivered in fear even while talking about it.
Huh, the town of African legends, I see. Should I believe this?
A devil definitely climbed out of Gehenna, wakil. If we hadnt stopped it with our guns, we would have been attacked.
You shot it with a Glock?
I emptied an entire magazine. It kept following our Jeep, so I shot as much as I could. I must have landed three to four shots.
So, did it bleed?
I wasnt in the right mind to check.
He was skeptical. All of his weapons were with the DGSE, and all that he had was the secret pouch around his waist and a Glock. He didnt know when the Rakshasa would be completed either.
He had to use his body to counter any unexpected situations. There was no reason to fear a ghost, but the consecutive appearances of strange creatures bothered him. Once something began, others were bound to follow. It was already the beginning of November. He had to return to Korea immediately after fixing up the Samaria farm and checking up on Novatopia. At that rate, he was going to miss his exam.
Rudrey, you must have been scared. I was planning to go with you, but you wouldnt want to go there again, right? Black Mamba asked while looking at Edel with a teasing smile.
Oh, youre mean. Why would I be scared of a ghost when the leader of all monsters is next to me?
Edel glared at him until the whites of her eyes could be seen and stuck her tongue out. He blanked out at the womans random adorableness despite her refined upbringing.
Hmhm, thats something I can verify. Whats the other reason why the locals arent around?
To the north lies the Sahara Desert, and to the south an empty plain. Theres no land for them to start farming or raise livestock. To the north-west of the lake, a nails amount of grass is spotted. The north of Ennedi Plateau is empty.
So Chads government must have given up on the area since its difficult for people to live there. Nothings bad for me then. How big is this lake?
Its divided into three areas. The largest lake region, Yoa, has six large and small lakes. The largest one, Lake Yoa, is four square kilometers, while the rest are much smaller. Three kilometers south of Lake Yoa is Lake Katam of two square kilometers. 32 kilometers south of Lake Katam is the lake region, Ounianga Serir. This regions lakes are spread out like a fan, for some strange reason. The largest lake is Lake Teli. There were crocodiles in Lake Teli. The surface area of the Serir lakes is estimated to be approximately eight square kilometers. I couldnt measure its depth. It was very deep.
Are they all salt lakes?
No. The haunted Serir lakes are freshwater. There were lush weeds and white poplars around the lakes, which helps prevent evaporation. Lake Katam is similarly freshwater. There are three lakes available for drinking in Lake Yoa.
Ha, theres no end to the mysteries of mother nature. 18 lakes full of water in the middle of the desert!
18 bodies of lakes spread across the border of a plateau and a desert, freshwater even! This means that water was supplied from underground. While it was small, it probably wasnt known because it didnt form an oasis. He once heard that there was a moving lake called Lop Nur during the ancient Loulan kingdom of Taklamakan Desert. The place was as mysterious as the Lop Nur lake.
I think the water in Ennedi Plateau is sourced from underground like Bahr el-Ghazal and appeared in Ounianga.
Ombutis assumption seemed quite plausible. He recalled Aribas words about how he shouldnt just look at water from the surface.
Are those b*stards testing me?
Black Mamba grew slightly suspicious. It was very likely that the DGSE already knew about the ongoings in Ounianga. Bonipas, being the sly man he was, might have gone through all kinds of farce before telling him about the lakes. It was as though he should be grateful.
The area of ??the Ennedi Plateau was 60,000 square kilometers, which was two-thirds the size of ??South Korea. Precipitation was around 200 to 400 millimeters during the rainy season and around 100 to 200 millimeters during the dry season. Although it varied greatly depending on the region, it was not a small amount of precipitation in the Sahara Desert.
The reason why grass didnt grow was that rain immediately seeped into the crust due to the porous sandstone surface. When water continued to seep underground, there was a high possibility of it turning into a large reservoir. Based on his knowledge about the lakes sizes, he had no choice but to dig the ground and extract the water so that farming could commence.
Will coffee farming be possible?
While there isnt a problem with the altitude and temperature, theres a problem with the water and shade.
Shade?
The coffee tree is a plant that provides shade and grows well in subtropical climates. Regions within the 25 north-south latitude are called the coffee belts. The Ounianga region, which Im considering, lies along the 23 north latitude. Despite the low precipitation, there are both wet and dry seasons, so it can be cultivated with proper irrigation. While the growth rate might be slower from the lack of rain, the coffees flavor will be richer. As long as shade and water are available, the altitudes perfect for farming.
Water and shadeI think I might have an answer. Ill solve that problem. Will cassava and corn farming be possible?
Its dryland, but the soils not bad. There are very few places with bedrocks, and the crust is thick. With enough water, crops would grow well.
I see.
Black Mamba liked the Ounianga region as though it had called out for him. Faya was a rainless city despite it being the largest city in northern Chad. Even so, there was enough grass, and people were farming. That was due to the large underground reservoir.
Dong-A Constructions started constructing a large waterway in Libya last year. It was a major construction project that aimed to raise the underground water of the reservoir in the Sahara Desert in which water would be supplied to the cities and agricultural fields along the Mediterranean coast through a four-meter diameter pipe.
Compared to Libyas waterway construction project, Ounianga was like a birds feet. There were plenty of underground construction companies in Korea. To extract water from underground and create a vast grassland in the empty Ennedi Plateau? That would form a green island, like a mirage in the Sahara Desert, a hub station that would lead people out toward the red sea from north and central of Africa. South Korea would gain 30 percent more land in Africa. And to think, people were fighting over small pieces of land!
Born a man, he believed he should do at least that much. Just thinking about it made his heart swell.
Ok. Im going to confirm after I survey the area, but for now, Ive decided on Ounianga as my land. Ill have 25,000 square kilometers of land with Ounianga at the center.
Ohh, its a good decision, wakil.
Yay, Dubai! Ombuti and Edel cheered loudly.
Im going to name the land Novatopia. Ill appoint Immoharen Al Aman Ombuti to be in charge of Novatopias construction and finance.
Boom
A prominent resonance wave shook the office. That was the Angel of Death, Black Mamba, and the cheerful child on the bridge, Mu Ssang, announcing the founding of the neo-liberalism autonomous region that would later be known as Black Culture.
Novatopia! Ombuti echoed briefly.
His mind wandered, and his heart fluttered for a moment. It had been 1,000 years since the Amazid roamed Africa without their own land, but now, there was a place for his tribe to stay. No, wakils land was finally decided. Tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks.
Thank you, God.
Ombuti, I need to use the phone, Black Mamba interrupted Ombuti, who seemed to have started praying.
Once Ombuti started praying, he would have to wait 10 minutes for him to finish. The difficult international phone call was established. He punched in the secret code and connected to Ariba.
Ariba, I need you to send over a survey team and geologist.
Advisor, I just got into bed with my wife after taking a shower. Cant we talk tomorrow?
Yeah? Lets talk face-to-face then.
Nimi Jotto, I dont want to work late, but Id rather give up my wife than see your face. When do I need to send them over?
Send them as soon as possible. There are others I need you to send over immediately.
What is it now?
Arm six people among the immigrants, Jamal, Mohammad, Ahmad, Ibrahim, Aishe, and Bassel, and send them over to NDjamena by eight oclock in the morning tomorrow on a jet.
Agh, what the f*** are you doing! Its 10:00 p.m. right now!
Ariba protested immediately. French people hated working late hours.
You should work for your check like a proper civil official in times like this, Black Mamba said his piece and ended the call.
Eight oclock in the morning tomorrow meant he had 10 hours left. Ariba protested, but Black Mamba pretended that he didnt hear it. The person who had to work his feet off was Ariba, not him.
Once the location of the autonomous region was decided, a detailed conversation took place. Edel had to move back and forth several times to deliver coffee.
The first problem is water. The lake is too small to support a large farming area.
We dont have to use lake water for farming. We can preserve the lake as a recreational area. The lakes of Ounianga would make a beautiful tourist destination spot. After we lay down an airway and open the roads, people whore tired from modern society will flood in like a tide.
Oh, thats a good idea. The lakes of Ounianga are stunning. Once we build a resort and sell it at a high price, and plan tour programs across the Ennedi Plateau and desert rallies, there will be more construction funds. Edel clapped her hands.
I can see water veins 250 meters underground. Theres one more friend, no, a creature that can see such things better than I do. Im going to drill a large pipe and create a web of waterways in Novatopia.
Bismillah, youre amazing, wakil. I forgot you have the ability to locate underground water.
Ombuti imagined a green plateau with streams of flowing clear water. A grassy land spread across like carpets, thick trees, endless farms of cassava and coffee, and herds of cows and sheep that munched on grass. Tears suddenly streamed down his face. It was the kind of utopia that he wouldnt have even dreamed about had he not met his master.
Firstly, we must fix the roads. Chads greatest problem is the roads. While theres enough land to improve on, theyre held back due to the lack of roads. Its also a common problem across Africa. Without roads, its hard to sell surplus crops. Farmers dont have a way to buy farming equipment and fertilizers, while produced materials are pushed around by the circle of corruption and disappearing elsewhere. People gather around a specific region, and the cycle of weakening self-production methods due to strenuous farming laws continues. We need to fix the roads for Novatopia to advance.
I get it. Youre saying that in the Sahel, the distribution of materials is the cause of famine instead of the food shortage. Then, we should plan out the roads first.
Of course. With just the roads alone, farmers can accumulate wealth by selling their crops. They can buy farming equipment and fertilizers to farm on other lands.
Waterways, green desert, region, roads, power, fertilizers, and defense systemsWhat a headache!
Black Mamba wrapped his hands around his head. Building a country was obviously not easy. Just the slight thought of the pressing problems gave him a headache. He didnt have the confidence to come up with an intricate social system, nor did he want to grow attached to it. As Ombuti said, all he had to do was give orders and prepare the investing money.
Ombuti, theres no need to rush. We can slowly take in people whore lost while advancing the infrastructure. People who grew in devastating environments will be satisfied with freedom alone. There are more than enough skilled people in Korea. Ill aid with Korean manpower and skills. Im not going to give free lunches to the locals of Novatopia. Ombuti, you have a lot to do.
Of course, wakil. Freedom turns people lazy.
Desertification is progressing in the Sahel. What about Novatopia?
Theres a problem with the sand that is carried over by the winds from the Sahara. We need to form a line of windbreak trees in the northwest. Even the lakes are being swallowed by the sand. Ill try to find a tree with plenty of leaves that grow well on sand. The composition for grassland wont be easy either. Itll be hard for the grass to grow if the soil drifts away.
Black Mamba had worked on a construction site in Koreas border. They would lay concrete grids on a slope to prevent the soil from drifting away before planting the trees.
That wont be a difficult problem as long as there are enough people. We can create a grid using wood and spread beans and herb seeds. Once the grassland is completed, we can stop it from drifting away, and the nutrients will remain in one place.
Oh, what a great idea. Once the formation of the grassland is complete, trees will grow, and their roots will maintain the soil in a virtuous cycle.
There should also be electricity. The beginning of all developments revolves around electricity.
Black Mamba showed strong interest in the construction of Novatopia. Ombuti waited for an opportunity to mention the Samaria farm. Just like his master, Ombuti held long-lasting grudges.
Chapter 296 - Ombuti Flies
Bonipas, who suddenly had to take care of 550 Syrian refugees, was positively thoughtful about the situation. That was a chance to earn the favor of Black Mamba, who was the national treasure, and if that turned out badly, he would suffer from his wrath instead. Ariba had come up with a plan to take care of them. He had assigned the empty marine apartments in Toulons Grandlard Marina as their temporary homes.
Toulon was a port of call for the French Mediterranean fleet. While Grandlard Marina was a marine-operated facility, local ships used it too. It was the best place to ensure ones safety without limiting freedom. It was not terrible for the refugees either. Their living spaces and living necessities were covered, with their safety and freedom guaranteed at the same time.
Just past midnight, the military police entered the dark marine apartments. Jamal, Mohammad, Ahmad, Ibrahim, Aishe, and Bassel were dragged to the security cars directly from their beds without a chance to question the happenings.
Once they heard from the uniformed soldiers that their savior had asked for them, they stopped trembling and cheered happily. The entourage of vans dashed 30 kilometers to the international airports runway in the middle of the night.
Depeche, Depeche! the military man shouted as though his tail was on fire.
A Dassault Falcon, which engine was running, waited for them on the runway. Once they were basically forced to board the jet, the soldiers handed them uniforms and guns.
I wish you luck.
Men in suit and uniform rushed back down the trap. They were people who could cook beans with lightning. The group of refugees could finally sigh in relief.
Welcome, everyone. Im the pilot, Alhel. Im currently serving the special military advisor. Ill ensure that all of you reach NDjamena safely.
They received a mental shock at the pilots introduction. Theyd boarded the plane within 30 minutes from when they were dragged out of the apartment. People had thrown them some weapons, and they were currently in the process of being shipped to Africa in their half-awake state. Everyone looked like they had just seen a ghost.
Voom
The Falcon ascended from the runway.
Manager, we completed the escort mission.
Good job. Take a break.
Ariba kicked the innocent desk after receiving his subordinates call.
F****** hell, I will die young because of that human. Work for my check like a proper civil official? That damned b*stard. Id rather quit instead!
Hed done all kinds of things after being dragged out of bedexplaining the situation to the immediate officer of Toulons marine, gathering the regional agents around Toulon, moving the military emergency standby team, and getting the importation of the illegal weapons authorized. By the time he had finished calling everyone, it was already midnight. If he hadnt gotten mad, he would have become a French priest.
No. I shouldnt give up. If I last five more years, Ill receive my pension. I need to endure.
Ariba raised the phone again.
Communications, connect me to Legion Etranger of NDjamena.
Security communications, Lieutenant Riery.
A voice that seemed to disconnect at times traveled down the line.
Security communications, this is Ariba from Paris headquarters. Send three Jeeps to NDjamena airport by seven oclock in the morning and transport six imports.
Where are the imports heading?
The fourth district of Hille Leclerc region, Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Wakil Commerce Company. The special military advisor ordered the imports. Follow the advisors orders down to the letter after delivering them.
Special military advisor? Please tell me the details of the recipients identity.
You b*stard, whats the point of knowing? Youll know when you get there. Should I be asking you face-to-face? Ariba shouted.
Youre going overboard, sir. Ive noted your orders. Over.
Clack
The call ended.
Nimi Jotto, why doesnt it work when I do it?
Aribas shoulders slumped as he walked out of the office. While a feeble animal would flinch at a tigers slight movement, not many would flinch at the barking of a fox.
The very person who had caused the chaos in Paris and Toulon was drinking Edels fifth cup of coffee.
Oh, there would be nothing better than an electricity supply. Itd be amazing to see a city of light coming into place in the desert, too. Still, the time spent constructing a generator will be more problematic than the finances. Then again, we cant use a diesel generator due to the quantity.
France already commercialized wind generators. Well be using wind generators in the plateau, for now. Once the construction begins, well have to construct a power generator anyway.
Theres no problem with the fuel supply. There are enough coals in Sudan and Uganda. I can even buy it at half of the international market price. Theres a high chance that there is a coalfield in the Ennedi Plateau, wakil.
The geologists will be here soon. Itll be great if theres plenty of oil. Black Mamba licked his lips.
The light in wakils room didnt go off until dawn. There was no end to Ombuti and Black Mambas conversation. From the autonomous regions construction to Chad, the number of topics covered during their conversation would soon be enough to cover the whole of Africa.
Ugh, when is this going to end?
Edel wasnt interested at all. There werent many women who were interested in the topics of politics, economy, geography, business, or military. Unable to resist her sleepiness, Edel left. Soon after Edel went to sleep, the two men started talking about the Samaria farm.
Wakil, lackeys a guy who should only work with guns and knives. The farm is in chaos because of his meaningless actions. Hes wasting wakils wealth all over the place instead of increasing it. Im ashamed to face Miss Edel.
Whats the real problem here?
The total area of the Samaria farm is 2,900 hectares, and the crude production area is 2,500 hectares. Samaria farms land is harvested twice a year. Based on the production record, theres an average production of 620 kilograms per hectare over the past three years. Thats 3,100 tons of total annual output. Thats a huge amount. While the first crop output has risen 10 percent from last year, the second crop output has dropped by 15 percent. Despite producing a total of 2,900 tons, the farms spending increased to 250 percent. If this continues, the farm will face a deficit next year.
Ombuti lined up the numbers like a merchant.
So youre saying the cotton production rate decreased, and the production costs increased? Whats the reason behind this sudden increase and drop?
The lackey provided lunch for the workers and implemented an incentive-based system.
Unexpected. I thought his head was empty, but he implemented an incentive-based system? Its a good thing that he offered lunch to the workers. They deserve to be full since theyre working so hard.
Black Mamba was calm as though it wasnt a big deal. He was too generous when it came to food. That was because he had once starved to the point that his anus tore. That description wasnt figurative but literal.
Madam Jang hadnt given him any food. When he forcibly joined them at the dining table, she would glare at him like a viper, poked him with Hwa Ja and Wu Taks chopsticks, and slapped his hands with a spoon. It was the kind of bullying that no nine-year-old could withstand. After being abused by her several times, he didnt dare enter the main house.
To prevent himself from starving to death, he had eaten pineapple skin and arrowroots, plucked the beeper, gathered acacia flowers, and boiled mugwort. While sitting in the toilet, a coarse fibrous lump that hadnt been properly digested exited and tore his anus. He had lived like that for three full years before becoming a Paranthropus.
African locals didnt know the concept of lunch. Although nutritionists in Europe said that lunch was unnecessary, their research had focused on westerners with an excessive supply of nutrition in their bodies. People performing manual labor obviously had to eat lunch. A life that seemed as though it wouldnt improve even after working to their deaths was hell. To work, they had to be full.
Thats not the problem. He increased their wage by 100 percent and selected an overseer to hand out armbands. Those with armbands are acting out as though its their world.
He increased their wage by 100 percent and handed out armbands?
Black Mambas face creased into a frown. He could understand the rationale behind the lunch and incentive programs. However, a 100 percent increase in wage brought about many problems. The special treatment could spark conflicts with other farms and create opportunities for corruption to arise.
Armbands, in particular, symbolized the power of the lower class. While it was a useful means of control, there was a high possibility of it turning into the icon of violence. Even his father, who had suffered, trembled at the mention of an armband.
Nick Wayneright had reduced the wages from 15 francs to 10 francs. Lackey raised it to 20 francs this time. That alone resulted in an additional cost of 600,000 francs per year. On top of that, he handed out armbands to Barongo, who is the butler and superintendent, 20 men from the 100-member council, and 200 members from the 10-member council. The 10-member council earns 30 francs, while the 100-member council earns 50 francs. Both councils control the workers, while Barongo controls the councils.
And whats the wage level like at Wakil Commerce Company?
15 francs, including lunch. The head of guards receives an additional two francs. You might think its too little, but considering Chads market prices and labor prices, its 20 percent more compared to other companies. Meals provided by the company is quite the benefit. Lackey is basically like Mussolini, who sprinkled money over the crowds gathered in court, Ombuti spoke, frothing at the mouth.
The 10-member and 100-member councils were similarly ordinary people. Paying the selected few 30 francs and 50 francs respectively was a madmans work.
What a traditional fascism, no, populism. Exactly what kind of worthless actions is that man taking? Did they ever replace the members of these 10-member and 100-member councils?
Black Mambas eyes flashed. Lackey might have temporarily gained the trust of the workers by spending all that money, but a sudden privilege was bound to become poisonous with time. With time, they would mistake that privilege for power.
The bigger problem was those armbands. Once a person wore one, they would never take it off. Armbands, which were supposed to be a means of control, became a monster of power. Just looking at the politicians in Korea provided sufficient proof.
Im not sure. He gives incentives of several 1,000 francs to the 100-member council members and several 100 francs to the 10-member council according to their production ranks. A group that fails to produce as much as the others will have their wage reduced by half.
That idiot, he didnt give a production baseline and just handed out incentives according to the production ranks? The workers must have shared the profits and couldnt care less about the cotton production.
Black Mamba immediately got to the point. The cause of the decrease in production during the second harvest was indeed the bonus. With the lack of proper evaluation of the overall productivity and the unconditional payment incentives based on production ranks, people were bound to conspire with one another. It seemed as though lackey was fated to only roam around with a gun or a knife.
Yes. From what I could tell, the members of the 10-member and 100-member councils colluded instead of competing with one another. Theres no need for them to take risks and work to their deaths since they will still receive their bonuses while some will suffer a wage cut. The workers grew lazy and didnt engage in activities to increase the harvest, which includes growing seedlings, watering, and pruning sideways. They must have worked in moderation and shared the incentives amongst themselves.
Thats a big problem there.
Yes, those with the armbands turned to violence. While some bribe others to bring in workers, others chase away workers who dont pay their dues. If anyone complains, they are risking their lunch. There was even an incident in which they cold-bloodedly murdered a complaining worker. The 100-member and 10-member councils have colluded. Samaria farm is now a lawless land. At this rate, the farm would have to close down.
And the lackey is just watching?
Black Mamba raised his voice slightly. Sun WooHyun shouldnt spend the rest of his life spreading blood everywhere. Black Mamba had sent him there in hopes of him gaining some experience, but instead, he was acting recklessly like a rabid dog.
That idiot doesnt know the severity of this issue. He believes that its temporary and that itll get better. Hes an idiot who believes that the weather played a part in the lack of production. The workers call him, sir Namir. The b*stards playing the emperor.
Ombuti chewed out the lackey excitedly. Those who went against the Aklankuru deserved to be punished. Reminded of the lackeys brazenness, Ombuti gritted his teeth. The lackey had told Ombuti to mind his business elsewhere as he chewed on a cigarette.
Hehehe, youre dead now.
That idiot, there must be someone covering his eyes.
Ombuti flinched. While his wakil was someone who didnt care about the details, he had the ability to see through lies and get to the core of things.
Its the butler, Barongo. As the head overseer, he acts as though hes lackeys loyal servant and is the body of all corruption.
Barongo, who Ombuti had seen before, was like the stereotypical betrayer with a sharp mind. He also had a good grasp of situations. Once the lackey appeared, he immediately betrayed his master, Nick, and switched boats. He was the kind of human whom Ombuti hated more than cockroaches.
I should cut his neck off as an example, Black Mamba said those terrifying words calmly.
First on the list of people whom he disliked were those who betrayed and undermined others to reap their own gains.
Execution is required for a change in mood, Ombuti replied without hesitation.
Like master, like servant.
Ring
Ring
Unlike Ombuti, Black Mamba could hear the telephone ringing downstairs.
Ombuti, the phone.
Yes, Ill be back.
Ombuti went downstairs without a second thought.
Wakil, its Ariba from Paris antique shop! Ombuti shouted.
Special military advisor, the Falcon just set off. Itll arrive at eight oclock in the morning tomorrow.
Good job. Do you know anything about the Lakes of Ounianga?
As expected of you, advisor. The region around the Lakes of Ounianga is cursed. Two groups of researchers had gone there only to go missing without rhyme or reason. I suppose the all-capable special military advisor will be able to figure something out. Good luck.
Thanks. You can get back to work now.
Kekeke, hes angry, isnt he?
Black Mamba laughed as he stared at the clock on the wall. The time difference between Paris and NDjamena was similar. He must have stayed up the entire night trying to coordinate the time.
Well, hed have to work regardless. Those who benefit from the taxes have to get their a**** kicked once or twice, both Korean and French.
Chapter 297 - Episode 14: Ombuti Flies
There wasnt a single country where government officials were not criticized. The subject of their services was the citizens. It was impossible to satisfy all individuals and organizations bound under the title of a country. Not even God could satisfy every human. Whether they performed well or poorly, they were bound to receive criticism.
All French officials had a salary rate lower than that of private companies. The salary of officials continued to decrease as the right party grew influential. As a consequence, the first line of officials grew lazy and spiteful. The French military polices law enforcement was known to be severe and violent. The right party criticized their actions as aggressive attitudes, a result of their pent-up stress. Every individual judged situations by their own standard.
The reason why Black Mamba grew to despise civil officials was because of the corrupted police and investigators, the lawyer who took bribes and didnt defend him properly, and the officials who fabricated his documents.
Whoosh whoosh
With every movement of his arms and legs, the sound of air exploding could be heard. Black Mambas body moved quickly. Although he was invisible, dents could be seen all over the grass. The air density around Black Mamba increased.
Whoosh
The dense air exploded in a rush.
Black Mamba entered the door after briefly exercising with the 36 forbidden practices. Steam rose from his tanned bodyhis shorts being the only piece of clothing on him. His body had left Hae Youngs friend, Ms. Chui, drooling and commenting about how Davids statue couldnt compare.
Beautiful! No, powerful.
Edels eyes were glued on his body, which was glowing with sweat. It was an inverted triangular upper body without a single fat, paired with defined muscle lines that revealed each one of his veins like wire cordsthat kind of extreme body could only exist in ones imagination.
She hadnt known that the body hidden behind those clothes was so sturdy. She felt goosebumps rising on her back when sweat rolled down the lines of his muscles. Edels toe curled unknowingly.
Crazy b****. Why did you sleep when you were planning to take a nap?
She blamed herself for losing to sleep, but it was too late. What could have possibly been a historical night for her had already passed. Her heart wouldnt have been this empty had she heard any words of affection.
What are you doing? Go wash up! Edel, whose face was flushed, shouted.
Beads of sweat gathered on his back as he made his way to the shower. For some reason, they looked sweet. She wanted to suck on them with her lips. She followed him unconsciously with a towel in hand. Black Mamba suddenly turned around. Surprised, Edel immediately hid the towel behind her back.
Rudrey, there will be guests. Dont work yourself too hard and leave the petit dejeuner[1] to the chef.
Disappointment filled Edels eyes. She had lost her opportunity to approach him naturally.
Alright, but Ill make Dubais kimchi-jjigae myself.
Damn!
He wanted to cry. He didnt want to face the greasy kimchi-jjigae and the smelly jollof that tasted like sand once more. He missed the fresh toran soup, sweet bean paste soup, and the sour kimchi that Jin Soon used to make for him.
The Falcon, which had departed Hyres Airport, concluded its non-stop night flight. Three Jeeps rushed toward the Falcon as soon as it landed on the runway. Jamals group got onto the Jeep without a chance to regain their bearings and were immediately transported to Wakil Commerce Company.
Ya Ilahi, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Mahdi!
Jamals group hurried out of the Jeep once they saw Black mamba. Four men and two women kneeled on the floor and raised their arms.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be eternal. I am here as per your order.
Where did this group of outcasts come from?
Ombutis expression turned serious. A strong contender for his position had appeared.
You had a difficult time coming over. Is life in France to your satisfaction?
There is no problem. We can only be grateful for your grace, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Our brothers begin the day with a song to praise you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Embarrassed by Mohammads words, Black Mamba immediately moved on to another topic.
Why are you singing? Bassel, youve got a beautiful face and body. You were hiding a treasure underneath that niqab, werent you? Its nice taking off that wrap around your body, isnt it?
Yes, its all because of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas grace.
Bassels face turned red like a ripe date. She barely managed to answer before lowering her head. Jamals group was decked in marine military uniforms. In a rush, Ariba had handed them uniforms from the storage to wear. Bassel, whose body was exposed more than before, felt restless.
You can wear pants, shorts, and sleeveless shirts from now on. Beauty is Gods gift. Everyone should appreciate beauty. Not revealing and hiding it away is a sin.
Black Mamba didnt know the consequences of conveying words half-jokingly. He had forgotten that back then, he was Ddu-bai-buru-pa instead of Dong-bang-bull-pae.
Act, Im officer Majed from the Deuxieme Reps transportation team. Is there any problem with the goods, sir?
A soldier in his early 40s, who had his officer badge on his clothes, executed a flawless salute.
Officer Majed, you did a good job. There is no problem with the goods.
Its an honor to meet the gulbeig special military advisor, sir.
Black Mambas face creased.
Damn b*stard!
One who chased goldwhat kind of comedic nickname was that? As though it was a reply, officer Majeds face turned red. It was the face of someone who was trying to hold back his laughter desperately.
Good job, officer. You can rest with the drivers in the break room.
The house employee guided the mercenaries into the building. Black Mamba introduced Ombuti.
This is Boss Al Aman Ombuti, first servant to myself, Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Ombuti is the boss of Wakil Commerce Company and Ddu-bai-buru-pas representative Aklankuru. I hope you will support him well.
We will do our best, the group replied together and lowered their heads.
Ombutis face brightened up. His eyes lit up, and his chin raised. He was in an extremely happy mood the whole day. He didnt know that such a day would come.
Fly, fly! Im flying!
Wakil had officially announced him as his servant. The life that had been ruined by the FROLINAT took an extreme turn. Wakil had pulled him out of hell and even given him wings. His soul soared as though there were wings.
No, wakil deserves loyalty. Were all a family who serves wakil. I hope you treat me well, too.
Ombuti exuded the aura of a second-in-command. Ombuti was someone who came to grow into his power when he stayed by Black Mambas side.
This person is Dr. Edel, a doctor. Shes a beauty, but you can live longer if you dont see her so often.
Rudrey Edel. Im Dubais friend.
Edel was slightly disappointed. While she hadnt expected him to call her his lover, couldnt he have introduced her as a friend at least? She accented the word friend.
Wakil, why dont we have breakfast first? Ombuti initiated, attempting to control the crowd.
I called you all over because I found a land where we can all live in.
There was silence.
Jamals group stopped moving. Six pairs of eyes instantly looked at Black Mamba. Silence surrounded the table.
The location is north of Ennedi Plateau. The autonomous region is about five times the size of Hatay. Ive named the country where you will all live in, Novatopia.
Yes, hoorah Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Hooray for Novatopia!
Ddu-bai-buru-pa-hu Akbar!
Jamals group jumped to their feet and hugged one another while shouting. Bassel and Aishe jumped with them, tears rolling down their faces. Breakfast had turned chaotic. Despite not understanding the exact situation, Edel started tearing up from making out what she could of the conversation.
Dubai, who are you truly? Youre the supernova here. The more you shine, the more I hurt. Is this the greed of a woman?
Edels sighs grew deeper. She had planned to take a nap but had fallen asleep instead. She couldnt convey a single word from the mountain of words she had prepared, which worsened the situation.
Its a barren land for now. Using your strength, you will all have to plant trees and crops in the dry land. Are you prepared?
We swear to God that were Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas slaves. Even death will not be able to change our minds. God is on our side. We fear nothing.
Bismillah!
We will follow Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa in Gods name! Ibrahim, the oldest of the group, stepped up and swore as their representative.
Novatopia is a land without discrimination and privileges. I wont discriminate against anyone whos persecuted or anyone who needs a place to stay. Look at the person beside you. There are Christians, Orthodox, Muslims, Whites, Asians, Blacks, and Arabs. Remember, being different isnt wrong. Before thinking that Gods on your side, consider whether youre on Gods side, Black Mamba said, explaining the Avatamsaka Sutras philosophy.
Ah!
Everyone in the room exclaimed. Edel was shocked. The sentence Before thinking that Gods on your side, consider whether youre on Gods side rang in her head like a bell.
He was right. Thinking that God was on anybodys side might cause all kinds of religious problems due to the self-entitled perspectives. Even in life, there were arguments about whos right and whos wrong. A conversation could only begin when one recognized another. Only with conversation could one understand another.
Edels eyes, which were directed at Black Mamba, sparkled like stars. He was like an iron tower that wouldnt waver when there was lightning or a storm. He wasnt simply a warrior. He was an enforcer of philosophies. There was a reason why people, whoever he met, followed him.
She had secretly laughed internally when uncle Ombuti mentioned Blacks potential of becoming a king. Black was an extraordinary person, but to become a king in the 20th century? That was a ridiculous notion. Still, now she had no choice but to accept the said notion. Dubai was someone who could be king 10 times and over.
Ombuti raised both of his arms to the sky. He announced in a loud voice, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has spoken. Being different is not wrong.
Being different is not wrong.
Jamals group repeated after him as though they were reciting. Edel also followed them in a daze.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has spoken. Before thinking that God is on our side, consider whether were on Gods side.
Before thinking that God is on our side, consider whether were on Gods side.
Guided by the mood, even the workers who were setting the table chanted along with them.
This is Novatopias first national law, addressed by Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. May everyone remember, Ombuti announced solemnly.
We will remember. Jamal and the others lowered their heads at once.
Woah, that old man has legendary tact and speech ability. Despite uniting enemy armies with his tongue, Deng Zhi would have cried if he saw Ombuti because of his incompetence.
Black Mamba was impressed. Ombuti immediately controlled the crowd of different races and religions. Although he overstepped sometimes, he knew how to use people and when to step back or proceed. He was like the Three Kingdoms Deng Zhi, whose abilities blossomed later.
I have a lot to do. Ombuti, the Aklankuru, will take care of Novatopias advancements. Mohammad and Ibrahim, help Ombuti to advance the development and find more people to support him.
Yes, well devote our souls to the cause.
Bassel, I want you to stay behind and help Rudrey. The remaining five of you need to go somewhere with me. Get ready.
Black Mamba called Ombuti out separately to his room after the chaotic breakfast.
Ombuti, are you planning to live out the rest of your life alone?
What do you mean? Ombuti mumbled a reply at the unexpected question.
Ombuti, you have a lot of work to do. A wife should take care of her man as he ages. Bassel is 24. Are you willing to take her as your wife? Black mamba asked directly.
Bassel was considered a flawed woman in Syrias grave society. While there was an age difference, Ombuti wasnt a terrible potential husband.
Egh! Ombutis mouth hung open.
What kind of camel-jumping question was that? He had aged for nothing. Ombuti immediately recovered his mental state and lowered his head.
If that is wakils intention, I will gladly follow. Although, I dont know what Miss Bassel would think about this
Wakils words were like Gods words. He had to do what wakil asked. It had been eight years since his wife died, and he took his revenge. He did not dare dream about a woman who was at a blossoming age. In Arab, having an age difference wasnt a problem in the first place.
Bassel will agree. Call her over.
I thank wakils grace.
Ombuti stood from his chair with a smile on his face.
Bassel walked in with fragrant coffee. Ombuti really was quick-witted. Black Mamba immediately began attacking. He wasnt the kind who provided hints here and there.
Bassel, do you remember what I said at Gobelaka Village?
Yes! Bassel replied softly.
Her life in which she had been humiliated before was like darkness. Her own brother had attempted to kill her, and she hadnt been willing to live. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, who was sent by God, had given her hope and the will to live.
I want to pair you with Ombuti. He is a noble from the Tuareg tribe who believes in monogamy. He is a lone man who has lost his wife. What do you think?
Ill follow as you will, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Bassel answered softly.
There was nothing to think about. That was what the apostle wanted.
This isnt about what I want, but what you want, Bassel. Stay here and help Dr. Edel. If you come to like Ombuti, well plan a wedding. Will you do that?
Ill follow as you will, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Bassel said, raising her head to reveal a shy smile.
The warmness from the apostles heart filled her from within. She wanted to kiss his foot, but the apostle disliked grand motions of praise.
Hmm, it seems like there wont be a problem. Im no less than a Samshin grandmother.
Bassels smile improved his mood. Although it was ridiculous for a single man to matchmake other couples, arranging a wedding for a widower and a flawed woman was also a feat. His heart naturally swelled with pride.
Wakil, were ready to leave, Jamal reported with a Barrett tucked under his arm.
Mohammad, Ahmad, Ibrahim, and Aishe, who were dressed in khaki-colored marine uniforms, lined up with MP5s in hand. While there wasnt a need for a gun, they were officers whod become the backbone of Novatopias military and future trainers of Wakil Commerce Companys guards.
[1] Breakfast.
Chapter 298 - Episode 15: Ombuti Flies
In the central region of Samaria farm, 600 meters away from the farms main mansion by Pend Rivers triangular edge, there was a workers residence. 1,100 families and 700 single people occupied the large village, made up of 15 hectares of land. There were warehouses, dryers, blacksmiths, mills, shops, and a church in the center of the village, while the residential areas surrounded the villages outskirts like a circle.
Plantation farming by itself formed an independent economic sector. There was not a single day of peace in an isolated plantation filled with 100s and 1,000s of households. Samaria farm was no different.
Various side effects like faction fights, sexual assault, religious conflicts, and violence occurred one after another. Baron Colten had built a house for those who married outside of the farm. Nick had constructed a collective settlement for workers outside of the farm. Sun WooHyun, who was inexperienced, had accepted Barongo and the 100-member councils appeal to live in family units on the farm. That was his first mistake.
As twilight turned to dawn, the village squares firelight burned brightly. A dried cotton branch was, in and of itself, the best feed for fire. Countless natural paintings hung on the walls around them, and 100s of black workers rolled their feet to the sound of drums. There was a man holding onto a box of spirits made out of wood, another man with a jembe[1] and machete[2], and a man holding onto a rifle.
Kiyoho, Legba Legba!
Women holding onto a wooden rectangular statue the size of their arms shouted distinctly. It was the statue of Bakara, a spirit of protection. Without a single thing on their bodies, the women danced around the fire. They shook their butts side-to-side, rolled their hips, and hugged other people while dancing to receive a Vodou God.
Papai Legba udri paepo umo pauen papa letonuen ma salai lewa nyo
The women began to sing.
The men wearing pwens[3] drummed and supported the womens songs with strong grunts.
Uh-huk, uh-huk
The mood grew intense. The men standing outside the circle turned in the opposite direction of the women and started singing the chorus. The song and shouts grew louder and louder. Their strange ritual neared its end.
Legba was regarded as the protector of gates, a prophetic spirit among Vodou spirits. By calling the Legba, the wall between spirits and humans would be lifted. The Maroons[4] believed once the connection was established, they would become undefeatable against bullets or blades.
Two men appeared with a black male pig tied to a stick. After raising the pig onto their altar, the fire grew stronger on its own. The beatings of the drums and the song got quicker.
A man wearing an uneven tunic and a cows head costume appeared. The man lifted the scepter made of a long femur. A skull, which decorated the top of the scepter, emitted a blue glow.
Oh, Mackandal[5]!
Oh, may a kind lwa be sent!
Shouts, screams, and cries echoed. The beating of the drums got even quicker. The women who were crazily shaking their chests and twisting their legs suddenly dropped to the floor and frothed at their mouths. Silence ensued.
Oma aritugama sutai debila betti blang wanga
The man finished chanting and respectfully lifted a knife. The sharp knife sliced the pigs neck. The pig struggled and squealed. The women collected the blood in a wooden box. The crowd gathered. They each took out a wooden cup from their pockets and drank the blood in the box. The man raised the skull scepter high in the air.
God, who illuminates the sun, raises the wind, sends the storm, and creates the lightning, protects us all. Save us from the hands of the evil farm owner and the whites, hear the Maroons. When we ate the dirtied ugali soup, the white pigs tore the meat from the hinds of young lambs. When we drank the muddied water, the white pigs drank delicious wine. When we were forced to work with rags on our backs, the white pigs wore silk and massaged young women on their comfortable beds.
The man continued, Samaria farm is made from our bruised hands. Samaria farm is not the white pigs wealth, just as we arent the white pigs slaves. Nick Wayneright killed his brother and stole the farm. Namir shoved Nick in the cell and stole the farm. Using Miss Edels name, Namir is acting as her representative to take over the farm. Miss Edel didnt appear in the past year. I heard the truth from the spirit of the wind. Miss Edel is dead. Samaria farm is now ours. If we take back the farm with our strength, the farm will become ours too. The Samaria farm that is raised with your sweat, tears, and blood will become yours.
Yeaaaah, lwa lwa!
Woo, Mackandal!
Ooh, Im the farm owner!
The crowd shouted. The mood grew intense. An extremely evil smile was seen on Barungo. He looked at the crowd arrogantly.
Hehe, these idiots!
There were 154 people wearing red armbands among the 10-member and 100-member councils, 40 guards holding onto guns, and 100 workers handling the jembe and axes. There were exactly 300 people, including the women who had helped him perform the ritual. 300 was an important number. There were exactly 300 lwa spirits that moved the world. He had laid the bridge between the lwa and humans by calling the Legba. They were currently possessed by the lwa, which delivered his orders as the head of rites as the orders of God.
It was easy to manipulate the representatives who were wearing the armbands. People who had lost themselves to greed after tasting power became denser than chickens. They were easily swayed by the news of Miss Edels death, resulting in the downfall of Namirs power.
He raised their anger by spreading rumors that Namir would take back the armbands and punish the representatives who participated in bribery. He even added that the Maroons would be banished from the farm. Once he threw a spark toward the perturbed crowd, they burned up instantly. That was Barungos critical plan, which played around with humans greed and insecurity.
Namir, your days are over. Kekeke!
Barungo laughed in a sinister manner. Opportunities could only be seized by those who were prepared. Hed spent nine years serving someone for that opportunity to arrive.
The Vodou religion was spread by African slaves who had relocated from West Africa to the West Indies. While it was known that Haiti was the religions place of origin, that wasnt the truth. Initially, the Vodou religion had spread widely among West African locals. It had simply influenced Haitis Saint Dominiques slaves, who then spread it to Europe.
The bizarre Vodou ritual, which included evil spells that hurt others, calling spirits, controlling zombies, and worshipping sex organs, caused its suppression. Nick had utilized the guards and vigilantes to search for Vodou worshippers within the farm before sending them away.
Maroons hid their Vodou religion by disguising themselves as Catholics. Sun WooHyun had destroyed the guards and vigilantes and given them religious freedom. Sun WooHyuns appearance was like rain during a drought. When family units were allowed to live on the farm, the Vodou religion spread rapidly.
Barungo, who saw the opportunity, immediately called himself the descendant of the legendary magician, Mackandal. He nurtured an unpredictable environment and promised sweet fruits, which drew in armbands and Maroons under his power. Now it was time for his years worth of effort to pay off. Barungo raised the skull scepter and shouted.
Lets go, lets go find our farm. Once we suppress Namir, the farm will be ours. The kind lwa will protect you all. Let us get rid of Namir, whos been eaten by the evil lwa!
Yeah, lets go! Its freedom.
The farm will be ours.
300 people rushed toward the farms main mansion like a tide.
What is this sound?
Sun WooHyun rose from his sleep because of all the racket. The sky outside his window was red. Hed drunk himself to sleep, overwhelmed by the Scottish malt whiskey imported from England last night.
When he drew open the curtain and looked outside, Sun WooHyuns mind snapped back to reality. 100s of people were crowding around the building. Half of them were wearing armbands.
S***, those damn b*stards are rioting!
The image of Ombuti, who had been nagging endlessly during his last visit, came to Sun WooHyuns mind. Ombuti had told him to get rid of the armbands if he didnt want to be scolded by wakil. He had been planning to get rid of those who were acting out anyway.
Sun WooHyun rushed to put on his clothes and pressed the interphone. The head overseer, Barungo, didnt pick up the interphone. The interphone connected to the security wasnt working either. It could only mean that the guards and Barungo were part of the rebellion too.
Damn, Im in trouble!
He sobered up. The 10 employees who took care of the mansion and cooked were not fighters. Sun WooHyun loaded his magazine and raised the gun.
Should I just make a run for it?
Sun WooHyun considered escaping for a while before shaking his head. His drunk body wasnt listening to him. 100s of people with guns and weapons were closing in around the building. It was difficult to escape in that situation even if he was in good condition. He could almost see Ombuti laughing in his face.
Sorry, wakil. It seems like Im fated to wave a gun here and there, following you around the battlefield.
Sun WooHyun slung the rifle on his shoulder and casually walked down the stairs. He wanted to hold onto his pride as Namir even if he were to die. It had been a mistake for him to imitate capitalism when he was from a communist country.
Bang
The door, which received a kick, flung open. Workers who were holding torches, guns, and weapons blocked the entrance. A man wearing an evil smile stood before him.
Hm, it was you, Barungo? Sun WooHyun growled through his teeth.
His suspicion had turned into reality.
Those fooled are the idiots.
Wakils words drummed painfully in his mind.
Im so sorry, Namir. I cant bow down to someone else for the rest of my life, can I? Barungo sneered as he raised the skull scepter.
Sun WooHyun nearly snorted. That b*stard was not the same person who acted as though hed remove his liver when ordered. The saying that no one could guess what went on in ones heart came to his mind. He ached to his bones.
Damn, Im not wakil.
Regret washed over him like a wave. Sun WooHyun found himself foolish for wasting away time and not realizing the mans evil intentions. Now that he thought about it, wakil was an astounding human who received absolute loyalty.
I raised your wages by twofold and gave all of you plenty of food. I gave you incentives and even gave you free treatment when youre sick. I even gave you religious freedom. Why are you rebelling?
Sun WooHyun wanted to know. There was no better farm than Samaria farm, with its higher wages and better welfare programs. There was no reason to rebel.
Hehe, this isnt a rebellion. Were getting back what is ours. We still are slaves even if we earn a few additional francs. Abandon your gun. Even if its you, Namir, you wont be able to avoid all the bullets. If you surrender, we wont kill you.
Sun WooHyun glared at the 40 black rifles barrel pointing at him. If it was wakil, he would have swept them all away in an instant. Although, they wouldnt have thought of rebelling in the first place.
How many could he get rid of? Hed probably be shredded after killing 20 or 30 people.
Ha, I should have known when you betrayed Nick so quickly
Sun WooHyun thought through for a while before abandoning his gun. There was no need to fight them. He had a baseless belief that wakil would save him as long as he remained alive.
Hehehe, you can call me a b*stard who knows how the situation will end instead.
Barungo, youre making a big mistake. When wakil comes, you wont be able to die graciously. 100s of people will lose their lives because of you.
And thats why Im keeping you alive. I may be the high priest, but being loyal to a man of your abilities makes me uncomfortable. Tie him up.
Three Maroons ran toward him with a rope.
Shove it, you damn b*stards! Sun WooHyun said as he moved his hands and feet.
The men, who were about to tie him up, flew like a bunch of leaves.
Gadanka oongai baca!
Barungo cast a spell.
Ugh, what the hell? Sun WooHyun shouted.
His whole body was immobilized. He couldnt move a finger. The workers ran toward him and tied him up instantly.
Ill perform a ritual that will turn you into a zombie when the lwa of light is at its strongest. Kehahaha! Barungo laughed refreshingly.
Turn me into a zombie?
Sun WooHyuns face darkened.
Officer Majed, our destination is the triangular region in Doba, mid-stream of Pend River. How long will it take?
From Doba, Logone Oriental, the operating distance is 430 kilometers, and the driving distance is 600 kilometers. Most are unpaved roads. It would take approximately 10 hours.
Whats the distance from Doba to Fada, Ennedi province?
The operating distance is 1,280 kilometers, and the driving distance is 1,870 kilometers, the officer unhesitantly replied as he went over the map.
This is problematic
He would have to take a 5,000-kilometers distance round trip to visit Novatopia after stopping over at Samaria farm. It was like the mini-version of the Paris-Dakar rally that started several years ago. The thought of running on the dirt road already annoyed him. There was also the hassle of pulling the Jeeps loaded with spare fuels. Hed like to move the Falcon, but there wasnt any runway near the Ennedi Plateau.
Officer Majed, contact the headquarters for me.
In the end, Black Mamba called a helicopter in from the Legion Etranger base. The special military advisor had the authority to move soldiers and equipment when necessary. While he didnt want to use a helicopter for his personal needs, there wasnt enough time.
The Legion Etrangers strategic base in NDjamena went into a frenzy after receiving orders from the special military advisor. The Gazelles maximum flying range was 750 kilometers. While it could travel to Doba with additional fuel tanks, the Ennedi Plateau posed a problem.
It was 1,280 kilometers from Doba to the Ennedi Plateau. There was no way to replenish the jets fuel in the Ennedi Plateau. Including its return, they had to consider a 2,600 kilometers flight. It was impossible.
After much consideration, the operations department decided to name Wadi Fira as its stopover before sending a Chinook with two Jeeps in its cabin to the Ennedi Plateau. It was 360 kilometers from Wadi Fira to the north of Ennedi. It wasnt a challenging distance for the Jeep.
Tutututu
A loud rotor sound shook the windows of wakils house. 30 minutes after their conversation, two Gazelle SA 341 hovered above Wakil Commerce Company.
Rudrey, arent you coming with me?
Dubai, I never want to visit that place again. I wont be able to stand the scent of my fathers blood. Edel shook her head.
Nick Wayneright is currently imprisoned. What do you want me to do?
[1] It is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands, originally from West Africa.
[2] It is a broad blade used either as an agricultural implement similar to an ax or in combat like a long-bladed knife.
[3] It is a Vodou necklace that protects wearers from evil spells.
[4] Vodou believers.
[5] The head of Vodou rites.
Chapter 299 - Humans Are Monsters
Dubai, thats a difficult question. When my heart shouts revenge, my head responds with how can I do that to my uncle? I cant ask you to get rid of my uncle with my mouth. Although I hate the workers who hung my father on the cross, theyre pitiful people too. I want to give them a chance to repent, Edel said while sighing and looking distraught.
The image of her father nailed to the cross remained vividly in her heart like a painting. Shed tried to overcome her resentment with love, but she was so happy when she received news that lackey had suppressed the rebellion. Her heart ached at the contradiction.
Rudrey, when making a decision, you need to follow your heart. Theres a tradition in the Arab culture called qisas. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I dont think its barbaric. No b*stard can go silent when theyve sinned. Give them a chance to repent? Of course, you should. A b*stard who deserve to die should repent in hell, and a b*stard who deserve to live should repent in jail. Any unsettled emotions reveal your genuine heart, Black Mamba said bluntly.
It wasnt exactly the kind of words to say to a beautiful woman. Instead of consoling her, he was a heartless man who scratched at her aching heart.
Youre right. Im a selfish woman. Im tired of the cotton fields. I ran away and couldnt say a single word about the farm that my father raised with his blood and sweat. I didnt want to be hurt. I didnt want to hurt others, either. Im a bad daughter. Hic!
Edel burst into tears. Have you ever pictured a beautiful woman in tears, wrapping her hands around her face? There wasnt a single man who wouldnt crumble at the heartrending sight.
Aishes eyes grew hazy as she watched on. Edels gown was slightly raised, revealing her white thighs. Aishe was dazzled by her thin ankles that were the size of a fist and her slender calves connecting to her thick thighs, which called forth all kinds of thoughts.
There was a stark contrast between her tanned, muscular thighs and the ideal thighs that women pined after. Baseless anger swelled up within her. She found Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas cold expression mean and hateful.
Ugh, that idiot, hug her, hug her! Hug her and reassure her! Aishe protested internally.
Rudrey, theres a path for monsters and a path for humans. Im a monster trying to walk on the path for humans. Im Asura, who shoves humans into the wheel of animals after they abandon the conditions of being human. Ill take care of the problem.
Black Mamba simply ignored Aishes wishes. He patted Rudreys back and boarded the helicopter. Kind humans should live as kind humans. He couldnt force a rabbit to tear apart pork belly.
Ugh, damn it.
Aishe shook her head as though she had lost. There was a beauty who was willing to take everything off for him. Still, there wasnt a more stubborn man than him. Respect was respect, and hatefulness was hatefulness. She wanted to send a flying side-kick to his cold back.
The Gazelle SA 341 could transport one pilot and four people who were armed. Black Mamba and his self-proclaimed guardsJamal, Ahmad, and Aisheboarded number one. Ombuti, Mohammad, and Ibrahim boarded number two. The Gazelles left behind ear-deafening roars and flew away.
It was two hours before noon. The world became inevitable with coincidences, and when inevitability overlapped, it turned into fate. If Black Mamba decided to take the road, Sun WooHyun would have turned into a zombie.
Edels gaze refused to leave the two dots that grew further and further away. She couldnt muster a single sweet word, and before she knew it, hed already left.
Im a monster trying to walk on the path for humans.
His words echoed in her ears. Was that the only desire of a man without greed? Her heart grew stuffy.
I dont know who you are,
I dont know, but you exist.
Like the cloud that falls to the ground at night,
Like the birds that fly in the sky during the day,
You cry without anyone knowing.
As if it can or cannot reach you,
Unfortunate hands wander in the emptiness,
But why cant I leave you?
I want to heal your pain,
I want to stroke your wounds,
Cant you allow a graze, at least?
Cant you turn around once, at least?
Why cant I catch you,
Like the sandstorms that pass the desert,
Like the lightning that passes the mountains,
You leave, just like so.
I want to know.
Who you are, where youre from, and where youre going.
Hic, hic, Edel, please, stop. Its too sad, Bassel said, tearing up from listening to her song.
Bassel, I love that man, but he doesnt even look my way. Am I that hateful?
Edel, have faith. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is more loving than anybody else. He saved us all, just because we were pitiful. He shattered tanks and armored vehicles and even endured the danger of creating a path through a minefield. He had saved Ahmads lover purely because of the reason that a couple should marry.
Whats the point? He never looks at me.
Theres no tree that doesnt fall after 10 hits. You didnt even manage to land a hit out of the 10, right?
Mm, my mouth freezes when Im before him. I have a mountain of things to say, but I went mute.
See? Men like sexy women. They prefer a slightly stupid woman to a smart woman. Youre too smart and unconcerned about appearances, Edel.
I saw him in his sadness. I couldnt act cute before him.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is sad? Impossible. Hes capable of swallowing the world. Even the strongest of men seek comfort in a womans arms. Whats the point of wearing a gown that smells like alcohol? Wear shorts next time. Spray some expensive perfume, and put on some makeup. Wear a pretty necklace and a low neck shirt.
Then, how will I treat the patients?
Edel fiddled with the misbaha around her neck. That was the first time she had put on any accessories. The bracelet, which had hindered her hand movements, was now in her pocket. Now that she thought about it, she didnt even know how to wear makeup. She was an idiot through and through.
Edel, are patients the problem right now? Theres no one else like Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa in this world. Countless fox-like women are aiming for him. You need to set the mood. Light a red candle, order expensive food, and offer him strong wine. When everythings just right, thats when you
Bassel tried her best, but it was pointless.
Is that what everyone does?
Of course. People say one must shoot the horse to catch the general. That mans horse is the Aklankuru. Try talking to Mr. Ombuti. Mr. Ombuti is his first servant, after all.
Bassel had even revealed her true intentions in the process. Edel, being the naive person that she was, nodded intently.
Tutututu
Two Gazelles crossed Chads northern region. The sun was high in the sky. A red wheel rotated in the sky without a single speck of cloud to be seen. The sky was blue, and the ground was blue. The helicopters snuck through the blue sky and quickly headed down south.
The southern region, which experienced the monsoon climate, had abundant rainfall and developed rivers, unlike the northern region. The cities were more developed, and the road networks were more advanced than in the north. It was paradise compared to the central and northern regions, where sandstorms rushed around.
It was so different from the northern regions. Blue was a difficult color to spot with the surrounding lush green lands, white rivers flowing across the green forests, and well-organized agricultural lands.
90 minutes into their departure from NDjamena, the Gazelles crossed between Doba citys high buildings. He could see the Pend River, which twisted like a rattlesnake. A grand scenery appeared before him as they followed the river. The ground was entirely white as though the clouds had fallen.
Huh, amazing. Did it snow, or did someone spray salt!
The fields of white cotton flowers in bloom brought back his happiest memories. There was a cotton field at the foot of Wol Song San called Mi Young field. His mother used to sing when it was time to reap the cotton.
I wont. I wont. I wont be able to take them all again.
Aiyo, Aiyo
The fluffy cotton for my sons clothes,
The thick cotton for my husbands clothes,
Aiyo, Aiyo
The sun is setting in the west.
Ssang will be hungry,
My poor husband so tired,
Aiyo, Aiyo
The song that his mother used to hum played clearly in his mind. Would there ever be a woman who loved her husband as much as his mother? Would there ever be a man who loved his wife as much as his father?
Is it that stunning? Theres a lot of cotton fields like this in Hatay. Youre like a child.
Aishe giggled. Black Mamba broke out from his trance and smiled at her.
Its stunning. Ive never seen such a huge cotton field like this.
Im even more amazed by you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. How can you be so cold?
What are you talking about?
Im talking about Miss Edel.
Aishe raised her voice as though she didnt want to be overtaken by the sound of rotors. Black Mamba turned to look at Aishe in surprise. She was a smart Kurd woman. She didnt find him difficult, unlike other people.
Aishe, its said that people dont know other peoples sizes unless they try on their shoes. You shouldnt be worrying about Edel right now. Youre nearly 30. Until when are you going to run around with a gun? Shouldnt you grab a frying pan before its too late?
Ha, what kind of man will be interested in a woman with these hands?
Aishe spread her hands open at the counterattack, revealing her hands full of blisters. Those werent the hands of a woman but the paws of a bear. He understood what kind of life Aishe had led until now.
Hehehe, when you have a ghutra on your head, youre meant to fix it with the agal. Black Mamba laughed.
The lackey, who had a rough face to the point that he was called a Tubilis, and Aishe, who had rough hands like a bear, seemed like the perfect match. If they dont like it, then perhaps not.
On the second flood of Samaria farms main mansion, Barungo stood by the window and looked down at the cotton field spread in rows.
Hehehe, thank you, sir Namir.
He kept laughing. The large farm with the horizon view was now in his hands. Hed been able to spread his religion since Dr. Colten had left the farm. Although the situation turned out for the worst when the white pig called Nick stole the farm, the Damballa Wedo[1] had still come. A strong but stupid man named Namir appeared and wiped out the guards and vigilantes, which allowed him to expand his religion. Thanks to that, he finally achieved his goal that hed kept to himself for 10 years.
If he could convince the Oriental governor, the farms annual revenue of 5,000,000 francs would be in his hands. As long as the farm was his, the financial issues encountered when expanding the religion would be resolved.
Hehehe, Hissne Habr was a slave hunter. Since that commoner became president, this countrys done for. I, the head of rites who accepted the lwa, should be the leader of these lowly humans.
Northern Chad was the land of the dead. The Vodou religion, alongside Christianity, could easily infiltrate the lives of the local northerners. There was no reason why he shouldnt become Chads owner once he took control of all of the north. Barungo continuously got greedier.
What? Is it going to land on the farm?
Two helicopters that were quickly lowering their altitude came into sight. That was the first time since the civil war two years ago in which hed seen a helicopter. No matter how hard he thought, he couldnt come up with a reason why the helicopters would come to the farm.
Wadanka!
Bang
A man jumped out from the door. He was an African Anghel tribesman with a slanted forehead and a wide nose.
Yes, head priest!
Is there a reason for the helicopters to visit?
Not at all. Wouldnt it be the tax advisor from our country? Wadanka replied cautiously.
The Edel family was a British noble family. Their capitation, land, and excise taxes were paid to Chads government, while their income tax was paid to England. It was about time for the English tax advisor to visit.
Damn, why now
Barungo punched the nearest wall with his fist. Today was the best day for a Vodun[2] ritual. There was no way that an evil lwa could interfere.
Wadanka, is there a problem with the pa[3]?
I did my best. The palm tree that would receive the pa was prepared, with the third branch from the ground and the third branch from the sky tied together. I personally applied a virgins blood and offered it after rubbing it against the vulva of a woman who birthed three children. I also carefully selected hen, rice, milk, eggs, and cassava flour of the whitest kind.
Mm, there isnt a problem with the offering. Damballa Wedo definitely gave us an answer, but why is this happening?
Barungo closed his eyes for a moment and went over the Rada ritual. No matter how many times he went over it, there hadnt been a single mistake.
Compared to the material world, the world of ghosts had a much more severe mindset in which only the strongest survives. The Damballa Wedo that Barungo served was no greater than an imp compared to Asuras strength. There was no way for a mere imp to know about Asuras movements.
Ah, priest, the b*stards are trying to land! Wadanka shouted.
Damn, its a french military Gazelle. We should suppress it first. Move out the emergency unit and gather the Maroons and guards immediately.
Barungo shouted in surprise after spotting the blunt accelerator burner attached to the back and the chain gun sticking out the front. He didnt know what that was, but his instincts told him that it wasnt good. His entire body grew stiff. His sixth sense clamored. Those b*stards were definitely not tax advisors.
Yes, sir.
The ritual helper and secretary, Wadanka, pressed the emergency button and ran upstairs toward the rooftop. There was a siren that announced emergencies on the rooftop.
Beeeee
The siren rang to alert the Maroons and the guards of an emergency.
[1] A spirit who grants power and material wealth.
[2] A fearsome and mystical power able to intervene in human affairs at any time.
[3] The spirit of prophecy in Vodou.
Chapter 300 - Episode 2: Humans Are Monsters
Sun WooHyun had dismantled the vigilantes and guards who initiated the rebellion and formed new security personnel. Barungo had used incentives and hypnosis to secure 50 security guards under his control. The moment he had the highly-trained armed men in check, he grew braver. Sun WooHyun had unknowingly allowed him to tear out his liver and turned him pantless. He didnt know that a primary principle, such as a restricting system, existed to control power. That was Sun WooHyuns ignorance and simple-minded tendencies as someone who was from the military.
Beep beep beep
300 meters from the mansion, the guards tent buzzer rang three times.
Emergency! Its sir houngan.
Its the head butler!
The security guards jumped out of their tents with Kalashnikovs in hand. Sun WooHyun called them security personnel, but the workers still regarded them as guards. That was because they still inflicted corporal punishment and stole money, just like before. The hatred toward them was naturally directed toward Namir.
Were landing. Number two, wait for the signal.
Got it. Standby at 300 meters.
According to the manual, the first helicopter attempted to land in the square after spinning once around the Samaria farm. It was the cotton gathering point located midway between the workers living quarters and the farm owners mansion.
The situation doesnt look good.
Black Mamba looked at Jamal, turning away from the window. There wasnt a need to use his dimensional sight. He could feel the bloodlust poking at him like needles.
Clack
Jamal and Aishe combined their magazines. On the other hand, Ahmad, who was unfamiliar with the gun, grabbed his shamshir and darts.
10 pairs of bloodshot eyes looked up at the landing helicopter. They belonged to the 10 emergency members who were hiding behind an abandoned woodpile. There was a pile of cotton trees stacked in its uprooted state in the corner of the square. Cotton trees were perennial plants in the tropics where there was no frost. They used sick or diseased trees as firewood.
Captain, lets greet them respectfully. Wont the head of rites do something about them if we lead them to him?
Toongbuktu stared up at the Gazelles in the sky at his team members words. Helicopters were grim reapers to foot soldiers. The guards would be wiped out from existence if the Gazelles started shooting their machine guns from the sky.
Theres no need to bow down to those white pigs. Well be done for if they notice. Well suppress them and take them as hostages. Lets go.
10 armed people ran out from behind the pile of cotton trees and surrounded the helicopters. Three guards crouched as they approached to avoid the blades wind. The other seven took up a ready position. Toongbuktu banged on the door with his Kalashnikov barrel.
You frog b*stards, get off with your hands in the air! Ill shoot all of you if you take your time.
Huh, is this North Korea? The situations worse than I thought.
Vulgar comments poured out of the mouth of the man whose skin was as dark as coal. Black Mamba almost laughed at the hostile greeting. Chad had been part of Frances colony for a long time.
They couldnt greet French military soldiers in uniform, no, a French military helicopter in such a manner. Either lackey had lost control or lost his mind. Either way, it wasnt pleasant.
How dare they shove a barrel into Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas face. Ahmads face creased.
What an idiot. Ahmad, get rid of that b*stard!
Bang
Ahmad kicked open the sealed air door as soon as Jamal finished talking. Aishe jumped out from the other side.
Agh!
Toongbuktu covered his nose with his hands after the door landed on his face. Ahmad, who shot out like a cannon shell, swung his shamshir.
Whoosh
Toongbuktu didnt have to worry about his squashed nose anymore. People who had their necks detached from the body wouldnt care about a broken nose or teeth.
The blade, which was dragged along with the sway of his upper body, turned once around his back. The second guards face was sliced in half.
Crack
Following the line of inertia, his left elbow landed on the third guards temple. The guard, whose head was caved in, collapsed on the floor. It was the Circassian three consecutive attacks, which flowed like water. Ahmad, who was experienced, did not hesitate with his Circassian Mamluk movements.
Aishe, who jumped out from the door, showed off her remarkable shooting skills. The MP5 continued shooting from a position that required one to roll on the ground like a spinner.
Bang bang bang
The guards fell back like dominoes after each person received a shot.
The sight of people being blown back or falling out of windows after being shot could only be seen in movies. When a bullet penetrated the skull, the target would only fall backward. With tremendous pressure and stimulation applied to the brain, it would suffer fatal damage. The front and back muscles of the body would contract immediately, but because of the larger back muscles, the target would fall backward. On the other hand, if the torso was shot, the target would fall forward because their abdomen would contract first.
Tatatatang
The helicopters bodies reverberated.
How dare those b*stards!
Jamal, who had been carefully scanning the scene, jumped out. He turned once in the air as though he was tumbling and landed right on a mound like a spider. It was the kind of movements that a cat would cry over.
Bang
A loud noise followed. Blood started splattering from the mansions rooftop when the muzzle started firing from 400 meters away. It was the machine gunner who had been aiming for the helicopter. The assistant gunner fell into the trench below, head-first, as soon as the gunner was hit.
Idiotic b*stard! Jamal said, smiling in satisfaction.
Bang
The 50-caliber Barrett bullet revealed its undefeatable strength. The 60-centimeters sandbag exploded below, and the assistant gunner collapsed where he was.
Ahhh! Its the devil!
The workers, who had been loitering around, threw down their axes and ran. Their surroundings grew silent after a single display of strength.
Jamal slung the fuming Barrett on his shoulder and turned to look at Black Mamba. He looked exactly like a child waiting for praise.
Ugh, theyre so straightforward.
Black Mamba shook his head. A small group had gone to face Allah for a single reason, which was shoving a barrel in his face. He found it ridiculous. The people, who had acted like cats with bells, turned into wildcats in the next second.
It wasnt that surprising, however. Their experiences alone gave Ahmad the title of the Circassian Mamluk, father of all assassins, Jamal the title of the attack unit leader of the ANO, an evil terrorist organization, and Aishe, who grew up as a guerrilla since she was 13 years old by the eastern mountains of Turkey, the title of the Kurd warrior. They were later known to be part of the Seven Hojang, the seven-member guards of Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Whoosh
The second helicopter, which was about to land, raised its height.
Stop descent. Number two, warning. Warning.
The pilot in the first helicopter shouted into the transmitter a little too late.
Advisor, should we wipe them all out with the chain gun?
Vooom
The pilot increased the number of rotor turns. At any moment, he was about to shoot down with a machine gun.
Dont interfere. Youre a soldier, and youre planning to kill the civilians? Ill resolve personal matters privately. Hold off from descending!
Why werent there a single ordinary person around him? Black Mamba didnt realize that his resonance waves and his desire to fight had affected those around him.
When Black Mamba got off the helicopter, Ahmad and Jamal immediately guarded him, both on his right and left sides.
Boom
His dimensional sight spread instantly.
Ho, look at them!
100s of people had gathered. He could feel their evil intentions and their guardedness around him, which he had only ever felt on the battlefield. The situation was unusual.
The Gorgon would have been perfect.
It wasnt the kind of situation that could be resolved with a conversation anyway. An overwhelming frightful visual was required to break their spirits and decrease the kill count. The steel rope attached to the Gazelles lower plate used for transporting goods caught his attention. The steel rope of 20 meters in length and a diameter of 10 millimeters also came with a three-kilogram hook on its end. It was a good enough substitute for the Rakshasa.
He sliced off 10 meters of the steel rope with his Vajra and stretched out his right hand toward the first helicopters pilot, sending a departure signal. The helicopter, which had been waiting for his orders, took off immediately.
He looked down at the steel rope in his hands. He vividly remembered the moment when he had used the Gorgon in Kaparja Valleys underground room. The bodies that were diced and the weapons that were crushed by the Gorgon in its cycloid movementeven the simplest weapons ended up as mass destruction in his hands. Coincidentally, he now had to see blood again.
Jamal, Ahmad, and Aishes eyes grew wide. Ddu-bai-buru-pa was holding onto the winch that had been attached to the helicopter. Why was that heavy object in their masters hand? Black Mamba ignored their curious gazes.
Jamal, the farm is under the control of an unknown power. Theres a high possibility that our family member, the lackey, is suppressed.
We must ensure Mr. Lackeys safety before they use him as a shield. I believe Ahmad will be the perfect person for this.
Leave it to me, sir. Ahmad looked at Black Mamba with twinkling eyes.
There should be a prison facility on a farm this huge. Look for a short and ugly Asian. Avoid any conflict with the b*stards. Ill wipe out the opposing power.
Yes, sir.
Ahmad disappeared without a sound.
Jamal, do you think crops grown by farmers are rightfully theirs, or it belongs to the person who found them while passing by?
Of course, it belongs to the farmers, sir, Jamal replied to the sudden question as though it was an obvious fact.
A hunter-gatherer, whos unaware of the concept of farming, discovers crops that a farmer raised. What do you think hell do?
Itll look like its a free-for-all.
Youre right. To the hunter-gatherer, the farmers crops are no different than the deer or the fruits on the trees they caught. Do you think the farmer can convince him?
If the hunter-gatherer doesnt know the concept of farming, itll be hard to convince him. I understand what youre trying to say, sir. Power is stronger than moral justification, right?
Black Mamba nodded at Aishes words.
There are 100s of people gathered. I feel their ill intentions and madness. From what I can sense, theyre not soldiers. They may be members of a cult. Lives are important, but lives without morals and ethics are not. Theres simply a power clash between those who are barbaric and those who are strong. I dont like this situation either. However, the lives of my family members are more important than the lives of 100s of my adversaries. Get to cover, and kill those whore carrying guns.
Yes, sir.
Jamal and Aishe went to search for cover. The reason why he suddenly brought up the abbreviated version of Hobbes The War of All Against All to his subordinates was to reaffirm his own beliefs.
Hed visited Samaria farm intending to take a holiday. Ombuti and Mohammad were supposed to be in charge of the farms maintenance and system. He was planning to encourage the lackey. Perhaps, that was Asuras fate. Blood spattered whenever he moved.
wadau ooballei kadingo wangga wammba Legba ansaroom
Barungos neck jerked backward when he finished casting the long spell. His pupils disappeared, leaving just the whites of his eyes. The pa shook like a snakehead as though it had just been picked up. Barungos body shook violently. He was in a trance. He had connected to the lwa Damballa Wedo that he served.
Boom
The happenings that went on in the square unfolded before his eyes as though it was a live broadcast. That was Damballas ability. He had to know the enemy before they fought. Barungo wasnt stupid enough to believe in the emergency station guards and wait while doing nothing.
A helicopter landed on the square where the emergency guards had gathered. His subordinates approached. A man and woman jumped out of the helicopter and moved their swords and guns. His 10 subordinates were swept away. A burly Arab jumped out with a larger gun. All of them were heathens. Another b*stard casually got off the helicopter.
Hm!
Damballa shook. A small groan escaped through his clenched jaws. The last person, whose appearance was overwhelming, didnt seem to be human. He gathered all of his spiritual power to see his actual form.
Agh! Barungo screamed.
A light exploded the moment he tried to see his actual form. Damballas power jumped out of him. Barungo twisted his body as though he was mad. The connection broke. When a connection forcibly broke, the houngans[1] heart took a blow. Blood dripped down from Barungos mouth.
Houngan!
Wadanka jumped in, opening the door. Barungo relieved the shock from the forced disconnection by drinking the Vodous secret medicine.
Wadanka, a Petro[2] has appeared. The b*stard must be the guy Namir calls master.
Barungos voice trembled. The other was a presence with limitless abilities whom Namir was unswervingly loyal to. In return, the Rada[3] lwa, which he had served and received help, fled. It meant that Petros spiritual power was strong enough to draw Damballa Wedo out from a physical body.
Youre here, houngan, and there are 400 other Maroons on the farm. There are also guards armed with guns. Petros avatar is also a human. Theres nothing to worry about, sir. Wadanka was calm.
Hm, thats true. The guys bound to die by a gun or sword unless hes a zombie. Give the mambos[4] their yorunba[5].
The reason behind the eerie feeling, which he felt during the Rada ceremony at dawn, was that b*stard, Petro. The b*stard was an evil spirit that wasnt included in the top 300 ranks of spirits. If he responded poorly, his 10 years worth of efforts would be in vain.
[1] The official term for the head of rites.
[2] A rough and unforgiving spirit.
[3] A spirit of morals and principles.
[4] Female priests.
[5] It is a Vodou secret drug that puts one in a trance.
Chapter 301 - Episode 3: Humans Are Monsters
Barungo was careful. The best lwa, Damballa Wedo, was defeated in a single round. He called him Petro, but there was a chance that the b*stard was an existence of a higher rank than a lwa.
Vodou was branded as a demonic religion due to the appearances of zombies, drugs, poison, human offerings, polygyny, orgies, spells, and bizarre rituals. Of course, it varied from region to region, and some rumors were exaggerated, but drugs and poison were inseparable from Vodou. The houngan of the Vodou religion used all kinds of drugs to increase their authority and impress their followers.
The Vodou religion used a drug called yorunba. The yorunba was an authentic, powerful drug that only the Vodun Houngan could create. It could also be said that the drug was the fundamental reason behind the Vodou religions survival through times. The yorunba existed in liquid form and had to be stored in shelled cacao to maintain its shelf life. The Vodun Houngan had a separate group of mambos to keep the yorunba in good condition.
The complementary activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves determined a humans behavioral response. If the sympathetic nerves grew excited, ones heart rate would increase, and their breathing would turn coarse. The body would become tense and exhibit combative behavior. The parasympathetic nerves relieved such excitement and stress.
Yorunba stimulated the production of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin. With the simultaneous release of these three brain active substances, the sympathetic nerve would become hyperactive, and the parasympathetic nerves would remain inactive. When the parasympathetic nerves remained inactive, one would lose their ability to judge, and their ability to feel pain would disappear.
As a result, one would gain more confidence and encounter an out-of-body experience. The desire for endless violence and destruction erupted. At that moment, the priest could control the drugged human with simple commands, just like a robot.
Drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, and opiates overworked the sympathetic nerve. With continued use, the cells of the nervous system would break down.
Yorunbas harmful effects were more damaging. With prolonged use, the cells of the nervous system would produce abnormal hypertrophy like cancer cells within the body. A body with a modified nervous system was like an unconscious doll. Its the Vodou religions zombie, so to speak. Once humans were zombified, they couldnt return to their normal state.
Under the influence of yorunba and the houngans hypnosis, one would not feel pain and move according to the input instructions. It was the height of evil that one human shouldnt perform on another. Barungo shoved others into hell, not realizing that he had opened the door to hell himself.
Ill prepare it immediately, sir.
Gather all the zombies. Ill head out myself.
Yes, sir.
Wadanka tilted his head as he ran out. Vodun Houngan was overreacting. At most, two Gazelles could transport eight people. No matter how strong a warrior was, what could they do with eight people? Numbers werent a problem. Right then, Wadanka couldnt have imagined that the Angel of Death had appeared to end all Vodou practices.
Women and men with farming tools in their hands filled the large garden. The garden was overflowing with madness and bloodlust, evident by their twinkling eyes, trembling cheeks, and drool coming out from the corner of their mouths. The atmosphere felt like it would explode at any moment. Only a few guards with rifles in hand seemed uncomfortable, but they couldnt say anything, suppressed by the mood.
Uooooh, Vodun Houngan has come.
Kill the heathens!
Mackandal, Mackandal!
Send down the Rada to us!
When Barungo appeared with an oxs head costume over his head, the crowd that was high on the yorunba cheered. The cheers of over 500 women and men with twinkling eyes shook the ground. They were probably in a trance.
Barungo raised the skull scepter high.
Brothers whove been chosen by the lwa, I, Vodun Houngan Barungo, order you with the borrowed power of the Damballa. Heathens, whore trying to destroy our faith and take our lives, have invaded our holy land. Slice the necks of those heathens! Cut their stomachs and pull their intestines out. Once you take the blood of those heathens, Rada will come to you all. Your skin will become an alligators hide, and your bones will become an elephants bones. You will not die, even when youre cut by a knife. You will not die even when youre shot by a bullet. Go! Kill the heathens.
Barungo shook the scepter to the best of his ability. The strange energy that flowed out of the scepter spread over the crowds heads.
Uoooo, kill the heathens!
Protect Vodun!
The evil intentions of humans exploded. The crowd, each with a weapon in hand, poured toward the square like a flood. Taken aback by the appearance of someone with a higher-ranking spirit, Barungo had completely forgotten about Namir, whom he was planning to take as a hostage. Lackeys luck was still going strong.
Woah! What are they?
Black Mambas eyes widened. 100s of people were rushing toward them like African wild cows on fire. The ground shook, and the atmosphere rang. A gasp naturally escaped from him. The sound energy exuded by 100s of people rushed toward him. That wasnt battle spirit but madness. Hed thought it was unusual ever since he heard the crazed shouts, but that seemed to be the origin.
Master, they are Vodou followers under the influence of drugs. Theyre madmen who sacrifice live humans and drink their blood! Jamal shouted.
Bang
Bang
His Barrett started firing. The guards, who were leading, fell forward. Three Maroons, who were following them, fell forward too. The 50-caliber Barrett showed off its capacity, hitting four people with one shot at a 400 meters distance.
Bang
Bang
The clear ringing of shots continued. The horrifying scene of skulls shattering, holes in chests, and falling arms continued.
The energy of a rifle bullet could theoretically penetrate up to four human bodies, but in reality, it couldnt even pierce two. That was because the bullet was often stuck in a bone, or it lost its power from the tumbling phenomenon. A target that received a reverse or vertical bullet suffered extensive damage because of the kinetic energys impact.
As a large sniper rifle, the Barretts penetration power could crush a humans bone. The kinetic energy, which is 20 times stronger than a rifle, could pierce over 10 people. The horrifying scene of Vodou followers collapsing in groups and bearing through torn limbs played out.
Woooo, kill!
We wont die if we drink the heathens blood!
Although over 20 people were sacrificed instantly, the followers momentum grew steadily. There wasnt an order to their advance. They didnt care even if the person in front of them had their heads blown off or if their arms and legs had fallen off.
Oof! Jamal groaned unknowingly.
His heart was crushed by the madness exuded by the 100s of people. Fear crept over him. His finger, which was on the trigger, trembled.
Receive the wrath of Allah, those who block Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas path! Aishe shouted, unable to reach the auditory range of the madness.
Jamals mind snapped back to reality. That was right. He was a warrior to the mahdi, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Jamal mechanically pulled on the trigger after regaining his calm. The Barrett had weak consecutive firing power. It could not stop the rush of madness.
St-o-p!
Black Mamba shouted, enraged. The powerful soundwave loaded with resonance shook the ground. It was a mediocre version of Adras blackys low-frequency attack.
Aagh!
The group that were rushing forward swayed as though they were drunk. Some were crouched with their hands over their ears, and some peed, causing a halt to the rush of madness.
About 20 or so men didnt stop their assault, continuing to wield their machetes, jembes, and scythes.
Boom
Boom
The Barrett continued spewing fire. Their heads were blown off, their arms shattered, and holes were seen on their abdomens.
Woah, what the hell is that?
Surprised, Black Mambas original accent escaped out of his mouth. The headless man stood back up. The man with the fallen arm jumped into position. The man with a hole in his stomach and a missing arm also stood back up. There were even men running while holding onto their ripped arms and spilled intestines.
Uooooo!
A growl exploded. It was fear, in and of itself. Despite her strong mentality, Aishe was turning pale like the color of paper.
Theyre zombies! Jamal shouted.
Zombies?
Black Mamba frowned. He didnt know that hed meet a zombie, which he had only heard from papers and old materials. For a long time, France dominated West Africa, where Vodou was prevalent. There were more than enough Vodou materials in Legion Etranger.
Zombies lacked self-consciousness or sensea human who was unlike a human. Zombies were created from the long-term administration of Vodous secret drugs and magical after-care. It was said that zombies didnt go into shock even if they lost their limbs. They really were zombies.
Vodou religion, was it? Ill shatter you.
Black Mamba gritted his teeth at the mention of cults. They were b*stards who shoved human nature into hell and controlled humans to achieve their purposes. His life was similarly twisted by the leader of Baek Baek religion, Chui Do Shik.
He took out the billions water armor, which hed placed in his breast pocket, and wore it. His muscles grew five times stronger when he wore the billions water armor. Increasing the Epidium muscles strength by fivefold? A comical power in which not even a steel-hard body could support had appeared. It wasnt the kind of power manageable by humankind. He wore the billions water armor so that he could take care of the zombies from long distances. He didnt have any intention of coming into contact with such evil beings.
There was a pile of shaved trees, meant for cotton transportations in the square. It was three to four meters in length, weighed about five kilograms, and was thicker than his wrist. It would have been a burdensome weight had he not worn the billions water armor.
Woosh
A stake, which was saturated with tremendous amounts of energy, tore through the air. It was a javelin, no, a spear.
Splat
The wooden spear that flew across 300 meters at subsonic speed embedded itself into a zombies chest. The zombies thick skin and bones stopped its penetrating force. The spear dragged the zombie across 10 meters and dug deep into the ground. The shape was reminiscent of an insect secured on an insect collecting plate with a pin.
Woosh
Woosh
More spears continued to split the air. The zombies continued to rush forward by the second. The spears that left Black Mambas hands embedded themselves into the bodies of the zombies. Skewered, the zombies struggled several times before they stopped moving.
Uhhhh!
Jamal and Aishes mouth dropped open. Their chests shivered at their apostles incredible powers. Jamal had witnessed Black Mambas ability when he overturned Kaparja. The scene that played out gave him the same thrill he had felt back then.
Oh, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Jamal shouted as though he was groaning.
None of the spears that his master threw missed its target. It wasnt easy to shoot the zombies that ran about frantically, even with a scope on his Barrett. No one could calmly look at zombies running while dragging their intestines around or carrying the arms they tore off themselves in the other hand. Hed barely managed to get rid of three with his trembling hands. His master had decimated the group of zombies within a few seconds. Strength was truly the greatest beauty.
What the hell is that b*stard?
Barungo blanked out. The army of zombies he trusted turned into insect displays. Not even the Petro lwa could exercise such tremendous physical power.
A spirits avatar with tremendous powers like that b*stard?
The Vodou religion, which revolved around spirits, would have wiped out all the religions on Earth and created an empire. That b*stard wasnt a Petro, after all. He was the God of Death, Baron Samedi, who preyed on other worlds lwa or spirits.
Vodun Houngan, we need to push back with the numbers! Please free the followers paralyzed by Petro lwas spell! Wadanka shouted.
Maroon warriors, he is a filthy being who is possessed by the evil lwa! Amule Amule Bakan! Kill him!
Barungo returned to his senses, shook the scepter, and roused the madness among the crowd once more. His interference stirred the madness of the followers.
Yeah, kill him! the heathens shouted, stimulated by the shock.
The distance was reduced to 200 meters. The surviving guards began to shoot. Although they were mad, they didnt forget the effective range of their rifles. Aishes MP5 began to fire. Holes appeared on the guards foreheads without a single miss.
Jamal, Aishe, retreat.
Yes, sir.
The two immediately fell back. There was no such thing as refuting their masters orders.
Stop!
A shout like lightning rang. Barungo shouted when the crowd hesitated.
Kill! Youll become a houngan if you kill the evil Petro. Amule Amule Bakan!
The reluctant crowd rushed forward once more. Black Mambas eyes turned light red. The b*stard who was wearing the oxs head costume and shaking the skull scepterthat was the Vodou religions head of rites, houngan. That b*stard was the one who moved the workers and created the zombies. The b*stard who considered humans as tools, the kind of human who Black Mamba hated.
Its that b*stard. Ill follow you to the ends of hell and kill you.
Whoosh
A wooden spear rushed toward Barungo with a whirlwind on its tail.
Amule Kanta! Barungo chanted.
The spear that was carrying a tremendous amount of energy bounced back into the air. Barungo flinched but didnt retreat.
Huh!
Black Mamba was surprised. It seemed as though there was a real cult-leader within cults. That b*stard wasnt an ordinary cult leader who manipulated human minds with words and strategies. He was a real cult leader with something up his sleeve. Machine guns and darts were useless against those mad b*stards who rushed in like a swarm of grasshoppers. The solution was to kill the manipulator.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh
The wooden spears kept flying.
Amule Kanta!
Barungos spell stopped them like a wall.
Boom
Boom
Boom
The spears, which couldnt withstand the kinetic energy, exploded in sequence. Barungo smiled in satisfaction. Nothing could harm him as long as he had the spirit of the rock, Kanta.
Plates of lwa, the b*stards a weakling whos been eaten by the heathens lwa. Kill him! Amule Amule Bakan! Barungos shout echoed in the air.
Oooo, the devils spell has been broken!
Hoorah, Vodun Houngan!
The Maroons cheered.
Yeah, kill!
The madness, which had settled down, returned once more. Bullets began to pour down. While the number of guards had decreased, firepower was still a threat.
What kind of a trashy b*stard is he? I guess theres no choice but to get close.
Chapter 302 - Episode 4: Humans Are Monsters
Hehehe, the newbies arent bad. Lackey, youll have trouble trying to earn back wakils trust.
Ombuti, who was watching Jamal and Aishes contributions from the window, broke into a smile. Satisfied smiles were also seen on Mohammad and Ibrahims faces.
Sir Aklankuru, I know masters ability well, but shouldnt we help considering the numbers out there? Ibrahim carefully asked.
The Aklankuru was the head of all servants. Help from the Aklankuru, who was someone trusted by their master, was necessary to help the Kurd tribe settle.
Dont worry. If we join the fray, well only distract wakil. Wakils abilities are beyond whatever you can imagine.
I agree. Mohammad nodded.
The Ddu-bai-buru-pa he knew was Gods apostle, no, the incarnation of God. God worried about humans, not the other way around.
Mr. pilot, let us down in the village. Contact the other helicopter too.
Ombuti was seasoned. He knew that his wakil would take care of the enemies without even having to witness it. It wouldnt do good for the pilots if they witnessed a holocaust. The helicopters left the battlefield before Black Mamba went on a rampage.
What the hell is that dude?
Black Mambas mouth hung open at the sight of his wooden spear bouncing off. There were countless religions and spiritual beliefs in Africa, as a wild society dictated. He considered the spiritual beliefs and atypical rituals as some low-level comedy filled with cliches and madness. He had dismissed the Vodous devilish curses and spells as a rumor, an outcome of Africas ignorance and Europes exaggeration. At that moment, however, it wasnt comedy or rumor. He had failed to aim at the priest. He would be run over by the crowd if he didnt create a scene.
Bang
Black Mamba kicked off the ground and leaped.
Shoot, just shoot! someone yelled.
Tatatata
The guards, who failed to mark the target, started shooting randomly. Black Mambas body turned blurry. Their eyes couldnt keep up with his body, which flickered left and right. Countless bullets meaninglessly raised dust from the ground.
Ah, its the devil!
Kill him!
The followers who were under the influence of the drug made the best out of their powers. Knives, spears, and farming tools poured down on him like rain. Still, they couldnt do anything to a moving figure that even bullets couldnt chase. The weapons soared toward the sky in vain.
Whawhat is that b*stard?
Barungos eyes widened like lanterns. A human whom a lwa possessed grew limp after using their power. That was because their muscles couldnt withstand the pressure. Still, what was that b*stard? He was far from limp, running around like mad. Humans were humans and not horses. No, even a racing horse couldnt run like that. Barungo and Wadanka didnt have time to recover from their shock. The predator soared into the air and jumped right into the herd of sheep.
Houngan, somethings not right!
Wadanka moved back, dragging Barungo along. Spellcasting was a long-range ability, not a short-range combat skill.
Die, you heathen b*stard!
The followers surrounded him like a swarm of bees, swinging their machetes and scythes and ignoring their fate. Black Mamba held the short steel rope and swung it around.
Whoosh
The steel rope, which shone under the midday sunlight, formed a semicircle.
Aaaargh!
Pitiful screams and groans broke out. Their recklessness ended in death. Their necks broke, heads shattered, and chests exploded.
The b*stards alone. Kill him!
The followers, who were under the influence of the yorunba, ignored their comrades deaths and flew in like moths.
Shiny red eyes and frothing at the mouthboth were typical symptoms of a drug overdose. He almost trembled from the madness exuded by the followers.
You damn b*stards! I guess theres no point living in such a state, Black Mamba said through his clenched teeth.
The 10-meter long steel rope weighing 30 kilograms began to tear through the air.
Woooo
The eerie sound of 1,000,000s of insects flying in the air was heard. Black Mambas power, combined with the billions water armor, added up to around 5219 Joules.
Whoosh
The steel rope, which was released, formed a big silver arc. The 30-kilogram steel rope acted on centrifugal force and swept across a radius of 10 meters from the axis.
Splat
Dozens of people who were caught in its orbit were sliced apart like chopped rice straws.
The hook on the end of the rope served as its weight.
Whoosh
The steel rope rotated faster and faster. The accelerated steep rope struck like a lightning bolt along the cycloid curve and crushed them.
Black Mamba could not empathize with his bloodlust at full swing. The wind that moved left and right like a madman swallowed the approaching crowd. Bullets bounced back, while knives and spears were sliced and destroyed along with the bodies. Blood rained down, and flesh was scattered all over.
Aaaaagh!
Its the God of Death!
Samedi!
The sacrifices were better off with their necks and bodies sliced off. Although they were under the influence of the yorunba, their primitive fear and pain didnt disappear. The visual horror overwhelmed their fear of pain. People screamed desperately as their arms and legs fell off, and some even had their skins ripped off. The unforgiving steel rope also swallowed their shouts and protests.
God, why do you send such an evil spirit to your kind servant! Why, why?
Wadanka couldnt finish his sentence. The followers he trusted were turning into chunks of meat all over the place. Even those who survived were running away like ducks being chased by a dog. He had never imagined the arrival of such an evil spirit.
That was impossible even if the God of Death, Samedi, had possessed him. The 20-meter silver diameter created by the evil spirit, which moved like a storm, turned into a death zone. Humans, weapons, and farming tools were all destroyed. There was a limit to the humans body, even if an evil spirits power reached the heavens. Wadanka glanced at the Vodun Houngan.
Oooh!
His fear turned into admiration. The life force of the followers, who were in pieces, flowed into the head of rites like worms. It was the Danto spell that increased the effects of spellcasting by absorbing the life force inherent in blood.
Wadanka rushed to summon the lwa of harvesting, Azaka. Wadanka, who was now connected to Azaka, started absorbing the blood too. Barungo opened his eyes. His eyes that were lacking pupils overflowed with blood. The Damballa Wedo growled after consuming the life force.
You useless b*stards!
Barungo grabbed the neck of an escaping follower.
Crack
Like a crows feet, his hands dug into the followers chest and shattered it.
Kuuugh!
The follower let out a single groan before dying. Barungo pulled out the beating heart from the followers chest and held it in his hands.
Clench
He tightened his grip. The beating heart exploded. A rainbow of blood was displayed.
Amule Amule Bakan!
Barungo stretched out with the scepter and pointed it at Black Mamba.
St-o-p!
Ugh!
Black Mambas hands and feet, which had been moving fearfully, stopped. Something unfamiliar wrapped around his body like an unyielding net. The steel rope, which created a tornado, lost its power and dropped onto the floor.
What the hell is this?
Black Mamba was bewildered. He couldnt project the energy that was boiling like magma inside his body. It felt disgusting, as though the connection to his power from within was cut off.
Hmph!
The moment he used his resonance waves, the net grew loose.
Amule Amule Bakan! Tie him up!
Barungo cast another spell when Black Mamba came to a standstill. His specialty, the binding spell, tightened around Black Mamba like a net.
Kill the b*stard! Wadanka shouted.
Yeah, houngan bound the devil!
The followers started throwing their knives and farming tools. They couldnt approach easily after witnessing the devils madness.
Damn it!
Unable to move his limbs, Black Mamba had to face all the weapons flying toward him. Although his back was protected by the Boss-saurus tendon, his chest and limbs were out in the open. His strong muscles managed to bounce off the farming tools and sticks, but the axes, spears, and scythes embedded themselves into his skin. Although his skin suffered a scratch from that, it was Black Mambas first time going through such humiliation.
Aishe, masters in danger! Jamal shouted, breaking out of his trance in the middle of the battlefield.
Surprised, Aishe lifted the MP5 immediately.
Bang bang
Papapapa
The Barrette and MP5 started spewing fire. The followers who were running toward Black Mamba began to fall in rows. Black Mamba used that opportunity to gather his concentration and move the resonance waves in his body. Warm energy filled his insides.
Ha!
The energy around his hands and feet exploded. His hands and feet began to move. Wadanka joined in once the Samedi showed signs of escaping.
Bind, Amule Amule Bakan!
You f****** b*stards, how dare you!
Black Mambas hair was raised. He looked extremely angry. The Epidiums violent nature, which had been suppressed the entire time, exploded. Spells were another kind of interference. A mental battle between the two Vodou priests and Black Mamba took place.
Haaaap!
A roar, several times louder than a tigers, was heard. A strong resonance wave was released.
Crack
The binding spell shattered like glass shattered by a rock.
Spew
Barungo and Wadanka swayed in their places, vomiting blood.
Protect the houngan! The followers gathered like a swarm of bees.
Ill kill all of you.
Black Mamba moved the steel rope violently as his killing intent hit an all-time high.
Whoosh
A tornado consumed the followers. Streaks of blood soared in the sky while sliced arms and legs were scattered like leaves on the ground.
Another terrifying sight unfolded. Arms, legs, and intestines that were swept up by the tornado swirled around, with Black Mamba at its center. The square was filled with the sound of short cries, air bursts, and impacts made by the steel rope. Asuras hell had descended on humanity.
Run!
The devils gone mad!
The overwhelming visual suppressed the hallucination caused by the yorunba. The frightened followers started sprinting away from the tornado. Some laid flat on the ground and pretended to be dead. The fear brought about by Black Mamba overwhelmed their madness.
Splat
The waists of three men and women, who had displayed hostility and attacked till the end, were sliced off. Their organs poured out. The tornado stopped.
His eyes, which were dyed a bright red color, regained their original black and white colors. There wasnt a single human standing in the square. He didnt bother killing the few followers who were running and those who were lying on the ground. He had initially wielded the steel rope to suppress their madness and reduce the killings.
That rat b*stard, he runs pretty fast.
The two Vodou priests were nowhere to be seen.
Theyre fleas anyway.
Black Mamba smiled wickedly. As long as anyone remained within a one-kilometer radius of his dimensional sight, he wouldnt miss them. Those two were sinful b*stards who he had to catch and punish.
Boom
He released his dimensional sight.
Flick
After sensing their location, Black Mamba jumped off the ground.
Jamal, ththis!
Aishe couldnt continue. The cotton farms square had turned into hell on Earth. There were pieces of human bodies everywhere. Red blood flowed like a stream. It was a holocaust scene that was incomparable to when the Turkish Armed Forces had trampled their village. She had forgotten that Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa wasnt human, dazzled by his humane charms.
The Ddu-bai-buru-pa whom she saw was caring and loving. She didnt feel distant around him. She recalled scolding him for making Edel sad. She had basically poked the tigers nose without realizing it. Her heart grew cold.
Master is someone who changes terrains when hes mad. I saw him destroy a cliff and raise a flood with my own eyes. Master acts weak around the weak and acts strong around the strong. I managed to survive by his grace. Whoo! I cant even keep up with the number of people he has killed.
Jamal was in a daze. He didnt know what to do with all those corpses.
Jamal, shouldnt we go after our master?
Yes, lets. Cleaning is the job of servants. Sir Aklankuru should be able to handle this place.
Huh, what are those b*stards? Ibrahim muttered as he looked out the window.
Two men were sighted on the runone old man wearing a tunic and holding onto a scepter and another middle-aged man.
They look like Vodou priests.
Ombuti opened the door.
Clack
He couldnt tell whether they were friends or foes. The two men cautiously ran into the church.
Woosh
Another human figure flew past.
Its master! Ibrahim and Mohammad shouted at the same time.
It seems like our master chased them there. Let us head over.
Ombuti, Ibrahim, and Mohammad grabbed their weapons and got off the helicopter.
Did I make a wrong turn?
Black Mamba was confused. There was an altar before him and a picture on the wall of Jesus leading sheep. The midday sunlight, which shone through the stained glass, lit up the cross and the statue of Maria. It was no different from any church. Still, those b*stards traces definitely led him to the church. They could fool a ghost but not him.
Hm, these b*stards.
He felt something, which had a faint bloody smell, wrapping around him. He searched for an underground room using his dimensional sight. There was no information. His dimensional sight was constantly interrupted. He could sense some waves interfering with his dimensional sight coming from behind the altar. It was the same kind of energy that bounded him.
Wakil!
Ombuti, Ibrahim, and Mohammad entered.
Shhh!
Black Mamba went around the altar and rolled his feet. Black Mambas ears could hear the faintest of sounds, even the sound of a moths fluttering wings at night. He immediately found a ringing, hollow space.
Crack
His billions water armor tore apart the mahogany floor as though he was tearing apart crackers. A black staircase appeared.
Ill head down first, sir.
Step back. Those b*stards arent ordinary humans.
Black Mamba headed down the staircase first. The spiral staircase seemed endless. An iron door blocked their path at the point where the staircase stopped. Moisture had turned it rusty red, but it was a durable obstacle that didnt allow even paper to pass.
Ibrahim and Mohammad tried pushing the door. It didnt budge. Ibrahim placed his ear against the door and knocked.
Master, theres a problem. Its more than 100 millimeters thick.
Damn it. I should have brought the composition. Mohammads face creased.
I would rather not have explosives around. Lets live quietly, hm? Hehe! Black Mamba laughed.
There was a perfect item to use in such a situation.
Chapter 303 - : Humans Are Monsters (End of Vol. 14)
Black Mamba smiled with the Vajra in hand. According to his limited physics knowledge, the Vajra was an incredible item as it divided the composition of atoms. He was sure that the Concretus had invented it for a specific purpose.
Hed only used the item as a weapon ever since his escape from Aleppos underground cave. He was the modern human who couldnt figure out the purpose of the object created millennials ago, and the modern human who had dug it out of the ground and used it as a killing weapon.
It was no different from a chimpanzee using a fountain pen to dig up a white ants nest. He was nothing but a slightly stronger existence in the chimpanzee world. That was also the reason why Black Mamba didnt consider himself special.
Shall we see what those smelly b*stards are up to?
He shoved the Vajra into the iron door. It went right through as though the door was made out of mud.
Slash
As if it was water, the iron door was sliced apart. A circle, which was the size of a manhole, appeared.
Huh!
The three middle-aged men gasped. While they were aware of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas abilities, iron was iron and not water or mud.
Black Mamba got into position and moved his resonance waves.
Rumble
The resonance waves, which swirled once around his body, flowed into his right fist like a tide.
Ha!
His fist propelled like a shell out of a cannon.
Bang
The sliced circle disappeared. A hole, which was big enough for a person to pass through, appeared.
Huuuu!
Ombuti and the rest caught their breaths once more. The iron door, which was as thick as ones fist, was dismantled instantly. It was hard to believe, even after they had witnessed it happening before their own eyes. Ombuti shook his head after checking the doors thickness. It was 120 millimeters thick.
Allah al-hayat, Allah al-hayat[1]! Only Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas power is fair in this world.
Ombuti and Ibrahim kneeled and began to pray. Ombuti looked up at Black Mamba in awe, as he stood like Abu lhawl[2].
Hoo, masters grown even stronger. How much stronger will he get?
While Ombuti had witnessed many abilities beyond that of a human in the Sahel, he felt that Black Mamba had grown even stronger in the past year.
That persons my master! He grew proud, as though he was the one with the abilities. Ibrahim and Mohammad were no different, also infected by the Ombuti disease.
A faint light poured out from inside. A horrible stench that induced nausea followed them. The combination of the musty smell and the tanginess of blood attacked his senses.
Before anyone started protesting, Ibrahim and Mohammad glanced at each other and jumped into the hole. They couldnt let their master jump into a place filled with unexpected dangers. Although they couldnt imagine anything capable of harming their master, servants had their own duties.
Swish
The two separated to the right and left respectively and started searching.
Black Mamba nonchalantly entered the hole. An underground space, which was at least two times larger than the building outside, showed itself. The rows of weak oil lamps on the wall struggled to chase away the darkness. The smell of burning oil stabbed at his nose.
In a hall made of bricks where 100s of people could participate in a ritual, there were isolated spaces on both sides. There was a large wooden cross painted in red at the center of the hall and an open-mouthed skull at the top. The dirty symbolic items that were spread across the floor seemed more childish than strange.
There were all kinds of life-sized wooden animal carvings along the wall, and skulls and femurs surrounded the parody painting of Christ and his 12 disciples.
Enveloped in the childish yet eerie atmosphere, he could hear the curses and wailings of lingering souls. It wasnt rhetorical but literal. The cries of countless ghosts sacrificed by other humans greed and arrogance rang in his head.
Lackey, you f*****, what exactly did you do?
Black Mamba let out a sigh. His dimensional sight didnt work properly in the underground temple. A dimensional sight that couldnt see through objects was even more useless.
He left the searching up to the two old warriors. The old men grew frustrated if he didnt assign them any work, complaining that he treated them like elders. There were many cases of males past their prime meeting their ends after forcing themselves to fight against enemies in the wild. They were trying their best not to be pushed away by younger, stronger ones. It was the same for humans. With age, one became more desperate to prove their existence.
It would take more than a decade to build an underground facility this largeThose b*stards roots must be deep.
Its as spooky as their bad reputation. People practicing Vodou often disguised themselves as Catholics to avoid the governments surveillance. We should investigate all the workers. Ombutis face grew serious.
If he left rotten date palms in the basket, all the other date palms would rot too. It would take several months to investigate the 1,000s of workers.
That b*stard called the head of rites is really something! Black Mamba exclaimed.
No farm owner would tolerate Vodou on their farms. The priest who had built such a facility to avoid being watched was a brilliant person.
There are b*stards luring people of other religions with falsities, and there are real ones too.
Hm, Ibrahim and Mohammad cant find anything.
Boom
He activated his dimensional sight. The image that was spreading like a concentric circle got distorted. The strange aura that surrounded the entire basement interfered with his dimensional sight. Black Mamba was troubled. It wouldnt be easy to locate the hidden priests at that rate. They were at a point where they had to use a hoe to reap the field due to a broken cultivator.
Wakil, there are no explosives but plenty of cottonseed oil in the storage. Should we burn everything? Ombuti suggested a rather drastic solution.
No. Theyre b*stards who use strange spells. I wont be surprised if the spellcasters turned into smoke and escaped. I need to execute them openly.
Ill help.
Even Ombuti started searching.
Crack
The sound of dry bones cracking under his feet was heard. Ombuti, who had been moving his hands across the wall, flinched. He picked up the object under his feet. It was the wrist bone of a bodiless human.
Wakil, look here.
Ombuti called Black Mamba over.
Its the wrist bone of a 10-year-old child. What of it? Black Mamba said in an indifferent tone after looking at the bone that Ombuti handed him.
While he was amazed by the fact that all of its finger bones were attached, that was all. There were plenty of bones in the basement.
Its a mennang that the houngan uses in a summoning ritual. A girl, 10 years old or younger, has to be locked in a dark room until she dies. Once she dies, they cut off her wrists and melt her body.
Theyre b*stards who need to be killed. The child must have wandered around the dark, searching for a way to escape with her hands until she died. Does this mean the childs life force and soul are concentrated in the hands?
There was anger in Black Mambas voice. There were also cases in Korea whereby shamans locked and starved a child to death inside a pot to connect to a god.
Youre right, wakil. Mennang is the symbol of protection for the priest. Its always carried around by the spellcaster. Wont there be any kind of clues around?
Seems like it.
Black Mambas eyes gleamed in blue. The oil lamps on the walls provided plenty of light. He followed the wall and found a thin crack in the shape of a squares sides. That was the trace of a freshly built mud wall with a torn down entrance.
Old mice really do chew through jars faster
What does that mean?
Ah, nothing. Lets see what this is.
The old man had bright ears. Embarrassed, Black Mamba released his emotions onto the wall.
Bang
The billions water armor struck the wall. The wall crumbled instantly.
Ugh!
Ombuti moved back, blocking his nose. Ibrahim and Mohammad ran over, startled by the sound. Black Mambas eyes gleamed in blue. The dust settled. A sight beyond words revealed itself.
Corpses filled the small room of about 10 pyungs. There were mummified corpses, rotting corpses, and even fresh corpses.
Its a zombie making room or an operating room where the houngan absorbs their life forces. The priest uses human sacrifices to increase his spellcasting skills. The brain fluids and blood are used to make yorunba, too.
Yorunba?
Its a drug used to create zombies and leave followers in a trance. Its 10 times more addictive than opium. A follower addicted to yorunba wont be able to betray the religion.
Those b*stards really shouldnt be alive.
Black mambas eyes gleamed in blue. The mad followers who had been running around the cotton square must have been yorunba addicts. Drugs destroyed the human soul. They turned people into animals.
Theres a high chance that this place is connected to the spellcasters hideout. They must have dropped the mennang while in a rush.
They would show themselves if I break everything.
Black Mamba answered Ombutis question with his billions water armor.
Bang
Bang
The rooms walls met with a disaster. The walls shattered and crumbled with every hit.
Bang
The stone walls crumbled. Dust rose and covered the dim oil lamps. A new space appeared, just like that. Black Mamba smiled in amusement.
Bingo!
The two b*stards who had fled were hiding there. Their palms were pressed against two naked women on the table, specifically on their chests and lower regions. The two women were already dead.
Oi, were you recovering? Black Mamba smiled widely.
Chui Do Shik used to consume womens life forces using the same method. Why were cults so similar in that part of the globe and other sides too?
Ugh, Baron Samedi!
Hhow could a French dog break down Baron Samedis spell?
In a daze, Barungo and Wadanka looked up at Black Mamba.
Baron Samedi?
Baron Samedi is the head spirit of the lwa of death, Petro zete. If one casts a protection spell, the room turns into an entirely different dimension. Those b*stards wouldnt have realized the happenings outside since wakil didnt know their hiding place.
What a funny skill.
If Ombutis words were accurate, that was an incredible skill. It explained why he couldnt find them with his dimensional sight. The world was truly vast, and there were many people with unique abilities.
Ack! Wadanka shouted.
The knife on the table floated up and flew rapidly toward him. It was the agili spell, which was Wadankas specialty.
Ho, even psychokinesis!
Black Mamba snatched the floating knife from the air effortlessly.
Crack
The knife in his hand broke into pieces. Wadankas face creased.
Exactly what kind of being are you? Barungo asked calmly, befitting of his position as head priest.
Dong-bang-bull-pae!
Ddu-bai-buru-pa? Is that a god of another world?
Im Asura, who beats up mere ghosts like you.
How did you find this place?
Barungo rolled his red eyes. Although the head priest was a spellcaster, he was also a wise person who sought wisdom and knowledge. He sincerely wanted to know.
You dropped your mennang.
Barungos face creased devilishly. He glared at Wadanka. That had all happened because of his idiot disciple.
Now, lets start with a hit.
Whoosh
Black Mambas body stretched forward.
Hmph, Amule Amule Bakan, shield of Damballa!
Barungo shook the scepter.
Tap
A shield, invisible to the eye, deflected Black Mamba.
This damned thing!
Black Mambas eyes flashed. He shoved the billions water armor into the invisible shield. He felt something sticky.
Kehehe, I do admit that youre strong, but you cant do anything to Damballa Wedos shield. Barungo cracked up.
You thought such cheap mischief could stop Dong-bang-bull-pae? Black Mambas shout echoed.
Riiip
Using the billions water armor, he grabbed the shield and tore it apart.
Kuagh!
Barungo shouted and rolled on the floor. The shock from the spell that was forcibly broken hit him. Blood trickled out of Barungos mouth, his body lifeless. Even Wadanka, who was muttering a spell while waving the scepter, stopped moving.
Abu lhawl!
Wadankas face aged by 10 ten years as he muttered those words. He could do nothing to such a being. How could he fight against a being that ripped apart the Vodun Houngans best weapon, the shield of Damballa?
Black Mambas temper died down at the spellcasters forfeit, even before he could beat them up. He glared coldly at the limp Barungo and Wadanka.
Lackey, no, is the farm owners representative dead?
Ugh, Namir! I should have taken him as a hostage.
Wadankas face creased. Hed completely forgotten about Namir.
Namir? Ha!
Black Mamba barked and laughed. Sun WooHyun was someone who loved showing off. With the title of Namir, he must have ruled over them like a king.
Did you kill him?
Hes in jail.
It wouldnt have been easy suppressing him, Black Mamba said, breathing a sigh of relief after hearing the news that he was still alive.
Hmph, he may have lost to you, but sir Barungos an amazing spellcaster. That kind of idiot is nothing. Weve only waited for the right time.
You were summoning ghosts with chants, and youre saying thats amazing? You guys are nothing if you cant cast spells.
He mockingly struck and dislocated Barungo and Wadankas jawbones. He did so to prevent them from casting spells and from committing suicide.
Uwooo!
Barungo and Wadanka shed streams of tears. When a persons lower jaw joint was forcibly dislocated, it would stretch out the lower mandibular ligament. That pain was indescribable.
Disgusting. You b*stards cry over such small pain when you take other peoples lives and pain for granted?
Black Mamba glared at the priests as though he was about to swallow them. He wanted to tear them to shreds immediately, but first, he had to gather information before killing them. He wanted to leave the dark basement, which was surrounded by stale air, immediately.
[1] Allah is life!
[2] Sphinx in Arabic. It also translates as the father of dread.
Chapter 304 - Episode 6: Humans Are Monsters
Get rid of those s****! Ombuti shouted as he tactfully read the room.
Ibrahim and Mohammad dragged the priests out of the basement.
Weve gone through so much trouble for some worthless trash. Do you think Ahmad has located the lackey yet? Black Mamba complained as he shook his hand.
He felt uncomfortable, as though sticky sewage had gotten on his hand. He spoke lightly of the matter, but once again, he felt the vastness of the world. While they lacked physical abilities, their mental abilities were commendable.
He felt spooked when his hands and feet were paralyzed. He would have been finished if he had come under concentrated fire at that very moment. The combination of spells and modern firepower was something that even his abilities couldnt overcome. Although the wounds gained from the weapons thrown by the followers had healed, Black Mamba was still in an irritable mood. Hed just experienced true evil, which his teacher had spoken about.
Wakil, come look at this, Ombuti said while pointing at a golden box. It was a rather big shiny box.
What is it?
I dont know. I think it might be a safe.
A safe?
Money is as important, no, more important than God. That b*stard Barungo is the leader of those workers wearing armbands. He probably stole and took offerings from the workers, intending to expand the religion.
He wouldnt have placed such shady money in the bank.
Of course. I cant open it. The b*stards must have placed a spell on it or something. Should I drag Barungo over here?
Thats pointless. It just needs to be opened with a little more effort.
Black Mamba sliced a circle out of the golden box with his Vajra.
Ho, its full to the brim. Theyve gathered quite a lot, those damn b*stards!
Ombuti was beaming. The more money there was, the better. Blind money was even better.
People should get paid if they work for it. However, Barungo might not agree. Do you think its enough as payment? Black Mamba smiled.
It looks to be around 1,000,000 francs. It may not be enough for you, wakil, but its too much for us to receive. Ombuti smiled along with him.
You use it as you wish.
Yes, master. Ill use it as Miss Edels dowry.
Black Mambas face creased. The old man was more tenacious than the Boss-saurus tendon.
Ombuti, seal the entrance. Actually, burn it all off.
Understood, wakil. Lets head up.
Ombuti didnt understand the meaning behind his vague words. Well, Ombuti wouldnt have even blinked had he known that his wakil wanted him to shut up.
A smile rose on Black Mambas face. He could see Sun WooHyun tied up like a silkworm in chains. His creased face that looked like a tissue paper after it had been used to wipe off number two was familiar and pitiful. There was a tired-looking white man, a healthy African whose face was as dark as coal, Aishe, and Jamal. Everyone was there.
Wakil! Sun WooHyun called out desperately. Black Mamba didnt reply and turned to Ahmad.
Good job, Ahmad. Where did you pick him up?
There is an underground prison in the communal village center. I couldnt release him since I dont have the key. The spellcasters cant do it either since theyre like that.
Uooo!
Barungo and Wadanka looked up at Black Mamba in their sorry state, their jaws still dislocated.
Those b*stards spells are all fake.
Black Mamba grabbed the iron chain with both hands and twisted it. The iron chain, which was as thick as his thumb, broke like rotten twine rope. Barungo looked hopeless.
Uuuh, thanks!
His mind seemed clearer now that he was free from the body bind.
Shut up! Black Mamba glared at him.
Stabbed with guilt, Sun WooHyun pushed the ground back with his heels and shuffled away. His survival instincts were still intact despite his weary mind.
Lackeys not looking good.
That wasnt the kind of action an arrogant person would take. Black Mamba looked at Ahmad, expecting an explanation.
It seems like they forced him to take the yorunba. According to the prison wardens, they entered the zombie-making phase this noon. Most humans fall into a coma from a yorunba overdose. Sir lackeys physical and mental fortitude is amazing, in that regard.
Zombie? Hahahaha!
He burst into laughter at the thought of a North Korean officer turning into a zombie. The North Korean soldiers, including the citizens, lived like puppets oppressed by the system. Even the South Korean citizens, who were subjected to the oppression of free speech, could be considered zombies. Instead of the term puppets, the term zombies left his mouth easily.
Lackey, do you recognize me?
Wakil, I dont have an excuse, Sun WooHyun murmured and lowered his head.
It would have been strange if you did.
I tried imitating you and messed everything up. I have nothing to say!
Sun WooHyun couldnt raise his head. He called himself Namir, but he had messed things up and even turned into a puppet. If Black Mamba hadnt arrived on time, he would have turned into a zombie. While he was deep in his shame, the drug that Barungo had fed him silently robbed him of all of his strength. It was hard for him to move. The joy from barely surviving was the only thing that kept him on his feet.
Idiot! Ombuti clicked his tongue.
Ombuti had been determined to scold the arrogant brat, but the sight of Sun WooHyun in his fragile state pinched at his heart. No matter what anyone said, he was a comrade who had escaped death on the battlefield with him, and he was also wakils servant.
What is that pig? Black Mamba pointed at a fat white man.
He is Nick Wayneright, brother to Sir Colton.
So hes Rudreys f***ed up uncle.
I am a noble of the great British Empire! I am the owner of Samaria farm. You have no right to bind me. If you apologize for the humiliation and release me at once, I will spare you from standing in the great British court! Nick shouted with his head held high.
Hahahaha!
Kekeke!
Ombuti and the rest laughed their hearts out. A passing camel would have laughed at his attempt at threatening Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
That idiots asking for it.
Jamal slapped Nick with his thick hand.
Slap
Nicks mouth closed up like a clam at the blow.
That b*stards Enduma, Nicks captain of guards. The other three guards locked up together with him are barely breathing. God guided them all.
The moment Ahmad finished talking, Enduma rushed forward as though he was rolling and collapsed before Black Mambas feet.
Plplease. Save me.
Enduma grabbed the hem of Black Mambas pants and begged. The demonic Arab b*stards words were lies. Hed sliced off his three subordinates necks after commenting that they were annoying. His neck was about to fly off with a single mistake.
How dare you dirty wakils clothes, slave b*stard! Seek your mercy with Sir Colton.
Bang
Ombuti pulled out his Glock all of a sudden and shot the mans leg. For centuries, the Tuareg tribe enslaved people from the Anghel tribe. Human perspectives didnt change that quickly.
Agh!
Enduma grabbed his leg and rolled around on the ground.
Aklankuru, there are no slaves in Novatopia. You are before Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ibrahim warned.
Ombuti pretended to be surprised.
Oh! Thank you. Ahmad, silence this person.
Yes, sir!
Whoosh
The shamshir, which flew in without hesitation, sliced Endumas neck. His head floated in the air. Ombuti quickly moved to stand in front of Black Mamba.
Hehe! Ombuti smiled, revealing his white teeth although he was showered with blood.
Silence filled the field that was before the church. Other subordinates, including Ibrahim, reflexively turned their heads toward Black Mamba. A slight smile was sighted on Black Mambas face. Ibrahim and the rest turned to look at each other and nodded their heads.
Barungo, Wadanka, and Nick Waynerights faces turned blue out of fear.
God, protect your son from those devils! Barungo prayed unknowingly.
Wadanka and Nick remained still with their mouths wide open. Even Sun WooHyun couldnt hide his surprise.
His brain acts fast!
He could see through Ombutis intentions. Ombuti quickly figured Ahmads ignorant nature and Endumas worthlessness in that split second.
By ordering Ahmad without asking for his masters permission, he had solidified his position as wakils representative. He instilled absolute fear to break Nick and the priests will to resist. He also showed the lackey who the real boss was. It was a single move that reaped four effects.
Ombuti, Ill judge them at the farm owners mansion.
Yes, wakil. Drag them!
Yes, Aklankuru!
Mohammad and the rest moved quickly.
Damn, the old mans gotten fiercer.
Sun WooHyun experienced the power of the servants, emphasized by Ombuti on various occasions. He was a servant, yes, but he was an undefeatable servant. His future looked bleak at the possibility of living under Ombutis watchful gaze.
Huuugh!
Sun WooHyun gasped as he passed by the square. The area was filled with torn limbs and headless corpses. The ground had turned dark because of the dried blood. There was only one person on Earth who could cause such a scene.
A pile of corpses wouldnt phase Sun WooHyun. However, he was surprised by Black Mambas cruelty. While he had killed 100s in Dombrey forest, he didnt slice them into pieces. He glanced at Black Mamba. He was expressionless, as always.
Damn, I cant even ask him.
He was curious as to what kind of weapon Black Mamba had used but huddled silently. Ombuti tapped Mohammad and Ibrahim, who flinched back.
Theyre Vodou followers. They received wakils wrath.
Ibrahim and Mohammad nodded their heads silently. There was a presence on Earth one should never make enemies with. Ddu-bai-buru-pa was someone who leveled Kaparja Valley into flat land. Getting rid of several 100s of people wasnt a problem.
Shouldnt we get rid of the bodies quickly? Mohammad whispered.
Im planning to leave it like that for two days. There are two kinds of humans on Earth. There are people you can talk to and people you cant talk to. Animals need to be ruled with fists and fear. I promise you, half of the workers will flee from the farm before the day ends.
Aklankuru, your words are accurate. Mohammad nodded.
That person was a fast thinker. The title of a head servant wasnt just for anyone.
Sun WooHyun was dragged away by Ombuti and scolded in one corner.
Lackey, Im going straight to the point. You didnt meet wakils expectations and messed up the Samaria farm. Are you ready to receive your punishment?
Ive nothing to say. Ill treat you like my teacher, so pass along my apologies to wakil. I tried my best, you know? Sun WooHyun said, admitting defeat.
Although Ombuti was someone he could defeat with a single punch, he finally realized that not everything in the world could be solved with a fist.
Wakil has acknowledged us as a family, but we cannot forget our roles as servants. Servants are people who take care of their masters troubles. Theres no point for servants if the master has to take care of their mess. Wakil has saved you, whose life is worth less than a grasshopper, and he even prepared for your future.
Ombuti continued, You think too much. You remain competitive after pledging loyalty to wakil. Stop acting like an idiot. You and wakil share the same ethnicity and are from the same country. You are a servant who can serve wakil better than I can. If you want to become a true servant, receive your punishment willingly, and if you cant, leave immediately. Ill give you enough money to live out the rest of your life in peace.
Boom
Sun WooHyun felt a sensation in his head and heart. Those were words of loyalty, a piece of advice filled with sincerity toward another. Ombutis every word dug deep into his heart.
Tears poured down his face unknowingly. There was the time when he was almost beaten to death fighting back against Black Mamba, the time when he was allowed to live just because they shared the same ethnicity, the time when he fought through the Sahel with Black Mambas power backing him up, and the time when he was paid for his work even after they returned. Only after he had met Black Mamba did he grow to trust people and learn about love. Where could he go, and what could he do alone?
Brother, Ive wasted time doing things that I shouldnt have done with this stupid head of mine. My legs are about to break trying to catch up to you, nonetheless, wakil. Dont say anything to wakil. He wouldnt go as far as to kill his lackey.
Good. Dont find excuses and receive your punishment. Wakil is a scary person, but he is also someone who values life. He wont go as far as killing you, Ombuti said. It was unclear if those were words of consolation or a threat.
F***, how can I trust a man who sliced 100s of people into pieces like he was cutting vegetables? Im about to piss here.
Sun WooHyun didnt find Ombutis words reassuring at all. Ombuti looked at Sun WooHyuns face and smiled. Wakil was a lonely person. As someone who shared the same ethnicity, the lackey could fill in the gaps that he couldnt fill. Lackeys power was also useful.
In the mansions large living room, Black Mamba sat on the chair, while the group who self-proclaimed that they were his servants spread on both sides like wings. Jamal and Ahmad kicked Barungo, Wadanka, and Nick Waynerights legs until they got into a kneeling position.
Wakil, Ill receive the punishment first.
Sun WooHyun kneeled too. Black Mamba glared at Sun WooHyun without saying a word. Sun WooHyun felt chills down to his bones from the piercing glare.
Ughhh, Nimi Jotto, today will be the day I die.
Lackey, do you feel happier recently and have the urge to be kinder to everyone? You signed on all the documents that the head overseer brought and gave money to the mansion employees without rhyme or reason, yes?
Huh, how did you know? I wasnt tired even when Ive lost months of sleep and gave them lots of bonuses since I was in a great mood.
Black Mamba flipped lackeys eyelid. The inside of his eyelid was red. White strands of thin veins popped out. His cells were moving abnormally and violently. In martial arts terms, it indicated that his core was leaking.
Ibrahim, drag all of the mansion employees here.
Yes, sir!
Ibrahim immediately started searching. The rumor of the arrival of Azrael, the Angel of Death, had already spread throughout the farm. The scared employees couldnt even leave the mansion. The employees, who had been hiding in the corners of the mansion, were dragged out one by one. The cook, the maid, the cleaner, the gardener, and more were gatheredthere were 18 people in total. The employees who were scared witless couldnt retaliate, nonetheless move their bodies properly.
Chapter 305 - Humans Are Monsters
Namir was a fearful subject and a hero to the farm employees. Namir had wiped out the fearsome guards and vigilantes just a year ago. Now Namirs master, Azrael, who was another fearful being, had shown up.
The Vodou followers and leaders with armbands who went against Azrael had their limbs and necks sliced off. Azrael didnt even die after getting shot. Even the head supervisor and spellcaster, Wadanka, who used to display absolute strength, was dragged away by Azrael.
Rumors, which were a combination of truth and exaggeration told by the employees who had witnessed the horrifying scene at the square, began to spread. There was mention about a devil gathering as they sucked blood and devoured flesh from the 100s of dead humans in the square. Azrael was the supreme devil who sliced humans into pieces like chickens and ducks.
Shock and fear swept across the Samaria farm. The employees stopped working and gathered to talk. Since there was no leader to shout or whip them, there was no need for hesitation either. Black Mamba unknowingly turned into a devil lord who drank human blood and ate human flesh.
I am Dong-bang-bull-pae, and I can see the truth with my eyes. Someone has drugged Namir a little at a time. Who is it?
Although Black Mamba spoke calmly, his words reeked of blood.
Silence ensued.
If you admit to your sins, Ill forgive you.
The overwhelming fear prompted a negative reaction instead. It was said that the great devil lured humans with sweet words before eating them. The employees only shivered. Azrael was someone who sliced humans into pieces. They didnt dare speak up.
Black Mambas eyes grew cold. It hadnt been 24 hours since lackey was disarmed. He was confident he could find evidence as long as there were traces of the drug.
Aishe, bring the flower pot and the Boonie hat from the farm owners office upstairs. Bring other clothes and accessories that lackey comes into frequent contact with too.
Yes, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
Aishe dragged along one female employee to the second floor. Unlike his Tubilis title, Sun WooHyun liked flowers. On the other hand, he frequently wore the Boonie hat to hide his chickenpox scars.
Who is the head cook?
A man in his late 40s lowered his head.
Sir Azrael, I swear I didnt
Shut up! Who makes the coffee that Namir drinks?
Akra tends to his needs.
And who is Akra?
That child, sir.
The head cook pointed at an African girl who looked to be around 15 years old.
Ahmad, take that girl with you and bring all the eating utensils that lackey uses. Bring the coffee plate too.
Yes, sir!
Ahmad disappeared with Akra. To drug someone over a long period, one required a frequently used object. Lackey enjoyed coffee a lot. The coffees rich taste and its aroma was the perfect way to conceal a foreign substance.
A pot of cotton flowers and foxgloves, accessories, utensils, forks, and coffee plates were arranged before Black Mamba.
Damn, how did I end up behaving like a detective?
Black Mamba sighed and tasted the water from the suspicious flowerpot with his finger. He tried inhaling the scent of the flowers. His nose was better than a dog trained to sniff out drugs. There was a strange scent. It smelled fishy and spicy at the same time.
His coffee plates and eating utensils had the same scent. It was not the handkerchief. He also detected the same scent from his Boonie hat. His eyes, which gleamed in blue, swept across the employees faces.
Ill give you all one last chance. A b*stard added the drug into the ugali and coffee that Namir consumed, and another b*stard sprayed the drug over the flowers and hat. Who is it?
The employees only glanced at one another. Sun WooHyun and Ombuti were the only ones taken aback.
B*stards, who is it? Ill break your skulls and pull out your intestines. Sun WooHyun glared.
If wakil said so, then it was so. He had treated the employees so well. He tried hard to treat them better than wakil could. His heart broke at their betrayal. The circular chickenpox scars that covered his face turned red.
Lackey, be quiet. Wakil is talking.
Ah, right.
Sun WooHyun immediately put an end to Ombutis chidings.
You, you, and you!
Black Mamba pointed at the head cook, the gardener, and the girl who took care of Sun WooHyuns needs. Those three were the only ones whose blood started rushing and had unstable brain waves. Jamal, Ahmad, and Aishe rushed in and dragged the three forward. Although he had sensed their unsteady emotions long ago, he still gave them a chance to confess their sins.
Akra, you?
Sun WooHyuns face creased. Akra was the girl whom Nick had forced to become his sex slave. Because he pitied her, Sun WooHyun treated and adored her like a younger sister. Akra also took care of him well. His insides collapsed painfully at the unbelievable betrayal.
The overseer and butler whom he trusted were Vodou priests. After raising their wages twofold and handing them armbands, they ended up being the ones who betrayed him. Now, even Akra, who was like his servant, turned out to be a traitor. He felt his strength give way.
Would wakil be betrayed like that? It was impossible.
What was the difference between him and wakil?
Wakil was cold. He had no interest in beautiful or kind women. He wasnt even interested in Edel, who was like an angel. Still, women went crazy over him.
It was the same for men. All kinds of outcasts gathered around wakil. They offered their loyalty without earning any gains. There were five people like Ombuti who had appeared and spread the loyalty virus around. What did he do? He contributed a lot and poured out his affections but ended up being betrayed by the people around him.
Ugh, this is the dirty world where only affluent people get treated as individuals, and idiot women prefer bad boys.
Sun WooHyun comforted his aching heart with his single-minded simplicity.
Spellcaster, are these the b*stards?
With a dislocated jaw, Wadanka nodded his head. Azrael picked them out, not one less or one more. The b*stard was either the true incarnate of Baron Samedi or Abu lhawl. He was in an entirely different realm when it came down to ability. Endless despair caused his jaw to drop.
Plplease, forgive me. I was threatened by Wadanka and got scared.
The head cook and the gardener banged their heads on the ground. Akra only stared blankly at Sun WooHyuns face.
Keep talking!
Bloodlust gathered in Ombutis hollow eyes. He knew lackeys attitude was strange. Lackey often fought back, but he wasnt the kind of person to get angry over a few pieces of advice. On the other hand, he felt sorry. If he had been a little more aware, he would have noticed Vodou spreading across the Samaria farm.
I was instructed by sir Wadanka six months ago. So I mixed small amounts of yellow powder into sir Namirs food. I had trusted Wadankas words that it was medicine beneficial for his health. I swear to God, I didnt know it was yorunba.
You didnt know it was yorunba?
Yes, yes, of course.
Black Mambas eyes turned cold.
B*stard, how do you know about yorunba? Are you a Vodou follower?
No, sir. I attend church religiously. I swear to God, I dont know about the Vodou religion, the head cook denied to the best of his ability.
Black Mamba grew irritated. He could detect the church basements rotten smell from the head cooks body. He could fool the heavens but not his nose.
You dirty b*stard, how many times did you visit the Vodou sanctuary under the church?
No, how do you know?
You lied three times. You will be executed by fire. The execution will proceed this noon.
Agh, sir Azrael, please save me. Im inno
Ahmad swung his knife-holder.
Crack
The head cook collapsed. Blood poured out of the back of his head. Ahmad dragged the unconscious head cook and threw him in a corner.
You?
Black Mamba pointed at the gardener.
Sir Azrael, I deserve whatever punishment you decide. I sprinkled yellow powder into the water that I used to spray the flowers in Namirs room, despite knowing its effects. Wadanka has cursed my daughter. She suffers from pain under her swollen knees and cannot sleep. He told me that in three months, her legs need to be amputated, and if left alone, she will die. He told me hed release the curse as long as I listened to him. Sir Namir, I thank you for treating us lowly people like humans. Im really sorry. My wife and daughter know nothing. Sir Azrael, please execute me and me only. The gardener cried.
Lackey, this b*stards speaking the truth. What do you want to do? Black Mamba looked at Sun WooHyun.
Forgive him, I guess. He said his daughter is cursed, right? Damn, family is important after all.
The corners of Black Mambas mouth curled up. He used to be violent, but his personality changed a lot.
Gardeners daughter, step forward! Ombuti shouted.
A teenage girl around the age of 10 limped forward and collapsed. When Black Mamba touched her injury with his hand, the girl flinched in surprise. He could tell she suffered from great pain. Her skin had lost all elasticity due to the swelling. He could dent it if he pressed his finger.
Ugh, f****** swindlers!
The glare he briefly directed toward the spellcasters was filled with hatred. He could feel several life forces breathing under the inflamed skin. The symptoms were similar to the child he had treated in Ati, Kitoi, otherwise known as the infection of guinea worms or medina parasites.
You guys are priests, but youre deceiving people too? You fed this child water contaminated with parasites, and youre saying you can fix that, you b*stards?
Barungo and Wadankas faces creased devilishly. While they did contaminate it, there was no way to treat the infection until the guinea worms climbed out of their own accord. Even if they did come out, nothing was solved. The wound must be burned with fire.
Theres nothing to fear.
He placed his hand on the scared girls leg and activated his resonance waves.
Boom
A strong resonance wave rushed out. The powerful vibration shattered the nerves of the guinea worms. The three insects that had been digging their way in the fat under her skin stopped moving. He had to kill them first to stop the pain.
The absorption emptied one side of his body and filled the other side in order to pull them out. The insects were drawn out, one by one. He scratched and pierced the girls skin with his nail to create an exit. A white substance floated out of her skin.
Ooooh!
Ombuti smiled slightly, while Ibrahim and the rest exclaimed in pleasant surprise. The girl frowned. Pain multiplied during the parasite extraction.
Hold on a little longer.
Black Mamba pulled his hand back. A white parasite, which was at least two meters in length, was directly pulled out and stuck onto his palm. The visual playing out was beyond this world.
Kyaaaaah!
It was a revolting sight in which parasites were being extracted. There wasnt a single woman who wouldnt be surprised. The girl was about to faint.
Ohhh, all praise Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
God, look at Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Hes creating miracles! Ibrahim and the rest shouted.
Quiet, it is but a small talent of wakils! Ombuti shouted proudly.
Now, wakil would reach greater heights with the winged titles of savior and fear. Ombuti had actually recalled the time wakil treated the young girl in Ati when he heard the gardeners story and worked his way around smoothly to grab the opportunity.
Wakil was someone affectionate. Of course, he would treat her. Once wakil released the spellcasters curse, the Vodou religion would be uprooted. Even Black Mamba didnt notice Ombutis behavior.
Three disgusting parasites were dragged out one by one.
Aishe, give this child some pain reliever and disinfect her wound.
Black Mamba patted the girls head.
The treatment is over. Your leg wont hurt anymore. Remember to boil water before you drink it.
Sir Azrael, thank you, thank you so much.
Thank you, God. I praise the great one.
The girl and the gardener kneeled before him and cried rivers of tears. Barungo and Wadanka couldnt hide their astonishment. That wasnt spellcasting or medical treatment. That was the unknown power of God. If they could learn that method, they would become great spellcasters too. They got excited at that moment, forgetting about their fates.
The gardener will receive 20 beatings. Lackey, you can carry it out as his victim.
Oh, sir Azrael! Thank you so much.
Ahmad dragged the sobbing gardener out.
Akra, why did you betray Namir?
Oh, I didnt betray sir Namir. I only wanted to become Namirs woman. Sir Namir is such a great master, after all. However, he didnt accept me. I prayed every day in church, and God replied one day. If you ask Wadanka, your wish will be granted. I heard Gods voice two times. I asked Wadanka and received a magical powder. Since last month, I sprinkled the powder over the hat and knife that Namir frequently uses. I didnt know anything. I thought God would grant my wish! I love Namir, she sobbed.
Ha, how can that be!
That evil b*stard of a spellcaster!
Not only did he trick someone, he even used an innocent child! He deserves to die! Ombuti and the rest burst with anger.
Their teeth chattered at the two mens extremity, manipulating a child and using her as a tool.
Akra, you were fooled by the spellcaster. The words you heard werent Gods words but the spellcasters words.
No, I heard it from the heavens.
Thats a trick called ventriloquism.
Disbelief spread across Akras face. Black Mamba added sound waves to his resonance. It was a method he had copied from blacky, an Adras.
Akra! A voice echoed in the air.
Surprised, Akra looked above her head, then at Black Mamba.
Akra, do you believe me now!
Akras face turned blue at Azraels voice as it echoed in the air once more. Her eyes widened. She glared at Wadanka as though she wanted to kill him.
Ombuti smiled in satisfaction. As expected of wakil, not only was he talented, but he also knew when to grab opportunities. The more ignorant a person was, the more likely they were to be deluded by supernatural occurrences. By showing Akra his ventriloquism, wakil wanted to reveal the spellcasters lies to the world.
Chapter 306 - Episode 8: Humans Are Monsters
If Black Mamba had read Ombutis thoughts, he would have grabbed the back of his neck. He only reenacted the ventriloquism to shake away Akras ignorance. Ombutis overthinking had no end.
Akra, although it wasnt your intention, you fooled your master and harmed him. Namir almost lost his life and turned into a zombie because of you. Do you understand what youve done wrong?
Im sorry. I love sir Namir. Ill gladly receive any punishment since I harmed someone I love.
Tears streamed down from Akras eyes when she realized the gravity of the situation.
Ugh, that damn b*stard who dont even act his age!
He automatically let out a sigh. He found the girl and Sun WooHyun, who acted immaturely, not realizing a sinkhole was under their feet, which was rather pathetic.
Lackey, a teenage girl, who isnt even 15 years old, says she loves you to death. Youre so happy youll die, right? Very skilled, I must say, Black Mamba said, emphasizing the important points of his sentence.
Aishe stifled her laughter, unable to hold back. The men looked at Akra with pity. Sun WooHyuns face grew red. Hed turned into a lolita while he wasnt looking. Madness flickered when he looked at Wadanka.
F****** b*stard! Im going to kill you.
Sun WooHyuns hand quickly reached for Ahmads knife. There was no way that Ahmad, who was the Circassian Mamluk heir, would let that pass. He tapped Sun WooHyuns elbow away and raised his knee. Sun WooHyun instinctively tilted his head back.
Crack
Kuh!
An iron-like knee grazed the tip of his chin. Sun WooHyun immediately lost his balance. The stars of the night sky gathered before his eyes. That wasnt some easy guy. Impulsively mad, Sun WooHyun tried to hit back, but a blade flashed past his eyes the moment he did. A few strands of his hair floated down.
Im sorry, sir. Even if youre sir lackey, I cant forgive you if you act out in front of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Ahmad said, lowering his head respectfully.
Namirs pride was crushed.
Fine, you b*stard. Id rather die than be sick!
Sun WooHyun could only sigh deeply from the lack of energy. A girl whose lower region had yet to grow any hair was talking about love. A dull-looking Arab boy had nearly beaten him up. Sun WooHyun was getting the brunt of misfortune everywhere.
Akra, you have committed two sins. Firstly, you didnt step forward even when I gave you a chance. That deserves 10 beatings. Secondly, its about your ignorance. Being ignorant is also a sin. Im putting you up for public execution by fire.
Uuuh!
Akras face turned yellow. Surprised, Sun WooHyun, who was about to open his mouth, went silent at Ombutis intense glare.
However, Ill hold off the execution. You will not sleep more than eight hours until you turn 20. You will study for seven hours a day and care for the sick for three hours a day. The moment you go against these conditions, youll be executed. If you study hard and help others until youre 20, your sins will be nullified. When you turn 20, you can love Namir.
Black Mamba glanced at Sun WooHyuns steadily creasing face. The ends of his mouth twitched from trying to hold back his laughter.
Ohhh! Thank you! Thank you, Sir Azrael!
Akra, the little girl who was spared from death, shouted her hoorays. Aishes eyes filled with tears. No one could hate on Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Ombuti, take this child to Dr. Edel.
What a wise decision, Wakil. This child will become an amazing nurse.
Ombuti bowed deeply. Sun WooHyun smiled bitterly. His heart sank when Wakil mentioned an execution. If he acted out without thinking at that moment, he would have made a fool of himself again. That was the day Sun WooHyun, who acted like Namir, was shaken off his pedestal.
Sun WooHyuns humiliation didnt end there. He felt a pair of cold eyes looking at him.
Lackey, you messed up the farm and almost became a zombie because you were obsessed with your heroism. Todays calamity happened because of your worthless actions. When one becomes a leader and holds power, responsibility follows. Responsibility comes with rights, and control comes with power and authority. You gave the workers more without a second thought. Once people grow used to kindness and free things, they consider it their power.
Black Mamba continued, B*stards with armbands turned into the new people in power. They are ignorant people who cannot tell apart power, authority, and responsibility. If you didnt consider the kind of chaos that would follow after giving them a rats tail of power, youre the idiot. Power without control turns into a bat. The employees became modern slaves due to the armbands. Youre a foolish person whos trying to pick up sesame oil after pouring it all over.
It was a harsh scolding. Sun WooHyun wanted to dig into the ground. His neck dug into his shoulders.
I want you to listen to a detailed explanation of your mistakes from Ombuti first. Countless humans died because of the mistake you made as a leader. Your punishment is set for midnight.
Ill receive it willingly, Sun WooHyun said, lowering his head without a single protest.
Black Mamba turned to look at the employees.
You must all be pretty surprised. Miss Edel has given authority to the farm to me, Dong-bang-bull-pae. Im executing the evil spellcasters by fire at midnight. Tell all the farm employees to gather at the mansion by midnight. There will no longer be any blood shedding from now on. All of you are to carry out your tasks faithfully.
We thank the master for his generosity.
Hooray for Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
The workers, who had felt chills and were breathless, finally cheered.
Ombuti, Im going to talk with Mr. Nick for a moment. Try to get as much as you can out of those spellcasters.
Wakil, you need to put their jaws back in place. Ombuti pointed at the spellcasters who were drooling all over the place.
Ahmad, the spellcasters mouths are their weapons. If they dont speak the truth or act suspicious, cut off their fingers and toes. If thats not enough, pull out their teeth, cut off their ears, and even their genitals if necessary.
Yes, sir! Ill follow your orders.
After hurling some hurtful words, Black Mamba fixed the spellcasters jaws by tapping on them.
You should answer well unless you want to turn into zombies.
Barungo and Wadankas faces turned pale. They were better off dead than turning into zombies.
Nick Wayneright, you and I will have a private conversation.
Hurry up and stand, you white swine!
Ahmad kicked Nicks butt when he hesitated. Nick followed Black Mamba with a pained expression. Black Mamba climbed the stairs to the second floor but paused and turned.
Priest, are there any zombies that managed to flee?
All the zombies I created were killed by you.
Barungo glared. It had taken him three years to create those zombies. Just gathering over 10 materials for the drug alone took much effort and money. Without detailed drug concentrations and analyses of physical reactions, people turned into corpses. The 20 zombies he had created over 10 years were all dead. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Barungo, like all madmen, lacked enough logic to understand reality.
Youre annoying. Do you think youre invincible? Perhaps you are a chickenhead who lives outside of reality?
Black Mamba grabbed Barungos pinky and twisted it.
Crack
His finger moved beyond the limit of the joint and touched his wrist.
Craack
His billions water armor effortlessly tore off Barungos pinky. White tendons drenched in blood and red muscles enveloped his shattered bones. The visual impact was horrifying.
Kuuugh!
Barungo trembled, unable to bear the pain. Tears and snot poured down his face.
Tap
The sound of an exploding watermelon rang. Barungo, who received a flick of Black Mambas fingers on his forehead, fainted with his eyes rolled back.
You think I left you alone because I dont know how to torture people? Its because I want to create a normal zombie. You have nine more fingers left, and the Englishman has 10 left.
Black Mamba turned to look at Nick with his cold eyes.
Uhhh!
Where he was standing, Nicks pants turned yellow.
Oh, why would you, an adult, pee in your pants? Lets end this since weve started it anyway.
Black mamba grabbed Barungos ring finger.
Nno, enough, please enough! Ugh!
No, lets pull out just one more. Youll still have eight left.
Crack
His ring finger broke. Unlike his pinky finger, the broken bone tore through his skin and popped out.
Aaaaagh!
Black Mamba grabbed his middle finger.
Stop! Enough! The five zombies created by my teacher escaped 25 years ago. I managed to catch two but lost three, Barungo replied immediately.
And the lifespan of zombies?
Its different depending on the ingredients and rank. The runaway zombies were of the highest rank. They can move for more than 100 years.
Can their hands turn into a crows feet?
Countless Vodun Houngans attempted to create a chimera, but no one succeeded. If you cut off a finger, the life force gathers around the remaining fingers. When the remaining fingers are treated with medicine, they become stronger. I wasnt knowledgeable back then, so I dont know my masters works in detail.
See? Its nice to answer properly. It was hard on you, right? Aishe, treat this person for me.
Black Mambas expression turned warm like the spring wind after obtaining the information he wanted.
Its the Janus devil!
Nick instinctively quivered. How could a human behave that way! He had never seen an evil man like him in his entire 50 years of life. Barungo was an angel compared to that b*stard.
In the Samaria farms office, Black Mamba and Nick faced each other with a table in between them. Even with hot coffee served, the mood wasnt that great.
Was this b*stard really locked up in jail?
Black Mamba glared at Nick, who was round and lumpy. He couldnt believe that the man had been locked up in jail for over a year. His aunt and uncles faces overlapped with Nicks. Nick was a madman who had killed his brother. He had also planned to turn his niece into his daughter-in-law. Black Mambas entire body squirmed just by the sight of him. It was as though a germ had spread.
Currently, the legal owner of the Samaria farm was Nick Wayneright. If he killed the b*stard, the farms ownership would become a problem. Nick paid his dues to England and paid the employees taxes and maintenance to Chad. He had to legally change the farms ownership so that no trouble would appear later on.
Nick felt as though his brain was about to be drilled through. He was tired of the other persons glare. For 10 minutes, he didnt even blink once. Nick didnt dare touch the coffee. Although he was an evil man who had killed his brother and stolen his wealth, devils were not his kind of opponents, considering the type of evil work he did.
Nick Wayneright Edel, you are the second son born to the Wayneright Edel family and Dr. Colton Nick Wayneright Edels brother by blood, am I right?
Right!
Nick, I only respect people who deserve to be respected. Unfortunately, you do not meet the criteria. I will not ask you twice. If you answer wrongly or slowly, I will pull your finger. If you run out of fingers, I will pull your toes. If there arent enough arms and legs, I will pull out your head. If our conversation proceeds well, we will part on good terms.
Whwhat kind of barbaric situation is this! I am Great Britains noble, a completely different tier from that b*stard Barungo. If youre a gentleman, you should treat me like one, Nick strongly protested.
The Great British Empire was behind him. The Great British Empire wasnt a pushover country that ignored the safety of the nobles. That b*stards subordinate, Namir, hadnt been able to hurt him and locked him up instead.
Im not a gentleman. Im Asura, who climbed out of the dark and damp hell. If you do not answer my questions properly, you will come to understand why Im Asura.
Nicks heart quivered at the eerie smile that was plastered on the devils face.
Hmm!
Unable to retaliate, he could only breathe.
You worked with Barungo to start a rebellion, do you agree?
Why would I work with Barungo, whos a station lower than me? Hes an evil Vodou spellcaster. Barungo betrayed me when Namir appeared and immediately sided with him. If he was on the same side as me, why did he do that? Nick disagreed quickly.
He had to feign ignorance of his brothers death until the end. If not, he would lose the trial, and Edel would gain all of his wealth.
This is not the Great British court. As you can see, my subordinates are rough. Barungo is bound to name the number of grains he ate a year ago. What do you think Ill do once I discover your lies? Why did you kill your brother?
Nicks face creased devilishly. He had only been thinking of the dead Enduma and not Barungo. Nick mumbled for a while before opening his mouth.
I didnt kill my brother. Barungo used me. My brother spent most of his farm profits on those useless N*gros. He built them houses, built a hospital, and provided them food using 70 percent of the farms profit. I invested in this farm. I was only trying to protect the wealth that seemed to disappear as though it was water being poured into a bottomless hole. Enduma worked with Barungo to kill my brother. I didnt know. Im speaking the truth. I can swear to God.
Ha! Youll be speaking the truth soon. Black Mamba snorted.
Edel had been hiding under a cotton tree back then. She said that through her uncles monologue, she discovered that her uncle had orchestrated the entire murder. The Turkish MIT agent, Havu?, was right. Like a stereotype, liars always swore to God.
Who are the current shareholders?
I own 90 percent, and the Oriental governor owns 10 percent.
You bribed the governor with 10 percent of the shares?
You need to hold hands with powerful people in Africa to operate. Bribes are essentials.
Nick, what was your original share?
50 percent.
Black Mambas left hand moved at the speed of light.
Whoosh
Crack
He bent Nicks finger and returned to his seat. It was as though Nicks finger had broken on its own.
Chapter 307 - Episode 9: Humans Are Monsters
A humans hand consisted of eight carpal bones, five metacarpal bones that supported the palm, and 14 phalanges. Nerves and muscle veins were concentrated at the points where the hand and fingers connected, also known as the points where the metacarpal bones and phalanges joined. His veins and tendons ripped, while his muscles tore the moment his bone shattered. His whole life, Nick ordered people around at the point of his chin. When could he have ever experienced such torment? Nicks soul flew to the nine realms.
Kuuaaaaagh!
An agonizing scream echoed throughout the mansion. His eyes widened as though they would rip, and drool dripped down his chin. The pain felt like a pulled spinal cord, which activated his nerves and slammed into his brain.
Nick, youve already lied twice. Ill ask again. What was your original share?
His voice was monotonous, as though he was reading a book. Even amid his drifting consciousness, Nick felt goosebumps spread.
220 percent, Nick stuttered.
See? A normal transaction begins with the truth. The Samaria farms annual production is 3,100 tons, and 20 percent is 620 tons. In the past five years, the market price was 4,000 francs per ton. That is equivalent to 1,500 tons in dollars. I learned that the value of the cotton shares is based on five year production periods. Your shares are worth 12,400,000 francs. I will take over that.
Fine. Ill hand it over.
Bloody tears poured down on Nicks heart. While he had never met a robber like that, it was fortunate that he could hand over his shares at base price. Still, Black Mamba wasnt done calculating.
Now that weve multiplied, we should subtract. Nick, do you want to try subtracting yourself?
Subtract?
Nicks mind snapped back to reality at the strange turn of conversation. Focus returned to his blurred eyes.
You illegally took 70 percent of the shares that should have been Edels. Dont you have to subtract the eight years worth of income you illegally took?
Whwhat kind of nonsense is that? Lets fight each other in the Great British court.
Hoo!
Black Mamba barely managed to suppress his rising killing intent. Like a human who was up to his neck in greed, the man killed his brother and stole the farm.
Nick, I have the knife, and youre the f****** swine with its legs tied. A butcher doesnt even care if the pig squeals. The reason why Im making this offer like a gentleman is that Edel has requested me to keep you alive. Unfortunately, I didnt answer Edels request.
Crack
The gold ashtray crumbled in Black Mambas hand like a piece of paper. Nick shivered. He could almost imagine his head in place of the ashtray, crumbling in that devils hand.
OOkay. I admit it is an illegal profit. Ill subtract 10 percent of my shares. Ill take just 10 percent.
Black Mamba was impressed. That b*stard was the kind of person whod grab a lump of gold at the edge of a cliff instead of a rope.
Good, lets subtract again from the 6,200,000 francs.
Black Mamba was relentless. Nick regarded wealth and life as equals. Taking his wealth away was like tearing off pieces of his skin, which only tormented him more.
Whwhat more do you need to subtract? Dont you have any conscience?
Nicks face turned blue. Wealth protected a nobles prestige and title. A noble without wealth was no better than a commoner. He couldnt regard the b*stard, who was trying to get away with the last 10 percent of his shares, as a human.
Nick Wayneright, did you kill your brother because of your conscience? Rudrey suffered seven years of mental torment after losing her father. Im taking 6,200,000 francs as Rudreys solatium.
What? So youre saying youll steal my shares without offering a single penny in return? This is a robbery! I never told anyone to kill my brother. My brothers death was voluntary manslaughter that resulted from his management mistakes.
Robbery? Steal? You tainted my honor. Consolation money of 500,000 pounds, and a fine of 500,000 pounds for your repeated perjurya total of 1,000,000 pounds will be recorded in my book.
Whwhat nonsense are you talking about! Nick leaped in his seat.
That b*stard was worse than Shylock. Shylock was a fair businessman who lent money and claimed rights by utilizing contracts. Still, that b*stard acted like a debtor and even went out of his way to steal the wealth in his homeland. What kind of evil man was that! He would be robbed off of his entire wealth. Nick grew determined to fight.
A pig is done according to the butchers will. Ill decide whether this makes sense or not.
Boom
The air in the room stirred once.
Whoosh
The air surrounding Nick swirled. His resonance waves compressed the air like it was rolling up a scroll.
Ugh, what, what is this? Hu-hup.
Nicks face turned red as he struggled to breathe. Black Mamba glared at the lifeless-looking Nick, who was trembling. Hed never seen such a greedy b*stard like him in his entire life. Not even his uncle could measure up to that b*stard. He wondered whether the mans greed could overcome the fear of death.
Kugh-kugh!
Nicks face turned blue. He was experiencing acute respiratory failure due to the lack of oxygen.
Nick, do you still not understand? Ive already looked into the wealth that you moved over to England. The apartments under your sons name, Andrew, are worth 2,000,000 dollars alone. Wont your wealth mean something only when youre alive?
Please save me! Nick nodded frantically.
His eyes, which had rolled to the back of his head, reflected the overhead lights as they flickered like a zombies.
Very well, Ill let you live.
Whoosh
The air that rushed out from the compression swirled in the surrounding.
Kuh, kuh, kegh-egh.
Nick forcibly inhaled despite his teary eyes and runny nose.
Nick Wayneright, cant you endure a little curse as a noble of England?
Ughhh, this guys the devil.
Nick didnt have the leisure to answer him. Despite experiencing a respiratory failure, his brain was still busy recovering from the pain lingering in his nerves. The words of the b*stard across him whirred as though he was underwater.
I, Dong-bang-bull-pae, am the great priest who can suppress a guy like Barungo with a single finger. I can put a curse on you without even touching you, as long as youre on Earth. This is a test-run. You get what I mean?
II get it. Hoo, uugh!
Having experienced the fear of death, Nick nodded his head frantically.
Confess the details of your plan, about how you cooperated with spellcaster Barungo to kill sir Colton. If you dont remember certain details, Ill help you remember them immediately. Hahaha!
Black Mamba smiled wickedly. 30 minutes had passed. Black Mambas face creased as he looked through the confession.
Black Mamba grabbed the riding crop hanging on the wall. The riding crop was a stick made from rattan wood, then hardened with natural rubber sap. The all-torture technique would work well with that tool.
You were threatened by Barungo and didnt realize hed kill your brother? What a tenacious human you are. A humans brain is truly mysterious. Do you know that one can unlock the memories in their subconscious mind before the door of death? Its very annoying for me, but Ill help.
Nicks face creased devilishly. Just thinking about the golf stick that Namir used caused goosebumps to rise on his skin. Those b*stards were all barbaric and psychoslike boss, like subordinates.
Llook. I am a noble of the Great British Empire. Dont you think I should protect my honor too? Youll have a hard time cleaning up if you harm me. Ill give you 500,000 pounds. Lets compromise.
Im the one who should be threatening, but youre threatening me instead? I dont care about complicated matters since Im someone who uses my body. Not even the great warrior, Namir, can stand three minutes against me. I need you to think harder than that. Theres not enough time.
Black Mamba glanced at his watch, then raised the riding crop.
Whoosh
A powerful impact rang in the air.
Crack
The riding crop swept past an iron donkey statue, which decorated the living room. The donkeys head landed on the floor.
Thud
Uh!
Nick was shocked. The devil b*stard had to be a magician who could perform many tricks. A light riding crop turned into a fearsome weapon in his hands. Hed forgotten that before him was the devil who sliced down 100s of people. The remaining pride he had as a noble of the Great British Empire quickly crumbled.
Kuaaaaak!
Just then, a dreadful scream rang throughout the mansion. It was Barungos scream. Nick felt his hair rise.
Aaaaaaagh!
Another overwhelmingly long scream followed. He finally realized what the b*stard meant by rough subordinates. The British court was far away, while the devils fist was before him. Hed become disabled or lose his life from stubbornly fighting back.
Fine. What do I need to do? Nick muttered helplessly.
First, write the share transfer agreement. It will involve 90 percent of the Samaria farm shares under your name. The receiver will be Sbard Gulbeig.
Huu, this b*stards name means one who chased gold in the darkness. Its a perfect name for him, whoever named him. Scary b*stard, I hope he doesnt appear in my dreams.
Nick wrote and signed the contract. He lost 20 years of his fortune instantly. Nicks face aged at least by a decade.
A piece of white paper landed before Nick.
State down the circumstances behind sir Coltons death once again. Your statement will be compared to Barungos statement. Since youre an educated noble, you should know about the prisoners dilemma. Whether youll be beaten to death by a stick or live as a noble in Britain, it depends entirely on your decision.
Whoo, youre not going to make me stand in court with the statement, right?
You dont have to worry about that. I hate judges, prosecutors, and lawyers more than a robber who killed his own brother.
Hmph!
Nicks face creased at his harsh words. The consequences of his greed were severe. He immediately lost 90 percent of the Samaria farms shares, estimated at 150,000,000 francs. Moreover, he had to write a 1,000,000 pounds loan. He even had to write a statement about how he killed his own family member with his own hands. Hed basically lost his entire fortune and gotten himself leashed. Nick Wayneright frothed at the mouth and fainted the moment Black Mamba nodded in satisfaction.
While Nick Wayneright received a gentlemanly treatment, Barungo and Wadanka were severely tortured. Sun WooHyun released his pent-up anger on the spellcasters. A long statement was written. Barungo and Wadanka were messed up to the point that they could barely breathe.
[The farm owner, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, will execute overseer, Barungo, and butler, Wadanka, at noon. All employees gather at the mansion by then.]
The employees who received the news gathered in groups of three and five.
Waves of dark-skinned humans surrounded the front yard of the mansion. The overseer and butler were people who abused their unshakeable power. The employees were happy with the idea of escaping abuse and fear. People with eyes had all gathered.
In the middle of the grass yard were crosses where Barungo, Wadanka, and the cook were hung. Below the crosses were heaps of dried cotton branches.
Ombuti, the number of employees is less than expected.
According to the lackey, the number of employees and their families living on the farm totaled up to around 2,500 people. Including children, the people who had gathered were less than 1,800.
The remaining Vodou followers and leaders all fled. Thanks to wakil, weve been relieved of the task of picking out rotten date palms.
Thats nice. How many more employees are required to operate the farm normally?
Weve employed 1,500 people from the company, and 2,000 from those outside the farm during harvest season, Sun WooHyun replied.
Mohammad!
Yes, Mohammad is here, sir.
Your brothers in Toulon, do they have experience in cotton farming?
Syria and Hatay produce Asian cotton. While it is of a different variety, theyre people who farmed cotton their entire lives.
Thats good. Move the Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe here, all of them. Ill prepare the transportation.
Thank you, God! Praise Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. My brothers without a home have finally gained one.
There is no God besides Allah! I thank Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa for your grace. Bismillah! Ibrahim and the rest bowed down together.
What, Im only doing this so we can all survive together.
Ombuti read the verdict.
[Eight years ago, Barungo, the Vodou spellcaster, conspired with Nick Wayneright. He killed the previous farm owner, sir Colton. He spread a forbidden religion, created a Vodou sanctuary in the church basement, sacrificed 45 people, used 43 people as spellcasting materials, and turned 20 people into zombies. He attempted to kill the legal farm owner, Rudrey Edel, and created the evil drug yorunba, injecting it into 500 people. For attempted murder of the legal farm owner, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, he will be executed by fire. As Barungos disciple, the Vodou spellcaster, Wadanka, will be executed by fire. The cook, Kajay, worked with the evil spellcaster as a Vodou follower and attempted to kill the farm owners representative. He will also be executed by fire.]
No one spoke as Ombuti continued reading.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, please order the execution.
Proceed!
The employees poured oil over the piles of cotton branches. Sun WooHyun threw in a torch.
Crack
The flames roared.
Kuaaaaa!
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, curse you! You will be loved but be incapable of love, and have a wife but remain childless. Youll be praised by countless people, but you will still live a lonely life! Barungo shouted.
Whatever, b*stard, worry about yourself, Black Mamba mumbled as though he couldnt care less.
Although it was a faint cursing, he felt offended.
Hooray, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa!
The armbands disappeared! Were free!
God, thank you for sending away those Vodou devils.
Gruesome screams and cheers echoed in the night sky. The waves of dark-skinned humans circled the crosses. They were the employees who had been abused by the 10-member and 100-member representatives. Their cheers and screams of freedom shook the night sky.
With a gloomy expression, Black Mamba looked down at the people cheering and the people burning. The 1,000s of employees cheering were those who had praised Barungo, the person currently burning on the cross.
Chapter 308 - Episode 10: Humans Are Monsters
The employees spat and threw stones at Barungo and Wadanka, who hung on the cross. Suddenly, he remembered Mussolini, who had met his end after being hung upside down in Milanos Loreto square. They were humans who grabbed swords at sweet words, didnt know how to process anger, and were emotionless. Even the saying, human minds are hard to read, couldnt describe them.
Tsk, foolish humans!
He clicked his tongue and turned his head.
Maybe its because hes a priest? Hes still alive, Ombuti mumbled.
It was a mistake not cutting the mans mouth and vocal cords, trying to get a confession out of him. He didnt know the man would pour out curses just before his death. The lackey nearly killed them. Piercing iron rods under their nails, shattering their toes with a hammer, and tearing out their thigh fats could be considered cute. The onlookers grew disgusted as they witnessed him hanging them upside down, pouring pili pili[1] into their noses, and pulling out their tendons one by one with a tong after tearing open their skin with a knife.
Ombuti glanced at Black Mamba. Fortunately, he didnt seem to care. Well, his master wasnt the kind of person to care about some b*stards useless words anyway.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, receive my curse! Incarnate of Abu lhawl, receive the curse of Damballa Wedo. You shall not have descendants! Ahhh! Damballa, I give you my soul! Place a curse on Abu lhawl Barungo resisted in his last moments, all swept up in flames.
Firstly, he had to call a lwa to manifest his spells. Still, fire was the universes purifier that cleaned away evil existences. The lwa couldnt come near. Unfortunately, the curses pouring out from the spellcaster, Barungo, was nothing more than noise pollution.
That lowly spirit-serving b*stard! Ahmad, what are you doing, not tearing his mouth apart! Ombuti shouted.
Although his words were nothing but slurs, that b*stard was cursing his respected and beloved wakil. He had to tear apart the b*stards mouth to be satisfied.
Whoosh
The dagger, which Ahmad threw, ended up in Barungos mouth. It landed slightly diagonally, piercing his skull. His head toppled down. The fire devil immediately swallowed Barungo. The smell of burning protein spread throughout the farm.
Spellcaster Barungo, who attempted to take over Chad with the Vodou religion as his weapon, died as a handful of ash. Barungo, with his supernatural ability, was a talented politician too. However, he was not very fortunate.
Natural enemies were assigned to humans and animals. There was no way a mere spirit could defeat Asura, who ranked among the gods. The moment a large spirit called Black Mamba interfered, spellcaster Barungos fate was sealed. That was why there was a well-known saying that humans could plot, but only the heavens decided.
Lackey trembled from head to toe. Had wakil not come in time, he would be burned to death on the cross instead of Barungo. There was no end to the crimes and wrongdoings coming out of Barungo and Wadankas mouths. He felt there was truly no end to human greed and ambition. From the beginning, hed messed up the task that wakil had entrusted. The saying that one should eat pine buds came to his mind.
Ombuti, why do you think the employees couldnt report the armbands abuse to the lackey?
In his opinion, while lackey had his faults, the employees faults were more significant. They were in a different situation from the Kurd tribe or the Christian Orthodoxes. Lackey wasnt the kind of person whod overlook Barungos overstepping and the armbands abuse. If someone had reported, the problem would have been resolved.
Rather than not being able to report them, they just didnt report them. Wakil, you are a strong person, and that is why you dont understand the survival methods of the weak. Most of the workers are from the Anghel tribe. The Anghel tribe lived as slaves for a long time. Servitude and opportunism are ingrained in their bones.
Its the free-rider effect, I see!
Black Mamba understood what Ombuti was trying to say. The employees must have known that theyd profit collectively by reporting the armbands abuse.
Still, the reason why they remained silent was that they feared the retaliation that would follow.
The psychology behind their decision was that those who reported would receive the brunt of retaliation, and they would suffer mentally while the other party reaped the benefits. That stopped them from picking up any courage. Still, they had waited for someone else to speak up on their behalf.
In other words, it was the intention of riding on another persons coattails. The desire to free-ride was similar to being opportunistic. That wasnt different for Korea. The mouths of all the onlookers closed like clams when Jeon Du Hwan enacted the Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press, or in other words, shattered the press into pieces. Even the existing press companies turned silent.
No one spoke up first. Everyone was trying to profit off the person who would sling the gun around first. It was fine even if the whistle-blower would be riddled with holes. The survivor would take a higher honorarium, and the media would have greater power. The survivor was the winner. The coward was the survivor. In some ways, the press was more rotten than the military government.
Correct. They are a flock of sheep. Sheep dont know how to act independently. Even if their fence door is open, they dont know how to leave and return when darkness falls. Why else would farmers raise a few goats among the flock of sheep? The wolf that gained its advantage by jumping into the flock of sheep is Barungo. A wolf can easily be suppressed if several sheep rushed toward it at once. The problem could easily be solved by telling the lackey what the wolf has been doing. However, they still submitted and accepted their mistreatment.
Youre right. Theyre prideless people with dead hearts. Black Mamba nodded.
Ombutis harsh criticism wasnt much different from what he thought. The individual greed and opportunistic mind poisoned the organization like ink spreading in water. Collective greed paralyzed the morals and compassion of humans. It hindered them from being brave and led to mistreatment.
A society with widespread opportunism and a lack of justice would lose motivation for growth and become corrupted. Once members adopted a defeated mindset, it raised the possibility of a dictatorship. It meant that foolish citizens called for their own dictatorship.
Their submerged conscience, habitual servitude, ignorance, and cowardice, which prevented them from using a given power, were their biggest problems. Of course, there was no better manpower to use than such a group either. Black Mambas motto was to eat well and live happily together. There was no way hed be satisfied with the employees state.
Ombuti, I want you to prioritize the construction of schools in Novatopia. Ignorance and foolishness are sins.
It will be done as wakil says. Bismillah.
Ombutis expression was solemn, as though he felt something too.
Damn, what have I done all alone! Is this the difference in capability?
Sun WooHyuns face creased, glancing between the two who were sharing a deep conversation and the group of workers who were dancing.
Lackey, I think you need a beating.
Wakil, just keep my life intact. Sun WooHyun lowered his head.
Hed grown to naturally bow his head and use respectful terms around Black Mamba, who was a decade younger than him. He didnt realize his own change.
Thats not what I mean. Didnt you feel like your movements slowed down?
I dont know.
I saw you when you were fighting Ahmad, and you were slower than a roach. That must be because the yorunbas poison has built up inside your body. Yorunba focuses on damaging ones physical senses, which was the main step of creating zombies. What do you think will happen once the senses are paralyzed?
It will be fatal to a warrior.
Thats not all. Your organs wont work. You think your thing will work when all your senses are dead?
Black Mamba pointed at Sun WooHyuns p*nis and mockingly smiled.
Wakil! Tell me what to do!
Castration! Sun WooHyun wasnt even married. What kind of front-leg kicking ox story was that? His face turned pale.
Id have to pull out the poison using the soul-returning pain administration. However, Im very tired. I dont want to use my strength.
Im happier when you hit me, wakil. Beat me up until I die, yeah? Sun WooHyun immediately pleaded.
He had witnessed the effects of the soul-returning pain administration before. He was about to become a eunuch. Now wasnt the time to compare what was worse.
The five Syrian people unknowingly glanced at each other. They couldnt understand wakil and lackeys conversation. Why was he happier to be hit? There was no way that such a human existed unless he was a pervert or a masochist. Their faces creased. They didnt know the kind of events that would befall them if a pervert became their boss.
Ombuti handed Black Mamba a bat he had prepared beforehand.
Craaack
Aaargh!
A stick falling with impact, accompanied by long screamsSun WooHyuns pitiful cries echoed across the yard where the employees were scattered. The faces of the five Syrian people turned blue at the cruel beating.
Sir lackeys a pervert!
Aishe frowned. At that moment, Black Mambas plan to match Aishe and Sun WooHyun turned into foam.
It was two in the morning, but the office lights didnt go off. The ownership of Samaria farm was handed over to Black Mamba. Both Ombuti and the five Syrian people cheered. They had a single goalto increase their masters wealth and protect it. It was deep into the night, but the eyes of Ombuti and the rest were wide open.
Wakil Commerce Company is located in an industrial region and located close to the capital. Why dont we start up a textile factory at Wakil Commerce Company?
The movement of goods will be problematic. Chads transportation infrastructure is devastating. Theres enough water and manpower in Doba. There are plenty of construction materials in the farm, too, Sun WooHyun disagreed with Ombuti.
Theres not enough machines and trained employees.
That wont be a problem. Ill send some over from Korea. You dont need to worry about the construction fees either. Black Mamba immediately resolved Ombutis worries.
Should we stop all the raw cotton shipments?
In the long run, yes, we should. Youll have to decide when, Ombuti.
We need to construct a linter saw and a cottonseed oil mill too, Mohammad said.
The linter saw was a machine that removed any remaining linters on the cotton after going through the press machine. Although people often thought of cotton wool, linters were core materials for fabric making. 10 to 15 percent of linters, both short and long, were fibers extracted from cotton.
Linters were also used as core materials for chairs, mattress stuffings, fabrics, rayon for tire cords, acetyl cellulose plastic, film, nitrocellulose lacquer, and gunpowder.
Youre right. Samaria farm did a foolish thing by exporting all of their cottons to English businessmen, filling up their stomachs instead. We will be constructing a mill and a refinery too.
Of course, sir.
Mohammad nodded at Black Mambas words. Cotton seeds were also crucial resources. Cotton seeds without linters that were pressed in the mill produced cottonseed oil. Cottonseed oil then became an ingredient for salad oil, cooking oil, shortenings, and margarine. Even the oil inside tuna cans was cottonseed oil. The shell that remained after cottonseed pressing could be used as farm feed after grinding.
Koreas cotton industry is quite advanced. It can provide all the necessary machines and techniques. Leftover cotton trees can be used as fuels after they are pelletized.
Ah, I didnt know that. Well be able to make a profit by exporting them to Europe since they use Pechkas! Mohammad exclaimed.
Getting rid of an uprooted cotton tree was troublesome. It could serve as firewood. However, to get rid of it, it required a lot of space and effort. Shoving it into a factory and turning it into pellets would be like gaining two birds with one stone.
We must first use the cotton leaves and carbonized ashes to fertilize the soil in Novatopia, Ombuti brought up another point.
Thats a good idea. Well have to restore the nutrient-deficient soil. Black Mamba nodded.
He didnt waste his time in France. He had called over a specialist to consult about cotton farming.
There were various things he had learned from all the cramming. Cotton had no wastes. If he operated according to the waste usage method, hed be able to increase the value several times over.
Moreover, he could also decrease the transportation costs by processing the cotton locally and shipping it as yarn. Locals would be able to find work if he set up a processing factory, and the regional economy would improve. He had no intentions of committing economic crimes like the Europeans.
At three in the morning, the factorys operation plan was set. Black Mamba boarded the Gazelle with Ahmad and Jamal. Doba city was right beside the Samaria farm.
10 minutes later, the Gazelle landed at the Logone Orientals governors official residence in Doba city. The governor was struck by lightning during his sleep. In Chad, fists were above the law. The governor signed on the Samaria farms contract of share release after a slap.
30 minutes later, the Gazelle left the official residence. The governor appeared at his door with a basket full of cassava powder. Both of his cheeks were swollen, and a few of his teeth were missing. He scattered the cassava powder around the door frame, spat three times, and headed back in. It was a ritual to chase away evil spirits.
The day broke. The devastating scene appeared much clearer. Ombuti and Mohammad immediately directed the employees. They created a large hole and arranged the corpses in rows. The cult members and armband-wearing employees who died by Black Mamba and Jamals hands added up to 325. Meanwhile, 135 corpses were dragged out of the underground Vodou temple. The leaders of the rebellionBarungo and Wadankadisappeared into nothing but ashes.
Black Mamba raised a large rock before the grave.
Crack
Crack
His billions water armor dug into the rock, like wood scratching over and smoothening natural rock surfaces. He wrote an inscription on the smoothened surface with his Vajra.
[Leave the dead past, dead. Dont believe in the future just because the present is comfortable. Live in the moment.]
[1] African spicy chili peppers.
Chapter 309 - Episode 11: Humans Are Monsters
Ugh, how is that even
Sun WooHyuns mouth hung open. The uneven rock surface was now smooth like it was sanded with a few waves of wakils hand. Hed smoothened out the surface with his hand and was currently engraving words like he was writing with a brush. No, he was just writing. He didnt even make any noise. To engrave words onto a rock, one had to nail it or melt the surface with acid.
Protein-based organic tissues made up a humans hands. It wasnt a carving blade made of alloy steel. The rock before him wasnt some wood but a tombstone. Shoving in a carving blade would only cause it to break.
Am I still under Barungos illusion spell?
Sun WooHyun blinked. He looked at the new family members whom wakil had brought along. They didnt look surprised. Instead, admiration was seen on their faces. It was as though they had found it natural.
Wakil is human yet unlike a human. You cant become his real family member as long as you view him with your limited knowledge and shallow perspectives.
Those were Ombutis words back in the Sahel. Well, when he was little, he had believed that Kim Il Sung caught a boar with pine and crossed the Aprok river on a leaf.
Ill sound like nothing more than clashing pebbles if I use my head. If wakil says and does so, wakils right.
Sun WooHyun shook his head. Hed been brainwashed for too long that he regarded lies as truths. While it was easier to believe things as it was, he had a habit of suspecting everything he saw.
Live in the moment? What does that mean? Will I be dead or alive then?
Sun WooHyun looked at Ombuti after reading out the engraved words on the rock a few times.
Hadritak Ombuti, what does that mean?
Despite his promise, Sun WooHyun didnt call Ombuti brother. Once the threat passed, his craftiness and overwhelming pride held him back. His tendency to bluff alongside his pride remained unfixed despite having almost lost his life. He called Ombuti hadritak instead. Hadritak meant older brother in Korean.
Something that should happen did not happen. Something that shouldnt happen took place. Leave behind your past regrets and hopes for the future. Live in the present.
What does that mean? Sun WooHyun stared at Ombuti with curiosity in his eyes.
Lackey, the brain isnt there for knowledge to be hammered in. If you want to serve wakil, study.
Ombuti wouldnt have known the logic behind Sun WooHyuns question. He provoked Sun WooHyun and disappeared. Taken aback, Sun WooHyun focused his gaze on Ombutis back before letting out a sigh.
Yeah, youre amazing, fine. Why are people from democratic countries so difficult? Im just going to act as wakils bodyguard and shoot at things.
Once he finished burying all the bodies, Ombuti started organizing the employees into groups and assigning leaders. Mohammads business experience helped. He divided the farm like a chessboard to determine the area and calculated the hours and average yield rate.
If the employees managed to achieve the average yield rate, theyd be paid their usual wage of 10 francs. However, if it was above average, they were promised extra. That was the Korean wage system. After the announcement of the new labor rules, the wide-eyed employees rushed to their work stations.
While the incentives could be regarded as an exploitation of labor, there was no better way to increase work efficiency. The employees, including their family members, would cut down their breaks to earn more in a short amount of time. It was Ombutis sly idea to convince them that time was money and that their efforts would be rewarded.
After the holocaust, the Samaria farm was managed quickly. The employees grew attached to the cotton yields, and the mansion employees got busier as they prepared the mansion for the new owner. The hopelessness of the dead and the glee of the living only grew dull with time. Only the great cross, which punished the humans foolishness and the livings ruthlessness, remained.
Tututu
A Gazelle appeared above the Samaria farm at sunset. Sun WooHyun waved a white flag around to signal it to land on the houses front yard.
The guests lowered their backs to avoid wind from the helicopters blade and ran out of the cabin. There was a slender middle-aged man, a slender middle-aged woman alongside two young men. All of them wore light clothes as though theyd come to tour the African safari.
Ariba, why are you here? It is quite the distance to travel, Black Mamba said as he reached out his hand for a handshake.
Ariba, who was skin and bones, reached out his hands in response.
I received your emergency message from NDjamena. The Operations Department is suffering from migraines. What kind of joke are you playing? You look like youre about to become a farmer. Keke. Ariba laughed at Black Mambas attire.
Ariba was moved by Black Mambas humanity, hidden under all that brutality. It wasnt an easy matter taking care of 100s of lives when ones own life was at risk. Thanks to the incident, he could overcome most of his Black Mamba phobia.
You rushed here because of my request, didnt you?
Look at me. Ive started experiencing patchy hair loss because of your poor personality, military advisor. I didnt want to get my butt kicked from holding back. Half of the airborne companys set off by land. These are the best experts we could find to help you.
Oh, that is good news. Do introduce me.
This is Professor Hawk Orifice, who has a PhD in Pedology and Botany. He works at Paris Institute of Technology and immediately made his way down here after taking a leave of absence.
A stout man in his 50s reached out his hand for a handshake. Rimless glasses rested on his crooked nose. His hawk-like features embodied mischief.
I really want to meet the idiot whos trying to turn Ennedi into a farm.
Nice to meet you. Im that idiot, Sbard Gulbeig. You can call me Dong-bang-bull-pae. Please be informed that Im not fluent in French.
I dont care about that. Fluency doesnt make up for your ability. Youre a young man more suited for the title of Don Quixote of Africa rather than the one who chased gold. Kekeke!
Professor Orifice laughed. Black Mamba smiled bitterly. Every time anyone heard that stupid nickname, they laughed.
This is Professor Michelle Mulsoli, a Plant Design researcher at cole Polytechnique. This is Professor Bopal Shernion, a business administration researcher at the National School of Public Administration. Hes also well-educated in city planning.
Professor Mulsoli and Professor Shernion nodded warmly at the introduction.
Mulsoli, Im a research professor who still hands out checks even if people only eat and play. I dont need to be remunerated. Im satisfied with adventures and fun.
Oh, its nice to meet you, Mrs. I am afraid that Africa might be too harsh for your delicate hands and fragile body.
Ive come here despite my husbands protests, so I should try. Professor Mulsoli smiled.
Minister Vincent Valerie constantly reminded me to help you as much as I can. Do you know his weakness or something? I dont need a salary either, hahaha!
Black Mambas mouth hung open. He wanted to enter the Grande cole but had given up due to its harsh curriculum. Frances higher education system was divided into regular universities and Grande coles. The Paris Institute of Technology and cole Polytechnique were Grande coles. The Grande cole was a traditional elite education facility that only existed in France, selecting only a small number of elites from its applicants. After graduating from the Grande cole, students were given PhDs, unlike regular universities. This meant that France had dispatched their best experts to help him.
Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. I hate free things. Professionals should be treated like one. Ill pay double the amount of your annual salary. If something happens that cant be solved by the law, contact me through Ariba. Ill grant at least one wish.
Huh, it seems like manager Ariba was right. Its like Im meeting a genie through this project. See, didnt I say this business made sense? Professor Orifice turned to his friends and smiled.
Black Mamba introduced Ombuti and his five Syrian companions.
Al Aman Ombuti represents Wakil Commerce Company and me. Ombuti will oversee the entire project and its advancement. These are the guards who will be protecting all of you, precious professors. From the left is the head of guards called lackey, leader Ibrahim, leader Mohammad, leader Jamal, leader Ahmad, and leader Aishe. There will be more guards coming in from the mainland soon.
Thats good to hear. Lets start immediately. I heard the land that youre trying to develop is around 25,000 square kilometers, Ddu-bai-buru-pa. I want to see it immediately, Professor Orifice rushed.
Hahaha, you mustve been waiting for this moment, professor. Itll be dark soon. Lets move after setting down your bags, Ariba suggested to stop Professor Orifice from rushing.
Africa wasnt like Paris. Even the most experienced guide had a hard time moving in the dark.
What are you talking about? Ive dreamed about a night flight for 30 years, something just like Saint-Exupery. I want to see the milky way that fills the empty desert and hear the jingling camel bells. Isnt there a Jeep on the Chinook? I cant give up on a romantic night desert tour, Professor Orifice argued, spitting everywhere.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. At night, the desert was cold to the point that it was scary. He didnt know what it was like at the Ennedi Plateau, but the regions around the Tibesti mountains dropped below zero degrees Celsius. He wondered whether Professor Orifice would find it romantic at all?
I want to see the Ennedi Plateau too but will stay behind with Mr. Ombuti since the factory construction requires immediate help. Professor Mulsoli stepped back with a regretful expression.
Black Mamba didnt stop her. Although she looked fearless, as a woman, the professor shouldnt wander around Africas wildlife. In fact, he feared for Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion too.
At 22:00 on the dot, two Gazelles headed north-east. Black Mamba, Professor Orifice, Professor Shernion, and Ibrahim boarded the Gazelles. Ombuti, Sun WooHyun, and Professor Mulsoli were left behind to organize the farm.
The group headed toward Fada after boarding a Chinook in Ati. Fada was the only oasis city in Ennedi Plateau. They were able to shorten travel time due to Aribas route management and avoid the troubles of crossing the desert. The Ennedi Plateau wasnt a place that could be reached within a night, even on a Jeep from Wadi Fira.
At three in the morning, the Chinook, which arrived in Fada, opened its rear ramp. Two Jeeps with large tires moved out in a row.
The pilot handed him a backpack.
Theres a satellite phone set and a tailored weapon just for you, military advisor. Your private plane is heading toward Fada Airport. Youll be able to move comfortably during your return. Two of the 13th Legion Etranger companies are located in Darfur, Sudan. In case of emergency, the call sign is 352-13-4577. The search team should have reached Navar, north of Ennedi by now. Their call sign is 352-16-5577. I wish you luck, special military advisor. Act!
Good work, Black Mamba answered and gestured a brief wave at the respectful salute.
The five Syrians were surprised. The government had supplied him with manpower and mobilized Gazelles and Chinooks. They even gave him a private jet and the authority to move soldiers in times of crisis. The amount of support was unimaginable.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Id like to ask you something if you dont mind, Mohammad carefully asked.
What do you want to know?
The French government is well-known for being arrogant. Why are they so compliant and willing to cooperate with you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa?
The five Syrians leaned in to listen at once. They had been curious about it for a long time. Ddu-bai-buru-pa wasnt a human but an apostle with immense strength. Still, there was a difference between individual and national power.
Thats because France is a first-world country. There are more cases in which an individuals needs clash with a countrys needs. At the request of the French government, I destroyed Ruman, which was a hidden ANO headquarter located in Kaparja Valley. There, a regional Middle East DGSE director was held as a hostage. I couldnt confirm, but consul Baylout was there too. Although the intelligence department and higher-ups acted like they didnt know, the DGSE did. They knew the hostages safety wouldnt be guaranteed if I attacked. France is a democratic country that values human lives. Why do you think they made such a rash decision?
In hostage situations, France strongly believes that negotiating with terrorist organizations is out of the question.
Black Mamba smiled slightly at Mohammads words.
No country officially negotiates hostage situations with terrorist organizations. Now thats when a dilemma arises. If they dont negotiate with the abductor, the citizens will criticize the government for abandoning their people. What do you think will happen once the negotiations with the abductor fall through?
The safety of many more citizens will be at risk. Terrorist organizations will grab the opportunity to make money, after all.
Correct. Negotiating the ransom will set an undesirable precedent. Theres no way terrorists will let go of a watering pot that provides them large sums of money just for a hostage. The terrorist organizations will start targeting citizens and take them as hostages. The entire city will be in danger because they tried to save the hostage. Just like that, their ransoms will increase too.
So negotiation during hostage situations should never take place.
Hahaha, can you say that if Bassel is held as a hostage? What if it was me?
There was silence.
The five Syrians couldnt answer. Without negotiation, it lowered the chances of putting the citizens at risk. It was a beneficial decision in the long run too. Still, would they be able to sacrifice the few for the many if their loved ones or their family member was on the line?
Despite the criticisms that they could face, France sent me to uproot the ANO. No b*stard considers ones own life worthless. The ANO and other terrorist organizations fled beyond the border at checkmate. No b*stard will terrorize France or kidnap French citizens residing overseas for a while. In the end, France created a profitable business. France was able to make such a decision because of their pride. A government without legitimacy and a regime wouldnt be able to do so. They dont have the gall to face criticisms since they prioritize their own safety instead of the interests of the state.
The five Syrians nodded. Those words reached their hearts. While sacrificing the few for the many was easier said, there were many obstacles. There were times when the line between the few and the many was vague.
Chapter 310 - Episode 1: Novatopia
My existence is a force that satisfies the interests of both myself, as an individual, and the country. French officials know how to use people. Even I was surprised by the amount of money the French government betted on this operation. Novatopia is but a supplementary gift.
Black Mamba paused to drink water from his bottle. The rush of memories, which hed buried at the back of his mind, clogged his throat.
The reason for their constant support isnt that Im pretty. Rather, its because Im a special duck that lays golden eggs. They call me a national treasure. Theyre providing this special duck called Dong-bang-bull-pae the highest service for the endless production of golden eggs. Countries and companies are operated by humans. An advanced country is a country that recognizes talents, treats them right, and utilizes them well. A country cant advance if they dont know how to appreciate a duck that can lay golden eggs. I truly envy their eye for talent, government, ethics, nationality, and pride.
Loneliness settled on Black Mambas face like a field that had just experienced the coldness of fall. His thoughts had extended to the reality of Korea, a country that he loved but couldnt like.
In 1978, a construction employee working on a road in the Philippines was kidnapped. The company had to pay a ransom of 200,000 dollars to the kidnapper, a Muslim guerrilla. In 1980, a fishing boats captain was kidnapped by a Polisario guerrilla in Africa. The company was robbed of 100,000 dollars in ransom.
While companies were all over the place trying to save the hostages, the government remained still. Back then, the Senegal consulate had been busy entertaining ministers of the diplomatic committee touring African countries. No one knew how many Koreans had been sacrificed overseas. That was because the government had paid no heed.
It was the worst precedent recorded in the history of international kidnapping. The government had neglected the citizens, and the companies had to pay large amounts of money in exchange for the hostages instead. Korea was a country that could only survive after entering the international market. The abducted citizens were sacrificed while those in power acted as though they were the good of the world. That was the countrys reality.
Of course, the Korean government had tried their bestto threaten the companies, that was. There were only disgusting articles published by the media that protected the governments actions. Black Mamba knew the situation well from the DGSEs documents. There werent relevant documents at all in the Korean consulate. His insides flipped several times at the countrys devastating reality, which he had come to learn of after receiving news from foreign countries intelligence departments.
It is surprising news that those prideful French intelligence agents are treating Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa like a national treasure, even the president. We can walk around with dignity. I now understand why theyve given you land and offered endless aid.
Hmph! Black Mamba snorted at Mohammads shower of praises.
Mohammad, you are a secret guard who took effort in protecting the Orthodox Christians. Who would you trust more, the Orthodox Christians or those whore not?
Of course, the Orthodox Christians.
Thats right. The reason why you trust them more is that it is easier to punish or take revenge on them.
Wha-at? Mohammads eyes grew wide at the unexpected words.
Humans are existences who suspect and avenge. That is how they have evolved. Humans trust those they share a connection with, people they are more familiar with. That is because they know the person well. By well, I mean they can easily take revenge on them in case of betrayal. There are not many ways to take revenge on a person who you dont even know is alive or dead. The reason why people trust those who go to the same school, work at the same company, share the same religion, live in the same region, and many more is that there is a connection.
Black Mamba continued, That kind of trust has revenge in its core. Revenge is easier when you know ones personality, family relations, residential address, friends, and occupation. That gave one more means to punish another for betrayal. That is why organizations cant betray one another since they are aware of those facts. That is also why factions are created.
Ah, granting Novatopia is Frances way of binding you to their government, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Mohammad exclaimed.
Correct. Were not strangers has the underlying meaning of you know what will happen if you betray me. The French government promised me an incredible reward if I converted my nationality. I refused. I dont know why I refused back then either. I only realized why later. I refused the dog leash because Im a free man. The reason for this long-winded explanation is that I want you to learn that human connections are not romantic ideals. Keep this in mind when developing Novatopia. A good cat catches mice well. Give the good cat some delicious fish to keep it at home. An uncles snack is only well-received when its tasty.
Ah! The five Syrians exclaimed together.
It was a critical and sensitive analysis. The advice about ill-intentioned human relations and tasty family snacks dug deep into their hearts. In other words, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, who willingly bought 540 snacks that were tasteless and inedible, was truly an ideal master.
Those are the words of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Thank you for your teachings. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is truly a kind master. Youve saved us all because you found unrelated humans pitiful. You gave us the land that youve earned with your blood without conditions and is still suffering. I will devote my life to creating a country that serves justice, a country of romance with no discrimination. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, youre an eternal master of kindness. Mohammad kneeled on the air runways asphalt floor.
These are Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words! We are kind servants serving a kind master. Bismillah!
The five Syrians raised their arms high and shouted.
We are a family who shares the same goals. Stop calling me master or yourselves as servants. Im going to collect taxes once the living situation stabilizes, so be prepared.
Black Mamba glanced at Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion in embarrassment. Fortunately, it seemed as though they didnt mind. The conversation between Black Mamba and the five Syrians was later spread across Africa and referred to as the Teachings of Ennedi. Since then, all kinds of romantic ideals such as romantic servants, romantic masters, romantic assassins, and romantic companies became trendy.
The Ennedi Plateau was a unique sandstone plateau that emerged from the dunes. The sandstone plateau remained a pile of mass after the surrounding ground eroded into the wetlands. That had occurred 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 years ago. The altitude above sea level in the low north-east was 500 meters, and the region near Sudans border was almost 1,450 meters.
There were barely 1,000 residents. The Teda tribe who raised camels lived around the region where there were water geysers. Yearly water levels differed greatly depending on the region. While some regions experienced 200-millimeters rainfall from July to August, some regions experienced 800-millimeters rainfall. Porous sandstone plateaus couldnt retain rainwater, which made it hard for people to live on. The rainwater that seeped into the surface later exited through the underground lakes and water basins. A prime example would be the Fada oasis.
The Sahara desert appeared up north of Fada. An endless view of the rocky desert appeared with small and large rocks scattered around like a bean threshing yard. The Jeep continued to mindlessly roll and pitch as it traveled up north.
It was 250 to 300 kilometers from Fada to Navar. The desert didnt have roads, making it an off-road trip. Distances varied depending on the route. The two Jeeps, which escaped the runway, rushed through the Ennedi Plateau and sent brown dust flying. Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion resented the Jeeps roofless structure and hunched as much as they could. Professor Orifice was too busy blaming himself for not bringing a windbreaker. Furthermore, he had been looking forward to enjoying the deserts scenery.
Professor Orifices torment didnt end there. His head bounced back and forth several times on the dashboard. He was also almost thrown out of the vehicle because of the intense bouncing on the car seat. Professor Orifice and Professor Shernions faces grew rapidly yellow.
At dawn, Black Mamba nudged the hunching Professor Orifice until he woke.
Orifice, the group of camels with ringing bells you wanted to see are heading this way.
Ohlala, pas de tout?[1] Professor Orifice, who seemed exhausted moments ago, jumped up.
He soon began to complain after tilting his ears here and there to listen.
Dong-bang-bull-pae, the desert genie will come and kidnap you if you lie in the desert.
Haha, just wait another five minutes. 10 camels should pass by.
Although I am a botanist, I am not ignorant to the point that I believe in the saying that human ears are more sensitive than a Brittanys[2]. Professor Orifice smiled mockingly.
The Jeep was moving at 40 kilometers per hour. Five minutes meant that they were 3,000 meters away. How could a human hear the sound of bells from three kilometers away with the sand whining and blowing by their ears? It had to be a joke.
Professor, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa always speaks the truth, Jamal said as he tapped the windshield with his large Barrett.
That was his way of expressing dissatisfaction.
Ho, so you arent Don Quixote but a cult leader, Professor Orifice joked around.
Professor, do you want to bet 100 francs?
Very well, a game between a lovely lady and an old man would make the travel romantic. If a camel appears, 100 francs, and if the number is accurate, 200 francs, Professor Orifice boldly raised the stakes at Aishes provocation.
Aishe snorted inwardly. If Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa said so, it was so. It was great that she could earn some money since the journey was getting boring anyway.
Sergeant, move 15 degrees to the left and proceed.
Yes, sir.
The mercenary sergeant turned the handle. As Black Mamba assured, the sound of tinkling bells traveled along with the cold air.
Professor, it seems like youre losing 100 francs for now. Aishe smiled in satisfaction.
No, it cant be 10 camels too?
Professor Orifices hope ended quickly. A line of camels appeared with the night sky as their backdrop. The silhouette of the camels at dawn as they descended the dunes brought about a unique sense of serenity. There were exactly 10 in number.
Good, this is a scenery worth 200 francs.
Professor Orifice immediately pulled out his camera and adjusted the angle of the lens. Professor Shernion smiled. He could see Professor Orifices working habits taking over, whereby he tried to record everything.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, how did you know?
The desert provides you with sounds you want to hear and the scenery you want to see. If you close your eyes and open your ears, the stories of the desert will accumulate in your heart.
Whoa, I see. You arent Don Quixote but a poet. Professor Orifice laughed heartily.
Once a person reached their mid-50s, they became capable of restraining their curiosities.
Jamal, the camel owner is injured. Go check.
Yes, sir. Stop!
Jamal jumped off the Jeep.
Purrrh
The front camel snorted at the appearance of an unfamiliar person.
Brother, do you need help?
The man, who was collapsed on a camels back, struggled to raise his body.
I met robbers with guns. I had to flee and didnt have the time to stop the bleeding. Save me, please, the man gurgled as he begged.
Ahmad, spread the tarp.
Ahmad swept away the rocks on the ground and spread the tarp. Jamal supported the man and laid him down on the tarp. He checked the mans condition with his lantern and clicked his tongue.
He was hit once under the clavicle, and his chest collapsed from the weapons second blow. What should we do?
There are medics at the search teams camp. We need to move him to Navar.
Black Mamba shook his head at the drivers words.
There are signs of cyanosis. Hell die within 10 minutes. Well have to administer first aid. Aishe, inject atropine and morphine into him. Well have to raise the ribs that are compressing his lungs first.
There wasnt enough time. Black Mamba placed his hand on the mans collapsed ribs and gathered his concentration. The patients condition was depicted clearly in his mind with dimensional sight. The third and fourth ribs were pressing down on the lungs, and they were on the brink of perforation. Pneumothorax occurred with perforation. It meant a 100 percent death on the field.
Ahmad, make a small fire.
There wasnt enough time to boil water. Black Mamba shoved both of his hands into the fire in haste.
Urk! You, what are you doing? Professor Shernion asked, frightened.
Shh! Ahmad grabbed Professor Shernion, who almost pulled Black Mamba back with his hands.
Hes disinfecting his hands.
Disinfecting?
Professor Orifices jaw dropped open. That had to be one of those peculiar fantasy-like situations he had never heard of. He had never seen or read stories about humans sanitizing their hands in a fire. Black Mambas hand couldnt be fine after being shoved into a fire. However, blacky had said that the billions water armor could withstand heat up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. Although he could feel the burn, it was bearable.
Do you have chitosan-based adhesives?
I couldnt prepare any.
Damn, thats unfortunate!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. It took 10 to 20 minutes for blood that was exposed to air to coagulate. Blood poured out of the patients wound endlessly.
A biocompatible hydrogel adhesive like chitosan, once drenched in blood, served as a glue to seal broken veins. It was a necessity in field operations. Still, he couldnt fault Aishe either. An adhesive like chitosan was an item unfamiliar to the majority unless they were a professional field medic.
Hand me zeolite powder!
Aishe handed him a pack the size of two fingers, which she had already prepared. Zeolite powder absorbed the plasma in the blood, allowing a concentration of solid components. It was a supplement that sped up the process of blood coagulation. Black Mamba scattered the zeolite powder over the mans wound.
Its fortunate that this man does not have complex injuries.
He could sense not only the broken ribs with his dimensional sight but even the capillaries. Since Black Mamba had already finished disinfecting his hands, he clawed the mans chest open with his nails.
[1] Oh, really?
[2] A dog breed.
Chapter 311 - Episode 2: Novatopia
He compressed the air with his resonance waves to block the blood vessels and prevent bleeding. It was hard to control and stop bleeding during surgery, even with modern medicine. Although blood vessels were tied with forceps or hemostatic agents and compression methods were used, blood transfusion was required to complete the procedure. Black Mambas approach of blocking blood vessels with compressed air would usher in a new era of surgical operations.
Black Mambas hands got busy. A lot of mental power was consumed to compress the air with resonance waves, to the point that his head started buzzing. He wouldnt be able to last five minutes.
The surgery proceeded rather roughly. He shoved his fingers into the opening of the mans muscles and raised the broken rib to connect the fractured segments. With a dislocated bone segment, applying a sudden sharp force could accidentally damage the veins, nerves, muscles, and surrounding soft tissues.
Ugh, why is this happening? Now, Im acting like a quack on top of a cult leader.
His specialty was murder, not to rescue people. Black Mamba grew nervous despite the assistance of his dimensional sight. His rough and inexperienced movements irritated the dislocated bones.
Grrrk
Crack crack
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion trembled at the sound of bones joining.
Shernion, can I believe what Im seeing? Theres not a single drop of blood.
I cant believe it even when Im witnessing it myself. No wonder manager Ariba forced us to sign the confidentiality documents
God, Professor Eco from the Cardiothoracic surgery department should see this.
He would be frothing at the mouth, what else?
Two broken ribs returned to their original positions while Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion whispered away.
Suture!
Aishe pulled out a needle and thread from her first-aid bag. He had learned how to sew since he was nine years old. Suturing a wound was no different than sewing clothes. The only difference was the type of needles usedstraight or curved. He sprinkled the zeolite powder well over the sutured wound and released his resonance waves. The blood that flowed out of the mans wound turned into gel. The patients irregular breathing stabilized. Black Mamba sighed in relief, as one emergency had passed.
Aishe, is there anything that can replace casts?
Cant we support his chest and back using the gun barrel and wrap it with bandages?
Aishe recalled her experiences as a former guerilla while bandaging the mans injured shoulder.
What? Even a healthy rib wont be able to stand the weight of a gun barrel.
Black Mamba stood up. There were rocks and sand, but not a single tree around. The Jeep entered his sight.
Well, something should work.
He sliced out the rear fender with his Vajra. Taking out the front fender would allow sand to enter the cars engine. When he pressed down the metal plate with his billions water armor, the bent wrinkles smoothed out. He measured the metal plate against his chest before cutting out the measurements. He tapped the sliced metal plate several times to thin it out. He started adding intricate curves and edges.
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion looked on at the extraordinary work in progress. Black Mamba held the improvised metal plate that was modeled after his chest and rushed toward the patient.
Huh. Should I believe what I just saw? Is he even human? Professor Orifices mouth dropped wide open. It was fortunate that there werent any flies or bugs around at dawn.
Hell have to survive with one arm. How unfortunate. Aishe worried for the patient.
Shoulder bones were thinner than what people expected. Compound fractures occurred with the impact of a large-caliber bullet. If it wasnt treated in time, the shoulder would never recover.
Its not that bad. The bullet is lodged in his bone, fortunately, Black Mamba spoke as though it was not a big deal after checking the bullet wound with his dimensional sight.
By removing the foreign cavitations and bullet, the wound could heal naturally. Of course, the injury was not considered a big deal by his own standards. Black Mamba put pressure on the blood vessels with his resonance waves and went immediately to work.
Forceps!
The forceps dug right into the wound. Professor Orifice flinched at the rough handling. The forceps pulled out a bullet with a burnt black tip. Aishe sprayed the disinfectant, sprinkled a lot more zeolite powder, then bandaged the wound.
Aishe, inject him with a tetanus shot.
Sweat was dripping down Black Mambas forehead. Aishe immediately wiped off the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
Ugh, look at all this sweat. This mans alive because he met you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Maybe he saved a village in his past life, Aishe babbled on.
She thought it was pitiful that Ddu-bai-buru-pa was sweating because of a stranger.
Phew
The group whod been holding their breaths exhaled in unison.
What do you think? The stitching could be better, but this much should be enough for him to feed himself, right? Black Mamba rambled on as the uneasiness began to fade out.
For the first time, he had saved a life on the brink of death with his abilities. He felt proud of himself.
May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! It is amazing. All the well-known surgeons of Shamu will starve at this rate.
Youll earn a lot of money if you decide to practice medicine.
Hire me as your nurse. I feel like Ill do nothing but play around.
The five Syrians faces beamed. Of course, that made sense. With no medical tools, Black Mamba had provided necessary treatment instead of temporary relief. Jamal and the rest, who had witnessed a real miracle, were bound to be ecstatic.
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion stared at one another.
Shernion, such a person exists in this world. I doubted my own eyes when he made a cast out of the rear fender he tore off.
Not only is he talented, but hes also a person with a warm heart. Lets pretend the things we saw never happened. Thats what he would want too.
What else? Its a world where even scholars use their abilities to cheat people of their money and then make it public. That guys the real deal here.
Im starting to like this Ddu-bai-buru-pa. The name just rolls off the tongue.
Professor Orifice felt his heart warm. The mans unexplained mysterious ability was secondary. However, the mans consideration for other peoples lives and sincerity was what moved his heart. There was a reason why the man received absolute trust and loyalty despite his young age.
The Ombuti virus had instantly and unknowingly influenced Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion. They slapped Black Mambas shoulder and pounded his back as though they had been friends for a decade.
Amazing. Ariba calls you the Angel of Death, but it seems like youre the Angel of Blessings instead.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, lets remain friends. I want to see what other miracles my friend has up his sleeves.
Okay. No idiot would refuse to be friends with PhD holders from the Grande cole. Itd be an honor. Black Mamba smiled.
He liked these middle-aged men who were laid-back and unpretentious.
Look at that, these friends are punishing master, Aishe whispered into Ahmads ear.
Kekeke! Lets just say theyre platonic friends. Ahmad laughed softly.
Punish was a hilarious word to describe their masters situation. Who could punish Ddu-bai-buru-pa! It was impossible. As a servant, he felt proud to serve a just master.
Ibrahim, this person was attacked by robbers. We should raise our guard.
Is there a need? Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas with us, Jamal drawled at Aishes suggestion.
We should do our jobs ourselves. I heard that the caravans in the Sahara were attacked by many robbers for a while. The remnants of the FROLINATs who Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa destroyed would have become robbers by now. Its obvious what those b*stards would do since theyre accustomed to shooting. Ibrahim agreed with Aishe.
According to sir Ombuti, there are over 100,000 FROLINATs. Chad will be loud for a while.
Wait, the robbers are coming over themselves.
An eerie smile appeared on Black Mambas face. The wind carried over the sound of running camels, the smell of gunpowder, and the foul odor coming from the people living in the desert.
How many are there?
Theyre three kilometers away from the north-west. About 40 to 50 people are heading over here.
Its too late to avoid them then.
Right. Theyre probably tracking this man down.
These unlucky b*stards! Ibrahim clicked his tongue.
Most likely, the robbers couldnt give up the 10 camels. Their greed had ultimately given them a ticket straight to Hell.
Well take care of them, sir, Jamal said as he jammed a magazine into his Barrett.
I trust all of you, but the difference in number may result in an unexpected casualty. I dont want to piece back my familys bones and stitch back their skin.
Black Mamba took out a Dragunov from his backpack.
Clack
Clack clack
He assembled the gun barrel, body, scope, and magazine in a single breath.
Hu A strange groan was heard from Jamal as he slung the Barrett over his shoulder.
Jamal had witnessed Black Mambas god-level sniping several times. Ddu-bai-buru-pa was someone who had wiped out 1,000s of people in Kaparja Valley. Once he held the Dragunov, be it 40 or 400 people, they were all bound to go to Hell.
We should greet our guests upon their arrival.
Whoosh
Black Mamba disappeared. Five seconds later, he appeared at a sniping point 100 meters away.
You dont need to help him? Professor Orifice asked, worried.
Professor Shernions expression grew stiff too. The group of Sahara robbers hed only heard of made their appearance. He found the guard leaders composure rather unsettling.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is the Mahdi, Jamal said as though it was an obvious fact, like how there were four legs to a table.
Huh, there seems to be a lot in number. Do you think he will be okay?
Youll know, professor. Just keep watching. Ibrahim smiled widely.
The clouds hanging over the eastern horizon turned light orange. The cold left, and the howling wind calmed down. Black Mamba buried his body halfway into the sniping point and glared at whats ahead of him.
Like a bunch of hay thrown across a threshing yard, there was an endless field of reflective sand with sparse grass. He could see a herd of camels moving along a red-brown sandstone column, which looked like the colonnades of a temple. At a distance of 1,000 meters, Black Mamba stared coldly at the group of robbers who were closing in. Litham covered the robbers faces, and they were armed with rifles and RPG-7s.
The group of robbers was referred to as the fear of the desert. Black Mamba couldnt find a reason to let them live. A dry gunshot rang as soon as he saw the camels eyelashes. The person on the last camel had his head blown apart.
Clang clang clang
Clang clang clang
Three consecutive shots rang. It was the three-tap firing sequence skill that only Black Mamba was capable of.
Black Mamba could clear one and a half exposed moving targets per second with his sniping ability. From the back, the robbers falling off their camels looked like dominos. By the time those at the front realized they were being targeted, over half of them had been wiped out.
Theres a sniper!
Scatter!
The robbers shouted, but they couldnt see Black Mamba firing away from 600 meters beyond. Several remaining robbers had scattered and fled. The unforgiving bullets chased after and shattered their heads from the back like watermelons exploding. The last surviving robber dropped his gun. With cavitation on his wrist, he couldnt hold onto the gun any longer. Soon, blood splattered from both of his ankles. The gunshots stopped in 40 seconds.
How simple! Those pitiful b*stards, kekeke. Jamal laughed once the gunshots stopped.
Wasnt that too fast? There wasnt even a single counterattack.
Ibrahim worried about close combat. It would take too long to fight if the enemy chose to hide instead.
At least 50 shots were heard. Master is someone who doesnt waste a single bullet. Ahmad, take care of those who are still alive. Master must have left at least one around.
Ill administer first aid before they die. Ahmad disappeared immediately.
Jamal, what happened? Professor Orifice asked Jamal. He looked very nervous.
Master treats humans like humans, and animals like animals, Jamal spoke in riddles.
Ha, well, I see theres nothing more but a cult leader here. I shall not interfere at all. Professor Orifice clicked his tongue and stopped talking.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is coming.
Ibrahim pointed to his right. Black Mamba was walking over with the Dragunov slung over his shoulder.
He doesnt look that happy. Aishe frowned, leaving creases on her forehead.
That swagger only appeared when he wasnt happy. Black Mamba was definitely unhappy. Although he was used to killing, he was never emotionally detached.
There were 42. I left one alive.
Ahmad went to get him.
Get ready to depart. This guys still not awake. Do you think we gave him too much morphine? Black Mamba looked down at the patient.
Jamal checked the patients pulse and breathing.
Its because of the bleeding. His condition isnt serious. Hell wake up by the time we reach Navar.
Sergeant, how much time do we have left until we reach Navar? Black Mamba asked the mercenary.
Around 35 kilometers, sir.
Were almost there. Leave the patient on my seat.
No, sir! Ill get down. I need to drag the camels over anyway. Jamal jumped from his seat.
He couldnt let a stranger take his masters seat.
If were going to help, we should help until the end. Buddha said those who want to help should help with everything they have. Black Mamba jumped onto the leading camels back.
Start!
Dududu
Once the leading camel started running, the rest of the camels followed.
Ugh, what should I do about this? Jamal hovered around him like an ant without antennae.
Whoo, he cleans up well too, Ahmad whispered.
All of them had their heads shattered. Dozens of people with white fluids leaking from their brains were scattered here and there.
Over 40 camels, which the robbers had ridden on, wandered around the scene. This meant that the robbers couldnt shoot a single bullet or let out a scream. Although camels were sensitive to sound and light, it wasnt the case for smell and shock.
Ahmad found the target easily. The b*stard whose head was still intact was the only survivor.
Oi, you between the corpses, come out!
There was only silence.
If you dont come out, Ill have your head smashed too.
Clack
Ahmad pulled the slide.
Ankhad-ni! Ankhad-ni![1]
[1] Save me! Save me!
Chapter 312 - Episode 3: Novatopia
A whole head appeared from between the corpses.
As-salamu Alaikum? Ahmad said as though he was mocking the other person.
There was no way the other person was at peace. The b*stard, who was wriggling like a caterpillar, had his right wrist and both ankles stained with blood. The fabric that wrapped the injuries was wet through and through. Ahmad untied the discolored fabric and checked the wounds.
Ho, the hand of God!
The bullet had specifically torn the b*stards Achilles tendons on both ankles. The surrounding tissues remained untouched. It was unique sniping that only Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was capable of since he was someone associated with the realm of Gods. The b*stard was shot amid his run.
Kunta jaban[1], you dont want to die, huh?
Ankhad-ni! Ankhad-ni!
The robber, who seemed to be around 30 years old, looked desperately at him. Ahmad held back the swears that almost left his throat. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa had said that those who took other peoples lives should be prepared for their lives to be taken. Still, the b*stard, who took the lives and money of others, was hanging so dearly onto his own. Moreover, he was a coward who had abandoned his friends and fled.
Bukra InshaAllah! Ahmad mocked.
Bukra InshaAllah translated to I hope that happens next time. It also meant that there was nothing he could do for the man.
Ahmad decided to stop the b*stards wounds from bleeding anyway. Hed have killed the b*stard had Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa not let him live. The Jeep and herd of camels arrived while he studied the surroundings filled with scattered corpses.
Ugh, what is this?
Professor Shernion and Professor Orifices complexions turned blue. A severe injury to the head contracted the back muscles. Most corpses bodies remained upright. Eyes that were grayish and wide open, white-grayish brain fluids leaking, and blood everywhereit was an uncommon sight for those who spent most of their time in research labs.
The guards searched the corpses and took their weapons. Jamal was seen wiping the weapons clean off brain fluids and blood with the corpses clothes.
Ugh!
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion bent their backs together.
Hey Shernion, are we in hell, or is this a nightmare? Professor Orifice asked with tears in his eyes.
Manager Ariba said hes the Angel of Death.
Huuuh, forget Angel of Blessings. He really is the Angel of Death. Professor Orifice shuddered.
The human, whod tried so hard to save someones life just moments ago, had ended several more. He turned to look at Black Mamba. The emotionless Black Mamba sat next to Ahmad, who was questioning a bloodied man. The person who seemed kind looked like the devil all of a sudden.
Ibrahim, what are we going to do with all these camels? Mohammad expressed his concern.
There were 52 camels. Camels were expensive and useful animals in the desert. It would be a waste to abandon them, but there was no way to bring them along.
What else? We should bring them with us. I heard camel meat is delicious.
Ibrahim had suffered from starvation in the eastern mountain ranges of Hatay. To him, the camel looked like food. Throwing away food would anger Allah.
Do you know how to ride a camel?
There was silence.
Ibrahims face turned pale. He had become a guerilla in the Hatay mountain ranges and farmed olives in northern Syria. That was his first encounter with a camel.
Its a waste to leave them, Mohammad mumbled.
No one knew how to ride a camel. Mohammad heard a strangers voice as he contemplated.
Thank you for saving me. Tie the lead camel and a female camel in estrus to the Jeep with enough distance on the leash. The rest will follow naturally. A camel can run up to 40 kilometers per hour.
The patient had regained consciousness.
Ah, youre awake?
There is no God aside from Allah. Thank you for helping me. I dont know how to return this grace. The robbers should be after me. You must quickly hide.
Our master saved you. You can thank him later. The robbers have been taken care of, so dont worry.
What?
The patients eyes contested the lantern.
Please find me the lead camel and the female camel instead.
I cant move my body. The patients expression turned dark.
Ahmad, tie the leash of those two b*stards and the other one to the Jeep.
Black Mamba pointed to three camels. He could read an animals aura with his dimensional sight. His sensitive senses identified a female camel in estrus.
What should we do with this b*stard? Ahmad asked, pointing to the hostage.
This b*stard worked under Habib once. Theres not much he knows either. Send him respectfully to Allahs side.
The desert was empty, which was why the fight for survival was more aggressive. The robbers must have resorted to theft due to the lack of life. Still, stealing wasnt a justifiable reason. Sending one respectfully to Allahs side meant a painless death.
Bang
A gunshot rang. A hole forced its way into the hostages head.
By the time they finished preparing, the sandstone column was drenched in red.
Orifice, look. Look at that.
Black Mamba patted Professor Orifices lax shoulder.
Mon dieu, cest incroyable!
Professor Orifice, who seemed listless not a moment ago, leaped to his feet. Beyond the dunes that gathered like waves, rays of orange light radiated from the distant horizon. The lower parts of the dark clouds, which had gathered overnight, were dyed red. The towers of sandstone rocks discarded their dark shadows and wore a golden shell. Even the small and large rocks scattered around the ground exuded a dark red glow. The magnificent light colored the sky and poured over to the ground.
Oh, God. Its a scene from Genesis creation! Professor Shernion, who was in sensory overload, shouted.
Heaven and Earth became one under light, and spaces were created between spaces. The sound of the angels trumpets was heard from the sky, and life ran about on Earth. It was a mirror image of the Sistine Chapels ceiling. He automatically gasped in admiration at the majestic view.
I did well, coming to Africa, Professor Orifice mumbled.
When he was first offered a partnership with Chad greenery, a government project, he didnt agree immediately. Not only was he bored of his daily routine, but hed also never stepped on African soil. Africa, which was called the dark continent, was physically and mentally distant. Titles such as the land of martyrs, the continent of riddles, the land of civil war and corruption, the land of ambition, and the land of cannibals had held him back from reaching a decision.
That was when manager Ariba had approached him. He was told that the wild environment, the majestic scenes, and a certain someone would take him by surprise. It was true. He was surprised by both the person and nature. Africa was a land of surprises.
The 41 corpses with leaking brain fluids became a thing of the past. The majestic scene was his present. Humans were beings who lived in the present.
Special military advisor, I see the scouting teams equipment! the sergeant on the wheel shouted in joy.
Around a dozen large trucks were lined up in rows in the field ahead. Those trucks had reconnaissance equipment stocked inside. The driver almost lost his nerve from trying to drive the Jeep at a camels pace.
Good job.
Black Mamba smiled at the driver, acknowledging his efforts.
What is that! a communications soldier shouted as he looked at the herd of running camels.
Its the enemy! Get ready for battle! lieutenant Pellpeng, the leader of the scouting team, shouted.
If a herd of camels came rushing at you in the Sahara, it was most definitely robbers, no questions asked.
Hide! Hide!
The scouting team of the 11th Airborne Brigade descended into chaos amid their breakfast. They threw down their C-rations and hid behind the rocks and trucks. A Jeep with a 50-caliber Browning medium machine gun jumped out.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. They were about to be shot with their allies bullets. He had forgotten about the satellite phone, unable to relay the message that he was bringing over a herd of camels in time. His urgency to return to Korea had ruined the scouting teams breakfast. It was awkward to pull out the phone now that they were right before him.
Stop!
Creaaak
The Jeep stopped.
Oh, that mans starting again.
When the Jeep stopped, Professor Orifice shot out as though he was rolling.
Ugh, Id rather die than be sick again. Professor Orifice complained about the unsightly scene again.
The lingering sour aftertaste of his vomit upset his stomach once more. Pedology and botany were both fields of manual labor. People spent more time running around the field rather than sitting in a laboratory. Although hed been confident, he found it hard to adjust to Africas harsh climates and rough journeys.
Its hard, isnt it?
Aishe patted the professors back. She should offer him a little service since she ripped 200 francs off him.
Urk, what kind of womans hands is this!
Professor Orifice swallowed his scream. Those werent gentle hands. He felt as though an iron hammer was coming down on his back.
Scouting team, is it? Im the special military advisor, Sbard Gulbeig! A roar sounded in the desert.
Had it been night-time, they would have shot him blind.
The Seine river is 100 times more beautiful than River Thames! lieutenant Pellpeng shouted over the loudspeaker.
Bordeaux wine is nectar, and scotch whiskey is water! Black Mamba responded to the childish code and smiled.
Geographically adjacent countries rarely got along well. Historically, France and England didnt have many precedents of good relations. From the conflict over territorial issues surrounding the successions of the throne, the colonial wars that grew violent since the 17th century, and the recent issue of defining Dover Straits continental shelf, it could be said that they constantly fought. Of course, there was no ethnic resentment and disgust, unlike Korea and Japans relationship. The relationship they had was a cooperative and competitive one.
Act! Im lieutenant Pellpeng of the scouts.
Special military advisor.
Lieutenant Pellpeng looked at Black Mamba with confusion in his eyes. He had heard that the special military advisor was a station above the vice-minister. However, the person before him was a young 20-year-old Asian. He was baffled since he had been expecting a man in his 50s.
Is there a scorpion on my face or something?
Ah, no, sir. Why are the camels here? We almost shot you down by mistake. Pellpeng looked away quickly.
I picked them up on the way over.
Picked them up? Kekeke!
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion started laughing. Pellpeng decided not to ask any further. Hed received orders from the higher-ups to do everything that the special military advisor asked. Although he was uncomfortable, as though a thorn was stuck in his throat, it was a fact that ranks overpowered everything.
Why did you station yourselves here?
We were headed toward Longor of Ennedi Plateau, but while we were moving, we received orders to meet up with you, military advisor.
I see.
Black Mamba nodded. Ariba must have ordered that.
Is there a pool of water nearby?
Water was a necessity for the setup of base camps.
Theres no water within a radius of 30 kilometers. We need to find groundwater.
How do you find that?
We use Vertical Electrical Sounding(VES). Electricity is sent into the ground from the surface. Geological structures are identified by measuring the resistance of the electric current as it passes through stones, soil, and groundwater.
Itll take some time to measure and check individual resistance changes then.
Yes. It takes around 10 days to sample a square region with a width of 500 meters.
Ha, itll take an eternity to just search for groundwater. Whats the accuracy rate and the capacity of this investigation?
We can check up to 500 meters with the equipment we have. The accuracy rate is around 20 percent. If its blocked by a thick bedrock, the accuracy drops further, sir.
So, even if you suffered to find all these potential locations, you only succeed two times out of 10?
Black Mamba freaked out. If it took 10 days to investigate 0.25 square kilometers, it meant that investigating 25,000 square kilometers would take close to 2,800 years. Even if he could dig out potential power sources by referring to the geological survey data, it wasnt easy to find groundwater.
There were two kinds of groundwater. Water flowed through the topsoil of about 10 meters deep, between the surface of the bedrocks and beneath the topsoil. It was small in volume, and water that had infiltrated the surface was not for consumption since there was no proper filtration.
Groundwater usually flowed through the fracture zones and bedrocks that were 100 meters below the surface layer. Finding the fracture zones alone increased the possibility of obtaining substantial volumes of groundwater.
Finding groundwater should be our priority then. Camels should drink water too. What are the chances of finding an aquifer like that of Libya?
Its hard to find, but Id say theres a high chance. The Ennedi Plateau are layers of accumulated sandstones that are over 1,000,000,000s of years old. Theres a possibility of a large aquifer existing underground. As long as we find a fracture zone, it increases the possibility of finding an aquifer. We should be able to find it in three years.
Three years? Black Mambas eyes grew wide.
Yes, sir. Ive received orders to cooperate with you, military advisor, for three years.
Huh!
Black Mamba was Korean. Koreans were used to the fast-paced system. The fact that they would be searching for an aquifer for three years left him astounded.
Where is your immediate water supply, then?
Theres a water source 170 kilometers away in Longor. Were planning to move back and forth using a water tank vehicle.
The area of the Ennedi Plateau was estimated to be 110,000 square kilometers, a little wider than that of Korea. It was estimated because there was no accurate data, and the borders between countries were unclear. Although there were many valleys and springs scattered around the large area, only wild animals and other creatures used it due to the high salinity and limited water flow.
That will be a 340-kilometer round trip. Its a great loss. Black Mamba shook his head.
Help us pick a location, sir, so that we can proceed with the investigation. We can always move the camp after setting up the overall structure.
Lieutenant Pellpeng spread out a 1:7,000 tactical map.
Black Mamba marked a dot 10 kilometers north-west of Ounianga Kbir and drew a diagonal line toward Agbaya in Ennedi Plateau. He drew a line from deep within Ennedi Plateau to Fada, then connected the line north-east to the Tibesti mountain ranges. He drew out a 290 kilometers by 87 kilometers long rectangle.
[1] Cowardly b*stard.
Chapter 313 - Episode 4: Novatopia
This rectangle is Novatopia.
Novatopia! A utopia that appeared like a mirage in the empty Sahara desert, what a good name. Very good, Professor Orifice said while clapping.
Youre going to build a farming region and a city in this area? How ambitious of you. Professor Shernions mouth hung wide open.
Its amazing! lieutenant Pellpeng, who was looking at the map, also exclaimed.
It was a large rectangular site lying at a diagonal angle from north-west to south-east. There were the Tibesti mountain ranges at the top, the Ennedi Plateau at the bottom, the Djourab Erg and the Bodl Depression to the left, and the vast Sahara desert to the right.
70 percent of the land was the semi-arid Sahel region, while Ennedi Plateau covered the remaining 30 percent. Paris had an area of 105 square kilometers. The land indicated by the advisor was 25,000 square kilometers, which was 240 times larger than Paris. While the rent wasnt as much as a shop located on Pariss Champs-lyses, it was still a large area of land. Since modern society, there was no precedent of an individual possessing such a large area of land.
Can you indicate the regions for greening?
Presque toutes![1]
Presque toutes?
Lieutenant Pellpengs mouth hung open. He had plans to turn 25,000 square kilometers of desert land into a green forest? If Gaddafi was slightly mad, the man before him was absolutely mad.
Right. Im going to turn the entire land from yellow-brown to dark green.
Even the Kyrenaika farmlands and Libyas Tripolitania under waterway construction are much smaller in size. Its impossible.
Lieutenant Pellpeng found the young man full of unrealistic dreams rather unfortunate. Libya used a large amount of money they had gained from selling oil at a national level. Although the person was receiving aid from the government, what could he do alone? Lieutenant Pellpeng also pitied himself for becoming Sancho, Don Quixotes servant.
Have you tried?
What do you mean? lieutenant Pellpeng mumbled.
What does he mean by, have you tried?
Im not Gaddafi, just as Ennedi isnt the Libyan Desert. Your job is to secure the regions border and develop groundwater. You just have to do your work.
Boom
When Black Mamba grew determined, an overwhelming force was released. The word impossible did not exist in his dictionary. CEO Jung Ju Young managed to run an oil tanker business without a single dock at the shipyard. Korean businessmen traveled around the world with product catalogs in hand. Nothing was determined until one tried.
Do you have an overall development roadmap planned, sir? lieutenant Pellpeng mumbled, his refute now silenced.
That isnt something I should worry about. Thats a job for the professionals.
Black Mamba turned to look at Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion.
Well have to study the soil first. Lieutenant, you can provide me with some sample topsoil, up to a meter underground, from a borehole. Trees and crop species are determined after investigating the results of the soil porosity[2], residual soil base material, and topsoil base material. Lieutenant, prioritize more on securing soil samples than finding groundwater.
Whats soil porosity? Black Mamba asked.
In simple terms, solid components refer to organic matters and minerals, while liquid components refer to soil moisture and the organic acids and inorganic acids present in the soil moisture. Gas components refer to nitrogen, oxygen, and methane retained in the soil. Should I explain more in detail?
Professor Orifices eyes twinkled. He could almost see the mans sadistic intention, which was forcing knowledge onto him. Black Mamba waved his hand.
No. Lets each do what we do best. Im not an opportunist who takes a friends job.
Everything begins with water. Once water is secured, we can modify the liquid and gas components by planting enough peas and crops to cover the surface. The soil wont be that bad once the leaching stabilizes.
Professor Orifice held a handful of soil in his hands and rubbed it between his fingers.
Although its dry, the soil particles have more fine materials[3] than coarse materials[4]. Although it doesnt absorb water well, it has high water retention. I can also see colloidal clay components since the ground is made up of sedimentary layers. Once the cations of metallic properties combine with organic anions, a green light will turn on to preserve the soil. Once theres enough water, the cassava and coffee farm that you wanted will be possible.
Yes, well, you can take care of that.
Black Mamba raised both of his hands in defeat at the string of scientific words used.
Are you talking about cassava and coffee?
Lieutenant Pellpeng shook his head. That was a land full of sand and rocks. Cassava needed plenty of water, and coffee required the right altitude and climate.
The altitude near Ennedi Plateau is too low for coffee farming, sir. Well have to move Novatopia a little lower to the west. Although the Ennedi Plateau is known for its higher eastern ground, the western grounds toward the Sahara have a higher altitude.
I know. I want to include Ounianga Kbir.
Ounianga Kbir?
The lieutenant was briefly caught up in his thoughts before he leaped to his feet.
Are you talking about the lakes of Ounianga where Lake Teli is?
You know about it? Yes, that is the place.
You cant include the Ounianga Kbir. 15 of our survey team members went missing near the Serir lakes where Lake Teli is. The government sent in a squadron from the airborne regiment but couldnt find any traces in their search. Even before retreating, the squadron, who had disappeared without a trace, suffered seven losses.
Werent there any further investigations?
The investigation ended when the FROLINATs took over the northern regions.
Hehe, I see. Bonipas used his brain.
Black Mamba laughed internally. While the French government did provide him with plenty of aid, they were also using him to resolve one of their problems. Bonipas must have thought of the Ounianga Kbirs missing cases when issuing the land.
The locals must have suffered some losses too.
Despite knowing about the monster that Ombuti and Edel had seen and the three escaping zombies that Barungo had witnessed, he feigned ignorance.
Yes. Its said that a ghost appears when the sandstorm hits the hardest. If their eyes met, one would be brainwashed to follow the ghost. Although I dont believe it, theres indeed an unknown threat.
I see. Instead of the nearby Lake Teli, you tried to transport water from Longor because you feared monsters.
Black Mamba provoked the lieutenants pride slightly. Lake Teli was a freshwater lake with a width of two kilometers and a length of six kilometers. It was barely 40 kilometers away from Navar.
The squadrons reports were realistic and accurate. I couldnt set up a base camp near the lakes because of the higher-ups orders. Not only do the locals avoid the lakes, but even the caravans go around it. The lieutenant shook his hands as though it was an impossible idea to entertain.
Whether its a ghost or a monster, Ill take care of it. Lieutenant, all you have to do is work together with Professor Orifice in the measurement and the development of groundwater.
Doubt crept up on lieutenant Pellpengs face at Black Mambas reassurance. If it hadnt been for Black Mambas rank, he would have hit the young man.
The lieutenant is right. We can leave the Ounianga region as it is and move the lower border to the left. The altitude at the top left regions of the Ennedi Plateau is around 900 meters above sea level. Although the quality of coffee is dependent on water and shade, the altitude is more important. Yawn
Professor Orifice yawned after all the lecturing. It was the aftereffect of suffering all night. His 50-year-old body had long lost its durability.
Lets do that, then. Lieutenant, adjust the borderline. Black Mamba nodded.
Understood. If you resolve the case in Ounianga, advisor, well move the base camp to Lake Teli and start hammering down the wood posts. I feel like there wont be enough even if we hammer down the border markers at one-kilometer intervals.
The lieutenant pointed at the truck. There were 10-meter long concrete piles loaded on 10 35-ton trucks. Bonipas words about endless support hadnt been a lie.
Huh, this isnt going to be easy! Black Mamba exclaimed a bit too late.
That was a land without human traces, an empty land without any landmarks to serve as a reference. The task of adjusting the borderline, too, was like hitting ones head on the ground.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, lets leave this place to the scouting team and go to the lakes of Ounianga. I want to see this lake and the ghost, Professor Orifice said as his eyes twinkled.
A picturesque lake that spread across the middle of the desert and an unknown monster! It was a world of fairytales. His curiosity had reached its peak.
He looks like an old man, but he is actually like a child inside.
Black Mamba was surprised by the mans headstrong ways. Curiosity was supposed to fade with age. He found the middle-aged mans curiosity overbearing.
Professor, itll be dangerous. The lakes of Ounianga arent like the Loch Ness that the rosbifs[5] speak of.
Dont worry. This friend is someone who can beat up a dinosaur if it appears. Ive become weaker, but I did graduate from the airborne regiment, you know, Professor Orifice bluffed his way through.
Orifice, the monster really exists. Its a dangerous existence, Black Mamba warned him in a low voice.
Professor Orifice flinched. If someone at Black Mambas level said it was dangerous, then it really was dangerous.
Ombuti witnessed it.
Then, lets go immediately. Theres nothing more to life than a grand adventure.
Ugh, why are there only extreme people around me? Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck at Professor Orifices excitement.
The Willys off-road Jeep with wide tires pushed through the rough terrain powerfully. Ahmad and Jamal were at the wheels. Black Mamba didnt want the mercenaries to witness his battle scene. While he could trust Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion, he couldnt trust the mercenaries.
Half of the Jeeps tires rolled, while the other half bounced. Various sceneries passed by. Novatopia was a long strip of land from the Ennedi Plateau to the Tibesti mountain ranges. There were all kinds of sights to be witnessed in the desert: Regs, a playa of salt deposits due to the evaporation of temporary lakes, sediments with visible rock layers, and a hamada that had suffered severe wind erosion.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, isnt it amazing? Professor Orifice asked, omitting the subject in his sentence.
Its enough to mistake this place as an alien territory or a Hollywood movie set. Do you think the terrain on the Moon or Mars is similar? Black Mamba joined in to admire the view.
These make amazing tourist spots. Land can be modified according to different uses. Europeans, who are tired of city life, yearn for nature. Itll be great if you could turn a man-made oasis into a bridge that works as a hub. I think you can earn plenty of money from specialized regions like tourist spots, agriculture, and coffee farming.
Even Professor Shernion couldnt stop his exclamations, having followed in Professor Orifices footsteps.
What made you think of Novatopia? Its surprising, but its even more surprising considering your age.
I didnt know things would escalate on such a big scale either. I once treated children contaminated by parasites in Atis MSF hospital. Filariasis or guinea worms can be prevented by simply boiling water. However, the locals didnt have wood to boil water. There was also a shortage of epinephrine and steroids, which are must-haves. I found those who were starving and suffering from diseases pitiful. I requested 50,000,000 francs for food and 1,000,000 square meters of fine mesh from France. If they cant boil water, they should at least be able to filter it now.
What? The massive amount of food and fine mesh sent to Chad was by your request? Professor Shernion asked in surprise.
Yes. I wanted to help them. These people were tormented not because of the lack of effort but because of the circumstances. I wanted to help them, at least, in such a manner.
Oh, my God! The media made a huge fuss about how humane and realistic the aid was. Even the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Red Cross Organization received so much praise. Although youre the one who came up with the solution, it seems like the government reaped the rewards instead.
So what? Its fine as long as the locals receive help. Black Mamba smiled.
As long as the government kept their promise and the lives of the locals improved by a little, it was a good thing. Bonipas was truly a smart and reliable man.
Huh, what a unique person. How can a person your age not seek fame and popularity? Are you a romanticist or a revolutionist?
Im not that great of a person. Im an ordinary person who wants to meet a kind and pretty girl, live in a picturesque house, and enjoy delicious homemade food.
Black Mambas mouth tilted up into a smile. Now that he thought about it, he sounded like Jin Soon.
Hehehe, its a dream that everyone dreams of, but its a romance that no ordinary human can achieve. A kind and pretty girl who cooks well doesnt exist or is already extinct. Professor Orifice laughed.
He recalled his wife, who lacked cooking skills and always annoyed him. Everyone dreamed of living life like in a drama, but the reality was mostly like a documentary.
You can call me a romanticist without a grasp of reality. Still, a human whos incapable of dreaming is only but a shell. A world that determines a humans status upon their birth is a dead world. Ive always dreamed of a world where one is rewarded based on their efforts. Novatopia isnt my wealth. Novatopia is a place where humans will live like humans. This will be the last place for those who have nowhere to go, those who are starved and suppressed, and those who wish to turn their lives around with their own efforts.
Boom
The involuntary activation of his resonance waves shook both Professor Orifice and Professor Shernions minds. Their eyes grew hazy. It was a symptom of the Ombuti virus, which spread on its own.
Oh, may Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, the romanticist, be praised!
Ahmads hands, which were on the wheel, trembled.
Incroyable! Add me to your romantic dream, wont you? Ill follow you around, even if it means carrying your shoes. God must have taken pity on me for aging so quickly and guided me to you.
Ill send in my resignation right now. You wont be able to ignore a pitiful unemployed man, right? Ive forgotten about romance for a long time now. Of course, a man should leave something behind in this world before he dies.
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernions eyes twinkled as though they were on fire. The romance they had carried in their youths blossomed to life all of a sudden.
[1] Almost all!
[2] Soil porosity is the gap between solid particles, which contain water and air.
[3] Particles of less than two millimeters in diameter.
[4] Particles of more than two millimeters in diameter.
[5] A term used by the French people to mock Englishmen.
Chapter 314 - Episode 5: Novatopia
Look at those eyes. Theyre completely into it. Theyre about to throw punches if he refuses, kekeke!
Ahmad tried his best to suppress his laughter. He understood the two middle-aged mens admiration for Ddu-bai-buru-pa. A males world was a world of strength. Strength in modern society was equivalent to power and money. Ddu-bai-buru-pa had power and money. Although power and money were great, they were temporary. They contributed to more external than internal satisfaction.
Was he lured by power and money? No. The true nature of a males power that fascinated other males was their primitive power and romanticism. If theres a sauce called hope added on top, it would become a first-rate addictive dish. The two middle-aged men were already addicted to the scent of another male, so it was too late for them to resist.
Huh, the best laborers possible want to go through labor themselves? Thats a grand welcome on my side. It seems like there will be more middle-aged friends. Ombuti and Professor Giz will be happy once they hear the news.
Professor Giz? Are you talking about the professor of neurology at the University of Paris, Professor Giz? Professor Orifice asked him in surprise.
Oui, do you know Professor Giz?
Hes my friend. Are you perhaps the Korean superhuman Mu-
Stop, the worlds large yet small. The string of connection exists everywhere. All is one, and one is all! Black Mamba interrupted Professor Orifice.
Professor Giz was around the same age as his father, who had already passed. Despite the age difference, they were friends who shared their deepest secrets. He recalled memories of the time they had enjoyed a Finnish sauna in the morning on the streets of Gaulle while laughing the entire time.
Friends were friends, and secrets were secrets. While the DGSE confused the world with all kinds of identities and names, there was no such thing as an eternal secret. The unhealthy relationship he grew with the U.S. made him careful. If his Korean identity, Park Mu Ssang, was made known, the people around him would most likely suffer.
That friend always talks about you. He said that youre a miraculous guy who walks his own path like the horn of a rhinoceros.
Giz is problematic because hes too affectionate and emotional.
That friend certainly knows the romantic ideals of life. Five years ago, he joined the MSF after discarding his Emeritus, which would have allowed him to play around all day. By now, he should be sh**ting blood somewhere under Africas skies.
Its that very person who stole half of my annual salary. He almost took my shoes too. Ddu-bai-buru-pa, since youre my boss, you need to pay me well. Then, Ill be able to live even if Giz rips me off. Hahaha!
Professor Shernion threw his head back and laughed with his mouth wide open.
Hehehe, Im talented at ripping money off people too. Its social and economic justice to take money from the rich and share them with the poor, right?
Right. Money that doesnt move rots. If money rots, the country rots. We need to let the money circulate.
Professor Orifice was excited. He was engrossed in the world of savages where there was nothing to fear, not forgetting the conversation he shared with the relentless man. The heavy mahogany table, hefty wage, the social status called PhD, and the bright citoyenne seemed like a handful of sand.
This is a request, and you might already know. Id rather not, and I shouldnt be revealed to the world. What happens to me must be taken to the grave. If not, youll lose many things.
Hehe, thats creepy. Ill do that only if you return the 200 francs that I lost to the girl with heavy hands, Professor Orifice said, taking a break from sharing his stories of Professor Giz. Professor Giz had also warned him that the young man didnt want to be revealed to the world.
Ugh, you stingy old man.
What are you talking about? Im a poor wandering scholar. Whys a rich man with 6,000,000 acres of land acting this way? Ah, you have an enormous farm in Doba too. Ill have no problem retiring if I leech off you forever! Kekeke. Professor Orifice laughed.
They were a group with no sense of fear. The Jeep slowed down upon entering the sediment region. Rough bedrocks made their appearance here and there, while the Sahara wind blew away the sand. The tires could burst with a single mistake.
People were moving busily on the other side of the Sahara desert, in the Mojave Desert. A small 18-seater jet entered the airport apron after finishing its run. When Adam and Matilda came down the trap, a black man in military uniform without any rank smiled, revealing his white teeth.
Mr. Adam, the cars ready for you.
The black guide didnt even bother looking at Matilda. It wasnt ordinary for a young soldier working at a remote location to ignore a beautiful woman. Despite being treated like a shadow, Matilda couldnt care less. She glanced at the guides emotionless eyes that looked like glass and turned her head.
Damn d*ckless b*stard!
Security guards who worked in the area underwent procedures to suppress their male hormones. That was to prevent honey traps.
The Jeep with Adam and Matilda in it left the runway. The rough desert appeared immediately. The Jeep drove off-road for 10 minutes.
Creak
The Jeep stopped in the middle of the desert, where no man-made buildings could be seen. It was Area 51, where every countrys spies, strategists, and intelligence groups strained their eyes to find.
The Mojave Desert in North America was a highland desert that spanned Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Located north of the desert was a facility as vibrant as the population of Las Vegas, located south of the desert. Area 51 was that facility. Its identity and existence had been under debate for half a century.
Deep inside the desert of 57,000 square kilometers was Groom Lake Air Force Base, associated with Nevada states Lincoln county. Located north of the military camp was a vast oval-shaped desert of 50 square kilometers. That was Area 51.
The reason behind Area 51s namethat it was located at 51 on the mapwas nothing but a rumor spread to hide the truth. There were speculations of Area 51 being an alien research lab, secret weapons research lab, biological testing lab, radioactive substances testing lab, and more. Despite their silence on the matter, the U.S. governments only response was that anyone who approached the area would be met with unwarned fire. There were several eyewitness testimonies of the death of dozens of people who had attempted to get near the area with cameras in hand.
The black guide showed both of them a keypad the size of a palm. Adam silently scanned both his thumb and forefinger and lowered his eyes to look into the camera.
Clang
The ground split in half. A pillar made out of metal shot up. When Adam and Matilda got into the elevator, the black man raised two of his fingers in salute and disappeared.
Damn b*stards! Adam cursed through gritted teeth.
While there was no way a mere security guard could recognize him, the black mans actions seemed as though he was mocking him.
Adam felt uneasy ever since he received a call from the head overseer, Davis. The special operations team he led in the CIA maintained their independence and acted as a separate division. To give the CIA more power, the Reagan administration divided them into four divisions: Central Intelligence, Operations, Science and Technology, and Resources.
While the CIAs fame grew, Adams declined. The special operations team led by Adam merged with the Operations division. Head of Special Operations, Adam, was demoted to the head of the newly established Operations division. Adam, who enjoyed absolute power from spending on separate funds, received substantial damage to his pride.
The backbone of the CIAs reorganization and the one responsible for driving Adam into a corner was the head overseer, Davis. The possibility of Davis firing him made him anxious, resulting in high-level serotonin production in his brain.
Damn Contra, that damn b*stard Abbadon!
Adam complained while glaring at the elevator button that lit up as the elevator descended.
Head of Special Operations, Adam, had failed to dismantle Nicaraguas Sandinista National Liberation Front in 1979. The U.S. fully supported Somozas dictatorship in Nicaragua for decades. There was only one reason behind their support, and that was Somozas partiality toward the U.S. It was an extension of the consistent line bad guy but my side, very common in U.S. foreign policies.
The peoples revolutionary movement, which protested Somozas dictatorship, grew violent since the mid-1970s. The CIA initiated an operation to break down the Sandinista, a core of the resistance movement. They organized a right-wing rebel group called the Contra and provided them with weapons and funds.
The operation fell apart under the authority of the CIAs special operations team. The CIA got entangled with the Sandinistas hit-and-run strategies and couldnt tell apart friend from foe. Most of the weapons provided to the Contra fell into the hands of the Sandinista instead.
After closer inspection, it wasnt a mistake but a result of failing to go against the flow. Most of the citizens who were enraged by Somozas dictatorship sided with the Sandinista.
Adam received the blame for the operations failure. While the Contra operation was still ongoing, Adam was no longer in charge. The operation that Adam had initiated to regain trust from the powerful government officials was Syrias Cuckoos Nest operation.
It was said that those whore unfortunate would still get their nose broken even if they fell on their backs. The Cuckoos Nest operation, which he had invested several years on, was uprooted entirely by a b*stard called Abaddon. He had spent 1,200,000,000 dollars alone on funds. His precious consultants and agents, who served as national resources to the human network spread across Syria, went missing and were destroyedall because of one guy.
Adam had already been standing on the edge of the cliff because of the Contra operations failure. Abbadon simply pushed him over.
Damn b*stard!
Adam, stop swearing. Swearing at a dead man will just dirty your mouth.
Adam glared at Matilda, who had interrupted him.
Are you certain?
If Abaddon is a god, he might be alive. Honestly, I hope hes alive so that I can crush him to death with my hips. Matilda licked her lips.
Damn b****, crushing someone to death with her a**, ha!
Adam clicked his tongue softly. She was as beautiful and lustful as Monroe. His eyes unknowingly strayed to her a**.
The elevator, which seemed to descend endlessly, stopped.
Cling
C3 flickered on the indicator screen. Adam, the head of Special Operations, no, the head of the newly established Operations division, felt dizzy. That was his third visit to the large facility located 200 meters underground, a place he didnt want to visit.
Phew, Davis is going to snap at us like a rooster again. Adam let out a deep sigh.
The Cuckoos Nest operation was a pillar of the Socrates Project. There were many variables to overseas projects. While the window of failure was open, the Cuckoos Nest operation was an entirely different matter. A natural disaster had upturned the entire nest the moment it was time to savor the results.
A middle-aged white man greeted Adam before the elevator entrance. There wasnt a single black man down there. Adams gaze stopped on the left side of the mans chest. There was no rank or association emblem. C3-1, that was the only mark on the mans uniform. He only introduced himself as a guide.
Welcome. Would you like to see the incubator?
What about the director?
He is currently in a meeting with the committee members.
Guide, what happened to the experiment subjects we released into the Sahara?
They failed. The zombies we ordered to attack around Ennedi attacked the caravans instead.
Whatis that true? Adam raised his voice in surprise.
Three humans and five camels entered their stomachs after being torn to shreds. However, this isnt the first time it happened. This time, their primitive nature exploded in a situation that we have no control over.
The guide spoke of the horrible event as though it was nothing but a broken lawnmower.
Ugh, what the hell! The caravans usually avoided the region around Lake Teli. How did they end up there?
I dont know either. A decade ago, we installed a low-frequency rotor generator to chase away animals. Even people feared coming near the place because of the rumor about zombies appearing there. There was no better place to run a test on the experiment subjects. I dont know why the caravans decided to approach Lake Teli. The camels are bound to run away on their own.
Theres no such thing as bound on Earth. There are cases whereby projects fail due to unexpected variables. Have they been exterminated yet?
Theyre uncontrollable. The suicide bombs we placed in their stomachs arent activating. Their highly acidic stomach fluids might have melted the detonator.
Adams eyes widened. If the experiment subjects, Grendel, ran to a populated region, the results would be devastating. While they could stick out a ducks foot or keep hush about the matter, it would hinder the main MK Ultra project.
This is a problem. What happened to the local agents?
Grendel killed everyone.
Damn, theyll leave the lake once they get used to the environment outside. What are you planning to do?
Adam and the guide didnt bother to pretend to express their condolences upon hearing about the death of the caravan members. The cold intelligence director and research leader who had lost his humanity prioritized the clean-up more.
Theres still some time left. Those b*stards need at least 15 days to adjust to the heat and sun outside. They wont be able to stand more than two hours in the Sahara sun.
Those b*stards are creatures that evolve on their own. Since they melted the bombs, shouldnt they be able to regenerate skin? What are you planning to do?
Im a guide. Ask the director, the guide answered carelessly and turned his head.
Damn b*stard!
Adam suppressed the swear words that almost rolled off the tip of his tongue. The b*stards who worked in that region lacked humanity and manners. On the other hand, he could finally sigh in relief. He could guess the reason why he was called down there.
Lets go.
Adam followed the guide through an endless corridor. The guide stopped before a metal door. The light blue metal door gleamed in white under the lights. The guide worked on the keypad. The camera and fingerprint machines were pushed out of the wall silently.
Chapter 315 - : Novatopia
Adam placed both of his hands on the camera plate and lifted his face onto the chin rest. He opened his eyes wide and looked into the mirror ahead.
Clack
A small sound rang. The infrared cameras zoom lens analyzed the shape, color, and morphology of retinal capillaries and looked for a match in its database.
Clear, please wait in the respective disinfection room after removing your clothes.
The metal doors opened at the machines monotonous instruction.
Whoosh
A powerful air deflector was activated. Once the two passed, the metal doors shut firmly behind them.
Please wear the provided sterilized uniform after the disinfection.
Adam and Matilda entered the respective disinfection room without a single thread on their body.
Whoosh
Hot phenol spread out like smoke.
F***ing son of a b****!
Adam complained as he held onto his aching rear and private part. Phenol had strong antiseptic properties and a strong odor that irritated the skins mucous membranes. It was a horrible procedure for Adam, who had skin allergies. It wasnt as though he couldnt understand, but the complicated procedure exacerbated his irritation.
Adam and Matilda, who left the rooms in sterilized uniforms, stood before a tempered glass shield door. Matilda tried to peek inside but couldnt see anything due to the white frosting. She tried tapping the glass with her palm.
The guide tapped Matildas shoulder and pointed at the ceiling. There were sleeping gas nozzles on the ceiling and walls. It was a warning for them to stop acting strange. Sleeping gas nozzles had to be set up as there were frightening entities inside the double-sealed doors.
The guide worked on the keypad to open the door. Cold air rushed out from the space within, enough to freeze their faces. There were lines of cylindrical water tanks inside. It was a biological research lab commonly seen in Hollywood science-fiction movies.
Adam wandered around the small and large creatures knee-deep in liquid. The liquid was divided into five categories according to their colors. The liquid in the embryonic tanks was colorless, and the liquid in the adult tanks was red. Although embryos werent indicated, the subjects changed significantly from the third row of tanks onward. They were humans and primates.
The MK Ultra project overseen by the CIA progressed in three parts. The first was a human-type, whereby gorilla or chimpanzee genes were inserted into a human embryo. The second was a Grendel-type, whereby human genes were inserted into a gorilla embryo, and the last one was an ultrasoldier-type, whereby artificial muscles were attached. That was a place of cultivation for human and Grendel types.
Even Adam and Matilda, who were at security level one, couldnt access anywhere beyond the two entrance sectors. They didnt know how many labs there were in the underground facility or how many experiments had taken place.
Are there any ripe human-types?
Two are ripe.
The expression ripe referred to the stage when an experiment subject could remain outside of a cell division equipment for an extended amount of time.
The guide led them to an isolated room with several layers of walls. It was warm, unlike the disinfection rooms. Matilda pressed her face against the water tank. The black man inside the water tank opened his eyes.
Gwooo
A great low-frequency howling escaped the mans mouth. The liquid swirled, and the reinforced glass vibrated.
Dont approach them. They arent tamed yet.
Amazing. What is their battle capacity?
The test isnt complete yet. Were assuming that their speed and strength is 20 MF. They should be able to tear apart a gorilla or lion. The ELF can also disarm an opponent.
Ha, its the true birth of a neohuman. When can you distribute them?
They need at least six months considering the acclimatization period and EEG synchronization transmitter manufacturing period. If you need a bomb to go on a rampage, Ill give one to you right now.
Adam grew offended. The C3-1 guide b*stard was definitely the C3 areas manager and research leader. It seemed as though a weakling, who spends the whole typing away on a keyboard, was trying to one-up him.
I refuse. A weapon that cant tell apart a friend from a foe is better off unutilized. I dont want to be eaten alive after all. How smart are they?
They should be at the level of a primary schooler.
Hmm, their level is no more or less than that of a hitman.
Despite his bored tone, Adam was quite satisfied. Those subjects would become hitmen anyway. If a half-human, half-animal chimera came to possess an intelligent brain, controlling them would become difficult. A weapon that couldnt be properly controlled was useless no matter how good they were.
Have you given up on the Grendel?
Thats something the director has decided.
Well, the specs arent right for our companys usage. There wont be any greater chaos than the appearance of a super gorilla in a populated area.
The MK Ultra project has only just begun. Once the genome is analyzed, we can connect the broken chains to the abnormalities of their immune system. There will soon be a true human weapon. Even primary schoolers know that the first airplane flew 37 meters in 12 seconds.
This b*stards really stingy.
Adam turned his feet around. The mechanism of the Ultra Humans creation was a secret. Although there were rumors about them using alien substances, that wasnt his concern. No one bought a car just to understand its inner workings. Driving it well was a greater concern than understanding its structure.
Adam, its been some time.
A thin 60-year-old man greeted Adam. The room was as bare as the mans pale face. There were only tables and bookshelves in the room. There wasnt a single decorative miniature on the table either.
The presidents attorney general, Henry Davis, was the Socrates Projects head overseer. He was the true man in power under the Reagan administration. Even the director of the CIA was wrapped around his little finger.
Yes, how are you, Davis?
Adam sighed in relief. The head overseer was three years his senior at Princeton University. When Davis called him by his name instead of honorifics, it meant that he regarded him as a lowerclassman at that moment.
Whats the status of the Nicaragua Contra support?
His first question was about Nicaragua. The thorn in the flesh for the Reagan administration was Ortega of Nicaragua. In 1979, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which was led by the pro-Russian Ortega, managed to overthrow the pro-American Somoza familys dictatorship of 46 years. Although the U.S. wasnt happy about the pro-Russian faction who had established themselves under their nose, there wasnt enough cause to interfere in another countrys internal affairs. To overthrow the Ortega government, the CIA was planning to organize a rebel group called the Contra.
I only follow your orders, Special Operations Director.
Davis eyes narrowed at his blunt reply. Realizing his mistake, Adam quickly added, Ive prepared a training base in Honduras. Currently, we have around 10,000 members. Weve been distributing manuals on the tactics of freedom fighters and psychological strategies of guerrilla wars. Currently, 20 agents are undergoing intense psychological warfare training. The problem is that there are only negative responses from the Nicaragua people.
The citizens of Nicaragua, who were tired of the Somoza dictatorship, were extremely supportive of the left partys Sandinista government led by Ortega. The Contra rebels who supported Somoza found it hard to set foot in the country. At his wits end, Adam started a secret operation of Contra-related activities in Honduras forest.
As you well know, leaving the Sandinista government alone will lead to communism in Central America. America isnt generous enough to let a b*stard aim a gun at their head. The stupid Nicaraguans are blindsided by Ortegas honeyed words. Americas mission is to get them back to their senses.
I know that well. Ive been using the Honduras government as a shield for the transfer of weapons and funds. There wont be instances where we have to deploy our own forces, Adam said carefully.
Currently, the international community suspected the U.S., but they denied all claims of supporting a rebellion.
Of course. Weve shed too much blood in Vietnam. The Contra freedom fighters should fight their own battles.
It wont be easy. The Contra freedom fighters arent right in the head. Civilian terrorism is severe. Explosions, arson, kidnapping, rape, and robberyone hand isnt enough to keep up with their activities in the local regions. There is an increasing number of protests from international charities and human rights organizations. Secretary of Defense, Weinberg, has also expressed serious concern.
Ignore that old man. The people wholl have blood on their hands are the government officials and the CIA anyway. Its funny how some gangsters are acting like freedom fighters, but national interest comes first. Ill contact the Minister of Defense. You take care of the Nicaragua Contra operation and get rid of Ortega by all means. My head hurts from dealing with Castro alone.
Adams eyes twinkled. That meant head overseer Davis was going to support him throughout the plan. The seat of the operations subdirector flickered before his eyes.
Thank you. I wont disappoint you.
Ive made a mistake this time because of my impatience.
Are you talking about the Ennedi Plateau?
That happened.
I would have rushed too. No one would have doubted us if we sent in the Grendel to assassinate Ortega. No idiot would charge a gorilla for murder after all, Adam said, scratching Davis itchy parts.
You heard from the guide. The cause of the problem is unknown. The last field test went awry. I was going to move the DIA shadows myself but called you instead. You know why, dont you?
Thank you. Ill get rid of all their traces.
Two Grendels were released. Those b*stards are fast like cheetahs and stronger than gorillas. You have to be very wary of their extremely-low frequency attacks. Based on tests, their power extended to 300 meters in range. Take care of them secretly and make sure to retrieve their bodies. Those Lubyanka [1] b*stards are being exceptionally wary nowadays. The Sahara is a place where SIGINT [2] activity is impossible. I cant help you with Imint [3] because of the Lubyanka b*stards too.
I understand. Ill send out a consultant immediately.
Youre a person with a lot of work to do. Forget about the Cuckoos Nest. I get sad watching you all droopy.
Davis made a regretful face comparable to the expression of a poor man who couldnt afford a cake for his beloveds birthday. Adam flinched. Henry Davis was cold-blooded like a serpent. That expression was to warn him that if he failed once more, his head would fly.
Thank you for your concern. Ill start the operation immediately.
Adam, politicians are born complex people. The forest is important. A few trees dont matter. All you need to do is make me believe that you handled a great project without any problem.
Davis smiled. Adam felt goosebumps on the back of his neck.
Whew!
Adam let out a sigh of relief after escaping the tigers den. Davis seemed willing to change seats as long as the project wrapped up nicely. Of course, if he failed, his current chair would disappear.
Matilda, is there a Hercules at the Riyadh Air Base?
Theres two. We can move one immediately.
And the number of special forces we can deploy to Chad?
The Eisenhower ship is currently sailing to Somalia from Aden. There are two Navy SEAL teams on board, Matilda replied immediately.
She always provided the necessary information, even in unpredictable times. That was the reason why Adam trusted Matilda and kept her close. Her memory could store information better than a computer. Ill check the papers or Ill have to confirmshe never used such excuses.
The Navy SEALs were made up of teams of 16 to 26 people. He could arm two teams with heavy weapons and shoot them down from the sky at the Lakes of Ounianga. Bullets were useless against the Grendel. A parabellum bullet would unlikely scratch their hide. Machine guns and direct bombs would be more effective weapons. But what about public opinion? Adam felt his head spin quickly.
Although history said that theres no such thing as coincidences, the clash between the CIA and Black Mamba was a result of coincidence. The Grendels went mad because their brain waves were affected by the interference of Black Mambas resonance waves. The unstable brain wave interference device and transmitter manufactured in Area 51 were useless.
There were two reasons why the caravans had approached Lake Teli. Firstly, the large dune used as cover by a survivor had shifted. Secondly, the scouting team led by Lieutenant Pellpeng had crushed most of the low-frequency rotor generators with their large trucks. It was all a coincidence.
The fact that Adam would encounter Black Mamba, who had threatened his position with the natural disaster in Kaparja Valley, was also an unfortunate coincidence.
It was barely 40 kilometers from Navar to Serir lakes. The Jeep passed the sediment region, and soon, the Serir lakes came into sight.
There are no villages or caravans. Did you purposefully ask for uninhabited land?
Although that wasnt exactly my wish, its true that I wanted an isolated land. I had to consider cultural conflicts and public opinion. I wanted the Bodl Depression, but there was a possibility of Libya interfering, and Habr didnt seem to like the idea, Black Mamba replied honestly to Professor Shernions question.
Ha, you looked at the forest and didnt lose sight of a high-quality tree. I feel like youre not a romantic philanthropist in your twenties but a 70-year-old politician.
Im not a romantic philanthropist but a selfish person. Wait, Ahmad, turn off the engine.
The Jeep stopped at a point five kilometers away from the destination. When the Jeeps engine grew silent, the sounds of the desert could be heardthe sound of the wind, sand, insects digging into the ground, and the seeds crying because the ground suffocated them.
Black Mamba stopped breathing and concentrated. The wind carried the stale smell of blood and water. His sight was limited, as it was quite a distance for his dimensional sight.
[1] A nickname for the KGB.
[2] Intelligence-gathering by interception of signals.
[3] Video information.
Chapter 316 - Episode 7: Novatopia
He could barely understand the creatures thoughts. The mind of an existence, which was unlike a human, made its noticeable mark. Blacky had exuded an overpowering force and a farce of strength. On the other hand, Ocelots aura was filled with arrogance and malice. The mind that he could finally grasp was filled with despair and endless rage.
Ahmad, full speed ahead. Once the battle commences, take the professors to a safe hiding place. The opponent isnt human. The safety of the VIPs is your responsibility.
Yes, I understand.
Ahmad raised the radio.
Masters orders. Guard all sides. Move back and hide once the battle commences. Our job is to protect the professors. Over!
Go!
Black Mamba took out his specialized MP5SD3 from his backpack and assembled it. He checked his Kukri and Vajra, then secured the backpack strings tightly. The Boss-saurus jaw tendon he shoved between his back and the backpack was a reliable shield for his back. He agonized over the Rakshasas absence.
Did the monster appear? Professor Orifice asked without a hint of fear on his face.
I smell blood. I cant tell whats happening because were too far. I believe its an unconfirmed animal(UMA).
Really? Olala, its an unconfirmed animal, then? This is exciting. Giz, that b*stard. Hell be so disappointed. He once published a paper about how ghosts and monsters are none other than an error of the human brain, you see. Its not a lie but a mistake. Shernion, you need to take photos of this. Giz is about the same age as Alain Delon. Itll be a sight to see his handsome old face frown. Kehehehe! Professor Orifice shouted in excitement.
Black Mamba snorted in astonishment. He looked about as excited as a lover who received a call from their partner on Christmas Eve. It was said that cats raised among tigers regarded themselves as tigers, and Professor Orifice was behaving the same way.
The opponent isnt human. If you act out of the blue, there will be trouble. The world isnt everything as it seems. Theres a saying that curiosity killed the cat.
A creature that is non-existent in this world? Thats scary. So what! Im not a cat.
Professor Shernion smiled and attached a telephoto lens with a 15x zoom ratio to the camera. His face was full of expectation and curiosity.
Ugh, Id rather not talk.
Black Mamba was at a loss for words.
Yes, what else? Theres nothing to life but a good solid blow. Theres a real monstrous friend here, so whats the worry? Will the philanthropist who cared for a dying man truly ignore his friends in danger?
Professor Orifice kept talking about the one lucky hit of his life. The two immature middle-aged men fearlessly continued their conversation as though they believed Black Mamba to be their trustworthy guard. Either that or they didnt understand the graveness of the situation.
Anyway, you cant distract me from the fight.
Oh, come on. Im someone who crawled my way through the Indochina forests in my youth.
Ha! Right.
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. He had a feeling that his life would get much more tiresome with Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion in it.
The sun rose high in the sky. The ground sizzled as light reflected off the crystal rocks onto the sand. There were sparse bushes and grass all over while flies hovered around. It meant that there was water nearby.
There was a flipside to the Ennedi Plateau. There were no flies or mosquitoes. Since there was no water within several kilometers on both sides, flies and mosquitoes had no opportunity to breed.
Bang Bang
The MP5 started spewing fire.
Keegh
A hyena jumped out from a pile of grass. It spun once in its place and collapsed.
It seems like I was too nervous.
Black Mamba felt awkward. Hed killed an innocent animal. He was on edge because of his friends who couldnt fight. Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion started arguing over the possibility of hyenas living in Ennedi or if they had crossed the desert by coincidence. They really were fearless people.
The Jeep crossed the dunes. The musty smell of water washed over them. Blue light shined through the red sandstone rocks. It was the Serir lakes. He heard there were seven small lakes to the east and six small lakes to the west, with Lake Teli located in the center. However, he couldnt see them because the dunes blocked his view.
The Jeep drove around an enormous pyramid-shaped dune. The color blue filled their view.
Ola! Its the lake! Professor Shernion shouted as he narrowed his eyes.
A blue lake spread before them. Like a fan, there were long lakes to the right and left of the large lake. Professor Shernion immediately picked up his camera.
Stop!
The car stopped 400 meters before the lake. He could smell the lingering scent of blood. It was strong enough to knock out his sense of smell. Black Mambas expression grew dark. He didnt have the freedom to enjoy the sight of water glistening under the strong sunlight.
The silent lake overflowing with killing intent seemed like it would explode any moment. The killing intent didnt belong to a zombie. There had already been bloodshed. The reeds and acacia trees that surrounded the lake were destroyed and uprooted.
He could see two objects floating in the lake. He utilized his eyesight. The lakes scenery zoomed into focus before him as though he had used a zoom lens. They were the heads of camels. There were no bodies, just their heads floating around.
Black Mamba turned to the long lake located next to the main lake. There was the perpetrator.
Do chimpanzees like water?
Black Mamba tilted his head. Monkeys lived in Ennedi too. They were the Cape baboons and Savanna baboons. Chimpanzees were primates that lived in forests. The figure submerged in the water was large compared to a chimpanzee. Its straight black hair, thick shoulder muscles, thick arms, and built body resembled a chimpanzee. However, it wasnt one. Despite its angular features, its eyes were narrow, and clearly, it was black and white like a human. Its small mouth didnt stick out, and its sharp nose resembled a human.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, its the monster. Its at the bottom left side of Lake Teli, Ahmads voice wavered as he watched the monster through his binoculars.
I am looking.
Black Mamba sounded calm. The chimpanzee-looking monster was larger than a silverback gorilla. From what he could tell from its exposed upper body, it was 240 centimeters tall and weighed around 300 to 350 kilograms.
The monster slowly turned its body.
So it is a chimera? Black Mamba muttered.
Its back was scaly like an alligator. It was the genetically engineered creature he had heard from Bonipas. Moreover, the creature carried human genomes.
Damn b*stards, Ill crush you all, Black Mamba said through gritted teeth.
The monsters background worried him more than the monster itself. The reason why he broke up the Vodou religion was because of the zombies. Those who trampled on the dignity of humans were those who had given up on being human.
The U.S. was the only country with enough funds and bioengineering technology to create a chimera. It had to be a part of the MK Ultra project that the CIA was operating. France had dissolved the Arago Project, but it was rumored that the U.S. resumed their biological experiments somewhere in the Mojave Desert.
How far could human greed and malice go? Human greed had ultimately placed another human on the operation bed as an experiment subject. The U.S. had been outraged by the massacre of Jews but remained silent about the biological experiments executed by Japan. There were even rumors about unit 731s research papers being handed over to the U.S. The Yankee b*stards preached about human rights in other countries but conducted biological experiments of their own. He was the epitome of the Korean saying, Romantic men are illicit men.
Let me see.
Professor Orifice took over Ahmads binoculars.
Ho, what is that? Its a chimera.
Professor Orifice took a deep breath. A chimpanzee with an exposed upper body and a lower body submerged in water, no, a komodo filled his viewfinder. Professor Orifices synapses activated, recalling the humanoid UMAs in his memories, such as the Yeti, Bigfoot, and chupacabra.
Amazing. Shernion, take pictures!
Professor Shernion raised his camera.
Click
Click
The camera shutter clicked away.
Damn, it noticed!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The monsters ears flinched before it turned its body around. Its fiery red eyes filled the camera lens. Those were eyes filled with bloodthirst and resentment.
Woah!
Surprised, Professor Shernion dropped his camera. The monster opened its mouth.
Guoooo
A low and heavy howling played like an orchestra testing the strings collectively at once. The air rippled like water.
Bang
A strong explosion rang. It went beyond 200 decibels. The pressure wave hit Professor Shernion and Professor Orifice. Their surrounding air heated up. It was similar to the shockwave produced by a cannon shell at close range.
Ugh!
Professor Orifice dropped the binoculars and wrapped his arms around his head. His intestines twisted, and his head blanked out as though hed been knocked over by a hammer. Drool dripped down the corner of Professor Shernions mouth. Even Ahmads face lost its color.
Whoosh
The ground shook.
No, ELF[1]?!
Black Mambas mouth hung open. The creatures ELF attack had a different mechanism compared to blackys ELF attack. Blacky would either release the resonance waves in a straight line to shake the water molecules of a living organism or suck in the air between two-layered frequency lines to pierce a hole through a target.
That b*stard pushed out compressed air with sound waves. At very high pressure, air rose rapidly in temperature. It created a ball of air that would burst after reaching a critical point, and the heat and pressure waves would then strike the target.
The monsters ELF attack mechanism was similar to the way snapping shrimps attacked their targets. The snapping shrimps knocked their pincers simultaneously to produce high-pressure and high-speed cavitation bubbles. A large sound and impact rang once the air bubbles burst. A creature larger than a snapping shrimp could be knocked out.
While it lacked in comparison to blackys ELF attack, the fact that it could target someone 400 meters away without falling apart was more important.
Is the world about to get messed up? Why are strange things popping up here and there?
Although it was a weak ELF attack, it had done damage to his friends. The monster opened its mouth once more. He could clearly see the air vibrating violently.
Guooo-
Om-
The moment the monster tried to attack, a powerful growl erupted from Black Mambas mouth. The ELF attack, which Black Mamba imitated and spat out, landed right on the monsters air bubble.
Bang
It burst.
Whoosh
A small whirlwind broke out at the point where Black Mamba and the monsters attacks met. Dense sand flew everywhere.
The lower belly of the raging monster expanded quickly.
Guooooo
Another frequency attack rang as its lower belly fell back in. Black Mamba, whose inner eye was activated, could see the exact trajectory of the compressed air.
Om
Bang
Whoosh
The air bubble exploded, and sand swirled up. It was a never-before-seen contest of frequency attacks and sound sniping.
Woah
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion, who had recovered from their shock, looked on with their mouths wide open.
Shernion, did you see that?
I did. Professor Mussolini would probably hit the ground in regret for missing this adventure.
The two were excited by the unbelievable exchanges between a monster and a monster-like human. The immature middle-aged men were truly unstoppable.
Wait, that b*stards really angry. Hurry, take a picture. Ah! Professor Orifice shouted.
Kuagh
The monster, which primitive instincts were running at full force, ran out of the water. It wasnt a chimpanzee. A long and thick tail stuck out between its legs.
The monster sprinted fast, despite its large body. A cloud of dust followed its trail. The distance was reduced by the time they exclaimed.
Huh, its faster than a cheetah.
Whoosh
Black Mamba, who had been sitting in the Jeeps front seat, hurled his body out. He spun once in the air and bounced off the floor, extending his body in flight like a high-tension spring. The distance between the monster and himself was reduced immediately.
The firing of a machine gun broke out in the air.
Tatata
His three-tap firing sequence commenced. The monster was hampered by the continuous hits to its head and chest.
Kegh
After suffering three rounds of the three-tap firing sequence, the monster flinched back. Sensing danger, the monster started moving in zig-zags to avoid the bullets. It behaved similarly to a rattlesnake.
Is it smart, or is that just instincts?
The gun spewed bullets without rest. The monster tried its best, but the bullets never missed its body. It couldnt avoid the god-level sniping paired with dimensional sight at close range. The monster collapsed after receiving 30 bullet hits.
Wow! Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion exclaimed.
Ahmad, pull back the car and hide in the shade! his shout resounded.
Ahmad turned the car around and shoved it deep between several sandstone pillars. Without delay, Jamal followed him to hide his car. There was always a reason behind Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas orders.
Black Mamba frowned and swapped out his magazine. The monsters life force hadnt come to an end yet. Its undefeatable shell was not affected by several rounds of bullets.
The monster on the floor twisted its body around. The monsters skin rippled like waves. The embedded bullets fell out of its body. Parabellum bullets had weak penetrative force. That b*stard wasnt something that could be done in by an MP5.
It really is a biological weapon. Damn Yankee b*stards, should I test out my billions water armor then? Ugh!
Black Mamba leaped. The sand under his feet shot up like a geyser and a metal stick the width of his arm swept past the spot where he was standing. It was an attack that would have broken his legs into pieces had he not sensed it. There was another b*stard.
Black Mamba, who had shot up into the air, instinctively bashed his machine gun down on the new opponents head. Black Mambas strength, combined with gravity, was enough to separate the metal stick into half.
Crack
However, instead of the monsters head, the MP5 broke. Fragments of the machine gun scattered everywhere.
[1] Extremely-low frequency.
Chapter 317 - Novatopia
The chimera monsters head was as strong as the stone monkey Sun Wukongs, no, Black Mambas head.
Ha, what the f***?!
The unexpected revelation caused Black Mamba to go off balance.
Crack
Nails like blades grazed his lower body. Surprised, Black Mamba reflexively pushed it back with his billions water armor.
Bang
The sound of an explosion rang. No matter how strong a monsters head was, it couldnt defeat an ancient unique item like the billions water armor. The monsters nails shattered like glass, and its fingers, which were as thick as cucumbers, crushed.
Kerrr
The monster that was about to pull itself out of the ground went back in.
The first monster managed to shake off the damage from getting shot in that brief exchange.
Tutututu
Bullets with crushed heads fell to the ground. The monster charged forward, swinging both of its arms.
Rumble
Despite its 400-kilogram body, it moved like a rhinoceros. It was comparable to water pouring out of a dam.
Flick
Black Mambas body shot sideways as though he was wire-flying.
Bang
The monster then jumped out of the ground to chase after Black Mamba. It quickly caught up to Black Mambas speed. As soon as the monster got to its feet, the other monster joined in. It was the beginning of a physical battle between two monsters and a human.
When black and yellow met, the sound of impacts rang, and both sides fell back instantly. A total distance of 10 meters, followed by 20 meters, was overcome at once. A series of explosions rang again, causing dust to rise.
The audience tried to concentrate on the scene with bloodshot eyes but couldnt get a clear view of their movements. If an impact rang, they knew someone had been hit, and when one fell back, they knew it was the monsters that had been hit. That was the limit of their ordinary eyesight.
Professor Shernion slowly raised his camera. Ahmad quietly pushed down his arm.
Professor, you are one of Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas friends.
Since Im his friend, I have to document this great scene.
My master doesnt want to be exposed to the world. Ahmads gaze grew cold.
He looked like he would confiscate Professor Shernions camera if he insisted.
Sorry! Its my curiosity talking.
Professor Shernions face grew slightly red. No good would come of his friends abilities being made known to the world. Professor Orifice tried to break the awkward mood.
Look at that. The dead guy came back to life. How is that creature still alive after getting shot? Am I dreaming?
Zombies created by Vodou priests wont die after several rounds of bullet shots. My master destroyed dozens of them at the farm in Doba. Theres nothing to worry about.
Oh, look at that! Professor Orifice shouted.
The situation was escalating violently. The monster had used its friends shoulder as a springboard to flip in the air like an acrobat and kicked Black Mambas head. It looked like a lively bird despite its heavy body.
Bang
Black Mamba flinched back at the unexpected attack. Black Mambas head was about as strong as an Epidiums. His sturdy neck muscles dismantled the shock. As the blow took effect, the two monsters rushed in, springing from the ground. A black line was drawn in the air.
Black Mambas body shook from side to side. With the fearless steps activated, his body swayed like a falling leaf.
Whoosh
Nails like blades grazed his chest. One of the monsters attacked from behind.
Ha!
Black Mamba grabbed the monsters head and turned to face its back. His fingers dug deep inside the monsters skull. The billions water armor inflicted damage that seemed to imitate the effects of the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. The monster couldnt bear the pain of its holed head.
As the first monster attempted to escape Black Mambas grasp, the other monster had rushed in from the other side and dug its claws into its friends chest.
Kegh
A desperate cry sounded.
Black Mamba attached himself to the monster, tucked in his lower body, and swung the monsters upper body around. Like a radish, the 400-kilogram body was lifted out of the ground and spun once in the air.
Bang
The large body landed on the ground like a nail being hammered in. It was a strong flip, enough to cause the ground to quake. The monsters skull, which was in the grasp of his billions water armor, fell out with that impact.
There was one more to go.
Bang
An iron-like shoulder crashed into Black Mamba. It was an unyielding crash. Black Mamba rolled on the ground after being flung several meters away.
No, were in trouble! Dubais been done in! Professor Orifice shouted in surprise.
Blood drained from Professor Shernions face. Even Ahmad trembled in fear. Although he had turned one monster into a paste by flipping it onto the ground, he ended up becoming a paste in the process too.
Dear Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name- Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion kneeled and prayed instead of yelling about that one solid blow in life like they always did.
Tigers were tigers, and cats were cats.
Ahmad raised the radio.
Jamal, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa has been-
I saw.
Cant you shoot it with your Barrett?
Those b*stards are too fast. I cant aim at it with my skills.
Should I go help?
With your toothpick-like shamshir? Dont overstep your boundaries. Our master is Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Someone like him wont even blink at that impact.
Yes, sir.
Ahmad shoved the radio, which hed been holding, into his pocket. His nerves made it hard for him to relax his fingers. That monster remained fine even after receiving several rounds of bullets. His usually steady limbs trembled in fear. Even his trustworthy shamshir looked like a toothpick.
The amused monster started tittering to the point that rocks would have shattered. Black Mamba, whod flown like a soccer ball, struggled to stand. If the Boss-saurus tendon hadnt protected him, his spine would have already shattered.
Kerrr
The ends of the monsters mouth curled up. It looked satisfied.
Youre laughing? Oh, youre dead!
Crack
The rock, which received the damage, crumbled. A yellow line bolted toward the laughing monsters hands.
Bang
The monster ended up being pushed back by the same shoulder crash it attempted. There was a distinct difference in force between one weighing 400 kilograms and 80 kilograms. Black Mamba followed the retreating monster like a shadow.
Whoosh
He grabbed the monsters neck with his fingers. The billions water armor effortlessly sliced the tough neck as though he was slicing through water.
Splat
Blood poured out of its neck like a fountain. It was a neck thicker than that of a middle-aged woman who had given birth to several kids. By the time one-third of its neck had received damage, a bluish gel was excreted to seal the wound. The blood stopped gushing immediately.
What kind of cheat ability is that?
Angered, Black Mamba grabbed the monsters head and flew into the air before whirling it around like a spinner. The monsters neck twisted like churros.
Craack
An eerie sound rang. Its muscles twisted, and its cervical spine broke. The monsters neck snapped like a ripe cucumber tip. The monster collapsed onto the ground.
Huh! This is really amazing.
He stared down at both of his hands. Hed never used the billions water armor properly in battle. Blacky was right when it said that the glove would increase his muscular strength by fivefold. His muscles were similar to a thoroughbred, a racing horse. With the strength of five horses, coupled with the five combined movements Fierce Retributive Turning Point, a monstrous strength was created. The Fierce Retributive Turning Point was a method that hawks utilized to end their preys life in the air. They grabbed their preys neck with one claw and spun its body around like a spinner.
It was against the rules to use his best weapon against a sparring competitor. He wouldnt be able to estimate the monsters actual battle capacity with that.
I shouldnt use my hands at all if possible.
Kyaaaooo
The monster that had turned into a lump of paste raised its head and howled. Did the monsters share a connection? Black Mamba felt the release of anger and sadness from its howl.
Come on!
Bang
The monster rushed in, jumping off the ground.
Crack
Bang bang
The monster and human sparred. Although Black Mamba wasnt short, when compared to the monster, it looked like a fight between an adult and a child.
Although the monster was pushed back, its body was at its strongest.
Plop
Black Mamba jerked back after receiving a blow of the monsters front foot to his chest. Hed stolen its chance to counterattack by moving in quickly, but the impact was significant. There were two ways to reduce the impact. One was to move forward or backward to distract the opponent or twist the point of impact and let it sweep by. Talented people usually chose the latter. It was to save the sequence of movements.
Kuagh
The monster shoved its jaw forward like a cannon, excited from dealing with a blow. Black Mambas shoulder, which had become its target, dropped down. Teeth that couldnt bite onto anything clattered.
B*stard, your breath stinks.
Papapapapa
The Circular Elevation drummed on the monster. After receiving 19 blows, the monster swayed as though it was drunk. Black Mambas expression took a twist. That b*stard hadnt received much damage. Its bones and hide were solid.
His feet ached from drumming on the monster. A grizzly bears spine would break with a single kick from him. How long could an elephant or a rhino last?
Kyaooo
The monster shook off the damage instantly and ran forth again. It had an impressive recovery ability.
Ill dice you like garlic.
He used the 18 beats of shock for the first time in a long while. His punch landed on its face, and his elbow landed on its head. His knees shot up to its chest, and the tip of his feet knocked its chin.
Papapapa
36 attacks were delivered in one breath. The monster moved back in a frenzy. There was no way the monster could stand a series of blows that Ocelot couldnt. The monster that was diced like garlic collapsed like an empty sack of potatoes.
Ola!
The audiences mouths dropped open at the dogfight between man and monster. They could hear the impacts ringing 400 meters away from the scene.
I feel sorry for the monster.
Which monster are you talking about? I feel like Dubais the monster here, Professor Orifice replied sarcastically.
One b*stard got its neck pulled out, and the others being beaten to death, dont you think its pitiful?
Its a little pitiful. Oh damn, look, that b*stard got completely wiped out. Dubais got no mercy.
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion entered spectator mode once more.
The monster struggled to raise itself. A blurry light poured out of its eyes.
Ha, this is a b*stard with an extraordinary battle capacity!
It must have broken at least a dozen bones. A metal stick wouldnt have withstood it, and yet its brutality didnt die down a bit. It was really a berserker.
Ive read your ability now. You fake s***s will die from blackys single attack.
The monsters physical abilities were exceptional but not as strong as Ocelots. They had similar speed, but the monsters muscular strength was at 50 percent. It seemed as though five monsters rushing in together could measure up to Ocelots physical abilities or perhaps 10 since their brains werent as sharp?
Whoosh
Crash
It was a head butting from a mad bull. Black Mambas forehead, which launched like a cannonball, landed on the monsters chest. Both of his hands swept past the monsters neck like scissors when it flinched. The monsters neck of more than a foot thick was sliced off.
Splash
Blood spewed up into the air. The headless monster spun in its place for a while before collapsing.
Like a mirage, the sound of the wind and whistling sand settled in the silence.
You poor creature made of human greed, I apologize on behalf of those dirty humans, Black Mamba recited a short prayer.
Huh!
Black Mambas eyes widened. The monsters bodies began to melt. There were even blue flames licking around their edges like paper burning under a magnifying glass. Only their white bones remained in less than five minutes. It was the monsters weakness that director Davis had mentionedsunlight.
He roughly understood the chimera monsters combat power. Their three strengths were: ELF attack, speed, and unimaginable strength. Without the billions water armor, itd have taken him a while to fight those b*stards. Their ability to block bullets, especially, was nightmarish. What if those b*stards were released into the cities in hordes? The thought itself was daunting.
Damn b*stards, I wont forgive you.
Black Mambas eyes glowed in blue. There was no way that such a creature could be born in nature. Those who mocked the lives of others deserved to have their own lives ridiculed in return.
Boom
He searched the lake with his dimensional sight. He didnt detect any signs of life on his radar. All he could detect were fishes swimming in the water, insects, small underground crawlers, and more insects.
Where did the zombie go?
Although weak, zombies also left behind signs of human life. If it existed in his scan range, his radar would have detected it too.
Wow!
Olala!
The audience dispersed.
Youve worked hard, sir.
Im sorry I wasnt of much help. Mohammad and Ibrahim lowered their heads.
Dont worry. They arent monsters that you can suppress with your abilities.
All that remained of the monsters were their bones and sticky substances. Professor Orifice, Professor Shernion, and the five Syrian individuals looked down at the monsters remnants with complicated expressions.
The monsters fearsome aura and battle abilities had turned their limbs to jelly. Tired gazes moved toward Black Mamba. They were looking at the original monster who could beat up all other monsters.
As a protector of the Christian Orthodoxes, Mohammads face grew dim. If such monsters appeared when Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa wasnt there, Novatopia would cease to exist.
Dont we have to take care of their remains?
Theres something Id like to talk to you about, personally.
Black Mamba and Mohammad moved to a different location.
Whether those are modified DNA creatures or transplantation subjects, theyre not ordinary beings. From my judgment, theres someone behind their creation.
Black Mamba nodded silently.
Although its hard to guess whos behind this, the person must be checking in on the monsters movements and gathering data.
The person who released such a monster is the true monster here. I intend to get rid of those controlling b*stards too.
Chapter 318 - Episode 9: Novatopia
Red light illuminated from Black Mambas eyes. Hm! Mohammad hurriedly turned his gaze away. His masters eyes were scary, unlike what he usually saw. His master, no, the apostle, had a clear vision of what was right and wrong. He had a strong belief that humans were equal and noble existences. He also hated titles such as apostle and master. He could guess why he was mad. The chimera, a mix of human and animal, was the reason why. It was an evil, a sin, that he, someone who believed in God, couldnt forgive. Mohammad carefully opened his mouth. Although I regret to say this, I think the monsters remains should be left alone.
The monsters melted because of an unknown cause. This proves that theyre an unstable prototype. If we leave the remains alone, the creator will think the monsters self-exploded or died due to an unknown reaction. However, if we take care of their remains, their creator will search the entire lake for their remains. Although we dont need to fear them, itll get frustrating. Hm, I didnt think about that. If those b*stards wander around, there will be a delay in Novatopias land survey and groundwater development, Black Mamba openly acknowledged. He was no longer the rookie who was sent to the Sahel.
While it hadnt been long, he was now a veteran who had fought several life-or-death battles. He had to return to Korea. Nothing good came from the CIA learning about Novatopia. Thats it. Unnecessary conflicts wont help. We need to do our job. Ill erase all traces of the battle. Pretend as though nothing has happened? Thats good. Lets erase the traces, then move to Lake Yoa. I dont see any zombies. Theres a high chance they moved to Ounianga Kbir to avoid the chimera. The village might already be under attack. Ill take care of it immediately so we can depart.
Ahmad rushed his friends to erase traces of the battle and even the Jeeps tire marks. Aishe even gathered the parabellum bullets that had fallen out of the monsters body. Of course, there was no need to. The Saharas wind could erase their traces in a day with the sand it brought along. It was the silence of the desert. Just like that, the Lake Teli monster battle witnessed by seven onlookers was silenced. Ounianga Kbir was close to Lake Yoa. It was 38 kilometers in a direct line from Lake Teli to Lake Yoa.
The region was a sedimentary desert with exposed bedrocks and was filled with playas all around. It was a stereotypical rocky desert with wadi developed between its layers. A farmer wouldnt even dare dream of farming on the rough terrain. They passed Lake Katam, Ouma, Bver, and Forodom during their bumpy journey. However, Professor Shernion couldnt take any pictures of the four lakes since Black Mamba had rushed them. Ahmad and Jamal observed Ounianga Kbir with their binoculars. Ounianga Kbir was quite a large village with more than 100 families.
There were lines of houses made of mud and reeds. There was no one outside the village. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I dont see anyone. Are we too late? Boom His dimensional sight swept across the village. Countless brain waves of people riddled with fear and pain were detected. There were three dark, damp, and evil aurasreminiscent of zombies. Those evil beings are in the village. Mohammad and Aishe, protect the professors. Drive right up to the villages entrance. Vroom The thick tires pushed roughly against the sand and rocks. Black Mamba grabbed his kukri, and as fast as lightning, he rushed into the village before the Jeep pulled to a stop. Ahmad, Jamal, and Ibrahim followed behind him with their MP5s. Ahmad, the seventh house on the right. Jamal, the last house on the far right. Ahmad and Jamal ran as fast as they could. Black Mamba jumped into the house before him. Goddamn!
He swung his kukri on the spot. Whoosh A naked man who was about to attack a boy barely over the age of 10 moved back like a ghost. That wasnt the movement of a human. Black Mamba followed it like a shadow. Whoosh His kukri glided like an arrow. The zombie raised its arms to block the kukri. The kukri was powerful enough to slice through metal. Its arms fell apart. Keeegh The kukri swung once more. Its head floated in the air before it could stop screaming. Sticky black blood spurted out like fireworks.
Black Mambas feet stretched like a whip. Bang Bang Its head and body flew out the door. It was a spotless clean-up and a surprise attack that advanced as fast as a meteor. Ibrahim clicked his tongue and covered the boys eyes. Even so, the blood of a couple on the floor and the blood of the zombie had already stained the walls and floor. Check on them. Ibrahim examined the couple with the holed chests and bitten necks for a pulse. Gone. Ibrahim shook his head.
The couple, who seemed to be the childs parents, had already died. Damn bstards! Black Mamba exclaimed through gritted teeth. Those evil bstards turned their own people into mere weapons. They were unforgivable bstards. Carry the corpses out. Ibrahim dragged the corpses outside the house. The eyes of the boy, who was holding tightly onto a stick, were expressionless. Bang Bang Bang Loud gunshots rang. It was Jamals Barrett. Although zombies had high resistance against small-caliber bullets, the Barrett was a 50-caliber gun. A shot was enough to eliminate a target. Continuous shots meant that Jamal couldnt aim properly. Ibrahim, go support Jamal. These bstards are surprisingly fast.
Yes, sir! Ibrahim shoved the swinging door aside and rushed out. For a moment, a blanket moved on its own before two young faces peeked out. Are they your siblings? The boy couldnt understand the question but nodded his head anyway, roughly guessing the questions intention. Damn, youre a brave kid. Black Mamba patted the boys head. The young kid had fought the zombie in an attempt to protect his siblings. He couldnt protect his mother but managed to keep his siblings safe. His heart sank. Aaah!
The boy dropped the stick that he was holding onto and burst into tears. Was it relief from surviving the ordeal, or was it sadness from losing his parents? Black Mambas heart ached. How could the orphans survive in a land with scarce resources? The Heavens had bestowed power unto him because there were uses for it. Absolute evil that couldnt be tolerated existed in the world. He gritted his teeth hard. Although he couldnt take care of every bad thing in the world, he was determined to protect those within his reach from evil.
Ahmad ran as though his tail was on fire. According to Barungos confession, the zombies were half immortal and served as combat weapons. It was a trivial matter for his master, but for ordinary people like himself, they were like grim reapers. His master had offered to help himself and the blindsided Vodou followers without a price. If it hadnt been for his master, he would have turned into a handful of dust somewhere in the barren northern hills of Syria. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was an idol before an apostle, and the orders of an idol were ground commands. Agh! It was a desperate scream. Yop! Ahmad jumped.
The roofs of the houses in Ounianga Kbir were made out of entwined reeds. Crack Unable to withstand the impact, the weak reed roof collapsed. Meeeh It was the cries of a startled animal. Whoosh Whoosh Ahmad swung his sword horizontally and vertically. Clang Something blocked his sword. The heavy pressure from his sword caused Ahmad to retreat. It was dark inside the house because there were no windows. Ahmad leaned his back against the wall and raised his shamshir diagonally. Once his eyes got used to the darkness, he could see what was inside. Behind a middle-aged woman holding a metal rake were two children holding onto each other. Fortunately, nothing horrible had taken place. There were two goats inside the house.
The animal sounds he had heard when he jumped in was from the goats. Many families raised livestock inside their house in the Sahel. A man stood still before the goats. He was a black man who wore nothing but a strip of clothing to hide his lower body. He stood there blankly with a broken-necked goat by his left arm. His eyes were unfocused. Ahmad was confused. He couldnt feel any animosity. The opponent was simply blocking his attacks.
He wondered whether the opponent was a zombie or a human. What are you? I-dont-know, the man stuttered. While his pronunciation was strange and he didnt have any accent, it was clear that he spoke Arabic. Madam, do you know this man? Nno. The ghost jumped into my house and killed the goat. He didnt threaten you? I dont know. Its the devil. The womans voice was shaky. It truly was a mysterious matter.
He heard that zombies killed humans instinctively. Oi, get out of here. I-am-hungry. God, youre driving me mad. Ill give you some meat if you get out of here. I-already-have-meat. The zombie shook the goat in his hand. That meant he could recognize his surroundings. Ahmad grew more confused. Oi, thats disgusting. Ill give you good meat. O-ka-ay. The man left the house willingly. His image was quite the spectacle outside in the bright daylight where everything was clearer. With hair running down to his waist, mustache covering his face, and eyes that seemed to flash like it was doused in waterit was obvious why the woman had mistaken him for a ghost.
Ahmad grew nervous after observing the mans right wrist. There was a blade mark. The man had blocked his sword with his wrist. The shamshir, which had been passed down for generations, wasnt some cheap blade. It was a rare ancient metallurgy sword. Still, the mans wrist only suffered from torn skin after coming into contact with his sharp sword. Are you a zombie? Hu-man. Ahmad grabbed the back of his neck. Zombies lacked awareness and were emotionless.
All that remained of them was the will to live by surviving on flesh and blood. If that bstard was a zombie, the woman would have already been torn to shreds. Ugh, whatever. My smart master should know what to do with him. Follow me! The zombie trailed behind him. Hey, throw that away. The zombie held the goat in his arm even tighter. Damn bstard, not following orders and doing something useless. Jamal appeared, dragging a corpse with him. Half of its head had been blown off, while the hole in its chest was large enough for his fist to enter. A 50-caliber Barrett could easily penetrate plated armors.
The slight traces had to be from the parabellum bullets. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I managed to kill everyone thats hiding in the house. They were so fast. I would have been in trouble had Ibrahim not been there. How unfortunate, Black Mamba said in a collected manner. Most of the villagers had been sacrificed. Still, they couldnt do anything for the dead. He didnt know why the zombies had suddenly gone mad. Zombies didnt have emotions. It wasnt as though their home was stolen by a chimera. Ahmads bringing someone over. Thats not a human. Thats a zombie. What? Ibrahim was surprised. Bringing a zombie over, what kind of unexpected situation was that? Ahmad, what happened? Hes a slightly strange zombie, sir. Hes calm and listens to instructions very well. He also didnt hurt any humans.
Todays been a strange day. Im barely wrapping my head around the fact the zombies exist, and now youre saying theres a zombie who listens and follows orders well? Ibrahim complained. Black Mambas gaze landed on the zombies left hand. Like a crows feet, his hand was black, and he only had three fingers. It was the zombie that Edel said she had met. Black Mamba felt a strange connection. Hey, come here. You-are-scary. The zombie moved back. Zombies were similar to predators. It could instinctively distinguish the strong and the weak. I am your master, a roar filled with resonance waves sounded. The resonance waves stimulated the zombies spinal cord. Kuuuu The zombie groaned as he wrapped his arms around his head.
The interference was similar to the way electric eels suppressed their predator. Electric eels could paralyze their predator as long as there was direct contact or they remained within a one-meter range. The electricity released would stimulate the predators nerves and paralyze their muscles. Black mamba understood a few principles behind the concept of resonance waves and dimensional sight. Depending on the interference, the waves could stimulate another persons nerves and the synapses in their brain. The weaker the opponents will and the more negative their emotions were, the stronger the stimulation.
Depending on the will in his waves, it could either paralyze them or communicate his intentions. That was something he had learned while fighting blacky. Talented Vodou priests also referred to those principles to control zombies. Black Mamba had coincidentally learned a method to control zombies on his own. Come here! The zombie stumbled while making his way. Kneel! The zombie kneeled. The will in the brain waves could relay information regardless of language. Of course, ordinary humans with cognitive abilities and a will would be shocked by the speechless communication.
That was because the brain, nervous system, and muscles were connected. Oh, God! Its a miracle. Allah is great! Even the zombie has submitted to the Mahdi. Bismillah! Ibrahim and the rest couldnt hide their wonder. Ibrahim, what day is it today? Its Saturday, sir. Really? Then your name will be Samedi since I met you on a Saturday. Same-di? Correct, youre Samedi. It was the birth of Samedi, who would later become a close guard to Black Mamba and protect his back. Black Mamba grabbed Samedis head with both of his hands. Boom His dimensional sight activated. The guys head was mushy. He didnt understand how the man had survived. Boom He shoved in his resonance waves. He pushed back the membrane that protected the cerebral cortex folds like he was cutting down objects. Kuuugh- Samedi struggled.
Chapter 319 - Episode 10: Novatopia
Dont move. Boom Samedis head rang like a vibrating drum. Samedis body stopped trembling. The neurons axons served as conductors of electrical signals. The myelin sheath that surrounded the axons to insulate them were known as myelinated nerves, and those without the myelin sheath were known as unmyelinated nerves. The rate of signal transmission between the myelinated nerves and unmyelinated nerves differed substantially. Signals were transmitted from the myelinated nerves to the tactile and motor nerves at 100 meters per second. Meanwhile, signals were transmitted from the unmyelinated nerves to the sensory nerves such as sight, sound, and smell at 0.8 meters per second.
That was the reason why a persons hand would flinch while the movements of an animated movie character would remain seamless even after touching a hot stove. His interference waves directly stimulated the flow and reception of the cerebral cortex without going through the auditory organs. That was how quick and strong it impacted the brain. Black Mambas intentions suppressed Samedis brain nerves itself, forcing it to transmit electrical signals to stop the muscles. The mechanics behind sound attacks often seen in martial arts novels was like so. This person is too scary. Samedi was suddenly scared.
That person was more powerful and brought about immense pain, which immobilized him. Chilled with fear, Samedi could only cry from the splitting pain he felt in his head. After wrestling the black film for 10 minutes, Black Mamba stepped back from exhaustion. Despite trying his best, he only caused Samedi pain. Pushing it any further could destroy his brain. Phew, I guess this is the difference between spellcasting and the Left Martial Theories technique? Brainwashing was a realms difference from an operation that removed parasites and blood clots.
The brain was too sensitive an organ for his meager skills to fix. His masters graceful face passed by his eyes. The world was only perceived as one knew. His masters achievements seemed distant the more he improved on his abilities and gained more experiences. I shouldnt. The man with the trembling body and arms wrapped around his head was a pitiful sight. His cells moved slowly, probably because he had been starving for a long time. Samedi, you can eat the goat. Th-an-k-you. Samedi, whose face had grown pale, tore the goats neck apart with his nails and drank its blood.
After quenching his thirst, he ripped off the goats leg and started chewing it down to its bones. Ugh- The sound of bones breaking, the sound of blood being slurped, and the sound of muscles ripping alongside the horrifying visual left Jamal and Ahmad quivering. If Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion were there to witness it, they would have kicked up another fuss. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, what is Samedi? Currently, he is a zombie whos not in a zombie state. The yorunba addiction and the brainwashing after-effects have evolved his IQ into that of a child aged around three to four years old.
The human will create miracles. He might have gone through mental training like yoga or Shiva Samhita before he turned into a zombie. It was something that Black Mamba had experienced himself. Without his strong will and the Epidiums enhancements, Chui Do Shiks soul-washing attack would have turned him into a puppet no different than a zombie. That was one of the reasons why he referred to the Vodou priests and the MK Ultra Project team members as presents he had to destroy.
That is a scary yet extraordinary phenomenon. There are many things we dont know in this world. Although humans behave as though the little knowledge they have is everything, were nothing but dust compared to the universe. Wont he attack people? A human with strong instincts is selfish. Selfish people are social people, and therefore easier to control. That is the same for Samedi. Ibrahim tilted his head. He couldnt see a connection between the zombies violent nature and selfish people. Wont a society filled with selfish people be like hell? Arent people who love and give back necessary in society? Those were Gods words too. Black Mamba smiled. Selfish people live for their own benefit. When you go to a restaurant, do you observe whether the cook uses spoiled ingredients or spits in the dish?
We dont have to. Why would the cook or the restaurant owner do anything that would generate losses? Thats it. Cooks whip up healthy and delicious food because that is the right move to take for their own benefit. If the food is tasteless and dirty, theyll have to bear with the complaints. Customers will only visit again if the food tastes good. The same goes for the customers. The reason behind their visit to a restaurant is to satisfy their desire for delicious dishes. They dont go to a restaurant mainly for the cook. That is why selfish people are called social people, and their actions are predictable. All living creatures are naturally aggressive based on the evolutionary theory. The only way to suppress aggression is with greedthe greed that prioritizes the minimization of an attacks rebounding losses.
Oohh! I understand what you mean, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Since Samedi is highly intuitive, it must mean he has a strong self-regard. He is calm because hes scared of the consequences of an attack. I feel like Ive been awakened. Bismillah! Ibrahim summarized out of the blue. I hesitate to ask, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, but how does that explain your efforts to save the Christian Orthodox and the Kurd tribe members without expecting any reward?
Isnt that a truly altruistic behavior? Mohammad carefully tackled the issue. Ibrahim and Ahmad grew tense as they glanced at Black Mambas face. Although Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa was unlikely to get mad, those words could be considered rude depending on anothers perspective. Hahaha, there is no truly altruistic being. No one pays taxes for the country and the people. People pay taxes because they fear punishment.
There is no guarantee that a person who offers to donate to their needy neighbor this weekend would do the same on the following weekend. Altruistic behavior is unpredictable because it is dependable on ones will. My reward for rescuing all of you was peace of mind. If I can gain peace of mind by working a little, that will be a greater gain! All of you must have been anxious about the thought of me abandoning you after escaping Syria.
How could we possibly think that? Our faith and loyalty to you, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, is stronger than gold. Black Mamba smiled widely. The reason why I returned Ibrahims question is that I want to highlight the unpredictable future of those in a weaker position, having to rely on someone in a stronger position. Let me tell you a short story. A rabbit tired of avoiding foxes and wolves complained to God one day. God, all the animals are trying to eat me. What should I do? What do you think was Gods reply? God could have said thats the law of nature or something along that line?
That could be an answer. God replied, Rabbit, I also wish to eat you when I see you. From today onward, sharpen your teeth and nails. Strengthen your hind legs by running through fields. Now listen. If you dont have power, there can neither be freedom, justice, nor equality. Reality is always harsh and hellish. You need to increase your power to fight against the harsh reality and to not fall in a ditch.
Thats what I want to say to all of you. Boom Mohammad, Jamal, and Ibrahim looked at Black Mamba with admiration in their eyes. It was true. Without power, they were bound to be taken advantage of before falling in a ditch. The warning of a truly powerful person made their hearts race. May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! This is the teaching bestowed to us from our master. To become stronger, well work until our bones break and think until our brains melt. The three men bowed together at once.
Weve been distracted from the main topic. Currently, Samedi, who only has his instincts left, misses his time as a human. You could say the social skills engraved in his DNA have been released. According to Barungo, Samedi ran away 25 years ago. He must be over 40 years old now. Hes a pitiful person. Take good care of your old, yet youngest brother. Samedi hadnt attacked Ombuti and Edel. Following his instinct, he had tailed their Jeep to try to get along with them. Well devote ourselves to your teachings.
Ahmad, Samedi is a child stronger than a grizzly bear. You take care of him for now. First, wash him and give him clothes. Teach him words and make him human. Yes, sir. Samedi, daljava[1]! N-o. Samedi shook his head and remained close by Black Mambas side. Black Mamba smiled and brushed back the hair of the young yet old Samedi. Go wash yourself! When Black Mamba waved his hand at him, Samedi reluctantly crawled toward Ahmad. Mohammad, who received Jamals signal, drove the Jeeps into the village. Dubai, did you take care of the zombies?
They are over there. Huh! Urgh! Zombies looked no different from humans.
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion vomited when they saw the headless corpses and corpses riddled by bullets. Monsters and humans were different. No matter how evil and ferocious they looked, monsters could be regarded as foreign existences because their appearance alone couldnt be assimilated. As humans were naturally cognitive, the intensity of impact perceived by their brain varied. Is this the zombies we heard of? Professor Shernion tilted his head at Professor Orifices words. They look tough, but they dont seem that different from humans in terms of appearance.
However, the color of their blood differs greatly. Should we gather samples? Professor Orifice and Professor Shernions curiosity awakened. Curiosity was an essential value for any scholar. Nonsense. Otherworldly things have to remain as otherworldly things. Do you want to become a Vodou priest or something? At the lashing, Professor Shernion scratched his head and stepped back from the corpses. Regret filled his eyes
. Should I gather the villagers, sir? Leave them be. Theyll regain their senses after some time. Lets bury the zombies and leave. Black Mambas response to Mohammads question was rather cold. Professor Orifice tilted his head questioningly. Dubai was a person who was kind to the weak. Why dont you tell them that you took care of the zombies? They should already know by now. The locals have their own lives. The beauty of humans is their sociability. They should have gathered and fought against the zombies together.
I have no interest in egoists who only consider their own safety. Now that Ive taken care of the threat, they should pick up the pieces themselves. Still I suppose there could be a negative reaction if we interfered. You need to understand. How scary would a monster that beats up other monsters be! Hehehe! Professor Orifice laughed. Dubai, we need to burn these evil things. These things had their cells modified. If a wild animal eats them, there could be side effects. That is true.
Black Mamba agreed with Professor Shernion. What he said made sense. There were hyenas and jackals in the Ennedi Plateau. Like in the movies, they could become zombie beasts after eating a corpse abandoned in the wild. Hadritak, there is no wood to make fire. Jamal looked worriedly at Mohammad. What should we do? Mohammads face creased. A large amount of wood was required to burn two zombie corpses. Moreover, they were in a desert. There was no wood there.
It would take too long to gather dried reeds, and the fire would be weak too. I have a solution to that, Professor Orifice suggested. What is it? Black Mamba asked. Hehe, Im a botanist, at least by title. Did you see the small pile outside the village? Those are heaps of tamarisks. Tamarisks? There is a similar tree called the Chinese tamarisk in Asia. Although the tamarisk and Chinese tamarisk look similar, their vegetation differs. Tamarisks are special kinds of shrubs that grow in the desert. They are a unique plant with roots deep underground and additional branches above the surface. To be specific, the tamarisks branches and leaves entwine with each other and cover a large area like a net or felt cloth.
Where they occupied, sand and dust accumulated. As the tamarisk grows, the hill of accumulated sand and dust grows in height too. Like bamboo trees, the tamarisk trees die out in a certain region together at oncethese are the same tamarisks that multiplied for 100s and 1,000s of years underground. What do you think will happen when they die? A heap of dried firewood is made. Thats it. Its no different than a dune at first glance. Tamarisk tombs are commonly found in Namibia and Algeria. Bedouins find tamarisk colonies easily and use them as firewood.
Huh, thats interesting. Ive never seen such a tree before. Of course. Its a small thing that sticks out of the ground, so you might have thought it was a bush. Not everything you see is the truth! Kekeke! Not everything you see is the truth was a phrase mentioned by Ddu-bai-buru-pa often. Professor Orifice laughed confidently at having one-upped him. We could plant tamarisks in Novatopia.
Professor Orifice instantly crushed Black Mambas hope. My words go in one ear and out the other. Thats not a good idea. Despite it being large, because it shows slightly above the ground, its ineffective as windbreaks and doesnt help with greenery either. It also grows slowly. After planting them in Novatopia, tamarisk dunes could appear all over after several 1,000 years. Black Mambas face creased devilishly at Professor Orifices roasting.
Seems like this isnt something an ignorant person like me should think about. You work for your pay, professor. I was already thinking of a solution anyway. Ive developed alopecia areata because of this. Hm, I can already see the crown of your head, so what hair loss are you talking about! Nothings easy. Anyway, that tamarisk or basilisk thing, go get it. Huh, with a disappointed expression like that, you finally look like a human. Lets go together. Ill need your help since the trees are all intertwined together. Professor Orifice brought Black Mamba to a dune that looked like any regular dune. Jamal and Ahmad rushed in with their military shovels to dig into the sand. There wasnt much progress. Samedi, dig. O-ka-y. [1] Lets go!
Chapter 320 - Novatopia
Tamarisk dunes were made of sand and dust particles carried by the wind, accumulating inside the webs of narrow trunks. Although it looked like any regular dune, one would find stray roots if they dug with a shovel.
Samedi, who received Jamals military shovel, dug into the sand at a frightening speed. Even the layers of the intertwined roots couldnt bear Samedis cannon-like shoveling. His polyethylene rope-like brown muscles twisted and turned before sand and small roots shot up. Surprised, Jamal and Ahmad moved back quickly. The group watched the shoveling work, which progressed at an invisible speed, with their mouths hanging open.
Hehehe, this dude can earn 10 times more than the rest doing field labor.
Black Mambas gaze sharpened. Black Mamba envied Samedis strength despite his wealth, which could sustain him for the rest of his life. He still couldnt escape the scarcity mindset of Korea, where food and clothes shouldnt be wasted.
After a layer of sand was removed, thick entangled roots that looked like snakes coiled around each other were revealed. It was the tamarisks mentioned by Professor Orifice.
Wow! What is this? Jamal and Ahmads jaws hung wide open.
How could there be a bunch of tree roots under a pile of sand? It was a phenomenon, never heard of or seen before.
Oh. Its real.
Black Mamba was surprised too. Although Professor Orifice wasnt the kind of person to lie about such things, the discovery still took them by surprise.
Hehe, a Grande cole PhD isnt something that one can earn by playing a trump card. Professor Orifice raised his nose high into the air.
Samedi, pull it out.
Samedi used his strength to grab onto the tamarisk roots. His metal-like shoulder muscles and back muscles rippled.
Craaack
Craaack
The dried tree roots broke apart easily. He used his immense power to pull out rows of tamarisks that were as thick as an adult thigh.
Dubai, what is that guy?
Professor Orifices eyes widened. Although the man was well built, humans were humans and not horses or cows. Professor Shernion and himself didnt know that Samedi was a zombie.
A worker who I picked up on the way. Coincidentally, hes strong, Black Mamba said, which didnt make sense at all.
Samedis figure overlapped with his as he recalled the time he spent wandering around Bang Tae San without his memories.
Picked up?
The person before him was good at picking up strange things. Dubai was someone who could be fathomed, and at times, not. Unusual and unique situations often took place around him. Professor Orifice was at a loss for words.
Oi, just take it as it is. Its not even surprising anymore.
Professor Orifice shook his head at Professor Shernions words. It was true. To confine a person beyond comprehension with logic only caused headaches.
Shernion, we did well to come here, right?
Of course. I didnt know that such a strange yet exciting place could exist beyond my dreams.
Hehehe, I feel like a year will pass like a month as long as we follow Dubai around.
Are you a stalker? Follow me where! Black Mamba shuddered.
Tears began to fill his eyes at the thought of two curious middle-aged men following him around.
Like an oven, the dunes had dried out the tamarisk branches for 100s of years. The fossilized tamarisk branches spewed fire to the point that regular tree branches paled in comparison. Two zombie corpses burned brightly in the crackling fire.
Look at that kid. Hes not even crying, Ibrahim said as he nudged Ahmads side and pointed.
It was the kid who had blocked the zombies with a stick.
Hes a brave kid. I can see hatred emanating from his eyes. He looks like hes about to chew the zombies out, even if it means jumping into the fire.
Ahmad was intrigued. It wouldve been hard to recover from the loss of his parents, but he bared his teeth at the corpses and burned with rage. Black Mamba waved the kid over to talk.
What is your name?
Jamal took charge of the translation.
Nejma! the boy answered and bowed.
Nejma?
It means shining star in Arabic, Jamal explained.
What a lovely name. How old are you?
Im 13.
13?
Black Mamba studied Nejma from head to toe. He looked about 15 years old. He was well built, had long legs and arms, a straight spine, short toes, and long fingersthe best physical conditions to learn martial arts.
Regardless of tribe, the Chad locals had dark skin like coal. Nejmas skin color was closer to dark brown. His tall height, long limbs, dark brown skin, and small face were features of the Nilotic people. Nilotic people referred to the Maasai tribe of the Great Rift Valley, the Samburu tribe of Kenya, and the Arusha and Parakuyo tribe of Tanzania. That meant Nejmas family wasnt a native.
Are you from the Maasai tribe?
Yes!
Black Mamba nodded his head in acceptance. He heard the Maasai tribe were brave people with superior physiques who fought against lions.
Nejma, what are you thinking about right now?
I want to become stronger.
And what do you want to do after you become stronger?
I dont want to rely on other people for help.
The ends of Black Mambas mouth curled up at the unexpected answer. That was a boy with self-respect. The boy looked exactly like him in his younger years. Children were a reflection of their parents. The parents who had raised Nejma werent some pushovers.
Your parents have passed away. Can you live with your siblings in the village?
There was silence.
The boy opened and closed his mouth, unable to reply.
If you want, Ill take you with me.
I want to follow you, mister, but I need to take care of my siblings.
The boys eyes burned with desire and regret.
Ill take your siblings along too.
Can I become stronger if I follow you around, mister?
That depends on you. If you work hard, youll at least survive those kinds of dirty monsters.
Black Mamba pointed at the burning zombies. The boys eyes sparkled.
Ill follow you around unconditionally. I raise goats well and farm milo well too. You can use me like a camel and squeeze me like a goat, as long as you can make me stronger.
Good. Bury your parents with your own hands, then follow me. Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. Ill give you the surname of Bulpae. Youll be Nejma Bulpae.
Native tribe people didnt adopt surnames. Since there was no concept of lineage, they used their tribal names as surnames too. While the Maasai tribe did have surnames, they only received it after going through a rite-of-passage. The boy jumped and kneeled. An amazing warrior had given him his own surname. His heart swelled with joy at the fact that he was recognized as a warrior.
Allahu Akbar, thank you. My father taught me to repay graces 10 times the amount received and devote my life to others if Im indebted. Master, you took revenge for me and saved my siblings and myself. Nejma Bulpae is ready to lay down his life for master.
Jamal, look at this kid. He even knows proverbs! Hahaha!
Black Mamba was satisfied. Hed felt a connection to the kid from the beginning. There was nothing more to a humans appearance. The boys bravery and wit made him happy.
Hes an educated child. Im starting to wonder about the identity of his parents.
We can figure that out slowly. Nejma, dont call me master. Call me wakil. Lets bury your parents first. We need to bury them deep so that theyre not eaten by any wild animals.
Yes, wakil!
Nejma rushed to the task with a shovel in hand.
That kid received the most powerful mentor he could gain in the world on the same day he lost his parents. It seems like the saying, misfortune and fortune come as brothers is true.
Tears accumulated in Professor Orifices eyes for a brief moment. His heart raced at the display of profound love for a child, despite the harsh words and the genuine heart of a monster who destroyed all the other monsters. The strange man of the East, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, was a person whose actual thoughts remained a secret like the layers of an onion. One thing was absolutehed met a genuine man called Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Once Nejma finished burying his parents, he bowed deeply.
Thank you, wakil. I wont forget this gratitude.
This cant be called gratitude. Theres nothing I can give to commemorate you becoming my family. Lets see. Ah-hah! There should be a tombstone if you want to visit them in the future.
Black Mamba dragged a line with his Vajra through the bottom of a sandstone menhir. The power of the Vajra was indecipherable. It sliced the rock like it was tofu.
Crack
The rock that was as tall as a pillar collapsed when he pushed it with his billions water armor. Black Mamba lifted the sandstone pillar and secured it onto the graves. He then smoothed out its surface with his palm.
Thathat!
Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion rubbed their eyes at the implausible performance. Despite witnessing it with their own eyes and several other out-of-this-world situations before, it was still unbelievable.
Orifice, are we watching a movie right now?
Superman is a fake character that the Yankees made up. That is the real deal. That friend of ours should be called a new species.
Huh, I still cant believe it even after personally witnessing it. How can such a person exist?
Not everything you see is the truth.
Black Mamba turned to look at Professor Orifice, who was still whispering.
Orifice, you know a lot of things. Dont you have any good phrases for an epitaph?
I knew if I stayed around long enough, something like this would happen.
Whatever, you old man. That belongs on your headstone.
Black Mamba glared at Professor Orifice. Then, he carved out words on the headstone with his finger.
[My sons, my daughter, dont cry. We were happy because you were with us.]
Jamal explained the phrase to Nejma. It was only then that thick tears poured down Nejmas face.
Kuuugh! Thank you. Wakil, thank you.
Bow down twice.
Black Mamba solemnly spoke after Nejma performed two bows.
You need to visit your parents twice a year. Bow like today, and tell them how youve lived. Life is deaths beginning, and death is the beginning of another life. You cant see your parents, but theyre still watching you.
Jamal stuttered throughout his translation, unable to relay the words properly.
Ill be sure to keep the promise.
Nejma clenched his fists and bowed once more. Wakils words were like Gods words. Although he had difficulty understanding, he understood that he had to visit his parents twice a year to keep them up to date about his life.
The flames of the tamarisks also died down by the time they were about to depart. The two zombies, which could have caused great catastrophes, turned into ashes and disappeared without a trace due to the deserts wind.
Until Black Mamba and his entourage left, none of the natives living in Ounianga Kbir left their homes. People who lived in their own world could only act that way.
A day after Black Mamba and his companions left Ounianga Kbir, a Hercules helicopter appeared in the skies above Serir lakes. Light-blue parachutes drifted in the air like cotton. They were the two NAVY SEALs teams and the CIA agents who had been on board the Eisenhower.
The Hercules dropped down heavy cargo boxes. Once they organized their parachutes, the NAVY SEALs team members immediately rushed toward the cargo boxes. Piles of heavy firearms such as the M2 double-stranded heavy machine gun, the MK19 automatic grenade launcher, and the M252 81-millimeter mortar poured out. The NAVY SEALs team members also carried around FN MAG-58 7.62-millimeter machine guns.
The two NAVY SEALs teams immediately searched the Serir lakes once they armed themselves. Their search ended too quickly despite their excessive preparation. The two NAVY SEALs teams turned back like the tide after recovering two Grendel skulls.
The CIA agents gave Adam the following report:
[Targets are recovered from Lake Ouma at the marked point of Lakes of Ounianga. Direct sunlight destroyed the targets bodies, and only bones remained. There are no traces of battle. There are several broken bones. They most likely died after fighting each other. Immediate control of attack instincts required. There are no other abnormalities found.]
Black Mamba and the Senates clash got delayed. If Black Mamba had stayed around the Serir lakes, the NAVY SEALs team members would have been wiped out even before they could land on the ground. Mohammads advice had saved the lives of 50 people.
That was also an opportunity for Black Mamba to return to his country earlier than planned, without getting caught up in another situation. Operations sub-director Adam had once again avoided falling into the gutter. Sun Tzu once said, Battles are like flowing water. Water may still be in the same place, but its not the same water as yesterday.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, it seems like we took a wrong turn.
Ahmad looked worried behind the wheels. A valley that was 10 meters deep and 20 meters wide stopped the Jeeps journey. It was a lake filled with the teeth of weathered down sandstones. There was a big hole at the bottom of the lake and trees around. It was an unexpected turn of events.
Dont worry. I know the way to Lake Teli best. Ive been there several times without my father knowing. If you head down north, theres a red dune. If you go further right from there, theres a wadi filled with black rocks. If you follow the wadi, theres a dune with a flat top. If you follow the dune, a lake comes into view. My father tried to scare me by saying theres a monster around, but I didnt believe him, Nejma explained confidently.
Oh, this brats quite smart, isnt he? Ahmad flicked the boys forehead.
That was a brat who had fearlessly wandered around Lake Teli, where zombies and chimeras roamed. Black Mamba looked at Nejma and smiled. It seemed like he couldnt fool his own blood. That brat behaved like someone with the blood of the Maasai tribe, the wanderers of the Sahara.
Good. The night will fall soon. Its often said that one needs to rest after meeting with trouble. Lets enjoy the deserts stars tonight.
Black Mamba flung himself down on the sand. After getting rid of the Vodou rebellion in Doba, hed rushed to Ennedi without sleeping. He even made his way to Ounianga Kbir to take care of the zombies after fighting those chimera monsters. Although his body seemed fine, he was mentally worn out.
Nejma quietly sneaked away. Soon, he returned with a bunch of dry grass. It was a tenacious grass known as Stipa Calamagrostis, which the locals called sbot.
Chapter 321 - Novatopia
Stipa Calamagrostis belonged to the Chenopodiaceae plant species, commonly found in the Ennedi Plateau and surrounding deserts. As a last resort to relieve their hunger, even camels would eat the grass that was as tough as an oak tree bark. The locals would twist the Stipa Calamagrostis grass to make ropes or use them as sleeping mats.
The Sahara Desert was 5,600 kilometers from east to west, covering a large land area from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Coast. Its plant species also varied according to the different terrains. The Libyan Desert continued for 1,000s of kilometers without a single grass. On the other hand, the Ennedi that Black Mamba had decided on was full of life, unlike its barren appearance.
Plants didnt grow properly in desert regions like ergs or pediments. There were limited tree species like tamarisks and acacias. Grasses were more adaptive than trees. Acutiflora, cornulaca monacantha, Stipa Calamagrostis, and several types of invasive grass and ice plants specially adapted to droughts were commonly found along wadis.
Ice plants evolved to the point that they had become completely rootless. Amusingly, they stored large amounts of water when it rained to sustain themselves for several months. Their plump leaves would become a water source for camels or herbivorous animals that survived without enough water.
To block the wind coming in from the south-east, Nejma built a circular wall by digging into the sand with a shovel. He dug up at least 50 centimeters of sand and laid enough dried grass to fill it. He even wove the Stipa Calamagrostis skillfully into a pillow. He tried his best so that his wakil could rest comfortably.
Wakil, please rest well, Nejma said with a shy smile, covered in sweat.
Good work.
It was a rare luxury that a young kid built with his sweat. Black Mamba delightfully sat on the comfortable bed and laid down. The kid behaved just like Ombuti. If Ombuti was an unstoppable uncle, that Nejma kid could be his smart cousin. Surrounded by the fresh scent of grass, Black Mamba immediately dozed off.
Huh, look at those guys.
Professor Orifice nudged Professor Shernion, who was busy clicking away at the camera.
Theyre like a king and a servant. I doubt that strong black guys a human.
Nejma spread a tarp to cover Black Mambas face. Next to them, Samedi was catching ants and shoving them into his mouth. Not even flies could avoid Samedis hands. With one swat of his large hand, a fly dropped to the ground. Professor Shernion pressed on the shutter. It was too rare a sight to miss.
Ugh!
Professor Shernions gag reflex activated. Even Professor Orifice turned his head away when Samedi grabbed a passing scorpion, shoved it into his mouth, and munched on it.
The sun descended over the western horizon. An orange-red light filled the sky. The deserts sunset was unusually distinct and lasted quite a while. That was because the air was clear. Sometimes, when the fine sand carried by the Sahara wind soared into the atmosphere, one could also see the clear sky in hues of orange-red and dark purple.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I think well have to substitute our meal with vegetable soup and C-rations.
Do what you can. We cant enjoy a feast out in the desert, now, can we? Black Mamba nonchalantly answered as he focused on the sunset.
The fact that they could enjoy soup in the Sahara Desert itself was a luxury.
The sand and sandstone pillars burned red in the sunset. The red sky and ground met at the horizon. The dreamlike scenery made him stand from where he sat.
Im going on a walk. Make sure you boil the water from the puddles. There are parasites inside.
Black Mamba walked away, leaving his group of friends who were busy preparing for the night. If he was lucky, he could bring back an ostrich for a barbecue party.
Samedi and Nejma followed him like it was natural. Ahmad and Jamal, who had their spots filled, stared at each other and broke into smiles. A half-immortal guard and a smart servant stood by their master. It would only tire their master out if they insisted on following too.
But why is that guy carrying around his shovel? Jamal tilted his head.
It seems like he considers it his weapon.
Jamal nodded at Ahmads reply. It was understandable why Samedi would consider the reinforced stainless steel shovel as his weapon.
Its the birth of a shovel warrior.
Although Jamal was joking, Samedi would end up using the shovel as his weapon.
If one was asked to make a list of animals living in the desert, the common answers would be foxes, scorpions, snakes, lizards, beetles, and ants. Still, only a variety of animals lived in the Sahara desert, depending on the region. There were gazelles, hyenas, jackals, rodents, hedgehogs, ostriches, owls, and many more. There were even alligators and baboons in the Ennedi Plateau. Since there werent many of them, they were hardly seen. Of course, a large number of flies and ants populated the desert. Then there were also grasshoppers.
Ill want nothing more if I can just have a glass of ice-filled coke. This deserts as unlikable as its likable, Black Mamba complained.
His throat was parched. No matter how tightly he wrapped his face, sand as fine as flour kept entering. Even the drinking water on their Jeep was three days past its expiration date. It was hot and smelly. He missed drinking coke, with its fizz and foam.
Whats that?
He pulled out a plate buried under the sand.
[lutilisation propre/France Agence pour]
For France governments use/usage. What? Samedi, dig.
O-ka-y.
Samedi started showcasing his key talent, digging. Nejma, who had experienced the onslaught of sand previously, moved further back. Samedi disappeared into the ground instantly.
Clang
The shovel hit a hard object.
Samedi, dig that out, and that only.
At the order, Samedi dug a rectangular shape out of the sand.
Huh, its a well! he exclaimed unknowingly.
A cement structure appeared three meters below. It was a well, covered up by sand. It was a water hub built by France when they had power over Chad.
I need to check this.
Black Mamba jumped into the well filled with dry sand.
Whoosh
The sand, which was pushed away by his resonance waves, soared into the air. He slowly sunk into the well like a beetle digging into the sand.
Huh!
Nejma took a deep breath at the incredible sight. The uncles had mentioned that wakil was Gods apostle, and they werent lying. Nejma dropped to his knees and started praying.
Five meters into the digging, he could feel the damp air. He couldnt go any further.
Whoosh
Black Mamba jumped out, accompanied by a shower of sand. He wanted to examine further with his resonance waves. However, he was tired, and it was late. It was the best time to sleep and replenish energy.
The wells location was engraved in Black Mambas memory. He was a god-level sniper. Although he wasnt as smart as the Bedouins who lived in the desert for generations, he could remember any location in the desert without using any marker.
Nejma, lets return.
Although he didnt find any ostrich, that was a much more valuable find. It was unfortunate, but he turned away.
Without spreading his dimensional sight, Black Mamba could hear constant vibrations and the sand sliding. That was the sound of a lizard running away in fear of a humans presence. Even though it was a reptile, lizard meat was edible. The bellmesti smoked meat was especially sweet and juicy, reminiscent of a chicken.
Black Mamba shoved the dart back into his suit. There were 10 members in his group. A little bellmesti smoked meat wouldnt do much to relieve their hunger.
Morcha! Morcha!
Amid his walk, Nejma looked at the ground and suddenly screamed. Black Mamba turned around. There were hoof marks of a four-legged animal on the sandy gravel floor. It was presumably large according to the size of the hoofs and the dents it left behind. A faint animal odor drifted in the air. It hadnt been long since it passed.
How can there be gazelles here?
Gazelles werent like lizards or scorpions. What could they survive on in a desert without grass or water?
Black Mamba only said that because he didnt know there were three kinds of gazelles in the Sahara. The Dorcas gazelles, otherwise called the Robert doe by Frenchmen, were small and weighed 15 kilograms. The Oryx gazelles were large species with large horns that weighed over 150 kilograms. The Addax gazelles were also called the screwhorn antelopes and weighed around 100 kilograms.
The Addax gazelles were herbivores adjusted to desert conditions, and most of them inhabited the Ennedi Plateau and Mordi basin to the north-west. Their round hoofs differentiated themselves from the Dorcas gazelles and Oryx gazelles. The morcha mentioned by Nejma was a local term for the Addax gazelles.
Boom
Black Mamba released his dimensional sight. He detected a creature moving from at least 1,500 meters to the south. His dimensional sight ability improved after spending over a month wandering the underground caves in Syrias northern regions. He could detect anything that moved within a radius of three kilometers. Of course, he could accurately draw out their location and shape as long as they stayed within a radius of 500 meters.
Samedi, theres meat over there. Bring it over.
Black Mamba pointed.
I-will-catch-meat.
Samedi leaped forward from the ground. Clouds of white sand followed him. Black Mamba followed him leisurely as though he was on a walk. Samedi, the zombie, could run at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour. Although his speed was similar to a gazelles, he was definitely ahead in terms of endurance.
Huh, look at him move.
A screwhorn antelope appeared with clouds of sand in its path.
Keeee
Keee
Samedi screeched as he swung the shovel threateningly. He closed up on the animal every time it changed direction and guided it toward Black Mamba. It was a common strategy used by lion prides when they went hunting.
Is he evolving into a human?
The ends of Black Mambas mouth curled up. Samedi wasnt a zombie who acted based on instincts and followed orders. That meant he could make decisions on his own. That was a good sign. Black Mamba picked up a rock as large as his fist.
He was skilled enough to hit a machine gun 400 meters away with a grenade. A gazelle running toward him from 100 meters away was a piece of cake. There was no reason to activate his dimensional sight either.
Whoosh
The ground trembled.
Crack
The Addax gazelles head was targeted right in the center. It leaped amid convulsions before dropping to the ground.
Keeee! Keeee! Samedi screeched as he leaped on the spot.
Samedi, who was about to hit the Addax gazelles neck with his shovel, stopped moving. He carried the Addax gazelle that weighed over 100 kilograms and slung it around his shoulders like a sack before running over.
Wooow! Nejma shouted excitedly.
Morchas were smart and fast. The villagers had attempted to catch the morchas several times with spears, but they never succeeded. Wakil easily caught a morcha by throwing a single rock.
His ability to beat up monsters, cut down large boulders to set up a headstone, and dig underground seemed implausible. He felt as though he was daydreaming. The ability to catch a morcha so easily was more realistic to Nejma.
Wakil will teach me one day. Im done with sweet rice cakes. I can eat meat now.
He was tired of being hungry. He could feed his siblings to their fill as long as he picked up wakils ability. Nejmas chest swelled with hope.
Huh, this is an Addax!
Black Mamba recognized the Addax gazelle at a glance. It was something that he had for two barbecues during the raccoon herding mission. Unlike the C-rations, that was just enough to satisfy their hunger.
Black Mamba enjoyed meat. The Epidiums body exerted 20 times the power of a human in comparison. An equal amount of energy was required to replenish the body too. Meat provided 10 times more energy than a plant. Adult tigers could eat 30 kilograms of meat at once. As a substitute, tigers would have to eat 300 kilograms of rice to replenish the same amount of energy they gained from meat. Basically, leading them up to the point of malnourishment or death. Black Mamba was just like that. He had no choice but to eat meat.
Good job, Samedi.
Samedi smiled widely at the compliment.
Huh, he even smiles!
Zombies had no emotions. Humans smiled to express their emotions. If Samedi recovered his emotions, humanization would advance. He grabbed Samedis head with both of his hands and activated his dimensional sight. The dark membrane that covered his cerebral cortex was less dense. His condition was improving.
Samedi, this is an Addax gazelle. Addax gazelle!
Ad-dax!
Black Mamba nodded. Self-teaching was something that only humans could accomplish. He was definitely evolving into a human. Although it was too early to feel relieved, the rest was a problem that time would solve.
Wow! Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa brought us meat! the group cheered.
Black Mamba received a grand welcome upon his return to the camp. Rather, it was the Addax gazelle that was welcomed. Ahmad pulled out a metal plate from the Jeep to use as a burner and grill. The Addax gazelle was torn apart instantly.
Its g-oo-d.
Samedi managed to, albeit slowly, express his happiness after taking a bite of the barbecued meat. Black Mambas expression brightened up. Samedi wasnt a zombie but a human. The last of his worries were washed away. He had gained a great partner thanks to Barungo.
Monk Dae Woo had once told Mu Ssang a story in passing.
Mu-Ah, you were born a human but turned inhuman. Since youve received Asuras blood, countless Rakshasa and Yaksha will gather around you. Among them, five wise men and seven stars will become your aids.
Mu Ssang had ignored his teachers story. His teacher was someone who fooled around a lot and said random things at random times anyway. He had completely forgotten about his teachers story. Six of the seven stars, who would later be known as the Seven Hojangs[1], had gathered. Still, he was clueless.
1. Blacky (Yaksha): Former biological weapon of the Concretus, Adras. Specialty: ELF(Extremely-low frequency) burst attacks, physical morphing, teleportation, and physical attacks.
2. Sun WooHyun: Former North Korean scouting regiment officer. Specialty: Master of unconventional warfare.
3. Jamal Amud: Former ANO group leader. Specialty: Barrett sniping and bombing.
4. Ahmad Marwan: Former secret guard of the Syrian Orthodox Christians. Specialty: Inheritor of a medieval assassin organization, Circassians Mamluk.
5. Aishe: A Kurd tribe female warrior. Specialty: Sniping and dagger throwing.
6. Samedi Burupa: Former zombie. Specialty: Physical attacks, an advantage of his half-immortal body.
7. ?
[1] Seven warriors.
Chapter 322 - Episode 13: Novatopia
The five wise men would later shape Novatopias military and defense organization based on Frances Special Operations Command. The seven warriors would each take up an echelon to secure Novatopias peace. Novatopians would refer to them as Ddu-bai-buru-pas hands and feet or Novatopias Seven Hojangs. Foreigners would call the Seven Hojangs Ddu-bai-buru-pas cruel hammer. Not even Black Mamba could guarantee a win against biological weapon blackys battle capacity and ability. Those who werent aware of blackys existence associated the entire group under one name, the Seven Hojangs. With the seventh warriors identity still undisclosed, blacky received several nicknames like the holy weapon and Yaksha. Easterners referred to all of them as the eight arms. The deserts night deepened. Someone who had never experienced the desert would vaguely imagine an idyllic and moving scenerylayers of moving dunes, rows of walking camels, and the oasis of palm trees and olive trees. But once they experienced the Sahara, their admiration would turn into resentment and disappointment. The desert was not as attractive as they thought. Theres the scorching sun, the endless empty gravel fields, the random sandstorms that overwhelmed people, the flies and sand entering all seven natural body openings, and the cold that bit on the skin when the sun descended. When all of that threatened ones survival, their admiration would turn into regret and despair instantly. After spending a night in the Sahara, their opinion would change once more. The cluster of stars that filled the empty dark space continued from horizon to horizon. The milky way that rippled across the sky seemed like it would fall on ones head at any moment. The display of black space and light had no beginning or end. The deserts night was a large space of silence. In the silence, the sounds of animals howling intermittently, insects running on the sand, and the wind scratching the ground added mystery to the desert, like the flowing skirt of a seductive enchantress. A humans imagination ran endlessly amid the majestic silence and solitude. Their body trembled from grasping the tail of the universes creation and witnessing a glimpse of Gods world. Black Mamba couldnt fall asleep easily. The deserts night had an allure to it that made one reflect. Perhaps that was why Jesus had decided to isolate himself in the wilderness, too. Where am I from, and where am I going? Have I found what it takes to be human? He still couldnt find answers to his fundamental questions. His teacher had mentioned that when the time was right, relationships that were meant to be would stay, and bad relations would be resolved. However, his hot-tempered nature made it hard to heed his teachers advice. He was living a short life that would only last 100 years at best. When would that time come? His horizons had broadened after several life-or-death experiences and interactions with people of all kinds of personalities. However, the regret and resentment he felt toward his blood-related family remained. Even now, his mothers location and the national examination was a problem. The old grudge he had against the Jang family and Chui Do Shik, who would be sharpening his knife somewhere, were like thorns in his throat. The b*stard who couldnt solve any of his personal problems and tried to feed other peoples mouths was known as Ddu-bai-buru-pa and wakil. Am I too caring? He sighed. He had shoved himself into a swamp while trying to save others out of pity. What was the difference between humans and pigs if one lived and ate well until they died? Thats how he reassured himself, but essentially, he was far from the words greed, success, and power. His teacher had always pitied him. He was supposed to become a leader but had become Asura instead. His teacher had said that it was unfortunate he had followed the Left Martial Theories and couldnt reach the level of a master. He didnt care about becoming a leader or Asura. He was but someone slightly more powerful than humans. He was still a being who couldnt overcome the fear of the Wheel of Life. He found his mothers warm bowl of rice and room, which was spacious enough for him to lay down, satisfactory. If he was slightly greedier, he would have asked for a kind and large-chested lady who was also a good cook for a wife. He would desire nothing more if he could have five or six smart sons and daughters. His master had laughed after hearing about his dream. Brat, if I had such great fortune, I would have thrown everything away and gone down to the real world. A comfortable life is 100 times more difficult than a successful life. Hed laughed back then, but his teachers words were accurate. If money and fame were considered successes, hed already succeeded. He had 400,000,000 francs in cash, 9,000,000 pyungs of farmland in Doba, Novatopia that was one-third as large as Korea, and countless people who worked under his station as the special military advisor, a position equivalent to the French vice-ministerial status. If that were considered successes, then they were. Although he had money and fame, the comfortable life seemed to grow distant. There was so much to do for the farm in Doba and Novatopia. The saying that went, the more one had to protect, the poorer ones mind became, perfectly explained the situation. He remembered the worn-out notebook he had left back at the temple. It was a murder list that he had written at the age of 13. On the front, it read, Pay debts back tenfold, and grudges back a hundredfold. On the back, it read, I want to leave a mark in this world. He had written the first page at the age of 13 and the last page at 17. What was so regretful, and what did he want to leave behind? Was it the trauma from his childhood abuse? Keeegh Yihihihi The brief screaming and howling of the hyenas created a ripple in the sea of silence. Wherever there was life, there was always those who ate and those who were eaten. He was, but a mere existence caught up in such a situation too. Damn, I should stop scratching other peoples legs and go. He forced his eyes shut and went to sleep. The nightmare of wars and the Angel of Death was also someone who couldnt control his own emotions. The cold air woke him up. Black Mamba stared blankly at the eastern horizon, where light pink hues started painting the sky. He wasnt in the single room on the bridge that reeked of sweat or the markets attic room. He was in the desert where the endless horizon spread and the dews that had formed overnight fluttered in the wind. Good morning, wakil. Nejma handed him a foldable cookware. There was clear water inside. He looked at the water with his inner eye. Black Mamba naturally suspected the water in Africa. It was because of the parasites. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, this guy went around spreading waterproof tarps to collect dew. He looked at Nejma, surprised by Jamals comment. That kid had spent the whole night trying to collect fresh water for him. Dont do this kind of thing next time. You need to maintain your strength if you want to survive the desert. Nejma, who couldnt understand, only looked around. Jamal pointed at the foldable cookware and shook his head. Ill remember. Nejma was quick-witted. He understood immediately and nodded his head. Black Mamba stretched his stiff muscles with the 36 forbidden practices of the five combined movements. It took one minute to complete the front punches and two minutes to complete the rotating kicks. He moved like a slow-motion video that even a sloth would have sighed. Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion watched on and yawned. Nejma, look carefully at how Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa moves. But hes so slow, Nejma responded apathetically to Ahmad. He wanted to see the explosive speed that instantly split a zombie into half. The trajectory of his four punches and four kicks are the same every single time. He didnt even tremble. Ive been training for 20 years, but I dont dare try those moves. Are those moves that hard? Precision is more important than speed. Precision allows you to move faster. Once you can execute a slow move, a fast move becomes a breeze. Nejma didnt understand Ahmads explanation. Hes getting faster! Wow! Nejma shouted. Sssst When Fearless steps unfolded, it looked as though his body was teleporting. Bang Bang Every time his hands and feet stretched out, the ground shook. He started moving faster. As his hands and feet moved, shadows began stacking up in the air. Whoooosh The grounds ki swarmed around his body. In the end, his body became invisible, and only a pillar of sand moved. Black Mamba stood still after completing the 36 forbidden practices, which released 216 moves per second. Splash The pillar of sand fell. Nejma looked admiringly at Black Mamba, who stood still like an individual in salute. Black Mamba stood still for a moment before loosening up. Although hed been moving swiftly for 30 minutes, his breathing remained steady. It was refreshing. The clear deserts energy filled him from within. It had a better effect than when he had trained at the temple. Ahmad, martial arts is a technique that concentrates strength before exploding at a single point. The Circassians Mamluk is a martial art technique that increases ones speed according to their flexibility. Do you know this? Yes, I know this. Do you think your body is flexible? Ill show you, sir. Ahmad leaned his body back and grabbed his calf. Then, he rolled once. He then stood up like a roly-poly toy and brought his legs close to his chest. His body, which folded like cardboard, sprung into the air and rotated three times. Wow! The audience exclaimed at the seemingly impossible acrobatic display. Its still not enough. Black Mamba raised both of his hands in a straight line, the back of his wrists touching. His arms dropped down to his back, below his waist, as he balanced with his elbows. At that sight, Ahmads mouth hung open. At that moment, the fact that elbows could only fold inward was proven wrong. The mind-blowing display continued. While standing, he pushed his neck back. The cartilage that cushioned each of his spinal bones extended like a rubber band. The tip of his foot swung up from his extended knee. The knee joint flexed in the other direction. His upper body moved further, two feet back from where he stood. It was an impossible move unless the spine was separated from the pelvis. Woah! Its magic! Cest la poulpe![1] It was a move that completely ignored the joint structures and muscles. Everyones mouth dropped open at Black Mambas magic. Try attacking me. Ill move at the same speed as you. Thank you. Ill gladly take up on a lesson. Ahmad pulled out his shamshir. Yop! Ahmad jumped off the ground in a sprint and used all of his strength to attack Black Mambas belly button. Hed once been severely scolded by Black Mamba after striking an enemys head right off in Kaparja Valley. Since then, he would practice stabbing whenever he had the time. The belly button supported all body movements. It was an area that moved the slowest. Ah! The audience briefly exclaimed. Crack A short, powerful impact rang. Ahmad flipped once in the air and slammed onto the ground. He lay there like a frog concussed after one blow. Woaa! Samedi shook. He clearly witnessed what went down. Unlike humans, his senses were much more heightened. Just before the swords sharp tip grazed the humans skin, the human extended his foot the other way and kicked Ahmads chin. Although he minimized the impact of his kick, the rather strong human opponent was defeated. The fear of offending powerful humans overcame his brain. Ahmad had been training his body for at least 20 years. He shivered and crawled to his feet. After several deep breaths, his blacked-out sight slowly returned to normal. Would you like to try once more? No, sir. Im not experienced enough to keep up with your lesson right now, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Did you see? Yes. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, your foot extended to the opposite side and kicked my chin. Hm, you have sharp eyes. This is the flexibility power I showed you before. You were attacked the moment you lowered your guard, assuming that the battle is over. You must never let your guard down in battle no matter what situation youre in. Ill keep that in mind, sir. Black Mamba pulled out the Boss-saurus tendon stick from his backpack. Whoosh When the stick swung once in the air, a loud crash sounded. Samedi flinched. Your body is the limit of any ordinary humans flexibility. To overcome the said limit, you need to get rid of the built-up waste between your muscles and joints and strengthen your tendons. I will administer the soul-returning pain administration. Lackey fainted three times in five minutes. Will you be able to endure it? I will, sir Agh! Ahmad couldnt complete his sentence and screamed desperately in pain. Whoosh The tendon stick came down and attacked his spinal cord, where the spinal nerves connected to the brain. Like a worm sprinkled with salt, the single blow caused Ahmad to curl up on the floor, twisting and turning. The soul-returning pain administration unfolded on top of the recent attack. Crack Crack Kuugh Aaaaargh The sound of skin being slapped alongside screams produced an uneven beat. Ahmad, who felt like his life was being threatened, instinctively rolled around to avoid the beating. It was useless. The stick followed him like a ghost and struck him at the crucial spots with the right level of impact. Craaaaaack Black Mambas hands moved even faster. The shadows of the stick stacked up in the air. Blood poured out from Ahmads seven body openings. Ahmad, who screamed and cried, lost his consciousness within one minute and fainted. Sweat beaded on his blue-black skin. The stick kept coming down on the immobile half-dead body. Uoooo! Hehes going to kill Ahmad. The faces of the audience turned blue. The horrible beating suddenly stopped. Ahmad had turned into a rag in three minutes. Mohammad, boil the water, wet the cloth, and massage Ahmads body. Ill visit him later. What? Yes, yes, sir! Mohammad and Aishe, who were blue in the face, rushed to carry the sack of rags and disappeared. Samedi, its your turn. Uooooo! Samedi stepped back several times, shaking his two hands. His big eyes lost their focus, looking everywhere except at Black Mamba. Ha! Black Mamba laughed. Samedis body was excellent. Muscles covered his well-proportioned body of over two meters. It was comedic to see a sturdy guy with enough power to challenge a bear shaking and stepping back in fear. Samedi, youre not going to be scolded. This is training. You can hit me as much as you want. You can bite me or hit me with your shovel. For a long time, Samedi stared suspiciously at Black Mamba before he raised his shovel and roared. Aaaaarururu! [1] Its an octopus!
Chapter 323 - , Episode 14: Novatopia
Humans enjoyed watching from the sidelines. The core of entertainment was satisfaction for all. Regardless of race or nationality, fighting with fire and others was the best entertainment available. That was because they could satisfy their suppressed nature for destruction. Ahmads defeat by a single blow left the audience dissatisfied. Samedi exuded the aura of a warrior. Eyes flashed with expectation. Samedi, go give Dubai a good hit! Dubai, dua![1] Dubai, soh![2] Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion cheered Samedi on. Samedi charged off the ground in a sprint. Rumble The sand flew. He was just like an ox in heat. Arururu! Samedi flew. The shovel swung in the air and slammed down. Bang Instead of Black Mamba, the shovel landed on the ground. The great force pushed the shovel deep into the ground, up until its handle. Samedi pulled out the shovel and kneeled. I lost! No! The audience couldnt close their mouths at the unexpected outcome. What kind of pose was that? That was a pose from the middle ages when a knight swore loyalty to his master! Their disappointed faces creased into a frown instantly. Haha, this is unexpected. I thought youre becoming human, not a raccoon. Black Mamba also laughed. Samedi had managed to avoid the crisis by using his intellect. Pillars of orange light shot out from the eastern horizon like spears. It was time to move. Wakil, I want to receive the Hanukudashu too. Nejma kneeled. Jamal, what is this kid saying? Hehe wants to get beaten up too. Jamal looked at Nejma in disbelief. Didnt the kid witness what had happened to Ahmad? That kid wasnt normal either. He was just like the masochist lackey. Nejma, your bones arent fully developed yet. The soul-returning pain administration dissolves the muscles and shakes the bones to draw out the built-up impurities inside your body. If your muscles cant tolerate this, youll become disabled. You wont be able to handle the shock. Nejmas face darkened after hearing Jamals explanation. Black Mamba smiled. If you strengthen your bones and muscles, you might be able to receive this beating faster. Would you like to try? Yes. Nejma looked determined. He didnt want to lose his family again just because he was helpless. His father had often said that doing something was better than doing nothing. Black Mamba taught Nejma the horse stance. A proper horse stance caused great pain. Black Mamba wasnt a kind teacher. He smacked the kid back into position with a stick if there was the slightest mistake. Hm, now youre doing it correctly. Stones were placed on Nejmas wrist and knee. Within five minutes, Nejmas face creased, and sweat began to pour down his face. Ibrahim and the rest tiptoed away in case they were asked to do it too. Jamal, if Nejma drops the stones, increase the time frame. Once 10 minutes have passed, give him a five minutes break. Since todays the first day, just three times should do. Yes, sir. Nejma, who was quick-witted, gritted his teeth upon understanding the situation. The tenacity of the unforgiving kind overwhelmed his brain. Professor Orifice shook his head after attempting the horse stance. Ugh, my bodys aching. Why do you do these kinds of things? Im going to live a normal life and die peacefully. Studying was the easiest. Black Mamba produced a bucket of sweat trying to administer the interrogative blood pacer into Ahmad. A body that received the soul-returning pain administration suffered from inflamed muscles and twisted bones. The person would become disabled without the interrogative blood pacer, which would restore the muscles and bones to their natural state. Damn, I need to learn the soul-returning methods of trials or steal the secrets of Higashi Hongan-jis grand defrosting flow from my teacher. This is hard work, Black Mamba, who was covered in sweat, complained. Aishe wiped down his naked upper body with a wet cloth. There was an underlying intention behind her extremely slow movements, which wiped every corner of his body. Aishe, Ahmad should be able to move in two days. You take care of him. Okay. Cant I receive this Hanukudashu too? Jamal, Ibrahim, and Mohammad flinched at Aishes unexpected words. Black Mambas gaze turned to the three guys. He stared at them as though insinuating that they were pathetic for not stepping up as she did. F****** hell, were dead! All three of their faces creased at once. That sounds good. Lets do it when theres time. Youll get used to it after several hits. Black Mamba drummed the floor with the Boss-saurus tendon. The boulder, which was as large as a humans head, spat out flints every time it landed. Get used to it? The three mens faces grew pale. Yes. Thats great. In a daze, Aishe continued talking. She was just like a cat enjoying its masters caress. Th-that damn brat! Eyes filled with resentment turned to look at Aishe immediately. Jamal was 35 years old while Ibrahim and Mohammad were entering their 40s. They were distressed by the fact that they had to be beaten at their old age. They held a small meeting after the quick breakfast. There were many obstacles with Novatopias construction. Firstly, water. Nothing could proceed without water. Secondly, it was the greening. The dry Sahara deserts wind naturally evaporated the surface moisture. They needed plants that could block the wind and the sand. Last night, I found a well that the previous French government constructed five kilometers away. Shernion, why is a well made with great effort left in such a state? Its the remains of Frances contribution during the colonization era. The unsanitary water crisis was the same then as it is now. The French government had deployed 3,000 airborne force members to locate water veins for the caravans and region locals. According to the records, they dug at least 1,000 wells in southern Sahara. They did some good things too, then. Their intentions were good, but the wells werent maintained. Wells need to be emptied and cleaned periodically to obtain clean water. The wells need the support of a strong inner wall so that they dont collapse. They constructed the inner walls in this region with woven Stipa Calamagrostis. The locals knew how to use the wells, not maintain them. They dont remove the insects that are inside the well. They just drink the stinky water as it is. No way! Ugh! Aishe shivered in disgust. She felt nauseous at the thought of drinking rotten rat water. I still dont understand women. Black Mamba glanced at Aishe, who was showing signs of nausea. Aishe was a female warrior who took the heads of people like it was nothing. It was incomprehensible how an iron-willed woman like her was terrified of rats. Its because theyre lazy. The people in our village are like that too. No one cleans the well. They dont even clean the pile of sand in front of their houses. My father and I always cleaned the well. Black Mambas forehead creased at Nejmas words. That was a place where ridiculous people lived. The kind of people he despised the most was greedy and lazy people. Those people believed that someone else should do the cleaning even if it wasnt difficult to clean it themselves. In other words, they believed that if they cleaned the well, it shouldnt be shared with others. Probably its because they dont have the reasonable greed you speak of, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. They could have picked a date or take turns to clean. Black Mamba nodded, agreeing with Ibrahims words. That was common in situations where students were assigned long-term group projects. While some students tried their best to obtain good grades, some students would not cooperate and study another subject, ignoring the group task. It was because they knew they would get the same grades as those who had prepared. Free riders existed everywhere. Even the wells on the roads were the same. While the caravans consider water as precious as life, theyre just passers-by. They dont have the time to reinforce the wells or clean them. Its not as if the caravans pass by in turns either. How can the wells be maintained when no one uses them often! Although not a single b*stard in Chad cared, did the French government ignore the situation too? What if they did? This place is a remote area, 1,500 kilometers away from NDjamena. Theres no way anyone from the government would come here to take care of the wells that even the locals consider insignificant. Our country cant provide manpower and money to maintain the wells on this large land either. So, the sand ended up swallowing the wells. The well you found is one of the many that have disappeared. Even now, the Bedouins still search for wells to quench their thirst. Of course, they dont try to maintain them either. They dont know when theyll return, you see. Its the representative result of burying the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs money under the sand. Professor Shernion, who was an urban planning expert, spoke cynically of the power of the abandoned wells in the Sahara. If the people change, things will proceed differently. Im not the French government. To wet 25,000 square kilometers of land, well have to dig countless wells. What do you think, Shernion? Theres no water in the desert, but thats because it cant be seen. The Atacama Desert in Chile has five millimeters of annual rainfall. A sonic sensor device even detected a groundwater basin in that place. The Ennedi Plateaus annual rainfall ranges from 200 to 800 millimeters. For the last 1,000s of 1,000,000s of years, all that rainwater could have accumulated underground. Right. Nothing is to be gained from the ponds or springs that gather on the ground. The answer to your questions is an aquifer. This is a place where large gazelles inhabit. Of course, theres water and grass. This place is closer to a basin. Surprisingly, theres a lot of grass. Although Im no expert, in my experience, there should be an aquifer. The well you found is most probably sourced from an aquifer where water makes its way to the surface through the cracks of fault zones. So what? Lets move to that place. Try to call out this Oceanus hiding deep underground. Everyone stood up at Black Mambas decision. What is he doing? Professor Shernion asked when he saw Black Mamba in lotus form on top of the dried well. Shh! Ahmad covered Professor Shernions mouth. Whatever his master was doing, he shouldnt be disturbed. Black Mamba was meditating. The limit he could reach with his resonance waves was between 400 to 500 meters. Although his dimensional sight had an extensive range, it couldnt penetrate the ground. He didnt know how deep the aquifer was. He had to look as deep as possible. Boom His resonance waves spread. Ground information from a radius of 500 meters rushed into his brain. Most people would have fainted from the overload of information or developed epilepsy. Black Mamba narrowed the reach of his resonance waves as much as he could. Voom The resonance waves traveled underground. 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, 400 metersIt passed the bedrock, the layers of sand, and the layers of rocks. Resonance waves were a category of active brain waves. It didnt reflect information like a radar and returned the information it obtained from passing through objects instead. He carefully analyzed the changing resonance waves in his brain. Hm! The resonance waves that returned felt completely different from the rest before. There was definitely a different response from the 600 meters point. Water molecules clung to his resonance waves. At 700 meters onward, the resonance waves grew considerably narrow. That meant the density was consistent. That continued until the 900 meters mark. His mind grew hazy, and the information stopped coming in. That was his limit. Eureka! Black Mambas eyes flashed open. He had to size it down by calling the scouting team over. However, if the aquifer was more than 200 meters deep, it was quite a significant amount. Wakil, is there any progress? Yes. Perhaps it could contest Libya Wow! Lets call the lieutenant over right now! Mohammad and Ibrahim rushed like eager children. We should call him over. Black Mamba took out the antenna and satellite-operated phone from his backpack. He punched in the code and called lieutenant Pellpeng from the scouting team. Lieutenant, did you find any groundwater? Military advisor, how are you? Pellpeng asked him instead. I finished surveying Lake Yoa and the Serir lakes. Theres nothing. No way? Lieutenant, did you find any groundwater? Black Mamba sounded slightly annoyed. Yes, sir. Sorry. We managed to narrow down two places up to 1,500 meters deep but couldnt find any fault zone. Lieutenant, grab all drilling and surveying equipment and immediately move to my location. To the base camp? Yes. I cant track your current location, sir. Ill send someone. Yes, sir. Ill wait. Wait, what happened to the patient? Hes recovering well, sir. Good. Start preparing. Black Mamba hung up and called Jamal over. Jamal, take Nejma with you and bring the scouting team over. Yes, sir. As Nejma walked off, Black Mamba started complaining. Damn, I should start with a coordinate map. Theyre coming! Jamal shouted. A truck appeared on the horizon. They really rushed here. It had been four hours since Nejma left. They arrived faster than they should have, considering that Nejma had to run back and forth. 10 trucks with pipes and digging tools arrived. Soon, another truck arrived dragging a large drill rig trailer. Act, I think the surveying equipment and materials will arrive late since theyre transported by camels. We only need to dig for now. Have you eaten? There was no time to eat, sir. Lieutenant Pellpeng glanced at Jamal before answering. Black Mamba laughed internally. He must have rushed them a little bit too much. Get ready to drill. Meals will be consumed in turns. Damn, ranks the boss. Lieutenant Pellpeng swore inwardly at the cold response. They had all rushed over and couldnt even touch the C-rations because of the Arab mans incessant scolding. The master and servant were like two peas in a pod. Whats the width of the drill? The drill rigs capacity is up to 600 millimeters. Weve prepared 200-millimeter pipes since this is an experimental excavation. It can dig up to 2,000 meters deep. Once we have the drills and pipes, we should be able to drill up to 3,000 meters. [1] Dubai, out! [2] Dubai, go get him!
Chapter 324 - Episode 15: Novatopia (End of Vol. 15)
There was confidence in lieutenant Pellpengs words. The drill rig he brought with him wasnt a groundwater developing tool but old mining equipment. The government had leased it to him after borrowing from Totals Company. A technicians pride was their excellent equipment. 3,000 meters? Black Mamba was slightly surprised. He saw the drill rig on the trailer in a new light. It was as big as a tourist bus.
The supporting equipment alone took up a whole truck. It was a monster compared to the small underground cleaning equipment he had seen in Korea. Theres no need to dig that deep. A fault exists 600 meters underground. The aquifer is around 100 meters thick. Youll be able to dock at its floor once you pass the 700 meters mark. Im sorry? Lieutenant Pellpengs face creased devilishly at the certainty of his words. The chances of finding an aquifer in the desert were as low as finding a distributed oil layer. How could anyone possibly know what existed underground?
Was he claiming to be Gaias lover, or was he Oceanus incarnation? Is this person joking around? Lieutenant Pellpeng studied Black Mambas face with suspicious eyes. At times, when people couldnt adapt to the deserts extreme temperature differences, they would say random things. From his pale yellow complexion, it was evident he was displaying symptoms of hypoxemia. If Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa says so, it is so. Jamal glared through his narrow eyes. He wanted to pull out those eyes that dared to stare at Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
Damn, that bstards temper. Lieutenant Pellpeng grew annoyed. He wanted to punch the trusting servant who acted out against him. Just as his temper rose, something flashed before his eyes. Ugh! Surprised, lieutenant Pellpeng moved back. A sack of s** who was holding a shiny knife smiled. You madman! His hand subconsciously moved to his pistol. Look down. Ahmad pointed at the ground with the tip of his knife.
A yellow scorpion was twisting its cleaved body around on the floor. No, a deathstalker! Lieutenant Pellpengs eyes widened. Their species were the most poisonous among the dozens of scorpions living in the Sahara Desert. A person would die within one or two hours after getting stung by it. Lieutenant Pellpeng felt a chill in his chest. He could have almost died. Ththank you. Lieutenant Pellpengs face creased as he thanked Ahmad. Black Mamba suppressed his laughter.
The distorted expression of one forcing a smile on their stiff face was hilarious. The scorpion was Ahmads trick. Ahmad put on a show as he grabbed the scorpion and placed it on the lieutenants shoulder. Ahmad, you sliced off the lieutenants epaulet. You should have handled it more elegantly. He scolded Ahmad on an impulse.
If the deathstalker had managed to attack the lieutenants neck, he would already be on the express train to death. I apologize, sir. Ahmad lowered his head at Black Mambas scolding. 20 minutes of horse stance. Yes, sir! Ahmad immediately stretched his arms, lowered his stance, and straightened his back. Lieutenant Pellpeng felt terrible.
The swordsman was being punished for saving him. He couldnt disregard the situation before him because of his conscience. Uh- The moment he opened his mouth, a black man with the build of a heavyweight wrestler passed by. The black man grabbed the twitching deathstalker with his thick hands and shoved it into his mouth. Craaack Splat The sound of its shell breaking left lieutenant Pellpeng shaking. Uuugh!
He automatically groaned. All of the special advisors subordinates were crazy bstards. His initial plan to go against them flew 1,000s of miles away. Lieutenant, lets begin. What? Yes, of course! Aschdan, lets begin, lieutenant Pellpeng returned to his senses and ordered his subordinate, who was waiting. The large 15-ton drill rig came off the trailer. Once the drill rig was in place, four hydraulic supports were used to secure it. Boom The large boomer stretched. The five Syrians and Nejma had never seen a drill rig before. When the boomer shot into the sky, their eyes widened.
The engineering corps moved quickly. The air puncher hit an outer pipe of 500 millimeters in diameter. The lifter wire dropped from 35 meters above the ground. A group of technicians rushed in to substitute the air puncher for a 25-meter drill and shoved in a fixing pin. Boom The hydraulic drill bit of 500 horsepower dug into the outer pipe. The operator increased the RPM. Sand flew away from the drill screw, like fireworks. Two engineers dug away the pouring sand with shovels. Although the machine was self-sufficient, there were still tasks to be completed by humans.
The drill bit dug into the ground violently. The 25-meter drill bit disappeared in 150 seconds, leaving only its head. More engineers rushed in to connect the bits and punch the hinges. The process continued for a while. An hour later, crushed rocks and water were hauled up along with the drill screw and thrown into the air. Lieutenant, its a fault zone! an engineer shouted. Mon dieu, cest vrai?[1] lieutenant Pellpeng shouted. They specifically used 24 drills of 25 meters long.
They also dug exactly at the 600 meters point. Was the special military advisor some kind of god? No, could there be an aquifer? A fault zone wasnt an exclusive condition. It was a prerequisite for the existence of an aquifer. Eight additional drills disappeared. Lieutenant, get ready. Its going to burst soon! Black Mamba warned as he watched on.
He clearly felt the strong currents that twisted like a Korean dragon underground. OOkay, sir. Rumble The moment he answered, the ground vibrated. Lieutenant, its going to burst! The airman who had been holding the outer pipe rushed to turn on the horizontal pipes switch. The drill started vibrating, unable to withstand the water pressure. What are you doing! Pull out the drill! Aschdan shouted. Beeeeep The hydraulic pressure crank turned. The operator increased the RPM. When the drills in the ground popped back up, the engineers rushed to pull out the hinges and immediately dismantled the drills. Whoosh
The water suppressed under the aquifer rushed up through the 500-millimeter diameter side pipe and spilled out. Streams of water stretched across several dozen meters. The streams of water created a fountain instantly. Wow, its water! Hooray for Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Oooh, its water! Allahu Akbar! May Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa be praised! Various cheers broke out. Everyone who was watching jumped and danced. It wasnt an exception for the engineering corps either. Camels and water were as valuable as ones life.
Although camels had been replaced by vehicles over time, it wasnt the case for water. The five Syrians rushed in. Their mouths surrounded the side pipe, and they drank the pouring water until their stomachs were full. The drill bit popped out. Bang Streams of water rose to the sky. It was a spectacular display. Wow! The engineering corps cheered, drenched in the pouring water. Clang Clang The drill rig continued digging into the pipes. It was already a determined success. Their movements grew quicker. 200-millimeter diameter pipes disappeared into the ground in rows.
Black Mamba closed his eyes. Memories of him witnessing a water tank explosion in a mining cave when he was 14 years old kept resurfacing. While it had been the water of death then, it was the water of life now. Father, how nice it would be to grow a peach field here and enjoy the pink flower petals fall with mother. His heart ached. Tears gathered in his eyes unknowingly. Although he had been busy, hed never once forgotten his mother. Its a large aquifer considering the water pressure. I think Ill have to request large pipes and pumps from headquarters, sir.
Lieutenant Pellpengs excitement pulled Black Mamba back to reality. You proceed with the rest, lieutenant. Yes, sir. But how did you know? Lieutenant Pellpeng couldnt hide his shock. Finding an aquifer in the Sahara Desert was like finding a needle in a haystack. If finding one was easy, the desert wouldnt be a desert. Finding the right location was difficult enough, and the chance of a successful digging was less than 0.1 percent. I just could! You just could? lieutenant Pellpengs face creased in bewilderment. Good work, lieutenant.
Heres your bonus. Black Mamba threw at him a total of 10,000 francs from his backpack. He didnt want to talk to the man any longer. That was the mans reward for skipping breakfast and being dragged all the way there, covered in sand and water. Thank you, sir. Lieutenant Pellpengs frowning face lit up. Aschdan! Commence the water quality analysis immediately! Lieutenant Pellpeng spoke with authority. The powerful streams of water didnt slow down at all. The water that soared 30 meters up into the air created a waterway on the dry land.
The yellow sand turned dark. Wakil, please have a drink. Nejma handed him a cookware filled with water. Thanks. He emptied the cookware without breathing. The water was sweet and refreshing. It was the best kind of water for drinking. There was no need for a quality analysis either. There was no way an aquifer 1,000 meters underground could be contaminated. One for all, and all for one! Here is the bridge village. Black Mamba mumbled the saying unknowingly. There were actions where the heart was and results where the mind was not.
The only remaining memories he had of his lost hometown was a run-down Chinese house where his neighbor lived and Ha Dongs house. The place that he would personally build with his hands would become his second hometown. Dudududu The ground shook. It was caused by a herd of running camels after they caught a whiff of the water. They rushed toward the flowing water and shoved their mouths in. Soon after, the scouting team appeared. What is that? Has it been found already? The airborne forces, who arrived late, were wide-eyed.
By the time several trucks, 50 camels, and 60 surveyors arrived, the scene had already transformed into a night market. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is great! Mohammad shouted at the top of his lungs. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa is great! Black Mambas family chanted after him. Confused for a moment, lieutenant Pellpeng decided to join in. The special military advisor was Frances high-ranking officer. If he simply stood by, he would be taken away by those Arab bstards. Special military advisor is Frances pride! lieutenant Pellpeng shouted, raising both of his hands in the air.
Special military advisor is Frances pride! 80 members of the scouting team chanted after him. The voices of Mohammad and the rest were buried under theirs. Lieutenant Pellpeng smiled. He was pleased. There were simple and ignorant soldiers who would willingly risk their lives for trivial matters, be it in the West or the East. Mohammad called Jamal over, noticing Black Mambas expression. Akh Jamal, organize the place. Shouldnt Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa give a speech on this important day? Youre right, hadritak! Jamal shouted. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa will now speak.
Quiet down! Samedi, who had been assessing the situation, ran to the truck immediately. He lifted the spare 200-liter drum container stored at the back of the truck and returned. Bang Once he set the drum container down, he looked at Black Mamba with an expression that expected praise. Monster! Lieutenant Pellpeng was tired of it all. The servants were as incredible as their master. Huh, his slyness returned. Black Mamba patted Samedis shoulder and stepped onto the drum container. My family and the surveyors from the 11th Airborne brigade, youve all worked hard
. Today is a historic day for Novatopia as it takes its first step. I believe todays small step will become pivotal for Africa in the future. Novatopia is the last refuge for the oppressed and starved. Those who arent capable of escaping mistreatment and starvation on their own are welcomed as citizens of Novatopia. However, those who attempt to freeride on other peoples coattails cannot become citizens of Novatopia. I have decided to make this place Novatopias capital. The capital will be known as Jipoon Dari.
After the short speech, Black Mamba jumped off the drum container. Woooh, hooray for Jipoon Dari! Jipoon Dari, Jipoon Dari! The crowd cheered and stamped their feet on the ground. Is he the modern version of Moses? The water tastes amazing. I feel like we have to cheer for him, too. Im glad weve managed to become friends so quickly. Hahaha, I suppose. I want to see how far this young man will go. Dont you have nowhere to go anyway? That is true. Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion faced each other and burst out laughing.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, the camel owner wishes to thank you. Thank me? That kind of thing is expected in the desert. He also has something to say. Then, lets head over. Black Mamba followed Jamal and entered the surveyors medical tent. Act! A military doctor stood up and gave a salute. The man lying on the medical field bed turned his head. Im lieutenant Henry Gillaume. How is the patient? Special military advisor, the Shamu doctors would have cried performing the same operation as you did. I didnt have to do anything. You have my respect.
Lieutenant Gillaume nodded his head. The special military advisor had effortlessly performed a surgery that even the best doctors would have found challenging. The chest support was remarkable. Lieutenant Gillaume still couldnt comprehend how he could have assembled the chest support with car fenders. The special military advisor didnt seem human to him. It wasnt much. I heard the patient wanted to see me. Yes, sir. Since he is recovering well, there wont be any problem with holding a conversation. Afwerki, this is the person who saved you, the French special military advisor.
Im Vall Afwerki. Thank you for saving my life. I apologize for thanking you in such a state, however. His tone was polite, and he spoke fluent french. He wasnt just a regular traveler who dragged around camels. Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. I could meet the same fate as you tomorrow, Mr. Afwerki. Although young, you speak like a Bedouin who wanders the desert. I am an Eritrean. Since my grandfathers generation, my family has been running a coffee plantation in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. Yirgacheffe is the main producer of Arabica coffee, right? If youre an Eritrean, shouldnt you be from the north of Sudan? And you also run a plantation? The ends of Black Mambas eyes were slightly raised. [1] My God, is it true?
Chapter 325 - Episode 16: Novatopia
Black Mamba wasnt ecstatic. It was because of the stereotypes that plantations had. Plantations operated on the exploitation of laborers. Initially, they had used slaves, and in the late centuries, they used cheap local workers. Slaves were treated less than livestock, and locals were severely overworked. Plantation owners usually ordered overseers and team leaders to work the locals like slaves. Lynching and executions happened often. It was the same for the Samaria farm in Doba. The practice of monoculture may be ideal, but its managed wrongly. Through cooperative farming, our family converted performed labor into shares and divided the profits equally. Although the profits may be enough for the European farm owners, our family are locals who have lived in Eritrea for generations. We couldnt profit off laborers, even if its for our reputation. And the reason you moved to Yirgacheffe? Its because of the coffee leaf rust(CLR). CLR produces red dots on the leaf, which would result in the trees death. 80 percent of Eritreas coffee plantations have been destroyed. While variations of coffee cherries appear at the two-year mark, they can only be harvested after five years. So, my grandfather moved our plantation base to Yirgacheffe. It sounds like they spread fast. I should take measures against pests and diseases in advance. I heard theres a plan to allocate a part of the Ennedi Plateau to coffee farming. Coffee needs to be handled from the seedling stage. The CLR on the leaves is intimidating, but once the CBD starts spreading, it becomes more difficult to handle. The quality of coffee significantly deteriorates without timely prevention against the worms that eat the fruits or stem, the scale worms that suck on the sap, and the moth worms that eat the leaves. At the Yirgacheffe plantation, sorghum was cultivated among coffee trees to prevent pests and diseases. Pesticides are too expensive. Oh, did it work? Its effective at reducing pests and diseases. Our harvest increased by 10 percent, and the CLR was significantly reduced too. It seems like one shouldnt venture into this kind of business without experience. What happened to the plantation and the caravan? Yirgacheffe is an alpine region south of Sudan near Lake Abaya. The lakes thick fog blocks the sun, which helped aid in the plantations production of high-quality coffee cherries. My grandfather had made the best decision, and at the same time, the worst. A decade ago, we lost all our wealth because of Mengistus coup dtat and fled back to our home town in Eritrea. The plantation was seized by the government. Afwerkis eyes flashed. The armed soldiers who had raided his plantation were violent mobs. They burned down his house, and they shot people randomly. Just thinking about that day made him grit his teeth. His entire family had to familiarize themselves with guns since then. Damn Africa! Regardless of the country, Africa had suffered from the coup. Hed heard about the coup that had taken place in Ethiopia. In 1974, a mere major Mengistu had overthrown the monarchy of Selassie and commanded the government. Mengistu, who had taken over the PMACs[1] chairman seat, immediately initiated a bloody purge. He disbanded the council and nationalized farming and businesses. The coup in Africa hadnt been prevalent enough to make headlines, but the fall of the imperial family by a majors rebellion became the talk of the town instead. You must have suffered. I offer you my condolences. I hope those who were sacrificed find peace in the arms of God. Thank you. I have confidence in coffee farming. Allow me to stay here, please. Novatopia has only just begun. There will be many hardships. Why do you think that way? Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, you saved me when I was about to die. You got rid of the robbers and even returned my camels. No one in this world would serve justice without a reward. Even the members whove worked with me betrayed me when they felt that their lives were threatened. I was chased out by several b*stards because of my weakness. Im intrigued by your sense of justice and strength, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Hm, do as you wish. I only need to add one more spoon to the table, after all. Stay and see if you can adjust. If you can, we shall become a family, but if you have different intentions, you can set out for the road. A smile spread on Afwerkis face. While he was lying on the field bed, all that the soldiers talked about was the special military advisor, Ddu-bai-buru-pa. They talked about all kinds of thingshow he was the owner of Ennedi, how he was planning to make a country there, how he had left for Ounianga to get rid of a monster, and how his subordinates were all supernormal. If he was such a great person, Afwerki didnt mind taking his chances and risking the remainder of his life. Thank you. I would like to talk about the windbreaks first. Wait, Im unfamiliar with this subject. There is a biologist who helps me. Lieutenant, bring Professor Orifice over. Oui! The lieutenant left the tent. Eritrea was an Italian colony. Did you learn French separately? I studied in France until my mid-teens. There are no higher education institutions in Eritrea. I suppose. Black Mamba nodded. Children of African elites went to study in England or France as there was a lack of good universities in Africa. The more Black Mamba spoke to Afwerki, the more amazed he was by his knowledge. Not only was he knowledgeable about coffee, he knew everything about the desert, plants, animals, international politics, and military strategies. He was even more intrigued by the mans ability to speak languages. Not only did he speak Arabic, but he also spoke French, English, Italian, and Swahili. It was to the point that he felt inferior. Hey, Dubai, I heard youre lovesick from not seeing my face for so long. My popularity still hasnt died down despite my age. Professor Orifice appeared with a smile on his face. Yeah, right. This is the botanist and soil scientist, Professor Orifice. Hes in charge of the greening in Novatopia, so you should discuss things with him. Wait, if your name is Vall Afwerki, could you be? Professor Orifice carefully studied Afwerkis face. Afwerki smiled bitterly. You recognize me? I am that Afwerki. The Vall Afwerki, who had fought Selassie to restore my country Eritrea, and later fought Mengistu as the leader of the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front(EPLF), Afwerki admitted. Although he did leave the organization to his younger brother, he didnt want to live in hiding. If he wanted to hide, he would have used an alias. Le Monde has reported about you in their articles countless times. You were even on national television. Your reputation isnt bad. Is the EPLF still active today? Yes. My twin brother is leading the organization. Afwerki, why did you lie? Black Mamba glowered. I didnt lie, sir. While I am the Vall Afwerki of the Peoples Liberation Front, I also owned a plantation in Yirgacheffe. If Im trying to hide my identity, I would have used a fake name. I suppose thats true. Did Mengistu send the group of robbers to track you? Yes. Are you planning to use me to go against him? While it would be nice to receive the help of someone talented like you, I am not a bad person, sir. I left the organization to avoid more bloodshed. You left the organization? That means you havent forgotten your home country. I understand your position. However, I dont know you, and you dont know me. We will take care of you until you recover since youre a patient. Afwerki felt his heart drop. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa meant for him to leave as soon as he could move. Afwerkis plan of moving the pitiful citizens of Eritrea to Novatopia might never see the light of day. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, my country, Eritrea, has become the worlds poorest country after it was forcibly annexed by Ethiopia. Mengistu gave all of Eritreas lands to his subordinates. Children are sold because of their parents debts even before they turn 10 years old. Im fine with our generation paying whatever price it takes. I joined the rebellions forces so that the next generation can at least receive minimal education and live like humans. Please consider Eritreas people. Afwerki was desperate. Novatopia, which was led by Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, was the best refuge he could find. Although he had left the organization because he despised the bloodshed, his heart remained with his home country. His heart crumbled at the reality of 10-year-old girls selling their bodies to repay debts and children being sold and forced to work 20 hours a day. It seems like there is another world where ridiculous people lived. Theres no grave thats storyless. If you want to know my truth, you must first reveal your truth. You two can continue the conversation, Black Mamba said in a hoarse voice as he left the tent. Afwerkis pitiful eyes followed his broad back. You made a mistake. While people are awed by his superhuman abilities at first, hes a fearful person who can read people well. You should have been honest from the beginning. Afwerkis eyes turned downcast at Professor Orifices advice. He had grown to suspect anyone whom he met after being chased for a long time. He couldnt speak up, afraid that the coups forces would show up. Hoo, I wasnt planning to fool anyone. Youll understand my actions when your life is being threatened day after day. I also have an eye for people. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa will become an important person. I initially wanted to repay him for saving my life, but I was drawn to his charisma during our conversation. Now, I truly want to remain by his side. I understand that. Hes a warm and just person. You should discuss Eritreas issue with his first servant, Ombuti. Although its a bit late, let me introduce myself. Im Orifice. Nice to meet you. I overheard the soldiers talking about the discovery of an aquifer. If the water problem is solved, windbreaks should be the next step. Have you ever heard of a plant called Simendispa? Simendispa? Ive never heard of it. Do you know its scientific name? No, I dont. I was shocked when I first saw the Simendispa in the Sahara, southern Algeria. Even when the date palm trees were all dried up, it was the only one standing. The locals plant the Simendispa like a fence to keep wild animals away. Its peculiar scent and poisonous attributes apparently keep scorpions and snakes away too. Can you describe to me its characteristics? It is hard to tell whether its a bush or a tree. It can grow up to at least six meters tall and has several branches. There are no hairs on its stems, and its angled leaves are the size of a palm. Like palm dates, there are plenty of fruits of at least 30 millimeters in diameter at the end of the branches. I took notice of the Simendispa because of its vitality. It can survive even without a year of rain. It also grows fast and has strong roots, allowing it to stand firm during storms. Clap Professor Orifice smacked his hands together. Ah, Jatropha curcas! Why didnt I think of that! Jatropha curcas was a tropical plant classified as a species of the Euphorbiaceae family by Linnaeus in the 18th century. It was resistant against droughts, and while its fruits were poisonous and useless, it had plenty of lush leaves and branches. It was perfect as windbreaks for the Ennedi Plateau. Where can we get its seedlings? Ive seen dense areas in Agbaya, north of Ennedi Plateau. If its Agbaya, its part of Novatopia. We should check immediately. What are your thoughts on starting a coffee farm here? While growing coffee isnt that hard, certain conditions have to be met to produce high-quality coffee. As long as there is enough water in Ennedi, its not a bad area to start a coffee farm. Although the robusta species isnt suitable, there wont be a problem planting the arabica or tipica species. Tipica is vulnerable to pests and has low production, but its the highest quality. I dont think pests will be a problem since this is an isolated area, and the low production can be covered with prices. Lot was fascinated by the bountifulness of Sodom, and Dubais turning Ennedi into a land of abundance, Professor Orifice commented. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities referred to as the fertile Jordan by Lot from the Bible. They were now known as Bab edh-Dhra. It was a desert city with barely 70 millimeters of annual rainfall. Lot had settled in Sodom, taken by the plentiful water and forests. The green forest, which Lot admired, only existed because of the abundant groundwater. Ddu-bai-buru-pa intended to extract groundwater and supply Ennedi with it. The abundant land of Sodom was going to be replicated in Ennedi. The problem is shade. Right, if theres no shade during the dry season, the coffee will have a strong bitter taste. Milo provides the best shade for coffee. If you can grow milo by controlling the amount of water and dryness, it can contribute to the rise of food production as well as coffee production. Ah, are you talking about the native Ethiopian sorghum called camel crops? Thats a good idea. It stores plenty of water and is resistant to pests, so itll fit right in with the coffee trees, Professor Orifice said, hitting his knee. Aside from the coffee farm, it would be of great help to Ddu-bai-buru-pa if he could gather Africas crops and create a seed bank. There was a risk of a food crisis if unethical major seed companies like Monsanto decided to wipe out all the seed types. Whether it be seeds or animals, a diverse gene pool would increase a species chances of survival. Plants unified under the same GMO were extremely vulnerable. There used to be 2,000 varieties of bananas, but now there were only five. Scale insects that had spread in Indonesia three years ago instantly ended 80 percent of banana plantations. That was a great example of the vulnerability of the same plant variety. [1] Provisional Military Government of Ethiopia.
Chapter 326 - Episode 17: Novatopia
The grain company represented by Monsanto started a two-sided operation that sold GMOs and produced pesticides that protected the GMOs vulnerabilities. The result was devastating. Farmers kept purchasing seeds and pesticides from Monsanto. Monsanto earned a lot of money, but the farmers suffered severe consequences such as subordination to the grain companies and the lack of diversity in farming crops. Why were the farmers forced to buy seeds from Monsanto? It was because genetically modified seeds could not inherit traits. That was why they had to buy the seeds from Monsanto. Another reason was because of its quality and productivity. Modern people didnt pick and eat fruits by their taste but by their appearance. It was like the old saying, what looks good, tastes good. Try visiting the Rue Cler market near the Eiffel tower. A decade ago, there used to be more than 10 kinds of apples in the fruit market. Now, theres barely three. That was the same for bananas. There was only one kind on displaythey were big and of a deeper shade of yellow. Compared to the apples sold previously, the apples now had thicker cores and shiny red skin. What about its taste? Its soft and sweet. The fragrant apples with hard flesh and sour taste had all disappeared. Parisians ceased to remember the taste of various kinds of apples. They would only select the fruits that looked good and easy to eat. Consumers were accustomed to the tastes conceived by the major grain companies. A genetically modified crop had higher productivity compared to the conventional species. Even if farmers disliked the company, they had to purchase seeds from them to earn money. Monsanto had managed to gain profits on both sides, but the situation whereby both producer and consumer were bound to the company escalated. Crops that lacked diversity were at risk of becoming extinct. In the end, the greed of the major grain companies became a threat to human survival. The unending greed of major grain companies like Monsanto became unbearable over time. The unfortunate situation whereby crops from all around the world were crushed by the wheel called GMOs and pesticides wasnt a distant future but the present. Why didnt I think of this before? He had criticized the grain companies actions but had never thought of establishing a seed bank. Although the astronomical costs might have prevented him from trying, it was still embarrassing for a biologist. Professor Orifice grew desperate. Hey, kid! he shouted, shoving the tent flap aside. Since he had worn the airborne forces uniform in his youth, he naturally regarded the soldier outside as someone in his youth. Oui! The airman who had been guarding the tent leaped to his feet. Bring Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa here. Oui! Hey Orifice, I heard youre lovesick because you miss seeing my face? Black Mamba said as he entered the tent with a smile. Professor Orifices face creased as his own words were used against him. Damn, you sly human. Mr. Afwerki just made me realize something important. Do you know who Monsanto is? Of course I do. Alongside Continental, theyre the merchants of death who dominate the global grain market, pesticide market, and crop market. Black Mamba pretended as though he knew them, although he, too, had only heard about them from Ombuti. According to Ombuti, Continental and Monsanto were unethical companies. Good, itll be easier for you to understand, then. Monsanto releases 100s of seed collectors around the world to gather seeds whenever they can. They even rip off other countries by registering the patent of traditional plant seeds as their specialty and reselling them. The mercenary companies affiliated with Monsanto are stirring Asia and Africa. They dont mind getting into conflicts. So? Black Mamba said uncaringly. His head was already hurting from the several projects he had started. He never dreamed that there would come a day when he would enter a bloody conflict with the mercenary companies supporting Monsanto. People from all over the world will come once Novatopia settles. While Novatopias construction is urgent, we also need to gather a variety of seeds. I think importing the Alata mocha seeds from Ethiopia is our top priority. Well, thats something you can do. Ill provide you enough resources. Black Mamba nodded. Wakil Commerce Company would end up getting into conflict with major international grain dealers like Cargill, Continental, Louis Dreyfus, and Bunge, who threw their weight around in Africa. Wakil Commerce Company wasnt just a profitable business. Gathering seeds were, in fact, more important than the coffee business. I want to run a seed gathering team. Firstly, I want to gather the seeds in Afwerkis hometowns, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Ethiopias a treasure chest of ancient seeds, you see. What about assigning the abused children of Eritrea as team members? What? You want to put the kids to work? Black Mambas face froze at the unexpected suggestion. Dont make such a scary face. What if I die from a heart attack? Are you going to take care of that? Hmm? Professor Orifice glared back. Ha, fine, respect the elders and all that. You have your reasons, right? Black Mamba grinned. He could see through Professor Orifices intentions. He was making up an excuse to help Afwerki. Dont look at one side of the story. Ive seen an article mentioning bonded labor used against children in Ethiopia. Often, these children, who have been sold, lose their lives to confinement, violence, and slavery. Children should be in school. If they work during the holidays or weekends and earn sufficient earnings, they can repay their debts and learn to be independent. You dont like free-riders either, right? Stop being petty and say oui! Thats all you need to do. I dont want to get involved in another countrys civil war. Still, Im not shameless enough to overlook abused children. Adults are adults, and children are children. Hehe, I knew youd say that. Mr. Afwerki, is there any way to get the children out? Professor Orifice was excited. Not only did he come to like Afwerki, but he could also now save those abused children. Novatopia has just begun. There are 1,000s of children forced into slavery. If I bring them all over so suddenly, wont there be a problem with the rations? Afwerki looked anxiously at the enthusiastic Professor Orifice. While he wished he could rejoice, the reality wasnt all smiles and sparkles. Dont worry. Dubai is the God of Wealth, Islamse. Hes a rich man who owns the largest grain company and cotton farm in Africa. Novatopias completely empty. They can come over at any time. Just think about how to get them here. Thank you. Thank you so much. The organization will help bring them once I send a message. Afwerkis voice trembled. Children were the countrys future. The reality of his country might seem dark now, but as long as the children were able to grow up properly, a hopeful future was possible. Damn it. Now we need to build houses and schools too. Black Mamba glared at Professor Orifice, who was causing all kinds of trouble on his own. What? Are you going to make soup out of that special military advisor title of yours? The government will be the one funding it, so whats with all the whining? Did this person learn something he shouldnt have? Black Mamba thought to himself as he stared at Professor Orifice. Professor Orifice turned his head and stuck his tongue out. Haha! He ended up laughing at the sudden playfulness. Professor Orifice was a pure person, untainted by the world. I should go shake Mitterrands neck then. There will be a celebration party in the evening. You should get up soon if you want to attend. Black Mamba glanced at Afwerki and left the tent like a breeze. Kuahahaha! Professor Orifice laughed heartily. Black Mambas character wouldnt allow him to overlook abused children. Although he had said harsh words before leaving, he must have felt quite uncomfortable. You have a good friend. Im jealous. No. Hes a friend by title, but hes truly a leader. Ive come here to help him at the request of the French government. However, in the past few days, he has completely piqued my interest. Hes a friend who spreads around deadly and highly contagious viruses. I think Ive been contaminated by this virus too. What kind of person is this Ddu-bai-buru-pa? I dont know either. Hes a mysterious person from the East. I was intrigued by his ideal of emmosodu isemgidem[1]. Emmosodu isemgidem? He said its a phrase from the Diamond Sutra. Surrender your heart without regrets. It means to do as your heart wills. Afwerki grew stunned. It was challenging to understand ambiguous words that came out of nowhere. Ah, dont make that expression. I barely understood after hearing Aklankuru Ombutis explanation. It refers to a heart without discrimination, a heart without boundaries, a heart without differences, and a heart that doesnt choose between right or wrong but chooses its own path. It also means not to have regrets when something has already been done. Can you elaborate? Emmosodu isemgidem is an ideal thats unexplainable with words. Ddu-bai-buru-pa said that Buddhas words would be contaminated once humans attempted to interpret in their language. For example, Dubai didnt save you because he expected something in return. He only saved you because he pitied you. In his heart, the fact that he had saved you is a thing of the past. It means that he never questioned or thought about how he had saved you and left it as it is. I cant explain it any further than this. Ah! Afwerki exclaimed after a moment to his thoughts, as though he had come to a realization. Thank you, Orifice. Theres a saying that when one sees something, it is easy to gain 10. He is a fearsome person as he is a gracious one. Perhaps, hes not human. It seems like that was why I was drawn to him since the beginning. I will willingly serve Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa as my king. Afwerkis eyes sparkled with resoluteness. Ah, heres another patient. Professor Orifice nodded. Black Mambas charisma didnt only lie in his superhuman abilities but also in his soul that pitied other humans. He is a charismatic person. Lets get back to our conversation. Right. I have been trying to grow coffee trees that combine all the positive attributes of their species while maintaining the trees shape. My conclusion is to layer and introduce. I plan to grow the strong Alata Mocha trees in layers and then introduce tipica. Thats a great way to balance the sour and sweet tastes. The conversation between the biologist and former plantation owner continued endlessly. The two were well-matched. Professor Orifices theories and Afwerkis experiences combined helped answer all of their problems. That evening, Professor Orifice, the airbornes scouting team, and the rest gathered to celebrate the discovery of the aquifer. Afwerki also joined in while lying down on the field bed. Two camels that the airborne engineers cooked came out wrapped in tarps followed by rows of alcohol boxes. Black Mamba stood on the drum container. Samedi stood behind him like an iron tower. He didnt leave Black Mambas side at all. Look! The streams of waterthat water is our hope. Theres nothing one cant achieve once they set their mind to it. Novatopia is a completely independent country with national defense and diplomatic rights. This land is the last place of refuge for those threatened by unjustified powers. It is also for those who are tormented and cannot escape on their own. I, Dong-bang-bull-pae, will turn this land into a place that sufficiently rewards those who work hard and a place of hope where children can live in a better world than I did. You all have chosen hopeful strife instead of a peaceful life. Look at this land. The blood and sweat we pour into it will become the foundation of our childrens peaceful future. The eyes of the crowd who were listening while holding their breaths turned hazy. A green land with flowing water, a grass field spread like a blanket, thick forests, endless farmlands of cassava and coffee, and herds of cows and sheep that ate grass peacefullythey could visualize Novatopia. Excitement spread among the group. Now, lets all raise our glasses. Freedom to the rich, and opportunity for the hungry! Olla, Ddu-bai-buru-pa! 100 or so people shouted together at once. Prrr The camels that had been walking around snorted as though it was too loud. Stars twinkled in the sky, and water flowed from underground, accompanied by vibrant sounds. It was a good night. The next day, a Chinook landed on Jipoon Dari. A platoon from the French Armys Engineering Arm, who had been contacted by Black Mamba, walked out the cabin. They were the engineers assigned to construct the airfield. Act, Im lieutenant colonel Sirbang. Nice to meet you. Are you the lieutenant colonel in charge of the construction? Yes, sir. I will be constructing the airfield first. The next platoon will construct the road from NDjamena to Jipoon Dari. If we reinforce the existing roads, we can shorten the process. How are the materials coming along? The 12,000-ton Vidermann and 7,000-ton Brenjang are passing through the Suez Canal with vital construction machinery and materials on board. In three days, theyll enter Port Sudan. There will be oil consumption from Port Sudan to Jipoon Dari. We can source asphalt and auxiliary materials locally from NDjamena. Good work. I should thank minister Pione. The French government didnt only praise him as the national treasure with words. There was a limit to building infrastructures like airfields and roads no matter how hard one tried. The Minister of the Interior Manuel Pione had promised him a gift once he returned from the Ruman plan. He had kept his promise. Lieutenant colonel Sirbang, this is Professor Shernion, who is in charge of Novatopias construction. You two can discuss how this will progress. If theres anything you need, contact Ombuti, the head overseer, and get his approval. Dont worry. You can just dig some holes. What else would you do with those skills of yours? Professor Shernion smiled. Ah, right. Special military advisor, you have a guest. She is truly a beautiful lady. My guest? Beautiful lady? At lieutenant colonel Sirbangs words, Black Mambas expression turned into one that had just been rammed by an ox. Wow! Cheers suddenly broke out. A slender woman wearing hot pants and a tank top came out of the cabin. [1] One for all, and all for one.
Chapter 327 - Episode 18: Novatopia
A full chest, slightly lifted chin, a tiny waist, exposed arms and legs, and a little belly buttonit was the arrival of a French Haute Couture[1] show model. The rock-filled desert turned into a red carpet when she walked, and the dark desert was filled with light. Ooh, que cest-qui passe![2] Olla, ange! Ange![3] The group of mercenaries, whose eyes were purified, roared and hollered and tossed their hats and tops. Those in military uniforms could mistake a pole with a skirt wrapped around it as a woman. They were bound to go mad at the sight of a woman they could only dream of. Of course, they behaved in such a pathetic manner because they had nowhere to release their sexual frustrations. Thatthat crazy b****! What kind of woman does- Aishe frothed at the mouth. Shut up! Shes Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas woman! Jamal shouted. He had heard stories from Aklankuru Ombuti about his masters woman, Edel, to the point that his ears almost bled. Although Aklankurus description of Edels dressing style was different, he could recognize her instantly. Huh! Surprised, Aishe covered her mouth with both of her hands. She was more surprised by the appearance of her masters woman than Jamals screams. Mas-ters-wo-man! Samedis eyes flashed. He raised the shovel and rushed forward. Whoosh Whoosh He shoveled the surface at a fearsome speed. Crush The rocks that scattered like peas were pushed aside, and the holes were filled. A spotless red carpet was created in the place where the human bulldozer passed. Wea-k-lings! Samedi placed the shovel over his shoulder and gave the cheering soldiers a sweeping glare. The faces of the airborne force instantly creased. No way! Is that really Edel? Black Mambas eyes widened like a bulls. Although her face was hidden behind a wide-brimmed capeline, he could immediately tell it was Edel. No, he would have recognized her by her unique pheromones, even if she was wearing a niqab. But recognizing her wasnt the problem. Clothes that barely covered her chest and butt, the misbaha that hung off her thin neck, the gold bracelet on her left wrist, the earrings on her ears, and the high heels she worethat was a style commonly seen on Nices beach. Was that woman really Edel! Surprised, Black Mamba stood still. He didnt know that Edel had taken Bassels well-meaning advice to change. Dubai! A clear soprano voice echoed throughout Jipoon Dari. Edel fluttered over like a butterfly once she spotted Black Mamba. Her capeline was blown away by the wind. Her thick golden hair flowed with the Sahara wind. The sunlight beamed down like arrows scattered with golden dust. Wow! When her face was revealed, the soldiers roars shook the desert. Hey, Shernion, is the treasure Im seeing in front of me really a woman? Shes a rare beauty. An ethereal woman to a supernormal man, I suppose? Ugh, if only I was 30 years younger. Why? You want to contest Dubai? Itll be hard, right? Orifice, I dont want to visit your grave with white chrysanthemums. Stop joking around and take good care of Isabelle. First wives are the best, no matter what the rest says. But I get jealous when I see flawless people. Men were men despite their age. Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion couldnt take their eyes off either. That was Edels first time in high heels. She swayed as though shed fall at any moment. If Samedi hadnt smoothed out the road, she would have slipped a long time ago. Oh! In the end, Edel stumbled as her ankles gave out. Damn! Surprised, Black Mamba teleported in her direction. Swoosh Ah! Her narrow shoulders landed right on his broad chest. Uh! Full breasts that her narrow shoulders couldnt support crashed into his chest. Black Mambas mind was swarmed with thoughts. He unknowingly dragged Edel closer. A slight lavender scent filled his mind. The cheering stopped. A strange silence enveloped Jipoon Dari. Ugh! Deep sighs escaped from the crowd of males. Their collective sighs seemed to have pushed back the Sahara wind. 600 eyes stared intently at the embracing couple. Should-I-pull-out-their-eyes? Red eyes were directed at the soldiers. No, dont! Surprised, Ahmad and Jamal grabbed Samedis waist. That was a guy who did whatever he was asked to do. They could almost visualize human eyes rolling on the ground. Samedi shook his waist. Jamal and Ahmad were flung away like threshed straws. Samedi charged forward and stood behind Edels back, blocking her from the starved wolves sight. And who is this? Edel turned to look at Black Mamba. Hes Samedi. A new family member. Edel smiled when he said the word family. Dubai always seemed to attract unique people around him. Samedi, its nice to meet you. Im Edel! Edel bowed a little. Samedis mouth split into a wide smile. I-am-Samedi. I-protect-masters-woman. Thank you, Mr. Samedi. Edels face blossomed like a flower at noon in the middle of May. Although the people around Dubai were all of different races and ethnicities, they all had one thing in common. They were pure and loyal people. Ehehe! Samedi twisted his body shyly. How did you get here? Uncle Ombuti sent me. Ugh, that old man is overstepping boundaries again! Black Mamba swallowed back a sigh. It meant hed sent over Edel even when he knew Black Mamba was avoiding her. What was he supposed to do with her there! He was tired of Ombutis persistence. Edel, he sent you here alone, without a single guard? Black Mambas voice was slightly raised. I argued my way over, so dont blame uncle Ombuti. Mr. Lackeys here anyway, so what could possibly happen? Lackeys here? Yes. I came here to work. I brought Bassel with me. Work? Theres no doctor here. Black Mambas eyes turned to look at the man and woman getting off the cabin. A slender Arab beauty and a dark-skinned Asian manthey were Bassel and Sun WooHyun. Black Mambas brows were raised. Sun WooHyun ran over and lowered his head. Wakil, I really didnt try to come. Aklankuru, no, Hadritak Ombuti sent me. Sun WooHyun was terrified of Black Mambas creased face ever since the beating he had received in Doba. Although he was brave, he was still human. One was not human if they remained fearless around someone who had sliced 100s of people with a wire, as though they were cutting radish. Whatever, just take good care of Edel. Hows your body? I got better after you beat me up, wakil. I can knock out that guy with one punch. Sun WooHyun turned and looked arrogantly at Ahmad. Sun WooHyun was someone who held long grudges. There was no way he could forget about the time in Doba when Ahmad had beaten him up. Hehe, we can only tell whats long or short once we compare. Ill bury you in the sand. Ahmad smiled as he stepped forward. After receiving the Hanukudashu[4] from Ddu-bai-buru-pa, his body grew lighter. He even felt like he could fly. His hands were tingling anyway. Samedi pressed down on Ahmads shoulder with hands that were as thick as a pot lid. Ugh! Ahmads knees gave in. That guy wasnt a human but a heavy weapon. You-get-in-trouble-with-master-if-you-fight. Ugh, this bstard isnt even human. Ahmad quietly conceded. Zombie Samedi, who could still fight even after getting impaled with a dagger, was undefeatable. These kids, theyll be fighting soon. Hehe, these cute little bstards! Black Mamba smiled. Although they were people whod cower before blacky, Sun WooHyun, Ahmad, and Samedi had long surpassed the limits of human bodies. Males were bound to fight once they gathered to organize ranks. Of course, he didnt intend to interfere. Men grew closer through fistfights. So, what exactly are you wearing? Isnt it pretty? Edel made an expression as though she was about to cry. Its pretty. Its just not suitable for the desert. Can your skin handle the sun? Youll get blisters. Hmph, dont pretend as though you care. Im the doctor. Im satisfied with just your compliments. Im about to die of embarrassment. Bassel, can you hand me the clothes? Edel smiled as she glared sideways. Gulp The Adams apples of the men in uniform bobbed in unison. According to a useless organizations research, Italian men were renowned playboys in the world, followed by French men. The soldiers souls left their bodies at her glare. Edel wore her gown and changed her heels to flats. Her white arms and legs disappeared, her full chest and stomach too. The rebellious and sexy woman turned into a neat doctor. Hooooo! The airborne force collectively sighed in regret. Dubai, dont misunderstand me. Bassel taught me that men only like women if theyre sexy. I heard what happened in Doba from uncle. I heard you organized the farm and even took care of the governor. You have the ability to handle a decades worth of issues immediately. How is this place? I see youve already developed the groundwater. It wouldnt be difficult with your abilities. Her lips, which were like flower petals, fluttered endlessly. Black Mamba felt dizzy. Edel, I need to leave this place soon. I need to wander around Novatopia for a week to look for aquifers. I also need to return to my hometown to take care of urgent business. Edel grew resolute. Hmph, youre busy as always. Im not a stupid woman who will hold back the man I love. You concentrate on your work. I will focus on mine. Youre someone with a mind stronger than your body. Because youre such a strong man, you dont even consider yourself. I want you to enjoy your life. I will always be at the same place. You only need to think of me when youre tired or when you need rest. A port exists because of boats, and a boat is bound to return to the port. Boom Edels calm voice echoed in his mind. Could there be a nobler woman than her in this world! What man wouldnt love such a woman? Just like ice cream, Black Mamba felt like his heart was melting. He carefully embraced her slim body. Edel, I cant dare to speak of love, but I promise you one thing. When Im tired, Ill think of you. No, maybe always. Ah! Edel swayed. Although it wasnt exactly what she wanted to hear, Dubai had acknowledged her. Chills ran down her head to her toes. Her body melted like ice cream. Strong arms wrapped around her waist. Tears pooled in Edels eyes. She felt as though she had the whole world in her hands because of one mans confession. You do know how to say sweet words to a woman. I dont like it, but thats so much like you. Who else could hear those words from you! Tears that had gathered in her eyes streamed down. Ththats, well! Black Mamba stuttered for a moment before he wiped the tears flowing down her cheeks with his rough hands. They moved carefully, as though they were touching flower petals. He was wearing the billions water armor, so he had to be careful lest he hurt her face. I wont ask what youre planning to do or where. Youre a just and gracious person. I told you that women desire men who can empathize. Its true. I empathize with your soul and yearn for your body. Im always on your side. So, Ill take care of your followers and their health. You may think Im very naive, but I have my own kind of determination. Edel rolled back her sleeve and shook her flexed arm. You idiot, what are you doing! Edel wanted to smack her own mouth. Ive missed you. I love you. Those were words she had planned to say. However, her mouth had betrayed her instead. The moment she saw Dubai, she suddenly couldnt remember the sweet words she had learned from Bassel. She wanted to pour out countless words like grains of sand, but she said tear-jerking lines instead. Her damn mouth! Mm, its strong. You could win Samedi in an arm wrestling fight. Black Mamba smiled. Apart from showing her muscles, her arms also exuded a fresh scent. Uncles gathering people. Professor Giz will be here too. If we build a hospital here and learn from the professor while treating people, you wont have time to think about yourself. Youre young, and Im young. We are both healthy, physically and mentally. You said the heavens gave us skills so that we can put them to use. You can do your work without any worries. Thanks. Black Mamba felt sorry. She was a wise woman who could control her emotional outbursts and made others feel comfortable. She was a woman who smelled lovely without perfume. She was a woman who looked appealing even in a gown, a woman who glowed without makeup, and a woman who remained graceful even when she swore. She was a woman who fulfilled every requirement a man desired. Although, it would have been perfect if she was a good cook. Mr. Jamal! When Edel called, Jamal made his way over quickly. What is the name of this place? Mahdi named it Jipoon Dari. Dubai, is there any specific meaning behind Jipoon Dari? Its the name of my hometown. Ah! Then, my hometown is Jipoon Dari from today onward. Mr. Jamal, please build a hospital. People will be gathering here soon. I think that hilltop would make a wonderful spot. Yes, well get started on it immediately. Lieutenant colonel, we have a more urgent construction at hand other than the airfield. Jamal dragged lieutenant colonel Sirbang away. Dubai, you wont be leaving immediately, right? Th-thatsyeah. Black Mamba looked at the aquifer scouting team, who were prepared to set out. All 20 members of the scouting team on standby shook their hands and heads frantically. It was a strong gesture of refusal. Edels face blossomed like a rose at noon in the middle of May. Youre robbed of your will for today. Edel attached herself by Black Mambas side and linked her arm with his. Although she had forgotten most of Bassels teachings, she didnt forget one thing. There had to be a push-and-pull between a man and a woman. She had to pull whenever she had the opportunity. Black Mamba was helplessly dragged away by the determined Edel. Samedis eyes widened as his scary master was dragged away by the fragile-looking woman. Shes-stronger-than-master. Afwerki, who was lying down on the field bed, started laughing. Of course. Even the strongest men are born and raised by women. Although there were countless records of national treasure Ddu-bai-buru-pas activities, nothing from that day remained. Black Mamba traveled around Ennedi for a week with the terrain analysis team. They found 10 sites for excavation. There was barely a month left until the national examinations. Ombuti could accomplish the rest by leading the professional team. The Dassault Falcon flew toward the Red Sea from Fada Airport. Samedi was added to the passenger list. On November 18, 1984, Black Mamba boarded a plane to Korea from de Gaulle Airport. He refused to take his personal jet and decided to travel with an airline instead. He disliked using his personal jet unless it was for urgent matters. The countryside boy from the bridge wasnt used to the VVIP treatment. He would never get used to it. Another reason was because of the security at Gimpo Airport. His quiet life would become noisy if he gained the attention of the CIA hounds. Was there a Peanut Airline? Black Mamba tilted his head once he got off the jet bridge at Singapore Airport. The sign on the transit flight stated Groundnut Airline. Well, theres a company called Rice Electronics, so why not a Peanut Airline? After settling beside Samedi in the first-class seat, a stewardess approached and served Black Mamba peanuts on a silver plate. Sir, this is a seven-hour flight. Groundnut Airline serves premium peanut maca paste to first-class passengers as snacks. Theyre the finest peanuts grown by the CEO in Hawaii. The peanuts from our country are sweet, so is there a reason why he farmed them all the way in Hawaii? The peanuts from Korea are distributed to the military. Did Jeon Du Hwans lackeys supply rotten peanuts to the military? Black Mamba grew confused at the unexpected words. It seemed as though many things had happened while he was out of the country. But is there a reason why you have to serve them on a silver plate? I like eating them out of a bag, like the popcorn you eat while watching a movie in the theater. Thyou cant do that, the stewardess firmly denied. It seemed as though her life would end if she gave him a bag. No, I want the bag. Surprised, the stewardess glanced back at the rear cabin. Sir, please! Ill get fired if the boss finds out. Huh, are you joking? What kind of company fires an employee for giving a bag of peanuts to a passenger? Please, you dont understand. Theres already been an incident. Ill even give you a plane model and calendar as gifts, so please, take the plate. The stewardess cried as she kneeled on the floor. Huh, I cant let a pretty girl cry. Fine. Just give me the plate. After the stewardess returned to the waiting area, Black Mamba complained. Damn, whats this about overseas farming? Whats maca paste? This companys boss is the Kanma. Samedi, you eat all of this. [1] The creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. [2] Ooh, God, what is this! [3] Olla, angel! Angel [4] Soul-Returning Pain Administration in Korean transliteration.
Chapter 328 - Episode 1: Signs of Downfall
Whoosh The body of metal ascended gently off the ground. A wall separated the first class. A separate sink and table came with each seat. The ticket was obviously expensive because of the spacious seat and differentiated service. It was five to six times pricier than economy class. Black Mamba closed his eyes and endured his bleeding heart. He didnt know what would have happened if Samedi was seated in the economy class. Just bumping into a passenger in the next seat alone could dislocate their shoulder. If he got into a fight with a passing passenger, that would spell disaster. Samedi shifted in his seat. Samedi, stay still, Black Mamba warned, his eyes still closed. Samedi, who was about to stand, collapsed back onto his seat. Samedi was a moving bomb in modern society. On the way to Singapore in Air France, he had broken his seat belt from just standing up. Black Mamba hadnt been able to relax at all after that commotion. Samedi glanced at Black Mamba, then slowly moved closer to the window. With his large head shoved between the panels, he spaced out while watching the clouds and distant ground. Bang Bang Soon, he started knocking on the window with his palm. The window by the passenger seat was made of triple-layered acrylic sheet panels. The nine-millimeter thick outer panel was made to withstand pressure. The six-millimeter middle panel was made for frost protection, while the six-millimeter inner panel was made to block sound and protect passengers. With a single blow of Samedis fists, the six-millimeter reinforced sheet would easily shatter. Samedi, you cant knock on the window. Samedi, who was under strict restriction, gathered his hands together and spaced out. Samedis mental state was that of a child between three to four years old. Although he showed signs of intelligence from time to time, those werent actions based on accurate analysis. Samedi was a mindless weapon, a child with immense strength. The human brain learned through stimulation and response. Samedi had spent at least 25 years of his life as a zombie. Even ordinary people would turn into a zombie if they lived in isolation for 25 years without external stimulation. Black Mamba looked at Samedi with sympathetic eyes. Despite escaping the zombie status, Black Mamba wondered if Samedi could live an ordinary life. He could only trust his teacher. If his teacher couldnt return him to his original state, then modern medicine wouldnt work either. Bored out of his mind, Samedi loudly snored his way to sleep. This brat! He smiled at Samedis childlike actions. Samedi had to be scolded and dragged along since he refused to be separated from Edel. Samedis ability to instinctively distinguish between the strong and the weak was impressive. Perhaps, he had felt a maternal affection from Edel. He was determined to turn Samedi back into a normal human at the tearful scene. A cold-blooded human, who had sliced 100s of people, showing compassion for a zombie? Even a cow would laugh at that. Relationships were unpredictable. Somehow, countryside boy Mu Ssang of the bridge village became the mercenary, Black Mamba. Azrael, who had killed countless people, was Mu Ssang himself, and Ddu-bai-buru-pa, who had saved countless people, was also Mu Ssang himself. One for all, and all for one! I should send Bonipas a box of ginseng. Bonipas had shown him the real deal when it came down to bargaining for advantage. While Black Mamba remained in the DGSEs headquarters dorms, Bonipas went around kicking the paper-pushers butts. At Bonipas whining, the paper-pushers ran around to the point of exhaustion, like a deflated balloon. In three hours, Samedis citizenship would be in his hands. Two hours later, Samedi was issued the second level officer ID by the French Embassy in Korea. With the power of the national treasure, the paperwork proceeded at the speed of light. The DGSE, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs instantly approved Novatopias border and wrapped up the registration of Samaria farms ownership under his name. They also provided additional equipment and technicians for the construction of Novatopia. A miracle occurred. The heavy paperwork would be completed in three days. Normally, it would have taken at least a year. Frances paperwork process, which was criticized for its incompetency, wasnt so bad at all. There was a reason why France was among the first-world countries. With diplomatic passports, Mu Ssang and Samedi did not need a visa. Once they got out of the gate, they immediately grabbed a taxi and headed toward Jeong Dong. They were planning to stop by the French Embassy to be briefed on Koreas affairs. On November 18, 1984, Mu Ssang returned to Chun Sung Temple. It had been three months and a fortnight since he left the temple, 105 days in total. A whole season had passed when it should have only taken him a week. He had faced an unexpected turn of eventshe had to organize Samaria farm, deal with the chimeras and zombies that had threatened Novatopia, and look for aquifers. Its late fall! He let out a deep sigh. No matter how well-off a person was, they were nothing more than an uninvited visitor to the changes of nature. The greenery had turned red upon his return. The time that had stopped in the Sahara Desert started running when he walked on Mt. Chun Saengs path. Black Mamba stopped before the gates of Chun Sung Temple. The gates were rooted to the spot as always. The place where his teacher resided was his hometown. As he stood before those gates, mercenary Black Mamba turned into Mu Ssang, no, the monk-in-training, Mu Ah. My teacher should be well. Maybe hell be driving around in a Fiat Panda? When Mu Ssang stepped past the gates, Samedi hesitated. Whats wrong? It-is-scary. Mu Ssang nodded. Samedi was an existence with heightened survival instincts. He could recognize strong people like a ghost. Hes a good person. Hes someone wholl turn you back into a human. Still-very-scary. Samedi slowly stepped back. Samedi, you need to be a human first before you can have a woman like Edel. Samedis eyes flashed. I-will-go. A males instinct to preserve their species was unyielding. Teacher! The temples prayer room was left wide open despite the cold weather. A small old man who was holding onto something came into view. It was his teacher, who couldnt be any more ordinary. Teacher, Mu Ah has arrived. Have you been well? Mu Ssang greeted before the stone steps. Monk Dae Woo, who had been whittling away at wood with a pocket knife, turned. Samedi, who was standing, immediately kneeled on the ground when he met his gaze. Whats the point of a bstard like you, with your metal-like head, bowing in front of a door? Youll get dirt on your clothes. Get in here. Monk Dae Woo turned his gaze back to the wooden carving. He talked casually as though his disciple had just been to the market. Ive got blood on my hands again. I cant greet Buddha like this. Your destiny is to be Asura, so whats the point of acting holy now? Did you ride a white or black horse this time? Jeez, teacher! Someone might overhear. Mu Ssang grabbed the back of his head. Even after all the years, he still couldnt get used to his teachers straightforwardness. You brat, havent you heard of Lamarckism? Good things need to be used to become more valuable. What about this strange kid who isnt dead or alive? I can smell an evil aura from him. Hes a modified human. A spellcaster from a Vodou cult modified him with drugs and spells. The westerners call him a zombie. Zombie? What a tough body you have. What kind of thing are you? Sam-edi! At monk Dae Woos gaze, Samedi shivered. You black kid, come here. UhUh! Samedi entered the prayer room without a single squeak. Monk Dae Woo placed his hand on Samedis head. Oh-ho, a strange aura is protecting your brain. It must be your brain film. Monk Dae Woo tilted his head. Your disciple tried to get rid of the aura trapped between his cortical folds but stopped because he seemed to be in pain. Good job. A little knowledge can spell disaster for others. This isnt a problem you can solve with your meager tricks. The motor nerves have become extremely complex, while parts of the brain that supported the memory function and the language center are damaged. While there are no traces of spells, his brains basically saturated with drugs. What kind of evil drug is this? The Vodun Houngan, also known as the high priest of the Vodou religion, had an ability to call forth spirits. The drug called Yorunba is used to summon said spirits into his followers bodies. Hm, he must be the evil of all evil to turn a human into this state. This Vodun Houngan, did you return him to Buddhas side? Monk Dae Woos face, which had been warm like the spring wind, turned grim. Yes, Ive returned him safely. Namu Amita Bul. While its not ideal to praise an unfaithful disciple, thats something you did well. Whoosh A faint light emanated from monk Dae Woos hand. Samedi, who had been trembling, calmed down at once. Black sweat beaded on his face. The black sweat streaming down his chin dropped onto the prayer rooms floor. A foul stench spread across the room. When monk Dae Woo removed his hand, Samedi collapsed. Its good that you came in time. Had he stayed in such a state for a bit longer, the contrasting auras would have messed up his brain. It would have been fortunate if he died because if he survived and turned mad, he would only bring chaos to the world. Can he turn back into a normal human, teacher? Hes a pitiful guy who lived like that for 25 years. Hm, since I pulled out the evil aura, itll take some time for his damaged nervous system and brain to heal. Youll have to check in on him until everything falls back in place. Ugh, this brat I call a disciple keeps causing trouble for me. Wash him, and shove him inside a room. Hell wake up after a few days. Yes, teacher. Mu Ssang lifted Samedi and disappeared into the valley. Huhu, nachal has found Asura. How could a mere human understand Buddhas intentions? Namu Amita Bul! Mu Ssang shoved Samedi inside a side room and returned to the prayer room. Here. Take this. Whoosh Something flew toward him at the speed of sound. Tap Mu Ssang grabbed it lightly. It was a wooden stick that had been carved halfway. Ho? You got something good. Monk Dae Woo was slightly surprised. The stick had enough force to shatter a rock. He didnt expect the brat to catch it since he had expected him to avoid it instead. Yes. Your disciple obtained an ancient mystical glove and a strange metal. Mu Ssang showed him the billions water armor and Vajra. Monk Dae Woo examined the objects and immediately turned his head away, uninterested. Put them away. Theyre objects that share a connection with you. There must be a reason why the heavens bestowed such objects. Your life is about to get more chaotic. Damn it, why cant you just live with Jin Soon peacefully and raise children? Namu Ami Tabul, Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Clack clack clack Monk Dae Woo, who looked annoyed, started knocking on wood. He exuded an aura that seemed to say, Im not happy. Teacher, dont worry. Ive earned a lot of money this time. You can build a house and eat your fill. Mu Ssang smiled. The deep affection of the complaining teacher comforted his mind. Bstard, when have you ever starved? Well, you do eat a lot, I suppose. I was planning to beat you to your bones, but Ill only see blood trying to fight against those objects. Im not doing it, not at all. What about the stick you havent finished carving? Brat, cant you tell? You need to finish it. Once you finish making a good chanting stick, you can come out of the prayer room. Carve it without touching it. Im going to go ride on my favorite pony. But teacher, I barely have a month left until the national examinations. Shut up. How can you take the exams when you cant even get rid of your own worries? Monk Dae Woo headed out of the prayer room while spinning the car key around his thumb. A smile slowly crept up on Mu Ssangs face. Teacher, you cant leave until you hug your grandson. You should be in charge of the Purifying Cleanse if I do have children. Mu Ssang spent three days in the prayer room. The half-finished chanting stick his teacher had thrown at him was made of palm tree bark. Even Mu Ssang, whose strength was unmatched, couldnt carve a tree without touching it. There was only one way, and that was to replicate blackys extremely-low frequency attack. That ended up a failure. The molecular structure of the palm tree bark was incomparable to water. Despite concentrating until his head ached, he couldnt separate the ELF into two waves like blacky, or shove air into the frequency. He almost collapsed and ended up acknowledging blackys greatness after struggling for three days. Although he failed the task, there was progress elsewhere. Because he had focused all of his attention on the wooden stick, all of his worries disappeared. The 1,000s of terrorists and Syrian soldiers who had died in his hands, the Vodou religion, the chimeras, and the zombiesthey all disappeared. Even Edel remained as a distant longing, and Novatopias problems were slowly being forgotten. Kuaaaagh- A powerful scream shook the temple. Distracted, Mu Ssang opened the door and stepped outside. Samedi was hanging upside down on a thick pine tree bark in the front yard. Vrrrr The buzzing of bees was heard. A black mass flew in from afar. As the mass got closer, the sound of rain was heard. Uwooo! Samedis face was tainted with fear. 100s of rocks ranging from the size of acorns to the size of a fist rained down on him. Ha! monk Dae Woo shouted. Splat The rocks landed on the dark body relentlessly. Kueeeee- A long scream alongside the sounds of impact rang. Woah, its Psychokinesis! It was his teachers specialty, Psychokinesis. Mu Ssang, who had experienced Psychokinesis before, shook his head. His teacher could easily shatter a tank with it if he wanted to. Hui! Rumble The rocks wrapped around the dark body as though it was massaging it. The sound of blood splattering and bones shattering continued. Kuoooo! Samedis head dropped to his chest. Blood stopped flowing, and his torn skin started to heal. Mu Ssang nodded his head as he watched. The response was similar to the chimeras he had destroyed at the Lakes of Ounianga. Did you finish carving the stick? Not at all. Theres no reason to continue the task since teachers aim is your disciples mind and not the wood. Hehehe! Never have I seen such a brat. Are you trying to read my mind now that your heads grown thicker? You want to try out this level of Psychokinesis, hm? Monk Dae Woo glared. Ugh, teacher, dont work yourself too hard. Shut up. Whats the point of telling me that when youve given me a task? Bstard, go buy some meat instead. I need to replenish my energy because of that bstard. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve as though he wasnt joking at all.
Chapter 329 - Episode 2: Signs of Downfall
Ugh, why did he have to bring something that doesnt work?
Feeling guilty, Mu Ssang began to massage his teachers shoulders. He found his teachers thin shoulder bones upsetting. He was suddenly scared that his teacher would leave him one day.
Dont try too hard. Wont he turn back into a human with time now that youve extracted the poison?
Brat, dont act as though you care. This is all because of you. Instead of inheriting my arts, you are enamored by the Left Martial Theories. Ughh, massage gently. My bones are going to break.
Monk Dae Woo complained, as though he didnt really hate it.
Hehe, my fortune only goes that far, then. Still, I was able to meet you because of my ability, right, teacher?
Mu Ssang shifted his resonance waves into his teachers inner body. But how? There was no response, like a pebble that had fallen into a lake.
Idiotic b*stard, dont do useless things. When a stream flows into a lake, its a lake and no longer a stream, cant you tell? Still, your control over your resonance waves has improved. Huhuhu! Monk Dae Woo laughed heartily.
That disciple of his was fated to live as the reincarnation of Asura, the God of War. His abilities improved every time he returned from a battlefield.
Did you replace the soul-returning pain administration with Psychokinesis?
Hm. You need to understand the flow of blood and ki and repeatedly tap on those points to activate your brains full capacity. That brats body is a lump of metal. Ill faint trying to knock him around with my strength. Ugh, this is why people have to die when they age.
Monk Dae Woo rubbed his waist, pretending to be weak. The edges of Mu Ssangs mouth slowly curled up.
You cant say things like that when you can uproot the whole of Chun Saeng Mountain and spin it in the air. You should be able to face at least 10 widows on your own, teacher.
Huhu, of course, of course, if I hadnt shaved my head, Id have served those widows suffering from loneliness. Have you tried dealing with those zombie things?
Monk Dae Woo asked in a serious tone. Samedi was the golden metal often mentioned in Buddhism. He was an existence that could only die by a sliced neck or a shattered body since he was half-immortal. The physical existence of a legend was like a foul. Samedi wasnt an existence that could be created with the Left Martial Theories.
Ah, although his body is strong, thats from the perspective of the general public. The zombies were done in by a wooden stick that I threw. It seems like ordinary people wouldnt have a hard time facing off against the zombies as long as they have guns.
Rumors of how zombies were immortal and how humans turned into zombies once bitten were all exaggerations. From his experience, zombies were nothing but puppets exposed to spells and drugs, resulting in stronger muscles and an unconscious brain.
It was three to four times stronger than the average adult and had aggressive tendencies like beasts, but that was all. Its presence wasnt threatening as long as one possessed weapons.
Then, no. That guys muscle structure is completely different from a humans. It appears that he has been genetically engineered or perhaps gone through xenotransplantation. If Samedi goes mad, no one would be able to handle him aside from you.
As expected of his teacher, he had gathered Samedis potential without even experiencing it.
Youre right, teacher. Back in Africa, I destroyed chimeras. They had the form of a human and the DNA of a monkey and an alligator. It seemed as though someone had combined the DNA of humans and animals and transplanted various body parts. They were stronger than an ox and fiercer than a tiger. Their body was strong like iron, and it seemed they could regenerate despite suffering critical blows. I tried beating them with a metal stick, but nothing happened. They were on a completely different level than a zombie.
What, they altered a human? What on earth are these f****** son of a b****es? They finally reached their hands out to the forbidden. But modern science wouldnt have a solution to the reverse responses of their immune system
Harsh words came out of monk Dae Woos mouth. Humans as experimental subjects? That wasnt acceptable even from the viewpoint of average citizens, what more Buddhist followers.
Theres a secret research lab in the Mojave Desert called Area 51. There, the Yankees are working on a high-security project where they modify human brains and bodies. The chimeras I got rid of are presumed to be prototypes from that place. Samedi might be an abandoned experiment subject, or he might have escaped Area 51.
Those b*stards should cover themselves in s***. Why would a government lead such an evil project? Whats the world coming to! A genetically engineered b*stard conditioned by spellsthat b*stards fate is as harsh.
Ill fix those Yankees attitude if I get the chance.
Youre bound to come across them without seeking them out yourself. An evil that revealed itself to the world is bound to be eaten by another greater evil. Ugh, this isnt something I should worry about, especially at my old age. You leave that b*stard to me and go to sleep. You stayed up for three nights in a row, didnt you? Everything in the world will find its place with time, no matter what it takes.
Monk Dae Woo pushed Mu Ssangs back.
Yes, teacher. Your disciple will take his leave.
There was pity in monk Dae Woos eyes as he watched his disciples disappearing back. Despite his abilities, monk Dae Woo couldnt look into his disciples future as his soul was complex.
What a problem. Brat, Samedi! monk Dae Woo shouted.
Samedis dead.
Samedi pretended to be dead. The old human was a much scarier person than his master. He felt like hed be beaten to death if he opened his eyes. He planned to flee to where the kindhearted Miss Edel was the moment he could move his hands and feet. Monk Dae Woo could clearly read Samedis thoughts.
Hmmm, youre asking for a beating, arent you? If you dont listen to me, Ill beat up your master until the brink of death as well.
N-o!
Samedis eyes flashed. Although he liked Miss Edel, his mind was currently overwhelmed with the thought of protecting his master.
Hehe, what a funny guy you are. Youre more trustworthy than those smart people out there. Mu Ah brought someone useful.
Monk Dae Woo poked Samedis body with his staff. Samedi glanced at him and slowly moved once his paralysis wore off.
You can come down.
Craack
As Samedi twisted his body, the thick rope tore off like hair.
If you head that way, theres water. Go wash yourself and return.
O-kay.
Brat, you say thank you.
Tha-nk-you, Samedi replied politely in butchered Korean.
Monk Dae Woos traditional techniques could convey ones thoughts to another and read other peoples thoughts too. It was an upgraded version of the Lightning Mind Reading that often appeared in martial arts novels.
Hurry up and go!
The voice rang in his head. Surprised, Samedi jumped and sped toward the valley.
Hehe, I wont get bored teaching that guy.
Monk Dae Woos project to turn Samedi into a human commenced. In Samedis point of view, it marked the beginning of hardship.
Oh, young monk! When did you arrive?
A cracked voice shook the foggy morning air. Mu Ssang, who had been meditating on a platform in the front yard, raised his head.
Youre here, Young Oh.
Ya, nice to see you again!
A boy with a buzz cut gave a sweeping bow. The child puffing breaths of cold air was Young Oh, the newspaper boy.
Youre working hard. Good job.
He was a kid who tried to live his life to the fullest despite the difficult circumstances.
Hehe, Im going to school because of you, monk, sir. Thanks. Im paying back the money I borrowed every month. Ill pay them all back when I get myself a job later.
Of course, you brat. Stealing money from a monk is an express ticket to hell. Hurry along. You need to prepare meals and take your siblings to school after this, dont you?
Ya, Im going. See you later, mister monk!
Young Oh shot down the mountain path and disappeared.
Quite good. Mu Ssang smiled.
Young Oh had organized all the newspapers by date during his absence. He also paid back the money he borrowed every month as promised. Although Mu Ssang would only be receiving the money he had loaned in installments, he was a brat worth the investment.
His teacher was not interested in gathering more disciples. The number of disciples who had visited the temple could be counted with one hand. One or two mountain hikers would drop by to drink water. While the quiet was pleasant, there were problems.
Although his teacher didnt have any problem turning his back on the world, that wasnt the same for him. Since there were no people, there was no way for him to know about the happenings of the world. His teacher monopolized the TV. Rather, he didnt watch the TV because of the bald man who always appeared on the screen. The bald man was truly hateful, to the point that he considered assassinating him.
The link connecting the isolated temple and the world was newspapers. Two newspapers were delivered to Chun Sung Temple. One was the Nam Yang newspaper the embassy sent as a form of communication. Whenever he saw the Nam Yang newspapers headlines, which supported the governments propaganda, he would get annoyed. He only checked the advertisement section, which the DGSE utilized to convey messages. The other one was Dong Nam newspaper, a relatively neutral news source, delivered by Young Oh.
Dong Nam newspapers office was six kilometers away from Chun Sung Temple. Although the situation called for more sales, no newspaper boy would travel six kilometers just to deliver one newspaper.
His empathetic teacher had connected him to Young Oh. His teacher had thrown him a paper with a written address last winter after returning from collecting alms.
His situations pitiful. You go take a look.
Young Ohs situation was indeed pitiful. His alcoholic father had passed away from a car accident, and his mother had collapsed because she was sick. Young Oh had younger siblings. After graduating elementary school, the young boy became the head of the family. He had set out to become a cobbler instead of continuing middle school.
He saw the kid crying after his shoebox was stolen by the street gang boys in Indong market. It was natural for both humans and animals to fight over territory. Stealing from others was a frequent scene in the market.
Are you Young Oh?
Ya!
Would you like to deliver newspapers?
Im already delivering Dong Nams.
Brat, Im asking you to deliver newspapers to Chun Sung Temple.
Chun Sung Temple? Never. Itll take a whole day.
If you deliver there, Ill pay you as much as you receive from the office.
Whaaat? Really? If I deliver 200 copies, mister monks going to give me money worth 200 copies?
Do monks rip off others? He didnt even shave his head. Is he even a monk?
Young Oh found it hard to believe. While he was dressed like a monk, it was hard to believe a strange mister whose head wasnt even shaved. Doubt crept up his swollen face.
Yes, brat.
So if I deliver 300 copies, youll pay me money worth 300 copies?
Correct!
Young Oh tilted his head.
Whats the point? Mister monks wasting money.
Even if I want to read the newspapers, no ones willing to deliver them. Im only compensating you for your efforts. You dont have to agree.
No. Im doing it.
As though his hand was shooting out of his throat, he answered hastily before Mu Ssang could reconsider. If the monk spoke the truth, he could even deliver newspapers to the bridge village that was 20 li away.
Dont you have to study?
I want to go to school, but my moms sick, so I cant go.
Ill loan you money for your mothers treatments and your school registration fee. You can pay me back every month for 10 years.
Truly?
Young Ohs eyes flashed.
Oi, oi, were you fooled your whole life? You just deliver the newspapers to the best of your abilities. You can do that, right?
I can. But why are you so nice to me?
This isnt empathy but being in debt. People live in debt. Theyre indebted to nature, indebted to their parents, and indebted to each other as long as theyre alive.
Thanks. Ill pay back the money, promise, Young Oh answered, still skeptical.
That was how their fates intertwined. Purpose was the driving force of a persons awakening. Mu Ssang kept his promise. Once he had a taste of money, Young Oh pulled off a feat of delivering 400 copies instead of the 200 copies he used to deliver.
Although he pitied the hardworking young boy, too much help could become poisonous and turn him dependent. He only had to provide an opportunity for the boy to earn his keep. A world without opportunities was like hell.
He couldnt read the national newspaper for four months. He sat on the front yards patio and flipped through the newspaper. Arnold Schwarzenegger took up one page of the newspaper. It was an advertisement for Terminator.
Did these b*stards really make one?
While it was a simple movie advertisement to ordinary people, Mu Ssang perceived it differently. That wasnt a green-screen film but reality. The U.S. was already experimenting with prototype human weapons. France was also progressing in the field of artificial muscles. The combination of human and machine wasnt fiction.
America!
He grew frustrated. At least by title, he was the French Ministry of Defenses special military advisor. No one in Korea knew much about the U.S. hidden power and true colors other than himself.
After WWII, the U.S. appeared like a superpower that encompassed the world. Although the U.S. and the Soviet Union were said to be two opposing powers, the Soviet Unions national force was 20 percent that of the U.S. power. According to the DGSE reports, the Soviet Unions military power was 40 percent that of the U.S. military power.
Their ability to launch long-range attacks and air-to-surface operations barely reached 10 percent. The Soviet Union was behind in terms of aircraft carrier construction abilities, and they also lacked the economic power to maintain said carriers. Russias naval power mainly consisted of nuclear submarines and missile cruisers because of their weak economic power.
Compared to the U.S. 12 full-fledged aircraft carriers, the Soviet Unions four Kiev-class aircraft carriers were weak to the point of tears. The Kiev-class aircraft carriers werent battleships but a deck attached to a large cruiser where several vertical take-off and landing planes were stationed.
In the past and even now, wars were a battle of intel and numbers. Modern warfare went beyond ones imaginations. Aside from their strong supply of aircraft carriers, the U.S. was also fearful because of the substantial information they had over the world.
After getting rid of a DIA consultant, Zaitun, in Kaparja, he always felt uneasy. Zaitun had said that the U.S. governments reconnaissance satellite scoured Syrias air for 40 days, and agents were spread across the Aleppo region. It was highly likely that the reconnaissance satellite had spotted him. The high-level spies in Syria, the monsters he had taken care of in Ounianga, and the U.S. were constantly getting entangled.
Well, Ive no choice but to beat them if we collide and get rid of them if they block my path.
He didnt want to collide with them at all, but like his teacher said, not everything in the world could be avoided just because he wanted to.
Chapter 330 - Signs of Downfall
The Concretus had established a civilization 1,000,000s of years ago that modern humans could never dream of. A strand of DNA from the Epidium, slaves they had created back then, were passed on to him, giving him abilities that went beyond a humans limit. It was also remnants of a defective Epidium. Modern humans used to wield around stone axes and wooden spears 30,000 years ago. 30,000 years was a brief moment compared to Earths long history. Looking at the development of science, terminators and chimeras were matters of ethics rather than technology. There was a saying that went pay attention to whats beneath your feet at all times. They were bound to clash one day, but not now. Mu Ssang turned his gaze back to the newspaper. [Possibility of inter-Korean Summit] That was the headline on the first page. It was an article full of expectations regarding the inter-Korean summit. It listed resources from North Koreas minerals and sea products to South Koreas rice, cement, fertilizers, and flours. It discussed that a summit was possibly in the works with the economic exchanges between the North and the South. The article was filled with rose-colored words as though they would unify soon. The subtitle of the article was even more flabbergasting. Below the title was a grandiose elaboration on Jeon Du Hwans heroic deeds. [Welcoming Mr. Presidents Compatriot Decisions.] These shead journalist bstards! Dong Nam newspaper isnt the same anymore. Mu Ssang slammed his head down on a picture of a bald man with a stern face. Crack The photo that was the size of his palm turned to dust. An innocent rock underneath shattered. Those were all lies. The military government had resorted to emotional negotiation to counter the citizens discontent. A typical example would be them employing KBS in 1983 to find lost family members through a TV program. The live broadcast that had continued for five months caught the attention of the citizens ears and eyes. Of course, it was a good event that scratched the peoples itchy parts. The problem was the impure intentions used to turn around public opinion. The government didnt talk about the militarys repatriations of the prisoners of wars remains. They feared that it would provoke North Korea and also because the dead people couldnt speak. Would economic cooperation with the closed-off North Korea work? Mu Ssang shook his head. That was nothing but the military governments ploy to shift public opinion to their advantage. If they truly cared about the citizens, they would have immediately released control over the press and business activities. Next, he saw an undisputed article about the shooting of Korean Airs aircraft and the establishment of a cooperative system with the U.S. Since Dong Nam newspaper was handling it, the truth was only revealed a year later. In the wee hours of September 1, 1983, a Korean Air Boeing 747 that was scheduled to arrive in Seoul from New York via Anchorage went off course. The passenger plane that had entered Soviet airspace was shot down over the Sakhalin skies by two missiles fired by a Sukhoi Su-15 Flagon fighter. All 269 passengers and crew on board were killed. It was an unprecedented event in which a fighter had been launched to shoot down a civilian aircraft. Although it was during the Cold War, and the Soviet Union was a communist country that couldnt be controlled, it was an incomprehensible matter. The Soviet Union had claimed that KAL was spying on them, while the U.S. had accused the Soviet Union of deliberately shooting down the civilian aircraft. Subsequently, the U.S. used the incident solely as a tool for anti-Sovietism propaganda. They spread KGB conspiracy theories and hid the fact that the aircraft had deviated from its designated route. It was an abnormal situation in which the Soviet Union had kept the contents of the aircrafts black box a secret, and the U.S. had hidden records of the aircraft deviating from its designated route. All that was left were the political disputes between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and soon, Korea was forgotten. Koreans believed in the U.S., but Mu Ssang was aware of their true colors. [Retaliation Plan Necessary for Barbaric Acts of Anger.] Mu Ssang chuckled at the newspaper articles title. What were they going to retaliate with? How were they planning to retaliate? The international community was ruthless. He had witnessed plenty of cases in Africa where weak countries ruled by an incompetent dictator were treated less than dogs. Those in power who failed to gain legitimacy during the course of their dictatorship would become desperate to strengthen their internal security. Of course, they couldnt speak up to those outside of their inner circle. Instead, they would sacrifice their lungs and organs to obtain external help and prevent gossip from spreading. The consequences were endured by the people. Novatopia was as large as Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do. Habr had given France, no, him that vast land. He was a businessman who had given up his countrys future and land in exchange for power. Jeon Du Hwan had given up nuclear weapons and missiles to gain acknowledgment for his governing. Habr and Jeon Du Hwan were the same kinds of bstards. What kind of retaliation could Jeon Du Hwans government, which lacked legitimacy, take against the Soviet Union? The best retaliation? A peaceful summit? Submit a case to the International Court of Justice? Those were all out of reach. The government hadnt been able to take action for a year. The case file had already been archived. It was used well by the Soviet Union and the U.S. as material to criticize the government. Meanwhile, Koreans hammered at their chests only to return helplessly back to their daily lives. That was the tragedy of a powerless country. It was the consequence of embracing unjust power. Ever since he came back to Korea, perturbing news constantly greeted him rather than good ones. The international community moved according to the logic of power. Whether it was military power, economic power, public support, or anything else, if the power wasnt acknowledged by others, the country was nothing but a dog barking at the moon. If one felt discriminated against, they needed to acquire power. What if the aircraft was Frances? He would have been called in immediately and asked to pack his bag. He would have been requested to erase the Soviet commander who had ordered the shooting of the aircraft. France was a dominant and pretentious country. On the other hand, they were very patriotic, and the government cared for their people. Korean politicians considered their people less than dog s. The diplomatic missions abroad were only a guide to senior officials and members of the National Assembly. How would Jeon Du Hwans government react once they realize the extent of his abilities? Would they ask him to carry out assassination missions like France and reward him fairly? Impossible. F*** a handsome reward, it would be fortunate if they didnt use him to cover up their own dirty doings. They might even consider selling him to the U.S. He became, no, he was forced to become a mercenary because he didnt like the corrupt military government. An ex-convict couldnt get a proper job, so he had to leave. He couldnt be a beggar, after all. Damn bstards, they should at least pay the spies in North Korea. He had no intention of getting involved with a government that imposed sacrifices under the guise of patriotism. The task of sending Korean construction companies to Novatopia alone caused headaches. Is there good news? His teacher came out of the prayer room and leaned in to look at the newspaper. Teacher, whats the point of sleeping in the cold prayer room when theres a room with underfloor heating? You should take care of your body even if youre on the verge of ascending your body. There was no way thered be good news. His teacher was unconcerned about world affairs unless it was related to his disciples. Mu Ssang changed the topic and placed the stack of newspapers away. Dont worry. I was planning to use my disciples amazing achievements to attain Buddhahood, but it didnt work. Theres nothing to boast about since your record is a mix of good and evil deeds. Ugh. I was going to benefit from my disciples feats! Tsk tsk. What on earth did you do this time? Mu Ssangs heart ached. His teacher must have prayed for his disciples forgiveness the whole night. It was wrong of him to pile on more worries instead of granting his teacher peace and comfort. I coincidentally came into contact with the Syrians who were almost massacred. So, I moved the villagers to France. Ohho, thats a good thing. Your compassionate minds more than enough to do such a foolish thing. A smile appeared on monk Dae Woos face. I inherited that overbearing compassion from you, teacher. Im building a small autonomous region in Africa now. The land is about the size of Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do combined. Im planning to welcome those who are at risk of being massacred and others whore starving as citizens. Ho, my disciple is talented, after all. Then, am I becoming a great teacher? Monk Dae Woo was still smiling. Oh, thats nice. Just become a king instead. Damn brat, whats the point of an old man becoming king when hes about to return to the ground? I pity your fate that keeps you away from a peaceful life. I dont plan on staying in Africa either. An autonomous region should remain autonomous. Theres not enough time, too. I need to go find my mother once the national examinations are over. Of course, take care of some trash along the way too. A red light radiated from Mu Ssangs eyes. Whenever he thought of his mother, it triggered the rage he felt for those involved in her disappearance. Whoosh His refined bloodlust poured out. Crack A staff knocked him right at the crown of his head. Ack! Mu Ssang didnt avoid the bamboo staff even when he saw it flying. If his teacher wanted to beat him, he would let him. Theres nothing you cant do before your teacher eh? Im sorry. Even the Angel of Death, Black Mamba, was nothing but a Buddhist monk-in-training who swept the front yard and fed the fire before his teacher. He was immediately silenced. I said it before, didnt I? Youre not fated to serve your parents. Theres a time and place for a meeting. No matter what you do, some things just wont come to be. It isnt long now, so trust your teacher and get ready to take the national examinations. Theres always a time for everything. Monk Dae Woo got serious and started reciting a poem, which was unlike his usual self. With a sewing thread in the hands of a gracious mother, Are the clothes for her traveling child. Swiftly stitching until the moment of departure, She fears her childs late return. With a heart as small as an inch of grass, How can you repay her love which is like the warm spring sun? It was the fifth verse of Meng Jiaos poem, A Travellers Song, that his teacher had recited when they first met. It was a loving piece that compared a mothers love, which was like the warm spring sun that embraced everything in the world, to her childs love, which was like a blade of grass that barely reached three inches tall. Thick tears streamed down from Mu Ssangs eyes even before monk Dae Woo could finish reciting. His mother who used to sew the holes on his socks under the dim light, his mother who used to scoop him warm rice out of the pot when he crawled back in late like a stray cat, his mother who used to keep his cold hands warm by enveloping them into her chest, and his mother who had blanked out at his fathers passingeach passing scene broke his heart. His uncontrollable bloodlust disappeared, leaving him behind with only a heartache. Huh, a bstard whos going to conquer the world is crying like a baby. Brat, do you remember the day we first met? Yes! He could remember the first time they had met like it was yesterday. Brat, eat. The old monks shout echoed through the mountain. Geez, what a loud voice you have for an old man. He quickly washed up and entered the yard. The old monk came out of the kitchen carrying a short-legged table. There was a bowl of rice, a bowl of stew, and a bog rhubarb side dish on the small table. It was basically rice, stew, and a side dish. How do you survive on so little? It was a table setting that wouldnt even satisfy him. Brat, if I give you three dishes a meal, you should be saying thank you. Since when did a meal come with a bowl of rice, a bowl of stew, and a side dish? The monk took back Mu Ssangs bowl. Mu Ssang only blinked. He hadnt even seen the monks hand moving, but the bowl was already in his hand. You realize youre getting free food from me? While it was annoying, the monk wasnt wrong. Ya. Then, just eat. Thats the rice Ive obtained from the alms. Why would you get three kinds of side dishes when you havent even planted or sowed a single seed? Mu Ssang subconsciously nodded his head. The monk was basically saying that those who didnt work didnt deserve to eat. The monk scooped some of the rice into his bowl and pushed it carefully back to him. Mu Ssangs nose twitched. He felt something rising from the bottom of his chest. When he looked at the monk, he was smiling. Mu Ssang immediately lowered his head and shoved his nose into the bowl of rice. You idiot, not everything in the world is as you see. You didnt dream of getting beaten by a passing old man, did you? Ya! Theres a sky beyond the sky. Instead of becoming a devil with a strong body and a weak mind, youve immersed yourself in sadness, pain, and hatred. How sad would your late father and missing mother be if they saw you? How did you know? Mu Ssang asked, surprised. The old monk was a stranger who he had just met. How did he know that his father had passed, and his mother had gone missing? Hehehe, the world can only be seen if you take a step back. Are you willing to train your mind here? Ill work for my meals. That was how he had become Chun Sung Temples monk-in-training instead of the Night Boss elite owl waiter. Youre right, teacher. Mu Ssang had to acknowledge it. It had been 17 years since his mother went missing. He wasnt in a situation where he could find his mother even if he were to set out now. His teacher was someone who could predict the future, nonetheless, read minds. Moreover, his words made sense. Arent you going to contact Jin Soon? Yes, its examination period, after all. I dont have time either. Huh, but she must be waiting. Monk Dae Woo clicked his tongue. Vrooom A car entering the temples front yard suddenly interrupted the conversation between the teacher and disciple. A white man in military uniform got off. Act, sergeant Nazri from the embassys security group, sir! What is it? This is the car prepared for the special military advisor. Sergeant Nazri opened the console box and pulled out a letter. The content was simple. [For the national treasures happy holiday. -Pione-] The ends of Mu Ssangs mouth slowly curled up. It was Manuel Piones gift. The delivered car had an emblem that looked like two arrows pointing upit was a Citro?n BX.
Chapter 331 - Episode 1: The Wind Doesnt Rest
I should have wrapped this up sooner! Captain Kim gritted his teeth. Aside from his main job, the reason why he acted as a carrier for the Tefal faction was that it earned him quite a bit of money. From Gungpyeong, Shandong province was about 400 kilometers away, and Qingdao was only 700 kilometers away. He could earn a months amount from one or two days of travel. He kept doing itconsidering it to be his last time again and againuntil he finally got himself in trouble. There was no such thing as free money, after all. It was too late for regrets. Once the gun was in his hand, his trembling heart finally calmed down. Even a Japanese ghost should die by a bullet. He was a former first-class shooting officer. He aimed at the ominous eyes that were looking into the window and pulled the trigger without hesitation. Bang Clash The window shattered. The Tokarev made by the Russian dealer did its job. Bang The door crashed open and flung inwards. The hinges broke from the immense force. A black shadow rushed into the captains quarters before he could even register the situation. Aaagh! Surprised, Captain Kim instinctively pulled on the trigger. Bang The shadow slid to the side as though sliding on ice. Bang bang bang He pulled the trigger non-stop. Whoosh There were suddenly 10 shadows as though the man had cloned himself. Click The moment he heard a blank, a hand, no, a firm clasp wrapped around his neck. He was robbed of oxygen. His head was filled with flashing fireworks. The pale face before him blurred. Instead, the image of his four-year-old child, who was born late, filled his sight. If only he could see his child laugh more. The hand loosened its grip on him before he lost his consciousness. Captain Kim collapsed and leaned against the console. He didnt dare fight back. The old man picked up the gun that had dropped on the floor. Craaack The gun in his grasp fell apart. Were guns such weak objects? Captain Kims question was short-lived. Whoosh A long needle dug into his head. The needle dug five centimeters into the center of his brain stem, toward the pons. Kuuuh! Captain Kims mind went blank. The pain rushed in from his upper star[1] to his toes. Silver needles, which were the length of his palm, continuously embedded themselves into the naohu point, baihui point, and dazhui point. I-am-your-mas-ter, Sai repeated three times and asked. Who-am-I? My master. Drool trickled down the side of Captain Kims mouth. Orokamono![2] Because of his injured dantian, he couldnt control his ki properly. No, the victims mentality was too weak. It was also the limit of mind control. The captain wouldnt be able to find his way in that state. Sai pulled out the needles. He was going to abandon that person anyway. Temporary hypnosis was enough. Let-us-depart. Yes, sir! Captain Kim grabbed the steering wheel. His mind was blank. All he thought about was fulfilling the order. The old man standing before him felt more familiar than his father, who had passed away a decade ago. The small fishing boat, which carried corpses instead of fishes, was sucked into the sea. Sai didnt impose any more punishments on Captain Kim, who had fired the gun. Fighting back by shooting was an instinct to preserve ones life. There was no reason to get mad over an instinctive behavior that didnt threaten him. Psychopaths were extremely scary when theyre focused on a goal, but they could also be extremely gracious when necessary. Lee Dae Gil couldnt take his eyes off the deck. A scene from hell was drawn. The one with the shattered head was Flounder, the one with the hole in his neck was Bullet Tuna, the one without a head was Go Dong Pal, and the one with a hole in his chest was Nam Myung Soo. All of his friends, who had been laughing two hours ago about having drinks once they completed the job, were dead. He couldnt tell whether that was a dream or a reality. His mind floated around the deck. You-should-tidy-up. Lee Dae Gil, who had zoned out because he couldnt understand, rushed to stand up. He shoved the four corpses into the fish hold and dragged pails of seawater up to wash the deck. Blood and water flooded down the sides. Lee Dae Gil became the god of cleaning and erased any traces of the murder as though his hands and feet were motors. He worked so hard that he was sweating despite the cold temperature. The god of cleaning created a miracle by erasing the traces within 10 minutes. You-should-go-with-them. The sashimi knife in Sais hand flew the moment he enunciated the word them. Lee Dae Gil, who was throwing the blood-soaked net into the sea, turned around only to have a knife lodged in his throat. Lee Dae Gil fell backward, stiff like a log and unable to scream.
The woman kicked Lee Dae Gil. She was pretty strong. A healthy man flew in the air and landed in the fish hold. The woman slammed the fish hold close. Bang They were going to become fish food anyway, and they were so willing. Sai nodded silently. He was planning to get rid of all of them once he came in contact with the black market cargo ship waiting in the sea. Their tragedy had been planned out the moment the Tefal faction took up the request of the Baek-Baek religions cult leader, Sai Dojiku. Evil would only be eaten up by greater evil. Sai sat primly on the bed in the captains quarter and controlled his ki movements. All kinds of thoughts clouded his mind. Hed just fought with commoners with his noble body. That was a new level of pathetic. Ugh, Number 37! Grit He gritted his teeth unknowingly. It was because of that bstard, Number 37, that he had lost his organization in Korea and was forced to smuggle his way out. That one bstard had ruined 30 years worth of his hard work. How did Number 37 break out of his Soul-Renewing Practice? Chui Do Shik had pondered over that question for several years. Soul-Renewing Practice wasnt merely a hypnosis or brainwashing technique. It was an advanced biological surgery procedure that stimulated both memory and information processing functions, stealing ones memories and awakening ones mirror consciousness. Although he couldnt ignore the subjects regenerative and healing abilities, Number 37 had received the said procedure four times. While it was surprising that his body had endured all four surgeries, the fact that he was able to break out of his mirror memories was even more so. He had injured his neck and dantian while he was asleep, but he had lost his arm in a state of consciousness. The bstard possessed perfectly murderous eyes, he had calculated his attack when he swung the ax, and he had completely mastered becoming one with naturemaking him a genius who was hateful yet too precious to be lost. Becoming one with nature was a skill that was a level higher than hiding ones body in spaces. No, it was beyond a skill, and it had been mastered. Even he hadnt reached the level attained by Number 37. The bstard was someone who had reached the highest level of his secret technique, although he didnt formally learn them from him. The bstard had overcome his limits as the genius of Higashi Hongan-ji, torn apart a large leopard with his bare hands, and he could have risen to an unknown level in the last five years. It was his mistake for being overconfident in the Soul-Renewing Practice. Reflect 1,000 times, and one could still make a mistake. He was growing old, and the bstard was growing with the momentum of his rising sign. Although he knew more than one secret capable of hindering the bstard, his potential scared him. He grew anxious at the thought of that bstard possibly beating him in a few years. The wind grew stronger. The small boat shook helplessly. His insides turned. A soldier shouldnt be feeling nauseous. He ruled over his insides with his ki, but it didnt disappear. His shattered dantian couldnt provide enough ki. I-will-tear-the-bstard-apart! That bstard was to be blamed for everything that had happened. His killing intent soared. While he was born a human, he, who had become one with the gods and was worshipped as a king with a million in force, had been done in by a mere human. Moreover, by a dog hed raised. His killing intent soared endlessly at the unfavourable loss and bitter reality. I-will-definitely-kill-you! His eyes, which were like a sharks, flashed in blue. Craaaack The stainless decoration that lined the wall of the captains room was crushed like a can. Uuu what a scary master. Mary, full of grace, please save this poor sinner. Captain Kims legs shook as he clung to the helm. He hurriedly drew a cross and chanted a prayer. He should have visited the cathedral more often when his wife had asked. The only prayer he knew was the Hail Mary. Sais gaze lingered on the carrier bag. The 1,000,000,000 yen and 3,000,000,000 won hidden in the cave in Bang Tae San were burned, with nothing missed. He only managed to recover the gold buried underground. There were 150 one-kilogram gold bars in the bag. He had bought the Prada aluminum hard case that was well-known for its durability due to its weight. Those Cham-goro[3] bstards were extremely greedy. A large sum of money was delivered to the black market society in Qingdao for his smuggling, residence, and identity laundering expenses. It wasnt as strict as Korea, but it wasnt easy to get into Japan from China either. After changing his identity in Qingdao, he planned to move to a Nihonmachi[4] in Taiwan or Singapore. He could enter Japan any time from Southeast Asia. If his organization hadnt collapsed, he wouldnt have had to pick such a complicated route. His cult and organization had been uprooted entirely during the four years that he was in hiding. He was being chased down by Interpol and had no protection, which left him with no choice but to pick such a dirty route. His insides grew unbearably squeamish. The world would laugh if they knew that Sai Dojiku failed to suppress seasickness. He got out of the room and leaned over the side of the boat. Ugh! He emptied his stomach, turned around, and leaned over the rails again. His insides flipped when he started vomiting. Yellow-faced and breathing deeply, he vomited out gastric juices and grabbed onto the rails. What a sight! It was absurd how he was in such a dogged state. He was filled with murderous intent once more. F**, the boats greasy. He sighed. He finally found his peace after displaying such a lame sight. Before, he was able to hold out for three days on Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea with a single bamboo water bottle. What was he now? Ill rip off 1,000 sheets of your skin. He could never allow Number 37 to go in peace. A humans skin was rather thin. While a hippopotamuss skin was 70 millimeters thick and an elephants skin was 30 millimeters thick, theirs was only one millimeter. Everywhere else aside from a humans eyelids, hands, and feet had a 0.1-millimeter thick epidermis and 0.5-millimeter thick dermis. With his ability, he could peel off ones skin more precisely than a dermatome[5]. He was confident that he could peel Number 37s skin five times without seeing blood. It would take 12 hours to peel the epidermis off his entire body, and another 24 hours to peel off his dermis, providing him with 36 hours of entertainment. His body shook from the excitement. His lower body, which had been still the whole time, rose. He turned to the woman. She raised her butt. She sat between Sais thighs without hesitation. Sai Dojiku and Hwa Jas encounter was a result of repeated coincidences. Hwa Ja had come to Poplamachi, a red-light district in Busan, to get heroin while Sai Dojiku had come to Poplamachi to raise money for his smuggling funds. Sai handed over his crystal meth for money despite possessing gold. While the body absorbed the drugs once consumed, gold didnt disappear and continued changing hands. Selling gold could leave behind traces for the government to track him down. After closing the deal with the organization, Sai came across Hwa Ja, who had been in a dispute with a retailer. The man with the large build struggled to overcome the womans ki even when she was rushing at him weakly. What a thing! He recognized the womans potential instantly. Moreover, she was a drug addict. Her drugged brain was more than enough to overcome the shock of his Body-Renewing Practice. Although her age was a problem, her stiff musculoskeletal system could be renewed with the Grand Defrosting Flow liquid. He lured the woman to his hotel room using meth as bait and performed the Body-Renewing Practice on her. As expected, the woman endured his Body-Renewing Practice. He performed the Soul-Renewing Practice on the woman after she lost a part of her memories. Surprisingly, the woman endured the Soul-Renewing Practice too. That was the second human to endure the Soul-Renewing Practice since Number 37. He also liked her name Hwa Ja, which translated to Hanako in Japanese. He was overjoyed to the point of jumping. It was a chicken instead of a pheasant. No, it was a chicken instead of a phoenix! Hwa Ja, who had received Sais Soul-Renewing Practice, grew physically stronger and more sensitive. On top of that, her whiplash injury had healed completely. Evil and evil together created a common ground. From Hwa Jas point of view, her encounter with Sai Dojiku wasnt bad. While Park In Bo and Jang Pil Nyuh were frantically searching for the missing Hwa Ja, she ended up becoming soldier Number 38 and aiding Sai Dojiku. It was the beginning of a new archenemy. How much longer? He was bored. The Korean language had a lot of final consonants. It was difficult to speak with his artificial vocal cords, and he didnt want to talk to a commoner either. Captain, how much longer? Only 20 minutes, miss. Weve got seven miles left, the captain answered Hanakos question like lightning. Sai nodded. She was a quick-witted Joseon girl. Hed gained a useful subject, Number 38, at an unexpected place. She had a strong musculoskeletal system, and her corrupted mind was good enough. The lights flickered in the ink-like darkness. It flashed shortly two times, and twice again for a long time. Captain Kim turned the boats head in the direction of the signal. Grrr The ladder shook due to the strong waves. When did I get here? Captain Kim regained consciousness at the sound of the trembling ladder. He couldnt recall much other than the memory of him firing the gun at the devil-like old man. Anyway, he finally reached the meeting point. Im a son of a b**** if I do this kind of work again. It would be over once he sent the ghost-like man and woman away. He planned on remaining loyal to his task, never working as a delivery man again. He understood the saying, pine caterpillars should eat pine leaves down to his bones. When the fishing boat lined its body next to the cargo ship, a rope ladder lowered. Good work. The woman spoke respectfully to him for the first time. It seemed like that devil of a woman knew when to be grateful. Captain Kim bowed. Goodbye, mis kugh! He couldnt finish his words. The knife in his neck slid out. You b****! Captain Kim collapsed as he conveyed his last words. In the end, Captain Kim couldnt return to his original job. Mixing with evil people only led to seeing blood, after all. Hwa Ja dragged the body and shoved it into the fish hold. There were now six corpses in the fish hold. Rest well. You should be well fermented in a few months. I wonder whos going to eat you? Hwa Ja casually spoke such horrifying words and slammed the fish hold close. Bang The cargo ship disappeared into the darkness of the sea. The life of psychopath Hwa Ja, who used to carve constellations with a burning iron rod on her younger cousins body and wasted the remainder of her life on alcohol and drugs, changed just like that. Cauchemar de Chad. [6] That was the title of the report on his oak table. The main character whose gaze was fixed on the said title was Charles Germaine, the Minister of Defense. The great success of the Ruman plan boosted the fame of the Legion Etranger and the DGSE and lowered the militarys credit. Germaine wanted to recover the honor of the military. Chads nightmare hes now the national treasure, he muttered as though he was dissatisfied. Unlike Bonipas or the Interior Minister, Pione, Germaine had a strong racial prejudice. Rather, he took great pride in the French military. The powerful military met its downfall during the Battle of Algiers in 1954. They were beaten up in the Indochina War, and the troops who were dispatched overseas didnt achieve anything. They were also mockingly accused of being fund-eating hippos several times. [1] Also known as Shangxing, an acupuncture point. [2] Foolish one! [3] Chankola. [4] Japan town. The term refers to historical Japanese communities in Southeast and East Asia. [5] A medical device for cutting thin sheets of skin for skin transplantation. [6] Nightmare of Chad.
Chapter 332 - Episode 4: Signs of Downfall
The Citro?n BX Break was designed by Bertone, Italias top designer. The French middle class grew enthusiastic over the hatchback family car, which was well-made and powerful. Following the Traction Avants popularity, Citro?n surpassed their front-runners Renault and Peugeot, emerging as Frances top automobile company. Andr Citro?n, who was a lobbyist and a public relations genius, used the momentum to drive Renault out of the market and even ate up the French car market. Basically, Mu Ssang, who was a hidden high-ranking official of the French government, was given an official vehicle. Brat, why are there so many cars coming into this small temple. Did those big-nosed guys send it? Monk Dae Woo glared. Although his disciple was more than capable of taking care of himself, his deep entanglement with foreign governments didnt look too good. Hehehe, I should receive it sincerely. He said hed send a gift in passing, and he really did. I should hand the Pony over to the used car market. Sell that too. Its so big. It looks like itll use more oil. Whats the point of having two cars in a country that doesnt have a drop of oil? You have two snakeheads too, dont you? I should sell everything. The Fiat Panda should bring in some money. Give me the key. Mu Ssang reached out his hand. Brat, if you take something back after giving it, youll get hair on your a**. The key that was dangling on Monk Dae Woos finger magically disappeared. Sergeant Nazri didnt understand Korean. He only rolled his eyes, unable to understand the conversation between the advisor and the old monk. Teacher, Ill send this friend back to the station. Hes come down from Seoul. Brat, your exams are in two days. Ill send him back, Monk Dae Woo offered. He was brimming with confidence. Teacher, you cant speed, okay? Stop worrying. Monk Dae Woo waved his hands like a street gangster, took sergeant Nazri away, and disappeared like a breeze. Thank you, Teacher. Mu Ssang gave a deep bow. As someone who had reached the level of Heavens Willing Martial Peak, his teacher could decide when to end his life. By diverting his attention to worldly pleasures, the chances of delaying his entry to heaven were higher. His teacher was his home, his parents. He didnt dare imagine a world without his teacher. There was a grand two-story house located on a hill of a high-end residency area in Daegu, overlooking the Muhak road near Suseong Lake. Two Shepherd dogs as large as calves were hovering around a large garden that, at first glance, obviously reeked of wealth. Woof woof The Shepherd dogs barked at the entrance. A young man rushed out of the security office. Clang The heavy steel gates opened. A black car passed the young man and stopped before the front door. It was a 2,000cc Royale Salon released by Daewoo Motors in 1983. Back then, it was a luxury car. The man rushed forward to open the car door and immediately bowed deeply. Welcome back, Madam. A middle-aged woman who was draped in a fur coat and fox scarf got off. With a slim body and tall frame, eyes split like buttonholes, crooked nose, and lips that were as thin as papershe was Park In Bos wife, Jang Pil Nyuh. Her unsightly appearance and frown were the same as always. The chickenpox marks that covered her face like volcano craters, at least, had faded a little. That was thanks to the several skin procedures she had endured. I told you to get rid of that dialect, didnt I? The man immediately lowered his head at her criticism. I apologize. Ill fix it, Madam. Is Hwa Ja at home? Yes. Miss returned recently. Madam Jang turned around and headed inside the house without any reply. Her attitude in which she ignored others and their words stayed the same too. B****, whats the point of a countryside doorkeeper losing their dialect? Showing off when she doesnt have a single bit of elegance, that b****. The man started complaining as Madam Jangs back disappeared through the door. It was an employees weak protest. Madam, youve returned. The housekeeper rushed out and lowered into a bow. Is that brat sleeping? Madam Jang threw her handbag on the living room couch and proceeded to the second floor without even waiting for a reply. Madam Jangs face creased once she opened and entered the door. Her second daughter was snoring away on her bed, with only her underwear on. There were clothes scattered all around, the suffocating smell of cigarettes, beer bottles rolling around in corners, and a shattered glass plate. That wasnt the room of a young girl but the room of a drunkard. Madam Jang felt her temper rise. B****, did you smoke again? Slap She slapped her daughters butt with her palm ruthlessly. Mm- Hwa Ja opened her eyes slightly and looked up at Madam Jang. The face of a young woman, who was around her 30s, looked haggard as though she was in her 40s. B****, what is all this? Despite preaching to the employees to speak elegantly, even Madam Jang herself couldnt control her dialect from flowing out when she was angry. Her dialect reappeared whenever she was angry. Ah, has my oh-so-rich mother arrived? B****, what are you doing? You smoked again last night, didnt you? Hmph, I should at least smoke since theres nothing to live for in life. Madam Jang glared through her triangular eyes, but Hwa Ja flopped around as though it was simply bothersome. Ugh, brat, your father will flip the house over again if he finds out. Fing bstard, Im going to live my life the way I want to. Leave me alone. Hwa Ja went into spasm. She shoved her fingers into her mouth, pulled out the dentures, and threw it on the floor. Look at this! What father? Whyre you all taking it out on me when you havent even caught that bstard for four years! Aaagh! Hwa Ja grabbed her hair with her hands and screamed like a crazy woman. Gosh, Im going to go mad because of this b*. Madam Jang pounded on her chest. Back then, Hwa Ja, who had been throwing a heroin party at BOSS VVIP nightclub, was dragged to Hwajun village near Chun Saeng Mountain. Out of spite, Mu Ssang would have almost buried her alivethat was until Monk Dae Woo appeared. Thanks to the monk, she had managed to escape from being buried alive. However, a single flick of Mu Ssangs finger had inflicted her enough damage to rival a truck accident. She had been in a horrible state, to the point that her doctor questioned whether a King Kong had stepped on her. Hwa Ja had suffered a ruptured eardrum and fractured the back of her skull. She had fractured a total of seven ribs, both on her left and right. She had also suffered a broken jawbone and lost half of her teeth. It was hard to salvage the rest of her teeth too because of her damaged gums. She had no choice but to wear dentures on her upper and lower gums. The real problem had been the cervical sprain called whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries were common for survivors of rear-end car accidents. Hwa Ja had sprained her neck the moment she was thrown onto the frozen floor, which damaged her spine. Even after her discharge, Hwa Jas right leg remained paralyzed, and she developed hand tremors. Her hands managed to recover after several years of treatment. However, for her leg, she had to drag it around like a sciatica patient. Due to the consecutive treatments she had received in the US, she didnt become limp. Hwa Ja was someone who used to live like the world was under her feet. Since she became limp and had to wear dentures, her personality grew worse. She provoked everyone around her every day and grew addicted to alcohol. To avoid Park In Bos eyes, she even went back to the drugs that she had initially stopped consuming. Damn bstard, this is all because of that b*** and that b****s son. Everything bad that happened was because of Kim Mal Soon and her son, Mu Ssang. Griit Madam Jang gritted her teeth to the point of breaking. They hadnt been able to catch the culprit who had assaulted Hwa Ja. No matter how much money they had offered to encourage the investigators, they couldnt find any trace. Hwa Ja herself remembered nothing, so of course, the investigation couldnt proceed. Ajumma! The housekeeper rushed up the stairs at the piercing call. Jang went downstairs without saying a single word. The housekeeper tidied up the room, as though she was used to it. I cant do this anymore. Madam Jangs eyes widened. Ajumma, call driver Kim over! Driver Kim was the replacement for Mr. Lee, who Mu Ssang had beaten up. He had graduated from the special forces and was Jang Chi Soos coworker at the criminal department. Did you call, Madam? A man in his mid-30s with a built body and sharp eyes bowed. Mr. Kim, do you still contact the kids at Chil Sung market? Yes, I sometimes buy them drinks. I need you to do something. Just say the word. Those kids are bstards whod give you a womans testicles for money. The job isnt that difficult. I just need you to take care of a grave. Tell me what to do. Mr. Kim flinched but replied nonetheless. Madam Jang took out two envelopes from her handbag, placed them on the tea table, and lowered her voice. This is for the street gang members and this is for you If you go up the back road of the town office, theres Yeongok village. If you climb the back mountain You need to do it quietly so that not even the birds or rats know. Madam Jang handed him a charm the size of an A4 paper. There was a strange mark drawn on the yellow tarnished paper. Dont worry, Madam. Ill take care of it quietly. Dont cause a scene. You know what happened to Mr. Lee after that brat realized it was his doing. Madam Jangs eyes narrowed. Mr. Lee had kept quiet on the matter, but she knew it had been Mu Ssangs doing. Ill keep that in mind. Mr. Kim bowed and left. Hmm, my husband returned the house and field to those fers whore either dead or alive, right? It seems like hes regretting what he did to his family now that hes older, but I wont simply stand by. An eerie smile crept up on Madam Jangs mouth. She had spent a large sum of money to obtain the charm, also known as the deprivation of the souls permanent seal, from a well-known shaman at Bullo village. The shaman had said that placing the charm on the remains of the brats father would cause misfortune to befall the mans child. Madam Jang felt slightly better. Now, there was no need to fear that bstard. Although enough time had passed for mountains to move, Madam Jangs personality hadnt changed one bit. Rather, her bipolar disorder had unknowingly become worse. While Madam Jang was gritting her teeth, Park In Bo was meeting people. He was in the basement of a run-down brick house located at Dongseong roads alleyway. Yellow eyes with a similar colored face glared at Mr. Lee. Park In Bos complexion didnt look too good. Black lumps were growing on his face when he hadnt even reached 60 years old, and his skin sagged like an old man in his 70s. The man in his late 30s bound to the wooden chair was Mr. Lee, who had disappeared without a trace. The Nupchi gang, whom he had requested to track down Mr. Lee, finally caught him after he operated the nightclubs car last night. Park In Bo had been searching for his sister-in-law for six years, mobilizing the Nupchi gang of Dongseong road. During that time, his nephew, who had graduated from high school, disappeared. That had taken him by great surprise. He was smart and sly. He doubted whether Mr. Lees disappearance had anything to do with his nephews disappearance. You fer, talk before I start pulling out your teeth. If the boss calls, Ill dunk you in cement and shove you in the Geumho River. Okay. Mr. Lees face turned yellow at the Nupchi gangs threat. Boss, if this bstard lies, call me immediately. The gang member bowed and left the basement, dragging a bat along. Mr. Lee forced his swollen eyes open and stared at Park In Bo. Boss, whats the point of hiding anything when Ive turned out this way? Ill tell you everything. Mr. Lee began to tell a very long story. So the Galchi gang movedtook him out of school and sent him to jail He spent half a year in jail before getting released on probation. Then, a devil-like bstard appeared Everyone involved was beaten up severely. He talked about everythinghow he had mobilized the Galchi gang under Madam Jang and Hwa Jas orders, how Park Mu Ssang had been called out of school due to Kang Chung Shiks orders, and how Madam Jang had bribed the police and investigators into sending the kid to jail. Huh! So youre saying Mu Ssang, who was trying to save the girl, got accused of rape and went to jail? Yes, thats what happened. Park In Bos mouth dropped open, speechless. While he acknowledged his wife and Hwa Jas personalities, he never thought that they were capable of doing such evil deeds. So what happened? Kang Chung Shik became disabled, and Kang Young Sook committed suicide. They were done in by a swindler and lost all of their money, you see. Moon Mi Sook and the other girl also grew mentally unstable after testifying in court, and the Galchi gang who raped Kang Young Sook disappeared after becoming disabled too. I also turned out like this after getting beaten up. Were they all beaten up by Mu Ssang? I dont know. I was kidnapped while on the way to meet that Moon Mi Sook b**** and got beaten up too. I was released on the condition of submitting an honest testimony and donating 1,000,000 won to Hope Orphanage. Orphanage? Why an orphanage? I dont know. I was scared, so I took 1,000,000 won from the money that Madam gave me and donated it to Hope Orphanage. Huh? Did the other bstards write testimonies too? Probably. No one could stand the beating that I went through. God! Cough cough Park In Bo felt dizzy. His cough, which had died down, returned once more. The reason behind his nephews disappearance was his wife and daughter. That was way over the line. According to Mr. Lees words, Madam Jang and Hwa Ja were the main culprits and instigators. His wife and daughter had ordered the gang members to accuse his nephew of rape. His wifes endless malice gave him goosebumps. Although theyd lived without love, that caused all the affections he had left to dissipate. Despite spending days and nights trying to build up his company, his family had broken into pieces. Whats the purpose of earning and saving money? In the past, he had also accused Mu Ssang of rape in fear of the consequences. The entire family had done something unforgivable. He was also a dirty bstard. However, the problem had gotten out of hand. In the testimonies, there were details of his wifes and daughters involvement and Mu Ssangs innocence. Still, the brat had disappeared without a sound. Mu Ssang was a scary guy. He broke out in cold sweats every time he remembered Mu Ssangs flashing eyes after Wu Tak had thrown the fertilizer bottle at his head, causing it to bleed.
Chapter 333 - , Episode 5: Signs of Downfall
Oi! When Park In Bo shouted, the Nupchi gang member, who was standing outside, came back in and nodded. Did this bstard lie? Fer, be good before you become fish food, hm? The gang member slapped the back of Mr. Lees head with his bear-like hands. Ugh, ugh! Mr. Lees head bounced back and forth like a Jack-in-the-Box. Stop. Bring this guy to the hospital, and buy a bottle of gold pomegranate liquor! Park In Bo shouted at the Nupchi gang member whose eyes were twinkling. Okay. Kkukji, bring this bstard to Dong Nam hospital. Goldfish, youre doing a soju run. At the leaders orders, the Nupchi gang rushed around as though they were on fire. Once everything was done and over with, only the faint scent of blood wafted in the basement. Park In Bo glared at the alcohol before him as though it was his archenemy. Although he shouldnt drink, he couldnt tolerate the situation without a drink. He lifted the glass and shoved the soju down his throat. Keh! The pomegranate soju he drank without his doctors knowledge tasted like gold. Still, he feared drinking another as he didnt want to risk coughing again. Park In Bo closed his eyes tight. The past played out in his mind like a movie. He thought the bridge village was the world. He did all kinds of things to expand the field and farming land. Only after he started his business did he realize what a narrow-minded person he was. The world was vast and there were a lot of things to be done. He found his past self who lived in a well like a frog very pathetic. His nephew didnt give up his education despite his wifes persistent abuse and intervention. He, too, had danced to his wifes tune. It was too late for regrets. The brat had escaped and became independent. His heart ached when he coincidentally saw the brat running around with a delivery bag. Although he wanted to help, he hesitated because he was embarrassed. The brat wasnt the kind of kid to receive help either. His regret snowballed over time and became heavy to the point that it ate his body up. He just came to know that his wife had done something even worse while he was reflecting on his past actions. Mu Ssang was a kid who did what he said hed do even if the heavens collapsed. He was a brat who headed for the mining fields at the age of 14 with a pickaxe on his shoulder. He wasnt the kind of person whod stand by and forgive his wife and daughters attempts at chasing him out of school and leaving him with a criminal record. The way the kid had spitefully said he would return when hes stronger rang in his ears. The brat was now 24. How much did he change? Suddenly, he grew scared. He was planning on handing over the company to his nephew. If he didnt, his family would be on the brink of ruins. Uaaaah, that damn b*! Crash The innocent gold pomegranate soju bottle bravely crashed to its death against the cement wall. The shards of glass that reflected the incandescent light above caused him even more heartache. Im sorry, Jin Bo. Ughhh! His younger brothers happy family had shattered like the soju bottle. That was what he, the elder brother, had done to them. That fing b**, those damn Jang family bstards! Park In Bo wrapped his hands around his head and groaned. His family was all messed up because of his wife and the Jang family. If his wife hadnt threatened him, and if the Jang family hadnt forced him, he wouldnt have ended up in such a situation. Mu Ssang was strong, even when he was a child. He was also smart enough to knock down Mr. Lee and the gang members, obtaining honest testimonies from them. He felt as though Mu Ssang would appear any time with flashing blue eyes. He couldnt think of any way to handle the situation. Jin Bo, your son grew up well. But, what should I do? These mad bes light fire on the gunpowder not knowing that itd spell their end. What should I do! Do these bstards bear a grudge against pomegranate soju? Why did they buy so much! Even the sparkling soju bottle caused his temper to rise. The brat had suffered for five years in their hands. He had already left the house. Why did they do such an absurd thing? They were psychopaths. Well, there was no way that the b** who attempted to steal her husbands business to give to the Jang family could be normal. Standing on one side was his nephew, the successor of his company. Meanwhile, standing on the other side were his wife and daughter. There was no solution. He wanted to smoke desperately, but his battered lungs couldnt stand the smoke. Damn, Ive lived out my life. Am I paying for my sins now? he complained as he glared at the gold pomegranate soju bottle in front of him. According to Professor Kims diagnosis, he could live 10 years at most and three years the least. He decided to hand his company over to Mu Ssang because of his declining health. If he handed it over to the Jang family, it was bound to go downhill. That damn b***! He ended up drinking another bottle. The stream of swear words replaced the other bottles. Park In Bos shoulders began to droop as he left the basement. Six years had passed since he left the house and moved into an apartment to avoid his wife. Although his wealth accumulated, he didnt have a loving wife to brew him a good stew. Park In Bos habit of blaming others was also consistent. The blame had only shifted from his brother and nephew to his wife and the Jang family. With the blame came a traditional attachment to his blood family, and a little self-evaluation. Perhaps it was an escape mechanism devised by his brain to protect himself. The Jang who Park In Bo called a b*** was truly doing by things. Madam, lawyer Lee has arrived, the housekeeper spoke discreetly outside the door. While waiting for an answer, Juk Jeons breath grew ragged. Only three people lived in the large house which could inhabit dozens. The house was always empty. The boss who bought a separate apartment returned once or twice a month. Miss and Mister always stayed out overnight. Most of the time, the Madam was not present at home during the day. While it should have been easier for the housekeeper with no one to take care of, the reality was different. Both the mother and her children had horrible tempers. She grew nervous even with just one of them in the house. Mrs. Juk Jeon, Im calling someone. Tell him to wait a moment. Well, this is new? Juk Jeon tilted her head. She hadnt heard such a soft tone in several years. She patted down her chest. She handed the visitor some tea and returned to the side room. Standing around and being in the way would only earn her an earful. Lawyer Lee, its been a while. I was late because I was on the phone with my father. Its fine, Madam. You look much younger today. The man in his 50s, who had been sitting on the couch, stood up. Its nice to hear such empty praise. Im sorry for calling you over when youre so busy. Hahaha, well, I make ends meet by selling feet and mouths. What is it? A warm smile filled up his face. Have you met your boss recently? I met him last week. We talked about the distribution of funds across facilities. Really? Lets talk about that later. Has that man talked about his nephew recently? Ah, the nephew who caused trouble and went to jail a few years ago? Didnt that kid disappear after he was released? Thats about all I know. Theres no news of his death. I found out my husband gave his hometown house and land to that damned brat. Lawyer, did you know? That must be something Boss Park did to relieve his mind. That small countryside house and the 10-acre field arent much, after all. They have no value either. Madam Jangs eyebrows were raised. Several lines appeared between her brows. It was her expression of disagreement to his reply. The value isnt the problem, its about what it symbolizes. Ive been suspicious of him since then. I worry my husband might drag the brat into the company. Ha! What an intuitive woman. Lawyer Lee hid his shock. Although she had guessed wrongly, the overall story wasnt entirely wrong. Boss Park was preparing to make his nephew his successor, after all. The woman was, if anything, quick-witted. I cant give a single acre of the field to that son of a beggar. A bestowal is like a contract. Lawyer, you must have changed the contracts ownership by exercising some kind of by-law, right? Her eyes grew narrower to the point that they couldnt be seen. Ha. While its said that the grudge held for the murder of ones parents can be absolved, stolen wealth is a different story. Yet shes Dont worry about such minor matters, Madam. Nothing good is going to come out of provoking Boss Parks sensitive past. Lawyer, you can only say that because you dont know that brat. Hes the evil of all evil. Who knows what hell do once he sets foot in the company. I need to nip him in the bud. Huh, Boss Park said it used to be his brothers land. This womans mad. Lawyer Lee looked back at the situation carefully. Only he was aware of the plan of choosing a new successor. Boss Park was a careful man. He was the kind of person who wouldnt spill his secrets in his sleep. The news was something that even Boss Parks right-hand man, secretary Jung Ah Young, didnt know. In the end, Madam Jang was fishing for information. No way. Theres Wu Tak, so why would Boss Park drag his nephew and cause trouble? Madam, Boss Park will be disappointed to know that youre thinking this way. Lawyer Lee claimed ignorance first. Really? Well, he isnt the kind of man to do such a thing with his well-raised son. Lets just say he donated to a beggar. I should have sent that brat to rot in jail for a decade. Madam Jang gritted her teeth. Shed managed to set up a tight-knit net and even spent money, but she didnt realize that he could be released on probation. Madam Jang didnt know that Hae Youngs father had lobbied for the kids freedom using all of his connections. While Madam Jang had bribed the police and investigators, Hae Young had reached out to the court. The middle ground between the prosecution and the court was a suspended sentence. This womans a time bomb. Ill end up in a shole if I drag her along. Lawyer Lee decided to completely cut ties with Madam Jang. The lesson he learned while dealing with all kinds of cases for the past 20 years was that going overboard would leave behind traces. While the sum he had earned behind his boss back was satisfying, there was a high risk of getting hit by lightning if he loitered around the b*. Also, he couldnt betray Boss Park who had helped him during his hard times. I guess Im just caught up in these useless thoughts. Please understand. Ive been anxious the past few days taking care of all kinds of things. I understand. Being the wife of the Good Heart Oils boss isnt easy. Lawyer Lee stared at Madam Jang for a long time. Of course, her head would hurt. Madam Jang had attempted all kinds of things to hand Good Heart Lodgings and Good heart Oil over to the Jang family. She had assigned the executive positions to the Jang family members, controlled the labor force to slander Boss Park, and laundered money away from the company. He did help with a few matters here and there too. However, 100 rolling acorns couldnt win a rolling pumpkin. Boss Park had already made his move. Currently, Good Heart Oils paid-in capital was 2,000,000,000 won. The face value of his shares was 5,000 won, which consisted of Park In Bos 52 percent, Jang Pil Nyuhs 10 percent, Jang Pil Nyuhs oldest brother, Jang Gi Sus 10 percent, her second younger brother, Jang Sam Sus five percent, Park Hee Jas two percent, Park Hwa Jas two percent, Park Wu Taks six percent, and the other shareholders 13 percent. Boss Park had already transferred his shares to Park Mu Ssang. The transfer and inheritance documents had completed all legal procedures and were already deposited in the national bank. Madam Jang didnt know the rice had finished cooking. The largest shareholder of Good Heart Oil, the greatest oil company in Daegu, was Park Mu Ssang. It was just that Boss Park In Bo was working as his representative and since it was under his name, the transfer was undetected. It was only possible because they were a private company. About the ginseng factory construction, what is the boss planning? Is he planning to get a loan or is he planning to increase the paid-in capital? Lawyer Lee felt his brain flickered back to life. The Jang family finally pulled out their knife. Truly, Boss Parks senses hadnt turned rusty at all. We decided to issue about 1,000,000,000 convertible bonds instead of increasing the paid-in capital. Bonds? Arent the interest rates high these days? While the average bond interest is over 15 percent, convertible bonds have convertible merits, which means its only five percent. Boss has already made up his mind. I dont know the complicated stuff, but youre saying the convertible bonds will later become stocks, right? Thats right, Madam. Right now, the number of issued shares is 400,000. Once we issue 50 percent of our capital, itll be 600,000 shares. Its a good profit for the company, but theres a possibility of the ownership percentage dropping, which means management rights will also be at stake. So if that man takes back the convertible bonds, his share will increase. Thats also true. How much do we need to buy to make the share ours? Madam Jang spoke with a dialect. That meant she was excited. Hehe, she took the bait. Lawyer Lee took out a calculator from his bag and pressed on it. Madam, currently, you and your brothers have a total of 25 percent in shares. If you buy all the convertible bonds, youll have 58 percent. The owner of Good Heart Oil would basically change. Hohoho, 58 percent! That old man wont be able to compare no matter how much share he buys from the other shareholders. Thats right. The stronger Good Heart Oil is, the more convertible bonds will be issued at a premium price. Of course, you must buy them. You should buy them even if you have to pay twice or triple the price. That money will belong to the company, after all. Its Madams wealth. Lawyer Lee whispered the devils temptations. He combined a percentage of lies with 99 percent of truths. What if that man doesnt issue convertible bonds and decides to loan money from the bank? What a stupid wife. A bird dies from its feed, and humans die from their greed! Lawyer Lee laughed at her internally. Boss Park was right. She was anxious to lose the bait which dealt with management rights. You should pressure the boss before that happens. The Jang family has enough influence over the workers and middle-level managers, dont they? You can also pressure him by using the right to access the accounting books. Wont it all be dismissed if the boss refuses? If anyone has more than five percent of the shares, they can go to court and apply for access to the accounting books. Madam Jangs eyes twinkled. Now was the chance to fulfill the Jang familys long-time wish.
Chapter 334 - Episode 6: Signs of Downfall
Fashion went hand in hand with the increase of disposable income. In the 1970s, the Koreans disposable income, which was driven by industrialization, increased rapidly. The clothing market exploded when clothing gained recognition as fashion beyond the level of daily necessities.
Polyester cotton blends and corduroy (golden) produced by Good Heart Oil were products that couldnt be found elsewhere. Wholesalers of Seomun Market would wait outside the factory doors from dawn to receive their supplies.
Madam Jangs greed developed like fire as the company grew bigger. More than half of her familys money had been used to start up Good Heart Transportation. Her husband had used the money he had earned from operating the lodgings to start the oil company. In the end, Good Heart Oil was Jangs company, not Parks. At least, that was so for Madam Jang.
Thats good. Lawyer Lee, please push for the issuance of convertible bonds as soon as possible. My family will take all of it. Of course, well have to borrow a few peoples names, so Ill have to leave the title laundering to you, too.
Dont worry, Madam. Boss Parks already leaning toward CB.
Madam Jangs face brightened up at lawyer Lees words. She was an executive, at least by title. She knew how desperately they needed to expand their facilities. Due to the companys rapid growth, there was a shortage of funds. They had no choice but to loan from a third party to construct their third factory. Her scrooge-like, short, sh**head husband had exhausted his mind over the possibility of his shares decreasing and the interest burden.
Hm, that old mans planning to invite and feed that lowly thing, but Ill never let that happen even if dirt gets in my eyes.
Madam Jang pressed her thin lips together. Her husband had changed ever since Mu Ssang left their house. He missed his brothers son and pounded at his chest for doing unforgivable things to his nephew.
Madam Jang grew speechless at his actions. Exactly what did they do wrong? Mu Ssang was the ungrateful one. Even animals recognized their master when they were fed and given a roof to sleep under. Gratefulness should be engraved in that brats bones since she had fed and allowed him to live with them for five years. However, that ungrateful b*stard had cursed them out and left. Everyone had a station in life. If one was born poor, one had to lower their head and live quietly to survive.
It was clear his poor upbringing didnt go anywhere when he glared and spoke back to his aunt. She was cursed at by the entire village because of his sudden disappearance. Just thinking about how she was pointed at made her boil with anger.
As the company flourished, her husband also became braver. He didnt listen to her now, which was something he did in the past. They had been fighting over management rights for a long time. Whenever she mentioned her family when they were discussing Good Heart Lodgings and Good Heart Oil, a war broke out.
A few days ago, her husband said hed rule out any full-time recruitment and practice open recruitment in the future. That decision had betrayed her familys investment. He was a cold-blooded person who disregarded his wifes opinion. What were her family members supposed to do? They already took bribes from other people who wanted a position in the company.
She didnt know why the man was behaving so greedily when he didnt have long to live. He wasnt planning on handing over the company either. The entire Jang family was anxious regarding the matter.
The saying that blood was thicker than water was an irrefutable truth. She was Jangs daughter, not Parks family. It was the same for her husband. An arm bends inwards. The problem was her son. Wu Tak had no intention of learning how to run a company. He was too busy hanging out with gang members who rode motorbikes.
After Wu Tak was Mu Ssang. No matter how deep she had looked into her husbands family tree, there wasnt a single genius or any relative in good relations with her husband. Mu Ssang was smart and had a good personality. He was a brat with endless tenacity no matter how much she had stepped on him. The b*stard had left the house even before he could complete high school and went to study on his own. On top of that, he placed first in the region. No matter how highly she thought of her son, Wu Tak wasnt better than Mu Ssang. There was no concrete evidence that proved her husband was considering Mu Ssang as his successor. Her husbands regret for his past actions had simply triggered her sensitivity.
She had sent Mu Ssang to jail with a rape charge because she wanted to prepare for the future. Nipping the bud ensured fewer regrets. The deprivation of the souls permanent seal was also an extension of such contingency. In any case, that was an opportunity to make Good Heart Oil the Jang familys lifeline.
Amid Madam Jangs thoughts, lawyer Lee rose from his seat.
Ill have to leave now. Try meeting Boss Park sometime later, Madam.
Thank you. Ive put one in for your petrol fee.
Madam Jang pulled out an envelope from her handbag.
Oh no, you shouldnt have.
Despite what he said, lawyer Lee received the envelope as though it was natural and shoved it in his suits inner pocket. That was the last time he would be earning a side income.
Theres a Japanese word called katazukeru. It means to wrap up your end well, lawyer Lee offered his final advice.
I understand. Lets have a meal together next week. The raw fish shop near Suseong Lake called Moonlight Ship makes great sushi.
Of course. Companions are people who eat together.
Hohoho, lawyer Lee, you truly are the best man.
And youre the best businesswoman in the world, Madam. Now, goodbye.
There was a mocking smile on lawyer Lees face when he turned around.
He muttered as he left the large gate, That idiot woman. Does she even know what best man means? The best mans the friend chosen by the husband to assist him on his wedding day. Hes the man who blocks attacks from the brides side of the family during the era when kidnapping brides was common. Oh, now that I think about it, Im the best man here.
With that, hed become Madam Jangs enemy. He was the very person who had thrown money at the investigators four years ago when Park Mu Ssang was accused of rape. At Madam Jangs request, he had intervened from the time when Park Mu Ssang was arrested by the police. While he had done the following for the money, he couldnt help but feel uncomfortable throughout the case.
A b*stard with three stars on his record would feel intimidated in the interrogation room. However, Park Mu Ssang didnt flinch even when the investigator had threatened him with a glare. He still managed to convey what he wanted to say despite getting beaten up. Park Mu Ssangs sparkling eyes, straight back, and consistent answers made it obvious that he was special.
When he found out that Park Mu Ssang was the nephew who Boss Park had mentioned, he grew scared.
Jang Chi Soo, Ill remember your name and face. Ill make you regret what happened today.
He could still remember the young mans words as he was sent to the prosecution.
Its said that nothing is predictable in this world. Turns out he is Boss Parks nephew! I now have a secret to take to the grave. Hahaha!
Lawyer Lee laughed helplessly. If Boss Park found out that he had been involved in Park Mu Ssangs case, he would be in a difficult position. He had pocketed what he could behind Madam Jang and Boss Parks backs in the past few years. The moment Boss Park named Park Mu Ssang as his successor, he completely jumped ship.
Lawyers met and dealt with people. The moment he met Park Mu Ssang, he realized the guy wasnt someone he should make an enemy of.
Lawyer Lee was someone who betrayed according to the turn of the tide, earned what he could, and maintained loyalty in moderation. It was typical of someone who went around farting and had a sufficient position in society.
Ohhohoho!
A burst of laughter that sounded like hyenas crying rang in the living room. Madam Jang, who was overflowing with serotonin, couldnt stop laughing. It felt great luring the legal advisor on her side without her husbands knowledge. High-quality information flowed in. Now, she could drag her husband down and hold Good Heart Oil in her hands. It would be Jangs company, not Parks. She could almost see her fathers smiling face.
The In-Dong Jang family was a noble family whose lineage traced back to the mid-Joseon dynasty. They were wealthy to the point that there was a saying, None can wander in In-Dong without entering the Jang familys land. Madam Jangs family was the main In-Dong Jang family. The main In-Dong Jang familys farmland alone added up to 8,000 majigi. In the past, land indicated power in social circles. Jangs father, Jang Kyung Ju, ruled the area like a king.
The moment industrialization was introduced, the world began to change. Factories started appearing everywhere, and the standard of wealth changed. The world became a world that landowners couldnt rule.
The annual output of the main Jang family was 25,000 sacks (of rice). 7,500 sacks came in physically from the tenants because of the 7:3 division. Its market price was around 250,000,000 won. Combining the barley and field productions added up to 400,000,000 won. Good Heart Oils annual sale was 20,000,000,000 won. It was incomparable.
Her dwarf, s***head husband made excellent decisions and displayed astounding abilities. Madam Jang, who used to be the outcast in her family, was treated like a princess. For someone who was thrown out of the house and forced to marry Park In Bo because she had s*x with the family slave in her youth, it was a complete 180.
Now that she had a say in her family, she became greedy. She dreamed of transforming her family with her own hands. She dreamed of turning her family into owners of large corporations, moving away from the title of traditional landowners.
Madam Jang outperformed Park In Bo when it came to scheming, setting traps, and using ones weakness to control them. As Laozi said, while smart and wise people didnt fight, stupid people loved fighting, and while those whore equipped with the highest morals didnt have to show it, those with lower morals were obsessed with justifying it.
Plotting schemes and utilizing resources didnt always bring about desired results. There were times when giving reaped greater rewards. Although Madam Jangs schemes and money produced immediate results, she didnt realize that all of her efforts would go down the drain in the presence of a larger scheme.
In early December 1984, a cold wave hit. There was no exception even with the national examinations taking place. A glossy foreign car stopped before the school gate. A man wearing a black Ray-Ban got out of the car. He was wearing a simple black suit and pants despite the harsh weather. The eyes of the people gathered in front of the school gate turned to look at the man.
Mu Ssang felt strange. After five years, he finally returned to that place after going through so much. He felt out of place, as though he didnt belong. If universities were a stepping stone that guaranteed one social standing, it held no meaning for him.
He simply wanted to complete his studies. He could have entered Frances Grande cole, but he still didnt know why he ended up choosing a university in Korea. To be more precise, it was his longing that brought him back.
Woah, Oppa!
Five tall girls rushed over at once.
Huh, what are you guys doing here?
Yeon Soon glared at him.
Of course. Oppa, youre the worst.
Oppa, youre a liar!
When the five girls started speaking at the same time, he grew lightheaded. He looked at Jin Soon who was standing behind them like a shadow. She looked as though she was crying and smiling at the same time.
Clack
Clack
Jin Soon adjusted her pleated skirt which was flowing with the wind and approached. The scent of a mature woman carried over.
Sheshes all grown!
Her body had exceptional volume. Her chest size surpassed Edels. The old Jin Soon, who used to drag around a rickshaw around the bridge village while sticking out her tongue, was nowhere to be seen.
Quiet down!
The four sisters mouths shut like clams at the oldest sisters words.
Oppa, you didnt study enough because of your work, right?
She was calm to the point that it felt creepy. Mu Ssang felt the back of his head tense up. Her tone sounded like she wanted to fight after the examinations were over.
Tests are completed using general skills, right? Hahaha!
Mu Ssang forced out an empty laugh. Instead of studying for the examinations when he still had the time, he rolled around on battlefields. There were subjects he had barely skimmed over, let alone finish.
What else would be expected of the top student in school? Calm down. You didnt practice marking the OMR card either, did you? You need to pay attention to that. Did you prepare a marker?
Uh, I can buy one, I guess, Mu Ssang stuttered, totally unprepared.
Jin Soon took out three markers from her handbag and clipped them onto his suit pocket.
Dont fool around and do well.
Jin Soon had always been smart.
Yeah, yeah, of course, I will. But, how did you know?
The monk called me yesterday.
Ugh, that old man, why does he always-
Anyway, good luck, Oppa! Jin Soon said as she slapped his back.
Cheers, Oppa! The four sisters clenched their fists and shook them in the air.
Ha. For goodness sake!
Embarrassed, Mu Ssang glanced at his surroundings. There were 100s of jealous eyes concentrated on him.
Ugh, taking the university entrance examinations at this age! I cant mess up the OMR card.
Mu Ssangs shoulder sank as he entered the examination room. The five sisters kept cheering him on from behind the gates. Mu Ssang rushed in as though he was being chased. The nightmare of the battlefield, Black Mamba, also known as the Angel of Death, Azrael, was still a student who worried about marking the OMR card wrongly in the examination room. Koreas entrance examinations were truly difficult.
In the Good Heart Oil office at Dongseong road, Park In Bo picked up the telephone. He turned the dial calmly unlike his usual self. His hands had stopped shaking, and his skin wasnt inflamed like usual. The coughs that had disturbed his sleep also stopped. Although he looked better, it was a temporary phenomenon that indicated the progression of his illness.
Lawyer Lee, have you taken care of it?
The phlegmatic voice, which ran down the phone line, was returned with another persons voice.
There was nothing to take care of at all. She took the bait immediately.
Shes drowned in her own greed. Shes just like a cat dying from curiosity and a bird dying from its feed. She didnt talk about the conversion rate and only cared about the issuance, right?
Well, the conversion rate is always fluctuating, right?
What did she say exactly?
It seems like shes involving the entire Jang family.
Really? Well, thats going back in their a**es again. Well talk more about this later and hold the conference tomorrow. Jang Gi Sus going to flip. Hehehe.
There wont be enough cash. If we raise the issuance rate and lower the interest rate, theyre going to burn themselves.
Thats three in the morning and four in the afternoon, or is it four in the morning and three in the afternoon instead? Hehehe!
Park In Bo laughed, filled with glee.
Translators Note: Three in the morning and four in the afternoon, or four in the morning and three in the afternoon is based on a tale about a farmer who fed three acorns in the morning and four acorns in the afternoon to the monkeys because of the limited resources. When the monkeys protested, he gave them four acorns in the morning and three acorns in the afternoon instead. That satisfied them. The tale highlights how one can feel joy from immediate gains, not realizing that the results will remain the same in the long run. One is considered foolish for not being able to recognize this.
Chapter 335 - Episode 7: Signs of Downfall
Increasing the premium rate would reduce the number of convertible stocks, and lowering the interest rate would taint the meaning of investing in bonds. Madam Jang was bound to froth at the mouth, trying to lower the premium rate. The entire Jang family suffered from the Im the smartest syndrome, which was common among those born with a golden spoon. Because they considered the people around them as existences less than savage cavemen, little tricks could easily get to them.
But Boss, I think Madam noticed your nephews case.
What!
Surprised, Park In Bos voice rose an octave.
Ah, calm down. Think of your health. It seemed like Madam was testing me, so I said I knew nothing.
He spoke as though he expected to be praised.
Tsk, this raccoon-like b*stard!
Park In Bo secretly clicked his tongue.
Good job. Without suspicions, shes a woman no better than a corpse. Even if its 100 times over, its fine for her to be suspicious. Ill see you later.
Park In Bo put down the phone and tilted his head back. With that, the first button was fastened. He had slipped some of his intentions to Madam Jang through lawyer Lee. Madam Jang was bound to run to her father in haste.
Lawyer Lee, I dont trust anything aside from money. Youll make the right decisions since you have an eye for turning tides.
Park In Bos expression turned grim once more. His eyes, which were a shade of yellow, stared at the wall. All kinds of awardsof recognition and achievementsdecorated the wall. It was proof of how he had raised the company with his blood and tears.
To get to their position today, Good Heart Oil had obtained five small production factories. They had blocked and wiped out the market, bought over employees, stole other peoples crafts, and induced strikes to shut down factories. They had bought the factories at a bargain price when the competitors were in their most vulnerable state. He rushed into things without stopping because he had a cash cow called Good Heart Lodgings.
Perhaps, it was because he didnt have long to live. The pieces of paper and metal reminded him of other peoples tears and anger. He had done many wrong things. Why was he so greedy? What was the point of having so much money? It wasnt as though he ate 10 meals a day.
The tears of others returned in the form of his family falling apart. A wife scheming to take over her husbands company, and his children turning into nothing but waste. He wanted to return to the time when he used to fight over minor things with his brother. He preferred the time when he used to dig up dirt for a living.
Its too late. Time flows like a river, and I only have this sick body left. I wonder where Ssangs planning his revenge.
Cough
Cough
This damn cough wont leave me alone. Ah Young, go get me some medicine! Park In Bo shouted without using the interphone.
2IC[1] Jung, who came with the medicine and water, glared at him. Jung Ah Young, who used to be the head of accounting, took over the secretary role and office after she was promoted to second-in-command.
Boss, you drank again yesterday, didnt you? What do you plan on doing, ignoring Professor Kims advice?
There was concern in Jung Ah Youngs eyes as she interrogated her boss. Her boss was the only one who kept the Jang family members in check. If something were to happen to his health, the company would falter.
Shut up brat, I only had two glasses. I shouldnt have brought along such a naggy person. My ears are hurting. Why are there so many medicines? Park In Bo complained.
It wasnt the cold personality that the other employees were familiar with. Jung Ah Young had worked with Park In Bo since he established Good Heart Lodgings, the parent company of Good Heart Oil. Rather than an employee, she was more like a daughter to him.
Professor Kim wants you to visit.
No thanks. What happened to Min Ja?
I told her to take care of some operational records. Thats the job of the secretary next-in-line. Shes very happy about it, even when she doesnt know what it means. Why dont you fire her? Shes so rude.
Jung Ah Youngs eyes grew narrow. Park Min Ja was Madam Jangs lackey. With that information, Jung Ah Young had personally pulled her out of the accounting department and offered her the undersecretary position to observe her 24/7. She even got slapped on the cheek by Madam Jang because of that. Although Jung Ah Young was easygoing, that had been an unbearable humiliation. Grudge was embedded down to her bones.
Leave her be. Min Jas working to pay for her two siblings school fees, right? Jang has hands and feet all over the place trying to steal information. Just one more wont make a difference.
Aigoo, boss, what a nice person you are, Jung Ah Young complained, pouting.
Why are there only a handful to trust? Youre taking good care of the accounting department, right?
Ya, I check the market for changes every day and investigate frequently too. The problem is the lodgings. Director Jang keeps taking the tickets for his personal use, and I havent been able to stop him. What should I do?
Jung Ah Youngs temper boiled over. 50 percent of the employees in Good Heart Lodgings were Madam Jangs family members. They were people the boss couldnt touch. Theyve attached themselves like cancer cells, eating away at the company. There was no way to get rid of them.
Leave them be too. All the rotten ones will be gone soon.
They take bribes using employment as bait, pretend they dont know anything when I give them a warning, lure smart ones on their side with money, and steal oil. Its beyond recoverable.
I know what I should know. Ah Young, will you betray me if the Jang family offers you money?
Park In Bo glared at Jung Ah Young with his narrowed eyes.
Ya, if they give me a few million, Ill think about it. If they give me a few billion, I will betray you right away.
Jung Ah Youngs eyes curved into a crescent moon shape.
Damn brat, go on a diet instead. Youre not bad-looking, but your beautys hidden under all that fat.
Whyre you provoking me again? I was planning to start my diet today.
What, diet? The suns going to rise from the west. Were you shocked?
Ya, I saw a king-ka[2] today on my way to work. He got off from a foreign car in front of a school. I just couldnt take my eyes off him.
Oho! You couldnt take your eyes off?
Park In Bo was slightly surprised. Actually, he was very surprised. Jung Ah Young didnt show much interest in men. She was extremely focused on her work. Although there were a few who lingered around her, she didnt bother giving them a second glance.
Hey, Im a woman too. He was wearing a black suit with a thin shirt in this cold weather. I couldnt see his face clearly because of his hat, but his body and black clothes were a work of art. I never knew a mans body could be so beautiful. I became so embarrassed all of a sudden.
Of course, the king-ka she saw was Mu Ssang who came to take the examinations. The proud guy would never have imagined that hed bring about such an effect. An ordinary lady was about to starve herself on a diet.
Hehe, it seems like you will be able to marry someone. Ill pick some nice pants for you, so you just get on with that diet.
Really? Can I trust you, boss?
Jung Ah Young looked at Park In Bo from head to toe. She wondered whether hed introduce her to someone like himself. Park In Bo smiled bitterly.
Geez, you brat, when have I ever lied to you? Despite my s**tty body and bad temper, you will not believe your eyes when you see my nephew.
Nephew?
Hmm, hes a great guy. I havent seen him for a long time, but hell be more than enough to make that king-ka you saw cry in shame.
Youre going to introduce me to your nephew?
Jung Ah Youngs eyes twinkled.
Nah, you brat. Hes five or six years younger than you.
Tsk, hes still little.
Hehe but that young man isnt just any young man. Anyway, Ill find you a good guy, so work on losing the fat. Times have changed. People wont take in plump women as their eldest daughter-in-law anymore.
Park In Bo gathered his documents.
Theres a board meeting tomorrow at 10. Prepare the materials for me.
Is the bond issuance surcharge the only thing that needs to be raised?
Yes, the ginseng factory construction urgently requires more funds.
Should I contact Madam too?
Do that.
The next day, in the conference room on the eighth floor of Good Heart Oil, the issuance of convertible bonds (CB) was brought up during the board meeting. A heated debate began.
Boss, whod buy the bonds if there is a five percent interest, and the premium is issued at 200 percent? Lets set the premium at 150 percent.
Director Jang Gi Su, Madam Jangs eldest younger brother, argued.
Director Jang, what are you saying? Youre not mistaking Good Heart Oil for Good Heart Lodgings, are you? Good Heart Oil is the best company in Daegu. I want to set the premium at 300 percent instead of 200 percent. CBs have merit since they can be converted to stocks. The interest is but a bonus. Youre an idiot for not even knowing the purpose of the CBs interest.
And so, the director, who became known as a clueless idiot, simply pouted. Director Kim, a finance executive, proposed a compromise.
How about in exchange for allowing the premium bond to be issued at 150 percent, we lower the interest to one percent?
Manager Jang Sang Su glanced at Madam Jang. Madam Jang nodded. By increasing the premium bond rate, there would be problems gathering his shares. The interest was a matter to be considered later.
I agree with director Kims idea! director Jang raised his hand and shouted.
Director Jang, if we increase the premium, the company funds will increase, which will ultimately improve the companys financial structure. So, why do you keep resisting?
Im just worried it wont be taken, director Jang mumbled, guilty.
Think about the value of this company. We need to at least set it at 200 percent. The ginseng factorys construction alone costs 1,500,000,000 won. What are you going to do about the land cost when the real estates raising its value day by day? The ginseng factory is an investment that puts the companys fortune on the line. Who is going to be responsible if we dont have enough ammunition? Will you take the blame, director Jang? What about the operating funds? Will the factorys construction fee appear out of nowhere? Id rather loan money, in that case.
Park In Bo glared. The two, who were overwhelmed by the boss energy, couldnt reply.
Did that man eat a bears gall or something?
Madam Jang was annoyed by her husbands stubbornness. That man was the kind of person whod cancel the convertible bonds plan if it didnt go according to his plans. He used to be compliant, but somehow, hed left her range of influence.
It would be a waste if the CB issuance got canceled. If so, there was no way to turn Good Heart Oil over to the Jang family. Her husband had nothing to worry about even if the CB issuance got canceled. There were banks waiting in line to loan money. Madam Jang grew hasty.
Everyones having a hard time putting together their money because of the current situation. If we issue it only to find that theres no one willing to buy, nothing more embarrassing can top that. Stop being stubborn and listen to the directors, Madam Jang replied.
Please, boss. Like director Kim said, lets leave the premium at 150 percent and the interest at one percent. Instead, we can push for the conversion three months into the issuance. Ill take responsibility for the issuance too.
Director Jang immediately stepped in and agreed with Madam Jang.
Oho! Director Jang, youre going to take responsibility for the issuance?
Park In Bo glared suspiciously at his eldest brother-in-law. Secretly, he found his eldest brother-in-law very brilliant for taking the bait.
Of course, Ill take responsibility, Jang Gi Su agreed hastily.
No, there are more than 100 people whod take these bonds under such conditions. We need the premium to be at 200 percent.
Dear!
Hey, calm down. This is the companys meeting room, not the house! Park In Bo scolded with a serious look on his face.
This damned old man!
Madam Jang gritted her teeth at her husbands scolding. Their positions had swapped. Her old, s**thead husband scolding the eldest daughter of the Jang family? That was impossible. It was only possible because he had a reliable company and was also the owner of Good Heart Oil.
Director Jang said hell take responsibility.
Fine, Ill take a step back. The amount issued will be 3,000,000,000 won, and the interest for the 150-percent premium will be one percent, and the conversion will be in three months. The conversion claim period will be three years. There isnt any meaning to that period. The issue price will change to the net asset value per share after an asset revaluation. The company will hold an asset revaluation every three months to determine the conversion price. Happy?
Fine, director Jang agreed, his face all bright.
Madam Jang and director Jang also nodded.
The investors will need time to put together the funds. Lets hold the sale in a month.
Park In Bo made his decisions quickly. That was a plan hed devised for a long time. The scenario had been thought out carefully.
Madam Jang called her brother over as she headed out of the meeting room.
Preparing 3,000,000,000 won in a month wont be easy, even for our father. Do you think hell be able to do it?
He said if brother-in-law keeps being stubborn, he could look into 4,000,000,000 won too. Its a little overbearing, but if I take care of all our spare businesses, and borrow money from my in-laws, I can prepare 1,500,000,000 won. If you and Sang Su pool in, and the family elders also pool in, we can cover the shortage with a bank loan. If we choose to cover it with a real estate loan, the interest will be cheaper.
Your brother-in-law keeps shoving money into the company, so I dont have any spare funds. Maybe I can come up with 200,000,000 won? Well, once we have the companys management rights, that kind of money will be nothing. That idiot old mans dancing around, clueless that hes kicking his own Achilles heel.
For the longest time, brother-in-laws been blinded by greed when it comes to business. Maybe he believes in our family. Sister, dont turn your back on brother-in-law yet. Did you talk to him about our nephew and nieces? Their shares add up to 10 percent.
Ill deal with that.
Ill have to scramble to gather 3,000,000,000 won.
Youll have to work hard to drag the family elders into this.
Of course, I should. Our family will survive on it for the rest of our lives, after all.
The two siblings faced each other and smiled creepily.
Park In Bo was full of life for the first time in a long while.
Ah Young, bring me the minutes.
Park In Bo laughed as he looked through the typed minutes.
Hehehe! Enjoy it while you can.
Boss, why are you laughing like a madman?
Brat, does being composed earn you money? Ah Young, have you ever seen such a continuous bond? The premium is 150 percent and the interest is one percent! Hehehe! Its basically money without interest, which is worth nothing. A pumpkin just rolled into an empty house! Hahaha!
Park In Bos laughter continued endlessly.
[1] Second-in-command is a title denoting that the holder of the title is the second-highest authority within a certain organization.
[2] The most popular and influential male student.
Chapter 336 - Episode 8: Signs of Downfall
Ah Young, try calculating based on last quarters standards. I already did. Its 18,900 won. Park In Bo smiled in satisfaction at her efficiency. You converted them based on asset value per share, right? Ya, I took off the repetitive ones and stopped at the 100s. Hehe, after revaluation, the premium should go over 25,000 won. Gosh, 25,000 won is five times the face value! Wholl buy it? Anyone who does is probably mad. Jung Ah Young tilted her head. Even companies better than Good Heart Oil didnt issue premium corporate bonds. Who would buy corporate bonds with no interest income? Dont worry, Ah Young. Theres a perfect brother in the countryside. A madman who sells fields like crazy for money. Hahahaha! Park In Bo laughed, losing all of his composure. Oh, theres already an investor? Youre not going to tell me who that idiot is, right? Jung Ah Youngs eyes twinkled. She could tell, even if her boss didnt say it. The images of Madam Jang, who had slapped her cheek, and her daughter, who had caused her head to bleed with the corner of her document tray, flashed before her eyes. Hehehe, youll know soon. Congratulations, boss. Ill go buy a cake. Light-footed, Jung Ah Young left the office. Park In Bo, who was smiling the entire time, slowly hardened his expression. The Jang family was obviously excited to take over the management rights with the CB, but that would be impossible. Convertible bonds were like blowfish dishes in which blood hadnt been drawn out. He took out a calculator and double-checked the change in shares again. If they converted the entire CB worth 3,000,000,000 won now, around 158,000 new shares would be issued. The Jang familys plan was obvious. Their shares would exceed 50 percent if they converted based on the current issued price. Even if the conversion price increased slightly, once the three siblings combined their shares and bought other shareholders shares, theyd be able to replace the CEO by vote. While it was more than enough according to their calculations, the Jang family had taken him too lightly. The trap was laid with the conversion price. The Jang siblings, who were unfamiliar with the bond market, overlooked the change in conversion price. Selling the idle garages and non-commercial land in Chilgok owned by Good Heart Lodgings before the asset revaluation would significantly increase his textile assets. If ones assets accumulated, the conversion price would increase. According to Park In Bos calculations, the conversion price was at least 27,000 won. While it was an obvious trick, there were no legal penalties. The stocks that were currently counted at 158,000 shares could drop to 100,000 shares. It was fine if the Jangs converted some of theirs. Once the capital surplus was accounted for, the conversion price of the remaining convertible bonds was bound to increase further. Just holding onto them instead of converting them would be problematic. Theyd earn one percent of interest over three years. The interest on a bank term deposit was 13 percent. The interest on a loan was 15 percent, even with preferential interest rates. It didnt matter whether the Jang family were landowners because to raise 3,000,000,000 won for the acquisition, they would have to sell their fields and obtain loans. The Jang family was bound to become a dog chasing a chicken on a roof. Damn, but we did live together for decades Park In Bos face grew somber. It was saddening that he had to make an enemy of his wife. Good Heart Oil was Parks company. The Jang family were like hyenas. They were people whod take the company apart, not raise it. Even in ancient times, a country would waver when family members were involved. Handing over the company to Wu Tak? Impossible. He had yet to learn anything, and even now at 24, he still had no interest. He was a b*stard who only knew how to spend money and associated with gang members. Good Heart Lodgings was enough for Wu Tak. The transportation business didnt require extraordinary management skills. He just had to take care of the people there. There wouldnt be much of a problem even if Wu Tak was placed in charge. The passenger transportation industry was currently overflooded. Since everyone rushed into it, the returns decreased significantly. There were no more roads to build on this small land, either. Still, the charms of a cash business remained. He wouldnt have a problem making ends meet as long as he could maintain the current situation. Good Heart Oil could fall back a little since the oil economy was doing well, but if he collapsed, the company was bound to collapse too. If he didnt want to hand the company over to the Jang family, he had to hand it to Mu Ssang. Rather, that was the least he could do to make up for his wrongdoings. He would need an excuse to tell his brother when he visited the underworld, wouldnt he? Jin Bo, your brothers sorry. Im really sorry. Ill give Ssang a gift even if I die, so forgive me, Park In Bo muttered. The convertible bond plan would allow him to take his revenge and hand over the company on a clean slate. He didnt want Mu Ssang to be concerned like he was by handing over a company full of cancer cells called the Jang family. It was Park In Bos special Disturbing Water to Catch Enemies plan. Park In Bo wasnt monk Dae Woo. As someone who wasnt aware of Mu Ssangs abilities and wealth, he had no choice but to resort to such tricks. A week later, Good Heart Oils convertible bonds were issued at a face value of 3,000,000,000 won.
Total issued: 3,000,000,000 won.
Interest rate: One percent per year.
Issue period: Three years.
Surcharge rate: 200 percent.
Conversion price: KRW 18,900
Conversion value determination: 150 percent of net asset value per share after quarterly asset revaluation.
Transition period: 90 days to maturity from the date of issue.
Conversion value: Quarterly asset value conversion. Jang Pil Nyuhs siblings proposed the issue as directors and stamped the agreement. Now, the Jang siblings had nowhere to complain. Despite the excessive conditions that were different from the securities acquisition market, the Jang family happily stamped on the acquisition agreement. They thought the deadly poison they swallowed was honey because of the coated sugar. They were completely done in by Park In Bo and his clever tricks, but no one knew. In Park In Bos apartment located at Dongsan intersection. Rrrring Park In Bo, who was preparing to go to work a little late, picked up the phone. Boss, did you sleep well? It was Jung Ah Youngs clear voice. Park In Bo glanced at the clock. It was slightly past 12. Uh-huh, what is it? What, youre disappointed that Im calling? Yes, you brat. I thought the BOSS nightclub madam was calling to ask me over for one-on-one service. Tsk, why are you asking for the madam in the daytime? She should be sleeping after working all night. It seems like theres something good going on considering the jokes youre telling. Wow, do you have a bamboo flag in your home, boss? A margin of 300,000,000 won has been deposited for the acquisition of convertible bonds. What! Now, at this time? They must be in quite a hurry. Hehehe, the baits good. Got it. Ill head out once I finish my lunch. Once he hung up, Park In Bo turned the dial. Who is this? Dont you know its rude to call in the morning? A faint voice, as though one had just woken up, answered the telephone. Chief Ma, its me. Its noon now, not morning. Oh, CEO, sir. Im sorry. Im sorry for waking you up. Lets have gomguk together. I like gomguk. Should I head out to Myo Yeon? Yes. Ill see you in 30 minutes. Park In Bo stared blankly at the ceiling as he ended the call. Do I need to go so far? He suddenly found himself hateful. Although he wanted to live the rest of his life like a decent human being, the actions he was planning to take right now were no better than a bully. Right. A tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. I cant let all of you live happily ever after. Park In Bo gritted his teeth. Memories of the times when he wasnt treated like a person swept by in a flash. He remembered his father-in-law, who had been leaning against the silk cushions while receiving New Years greetings. While his wifes family and the Jang elders offered their greetings, he wasnt even allowed in the room at all. His father-in-law judged people not by their personalities but by the amount of land they owned. A person with 100 majigi of land was treated like a white person, and a person with 1,000 majigi of land was treated like a divine being. He, who only had 40 majigi of land, wasnt treated like a son-in-law but a beggar. He remembered the embarrassing moments when he had to sit in the backyard to offer his greetings, his wife looking down at him with a mocking smile, and the Jang family members glancing at him as they walked by. Even if he didnt want to go, he had to visit during the holidays and on his in-laws birthdays. Whenever he visited, he would be overwhelmed with shame and humiliation. He would then vent all that anger from being treated like a beggar on Mu Ssang. His wife had added fuel to the fire back then. His wife, whose personality was toxic and strong, used her familys reputation to treat her husband like a slave. If his wife hadnt pushed him to do so much, he wouldnt have tormented his siblings family either. He got in huge trouble because his wife had told her father about his gambling habits with Kyung Jas family. Enraged, his father-in-law had publicly humiliated him by throwing a spittoon at him, tearing the skin on his forehead. The reason was that he had tarnished the Jang familys reputation. What reputation when his daughter was forced into marriage because she had sx with the family slave? Those straight-faced bstards, who had sent their second-rate daughter to him and treated him like a noblemans dog, took great care of their reputation. The day when he had injured his forehead, he vowed to one day flip the Jang family on their head. Their attitude toward him changed 180 degrees ever since his business prospered. When he visited his in-laws, his mother-in-law would greet him outside the door. He was obviously the first to enter the room for the New Years greetings. They were truly two-faced people. Still, it didnt mean that it made him feel more comfortable. He went through all kinds of hardships to keep his company standing while his wifes family attached themselves to it. Those in-law bstards shoved their straws into various parts of the company and started sucking on honey. Around 55 percent of the funds invested in Good Heart Lodgings were from the Jang family. He couldnt do anything and withstood the Jang familys unreasonable actions. I need to see this through to the end. You guys may have started this, but Ill end it. This is something youve all brought upon yourselves. Park In Bo brushed off his self-loathing. He didnt lead a clean life either. There was no difference between a life in mud and a life in s**. That would be the last time he would be doing something detestable. Park In Bo had lived his entire life suffering under the influence of his in-laws. His revenge was as significant as Mu Ssangs. He was, after all, a Park. Myo Yeon Guh . It wasnt a thing of another world in Lee Baeks Answer From the Mountains but a well-known beef bone soup restaurant. Myo Yeon Guh became famous for using refrigerated beef bones and was, therefore, Park In Bos favorite. It was hard to differentiate between gomguk and Seolleongtang. Seolleongtang was made with beef bones and other smaller bones, while gomguk was made with meat and intestines. Still, that wasnt a strong distinction. Seolleongtang should be brewed with briskets and crucible. Beef bones, small bones, and head bones should be added to the gomguk for the broth to achieve a thick and rich taste. Whether it was gomguk or Seolleongtang, the names were decided according to the owners taste. Whats noteworthy wasnt the name but the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Bones, like meat, deteriorated in quality when stored in freezers for a long time. The quality of the bones deteriorated quickly once thawed and stored in the freezer again. Frozen bones were half the price of refrigerated bones. When the bones were left to freeze for more than a year, they would drop back to half price. After another year, they would drop below half the price. To brew broth with refrigerated beef bones, the cost of ingredients would be 10 times more than that of frozen beef bones. Hmmm, its really good. Theres nothing better to cure a hangover! Ma Sam Shik finished the remaining white soup from his bowl and exclaimed. Ma Sam Shik used to be the boss of the Sam Shik gang, who ruled over Daegus streets at night. However, the entire gang had gone separate ways in 1980 when the military decided to wipe out all evil organizations for ignoring legal procedures. Even the gangs, who had survived, changed jobs or were in dire straits. All they could do was peek above the water with their mouths open like carps. Ma Sam Shik had disbanded the gang and supported himself by starting up an errand center. Park In Bo came to know of Ma Sam Shik while he was searching for Kim Mal Soon. Ma Sam Shik gladly became Park In Bos lackey because he was paid well. It is good. Theyre worth the price. There are so many customers. Seems like theyre all better off than the situations theyre in, Ma Sam Shik complained as he looked at the hall. Myo Yeon Guhs bowl of gomguk cost 5,000 won. One pack of ramen cost 100 won. There were many cases whereby customers would turn back at the entrance in fright of the price. Ma, have you found anything yet? Im sorry, boss. I have sent out more people since last month. Were planning to look through Masan this time. Hoo! Park In Bo let out a deep sigh. His heart ached. It had been eight years since he first began searching for Mrs. Jae Soo through the Sam Shik gang. The Sam Shik gang had sent out 30 members. He employed people to search for her traces, and he also frequently looked at records of unidentified bodies registered with the police through lawyer Lee. You must find her. Dont worry about the money, and use as many people as you want. Jae Soo had to be alive somewhere. It was Park In Bos stubbornness and hope. He felt as though he could relieve some of his guilt by finding Jae Soo. It was something that had to be done before he died. Of course. Your business is my business, boss. Is there anything else? I need you to spread some rumors. Tell me what to say. The gang leader pulled the cushion closer to the table. He could smell money. How many errand centers can you mobilize? I can mobilize half of the errand centers in Daegu. Do you know Mr. Jang Kyung Ju of In-Dong, the rich man? Theres no one who doesnt know that man. The mayor of Daegu used to visit him in the past. There will be large plots of the In-Dong Jang familys farmland on the market soon. Whaaat? Sam Shiks eyes grew as wide as the bowl before him. What kind of front-kicking cow story was that? Why would the In-Dong Jang family sell their land? Theres nothing to be surprised about. I dont want that land to be sold easily. I understand what you want. Sam Shik nodded his head. Sam Shik was someone who lived in the backstreets for 20 years. This was that, and a bushing noise was the sound of a neighbors housewifes apron coming undone. You cant let them know the source of the rumors.
Chapter 337 - Episode 9: Signs of Downfall
Ma Sam Shik pressed his thumb and forefinger together to mock a closing zipper. Dont worry, boss. The rule for this line of work is to be quiet. Talking will just shove dirt down your mouth. Theres no need to kill Is there anyone suitable? The Jang family wasnt just a regular noble family from the countryside. If any fist-using hooligan wandered around and got caught, there would be too much to lose. Sand Carps the best at ripping off real estate agencies. Sand Carp? Do all of you have a grudge against fishes? Why are all of your kids named after fishes? The Sam Shik gang members were all named after fishes. The person in charge of communication between the boss company and themselves was Nupchi (halibut), and the team leader in charge of finding Mrs. Jae Soo at headquarters was Catfish. Its a longtime tradition we started in Gyeongsang-do. Freshwater fishes are from Daegu, and saltwater fishes are from Busan. We can call the newbies however we like, and the actual nicknames are a symbol of the gangs recognition given according to their experience. Nupchi means one who played around in Busan and came over to Daegu. Ho, its like a family register. Whats your nickname? Hehe, its Snakehead. Ma Sam Shik laughed, slightly embarrassed. His original nickname was Napjaru (T. lanceolata). However, since he became the boss, he grew embarrassed of his nickname and changed it to Snakehead instead. Whether youre freshwater or saltwater fish, you just need to work well. Can Sand Carp be trusted? He must have blindsided at least 100 real estate agencies, but he only got caught twice. Hes too smooth. He escapes easily and hides very well, which is why we call him Sand Carp. Hes someone I bring around, so you can trust him. The Jang family isnt easy. They have powerful people in executive roles and the judiciary on their side. Dont worry. All the real estate agencies in Gumi, Gimcheon, Daegu, Chilgok, and Seonsan will come to know. Ill make sure that even the rich people hear the rumors too. By the time they realize, theyll be too busy fixing the chaos that they wont have time to look our way. You guys make the necessary arrangements. Ill send the expenses separately. This is for your members. Park In Bo placed a thick envelope on the table. Sam Shiks mouth hung open once he checked the envelopes contents. Boss Park was truly a giving person. Bang A wrinkled fist landed on the small table. The elegant paulownia wood table, which could be called a treasure, collapsed. What b*stard did this? What were you guys doing? The shout echoed in the room. The people gathered in the main houses main room looked like they had eaten bugs. Jang Pil Nyuh, Jang Gi Su, Jang Sang Su, uncle Jang Kyeong Mo, cousin Jang Chul Su, first cousins once removed, Jang Kyung Tek and Jang Kyung Namthey were the core members of the Jang family. Are you all deaf as a doorpost or doing a monthly service? Think of how many people there are in this household! Yet, you still cant catch a few mice? A man in uniform, who had been kneeling in a corner, flinched. It was Jang Chi Soo, who Mu Ssang had vowed to get his revenge on. He shouldnt have been there as a police sergeant, but he was still called over because he held a position with the police. Jang Pil Nyuh and Jang Gi Su had seized the golden opportunity to secure Good Heart Oils ownership and management rights. The siblings even convinced their close relatives to contribute because there were insufficient funds. All the core members of the Jang family stepped up. Besides the grandson, Jang Kyung Ju, the brothers, the cousins, and the first cousins once removed were willing to sell them too. They firmly believed in Jang Pil Nyuh and her siblings promise that acquiring shares was better than farming. They were getting sick and tired of the endless farmwork. While being a landowner seemed great to others, it had long turned into all style and no substance. It would have been worth trying had the tenant farming remained 5:5 like the old days, but now, 7:3 was common. Rice farming had long turned into a front-profit, back-loss fickle monster. The era where crops meant death was over. With the development of the Gumi industrial complex, most independent farmers sold their farmland and worked at factories. There were even instances when farmers presumptuously asked for seeds and fertilizers. Sparks could be seen in the Jang familys eyes as they were used to throwing their weight around. Jang Kyung Ju and the rest of the Jang family members carefully looked for buyers. Since they had a handful of land, they had to divide it before they looked for buyers. Small possessions were handled by real estate agencies. As for the large possessions, they would personally contact well-off people nearby. It was because their prices could drop if rumors of their willingness spread. Although they had put out the land at the market price, there was not much response. Even the people who used to be greedy for their lands paid no heed. There were discussions for the small possessions that they had put up with real estate agencies but no sales. Jang Kyung Ju had sent out people to resolve the unexpected situation. The rumors they returned with were enough to make someone cough blood and collapse. The rumor that the Jang family was pro-Japanese was true to a degree, so it didnt matter. He, too, had served as an officer in the Japanese military. He was loyal to them and had offered them his collection of brass basins and spoons. What else was he supposed to do? His family was about to fall apart. The main problem was that the Jang family was rumored to be selling their land because of a debt guarantee gone wrong. No, a more specific rumor that refuted the main rumor started spreading around. [The debt guarantee wasnt the real reason why the Jang familys secretly selling their land. It was because of something else. The Jang family was a secret backer to the Democratization Promotion Council led by Kim Young Sam. The Agency for National Security Planning, who had gotten wind of it, began investigating the Jang family. The Jang family requested help from influential figures and even offered their lands as bribes. If everyone waited a little longer, there would be quick sales from the Jang family.] The little scenario spread rapidly around the region. They were the only ones who were unaware of the rumors. There were three points to the rumor. The Jang family was despised by those in the government, they needed money to bribe, and in time, they would urgently sell their land at cheaper prices. Jang Kyung Ju himself thought it was a well-organized scenario. Rather, it was vicious. Firstly, their pro-Japanese history was mentioned to make everyone believe the rumor. Then, an unreliable rumor started circulating about them selling their land because of a debt guarantee gone wrong. Then, a rumor with nuances of truth was released to refute the first one. It was a three-tier combination attack that cleverly played on human psychology. There was no reason for anyone not to believe it. Rumors had their own lives. Once they started rolling, a woman would have given birth to a baby, and housewives would have 10 husbands. The stronger the denial, the more likely they were recognized as powerful truths. This is an attack. Its not just rumors. Someones trying to drag our family into the gutter. We need to find out whos behind this and beat the person to death. Bang Bang Jang Kyung Ju, who couldnt hold back his temper, banged on the pillow. In 80 years of his life, hed never felt that horrible. Brother, please. Calm down. We need to come up with a solution first. We can catch whoever did this in time. We need to catch this person first to put out the flames. Damn it, we can only torture him after we catch him. Hoo! Jang Kyung Ju let out a deep sigh at his brothers words. They were only left with 20 days until the payment was due. They had received a critical hit. Yes, whats my cousin planning? Ive asked for cooperation from five police stations in Daegu and Gumi. Well mobilize the investigation department and investigate secretly, Jang Chul Su, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Provincial Office answered with a puzzled expression. Even if they moved now, they were a step behind. Dear, do you think your husband Father! Jang Pil Nyuh screamed. Husband Park isnt the kind of person capable of spreading such rumors nor does he have any reason to. That persons currently busy. What are you planning to do if husband Park hears this? Ah, nothing. I was going to ask whether your husband could delay the payment, Jang Kyung Ju immediately replied. He had only said that out of frustration. There was no reason to doubt his son-in-law, but if he did hear what he had said, there would be trouble. Ill try asking him, but itll be hard, Jang Pil Nyuh said with uncertainty in her tone. Jang Kyung Ju nodded his head. When it came to business, his son-in-law was someone who wouldnt bleed even when poked. Ugh, so why werent you nice to him from the start? uncle Jang Kyeong Mo nagged, but turned his head the other way at her glare. Jang Pil Nyuh had placed both of his grandsons in Good Heart Oil. He was in no position to give a lecture. Um If we give up the deal and the bonds- What! Give up? Shut up. Jang Kyung Ju shouted before Jang Chi Soo could finish his sentence. Is 300,000,000 someones name? We need to strike while the iron is hot. Jang Pil Nyuh glared at her cousin through narrowed eyes. Jang Chi Soo immediately went silent, and his face creased. Hed lost face instead, trying to join in the adults conversation. The heated debates continued and the familys meeting room lights didnt go out until late at night. Two weeks after it was issued, Sand Carp contacted Park In Bo. Boss, its Sand Carp. Its reached the target. Start bringing it back at 65 percent. Ill send a lawyer over, so borrow your brothers names and take care of it. Okay, but- Ill give you a one percent commission. Geez, that much? Ill run until you hear me roll. Hands and feet only grow slower if you save money. A one percent commission was a large sum considering the huge purchase. It made sense for Sand Carp to bounce in joy. Park In Bo was someone who knew how to spend his money. Make sure your brothers dont say anything. If word gets around, there will be nothing. Of course. Theyre easy to read. You get buried in this line of work if you talk too much. It wont just be a business burial. Itll be a burial at Geumho River, Park In Bo said coldly. What? Ok, Ill make sure. Is your boss Ma there? Ya, hes sucking at his soju bottle. Bang Agh Sounds of beatings and screams traveled down the phone. Sorry, boss. Someone cant tell whos up and whos down over here. Ill educate him. That doesnt matter. Is there anyone under you who used to play with private loans? Private loans used to be my specialty. There are rough guys and smart guys. Give it to Sand Carp. The Jang family wont deny cash since theyre in a rush. The interest should be reasonable for the first month, slightly raised in the second month, and merciless in the third month. Do you understand? The collateral will be their land. Got it. Those Jang pieces must have enough money to pay back in the third month, eh? With those conditions, theyll bite immediately. Boss, you really are smart. Shut up. Use a secured cash card to receive necessary funds. Okay. Park In Bo laughed until his teeth showed once he hung up the phone. Ladies and gentlemen of the Jang family, this is a gift from your gutter dog. Try feeling the pain of an attack from both sides. Park In Bos face grew dim as he looked out the window. The city, which was covered in white, left his eyes dazed. He had been so happy when he built his building. It felt as though the entire Daegu city was his. Damn it, Ive reincarnated as the evil character, havent I? I should drink since its snowing. Although the layer of snow was pretty now, the city was bound to become dirty and muddy once the sun was up. It was just like him. A painted sign that read Deok Sans was hung haphazardly outside a run-down chicken gizzard eatery and bar located in the backstreets of Nowon road, on the outskirts of Daegu. A man wearing a thick overcoat, hat, mask, and scarf stopped before the house. He took off his hat, brushed the snow off his shoulders, and pushed the door open. Rumble Nobody turned to look despite the loud sound. It was a small eatery and bar with six old tables gathered around the heater. The unrefined tables had a stove in the center and attached to it was a cable drum core for electricity and a tin plate. The place was empty since it was early evening. The man removed his scarf and mask and threw them on the table, before dragging his chair closer to the heater. With a white head that looked like snow had fallen, a dull complexion, and wide cheeksthat was Park In Bo. The briquette stove embedded in the center of the table burned in red. Although the temperature outside was cold with the falling snow, the room was warm. Where did the owner go, leaving her business be? Park In Bo took out a Kumbokju from the showcase after shaking off the cold and rummaged the kitchen cabinet for a soju glass. His spontaneity made it clear that he was a regular customer. Kuh! Park In Bo shivered after shoving the soju down his throat. While his doctor had sung songs about how he shouldnt drink, he wanted to get drunk, just for today. Park In Bos face darkened. Rumble The entrance door screeched as it slid open. A plump woman walked in. Jung Ah Young walked in behind her. Gosh, boss, sir! You cant drink soju! What to do? The owner turned to look at Jung Ah Young in surprise. Mrs. Deok San, just give me some more. You arent ignoring me because I didnt visit much, are you? What? No. Boss, you and all of your employees visit all the time, so why would I ignore you? Oh, wait, I need to bring out the snacks. Mrs. Deok San rushed toward the kitchen. The run-down eatery and bar managed by Mrs. Deok San was located in Nowon road, which was nearby Good Heart Lodgings and the car park. Mrs. Deok San used to work as a housekeeper at the traditional house where Hae Young lived. When Hae Young left to study abroad, Hae Youngs mother, Madam Lee Min Ju, sold the house. Mrs. Deok San, who had nowhere to go, opened up a small chicken gizzard eatery and bar in an alley of the third industrial complex out of desperation. Park In Bo filled the glass. Jung Ah Young pulled a chair across from Park In Bo and collapsed on it. The chairs metal legs dragged loudly against the floor. Jung Ah Young was as laid back as a man. Boss, your insides will flip if you drink with an empty stomach. As soon as Jung Ah Young sat down, she snatched his soju bottle. Mrs. Deok San placed an iron cooking plate filled with chicken gizzards on the small stove, and gave them more soju glasses and dried pollack, before giving them space. The two looked on at the snow falling in the dark without saying a word. Park In Bo recalled the first time he had met Mrs. Deok San. [so, I dont know what happened, but he dropped out of school. He studied hard, was good at sports, handsome, and independent, overall an exemplary student, but I cant figure out what made him] Park In Bo had freaked out. To think that hed hear about his nephew leaving the house from the bar lady. Unfortunately, Mrs. Deok San didnt know what happened to the boy after that. Mu Ssang had left a good impression on Mrs. Deok San. The only flaws were that he didnt show much expression, and he rarely spoke. Mrs. Deok San said that it made him look like a sincere and cool man.
Chapter 338 - Episode 10: Signs of Downfall
Right. He would have grown to become an amazing person by now.
His heart started aching again. If that kid had been able to study properly, he would have become a judge or a professor by now. The people responsible for twisting the life of the sole person, who could have brought fame to the Park family, were his wife and daughter. Rage started welling within him again.
What are you thinking about?
Hm! What?
Park In Bo looked at Jung Ah Young, like a man who had just woken up from his sleep.
If you keep drinking soju without a side dish, youll ruin your stomach.
Leave me alone, brat. If a few shots could kill the human Park In Bo, I would have already died. My body isnt rotting because of alcohol but because of my mind. How can my body be fine when my insides are rotting! Im truly jealous of you, Ah Young, Park In Bo sounded more pitiful as he spoke.
Boss, stop pretending like youre pitiful. You do realize a person who has 99 things can envy someone who only has one? You do realize its Christmas Eve today?
Really?
Surprised, Park In Bos head turned back to her. He had kept himself busy with matters of the company while coming up with a plan to destroy the Jang b*stards, to the point that he had no time to pee. How could he remember Jesus birthday when he didnt even remember his own? Nonetheless, he wondered if Christmas was really the mans birthday.
A wife scheming to chase her husband out and take over the company, and a husband planning to destroy his in-lawsit was truly like a family that appeared in dramas. He had unknowingly called Jung Ah Young out on Christmas Eve because of his loneliness.
A young lady who spends Christmas Eve in a chicken eatery and bar with a grandpa is also rotting, you do realize? If that very lady is a virgin who never had a boyfriend, her heart will rot to the point of no rescue! Hehehe!
Jung Ah Young giggled as she filled her glass with soju. It was a half-joke, half-complain of a woman whod be turning 30 in a few days.
Brat, youre making me feel sorry.
Park In Bos face turned apologetic. Now, he was stuck on the receiving end. There was an old saying that people who didnt listen to the laments of an old virgin who couldnt get married, the laments of a widow who kept vigil for three years, and the laments of a pr*stitute who lived by spreading her legs would be damned.
Lets have a drink as people whose insides are rotting. Forget about the naggy Professor Kim for now, yeah?
Hehe, you know how to drink.
For our happiness!
Park In Bo and Jung Ah Young shoved the soju in their glasses down their throats at the same time and shivered.
Kyah!
Kuh!
The soju they consumed in one-shot burned down their throats. That was why he couldnt forget alcohol. It helped him forget about the pain in his chest.
Here. Have some snacks.
Jung Ah Young grabbed a piece of slightly burnt dak-dong jib[1], shook off the burnt bits on the iron cooking plate, and offered it to him.
Wow! For the first time, Im finally experiencing the luxury of being served a side dish by a young woman as a grandpa. What if I die while experiencing this?
Park In Bo joked as he extended his neck across the table and ate the dak-dong jib.
Ugh, what else can I do? An angel should volunteer for our pitiful boss. Jung Ah Young smiled.
Park In Bos eyes narrowed. From up close, she wasnt bad-looking. Overall, her face was cute, and her skin was as clear as a babys.
Hmm, our Ah Young has grown up, I see. You were a runny-nose brat with pimples who had just graduated from a Girls Commercial High School when you first sat in the office. Now, youve become an angel.
Boss, why are you provoking me again? Dont call a woman a runny-nose brat!'' Jung Ah Young fought back and glared.
Brat, the truth wont disappear even if you hide it. Hehehe!
He, who found her reaction cute, laughed.
Jung Ah Young had suffered in the early days of his business. She often had to stay late into the night in the office. She worked like a high-quality motor, not refusing the hardest of tasks. If Jung Ah Young wasnt there, he would still be sitting in a small office, which operated a few buses. That brat was also someone he had to take care of before he died.
Jung Ah Youngs eyes followed her boss gaze. There was nothing outside other than the pitch darkness. Her boss stared emptily outside the window. She was aware of her boss feelings. Her boss was someone rumored to have no blood or tears. In fact, he grew the business without any blood or tears.
She preferred macho men who were ambitious and confident. Her boss, who ran without stopping to reach his goals, was macho. Compared to other men who blamed and relied on others, men who were dedicated to their goals were more manly.
Unni, Kumbokju!
Jung Ah Young was a strong drinker. One or two bottles of the Kumbokju wasnt enough. She received the bottle, lifted the cap away with an opener, and poured the alcohol herself before shoving it down.
A true alcohol lover didnt sip on alcohol. Alcohol tasted the best when it was shoved down. A strong liquid that wet the tongue, scratched the esophagus, and warmed up the stomachthe sensory experience was the true pleasure for alcohol lovers. If the men who approached her could at least drink alcohol in such a refreshing manner, she might agree to go out with them.
Her boss had excellent business skills. He had abandoned long-distance bus routes and concentrated on mid-distance bus routes. He didnt even turn his attention to the express bus routes, which were new and sparkling. One express bus was the price of two city buses. The policy that concentrated on the number of buses built around turnover prices became a huge success. Basketfuls of money rolled in. Her boss, who had gathered enough money, turned his attention to oil. He did so at a good time. No, her boss always had an excellent eye for business.
The oil industry grew rapidly thanks to the free trade stance and the favor of the U.S., which opened up the consumer goods market. Her boss quickly grasped the flow of change. He immediately spent all of the money, which he had earned from Good Heart Lodgings, on purchasing textile factories.
Debt leverage was her boss choice of strategy. He had purchased a company with his money, put up the company as collateral to borrow more money, and bought another company with it. During the period of rapid growth, debt served as leverage. In an economic structure where growth was stagnant, such a strategy was impossible.
Her boss had purchased more textile factories by offering bribes and sexual favors to related financial officials and public officials. The company which was born from consolidating all five fabric manufacturing plants was Good Heart Oil company.
Park In Bo was a talented businessman, not a moralistic one. Ah Young liked her boss, who pushed ahead like a tank. She found her boss reassuring as he wasnt shaken by emotions. No matter what anyone said, he was a good person who had helped her in her time of need. He was a savior, someone who helped protect her family.
Boss, you have a lot you owe me, dont you?
Brat, Ive never forgotten or lowered your pay. You even get paid during the holidays! You pay the bill. Park In Bo smiled happily.
Aside from his siblings family, the only other person he felt indebted to was Jung Ah Young.
Hmph, stop trying to steal from me. If I didnt catch that pickpocket back then, you would have missed your timing to build your company, boss. You cant just buy dak-dong jib for the companys first-class founding member.
Brat, you emptied my wallet back then because you ate 10 persons worth of bulgogi. You saw the dust coming out of my wallet, didnt you?
Hey, you need to calculate it properly. That wasnt 10 persons worth, but nine persons worth, Jung Ah Young, whose eyes turned wide, protested as though she was falsely accused.
You ate nine persons worth of meat and a bowl of noodles. Thats 10 persons worth in total.
Hmpppph-
Jung Ah Young grumbled, having lost the war of words.
Jung Ah Young had met Park In Bo in March, the same year when she had graduated from a Girls Commercial High School. She had been crying on a bench at Dongin-dongs central park. She had sent in her application to several companies after graduation, but none had requested her. A commercial high school graduate was no different from a company intern who did all kinds of minor tasks. The requirement for joining the company wasnt skills but body and face. Jung Ah Young had failed to secure a job every time.
The name Ah Young meant pretty and elegant like a flower. Unlike her name, Jung Ah Young was barely 150 centimeters tall and had a plump body that weighed around 60 kilograms. Her face was full of pimples like volcano craters. She was given the nickname moon skin by her friends.
Although she felt the urgency to support her family especially during such a difficult time, getting a job wasnt easy. She heard a shout when she was tearing up on the park bench.
Catch him!
Surprised by the shout, Jung Ah Young raised her head. A 10-year-old boy with a bag under his arm was running away like a squirrel. A tired-looking man was chasing after him.
Huh, its a pickpocket.
Jung Ah Young stuck her foot out, blocking the pickpockets path. Just like a pickpocket, the kid had a good sense of balance. It seemed like he was about to fall forward, but he managed to find his footing. Jung Ah Young kicked both sides of the kids legs to throw him off-balance, before grabbing him by the waist to shoulder-throw him on his head. Jung Ah Young had been attending her brothers Judo school for four years.
Bang
Ack!
The pickpocket, who hit his shoulder on the ground, screamed.
Agh, you b****!
The pickpocket stood up, but the man, who finally caught up to him, tackled him immediately.
You b*stard, youre dead!
The two men fought. The pickpocket fought back quite well. While they were busy fighting, Jung Ah Young grabbed the bag, which had dropped on the floor.
Ajussi, leave him be! Jung Ah Young shouted at the man.
Park In Bo let go of the pickpockets arm.
F***, you guys are all dead.
The pickpocket hurled out a few more curses before disappearing in a flash.
Huh, what was I doing!
Park In Bo realized how foolishly hed acted. It was a done deal when he got back his bag, but he continued to fight the pickpocket at his old age. He could have injured himself if the pickpocket was holding a weapon.
Thank you very much. These documents are very important, you see. Why did that brat take it? If it werent for you, I would have been in big trouble.
Oh. Its nothing.
No, who would willingly help a stranger like you? Take this.
Without much thought, Park In Bo pulled out some money from his wallet and handed them to her.
No, its okay. No, thank you, Jung Ah Young declined.
A hand was about to pop out of her throat, but she didnt want to be rewarded for such a minor matter. Park In Bo felt awkward.
Then, what? Ah. Ill buy you a meal. What should we eat?
Coincidentally, it was lunchtime. Jung Ah Young was also hungry since she had skipped breakfast. Then again, she didnt want to follow a man she had just met.
Yaya, I have two daughters who are much older than you. Whats the point of being suspicious? Lets hurry.
Jung Ah Young could no longer refuse. She ended up following Park In Bo since he insisted.
What do you like?
I eat everything well.
You seem so, Park In Bo said, glancing at her round body.
Youre a dwarf s***-stick, yourself.
Jung Ah Young glared at his unexpected insult.
Lets go eat the most expensive bulgogi.
Wow, yes, lets! Jung Ah Young cheered unknowingly.
That was a menu she didnt dare think about during difficult times.
So, youre looking for a job, but its not going well?
Yeah, because I look like this
What about it? You look good even when youre a little plump. Why dont you just give up on them and work with me?
Work what?
Im planning on setting up a transportation company. You said you graduated from a commercial high school, right? You can be a secretary and take care of the office.
Really?
Brat, I might have a bit of a temper, but Ive never lied. Even my nephew knows that.
Okay. You need to pay me as much as the market pay rate, okay?
Park In Bo and Jung Ah Young came to a mutual agreement in the restaurant. Although it was slightly strange that he had mentioned his nephew, she didnt ask. Even though she was called plump, she was happy since she finally secured a job. Jung Ah Young ate nine persons worth of bulgogi and became the first employee of Good Heart Lodgings. Jung Ah Young had been the one to help him recover the authorization documents, so if it was fate, then let it be fate.
Unlike her plump appearance, Jung Ah Young was smart and tight-lipped. Park In Bo had gained a genius at a time of need, perhaps, he had saved a village in his past life. Aside from the pickpocket incident that allowed them to meet, Park In Bo and Jung Ah Young overcame the challenges of building up and expanding the company together. The two became close, like father and daughter.
If you dont want to be called a runny-nose brat, do you want me to call you moon skin instead?
Park In Bo mentioned Jung Ah Youngs high school nickname. It was a nickname that Jung Ah Young hated as much as she hated rats. It was a nickname she hated more than when she was being called plump.
Boss!
Aigo, youre going to turn me deaf. If you get any more temperamental than this, youre going to start calling me a dwarf s***-stick.
You know me well.
Fine, Ill stop. Thats an embarrassing term I dont want to hear. You have a drink too.
After Jung Ah Young emptied her glass, Park In Bo asked her a question, as though in passing.
Ah Young, is the psychological trauma different between a woman who was almost raped and a woman who was raped?
Hed talked about all kinds of things until now because he wanted to ask her that question. It was something he could only ask Jung Ah Young.
What, did Wu Tak do something again? Jung Ah Young asked, her eyes got big all of a sudden.
No, thats not it. Just answer me.
Rapists are b*stards worse than creatures. Their things should be cut off.
Park In Bo flinched.
Unlike a rape attempt or forced harassment, rape is established only when there is s*xual penetration. Assault is often accompanied in the process. The intensity of a victims psychological trauma isnt determined by the possibility of s*xual penetration but rather the victims notion of chastity? You cant compare a bar madam with a housewife.
Jung Ah Young had dealt with three rape cases for Wu Tak. She had gained some legal knowledge in the process of reaching a settlement with the victims.
Youre saying an ordinary housewife who was almost raped might suffer greater psychological trauma than a bar madam who was raped?
Yeah, I think so. If shes a housewife who loves her husband, wouldnt she suffer from embarrassment and guilt to the point of death since she was close to getting raped, even if there wasnt any penetration?
Really?
Park In Bos heart sank. Was Kim Mal Soon really dead? Even if she did die, could she bear leaving her young son behind?
Ugh!
The pain of his lungs shrinking rushed in. He turned his head to look at the window, in case Jung Ah Young saw. The ground was white. There must be a bright moon just like that day. A white face, borderline blue, flashed before his eyes.
[1] Chicken gizzard.
Chapter 339 - Episode 11: Signs of Downfall
A bright face that looked like flour had set, a waist that shook like the willow branches, clear eyes that could pull a person in, and a slender body that activated ones protective instinctsKim Mal Soon was the woman of his dreams who seemed to shine like the white snow outside. Even if she was within reach, she was like a jewel that he couldnt touch. She was a woman whom he couldnt help but love.
In terms of appearance and personality, Jang Pil Nyuh was someone on the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to Kim Mal Soon. If Kim Mal Soon was a jewel shining in the dark, his wife was a pumpkin that had rot because of the rainy spell in July. Looking at her lean figure, rough skin, and face that was covered in chicken-pox scars made him lose all interest.
Why did the heavens only grant his sibling happiness? Jealousy exploded. As the years passed, he grew even jealous. After his brother died, he would avoid his wifes gaze and head to their house. He would hide under the window of Kim Mal Soons bedroom and masturbate, but even then, he was still unsatisfied.
On that daythe day that he had brought a lifetime worth of regrets and distress upon himselfhe should have run when Mrs. Jae Soos attacker had fled too. He had stayed behind, wondering whether he should console her, which was why that had happened.
Her white top that was pushed up amid her struggle with the attacker, her pants that hung on her ankles, and her white chest and black forest revealed under the moonlight made him lose all reason. His entire body turned hot. An intense lust he had never experienced before in his life filled his head. Only her small chest and black hair filled his sight.
He had almost reached the point of climax while masturbating to the image of Kim Mal Soons body beneath the window. His excitement reached its peak when they started fighting. He had forgotten the fact that Kim Mal Soon was a weak woman. He pressed down on her roughly and attempted to penetrate.
Ugh!
He stopped just before he could initiate the rape. Hed climaxed before he could penetrate. It was like the saying, messing up before the door. His mind went blank.
[Ugh, you idiot, are you a damn rabbit?]
His wifes screeching as she looked down at him rang in his ears. His private part shriveled up like a pupa. He had severe premature ejaculation and, to add on, anxiety. The greatest reason why Jang Pil Nyuh looked down on her husband was because of the former.
What the hell? What did I just do?
Surprise replaced his disappearing lust. He stumbled out of the straw house. He ran down the moonlit mountain path and hid in the side room.
He placed a blanket over his head and breathed a sigh of relief. He reassured himself that had it not been for him, Kim Mal Soon would have been raped by the attacker.
Theres a contrast in the notion of chastity!
His younger brothers love life was inexpressible. The two trusted each other wholeheartedly, leaving no place for doubt, and they shared a love that the heavens would be envious of. Mrs. Jae Soo was someone whod have died with her husband if she didnt have a son. Mu Ssang was everything to Kim Mal Soon. So why did Kim Mal Soon disappear, leaving Mu Ssang behind? He had been wondering about that all along.
Wait, did that b**** do something to Mrs. Jae Soo?
A forgotten memory resurfaced. He had returned home secretly at dawn and covered himself with a blanket but hadnt been able to fall asleep. He had heard his wife leaving the house quietly. She reappeared an hour later.
The next day, his wife glared at him with satisfaction in her eyes. You b*stard might have fulfilled my greatest wish! That was what his wife had said. His thoughts were all over the place. Had he acted accordingly to his wifes manipulations since he was stupid? What if his wife was aware of his activities and went to threaten Mrs. Jae Soo? Then, it would explain Mrs. Jae Soos disappearance.
Right. That damn b****! Those filthy Jang family, Ill drag all of you down to hell.
Park In Bos eyes turned red. Although he held grudges, she was still his wife, and they were still his in-laws. Even while executing the plan, he had felt uncomfortable. The Jang family had ruined the Parks. He wasnt exacting revenge only for himself but the entire Park family. Park In Bo felt relief in a corner of his mind.
Park In Bo became paranoid with time. Park In Bos brain rejected his action plan. Absolute rejection of the action plan resulted in blame-shifting. He had believed that Kim Mal Soons disappearance was the doing of her son, Mu Ssang. The outcome of that was abuse.
Park In Bo regretted his actions, but he didnt want to find the cause. His blame and hatred had simply shifted from Mu Ssang to his wife and the Jang family. It was a result of Freuds repression defense mechanism, and from a psychological perspective, he was a narcissistic, paranoid patient.
Kugh, damn it!
He felt a sharp pain in his chest. He couldnt tell whether it was his soul or his body that was in pain. While pouring the alcohol himself, Ah Young took away Park In Bos soju bottle.
Boss, you already drank a bottle. Youre going to get in trouble if you drink any more.
Park In Bo stared blankly at Jung Ah Young. Unlike Kim Mal Soon, she didnt have a small face like a cucumber seed. He turned his head and smiled.
Fine. You actually nag at me more than my wife. No, my wife doesnt usually nag. Jung, you go back home now. Im going to head home later.
Jung Ah Young looked at her boss pitifully. She knew how broken her boss family was. There was his wife who treated her husband like a fish, his eldest daughter who was addicted to buying branded goods, his second daughter who was addicted to drugs, and his son who went around causing trouble. It also seemed like Wu Tak had touched a woman again. From the way her boss behaved, she could tell the other party was someone he had trouble coming to a compromise with.
It seems like money doesnt make you happy. You need to be happy to live and not live to be happy.
Jung Ah Young was a positive and detached person. She preferred a fat body to an extremely skinny body that was suffering from pneumothorax. She preferred having moon skin to flaky skin. Happiness came from within oneself and not externally. She was happy to be healthy and to be holding a job that allowed her to work hard. Although her parents had passed away early due to an accident, she was happy because she still had an older brother who was strict but caring. She was poor, but she was happy because she still could enjoy a warm meal.
Her boss? He was sick, and he never had a day of peace because of all the family conflicts. He even called her out on Christmas Eve. What was the point of being rich when one wasnt happy?
Ah Young, this isnt something to be said, but lets say that you were almost raped by someone you know, what would happen? Park In Bo asked hesitantly.
I wont be able to say for sure until I experience it, but Ill probably be on a complicated psychological escalator ride. Im an easy-going person, so I should be able to shake it off with time. Reality is already harsh, so there isnt a need to waste my emotions and strength, right? The problems rather complicated, isnt it?
Hehehe, if it was merely complicated, why would I be worried my entire life?
Park In Bo ran his hands through his hair and frowned. How wonderful would it be if he could crack his head open and erase all the tainted memories?
Go back home and take a break, boss. Sometimes, time is the best remedy. It would be nice if you could relax completely You cant go to the red-light district, so why dont you call an expensive one over to the hotel? Should I call Hyun Ah over? She knocked out that big-nosed guy from Italy last time.
Jung Ah Young looked like she was about to pull out her phone immediately. Park In Bo raised his fist in pretense.
You brat, what do you think I am? I wouldnt do that even if I starve.
Yeah, right, thats not something one should flaunt. Rather, one should be called foolish for it. A cow would laugh if its told that a businessman didnt have such snacks. Go to the mountains tomorrow. Theres not a single employee who likes to see their boss working on a holiday.
Gosh, I get it, you brat. Take this and go.
Park In Bo threw her an envelope.
Boss-
Shut up. Im sorry thats all I can give you. Go back home and eat some bulgogi with your family or something.
The loneliness and emptiness of a successful middle-aged man were disheartening. She wanted to ask what kind of person the boss nephew was like but now didnt seem to be the appropriate time. She grabbed her handbag and stood up. Macho men had to be left alone when they wished to be alone.
Three new groups of chattering customers entered the bar while cold wind surrounded the table that was missing Jung Ah Young. Melancholy settled on Park In Bos face. His face looked drier than the silver grass found at the top of a mountain in winter.
Deok San, get me another Kumbokju.
Gosh, boss, secretary Jung firmly told me that you shouldnt be given another bottle. She said if I dont listen to her, shell ban the company employees from visiting. Boss, I really cant.
Park In Bo was a long-time regular. Deok San, who knew about his illness, made one excuse after another.
Huh, that brats acting like shes my wife. Deok San, give me a bottle of beer. I didnt even have that much since that brat drank most of the Kumbokju. Park In Bo laughed.
He could see through the owners intention of refusing him alcohol, using secretary Jung as an excuse. There were some people who truly cared for him too. His life was not in vain.
He begged and begged, and finally got a bottle of beer. Park In Bo stared emptily at the bubbles spilling out of the glass before it disappeared. His life seemed to be like the bubbles that filled the glass before it slowly disappeared. For what and for who did he live so desperately for!
His eldest daughter who had gotten divorced while traveling abroad because of her shopping addiction, his second daughter who was completely addicted to drugs, his son who caused trouble while running around with gang members, his wife who did all kinds of things to make her husbands company her familys, and his brothers-in-law who had bribed the employees to form a workers unionalthough his life seemed shiny on the outside, it was but hellish. It was all flash and no substance.
Money had ruined his children. He had freaked out after learning that the pair of Italian shoes Hwa Ja had bought was equivalent to three months worth of a middle-level executives salary. The price of a piece of clothing was more than the annual salary of a female employee.
Even his wife and eldest daughter were also influenced by Hwa Ja. The three women focused their attention in the same direction. Instead of shopping for necessities, they fell in love with the habit of buying things that they wanted. The three women were consumed with the personality of the richesbuying whatever they wanted, no matter the cost.
Of course, Korea was a capitalist country. While there were no ranks, there were social divisions. Shopping for luxury goods wasnt something to be criticized. The ajummas who sold fish in the market wore tetron harem pants. His wife wore a Chanel straight cotton skirt. There was no reason for his wife to wear harem pants. There was no need to criticize car enthusiasts for spending hundreds and millions of won purchasing the BMW M1 Hommage supercar, limited to only 457 cars.
However, the moment a buyer placed meaning on the price alone, they became shallow. There was no reason for anyone wearing a 10,000,000 won Patek wristwatch to laugh at someone wearing a 100,000 won waterproof TAG Heuer watch. The reason why Park In Bo screamed at his wife and daughters was because of that. His family consisted of women who were addicted to the price tags.
You reap what you sow. Kekeke!
His shoulders moved up and downit looked like he was either crying or laughing. Bubbles escaped the glass of beer in his hand. It had been when Hwa Ja was five. Mrs. Jae Soo was calming down his daughter who had returned home crying and covered in mud.
Why are you crying?
Chul Soo hit me.
You didnt hit him?
I hit him too.
Then, its fine. Chul Soo will be in as much pain as you. Dont fight next time. Apologize to Chul Soo first. Then, Chul Soo will like you.
Really?
Of course. If you share and apologize first, youll have lots of friends.
Mrs. Jae Soo comforted the whimpering Hwa Ja.
You worthless good-for-nothings spouting weird things. How can you compare our Hwa Jas pain to that beggar? his wife, who had been listening in on the conversation, screamed from the front porch.
You damn b****, if youre going to wander around and get beaten up, you can die instead. If youre weak, hit him with a rock. You just need to shove your fingers into his eyes.
Those werent words a mother should say to her child. He had also joined in.
If you lose once, you keep on losing. Next time, grab his balls and pull as hard as you can. Hell sound like hes dying. When youre weak, you can only win by being sneaky.
Gosh! Brother-in-law, how can you say that to a young girl
Kim Mal Soon glanced at him and his wife with a horrified expression and went back down to her house. Her face, which looked like she was about to cry, filled his vision.
Hehehe, I did teach them to win no matter what The sun isnt high or low, but there are tall and short grasses, Park In Bo muttered the words his younger sibling used to sing in the past.
Hed never taught his children the value of kindness or sharing. He had only taught them how to use and deceive other people.
He had taught his children that one must win, no matter how cruel and evil the methods were. Rather, he had no qualms about being cruel or sly. That was how they were raised, so who could he blame?
Since he had nowhere else to focus his mind on, he grew attached to his business. He didnt notice the illness that ate away at his body. He had no time to look back at his body. He had worked so hard that he had no friends and only enemies.
How much longer can I live?
He didnt fear death, but he wouldnt be able to rest in peace if he didnt finish what he had started. Emphysema was a chronic disease that ate away at ones life. Subarachnoid hemorrhage had occurred five years ago. He had been fighting with his wife about Wu Tak before he collapsed. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was a phenomenon in which the cerebral artery burst and blood started accumulating in the subarachnoid space. Most patients would die or suffer from shock before reaching the hospital.
Fortunately, there hadnt been much blood loss and since the clotting had occurred in an area where it could easily be removed with surgery, he survived. Since then, he had suffered from after-effects such as dizziness, tinnitus, hand tremors, and double vision. There were many times when his hands would tremble, or he would feel dizzy at work.
[Translators notes: Mrs. Jae Soo is a Korean title applicable to every sister-in-law in Korea. Kim Mal Soon is her actual name.]
Chapter 340 - Episode 1: Are You Happy?
Houses made up of reinforcing steel, cement, and siliceous aggregates turned into warm and comfortable homes through the deep connections forged between family members. Without that connection, homes would return to being houses made up of aggregates of inorganic materials. A house without love and affection between family members was but another hell.
After encountering many near-death experiences, Park Jin Bo left his home. Just looking at his wife left him angered and in pain. Every time he saw her face, it awakened the bloodlust within him, causing his hands to subconsciously reach for the kitchen knife or golf club.
Dislike and hatred were different. Hatred was an extension of the concept of attachment. When attachment ceased to exist, only two paths remained. If the other person had the upper hand, hatred remained, and if you had the upper hand, it turned into indifference.
Here, the concepts of superiority and inferiority were a mutually psychological phenomenon and extremely subjective. Park Jin Bo, who was mentally weak, was left with nothing but hatred. Running away was an inevitable choice. He couldnt accidentally murder his wife now, could he?
A worse situation arose. As he continued to overwork himself, his emphysema developed into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prognosis was so bad that symptom prevention was more urgent than treatment. Professor Kim would kill Park Jin Bo with his nagging if he discovered that he had gulped down a bottle of Kumbokju.
It was a snowy Christmas Eve. There wasnt a comedy like thatthe combination of flat beer and chicken gizzards. Beer didnt have a tangy taste or burning sensation like Kumbokju. People drank it for its refreshing taste. Without the foam, beer would lose its refreshing taste.
He glanced at Deok Sans owner. She was busy setting up a table for a group of customers who had just arrived. Although she wore baggy pants and operated a chicken gizzard eatery and bar, she was a woman who smelled like a human. Her big butt, which shook as she moved around busily, looked pretty. Still, she wasnt a woman whod give him Kumbokju just because he complimented her. That was why he visited the place often.
A fair-skinned face emerged on the goldenno, yellowbeer glass. An attractive forehead, dark and neat eyebrows, glassy eyes behind long eyelashes, a slightly pointed nose, and a small mouthfeatures started filling the foamless beer glass.
Mu Ssangs face overlapped with Kim Mal Soons. It was his nephew whom he had trampled on for years, beaten, framed as a thief, and even sent to jail.
[Ill return when I have enough strength.]
He could hear Mu Ssangs last words like an auditory hallucination. He didnt run away from home and had endured the abuse because he was a coward. He had stayed behind all those years to honor his fathers last words, also in hopes that Kim Mal Soon would return. When Park Jin Bo came to learn the truth, he had goosebumps all over.
He must have held quite the grudge. How would he reappear? Frustrated, Park Jin Bo downed the flat beer. Park Jin Bo flinched as he set down the pitcher.
What if Kim Mal Soon told her son about what had happened that day?
Pfft
Park Jin Bo choked and spat out his beer. Mu Ssang was a determined and meticulous guy. After finding those who had set him up and crippling them, he disappeared. Women were no exception. That had happened five years ago. For some people, time itself was power.
Did Mrs. Jae Soo talk to her son about the incident that day?
It wasnt a likely story. Kim Mal Soon was a graceful woman by nature with little formal education. She wasnt the kind of person to tell her son about such a shameful incident. Still, humans were unpredictable. What if she had told him the truth? Finding Kim Mal Soon would be like hanging a noose around his neck himself.
Heee That doesnt mean I can give up now. I need to pay for my crimes. That brat wouldnt be able to kill his uncle, right?
Hed already prepared for it, and he had limited time left anyway. There was nothing to fear. He glared at his beer glass. A middle-aged man, who was bald at the front and losing more of his hair, stared emptily back at him.
Park Jin Bo, are you happy?
The middle-aged mans face creased.
Hehehe, it seems like you arent. Haaaa-
Park Jin Bos sighs grew longer before the foamless beer glass and the burned chicken gizzards.
Im sorry, Jin Bo. It seems like your son grew up well like a pine tree. My children turned into nothing but worthless idiots. Im planning to pass my wealth to Ssang. That should be enough. I dont know how hed react with all that resentment, but hes still family, right?
Park Jin Bo drank another glass and stared up at the ceiling covered with soot.
Youre cursing me out up there, arent you? As your brother, Ive nothing to say. Im going to go meet you soon. Damn, us brothers have short lives. I wonder if I can last another three years?
Park Jin Bo raised his glass as though he was toasting to the empty seat before him.
Kekeke, sorry. Mrs. Jae Soo, Im really sorry.
Park Jin Bos sighs and regrets piled up on the dusty table.
The Jang familys downfall didnt start with Mu Ssang, but their son-in-law, Park Jin Bo. One would get bitten from pissing off a poisonous snake.
While screams were being exchanged in the Jang familys meeting room and Park Jin Bo was drowning in his regrets and squirming in his seat at the chicken gizzard eatery, Hwa Ja was causing a scene in her room. She had gone a few days without smoking, which brought about withdrawal symptoms.
You f***ing b*stard, who do you think you are to stop me from leaving? Are you my husband? My dad?
Crash
A record player, which Hwa Ja had sent flying, smashed into smithereens. The closet door that suffered her front kick fell apart. Guard Lee Dal Soo bravely withstood Hwa Jas madness before the door. Unable to control her tantrum, Hwa Ja swept all the cosmetics off her dressing table.
Crack
Ack!
Lee Dal Soo covered his eye after it was hit by an essence cream bottle. Blood trickled down between his fingers.
Ah! Miss, please calm down. Boss gave his orders. You need to let me do my job, Lee Dal Soo begged, oblivious to his injury.
He was about to taste death. The entire house had flipped on its head because the second lady had started taking heroin again. The boss, who had visited the house for the first time in a long while, flew into a rage. Madam and driver Kim were cussed out. Even Madam, who used to be so confident, couldnt refute when her second daughter was involved. Like before, the boss banned the second lady from going out.
F***, what an unlucky day! Lee Dal Soo complained inwardly.
Driver Kim had taken the Madam out on the day that his coworker, Yeo, went to get surgery. The only person in the house who could stop the lady from leaving was himself.
Hmm, you damn b*stard, you think youre brave, dont you? Hwa Ja smiled as she grabbed a golf club.
Fine, kill me.
His family was more important than the pain and humiliation of being beaten. Images of his firstborn who had just started talking and his second child who was less than a hundred days old lingered before his eyes. Lee Dal Soo covered his bleeding eyelid and stood before the door nonetheless.
Huh, this damn f***er!
Hwa Ja hesitated. He didnt seem to be a guy whod let her go just because she threw a tantrum.
Lets see how long you can last.
Hwa Jas eyes flashed viciously. She took off her blouse and lowered her pants halfway. Her black forest was revealed.
Ugh!
Lee Dal Soo hurriedly turned his gaze.
Mr. Lee, Im going to rip off my clothes now. You understand?
Miss, why are you doing this
Lee Dal Soos face darkened instantly.
Hmm, you can do it for real if you want. Hwa Ja smiled as she swayed her butt from side to side.
Dirty b****!
Lee Dal Soo gritted his teeth. In such cases, he had no choice but to contact his boss. Of course, Hwa Ja immediately knew what he was planning to do.
Bang
A sum of money dropped before Lee Dal Soo.
Mr. Lee, Im going to be out for an hour. After an hour, you can contact that damned boss of yours. Youve two kids, dont you? You need a lot of money, right?
Mr. Lee moved away from the door weakly. Hwa Ja took the opportunity to head straight to Busans renowned red-light district, Poplamachi. Ever since Daegus red-light district was investigated by the military for illegal drug trading, she had to go to Poplamachi to get drugs. Hwa Ja stepped on the accelerator, unaware that she was entering a dark abyss.
Chun Sung Temple was peaceful, like always. There were two small areas within Chun Sung Temples large basethe main temple and the kitchen. On the other hand, the front yard was about the size of a military training center.
The reason why the temple base was unequally distributed was because of monk Dae Woos insistence. Impressed by the monk, a rich man had offered him a well-made temple base and even a temple building. The monk managed to dissuade the rich man from constructing the temple building. He only built a small temple and didnt construct any more buildings. The area that was originally for the building became the temples front yard.
Bang
Kyaaao!
The sound of a car bumper crashing was heard, followed by a strange scream. A dark bear bounced out of the side building and collapsed on the yard.
Tie tires, now!
Samedi rushed to wrap a rope tied to two large truck tires around his waist. Mu Ssang had dragged around those tires in the past.
Run!
Dudududdu
Samedi ran like an ox in heat. Two large tires followed him as though they were floating. The snow that had piled up in the front yard scattered everywhere.
Turn left, turn right, go back!
Samedi moved in a different direction with every order. The snow in the yard was swept clean instantly.
I can see your feet. Do you want your head cracked open! Mu Ssang screamed.
Samedis feet moved faster. It was like deja vuan evil training instructor and his owls.
Whoosh
A blast of air sounded.
Ugagaaa!
Samedi moved at an absurd speed. Two large tires hanging from his waist swept away the snow in the yard like a storm. Those large truck tires weighed between 65 and 100 kilograms. It was a weight that an average person couldnt handle.
Bang
Despite his painstaking efforts to avoid being hit, a rock slammed into the back of his head.
Agh! Mas-ter-is-bad-
You brat, stop stuttering. Call me wakil.
Wakil, Im sorry.
Hehe, how dare you act stupid to get off from work! I can see your feet.
Uyaaap!
Zombie, no, Samedi, sped up as though he was about to die. The snow that had piled up in the yard disappeared, and even the wet soil had dried up. Thick dust soared into the air.
Samedi didnt know or care about the story behind the large yard. All he knew was that if he slowed down, the rocks would start flying. The rocks thrown by his owner were unavoidable. Sweat flowed like a stream of water down his wriggling dark muscles.
Samedi grew normal surprisingly quickly. Now, which was a month later, the zombie elements in his body had completely disappeared. It was thanks to monk Dae Woos brainwashing and extraction of the Yorunbas toxins that had accumulated inside his body.
His slow speech was also improving. He had also learned some Korean thanks to his masters mind-reading ability. The language transmittance skill carried on the resonance waves imprinted the pronunciation and meaning of the words directly into the brain. It was a cheat-skill of mastering foreign languages.
Samedi was being punished because he had secretly eaten a hibernating raccoon. He had filled his stomach and washed up in the river to remove the smell, but that couldnt fool Mu Ssang. He was caught, beaten, and now punished.
Huh? Why are so many people coming up here?
Mu Ssangs ears twitched. About 10 pairs of feet were moving beyond the temple gates. If they were crossing the gates, it meant that they were headed toward the temple.
Did teacher call them over?
He tilted his head.
Wow!
At the entrance of the temple, people of all ages opened their mouths at once. A huge black man was dragging around tires that seemed incredibly heavy and creating a blizzard. When else could they have witnessed such a strange scene? 20 eyes were focused on a specific body part of Samedi, who was running around the temple base with nothing but triangular underwear on.
Its Cheon Gang Yeok Sa, Sam Chul ajussi said.
He was seven feet tall and had dark-skin like ink and muscles that wriggled like ropes. The power that allowed him to run around like a horse with two large tires attached, he seemed to be like the character who appeared in the story of Cheon Gang Yeok Sa as told by the monk at Yong Am Temple. Still, some parts were lacking for someone comparable to the character in Cheon Gang Yeok Sa.
Master, its embarrassing! Samedi shouted, covering his chest and lower region.
Huh, that brat, hes become a human now. Mu Ssang clicked his tongue.
Wow!
Exclamations followed a bit late. It came from nine wide-eyed women. It was uncertain if they were cheering for Samedi, who was struggling, or they were simply distracted by his body.
Wakil, females, I mean, women are watching. Its really embarrassing.
Samedi, go get a boar instead.
Thats Samedis specialty.
Samedi jumped like a deer and disappeared into the mountain. Regretful gazes followed his wide back.
Oppa, who is that?
Hes my subordinate. What are you guys doing here?
Mu Ssang was confused. Ha Dongs family and Sam Chul ajussis family had come unexpectedly. It was the first time that Chun Sung Temple was crowded with visitors since its founding. There were six people from Ha Dongs side and four from Sam Chul ajussis sidenine out of the 10 were women. When they opened their mouths, the peaceful temple turned into a marketplace.
We came here to spend Christmas with you because grandpa monk and oppa are pitiful. Gye Soon, who was wearing a Santa hat, grabbed Mu Ssangs arm and smiled.
Now that he saw them, they were all wearing Santa costumes except for Jin Soon.
You brats, whose four-dimensional idea was it to spend Christmas at the temple?
Hehehe, grandpa monk and oppa dont mind, right?
Oppa, Im pretty, arent I?
The girls gathered around him.
Hahaha! You guys are really stubborn.
Helpless, Mu Ssang could only laugh. That wasnt the rough Sahel but his peaceful hometown.
Nephew, its me. Sorry for visiting so suddenly. It seems like weve interrupted a training session.
Sam Chul ajussi stepped forward, supported by a wooden stick. He seemed to be walking more comfortably now.
No need, a temple without visitors cant be a temple, at all. Youre doing fine, right, old man? Mu Ssang greeted both Ha Dong and his uncle.
Were always the same. They all got together and planned this meeting. We just followed them, Ha Dong and Deok San said awkwardly.
Heh, Mom, you were talking about how you wanted to see oppa more than us. Theres no need to pull out of this now.
That damn chatterbox. Ha Dong smiled, embarrassed by Ou Soons words.
Thanks for coming over. I heard both of you often came to help teacher with the chores while I was gone. Thank you.
What are you saying? We werent able to visit that often. How is the monk?
Hes out for routine prayers. Once hes out, theres no telling when hell come back.
I see. Its good to know that hes still as healthy as ever.
Both his uncle and Ha Dong didnt ask about Samedi. Although their nephew was young, Mu Ssang was special. They had lived long enough not to show their curiosity.
How are you now, Uncle?
Oh. I can walk around with this stick thanks to you, and I dont have a problem walking to the village market.
Mu Ssang nodded his head. The torn intervertebral disc and tissues seemed to have healed well with the help of his Shaped Resonance Field, no, his resonance waves. That was his limit. Even his teacher couldnt fix a stiff, twisted knee.
Ssang, you basically saved our family. How can we repay you? Deok San said, in tears. She was his fathers second cousins wife.
Whyre you saying such a sad thing? Debt doesnt exist among family members. Ill see what I can do once Im done with the night prayers.
Thank you, oppa.
A girl around the age of Gye Soon bowed.
Oh? Youre Kyung Soon, right? Youre having a hard time working at the factory, arent you? I heard it smells in the dyeing factory.
Nah, dads gotten better, and Jum Soon can go back to school again thanks to you, oppa, so what about it? Oppa, Ill repay you, I promise.
Tears trailed down her dark face.
Debt, what debt? If you leave a farming field alone, it becomes nothing but a land covered in weed. I did it because I had to.
Mu Ssang had given the 10 rice paddies and two fields, which his uncle had returned to him, to Sam Chul ajussi for him to feed on. Of course, there was no rent charge. Once Sam Chul ajussis financial status stabilized, Jum Soon stopped working. Although a little late, Jum Soon was preparing to enter high school after working to pay off her fathers hospital bills.
Oppa!
A young girl with short hair bowed her head in greeting.
Oh, its Jum Soon. Oppa will lend you money for your school fees, so you study hard without any worries. Doing well in school is the same as paying me back.
Thank you, oppa.
Tears gathered in her large eyes before they started spilling. Jum Soon was barely 17 years old. Aside from the long work hours, she felt like dying every time she had to endure the body search at her managers house. Mu Ssang petted Jum Soons head with his rough hands. He was well aware that the female employees were treated poorly as much as he was aware of how his uncle was running the transportation company.
Uwhhhh!
Jum Soon, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, nestled her head against Mu Ssangs chest and started crying.
Translators Note: In Korea, people living in rural areas are referred to by their place of birth. Ha Dong and Deok San are village nameswhere the characters were bornand not their names. For instance, the Soon sisters cannot be referred to as Ms. Deok San since they were born on Jipoon bridge. Theyd be referred to as Ms. Jipoon. For example, if you were born in Washington, youll be referred to as Mrs. from Washington or Mrs. Washington.
Chapter 341 - Episode 2: Are You Happy?
Mrs. Ha Dong, who was watching, blew her nose on her apron, and Deok San wiped away her tears with her ribbon. That lucky brat, she ruined her own makeup despite all that fuss she caused When Deok San heard that her daughters manager had forcibly conducted a body search on her in the office until she was naked once the bus returned to the warehouse, she screamed. Although her heart was in pieces, she didnt have it in her to stop her daughter from working. They didnt have a single bit of land. If she stopped working, how would they survive and pay off her husbands hospital bills? After Mu Ssang came to visit, their dark household turned bright. Her husband, who had been bedridden for several years, managed to stand. They could work on Old Jin Bos land without having to pay rent. They had asked their daughter to stop working as a bus conductor, but their daughter refused. She stubbornly persisted until she fell off the platform and broke her leg while dozing off. The company had claimed no responsibility. They said as much as it was her mistake, they couldnt pay for her hospital treatment. Ultimately, they had to use the money that Kyung Soon had saved up to pay for her hospital treatment. Her injured leg had healed, but the admission fee that had to be paid right away became a problem. They began to feel sorrow as several memories resurfaced. Hey, sis! Ya! Take this. Ha Dong Daek handed her a bankbook and seal. What is this? Its Sang Chuls rent account that Ssang entrusted me. He wants you to use it to pay off Jum Soons school fees. What? Deok Sans eyes grew wide like a cows. What kind of front-kicking ox story was that? Its not for free. He said the amount needs to be recompensed, as much as its loaned out once Jum Soon finishes school. Really? Have you been fooled your whole life? Theres even interest. He said he wants you to give Old Jin Bos grave a greeting with soju every Daeboreum[1] and eighth month. Ssangs often overseas. Uhhhu, sis! Deok San clung to Ha Dong Daek as she cried. Her daughter had to hit the iron plate and shout Alright while all of the kids her age went to school carrying their school bags. Her heart ached because her daughter never got the chance to board the bus. Whyre you crying on me? Thank Ssang instead. Of course, I should. For a young man, I dont know how he can be so considerate. Hes Choong Mus[2] son, isnt he? You know how kind-hearted that woman is. Whoo, Ha Dong let out a deep sigh. Just thinking about Choong Mu pained her heart. Her son had grown up to be such an amazing person, but where had the woman disappeared to! Oi, Jum Soon, you brat, is oppa yours? Whyre you clinging on to him? Gye Soon and Mal Soon rushed over and dragged Jum Soon by the back of her clothes, away from him. A smile rose on Mu Ssangs face. That was the leverage effect mentioned in the Book of Changes: One must be tougher on themselves during difficult times. Sam Chul ajussis family had fallen into a pit of poverty but managed to climb out of it the moment a foothold presented itself. It was because of his healthy family. A healthy family developed their own strength as long as there was an escape route. Mu Ssang had never shown sympathy toward the beggars on the street. There were plenty of beggars on the streets of Paris, too. Those who were called mendicants were not only commonly seen in parks and stations, but also the Champs-lyses, Boulevard Haussmann Street where there were clusters of tourist hotels, around luxury shops in Champs-lyses, and Avenue Montaigne. Mu Ssang had never thrown a coin at those mendicants. Those who didnt work didnt deserve to eat. There werent enough laborers in Paris to the point that the city hall would have been covered in trash and the Seine would have been filled with st if not for the Turks. In all of Europe, the country with the largest number of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers was France. It was because they were rather tolerant of progressive immigration policies and illegal immigrants. They said it was because they valued human rights and freedom, but truly, it was because they required people to do manual labor jobs. The mendicants in Paris could find a job whenever they wanted to. They could get a job immediately if they asked the employment center operated by the Employment Policy Bureau. If they didnt like their job, they could apply again, up to three times. Still, the mendicants couldnt abandon the beggar-like habits that theyve picked up. He didnt have a reason to look back at those who refused when an opportunity was presented to them. Whats even funnier was that most of the mendicants in Paris raised dogs as a means of operating their business. It was never a large dog but a puppy. Their business strategy involved a chubby young puppy, a large paper cup or a dented silver plate, and a dirty fedora or a bowler. Those beggars had reasons for raising dogs. Firstly, it was to avoid getting fined. In France, those who abandoned their pets would receive a harsh punishment. The police would have to assume responsibility for the dogs if they wanted to arrest the beggars. It was difficult to assume responsibility for the dogs, and if rumors of dog abuse spread during the arrest, the police would be put in a difficult position. Of course, arrests grew infrequent. Secondly, the dogs were used as a substitute for a heater when the weather was cold. Hugging them in the morning and evening during wintertime turned them into a useful bio-heater. Thirdly, when an unemployed person raised a dog, the regional office would provide pet subsidies. That money, no, the dogs money would become theirs. Lastly, they were used to amplify sympathy. Compassionate people would worry if those beggars would starve their dogs. They would give those beggars money so that they could buy dog food. The beggars in Paris were basically running a business. The Paris mendicants who lived off the money passersby threw into their fedora were very unlikely to stop their business. Mu Ssang called those beggars businessmen without services. When he was little, his mother would offer food to the visiting beggars, but his father said he would pay them if they helped him sow the farm or pull out some onions. Still, there wasnt a single beggar who agreed to work and get paid. His father didnt budge despite his mothers scoldings. Ssang, the worst bstards in the world are thieves and the most pathetic people in the world are beggars. Bstards who try to fill their stomachs without working are bstards with rotten minds. If your mind is rotten, no matter how healthy you are, you become a useless person. He learned from his father that there was nothing free in the world. The reason why Mu Ssang hated free-riders that much was also because of the countless beggars he had witnessed in his youth. They could only be beggars and nothing more. Ajussi, are you happy? Mu Ssang asked out of nowhere. Of course, Im happy. I feel like Im finally living life nowadays. A smile lit up on Sam Chul ajussis face. Why are you happy? Ajussi, you need to rely on a walking stick and have no savings. Look at my daughters laughing. Damn, you have no idea how happy I am. I used to be paralyzed because of my broken back, but now I can walk, I have land that I can work on, and a daughter who is attending school next year. Thats enough to be happy about. Isnt happiness determined by how much you can achieve without relying on others but yourself? The corners of Mu Ssangs mouth curled up. Happiness is the condition of being human! Happiness wasnt a matter of where but how. Happiness was a very subjective concept of self-realization. If one searched for happiness relying on the perspective of others, they would be like a bluebird in search of happiness until they died. If he looked at his life subjectively, the positive satisfaction called happiness was already within him. Sam Chul ajussi, who became disabled because of his leg, answered back with how when asked what determined ones happiness. Happiness wasnt a zero-sum game called your sadness is my happiness. It was a pie game in which everyone involved had to be happy. If the pie grew in size, everyones portion of the pie would increase too. Happiness was a by-product obtained from an individuals efforts to preserve existence and life. In the end, the logic of living to be happy was wrong, and the logic of being happy to live was right. In the end, Mu Ssangs compassionate heart for others was his form of happiness. Mu Ssang suddenly felt like he had an awakening. Instead of worrying about the future, there was happiness in living fully in the present. One of the questions he had been constantly thinking about finally received an answer. Jin Soon led her siblings into the temple to start the large-scale temple and side building clean-up. They had to quickly clean first before the event could commence. Yeon Soon, take Jum Soon with you and bring out all the laundry. Gye Soon, you grab the broom, Ou Soon, grab the rag, and Kyung Soon and Mal Soon, head to the main prayer room. We need to clean up quickly and get ready. She ordered her siblings around busily like a veteran officer on the field. When seven girls started moving around, the peaceful temple soon turned into a marketplace. Sister, you really raised your five daughters well. Once Gye Soon enters next year, you will have three college students. God, youre the only person in Jipoon village to successfully send your children to university. Its all due to the good fortune youve accumulated. University is impossible for someone of my ability. Its all because of Ssang. What fortune? Ive done nothing Ha Dong grew embarrassed because of Deok Sans praise. When Mr. Park teamed up with the In-Dongs[3] to run over Choong Mu, only you and your husband cared to do something about it. I couldnt say a single thing because I was scared of being bullied. Im really ashamed before Ssang, you know. If Id cared a little bit, Mrs. Choong Mu wouldnt have run away. Were all in the same difficult situation, Ive no idea why they did such a thing the In-Dongs will receive heavens punishment one day. Its all in the past. Mrs. Choong Mu will be happy since Ssang grew up so fine. We should do all the hard work. Those brats should lead better lives than us. Ha Dong stared at the kids who were chattering. Of course. We dont mind suffering as long as our children can live better lives. Thats true. Jin Soon asked me to prepare a few dishes. Lets go make some jeon and bake some beans or prepare fruits in the kitchen. You think itll be okay to let the temple smell like oil? Actually, that wont do. The monk might not care about worldly matters, but we should still keep to the rules. But, Ssang has to eat a lot of meat. We can just make some snacks for the event or have something those brats are preparing. We can have dinner at the bridge village. Ah, youre planning to cook the seaweed soup at your house too? Yeah. Meat goes in seaweed soup too. Then, theres nothing to do. You take a break, sis. Deok San patted her apron down and entered the kitchen. Old man, I couldnt find the bstards who tortured you because I went overseas. You said the b*stards who were in Sabuks Martial Law Division were called Kim Young No, Yoo Young Chul, and Jang Gye Jang, right? Gosh, nephew, they arent police officers but government officials. You know how prideful they are. Ive forgotten everything. Nephew, youve so much to do. Dont mind such things. Surprised, Sam Chul ajussi raised his hands and shook them. He was a simple farmer who could live without laws but got scared when the governments power was involved. That made dictatorship possible and allowed trashes to use their moderate power as beating sticks. Haha, okay. Hed answered to relive the mans worries, but he still felt unsatisfied. A stick that beat up civilians under the guise of government duty, and officials, who were accustomed to bribes and gainsthose were all something he had experienced. He wanted to cause a scene, but that wasnt the Sahel. He wouldnt get caught in the Sahel even if he shook things around, but there were many obstacles in Korea. There was Ha Dong, his mother, his elders at the Ahchim village, and Mina. If possible, he wanted to live quietly as Mu Ssang and not Black Mamba. Theres no choice if the wind keeps shaking the branches. His mouth loosened into a cold smile. Although he couldnt flip the entire thing around, he didnt intend to overlook the pile of st in front of him. That was the time of the year when daylight was the shortest. Suddenly, the day grew dark. The tables were prepared in the side building. Covering all the walls were banners and decorations that the girls had brought over. They even prepared a four-tiered cake and mini fireworks. A tear formed in the corner of her eye. Although she had been helpless when she was young, she still found it upsetting that her oppa couldnt live for himself. Unni, Im done. Bring oppa over. Yeon Soon pushed Jin Soon outside. Jin Soon made her way to the meditating rock. As she predicted, oppa was sitting on the rock like a still object. The snow had accumulated on his head and shoulders. Jin Soon hesitated to call him. Her oppa, who was currently meditating, seemed like an otherworldly person. Oppa! Mu Ssangs eyes flashed open. Whoosh The snow that had accumulated on his head and shoulders scattered on its own. Dinners ready? She hadnt seen him move but heard him speak as though he was right beside her. Jin Soon wasnt even surprised. The monk and oppa were people with mysterious abilities. Mm, were you thinking about auntie? Hm! Shell be fine. Grandpa monk told you not to worry, didnt he? Of course, shell be fine. If she isnt Mu Ssangs eyes glowed in red. Jin Soon grabbed Mu Ssangs hands tightly. Oppa, since your exams are over, Ill help you too. Im thinking of several ways. Think about them later, and take care of yourself. Ajussi and mom are waiting for you. Really? Lets hurry. I feel like my backs on my stomach. In the blue water of the Duman River Hic! Sang Chul, who was completely drunk, walked out of Yeongok village. His friend, whod married a little late, had organized a 100-days-old celebration party for his daughter. The after-effects of drinking several bottles of Kumbokju and beer slowly crept over him. Sang Chul, who had been singing joyfully, suddenly stopped. What are those bstards doing? He saw five shadows climbing the mountain under the moonlight. What strange bstards. Are they planning to sell herbs, climbing in the middle of the night? Sang Chul tilted his head and continued on his way. Whether others climbed the mountain at night or picked their ears with a pole, that wasnt any of his concern. Over and over our comrades corpses My comrades who fell like petals, I bid you goodbye A military song, which was off-beat and off-pitch, continued playing around the corner of the mountain. Translators Note: In Korea, people living in rural areas are referred to by their place of birth. Ha Dong and Deok San are village nameswhere the characters were bornand not their names. For instance, the Soon sisters cannot be referred to as Ms. Deok San since they were born on Jipoon bridge. Theyd be referred to as Ms. Jipoon. For example, if you were born in Washington, youll be referred to as Mrs. from Washington or Mrs. Washington. [1] Daeboreum is a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the lunar Korean calendar. It is the Korean version of the First Full Moon Festival. [2] A title. [3] The name of the region where the gang originated from.
Chapter 342 - Episode 3: Are You Happy?
Bang
Bang
Baaang
Confetti exploded everywhere the moment Mu Ssang entered the side-buildings large room. All kinds of glitter and colored paper dropped from the ceiling.
Oppa, Happy Birthday.
The youngest, Ou Soon, placed a cone hat on Mu Ssangs head. It was a funny hat made of structured strawboard and colored cellophane paper, with the 10 Symbols of Longevity plastered on with tape.
Our lovely oppa, Happy Birthday! Ha Dongs five daughters and Deok Sans daughters shouted in unison.
Deok San and Ha Dongs girls clapped their hands enthusiastically to the point of ringing.
Birthday? Ahah!
Mu Ssang, who was staring at them blankly for a moment, finally broke the silence. Today was Christmas Eve and his birthday.
Happy Birthday to you ? Happy Birthday dear oppa, Happy Birthday to you.
As soon as the song ended, they started singing carols.
Joy to the world, our oppa has come. Let women receive their king ? let praise and praise be upon him.
The pitch and beat were in perfect harmony as though they had practiced. It wasnt wrong to sing carols since his birthday fell on Christmas. Mu Ssangs eyes moved from the ceiling to the banner hung low across the wall.
[Oppa is our hope, we are oppas hope.]
Mu Ssangs chest grew stuffy. A person who could give others hope was those who fulfilled the conditions of being human. Hope was the only thing that remained in Pandoras box, wasnt it? It was true. Hope was one of the requirements of being human.
That brat planned this!
He turned to look at Jin Soon. His expression was somewhere in between melancholy and joy. Jin Soon was the only one who remembered his birthday in this vast world filled with millions of people. Jin Soon had celebrated his birthday five times, from the third grade of middle school to the time when he was a waiter at BOSS nightclub.
He had never thought about his birthday before and had come to forget about it as time passed. His teacher wasnt someone who cared about the passing of timeBuddhas arrival includedand since he became a mercenary, all his personal records were wiped out.
Congratulations, oppa.
Jin Soon wrapped a hand-knitted scarf around his neck. She pecked his cheek and whispered sensually with her mouth against his ears.
One day, Im going to land it on your mouth.
Uh!
Mu Ssang swallowed back a scream. His mind turned blank just like the time when he was poked with Chui Do Shiks long acupuncture needle. He grew confused. Perhaps, it was because of a womans breath or the meaning of those words. Yeon Soon gave him mittens, Kyung Soon gave him a sweater, Gye Soon gave him a cardigan, and Mal Soon gave him a jacket All of them were knitted giftsprecious things that couldnt be acquired with money.
She told them.
Jin Soon was someone who had been taking care of him like a shadow since they were young. Mu Ssang glanced back at Jin Soon. Jin Soon grinned.
Oppa, I only found out today. Im sorry. I only wrote a letter.
Jum Soon handed him a flower letter, looking like she was about to cry. Mu Ssang swayed upon receiving the envelope.
Ugh, its heavy. I can tell youve put a lot of thought into it, Jum Soon. Thank you.
Jum Soons face brightened up at Mu Ssangs joke.
Jum Soon, you worked hard. Let go of all the difficult and bad memories.
Mu Ssang hugged Jum Soon tightly. Jum Soons pounding heart calmed down. That was the most reliable chest in the world. She felt as though nothing could harm her as long as she was in his embrace.
Oppa, no!
Agh! That brat got it first!
Ugh, I should have written a letter too!
Everyone complained. Jin Soon was all smiles. Learning about Mu Ssangs dark past overwhelmed her. Her oppa had managed to escape the shackles of pain and sorrow with his effort and will. He even became someone who protected others, giving them joy and hope. Oppa was a real man.
Oppa, you need to live for yourself now. Jin Soon prayed in her heart.
Oppa, are you planning to burn that money for Buddha? You always said you wanted a blue-tiled house and rice! Lets build the house first. You build the house, oppa, and Ill make the rice. Hehehe!
Jin Soon sneakily expressed her intentions.
Ok, ok, a house and rice, that sounds good. Ajussi, come here, quick. We need to cut the cake.
Mu Ssang called Sam Chul ajussi over before slicing the cake.
Pop
Yeon Soon opened up the champagne. He was overwhelmed with gifts and love. Mu Ssang was happy. He was happy and comfortable. Perhaps, his fathers death and mothers disappearance was intentional by Buddha so that he could form a bigger family.
Once the party died down, Jin Soon slowly brought up the matter.
Oppa, lets wrap up and head over to the bridge. Moms prepared dinner.
Huh? Wasnt this dinner?
Tsk, oppa, you pig, dont pretend like you dont know. Youre really satisfied with some cookies and jeon? Ou Soon interrupted like an intuitive bird.
Brat, consider my age! Youre still going to call me a pig?
Hehe but its true that you eat a lot? Ou Soon wrapped her arms around Mu Ssangs waist and acted cute like the youngest should.
Tsk, I do eat more than a pig. Jin Soon, call a taxi over.
I have a license. I listened to you last time and got a Level Two General. Ive also finished my driving test.
No! You idiot, we need to travel 10 li through the frozen mountain road at night. Stop acting like you can when youre a beginner and call a taxi, Mu Ssang dismissed her immediately.
But, I can, Jin Soon muttered.
She really wanted to drive the flashing Citro?n, which was stationed in a corner of the temple.
Is Samedi already back?
He could sense Samedi by the time they were almost done with their half-hearted preparations to leave. Although the villagers had seen black men before because of Camp Carroll in the next village, black men were still considered foreigners in the region. Was Samedi any ordinary black man? A pregnant woman or old man would instantly suffer a heart attack at the sight of him. Mu Ssang had purposely gotten rid of him by asking him to catch a boar.
He cleared his thoughts and activated his inner eye. Samedi was running over as though he was flying down the mountainside. There was a large boar slung over his shoulders, which seemed to weigh about 50 Gwan.
Woah, thats this brat, he really is a professional.
There werent any boars around Chun Saeng Mountain. Yu Hak Mountain, where boars lived, was more than 10 kilometers away in a straight line from Chun Saeng Mountain. Unlike sliced pork belly strips, boars werent something that could easily be bought at the butcher shop.
It hadnt been two hours since Samedi left. It was an impossible mission unless he had a similar ability to his dimensional sight. Although he was weaker than Ocelot, his supernatural ability was on another level than Sun Woo-Hyun and Ahmads. He initially thought that Samedi was iron, but he turned out to be gold.
Bang bang bang
The ground shook. The sight of a black man, who was seven feet tall, rushing with a boar slung over his shoulders looked nothing more than the devil. It was a sight that would have freaked the girls out to the point of fainting.
Bang
Samedi dropped the boar down on the temples entrance.
Kueeegh
The sound of a boar in pain echoed. The boar, which had regained its consciousness, shook its legs. It was strong to the point that the iron barb wrapped around its leg snapped.
Gosh!
Ha Dong and Deok San Daek, who were cleaning the kitchen, came rushing out.
Ssang, what is this?
Ingredients for the stew and soondae.
The implausible explanation left the ajumma, who was in her 40s, speechless.
Wakil, I did well, didnt I?
Samedi raised his chin and puffed out his chest. It was a pose that only appeared when he was confident.
Brat, why did you bring it back alive? Ajummas surprised.
I was scolded for eating a raccoon. I dont want to get in more trouble, Samedi made up a plausible excuse.
You can kill that thing.
Samedis confused. Smart wakil has to tell me what can be killed and what cannot be killed.
Brat, you decide! Mu Ssang shouted, a little embarrassed.
Now, he couldnt tell whether Samedi was joking or telling the truth.
Its difficult. Difficult. If I kill it, hell get mad at me for killing it too, Samedi muttered.
Crack
He slammed down on the boars head with his palm. Samedi, who was smarter now, knocked out the boar once more. It was a surprising development.
The children of darkness, who had served in the military, took away something common from their military life. It was that they protested the idea of liking the military, even of peeing in its direction. However, they would sing military songs when they became drunk. Sang Chul was a helpless 30-year-old Korean man who had no choice but to live with the trauma of military life.
The song changed from A Word Left by a Comrade and A True Man to The Torch of the Annihilation of Communism. To head up to the central village, one had to pass the bridge village from Yeongok village. Ha Dong Daeks house was brightly lit on the side of Shin-jak road. Ha Dong Daek was known for her frugality. She wasnt the kind of person to leave the light on at night.
Is Mu Ssang back?
Sang Chul tilted his head. He turned toward Ha Dongs house just to pop by and see.
Woof woof
A dog barked. When one started barking, all of the village dogs started barking too.
You damn b*stards, dont you know sergeant Kim from the military? Whyre you guys complaining when Im going back to my house! Ah, wait, not my house, Mu Ssangs house. No, is it Ha Dong Daeks? Wait, Mu Ssang?
Due to the drowsiness, his memories flickered back and forth until he was able to retrieve the relevant memory.
Those b*stards, that road they took led to Jin Bo ajussis grave!
No wonder he had felt so uncomfortable as though he didnt take care of his s***ty mess! Maintaining Jin Bo ajussis grave was his responsibility. Some bad people would secretly dig up graves and throw away the remains. It was to relieve the burden of grave owners when one decided to sell a mountain.
F***, Im so f***ed!
Sang Chul rushed to trace back his steps. The mountain behind Yeongok village was an area where he used to play around in his youth. It was like a front yard. Even without a lantern, he could still find his way around with the moonlight.
On the mountain behind Yeongok village, four healthy men were concentrated on a grave, swinging their shovels and pickaxes. They took apart the tomb instantly and began digging down. Lantern lights flickered in the snow-covered mountain, and there was the loud sound of shoveling.
Geez, its too loud to work. Bro, you go for a smoke.
When their area of work narrowed, Bullhead pushed driver Kim to the side.
Yeah, finish it quickly and sojus on me.
Gurgle
Splat
Driver Kim spat and sat against a young pine tree. He pulled out a cigarette and flicked the lighter on.
Whoosh
The wind blowing down from the mountaintop carried snow along with it. He was covered in snow, but the turbo lighter did its job.
He inhaled the smoke until his cheeks were sunken in. A faint blue smoke drifted up into the air. All kinds of banging could be heard from behind him.
F***ing hell, I guess Ive seen the worst of human Yoo Young Chul.
He missed the time when everything went his way. Still, he had to pick up the gun because of a bribe that had gone wrong. He pitied himself for ending up as an old womans driver and having to dig up a decayed corpse. Although his salary wasnt that great, he missed the time when he used to earn 10 or 100 times more.
I wonder if that b*stards still alive?
He recalled hitting a farmers spine and accidentally turning him into a cripple. In the end, it was that mans fault. The farmer had insistently refused his offer no matter how trivial the task was. Hed caused the accident after kicking the man out of anger.
F***, whether hes dead or alive, it doesnt matter. Hes not the first person who turned into a cripple because of me. Im about to freeze to death.
It wasnt his concern if others lived or died. The bone-chilling air was more annoying right now.
The sound of the digging stopped. Bones and Chicken feet climbed out of the grave.
Bro, the coffins out, but the bones are all disintegrated.
Driver Kim tilted his head at Bullheads words.
Its all disintegrated? Ah, s**t. This is why shamans shouldnt be trusted. How are there no bones left?
The skull and thigh bones seem to be intact but brittle. What should we do?
Driver Kim fell into a dilemma. He had a large talisman and 10 small talismans in his bag. The small talismans were supposed to be attached to the skull, leg bones, arm bones, and ribs before they were put away in the bag. The large charm was supposed to be attached to the bag before it was thrown into the Nakdong River. Where was he supposed to place them if the bones had all disintegrated?
Damn, I dont know either. Gather the bones into the bag, then. We should finish our job since we received the money anyway.
Okay. Oi, just crush the bones and put them in the bag.
Bones and Chicken feet climbed back down into the grave.
Crack
Crack
The sound of bones breaking could be heard.
Those f**king b*stards!
Sang Chul turned sober from the shock. It was definitely those b*stards who were climbing the mountain earlier. Those b*stards were taking apart Jin Bo ajussis grave. They were the worst b*stards on Earth.
Hey, you goddamn b*stards!
Sang Chul jumped at them without a second thought.
What dogs skeleton is that? Bullhead stared at Sang Chul in disbelief.
Hide your faces, you idiots! driver Kim shouted.
The group quickly adjusted their hats back on their heads and masks on their faces.
Quick-Fist, you silence that brat. Dont kill him, though.
Yes, sir!
You f**king b*stards, youre all dead! Sang Chul shouted as he rushed toward them.
That kind of bravery wouldnt have appeared if he wasnt drunk.
That idiots earning the beating himself.
Quick-Fist, who had been lighting the grave with a lantern, stood facing Sang Chul. Just like his nickname, Quick-Fist, he landed a punch on Sang Chuls nose.
Bang
Agh!
Crack
Ugh!
Quick-Fist didnt have a family, but he was someone who spent his entire life throwing punches whenever his stomach was full. Even Sang Chul, who was known to be relentless during a real fight, couldnt fight back. In an instant, his nose broke and his lips tore, covering him in blood.
At Ha Dongs house on the bridge, Mu Ssang took out the boar from the cars trunk.
Oh? Its alive!
Mu Ssang stared at Samedi.
Hm!
Samedi smiled widely.
You sly fox! Good job.
Mu Ssang, who figured Samedis intentions, smiled. Now, he was humanized enough to mix with other people. No, he seemed more human than humans. He had received teachers teachings, after all.
Wakil! I smell human blood, Samedi said in a low voice and pointed at Wol Song San.
As expected of zombies. Mu Ssang thought to himself as he released his dimensional sight.
Theres five. Dont kill them, just tie them up.
Whoosh
Samedi sent his body flying toward Wol Song San.
Hehehe, it really is easier for me with a useful guy around. I should make soondae in the meantime.
Chapter 343 - Episode 4: Are You Happy?
Mu Ssang didnt think it was a big deal. He presumed it was either an infiltration team or a bad gang from the dark aura and pungent scent of blood he had detected. Do gang members live off roots in the mountains these days? .
A gang, not at a salon or a club, causing trouble at Wol Song San at night? It was a hilarious thought. Whether it was the infiltration team or some gang members, it was childs play compared to the events he had to endure in the ancient underground world and the Lakes of Ounianga.
He didnt want to ruin the mood because of a few violent people. Samedi was someone who had caught a living boar in Yu Hak Mountain within an hour. No matter what their reason was for walking around Wol Song San, they wouldnt be able to avoid Samedis speed and senses.
Ajussi, can you make soondae soup?
Of course. We can make the soondae fillings anytime. Theres enough japchae, rice, green onion, ginger, garlic, tofu, and bean sprouts. As long as we have the seonji, there wont be a problem.
Mu Ssangs mouth started drooling. Every time he was abroad, he would think about the refreshing bowl of soup and hot stew. It was difficult to enjoy a well-made stew outside of Korea. Thailands Tom Yam Kung, Chinas shark fin, and Frances bouillabaisse were commonly cited as the top three soups in the world. Tom Yam Kung was a type of shrimp soup, shark fin was a type of shark fin soup, and bouillabaisse was a type of fish and clam soup. He had eaten bouillabaisse several times in France.
However, contrary to its popularity, the taste was lacking by two percent compared to various Korean stews. Bouillabaisse was at least similar to maeun-tang, but it was too mild for his taste. Whats the difference between soup and stew? Theres none. Its just that by (Korean) pronunciation, stew sounded more elegant. Some people claimed that soup had to be eaten with rice and stew could be a meal on its own, but the claims were baseless. Soondae soup could be eaten as a meal substitute, but no one called it soondae stew.
Gomtang, a stew, was eaten with rice, but no one called it a soup. Whatever their names were, Korean dishes came with either soup or stew to complete the meal. Words couldnt describe how good a soondae made with fresh blood tasted. There was a specialty restaurant serving blood soup called Dae Duk Restaurant, located below the mountain in front of Daegu. There was a rumor that the restaurant carried out the wooden chopsticks used by the customers in carts. Mu Ssang had frequented the place when he used to be a waiter at BOSS. It was cheap and also popular because they used fresh seonji[1].
The first requirement when cooking a dish was ingredients. Without proper handling of the ingredients, the restaurant would fail. He could almost see soondae bursting with seonji and seonji soup in front of him. Since fresh blood was prepared, it was perfect for making seonji soup and soondae. The boar twitched.
Crack His palm landed lightly on the boars head and fell. It was Ge Shan Da Niu used with resonance waves. The boar trembled, and its brain turned into mush. Hey, what do you think a boar soondae taste like? Ou Soon, who had been listening in on Mu Ssang and Ha Dong Daeks conversation, asked. It shouldnt be much different from a pig. Bring me a kitchen knife and a large brass pot. That things big, so it should bleed a lot.
Youre going to take its head off, big sis?
Then, are you going to do it?
Ou Soon flinched in surprise. That wasnt a pig but a really big boar. Her limbs trembled just by the sight of its red eyes.
I cant. Im too scared. Arent you scared?
As the youngest, Ou Soon grew up without much suffering thanks to her older sisters. She grew up finely, without having to help out with farming work or housework.
Im scared of losing hope. People can do anything when it comes to it.
Why are you doing it, unni? Tell oppa to do it.
Shut up, youre being really rude. Is oppa your servant?
Ou Soons neck retracted at Jin Soons savagery. Youre going to high school come spring, arent you?
Youve been studying comfortably until now, and thats all thanks to oppa. Just because oppas nice to you doesnt mean you can boss him around. Why have you grown up to be so rude? Im going to call Mal Soon over.
When Jin Soon spoke harshly, a cold wind seemed to settle.
No, unni! Ou Soon rubbed her hands together. Since there were five siblings, the older sibling had to be responsible for the younger sibling. If Mal Soon got scolded by their eldest sister, she would have to repeat her apologies the whole day.
Youre asking oppa to draw blood when hes just returned to his hometown for the first time in a long while? You should be letting him rest! You called oppa a pig in the temple too, didnt you? Youre older now, why cant you tell the difference between being rude and polite? If you behave rudely one more time, I swear, none of your limbs will remain as they are. Ok, I wont do it again.
The fierce questioning left Ou Soon crying. She wasnt scared of oppa, but she was scared of her eldest sister. The scolding didnt end there. Mal Soon, who had appeared out of nowhere, dragged her back into the house by her ears.
Phew! Was I too harsh? Maybe, Ive gone mad because of all the pent-up frustration! Jin Soon sighed. Her oppa headed to the battlefield for his business trip. She didnt know how much blood hed seen on that business trip. Her desperate wish, which was for her oppa not to see blood during his trip, made her emotional. It was said that soldiers who saw blood on the battlefield became more lustful, but her wooden oppa wasnt like them.
Quick-Fist, who didnt expect the arrival of the grim reaper, was excited. The heavy impact running through his fists and feet, the crumpled face of the countryside bstard, the brief screams, and how his body moved after such a long time made him happy.
Ack! Quick-Fist, who had been beating Sang Chul up like a sandbag, grabbed his dck and collapsed. Sang Chul had kicked his balls while his guard was down and fled. He feared getting beaten to death while trying to fight.
You damn bstards, youre all dead now.
Sang Chul, who fled down toward the mountain path, paused, turned, and swore at them. Just over that path was Wol Song San. Mu Ssang always won in fights since he was little. Those bstards who took apart Jin Bo ajussis grave would have to repeat their apologies. Determined, Sang Chul turned around and continued running.
That idiot, hey, grab that bstard! driver Kim shouted in surprise and flung his cigarette aside. Bullhead chased after Sang Chul. Even the members, who had been digging, ran after him.
Ah, f**
that was embarrassing. Humiliated, Quick-Fist took off fiercely with a shovel in hand. An absurd situation took place under the moonlight in which five men chased after a single person. Wol Song San was silent. It only watched the humans run about.
Chicken feet, block the left. Quick-Fist, you bstard, run faster! Run as fast as you can and surpass him! Bullhead shouted at the top of his lungs. Sang Chuls decision to take the mountain path was wise. If it were flat land, the gang members would have already caught up to him, but then again, they werent familiar with the terrain. Sang Chul, who was now sober, quickly fled like a chicken through rocks, rivers, and forest shades. Bullheads group couldnt catch up to him despite their excellent stamina. Ugh, whatever, theres no choice. Bullhead took out a throwing knife. Hey, the situation will be irreversible if you kill him.
Well, what else can I do when he already saw our faces? Bro, are you going to take responsibility if I get caught by the police? Ugh, f**!
Driver Kim pressed his lips together. Bullhead was currently on probation for assault. It was difficult to say anything to a man who was on edge. Did that guy eat a whales tendon or something?!
Sang Chul ordered his feet to move faster, but he didnt gain any more distance. His legs swayed under the alcohols influence. When he thought hed put some distance between them, they had caught up to him. The mountain behind Yeongok village was connected to Wol Song San. Once he crossed the border, he could see Wol Song Sans big pine trees. Sang Chul felt slightly relieved.
He could see the lights of the bridge village. He could escape from those bstards, who were chasing him, in about 20 minutes. Sang Chul estimated his escape route. He would only twist his ankle if he ran toward the rock field in the dark. Chance! Bullhead took the opportunity the moment Sang Chul hesitated. The knife flashed. Whoosh Agh! The knife landed deep inside his shoulder. Sang Chul staggered forward, tripped, and rolled down the mountain slope. Ughh! His waist got caught on the side of a rock. He automatically gasped at the impact of his bodys halt. It was only then that the burning sensation on his shoulder registered. Ill die if they catch me. Sang Chul covered his mouth and quickly crawled under a rock. It was a raccoon den, which he had discovered some time ago. He still remembered the time when he had lit a small fire before its entrance with Mu Ssang, guiding the smoke inside to draw the raccoons out. Find him! The gang members began to search. The useful bstard, no, Samedi the zombie rushed through Wol Song San at a fearsome speed. Mu Ssang and Samedi could read each others intentions. He was racing excitedly because he could feel his masters animosity. Although his master had told him not to kill them, he didnt say he couldnt hit them.
Whoosh A man, who was 220-centimeters tall, scrambled through the mountain like a branch swaying in the wind. Zombies could instinctively sense a humans life force. He could also detect a humans blood from several kilometers away. Samedi found Sang Chul hiding inside a raccoon den under a tree. Uwa, aa goblin! Sang Chuls heart skipped a beat as he held his breath in the den. A shadow had fallen over the den.
air of red eyes that were glaring at him floated in the dark. Except for his flashing eyes and white teeth, dark-skinned Samedi wasnt visible in the dark. Even the bravest person would have freaked out at the sight. You, whats your name? Sa Sang Chul. My name is Kim Sang Chul. Sang Chul, who answered without a second thought, pounded his chest. Aigo, Im dead now. It was said that one who foolishly gave away their name to the goblin would have their soul taken away. It was best to call out the name of someone they disliked, but at that moment, he had forgotten.
Samedi fell into a contemplation of his own. That was a very weak human. Why did his master ask him to tie up that human, who wasnt much of a threat? It was like a very difficult high school math question for Samedi to solve.
Kim Sang Chul, my master told me to tie you up. Do you want a beating before youre tied up, or will you comply?
What kind of goblin-lie are you making up? I wont be fooled anymore. It seemed as though the goblin was planning to tie him up and eat his soul. Sang Chuls face grew dark as he nudged his body closer into the den.
Kim-Sang-Chul, there will be trouble if I get mad. Uuu, Buddha, Jesus, Allah, Gods, please save this kind Sang Chul. I went to the red-light district last week after getting drunk. I did something with Miss Yoon at the Flower House yesterday. Ive done nothing wrong except have sx without my wife knowing. If you save me, I promise I wont have sx with anyone else anymore.
Kekeke! Samedi giggled. It was fun to act like his master. He liked Miss Edel, but she wasnt very fun. Staying next to his master was fun. Moreover, there were plenty of women. Chicken feet, guys, I heard something from over there! Run over now!
Bullhead shouted. Mr. Kim, its this way. The sound of gang members moving about and the leaves rustling could be heard from above. Sang Chul resigned to his fate. Those bstards were people who didnt hesitate to throw knives at others. His left shoulder, where the knife had landed, became a problem. He couldnt pull out the knife because of the bleeding. A goblin was standing before the den, so running wasnt an option either. Hed gone overboard when he could have simply passed the information to Mu Ssang
. Father, it seems like today marks the end of our clan. Im sorry for only leaving behind a daughter. Kim Sang Chul, wait here and dont move. If you move, Ill pull off your head. The being with floating red eyes warned before disappearing. Ah, f**! I mustve gone mad. Why did I act like some hero of justice? Regret washed over Sang Chul.
There was no way to escape no matter how many times he considered the situation. There were three kinds of people who dug out graves. Firstly, those who stole accessories that were buried along with the corpse. Secondly, those who dug out graves to bury their parents on legitimate land, and lastly, those who tried to dishonor the customs by destroying graves. The worst of all three were the third group of people.
They usually killed off any witnesses despite doing things that deserved their own burial. Hed already been stabbed by a knife, and a goblin had appeared, threatening to pull off his head. Sang Chul kept sighing in the small raccoon den. Quick-Fist ran in the direction of the sound, scrambling through the grass that was taller than him and the honey chestnut shrubs. Blood dripped off his face where the branches had snagged, and his hands suffered a few scratches after a few falls. Still, he sprinted to the best of his abilities.
Bullhead would kill him if he didnt catch the bstard. Ugh! Something black popped out of nowhere in front of him. Whoosh Unable to slow down, Quick-Fist bounced off the thing as though he had run into a car. The f**? Quick-Fists eyes widened like a flashlight. A large shadow with floating red eyes stood before him. Do you want to get beaten and then tied up or just tied up?
Gghost!
Damn b*stard, Im not a ghost. Im Samedi
. Ghost was a word that Samedi hated the most. The meaning behind the word ghost annoyed the man, no, the zombie. Crack Agh!
A heavy impact and a brief scream sounded. Quick-Fists head flopped to the side after receiving a smack from his bear-like palm. Quick-Fist, who flew away like a grain of straw, landed on the ground loudly.
Splat Quick-Fists neck tilted at an eerie angle on his front. Samedi grabbed the back of his head with one hand and picked him up. Light fizzled out of Quick-Fists eyes. Quick-Fist, who liked to land a punch first, died in the hands of Samedis quick fist. If Quick-Fist was a car with 0.7 millimeters of thin plate, Samedi was an SUV with 200 millimeters of armor. The physical differences led to an unexpected catastrophe.
Why is this human so weak? Damn, Im in trouble. Master might yell at me. Samedi scratched the back of his head. He behaved just like Mu Ssang. Now that he thought about it, it was time to consume blood. He had to consume pure blood to live, and human blood was tastier than animal blood. Although he couldnt kill the living, dead people were food to him. [1] Seonji is the blood of an animal that is cooled and hardened.
Chapter 344 - Episode 5: Are You Happy?
Didnt his masters teacher also say that wasting food wasnt ideal? Samedi took out a white handkerchief from his monk-in-training uniform. Food was better off clean. He spat on Quick-Fists neck several times and cleaned it with the handkerchief. Hehehe! He let out satisfactory laughter. His sharp canine teeth shone in the moonlight. Boom Kuagh! Samedi leaped just as he was about to tear into Quick-Fists neck. A bell sounded in his head. No, explosions went off. Boom Boom Boom A row of explosions sounded in his head. A kind of pain, which seemed to tear his limbs apart, traveled down from his head to his toes. Kuuuuh! The sky and ground flipped over. Samedi drove his head straight into the ground and trembled. The explosions stopped, but the after-effects werent something to be laughed at either. His vision shook, and his teeth started chattering. Xuanzang had placed the golden fillet on the head of Sun Wukong (Monkey King) and controlled it with the Tight-Fillet Spell. Monk Dae Woo had embedded a conditional golden fillet in Samedis head. Monk Dae Woo was slightly stronger. Poor Samedi was bound to live his life with a bomb in his head. But its a waste Samedi, who regained his consciousness, lifted Quick-Fist again and licked his lips. It was too much of a waste to bury food that hed just cleaned. The fragrant blood would flow down his throat just by him sinking his teeth into the body. Samedi smacked his lips over and over again. Ugh, what is this? Words started engraving in his head. [Humans are still humans, even if they die. Dont dream about consuming human blood. If you try one more time, your eyes will fall out, and youll be beaten until you turn to dust. Lastly, your head will explode. If you dont believe me, you can go ahead and try.] Every time a word was engraved, pain rushed in. It felt like his head was being hit with a hammer. Jotto, how is this a bit of pain! Samedi shook his head from side to side. That was 10 times more painful than getting 1,000s of pebbles thrown at him. There was no need to test it three times. It already felt like his head was about to explode. You pitiful thing, you cant produce red blood cells because your bone marrow is deformed. To live, youll have no choice but to consume blood. It cant be helped. You must satisfy yourself with animal blood and not human blood. If you go against my words, youll feel a bit of pain. The old man, who laughed like everything was good in the world, was actually a scary magician. His master used his hands and feet to beat him up, but the old man could hit him without physically touching him. Whats even scarier was the magic that had been hammering his head a while ago. Uh Humans are scary! His limbs started hurting, and he was covered in cold sweats just by the thought of the pain that would cause his eyes to fall out and his teeth to chatter. He had no intention of testing the old mans warning at all. Ugh, fine, this bstard wont taste that yummy anyway. Samedi gave up without hesitation. He threw the corpse aside and dug the ground with his hands. He had to hide the corpse before he got scolded. Like a crows foot, his left hand, which only had three fingers, dug rapidly into the ground. The rocks, which came into contact with his hand, shattered and bounced. His strength was comparable to a small crane fork. A lantern light flashed past Samedi, who was busy working. It was Chicken feet and Bones, who arrived late. Samedi ignored them and concentrated on his work. He didnt have the time to attend to meager weaklings. Whwhat is that? A large, dark-skinned figure was digging a hole in the dark mountains, and there was a human by the side. If one wasnt bothered by such a sight, they wouldnt be a human. Its a big ghost, Bones whispered. Yeah, as if its a ghost, you fool. Bones, shine the light again. The lantern light swept past Samedi, who was digging, and Quick-Fist. Oh, fing hell! Chicken feet rubbed his eyes. See, he is a black man. Still, its weird. Ive never seen a black man dressed like a monk before. You stupid fer, is the black guy the problem right now? Cant you see Quick-Fist is lying there unconscious? Chicken feet slapped the back of Bones head because of his carefree remark. S**t, what should we do? Idiot, hurry, turn off the light. Chicken feet and Bones stared blankly at each other. They couldnt tell whether Quick-Fist was dead or not. They wanted to run over and check, but their feet didnt move. They were completely intimidated by the mans large build and the bizarre sight. Rustle Driver Kim and Bullhead appeared, pushing their way through the bushes. Did you find the guy? Shh! Whys this bstard acting like that? Aigo, bro, please, be quiet. Were in trouble. Bstard, what trouble can we possibly be in? Where did that guy flee to? Bullhead shouted. God, Im about to go mad. Bones wanted to show him whats wrong by shining the light on the scene, but he didnt dare to do so. His gall was already quivering, afraid that he might provoke the large black ghost. Brother, a black ghost has appeared. What? Bstard, did you get spooked while digging the grave? Look at your two oclock, 20 meters ahead. Under that large rock. Bullhead and driver Kim turned to look in the direction where Chicken feet was pointing at. God, what is that? What the hell? Driver Kim and Bullhead both shouted in fright. Quick-Fist was lying on his front under the moonlight, and a large black figure was digging the ground. Whoever he was, he was obviously planning to bury Quick-Fist. I cant tell whether its a person or a ghost. Bstard, did you get water in your eyes? There are no ghosts with shadows. That seems like a crazy man who left the American military. Ah, a deserted Yankee black man! I see. Chicken feet and Bones both exclaimed once they observed the black ghosts shadow. As expected, government officials were different somehow. Is Quick-Fist dead? I think so. He intends to bury him, I think. Damn, hes really big. Lets attack him. Bones was eager to fight after confirming that the man wasnt a ghost. Wait, lets attack all at once when he finishes his work, Bullhead whispered. Driver Kim felt like something was off. Every time he felt thatthe annoying prickling sensation at the back of his headsomething bad happened. Hed felt the same way when he got sick from receiving too many bribes. Damn, I must be cursed from messing with the wrong grave, driver Kim mumbled. The black man before him gave off an unusual aura. Perhaps, he was really a goblin. The previous driver, Mr. Lee, had told him not to get too involved with Madam Jang. It was useless advice. Since when did an employee have the right to do whatever they wanted? He had to do whatever she asked and give her whatever she needed. Even white dogs survived on bones. Damn, I knew this felt wrong from the beginning. I should leave now. He wasnt loyal to anyone anyway. Driver Kim distanced himself from the gang members. The former secret police employee and the three gang members who ruled over the market each had different thoughts as they glared at the grizzly who was still digging. Samedi knew about the four bstards hiding in the grass but didnt care. No matter how fast those lousy humans ran, they were no faster than fleas. It would be advantageous if they ran at him, but if they fled, he only had to catch them. The more urgent matter now was to get rid of the evidence. The image of his masters fist faded in and out of his vision. His bones would crack, and his skin would tear with one hit. Hed completely given up on the idea of sparring against his master after getting beaten to a pulp for his excessive reliance on his physical defense. A hole, which was sufficient enough to bury a person, appeared. Samedi kicked the corpse inside the hole. He pushed the soil over with his feet and stomped on the ground to make it flat. Hhhh The Chil Sung market gang members let out a long groan simultaneously. Their friend, who used to eat with them, had disappeared without a trace. Theyd handled all kinds of difficult work until now, but that was their first time witnessing someone catching a person like a chicken and burying the said person like a cat. Oi, chicken heads, did I make you wait too long? Samedi approached them with swagger. The Chil Sung market gang members, who realized he could overcome a heavyweight pro wrestler with his large build, felt their mouths drop open. Jotto, does a knife not work on a black man? Lets play one round, you deserter. Bullhead pulled out a sashimi knife from his chest pocket. It was an authentic Honyaki knife. He had bought an ebony wood handle with a blade length of 330 millimeters and a sheath from the international market and paid 450,000 won, which was worth 10 islands[1] of rice. The tungsten alloy blade glistened in the moonlight. Fear melted away and courage surfaced. Of course, but you can only slice him up after I give him a solid blow on the head with my shovel. Bones shook his shovel. Driver Kim slowly took a shovel from another persons hand and held it. Are you ready? Ya! Everyone took up a weapon. Chicken feet grabbed a handaxe while Bones carried a large driver. Driver Kim raised his shovel. One, two, three, go! Bullhead and two of his aides leaped out. F***, you guys do well. Driver Kim hesitated and soon ran the other way. Thanks a lot, friends! A smile lingered on Samedis mouth. He could almost see the boar meat before his eyes. The meat that his master grilled over charcoal for him was always delicious. Sitting around would only leave him with fingers to suck on. He thanked the people for running at him instead of running away from him. Yaaa! Bones attacked his side with the driver from the right, and Bullhead attacked his neck with his sashimi knife from the left. Haa! Chicken feet hurled his body as though he was diving and slammed Samedis foot down with his ax. It was a fantastic triple combination attack created by those who used to seek fame but still matured over time. Slap Crack Slap Crack The sound of impacts on the cheeks and bones cracking rang simultaneously. Samedi slapped away the driver and sashimi knife with both of his hands and slapped their cheeks with the back of his hands. At the same time, both of his feet landed on their calves. Both of his limbs played different parts. Bullhead and Bones, who had attacked from the sides, collapsed just like that. Kwaaa! A distressing scream echoed. Human bones couldnt withstand the shock of a hammers full swing. Both rolled on the ground, their gums shattered and their shins smashed. It was all thanks to Samedi, who managed to control his strength without making any mistake this time. Chicken feets condition was worse. His handaxe, which hed slammed down with all his might, bounced back as if it had hit a tire. Aaaagh! An electrifying scream exploded. There was no way that anyones joints could withstand two 45-degree rotations. His shoulder joints popped out, and the broken elbow bones protruded and tore his skin. Bang The handaxe landed in between his legs. Hup! Chicken feets mouth instantly closed. There was no way that a gang member wouldnt know what axes meant. It was a warninghis pnis would be chopped off if he didnt stop screaming. Samedi gently stepped on Chicken feets ankle with his boat-like foot. Craaaack The sound of his ankle bones slowly shattering was disturbing. Uhhhhh! Chicken feets eyes grew wide as though they were about to pop out. He didnt know what the monster would do if he shouted. Blood trickled down Chicken feets mouth, through his clenched teeth. The three Chil Sung market gang members attacks ended in vain. In the first place, it was like they were slamming an egg on a rock. The physical difference between both sides was too great. Even if 30 Chil Sung market gang members had attacked, they would have been defeated in three minutes. Wol Song San was famous for its arrowroots. Arrowroots covered the entire field above the fifth border. Samedi pulled out a bunch of arrowroots from the ground. Riip The bunch of entangled arrowroots was pulled out entirely. Samedi tied all three bstards hands and feet with arrowroots. Although they werent in a state to flee, his master had told him to tie them up, and so he did. Quiet! Ill cut it. Bullhead and Bones groaned when Samedi pointed at their lower regions with an ax in hand. Samedi did as he was taught by his master. Uhhh, Mr. Kim that damned bstard! Bullhead gritted his teeth. Driver Kims betrayal infuriated him more than the black man before him. You stay put until Im back. You understand? Whoosh The guy before them disappeared in a flash. Bro, what is that? F**king bstards, would I know? Hes not human for sure. Do you think hes really a ghost? Sigh, I dont know. Bullhead found everything annoying. His shins almost turned to dust. Once crippled, it was hard to survive in his line of work. For some reason, his sacrifice was greater than the amount received to dig out the grave. Jeon Du Hwan, that f**ing bstard! Bullhead cursed Jeon Du Hwan out all of a sudden. Still, it wasnt wrong. If it hadnt been for the Samchung re-education camp, Bullhead would be living a peaceful life in Chil Sung market. However, his quality of life declined ever since they began arresting gang members if they so much as farted. Now, he was about to die from carrying out all kinds of dirty work while trying to survive. Even Chicken feet and Bones faces grew discouraged. Driver Kim ran down Wol Song San like a madman. The three Chil Sung gang members brief shouts followed him from behind. He immediately knew when he saw him. That was an existence not to be provoked. Driver Kim, who reached the fifth border, turned to look back. No! A black ghost jumped after him. No, it was flying toward him. It jumped over most trees that were of average height. It was everything like the hometown legend. Fear took over driver Kim. Uaaaa He desperately rolled and jumped down the mountain since his life was on the line. His goal was the villages first house with the lights still on. He was willing to enter jail if it meant he could avoid the black ghost. Egh! Driver Kim fell forward as his feet got caught in a bunch of arrowroots. As soon as he stood up, a tall shadow covered him. Bang A black shadow descended from the sky. Driver Kims face creased. A yellow liquid flowed down from between his legs. The sour smell of ammonia caused Samedis nose to twitch. Egh, you dirty! Samedi grabbed driver Kims ankle. I go to catch some pigs. Hang the rope on the nose. Pork belly chops are good, Jokbal is also good [1] A traditional unit of measurement used by the people of the Korean peninsula.
Chapter 345 - Episode 6: Are You Happy?
Samedi, who was in a better mood, hummed and dragged his hunt back up the mountain. His fast and offbeat humming was strangely addictive. Driver Kims head swayed from left to right, hitting the trees and rocks while bobbing to the beat of Samedis song.
Samedi was in a good mood because his job was done, but driver Kim, who was dragged by the ankle like a dog, was very much not. While he had avoided the worst because of his thickly-padded parka and waterproof cotton pants, he was in a horrible state. Even Jesus, who had climbed Calvary Hill, would have clicked his tongue. Feeling like his life was being threatened, driver Kim tried his best to wrap his hands around his head and curled his body.
Damn b*stard, Im not a pig!
He shouted, but it felt like he was reading a book to a pipe. Samedi tortured driver Kim as far as the distance he had fled. There was no reason to hear out the mans complaints when he originally intended to torment him.
Rumble
He broke out into a sprint. Driver Kim didnt have the opportunity to complain at all because he was being dragged at such a speed.
Ugagagaga!
Driver Kims screams echoed in the still mountain.
Splat
A sharp kitchen knife sliced the arteries. Yeon Soon, who had been waiting with a bowl in hand, rushed forward to receive the blood.
Do you want me to peel off the skin for you?
Todays oppas birthday. You cant see blood on your birthday. Deok San, youll have to lend me a hand.
Oh, yes, thats my specialty.
Sam Chul ajussi took out a pocket knife and sharpened it on a whetstone. Jin Soon and Yeon Soon took bowls of boiling water from the stove and poured it over the boar.
Sam Chul ajussi shaved off the boars fur skillfully. Yeon Soon helped him by continuing to pour hot water. Once he finished shaving its fur, Sam Chul ajussi sliced the boars stomach. Jin Soon collected the pouring intestines in a rubber basin and made her way to the water pipe.
Jin Soon and Yeon Soon rubbed and washed the intestines, got rid of any remaining dirt by flipping them around, and washed them once more. Sam Chul ajussi angled the limbs and sliced them off. Jin Soon separated the meat and marinated them in ginseng and onion sauce. The meat of wild animals gave off a smell when eaten right away. The three people moved in synchronization.
Ho! Mu Ssang exclaimed as he watched.
As expected of Jin Soon and her siblings. It was not easy for young women to pull apart a boars head, and at the same time, removing and cleaning their intestines. Jin Soon could do anything since she had lost her father at a young age and had to help out around the farm and house.
Of course, he didnt intend to stop her. Like Hwa Ja, there were plenty of women who were born with rich parents and wasted their lives on drugs. Even though sweat was dripping down her face despite the cold weather, Jin Soon looked even more beautiful!
Looking back, work for men and women in this world was no different. In Chad, a 12-year-old girl walked around with a rifle in hand. Some mothers would also use their bats to steal the hyenas catches. There was nothing one couldnt do when it came down to it. This lands grandmothers and mothers lived just like Jin Soon, rough yet focused.
Yeon Soon, grab that end.
Jin Soon mixed the prepared soondae ingredients with blood and stuffed them into the intestines. She shook, compressed, and stuffed them once more. Then, they shook both ends to compress again. The stuffed soondae went straight into the boiling stove pot.
Korean ajummas in their 40s and 50s were superhumans. After steaming, cooking, frying, and boiling, a full table was prepared within an hour. Their loud laughter and chattering continued late into the night. Mu Ssang was happy. That was the world where people lived in. That was why people lived.
Uh, how did that happen!
Bullheads group shuddered. Driver Kim, who was dragged along by his ankle, was in a terrible state. He barely looked like a human. His clothes were ragged, and his skin had turned red with tears all overit was as though he had been immersed and pulled out of a pot of blood. They were in a much better state with their neatly broken bones.
This is what happens if you run.
Bullhead shivered at Samedis words. His plan to flee as soon as the opportunity arose disappeared instantly. Samedi tied driver Kim up with arrowroots tightly and threw him in the middle of the gang. He then headed to the raccoon den.
Oi, come out now.
Nno!
Sang Chul had no intention of leaving even at the risk of death. The den was barely three meters long, but he was planning to stay there as long as he could. Goblins disappeared at dawn anyway.
I wont hit you if you surrender yourself.
Ugh F***. Whys a goblin talking about surrendering? What has the world come to? Im not leaving. I will never leave.
Never? My master said theres no such thing as never in the world.
Samedi smirked and grabbed the rock that covered the den with his hands. It was a large rock, around one ton at least. He fixed his feet firmly on the ground and used his strength.
Hmph!
Craaaack
Baang
The rock was lifted, then thrown to the side.
Rumble
Bang
The rock rolled down the mountain slope.
Moonlight poured into the roofless den.
There was silence.
Sang Chul could only move his eyes around frantically. He couldnt tell whether it was reality or a dream. His tired eyes moved frantically from the open sky to Samedi.
Kim Sang Chul, dont use the word never so freely. Samedi smiled wickedly.
He wasnt really smiling. When his rough face creased, there was nothing more that looked like the devil. Sang Chuls soul left his body. He really was a goblin.
IIm not one of them. Sang Chul waved his hands frantically.
It doesnt matter. Master said that I must tie you guys up.
Samedi grabbed the back of Sang Chuls neck and lifted him off the ground.
Aaaah, save me! Sang Chul screamed as he swung in the air.
Im going to catch some pigs-
Sang Chul was also tied up with arrowroots. However, he wasnt beaten up because he didnt run or protest. Samedi was quite a peaceful zombie. If Bullheads gang hadnt attacked him, he wouldnt have beaten them up and shattered their bones.
Hm?
Samedi tilted his head. The place where he had buried the human looked a little awkward. He felt like something was lacking and that his master would notice it.
I see!
He slapped his forehead with his palm. His master had put up a large stone in the place of burial. Samedi grabbed a flat stone, raised it, and slammed it down on the grave.
Wow! the humans, who were tied up, exclaimed together.
It was impossible for a human to carry a rock the size of a car. He was only a human in appearance, but he had to be a ghost. Sang Chul immediately gave up. Hed basically come across a tiger while trying to avoid wolves.
Oi, Mr. Black, you are a goblin, arent you? he asked out of the blue.
Before he died, he wanted to at least satisfy his curiosity.
Goblin? I dont know that word.
A goblin doesnt know a goblin? Im a person from this village. A real goblin doesnt harm the people who live in the same village. Lets get along well.
You live in this village?
Samedi tilted his head. His master said this was his place of birth.
Do you know my master?
Master? What kind of goblin crossing the Styx is that?
Sang Chul was confused. He had never heard of goblins having a master. A goblin was talking like a goblin, which made it impossible to understand. The elders had said that only those with divine powers could understand goblins, and it seemed true.
My master is wakil. He said this is his hometown.
What? His hometown is Jipoon bridge village?
Jipoon Daris in Africa.
Sang Chul couldnt possibly know about Jipoon Daris construction in Ennedi. His head grew dizzier at the goblins words. Goblins were really incomprehensible, after all.
My master is there too. I need to go now. Samedi pointed at Ha Dong Daeks house, which was brightly lit.
Thats Ha Dongs You? Hey, whats your masters name?
Hes Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Samedi answered in a serious tone.
Sang Chul didnt know what Ddu-bai-buru-pa was, but Mu Ssang came to his mind immediately. Only Mu Ssang was related to Ha Dong. He had always been special since his youth. It wasnt surprising if Mu Ssang was friends with the goblin.
Does Ddu-bai-buru-pa have vertical and horizontal scars on his left cheek?
Uh, right. There are five scars on my masters cheek.
Samedi had regained his human nature but couldnt think about complex matters yet. He described what Mu Ssang looked like without hesitation. That was because Mu Ssang didnt warn him about concealing his identity. Fortunately, Sang Chul noticed there was more to the story.
Hey, Im your masters brother. Let me go, Sang Chul said, pleased.
Tears streamed down his face at the thought of surviving.
Thats a lie. My master doesnt get beaten up, doesnt run, and doesnt hide. Masters teacher is stronger than master. Masters brother should be stronger than master. You are not masters brother.
Ah, f***. Damn.
It sounded ridiculous, but it sounded right too.
Those b*stards are people who have done wrong to your master. I ended up like this trying to chase those b*stards away. So, Im a good person.
They have done wrong to master? Thats impossible.
Samedi tilted his head. Those weak humans couldnt harm his master even if they came in like a swarm of ants.
Hey, goblin, Im your masters friend. I really need to meet him now.
Sang Chul was at the end of the rope.
You were a brother, now youre a friend?
Ah, you, damn. I mean, sir, youre talking too much. Youll know once we get there, dont you think?
Samedi was lost in thought. While he couldnt believe that such a weak person was his masters brother, he felt like the claim about their friendship was true.
Thats true. You guys wait here. Dont move.
Samedi lifted Sang Chul, placed him over his shoulder, and raced down the mountain. The gang members began talking as soon as Samedi disappeared.
S***, were f***ed. That countryside b*stard and that ghost seem to know each other. Driver Kim twisted and turned, trying to break free from arrowroots. He could be beaten to death if the graves owner appeared.
Shut up, you traitor.
Splat
Bullhead glared and spat at driver Kim. Cold yellowish saliva landed on driver Kims forehead. Driver Kim had never been treated like that before.
Youve no respect for your elders. Do you want to die?
Respect? You f***ing traitor b*stard, Ive never respected a senior like you. Tui!
All he could do while being tied up was swear and spit. Chicken feet and Bones joined in. Swears and the sound of spitting grew louder in the dark mountain. The half-moon which hung in the sky looked down at the four dirty humans.
Ou Soon carried the tray with the soondae soup and soondae and carefully kneeled down next to Mu Ssang.
Eat well, oppa.
Aigo, Ou Soon, youve grown up! You can marry someone now.
Mu Ssang had overheard Ou Soon getting scolded through the stereo but didnt show it. Ha Dong Daek had her rules. Jin Soon was really amazing. Shed transformed her rude sister instantly. Mu Ssang, who was just about to put his spoon in the soondae soup, flinched.
Hm! Samedi?
He could sense Samedi rushing down the mountain like he was flying. He slowly stood up.
Oppa, where are you going?
Mm, the bathroom!
Wol Song San was visible from outside the gates. He could see Samedi jumping down the mountain while carrying something.
Did that brat catch another boar?
Whoosh
Bang
Samedi jumped over the stream flowing behind Ha Dongs house.
Wakil, Ive carried out your orders. Theyre all tied up.
Good job, but what is that?
Mu Ssangs gaze was fixed on Samedis shoulder.
He insisted that hes wakils brother. His name is Kim Sang Chul.
What, Kim Sang Chul?
Surprised, Mu Ssang immediately got a hold of Sang Chul.
Ugh Mu Ssang, Sang Chul mumbled.
Sang Chul, who suffered from a knife injury, shook like a boat tied to a dock on Samedis shoulder. His body was aching everywhere and his soul almost reached the gates of hell. Although his round face was covered in blood, it was clearly Sang Chul.
Huh! It really is brother Sang Chul. Why are you like this? You even got stabbed by a knife.
Samedis dark face grew pale. That weak human was really the masters brother!
Mu Ssang, what is that dark-skinned goblin?
Goblin? Kekeke!
He supposed Samedi could be perceived as a goblin if he came across him at night in the mountains.
Is he a human?
Aha, youve bled out too much. Youre losing your mind, arent you? Hyung, snap back to reality.
Slap
Slap
Sang Chul, whose cheeks were slapped, screamed indignantly.
Aigooo! You brat, are you planning to kill me? Call an ambulance instead!
You were stabbed by a toothpick, why would you go to a hospital? Theres a good quack doctor and a competent nurse here, so dont worry.
Mu Ssang lifted Sang Chul and entered the main room.
Wawait, were in trouble. Some gang members
Lets treat you first. Theres nothing more important than treating you right now, hyung.
Aigo, this brats giving me the feels, Sang Chul smiled. Even if he didnt mean it, it was nice to hear.
Ya ya, but thats not it. Some gang members were taking apart Old Jin Bos grave.
They were digging out my fathers grave? Whyre you telling me that now?
Mu Ssangs eyes emanated blue light.
Brat, get mad after you give me the chance to speak. So, those b*stards were taking apart Old Jin Bos grave when
So they werent able to take fathers remains?
Mm, they got into a fight with me before they could.
Okay. Hyung, youre more important than my dead father.
Jin Soon, who was called over by Samedi, was surprised by Sang Chuls state.
That looks a lot like Sang Chul oppa! How did this happen?
Jin Soon you b****, what do you f***ing mean by looks a lot like, Im not a lookalike! Its really me! Sang Chul shouted.
Oh, hes the real deal? It seems like youre not too bad off since you can shout.
Jin Soon didnt even blink. Mu Ssang took out the emergency kit from his backpack. He injected atropine into Sang Chuls thigh and pulled out the knife from his shoulder. He controlled the blood from flowing out by pressing on his veins with his resonance waves. Jin Soon had graduated from nursing school. She sterilized the wound skillfully and wrapped it with bandages. She gave him a tetanus vaccine and antibiotics and treated the minor wounds with ointment and some more plasters.
You suffered a little scratch. Whys a man whining about that?
Mu Ssang slapped Sang Chuls shoulder and quickly disappeared into Wol Song San.
Whoosh
Hed pretended to be brave because he didnt want to appear greedy. However, his insides had already turned into coal. Samedi followed Mu Ssang like a shadow.
Is Mu Ssang also a goblin?
Sang Chul looked up and stared blankly at Wol Song San.
Chapter 346 - Episode 7: Are You Happy?
Mu Ssang disappeared in the blink of an eye right in front of him.
Bang
He couldnt even tell when the door had opened and closed. Sang Chul shook his head from side to side. He recalled the Wol Song Sans transportation explosion accident that had been the talk of the town when he was young. Five of his friends had died, and Mu Ssang was the only one who had escaped unscathed. Since then, Mu Ssang was nicknamed goblin. He really ended up becoming a goblin.
The bridge village was a place with several stories of goblin sightings. There was Jin Pyeong Daek who had become a bit mad after being chased out of the communal graveyard, Bang Chon ajussi who had witnessed a large Imoogi in the flooded Nakdong River, and brother Kang Soo who had wrestled with a goblin in Wol Song San until he walked with a limp. More than 10 people he knew had encountered a goblin.
Even an elderly man had gotten into trouble last week because of a goblin. At dawn, he was found screaming like a whale in the paddy fields and dragged out by the villagers.
From Sang Chuls point of view, all of them were silly events without impact. People either became senseless in fear of meeting a goblin or a ghost, wandered about on strange roads because they were lured, or fled in fear of the horrible sight.
In the end, there was no substantial evidence. The people who got injured caused the injury themselves by either falling or tripping without any direct contact. They were all incidents in which truth fell short by two percent.
Hehehe, to become a goblin, they should at least be that skilled.
Sang Chul smiled like a fool as he stared at Wol Song San. Relieved that he got to live, his optimistic personality surfaced. With a built body, dark skin, a face that looked like a murderer, the strength to pull out a rock the size of a house, and the ability to leap over rocks and trees in a single stepthat was the appearance of a true goblin instead of a weak one.
He was someone who had survived meeting a real goblin instead of a weak one. His chest swelled with pride. The black goblin was just like a real goblin, although a little bit stupid. Sang Chul had unknowingly become Samedis fan.
A goblin? Samedi?
Oh, is that dark-skinned goblin called Samedi?
Hes not a goblin but someone from the Maasai tribe who serves as Ssang oppas servant. He looks a little scary, but hes really kind.
Kind?
Sang Chuls eyes grew wide. Compared to the goblins that appeared in legends, the dark-skinned goblin was 1,000 li away. The gang members who were done in by that dark-skinned guy had their bones shattered and faces crushed. Even the b*stard who had tried to escape was dragged back by his ankle and covered in blood. He didnt see the person whom he had fought with either. The goblin must have eaten the guy as a midnight snack.
While he could agree that Samedi was cool, he couldnt agree that Samedi was kind. If he hadnt talked about Mu Ssang sooner, he would have been eaten by the dark-skinned goblin too.
Ya, despite his scary exterior, he listens well and is calm. Ah! Dont curse out Ssang oppa when Samedis around. Hell get really mad. Oppa said that a flick of Samedis fingers can kill a person. He has sharp ears too, so you have to be careful.
Jin Soon warned him firmly. Since he was little, Sang Chul oppa would often fool around and act mindlessly. In middle school, he would leave home because he didnt want to brew beef stew, so what else could he do?
Mu Ssang, that brat. He used to play the leader when he was little, and now hes bossing a goblin around. Aigo, that pitiful brat!
Sh!
Oops!
Sang Chul, who was cursing mindlessly, immediately opened the door and checked outside. He wasnt scared of his village brother Mu Ssang, but his gall started trembling at the thought of that goblin named Samedi.
Bullheads anger didnt subside. The foundation of the gangster world was illegal activities. Betrayal was a serious offense that shook the roots of the gang organizations. Driver Kim was still being cursed out when Mu Ssang arrived.
A b*stard like you dont deserve to be on a family list. Oh, you dirty b*stard! Tui, tui!
That b*stard need to be shoved in a s***hole after his head is removed.That traitorous b*stard.
You b*stard without an ounce of loyalty, did you think you can survive after escaping by yourself? You earned it.
Splat
The three gang members didnt stop cursing out driver Kim who was the cause of all their troubles.
Mu Ssang tilted his head while the group of guys created a commotion under the pine tree. Three gang members were cursing out one another as much as they could and spitting, but the one on the receiving end remained silent.
What are they doing?
Mu Ssang turned to look at Samedi. Samedi raised his palms and shrugged. It was a gesture that meant, what would he know?
Theyre not even gang members, just street boys. They look fine though.
There were four subjects wrapped with arrowroots like a cocoon under the pine tree. They didnt look that battered considering that it was Samedi who had beaten them up.
Why did those b*stards dig his fathers grave? The mountain owner had received a decades worth of fees for his fathers gravesite. There werent any problems, legally. There were no disagreements regarding the graves location, and the countryside mountain owner had no reason to hire gang members.
It came down to two reasons as to why the grave was dug up. Someone wanted to swap out the remains because the gravesite was a good location, or someone just wanted to destroy the remains.
What was a eum-taek feng shui location[1]? Regardless of the feng shui geography theory, any land that allowed the remains to return to nature quickly and peacefully had good feng shui. A land without groundwater, plant roots, groundhogs, and insects was an ideal land. If the remains failed to return to nature, the soul would wander around in a void, and the body would wander around on land. The non-corporeal beings wandering around in this world were called ghosts.
The reason why feng shui used various kinds of tools such as the paecheol, nakyung, and samryongcheok to survey the surrounding area and spot water veins was to find a place where the body would decompose easily. Paecheol looked at the orientation of the surrounding area but also checked the existence of any underground minerals.
In the presence of an underground metalliferous lode, corpses would absorb the energy and decay more quickly. A talented feng shui reader could locate underground metalliferous lodes. Here, the lode was not equivalent to a commercial lode.
In the past, he would search the underground using his dimensional sight. He hadnt seen a single piece of metal, let alone a metalliferous lode. If that had been the work of a feng shui reader capable of switching bodies, the reader would have known that his fathers gravesite wasnt a good location. Back then, his situation didnt allow him to ask a reader to look for a good location, either.
It meant that someone had attempted to destroy the remains out of grudge, but his father wasnt the kind of person whod offend anyone. He suddenly remembered Madam Jangs salmusa-like eyes.
No way, to this extent?
An aunt-in-law destroying her brother-in-laws grave? If it had been during the Joseon Dynasty, her family would have been executed. Madam Jang directed her hatred toward him and his mother. There was no reason why shed attack his father. Then who? He should start investigating now.
Rustle
Rustle
When Samedi appeared, the gang members closed their mouths and lowered their heads closer to their chests. They seemed extremely frightened.
Mu Ssangs anger disappeared at the sorry sight of those gang members. They were too weak for him to fight against. Lackey was the best when it came to dealing with those kinds of b*stards. Leaving the situation to Samedi would bury them instantly.
Hm! He already killed one.
Mu Ssang found an awkwardly positioned rock and stared at Samedi. Mu Ssangs gaze flickered back and forth from the rock to Samedi, causing him to flinch.
Keh!
He laughed at Samedis naive response. There was no reason for him to activate his dimensional sight. There was a 100 percent chance that a corpse was buried under that rock.
Samedi!
Hic
Surprised by the sudden call, Samedi started hiccupping.
Did you drink blood?
Oh, no, no!
Hic
You dont want to drink these b*stards blood?
No, no!
Hic
The gang members and Samedis faces creased at the same time. The gang members felt an inexpressible fear. Even Samedi was scared. He didnt want to think about the pain that would explode from within his head.
The ends of Mu Ssangs mouth curled up. He tapped on his head and made an exploding gesture. Samedis face grew pale.
Brat, he already experienced it.
Samedi had been done in by his teachers Tight-Fillet Spell, so he wouldnt dare think of consuming human blood again. The problem was Samedis immense strength. An uncontrollable strength was a disaster on its own. If he casually held a child because they were nice-looking, a disaster would occur.
He needs power control training.
Mu Ssang pulled out a rock embedded under a tree. He shoved his hand into the ground and scraped off some soil. Four large eggs, a width larger than quail eggs, were dragged out. They were rat snake eggs.
Samedi, hold two in each hand. Youll get a scolding if the egg breaks. Keep watch over these guys too.
If Samedi were to touch anybody, there would be another death. He intended to prevent any more destruction with that method. Mu Ssang crossed the mountain soon after.
I lived! Samedi raised his hands and shouted.
His master had forgiven him despite learning that he had killed someone. The eggs that he was holding slipped out.
Ugh!
Surprised, Samedi dove to catch the eggs. He would be beaten to a pulp if he broke one. Samedi was on edge, trying not to break the white objects in his palms.
No way!
He could instantly see the yellow ground in the middle of the white snowfield.
Whoosh
A snowstorm formed beneath his feet. Mu Ssang kicked off the ground, flew in the air, and landed before the grave. The casket was missing. Only a rectangular hole remained where the casket used to be. It was exactly as Sang Chul mentioned. Those b*stards even dug out the bones.
Mm, those f***ing b*stards!
Confucian values were deeply rooted in the DNA of Koreans. Although times have changed, respecting parents and ancestors was considered unquestionable. That was the same for Mu Ssang. Destroying a grave was an unforgivable sin.
Mu Ssang carefully went down into the grave. Traces of dirty footprints on the remains, shattered pieces of bones wrapped in nylon bandages, skull and leg bones shattered by a shovelall of which were the work of the gang members. The situation was worse than he had imagined. He couldnt tell whether that was a dream or reality.
Mu Ssang gathered his fathers shattered remains with trembling hands. On a spring day in a peach field when the blossoms fell, his father would carry him on his sweaty back and tell stories of the past. His father, who used to call himself an old father after pulling out the stake his son had pierced through a pumpkin, his father who had run 20 li and kicked open a hospital door with his sick son on his back, his father who had a splitting smile on his face as soon as his son memorized the alphabetsall the good times he had spent with his father passed by in a flash. Tears streamed down from the eyes of Black Mamba, the Angel of Death with iron-like bravery.
Father, ugggh!
A suppressed groan escaped. Red light spread out from his eyes. The soil started crumbling from the graves wall as his bloodlust took form.
Cra-ack
Something twisted in his mind as though it was breaking out of a shell. It was the Epidiums violent nature.
Om Mani Banme Hum Om!
Mu Ssang hurriedly chanted and calmed his mind down. Despite his teachers mind control, mind training, and bloodlust release, he couldnt get rid of the Epidiums destructive nature engraved in his DNA.
It wasnt something to be recklessly angry about. There was always a reason behind unnatural events. Depending on the cause, the outcome of his actions would turn out differently. Right now, he had no answer as to what he should do with the wrecked grave.
I have no choice but to ask teacher.
Whether it was luck or misfortune, most of the remains had almost turned to dust. It didnt seem like he needed to get another casket. To cremate or to bury again?that was a question he had to ask his teacher.
Mu Ssang cleaned up the casket and picked up the shovel and pickaxe lying around the grave. He got rid of any foreign substances, picked up the remains, and placed them in a bag. He sealed the bag and covered the grave with soil.
Bang
Bang
Loud sounds were heard in the mountain. It was the sound of Mu Ssang piling up rocks. He placed 10 or so large rocks on top of the grave to make a layered gravestone. Now, no one would dare touch the grave, be it a body snatcher or a grave robber.
Samedi, drag those over.
The distance from the tree to the bridge village wasnt far. It was close enough for the villagers to hear whenever somebody screamed. If the villagers heard some screams, thered be questions to answer.
With a perplexed expression, Samedi looked at the snake eggs and the subjects he had to carry. The snake eggs could crack if he placed them inside his pockets. Samedi contemplated for a while before shoving all four eggs into his mouth. He looked just like an alligator protecting its hatchlings in its mouth.
Samedi twisted about 10 arrowroot vines into a rope. He pulled the rope that was as thick as his arm and tested its tension. It would be bad if the rope broke and he lost the subjects.
Twang
Twang
The rope that was as thick as his arm withstood Samedis strength. A rope that had dozens of thin vines weaved together was stronger than one thick vine. A 10-millimeter iron chain could withstand four tons of weight, but it would break once it exceeded the tensile strength. Meanwhile, a 10-millimeter wire rope could withstand eight tons of weight, and each vine would gradually break once it exceeded the tensile strength. That was why heavy machinery used wire ropes instead of iron chains when lifting structures.
That was the same for the rope made out of arrowroots. Samedi tied the four gang members together like he was tying up firewood. He made a strap and lifted the human stack onto his back.
Ho! Youre smarter now.
Hehe!
Samedi, who turned four adult men into a stack of twigs, laughed in satisfaction.
Lets go!
Mu Ssang flew in the direction of the forests region that had not been trekked. Samedi tilted his head but soon followed. The four men on his back didnt affect Samedis speed at all.
Agh!
Ugh!
The stack on his back swayed just like a rodeo man on a bull. All kinds of screams erupted, but Samedi continued without much care.
[1] The theory of finding a place to bury the dead.
Chapter 347 - Episode 8: Are You Happy?
Mu Ssang stopped walking once they were under a hollow eagle rock. Shaped like a horseshoe, it was the deepest and most secretive place in Wol Song San. No one could hear their screams, let alone gunshots.
Samedi released the stack hed carried there. The subjects carried by the careless delivery man werent in good condition. Their faces had turned blue, and they collapsed like empty potato sacks.
This guy, whys he like this?
Samedi grabbed Bones by the shoulder and shook him.
Dont shake him, hell die. Broken ribs have pierced his lungs. Its a traumatic pneumothorax.
Mu Ssang took out a Monami ballpoint pen from his pocket. He removed the front and back parts of the pen and pushed the empty tube into Bones chest.
Beee
The air that filled the guys lungs rushed out of the tube.
That guy was extremely unlucky. No, it was because of Samedis careless handling. The weight of the person on top of him broke his ribs and ended up piercing his lungs while Samedi ran with him slung over his back. Although he had provided emergency treatment, Bones would die if he didnt go to the hospital. Mu Ssang had helped him ease the pain, so it was up to fate whether he survived or died.
The other guys were in terrible condition too. The guy whose clothes were ragged was on the verge of dying from frostbite. At that point, everyone would freeze to death before he could question them.
Samedi, light a fire.
Samedi gathered a stump and some dried twigs to make a fire. Located under the hollow eagle rock was a small basin of three meters deep, 10 meters in length, and six meters in width. He used to seek refuge in that place since it protected him from the wind and snowstorms.
Whoosh
The fire burned brightly thanks to the breeze. The three gang members faces loosened up, and driver Kims teeth stopped chattering.
Sssch sssch
When Mu Ssang swung his hands twice, the arrowroots that had been holding them together were cut off at once.
Samedi, who was quick-witted, immediately brought over a large rock and lowered it. Mu Ssang swept the rocks surface with his Billions Water Armor.
Craaaack
Rock dust rose as the surface of the rock was smoothed out. Mu Ssang sat on the self-made chair.
You guys have gone through a lot in this cold weather. Now, lets have a conversation.
Uoaaaa!
When would they ever witness such an unusual sight? It was the appearance of a ghost ordering around another ghost. Chicken feet, Bullhead, and driver Kim froze in their places. Mu Ssang, who searched the surrounding area with his resonance waves, threw a rock in the direction of the forest.
Dig.
Samedi dug out the spot where the rock landed. Soon, he returned with an aerial bomb the size of a basin after pulling it out from the ground. The Americans had launched that bomb, a 250-pound MK80, in the 6.25 war. It was also called the dumb bomb with 130 pounds of gunpowder, containing at least 60 kilograms in total.
Mu Ssang turned the middle part of the bomb with his Vajra. The bomb was cleanly cut in half like a radish cut with a kitchen knife. The gang members eyes widened at the continuous use of magic. Even Samedi flinched.
Mu Ssang threw another rock. Samedi rushed to dig the ground. This time, he dug out a bunch of 50-caliber machine gun bullets. Mu Ssang recalled several painful memories when he saw the bluish rusty bullets. That was the place where his temple friends had died from an explosion.
Wakil, you will get hemorrhoids if you sit on the cold rock for a long time.
You know a lot now. Why? Are you going to bring me a cushion?
Samedi swayed back and forth, and his nose twitched.
Theres a big animal over the mountain. Ill catch it.
A cloud of snow rose in Samedis place as he jumped over the eagle rock and disappeared. Mu Ssang smiled. Samedis survival instincts had developed and taken a strange turn. The moment he saw a power that he couldnt handle, he would instinctively suck up. It was an unusual variation of an animals natural reaction. Mu Ssang twisted the machine gun bullets to separate the core from the shells. He collected the gunpowder in the shells.
Say your names, in order.
Im ChChicken feet.
Im Bullhead.
Im Mr. Kim.
And that guy?
Mu Ssang pointed at Bones who was panting next to the fire. The moment he switched to Black Mamba, he might still have compassion for those standing on the opposite end, but he no longer showed any mercy.
Bones.
Good!
Mu Ssang didnt ask any further. It was greed from not wanting to carry the burden of those whom he was going to kill in his hometown.
Your family?
The Chil Sung market gang.
Oho! Youre friends of Eel?
Yyes, mister.
Eel was someone who would steal money from the people at the market back when he used to work at BOSS. Eel was evil, but since he wasnt in a good place either back then, he didnt care.
Is that dead guy one of you too?
Yyes, mister.
Mr. Kim, are you part of their gang?
What? Nno, mister.
His pronunciation was unclear because of his chattering teeth. Mu Ssang took off his top and placed it over driver Kims body, which had already turned blue because of the cold. Driver Kim flinched at the sudden generosity. It was said that pigs were fed to their fill, and their pigsties were cleaned before they were killed. He suddenly felt nervous.
Ththank you.
You guys dont know why youre being treated so harshly, do you?
Yes, mister. We did something wrong, but this is horrible. Just hand us over to the police. Wed rather be punished and settle for the damage. In a state of law, personal investigation and violence are illegal in and of itself, driver Kim protested quite well for someone who used to be a part of the secret police.
Hahaha, the state of law good.
Mu Ssang slightly smiled. From the display of power, it seemed like the guys brain had woken up from paralysis. From the mans words, he could tell that he previously came from a position of power.
Those arent the kind of words someone would say after mocking the dead and trying to kill the witness. So, that means you have a way out of the police. Sue me instead.
If you save us, we promise not to say a single word for the rest of our lives.
His words were like silk. Mu Ssang glared coldly at driver Kim. He certainly wasnt a gang member. Something smelled. Gang members knew well how brutal violence could get. They couldnt say anything in that situation. Still, that guy wasnt the kind of person who would reveal the truth. It was time to use the objects he had prepared.
Ill be called an idiot if I choose the long way instead of the shortcut.
Driver Kims face creased devilishly. Those were words he had used often while he was working in the secret police. He used to say that to the victims when they protested to be tried in court.
Whos the leader here?
Itsits me, Bullhead answered faintly.
Get over here!
Bullhead crawled out, his face pale.
Palm!
Mu Ssang placed a nail-sized amount of gunpowder in Bullheads palm.
If you move, there will be greater pain waiting for you.
Click
He lit it on fire with his turbo lighter.
Papapa
The gunpowder burned fiercely.
Kuaaagh!
Bullhead leaped in his place. How could he withstand the pain of burning flesh? He rolled around, accompanied by ear-splitting cries. Eel had a bad habit of using his subordinates palms as ashtrays. Still, a completely different kind of pain shook his nerves.
Gunpowder and explosives were different. Gunpowder was used as a propellant for ammunition or explosives and did not generate shock waves. Explosives were also a kind of gunpowder, but they reacted quickly and involved shock waves. Be it gunpowder or explosives, combustion was instantaneous. Chicken feet shook his hands like crazy, but his subcutaneous tissues were already burnt. The gunpowder heated up to over 1,000 degrees instantly. Damaged tissues were irreparable.
I told you a greater pain awaits if you move, didnt I?
Bullhead stopped moving at his warning, his voice was much colder than the weather. The resonance waves in his voice impacted the mans auditory system. The physical shock momentarily paralyzed his brain.
Wrist!
Bullhead fell to his knees.
Please, save me. Im but a lackey. I only did as I was told.
You did as you were told? Ive seen plenty of your dirty works. Did it feel good wringing those shopkeepers to death? Now that youve had a taste of the heat, you need to know what wringing means.
Mu Ssang grasped Bullheads fingers firmly.
Craack
Kuaaaak!
Even a strong metal plate would crush when Mu Ssang wore the Billions Water Armor. Nothing more could be said about human bones and muscles. His fingers crushed like it was in a grinder. Bullheads eyes shook, revealing the whites.
You all saw, right? If you dont want to become physically handicapped, try to hold still. All of you, hold out your left hands too.
Uuuu!
The pale-looking driver Kim and Chicken feet reluctantly reached out their hands. Mu Ssang placed the gunpowder in their palms and lit it on fire relentlessly.
Kuhhhh!
Chicken feet and driver Kims eyes rolled, revealing the whites. The demonstration beforehand was effective. Chicken feet and driver Kim stayed in position and endured the pain of burning flesh despite the tears and runny nose.
This is only but a taste. Look.
Mu Ssang pointed at the aerial bomb.
Theres plenty of gunpowder left.
Those words were enough. The nail-sized amount of gunpowder left their palms deformed. Those words meant that the ghost-like b*stard, no, the ghost was going to burn their bodies with gunpowder. Chicken feet and driver Kim, whose souls had left their bodies after watching the demonstration, nodded their heads desperately.
Rumble
Samedi appeared. He threw the deer he had caught onto the floor, next to the fire. He broke its neck with his strong hands and sunk his teeth in.
Slurp
Sluuuurp
The gang members faces turned paler at the disturbing sound of blood being consumed. The deer struggled to move its legs but couldnt escape because of Samedis strength. When Samedi was done filling himself up, he turned to look at Bullheads group and smiled.
Hhhh!
Bullheads group whined at the disgusting sight of blood dripping down Samedis mouth. Their opponent wasnt human. They felt like those sharp teeth would sink into their necks at any time. The Chil Sung gang was going through all kinds of things because of Madam Jangs request.
Samedi removed the deers hide. While his left hand cut through the hide like a knife, his right hand grabbed and stripped it down instantly.
I did well, right?
Samedi covered the chair made of rock with the deer hide and looked at Mu Ssang with twinkling eyes. The sight couldnt have been more similar to a pet waiting to be praised by its owner after performing a trick. Mu Ssang smiled and raised a thumb.
Excited, Samedi brought over a large flat rock and placed it before him.
Wakil, stone barbeques are good.
Huh, he can even taste now!
It seemed like he did not only regain consciousness but also his sense of taste. His teacher was truly amazing. Hed turned a zombie back into a human. He carved out the rock with his Vajra and smoothed it over with his Billions Water Armor, instantly creating a barbeque stone slab.
A burning fire and deer meat sizzling on the stone slab, accompanied by a group of peopleeverything made it seem like a winter camping trip. Of course, the one enjoying the camping trip wasnt the humans but the zombie.
Now, shall we play a game?
As soon as Mu Ssang finished talking, Bullhead stepped forward and pointed at driver Kim.
We only carried out the work as told by that b*stard. We dug the ground and shattered the bones with a shovel because we were told to do so. Us gang members have a hard time nowadays too. We did it because we wanted the 3,000,000 won. We only danced to his tune. We didnt know anything.
Are you betraying me, idiot? Do you want to be buried? driver Kim shouted.
Shut up, you f***er, who betrayed whom first? Bullhead glared.
Are you guys incapable of understanding the situation? Should I burn off your mouths with the gunpowder?
Hup!
Both of their mouths closed like clams when they realized the situation they were in once more.
I thought Mr. Kim was your nickname, but I was wrong. Who are you?
There was only silence.
Driver Kim kept his mouth shut. The experiences he had gained from working at the Martial Law Branch and Serving High Office caused the sirens in his head to go off. The situation wasnt good. The man before him had a connection to the grave. The moment he opened his mouth, he was bound to die.
Bullhead, who is that?
I dont know either, sir. All I heard from the rumors is that he used to be a government official, but he is now a driver for a wealthy family. He often buys us alcohol and assigns us work, so we used to be close.
Hm, he hid his identity? Hes a guy with many secrets. Samedi, bring out all of his belongings.
Samedi, who was enjoying the stone barbeque, glared at driver Kim with disapproving eyes. Even dogs got mad when they were disturbed during their meal. Let alone zombies!
Hes rude Can I hit him?
Brat, if you hit him, hell die.
Weakling. B*stard, you need to willingly surrender when were talking nice.
Samedi had grown fond of the term willingly surrender.
When Samedi walked forward, driver Kim rolled his body up like a hedgehog. Samedi smiled and flicked his forehead. It was a method that Mu Ssang used often.
Crack
The sound of dried wood breaking rang.
Agh!
A long scream echoed. Driver Kims eyes lost their focus before he collapsed backward. Samedi took off all of his clothes and rummaged through his wallet. Driver Kim had on him a wallet, hunting knife, cigarettes, and a flat leather pocket tied to his thigh.
Mu Ssangs eyes flashed once he checked the mans ID.
Yoo Young Chul? Do they have the same name?
The b*stard, who had shattered Sam Chul ajussis back with a kick, was also called Yoo Young Chul. 11 charms dropped out from the flat leather pocket.
Yoo Young Chul, did you use to work in the Sabuks Martial Law Division?
Huk!
Yoo Young Chul took an intake of breath.
I see!
He could guess from that much of a reaction. The Chil Sung gang members didnt know anything anyway. They were kids who only carried out tasks for the money. As long as he interrogated that guy, he could solve Sam Chul ajussis case too.
Yoo Young Chul, Im going to ask questions from now on. If you take your time to answer, I will break your fingers, and if you use your brain, Ill break your toes.
Ugh, you cant do this. Why are you doing this to me?
First question. Where are you currently working?
When he didnt answer, Samedi stood up. He pressed down on Yoo Young Chuls shoulder and grabbed his pinky.
Craaack
A finger broke in Samedis hand.
Kuaaagh!
A thick hand covered his mouth. Yoo Young Chul trembled, but Samedis pure strength could contest Mu Ssangs. Tears and mucus covered Samedis hand.
Egh, dirty b*stard!
Samedi quickly removed his hand.
Ill ask you again. Where are you currently working at?
Samedi grabbed the mans thumb.
Wwait, Im a driver at Good Heart Oil, no, Im the madams personal driver.
Chapter 348 - Episode 9: Are You Happy?
Lee Gi Su, who had organized the Yeonhwa Bridge Slum incident, was also Madam Jangs personal driver. Like the DGSE managers in Africa/Central Asia, Madam Jangs personal drivers were about to be destroyed by him too. That was, in a sense, their misfortune.
Huuuh
He sighed automatically. It wasnt as though he hadnt expected it. It was just that he wanted to avoid such a response. If that b*stard was Jangs personal driver, it was obvious. Personal drivers were guards and delivery boys. They did all kinds of dirty and smelly work.
Mu Ssang closed his eyes as tension left his frame. According to Ha Dong, his mother had been subjected to Madam Jangs schemes and jealousy since she married into the family. That was the reason why his father had moved out to the side house.
The tree tried to be still, but the wind never stops.
That woman was more tenacious than a whales tendon, no, the Boss-saurus tendon. He felt bitter. Being related to such an evil woman only brought misfortune into his life.
He thought everything was over after spending five years as a slave in his uncles house at the bridge, being accused of theft several times, being forced out of school and sent to jail, and leaving his hometown as though he was chased away. He was supposed to be the one holding grudges, but even with age, that stupid woman didnt know when to stop. Mu Ssangs face grew cold.
Are these charms supposed to curse (Bangja)?
Bangja referred to the manipulation of certain rituals with the purpose of harming others. It was also called Mugo, a type of black magic.
In China and the Vodou religion, Gora was mainly used as psychic magic to transfer spirit bodies into bugs. On the other hand, the Bangja method of using unsuspecting objects such as amulets, cats, mice, or animals became widespread since the Joseon Dynasty. Bangja became a punishable crime since the mid-Joseon Dynasty period as it spread indiscriminately to the palace, nobility, and people.
Yoo Young Chul couldnt open his mouth. Frankly speaking, casting Bangja on a corpse was improper. In some way, it seemed like the goblin in front of him was connected to the remains that he had destroyed. Answering rashly could bring harm to the madam too. His mind was full of thoughts.
Wakil, I hear the stones clattering and turning in his brain.
Samedi glanced at Mu Ssang as he slowly stood up. His master did say that he would break the mans toes if he took his time to answer.
Staying silent? You chose the wrong place and opponent. Samedi, burn that guys thighs. Just place gunpowder and light it on fire.
Merci!
Samedi smiled widely, taking the gunpowder and lighter. He recalled a distant memory of his younger self enjoying the fireworks. Just looking at fire made him happy.
Wwait, Ill talk.
Yoo Young Chul, its too late. You can talk better after feeling the burn. Thats what I, Samedi, think.
Yoo Young Chuls protest was meaningless. If the difference in power was by 20 times, the word protesting alone was impossible. Samedi climbed onto Yoo Young Chuls stomach, adjusted his legs into a cobra twist, and placed the gunpowder on his thighs.
Yoo Young Chul twisted like a flipped Korean water beetle under Samedi, who weighed 120 kilograms. He pounded against Samedis back and head as much as he could, but Samedi continued without flinching.
Click
Fshhh
The gunpowder lit up.
Kuaaaagh!
The smell of burning protein and screams filled the hollow. His thigh muscles, which were about the size of a childs hand, burnt black in a split second. Yoo Young Chul fainted, unable to withstand the shock. Samedi grabbed Yoo Young Chuls index finger.
Ill talk. Ill talk! Please, ughhh!
His mind snapped back into activity. Yoo Young Chul begged, but of course, that didnt work with zombies.
Craaaack
His finger bones, muscles, and tendons were crushed without hesitation. His finger, which was covered with blood, flopped around like an octopus leg.
I didnt hear any orders to leave your finger alone. Ah, it was meant to be your toes. My mistake.
Samedi focused his gaze on his toes. Yoo Young Chuls pale face darkened once more. He quickly pulled his feet back in. White eyes, face as black as coal, and the sharp canines that poked out of his thick lipsSamedis face alone was a weapon.
Uwhhh, it was madams orders. She said to put the small charms on the bones and the large charm on the bag with the remains inside. She said I need to seal the bag before throwing it in the Nakdong River to sink.
The reason?
According to the words of a shaman, its a spell called the deprivation of the souls permanent seal. She said that once the remains are separated and the sealing charms are attached to them, the family line of that house will become non-existent, and the descendants will suddenly die. She said that if Ji Bak-ryeong, a ghost bound to the Nakdong River, sticks to the spirit of the remains, the spirit wont be able to ascend forever. Even before this, madam would sometimes bring the shaman over to cast spells.
Yoo Young Chul, whose soul and body was scattered, revealed everything that he could remember.
That damned wretch, shes preparing her own burial.
What did he do wrong that shed cast a death Bangja! That mad b****, who shattered the remains of her brother-in-law, pasted charms, and laid traps to ruin her nephews life, was now wishing for his death.
How could there be such an evil woman in this world? Even Empress (Dowager) L Zhi of Han, who was said to be the evilest woman, wasnt that bad. Well, he did almost die in Syria several times. Maybe the shaman was pretty capable since he almost died?
Where does the shaman who worked with Jang stay?
The shamans house is located at the entrance village right above Palgongsans Gatbawi road. Everyone should know who is Bodhisattva Young Mae.
Mu Ssang memorized Bodhisattva Young Mae intently. He didnt care about how shamans operated, but if left alone, he couldnt tell what kinds of crazy things an evil person, who had ordered to dig up another persons grave, was capable of doing.
Yoo Young Chul, I am the only son to the remains that you have ruined. Im the person who the Good Heart Oil madam is trying to kill. You understand why Im acting this way?
PPark Mu Ssang!
Yoo Young Chul leaped in fright.
Hm, it seems like Madam Jang and Hwa Ja curse me out a lot since their driver knows my name. Mu Ssang smiled.
Uuu!
Yoo Young Chul felt chills running down his body despite the burning fire. His back became drenched with cold sweat. He didnt know that Park Mu Ssang, whom the madam had warned several times to be careful of, was such a horrible person! Madam had little to no clue of that persons brutality. Yoo Young Chul fell into a pit of despair.
Is Boss Park well?
He remains buried in the company work. His relationship with madam worsened, so hes been living in an apartment alone for a few months now.
Summarize his family and the companys situation.
The boss is in poor health after his brain surgery and also because of his chronic lung disease. He expanded the number of factories in Good Heart Oil
Yoo Young Chul squeezed out the smallest of details from his brain. He had already set foot in hell. He had to earn the devils mercy to hold onto the tiniest of saving grace.
Kekeke, kekekeke!
The laughter that seemed to be forced out under 15 tons of weight continued endlessly. The laughter carried along with it anger, resentment, and all kinds of negative emotions.
Huuk-
Yoo Young Chuls gall dropped and his intestines shook. It was the laughter of a devil tormented for infinity on the 18th level of hell. Yoo Young Chul covered his ears with his hands and buried his face in the ground as his intestines flipped.
Kekeke, you cant leave like that.
A human, who was supposed to cause distress to others, was now living his best life running an orphanage? A boss who the workers respected? An illness that might leave him dead any time? What kind of impossible story was that! Evil should remain evil. Why act like a kind man now?
Crumble
A corner of the chair made of rock crushed like tofu.
The ragged face on top of a small body disappeared, and the face of a tall woman filled its place. Jang Pil Nyuh was the first person on his death list and that woman had crossed a river she couldnt turn back from the moment she disturbed his fathers remains.
Uncle was family. He was his fathers brother. Hed always hesitated despite burning with a desire for revenge. He had hesitated because of his father and his teachers teachings. Fortunately, Madam Jang had eliminated the stumbling block in his heart.
Hehehe, theres no need to worry about wood as long as theres a forest. Ill pull you out by the roots.
Mu Ssangs anger spread to the entire Jang family. Jang was very arrogant because she had her familys support. Jang Kyung Ju, who was rich because of their ancestors inheritance and pro-Japanese, had planted more Jang family members in the executive and judiciary.
The Jang familys wealth and connections were like an iron wall. They were strong to the point that no one could dream of breaking it down. What about now? He thought it was nothing more than a nuisance. Good heart Oil, Good Heart Lodgings, and the Jang familys wealth combined wouldnt be able to reach the tip of his feet.
Mu Ssang decided to take all the land in the Jang familys possession. Humans felt the greatest loss when they lost their most cherished possessions. The Jang familys power came from their land. What kind of actions would a landowner take when they lost all their land?
Evil was consumed by greater evil; Wealth was consumed by greater wealth; Power was consumed by a greater power. The strongest survives rule didnt only apply to physical fights. It also applied to fights within organizations and families.
Yoo Young Chul!
Yoo Young Chul, whose head was on the ground and trembling, raised his head anxiously.
You worked in the Sabuks Martial Law Division before. Do you remember Park Sam Chul whom you have turned into a cripple?
I remember, Yoo Young Chul answered immediately.
That incident had stuck to his clothes like gum.
Tell me all the names of those who had beaten up Park Sam Chul back then.
Theyre Kim Young No and Jang Pal Soo.
And were you involved?
Yes, but we had no choice back then. They had armed themselves with not only mining equipment but dynamites and gas bombs. That wasnt a protest group but a mob.
That isnt for you to judge. It also isnt up to me to judge. We can only call it the pain of our generation. Whats the current status of Kim Young No and Jang Pal Soo?
Kim Young No became a police officer. He used to be in the main offices security division, but I dont know where he is now. Jang Pal Soo hasnt moved. He should still be in the Third Corporate Trend Survey.
Do you feel sorry for Park Sam Chul?
I wouldnt be a person if I didnt feel sorry. There are times when our division requires rough handling, but Park Sam Chul was an accident. Jang Pal Soo argued to omit the details from the report, but it remained etched in my mind.
Theres a reason why youre confessing everything, right?
Two of the Chil Sung gang members have already died. Hoo-
Yoo Young Chul stopped talking and glanced down at Bones. He didnt move. He let out a deep sigh and continued talking.
My life must have reached its end since I met someone like you. Youre the kind of person whod kill 1,000s of people without batting an eye, if necessary. Theres no reason for you to do more work.
Mu Ssang nodded.
I can help you die a painless death.
Yoo Young Chul smiled faintly at the words that reeked of blood.
I cant tell whether youre human or not, but whats obvious is that youre someone not to be provoked. This is the first time Im feeling sorry for the madam. Theres a key to the Daegu banks safe-deposit box in my wallet. Its Da-1324. The password is 35254. Theres 10,000 USD in the safe. I know its bothersome, but please pass it along to Mr. Park Sam Chul as compensation. Pass along my apologies too.
Yoo Young Chul spoke calmly of his death. Mu Ssang recalled Zaitun, the DIA consultant who had died peacefully. Yoo Young Chul was a rather prideful person too. Regardless of good or evil, humans who feared an embarrassing death deserved minimal respect.
You have a condition?
I dont have enough confidence to impose conditions on someone like you. Please send me off painlessly. My family doesnt know anything.
Very well, Ill finish this here.
Crack
Like lightning, Mu Ssangs hand landed on Yoo Young Chuls temple and disappeared. Yoo Young Chuls head plummeted in his sitting position. His brain immediately turned into soup by the Ge Shan Da Niu method. Mu Ssang had sent him off painlessly as promised.
Uoaaa!
No-
Bullhead and Chicken feets faces turned blue. They were about to lose their lives from attempting to dig out a grave for some money. What kind of lightning in broad daylight was that!
Birds die from overeating, and humans die from greed. Farewell.
Slap
Slap
His palm tapped on their heads lightly. Bullhead and Chicken feet couldnt scream. Their heads lost control and plummeted.
Mu Ssang looked down sadly at the four corpses. If Samedi hadnt killed one, he wouldnt have had to kill. However, since Samedi didnt do it on purpose, he couldnt scold him either. He could only bemoan their misfortune of meeting him, the Angel of Death.
I thought wrong.
The reason why he prepared the aerial bomb wasnt only to threaten them but to also wipe them out with an explosion. He had been thinking of the past. Time had passed. No one wandered around the mountain to gather old metals left behind from the war, and no foreigners climbed the mountain in winter. Exploding something would only cause a commotion.
Whoosh
Mu Ssangs body dug into the earth. It was a hole-digging that utilized physical resonance. He dug about 10 meters deep. He couldnt go any further.
Whoosh
The ground digger leaped out.
Samedi, widen the hole.
Samedis specialty was digging holes. Like a crows feet, his left hand alone had enough power to break a rock. There was no need to use a shovel either. He moved his left hand, and the hole instantly doubled in size.
Samedi shoved the four corpses into the hole. Mu Ssang sprinkled the gunpowder over the hole like seasoning and threw in a burning fire stick.
Whoosh
The flames shot up instantaneously and disappeared. Gunpowder poured down like rain. A terrifying firestorm whirled inside the hole. The corpses and clothes burned to ashes instantly. Everything that left behind a trace in the hollow was shoved into the hole and burned to ashes.
Chapter 349 - Episode 10: Are You Happy?
Samedi also shoved all the burning wood into the hole. Mu Ssang continued throwing balls of gunpowder from the aerial bomb into it.
Boom
Flames flared up.
Whoosh
Air was sucked into the whirlwind of fire quickly. A human and a zombie looked down into the hole that looked like a swirling dragon. The human looked on with a sad expression while the zombie seemed pleased.
The whirlwind of fire died down. The hole opened its large black mouth as if it was the entrance to hell. Samedi filled the hole up with sand and rocks.
Everything should be done with precaution.
Mu Ssang ambled up the mountain. There was an egg rock 20 meters away from the eagle rock. It was irregular-shapedfive meters in diameter and three meters in height. While it was difficult to regard it as an egg no matter how much one used their imagination, it was called the egg rock because it was located below the eagle rock. There was a small hollow 50 meters beneath the egg rock.
His dimensional sight could estimate the direction of things in motion, aside from tracking their ki. Mu Ssang simulated the direction of his work by substituting the shape of the egg rock and the surface friction to distance. Mu Ssang dug out the soil surrounding the egg rocks base to adjust its rolling direction.
Hmph!
Samedi and Mu Ssang combined their strengths. The egg rock only moved slightly. Despite combining their strengths, the rock that had kept its place for 1,000s of years did not budge.
Tsk, this is annoying.
Mu Ssang used his Vajra to slice up a small oak tree and shoved it under the egg rocks base. One side of the rock was lifted with the force of the lever. Samedis muscles strained. When momentum overcame the maximum static friction force, the egg rock tilted over.
Rumble
The egg rock took a while as it rolled down the mountainside before slamming into the hollow.
With that, the four gang members who had terrorized Chil Sung market and Mr. Yoo Young Chul were gone from the world. Who would imagine that there would be corpses under a rock weighing 100s of tons, dozens of meters under the ground?
Ha, I killed civilians! Mu Ssang sighed.
Gang members were also civilians. Although hed killed countless humans, they were all soldiers with weapons, guerillas, and terrorists. That was his first time killing civilians since his rampage in Bang Tae San. His heart grew heavy.
Damn b****!
He cursed her out. Yoo Young Chul, Bullhead, and the rest were all struck by lightning because they had listened to her. Jangs jealousy and greed had led to such a situation and turned him into a murderer. She was truly a woman who shouldnt exist in this world.
Namu Amita Bul, dont despair as bodies born from the earth will return to the earth. Its a life that was difficult to rectify, so starting anew will be better everyone comes empty-handed and leaves empty-ended, leaving every favor and grudge useless forget everything and be reborn as a stepping stone and not an obstacle, this I earnestly wish.
While Mu Ssang chanted the prayer he composed himself, Samedi kept repeating the mantra Ksitigarbha, Ksitigarbha in his head. Samedi had turned out weirder than Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang finished his prayers and looked at the heavens. The Morning Star in the western skies shook in the cold air at dawn. Six lives had vanished in barely three hours. He couldnt eat the soondae or the soondae soup. That, too, would be forgotten over time. Samedi silently followed Mu Ssang, whose shoulders were slumped, down the mountain.
In the Seongseo area of Daegu, there was the Wa Ryong San, which looked similar to the Wol Song San by the bridge village. In the future, five children would disappear without a trace from that mountain. The whole country would boil in anger. The incident would uncover several missing people cases that had taken place seven years ago in Wol Song San.
However, that was all. As always, the worlds attention would be diverted away from this and that with time. Its always like that. Sadness and anger would melt away like ice cream over time.
He could see a shadow sitting by Ha Dong Daeks front gate. It was obviously Jin Soon. She had thrown on a duck-down parka, which was a trendy piece these days, but the weather was nearing sohan[1]. His heart ached at her crouched figure.
Brat, what are you doing here when its so cold?
Its my fault for having a brother like you. Jin Soon smiled and pulled his head to her chest for a hug.
The scent of a lady floated. It lingered to the point that it melted away his sadness.
I heated up the water on the stove. Wash all of your worries away and sleep. Mister Samedi, it seems like youll have to wash up too. You reek of blood.
Mm! Mu Ssang groaned.
Jin Soon acted childishly like a sister greeting her brother after he returned from the village sports competition. Jin Soon didnt try to dig deeper or analyze. She didnt force herself to understand, either. She was an open and sympathetic avatar who shared her feelings completely. Unlike Jin Soon, Edel wouldnt have an easy time understanding and accepting him.
Hm! Mu Ssang flinched.
He was subconsciously comparing Edel and Jin Soon. What was he doing? His face burned at his insensitivity.
Oppa, Im always on oppas side, okay? Whether oppa walks the wide path, narrow path, Buddhas path, or Asuras path, I will be by oppas side.
Jin Soon pressed her trembling body against his.
Hm, youre talking as if you know something.
The sound of something dropping in late fall is the sound of chestnut burs dropping. Aigo, my skin gets rough if I dont get enough sleep. Oppa, your troublemaker tendencies never give me a break. Jin Soon yawned with her mouth wide open, dragging herself to her room with slippers on.
Ha, that brat! Did she change strategies?
Mu Ssang shook his head. She had tried to seduce him a while back, but now she was baring her naive side. She was someone who made him feel comfortable.
He had claimed to be Jin Soons guardian, but he felt like he had become a guardian of blood. Perhaps Ha Dong Daek and Jin Soon had helped fill in his mothers spot, hindering the activation of his Epidium genes
On the second day, the bright light that shone through the paper door woke him up from his sleep. He slept quite soundly for someone who had erased five people.
Wow! You speak Korean very well.
Good job, Samedi! Dont move, now.
Hohoho, you blind idiot, youre going to kill someone.
The sound of laughter and soprano voices had woken him up from his sleep, not the sunlight. He pushed his door open. A white world came crashing down on him. After he had taken a bath and went to sleep, it started snowing.
Gye Soon, Mal Soon, and Ou Soon were running around the yard like puppies. A large bear with blinking eyes and both arms raised stood in a corner of the yard. Samedi, who liked looking for trouble, had volunteered to become a snowball target.
Splat
The snowball Mal Soon threw landed on Samedis eye. His head moved back and forth like a spring.
Miss Mal Soon, Strikeeee! Samedi shouted happily as he waved both of his arms.
Ohohoho! Mal Soon was dying of laughter.
E-yah, heres a snowball!
Ou Soons snowball missed the target completely.
Miss Ou Soon, are you blind?
What! Bear, what did you just call me?
Yes, Im a bear! Roar! Samedi leaped to his feet.
He shook both of his arms in the air and ran in Ou Soons direction.
Ahhh, save me!
A large black man and a small girl were running around the snow-covered yard as though they were playing catch. Samedi lifted Ou Soon and spun her in the air.
Ahahaha!
Ou Soon laughed in glee.
Wow, Samedi you brat, youve nailed it. Utterly nailed it.
Mu Ssang was all smiles. For a zombie, Samedi was extremely friendly. Hed become a part of Ha Dong Daeks family within a day. It was doubtful whether that brat was the same brat who had killed someone with a punch and sunk his teeth in a deers neck to consume its blood yesterday. Somehow, he recalled blacky from the underground world. Would it be able to adapt like Samedi?
Ha Dong Daek and Jin Soon prepared the breakfast table quickly. No one in Ha Dong Daeks family asked about Mu Ssangs whereabouts. Mu Ssang was the head of Ha Dong Daeks household. He wasnt like any regular head of household either. Since a long time ago, Jin Soon had made sure that her family kept his secrets well-hidden.
The dark-skinned zombie sat by the head of the table, but no one cared. Only Sang Chul shifted across him, not knowing where to look.
Eat a lot, Mister Samedi.
Mal Soon lowered a large metal bowl filled with soondae before Samedi.
Ajussi, theres a lot of meat. So eat a lot, okay?
Gye Soon placed the boiled pork ribs in front of Samedi. That was his reward for performing slapstick comedy in the morning.
Merci, merci!
Samedis grin stretched from one ear to another.
Hes a raccoon, not a zombie.
Mu Ssang automatically laughed. He realized that even zombies werent free from the problem of eating to survive. Those who ate together were called family. Those who ate together under the same roof were called family members. Samedi had unknowingly become a family and a family member.
How are you, Sang Chul hyung?
Very well, but its strange. Maybe its because you fed me French medicine? I feel completely fine.
Eat some breakfast and head over to the hospital. It seems like your nose bridge is crooked.
Sang Chul found it strange no matter how much he thought about it. He had been beaten up by a gang member and even got stabbed by a knife. However, his face was less swollen, and his body had loosened up when he woke up. He didnt feel much pain from the knife injury on his shoulder either. Sang Chul did not know that Mu Ssang had stimulated his recovery with his resonance waves.
By the way, Ssang, that is one fine sashimi knife, cant you give it to me? Im going fishing since I was fired from my company. I thought itd be excellent to prepare hui[2] with it.
Dont be ridiculous! Jin Soon, can you bring that over?
Mu Ssang flicked the blade once he received the sashimi knife.
Twang
The forged Honyaki blade of layered steel was broken like corns.
Huk!
Sang Chuls eyes widened.
Twan
Twang
Twang
Every time he flicked his finger, its bluish blade chipped off.
Aigo, what a waste!
Sang Chul grabbed the remaining handle and complained. Sang Chul was a really simple guy. Despite the shocking scene, he was complaining about the broken knife.
There is nothing good about carrying around a knife drenched in human blood. Why were you fired? No one is as hardworking as you.
Ya, ya, dont even talk about it. I was bitten by a mad b****. I was working overtime when the chairmans daughter called in to get the boiler fixed since it was broken.
You could have fixed it.
Dont say things you dont know. Polyester, the only material that can be used in the tower, will harden if the compressor stops working. Do you know how much of a loss that is for the company? Even if I left my spot, Id have been blamed for everything. It needs to be kept watch for 24 hours, you see. I told his daughter that I couldnt leave the place, so she started cursing me out.
Hehehe, I can guess. There are people who run around thinking they own the world because they were born into a rich family. You got caught by a senseless woman. She wouldnt have let it slide, though?
S***, she charged into the workplace with a blue face a little bit later. She was jumping up and down about me ignoring her, and that drove me crazy. I had to do something, anything to live, yeah? So, I kneeled and begged and showed her the operations manual.
You begged?
Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide. Sang Chul was a reliable and prideful man. That was the chairmans daughter, not the chairman. It was surprising to hear that the macho Sang Chul had resorted to begging.
Damn, I said I had to do anything, didnt I? I needed to take preventive measures against that mad b****s actions. I held on even though she hit my head with a clipboard and slapped me. Still, the boss called me the next day and told me to hand in my resignation.
Gosh, can he do that?
Of course he can. It was the chairmans daughter.
Still How old is this immature woman? Jin Soon was boiling.
She should be at least 40. Boss begged me, saying that he would be fired otherwise. It was unfair and despicable, so I resigned. Sang Chul shook his head from side to side.
It meant that he didnt want to think about it anymore.
Good job. If you continued working there, you would have died from anger.
Mm, I just consider it as an unfortunate incident with a rabid dog.
Theres a silver lining to every disaster. Why dont you take this opportunity to consider working overseas?
Im a high school graduate. You think I can work overseas?
A high school graduates good enough. You said you have five heavy machinery operator licenses, right? Academic qualification isnt an important factor. All you need to do is work hard.
Is the salary high?
Dorms are provided, and the salary is triple the amount you earned in Korea! Mu Ssang raised three fingers.
Wow! Really?
Sang Chuls face brightened to a smile.
In fact, why dont you start up a company, brother? Theres a company called Wakil Commerce Company in Africa, and I have some say there. Ill hire a lawyer for you, so register it as a local business and be the boss. Once the companys established, you can gather all the heavy machinery and head over to Africa.
Aigo, youre making me dizzy. What kind of swimming goblin sound is this? Youre not playing a trick on me, are you?
Sang Chuls head grew dizzy from the unexpected offer. Mu Ssang had never lied since he was little, but that was quite unbelievable.
Hmm
Samedi, who was shoving in soondae until it burst in his mouth, raised his head and glared at Sang Chul. His eyes flickered in red, and his canine teeth poked out.
Aigo! I didnt even say anything. Ssang, whatever you say is the words of God.
Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words, Samedi corrected in a low voice.
Right, right. Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pas words, Sang Chul agreed instantly.
Provoking goblin Samedi was like voluntarily giving his head to the executioner.
Hyung, theres no need to worry at all. I have a position in that company. The funds for the establishment of your company will come from the headquarters. All you need to do is gather heavy machinery and operators. Ill send over some people to help. Lets make this big. Theres a saying that those who dream will never wither, right? Mu Ssang said optimistically.
Ho, that sounds right. It seems like youve made it big, havent you? Well, you do have a goblin for a subordinate, after all. Amazing. However, where is this place you speak of?
[1] Sohan marks the height of winter cold.
[2] Sashimi.
Chapter 350 - Episode 1: Sai Dojiku
Mu Ssang slowly closed his eyes.
On the other side of the world is a land 300 times larger than Korea called Africa. There are plains and jungles to the south, and the vast Sahara Desert to the north, empty and stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. To the west of this vast and majestic desert is the Ennedi Plateau, a breathtaking land full of mystery. To the north-east, theres a land where milk and honey flow called Novatopia. Utopia manifested in the spot where the universes brightest star fell, and that is Novatopia. It is a land where the sunrise marks the beginning of the day, and the setting sun paints the skies sadly in orange hues.
He continued, When Hypnos curtain falls, the stars stretch from horizon to horizon like a feast, and the meteor showers reveal the mystery of the Creator. If the camels bells continuously ring, that is Novatopia. It is a place where the heartbroken and tired caravan sleeps in the sandstorm, and only the strongest and macho men are accepted.
A desolate rocky desert, a mysterious sandy desert, a place where the fight for survival is intense, a place where 18 wonderful and beautiful lakes interconnect, a place where groundwater shoot up to wet the land, a place where you can get as much land as you want, a place of freedom that rewards one as much as they have worked, and a place where theres no better or worse. Novatopia is where youll be going, Sang Chul hyung.
The fact that the hot sun left one with blisters on their skin within 30 minutes, sand dug into every hole of the body, flies dropped their eggs on wounds like a bomber, the plateau left no corpses behind for people to find with one wrong step, and death followed after one was bitten by a horned salmusa or yellow scorpion were excluded from the explanation. Mu Ssang concluded his long explanation and glanced at the crowd to see their reactions.
Hmmm
Hoooo
Ahhh
There were various explosive reactions. Of course, there were. His words carried interference wavelengths that evoked their sympathetic responses. Different kinds of exclamations poured out.
Both men and women who were under Mu Ssangs evil hypnosis looked dazed. That was obviously Utopia even though they hadnt actually seen it. The negative descriptions such as desolate lands, better treatment for strong men, and the intense fight for survival were all lost on them. Their knowledge of Canaan, a land where milk and honey flowed, was also forgotten.
Mu Ssang, thank you, really, thank you. Just you wait, Novatopia, Kim Sang Chul is coming for you!
Sang Chul jumped to his feet and started dancing the mambo and twist. Mu Ssang smiled. Sang Chul was well-known for his loyalty since his youth. He used to secretly give him some of his familys rice. Sang Chul had also kept his promise, which was to take good care of his fathers grave in agreement that his rent was being paid off. He even injured his body trying to protect it. If it hadnt been for Sang Chul, his fathers remains would have sunk to the bottom of the Nakdong River.
Sang Chul was the macho type who only sought loyalty from others, which made him a terrible businessman. He could be an onsite division manager, at most. His actual work would require him to gather heavy machinery and people. He could head over to Novatopias construction site and be instructed by Professor Shernion. If he provided him with a separate business specialist on top of that, it would be like swimming on land.
A position in Wakil Commerce Company was promised in return for protecting his fathers remains. Sang Chul only had to sit on the wheeled chair. Sitting on a wheeled chair on such a rough land wouldnt be easy, so retaining that position depended on him.
Mu Ssang didnt hesitate when starting something. He took out a checkbook and signed a check for 50,000 francs. He also wrote an introductory note before handing both items over to Sang Chul.
Hyung, you head straight up to Seoul and go to the French Embassy. If you show them my note at the entrance, theyll help you. The check is seed money. Itll convert to around 1,400,000 won. Im lending this to you, hyung, so you need to take good care of it and start working immediately once you get an office.
Wow! This is like roasting beans over goblin fire. I must be mad.
Sang Chul used to run around with a monkey wrench and spanner in hand at a textile company. Now that the ground was laid, he grew scared, and his face turned yellow.
Whys a man so timid? Someone went abroad with a picture of a non-existent Joseon shipyard site and returned with an order for a Joseon oil tanker.
Sang Chul oppa, you should buy him a meal. If youre good to our oppa, luck just pours down from the sky. Gye Soon glared at him with envy in her eyes.
Hehehe, yes. Why cant a man do so? Men are about loyalty, you get it? Loyalty. Ssang, Im a man of loyalty. Ill earn a lot of money and spend it on good things.
Sang Chul oppa, dont be immature. Unni had a difficult time fixing the strollers wheels because they fell off the last time. Buy her a baby stroller instead, Ou Soon intervened and scolded.
Haha, yeyeah. I need to buy a stroller. Still, this is start-up money.
Sang Chul laughed off his embarrassment and carefully placed the check and introductory note in his inner pocket. It had been a month since his bank account ran out of money. His hand was about to pop out of his throat when the savior arrived. He grabbed the rope from heaven tightly.
But oppa, how much water do you need to turn that vast desert into Utopia? Is there a lot of groundwater?
There is water in the desert, its just hidden. Theres a large water vein hidden deep underground called an aquifer, and its 10 times larger than the Nakdong River. Like oil fields, there are also places where the amount of water collected is 10,000 times more than the water in Andong Lake. A project to obtain groundwater to build forests, plains, and farms is already in the process. The day isnt far until a large oasis called Novatopia emerges in the middle of the desert. The world will be surprised.
Wow!
The five siblings were completely immersed in Mu Ssangs story. They had never dreamed of a world that was on an entirely different scale.
Oppa, who is this person doing such a great job? I want to meet him.
What are you going to do when you meet him? Ou Soon, I dont think youre going to like him very much.
Why? Ou Soons eyes widened.
Because he eats like a pig.
What about that? I like oppa, who eats much more than a pig. Hehehe!
That persons really busy. He travels around the world for his business.
Tsk, I wanted to ask for a job too.
Jin Soons brows arched at Ou Soons complaint about looking for a job, which came sooner than expected.
What job are you talking about, you small rat? What about school?
Big sis, you also got a job at a department store instead of going to high school.
What? You brat, you dont know how comfortable your life is right now, do you? Your big sister went to work in tears trying to earn enough to let you all study, and you want to do what?
Ha Dong Daek grabbed the broom, shouting.
Ou Soon, youre only saying that because you want to buy makeup, right?
Mal Soon glared at Ou Soon with piercing eyes.
Nno, Ou Soon stuttered at the truth.
Mal Soon leaped to her feet, grabbed Ou Soons ear, and dragged her outside.
Ha! It seems like her dark past is still being mentioned.
The comedic sight of the sisters made him laugh. Jin Soon started working at the department store at the age of 17 because of him. Without anyones knowledge, she had given up her education and headed to Daegu to take care of her oppa. It was debatable as to whether she was confident or passionate.
Oppa, Im curious too. What kind of person is Novatopias owner, no, king whos doing such a great job? Yeon Soon, who rarely spoke, asked.
Hes the great Mahdi, apostle, and leader, Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa, Samedi said solemnly as he lowered his spoon.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, the same person that the goblin, no, Samedi mentioned? That Ddu-bai-buru-pa?
Sang Chul stared at Mu Ssang. Despite being clumsy most of the time, he had a good sense when it came to business-related matters.
No one knows his identity. He has too much money that even international terrorists are after him. That person will never reveal his identity. Samedi mentioned him by accident, so hes probably going to get in a lot of trouble.
Sang Chul nodded, and Samedis dark face magically grew pale.
What do you do in Novatopia, oppa?
Im the leader of the secret guards attending to Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Im going to repeat myself, but Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa can never be disclosed to the public because he has many enemies. You guys cant mention his name either, okay? Oppa will be in trouble.
He said that intentionally for Samedi to hear. As though attached to springs, the five sisters and Sang Chul nodded their heads at his offhand explanation.
Jin Soon smiled. Shed been with her oppa since they were little, swimming naked in Nakdong River. He could fool a ghost but not her. There were many great people in the world, but who else other than her oppa would come up with such an absurd situation?
He must be a really great person. How big is this land if its Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do combined? Jin Soon asked, feigning ignorance.
Its not that big. It only seems big because Koreas small. Try looking us up on the world map. Youll realize how small our country is, Mu Ssang said, smiling.
It was true. Wandering around the continents of Africa would make them realize how small Korea was. Korea was as small as his palm in which if he sprinted, he could complete the entire distance in five or six hours.
Even a desert can be developed, so why is our country still behind?
Its because the small country is divided into the North and the South, and the southern side is divided into Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do because of their conflict, which prevented anyone from doing anything properly. There are too many pathetic people, thats why.
Why is that the citizens fault? Its the fault of those horrible politicians and the military government.
The citizens are the ones who elected those pathetic politicians.
No, the biased media and pro-Japanese are at fault.
Jin Soon and Yeon Soon, who were knowledgeable enough, picked up on an old debate. Their conversation moved to the topic of the governments treatment toward the descendants of the Korean Independence Movement.
I heard our friends in the Soviet Union are having a hard time.
Do we have the peace of mind to take care of them? Thousands in the country are jobless too.
I want to go live in this country called Novatopia, Gye Soon jumped in.
Youre going to surprise a ghost to death. Do you know how many scary animals and insects there are in Africa?
Mu Ssang shook his head from side to side. There was a saying that a plate would shatter when more than three women gathered.
Oppa, can people from our country move to Novatopia?
Why not? Novatopia will accept people who have nowhere else to go.
Koreans, Goryeo people, or Joseon peoplethere was no discrimination. Strangers were welcomed, so there was no reason for him not to welcome people of the same ethnicity. Despite their unending curiosity for that unfamiliar land, they concluded that their own country, Korea, was still the best.
Hwaseong Gungpyeong Port,
It was near midnight. The darkness, which was as black as ink, pressed down on the port. Sodium security lamps hanging around the entrance elongated the shadow of the seafood market. There wasnt a single person at the port. Although the night curfew was lifted in early 1982, control over the Gungpyeong Port, located on an island in the West Sea, was not completely lifted.
Two other shadows appeared in the seafood markets shadow.
F***, theres no wind, and the fogs still thick.
A short man wearing a red duck-down parka complained to another man wearing a leather jacket and red scarf.
Its good to work when the fogs thick. Our boss really knows how to pick good days, the man wearing the leather jacket murmured.
The one in the duck-down parka was Nam Myung Soo, who took charge of actions, and the one in the leather jacket was Lee Dae Gil, who took charge of rumors. The two were members of Tefal, an illegal ship route faction in the West Sea. They had earned the name Tefal after illegally smuggling large quantities of Tefal frying pans from Japan. Food didnt stick much to the Tefal aluminum frying pans coated with Teflon. They were popular among housewives.
The Tefal faction, who used to work around Busans Dadaepo and Gamjeon port, encountered their archenemythe military government. Due to the momentum of eradicating social evils, even the police, who used to support them, turned their backs on them. Finding it unbearable, the Tefal faction gave up illegal smuggling and resorted to organizing smuggling ship routes. Their illegal smuggling routes influenced the planning of the ship routes.
They were having fun when some strange guys with yakuza funds suddenly forced their way into the region. The Tefal faction, who had been defeated in a single fight, gave up on Busan and moved to the Yellow Sea[1].
Dae Gil, if you make a mistake, youre not the only one whos going to die. You sure you told Captain Kim about the meeting point?
Gosh, I did. Youre going to talk my ears off. The more hardships there are, the more we need to provide good services to solidify our position, yes?
F***, there are so many flies. They said theyre going to send out a small patrol boat too.
In this time and age, are there easier jobs apart from this?
What kind of person is this guest of ours?
Its not like you brought him in, so whats the point of knowing? I only received orders from Moray, so I dont know either. Apparently, he got a gold bar in advance.
Wow, whoever he is, he must have done something great somewhere.
Its not our concern whether he uses a light pole as a toothpick.
Lee Dae Gil checked his wristwatch.
F***, theres still one hour left until the next tide. Time used to fly when I was on that b****, Choon Shim, and now, its passing by slowly.
B*stard, isnt it good now that the curfew has been partially lifted? If it was like the past, we would be squatting in the sand and breathing in the sea breeze.
Thats true. Thats one thing Jeon Du Hwan did well.
F*** well, hes putting on a show to earn the publics trust. Wait, shh!
Nam Myung Soo grabbed Lee Dae Gils sleeve and hid in the storage buildings shadow. A young man with a slim frame appeared around the corner. The man wore a Ray-Ban in the dark. The Ray-Ban mans lantern flickered twice.
Dong Pal!
Nam Myung Soo came out of the shadow. Ray-Ban was Go Dong Pal, who worked in the same action division as he did.
[1] Also known as the West Sea.
Chapter 351 - Episode 2: Sai Dojiku
Lee Myung Soo, I came to see you, Ray-Ban called out Nam Myung Soos nickname.
Whyre you calling me?
Ray-Ban dragged Nam Myung Soo, who had answered bluntly, to the back of the warehouse.
Myung Soo, brother Moray revised the plans. He wants us to open the package, Ray-Ban said in a very low voice.
There were times when smuggling organizations murdered guests to intercept and steal money. According to their business lingo, it was called opening the package.
What are you talking about when theres barely an hour left? You said I needed to take good care of our double-double customer! Nam Myung Soo said out of frustration.
How could they change the delivery plans when everything was already prepared? Hed have to reorganize the members and decide whether the ship captain, who wasnt an organization member, should live or die. All the burden fell on him.
It seemed like hed take a lot. Go Dong Pal made a circle with his thumb and forefinger.
Damn, he smelled the money.
Nam Myung Soo nodded. Smuggling ships werent cruise ships, and smuggling organizations werent government officials. They were doing that for the money. Kicking away such an opportunity because of a minor setback would make them fools.
Members?
Flounder and Bullet Tuna are already onboard.
What about Captain Kim?
This isnt your first time doing business. Seal his mouth.
Sealing ones mouth meant throwing them to the bottom of the sea. There was no need to see blood as long as they wrapped them in a net with weights attached and threw them into the sea. The rest was taken care of by the West Seas crabs and greenlings.
Are there no reinforcements?
F*** that! You dont need reinforcements to handle a one-armed elder and a b****. If you feel like it, you can take her instead. Go Dong Pal smiled and hit Nam Myung Soos shoulder.
Agh, damn it. I need to change the meeting point then. Lets move it to the end of the pier.
Sure. Dae Gil can lead the way since he leaves a good impression. We can wait at the tetrapods by the pier and follow the guests.
Whens the tide?
Theres one in the morning. Captain Kims going to meet us next to the stairs where the pier is.
Got it. Youre going to visit the office, arent you? Finish it off quickly, and we can have a good smoke afterward in the room.
At well past midnight, a black royale passenger car pulled up before the second warehouse of the seafood market. A man and woman got off. The man had a billycock pressed down on his head and was wearing a seven-layered Burberry coat, unfitting for the season. His empty left sleeve fluttered in the wind. The woman accompanying him had her face covered by a wide-brimmed cloche and a wide Ray-Ban. The man was carrying a 30-liter backpack, and the woman was dragging a large gold-plated carrier bag.
The strong wind lifted the mans billycock slightly.
Whoosh
His injured right hand crossed the air at lightspeed. The billycock returned to its place. His dull grayish white hair and wrinkled face briefly showed before they were sucked in by the hat. The man was already in his later years despite his solid physique, which was like the stump of a birch tree.
Tai kutsu desu![1]
The old-looking man took out an elegant pocket watch from his right pocket. It was five minutes before their promised time. The man tucked the fluttering left sleeve into his belt. Those were extremely refined movements. Even the sound of rustling clothes could not be heard.
At 0100 on the dot, Lee Dae Gil appeared.
Sensei, konbanwa!
The old man didnt react, and the woman only tilted her head. Lee Dae Gils job was to lead people. He instantly recognized the mans clothes based on the description. The light-footed man with graying hair, a soulless and expressionless face full of fine lines, and an upright postureit was hard to tell that he was in his 60s.
Lee Dae Gil could remember the unique features of his guests as though he had taken pictures of them. That was why hed been tasked to greet and lead guests around for five years. Hed seen all kinds of people since then, and several left poor first impressions. Todays guests were exceptional in comparison.
The large scar that went slightly past his throat, the empty sleeve fluttering in the wind, and his gaunt and sharp faceall of that indicated the kind of life the man led. While first impressions werent a big deal to him, the mans red lips kept drawing his attention. They were red to the point that it was doubtful whether the man had put on rouge.
The old man looks like someone whod be the grim reaper in movies. Lee Dae Gil complained secretly in his mind.
His face covered with fine lines was hard as a rock. Only his red lips stood out from his white face. Lee Dae Gil felt his mood worsened. The old man, who was about to greet the grim reaper, looked like the grim reaper himself.
The mans eye flashed. Lee Dae Gil flinched. Lee Dae Gil clearly felt a flashing gaze despite the pressed-down hat covering the mans eyes.
Lee Dae Gil hurriedly turned his gaze to the woman. The woman seemed to love black. She was wearing a black hat, a black Ray-Ban, black clothes, black boots, black gloves, and even black earrings.
Su-mima-sen!
When Lee Dae Gil waved his hands, the woman took off her hat and Ray-Ban. That was the signal for delivery confirmation.
F***, this womans appearance is a weapon too.
Lee Dae Gil regretted checking the package at all. Eyes that were as narrow as buttonholes with the ends arched up, thin lips, and a slightly crooked noseall of that were stereotypical features of a wicked face. Her eyes were also cold, as though she had shoved ice in them.
Are we not going?
An iron grating noise, as though a gourd was pushed against a chalkboard, flowed haltingly out of the old mans mouth. It was the kind of sound that would appear in the TV program Hometown Legends.
Lee Dae Gil nodded and led the way. There were 20-ton crab fishing boats lined at the end of the pier, swaying gently with the flow. A faint line crossed over the face of the one-armed old man, Sai Dojiku (Chui Do Shik), as he faced the boats.
Sai Dojiku, whose Korean name was Chui Do Shik, was a psychopath who considered himself as an ascended person [2], and the very person who had kidnapped Mu Ssang while he was fighting a snake. Sais real identity was a ninja and Higashi Hongan-jis greatest soldier. He was an elite doctor who had graduated from the University of Tokyos medical school and also an acupuncture master. Ironically, he was also the Baek-Baek (white-white) religions cult leader, who was done in by his own ninja skill, becoming one with nature.
Sai was attacked by Mu Ssang, who had escaped the stalactite cave. His neck was stabbed with a stalactite, his dantian ruined by a surgical knife, and he suffered a critical injury after his left arm was hacked off with an ax.
Sai, who had fled in desperation, managed his internal and external injuries with the Dark Soul-Returning Method in the Baek-Baek religions secret room. The day he left that secret room, the doctors and nurses, whom the Baek-Baek religion cult followers had kidnapped to help their leader, entered the feed grinder.
Hed managed to treat his internal and external injuries by using his life force, but there was nothing he could do about his shattered airway. He couldnt pronounce words properly anymore because of the artificial airway.
Chui Do Shik led an unfortunate life too. He was abandoned by Jiri mountains stream less than 100 days after he was born. Rather, his mom had starved to death, which explained why he was abandoned. Takahashi, a Japanese monk, came across the dying baby and ended up raising him.
Takahashi was an elder of the tani-Ryu who had enemies in Higashi Hongan-ji. He was on the way back from visiting Cheoneun-sa (temple) in Jiri mountain when he unexpectedly found the abandoned Chui Do Shik.
Higashi Hongan-ji was a Jdo Shinsh derived from Hongan-ji, established in 1244 during the shogunate period. In 1602, Tokugawa Ieyasu asked a monk named Kyonyo of Hongan-ji to train ninjas.
Hongan-ji was divided into Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji while Kyonyo was given a separate temple and land east of Hongan-ji. Higashi Hongan-ji became the headquarters of the Shinsengumi toward the end of the Edo shogunate and the main training center for rnins [3] and ninjas. The tradition was passed on, and the line of ninja training continued under the name of tani-ha.
Some said ninjas were samurais dogs. That was false. Ninjas were but a category of martial arts. Samurais were comparable to Korean nobility. The difference between samurais and yang-bans [4] was like swords and smoking pipes. Samurais ran around the battlefields with swords in hand, while the Joseon sa-dae-bu [5] ran around debating with smoking pipes in hand.
Although most of the soldiers who had appeared during the shogunate period were samurais, some had started out as ninjas. In other words, the word samurai referred to a rank, and the word ninja referred to a category of martial arts. Both were interchangeable.
Due to the nature of a ninja, many were required to start training at a young age. It was difficult to train someone over the age of 15 because their musculoskeletal system would be stiff by then. No sane parent would send their child to a ninja organization notorious for its inhumane training.
Higashi Hongan-ji recruited trainees by kidnapping children, taking in orphans, or buying children from poor parents. It was natural for Takahashi to take in Chui Do Shik. Takahashi was extremely satisfied after verifying Chui Do Shiks exceptional musculoskeletal system. He adopted Chui Do Shik and raised him as a ninja.
Takahashi, who was far-right, raised Chui Do Shik with the long-term plan of constructing Higashi Hongan-jis partner organization in Korea. According to his plans, Chui Do Shik was raised as a Korean and not a Japanese, and he received the Korean name Chui Do Shik too.
Chui Do Shik, who was trained and educated to suppress humanity since his youth, began showing psychopathic tendencies. He came to hate Korea and his parents, who had abandoned him and showed significant hostility toward others. It was exactly as Takahashi had intended.
Chui Do Shik was smart and cunning. Like a sponge, he absorbed ninja techniques, acupuncture, spiritism, and general education from Takahashi and the other elders. All the elders of Higashi Hongan-ji had utilized all of their resources to raise Sai Dojiku.
Higashi Hongan-ji was a leading suzerain of the far-right faction in Japan that played a leading role in the Japanese imperial invasion of Joseon, centered in Busans Pogyowon since Joseons enlightenment period. After Takahashi died, Chui Do Shik infiltrated Busan in his early 30s under the secret order of Higashi Hongan-ji.
Chui Do Shik had formed the Baek-Baek religion with the attributes of the Jdo Shinsh in Busan. The Baek-Baek religions foundation was based on Christian eschatology and the Confucianism belief that human nature was originally evil. With a touch of Buddhism, it became a syncretic religious cult.
The central doctrine of the Baek-Baek religion was a new theory of unity that was a mismatch of Jewish selectionshumans were fundamentally born evil. Like most cults, the Baek-Baek religion also focused on the deification of their leader, exploiting wealth, and causing social chaos.
At one time, the Baek-Baek religion was widespread across Busan and Gimhae with over 10,000 passionate followers. The only reason for Chui Do Shiks decline in popularity was because of the revolutionary governments policy to eliminate social disorders by the social division. The revolutionary government was eager to eliminate all cults.
Chui Do Shik organized his wealth and set out to flee once the government tracked him down. He ended up settling in Bang Tae San. The reason why he had settled in Bang Tae San was that he wanted to commence the 1,000-men upbringing project, which would become 1,000 mens sword and bat. If the CIA built their experiment labs in Area 51, Chui Do Shik built his in Bang Tae San.
Chui Do Shik had raised Mu Ssang to be the leader of said 1,000 men. Chui Do Shik ended up losing everything because Mu Ssang had overcome the hypnosis and escaped the cave. He was also fatally injured and lost all five of his supernormal humans. The 1,000,000s of yen he hid were burnt, and he barely salvaged the gold buried underground.
Mu Ssang was tormented, chained, and forced under all kinds of physical experimentations in the dark cave for seven months. He was tormented with the All-Torture and the Soul-Renewing Practice. He ended up murdering someone. For Sai, hed been betrayed by someone whom he had acknowledged as his successor and shown favor to. Number 37 was a traitor who had bitten his own master, ruining everything he had prepared his entire life. The two became arch-enemies because of their respective circumstances and sense of justice.
Sai Dojiku headed several steps toward the pier and turned around. Both of his eyes lit up in blue. He was about to leave the land hed spent 30 years living on. He couldnt help but feel nostalgic. Although it was a land where idiots lived, hed grown fond of it.
Konno yarou, koroshite shimau. [6]
The reason for leaving Korea as though he was being chased was mainly because of Number 37. He automatically gritted his teeth. Hed shown him all kinds of favor, but like all the dirty idiots in the country, hed betrayed him. Hed spent a year searching for the b*stards whereabouts after recovering but gained nothing. It was because his organization within Korea had collapsed.
His body still hadnt recovered completely. Hed only recovered 70 percent of his ability. That wasnt achievable even if he had utilized his life force and the Dark Soul-Returning Method. His body became a stumbling block after the age of 60. The only way was to return to headquarters and stimulate his cells with the Extreme Regeneration Activation Method.
Hed tried to enter Japan secretly through Busan and Chungmu three times but failed. The coast guards watching over the south coast were like a dense spider web. Smuggling himself into China was his next best option. Several people working in unit 731 in Qingdao were Higashi Hongan-jis entry-level members in disguise. He was planning to return to the headquarters with their help.
Oi, lower the plank. Our guests have arrived! Lee Dae Gil shouted.
Dae Gil, lower down your voice. Were not heading out to catch fish.
A bearded man standing on the boat complained as he extended an unloading board on the side.
Please, get on.
Lee Dae Gils service mindset activated. He grabbed the carrier bag that the woman dragged along with her.
Ugh! What is this?
Lee Dae Gil was surprised. The carrier bag that the woman had been dragging around lightly didnt even budge. His shoulders nearly popped out. It wouldnt be that heavy even if he had filled it with several iron balls.
Sore-wa sawaru na! [7]
The one-armed old man shoved Lee Dae Gils hand away.
What?
Lee Dae Gils eyes widened.
The old man lifted the carrier bag with ease and crossed the board. It seemed as though he was carrying a bag of clothes. The expressionless woman followed behind him. Lee Dae Gil would have frothed at the mouth had he seen the motionless board. However, even with the eyes of a gang member, he couldnt see it.
[1] Im bored!
[2] An inhabitant of the heavenly realms characterized by long life, joyous surroundings, and blissful states of mind. However, these states are not permanent.
[3] A rnin was a samurai without a lord or master during the feudal period of Japan.
[4] They were part of the traditional ruling class or gentry of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty, mainly composed of civil servants and military officers.
[5] A collective name of scholars serving as government officials and prestigious scholars in the society.
[6] B****rd, Ill kill you.
[7] Dont touch that!
Chapter 352 - Episode 3: Sai Dojiku
When Sai and the woman got on board, Lee Dae Gil flickered his lantern to the other side of the pier. Nam Myung Soo and Go Dong Pal walked out of the tetrapods shade. Nimi Ddugural, Im going to die from the cold. Why do I need to go through all this to kill an old man who cant catch a chicken and a woman? Nam Myung Soo, whose lips were blue, complained. His bones almost rattled because of the sea breeze. Flounder and Bullet Tuna were on the boat. The whole time, he had been complaining about how they, as veterans, had to step in too. Brother Morays orders, yeah? Lets hurry up. Lee Dae Gil pushed Nam Myung Soos back. Lee Dae Gil released the bollard rope, threw it into the boat, and got on the boat. Vrroom The screw increased the RPM. The driftnet crab fishing boat shook its body at the knocking of the old engine and backed away. The fishing boat moved further away from the pier, turned, and slid into the sea. Their guests were on board, but no one minded them. That was the custom of their business. The courier only had to deliver the package to the location, and the customer only had to pay the agreed delivery charge. They werent going to see each other again, so there was no need to get friendly either. Bang Bang Bang The old fishing boat began to emit black smoke as it moved further away from land. It increased in speed. The waves werent that high, but the crashing waves lifted and released the small fishing boat. The seawater that splashed over the boat formed a shining film of ice. The old fishing boat had a weak driving force. It failed to progress every time a wave crashed. Ugh! He lost his balance because of the sudden pitching. Lee Dae Gil, who only minded the rolling, slid all the way down the boat and bumped his shoulder on the safety rail. He barely managed to grab the hat that flew and almost fell into the sea. Lee Dae Gil grabbed the chin strap of the marketmans hat and tied it tightly. The sea breeze flowing against the winter sea was sharp that it could cut his skin. Isnt that old man cold at all? The old man was standing upright on the deck and looking at the land that ceased to be visible, while the woman sitting on top of the carrier bag was minding her nails. Anyone in duck-down parkas would shiver in that kind of weather, but he didnt look cold at all despite wearing a Burberry coat and hat. The woman wearing the fur coat and marten scarf didnt look cold either. Lee Dae Gil grew frustrated. He could only stay on guard if the old man and woman entered the pier. If not, the action division could move quicker. Nam Myung Soo and Go Dong Pal climbed up the stairs from the pier as though they had overheard Lee Dae Gils complaint. Nam Myung Soo was carrying a handaxe while Go Dong Pal was carrying a motorbike chain. Sai glanced at them and turned his head. It was as though hed seen some flies. The woman glanced at Go Dong Pal. A faint smile was seen on her. Shimashita![1] Sai glanced at Lee Dae Gil and headed toward the wheelhouse. Lee Dae Gil suddenly wanted to pee. It was terrifying as though he had just met the eyes of a reptile and not a human. F***. What kind of situation is this? The woman sat and focused on grooming her nails. Even an idiot would have understood the situation, but the old man and the woman were staring at their weapons like a cow looking at a chicken. Nam Myung Soo and Go Dong Pal stared at each other and laughed as though they found it funny too. Creak The wheelhouses door opened. A man wearing a leather jacket and a man wearing a U.S. military jumper came out from the room. They were holding a half-inch rebar and a sashimi knife in their hands equipped with leather gloves. Chinpirania![2] You-die-if-you-act-greedy. A rough sound that sounded like grating iron left his mouth. The words that came out one syllable at a time seemed hard-spoken. It was the kind of sound that bothered and frustrated the listener. This Japanese idiot is saying something stupid. Flounder swung the rebar that he was holding. Bang A dent was made on the ships floor made of FRP. If he intended to threaten them, he had failed. The old man didnt even glance at him. Lee Dae Gil moved slowly toward the boxes on the deck. There were four action members known to fight well. The result was obvious. The situation would be over as long as the ominous man and woman were thrown overboard to the fish and their belongings were taken back to land. He suddenly felt threatened. The one-armed old man didnt look at Nam Myung Soo or Go Dong Pal, who blocked his way. He also didnt look at Flounders team, who were standing before him either. The old man was still staring at the land. He suddenly remembered the old mans eyes that were as cold as a snakes. Lee Dae Gil, whod hidden between the boxes, moved to hide between the fish traps. What-is-the-reason? Nam Myung Soo, Go Dong Pal, Flounder, and Bullet Tuna all stared at the woman. No, their gazes turned toward the carrier bag that the woman was sitting on. Reason? Its that youve got too much money. I dont like Japanese, but I despise Japanese idiots even more. I really hate rich Japanese idiots. I want to kill all the old Japanese idiots who walk around Korea with a Korean woman by their side. Kehehehe! Flounder laughed. He thought he had said something cool. He didnt know that he could speak so well. Kuso, kuchibashi tamare.[3] His low but heavy voice traveled through the sound of waves and echoed. Oddly enough, his syllables were clear when he spoke in Japanese. Resentment flooded Sais eyes. That was why the Joseon people were second-rate citizens. Before he found out whether they were bean paste or sit, everyone he met was rude and reckless at their first encounter. All Koreans had rotten eyes. Is this old Japanese man crazy? Lets break off his head and play baseball with it. The impatient Flounder went for the first blow. Whoosh The iron rebar swung in from the side. Sai moved a step back to avoid the rebar, moved two steps forward, tapped Flounders temple with his wrist, and returned to his place. Crack The sound of something breaking was heard. Bang Flounder, who had swung the rebar pompously, flew into a corner of the boat where the nets were piled up and collapsed. The remaining three members of the Tefal faction blinked. The old man was standing in the place where he was before. Flounder had flown on his own, slamming his head onto the boats side before collapsing. No one saw the old man move. They thought Flounder had slipped and fallen after swinging the rebar too hard. Whats wrong with him? Bullet Tuna whispered. Th Thats? Go Dong Pal raised a finger, unable to continue. Blood was trickling from under the nets. Nam Myung Soo and Go Dong Pals faces turned pale. They didnt know how, but Flounder had died without making a single sound. Brother. I think, Flounder, that kids dead. Bullet Tunas voice trembled. Fing bstard. Do you think hell still be alive after getting his head bashed in? Kill them! Nam Myung Soo shouted. Although the situation smelled fishy, they must finish what they had started. To maintain an organization and eat scamp food, one had to promise four things. Firstly, to kill others, they must be prepared to die. Secondly, to beat up others, they must be prepared to get beaten up. Thirdly, to rob others, they must be prepared to get robbed. Lastly, to avoid jail, they must be prepared to starve. Die, you bstard! Bullet Tuna bent down and rushed in. Since everyones depraved, even some trash is trying to bite me. Sai sighed. An injured tiger was still a tiger. It was like a red squirrel losing its fear after eating another squirrel and attacking a marten. Bullet Tuna, who was rushing in, hesitated and turned to the side. From behind, Go Dong Pal slid down the deck like he was sliding on ice. Go Dong Pals chain flew in from the side. Whoosh As the chain closed in on the old mans face, Bullet Tuna jumped off the deck and shoved the sashimi knife into the old mans side. Im going to kill you! Nam Myung Soo shouted subconsciously. The 20-ton fishing boat was barely over five pyungs. Go Dong Pal and Bullet Tuna had already secured the open space. The old man, who was being attacked on both sides, would have nowhere to escape. Go Dong Pals chain and Bullet Tunas sashimi knife demonstrated an excellent textbook example of long-distance and short-distance combined attacks. It also exhibited an outstanding battle mindset and artistic timing. It was to the point that their confidence peaked. Chui Do Shik stepped once to the right. His body tilted 45 degrees to the side like an illusion. Whoosh Following the inclination of his body, the chain dropped and left a fists width of space in between. Bang By the time the chain hit the floor, Bullet Tunas distance was shortened. Ugh! Bullet Tuna exclaimed in surprise. The sashimi knife passed by the old mans side in vain. However, Bullet Tuna was excellent with the knife. He changed the grip on his knife and dragged it like a fishing reel. It went from a stab to a drag-slice. Close combat was a battle for space. Sais right hand tapped and raised Bullet Tunas elbow before his thumb landed on his neck. Sais thumb dug into his bones and came back out. Kurgh! The sound of air escaping was heard before Bullet Tuna could even scream. Whoosh The chain, which landed on the ground, swung back up and swept his side. Sai sent a back kick without even turning around. Tap The tip of his toe landed exactly on the end of the chain, changing its direction. The chain flew toward Go Dong Pal instead. Huk! Surprised, Go Dong Pal lowered his head. Sai flicked the sashimi knife that fell out of Bullet Tunas hand and grabbed it. He threw it back without looking. Whoosh The moment the blade flashed by the overhead dim light, a short scream rang. Kugh! A red line appeared on Go Dong Pals neck as he attempted to avoid his own chain. Go Dong Pal stopped moving. Crack His head fell on the deck. Bang The headless body collapsed. Splash The blood that gushed out of his neck soaked the wheelhouses door. Crash Bullet Tuna, who was staggering here and there, subsequently collapsed onto the wet deck head-first. Although it was a detailed fight, two gang members had died in a single breath. One had their neck cut off, while the other had a hole in their neck. The deck was covered in blood instantly. Huuuh! Lee Dae Gils eyes grew wide between the fish traps. His mind turned blank. His hands and feet shook like trembling aspen. F*, Ive stepped on s***. Nam Myung Soo was different from Lee Dae Gil. He understood the situation instantly like a veteran who had seen blood many times. The old man was a martial arts expert who appeared in martial arts novels. That was a pressing situation where he had to preserve his life. Nam Myung Soo turned his body around as fast as lightning. He was aiming for the companion, the woman wearing black sunglasses. He grabbed the womans neck with his left hand and shoved a handaxe that glinted in blue under the womans chin. Oi, old man, lets finish this here. Orokana yako![4] Sai shook his head. The guy was pitiful. Kugh! Nam Myung Soos mouth hung open. Blood flowed out of his open mouth. The woman retracted the knife stuck in Nam Myung Soos chest. Including its handle, the dagger was barely the size of a palm and made during the Tokugawa shogunate period for stabbing. You, you fing Nam Myung Soos soul scattered, and his chest was accurately stabbed. He collapsed onto the deck without completing his sentence. The pool of blood splattered. Nam Myung Soos body went cold after the final spasm. The woman wiped the dagger blade on Nam Myung Soos shirt. Lick Lee Dae Gils teeth started chattering at the sight of her licking the blade like a cat. They were horrible people, and that was a terrifying scene. Even the young woman was as poisonous as the old man. F***. I know they look like grim reapers, but they are really grim reapers. That b** is a grim reaper too. The four humans became non-recyclable wastes in a single breath. The blood that gushed out of the four corpses soaked the deck. Every time the boat shook, the pool of blood flowed down the boat, swaying back and forth. Even then, he recalled a saying from a martial arts novel. Be careful of old men and women. He did feel like something was off when he boarded the boat. It was a misfortune that his premonitions were always accurate. Truth be told, Lee Dae Gil was planning to grab the woman to threaten the old man himself. However, with only determination and lack of bravery, he hesitated because he had never fought before. He wasnt part of the Tefal factions action division. He was in charge of operations, so to speak, taking care of guests and laundering funds. The brawny fights were handled by the action division, and he met the guests to receive the money in turn. Nam Myung Soo had died trying to go left to face the right. Lee Dae Gil felt like he had escaped the lions jaw. Chui Do Shik glared at Lee Dae Gil with glass-like eyes. Huk! Lee Dae Gils face was bleached white. He felt like he was being sucked into the mouth of a large snake. Yellow liquid dripped down his pants. Okubyoumono.[5] Sai ignored Lee Dae Gils stunned expression and headed for the captains room. Do you need a knife too? A pair of slanted eyes followed Lee Dae Gil. Lee Dae Gils hands shook frantically at the womans cold words. Uh, uhuh! Coward, why do you carry around a dck? The woman smirked. Knock Knock Captain Kim, who was frozen in his place, regained his senses when he heard the knocking on the window. Uhh! Leaning against the window was someone with a ghost-like face and eyes with the whites revealed. Captain Kim unknowingly gasped when he met the persons gaze. The old man who was like the devil, no, the old man who was the devil and had eliminated the Tefal faction in the blink of an eye stood there. Captain Kim felt his limbs stiffen before the eyes that looked just like a sharks. The old man wagged his finger. Captain Kim looked at the door in desperation. Could he survive? Never. Although it was a firm door made out of wood, it was the kind that would break with a single kick from the old man. Captain Kim slowly began to feel the space under the wheel. A thick handle was grasped. It was a gun that he had purchased from a black market gang member. [1] What a disappointment! [2] Scamp! [3] Idiot, shut your mouth. [4] Stupid idiot! [5] Useless idiot.
Chapter 353 - Episode 2: The Wind Doesnt Rest
From the militarys point of view, Black Mambas presence wasnt very pleasant. Although Black Mamba had only been deployed to two missions, both produced results equivalent to dozens and 100s of successful missions. The national interests gained by France were incalculable. In a single breath, Black Mamba had raised the image of the country in which the military had failed to achieve in the last 40 years.
The reason why France preserved the Legion Etranger and the Rapid Action Force was that 30 percent of the national wealth was generated offshore. As Black Mambas fame rose, the military received more glares from those in power.
Even Germaine acknowledged Black Mamba. Black Mambas worth didnt only lie in his powers. His consulting abilities and power to maneuver a plan according to the situation on the field were what made him the national treasure.
The Ruman plan revealed Black Mambas phenomenal destructive power, which blew up Syrias secret batch of air missiles and biological weapons. The presidents decision to bestow him the nickname of national treasure wasnt an exaggeration at all.
As Black Mambas fame rose, Germaine and the other military leaders necks grew ragged as though thorns were in their throats. The president and the other representatives seemed to trust Black Mamba more than the military. As the militarys top leader, he felt uncomfortable.
Germaine glared at the cover of the report. It was the only record of Frances best and undefeatable consultant, a man with phenomenal abilities who had helped 500 Syrian refugees escape from their enemy state of Syria.
Do I need to call the Corn Killer?
His head wanted Black Mambas help, but his heart rejected the thought. Germaine wrapped his hands around his head and agonized. The DGSE had given Black Mamba the call name Corn Killer and Ange de la Mort to hide his identity. The call name Corn Killer was given to him because of the number of FROLINAT guerrillas he had killed, which was comparable to the number of corn grains supplied to Africa by Monsanto. Black Mamba was ruthless enough to burn the DGSEs main manager, who had given him the nickname Corn Killer, to death.
Germaine had only heard of Black Mamba to the point that his ears burned and had never seen him in person. What kind of human was that person who had killed 1,000 others! No, it wasnt 1,000 people but approximately 5,000 people. He could have killed more people unofficially. The number of deaths in Kaparja Valley and the number of deaths from the dams explosion was only an estimation.
Some of Black Mambas abilities were confirmed during the Ruman plan. They were his assassination abilities and his god-level sniping, which could shatter skulls from one kilometer away. A sniper with god-level abilities was a nightmare. It meant that no one could avoid him if he decided to kill.
The most vulnerable part of a humans body was the head. While one could protect their body with a bulletproof vest or guards, the head was always exposed. They couldnt cover their face with bulletproof glass while wearing a titanium helmet, now, could they? If he could shatter skulls from one kilometer away, no protective gear or guards would help. His body shook with chills.
Wars made heroes. There were many legendary snipers throughout the two world wars. There were two or three snipers who had killed more than 500 people and more than 10 who had killed over 200 people.
There were special female snipers too. During WWII, Maria Ivanovna Morozova of the Soviet Union had killed 192 people and received the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
The best female sniper, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, had killed 207 people in 1941 alone and 309 people in total by the following year. She lost her arm during the war in the Crimean Peninsula. The commanders back then guaranteed that she would have killed 1,000 people had she not retired because of the injury. They were all legendary snipers mentioned in Germaines lectures at the military academy.
Still, they cant compare to Ange de la Mort. He is an assassin before a sniper, the master of close combat. Hes the perfect murder machine who is unprecedented and will never appear again. Black Mambas a human born for a holocaust. However, I dont like him. My children should handle their own revenge, Germaine mumbled with the report in hand.
If Black Mambas dispatched again this time, there was no point in assembling the Rapid Action Force. If a spears left unattended after sharpening, it would only rot. It had to be utilized.
When he turned the cover page, a summary of Black Mamba was revealed on the first page. It was the kind of report style that Germaine liked. One page was Germaines nickname. He demanded that reports be summarized into one page even if it added up to 1,000 pages in actuality. Germaine was the kind of person who believed that even the UN offices reports, which usually added up to a pickup trucks worth of pages, could be summarized into one page.
Cauchemar de Chad.[1]
Call name: Ange de la Mort (Nickname: Angel of Death, Nightmare of Battlefields, Corn Killer, Kanma)
Nationality: Honorary French Citizen / South Korean
Family members: None
Division: Legion Etrangere Deuxieme Rep Fourth company, Second platoon / Ministry of Defense
Date of Birth: 12.25.1960
Rank: Major
Title: Special Military Advisor
Type of soldier: Sniper
Specialty: Sniping, Close combat, Concealment, Assassination, Infiltration
Type rank: Special (god-level)
Weapons: Dragunov, Kukri, Whip, Several throwing weapons, and more.
Abilities: 120 hours of concealment, 48 hours of high-speed movement, rapid-fire sniping, and an ancient Oriental martial arts successor
.
The life of a rather complicated man was summarized on a paper made from wood fibers. The document was off-limits to the Vice Minister of Defense even with security level one. That was the only remaining document on Black Mamba with all the other records destroyed.
If he flipped over to the back page, there were also details on the number of scars Black Mamba had. Of course, it wasnt the kind of information that Germaine needed. He knew enough with the one-page summary. Having sufficient information that served as a basis for judgment was good.
Germaine lifted another page of the report and read it carefully. That was already the third time.
[09.18.1983. Areva found a uranium mine at the Uganda border in eastern Zaire.
10.01.1984. Areva dispatched the second expedition team to confirm the large uranium mine.
12.18.1984 Matters concerning the dispatch of Arevas third expedition team
Goal: Confirmation of reserves, excavation of platform
Expedition team: 17 technicians, five scientists, two groups of 24 11th Airborne Brigade members, and 31 local porters. There were 77 people in total.
Outcome: 21 engineers were killed but three survived, all 31 local porters were killed, and 22 technicians and scientists went missing. Missing status presumed to be kidnapped.
Kidnappers organization: Unknown
Location of kidnapping: Ituri Province, region of Bafwasende ]
Damn b*stards, how dare you touch France!
Germaine slammed the report down on the table. He had already memorized details of the report in his head, so he didnt have to refer to it.
21 elite engineers were killed. 21 wasnt a statistical figure. They were soldiers whom he treated like his children. They deserved to live in a shining world. He was angered by the reality of his precious French sons receiving the same treatment as those filthy natives.
That was the reason why he declared that the military would resolve military affairs. Although he couldnt shove hot blood into those cold bodies, he wanted to keep the revenge clean. He also wanted to crush Bonipas face for the pitying look he gave at the National Security Council.
Germaine had pulled out Black Mambas report, which was sleeping in the safe, because of Mitterrands anger. Even the mention of revenge for the Airborne Brigade was because of Mitterrands demand to dispatch forces to Zaire.
Those damn f***ers of Areva, and that Javere who knows nothing but money! Germaine complained.
Javere was the chairman of Areva company. The large-scale expedition teams disappearance after Areva forcibly dispatched them to Zaires eastern cave region was the beginning of the problem. Areva, the multinational group specializing in nuclear power and Frances pride, had forcibly put Germaine in a difficult position.
The first nuclear power plant, the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, was operated by the Soviet Union in 1954. Since then, the stigma around yellowcake[2] being a nuclear weapon material died down, and it was recognized as a future energy source. The U.S., the Soviet Union, France, and the U.K. fought in Africa to secure uranium.
Frances advance guard was Areva. Areva had searched the entire Congo with the governments support and found a uranium mine in eastern Congo. After confirming its economical feasibility, Areva immediately sent in a large-scale team of technicians. The French government provided full support to companies searching for strategic materials overseas. Areva companys third expedition team was accompanied by the 11th Airborne Brigade.
There were two countries in Africa with the name Congo. The Congo River bordering the French Congo was on the left, and to the right was the Belgian Congo. Both Congos gained independence in 1960. The region where Areva searched for uranium was in the Belgian Congo. The Belgian Congo was renamed the Republic of Zaire in 1971.
In 1965, Mobutu changed the countrys name on the pretext of securing independence. Changing the countrys name didnt guarantee independence. It only brought about confusion. If a country could advance by changing its name, Koreas National Assembly would have become the best in the world.
Zaire had a land area of 2,344,858 square kilometers, which was 23 times the size of Korea. The land was vast, and resources were abundant. There was plenty of gold, tin, oil, iron ore, bauxite, cobalt, copper, diamonds, uranium, and more. Zaire was a treasure trove of resources. Western nations drooled over the abundant underground resources of the newly independent nation, Zaire.
While treasures had no fault, the owner of the said treasures would be at fault if they didnt have the power to protect them. Zaire couldnt protect the abundant resources due to unstable political conditions. Zaires capital, Kinshasa, was reliant on the western regions. Their administrative power didnt reach the eastern jungle.
Uganda and Rwanda openly ate away their underground resources along the border. Western nations such as the U.S., Belgium, France, and Germany, as well as the Soviet Union and China, fought to eat out of Zaires stupidity.
Areva company, which maintained Frances nuclear power and energy businesses, dipped their toe in it too. With the French governments support, Areva managed to secure rights to search and develop uranium all over Zaire in 1978.
In 1983, the Areva expedition discovered a large uranium vein in Ituri, a region bordering Uganda. The Beni region, where the vein was located, belonged to the Ituri Rainforest region, west of the infamous Rwenzori Mountains.
Areva dispatched another expedition team to check the reserves and excavate the platform. The team consisted of 22 technicians and scientists, 24 French military airborne members to guard them, and 31 local laborers from the Bantu tribe of Beni, making it a total of 77 people.
The number 77 was a number decided by the chairman of Areva. The DGSE had suggested a large-scale guard force equivalent to the size of a company, but Javere insisted on a lucky number. If Javere truly wished for the projects success and the safety of his expedition teams, he would have increased the number of guards instead of relying on a lucky number.
The traffic situation in Zaire, located deep inside of Africa, was terrible. The country was huge and the road networks were sub-par. They had no choice but to work around the situation by giving up land transportation and traveling by air. There was nothing new about that since the traffic situation in all parts of Africa was in disorder.
The journey of the Areva expedition team was not easy either. There was an airfield runway north of Lake Tanganyika in Bukavu, Sud-Kivu Province. They flew on a private plane from Orlans to Bukavu airfield.
They traveled 380 kilometers from the airfield to Beni on four-wheel drives. However, the problem was the 136-kilometer course from Beni to the banks of the Lindi River where the uranium vein was located. That section belonged to the infamous Ituri Rainforest. They couldnt travel on the four-wheel drives due to the dense forest and swamps scattered throughout. They had to travel purely on foot.
Areva had failed to recognize the dangers of the Ituri region, northeast of Zaire. They had relied too much on the reputation of the 11th Airborne Brigade. Perhaps, they had also placed too much faith in their sponsor and backer, France.
Congo (Zaire) was a country where civil warsboth small-scale and large-scalecommenced and concluded the day. In particular, the northeast of Lake Tanganyikabordering the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundiwas a mess.
The area was a red zone where smugglers, human hunters, poachers, and rebel guerrillas were rampant. No country in Europe allowed its citizens to travel the area. Areva had recklessly organized large-scale expeditions in an area where armed conflicts never ceased.
On the fifth day, when 77 members of the expedition team entered the Ituri Rainforest from Beni, they were attacked by an unidentified armed group. All of the airborne soldiers and local laborers were killed. The Airborne Brigade members died during the engagement, and the local laborers were killed because they werent worth any money. Meanwhile, 22 French technicians and scientists went missing.
Five days after the incident, three surviving soldiers returned to Beni. They were sent to the French Embassy in Kinshasa. It was revealed that the area where they were kidnapped was in the Bafwasende region, near the Okapi Forest in the Great Ituri Rainforest and far from the Lindi River.
France began to boil upon their return. Areva and the government were placed on the cutting board for negligent risk assessment. The 11th Airborne Brigade received the blame for their failed mission and was thrown in s*** water.
The three Airborne Brigade members, who fled after giving up their honor, were also criticized. The s*** water naturally fell on Germaine. The French press was known for its biting satire. The military was portrayed as a toothless tiger and a hippo that ate the national budget, while Germaine was portrayed as a male lion bitten by a hyena. Germaine was compelled to regain the honor of the military.
All of that had taken place around the same time Mu Ssang buried the gang members in Wol Song San before returning to the temple.
[1] Nightmare of Chad.
[2] Yellowcake is a type of uranium concentrate powder obtained from leach solutions, an intermediate step in the processing of uranium ores.
Chapter 354 - Episode 3: The Wind Doesnt Rest
On January 1st, 1985, which was also New Years Day, an unregistered parcel was delivered to the French Embassy in Kinshasa. 13 days had passed since the Areva expedition team went missing.
Aaah!
The embassys female staff screamed as soon as she opened the tightly sealed wooden box. Two wrists were placed side by side in the box filled with salt. They were discolored and dried up but still well preserved for people to know that they belonged to different people.
The officer presiding at the embassy immediately took security measures and wired an emergency report to the regional administration. Once contacted by the regional administration, the DGSE flipped on its head. The Middle East / Africa manager, Ariba, was dispatched to Kinshasa.
[We are Gods army. The 23 heathens who set foot inside Gods land should be killed, but they are fed and resting well because of Allahs grace. We demand 1,000,000 francs per person. Additionally, a list of weapons to arm Gods army is attached. Airdrop the money and weapons at the Buliisa Kissimo Temple on the eastern shore of Lake Edward.]
[500 FAMAS and 5,000,000 bullets, 300 boxes of grenades, 30 Minimi machine guns and 300,000 bullets, and 10 60-millimeter mortars and 400 high-explosive bullets]
Huh, its the work of the Mai-Mai! Theyve gone mad. Ariba laughed as soon as he checked the note taped inside the box.
As soon as the DGSE intelligence agency realized that the expedition team was kidnapped, they suspected the Mai-Mai guerillas. The Ituri Rainforest region where the expedition team was kidnapped was within the Mai-Mais circle of influence.
A circle of influence meant that amongst several armed forces, they were the largest in number. A group mad enough to murder French soldiers and French citizens was the Mai-Mai.
Ariba was certain that it was the Mai-Mais work when he saw the hostages wrists. The barbaric and inhumane act of cutting someones wrists and ankles were perverse acts commonly taken by the Mai-Mai rebel guerrillas.
But why are there 23?
Ariba tilted his head. Areva company had 22 technicians and scientists. 23 hostages didnt make sense. 21 airborne members were killed and three escaped out of the 77 expedition members. All of the local workers were killed too. So, why were there 23?
Ariba shook off his doubts. Whether there were 22 or 23, the number of hostages didnt matter. Those b*stards wanted weapons more than money. If they gained the weapons and grew their influence, Arevas uranium mining development would be in a state of emergency.
After receiving Aribas report, Bonipas thoughts on the matter werent much different from Aribas. If Ntaganda was the culprit, the ransom wasnt the goal but the uranium mine. He could be planning to take control of the uranium mine to keep France in check for supporting Mobutu.
Bonipas felt a headache coming. The head of the Mai-Mai, Bosco Ntaganda, was a madman and a Vodou follower who considered himself a descendant of God. Unlike the Vodou religion in other regions, the Vodou religion in Congos eastern region had the belief that spirits could be summoned for a person to enter a different dimension.
Their priest used severed body parts to create an energy channel called non. Non was psychic energy believed to be released in a state of trance, which could open portals to a different dimension. The body donors were either kidnapped locals, war prisoners, sinners, and sometimes faithful followers who donated parts of their bodies.
Ntaganda used the Vodou religions sacrifice ritual strategically. The dozens and 100s of fresh wrists in the box would instill fear and pressure into the receiver.
Sometimes, the Mai-Mai guerillas would slice and offer parts of their bodies to show loyalty to the leaders. Since the protruding parts were their aim, they often sliced off their private parts.
He didnt know whether it was intentional or a mistake, but the wrists ended up revealing the Mai-Mais identity. Although some madmen provoked France without a second thought, the situation wasnt that great on their side either. The Kissimo temple mentioned by those b*stards was located in a rugged mountain range of eastern Africas Great Rift Valley. Even the DGSE had no geographic data on such a dark area.
Bonipas had manager Ariba dispatch several operations agents to Lake Edward and Ituri Rainforest. Collecting information was an urgent priority.
Ring
Germaine flinched. He was too absorbed in his thoughts. He picked up the phone.
What is it?
Sir, director Bonipas is here to see you.
Germaine frowned. Although he didnt want to see the man, the Director of Operations wasnt a man who came without reason.
Send him in.
The Serpents signature expressionless face crept in as the door opened.
What are you doing here, director? Arent you a busy man? I heard the new positions rather comfortable, Germaine mocked slightly.
The Ruman plans great success raised Bonipas worth to the top of the Eiffel tower. He was next in line for the head director position at the next personnel reorganization.
I should pretend like Im working, at least, to work for whatever taxes are paid. Secretary, sir, you seem to have a lot of concerns.
Germaines face creased. That meant his concerns were unnecessary.
Did you get any information on the kidnappers? Germaine raised a brow, expressing his disdain.
We believe that they are the Mai-Mai rebels from the border of Uganda. Its a warlord faction that follows former president Kasa, who Mobutu had chased out. The chief is General Bosco Ntaganta, Kasas left arm.
Bonipas said his piece regardless of Germaines feelings. He didnt like the Secretary of Defense, who had too much pride and the stubbornness of a bull.
Ntaganda? That madman who eats human flesh? Damn Africa, there are madmen everywhere. Where is their base, and how strong are their forces?
The Mai-Mais base is in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda and Irumu, eastern Zaire. It is a large-scale faction with a boot camp in NYalaka. As far as we know, there are 2,000 people. Around 100 people are believed to have infiltrated the Ituri area and caused the incident.
Damn. That means the elite airborne brigade was done in by a group of beggars with machetes and AKs. The medias going to croak like frogs again.
Germaine wiped down his face with his thick hands. If word got around that their elite airborne brigade was done in by 100 guerrillas, the militarys reputation would deteriorate once more.
Hehe, a male lions better than a hairless donkey, sir. Charlie Hebdo really cant be stopped.
F***, those b*stards are going to get into trouble one day.
Frustration was written all over Germaines face. He wanted to break the editors nose, whoever it was, for presenting a caricature of his face on a lions body as it was being bitten to death by a hyena.
If you provoke a pufferfish, it blows up, and if you kick a duck, it bites you to shreds. Have you decided?
Theyre all b*stards who think highly of themselves, so what else? Im considering the 11th Airborne Brigades Strike team or the First Marine Infantry Regiments RAPAS Company.
Well. Its not that good of a decision. Itll be difficult even if you send in all three battle units of RAPAS, Bonipas said with certainty.
Huh, if Colonel Charles heard that, he would be requesting a fight. RAPAS failing to shake off some duck fur? What kind of bad joke is that? Hahaha! Germaine laughed.
They were known as armed forces in name only. Those b*stards who used to farm could pick up an old rifle at best. It wasnt a plan to destroy the Mai-Mai entirely either.
Im not joking. I lost seven of my children in that damn forest. They were bitten to death by a black mamba, killed by a puma, drowned in a swamp, and died from food poisoning They were all non-combat losses.
Oh, no! Germaines eyes widened.
If seven DGSE operations agents were done in through non-combat, it wasnt something to be taken lightly.
The real enemy here isnt the kidnappers but the forest. Secretary, sir, you went to hell and back once at the Indochina forest, right? The Ituri Rainforest is far worse than the forests of Southeast Asia.
Forest!
Germaine flinched. The wound on his side, which was a result of being pierced by a booby trap in Vietnam, ached. The guerillas had sneakily placed spears on the bottom of the trap and dung on its tip. He had to get rid of two inches of his large intestine due to the bacterial infection. He even suffered from tetanus during his recovery. At the word forest, he gritted his teeth.
Does the Mai-Mai b*stards enjoy booby traps too?
The entire forest is a booby trap. Locals call the Ituri forest region the forest of the devil. The forest is always dark, day or night, because of its dense canopy, and there are all kinds of poisonous insects, predators, and snakes like black mamba. Theres a village run by the Pygmy people in the forest. The locals dare not enter. Whether its the RAPAS or the Airborne Brigade, the forest will melt them all.
Germaines expression darkened. He knew the dangers of the forest himself. Just thinking about the leeches falling off from the trees above and poisonous insects that dug into the skin made him shiver.
Mm, your opinion that Black Mamba should be sent in remains unchanged, director?
Yes, sir. Youve seen the results from the last mission. He crossed Syrias border with 500 refugees. The abducted scientists are the best people in the field of nuclear power. We cant delay this matter any longer. Black Mamba can move once more this year, according to his contract.
Germaine and Bonipas had something in common. Negotiations were off the table. Frances policy to never negotiate with kidnappers remained unshakeable.
Your words are reasonable given the situation, director. Still, rational thoughts arent always right. The pride of the military, no, Frances pride is on the line. Mobutu isnt Assad. There is no obstacle to deploy troops this time, like the Ruman plan. The RAPAS Company are elite soldiers trained to handle hostage rescue situations. If theyre not good enough, Ill send in the entire Rapid Action Force. Germaine gritted his teeth.
Were going to lose some unfortunate soldiers. Hoo!
Frances pride? Bonipas let out a deep sigh inwardly. The old man, who mistook his stubbornness for youthful spirit, was pathetic. Still, the Ministry of Defense had control over the plan. As long as Germaine remained stubborn, the DGSE could only fulfill its job as an information provider.
It wouldnt be bad for Bonipas if the Ministry of Defense rescued the hostages, too. Due to the large sum of money paid to Black Mamba, the DGSEs funds were running low. They had to act like beggars and utilize the emergency funds to pay their employees salaries.
300,000,000 francs worth of operating funds was a large sum of money even for the DGSE. Black Mambas price was expensive because the success of his missions was definite. Bonipas didnt know that hed mistaken 30,000,000 francs for 300,000,000 francs that year.
The parcel the kidnappers sent brought about adverse effects. Mitterrand, who advocated political culture, expressed his anger at the inhumane and barbaric actions of the kidnappers. The kidnappers requests were denied without a single debate. The government, which had been hesitant because of the safety of their hostages, immediately took action.
The French government wasnt too pessimistic about the situation. Africa was Frances front yard. North-west Africa had long served as a cash cow for France. Although Zaire was under the influence of Belgium, Belgium and France were close. There were no political obstacles to the deployment of an elite troop. Germaine had to speed up his work.
On January 10th, 1985, one RAPAS Company, one Air Force Airborne Commando CPA10, and two groups of military police commandos from GIGN[1], making it a total of 200 commandos, were dispatched to Lake Edward and Ituri Rainforest, east of Zaire.
There was no way for Mu Ssang to know the situation on the other side of the globe. He didnt know about the incident that took place at the remote port in the West Sea either. He didnt return to the temple. He split firewood at Ha Dong Daeks house and trained his mind on the eagle rock in Wol Song San. He grew scared of his teacher since he felt guilty for killing people in his hometown.
It wasnt until a month later did Mu Ssang return to the temple. His teachers Tight-Fillet Spell was formidable enough to suppress Samedis blood-sucking instincts. Although his teacher was benevolent and moralistic, hed become Sun Wukong and grow weak if his teacher cast the Tight-Fillet Spell on him. If he couldnt kill, mercenary Black Mamba would become a black mamba without fangs.
In the past, he couldnt avoid his teachers god-level abilities. Now that his skills had advanced, he could hide any traces of murder that imprinted on his soul and body with his mind training.
Although he was deceiving his teacher, a disciple shouldnt make his aged teacher worry either. Fortunately, teacher returned a day late from his travels outside. Mu Ssang acted as though nothing had happened.
Gosh, teacher, why do you always sleep outside once every month? Mu Ssang rushed forward, lifted his teacher, and carried him into the spacious room.
Wow, wakils sucking up to him. He must have done something really wrong. Samedi tilted his head.
So? What did you do to those evil b*stards?
I sent them off after a round of scolding.
Scolding? You scolded those b*stards who were meant to be beaten black and blue?
Monk Dae Woo stared at his disciple with dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Hehe, I did hit them a few times.
Good job. B*stards like them need to get beaten up so that they can come to their senses. Even Buddha beat up people when he was angry.
What? No way? I have never read such a story in the Buddhist scriptures.
Brat, did you read all of the Tripitaka Koreana? There should be truckloads of the Mahayana Scriptures alone. Dont pretend like you know anything when you only read the Diamond and Heart Sutra at surface level. Im going to lecture you on the Three Pure Land from today onwards.
Monk Dae Woo declared, slightly annoyed.
[1] Groupe dintervention de la Gendarmerie nationale.
Chapter 355 - Episode 4: The Wind Doesnt Rest
Aigo, teachers words are always right. Buddha wouldnt have just punched people around, he would have kicked them too. No matter how kind the Guanyin Bodhisattva is, she must have some temper too. Hehehe!
Mu Ssang immediately lowered his tail. Once his teacher started preaching about Buddhism, he would take two to three hours. That was normal. His brain would be frosted over if hes forced to kneel on the cold prayer room floor while listening to boring preachings again. Just the thought itself was horrible.
Egh, my disciples worse than a zombie. How can I ever face my teacher at this rate?
Monk Dae Woo clicked his tongue. His disciple was Asuras incarnate. His nature was connected to Buddhism, but he wasnt fated for Buddhism. Despite having an affinity with Buddhism, he was a strange kid destined for worldly matters while living in blood. Although hed passed down the five combined movements of the JungBub temple, he couldnt pass down the traditions. In all seriousness, he might have to pass down the traditions to a zombie instead.
Think about greeting your ancestors later, teacher. What should I do about my fathers grave?
You know the answer to that. The bodys just a vessel where the soul resides for a while. Whats so important about a body that returns to earth? The worlds tragedies are caused by the living and not the dead. If your son seeks his grandfather, are you going to say hes in heaven or floating around in the air? Your past is your ancestors and your future is your children. The existence who connects your ancestors to your children is you, the present. Even if its futile, as long as theres hesitance in your mind, it becomes a burden.
Mu Ssang understood his teachers words instantly. Hesitance in the mind becomes a burden. That was his teachers conclusion. He should handle matters without any qualms so that there were no regrets left in his mind.
Thank you. Ive asked something foolish.
Everything passes by as one is for all and all is for one. Namu Amita Bul.
Clack clack
Monk Dae Woo turned the beads silently.
Teacher, do you think such evil objects have any effects?
Mu Ssang hesitated before pulling out the charms from his pocket. Monk Dae Woo looked down at the bunch of charms on the floor.
What evil things! Did those b*stards use these charms on the grave?
Yes. I felt a strange aura, so I brought them back to ask you.
Youve improved, noticing an evil aura from the Left Martial Hall. Maha banya bara susuri sabaha hap!
Monk Dae Woo chanted and covered the charms with his hands.
Keeeeeegh!
A ripping sound was heard. The charms went up in flames. Yellow smoke rose out of the room.
Dont you dare!
Whoosh
His sleeve swept through the smoke. The smoke gathered into a ball. Monk Dae Woo flapped his sleeve once more. The smoke grew denser until it became smaller than a nail.
Gulp
Monk Dae Woo shoved the bead into his mouth and swallowed it.
Guuuh
He burped loudly, and with that, white smoke came out of his mouth.
Is it good?
Mu Ssang asked a silly question after witnessing a scene that usually appeared in martial arts novels.
No, it tastes bad.
His teachers reply was also ridiculous.
I never thought that there were people who could still use the Ghost Summoning Method. The Ghost Summoning Method is similar to the Ancient Spells, but it is an evil Left Martial Halls spell that uses people as a medium. I thought there was no one left since the death of spellcaster Jeon Woo Chi, but one remains alive.
Jeon Woo Chi? Are Jeon Woo Chis spells in the novel real?
Spell what spell? Its a trick. Brat, didnt I say that not everything you see is everything? The harmony of yin and yang is not that different in the human world. On the other side of the world, there are people like me and a Left Martial Hall spellcaster who bosses ghosts around.
I guess. Theres a world where dinosaurs crawl around underground, so what cant exist? But really, can a charm hold a ghost?
Brat, youre asking me after seeing it yourself? Your existence is 100 times more surprising than this charm. The white body remains in the medium when the human on the receiving end of the grudge is controlled by a special spell, which cuts off the connection between the celestial body and soul. It wont work against someone strong like you, but its not an object to be taken lightly either because it has the ability to summon souls.
So, this person shouldnt be left alone.
No ones existence in this world is worthless. Namu Amita Bul!
Monk Dae Woo didnt say anything else and simply chanted. Mu Ssang bowed and left quietly. That Bodhisattva Young Mae shouldnt be left alone.
Brat, dont see blood. A small ghost is bound to fall on its own like morning dew once a bigger ghost appears! monk Dae Woo shouted.
In March of 1985, Mu Ssang returned as a student. It had been five years since he was forced out of high school, with only a few months left until graduation. Since then, the admission policies went through a lot of changes. It turned into the registration of ranks instead of the registration of subjects. The change was nothing new since the government changed the university admission policies every year. Without much thought, Mu Ssang enrolled in the College of Natural Sciences in K University, a local national university.
K University was a local national university. Mu Ssang had given up on Frances Grande cole with his old teacher in mind, just like how he couldnt leave the bridge village because he was waiting for his mother.
If he hadnt met his teacher, he wouldnt be able to control the Epidiums wild DNA and might have turned into someone like Ocelot. Since his parents werent there, his teacher was the only person who scolded and whipped him. His teachers grace was extensive, and he didnt want to leave that comfort. There was no reason to leave his hometown unless he wanted to make his name widely known.
Why did he enroll in university?
It was because he wanted to study. He had regrets concerning his studies because of Jangs interference. He didnt know it was a form of reaction. Hae Young had left for the states to fulfill her academic ambitions. Perhaps, he wanted to prove the fact that love overshadowed the desire for fame or success
A month later, Mu Ssang was bored out of his mind. The quality of the lectures by the professor introducing biology theories was low, too low. Although that was a liberal arts class, he gave lectures on old theories that used to appear in the time when tigers smoked in the mountains.
Progeria occurred due to the loss of function[1] in the life pattern of a gene. It was a disease and yet not a disease caused by an accelerated life cycle.
Werners syndrome was caused by the breakdown of the helicase enzyme that failed to unpack DNA properly. Without proper cell division, old cells wouldnt be replaced in time. That meant the person affected would age and die early.
Since his youth, Mu Ssang read up on biology books because he wanted to know the secrets of his body. Although it was only for a brief period, hed attended lectures on biology at a Grande cole. He was well-informed on birth, aging, and the evolution of genes.
In his case, the Epidium factor modified his genes, resulting in a gain of function, which was the opposite of loss of function. He might continue to live on for 100s or 1,000s of years. It was the opposite of aging. Aging is the deterioration of cell functions due to environmental degradation. The professor-in-charge blatantly argued a 19th-century theory. He wasnt teaching them those theories to compare either. The professor didnt know any counterarguments or new theories.
He found out that the professor had been teaching the same lecturesdown to the same wordsfor over a decade. That was more like a history class than a biology class. Lectures on other subjects were no different either.
The students attitudes were more surprising. The students had no complaints about the professors lectures. Instead, they considered Mu Ssangs doubts strange.
There was something else for Mu Ssang to be surprised about. The professors would set the textbook and chapter for the test. All of his lectures were like that. Of course, they were all textbooks published under the professors name. That was a university exam, not a middle school exam. It was ridiculous to base tests on a page from a textbook. Werent they allowed to read other textbooks, then?
The professors were strange, but the students were strange too. All of them considered the professors actions normal. Some students would even ask the teaching assistant to provide them with anticipated questions. He thought everyoneold and youngwere mad. People called others with differences in perspective and knowledge, mad. Other people considered him mad.
The other professors behaved similarly despite the differences in degrees. There were lazy professors who referred to lecture notes from a decade ago, and there were cult-like students who were satisfied as long as they got good grades. Most of the professors were no different from the mean teachers at his high school. Mu Ssang held back his anticipation to further his studies. That wasnt a university but an after-school tutoring center. No, they were high-school dropouts in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade, whose lives depended on grades.
Vroom
A heavy low-frequency exhaust sound rang. A large motorbike entered the schools parking lot. The 1,200cc BMW motorbike was the only one in the country, and therefore, a Mu Ssang item. All of the students gazes, both male and female, landed on the bike.
The snakeheads tires were larger than a Ponys, but they were similar in width. The chrome-plated aluminum alloy body boasted toughness and smooth curves. When the snakehead with the heavy exhaust sound appeared, the passionate eyes of young students were drawn to him as though a famous celebrity had appeared.
By the end of 1984, there were 910,000 registered vehicles, including all trucks, buses, and passenger cars. It was a time when cars were considered a symbol of wealth. The social atmosphere was still dull.
The college students were mainly dressed in monochromatic plain clothes and jeans. Many students wore the U.S. military field attire that they bought at a second-hand store. It was a time when hair dyes or accessories werent even considered.
The appearance of Mu Ssang with his built body, backpack, and Ray-Ban sunglasses gave them a cultural shock. Moreover, his monstrous motorbike, which was known to be more expensive than a passenger car, freaked them out.
Whenever he rode to school on the snakehead with the heavy exhaust sound, everyone, regardless of gender, looked on with envy in their eyes. There were even rumors that he was actually an alien and that the motorbike he rode wasnt from earth either.
Mu Ssang wanted to live quietly, but his profile made it impossible. Mu Ssangs body was flashy in appearance. His muscles were five times heavier than his bodys mass of fat. Mu Ssangs body, which was packed with small muscles, weighed close to 100 kilograms. Unlike their appearance, the dense muscles of an Epidiumnot homo sapiensmade them agile.
The tall freshman who enrolled late, the frightening cross scar on his cheek, the prideful gaze and macho-like expression, the large foreign motorbike, and the foreign car that he drove to school when the weather wasnt greatall kinds of rumors about his identity circulated.
The rumors of him being a second-generation chaebol and the boss of a nationwide gang gained credibility. Other rumors about how he was the second born child of a large companys CEO, the hidden son of a former president, and also a cyborg that had been remodeled in the U.S. surfaced. Of course, Mu Ssang wasnt interested in those rumors and didnt bother to explain either.
All kinds of stories about Mu Ssangs identity started spreading, but he wasnt interested to know what the lumps of blood were talking about at all. From Mu Ssangs point of view, it was hard to get along with those lumps of blood too. The environment where they were raised was too different. Since they didnt share a common ground, it was hard to get along.
The female students made bets too. They betted on the back seat of the BMW motorbike. When she heard the story about the bet through her friend, Jin Soon snorted.
Getting on the back seat of the snakehead? Crazy b****es, f*** them. Itll be easier to crack a nut open with their nipples after taking off their bras.
It was as Jin Soon said. Until the end of the mid-term exams, none of the female students got on the back seat of the snakehead. Mu Ssang was someone who managed to get Hae Young, the incarnation of passion. There was Edel in Novatopia and Jin Soon in Korea. Compared to Edel and Jin Soon, those girls were nothing but lumps of blood. Once, Mu Ssang said this to a girl who wanted a ride:
Do you know me because I dont know you?
Unsurprisingly, the girl stepped back and looked at him in disbelief.
Youre the oppa from natural sciences who is rumored to be expensive.
Some even spoke back shamelessly.
Thats none of my concern. What if I took you to some eerie place and did something weird to you? Do you know me enough to trust me that much?
Ugh, what the hell!
After their self-esteem took a hit, the girls usually snorted and disappeared. Mu Ssang couldnt understand those girls who wanted to get on the back seat of his motorbike. An unfamiliar girl rubbing her breasts against his back? It would be awkward. To Mu Ssang, it was a natural response, but to others, he was a very boring human.
Mu Ssang was known to be a man with no manners and no taste. Still, they fought each other when asked to return a library book or save a seat for him. Countless female students tried their best to grab his attention despite chewing him out for being ill-mannered.
The students were burning with curiosity as time passed. Several female students attempted to touch him, but no one succeeded. He was too taciturn. It was difficult to talk to him. History could only begin when there was an opportunity for conversation. Even at the freshman welcome party, he only introduced himself in two sentences.
My surname is Park, and my name is Mu Ssang. The Mu Ssang from Guk Sa Mu Ssang.
Obviously, the crowd had nothing to say to that.
Mu Ssang only headed to two places once he reached the school on his snakehead. He either made his way to the classroom or the library with light, measured steps. No matter how much he suppressed his aura, he couldnt control the posture that came with his inborn physical looks.
His walk was peculiar. His stride was as constant as a milling machine, and he didnt sway from side to side like bites moving along a shelfs surface. Like a clam that met an octopus, his mouth was always shut. He often remained silent all day.
His soul was too far away to play billiards, go to meetings, have coffee, and flirt with his classmates. The thought of a campus romance flew to Andromeda.
[1] A phenomenon in which a specific gene has less to no function.
Chapter 356 - Episode 5: The Wind Doesnt Rest
Despite his physical abilities and mental maturity, Mu Ssangs nature was of someone in their 20s. He wanted to pursue freedom, study to the fullest, and enjoy romance. The reason why he crossed the threshold of university so late was that he wanted to live like a human. After all, despite the barbaric lands of the Sahara, he was called the romantic master in Ennedi.
Unfortunately, Mu Ssang became someone more suited for such barbaric lands than modern society. Clean water pouring out at the turn of a tap, the courses of food served in exchange for money, a transportation system that could take him anywhere, a land safe enough that he didnt have to worry about getting shot, and a land that had no flies, sands, poisonous insects, and predatorsthat was Korea. The stable environment and framework of modern society didnt fit him.
The aesthetics of barbarism and the impact of murder werent simple. Mu Ssang had adjusted to the barbarism without realizing it. He had become an outsider in society. His misfortune was also due to the fact that he didnt get to grow up in a proper environment. Without the protective shield called parents, he was thrown into a survival battle at the age of nine and was forced to become an adult.
Despite killing 1,000s of people, Mu Ssang was able to remain human because he went through mental training since his youth. That was how big and strong the vessel of his soul was. Paradoxically, his resolute soul and strong body became a hindrance when he stepped into society.
Society was about relationships. In a relationship, an individual would grow and learn to become sociable. Mu Ssang was a difficult person to connect with. If an average person stood before him, they would run out of breath. It was because of the silence and the tension radiating from his aura. No one could approach him because his aura overpowered their courage. How could any normal person converse with a starving tiger or lion!
His strange eating habit also became a stumbling block. The student cafeterias menu wasnt that appetizing. Students would empty their plates in five to 10 minutes and engage in daily conversations and debates.
Mu Ssang spent at least 30 minutes emptying his plate. He looked like a camel walking backward. The habit was deeply ingrained for almost a decade. His classmates couldnt say anything about his eating habit. The students criticized and called his habit a cyborgs feast.
Star Wars, an SF movie directed by George Lucas, premiered in Korea in 1977. Soon after, the sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, was released in 1981. Youths who longed for freedom reveled in the magic of SF unfolding in the vast universe.
The most popular character among young adults wasnt Jedi but Darth Vader. Darth Vaders overwhelming aura excited them.
An expressionless face as though he was wearing a mask, his robotic walk, his unfriendly tone which sounded creepy, the tension felt from his deep-set eyes, the black style he wore often, and his robotic eating habitall of that made up Mu Ssang. From the students point of view, Park Mu Ssangs profile and aura were exactly like Darth Vaders.
Even the cross scar on his left cheek made him look more like Darth Vader under the mask. The several nicknames they called him until then, such as Big, Tasteless, Prince, Alien, etc. unified under the name Darth Vader. It was to the point that if K University students didnt know Darth Vader, they were suspected of being spies. Mu Ssang became a celebrity unknowingly.
To be precise, Andromedan Mu Ssang wasnt a celebrity because of his connections but because of his existence. He didnt realize it, but hed gone too far to be normal. The weight and the size of his soul were too different.
To him, friends meant those who crossed the line between life and death with him. Unless they drank makgeolli and soju until they dropped dead, whod discuss life and death on campus? It also meant that there was no opportunity to form connections.
While his tired soul wanted a comfortable life, his greedy DNA longed for the battlefields where blood flowed like a river. That was another homework for Mu Ssang to solve.
Unlike the complicated rumors, Mu Ssangs daily routine was simple. He woke up early in the morning, said his prayers, and loosened up by practicing the five combined movements. He made his offerings and immediately went to school on his motorbike.
It was barely 70 kilometers from the temple to the university. To him, 70 kilometers felt like he was visiting a next-door neighbor. Still, getting to school took him three hours. It was because he went off-road and passed through the city.
Once he arrived, he listened to lectures, browsed through materials in the library, and borrowed books and brought them back to the temple. Once he returned to the temple, he browsed through the books and papers related to his major. He prayed again in the evening, practiced the five combined movements, and meditated. It was a simple life that would make any normal young adult scream in frustration.
Fortunately or unfortunately, no calls for him were advertised in the Nam Yang newspaper until the midterm exams were over. Black Mamba would never know it was thanks to Germaines persistence.
He even pushed back his plans to search for his mother and his plans for revenge. His teacher said that paths would open up on their own and that everything would be sorted out in time. He also said that rushing through matters would ruin everything instead. Some form of fortune rolled in when he listened to his teacher.
Mu Ssang slowly forgot about the battlefield that reeked of blood and adjusted himself to daily life. This could be his first taste at a normal life since the day he was born. Professor Giz said that the routine of daily life was the best medication for a wounded soul. The shadow of the holocausts that clouded his mind gradually drew back. Not even the CIA or the KGB knew that the most dangerous existence on Earth was wasting his time away in university.
There were always two sides to worldly matters. Nothing was good or bad. That was why proverbs ran in pairs. There were the proverbs bad things come in twos and blessings in disguise. The opposite of the proverb knowledge is power was the proverb ignorance is bliss. The proverb flashy on the surface contrasted with the proverb someone elses looks better.
Since all humans lived like so, religions also had their side of evil. Christianity created satan by corrupting an angel and caused Eve, who was living a happy life, to sin.
That was the same for Buddhism. There were all kinds of evil beings like the Mara and demons that interfered with training and human lives. Since it was difficult living on their own, their existence allowed people to grow more reliant on Buddha and focus on their training. Sin and evil were the two wheels that religions operated on. Without evil, its hard for religions to exist.
Mu Ssang had no religion. Rather, he disliked religions. The kind of evil he believed in wasnt the concept of devils, but humans themselves, especially those who believed they were above others and abused their position because of greed. Since before, he didnt believe in any existing religions.
Religion was his last resort before the means of training. Mu Ssang was someone who preferred breaking instead of bowing. He had faith in himself, had a strong sense of pride, and believed that he was but a person between heaven and earth. He was never the kind of person to rely on religion.
He wore monk-in-training clothes and prayed because it was part of the process of figuring out his identity and mental training. He was already becoming a religious being himself. Mu Ssang was someone from a new human race who showed extreme dual personalities: a psychopathic personality with religious benevolence and a strong sense of justice. A historical figure most similar to him would be Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms.
Cao Cao killed 1,000s of civilians without blinking but cried over the death of his subordinate. The reason why he was judged as a person with dual personalities and a traitor was because of the narrow perspectives of Confucian scholars. That was the same for Mu Ssang. He went back and forth between two extremes. What if a regular student found out the truth about Mu Ssang? They would lose consciousness. That was how the proverb ignorance is bliss came about.
Vroom
The snakehead entered the old house at the foot of the mountain where Jin Soon and Yeon Soon lived.
Grandma, are you ok? Mu Ssang shouted.
Aigo, Jin Soons brother, right? Youre here.
A grandma with a hunched back and watery eyes greeted Mu Ssang. The owner of the house, the grandma who lived alone, was slightly deaf. Mu Ssang handed her a large sack of sugar.
What did you get me this time? How can I ever repay you!
Despite what she said, the grandma immediately reached out for the gift.
Grandma, you said you need sugar to digest well. Thats why.
Aigo, I must have forgotten. I keep craving sweet things since Im old now. Thank you. Youre more like a son to me than my son, that brat I raised. Ill die anytime soon since Im old.
The grandma shed some crocodile tears.
Grandma, you should stay healthy for a long time.
Afraid of continuing the conversation, Mu Ssang bid his farewell and hurried into the inner room that Jin Soon rented.
Oppa, whats up?
Yeon Soon, who had been preparing late dinner, jumped out and wiped her hands on her apron.
I have some pork loins and belly slices. Wheres your sister? Mu Ssang asked before he handed her a bag and sat down on the floor.
Unnis out at Dong San Hospital for her practical. Gosh, youve bought a lot. Youre hungry, arent you? Just wait a moment.
Yeon Soon rushed back into the kitchen.
Its fine if you take your time. Just dont make kimchi-jjigae, Mu Ssang shouted at the back of Yeon Soons head.
Edels kimchi-jjigae had left him horrified and traumatized. Just looking at kimchi-jjigae made his insides turn, leading to a loss of appetite.
Where are you going to work after you graduate?
Where can a girl with a business management degree go after she graduates from a local university? A small trading company might take me in. I should have studied nursing so that I can secure a job immediately like unni. I made the wrong choice.
Yeon Soon was a year younger than Jin Soon. They were in the same graduating class because Jin Soon had delayed her school admission by a year.
Brat. Skills are more important. Theres nothing wrong with graduating from a local university. Becoming a nurse is plenty of hard work too. I heard they have terrible working hours and are not paid enough.
Aigo, oppa, dont quote Confucian words. Local graduates receiving recommendations into big companies are just like beans sprouting during a drought. We only have one recommendation in my cohort too. Without a recommendation, sending in applications is the same as throwing waste paper into their trash cans.
Really? What horrible people. Dont worry, you have oppa.
Hehe, even fleas have some guilt. Oppa, youve done plenty just by financing our education. Anyway oppa, what are you going to do with unni? Yeon Soon got closer to the head of the table.
You sly brat, why are you saying useless things like that? Do you want him to choke while eating? An answer came from outside.
Hmph!
Yeon Soon closed her mouth. Although there was an age difference of a year between them, she didnt dare talk back to Jin Soon. Jin Soon opened the door and entered the room. She was still wearing a white gown.
Oppa, youre here.
Yes, lets eat.
Unni, how did you get off so early?
I had a hunch that oppa would be coming over. I rushed over without changing.
Aigo, as if you had any premonition. You can work as a shaman then.
Jin Soon glanced at the table and turned pale.
Aigooo, you brat, whys the table so empty for oppa? Is oppa a rabbit? Theres not a single fish.
Hmph, you sound like a Mrs. Park. Yeon Soon pouted.
As if she didnt hear that, Jin Soon rolled up her sleeves and entered the kitchen. Soon, there was the rich smell of oil and the sizzling sound of a frying pan. Jin Soon immediately brought over a heavily oiled plate. There were at least two servings. Mu Ssang picked up a piece and raised his thumb.
Oh, its good! There wasnt enough time to marinate it, but it doesnt smell. How did you do it?
I added a little curry powder since there was little time to prepare. Hows life at school nowadays?
It isnt that fun. I think its funny that such unqualified people can become professors and that the students put their lives on the line for grades. I just come to mark my attendance and waste my time in the library.
Kekeke, of course, you would do that, oppa. Jin Soon laughed.
Oppa was someone who mastered Pythagorass theorem in middle school and calculated the number of chopsticks that could be made out of all the trees in Hajungdo with the Gaussian calculation method. She knew he was smart from when she was younger. However, now that she was older, she only found it unfortunate.
Oppa, wont you consider studying for real, now?
Too late. Ive already seen the big wide world.
Mu Ssangs eyes went slightly out of focus. He had started too many projects that it was difficult to only live for himself. That was why the mind became restless when people had too much on their plate.
You came here instead of the temple because you have something to do tonight, right?
Huh, how did you know? You really do have some kind of sixth sense.
Hmph, you can fool a ghost but not me. Jin Soon smiled.
Ive taken a good rest and forgotten everything until now. I did want to enjoy school life properly, after all. Still, something feels off nowadays. I should wrap up matters as soon as I can.
What about aunt?
Teacher said the time will come on its own.
Jin Soon nodded. If the monk grandpa said so, it was so.
Do you want me to prepare grandpas meal instead?
No. Ill go there and come back.
Mu Ssang devoured the remaining stir-fried pork loins and stood up.
Theres no moon today.
Jin Soon, who came to see him off, brushed her shoulder lightly against his shoulder. When Mu Ssang pulled her shoulder, she rushed in for a hug.
Im sorry about several things.
No, I just need to be with you, oppa. Ive been your shadow since I was 12.
Jin Soons voice shook. She could still recall the time when she, who was 12 years old at the time, used to cross the Nakdong River on her oppas back. Her soul belonged to him ever since she smelled the sweat on his back.
Dont worry. Ill come back quickly.
It was a street with bright streetlights. Mu Ssang disappeared as though his body melted into the air.
Tsk, why would I worry? Ive never had the chance to suck on your fingers since you never get hurt. Ugh, no ones going to beat you up for hugging me tightly, the moons not even out! Jin Soon complained.
Chapter 357 - The Wind Doesnt Rest
Gosh!
Jin Soon, who wasnt easily surprised, leaped in the air. There was a long shadow under the streetlight, it was her oppa who had disappeared. Mu Ssang walked up to her. Jin Soons heart throbbed. Her heart seemed to beat faster with each step.
What am I doing? Its not like were strangers. Why am I acting this way?
She turned her body slightly and pressed her palm down on her chest. The full moon, which was covered by the clouds, peeked out. Moonlight poured down like arrows. Mu Ssang was breathless for a moment.
She really is a beautiful woman!
The way she stoodslightly tilted to the side with her hand on her chestunder the moonlight created a beautiful scene. The scent of a mature woman wafted off her slim silhouette. Mu Ssang suddenly forgot the reason why he had returned.
When did the girl, who used to hide snacks in her skirt, grow up so much? When did her tan face become so bright like the moon? She, who used to drag around a heavy handcart while sticking her tongue outwhen did her short legs grow so long? A person whom he had been considering a younger sister suddenly seemed like a woman to him.
Jin Soon!
Yes! Jin Soon replied meekly.
The casual tone she always took with him disappeared.
Its a gift.
Mu Ssang pulled out a small jewelry box from his pocket. It was the diamond that he brought along with him for his mother when he escaped the underground world. When Mu Ssang opened the lid of the jewelry box, an intense radiance shot out. The surrounding radius of three meters glowed brightly.
Ah!
Jin Soon was distracted by the magnificence of the flashy pink diamond in the black opal box. It was natural. The jewel that Jin Soon received was the perfect jewel. Mu Ssang had thought about its shape and used his eyes and his dimensional sight to cut it down with resonance waves. It was a unique item.
He practiced the 58-sided brilliant cutting skill whenever he could to master control over the Billions Water Armor. The 3,000-karat diamond was reduced to 1,000 karats since he kept cutting until it was perfectly symmetrical and balanced. Only Black Mamba, who saw the diamond as nothing but a rock, was capable of doing so.
OOppa, what is this?
She didnt ask out of ignorance. She asked because she was shocked.
I was going to give it to my mother as a gift if I meet her, but I feel like this kind of gift will only get in the way of our relationship. The owner of this item is you.
Is this a real diamond? Ive never heard of a pink diamond. Do I even deserve this at all?
Jin Soons mind was focused entirely on the diamond that was glowing brightly in her palm. Nonsensical words came out from her naturally.
If its not my mother, only you can have it. Mu Ssang smiled.
Oppa, youre everything to me like how auntie is everything to you. Im horrible for being distracted by it when oppas right here. The rightful owner of this item is auntie.
Jin Soon closed the jewelry box. The world suddenly grew dark. Jin Soon returned the jewelry box to Mu Ssang.
Hm? You seem to forget, but if you sell it, youll get 1,000,000,000s of dollars.
I know. However, the reason why Im not accepting it is the same reason why youre not giving it to auntie, oppa. No matter how expensive it is, theres a price. Oppa, youre priceless.
Jin Soon smiled softly. Mu Ssang smiled along with her. It was only something that Jin Soon could do.
I want to receive this from auntie instead of you, oppa. Although jewels arent problematic, it becomes a problem if I dont have the power to protect them, right?
I didnt think that far, Mu Ssang admitted.
He only paid attention to the latter part of her response, forgetting the part about receiving it from his mother.
Tsk, its still regretful. Maybe I am too attached to money, hehehe!
Mu Ssang opened his arms. Jin Soon snuggled against his broad chest. Her heart shook at the strong scent of a man. She was happy. Oppa was hugging her, so whats the point of a shining stone?
Mu Ssang enjoyed her refreshing soul. Could there be a soul purer than hers? Her soul, which shone brighter than the 1,000s of diamonds embedded in the tunnel, sealed the gaping wound that Hae Young left behind.
Damn, did I save 1,000 widows in my past life?
Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on the bridge of his nose.
Mu Ssang grabbed a taxi at Anjirang. He would have to eliminate Bodhisattva Young Mae depending on the situation. Although it would only take minutes if he rode on his snakehead to Daehan-ri, a temple-owned village, he didnt want to draw unnecessary attention.
That wasnt some petty revenge. From how Bodhisattva Young Mae acted, it was highly likely that there were other victims. From an unknown time, adults and good-doers started disappearing. The society grew unsympathetic, and communities started crumbling down. A childs childishness was comparable to an adults foolishness. Childishness did not only apply to young children but also foolish people. Adulthood meant the breadth of knowledge in ones possession. Adults were adults because they reprimanded and guided ignorant children.
The gathering of individuals was called a society, and on a larger scale, a nation. If the number of people turning a blind eye to dangerous situations and injustice increased, society would grow sick. If society grew sick, the habit of ignoring the common good and blaming others would spread. Theres a sick society behind the saying, fire and fistfights are the best entertainment.
When one turned a blind eye to injustice, karma would hit the back of their head like a boomerang. The degree of danger ones exposed to would increase. Before one could reflect on themselves, the disease would worsen as the blame was pushed to the government, society, and neighbor.
Mu Ssang wasnt Don Quixote who interfered whenever he liked without a plan. He used the same reason why he saved the Orthodox Christians and the Kurd tribe for his trip to Gatbawi. It was because he wanted to. Mu Ssangs agenda followed the teachings of his father, Park Jin Bo, which was to live like a man and his teacher, which was to do what his heart wanted.
Taxi number 909 sped through the countryside roads and stopped at the entrance of Sinhan-ri. Gatbawi was located to the left of the village townhouse, four kilometers straight through a small side road. Mu Ssang willingly walked to the destination.
Gatbawi or the Stone Seated Medicine Buddha was national treasure number 431 and located at the top of Palgong Mountain. The reason for Gatbawis nationwide fame was because of the rumor that ones wishes would be granted if they prayed sincerely. Was there anyone without a wish! On Buddhas birthday or entrance examination day, people would push each others backs from dawn to reach the statue.
Mu Ssang ran on the deserted side road. No matter how amazing Gatbawi was, no one climbed the mountain paths late at night. His body aligned with his abilities, and he moved like a leaf fluttering in the wind when he utilized the fearless steps. Even if someone saw Mu Ssang sprinting, they would think it was a mad crow.
Five kilometers was nearby. Mu Ssang stopped walking after five minutes. A rock with the words Bodhisattva Young Mae engraved appeared.
She settled in an amazing place, Mu Ssang mumbled.
The Left Martial Hall showed their prowess by borrowing the ghosts energy. Of course, they preferred eerie places where ghosts could easily come and go.
A deep valley, a waterfall that evoked an eerie feeling, the shade of a tree that covered the building, and the dark mountain shadeall of that made up the typical yin-based feng shui grounds.
The building itself was normal. It wasnt a gutdang[1] with green traditional sliding doors and a light pink charm but an ordinary house. If it werent for the large bamboo poles leaning against the door, it would be like any typical house. Still, just because it was a house, that didnt make any difference. 300,000 people made a living out of being a shaman. Even a shaman who set up a gutdang in an ordinary house was no different.
It was a bizarre night; only the sound of the waterfall could be heard. The aura of dark demons surrounded the old tiled house covered in the shade of a giant 100-year-old tree. He suddenly remembered the black bull that fought the ridiculously large snake underwater.
Boom
His dimensional sight spread. That was the first time he used that ability since his return. There wasnt a single human within his 400-meter radius. There were three people in the building. He could sense thin and sharp women and a heavy and dull man.
Mu Ssang put on his Ray-Ban and pressed down his Yankee hat. Even if it wasnt for his teachers advice, he had no intention of hurting anyoneif that was possible. Mu Ssang pushed the large front door open and went in.
What?
He paused at the unexpected sight. The inner door to a room was wide open, and a woman wearing traditional clothes was lying on a large platform in the courtyard outside of the room with her hair loose. Inside the room, through the open door, was an altar and colorful shaman materials.
White incense smoke floated past the shamanic paintings. On the left and right walls were several armaments such as the three-pointed trident, blue dragons blade, and Jangpal spear. In that bizarre setting, the woman, who was clutching her chest with unruly hair and thin clothes, looked weak as though she could die on the spot.
Hm!
When Mu Ssang made a sound, the woman leaped to a stand and rushed out barefoot. She seemed to be in her 50s, with gray roots growing out. She collapsed before him on the ground.
Great God, this lowly girl pleads for her sins. Ill take whatever punishment youll bestow.
Huh! Mu Ssang exclaimed internally. He felt goosebumps rising on his skin because the woman had shamelessly called herself a girl despite her graying hair.
How did you know?
A general I serve told me. He said the great God of the universe will arrive today and determine this girls fate.
This persons the real deal.
Mu Ssang was slightly surprised. She wasnt a fake who deceived others but a real shaman.
Who are you?
Im spellcaster Sun Woo Bang Na, who inherited master Jeon Woo Chis secrets.
Hm, Sun Woo is your last name, huh Its an old family name from the Three Kingdoms period. Did you put the two to sleep on purpose?
Mu Ssang glanced at the smaller side-house. A man and woman were fast asleep.
Yes, sir. I put them to sleep hoping that you, the great God, wont be disturbed.
Mu Ssang tried recalling the image of the female spellcaster called Sun Woo Bang Na. He could pull up the other persons image when he used his inner eye and dimensional sight at the same time. She was as cold as a lake. Although it wasnt clear, she wasnt contaminated like the houngan of the Vodou religion. There was no hatred or bloodlust either.
She isnt the kind of person to covet money or use evil spells
Mu Ssang tilted his head.
Are those two, who are asleep, your disciples?
Theyre my disciple and helper.
Do you know why Im here?
I heard my disciple was recently hungry for some money. Its been months since I scolded and punished her. It seems like youre here because of my disciple.
Huh, did she plan this knowing that I was going to visit?
Something about the situation felt off.
Hm, can your disciple perform the deprivation of the souls permanent seal?
Permanent seals are evil spells that this girl didnt dare learn. The deprivation of the soul are charms passed down Ah!
Surprised, Sun Woo Bang Na raised her head and lowered it immediately.
Great God, Ive committed a grave sin. I once gave my disciple the deprivation of the soul charms, a secret in my possession, because she needed it for her research. My disciple must have used them for evil purposes.
She did. Is there a reason why you have not destroyed such evil charms yet?
Great God, the deprivation of the soul sealing charms were made by my great master who anticipated the Japaneses attacks, with the purpose of sealing their generals bodies. However, since the ignorant government imprisoned him and accused him of fooling the people, he was never able to use them.
Huh!
As the story unraveled, it got stranger. Apart from Jeon Woo Chi, the Japanese war was also mentioned. What kind of charms lasted 500 years? The charms, which were meant to seal the bodies of Kat and Konishi, were used on his innocent father.
Bring me to your disciple.
Sun Woo Bang Na got up and led him to the smaller side-house. There was a pile of kalopanax before the door. It seemed to be an imitation of the traditional exile method. Sun Woo Bang Na removed the kalopanax and branches before opening the door.
An old woman was sleeping inside the room. She seemed to be in her 60s. Mu Ssang immediately realized that she was put to sleep by a spell.
Wake her up!
Sun Woo Bang Na grabbed a chain of bells from her sleeve and shook it. With three rings, the woman woke up.
Aaagh!
The woman screamed and leaped to her feet the moment her eyes met Mu Ssangs.
Splat
She stepped on her skirt, fell face first, and trembled as she crawled toward a corner of the room. Shivering, she curled herself up and covered her face with both of her arms.
You evil thing, do you know the great God has come? Did you use the sealing charms? Sun Woo Bang Nas tone was harsh.
I committed a grave sin, please, I must have been momentarily mad. The woman lowered her head.
Did you deal with a woman called Jang Pil Nyuh?
The heavy voice shook the womans eardrums.
Please, forgive me.
The woman kneeled flat on the ground.
If you committed a grave sin, you belong in a grave. Youre someone wholl bring harm to the world.
When Mu Ssang raised his hand, a sharpened shaman knife levitated in the corner of the room and transported into his palm.
Sun Woo Bang Na collapsed to her knees.
Great God, please, hear me out.
Mu Ssang glared at Sun Woo Bang Na.
Lately, this girl is working on a traditional business that brings shaman practices into yang constitutions. My disciple must have committed this sin because there werent enough funds. Although my disciple must die to pay for the sins she has committed as a practitioner, I am at greater fault for not teaching her properly. Please have mercy and take my life instead.
A traditional business that brings shamanism into the?
It was a grand, no, unexpected story. Mu Ssang was intrigued by Sun Woo Bang Nas words. The Left Martial Hall was a yin-world. Shamanism was no different from Vodouism.
Shamanism is our own religion that isnt influenced by China. Its no different from the Japanese Shinto. However, we dismiss it as superstition while Japan considered it their national religion. We destroyed shaman altars and shaman groups to erase shamanism, but Japan covered their land with divinity. Our country leaders have abandoned the ancient tradition, but Japan started the year by praying to their gods, using it as a means to unite their people.
[1] Commercial temple.
Chapter 358 - Episode 7: The Wind Doesnt Rest
Sun Woo Bang Na glanced at her disciple, who was curled up in a corner of the room, and kept talking.
According to this girls research, there are 80,478 temples registered with Japans Agency for Cultural Affairs, making it a total of 140,000 if the branches are included. There are temples in every neighborhood. There are many similarities between shaman gods and Shinto gods. There are nature deities (animism and totemism) and human gods (heroes).
She continued, The only difference is that if shamans serve the kings and heroes of our nation, Shinto serves the Amaterasu Omikami and war criminals. While some shamans serve Chinese gods like Guan Yu and Xue Rengui, they are all cult remnants. Shaman gods have a clear rank, from heavenly gods to ghosts. Theyre of a higher grade than Shinto gods and are a combination of animism and totemism.
So, which rank do I belong to?
When Sun Woo Bang Na started bragging, Mu Ssang threw her a difficult question. Like the Celtic gods and Greek gods, Koreas traditional shamanism had several gods.
Shamans are those who know their place. A mere human cant measure the size of a great soul. While the shaman gods differ depending on the region and temple, there is the Sky God, Big Dipper God, and Mountain God in the highest rank and the Sea Dragon God, Three Jeseok Gods, and General Gods in the middle rank. There is the Seongju God, State Official God, Earth God, and Jowangsin in the lower rank and the Beggar God and ghosts in the lowest rank.
She added, A shamans abilities differ depending on the rank of god that enters their bodies. A shaman who receives a high-ranking god can also display the abilities of a lower-ranking god. On the other hand, if the shaman receives a low-ranking god, they will only waste their life away. The Great God refers to those whove met conditions that fulfill godly powers beyond these ranks. Youre basically above the Jade Emperor.
Whether its the Jade Emperor or the Big Dipper God, Im nothing but an ordinary human right now. Im merely dust in the providence of the vast universe. Youre doing such a bothersome task because you feel threatened, yes?
Yes. No Japanese calls Shinto a superstition. Despite their defeat in the Pacific War, the Japanese protected Shinto until they were partly forced to abandon their national religion. Our reality is harsher. Since Park Jung Hui came to power, the government has been bent on suppressing and exterminating shamanism. They call the gods and the incarnations we connect with superstition and turn this world into a place where people react negatively to a woman for giving birth to the savior without proper fertilization. This girls chest grows stuffy whenever I see the red crosses covering the city. The reality of our traditional belief wasting away like a boy after he gains independence saddens me.
She continued, To be frank, all religions are superstitions. No country denounces folk tradition as mere superstition just to wipe it out. Why did we, Koreans, abandon our traditional beliefs and accepted a foreign religion that originated from a corner of Western Asia without much protest? It is a religion that even the Jews rejected. Its because we lost our national pride after being suppressed by those Japs. Its because some useless people ended up as politicians.
Sun Woo Bang Na spoke enthusiastically as though she had forgotten about her current situation. Her eyes, which were trembling with fear, flashed with enthusiasm, and her small mouth moved quickly as though it operated on motors.
Huh, what the h*ll? Is she possessed by a minister who died in Yeouido?
Mu Ssang stared at the old shaman who made him feel uncomfortable and had forgotten her situation. She wasnt wrong. Both Koreas shamanism and Japans Shinto were pantheons.
While it was difficult to find gutdangs in Korea, there were Shinto shrines everywhere in Japan. To real shamans, Buddhism and Christianity must look like nothing but followers hanging onto the concepts of gods. They must be dissatisfied with the reality that religions prevailed despite hanging onto insubstantial gods. Mu Ssangs vicious instinct slowly reared its head. He wanted to test Sun Woo Bang Nas foresight.
Sun Woo Bang Na, can you look into my past?
Thats thats dangerous, sir. If a Bodhisattva tries to look into the past of a high-ranking god, they cant avoid death. At best, it will drive us mad. Sun Woo Bang Na leaped in her place.
Compared to the human world, the spiritual world had a clearer hierarchy of power based on abilities. More than one already died in Korea after their brain exploded from trying to act like they were better.
Ho, what rank does your master Jeon Woo Chi belong to? I heard hes skilled. Is it still impossible?
There are countless spirits in the universe, but there are barely 10 great gods. My great master Jeon Woo Chi is a Taoist, and therefore, he serves the Mountain God. While he is the incarnation of a high-ranking god, hes incomparable to the Great Gods. This girls ability, no, the incarnate I serve wont be able to handle your power.
Hm. Theres one thing I really want. Can you figure it out? Mu Ssang asked vaguely.
He really wanted to check. It was said that politicians frequently sought out shamans. Could shamans truly tell a persons fortunes, misfortunes, past, and future?
Even your incarnation has entered the rank of gods, Great God. This girl doesnt dare test you. However, I may be able to get a glimpse through your parents. Do you perhaps have any belongings that your parents cherished or any part of their body?
Hoo, a belonging, hm?
Mu Ssang looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Back then, he was too young to think about his parents belongings. All he had was his fathers nail-sized registration card photo and one of his mothers brushes. Even then, Ha Dong Daek had obtained them for him. Mu Ssang took out a straight brush from his pocket.
Ho, its a high-quality item made from a Ziziphus struck by lightning. There are traces of the owners personality. Its something that a young woman used, I see.
Sun Woo Bang Na didnt bounce around wearing colorful robes or perform a ritual. She simply held the straight brush and started meditating. The connection began. Her eyes lost focus and widened. Her body started shaking. Her cheeks trembled, and soon, tears rolled down from her eyes. It was emotional resonance through a medium.
How strange strange. How did heavens daughter fall into the human world once more? Is the Queen Mother of the West still angry? The weaver girl who met the cowherds evil sister-in-law is suffering another fate. Separated from her husband in her past life and separated from her son in this life. Oho, how unfortunate. This noble soul is wandering the seas, unaware and unsettled, Sun Woo Bang Na shivered while she relayed the story.
Wwhere is that? Mu Ssang shouted.
Piles of dust descended from the roof because of the vibration. Sun Woo Bang Na suddenly stopped shaking.
Ah!
Mu Ssang beat himself up. Basically, he broke the connection between the Bodhisattva and the god. Sure enough, Sun Woo Bang Nas eyes regained focus.
F***, damn it!
Mu Ssangs face creased.
Great God, please, dont be too mad. Connections in this world are like worthless riches. Once you enter the wheel of reincarnation, these connections will be forgotten, Sun Woo Bang Na spoke calmly, as though she was chiding him.
The idea of past lives in shamanism was the disconnection between the human world and the afterlife. After leaving the body, the soul would return to its pure foundations to be reincarnated. Even if a son crossed the boundaries between both worlds, his dead mother wouldnt be able to recognize him.
Mu Ssang was speechless. He just missed the golden opportunity to locate his mother because of his emotions.
Is she alive?
She is.
Where? Mu Ssang asked, as though he was going to eat her up.
From what I could see, there were many islands, which indicates the South Sea. There was a port with a lot of breakwaters.
The South Sea
Mu Ssang looked determined. Sun Woo Bang Na carefully opened her mouth.
Although your ability covers the heavens, great God, you are still a person who hasnt broken out of your human shell. If you force connections into place, the tangled threads of fate may work against your favor.
I know. Finish what you were going to say.
Just knowing that his mother was still alive was a great gain. Mu Ssang returned to his usual demeanor. Sun Woo Bang Nas Bodhisattva ability wasnt to be underestimated. Someone at the peak of their profession deserved to be respected. Mu Ssangs tone grew more polite.
Thank you for your grace. Please, drop the honorifics. This girl isnt someone who can bear the existence of the great God.
Very well.
Mu Ssang nodded. Shamans were not ranked by their innate personalities, but their right to shamanism. Treating the other like they were an adult would only make her more anxious.
Buddhism and Christianity are both foreign religions. The government gave tax benefits to foreign religions and even made Jesus birthday a national holiday. However, the shamans are losing their tradition and each factions legacy is cut off one by one because of the suppression and extermination. As our main vein of tradition, Kang Shin Ryu, grew faint, all kinds of fake cults began to act up, and they are treated as representations of shamanism itself. Christianity is a religion of division and envy, while Buddhism is a religion of seclusion. Both have a fundamental limit when it comes to uniting the people. This girl is certain that Mu (shamanism) can unite our people.
Mu Ssang stared at Sun Woo Bang Na, who was speaking enthusiastically. While there were some weak points in her argument, the reality was harsh for shamans to feel that way.
I think differently. Mu is very selfish. Its nature, which changes frequently according to reality, is also strong. On the other hand, the backbone of Buddhism and Christianity are benevolence and love.
Those are just grand words. I can bring up more than 36,500 examples that both are actually fascinated by wealth and worldly power, Sun Woo Bang Na spat.
Mu Ssang smiled.
People are the problem, then. Your disciple accepted dirty money and cursed a specific innocent person. Do you think you can gain public support this way? Do you think you can gain support with selfish thoughts like I just need to be happy and As long as Im not the only unhappy one? If you want Mu to become a religion, you need to establish the agenda that everyone can be happy.''
Youre right, Great God. That is why this girl decided to act on it. I plan to rework the Mu religions frame entirely after investigating all the shamans in the country, taking whats needed and abandoning whats unnecessary. Every new year, 80 percent of the Japanese visit the temple to pray. This is also the reason why the Japanese are united. During the Japanese occupation period, they moved the national temple that was located in Namsan Octagonal Pavilion to In Wang San. There, they built a Joseon deity temple that represented the gods in Joseon and titled Amaterasu Omikami as the god. The evil Japanese feared that Mu would become a spiritual pillar, like Shinto.
Fine. I understand that you care for this countrys future and love this country in your own way. Youre better than those helpless politicians. Mu Ssang sighed.
Even a yin-fields Left Martial Hall shaman was concerned about the country, but those in power behaved like the country was someone elses. They were either Japanese or American.
What is your disciples name?
Shes Sun Woo Ma Go. Shes my daughter.
Huh!
Mu Ssang was surprised. Both mother and daughter seemed to have their ages reversed. Well, they could change their appearance at any time depending on the depth of their training. That explained why Sun Woo Bang Na covered for her disciple so desperately.
Mu Ssang stared at Sun Woo Ma Go, who was still trembling. His teacher said that they were useful people. It was true. His teachers wisdom was truly unmatched.
Very well. Sun Woo Go Mas actions were prevented before there were any consequences. If not, both of you would have met your end today.
Mu Ssang took out his fathers picture from his pocket.
Sun Woo Bang Na, can you perform thoughtography?
Although it isnt difficult, it takes a lot out of my concentration. This girl has lost her energy after receiving a god. My disciples ability isnt bad. You damn thing, hurry up here!
At Sun Woo Bang Nas call, Sun Woo Ma Go quickly got up and received Park Jin Bos photo with both hands. He could tell what Sun Woo Bang Na was up to instantly. She was trying to reassure him, a dangerous guest.
Sun Woo Bang Na spread out a yellow paper and secured it with the Big Dippers sword on the floor. Sun Woo Ma Go raised the picture in her hands and closed her eyes. Energy swirled in her head.
Chhhh
Black dots appeared on the yellow paper. The dots turned into lines, and the lines formed a face. His features were outlined. It was as though the portrait came to life.
Amazing!
Mu Ssang silently exclaimed. The world was truly huge. Professor Giz did say that there would come a day when electrical appliances were powered by brainwaves. There were no limits to a humans mental strength.
Park Jin Bo came to life on the yellow paper. His wide forehead, his high nose, his stubborn mouth, and his kind facethey were all as they were.
Ffather! Mu Ssang mumbled under his breath.
Hes your father, great God? Im sorry for the sin that my daughter has committed. Please, at least let her live.
Sun Woo Bang Na lowered her head. Sun Woo Ma Go, who just finished transferring the picture, also lowered herself to the ground.
Sun Woo Ma Go, you must never perform another curse or charm that can harm others. Swear that to the god that you serve.
Sun Woo Ma Go willingly swore. Contracts between Bodhisattvas and gods incarnate werent as simple as contracts between humans. Going against her word would break the connection between her and the god. The shock to her brain would cause her to lose the divinity she acquired until then, and she would not be able to live as a normal human.
Mu Ssang threw the knife that he was holding onto the floor.
Crack
The knife, which was two and a half inches, sliced through the floor and embedded itself deeply. Its blade completely disappeared, leaving only its handle poking out.
It seems like Ill lose all connection with the heavens and the divine if I punish you. Hear this, Sun Woo Ma Go. The person you tried to curse almost had his soul sealed. I want you to hang his picture in the temple and pray for his peace every day. Can you do that?
Chapter 359 - Episode 8: The Wind Doesnt Rest
I swear to the god I serve that Ill pray with all my heart. Sun Woo Ma Go lowered herself into a bow.
Mu Ssang erased the last bit of his suspicions. Sun Woo Bang Na and her daughter have proved themselves. There were many points to emphasize regarding Sun Woo Bang Nas spread of Mu.
Mu Ssangs worldviews and opinions were long entangled with Buddhism and Taoism. The gods of Mu were pantheons. They were accepted and incorporated into the lives of Koreans without discrimination of this or that.
It was a matter that would make the Christians jump in fright over, but with time, Mary and Jesus might occupy a corner of Mu and become noble gods or gods incarnate. Getting along and coexisting was one of the charms that pantheons had. It could also be used as a common ground for social integration.
Temples began to infiltrate the cities, spreading beyond mountains and rivers. Churches covered both cities and farmlands. Shaman temples could become widespread like the shrines in Japan. Although it was an overarching idea, it would be good if shamanism could be the adhesive that kept the society united.
Mu Ssang took out a checkbook and signed a check for 100,000 francs. Like how he spread his ideals in Novatopia, he wanted to see how they were going to spread their belief.
Your determination to save what is yours is commendable. Religion should exist as nothing but a religion. Remember, religion will become tainted the moment it holds hands with power and money. It should convert to about 30,000,000 won. Remember to exchange it at BNP Paribas.
No, no, impossible! This cant do. This girl and her daughter have taken on a great debt just by your grace. Please, take it back. Surprised, both mother and daughter leaped in their place.
You can consider it as payment for serving my father or funds to support your Mu business. The foundation of Mu, from what Ive seen, is jealousy and empathy. Jealousy and empathy are like two sides of the same coin. Jealousy can boost ones motivation or become a weapon that harms oneself by trying to drag others down. Shaman rituals are like festivals. It can become the straight path to help resolve internal jealousy and evoke empathy. I hope you achieve good results.
Mu Ssang handed them the check and turned his feet away without regret. Although he could sympathize with them, he didnt want to be actively involved. Shamans were extremely selfish. A uniting agenda was required for an egocentric religion to grow. Despite it being around for 1,000s of years, Shinto remained confined in Japan. That was because it was trapped in a selfish and personal framework, without an integrated or universal worldview. That was the same for Mu. For it to grow as a religion, the shamans needed to change themselves.
Great God, this girl would like to follow you! Sun Woo Bang Na shouted just as Mu Ssang was about to leave the premises.
No. You have your work to do. You will achieve good results if your mindset remains unchanged even after several years.
The reply came from a distance, far down the valley.
Oh, godly human of this world!
Sun Woo Bang Na and Sun Woo Ma Go didnt rise from their bow. Although Mu Ssang had drawn a line and disappeared, no one could fathom heavens intentions. The visit from the great God Asura became a string of fate for both mother, Sun Woo Bang Na, and daughter of the Left Martial Hall, leading them to Novatopia.
Soon, a corner of the five wise men and a corner of the Seven Hojang, known as the cruel hammer, would be occupied by the pair of mother and daughter. Even Sun Woo Bang Na couldnt read her own future despite the great spellcaster Jeon Woo Chis legacy living on through her.
I should sell legwork, damn it, Mu Ssang complained in the ink-like darkness.
Clouds covered the sky as though rain was about to fall. He couldnt see the moon or the stars. Although he exited from the Sinhanri highway, he didnt see a single passing vehicle. It was over 60 kilometers from Gatbawi to Suseong-gu by road.
Mu Ssang didnt have the leisure or was he relaxed enough to wait indefinitely for a car. He ran from Sinhanri to Hwans?ng mountain in Cheongtong, through Neungcheon mountain, and headed straight toward Suseong. He was like a goblin at midnight.
It was 15 kilometers from Gatbawi to Dongdaegu and 16 kilometers from Dongdaegu to Geumho River. While he was at it, Mu Ssang jumped on the roof of buildings and crossed both mountains and cities in 30 minutes. Traveling at a shocking speed was another terrifying ability that Black Mamba possessed.
A large house sat on a hill like a monsterthat was his uncles house after he moved from the bridge village. He was swelling with emotions from within. He could imagine himself leaving his uncles house. It was snowing heavily that day. After a decade, he was standing before his uncles house once more. There wasnt a purpose behind his visit. He planned on getting a grasp of the situation when he had the time. That would allow him to slowly tighten the noose around their necks later. If Hwa Ja was there, he planned on kidnapping her to sniff out information about their current situation. He had been having a bad premonition lately. France wasnt such an idle country for Bonipas to sit around and do nothing for half a year.
Sss
Mu Ssang slid into the residence like fog. He stepped on a large pine tree in the garden and flew through the air silently like an owl.
Bark
A shepherd that was wandering on the lawn raised its head. Another of its kind, which was accompanying it, raised its ears.
Shut it, idiot!
Someone shouted from the guardhouse next to the front entrance.
These b*stards are really sensitive. Mu Ssang clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth.
Although he didnt use becoming one with nature, the shepherds still noticed him. A dogs senses were incomparable to a humans.
Two blue lights flashed on the roof. Even tigers wouldnt fight against such a strong bloodlust.
Woof
The two shepherds jumped in their spot, tucked their tails between their legs, and hurried into their dog house.
What are they doing up so late? I should listen in.
There was more than one person in the house. There were 10 in the main house and five in the small building next to it. Mu Ssang casually laid down on the roof and listened in.
The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling brightened up the living room, which was the size of an island villages playground. The faces of the men and women sitting on the circular couch below were dark and dull. They all looked like they had chewed on a cows intestine. No one touched the Luwak coffee that was the price of five sacks of rice for a single cup.
They were the core members of the Jang family. There were Jang, her father Jang Kyung Ju, her brothers Jang Gi Su and Jang Sang Su, her uncle Jang Kyeong Mo, cousin Jang Chul Su, paternal first cousins once removed Jang Kyung Tek and Jang Kyung Nam, and Jangs sixth cousin. Although the adults of the family visited their house in Suseong frequently after the issuance of convertible bonds, that was the first time they were all gathered at once.
Todays meeting was regarding the bond interests. The elders had all gathered to meet Park In Bo because the date for their six percent interest payment was approaching, and it was unbearable for them. They were there to request a transfer.
A five-year-old kid would have laughed if they heard that the Jang family were struggling because of the interests, but the reality was hellish. What else could they do? How did the situation get so bad? It was because Park In Bo had instructed Ma Sam Shik to spread malicious rumors.
Rumors about the Jang family urgently selling their land quickly spread. All of the buyers waited until the prices dropped. The baits eventually worked after the prices dropped 60 to 70 percent of the market price. Of course, their plan to raise funds fell through. The after-effects of taking up loans to fill that gap were tremendous and deep. In just six months, the Jang family fell into a state of grogginess.
Nephew, did you notify the police?
Jang Chul Su shook his head at Jang Kyung Jus question.
Not only in Indong, but people in Gumi and Seonsan are also talking about our family over drinks. Whats the point of reporting to them when it will only bring more harm to our familys reputation? Jang Chul Su replied with a gloomy face.
As I said, brother, you made a mistake. Instead of holding them, you should have turned them over to the police.
Their sixth cousin, Jang Young Su, scolded Jang Gi Su, the direct heir. It was a sight that couldnt have taken place in the past. However, the family crises shook the foundations of their hierarchy, which used to be as solid as concrete.
What are you saying? Whats the point of turning them over to the police when theres no evidence? We can only dig around and look for the schemer behind all of this ourselves.
Then, you should have called the police over for protection.
Stop it, Young Su. How could your brother have known that those street gang members would attack our main house? Jang Chul Su scolded Jang Young Su.
His head throbbed from all the blaming that continued like the gatherings in a poor mans house. Their family used to be as solid as a boulder.
Last night, they managed to catch two people responsible for spreading the rumors. Jang Gi Su locked them up in their shed, planning to stand guard himself. However, some gang members rushed into their house barely an hour after they were locked up. The young men and employees of the house fought back but were beaten one-sidedly by the gang members who carried iron pipes and motorbike chains.
The gang members destroyed their shed, grabbed both of whom were held hostage, and disappeared like the wind. The incident that took place at the main house left the elders of the family stunned. To date, their family had never experienced such troubles before. However, they would have never guessed that Park In Bo was the one who gave Ma Sam Shik the information.
Ugh, those damn b*stards! Were being teased by an eel, like a dragon falling into a lake and all that.
Jang Kyung Ju gritted his weak teeth, but his nephews words werent wrong. The entire world had flipped on its head, so what else could they do?
Brother, lets forget about those gang members and finish what we have been discussing.
Right.
Jang Kyung Ju nodded.
Park Shil[1], did you say your husband Park cant help us with the funds?
Ya, Im sorry. He went on a rampage because I asked even though I know that hes currently short of construction funds.
Jang lowered her head. She had asked her husband for a temporary loan but was refused coldly. She nearly fainted when he asked her to pay the taxes hed have to pay for the CEOs suspense receipts if she wanted his money.
Haaa, what do we do? Weve been stabbed in the back by a trusted ax, havent we?
The ground seemed to cave in at Jang Kyung Jus sigh. Jangs heart tore into pieces. She wanted to die from the guilt of disrupting her fathers retirement plan.
Cant we do anything about this conversion thing? Its only 100,000 shares even if we convert them to stocks. What should we do about this situation? her father repeated the same words hed been saying.
Her uncle added, Im going to go mad. Brother, you have some leeway, but Ive got nothing. Ive sold all my stores, borrowed 100,000,000 won from the bank, and have a debt of 200,000,000 won. Just a month of interest is over 10,000,000 won. The company might become ours if we convert them into stocks, but whats the point? Jil Nyuh[2], what are you going to do about this situation?
As usual, Jang didnt have anything to say. Rather, she didnt know what to say. It had been two months since her uncle started saying those words. He didnt miss a word like a broken record. She didnt have anything to say either since she and her brother were the ones who dragged the elders into this.
Park Shil, my insides are twisted. Say something. My debt is 80,000,000 won. The interest this month is 300. While brother Kyung Mos in trouble, Im about to sit out in the streets because of this debt. Do something.
Her second first-cousin once removed cried after he hit the table with his hand.
There was silence.
Jang didnt answer. She wanted to cry too from all the frustration. The continuous whining of her elders frustrated her even more.
3,000,000,000 won in acquisition funds wasnt merely a childs name to a large landowner like the Jang family. The branch house and the main house members, who were affluent, had set forth eagerly. The atmosphere was good. Since they were all eager to acquire bonds, they decided to hold a family meeting to distribute the convertible bonds.
It was decided in the meeting that their eldest son, Jang Gi Su, would take 1,500,000,000 won, uncle Jang Kyeong Mo would take 500,000,000 won, great first-cousin once removed Jang Kyung Tek would take 250,000,000 won, and her little first-cousin once removed Jang Kyung Nam would take 250,000,000 won.
The farmlands in Indong had a market price of 3,000 to 4,000 won per pyeong. The market price of the cultivated rice fields cost an additional 1,000 won. To calculate simply, if an average of 4,000 won was set per pyeong, there would be 3,000,000,000 in debentures equivalent to 3,750 majigi[3] of paddy fields. It was a jaw-dropping amount.
They held another meeting and agreed to put 2,500 majigi up for sale. The rest, they decided to loan from the bank. That much was enough for the family to endure.
Until then, they were in the mood to party. However, the situation suddenly took a turn for the worse as the rumors spread. No buyers came forward, and malicious rumors continued to spread. Holding back their tears, they had to sell their land at a bargain price. Needless to say, their cousin and sixth cousin wasted their entire wealth away. From the entire familys standpoint, 35 percent of the acquisition funds or 1,050,000,000 won got punctured.
They sold more land and obtained mortgage loans but failed to raise the necessary funds. Sam Shik Capital appeared just in time when they had to pay for the bonds. Sam Shik Capital even provided them with generous terms.
They offered them a three-month loan period with an interest of 1.5% per month until the conversion of the convertible bonds. However, there was an additional overdue interest of one percent per month. Interest in the fourth month would be 2.5%, 3.5% in the fifth month, and 4.5% in the sixth month. Those werent bad terms. The Jang family agreed to the terms thinking that they would only have to fork out money for three months.
The situation was serious. Her fathers family in the main house was able to come up with 650,000,000 won by selling 1,300 majigi of rice paddies, which was half of their 2,700. They borrowed 350,000,000 won from the bank and 500,000,000 won from Sam Shik Capital with the remaining land as collateral. The top mortgage lender for land was Sam Shik Capital, followed by the bank.
[1] Park Shil is Madam Jang. Here, her fathers calling her by husbands last name and a nickname for wives, Park + Shil.
[2] Jil Nyuh is a nickname for Pil Nyuh but more familiar and fond.
[3] A former unit of measurement for farms, large estates, or lands suitable for the planting of one mall of rice or grain seed.
Chapter 360 - Episode 9: The Wind Doesnt Rest
With the unsteady progress of the real estate sales, the CB payment deadline crept up on the Jang family. Sam Shik Capital offered to pay for it with a provisional registration of senior collateral and a contract. Tired of the complicated and slow screening for bank loans, the Jang family was immediately hooked.
The Jang family received the funds after setting up Sam Shik Capital as the first lien on their mortgage. They were dancing to Park In Bos tune. Now, three months after the conversion, they had to pay a bank interest of 4,375,000 won and a bond interest of 18,750,000 won, making it a total of 23,125,000 won. It was basically 40 majigi of their business disappearing. Their bond interest would increase to 5.5% next month. Even for a large landowner like Jang Kyung Ju, those prices terrified him.
Jang Kyeong Mos situation was even worse. Large forests made up most of the real estate he owned. Jang Kyeong Mo, who couldnt find any buyers, had to sell those forests at a bargain price. He had to make up for his scarce funds with a 200,000,000 won loan from Sam Shik Capital.
That was also the same for Jangs first cousins once removed. Jang Kyung Tek took up 100,000,000 won in debentures while Jang Kyung Nam took up 80,000,000 won in debentures to purchase convertible bonds. Jang herself sold an accessories store building near Dong-A department store and took up a bank loan with her house as collateral. The core members of the Jang family were dragged into a mountain of debt with their eyes open.
As the situation became urgent, the Jang family mobilized all of their members who worked in the legal profession. They mobilized lawyers, prosecutors, and even judges to find any traces of illegal business but gained nothing. Sam Shik Capital was as clean as a bowl licked clean by a dog.
It had to be. Sam Shik Capital implemented an interest rate of 1.5% per month for a three-month loan period. It was a low interest rate that was incomparable to other loan companies. At 18% per annum, the difference wasnt much as opposed to bank interests.
It was hard to find a leeway with overdue interests. According to the commercial law, an overdue interest could be imposed on a debtor who saw a profit loss over time. Sam Shik Capital also had good overdue interest rates. Their imposition of overdue interest was excellent. The interest increased every month to a point that only the Jang family would be branded as a bad debtor if they took it to court.
Sam Shik Capital secured all justifications and avoided all disputes. The Jang family should even be grateful that their creditors didnt exercise CB security rights. Park In Bos divine move ended up shoving the Jang family into hell, and it also became a manual for lenders.
Are you all saying that as company owners, you didnt know the conversion value would go up this high? You said it was 18,000 won, but whats this! 28,000 won! What are you going to do about this situation?
Jang Kyeong Mo, whose throat was sore, downed the cold coffee and repeatedly tapped on the tea table with his hand.
The Jang siblings, who had nothing to say, were dumbfounded. They were about to go mad themselves. They felt as though they were led around by a ghost.
The provision that the conversion value was to be determined by the revaluation of ones asset every three months became a toxic clause for them. Three months later, when it was time for the conversion, the conversion value had risen to 25,000 won. Astonished, the Jang family fell on their butts.
The excess CB issued at a 200% premium was 2,000,000,000. The money went into their savings account entirely. With the increase of their assets, the conversion value naturally went up.
When the conversion value rose, the number of convertible stocks decreased. The Jang family, who fell into a crisis while trying to secure management rights, delayed the conversion because they didnt know what to do. Three months later, the conversion value rose to 28,000 won. They jumped around like mad.
Park In Bo was cruel. It was only after the three months mark did he sell the real estate owned by Good Heart Lodgings to Good Heart Oil using the increase of buses as an excuse, therefore carrying out the revaluation of Good Heart Oils assets. That was a time when real estate prices differed day to day. The conversion value of Good Heart Oils CB went up again. It was Park In Bos plan to collect as much interest as he could after dealing a blow to the Jang family.
Even if they held onto their convertible bonds without converting them, it would become a problem. Their bank loan interest was 15% per annum. Good Heart Oils CB interest was one percent per annum. If the Jang family held onto their bonds, theyd have to pay an interest of 14% annually to the bank. Bank interests were like a drop in the ocean compared to debentures. In June alone, the interest on their 880,000,000 won loan was a whopping 33,000,000 won.
The Jang family couldnt do anything and struggled in the swamp. The Jang family were basically done in by Park In Bo. That was why there was the saying, Be nice when theyre around.
Park Shil, is there no way to lower the conversion value? Jang Kyung Ju asked weakly.
Its legal, and the clauses were already included when they were issued, so we cant do anything.
Jang Kyeong Mo beat his chest out of frustration at Jangs answer.
Aigooo, do you know how much the family needs to pay this month? Its over 30,000,000 won! What are we to do? Not only will this affect me, but the whole family will also be uprooted! I wont be able to die in peace in fear of meeting my ancestors.
F*** you!
Jang bit her lip. Although she wanted to chew her husband out, she had no reason to push the blame on him. He never came home after Hwa Ja went missing. However, Hwa Jas disappearances were frequent, and therefore, not a huge problem. Her wind-like daughter wasnt the problem when her family was about to fall apart.
Brother, calm down. We need to find a solution somehow. Jang Kyung Ju tried to pacify the intense mood.
We cant acquire management rights even if we convert them, and the interest will melt us if we keep holding onto the CB. Nephew, dont you have a solution?
As Jang Kyeong Mo looked around the room, his eyes met Jang Chul Sus. Jang Chul Su didnt have a definite solution either. He was too busy hiding lately, in fear of becoming the subject of rumors. He wanted to hit the cousin-siblings who brought the whole ordeal upon them.
Sister, the conversion value is high because the company has a lot of assets, right? So to decrease it, we have to lower its worth?
Thats right.
Lets turn the company into an empty can. Lets mobilize the labor union, send everyone out, and stop the production.
Jang looked at her cousin pathetically.
Brother, our familys going through this ordeal to eat this small-sized company. Whats the point of possessing an empty can of a company then?
While Jang wasnt wise, she was smart. Her insides flipped at the idea of cutting open a duck that laid golden eggs.
Im just saying. Im frustrated too.
Jang Chul Su rubbed the back of his neck and fell silent.
Brother, what happened to that?
To what?
Jang Chul Su asked Jang Gi Su, omitting the subject from the question.
The release of the collateral that the damn interest collector has a hold on.
As long as the interest collector released the collateral placed on their CB, they could pay back their debts by taking up additional bank loans.
I tried contacting them several times, but they said its impossible. I mean, of course, they wont release it when our interest will snowball just by staying put.
Still, try meeting them one more time.
Haa! Ill meet them, but dont expect too much.
Jang Chul Su didnt want to meet that manager guy from Sam Shik Capital ever again. That man wore a suit and minded his words, but his gangster instincts from the past didnt go anywhere.
Begging someone the likes of trash made Jang Chul Sus insides flip. He was a man who spoke harshly at times, moved roughly as though he was about to pull out a knife, and had a long scar across his cheek. He had his pride as the lieutenant governor, after all. Hed met the man unwillingly because of his familys situation, with no intention of ever seeing him again.
Their three-hour discussion ended with no resolution at hand. Jang glanced at her uncles and first cousins once removed. The old men should be tired, but it seemed like anger was keeping them going. She could see that they were holding back their temper, trying to maintain their dignity.
Jang felt like her head was about to explode. Vomit scratched at her throat. She barely managed to suppress her burst of hysteria. Her family was everything to her.
Only with the support of her family was she able to become a major shareholder and manager at Good Heart Oil. Without them, she was nothing but a wife and the madam to president Park In Bo. The difference between shareholder Jang Pil Nyuh and Madam Jang Pil Nyuh was like the Nakdong River and a mountain stream. Madam Jang Pil Nyuh was like the moon that reflected the suns light, Park In Bo. Shed rather hang herself from the ceiling than stay alive with such a title.
She had to find a way out of that swamp after keeping the elders mouths shut. Throwing a temper tantrum there would only tear the family to pieces. Jang decided to make a bold bet.
Uncles, dangsuk[1], Ill try to hold off the interest somehow. Please bear with me.
What, Jil Nyuh, youre going to hold off the interest?
Very well, we should be able to take a breather as long as Jil Nyuh handles the interest. Will there be a solution if we wait?
The old mens faces brightened up.
Ya, just trust me and wait.
Jang herself didnt have a definite solution. Without her husbands knowledge, she even put up her house as collateral just to raise the CB funds. What kind of solution could she come up with when she was like a butterfly caught in a spiders web?
How long do we have to wait? her second dangsuk, who was suffering the worst time crunch, asked.
Damn old man. You b*stards are the ones who bought them out of greed. Why are you blaming me!
Jang wanted to scream, Why are you guys asking me to handle the consequences of your greed? Why are you blaming Jil Nyuh?
Dont rush Park Shil. Shes in a tough spot too. Lets all get going. Nothings going to come out of talking all day, Jang Kyung Ju scolded his siblings and stood up.
Were going. We believe in you, Jil Nyuh, niece.
The featherless roosters all rushed out the door. The cars that were waiting for them left the house one by one.
Mu Ssang, who was lying on the roof, slowly raised his body. The collapse of the Jang family was like lightning in broad daylight. No, perhaps, his uncle was just that good.
He looked at the moon that peeked and hid behind the clouds. He could almost imagine the Jang familys situation, their foundations and pillars shaking. He was astounded. It was said that even mountains could change in 10 years, but he didnt expect that the Jang family would be shaken.
Are they playing into uncles hands? Teacher was right about this. Mu Ssang sighed.
Wolves and dholes are similar, but ultimately, both are different species that would see blood while fighting over food. If its difficult to untie a knot, time will fix it.
It was just as his teacher said. If his uncle was a wolf, the Jang family were a bunch of dholes. A couple was involved in a bloody fight over food, which in this case was the company. The Indong Jang family, who were caught up between the two, were punished for bringing up their children poorly in the end.
Is money more important than the love between family members?
It was impossible for him to judge these people with common sense. Bitter liquid flowed up into his mouth at their bickering.
Would Jang just stand for this?
Mu Ssang shook his head. The internal driving force of the Jang familya family who survived generationswasnt that simple. The wolf and dholes were bound to start their second round.
I should scrap my initial plan if this continues. Hehehe, one side should end, no matter the results. Itll all be over if I flip the other side on its head, Mu Ssang mumbled.
His uncle had already started what he was planning to do. Once the collateral family members left, secret conversations began.
Why did you say youll handle the interest? Do you not know how much interest your uncles and dangsuk have?
Jang Kyung Ju scolded his daughter once everyone left, leaving behind only their family.
Husband Parks busy taking care of Good Heart Oil, so he doesnt mind the Lodgings that much. Ill try raising funds there and sell one or two department stores.
Jang sounded down. Jang Kyung Jus face creased.
Park will go mad if you embezzle the funds. Hes a firm businessman when it comes down to the company.
Whats he going to do? Its not like hell kill his wife.
Haa, we could have received some help had you treated Park well why didnt you?
At his criticism, Jang grew mad.
Father, did I do all of this for my own well-being? I did all of the hard work for the family. Its been some time since my husband left home, Hwa Ja went missing, Hee Ja got kicked out of her husbands home, and Wu Tak joined a gang. I know a womans life is difficult, but look at whats happening. I really want to die these days. Just die.
Tears streamed down from Jangs eyes at the rush of emotions. Her bipolar disorder had turned into depression.
What are you saying! No matter what, dont say such things. Jang Kyung Ju waved his hand frantically.
His daughter was decisive enough to do so and more.
Haaa, how did this happen? Our front doors going to be torn down at this rate. What a nightmare, a nightmare!
Damn b*stard, that f***er! Jang gritted her teeth.
Her eyes flashed in blue.
Brat, dont say that no matter how much you hate your husband. Im going to rest.
Jang Kyung Ju headed upstairs after reprimanding his daughter. Little did he know that Mu Ssang was the b*stard who Jang was referring to. Driver Kim, who she had sent to curse her brother-in-laws remains, never returned. She tried looking for Bodhisattva Young Mae but only received a message that she was sick and couldnt move.
Trusting her gut feeling that something had gone wrong, Jang personally went to check her brother-in-laws grave. The grave was covered with a large rock. Jang instantly knew that something had gone wrong. However, she couldnt tell what it was exactly because driver Kim had disappeared into thin air.
Not even the curse of the most powerful shaman could affect Mu Ssang. Problems would arise every time Kim Mal Soon and her son were involved. Jang thought it was also Kim Mal Soon and her sons fault that the CB plan went awry. Mu Ssang, who Jang wanted to tear to shreds, was lying comfortably on her roof. If she knew, she would have vomited blood and collapsed.
[1] First cousins once removed.
Chapter 361 - Episode 1: Congo, Fist of Justice
Silence filled the place where all the elderly people left. The three Jang siblings were each left to their own thoughts. Jang Gi Su struggled to find a way to crush Sam Shik Capital, Jang Sang Su tried to manage his ledgers without income, while Jang had to find a way to embezzle the companys funds.
Ill be buried alive if I dont find any loophole!
Jang tidied her hair, which was like a birds nest. The third factory had enough funds for the construction to proceed smoothly. The building had already entered the completion stage and was preparing for the platform line construction. The polyester weaving line was going to be up and running in about two months. Time wasnt on her side.
Jang suddenly asked, Sang Su, how much is the monthly sales at the Lodgings these days?
Its slightly over 100,000,000 every month.
Its always the same number. Whats the net profit?
Excluding the employees wages, oil prices, repair costs, joint station usage fees, and some others, theres barely anything left. Even if we rob the conductor girls naked, its hard to make a profit of more than 10 percent.
Ha, its a hole-in-the-wall. Jang sighed.
In the early days of the transportation business, money was carried in sacks. When everyone started jumping into the business, its appearance declined, causing the net profit to decrease yearly. Her husband, who chose to start a textile business as quickly as possible, was the smarter person.
That crazy manager Jung has moved to Oil, right? It shouldnt be difficult to take some away.
Its difficult to take more than five percent. Jang Sang Sus face creased.
It was extremely risky for him, who usually pocketed one to two percent of the sales. He wanted to say no, but he didnt dare go against his older sister.
Make it 10 percent, Jang said as though she was striking down with a knife.
10 percent was equivalent to 10,000,000 won. She could pass the hurdle if she pocketed the sales, created slush funds, and sold department stores.
10 percent? No. Then, there wont be enough to hand out peanuts to the management girls and drivers. We wont even be able to give them Chuseok bonuses. Jang Sang Su stared desperately at his sister.
Taking 10 percent of the sales would take a toll on their funds. There was no way for the company to run. His back pocket alone would dry out.
What are you saying? Our familys about to fall apart, and you care more about those girls? Tell them all to leave if they dont want to earn money, Jang cut him off harshly.
Jang didnt have the time to consider everything. Her family came first before the company. Come to think of it, her husband, who decided to run a textile factory, was an amazing man.
Aigo, Im about to go mad. Youve no idea how annoying brother-in-law is Sister, cover his eyes for the time being at least.
Dont worry. The Lodgings and Oil both belong to the Jang family, not the Parks. Your brother-in-law is nothing but the overseer.
Jang gritted her teeth. Someone, who was raised since young to look down on others, couldnt recognize others as their equals. There was no way for a woman raised like a princess to understand the hearts of commoners. Jang, who treated her husband like a servant for the past decade, couldnt admit that he was the owner of the company.
Aside from his two balls, her useless husband wouldnt have made it this far if her family hadnt provided him with the start-up funds. He started the Lodgings with his in-laws money and used the profit from the Lodgings to start Good Heart Oil. Her husband was nothing but the manager while the Jang family owned the companies. At least, that was the case according to Jangs calculations. Her familys misfortune stemmed from her biased aggression, but Jang didnt realize that she was the root of it all.
Gi Su, whats the capacity of the third factory?
There will be 120 crepe looms coming in. Itll produce around 500,000 yards per year. Itll increase the production by twofold.
Damn it, the conversion value will rise again.
Jang wasnt happy at all. If the company kept making products, the CB conversion value would rise again. What was the point of being attached to things that werent going to be hers? Only her teeth would wear out. Jangs eyes flashed. There would be no answer if time continued to pass like that.
Mu Ssang, who was on the roof, was at a loss for words. Based on what Jum Soon told him, the managers of Good Heart Lodgings were paid 90,000 won to 120,000 won per month, with an extra 100 percent bonus on New Years Day and Chuseok. Private university tuition was around 500,000 won. It was despicable labor exploitation in which one could only pay a semester of tuition if they didnt spend a penny for half a year.
The drivers of Good Heart Lodgings lived in run-down dorms. As soon as operations ended, they were shoved into their dorms and stripped down and inspected for any stolen money while office workers stood on guard before their iron-caged doors at night. Their working environment was like a livestock farm. After hearing what Jum Soon had to say, he planned to take over them.
Jangs greed and evil ways hadnt changed one bit over the years. She was a woman who treated him like a slave and didnt give him a single penny for five years. Young drivers who were still growing only had peanuts for their meals.
Those werent macadamias or some high-quality foreign peanuts but just roasted peanuts. Those who took the snacks of poor children to fill their own stomachs werent even human.
Why are the rich like muckworms in s*** holes most of the time? I dont even want to touch them, those dirty things. Ugh, these lowly humans!
Mu Ssang rubbed his ears. He didnt want to listen to them any longer. He felt uncomfortable, as though dirt had covered his ears. Mu Ssang, who was just about to fly, hesitated. Jangs following words seemed out of the ordinary.
Gi Su, I think I should use dinorin one more time.
The pig heat inducer? You said that you used it once on brother-in-law before. Itll be bad if his blood vessels widen at such an old age.
Hmmm, I saw its effects clearly. I managed to get rid of an annoying b**** after all.
Ya? What does that mean?
No nothing, Jang quickly denied.
Sister, did you?
Jang Gi Sus voice got lower. Mu Ssang held his breath. He felt like he knew the truth behind the pig heat inducer and the annoying b****.
I cant bear to see him wander around with a disease. I already asked Professor Kim. He has a brain surgery record and high blood pressure.
You should use drugs instead. Heroin-
Shut up! Jangs face turned blue.
Sang Su, watch your words, Jang Gi Su warned his younger brother.
His sister suffered several times because of her daughter Hwa Ja, who was a drug addict. The reason why they lost their brother-in-laws favor was because of Hwa Ja too. Even the first letter of the word heroin triggered a severe reaction from his sister.
Its not hard to get, but itll be difficult to control the dosage
Professor Kim will figure things out. If things get messy, we can cut it off. If the situation is not resolved, we can just destroy it.
Jangs eyes flashed.
God, shes finally gone mad!
Mu Ssang, who was still on the roof, flinched in surprise. Although it was surprising that both husband and wife were fighting over management rights, the wife planned to murder her husband with drugs! If his uncle died, Jang and her cousins would get the inheritance. Dirty or not, it would be the Jang familys victory.
That b**** wasnt a salmusa but a murderer. He recalled a scene of a large female mantis slowly eating the head of a male mantis. Thinking of it, his uncle was also a pitiful man. Hed lived his entire life under his wifes thumb and was about to lose his life at her hands too. There was no better drama than this.
Hmm, that wont do. Were just at the climax. What would the audience say if the curtains close!
Mu Ssang slid down the slope of the roof. He hooked his feet on the edge of the water drainpipe and hung upside down.
Boom
He directed resonance waves, which carried his voice, toward Jangs eardrums.
[Dirty b****.]
The voice carried by the resonance waves directly hit Jangs eardrums.
Agh!
Jang leaped. Her head rang as though she was hit with a hammer.
[How dare you wake me up from my eternal sleep! I will curse you.]
The voice engraved one syllable at a time in her headit was a voice from hell. Surprised, Jang turned her head toward the double-paned glass windows in their living room.
Aaaaack!
A piercing scream shook the night sky. A pale face and an intense glare that seemed to want to eat her up aliveher brother-in-laws face hung upside-down outside. Even Jang, as toxic and cruel as she was, couldnt bear the shock. She lost consciousness and collapsed.
Sister, sister! Aigo, what just happened?
Sang Su, what are you doing? Call the ambulance!
Theres not enough time. Lets move in my car.
Jang Gi Su and Jang Sang Su kicked up a fuss.
Try your best!
The goblin that appeared in Hometown Legends[1] disappeared.
The next morning, in the CEOs office located on the 13th floor of Good Heart Oil.
What is this?
Park In Bo, who came in earlier than usual, tilted his head when he found a white envelope tucked beneath his table mat. It wasnt there when he got off work yesterday.
Ah Young, this brat, did she turn in her resignation?
Only Jung Ah Young could enter the CEOs office. He came up with a few impossible theories as he lifted the envelope.
Uuhh!
A scream left Park In Bos mouth when he read the words written on the envelope.
Ji Jin Bo? Jin Bo!
Park In Bos hands trembled like an aspen tree. His breath grew ragged, and his sight grew dark. Park In Bo widened his eyes and scrutinized every character. The words From Jin Bo to Brother were written clearly in Jin Bos handwriting.
Ah Young!
The ringing lingered in his tight throat. He barely managed to move his hand and press the bell.
Oh, boss!
Jung Ah Young was surprised when she entered the office. Her boss was trembling, barely hanging onto a corner of the desk. With a pale face, cold sweats across his forehead, and shaking irises, he looked like he was going to die any minute.
Jung Ah Young rushed in and assisted Park In Bo onto his chair. It happened occasionally, but today was particularly bad. Manager Jung searched the desk for his tranquilizer and made him drink it with water.
Huuuuuh!
Park In Bo, who barely managed to regain his calm, released a long exhalation.
Ah Young, who came into my room?
No one came in. I tidied up yesterday, locked the door, and went home. Ill call the guard over to check if you want.
No! You can go.
Park In Bo stopped Jung Ah Young from picking up the interphone. Jung Ah Young took out her handkerchief and wiped Park In Bos face. She was like a grown daughter taking care of her elderly father.
Do you feel better? Youre drenched in cold sweats.
Im fine.
Should I call Professor Kim?
You brat, I just said that Im fine, didnt I? Dont worry and mind your work.
Jung Ah Young left the office with a worried expression on her face. Park In Bo checked the windows. All of the windows were locked outside. Even if they were unlocked, one couldnt climb the glass panels to the 13th floor. Jung Ah Young even had to open his office for him. It seemed like the workings of a ghost.
Park In Bo opened the envelope with shaking hands. His fingers pulled out a piece of papera nightclub advertisement flyer that was usually rolling around in the streets. The club door with neon red color surrounding it looked like the door to the afterlife.
He flipped it around. Red words that were written clearly could be seen immediately.
[Not time to meet yet. Do not eat anything that Jang prepares. Fire Professor Kim immediately. Investigate Good Heart Lodgings sales.]
Ghost!
The flyer fell from Park In Bos hand. Contents that only a ghost would know were written. He felt a chill in his spine. Park In Bo stared blankly at the windows before jumping to his feet. He picked up the flyer again with trembling hands. Park In Bo carefully held it with both hands and rubbed his cheek on it.
Ughhh!
The kind of tears that would make ones bladder drop broke out.
Hehehe, Jin Bo, are you worried about your brother even in the afterlife? Yes, I shouldnt die, not now. I cant meet you, no, not at all, not until I hand everything over to Mu Ssang. That dirty b****, shes finally showing her true colors, isnt she?
Protruding blue veins were seen on Park In Bos clenched fist.
At Frances Ministry of Defense, 264 Saint-Germain, Paris, an elderly man with the same name as the block was panicking while holding a report. It was the kind that he liked, a one-page report.
[Fist of Justices Third Operation Report]
C Number of hostages: 22 Areva company scientists and technicians (including three scientists from IRSN[3].)
C Current situation of hostages: Three estimated deaths.
C Date of Abduction: Approximately 1984.12.18
C Abduction area: Bafwasende region, between the Congo River and Lindi River, near Okapi Forest within Ituri Rainforest.
C Estimated location of hostages: Lower Eflu River, Mombasa region.
C Operation Commencement Date: 1985.4.8
C Operation End Date: 1985.5.6
C Operational discharge: 120 people from the 11th Airborne Brigades Third Battalion, Second Company, 24 members from two GIGN teams.
C Previous: None
C Casualties: 32 deaths in combat, 43 non-belligerent deaths, 12 fatally injured, 18 suffered minor injuries, and eight went missing.
C Progress:
His third plan turned out a failure as well. The result of sending in 144 members of Frances best fighters was destruction without progress. His heart ached at the 43 non-belligerent deaths. The forest itself was their enemy.
F*** this-
Germaine threw the report down and shoved all 10 fingers into his hair, messing it up.
As I said, you should have called Black Mamba in the first place instead of wasting those precious young lives.
He could hear Bonipas laughing at him. All that was left was the media rushing at them like hyenas and himself, who stood dangerously on the edge with just his bones left at the Ministry of Defenses press conference.
Germaines nightmare began when the hostages wrists arrived at the embassy in the morning of New Years, January 1st, 1985. On January 10th, 1985, Germaine sent in the RAPAS along with the Air Force Airborne Commando CPA10 and assembled a Fist of Justice team made up of the GIGN. He sent the second round of reinforcements on the fifth of March.
[1] A classic series of ghost stories.
[2] [To In Bo, of the Park family.] Written in traditional Korean.
[3] Frenchs Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety.
Chapter 362 - Episode 2: Congo, Fist of Justice
The Fist of Justice was named by an enraged Mitterrand. The name was assigned with the intention of bringing down those inhumane and ignorant kidnappers. The cabinet and military didnt doubt that the Fist of Justice would heal their wounded pride. With Chad and Syria back in their hands, the cabinet was full of confidence.
Major Max Burg from the GIGN strike team led the Fist of Justices first operation. He sent some from his team to Lake Albert and led the main team to Mambasa, located in the center of the Ituri Rainforest. Major Burg was confident. To save time, he divided the team into twoone to rescue the hostages and another to clean up the hostage base. Little did he know, he would have to pay a high price for his overconfidence.
Before they could even reach Buliisa Kissimo Temple, the team got ambushed in Wanseko. They were ambushed by a herd of hippos lurking in the river. Hippos were known as herbivores, but theyre violent animals that consumed meat too.
All 50 members of the rescue team were ambushed by angry hippos while they were crossing the river in boats. Hippos were territorial and sensitive animals. Creatures that invaded their territory were punished ruthlessly. Their 50-centimeter long teeth tore the rubber boats apart like pieces of paper and ripped apart their bodies into two.
A feast of human flesh took place when a group of crocodiles joined in. Even the members, who managed to escape to land, couldnt avoid the attack. Hippos could run up to 40 kilometers per hour. A nine-millimeter parabellum couldnt incapacitate the hippos with 70-millimeter thick skin. The three-ton tanks that took their bullets trampled and tore them apart. Unfortunately, the GIGN and RAPAS terror strike team didnt get to meet the kidnappers as their blood was scattered across an unknown river.
The main team that entered Mambasa was also unfortunate. The infamous eastern Congo Rainforest didnt welcome them. The humid heat of 35 degrees Celsius left them exhausted, and the endless attacks from the poisonous insects and vipers caused central fatigue. Their combat power rapidly decreased because they were persistently followed by a group of monkeys in the daytime and mosquitoes and vampire bats constantly hung around them at nighttime.
20 days into the operation, only half of their team of 150 members maintained combat power. Major Max Burg was a concrete jungle expert, so he was nothing but a petit bleu in the devils forest. The foreigners, who broke down, sent out an emergency distress signal. They were far from wielding the Fist of Justice as they couldnt even enter the ring.
The French cabinet was shocked over the destruction of their rescue team. The Ministry of Defense dispatched the second round of reinforcements120 members of the second support team and a medical team. While the medical team set up their camp in Bunia, the strike team bravely broke through the forest on the west bank of Lake Albert.
The surviving 125 members of the first rescue team and 120 members of the second support team met in Djugu, 70 kilometers north of Bunia. Alongside the neighboring villages of Fataki, Gokwa, and Linga, Djugu was a village that survived on catching fish and gathering shells in Lake Albert.
The happiness they felt from the reunion was brief. The French Army was attacked by a group of madmen at dawn. They were an unidentified armed group dressed in strange clothes. There was a b*stard who wore an animals skull like a hat, a b*stard with feathers plastered all over his body, a b*stard wearing a white-laced wedding dress, and a b*stard with a womans red underwear on his head.
The attackers weapons were average. Most held bows and arrows, and the few guns they had were of old models. The French Army managed to get rid of their enemies with their superior guns, but thats when their nightmare began.
They shot poisonous arrows from within the forest, wooden spears fell from tall trees at high speed due to gravitational acceleration, and they even blew some weird horn, causing elephants to rush at them. Some even threw poisonous snakes.
The French Armys energy depleted little by little. Unable to withstand the teasing attacks, they chased after the attackers. However, the attackers disappeared without a trace, and all kinds of haphazard booby traps greeted them. The madmen were tenacious. The rescue team retreating to Bunia were endlessly pursued and killed.
By the time the French Army arrived in Bunia, only 78 of the 245 members were alive. Even those who survived were run ragged to the point that half of them couldnt fight. Major Burg, who led the first rescue team, died from an arrow shot to the back of his neck. The madmen retreated only after they were attacked by mortars and grenade launchers. Colonel Monfran paid a high price for overlooking the local geography and culture.
Uganda around the east of Lake Albert had plenty of Christians and Islamic followers, but there were Vodou followers around the west bank of Congo. In Congo, Vodouism was strongly influenced by Ntaganda and cannibalism was prevalent. Their group was a dangerous one. They believed that eating a white mans heart and liver would keep them alive even after getting shot and stabbed.
They attacked like madmen because they wanted the hearts and livers of white men. In the end, only the Black and Arab people in the team survived. Realizing that their attackers were Vodou followers who only consumed the organs of white men, the surviving members praised themselves for being Black, and some even became anorexic.
The Fist of Justice plan ended in vain with nothing gained. Their soldiers died in the jungle without a chance to swing their fists. They lost 320 members from their strike team without catching the hide or hair of the kidnappers. Meanwhile, the 44 survivors of the team were riddled with severe PTSD symptoms. They gained nothing out of it. No, there was one thing. They learned that the Ituri Rainforest was the devil itself.
The third rescue team consisted of two GIGN teams and a company of Airborne Brigade engineers. Lt. Colonel Garf, an old commander with a lot of experience in jungle combat, was assigned. The ventures result was included in the report in Germaines hands. 75 people died, 12 were severely injured, 18 suffered from minor injuries, and eight were missing.
A total of 468 people were dispatched three times in rescue teams. Of them all, 50 percent and exactly 230 members died by the attacks of poisonous insects and animals, the hostile environment, or diseases. All 167 of them who died in battle were also meaningless. They all died in vain after clashing with an unknown armed group.
There hadnt been any cases with many losses in modern warfare. That wasnt the 18th century where bagpipes were blown and people stiffly approached each other, uncertain where flints would land. Still, the Ituri Rainforests hostile environment caused so many deaths. Although the level of medical care was sufficient on the battlefield, there wasnt enough time to treat the wounded in a comfortable environment. The injured ended up dying because they were infected, poisoned, or attacked by predators.
In particular, the loss of three GIGN teams and GCP members who specialized in rescuing hostages was painful. The Ministry of Interiors Military Police Department had 38 groups of 420 GIGN members and operated five separate strike teams. There were 12 to each team.
They successfully carried out a school bus hostage rescue operation in Djibouti in 1976, a suppression operation at the Mecca mosque in Saudi Arabia in 1979, and an operation to suppress the attackers at Orly Airport in Paris in 1983. Recently, they also managed to defend the De Gaulle airport and Opra Bastille against terrorism with Black Mambas report.
The GIGN strike teams exercised dual command authority. In the case of domestic terrorism, the Ministry of Interior held operational control, but when dispatched abroad, the Ministry of Defense held operational control. In conclusion, the Ministry of Defense already wasted three of the five strike teams.
That was a period when the trust between the French citizens and high-ranking officials of the GIGN, who erased the remnants of the ANO and RAF, was at its peak. Germaine became someone to kill. Commander Allen Majif of the Gendarmerie[1] and Commissioner General Brais Ordo jumped around in anger. It made sense. A neighboring old man had taken their precious children and returned them as corpses, after all.
Menace cancre Germaine! Hehehe, Germaine laughed bitterly as he mocked himself.
His eyes felt a stabbing pain at the words printed across the Le Monde, placed in a corner of his table.
[Idiot Germaine makes his third mistake. He shoved Frances pride into the gutter, buried 403 precious French sons, and wasted six months.]
At the bottom was a three-page spread and random analysis written by so-called professionals about the failed operation.
Theyre not wrong. Charlie Hebdo popped my neck right out and shoved it between their asses. Le Monde is a gentleman compared to them. Still, what can I do? I did as much as I could. Do you want me to send Clemenceau? I couldnt even take a break, Germaine complained.
There were enemies everywhere. After destroying Ruman, their military and diplomatic achievements were forgotten. It wasnt only the press that tore him apart. Jack Lang from the Ministry of Culture criticized him, calling him a stupid bleu petit (a foolish idiot) on several media channels. It suggested that he sacrificed the hostages because he couldnt deal with the kidnappers properly.
Bleu petit was a rude name with several meanings including newbie, lackey, ignorant, and more. Germaine couldnt refute those insults despite the humiliation. Even at the National Emergency Security Conference, harsh criticisms were hurled at him. There wasnt a single person who pitied Germaine.
To be frank, Germaine was in a position where he deserved those criticisms. Time was wasted, and the situation worsened because of the old oecophylla smaragdinas pride. The rescue teams were destroyed, and the hostages chances of survival dropped to zero, as he puttered around mentioning Frances pride. Every time his name appeared in the media, the incompetent tag accompanied it.
Pride didnt help resolve the situation in any way. Frances honor fell into a ditch, and the hostage rescue operations went haywire. Germaines own position became unclear. That all happened while Mu Ssang closed his ears in Korea.
Germaine rubbed his poor face. Excess oil was smeared. In the past six months, he hadnt been able to leave the office on time.
While everyone left for a warm resort, he was torn to shreds by the president, ministers, and media. The person who made him even more tired was his old wife. His wifes complaints about their delayed vacation grew worse by the day. Dealing with his old wifes complaints was as difficult as pleasing a young lady.
Should I call Black Mamba? Germaine mumbled to himself.
He knew it well himself. To avoid the hyenas, he had to call Black Mamba now. The person whod sign off his vacation report wasnt Mitterrand but Black Mamba.
With tired eyes, he picked up a summary on the Ituri Rainforest that came with the report.
Germaine, who killed 100s of subordinates but still complained about vacation and not being able to leave work on time, was inevitably an oecophylla smaragdina.
[Fort de LIturi] [2]
Vegetation: A combination of tropical rainforests, equatorial ecological zone swamp forests, mixed forests, Mbau forests, and secondary forests. Its a lush evergreen forest dominated by limbali, a type of legume tree. Breathing is difficult due to the humidity and high carbon dioxide saturation. The trees are between six meters to 50 meters high, forming a canopy that blocks the sky and the sun. Many parasitic plants block the sunlight, so the greenery is black.
Location: Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 03N latitude, 2730E longitude, boundaries unclear.
Area: Between 34,000 to 54,000 square kilometers.
Terrain: The northwest is relatively flat. It is more rugged toward the south and southeast with deeper valleys, cliffs, and swamps. Water is supplied by the Ituri River and the Epulu River, a tributary of the Ituri River, and the Epulu Rivers vast watershed forms the center of the forest. Inselbergs[3] and clearings called edos are formed along the waterway, including swamp forests.
Rainfall: Between 2,000 millimeters to 4,000 millimeters annually and can reach up to 6,000 millimeters depending on the region.
Soil: Mbau forests and humid semi-evergreen forests dominated by Pleistocene soil. The average thickness of humus soil is one meter, and it is fertile.
Inhabitants: 156 mammal species (okapis, elephants, water buffalos, leopards, wild boars, hippos, etc.), 17 primate species (chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, etc.), 329 bird species (grey ibis, long-tailed hawks, Nahans francolins, etc.), 75 reptile species (black mambas, crocodiles, etc.), and dozens of poisonous insect species (leeches, army ants, wasps, centipedes)
Locals: Bantu tribe, Pygmy tribe (Isolated, unfriendly, belligerent, and self-sufficient.)
Economics: The regions contribution to Zaires national economy is extremely low.
While it was said that the Great Ituri Rainforest was first explored by an American explorer, Stanley, in the late 19th century, he did nothing but pass through and escaped to Lake Albert. Of the 70 expedition members that he led, 47 lost their lives in the Ituri Rainforest.
Ituri Rainforest had the highest level of vegetation density on Earth. The forest was dark even in broad daylight because its large canopy blocked the sunlight. Parasitic plants and shrubs were intertwined on the surface, holding back ones steps.
The natives feared the Ituri Rainforest and called it the Black Forest. Black Bantu people farmed on the edges of the Ituri Rainforest and did not enter the forest. The main inhabitants of the Ituri Rainforest were the Pygmy tribe. They have lived in the Ituri Rainforest for 1,000s of years.
[1] Military army.
[2] The Great Ituri Rainforest.
[3] Isolated hills standing above well-developed plains and appear not unlike an island rising from the sea.
Chapter 363 - Episode 3: Congo, Fist of Justice
Why were the Pygmy tribe so short?
Several theories pointed to the lack of sunlight. The Ituri Rainforest was always dark because of its canopy. Its canopy was dense because of the survival competition between plants.
In the dictionary, the definition of survival competition was the struggle between living things to occupy limited resources, namely food or habitat. Humans were no exception. The plants competition for survival was more aggressive compared to that of animals. The Ituri Rainforest was rich in water and nutrients, which were essential for plant growth.
What they lacked was sunlight. While allelopathy[1] competition was fierce, the competition for light was fiercer.
Whether it was trees or vines, all of them would stretch upwards to the sky, as far as they could, to get sunlight. While eucalyptuses grew up to 20 meters tall in Rwenzori, they grew up to over 40 meters tall in the Ituri Rainforest. The fig vines that were entwined around the eucalyptuses would also stretch upwards.
Ultimately, the branches and leaves would cover the sky and block out the sunlight. The amount of light reaching the Ituri Rainforests floor was less than the light of a Half Moon. The lack of sunlight prevented bodies from synthesizing vitamin D. The lack of vitamin D would hinder calcium absorption. It also meant that a persons bones would be smaller.
Its the same for other animals. There were dwarf hippos living in the Ituri Rainforest that weighed around 200 kilograms. Even leopards were a width smaller. Although that wasnt the case for all animals, the truth was that the Ituri Rainforest was an unusual place that transformed the DNA of animals.
Damn, why did Areva crawl into this place to eat what? I dislike humans and this jungle, Germaine complained, flipping through the operation teams report.
It was a report sent by Colonel Monfran, who led the rescue team.
[Operation environment and execution report]
C I cant see the end of these giant trees, even if I tilt my head back. The skys invisible because of the various vines entwined around these giant trees of about 150 feet tall. The forest is dark to the point that we have to light the lanterns. The leaves are moist as though a sprinkler had been turned on. Sunlight barely passes through the gaps between the trees. Its beam was as narrow as spears. Theres a dense fortress of thorn bushes and vines. We keep getting tears on our uniform because of the grass, which is as sharp as blades. It takes around 30 minutes to advance 10 yards.
C Unknown poisonous insects and deadly vipers keep attacking. Leeches fall from the sky like hailstones. One even fainted from anemia because 10 of them got into his clothes. Wasps the size of two fingers rush at us in swarms. One sting can lead to a coma, while two or three stings can cause death. Army ants and leeches immediately rush at you if you trip over a branch in the forest. The insects here are like demons.
C Black mambas are the scariest. Theyre too fast for us to kill them. We were attacked by one that was over four meters long. When it raised its head, it reached the height of our shoulders. It was the devil itself. It killed five of us in a row by moving its head back and forth like a spring. We had to kill our member who was dying and in tears. Fortunately, another one who got bitten in the neck died in five minutes. Black mambas lurk everywhere. It is difficult to distinguish them especially when they can blend in with the undergrowth, branches, and rocks. Even if we do locate them in advance, we cant escape their attacks. 12 members of our crew were killed by black mambas.
C The Pygmy tribe thinks were trespassers. Poison arrows and skewers fly at us in the dark. Even if it doesnt cause immediate death, none of the medicines work. After a day, spots appeared all over the body, indicating the start of a slow death. By the second day, the limbs became paralyzed. The members, who were left behind because they couldnt fight, became food for the poisonous insects and vipers.
C Leopards jump at us from trees. The leopards here are black. While its one width smaller than the ones in Southeast Asia, theyre more cautious and faster. Even if we kill them, once bitten, its too late. Seven of us died because of the leopards.
C From time to time, there is thick fog. New dangers keep surfacing with limited visibility. Some swamps are overlooked due to the leaves and weeds covering them. When someone falls into one, crocodiles and poisonous insects rush toward them in the dark.
C Although theres plenty of water, we cant get clean water. Parasites are crawling in rivers and swamps, and strange insects are living in them. Theres no point in using disinfectants. There are plenty of fruits, but we cant tell what is edible and what isnt. Even the fruits that those monkeys eat are poisonous. We managed to get one after fighting those wild monkeys. Our team member vomited blood and died after eating one. This place is hell
That was already his third time reading through the report. He felt chills every time he read it. He could almost feel the devastation and fear that his subordinates felt. He recalled the nightmare that he went through in the Indochina forest. The Viet Cong buried in the forest werent humans but moles. No matter how many they killed, their heads kept popping out of the holes. The real opponent of that dirty battle was the forest.
Based on Monfrans report, the Ituri Rainforest was more terrifying than the Indochina forest. The body became paralyzed once hit with the Pygmy tribes arrow. How would it feel to have 1,000,000s of ants rushing in and ripping his skin apart? Would he still be sane? Just the thought of it was horrible.
I was foolish! I guess this is why the young ones in Korea say that once you age, you need to die, Germaine lamented.
Ituri Rainforest was the devils forest where their elite anti-terrorist teamwell-trained and equipped with excellent firepowerdisappeared without a trace. The lives of precious young blood were sacrificed on some dirty land because of pride and stubbornness.
Ping
The intercom rang.
What is it?
Sir, its a message from the DGSE. Those b*stards delivered another parcel. Two wrists this time too.
Putain!
A swear word popped out. Germaines face grew red. He could almost see his resignation letter flailing before his eyes.
Come in and report.
His secretary entered, carrying an official letter.
30 minutes ago, manager Claude of the intelligence department received a message from the embassy in Kinshasa. Its noted that those b*stards are losing patience.
Is there no other message?
They say the houngan will show his benevolence by giving us 10 more days. They will kill five after 10 days, and they will continue to kill one every day until their demands are met.
10? F***ing b*stards!
Germaine groaned. His feet were on fire. No, his feet were already long on fire. That was a common strategy that kidnappers used. Killing one a day would stir up the media and put the government under immense pressure.
Germaine leaned back on his swivel chair and placed his legs on the table. The answer was Black Mamba. He decided to take his hands off the matter and hand over the baton to the DGSE.
Damn, theres no time. Even worrying is a luxury. Call Philip.
The thought of a handover put his mind at ease.
His subordinate picked up the phone. The copper wire carried his grating voice over the Atlantic Ocean. Its destination was the Deuxieme Rep stationed in NDjamena.
Black Mambas status was special. Although he was part of the Ministry of Defense, the minister couldnt call him. Black Mamba was more of a freelancer and a secret member of the National Emergency Security Association. His call rights lied with major general Philip and Bonipas.
In the case of a covert operation, Bonipas would post an advertisement in South Koreas Nam Yang newspaper. However, the official calling rights lied with the director of the Deuxieme Rep, major general Philip. It was an overt operation only when major general Philip contacted him through the embassy.
The difference between a covert and an overt operation wasnt about whether it was made known to the public or not. If the operation revealed that it had the French governments hand in it, its an overt operation, and if not, its a covert operation. Whether its an overt or a covert operation, Black Mambas identity remained hidden.
Philip, who became a general thanks to Black Mamba, still hung around the Deuxieme Rep at the French base in NDjamena, Chad. He had good intuition for someone with strong political insights. He tried not to lose his connection with Black Mamba through the Deuxieme Rep.
The Ministry of Defense was troubled by the fact that a major general was sitting in a colonels seat. Eventually, they reformed the Deuxieme Rep with four more companies and placed the Mayotte contingents in the Comoro Islands under Philips authority. The Deuxieme Rep became a strange organization that was neither a brigade nor a regiment.
Sir, minister Germaine wants to strengthen his friendship with you.
Philip smiled jokingly at his playful lieutenants message.
Why would he call me when hes busy trying to save his own head? Wait, there is one thing he would call me about.
As expected of major general Philip, who had good intuition.
Thats it.
His subordinate smiled as he handed him the phone.
Hehehe, nice!
It was a request for cooperation from the Ministry of Defense. Major general Philips mouth spread from ear to ear. Black Mamba was truly a cheat key. Even Germaine, who was known for his useless stubbornness, was calling him! Philip praised his own brain.
Major general Philip, Ill get straight to the point. I need to call Lange de la Mort.
Its been a while, minister. Did you notify Bonipas?
Ill notify him myself.
You must be busy. You must have pondered long and hard before making this decision. Although there may be countless warriors wandering in bars, theres only one Ange de la Mort on the battlefield.
Philips sarcastic voice ran down the line and knocked on Germaines ears.
I suppose. The difference is like dying from alcohol or a bullet. Do you still have regrets about the Raccoon plan?
His ears received the voice signal, but his heart took offense. Germaine spat out thorny praise.
Of course not. Ive nothing against him since it was done in the name of Frances honor. I respect you, minister, for staying up day and night to resolve our issues.
Hm, it seems like your tongue got smoother ever since you became a general. I dont have time. They sent an ultimatum that theyd get rid of the hostages next week. Still, can you move Ange de la Mort right now? I heard hes attending school.
Dont worry, sir. Ill do whatever it takes to drag him to the Aubagne Headquarters within 24 hours, even if it means being kicked or screamed at, Philip boasted.
He smiled in satisfaction. Black Mamba did say that hed take one request from Philip, no questions asked.
Oh! Thank you. You do understand me, major general Philip.
Germaine sighed in relief. Once Black Mamba moved, operational rights would be handed over to the DGSE. Ituri was tenacious to the point that his teeth were worn out.
Philip lowered the phone and started complaining.
F*** understanding, ha, this raccoon b*stard!
Major general Philip hadnt been able to shake off the grudges he harbored since the Raccoon plan. The damage done to his self-confidence from being excluded and made a scarecrow throughout the plan couldnt be shaken off easily.
While he wasnt in a position to welcome the failure of the operation, the retirement of some rude unlucky old b*stard was certainly welcomed. Germaines stubborn nose was as sweet as Frances Domaine de Bequignol[2].
Who am I? Where is this?
From a hospital bed, Jang opened her eyes. Her mind was blurry as though a fog had settled.
Madam, can you see this?
A nurse shook her fingers before Jangs eyes. The fingers suddenly came into focus. Memories of yesterday started to surface. It was impossible to tell if it was a dream or a reality. The red eyes of a ghost hanging upside-down outside the living rooms window grew wide like wheels.
The ghost was wearing red clothes. Its face was white as though it was painted on, and its eyes were red as though blood had pooled. Blue hair shook behind its exposed canines. Jang, whose mind became unstable from the immense shock, reimagined Mu Ssangs face as a goblins.
She was hallucinating, a characteristic symptom of Lewy dementia. The vision of patients with Lewy dementia was specifically vibrant, three-dimensional, and colorful. People filtered what they saw according to their own perception and adapted it into empirical concepts. If the spindle cells in the brain were abnormal, the phenomenon of perception distortion would become severe.
[How dare you wake me up from eternal sleep! I will curse you.]
Her head split like stones at her brother-in-laws voice.
Aaaaagh! Jang screamed.
Her body was being torn apart by a ghost. The ghost ripped her flesh apart with its sharp canines and chewed on it. Red eyes spun before her. Jang went into a frenzy.
Guardian, whos Jang Pil Nyuhs guardian!
The nurse rushed out of the door. The nurse in charge of Jang was too young to consider the protocols. Jang jumped back into consciousness at the nurses scream.
Hospital?
The white ceiling and walls caught her attention. It was a large hospital room that was over 10 pyung. A solution was dripping from a Hartmann bottle hanging from a stainless steel pole. Only then did she recall the events from the night before.
Hhhh!
Jang trembled, unknowingly. She felt as though a scary ghost would pop out of nowhere at any moment. Jangs eyes carefully scanned the corners of the window and her room.
Bodhisattva Young Mae did tell her that a failed curse could return to the person who placed the curse. The ghost that should have been at the bottom of Nakdong River had appeared before her. The curse was a failure.
She closed her eyes tightly. The past years flowed in her mind like a river. Jang was a decisive woman who was brave enough to poison her husband. If she was an ordinary woman, she would have gone mad from the ghosts appearance. Jang easily endured the shock. No matter how hard she struggled with her memories, she couldnt recall if she had done anything wicked enough to be cursed by a ghost. One aspect of a psychopath was the lack of guilt and self-deception. She shook off the illusion playing before her eyes and came to her senses.
Damn, what did I do? What can a ghost do to a living person? Im going to do what I need to do.
Jang shook her head and gritted her teeth. For someone who had a list of things to be done, she just sat there mindlessly.
[1] A biological phenomenon in which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms.
[2] A confectionery made from whole French walnuts coated in chocolate. It tastes rich and sweet.
Chapter 364 - Episode 4: Congo, Fist of Justice
Clang
The door opened, and Jang Sang Su rushed in with the nurse.
Here, Madam, can you see this?
The nurse raised her finger and shook it before Jangs eyes. The new nurse earnestly demonstrated the skill that her superior taught her.
Jang felt dizzier when she looked at the nurses finger wagging before her. The screen-printed words Dong San Hospital on the nurses front pocket looked like ghosts curse instead.
Move it, you b****! Get out of here! Jang screamed.
Oh, my gosh!
Surprised, the nurse moved away. The nurse rushed out of the hospital room.
Sister, do you feel better?
Sang Su, what are you doing here?
Jang, who only noticed her brother then, asked in surprise. She hadnt been in the right state of mind ever since she saw the ghost.
I arrived a little while back. Hee Ja just left after staying here the whole night.
And nothing happened?
Jang looked at her younger brother with narrowed eyes. She was worried if the ghost had done something.
You happened, sister. Everyone was scared out of their wits when you suddenly screamed and fainted. What got you so frightened?
I must have imagined something weird because I was tired. Did you contact your brother-in-law?
Not yet.
Theres no need to contact him. That man knows nothing but his company. Hes not the kind of man to blink even if his wife dies frothing at the mouth.
Jang gritted her teeth. Her husband was going to die anyway. Seeing his face would only make her hesitate.
What time is it?
Its almost lunchtime.
Already? Why did this happen to me? Ugh!
Jang got out of bed. She didnt have time to sit around in the hospital.
Rrrring
The hospital rooms phone rang. Jang Sang Su picked up the phone. He had passed along the hospital rooms phone number to his office so that they could contact him in case of emergencies.
What? So manager Jung forced her way in? So, what were you guys doing, just standing around? Fine. Ill be there soon.
Jang Sang Su hung up and put on his coat. His face was red.
Why?
Jang suddenly had a bad feeling. The curse mentioned by the ghost that appeared out of nowhere kept swimming around in her head. Even Jang, who feared nothing in the world, came to fear a ghost.
Jung Ah Young rushed into the office with an audit team. Theyre going through all the records and accounts.
Jang Sang Su was in a hurry. The money he squirreled away in the last five years alone added up to 1,000,000s of dollars. His brother-in-law was the kind of person who didnt even bleed when pricked with a needle. Looking at his mood these days, he might even report him for embezzlement and more.
What! Hes investigating our sales?
Jangs face turned yellow.
Has the curse already begun?
Her mind went blank. The ghosts cries about a curse kept ringing in her head.
Did your brother-in-law send them personally? Did the employees just watch her rush in? Jang asked useless questions.
Even if she boiled a tigers liver to eat, manager Jung wouldnt be able to do that unless it was the boss orders.
They said she personally came with the boss signature. Everyone froze in their place when she announced that shed fire anyone who interfered with their work.
Aigo, did this man get possessed by a ghost? Hes bulldozing his way through!
Jang pounded on her chest. Her husband was weak and always scared. Unless a ghost possessed him, he wasnt the kind of person whod pressure them unnecessarily. Although Jang slept with Park In Bo under the same cover for years, she didnt really know him at all.
Sang Su, hurry over there. You cant let her have the records. Dont mind the backlash, you need to chase her out even if it means bashing her head in, Jang said in a spiteful manner.
Ya, take care of yourself, sister.
Jang Sang Su rushed out of the hospital room.
This old mans finally gone mad. You want to have a go at it, is that it?
Jang gritted her teeth. If the pipeline for the Lodgings was blocked, there wouldnt be a way to raise more funds. No, if their involvement in years of embezzlement came to light, all of her family members could be locked behind bars. Failing to pinpoint a victim, she felt a rush of anger in her head.
Aaaaack, Kim Mal Sooooon! Jang screamed, grabbing her hair.
The face of the doctor, who made his way to the room as soon as he heard that his patient was awake, paled quickly. The term affective disorder started ringing in his head.
Mu Ssang, who wandered around everywhere from Gatbawi Rock to Suseong Lake, and Dongseong-ro to Good Heart Oil, returned to the village just in time for sunrise. Hungry, he headed toward a restaurant that had its lights on. It was a DaeDeok[1] restaurant that operated when the day was bright.
Strange customers walked in after he ordered two bowls of pigs blood hangover soup and emptied a bowl. They were a young man wearing a worn-out U.S. military uniform accompanied by six scruffy-looking children. The young man dragged his left leg as though he was sweeping.
I feel like Ive seen him somewhere, but who is he?
Mu Ssang tilted his head. Long hair covered the mans forehead, but his tanned horse face seemed familiar. The young man ordered four bowls of soup and seven bowls of rice. The employee disappeared with his orders, looking displeased.
Uncle, cant you order us a bowl each? a boy with a cleanly shaved head asked, pouting.
What? Are you embarrassed?
No. I just want to eat a lot, the boy dismissed the young mans sarcastic tone.
Dont be ridiculous. I dont have that much. Share.
A girl who looked to be two years older glared at the boy with the shaved head. The boy with the shaved head winced and buried his nose in the bowl. Without saying much, the young man took out some ingredients from his bowl and placed them into the boys bowl.
Mu Ssang, who was scooping a large seonji into his mouth, flinched. He could hear the childrens conversation like a stereo.
Ajimae!
Mu Ssang called the employee over.
Bring three more bowls of soup to that table, and put it on my tab. Give them a lot of meat too.
Okay.
The facial expression of the 40-year-old woman, who took the orders, didnt change much. Mu Ssang let her be and buried his nose in his food. He simply changed his mind because they reminded him of his childhood when he used to starve. A shadow appeared on his table.
Thank you. Theyre at an age where they eat a lot Its embarrassing, but well accept it gratefully.
Mu Ssang raised his head.
Its nothing much, so dont mind it. Huh? Youre Hyung Dong!
It was his classmate Hyung Dong, who was dragged to the Samchung re-education camp because of his long hair.
Uuhh! Its you, boss?
The narrow eyes on his dark horse face widened like an owls. Hyung Dongs face brightened up immediately.
How has your face changed so much? I almost didnt recognize you. Others would think youre my father.
Keke, it happened somehow. Boss, you look better than before. Hyung Dong laughed.
Who are they?
Mu Ssang signaled to the children, who were still digging into their bowls, with his chin. Hyung Dong pulled out a chair and collapsed onto it.
Haa, the story will take forever once I start. Theyre kids Im bringing around.
Orphans?
Mm, were just coming back from cleaning the mountain. Were part of the New Community Movement in case someone reports us or something.
New Community Movement, hm? Not bad. The kids get to exercise too.
Mu Ssang smiled brightly despite the worries in his heart.
Ha, boss, you look like you havent had an easy life since you dropped out of school.
Hyung Dong looked up and down Mu Ssangs dirty clothes and clicked his tongue. It was understandable why. His pants and checked shirt were crumpled and torn because he had been traveling up and down the mountain all night. The A.P.C. brand that had a history of 100 years wasnt living up to its market value.
Times are bad. Werent you able to fix your leg at all?
My kneecap shattered after I was beaten by those education instructors. What can a limp do? For the past three years, Ive been helping out a priest whos raising these kids.
Youre not in a good situation?
Were getting around somehow, but some gangsters are ruining it. Wait, those b*stards!
Hyung Dongs face creased. Three young men, who wore suit jackets with a white shirt underneath, entered the restaurant. They had on shining shoes and wide flared pants, and they walked with a sway. They were gangsters down to their bones. The three gangsters immediately walked to the counter when they found Hyung Dong.
Oi, boss, I said we wont be having fun if you let that beggar into the restaurant one more time, didnt I? You think young ones arent worth listening to, is that it? Do you want me to open up your ears with a needle?
A b*stard with bucket-style hair threatened the 50-year-old owner.
Aigo, just let me go this once. He came when I wasnt around, what was I supposed to do? I wont take him in again.
The owner started begging immediately. They were b*stards who stuck around with the excuse of maintaining public order. Although they didnt help his business one bit, going against them would cost him his entire business.
Those beggar b*stards will spread their diseases to us if they start hanging around DaeDeok restaurant, right? Do you want to go through a hygiene check? Listen to us if you want to maintain the business, hum!
A guy with a knife mark on his cheek slapped the counter with his palm. Annoyed, he glanced at Mu Ssang before glaring at Hyung Dong. There was a fire burning in his eyes. He could see the picture.
Ok okay. I wont take them in again. Hey, hey! I wont take the soup money, so take your kids and leave! the owner turned to look at Hyung Dong and shouted.
Were not beggars! Stop screaming at our uncle! the boy with the shaved head shouted.
There were tears in his eyes. He seemed very upset.
Huh, this tiny little brat doesnt have manners. How dare you shout at an adult? Ill fix your attitude on behalf of your father.
The teenager with bucket-style hair rushed at the boy and grabbed him by the front of his shirt. He looked like he was about to throw the boy down.
Aigo, Suk Soo! That damn b*stard!
A heavy hand pressed down on Hyung Dongs shoulder. Hyung Dong glanced at Mu Ssang and sat back down.
Let him go.
Ugh!
The teenager with bucket-style hair staggered when the voice started ringing in his eardrums.
What the hell?
A b*stard with a mole the size of a coin on his cheek combed through the restaurant with his eyes wide open. There were barely 10 tables with customers since it was dawn. The gang members gazes shifted to Mu Ssang.
Flash
Something swept past Hyung Dongs eyes.
Crack
Like an arrow, a chopstick flew, turned, and landed right on the wrist of the young man grabbing the childs front shirt.
Aaagh!
A scream was heard. The teenager with bucket-style hair released the boy and grabbed his wrist. Mu Ssang smiled. He planned to dig a hole through the teenagers wrist but simply broke it out of pity. Hyung Dong looked down at Mu Ssangs hand. One of his chopsticks was missing.
The other chopstick flew.
Crack
The three gangsters followed the sound with their eyes. A wooden chopstick was deeply embedded in the melamine-coated table. The three gangsters faces darkened. It was a display of power that even the best martial arts master, no, the martial arts master himself would have a hard time achieving. The gangsters, who were about to cause a scene, quietened down immediately.
Hyung Dong let out a sigh of relief. If hed stepped up, he would have been beaten up by those gangsters. Even in the old days, nothing troubled them since boss Mu Ssang would always step up to the task.
Mu Ssang raised the bowl and downed the rest of his soup. The gangsters grew nervous when the tall, built man approached them.
You damn puny b*stards, I was going to shatter your wrist but didnt.
Who the hell is this dude?
The gangsters raised their large hand driver, claw hammer, and awl, increasing the distance between them. It was a desperate struggle for those living and fighting for their area in the backstreets. The battle for survival in the backstreets was much more desperate and miserable than the battles in the real world.
Huh, what are those?
Mu Ssang laughed at their pathetic weapons. He turned back to look at Hyung Dong, expecting an explanation.
You get thrown straight into a lockup if you walk around with a sashimi knife because of security reasons. The police cant say much if they argue that those are work tools. Its all predetermined.
Mu Ssangs body stretched forward before Hyung Dong could even complete his sentence.
Slap
Slap
Slap
Painful sounds rang three times.
Ugh, ugh, ugh!
The three gangsters, who each received a slap, let out a brief scream and collapsed. A slap from Mu Ssang wasnt just any slap. It shook their brains, temporarily paralyzing their nervous system.
The customers in the hall slowly crawled out of the restaurant. Even the restaurant owner and employees moved back into the kitchen without taking their money. Mu Ssangs expression turned bitter. Their actions meant that they were used to the gangsters causing a ruckus.
Why do all gangsters, regardless of nationality, require a good beating before they can come back to their senses? Children, are you all done?
Mu Ssang turned to look at the children.
Yes! the six replied in chorus. There was no need to ask. Their bowls were clean as though a dog had licked them clean.
You guys get scolded by an adult when you make a mistake, right? Well, these guys here are kids, although theyre bigger in size. Guys can only grow up when they get beaten, you understand?
Two girls giggled at Mu Ssangs words. 12 eyes sparkled as they looked at Mu Ssang.
Kyah, boss, youre the same as always. I remember the time you destroyed the gang at the market. However, those b*stards are lackeys from the Driver faction. What are you going to do?
Hyung Dong looked down at the gangsters with a worried expression.
Theres nothing to worry about. Where is their house?
Its two blocks in the direction of Il Gwang temple.
Mm, lets head over.
Mu Ssang grabbed one unconscious gangster by the back of his head and flicked it.
Crack
The sound of a wood splitting rang.
Ughh!
At the flick, the gangsters eyes opened.
Crack
Crack
The other two also regained their consciousness at the sound of wood splitting. The gangsters, who were out of their wits, stared at Mu Ssang.
Ill kill all of you if you play around!
[1] The term DaeDeok means good heart in Korean. Perhaps, because of its name, the restaurant is always packed with customers since early morning. Hikers, who climb the mountain at dawn, and visitors, who drink until morning, come here to relieve their insides. Mu Ssang came at dawn, but several tables were already occupied by customers. Perhaps, the DaeDeok is for its owner and not the customers.
Chapter 365 - Episode 5: Congo, Fist of Justice
The sound waves in his resonance thrashed their brains. The gangsters eyes immediately refocused.
Hic
Hic
Hic
When one b*stard started hiccuping, the other two followed suit. The gangsters glanced at one another.
The word gangster was equivalent to ragpicker in Korean. Ragpickers existed in Korea until the 1970s. They walked around with a big bamboo basket on their shoulder and picked up old clothes, wastes, and scrap metals. Most of them didnt have moral sense or self-confidence.
They picked up clothes on the clotheslines pretending that they were picking up trash and stole material goods. There were even cases of children being kidnapped. The term ragpicker became a byword for immoral, cowardly, lowly, and non-existent criminals.
What was the difference between scoundrels and gangsters? While scoundrels had their own pride and exaggerated power, gangsters didnt even have fake confidence. There was even a joke about them. The difference between scoundrels and gangsters was obvious from the way they asked the same question. One being Lets sleep together and another being Can you please give me a night?
Were done for!
The unspeakable message they picked up from each others eyes was that they were about to die. Gangsters were called gangsters for a reason. The three gangsters necks moved back and forth like a spring.
Whats your name, mister? the most experienced of them, the one with the bucket-style hair, mustered up his courage and asked.
It was a gangsters curiosity toward a scoundrel.
Slap
The one with the bucket-style hair spun like a spinning wheel and collapsed after he was slapped on the other cheek. It was a ruthless answer that caused two of his teeth to fall out.
You damn lump of blood without a family name, do you know who youre talking to? Shut up before I shake you until all of your teeth fall out and crush your balls.
He exuded bloodlust. The gangsters faces rapidly turned blue. Mu Ssang was someone who didnt regard those who abused children and women as human beings. The moment the gangster with bucket-style hair grabbed the child, he was already added to his to avenge list.
Mu Ssang grabbed the chopstick that was embedded in the table and used his resonance. The vibration widened the hole it made. The wooden chopstick slid out of the table as though it was coming out of tofu. Although it was hard to embed a soft chopstick in a hard table, it was even harder to pull it out completely intact. The three gangsters stared blankly at the magical scene.
B*stard, pay the price! Hyung Dong shouted, feeling reassured with a tiger beside him.
Unable to protest, the gangster with bucket-style hair pulled out everything in his wallet and placed three 5, 000 won bills on the table. The gangsters looked at Mu Ssang.
Ajussi! Hyung Dong called for the owner.
Y yes!
The owner, whod dismissed Hyung Dong before that, rushed over and bowed until his back was completely bent. Hyung Dongs lips twisted grimly. People were really hard to predict.
Is 15,000 won enough to pay for the table and the broken bowls?
Yes, of course, its enough. The owner rubbed his hands.
Lets go!
Mu Ssang threw down the money for the five bowls of soup and left DaeDeok restaurant. The gangsters trailed along like cows being dragged into a butcher shop.
The DaeDeok restaurant owner, who barely regained his calm, stared blankly at his restaurant where a storm had just passed.
Thank you, father, owner Lee Dae Deok thanked his late father out of the blue.
His late father was the one who named him and the restaurant. Although the gangsters caused a commotion in his restaurant, he didnt suffer any loss because of the restaurants good name given by his late father. That was the reason why DaeDeok restaurant kept making money.
Mu Ssang dragged the gangsters to their headquarters because he wanted to get rid of their roots. When he worked as a waiter at the nightclub, he witnessed the extent of cruelty that gangs were capable of. Something bad might happen to Hyung Dong and the children if he simply provoked them. Helping them out momentarily was no better than asking for trouble.
[In Ae Won]
As Hyung Dong said, there was a rather nice-looking slab building after he crossed the main street. Mu Ssang felt something strange. The ki coming from In Ae Won was unstable and complicated. Emotions flooded with yin energy fumed out of it like steam coming out of a pot of boiling beans. He enhanced his hearing.
[You think I want to do this? My kids are waiting outside with fuel tanks. Priest, if you dont put a stamp on this right now, well burn it down immediately. In Ae Won will disappear without a trace along with the 42 children.]
It was the threats of a young man.
[You damn b*stards, are you even human?]
An old, tired voice protested.
[Thats why you should have sold it when I asked you to. Then, I wouldnt have touched the children.]
[No. What faults do the children have?]
[Then, sell the orphanage. Were saying that well give you a decent piece of land in exchange, so why are you being so stubborn?]
[You b*stard, all the children go to school and work here, so what can they do if they move all the way to Wol Bae? Do you not have the littlest bit of conscience, asking me to sell land thats originally 300,000 won per pyung for 30,000 won?]
[Hehe, compassion! Whats that? We have 10 more minutes until 6:30 a.m. My kids will light it on fire in 10 minutes.]
There are such b*stards in this world too.
He threatened to burn down the building if the priest didnt sell the orphanage. Hed never seen such a cruel gang in his entire life. The kind of scene that was frequent in Africa was about to take place in Korea.
The words he heard from the gang leader in the office could be the truth or a lie. It didnt matter whether it was the truth or a lie. 10 minutes was more than enough to grab all uninvited guests in In Ae Won. Mu Ssang had plenty of time.
Hyung Dong, what time do the children wake up?
The children attending middle school and high school wake up at six every day to exercise and prepare breakfast. The younger children wake up at seven. It is these guys turn to participate in the New Community Movement.
Really? Then, the older ones must have already woken up.
Thats strange. The children should be getting ready for school. However, the dining room lights are off.
Hyung Dong tilted his head. He saw a black Royale Salon and silver pony parked before the entrance of In Ae Won when they turned the corner.
F***, those b*stards must be here.
Hyung Dong walked faster. Those b*stards who used to visit at night must have arrived at dawn. Hyung Dong suddenly felt anxious. Even the childrens faces darkened at the news of those evil mens arrival.
Mu Ssang nodded his head when he entered the front yard, which was surprisingly large. Although the building was run-down, there were basic playthings in the yard like jungle gyms and merry-go-rounds. The entire space was around 500 pyung, and while Daemyeong-dong was located in the outskirts of Daegu, it wasnt easy to obtain such a large piece of land.
Tap tap tap
Mu Ssangs hand swept past the three gangsters backs. The gangsters who fell were kicked and thrown into the flower field by the front gate.
Hyung Dong, I need to catch some insects. Take the children with you and wait at the playground.
Mu Ssang flashed and disappeared before Hyung Dong could say anything.
Ha! Boss is still the boss. He used to be in a different realm in the past, and now, hes a goblin. I knew it. You b*stards are all dead now.
Hyung Dong raised his fist and shook it. His teeth started chattering when he recalled the memories of being beaten by those Chil Sung market gang members a few months back. He couldnt rest well since then, fearing for the childrens safety.
Su jin, take the children and hide in the shed behind the playground. Remember, dont make any noise.
Ok. Uncle, dont fight, ok?
The eldest girl sobbed.
Hehe, dont worry. My boss is here, Hyung Dong whispered into Su jins ear and pointed in the direction where Mu Ssang disappeared.
Relief flooded Su jins face. The scary ajussi, who knocked out the evil men with a single slap each, was her uncles boss. She felt relieved.
Sss
Like a lizard, Mu Ssang attached himself to the leftmost window on the first floor as gently as a leaf blowing in the wind. Already at its peak, his secretive movements didnt make a single sound. The window was barely two textbooks thick.
Beds with iron frames were lined up in the bedroom that was as big as a classroom. There were children from the ages of five to their mid-teens gathered in a corner. Their mouths were covered with tape, and their hands were tied to the back. Two middle-aged women, who looked like nursery nurses, were holding a baby respectively with milk bottles in hand.
He found six gangsters whose faces were covered with masks and baseball caps. There were two plastic fuel tanks in a corner of the bedroom. Those b*stards were really planning to burn down In Ae Won.
I should kill them!
Sparks flew out from Mu Ssangs eyes. He pushed the window. It was locked. When he pushed it a little bit more, the iron lock fell apart. His strong body slipped through the small window easily.
What?
When one of the gangsters with bright ears raised his head, a black shadow loomed over them.
Bang
The gangster was slapped and thrown into the air before he collapsed on the ground. Surprised, the others jumped to their feet and raised their bats, chains, and drivers.
No, the moment they stood up, a tornado swept past them. Mu Ssang used just enough strength to keep their spines intact.
Cra-a-ack
Instantly, six gangsters were slapped, and they flew in all directions. Countless teeth that fell out of their mouths were rolling on the floor.
Mu Ssang tied up the gangsters, whose noses were bleeding, with the remaining rope used to tie up the children. They should be out for an hour, but he might take longer.
Boom
He used his dimensional sight. The only place where he felt any presence was presumably the directors office. He managed to not waste any time since the b*stards shoved all of the children in one room.
Ajumma, release the children and wait. Dont make any noise, and hit these b*stards on the head the moment they regain consciousness.
He threw a baseball bat to the nursery nurses whose mouths were wide open before disappearing through the window.
Hyung Dong gasped and turned when he felt something patting his shoulder.
My god. What happened?
Trouble nearly happened. I wrapped it up cleanly. All the children are gathered in the last room on the left. Nothing seemed to have happened to them.
Thats a relief. What about those Chil Sung market gang b*stards?
There were six. I beat every one of them and tied them up.
Damn b*stards!
Hyung Dong gritted his teeth. It was obvious that those gangsters threatened the priest director by holding the children as hostages.
Su jin, you stay here for a while and then bring the other children to your brothers rooms. Uncle needs to follow boss, Im concerned about our director.
Ya, be careful.
Su jin nodded without hesitation.
Brat, youre smart.
Mu Ssang smiled and patted Su jins head. She seemed like a girl whod succeed in the future. Mu Ssang dragged the three gangsters he previously threw into the flower field. He flicked them all back into consciousness. The three gangsters foreheads swelled in red.
Mu Ssang walked toward the entrance of the building without a single care for his safety. Since the childrens safety was taken care of, he only had to destroy those gangsters.
Two b*stards wearing a black shirt and black suit were smoking while leaning on one leg. Mu Ssang wondered why all gangsters leaned on one leg and insisted on wearing a white shirt with a black suit. The moment one leaned on one leg, their reaction time became slower. It was disadvantageous to attack or defend.
Huh, what are those?
A young man guarding the door nudged his friend.
Ones the invalid, but whos the other person?
B*stards who go around with an idiot are all b*stards.
But the b*stards behind him look like our kids.
The gangster who was chewing on the cigarette filter like gum blocked his path. The other guy who was actually chewing gum spat through his teeth. The three gangsters who were following him glared at them, motioning for them to stand down. However, the two who were guarding the door didnt understand.
Oi, leg-drag, where have you been?
Cant you tell? Hes here to get beaten up since he doesnt have a single penny on him.
The two gangsters made fun of him right before his face.
Move! Hyung Dong shouted.
No, our boss and his lackeys are talking to an idiot.
Do you want to wait silently until its over, or do you want to pass out after getting beaten up? The two gangsters laughed.
Mu Ssang looked pathetically at the gangsters comedic act. B*stards like them didnt deserve to be called gangsters. In Japanese, they would be called chinpira.
Oi, who are you?
You rude b*stard, Im your father.
Mu Ssang waved his hand as though he was playing around. His palm moved at an invisible speed and tapped the back of gangster ones head. Gangster one swayed and moved a few steps forward, before falling to the ground.
What the f***?
Surprised, gangster two stepped back. Mu Ssang followed him like iron powder dragged along by a magnet.
Ugk!
Gangster twos face turned as pale as a sheet of paper when he saw the smiling face looking at him from a short distance.
Crack
Gangster two, who was slapped on the back of his head, hit his nose on the ground. Gangster two should have fled as fast as he could. Still, how could a small ghost know fear when hed never met a bigger ghost!
Why do these b*stards lack imagination? They always ask about my identity. I suppose theyre gangsters because theyre empty-headed, but still, Mu Ssang muttered as he kicked the sides of the unconscious gangsters.
F***er, I didnt hit you hard enough for you to pass out. If you dont wake up, Ill break your back. You will never be able to have s*x with a woman, so what will you do?
Gangster one and gangster two trembled as they got up. Their heads were ringing, and their sight had turned yellow. Their legs shook, but they mustered up a great amount of tenacity and got into position.
Whoosh
Mu Ssangs hand searched the left gangsters pocket and the right gangsters belt. He was holding a jackknife and a motorbike chain not a moment later.
Uuu!
The three gangsters, who were dragged all the way from DaeDeok restaurant, made strange noises behind him. Still, the surprise had only just begun. The jackknife in his hand turned into dust. Meanwhile, the motorbike chain was disassembled into rollers, pins, and plates before they were scattered onto the floor.
Chapter 366 - Episode 6: Congo, Fist of Justice
Mu Ssang pressed the broken chain and knife together like he was kneading dough. The power of the Billions Water Armor was undeniable.
Crack
Creaaak
Frightening sounds rang. Flints of metal transformed into a round ball as though they were glued together.
Bang
The lump of metal fell right before the gangsters.
Uuhhhhhh!
The five gangsters faces turned pale.
Your heads and bones arent tougher than iron, are they?
The devil bared his teeth and growled.
Yes, yes!
Obviously.
Of course.
The gangsters nodded their heads quickly as though it was a competition. If they replied late, their heads would be crushed by the same hand that crushed iron. Mu Ssang glanced at the cigarette butts discarded near the entrance and clicked his tongue.
Wow, these b*stards are smoking despite their condition. This this costs 500 won per pack, doesnt it? It seems like gangsters have a lot of money these days. B*stards, pick up all of the cigarette butts. You b*stards, get rid of all the spit and gum that you spat out! Mu Ssang shouted.
The two gangsters, who had been blocking the entrance, immediately ran to pick up their cigarette butts.
Hyung Dong kicked the butt of the gangster who stepped on his spit with the sole of his shoes. The other one was sharp-witted. He immediately scraped his spit with his hands and shoved it into his pocket. Although he got sticky liquid on his hands, he managed to avoid getting kicked on the butt.
Follow me!
Mu Ssang entered the front door without turning back. The five gangsters stared at each others faces.
Hey, lets run!
F*** that, didnt you see him flying around?
If we get caught, our skulls will be crushed.
Lets believe in our big brothers.
In incredibly low voices, they exchanged whispers like lightning. Gangsters could only survive if theyre sharp-witted. Although the night goblin was terrible, their elder brothers were even more so. They collectively agreed to put their trust in their brothers rather than running away and getting beaten to death. The five gangsters followed after them in a line.
Mu Ssang walked comfortably up the stairs like it was his own house, grabbed the door handle of a room on the second floor, and pushed the door. He pushed the five gangsters inside and entered. A middle-aged priest with a shaved head came into his sight first. A man in a suit was leaning back with his legs crossed on the three-seater couch next to the middle-aged priest. Like guards, three men wearing mais[1] were standing behind the man in the suit.
Bone-head, you b*stard, I told you not to let anyone in. Who is this-
The man on the rightmost with glasses on his face glared. He couldnt finish his sentence.
Slap
A palm slapped his chest and disappeared. It was an attack sharper and faster than a chameleons tongue.
Bang
The man, who flew against gravity, hit his head on the iron cabinet in the corner of the office and lost consciousness.
Oi, go kneel in the corner and raise your hands.
Mu Ssang glared. The five gangsters, who were dragged all the way there, glanced at the men in the room and kneeled in a corner.
B*stards, raise your hands! Hyung Dong shouted.
The five gangsters raised their arms up high. Priest Bumwoo looked at Mu Ssang with a lost expression. Hyung Dong immediately rushed forward and whispered into the priests ear. The priest nodded as the tension in his face melted away.
The man in the suit sitting on the couch and two men behind him wearing mais glared at Mu Ssang silently. Their gazes were as sharp as the tip of knives. Silence filled the office.
Mu Ah greets you, priest, whos built many fortunes. May you attain Buddhahood, Mu Ssang politely greeted priest Bumwoo.
Im a weak person whos thrown this way because I couldnt solve a single thing in reality. It seems like this is the age where Asuras are needed more than Bodhisattvas. Im Bumwoo. May you attain Buddhahood, priest Bumwoo jumped to his feet and praised.
You work hard guiding low-class citizens back to the right path, sir. Still, I think your methods a bit wrong. While everyone deserves equal education, and its good to reflect on oneself using the five precepts, there are ranks for low-class citizens too. Theres the bossy man and woman who can tell the difference between s*** and bean paste by looking at them, scoundrels who can tell the difference by smelling them, gangsters who can tell the difference by tasting them, and those who still cant tell even after smelling and tasting them. These ranks cannot be assigned unless each ones been hammered down with the wooden fish used for chanting. Wooden fishes should be used to crack open skulls instead.
Keke, hahaha! What a refreshing distinction.
Priest Bumwoos entire body shook as he laughed. The man in the suit leaned his body further back against the couch. He gave a death stare while maintaining his silence. The other two men wearing mais glared at Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang slowly observed the man in the suit. He looked like someone who practiced martial arts. He was in his early 40s, well-built, had a strong aura, had an unwavering focus that he didnt even turn to look at his beaten subordinates, and remained patient even when insulted. He was either a strong man or someone who was specially trained. He could also be both.
What a monkey-like guy. What are you?
The man in the suit growled. Although his pronunciation was slightly off, it was a perfect standard accent.
B*stard, if you want to trace other peoples ancestry, you should introduce yourself first.
Im An Bae Tae. Who are you?
Abe? A Jap doesnt have the right to ask, Mu Ssang interrupted him.
Hyung Dong laughed. If those men could stand such disrespect, they were among the most generous of Buddhists.
Die!
Whoosh
The two men standing behind the couch moved at the same time. The sports-hair guy jumped to an alarming height. He spun once in the air, kicked the wall, and flew toward Mu Ssangs blind spot.
Ssshink
A chained weight slipped out of the sports-hair guys sleeve. Seung Pyo was a mid-range weapon with a heavy shuriken attached at the end of its thin chain.
The block-hair guy hurled his body, slid, and spun a ring shuriken around his finger at the slightest pause. A ring shuriken was an assassination weapon created from the merging of bagh nakh, a weapon that mimicked the claws of predators, and shuriken.
The shuriken attached to the chained weight was aiming at the back of his neck, and the ring shuriken was aiming at his ankle. They were certainly incomparable to those gangsters. They were b*stards who learned proper martial arts. Every technique they used was a ninja technique.
Mu Ssangs body shook like a branch shaking in the wind. It was a combination of Flexible Moving Technique and Fearless Steps in which his upper and lower body moved in different directions. He lifted his left foot, avoiding the ring shuriken aiming at it. In one smooth movement, he stepped on the other persons shoulder as though he was walking.
His chest moved a foots distance to the right while his stomach was still in place. Four movements taking place simultaneouslyit was an impossible move considering the human anatomy.
Whoosh
The chained weight swept past the area connecting his spine and neck. He shifted his weight to his left foot, which was on the other persons shoulder, and turned around.
Crack
The sound of bones breaking under his foot was heard. The sports-hair guy jerked his wrist and returned the chained weight. The shuriken flew toward his forehead. It was a devious weapon specific to chained weights.
Slap
He caught the shuriken, rendering the attack useless. Mu Ssangs arm muscles twitched. The sports-hair guy was dragged down relentlessly from the air.
Whoosh
The sports-hair guy bent his foot like a whip and aimed at Mu Ssangs temple. He was someone with astounding flexibility.
Long fingers wrapped around his ankle. The sports-hair guys body turned in the air like a pinwheel before slamming onto the couch. The man in the suit slid away from the couch where he had been sitting.
Bang
The sports-hair guy trembled and fainted, falling head-first. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Mu Ssangs initial plan was to bash his head into the stone floor because of his deadly hand movements, but he let him live out of pity instead.
Aaagk!
It was only then that the scream of the block-hair guy with the shattered shoulder bone was heard. That showed how fast their exchange was. Mu Ssang applied more pressure to his foot. Three tons of weight settled on the block-hair guys shoulder.
Craaaack
His shoulder blade, clavicle, upper arm bones, and joints were all crushed together with the tendons and muscles. They were unrecoverable.
Kugh!
Unable to endure the shock, the block-hair guy fainted, falling head-first.
Namu Amita Bul!
Priest Bumwoo chanted a prayer. The single exchange ended in three seconds. Against Mu Ssang, they were half-a**ed opponents anyway. The stronger ones abilities were, the more decisive a fight was, and depending on the difference in skills, a fight could be determined in half a seconds worth of exchange.
Silence pressed down heavily on the 15-pyung room. Mu Ssang looked around. The man in the suit and Hyung Dong were standing, wide-eyed, while the lackeys were shriveled up, unable to breathe.
Now, lets hear both sides of the story. Im quite the mediator, you see. This b*stard, whys he taking up space when the couch is small in the first place?
Mu Ssang flung away the sports-hair guy who had fainted on the couch and sat down. It was as though he was throwing away a teddy bear. Hyung Dong flinched. That wasnt mediation, but a mediator who could beat up both sides and more.
I made a mistake. I wont visit this place again.
The man in the suit bowed slightly.
Come on, why are you acting like this? I barely managed to prepare a negotiation table, who else would I ask for compensation if the assailant disappears? That wont do.
Mu Ssang patted the couch with his palm.
Im sorry. I didnt know that there is a high-ranking master like you here. I wont visit this place again.
The man in the suit kept lowering his head. Abe Asotaro was meant to have the Korean name An Bae Tae Rang but because of the wariness against the Japanese, he was named An Bae Tae. His heart was racing. He wasnt confident against a joint attack of second-rank trainees even though he was a first-rank trainee himself.
The opponent was strong enough that he could win against all of his elders attacks. He didnt know where such a terrible human being came from. Well, the elders from his martial arts hall were always worried. They always warned that seeds in Korea had to be eliminated before they grew since there were always people with special abilities popping out of nowhere. Right now was the time to lower his head and plan for the future.
Mu Ssangs gaze grew cold.
You cowardly b*stard, are you saying that you have the right to enter any childrens home and cause a scene as long as there isnt a master hiding inside? You started this ordeal, but Ill finish it. You better sit unless you want your neck snapped.
I understand.
As An Bae Tae stepped forward with his head slightly lowered, kunai flew in like arrows. They flew at him from within three meters.
I knew it, b*stard.
As long as Mu Ssang didnt lower his guard, nothing within three meters, no, one meter was unavoidable. Mu Ssang raised his hand and swung it as though he was smacking someone. It was something that he learned from the cycloid technique, a method of Reverse Lines and Remodeled Operational Attacks.
Snap
His hand skilfully caught five kunai. Even the sharpest of iron couldnt pierce his Billions Water Armor.
Jap-boen, dont you have anything more to show?
An Bae Taes face creased devilishly.
Why are you surprised? A Jap who knows his way around shurikens, kunai, and chained weights, you must be from a traditional martial hall. However, those b*stards were using Jidang and Huijul techniques. Are you a descendant of the Shinsengumi?
Hehe, you should stop. Its impossible for you to kill all of the members and destroy the evidence. If someone from our headquarters visits, youll all die. The children will start disappearing one by one.
Your cowardly instincts are showing through now. Ill wipe you out cleanly.
A light pink color started spreading inside of Mu Ssangs eyes.
Look, Mu Ah, since that friend says he wont appear again, let him go. Several of them are injured anyway. They should head over to the hospital now. Although their actions are wrong, if one side doesnt yield, hatred will continue.
Mu Ssang turned his gaze toward priest Bumwoo. The priest feared for his childrens safety. Theyre the kind of b*stards who attacked when shown compassion.
I wonder if your benevolence will reach that Jap b*stard, priest.
Flick
Before he could finish his sentence, An Bae Tae moved as though he was sliding. A thick arm wrapped around priest Bumwoos neck from three meters away.
Ah, priest! Hyung Dong shouted.
Hehehe, you poor Joseon b*stard, tie up that b*stards hands and feet if you dont want this old priest murdered.
An Bae Tae kicked the chained weight that had fallen to the ground toward Hyung Dong. Bewildered, Hyung Dong looked back and forth between the priest and Mu Ssang.
Priest, do you see? Thats the nature of those Japs, the baser side of their personality. Abes clan is known for constantly changing their opinions.
Hoo, its my fault.
Priest Bumwoo let out a deep sigh.
Mu Ssang could have stopped An Bae when he moved but left him alone on purpose instead. He wanted to show priest Bumwoo the epitome of a despicable human being.
Mu Ssang believed in his sound wave attack. Both orientation and concentration had to synchronize for damage to be done with sound waves. Mu Ssang applied the sound reproduction principle of an LP phonograph record. He narrowed down the resonance waves until they were as compact as a saw blade and used air as a transmitter to deliver them into the other persons ear. He then released compressed resonance waves for them to crash against the sound waves, like bowing violin strings with a bow.
Resonance with grating sound waves produced the sound of an explosion. The vestibular system that balanced the human body had semicircular canals that detected rotational movements, a utricle that detected horizontal movements, and a saccule that detected vertical movements.
When powerful sound waves exploded in ones eardrums, the entire vestibular system would be displaced. The person on the receiving end would receive a large amount of shock enough to flip the world around. Although it was a weaker skill compared to blackys skill, which released extremely-low frequency in spirals, it was enough to disable an opponent temporarily.
An Bae, no, Abe. Wont you regret your decision?
Regret? A warrior from the Great Empire of Japan doesnt do anything he regrets. Moreover, I dont regret what I did.
Oh, fine, you b*stard, youre so great and mighty. Ha!
Kuaaagh!
Abe, who received a huge resonance shock wave, jumped in his seat.
Whoosh
Mu Ssang moved instantaneously and grabbed the back of Abes neck before slamming his face into the floor. The terrazzo floor rang loudly.
Ugh, that must hurt.
Hyung Dong trembled as he watched.
[1] Japanese jackets.
Chapter 367 - Episode 7: Congo, Fist of Justice (End of Vol. 7)
What do you think? Snaps you right back into attention, doesnt it?
Mu Ssang twisted his lips and smiled. Abe was the Higashi Hongan-jis first disciple who went through intense ninja training. Pain was a part of his life.
Hehehe, times passed. There isnt time for this, Abe mocked, revealing gums that had turned red because of blood.
His eyes flashed with excitement from the violence.
Yeah, right. I turned six Japs into mush and put them in their place. B*stard, stop dreaming!
F***!
Abes face creased. The more creases there were on his bloodied face, the more he looked like a devil.
Aigo, look at this b*stard talk. He speaks Japanese when hes mad!
Slap
Slap
Mu Ssang went on to slap him on both cheeks. Teeth kept falling out of the mans damaged gums. Priest Bumwoo and Hyung Dong, alongside the five gangsters, were shaking.
Damn it! One measly Joseon person ruined our great plan, Abe mumbled.
Great plan! Youre saying burning children to death is a great plan? Wow, this b*stards the worst of his kind.
Bang
Bang
Angered, Mu Ssang continued to slam Abes face into the floor.
B*stard, children should be protected and treasured. Compared to Koreans, you guys dont even have basic morality. Oh, look, this guy has passed out. Why is he so weak?
Mu Ssang lifted Abe as though he was lifting a bunch of harvests and threw him to the side. Abe, who landed on the floor loudly, trembled and stopped moving. The office was as quiet as a mouse.
Hyung Dong, tie them up like fishes on a string.
Hyung Dong brought over a ball of nylon string used to hang laundry. The head Abe, the two b*stards who used ninja techniques, the tax collector, and the five gangsters were tied up together like Corvina fishes on a string. Mu Ssangs frightening gaze swept past the Chil Sung market gang members.
Weaklings, fighting commences once youve assessed your opponents abilities. You guys arent even considered gangsters when youve sided with a Jap. Youre just parasites.
Crack
Crack
The heavy shuriken on the chain knocked on their heads mercilessly. The gangsters who were scared stiff didnt even have the time to scream. Mu Ssang tapped Abe, whod fainted.
Oi, why are you acting like this when we both know the truth? A direct descendant of the Higashi Hongan-ji shouldnt pass out so easily, thats impossible. Think about the honor of your martial hall.
Kugh, how did you know?
Abe raised his head. His front teeth had all disappeared, and his pronunciation was butchered because of his torn lips. It was impossible for his face to remain normal after getting slammed into the cement floor several times. His entire face was a mess, and his features were no longer distinguishable. Any regular human being would have died 10 times over from that level of shock. A first-class ninja was truly different. Mu Ssang smiled. His assumption was proven right.
I can tell. Chui Do Shik, no, do you know Sai Dojiku?
Uuk! How do you know Sai-san? Abe returned a question in surprise.
That b*stard taught me once.
Abe was confused. No disciple would call their master a b*stard. If Sai-san taught that b*stard, he should be on the same side as him.
You should know the All-Torture too, then.
Damn it!
Abes face creased devilishly. The All-Torture was both a torture and fundamental strengthening method that disciples of the elders learned. He couldnt even advance to the second level of that evil training method.
He heard that there was a similar training method called the Seizure Protection. Seizure Protection was administered by hitting one with a thick wooden stick, but the All-Torture was administered by hitting one with an ash tree branch or a Betula schmidtii branch the width of a nail. The All-Tortures Extended Modification Ki was an endless continuation of pain that didnt allow one to pass out, and the torment kept coming in like waves. Just thinking about it made him nervous and caused his muscles to tense up.
Who are you, really?
Are you a chicken-head? I said Japs dont have the right to ask, didnt I? I question, and you answer. If you answer me properly, I might even let you live. If your answer is insincere, Ill be very sad. When Im sad, I tend to cheer myself up by administering the All-Torture. By the way, there is no Grand Defrosting Flow liquid. You get what I mean?
Kugh!
Abe realized what it meant to feel earth-shattering despair. That b*stard who knew the existence of the Grand Defrosting Flow liquid was the real deal. That disciple could be someone whom Sai Dojiku raised in secret after betraying the clan. If he made a mistake there, hed have to crawl around the marketplaces floor with all 12 of his joints damaged.
Whats the real identity of Chui Do Shik?
Hes the great master of the Higashi Hongan-ji. Hes in his mid-30s and a genius of our times who mastered Jutsu, fighting techniques, spells, and the art of medicine, Abe replied honestly, pushing his question aside.
Thats a relief.
Mu Ssang secretly let out a sigh of relief. If there were more than 10 people in Japan with Chui Do Shiks abilities, it would be a disaster for Korea.
Where is Chui Do Shik?
I dont know. Were also looking for Sai-san. Weve not been in contact ever since he went missing five years ago.
Missing!
Mu Ssang nodded. Five years ago was around the time when he fled Bang Tae San with severe injuries. Abes brain waves, blood flow, and heartbeat were normal. That meant he wasnt lying.
Is he dead?
Considering his wounds, he should be, but Chui Do Shik wasnt any ordinary person. He was the leader of the Baek Baek religion. He suffered severe injuries on his neck and abdomen and also lost his left arm. Although they were severe injuries, he knew three people who wouldnt die from that. They were Ocelot, Samedi, and himself. Even the regenerative skills of those chimeras he met at the lakes of Ounianga were more surprising.
He was certain about Chui Do Shiks death in the past, but with more experience, he grew more certain that he was still alive. A masters death wasnt confirmed unless their head was separated from their body. A master advanced one level through death. If he reappeared, there was a possibility that hed be stronger.
Since youve taken over the Chil Sung market gang, Eel must have been smoked. Do you know Bullhead?
Hes a mid-level boss with skills. I was going to raise him by sending him to my headquarters, but then he disappeared.
So, the b*stards who dug up his fathers grave were the Chil Sung market gang members. That was why enemies lasted longer than friends.
Why is a skillful person like you here in Korea acting as the head of a second-rate street gang?
Abe couldnt answer and simply frowned. His frowning face was a disturbing sight.
You dont need to tell me. I can just release my stress on you, and you can die slowly releasing all kinds of fluids.
Damn it, just kill me already.
Hmmm, this means youre confident in handling torture. You two over there, are you Japs too?
Mu Ssang glared at the sports-hair guy who used the chain and the block-hair guy who used the ring shuriken.
Right. We are the second generation disciples of the Higashi Hongan-ji.
The block-hair guy straightened his back proudly.
Oh, of course, thats such a great thing. You b*stard!
Mu Ssang slapped the back of the block-hair guys head with his palm. His forehead hit the floor every time he got hit. The block-hair guy stubbornly straightened his back again.
Skilled disciples from Japans finest ninja clan coming to take over a nameless street gang in the suburbs of Korea? Thats really suspicious.
Mu Ssang started hitting the back of the sports-hair guys head with his palm. This time, he was hitting with more emotions. The sound of ones forehead hitting the cold hard floor rang. The sports-hair guy stubbornly fought back, unwilling to let his bloodied face get in contact with the cold floor. It was a protest that he would not give up his pride. Of course, Mu Ssang wasnt the slightest bit impressed.
Planning to burn down a building alongside dozens of children just to take over some countryside building? What kind of b*stard plans out such a great play with fire? I dont understand. Do you guys understand?
Mu Ssang started hitting the back of Abes head. There was a reason why he was hitting the back of their heads. He was releasing resonance to mess up their occipital lobes recognition function and the spindle cells in their frontal lobe. Spindle cells played a part in processing self-awareness, empathy, and willpower.
Those b*stards who passed the ninja training center were b*stards well-trained to handle pain. They werent the kind whod surrender because of broken fingers and peeled skin. Traditional ninjas had their own suicide methods. There was a possibility that theyd commit suicide to keep their secret if he administered the All-Torture.
The Japs were madmen who loaded their jets with fuel and covered it with bombs before flying right into the U.S.s traps. Madmen must be brought back to their senses.
Ill ask again. Whats the reason behind your attachment to some unknown orphanage?
Were planning to set up a temple here. Were planning to set up a Korean version of the Higashi Hongan-ji and spread it as a religion.
Really? Ill believe you. Then, shouldnt you have offered to buy it at a reasonable price?
I initially offered 400,000 won per pyung. However, the priest refused. I got mad. So, I lowered the price.
You b*stard, all of the children go to school and work here, so where do you expect us to move to? the priest barked.
He was listening in. Mu Ssang glared at Abe. That b*stard was lying. A b*stard whose intention was to quietly spread his influence but was causing a scene that would take the world by surprise instead? That was absurd. Mu Ssang decided to use the most classic method.
Abe, if youre going to lie, make sure that your story makes sense. Im going to propose one thing to you b*stards. All three of you are on the same boat. Youre all criminals who tried to burn children to death. Ill release any b*stard who tells the truth.
Hmph, a warrior of the Great Empire of Japan doesnt fall for such lies.
Really? Lets test it out.
Mu Ssang dragged the block-hair guy to the next room. Those b*stards were people who dropped kamikaze attacks shouting Tennheika Banzai. He wanted to test whether they had such great loyalty and trust.
Look, I didnt ask for your names. Do you get what Im saying? It means Ill simply release you if you open your mouth. However, if you dont, and the other b*stards dont, Im planning to hand all of you over to the police. If you dont open your mouth, and the others do, youll suffer the second level of All-Torture and thrown to be fed to the pigs. Ah, dont try to lie. My ability to detect lies is far superior to an actual lie detector. If you lie, forget about the safety of your family members.
The block-hair guys face creased. Mu Ssangs offer was cruel. If the block-hair guy talked, hed be released. If the block-hair guy decided to remain silent, and the sports-hair guy talked, hed be tortured and thrown to be fed to the pigs. If both of them remained silent, theyd be handed over to the police to be punished.
From the block-hair guys point of view, he must open his mouth to survive. Would he remain silent and trust his comrades? Was their collective consciousness stronger than their survival instinct?
Now, Ill give you five minutes. Ill keep my promise. You should know masters like me take their words seriously. I have just the right thing too.
Whoosh
Mu Ssang shook the weighted chain. It was a silent threat. The block-hair guys face creased. The person before him was a master of unknown levels. For a person to reach that level, hed have to survive death at least 100 times. That guy wouldnt be able to lie since his mental toughness was already at its limit, and he was way too prideful. If he said he would release him, he would release him.
Images of his wife and young son, whom he had left behind in his hometown, flashed before his eyes. The clans benevolence to him and his family was great and profound as they were the ones who taught him martial arts and provided him with generous living expenses. The block-hair guys thoughts were all tangled up.
I scattered seeds over the rock you gave, with the water of love
Mu Ssang hummed a song. He heard that song playing from a handcart when he crossed the train platform in Seoul after returning from the Sahel. The lyrics were so desperate and sad that his heart ached and his nose twitched. The past years seemed futile, and the reality seemed bleak.
What was the point of having so much money? What kind of dream could someone drifting through life have? Money spent on someone was more worthwhile, and honor only shone when ones proud of it. It was all meaningless because there were no roots.
Do I need to get married? No, I should find my mother first.
The block-hair guy stared at the goblin-like human who was humming a song with resentful eyes. He couldnt read the persons intentions at all.
Ill talk.
You can. Livings better even if you have to roll in a field of s***.
The block-hair guy shouted determinedly, but Mu Ssang simply nodded. The Japs loyalty and collective consciousness were a lie. The organization was put under hypnosis imbued with collective madness and subservience for over 1,000s of years. An impossible story came out of the block-hair guys mouth.
This is where the private warehouse of Hanzo Yamanashi, the fifth governor of Joseon, was located. Governor Yamanishi was troubled because Jo Myeong-ha, a Joseon citizen, stabbed Kunihiko Kuninomiya in Taiwan. Kuninomiya was Hirohitos father-in-law. Anxious, he started preparing bribes to move the Tanaka warlords. Then and even now, the Japanese would go crazy over Joseon antiques. At that time, governor Yamanashi collected 1,000s of antiques, including Goryeo ceramics, Joseon white porcelains, royal seals, calligraphies, and books. It is also said that there were over 100 cultural properties of national treasure grade amongst the collection.
Impossible! How did you b*stards obtain this information?
Mu Ssang was surprised. What kind of lightning in the bare sky was that! Treasures seemed to follow him wherever he went.
Governor Yamanashi is from the Higashi Hongan-ji. Moreover, there were many pro-Japanese members in Joseon.
Nigimi Ddugural! Who are those b*stards!
Mu Ssangs eyes flashed. Those pro-Japanese were always the problem. The block-hair guy was basically saying that the pro-Japanese faction in Korea backed them up. If someone was to create chaos, it would be himself and not those pro-Japanese faction members who took advantage of the country.
I dont know whos cooperating in Korea. Im only here because the elders ordered me to take over this area.
If thats the case, you should have taken care of this matter quietly. Why did you try to burn the children?
Are you really going to release me?
Chapter 368 - Episode 8: Congo, Fist of Justice
The block-hair guy looked intently at Mu Ssangs mouth. His life was dependent on the other persons benevolence anyway. The goblin that popped out of nowhere in the daytime was surprisingly a strategist. He wasnt the kind of person who would be deceived by lies. The block-hair guy didnt want to die. If he died, what would become of his wife and cute child?
Ah, damn it, this guy looks like hes about to cry.
Mu Ssang frowned. Japs always had a bad habit of taking the most minor matters seriously.
Ill let you go. Im not a human if I dont keep my promise.
Mu Ssang wasnt a human but an Epidium. Hed basically made a false promise.
Haa, who else can I trust? Governor Yamanashi wasnt an idiot. He hid the real treasures that he carefully selected in an underground room and got the best yin-yang spellcaster in his time from Japan to build a barrier around it.
Oho, thats interesting. Yamanashi wouldnt be able to rest in peace due to regrets.
There was a reason for that. Governor Yamanashi was someone who went crazy over money to the point that he was called General Money Worshipper. When he was dragged down from his position due to involvement in a bribery case and was continuously threatened by the pro-imperialist faction, he turned his collection over to Abe Nobuyuki, the ninth governor. An Bae Tae is Nobuyukis grandson.
No wonder he seems to reek of poison Hes the grandson of Joseons last governor. What shameless b*stards. B*stard governors stealing national treasures like chinpira and exchanging them at will? Do you Japanese have no basic morality?
The block-hair guy had nothing to say. Although it was embarrassing, what was he supposed to say about something that his ancestors did?
Mu Ssang managed to hold back from beating up the block-hair guy. Who could he blame when the country was powerless and failed to wipe out the pro-Japanese faction?
Why werent you able to find them in the first place? Arent the Nihonjins[1] specialty finding things? Mu Ssang mocked.
Tomb robbing executed by the Japanese began in earnest during the Imjin War. During the Japanese colonial period, all graves were robbed indiscriminately, from dolmens to the tombs of nobles.
We havent found a way to break through the barrier in decades.
Barrier? You can simply put up construction fences and use a crane fork. If you clear all the land surrounding this barrier, how will it sustain? I know a crane fork master with the nickname Tiger of the Forest, and hes skilled enough to open a jar with a bucket. If you hire skilled drivers, you can dig up those treasures without damaging them.
Dont look down on yin-yang spellcasters. High-rankers know how to handle space. If we forcefully dig up the ground, the treasures would turn to dust or disappear into space.
The block-hair guy shook his hands as though his suggestion was far-fetched.
What? It disappears into space?
Mu Ssang was greatly surprised. Space transfer was a spell of the highest level. It meant that a person on his masters level existed in Japan. He suddenly understood the meaning behind the saying what you see is not everything. Unlike fortune-tellers who read fortunes and faces, Japans yin-yang spellcasters held high ranks in society.
Yin-yang spellcaster was a term used to refer to spellcasters, shamans, ritual casters, and fortune-tellers. During the Shogunate period, they served as staff members to the shoguns and daimyos. Spellcasters were people who performed special rituals using livestock, objects, and people to increase luck and extend lifespan. Fortune tellers were people who attempted to extend their lifespan through organized efforts such as increasing ki and life force. Shamans were people who ordered ghosts around, predicted fates using charms and spells, spread diseases, and called upon wind and rain.
A category of people called strategists appeared during the Muromachi shogunate period in the 15th century. They were extremely talented people with strategic mindsets and skilled in martial arts. They also had a talent for casting spells. Higashi Hongan-ji was a representative of such people.
The number of yin-yang spellcasters declined with the appearance of strategists. Spellcasters were absorbed by strategist clans, and fortune-tellers and ritual casters were alienated from society. Naturally, yin-yang spellcasters became synonymous with shamans.
When the era of war ended and the era of peace began, the lineage of yin-yang spellcasters ended. Without a goal in mind, their descendants lived as Shinto heads of rituals. Like how Taoists disappeared from Korea, yin-yang spellcasters disappeared from Japan.
Are there still any powerful yin-yang spellcasters in modern times?
The Abe clan is a yin-yang clan.
Huh! Everything falls into place. Theres a reason why you tried to burn the children.
While the Abe clan continues the lineage of yin-yang spellcasters, their abilities have deteriorated and are incomparable to their ancestors abilities. As you know, they develop their powers and abilities through the extreme emotions of humans. However, in a world without war, there is no method to obtain the pain of ones soul.
Under Mu Ssangs watch, the block-hair guy continued to speak with difficulty. The man before him was the best strategist and yin-yang spellcaster. He didnt dare lie to him.
What b****es! So, you guys were planning to absorb the energy of young childrens souls to make up for the lack of power. The land deal is but a farce, youre all here to burn the children. Om
Mu Ssangs eyes emitted a blue light. His hand stopped flinching just as he was about to take action. He chanted and barely managed to suppress the bloodlust arising from within him.
Ugh!
The block-hair guy shouted and curled up. Suddenly, he felt like he was about to be shoved into a large predators mouth.
Sorry. Although I dont want to, I dont dare go against their orders either. Higashi Hongan-ji gets rid of anyone who disobeys their orders.
Ridiculous. Ive never seen such evil before. Mu Ssang sighed.
Human lives were precious and equal. However, their weight changed depending on time, location, and situation. From an ethical point of view, the life of an elderly who spent the remainder of their time picking up trash on the side of the road and the life of a president weighed the same. On the other hand, the life of a soldier who went to battle with a gun and the life of an orphan weighed differently. He was someone who put his life on the line and also someone who had to be protected. Mercenary Black Mamba was someone who committed massacres, but human Park Mu Ssang was someone who didnt enjoy twisting the neck of a chicken. It seemed as though the disregard for human life was truly engraved in the Japs DNA.
Good work. Take a break.
Smack
The block-hair guy received a smack to the back of his head and collapsed. The sports-hair guy confessed the same thing. Funnily enough, Abe confessed to everything too. Apparently, the loyalty and trust that the Japanese spoke of was nothing but collective madness and subservience.
Mu Ssang wasnt very interested in the collection of the fifth governor, Hanzo Yamanashi. Back then in the underground world of Kaparja Valley, he wasnt greedy for the diamonds worth 1,000,000,000s of dollars either. If he had taken them, he would have lost everything while wandering the caves.
Treasures found their way to him through fate. Jamal even brought him the backpack of gold that he had given up. He managed to acquire the cotton farm in Doba through connections, and somehow Novatopia too. If it was not fated, one would use a winning lottery ticket as tissue paper in the bathroom.
What should I do with them?
Mu Ssang started thinking. While politics in Korea was a mess, the internal security and the governments administrative power were the best in the world. It would be difficult to bury 15 b*stards at once. If their traces ended at In Ae Won, the priest and Hyung Dong would become suspects. One way or another, priest Bumwoo and Hyung Dong were going to suffer.
Even if he did hand the gangsters over to the police, the three Japanese ninjas, who were key members of the gang, wouldnt get much punishment. The police would simply conduct a cursory investigation, and the prosecutors would defer prosecution. They would end up being deported to their own country. Higashi Hongan-ji would then continue to aim at In Ae Won. Although he wanted to damage their brains and turn them into idiots, that wasnt something a human should do.
Isnt there a way to get rid of them cleanly?
Mu Ssang suddenly snapped his finger after much thought. There was Novatopia. Like how England sent people to exile in Australia, he could send them to Novatopia and use them as laborers. Hyung Sang Chul was transporting heavy machinery and workers to Novatopia every day. He could sneak them among those workers.
Didnt he promise to release Abe and the others?
Of course, he promised them, but that was invalid. He wasnt a human but an Epidium. Anything promised in the name of humanity held no truth. Moreover, he only said hed release them, not send them back to Japan. If theyre able to escape Novatopia and return to Japan, hed let them. Mu Ssang was even more vicious than Abe.
A few minor matters ended just like that. The day got brighter. In Ae Won grew busy. The fear they felt since dawn disappeared. The ajummas voices were heard as they continued to boss the children around. The younger ones burst into tears, and the older ones were busy taking care of their siblings.
It was a happy sight. Humans tend to get bored easily. They complained about how boring their peaceful routine was. When their lives proceeded without much change, they complained about going crazy from boredom. They realized how precious those times were only after losing their peaceful routine. As long as there was peace, they forgot how precious their country was. They forgot about the horrible days when they lost their country, and some people even casually said, I hope this country falls to ruins.
Hyung Dong, is there any empty room where I can throw these b*stards into?
There were three ninjas and 12 gangsters. The directors office wasnt a prison cell.
The basement should be perfect. It has been there even before this building was built, and it is so sturdy to the point that they built a building on top of it.
Thats nice.
Mu Ssang shoved Abe and the others into the basement.
B*stard, hurry up and get in. You b*stards may spread your disease to the children if you stay above ground.
One slow b*stard got his ass kicked by Hyung Dong. Mu Ssang dislocated the ninjas arms. People had to be careful around ninjas no matter how securely their hands and feet were tied up. Abe and the others had their mouths taped and their hands and feet bound with packaging tape. They starved in the basement that reeked of mold.
Boss, Im really sorry. You had to step in because of me.
Hyung Dong scratched his right cheek. The habit revealed itself whenever he felt embarrassed. A smile crept up. Familiarity was good.
Brat, have you ever seen me pulling out of anything that involves my friends?
Well! Thats why you are called boss. Hyung Dong smiled as he reminisced memories of their past.
You have to send the children to school.
Ah, right. Ill be right back after I drive them over, ok?
Hyung Dong slapped his forehead. He walked quickly toward the Bongo Coach parked in a corner of the yard.
Priest Bumwoo, who had been waiting anxiously in the directors office, broke out into praise.
Thank you. Ive managed to avoid a calamity because Buddhas wisdom brought you here, monk Mu Ah. Im indebted.
It is nothing. Everything is as Buddha intended.
Mu Ssang didnt say anything about Yamanashis collection. That wasnt something that priest Bumwoo and Hyung Dong could handle. If they couldnt handle it, they were better off not knowing at all.
What should I do about those b*stards?
Worry was written all over priest Bumwoos face.
An Bae Taes group arrived before the day even began and forced you to sell In Ae Won. Priest, you turned them down immediately. They forced you, but when their threats didnt work, they got angry and headed back, Mu Ssang summarized simply.
It was all true except for the fact that they headed back. Lies were always hidden in truths.
Mm, monk Mu Ah is planning to get rid of them. What can I do for you? Ive caused you so much trouble.
This isnt something that you and Hyung Dong can solve, priest. Leave it to me. I cant bear to see Japs walking around on this land.
Thank you. Those b*stards initially came across as gentlemen but grew more evil as time passed. There was nothing more like hell. The priest was shaking.
Why didnt you notify the police?
I reported them three times, but its pointless. The investigator in charge got mad at me instead and said I should just sell the orphanage.
Those damn b*stards!
[1] It is a term for Japanese person or Japanese people.
Chapter 369 - Episode 9: Congo, Fist of Justice
Mu Ssang growled like a dog that got its bowl taken away. He could smell Jang Chi Soos interference in the matter. He was the b*stard who threatened him to stamp on a fake testimony by beating him with a black police baton and seized every opportunity to slap his face.
Abuse endured at a young age left deep wounds. While his uncle was a filthy human for tampering with evidence, Jang Chi Soo was the worst kind of evil. At Madam Jangs request, he threw him behind bars and beat him every day, forcing out a fake confession. He was so mad that he wrote down Jang Chi Soos name on his blacklist.
There was a papers width of difference between a gangster and a detective. A detective was someone who lived off taxes, and a gangster was someone who stole from others. Both got along well because they were of a similar kind. Many detectives maintained brotherly relationships with gangsters in the area that they were in charge of. Gangsters were their informants, but they mostly took bribes from gangs and overlooked their illegal activities. Mu Ssang had a bad impression of the police because of his childhood trauma.
Whos the investigator who told you to sell the orphanage, priest?
Hes from the investigation team called Senior Patrol Officer Kang.
Theres another guy who I need to beat up.
Mu Ssang remembered Senior Patrol Officer Kang from the Southern Offices Investigation Team. When one ignored a pile of s*** thinking it had nothing to do with them, the same s*** water would pour down on them someday.
By the way, In Ae Wons finances arent looking great, Mu Ssang mentioned a subject that was difficult to bring up.
Priest Bumwoo was a reliable person. If his friend couldnt afford to buy the children a bowl of soup each, it meant that they were struggling financially. He could guess plenty enough from the way that the DaeDeok restaurant owner treated Hyung Dong.
At first, I used to bring home children who had nowhere to go and feed them. However, as the number of children started to increase, my house couldnt take in all of them. Boss Park of Good Heart Lodgings, whom I know by chance, donated this building to me five years ago.
Boss Park In Bo of Good Heart Lodgings?
Surprised, Mu Ssang asked again to confirm. Park In Bo! What kind of lightning in broad daylight was that?
Namu Amita Bul, it seems like monk Mu Ah knows him too. Ive never seen a Bodhisattva like him. I complained about my rough situation, and he handed me a bank account and stamp so that I could purchase a building. He even sent me funds through that bank account.
Huh, am I supposed to believe this?
Mu Ssang shook his head. His uncle was someone whod never hand over a 10 won coin to another person if it didnt benefit him. However, he found it odd that his selfish uncle donated a 500-pyung building to an orphanage. He thought his personality remained unchanged since he was fighting with Jang over management rights. Still, what was that about him being kind!
Who else can I trust if I dont trust him? There are three more orphanages that Boss Park donates to. Ive never seen such a kind person like him in my life. He said nothing else other than to feed the children well and send them to school.
Feed the children well and send them to school? You dont deserve to say that, b*stard!
The shock left Mu Ssang staring into space. For five years, his uncle starved him and tried everything to prevent him from going to school. Dogs didnt grow ivory, and Park In Bo didnt speak the language of kindness. He must be doing all kinds of charity work since death was approaching him.
He didnt say anything else?
He said I should live out my life as I wish. Thanks to Boss Park, I had enough funds to eventually take in over 40 children. However, six months ago, the donations from Good Heart Lodgings stopped. Although Im struggling, I managed to continue to run this place thanks to Buddhas grace. Huhuhu.
Why did the donations stop?
Well, I dont know, but he must have a reason since he isnt the kind of person to do so. Although Im worried, I didnt contact him out of fear of being a burden to him.
Reason Is it almost time for him to die? Mu Ssang, who was lost in his thoughts, said unconsciously.
Hm! What do you mean?
Ah, nothing. Priest, was there a basement when you bought this building?
Initially, I didnt know there was a basement. The children found it while playing hide-and-seek. We dont use it since its cold and eerie.
I see.
Mu Ssang nodded. The basement was filled with yin energy. As the block-hair guy said, there was something off about it.
Priest, sell In Ae Won to me.
Priest Bumwoo wasnt surprised at all.
Theres a reason why I should, right?
The b*stards you saw today are more dangerous than you think. Theyre tenacious b*stards. The kind of event that unfolded today can happen again. Its a land filled with yin energy too, so its not good for the children. Priest, you just find a good location. Ill build a building for you. You can continue to use this building until then.
Thats good news for me. Wont you lose a lot, monk Mu Ah?
People who lived without greed had an eye for people. Bumwoo realized that he met someone special in this world. There was no reason why he should refuse when the childrens safety was being threatened.
Im someone who practices Buddhism at least by title, itll be a shame to discuss money loss.
Hahaha, thats true. I know a bit about reading faces. Monk Mu Ah, youre someone who turns calamity into good fortune. Lets write up the contract now. I would like to transfer my ill fortune to you as soon as possible.
Lets. Mu Ssang smiled.
The two immediately wrote up a sales contract.
Hey, did you rest well?
Around noon, Hyung Dong entered the basement. Abe and his gang members looked terrible after getting beaten up by Mu Ssang. Hyung Dong held a grudge against them. He automatically grew happier.
Huh, why are you guys like this?
Hyung Dong tilted his head. The gangsters looked weak like frozen lettuce leaves. Their eyes had lost focus, and one was frothing at the mouth. Mu Ssang nodded his head. There was clearly something wrong with the basement.
These b*stards are putting up a show.
Slap
Slap
Mu Ssang slapped their cheeks as though he was slapping a rice cake into shape. The gangsters eyes immediately regained focus after getting slapped. Mu Ssang kicked the gangsters butts and shoved them into the Bongo Coach.
The nine-seater Kia Bongo Coach was released in 1981. When well-built people were shoved into a small car like sardines, the car began to reek of blood and sweat, giving off a deadly stench.
Boss, do you think those cars arent cars? Are you planning to make soup out of them by letting them boil in the heat? Hyung Dong complained in the drivers seat of the Bongo.
Aigo, I must have lost my mind!
Mu Ssang slapped his forehead, looking at the cars lining the entrance of In Ae Won. He couldnt leave those b*stards cars there.
Dot-face, bucket-hair, do you know how to drive?
Yes, very well, dot-face and bucket-style hair answered, jumping to a salute.
Both animals and humans grew tame after a beating.
Bucket-hair, youre driving the salon, dot-face, youre driving the pony.
Yes, sir!
They were about to die, crammed into a small space with their superiors. Dot-face and bucket-style hair grew happy. They got off the Bongo.
Mu Ssang shoved the three ninjas into the Royale Salon and sat on the passengers side. The three were traditional ninjas, at least by title. They were people with unpredictable moves. Although he dislocated their shoulders, he didnt know what theyd attempt if they left his sight.
Two cars and one van left Daegu. Mu Ssang drove the cars to Hwajeon village, deep within the northern side of Chun Saeng Mountain.
Wow! Boss, where is this place? A ghosts going to pop out.
Surprised, Hyung Dongs jaw dropped open. There was a good reason why. The Hwajeon village that they visited for the first time in five years was eerie to the point that ghosts might pop out. Only five houses remained after everyone left 10 years ago. He met his teacher there while trying to bury Hwa Ja alive. Fate turned and turned, bringing him back.
You dont need to know. Its a place where ghosts really exist.
F***, Im about to pee in my pants. What are you planning to do with those b*stards? Should we bury them?
Dude, Im weak-hearted, so I cant do that. Ive got something else to bury.
Yeah, right, if youre a weak-hearted person, then what am I? Hyung Dong complained inwardly as Mu Ssang started smashing the pristine cars.
Crack
Bang
Suddenly, noises were coming from the middle of the still mountain.
Two cars were torn apart like puffed chips. The bonnet crumbled, the engine shattered, and the door fell off. The wheel that he kicked fell off its axle and rolled away. He sliced the universal joint of the driving axle and the huge engine with his Vajra, and he crushed the body with his bare hands like he was kneading clay. Two cars were dismantled and turned into scrap metals instantly.
Wow, that thats
Hyung Dong couldnt close his mouth. He didnt realize that he was drooling. Humans were humans and not junkyards. Still, Hyung Dongs surprise had only just begun.
Whirl
Mu Ssang dug into the ground. Hyung Dongs eyes widened like lantern lights. Mu Ssang was a special human by nature. When he beat up those Chil Sung market gang members in the orphanage, he found it tolerable. However, the scene before him wasnt.
Whoosh
Mu Ssang, whod disappeared into the ground, leaped out like a cannonball. He shoved all the scrap metals into the hole and filled it up with soil before moving a large rock on top. The Royale Salon and pony disappeared from the world without a trace.
Mu Ssang nudged Hyung Dongs shoulder lightly.
Hyung Dong, the world that you live in is different from the world that I live in. You get what I mean?
F***, I get what youre saying. I didnt see anything, and I never met you.
Mu Ssang smiled.
Brat, youve grown wittier after dragging those children around. Those b*stards will disappear from the world. Thats all you need to know.
Damn, youre still boss, right? Im suddenly very scared of you.
Hah, dont talk like you dont know. Humans can change their shells whenever they want. It doesnt matter as long as their core doesnt change.
Right, I didnt change either. What are we going to do with those b*stards?
We need to keep them somewhere for now.
Mu Ssang shoved Abe and the rest into a house that was barely standing. He was planning to send them down to a port in Busan by calling on the embassys car once the day was bright.
Lackeys, youre so dead now. You should have lived kindly, you know?
Hyung Dong smacked the gangsters heads one by one and slammed the door shut.
For the first time, I pity those b*stards. Can I see you again?
Lifes about parting when we meet and meeting when we part. If you dont live to the best of your abilities, you wont even notice the opportunity coming.
Damn, you still speak in riddles. I have a burning question though. What do you work as, boss?
A lion of justice.
Damn, I knew youd say that. Im going now. Ill remember the soup that you bought me for the rest of my life.
Hyung Dong drove off with the Bongo and disappeared.
Mu Ssang returned to the temple feeling unsettled. Thoughts of his uncle kept messing with his head.
Feed the children well and send them to school?
Something didnt add up when his uncle returned his house and field. Although there was a saying that people changed before they died, his uncle wasnt someone whod die easily.
He had been sharpening his knife for the past 15 years, from the time he wrote down his uncles name on his death list. Instead of catching a tiger after entering a cave, it felt like he came across an old one. Energy seeped out of him. Mu Ssangs eyes widened when he entered the temples prayer room.
Huh, that brat!
The candlelight burned brightly in the prayer room. Samedi was sitting on the elevated platform with his legs folded while reading a book. No, he was memorizing his teachers teachings. His teacher was an amazing person who turned a zombie into a Buddhist disciple. That or he was the con-artist of the century.
The first zombie priest was about to make his appearance in the history of Buddhism. He couldnt recall a time when he read the sutras as seriously as Samedi. He deserved to be scolded for being worse than a zombie.
A stone stuck in the road is a stumbling block. Even if you trip over the stumbling block, do not blame the stumbling block and blame yourself for your carelessness. If there are no obstacles, how can you appreciate a smooth road? If a stumbling block is placed under a roof, it becomes a table stone, and if placed in a stream, it becomes a stepping stone. Table stones and stepping stones are both supporting stones. Supporting stones are valuable because they support the lowest part of ones body, the foot. The most valuable person is the person beneath everyone else. Luck comes from frugality, virtue comes from modesty, and wisdom comes from meditation. Worry arises from love, disaster arises from greed, and sin arises from impatience. Dont look at others wrongdoings with your eyes, and dont talk nonsense with your mouth. Do not refuse what comes, and do not hold on to what leaves. Would a salt raker be glad over a bag of rice? A hungry person is happy with a bowl of rice, so dont seek happiness. Living is happiness itself.
Mu Ssang stood quietly in the shadow of the temples roof and listened to Samedis repetitive chanting.
Am I a stumbling block or a supporting stone?
All those years spent in a frenzy flashed into his mind. According to his teacher, he was the cause of his own misery. He made himself busy by creating all that work. When Hyung Dong walked into the restaurant with all those children, should he have ignored them? No, he wouldnt be able to live that way even if he died.
Dont blame the stone in your path? Ill dig it out with a shovel or shatter it with a hammer. Samedi, you b*stard, try reading that for 100 days. Humans live as they wish.
Mu Ssang smiled and quietly walked down to the sleeping quarters without disturbing Samedi. Even if the branch wished to be still, the wind wouldnt leave it alone.
Chapter 370 - : Congo, Fist of Justice
A long night passed. Mu Ssang, who opened his eyes because he felt uneasy, lost sleep because of a messy dream. He was trembling from the sensation of fluid release. His sensitive body sensed a change.
Damn it!
He removed his wet underwear and chucked it aside. He was in a throes of passion with Hae Young on an open beach under the burning sun. No, he thought it was Hae Young, but he couldnt tell whether the person was white or black. A wet dream in his 20s? He feared rumors would spread.
F***, am I a middle schooler or what? Is this the after-effect of not seeing blood for too long?
It had been half a year since his senses, which used to be as sharp as a needle, loosened up like the testicles of a bull in summer. That was a time when his mind was usually full of lustful thoughts.
It was 4:30 in the morning when Mu Ssang suddenly got up after checking the time. He barely managed to sleep for two hours. It would soon be time to perform morning prayers. He sprinted down toward the stream and jumped in.
Splash
The streams marsh suffered pain all over.
A loud sound came from the front yard.
Wakil, I prepared a lot of wood.
A loud voice shook the morning air. It was Samedi who had just returned from collecting and axing firewood.
Gosh, that brat would be perfect as a woodsman. Of course, you should work for what you eat.
After shaking off the feeling of uneasiness, a slow smile appeared on Mu Ssangs face while he was preparing the morning meals. He made the right decision to drag Samedi all the way to Chun Saeng Mountain instead of killing him in Ounianga. His teacher was also right when he said that all living things had a reason to live. Mu Ssang was free from all kinds of chores thanks to Samedi.
I also picked a lot of mushrooms that you like, wakil.
Samedi placed a large canvas bag among the food.
Wow, dude, youre really working hard!
Mu Ssangs mouth dropped open when he confirmed its contents. It was filled with oyster mushrooms, pine mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, rare phellinus linteus mushrooms, neungi mushrooms, and reishi mushrooms. If he sold it at the market, he could earn two weeks worth of average wage.
Dogs were used to sniff out underground truffles (truffe), one of the finest ingredients in France. When it came to a sense of smell, Samedis was the best. Mu Ssang made him memorize all kinds of mushrooms around Chun Saeng Mountain and their scents. Samedi, who unfortunately met an evil master, became a mushroom gatherer.
There were times when even the most experienced herb gatherer failed to notice the wild ginseng right next to them. That was because humans relied too much on visual perception. Samedis sense of smell covered a radius of 300 to 400 meters. Chung Saeng Mountains herbs and mushrooms were attacked by the zombie herb gatherer.
Samedi, who had excellent mobility and power alongside keen senses, soon headed for Geum O Mountain and Yu Hak Mountain. It was the appearance of the infallible herb gatherer, no, the barracuda of herb gatherers. Mu Ssang was clearly grinning from ear to ear.
It had been a while since the family members of Chun Sung Temple gathered to eat their morning meal together. Sitting before a palm-sized small table was an old man whose presence could barely be felt, and sitting around him was a young man who looked like he could become a fashion model and a large black man who looked like one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Their bowls were as different as their characters. In monk Dae Woos bowl was barely a handful of porridge. Mu Ssang was given a 20-centimeter diameter large bowl. Before Samedi was a cows feeding bucket with rice piled like a tower. Mu Ssang was right to worry about their eating expenses.
Samedi was chanting sutras at dawn. Amazingly, you taught him traditional Korean characters in half a year. Did his language center and memory functions return?
Brat, I am amazing, to begin with. I did turn him into somewhat of a human, but hes like a basket of salt harvested from a river. Theres nothing more I can do since his sensory neurons and hippocampus are necrotic. Ill just fill the basket with more salt.
Still, considering how fast he absorbs information, he must have had exceptional intellectual abilities in the past.
What are you saying? Thats because I taught him well. Is there any other brat like you who cant memorize the Thousand Hands Sutra even after several years?
Ugh, teacher, youre making me lose face in front of my subordinate Mu Ssang said in a panic-stricken manner.
Hahaha, Ive passed on the five combined movements to him, so he wont get beaten up anywhere. In terms of pure strength, even you wont be able to measure up.
Huh, hes that good?
Mu Ssang was very surprised. Among the most talented people he had met, Ocelot and Chui Do Shik were in a league of their own. Power and defense were Ocelots fortes, and technique and offense were Chui Do Shiks fortes.
Hehe, I should set him up for a title match against Ocelot.
An evil smile crept across Mu Ssangs face. If Samedi and Ocelot went against each other in close combat, itd be the remake of Zhu Rong and Gonggongs fight, which destroyed Buzhou Mountain. Itd be an entertaining fight to watchthe rocks would be shattered, and the ground would be upturned.
Wait, where is that b*stard hiding anyway?
Ocelot was an evil guy who considered humans as nothing but ants. If he was alive, he would have had plenty of time to recover from his injuries and more. The failed Epidiums that the Concretus exiled were considered psychopaths in this day and age. If that guys animalistic side exploded, there would be no other calamity. Even the human-animal chimera he killed in Ounianga was a problem.
Mu Ah, how long do you plan to stay at the temple? monk Dae Woo, who had finished his morning meal, asked as he steeped tea.
Ya?
Mu Ssang, whod lost himself in his thoughts about Ocelot and the hominid creature in Ounianga, raised his head.
Why are you so surprised? How long were you planning to stay with a stinky old man?
Teacher, Im planning to stay until you pass-
Tsk, dont even begin to say such soulless things, you brat. I dont want to see you and that brat go around eating live animals behind my back, and I dont want to see you grabbing your d*ck and moaning at night.
Hic!
Mu Ssangs heart dropped. His teacher was like a ghost, no, he was someone whod make ghosts cry. He even knew about his wet dream that morning. Mu Ssang sat there, embarrassed and at a loss for words.
Brat, this country doesnt even have a drop of oil. Are you collecting stale water thats meant to be thrown out and wasting oil thats meant to be collected?
Aigo, teacher, dont say such coarse words.
Mu Ssang, who was surprised by his teachers blatant teasing, glanced at Samedi. He was sitting there and staring into space.
Well, what would a zombie know?
Well, a zombie would know something that only a zombie knew.
He never once thought about leaving the temple. The closest family member he had was his teacher alone, so where else could he go apart from staying by his side?
It was 67 kilometers from Chun Sung Temple to his school. That was about an hours ride on his bike. He had money piled up like a mountain, so oil wasnt a big deal. No matter how hard he thought about it, there was no reason to leave the temple.
Mu Ssang realized the virtue of moderation early on and was free from material satisfaction. Although he had money piled up like a mountain, he didnt consider it his money. While he could buy Jejudo if he wanted to, he still lived in a tile-roofed house and ate rice.
Life at the temple was simple and slow. The simple and slow lifestyle was fulfillment and happiness in itself. It was fun eating live animals with Samedi and finding wild ginsengs.
The law of marginal utility also applied to happiness. Whos more satisfied: the rich person who bought a large TV on impulse or the poor person who bought a small TV after saving up for a year?
The happiness felt from getting what one wanted right away was temporary. The process of achieving something while exhibiting patience and determination was happiness in itself. After much yearning, the fruits of one labor brought great satisfaction and lasted a long time.
The richer one got, the more choices they had. Would someone be happier with more choices? They wouldnt feel any satisfaction beyond a certain level. Rather, one would feel helpless and experience an identity crisis. Thats why big lottery winners and second and third generations of rich families strayed away from expectations.
Brat, if you want to fulfill your filial duties to your mother, you need a house. Were you planning to bring her to a small-sized temple?
Yes, mother! Geeze! Mu Ssang shouted.
Aigoo, my ears. You evil brat, youre doing all kinds of things behind my back, arent you? It seems like the karma of your past life is covered up by the generosity you display in this life. You said you want to build a house and eat your mothers cooking, didnt you? You should bring Jin Soon over and have children too.
T Then what?
The times near.
Teacher, thank you! Huuuuh!
Mu Ssang rushed forward, hugged monk Dae Woo, and cried. He had been suppressing his desire to find his mother for three years. It seemed like it was finally time.
Brat, youre being gross. Go away before you break this old mans bones.
Hehehe! Teacher, your bones arent any ordinary bones.
Mu Ssang hugged his little teacher even tighter.
The village in front of the ancient tombs in Bullo-dong seems good. Its a place where the ki of Palgongsan gathers, but the village is crumbling because of the evil ki flowing down from Apsan.
Evil ki flowing down from Apsan? What is that?
Mu Ssang suddenly recalled Yamanashis collection. Although Apsan and Palgongsan were several kilometers apart, the flow of ki couldnt be calculated in numbers.
Brat, you think I know everything that happens in this world? Thats the Left Martial Halls profession. You took care of a shaman, didnt you?
Ugh, how did you know?
Its obvious. A small ghost met a big ghost, so the small ghost must have cried and clung to the big ghost, and considering your personality, would you have kicked the small ghost away? You must have given the ghost something to work on.
Hehehe, she wasnt such a bad person once I met her in person. She had her own purpose too.
Hm, youre pretending to be quite the Bodhisattva, forgiving the shaman who messed around with your fathers remains. In our culture, shamanism is a mixture of god-possessed shamans and spell casting rites incorporated from the western culture. From a shamans point of view, Christianity is no different from spirit possession, ecstasy, and trance.
How does Buddhism view Shamanism?
Buddhism is a religion of acceptance. Whats the point of explaining this to you when theres a Chilsung room and Sanshin room in a corner of Daeungjeon hall? You wont lose anything if you consider it a traditional culture.
Youre saying that its a religion for people and not for gods?
Right. No matter how you wrap it up, the purpose is the ups and downs of this world, isnt it? In that case, Shamanism is quite straightforward. Hahaha!
Monk Dae Woo laughed. His words came on strong for someone who had attained the level of divinity.
Should I go visit Bullo-dong now that youve mentioned it?
No, a guest is coming. It seems like you need to work for your food. Ive turned that brat into somewhat of a human, so take him with you. Aie, this disciple keeps bossing his old teacher around.
Sorry, teacher, Mu Ssang said, scratching the back of his head.
His teacher had a hard time trying to turn Samedi back into a human.
Earn more if you dont want to make your wife and kid suffer. Hahaha.
When monk Dae Woo left for the prayer room, Samedi whispered to him in an extremely low voice.
Wakil, I like wakil. Big masters really scary. If I miss prayers, I get hit with a big rock.
Then, he tiptoed after monk Dae Woo.
Woah! That brat, hes a total fox! Mu Ssang exclaimed.
The foxy zombie made a plea to him in case he was left behind.
Is this Africa?! Why isnt there a phone? Is it a requirement for a French government official to come all the way here?
First Lieutenant Masha Bout of the French Embassy complained for the 32nd time. He was urgently called in amid his sweet nap in the office and had to rush down the Gyeongbu Expressway.
There was no phone in Chun Sung Temple. Monk Dae Woo and Mu Ssang spent more time outside than inside the temple. Nothing more could be said about monk Dae Woo who went around doing good deeds. Mu Ssang, on the other hand, felt that it was simply unnecessary. They believed that whoever wanted to visit should visit. One was currently heading over.
The morning sun peeped out from between the peaks of Chun Saeng Mountain. The humid fog crawled up the mountainside.
Vroom
A car was rattling on its way up the mountain path.
Putain, why is this person called the Military Advisor up in the mountains? I heard that the monks in Korea only eat plants. Is he a vegetarian?
Bout complained for the 35th time. Although the Military Advisor was rumored to be scary, he could still chew the person out alone. After exiting the Gumi tollgate, Bout wandered around for over two hours. He couldnt ask anyone for directions since it was nighttime.
Ola! Korean temple.
It was the end of his torment. Bout cheered.
What is that?
Bouts eyes widened. A huge log was spinning like a windmill, relentlessly aiming at a large black man. First Lieutenant Masha Bout quickly pulled over his car.
Crack
Craaack
Just listening to those sounds made his limbs tremble. The black man, who received a blow that would knock out a grizzly bear, flew in the air and got back up as though nothing had happened.
First Lieutenant Masha Bout pressed his nose against the window and looked on at the unrealistic sight. Although the person swinging the log was impressive, the black man on the receiving end was even more so.
Crack
Finally, the log, which was as thick as his thigh, split. The split log suddenly grew bigger before his eyes.
Eeek!
Surprised, Bout ducked his head under the steering wheel.
Bang
Fortunately, the split log landed right next to the rearview mirror. Bouts mind snapped back to reality.
Knock knock
A dark face drew closer to his car window. Bout lowered the window.
What brings you here?
I have business to discuss with the Special Military Advisor.
Rude. Get off and talk.
Samedi pushed the car slightly. The car tilted to one side before it landed on the ground loudly.
Ugh!
Scared, Bout quickly opened the door and got off.
What kind of-
Bout swallowed the rest of his words. The black mans naked upper body filled his sight. The man was huge to the point that a bodybuilder couldnt compare. The discouraged Bout followed Samedi.
Act! Im First Lieutenant Masha Bout from the embassy.
Bout gave a perfect salute, which was as angled as the folds on his uniform.
Rest! What is it?
The ambassador is looking for you, Military Advisor.
Im busy, Mu Ssang answered bluntly.
Now wasnt the time for him to fly to France. His teacher finally granted him permission to look for his mother, and he had to build a house. He also had to wrap up the grudge he held against Jang. Even if he gave her 100 chances, he couldnt just forgive her after she made a mess of his fathers grave. He was just getting used to his school life too when that job request came.
Chapter 371 - Congo, Fist of Justice
It was said that money earned through sweat was sweet. However, money earned through bloodshed was as heavy as the price of blood. How many had died in his hands! The 330,000,000 francs and 350 kilograms of gold sleeping in BNP Paribas bank were treasures heavier than Mount Meru.
The social overhead capital, which was going into the construction of Novatopia, was fully funded by the French government. The smaller expenses were covered by the profits of the farm in Doba and Wakil Commerce Company. Even the monthly wages he received as a major kept building up in his bank account since there was no place for him to use it.
He worked enough for his food. A full lion wouldnt notice fatty nutrition. He earned enough money. He was called a national treasure, but ultimately, it was just a call name. He was a knife that they used. France had nothing else to give him apart from money, which he had plenty of, so he wasnt interested at all.
Colonel Juan told me to tell you this if you seem unwilling.
What?
Major General Philip of the Legion Etranger wishes to see you.
Damn it! Philips looking for me?
Mu Ssang unknowingly yelled. Major General Philip generously took care of his dead comrades in the Sahel. It could have been a show, but at least, Philip wasnt one of those Oecophylla smaragdinas. In turn, he promised to hear out two of his requests.
The promise meant that he bound himself to two requests. He had to do so since promises were meant to be kept. He wasnt a politician, whose neck hardened like concrete after the elections, and shortly after, suffered from severe dementia. He was Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
If Philips looking for him, it should be an official operation. It also meant that he could act as he pleased. He could see himself wading through a river of blood. The tackle came just as he was about to have some fun dealing with minor matters.
Oh, Holy Maria, please take pity on me and calm the Special Military Advisor down.
Lieutenant Bout was extremely terrified of the ominous aura. The words of the ambassador of Damascus, A chaque hour ce puis sa soleil[1], prompted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send emergency missives to officials around the world.
His superior, Sarco Riverie, who acted foolishly before the Special Military Advisor, was beaten up with his team and thrown into jail. His superior, Riverie, moved down by two ranks while the other soldiers moved down by a rank. Even then, their punishment was reduced because official Ecjose begged with his hands and feet. From what he heard, the ambassador was also kicked by the advisor.
Damn b*stard, I hope you get scabies on your private part.
Lieutenant Bout chewed the head of guards out repeatedly for waking him up from his sleep and sending him out there.
Fine. Leave.
Ill escort you, sir.
Lieutenant Bout didnt forget the ambassadors reminder to bring the advisor over immediately. Samedi glared at lieutenant Bout. He raised his hands, which were like a 60-millimeter mortar, and shook them.
Lieutenant, wakil told you to leave. If you remain stubborn, youll get hit.
Bout instinctively took a step back at the rumbling of the low-frequency voice. No matter how hard he tried to view that man in a positive light, he was a lowland gorilla. His breath got stuck in his throat because of the burly black mans overpowering aura.
Im going to leave soon. Go back. Mu Ssang nodded.
The clueless Lieutenant Bout came a long way from Seoul to deliver him that single message. There was no reason to get mad at the lieutenant.
Act!
Bout let out a sigh of relief. The gorilla was 100 times scarier than the Special Military Advisor. The nagging of an ambassador, who was several miles away, couldnt compare to the black threat before him.
Lieutenant Bout!
Mu Ssang called the lieutenant just as he was about to get in the car. He realized it was his chance to easily get rid of Abe and his members back in Hwajeon village.
Oui!
Surprised, Bout turned around and froze into a salute.
Contact Colonel Juan the moment you get down the mountain. There will be 16 people on board. Send a chartered plane to Seongnam Air Base and a small bus with a diplomatic plate here immediately. I need 15 military uniforms.
Could you repeat that one more time, sir?
The lieutenant repeated his orders and drove down the mountain.
Damn it, itll be a problem if I cant take the final exams. I wonder if they made Rakshasa? I should retire after this.
Perhaps, it was because hed been living in peace for too long. The call was unpleasant. As Bonipas said, natural disasters occurred wherever he went. To put it positively, he was a one-man army. 1,000s of peoples blood were unintentionally shed in Kaparja. He also took his teachers words about how all living things had a reason to live in this world to heart.
Three and a half hours later, a 20-seater microbus arrived at Chun Sung Temple. Mu Ssang forcibly pushed the bus to Hwajeon village. The bus driver was drenched in cold sweats as he tiptoed through the narrow mountain path covered with branches and bushes.
Ugh!
Samedi, who opened the door to the house, immediately stepped back. The smell of decaying organic matter, blood, and human body odor combined created a repulsive stench. Samedi, who was severely affected, covered his nose and even cried a little.
Wakil, there are 15 tactical weapons emitting gas in there.
Ke, I cant deny that.
Mu Ssang frowned. The three Higashi Hongan-ji disciples and 12 gangsters, who were left to rot for two days without treatment, looked horrendous.
Release them and get them on the bus.
Ae, I feel like Ill contract a disease.
Samedi grabbed them by their ankles and threw them into the bus.
Uaaaa, someone, save me! The gangsters, who were treated like watermelons that had spoiled due to the rainy season, protested.
Laughter escaped out of Mu Ssang. The gangsters, who were hanging by their ankles, were no different from the chickens flapping around in the hands of the elders in the market. When catching chickens, one had to hold both wings with one hand to restrict movement. Grabbing it by its legs would only cause it distress.
Didnt you promise to release us if we cooperated? Abe protested.
It was difficult to make out what he was saying since his jaw was broken, and his teeth had fallen out.
Shut up, Im keeping my promise here. Dont you see that burying all of you will only cause more trouble? You think Im a Jap like you, huh, who changes my mind anytime I want? Mu Ssang shouted.
He was being honest. He took the hard way around because he didnt want any more deaths on his hand.
You rude b*stard!
Crack
A hand as hard as an iron stove lid slapped the back of Abes head. Samedi couldnt understand the humans who couldnt tell apart s*** from bean paste. Wakil was irresistible at first glance, and people usually bowed down to him. Samedi decided to teach those humans who lacked such comprehension. Whoever talked back, argued with, or glared at wakil were all rude people.
Rude people had to be beaten up. Even the great master said that rude people should be beaten up. The new replaced the old, that was him. Following the Ombuti virus was Samedis Theory of Rudeness.
At the French Embassy in Hapdong, Seodaemun-gu,
The 20-seater microbus passed the front gate. Abes group was handed over to the medics who were waiting after receiving an advance notice. Mu Ssang and Samedi immediately headed straight to the briefing room.
we dont know the status of those 22 hostages.
Colonel Juan, a first-class military officer, summed up the briefing and glanced at Mu Ssang. That was the person rumored to have incurable rabies and known to be the worst of the worstthe Special Military Advisor. While it wasnt a problem if the troublemaker was of a lower rank than him, one had to be careful of superiors with such personality. Although the Special Military Advisor held the rank of a major, his position was at the level of a deputy minister VIP who could grab and shake the collar of a minister.
F*** the fist of justice. For six months, youve only buried precious youths in the forest. Therell be a better fruit harvest soon.
The GIGN was a counter-terrorism unit that specialized in urban terrorism. What were they thinking, sending them into the forest one after another? He was born in Korea where there were great mountains and clear water, so he didnt know what the forest was like. Minister Germaine previously served in the Indochina Peninsula as a commander. He did something that no one could understand as a veteran of jungle combat.
It all ended up a waste. It seems like Minister Germaine wanted to keep the DGSE in check.
A common trait of Oecophylla smaragdinas. Blinded by power, they will sell rice and buy shit, and tip the sesame seed oil bottle over trying to pick up sesame seeds, Mu Ssang mocked, raising his legs to sit with his legs crossed.
Orders were given by old men, and the blood of young soldiers was shed. In the military, victory came at the expense of young soldiers blood. The Oecophylla smaragdinas intercepted the blood of the soldiers from the backline.
This is common in Korea. They fight to gain the favor of whoevers in power and throw out an entire plan to get a ticket. Hahaha! Juan laughed.
Damn, I cant deny that. The person who called me wasnt Germaine but that raccoon, Bonipas, right? That damn b*stard, he just cant see me in peace.
He still couldnt shake off his irritation. The person who brought him out of peaceful isolation wasnt Philip or Germaine but that raccoon Bonipas. He wanted to raise his middle finger and shout f*** you in the mans face, but he was too far away.
Think of it as a hot vacation, sir. Even if you stay in Korea, youll only inhale more tear gas. At least 50 years have to pass for Korea to become demo-
Flick
Crack
Something whizzed past his cheek and crashed into the wall behind him. Colonel Juan couldnt finish his sentence and froze like ice. His neck creaked as he turned, and soon, his face turned pale. A heavy glass ashtray was embedded in the wood-paneled wall.
Haha, I went a bit too far, didnt I! Juan forced out laughter.
Colonel, do you want to accompany me on that hot vacation?
Mu Ssang glared at Juan through his narrowed eyes. No matter how much he hated it, anyone would get mad if someone badmouthed their family and country.
Hiik, Germaine and Bonipas are nothing but greedy rice insects. They dont know much but to grab your waist, sir, and complain. Hehehe!
Surprised, Colonel Juan started sucking up. Colonel Juans second identity was a consultant for East Asia in the DGSE Operations Department. Knowing that the man before him was Ange de la Mort, he immediately chewed his superiors out and tried to go with the flow.
I dont know about Germaine, but Bonipas isnt a rice insect. Hes a rude old man, but I need to give credit where it is due.
Of course. He placed the DGSE on a solid foundation. Hes someone who sacrificed his life for the national interest of France, Juan said, changing his words again.
No matter where one lived, it was a forest. To survive, one had to choose between becoming strong or wagging their tail.
Are there any intelligence bases in Ituri and Rwenzori?
There used to be an operational base in Mavivi, but it had to withdraw when Congo gained independence in 1960, and the civil war worsened between Lumumba and Mobutu.
So, there is a 20-year gap in the information system.
A deep frown settled on Mu Ssangs forehead. Information was crucial during hostage rescue operations. Information wasnt obtained in a day or two. Information had to be collected and filtered for a certain period, and it only held value after meeting the criteria of authenticity.
Information piled up like a mountain through a sudden influx of resources was nothing but trash. He went through hell in the Sahel due to a lack of information. Hed be nothing but a chickenhead if he put himself through that again.
Thats it. There is an East African Resource Development Agency in Bukavu. Operations agents are working to revive the closed Mavivi base.
Even Bonipas wouldnt be able to reap potatoes where seeds werent planted.
He couldnt just blame Bonipas. The west side of the Congo River was French territory, and the east side of the Congo River was King Leopold I of Belgiums private land. While it was shocking that a land 20 times larger than that of Korea was private land, that was the true nature of imperialism in the 19th century. It would be difficult for France to conduct any intelligence activity in someone elses territory.
How many agents were deployed?
50 operations agents were deployed to the Ituri Rainforest and a wetland area near the Mountains of the Moon, Mount Stanley. Guerrillas from Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda are rampant, so the information obtained compared to the number of deaths is limited.
I guess so. Mu Ssang nodded.
Although he wasnt familiar with the Ituri Rainforest, he knew a little about the Rwenzori Ranges called the Mountains of the Moon. The Rwenzori Mountains were located between Lake Edward and Lake Albert of the African Great Lakes region. It was an alpine zone with more than 20 high mountains of over 4,500 meters tall.
Stanley, an explorer who introduced the Western world to the Rwenzori Mountains stretching across Congo and Uganda, was on a mission to find Dr. Livingstone. The great explorer from the U.S., Henry Morton Stanley, was a scammer who left an indelible scar on Congos history. He was like the Korean version of It Hirobumi.
The way the U.S. created heroes was childish to the point that it was famous. They even committed the offense of creating heroes out of the most absurd people. Stanley was one of them. Perhaps, Korea, which was obsessed with ideologies and busy devaluing historical figures, could learn something from that.
While exploring Congo, Stanley joined forces with Leopold I, who was greedy for more land, in the formation and augmentation of an organization called the International Association of the Congo. Leopold I used Stanley to make Congo a private land with the U.S. and Europes approval.
With the Treaty of Berlin, France took the west side and Belgium took the east side of the Congo River. Congos history was as strange as Koreas, which got its land seized as a result of the Eulsa Treaty. Such were the tragedies of powerless and divided countries.
Limited that means you know nothing about the Ituri Rainforest.
In short, its uncharted land. It is a paradise for plants and animals, and we know it as the Devils Forest. Even its land area changes back and forth from 50,000 square kilometers to 100,000 square kilometers. Natives dont enter the forest either. Even bodies arent found deep in the forest.
100,000 square kilometers? Oh, my life!
Mu Ssang grabbed his head.
[1] Tomorrow brings tomorrows sun.
Chapter 372 - Episode 12: Congo, Fist of Justice
He wandered 20,000 miles of the Sahel to find a raccoon and 10,000,000 miles of the Middle East to escape the underground world. This time, they were asking him to rescue hostages who could be anywhere in the Ituri Rainforest. It was said to be comparable to the Amazon Rainforest. It had been six months since they were kidnapped, and there wasnt accurate information either. He automatically groaned.
Hostage rescue was the most difficult of all terrorist operations. Without enough information, there was a 100 percent chance of a hostage rescue operation failing. With Black Mambas abilities, a target with a clear aim wasnt a significant obstacle to an operation or environment. Exploding the ANOs training center and their secret base, which France considered infallible, was a much easier operation compared to rescuing hostages.
The problem was the lack of information and the safety of the hostages. From what they were saying, it seemed like the identity of those kidnappers was still up in the air. They assumed that it was the work of the Mai-Mai rebels despite not knowing which organization they belonged to, which area they were from, their total headcount, and their level of combat power.
Africa was very different from what was seen on the map. Including the surrounding islands, the area was 32,000,000 square kilometers, which accounted for 20.4 percent of the worlds land. It was larger than the combined area of China (9,600,000 square kilometers), the U.S. (9,800,000 square kilometers), and Canada (9,900,000 square kilometers). It only seemed small due to the Mercator projection.
Even if he didnt borrow the words of the philosopher Bak Jiwon, a large land meant that nature was abundant. The area of the operationthe Great Ituri Rainforest and the Rwenzori Mountainswas three to four times larger than the Korean Peninsula. That was something to be surprised by.
Did they expect him to enter a forest as large as Korea without any information? Well, France did own over 10 counter-terrorism units. If that had been an easy task, they wouldnt have asked him either.
You want me to search 100,000 kilometers of land as large as Korea for traces of events that happened six months ago? It would take me 10 years to search the Devils Forest and the Mountains of the Moon range. What are the French military and intelligence agencies expecting me to do?
He grew annoyed after learning about the unspecified target. With an unspecified target, it was natural for the person before him to feel pressured. Juan was drenched in cold sweats. The advisors complaints were expected. He was also a consultant who managed three countries in East Asia. He knew very well that it was an impossible operation.
When a strong person got angry, he had to lower his head immediately to avoid a beating. Juan made the most pitiful face on earth. He looked like a man who was chased out of his home for forgetting his wifes birthday.
Oh, youre completely right, Special Military Advisor. Although I agree with you, what can a low-ranking person like me give you other than more s***? You should beat up those rice insects who do nothing but sit at their desk and wave around their phone. You have to slap someone on the head if you want to hear the ringing of gold. You can also meet your old friends at the headquarters in Aubagne. For now, lets think of it as a vacation and head over. A charter flight will arrive at Seongnam Air Base soon. You can check on your businesses in NDjamena and Doba once we wrap this up quickly.
Colonel Juan tried to calm Mu Ssang down as gently as he could. The order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was truly threatening. Get Ange de la Mort on a flight to France. If you fail, youll be deployed to the Ituri Rainforest, colonel, or it was along those horrible lines. He would have to turn in his resignation letter if he didnt want to go to the Ituri Rainforest. To receive his pension, he had to lick the ass of a young man who was his sons age.
Ugh, Id rather die than see this again! Mu Ssang shivered.
The sight of a middle-aged man in his 50s with white hair putting on a forced smile and acting cutely was not only comical but pitiful.
Ah! Colonel, I have a request.
Please, go ahead. Theres not a single Frenchman whod refuse your requests, advisor.
The b*stards I dragged over are child terrorists with evil intentions. I want to send them to the construction site located in the Ennedi Plateau, Sahara Desert.
Child terrorists should be severely punished by the Korean government, why dont you simply hand them over? Arent there enough laborers in Africa? Juan tilted his head.
Koreas laws are the problem. Although the legal system follows Continental law, the legal figures are obsessed with sloppy Anglo-American law. Excessive generosity is shown when criminals human rights are concerned, but when victims human rights and protection systems are concerned, it is a mess. Korea is a country that imposes probation on airline officers for forcibly turning back a flight because of an assault that took place on board.
No way! A crime that is comparable to aviation terrorism should receive at least 20 years of jail time. In France, thats unimaginable! Juan jumped in anger.
Lets stop talking about frustrating matters. Those b*stards attempted arson attacks on an orphanage and are child murderers. I dont want to show them mercy by letting them stand trial in a Korean court.
You want a labor contract drawn up, steer clear of all the complicated procedures of passport and visa issuance, and send them directly, right?
Of course. Theres Wakil Commerce Company in district four of Ave Charles de Gaulle, NDjamena. Hand them over to boss Ombuti of Wakil Commerce Company.
I dragged them around for too long. I should have buried them.
Mu Ssang didnt like complicated matters to the point that it became an illness. Its annoying to drag around b*stards who should have been gone long ago. He should have buried them underground as though getting rid of contaminated pork meat.
I understand. It seems like this shouldnt be made known to the Korean police. Those b*stard security guards are sent back to France after getting fired from their job. Ill block external contact by attaching escort agents and send them straight to Seongnam Air Base.
That was the kind of agreeable response you couldnt get from neighbors. While it was an incident that could cause great diplomatic friction with the Korean government, it wouldnt matter as long as it went unnoticed. Since diplomats didnt go through immigration checks, they wouldnt have a problem leaving. However, that was only possible because Juan wasnt a diplomat but an intelligence agent. Juan pressed the interphone and called his subordinate.
Officer, dress those 15 beggars in uniforms and caps. Make sure the escort bus comes with dark solar-tinted windows so that no one can look inside. Youll personally command the escorts to get them on the plane.
Oui!
By handing Abe and his gang over to the DGSE, Black Mamba shook his hands free of the matter. He felt better as though he had just removed a lump. The fate awaiting them was lifetime slavery. He only brought himself more trouble trying to make them work the rest of their lives. However, being under the special care of lackey Sun Woo Hyun would be more tormenting than being buried alive.
Good, I should work for my food now. Lets go see our boss for the first time in a long while, shall we?
Colonel Juans face brightened up like a rose blossoming in the middle of May. On May 20, 1985, an Air France charter flight took off from Seongnam Air Base. The passengers were Black Mamba, Samedi, and 15 members of Abes gang in French military uniforms. They were happy, thinking that they were heading to Japan, but the plane turned its nose north. Unfortunately, Abes gang, including the gangsters, met with their miserable fate.
The net of fate was annoying and sometimes closely linked to the point that its frightening. Mu Ssangs encounter with Sun Woo Bang Na and her daughter, Hyung Dong at DaeDeok restaurant, and Abes gang were all necessary coincidences.
At the Aubagne Headquarters of Legion Etranger,
Everyone gathered in Commander Lieutenant General Dimanches conference room acted as the control tower of the Fist of Justice operation. In addition to the Minister of Defense Germaine, there was Strategic Advisor Peron, Major General Philip of Deuxieme Rep, and the DGSE Operations Director Bonipas. Commander Dimanche attended as an observer.
They were gathered at the request of Strategic Advisor Peron, who wanted to meet the special consultant flying in from Korea. Unfortunately, his position as the Strategic Advisor wasnt significant enough to know the existence of the National Treasure, Black Mamba. He only knew Black Mamba as a special consultant called Ange de la Mort.
Although Germaine got rid of his stubbornness, another oecophylla smaragdina, Peron, couldnt easily give up his military pride. The conference grew longer like the testicles of a bull in the middle of summer. That was because Peron insisted on giving his approval only after he met Ange de la Mort.
Director Bonipas, let me repeat. I dont trust whatever you or the Ange de la Mort says. The GIGN and RAPAS failed to see this operation through. What are you planning to do with just one person deployed there?
Damn, this old mans driving me crazy.
Bonipas grew irritable. That was one flaw of the French governments security system. The reinforcement of line-staff, which was introduced to prevent arbitrariness and misjudgment of the chain of command, held him back without even trying. If the Ministry of Defense didnt intervene in the first place, Black Mamba would have already completed the operation successfully. He grew livid since the subject, who shoved the plan into a ditch, was being stubborn. He felt like the country would be in ruins if the state affairs were continuously handled in that manner.
The Ituri Rainforest and the Rwenzori Mountains are areas where SIGINT (signal intelligence) activities are not possible. I have no choice but to rely on HUMINT (human intelligence). Have you forgotten that in Africa, this region is a miserable place that causes the most terrifying holocaust? The Devils Forest, rugged mountains, bottomless cliffs and swamps that suck in even leaves, armed mobs and rebels of all kinds, Vodou followers sacrificing humans, and natives who eat the flesh of humansall of these are unfavorable conditions for an operation. The intelligence agency has concluded that deploying regimental forces will not solve the problem.
Our French Army is brave. Were not soldiers who fear death. Such savages wont become an obstacle to us, Peron said something useless just like his position behind the desk.
So far, the mere savages you speak of and the forest has taken three GIGN strike squadrons, two RAPAS companies, two Airborne Brigade squadrons, and a team of operations agents. Many French youths died in vain. While wandering through the forest, they were struck by bullets and arrows, bitten to death by poisonous insects, died from parasitic infections, drowned in swamps, and swallowed by plants. Do you have a plan to overcome the political burden if the fourth rescue team fails? Bonipas shot back aggressively.
Hmph!
Advisor Peron let out a groan. The Ministry of Defense was bitten to shreds by the media, which gathered like ants, and pushed aside by the council. Failing one more time would cost him his spinning chair too.
However, even if the operation was handed over to the DGSE, he wouldnt be able to claim any share of success. His plan to become Arevas special advisor after retirement would also become difficult. The military had to save Arevas hostages so that he could save face.
Im not against Ange de la Morts involvement, but no matter how talented an agent is, what can he do alone? It seems like he obtained some great achievements in Chad, but he had the Deuxieme Reps support. Just because he pulled something off in the desert doesnt mean it will work in the forest. You are expecting too much from a young man in his 20s.
Bonipas felt frustrated. The Deuxieme Reps special unit wasnt Black Mambas co-workers but people he protected. Still, he couldnt reveal classified information to Peron.
The forest is the rebels and armed forces front yard. We must consider both efficiency and political considerations. The only way is Black Mamba.
Once he was done speaking, Bonipas gave Germaine a side-eye. It was as though he was questioning why he brought such a man along. Germaine felt unjust. He already lost favor with Mitterrand. That was his last chance. If he failed, it was obvious he was going to be kicked out. He wasnt an idiot. Perons greed was clear as day to him.
Peron, stop that. Ange de la Mort isnt just a consultant. The Fist of Justice commanded by the military is over. From now on, Ill be handing over all operational rights to Bonipas. Bonipas, explain to us how Ange de la Mort will be supported.
Bonipas smiled faintly. They didnt even know 10 percent of Black Mambas abilities. Black Mambas abilities werent limited to sniping and close combat. The real reason he was called the Angel of Death was because of his ability to conceal, infiltrate, and mass murder.
The seven, whom Miguel had sent to the hotel in Faya, were wiped out by Black Mambas counterattack. Manager Miguel was burned to death in his summer house located in the Alps, and Colonel Tanshes belly was sliced open in his quarter. He was very surprised back then.
Although a truckful of investigators were called in, they couldnt find a nails worth of traces. Back then, Black Mamba didnt move from Val-de-Grace hospital. Still, the DGSE was certain that Black Mamba was the culprit. All kinds of assassins roamed the forest. Even humans werent at the top of the food chain. The king of assassins, Black Mamba, was setting foot into the Devils Forest. He felt a rush of blood imagining the scene hed make.
As you know, minister, the Ituri Rainforest isnt Luxembourg Gardens. Even if you send in the most elite soldiers, the environment will only eat away their combat powers. Only Ange de la Mort, who has outstanding combat powers alongside his ability to conceal, infiltrate, and survive, can overcome the guerrillas and the forest. The formation of a team is more likely to hold Black Mamba back. Whether he moves alone or forms a team, it has to be left up to him. All we need to do is give him as much information as we can.
Beep
The interphone rang. Commander Dimanche, who was listening and doing nothing else, picked it up.
The person weve been waiting for has arrived. A charter plane has landed at de Gaulle Airport.
Is it the arrival of Bonipas and Philips savior? Peron mocked.
Advisor Peron, dont think better of yourself. Ange de la Mort hasnt agreed to join the operation yet, Philip shot back.
Agree? Why would a soldier agree to something? Arent soldiers supposed to move according to orders?
Peron, this friend of ours is a freelancer. Hes not the kind of person whod just take any order. If he refuses and decides to retire, well be in big trouble.
Chapter 373 - Episode 13: Congo, Fist of Justice
Germaine stopped talking and drank the cold coffee.
Damn b*stard. I need to know things before I become a squad leader, right?
Germaine gritted his teeth at the left-wing government, which created an absurd position called the strategic advisor. Fortunately, there was no common enemy because if a war broke out during the meeting, he would be killed.
Major General Philip, the Fist of Justice operation has taken a turn for the worse. Ange de la Mort is not French or a Legion Etranger mercenary. Will he voluntarily walk into hell even if you do manage to convince him? Germaine asked in a worried tone.
Ange de la Mort is a member of Legion Etranger, who values honor more than life. I am not incompetent to the point that I cant control my subordinates, and Ange de la Mort isnt so rude as to ignore his superiors. Hell willingly walk into hell with a word from me.
Philip was confident. He knew why Black Mamba got rid of Miguel and Tanshe brutally. Black Mamba was a typical Korean who valued loyalty and was weak around those whom he cared about. The fact that he flew in immediately after receiving the notice meant that he was keeping his promise. Since he already obtained his consent, there was no reason not to brag.
Why is this person so confident? Germaine, who was dumbfounded, stared at Philip.
The rank of Special Military Advisor was at the level of a deputy minister. Black Mamba was a subordinate in name but actually several ranks higher than Philip.
Philip, youve become a politician with those extra stars. Perhaps, youve found a way to put a bell around a tigers neck. Do you have insurance? Why arent you saying that all of this will be something that never happened if the rescue operation fails? Bonipas mocked.
Philip glared at Bonipas.
Isnt your specialty shoving operation teams into a crocodiles mouth? The relationship between Ange de la Mort and me is built on trust, not money. Hes a proud and patriotic warrior of Legion Etranger. Hes someone I can trust.
If you say so, then so be it.
Philips forced opinion left a bitter taste in Bonipas mouth, but he refrained from further argument. The relationship built on trust Philip mentioned meant, I wont be responsible for his death. Patriotic meant that Black Mamba only moved with satisfactory monetary compensation. Proud meant that Black Mamba was a foreigner who lurked around without knowing the value of his life.
Philip certainly changed. While he did have a strong political personality back then, it wasnt to this extent. He turned into a politician ever since he became a general.
Idiot! Hell get himself into trouble one day.
Philip had no idea how scary Black Mamba was, just like how his superior was back in the day. He treated the person whom the president considered a VVIP as nothing but a trained predator, cyborg, a death he didnt have to take responsibility for, and a megatons worth of nuclear bomb thats controllable.
Black Mamba was not just any simple person. He wasnt just a powerful grizzly but an intelligent predator. At a glance, someone like Philip would get eaten up. Black Mamba was truly fearsome because he carefully hid his claws, he was sharp enough to see through other peoples intentions, and he was cruel enough to pursue a traitor to hell.
Black Mamba, a patriotic macho? That was false. The way to that reasonable patriots heart was through honest dealings. Bonipas himself considered Black Mamba a nuclear bomb that had no risk of radioactive contamination, but Philips train of thoughts had a different starting point.
Thank you, Philip. If you manage to convince Ange de la Mort, Ill be in your debt.
Dont worry, sir.
Philip was confident about putting his trust in Black Mamba.
Bonipas, isnt it time for Ange de la Mort or Ddu-bai-buru-pa to arrive?
Bonipas checked his watch at Perons words.
It is time. Hell come in soon. Ange de la Mort hates his code name. Since he requested to be called Ddu-bai-buru-pa, you should keep that in mind.
This b*stards asking for a lot of things when hes just a hitman.
Bonipas glanced at Peron, who was complaining under his breath, before quickly turning away. There was no hope for people who only realized the difference between s*** or bean paste after eating them.
The main character who the Oecophylla smaragdinas were expecting didnt appear in the headquarters but in the Legion Etranger headquarters company equipment shelter. Following behind Black Mamba, who was pouting, were the expressionless black tower Samedi and four soldiers.
Once they got off the plane, Abe and his group were escorted by the DGSE intelligence officers waiting at de Gaulle Airport. Soldiers from the Ministry of Defenses Protocol Department escorted Black Mamba and Samedi.
Black Mamba ignored the soldiers, who were guiding him, and went to look for his friend, Emil, first. He was called in just as he was about to look for his mother. There was no way he was in a good mood. It didnt matter whether the old men were waiting or not. It was best to talk to old friends when in a bad mood. Even Samedi, who was cheering at the sight of countless people and cars, noticed his masters mood and followed him around quietly.
That b*stards still the same.
A satisfied smile appeared on Black Mambas face. He could see Emil sitting brazenly before the large equipment shelter. Standing before Emil, who was wearing a Master Sergeant insignia, were a caporal (sergeant) and a sergeant. A kpi noir, one that Emil so fervently desired, was sitting on his head.
Caporal!
Oui!
What happens if you put a fuse box on the same shelf as a grenade powder box?
It is dangerous.
So, why did you do something dangerous?
Im sorry, sir.
You wanted to blow a damn sergeant away, hm?
No, sir.
Well, I completely understand. You feel like exploding since you havent been outside for three weeks, right?
No, sir. Im taking care of my needs in the bathroom.
Black Mamba, who was listening in, laughed. It seemed like the act of bullying newbies was not at all different in both the Korean Army and Legion Etranger.
Oi, partner! Stop bullying that pitiful legionnaire.
Huh!
Emil jumped as though he had been shot by a gun. It was such a familiar voice, one that he missed. His head turned like it was going to break.
You, you, you, you!
Emil ran toward him with a limp. He hugged Black Mamba quite suddenly and spun him once. To the troublemaker Emil, Black Mamba was his only family, friend, and boss.
Dude, Im not a woman. Stop this performance. Im getting goosebumps. You look good.
Of course. Its the dream job I got because of you, friend. I was waiting for my partner since I received an equipment shipping order. You heard about the Areva hostage incident in Congo, right? Emil, who couldnt hold back his glee, was still smiling.
Mm, they called me in for that. Colonel Juan from the Korean Embassy briefed me. It seems like the mood isnt that great.
Of course it isnt, not after those b*stards sent the wrists of the hostages. Its been over three hours since the higher-ups came in one after another. Its like someone shoved dry ice into boiling water. Minister Germaine, the Operation Strategic Advisor, and the head of the 11th Airborne Brigade are rumored to be dismissed soon.
Whats with that old man?
A weekend article titled Fist of Justice vs. The Most Useless Act of the Century made the headlines of Le Monde. The sacrifices for Mitterrands wrath have been decided. To maintain his position, Germaine must be jumping around like a bullfighter fighting a bull with horns on fire.
Thats unfortunate. He even dragged his old body all the way to the Sahel to protect that position of his. Tsk tsk.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
For every b*stard who smiles, there is a b*stard who cry. Dude, if you had retired after the Raccoon plan, those higher-ups would be pulling out their hair by now. Act out as much as you can this time and get every single penny of your worth. Hahaha!
Emil didnt know that Black Mamba was involved in the Ruman plan. Just imagining those stubborn higher-ups clinging on to Black Mamba made him laugh.
Hahaha!
Black Mamba also laughed brightly for the first time in a long while. He felt happier looking at his friend, who remained cheerful even after losing a leg. Although there were 22 poor hostages whose status was up in the air, there were 1,000,000s of others in the world who led more pitiful lives.
Edels doing well, right? Did you leave her alone again?
Dude, why are you prying into someone elses love life? Do you still swing your lower half around?
Ive nothing to do, so I should at least do that. Ah, and I heard about the snake who used to be a nurse. That b****s pretty unfortunate to be caught by you twice. That damn b****, the 50,000 francs I shoved into her holes gone.
How long do you intend to live like that? Shouldnt you plan for your retirement?
Whats the point of saving money when I dont even have a family? Youll take care of my retirement anyway. Ombuti sent me my investments dividend statement. 400,000 francs conceived a child of 100,000 francs in a year. Its money that I cant touch because of someone, but Im still a rich man! Hahaha!
Their conversation turned into a catching-up session.
Hm hm!
One of the Ministry of Defense soldiers who escorted Black Mamba from the airport purposely coughed. Emil glanced at the soldier. Wrinkles settled on Black Mambas forehead.
Senior Master Sergeant, are you uncomfortable?
The minister is waiting for you, sir.
Tell him to wait some more!
Its not polite, sir.
The soldiers face turned red at his inconsiderate reply. Samedi, who was standing behind Black Mamba like an iron tower, whooshed through the air.
Rude b*stards!
Bang
It was the Theory of Rudeness being put into action.
Ugh!
The leader, who was attacked by the front paw of a bear on the back of his head, flew two to three meters and slammed his nose into the ground. Blood gushing out of the nose of the unconscious leader soaked the ground.
Putain!
Surprised, the other three soldiers took out their batons and rushed at Samedi. The French military baton wasnt straight like the ones in Korea but bent 15 degrees to the side like a Kukri. It was to increase the impact.
Slap slap slap
The angled baton landed on Samedi like hail. Unlike the Korean police, French soldiers could exercise unlimited self-defense if they felt threatened. Samedi received those attacks without blinking. Samedi ignored the batons that incessantly fell on him like hail and turned to look at Black Mamba.
Wakil, should I bury them?
Whats the point of dealing with weak b*stards? Black Mamba answered in a monotonous tone.
Samedi, who received monk Dae Woos teachings, didnt touch the weak. Samedis hand swung in the air once. He grabbed all of their batons with his iron-like hand. Samedi looked pleased. He was also surprised by the Stealing Guard of 100 Hands, which he learned from the great master.
Uh, what?
The three soldiers, who had their batons taken away, stepped back. Just as they were about to grab the gun in their holster, all three batons made of ash wood broke in his hand.
Crack
You will die if youre rude to master. Im letting you guys live because youre all weak.
Samedi said something terrifying and threw down the broken batons at their feet.
Uhhhh, monster! the three soldiers screamed as they stepped back further.
Their leader, who had fallen to the ground, raised his upper body. He shook his head and stared blankly at Samedi.
Wow! Amazing, brilliant! Emil cheered.
He thought Black Mambas strength was natural, but the aura of the black man following him around was just spectacular. He acted just like Black Mamba in his youth, firm and without reservation.
Black, who is this guy?
Family, Black Mamba simply answered.
I see. Emil nodded.
The people around Black Mamba were either friends or family.
You guys almost lost your lives just now. Be careful, Black Mamba warned in a solemn tone.
The four soldiers couldnt reply and continued to stare blankly at Samedi. For the first time since they were born, they were in great confusion.
Hey, whats your name?
Samedi! Samedi answered Emils question.
Im wakils friend, Emil.
I know. Wakils friends also get hit if theyre rude.
Gods, heres another one like Ombuti. Black, where do you keep finding these monsters?
Its fate. Black Mamba smiled widely.
Emil looked serious.
Friend, be careful this time. The Sahel was rough, but Ituri is called the Devils Forest. Tell me anything that you need. Ill even give you an AMX-30[1]. Im sad we cant go together. We were the best combination.
Emil tapped his left prosthetic leg. He had to amputate his leg as his bone was starting to rot.
I dont need a paper-thin AMX. Look for a weapon that Samedi can use. You dont need to mind the weight. Ill let you know the things that I need in the evening.
Ok, this black friend of ours seems like he can swing an Area gun. Ill look for a heavy machine gun or mortar. If there is nothing, I can slip him a developing sample.
Dont push yourself.
Dont worry. I can even get my hands on the Yankees newest weapon if I ask Bellman. For the first time, I pity those soldiers. You should go. Those higher-ups should still be waiting for you.
They can wait. Friends are 100 times more precious than those old men, Black Mamba replied coldly.
Several people had to stick their necks out in waiting because of the lives they led. They had to experience it too so that they could understand what their subordinates went through.
This is why I like you so much. Although you might not get into trouble, Im nothing but a powerless sergeant. By now, those friends insides would have turned into coal. You know how it is. Weve nothing to suck on but our fingers if we get fired.
Emil pointed to the soldiers, who were moving around restlessly, like ants without their antennae.
Right. I should work for my second country, France. Its time to be Black Mamba again, isnt it?
Mu Ssang turned around, leaving behind a bitter comment.
[1] Frances main battle tank before the development of the Leclerc. Its maneuverable and has excellent firepower.
Chapter 374 - Congo, Fist of Justice
The mood in the conference room wasnt that great. Unlike Bonipas answer, Ange de la Morts arrival was slower than roasting a pheasant. Commander Lieutenant General Dimanche, who attended as an observer, disappeared like a fart seeping through hot pants. Passion was bound to die down with age.
Director Bonipas, 30 minutes have already passed. Isnt that more than enough time for a lost countryside boy to find his way? Peron, whose face was turning red, asked.
A soldier is escorting him. He will come in time.
Bonipas was calm. It was annoying to judge someone who was beyond common sense. It was the greatest lesson he learned while dealing with Black Mamba.
Petit ordure[1]! Does he think the Aubagne headquarters is the Palace of Versailles? Peron complained under his breath.
Petit ordure was an insulting term that Larkro and his advisors, who led the formation of Legion Etranger during the reign of Philippe I, used to refer to the foreign mercenaries. The term was a reference to the fact that they used trash to wipe out other trash. If Philip hadnt gone to the bathroom, Peron would have been punched on the spot.
Hehe, he would be decapitated had Black Mamba heard. Bonipas gave a mocking smile.
Advisor Peron, mind your words. Ange de la Mort can search all 3,600 rooms of the Palace of Versailles and find you in 30 minutes. Dont forget that there is a reason why hes called Ange de la Mort. Commander Dimanche, who was returning from his break, glared.
Is there a planned route to the operations location point? The sly Germaine quickly changed the subject.
A Hercules can land at Bukavu Airfield near Lake Kivu. A non-stop flight is possible as long as the Hercules is supplied with more fuel at Cairo camp. While he could transfer at the 13th Legion Etranger camp in Djibouti, the forest will be a problem no matter what route he takes. Once he enters the forest, he has no choice but to move on foot. As you know, general, the non-combat losses occurred while they were navigating through the forest.
Bonipas didnt mention his private jet. It was a secret, but to transport the medical team and the reinforcements, the Hercules had to be mobilized.
Transporting equipment wont be easy. Wont we need tanks and vehicles to face those rebels?
Ugh, hes driving me crazy. Why dont you suggest an AMX-30 and a 155-millimeter Moselle howitzer instead?
Bonipas pounded on his chest. The Ituri Rainforest was out of reach even for humans. What was he planning to do, dragging heavy weapons along? His dull combat sense must be the reason why he wasted precious blood in the forest three times.
There is not enough time to send in any land reinforcements. It is 1,700 kilometers from Djibouti to Bukavu. There is a way to send supplies from Djibouti to Bukavu using the Hercules. The problem is that Ange de la Mort needs to be deployed there immediately since were running out of time. Even if we send heavy equipment and vehicles, they wont be able to enter the forest or mountain range.
Frustrated, Philip jumped in.
Ange de la Mort can move by plane, and the support team can set off from the 13th Legion Etranger camp.
Black Mamba didnt show up, and the meeting continued indefinitely. There was a VIP parking lot in the rightmost corner of the headquarters building. A group of bored-looking drivers had gathered to smoke. Both humans and animals grew tense when hungry. While waiting for their noble masters, the drivers looked like they wanted to smash the shiny large sedans.
Black Mamba arrived before the entrance of the headquarters nearly an hour after he passed the front gate. The corners of Black Mambas mouth curled up as the soldier led him into the conference room. The faces of the old men sitting in the spinning chairs were greasy.
They look like nothing more than ants without their antennae.
Black Mambas eyes lit up. Mu Ssang from the bridge respected his elders, but Black Mamba of the battlefields didnt like the Oecophylla smaragdinas very much.
Without their antennae, ants couldnt keep up with their colony. While most ants had a lifespan of about three months, an isolated ant would die within a week no matter how good the surrounding environment was. The cause of death was the lack of communication with its colony.
Ants stored food then vomited it out to share with the rest. They made up for the lack of digestive enzymes by obtaining them from other ants. In other words, if an ant was isolated, it would die from indigestion. They looked exactly like that.
Act!
The conference rooms walls and ceiling rumbled. The old men, who were lounging in their chairs, flinched and corrected their posture. The oldest man in the furthest seat received the salute by raising his hand.
Oh, Ddu-bai-buru-pa! Philip smiled as though his dead brother had risen from the grave.
He rushed forward and hugged him.
Ca fait longtemps![2]
Black Mamba didnt particularly enjoy the old mans hug, but he willingly received it. The man was someone who tried his best for his comrades despite being a high-ranking boss.
Bonipas, bonjour! Black Mamba winked at Bonipas.
He didnt even glance at Peron, whose face was etched with a frown like a hyena starving for four days.
Comment allez-vous?[3]
Bonipas face warmed up like a spring breeze. Operational rights were granted, and Black Mamba finally arrived. The rest was nothing but minor tasks to be fulfilled.
Comme ci comme ca![4]
Enchant. Je suis Germaine.[5]
Enchant. Je mappelle Ddu-bai-buru-pa.
A round of greetings passed. Germaine scolded him with a straight face.
Why are you so late?
Im a mercenary. I went to check on the weapons. Weapons are a mercenarys second life.
I understand. Germaine nodded.
He also wore the military uniform for 30 years. Although it was rude, he couldnt scold an agent heading into an operation for checking the weapons first.
He is an Oriental, Peron went around the bend and blurted out.
Ugh, that man!
Bonipas shook his head. Oriental didnt simply refer to Asians. It was a pejorative that European imperialist countries used to call Asians when they invaded India and Asia.
White supremacy was deeply ingrained beyond ones imagination. Even U.S. documents referred to Asian Americans as Orientals. The attendees went silent.
That idiot is shoving his face into a crocodiles mouth. A bitter smile appeared on Bonipas face.
Vieille grenouille ou grossier?[6] Black Mamba smiled and didnt even bother to look at Peron.
Black Mambas hearing was better than a trained dogs. He heard Peron calling him petit ordure when he was at the door. If Samedi wasnt forced to wait outside, Advisor Perons head would have been cracked open. Perons face creased.
How dare you, a mere major! Advisor Peron yelled.
Black Mambas expression grew cold.
Oh, God, no!
Germaine wrapped his hands around his head. The advisor finally picked a fight. Peron was a pseudo civic activist. A b*stard who used to write columns on the Ministry of Defenses website crawled into the military by climbing a rope and finally plucked a tigers nose hair. Germaine glared at Peron with a frown on his face. Black Mamba slowly grabbed a handful of almonds that he received as snacks.
Mere is an offensive word that not even those in power should use against the weak. Its especially not a word that the weak should use against the strong. If you do, youll have to pay the price.
Craaaack
The sound of popping beans was heard before he could finish his sentence.
Hiii!
Something whooshed past his face. Surprised, Peron turned to look at the wall behind him. Embedded in the thick oak-paneled wall were countless almonds outlining the shape of his face. If the almonds missed by half an inch, there would already be holes in his face. When else would an advisor like Peron experience such a scene? His white face turned red.
Wh what kind of behavior is this?
Perons voice trembled as he protested.
Advisor Peron, you called Legion Etranger petit ordure. If you consider soldiers who are the first to bleed for France as trash, what kind of filth are you?
Putain, Peron, how dare you! Philip stood up and glared.
Dont frame me. I never said such a thing, Peron said, claiming innocence.
Youre a coward on top of a fool. Well, fine, take that up with Major General Philip. Besides mocking Legion Etrangers soldiers, you even made racist remarks. You didnt say Oriental without knowing its meaning, right?
Hmph!
Peron, who had nothing to say to defend himself, only grunted.
Since you slept through your classes, Ill teach you. A humans appearance is the result of genetic evolution and adaptation to the climate and environment. Although surprised, humanity before modern times didnt disparage or ostracize other people who looked different. Racism started when the European empire, which preceded the Industrial Revolution, invaded colonies to consume goods and raw materials. They created racist ideologies to rationalize inhumane and immoral actions. Do you know why Im explaining this to you?
What do you actually want to say?
Peron, whose frown deepened, shouted. He revealed his intentions to the young man, and he was even listening to a lecture. He was angry to the point that he forgot the fear he felt moments ago.
It means you are a detestable human consumed by the concept of racism that has existed since a century ago. The Fist of Justice operation failed. France called me to save their reputation, and I need a competent operational advisor to pull off this mission.
Black Mamba stopped talking and looked at Peron. Peron looked back at Black Mamba in confusion as though questioning the meaning behind his words.
Using my authority as the head consultant of the Fist of Justice operation, I appoint you, Glish Peron, as the operations operational advisor.
The entire conference room suddenly went quiet. Even the attendees breaths couldnt be heard.
Kekekeke!
A suppressed laughter broke the silence. It was Bonipas. The advisor had been acting out the entire time and finally got what he deserved.
What kind of f***ed-up story is this? What right do you have? Perons face burned with anger.
Hes beyond redemption. Director Bonipas, I want you to inform Advisor Peron of the authority delegated to the Special Military Advisor by the president.
Bonipas took out his notebook as though he was prepared all along.
According to Article Three, Section One of The Powers and Duties of the Special Military Advisor, the Special Military Advisor may mobilize the Combined Special Warfare Command and Legion Etranger only for operations approved by the president. He can recruit civilian officers from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior and officers below the rank of colonel as operational staff. A person who has been nominated by the Special Military Advisor cannot refuse.
Bonipas concluded his monologue and smacked the notebook shut. At the sound, all of the attendees turned to look at Peron. Peron seemed to have lost his mind. His jaw was wide open, and his eyes were out of focus.
Hes lost it!
Bonipas looked at Peron with pitiful eyes. Not a single human made it out alive in one piece after offending Black Mamba. Still, that was a lenient punishment considering Black Mambas personality.
Damn, he isnt my subordinate anymore but a shrine.
Philip couldnt hide his surprise. He initially thought that the Special Military Advisor position was nothing but a title, but instead, it held more power than expected.
Advisor Peron, let me teach you one more thing to show my gratitude. There is an ant species called Oecophylla smaragdina in Australia. The old Oecophylla smaragdina ants charge at the enemys front line when a fight breaks out. When the enemy invades, the Oecophylla smaragdina force themselves into the enemys line until the main force gets into combat formation, basically initiating suicide attacks. Old ants sacrifice themselves for the safety of their colony. The French expression noblesse oblige was inspired by the old Oecophylla smaragdinas sacrifice.
Black Mamba stopped talking and looked around. Philip and Bonipas, whose faces were turning red, quickly ducked their heads under the table to hold their laughter. Germaine and Commander Dimanche looked confused. It seemed like they were trying to recall whether the correlation between noblesse oblige and the Oecophylla smaragdinas was true.
Advisor Peron, youve decided to join the front line despite knowing the dangers of the Devils Forest, Ituri Rainforest. I respect your patriotism and noble soul for representing noblesse oblige.
No. When did I? This doesnt make sense! Peron mumbled.
His voice seemed to have aged at least 10 years. Germaine picked up the interphone and called a soldier.
Oui!
Advisor Peron has volunteered to serve as a local aid for the Fist of Justice operation. Prepare personal weapons and commence vaccinations. There are many guinea worms and kanjiru in the operational area. Those parasites pierce through the skin and puncture peoples organs. You need to take note that hes protected against parasites with the vaccination. Theres not much time. Escort him outside immediately.
Oui!
No, no. This cant be.
Peron was struggling and kicking while being dragged outside by the soldier. Black Mamba stuck out his tongue. As expected, that Oecophylla smaragdinas instant reaction was incredible.
Now, its finally quiet. Both chickens and ducks get too loud with age.
Black Mamba picked up the glass of water from the table and gulped it down.
Bang
Germaine and Philip flinched when he slammed the glass back down.
Minister Germaine, thank you for choosing such a competent advisor for me.
Germaines face creased devilishly. He was basically scolded by the young man before him, but he also had nothing to say in his defense.
Im sorry. Stubborn people are bound to appear in a huge organization. Ill get straight to the point. Please preserve Frances pride and mine too.
Black Mamba turned to look at Major General Philip, his bossat least on paper. It was a gesture he made to save Philips face.
[1] Damn trash!
[2] Its been a while!
[3] How have you been?
[4] So-so!
[5] Nice to meet you. Im Germaine.
[6] An old frog or a naked barbarian?
Chapter 375 - Congo, Fist of Justice
There was no way Black Mambas intentions went unnoticed by Philip. He couldnt stop himself from smiling widely. He heard that Korean soldiers treated their previous military seniors as their seniors forever. His heart was moved by that guys loyalty to his old boss.
Black Mamba, no, Ddu-bai-buru-pa, the hostages are key scientists to our nuclear power businesses. Youre our only hope. Please return them to their familys embrace, Philip, the requester, asked in a very polite manner.
With a word, Black Mamba chased out that annoying b*stard, Peron, and knocked Germaine off his pedestal. Black Mamba soared high into the sky, away from the boundaries called Legion Etranger. Philip finally realized what Black Mambas newfound position meant.
Although he was disappointed that the duck that laid golden eggs left his hands, he would get eaten up if he treated the predator like a cat. Philips good political judgment influenced his decision to bow down.
It is an unfortunate matter. Some rude government employee registered my name as Sbard Gulbeig on my ID. Sbard for Svart, the realm of darkness in Norse mythology, and Gulbeig for Gullveig, a lowly woman who chases after gold in Norse mythology. I tried to correct him for his lack of manners, but he left first for the realm of darkness. I left it untouched and kept this humiliating name to remind myself.
Scary b*stard, hes talking about manager Miguel whom he burned to death!
Philip grew nervous instead when the scary story began. One must always be careful around unpredictable humans. Unpredictable humans with extraordinary abilities were basically a walking bomb. For a moment, he forgot how scary of a person Black Mamba was.
Black Mamba shoved both of his hands forward and shook them before Germaine and Philip. Both Germaine and Philip flinched back.
Look, how many people died by these hands! I dont even remember. I spilled too much blood. Both of you have experienced the battlefield, so you should be well aware of the mental damage endured. Besides the soldiers who killed one or two on the battlefield, soldiers who witnessed the tragic sight of the corpses also suffer from PTSD. After killing 1,000s of people, what do you think happened to methe Angel of Death and Black Mambaand my soul? Im an ordinary young adult. I hate the smell of blood, and Ive grown tired of the weight of blood. I dont want to see any more blood.
Black Mamba looked at each of the old men with a grim expression. Now that he said it out loud, it was depressing. His words carried interference waves. Germaine and Philips faces suddenly grew stiff. The story was flowing in a strange direction. They felt as though they owed a lot to Black Mamba. They felt pressured to reward him appropriately. His sincere and appealing voice continued.
I am Korean and an honorary citizen of France at the same time. I cant overlook my countrys crises because I hate blood. I also made a promise to Major General Philip. Still, the timings off. Tsk!
Black Mamba smacked his lips. Philip looked over at Germaine as if to say, see what I mean.
Thank you. Frances pride and future lie in your hands, Germaine said excitedly.
Although there were hints of complaints, Black Mamba agreed to the operation. His liver shrunk because of Perons actions. Black Mamba was someone who created miracles. With another miracle, there was a higher chance of him keeping his spinning chair.
Black Mamba, Im sorry for calling you out in the middle of a school semester. We have registered you as an exchange researcher in the Department of Biology, University of Paris II. Even if you dont get graded in Korea, you dont have to worry about the paid semesters either, Bonipas said, scratching his itchy spot.
Thats good news, Black Mamba said, delighted.
He didnt know what to expect during the operation. He never imagined that he would get dragged down to the Jurassic World in Kaparja.
Philip and Germaine exchanged glances. Germaine nodded his head.
Just mention whatever equipment and supplies that you need. Although Bonipas will prepare the refined weapons, there are more than enough mercenary weapons in the Deuxieme Rep. The first operational fee will be 100,000 francs. You will receive the same amount for the second and third operational stages. Pressured by Black Mamba, Germaine and Philip offered a non-existent fee.
Operational fees were funds required during the operation. Black Mamba received tremendous support from the military and the DGSE. He didnt need operational fees. 100,000 francs was basically pocket money that didnt require a receipt. He wouldnt be human if he denied 300,000 francs of pocket money.
Ugh, this narrow-minded man! Black Mamba snorted inwardly.
Philips scale was much smaller than Bonipass. Black Mamba was overconfident after receiving 300,000,000 francs from the Ruman plan. 100,000 francs was some childs money. Black Mamba glanced at Bonipas, then turned to look at Philip. He was planning something and had to change the topic.
France is a country of noblesse oblige. I am an honorary citizen of France. I became a mercenary to earn money, but I dont wish to earn money off peoples lives. I want the Ministry of Defense to calculate my pay instead.
The silence lasted for a while. A round of applause broke out.
Wow!
Oh, as expected of you, Black Mamba! Youre truly the representation of noblesse oblige.
You are the true national treasure.
The pride of Legion Etranger.
Philip and Germaine, as well as Dimanche, cheered.
Special Military Advisor, although money is rolling around blindly in the DGSE, the military doesnt have such funds. The council is keeping a sharp eye on us, after all. Say the word. If its something the military can help with, we will, Germaine, who was willing to do anything, offered.
Black Mamba, who had been waiting for that moment, finally listed down his requirements.
If thats true, I want you to convince the CEA[1] to transfer some nuclear technology to Korea.
Nuclear bomb? Germaine jumped in surprise.
Nuclear technology was basically confidential information within a country and not a subject that was easily brought up.
Ahh, Im not talking about a nuclear bomb. Im talking about a nuclear power plant. France has been humiliated by the U.S. and the United Kingdom ever since the Manhattan plan failed. The U.S., the United Kingdom, and Canada suffered from the Uranium Supply Treaty. France is great. How long will France let the U.S. and the United Kingdom call them second rank? Korea has just started commercial nuclear power generation with technology brought in from Canada. As you know, Korea is an emerging industrial country aggressively pursuing Japans economy. Unlike Africa, Asia is demanding more and more as time passes. Building relations with Korea and entering the Asian market can expand Frances sphere of influence. All while hitting the back of the U.S. and the United Kingdoms heads.
Black Mamba poked at Germaines pride slightly. High-ranking French officials were unnecessarily prideful. They grew even more sensitive at the mention of the U.S. and the United Kingdom in particular.
Fine. I will persuade the president after negotiations with the CEA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. Advisor, if you manage to rescue those hostages, Im sure Areva will actively cooperate, Germaine readily agreed.
Germaine was completely taken by Black Mambas show.
Idiots!
Bonipas glanced at Germaine. Like a sailor charmed by a Siren, his face loosened up at Black Mambas words. That was why military officials were naive and simple. Freelance mercenaries loved money, and their driving force to move was money. Black Mamba, too, loved money.
The fund assigned to Black Mamba by the Ministry of Defense would be around 500,000 francs. Including his operational fees, it would be over 800,000 francs. Black Mamba gave them a blank check because he wanted to protest that the fee was too little. Once Germaine and Philip came to their senses, they would be under a great deal of stress over their fund management.
The bigger problem was the big package called nuclear technology transfer. Black Mamba hid his motives by mentioning a nuclear power plant, but a nuclear power plant operation was basically the gateway to building a nuclear bomb. Black Mamba was someone who hated and loved his home country at the same time.
Hehe, what an amazing person!
Bonipas smiled. That was why he respected Black Mamba. He didnt hate Black Mamba, who got him what he wanted. Bonipas would have been disappointed if he didnt turn to look back at his home country, at least once.
Black Mambas greed wasnt personal greed. It was the frequently mentioned income distribution. He was someone who poured out a lot of money into a desert to provide refuge to the oppressed and starving lower class. That never happened before in the history of humankind. Black Mamba needed to make a lot of money.
Black Mamba was someone strong against the strong and endlessly weak against the weak. His trademark was the unbending belief that he was doing the right thing. It wasnt terrible to have a Don Quixote in a world filled with egoists and people obsessed with the pursuit of wealth. He was just about to mention his gifts too. Bonipas started handing out his gifts.
Your check will be issued by the Ministry of Defense, but the DGSE has also prepared a reward for your hard work. This operation should originally be handled by the DGSE. Its just that the first button wasnt buttoned up properly.
Bonipas stopped talking and glanced at Germaine. Germaine avoided Bonipas gaze.
I made an unofficial deal with the chairman of Areva, Javere. Chairman Javere has offered a total of 30,000,000 francs for the hostage rescue. He decided to pay 8,000,000 francs in advance for the rescue team that I guaranteed on two fronts and 1,000,000 francs for each hostage rescued. If you rescue all 22 hostages, youll receive an additional 22,000,000 francs. I have already transferred the commission of 8,000,000 francs to your account, advisor. The balance will be deposited as soon as the hostages are rescued.
30 30,000,000 francs! Germaine and Philips jaws dropped open.
It was the kind of money that they had never imagined, heard, or seen before. Their initial offer of 500,000 francs suddenly looked pathetic. Utterly dumbfounded, the two men stared at each other. Both of their faces creased devilishly.
Huh, hes making a deal that is as honorable as he must be. Tell him I will do my best regardless of the money. Black Mamba smiled.
Precious raccoon Bonipas was really of a different breed than Philip. It was nothing more than overpaid labor. Money entered like rolling pumpkins. It was to the point that he wanted to pray for more guerrillas and terrorists to torment France.
Should I call the Sun Woo Bang Na mother and daughter to perform a ritual so that France continues to suffer?
Laughter escaped out of him at the wicked thought.
Germaine and Philip absent-mindedly stared into the ceiling after becoming dishonorable men all of a sudden. Germaine, who used to be called the tiger of Indochina, and Philip, who used to be called the lion of Chad, were nothing else but a bites worth to Bonipas, the serpent.
While an animal grew lazy from being full, humans were those who gained motivation from being full. Black Mamba, who was full, started rushing.
Bonipas, call the person in charge of papers. Ive already wasted a day out of the 10 days of the stipulated countdown. Theres not enough time.
Wait, what about your team members? Philip asked.
I dont need anyone. Im heading in with my personal guard.
Philip turned to look at Bonipas at the direct refusal.
What do you think?
Whats the point of thinking? Ddu-bai-buru-pa is a special consultant. He has full authority over this operation. All we need to do is support, Bonipas stated facts as though he was stating how all chickens had two legs.
Well, its not like Ddu-bai-buru-pa is the RAPAS or GIGN. Philip nodded in agreement.
A RAPAS or GIGN member would have taken a swing with their fist at that kind of tone. The grudge between Legion Etranger and Frances main special forces was deep-rooted. They chewed each other out every chance they had.
Major General Philip, the RAPAS and GIGN suffered great losses, Germaine pointed out.
I have no intention of insulting the RAPAS or GIGN, sir. Im just saying that Ddu-bai-buru-pa does not require team members.
When the conversation took a turn for the third time, Dimanche wrapped up the meeting.
Even now, the hostages must be trembling in fear. If those b*stards send us one more wrist, our internal structure will collapse, and France will become a laughing stock to the world. The operation will be handed over to the Special Military Advisor, and we, Oecophylla smaragdinas, should retire. Old men like us shouldnt hold others back when we arent even going to commit suicide missions. Special Military Advisor, Im counting on you.
Dimanche, who spoke words of substance, stood up.
Samedi, who was left waiting outside the conference room, couldnt hold back his boredom. He started singing a chanson[2] he learned from Emil.
Samedi, you come in too, Black Mamba called out to Samedi, but he didnt hear him.
[There are no lions in the forest. Only the eyes of the leopards on the trees flash. A green veil covers the sky, and the crowned eagle silently catches the monkey. The clear lake is full of horrible parasites, and when you eat a nice-looking fruit, your eyes roll back, and you blow out bubbles. If you go into the river to catch fish, youll get eaten up by the fish. Africa is not romantic. Ituri is the real deal. Ne jitter pas, je vous coute.[3] ? Elle ne pas mon type.[4] ?]
Ho, dude, youve got some talent. Mu Ssang was genuinely surprised.
That was the rhythm of Michelle Polanreffs song, Qui a Tu Grand Maman[5], which Emil liked to sing.
Not only did Samedi memorize the lyrics just by listening to Emil sing in the equipment shelter, but both rhythm and beat were accurate. He could even sense a faint sadness when the large man sang the chorus, mon type, mon type.
Wakil, I like this song. Samedi stopped singing and smiled shyly.
I think it will sound better if the rhythms slightly faster.
Wakil is always right.
Samedi, I think we need to beat up some bad guys.
I like songs, but I like fistfights even more.
[1] The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission or CEA is a French public government-funded organization that researches energy, defense and security, information technologies, and health technologies.
[2] A French song.
[3] Do not hesitate to tell me.
[4] She is not my type.
[5] Who killed Grandma?
Chapter 376 - Chapter 39 Episode 16: Congo, Fist of Justice
Samedis eyes, which looked kind and even sad, flashed with violent bloodlust. A meek herbivore turned into a predator at once.
Maybe Im doing something horrible to this guy!
Black Mambas heart ached. Samedi was from the Maasai tribe. Maasai tribe members had excellent physiques, which allowed them to fight against a lion with a spear. Genetically speaking, Samedi was an exceptionally well-built Maasai. He could have been a target of the MK Ultra project team because of that.
There were countless bullet scars on Samedis body. He presumed it to be the traces obtained when Samedi, a test subject, escaped the experiment lab. The Vodou houngan must have found Samedi on the verge of death and turned him into a zombie. Samedi lived without consciousness for decades. Samedi was a strange existence that turned back into a human after 1,000 different hardships. Was it right for him to shove Samedi back into a river of blood?
Wakil, its scary when you look at me like that.
Hm? Lets head into the conference room.
I dont like meetings where you talk about things I dont understand. Its boring. I get rocks in my butt when I sit for too long. Im going to Emil.
Samedi didnt know how to talk around a subject. He was direct when expressing himself. Sometimes, Samedi was like a wise man, and sometimes, he was like a child.
Youre going to the equipment shelter building?
Emil said my weapon is arriving today.
Really? I suppose they developed liquid metal. Do as you please. Ill head over once the meeting is over. You cant cause a scene, alright?
Dont worry, wakil. Samedis all mature now.
Samedi took off, fearing that Black Mamba would hold him back. Samedi was particularly obsessed with shovels. Therefore, Black Mamba ordered a shovel instead. At that time, the type of metal the DGSE Technology Design Division proposed was liquid metal that they were developing.
I wonder what the strongest shovel in the world would look like, Black Mamba mumbled as he headed back into the room.
Ariba, Manager of the DGSEs Middle East/Africa operations, and Plober Mekisi, Manager of the intelligence agency, explained the progress of the first few operations and the current situation.
Wait, you think there are around 200 of them who kidnapped the scientists? Is Ntaganda more powerful than we know him to be?
No. The Mai-Mai rebels are a gathering of different warlords, like the FROLINAT. Ntagandas army, called the Gods Army, has 4,500 members. Their location is estimated to be at the midslope of Mount Stanley, a swampy area in the Rwenzori Mountains. In addition, there are 3,500 soldiers led by 10 other warlords. These people are based in Ituri Rainforest and Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda. The kidnappers group is a small armed force led by Karungo. Karungo is believed to be a Vodou houngan.
Six months have passed since they were kidnapped. Even trained soldiers couldnt endure the forests harsh environment. Do you have proof that the hostages are alive?
Based on circumstantial evidence, most hostages are alive. I have information that those b*stards bought flour and first-aid supplies from a Bantu village on the outskirts of the forest.
What about the wrists that those b*stards sent recently?
The DNA test results revealed that the wrists belonged to an Asian. There are no Asians among the hostages. We think those b*stards are trying to pressure the government. Thats how desperate they are for funds and weapons. They wont give up easily on those hostages.
Those damn assumptions, assumptions! Theres nothing but assumptions. Doesnt that mean you know next to nothing?
Black Mambas words conveyed his frustration.
Im frustrated too. The Ituri Rainforest is vast and unexplored. Informants have to fight the forest and the armed force. HUMINT activities face many difficulties too.
It seems like the DGSE is past its prime. I wont discuss the initial response failure since that is a thing of the past. However, with this, I can clearly tell that the follow-up responses are a mess too. Did you guys do nothing but play poker with monkeys in the forest in the last six months? Black Mamba criticized.
Ange de la Mort, thats rather harsh. Informants are dying in the forest even at this moment. While dozens of informants from the intelligence agency are searching Ituri and Rwenzori, theyre nothing but a handful of beans scattered in the front yard. Dont insult our dead agents, Mekisi said out of anger.
Karungo disappeared after fighting the Fist of Justice teams twice, as though he ascended into the sky or dug into the ground. He was about to go crazy himself too.
You think my words are harsh? Mekisi, the mouth isnt open just for you to eat and make excuses. You want me to single-handedly find hostages that dozens of informants couldnt find any traces of? You want me to search the forest that is 500 times the size of Paris without a single piece of information at hand? You want me to rescue and lead 22 hostages, who cant even defend themselves, out of the Devils Forest filled with 1,000s of the armed force members? You b*stard, do you think Im some kind of god?
Black Mamba, whose frustration went through the roof, shouted. His resonance waves, which activated automatically, shook Mekisis brain.
Ugh! Mekisi groaned.
His sight darkened, and his stomach churned as though he had just fallen off a cliff. His heart was beating irregularly, and sour bile crawled up his throat.
Ah, hes the devil.
Mekisi blamed himself for forgetting who the person before him was. The images of the DGSE employees who were done in by him flashed before his eyes. Black Mamba was not only the devil to his enemies but to the DGSE too. Miguel burned to his death in white phosphorus, while Manager Valvoue and Landre became disabled after getting beaten up.
Manager Claude, a KGB mole who was caught by Black Mamba, committed suicide. He was filling in Manager Claudes position. Even Ariba, who was beaten up by Black Mamba once, developed a phobia. The killer of the DGSE employees, Black Mambathe managers faces turned pale just by hearing his name. How could he forget such a fact! Mekisis face darkened.
Not god, but the devil.
Bonipas interrupted with a single sentence. He was listening in. There was a saying that old rats could brew poison. Mekisi would have experienced a panic attack had Black Mamba continued to unleash his wrath on him. Bonipas turned the mood around instantly.
Leave that and describe the Ituri Rainforest in detail. Im not Argos but Eraser.
Black Mamba didnt care about the number of kidnappers. Whether it was 100 or 1,000, theres nothing he couldnt do if he decided to wipe them out. What bothered him was his unfamiliarity with the forest. He experienced how deadly an unfamiliar environment could be in the Sahel and the underground world. The problem wasnt the people involved but the environment.
Hoo Mekisi let out a deep sigh.
The symptoms of tingling skin and stuffy chest disappeared.
I should avoid him!
Mekisi glanced at Black Mamba, who was sitting perfectly still as though nothing had happened. He realized why his friends were more scared of him than superbugs.
Trees that are several meters tall cover the sky while stumps, thorny bushes, and parasitic plants are intertwined, all of which obstruct the view. Its hard to breathe, so of course, intelligence activities cant progress. Compasses dont work there either.
Why?
You lose your sense of direction when you plunge into the endless sea of green. Since there are too many magnetite outcrops, the compass cant do its job.
Magnetite outcrops Im envious. Describe my route of infiltration.
Youll be crossing Mt. Mutumba through Lake Kivu. That region is filled with cliffs, swamps, predators, and all kinds of poisonous insects. All kinds of human trash are floating around like poachers, smugglers, and guerrillas. 20 GIGN strike team members and Airborne Regiment members lost their lives in Mutumba. Once you pass Mt. Mutumba and enter Ishango, you will see a flat plateau. Enter Beni from Ishango. If you take the wrong road and enter the Rwenzori Mountains from the east, you will get into trouble. There is no map there. The infiltration route may change according to local information.
Black Mambas face grew stiff the longer Mekisi explained. He experienced natures wrath and terror so many times at the bridge village. If Koreas natural environment was an obedient high-schooler, Africas environment was a street gangster.
What a mess. Well, I do understand since its an area where aerial reconnaissance is impossible.
There is no way. To be honest, its an impossible plan even if we deploy divisions. We cant find those b*stards since theyre hiding in the forest, and we cant guarantee the hostages safety either. We have no choice but to rely on your abilities, advisor.
Youre not expecting me to search around with nothing planned, are you?
The area available for aerial reconnaissance adds up to less than one percent. The Ntaganda allied forces are believed to be meeting near Bunia and Irumu, west of Lake Albert. We think they hold irregular meetings. The terrorists, who we assumed to be Congo rebels led by Karungo, were killed there. You should be able to find traces if you start from Bunia to Mambasa.
Huh, another assumption! This is madness. Black Mamba sighed again.
It was more than forcing someone to find a needle in a haystack. While hed heard from Colonel Juan, the actual situation turned out to be worse than he expected.
Sorry. Ill keep you posted on the locations.
Even Mekisi, who was doing the briefing, found himself in a difficult position. It was pathetic that he could only provide assumptions to Black Mamba, who was about to jump into hell.
Is there any particular predator that I should be cautious of?
The leopard and black mamba are fatal creatures that hide and attack. There are hippos, alligators, and unknown poisonous creatures in the swamps. There are creatures unknown to the world too. According to the survivors reports, they were attacked by a large bird of at least two meters tall.
A bird that is two meters tall? Do ostriches live in the forest too? Black Mamba sounded like Sha Wujing.
It could be a mutated ostrich. According to a survivors testimony, it had muscular legs like a horses legs and a large beak shaped like an ax. The monster of a bird jumped out of the bushes and attacked the rescue team. A porter who was stabbed on the back with the birds beak suffered from a broken spine, and a GIGN member who received a kick of the birds foot died from a ripped stomach.
What the heck, is there a Cenozoic Era niche in the Ituri Rainforest?
Black Mambas expression showed his disbelief. Although nothing said that creatures from the Cenozoic Era couldnt exist when dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era were still alive, it was still an absurd story.
That could be true. The intelligence agency thinks its the tyrant Gastornis that roamed the forest 40,000,000 years ago.
This is getting more chaotic. The locals and poisonous insects are also a problem.
Right. The locals are hostile. They treat foreigners as invaders and send poison arrows flying without warning. While the Pygmy tribe uses paralyzing poison, the Black people use deadly poisons. The blue poison frogs, which live in the swamps of Ituri, are far more deadly than the golden poison frogs of South America. The Black people apply poison extracted from the blue poison frogs skin to arrows and spears. Once in contact with the poison, one immediately grew weak and couldnt last more than a day. You should also look out for cannibals. The cannibals, who try to eat the Pygmy tribe, roam silently like snakes. The rebels led by Ntaganda are especially known to enjoy the meat of white men. Most of the Fist of Justice team members were killed or devoured by those poison arrows.
What a mess. Arrows flying around in the dark are scarier than guns.
Poisonous insects will be your biggest problem once you enter the forest. There are so many species that I cant even mention them all. The insects you should watch out for are horse fly larvae, army ants, wasps, tarantulas, tree leeches, candelas, malaria mosquitoes-
Never mind that, everythings a dangerous b*stard, Black Mamba interrupted.
Even Philip, who was listening in, shook his head. There was no point in wiping out the Mai-Mai rebels if the hostages werent rescued. Even though Black Mamba was undefeatable, could he rescue 22 defenseless hostages with the worst enemy against him? He was suddenly doubtful of the success of the Fist of Justice operation.
Special Military Advisor, the Deuxieme Rep will provide you with as many people and equipment as you need. Just say the word.
Black Mamba took a moment to consider Philips worrisome offer before shaking his head. The best weapon against primitive threats was the human body and will. Still, he couldnt use support firearms or long-range weapons because the forest itself was invisible and an obstacle. The Fist of Justice operation was bound to fail. Close combat and assassination using topography to his advantage were the basic tactics.
Thanks, but theres no need. I dont want to babysit.
The Ituri Rainforest was a dangerous place for him too. Utilizing dimensional sight, resonance waves, and Rule of Sight was more effective than the attention of 1,000s of jungle expedition members. Bringing anybody else other than Samedi would only bring about more sacrifices.
Is there a guide ready?
Hes waiting at the Bukavu Airfield.
This isnt going to turn out like the Ruman plan, right? Black Mamba criticized.
Blood drained from Ariba and Mekisis faces. There was a rumor circulating in the DGSE that going against the devil was better than being on the receiving end of Black Mambas grudge. Major Geofrey, who Black Mamba had threatened, committed suicide in fear.
Even Bonipas, who made mistakes before, flinched. He made a big mistake by assigning Zaitun as his guide in Kaparja, not knowing that he was a double agent from the CIA. He was still alive because Black Mamba received generous amounts of gifts.
Ill put my neck on the line, Manager of Operations Ariba replied, gritting his teeth.
Make sure you take good care of your neck.
Ariba trembled at the cold reply.
Im sorry I cant give you more information. If you tell me the weapons that you need, Ill prepare them to the best of my abilities, Mekisi said as though he was ready to offer his liver.
I only need my personalized equipment and the usual ones. Ariba, is the whip ready?
Ah, that monstrous thing. The Technology Design Division had a hard time trying to meet their clients requirements.
Ariba placed an aluminum handbag on the table and opened it. There was a large whip with a dark sheen coiled around like a snake.
Its production time is six weeks, and 5,000,000 francs went into it. There hasnt been a more expensive personal weapon in the history of humankind. Its a reward and gift for your efforts in protecting Frances honor in the darkest places, advisor, Bonipas boasted with a proud expression on his face.
Its well made. The best gift.
You should give this beauty a name.
Rakshasa!
Chapter 377 - Episode 17: Congo, Fist of Justice
Vrrr
The whip shook as though it was responding to Black Mambas call. While no one noticed, Black Mamba saw the weapon shaking.
The smallest unit of matter was a wave, and the world was made up of waves. When a holy weapon recognized its owner, it meant that the frequency of the weapons soul and the frequency of the users soul were on the same wavelength.
For a real holy weapon to be born, ones soul must permeate the weapon, and both inorganic and organic matter must be in harmony. An ancient craftsman gathered his blood, the heart of a holy creature, a humans brain, and even his wife and sons and shoved them into a hearth to create a holy weapon. His grudges and wishes reached the weapon through a unique resonance, thus, giving birth to a holy weapon.
Rakshasa! Thats a good name. In Hinduism, shes a horrible woman who helped Asura destroy the world, but in Buddhism, she symbolizes repentance. Although weve customized it to your request, how can you wield it without a handle?
Bonipas was right to worry. A whips average length was less than 10 feet. Rakshasas thong was over 30 feet. Moreover, there was no handle to control the thong and fall.
A whips life depended on its toughness and flexibility. It had to go through a complex production process to ensure its elasticity and mobility. Its braided core was wrapped with leather and tightly braided with leather strips on top before its finally overlaid with soft and tough leather.
The more gaps it had, the more flexible and less durable it was, and the fewer gaps it had, vice versa. The Boss-saurus tendon was elastic and strong enough to defend against large-caliber bullets. They must have put in quite the effort to customize a tendon that could be attached to the Vajra.
A whip was made up of a handle, a thong[1], a fall[2], a fall hitch[3], and a popper[4].
In general, whips could be divided into two categoriesa bullwhip came with a handle, and a snake whip came without a handle. The whip Indiana Jones used was the bullwhip. Snake whips were easy to carry around but harder to use.
Originally, the whip was used to control animals and was, therefore, a symbol of barbarism. Its used to hit animals and criminals. Modern humans who had no use for whips didnt know what its for. Funnily enough, the most familiar whip to modern humans was the nine-tail whip that the U.S. and Japan introduced in their S&Ms.
Rakshasa looked very different from a regular whip. It was straight without the distinctive handle, thong, fall, or popper. There was no significant difference in the thickness of the gleaming dark fabric from the handle to the popper. Instead of a popper, there was a five-pointed shuriken-shaped cracker. The cracker looked like a snake with an open jaw. If the whip had to be categorized, it would fall under snake whips, which only had a thong and a cracker.
A picky woodsman is nothing but a fake.
Black Mamba grabbed the Rakshasa. A sturdy yet flexible touch clung to his hand. The Boss-saurus, which was reborn as Rakshasa, rumbled like a dragon. Black Mamba felt a kind of satisfaction that was different from when he held modern weapons.
Rakshasa!
A loud howling with resonance shook the conference room.
Kuooo
There was a big, silent sound wave. Rakshasas main component was the tendon of the Boss-saurus, a species that disappeared several 1,000,000s of years ago. The dinosaurs intense aura, which continued from the distant past, resonated with Asuras call. With Rakshasa in one hand, Black Mamba was the true incarnation of Asuraimmovable and undefeatable.
Good!
He flicked his wrist and returned the cracker[5]. The cracker rushed forward with its open jaw as though it was about to tear something apart. It acted just like a black mamba springing toward its prey. At the light hand movement, Rakshasa wrapped around Black Mambas upper body. It was as though a dark black mamba had wrapped itself around a human. It was the kind of posture torn between the peaks of barbarism and primitive nature. The DGSE officials looked as though they were enamored by him.
Its different from the material Ive provided. The flexibility and durability improved. Did you mix it with some other materials?
It is 10 meters in length and 30 kilograms in weight, and It has a 35-millimeter diameter handle and a 20-millimeter diameter fall. Alongside the unidentified tendon provided by you, advisor, there is a mixture of polyketone and liquid metal. All materials are extracted and polymerized to 100 Millitex[6]. We combined three materials with carbon monoxide and extracted 300 Millitex fibers using a compound of barium and strontium as catalysts. The extracted fibers were compressed in a vacuum and processed into a bundle of muscle fibers. The experimental value of its tensile strength exceeded 500 tons. Its wear resistance is comparable to diamonds. It is the strongest and most unique item that only the DGSE Technology Design Division can create, Ariba boasted.
I dont know what they are, but it sounds extremely complicated. Its properties?
It didnt change form in a 2,000-degree fire. Its strength is 50 times that of steel and 20 times that of titanium. Surprisingly, its modulus of elasticity is close to zero. The Technology Design Division said its impossible for them to create another one like this.
Ho! Good.
Black Mamba grabbed the Rakshasas body with both hands and used his strength. The Rakshasa stretched like a rubber band. When he released it, it snapped back to its original length. He wasnt wrong to say that its modulus of elasticity was close to zero.
What is the cracker made of?
Black Mamba asked, lifting the five-pointed shuriken-shaped weight. He originally planned to attach the Vajra to its end, but he changed his mind. The Vajra and the Billions Water Armor were the treasures of the heavens. Rakshasa could be recreated with modern technology as long as he had the Boss-saurus tendons, but modern technology couldnt recreate the Vajra. He would be pounding the floor in regret if he lost it.
Liquid metal. The surface is coated with diamond, and it weighs three kilograms.
Good!
That was already Black Mambas third time saying good. That was how much he liked the Rakshasa. Ocelots whip, which was swept away by the flood, was a rope compared to the Rakshasa.
Advisor, a 30-kilogram whip is something that only Titans can use. Will you be able to use it in battle?
Black Mamba didnt answer Mekisis question and shook his upper body instead.
Whoosh
The Rakshasa descended effortlessly and stretched out to the front.
Whoosh
Resonance swirled around his body and flowed through the Rakshasa. The Boss-saurus tendon gently absorbed his resonance.
Twang
Rakshasa, which was drooping, flew up straight like a cobras head. The air swayed with every movement.
Ha!
If he swung it thoroughly, the small room would probably split in half.
Twang
The cracker stretched out like a spear.
Bang
A loud sound erupted from the conference rooms wall.
Rumble
The conference room protested in pain. All of the DGSE officials and Philip turned to look at the wall. A hole was made in the 10-inch concrete wall.
Huh They let out a strange groan.
The mouths of four people were wide open.
As expected of Black Mamba!
Bonipas eyes sparkled oddly. He looked like a teenage girl in love. Feeling better, Black Mamba pulled out a checkbook from his chest pocket. A check worth 10,000 francs was handed over to Mekisi.
The center of gravity is good, and elasticity is perfect. Mekisi, treat the tech members to a meal.
The whip is great, and youre even more so, advisor. Mekisi gave a 90-degree bow.
He changed his perception of Black Mamba from a cruel predator to a benevolent predator.
With that, he gained the Vajra, Billions Water Armor, and Rakshasaa set of three holy weapons. Weapons bestowed by the heavens couldnt be bought with money. Weapons could only be gained by the will of the heavens. His happiness was brief. He suddenly felt like his comfortable daily routine was growing further and further away.
Bonipas was bursting with pride at the sight of Black Mamba smiling like a child because of his weapon. If he could buy Black Mambas favor, he would offer him Corsica instead of Novatopia.
Advisor, I have another gift.
The more gifts, the better.
Hehe, Ill introduce you to a reliable guide. Mekisi, show the advisor our guide.
Ah, GPS! Ive forgotten about it.
Mekisi took out a piece of equipment as thick as a wooden board from his aluminum hard case.
Black Mamba looked at the unfamiliar equipment with skeptical eyes. In the center, there was a screen that was smaller than his palm, and below it, there were some buttons and a trackball.
Its a GPS[7] prototype. This GPS can show you where you are by receiving location signals from four satellites. Isnt it amazing?
Its hard to understand.
You dont have to understand. All you need to know is how to use it. You dont have a hard time driving cars even when youre unsure of the cars structure. Its simple to use. Mekisi sounded confident as though hed never been intimidated.
He marked his current location and entered Calvi, Corsica. When he rolled the trackball, the direction and distance from their current location to Calvi immediately appeared.
Huh!
Black Mambas eyes widened. It was a magic item that showed him his current location and the distance from a starting point to the final destination. He was a mercenary who fought and traveled 100s and 1,000s of kilometers. He immediately understood the value of that item.
Huh! No one would have died if we had this GPS in the Sahel. Black Mamba let out a deep sigh.
If they had the GPS, his comrades wouldnt have to wander the desert aimlessly. The unnecessary walking ate away their energy and affected their judgment and ability to respond to a crisis promptly.
Impossible. You are the first to use this GPS, advisor. The coordinates are unstable because its a prototype. Zaires map that weve inputted isnt accurate either. However, were sure itll be of great help to you.
Thanks. Its the best guide that I can have.
Black Mamba was truly impressed. The GPS was more valuable than his guns in the forest and desert.
Ive never seen a better Zhu Bajie.
Black Mamba, who went back to Legion Etrangers equipment shelter building after the meeting, laughed. Samedi was swinging a big shovel. He looked like a child who received a toy that he wanted.
Dude, is the meeting over?
Emil jumped off the electric lift. Looking at how he moved, it seemed like his body had fully adapted to the prosthetic leg.
Hm, they stuffed me with gifts to make up for the lack of information. How long has he been acting like that?
Its been an hour. Ive never seen a person as powerful as him before. I feel like hes stronger than that terrifying dude we met in Faya.
His movements are not as good as Ocelots. Itll be quite the scene to see both of them go at each other.
Ha, its a good thing I decided to become an equipment storage supplier instead. Whats the world coming to? Monsters like him keep appearing everywhere.
Dude, youre as ignorant as he is. Why does the worlds greatest troublemaker sound so weak?
Black Mamba smacked Emils back. His friend used to run across the battlefield with a Minimi at hand. To see him carry around weapons in the storage room made him sad. However, that was also the fate of a mercenary.
Samedi, stop that and come here.
Whoosh
Samedi swung the shovel hard one more time in the air and stopped. Samedi slung the shovel over his shoulder and nodded.
Wakil, I like this a lot.
Samedi was all smiles. Black Mamba took the shovel and checked it carefully. The weapon was so absurdly powerful that it could wipe out an elephant with a blow. Its blade had a width of 200 millimeters and a length of 500 millimeters. Its center was 10 millimeters thick, and its edges were as sharp as a razor blade. The shovel stick was a three-part disassembling stick. Each part was 600 millimeters long, and including the shovel, it added up to 2.4 meters long.
It was a shovel in nothing but name and an actual Tin Yat Fang Bian Chan. Fang Bian Chan is Sha Wujings weapon in the Journey to the West. Fang Bian Chan existed as a digging tool before it was a weapon. The number of corpses in China was as much as its population. The priests used it to ward off predators during their training journey and to bury corpses abandoned on the road. It was the perfect weapon for Samedi.
Its much lighter than I thought. Around 40 kilograms?
It weighs exactly 40 kilograms. It is made of liquid metal, and it went through die-casting and forging. The blade is finished with a diamond coating. Its strength and wear resistance is about three times that of titanium.
It must have cost quite a lot of money.
Liquid metal isnt commonly used since its much more expensive than gold. Who else but the DGSE would do such a crazy thing? It seems like they are scared of Black Mamba, after all. Kekeke! Emil laughed.
He could go in and out of the DGSE Technology Design Division because Black Mamba was his backer. Even those stubborn b*stards couldnt do anything after learning its Black Mambas request.
Thats how desperate they are. Should I test its durability?
Whoosh
A big shovel split the ground open.
Bang
The metal pipe that supported the equipment shelter buildings front panel fell to the ground.
Whoo! Emil exhaled.
The metal pipe of 150 millimeters in diameter was sliced without a sound. He knew it was obvious, but he still was taken aback whenever he saw it.
Its useful. Samedi, your weapon is now called Squeaker.
Squeaker. He had a hopeless naming sense.
I like Squeaker.
Samedi agreed and disassembled Squeaker before shoving it into his backpack.
Emil, did you find any firearms that Samedi can use?
I was thinking about giving him a 50-caliber machine gun, but the bullets and magazines are a problem. Obtaining additional supplies will be difficult if you go deep into the forest, which means if it breaks, itll just be trash.
Emil took out a machine gun from a wooden box.
This is the original 7.62-millimeter caliber FN MAG from Belgium. Its destructive power is lower than that of the M2, but it is second to none in terms of stability. Its like a toothpick for that friend. There should be enough bullets for it too. It fires 850 rounds per minute, and 10 seconds is enough to replace the barrel. It can cover enough firepower. By the way, that friend of yours, has he ever fired a gun?
[1] A whips body.
[2] A whips actual impact point.
[3] The connecting point between a thong and a fall.
[4] It is what makes the popping sound.
[5] The weight at the edge of the whip.
[6] Tex is the unit of measurement of a fibers thickness. One Tex is one kilometer if the weight is one gram. Millitex is 1/1,000 of Tex.
[7] Global Positioning System.
Chapter 378 - Episode 1: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Emil threw the FN MAG like he was abandoning it. Samedi kicked the falling machine gun back up with his foot and caught it. A twisted facial expression was seen on Samedi. The cold grip of the gun, the carrying handle, and the double heat sink felt familiar. One side of his brain tickled as though his memory was resurfacing.
Have you forgotten Legion Etrangers lesson? We learned how to look downright amazing in battle and how to survive.
But what if he dies? Emil frowned.
No matter how physically gifted Samedi was, he could still die from a couple of bullets. He worried Samedi might hold his friend back.
Samedi wont die, Samedi suddenly interfered.
Brat, your bros are talking. You dont just jump into a conversation, big lump-of-blood. Emil glared.
But its true, Samedi complained as though it was unfair.
Pfft! Black Mamba laughed.
It seemed like he wanted to slap the back of Emils head and was only holding back because he was his masters friend. Emil was unaware of Samedis identity. Lump of blood! Samedi was at least over 50. Once he learned about Samedis age and past, Emil would probably froth at the mouth and pass out.
Hes someone born with battle abilities. He wont die easily.
He must be better than lackey if he gained your approval. Damn it. I should go with you Go get your vaccination. Ill prepare your weapons, Emil grumbled.
Black Mamba didnt plan on bringing lackey, the warrior on his heels. Emil himself would be nothing but a burden.
Its nice to have you here. You used to be the best machine gunner, and now, youre the best weapons provisioner. Black Mamba released an ad balloon in an attempt to make Emil feel better.
Of course. Once a partner, forever a partner. You saved my life several times, but I cant do anything for you. Should I give you my other leg?
If I eat a humans leg, Ill get beaten up a lot. Whats the point of having a leg that I cant even eat?
Brat, dont make such horrible jokes! Black Mamba, who was surprised by Samedis innocent words, shouted.
Oh, he knows how to make jokes, unlike what he appears to be. Emil smiled as though he enjoyed it.
Emil, take this guy with you and teach him how to shoot. You just need to teach the basics like gun handling, aiming, firing point, crawling, and simple concealment skills.
God, how can I teach a guy who has not been trained on foot drills? I cant. Send him to Castelnau bridge! Emil exclaimed.
Wheres the time for that? Youre the best at machine guns, arent you? Stop crying and turn him into a human.
When Black Mamba complimented him, Emils mouth split open.
You want me to turn this lump-of-blood into a human in two hours? Thats terrifying, terrifying! Come on, dude. Ill show you what it takes to be a proper one.
Black Mamba suffered more than Samedi. Doctors and well-built male nurses rushed to poke him endlessly with needles. The several vaccinations he received before entering the Sahel were like a birds foot.
Unlike the desert, there were 1,000,000s of diseases and parasites in the forest. The types of vaccines were endlessYellow fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Meningococcus, Polio, Rabies, Measles, Tetanus-diphtheria, and Vibrio Cholerae. For the first time, he grew jealous of zombie Samedi. What kind of zombie could contract diseases and viruses!
The number of vaccinations any regular person would have received over three to four days rushed at him at once. The Ebola virus and HIV vaccines, which had yet to be developed, were substituted with warnings instead. Black Mamba shivered at the various types of pus and bacteria residues injected into his body. The Epidium antibodies were enough to suppress the Botulinum toxin. It seemed 100 times better to trust the Epidium antibodies and go into battle.
Black Mamba appeared at the shooting range, looking tired. He saw Samedi, who was shooting in a standing position. Even the 10.5-kilogram MAG was nothing but a stick to Samedi. Like a bird on water, he moved around the shooting range with several magazines wrapped around his shoulder.
Oi, friend of mine, whats with the face? Did you visit all the red-light districts in Ajaccio? Hm? Kekekeke! Emil chuckled.
The sight of Black Mamba with dark circles under his eyes was unfamiliar and funny.
Dont even mention it. They injected a bucket of pus crawling with germs into me. Im at the point where I would die simply by looking at gowns and needles.
Kekeke, lifes worth living knowing that nurses are your nemesis. Ill give you a gift, so cheer up.
Emil handed him an aluminum case as small as his palm.
Friend, this is the special item I borrowed under your name from the DGSE Technology Design Division. Ituri Rainforest is mountainous terrain. Youll need it for sure.
Friends are nice to have, after all.
Black Mamba opened the lid. There was a grey rope rolled up like a fishing line and small rhombus-shaped darts the size of two fingers. The rope, which was 1.5 millimeters in diameter, was as thin as a thread.
Hm!
He grabbed the rope with both hands and pulled it. The thread-like rope withstood his strength. That meant its tensile strength exceeded five tons.
Wow, whats this made out of?
They pulled ultra-fine strands of Dyneema out of the leftovers from making the Rakshasa before chemically treating and pressing them together. Its 1.5 millimeters in diameter and 200 meters in length. Its surface is coated with titanium so that it doesnt twist.
Huh, its like silk from the luna moths.
That was an aspect he didnt consider. Ituri Rainforest was a horrible place from what he heard. Ropes were a necessity in rugged mountainous terrain. 200 meters was more than enough to cross ravines or climb cliffs.
Is there anything left from the material I gave you?
I managed to take back a nail-sized amount of leftovers. The team leader of the DGSE Technology Design Division was upset. You see, I had a subordinate of mine stay in the laboratory since that guy was determined to take it.
Good job.
The Boss-saurus tendon was a fossil that didnt exist in the real world. There would be chaos if its released to the research sector. Troublemaker Emil was more detail-oriented than he thought.
He saw a small hole at the end of the darts. He could tell what it was. He secured the dart to the rope in a jade knot.
Lets test this out.
The dart left Black Mambas hand.
Whoosh
The rope was released endlessly.
Bang
The dart landed on a Himalayan cedar tree 150 meters away.
Flip
Black Mambas hand swung at an invisible speed. The dart gently landed on his palm, and the rope was rolled up neatly.
Wow! Emil whistled at the incredible sight.
Is it useful?
Its the best. Im going to name this one Ami[1].
Hehehe, thats an honor.
What about Samedi? Hows the teaching going?
I dont know where to start. Hes a monster just like you. He has great adaptability, and his vision and body movements arent like that of a human. There was no need to go over positions or skills twice. What is his identity? Is he of the same kind as Ocelot?
No. Samedis a normal human.
Emil glared at Samedi, who was crawling on the floor quickly. His small movements were on the same level as his running.
Tsk, if hes a normal human, then Im a Lou Gehrig patient. That guy needs more practice on his fire-and-move and crawling. Lets go grab your things in the storage room.
Black Mambas exclusive weapons were stored in the Aubagne Headquarters storage center and the DGSE Technology Design Divisions research lab. Emils main job was to manage Black Mambas weapons. The remodeled Dragunov, MP5SD3, Glock, Kukri, and darts were always available in Emils collection.
Black Mamba carefully checked the equipment prepared by Emil and organized them in his backpack. Bulletproof and waterproof backpack, bulletproof vest and skirt, bulletproof guards to protect his upper body and thighs, a two-pound satellite phone, a military map of northeastern Zaire, an insect repellent spray, hammock with insect repellent treated nets, water bottles, and powerful purifiers. In addition to the weapons, the supplies Emil prepared were never-ending.
He managed to stop his partner from pulling out the missiles. He also rejected the rails and dot sights that Emil prepared. Those were items he didnt need. He only took the MP5SD3 and MAG in case the continuous firing tired him out.
1985, June 1st, De Gaulle Airport,
Jeeps lined the apron in the ink-like darkness. Black Mamba, who was carrying a backpack, and Samedi got off the first Jeep. Other Jeeps arrived one after another. The doctors and informants who got out of their cars gathered their belongings in a hurry. Their job was to support Black Mamba from the rear. The soldiers and equipment from the 13th Airborne Brigade had already left Djibouti and arrived at Bukavu airfield.
I dont see Advisor Peron.
Black Mamba turned to Manager Ariba.
The advisor handed in his resignation last evening and left for Provence, Ariba forced out words that he didnt want to say.
What! Resignation? A person assigned as the operational advisor fled amid a national crisis? Does he think that after scattering the blood of countless young men, the responsibility of a government official ends with a resignation? Frances noblesse oblige has crawled into a grave, Black Mamba complained as though he was shocked.
Advisor Peron lost 50 percent of his pension for failing to comply with orders. Peron thinks he exchanged 50 percent of his pension for his coffin. Your purpose is to chase that Oecophylla smaragdina out, right? Just let that old man go. He doesnt have long to live, after all.
Black Mamba smirked at Bonipas cynical words.
Theres no reason for me to think about an old man when Ive got so much to do, I suppose. Lets go!
He already expected Peron to hand in his resignation. One grew greedier with age, and many grew attached to what remained of their worthless life. Many old men clung to power at an age where they should be wrapping up their lives, and even in Korea, old men claimed that they raped young women because they adored them like their own daughter.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa, I wish you the best of luck. Show them what the Fist of Justice means, Philip said and shook his fist.
F*** the Fist of Justice, that sly old man.
Black Mamba soullessly waved back with one foot on the trap.
Chairman Javere promised to transfer the technology yesterday. The government has no reason to deny, Bonipas whispered closely into Black Mambas ear.
Thanks.
Dont worry about them threatening to get rid of the hostages after 10 days. Those b*stards who need weapons and money wont kill those hostages so easily. Special advisor, I think youre more important than those 22 hostages. Dont push yourself.
Woah, can an official at the rank of a minister say things like that?
Of course not. Im only saying it because there are no b*stards here to record me and sell me out to the press.
I feel like our hands and feet align, director.
Perhaps, we used to be archenemies in our past lives. Bonipas smiled.
Black Mamba also smiled. No matter ones age, aligning interests brought about familiarity.
Hercules raced down the runway. Its huge body shot up into the air with the daybreak as its backdrop.
Major General Philip, youre not at Bonipas level yet, Black Mamba complained as he looked out the window.
Whether it was human or animal, either had to fill their stomach to work hard. People who held high positions thought their words could bring about magic or something.
It was 9,200 kilometers from De Gaulle Airport to Bukavu airfield. If the Hercules flew without rest, it would take 15 hours. The flights maximum range was calculated considering the payload[2]. Extra fuel wasnt calculated in this case. In other words, the weight of the fuel and payload were inversely proportional.
The actual range depended on speed, altitude, wind direction, and wind speed. Flying in a jet stream could increase the range by 20 to 30 percent. If the payload was reduced as much as the fuels weight was increased, the range of the Hercules would increase from 5,250 kilometers to 8,300 kilometers. After intermediate refueling at Cairo Airport, the C-130 headed for Zaires Bukavu airfield via the Red Sea.
Black Mamba, who didnt get proper rest for a week, slept through the entire flight using Samedis thigh as his pillow. There wasnt a hint of tension seen on him.
Is he a great person as rumored, or is he just insensitive?
Agent Guido of the intelligence agency was amazed. The Asian man snoring before him was someone who secured a ticket to hell. The Ituri Rainforest already swallowed their best special forces thrice. The DGSE had long associated the Ituri Rainforest with a guaranteed ticket to hell.
The large black man was also great. He didnt move for over 10 hours. Guido and his friends couldnt say a thing because he would glare at every little noise they made. He looked just like a hen protecting its chick.
The fuselage shook due to the violent turbulence. Black Mamba woke up.
Where are we?
Were passing the skies of Kinshasa, the capital of Zaire, Guido answered immediately.
Ughhhh, weve arrived, then? Black Mamba said, stretching out his limbs and dabbing at the teardrops lingering in the corner of his eyes.
You can rest more, sir. We still have three more hours to go.
You said were in Zaire? Black Mamba repeated, staring at Guido with his eyes wide open.
Theres still 1,700 kilometers to Bukavu.
Damn it!
Black Mamba looked out the window as the sun rose. His whole body was traveling around the world, but his mind still lingered in Koreas small lands.
We should prepare. Map!
Guido immediately handed him a 1:7,000 military map.
[1] Friend.
[2] The weight of passengers and cargo combined.
Chapter 379 - Episode 2: Ituri, Fist of Justice
F***, its ridiculously huge.
Black Mamba shook his head after looking at the map. Congo had 11 provinces. The north-eastern region of Bukavu and the provinces alone were six times larger than the size of Korea.
He found Mobutu pathetic for neglecting the vast east and shoving the countrys capital into the west end of the country. Now wasnt the time to be complaining about someone else. It wasnt The world is vast, and we have so much to do, but it was The land is vast, and there isnt enough information.
Barney, get me all the geologic maps, topographic maps, photo maps, and relief maps.
Barney[1] also referred to pickpockets in Korean. Black Mamba called the military police and all of the DGSE employees Barney. He missed the Ruman plan in which he infiltrated via an airdrop. If hes dropped into the forest, he wouldnt be able to distinguish the cardinal points. To not lose his way, he would have to memorize the terrain to check against the GPS.
Hed be Sha Wujing if he felt at ease in such a situation. It was a jungle operation he had never experienced before. It was the most complex hostage rescue plan and not some elimination plan either. Rescue plans were 100 times more critical. If the hostage died, he would have to bear the burden of being torn apart by the hyena-like press in addition to the failed operation.
Damn it, the year before last, I had to eat sand in the desert and barren land, last year, I wandered underground, and this year, Im about to host a pygmy interview.
Sighs were let out, and complaints increased. Moreover, he was annoyed by the fact that he was dragged there without a chance to wrap up his affairs in Korea. He couldnt memorize the map since his mind was all over the place.
Damn it, earning money is hard! Black Mamba shouted unknowingly.
Quest-ce quil a?[2]
Surprised, Guido jumped to his feet. Black Mamba waved his hand as though it was nothing.
Special Military Advisor, have some coffee. This is Alata mocha from Ethiopia. Youll feel better.
Oh, thanks.
Another agent offered him a cigarette with a strong smell.
Special Military Advisor, you should try and light one. Its the Cohiba that Castro smoked.
Huh, what an amazing service to offer cigarettes during a flight. Thanks.
A cigarette is nothing compared to your mental stability, Special Military Advisor! the informants said, pouring out excessive kindness and flattery.
These b*stards are treating me like Im already dead. B*stards, I can read your minds.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue at the DGSE informants excessive kindness. Well, he was as good as dead to them. The reason for their kindness was that they wanted to do good while he was still alive and that they also feared being dragged into the Ituri Rainforest.
The support team wasnt involved in the operation. They would set up camp in Irumu and Bunia to transport vehicles and carry out rear support missions. They were basically dead if his mood changed drastically, and he decided to drag them all along.
Well, its a good thing that I dont have to use my visa card and listen to bad jokes while waiting for my passport and vaccine cards to process at the gates, right?
He comforted himself with ridiculous reasons.
The aircraft started to drop in altitude. The dark land beneath his feet approached quickly. Lake Tanganyika appeared like a long strip in the middle of a basket. It was an African Great Lake that he learned in school through geography and world history.
Black Mamba checked the route once more. He had to go through 770 kilometers of the forests rugged terrain from Bukavu to Bunia using the eastern route. He wondered whether it was possible to use his bike at all. The western route filled with countless rivers and swamps was lower in elevation. The rescue teams gave up on that specific route.
There was nothing romantic about the rough journey either. He must prepare to receive the welcome of many: the worst of humankind who delivered human wrists, cultists who ran around like ghosts, leopards, crocodiles, flies, mosquitoes, leeches, wasps, and candelas.
Damn it!
Pain rushed into his ears as though poked with a hot needle. The inner ear pain, which resulted from a difference in air pressure during take-off and landing, persisted. He pumped it out, breathing it out until his cheeks puffed up. It was something that Chartres taught him while air-landing at Chinto mountain. Funnily enough, Samedi was also pumping out air while frowning.
The concepts of airports and airfields were different. Airports required all kinds of auxiliary facilities such as control towers, service buildings, departure halls, arrival halls, cargo holding rooms, boarding halls, and stands. On the other hand, airfields only required runways and aprons.
Bukavu airfield, at least, went beyond the concept of an airfield. It had a watchtower similar to a control tower, a storage station, and a runway equipped with guard lights.
Whoosh
The Hercules slowed down quickly by raising its slats[3] and flaps. As it began to slow down, its fuselage shook. Black Mamba poked his head out and looked outside. It was a green world. Green was spread out endlessly. The airfield was the only one that was not green, like a cigarette burn on wood. Now, he feared the green color that he used to miss so much in Chad.
The airfield was quieter than Koreas countryside bus stops. How many locals would fly around in Africa? Most of the visitors were tourists or businessmen. A plane and helicopter were seen on the runway, and guards in blue uniforms wandered around in groups. It was the typical airfield in Africa.
Ugh, damn it!
Blood drained from Black Mambas face. His vision was too perfect. He could clearly see the bumpy and cracked asphalt runway. He could vividly imagine the plane sliding off the runway and crashing its nose into the side.
However, it was a false premonition.
Krrrr
He didnt know whether it was Gods hand or the pilot, but the Hercules completed its landing with ease.
Huk!
Black Mamba trembled as soon as he stepped on the plane trap. The high humidity made it difficult to breathe. Even before entering the Ituri Rainforest, moist and hot air greeted him. The Saharas dry and hot air burned ones lungs. Eastern Zaires hot and humid air pressed against his lungs. Body temperature increased more with humidity. The heat that seemed to bound his body rushed in.
The humidity of the forests of East Africa reached 95 percent because the trees released large amounts of moisture into the air through their stomata. A single old limbali tree transpired up to 500 kilograms of water in a day.
Special Military Advisor, youre very popular. A bunch of guests are here to welcome you, Guido said, pointing to the cars lined outside the airfield.
Your companys serpent took care of it.
A smile rose on Black Mambas face. The person to jump out of the first car was Captain Paul serving in the 13th Legion Etranger Regiment.
Ola! Black, I missed you the most after my wife, Paul said as he rushed over and hugged him.
Its nice to see you again. The Caucasus turned into a Negro, I see. Africa is really amazing.
Pauls skin darkened because his face lacked moisture, and there was an increase in melanin pigments. Even his greying hair turned fuzzy. It was hard to distinguish him from the locals.
Djibouti is the hottest place on earth with the most sunlight. Im turning dark thanks to you.
You better get promoted to a major and return to Calvi.
Hehe, a promotion is obvious now that Ive met you.
Paul joked around as though the hostage problem was resolved.
Damn, Djiboutis sun even modifies DNA, I see. Im sad to see that youve turned into someone who considers a friend a stepping stone to success.
Hehehe, I should suck up as much as I can when my friends doing well, shouldnt I? I got a call from Emil. I heard you got yourself an amazing lackey?
Paul glanced at Samedi, who was standing behind Black Mamba. Samedi took a step forward and extended his pot-like hand to him.
Nice to meet you, Paul. Im Samedi. If youre rude to wakil, Ill scold you even if youre a friend.
What? Hahaha! What a guy! Youre right. Ddu-bai-buru-pas my friend and my boss. Protect him well.
Paul happily grabbed Samedis hand and shook it.
Are you planning to bring him alone?
Mm, dragging soldiers into a forest where visibility is limited only creates scarecrows. You too. Im not a babysitter who takes care of snotty kids.
If someone else had said that, I would have turned them inside out myself, but I should listen since its coming from you. Ive already received orders from three places to follow your instructions unconditionally. Old men have been screaming into my ears since dawn.
Hehe, I can guess who they are. Commander Dimanche, Director Bonipas, and Major General Spash from the airborne brigade, probably. With age, energy moved from the d*** to the mouth. Try to understand, Paul, youre young. Ill include your name in my report, so dont even think about following me into Ituri. You havent forgotten the lesson you learned in the Sahel, right?
Pauls face creased. Sahels lesson were painful words. He lost his subordinates and put his team in danger because of his stubbornness.
Alright. However, I worry whether you can drag that guy through the rugged terrain, Paul complained, pointing to their vehicle.
What? The French military operating civilian vehicles, what a surprise.
I yelled at Major General Philip to give me a high-mobility vehicle. Those guys are prototypes produced by Renault and havent even passed the driving test yet. If you didnt come, they would probably be released 20 to 30 years from now.
Its better than a Toyota pickup with steel plates. Wheres the guide?
Ulumbo!
Enchant. Je suis Ulumbo.
When Paul shouted, a young man in his 30s from the Bantu tribe ran over and shoved his nose into Black Mambas face. Surprised, Black Mamba quickly stepped back.
Damn, you rude b*stard!
Samedi grabbed the back of Ulumbos neck and lifted him.
Wh what do you think youre doing? Ulumbo protested, hanging by his neck.
Where are you shoving your dirty face? Ill beat you up if youre rude to master.
Dont be rude. Im an Intelli who attended university in Paris. I was just trying to greet him politely.
He doesnt need a polite greeting. I dont care whether youre a guide or some bookworm. Stop acting like youre all that and guide properly. Samedi growled and glared.
Ah, okay.
Ulumbo, who tried to act cool before the clueless Asian-in-charge, was upset. He never dreamed that he would get picked up by an extremely strong black man.
Hes a bragger. Black Mamba smiled.
Sahel guide Ombuti and Syrian guide Zaitun were people with a lot of thoughts in their heads. That guy named Ulumbo had the strong temperaments of a fraudster.
Lake Kivu was created by the East African Rift. It was a large lake with a length of 90 kilometers from north to south and a width of 48 kilometers from east to west. Bukavu was a city located at the southern end of Lake Kivu. To get to Bunia, one had to take the North route three road along the edge of Lake Kivu.
10 or so cars fiercely drove up north. The expression fiercely didnt refer to the cars speed. It actually referred to the emotions felt by the car drivers and passengers.
The road infrastructure in the mountainous regions of eastern Zaire was more messed up than those in Chad. The government couldnt build roads on rough terrain due to poor finances and low technology. North route three was also an unpaved road built during the Belgian colonial era.
There were grades to unpaved roads too. Unpaved roads in Africa werent roads made of gravel like the new roads in Korea, but just dirt roads. Road management? It didnt exist. Puddles and floods were expected, and roads were often cut off. To be precise, those werent roads but long and narrow empty lots that existed in the forest.
Black Mamba realized the purpose of the ash bag in their trunk. The mercenaries shoved the ash bag to the other bank when the vehicle encountered a puddle that was difficult to cross. Once the vehicle had crossed safely, they immediately collected the ash bag from the other side and stored it. They had to go around it if the diameter of the puddle was greater than the length of the ash bag. There was no way for them to speed up.
Clank
The car stopped. That was already the 13th time. Black Mamba sighed. A large tree was blocking their way this time. It was a limbali tree of one meter in diameter and 30 meters in height. They couldnt even go around it as both sides of the road were cliffsides. The mercenaries eyes grew somber.
Kuach, can you figure this out?
Captain Paul turned to look at his first lieutenant.
No problem! What are you doing? Get rid of it.
Several mercenaries rushed at the tree with sapper axes mounted on the fender of the car. Some even joined in with machetes.
Crack
Crack
The mercenaries took turns to ax down the tree, but it was nothing but a waste of time.
Not only did they have to cut down the trunk to move the giant tree, but they also had to cut down the branches that were as thick as arms. No matter how the mercenaries swung the machetes and axes, there was no progress.
Wakil, should I help? Samedi said, turning to look at Black Mamba in frustration.
No. You shall not move unless I give you the orders to do so.
Nothing good would come from the mercenaries witnessing Samedis strength. Black Mamba and Samedi had no choice but to wait for the path to clear.
Mm, whats this noise? Black Mambas ears twitched.
Vvvvvv
It was the sound of countless wings flapping, which shook the atmosphere.
Paul, bring the guys in right now!
What?
Damn it. Its too late.
A black cloud rushed out from the root of the tree. The cloud immediately flew over to the mercenaries who were axing.
Aaagh!
Wasps!
The shirtless mercenaries who had been axing went into a frenzy. They all covered their heads and scattered like spiderlings. The wasps gathered were the General Hornets of Africa, also known as suzumebachi by the Japanese, Wang Zha Bong by the Chinese, and General Hornets by the Americans.
The wasp that was the size of two fingers wasnt just any wasp. If it got caught in a spider web, it would eat the spider and tear its way out of the spider web to escape. Thats how strong it was. It was the strongest insect that could tear apart a grasshoppers front legs and head to eat. With a stab of its stinger, a person with allergies would die. If it rushed at a person with its mouth, the skin would fall off.
[1] Its Jjabari in Korean.
[2] Whats wrong?
[3] Controlled wings that are attached to the front of the main wings.
Chapter 380 - Episode 3: Ituri, Fist of Justice
African wasps, regardless of species, all had a nasty temper. When provoked, they became more tenacious and would track one down for over 1,000s of kilometers, and when attacked, they retaliated in groups. In particular, general hornets would rush at their opponent with all their might upon the death of their kind. There was no way that the general hornets would stay still when their nests were attacked.
Avoid them! Cover yourselves with the tarp!
Caporal, the flamethrower!
Its not ready yet!
The CO2 compressor machine?
Its not ready yet!
Damn it!
Agh!
There were shouts and screams everywhere. General hornets were scary because of their deadly sting and persistent aggression, which matched their size. Mercenaries who couldnt cover themselves with a tarp crawled underneath the cars. Ants and bees didnt like the smell of oil.
The mercenaries, who couldnt escape in time, took off their combat jackets and swung them. The remaining few, who couldnt do anything, ran as though their lives depended on it.
Vvvvv
A small group of bombers chased after them.
S***, what a loud welcome.
Black Mamba slapped away the few that rushed at him and sprang to his feet. If 100s of 1,000,000s of general hornets rushed at them, 30 to 40 people would easily be wiped out.
The first Legion Etranger troop to be defeated by general hornets! Oh, dear. While the wasps are pitiful, its not like I can ignore the lives of humans. Namu Amita Bul!
Black Mamba acted like he was praying while he pulled Rakshasas handle from the lower compartment of his backpack where it was stored.
Voom
A large whip with its 10-meter long thong swung in the air.
Bang
A great amount of power and resonance entered the whip. The atmosphere shook like branches in the wind following the movements of the Rakshasas thong.
The greater the centrifugal force, the greater the acceleration. A huge man-made tornado was created.
Vvvv
The group of wasps hesitated at the sound of 1,000,000s of dragonflies flying. A black tornado attacked the general hornets.
Tatatatata
The sound of popping kernels was deafening. The general hornets, which were sucked into the black tornado, started dropping on the floor like rain. The tornado moved along the road after wiping out all the wasps above the cars. The Rakshasas tornado sucked in the wasps that were chasing the mercenaries. Crushed remains followed the tornados path. The few of them that survived immediately flew away.
Oooooo
A long howl sounded. A powerful low-frequency sound with resonance pushed the air. Scared, the general hornets disappeared.
Upon completing its job, the Rakshasa disappeared into his backpack. His first greeting was with the general hornets in the forest of East Africa. To chase away the general hornets, his finest weapon, Rakshasa, was revealed to the world.
To the general hornets, that was unfair. The humans provoked their nests first. All they were trying to do was protect their larvae and eggs.
Samedi, what are you doing?
Wakil, this tastes good.
Samedi pulled off the wings of a general hornet and shoved them into his mouth. His big palm was full of twitching general hornets. They werent those that the Rakshasa wiped out but those that Samedi caught as snacks.
Doesnt it hurt when they sting?
It doesnt even tickle.
Well, would general hornets pose any threat to a former zombie?
Hah, that brats the highest-ranking predator on the food chain. Well, what cant a zombie eat? Black Mamba exclaimed silently.
The general hornets sting, which drove away even their natural enemy, honey badgers, was useless against Samedi. A real poisonous plant accumulated poison by eating other poisonous plants. He drew up a ridiculous image of Samedi breathing out poison.
The screaming and shouting ceased. Only the sound of colobus monkeys filled the air. The mercenaries who went into hiding started crawling out. The mercenaries didnt know what had happened as they had been running around everywhere.
It took only 20 seconds for Black Mamba to take out his Rakshasa and wipe out the general hornets. The only people who witnessed everything were Samedi and Paul.
What the hell?
The remains of the general hornets that had been relentlessly attacking were scattered all over the floor. The mercenaries, who didnt know anything, stood there in bewilderment.
Who sprayed the compressed CO2?
Captain must have sprayed the insecticide.
Idiot, cant you see that their head, body, and wings are all broken?
By luck, a tornado must have passed by.
While it sounded ridiculous, the answer was almost accurate.
Who the hell are you? Are you really Black? Paul said in a daze.
Paul, a warrior goes through changes in a day. Its already been two years. Black Mamba smiled widely.
Paul had the right to be surprised. Compared to the time they were operating in the Sahel, he had matured and made remarkable progress.
Damn, changes in a day? Then, what am I, with my stiff muscles and aching bones every day!
Pauls shoulders drooped.
Paul, this isnt the time to act pitiful. Those guys are general hornets.
Ah, medics!
Surprised, Paul called the medics. There could be casualties if antihistamine shots were delayed.
Oui!
How many were stung?
Seven, sir. Kandinski and Burrak are severely affected.
Idiots, some Legion Etrangers, passing out from a mere wasp sting. Paul snorted.
He didnt get to brag when Black Mambas protection kept him in one piece.
Paul, we should hurry if you want to save them.
Paul immediately understood.
First Lieutenant, lead the team and go back. If you cant find a second route, return in 10 minutes.
Oui!
The cars turned back, raising dust.
Samedi, get rid of it.
Okay.
Samedi put his machine gun down. He took out a gruesome-looking iron plate and disassembled sticks from his backpack. A big shovel with a total length of 2.4 meters attached to a 0.5-meter long blade made its appearance in the world.
Wh what is that?
Pauls eyes widened. He had never seen a peculiar-looking ax, no, shovel before.
Wooo!
Samedi raised Squeaker in the air and rushed toward the limbali tree.
Whoosh
The shovel flashed. The branches that were as thick as the waist of a woman who gave birth several times were sliced off.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh
The shovel continued to swing without any interval. The limbali branches that were blocking the road disappeared, leaving behind only the trunk.
Crack
Crack
Crack
The trunk suffered deep cuts from the blade that attacked its left and right. It was the strange harmony of kinetic and potential energy. The large trunk that two men couldnt hold was sliced off instantly.
Woooaaaaa!
Samedi grabbed a corner of the sliced trunk and squeezed his muscles.
Bang
The limbali trunk rolled down the cliff edge next to the road. The strong woodsman finished his work in five minutes.
Hihihi! Squeakers useful.
Samedi turned to look at Black Mamba and smiled widely, revealing his white teeth.
Uuhhh!
Pauls mouth dropped open. That guy wasnt human. He felt a dj vu and was reminded of that person called Ocelot, who took Burimers life at a hotel in Faya. Pauls face grew tense. He could understand why Black Mamba didnt want his subordinates to see him.
Black, can you control that guy?
Dont worry.
Thats a relief.
Paul nodded at Black Mambas reassurance. The trust of everyone he knew combined didnt amount to a single word from Black Mamba. That was why he didnt call any other skilled mercenaries because he could trust his subordinate.
Vroom
First Lieutenant Kuach, who went looking for a roundabout route, returned.
Captain, the route what!
Kuachs mouth dropped open. The sight before him was clear. The large tree that blocked the road disappeared. Kuach rushed forward to check the scene. The thick branches and rootless trunk had rolled down the cliff outside the road.
Captain, what happened here?
What?
The tree that blocked the road! Cant you see that?
Kuach pointed at the tree with his finger.
The wind blew it away.
The wind?
First Lieutenant Kuachs face creased devilishly at his nonchalant reply.
Now Lets go!
Paul wasnt considerate enough to answer First Lieutenant Kuachs question. The vehicle procession continued on the rugged road again. The mercenaries who suffered one defeat fell silent. All of them couldnt help but feel depressed because they were down by two coworkers. Non-combat losses were more demoralizing than combat losses.
Even their guide, Ulumbo, grew miserable. He initially volunteered at the prospect of earning 1,000 francs, but what was the point of 1,000 francs if hes dead? Without rest, he whispered spells to ward off evil spirits.
Their procession continued at the same speed. When the vehicles fell into a pit, they all got off to push and pull it out, used their shovels to fill the roads with water-filled furrows, and swept away the rocks on the road. The humid climate caused one to sweat even while standing still. Soon, the mercenaries were covered in sweat and dirt. Meanwhile, Black Mamba and Samedi didnt even lift a finger.
This isnt easy. The Sahel was much better, Paul, who was tired of it all, complained while shaking off the dust from his hair.
White dust flew.
My words exactly!
The ergs and hamadas in the Sahel were not heavily roadbound. He could drive as much as he wanted with off-road vehicles. The forest, however, stopped one from moving at all once off-road. The terrain was rugged, and most of the time, there was no way to get around the rocky and wooded slopes.
If someone asks me the difference between heaven and hell, Im going to say a paved and an unpaved road.
Yes, my words exactly! Black Mamba agreed.
Although Im not feeling the aesthetics, the engines amazing. Black Mamba said, pounding on the dashboard.
Renault produces tank power packs. While the engine is loud, it has good power. That b*stards big.
Bang bang
Paul fired warning shots at it with a FAMAS.
Uoo
The silverback that had been sitting on the side of the road jumped to its feet and disappeared. It had not experienced the fear of humans yet.
Despite the poor conditions, the vehicles headed north at an alarming speed of 30 kilometers per hour. With a powerful engine and a sturdy body alongside the devoted crews hard work, the soldiers overcame Zaires heinous lack of capital for infrastructure.
Despite the midday heat, the group settled near Mutwanga, west of the Rwenzori Mountains. Mercenaries of the 13th Regiment shouted No problem out of sheer stubbornness, but Paul chose to set up camp. His men were humans and not monsters like Black Mamba. He wasnt Hannibal or Napoleon either. It was impossible to drag his tired subordinates through Rwenzori, which was 3,000 meters to 5,000 meters above sea level.
The exhausted mercenaries scattered around as soon as the rest order was issued. The 13th Legion Etranger camp was stationed in Djibouti. When else would they experience the forest?
Are you all mad? Get up, now!
Surprised, First Lieutenant Kuach kicked their butts. If they continued to lie down on the ground, they would be attacked by poisonous insects or snakes. The mercenaries rushed to set up tents and scattered boric acid and alum around them.
Black, it seems like mercenaries need to roll with the dust for the rest of their lives. Congos yellow dust is worse than the Sahels sand storm. I wonder how Edel would react at the sight of you now? Hehehe! Paul laughed as he looked at Black Mamba.
Black Mamba looked like a kabuki actor with his face covered in dust. His face was painted white, and only his eyes and nostrils could be seen.
You dont look that great either. Anyway, were running out of time.
Black Mamba looked at the Rwenzori Mountains layered peaks with tired eyes.
Right. Up until now, weve encountered a rabbit path similar to a road, but tomorrow, well have to host an off-road rally. Ulumbo!
Yes, sir!
How far along until Bunia?
200 kilometers left, sir. If we move east of the Rwenzori Mountains and keep going, we can reduce it by 30 kilometers.
You want to pass through that mountain range? Black Mamba asked, his mouth dropped open.
The road from Albert Peak to Margherita Peak is 4,000 meters above sea level. Vehicles cant pass through because there are many swamps and cliffs. We will only be 2,000 meters above sea level if we avoid going inside the mountain range and move along Alexandra Peak. Vehicles can pass through that route too.
Are you kidding me?
Black Mamba glared at Ulumbo. Was 2,000 meters a joke to him? Ulumbo, who misunderstood Black Mambas gaze, quickly clarified.
Margherita is 5,109 meters above sea level. Its hard to pass through, even with your bare body. And the Bakonzo living inside the mountain range are cannibals.
Damn it! Thats worse than I thought, Black Mamba lamented.
While cannibals werent a problem to him, the mountains were. 5,109 meters above sea level meant that they were higher than Mt. Halla stacked on Mt. Baekdu. They would be exhausted by the time they reached the Ituri Rainforest. Bonipas did tell him not to worry, but the time constraint was always on his mind.
Black, dont worry too much. Were all doing this to eat and live. Since we have a professional cook with us, lets eat something good to ease our minds, Paul said, patting Black Mambas shoulder.
That is good news. Good food is a blessing in life. Black Mamba smiled.
As Paul said, lets eat it all up. Eating good food relieved stress and eased ones mind. Paul pointed at the mercenary who was preparing their food.
That guy is Commander Dimanches cook. I cant believe I have the honor to eat Commander Dimanches food, all thanks to you.
Paul was right to say it was an honor. France sending over a cook meant that the country recognized him as Black Mambas friend.
Hell feel like dying, but as long as were happy.
Black Mamba laughed heartily. He remembered the neighborhood feast he saw when he was younger. A few days before the feast, the farmers cleaned up the pigs cages and fed them until they were full. It was kindness given before slaughter. The old mans intention behind sending over his cook was like the farmers kindness toward their pigs before the feast in the bridge village.
You can take the honor that cant even be eaten. I prefer money.
Black Mamba gladly accepted the Oecophylla smaragdinas goodwill.
Chapter 381 - Episode 4: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Wu Qi, the author of the Warring States periods Wuzi strategy, was a master of performance in modern terms. Wu Qi, who led the soldiers to the battlefield, once sucked pus directly out of the swellings on a soldiers back. Moved, the soldier rushed toward the enemy lines. The soldier died, and Wu Qi became prime minister.
Qu Yuan, the godfather of the Zhou dynasty, was a politician with burning patriotism and high ideals. He couldnt realize his dream because of the foolish monarch and courtiers who sucked up to the powerful Qin dynasty like slaves. After he was dismissed, he threw himself into the Miluo River because he couldnt stand the humiliation and absurdity.
[I got to this point because I was clean while everyone else was dirty, and I was awake while everyone else was drunk.]
Those were words that Qu Yuan left behind. Wu Qi and Qu Yuans ideals didnt come from the concept of right or wrong but the concept of difference. Their evaluation also varied depending on the perspective of historians of the next generation.
Black Mamba wasnt the soldier whose pus Wu Qi helped remove or Qu Yuan who couldnt hold back his patriotism. He gained what he gained and gave what he gave. The cook sent by Legion Etrangers commander was nothing but a favor. There was no reason for him to be moved, and he wasnt that foolish to be moved.
Im reminded of the Devil of Explosions, Jang Shin. His ostrich dish was the finest. That guys cooking is on the level of McDonalds, Paul lowered his voice and licked his lips.
His face was flooded with longing. Every time day and night transitioned, Black Mamba went out to hunt for his tired and fearful comrades.
With the company of friends sitting around a campfire under the night sky filled with stars and the long howls of unknown animals, the ostrich meat sliced with daggers tasted heavenly and romantic.
Their bleak journey and the cowards they became for hiding under the tarp to cover their flashlights, in case the FROLINAT scouts saw them, was all forgotten by the time the ostrich meat was cooked. Memories were easily reconstructed and glorified as good ones. That, too, was the secret of evolution.
Scorpions and beetles used to turn into Michelin meals in his hands. If Jang Shin hears you comparing his food to McDonalds, hell come after your head with a cleaver[1]. Black mamba agreed.
The reason why friends were comfortable was that they shared many things in common.
A cook was someone who killed 1,000,000s for the happiness of 1,000,000s. What if a lady had to personally kill a fish to make the hui that she liked? What if a man had to kill the pig himself because he enjoyed pork belly chops? Theyd rather give up the raw fish and pork belly. A cook was naturally a respectable profession.
Whats the point of having a cook? At best, hell cook B-rations with 1,000s of preservatives anyway. I miss the oilless barbeque, Paul complained and glanced at Black Mamba.
Raw meat would spoil within a day due to the humid weather. They couldnt carry around a refrigerator in their car, could they?
Sir, Butembo is a large city. We can buy beef at the butchers shop, Ulumbo interfered.
Whats the population like in Butembo?
There should be over 2,000 people. There are stores that sell all kinds of things, blacksmiths, and even spellcasters who cure your illnesses.
How far is it from here?
About 30 kilometers.
Dude, how can we go back and forth 30 kilometers when its nearing nighttime? Paul complained, discouraged.
Africas 30 kilometers was farther than Frances 300 kilometers. Although he wanted to feed his subordinates with fresh meat, there was no way. Actually, the worlds best hunter was here. All they needed was for Black Mamba to move.
That guys a real bragger.
Black Mamba, who was listening in to Paul and the guides conversation, sighed. The fact that Ulumbo graduated from a French university was a lie. Someone who lived in Paris wouldnt mention spellcasters and call a small village a large one. In the Sahel, he felt comfortable because he had the talented and loyal Ombuti. He pitied himself because he had to trust a guide he barely knew and infiltrate Ituri.
Captain, we need some fresh ingredients, Paul finally opened his mouth after several looks.
What are you saying? Paul, youre the captain? Black Mamba looked at Paul in confusion.
The captain of this operation is Black Mamba. I am a lackey. You order, and I move. Kekeke!
Paul mimicked what Black Mamba said in the past and laughed.
Stop joking around! Once a captain, always a captain.
Paul was a talented commander before a friend. There was no reason for him to interfere. Paul did well on his own.
Ola? You want to show off your skills?
If you want these many people to eat, Ill have to catch something the size of an okapi or mountain gorilla.
Both are protected species. UNESCO and animal rights organizations will shove you in an oven.
F***, are animals the problem when someones about to starve to death?
Of course. There are 1,000,000s of humans but only 1,000 okapis and gorillas. Rare things must be treated well. Thats why youre treated well. You caught an ostrich and addax in the desert, so the forest will be a piece of cake for you. Bring us something big, please?
Although Paul had dozens of subordinates, he asked Black Mamba instead because he was afraid. There were too many poisonous insects and snakes in the equatorial rainforest. The only person who could ignore all those threats was Black Mamba. Also, he was a natural hunter.
Not everyone could hunt just because they could use a gun and shoot well. Wild animals were unnoticeable to the human eye. Hunters werent people skilled at using guns but those with a good sense and knowledge of nature and animals. Black Mamba was the best hunter in the world, in that sense.
Well, I cant ignore a friends request when the requests of dying people are heard. Lets go.
Black Mamba picked up an MP5 and stood up.
Ill be witnessing your skills for the first time in a long while. Mountain hogs are the best for barbecues, though.
Paul followed. Samedi followed closely like a shadow with two mercenaries and two intelligence agents behind him. The forest didnt welcome foreigners as much as the desert. Sensing a foreign presence, the colobus monkeys howled, and the parrots flew away.
There were more than 30 support team members. Small animals wouldnt satisfy anyone. Black Mamba activated his senses.
Amazing!
The endless green world pressed on him like weights. The desert was empty, and the forest was empty in its own way. The forest was quiet, but he could detect countless movements. He could hear a large stag beetle crawling on the bark of a pachira, a snake flicking its tongue in a thicket, a chimpanzee hiding in a huge giant heather branch, a gorilla lurking and disappearing into a bush, and a crocodile flashing its sneaky eyes at the edge of the swampthe forest creatures invaded by strangers moved busily.
The arboreous area at the entrance of Rwenzori was a swampy area with bushes and trees. The density of its trees wasnt very high. The forests swamps and native vegetation made it difficult to walk through.
The dense shrubs and vines blocked his view and held his feet back. Arboreous areas were more difficult to pass through than shrublands. Samedi cleared the path by swinging the machetes in both hands like a windmill.
Samedi, who was leading the group, pointed at the giant cycads surrounding a huge limbali. Black Mamba nodded. Paul squinted his eyes but saw nothing. Black Mamba opened his palm and pressed down twice. It was a signal to conceal themselves and maintain covert activities. The mercenaries lowered their bodies immediately.
Samedi approached the bush in a strange manner, his feet drawing semicircles. The moment he stepped on a dead tree and leaped, a large animal jumped out from behind the heap of cycads. The animal, which gave up hiding, sprinted toward the swamp. It wasnt that agile, but it wasnt comparable to a human. Samedi threw his body into the bush without even looking at the running animal.
Damn! Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
Unstable ki remained in the bushes. It was the animals offspring. The mother revealed itself to distract him. A predators hunting instinct was to target the offspring or weak animals. Samedis hunting instinct took precedence over his rational judgment.
Ill catch it.
Black Mamba shot out like a bullet without a sound. His body slid smoothly on the dense thorny bushes and trees like a snake with its head raised.
The real black mambas will cry! Paul exclaimed.
His friend had changed again. Due to body structure, humans couldnt run and maintain a 20-degree angle to the ground. The joints connecting his head, back, hips, and legs had exceeded the limit of flexion.
He didnt intend to fight the beast for long.
Whoosh whoosh
Sharp impact noises rang. The two darts that left his hand landed on the butt of the animal 30 meters ahead.
Keeeee
A woeful scream was heard.
The animal ran faster after it got hit. His attempt to slow it down failed. The animal was strong. It leaped every time he picked up the pace.
Splash
Water splashed.
Huh!
He didnt know there was a swamp right before the beast. He couldnt have known as it was covered with leaves and plants just like the ground. He heard most swamps in Rwenzori and Ituri were like that. The animal lowered its body into the swamp and left only its nose out.
Putain, we lost it. Paul clicked his tongue once he caught up.
The swamps of Africas forests were crawling with crocodiles, venomous snakes, parasites, and poisonous insects. He didnt dare enter.
Ill get it right away. The mercenary who appeared behind him broke out into a sprint.
That was the typical mercenary behavior, simple ignorance.
You idiot!
Paul grabbed his subordinate by the neck.
Poty, have you lost your mind? This is a swamp, not the clear lakes of the Pyrenees mountains.
The mercenary, who got reprimanded, stared blankly at the eerie swamp covered with green algae and bubbles.
Wakil! Im sorry.
Samedi arrived a while later, scratching his head. The animal dangling by the neck in his hand was slightly bigger than a rabbit. Samedi had no excuses. He didnt know why he went after the offspring when there was a large animal before him.
Its nothing to be sorry about. I guess theres nothing I can do since the offspring is already dead.
He planned to let the mother go if the offspring was still alive, but it was too late. He took out the army rope that Emil gifted him from the pocket of his uniform.
That place isnt a safe hiding spot for you either. Im sorry.
Whoosh
The dart at the end of the rope flickered under the setting sun.
Splash
The moment the dart entered the swamp, Black Mamba twisted his wrist.
Crack crack
Following the movement of his wrist, the rope wrapped itself around the animals neck several times.
Keeeegh
When he pulled on the rope, the animal resisted, unwilling to be pulled out. The tug of war ended in a flash. When Black Mamba flicked his wrist, the animal flew in the air and landed right before Black Mambas foot. The animal basically soared out of the water with the Thousand Wide Steps and crossed the air with the Eight Footed Wise Steps before descending on land.
The animal died without a single sound. Its spine shattered from the immense strength, and its airway was restricted. The thin rope wrapped around the animals neck disappeared into Black Mambas hand.
Its magic!
Paul seemed indifferent, but the four support team members were in awe. They looked just like the children who followed Pied Piper.
Paul said nothing about the monstrous shovel that Samedi swung and the rope that Black Mamba used. One would turn mad trying to understand things that they couldnt understand.
What is this animal? Paul tilted his head.
The animal dragged out of the swamp was huge and easily weighed over 100 kilograms. It had horns and long parted hooves. Its head looked like a goats, but its hooves looked like a cows.
Is it a bushbuck? Black Mamba asked as though he knew.
No. It may look like it, but bushbucks are smaller.
Everything turns into poop once it enters your stomach, bushbuck or not.
Kehehe, Samedi, youre smart. Black Mamba laughed.
That thing was going to enter their stomachs anyway. There was no need to find out its name. That was just a social instinct acquired from complex modern society. The thing that Black Mamba caught was a Sitatunga. Sitatungas lived in Africas eastern swamps. Its similar to bushbucks but one circumference bigger.
Do you need more?
I think we wont have enough.
Black Mamba calculated the meats weight instantly and snapped.
Are you a pig? Eat less!
When slaughtering Korean cattle, the average carcass weight compared to its live weight was around 64 percent. The rest were the head, intestines, hooves, and leather. The carcass weight, excluding the bone, tail, and fat, was around 70 percent. This meant that meat made up 45 percent of its live weight. Pigs had a thick fat layer and shorter legs, so they had a high meat ratio of around 52 percent.
Swamp animals had a similar meat ratio. The meat obtained from a 100-kilogram sitatunga was 45 kilograms. 40 healthy men could manage on 45 kilograms of meat.
An intelligence agent cut down the trees and bushes needed for the fire. Two mercenaries tied the feet of the sitatunga, slid it through a branch, and hoisted it onto their shoulders.
Samedi, are you confused?
Black Mambas voice was soft, unlike his usual self.
Master, no, wakil, why did I do such a stupid thing?
Dont mind it too much. Your hunting instinct briefly overcame your rational judgment. Predators instinctively go after offsprings or the weakest of the pack. They dont even consider the strong and heavily built target even if its right next to them.
Does that mean Im a man-beast? Samedi mumbled, sounding dejected.
[1] A Chinese cooking knife with a rectangular blade.
Chapter 382 - Episode 5: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Hate and aggression are survival instincts and proactive behaviors of all living things. All humans are creatures. The only thing that suppresses them is consciousness resulting from the development of our cerebral cortex. Looking at your physical features, youre from the Maasai tribe. The Maasai tribe is brave enough to steal the meat hunted by a lion. Your hunting instinct is just slightly stronger than other humans. Dont doubt yourself.
Black Mamba alleviated Samedis anxiety by citing Hobbes theory of The War of All Against All as an example.
Wakil, Samedi wants to live as a human. I get so scared whenever I want to eat raw flesh or drink blood.
Samedis big eyes shook. Samedis fear was the same kind of fear he felt before knowing he was an Epidium. He suffered from an identity crisis since he was 11 years old. Humans were social creatures. One couldnt relate to the fear of not feeling like a human unless they have experienced it.
Only humans with developed cerebral cortex suffered from a metaphysical identity crisis. Samedi was no doubt a human. Perhaps, his master deliberately suppressed Samedis dark past.
Samedi, there isnt a single cat that wonders if it is a cat. Your new life began the moment you followed me.
Black Mamba patted his shoulder, which was as big as a rock. Samedi smiled, revealing his teeth. His master was always right.
Stop!
The entire group stopped moving at Black Mambas warning. Samedi moved while holding his breath and jumped over the head of a mercenary, who was carrying the sitatunga.
Crack
Samedis hand swept through the mass of vines hanging overhead called uapaca guineensis[1].
Que ce?[2]
Samedis hand shot out before the nose of the confused mercenary. A thin green snake was struggling in his grasp.
Boomslang! the mercenaries and agents chorused.
It was an existence that one must be very cautious of in the forests of northeast Africa. It was a venomous green snake called Boomslang.
The face of the mercenary, who had been leading, turned pale. If hed taken another step, he would have come face-to-face with the vines. One of those vines was that snake. Cold sweats ran down his back.
The name Boomslang meant tree snake. While its appearance wasnt much as it was on a smaller scale, its venom was more toxic than that of a cobra, and its color kept it well-hidden from sight. A grown man would die within 20 seconds of a Boomslangs bite. The venomous snake that bit Cleopatra when she committed suicide was a Boomslang. It appeared as a beloved guest in mystery novels due to its toxic venom, and there were even records of assassinations using the Boomslangs venom in ancient Egypt.
Thank you! The mercenary, whose face had turned a shade of yellow, bowed deeply.
You should protect yourself, Samedi politely advised.
A faint smile crept across Black Mambas face. Day by day, Samedi sounded more like him.
That guy looked very delicious. Samedi, who was about to put the Boomslang into his mouth, glanced at Black Mamba. He remembered his masters words about how a new life had begun. His master didnt eat raw snakes. He threw the venomous snake onto the grass.
Once dusk fell, nocturnal predators made their appearances. Leopards cried, crocodiles crawled out of swamps, and snakes with their large bodies shook on branchesthe forest slowly turned into a hunting ground. Frightened, they all rushed toward the camp.
Captain, this is a horrible place. I didnt know that I would miss Djiboutis desert this much. Poty trembled, recalling the Boomslang.
He only volunteered because he detested the burning desert, but it seemed like hed lose his life at this rate.
Hehehe, that little incident got you afraid? Stop worrying. You wont die at least.
Paul was relaxed. Black Mamba was the best guard that anyone could ask for. No one could fool Black Mambas senses and attack, be it day or night.
On the second day, the support team picked up pace after replenishing themselves with a fresh, nutritious barbecue and sleep. Two hours later, the team met with an unexpected crisis while cooling down the engine during their break.
The wheels of the cars disappeared while they were smoking and taking care of their needs. Why did the intact wheels disappear? They had sunk into the ground. The cold glaciers flowing down from Rwenzori had seeped into the surface, forming a void. On the surface, it seemed normal, but it was muddy underneath. While the compacted ground could withstand the weight of men, it couldnt hold the weight of vehicles. At that point, the wheels of the three vehicles werent visible at all.
What the hell! What is this? Kuach was hopping mad.
What are you all doing! Reverse! Get the cars out now! Paul shouted.
The mercenaries rushed into the cars hysterically, activated the reverse gear, and stepped on the accelerator.
Voom
The tires relentlessly spewed out dirt and rocks. Seven cars rushed out of the swamp while the wheels of the other three cars continued turning in vain.
Ulumbo, do you have a death wish? Paul shouted.
Ulumbo turned pale.
Sir, this isnt my fault! I think the Rwenzori glaciers must have melted due to climate change. The water that poured down from the mountain peaks must have created this swamp. Ugh, what do we do?
Ulumbo went around in circles like an ant without its antennae. The mercenaries just stared at their sinking cars until the mud reached the bumpers. It continued to sink little by little.
Sergeant, attach the wire ropes.
All the mercenaries rushed forward, attached the wire ropes, and tried to tow them. However, the cars didnt budge even when they stepped on the accelerator to the point that the engine almost exploded. In the midst of it all, a group of screaming monkeys appeared and threw fruits at them.
God, Im about to go mad, mad! Black, help, Paul said as he pounded on his chest.
Ha, I cant tell whether this is a support team or a treasure that needs to be protected. Black Mamba smiled bitterly.
Samedi, lift the front bumpers for them.
Samedi used his monstrous strength to pull out the two-ton large vehicles. The towing car relentlessly pulled the other cars until they were out of the mud. After the forests savage introduction, Paul and Kuach opened the map and fell into contemplation.
Sir, the western regions of Rwenzori are swampy areas with tributaries of the Congo river interconnecting everywhere. It will be rough, but we can avoid it if we take the cliffs of Rwenzori.
I guess there is no other way unless we fly over. We should have prepared a helicopter in the first place. Those chicken-headed b*stards. Paul was seething.
Although their vehicles could move along rugged terrain, they couldnt cross through swamps. Still, he couldnt blame others either since he initially thought that the vehicles would be enough.
Their new route to Rwenzori was rough. There were deep valleys less than a meter wide, and ceiling cliffs blocked their path out of nowhere. The 500 horsepower engine and specially-made tires did their jobs. The cars carefully drove up and down Rwenzoris steep slopes and pulled through the dense forest by crushing the shrubs and bushes in their way.
Even Black Mamba had a difficult time distinguishing the cardinal points. Both desert and forest prevented ones eyes from doing their job. There was no reference point in the desert, and the forest didnt reveal anything hidden behind trees.
Their group arrived at Semliki River, which flowed into Lake Albert, around dinner time. Like madmen, they pushed through 200 kilometers for 14 hours. Their destination, Bunia, was finally around the corner. That place was close to the location where the first Fist of Justice team was annihilated.
Semliki River was narrow but had strong currents. Black Mamba looked down at the river that was barely flowing through the dense forest. When viewed from above, the narrow river covered by the canopy was hardly noticeable. He suddenly remembered Burimer, the fishing fanatic. Memories from when they tried to catch Nile fishes in the Shari River flashed across his mind.
Black, are you thinking about Burimer?
Black Mamba nodded silently.
What do you think of fish for dinner? Paul, who was hungry as always, instigated him.
Paul, I think you should really go to the military council.
Why?
People who run their mouths and do nothing productive gather there. Black Mamba grinned and pulled out a hunting knife from his ankle holder.
It was an excellent Gerber hunting knife gifted to him by Bellman.
It was a leaf-stop knife made of stainless steel with a blade length of 60 millimeters and a total length of 170 millimeters, including the sheath. The one-handed opening type was useful for small tasks.
He released the shuriken from his army rope and tied the rope to the hole on the Gerber knifes end.
Ulumbos eyes followed Black Mamba, who was heading down to the river. Ulumbo was a curious and smart Bantu tribe teenager. He managed to learn French by working with the Doctors Without Borders organization for five years in Kazeze and became a local DGSE guide, thanks to a French doctors recommendation.
He was absolutely amazed by the Asian Special Military Advisor. His villages spellcaster was nothing compared to that man. His body trembled with excitement, wondering what kind of magic trick the young Asian man would show next.
Semliki River had a high flow, just like most of the lakes in the East African Rift. The river crashed violently against the towering rocks, twisted like a dragon, and disappeared. Drops of water and foam scattered like mist.
Uah! Ulumbo shouted.
The Asian man jumped into the river. He would face immediate death if the currents swept him away.
Be quiet. Youre going to interrupt our master.
Hm!
Surprised, Ulumbo clammed up. The black man before him right now was the presence called Vodun that the spellcaster often threatened the villagers with.
Black Mamba landed gently on a large rock in the middle of the river. The currents were incredibly violent from up close. The river crashed and rolled against the rock, causing big splashes and creating small whirlpools. He released his dimensional sight and assessed the water.
Why are there so many fishes!
It was basically half-water, half-fish. From small minnows the size of his palm to monstrous ones the size of his body, there were a lot. He could detect all of their movements. Burimer said that Africa had all the best fishing spots in the world, and it seemed like he was right.
Black Mamba stood still and stared into the water when his wrist suddenly flinched. The Gerber knife flashed and disappeared into the water. The rope got sucked into the whirlpool. That wasnt the kind of romantic fishing where one waited for the fish to take the bait with their fishing rod by the side. It was purely hunting.
Its caught!
He felt a strong resistance on his rope. He released the rope slightly. Army ropes were 200 meters long. The fishes were strong. The entire length was released in an instant.
I hope it doesnt snap.
He used his muscles and tugged at it hard.
Splash
A big fish jumped out of the water. It was bigger than a human being. The jaws of all the team members, who were witnessing the extraordinary fishing from the bank, dropped open. Bait setting, reeling, and hookingall of that were unnecessary. It was barbaric fishing that only required pure strength.
Mon dieu, cest vrai?[3]
Cest incroyable![4]
Un art![5]
There were several exclamations. The overwhelming savagery of the barbarian, who caught a big fish on his own and was standing tall on a rock surrounded by foam in the middle of the river, made it seem like they were looking at a work of art.
The Gerber knife pierced the back of the fishs gill and left through the opposite eye. The fish with the pierced head was already dead. Only its tail fin, where motor neurons were still intact, flinched now and then.
Giant piranha! Giant piranha! Ulumbo shouted at the top of his lungs.
Giant piranha? What a horrible creature.
Its body that reached four feet long was remarkable, but its sparse teeth were even more impressive. Dagger-like teeth the size of his pinky lined the fishs mouth. It seemed like fishes werent the norm in Africa either. That b*stard would have hunted him down had he fallen into the river. The lakes that flowed in the land of barbarism were barbaric, and the fishes that lived inside were also barbaric.
Black Mamba threw the monster at Ulumbo.
Aaah!
Samedi grabbed the back of Ulumbos neck, moved him away, and effortlessly caught the fish with one hand.
Captain, is the Special Military Advisor possibly Azrael? The person whos known to be Chads nightmare?
The rumor about Azrael destroying the FROLINATs northern army was widely known in the Djibouti Legion too. No average human would be able to pull off such a feat. First Lieutenant Kuach, who realized he was witnessing a legend, couldnt hide his excitement.
Shh.
Paul quickly stopped Kuach mid-sentence.
Kuach, the advisors someone assigned as the special consultant of this operation by the government. Regardless of his status, if you dont want to be dishonorably discharged, stop caring and dont say a word. I dont want to draw a line on my subordinates resume with my own hands, you understand?
Yes, sir, Kuach lowered his voice and looked around.
Whod believe me anyway? That b*stards fist will land on my face if I ever ask for a signature.
Kuach glanced at the big black man with a regretful expression on his face. That man was also equally strong.
Black Mamba caught another big one.
Ive seen this one before.
It looked like a tilapia, but it was bigger. The tilapia was 50 centimeters long and served steamed or grilled in France. In Korea, they were called reverse sea bream, and sashimi and sushi restaurants often sold them as sea breams. However, the guy in his hand was 150 centimeters long.
He caught another giant piranha and wrapped up fishing. One enjoyable aspect of fishing was the push-pull between the fisher and fish. Fishing out of pure strength wasnt fishing but hunting. Since there was no need for any push-pull, he lost interest. That marked the end of his peace too. He would be making his way into Ituri, the most infamous forest on earth, tomorrow.
[1] A type of epiphyte.
[2] What is it?
[3] My God, is this real?
[4] This is impossible!
[5] Its art!
Chapter 383 - Episode 6: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Kuachi, we managed to pull through the infamous Rwenzori without a single loss thanks to your gears. You did well.
It has been a pleasure, sir. This is all thanks to the Special Military Advisor and Samedi, anyways. I feel like Ive been more of a burden than an aid. Its embarrassing, Lieutenant Paul shook his head at Pauls praise.
He had managed to avoid losing the vehicles and sending a rescue signal thanks to two supernatural people who went beyond the limits of humans. In fact, the reason he was alive was because of those two. If they hadnt existed, he would have been shot to death by a bee, killed by a poisonous snake, fallen into a swamp and died, or fallen off a cliff and died.
Those friends are from Legion Etranger too. Legion Etrangers arent ashamed of getting help from comrades. If it hadnt been for Legion Etranger, who else would have made a 420km path through the harshest conditions of East Africa in two days? You can take that belt off and drink.
Act! Ill be right back after kicking that cooks butt.
Hehe, to think that Ill taste a giant Piranha Meunire (a French dish where a headless and tailless fish is cooked in flour and butter) in Africa.
Paul, who had an everlasting appetite, licked his lips. Not only Paul, but all mercenaries had a huge appetite. Males whose lives are threatened instinctively get increased sexual desire and appetite.
The cook used a large banana leaf as a serving plate and heaved a giant piranha dish onto the field table.
Ola, the scent which rings ones soul! Paul smiled as though he was about to cheer.
Lieutenant, sir, if someone kicks the cooks butt, we spit on the dish. You wont enjoy a spit-filled dish, now, would you? The cook scolded. He had good hearing.
Damn it, you heard me? Kuachis face grew dark.
Now he was fated to eat spit-spat food.
Chef Sergeant, forgive our lieutenant, hm? Both humans and animals growl when theyre hungry.
That is true. Kekeke! The cook laughed as though he understood.
Paul used a knife and a branch to take a piece of the fish, then made an awed expression.
Oh, heavens on my tongue. You can give Montparnasses flounder meunire to the dogs. I should become a Semuliki fisherman instead of a mercenary.
Ha, right! It tastes good, though, Black Mamba laughed.
He couldnt imagine Paul reeling up a fishhook when he was a mercenary down to his bones. The fish dish with parsley sauce, however, deserved Pauls praise.
Its because of the amazing ingredient you got us, Special Military Advisor. Sciaccarello is the best accompaniment for fish dishes, the cook said in a brighter mood and handed him a wine flask.
Oh, Sciaccarello! Black Mamba said in glee.
Wow!
Screams erupted. The mercenaries had been drinking even before the cook took the Sciaccarello out, opening up cans. The three fish Black Mamba caught were more than enough to feed everyone. Mercenaries dont worry themselves over tomorrow.
Black, no, Dubaiburupa. Ugh, I keep forgetting. Well be arriving at Camp Bunia tomorrow morning. There are over 2,000 Mai Mai forces from the east of Lake Albert, where the Ituri Jungle begins. Dont you think youll need fire support?
Samedis enough as fire support. The problem is the captives. Humans cant live well in deserts or jungles. Im more concerned about the people I need to save, not the people I need to get rid of. Theyve been kidnapped for six months already. While it will be fortunate if theyre alive, Black Mamba trailed off. Red tape and overwhelming pride were the French militarys incurable diseases. Stubborn Germaine had called him in too late.
Frances main enemy isnt the Warsaw pact but the media and public opinion. A military leader had lost the golden time trying to fend off criticisms due to sheer stubbornness. Not even the Heads of all those departments would believe in the hostages survival. They must want to keep face by saving at least a portion. There is no need to force yourself.
While the government failed to succeed, it still tried to save its people despite great losses in both money and manpower. Im truly envious of France.
Black Mamba poked at the bonfire with a stick. Sparks shot up and flickered in the night sky like fireflies. He felt bitter. The Korean government had ignored the soldiers who were held captive in North Korea. The Department of Foreign Affairs was nothing but a tour guide to politicians and members of the parliament. Korea was the country that ignored the signal that an escaped captive soldier had sent from a third-world country. Who would raise their guns for Korea if that continues?
Great Master, were 70km to Bunia. If we take route 27 north at dawn, well arrive within three hours. Do you have further orders? Ulumbo asked carefully.
He wasnt glancing at Black Mamba anymore. His careless personality from their first day had disappeared, too. He was being called Great Master now. He was an innately sly man.
Ulumbo, you report and receive orders from the captain. Go take your break. Black Mamba said, coldly sending him away.
Dont be too mean. The weak ones are wired to instinctively follow the strong, Paul smiled a bitter smile.
There wasnt a never-ending party. The fire died and darkness pressed over the camp. Black Mamba slid into the Goatex-made sleeping bag.
The jungle woke the deeper the night grew. The sound of the hunter and the hunted, the sharp screams of some unknown animals, the sound of Semuliki Rivers fierce waters, and the sound of insects chewing through leaves kept the night awake.
Black Mamba slept well despite the cries of predators and sliding poisonous snakes ringing in his ears. As long as Samedi, the greatest predator of all, was next to him there wasnt a reason for him to be alert. Mercenaries had to rest when they could. Gathering energy is the first step towards a successful mission.
Like Ulumbo had guaranteed, once they set out at the break of dawn the team met their morning at Bunias base camp. This was three days since they had gathered at Bukavus airfield. The relief team gathered weapons that Black Mamba needed at the base camp and gave him information. They would only leave when Black Mamba finished the mission or ended up dead.
The agents who had been waiting at the base camp greeted them, Act, Im the team leader of Barakuta of the Intelligence Department, Holland.
Those bastards recent tracks?
They came into contact with the Pygmy tribe in Mambasa.
Black Mamba inputted Mambasa into the GPS.
Thats 190km west from here.
Yes, sir. We lost contact with the agent the moment he sent in the information.
Amen! Did you figure out their numbers and equipment?
We presume theyre a company at least. There arent traces of any firepower or explosives yet.
It seems like DGSE likes to predict things. You got the orders to support me in this mission if I so desire, right?
The intelligence department liked presuming too much, both the old and young. Black Mamba decided to scare the man a little as a joke.
Y, yes, sir. Blood drained from Hollands face.
Ituri was the graveyard for intelligence agents. He, too, nearly died several times. He would rather resign than enter the infamous Ituri Jungle again.
Ulumbo, do you know Mambasa? Black Mamba turned to look at his guide.
Of course, sir. Its a region with five scattered Pygmy tribes. Its a ten-day walk from here.
Good, team leader Holland, you wait here.
Act! Holland, who was breathing a sigh of relief, unknowingly gave him a salute. Hed live thanks to the local guide.
Damn it, why are there so many things to carry?
The local division gave additional equipment on top of things Emil had packed for him. He determined that the mission was going to take at least two weeks. Of course, food and water took up the most space. 200 C-rations, 10kg of camel date palms, 10 two-liter water bottles, and two 5-liter water bottles filled his bag.
Jungles, despite being humid enough to have water drip off leaves, didnt have enough freshwater for humans to drink. There was a high chance those pools of water held several kinds of bacteria and diseases considering the high temperature. Even flowing water wasnt safe either. No one could tell what parasites it held.
Even the dew on leaves and grasses were hard to trust. Plants in the Ituri Jungle were heavily geared for survival. Many trees released poisonous chemicals to stop the growth of other trees.
He had no choice but to accept reality by packing several water bottles, purifiers, and water tablets to survive in a jungle with over 95% humidity in the air.
Another thing that took up space after food and water were the bullet magazines of their Meg machine gun. Bullets take up more space than one thinks. A 7.62mm51mm NATO shells bullet weight is 9.33g, and the combined weight of the casing and charged gunpowder is about 20g. That comes up to 20kg for 1,000 rounds. The weight of 5,000 rounds that Samedi packed was 100kg.
While Black Mambas backpack had Boss-saurus tendon as a bulletproof plate, Samedis backpack held a bulletproof plate made of titanium and kebla. Just the backpack alone weighed 8kg.
Samedi took the sleeping bags, tents, rubber boats, other gears and water, and food. With the machine gun, 5,000 rounds, 5L water bottles, beds, boats, C-rations, and others, the weight he had to carry was over 200kg.
The weight Black Mamba had to carry wasnt small either. He had fixed the Dragunov and MP5 to the sides of his backpack, had four Dragunov magazines, 400 rounds of bullets, five MP5sd3 magazines, 600 bullets, 200 darts, emergency rations, and a 30kg Rakshasa in the backpacks lower compartment. The backpack weighed over 100kg. He added first aid and water to it.
C-rations filled Ulumbos backpack, and in the spare areas, spare bullets and gifts to exchange with the Pygmy tribe.
He checked his weapons after strapping up the backpack. There was a Kukri in his left armpit hold, 20 darts to the pocket on his left wrist, a Glock on his left ankle, and a Gerber knife on his right, as well as a Glock on his belt. There were Dragunov magazines in his smaller bag and two MP5 magazines, and he added two more water bottles in another pouch.
He got rid of the army rope stored in his upper jackets pocket and slid in his precious GPS instead. He flipped the mask with ocher stripes on a green background inside out and connected the Velcro attached to the Kevlar lightweight helmet to the top. This was a combat suit designed to prevent poisonous insects from invading through the nape of ones neck. Finally, his bare eyes disappeared behind goggles.
The BDU (battle dress uniform) Black Mamba wore was a woodland patterned disguise suit made up of black and brown. BDUs were made to assimilate into the surrounding environment. On the other hand, the ACU (army combat uniform) adopted by the US military is made up of light green on a grey background to make it less impressionable. Of course, the BDU is more advantageous in the jungle. Black Mamba was repeatedly told of the Ituri Jungles notoriety. He prepared according to the old motto of Legion Etranger: Only those who prepare, survive.
Wow, I look like Im ready to beat up some space alien, Black Mamba smiled bitterly at his attire.
He wondered whether there had ever been such a heavily-equipped warrior like him in the history of mercenaries.
Samedi finished gearing up by wearing a uniform, helmet, and a titanium-gold jungle knife. Black Mamba didnt criticize his attire. The guys body itself was a bulletproof vest.
You could catch a dragon, Paul joked as he watched them suit up, but his expression wasnt as bright.
He believed in Black Mambas ability, but the mission environment was too harsh. There were more than guerrillas threatening his life. The entire jungle was a threat.
Paul took off the opal Misbaha necklace around his neck and clasped it around Black Mambas.
Its my mothers remaining belonging. You need to return it when you come back.
Fine. It doesnt look that expensive to go through the efforts of stealing.
Hehehe, dont ask too much from a poor mercenary. The intelligence department must have already told you this, but no one knows what goes on within the Ituri Jungle. Only the Pygmy tribe knows. I heard the Pygmy tribe is very fearful. Grab and have one as your guide.
Thanks for the advice.
I hope Allahs protection is with you!
Stop worrying and prepare to advance ranks, yeah? And a box of Sciaccarello to give me for your promotion.
Black Mamba slapped Pauls shoulder and dragged Paul and Ulumbo into the black forest.
Forty heated eyes followed Black Mambas back as he blended into the Devils Forest.
Captain, I know the Advisor is very talented, but will they make it with just two people?
Paul laughed at Kuachis worries, Kehehe, havent you been attacked by those bees? Not a thousand honey bees would be able to defeat a general bee. Anyone who went against that guy was fated to end poorly. If the captives are alive, Im sure hell bring them back. All we need to do is get ready to wrap up and take out the trash.
God, please have mercy over France! Someone shouted a prayer Jeanne DArc shouted before entering a battle.
Hh, I cant even breathe.
It was the first sentence he said after walking through the jungle for an hour. The legend of the black forest hadnt been a lie. There were white masses of something, he couldnt tell whether it was fog or mist, floating around, and water dripped from above. The hot humid air pressed down on his lungs. His chest grew suffocated, despite being on the outskirts of the jungle. That was how heavy the air was.
Black Mamba had Samedi lead the way, and Ulumbo behind Samedi. While he could take care of predators and poisonous snakes with Samedi, he couldnt do anything about poisonous insects. If their guide dies from a poisonous insect, hed be a cut-off kite, an egg laid bare in the river.
Chapter 384 - Episode 7: Ituri, Fist of Justice
He didnt intend to wander the great jungle which was the size of Korea by losing his guide, not a single bit.
The forest was quiet to the point of offensive. The sound of Columbus monkeys quacking and Samedi cutting the vines and branches with his machete were the only things which shook the silence.
Crack, crack. Samedi slowed down, trying to break through a bush. The bush which was as thick as his ankle individually and had thorns like a crocodiles teeth was on an entirely different level from the ones he saw at Wol Song San. Even Samedi had to pause and smack down all the bushes which were as strong as thorny iron fences. He sighed. At this rate, all the captives would die.
Samedi, there isnt enough time. We need to get through in three days.
Samedi glanced at Ulumbo with a dissatisfied gaze. Thats going to be hard, because of this weak one.
Is he mad? Ulumbo lowered his head and pouted, afraid of the huge black man noticing.
It was impossible. It was 190 km to Mambasa in a direct line. Ituri Jungle wasnt some park. There were infamous swamps, cliffs, and valleys. While the river could be crossed on a boat, they had no choice but to go around cliffs.
From his experience, Ituri Jungle wasnt something that could be walked through quickly out of desire. No matter how fast one went, one couldnt go further than 10 C 15km a day. Trying to force oneself only decreased strength and speed. Even the ten days he mentioned was a time period he calculated with their special abilities in mind.
If the guide isnt able to follow the clients needs, he should retire. Were going to abandon you if you hold us back.
Oh no, Im going. Definitely. Of course we can break through in three days, Ulumbo shook his hands at the threat. Hed rather jump into a glacier crevice of Rwenzoris Mahagarita than be left alone in Ituri Jungle. While his remains would be preserved in the glaciers, not even his bones would remain in Ituri Jungle.
He says he doesnt have a problem! Black Mamba said, looking and smiling at Samedi.
Okay.
Samedi shoved the machete into his backpack and took out Squeaker instead. Once he connected the entire stick to his shovel, it became a 120cm long indestructible weapon.
Whoosh! Squeaker rolled like a windmill. The 50 cm-long blade cracked apart trees, bushes, and twigs without a single pause.
Whoosh! The broken leaves and pieces of trees covered their sight. The snakes, lizards, and other creatures which hadnt been able to flee met their ends. Samedi grew distant suddenly.
Theres no better human bulldozer.
A smile rose on Black Mambas mouth. It had been a good choice to bring Samedi along.
Uuuh! Surprised, Ulumbo could only stare at the empty road which had been trampled as though a herd of elephants went by.
What are you doing? Run! A monster growled behind him.
Ah!
Ulumbo, who felt his life being threatened, ran instinctively without a second thought. He became the first man on earth to run in the Ituri Jungle.
Two hours had passed since they entered. The forest was dark, as though night had fallen. Now, it was truly Ituri, where the canopies were thick. Ituri is a tropical rainforest that has developed secondary and tertiary vegetation. Since a middle-level canopy forms 20m above the ground, sunlight is blocked. As a result, it gained the notoriety of its name, Black Forest.
The canopy is the roof of the jungle that appears in a rainforest. Rainforest trees grow from 40m to 50m high. Their dense branches and leaves along the treetop tangle to form a 10m thick layer. Ituris canopy is continuous as an unfolding carpet. It can travel hundreds of kilometers without reaching the ground.
Canopies protect the rainforests soil by guarding against storms and heavy rain. When heavy rain pours onto a rainforests surface without a canopy, layers of organic matter are lost without a chance to accumulate. The canopy blocks sunlight and inhibits plant growth, while at the same time, providing plenty of fertilizer to its feet. This is why destroyed rainforests are difficult to recover.
The dark forest suddenly grew bright. A rather large lake blocked their path.
Its Ituri River.
Ituri River? How many rivers are there in Ituri Jungle?
No one knows. Rivers appear out of nowhere after heavy rain. There are five main rivers and countless small ones. The rivers I know number around 30.
Whoa, it seems like Holland had a reason to prepare two rubber boats, Black Mamba nodded.
There are rivers and swamps at the base of exceptionally thick forests and various animals. Plants flourish only when water is abundant, and animals are abundant when plants flourish. Of the 100 million species of animals estimated to be in existence, 60% live in rainforests, and less than 0.01% are desert species.
Wakil, should we swim over since weve sweated a lot? That sounded like something only Samedi could say.
You cant. Theres a lot of Candirus in the lakes and swamps. It digs into your private parts and anus, so you die twitching around. Even the Pygmy tribe doesnt enter the waters in fear of Candiru, Ulumbo freaked out.
Candiru is a catfish native to South America and Eastern Africa. Its translucent torso is only 20 C 30mm, but it is fatal. It mainly penetrates the gills of fish and feeds on blood, and also traces the smell of ammonia to penetrate the urine and anus of animals. Some invade blood vessels and suck on human blood, while others eat soft organs.
What a dirty creature. Guide, inflate the boats. Samedi lowered the small rubber boat from their backpack without a second protest. Samedi wouldnt like Candirus which digs into ones anus either.
Ulumbo, whod spread out the rubber boat and was looking for its air tube, stopped working and whispered, Great master!
Ulumbos eyes were fixed on a grey snake 5 meters away, which had its head raised. Its black eyes were pointed at Ulumbo for certain.
Is it a king cobra?
The sound of hisses rang out from its split tongue, its head raised a meter off the ground as though it was offended. The evil air which only radiates off horrible reptiles was sent out. It was fiercely searching for the scent and heat of its target, spread through the air. Once it finishes analyzing, it begins to attack. He thought it was a king cobra, considering its long 5m body.
No, sir. Its a black mamba.
Hm! Thats a black mamba?
Mu Ssang, whose call name was Black Mamba, was looking at a real black mamba for the first time in his life. It didnt seem to have a great aura compared to its infamy. It just looked like a large-bodied snake. Well, if there was an animal Black Mamba had to guard against on Earth, that would be a notable incident.
The inside of its jaw is black, just as I heard. This damn things glaring and hissing at me. It doesnt know its place.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue at the black mambas provocation. No one couldve walked away happy from an immovable snakes glare and hissing tongue. Predators recognize the others strength instinctively. Reptiles and amphibians react according to their IRM (Innate Behavior). The black mamba was nothing but a mere creature that didnt know its place.
Wakil, it looks good to eat.
Brat, therere plenty of better things to eat. You cant eat snakes raw since it has parasites.
Their conversation was full of leisure. Ulumbo thought his insides would burn at the nonchalance. Black mambas were snakes he never wanted to face. King cobras wouldnt attack as long as the human didnt. Black mambas were the only snakes that would attack humans first. The black mamba had raised half of its body. The snakes head which was shaking above their eye level was fear in and of itself.
Ah, I think its going to attack! Ulumbo cried.
Raising half of its body meant it was very offended. Black mambas were fast and unrelenting creatures. While tribe members who were done in by cobras or salmosas managed to survive, those attacked by black mambas or boomslangs died without a chance to visit the hospital. 5 meters were enough for the black mamba to reach out once. Ulumbos eyes went hazy at the slit eyes which glared at him. His mind grew hazy too.
Dude, snap out of it. Does it attack when humans stay still?
Yes, yes, sir.
There wasnt a way Black Mamba would miss the snakes movements with his dimensional sight in place. His hand moved to his Glock handle. Whoosh! The black mamba soared out, kicking off the ground. Its long body which had been curled up in an S-shape stretched out, and its tail kicked off the ground. Black Mamba was surprised. Snakes were things that crawled, not jumped. He realized there were jumping snakes too, for the first time.
Aaagh! Ulumbo cried.
Black Mamba shoved the Glock back in his belt. The show hadnt even begun. He didnt want to waste a single bullet on the creature. Samedi was there, so he didnt need to step forward either.
You rude thing!
Whoosh! Samedi stepped in before Black Mamba and swung his Squeaker diagonally. Flash! The blade glinted from a stray of sunlight which made it through the thick canopy. The black mambas head was sliced off a cheeks length away from Black Mamba. It was only after its long body slapped down onto the ground that its head followed.
Uwuh! Ulumbo let out an unrecognizable scream.
A human who didnt even blink when a black mamba rushed at him, and another human who swung around that large weapon. Both werent humans for sure.
The headless black mamba shook violently. Even its large head which was some ways away opened and closed its mouth. Reptiles are stronger than amphibians in terms of life. Since its nerves dont only operate from the brains commands, it wont die immediately from having its head cut off.
Huh, whats that?
Black Mambas face creased. An impossible scene unfolded before them. The sliced-off head bounced on itself and dug its fangs into its twitching body. The black mamba rolled around with its body in its own mouth. The body, which still had active senses, worked hard to push its head away, and the head continued to grapple with its body.
Hic! Ulumbo hiccupped at the disgusting scene.
No creature on earth could continue to live with its head off. The black mamba, however, continued to show its offensive side even while it died. The three humans looked blankly at the disgusting madness the snake continued to hold.
It was said that black mambas were the most poisonous snakes of all, and it seemed like they truly were. While it didnt appear to be much, it definitely had a temper. Even humans who had temper issues hurt themselves. It truly wasnt a good scene to look at.
That zombie bastard! Samedi growled. Anger rose on his expressionless face.
Crack, crack, crack. The Squeaker divided the black mamba into dozens of pieces. Black Mamba thought he could understand Samedi. He was denying the snakes existence.
Back to work.
Yes, sir! There was a lot of strength in his answer. Ulumbo stepped fervently on the pedal air pump and filled the rubber boat up. Even Samedi crawled onto the two-seater boat. The river water lapped around the boats edges as though itd crawl into the boat any moment. Ulumbo rowed very carefully.
Ulumbo!
Yes, great master.
Why did you volunteer for this dangerous task?
Im of the French intelligence department, sir. I need to carry out orders once theyre given.
Stop rambling. Whats the real reason?
I want to marry. I need to give five cows and ten goats to the womans family to marry. But I dont have enough money, Ulumbo said slightly guiltily.
I see. Of course, men should marry and have children. You shouldnt die until this mission ends if you want to marry, hm?
Yes!
Your role is to guide us. You dont need to go into battle. No matter what you have to do, protect your life first.
I understand, sir.
What do you think of Samedi?
I, I think hes the Bodun.
Right. Samedis a Bodun. You signed the secrecy clause when you were trained by the intelligence department, right?
Yes, it was written that those who tell secrets will be erased by the DGSEs eraser team without a single soul knowing.
Right. If you tell anyone about me and Samedi, Samedi will get to you first before the eraser team. You understand what I mean?
Yes, sir. I dont want to lose my soul on top of dying.
Survive until the end. Once the mission ends, Ill give you a thousand francs myself, Black Mamba said, patting Ulumbos shoulder.
Thank you, great master. I may be a weak person, but Im not foolish. Ill have my soul eaten by the Bodun if I say a single word, Ulumbo said, lowering his head deeply.
One thousand francs was enough to get a wife and buy livestock. Furthermore, the great master and the Bodun were scary people.
Ill trust you. Can you talk to the Pygmy tribe?
Yes, sir. They dont have a language of their own. They use the Bantu language.
Good. This missions success depends on the Pygmy tribe. I know nothing about them. You need to buy their trust.
Even if it hadnt been for Ariba and Pauls advice, he had planned on looking for the Pygmy tribe first. A missions success depended on the wealth of information first, and the manpower second. The entire jungle was a concealing factor and concealment. Information was important, not the number of guerrillas. A lot of guerrillas were just annoying and bothersome. The only place to gain information in Ituri Jungle was the Pygmy tribe. He couldnt ask the chimpanzees or gorillas for the way, now, could he?
I dont even have to go, sir. The Pygmy tribe folds to the strong completely. As long as you show them a bit of your power, theyll fold, great master.
Really? Tribes with fundamentally barbaric instincts fear and grow wary against outsiders. If thats true, why did they kill white men?
According to the report, most of the losses in their third team came from the Pygmy tribes poisonous arrows. The poison they extracted from the dead bodies was a mix of the Pygmy tribes blue poisonous frog and black beaked toads poison. Pygmies were known to be the only hunters in the Ituri Jungle. All evidence pointed to the obvious attacker.
Chapter 385 - Episode 8: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Thats impossible. The Pygmy tribespeople are peaceful enough even the blacks living on the outskirts of Ituri consider them idiots. The reason they act out is that they dont have a concept of personal belongings. They respect people with large statues, so the Kigoma tribe and Banande tribe order them around like slaves sometimes. The Pygmy tribe members would never be so evil as to kill a person, Ulumbo leaped to their defense.
The Pygmy tribe killing white men was as ridiculous as a monkey defeating and eating a leopard.
Many Frenchmen died from poisonous arrows around the Ituri and Rwenzori regions. The DGSE thinks that had been the work of the Pygmy tribe.
They were killed by human hunters.
Human hunters? Black Mamba asked at Ulumbos certainty.
Some evil tribes under the Bantu tribe kill or kidnap blacks, albinos, whites, and Pygmies. They believe that having a part of a black, albino, or white persons body gains them wealth and power, success, and fortune. They believe they gain physical strength and increased fertility by eating the Pygmies. Human hunters catch whites and sell their body parts. Their wrists, ankles, thigh bones, and collar bones are sold expensively. An albino baby is sometimes sold for the price of ten cows. Those dirty human hunter bastards and spell casters have basically thrown their blame on the Pygmy tribe.
Black Mambas face grew hard. He remembered the mountain of wrist bones that had been piled in the basement of Samaria Farms church.
Is their leader a spell caster?
Yes, there are voodoo spell casters and Marabus (priests of West Africa) of spiritual religions. Those evil spell casters encourage ignorant locals to commit evil acts to earn money and increase their influence.
That just ruins my mood.
The gears in Black Mambas head turned rapidly. Ulumbos words werent something to be ignored. There was a high chance the kidnappers werent simple rebels but a religious armed organization. This led to some horrible imaginations. Some women of prime age were in the Areva exploration team.
He suddenly had a probable theory that the religious armed forces raised hostages as though they were raising pigs deep inside the Ituri Jungle. This explained why the kidnappers were threatening yet dragging out the negotiations with the French government. In this case, there was a good and bad point. The bad point was that he would have a harder time finding their hideout, but the good point was that the captives were more likely to be alive.
How evil could a person get? Humans, once they lose the conditions of being human, can fall endlessly. While those who wear the mask of religion to commit crimes deserve death, he didnt have the time to spare mercy to those poor and ignorant people who were easily used by someone elses greed. Those who take others lives must prepare to give their own.
Samedi, what do you think are the conditions of being human?
Samedis not smart. I cant think of complicated things. Big master said I need to learn from my master, Samedi replied in Korean, saying each word clearly.
For a tadpole to become a frog, it doesnt need to be taught to move its tongue to swipe an insect out of the water. Frogs dont do that because theyre insects; they do that because they move. If a grasshopper doesnt move, the frog doesnt recognize it, and if a stone moves it swallows that. The frogs instinct to reach out with its tongue to a moving object is created by a special function called the innate releasing mechanism (IRM). The idiots who follow the spell casters and eat their own tribe members, serve some ridiculous god, and believe in false legends do so because of the IRM in their DNA. The evolution of humans is the development of self-consciousness which defeated this IRM. If a man harms and eats another man, thats no different from a frog. You should always think twice before talking and acting.
Now that he was explaining, he grew frustrated. Samedi had a simple-tracked mind. He didnt know how to explain this to him. Black Mamba finally thought he could guess how hard a time his master had spent trying to teach him.
Wakil, white mens and black mens meat taste the same. Their blood doesnt taste different either. Eating white men wont change anything. The spell casters a liar. The religion those liars believe in is also a lie. Why do smart people listen to liars?
Hehehe, all religions brainwash their followers. They make their followers believe theyre specially selected people. In this age, they teach them theyre much better than the followers of other religions, and that theyll gain great rewards after death. Religious leaders never preach about acting according to ones conscience and morals. This is because the world that religion makes is unfair. Altruistic acts such as charitable acts are concentrated on believers of the same religion.
Thats illogical.
Oh! Youve become very smart. Illogical theories arent the weak points of religions; theyre their strong points. Those who believe that eating Pygmies or whites makes them stronger and cures all illnesses will band together. If outsiders criticize their actions, they believe those outsiders are invaders of their faith and those who harm their great leaders teachings. Those within who doubt their leaders teachings are perceived as heathens to be rid of. The reason why normal humans become frogs bound by evil religions and belief in spells are because of their greed. Their greed to take someone elses success without putting in any effort themselves. You, too, need to practice suppressing your desires.
I dont drink human blood. I dont kill people without reason, Samedi defended himself.
He withheld himself even when he wanted to tear into human flesh and drink human blood. Hed been surviving on tasteless animal blood alone, so he felt disappointed when his master asked him to withhold himself more.
Youre doing well. People who control their greed arent fooled by others easily. You must learn how to control your greed to be human. Humans arent frogs.
Then can I kill humans who are frogs?
You can. When humans lose their conditions of humanity, theyre no different from frogs. I dont know gods, but I do know my morals. I may be able to ignore God, but Im unable to ignore my conscience. All humans have a right to protect their humanity, freedom, and wealth. Humanity, freedom, and wealth are the three characteristics that allow a person to live like a human. When they are invaded, of course the invader should be rid of. What is a sinner? A sinner is someone who invaded someone elses humanity, freedom, and wealth through force. Some people say they hate sins, but not the person who sinned. You, of course, shouldnt hate humans. Hate the hand which sinned, the brain that did the sin, and the heart that promised sin.
Boom! A resonance he did not intend to release shook Samedis mind. The warning of the Buddhist priest Dae Woo implanted in Samedis brain disappeared weakly.
Wakil is smart. I think I got it now. Samedi doesnt hate humans. But I will cut off the hands, dig out the eyes, pull out the hearts and slice off the heads of those who have lost the conditions of being human.
A red light glinted from deep within Samedis eyes. His self-consciousness which had been wavering, not knowing where to turn, regained its balance. A soul which had been wandering, yearning for a place to take root, landed on a protective place called Black Mamba.
Fated to kill, that brat.
Black Mamba felt a chill in his heart. Son Wu Kongs golden band would definitely activate. But whether his masters Tight-Fillet Spell would activate on conditions was yet to be known.
There werent coincidences in worldly matters. If his flight to Ituri from the other side of the world was heavens will to erase those non-humans, the same reason would apply to Samedi.
Black Mamba and Samedis conversation were later written across Novatopias foundation temple as such: [Those who steal anothers freedom, humanity, and wealth will be called frogs. Frog-humans must repay the victim twice-fold, and will be treated like frogs for an agreed duration.]
Are they going to eat me?
Great master and the Boduns conversation seemed serious. Great master looked solemn and the Bodun looked excited. Many in his village ate Pygmies without anyone realizing it. Human meat and bones were traded secretly in Ituri. If the Bodun decided to eat him, he could kill him with a single finger. Ulumbo, who didnt know a word of Korean, was chilled with fear. Miscommunication can bring about great misunderstandings. Later, when miscommunication became a major topic in Korean politics, the term Ulumbo Syndrome came about.
The rubber boat arrived on the opposite bank while Black Mamba and Samedi conversed. The aura on the opposite side of the river was different. Several tree barks of large trees were split and burst. Blue lumps of smoke flew down the dead trees covered in dew.
Why was the fog in Ituri blue? That was because the water that evaporates from the leaves is unable to leave the forest due to the canopy. The defensive chemicals released by the trees mix with the water, which turns it blue.
The floor, piled with corrosive organic matter, was so wet that Black Mambas combat boots submerged at least to their soles. The vines that had fallen from parasitic vines and epiphytic plants looked like the loose hair of ghosts. On top of that, water dripped from the tip of the vine. It was a gloomy atmosphere that seemed to have jumped out of the TV program Legends from Hometowns. This was a dead forest that far passed the yin-gathering stage.
Black Mamba immediately raised the satellite phone antenna as soon as he landed. The satellite phone had turned more compact and easier to use compared to the one he used in Sahel. He opened the GPS and checked his location, before raising the satellite phone. The person on the receiving end was team leader Holland in base camp.
C Come in, Alpha. Bravo.
The reply came after a slight delay.
C Bravo, Alpha.
C I have crossed the Ituri River. Im currently in Irumu.
C Continue southeast. We found traces of those bastards in the lower stream of the Efulu River near Mambasa.
C Roger.
Black Mamba finished the brief transmission and turned to Ulumbo.
Ulumbo, do you know where Efulu River is?
Yes, its the second-largest river in Ituri Jungle. The lower stream near Mambasa would take three days west from here, Ulumbo smartly calculated the distance without being asked.
Black Mamba entered Efulu River in his GPS and rolled the trackball. A cross flickered onto his screen and Efulu River which crossed the Ituri Jungle showed up. When he marked the above-mentioned location below Mambasa, a blue line showed up between the two points. It was 185km southwest.
This things amazing! He exclaimed honestly.
This was a treasure he wouldnt exchange for anything. He marked the location on his GPS, turned off the screen, and shoved it deep inside the bag. He didnt want it to break if he ever came under fire for being in his breast pocket.
His important things list changed ranks. The GPS tracker had overtaken water. Water became second-place, and the satellite telephone took third place. The fourth was the guide, the fifth was the food, and his weapons became last.
Damn it, you want me to break through 185km? I had to act like a mole in Kaparja, now I need to act like a rabbit! Whats that dude doing?
He looked at Samedi. He had plastered his butt to a rock and was eating white ants. He picked them up rather well with his pillar-like fingers. Samedi, whose body was his strongest aspect, had nothing to worry about.
If he could leave the guide behind, he could reach Mambasa within a day. But he had to bring the luggage along to converse with the Pygmy tribe.
Lets go! We have a promise to keep and things to do. Im raising the speed to 5km an hour.
Ulumbos face grew yellow at the horrible declaration. Human bulldozer Samedi who knew nothing of rest began to dig. Due to the tightly knitted forestry, he was basically digging a cave through the forest.
For dense jungles with high canopies, most trees and grass were unable to grow due to the lack of sunlight. This wasnt the same for Ituri. They couldnt proceed without swinging the jungle knife due to the thick weeds, bushes, and parasitic plants which were as tenacious as bamboo. Now he understood why Ulumbo made that weird face when he said hed travel by bike.
This also increased their danger risk. All kinds of poisonous insects poured out of the grass. Samedi and Black Mambas uniform was connected from the helmet to the collar of their shirt by Velcro. This was to prevent the insects such as bullet ants, army ants, black widow spiders, tarantulas, and leeches from getting in.
There were a lot of tree leeches. Tree leeches are known to be reliant on senses. They sense the smallest of vibrations of a small creature passing by. Once an animal passes under its tree, it senses the vibration and pours down like rain.
No pain is felt when bitten by a tree leech, but the bleeding doesnt stop for hours. This is because of the hirudin within the leeches body, which is a strong paralysis and anticoagulant. The leeches, which are as big as ones fingers, can suck up to five times the blood of its own body.
When over ten of them attach, the person would faint from the loss of blood. Black Mamba had had to fight off those falling leeches from trees three times already.
The largest reason why Ituri Jungles water is undrinkable is because of them too. Those things called Hachurus are half-transparent and ? the length of a finger, making them near invisible. Drinking the water where it exists would cause it to attach to ones nose, mouth, and throat. One would die from the lack of air before the lack of blood.
What an evil bastard.
A black leopard on a five-meter tall cecropia tree came into sight. It had hidden surprisingly well. It had completely assimilated with the dark forest around it, as its fur was near dark grey than black. Since Samedi passed it unknowingly, this meant the animal was holding its breath, too.
That evil thing had sent Samedi by and was aiming for Ulumbo who was weaker. The locals were right in calling Ituri the Devils jungle. There was danger in every step they took. The three strike forces the government had sent obviously stood no chance.
Chapter 386 - Episode 9: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Leopards were good at climbing trees. Their hunting success rate is 100% when they climb up a tree and wait until an unknowing creature passes by. Ulumbo was too busy following Samedi. The black leopards neck stretched. It was about to attack.
That wont do.
Twenty meters behind, Black Mamba carefully grabbed Rakshasas handle. While the black leopards concealment and attack plan was perfect, it had made the fatal mistake of not recognizing the human behind Ulumbo as the greatest predator on Earth.
The black leopard dropped down from the tree without a sound. It stretched out its four legs and fell, making it a perfect drop position. It was perfect to the point that even Officer Vincent would have exclaimed in pride back at Castellano bridges airdrop training center. Instead of a compliment, however, Black Mamba gifted it with a whiplash.
Whoosh! The Rakshasa fell on it with a cycloid curve, like lightning. Rakshasa chased after the black leopards jump one meter above Ulumbos head in the air.
Ssst! It wrapped around the black leopards neck twice like a snake, and the shuriken at the end which worked as a cracker dug into the leopards spinal cord connected to its skull. The black leopard didnt have time to scream. Only the sound of air seeping out rapidly from his lungs through its throat rang.
Black Mamba flicked his wrist. The rakshasa around the leopard whooshed through the air and turned once. Bang! The black leopard which was thrown to the floor stuck out its tongue and spread its limbs. The black leopard which had continued living off unsuspecting humans had died at the hands of a human.
Ola, leopard! Ulumbo had turned around at the sound. He stumbled back and fell on his butt.
Human, why do you even live? Samedi said as he glared at Ulumbo.
D- dead. Ulumbo stared blankly at the leopard whose blood was gushing out of its neck. Many villagers had been eaten by this leopard. The Ituri leopards teeth and claws were sharp enough to claw out a hippos 50mm-thick skin.
Its razor-sharp blades could tear through a humans neck at once. Hed just crossed the river Styx and returned.
Thank you, great master! Ulumbo kneeled and plastered his forehead to the ground.
What are you doing? I wouldnt ignore a comrades danger.
Of course, sir. A human who ignores a friends danger isnt human at all, Ulumbo immediately leaped to his feet and began his praises. His great master had to be some great spirit to have a Bodun as his servant. The great spirit Mahabharata who often appeared in the human world didnt like it when humans recognized it. Ulumbo, who considered himself smart, tried his hardest to hide the fact that he recognized the great spirit.
Its not as big as the rumors made it to be. Maybe it hasnt grown yet?
The leopard was smaller than he thought. It was just a width wider than the leopardess he threw to death at Nakdong River. He opened the leopards jaw to check its teeth. A predators gender can be checked by how used its fangs are.
There was a slight crack to the leopards teeth and its gum was black. While it was small, it was old. The average weight of an African Savannah male leopard is around 70kg. Ituris leopard was a width smaller, but its teeth and claws were sharp to the point that it spooked him.
Most animals in Ituri are small in size. There are okapis, small giraffes, dwarf hippos, and dwarf elephants.
Its bones failed to develop due to the lack of sunlight, I see. Darwin was right after all. Environment makes variations, Black Mamba nodded.
Ituris leopards had evolved into a variant suitable to the Ituri Jungle. It could be said that the Pygmy tribes short height wasnt their tribal trait but something which adapted to their environment.
Ituris environment must have been maintained like so for millions of years for a variation like this to appear. Black Mamba memorized the fact that the Ituri Jungle isnt any normal jungle. The smaller a creature is, the faster it adapts to its environment. It wouldnt be surprising if there were monstrous birds like bastronis or a large centipede like an astroplier. This meant there could be unimaginable creatures or poisonous insects.
He suddenly felt respect for Henry Morton Stanley who explored this place in the 19th century. There was no such thing as fate in history. There was always a background to an event. There was humans greed to a dark history. The meeting of Belgiums King Leopold the Second and the American Stanley was a meeting between a greedy lord and a swindler. Congo, which was served on their plate, was devoured down to the bone.
Stanley, who was nothing but a liar, is noted as a hero in middle schoolers textbooks. This was something that stemmed from those knowledgeable peoples idiocy, a mistake made in translation. There was more to that mistake. Their history textbooks contained mistakes that were too embarrassing to even mention. The defeat of their nobility and the ghosts of Japans perspective remained tenaciously within.
******
An hour before sunset, Black Mamba stopped moving and checked his GPS. They had moved 20km within four hours. Samedi had acted on Black Mambas orders to move 5km an hour to the tee. Even the iron-walled Ituri was unable to stop Samedis force-only charge.
Ulumbo continued to sweat cold sweat. Ulumbo, whose black face had turned yellow by the second, finally heeled over and began to vomit.
Weak bastard! Samedi glared at Ulumbo who was retching in a corner as though he found the other unsatisfactory.
The ends of Black Mambas mouth rolled up. It seemed like a deja-vu of Ombuti and Jang Shin. Rookie Jang Shin vomited whenever they had to clean up the battlefield, and Ombuti continued to roast him. Well, it was something time would solve anyways. Time turned a battlefield rookie into a veteran and turned comrades into brothers thicker than blood.
Ulumbo, well take a break for today. Well be faster tomorrow.
Although sunset was arriving, if they continued to run, the young Bantu tribe man would probably die. Ulumbos face grew bright. Tomorrows worries could be worried over tomorrow.
Ulumbo made three hammocks with practiced hands and set up a personal mosquito net over them. Black Mamba leaned his tired body against the hammock. As always, his mind was more tired than his body.
Unknown flies attached themselves to the mosquito net until it was covered black. Sometimes it was a curse to have good sight. He could see their sharp mouth used to suck blood and the tube to carry the blood stuck right alongside its mouth. Hed suffered so much in Sahel because of the mosquitoes. Just looking at those blood-suckers made him frown.
Those damn blood-suckers!
Being bitten by forest mosquitoes and swamp mosquitoes in Ituri didnt end with just an itch. They carried all kinds of horrible diseases and parasites such as malaria, dengue, pilaris, yellow fever, and brain disease. One-third of his vaccinations had been against mosquito-borne diseases.
There were many kinds of mosquitoes, too. Some were smaller than flies, and some larger than horse-flies. When bitten by a big one, a person gets shocked enough to think one got stabbed by a needle.
He remembered the mosquitoes at the bridge village. Falling asleep on the yard plateau with just underwear on made him bound to wake with bumps all over his body. His mother used to paste water boiled with motherwort whenever he scratched them. The sour smell of motherwort tingled his nose. Ulumbo appeared with a plant similar to dried fern.
Master, you need to be careful of poisonous moths more than those mosquitoes. You wont die from a mosquito bite, but if you breathe in those moth powder, you wont be able to wake up the next day.
Do we need to burn them?
Ulumbo almost laughed at the Mahabharatas pretend innocence. He decided to join in the Mahabharatas joyful outing amongst the humans.
You wont be able to sleep because of its foul smell if you burn them. If you put them in your pocket, the moths wont approach. Theres nothing bad with being careful.
Ugh, damn it! Black Mamba shouted.
Ituri had become disgusting to him within a day. While he heard of marabunta ants which ate everything except for ones bones, hed never heard of a poisonous moth that could send people to hell.
Small bastards as small as fruit flies finally shoved their way in. Even if he sprayed them down, that only lasted briefly. After five minutes, the mosquito net turned into a mosquito cage of nutrition instantly. Black Mamba, who spent the entire night fighting off mosquitoes, only fell asleep near dawn.
******
Sunlight broke in between the canopys gaps. Black Mamba woke up slightly later than usual, unlike his usual self, and still tired. He narrowed his eyes at the sunlight and stared blankly at the black pillar before his net.
Samedi, did you do that all night? He asked and looked up at Samedi with incredulous eyes.
Samedi, who was holding a mosquito spray, smiled widely. Two DDT mosquito eraser cans were rolling around his ankle.
I killed all the rude mosquitoes. He spoke as though he did something he should have naturally done.
Ugh, Id rather die than deal with this. Ulumbo, what are you doing? We need to eat and run!
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. Ombuti used to do all kinds of things in Sahel, now Samedi in Ituri. Embarrassed, Black Mamba instead scolded Ulumbo who was innocent of the matter.
Ulumbo had prepared ten C-rations and boiled the water with a portable burner. It was a very simple preparation. Black Mamba continued to rush to travel as soon as they could. Ulumbo didnt have a chance to pick any of the fruits which surrounded them.
******
They finished their simple meal and the sprint of death with Samedi at the forefront began once more. The deeper they got into the forest, the harsher the terrain became. While some dozen meters tall cliff blocked their path at times, a valley whose floor couldnt be seen blocked their path too.
Sir, sir! Ulumbo called at the top of his lungs for Samedi who was charging ahead.
Weakling, what is it? Samedi asked rudely when he returned.
I think theres going to be rain soon. We need to prepare ahead of time.
How did you know? Black Mamba asked.
When leeches start floating on the water, rain falls out of nowhere within three hours, no matter what. Ulumbo pointed at the black dots of leeches that were floating on some puddles.
What kind of seed-eating ghost story is that? Samedi glared.
It makes sense, Black Mamba nodded.
He remembered something from his youth. Whenever the fishes in Nakdong River opened and closed their mouths on the surface, rain fell.
While there were dry and rainy seasons in northern and southern Congo, there were unpredictable rainfalls around the equator. When the atmospheric pressure decreases, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water decreases. Leeches find it hard to breathe, so they rise to the surface for air.
Leeches, which had their own ganglion in 34 segments, are extremely sensitive creatures. In the mid-19th century, George Maryweather of England made sophisticated storm predictors using leeches. Ulumbo had no scientific knowledge of this but knew from experience.
Black Mamba took out three tarps made as windbreakers from Samedis backpack. Body temperatures decrease rapidly in a jungle, which also decreases energy. He and Samedi had waterproof uniforms, but they had limited capabilities. Water will get in if it rains heavily.
Ulumbo, we should head to higher grounds. We should rest when it rains.
The three, who had climbed up a hill, entered a large limbali trees trunk. The huge old tree, which looked small at 5m in diameter, was empty inside. The trunk was already dead, but the roots of the tree were holding it up. After a tasteless meal, a round of cool wind entered as Ulumbo began to make coffee.
The black forest temporarily turned white. Hundreds and thousands of lightning struck in uneven intervals. Following that, a sound which rang the entire forest with a crash was heard. Bang! Crash! Grrr! The sounds of explosions and grinding stones continued. This was the kind of chaos that reminded him of the Islamic idea of the end of the world, which wrapped the entire world up like a mat.
Uuuu! Prire du seigneur Jsus notre pre qui es aux cieux, que ton nom soit sanctifi, que ton rgne vienne
Ulumbo shoved his head onto the floor and chanted the Lords Prayer. It seemed like the man did know something about France after all.
Whoosh! Rain began to fall. The forest growled like a bitch during a storm. Whenever lightning struck, only white flashes could be seen. The sound of rain falling hard on the forest rumbled like a passing train.
The moment the storm landed on the forest canopy, a sound began to ring as though heaven and earth were flipping. Holes appeared here and there in the forest, and the water crashed down like waterfalls. Rain doesnt come into the jungle. The canopy around ten meters thick absorbs the rain and pours it down onto the ground. They were basically waterfalls and not rain.
Internally, the forest immediately grew stuffy with steam and fog. Whenever a crash rang out, the brighter forest instantly became dark again. Hundreds and thousands of waterfalls crashed down during the sounds intervals. Every time lightning struck, the fog flickered pink, and the forest ooo-ed like a ghost. Black Mamba and Samedi grew unfocused. This wasnt their world; it was a whole different dimension. They felt like they were on some other planet that wasnt earth.
The chaos that flipped heaven and earth around ended in two hours. The madness which started without a forewarning ended without a forewarning. The sound which covered the sky ended, and sunlight poured through the forest like arrows.
Amazing! Black Mamba mumbled unknowingly.
No matter how much humans jump around, they were nothing but the hind leg of ants in the face of mother nature.
Ah! Damn it! Were in trouble. Samedi sucked in a breath as they moved out of the limbali trunk.
Black Mamba and Ulumbos eyes turned wide like saucers too. The forest had turned into some strange lake. Dead barks were floating on the water, some large trees, swimming branches, and grasses, and some unknown butterflies and insects flying around the lakes surface, everything an unknown scene. The three humans were isolated.
What is that?
A black cloud was moving around several meters above the surface, flickering here and there. Black Mambas eyes made him instantly realize that they werent clouds but hundreds of small flying insects.
Chapter 387 - Episode 10: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Great master, that is a midge fly. Some of them have Midge Ur, a disease which rots your flesh.
Midge Ur? What an unwelcoming bloodsucker.
Ituris worst creatures werent predators or poisonous animals but weak insects like mosquitoes, ants, and midge ur. Black Mambas eyes opened wide as though they were empty. He was using his inner eye which viewed an object with his brain. The insects, which formed a cloud pillar, grew larger, as though they had landed on a palm.
Most midge flies were 1mm small, but there were some red-eyed midge flies mixed into the midst at two to three centimeters in length. Those with red eyes were those that carried midge ur. While midge flies didnt do much harm aside from being annoying, midge urs were different. If mosquitoes were nighttime Dracula, midge urs were all-day Dracula.
Even amidst the midge urs, those with red eyes were Dracula and hosts of clegs. Horse flies are large blood-suckers which grows up to 15mm. When bitten by a horse fly, it hurts so much that one would jump around in pain.
Horse flies lay eggs in the body of midge urs. Every time a midge ur sucks the blood of an animal, the horse fly parasite (mango bug) pierces through its hosts body and digs into the animals sweat glands. This was the same for humans. Mango bugs tear apart a persons organs. If it grows on skin, the skin dies from the lack of blood, and if it lands on eyes, the person grows blind, and if it spreads through the brain, a person would suffer limb paralysis or whiplash effects. While the horse fly which sucks blood is hated, the parasite mango bug is hated even more.
The environment of the Sahara Desert is threatening and harsh. The burning sun, sand on fire, sandstorms which cover the sky, and rocky lands without a single drop of water creates torture. On the other hand, it makes one learn modesty through patience, and a chance to witness the great nature.
But Ituris nature was ominous. Illusions and tricks ruled over Ituri. Even the most unsuspecting creature had some fatal blow. The eerie ghosts of the jungle approached them like a wet premonition.
This damn Ituri! Its doing all kinds of things.
A strand of the black pillar turned towards the hill. Looking at the black pillar which reached several dozens of meters above the water turning and trembling like the wind made the hairs on his skin rise.
Non-biting midges flew around in swarms to mate. A lot of energy went into mating. Hundreds of small blood-suckers were heading their way in order the gain the energy they needed. Of course, Black Mamba wasnt so benevolent as to provide energy for some low-class insects sex flight.
Ah, theyre coming this way!
Ulumbo, who saw the approaching black pillar coming towards the hill, rushed to take out the tarp. Black Mamba slowly reached for his Rakshasa handle. Putting a tarp over their heads wont block those insects which were smaller than rice grains. They were of a size not even a fire extinguisher would be able to extinguish.
While the rescue team were destroyed despite equipment of modern technology, there were killer insects like midge urs. Being infected by a mango bug wouldnt kill off a person instantly. It just lowered combat abilities and caused secondary life loss.
This would have been hard without Rakshasa.
Whoosh! A large whip around 10 meters long danced in the air. The black pillar invaded. Eeeee~~~ His ears twitched at the high-frequency volume. Whoosh! Rakshasa began to make a small tornado.
Bang! Bang! Bang! With the centrifugal force and velocity combined, Rakshasa pierced the sound barrier. The sound of air impacts which streaked through the air turned into explosions due to the doppler effect. The intervals between the explosions grew shorter.
Leaves, twigs, dirt, and small pebbles were sucked into the tornado Rakshasa created and shook the air. The 20m long tornado and the pillar of insects collided.
Sssssh~ The midgets 20 meters tall and 5 meters in diameter were sucked into the tornado helplessly. The entire pillar of midgets was sucked in like a small snake being swallowed by a large snake. Craaaack! An offending sound of something breaking continued to ring. The bunch of blood-suckers was disassembled as though they went through a stone grinder.
Master, youre amazing. No, Rakshasas amazing. Even Samedi was surprised at the sight; his jaw dropped.
Ooh, Mahabharata! Ulumbo instinctively kneeled and banged his head on the floor. Who else but the Mahabharata would be able to pull off such a miraculous feat!
What are you saying? Samedi glared with his red eyes.
Ah, nothing, sir! I must have lost my mind. Surprised, Ulumbo leapt to his feet. Hed almost gotten himself in trouble, letting out Mahabharatas name.
Youre so boring, Samedi smirked and turned back to the scene.
The situation ended quickly. The tornado that had eaten up the large midge pillar disappeared without a trace. The entire floor was scattered with dead midges. Samedis eyes sparkled in awe as he looked at his master who was folding the large whip back.
Black Mambas body vibrated in anxiousness. The slower they were, the lower the chances of the captives survival fell. He found himself pathetic for wasting time fighting insects when each day was another life wasted.
What the hell am I doing when there isnt enough time?
Still, it wasnt as if he could jump into the swamp like washing in the Nakdong River. Danger levels of swamps increased when forests turned into jungles. He didnt know what kind of danger could be hidden underneath that murky water.
Once, a snake the size of his palm jumped out of a small cave. He wouldnt be surprised if monsters started jumping out of Ituris swamps. The green eyes floating above its surface were all crocodile eyes.
They couldnt float a rubber boat either. The broken tree branches left here and there across the swamp were dangerous. There were plenty of tree barks with thorns as small as fingers. He didnt think theyd be safe after getting a rubber boat pierced by that ten-inch strong thorn.
It was a horrible situation. They couldnt just wash their hands off the matter and wait. The survival rate of those captives was proportional to the time he wasted. Being chased by time, that was the most stressful aspect of a hostage rescue mission. Sounds of gears rolling in Black Mambas head rang out as he searched for a way to escape the large forest-turned-swamp.
Samedi, what do you think?
I have a promise to keep and a place to go. Its better to do something than nothing, Samedi said, repeating Black Mambas words to Black Mamba himself.
Black Mamba smiled and patted Samedis shoulder.
Thats true. Without trying, theres not even failure. Ulumbo, inflate the boat.
Great master, Ituri Rivers crocodiles have gathered to eat drowned animals like swarms of bees. While the crocodiles are scary, I fear the candiru more. If you wait another day or two, the water will disappear, Ulumbo begged on his knees.
The two-seater boat was too dangerous for three people to board. While the Mahabharata and Bodun werent human, he was a normal, weak human. Hed have a foot on the doorstep of hell if he ever falls into the water.
Wakil has ordered. Do you want to cross the river naked? Samedi growled. He looked like he was about to throw Ulumbo into the swamp any moment.
Ah, no, not at all. Of course, we must cross the river on a boat.
Ulumbo shoved the needle into the rubber boat and began to pump the lever with his foot with a tearful face. Hed rather be adventurous than be beaten to death by the Bodun.
Splash, splash. The rubber boat dug into the Devils Forest. Ulumbo was very nervous. The rubber boat housing one more than its designed capacity would flip any moment. He carefully fought through the thick forest.
The forest, which had turned into a swamp, was extremely quiet aside from the few dead bodies of animals here and there. The sounds of quacking monkeys or birds couldnt be heard, only the sound of Ulumbos paddling rang. Eeee~ A swarm of midges flew around them annoyingly.
Damn it, these bastards dont help in both the desert and jungle, Black Mamba complained as he chased them away with his hands.
His senses were disturbed by their wings, and the ones attached to his goggle blocked his sight. He couldnt swing his Rakshasa around either when the grey-brown water was lapping at the boats edges.
Is that an alligator? Black Mamba tilted his head.
Something was coming after their boat underwater. He couldnt pinpoint its exact position or shape because of the midges.
Bang! Samedi struck down into the water with his Squeaker. Keegh! A crocodile flung into the air and fell back down. The boat wavered. Black Mamba rushed to the other side of the boat, freaking out, in order to settle its weight distribution. The boat had almost capsized.
A crocodile with half of its neck sawed through floated up with its stomach facing the sky. More crocodiles rushed to it, smelling its blood.
Ill kill you all, Samedis eyes flashed.
Predators lounging at him in herds, falling corpses and sprinkling blood; everything raised his desire to be covered in blood.
Samedi, Ill take care of it.
Black Mamba took out his MP5. Leaving it to Samedi would flip their boat. Guns were the best to use in a narrow boat.
Bang! Bang! Holes appeared on the heads of two alligators that were approaching the boat. Keeee! A horrible scream rang out. A crocodile twisted its body around and flipped onto its back. Ssshhh! Green eyes appeared around the dead crocodile. Water started splashing up.
Tsk!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The other crocodiles rushed in like bees, flipping and shaking their bodies trying to get a piece of their own kinds meat. The dead crocodile was torn into pieces and shoved into the bellies of its kin. It was a game of death.
Agh, hippopotame (hippopotamus)! Ulumbo, who had been looking out, screamed.
A large head popped out of the water. Its large red mouth split wide open 5 meters ahead of the boat. Black Mambas sight turned to it instantly.
Impossible!
That was what was following their boat. Hed been distracted by the midges and the madness of the crocodiles that hed forgotten about that one. The large mouth above water and its teeth over two inches long looked horrifying. Getting bit by that bastard would either tear his body in half or leave him with several holes as wide as his arm.
Hey, stop playing around and leave, Black Mamba scolded the hippo.
He didnt know anything about a hippopotamus offensive nature. While hippos were herbivores, they were famous for their bad temper. Hippos had strong territorial attachments and attacked anyone who came into its territory. The hippo wasnt the kind to just leave because it was told to when some strange animal invaded its territory.
Its bulging eyes grew red. Whoomp! The hippo charged like lightning. Pa-pa-pa-pa! The MP5 spewed out fire. The hippo that came under fire turned even more frenetic as it frothed blood. The crocodiles that were trying to approach fled rapidly. The angered hippo tore out a piece of the boats front.
You rude thing!
Samedi swung the Squeaker. A sharp blade 40kg heavy smacked right down on the center of the hippos head. Bang! A large impact split its skull in half.
Uuuuu! A large groan rang out on the lake. A hippos body weight reaches three tons. Their entire boat flipped because of the large creatures fall. The humans and zombies without wings were shoved into the lake. Streams of water shot into the air.
Uaaaaah! Ulumbo shouted as he moved his arms back and forth. Covered in fear, he lost his mind. No human would be in the right state of mind when crocodiles were rushing to them in glee.
But there were two non-human presences beside Ulumbo. Slap! Samedi gently touched Ulumbos cheek with his lid-like hand.
Weakling, snap out of it!
The screams ended at the single slap. Samedi lifted Ulumbo and placed him on his backpack. This human was so weak he wouldnt stand a chance against one crocodile. If he had left him alone, hed probably come out as another animals feces the next day.
What an annoying creature, Black Mamba shook his head.
Crocodile herds poured over the hippos corpse right before his eyes. One turned its body over and over with a chunk of its tenacious skin in its mouth; another swallowed the flesh it got by moving its head up and down; another made a run for it with a fistful in its mouth, and yet another swung its mouth around to push out a small one. The swamp boiled with their desperation. There was nothing more like hell. Even Black Mamba felt goosebumps rising on his skin at the sound of sharp teeth tearing out the muscles.
Ha, what do I do now? Black Mamba sighed.
There was water everywhere, no matter where he turned. If he doesnt break through this situation quickly, theyd be in more trouble. Of course, the hippo was more unfortunate than the humans. It had lost its life trying to protect its territory while the humans were suffering nothing more than time delays.
While he wasnt scared of crocodiles, he didnt like the sound of candirus which dug into ones crevices. It was a spinal creature at least in name, so he didnt know whether he could get rid of it with resonance. Moreover, leeches had started to dig into his clothes.
That brats having a fun time.
Samedi was smashing the approaching crocodiles in half with his Squeaker.
We dont have time to play with those crocodiles. Repeat some prayers instead of playing around.
I cant pray because I dont have the wood fish.
Ugh, Im telling you to make a raft.
Wakil, you should say things simply. Should I throw this one away? Samedi glanced at Ulumbo on his backpack.
Aaah, great master, save me! Ulumbo cried out in fear.
What an annoying bastard.
Whoosh! Black Mamba kicked off the surface of the water and jumped up. Landing lightly on Samedis shoulder, he shoved Ulumbo underneath his arm and jumped off Samedis shoulder. Black Mamba soared through the air, grabbed the branch of a large mahogany tree, and lifted Ulumbo onto it.
Crack, crack! The large mahogany tree fell at a few swings of Samedis Squeaker. A rushed, messy raft was made by tying several four-meters long barks together with vines. They didnt have the time to put in effort in a single-use raft. Bang! Black Mamba landed back down with Ulumbo tucked underneath his side.
Chapter 388 - Episode 11: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Hhhh!
Ulumbo swallowed his cry. He was dragged 10 meters above ground and dropped back down. His balls shriveled up like dried date palms, and his pants were wet. He was scared to the point that his soul left his body, but he managed to suppress his scream in fear of Mahabharata and Vodun. That was the extent of suffering a regular human had to experience when caught between two abnormal humans.
Hes the servant of the benevolent Mahabharata. He wont eat me, right?
Extreme fear could be seen in Ulumbos eyes as he looked up at Samedi. The mahogany tree, known for its strong bark, was sliced off with a few hacks of his shovel. Approaching crocodiles had their heads cracked open, and midges were blown away with a swing of its blade. Only Umar, the head of all Vodun, could possess such godly power. Umar was a cruel spirit that ate human hearts as snacks. He felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen just by looking at Umars weapon.
Samedi rowed with his Squeaker on the left, and Ulumbo rowed with the paddle on the right. The paddle entered the hippos mouth when it attacked and chewed off a part of the boat.
Damn it, playing raft in the forest with a snake b*stards not even funny. Why are there so many anyway? Black Mamba complained as he sliced off the heads of snakes that were trying to climb up the raft.
All kinds of snakes continued to seek refuge in the raft. Most of them were unidentified, but formidable ones like black mambas and salmusas also appeared from time to time. While it didnt matter if Samedi and himself got bitten, Ulumbo would die immediately.
That felt like a dj vu of his youth. Whenever the Nakdong River overflowed, the willow forest in the river island was submerged in yellow water. Small trees disappeared, and only the top of large trees over 30 meters tall remained visible. The top of those willow trees was crowded with snakes that couldnt flee from the flood in time.
Sometimes, roofs floated down with people squatting on them during floods. When the straw roofs got caught on the willow trees, snakes would rush to the roofs. The people on the roofs would freak out. A fight would break out between the snakes and humans. It was a heart-wrenching story from his younger days.
The raft slowly made its way out of the swamp, avoiding dense trees and vines. It took over an hour to get out of the swamp. The three men, who were soaking wet, immediately took off their clothes once they reached land. It was to remove the leeches.
Dozens of leeches crawled into their clothes despite being submerged in the water for one to two minutes. With their hunting knives, they gently scraped off the suckers from their skin. Forcefully removing them could result in them vomiting out blood that they fed on, increasing the risk of contamination.
After they removed the leeches, they hung their wet clothes on the branches. The three men squatted together with their p*nises exposed and waited for their clothes to dry. For Black Mamba, that was a rather humiliating and sad sight.
They waited for over an hour, but their clothes were still not dry. He checked the thermo-hygrometer installed on his GPS. The temperature was 39 degrees Celsius, and the humidity was 95 percent. Of course, their clothes wouldnt dry. He preferred the desert instead.
Compared to the forest, the desert was a better operational environment since its dry. The Ituri Rainforests 39 degrees Celsius was more offensive than the Saharas 50 degrees Celsius. He had no choice but to wear wet clothes. Although he had spares, he couldnt shove the wet clothes into his backpack either.
Damn it, the pay this time is dirty to the core. They just cant see me being comfortable, can they? Black Mamba complained as he zipped up his pants. He almost went mad at the thought of wearing a wet bulletproof vest and a helmet in the humid and windless outdoors.
Wakil, the great master said it would be f***ing hard if your clothes are wet.
Shut up, brat, cover your private parts. Thats an Equus, is that even a humans? Black Mamba shouted.
His d*** was on the bigger side and slightly bigger than Ulumbos. Still, it wasnt comparable to Samedis. Women were sensitive to shine, and men were sensitive to size.
What is that?
Black Mambas face creased devilishly. A black mass was moving toward them from the swamp. Compared to the pillar that those midges made, it was spread out like a fan. He didnt want to face any more flying insects.
Its mopane.
Mopane?
Do caterpillars fly around in Africa?
Black Mamba tilted his head. From what he knew, mopanes looked like larvae that people in eastern Africa ate. It was also called yakori. It was called kungkungta, otur, and oduru in the Bantu languages, which made it hard to differentiate.
Yes, they are small forest flies that live in swamps. Theyre not bloodsuckers, but they do cling on to an animals body, around the eyes for tears and nose for snot.
Damn, that means they live off saline. Hurry, put on your clothes.
Hed experienced enough flies in the Sahel. Flies had an extraordinary sense of smell. The swarm of mopanes was approaching, drawn by the smell of sweat. Those kinds of flies dug into any sweat glands that they could find. In reality, there were many cases where herbivores suffocated to death because flies blocked their throats and airways.
Black Mamba hurriedly put on the goggles and mask, then wore his clothes. Someone who could beat up dinosaurs was rushing to protect himself from those tiny things. He wanted to cry, but he ended up laughing. He really preferred the desert to that place.
Voodoo
Several 1,000,000s of mopanes blocked his view.
Uaaaa, these damn flies!
Ulumbo, who was a moment too late, started swearing. The small mopanes that were smaller than a grain of rice dug into every hole available. He pulled out an insecticide spray from his backpack and sprayed it everywhere. Chasing away a swarm of mopanes with a spray was no different from chasing away a group of grasshoppers with a bamboo pole.
The mopanes returned to the swamp after a round of extreme spraying. The three men collapsed. They were mentally and physically exhausted.
What am I going to do with this boat?
Black Mamba was in deep thought. The Ituri Rainforest was full of rivers and swamps, and even the most normal forest turned into a swampy area after heavy rainfall. Sometimes, rivers overflowed for no reason and turned the forest into mudflats. He was wondering if he should contact the base camp and ask for help when he heard a strange scream. It was similar to the sound one made when gargling.
What is it now?
Although it was a strange scream, he could tell from the frequency that it was a humans vocal cords and not from a monkey.
Samedi, did you hear that?
I did. Its a humans scream.
Black Mamba listened once more.
Agrrrrr!
He could hear a long and high-pitched scream and the rustling of leaves. He wanted to find out what it was, but the forest had too many factors that clouded his senses. Black Mamba jumped to his feet. Whether it was a missing person from the Fist of Justice operation or a human hunter, that was his chance to gather some information.
When Black Mamba jumped out, Samedi immediately followed. Ulumbo quickly ran too. The two icons were his life saviors. Separation in the Ituri Rainforest meant death.
Sir, great master! Ulumbo cried out desperately, but Black Mamba and Samedi didnt even pretend to hear him out.
They jumped over bushes, swept through the trees like wind, and disappeared without a trace. Feeling threatened, Ulumbo ran to the best of his abilities.
Woooo
A loud high-frequency sound shook his eardrums. Black Mamba hesitated. That was the cry of an elephant that was about to explode in anger. Enraged African elephants turned into the most feared predators.
Growing desperate, Black Mamba moved with the help of tree branches. He bounced off the tree branches, grabbed another branch 20 to 30 meters away, turned once, and moved to another branch. The surprised monkeys chattered like frogs. Samedi, who was right behind him, ran like a tank as he cleared away the grass and bushes with his Squeaker.
Black Mamba, who sprinted 1,000 meters at full speed, suddenly stopped. His view suddenly cleared up. The suffocating bushes disappeared, and an empty clearing appeared before him like a mirage. The clearing was at least 200 meters in diameter.
Edos! Black Mamba exclaimed.
It was an edos, also known as a jungles nostril. Botanists believed edos were vegetation buffer zones, but there wasnt much evidence to back that up. There was no reason why vegetation buffer zones should be circular after all. No one knew why a large clearing existed in a dense forest, as though it had been razed off.
There were areas smaller than edos. Elephants gathered around a clearing called Dzanga Bai. Elephants pulled out trees to make clearings called Dzanga Bai, which were smaller than edos. Elephants didnt approach edos. They made Dzanga Bai separately and gathered there. Some used Dzanga Bai to argue that elephants were logical creatures.
Black Mamba finally realized that edos were clearings created by radiation emitted from a natural uranium reactor after the collision with the U.S.
Oh, damn! Black Mambas eyes widened.
There was an elephant with its feet raised on the other side of the edos. Under the feet of the elephant was an unconscious human. Yellow eyes burning with anger, nose elevated like a periscope, and large ears spread outthe elephant was ready to attack. The killing intent of the elephant with big bones and muscles washed over him in a breath.
Ah, its dangerous!
Samedi charged toward the elephant.
You brat, dont provoke an angry elephant!
Surprised, Black Mamba raised his MP5SD3 and followed after him. As soon as he focused on the target, he started shooting.
Papapapa
The parabellum bullets landed on the elephants head like hail. He emptied all 30 rounds of the magazine. That was the first time he used up all of his magazine bullets on a single target since he grabbed a gun.
Booo
The elephant screamed. It stumbled back slightly due to the shock of several close-range bullets relentlessly hitting its head.
Booooo
The elephants head tilted to the side, and it was falling on its front.
Damn it!
Black Mambas face creased. If the elephant collapsed like so, the unconscious man couldnt avoid the fate of becoming a human paste. He poured more bullets into its head to push it aside, but it was too late.
Samedi! Black Mamba, who missed his timing, shouted.
His only hope was Samedi, who was charging in.
Eeeaaaaa!
Samedi shot up toward the elephant like a cannonball.
Bang
The sound of impact rang across the clearing. His iron-like shoulder held up the elephants head. Its entire head turned as he flipped the elephant over to the other side of the clearing.
Bang
The entire clearing rang.
Ha, at least his physicality is amazing.
Black Mamba let out a sigh of relief as he watched on. If Samedi hadnt moved in time, he would be looking at a rice cake made of flesh and bones now.
Good job!
After receiving praise, Samedi smiled widely and almost shyly, revealing his gums.
Great master said saving a life is like saving the world.
Right. Saving someones life is a great virtue.
Black Mamba couldnt tell just yet whether the zombie-turned-human would become a devil or a great monk.
Hes paralyzed from the shock. Hm, is he from the Pygmy tribe?
The height of the human, who almost turned into rice cake because of the elephant, was barely 140 centimeters tall. Although he had no injuries, he choked on his breath, unable to breathe properly. The shock affected his lungs and obstructed his airway. Black Mamba tapped the specific acupressure points, forcing his breathing to return to normal.
Phew, ha, ha.
The human, whose breathing just returned to normal, started breathing rapidly. His pale face relaxed. He was short, but there were many wrinkles on his face. He was from the Pygmy tribe, after all.
Hey, can you stand?
The Pygmy tribe man stared blankly at Black Mamba. Slowly, focus returned to his eyes. The Pygmy tribe man jumped to his feet.
Uagh! Chochomba, Chochomba! he cried out desperately for someone.
The leaves rustled. Two small faces popped up. Both of them were smaller than the kindergarteners of public schools.
Damn, my senses are messed up, Black Mamba complained.
He didnt notice the children hiding just 30 meters away. That was because he was in a rush, and Ituri had too many factors that clouded his senses. The clearing was even more so. It felt like he entered an enclosed room.
The two children who found Black Mamba and Samedi were very scared. It looked like they would flee any moment. The man rushed toward them without a single word of gratitude.
What a rude young man.
Hes not a young man. Hes a Pygmy whose body is naturally small, Black Mamba corrected.
Anger slowly faded from Samedis face when he saw the man hug the children.
The Pygmy tribe man wasnt ill-mannered. He brought both children over and bowed down. The man was bowing to Samedi, not Black Mamba.
Naiabunga, al ukupi-al-ley!
Naiabunga!
What do they mean?
Samedi frowned.
Ill bring the weakling over.
Swoosh
Samedi disappeared. Black Mamba assessed the man whom he believed to be from the Pygmy tribe. The man covered his lower half with a skirt made of leaves, and the children were naked. His skin was dark red, and his features were defined. His nose wasnt wide like Black people but tall. Clearly, they were genetically different from Black people.
The man and two children couldnt stop staring at the dead elephant. He couldnt figure out what they were thinking about.
Wakil, I got the weakling.
Samedi appeared amid the leaves swaying in the wind. Tucked under Samedis armpit was Ulumbo, who had lost consciousness. When Samedi put him down, he staggered side-to-side before collapsing.
He could understand. The humans who Samedi usually interacted with were his teacher and himself. Samedi had no idea how weak humans were. In other words, Ulumbo just completed an intense round of rodeo.
Samedi, humans are naturally weak. Its not just him. They can get hurt if you dont handle them with care.
But their injuries also heal quickly.
Chapter 389 - Episode 12: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Brat, humans dont heal as quickly as you do.
They are superhuman beings, but they are too much!
Tears accumulated in Ulumbos eyes. The Mahabharata and Voduns casual conversation sounded distant as though they were talking underwater. The Vodun sprinted like a madman with him tucked under his arm like he was some luggage. A single step covered over five to six meters. He jumped over rocks and pushed away most of the trees with his body. Every time his foot landed on the ground, his ribs cracked, and the bones of his skull rattled.
The after-effects of being carried around by a giant were significant. His bones seemed dislocated, and the sky was spinning. Most of the people from his village would give up chasing after a chimpanzee when it kidnapped a baby from them. It was because a babys fragile skeleton couldnt withstand a chimpanzees strength and speed and would end up dying. He thought he was just like one of those babies who got kidnapped by a chimpanzee.
Of course. Im not a monster like you guys.
The last thing he could remember before losing consciousness was his impious perception of the Mahabharata.
Bang
Ulumbo lost consciousness and fell to the ground, face first.
Huh? Ulumbo, this b*stard. He is really weak. Wakil, you are right. Humans do die before they heal. I should be careful from now on.
Samedi looked perplexed. After all, his wakil was always right. Great master never got hurt, while wakil and himself always healed quickly after sustaining injuries. They were all humans, so why were the others so weak? Humans were really complicated beings.
Ulumbo, Ulumbo!
Samedi grabbed Ulumbos collar and shook him back and forth. Ulumbos head wobbled back and forth helplessly.
Brat, youll break his neck! Black Mamba shouted.
Wakil, Ulumbos just kicking up a fuss. I know a way to make him heal quickly.
Samedi rushed toward the forest. He found some shrubs with dense branches just like the needles of a pine tree. It was a fern with clusters of pencil-like nodes just like an underwater coral. It was listed as Blue Coral in the botanical encyclopedia. Samedi ripped off the Blue Coral with his rough hands and returned.
Hehehe!
Samedi laughed creepily. When he squeezed the Blue Corals nodes, yellow sap flowed out between his fingers. He dipped a finger in the liquid and shoved it up into Ulumbos nose. There was an immediate reaction.
Kuagh!
The unconscious Ulumbo leaped up like a frog stung by a bee. It felt like 100s of needles pricking his nose, leaving his nervous system and brain in shock. Poor Ulumbo woke up with tears and a runny nose, walking around in circles like an ant missing its antennae.
Samedi choked on his breath, trying to hold back his laughter. Blue Coral sap had stimulating effects and was spicier than the chili powder used to fill kimchi. Even Black Mamba, who was about to burst into laughter, forcibly held himself back. Samedi didnt blame Ulumbo for his weakness despite his dissatisfaction. A playful zombie, how cute was that?
What did you use? How did you know of a plant that can wake people up?
I dont remember, but its spicy taste is really good, Samedi replied, licking the sap off his hands with his tongue.
I see!
When Black Mamba lost his memories, he still managed to find herbs and ginseng scattered around the mountains. There were times when the body remembered things that the head didnt. Modern science said that the brain was dedicated to memory and calculation, but that was not entirely true. Leeches and all of their 34 body parts had a ganglion each. A humans heart worked similarly to a leechs ganglia.
Where am I? Who am I?
Ulumbos soul, which left his body due to the pressure from being carried around, returned. Ulumbo shook his head. He couldnt remember what had happened to him. All he remembered was that he woke up to a prickling sensation of needles in his nose.
Oh god, an elephant! Why is there a dead elephant?
Ulumbo jumped in surprise once he saw the elephant with the shattered skull.
Stop crawling up Sha Wujings leg.[1] Samedi snorted.
Samedi didnt understand why his master brought along such a weak person.
Are they from the Pygmy tribe?
Yes, great master!
The Pygmies were attacked by the elephant. Relay their situation to us.
Ulumbo started talking to the Pygmy tribe man. Most Pygmy tribe members were scattered around Zaires north-eastern and south-eastern regions. Without their native language, they spoke the language of the neighboring Black community. The language they spoke in Ituri was Zulu, a Bantu language. Ulumbo, who was from a Bantu farming tribe, continued talking to the Pygmy tribe man without much difficulty.
Mahabharata! the Pygmy tribe man shouted.
Shh!
Ulumbo quickly pressed a finger on the mans mouth. The Pygmy tribe man also placed his finger diagonally on his mouth. Ulumbo continued his conversation with the Pygmy tribe man.
Great master, the father and sons are Mbuti Pygmy tribe members. The fathers name is Olonge, and the sons name is Chochomba. They have no concept of age, so I dont know their exact age. Olonge seems to be 37 years old, and his two sons seem to be in their teenage years. They thank you for saving them from the mad elephant. They said the elephant rampaged through their village and caused chaos. Olonge says he wants to repay Gods warrior.
Gods warrior?
Yes, sir. The Pygmy tribe respects those who are tall and strong. They said they respect sir Samedi first, followed by the great master. When I told them that sir Samedi is the great masters servant, they asked if the great master is a great spirit. I told them that you are Gods warrior.
Ulumbo looked at him as though he was expecting praise.
Good job. Theres no debt here. I hope Olonge can be our guide from hereon.
Of course, sir. Olonge knows Ituri 100 times better than I do.
Thats nice. Elephants are gentle creatures. Why did this one try to kill humans?
This ones a mad male chased out of its herd.
Olonge pointed at its protruding privates and the dark liquid dripping from its head.
A mad male that fails to relieve its sexual needs during mating season would lose its mind. The leader of elephants chases away strays that keep lingering around the females. A male elephant separated from its herd would lose its mind. Olonge was just unlucky to have been noticed by it.
How unfortunate! It would have taken care of itself if it had fingers.
Black Mamba found it pitiful. Turning mad meant it had a conscience when it was sane, which was distinct from instinct. It didnt matter whether it had a conscience or not. That guy deserved sympathy because it couldnt relieve its sexual needs, and it ended up dying. After all, an elephant couldnt satisfy itself with fingers like a human. Black Mamba was pitying the elephant for all the wrong reasons.
Great master, this mans saying that theres no food in the village because they werent able to hunt. He says there are many starving.
This should be plenty of meat. How are they going to move this massive guy?
The village isnt far from here, sir. As long as you give them your permission, that is. Moving it should be done by the Pygmies.
I give my permission as Gods warrior. Black Mamba approved in a pompous manner.
The Pygmy tribe members submitted to the strong without hesitation. There was more than enough reason for him to be respected.
Naiabunga! The Pygmy tribe man bowed down.
The three Pygmies rushed toward the elephant with his approval. They excitedly wielded their knives and sliced the elephants meat. It was surprising that they didnt hurt themselves since they were moving so quickly. The Pygmy father and sons wrapped the massive cuts of meat and carried them on their backs.
The Pygmy village wasnt too far away. As they stepped into the village, locals rushed out of their homes. Most of them were naked. Adults were around 140 centimeters tall, and women were smaller in size. They looked like children rushing out of school after it ended.
The women cheered as they received the elephant meat from Olonge and his children. Some of the women rushed back into their homes. Olonges spit flew as he talked to a crowd of men, and the two children surrounded by women and other children babbled endlessly while pointing to Black Mamba and Samedi. They talked a lot and quickly too until they were frothing at the mouth.
Ulumbo, what are they talking about?
They are talking about how sir Samedi killed the elephant and saved them. Hes also lying about how he fought against the elephant.
Hahaha, I knew it. Men and their instinct to lie. Black Mamba laughed.
The Pygmy tribe was also human. Those who lived in a primitive society together were more naive than modern humans.
Naiabunga, al ukupi-al-ley.
Si propas, oo kuku rekele.
The Pygmy tribe bowed down to Black Mamba and Samedi and chanted in unison.
They are thanking you for killing that mad elephant. They are praising Gods warrior.
What kind of praise is that? Tell them not to do something so embarrassing. Wakil is great, but Im not.
Samedi discreetly sneaked away. A Pygmy tribe man, who seemed slightly older than Olonge, came forward and lowered his head.
Elphant Ildra?
Black Mamba stared at Ulumbo.
He says there isnt enough meat for the entire village to eat.
So, hes asking for the elephant? I already gave my permission. Tell them to do whatever they want.
You need to give permission yourself, sir. The Pygmies dont trust Black people that much since they were often fooled. You just need to say Nku lungkur Imboom buh.''
Nku lungkur Imboom buh![2] Black Mamba shouted with resonance.
His heavy voice rang across the Pygmy village. Without protest, he decided to become Gods warrior. Trying to get the Pygmies to understand would take longer than simply accepting.
Shira, shira!
Uwa wa! The Pygmies cheered.
The women rushed into their homes and came out with large baskets made out of bamboo. Nearly 100 Pygmies of all ages and gender gathered outside the village.
Huh, what are they doing?
They are gathering to get the elephant.
At least they look cheerful.
The world was vast, and there were many strange things. The sight of naked Pygmies gathering like a swarm of bees looked comical the more he watched. The forest was exasperating, but Africa was an entertaining place.
Aye sum!
Elphant meko mekoi.
The Pygmy tribe members returned with meat on their backs. Most of them tied up the elephant meat with tree leaves, and some carried it on their backs. Women had shoulder straps on their forehead, while men had shoulder straps on their shoulders. A woman with a bamboo basket also had shoulder straps on her forehead.
Why do they put themselves through so much trouble? If two people share shoulder straps, they can move more at once.
Black Mamba was frustrated. While he wasnt expecting carts, even tribes from the Stone Age knew how to use shoulder straps.
They are like that because they are a primitive tribe.
Samedis eyes widened at Ulumbos words.
Shut up. If two people share shoulder straps and move, it will be difficult for them to move through the vines and dense oak trees. Dont mention primitive so easily.
Ah, I made a mistake.
Ulumbos neck retreated.
Samedi, you learned a lot from your master.
Black Mamba patted Samedis shoulder happily. That guys way of thinking was, Everyone tries to be better than yesterday. He must have been an intelligent person before he became a zombie.
The density of vegetation on the Ituri Rainforests floor was almost murderous. As it was an old forest, various ferns such as lycophytes, brackens, and nardoo covered the forest floor. The lycophytes had developed their own defense mechanism after several 1,000,000s of years. It was tough, toxic, and couldnt be digested. Since there were other good flowering plants to feed on, there was no reason for herbivores to eat lycophytes. Ituri Rainforest naturally resembled a forest in the Mesozoic Era.
The Pygmy tribe adjusted their way of transportation to the characteristics of the Ituri Rainforest. They shouldnt be called primitive. Primitive was a word that European imperialists in the 18th century used to justify themselves when expanding colonies.
They called other cultures primitive based on their own cultures standards. That habit continued into modern times. Culture developed hand in hand with the environment and history. There was no reason to call someone elses culture primitive based on ones own standards.
Was Koreas food culture primitive because people drank herbal soups when theyre sick, and was Frances food culture civilized because people ate snails and frogs?
Theres no such thing as a civilized culture. There were simply different cultures. If one must differentiate, there were wrong cultures. A typical example would be the culture of human sacrifice practiced in Africa and South America.
These small people they look happy.
A smile rose on Samedis face. The Pygmy tribe went into a frenzy because of the abundance of elephant meat. They rubbed their cheeks together and spun in circles while holding each others hands. Cheerful humans were always a delight to look at. Samedi automatically laughed at the commotion. The small people sounded like chirping birds.
Black Mambas face also brightened up. The Pygmy tribes actions reminded him of sports day in his hometown. It was the typical behavior of young students who refused to listen to their teachers. Black Mambas sharp senses felt no evil or bloodlust from the Pygmy village.
Human culture brought out collective justice and reassurance from familiar ties, differentiating it from other rivaling cultures. The Pygmy tribe had no reason to kill white people in the future with the meat they gained today. From a cultural anthropological point of view, the Pygmy tribe belonged to the pre-collective egoism time. To put it simply, they were a representative of pure, untainted humans.
Ulumbo, gather some information about the Mai-Mai rebels from them. Find out if the whites are alive, and confirm the location of the guerillas headquarters.
Yes, sir!
Ulumbo had a long conversation with a bunch of old Pygmy men.
Great master, they say they saw black men with guns three times. They have no concept of dates, so they dont exactly know when they saw them. They saw them when the full moon rose, and they saw them again when an elephant gave birth. They say there were a lot of them. They say anything more than the fingers on their hands is a lot.
Ha, impatient people would explode out of frustration if they heard this. Samedi pounded on his chest.
[1] It means to stop fooling around.
[2] Gods warrior permits!
Chapter 390 - Episode 13: Ituri, Fist of Justice (End of Vol. 18)
Ha, my words exactly! Black Mamba also complained.
He grew frustrated and mad at the thought of a life without the concepts of dates and numbers. How were they supposed to communicate?
Although it was frustrating, it was also understandable. There were no schools or shopping centers in the Ituri Rainforest. There was no need for numbers since they didnt have to earn money, study, or shop. Since they werent pressed for time, they didnt need to keep track of dates either.
Even if one saved the meat and fruits because of greed, they would spoil because of the hot and humid climate. They had no choice but to eat and share them as they were. Since they didnt wear clothes, there was no reason to flaunt wealth or be jealous.
The forest was abundant. It provided food, drink, materials for houses, protective materials, and even snacks. If a person sets out with a bow and arrow, they could catch animals, and if a person sets out with a basket, they could gather fruits. One could destroy the white ants nests for snacks, and one could eat yakori[1] by cutting down rotten trees with a koso[2]. There was no reason to be tied to time or dates. The Pygmy tribe were truly free people.
On the other hand, he was not. He was a modern person who had to keep track of the golden time and the number of rebels. Ituri Rainforest was the Pygmy tribes land. It was too dangerous for humans accustomed to modern society. No matter what, he had to solve the crisis.
Check if there are other Pygmy villages nearby, Samedi said, reading Black Mambas mood.
Ulumbo started talking to the Pygmies again.
Theres a village a day away from here and two more villages two days away from here.
Really? Ulumbo, confirm their locations. Well head out immediately, Black Mamba rushed.
He was already mentally exhausted two days after entering Ituri. Ill feelings toward the kidnappers who dragged him into Ituri arose. He wanted to get out of the forest as soon as he could. If he could, he would cancel the entire operation now.
Oh, great master! You cant! Ulumbo jumped in his spot.
No?
The Pygmy tribe moves villages every two weeks. Sometimes, they move after staying for just a month. Their villages relocate throughout the forest all the time. Its hard to find a Pygmy tribe as much as youre likely to find an empty village.
Huh, theyre the gypsies of the forest!
Yes, sir. They build temporary houses with branches and leaves and live in them for a while before leaving. They have their way of telling the other Pygmies of their whereabouts. Outsiders wont be able to find any village no matter how much they wander.
Ugh, damn, why is this so hard? So, youre saying well have to send the Pygmies away. If we leave the kidnappers be, the Pygmies might suffer too. Explain to them the dangers and ask for their cooperation.
Black Mambas head started throbbing. He thought it would all end once he gave the Pygmies a gift and asked for guidance. However, they remained aloof when asked the question, and the situation was taking a turn for the worse.
Ulumbo and the Pygmy men engaged in a conversation once again. They grew rather loud as they spoke with their hands and feet. Ulumbos expression turned gloomy.
Great master, Im sorry. They say that you can stay in their village as long as you want, take any virgin you want from their tribe, and take whatever object you want, but they are unwilling to involve themselves in anything related to the whites.
Aigo, Id rather die than suffer through this. Whats their reason? Keke!
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his head. Even then, he broke out in laughter. Samedis 220-centimeter long weapon was like a Navarone gun. Could a 130-centimeter tall Pygmy woman handle that during s*x? He couldnt imagine the sight.
They say theyre extremely scared of the black mens magic staff that shoots out lightning. If they get struck by that lightning before dying, they will suffer from soul-torturing pain.
What kind of grass-eating dog story is that? I saved their lives and even caught an elephant for them, but they cant do that much? For someone so dwarf-like, they have many excuses.
Samedis eyes grew red. Great master said that humans who showed no gratitude were no different from animals.
Aigo! Sir, the Pygmy tribe considers giving and taking a very natural thing. Still, theyre not smart enough to consider the dangers they might face unless its right before their eyes. They think its natural that you saved their lives.
Hah! Youre saying that they dont know the concept of indebtedness, which is why they wont be returning the favor? Samedi, who was at a loss for words due to the lack of logic, barked back.
Thats it.
So they say?
Samedi looked at Black Mamba as though his eyes were saying, How is this possible? Black Mamba smiled. What a refreshing perspective they had. Mothers prepared breakfast for their children to eat before school. The son carried his mothers heavy basket as she walked back from the market as though it was natural. Mother and son didnt mention that grace. They only did what they were supposed to do, and there was nothing to repay. The Pygmy tribe was the ideal definition of an organization.
Ulumbo, you said they fear and respect humans with tall height, right? Tell them how scary Samedi is. You just need to tell them what you felt and saw.
Ulumbos eyes sparkled. Now, nothing was holding him back since the Mahabharata gave permission. That was his chance to show how eloquent he was. Ulumbo showed off his true worth. With flashy expressions and gestures, he told them exactly how scary the Vodun was. Although Olonge and the other men initially shook their heads, their eyes widened, and their breathing grew heavy. Fear crept into their eyes as they looked at Samedi. Two older men moved away quickly and disappeared.
Great master, Ive finished talking. They say they will send some fast-footed men to the neighboring villages right now.
Ulumbo was proud of his achievement.
Good job. However, cant the village leader just elect someone and send them?
The Pygmy tribe has no tribal or village leader. Theres no Council of Elders or consultative body. If they have some important issue to discuss or if a conflict happens, the villagers gather and decide together.
An entire day will pass while they discuss.
No, sir. They wont drag out the meeting no matter how complicated the matter is. The Pygmies accept conditions disadvantageous to them easily. They believe that one should take a step back from a conflict for the other person to step back from a future conflict.
Thats amazing. Those old politicians should learn something from the Pygmies! Hahaha!
Black Mamba laughed heartily. Although they were frustrating, they were also a funny tribe. A brain influenced by modern society would never be able to understand the Pygmies. That showed how scary a logical prejudice could be.
Wakil, itll take four days for the little person to get to the other villages. Theres not enough time.
We dont know much about Ituri. If we set out, it may take us 40 days and not four. Even if we need to spend some time here, the operation will end quickly as long as we can gather information.
Black Mamba reassured Samedi, who was growing impatient. As long as the DGSE couldnt provide further information, the only answer to their problem was the Pygmy tribes information.
Ulumbo, hand them their gift. We will be waiting here anyway while they go around.
Yes, sir.
Ulumbo took out a disposable lighter, ointments, and soap from the backpack. Those were gifts Black Mamba prepared after much consideration. Ulumbo explained and demonstrated how to use them.
Meio, omazza![3]
Porutu![4]
The entire Pygmy tribe, both men and women, cheered at the sight of the lighter. About 40 to 50 men and women pushed and pulled at each other, trying to light up the lighter. He wondered if that was too much of a culture shock for them. On the other hand, they didnt even glance at the ointments and soap.
Did Ulumbo not explain it to them properly?
Black Mamba tilted his head. The Pygmy tribe lived with skin diseases. Skin diseases often resulted from unhygienic lifestyles. The items that the Pygmy tribe needed the most should be soap and ointments. Washing up regularly with soap was a preventive measure for most skin diseases.
Perhaps, forest people didnt need soap and ointments. Historically, sudden encounters with outsiders always ended in tragedies for isolated tribes. Although it was hard to understand, the Pygmies adapted to Ituri in their own ways. If they washed up regularly with soap, it could lead to cancer instead.
Olonge and six other men set off for the neighboring villages. The mens clothes were simple and worn out. They carried small bows called mange, 15 arrows, and a mota[5] around their height. They only had one close-combat weapon, either a knife or an ax.
There were three kinds of arrows. There were five sua with poison on the ends, five mutali[6] with metal weights, and five long and narrow appi[7]. They placed them all into arrow bags made of animal hide and slung them over their shoulders.
They each carried a koso, lobo[8], and topa[9], depending on their taste. That was basically the story of children-sized men roaming around the forest with 15 arrows, a spear, and a close-combat weapon. It was absurd, but they had their own ways.
Black Mamba set up a tent on the outskirts of the Pygmy village. Pygmies had s*x regardless of the time of day. If he set up a tent within the village, he would have to stay up all night.
The Pygmy tribe wasnt wary of outsiders. As optimistic people, they didnt seem to care about Samedis presence despite Ulumbos daunting stories. They sang together with Samedi and even shared their food.
Since they had no concept of personal belonging, they moved together and hunted as a group. Any game caught was shared with the entire village. Those who didnt participate in the gathering and hunting werent ostracized but also given their share. The elderly and the disabled werent discriminated against either. It was the kind of volunteer organization that would never exist in modern society.
The rumors of the Pygmy tribe being cruel and aggressive were certainly lies. The stories of them shooting poison arrows at the whites were also false. They were a peaceful and welcoming tribe to outsiders. They were fearful and loving people.
Black Mamba, Samedi, and Ulumbo stayed in the Pygmy village as commoners and not guests. The men shared the meat they caught, and the women shared the fruits they gathered. He could recognize more than 10 kinds of fruits, including mango, banana, mangosteen, guava, avocado, coconut, melon, governors plum, mandarin, and anoda.
He was even gifted a tree root, which produced sweet liquid like sugarcane when chewed on. As though he brushed his teeth, his mouth felt refreshed when he chewed on the root after eating meat. He even received a branch to use as a toothbrush. Much like a willow, the soft branch split into fine strands like the bristles of a toothbrush when rubbed against a rock. The branch had a refreshing scent too. The Pygmies lived in conformity with nature, but they werent primitive at all.
Six days after infiltrating Ituri and on the third evening of their stay in Olonges village, six Pygmy warriors who left to look for other Pygmy villages returned. All six of them were fine, as though they just took a walk to a neighboring village.
Ituri swallowed over 400 French elites. From what he experienced, it wasnt a walk in the park either. However, the Pygmies looked fine even when they walked around the forest for three days with flimsy bows and a spear. It seemed like the legend about them being forest people was certainly true.
Ulumbo brought over a young Pygmy boy.
Uaaa, dagnul[10]!
The young Pygmy boy jumped when he came face to face with Samedi. His dark skin miraculously turned white.
Kidamba, greet him. He is Gods warrior.
Ulumbo grabbed the ear of the young Pygmy boy, who attempted to run away and dragged him back.
Naiabunga! Ole Kidamba.
The Pygmy boy finally mumbled a greeting and nodded his head reluctantly. He couldnt even look up at Samedi. His gaze remained fixed on the floor.
Great master, I dont know whether this is fortunate or not, but Kidambas village was attacked. Kidamba says he knows their location. Those devils live in a place called Katanga, seven days away in the direction of Bafwasende.
Hell yeah!
Black Mamba wanted to dance. He finally found a lead. As long as he knew where their base was located, the mission was 90 percent complete. He could take care of the remaining 10 percent. His future looked bright as though the cloth that covered Sim-Bongsas eyes had come off.
Katanga, hm?
He took out his GPS and searched for Katanga. There was no response. He tried entering Bafwasende. A red dot lit up. The location was far south of the DGSE headquarters prediction of the kidnappers base, Mambasa.
These f****** frog b*stards, I should turn them all to s***!
The DGSE made a wrong calculation again. If he had not met Olonge and headed to Mambasa, he would have gotten lost in the forest. The DGSE agents lacked the hungry mind to dig into a question. The absence of enemies and peace weakened the intelligence agency. It turned into a dinosaur, busy calculating money with its head and blaming the environment with its hands and feet.
Humans grew lazy without desperation. The Korean Army managed to push out the North Vietnamese Army, which wiped out the French and U.S. Army in Vietnams jungle. It was said that there were two reasons why the Koreans were able to fight so well. One was because they were desperate to feed their families back home, and the other was because of the substandard military life. There were rumors about how Vietnams jungle was 10 times easier than life in the military base. It was said that their commanders grew more attentive with threats of being sent back to Korea. Those were all stories from sad times.
Blinking in green was his current location, 18 kilometers northwest of a place called Apanwaza. Black Mamba rolled the trackball and connected the green line to Bafwasende. It was 270 kilometers from the current location to Bafwasende. The area was intertwined like a spider web with two rivers, Ituri and Lindi, flowing side by side.
[1] Caterpillar snack.
[2] Something that looks like a shovel, but it is the Pygmy tribes large and long knife.
[3] Wow, how can this be?
[4] Its fire!
[5] A spear of around 150 centimeters long.
[6] For predators.
[7] For bird hunting.
[8] A sickle.
[9] An ax.
[10] Devil.
Chapter 391 - Episode 14: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Ituri Jungles canopy wasnt going to let sunlight through just because there were rivers and swamps. A river had to be at least over 30 meters wide to receive sunlight.
A dark forest whose day and night were indistinguishable, a ground full of wet tenacious plants, poisonous insects and predators attacking at every moment, swamplands indistinguishable from dry land, endless cliffs and drops without end, Ituri was all of those which determined life and death with one step. He could be served before Hades trying to catch those kidnappers tails.
That wasnt the only threatening factor. According to the DGSEs intelligence department, Over 20,000 soldiers were working for each of the warlords in Congos north-eastern region. Meeting them in Ituri Jungle could only cause a large-scale battle.
Moreover, he couldnt tell how many kilometers Kidamba meant by seven days. Well, it was fortunate he didnt say ten days, at least. If it had been more than ten, the boy would have said a lot.
Ulumbo, how many kilometers a day can the Pygmies move?
Ill check, sir.
Ulumbos voice didnt hold much confidence even as he answered. The Pygmies werent familiar with numbers. They only knew a lot and a little. It wasnt much different from holding a conversation with chimpanzees. Ulumbo tried his best to accomplish the great masters order. He made all kinds of gestures and even drew shapes of animals in the air to talk to Kidamba. Ulumbos expression grew darker the more time passed.
Sir, Im not talented enough to understand what the Pygmies are describing. Im sorry.
What do you mean?
They said theyre faster than a black mamba who swallowed a blue monkey and slower than a parrot which flies with an injured wing. They said they can go and return from the swamp of the devil by the time two womens fruit baskets are half-filled.
Ugh, my head!
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. How was he supposed to know where this devils swamp was, how fast a black mamba who swallowed a blue monkey was, how slow a parrot with a broken wing was, and how many kinds of fruits in the region filled the womens basket?
He realized how great a humans brain was through the Pygmy tribes explanations. Brains go through an incalculable amount of math in a single, subconscious moment for each situation. Samedi, who had been listening to their conversation, glared.
You idiot, are you joking right now? What kind of idiot answers like that? Youre trying to get back at me for moving you around too violently, arent you? Do you want to experience how a black mamba chokes in my grasp, no, how a parrot with broken wings feels like? Hm?! Samedi glanced at Black Mamba before talking, softening his words slightly.
Ulumbo shook his hands rapidly, his limbs quaking in fear. No, I wouldnt dare! The Pygmy tribe has no numerical system. I tried everything to figure out the distance but it was no use. Look, great masters nodding in agreement sir.
Ulumbo defended himself to the best of his abilities, his face white. The Bodun was so scary; just looking at him made Ulumbo tremble in fear. He had to use the Mahadurakas name to avoid trouble.
Theyre forest people at least in name, so shouldnt they be able to move 20km a day?
I, I dont know. I cant move 500 meters an hour. Will that be possible? Ulumbo stuttered at Black Mambas question.
A healthy man could move around 30km a day by walking on flat land or road. But Ituri Jungle was on an entirely different dimension. He wasnt confident whether he could march 20km an hour for a whole day.
Black Mamba calculated the distance to the best of his ability. They said their attackers headquarters were seven days away from Kidambas village. If they moved 20km a day, they could cover 140km. This meant the location was closer than what the GPS indicated. Black Mambas expression grew brighter. The missions true enemy, this time, was distance and time.
Unfortunately, Black Mamba had forgotten the reason why the Pygmies were called forest people. The Pygmies bodies had adapted to the forest. They could move 40km within a day. Black Mamba didnt know his target was way further than he realized.
Alright, lets head out at once. Olonge and Kidamba can lead the way.
Black Mamba rushed. Longer nights meant longer dreams. There wasnt a reason for him to hesitate now that he had their tail.
Great master, Kidamba said he cant guide you, Ulumbo said after some hesitation.
Black Mambas face creased. This was like taking off underwear only to have a period pad on. Hed wasted four days waiting for Kidamba and the others. It was like Chaboom swiping past the midfielder, sweeper, and goalkeeper only to shoot a s*** shot at the goal.
What is his reason?
He said the black men with guns killed all the women and children. They also boiled two children in a pot and ate them. He said he saw the remains of those children in the pot.
So, hes too scared of the blacks, so he wont guide?
Yes, he said thats the only thing hell never do.
Black Mambas frown grew deeper. He felt anger surge within him, but he couldnt force the boy either. Scared, Ulumbo glared at Kidamba. The boy was the one who refused, but he was the one facing Black Mambas wrath.
Why did they kill just the women and children?
The men were conducting a baketi (a ceremony which chases away evil spirits to increase hunting success) ceremony in the forest and were away.
Baketi, as some sort of hunting ceremony, was only attended by men. It was called a ceremony, but it mostly consisted of eating and playing. The Pygmy tribe had clear definitions of the roles of men and women. Men only hunted and gathered honey.
Women not only gathered fruits and plants, but prepared firewood, food, and made houses. Child raising was naturally the womens job too. At the base of the Pygmy tribes free lifestyle was the womens hard labor. Even the clearest lake was sometimes s*** when looked into.
Did you tell him Ill be taking revenge for him?
Yes. Kidamba is an Aka Pygmy. They have a lot of fear. They dont interact with the blacks and live deep inside Ituri Forest.
What? So, hes not even going to dream of revenge when the women and children were murdered? He refused to guide us because hes scared, even when well be the ones taking revenge? Such human trash only deserves to die. Samedi raised his stove-lid-like hand.
Ua! Surprised, Kidamba crouched down and began to cry.
Samedi, hold on a moment.
This wasnt something that could be solved by just scolding the poor Pygmy. Black Mamba remembered how he said the bastards boiled two children to eat. The act of humans eating another human was an uncultured violence that shouldnt be dreamt of.
The act of steaming/boiling people in a pot came from Daji of the Shang dynasty. It was said that she steamed good-looking men in a pot to eat whenever she didnt have an appetite. The swear phrase bastard to gut existed in ancient records. The swear phrase gut also meant steaming in a pot. Most sinners who were punished by steaming or boiling in a pot in Joseon were officials who took bribes.
Joseon (T/N: Korean dynastic kingdom) didnt really cook humans like China. They just boiled the water until it grew slightly warm after putting the sinner in a pot. Most sinners lost their minds from the sensation only. Most sinners who experienced being boiled in a pot had severe traumas and most committed suicide. The act of boiling humans was just that shocking.
While it was unfortunate, there was a high chance that the people who attacked Kidambas village were the same people who kidnapped Arevas workers. The foundation of Ntagantas military was Voodoo. There had been an increase of missing Albinos, whites, and Pygmies in the recent five years. The DGSE suspected that most of the missing people were used as cannibalistic ingredients by Ntagantas military. Only those whove tasted meat before eat meat well.
Ulumbo, is there a reason why they had a Pygmy cannibalism?
Thats because Pygmies dont resist and are weak. Even leopards eat their children easily. The Marabu (spell casters of shamanism or animism) taught people that having an Albinos body part brings luck, and eating a Pygmy increases strength and fertility. Recently, the voodoos Houngan has been working with the regions warlords to commit a white and Pygmy holocaust.
And the locals believe him?
They do, sir. The spell casters and priests have definite proof of everything they say. There are many Congo and Pang tribes who dont mind cannibalism.
What a foul taste. Those weasel bastards have added Mondo Gane to holocausts.
Child-eaters, they had gone around the bend and some. Weasels were the only animals that hunted for fun amongst predators. Foxes and raccoons that invade chicken coops take only one chicken with them. Weasels, however, would kill all the chickens inside the coop. Those bastards were no different from weasels.
The reason why they attacked Kidambas village was that there were only women and children. Even the FROLINATs didnt do something as foul as to eat humans. Now, there was another reason to get rid of them.
Wakil, we need to kill them all.
Of course we need to get those cannibal bastards. You can kill those bastards.
Samedis expression, after getting permission, grew eerie. Big master had said killing without Wakils permission would make his head explode.
Kidamba! Black Mamba called in a soft voice.
He had to find those bastards to kill them. If Kidamba didnt guide them, he wont be able to save the hostages.
Hic! Kidamba flinched in fear as though he was a child facing fierce dogs.
Did you see those bastards faces?
Ulumbo translated, but Kidamba didnt reply. His eyes flickered left and right, unable to look at Black Mamba in the eyes. His legs visibly shook.
Uuuu~
In the end, he started frothing at the mouth. It was a symptom of forcibly repressed memories reviving again, the stereotypical aftereffects of PTSD. This wasnt a problem of his cowardice; it was a problem of his mind.
Ha, were done for! Black Mamba exclaimed.
The boy was no use in this state. Kidamba was a teenager just before his 20s. His weak injured mind was trying its best to seal what devils memory there was. Stress disabilities after injuries was a mental problem. It couldnt be solved with scolding. To take Kidamba along with him, he had to release him from the fear binding his consciousness.
Ulumbo, check if there are any other animals harming villages aside from that mad elephant we killed last time.
Thats what the Pygmies always talk about, sir. Ghosts and evil spirits ate a lot of the villagers. They said they werent able to go hunting in fear of those ghosts and spirits.
What are these ghosts and spirits they speak of?
The evil spirit is a crocodile which lives in a swamp one hour away, and its as long as five Pygmies. Many adults who went hunting and gathering went missing a long time ago. The leopard they call the devil appeared recently. It crawls near a village and takes their children. Olonge also lost two of his sons to it. The spirit eats adults and the devil eats children.
They couldnt hunt them down even when they went against them in groups?
All pygmies who fought the spirit died. Their spears and bows werent able to pierce its hide and it wasnt affected by any poison. They said they dont dare catch it as its too large. The devil moves without a trace, so they only ever saw its shadow.
There were a lot of sacrifices. Wont it be better to move?
Thats because this is the best hunting place and has the most fruits. Besides, they say the devil follows them around different village locations.
Huh, it deserves to be called a devil, then. Fine, call for a village meeting. Lets get rid of those bastards.
Professor Giz, a neurologist professor, said PTSD could be treated by making the person go through a greater fear. Black Mamba decided to return Kidambas senses in a rather violent manner while resolving Olonges villages enemies at the same time.
Umpere? Kupa imoya embiye imoya embibi? (Really? Catch spirit catch devil?)
Olonges expression brightened at Ulumbos explanation. Life in Ituri was always accompanied by death. The Pygmy tribes greatest blessing was multiple childbirth. Healthy Pygmy women birthed at least 15 children on average.
Ituris environment was harsh. There were endless diseases, accidents, and attacks from predators. Only two or three children out of the fifteen survived to adulthood. Since there were many cases of adult men and women getting sacrificed, despite a high childbirth rate, their population didnt increase. A tribes future grows dark with a decrease in population. Too many of their people had been done in by the ghost and the devil. Gods warrior had finally stepped up to the task. Olonge was naturally happy.
Olonge took out a luma (a bamboo whistle the Pygmy tribe used to communicate; it had three holes) from his waistband and blew it three times.
Beee- Beeeeep- Beeeeeep- The villagers who heard its sharp whistle poured out into the main square. Olonges village had 130 houses; classified as large. The sight of hundreds of naked people with shaking breasts and penises as they ran out of their homes was beyond comedic and almost grotesque. Samedis eyes grew wide like saucers, and his nostrils grew wider.
Samedi was a smart person, he just lost his memories. Understanding Black Mambas intention, he sliced off a 50cm wide limbali log with his squeaker and sharpened it. He had to give a good show before his master spoke so that his words had a greater effect.
Ha!
Samedi, who shot into the sky with the log, gave a short shout as he embedded it into the floor. Bang! The large log dug deep into the ground. Half of the five-meter-long log disappeared into the ground.
Black Mamba flew like an eagle and landed on the log. The sun hung right behind the warriors head as he stood tall on the three meters tall log like some aura. It was the best stage for a performance.
Chapter 392 - Episode 15: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Hear me, descendants of Unkullungkur. My name is Dubaiburupa. Dubaiburupa is Gods warrior that beats up evil humans and spirits that torment kind humans. Gods warrior protects kind humans. Are you kind humans?
His heavy voice mixed with his resonance rang out far. Ulumbo also had to scream his translation beside him.
Uwuh, iba ukurel unkujabllera! (We are kind!)
Beeeeep! Bang bang bang!
Nkulungkur Akbar! (God is great!)
Bububu! Bang bang bang!
Hundreds of Pygmies shouted, rolling their feet. The elders added beats between the cheers using their likembe (the Pygmies harp made of wood and animal tendons) and makata (a blow horn made of bones).
Black Mamba raised his right hand high and looked at the Pygmies. The sounds instantly stopped. Hundreds of eyes looked at Black Mambas mouth.
Can a human be that cool? Well, the moons bright as long as the suns bright. Hmph!
Samedi made a strange snort. He was taller and stronger than his master, but he was the one who always got beaten up. He was more handsome and gentler in personality than his master, but his master was always cooler. He didnt know why, but he shone when his master shone brightly. So, Wakil was his master and he was the servant. He at least got what he deserved acting like his master. This was the truth Samedi realized.
Ituri is a holy forest where kind Pygmies live. Those dirty blacks have set their bloody feet inside holy Ituri. I, Dubaiburupa, have come from the ends of the world to catch those blacks who torment you Pygmies and soil Ituri.
Wooo, Dubaiburupa Akbar!
Boobooboo! Bang bang bang!
The Pygmies went mad. The reason the Pygmies lived in Ituri Forest was because of the strong blacks. But a great existence had acknowledged them, who had been ignored this whole time. Of course they went into a crazed frenzy.
Gods warrior!
Kidamba looked up at Black Mamba high up on the wood stump with glazed eyes. Animals consider height differences more important than the width of sight. When a predator wants to scare its opponent, it increases its height, and when it wants to attack, it decreases its height. This was because its opponents shoulder height became the basis of strength.
The reason predators dont attack humans so easily is because of their shoulder height. The reason people stand on stages to emphasize their power is that they have animal instincts. Black Mambas overwhelming visual on the tall wooden stump fossilized the black phobia in Kidambas brain.
I heard that an evil spirit and devil torment you all, who live kindly. Gods warrior may be busy, but I will catch that evil spirit and that devil for you as you are all unfortunate. Warriors who are brave, pick up your spears. Warriors who have unyielding faith, pick up your knives. Warriors who have strength, pick up your axes!
Oooo, Dubaiburupa meio!
Booboobooo! Bang bang bang!
Yeah! Lets go catch the evil spirit!
The Pygmies scattered like ants in rain.
Damn, its coming naturally to me now. I could be a real cult leader. Kekeke! He laughed emptily. He didnt like standing before crowds still, but words poured out of his mouth automatically when he did. This was because he spent several years with those higher-ups as the Special Military Advisor. There was a saying that playing around for three years could even wake a dead penis, and it was just like so.
Pygmy warriors armed with arrows, kosos, lobos, and topas gathered in the central square of the village. A net made of weaved fiber was also brought out. Woof! Woof! Woof! The square was loud from the noise of barking dogs. One team consisted of five warriors, and there was a total of ten teams with 50 warriors.
The Pygmies only livestock were hunting dogs. The Pygmy tribe enjoyed mota hunting. Mota hunting was made up of five humans and three dogs in one team. They released the dogs to track down prey, and once the prey was cornered by the dogs, hunted them with their spears.
Motas allied to hunt leopards or gorillas. Hunts which were made up of more than 30 Pygmies and 10 dogs were called a Mosilo. This meant the Pygmies were very determined.
Ulumbo, tell them to leave the dogs.
Samedis hearing and scent were better than a dogs. Dogs only bothered his senses. Olonge, who heard Ulumbos translation, immediately sent the hunting dogs back into the village.
Were going to get rid of the evil spirit first. Samedi, protect Kidamba. Lets go!
Waaaa!
Fifty Pygmies with weapons in their hands followed Black Mamba. The Mosilos dug deep into the dark forest.
Wakil, we thought wrong. Pygmies can move 4km an hour.
I see!
Black Mamba realized he had underestimated the Pygmies. The Pygmy tribes small build was perfect for Ituri. They moved without hitting away the grasses with their koso. They moved through most branches by crawling underneath them like snakes and slipped through thick bushes and dracos like a squirrel. If needed, they leaped across the space gripping onto a branch. Their speed was comparable to a grown mans walk on flat land. Black Mamba corrected his 7-days travel to 270km.
An hour had passed since they headed out. Black Mamba frowned at the sudden downpour of sunlight. A stream around 10 meters wide suddenly appeared. Sunlight poured through the sky like arrows where the canopy had disappeared. The canopy overhead had disappeared after 30 minutes of travel down the river.
A strange lake, which couldnt be distinguished from land as there were too many things inside its water, appeared. It was around 3-4km long and 1km wide. The wide lake was closer to a swamp, as it had parasitic plants, leaves, freshwater organisms, and green algae. Leaves that fell into the water decayed slowly, as the decay bacteria was Aerobic bacteria.
The strange uneasiness the lake gave off gave him a primitive dislike. The Pygmy hunters grew quiet. Their faces turned nervous, mixed with fear and hatred.
Great master, this is the place.
I know.
Black Mamba looked at the lake which shone blue. He suddenly remembered blacky.
Its like a small version of when I met blacky in the underground lake. Its been a year; I wonder if hes still adjusting? Maybe he pinpointed the wrong teleportation coordinates and ended up at the North Pole?
He grew slightly worried. Meeting the leopard, a remnant of a billion years past, when the Adras and Epidium were still alive had been a fortune. Blacky had an ability that could connect with his resonance. There wasnt a reason why hed be lost if he did come out.
Wakil! Samedi called softly.
Black Mamba, who had been thinking, flinched to attention.
A really big guys at the bottom of the lake. I hear it breathing but I cant tell its exact location.
Hm! It wasnt a lie.
Boom! His resonance dug into the lake. Resonance was much adaptable to water than dimensional sight. A heavy echo returned. It was 400 meters ahead, and 10 meters underwater. It was hard to tell its exact location because of the carbon dioxide bubbles which came from the bottom of the lake.
Its really big. I dont think its a crocodile.
It was too large to be a crocodile. The largest known crocodile was 5.5 meters long and 950kg heavy. It deserved its nickname of a monster, but it was incomparable to the one lying flat on the lakes bottom. It was the difference between a white shark and a megalodon.
Wakil, theres no need to see it. I just need to turn it into dust with my machine gun.
Samedi grabbed the Meg in his backpack. The heavy machine gun wrapped right around his hand. Even the most ancient monsters would be nothing when met by hundreds of 7.62mm bullets.
Samedi, do you want to try fighting it?
Samedi shook his head. Whats the point of sweating? Im not an idiot.
Hed been bullied greatly by Emil while learning how to use this thing called the machine gun. This was his chance to use his toy in the coolest fashion. Fighting a lowly creature would only damage his reputation. His master also said that men were all about farces.
If you shoot that bastard in the water, those guys wont be able to recognize how strong you are, Samedi. They dont know what a gun is. Theyll think the monster died on its own.
But the waters too dirty, Samedi complained. But hearing the words strong Samedi made a strong energy surge within him. The desire to look as cool as his master slowly crawled up.
Brat, a mans all about his fists. You should test out the five combined movements master taught you. I also taught you the Eighteen Beats of Shock. When else will you meet such a good sparring opponent?
Samedis eyes shook rapidly. Black Mamba smiled like a cat.
Wakil is always right. Men are all about their fists.
Samedi was completely taken with the Devils whisper. He lowered his backpack and took off his helmet and top. Even if he was a prior zombie, the opponent was a monster crocodile over 10 meters tall. Samedi, who was heading out to fight it with his bare fists, wasnt normal either.
Ugh, g- great master, just shoot it dead with your machine gun.
Ulumbo, who had been listening in, stuttered in fear. They were going to wake the monster up and beat it to death. That didnt make sense!
Weakling, just sit back and pray. Samedi used his large hand to press down on Ulumbos head.
Ah! Ulumbo grabbed his head. He couldnt do anything about those supernatural peoples decisions, which drove him mad. In tears, Ulumbo slowly crawled back away from the lake.
Wakil, how do we wake it?
Its said that in Rome, you do as the Romans do. Since were in Ituri, we do as the Pygmies do.
There were a lot of bamboos in Ituri Jungle. It grew in large heights, befitting its place in the jungle. Black Mamba used his kukri to make ten spears the size of his arm. While it would be nothing but a toothpick for the monster, there wasnt a need to use a hammer to wake someone.
Whoosh! The spear, five meters long, flew down with a screech. Plop! The spear flew far away and dug into the lakes surface. Black Mamba, who confirmed how long and fast the spear could move, began to throw the rest in a row.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The spears flew down like beads on a necklace. The Pygmy hunters looked on at Gods warrior doing some supernatural battle with multiple spears with hanging jaws.
Gurgle The surface shimmered. Whoosh! A large body flipped out of the water. It was like a skip-bopping air torpedo the Americans used during WWII (air torpedo enters the water and rebounds using the waters tension). Five spears shook as they clung to its skin.
Uaaaa! Surprised, the Pygmies instinctively fell away from the lake.
Kuaaaa!
The jungle trembled at its loud howl. All kinds of birds flew away in groups, and monkeys kicked up a racquet with their screeches. The monster landed back onto the lakes surface, dropping from five meters up in the air. Splash! The lake water sprayed up like a fountain. Its green eyes the size of rice bowls captured the humans lining around the lake.
Kueee! The monster swam through the water at a fearful speed. Its large tail made its speed increase rapidly. 400 meters was closed in an instant.
Uaaaa! Its the spirit!
The evil spirit is chasing us!
Frightened out of their minds, the Pygmy hunters scattered like spider babies. They wouldnt be human if they werent scared of the monster which was running at them with an open mouth two meters high.
Sarcosuchus! Black Mamba shouted like a groan.
A Sarcosuchus was a powerful creature of the Cretaceous era, which had the same shape as a crocodile. It was possible that a crocodile mutated and increased in size for some strange reasons, but it was highly likely that the monster was an original Sarcosuchus, looking at its excessively long muzzle and hip joints.
Whoosh! The monster leaped onto the ground. Whether it was a Sarcosuchus or a mutated crocodile, it was extremely large. It was 12 meters from its snout to its tail, 5 tons in weight, had a two meters wide mouth, 30cm long teeth, and 5 meters long tail. His sniper eyes immediately recorded the Sarcosuchus specs. While it couldnt be compared to Boss-saurus in the underground world, it was large.
Kueeeee! The monster was extremely mad. Its blood-thirsty, burning eyes glared at Samedi, who was standing still. Of course it was mad, as toothpicks poked its body.
Hmph!
Samedi straightened his shoulder. His eyes which had turned light red tracked the monsters movements quickly. Tatatata! The monster ran. This wasnt the kind of movement that a crocodile would make. It leaped around like a running predator with its four feet planted firmly underneath its body. Its back which looked like several iron plates connected moved up and down.
Whoosh! Samedi disappeared. Bang! Kegh! The monster screamed as a punch landed right on its head. Its tail, thick like drums, moved like lightning.
Crack! Uah!
Samedi, who had been smiling in satisfaction after landing a successful strike, flew away like a stack of hay. Boom! Craaack! Several pine trees that received the full brunt of his landing broke away continuously. Falling objects dont have wings. Samedi landed and rolled on the floor with a thud.
Ugh, idiot! Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
The mistake was due to a lack of experience. Truly, one had to go through life and death to learn how to fight properly. If he hadnt fought his way through hell, he would have remained a monster with good physical qualities.
Aaaa!
Samedi, who leaped onto his feet, twisted his waist around and cracked his neck. Samedi, whose pride was injured by the monster crocodiles single attack, had burning, angry eyes.
Youre dead!
A black line was drawn in the air. Bang! He landed a hit on the monsters head with his iron-like shoulder, making its head crack to the side. Bang! Bang! Bang! His fists and feet drummed on the monster like a windmill.
Chapter 393 - Episode 16: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Samedis fist was heavier than a hammer swung in full swing, and his kicks could crumble concrete walls. The monsters eyes and mouth exploded, and its skin as hard as iron cracked into pieces.
Ooo! He really is Gods warrior!
This has to be a dream. The evil spirits getting beaten up!
The Pygmy hunters mouths fell wide open. The evil spirits hide could bounce off spears and knives. But with every hand and feet movement of Gods warrior, the evil spirits hide split and bled. It was the kind of fight they never imagined. The Pygmy hunters lost their minds over the fistfight between monster and human.
What do you think of Samedis fist, hm? S***! Samedi, who was about to boast, flattened his body against the floor.
Whoosh! a thick tail thicker than a drum swept past his head narrowly. His hair trembled at the wind.
If the humans weapon was his hands and feet, the crocodiles weapon was its teeth and tail. Samedi felt the back of his head chill in fear. His head had nearly flown off at the unexpected attack.
Recovering from his falter, Samedi rushed at the monster and landed a solid punch on its chin. His waist which had twisted like a doughnut turned like a spinner. The spin-kick which increased in speed landed squarely on the monsters chin. The monster was more agile than it seemed. It raised its head high and avoided the kick. Slash! Samedis heel slipped past its lower chins skin, tearing it apart.
The Sarcosuchuss green eyes burned in anger. Kueeee! The howling which erupted from the large monster shook the ground. Leaves fell and the water trembled.
Hhhhe! The Pygmy hunters who lost their balance at the strong soundwave attack fell to their butts. The aura of the Cretaceous Ages greatest predator had made their souls escape their bodies.
Whoosh! The Sarcosuchus flung its raised head back down like an ax. Samedi slipped out using the Water Strider Walk (the movement of a water strider). Whump! The head which had been falling downwards changed directions with a crack. The triangular muscle which connected its head and chest was strong enough to endure the sudden change and lag.
Uh!
Samedi, who missed his chance the evade the sudden change of attack, curled his body up into a ball to prepare for the impact. Bang! It was the kind of impact a human would receive getting hit by a dump truck. Samedi rolled away like a spinning top without being able to scream. He couldnt do anything about their difference in body size.
Kueeegh! The monster ran at him, leaping off the ground. It was planning to crush Samedi entirely. No cook, however, would give up cooking a perch just because it flipped around more on the cutting board than a flounder. Samedi was nothing but a prey fighting back the Sarcosuchus. It was slightly bigger and fiercer than his usual preys, but it was the same thing nonetheless.
Samedi shook his head and stood. A foul smell attacked him before he could regain his senses. He nearly lost his mind at the sight of the crocodile running at him like a greyhound.
Damn creature, Ill kill you.
Samedi shot out like a bullet, unwilling to lose. He lowered his body and charged at the Sarcosuchus lower chin with his shoulder. It was the Heads Antler Movement of the Five Combined Movements that he learned from Big Master. Bang! The kind of sound that shouldnt erupt from two living beings crashing into each other rang out.
The Sarcosuchus head flipped back. Bang! Bang! Samedi continued his attacks, digging into the monsters range. The Sarcosuchus grabbed Samedi with its front legs like a frog. The ancient crocodile and the worlds strongest prior zombie entangled and rolled into the bamboo forest. Bang! Crack! Flap! All kinds of sounds erupted from the thick bamboo forest.
The bamboo trees broke and were uprooted. Even the sharpest bamboo shard didnt become a hindrance for them. The bamboo forest next to the lake suffered in silence as a violent reptile and human-not-human fought.
Their battle was drawn out. Samedi was unable to remove the monsters hard hide effectively, and the monster was unable to catch up to Samedis speed. The fight, which was based on both sides enormous strengths, began to draw blood and change into a street fight.
The most entertaining sights in the world were fire and fistfights. Of course, being involved in either was the worst. The fight between Samedi and the monster was the kind of entertainment that one simply couldnt buy a ticket for. The Colosseum in Rome wouldnt be able to hold a candle to it. In fact, Black Mamba grew so entertained he lounged on a tall rock to watch.
Ugh, that idiot! Black Mamba continued to click his tongue. Samedi wasnt using his best skills and was fighting according to the monsters strengths. The greatest aspects of the Five Combined Movements were speed and jabs. Jabs decreased the area of impact.
While one would be annoyed if ones hand gets stepped on by trainers, one would have to go to the hospital if it was stepped on by heels. The smaller the affected area, the deeper its impact went. To make the thick-hide monster stop charging, Samedi would have to attack one area continuously.
Brat, did the crocodile ask you for a massage? Stop wrestling and jab underneath its neck with the Three Dusting Cannon Jabs! Decrease your area of attack! Black Mamba ended up shouting out of frustration.
Wrestling with a five-ton monster in pure strength would result in nothing. Of course, Samedi was more advantageous in the long run. Crocodiles didnt have good endurance as temperature-sensitive creatures. But the problem was, Samedi could be defeated before its endurance fell.
Right! Samedi came back to his senses and began seeking an opportunity while avoiding the crocodiles tail and jaws slightly. The monster swung its large mouth as though it went crazy, enraged. Weaknesses were bound to be revealed by losing ones temper in a battle.
Samedi chanced on an opportunity and clung to the monsters neck. Crack crack crack! He gathered his fingers like a fang and attacked the monsters neck continuously. The monsters hide was unable to bear a concentrated attack despite being as thick as an iron plate. Its hard hide tore off, and its entire 15cm skin was pierced. Pssh! Blood poured out.
Damn! I wont be able to make a good handbag with a ruined hide, Black Mamba exclaimed, disappointed.
The monster could provide 200 pyungs (1 pyung is 30 cm in height and width for hides only) considering its size. 200 pyungs meant 40 shoulder bags. And it wouldnt be just any crocodile handbags, it would be an ancient crocodiles handbag from 50 million years ago.
Strong women would rush at the chance to buy it. Receiving 100,000 francs each, he could make 4,000,000 francs. He could even earn that much at Sothebys auction. Or he could just give it to Bonipas.
Hehehe, its money, money! Huh? Damn! Black Mamba stopped muttering happily as lines creased his forehead. The battle has suddenly changed. Kugh! The monster, unable to hold back its scream, shook its neck as hard as it could. Samedis lower body swung like a clock weight as he clung to its neck. The Sarcosuchus grabbed Samedis left leg. The consequence of letting his guard down momentarily was large. The 20cm long circular teeth as sharp as fangs dug into his muscles.
Uagh!
Surprised, Samedi kicked the Sarcosuchus mouth with his right foot. Three or four large teeth popped out. The monster raised its head high, angered. Samedi hung in the air.
Ah~
Were in trouble! Gods warrior has been defeated, sad exclamations came out of the Pygmies mouths.
Why isnt the warriors master helping him? Someone complained.
Fifty pairs of eyes instantly turned towards Black Mamba who was sitting on a rock.
He needs to get beaten up a little to learn how to fight.
Black Mamba didnt care. The Chimera they met at Ounianga had been able to withstand his kukri which could slice through iron. He was going to wait and see whether the monster could actually tear off Samedis leg.
Whisk! the Sarcosaurus shook its head rapidly. Bang! Bang! Bang! Samedis 120kg body continued to land on the floor like a hammer. Samedis muscles were man-made muscles of fibers from spider webs and limpets.
The tensile strength of steel is 0.25 Pascal; the tensile strength of a spider web is 1 to 1.5 Pascal, and the tensile strength of barnacles is 5 to 6 Pascal. Even the most tenacious muscle several times stronger than steel was unable to withstand its sharp teeth and fierce power. This meant the Sarcosuchus teeth and jaw strength were enormous.
Damn, that idiot!
The strength a five-ton muscled ancient monster could bring forth wasnt a childs joke. There was too great a difference in body build. No matter how strong a muscle can be, it cant stand continued use. Black Mamba was unable to bear the 50 pairs of impatient eyes in the end.
Whoosh! Black Mamba kicked off the rock. Rakshasa popped out of his backpack. Whoosh! Whoosh! The ground split. Rakshasa, which received more kinetic force, dropped down in a cycloid arc. Bang! A sonic boom that broke through the sound barrier rang out.
The great spirits angry!
The Pygmies instantly wrapped their hands around their heads and curled up on the floor. Crack! Kuuueh! A pitiful wail rang out. The Sarcosuchus opened its mouth wide, unable to bear the pain of Rakshasa landing on its head. Samedi, who was released from the Sarcosuchus mouth, rushed to a safer range.
Uuu, this is embarrassing! His left leg was covered in blood. His desire to show how great an existence he was shattered. Rage and embarrassment pumped out more adrenaline.
Ill tear your mouth apart.
Samedi leaped onto the monsters neck, uncaring of his tattered leg. His arm was too short to strangle it. So, he shoved his left arm into the hole where it was injured and wrapped his legs around its neck. He positioned himself firmly, grabbed its upper jaw with his right arm, and tightened his grip.
Uwwwaaaap!
All of the muscles, arm, shoulder, and back, increased. Kueegh! The monster shook its body in an attempt to shake him off.
Its nearly over! Black Mamba nodded.
Large bodies can be a weakness indeed. The Sarcosuchus was unable to do anything about the human on its back. It was turned here and there by Samedi who had one-fiftieth of its weight, unable to use its true strength.
The saying that martens could catch tigers wasnt a lie. Korean martens were the bravest and fastest predators. It always hunted with females. Sometimes the entire family set forth in five or six to catch larger prey.
While one distracted the tiger, another climbed on the tigers back, bit into the tigers neck, and held on. No matter how much the tiger raged, the marten refused to let go like a leech. By the time the tiger grew tired of its own rampage, the entire marten family rushed in to end its life. Samedi was just like the marten but on a Sarcosuchus neck.
Crack! An ominous sound rang out. The Sarcosuchus jaw muscles had surpassed its durability due to Samedis strength. The massive maxillary joint process and temporal muscle were destroyed.
Craaaack! In the end, the monsters upper jaw was twisted at the most unnatural angle. Samedi was cruel. He grabbed the upper jaw with both hands and tore it out down to its throat. Samedi had done as he promised and tore out its jaw.
Kwoo! A short scream rang out.
Blood poured out like a fountain. The monster rolled around like mad. While any normal human would have turned into a jerky underneath its massive weight, Samedi was several times better than the monster in firmness and recovery rate.
Huh, that brats tenacious. Therell be plenty of bastards without mouths if I ever send him to Yeouido to fight mouth fighters.
Black Mamba shook his head. Hed experienced many battles, but hed never seen a guy fight so idiotically like Samedi.
Bang! The Sarcosuchus, which had been trembling and shaking like mad, flipped onto its back and turned limp. Not only would an ancient monster be unable to survive its head being torn in two, but even its ancestor also wouldnt. The long fight finally ended. A sudden silence greeted them. The lakes surroundings were ruined, as though a storm had passed by. They had been in a war against the monster for two hours.
Uwawa! Samedi shouted wildly as he stood on the Sarcosuchus body, raising both of his arms in the air.
His Wakil was cool with only one arm in the air. He thought hed have to lift two to measure up.
Unkulungkur akbar! (God is great!) The Pygmies chanted, pressing flat on the floor.
The lakes evil spirit used to hide deep in the forest and swallowed a Pygmy who left to hunt whole. Sometimes, it ate dozens instantly. Gods warrior had gotten rid of the evil spirit they had to serve as God. The Pygmies went into a frenzy.
Im Samedi!
Samedi Akbar! The Pygmies praised.
I am Samedi!
Samedi Akbar!
Samedi, who enjoyed the chants and cheers, slowly glanced at Black Mamba and came down from the Sarcosuchus corpse.
Kidamba, did you see?
Meio, meio! Kidamba nodded like mad even before Ulumbo got the chance to translate.
Kidamba, Gods warrior will protect you. Gods warrior will kill all the devils.
Meio, meio! Kidambas dead eyes started to swarm with madness.
The Pygmy hunters swarmed around Samedi and made a circle that turned and turned. Samedi smiled at the small children(?) who barely reached his waist and smiled.
Donzela Izino!
Donzela izino!
The Pygmies shouted.
What are they saying?
Theyre asking if they can pull out the teeth of the evil spirit.
I allow, Samedi said with a serious expression. Samedi was trying his hardest to act like Black Mamba.
Naiabunga!
Pygmies gathered around Sarcosuchus corpse like a colony of ants. The teeth of a strong predator are a special item hunters desire no matter the time and age. The Sarcosuchus was Earths worst predator. The Pygmies naturally wished to have a hold of its tooth.
Ulumbo, tell the Pygmies this: Take off the hide carefully for me, and they can have its meat. Black Mamba, who loved money, didnt intend to give up the Sarcosuchus hide anytime soon.
Yes, Great Master!
Ulumbos nose almost reached the ground in his bow. The Great Master had ended the monster with one swing of his whip, the kind of monster which would appear in an old spell casters lie. The evil spirit which had shaken the Bodun here and there didnt even stand a chance. All males had a romance for strength. Absolute strength was another term for respect. Ulumbos heart filled with genuine respect. He wanted to serve him immediately right before his feet.
Chapter 394 - Episode 17: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Ulumbos wish wasnt realized. The Bodun was kneeling before the Mahaduraka with his head bowed. Even the strong Bodun who had gotten rid of the ancient monster was nothing but a child waiting to be scolded before the great spirit. It wasnt his place to interfere.
Great Mahaduraka, please forgive my sins! Im not doing this because I love chickens and donkeys. What else was I meant to do talentless and penniless? Id like to have a woman at least before I die. Please, just return me safely from this Devils Forest! Ulumbo prayed for the great spirits protection in a solemn position. 34-year-old middle-aged Ulumbos only wish was to have sex before he died, like any other human. Whether his wish would be realized was something to be seen.
Samedi had acted cool before the Pygmies but was ultimately injured in pride. Hed ruined his image, unable to successfully pull off the task his master entrusted. If his master hadnt used his whip that once, he could have become the monsters snack. While he felt it unjust that he hadnt been able to use a weapon, he found himself pathetic for struggling to fight the crocodile.
Wakil, Im sorry for being embarrassing. Samedi carefully lowered his head.
No, you were cool. Black Mamba smiled widely. Who else but Samedi would be able to beat down a 5,000kg ancient crocodile with bare hands? He had the kind of physical body which could beat Ocelot ten times over by making his five combined movements better.
I could have taken care of it with one blow had I had my Squeaker, Samedi complained, his confidence restored.
He was the one who fought to the death, but his master was the one who managed to look cool making one move at the end of his fight. While he wasnt complaining, he felt a little unjustified.
Gullible brat! Black Mamba laughed inwardly.
He liked Bonipas. Bonipas was more confident when dealing with him than the other leaders. Was Bonipas really confident? No. Bonipas praised him because he was scared of him. Bonipas sounded as though he was roasting most of the time, but his comments were praises in essence. Bonipas covered his praises with overconfidence, making others mistake his intentions. Black Mamba pretended as though he was fooled and reaped of more of him. Doubting whether Bonipas words were lies or truth was something only amateurs did. There wasnt a reason to start a fight when both were satisfied. Samedi, although older than Black Mamba, wasnt sly in nature. And that was Samedis charm.
Theres no need to swing Squeaker and waste energy, is there? Just moving a finger would have solved the problem with a bullet.
Wakils mean. Samedi, who had his words returned to his face, scratched the back of his head. He really was a simple guy. Samedi was the kind of worker whod never get promoted in a big company no matter how well he worked.
What did you learn while fighting the large monster?
I lost my rationality, was overconfident with my strength and lost my temper.
And?
I was unable to use my strength properly.
And?
I was unable to use my speed correctly.
And?
Samedi, who thought to the best of his abilities but came up with none, raised his hands in surrender. I dont know.
The Sarcosuchus and your strength were similar. The real reason you failed was that you werent determined to throw everything you had at it. You must first give up on your life to take the life of others. That is the first code of warriors. You felt fear from the monsters teeth and tail. Fear made your muscles harden and decreased your speed. Like so youll never be able to chance at an opportunity. You lost all five chances to land a fatal blow. A fight is all about suppressing the opponent first and overwhelming them second. Bloodlust only appears when youve set your life on the line. If you lose your bloodlust, even the strongest person gets eaten by the weak.
Putting my life on the line, Samedis expression grew serious. To be frank, hed been slightly scared by the creatures teeth and tail. In the end, he was beaten up and weakened by the bastard.
Wakil, how do you abandon fear?
You dont abandon fear, you overcome it. You acknowledge that your opponent is strong, and your determination to overcome your opponent increases the amount of testosterone and adrenaline which strengthens your body. Strength is very parallel. The more you overcome fear, the stronger your mentality grows. The Masai tribes bravery that chases away a lion from its food is something that was nurtured forcibly. Why do you think the lion runs away from its food when even dogs growl when their meal is interrupted? Its because it was overwhelmed by their aura. By avoiding fear, you avoid smaller fears too. In the end, your mentality becomes small like a seed, and you become an opportunist filled with cowardice, Black Mamba continued a long lecture, unlike himself.
Thank you, Wakil. I used to just like you. Now I respect you.
Samedi understood Black Mambas explanation completely. Herbivores frequently ran at predators to protect their children. Zebras attacked lions and charged at cheetahs as though they were determined to die. While they were all ridiculous scenes, lions and cheetahs ran as though fire was on their heels. There wasnt anyone scarier than someone willing to die. Hed hesitated thinking his newly gained life was more precious and was defeated.
Damn brat, your sucking up skills have increased instead of your mentality, Black Mamba smiled.
Hehe, servants take after their masters, Samedi laughed.
While there was too much work to do, being around Wakil made fun things happen. His mind was at peace when with Big Master, but it was boring. Of course, he enjoyed hard but fun work.
Lets return after treating your leg.
Its not a problem. Samedi hid his bloodied leg. While most of his muscles and tendons were harmed, it was nothing compared to the torment he had after getting beaten up by Big Master.
You idiot! Tsk tsk. Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
This was a problem. Sarcosuchus wasnt some gavial or kaiman. His entire leg that had been chewed by that big jaw was flimsy, as though it had been beaten with an electric hammer. Any normal human would have lost their leg, the limb melting in the beasts liver. Although there wouldnt be any human willing to fight a Sarcosuchus anyway.
White foam bubbled up from his wound. The place where the foam wasnt bubbling had already begun to scab. While he wasnt as fast as the chimera in Ounianga, his recovery speed was near miraculous.
Black Mamba cleaned the wound with the alcohol in his backpack and wrapped it with bandages. There wasnt a need to use blood clotters or ointments or feed him painkillers. Zombies were undefeatable against bacteria.
I feel embarrassed for not defeating a monster properly. Ill train really hard.
Of course you should. Youre strong, but not absolutely strong. There are plenty of people who can split apart the jaws of a Sarcosuchus. There are three that I know of, and there could be more.
Big Master, Wakil, and me? Samedi asked back jokingly.
No, master wouldnt even harm an ant. I dont dogfight like you. The world is large. Ive confirmed three other people aside from you.
Three others? Samedis eyes grew wide. Wakil didnt lie, and there wasnt a point in lying, but it was hard to believe. Sarcosuchus wasnt just any normal creature!
Two arent human, and one is. Theres one called Ocelot amongst those whore not human. He is Caucasian, has gold hair, and is as strong as you. Hes a human mutant and is better off dead in this world. If you ever meet him, kill him. Youll have to train the Five Combined Movements really hard if you want to beat him.
Ok. Who is the other non-human person?
Hes not a person, but a friend I respect. Hes a large black leopard larger than a Siberian tiger, and his name is Blacky. Thats all you should know. The human is a Korean, just like me, and his name is Chui Do Shik. He is around his 60s, doesnt have a left arm, and should have a large scar on his neck. His forehead is as large as a tuna, and his eyes are white. Chui Do Shik is the greatest assassin, swordsman, and spell caster. You wont be able to beat Chui Do Shik. You should avoid him at all costs.
Ugh, I cant believe it. How can there be another human like Big Master and Wakil?
Samedi was very surprised. Humans were weak. They were the kind of people that died from a touch by him. Big Master and Wakil were special people. Big Master didnt care about the world, and Wakil was his master. Blacky and Ocelot werent humans. He thought he was the strongest person in this world, but there was an old man he cant handle? He couldnt believe it.
If you go against Chui Do Shik now, youll have your chest shattered into pieces or your head sliced off within ten exchanges.
No way!
Samedis face grew dark. No matter how fast his body regenerates, he wouldnt be able to live in his heart bursts or his head falls off. Two to three seconds determined ten blows among peak martial artists. This meant he would die the moment he went against this old man. His pride grew injured.
That isnt all. Although its not confirmed, there may be more appearances of beings stronger than you.
Black Mambas face turned into one of contemplation. The chimera he met at Ounianga was stuck in his throat like a thorn, warning him something.
Huh, theres more weird beings?
Ill explain it to you properly later. While close-range combat is important, knowing how to use your weapon is also as important. This is the kind of age where even the most trained martial artists of decades die by a weak bullet shot by a child soldier. Dont stop your Five Combined Movements and Squeaker training, and practice using the machine gun until its a part of your body.
Wakil is always right, Samedi nodded.
He just had to do as his master told him to. All the complicated thoughts were his masters job. This was why being a servant was easy.
Black Mamba turned his head to the lake. The Pygmies were chattering like monkeys.
Lets get ready to leave. It seems like our small friends are having problems.
Black Mamba stood and walked to the Sarcosuchus corpse. Samedi swallowed his questions and followed him.
The Pygmy hunters were having trouble over the Sarcosuchus body. Pygmies were sweating over its large body, but the Sarcosuchus looked fine. One was hitting down with a rock with a raised koso, another was hitting down with a topa while sweating buckets, and another was putting poison on its skin from a bamboo container. There were many more.
Ulumbo, theres not enough time. What were they all doing until now? The hides not even off, Samedi glared.
Oh, sir, the hide is too thick. Their knives wont slice it, Ulumbo said with a poor expression, rubbing his hands.
Well, it was quite hard. Samedi acknowledged.
The mutated crocodiles hide was strong enough that bullets didnt pierce it. If it hadnt been that strong, he wouldnt have suffered either.
Theres not enough time. Ill do it.
Black Mamba kicked the corpse. Its large body was flipped onto its back. Whoosh! Rakshasa rushed forward in a direct line like a spear. Bang! The popper pierced its lower jaw and went through its upper skull. He tied the fall, hooked the large whip over a mahogany branch, and dragged it up. The branch, which was wider than his waist, creaked. Samedi rushed to aid him.
Black Mamba managed to hang the large reptile on a mahogany tree with some inhumane actions. Ulumbo and the Pygmy hunters were unable to breathe. The great ones always did things beyond their imaginations.
Black Mamba took out his Kukri. Hisss! Light blue waves vibrated as though it was whining. There wasnt a reason to use his Vajra when the monster wasnt on the level of Boss-saurus. While he could tear it apart with his hands, as he was wearing the Billions Water Armor, too grand a performance would instill fear instead. Now that he thought about it, the Kukri hadnt been used as much in favor of Rakshasa and Vajra. Whether it was an object or a person, a better one always caused another to be forgotten.
Rumble. When he activated his resonance, the blade vibrated too. Black Mamba gently leaped into the air and stabbed the kukri underneath the monsters chin. The kukri dug in like candles digging into a cake. Things without wings fall. He trusted his weight to gravity and fell. Rip! The monsters thick hide was sliced from its chin to its tail. It was the method he used to clean off animals he caught in Bridge Village.
Black Mamba moved back immediately once he landed on the ground. Splat! Large intestines poured out of its stomach alongside blood which spilled out like a waterfall. The eerie lake was soon filled with the smell and stench of blood.
Amazing! Samedi exclaimed at his masters amazing performance.
The process of stabbing the Sarcosuchus chin, pulling it up onto a tree, and slicing its belly open ultimately pulling out its intestines were smooth like water. His master truly was his master.
Oooo! The Pygmy hunters exclaimed with their mouths open. It was the kind of performance they would never see again, something only the great spirits could do. Black Mamba jumped again and made some marks on the heads hide.
Samedi, take it off.
Samedi, who witnessed Black Mambas example, grabbed its hide and jumped down. Riiip! The Sarcosuchus entire hide was peeled off. The kukri flashed. The Sarcosuchus body landed on the floor with a bang, its nose sliced off. The pygmies rushed at it with their knives raised like hyenas.
The Sarcosuchus comfortable life which had continued in Ituri Forest for hundreds of years ended like so. It was getting its karma. For the highest-ranking predator of ancient times to be hung like a chicken in a street markets weight, who would have known!
Kehehe!
Olonge burst into tears while holding on to the evil spirits heart. As long as he burned the evil spirits heart, his sons souls could flow up with its smoke and enter Gods realm.
A God had appeared when he wanted, but couldnt get revenge for his two sons. The God who even saved his last two sons from a mad elephant had given him the evil spirits heart. God had saved his two sons and avenged his two older sons. A great God was before his eyes.
Samedi Umar! (Samedi, God of Protection!) Olonge cried with his two arms in the air.
Chapter 395 - Episode 18: Ituri, Fist of Justice
The Pygmy hunters who had been taking apart the Sarcosuchus instantly released their weapons at once and stood to bow. The Pygmies bows of respect were done by showing both of their hands outstretched forward, palms up.
Samedi Kinn ito Uduma! (All praise sir Samedi!) A shout of 50 voices rang throughout Ituri.
Umar wedel armandra! (Show respect to the protector!) Olonge shouted, his voice raised.
Tatata! An old Pygmy warrior drummed on the floor with his banja (a 30cm white stick used in spell casting rituals). The hunters all came forward and kissed Samedis feet in turns, then shouted:
Samedi Umar!
Samedi kinn ito Uduma! The hunters echoed back.
Tatata! One person began the ritual and the rest ended it every time the banja was struck onto the ground.
Weve places to go. Why are we wasting time? That brats liking this, isnt he? Black Mambas face crumpled at the boring ritual, while Samedi smiled widely to the point it looked painful.
Why were the Pygmies calling Samedi their guardian instead of Black Mamba? This was because they practiced animism, a primitive belief. Great spirits were those who ruled over the four elements of water, fire, land, and air. The Mahaduraka was a fearsome great spirit who ruled over fire and burned the world if humans fell to sinners.
Boduns were familiar existences that lent their strength to humans requests as a spirit in every creation of the world. The Pygmies found it easier to worship Samedi, the king of Boduns, instead of the Mahaduraka.
Like so, Samedi left his mark as a guardian of the Pygmies. In the future, outsiders wanting to enter the Pygmy band had to kiss the feet of a wooden statue before their entrance. It was Samedis statue, smiling widely from ear to ear.
While 50 Pygmy hunters tried their best, more than half of the Sarcosuchus meat was left. The rest would be taken care of by the cleaners of Ituri Jungle. Samedi was carrying a hide weighing over one ton. The Pygmies guardian was Black Mambas porter.
Wakil, we need to get rid of that thing called the Devil.
Devil? Samedi, Uduma sir, youre worried about your followers as the guardian of the Pygmies, arent you?
Tsk! Im not interested in those weaklings.
His black face turned red.
Oh, really? You looked like you enjoyed it though? Black Mamba smiled teasingly.
Samedi was too innocent after all. The way Samedi acted was just like the English version of Lackey. He had a surprising desire for attention and wanted to be acknowledged by others. On the other hand, he was kind and had a strong sense of justice. While he was strong in appearance, he was soft inwardly.
Wakil said if Im going to help, I should help with everything I have.
Hmm, you remembered that too. Dont worry. The Devil is already following us.
What?!
Surprised, Samedi stopped walking. This was surprising, as he could hear ants walk by, but hadnt heard anything. The smell of urine wafted in the air. His sensitive senses picked up a slightly shifting predator in the three-o-clock direction.
Its 40 meters left. Samedi will take care of it.
Wrong. That isnt the devil but a normal leopard that approached out of curiosity. Curiosity kills the cat.
Black Mamba flicked his wrist lightly. Whoosh! The dart which was in his hidden pocket dug into the left side of the forest. Kaaa! A sharp scream rang out. The sound of something heavy landing on the ground came after. Samedi ran towards the place where the sound came from. Grrr! A 60kg adult leopard of Ituri bared its teeth. It was a pet, compared to the Sarcosuchus they defeated moments ago. It was so small that its four trembling limbs looked pitiful. A gold dot flickered in the center of its forehead.
As expected of Wakil! Samedi exclaimed his compliments.
The thin dart had gone in so deep that its end couldnt be seen. His master had managed to defeat a target the size of a coin in this obstacle-filled dark jungle in a second. Chills ran up and down his body at his masters ability.
Samedi grabbed the leopards neck and swaggered out. He looked like a kindergartener going to school with a bag slung over their shoulder.
Its the devil!
Umar Samedi has caught the devil for us!
Praise Umar Samedi! The Pygmy hunters chattered and hollered.
Why are they cheering?
Samedi was confused, but he felt good too.
Wakil, should I peel the hide off this one too?
Samedi was getting used to peeling off hides now.
Throw it away; its hide wont be worth a dogs since its so messy.
Youre right. If it had been a bear or beaver, we would have gotten something out of them. But this looks bad to eat too.
Samedi raised the leopard before his eyes, scanned it here and there, and threw it far away. The Pygmies, who had been watching with red eyes, unable to ask for it, rushed at it like ants. The leopard soon became soup, torn apart by their knives and axes. The phrase curiosity kills the cat was applied to this leopard too. The leopard that was unfairly accused of being something else died pitifully.
Leopards and Pygmies were enemies that would never come to an understanding. The greatest threat towards Hominids since the early ages had been giant cats and animals that could climb trees. There were theories that Africas ancient humans moved down to Asia and Europe because of those large cats and animals.
The Pygmy tribe doesnt eat hunted leopards. This was because there was a high chance it ate one of them. They believed the ghost of the leopard would appear in their village if it wasnt torn apart to shreds, or burned. This showed how scared the Pygmies were of leopards.
What a careful creature.
Black Mamba shook his head. He had been wondering if it could be led to him by the scent of blood, but it wasnt fooled. Samedi turned to look at him with a questioning face.
Its a sharp-witted creature. It has already moved 30 meters back. Its on top of a tree 30 meters left to 7 oclock and 120 meters away.
Samedi realized his master was far better than him. He felt nothing. He only felt dizzy from the forests sounds and scents.
Even Black Mamba was having a hard time outlining its shape as it moved like the wind. It was more concealing than a snake when it had four legs. He thought it could be a leopard, considering its body movements, but it could be something else entirely. Leopards were careful and smart. They werent stupid enough to imagine stealing prey from a group of humans carrying metal weapons.
Gul Gak, Lee Ol, and Yuk Hons souls were those that turned into ghosts after getting eaten by a leopard, according to Park Ji Wons Book of Legends. They provoked fights between leopards and humans. This was also the reason the spirits of leopards Gul Gak, Lee Ol, and Yuk Hon came to enjoy human meat. In the end, the leopard that ate the human wasnt a leopard.
Humans had every aspect that carnivores love. Humans had thin meat, no fur, and no hide. Since humans had high natrium consumption rates, their meat was slightly salty, making it seasoned.
Their resistance wasnt as weak as other predators either. Carnivores that happened to eat a human who was weakened from starvation or by pure coincidence continued to attack humans. The spirits of Gluttony, Greed, and Lust had attached to them.
The atmosphere changed when a predator ate several humans, and the stench of urine wafted in the air. The creature following them smelled like the Sarcosuchus. This was why Black Mamba thought it was the Devil.
Should I kill it?
How? Will you be able to find it if it flees or hides?
Hmph! Samedi groaned.
While the creature would have been defeated by a single punch from him in the plains or the desert, the jungle was the creatures home. There wasnt a way for him to catch it if it hid.
Samedi, leave Ulumbo and Olonge behind and go ahead. The creatures waiting for someone to fall behind. Someone should become bait. Ill take care of it and follow you soon after.
Okay.
Samedi didnt refuse and herded the Pygmies away. If his master said so, it was so. Black Mamba made Olonge lead the way and slowly grew further away from the main group. Only Black Mamba and the two guides were left in the large black forest.
There are three reasons Africa is called the Black Continent. One is because of its people, the second their lack of culture, and third, the black forest. The jungles around the Congo River took up 12% of Africas entire area. The central jungle northeast was Ituri Jungle.
No humans had walked into the Ituri Jungle for the past six years. It wouldnt be surprising if another Sarcosuchus popped up. The Ituri Jungle was silent to the point of scary, like always. Countless animals lived in the jungle, but only two species kept chattering: the monkeys and birds.
Columbus monkeys were more distracting and louder. They screeched and threw fruits at them without a break. If one shouted amidst their group, dozens of others followed. The creatures, which sensed a scary predator amongst them, lowered their voices. Soon, the Columbus monkeys and birds stopped making a sound altogether.
The forest boiled like a hot bath, as it rained once earlier. Humid fog crawled along the floor due to the heavy air, and water dripped off of leaves. The dark forest was full of eerie and unnatural auras. Olonge continued, slicing off vines that hung like curtains. While it was a hunting path that the Pygmies took, it wouldnt be noticeable from the other marks after three days.
This bastards as tenacious as a whales tendon.
Black Mamba was frustrated. Their tracker continued to follow them 90 meters behind. It didnt go far even when it moved away. He wondered whether he should track it down to get rid of it, but decided to stay with Ulumbo and Olonge for their safety. If he lost his guides, he would be a sitting duck in Ituri Jungle like the one he saw at Nak Dong River.
Hm, what is this?
It was different from the tracker behind them, but he felt a similar blood lust. It was the appearance of a third predator. Naturally, a fight occurred soon after. Keee! Keyaaaaa! The sound of a cat screaming and another voice, short and sharp, rang out.
Their tracker didnt seem to be a leopard considering its low vocal cords. Is there a feline-species animal in northern Africa larger than a leopard? There was a jaguar in the western jungle and a puma in the northern, but there wasnt a predator he could recall for Ituri Jungle. He suddenly grew curious. Ituri Jungle had ancient creatures, surprising ones like the Sarcosuchus. What other existences could there be?
Ulumbo! Have you shot a gun before?
No, sir.
Black Mamba threw him a Glock.
Release the left lock button, hold the handle with two hands, raise it to shoulder height, and pull the trigger. Easy, right?
Black Mamba did an impossible feat of summarizing gun shooting practice into a single sentence. Black Mamba immediately turned and headed towards the sounds after the careless education. Scared, Ulumbo and Olonge kept close to him. They could hear some strange predators cries right now. It was likely they could be s*** the next day if they fell away from Gods warrior.
The forest grew quiet again after two more explosive cries. Blood lust and competitive spirit overwhelmed the forest, where even the sound of birds had disappeared. Black Mambas woodland-patterned BDU disguise uniform of black and brown was just the right colors of the Ituri Jungle. Not even the boomslangs hanging on the branches overhead noticed Black Mamba.
Pygmy hunter Olonge was a master of disguise. The problem was Ulumbo. He walked around as though he was announcing his location. Black Mamba shook his hand. It was a sign to be quiet and hide.
Uh! Ulumbo, who had been coming after them, sucked in a loud breath. His eyes remained fixed on the scene before him. Olonge immediately covered his mouth. Ulumbo, who had this mouth twisted shut by a small but strong hand, could only roll his eyes here and there. A strange creature was fighting an opponent in a small clearing where plants were less.
Terror Bird! Dinofelis! Black Mamba silently groaned.
If a zoology journalist and paleontologist were here, they would have frothed at the mouth. The Terror Bird (or Horror Bird) and Dinofelis were animals that topped the food chain throughout the Eocene and Pleistocene ages of the Cenozoic era.
It wasnt just the Jurassic and Cretaceous reptiles that were huge. Cenozoic mammals also grew in size like crazy. The largest mammal in the Cenozoic era, the Indracotia, reached a shoulder height of 5m, a length of 9m, and a weight of 20 tons.
Dinofelis was a powerhouse in the Cenozoic era and was called a sabretooth cat. With a shoulder height of 1m and a weight of 150kg, it was one circumference smaller than Smilodon, the representative figure of sabretooth leopards. Its appearance was a mix between a tiger and a leopard.
Dinofelis attracts attention not only from paleontologists but also anthropologists. This is because many traces of the Dinofeliss teeth were found in the skull fossils of Australopithecus. As a result, Australopithecus fell from a predator who pursued animals with a stick to prey being hunted.
The Terror Bird is the collective name for large, flightless carnivorous birds of the Cenozoic era. The Terror Bird before him was a Kelenken guillermoi species estimated to be 3 meters tall and weighed 200 kg.
It would be a big mistake if one compared a Terror Bird of the Cenozoic era to an ostrich based on appearances. Although their sizes were similar, the Terror Bird was a beast. It was estimated that a Terror Birds legs were more than twice as thick as humans. When kicked by its muscular legs or pecked on with its ax-like beak, humans would be killed in a heartbeat.
Black Mamba felt a strange apprehension. Even though Ituri Jungle was said to have been preserved for 600,000 years, it was unnatural for ancient creatures from a different era to keep appearing. Animals need to be in certain numbers for their descendants to appear. The theory that they all climbed up from a hole that appeared in the underground world made more sense.
The Terror Birds slightly better.
That was Black Mambas judgment. The Terror Bird was an Outfighter, and the Dinofelis was an Infighter. The Terror Bird roamed the outskirts for an attack opportunity, and the Dinofelis took a crouched defensive stance. The Dinofeliss side was torn as if there had already been a close battle. He was amazed at the majesty of the Terror Bird which seemed to suppress the wild beast with its majestic aura. When times were different and living conditions changed, the laws of natures food chain naturally changed too.
Chapter 396 - Episode 19: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Whoosh
The Dinofelis moved without a sound. It leaped and landed, avoiding the terror birds beak before it shot up again like lightning and landed a blow on the birds chest. It was a strike that lived up to its name, monster cat.
Keeegh
A screeching sound erupted. Blood and feathers scattered from the terror birds chest.
Crack
The terror bird slapped the Dinofelis face by flapping both of its wings and jumped. Its flapping allowed it to move faster, propelling its tree-like legs further. The terror bird shot up five meters into the air and landed on its chicken feet, no, sharp curved claws.
Its the end! Black Mamba mumbled.
It had three claws that resembled a sword. Its side claws looked more like his Kukri. He knew that even the African buffalos would be wiped out with a single blow of its claws.
The Dinofelis exhibited flexibility unique to feline animals. It avoided the aggressive feet attack by tumbling back, grazing the terror birds stomach with its hind legs. The terror bird blocked the Dinofelis attack with its short wings and stretched out its long neck.
The birds ax-like beak attacked the felines exposed abdomen. Surprised, the Dinofelis curled up and rolled like a ball.
Crack
The huge ax-like beak landed right on the spot where it originally was. Grass and leaves flew into the air, blocking his sight.
Grrrr
Keeeeh
Short growls and sharp whistles loudly rang as they tumbled.
Gosh, that guy must have seen death just now.
Watching other people fight was more entertaining than ones own fight. Black Mamba was absorbed in the two ancient monsters fight. The terror birds beak attacks were as horrifying as the stories he heard. The Dinofelis abdomen would be gutted if it had received its attack head-on. The bird could use both its claws and its beak. There was a reason why the Dinofelis was losing.
Whine
Kiii
The monsters that exchanged blows flew apart, instantly increasing the distance between themselves. The Dinofelis targeted its opponents neck, and the terror bird targeted its opponents side and legs. Both were wary of each others deadly weapons. They struggled to attack each other, so they started analyzing instead.
Once again, Black Mamba felt like something was off. Both monsters analytically dragged out the fight by properly distributing their powers to attack and defend. They were just like first-class martial artists. Even herbivores drove themselves half-mad by attacking thoughtlessly when their testosterone level was high. It was natural for predators to beat each other up like it was life or death in a fight.
While the Dinofelis was known to be intelligent, could the terror bird lead the battle calmly? That was impossible. Birds couldnt use their brains to plan an attack or use the environment to their advantage. Why else would the nickname chicken head exist?
There were two reasons why mammals evolved to grow their offspring in their wombs. One was to protect their offspring from external threats, and the other reason was to develop the brain. The brain could develop normally with a constant supply of nutrients. A human fetus needed 2,000 calories of nutrients every day. Surely, the nutrients stored in an egg werent enough.
While early birth might be easier on the mother, the offsprings brain wouldnt be fully developed. Its obvious how much nutrients were accumulated in the yolk. Thats why humans could raise chickens, but chickens couldnt raise humans. In the end, birds couldnt be as intelligent as mammals. That wasnt biased because it was inherently impossible since birth.
Its special, isnt it? Maybe?
Boom
Black Mamba released his resonance waves. First, he messed up the Dinofelis brainwaves.
Kuaaa
As expected, the Dinofelis let out a roar. It was the same for the terror bird. When he messed with its brainwaves, its gaze turned aggressive instantly.
Keeegh
The terror bird started kicking at the dirt and stones with its feet. Although it had a large body, it acted just like a street mob.
Kuaaa
The Dinofelis charged, unable to hold back. The situation changed. Both monsters were entangled while biting, stabbing, and hitting one another after their violent tendencies were triggered. Weeds were uprooted, and leaves along with feathers floated as they rolled around the entire clearing. The whole forest shook at both monsters cries.
Now, theyre monsters.
Black Mamba smiled in satisfaction. He suspected that both monsters could be genetically modified creatures, like the chimera at the Lakes of Ounianga. Hed be relieved if his suspicions were false, but if it was true, the entire world would turn on its head.
There were righteous humans, but there were no righteous countries. Countries could easily turn into terrible monsters under the guise of national interest. The European colonialism, the American Indian Holocaust, and the atrocities of the Nazis and Japanese militaristsif we looked back on history, the impacts of evil were endless when the country was the mastermind of said evil. Anyone who believed that a country moved honorably for the sake of its people had a few loose screws.
The fight became advantageous to one side in the blink of an eye. The Dinofelis was fast and powerful, but the terror bird was slightly better. With an ax-like beak attached to its long and firm neck, powerful kicks, and wings with sharp claws, the terror bird deserved its title as the greatest predator of the Cenozoic Era with its three weapons.
Bang
Uung
The Dinofelis, which had been moving around trying to avoid its opponents beak, screamed after it was smacked on the head with its wing instead. That was because of its reduced speed. Both degenerated wings not only helped it to balance but served powerful smacks. The Dinofelis head snapped to the side.
Crack
A powerful kick landed on its side. At the terror birds kick, the Dinofelis flew far away.
Kiiaaa
The terror bird charged forward and drilled down with its beak, giving it no chances.
Whoosh
The Rakshasa was faster than the terror birds beak. The whip that flew through the air wrapped around the terror birds neck. Black Mambas wrist twitched.
Twang
The Rakshasa sounded like a piano string. The neck of the fearless terror bird was sliced in half instantly.
Whoooosh
The moment the terror birds head landed on the floor, the blood gushing out of its neck flew six meters into the air.
Woah!
Black Mambas eyes widened.
Dudududu
The terror birds headless body ran around frantically. A large bird missing its head, running around with blood sprinkling everywhereit was the kind of scene that would have appeared in thriller movies that old people and pregnant ladies were prohibited from watching.
Look at that damn thing! Whats it going to do without its head?
Black Mamba stated the impossible. Black Mamba was an evil person who started worrying after cutting off its head.
Bang
The headless body ran straight into a limbali tree and hesitated. The terror bird flapped its wings before disappearing deep into the forest.
Black Mamba stared down at the large birds head, jumping around on the floor. Why did he intervene in the two monsters fight and save the Dinofelis? It was because the saber-tooth cat reminded him of blacky. Of course, blacky wasnt a cat. It appeared like a cat, but it was a noble being incomparable to the lowly creatures on earth. He suddenly missed blacky.
Hey, snap out of it!
What? Yes, yes! Im sorry, great master.
Ulumbo mumbled his apologies as he snapped back into consciousness. Olonge still couldnt pull himself together. Well, the visual was too shocking for any ordinary person to handle.
I think we should look into that guy.
He approached the tired Dinofelis.
Grrrr
The Dinofelis with the injured spine raised its body and bared its teeth.
Shut up, you s***. How dare you bare your teeth to Sir Ddu-bai-buru-pa when you have been defeated by a mere bird! Youre asking for trouble.
Black Mamba grabbed its large head and shook it.
Kiaaaa
The monster endured, tensing its neck muscles. There was bloodlust pouring out of its blue eyes. Ulumbo and Olonge couldnt approach, scared.
Oh, how dare you glare, cat b*stard!
Whoosh
The bloodlust that hed suppressed erupted.
Kee
The Dinofelis shoved its head under its front paws. Creatures that were faithful to their instincts were more sensitive to bloodlust. The creature was instantly intimidated by the undefeatable predators aura.
Boom
He placed his palm on its spine and activated his dimensional sight. Fortunately, it wasnt broken. He dealt with spines before, back when he healed Sam Chuls spine. He gently pushed the dislocated spine back into place with his resonance waves. Now, all he had to do was wait for its regenerative abilities to heal the rest or perhaps not.
Brat, if you want to live, you submit. You understand?
The Dinofelis flinched.
Ulumbo, move it on a stick.
Hic!
Ulumbos face creased. That was the kind of predator hed never heard of, one hed be scared to see in a dream. Although it was a pet to the great master, he was its food.
Hurry up!
Yes, yes, sir!
Ulumbo and Olonge, who were being rushed, only answered but didnt move. In the end, Black Mamba had to tie the Dinofelis four legs with twine. Since it weighed 150 kilograms, he could only move it on a stick.
Ulumbo and Olonge staggered as they raised the stick to their shoulders. The growling b*stard was scary and also heavy. Their eyes darkened at the idea of carrying it all the way to the village.
Black Mamba locked the Dinofelis up in a sturdy cage the moment he returned to the village. It would be easier to transport once he contacted the base camp. The only reason he didnt do so was because of his suspicions. He planned to observe the Dinofelis himself. He was also curious as a biology student.
Ulumbo, call the village leader over. Wait, they dont have a village leader.
Ill call the oldest man over, sir.
Ulumbo was starting to act smarter.
What is your name?
Congte.
The old Pygmy lowered himself into a bow.
Congte, Im leaving to get rid of the black men who dirtied Ituri. That beast is my property. Feed it this amount of meat by the time the sun goes down.
Black Mamba pointed at a rock the size of a head. Pygmies wouldnt understand if he told them the amount in kilograms. Telling them not to starve it was better left unsaid. After hearing Ulumbos translation, Congte lowered himself even more. No Pygmy dared to go against the Mahabharatas order.
You brat, stay still until Im back from work, you understand?
Black Mamba patted the large Dinofelis head. The Dinofelis soul was already under his control. The horrible predator purred, rubbing its head against Black Mambas leg like a cat.
On the seventh day in the Ituri Rainforest,
Black Mamba and Samedi headed for Katanga. Olonge and Kidamba were in charge of guiding, while Ulumbo accompanied them as a translator. Kidamba, who shook off his fear of the Blacks and guns, was overflowing with energy.
Olonge, who set out as a soldier, had a mange[1] slung across his shoulder and a koso in his hand. Kidamba had a topa slung across his shoulder and was holding a koso. The koso was more of a long knife that resembled a sickle and wasnt efficient at clearing shrubs and grass. Samedi gave them a titanium machete, but they shook their heads after looking around a few times.
Samedi was dumbfounded, but Black Mamba understood. A familiar weapon was better than a good weapon. Compared to the titanium jungle knife made with cutting-edge technology, the Pygmies preferred the koso they had been using for decades. The Pygmies didnt have to build paths in the forest anyway. Jungle knives were insignificant to them as they wiggled their way out of obstacles like a squirrel.
Huh, isnt this the place where the hippo attacked us?
Black Mamba turned to look at Ulumbo. Olonge led them to the place where the hippos and crocodiles caused all kinds of trouble. Although the water level was low, yellow water filled the area.
I only know the path to Mambasa, sir. The Pygmy hunters have their own path that they use.
Really? Youre weak, and now, youve lost your purpose.
Samedi wasnt used to the complicated emotions of a human. He spoke very straightforwardly. Ulumbo looked discouraged by his harsh words.
Ulumbo, translating is also important. Dont worry about the promised money. Black Mamba smiled.
He could clearly read Ulumbos mind. He was in a rush to marry. Black Mamba wasnt so cold-hearted as to ignore a man who remained a virgin for the past 34 years.
Thank you, great master!
Ulumbos expression brightened up significantly.
Olonge walked into the swamp without hesitation. Olonge whistled while crossing the same swamp where Black Mamba and Samedi killed dozens of crocodiles and barely managed to cross.
Ha!
Black Mamba and Samedi, who were preparing to make a raft, exhaled out of shock. The water lapped Olonges shins. Eagles could catch pheasants. Although Black Mamba specialized in killing and destroying, the Ituri Rainforest was the Pygmies backyard. Olonge walked well along a hidden path in the swamp. As Ulumbo said, there was a path that only they knew of.
Black Mamba and Samedi didnt hesitate to walk in after realizing that there was a path in the swamp. Martial arts masters had eyes on their feet. The problem was Ulumbo. Samedi had to raise Ulumbo in the air after he nearly fell into the swamp several times. Ulumbo was like a packed lunch in several ways.
Olonge pointed to a large Albazia[2] rooted in the swamp.
Unka dubemki jintu mm belisita!
He says there are cursed white man objects.
Really?
Black Mamba stared at the objects caught on the Albizia branch. The objects hanging from the branch were a cartridge belt and backpack. Olonge spoke indecipherable words.
Great master, he says many whites died while trying to cross the swamp. The swamp used to be smaller back then, so there were a lot of hippos. He says that there are a lot of corpses under that tree.
Back then meant it had been over 10 days, and many meant there were more than 10 corpses. Some Pygmies knew numbers, but Olonge and Kidamba didnt.
Black Mamba took out the army rope hed placed in his army pocket.
Whoosh
The rope wrapped itself around the backpack that was 30 meters away.
Twang
He snatched the rope back. The branch broke, unable to withstand his strength. The backpack flew through the air and landed in his hands.
Black Mamba didnt look inside the backpack. It was obvious that itd be filled with spoiled food and all kinds of bugs. He only checked the nameplate on the side. That was the commando Huberts insigniathere was an albatross flying above a crossed dagger and anchor. The backpack belonged to Aschdanc Hamnet Montpor, a senior who wore the military uniform for at least 15 years.
[1] The Pygmy tribes bow.
[2] A tree that has lots of small branches and grows up to 50 meters.
Chapter 397 - Episode 20: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Why did the Commando Hubert unit die there? There was no battle. If there was a battle, the Pygmy tribe would have known. Unfortunately, First Sergeant Montpors 15 years of experience was useless in the Ituri Rainforest.
The great Ituri Rainforest had the highest density of trees among the many tropical rainforests in the Congo Basin. When one mentioned forests, they referred to primary forests. Trees such as mahogany, limbali, chik, and blackwood formed a canopy, and plants covered the ground. Primary forests had a simple vegetation structure. There were many trees at first glance, but humans moved around easily because the bushes and vines werent tangled.
If a primary forest was destroyed for some reason, a secondary forest was created. Conifer trees began to grow, and fast-growing shrubs, bamboos, and thorny vines multiplied in abundance, creating an impregnable barrier. The Ituri Rainforest was unique as it was a combination of primary and secondary forests. That was how a harsh environment for humans was created.
The remains of the Commando Hubert unit were found at an especially dangerous area in the Ituri Rainforest. There were various endemic diseases such as sleeping sickness, yellow fever, and dengue fever, and it was also swarming with crocodiles, hippos, leopards, venomous snakes, poisonous insects, and parasites. Among them was the most fearful creature, the silent assassin, Midge Ur, which transferred deadly parasites without a trace.
Although no one remembered, that was the very place where Viscount John Murray of England led 300 to death as the leader of the Congo exploration team in 1692. Based on records, seven large-scale exploration teams from European countries were wiped out in the Ituri Rainforest. Their deaths werent a result of predators or venomous snakes but endemic diseases and parasitic infections.
Although he didnt know the exact reason why the Commando Hubert unit was wiped out there, he knew that it was probably due to the parasitic infection transferred by the Midge Ur.
He could almost see it. Those rebels or cult warriors familiar with the region could have lured the commando there as they had stronger firepower. That place was the Midge Urs habitat.
Like how he was attacked, the Midge Ur attacked the Commando Hubert unit too. The special unit infected by the larvae of mango bugs, a species of blowflies, must have suffered from dehydration.
The Ituri Rainforest had water everywhere. However, no safe water was available for consumption anywhere. Even if you consumed the dew on leaves, there was a possibility of being poisoned or infected with parasites. There was water everywhere in the Devils Forest, but an impossible situation occurred whereby people died from dehydration.
The thirsty soldiers drank the swamp water. Swamp candiru and leeches lived in swamps. There were also deadly amoebas that melted the brain. The candiru broke down organs, and the leeches sucked on blood. The Commando Hubert unit members, alongside first sergeant Montpor, must have died in pain without a chance to fire their guns.
The blowflies of two to three millimeters long were the ones that wiped out Frances elite anti-terrorism team. It was Ituris curse on those who tried to harm the earths virgin land.
Black Mambas expression darkened. Empty souls lingered around the entire place. They were protesting their injustice. Those poor souls lost their lives in vain, driven to death by an Oecophylla smaragdinas greed. Although he was busy, he couldnt just go along his way, leaving those souls in a state of unrest.
Such poor souls. Soldiers who buried their bones in an unfamiliar place, your souls have scattered in the dark forest where theres no sunlight or moonlight, and each souls vessel has lost its way. You remain here in despair and fear. It is the universes will for one to die after they are born and separate after they meet. Theres pain with attachment, and theres nothing to turn back to. Poor souls, what is it that you cant let go of?
Tap tap
tap
Tatatap
Samedi tapped the machine guns head with the machetes handle to the rhythm of his chanting.
The life you lived momentarily has ended. Dont get hung up on the sliver of relations you had among all evil humans. Are you worried about your wife and children? Youll forget your pain in a year, stop missing them in two years, and forget their faces in three years. Theres a way for the living and a way for the dead. The boundary between life and death is defined, so find your own teachings of the one who had thus gone and find peace in your souls. Surisuri masuri susuri sabaha!
Taaap
Tap
Tatatap
When Black Mamba finished chanting, Samedi scattered some of their food over the swamp. It was a simpler version of the saving grace ritual. The offering would serve as their last meal in hopes that they leave the world of the living in peace.
Splash
Big and small fishes gathered and bubbled away in the water. Of course, souls couldnt pick up battle rations. Its all for nothing. The ritual wasnt carried out to console the dead but for the living to be at ease.
Samedi, we cant leave them be, can we?
The Korean government turned a blind eye to the remains of South Korean soldiers buried in North Korea. He couldnt ignore those soldiers remains after cursing out the South Korean government for doing so.
The dead remain the same, but the living can die. Well lose time picking up those pieces of protein and calcium.
Samedi was not familiar with the metaphysical psychology of humans. He stated facts without hesitation.
I suppose the base camp will do something about it if we tell them the location. Theyll be happy since they gave up on recovering the remains.
Ok.
Samedi pulled out the satellite phones antenna.
Mother bird, this is baby bird doyo.
Mother bird here. Baby bird doyo, youre contacting us late.
Look at this b*stard! Hes lost his fear.
Black Mamba felt uncomfortable. Instead of checking in on their current situation, that guy immediately complained about their late contact. Perhaps, the headquarters chided him. That was why he didnt like those who sat behind desks and rolled their heads around. However, the timing was just nice since he was heart-stricken after finding the remains of Commando Hubert.
Who are you?
Black Mambas words immediately changed from an informants to an enraged customers.
Team leader Holland, sir.
You b*stard. I dont care if youre Holland or All lounge. Go get Paul.
Special Military Advisor, you cant-
B*stard, do you want me to stop the operation and turn back for your head?
Uh, no! Sir! Ill get the captain on the line.
Pauls voice echoed from the phone immediately.
Hey, friend. Ive never felt so happy to hear an irritated voice. You cant do it sane, can you? Should I send over a box of Sciacarello?
There was a hint of concern in his joke. That was why it was best to have friends on the battlefield.
You cant do anything by air in Ituri. Just hearing its enough. Ive just confirmed Commando Huberts Hamnet Montpors backpack, first class sergeant.
Woah, Huberts the unit sent in during the second Fist of Justice operation. Did you find their remains? Send me the coordinates.
Black Mamba turned on the GPS and checked his coordinates.
1-18-24.13 / 29-35-13.01, theyre in a swamp where it is difficult to estimate the surface area. Find a 35-meter tall Albazia. Many remains and objects surround the tree. The exploration environment is dangerous. Youll need a competent team leader. Send Holland as the team leader.
Yes, sir, let me confirm. You want Holland as the recovery team leader, yes. I have your order, Special Military Advisor.
Black Mamba forcibly suppressed the laughter that almost escaped. Paul planned that to f*** Holland over. It seemed like Paul didnt like Holland that much either. Regardless of country, the intelligence agencys head and the combat unit commander were usually at odds with one another.
Captain Paul, you will be in charge of my communications, over.
Black Mamba hung up without revealing his progress or location. That was a place where terror birds and Dinofelis appeared. Nothing good would come out of revealing his whereabouts.
It took two hours for him to escape the sticky swamp. He made the right decision by choosing Olonge and Kidamba as his guides. The two Pygmy hunters casually walked along a road invisible to their eyes, as though they had eyes someplace else. They avoided poisonous insects and predators easily, avoided swamps, and even found water and food. The food there was all kinds of caterpillars and fruits.
Olonge and Kidamba didnt get tired at all. Black Mamba and Samedi werent tired either. The only human among them on the verge of death was Ulumbo. Although Kidamba was carrying Ulumbos backpack, Ulumbo didnt have enough strength to run four kilometers per hour through the forest.
Master, cant we take at least 10 minutes of break? Ulumbo, who was exhausted, whined.
Brat, how are you ever going to marry with such poor stamina? Samedi glared.
Break! We ran for the past five hours. Ulumbo deserves a break.
Upon Black Mambas permission, Ulumbo collapsed onto the ground.
You idiot b*stard, stand up now! Samedi shouted.
Ah, right! Im sorry, master!
Ulumbo immediately jumped to his feet. Another reason why Ituri was called the Devils Forest was because of the poisonous insects, parasites, and viruses. No one knew what would happen if one sat on the ground. No one could lean on trees either. Someone had to find a rock and rest while standing or spray disinfectant over places.
Ulumbo, Samedis just shouting out of concern for you. You need to make money to marry, right? Black Mamba smiled as he handed the man a pouch of date palms.
From his experience, date palms were better than chocolates at replenishing energy.
Uhum, thank you, great master, Ulumbo said and started crying.
How could the Mahabharata be so humane! Ulumbo decided to throttle the fake spellcaster once he returned to his village.
Ulumbo, find shelter from the rain.
The air grew heavy. There was no answer to a downpouraccompanied by lightningthat came without warning. Ituri was a place where swamp and land were indistinguishable even without rain. It would be harder to move once the rain poured down.
The rainforests in the Congo Basin, including the Ituri Rainforest, were called Africas Hupa. The amount of water vapor it released annually per square kilometers was over 20,000,000 liters. Its truly a massive amount.
The massive amount of water vapor released by the rainforests created its own climate. When water vapor condensed in a specific region, a localized downpour began. Ulumbo, who received orders, didnt say a word as he called Olonge over.
Olonge, huna yoku ocela eshwa eye.
Olonge, who was ahead of them, smiled widely, revealing his white teeth. That was no surprise coming from the Mahabharata. He was about to say that its going to rain. Olonge immediately searched for a cave he used when hunting.
Too late!
The forest grew bright before Black Mamba could finish talking. The lightning pierced through the canopy and struck the ground.
Crash
The lightning shook the forest.
Whoosh
A downpour began.
The forest went mad. Large trees shook, and trees that received water bombs screamed. Vines that hung like ropes started spraying water like a fire hose. It felt like Pangu of the legends shaking the Ituri Rainforests ki.
Ituris canopy was around 10 to 15 meters thick. The rainwater collected in the canopy started pouring down through gaps like a waterfall. It was similar to the structure in which the rainwater collected on the roof poured out through the gutter.
While it was a sight to see, it was scary for the people receiving said water bombs. The most important rule to keep during an outland operation was maintaining body temperature. A decrease in body temperature slowed down body functions, reducing the bodys reaction time and immunity.
Olonge and Kidamba ran like squirrels after being rushed by Black Mamba. Looking like wet rats, their group arrived before the cave 10 minutes later. A large hole with its gaping dark jaw spread out like a wall under a large cliff.
Great master, this is a bat cave. Theyre not vampire bats, though.
Olonge walked in as though there was nothing wrong. Samedi grabbed Olonges shoulder and held him back.
You idiot, do you want to be someone elses s*** tomorrow?
Kongkani?[1]
Samedi didnt reply and turned to look at Black Mamba.
Wakil, should I kill them?
Dont kill recklessly.
Samedi sensed a creature in the cave, but Black Mamba also sensed humans. Although his senses were limited by the downpour and lightning, he could feel the presence of at least four humans in the cave. Black Mamba tilted his head. The animals presence was overpowering, and the humans presence felt distant. Did they come to a truce before the great power of nature?
Why is he acting benevolent all of a sudden?
Samedi also tilted his head. His master mercilessly got rid of creatures that harmed humans. The order to not kill recklessly was vague.
I guess Ill kill it if it doesnt back down.
He didnt want to kill an existence that crawled in to avoid the downpour, but he had no choice if it attacked. Samedi was about to step foot into the cave when something black shot out like a cannonball.
Samedi, who received a surprise attack, reflexively blocked it with his arm.
Keeeeah
Crash
The large predator pressed down on his chest with its dagger-like claws and attacked his eyes with its beak. Samedi was done in by the monsters flash-like attacks. He managed to avoid losing his eyes by tucking his head in, but a hole appeared on his forehead, and his combat uniform was in tatters.
Good job, brat! Black Mamba said sarcastically, clicking his tongue.
Samedi had a bad habit of overestimating his bodys defense power. Well, it was natural since he withstood teachers Psychokinesis. The monster that inflicted those injuries on Samedis body was the one that deserved praise.
The one that attacked Samedi without fear was a vulture with a beard hanging under its chin. The king of Africas eastern skies was a large bearded vulture. It weighed about eight kilograms, and it had a wingspan of over two meters. However, that one was a width wider.
Kuuh, damn it!
Samedi exploded. He grabbed the leg of the predator that was about to fly.
Keee
Crack
The animal went into a frenzy. It slapped Samedi with both wings and pressed down on his face with its dagger-like toes.
[1] What?
Chapter 398 - Episode 21: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Of course, the wild creatures attack didnt work on Samedi. He spun it around like he was spinning a firecracker during a full moon and slammed it down on the ground.
Crack
Wet soil and pebbles were sent flying upward. The bearded vulture that was causing a racket turned into a paste with one blow.
Ouch!
A wide smile was seen on Black Mamba as he looked at Samedis face. Confused, Samedi wiped his forehead with his hand. Blood smeared on his hand. His big nostrils flared. His pride suffered a blow after the mere wild creature attacked him.
You damn thing!
Samedi lifted his leg, which was as thick as a log.
Bang
The sole of his combat boot came down on the bearded vultures head.
What!
Samedi sucked in a breath. He was expecting resistance and cracking sounds, but only wet soil splattered up. Where did that creature-turned-paste disappear to? The answer came to him immediately. Samedi, who felt a sudden chill run down the back of his head, lowered his head so fast that it cracked.
Whoosh
His curly hair fluttered in the bearded vultures hooked claws.
Damn it!
Samedis eyes shook as he stared at its disappearing tail. How was the b*stard flying when it was supposed to be dead? Samedi was suddenly skeptical about his strength.
Uaaaa, its a zombie vulture!
Uuuu, Zakar Houngan!
Olonge and Kidamba started trembling. Zakar Houngan referred to the highest-ranking Vodou priest. The priest was a scary existence who could turn humans and animals into zombies. There had been occasions where several Mbuti Pygmy villages lost their young children to the zombie vulture.
If a child was done in by a leopard, there would be marks left behind. If eaten by a zombie vulture, there wouldnt even be marks left behind. When children disappeared without a trace, villagers gave up trying to find them thinking that it was the zombie vultures doing. Spellcasters and priests were much more fearsome to them than evil spirits and the devil.
Kaaoooooh
The bearded vulture turned and soared into the sky. It disappeared high above the canopy regardless of the heavy rain. Samedis face tensed up. The bearded vultures aura was great. He immediately pulled out his Squeaker. Just as he finished assembling the handle, the bearded vulture descended from the sky like a meteor.
Amule amule bind!
An eerie spell flowed out of the cave.
Woah!
Samedis eyes widened to the point that it was bulging out. His mind grew foggy, as though he was drowning in some deep lake. He couldnt move, as though all the tendons of his body were severed.
Clack
The Squeaker in his hands fell.
Whoosh
The bearded vulture stabbed Samedis neck and shot back up. Samedi, who had part of his neck torn out, staggered like a drunk man.
Black Mambas eyes darkened. He knew that the Vodou priest was inside the cave upon hearing the spell.
Whoosh
The Rakshasa flew out. It wrapped itself around the wings of the zombie vulture that flew away after attacking.
Twang
Black Mamba, who dragged the zombie vulture back, grabbed its neck with his Billions Water Armor. Its bloodshot eyes looked just like the eyes of the zombies he saw at Samaria farm.
Zombie? It seems like our ill fate continues.
Craaack
His Billions Water Armor pulled the zombie vultures neck without hesitation.
Crack
The Billions Water Armor also pierced and crushed its chest. The zombie vulture that was violently resisting fell limp.
Kugh-
A suppressed groan sounded from the cave. The aura that restricted Samedi collapsed. Samedi, who was staggering, regained his balance and stood up straight.
Are you ok?
No. Im really embarrassed.
Samedi shook his head from side to side. Although the wound on his neck had automatically healed and scabbed over, he was very pissed.
Bang
His heavy foot tore the zombie vulture apart.
Bang
Bang
The zombie vulture, which had its bones crushed and muscles shredded, turned into a pancake and blended with the ground.
Im going to kill him.
Samedi, who finished venting his anger, stomped into the cave.
Keeee
An eerie noise rang out from the darkness. Black Mamba turned on his lantern. A large snake lifted itself into a stand, raising its head and flicking its tongue. Leaning against a wall was an old man whose skin looked like tree bark. Blood was trickling down the corner of the mans mouth.
Huh! Nehwalt![1]
Olonge, who followed after them, stepped back immediately. There was a large snake with a head the size of his head. His entire limbs started trembling at the sight of its vertically slitted grayish-white eyes.
Eo, eo!
Olonge and Kidamba ran frantically out of the cave. The Pygmies were more afraid of evil snake creatures than leopards. That was because aside from their instinctive fear, the kind of pain that one had to endure after getting bitten to death by a venomous snake was horrible.
Its big!
That was all Black Mamba had to say. The yellow snake with brown stripes was over 10 meters long. The Ituri Rainforests ecosystem was certainly not normal. Regular animals were one width smaller than the animals outside the forest, but there were also creatures beyond imagination.
Baron Samedi! The old priest spat out, frothing blood at his mouth.
His words carried evil intent and fear. He heard that term from Barungo before. It was something along the lines of the God of Death that ate spirits.
Houngan! Black Mamba spat out viciously.
You could tell apart a Vodou Houngan by their blue eyes that shone like sapphires and eerie aura. The object he was holding was a human wrist that had been chemically processed, with only bones left behind. The image of Barungo from Samaria farm almost overlapped with the b*stard.
Who are you?
Amule Bakir! The priest mumbled without answering.
Keeee
Kurrr
The large snake puked out something from its stomach. A dark form covered in liquid slowly came out of its mouth.
No way!
Samedis eyes were blazing with fury. The snake puked out a half-digested human. He wanted to tear apart the old man and snake immediately. His primal animosity toward evil burned with bloodlust. His mind went blank with rage.
Bakir, Ukbulara[2]!
Keeek
The large snake raised its head to Samedis. Its vertically slitted grayish-white eyes glimmered.
Tsss
The large snake spat out poison like a water gun out of the blue. The ball of poison landed right on Samedis face from five meters away.
Damn it!
Samedi covered his eyes with his palms.
Splat
The yellow-colored poison dripped down his palms. There was a lot, and its aim was accurate.
Kirrrr
The snake extended the hood around its neck. The only kind of snakes that could shoot poison and extend their hoods were cobra snakes. The problem was that the snake was 20 times larger than a king cobra. Anacondas would back away at its size.
Even snakes think Im an idiot now!
Samedi, who was seething, spouted speculation. The king snake showed no signs of fear. It seemed happy to see its food rolling in.
Shhh
The snakes neck, which was folded in an S-shape, unfolded like a spring, and its head, which was the size of a soccer ball, flew in.
Amule amule bind!
The old priest chanted. Samedi hesitated. He shook his head, but the energy that restrained his hands lingered throughout his body again. The king snake bit his shoulder and wrapped itself around Samedi in a flash. It was so fast that lightning couldnt compare.
Ha!
Black Mamba directed resonance waves at the old man.
Huuuh!
The old priest gasped. Samedi, who regained control of his hands and feet, grabbed the head and pulled it off his shoulder.
Tsss
The king snake used its strength again. It was the kind of strength that could crush an elephant instantly. Samedis breathing hitched.
Crack
His ribs cracked.
Yeaaa!
Samedi used his strength too. His biceps, triceps, and lats were bulging out.
Craaaaack
The king snakes head crushed in his hand.
Craaack
The king snake wrapped its body around tightly despite its crushed skull. Samedi grabbed the king snakes upper and lower jaw and used his strength.
Riiipp
It was torn from mouth to neck. Samedi utilized his specialty of tearing mouths. Still, its body continued to tighten around him.
F***ing hell, what kind of shit is this!
Samedi grew more annoyed and started tearing apart the snakes body mercilessly. His left hand, which only had three fingers, dug into the snakes body. He tore apart the king snake like a dried squid snack.
Oh dear, he ruined its skin.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Snakeskin sold well in Champs-lyses. Although Black Mamba was a billionaire, he was still petty.
Damn, it feels weird!
Samedi, who was covered in snake blood, flung the tattered snake away. The zombie human and zombie snake kings fight ended solemnly. The cave reeked of blood.
Old man, what is your identity?
Kuuuu! You damn root and branches of evil, I will kill you!
The old priest exuded a deadly aura, but his condition wasnt that great. More blood trickled down the side of his mouth, and his body shook as though he was drunk. It seemed like the forced disconnection with the giant snake affected his condition, causing him to be out of his mind.
You know French. Do you know Ntaganda?
Black Mambas voice carried resonance waves.
Hu!
The Zakar Houngan came to his senses at the explosive voice ringing in his head.
Who are you?
I am Ddu-bai-buru-pa. Who are you?
I am Zakar Houngan Kran. General Ntanganda is my disciple, Kran admitted.
His opponent was Baron Samedi, the God of Death that ate spirits. He should have avoided them when the spirits protested, but it was too late. There was no avoiding fate.
So the information about Ntaganda being a Vodou priest was true. Are you holding any hostages?
Hehe, figure it out yourself.
What are the hostages inside?
Hehe, I dont remember. Figure that out yourself too.
One extracted bone will help you remember.
Samedi appeared.
Hehe, I smell yorunba on you. Poor doll, serve me as your master.
A sticky aura rushed in.
Kuagh!
Bang
Like a wrecking ball used for demolishing at construction sites, his fist landed on Krans head. The body of the old man, who was now headless, fell backward. That all happened before Black Mamba could stop him.
Damn!
Samedi fell for the sneaky priests trick. Black Mamba, who was planning to draw some information from him, clicked his tongue. Samedi turned to look at Black Mamba with a guilty expression on his face.
You, are you okay?
No problem.
Black Mamba tilted his head. The Tight-Fillet Spell should have activated when Samedi committed murder. Either the b*stard they just killed wasnt human, or Samedis Tight-Fillet Spell had stopped working.
Teacher must have done something.
Like always, there was no point worrying over something that they had no answers to. Samedi started rummaging the half-digested human.
Wakil, its a soldier. I see the French military insignia.
What? Oh, right! There are people inside.
Black Mamba ran into the cave without a second thought.
Flutter
Several bats flew out messily. The further he went, the cave grew more humid. It meant lava was still active in that underground cave.
At the 200-meter mark, the cave got wider. A room that underwent a few artificial adjustments appeared. Three men laid side by side in the room.
GIGN!
There was a round Gendarmerie emblem on their black combat suits. Although it was ruined, it wasnt to the point that it was unrecognizable. According to the DGSEs information, eight GIGN members supposedly disappeared without a trace. It was ridiculous how the great GIGN turned into nothing but snake food.
Hey, do you hear me?
They were breathing and had no external injuries, but they showed no reaction. Samedi placed a finger on their necks. There was still a pulse.
Wakil, can we save them?
Since they didnt become snake food, theyll probably live for a long time.
Ulumbo, who followed them a while later, trembled. The great masters words didnt sound like a joke. He didnt know that Ituri would be that scary deep inside. He never wanted to step inside ever again.
Lets move them to the caves entrance first.
Samedi and the others carefully moved the GIGN members as though they were handling glass. They didnt administer any cardiac stimulants because they were afraid that they would suddenly die.
The rain stopped. Ulumbo, check if there are any edos or Dzanga Bai nearby.
While they were fighting quite pointlessly, the downpour ended like a lie. The forest filled with white fog made it difficult to distinguish the cardinal points.
He says if you walk to the left of the cave for some time, theres a clearing where one poops.
How specific. Samedi, go check.
Okay.
Samedi ran out of the cave and came back after a while.
Wakil, theres no canopy 300 meters from here. The lands muddy, so itll be hard for a helicopter to land.
They can be hoisted.
The Chinook that received Black Mambas call came flying over immediately. The Chinook missed its mark several times despite the accurate coordinates provided by the GPS. The fog that filled up the entire forest ended up blocking their sight.
While the Chinook hovered 30 meters in the air, the mercenaries moved down the fast rope. The patients on the medical beds were hoisted one by one. The half-digested corpse went up last.
Phew, what a horrible place. Paul whistled.
This is definitely not a place for humans to live.
Friend, youre Frances ball of luck. Everything is progressing well ever since you came along.
Paul patted Black Mambas shoulder.
Its all luck. My ancestors must be protecting me.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. Ituri wasnt a place where one could survive with just good luck. One had to be strong for luck to follow. There was no luck if one died. If the GIGN were strong, they wouldnt have turned into snake food because of a houngan, and the case would have already been resolved.
Friend, you should be careful.
There was worry written all over Pauls face.
Non problem! Theres no need to watch my back. Its not a big deal.
Paul smiled at the cynical response.
Thats true. Is there anything you need?
Not for now.
I trust your abilities but still, be careful.
Paul patted his shoulder one last time before moving up the fast rope.
[1] Large snake!
[2] Kill.
Chapter 399 - Episode 22: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Hehehe, I can feel the bonuses rolling in. At least 10,000 francs per remain would do. 100,000 francs for the survivors? No, I should just leave this to Bonipas. Perhaps, hell mistake my intentions again this time.
Black Mamba smiled as he stared at the Chinooks tail that flew further away. He suffered but gained nothing from the mouth of Houngan Kran. He had no intention of scolding Samedi for blowing up his head either.
The spellcaster, who lost his king snake and zombie, gave up his life. Torturing the old mans body would only take a toll on his humanity. That had all started because he needed the money. He earned his money, and that was enough. Black Mamba sorted out the negative situation simply, as always.
On the third day after leaving Olonges village, they journeyed through the forest without much trouble after escaping the swampy region. Ulumbo became Samedis lunchbox once again because of his low stamina. Olonge and Kidamba found paths like ghosts, while Samedi took care of the predators and venomous snakes, which allowed them to move 40 to 50 kilometers a day.
Ulumbo, how much further until Kidambas village?
Well, Ill ask him, but-
Ulumbos face creased as he answered. His head automatically hurt at the thought of talking to Kidamba. The Pygmies, who had no concept of time or numbers, couldnt give him the answer he desired. Just as Ulumbo expected, the answer he gained was very vague.
Im sorry, great master. He says it should take us about the time a gorilla finishes its nap to reach the village.
Ugh, its not like I can separate him from the group. God, hes driving me mad from frustration.
Black Mambas face creased. How was he supposed to know whether the gorilla would sleep all day or for 10 minutes?
How many hours does a gorilla sleep? No, how much further do we need to walk? No, never mind. Id rather die than suffer through a conversation again.
Black Mamba laughed at himself for asking those questions. Well, the village must be nearby since gorillas didnt sleep all day. Knowing that they were closer to their destination gave him strength. His desire to complete the operation quickly and take a warm shower for a good nights sleep was strong.
Great master, the water tastes strange.
Ulumbos face creased as he drank the water. Samedi took the water bottle from him and drank it.
I cant tell.
Black Mamba grabbed the water bottle from Samedi, took one sip, and spat it out.
Its spoiled. Throw it all away.
Of course, it was spoiled. They filled up the water bottle with water from Olonges village. There was no way water would remain fresh for three days in the forests humid temperature.
Olonge, find some water.
In Rome, one had to ask the Romans for directions, and in the Ituri Rainforest, one had to ask the Pygmies. Olonge, who was looking around, stood before a large tree with exceptionally wide leaves. Its overall appearance resembled a banana tree.
Hibitor!
Hibitor?
Abyo![1]
Olonge slashed the Hibitors wide leaf stem. Clear liquid poured out. Kidamba folded the Hibitor leaf with skilled hands and made a cup out of it. Half a cup of sap poured out of a leaf into the small cup. There was a substantial amount.
Samedi drank the sap first, then handed the cup made of leaf to Black Mamba. Saps shouldnt be consumed recklessly in the Ituri Rainforest. Ever since they entered the Ituri Rainforest, Samedi tasted everything, be it fruits or roots, before handing it to Black Mamba.
Its drinkable.
Its slightly salty but sweet taste was like an energy drink. That was a great find.
Olonge, are there many Hibitor trees?
At Ulumbos question, Olonge spread his hands wide to show 10 fingers.
He says he can find as much as his fingers when he walks around for a day.
So theres not a lot, but it isnt rare.
Black Mamba was getting used to the Pygmies concept of quantities. The fact that he got to know about the Hibitor trees was a huge gain. Whether it was the desert or the forest, the first condition for survival was water. Securing water was equivalent to securing more lives. Olonge and Kidamba filled their water bottles with Hibitor sap.
Wakil, I smell burning meat.
Samedis nostrils flared. Black Mamba stopped walking and concentrated. Eyes and ears werent of much use in the forest. Their sight was blocked, and all kinds of animals distorted the sound they heard. There was a combination of burning protein and ammonia smell in the air. A smile rose on Black Mambas face. That meant the village was nearby.
I suppose gorillas nap for 30 minutes.
Now, he knew one thing. When the Pygmies said it would take as long as a gorilla finished its nap, they meant 30 minutes.
After climbing up a ridge, the group could see smoke rising from the ground. Natural forest fires were impossible occurrences in the Ituri Rainforest. The smoke had to be man-made. Kidamba started talking excitedly.
Wakil, Kidamba says thats his village.
Sh be quiet!
Samedi pressed Ulumbos head down. Samedis ears detected the sound of a jungle knife cutting away branches. Olonge and Kidamba had already disappeared and were nowhere to be seen. Their movements and senses were just like the forest people. The two had grown to understand signals and movements better during the time they traveled together.
Wakil, its the smell of LSA.
Hehehe, we finally have a tail.
Black Mamba was beaming with happiness. The b*stards who walked around carrying guns were most likely the kidnappers and associated with the Vodou religion. He realized something after going through several events. No ordinary rebellion group could wander around the Ituri Rainforest easily. They were b*stards who had protective measures prepared against poisonous insects and predators.
One should be enough, right?
Bring a smart one.
Samedi handed his machete over to Ulumbo and fled from the Senna alata bush like an eel.
Hes gotten better after all that trouble.
Black Mamba smiled. The Pygmies body movements had integrated into Samedis Fearless Steps. He realized that both humans and animals drastically improved after they were put through extreme circumstances.
Kola tree?
Samedi tilted his head before the 30-meter tall tree. The fruit that looked like almond with leaves and felt like leather was definitely a kola tree. Something he knew but had no memories of? It was an ironic situation.
The kola tree, which the locals called niania, produced fruits that contained kolanin and caffeineboth stimulants.
The niania fruit was called cola hurutz because Coca-Cola used it as their main ingredient for Coke. Beverages from the Coca-Cola brand were made with the extracts of coca leaves and kola tree fruits.
Samedi realized that the b*stards aim was the kola tree. The effects of the kola tree included chasing away sleep and increasing libido. It was sweet, so it was nice to drink too.
Samedi climbed up the kola tree. He kicked off the tree bark like how a black bear would climb up trees, jumped, and immediately hid between thick branches.
Rustle
Crack crack
Even before he could finish counting to 10, people clearing away bushes with their jungle knives appeared. They were tall Black people carrying their rifles upside down with red bandanas across their foreheads.
Ugh!
Samedi covered his nose. When the four Black men appeared, a repulsive stench rushed in. He almost fell off the tree because of their stench.
One knocked on the kola tree branch with a long stick. Those b*stards had really come to gather kola fruits. They tried their best to collect as many kola fruits that had fallen to the ground.
Damn b*stards, they should at least wash up. Even leopards wouldnt want to eat you.
Samedi dropped down with his limbs spread wide open. The one he decided to interrogate was the most good-looking one among the four. Samedi was someone who regained his senses in Korea, where appearances determined everything. The dogma that equated good-looking with smart was also ingrained in him.
Bang
Kugh!
The pretty one, who received the full brunt of his 120-kilogram butts landing on the back from 15 meters above, turned into a smashed rice cake.
Whoosh
His iron-like legs made a large circle. The Black people who appeared on his radar had their chests broken. The backspin elbow, which came after the leg swing, got caught on the face of a Black man who was about to stand up.
Crack
The Black man couldnt even scream as his face was crushed.
Quezenzani?[2]
A Black man, who finally registered the situation, grabbed the rifle slung over his shoulder.
Whoosh
The foot that had been hovering in the air came down like a scythe reaping grains. His foot dug between the nape of his neck and shoulder. Surprised, the Black man instinctively raised both of his arms.
Crack
Agh!
A scream broke out for the first time. The ulna and radius bones of his arms broke instantly, alongside his collarbones and neck bones. The man whose neck was tilted at an abnormal angle fell. Three men lost their eyes in one breath.
Samedi looked down at the three corpses with eyes full of pride. He believed that he took care of them very well. However, his master wasnt watching. He suddenly felt mortified.
Wallaby, who had fainted, regained consciousness at his friends scream. Once he understood the situation, he pretended to be dead but slowly reached out to grab his rifle.
Do you have a strong mentality? Do you not have a brain?
There was no way that Samedi, who could hear an ant crawling by, was unaware of Wallabys movements. He jumped and crushed the hand on the rifle with his foot.
Craaack
Aagh!
Wallaby let out an ear-piercing scream at his finger bones breaking.
Shh, pretty!
Samedi tried to warn the guy, but his body language didnt convey it well. If anyone could stand the pain of their finger bones breaking, they were at the level of Buddha.
Slap
Prettys eyes regained focus after he was slapped with a thick hand. Samedi lifted a finger to his mouth and pointed at the corpses lying around. Prettys mouth shut like a clam. Violence was truly more effective than words.
Samedi kicked the corpses away like they were soccer balls. The corpses flew into the thick bushes like empty cans. After getting rid of three corpses, he grabbed the rifles lock and barrel. He crushed the connecting point.
Hhhhh-
Wallabys black face bleached white. Samedi broke all four rifles, threw them into the bushes, and lifted Pretty up onto his shoulder before disappearing. Several parasites appeared and wiped the kola fruits clean off the ground.
Wakil, I caught Pretty.
Samedi threw Pretty down before Black Mambas feet. Olonge and Kidamba appeared again like ghosts once they realized that the situation was over. The Pygmies ability to avoid danger was enough for their survival in the Ituri Rainforest.
Pretty? Ugh!
Black Mamba covered his nose. That was a different kind of stench compared to the Pygmies who suffered from skin diseases. It was the kind of stench that was worse than feces, causing vomit to rise up his throat. That wasnt the smell of an ordinary human. Samedis face was scrunched up badly too. He asked Ulumbo, who seemed unbothered by the stench.
Ulumbo, doesnt something smell weird?
They dont smell worse than those guys. Ulumbo pointed to the Pygmies.
I see!
Black Mamba realized that the origin of the smell wasnt from their bodies but their souls. That was the smell of a contaminated soul. That guy ate something he shouldnt have and was subjected to some weird religions beliefs. He didnt even want to touch the mans dirty body. He kicked the man away with his toe and let him rest against a tree.
Ulumbo, check if this guys the one weve been looking for.
The man didnt answer Ulumbos question. Ulumbo kicked and slapped the man out of anger, but he acted like it was just the neighbors dog barking. Ulumbo grew tired of the mans red-eyed glare.
Samedi, you chose the wrong thing.
No matter how he said it, the guy was either mad, did drugs, didnt feel pain, or was just bad in general.
Hes wrapped the most nicely Should we just throw him away?
Samedi glanced at Black Mamba. He had been doing well in Korea, but ever since he entered the forest, his efforts took a turn for the worse.
Injigane badla ku eck awen ga weh, Kidamba said, pointing to the man with his finger.
What is he saying?
He said that this is one of the men who steamed a child to death to eat.
I see!
Black Mamba nodded. Leprosy patients frequently visited the bridge village to beg for food. The adults cursed them and chased them out of the village. Some leprosy patients were also beaten to death with sticks. During his childhood, there had been rumors that leprosy patients ate children.
Whether they really ate children, he didnt know. The villagers did say that leprosy patients had red eyes because they ate children. He only figured out the cause of their red eyes later. It was because bacteria had infected their eyes, causing color changes or keratitis. Ignorance and violence went hand in hand like thunder and lightning.
He couldnt tell whether their eyes had turned red from eating children, but their souls exuded a stench that only special people like Samedi and himself could smell. Teacher was truly a great person. The Tight-Fillet Spell was conditioned by a persons soul. However, the headband wouldnt activate if the soul was foul.
Wakil, Ill take care of the one I dragged here.
Samedi recalled one method among his masters many torture methods that he could use. He stepped on Prettys thigh and covered his mouth with his hands. Wallaby twisted and turned at the pain of his broken thigh like a frog under a bulls foot.
You started from the left middle finger, right?
His military combat boots had already crushed the right hand. Human fingers were too weak to withstand Samedis strength. With a crack, the guys left middle finger was plastered right on his wrist.
Kuuuuu!
Wallabys eyes rolled to the back of his head as he trembled. Not only was the pain extreme, but the visual effect was also brutal. Fear flooded Wallabys eyes at the sight of his bones poking out of his white tendons and palm.
One, two, three! Samedi counted.
The moment he counted three, blood gushed out of the broken middle finger.
[1] Yes!
[2] What the heck?
Chapter 400 - Episode 23: Ituri, Fist of Justice
This is fun. This is addictive. Hehehe!
Samedis eyes flashed with sadistic glee. Wakil said that five fingers were the limit. He said there was no point in torturing a person further by breaking the remaining fingers and toes when he could withstand all five of his fingers breaking. He was curious whether Pretty could last through five broken fingers.
Ujiji, Ujiji![1] Wallaby cried.
The priest gave his followers blue liquid to drink from a calabash[2] once a week. He said that once consumed, one wouldnt bleed if they suffered a cut on their skin, and one would feel no pain if their bodies got beaten.
So, what was this pain? Either the priest lied, or those people were devils. Wallabys faith cracked.
Il isi bacca oh lwar rux!
What is this guy saying? Samedi asked Ulumbo.
He is asking the spirits for help.
Tell him that mere spirits dont dare come near Samedi. Hehehe!
When Samedi laughed, his nostrils flared like cave entrances, and his thick lips curled inward. Wallaby shivered at the sight of the devils laughter.
Pretty, you can hold on, cant you?
Samedi grabbed his forefinger, expressionless.
Lus![3]
Wallabys dark face grew even darker. Betraying the organization meant being abandoned in the forest. He drank the magical liquid two days ago. The effects of the liquid would fade after five days. Thats when all hell would be let loose. One suffered from pain that came with twisted intestines and became the target of predators and poisonous insects. Since the priest could read ones mind, lies didnt work.
Ill just die.
Wallaby squeezed his eyes shut.
Crack
Kuuuuh!
The blood vessels in Wallabys eyes burst. He couldnt describe the pain that he felt throughout his body, from head to toe. He bit the palm that was covering his mouth. His teeth couldnt penetrate. His teeth bounced off as though he just chewed on a car tire. Wallaby nodded unconsciously. What else was he supposed to do when the devil was right before him!
Tsk, how am I meant to have fun if you stop at two? Ulumbo, find out their numbers and why theyre here.
Disappointed, Samedi shook his hands and moved away. His hands felt dirty, as though there were deadly germs on them. Wallaby answered Ulumbos questions as though he had given up.
Great master, this guys name is Wallaby. He says that the Pygmies they gathered a month ago have escaped. Theyre tracking down the Pygmies who have escaped. He says out of the 30 people who set out from the Holy temple, 10 went to search Kidambas village, and the rest went to search the forest.
What? There are 10 people left in the village?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. It was obvious why those b*stards remained in the village. They intended to vent their anger on the remaining villagers and drag the rest of the Pygmies away.
Find out how many people there are and the location of their base.
He wont answer. He says it was fate that he didnt receive the magical liquid and was chased out of the forest because of his betrayal. He says if he reveals the location of their base and numbers, the spirit in his stomach will eat his intestines.
What an unrealistic dreamer. If youre stupid, your body suffers.
Samedi broke his right thumb without a second thought. Wallaby gritted his teeth and shook his head, although his red eyes were bulging out like they were about to explode, and he was drooling. Black Mamba stopped Samedi. The Black man, Wallaby, was under mind control. Like any other cult guerrillas, the organization was thorough. Brainwashing done with the imprint of fear could only be reversed with greater fear.
Samedi, hold on. Ulumbo, tell the guy who I am. Ill show him what the Ddu-bai-buru-pa curse is.
Boom
He began to compress the air around Wallaby with his resonance waves. It was a skill he didnt use as it was too inhumane and wasted too much of his energy.
There existed a rule of 3333. Three minutes without air, three minutes without stable body temperature, three days without water, and three weeks without foodthose were the conditions of death. Brain cells would start dying when the oxygen supply was cut off for more than three minutes. Dying brain cells placed tremendous stress on the nervous system.
Whooo
When the air density exceeded a certain level, a barrier formed like a plastic film.
Kuuh
Kuuuuh
Wallaby, who was suddenly breathless, trembled violently. The bit of air that he inhaled wasnt enough to cover the required amount of oxygen intake.
Wallabys face started to turn blue. When his lungs shrank, his brain, which recognized death, protested. Wallaby pounded on his chest and pulled at his face. His face turned bloody. The air around Wallabys face heated up, and red blood evaporated with a sizzling sound.
Ulumbos face turned pale. The true face of the humane and benevolent Mahabharata was horrible. Olonge and Kidamba hugged each other as they trembled. That was the first time they witnessed a spirits curse.
Samedi, look. A person who denies the wheel of humanity has no other choice but to be treated like an animal.
Samedis learning well. Those who are not human do not deserve human rights.
His concentration wavered as he talked.
Whoosh
The air that regained its freedom rushed in.
Kugh
Kuh
Kuuuuk
Wallaby desperately filled his lungs with oxygen. The consequence of going against Black Mambas intentions was great. Wallaby, who was a mess, collapsed on the floor.
Ulumbo!
Ye yes, sir. Ill begin.
Frightened, Ulumbo started interrogating. The devils before ones eyes were scarier than the distant King of Hell. Wallaby didnt dare protest. Wallaby talked, unaware of what he was saying.
Great master, he says that the organization that kidnapped the French is called Damballa, separated from the Mai-Mai rebels. Damballa is a Tubu tribe guerilla faction from Rwanda, and the leader of their guerrilla group is Kamuge. Kamuge is a Vodou priest, and all the group members who follow him are Vodou followers. This guys a squad leader.
Isnt Damballa Wedo a fat snake god? Houngan, who called himself Ntagandas master, also ordered a snake around. Why did Damballa separate despite following the same religion?
An internal conflict started because Ntaganda claimed a diamond mine near the Nyiragongo volcano as his own. It seems like Kamuges faction was pushed out of the fight due to the lack of manpower and firepower.
Aha! Black Mamba exclaimed, coming to a realization.
Now, he knew why those b*stards requested weapons during the hostage negotiations. Kamuge was planning to steal the diamond mine using additional firepower. Everyone was blinded by greed.
Kamuge had slid into the Ituri Rainforest, fearing that Ntaganda would track him down. Zakar Houngan Kran was most likely tracking down Damballa at Ntagandas request. France ended up suffering because of the Vodou religions internal conflict.
The location of their base and their numbers?
The holy place where theyre keeping the people hostage is Apadombe. Apadombe is a point where the Eplu River and Ituri River meet at a low current. There are at least 500 members.
Thats quite a lot. Apadombe, hm?
He didnt have a problem with the number of guerrillas. Their location was more important. He entered Apadombe in the GPS, but nothing showed up. He spread the map open and searched for Apadombe. As the DGSE said, the map was almost empty because there werent enough resources. He marked the point where the Ituri River and Eplu River met and temporarily registered Apadombe in his GPS. He deleted Katanga, which he had saved before. Although it wasnt an exact location, that was enough.
What about the place Kidamba referred to as Katanga?
Ah, the Black locals there call it Apadombe. Katanga is just a word used by the Pygmies to refer to an island. Its the same place.
Bingo! Black Mamba cheered.
Now, he had everything that he needed. He would have nothing to worry about after finding those kidnappers. He loosened up since the problem was solved. He almost wanted to carry Kidamba around on his back.
Who is this Karungo guy?
Hes a separate unit leader under Kamuge. He says that hes in the village.
Ugh, these useless b*stards!
The DGSE made another wrong assumption. That was why information was important. Kamuge had purchased guns through a straw purchaser. He hid his intentions and body by sending a buyer out on behalf of himself.
The Fist of Justice fell for the trick of Kamuge, who left his body behind and died while chasing the unit leader. Well, it was understandable considering Ituri Rainforests harsh environment. If it wasnt for the Vodou religions mystical magic, which chased away predators and poisonous insects, the Damballa followers wouldnt have dared enter the Ituri Rainforest.
Did you look into the hostages condition?
Im sorry, sir. I will, now.
Ulumbo and Wallabys conversation grew longer.
He says three died out of 23, leaving 20 alive.
Thats a relief.
Black Mamba celebrated silently. The chance of survival was great if 20 people were still alive six months after they were kidnapped. That was probably because of the spellcaster called Kamuge. Although Vodou spellcasters were feared, they were also competent doctors.
Once Black Mamba obtained all the information that he needed, he instantly relaxed. It was like a flashlight that turned on in complete darkness. He wanted to kick the asses of the DGSE and GIGN that crawled around but couldnt gain any information.
To be frank, that didnt happen because of the French intelligence agency and strike squads incompetence. Black Mambas respect for life simply brought good luck. It was because he willingly cooperated and saved Olonge from being killed by an elephant. The reason why the DGSE couldnt get any information was that they were a cult. Even if they caught the tail of their kidnappers, they couldnt gain any information. People who were overcome by religious beliefs and fear didnt succumb easily to mere torture.
Theres something strange, sir. He says four of the five women are pregnant.
What, pregnant? Did the whites have intercourse, no, s*x between themselves?
Black Mambas eyebrows raised. That was one of the things he was worried about.
He says he doesnt know about that. He didnt rape any women.
Hm!
The wickedness of Vodou was beyond ones imagination. Humans were mere tools. If the b*stard Kamuge gave up on being a human and sinned instead, the situation would be harder to resolve.
There was nothing more to gain out of Wallaby. Apadombe was registered in his GPS, and he had Olonge and Kidamba, who were Ituris best guides. Breathing in the same air as someone who ate children was foul itself. He was overwhelmed with hatred at the thought of inhaling the air coming out of that b*stards lungs.
Kidamba, take your revenge.
Black Mamba released the safety from his Glock and handed it to Kidamba. The confused Kidamba looked at Ulumbo, anticipating a translation.
Ua, Do, dou! Kidamba, who refused, turned pale.
He says he cant.
Tsk tsk! This idiots a coward.
Samedi clicked his tongue at Ulumbos words. He couldnt tell whether the boy was kind or just a coward. That man was his enemy who killed his tribe and ate their children, the future of their tribe. His family must have been killed too. The human who refused to pull the trigger on his greatest enemy didnt seem normal to him.
A human whos unlike a human doesnt deserve to die like a human.
Bang
The guys head exploded at Samedis kick. Samedi kicked the body away. It was a messy yet neat ending, just like Samedi himself.
Samedi, you take care of the b*stards whore searching the forest. There are 20 of them.
The Pygmy didnt take care of his own. Is there a need for revenge?
Samedi glared at Kidamba.
Its not revenge. Were getting rid of those who gave up on being human and turned into animals. Thats the purpose behind my existence and yours. Im not nice enough to stand up for those who cant exact fair revenge. The Pygmies can live in their own way while we do our job. The Karungo b*stard has to pay the price anyway.
Wakil is always right.
There are 20 of them. Try not to use a gun if possible.
Okay. Ill get rid of them for sure.
Samedi shook his fist and disappeared into the forest. Black Mamba looked at Olonge and Kidamba. The Pygmies would be undefeatable in the Ituri Rainforest if they ever decided to use guns on top of their hunting skills.
Ulumbo, ask Olonge and Kidamba if they want to use guns.
10 of Kamuges subordinates remained in the village. It was Kidambas job to take revenge as a Pygmy tribe member. He only needed five minutes to learn how to use an Akabo gun.
Olonge and Kidamba shook their hands and patted their bows. He couldnt understand that tribe. What were they going to do with arrows that could only fly 50 meters? He wondered if it could kill anything within 20 meters. However, it was their decision, so there was nothing he could do about it.
Huh?
Olonge and Kidamba took a step further by hiding in the forest. Black Mamba sighed. He really couldnt understand the tribe who went into hiding instead of exacting revenge on those who committed genocide against their own.
Genocide! It was a horrible word but not a foreign one. Ironically, the greatest genocide of humankind was committed by the Yankees. They were the same people who criticized Hitlers genocide against the Jews.
People cheered when Hollywood movies portrayed Native Americans as the villain, when in fact, they died at the hands of the white immigrants in Europe. No matter how much they talked about human rights, it wouldnt erase their past.
The U.S. criticized Hitler but not Japans emperor and Tojo Hideki, who were mass murderers. It might have been because they were on the same page about genocides, or they recognized Japan as a pillar of the worlds economy that kept Russia and China in check.
Japan was a sneaky, childish, and cowardly country. The Japanese had a strong tendency to bow down and serve anyone stronger than them, and they tormented and tortured anyone weaker than them. Japan wasnt fond of Koreas economic growth. The tension between Korea and Japan was expected to increase as the power gap between the two countries narrowed.
[1] Liar, liar!
[2] Africas traditional long bowl.
[3] Devil!
Chapter 401 - Episode 24: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Japans politics, economy, and power of the social elite were entwined with war criminals who had amassed wealth for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. They were made up of people who couldnt forget their past when they tore through China and Russia and crushed Korea beneath their feet. While the nobility had collapsed in Korea after the war, there were still samurais holding up Japans elite class.
Those who were immersed in the samurai way of thinking considered Korea as nothing but their slaves. Since their slaves gained independence and lived well under a mansions roof right next door, eating rice for their meals, they naturally got annoyed. They took Koreas water dispensers, blocked their farm waterways, and acted like street gangs by blocking their paddy outlets. The Korea-Japan relationship was bound to falter the more Korea advances.
There were Pro-Japanese who told the people to hate Japan, not the Japanese. That was a hilarious attempt. The Japanese were like ant workers who followed the queen ant around, drawn in by her pheromones. An article was once published in the newspaper Joseon Daily, which produced the highest number of publications, stating:
[when Pohang Rails went into crisis, Park Tae Jun ran to Japan. He only had Japan to rely on when Gumi Rails was ignoring Pohang Rails crisis. The person he met there was Abe Shintaro, who helped Korea with a guilty heart his whole life a Japanese like him who didnt forget the past helped Korea etc.]
If Japan was the ant colony, Korea was the frog brother. There were too many frogs jumping to random places under strange personal justice and plans. Black Mamba wanted to tear off the head of the writer of that article back then.
If Japan was a street gang, the U.S. was the mafia. They beat everyone up and demanded many things, but also gave as much. They gave a lot when they felt like it. The only reason the United States was so attached to Korea was that it was the first line of defense against the Soviet Union and China, the communist countries.
The U.S. was a country that only moved for its own profits. Unfortunately, the base of strategies for the U.S. wasnt Korea, but Japan. If Japan was their teeth, Korea was their mouth. Before the saying of Korea being the U.S.s King Pin came about, it had been said that the U.S. prioritized securing Japans wheel.
If the U.S. ever had to choose between Korea and Japan, theyd choose Japan. Koreas main enemy was Japan. While they might be able to fight North Korea out on land, they would need missiles to affect Japan across the sea.
Jeon Du Hwan and his group gave the U.S. full rights to nuclear power and missiles in return for political support. Jeon Du Hwans decision to sell the countrys future and security would one day return as a large consequence in the future.
Nimi jotto, Im worrying about nothing again.
Kidamba and Olonges incomprehensible actions called in some bad memories. While he decided not to interfere, his home country always brought forth anger and pity.
Black Mamba shook his head and climbed down the ridge. He didnt intend to put himself between Kamuges group and the Pygmy tribes grudge. Like he told Samedi, he was only getting rid of humans who gave up being humans and turned into animals.
Amazing!
Black Mamba looked up at the large limbali tree. The branches that grew 100 meters above ground were far away. Its base rose 60 meters above ground, went up, and formed the first branches, and those branches extended even further to become one with the canopy.
His head automatically went back down at the old tree which should be a thousand years old. Their camp and Kidambas village were 500 meters apart, just enough to snipe at.
Whoosh! The army rope dragged air impact sounds across the air as it soared. The shuriken at the end of the rope wrapped once around the first branch. Black Mamba checked the ropes tenacity and kicked off the ground. He borrowed the ropes momentum and jumped 40 meters up into the air at once, and dug his Billions Water Armor into the tree bark. He shook his body using the propelling force and jumped the rest of the 20 meters. The Billions Water Armor prevented his army rope from digging into his skin, at a bare 2 mm wide.
A Chrysopelea paradise (flying snake) was surprised by the sudden intruder and flew off to another tree. The sight of that wingless creature swarming in an S fashion across the air was quite a sight. Will I be able to do that? He felt as though he could, as long as he flattened his body further.
Wow! Its a room.
Black Mambas mouth fell open as he poked his head out of the thick clusters of branches. The countless branches entangled with parasitic plants and vines, creating a green carpet. He could see Kidambas village from the carpet. The distance was around 450 meters, and there were at least 70 tents arranged along the outskirts with wood and grass. There were more than five children in each Pygmy family. There was even a couple who had 15 children.
The villagers didnt look happy. He could also see some places where black ash lingered after getting burnt down and some broken houses. They looked like the locals in Sahel after the Civil War. None of the locals could be seen, but three black men were on the village outskirts holding a rifle. There were three more on the other end. This meant four were inside the village.
Kueeee! Kuek! Monkeys cried out loudly in the forest behind him. Birds flew up. Samedi had begun the human hunt.
Loud. I should begin.
He took out the Dragunov in his backpack and started to assemble it. How many souls had he stolen since he grabbed the Dragunov at Castello Bridge! To a mercenary, women were their second love. Their first love was their weapons. He ran a hand along the thick metal body. It was smooth like Edels chest. His heart also wavered.
Once he had his first target in the crosshair, the distance was automatically marked. His first target was 447km away, the same distance he approximated with his bare eyes. Ever since the new invention called a scope came around, there wasnt a reason to estimate the distance anymore. The 15x zoom scope that the DGSE specially made was high-performance compared to the 4x zoom fixed scope.
He took off the scope and placed it in his backpack. A snipers attacking environment is always weak. One must always plan an attack using the worst-case scenario. If he didnt have a scope? If it didnt work? In the end, he could trust nothing but his own abilities.
His first targets were the three black men who were ambling along the village. The reason that he chose a long-range attack was that he wanted to feel Dragunovs trigger and practice his three-tap shooting skill. The face of the guy with a crushed nose came into his sight. This guys eyes were red, too. Anything within 500 meters didnt need to be calculated. There wasnt any wind in the jungle since Ituri was covered by a canopy after all.
Clunk! The Dragunov spewed fire for the first time since he entered Ituri Jungle. Splatter. The flat-nosed mans head exploded like a watermelon. The DGSE had made him a special bullet. Theyd made a cross engravement on his bullet head and increased the amount of gunpowder. This was to decrease the piercing force and increase the impact.
Clunk! Clunk! Black Mamba could use his senses again and started to shoot double taps. The two black mens heads exploded while they stared at the remains of their friend with wide eyes. Clunk, clunk, clunk! The heads of three targets on the other side of the village also exploded without fail. The visual impact wasnt as great in a dark forest.
Oho, they crawled out on their own. Thanks.
Clunk, clunk, clunk! The three black men who appeared from within the village also collapsed without a sound. They were probably going to swap turns. The Angel of Death had finally appeared in Ituri Jungle.
There were 10 Damballahs in the village, according to Wallaby, whom they had captured prisoner. That meant there was one left, but no one would believe his words to the letter. Prisoners words were only something to be referred to. He waited 10 more minutes, but no more targets appeared.
I guess its time to start the dogfight.
He slid down the army rope. The army rope Emil gifted him had been the best-used object throughout this operation. This was why friends were the best.
Whether it was for the unknown or the belief in spells, those who committed a sin that went against heavens will must be punished like an animal. If a gunfight broke out in the village, the pygmies might be hurt, but there wasnt enough time to take care of them all. Once he interfered, most who should be dead would live, and most who should be left alone would die.
Realistically, if the Damballah who came out to Kidambas village told headquarters of a strong enemys appearance, it would cause more trouble. If Kamuge changed headquarters or executed his hostages, all of this would have been for nothing. He stabled the Dragunov in his backpack and took out the MP5sd3. Black Mamba ran towards the village like the wind.
Crack! A black man collapsed onto the ground with half of his neck detached. A humans neck is around 8kg and 60cm long, too weak to stand an attack of any stick. No humans neck would be able to stand the kind of power that can break through the skull of an African cow. The corpses that were already on the floor werent in a good condition either. Their waists were torn off and most were headless.
Why do these bastards stink so much? Samedi tilted his head.
They stank so badly he felt like puking. Even their blood smelled foul. Samedi was carrying a titanium machete in his left hand and the Squeaker stick in his right hand. The reason why he was beating up those voodoo followers like dogs was that he didnt want to touch them with his hands and feet. The strong impact that vibrated on his hand was also addicting.
Damballahs had three people to a team. The group he beat up this time was the third team. Damballahs werent hard to hunt because of their strong stench. Despite the handicap of his environment C a jungle, he could smell them immediately as long as they were within 200 meters. The Yorunba Kamuge used to increase their survival rates had instead become a pheromone which called in reapers.
A black stick poked out of a miracle hurutz branch while Samedi was deep in thought 20 meters away. It was a stick of a Damballah, who had been out to pick fruits.
Bang, bang! Samedi, who sensed him a little too late, was already shot by the time he turned around.
Ugh!
Samedi jumped a little. Blood flowed out of his shoulder and side. Hed been shot with a 7.62mm bullet twice, but Samedi didnt even collapse. He only staggered back three or four times.
Theres a rat.
Samedi charged like a rhinoceros. Bullets poured out, but Samedi, who learned fearless steps from Black Mamba, couldnt be hit. Samedi changed directions twice before ramming the miracle hurutz with his shoulder. Bang! The tree, which was the size of his thigh, cracked.
Aagh!
The Damballah who had been hiding within the thick branches fell out. Crack! His stick made a semi-circle in the air. Bang! The kind of sound that comes from drumming wet clothes by the river rang out. The poor black mans waist was folded in half.
Aigo, it hurts. Master cant know about this.
Now he was going to be scolded by Wakil about how he doesnt pay attention. Uncomfortable, Samedi looked around. Hed been too immersed in the feeling that ran up his palm from the beatings that he hadnt noticed. Also, he was under the misconception that there were only three to a squad.
Ugh!
He used his strength. Only blood poured out of his shoulder and side. The bullet which had dug deep into his muscles refused to be pushed out through its cavitation. While it didnt affect his movements, his master would notice. He tried to push out the bullets several times, but they still didnt budge. Samedi gave up getting rid of them and continued to hunt.
Damn bastards, Ill beat you up like dogs.
Samedis nostrils flared with sadistic anticipation. Since the gun rang, those bastards would have noticed a hunters presence too. The hunter only finds happiness in hunting when the prey puts up a good fight.
Samedi didnt know the fear and pain others could go through. He knew guilt and right from wrong, but his emotions worked separately. While he was endlessly kind to a human he felt interested in, he was a psychopath who had no mercy for those he recognized as enemies. Samedi, who didnt feel guilt or discomfort in killing others, was much more of a killing machine than Black Mamba.
Humans need to be hunters anyways to avoid being hunted. Most humans have a psychopathic tendency to considers others misfortune as ones own happiness. Listening to the conversation of women gathered at a cafe would make one realize that 90% of their conversation is about someone elses misfortune. In this case, Samedi would be more humane as he was true to his emotions.
Up close, Kidambas village didnt look well. Out of the 70 houses, only 20 looked fine. Well, they were just makeshift houses that would collapse with a kick, too flimsy to be called houses anyways.
The first, second, and third tents were all empty. He only sensed someone in the fourth tent. There was rough breathing, which meant the person inside was an old man. He opened the flap and walked in. An old Pygmy man and woman who were sitting on the dirt floor leaped to their feet.
Yi kawiwi (please let us live)!
The old couple clung to each other as they trembled. The sight of two wrinkled humans made for a sorry scene. They were souls who were hurt by the barbaric violence.
He tried his best to convey to the old couple through body language that he wasnt an enemy. He shook his hands desperately to tell them he wasnt an enemy, pounded his chest, then pointed at the sky.
The old man nodded his head. This meant he understood. Black Mamba tapped on the gun, pretended as though he was shooting, and made a gesture to indicate that he was looking for more enemies. The old man pointed into the village and thrust his waist forward and back. Indeed, body language is the true world language.
Those bastards must be raping someone. Black Mambas face twisted.
Ten?
Black Mamba opened all of his fingers and shook them. The old man shook his head. He held up two fingers on his left hand, and one on his right, then placed them side by side.
Woah, therere 21 of them.
The old man knew numbers and could express himself well. He was ten times smarter than Kidamba or Olonge.
Chapter 402 - Episode 25: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Theres no one to trust.
Hed shot 9 out of 21 with his Dragunov. Twelve were left in the village. Wallaby said there were 10 in the village. Either he didnt know numbers very well, or Ulumbo translated wrong. Black Mamba help up nine fingers and made a slitting motion across his neck with his fingers and poked his tongue out. This meant he had killed nine.
Naiabunga! A faint smile rose on the old mans face. Even the old lady revealed her near-black teeth and laughed happily. The old man raised his left hands index finger and attached two fingers from his right.
Twelve! Black Mamba exclaimed.
The old man surprisingly knew how to do subtraction. He was the Pygmy tribes Einstein. The old man drummed on his chest, raised five fingers, and crumpled them. He also drummed on his chest, poked his tongue out, and pretended as though he was collapsing.
Black Mamba understood. The old couple had lost five of their children to Kamuges organization. The old couple was asking him to kill the invaders. The old couple could get a supporting actors award for how well they expressed themselves.
He nodded in agreement and turned to leave. There wasnt much time. From how Kamuge Damballah was acting, he didnt seem like he would kill the hostages, but more possibilities could grow with each passing night.
The old man grabbed Black Mambas hem. The old lady whom the old man gestured to nodded, dug the ground, and took out a green rock. It was a green-blue rock two sizes larger than a quail egg. The old man shoved the rock into Black Mambas hand abruptly. The rock was warm, like an egg that was just born.
Ange sika kuh (Angels egg).
Ange sika kuh? Merci!
Black Mamba wasnt the kind of person who would refuse someone elses gift. He took it instantly.
Sapphire?
Its color was a bit dim for it to be considered a sapphire. It was closer to an animals egg than a jewel. He placed it in his pouch and shoved the pouch into his breast pocket. The old Pygmys face grew even more creased with wrinkles.
May the rest of your life be happy!
Black Mamba disappeared. The old man rushed out of his home, flipping the flap. He saw a brief glimpse of Black Mambas back before he disappeared without a trace entirely.
God, please pity our tribe!
The old man continued to bow in the direction where Black Mamba had disappeared to. Old man Alibali was kidnapped by the Kikani tribe when he was a teenager. Hed spent 10 years of his life as a slave just because he visited a black mans village when he was little. The slave life hadnt been bad. He learned math from the blacks and gained knowledge. He escaped the village when he turned 25, crossed a large river and a fire-spewing mountain, and returned home.
Hed picked up the anke sika kuh while he was crossing the fire mountain. The great spirit had avenged his sons and even his grandchildrens deaths. Hed wanted to serve him food, but there was nothing but caterpillars in his home. Hed given the man his precious blue stone to repay what he felt.
He saw a rather large tent in the middle of the village. It was a tall structure raised by sticking a bark on the ground like a piloti. Theyd created a floor with vines entwined with the bark, and had covered the roof with leaves, but it was better than the small makeshift houses.
His sniper eyes separated the background and people as though he was capturing pictures. The blacks and Pygmies had a heads difference in height. There wasnt a need to differentiate them. There were 33 Pygmies gathered outside the tent, six inside, and out of the four built blacks, two were carrying rifles.
Black Mamba turned towards the outskirts of the village to find the remaining eight. Those whose locations he had confirmed could be killed slowly. Boom! His dimensional sight swept through the entire village. A streak of shadow rushed through the village and disappeared outside its boundary.
Bingo!
He found a group of blacks 300 meters into the forest from the inner boundary of the village. The blacks had taken off their tops and were enjoying themselves at the stream. The forests heavy air pushed into the village. A foul stench pierced his nose. It was the special scent that came from all Damballahs.
Three were looking for something in the stream, and four were gathered around a pot that was steaming. He opened his inner eye. The object inside the pot grew more visible. It looked too strange to be called a fish. One sliced off the meat with his sword and raised it out of the pot.
Filthy bastards!
Black Mambas face grew hard. That wasnt a fish. It wasnt an animal. The object which was dangling off the swords sharp end was a human hand. Moreover, it was small. Another one stabbed something which looked like a rib and blew at it as he ate it off his knife.
Bang, bang! Papa! The MP5sd3 spewed fire. His targets were 180 meters away and were fixed. They were practically right before his eyes. Blood burst out of seven heads instantly, and seven bodies shook as though they were dancing before collapsing. There was no scream. The bastard who had been turning a ladle in the pot and another who had been stabbing into the pot fell face-first. The pot which had been stewing the child fell to the side. The campfire sizzled out.
You died while eating, but your spirits wont be in peace.
Black Mamba didnt even check as he turned back to the village. Humans werent dinosaurs. They died once their heads exploded.
Black Mamba hid 60 meters from the main tent, in a small shack. The scene in the tent wasnt that good either. Two a**es were moving up and down on the floor. It was obvious women would be under those bastards as**s, since no idiot would rub his penis on raw tree bark.
No matter how brainwashed they were into religion, this was a mad cult to have sex in the midst of several watching eyes. The countless Pygmies standing around watching their own people getting raped wasnt logical either. Both of them were tribes very different from the Kurds. Neither deserved to enter Novatopia.
Black Mamba had never forgiven a rapist before. Rape was the most pathetic thing a sociopath could do to step on the weak. It was best to remove rapists as they would repeat the same crimes.
Theyre not helping.
The Pygmies surrounding the tent made it hard for him to find a sniping angle. The innocent Pygmy tribe could be hurt if he made a mistake. He didnt know why they were raping women after gathering people to watch, but for now, it was the best situation. The Pygmies were acting as his shield.
Black Mamba began to wonder. Since his targets and subjects of protection were mixed, it was harder to move. If he used becoming one with nature, his speed would decrease. While Damballah smelled bad, they also had a strange hiding ability which disabled them from getting caught on his dimensional sight easily. It would be hard to move if someone not on his radar shoots the moment he attacks.
Nimi jotto, Id rather die than suffer through this.
While he didnt like the tribe, he couldnt make unarmed civilians die. He decided to use cold weapons, despite risking some danger.
It would take 3-4 seconds for him to reach the tent. It would take three seconds for the Damballah to find him running and pull the trigger. If the Damballah finds him at least a second late, hell be able to get rid of them. Whoosh! Black Mamba jumped out of the shack hed been hiding in. He forwent the shadow steps and charged into the enemys camp. By the time he covered half the distance, none of the Damballah had found him. The notice, in fact, came from the entirely wrong person.
Gor, gor! A Pygmy cried, finding something charging at them.
That stupid idiotic bastard! Black Mamba thought, astounded.
Ini? (What?)
The Damballah who had been on guard went into shooting position. Black Mamba leaped off the ground. Flick, flick! Two darts were shot while he was in the air. He targeted their right chest on purpose to extract information from them.
Bang! Bang!
Kugh!
Agh!
A pygmy teen was shot by the falling bullet. Black Mamba descended into the chaos. Bang! Bang! Two Damballah soldiers who were smacked on the back of their heads crushed their noses against the ground.
Inka rara!
One Damballah bastard raised his rifle. He had an amazing battle sense.
Yorunba?
While hed knocked on their heads gently, it wasnt the kind of shock a normal human should be able to bear. That was an impossible response unless they were influenced by Yorunba continuously and for a long time. Now, those who had wanted to die should die. He slapped away the gun with his left hand and punched his chin with his right hand.
Damn! Black Mamba exclaimed.
He had forgotten to control the degree of his Billions Water Armor power. Bang! Crunch! The gun broke, and the mans head exploded. White brain fluid scattered through the air. A Damballah who had been raping was covered in brain fluid and blood. His body which had been prone on the ground collapsed.
Ua, ini? (What?)
A bastard who had been shaking his penis underneath a womans head swung his jungle knife. His wariness to hold onto his weapon even during rape was acknowledgeable. Crunch! The blade caught in his Billions Water Armor shattered.
Uh!
The Damballah didnt even have a chance to be surprised. His broken blade left the grim reapers hand. The blade was shoved into his open mouth, went through and out the back of his head, and landed right on the tents pillar.
Hooo!
The Damballah whose airway and throat were sliced in an instant released the air in his lungs and he collapsed.
Uea, maha jilini!
The bastard who had been towering over a woman was a beat late. He rolled once to the side, raised his pants, and reached around for a knife.
Flash! His Kukri flashed. The mans hand which had been pulling up his pants stopped at his thigh. His head and neck started to slide apart. The head fell to the ground and rolled. Blood poured out of his neck like a fountain. His penis, which didnt receive the last signal from his brain, continued to nod in the air.
Aaaaaak! The Pygmies who were covered in blood screamed out loud.
Bastard, you dare rape before me? Ill hang your head on an electric saw instead!
Bang! Bang! Black Mamba kicked the two naked corpses away and out of the tent.
Agh, Maha jilini! (The devil!)
The Pygmies scattered like baby spiders. The tent emptied instantly. Black Mamba, the raped women, and the dart-in-chest bastard were the only ones left.
Kuuuh! The bastard with the dart in his chest rose to consciousness.
Kid, I need you to rest a while longer.
Slap! The slap of fear worked as anesthesia. Black Mamba looked down at the Pygmy women who were lying straight on the ground. The men had crushed women who looked like sixth graders. The crushed children couldnt be fine.
Tsk! He clicked his tongue.
Their revealed skin was covered in blood. Their blank gazes looked up at the ceiling. He tore the clothes off the dead guerillas and covered the women or childrens lower half.
Forget the bad things.
He didnt have anything else to say. The Pygmies didnt run far. They hid in the shacks or trees, poked their eyes out, and observed Black Mamba.
Ha, is this the wariness of the weak? Or am I just incapable of understanding their lives?
The Pygmy tribe had just watched on as their women were raped. How could their actions be considered normal humans! Perhaps they wanted the black mens seeds out of respect and awe?
He suddenly remembered the Hwa Nyang girls who were dragged to China during the Qing dynasty, then brought back. They were women of Korea who were dragged thousands of miles away by some bad men and were cursed at in foreign languages. They managed to return home after several hardships but were only cursed at by their own countrymen too, for being women who dirtied their bodies and gave up morals.
Their families who should have reassured and protected them spat on them and beat them up with sticks. The nobility didnt accept the Hwa Nyang girls back into their families and forced their daughters to commit suicide. The innocent Hwa Nyang girls either hung their necks or threw themselves into the water. Today, the word Hwa Nyang was still used to refer to girls who sold their lower half. What an irony!
The evilest ruler in the world was a ruler who had lost his country, and the weakest man was someone who didnt protect his wife. The people who should have thrown their bodies into the water should have been King Injo and the men who had failed to protect the women. The Pygmy mens faces overlapped with the evil nobilitys.
Zap! Something pressed down on the back of his head. His body slid to the side automatically. Bang! A dry gunshot unique to Akabos rang out. An innocent Pygmy man fell. Black Mamba jumped down from the tents top. Clang! Clang! Clang! Gunshots rang out again. Bullets embedded themselves in the pillar.
Idiot, if you had run you wouldnt have died, Black Mamba expressed his regrets.
Hed found the guys location and direction the moment he shot the second round. He was behind the log which laid 150 meters out. As long as he knew where the guy was, there wasnt a chance for the guy to escape. The moment Black Mamba finished analyzing the bullets direction, he counter-attacked with his MP5sd3. Papapa! The three-tap attack landed in a row on the log. Surprised, the Damballah leaped up and began to run in zigzag.
It was a good choice, but also foolish. Avoiding Black Mambas shot in the open air was harder than avoiding the rain.
Papa! Blood continued to pour out of his head. The Damballah soldier wasnt able to take another two steps before he fell. Kidambas village was cleared of Kamuges subordinates and cult members, all 21 of them. This was the first man-to-man battle he had since entering Ituri Jungle, the ninth day.
Is that brat touring?
With Samedis senses and physical ability, he should have finished a while ago. Tututututu- As though he was responding to Black Mambas question, a thick round rang out. The heavy sound made it obvious it was Samedis MAG machine gun. A smile rose on Black Mambas face. Men, whether old or young, were always eager to try out new toys.
When the battle unlike a battle finished, the hot air rushed at him. Black Mamba relieved his thirst with the Hibitor water and sat on a log. He entered Kidambas village on the GPS and waited for Samedi.
The Pygmies, despite the battle being over, didnt approach Black Mamba. They were strange people. They hadnt gone far, and 30 pairs of eyes continued to track his every movement. Black Mamba felt offended. Humans were humans because they knew how to provide and place value on the weak and other lives.
Chapter 403 - Episode 26: Ituri, Fist of Justice
No matter the excuse, the way the Pygmies ignored the raped women was nothing short of cowardly. They abandoned the conditions of humanity. Did they have no empathy or a single bit of affection towards one another?
The reason why he jumped into the Ituri Jungle wasnt just for the money. It was for the greater cause of saving lives and out of pity for the hostages families. It wasnt just because of money. The dark shadows of the Hwa Nyang overlapped with the Pygmy girls fainted forms. His mouth grew dry like a picrasma leaf, as though he had drunk a bowl of sour herb medicine.
I dont understand. Why dont they pick up the gun? Black Mamba shook his head.
The Pygmy tribe had betrayed his expectations once again. The Damballahs remaining in the village had died. While some picked up their arrows and spears, they possessed over ten rifles.
He knew the Pygmies knew how to use rifles. He thought they would have left on a revenge journey towards Apadombe in herds. When Kidamba had refused to kill Wallabi and refused the gun, he attributed most of it to his young age and cowardice.
But no!
None of the Pygmies touched the abandoned rifle. The Damballahs were people who had invaded their village, unwanted guests. They kidnapped their parents and brothers, boiled their children, and raped their sisters, the enemy of mankind. Did the Pygmies have no sense of self-defense? Were they kind people who taught themselves ridiculous things like embracing archenemies? Were they Buddhas?
Black Mamba only felt pity for them. Peace and freedom werent earned freely. It was the result of fights. Peace and freedom which were not earned by ones blood and sweat were nothing more than a glass bowl rolling around a pebbled path.
The world isnt kind to the weak. Its a cruel cycle where the strong survive and the weak are ignored. An old chicken that lays too many eggs ends up with a loose anus that pokes out of place. Other chickens would stab the loose anus. When one begins, others would do so too. In the end, the chicken with the loose anus dies from the other chickens terrorism. The African cows whore chased by lions also leave their weak behind.
Barbaric nature and wildlife leave the weak, different, and problematic behind. The reason some are bullied and socially crippled is the animalistic nature humans still have within them.
The reason the Pygmies live in Ituri Jungle wasnt that they liked Ituri Jungle. It was because they were pushed back from the competition of survival. Ituri Jungle would not always be the jungle from the beginning of time. Its outer regions where the diamonds were discovered had already turned into chaos.
Where would they go if the locals started burning the forest down and people pushed in with safari trucks with tourists inside? The Pygmies werent those who would claim the jungle but hide deeper within. Their future was obvious.
All humans have a life they need to be responsible for C their own, Black Mamba mumbled.
No one could live for another person. Life was a circle of choices and the entropy of opportunities. He chose the life of a mercenary and gave up the life of a scholar. He exchanged his mothers rescue for the hostages rescue. Aside from right and wrong, the endless consequences of choices and opportunities taken were his life.
In the same vein, it wasnt his concern whether the Pygmies were pacifists or cowards. They had their own lives, and the choice was theirs. He was just a passing person and had no rights or responsibility to interfere. The Syrian Orthodox Christians and Kurd tribe members, he helped because they had a strong will.
Its over!
Samedi appeared with a black man wearing a green uniform at the end of his gun. A thin line of smoke drifted up from the MAG that continued to poke the prisoner. It seemed like hed fired quite the warning shots. Ulumbo, Olonge, and Kidamba followed Samedi like ducklings from behind.
Wakil, I have beaten up 20 creatures and caught one that seemed like their leader. Samedi was very confident.
Good job. Huh? You were shot.
Black Mambas gaze flicked to Samedis side. Samedi flinched. Hed changed into his spare uniform to not get in trouble, but his master had noticed anyways.
I got shot twice because I fooled around. Wakils a ghost. Samedi scratched the back of his head.
Brat, youre the ghost for acting like nothing happened when two bullets are in your body. Youll grow dumb if you leave those metal pieces in your muscles.
Its a little uncomfortable, but my defense system will wrap around them and melt them. Samedis fine.
Samedi proved it by shaking his limbs. He wasnt the kind of person whod be poisoned by lead because of a few bullets and have impairments to his movement.
Samedi, the best brand objects are made from a finished touch, and a big accident comes from a small accident. If you fight with a strong person, better than you in terms of combat, those bullets in your body will cause more trouble.
Black Mambas expression grew stern.
Samedis sorry. Should I bang my head?
Samedi began to pick out a nice area on the ground with his boots. Even the strongest skull would hurt when banged on a sharp piece of rock. Hed banged his head too many times on the floor in the temple that it became his automatic response.
Brat, thats a play we do when were alone.
Black Mamba shielded the high-level abusive actions into a kind of play. Samedi sat, twisting his legs into a fold. Black Mamba raised his palm against the bullet wound and rolled his Inhalation Wave to the max. The Billions Water Armor increased the effect of his Inhalation Wave. The bullets which had been in Samedis tightknit muscles crawled out slowly.
The crushed bullets tore through Samedis healing muscles and the scab above as they were dragged out. Samedi stared down at the wound as though he was looking at another persons wound and didnt even blink.
Your bodys abilities are amazing, Black Mamba exclaimed.
The bullets he extracted had been crushed, as though they had been smashed between a rock. He truly had impressive muscles. He wouldnt dare go against Samedi in pure muscle brawls.
Great master, I dont need my wage. Please give me the bullets instead, Ulumbo requested out of the blue.
He understood what Ulumbo intended. The guy had been completely cowed by Ituris harsh environment. Controlling spells existed anywhere in the world. The guy wanted the bullets as his protective charm.
Ulumbo, dont worry about your wage and bring that guy over here, Black Mamba smiled as he handed him the crushed bullets.
Yes, sir!
Excited, Ulumbo ran towards a tree and dragged into the clearing the Damballah soldier who had fortunately survived.
Ulumbo, where are they from? They have a different kind of air from Wallabi.
Wallabi is from Congo, and these bastards are of the Hutu tribe from Rwanda.
Hutu tribe from Rwanda? Why are Rwandan bastards in Zaire? Or is that Wallabi bastard a traitor to his country?
As great master knows, Africa has a weak sense of nationality. Africans consider their tribes more important than the country, and organizations more important than their tribes. Wallabi is from Congo but is of the Hutu tribe. His identity as a Hutu tribe member is more important than the fact that hes from Congo. Moreover, he believes in Voodoo. Kamuges position as Head Priest is unmovable. President Mobutus nothing but a liar.
I get it. Thats why theyre always in civil wars and fights. Are these bastards from the Bantu Tribe, too?
Samedi tapped the two Damballah bastards with his foot.
Agh!
Aaah!
They screamed. Samedi wasnt any normal human after all. He had kicked them as though he was tapping, but Karungo and the soldier went through excruciating pain, the kind where bones shattered, causing them to tremble.
Yes, they use the Bantu language. A part of the Hutu tribe started to live in Rwanda, near Bunia, after driving out the Pygmies there before Rwanda became Belgiums colony.
The Bantu tribe didnt refer to a specific tribe. It simply referred to those who spoke the Bantu language. Tribes that used the Bantu language were around Africas eastern highlands, like Tangani Lake, Edward Lake, Albert Lake, and Kiv Lake. Rwanda and Burundis Hutu tribes were also part of the Bantu tribe. Ulumbo who was from the Basi tribe was also a Bantu tribe member.
Ulumbo, interrogate those bastards from now on. Separate the two, ask the same questions twice, and cross-examine their answers. That Wallabi bastard must have set up some kind of trap by leaking false information.
Yes, sir.
The Damballahs were crazy cultists who couldnt be defined by common sense. They didnt cow under pain. Believing in some greyed-out information could ruin the plan, and himself, too.
Give them two choices. Tell them to choose between an easy death and a hard death. If they choose the first option, theyll get a bullet to their head. If they choose the second option, all of their bones will be broken one by one until they die. Humans dont die even if 206 of their bones are broken, half of what one owns.
Yes, sir, Ill do that.
But that means theyll die either way, Ulumbo thought in fear.
He didnt know how Ulumbo had scared the prisoners, but the prisoners faces as they stared at Black Mamba seemed haunted. They seemed prepared enough to recall even the details of breakfast they ate a decade ago.
To be frank, Ulumbo didnt threaten them much. The Asian with the yellow skin was the reincarnate of Mahaduraka. The giant with the black face seemed to be the Mahadurakas servant, the Bodun. The Bodun killed the large Snake that God Houngan Kran ordered around, his avatar, and even the Houngan. Wallabi died due to a curse by the Mahaduraka. He just told the truth of what he witnessed.
Karungo was swarmed in fear and shock. Black Mamba and Samedis abilities that they had experienced personally added a chance of truth to Ulumbos words. Of course they would believe the mans words about the Bodun who hauled them around like children with the physical abilities five times of a normal humans.
Houngans existed in Voodoo as the absolute truth, yet at the same time, fear. Karungo knew Houngan Kran of the Mai Mais who was chasing after the Damballah. The Mahaduraka who ordered around the strong Bodun, who killed Kran, was right before their eyes. Karungo had lost his will to fight. Thanks to that, Ulumbo was able to gain the information easily.
Great master, this bastards Karungo.
Hehehe, Samedi got a big one, Black Mamba smiled.
The information DGSE had gained by losing 30 of their informants and losing hundreds involved in the Department of Defense was barely the tail of Karungos line of movement, Kamuges subordinate. Samedi had caught him with a few bullets instead. In terms of effectiveness, they were incomparable.
A leader should know more than the subordinates. Did you check their headquarters and identity?
Yes, the Apadombe between Eflu and Ituri River is correct, sir. Theyre currently breeding the hostages in Apadombe.
Breeding? I knew it! Black Mamba nodded his head.
This was the reason the kidnappers didnt kill the hostages despite Frances harsh reply. Kamuge was getting ready to itemize those white skins.
Are you sure the bastards identities are the Hutu tribes Damballah?
Im certain, sir. Rwandas currently a mess due to the Hutu tribes armed riots for having a smaller tribe, the Tuchi tribe ruling over them. Kamuge is also a part of the Hutu rebellion that has its headquarters east of Kiv Lake. It seems like other Catholic Warlords bullied Houngan Kamuge out of their circle. The reason Kamuge left Rwanda was to find a sphere of influence in Congo. You could call them a Mai Mai guerrilla of different roots.
I see.
He could guess the cause of his actions. The Hutu tribe who was defeated in the Tuchi tribes genocide fled to the corners of Eastern Africa. Kamuges group also entered Zaire passing through Uganda. Kamuge, who allied with Ntaganda briefly, was pushed away from the power fight surrounding the diamond mine.
The core of voodooism is revenge. Angered, Kamuge had been sharpening his sword when he chanced on the Areva companys expedition team. The kidnapping hadnt been planned; it had been spontaneous, and the beginning of Arevas misfortune.
Kamuge had been suffering from the lack of weapons and money. He must have seen the French expedition team with white women as nothing but flower pots waiting to be seeded. From what he had heard, the African warlords bought white babies at thousands of francs. Kamuge had nothing to lose. He could wait for the weapons and money with leisure while selling white children. Of course, he would never have realized an evil called Black Mamba would intervene between the flower pots.
Hmph, we only need to wipe them out.
There was joy in Samedis words. It didnt matter whether they were Mai Mais, or guerillas, or Hutus, or Damballahs. The fact that they were kidnappers was important. This was his chance to use his MAG.
Great master, there was something strange in Karungos description. He said there was a narrow-eyed man among the hostages.
There was an Asian? Black Mamba asked again in surprise.
Narrow-eyed referred to Chinese or Koreans. All of the Areva expedition team members were French. There werent any Koreans.
Yes, he said the person was a Korean kidnapped from Tanganika Lake.
Korean! Are you sure?
Yes, he said he saw the ID.
I cant believe this.
Black Mamba tilted his head. 95% of the Asians wandering around Africa were Chinese. The other 5% were Japanese. Korea didnt have a company that was in Africas market or tourists. They only had a few forced embassies and consulates shoved in because of the diplomatic fight with North Korea. Why would Koreans wander around Zaire when the oil poured out of Nigeria, Ghana, and Libya?
Aha! Black Mamba exclaimed in realization.
He recalled the nuclear power plant development request he put in through Bonipas. At the time, France offered a beneficial offer to South Korea in the guise of sharing technology. Despite the overwhelming offer, the Korean government chose Canada, which had the United States backing.
He couldnt do anything about it if one didnt want to become a prime minister. Bonipas predicted the strategic sales of Uranium that the States would commit against Korea and found the situation unfortunate. Black Mamba had cursed the government out, of how theyd be the ones to sell rice for s*** instead.
Bonipas efforts were behind Koreas efforts into swinging a leg towards Munanas Uranium excavation plan. Bonipas would not take such good care of Korea as though he was donating without a reason. It was all to gain the nuclear bomb without a protective measure, the national treasure of France.
Chapter 404 - Episode 27: Ituri, Fist of Justice
In early 1985, President Jeon Du Hwan visited President Bongo. In the 70s and 80s, North Korea and South Korea clung to third-world countries to gain at least one more vote from the United Nations. Jeon Du Hwans visit was also a ceremonial political visit to gain support.
The Korean diplomats, who participated in the presidents entourage, were contacted by the French Embassy during their stay and secured a seat in the Areva companys Munana Uranium expedition team. The diplomatic team cheered for the sheer fortune that dropped out of nowhere.
Whether its an individual or a nation, there was always a reason behind a change in approach. Figuring out the reason helped to build relationships and gain greater profits. Unfortunately, there wasnt a Bonipas in Korea. They couldnt even guess that there was a Black Mamba behind the scenes, and the gift from the Gabon government was actually Frances gift, assuming that they achieved everything out of their own power.
The politicians and officials on the team began to boast about how they opened the door for nuclear plant construction and established a foothold for international cooperation. The media started talking about how President Bongo was impressed by President Jeon Du Hwans leadership and gave him a great gift.
Black Mamba laughed his head off and put the incident behind him. The Independence movement activists who lived 1,000s of miles away from Korea in different countries wouldnt have gone through such struggles to become someone of importance during the Japanese colonial period. The government was full of politicians and idiots, but businesses tried their best to secure foreign resources. Like fuel, the uranium market expanded. 70 percent of the worlds uranium originated from Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia. Africas Namibia and Central Africa were next in line.
Zaire was a country that was not as developed with a wide distribution of uranium mines. If there was someone smart in Jeon Du Hwans government, they would have recognized Zaires worth and dispatched an expedition team to look into it. Those assigned to the expedition must be patriots as they would have to work as hard as the Padok miners and construction workers in the Middle East. Although there was no difference to the worth of lives, he could do nothing about the instinct of favoring one over another.
How many Koreans are there?
There were five, but two died, and three remain captive.
Oho, three!
For some reason, he would meet someone of the same ethnicity every time there was an operation in Africa. He had crucial information in his hands, and there were three Koreans among the hostages. He grew anxious.
Samedi, do you think we need those b*stards?
Black Mamba pointed to Karungo.
We dont need foul-smelling weaklings. We only need the GPS and Pygmies. That b*stard Karungo also has the ability to bind peoples bodies. If he holds the guide as a hostage, well be in trouble.
Samedi expressed his disagreement. Although they stank, the b*stard could cast spells like priest Kran, bind peoples hands, and move fast like a leopard. He suffered trying to catch the guy alive. He would have killed the b*stard if it wasnt for the information he had to gain. There was no reason for him to suffer by keeping the b*stard Vodou priest alive.
Samedi, youve gotten a lot smarter.
Hehehe, I want to be smarter than master.
Upon hearing the compliment, Samedi spoke shyly.
Scary b*stard!
Black Mamba broke out in cold sweat. There was a saying that naive ones were scarier, and it was true. The brat smiling before him was the same guy who searched the forest for 23 Damballa like he was catching mice. The cold-blooded killer instinct hidden behind that innocent smile spooked him. As Samedi said, there was no need to carry around a lump when they had the GPS and Kidamba.
Whoosh
The Kukri left his hand.
Bang
It pierced a major artery behind Karungos ear and flew out of the back of his neck. The blade, which dug diagonally, cut his motor nerves, sensory nerves, and spinal cord all at once. Karungo fell like a logged wood. It was instant death.
He could have killed the hostage without shedding a drop of blood, but he purposely made a show out of it. It was to stop Olonge and Kidamba from acting out.
Humans considered a firestick blade more dangerous than a gun. That was due to the difference between experience and reality. At some point, most got cut by a knife and never received a gunshot before. Guns were unfamiliar threats, while knives were familiar threats. Of course, they feared the knife more.
The more they were treated humanely, Kidamba and Olonge grew comfortable and acted as they pleased. Their scared and timid image disappeared over time, and they went off to catch animals and gather fruits on their own. Warnings were forgotten in a few hours. Their memory was no better than a chickens.
That could be a trait of the tribe members who didnt know what a contract position was, and he understood that it was because of their free lifestyle, but he was running out of time. Still, with Black Mambas personality, he couldnt threaten and hit the Pygmies. In the end, he had no choice but to be firm and control them with force once in a while.
Samedi immediately understood the reason why his master mercilessly killed the captives.
Bang
The head of the Damballa soldiers, who received Samedis kick, exploded like a watermelon. It was the kind of performance that created an atmosphere of fear. Blood drained from Olonge and Kidambas black faces. They forgot how scary the great masters were.
Uhhhk!
Ulumbo tried his best to hold back his vomit. He feared the Vodun would slice his head off with that fearsome knife if he vomited.
Bring the knife back! Samedi growled like a male lion that had been starving for the past three days.
Ulumbo trembled as he translated. Olonge and Kidamba trembled too. The two Pygmies couldnt even look at Samedi.
Tsk!
Mu Ssang clicked his tongue. Although he achieved his desired result, he disliked it when he had to control others with sheer power. In the end, the problem wasnt the Pygmies but himself for binding the free-spirited Pygmies. Still, Black Mamba lacked many qualities to play the role of a villain.
Ulumbo, if these corpses are left here, an epidemic will spread throughout the village. Abandon them outside the villages.
Yes, great master.
There was obedience in Ulumbos reply.
Meidaka Dropa! Ulumbo shouted.
The Pygmy tribe members came out of hiding. Even the women and children rushed forward to drag the corpses back into the forest. The corpses were abandoned near a white ants house. The white ants were the best cleaners in the Ituri Rainforest. They ate uniforms and magazines and even used any remains available as materials to build their house.
Nature would take care of the corpses. Leopards and hyenas would gather at the smell of blood and enjoy the feast. Stray animals would dig into their bones, and the remains would be eaten by all kinds of parasites, bugs, and animals. The bearded vulture would collect the thick bones as materials to build its house. The traces of 44 members of Kamuges scout team would be erased in three days.
Great master, you should take a break today and head out early tomorrow. The road toward Apadombe has streams tangled like spider webs and many swamps and muddy areas. The terrain is rough.
Ulumbo, who was very scared, glanced at Samedi. Black Mamba looked at Ulumbo with his eyes wide open. It meant that the journey was about to get more troublesome. Was it just an appetizer up until now in Ituri? His head started throbbing.
You coward, whats so scary about those swamps and poisonous insects? Prepare to head off now.
Samedi, who misunderstood Black Mambas gaze, swung his backpack on. The face of Ulumbo, who was mentally exhausted, darkened. The sun would set soon. Although the Vodun didnt care about the difference between night and day, what was he supposed to do?
Lets do that. There is no need to put our lives at stake for the 10-day deadline. Kamuge wont be able to get rid of the hostages so easily.
Ok. Wakil is always right.
Samedi didnt argue and set up a tent and a hammock in the villages clearing. Whatever his master said was right.
Black Mamba opened the satellite phone. He passed on the following information to Paul: the kidnappers were led by the Vodou priest Kamuge of the Hutu tribes armed forces from Rwanda, the progress of his decimation of Kamuges army in the Pygmy village, Karungo was no one but a mere faction leader who the DGSE thought was the leader of the kidnappers, and Kamuges army added up to around 500 people. The call ended. He still hadnt revealed the fact that Apadombe, which they referred to as the holy place, was the kidnappers base.
Wakil, the C-rations nearly out.
Samedi, who finished setting up their camp, shook his backpack. It was true. Samedis backpack was much slimmer.
Brat, just say you want to eat meat.
Hehe, the C-rations not good. Boar piglets are soft, and they dont smell.
Samedi scratched the back of his head. His sensitive hearing detected the sound of a boar and its young. He was suddenly in need of its soft meat and thick blood.
Theres about five following its mother. I suppose thats too much for the mother? Black Mamba agreed.
He was sick of the C-ration, but they had to be set aside for emergencies. Although he prepared enough, as Samedi said, there wasnt enough due to the sudden increase of members in their party.
Samedi thinks so too. If there are too many of them, they wont be able to grow up strong.
The giant continued to make remarks about the boars familyremarks that the boar wouldnt appreciateand disappeared from the village like the wind. Samedi returned barely 10 minutes later. A boar that was too large to be called a piglet was tucked under his armpit. There were two bunches of bananas in his other hand.
Samedi glanced at Ulumbo and Kidamba. Black Mamba smirked and threw his Kukri to them.
Do it yourself.
Ulumbo, who farmed, didnt know how to hunt. Olonge handled animals skillfully but was dirty. The Pygmies, regardless of age and gender, had severe skin diseases. No matter how hungry he was, he didnt want to eat the food that the Pygmies prepared.
Samedi skillfully peeled off its hide and sliced its stomach open. He threw its heart and liver to Olonge and Kidamba, assembled his Squeaker, and pierced its body through the stick.
I must be mad.
Ulumbo, who was preparing the fire, trembled. Fear built up in him because the same weapon that sliced the Vodou believers necks and pierced their heads was now used to prepare food. The guy certainly wasnt a human but a Vodun. He acted recklessly because the Mahabharata treated him kindly. Ulumbo started blowing on the fire frantically.
Night fell in the forest. Once the darkness settled, the air became more humid. Black Mamba filled his stomach with the boar meat that was cooking on top of the stone plate and went to sleep early.
The tent with the mosquito net was an excellent choice. A group of mosquitoes attached themselves to the net neatly. If it wasnt for the net, they would have torn his skin to bits. Hed long abandoned the helmet-styled scarf. Its purpose was to block insects, but he couldnt stand it in the humidity and high temperature.
The forest awakened. There was the sound of a leopard chasing after a monkey, the sound of chimpanzees fighting over territories, the sound of a yellow parrots flapping as an owl hunted it down, and the sound of a hyenas cries similar to that of a madwomans laughter.
Kehihihi
Hyenas lived everywhere in Africa. Hyenas lived in the Sahels deserted lands, the Bodl Depression, and the Sahara desert. They also lived in the Ituri Rainforest without exception. Although tigers were graceful predators, they were on the verge of extinction due to the lack of suitable habitats. Hyenas were cursed out at every turn but existed everywhere, from the desert to the forest. It wasnt about the strongest species surviving but the survivors strength. The Pygmy tribe was nearing their end too.
The Pygmies gathered in the center of the village as though the hyenas cries were their signal. Nearly 100 tribe members sat in a circle around the fire.
Booooo
An instrument that sounded like a bassoon played. It was a bamboo flute called luma that the Pygmies used during important rituals.
Hoi hoi! The women started crying.
It sounded like the cries one would hear at a funeral.
Ku kuh! The men cried along.
Their faint cries slowly grew louder. The cries of the hyena and humans combined created an unusual rhythm.
Their cries grew softer and louder following the lumas sound and had a constant rhythm. The fire crackled and sent sparks into the night sky while the Pygmies eerie cries continued. An unknown instrument that occasionally rang loudly added to the sorrow.
The luma went from bass to alto. 100s of Pygmies spun and danced around the fire. Interval cries like hihi hoho were added, they rolled their feet and waved their hands back and forth, and they shook their butts enthusiastically. Their eyes, which reflected the fires light, sparkled in white. They were in a trance.
Is this the Pygmies funeral ritual!
Black Mamba, who woke up from his light sleep, turned. No matter how different their culture was, their rituals and core purpose werent all that different. It was still a ritual to send away the dead even if they were dancing strangely and screaming and not crying their hearts out.
The Pygmies gave birth to many children. The brides worth was determined by her ability to give birth to many children. No matter how conservatively one calculated, 70 families were equivalent to 400 villagers. 300 people were taken by Kamuges army or murdered. Everyone must have lost someone important to them.
The funeral ritual continued until the moon, which lit the clearing, disappeared beyond the dark forest.
Booooo
With the lumas long note, their cries and dance came to an end. The darkness, heavy silence, and the cries of the hyena visited the Pygmy village once more.
Les Misrables!
Black Mamba mumbled as he turned around again. They were pitiful people. The Damballa, who was misled by a cult religion and held a carnival after killing the Pygmies, was pitiful. The Pygmy tribe, who was sending away the dead and didnt have much desire for revenge, was also pitiful. The Areva companys expedition team was pitiful for encountering a cult, and he was also pitiful because he kept tossing and turning, unable to sleep in a forest 200 or so miles away from home.
All shall come to pass! He heard Samedi mumbling behind him.
Black Mamba smiled unintentionally and went to sleep.
Chapter 405 - Episode 28: Ituri, Fist of Justice
On the 10th day of the Ituri Rainforest infiltration,
What Ulumbo said turned out to be true. There was no name for the vast land between Apwanza and Apadombe. It was just colored green on the map. That area where most skilled explorers had never set foot in was one of the roughest terrains with swamps and waterways intertwined, unlike the areas in the direction of Mambasa.
The deeper they traveled into Apadombe, the harsher Ituri became. Its vegetation changed first. Large trees such as mahogany, Sapele, moabi, and ocum covered with dark blue and green lichens and woody vines wrapped around those trees blocked the sunlight. The surfaces between the large trees were densely covered with thorny bushes and rough fern shrubs. It was hard to advance even a meter inside the forest without turning a lantern on.
The swamps covered with humus and fallen dried leaves were also a major obstacle because they were indistinguishable from dry land. The attacks of the boomslangs and black mambas, which were indistinguishable from branches, were also threatening. Wasps launched a blizzard attack as they buzzed out of stranglers[1], and poisonous moths the size of his palm spread poisonous dust everywhere. Ituri tried to replenish its nutrition by melting the foreigners in it. The forests entire ecosystem seemed to be in a frenzy to consume the sources of protein that entered its deepest areas willingly.
Olonge and Kidamba were no exception to threats even though they were forest people, and Ulumbo, who was said to visit the Ituri Rainforest frequently, was dragged into the swamp. Although Black Mamba and Samedi dealt with the predators and venomous snakes, they couldnt do anything about the poisonous insects and parasites. Samedis jungle knife reeked of blood, and Black Mambas senses grew dull.
Sir, were out of rations.
Ulumbo patted the slim backpack with his palm. Ulumbos backpack had run out of C-rations. The 30 packs of rations in Samedis backpack were all there was. According to their GPS, Apadombe was still 136 kilometers away.
Run faster if you dont want to starve! Samedi glared.
Ulumbos face creased. Ulumbo was the only one in the group who cared about the rations. Black Mamba and Samedi could survive by hunting polar bears and seals even if they were in the Arctic, in the middle of nowhere. Kidamba and Olonge didnt mind eating caterpillars, army ants, white ants, bees, and even tiger tarantulas the size of their palm. Among inhumane people, only Ulumbo was pitiful. Ulumbo sped up, unwilling to be scolded any further at a single word of complaint.
Great master, save me!
Ulumbo, who had gone ahead, ran back screaming just as Black Mamba entered Dzanga Bai.
Buzzzzzzz
Kuuuuuudududud
A large bull that was frothing at the mouth appeared behind Ulumbo, less than 10 meters away. Its iron-like hooves trampled on the bushes and branches as it charged.
It was a tragic comedy, the way a human was running away from a charging bull that was swinging its large horns from side to side. The running bulls of Spains festival of San Fermin would make one laugh, but Ituri didnt give anyone the leisure to laugh.
Huh, all kinds of things are causing trouble here. Where is Samedi?
The Pygmies had an uncanny ability to remove themselves from danger. Olonge and Kidamba already went into hiding, but it was strange for Samedi not to appear. He didnt mind the bull because he trusted Samedi. He didnt expect that Ulumbo would drag it there himself. Their guide was truly a troublemaker.
It was said that boars were scary, but those were the words of people who never experienced a charging bull before. An excited bull charging was like a flood rushing out of a broken dam. He was almost trampled to death by a bull charging at a female cow in heat on a river island. The angry bulls horns fractured the chest of his childhood friend, Jong Hwa. African cows could even kill lions. Ulumbo would turn into a rag if he ever got caught in its spear-like horns.
He took out the Dragunov that hed left hanging on his backpack. It would be hard to pierce the bulls thick skull with a nine-millimeter parabellum bullet. By the time he added the magazine to the Dragunov, the bull was already before his nose. Black Mamba, who got into shooting position, shouted.
Oi, you idiot, handero[2]!
He couldnt shoot because Ulumbo was in his line of sight, in front of the bulls head. There was no way a man from Africas Bashi tribe would understand the Gyeongsang-do dialect that came out of his mouth in a rush.
Roulez le c?t![3]
Ulumbo, who was chilled with fear and couldnt understand French, continued to run straight. The bull with red eyes, which was three steps behind him, continued charging. The warm breath coming out of its nostrils reached Ulumbos neck.
He couldnt. Not only was Ulumbo, who was sprinting, blocking his view, but the lush shrubs and tall weeds of Dzanga Bai also restricted his aim.
Ack!
Ulumbo tripped forward. He sprained his ankle. He now had a clear line of sight, but Ulumbo was about to be trampled.
Tsk!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The guide was a useless idiot. In the end, he fired without getting into a proper shooting position. He fired a restraining shot instead of a shot that could kill.
Clang
A 7.62-millimeter bullet hit the center of its left horn with an energy of 4,700 joules. It was a dimensional sight sniping that only Black Mamba was capable of.
Bang
The center of the bulls horn snapped and flew off.
Oiiik
The bull stumbled at the shock, and Black Mamba took his chance to kick off the ground.
Crack
Black Mambas fist landed right on the bulls head. His fist bore through the bulls skull until he was wrist deep.
Uuuuuue
The bull let out a cry and kneeled on its front knees. He was one step away from Ulumbo. He sighed in relief, but the situation wasnt over.
Uuuu
Millions of tiny wings fluttered in the air. A swarm of angry killer bees appeared in the direction where the bull appeared. The hybrid of African and European bees was called killer bees, while African honey bees were always called killer bees. That was because they were more aggressive compared to European or Asian honey bees.
It followed 10 li when one fled and was tenacious enough to linger around the waters surface for several hours after one jumped in. While it was less poisonous than a wasp, people still died when they collectively stung.
Seriously, what the hell.
He could almost imagine it. The angry killer bees attacked the bull after it provoked their beehive. The angry bull just happened to see Ulumbo wandering around and lashed out at him instead.
Whoosh
The Rakshasa stretched out from his backpack. There wasnt a better weapon than the Rakshasa to handle small flying creatures.
Whoosh
A small whirlwind formed. The whirlwind soon turned into a tornado.
Tatatata
The killer bees that were sucked into the tornado fell like snow.
The killer bees outside of the tornado hurriedly fled. Others that were buzzing around the bulls carcass also disappeared.
Wooo
The tornado slowly died down. Black Mamba, who stored the Rakshasa back into his backpack, shook his head. If he didnt have the Rakshasa, he would have had to hide under a tarp just like how he hid from the grasshoppers in the Sahel.
Rustle rustle
Olonge and Kidamba crawled out from under the bushes. They always reappeared like ghosts after the danger had passed. The two, who found the collapsed bull, communicated loudly with their hands and feet. Black Mamba frowned. Their instinct to avoid danger was commendable, but he couldnt feel Samedis ki.
Wheres Samedi?
There was silence.
Surprised, both turned their heads.
Samedi! Black Mamba shouted.
No one could hide Samedi to the point that it would go unnoticed by him. He grew even more anxious.
A-ool, wabella ik-sa pozi!
Although he couldnt understand, the tone sounded urgent. Black Mamba motioned him to lead the way. They passed Dzanga Bai before Kidamba stopped a few meters away from where the bull appeared. It was no different from land covered with leaves, but it was a swamp. Samedis backpack and machine gun were by the swamps side.
Damn b*stards!
For the first time, Black Mamba felt his bloodlust rise because of the Pygmies. Those b*stards knew Samedi disappeared into the swamp but didnt inform him of the urgent situation. They irresponsibly directed all of their attention to the dead bull. The more he learned about them, the more he couldnt understand them.
Whoosh
The Rakshasa swept the ground.
Crack
Crunch
Twang
All kinds of sounds were heard. The leaves and branches that were swept away by the Rakshasa flew, and the bushes and weeds were uprooted entirely. Even the arboreal tree was cut down.
Whoosh
Waste that scattered into the air was pushed away by a gust of wind.
A swamp that was several 100s of pyungs wide appeared in the empty space. Rather, it was a mudflat that had turned into soup. The heavy rain had pushed the surrounding soil, creating a swamp of death with leaves piled on the surface. It was the scariest trap to exist in the Ituri Rainforest.
While he didnt know why Samedi was dragged into the swamp, it was an emergency. Although he was a former zombie, Samedi survived on land. 10 minutes had passed. He was unsure how long Samedi could endure it.
Oooooo
When he activated his resonance waves at full potential, the ground vibrated. His hair soared into the sky. His resonance waves covered the swamp. He felt like something was shattering his head. Although his control was remarkable, using it over a wide area was still difficult.
Resonance waves were similar to a bats ultrasound and a submarines navigation sound waves. His brain analyzed the reflected wavelength, revealing the shape and size of the object. It was basically a biological radar. 10 meters, 20 meters, 30 meters, and finally, something seemed different at 40 meters. It was a sturdy bedrock.
Damn. That wasnt a swamp but a cenote. Cenotesa deep puddle formed by the accumulation of groundwater in a doline of karst terrainwere commonly found in South America. Unfortunately, the cenote that Samedi was dragged into was a swamp of death filled with waste and dirt instead of clear groundwater due to the heavy rain.
Black Mamba stirred up the swamp as though he was looking for an eel with his resonance waves. Countless dead creatures in the swamp hindered his work. His body broke out in cold sweat because he felt anxious, and there wasnt much progress.
Found him.
He found something jumping off the bedrock like a grasshopper. No matter how strong he was, Samedi wouldnt be able to escape the swamp that was 120 meters deep. He propelled himself up by three to four meters but sank back down due to the pressure. A monster was a monster. What kind of creature on Earth could resist the pressure of a swamp that was 120 meters deep?
Keke!
It wasnt the time to laugh, but laughter escaped out of him anyway. The relief he felt from knowing that Samedi was fine drew it out of him. He threw his backpack down and took off his clothes. Only a single pouch wrapped securely around his chest remained.
The emergency pouch, created after his experience of getting swept down by the dam water in Kaparja Valley, contained the bare necessities for survival and the Vajra. The pouch was made from aramid and carbon fibers. It was fireproof and resistant to knife tears.
Black Mamba tied the army rope to a large ocum tree that spread over the swamp and tied the other end to his waist. That wasnt a parachute anchor line but a diving lifeline. Black Mamba dived into the swamp without hesitation once he was ready.
Splash
Thick water splashed up. Although he had several experiences digging underground with his resonance waves, 10 meters was his limit. He wasnt a fish or a crocodile. Samedi was still fine after 20 minutes, but 15 minutes was his limit.
Gurgle
Black Mamba dug into the swamp just like a drill.
As expected, he couldnt descend fast enough. The swamp was much more difficult to dig into than land. The strong resistance hindered his fall. The mental exhaustion he gained from searching the location of Samedis fall was also an obstacle. Once he reached 50 meters under, the swamp water turned into mud. His biological clock had already passed 10 minutes. His chest grew stuffy. Holding ones breath in a swamp was much more challenging than in water.
Should he return or dive deeper? Black Mamba contemplated until a headache came around. His mind shouted at him to give up, but his heart refused. He wasnt like his mother, who left her young son behind. He couldnt leave Samedi to die in a swamp. He was his family. He could descend faster in the muddy water than in the swamp water too.
After a moment of consideration, Black Mamba increased the speed of his descent to the best of his abilities. The swamp and mud water placed an unimaginable amount of pressure on him. An average human wouldnt be able to swim 120 meters underwater.
His chest was on the verge of exploding. His mind went blank. He had to live to save Samedi, but he was too greedy. His heartbeat slowed down. His consciousness began to fade.
Ill be an Epidium fossil 1,000,000s of years from now. Hehehe! He laughed inwardly in resignation.
Huh? What the heck?
His consciousness returned. That meant oxygen was reaching his brain. His heart started pumping blood once more. The pain in his chest, which made him feel like he was about to explode, became bearable. Black Mamba was extremely confused for someone who knew his physical limitations in detail. He didnt gain any new ability recently, either. His teacher also said that his physical abilities had reached the limit.
Boom
He released his dimensional sight. He could answer those questions later.
Hes fainted!
Samedi wasnt moving. He had been trying to escape the 120-meter swamp for the past 10 or so minutes. Even Nio would have given up.
Slap
Samedi flinched at the slap.
Crack
He punched his forehead. Bubbles escaped out of Samedis mouth.
[1] A parasitic plant of the figs genus.
[2] Get out!
[3] Roll to the side!
Chapter 406 - Episode 29: Ituri, Fist of Justice
A strong arm as strong as tree roots wrapped around his waist. While he knew Samedi was strong enough to raise Jae Mu into the air, this was too much. The strength which could break an African bulls waist cut the air to his throat.
Uk! Ugh-
Black Mamba swallowed a mouthful of strong poison as he opened his mouth in fear. His flipped insides vomited the foreign substance back out, but his throat and liver burned as though he had swallowed hydrochloric acid.
The cenotes depth was 120m. Its first layer was the swamp, and the mud particles increased the deeper he went. Still, his sight didnt clear. The lowest layer was sticky and black like squids ink.
This was a fermented poison that grew poisonous over years of chemical plant particles and chemical releases from animal carcasses, high in toxicity. It was the kind of non-recoverable poison often seen in martial arts novels.
Black Mamba was an Epidium, the kind that could recover from the strongest poison existing, Botulinum toxin. If it had been any other human body, it would have become nothing more than added toxicity to the poison.
Ooooo A soft vibration rang from his chest. A refreshing feeling, akin to pouring cold water from his head to his toes, washed over him. He could breathe easier. He felt as though he was attached to an air tank, instead of air filling his lungs. His insides, which had flipped at the sensation, also grew relieved.
Eyes in dark water were useless. He could only sense what was moving around him using dimensional sight. Black Mamba slapped at the arm around his waist, his consciousness now fully recovered, as an indication to release him. But Samedi instead wound his arm tighter around him once more. It was some tremendous strength. His spine creaked at every tendons movement.
Wait, he wound himself around?
Black Mambas mind snapped into reality. This wasnt Samedi. Unless Samedi was a riverman that appeared in movies or some anaconda from South America, he couldnt wrap his arm around his waist twice. Now that he thought about it, the skin against his waist didnt feel like human skin. He hadnt noticed, struggling underwater pressure and minding his breath.
Damn it!
The black snake he met at Bang Tae San swept past his head. No, the king snake that Houngan Kran ordered around, the one he met a few days ago, ran past his head. Tsk. The unknown thing wrapped itself around his arms and legs. Bang! Something smacked the back of his head soon after. If he hadnt earned his iron-hard head eating the huvluv back in Sahel, he would have died and ended up a watermelon on the floor of the swamp. That was how strong the smack had been.
Ugh, this damn beast!
Black Mambas anger reached its peak. He immediately released the army rope around his waist and grabbed at the unknown thing around him. It was cold, the kind of temperature from metals. It was slippery, but he felt as though he was grabbing an iron pipe. This thing, the width of his thigh, wasnt the Kraken or a snake. Craaaack! His Billions Water Armor dug into the monstrous thing.
Kueeeegh! The monster trembled like mad. With his hips stuck, Black Mamba swirled around the water. Whoosh! Something struck. It was targeting his head.
Whoosh! He tried to swat the object away using the blade of his hand. The object avoided his hand easily. Bang! Black Mamba realized he made a mistake. He hadnt controlled his strength well enough to land a critical hit underwater. Kueeee! A scream rang out. The cenotes murky waters shook.
Ugh!
A burning pain seared through his left shoulder. The monsters teeth had pierced his shoulder. He could feel its sinister intentions to slice through his muscles and crush his bones. He grabbed the monsters upper and lower jaws with both of his hands and pushed it off. Its neck was thicker than his body. Craaaack! The Billions Water Armor dug into the monsters neck. The monster hesitated.
The regenerative abilities of an Epidium kicked into place. White particles rushed out of his spine and flowed into his bloodstream. Now sparkling, the blood rushed towards his shoulder wound, where the monster had bitten. His flesh that had been torn open from the monsters razor-sharp teeth started to heal. The monsters body, however, had also healed somewhat despite him using his Billions Water Armor.
Damn bastard, die!
Vvooooom! He stabbed the Billions Water Armor into the monsters body and released his resonance. Its muscles tore open, but it immediately sealed itself up too. It had a cheat-level regenerative skill like the chimera he met at Ounianga Lake. Black Mamba and the monster tried to kill each other to the best of their abilities, but continued to struggle, unable to overpower the other.
The Pygmy middle-aged man and teenager, oblivious to the fight for life underwater, were peaceful above ground. They chewed on the yakori they luckily found in a limbali bark and waited for the god who had gone into the spring of death.
Yakori were not caterpillars but they were edible. The feeling of something moving inside ones mouth, the freshness of it, the pop as it burst, the smooth liquid wrapping around their tongue, and the overall bitter taste of it was one fine delicacy. Of course, such acquired tastes only applied to the Pygmies.
Olonge, I see bubbles. Kidamba pointed at the devils spring.
God is scolding Bodun for entering the devils spring.
Why did the Bodun enter the devils spring?
He went in there to take a bath.
How long do we need to wait? Should we return to the village?
That wont do. God is too scary. Well die from a press of his fingernail.
Olonge trembled. Even the scariest spell caster in the world had died by the Boduns hands, a mere servant of the god. The god even killed the large elephant and wild bull with a wave of his hands. Gurgle. Mud splattered up from the devils spring.
Kidamba, move back. We are not the Bodun. Our flesh will rot if we touch the devils spring.
Kidamba rushed back at Olonges warning.
How do the god and the Bodun remain in the devils spring?
Thats why god is god.
Wont god be mad at us?
Kidamba was slightly worried. He still remembered the glare god sent their way before entering the spring.
Are you a stupid Pygmy? God had already spoken. Dont care about other things and mind saving our own lives.
Right. You dont know what might happen if we interfere in gods works, Kidamba nodded in agreement.
Olonge, who was old, was wise. Black Mamba might be frustrated, but Olonge and Kidamba had only acted according to the Pygmies way of logic.
Crash! The cenote trembled in pain. The human and monster continued to upheave the cenotes floor in their fight. Black Mamba felt like dying. He felt as though his waist would be sliced off every time the monster used its strength. He was experiencing the strange sensation of taking a roller coaster ride through the water due to the angry monsters rampage.
This fight would have long ended above ground, but this was the home ground of the monster. He couldnt use his speed or strength to land a strike because of the water pressure and density. He had to fight using half of his strength. He grew exhausted, too. His power which knew no limits were running rapidly low.
This is driving me mad!
Black Mamba really did feel like he was about to go mad. The monsters body was sturdier than an iron board. His Billions Water Armor did dig in, but the hide didnt tear. The Billions Water Armor could tear through 10mm of iron plate armor. If he could use both of his hands, he would have tried to tear it apart, but he had to beware of the monsters head which continued to bite into his shoulder.
Outer injuries didnt cause much damage. All he could do was send in internal shocks using his fingers as a drill to dig into the monsters body like digging through mud, sending out his resonance and increasing the wound. The problem was that its regenerative abilities instantly healed the wound and only increased its anger. This was his first time encountering such a difficult and absurd situation.
The monster wasnt an easy opponent either. It shook his head like mad trying to rip apart his shoulder, squeezing and twisting his body, and even banged his body with its tail. The monster and human didnt know what to do with each other as they turned and turned underwater.
Im a chicken head! Black Mamba lashed out at himself.
Hed completely forgotten about Vajra. He opened his emergency pouch.
Huh! Whats this?
Blue light emitted from his pouch. It was the ange sikakuh he got from the old Pygmy man. The light grew stronger and brighter. The low hum hed felt from his chest had been from this thing. He instinctively realized the reason why he was able to remain underwater for so long had been the ange sikakuh.
Black Mamba immediately grabbed the Vajra and closed the pouch. This wasnt the time to wonder about the ange sikakuhs components. The monster dug its teeth in deeper in the time he took to take out the Vajra. If it hadnt been for his muscles which were stronger than aramid fibers, his body would have long been cleaved in half.
Kugh! Ugh-
He swallowed another mouthful of poison due to his scream.
You damn bastard, you are so dead.
Pop! The Vajra dug into the monsters neck as though it was digging into the mud. Zzzzt! He turned the monster once from the spot he plunged the Vajra in.
Kuuuuueeeee! The monster screamed so loud it seemed to shake the sky. The fight between the monster and man in the heart of Ituri Jungle, deep within the devils spring, ended just like that C with a single scream. The mans victory had only been possible due to the Billions Water Armor and the Vajra, both impossible, cheat-like items.
Zzzzt! Zzzzzzt! He sliced at it with the Vajra twice, and the monsters dangling neck fell off. Its body that had wrapped around his also fell apart with a few swings of the Vajra. The large monsters body spewed blood like a firetrucks water hose. The dark yellow waters grew even darker, and a pungent smell spread rapidly.
Langleys Fifth Division of the Intelligence Analysis Team was a secret division that checked on the locations of predators that the CIA and Socrates members released into each corner of the world as a part of the MK Ultra project. The room, which was sealed with gold, was filled with monitors. The monitors were divided into four groups, and each group had two agents assigned to it to check and record the data and monitor.
The council had embedded GPS chips into each Grendel predator in Area 51. This was a measure taken after their two humanoid Grendels in Ounianga Lake went missing.
Nearby translators conveyed the location of the chip to the Keyhole satellite using the signals coming off of the predators bodies. The Intelligence Analysis Teams Fifth Division took the satellite signal and analyzed and tracked the predators movements.
Steve Coleman, an analysis agent, was bored. The Grendel predator he was in charge of was being tested in Ituri Jungles cenote. The cenote he called a puddle was barely 1000m2. As small as the predators allotted space was, there were six monitors left on for the predator.
The kind of boredom that came from monitoring a screen that never changed for the past decades was indescribable. He stood to stretch, chasing away his sleep, and looked at the monitor again. Hed have to leave his behind to the managers heel if he missed a single movement.
The Grendels they had shoved inside Ituri Jungle were the Serpent, Octopus, and Turtle. The Serpent was based on an anaconda and was a Grendel with a mix of great octopus genes. The Octopus genes were made of the great squid and silver oarfishs, while the Turtles genes were made of the turtle and white sharks.
They placed three large Grendels into a confined space because they couldnt find a suitable place like the cenote in the Ituri Jungle. They went through three testing stages; the first C a poison test, life test, and immunity test, the second, its attack test, and the third, its survival rate in the Pacific Ocean.
Haaaaahm!
Steve yawned widely. He didnt know how he came to be looking at a screen for twelve hours under the tyrannical rule of an evil woman. This was all because he fooled around with too many women, he supposed. Steve, who began drinking his cold coffee once more, flinched. Not because of the take-out coffee, but because of the monitor.
Is that bastard mad?
The serpent-shaped figure in the lower left of his monitor began to move up and down like mad.
Benny, I think the serpent is fighting with the Octopus.
Steve turned to look at his assistant.
Impossible. The Octopus and Turtle arent moving one bit in their sweet home.
Benny pointed at his monitor. An Octopus and Turtle logo was floating deep underwater in its lower right. It was an underground cave attached to the cenote.
Thats strange. Why is this guy going mad when its been quiet for over three years?
Perhaps it needs a female partner? Hehehe! Benny laughed at his own joke.
Shut up, Grendels dont have reproductive systems. Benny, analyze the movements and aim of the Serpent. I think theres a problem here.
Okay!
Benny began typing away at his keyboard. Steve was unable to take his eyes off the monitor. Twelve minutes had passed since the Serpent went into a frenzy. Suddenly, its manic movements stopped. Black Mamba had mistaken his fight to be an hour-long when it had only been 12 minutes or so.
Huh! Benny, who had his eyes glued to the screen, shouted in surprise. The serpent shape underwater blinked off.
Beeee! A machine went off. Steve rubbed his eyes. Something impossible had occurred.
What kind of a fu**ed up situation is this?!
Steve jumped to his feet. His paper cup tipped over. Coffee soaked the papers on his desk. He didnt even turn back as he ran out the door. This was an emergency. Steve banged into the managers office without knocking on the door.
Steve, are you in such a rush?
Matilda, who had been staring at a document on the couch, raised her head. Steve was distracted by her light blue eyes. She lowered the paper shed been holding onto the coffee table and twisted her legs. She licked her lips and glared at him with her eyes. It was the kind of seductive gesture even Buddha would have been lured by. Steve glanced at her legs. His lower body twitched.
No, not now!
Steve rushed to chant a mantra. Samantha Matilda, also known as the female mantis. It had been three years since he was lured by her and became her slave. He wouldnt have felt so unjust had he actually done the deed with her, but he was enslaved with just a kiss. Well, someone had his private parts removed trying to harass her, so he was considered fortunate. His lower half grew calm at the 32nd line of prayer.
Miss, the Serpent has just died.
The Serpent died? Matildas light blue eyes grew two times their size.
Chapter 407 - Episode 30: Ituri, Fist of Justice
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang pitied Yang Guifeis feet for having to step on dirt. A mans heart will only turn to coals after witnessing a woman in shock and worry.
That damn Jap!
The Japanese were behind the CIAs renewed interest in DNA manipulation humanoid research, which theyd abandoned before. Steve blamed the research department within Japan and Sasakas party.
As a mere senior researcher, Steve wouldnt know the background story of the MK Ultra project or its partnership with Japan. There were only rumors of how the large number of funds to support their medical research advances and the fresh human bodies to research on were all from Japan, as the other researchers had said.
And truly, the data given to them on the poison resistance measurements of humans could only be gained from human experiments. Japan was the only country that conducted large-scale human body research in the 20th century. That was also why Steve didnt like Japan. He joined the development team by coincidence, but he had no fondness towards the inhumane and wrong project.
Yes, not only did the GPS signals stop, but its body signals have also stopped. Its a complete death.
Steve was sure of his announcement. The GPS surgically embedded into the predators chest was a small-sized electric generator that offered energy. The body electric generator pumped the electric pressure points, moving the electric body functions, and created electricity based on the laser static electricity all based on the monsters heartbeat. It worked as long as the heart or brain continued to send electric wave signals towards the generator, both of which were made in Area 51s over technology. Failure of the bodys electric generator meant its heart and brain had died at the same time.
Did it fight with another predator?
From the report, that was the easiest explanation. Not even Adam would be able to say anything if she reported that the Grendels fought each other due to their violent nature.
The Octopus and Turtle are hibernating, maam. The bastard died on its own after f***ing itself up for 12 minutes.
Steve shattered Matildas hope.
No way. The Grendel should have gotten used to the puddles toxicity.
Matilda couldnt believe that the Serpent had died. Rather, she didnt want to believe it at all. Not only was it difficult to report to Adam, but it was also hard to counter the complaints that those narrow-eyed Japs would have. Even she didnt know who Ishihara Genji, who pumped immense amounts of research funds through Sasakawas organization and gave them Serpent, was.
The U.S. was a country of money. The same went for the CIA. It had barely been 40 years since the U.S. and Japan ended their war. Still, the U.S. had helped Japan recover from the wars aftermath rather benevolently. They had helped Japan, the country that attacked Pearl Harbor and initiated the war. Japan, the country that killed countless Americans.
Japan was also benevolent. It gave research funds and provided human anatomy experiment research results without reservations. No, there were some conditions. They wanted the technique to combine DNAs.
While they could guess Ishihara Genjis intentions, what of it? It didnt matter to them whether the small island nation and the smaller half-country across the Pacific Ocean fought each other to the death. She didnt like the Korean politicians who frequented the U.S. only to whine at them.
The problem was that the Serpent had died. She could only write up a report after looking into the cause. She couldnt report that the Grendel felt bored with its own life and committed suicide, now, could she?
I dont know, maam. Its possible that its entire immune system combusted as a side effect of the DNA combination.
Steve was very nervous. Its immune system was under the responsibility of Area 51, and its adjustment to poisonous environments was his responsibility.
That may be true.
Matilda also doubted the immune system. Otherwise, it was hard to explain its sudden death. She remembered the young man who died due to a collapsed immune system. It was the Mestizo teenager that they forced into a sex frenzy after injecting him with drugs for five hours.
Perhaps Abbadon? No, thats impossible.
Matilda shook her head and erased Abbadon, who jumped out from her memories, from her head. Even Abbadons grandfather wouldnt have survived the explosion which shifted terrains, a natural disaster of heavens making. Not even a Haunter nor a Grendel would survive the natural disaster that fell upon Kaparja Valley.
Steve, we should still check, shouldnt we?
While recovering bodies was Matildas responsibility, determining the cause of their death was Area 51s 7th divisions responsibility.
Damn it!
Steves face crumpled. The matter hed been worried about finally jumped out of the female mantis mouth. Hed barely managed to survive when they were placing the Grendels into the puddle. While the predators, poisonous snakes, and insects could be sent away with chemical products, there was nothing to defend himself against parasites and viruses. Over 90% of their Ituri team had died from an unknown virus not registered with the FDA or became disabled. He had merely survived out of pure luck. Or in Korean terms, his ancestors had protected him.
The Ituri Jungle wasnt a place where safety could be ensured with modern equipment. It would be easier to sleep with an alligator or a lion. When Steve showed signs of hesitation, frowns creased Matildas forehead. Frowns suited beauties, too.
You dont want to go? Shall I assign you to the Sahara instead?
Hahaha, of course I do. Ill prepare a strike team.
A rain of sweat ran down Steves chest. Two Grendels had died in Ennedis Ounianga. The strike team was remade into a stationed troop, but those from Area 51 determined that there was an attacker. The CIA sent out three investigation teams to look into their deaths and all three went missing. The Ennedi was the CIAs graveyard. He didnt want to die at the age of 40 leaving behind a perfectly good world.
I cant show my pretty face down there with absolutely nothing, can I? Ill ask my boss to give you the mechanic Haunter that had finished its first round of testing.
Thank you, maam.
Unlike his words, Steves face wasnt that bright. The mechanic Haunters ability was strong enough to defeat the ranger troops, having made of artificial muscles and locomotion stances. While his chances of survival would go up, the Haunter wouldnt be able to stop the parasites and viruses.
Damn it, nothing is going as planned.
Matilda threw the stainless mug cup shed been holding as soon as Steve left the room. The silk road shed been on to the path of promotion had turned into a path of rocks ever since the Cuckoos Nest plan failed. She had failed in Ennedi, and now there was a problem in Ituri.
If it was a problem with their immune system, the entire MK project would tremble to its foundations. Re-vamping a project which cost over 100 billion dollars? Just thinking about it was terrifying.
Thinking of reporting this to Adam was terrible. The death of the Serpent wasnt a small matter. Just the immediate loss alone was 100 million dollars. 40 million dollars went into its embryo development until its growth as an adult. 60 million dollars went into relocating the Serpent, money they had received from Genji. Of course, that money would be the CIAs operation fees.
The Serpent dying from external factors? That was impossible. There wasnt a single creature on earth that could defeat the Serpent. Theyd already confirmed that it was safe against all existing poisons and parasites. The only thing that could kill Serpent was Abbadon. Of course, this only applied if the bastard was alive.
Abbadon, Abbadon! Matilda mumbled as she looked outside the window covered in darkness. While she was certain Abaddon was dead, her throat felt ragged as though a thorn was embedded within.
Grrrr! The unknown large monster sank to the bottom of the lake floor. Black Mamba, too, collapsed onto the floor. While hed managed to slice the monster into pieces using Vajra, he had received significant injuries. His arm that had been chewed on flapped around, and his left hip was dislocated from the monsters tails smacking. Around three ribs had cracked underneath the pressure of the monsters hold on his body.
F****ng hell!
He laughed senselessly. The monster was an anaconda expanded ten times in size with the addition of two feelers. While the Ituri Jungle was full of unknown monsters, he hadnt imagined hed go up against a monster like this.
If he hadnt had the angels egg and Vajra, he would have been defeated by the monster. Still, how fortunate it was that he survived in the water! Black Mamba began to meditate as he sat at the bottom of the lake, now silent again. Ooooo The shiny particles that floated out of his spine increased in number as time passed. His cells started to split, and the dead cells were rapidly pushed out. His internal and external wounds healed rapidly.
Hmph!
Black Mamba stood. He had recovered enough to pull himself out of the swamp. While it was just about 40% from his full power, staying any longer would make him lose Samedi. Boom! He barely managed to activate his dimensional sight. His large scan area had decreased immensely. All kinds of things which floated into the water due to the struggle between him and the monster interrupted his search. He tried poking everywhere, but Samedi didnt show up on his radar.
Ugh, there is another?
Black Mambas face crumpled. Instead of Samedis traces that he was searching for, a large monster was caught on his radar again. There were two, in fact. He grew anxious. He didnt want a continued title match against monsters the same size and strength as the prior. He could get rid of them with his Vajra, but he had to return Samedi to land fast.
He tried putting his palm against the monsters body, where the neck had been sliced off. Boom! The dimensional sight swept through the monsters body.
Kekeke!
If it hadnt been for the fact that he was underwater, he would have opened his mouth and laughed. Samedi was in the monsters stomach. He was rather unfortunate, in that regard. Zzzzt! He sliced open the monsters stomach with his Vajra and tore its liver with his Billions Water Armor. Inside was Samedis completely fine body with a half-digested sitatunga. He didnt have the leisure to check whether he was dead or alive.
He grabbed a fistful of his wet hair and kicked off the swamps floor towards the surface. He used his resonance to propel himself forward. Around 50 meters up, a silvery rope flicked past his face.
Bingo! Black Mamba, who caught it reflexively, cheered. It was the army rope hed released from fighting with the monster. Rather, it was the thread from heaven. Twang! The rope straightened firmly. Black Mamba used its sudden tension to propel up to the swamps surface like an arrow.
Whoosh! The swamp shot up into the air as though it was exploding. Two beings covered in swamp water landed on the floor with a thud. The army rope had used too much tension and had dug halfway into the ocum tree. As Emil said, the army rope was strong enough to withstand 200kg of weight moving quickly, which resulted in several tons of pressure.
Ugh, uh, I nearly died.
Black Mamba threw the treasure down onto the ground, further away, and sprawled out across the floor. The great Black Mamba had really lost his composure. He wondered if he would have survived this had he not spent a month and a half wandering the underground world of Kaparja.
Ugh, this idiot!
He didnt have time to look over his injuries. He took a breath and checked Samedis condition. The liver toxicity of creatures that swallowed their prey whole was strong. Most of their prey were suffocated to death or melted with liver acid just before death.
Zombies, however, had amazing physiques. His rubber-like skin had no other injuries. While his breathing and heart rate had dulled, his body was still warm. If he had been a human, he would have had to chant a prayer, but Samedi was a zombie.
He flipped Samedi over and slammed a palm down on his center acupuncture point. He used his resonance to the fullest. Resonance activates the bodys functions by moving cells individually. His head cracked and turned into mush as he tried to squeeze out strength. Black Mamba had to take out Rakshasa in the end, out of strength. The last option was the Soul-Returning Pain Administration.
He held Rakshasa upside down and smacked Samedi with the handle. The Soul-Returning Pain Administration was painful enough to bring people back from the brink of death. Crack crack crack bang bang. Crack crack crack bang bang. The beats started as a strong-weak, strong-weak rhythm soon turned into a rhythm of strong-strong-weak, strong-strong-weak.
Hhhm!
Olonge and Kidambas faces turned white. No matter how benevolent he was, God was God. The Bodun was being beaten to death by God. It was their turn next. Their hands and feet curled at the sounds.
Kugh! Five minutes later, Samedi responded. His shriveled hands moved first. The swamp which had filled his nostrils and throat then spilled out. Samedis arms and legs trembled.
Aigo, Im going to die.
Black Mamba flopped onto his back. Samedis entire body was firm like raw rubber and strong like an iron board. Wherever he used the Soul-Returning Pain Administration on him, his strength would leave him. His sight turned yellow. Hed never felt so drained since the day he grabbed a gun.
Fortunately, the outer injuries had healed on their own. His shoulder which had turned ragged had scabbed over. His cracked chest bone and leg bones also healed a bit. It was the kind of injuries for which he would have been sent to the Val de Grace military hospital for a month at the level he was before Sahel. He didnt know why his regenerative skill had grown stronger, though.
He opened the emergency pouch hanging on his chest. There was a folding knife, a Glock, nutrition capsule, pain reliever, Zippo lighter, Vajra, and the Angels Egg. He lifted the ange sicacuh (Angels egg) and looked into it.
It had grown warmer since the time he received it. It was a slight difference, but he could tell. Other than that, it was a normal jewel. He used his Inner Eye. Something seemed to move within, but he couldnt feel it.
I should look into this. Seems like Im indebted to the Pygmy old man.
He didnt know why, but he managed to breathe underwater thanks to the Angels Egg. Otherwise, archeologists and historians would have suffered headaches and migraines in the far future with his remains on a dissecting bed with the mix of zombie, Epidium, and monster genes at hand.
Idiotic bastards, be grateful that you lived because of the old man.
Black Mamba decided to forgive Olonge and Kidamba for acting so irresponsibly. The effects of scolding them wouldnt last half a day anyways. He simply left them be.
Whoa, what are they doing now?
Olonge and Kidamba had attached themselves to Samedi. They were wiping the swamp water off him, washing him off with the water from their water bottles, and causing a general ruckus. His head ached at the very non-Pygmy actions. He couldnt tell whether Olonge and Kidambas actions were normal to the Pygmies or a part of their innate nature.
Chapter 408 - Episode 1: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Oh, this brat, his skin has somewhat changed.
Sensing something unnatural, Black Mamba tilted his head. Bronze skin appeared from under the swamp water. His skin changed from a dark coal-like color to bronze. With a height of 220 centimeters, a well-built body weighing 120 kilograms, muscles wrapped around his entire body like a manila rope, and new bronze skin that glistened in the sunlighthe looked better than the statue of Hercules.
Black Mamba glared at Samedi through narrowed eyes. He used to hate the color of his skin, but fortune smiled on him. Could the skin color of a Black person change to bronze? Why did it change in the first place?
The stomach acid of alligators and anacondas could melt animal horns. Although the components of animal horns differed with each animalsuch as gelatin, lime, calcium, and proteinwhat they had in common was that theyre all strong enough to be used as weapons. Such a strong stomach acid could obviously melt away Samedis skin.
The stomach acid had melted away his original skin, and skin regeneration was possible with the regenerative ability specific to zombies. He imagined that the monsters stomach acid would have somehow forced him through rebirth like those leveling-up moments in martial arts novels.
Some threw themselves into a pot of poison and suffered through pain, while others fixed their photos to look better without spending a lot of money. He realized that those destined for great things could be eaten up by monsters.
Kihihihi
Krrr
Howls were heard in the direction of Dzanga Bai. Those were the sounds of hyenas and leopards fighting over some prey. They were archenemies, a pair he often saw in the Ennedi Plateau.
Ah, right, Ulumbo!
Black Mamba flinched in surprise once he remembered. Ulumbo, who was chased by the killer bees too, was still in Dzanga Bai. Ituri wasnt Montmartre hills or the Garden of Mirrors. Predators gathered at the scent of blood, red army ants gathered and tore flesh apart, terror birds tore limbs apart, and large snakes swallowed humans whole. It was the Devils Forest.
Black Mamba dragged his tired body and sprinted toward Dzanga Bai. The day was turning pathetic by the hour as the great Black Mamba rushed around to take care of his lackeys needs. Ituri wouldnt remain still at the smell of blood. Two predator species were fighting over the bulls carcass with their hackles raised and teeth bared.
The hyenas and leopards didnt even glance at Black Mamba as they continued to circle each other. Black Mamba grabbed the handle of his Rakshasa but soon released it. In the world of the strong, the stronger one was allowed to take the bulls carcass. As long as they knew their place and didnt jump at him, he had no intention of interfering in Ituris circle of life either.
Dude, your mouth will turn if you sleep on your front on the floor. Damn, you stink.
Black Mamba grabbed the back of Ulumbos shirt and raised him but ended up covering his nose. Ulumbo looked like he was defeated in a fight. He ended up s**tting on himself, wetting his trousers. His face and arms, which suffered cuts from the thorn bushes, were bleeding. It was indistinguishable as to whether he was dead or alive.
Tsssss
A foreboding rattling was heard. He flipped Ulumbo over. Three king centipedes the size of two hands were on his chest and face. It was the great centipedes known to eat snakes. The centipedes hung off his flesh with their teeth embedded deep in Ulumbos muscles. They were too disgusting and horrible to be mistaken as insects.
Compared to Korea, anything with Africas trademark was bigger, more tenacious, and more poisonous. Perhaps, Ulumbo managed to avoid the attack of other insects thanks to the insect killer centipedes. Not everything in the world was as it seemed, after all.
He grabbed the centipedes and threw them off to check on Ulumbos condition. His neck and face were bright red because of the killer bees stings, while the areas where the centipede bit turned blue. There were red rashes all over his upper body, and his breathing grew faint as though hed die any minute.
Fortunately, he was alive, but medically speaking, he was in the final stages of cardiac arrest. Ulumbo lived on the outskirts of the Ituri Rainforest, gathering fruits. From the beginning, it was impossible for him to run around with Black Mamba and the Pygmy tribe.
He went into shock because he was tired, and his immune system was compromised when he received the killer bees stings. On top of that, the giant centipedes poison was toxic. Both the killer bees stings and the giant centipedes poison brought about an immediate reaction. His heart would stop beating if he remained in the anaphylaxis state.
Damn, this guide really needs a lot of help.
Black Mamba suddenly missed Ombuti. As the Aklankuru[1], Ombuti wouldnt have enough time to spend with his new wife having to take care of the crop business, Doba farm, and the construction of Novatopia.
Black Mamba took out atropine from his emergency bag and injected it into Ulumbos thigh. He then sprayed antihistamine on the areas where the killer bees and centipedes had stung and bitten. Once he finished giving first aid, he lifted the man and moved him under a shade.
Damn it!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. He twisted his ankle. He wouldnt be able to accompany them at that rate. He fixed the ankle back into place and supported it with wood pieces.
Ulumbo, wake up!
Le bison, le bison![2]
His voice, alongside resonance waves, knocked on Ulumbos brain.
That was the best method to wake up an unconscious man. Ulumbo opened his eyes slightly and started mumbling. His neuron synapses connected the word to his greatest fear.
Uuuuuh, le bison!
Dude, come to your senses!
Ulumbos eyes couldnt find their focus. Both brats were causing more problems for him. He grabbed both of Ulumbos arms and activated his resonance waves. Resonance waves were the best way to stimulate cells. In one minute, foul-smelling liquid flowed out from Ulumbos sweat glands.
Great master?
Ulumbos eyes regained their focus. He recalled the fear of running away from the large wild bull frothing at its mouth and the great master who appeared like a ghost and saved him before he was almost killed.
Are you awake?
Thank you, sir. You saved my life.
Hey, you can die after you have a woman, yeah?
Of course, sir. Im tired of those chickens and donkeys.
Ulumbos mouth raised into a faint smile. The thought of marriage made him smile.
What happened?
While chasing Kidamba, I smacked a big bee that landed on my wrist to death with my palm, sir. Olonge saw the dead bee and rambled on angrily about how much trouble they were in. Olonge and Kidamba disappeared like squirrels while I was still in a state of confusion. Sir Samedi chased after them shouting, Theres a swamp ahead, be careful.''
Hm, you must have killed the queen bee. When you kill a queen bee, chemicals are released into the air, sending the killer bees into a frenzy. Then?
A swarm of bees appeared from the place where the bull had been grazing on. Most of them attacked the bull while the rest attacked me. The bull that was stung by the bees started chasing after me. I had no choice but to run to you, great master, for safety.
So, you wouldnt have known what had happened to Samedi and the Pygmies.
Yes, sir. I was too busy fleeing.
Ulumbo glanced at Black Mamba, trying to read his emotions. Camaraderie held great importance to the Mahabharata. He might slice his neck off for running away alone like a coward.
Good job. You should take care of your own life, first and foremost.
Oh, Im sorry, sir.
Ulumbo cried, relieved that he was spared from punishment.
The bull is over there.
Black Mamba pointed to the carnivores feast with his chin. The hyenas and leopards were sharing the bulls carcass instead of fighting. That kind of scenery could only be seen when both sides realized that food was more than enough. Animals compromised if their opponent didnt seem easy to defeat.
Hm!
Ulumbo sucked in a breath at the sight of the predators tearing apart meat and cracking bones. He looked up at Black Mamba with eyes full of respect. He was an amazing person who wouldnt bat an eye if all of Ituris predators rushed at him.
Do you think you can walk?
No, Im sorry, great master.
Ulumbo, who tried to balance on his leg, lowered his head. He hadnt been of much help and kept causing trouble. He felt embarrassed of himself.
Tsk tsk, theres no solution.
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Without Ulumbo, he wouldnt be able to understand what Olonge and Kidamba had said so far. Yet, he couldnt carry the man around either. The Ituri Rainforest wasnt kind enough to let them carry the wounded around.
Calling the helicopter over to move him was also impossible. If the Damballa noticed, their hostages would be in danger. However, if he left him there without moving him, hed probably become a predators s***. There was no solution, either way.
Kiii
Krrr
The hyenas and leopards that were eating in silence started growling while Black Mamba was deep in thought. Lion prides growled while they ate because they had no predators, but cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas ate silently. That was because the commotion would invite more competition.
A total of five predators raised their heads and stared at the forest. There was a saying that people bonded over food. Two different species were eating together, forming a temporary bond.
Rustle
Rustle
Samedi appeared with Olonge and Kidamba before him.
Whoosh whoosh
His darts flicked the animals tails even before Samedi could move.
Keee
Grunt
The leopards and hyenas that were spiked on the butt fled. Black Mamba wouldnt kill them now after deciding to let them live. He purposely let them flee.
Samedi was fine. In fact, he was reborn into a bronze-skinned person. Women would rush to the temple if he made Samedi stand before the temple gates. He suddenly recalled Chui Mi Sook, who tried to touch his body and nearly grew sick in desperation from trying to do so.
Chui Mi Sook was Hae Youngs friend and a health club instructor. Ever since she saw his naked body in Nakdong River, she was moved to the point that she stared at every chance she got. She soon broke up with her lover. While diamonds were pleasing to look at, carrying around rotten things would only cause ones pockets to smell. He shook his head and erased Hae Young and Chui Mi Sook from his thoughts. They were already a world too far away.
Samedi, what do you think of this new experience? Black Mamba teased with a wide grin.
Hmph! I purposely went inside the monsters stomach to kill it, Samedi gathered a lot of strength in his stomach and replied confidently.
Still, his eyes were shaking, and his nostrils were flaring.
I see! There are two more monsters left, you know? Youve become much more pleasing to look at. Perhaps, it warrants another visit to the swamp?
Ugh, youre embarrassing me! Im here to protect wakil, but wakil is protecting me instead. Samedi sobbed.
Ddu-bai-buru-pa was his master forever. He was supposed to protect his master, but he became a burden instead. He was mad at himself and very embarrassed.
Brat, dont cry over such a small matter. I was defeated by a leopard before.
Black Mamba patted Samedis shoulder.
What?
Samedis eyes widened. His master got done in by some leopard? That was impossible. Even if all the leopards in the world rushed at his master, they wouldnt be able to touch a hair on his body.
Cant believe it, hm? Humans are weak. The only reason why they become wonders of the Earth is that they worked hard and evolved. Cheetahs can never win leopards. Leopards can never beat lions. Do you get what I mean?
Black Mamba reassured Samedi like he was reassuring his youngest sibling. He could almost guess what the brat was going through. The brat considered himself the strongest but was defeated again and again. He was bound to feel ashamed and foolish.
Ughhh!
Samedi sobbed and rushed at Black Mamba, clinging tightly to his waist.
Wakil, all hail, wakil! Theres no one above wakil. Samedi is wakils servant forever.
Brat, stop being so disgusting. I hear more than enough from Ombuti and the five Syrians.
Black Mamba pushed away the lump of mass clinging to him like a cicada. Although he must be over 50 years old, Samedi was like a younger brother to him.
Should I shove them into the swamp?
Black Mamba glared at Olonge and Kidamba. Although they didnt understand each others words, they knew what the glare meant and turned pale.
Wakil, youll be punished if you say things you dont mean. A tentacle suddenly appeared from the swamp and dragged me in. The Pygmies are not at fault. I was defeated because I was weak.
They didnt even warn me that you were in danger.
Alls fine as long as the results are fine. It was worth going into the monsters stomach. Ive become brighter. I want to end this mission quickly so I can go meet Jin Soons sister.
Samedi smiled shyly and shook his shiny bronze arm.
Oho, what a wise man you are, Samedi. Im not aware that you have some feelings for Yeon Soon. Hahaha!
Black Mamba laughed heartily. Samedi almost lost his life because of the Pygmies, but he still blamed himself for his shortcomings. He was the greatest man among the zombies. His teacher successfully turned a zombie into a loving and benevolent human.
Samedis not a wise man. Pretty Yeon Soon doesnt have a master.
Samedis face grew red. Even zombies had their own romantic inclinations.
What do you think we should do with this guy?
Black Mamba pointed to Ulumbo.
Hm? The weakest ones hurt. I can carry him.
No. Just like the swamp, you dont know what kind of unexpected situation youll get yourself into. What are you planning to do if a fight breaks out?
Samedi has nothing to say.
Samedi scratched the back of his head.
We have no choice. Well have to build him a strong house on top of the trees and leave him there. Samedi, build a boma.
Ok.
Samedi didnt protest and assembled his Squeaker. He chose a nice limbali and got to work. He sliced off countless branches that were 20 meters high with his Squeaker and gathered wood as thick as his thighs to use as a wall. Olonge and Kidamba tied them up seamlessly once Samedi handed them the parts.
Once the bomas frame was constructed, Samedi lifted it and crawled 20 meters up the tree before fixing it between the branches. Olonge and Kidamba weaved the leaves into a cover for the roof. The two Pygmies flew around the top of the tree. They were like flying squirrels.
A pyungs worth of boma was built in 30 minutes. Samedi swung the Squeaker to make the limbalis surface smoother. It was to prevent predators and venomous snakes from approaching. Black Mamba carried Ulumbo up the tree in a single leap.
Ulumbo, listen well. We should be back in at least 10 days. Well leave all of our C-rations with you. Ill give you a gun and bullets, so survive at all cost.
[1] Head butler.
[2] Bull, bull!
Chapter 409 - Episode 2: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Black Mamba ended up with a painkiller, antibiotics, an atrophin kit, 20 C-rations, 30L of water, a titanium jungle knife, glock, 50 bullets, 1kg of camel date palms, and three one-time lighters. He did all he could. The rest was something Ulumbo would have to deal with on his own. Olonge took Ulumbos backpack. All that was left in the backpack were first aid things and spare magazines.
Ulumbos face looked like a mix of sadness and happiness. The tree house was strong enough to withstand a leopards bite and a gorillas swing, and tight knitted enough to prevent a black mamba from sliding in. There was water, food, and plenty of weapons. Still, he felt nervous getting separated from the Mahaduraka. He felt lost, like the time he lost his father in the jungle when he was little.
Great master, Im so sorry. Ulumbo cried.
While he was nervous to the point of madness, he knew this was the best form of kindness the Mahaduraka could offer. If it had been any other white man, the white man would have abandoned him, a black man, and left. Or killed him out of anger.
Be careful. I will not abandon you in the name of Dubaiburupa.
Black Mamba patted Ulumbos shoulder.
You weakling, you must not die while we kill the Damballah and return. Eat one antibiotic a day.
Even Samedi, who scolded Ulumbo so many times, showed his worries visibly. He had grown attached after the long hours of scolding.
Oh, thank you, thank you.
Ulumbo bowed countless times.
Black Mambas group disappeared into the jungle.
Thank you, sir Dubaiburupa!
Ulumbo, who watched the group disappear into the jungle in the far distance, lowered his head deeply once more until tears poured down his face. He was moved, because he was treated like a human being.
Ulumbo worked as a labourer in the Doctors Without Borders, then was trained as a local agent by the DGSE. He was considered an intelligent person in the midst of ignorant blacks. He knew the horrible history of Congo, which was used as a colony, and knew the blacks were only ignorant because they werent educated.
While whites and blacks only had a difference of skin color, reality was different. While it wasnt as obvious as the past, discrimination and denial still existed. This wasnt only by the whites. Even blacks in power and position used other blacks like objects. There were many who sided with the whites and used their own tribe members as labourers. Those in power, regardless of white or black skins, were those who ran around wanted to make an example of their power. It was the same for him.
The Mahaduraka, no, sir Dubaiburupa was one a whole different dimension from the people in power, like those spell casters, whites, leaders of tribes and elders. The person who had a higher power than a spell caster was even more humane than other humans. Instead of displaying his strength, he treated the blacks and Pygmies as normal human beings.
The past ten days swept past his head like lanterns. Ituris inside was a heaven and earths difference from Ituris outskirts. If sir Dubai hadnt protected him, he would have been dead ten times over. He had treated a mere black mans wounds himself, and had even promised to return for him. He had built him a house in the midst of his busy mission, gave him all the water, food, and weapons, and left. He was truly an amazing person.
Im, Im such an idiot!
Ulumbo punched his own head. Sir Dubaiburupa had sworn his name on a mere black mans life. He was someone he could truly swear loyalty to. He had been so ensnared in the idea that whites were devils who sliced off black mens wrists that he didnt think of becoming his servant. He was Asian, not white, but he had thought they were the same kind.
When sir Dubai had chased away the swarm of midge urs with his large whip, he had recalled the stories his grandfather and father had told him about the white men and their evil weapon sigot. It was a hippo leather whip the white officers used against them during the colonisation era.
His grandfathers hands were cut off because he didnt fulfil his daily quota of rubber-gathering. His father who went to the administrative office to file complaints was beaten to death by a sigot. In his youth, his mother always mentioned horrible stories of the sigot whenever she had the chance. That was why he considered Mahaduraka to be a god of white men, as he used that large whip.
Boom- His souls cry rang through his body. He had lived 35 years of his life fearing those in power and doubting people. He suddenly found himself pathetic for spending the years in search of a woman. His ancestors have sent him a message that there was a future with sir Dubai. Ulumbo clung to the wall as he stood. He sent a solemn prayer in sir Dubaiburupas way despite the pain in his ankle.
Sir Dubaiburupa, I wish to become your servant. No, I can be Boduns servant. I want to live like a human. I may be useless, but I would be your luggage man if needed. Please let me follow you around.
He was at peace after praying desperately. He just needs to wait ten days for his master to return. No, his master will finish the Damballah in less time than that, and return in less the time. Hope shot up within him. Whether Ulumbos wish is granted is to be seen.
There is Congos horrible reality in their era of colonisation behind Ulumbos grounded fear towards outsiders, whips, and the wrist-cutting punishment.
Congos locals call whites the devils who cut wrists. The Belgium officials, just like the Japanese during Koreas colonial era, were the devil themselves. Congos people were forced into labor to gather ivory and rubber. The overseers sliced their hands off if they didnt complete the days quota. There was a Belgium who once sliced 1,000 wrists a day.
The sigot which Belgium officials swung around was an icon of fear to the locals. Sigots are hard, thick hippo leathers wrapped in an alligators skin, heavy in weight. 10 hits from the whip would knock out a person, while 50 would kill.
This was Leopolds defence: Blacks are ignorant and lazy, and must be taught the noble nature of labor. We must not ignore the blacks who God abandoned. This only further cements the fact that Europes white didnt consider African blacks human.
To the Congo locals, whites were the devils who whipped with their sigot, slice off hands, and took their necks. It had been 25 years since their independence, but their fear remained. This was also the reason why Ulumbo and Pygmies feared Black Mamba, out of deep-rooted fear of the whip and the lack of hands.
The popular products Belgium stole out of Congo was ivory and natural rubber. Of course, the people who moved the ivory and rubber were Congo people. This is similar to Japans policy which aimed to take all of Koreas underground resources and wood.
If there is a difference, Belgium didnt invest a single penny into infrastructures, while Japan made Shin-jak ro and constructed railroads. Of course, Koreans were used to building Shin-jak ro and the rails. But Japans also the kind of unashamed official who claims its country contributed to Koreas development when they built the infrastructure to make economic gains more efficient.
Back then, ivory was more precious than silver in Europe. Men were considered gentlemen when they held ivory pipes in their mouths, played chess with ivory chess pieces, and poked ivory billiard balls. Belgiums ivory billiard balls were so popular to the point luxury billiard balls were called Belgi to the late 20s.
Congo people were also forced to gather natural rubber after ivory. Leopold managed to get a 1000% profit compared to the amount invested. Even Buddha would invest his charity funds for a 10 times profit. All the European nobles stuck a foot in the natural rubber gathering business, and the Congo people fell into hell.
Natural rubber stems from deep within the jungle. Countless of Congonians died in Shalonga jungle, Garamba jungle, Bilonga jungle, and Ituri jungle. Congos ivory and natural rubber was a blessing to Europeans and a curse to Congos people.
The colony overseers whipped the Congo people with sigots and sliced off their wrists, blinded with greed. By the end of the 19th century when rubber production reached its peak, Congos population dropped from over 20 million to 9 million. That was how harsh forced labor was, and the conditions of working in the jungle.
The Pygmy tribe in Congos eastern jungles were affected the most. They were abused and forced to join the harsh labor in large numbers as they knew the forests well. Theres a dark shadow behind the Pygmys laid back lifestyle and disinterest towards others.
Leopold managed to hid his evil actions by spreading the large profit across several European royalties, medias, and local charities. The Belgium government managed to raise industries and serve the peoples commonwealth through the money gained from Congo.
Not only Belgium, in the background of all European countries industrial development was the wealth stolen from colonies and the locals tears of blood.
While they werent any different from Japan who colonised Korea, there was a large difference between Korea and Africas colonial times. Korea resisted against Japan, while the new African colonies didnt. Korea requested an apology from Japan while Congo didnt request an apology from Belgium. While Japan acted innocent, Africas new countries feigned ignorance.
What was the difference between the two?
Its the existence of knowledge of history. Most new African countries didnt have knowledge of their history, or pride, which caused them to concede instead of resist. Congo was plundered for 70 years until its independence in 1960. Its twice the time of Koreas colonisation under Japan. Congo, who forgot its elite class and citizens nationality, couldnt become a nation-like state despite its independence.
Japan was smart, and tried all kinds of underhanded deals to change and erase history. The after effects of colonisation were critical. Some contaminated humans were making society pay for their pro-Japan activities even after Koreas independence.
Anyways, Koreans were able to quickly build a nation-like nation after independence because it didnt forget its ethnic heritage of 35 years. If Korea had, it would have been erased off the map as quickly as Congo did.
Once the Homo Sapiens Sapiens dropped out of the group of Homo Sapiens Epidium, Hono Sapiens Zombie, andHomo Sapiens Pygmy, their moving rate increased.
Olonge and Kidamba continued to rush forward without rest. They hydrated themselves using the Hibitor sap, and took bananas and wild sugar canes as meals. Whether its a white or black, big guys became idiots in the jungle. They wanted to prove that the Pygmy tribe was the best within the jungle.
Ha, theyre just like monkeys.
Youre right. Those guys must have acted rash out of frustration.
Even Black Mamba agreed to Samedis exclamation. Once they left behind Ulumbo, their speed increased three folds. Olonge and Kidamba were just like wild animals. They were the best examples of forest people.
They jumped on thorn bushes and kicked off of them as though they had iron plates underneath their feet. They passed through obstacle-filled places like a snake by plastering themselves on the ground. They grabbed tree branches like a monkey, swung once around them, and jumped onto another branch. They flew through the air like Tarzan holding onto vines. Despite their fast movements, not a single sound was made. Thanks to them, Samedi didnt have to waste time creating a path with his jungle knife.
Once their C-rations ran out, Olonge and Kidamba filled their stomachs themselves. The Ituri jungle which attacked outsiders was endlessly benevolent towards the Pygmy tribe.
They found yakoris which looked like caterpillars like ghosts after a target and ate them raw. They burnt ant hills with fire and ate the ants and eggs. They sliced off certain barks with their jungle knives and ate its softest part. They also found various fruits like ghosts. They climbed up trees whose canopy couldnt be seen and ate the fruits. They were the kind of tribe with a third eye for food. Black Mamba admitted that he didnt understand the Pygmys abilities well.
On the second day, Black Mamba took back his words. The Pygmy tribes strange actions started once more. Olonge and Kidamba who had been sprinting well ahead suddenly stopped. Screeeeech- Eeee- Several monkeys were jumping around the trees and crying out. The two immediately crawled underneath a tree. It seemed as though they were waiting for the monkeys to disappear.
What are you doing? Are you planning to catch those monkeys? Lets go. Samedi waved at them.
Olonge and Kidamba shook their heads and shook their hands. They were in complete denial.
You bastards, stand up now! Samedi shouted.
Kidamba shook his head. Olonge pointed at the monkeys and held up four of his fingers. Then he shook his head. Black Mamba looked somewhere above their heads once more. The four monkeys were kicking up a ruckus.
What? Is there a rule that you must take a break if four monkeys scream?
Black Mamba had reached the point of immediately making assumptions after being troubled by the Pygmies strange actions several times.
Kuambi ssana I-say. (You will be stoned)
What are you saying?
Black Mamba was frustrated. Black Mamba didnt understand the Pygmies, and the Pygmies didnt know Koran.
You bastards are acting up again. Are you scared of the monkeys d*** or something?
Angered, Samedi took out his MP5sd3. He assembled the gun with practiced hands and pulled the trigger. Bang bang bang bang- The four monkeys fell from somewhere above their heads, to the ground. It was an amazing aim for someone who was trained by Emil for a day, and Black Mamba for a few short sessions.
Migosi, migosi! (Trouble!)
Olonge and Kidamba freaked out. They started screeching like monkeys and kicked up a ruckus.
Hurry up! Samedi glared.
The two Pygmies were cowed into leading the way, but their advance was slower than before. Suddenly, the mood changed. The number of monkeys increased. Keee Keee- Kuuuh- Screeeeech- They were surrounded by the monkeys screeches.
Chapter 410 - Episode 3: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Tututututu- A strange sound rang over Ituri jungle. It was a Chinook the East Africa headquarters in Kisangani had sent out in a rush after receiving orders from Adam, the CIA head of operations. The pilot and co-pilot were nervous. They had no choice but to fly low over the canopies in order to find the edos in a jungle where the canopy was extremely developed.
There were countless of birds living in the canopies. The birds, surprised by the tandem rotors wind, flew up in a black cloud. Babababa- The few which were sucked into the rotor were torn to pieces.
God damn! The pilot swore in annoyance.
They were so close to getting into an accident with a single wrong maneuvor, he didnt need the birds causing a more chaotic scene. This was the fifth circle he was making. He felt like his eyes were going to pop out of his face.
Pound, there! The co-pilot shouted.
Ok!
The Chinook, after confirming the edos location, swerved and lowered its altitude. The Shadow team equipped with the most modern equipments rushed to drop. The Chinook hovered 80 feet up in the air. The fast rope was thrown overboard, and Shadows dropped down in rows.
Billy, run! Steve shouted.
Billy was his pets name, a persian cat.
Kuuh!
A muscular man who was nearly as big as Samedi leapt to his feet and flung his body outside the helicopter. Bang- Billy landed lightly on the ground. His strong man-made muscles and compressed stents withstood the shock easily. No-one cared about the 20 Shadows.
Whoooosh- The Chinook rapidly increased its RPM. The Chinook which delivered Steve, mechanic Haunter Billy, and a team of Shadows increased in altitude and flew in the direction of Kisangani.
There were hundreds of monkeys which gathered, but their loud cries and bites were the loudest. Their green furs closer to black had camouflaged to the dark forest, and made it hard to spot with the humans eyes.
Olonge and Kidamba sprinted to an abinisia tree, and attached themselves to it. Samedi stared at the Pygmies who had hunched down, covering their heads, and suddenly came to an awkward realisation. He glanced at Black Mambas expression. Now matter how he saw the situation, it seemed like he caused some kind of trouble again.
Theyre all ill. Black Mamba mumbled.
When apes gathered, they became more brave, but that had its limit. The monkeys conditions werent that good either. There were bald patches of fur as though a parasite was within them. He could also see several with exposed red skin. Those who were in the process of losing hair had red eyes as though their irises were filled with blood. He suddenly recalled the midge ur which was contaminated by the mango bug.
Te ka-i noon ta ba sa ha da ku duru noon daka. (Bad monkey. Get sick if you touch.) Olonge shouted.
The Pygmies of Ituri jungle knew through a long time of experience that those green monkeys (they are in fact brown) carried a scary illness. Olonge even tried to use his entire body to explain, but Black Mamba and Samedi had no way of knowing.
Stop it, dude, enough. Samedi said in askance.
His anger only grew at the lack of understanding. Olonge, who couldnt understand Samedi either, rolled his eyes around. Yahweh, who disturbed the construction of the Tower of Babel was truly smart. The lack of communication is a critical method of dismantling cooperation.
Several days later, the american SEALS which enters Ituri jungle will be effected by an unknown virus. Called Ituris curse, they were the first to meet the Ituri monkeys, hosts of Ebola, in mankinds history.
Rumble- Some unknown things flew out of the trees and to their direction in dozens. Samedi stood before Black Mamba and swung his Squeaker. Clang- Bang- Crack- All kinds of ringing rang. The jungles fruits scattered on the ground. Not only fruits, there were rocks, sh**, and snakes.
What strange bastards. This damn jungle doesnt have a single normal thing about it.
Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. Monkeys were meant to instinctively avoid snakes, but these bastards were using them as throwing weapons.
You damn bastards! Samedi shouted.
The sky suddenly turned dark as though they understood him. Hundreds of fruits and rocks flew in, in variety. The power behind those objects, with added gravitational weight, was immense. They would suffer a moderate injury if hit. Olonge and Kidamba were right to hide in fear.
Samedi swung the Squeaker as though he finally found something to do. But no matter how much he swung, he wasnt able to prevent all hundreds of flying objects. What fruits passed Samedis defence, Black Mamba slapped away. He couldnt figure out a way to get rid of all those bastards at once.
Samedi, this is embarrassing. Lets avoid them for a moment.
Samedis going to go mad, mad!
Black Mamba and Samedi attempted to get away, but the monkeys attack didnt stop. They followed them around throwing fruits, rocks, and feces. It was chaotic, and offending.
Slap- A green snake landed on Samedis face. Ukikikiki- Several monkeys laughed cheekily.
Argggh!
Samedi took out his MAG. Black Mamba left him to it. The monkeys had very well asked for it. Dududududu- Sounds of heavy gunshots rang through the jungle. Bullets of 4,600 J poured out at a rate of 1,000 per minute.
Crack- Crash- Branches and leaves were torn off loudly. The monkeys who had been throwing things fearlessly began to fall from their perches. Kueh- Kuegh- The monkeys cried. Dududududu- The MAG continued to fire. Monkeys fell from the sky.
Samedi shot rounds between three pauses which came automatically. The sound of the machine gun, monkeys scream, and bullets racking through wood made his ears ring.
I should make him hold an automatic grenade launcher or a M61 Vulcan.
Black Mamba made a dissatisfied face. Samedi didnt pair well with machine guns. It was like making Hang Woo carry a Godachi (small dagger). He looked better swinging the Squeaker around.
Samedi had wasted 300 rounds on 20 monkeys. Machine guns are area-suppressing fire arms. That much was an average skill, but to the snipers eyes it was very ineffective. Samedi had much more to go in order to catch up to Emils skill.
The monkeys went away like the tides after the fierce counter-attack. Kiii- Kuek- Kuek- Their cries grew further away. Black Mamba shook his head from side to side.
This place is driving me nuts!
This was one crazy jungle. Even monkeys were provoking them. He checked the monkey which had dropped to the ground. Its weight was around 5-10kg, with a dark brown matted fur, sharp fangs, and strong arms. He couldnt tell its species but it was a normal monkey overall.
Olonge and Kidamba chattered using their hands and feet. Black Mamba sighed. Since Ulumbo wasnt here to translate, he couldnt tell whether those monkeys had rushed at them to take revenge for their friends death, or if humans had provoked them to attack.
The objects the monkeys had thrown were all over the floor like the petals on Mays wind. Stones, feces, branches, fruits, and dead snakes with their bellies bursted open were most of them.
The fruit which looked familiar was a brown gold coconut, smaller than a papaya. Fruits harder than the size of an adults fist, fruits which looked like a donut but heavy, and fruits which looked like tangerines but were black were all something he never saw before. The only similarity was that they were all hard as rocks. Monkeys truly were on the smarter side.
Isnt that a machine gun going off?
Major Macffi turned to look at first lieutenant Louis.
Youre right, sir. Its a mid-ranged machine gun.
Dont be ridiculous. Are you saying that the Pygmies came up with a ranger unit or something? Steve scolded for no reason.
He was in a completely foul mood. The pilot who mistook the terrain had dropped the operations team off on the wrong edos. Steve had freaked out after checking his GPS once the Chinook disappeared.
The marked Devils Spring (the Cenote swamp where Black Mamba killed the serpent) was 15km away. They were in a bad situation where they had to move two days towards biakutu through his horrible jungle. They rolled their feet, but the bus, no, helicopter had disappeared.
Are you doubting my ears? I definitely heard gunshots in the south-western direction.
Major Macfis eyes grew narrow. Steve felt offended. He was the operations commander. Those Shadows were being too prideful for people meant to be his hands and feet.
So? Are you saying we need to chase after that sound? The mission point: Devils Spring is north west. Steve shouted.
Their mission was to retrieve the servant, not to investigate that gun or cannon shot. He didnt want to spend another minute in this damned jungle. He had only been here for 30 minutes, but his uniform was soaked in sweat.
Commander, this is barely 13km away from Devils Spring. Can you be certain that those bastards have nothing to do with this incident?
..
Major Macfi continued to make his argument. Steve couldnt say anything about it, as the argument was logical too.
Why dont you head towards Devils Spring, Major, and Ill track them down with group B? First Lieutenant Louis offered.
Major Macfi agreed, nodding his head.
Ok, Major, leave the satellite phone open at all times.
Steve agreed. There wouldnt be a large difference to their forces if one shadow team falls out. Billy was with them after all. First Lieutenant Louis disappeared dragging 10 members of Shadow Team B. Humans cant look into their future. This was how the fates of Shadow Team A and Team B came to differ.
Samedi opened the yellow fruit the size of an adults fist. There was plenty of yellow sap within its hard shell, somewhat like an orange juice.
Ula, labayaga!
Olonge and Kidambas eyes grew wide. Pipins shell was so hard to the point it had to be opened with an axe. The Bodun who could crack open its shell with a single hand was amazing.
Pipin!
Kidamba pointed at the fruits and mimicked the actions of drinking. It seemed like the fruits name was pipin. Samedi tried it, and handed it over to Black Mamba.
Oh, this is good. Black Mamba exclaimed.
It was a refreshing sap which tasted like cucumbers. Kidamba picked up two pipins and pushed it towards them. Samedi smiled, and tapped them open. Olonge and Kidamba drank it as though their lives depended on it. Their guide was a coward, and frustrating, but it was still nice to see a comrade be happy.
Excited, Samedi poked the coconuts with his finger. Samedis expression creased. He tried poking them more with his fingers, but the coconut didnt budge. Black Mamba smiled. While Samedi could dig a hold through an Asian coconut, Ituri coconuts were like rocks.
When Black Mamba poked it open with his thumb, a hole appeared. A rock-hard coconut wont be able to withstand the Billions Water Armour. Samedis expression grew solemn. He had grown stronger after being eaten by the monster, but he still couldnt be as strong as his master. He felt useless as a guard.
Wakil, why dont we store the saps in our water bottles?
No, fruit juices rot easily. It will be better to take the fruit with us.
The humid air was also a problem. Parasites would increase by the billions by a day. They had lost a few hours because of the monkeys, but since they found something else to replace hibitor, it wasnt a loss. Olonge filled an empty backpack with pipins and coconuts. Kidamba brought over the fruits shaped like a donut. It was a large fruit seemingly 2kg heavy.
What is that?
Kamansa Uhrumbi!
The heavy Kamansa Uhrumbi fruit also had a hard shell. Black Mamba swung down with the blade of his hand and cracked it open. Its white juice smelled like a watermelon, but it didnt taste like anything.
Black Mamba later learned that Kamansa Uhrumbi meant can you break this too? in Bantu. They Kamansa Uhrumbi the Pygmies call kadam warapura was a fruit called Ompallokarfom in Europe. Whether its Kamansa Uhrumbi or Ompallo kratom, it tasted horrible all the same.
Whether the pipin or Kamansa Uhrumbi are their names, or whether he understood the Pygmies accent correctly was left unknown. But there was one true fact. There were more inedible fruits in Ituri jungle than edible fruits. Human livers werent able to digest fruits monkeys or chimpanzees could eat.
Oh, lahu lahu!
Olonge jumped up and down. Kadambaraf was a fruit elephants liked to eat. It was so hard gorillas couldnt break it open. God was great. Respect poured out for him endlessly.
Most tropical fruits come from eastern asia. And representative tropical fruits like durians, lime, mango, mangostin, and breadtrees were mostly from southeast Asia. The second group, guava, sapodila, avocado, dragonfruit, pineapple, and papaya are from south America. There arent as many African fruits as one might think. The representative fruits are camel date palms, Governor plums, Karanda, Tamarin, and melons.
Its plantations started to become widespread as trades between continents increased too. For example, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines was the source of coconuts, but it spread to all tropical regions around the world like Africa, South Africa, Oceania, and more.
Also, confusion occurred because of the different names people called it by region. In Ituri jungle, theres around ten names for the cuvuner plum gathered naturally. In Africa its called cocowi, the Governors Plum in England, Purunier in French, Ekdeflacolti in German, Ugulessa in Switzerland, Takopa in Thailand, and Biton Golden in the philippines. That was how far its farm spread, and how beloved it is by the whole world.
Olonge and Kidamba didnt even glance at the other fruits aside from the three. When Samedi grabbed a nice-looking fruit, Olonge frowned and shook his hand.
But it looks good.
He stubbornly took a bite, and frowned heavily. Samedi though it would be better to drink pee than eat this piece of s***.
On the morning of their second day, Olonge turned around and around in his spot. He made one round and waved his hands, another round and shook his hands. He looked just like an ant without its antlers.
Aha, this mans lost the way!
Chapter 411 - Episode 4: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Pygmy women are treated as elders in their 30s, and the men at their 40s. Their skin also ages as rapidly. Olonges body was 140cm tall, around the height of fourth-graders in South Korea. The sight of a young child with wrinkles across his face in deep dramatic thought as he frowned caused him to swallow his laughter.
Lah lah wari gadamba igo ibula~
Olonge, who had been pacing back and forth for a while, soon picked up a stick and began to chant. It seemed like he was praying, considering lah was mentioned in his chant. Olonge spat on his palm and raised the stick to stand on the ground.
Wari!
Olonge clapped his hands. It seemed like Wari meant something like Bingo. Olonge confidently headed in the direction where the stick had fallen.
Puahahahaha! Samedi, who had been staring blankly at his actions, held onto his stomach as he laughed. Even Black Mamba laughed as the last sense of reasoning left him.
Oh, you brat! Samedi said as he slapped the back of Olonges head.
Dont! Olonge is a grandfather, Black Mamba rushed out in panic.
In Korea, seniority in age is an important factor for the respect one gets. It is the only country in the world that turns people into assailants for not respecting the elderly.
The children he had saved from the elephant hadnt been Olonges sons but his grandsons. Pygmy women have their period early in life. They get it when they are 10, and they marry by the age of 12. It wouldnt be strange for Olonge to become a grandfather in his mid-30s. Samedi had basically slapped the back of a grandfathers head.
Oh, so sorry. Samedi made a soulless apology and took out a one-time lighter from his backpack. The greatest gift one could give Pygmies wasnt gold but a lighter. Olonges creased face bloomed. Black Mamba smiled at the sight and checked on his GPS. Apadombe, from where it was marked, was 40km from here to the south. It was a completely different direction from where Olonge was going to go. Hed finally entered the range of his target point.
Shadow team B led by First Lieutenant Louis tracked down the persona non grata (a diplomatic term for a person to avoid, also known as a suspicious person, enemy). The leopards that jumped down from trees, birds that jumped out of bushes, all became tatters with beehive patterns across their bodies. The poisonous snakes that fell from the trees were sliced in half by their swords. The modern combat uniform and strong high sound frequency wave machine got rid of the insects.
The Shadow isnt any simple special forces. It selects people from the green berets, rangers, SEALS, Pos-recon, Navy, and Delta Force to turn them into rough war machines after 1-2 years of reeducation and real-life experience. The amount of money each possessed in modern equipment could arm an entire unit of reinforcement.
First Lieutenant Louis was nervous. The overwhelming confidence he had held was diminishing with time. The experience he had gained through the Colombian and southeastern jungles werent of any help in Ituri. The jungle was so dark that he had to use lanterns and night goggles, and their movements were slow due to the tight-knitted obstacles.
Hidden swamps, tree leeches, and poisonous moths where insecticides were not effective against held their busy feet back. Hed heard Ituris infamy well, known as the Dark Forest, but he didnt know it was to this extent. He ran, using the electric saw to carve out a path, but he only grew more distant from the persona non grata.
Sergeant Blair, are those bastards were chasing after the Shadows, or are we the Shadows?
I thought wed have caught up in an hour, Sergeant Blair said with a disappointed face.
He thought they would have been able to track them down using the GPS, night goggles, and smell detector. But no, the persona non grata was not at the location they had estimated based on the gunshot sound despite their sprint, and the persona non grata didnt leave a trace to be seen.
The Shadows composed of the best and their gold saw of combined metals was a piece of high-tier equipment that couldnt be compared to a mere machete. Just a touch of its high-speed blade turn would cause trees and weeds to be sliced off at once. It was the best equipment for them to use to speed up in the jungle.
There wasnt a reason for them to fail unless the other side took to the trees like monkeys. But the distance was still increasing, which made them feel frustrated.
Hows the smell detector?
The smell detector was modern equipment that could capture the traces of Potassium Nitrate and Potassium Sulfide in the air and turned them into numbers. As long as the other side hadnt abandoned their firearm, they wouldnt be able to avoid them.
Its the same, sir. Those bastards are moving south-west.
Damn it.
Lieutenant Louis shook his head. Sunset was approaching. Theyd tracked them for four hours, but werent able to close in. The chase had instead left his subordinates tired. Lieutenant Louis and Sergeant Blair would never know that Black Mambas group did fly across trees like monkeys to move along.
Kueeek! Kiiii! Monkeys had suddenly gathered. It was the herd of brown monkeys that had fled from Samedi. Of course, Lieutenant Louis knew nothing of the monkeys feelings, which burned in desire for revenge, and wouldnt have cared had he known.
What are they?
Theyre monkeys, sir.
Anyone can tell theyre monkeys; Im asking why theyre coming this way! Louis shouted at the black sergeants words. Something black fell from the sky as though it was answering Louis question.
Ugh!
Louis, who was slapped in the back by something hard, twitched in anger.
Shoot them to death!
Bang bang bang! The MP5 spewed fire. Kiii! One monkey fell to the ground. Considering that ten shots were fired simultaneously, the result was very bad. Their battle ground was unfavorable.
The Shadows might be the best warriors, but they werent Black Mamba or Samedi. The dark forest restricted their sight, and the tightly knitted branches made straight aim impossible. It was near impossible to shoot the monkeys that were swinging across far up in the canopy. Moreover, the MP5 didnt have a good accuracy for something that was considered modern.
Son of a b****! Open fire! Wipe them out!
Kakakaka! The Minimi machine guns joined. Shells popped around loudly, but they gained nothing but more retribution. Whoosh! Black objects came flying at them. It was the revenge of the monkeys.
Agk!
Uaaagh!
A Shadow agent who was hit by the tree branches and hard fruits that the monkeys were throwing at them screamed. Bang bang bang bang! Kakakaka! The Shadow team, angered, continued to fire. The winner of the contest between modern weapons and stone-age throwing attacks was soon decided.
Damn it, run!
Louis ordered a retreat when his subordinates heads shattered and their equipment broke. A funny but pitiful sight of the Shadow team, elite of all elites, being chased by some monkeys broke out. Ukikiki! The monkeys were higher in spirits and continued to throw objects at them as they gave chase. Louis gritted his teeth, but couldnt find a way to do anything about the monkeys that were chasing after them far up in the canopy. It was the Shadow teams misfortune to have met the angered green monkeys that Samedi had slapped.
On the second day, a sky-high cliff blocked their path. It was one piece of a scar of the tectonic plate shift that the Great Rift Valley had suffered in the south. The great shock of several thousands of kilometers of land simply breaking and plopping down had shaken the entire northern region. A cliff was also formed when the Great Rift occurred in the Ituri Jungle.
There were dark sinking holes in parts of the cliff where lichens, branches, and weeds grew. It was a valley created from the erosion of the faulty limestone layer. That meant that the place that they were standing in had once been the sea.
Sa dax Wabi al ka badan Ji nin yo (Youll enter the devils lair once you cross the spirits wall), Olonge said, using his hands and feet as much as necessary.
Ok, ok, youre saying that the devils hideout will appear over this wall, I know, Samedi used his surprising comprehension ability, no, god-like ability.
Amazing, this should be over 400m.
Black Mamba tilted his head back as much as he could and looked up at the cliff that shot up endlessly into the sky.
Wakil, I feel like theres going to be another rainfall.
Samedi felt the air move forebodingly and took out the tarp. Olonge and Kidamba quickly moved into a cave, quick witted as they were. Whoosh! The downpour began as soon as they pulled the tarp over their heads. The sudden burst of rain pushed away the humid air.
The downpour was lively in places without the canopies. Lightning shook the sky and rain covered the ground. It was hard for Black Mamba to see 10 meters ahead despite his sight.
The rain that poured as if it was going to swallow the jungle whole lost its power barely one hour in. The raindrops dripping down the trees like a womans menstruation stopped completely. The ground overflowed with water since it wasnt all absorbed into the ground.
A million streams of water poured down the side of the cliff. Ituri Jungle itself seemed to float in the air in circles. White fuzzy fog wrapped itself around the jungle. The great canopy branches floated above the clouds like islands.
Flowers of various colors opened up from their buds, and colorful butterflies grouped as they flew. The Ituri Jungle, which had been dark and offending all this while, revealed its soft inner beauty that had been hidden for a long time.
Ah! The exclamation came naturally. Black Mamba lost his mind over the dream-like scenery and the creatures that came to life.
Olonge and Kidamba moved rapidly to find a course which would allow them the climb the cliff. The sandstone cliff had been attested by wind and water for a very long time; an approximately 80 degrees slope. The rocks in the sand were so slippery that they look like water slopes. Olonge and Kidamba were Pygmies; they might have looked like monkeys, but they werent real monkeys.
Olonge, we dont have time.
Black Mamba lifted Olonge and placed him on top of his backpack. Crack! He shot off the ground and shoved his Billions Water Armor on a surface. Black Mamba used his Wall Around Wall ability which moved the right and left halves of his body in a pattern to walk up the steep cliff as though he was walking on land.
Samedi stared blankly after Black Mambas back. He had made him climb a cliff once without anyone helping and was performing the skill now before him. Black Mamba and Olonge disappeared into the clouds instantly.
Samedi shook his head. He didnt have the confidence to move like his master with Kidamba on his shoulders.
Well, I should try something anyway.
Samedi grabbed Kidamba and made him ride around his neck.
Uh kiki! Kidamba shouted in surprise.
You small brat, hold on!
Bang! Samedi jumped up high and shoved his left hand into the cliffs surface. He dragged his body up, searched for another foot hold, and dragged his body up once more using his left hand. If Black Mamba was a lizard, Samedi was a leech. He couldnt speed up as much as Wall Around Wall allowed his master, but it was still a fast speed nonetheless.
Woah!
Samedi was at a loss for words once he jumped onto the cliffs top. An endless spread of green was before him. It was the Ituri plains that had emerged from the Great Rift Valleys sudden change of mind. The terrain, which went lower the more it reached west, could be seen in one glance.
Wakil, its the horizon, no, the forest-horizon.
Good expression! Black Mamba smiled.
Only humans can be moved by sceneries and express their admiration. Samedi was definitely human. This wasnt the time to admire sceneries, however. After checking the GPS, Black Mamba continued on his way.
The jungle after the rain was harder to move through. The humidity that was soaking their faces with water also drenched their clothes, and the red sand with more water clung to their heels. The branches that had grown stiff with more water drained their energy twice-fold.
They moved half a day towards the south-western direction. Around noon, a large river blocked their path.
Eflu! Black Mambas face turned bright upon checking the GPS. It was the Eflu River. Apadombe, which met with the Eflu River, was just 5km away. His destination was just around the corner. Theyd pushed through 136km in four days. A normal expedition team would have found it hard to move 10km a day. This was the kind of feat only Black Mamba could do with the Pygmy guides. Hed basically crossed 270km of this tiring jungle from Bunia.
Kadangka! Kidamba shouted, pointing at the south-western side.
Daccord, merci!
If it hadnt been for Kidamba, they could have been wandering at an entirely wrong location by now. He almost wanted to kiss Kidamba. This was the first time he was looking at Kidamba in a favorable light.
Ula, ula! Olonge jumped up and down once he saw Black Mambas wide smile. A sense of pride filled him for being acknowledged by a great person. This was the moment Olonge of the Pygmy tribe, who had led an unchanging life, realized what achievement and reward were. Theres no improvement without change.
Shh!
Black Mamba suddenly hissed out a warning. Like an eagle snatching a dove, Samedi grabbed Olonge and Kidamba and hid behind a pile of abisinia bark. Black Mamba disappeared up into the tree in a flash. Theyd barely counted to ten when a group of armed people appeared from across the river.
They were in black battle uniforms, wide-brimmed boonie hats, masks that covered their entire face, and tactical vests that allowed them to place gears and magazines wherever they wanted. With MP5s and Minimi machine guns, they werent the kind of armed forces that the Damballah could imitate.
Wakil, theyre not locals or the Damballah.
Samedi had somehow crawled up the tree to him. The Pygmies will never be found once they decide to hide.
Theyre the Yankees special forces called the Shadows.
They were wearing the same uniform of the Shadow agents whose necks he had sliced off in Rumans underground room. Hed heard a helicopters rotor and something that sounded like gunshots in the evening. He hadnt been sure about it since it was covered by the sound of birds, but they seemed to have been the cause.
Why have the Yankees appeared? No, how did they come here without dying? Samedi tilted his head. The 11 soldiers looked tired and dirty, but there werent any casualties or patients among them.
They must have moved in with a helicopter. Did they fight? One of them is bruised.
The Shadows prepared to cross the river while Black Mamba and Samedi talked.
F***ing hell! First Lieutenant Louis swore.
Those devil monkeys had chased after them for half an hour. Sergeant Jensen had finally lost his life due to their indiscriminate attacks.
Chapter 412 - Episode 5: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Jensen had the worst fortune. The ground gave way while he was running. An underground tunnel, dug like a spiders web by a rabbit, gave way to Jensens weight. Jensen, who fell into the two-meter deep hole, received a severe blow.
The Omphalocarpum, also known as the elephants fruit, was similar to a mortar shell. Jensens neck was too weak to withstand the two kilograms of stone discs thrown from 30 meters high. Not only a Shadow, but a Shadows grandfather too would have broken his spine before he could reach the army rope.
While there were no casualties aside from Jensen, all the members of Group B sustained minor and major injuries. Louis, whose pride overflowed to the point of arrogance, was about to explode in anger. He directed his anger, which had no aim, at the persona non grata.
If those b*stards had not fired their guns, he wouldnt be chasing them. He wouldnt have met the monkeys, and Jensen wouldnt have died. Jensens death, the team members injuries, and the humiliation from the monkeys were all due to those suspicious b*stards who fired those guns.
Louis spent the entire night gritting his teeth. He felt like he couldnt sleep as long as they werent caught and killed. The monkeys defeated by Samedi had taken their anger out on the Shadows, and the Shadows leader, Louis, directed his anger at Samedi. Overall, it was a pathetic cycle.
In Yeon: In Korean, In[2] was the subject, and Yeon[3] was the object. The subject and object came together to form a correlation. If the subject and object failed to come together, the correlation would collapse. The wrong In Yeon formed a wrong correlation, and the wrong correlation led to one committing sins.
Blair, wont those be a problem? Lieutenant Louis pointed at the large heads floating above the water.
He failed to notice the dozens of playful eyes peeking out of the water surface.
Hippos are herbivores, sir. There wont be a problem as long as you avoid making them angry, Officer Blair said. That was something a shaman would say to indirectly kill another person.
You need to be careful. Hippopotamuses are known for their fiery temper. Theyll do anything if anyone provokes them, a Black sergeant from Botswana refuted.
Roughly knowing something was worse than not knowing something at all.
Why should we slow down because of two or three big-bodied animals? Just shoot them if they charge! Louis shouted.
They were defeated by those monkeys because they couldnt target them. He could crush a hippos head with his eyes closed.
Head, theres more than one or two hippos. Its too dangerous.
Shut up, Sibold, were Shadows. We must cut off those b*stards necks and hang them on Jensens grave. Go!
Lieutenant Louis ignored the Black sergeants words. Irrationality clouded ones judgment. Louis gave an order he would come to regret in hell. 11 Shadows divided the roles among themselves in a rubber boat. Two paddled, and two went into guard mode.
Should I kill them?
Samedi grabbed his MAG. They were 200 meters away from their boat, and it was easier to wipe out three targets fixed to a point than twisting a childs wrist. He could wipe them out.
Wait. Apadombes right ahead. Are you planning to reveal our location to the Damballa? Black Mamba shook his head.
Theres another special force that will deal with those fearless b*stards. Hehehe!
Black Mamba laughed wickedly. There was a fine line between bravery and arrogance and bravery and ignorance. The Shadow team fearlessly entered the hippos territory. Hippopotamuses were creatures that couldnt stand strangers invading their territory. He wondered what they believed in so strongly that they dared to cross a river crawling with hippos.
The water flow of the Eplu River differed according to the Ungur cliff that Black Mamba crawled over. The side near Bunia was 30 to 50 meters wide and had a powerful current. The side near Kisangani was more than 100 meters wide and had a gentle flow. As a result, the low-lying Bafwasende was prone to floods.
The banks of the Eplu River were covered with flooded forests, exposing white aerial roots just like a mangrove forest. Small fishes jumped out of the water, and not a single yellow-billed stork was sighted. Only the sound of paddles splashing against the rivers surface was heard. It was a depressing and bleak sight.
Kwo kwo kwo kwo
The hippos sounded their warning. Sergeant Sibolds face stiffened. However, Louis had no intention of hearing the yawns of a mere animal.
Kuuuu
There was a loud roar by the time their boat reached the rivers center. Dozens of hippos rushed toward the rubber boat at once. The river sloshed and created big ripples.
What? There were this many?
Lieutenant Louis eyes widened. Hed only seen three, but there were dozens of them. Even the hippo that had been roaming the bank on the other side jumped into the water. Hippos were surprisingly agile creatures despite their outer appearance. The distance of 200 to 300 meters was covered at once. Louis wasnt a member of an animal protection organization or a gun opposition member.
Shoot!
Bang bang bang
The MP5 spewed fire. Blood splashed. There wasnt a single creature on Earth that would feel good from getting shot.
Kuuu
Kueeee
Angry screams shook the Eplu River. Hippos grew more violent after seeing blood. They opened their huge jaws and charged at once. Blood drained from the Shadows faces at the ferocity of a collapsing mountain. The boat had difficulty balancing in the water. The gunshots ceased temporarily.
What are you guys doing? Fire your machine guns!
Kakakaka
The Minimi spewed fire. Lieutenant Louis made another mistake. Hippos were representatives of thick hides. A nine-millimeter parabellum bullet couldnt pierce through and land a critical blow on a 50-millimeter thick skin. He should have used the Minimi from the beginning.
Even the strongest bully would be defeated when a group of people attacked at the same time. While some hippos were held back, some managed to run into the rubber boat.
Uuuung
A large mouth grabbed the rubber boat and flipped it.
Ack!
Four Shadows fell helplessly into the river. A red mouth with teeth the size of his arm cast a shadow over him. Sergeant Tony Marano, who was overcome with fear, couldnt even scream. Even the decades worth of training and fighting was of no use when faced with an unfamiliar fear.
Crack
A strange sound was heard. The large mouth clutched Tony Maranos upper body.
Kuaaaak!
Sergeant Maranos body twisted at a weird angle, with the scream being the last word he said. The hippo shook its head and threw the corpse aside after ending the intruder with a single bite. The Eplu River soon turned into hellone mixed with the hippos cries, gunshots, and human screams.
Not good to watch, Black Mamba mumbled.
From what he knew before, he suspected the Yankees of being Kamuges backer. From what he knew after, the Yankees were only connected to the monster in the cenote swamp and had no possibility of being Kamuges backer. The terror bird and Dinofelis could have left descendants in the Ituri Rainforest. Still, that monster in the cenote swamp wasnt some normal animal. Cosmic evolution aside, no monster would be able to create a biological tissue that could withstand the Billions Water Armor.
Its said that s*** came after farts, and rain came after lightning. Although he had no direct collision with the Yankees, he kept running into unpleasant contactsconsultant Zaitun specially sent by the CIA in Ruman, the chimera monster of the Lakes of Ounianga, and the monster in the cenote swamp.
He only killed humans when faced with direct situations. He ignored the Shadows who were tracking him because he didnt want to take action himself. In the end, the sight of humans being defeated by animals wasnt that pretty.
Vrrrrr
Kakakaka
Bang bang bang bang
Agh, die!
The fight between the hippos and humans came to an end. The hippos started jumping around frantically, and the remaining Shadows continued to shoot. Two boats had already capsized. The river turned red with the blood of the humans and hippos. The rather narrow Eplu River was filled with the hippos carcasses. The humans corpses were spread over the hippos carcasses like sauce.
The last boat was raised. A large hippos head appeared from below the boat.
Uaaaa!
Lieutenant Louis, Officer Blair, and Sergeant Sibold instinctively grabbed onto the boats sides and held out.
Bang bang bang
Lieutenant Louis, who lost the MP5, pulled out his Beretta and poured out the bullets.
Uuuwong
The angry hippo flung the boat.
Kakakaka
Another member who struggled to float in the water fired his Minimi.
Kuegh
The hippo whose head and neck were covered in bullets fell backward.
Flick
A dart dragging an army rope along flew through the air.
Whoosh
The rope dropped on Lieutenant Louis and Officer Blair, both of whom were falling in the air.
Splash
The muddied water of the Eplu River swallowed the three Shadows. The angry hippo bit down on Sergeant Sibold.
Damn it. I knew this was going to happen.
Sibolds consciousness flickered out.
The hippo that had been running toward Lieutenant Louis and Officer Blair found nothing.
Whoosh
The lieutenant and officer were dragged over to the other bank at a surprising speed.
Tutututu
The MAG spewed fire. The powerful 7.62-millimeter bullet, which was on a whole other level compared to the Minimi, splattered blood and split its muscles. The hippo and Sergeant Sibolds bodies were ripped apart at the same time. There wasnt much difference between the boundary of life and death. No one could avoid the bullethippo or human, alive or dead. The surviving female hippo and its calves, which didnt participate in the fight, fled toward the lower half of the river.
When Louis and Blair were dragged out of the river, some crocodiles that were enjoying the sunlight rushed in as though theyd been waiting. They had been watching from the side, but they didnt dare intervene in the hippos mess.
Oi, thats the masters job.
Tutututu
Samedi shattered the three crocodiles heads as he turned the gun around.
Ha, Emil would be surprised.
Black Mamba changed his opinion. Samedi was the true master of the machine gun.
The rivers center where the hippos had been wandering around became the crocodiles territory. All the crocodiles that had been hiding crawled out. The sound of flesh getting ripped apart was heard. The river bubbled with crocodiles spinning their bodies like a windmill while biting onto the hippos muscles. Although it was a part of the natural process, it wasnt a good sight to see.
Black Mamba jumped down from the Abyssinian tree branch. Samedi, who jumped down right after, brought over Lieutenant Louis and Officer Blair and slammed them down onto the sand. Surprisingly, the two were completely fine despite being dragged out of hell. Their biggest injury was getting their skin scraped off by the army rope.
Louis and Blair looked blankly up at Black Mamba.
I suppose we dont need any introductions. Association, rank, and name?
It was strange English spoken in a rich baritone voice. Lieutenant Louis was at a loss for words. The moment the boat flipped, hed given up on his life. Hed killed his subordinates and didnt have the will to live either. Something had flown at him then and there and dragged him to the hill. It wasnt only him but also Officer Blair. That couldnt be the strength or skill of a human.
Are you a psychic Haunter? Louis asked.
After signing the secret pledge when he joined the operation, he learned about Haunters, who were special soldiers. He heard there were two types of Haunters, one with enhanced mental abilities and another with enhanced muscle abilities.
Wakil, a humans curiosity has no end. Is there any other creature besides humans that willingly pays for curiosity with pain?
Samedi grabbed Louis thumb and twisted it the moment he finished talking. Servants had to do the tough job. Samedi wasnt so dense as to forget his role.
Kuaaaaak, what what do you think youre doing, you barbarian! Lieutenant Louis frothed at the mouth.
Go look for barbarians somewhere else. Your association, rank, and name? Samedi asked in a monotonous voice.
He could carry his own weight now.
Go f*** your mother.
The most important subject in a Shadows training regime was torture response. It was an extreme training regime to the point that people died during the actual practice. Lieutenant Louis brain managed to survive the pain that shot through his brain.
Thats some good bravery but not very wise.
A wavelength loaded with resonance slammed against Louis brain.
Boom
The resonance waves surrounded and compressed the air around Louis face.
Kuuuuuh!
Louis scratched his face as though hed gone mad. He tried his best to remove the thing wrapped around his head. Blood poured down as his skin got ripped off, but his body movements grew more desperate. If the All-Tortures Extended Modification Ki inflicted extreme physical pain, the Face-Wrapping Seal Spell added to the pain and caused psychological fear.
Tap
He stopped his resonance waves. Although he knew that, it was a skill that used up too much of his strength. It would be simple if he used Sight of Thoughts like his teacher, but that was beyond his abilities.
Ugh, uhhh!
Lieutenant Louis shriveled up like a middle-aged chicken that ate a centipedes spit. His head rang in emptiness. He could remember nothing.
I know youre a Shadow. Your association, rank, and name? If you reply honestly, Ill send you away alive.
Lieutenant Heather Louis of Council Association Shadow, Team Five, Group B.
Ugh, damn it!
Officer Blairs mouth dropped open. Lieutenant Louis was known to be the most unyielding member among the Shadows. He couldnt believe the man was done in with a single blow. Samedi, who got Black Mambas signal, dragged Officer Blair away.
Council? Black Mamba questioned.
The Council, all of a sudden? There were 1,000s of councils in the Korean government alone.
I dont know anything other than the fact that its an intel department.
Black Mamba nodded. Judging from the guys brain waves and blood flow, he could tell he wasnt lying. Well, the kind of information that a replaceable subject like a strike forces sergeant could know was limited.
Let me ask you one thing. What kind of person are you?
Samedi was right when he said humans were the most incomprehensible existences. There was no reason why he shouldnt grant a dying persons wish.
Im Dong-bang-bull-pae. Im a Korean.
Korean?
Louis eyes widened.
[1] It means relations/connections in Korean.
[2] It refers to a person.
[3] It refers to a connection/line.
Chapter 413 - Episode 6: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Lieutenant Louis was once sent to the CIA division in Kisangani in 1979. His job was to find Chinese intelligence agents working in Kinshasa, Brazzaville, NDjamena, Zanzibar, Kampala, and other major cities in East Africa. Chinese intelligence agents usually disguised themselves as Xinhua Agencys[1] employees and traveled around the cities and forest regions to encourage rebellion and provide weapons to the rebelling party.
The communist government led by Mao Zedong had been eyeing Africa since the early 1960s. In 1963, the trade between China and Africa increased to 1,000,000,000 dollars. In 1980, the total amount of grants increased to 15,000,000,000 dollars. Chinas influence, which infiltrated silently, grew powerful until it surpassed the U.S., a country of capital power, and even Europe, which came across Africa first.
Of course, China wouldnt participate in any charity work, considering its stingy nature and love for money. The Chinese Communist Party was generous to Africa because of its abundant natural resources. China wasnt an easy country. As they prepared for their future, the ones in power said nothing against those who accused China of being a country filled with people and nothing else.
The Chinese government, which initiated the large-scale resource gathering plan, shoved excessive manpower into the African and Middle East labor markets. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was constructed in Africas major cities, and special agents disguised as bankers and news reporters flooded in like ants.
While the Korean government was pathetically trying to get rid of businesses that didnt agree with the politicians tastes in 1980, the leading party of China was busy looking for food that their future generations would eat.
China was interested in Congos abundant uranium. The U.S. was already supporting Mobutu, a pro-US faction. China supported the Mai-Mai to stop Mobutu from expanding his influence. The CIA and DIA had to find the MSS[2] agents and the NCNA[3] reporters. The U.S. and Chinas fight over East Africas resources, which was harsher than the Cold War, continued for the past decade.
Although hed been rolling around East Africa for seven years, hed never met a Korean. He only spent a long time fighting slit-eyed people. He saw some Japanese people now and then, but he never thought he would run into a Korean.
Korea was a country that fell into ruins due to the war. His grandfather, who fought in the Korean War, said it was a third-world country not too different from Africa. An intelligence agency with money and talented agents couldnt be built overnight. The intelligence-gathering capabilities of a country were proportional to its national power.
It was surprising to learn that Korea sent someone so talented like Dong-bang-bull-pae to Congo as an intelligence agent. Moreover, a psychic power agent. Lieutenant Louis had greatly misunderstood.
Chinks are Koreas enemies. Why are you, a Korean, helping those slit-eyed people?
Chinks? Why is he mentioning the Chinese all of a sudden?
He was a consultant chasing down Areva scientists whom Kamuge had kidnapped. Black Mamba, who knew nothing about East Africas complicated issues, stared at Louis with dismay in his eyes.
America protected Korea. Countless Americans fought and died for Korea and its people. America is still spending a lot of money to maintain its base in Korea. You are helping the enemy state and disrupting the operation of your ally, America. Your rebellion will be notified to the Korean government, and you will be held responsible. Dong-bang-bull-pae, you will release me immediately and-
Shut up. Everyone has their own justice.
His powerful sound waves slammed into Louis ears.
Ugh, psychic power!
Louis grabbed his ears and trembled. His eardrums shook, and his brain rattled.
Hmph, you damn b*stard, who do you think youre protesting against, asking for accountability? Thats something I should say. What kind of s*** are these b*stards up to! Black Mamba complained in Korean.
What was the point of mentioning the U.S. anti-communist strategy, the Acheson Line, the disposal of Unit 731, the recent restrictions on missile development, the coercion of nuclear abandonment, the Japanese-first strategy in East Asia, and so on?
Black Mamba lost his chance to obtain information from the Chinese intelligence agents who had entered Congo, and Louis lost his only chance at survival.
Whats the b*stards rank and name?
Officer Blair is my subordinate.
The opponent was a psychic who could use psychic powers. Louis didnt dare go against him.
As you may have noticed, I cant tell whether youre telling the truth or lying. Im going to double-check with that b*stard. Tell me everything, and you will be let off clean.
Fine. Ill honestly tell you everything that I can.
Lieutenant Louis nodded powerlessly. He knew he would meet his end in his military uniform, but he didnt know things would end so absurdly.
Your job and the reason why you tracked me?
A problem occurred while we were operating in the Ituri Rainforest. We came here to investigate. I heard the gunshots and tracked you down.
Hm, youre going to erase any suspicious presences first?
Yes. Small variables can make a big difference. You know this well, dont you? We must get rid of unstable variables before they become actual variables.
What a convenient way of thinking. If its as you say, you must be a part of the secret operation that released the monster into the cenote swamp. One of three died in my hands.
Monster? What are you saying?
Lieutenant Louis eyes widened.
These b*stards know nothing. Ill gain nothing from beating up an officer.
He could guess what happened. The U.S. and CIA were carrying out some strange biology experiments using the Council organization as an excuse. What was incomprehensible was the level of biotechnology in the U.S. No matter how pathetic it was, they were biotech professionals. While they could manipulate DNA, stabilizing it was impossible. No matter how many superpowers the U.S. held, their level of biotechnology shouldnt be that different.
If there was one possibility, it was a jump. The relics left behind by the Concretus, believed to have been humans 150,000,000 years ago, were himself, his friend black, his Billions Water Armor, and Vajra. If they obtained ancient artifacts or some extraterrestrial remnants, the current situation could be explained.
Slap
Koooh
Flap
The rivers central region was filled with crocodiles in a heated battle for food. All the crocodiles that lived near the Eplu River had gathered. The soft flesh of the human corpses had disappeared, and they were busy tearing apart the hippos hides.
The crocodiles that have had their fill moved away from the chaotic scene, and the newcomers were tearing apart the rest. Why couldnt humans help each other instead of tearing each other apart? That was because of a humans natural instinct, greed. It was also because of the unpredictable future.
Black Mamba felt tired. As always, his mind grew weary faster than his body. That was why his teacher always told him to train his mind. He suddenly grew disinterested.
How many came into Ituri?
20. The rest headed toward the Devils Spring in the east.
Devils Spring What a good naming sense. Black Mamba nodded his head.
They must have come because of the monster he killed, which looked like an anaconda. He was surprised by the U.S. intelligence network and their immediate deployment, but he wondered whether they could retrieve the monster submerged at the bottom of the 120-meter lake.
Any last words?
I killed 13 people. When I killed them, I was prepared to die myself. What kind of personal grudge would I hold when Im a soldier dying for my country? Id be grateful if you killed me off cleanly, at least.
Good.
As soon as he finished his sentence, Black Mambas palm flew straight toward Lieutenant Louis temple and left immediately.
Bang
Lieutenant Louis collapsed the moment his brain turned into mush. Black Mamba looked down at Lieutenant Louis, whod collapsed. He suddenly remembered Zaitun, who faced death calmly.
I suppose this is why its such a strong country! A sad exclamation escaped.
He didnt expect that a mere spy and strike force lieutenant would be so thorough in his view of the national departments and work ethics! Bonipas words of how forced patriotism wasnt true patriotism rang in his ears.
Forced patriotism!
The actions of Koreas law facilities and intelligence agency suffocated his chest.
Samedi, send him away well.
A cracking sound rang. There was no scream.
The next day, Black Mamba checked his weapons the moment Samedi opened his eyes. It was time to act. As always, preparation took up 90 percent of an operation. In his case, it was even more so. Just because he couldnt identify an enemy didnt mean a visible enemy was a problem.
Kidamba!
Black Mamba called Kidamba over, pretended to shoot, and looked around. It was a signal to track down the b*stard who shot the Pygmies.
Meio, Meio!
After repeating it twice, Kidamba understood. He pointed at the river and raised two fingers. Mu Ssang understood it as crossing the river twice.
Go!
Contrary to Black Mambas expectation, Kidamba didnt cross the river but moved along the river. The Eplu River continued endlessly through the forest. Once they moved 10 kilometers downstream, the river expanded to 200 to 300 meters wide. Kidamba stopped walking and tilted his head.
Aha, two fingers mean a river twice the size of an average one.
That was when he realized Kidambas two fingers meant the rivers widest point. The communication between the Korean and Pygmies was still long and perplexing. Fortunately, they were 13 kilometers away from the point where they killed the hippos. Ituris dense forest absorbed all the sounds. No one would be able to hear the gunshots from one to two kilometers away.
Suddenly, his vision cleared up as though ancient master Shim had opened his eyes. The sky opened up. He finally got out of that annoying canopy. A white satin strip glistened in the sunlight. It was the Ituri River.
An endless stretch of black land stretched between the Eplu River, which blocked their path, and the glimmering satin strip. It was their destination point, also known as Apadombes lower sector, placed between two heads. It was the place where the Pygmies called Katanga. It took 14 days to reach there. 10 days had passed from the point where they had been warned.
Black Mamba turned on the GPS and altered Apadombes coordinates. They moved 13 kilometers southwest from their starting point. It was understandable why the DGSE intelligence agency couldnt locate Kamuges base and faltered.
Kidamba took out the gun mounted on his backpack, knocked on it, and pointed to the island. Then, he shook his head quickly.
What? There are those shooting b*stards on the island, and you cant go yourself?
Kidamba did his job. There was no reason for him to get involved in the fight, and he had no fighting abilities. Black Mamba nodded, pretended to fire three times, and flapped his hand. That was a signal to come out of their hiding place if the gun was fired thrice.
Meio, Meio!
Olonge and Kidamba nodded their heads. He wondered whether they understood, but there was no way to confirm it. Kidamba pointed at the river and continuously opened and closed his mouth. Then, he stretched out 10 fingers and shook his body from side to side. This time, it was a little difficult to understand him.
Does this mean there are a lot of crocodiles? Are there anacondas too? Does this mean I shouldnt open my mouth? Ugh, whats so difficult!
He missed Ulumbo. He felt so frustrated. He didnt have to know someones importance, but losing someones place was certainly unfortunate.
He was hungry. His biological clock was approximately three oclock. Humans recognized the passing of time through the increase and decrease of melanin in their bodies. Black Mamba could sense time accurately after receiving a snipers education in an Epidiums body. The ability was almost non-existent in modern humans living in the city. Samedi opened the C-ration that hed been holding onto and poured the pippin water into the water bottle. That was because he couldnt light a fire.
Good work. Thanks.
Black Mamba tapped Olonge and Kidambas shoulders after he finished the meal. If hed entered Ituri without both of their helpJust imagining it made him feel sick.
Lah wa dahaku lah bruk.[4]
Olonge and Kidamba lowered their heads and disappeared into the forest.
What did those b*stards say? Theyre not telling me to lose, are they?
Black Mamba tilted his head.
Wakil, lets hurry up and go. I want to see Miss Edel.
Black Mamba flinched. He felt a longing and lust that seemed to be soft yet hard and small yet big. His lower half got heated up all of a sudden.
Damn b*stard, why are you acting up at this moment. Have a taste of this.
Whoosh-
An African tarantula that had been crawling up the branch crawled into Black Mambas hand. He activated his becoming one with nature and left the poisonous spider on Samedis neck.
Samedi, theres a deadly spider on your neck.
Ugh, its annoying.
Samedi swept the back of his neck with his palm. A large furry spider was caught in his large hand. He shoved the spider into his mouth and chewed it. A blue liquid dripped down his mouth.
Huh!
Black Mamba, who was joking around, let out an exhale. It was such behaviors that made him realize Samedi was a zombie. No human would chew up a tarantula so deliciously, after all.
Well go in at two in the morning. Lets take a good break for the first time in a long while, yeah?
Why dont we just take care of them right now? Samedi mumbled and gathered some Abyssinian branches with many twigs to hang a hammock 30 meters up in the air. When Black Mamba crawled into the hammock, Samedi flung himself down on a tarp he spread under the tree. That was it for his sleeping area. Whether it was a human or an animal, none could approach his master.
A tapping sound was heard from above. It was the sound of his master catching the insects that penetrated his mosquito net. Horseflies and mosquitoes rushed at his exposed wrist and face. Ants the width of his finger crawled up in rows, raising their claws.
[1] It is a news agency that is a part of the Chinese government.
[2] The Chinese security agency, Ministry of State Security.
[3] Chinese news agency.
[4] God prevents Gods actions.
Chapter 414 - Episode 7: Apadombe, Fist of Justice [End of Vol. 19]
Mosquitoes and horse flies tried their best to shove their blood-sucking straws in, and ants struggled to bite out his flesh. But his skin was the kind of shell that even Ituris most poisonous darts and teeth couldnt dig into.
Hehehe, my shells better than my masters.
Samedi smiled, swept up the army ants and horse flies that had gathered in a black swarm into his hand, and shook them into his mouth. His master trembled at the sight, but it was just snacks to him.
Special snipers have an ability to control their sleeping cycles. Black Mambas eyes flashed open. It was two in the morning, and a sliver of moonlight was hanging in the sky. He recalled his mothers bright face on the moon.
What a pitiful life, he mumbled to himself.
While other humans in the world were sleeping soundly, he was the only person getting awake to prepare for a carnival, which meant that he wasnt normal. How sad would his mother be when she gets to know her sons profession.
Clack! A loud metal noise returned him from his thoughts. It was time for the god of death to descend. Samedis shadow looked eerie as he had thrown a MAG with a magazine strip around his shoulder. The giant with a horn seemed to nearly jump out of its storybook. Black Mamba jumped down like a feather.
Wear it.
He threw him the AN/PVS-5 and showed him how to use it.
Oh, its weird, Samedi exclaimed.
The dark world turned bright green. The operational AN/PVS-5-night goggles could provide up to 800 meters of sight. Not even Black Mambas night sight reached that far. Mans aggressive nature overcomes darkness, which is the source of fear.
Black Mamba headed out wordlessly. Samedi was born with battle capabilities. He knew when to stand out, and when not to, and was ruthless when he moved. His use of fire weaponries had also grown smoother. He was a trustworthy support; no words needed. If hed brought Sun Woo Hyun along, hed have been busy taking care of that newbie.
Black shadows flew around the wide river and swamp regions like ocelots in heat (ocelot, a cat native to South America that runs around like mad during full moon). The shadows were Black Mamba and Samedi looking for an infiltration point.
The point where the Eflu River from the Great Rift Valley and the Ituri River from the Rwenzori Mountain Range met was Apadombe. The river, which increased in size the more ground it covered, stopped at Apadombe. The great forest created a swamp across hundreds of square kilometers. The lower rift that entered the swamp was Kadangka.
The river around Kadangka was around 200-300m long. It was an almost impregnable fortress that had the best moat. Those bastards made a wise choice choosing this place as their headquarters.
Ituri Jungles swamps were always dangerous. The mud and trash gathered meters-high for a long time. Sticking ones foot in just because the water was low would end up with one sucked into the swamp. And once swallowed into the swamp, one would be nothing but a body filled with trash.
The river starts to overflow with deadly creatures once the water stops flowing. Giant spiders, alligators, and poisonous snakes gather, and it starts bubbling with Kandirus, swamp spiders, Midge Ures, Medina, poisonous insects, and parasites. The reason that big snakes like anacondas and silk snakes lived in waters was because of their heavy weight.
The creatures body weight increases by a third. When a two-meter long Salmosas weight is at three kilograms, the silk snakes weight becomes 81 kg and an eight meters anaconda becomes 192kg. This was why big snakes gathered at the swamp.
What wouldnt exist in Ituri where Terror birds, Dinofelis, and Sarcosaurus existed? There might even be the monster called Mukelleum Baeumbera. A local who had spotted the Sarcosaurus could have more than possibly made up the legend of the Mukelleum Baeumbera.
Hed run its large region for a whole hour, but had failed to find a landing point. The region hed seen from afar and the terrain he was seeing now was too different. He couldnt even find a way to invade from a Kadangka (shallow waters).
Wakil, its a landing point.
The point that Samedi was pointing at was the narrow point of a gourd at its waist in the Ituri River. Two mokors (boats made of dug-out pine trees) on the other side of the river were stationed on the bank. It was the only exit which seemed to connect Kadangka and the outside, as long as one signaled from the other side of the river.
Theres an infiltration group.
He couldnt see a boma, but he could hear their breaths like lightning.
Shall I shatter them?
Black Mamba contemplated for a while. As long as he could erase those hiding in the boma, it was the perfect place to land. Kamuge wasnt an idiot. There was another boma 50 meters from the one ahead of them, at each side. It was impossible to avoid the guards eyes, cross the river, and suppress three bomas without making a single sound. Black Mamba shook his head. His goal wasnt to get rid of the hostages but to save them. For now, he had to slip in without a sound and secure those hostages.
Whats the point of killing those bastards? The hostages will become more endangered.
He gave up the landing dock entirely and turned four kilometers away to the other side. It was the widest river point and a place where no guard points were stationed. Deng Ai managed to cross the rough mountain range and fell Chok, while Napoleon had crossed the Alps and shattered the Italian military. There was no greater weakness than letting ones defense down.
The sound of bubbles shooting up from the rivers bottom could be heard. If methane gas was coming up from the riverbed, it meant that a lot of decomposable waste had been piled up. Or a magma vein was flowing from Kiv Lake.
The greenish swamp that was reflected on his night goggles seemed like a scene straight out of a horror movie. There were floating piles of aquatic plants, tangled air roots, dead trees with their white bark exposed, some unknown creatures gliding across the water surface, meandering vipers, and landscapes that would easily resolve a writers block for a scenery.
Samedi, Kamuge is a Houngan. You dont know what kind of spice hed spread. Shove that MAG back in and grab your Squeaker. We cant make a sound.
Alright. The machine gun doesnt feel right anyway.
The two wore waterproof shoes over their military shoes. Their movements would be hindered if their shoes were wet. Fast movement is the first condition to a captives rescue. He wore special goggles, closed his nostrils and ears with silicones, and even blocked his penis hole with a condom.
It would be a lie if he didnt find the dark, sticky swamp unwelcoming. This was Ituri Jungle, after all, where all kinds of monsters and special creatures jumped around.
Ksitigarbha, Ksitigarbha! Black Mamba chanted as he slid into the swamp.
Gurgle. Bubbles floated up. The swamp came up to his knees, and the stinky water splashed on his chin. He didnt know how deep it would get, but it was fortunate that the swamp wasnt as deep as he thought it would be.
He didnt believe in the effects of Ksitigarbha himself. Hed sent thousands of lives into hell. It didnt seem like the King of Hell, or the Ksitigarbha would let him go. It would be fortunate if countless ghosts didnt drag him into the swamp to die together.
Two green glass eyes floated around. They were alligator eyes. Without his goggles, their eyes would be red. Any other human wouldnt have dared to cross the river in an act of madness. That Kamuge bastard had chosen a perfect location for headquarters.
Black Mamba moved slowly so that no ripples would be seen. Samedi followed carefully. He had absolutely no information on what kind or how many creatures lived in the river. It would be annoying if those bastards who had their territory invaded attacked at the same time.
Samedis eyes flashed. Something was approaching quickly from the right. It sliced the water widely. It was a Boidae reaching 7-8 meters in length. Keeee! The Boidae raised its one-meter long upper body and aimed for Black Mamba. Its eyes were green.
Clear!
Whoosh! The Squeaker flashed in the moonlight. The snake, now without a head, trembled. Whoosh! Samedi and Black Mamba rushed to leave. Tsss! The alligator herd rushed in. The sounds of flesh getting ripped off could be heard.
Leave that red-eyed one to me.
Understood.
Just like what he saw in Kran, creatures whose minds were connected to the Houngan had red eyes as though their irises were flooded with blood. Killing the tamer would make the Houngan notice the invader.
Tssss! A large snake that could swallow small poisonous snakes and humans continued to rush in. Whoosh! Whoosh! The Squeaker struck the water surface rapidly. Blood and water splashed every time. The poisonous water was unable to fool Samedis keen senses and was unable to withstand the Squeaker either. Whoosh! The waters surface rippled greatly.
Wakil, its eyes are red.
Its head was larger than Samedis. Imagine a large snake rushing at you as it slices the black water underneath the crescent moonlight. It was a scene one wouldnt want to see even in their nightmares.
The alligators and snakes that had gathered fled like mad. The predator, like the greatest predator in the cycle, didnt even bother as it ran in. The snakes head banged the moment Black Mamba pulled out his Rakshasa. The impact had occurred at the moment he was calculating the minutes and seconds.
Bang! Keeeh! The snake that was beaten up by the Rakshasa twisted its body around. Whoosh! The Rakshasa wrapped around its neck. The snake that had been wandering the swamp as though it would turn it over stopped moving. It was no different from a calf without a rope. Black Mamba examined the snake with his water goggles. Crack! Hundreds of teeth broke. Its mouth turned red with blood, but the snake didnt move as though it wanted itself dead.
Yeaap!
Black Mambas vein protruded on his forehead as he used his strength to lift the snake with Rakshasa. The snake, which had the Rakshasa wound around its neck, flew through the air. Whoosh! The large snake weighing over 500kg landed right in the middle of the alligators feast. Flap! The alligators that had been feasting on the corpses that died at Samedis hands swam away like mad. Even the snake fled the other way.
What is happening? Samedis mouth hung open.
I tried sending it away so it can hang around with the others but it seems like its size doesnt fit. Black Mamba, who was retrieving Rakshasa, acted as though he did nothing.
Wakil, why was the large snake unable to move? Did you become a voodoo priest?
The Rakshasa is made of the strongest dinosaur, the Bosssaurus, tendon. An animal that has an evolved spirituality can recognize its ancestors remains. So, I used it, just to see if it works.
Really? Samedi tilted his head. It seemed possible, but he couldnt believe him completely.
They had managed to cross the 300 meters swamp halfway. The swamp grew deeper. The swamp, which reached up to his knee earlier, was now swallowing his thighs. Black Mamba made his body float with resonance, and Samedi pushed on using his pure strength.
Ugh! Samedi, who was ahead, shouted before getting dragged underneath the surface. It was a swamp inside a swamp created from unstable water flow.
It was a situation hed already expected. Plonk! The Rakshasa dug into the riverbed. Whoosh! Rakshasa wrapped itself around Samedis body.
Hmph! Black Mamba swallowed his scream. Instead of dragging Samedi out, he was being dragged in. The water that had been lapping around his chest, now lapped around his chin. Then, his body started to descend little by little. He tried resisting using his resonance, but he was still dragged down. He felt as though two hundred wrestlers were dragging him down from the riverbed.
The dark water lapped around his chin. Even Mu Ssang grew frantic. If he let go of the Rakshasa, Samedi would disappear underneath the swamp, and if he continued to resist, he would be buried in the swamp. With nowhere to go, Black Mamba began to suspect the situation. This kind of suction power couldnt be normal. This could be Kamuges spell.
Even the great Black Mamba had no solution in a situation where his feet were being dragged down. For now, he needed a footing to use his strength. He rushed to reach the other side of the swamp. An abinisia tree over two tree barks wide came into his sight.
He took out the army rope in his left pocket. 150 meters wasnt much of a distance, but it wasnt an easy distance since Samedi was dragging him in.
Huuuh! He breathed in enough air that his lower stomach grew bloated. Clear air poured out of his brain and seeped into his right arm. There would be no second chance if he failed. He threw the dart attached to the rope at his target the best he could.
Whoosh! Bang! The dart flew through the ground and dug into the tree bark. His body started to get dragged down once he was distracted. He spewed resonance below his feet and grabbed the army rope the best he could until it felt like his arm was going to fall off.
Twang! The rope was stretched so tightly that it looked like it would break. He could feel the tree twitching from the rope. He begged for the army rope to hold the pressure. His body slowly started to float. In his left hand was Samedi, and in his right hand, the army rope. All kinds of things rushed at him while both of his hands were tied. A salmusa bit him and refused to let go, but he couldnt do anything about it.
Samedi was slowly being dragged out of the water. After ten or so minutes of fighting, Samedis face resurfaced with a pop. Both of his arms trembled as though he was going through tremors.
Damn, its hard to earn money, Black Mamba mumbled to himself.
Ugh, whats happening? Damn it, Samedi complained as he spat out the mud in his mouth.
It was truly like Samedi to do so.
Brat, be careful! You almost became a Samedi Lucy! (a female ancient fossil found 35 million years ago in the Hadid desert of Ethiopia. It was preserved underneath a swamp), Black Mamba scolded and gave the army rope to Samedi.
He grabbed both sides of the swamp salmusas mouth and tore it in half, then flung it away. Not even a Botulinum toxin could harm his body. A salmusas poison wasnt much, but it still felt horribly disgusting.
Crossing the river was easy as long as they were free of the swamp. Samedi grabbed the army rope. Splash! The two crossed the swamp as one lump. Black Mamba, angered to the extreme, sliced the alligator and snake heads off ruthlessly.
Chapter 415 - Episode 8: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Samedi continued to hold the army rope regardless that whether it could bear the strength or not. He wanted to get out of this damned swamp as fast as he could. His master had given him life, and great master had turned him into a human. The world was a fun place. He didnt want to cross the river Stynx before he could enjoy his life.
The two of them were like water skiers roped to a boat. The moment Samedi slowed down with the riverbank in sight, Splash- An alligator shot out of the water like a cannon ball. It had been hiding between the mangroves.
It flew three meters into the air, despite being an alligator, and rushed at Samedi. Its mouth, spread a meter wide, was the widest hed ever seen. Samedis bronze face paled at the sudden attack. Even Black Mamba who had been getting rid of the poisonous snakes which had been following them was unable to react fast enough.
Slap- Half of Samedis body entered the alligators mouth. The alligator, as its natural instincts was prone to, moved its weight to its tail and raised Samedi up into the air with him still in its mouth. Samedi wasnt someone who could be defeated by an alligator, but the precise timing of its flying attack rendered him useless.
Damn bastard!
A bears paw the size of two hands seemed to jump out of nowhere through time and space. Bang- Black Mambas revenge punch landed right on its lower chin. Krrrrrr- The alligator cried as though it was sighing. The alligator flipped once in the air and fell back into the swamp with a splash. Black Mamba had let it off easy on the off-chance it was Kamuges tamer instead of shattering it in one punch.
Of course his skin which could withstand Priest Dae Woos Psychokinesis wouldnt be chewable by an alligators teeth. Samedi used his body as an anchor to wrap his tree-like arm around the alligators upper jaw. The alligators jaw dropped open.
A large alligators mouth strength can reach up to two tonnes. The alligator thrashed, but it couldnt beat Samedis inborn power. Crack- Rip- The sounds of its bones cracking and muscles tearing rang out. Its neck ripped and its body tore. Its red blood poured out like a water fall.
Brat, eat what you can.
Samedi threw the alligators body which had been torn in half away. The alligator that had tried to eat something shouldnt have to bear the wrath of Samedis anger after getting humiliated. Whether its animal or human, only edible food should be eaten to avoid unexpected wraths.
Damn, this large bastard! Check its eyes. Black Mamba shouted, surprised.
If it had been more than determined to kill him, it would have.
I checked. It doesnt have red eyes. Samedi mumbled, annoyed, and shot off the alligators back.
Once Samedi got onto the riverbank, he grabbed the army rope. Black Mamba, receiving the better end of its tension, flew through the air and landed on the river bank. He was finally on Kadangka. Hed spent 14 days in the Ituri jungle, for that horrible Apadombe, and it was a place he never wanted to revisit.
Black Mamba and Samedi stared at each other and smiled awkwardly. Black Mamba blamed himself and his inexperience for not getting an additional rubber boat, while Samedi blamed his incapability for failing to serve his master well.
Talented people always reflected on themselves before blaming others. Pathetic people called themselves romantic while others called it cheating. This was why the most untalented people on earth are politicians.
Damn it, why are there so many snakes here. Is it because Damballah Wedo is a fat silken snake? Black Mamba complained.
Hed killed hundreds of snakes while crossing the swamp or river water. Hed wasted his time and nearly died trying to maintain secrecy by crossing the river naked.
We should have used the army rope. Master, you didnt think this through. Samedi complained in an ants voice as he tidied up the rope.
His master whod always been so careful had made a mistake this time. The rope and whip his master used were good. It could take fruits off high places, hunt animals, and climb cliffs and trees. It did its job once again. If his master had used the army rope from the beginning, they wouldnt have had to suffer as much crossing the swamp.
Ugh, I should have just left him buried in the swamp. Black Mamba grumbled inwardly.
It was said that hands and feet suffer from ones idiocy, and as Samedi said, he could have avoided the trouble had he connected an army rope across. It was his fault taking the swamp too lightly.
Wakil, you can only pull this out if you slice the tree.
Samedi made a strange expression as he held up his Squeaker. The dart had passed the trees 70cm wide bark and entered the other side. While it wasnt hard cutting down trees, the sound of a tree falling would attract the attention of nearby Damballahs.
Huh!
Even Black Mamba was surprised. A dart hed thrown while he was still weak had pierced the tree. It was the result of extreme concentration. The lie that Oh Ja Seo sliced a tiger and realized it was a rock sliced to pieces in the morning suddenly seemed true.
Theres no need to slice trees, is there?
Black Mamba shoved his hand into the bark. The Billions Water Armour sliced through the abinisias bark as though it was soft tofu. Black Mamba retrieved the dart as though he was retrieving an object in a hole.
Its easy, isnt it? Black Mamba smiled and gathered the army rope.
Did he hear?
Samedi ignored him with a slightly guilty face.
Once one enters Ituris swamp, river, or lake, one must take off their clothes. Black Mamba stripped down even his underwear on the sandbank. There were black things hanging off his naked body. They were swamp leeches that dug into his clothes through his collar the moment he submerged.
Leeches are the most sensitive creatures to vibrations. They gather like bees to the slightest ripple. A leechs body can inflate in a short period of time. It can eat its fill and still not let go, its mouth yet embedded. These secretive and hateful vampires didnt know what enough was.
Damn bastards!
He grabbed the leech by his thumb and forefinger and pulled on it. Its body extended like a rubber. Once its body reached its limit, it tore. The red liquid which poured out of the leechs body was his precious blood. And its teeth were still in his skin. The leeches at the bridge village let go with a little resistance. But there wasnt a single tame creature in Africa.
Suddenly, he remembered playing around with a leech that was attached to his fathers calf. If he slid its skin down from its tip to its mouth, it used to lose its skin as though he had pulled off its skinny jeans. Flipping it meant he was turning it inside-out. It was a form of revenge, retrieving all the blood it sucked up. Leeches were nothing but a plaything to children who lived in the countryside.
While its suction would fall if he lit it with a lighter, it was also easy to get contaminated by it as it puked up the blood within its body. He couldnt light a fire in the dark either. He cracked down on their teeth with his Javer hunting knife.
These s*** worse than leeches!
Black Mamba gritted his teeth. He felt as though hed never feel refreshed even if he received interest in dollars from Kamuges group for making him suffer. He was planning to flip Kamuge inside-out just like he did with the leeches.
Black Mamba turned to look at Samedi who was just watching blankly. It seemed like even insects discriminated, as they didnt attach themselves to Samedi. Or maybe the zombies blood didnt taste good. His anger landed on Samedi.
You having fun?
Samedi flinched.
Hehe, even bugs know Wakil is great. They like Wakil and Wakils backpack too.
Samedi had been joking around, but it only added another frown line to Black Mambas forehead. There were countless unknown eco creatures and unfriendly water insects on his clothes and backpack. He really couldnt like Ituri.
He took out a dieldrin (croldane-based organochlorine insecticide) powder bag from his backpack. The croldane-based insecticide DDT which doesnt melt in water was just right to use on a wet body. He sprinkled the fine powder all across his body, his clothes, and his bag. The black insects which had been attached everywhere dropped down and fled like mad.
The places where the leeches had been biting had turned black. They werent normal leeches. He disinfected those places with iodine and applied ointment for external use. The clothes hed taken off while he was hunting for leeches had dried. One military uniform was worth a Renault car. It was worth its price. He brushed off his dry clothes and wore them. It was uncomfortable, but he had no choice. There were no other clothes to change into after all.
Kadangka was a circular river island. It was 20km^2 wide, around 2.5 bigger than Yeouido. The islands outskirts were covered with thick rainforests, beaches, and mangroves.
The point Black mamba landed on was called Legbas Gate, in the mid-eastern region of the island. Three water houses were leant on the absinias bountiful roots in the center of the island, three km west of Legbas Gate, 20-30m above ground.
They raised their frames with tapioca trees, avoided predators and bugs with banana leaves on their water houses, and avoided ground heat. While it was uncomfortable climbing the rope ladders made of fig vines, their place of residency was the best.
There was a rather large water prison, and one man was wearing a crocodile skull on his head sitting on a leopard hide-covered chair. He had coal-dark skin on a scary angled face, flashing eyes, and wide shoulders. He was someone who Black Mamba called petit odeur (worthless trash), the very Kamuge which the French government was gritting their teeth over. Kamuge was doing some kind of ritual.
[Papa-ee legba pa-eh umo papa reto-noo anne lwa nyorita abri.]
Several mardus (spell wand) staked around Kamuge trembled. The skulls teeth which decorated the mardus head clacked.
[.Wada-oo Ubal-le kadingo wanga wamba legba ansaru tuap!]
Kamuges eyes flipped to the back of his head once he finished the chant. The mardus vibrated. The lwa he served, the Damballah Weso, had arrived. Kamuge sliced his arm with a sharp nail and placed the wound against the mardu skulls mouth.
Clack clack- The skulls lower jaw moved. The blood which flowed down was sucked into the skulls mouth. The white-eyed man who was wearing the alligator skull head, the skull as large as a fist which sucked the blood, both made a strange scene which could harm a pregnant woman or old people like a horror movie. Kamuge opened his slightly-closed eyes.
Youre telling me to be careful since a petro (evil spirit) has arrived? The Legba (doorkeeper spirit) never gave me such an order.
Frowns lined Kamuges forehead. The legbas messages had never been a lie. Even Kadangka who had made this place his headquarters had only done so because of the legbas orders, hadnt he?
Kamuge, who thought for a moment, pulled the rope on the ceiling two times. A moment later, a man wearing an eagle feather on his snakeskin headband appeared. It was Budsela, the head of guards. He looked completely fine despite being three in the morning.
Macandall (the head of spell casters, the title of Houngan), did you call?
Budsela, has there been a problem with the dock entrance?
The next shift has just arrived. Aside from a report saying the ouma (snake spirit) ate an alligator, there were no other special occurrences.
Kamuge nodded his head. An ouma had caused a scene just now. It seemed to have wandered and tried to catch an alligator. The swamp he checked through the Oumas eye had also shown no changes.
Has there been any contact from the Blisa Kisimo plains?
Yes, I was unable to report to you, Madangka, since you were out. A follower who carries the message from mother frog arrived three days ago.
Kamuge raised his hand without a word. Budsela took out an aluminum case from his holding and offered it politely. Kamuge opened the case and checked the documents within. Kamuges face brightened.
Budsela, it seems like our mother frog has finally taken our side. They say theyll give us 20 million francs and our requested weapons in exchange for our hostages in 30 days.
Lwa! Of course those idiot frogs will follow our Makangdals orders and wishes. But you cannot trust those frogs easily.
Of course. Those bastards requested a hostage exchange. Theyre saying they cant send a one-way air deployment unless the hostages are confirmed. Thats why I trust them more. Lets make the location Kiv Lake, and instead of taking out the support fire, increase the number of Pamuses to 700.
Kamuge had fallen for Bonipas trick. Bonipas had set up a smoke cover to aid Black Mambas operation.
Do you think they noticed that were connected to the Chinks?
The mother frog could have changed the location after noticing Blima Kisimo plains is the Chinks hideout. Weve nothing to lose. Weve received the Chinks weapons and funds, so theres no need to mention Blima Kisimo. Contact mother frog. Well meet up south of Kiv Lake, in the southern area of Ncombo island. Lets schedule their drop-off date to be ten days from now.
Yes, sir. But our baby frogs arent too well, wont that be a problem? I feel like two will die soon.
They wont die as long as Im around. They only need to be alive. Dont mind the captives, and enforce the Kadangka boundary. I received Legbas order that a pedro has appeared. I also received a report from our Asian friends that the Yankees and Frogs special forces appeared near Bukavu.
It seems like those sly frogs have made a two-front plan. Theyll attack if they find our hideout, and if they fail theyll exchange hostages. Still, it wont matter if thousands of them appear.
Budsela was sure that Ituri jungle was the Devils forest. Even his followers who knew the Rwenzori mountain range down to their bones couldnt stand a day without the drug made by Makangdal.
Chapter 416 - Episode 9: Apadombe, Fist of Victory
Modern equipment isnt much help in the Ituri Jungle. The security cameras and helicopters cant aid operations which continued on ground due to the canopy. The helicopter pilot flying in low altitudes would suffer a revolt symptom, where the brain would mistake the canopy as the sky. The result of such a symptom is a crash.
Vehicles couldnt enter at all due to the harsh terrain and tight-knitted plants, while the concealed swamps and thorn bushes, which were more like iron fences, prevented bikes from moving too. Man-made roads disappeared in a few days. The magnetite mines above ground rendered the compass useless, while the binoculars and night goggles werent of much use either. The humid air broke electronic devices and broke down guns and bullets.
Ituris devil is cruel and uncaring. The French special forces armed with modern weapons and equipment paid the price of arrogance. Ituri Jungle was the land of barbarism where pure strength clashed against strength. It wasnt called the Devils Forest or the Dark Forest for no reason.
Ouma was Madangkals best creation. The Ouma, incarnates of Legba and Damballahs pieces, was just like its name: a nightmare. Even if special forces had gotten through the jungle, they had no chance of breaking through the wall of nature which the Ouma protected with crocodiles, hippos, and poisonous snakes. Budsela was certain that the gods wouldnt be able to attack Kadangka.
Budsela, dont be arrogant. While unblessed humans are unable to cross the abyss of curses, humans arent all that exists in this world. We cannot ignore Legbas prophecy. While humans can lie, the Legba knows no lie, Kamuge said warily.
Makangdal, one must cross the abyss of curses naked in order to reach our holy place without landing on the dock. Humans, no, not even petros (evil spirits) can cross that cursed swamp that the Ouma protects. It seems like the spirit has become more anxious since the birth of Lous Loue (evil warrior).
Budsela, do not mention the Lous Loue. The Lous Loue is our hope, someone wholl drive out the Mobutu and Tuchi tribe and create a voodoo world. It is not an existence you can simply bring up.
Im sorry, sir.
Budsela bowed towards the ground at Kamuges serious warning. The real reason why the Makangdal hid in Kadangka was to create the Lous Loue. The Lous Loue was a secret only he and the Mambo in charge knew.
Theres no need to worry about the abyss of curses that the Ouma protects. Strengthen the guard at the dock. Kamuge took out a necklace with a skull the size of an egg dangling on it.
I dont think you need to use the Pwen (a voodoo necklace which protects evil spells; it hides the users presence), Madangkal
Kamuge slammed the mardu on the ground.
Im sorry, sir. Ill work on it now. Budsela flinched and took the Pwen in a deep bow.
Once Budsela went down the ladder, Kamuge complained, Tsk, this is why I dont like people in military uniforms. Their ears grow smaller and their mouths grow bigger when their heads start to roll.
Kamuge pulled on a pulley rope three times. A mambo (female follower) covered from head to toe in black robes appeared.
Are there any problems with the wica (plate. Here, it refers to the white pregnant females)?
All is going according to the Makangdals wishes. Number three will give birth in two days.
Thats faster than I thought. This is why white plates are good. Increase the amount of Yorunba given to the wicas to twice the amount starting today.
Yes, sir.
Kamuge took out a bottle filled with red liquid from his breast pocket. Increase the amount of Oumas blood to twice its amount, too.
Great Madangkal, if the wica self-destructs.
I will not hold you responsible.
Yes, sir. The mambo bowed and went down.
Why am I in such a rush when theres no problem? Kamuge calmed himself down.
Kadangka was a God-given fortress. His loyal followers had armed themselves with fire weapons thanks to the slit-eyed friends. They werent some half-made rebels who carried spears and shot arrows. They were armed enough to fight against Ntaganda. Still, the Legbas prophecy stung his throat like a thorn.
Hehehe, two days! Four Damballahs will be born to this world in five days. World, praise this Kamuges greatness! Beg for mercy! Ntaganda, Ill show you what fear is! Kamuge laughed arrogantly.
It was dawn, where schemes and immoral activities were ripe. Humans create issues, while the heavens allow them to be achieved. Kamuge should have listened to Legbas prophecy more carefully. Since the Ashura and Nachal, the enemy of all lwas, had appeared.
Ne jette pas, je vous coute mais elle ne pas
Instead of singing the last verses of Michel Polnareffs chanson, Samedi mumbled jipjiphae as he picked the leeches off Black Mambas body and swallowed them one by one.
Agh! Yeon Soon will faint if she sees you doing that.
Black Mambas face crumpled. While he knew Samedi could eat insects like peanut snacks, he didnt know hed eat leeches too. He cursed himself for considering Samedi as Yeon Soons potential husband material.
Samedi took off his clothes and shook it. All kinds of creatures dropped from his clothes. Once he swiped his body with his hands, all the black leeches which had been clinging on fell off too. The leeches bodies were thin. It seemed like even Ituris leeches were unable to digest a zombies blood.
Eh, those dont look good. Samedi crushed the thin leeches and swung the clothes back on.
Well, what cant a human eat? Black Mamba nodded.
Hed survived on centipedes and millipedes in Bang Tae San. He was overjoyed if a large centipede somehow found its way into the cave. Even the worms he ate as he wandered the underground caves of Kaparja had been delicious. An organism puts its survival at the highest priority. Theres a saying which goes, the mind makes up everything. Water gathered in a skull can be an oasis. While humans could eat anything when it came down to survival, his problem was that Samedi ate anything as snacks.
Samedi took off his bulletproof vest. He tightened his backpacks straps, and tapped on the MP5sd3.
Wakil, lets begin.
His playful eyes flashed with murderous madness. The tame herbivore had turned into a predator in a moments notice. It was Samedis born nature. Black Mamba wore the close-range communications headset and taught Samedi how to use it.
Lets get rid of the guards around the dock first.
Black Mamba and Samedi crossed the sandy shore while hunched and jumped into the thick forest. Their tracks remained in the sand, but it was show time anyways.
This way.
Black Mamba flew through the darkness like a leaf floating in the wind. Samedi followed without a sound. While it was a jungle with indistinguishable North, East, South, and West, Black Mamba could tell the difference between the trace of a man and animal by looking at the direction of pressed leaves and width of folded grass.
The human tracks led them to the dock. Black Mamba, who had been ahead, raised his hand. Samedi lowered his stance immediately. The sour smell was the smell they scented on the Damballahs who had swept through Kidambas village. Black Mamba pointed at the limbali tree where five to six had been arranged in a hideout. It was a location that had the entire dock in sight.
The limbali, which is from the legume family, is a tree which grows to shoot high up into the sky and a dominant breed of Ituri Jungle. It has the ability to make its first canopy 20-50 meters up in the sky and creating a second canopy in its branches.
Its precise! Samedi exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.
There were three tree houses made from vines 20-30m above ground. It looked just like a bearded eagles nest. If his master hadnt pointed it out, he wouldnt have noticed.
Samedi increased his touch, smell, and hearing. He could hear the moths flutter, and the sound of beetles biting into trees, but not the presence of humans. No matter how concealed a human could be, they were bound to smell, their livers grumble, and their breaths audible.
Is it really a bearded eagles nest?
C Samedi, did you figure it out?
C Its weird. Therere no traces of humans.
Does he have sinusitis?
Black Mamba tilted his head. Samedi was struggling despite being close enough to notice. It didnt make sense for him to be unable to smell that putrid scent they smelled at Kidambas village.
Boom! His dimensional sight spread through the area. There was a tunnel-like boma 50 meters to the right and left of the limbali. There were three people in each.
C Theres a boma underground 2 and 5 oclock from the limbali, 50 meters away each. Three in each boma, clear!
C Clear!
Samedi repeated and disappeared into the thick forest. They were 170m away from the boma in the tree, which made it hard to shoot at with an MP5. A Dragunov wouldnt work either. There would be a large sonic boom even if they used the modified silencer. A proper sight couldnt be secured either due to the obstructing thick branches.
The crescent moon, more like a half-moon now, was bright. Black Mamba took off the night goggles, as it got in the way. While the voodoo priests spells werent that threatening, they were tiring. It was likely that the guards presence and smell were erased by Kamuges drug. Hed gain nothing out of killing them haphazardly. The success of operation Fist of Justice depended on secrecy. He had to rescue the hostages after getting rid of the guards without a trace.
While it could be easier using his becoming one with nature skill to kill them all, the skill used high amounts of concentration. There were over 500 of them. He had to maintain his strength and concentration the best he could.
He got out of the forest region and approached, leaving 90 meters between them and himself. A sandy field emerged ahead without a single obstacle to hide in sight. Black Mamba waited until the guards revealed themselves. He wasnt in a rush since Samedi had to take care of the bomas too.
Did these bastards cast a spell?
Samedi felt something strange. Hed approached the place his master had mentioned, but he felt nothing. There was no breathing or smell. At this rate, he was going to be embarrassed again by failing to complete his masters task.
C 7m ahead at two fifteen from your location.
Masters words rang out of the headset like lightning. He concentrated until his eyes bled. Flash! He noticed a faint reflection. His sensitive eyes, as good as an owls, captured the sight of a gun barrel sticking out.
This is embarrassing!
Samedi approached the boma from the back and gently raised its lid made of entwined bamboo sticks. Moonlight poured in. Surprised, the three in ambush craned their necks back as far as they could. A black devil was looking down on them with the moon behind its back.
Uwaaa!
From the shapes of their mouths, they were screaming, but there was no sound. The Squeaker sliced through the air horizontally. Crack! Crash! Human heads were also sliced horizontally.
Uaaaagh!
The surviving rebel, no, voodoo follower turned his gun around. Slap! A hand much like a frying pan slapped his cheek squarely. The guard collapsed. The necklace he had been wearing around his neck fell to the ground at the impact.
Uuuuh! a groan rang out from the guards mouth.
Is that? Samedis eyes grew wide. He picked up the necklace and carefully observed it. There was a skull the size of an egg hanging off of it. He put the necklace back on the guards neck. His groan disappeared instantly.
What a strange object.
To think such an object existed! Samedi clasped the necklace around his own neck. One of the five Pwens that Kamuge had made with extreme effort was now in Samedis hands. Pwens are originally used to obstruct the other persons spells, but also to erase all sounds within a certain range.
Hehe, now I know whats happening, Samedi smiled.
He could hear the sound of rustling, and a putrid smell attacked his nose. It was the presence of the ambushers hiding in the second boma. The necklace was an item which could erase his presence and disturb the spells of others. It seemed like hed saved a village in his past life to obtain such a treasure for free.
Crack! He wrapped his log-like arm around the guards neck and twisted it. He had been given a painless death for providing such a strange item.
There wasnt time to waste now that their locations were revealed. Whoosh! Samedi moved without a sound, then jumped. There was nothing to fear since the item killed all sounds. Bang! The lid shattered. It was a bamboo lid disguised with grass and bushes. It didnt have the power to withstand a weight of 120kg.
The guards didnt have the time to be surprised. Bang bang! Three faces were crushed underneath his military boots with a large kick. He didnt have to check; it was instant death. Samedi checked the necks of the dead. There was one wearing a skull necklace, as he had expected. Samedi gathered the necklaces and turned on his headset.
C All clear.
C Roger, stand by!
Unlike Samedi who had finished quickly, Black Mamba was in a difficult spot. The guards on top of the tree werent moving at all.
Bastards, youre dead as soon as I see your skull.
But even if he begged, they didnt move. And insects were attacking him as he waited. Diedlin wasnt working. Mouths and stingers continued to push and shove into him. He envied Samedi in such moments.
He ran out of patience. He was just about to cross the sand field using Becoming One With Nature when footsteps rang from behind him. Black Mamba became one with the tall grass. Three men appeared in a ready position.
A man who was wearing a Boonie hat shouted a passcode, Lwa Amir!
.
He tried again, hearing no response, Lwa Amir!
.
Kurutara an ja-five ta ha-ee? (You bastards, are you sleeping?) the man in the boonie hat shouted.
Damballah victory! that was when a slurred voice rang from above the tree.
Huh, those bastards were sleeping.
Black Mamba felt peeved. He thought they were followers trained to the level of snipers, but they had been sleeping instead. If hed known, hed have twisted their necks by now.
Three guards came down from the tree. The boonie hat bashed them up. The sound of slaps and shouts rang across the riverside.
This was pure fortune for Black Mamba. He silently raised his MP5. Papapa! Papapa! The three guards who had gone against orders and the three new guards whod come to replace them collapsed at once. There was no choice but to exterminate them all since words wouldnt do.
Chapter 417 - Episode 10: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Black Mamba looked down at the corpses with holes between their collarbones and in between their brows. There wasnt a single person or spider on the dock. Of course, theyd fall asleep nearing dawn. How could the men who got beaten up and the beaters imagine that theyd die from 12 grams worth of metal? Life was just unpredictable.
Samedi checked the dead guards necks. They did have a skull necklace, but it was shattered by the bullet. That meant each guard post had one skull necklace.
Its unfortunate! Samedi pounded the ground.
Whats unfortunate?
Wakil, these necklaces block sound and smell.
Samedi handed him the skull necklaces he had collected. Black Mamba frowned. They were human skulls downsized to the size of an egg. An evil aura emanated from the skulls.
Hm, this was why it was hard to find those b*stards. Its not a good object, but its hard to call it cursed either.
Spellcasters made all kinds of objects. The problem was that it wasnt some mind-controlling or threatening spell but an object with physical effects. While it was cultish as it was immoral, it wasnt cultish as it wasnt some half-a**ed object.
I managed to find those guys who were hiding thanks to this.
Really? I could smell their foulness even if I couldnt hear them. Let me see.
He took out the Angels Egg from his emergency pouch. Once he laid them side by side, the rock shone in blue. If he covered the skulls, the light disappeared. Something was affecting the Angels Egg. He couldnt tell whether it was the spell or the environment. Anyway, it seemed like it could break the spell or perhaps not.
I dont need it.
Black Mamba threw aside the skulls. Nothing good would come out of carrying around a cursed object.
Fine then. Ill give it to Miss Edel.
Samedi hung two necklaces around his neck.
Yeah, right, shell totally love it. Black Mamba smiled and raised the satellite phone.
It was 03:30. He punched in the passcode and started a call.
Mother sandpiper, its baby sandpiper.
Baby sandpiper, I hope youre doing well. No problem?
Pauls reply came two seconds later. The voice message was transmitted as a coded file to the receiving side, and they would listen to the coded file after it was converted into a voice message. The process took around two to three seconds.
Non problem! Hostage detention point confirmed, 12 guards at one post erased, going in.
Baby sandpiper, w wait a moment. Ill transfer you to Holland.
Paul was frightened. If there were 12 per guard post, how big was their main army! It had to be the size of a battalion. The conversation was beyond his authority.
Baby sandpiper, this is Holland. Ill transfer you to the headquarters now.
Holland spoke very politely.
Got it.
Black Mamba smiled. Those who liked to bully others had to be bullied for them to come to their senses.
Baby sandpiper, this is Ariba. There are three surviving GIGN members, and we recovered 32 remains. Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on your amazing progress.
F*** that. Are you running for council elections? Pass the phone to the director before I punch you.
Kekeke!
A suppressed, monotonous voice escaped. He knew Bonipas was listening.
Old man, you were sleeping on the office field bed again, werent you? Go sleep on an actual bed before you faint.
Bonipas felt his heart warm up. His words were harsh, but he felt his sincerity.
Hehehe, this field beds better than the floor that you must be sleeping on in the Devils Forest, Dubai. Theres no need for formalities between us. Tell me the coordinates.
Apadombe, the meeting point of Ituri and the Eplu River. Theres a lower bank that the Pygmies call Katanga in Apadombe. Coordinates 1.24.59.60-27.37.25.42. Standby two Gazelles, a Chinook, and a medical team.
Alright. Have you confirmed the hostages?
According to Karungo, there are 20 survivors.
Ola, god! Thank you. Mitterrand would cheer in joy. But, you caught Karungo?
Hehehe, the great DGSE gets it wrong every time. The kidnappers are Hutu guerrillas who separated from the Mai-Mai. Their leader is the Vodou priest, Kamuge. Im guessing there are around 550 soldiers.
Hup!
The conversation stopped briefly. Black Mamba grinned from ear to ear. He could almost see Manager Aribas surprised face and Bonipas rotten expression.
Baby sandpiper, do you need reinforcements?
No. I want you to send over medical reinforcements in time for sunrise, even if I dont request it.
I knew youd say that. The helicopter is expected to arrive at the coordinate points at 06:15. I wish you luck.
Roger.
Black Mamba smiled in satisfaction as soon as he finished the call. He could imagine the DGSE headquarters and Bunia officials jumping around like peas on a stove.
Samedi, you can go on a rampage as much as you want as soon as we secure the hostages. They arent of any help to this world, anyway.
Great master worries about wakil a lot. Master should rest. Ill take care of them all. Hehehe!
A predators satisfied smile after securing its prey made its appearance as his offensive nature arose. His vile expression under the moonlight was like the Rakshasa, just as it was about to capture some evil spirits.
Brat, Yeon Soon keeps saying she cant eat because you laugh like that. All the women would run if they saw it, Black Mamba scolded.
Even he got creeped out whenever Samedi smiled with his fangs poking out. He had to marry him off, but he felt like no normal woman would be able to stand him. Perhaps, the muscular Chui Mi Sook could stand him?
Samedi stopped laughing.
I dont want to get married. I want to live with wakil.
Ugh, Id rather die than think about that. Just laugh like you usually do.
His serious face was even more frightening.
Black Mamba was like the night goblin as he flew through the sky. Samedi chased after him with an MP5. It wasnt hard to find the Damballas base. They only had to follow the foul smell coming from the dock.
Whoosh
A log fell. It was a rough trap, secured by a nail on a thick bark. Black Mambas waist bent 90 degrees backward.
Whoomph
The log swept past his chest. An activated log was no different from a swing. Samedi tapped the log as he passed by.
Clack
The ground opened up, and Samedi was sucked in. It was a turning trap door. Sharp spears or rusty knives stood upright in the hole. The lid would turn if someone stepped on the trap. The lid would swing back to its place after smacking the persons head and shoving them deep into the hole. Once caught, the sacrifice would certainly die.
Crack
The thick lid broke. Samedi jumped out of the hole. No one could catch a tiger with a trap made for a rabbit.
Traps made of natural objects continued to appear. Spears flew down from the trees, nets swung up from the ground, and arrows were shot from all around. Black Mamba and Samedi advanced as they crushed each trap. That was because avoiding them would take time.
This is strange. Why are all the traps familiar? Black Mamba mumbled as he slid past a trap of collapsing logs.
These traps, which combined natural and man-made objects, were eastern-styled, not western.
Bingo!
The Damballas base was revealed too easily. There were buildings in between the trees that shot up toward the sky. They were long tents made of weaving wood and grass.
He looked up at the sky. A dense canopy covered the sky. That would render aerial reconnaissance useless. Kamuge had played it smart and mocked France by using natural obstacles to conceal himself.
Wakil, this is too easy. There are no outlying guard posts either, Samedi whispered.
Its a different story when you take off the skull necklaces around your neck.
Samedi removed the skull necklaces.
Ugk!
The tent-like buildings and water supply facilities that were right before his eyes disappeared. The eerie forest was filled with waves of fog. When he put the necklaces back on, the original landscape returned.
Although Kamuge tried his best to be on guard, there were unpredictable matters in the world. He couldnt have imagined that an item made for his defense would end up in the enemys hand and reveal his base.
Ah, damn it! I want to be a Vodou follower too.
Samedi admired the spellcasters abilities. If he hadnt found the skull necklaces, he would have wandered through Katanga all night in search of Kamuges base.
Katanga was nestled deep in the Ituri Rainforest, which didnt tolerate any intruders. A horrible swamp surrounded the island, and his base was concealed with spells. How could anyone find it, aside from the master himself? He really was suited for the position of wakils lackey.
Erase the guard posts surrounding it. You must maintain secrecy until I have secured all the hostages.
Okay.
Samedi closed his eyes and made up excuses for himself to Monk Dae Woo before acting.
Great master, I dont kill people. I only kill people who master said are animals. The animals I will kill are not innocent animals but evil creatures in the guise of humans. I think these b*stards arent any better than creatures. These devils kill innocent people, kidnap them, cut off their hands and feet, and boil children to eat. Master said if violence is forgiven, it will only return as a greater form of violence.
Samedi continued. He said that violence must be crushed with greater violence. He said to put trust in my gun instead of God. He said that what saves those poor people from violence isnt belief but a gun. He said that one evil person could torment 1,000s of kind lives. He said that such b*stard doesnt deserve prayers but needs to be killed. Great master said I need to do everything that wakil tells me to do. You cant scold me. Master told me to do everything. Namu Amita Bul!
Woah!
Black Mamba was at a loss for words when he heard Samedi mumbling. Fearing that his head would explode due to the Tight-Fillet Spell, he made up all kinds of excuses like how his master had taught him and how he was only acting as ordered. The Tight-Fillet Spell didnt activate unless he took a certain action. Samedi, who was unaware of the fact, made up useless excuses that only made him laugh.
Samedi wasnt wrong, however. B*stards who believed that power came from guns wouldnt blink at the onslaught of criticisms and curses. Violence must be suppressed with greater violence. Vietnam protected its pride and knocked down the Goliath France and the U.S. with pitchforks and booby traps. They should have picked up pitchforks during the Japanese colonial period instead of shouting Hoorah.
Samedi smiled and disappeared toward the outer border. Black Mamba infiltrated the base. Endless buildings with wooden frames and walls and roofs covered with thick, broad leaves appeared.
There were 12 buildings that looked like living quarters and three other buildings of which the purpose was unknown. Most of the buildings were stilt houses of at least 50 centimeters above the ground. There were piloti-type houses 1.5 meters above ground supported by thick pillars too.
The living quarters were quite large, measuring five meters in width and 30 meters in length. If redesigned like the Korean militarys living quarters, one was big enough to accommodate 50 to 60 people. Based on calculations, there were at least 600 of them.
At least its less than 1,000.
Black Mamba flinched. Since when did he start thinking of human lives as numbers? Did he just dismiss 600 lives as nothing? Samedis words were no longer something to laugh at.
Black Mamba slid into the living quarters pillars shadow.
Rustle
Two guards walked by. The pillars shadow stretched out.
Bang bang
The guards, who were slapped on the back of their heads with his palm, couldnt scream at all. He kicked the two Black men, who had collapsed, under the pilotis like they were empty potato sacks.
He tore off a little from the wall of a stilt house he presumed was their living quarters and looked inside. It had one room with no partitions. There was a narrow corridor in between the two wide beds like the Korean militarys living quarters. For some strange reason, the beds legs were in bowls filled with water. It was a small measure to protect themselves against poisonous insects.
There were 42 of them, and all of them were naked except for the lower half of their bodies. One guy who had kicked his bedsheet aside was also sleeping. As he expected, it was the guerrillas living quarters.
He searched the other three buildings of different shapes first. He was wrong this time. The house with the clay walls was a goat house, and the building next to it was a cafeteria. The building he thought was Kamuges living quarters housed 10 women covered in black one-pieces like a burqa, and they were sleeping soundly. A foul smell came from the goat house and the cafeteria. The building where the women were sleeping had a foul smell too. It was a relaxing yet rotten feeling, like some kind of drug.
I see. They are the Vodou female followers.
The female followers clothes looked like the mambos he erased at Samaria farm. Black Mamba, who had raised his MP5, lowered it and turned away. Now wasnt the time to make a scene.
Black Mamba held back his frustration from finding nothing valuable even though he searched all 12 living quarters. His nose ached at the smell originating from the Vodou followers, and he ended up killing a few guards. Six guards and nine from a squadron had their heads bashed in or necks sliced with the Kukri.
Where were the hostages? A mere leftist spellcaster wouldnt be able to fool his senses. Black Mamba was impatient. There were countless Vodou cults in East Africa. Perhaps, he was poking around the wrong Vodou guerrilla group who werent Areva companys kidnappers? The horrifying possibility made his head hurt.
No! He screamed out of nowhere.
The anger from catching the wrong kidnappers would make him go mad.
Ah!
He forgot that Kamuge was a Houngan. His confidence had gotten the better of him. The b*stard had the ability to conceal a specific area with spells. Although the hidden guards were exposed because of the smell at the dock, the smell was now hindering their investigation. The pungent smell coming from each building made his nose ache.
Chapter 418 - Episode 11: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Samedis night vision was better than that of nocturnal predators. Finding paths walked by humans under the full moons light wasnt even considered bothersome to him. The Damballa guerrillas base was simple. They either hung a foothold on a branch of suitable height or a hammock made of thick vines.
The Damballa lacked a sense of alertness due to the long absence of external attacks. They had been told to tighten security by the higher-ups, but that was something they heard all the time. Samedi wasnt one who would miss the slow conversations and the unique smell coming from all the Damballa followers unless there was a counter-attack spell. Samedi started erasing the guards one by one around the outskirts of the base.
Crack crack
The sound of sandbags being smacked by a wet wooden stick continued to ring. The two guards, who had been lying down diagonally on Rosales, dropped like overripe persimmons. That was the fourth guard post.
Ah, damn it! Samedi complained as he kicked the ground.
The men he shot were falling into the swamp instead of the direction he had estimated. His wakil, a perfectionist, would definitely mention it if he heard splashing noises. He threw himself in as though he was going diving and barely managed to whisk the two away.
Slip
His hand slipped on the greasy skin. Samedi shivered at the sensation of rubbing off grime. Those b*stards only wore shorts and hats. It rained every three to four days in the Ituri Rainforest. It seemed like the words bath, shower, or wash didnt belong in their dictionary. Just standing in the rain with their limbs spread apart would have saved them from that filthiness.
Samedi shook off the humans in his hand back into the forest like they were bullet ants and rubbed his hand until his skin seemed to peel off on his trousers. He would have preferred to touch an elephants s*** instead. Unlike his appearance, Samedi was very meticulous. He would prefer to stay near the Lakes of Ounianga even if he was forced to wander the Sahara for several decades.
Nimi jotto, theyre dirty as f***. Carrying around this toothpick is frustrating.
Samedi angrily replaced the MP5 magazine and disappeared in search of new targets. Compared to the MAG, the MP5 was truly nothing more than a toothpick.
Black Mamba opened the emergency pouch and took out the Angels Egg. He was about to confirm whether the object could actually break spells.
Voom
The Angels Egg lit up in light blue. A spell had spread across the base and covered it.
Woah!
His ears perked up. No, he could hear sounds that he didnt hear before. There was the sound of nocturnal creatures fighting over food, birds fluttering through the night, Damballa guerrillas gritting their teeth, low-pitch howlings that were buried under snores, and a very deep sigh that could demolish caves.
The Angels Egg wasnt just any piece of treasure. It got rid of the barrier spell that blocked the senses, something that even Black Mamba hadnt noticed.
All great spellcasters had their own specialties. Barungo was good at binding and trance spells. Kran was good at animal taming spells. Kamuge was good at hiding, concealing, and animal taming spells. Kamuge was a b*stard far more dangerous than Barungo or Kran.
Wait, a sigh from underground?
He flinched and came to a realization. There was no rule that hostages had to be kept above ground. Of course, the Vodou followers wouldnt be kind enough to supply vitamin D to their hostages.
Black Mamba followed in the direction of the sighs and aggressive low-frequency sound waves. It was the goat pen he thought was unlikely. Goats occupied the higher prison, and the lower pilotis were covered with rocks and mud. He saw something that seemed to be an entrance to some staircase inside the goat pen. A door made of tree bark was blocking the entrance. To think that there was a way down to the pilotis inside the goat pen!
Damn, humans below animals, huh?
Black Mamba blamed his preconceptions. There were structures that allocated animal pens below human homes, but he never imagined that humans would reside below animal pens.
A goat cried at the sudden presence of a human. Black Mamba flinched and raised his MP5. Hed be in trouble if the goats, nearly 20, started crying all at once. Since he couldnt tell the goats to be quiet, he had no choice but to silence them.
Im sorry, goats.
He apologized sincerely before pulling the trigger.
Pewpewpewpew
20 goats that got their brains shot by nine-millimeter bullets at close range collapsed without a single scream. Perhaps it was fortunate that they were destined to die painfully as sacrifices of the Bois Ca?man ritual[1].
Black Mamba jumped in and pushed the wooden door gently. It was a rough door, 30 centimeters wide, and held in place with hinges, but it was weak against his Billions Water Armor. No, it was a weak obstacle he could remove with 1.5 horsepower of his power.
Oh?
The wooden door stood firm. Black Mamba, who made a fist and decided to crush it into pieces, shook his head. He had the Vajra, so why should he worry? He took out the Vajra from his emergency pouch and sliced the chain that secured the door.
Papapa
Sparks flew.
Huh!
To think that there would be an object that the Vajra couldnt cut!
No. That was the power of a powerful barrier spell. That meant the b*stard called Kamuge wasnt some common spellcaster.
This b*stards making me work more than I have to.
He took out the Angels Egg from his pouch and placed it against the chain. The Angels Egg shone in blue. The ground shook. The spell broke. He sliced the chain with his Vajra.
Whoosh
The thick metal chain the width of his wrist broke apart like a rotten twine rope.
Crack
Black stairs appeared on the other side of the wooden door. A black throat bared itself wide open down the stairs. An iron door appeared on his left by the time he was halfway down the stairs.
Bang
The hinges of the iron door fell apart at a single kick.
This is how its intended to be. Huh?
Black Mamba was surprised by the unexpected development of the situation, which contrasted with his initial confidence. He blinked rather quickly. His eyes, which were exposed to bright light, stung. The room was bright like the day. There were white lights on the ceiling, and two Murata power generators were buzzing in a corner.
Black Mambas mouth hung open at the culture shock. The small room of around 50 pyung was a chemical research lab. There were several clocks lining the wall, some medicinal cabinets full of capsules, experiment tools, chambers, beds, and several aid tools. The pool of blood that filled the stainless tank on one side of the wall gave off a putrid smell.
This is Kamuges workshop, isnt it? Black Mamba frowned as he looked around.
That kind of equipped facility couldnt exist in the Ituri Rainforest, what more the remote Apadombe.
Grrrooo
A heavy howling sounded. It was the low-frequency sound he heard above ground.
Bang
A hole appeared in the wall with a single punch, and rocks fell all around him. It was a 300-millimeter thick brick wall. He tore down the bricks and stepped inside. The room was dark like nighttime. Black Mambas eyes burned blue. Blue-lit eyes behind the iron cages lining the wall also glared back at Black Mamba.
Woah. What are all these?
Even Black Mamba, who had experienced all kinds of things, flinched at the sight of dozens of blue eyes. There were ancient predators and reptiles locked behind iron bars the size of a gooses egg. Dinofelis, Carnufex[2], Titanoboa[3], Smilodon No, they only looked like them because of his biological knowledge. The ancient creatures didnt have the body of a fully-grown monster. The Titanoboa was 15 meters long and weighed 1,000 kilograms. The one in the cage was barely eight meters. That was the same for the other animals.
Looking at that, it seemed likely that the Mai-Mai and Damballa were responsible for the ancient creatures he had encountered in the Ituri Rainforest. He couldnt understand, but that meant the b*stards created creatures by modifying DNA and using spells.
Black Mambas mind grew muddled. Could Kamuge assemble such a facility without a backer? That was impossible. His backer was either a large organization or some government. He could smell the foul stench of an ongoing conspiracy.
He checked the time. It was 04:10. It was barely two hours until sunrise. Black Mamba didnt do anything else and left the lab. He could erase those monsters later. His target was the hostages. Once he reached the lowest staircase, a similar door to the one he saw upstairs appeared. He made a hole with the Vajra around the door lock to remove it and pushed the door open. The rusty hinges squeaked. The humid air and foul stench attacked him.
Ugh!
He unknowingly took a step back. Was it comparable to the smell of salted anchovies? Although he was known for his patience, he found the smell, which hurt his nose, overbearing. Once he stepped in, the smell grew pungent. There was even the smell of rotting flesh. His blue-lit eyes searched the room.
Bingo! He shouted unknowingly.
He found people spread across the 50-pyung floor. They didnt react to the door opening as though they were all asleep. No, they looked like they had lost the will to live instead. While it was difficult to distinguish them by their features as their face was caked in dirt, his snipers eyes immediately knew they were of a different build than the Hutu tribe members.
He finally found his targets. However, the numbers were different. Karungo had told him there were 20, but there were only 16. Black Mamba hadnt thought it through. From the hostages conditions, more than four could have died within the timeframe.
Using his snipers instincts, he assessed the environment. The prison was semi-underground, and the ceiling and walls were secured with dongbari[4]. They basically kept the hostages in an underground pen.
That b*stard must have worked his subordinates to the bone.
Black Mamba was slightly impressed. There was a 30-centimeter slot lining the side of the ceiling and wall. From outside, it was an undetectable vent as the upper floors edges covered it. The moonlight shining through the slot provided the room with a dim light. They purposefully exposed the top part of the basement to the ground so that air would flow naturally.
Leaving the hostages there was the best bet. As long as they didnt release poisonous gas through the vent after he sealed the entrance, they wouldnt be able to harm the hostages. Black Mamba silently crept out of the underground prison. The situation would get worse if the hostages started screaming in shock. He opened his headset in the laboratory upstairs.
Samedi, are you done?
Im done. I erased all seven outlying guard posts. These b*stards are really dirty. Dont touch them. There were too many guards in the four large treehouses, so I didnt kill them.
Good job. I found the hostages. Theyre in the goat pens pilotis covered with mud. Its showtime.
Okay.
Roger.
Black Mamba raised his Dragunov once he was done communicating. Although the ancient creatures were young, they were a deadly threat to the hostages. He didnt know what might happen if dozens of them escaped above ground.
The animals screamed and kicked when Black Mamba entered the animal pen. It was an instinctive reaction to Black Mambas bloodlust. The animosity and anger in their blue eyes were obvious. They would have eaten him up if they werent locked up in cages.
Goodbye. Earth is not a world for you guys, Black Mamba said, as though he was reading a cheesy phrase from a comic and pulled the trigger.
It was the Dragunov that the DGSE made with extreme care for Black Mambas personal use.
Kakakaka
The 7.62-millimeter bullets tore apart the ancient predators and reptiles at 5,400 Joules. Black Mamba left the room without turning back after emptying two 20-round magazines.
Ah!
Kamuge, who had been enjoying a sweet nap, flinched into consciousness with his eyes wide open. He jumped up as though he was bouncing.
Whwho dares to kill the omaAgh!
Kamuge grabbed his chest and collapsed. Blood flowed down his nose. It was the after-effects of the forcible mental disconnection with the oma.
It was lightning in broad daylight for him, whod ordered to tighten the security before sleeping. Kamuge held on to his shattering chest and pulled on the bell. He barely counted to 10 when the rope ladder started shaking.
Madangkal, it is Budsella.
It was also hard for Budsella, who was called twice into his room at dawn.
Come in.
Budsella opened the door and immediately lowered herself onto the floor.
Budsella, the oma are dead. Its not just one or two.
What, sir? But who dares-
Budsellas eyes widened as though theyd rip. There were 10 oma in the cursed room that protected Katanga. Six awaited the Lus Luwes birth by the gates of Purgatory. Could anyone kill the oma that were created from spells?
Its highly likely that Kran, sent by Ntaganda, killed them. That b*stard utilizes several crocodile monsters and zombie servants. Send a mid-fire power strike force immediately and check the cursed room first.
Yes, sir. Should I alert the Asian friends too?
Leave them be. We cannot be undermined.
Yes, sir.
Budsella went down the ladder as though she was flying.
Damn it, the Legbas prophecy was a warning about Kran! Kran, this b*stard, to attack us at this important time. Ill kill you! Kamuge hit the floor.
He forgot about their tracker, Kran, who was after them since there were no movements for several months. A womans enemy was a woman, and a spellcasters enemy was a spellcaster. Kamuge didnt realize a powerful Angel of Death incomparable to Kran had appeared.
A treehouse far away from the underground cave, which Kamuge called the gates of Purgatory, lit up. Sa Do Chung turned on the lights and tilted his ear. It was buried under the sound of generators, but he definitely heard a gun with a silencer go off. His senses were extremely sensitive as he was the successor of the Northern Mount, the Heng factions secret arts.
Sa Do Chung was an intelligence officer the Peoples Republic of Chinas Ministry of State Security had sent as an operation team leader to watch Mobutu.
[1] A ritual of revenge in the name of an ancestral god.
[2] An extinct genus of crocodiles.
[3] An extinct genus of large snakes.
[4] A thick tree bark that supports caves from collapsing.
Chapter 419 - Episode 12: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Chinas Ministry of State Security was a large organization that had control over vast lands, diverse ethnicities, and 1,300,000,000 people. The number of people in 18 administrative divisions, 15 direct companies, and three research organizations added up to 350,000 alone. It was the kind of scale the CIA would struggle to compete against despite being known as the greatest intelligence agency.
Chinas ruling ideology, which Joseon upheld as a Confucian country, was the theory of yin and yang harmony and not practical theory. The yin-yang ruling ideology culminated in Deng Xiaopings Theory of Black Cat White Cat.
Mao Zedongs Cultural Revolution advocated the purge of capitalism, but its true purpose was to get rid of the opposition faction led by Liu Shaoqi. Mao Zedong made the Ministry of State Securitys headquarters, the Central Investigation Department, and the Public Security Bureau actively recruit martial arts schools to turn them into vanguards of assassination and terrorism.
Deng Xiaoping, who survived the harsh Cultural Revolution, didnt exclude those martial artists but took them in as agents of the Internal Security and Anti-Reconnaissance Department and External Security and Anti-Reconnaissance Department. It truly was the enactment of, It doesnt matter whether the cat is white or black, as long as it can catch mice, its a good cat.
Belgium had colonized Congo until 1960, and the U.S. gained comprehensive resource exploration rights through the Kinshasa Contract in 1958. Independence was only a title as Congo was still buried under Belgium and the United States shadows. China had been aiming for Congos uranium and metals since the mid-1960s but could do nothing due to Belgium and the U.S. vested interests.
If the U.S. and Belgium were lions that were tearing apart the large elephant meat called Congo, China was the hyena that continued to circle them while drooling. Therefore, China was nothing but a thorn in the eyes of Mobutu, who was pro-American.
China, which gained no joy from its attempts, grabbed its chance when Mobutu started bumping heads with his right arm, Ntaganda. They aided Ntagandas Mai-Mai rebel force with large quantities of armory and sent military advisors. When the Damballa separated from the Mai-Mai and began to grow in force, they also sent the Damballa weapons and intelligence agents.
The head of all spies that China sent to incite a civil war in Congo was Sa Do Chung. Sa Do Chungs formal title was the head of the Ninth African Division of the Internal Security and Anti-Reconnaissance Department of the Peoples Republic of Chinas Ministry of State Security.
Through Uganda, Sa Do Chung provided 500 Soviet-made AKMs and 20 RPG-7s to Kamuges army and was promised the uranium exploration rights in Mambasa and the development of copper mines in Goma. China, which had to be wary of the U.S., couldnt provide its Type 81 rifles to the rebels.
The AK-47, which was said to have been released worldwide in over 100,000,000 in number, was actually the AKM. The Soviet Union stopped producing their machine-type rifle AK-47 in 1960 and started mass-producing the iron plate pressed-type AKM, distributing it to Third World countries. Poor guerrillas, regardless of who they were, wielded the AKM. Of course, no one could tell the difference between the AKM and AK-47. The AKM was a cheap assault rifle that could be bought with five sacks of cassava, but its performance wasnt cheap.
Sa Do Chungs role was to create chaos in Congo. The Areva kidnapping incident only occurred because Sa Do Chungs aim to disturb Frances natural resources development aligned with Kamuges aim to strengthen his forces. In the end, China was behind the kidnapping incident.
The small Congo unit led by Sa Do Chung resided in a treehouse with two separate rooms. One was the leaders room, and the other was a room for communications. All 11 members resided in the living room, which they called the work room.
Sa Do Chung strained his ears, but the gunshots didnt continue. Only his team members snores continued to ring loudly. He was uncertain, but a martial artists senses were different from that of a normal human. Moreover, he was an intelligence agent who never let his guard down at any moment.
Wang Yi!
The snores immediately stopped at Sa Do Chungs quiet call. They were martial artists before they were intelligence agents.
Zen me le? You shen me shi ma?[1]
Wang Yis voice rang as though he hadnt been sleeping.
Clack
Sa Do Chung, who was wearing pants and a t-shirt, opened the door quickly and walked in. Wang Yi quickly erased the annoyance from his face and wiped his face with a cold towel. He felt his consciousness returning quicker.
Wang Yi, the situation isnt good.
What do you mean?
Gunshots. Ive never heard any in the past months. This isnt normal.
Wang Yi immediately tensed up. If his team leader said it wasnt normal, it wasnt normal.
Comrade leader, Ill go check.
Wang Yi buttoned up his pants and raised his Type 81 automatic rifle.
Dong Geng Bo, go with him. Take a silencer and cold weapons with you too.
Fourth brother, lets go.
Dong Geng Bo jumped to his feet. Wang Yi carried a small blade of two rulers long, while Dong Geng Bo fixed a three-section cudgel to his waist. The 12 Internal Security and Anti-Renaissance Departments agents who were sent to Zaires eastern region were all brothers-in-training of the Mt. Heng faction. Even the ninth most powerful country in the world could only send a small elite force considering the nature of the East African forests.
Make sure you check it out quietly, so those Blacks dont notice.
Okay.
Wang Yi and Dong Geng Bo disappeared into the darkness. Sa Do Chungs remained tense. Although it might be old-fashioned, everything had to be checked for peace to reign. The government took a huge interest in the Zaire plan. He was loyal if it went well, and he was a traitor if it didnt. The situation became more chaotic when the Chinese intelligence agents stepped in.
Samedi appeared in the lab without a sound.
Egh! What are all these?
Samedis eyes widened as he stepped further into the bloody breeding room. While he was surprised by the modern facility, he was also surprised by the harsh features of the six dead monsters.
Theyre trash.
That was the moment when the omas made with extreme care by Makandal Kamuge for the Lus Luwe were devolved into trash.
Our targets?
Theyre underground.
Black Mamba pointed down and climbed up the stairs.
Master doesnt seem to be in a good mood. Shouldnt he be happy since we found the hostages?
Samedi tilted his head as he followed him upstairs.
Samedi, use your strength.
Black Mamba pointed at the large rocks scattered around the building. He didnt know whether it was originally there or transferred there, but there were several ancient-looking rocks.
Aha!
Samedi immediately understood Black Mambas intentions. He lifted a large rock of over 1,000 kilograms and blocked the entrance to the prison. He was just like a human crane fork. Black Mamba also helped create a mountain of rocks.
Hehehe, this is strong enough to withstand an RPG. Samedi smiled as he shook off the dust on his hands.
Sometimes, brute force was the most effective solution. As long as they didnt bring a crane fork over, they wouldnt be able to get rid of those rocks. Unless they released poisonous gas through the vent, their hostages safety was guaranteed.
Damn it. I should ask for labor money from Bonipas.
Hostage rescue operations required a lot of spare hands. Black Mamba continued to raise the fee he was going to ask from Bonipas.
Since theyd secured the hostages, it was time to beat the bad guys up. Black Mamba started checking his weapons. He adjusted the tactical vest and increased the number of MP5 ammunition from two to seven. He took out all the Dragunov magazines and ammunition and placed them in his backpack, and he attached five magazines with 30 MP5 rounds.
There was no more space for more ammunition, and seven magazines were all he had. Well, a sniper who carried around seven MP5 magazines and five Dragunov magazines wouldnt be sane either.
Including the magazine in the gun, there were 240 rounds of parabellum bullets in total. Still, he was in a dreadful situation where the number of guerrillas was two times more than the number of bullets he had.
He took out four magazines of 17 rounds from his backpack for his Glock. He shoved two into his belt compartment and two into the pocket of his tactical vest, which was removable. No soldiers carried more than 16 magazines per person since Browning invented the outer magazine in the early 20th century for quick-fire purposes.
He took out a rolled-up pack that had 50 darts embedded from his backpack and rolled it around his upper left arm. He ended the equipment check after checking his Kukri, Glock, and Rakshasa.
Samedi was simple. He assembled his Squeakers second half and swung it across his backpack, and he rolled five MAG belts around his arm. There were 600 rounds in total. He finished his equipment check after ensuring that there was a clip of 4,000 rounds of 7.62-millimeter bullets.
Samedi, dont be more than 20 meters away from me. Even a lion gets taken down when hyenas attack in groups.
Ok. I will protect wakil.
Brat, dont run yourself ragged. You wont be able to survive a cannonball. Wait, what the hell?
Black Mamba rushed to hide his body behind the mountain of rocks. Samedi disappeared in a flash.
Nin zhao shen me ji ah?[2]
Wan le![3]
Bu yong zhao ji.[4]
Two short men, who were arguing, appeared. Wang Yi and Dong Geng Bo were returning after a cursory check on the Damballas base.
F***. Theres even Mr. Wang now. No wonder those booby traps were familiar.
He sighed. There were monsters and even spies around Kamuge. There was always something wrong or someone unfamiliar during his missions. He wanted the Sun Woo Ma Go mother and daughter to perform a purification ritual on himself.
Whoosh
A shadow loomed over them from the sky. It was Samedi, who had been hanging onto the Abyssinian tree branch. Dong Geng Bos waist bent like a willow tree branch when he sensed a sharp wind rushing in.
Whoosh
The foot that brushed Dong Geng Bos auricle slid to the side at a right angle. That move was only possible when the muscle strength per unit area of ones body reached 10 times that of a human. As Samedis heel landed on his cheekbones, Dong Geng Bos head exploded like firecrackers.
Voom
His opposite leg landed on top of Wang Yis head. It was the Secret Circular Bridge attack that Mu Ssang taught him. It was difficult to describe, but it was a simple skill that used physical strength to cross both feet in the air.
Aiya!
Surprised, Wang Yi raised his left arm rashly to block the attack. It was the right defense, but the difference between their muscular strength and power was too great. A leg that could be described as a lump of iron shattered his arm and moved down. Frightened, Wang Yi escaped with backward steps.
Crack
Agh!
Wang Yi, who got his shoulder kicked by the heel, spun like a spinning top.
Rustle
Samedi, who had failed to land a critical blow, chased after him like a shadow. The internal ki of Mt. Hengs second-generation disciple wasnt low. The anger of losing his brother-in-training overpowered his pain.
Damn monster, die!
Wang Yi bounced back up with the Following Compression Movement and swung his short blade with the beginning stance of Eight Motions Wind Stream. Wang Yi, who was fighting the greatest foe of his life, used all of his ki.
Samedi felt his eyes cross. He never imagined that someone could wield a blade so quickly. He couldnt see his opponent, and all he could see were white lights. He wanted to end the fight quickly with his body, but the blades ki was terrifying.
What kind of monster is this? Is this a zombie Kamuge made?
However, the surprise was greater from Wang Yis point of view. A large Black man twice his size was swaying around like a weeping willow and avoiding his attacks, which were as close as the teeth of a comb. The 16th second of North Dragons Movements Eight Motions Wind Stream soon passed.
It wasnt long before Samedi realized that there was a pattern to the blades movements. It sliced, went up, went down, and shot back up. It was childs play compared to wakils Eighteen Beats of Shock. Samedi shoved his arm into the blades shadow.
F***. Damn it!
It was the critical moment when his blade reached its peak height. Blood vessels surfaced in Wang Yis eyes.
Ha!
He reversed the direction of his blade when his elbow joints were on the verge of popping out.
Crack
A hand as thick as a pot lid shot up in response and grabbed the blade. Did he just grab the blade with 20 years of ki built-in? As Wang Yis eyes widened, the blade in Samedis hand struck his neck.
Crick
A strange sound rang. Wang Yis neck, now disconnected, soared into the air.
It took five seconds for Samedi to get rid of Dong Geng Bo and Wang Yi. 30 exchanges were made within that time. Although Wang Yis North Dragons Movement was admirable, their physical differences were too great.
Wow! The blades good! Samedi exclaimed over the short blade.
The pattern of waves on the blade, which looked like the scales of a fish, shook in the moonlight. It was prettier and clearer than masters Kukri or Ombutis Tasenzoter.
Hah!
Black Mamba shook his head. The devil, who crushed heads and sent heads flying with all of his limbs, turned into a child who just received a gift. It was said that the innocent ones were the scariest, and he felt out of place whenever he saw him.
Huh?
Samedi looked at the short blade in Black Mambas hand. Why was it in his masters hand? Black Mamba, who had stolen the blade with the Stealing Guard of Hundred Hands, flicked the blade with his fingers.
Cling
The blade that sparkled in the moonlight snapped off.
Eck, what happened?
Samedis face creased.
China-made are like this. Black Mamba threw him the broken short blade.
Ugh, its cheap!
Samedi threw the short blade away. A famous blade made by a craftsman with extreme care 500 years ago was instantly reduced to cheapness. Samedi had forgotten that anything in Black Mambas hand broke easily.
Shall we start? Were going to shatter them in the shortest amount of time.
Hehehe, thats good.
Grenades!
Black Mambas main specialty was throwing grenades. Samedi took out the entire grenade pouch from his backpack.
What are those?
Armed forces marched out of two tents. Nearly 100 people lined in neat rows and disappeared toward the dock and where they first landed.
Theyve noticed. But, why are they the only forces moving?
Whats the point of wondering? We just have to wipe them out. Wait, theres another one coming.
The tents door creaked open. A large Black man staggered out as though he was still half asleep. However, he just had to be heading toward the place where Wang Yis corpse was located. The Black man, who was lowering his pants zipper, looked here and there.
Tsk! Black Mamba clicked his tongue.
That unlucky b*stard smelled blood.
Whoosh
The Black man fell back, now with a hole in his forehead.
Beeeee
Beeeeep
A loud warning went off from the Black mans hand. He couldnt tell if it was a magical item or an electronic item. Now, a surprise attack was impossible.
These b*stards are annoying even when theyre dead.
Samedi flew and stepped on the mans hand.
Crack
The item that looked like a razor shell and the Black mans hand turned into mush. The sound stopped.
[1] What? Is there a problem?
[2] Why are you in a rush?
[3] Were late!
[4] Theres no need to rush.
Chapter 420 - Episode 13: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Ppaeaek Ppaeaek
Sure enough, an unpleasant alarm sounded from the camp.
Matatizo Atoy, Matatizo Atoy![1]
The lights in the tents turned on with a shout. Instantly, the whole camp woke up.
Tsk. You shouldve put up with it a little bit longer!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue as though it was a waste. The plan to inconspicuously infiltrate the tents with becoming one with nature went awry. A fight was inevitable. It wasnt like he was going to pick the throats of those men who were asleep.
Black Mamba hesitated with the incendiary grenades and white phosphorus grenades. Miguel, who had been covered in white phosphorus, didnt leave behind a bone. The pain as flesh and bones burned was unbearable. It was a very inhumane thing to do to someone.
Wakil, the Damballa is not human. Humans dont eat humans. These people are horrible animals.
Samedi urged the hesitant Black Mamba.
Right. What is the point of a humane death for the inhumane!
He hesitantly pulled out the grenades safety clips. The Damballa tents were scattered among the giant trees. The nearest one was 100 meters away, and the furthest one was 400 meters away.
Lets aim for a bullseye.
A black mamba had better night vision than a lion, which was an advantage when it was at work.
Swoosh
Two black lumps crossed the night sky. A grenade successfully landed in a Tochka 400 meters away. Incendiary and white phosphorus grenades flew into a vent at the top of a wall with precision as though it had been measured with a ruler.
Boom
Boom
The loud explosions drowned out the sound of the alarm. Wreckage flew into the air, followed by a burst of red flames. The tents quickly became a ball of fire. White phosphorus was both inhumane and deadly but also served as a smokescreen. The firestorm caused by the incendiary grenades carried the white phosphorus everywhere.
Spit Spit
Fog-like masses scattered all over the place. Wherever the lumps landed, be it the tents, trees, or humans, they burned. The tents next to the white phosphorus smokescreen also burst into flames. 10 seconds later, shouts were heard.
Ugghhhhhh! Tapadahai![2]
Audi![3]
Kuwa, kupata.[4]
Dozens of people rushed out of the tents. The terrible screams of the people covered in white phosphorus tore across the sky.
Tutututu
The MAG gun spewed fire. The power of heavy machine guns was different from lighter ones. Human flesh, the remains of the tents, pieces of wood, and stone spattered. Everything in the guns path, including the rushing Vodou followers, collapsed like falling dominoes.
Move now!
Black Mamba and Samedi moved 20 meters in a flash. The guns range was good, but the tents were nestled between giant trees. They had to constantly move for a better aim.
Precise control was required to throw a grenade at the tents 100s of meters away while avoiding obstacles like trees. Although Samedi was bigger than Black Mamba, he couldnt throw grenades.
Shwosh shwosh
Grenades flew in pairs at intervals of three to four seconds. Explosions rang every three to four seconds at the repetitive steps of preparation, movement, and throwing. There was no automatic grenade launcher. No other machine could throw grenades as accurately as Black Mamba could.
Generally, the gunpowder used in fragmentation grenades was about 150 grams of TNT[5]. If it was not a special grenade like the anti-tank grenade, then the explosion wouldnt be powerful enough to blow people away, like those seen in movies. The absence of cover and being within the proximity of three meters resulted in 100 percent fatalities, 50 percent fatalities at the proximity of six meters, and 25 percent fatalities at the proximity of 10 meters. Two fragmentation grenades took out 60 percent of the people in the tents. The remaining 40 percent rushed out of the tents just like dogs.
Tutututu
Machine guns greeted the dozens of soldiers rushing out. The remains of the tents and human limbs exploded out.
Ahhhh, What is that? What happened?
Budsella, who was just sitting in his chair, sprang up and pulled out his pistol. His heart sank at the sound of gunshots and explosions in the air. He had been waiting for the report from his soldiers, who went out to inspect the perimeters but no longer expected them to return.
Captain, its a surprise attack.
The deputy came running into the tent.
I know its a raid, punk. Find out who the enemy is and their numbers.
Yes, Sir!
Feeling dejected, the deputy turned around and ran back out.
Thump
A black object that broke through the wall landed at Budsellas feet.
Ack! Grenade!
Budsella flew away.
Boom
The deputy and Budsella, who were swept away by the explosion, rolled around. Blood flowed from the arms and face of the deputy, but Budsella was fine. That was due to the extra protection he received from Kamuges magic.
Budsellas chest turned cold. Physical power was Vodun Petros attack, which Makandal had warned about.
Jhannamo, sagpu karari![6]
Budsella screamed until his throat hurt. Even if arms or legs fell off, those who consumed a little Yorunba would not retreat without orders. They would be better off conserving their strength to fight another day.
Beep beep
The deputy, who resembled a demon with his bloodied face, signaled to retreat.
Retreat, retreat now.
The followers that did hear the signal rushed into the forest. The Vodou followers, who did not hear Budsellas signal, bravely attacked the intruders with their own weapons.
Kamuge woke up in shock. Kamuges place was 400 to 500 meters away from the followers residence. Originally, his house was given away to a Chinese man, and he lived in a stilt house to create Lus Luwe.
Kamuge opened the door and stepped out. The sound of the explosions and gunfire rang in the air, and the sky above the followers residence was dyed red.
Ugghhh, its a mistake!
Kamuge pulled his hair. Legbas vision was misconstrued. The target of the gatekeeper spirit wasnt Kran but Petro. The Wanga[7] and the Baka[8] were both useless against Petro, the demon of all demons.
Kamuge wanted to join the fight right away, but he could not leave the place where Lus Luwe was about to be born. Petro was an existence that went against the laws of nature. Even magic didnt work. The only way to kill Petro was to physically hit him.
The only way to overcome the situation was to bring back the strike force sent out to the outskirts and send some of the zombie armies to block Petro. Kamuge ran back inside, grabbed the receiver, and turned it on.
Bzz bzz
Balong, Balong!
Yes, Makandal!
Return immediately. I am saying it again. Return immediately, and eliminate the intruders.
Understood.
After ending the call, Kamuge put his thumb on his temple and extended his four other fingers above his head like an antenna. He had almost forgotten about his other playing card against Petro.
[Its time to pay for your meal, my friend.]
[Speak]
A lethargic voice echoed, sounding irritated by the interruption.
[A strong enemy has appeared. You need to protect the white women.]
[You want me to protect the orcs? Thats really insulting. My hospital discharge papers havent even been signed yet.]
Son of a b*tch!
Kamuge ground his teeth. That was why white people could not be trusted. The handsome white guy was even more incredible. He was a shameless person who came to him without hesitation and told him to turn a blind eye while he had his fill.
[Then, kill the intruder. Hes a pretty strong guy.]
[Strong guy? Thats good. It has been a while since Ive had a challenge.]
The telepathic connection was briefly cut off.
Hahaha, youre a strong idiot!
He knew that would happen soon, so he asked him to protect the women. Its a piece of cake for a strong, smart, and bad guy. Kamuge pulled the rope twice. A man dressed in black from head to toe suddenly appeared.
Makandal, give me your orders.
Ogu Ungang, Petro appeared in the followers residence. He dragged 10 zombies. If a white friend loses, step up. Dont step up until then.
Understood.
The Black man vaguely answered and went down the ladder. Ungang was a Vodou priest who specialized in zombie production. Only Ungang knew the amount of magic and drugs that killed souls and left 1,000,000s behind and the amount of magic and drugs needed to strengthen the body.
Damn it, damn it!
Kamuge circled the room like an ant that lost its antennae. The sound of explosions and gunfire increased, and he could feel the pain of the souls of loyal followers being dragged one after another by Baron Samedi. If one was a big soul, a follower was a body that contained the soul. Kamuge shuddered at the pain of his body falling apart.
Three days, just three days!
After completing a round of measures, Kamuge shed tears of blood.
In just five minutes, the camp turned into a hellish sight.
Whoosh
Whoosh
Oxygen rushed into the burning camp. Black Mamba poured all 20 remaining grenades. The Damballa base, which was hit by 40 fragmentation grenades, six incendiary grenades, and six white phosphorus grenades at once, burned red.
Bullets that flew sporadically from the camp turned into organized resistance.
Tutututu
The machine guns joined in. The giant nest, which had remained silent for 100s of 1,000s of years, was torn down, and rock debris scattered in the enclosed area. Despite the darkness, the Damballas aim was quite accurate. Organized resistance had begun, which meant that the conductor was still alive.
Go!
Black Mamba picked up the MP5SD3 and jumped out.
Tutututu
Samedi ran ahead of Black Mamba, shooting the MAG. The Damballas bullets were concentrated on Samedi. Samedi jumped through the burning wall. There was no time for Black Mamba to stop.
Tangtangtang
The Damballa hiding indoors fired away.
Pukpuk
The bullets of 1,450 joules knocked on Samedi. Samedi, who was hit at close range, faltered and stepped back.
Petro!
Fear crept up on the faces of the Damballa, who were pulling the trigger of the guns. The combat suits worn by Black Mamba and Samedi were special suits made of polymerized Kevlar fibers and aramid-based Gore-Tex material. Cutting with a knife didnt even tear it, and on top of the heat-resistant function, there was a limited bulletproof function. It was an expensive piece of clothing that cost 1,000,000 francs to make each.
Bullets penetrated the combat suits but not the bulletproof vests. Humans would have suffered broken bones and be incapacitated by the impact, but Samedi had the physical ability to withstand Monk Dae Woos Psychokinesis. Rifle bullets didnt do much damage.
Ugghhh!
Burrkkkk
Gunfire swept through the room. The Vodou followers, who had been hiding under a bed in an unlit corner, spat blood. Samedi, who killed more than a dozen people, jumped out of the building.
Kupata![9]
Tatatata
The followers who discovered Samedi came charging with rifles. The bullets were stuck in the giant. Samedis eyes burned red after being hit.
Tutututu
The MAG spouted fire. Dozens of Vodou followers bled and collapsed.
Ugghhhhhhhhh!
Tutututu
Samedi ran like a bull that was not afraid of being hit. The machine gun went from east to west. He was like Zhao Yun driving away Cao Caos army from Changban. The Vodou followers, who had been resisting relentlessly, were discouraged.
I have gone mad, mad!
Black Mamba shook his head. Even if he was ignorant, he was too ignorant. Theres no such thing as a mad bear. It was difficult to keep up with Samedis movements with the human eyesight, but the grenades had no eyes. Its hard for Samedi to hold on after enduring a few shots in the head. A demonstration was needed.
Samedi, cover me.
Shook
The leaping Black Mamba smashed the roof of the half-destroyed tents and jumped in. Humans reacted slowly to overhead attacks.
Pukpukpuk
He killed three people with the three-tap firing sequence before they could even step on the floor. He rolled on the floor and killed two people, and he jumped up and killed another three. There was no time for the Damballa to turn the gun. The tents were an abstract horror painting of scattered flesh and blood due to the grenade attacks. The gruesome sight of eight still lives added to it.
Good job!
Samedi shouted unknowingly. It was a fine ability impossible to obtain even if he died and woke up 100 times.
Well, I will do it my way.
Samedi, who was rushing, smashed the tents burning wall and jumped in.
Tutututu
The heads of the Vodou followers who were shooting through holes on the wall exploded, and their limbs fell off.
Bang bang
A follower, who was lying on the floor, relentlessly pulled the trigger.
Swish
The heavy MAG barrel smashed his head to pieces.
Boom
Samedi smashed the wall and jumped out.
Rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at two oclock!
Tutu
The MAG spouted fire. At a corner of the burning tents, a follower aiming the RPG was riddled with holes.
Tatatata
Bullets poured out.
Pitpit
Black Mamba, who used shadow steps, reduced the distance by 80 meters while counting to three.
Booak
Black Mamba jumped into the tents, and his MP5 poured out bullets. The heads of the three followers who were shooting through the holes on the wall exploded simultaneously. The two quick-witted men broke the wall and escaped.
Damballa Quodo Intar.[10]
Puk
Suddenly, a dart was embedded on the temple of a follower who was aiming with a rifle. His legs had fallen off, and his intestines were sticking out.
Damn it!
Black Mambas expression was twisted. Even when they were being cleaned out, the Damballa followers acted recklessly. That was why he hated fanatics. The behavior of those who fought until their death was madness and not religious belief. A normal human being would obviously run away.
[1] Were in trouble. Its the enemy!
[2] Please save me!
[3] My enemy!
[4] Find, kill.
[5] Trinitrotoluene.
[6] Damn it, retreat to the forest!
[7] Low-level supernatural power bestowed by a spellcaster.
[8] The cursed power from an animal.
[9] Kill!
[10] Take Damballas curse.
Chapter 421 - Episode 14: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
The Ituri River, which originates from Lake Albert, is very warm, and the Eflu River, which originates from glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains, is very cold. Apadombe, which is a mixture of warm and cold river trunks, is an aquatic paradise.
There are many unknown creatures in the world in the head of two untouched human beings. There are deadly parasites, and there are ancient creatures known to be extinct. And There are also three or four kinds of fish that can gulp down humans in just one bite. Even so, a giant creature that has gone too far is playing in the water.
Kadanka is a load map that was built from ancient times when soil and sand from the Ituri and Eflu rivers were really far away. The stagnant river swamped the area around Kadanka. Kamugu released Oma, Oma is a creature possessed by Rwanda, in the east, west, south, and north of the swamp surrounding Kadanka, and then called it the abyss of the curse.
The point where Black Mamba landed is the abyss of the eastern curse. In the abyss of the western curse, a sharp sound shook the foggy surface of the water. Kiuuu- A long neck like the Water Dragon popped up out of the water to the surface.
The crocodile chasing Tillapia was startled and ran ashore, but it was late. A huge mouth plunged. Keruk C The crocodile, who was bitten on the head, was dragged up into the air. The monster was so huge that the 4 C meter C long crocodiles struggle seemed futile. It is Titanovo, which guards the abyss of the Western Curse.
Of course, it is not Titanovoa, the ancient old snake, but Black Mamba, possessed by Rwanda. If you increase the size of a centipede about a thousand times the size of a finger, It will be seen as an Artropleura (old centipede, 3 C 4 meters tall).
It has been five years since Kamugi settled in Kadanka, but no Dambala voodoo could dare to catch fish in the abyss of the curse. The congregation caught the fish avoiding the possessed monster, and the town of Kidamba was also spotted and unhappy.
The damn beast is making a fuss again today.
A man in a crimson qipao fell as lightly as a feather from a water house overlooking the abyss of the curse. The golden dragon, embroidered before and after the jangpo C type qipao, wiggled as if he was alive. The golden dragon, embroidered before and after the jangpo C type qipao, and wiggled as if he was alive.
There is only one crazy man on Earth who can wear a dragon C embroidered crimson qipao in the Ituri jungle. It is a colorful blonde man with a delicate face like a sculpture, another vestige of Epidium, code name Oselot was given by Interpol.
Oselot is a self C respecting human being, or Epidium. Who calls a human being a worm would be so funny. Oselot even abandoned his favorite pet disease under the sponsorship of Fayas hotel and then ran away. He ran through Ennedi and Sudan to Goma, north of Kibuho, and entrusted it to Kamuge.
Oselot is a man who has lived on his own for decades since he gained strength in the Aragorn Cave. He is not a man who will endure disgrace to a single hybrid. Nevertheless, the reason why he chose to hide is because he is a psycho, but he is not an idiot.
There is no better hiding place to hide in than Ituri to avoid the pursuit of Interpol and disappear from Black Mambas view. The reason why he found Kabugy is that he is a specialized tamer and is the best mental wizard.
Oselot has treated injuries and more than tripled the power of the self C interested energy over the past two years. His strengths are speed and the power to tear steel. If he uses the powerful ideological faction, he is no longer afraid of Black Mamba. Oselot is deeply indebted to the weight of the car.
Oselot opened his arms and tilted his head.
Come, come, come to me!
Bubbles C Swamps swirled. A huge giant with a crocodile neatly tucked its millstone-sized head into the water. An eyeball, the size of a rice bowl, ripped vertically, gave off a grotesque glow. Its an undesirable look
Come, Im the master. Come to me, the curse of the abyss!
Oselots pupil of his eyes got more and more white. Titanovoa, who was confused, hit the surface of the water and then jumped. Shoot- Titanovoa, who jumped out of the water like a torpedo, cut 300 meters at once and laid down Oselots huge head under his feet.
Hahaha!
Oselot gave a cheerful smile. I finally brought him to his knees. I patted the greasy head of the steel C like scales. The existence of luxury should be bought by pets as well. You must have gotten a useful pet, too. now Its time to leave.
Black Mamba, wait.
His teeth were chipped naturally by itself. As he got excited, his sharp nails, like a blade, came out about 100mm long. Every time a wound throbbed for the past two years, I have torn my thighs with my fingernails and vowed to revenge. I scratched my tongue with my fingernails. His blood was delicious, too.
Black worm!
The entrance of a small hut built on a giant tree was lifted and a black man came out from it.
Nari, did you call me?
Bring the gift of the yellow worm.
Yeah, Nari!
The black man went back into the hut and came out with a big knife. Unwoldo Island has an unusually wide range and only inspectors that do not have a spear handle.
Black worm, youve done a great job.
Oselot scanned the blade of Unwoldo with his fingers. Whoosh C Long, steady mac games are unusual objects. Wing C Unwoldo flashed.
Thank you, kuk!
The black mans face, who was brightening up, fell down. There was not a drop of blood on Unwoldo.
LOL, its not worth killing, but Ive been missing blood for too long. You have to fill your pets stomach, too.
Oselot kicked the black man. The snakes head rose 5 meters and bit the black mans waist. Tub C The poor black man was sucked right into the snakes mouth.
If kmauge knows, it will hit the ground. He prepared his residence, sent a church member to wait for him, and he even taught him.
Oselot repaid the favor with betrayal. He stole Taitanovoa, Kamugys favorite Oma, and killed the believers for no reason. When a bee drinks dew, it becomes honey, and when a snake drinks dew, it becomes poison. Oselot is unaccounted for by human standards.
Black Mamba wants to become a human being through a fierce construction. Oselot is a person who has abandoned human conditions and refused to be a human. Even the great creature, Concretus, was discarded because it was hard to control. Human morality and ethics are nothing but nonsense.
Poor worms! Worship my generosity.
Oselot made a ridiculous sound and jumped on Titanovoa.
[Lets Go!]
Kiying- A giant reptile slid like flesh in the direction of the flame.
A fanatic whose reason has been eroded in society has no common sense. There is a fleeting effort in the world. Trying to understand the fanatic, trying to change the mind of the wife who left the house, trying to find the route of taking bribes, trying to save the dead childs balls, etc.
Black Mamba did not understand the voodoo who rushed to death. Of course, it is difficult for him to understand this when he only knew about the voodoo shell.
Unlike other religions, voodoo is a religion that fears death. Especially if killed by Petro, he is believed to be revived from the grave as a zombie. Zombies are nightmares and terrors. Dambala, who doesnt want to be a zombie, is attacking hard.
The death of the voodoo is not a peace or a new beginning. It becomes an evil spirit and torments family and relatives or even becomes a subject of sorcerer. Therefore, the voodoo funeral is not an event to comfort the deceased, but an event to build a boundary between the dead and the living.
In order not to die and suffer, humans must kill someone and then give their soul as a bribe to Baron Samdi the (Death Spirit). If Barong Samdi is satisfied, he may escape his fate once.
this belief cleverly stimulates human self C interest. Makandal and the rebel leaders created a trick to take advantage of the congregation, but the ignorant and greedy natives were willing to take advantage. Ironically, the congregation fell into a trap of throwing their lives out of fear of losing them. Even if the voodoo is not drunk on Yorunba, they have no choice but to rush into the deceased when they die.
The Dambala camp produced hell in just 10 minutes. Black Mamba is not a person who believes in the insanity of loving enemies. Violence is an angel of death who insists on the belief that violence should be suppressed with greater violence.
Humans are those who eat humans and those who use humans as tools. Feeling pressed for time and burdened by the safety of hostages, Black Mamba showed no mercy. The MP5 gun shot red C hot and 50 commendations of Bibap wrapped around his left arms hip were sold out. Drunk with blood, Samdi took Meg in his right hand and a bubble in his left hand, and shouted Dambala because the wide camp was narrow.
Heavy machine gun firing sounds have been reduced and sharp Kalashnikov firing sounds have also been reduced. And the resistance quickly subsided. The fiery camp was full of bodies.
Beep- Beep- The high C pitched flute kept ringing. The surviving Dambala scattered like a spiders cub and fell into the forest in the rear.
Maintenance, maintenance!
Budsela wrote. Beep- beep- beep- the minister played the flute three times. Its a sign to rally. Prisoners who escaped from the camp gathered one after another. Only 60 people did gather. There may be some people who will join later, but as many as 400 believers have been taken by Barong Samdi. Budcellas eyes flared up. For nearly a decade, he has endured hardships and persecution and he lost his strength.
adjutant, call Baron.
The radio first cried before the deputy turned the radio handle. Tiric- Tiric- Budsela picked up the receiver. Its a macant moon.
Tusale Budsela!
-Budsela, this is Petro. Ungang (the sorcerer who directs zombies) drags zombie troops. The strike team of Baron will arrive soon. He is the enemy of Dambala. Be sure to kill him.
Okay I understand, Ill definitely kill you.
Budsela clenched her teeth. Petros prowess, which was only heard as a legend, was beyond imagination. The men in contact with Petro split in an instant and their heads disappeared.
The huge black man who smashed the barracks and fired the heavy machine guns was terrible. It was unlikely that Ungang would be able to compete with the zombie corps. Fear preceded vengeance.
Whats this?
The face of Sadochong has become blue. Less than three minutes after Wang Yi and Dong Geum Bo left, heavy drinking and gunfire shook heaven and earth. The night sky of the barracks in Dambala County is blazing. The weight of the car is attacked? I never imagined this would happen. Kadanka is a natural fortress that he is not confident of occupying even if he leads a regiment of the Gonggang Army. Yangsan Park, famous for Chinas best defense fortress, is nothing compared to Kadanka.
Companion leader, non C jobs need to figure things out.
Jang Ji-rang, the assistant captain, stood up with a rifle.
Wait. Dont be hasty. First, wait for the king.
Sadochong believed in Wang Yi, a quaint. There are not many people who can do anything about martial artists of the kings level. Im a good student to take care of myself.
What martial arts man is he in the age of gunpowder weapons? However, martial artists are highly utilized in non C regular warfare. The medieval army could fight with rice balls and spears. Modern armies are purely equipment.
For example, the 700 C member U.S. mechanized battalion needs massive equipment and supplies, including more than 100 transport vehicles, 100 machine guns, 50 anti C tank guided missiles, more than 100 sets of electronic equipment, 20 field guns, and other maintenance supplies.
The use of ammunition in battle is murderous. Massive equipment is useless if ammunition is not properly supplied. On the other hand, martial artists do not need to be supplied. All I need is a knife. No, if the knife breaks, you can hold a stick. This is also why Black Mamba is national treasure
I believe in the king, Sir, but what I see is not everything. Bizik never imagined there would be a sorcerer like Kahweigh.
Jang Ji C rang was stubborn.
Keep in mind that our mission is not a battle, but a duke.
The Apostolic Office, which was secretly worried, agreed.
CLICK- Samdi replaced the gun. The reason why the FN MAG, which has less destructive power than the M60, was hired as a Western Formulation machine gun is because it has excellent reliability and maintenance, and is fast and simple to exchange bullets. The FN MAG can exchange guns in five seconds when they are in the firing position.
Wakir, its all over the place.
The 500 C meter C diameter Dambala camp burned red. Rainforests do not cause forest fires due to high humidity. The causes of the forest fire were white phosphorus and fire shell.
Black Mamba looked at the burning camp with a gloomy face. The shading of the face reflected in the fluttering flame was exceptionally thick.
Weve got about 400 people. Are there 150 surviving cockroaches? I dont want the flames to spread to the cage of the goat.
Black Mamba was worried. The humidity is high and the goat cage is 300 meters away from the camp, but I was secretly worried about hostages. The measure, which blocked the entrance with rocks, was appropriate in his opinion.
Flashing, squeezing C Lightning began to strike as if heaven had heard Black Mambas worries. Flashing rumble- Hundreds of lightning struck Ituri in pitch darkness, and thunder engulfed all kinds of noise. Shoot- Heavy rain poured down.
The Ituri jungle is always unstable in the air above due to the enormous amount of evaporation that it has. We dont know when it is going to rain heavily. The flames are dead. The whole area was filled with smoke and water vapor. A powerful upheaval rolled up the combat shreds and bloody smells. His face was frowning because of the bloody smell and burnt smell. It is not the human world, it is purgatory.
Kadanka is a load map that was built from ancient times when soil and sand from the Ituri and Eflu rivers were really far away. The stagnant river swamped the area around Kadanka. Kamugu released Oma, Oma is a creature possessed by Rwanda, in the east, west, south, and north of the swamp surrounding Kadanka, and then called it the abyss of the curse.
The point where Black Mamba landed is the abyss of the eastern curse. In the abyss of the western curse, a sharp sound shook the foggy surface of the water. Kiuuu- A long neck like the Water Dragon popped up out of the water to the surface.
The crocodile chasing Tillapia was startled and ran ashore, but it was late. A huge mouth plunged. Keruk C The crocodile, who was bitten on the head, was dragged up into the air. The monster was so huge that the 4 C meter C long crocodiles struggle seemed futile. It is Titanovo, which guards the abyss of the Western Curse.
Of course, it is not Titanovoa, the ancient old snake, but Black Mamba, possessed by Rwanda. If you increase the size of a centipede about a thousand times the size of a finger, It will be seen as an Artropleura (old centipede, 3 C 4 meters tall).
It has been five years since Kamugi settled in Kadanka, but no Dambala voodoo could dare to catch fish in the abyss of the curse. The congregation caught the fish avoiding the possessed monster, and the town of Kidamba was also spotted and unhappy.
The damn beast is making a fuss again today.
A man in a crimson qipao fell as lightly as a feather from a water house overlooking the abyss of the curse. The golden dragon, embroidered before and after the jangpo C type qipao, wiggled as if he was alive. The golden dragon, embroidered before and after the jangpo C type qipao, and wiggled as if he was alive.
There is only one crazy man on Earth who can wear a dragon C embroidered crimson qipao in the Ituri jungle. It is a colorful blonde man with a delicate face like a sculpture, another vestige of Epidium, code name Oselot waas*** given by Interpol.
Oselot is a self C respecting human being, or Epidium. Who calls a human being a worm would be so funny. Oselot even abandoned his favorite pet disease under the sponsorship of Fayas hotel and then ran away. He ran through Ennedi and Sudan to Goma, north of Kibuho, and entrusted it to Kamuge.
Oselot is a man who has lived on his own for decades for more than 10 years*** since he gained strength in the Aragorn Cave. He is not a man who will endure disgrace to a single hybrid. Nevertheless, the reason why he chose to hide is because he is a psycho, but he is not an idiot.
There is no better hiding place to hide in than Ituri to avoid the pursuit of Interpol and disappear from Black Mambas view. The reason why he found Kabugy is that he is a specialized tamer and is the best mental wizard.
Oselot has treated injuries and more than tripled the power of the self C interested energy over the past two years. His strengths are speed and the power to tear steel. If he uses the powerful ideological faction, he is no longer afraid of Black Mamba. Oselot is deeply indebted to the weight of the car.
Oselot opened his arms and tilted his head.
Come, come, come to me!
Bubbles C Swamps swirled. A giant giant*** with a crocodile neatly tucked its millstone-sized head into the water. An eyeball, the size of a rice bowl, ripped vertically, gave off a grotesque glow. It doesnt seem to like it doesnt look very good.**
Come, Im the master. Come to me, the curse of the abyss!
Oselots pupil of his eyes got more and more white. Titanovoa, who was confused, hit the surface of the water and then jumped. Shoot- Titanovoa, who jumped out of the water like a torpedo, cut 300 meters at once and laid down Oselots huge head under his feet.
Hahaha!
Oselot gave a cheerful smile. I finally brought him to his knees. I patted the greasy head of the steel C like scales. The existence of luxury should be bought by pets as well. You must have gotten a useful pet, too. now Its time to leave.
Black Mamba, wait.
His teeth were chipped naturally by itself. As he got excited, his sharp nails, like a blade, came out about 100mm long. Every time a wound throbbed for the past two years, I have torn my thighs with my fingernails and vowed to revenge. I scratched my tongue with my fingernails. His blood was delicious, too.
Black worm!
The entrance of a small hut built on a giant tree was lifted and a black man came out from it.
Nari, did you call me?
Bring the gift of the yellow worm.
Yeah, Nari!
The black man went back into the hut and came out with a big knife. Unwoldo Island has an unusually wide range and only inspectors that do not have a spear handle.
Black worm, youve done a great job.
Oselot scanned the blade of Unwoldo with his fingers. Whoosh C Long, steady mac games are unusual objects. Wing C Unwoldo flashed.
Thank you, kuk!
The black mans face, who was brightening up, fell down. There was not a drop of blood on Unwoldo.
LOL, its not worth killing, but Ive been missing blood for too long. You have to fill your pets stomach, too.
Oselot kicked the black man. The snakes head rose 5 meters and bit the black mans waist. Tub C The poor black man was sucked right into the snakes mouth.
If kmauge knows, it will hit the ground. He prepared his residence, sent a church member to wait for him, and he even taught him.
Oselot repaid the favor with betrayal. He stole Taitanovoa, Kamugys favorite Oma, and killed the believers for no reason. When a bee drinks dew, it becomes honey, and when a snake drinks dew, it becomes poison. Oselot is unaccounted for by human standards.
Black Mamba wants to become a human being through a fierce construction. Oselot is a person who has abandoned human conditions and refused to be a human. Even the great creature, Concretus, was discarded because it was hard to control. Human morality and ethics are nothing but nonsense.
Poor worms! Worship my generosity.
Oselot made a ridiculous sound and jumped on Titanovoa.
[Lets Go!]
Kiying- A giant reptile slid like flesh in the direction of the flame.
A fanatic whose reason has been eroded in society has no common sense. There is a fleeting effort in the world. Trying to understand the fanatic, trying to change the mind of the wife who left the house, trying to find the route of taking bribes, trying to save the dead childs balls, etc.
Black Mamba did not understand the voodoo who rushed to death. Of course, it is difficult for him to understand this when he only knew about the voodoo shell.
Unlike other religions, voodoo is a religion that fears death. Especially if killed by Petro, he is believed to be revived from the grave as a zombie. Zombies are nightmares and terrors. Dambala, who doesnt want to be a zombie, is attacking hard.
The death of the voodoo is not a peace or a new beginning. It becomes an evil spirit and torments family and relatives or even becomes a subject of sorcerer. Therefore, the voodoo funeral is not an event to comfort lions***, but an event to build a boundary between the dead and the living.
In order not to die and suffer, humans must kill someone and then give their soul as a bribe to Baron Samdi the (Death Spirit). If Barong Samdi is satisfied, he may escape his fate once.
this belief cleverly stimulates human self C interest. Makandal and the rebel leaders created a trick to take advantage of the congregation, but the ignorant and greedy natives were willing to take advantage. Ironically, the congregation fell into a trap of throwing their lives out of fear of losing them. Even if the voodoo is not drunk on Yorunba, they have no choice but to rush into the lion*** when they die.
The Dambala camp produced hell in just 10 minutes. Black Mamba is not a person who believes in the insanity of loving enemies. Violence is an angel of death who insists on the belief that violence should be suppressed with greater violence.
Humans are those who eat humans and those who use humans as tools. Feeling pressed for time and burdened by the safety of hostages, Black Mamba showed no mercy. The MP5 gun shot red C hot and 50 commendations of Bibap wrapped around his left arms hip were sold out. Drunk with blood, Samdi took Meg in his right hand and a bubble in his left hand, and shouted Dambala because the wide camp was narrow.
Heavy machine gun firing sounds have been reduced and sharp Kalashnikov firing sounds have also been reduced. And the resistance quickly subsided. The fiery camp was full of bodies.
Beep- Beep- The high C pitched flute kept ringing. The surviving Dambala scattered like a spiders cub and fell into the forest in the rear.
Maintenance, maintenance!
Budsela wrote. Beep- beep- beep- the minister played the flute three times. Its a sign to rally. Prisoners who escaped from the camp gathered one after another. Only 60 people did gather. There may be some people who will join later, but as many as 400 believers have been taken by Barong Samdi. Budcellas eyes flared up. For nearly a decade, he has endured hardships and persecution and he lost his strength.
adjutant, call Baron.
The radio first cried before the deputy turned the radio handle. Tiric- Tiric- Budsela picked up the receiver. Its a macant moon.
Tusale Budsela!
-Budsela, this is Petro. Ungang (the sorcerer who directs zombies) drags zombie troops. The strike team of Baron will arrive soon. He is the enemy of Dambala. Be sure to kill him.
Okay I understand, Ill definitely kill you.
Budsela clenched her teeth. Petros prowess, which was only heard as a legend, was beyond imagination. The men in contact with Petro split in an instant and their heads disappeared.
The huge black man who smashed the barracks and fired the heavy machine guns was terrible. It was unlikely that Ungang would be able to compete with the zombie corps. Fear preceded vengeance.
Whats this?
The face of Sadochong has become blue. Less than three minutes after Wang Yi and Dong Geum Bo left, heavy drinking and gunfire shook heaven and earth. The night sky of the barracks in Dambala County is blazing. The weight of the car is attacked? I never imagined this would happen. Kadanka is a natural fortress that he is not confident of occupying even if he leads a regiment of the Gonggang Army. Yangsan Park, famous for Chinas best defense fortress, is nothing compared to Kadanka.
Companion leader, non C jobs need to figure things out.
Jang Ji-rang, the assistant captain, stood up with a rifle.
Wait. Dont be hasty. First, wait for the king.
Sadochong believed in Wang Yi, a quaint. There are not many people who can do anything about martial artists of the kings level. Im a good student to take care of myself.
What martial arts man is he in the age of gunpowder weapons? However, martial artists are highly utilized in non C regular warfare. The medieval army could fight with rice balls and spears. Modern armies are purely equipment.
For example, the 700 C member U.S. mechanized battalion needs massive equipment and supplies, including more than 100 transport vehicles, 100 machine guns, 50 anti C tank guided missiles, more than 100 sets of electronic equipment, 20 field guns, and other maintenance supplies.
The use of ammunition in battle is murderous. Massive equipment is useless if ammunition is not properly supplied. On the other hand, martial artists do not need to be supplied. All I need is a knife. No, if the knife breaks, you can hold a stick. This is also why Black Mamba is Nashonal Trezor.***
I believe in the king, Sir, but what I see is not everything. Bizik never imagined there would be a sorcerer like Kahweigh.
Jang Ji C rang was stubborn.
Keep in mind that our mission is not a battle, but a duke.
The Apostolic Office, which was secretly worried, agreed.
CLICK- Samdi replaced the gun. The reason why the FN MAG, which has less destructive power than the M60, was hired as a Western Formulation machine gun is because it has excellent reliability and maintenance, and is fast and simple to exchange bullets. The FN MAG can exchange guns in five seconds when they are in the firing position.
Wakir, its all over the place.
The 500 C meter C diameter Dambala camp burned red. Rainforests do not cause forest fires due to high humidity. The causes of the forest fire were white phosphorus and fire shell.
Black Mamba looked at the burning camp with a gloomy face. The shading of the face reflected in the fluttering flame was exceptionally thick.
Weve got about 400 people. Are there 150 surviving cockroaches? I dont want the flames to spread to the cage of the goat.
Black Mamba was worried. The humidity is high and the goat cage is 300 meters away from the camp, but I was secretly worried about hostages. The measure, which blocked the entrance with rocks, was appropriate in his opinion.
Flashing, squeezing C Lightning began to strike as if heaven had heard Black Mambas worries. Flashing rumble- Hundreds of lightning struck Ituri in pitch darkness, and thunder engulfed all kinds of noise. Shoot- Heavy rain poured down.
The Ituri jungle is always unstable in the air above due to the enormous amount of evaporation that it has. We dont know when it is going to rain heavily. The flames are dead. The whole area was filled with smoke and water vapor. A powerful upheaval rolled up the combat shreds and bloody smells. His face was frowning because of the bloody smell and burnt smell. It is not the human world, it is purgatory.
Kadanka is a load map that was built from ancient times when soil and sand from the Ituri and Eflu rivers were really far away. The stagnant river swamped the area around Kadanka. Kamugu released Oma, a creature possessed by Rwanda, in the east, west, south, and north of the swamp surrounding Kadanka, and then called it the abyss of the curse.
The point where Black Mamba landed is the abyss of the eastern curse. In the abyss of the western curse, a sharp sound shook the foggy surface of the water. Kiuuu- A long neck like the Water Dragon popped up out of the water to the surface.
The crocodile chasing Tillapia was startled and ran ashore, but it was late. A huge mouth plunged. Keruk C The crocodile, who was bitten on the head, was dragged up into the air. The monster was so huge that the 4-meter-long crocodiles struggle seemed futile. It is Titanovo, which guards the abyss of the Western Curse.
Of course, it is not Titanovoa, the ancient old snake, but Black Mamba, possessed by Rwanda. If you increase the size of a centipede about a thousand times the size of a finger, It will be seen as an Artropleura (old centipede, 3-4 meters tall).
It has been five years since Kamugi settled in Kadanka, but no Dambala voodoo could dare to catch fish in the abyss of the curse. The congregation caught the fish avoiding the possessed monster, and the town of Kidamba was also spotted and unhappy.
The damn beast is making a fuss again today.
A man in a crimson qipao fell as lightly as a feather from a water house overlooking the abyss of the curse. The golden dragon, embroidered before and after the jangpo-type qipao, wiggled as if he was alive. The golden dragon, embroidered before and after the jangpo-type qipao, wiggled as if he was alive.
There is only one crazy man on Earth who can wear a dragon-embroidered crimson qipao in the Ituri jungle. It is a colorful blonde man with a delicate face like a sculpture, another vestige of Epidium, code name Oselot waas given by Interpol.
Oselot is a self-respecting human being, or Epidium. Who calls a human being a worm would be so funny. Oselot even abandoned his favorite pet disease under the sponsorship of Fayas hotel and ran away. He ran through Ennedi and Sudan to Goma, north of Kibuho, and entrusted it to Kamuge.
Oselot is a man who has lived on his own for decades for more than 10 years since he gained strength in the Aragorn Cave. He is not a man who will endure disgrace to a single hybrid. Nevertheless, the reason why he chose to hide is because he is a psycho, but he is not an idiot.
There is no better hiding place to hide in than Ituri to avoid the pursuit of Interpol and disappear from Black Mambas view. The reason why he found Kabugy is that he is a specialized tamer and is the best mental wizard.
Oselot has treated injuries and more than tripled the power of the self-interested energy over the past two years. His strengths are speed and the power to tear steel. If he uses the powerful ideological faction, he is no longer afraid of Black Mamba. Ocelot is deeply indebted to the weight of the car.
Oselot opened his arms and tilted his head.
Come, come, come to me!
Bubbles C Swamps swirled. A giant giant with a crocodile neatly tucked its millstone-sized head into the water. An eyeball, the size of a rice bowl, ripped vertically, gave off a grotesque glow. It doesnt seem to like it doesnt look very good.
Come, Im the master. Come to me, the curse of the abyss!
Oselots pupil of his eyes got more and more white. Titanovoa, who was confused, hit the surface of the water and jumped. Shoot- Titanovoa, who jumped out of the water like a torpedo, cut 300 meters at once and laid down Ocelots huge head under his feet.
Hahaha!
Oselot gave a cheerful smile. I finally brought him to his knees. I patted the greasy head of the steel-like scales. The existence of luxury should be bought by pets as well. You must have gotten a useful pet, too. now Its time to leave.
Black Mamba, wait.
His teeth were chipped naturally by itself. As he got excited, his sharp nails, like a blade, came out about 100mm. Every time a wound throbbed for the past two years, I have torn my thighs with my fingernails and vowed revenge. I scratched my tongue with my fingernails. His blood was delicious, too.
Black worm!
The entrance of a small hut built on a giant tree was lifted and a black man came out.
Nari, did you call me?
Bring the gift of the yellow worm.
Yeah, Nari!
The black man went back into the hut and came out with a big knife. Unwoldo Island has an unusually wide range and only inspectors without a spear handle.
Black worm, youve done a great job.
Oselot scanned the blade of Unwoldo with his fingers. Whoosh C Long, steady mac games are unusual objects. Wing C Unwoldo flashed.
Thank you, kuk!
The black mans face, who was brightening up, fell down. There was not a drop of blood on Unwoldo.
LOL, its not worth killing, but Ive been missing blood for too long. You have to fill your pets stomach, too.
Oselot kicked the black man. The snakes head rose 5 meters and bit the black mans waist. Tub C Poor black man was sucked right into the snakes mouth.
If kmauge knows, it will hit the ground. He prepared his residence, sent a church member to wait for him, and even taught him.
Oselot repaid the favor with betrayal. He stole Taitanovoa, Kamugys favorite Oma, and killed the believers for no reason. When a bee drinks dew, it becomes honey, and when a snake drinks dew, it becomes poison. Oselot is unaccounted for by human standards.
Black Mamba wants to become a human being through a fierce construction. Oselot is a person who has abandoned human conditions and refused to be human. Even the great creature, Concretus, was discarded because it was hard to control. Human morality and ethics are nothing but nonsense.
Poor worms! Worship my generosity.
Oselot made a ridiculous sound and jumped on Titanovoa.
[Lets Go!]
Kiying- A giant reptile slid like flesh in the direction of the flame.
A fanatic whose reason has been eroded in society has no common sense. There is a fleeting effort in the world. Trying to understand the fanatic, trying to change the mind of the wife who left the house, trying to find the route of taking bribes, trying to save the dead childs balls, etc.
Black Mamba did not understand the voodoo who rushed to death. Of course, it is difficult for him to understand when he only knew about the voodoo shell.
Unlike other religions, voodoo is a religion that fears death. Especially if killed by Petro, he is believed to be revived from the grave as a zombie. Zombies are nightmares and terrors. Dambala, who doesnt want to be a zombie, is attacking hard.
The death of the voodoo is not a peace or a new beginning. It becomes an evil spirit and torments family and relatives or becomes a subject of sorcerer. Therefore, the voodoo funeral is not an event to comfort lions, but an event to build a boundary between the dead and the living.
In order not to die and suffer, humans must kill someone and give their soul as a bribe to Baron Samdi the (Death Spirit). If Barong Samdi is satisfied, he may escape his fate once.
this belief cleverly stimulates human self-interest. Makandal and the rebel leaders created a trick to take advantage of the congregation, but the ignorant and greedy natives were willing to take advantage. Ironically, the congregation fell into a trap of throwing their lives out of fear of losing them. Even if the voodoo is not drunk on Yorunba, they have no choice but to rush into the lion when they die.
The Dambala camp produced hell in just 10 minutes. Black Mamba is not a person who believes in the insanity of loving enemies. Violence is an angel of death who insists on the belief that violence should be suppressed with greater violence.
Humans are those who eat humans and those who use humans as tools. Feeling pressed for time and burdened by the safety of hostages, Black Mamba showed no mercy. The MP5 gun shot red-hot and 50 commendations of Bibap wrapped around his left arms hip were sold out. Drunk with blood, Samdi took Meg in his right hand and a bubble in his left hand, and shouted Dambala because the wide camp was narrow.
Heavy machine gun firing sounds have been reduced and sharp Kalashnikov firing sounds have also been reduced. The resistance quickly subsided. The fiery camp was full of bodies.
Beep- Beep- The high-pitched flute kept ringing. The surviving Dambala scattered like a spiders cub and fell into the forest in the rear.
Maintenance, maintenance!
Budsela wrote. Beep-beep-beep-minister played the flute three times. Its a sign to rally. Prisoners who escaped from the camp gathered one after another. Only 60 people gathered. There may be some who will join later, but as many as 400 believers have been taken by Barong Samdi. Budcellas eyes flared up. For nearly a decade, he has endured hardships and persecution and lost his strength.
adjutant, call Baron.
The radio first cried before the deputy turned the radio handle. Tiric- Tiric-Budsela picked up the receiver. Its a macant moon.
Tusale Budsela!
-Budsela, this is Petro. Ungang (the sorcerer who directs zombies) drags zombie troops. Barons strike team will arrive soon. He is the enemy of Dambala. Be sure to kill him.
Okay I understand, Ill definitely kill you.
Budsela clenched her teeth. Petros prowess, which was only heard as a legend, was beyond imagination. The men in contact with Petro split in an instant and their heads disappeared.
The huge black man who smashed the barracks and fired heavy machine guns was terrible. It was unlikely that Ungang would be able to compete with the zombie corps. Fear preceded vengeance.
Whats this?
The face of Sadochong has become blue. Less than three minutes after Wang Yi and Dong Geum Bo left, heavy drinking and gunfire shook heaven and earth. The night sky of the barracks in Dambala County is blazing. The weight of the car is attacked? I never imagined this would happen. Kadanka is a natural fortress that he is not confident of occupying even if he leads a regiment of the Gonggang Army. Yangsan Park, famous for Chinas best defense fortress, is nothing compared to Kadanka.
Companion leader, non-jobs need to figure things out.
Jang Ji-rang, the assistant captain, stood up with a rifle.
Wait. Dont be hasty. First, wait for the king.
Sadochong believed in Wang Yi, a quaint. There are not many people who can do anything about martial artists of the kings level. Im a good student to take care of myself.
What martial arts man is he in the age of gunpowder weapons? However, martial artists are highly utilized in non-regular warfare. The medieval army could fight with rice balls and spears. Modern armies are purely equipment.
For example, the 700-member U.S. mechanized battalion needs massive equipment and supplies, including more than 100 transport vehicles, 100 machine guns, 50 anti-tank guided missiles, more than 100 sets of electronic equipment, 20 field guns, and other maintenance supplies.
The use of ammunition in battle is murderous. Massive equipment is useless if ammunition is not properly supplied. On the other hand, martial artists do not need to supply. All I need is a knife. No, if the knife breaks, you can hold a stick. This is also why Black Mamba is Nashonal Trezor.
I believe in the king, Sir, but what I see is not everything. Bizik never imagined there would be a sorcerer like Kahweigh.
Jang Ji-rang was stubborn.
Keep in mind that our mission is not a battle, but a duke.
The Apostolic Office, which was secretly worried, agreed.
CLICK- Samdi replaced the gun. The reason why the FN MAG, which has less destructive power than the M60, was hired as a Western Formulation machine gun is because it has excellent reliability and maintenance, and is fast and simple to exchange bullets. The FN MAG can exchange guns in five seconds in the firing position.
Wakir, its all over the place.
The 500-meter-diameter Dambala camp burned red. Rainforests do not cause forest fires due to high humidity. The causes of the forest fire were white phosphorus and fire shell.
Black Mamba looked at the burning camp with a gloomy face. The shading of the face reflected in the fluttering flame was exceptionally thick.
Weve got about 400 people. Are there 150 surviving cockroaches? I dont want the flames to spread to the goats den.
Black Mamba was worried. The humidity is high and the goat cage is 300 meters away from the camp, but I was secretly worried about hostages. The measure, which blocked the entrance with rocks, was appropriate in his opinion.
Flashing, squeezing C Lightning began to strike as if heaven had heard Black Mambas worries. Flashing rumble- Hundreds of lightning struck Ituri in pitch darkness, and thunder engulfed all kinds of noise. Shoot- Heavy rain poured down.
The Ituri jungle is always unstable in the air above due to its enormous amount of evaporation. We dont know when its going to rain heavily. The flames are dead. The whole area was filled with smoke and water vapor. A powerful upheaval rolled up the combat shreds and bloody smells. His face was frowned upon by the bloody smell and burnt smell. Its not the human world, its purgatory.
Chapter 422 - Episode 15: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
I still cant get used to it no matter how many times I look at it.
Black Mamba nodded his head at Samdis words. Drops of water dripped intermittently even in areas that were covered by thick canopy. Meanwhile, waterfalls poured down in areas where rainwater had welled up due to their shallow overhead leafage. It brought me back to my sports day when I was very hungry.
The reason why I was looking forward to the sports day was because of the abundant school supplies. It always rained during the spring and fall session of sports day, as if the weather had already been decided. The U.S. (United States) military tent, which had been dragged out of the warehouse while we were sleeping, were already riddled with holes when they were chewed on by mice. The water from the rain would fall through the tent holes.
Heavy rains in the remote jungles of Africa overlapped with old tents surrounding the edges of the playground. The harsh noise of vegetation and hitting the ground turned into cheering for the evil spirits of childhood.
Are you happy now?
He asked himself. It was really creepy. Is a human being happier than a naked, hungry, beat-up cheonduck?
Wakir, theres not much time left. Sunrise is just around the corner.
Black Mamba snapped back to reality when he heard Samdis words. He checked the time and realized that it was 04:20 sharp. It has been 20 minutes since the camp was first attacked. Operation lap time has already passed 80 minutes. The scheduled arrival time of the helicopter must be completed within 06:15 sharp, just 115 minutes. He could not be sure that the helicopter could function properly if the heavy rain continued to pour down. Furthermore, the hostages were soaking wet and were trapped underground. In fact, it was a luxury to have a moment of peace and relaxation like it was right then.
Have you killed 400 people or 550 people? If you started it, then you have got to finish it.
Black Mamba stared into the dark forest. A shadow that had been hiding in the dark forest crept out. The people who had to surrender or retreat were plotting a counterattack. If two-thirds of the troops were killed by the military then they were already annihilated. They had about 150 troops, and they are even trying to imitate the Japanese lockdown.
It was just the beginning. Ive barely warmed up yet!
Samdi turned his head left and right and spat on the ground. Neither of them was even relaxed enough to wait for the opponents attack. The Angel of Death loomed over the primitive jungle across the devastated camp.
What the hell are they?`
The jangirang, the one who was lying on his stomach behind the great tree of Abyssinia, rose up. No one could figure out what the hell it was. When he arrived, the voodoo residence that was the home of the Dambala guerrilla led by Kamugy, was already in a state of complete ruin. The 50,000-pyeong camp has already turned into a nothing by ashes. It had only been ten minutes since the king went out for reconnaissance, but within that short moment, the full-length battalion was completely destroyed..
Why the hell was a slender, tall man and a giant man disappearing into the heavy rain together? The heart wanted to believe that the two had smashed Dambala, but refuted that the head refused to believe that this was true.
Where were these guys going now?
Jang Ji-rang had a rather ominous feeling. It was called a fierce dragon and a river. The two men who had disappeared into the forest were not easy creatures. The slender man smelled even more sinister than the giant man. The master obviously recognizes the master. He was a master of walking without any disruption and seemed to be in complete control of this entire body.
No way. That is incredible!
His heart dropped at the thought that the worst might have already happened. Jang Ji-rang shook his head and put away the thoughts of the dangerous-looking men. He continued his search, but his view was extremely limited because of the heavy rain and thick water vapor. Even the most powerful lantern was of little use in this visibility.
You have already killed a lot!
There were a lot of other bodies outside the camp. His heart rattled whenever he accidentally stepped on a dead body. This was why the search had been unsuccessful so far. As soon as he realized that the search might be futile, he suddenly felt a heavy object. Jang Ji-rang was a master. He could roughly see the shape of the object by just feeling with his foot.
Gasp!
Jang Ji-rangs eyes were 6completely torn apart. The child of the king was also a Taoist. At the beginning of Dovan, the Taoist deity disappeared and only the Taoist soldiers remained.
Big Daddy!
Jang Ji-rang searched around like crazy. Soon after that, he found the bodies of Donggeumbo, whose head was split into two sides, and Wang, whose head was cut off.
Oh, my God!
Jang Ji-rang flopped to the wet ground. It has been three years since he worked in eastern Africa, but it was the first time that he had lost his subordinates, or even anyone he knew personally. Hwang Mang-jo (SM), a member of the anti-acid group, could die so easily.
Quiet! Ha ha ha!
Jang Ji-rang wept. His eyes were wide open as he cradled Wang Yis corpse. Behind his eyes were the look of astonishment and fear. No wonder he was very nervous, the ominous foreboding was so compatible that it was a disaster. The wide back of the man who had disappeared with a mechanical walk came within his view.
I will get my revenge against whoever did this!
Crunch. Jang Ji-rang gritted his teeth. He wrapped the head of his comrade with a tarpaulin and tied it around his waist. The bodies of Wang Yi and Dong Geum Bo were buried side by side in the ground. Post-processing was done according to the instructions of the team leader.
Crouch! Shoot! The rain continued without stopping. The signs of Dambala eventually disappeared completely. Space perception was useless as the primeval forest was already blocked and the very heavy rain kept on pouring. The space identified was only 50 meters in radius. Black Mamba and Samdi went into the old tree of Rimbali after digging their way out of the heavy rain.
Wakir, where have all the homeless gone?
We do not know exactly because of the heavy rain. Weve searched a radius of 200 meters but theres no sign of these people.
They had every means to find them, from space perceptions to radar to government vision and even sixth sense. Despite all their efforts they could only search within the 200-meter limit.
Huh? It feels so familiar!
Black Mamba tilted his head. Something was quickly approaching them. Creatures imprinted on spatial perception do not go through the memory regeneration phase but rise directly to the surface of consciousness. There is no mistake because it did not go through the recombination stage. Rough, fierce, and dreary vibes have been mixed up, but he was definitely familiar.
Wakir, it smells fishy. Its Dambala.
The distance narrowed down to 400 meters, 300 meters, and 200 meters. Despite the incredible speed, there was no vibration. It was an object that seemed to slide without friction like it was skiing.
No, I knew this man a long time ago..
Due to the heavy rain and unstable atmosphere, spatial perception failed to properly implement the shape.
Snakes, as well as mice, had some of the largest populations on Earth. It was no secret that these animals were sensitive as their brains were closer to the ground.
Why is he stopping all of a sudden? Damn it, I was going to pay for it, but I really messed up my style. Choot! Titanoboa could sense that an unusual enemy was nearby, so the giant snake stopped and flicked its giant tongue. Oselot sat on the top of the head and grumbled to himself.
On their way here, the heavy rain kept on falling and now they were completely drenched. The wet and soggy clothes that he was wearing left him feeling very irritated and uncomfortable. The clothes that Yellowberg gave him were no longer cool. One-piece dresses are clothes that only women can wear.
You are obviously showing up at all sorts of course.
The Black Mamba muttered. Two blue lights floated 4 meters high and 50 meters ahead. Churr! The creature was huge and its tongue was flicking in and out of its mouth. It was clear that this monster was a snake. It was not surprising that the snakes head was bigger than a telephone pole, but what was surprising was that a man was sitting on top of the snakes head. He was sitting in an arrogant position as he eyed the people around him.
Huh? Is that man Oselot?
The eyes of Black Mamba got bigger. The enemy was Oselot, the one who killed Sergeant Burimer in Sahel when he said he would meet on a single-wood bridge. At that moment, Bonifas promised allowance of 10 million francs flashed across my mind.
LOL, I am a mercenary, too.
A burst of laughter came out. Revenge will always be revenge and money will always be money.
Hey, is that Petro that Carweight told you about?
Oselot was confident. His broken bones and injured organs had been repaired and were tightly fixed. He felt much stronger now. In fact, he was in his best condition.
Have you lost your mind in just a few years? No, is that Oselot?
Black Mamba tilted his head. Oselot was not a sorcerer but a warrior. There was no way that a guy who was trying to look cool would just appear like that.
Wakir, is there a Chinatown in Ituri ?
Samdi was really serious about the question. The owner hates the Chinese just as much as the Japanese. He had killed two Chinese men who were acting up, and this time, he is also a Chinese fashionista. It was inevitable if there was a series of coincidences. This could not have happened if there wasnt a Chinese village nearby.
Chinatown? Ha ha ha ha!
Black Mamba could not hold back his laughter as he giggled uncontrollably. There was a joke that there will always be Chinese wherever there were cockroaches. The Chinese were the ones who will remain in Ituri jungle to sell to the Pygmies.
What were the bugs saying?
Oselot decided to experiment with the reinforced version of Thinking Wave.
Petro or Peter, it is annoying. Go kill yourself.
Brain waves raged raged through the sound of rain and penetrated into the minds of Black Mamba and Samdi.
[Go and kill yourself. Go kill yourself. Kill yourself..]
Ugh! Is this a self-interest group?
Petro felt faint and his thoughts became cloudy, as if he was sinking in water. At that moment, his self-awareness disappeared. The meaning of the word suicide became very appealing to him, like it was a positive thought. It was all he could think of as it dominated his consciousness.
Oh my god.
Gongjin, the one who was heavily influenced by the six-character Daemyeong Wangjin Eon, which drove away the energy from the fire, was on board. If Oselot doubled his mental power, The mental power Black Mamba became surprisingly strong. The band of thought was thrown out.
Argh!
Ha ha ha!
Opposite screams rang at the same time. When Samdi finally came to his senses, blood started trickling out from Oselots mouth. The backflowers weighed on the heart and hit the brain. The telepathic attack called upon the powers of evil spirits, and was actually a double-edged sword. It did not work against anyone who was mentally strong.
Oselot had never trained his mind before, nor did he ever or felt the need to. He did not realize that Black Mambas mental willpower was was strong enough to withstand the triplets Choi Do-sik. He was an entourage the one who has been constantly asking for infinite human conditions and focusing on mental training.
Yikes. What a shame!
Oselot was astonished. His own tricks did not work. The opponent was a sorcerer just likeKamuge. The spirit sprang up. If He were to give up now, he would feel like he did not try his best for the next two years.
Die! Die! Go kill yourself!
Blood trickled down Oselots nose. It was the aftereffect of the extreme mental strength.
Samdi came to his senses. As soon as the consciousness was far away, the spell of the owner returned to its senses. A cool breeze blew through his head. It was a long reminder engraved on the brain by Daewoo Shipping. The long C horned spirit kicked out the thought wave. In other words, Oselot met the worst opponent who did not agree with him.
Ha ha ha!
Oselot could not stand it and spat out a short scream.
Youre a funny guy. Are you the one-man show specialist?
Samdi tilted his head. There was no one crazier in the world than this guy. He had appeared in the heavy rain, in the middle of the jungle, wearing a re qipao. And now he was throwing up blood and twisting his own body while trying to attack them with his mind. That kind of person was not normal. Anyway, Koksuni was not the one who visited in a good way. Well, it had always been enemies in Ituri besides the owner.
Eat this, you lunatic!
Tu tu tu tu! Meg spouted fire.
Gasp!
A frightened Oselot pulled himself up. He soared 30 meters and flew again to disappear into the canopy of the trees above them. Kiek! A loud explosion followed. The huge body of the giant snake Titanovoa was torn apart in the gunfire.
Meg poured out 18 shots per second. The giant snake was riddled with a hundred 7.62-mm bullets, and the creature immediately died, flopping around like a rag. This was the end of the arrogant Titanovoa, who looked down on humans with its head in the air. No matter how large it was and how much magic had strengthened its body, it was still just a creature made of muscles and bones.
Xuang! A black object flew through the air and hit Samdi.
Whats that!
Samdi tried Cheongpabo and slipped like a wind. The falling object followed Samdi and turned in the air as if it had wings. It was Oselots specialty; riding the wind.
Boom! Ha ha ha ha!
Samdi was hit on his shoulder. He aimed with his Meg but missed, and ended up shooting a dozen meters off. Dozens of tough shrubs were broken and rainwater on the ground splashed everywhere.
Whoa whoa!
Black Mamba blew the wind in a sudden turnaround. When he grabbed the handle of Rakshasa, Samdi sprang up and brushed off the mud stuck to his combat suit.
Who are you, man?
Oselots eyes grew wider. He did not expect an elephant to be crushed. He was stronger than Black Mamba. The world seems to have gone crazy while he was stuck in Ituri jungle.
Crack! Crack! Samdi whipped his neck left and right. The big master was struck by a rock thrown by a lightning strike. The frame, which was as rigid as the flexible joint and stainless steel than the latex, absorbed the impact, but his ears buzzed and his mind went blank.
You are so dead.
Samdi picked up the goggles that had fallen on the ground and covered his eyes. It was very uncomfortable to stare at the pale eyes of this crazy man. Whenever he looked at the owners eyes, he felt dazed. Oselots idea turned into an unpleasant look.
That is Oselot.
Black Mamba belatedly announced its identity.
Heh, that is one of the three Wakir talked about. I have met you before.
Samdis eyes burned blue. Adrenaline exploded when he met his opponent.
Do you know me? Oh you Woah.!
Oselot was frightened and took off his trademark Reiben. His goggles covered half of his face, but he could still be recognized by his facial bones and structure.
Scream, Black Mamba!
A shout covered the sound of rain. All kinds of negative emotions clung to the shouting. Anger, resentment, joy, pleasure.
Oselot, it has been three years? Seeing that you are alive, it must mean that youre not even welcome in hell.
The voice of Black Mamba was calm, as if he was talking to an old friend. Three years ago, he was an opponent to be nervous about, but now he was no match for him. If he had improved, it would probably take 20 seconds to defeat him. Only the strong could afford to be calm under pressure.
Ugh, yellow, vulgar hybrid!
I forget the one who hit me, but I do not forget the one who got hit. Oselot, who was in a rage, properly did not have the ability to speak.
Chapter 423 - Episode 16: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Was that how it used to be?
Black Mamba felt uncomfortable with Oselots looks. Oselot, who Black Mamba met in the Sahel, was a wild, ruthless killer. That reminded him of what Dr. Giz said If the personality changes suddenly, suspect parasite infection.
Naegleria fowleri, Anisakis, and Cysticercosis, which invade the brain and cause personality disorders, are overflowing in the Sahel and rainforests. When infected with Fowler amoeba, dementia occurs, and when parasites such as epilepsy occur in the brain, bipolar disorder or epilepsy occurs. Oselot, the one who has lived in Ituri for a long time, is highly likely to have been infected.
Duung- Spatial perception scanned the Oselot. Spatial perception is similar to Sona. Just as Sona reads traps or submarines and contrasts them with existing information, spatial perception reads and projects biological waves inherent in living organisms into the brain.
I see! Okay
There is a foreign movement in the brain of Oselot. He was infected with a parasite. Oselot is another vestige of Epidium that the black man said. It was easy to recognize because the bio C wave was similar to him.
The black mamba had a cool heart. The absurdity of the worlds Oselot being infected with parasites and becoming defective epidium was at hand. It is the irony of an ecosystem of biting and biting.
Wait, cant we just redesign the black man s look?
At the moment, a wild imagination occurred to me. The black man is Adras, a bowl made by Concretus to transfer souls into the twilight century. The black man, an amorphous, non-concepted homunclus, became a giant black leopard by giving it the concept of a leopard.
Conversely, would not a black man be able to embody a human figure if it finds the right bowl? Even a single parasite controls humans, and there is no reason why a higher creature, the black man, can not take over the body of Oselot.
By the way, I already read too many novels.
Black Mamba shook his head. Having been through so many extraordinary things, my thoughts went unrealistic.
If I think about it, I feel sorry for his life though. Viral toxicity transforms the ego and causes parasitic infection to lose it.
Hey, if your mouth is crooked, say it right. You are not mutant, you are defective epidium. A hybrid is a good name for you who do not even know your roots.
Oselot flinched. Epidium? I have never heard of it before, but I am used to it. I do not know what Epidium is, but anger flared up when I heard it was defective. The pain and suffering I suffered from him came to my mind.
Do not talk nonsense. I am a great rookie. You are just lucky enough to win the game while I am not feeling well. A body riding a Lamborghini walked across the Sahara Desert and crawled through the jungle. While enjoying Michelin C class Haute Gzin, he ate uncooked pecari (a type of wild boar). He spent two years in a dirty jungle negotiating with yellow worms and black worms and recovering wounds. Does he know the pain?
Oh, my God.
There are more than 100 deaths. It has been 70 years since Oselot was active. The slaughter that the Interpol committed before leaving data would be enormous. A psychopath with his brain all messed up does not know what to do.
He does not even know there is a bug in his head. He is not a yellow bug or a black bug. I am ashamed to mix words with you. Here comes another guest. You play with Samdi, if you are a fool and a strong man, you should recognize and honor the strong. You are a piece of crap that can not even control your feelings.
Black Mamba threw cold words and turned away. Groups with considerable flags gathered one after another inside the forest. It is a colleague of the Chinese killed by Samdi.
Oselot was in a fit of anger, but his words ran. There is a bug in my head? He is a noble man even when he swears.
Kill me!
The question C and C answer dance, Oselot, hit the ground. SHUAK- With just one leap, 30 meters of space disappeared. Wing- Unwoldo fell soundly to the top of the head of the Black Mamba. Chichich- The water droplets on the body turned into haze and evaporated. Physical is a great guy, as ever and now.
Hey you crazy man, the master is busy.Lets wrap up the flapping in progress.
Samdi, the one who threw himself away, swung the bubble with all his might. Shuang C Dark blue shovel day split the back of Oselots head. Blonds soaked in rain flashed under the wind pressure. Oselot instinctively defended himself. The elbow joint was unconsciously twisted and Unwoldo went back to the neck. Boom- Lightning flashed and the sound of the explosion shook Kadanka.
Oops!
Giggles!
A painful groan broke out as if he had promised. Samdi bounced up into the air, and Oselots legs sank into the ground to his thighs. The shock wave pushed the raindrops away.
The reason why he was afraid of meteorite collision is because of speed. The weight of 9.2g and 7.62mm natotane bullets, which were driven at three times the speed of sound, was around 4,000J. With a weight of 40kg flying at the speed of sound, the amount is 2,000,000 J. It is a terrible day of fear.
Oselot received 500 times the impact of machine bullets and 2.6 million J, which is 76.2mm of automela. Samdi received the same backlash, but Oselot, who defended in an unstable position, suffered greater damage. Oselot fell into a state of paralysis for a while, and Samdi lost his balance and fell to the ground.
The shock waves of Bbopgi and Eonwoldo were bigger than expected. Sado Cheong and Jang Ji C rang, who were at the level of Yeon C hwa C shin, hurriedly turned their internal skills to block their hearing, but some of the members, who were at the level of Yeonjeong Firearms, had their eardrums torn. It is a shrimp in a whale fight.
Oh, my God!
The Sa Do Cheong could not believe his eyes. I never imagined that there would be a human being comparable to Oselot and a weapon to receive the dragon. Techniques become meaningless when the difference between speed and power increases. The elders of the temple run far compared to the force of the two men.
When Sa Do Cheong entered Kadanka two years ago, he recognized Oselot. The blonde killer, Oselot, is a high-end killer who the Western intelligence department keeps track of. Recognizing the value of Oselot, he was ingratiated with expensive gifts.
Unwoldo is not just a knife. Yongyeon is said to have been made of iron excavated from Mt. Gallo. Aside from whether the legend is true or not, modern Chinese technology cannot make a sword comparable to the elasticity of Yong C yeon , ductility and rigidity.
Oselot, who lost his whip, was delighted to receive Yong C yeon as a gift. It was not easy to find a weapon that endured his strength. The Sa Do Cheong commissioned the assassination of President Mobutu for 3 million dollars, and Oselot accepted the request.
Phew, is the work done by man and done by heaven?
So Do Cheong, the one who had lost its energy, sighed. Dambala was destroyed and Oselot met a strong rival. This is why all the hard C pressed peacocks are likely to go to waste. The events that took place early this morning are not enough to be analyzed even as a person who has been in the intelligence service for 20 years.
With the advent of Black Mamba, Dambala, Oselot, and Sa Do Cheong drank water, but Mobutu saved his life. That is the way the world is. There is no department without phosphorus. Mobutu may have saved the neighborhood in his previous life.
The eyes of So Do Cheong, which had been depressed, glistened. The two monsters were unable to move after the crash. The muscle is temporarily paralyzed. A large black man is the one who killed the king and Donggeumbo. This is a great opportunity to pursue revenge and manipulation.
Shuu!
Hauoo!
An agent, who was seeking a chance to attack using a huge rock as a cover, held out a gun. Although the timing is extremely bad, he is not qualified as a national security officer if he fails to shoot a target 80 meters ahead. Sa Do Cheong made a mistake. Body exposure on the battlefield targeted by God Sniper Black Mamba is suicide.
Puck, puck, puck-
Oops!
Giggles!
Both agents tilted their heads at the same time. Surprised Jang Ji-rang dragged the agent behind the cover.
Oh, Shoot!
The face of Sa Do Cheong was rotten and smeared. Both have holes in their temples. Sa Do Cheong looked at Jang Ji C rang with confused eyes. Jang Ji C rang shook his head. This means that he did not notice the sniper.
Ugh!
Sa Do Cheong collapsed. He had not lost any of his team members in three years, but suddenly lost four agents. Jang Ji-rang only snuck out a gun.
Ground- Ugh!
Jang Ji-rang missed the gun. The bullet hit the muffler of a Type 81 rifle exactly.
Captain, he is a scary guy.
The voice of Jang Ji-rang trembled. Sniper is a colleague of the giant who fights Oselot. I have never seen such a man in my life.
First of all, cover up and see the opportunities.
Sa Do Cheong gritted his teeth. It is a dark jungle with very heavy rain. He instinctively knew that the shot had crossed the water. Now that the target is at rest it is the best chance, but there is a sniper with terrible skills hiding. I did not dare to try again. East African branch agents of Chinas National Security Agency could not even stick their heads out and hoped that Oselot would win.
Oselot could not attack his defenseless opponent. He has three noses that are out of joint with his muscles.
Oh, my God.
Oselot pulled out the bridge that was dug into the ground and picked up Leiben, who fell on the floor, and wrote it. If muscles stronger than metal and joints with better elasticity than natural rubber failed to absorb the impact, the bone would have broken. He also moved his body back, and forth, left, and right to push the dislocated intestines into place.
Black Mamba shook his head. Compared to their physical appearance, the two are much funnier than themselves. At present, it was hard to say who was superior. The one who survived is the strong one.
He had no intention of intervening in Samdis fight. If he had not gone through the chaos, he would not have made any rapid progress. A sense of combat is obtained only through action. One real match against a strong opponent is worth more than three years of training.
A pinch hitter like Oselot needs to be found at least for money. He entrusted Oselot to Samdi. He checked the Chinese spy team, which hid 80 meters ahead, and felt Dambalas vanquished disease by releasing his spatial perception.
Told you to Kill me!
Oselot launched a self attack and hit the ground as if he did not believe it. SHUANG C Unwoldo split the air. Samdi blocked the blade that fell like a shovel. Boom- There was no doubt it made an exploding sound.
Baung- A log C like bridge rose. Surprised by the near C sound turn kick, Oselot leaned down as if to collapse. Bang- The innocent tree that was hit by the kick exploded. Oselots knee joint, which fell over, was bent upside down. Realized- Samdi, who was attacked by an unexpected groin, jumped. PURBUCK C My left thigh was burning. Samdi jumped and opened the street. We exchanged five sum in a blink of an eye.
I was lazy!
Samdi regretted it. He believed in his physical ability and neglected to train. If he had been transferred to his owner, he would have driven his opponent to the finish line, but he could not catch up with the speed, so it was hard to score a decisive hit. The same is true of Oselot. His body is more resilient than raw rubber. The blow did not work properly.
If it does not break, just cut it.
Oselot swung wildly around Unwoldo. I learned only one thing from yellow. Samdi used a pack of ogeumgong to cut it with a shovel blade. The two of them have not mastered the techniques of the disease. It is a wild fight that is no different from a gangster wielding a baseball bat, with enormous speed and power.
Boom- Boom- Boom- There was a battle of strength and strength. Every time Eonwoldo and Ppokbogi hit, flashes and a puddle broke out. Not only weapons, but also when arms and legs hit each other, there was a throbbing sound. The battlefield became a mess. The ground was dug, the beautiful giant burst, and the rock was broken. It is like a camp shelling in a camp where coordinates are fixed and beaten.
This is exactly it!
Samdis blood boiled. So far, there has been no event to scratch the bottom of physical ability. Man is so weak, The master and the great master are out of the world. The opponent is similar to himself. My bones were numb and my muscles twisted every time I bumped into them. Adrenaline exploded in pleasant pain.
Oselots eyes glistened with desire to slaughter. I hate to admit it, but the opponent is a competent person similar to himself. Just as sexual sexuality triggers sexual desire, Oselot is the one who can live only when he has the charm to kill. He completely forgot about the black mamba and fell into a fight.
SHUAK- Unwoldo, which was split into sound, was easily blocked by a blow bag. Boom- Shock waves rocked the atmosphere. The stance that Samdi had been stepping back, shook off the shock. His foot fell into the mole hole.
Oselot did not miss the opportunity. Shueake C flew in like a shell and took power. The poorly trained cutting was not smooth as if wearing unsuitable clothes. I would rather have a fist better.
Samdis shoulders sank. A fist aimed at the heart grazed my armpit. As expected, Samdi came with speed. Crack C Armpit clothes ripped off the regime that grazed like a blade. Oselot stuck close together and used his arm under the other arm as a lever to throw Samdi as a skewer. Boom- The tree that hit Samdi, who flew away without a hitch, broke. Realising- Oselot kicked himself out of a wooden nest.
Wiing- Unwoldo split the raindrops. Samdi, the one who missed the bubble and lost the timing to avoid, crossed his arms and blocked the blade. Puck C a blue blade penetrated the loglike arm.
Oh, you idiot!
The black mamba just got up.
Chapter 424 - Episode 17: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Puck! Tuck! A dull rupture and a sharp metal sound rang at the same time. The blade that had dug into the skin and muscles was embedded into the bone. Surprisingly, despite being swung at the speed of sound, Bogum Yong-Yeon, could not cut off the arm of Samdi.
Samdi was the result of the MK project in Area 51 and the victim of zombies due to the magic of the pier bridge. As monsters made of genetic manipulation and artificial muscle transplantation, the physical abilities of these zombies had been increased dramatically.
Nevadas 51st District used an enzyme called CRISPR-Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme) to cut off DNA from reproductive cells and then reattached the intended DNA to form someone like Samdi. In the process of culturing in an incubator, artificial muscles were attached and genes were modified. Other kinds of animals like Hunt (which is known as Dachshund and sausage dog) and chimera were made through the same process. Samdi, the one who was leaked to the outside due to coincidence and mistakes, fell into the hands of one of the Voodoo, Hounggan.
The body of Samdi was rebuilt through the zombiefication process. Vanadium dioxide artificial muscles absorbed protein and transformed into vanadium dioxide albumin. Artificial skin made from collagen changed the base layer of the epidermis and the dermis into an ultra-strong honeycomb multilayer structure. The barium tin alloy, which was a replacement material for bones, was combined with titanium acid and changed into a barium titanate tin alloy that exceeded the strength of a diamond alloy by three times.
There was a new intestinal bacterial system called neomicrobiome in zombies based on these changes. Zombie sorcerer Ogu uses Yorunba, a rare drug, to finetune the neomicrobiome system. Special intestinal bacteria separate elements in the air or elements of the material administered to form chemical bonds with the cell. Zombies gained a powerful body instead of losing themselves due to bacterial toxicity. But of course, no one wanted to be a zombie.
When science and religion are privatized to certain groups, ethics and morality are paralyzed and humans are reduced to tools. Area 51 had amazing biotechnology that was obtained based on biometric data from 731 Kwandong County. The monster who was born with biotechnology combined with primitive sorcery was Samdi.
Samdi was the final weapon that the Socrates Committee and the CIA, which conducted the MK project, wanted. Fortunately, Samdi entered the arms of Black Mamba and was returned to the humans with the new power of Daewoo Corporation. If the committee had known about that, it would have gone all out to track down Black Mamba.
What is this?
Oselots eyes were bulging wide and looked like they were going to explode. The arm should have been cut off and the head should be in two pieces by now. No matter how new the species are, the strength and elasticity of the biological tissues are limited.
Yikes!
Oselot worked hard. His biceps and triceps protruded as his lumbar muscle swelled. He tried to stand the blood on his eyes, but he could not even do it. The powers of Yong-yeon, who has lost his speed, falls to one-thousandth. The muscle with the knifes blade in it remained motionless.
Hurray!
While Oselot was faltering, Samdi raised his back. Oselot was sweating nervously. Samdi pulled out his blade Yong-yeon and threw it aside. Although his arm was cut in half, Samdi did not even blink. Sticky bubbles poured out of the wound and quickly covered his arm. Before long, his arm stopped bleeding completely.
Oh, my God! I really have nothing to say.
Black Mamba put his butt back in place. He recognized it when he endured the masters thunderbolt, but it was a fraudulent body beyond imagination. The real monster of this era was Samdi himself.
Woof!
Samdi was furious. He grabbed the fallen tree and swung. Thud! It hit Oselot and he was folded in half from the unexpected attack. Wood as thick as a telephone pole snapped. The human back did not break, but the tree snapped in half. It is the same monster as the one who gets hit or hits.
Aahh!
Samdi threw the remaining half of the wooden tree like a spear, and immediately rushed after it. Oselot nervously cut out a wooden pole that blocked his view. Bbooak C A smashed wooden pole squeezed through a fine gap that blocked the view and a fist the size of a bowling ball was thrust into his face. Oselots head snapped back.
Huh!
Samdi realized that he had made a mistake by underestimating his opponent. He forgot that his enemys body was flexible and elastic, as if it was made of rubber. Wing! Oselot jumped overhead and stamped Samdi on the top of his head.
Gasp!
It was a surprise attack of crushing limbs. Samdi immediately strengthened his powerful neck muscles, trying to endure the shock. He then wrapped his arm around Oselots neck. He put his left leg deep in close proximity. Oselot was fed up when his opponent, who had been hit multiple times in a row. So he jumped even harder.
Yap!
As soon as Samdi fell face down, Oselot wrapped his arms around Samdis neck and pushed him to his knees. In this position, they put the strength of their life into breaking each other. Samdis heels dug deep furrows in the wet ground.
Samdi desperately bit Oselot on the shoulder. In response, Oselot bit Samdis throat. The dirty fighting began to drag on, saying that even dogs avoid it. Zombies and Epidium were pushed around and thrown about like buffalos fighting with their horns.
The dumbfounded Black Mamba burst out.
Hey, is it something a noble mutant would do to bite and stretch like a hyena?
Oselot twisted his head and glared at Samdi. Bloody eyes full of malice glared at each other. Oselot pulled out his teeth first. Samdi let go of his shoulder.
Ergh. You taste disgusting. Hey, what is this?
Oselot spit out the bits of flesh stuck in his teeth. His voice was hoarse. It was proof that he was tired.
You should clean yourself up, man.
The same goes for Samdi, who was exhausted.
Japjong, are you a new kind of people?
New kind of people? What do you mean
Old humans are weak humans. New people have chosen superpowers. You are a newbie.
A superhuman? A superhuman is a master or a big master. I am an ordinary person.
Oselot was annoyed by the answer.
You are being used by Black Mamba. These new kind of people will be the dominant one. How long are you going to live as a slave? Join hands with me and we will rule the world together.
The ruler of mankind! An almighty saint worshipped by billions of humans! That sounds amazing, but is it even possible?
Samdis eyes dimmed.
Hahaha, your eyes are getting blurry.
Oselot called for Kwae-Jae. During the conversation, he crept surreptitiously in the ideologist. He doesnt know that his clothes are wet by the sprinkle. During the battle, he kept throwing thoughts, but the mans mental defense was so strong that it did not work. It had the effect of simultaneously attacking both ideologists and a self-conscious person at close range.
Samdi was even more insidious. He had sensed the negative energies persistently trying to invade and penetrate his mind. The great master said that Gingorju restrains murder while protecting the mind from evil sorcery and hypnosis. As the great master said, the energy could not easily penetrate the brain. Samdi pretended to be beaten and sought opportunities.
You bastard, you are the fist of the master. As you said, you are a recruitment and the owner is a new kind of people.
Samdi laughed at Oselot. He felt sorry for him. Oselot did not even realize the contradiction of his logic.
Oselots left knee was ripped and raised by Wagnaq (a ninja weapon similar to tiger claws). It was Oselots that protruded like hardened bones and attacked the enemy. Swag! His knee connected with Samdis abdomen. Danger! Samdi clutched his abdomen but he continued to cling tightly on to Oselots back, like a sticky piece of paper.
The battle between these two masters was a battle for space. If either opponent were to gain even an inch, it would be an advantage to them. Although he had prepared in advance, he never expected a blade to pop out of his lap. The teaching of the owner stopped the instinct to step down. Samdis left hand managed to hit Oselots neck. The left hand, which only had three fingers that resembled a crows claws, could tear into 10-millimeter steel plates. The frightened Oselot hurriedly pulled back.
Gasp!
Ugh!
At the same time, a scream broke out. Oselots throat was cut halfway, and Samdis abdomen was torn up. The yelling and shouting suddenly stopped. The battle had devastated a radius of a hundred meters and had gone on for ten minutes. Oselot stood in place, staring blankly at nothing. Samdi was pushing his guts back into his body. The battle, which had come to a standstill, had ended in a moment of silent and contemplation.
Whoa, thanks to my master, I survived.
Samdi let out a long sigh. He was not expecting his opponent to have a sharp bone protruding out of his knee. If he had not defended himself in time, his guts would be splayed out on the ground right now.
He still retained half of his pure physical ability. His endurance and physical recovery skills were ahead of themselves, but he lagged behind when it came to strength and speed. The owners words that the surviving one is strong were now understood.
Good job. Well done!
It was now dark. Samdi had bandaged himself tightly with a pressure band to hold in his torn stomach. He suddenly smiled to himself. It was a business that remains because it has been lightly hurt and recognized by its owner.
The blood pouring out of the wound on Oselots throat gradually stopped flowing. There was thick foam wrapped around the wound. Blazing eyes directed at Samdi directly. Any normal human would not have survived Samdis attacks, but Oselot was an Epidium. He would heal and recover over time.
Arent you afraid of death?
His voice rasped as it leaked out of his torn vocal cords.
The owner said he would live if he tried to die. The words of the owner are always right. Lets call it a day. I am tired, too.
Samdi swung his fist with full power. Thud! It hit Oselot straight in the temple, and he collapsed. Samdi raised his foot and stepped on Oselots shoulder, pinning him down. He then grabbed Oselots neck with both his hands. This was no longer a man; it was just the shadow of a man. But it did not matter who or what he was; all creatures die when their neck is snapped.
Samdi, wait for a moment!
Black Mamba stopped Samdi and opened his mouth to the huge rock ahead.
8 people to the best. Do you want to pay a high admission fee? Do you want to talk?
What? Electric notes?
Sadocheong, who was out of his mind, was surprised. Despite the sound of thunder and rain that rang the sky and earth, it sounded clear as if talking with its mouth in its ears. It is not wrong to say that it is a whole tone because it was blown with sound waves in the resonance.
The face of Sadocheong was rotten and rubbed. The Electric notes were a legend, not a reality. And they even know their numbers exactly. He was the master of the high-altitude. He looked around at his men. Everyones faces were white.
Do you have any intention of talking to me?
Yes, I am going to talk to you.
The surprised Sadocheong was evil. The kings revenge faded away. With his hands raised, he got out of the hidden rock. Black Mamba stared at a Chinese man with a parched body and sparkling eyes.
You are a martial artist. You are a Chinese spy, arent you?
That is right.
I will not ask you about anything. If you leave here with your men, I will save you. Get out of Kadanka immediately and leave Ituri.
Who are you? he laughed.
Sadocheong screamed. The price of asking back was great. An unknown weapon cut through the ear. He did not even see his hand moves. Blood dripped down through the fingers wrapped around the left ear.
There is nothing I can do about the chicken head. I can not tell whether it is excrement or soybean paste.
Tutututu! MAG fired fire.
Oops!
Argh!
Three agents pointed their guns and shot their bullets. Human blood and flesh splashed against the rock. The red blood diluted in the rainwater flowing down these rocks.
You fools, you cannot stop me!
The frightened Sadocheong shouted. Why do these ignorant people exist? The years of independence were nothing compared to these people. The opponent was not something Hwang Mang-jo can touch.
Stop, stop. I am leaving right now.
Sadocheong cursed the evil spirit covered with goggles and cursed itself for being lukewarm. These guys were not humans, but beasts. He knew that he could negotiate and reason with humans, but holding a rationale conversation with beasts was simply impossible.
Go! This place becomes hell.
Thank you for saving my life.
The drooping Sadocheong disappeared to the dock with four of his remaining subordinates. Black mamba cut off the nerves. It is their job whether or not the Rats get out of Kadanka safely.
Wakir, can I spare them?
I am not saving you just because you are pretty. They are helping the rebels. Mobutu is pro-American to the bone. If the rebels disappear, Zaire will be in the hands of the United States. Thats what they want.
Wakir is really smart.
Dont say that to your superiors. Im told youre rude.
Oh, Im being rude, am I? Fine, will never say he is smart again.
Samdi was surprised. So far, he had never forgiven anyone who was rude to his master. He looked like he was going to blow his head off.
Is there any problem with the wound? Todays final blow was wonderful.
Samdis mouth gaped open. He enjoyed hearing the the compliments being paid to his master.
No problems at all. Ive almost recovered. Why do you think he kept him alive?
Samdi looked down at Oselot. He wondered what the owner was thinking by keeping this dangerous man alive.
Well, he could be useful, right?
Are you, by any chance, trying to make him your servant?
Samdis irresponsible answer made his heart flutter. The men belonging to the master were all good people. Oselot was not a good guy. According to the expressions of his master, his soul was dirty.
The owner was a benevolent person, so Aklan Crew Ombuti urged him to take care of the rough things. The owner also asked Novatopia to take Ombutis instructions.
I am going to lift my foot off your neck.
Oselot, who was still pinned down, wriggled helplessly.
Chapter 425 - 1 Episode 18: Apadombe, Fist of Justice
Samdi was startled.
He looks like an unpleasant person, but he has a really great sense of survival.
The delicate features and blonde hair, which seemed to have been spun from gold, swept past his eyes. He stroked his own cheesy hair, which was tightly attached to his scalp. He did not like it very much. That bastard must disappear for the sake of his master and humanity.
Oselot had died, but he did not actually die. The bodies of zombies and Epidium have advantages and disadvantages. Zombies could feel no physical pain and they possess the fraudulent ability to regenerate. Epidium could not regenerate as well as zombies, but they could resuscitate themselves when necessary. Even if their heads were separated from their body, there was still a chance that they would survive.
Cell-activating substances produced in the spinal cord flowed into the blood. Neural ends stimulated by white grains delivered high concentrations of epinephrine to muscles connected to the diaphragm. Kurook! The paralyzed diaphragm vibrated violently. It was the Epidium regeneration system that operated regardless of the electrical signal transmitted by the brain.
The lungs, which had been drooping like a bulls eye, began to contract this midsummer. The bubble that was blocking the amputated airway boiled up. Oxygen was sucked in in a large quantities. The end of the nerve supplied with oxygen released epinephrine to restore the muscles.
When the bodily functions have been fully revived, white grains flooded into the liver. Muscle-activating proteins released in large quantities by the liver poured into the neck and head wounds through the lymph node and the blood vessels. The recessed temple found its shape, and the respiratory tract and esophagus were connected.
Huh, I thought the saying that a cat has nine lives was simply a rhetorical expression, but it looks like hes really coming back to life.
Black Mamba was amazed. This was not what a man who was laid on dozens of tons of coal burrs and revived after pouring guts into the leopards claws should say.
Its really annoying to carry around a broken man
Samdi was persistent. He crept up to Oselot. He was not a man who would help his owner, but a rude man who said that Norangie (Greenhouse millipede) was a bug. He pretended not to know what it truly was and to crush it by stepping on its head.
Samdi, just throw him and hang him up on a tree.
Black Mamba was quick to sense the truth. There was no way he did not know what Samdis ulterior motive was. With Black Mambas words, Oselot lost his chance to survive. Even Samdis hair had a better chance of surviving.
Poor guy. Why did you call Wakir a bug? Tsk, tsk!
Samdi made a face that seemed to bear all the sorrows of the world and grabbed Oselots ankle and twisted it. Crack! His leg was left deformed. Oselot gained consciousness as he screamed in pain.
Argh!
Shh!
Samdi put a finger on his lips. Oselot tried to raise Samdi. There was a blistering spark in his poisonous eyes.
Do not look at me like that. Hey, you are making me feel bad.
Samdi shut his mouth, stepped on his knees with military precision and lifted his calf. The shin bone snapped in two.
Oh my god, you crazy psycho punk!
Dude, youre the psycho, not me. I am Samdi, the escort of the great Tubai Burpa.
Oselot shouted in pain but Samdi did not even blink. He threw aside the ruined leg and grabbed the other one. He did the same thing again. He smashed the ankle, fractured the shin bone, and broke his femur.
Forever oh my! (Poor guy) Ppong-dip ? Oselot Pulver (Octopus) Ppong-dip ? Ppong-dip ? Ppong-dip ?
In total, Samdi had broken Oselots ankle bone, shin bone, femur, ribs, shoulder bone, and arm bone one after the other, all while singing the song. He seemed to be really enjoying his work. The sound of the chorus and bone cracking harmonized with the sound of rain and lifted the sense of dreariness. As if he were weeding his uncle in law, he also crushed his blonde hair.
Oh, my!
Eventually, Oselot lost consciousness and his head flopped down. Oselot has broken approximately 30 bones and his limbs were flopping around like an octopus tentacles.
What a scary guy!
Black Mamba got goosebumps. He could not believe that Samdi had taken his rhetorical suggestion literally. He really turned Oselot into an octopus! On top of that, why did he tear off his hair even though it had nothing to do with his movement? Black Mamba could not help but feel pity for Oselot.
Samdi cut off some vines from a nearby fig tree and wrapped it around Oselot. He wrapped the vine over and over again until it looked like Oselot was wrapped in a cocoon. Samdi then picked him up and slung him over the branches of a tree, about 30 meters high. When he was finally done, Samdi brushed his hands with satisfaction.
The Avicinia tree produces sticky sap when peeled. Toxic insects such as ants, bees, and spiders hate Avicinia sap. Samdi showed compassion to Oselot in this small manner.
Ugh, Petro! Petro killed the blonde Bodun.
A rock wriggled only 50 meters away from the battlefield. It was a man disguised as a rock, and he retreated Baemil. Fwen, an item that suppresses sound and footsteps, was dangling around his neck.
The man looked up at the body of a blonde bodun hanging in the air. The fight between Bodun and Petro was terrible just thinking about it. There was no room for humans to intervene in the fight of divine existence.
We have to let them know quickly. You have to run away.
The black man disappeared into the jungle.
Hehe! Tough guy, it is moving now. I like Kamuge. Samdi, lets go.
Black Mamba glanced at the rock where Dambala Information Service had been hiding and tightened the backpack string. He had always known that the man from Dambala was hiding there, but he left him unaware. Black Mamba and Samdi left the area.
The rain was slowly letting up. In the quiet air, only Oselots moaning was left, where he was strung up like a bug. It was called Soibulru, the Cheonmanghoehoe Association.
Oselot was no longer allowed to enter the cellar of Marina Port in Singapore. There was no need to think about whether to strangle the kidnapped humans with wires, cut their backs with saws, or dig their eyes with awls.
The number of young women and young children who went missing without a trace will also decrease. Oselot, who was now hanging from a big tree hidden deep in the jungle of Ituri, could no longer enjoy his hobby.
There was a primeval forest in the west of Kadanka, and a round clearing that was about 400 meters in diameter. The space looked as if it was cleared out by a mechanical insect. It was Edos, used by Dambala as a training center. Edos had no giant trees that extended beyond tens of meters, but his area could not be easily found because it was surrounded by lush shrubs and bushes.
In front of the shabby barracks at the edge of Edos, intermediate conductors were making a fuss as they recovered and reorganized the number of people. Budsela and Baron played a magic flute to recover the survivors. The ultra-high frequency sound emitted by the magic flute could be heard by believers 4km away. It means that the church members who had failed to gather there, were dead.
Baron, how many members have been recovered?
They are 63 people, Sir.
Only 63 people?
Budsela was angry. Exactly 396 Christians died. There can be no wounded soldiers in Ituri. There were numerous preys in Ituri jungle, including leopards, hyenas, vultures, eagles, large snakes, rodents, termites and fire ants. These creatures would devour any prisoner that they did not manage to rescue in time.
Can blond Bodun and Chink overpower Petro?
I dont know, actually. To be honest, I even suspect that we are entangled in the collective hypnosis of the Kran. I still feel like I am in a nightmare.
At the words of Budsela, Baron looked around his men, looking depressed and ready to go.
Why did you retreat immediately? When Bodun and Petro fought, you could have used your weapons to just shoot them both down.
Budsela was not a coward. Baron found it difficult to understand Budselas instructions to attack the troops immediately.
The name of Petro is not light it has its respect. If we can do it, we can do it to blonde bodun and chink friends. They are evils. The bullets we shoot can not kill them, the bullets they shoot never miss. That is what Petro is. I am eager for the blonde Bodun to get rid of Petro.
There are 100 batting squad members who are faithful to their equipment. Theres also a grenade launcher and a machine gun. Petro will also dies when he is shot.
Hhhh, if you use the bullet, youll die. Can you guess the Black Mamba that runs through the bushes? Can you guess the colobus running through the distant rump? Petro is faster and more secretive than them. Petro is not a human being. When there is a battle, you must focus on the fire.
Okay. Ogu Ungang and zombies have joined. Even if Petro beats the Blonde Bodun, he wont succeed. But its worth a try.
When Baron accepted, Budsela closed his eyes. Fatigue flooded his body. Blonde Bodun was neither a friend nor a believer. He did not care whether he lived or died. It would be good if he could kill Petro, but if he couldnt then he could relax. Kadanka was the home ground. There was no reason to hurry. In order to engage in a global war, he needed to rest whenever he could.
Ogu Ungang came out of the barracks with a dangling cane (a cane with a dangling stick that Ungang used to exert power).
Captain Budsela, you look tired. Would you like some potion?
I refuse that.
Budsela shook his hand. Taking drugs would help him to recover and feel better immediately, but it would ruin his body in the long run. Budsela was the only Dambala that was not drunk on Yorunba.
It is time for the discharge ceremony.
Do I have to do it now?
Yes, you must do it as your opponent is strong. We have enough sacrifices. Warriors united with Rewa will be as cruel as Black Mamba and as secret as Owls. As time goes by, I will skip the complicated rituals, but only the Eucharist and holy rites. The captain is brave, so you do not have to eat. Hahaha!
As Ogu shook his upper body and laughed, the bell of transport rang.
Failure, Peter will come to you at the sound of the bell.
Budsela did not like Ogu at all. Previously, Dambala were not cannibals. But ever since Ogu joined the Kikuyu tribe, they began to eat pygmy and white people.
Aide-de-camp, lead the warriors and start the ceremony.
Budsela never wanted to see the pygmy in the iron pot. If you eat pygmy, you can accept ituri jungles Rua? He snorted in disbelief.
Phew, where did it go wrong?
Budsela sighed deeply. He threw himself at the pier to get rid of poverty and ignorance. It was a foolish choice. Voodooism was not a means to hope but a swamp of despair.
Congo, along with Liberia in West Africa, still had several cannibalistic tribes left in the 20th century. The main tribe was made up of the Kikuyu people. A female doctor from the Border Society, who was appointed near Lake Albert, heard this from the chief.
[White people say beef is the best, The Arabs say lamb is the best, and Asian people say pork is the best. If you try human meat, you will find that beef, lamb, pork are actually nothing. I will treat you to human meat today.]
The white female doctor was frightened, so she packed her bags and went back after spending only a single day with the tribe. This was what the native Kikuyu people said: You eat beef and pork. We eat people. What is the difference?
Unfortunately, The concern of Budsela was right. Black Mamba heard the bells of Ungang. Blood splattered from the back of the head of the man, who was stuttering hard in the forest road ahead. Black Mamba kicked the man down into the forest.
You really did a great job with your guidance.
Samdi politely greeted and followed. The pleasant odor of ammonia molecules bothered the sound of bells and smell were enough to track their staging areas.
They were at the carnival.
The smell that was floating in the air was the same smell found by the stream in Kidamba. It was the odor of human flesh being boiled.
I already know, Im going to kill everything here.
The eyes of Samdi raged with anger as the smell grew even stronger.
Black Mamba raised his hand. Suddenly the dense forest disappeared. The school tree disappeared, and the wide open space with shrubs and weeds is Edos. The camouflage barracks, log C made obstacles, a target site made by cutting wood with a knife, and Black Mamba recognized the training ground of Dambala at a glance.
Squeak! Army Rope soared into the air. When he grabbed his wrist, the commendation swirled around the branches. Black Mamba flew in the air like a goblin and sat on a branch about 40 meters in the air.
The distance was 110 meters and the view of the training ground ahead was clearly visible. Six pots hung side by side in the open space where the torch was lit, and steam came up. There is a line of short pants of Dambala in front of the pot.
The mambo (voodoo priestess) was holding a knife and a ladle, as she took the meat out of the pot and cut it into smaller pieces. Some of the Dambalas were already sitting on a log and ripping into the cooked meat.
The eyes of Sniper showed that there were about 160 Dambalas visible. This matched with the number of Dambalas that had escaped. The conversation between Dambala and Mambo could be heard.
Ppudas (Eyeballs).
Eggi Dunna and Naksan. (You will be able to see clearly).
Mambo took round eyeballs from the pot and put them in the bowl of a Dambala.
Degaha (Ear).
Shidu Kuma Magulan (You will hear me well).
Mambo scooped out ears with a ladle and put them in a wooden bowl.
Chapter 426 - Episode 19: Apadombe, Fist of Justice (modifed)
Wa Kku! (Thank you!)
Mahnn Tahai Lwa. (Leave your soul up to Lwa.)
He could not really understand what they were saying, but he could roughly guess their intention. The dry jujube palm that he ate three days ago had been edgy due to the fanatics behavior.
The Miserables!
There was a feeling of sadness before there was anger. And there was good reason for it too. The voodoo religion, which marked the end of the cannibalistic culture, was perpetuated by rich Europeans and Americans. Contrary to popular belief, the history of cannibalism started in the modern century.
In the mid-19th century, when colonization was in full swing, white people with deep pockets flocked to Africa. It was the beginning of the popularity of so-called safari trips. White people would hire the local hunters in large numbers and indiscriminately hunted down both herbivores and flesh0eating animals.
The rooms of those aristocrats and upper society white folks class were decorated with the spoils of their hunts, like a stuffed lion, a bison horn or the elephant tusks. Even if it was a stuffed Antidorcas marsupialis or Sitatunga head, it had to be hung on the wall to achieve the status of a gentleman. Even now, decades later, the term games were still used to mean hunting trips in Africa. Just go to a travel agency in Nairobi or Kinshasa and tell them you want to play, and you would be brought to the jungle or the grasslands immediately.
Merciless hunting has reduced the animal population and even changed the habitats. Meanwhile, the natives who relied on hunting to survive were affected drastically. Because of that, starving natives would attack the agricultural tribes to find food to fill their stomachs. As such, the safari hunts enjoyed by white privileged people led to hunting shortages and forced the Kini tribe and Kikuyu tribe to turn to cannibalism.
But customs do not disappear easily. The culture of cannibalism led to the formation of ritual ceremonies. To overcome the shame and regret of cannibalizing humans, they started to believe that they would inherit the spirit of ancestors and would gain the courage and abilities of the victims.
History only highlights the winners, not the victims. What is written in history is never the complete story. The evil deeds of white people on African soil were not limited to the slave trade. Colonization had a number of other negative effects on the colony, but it was buried, glorified, and rationalized.
At the end of the 19th century, in Kenya, a cannibal named Ghost and Darkness killed more than 130 humans. Lieutenant Colonel Patteson, a British special shooter, tracked down and killed the horrible man. White people celebrated and praised the heroic performance of Patteson but never gave a single thought to the rage of the victim.
Why does a lion attack humans? This was because the lions habitat had been destroyed by humans, and its natural food source diminished as white people built their plantation farms on a large scale. Life was the purpose. Hungry lions ate humans to survive.
However, whether human or animal, cannibalism was not an indulgence. Humans are humans when they are subjective. If all responsibility was attributed to ignorance, poverty, and colonization, they were also the limit of selfishness that tramples on human dignity. In the same context, cannibalism for the purpose of obtaining supernatural power was no different than the slave hunting committed by white people in the past.
Black Mamba hesitated for a moment when choosing between MP5 and Dragunov. MP5 had good grinding power, but it also had destructive power. There was a lack of power to penetrate the barracks, shrubs, and grass that hid the Dambala warriors.
The MP5 was stored in a backpack and Dragonov was chosen. The sense of balance in his hand was familiar, as if he was meeting with an old friend. The velcro on the pouch attached to the tactical vest had been adjusted to hold the Dragunov.
The main character was Samdi. He was prepared and his anticipation was at a high. The distance between him and his targets was less than 200 meters, and he did not even need to aim using his radar.
Samdi, its show time.
Peok! Peok! Peok! Dragunov quickly fired its bullets, moving from target to target as if striking on its own free will. The three mambos, who had been distributing human meat in bowls, collapsed one by one. Dambala, who was waiting for his turn, also collapsed to the ground like dominoes.
The destructive power of the three-step sniper rifle, which shot three bullets per second, was formidable. Theoretically, if Samdi was swift shooting in an open area with multiple targets, he could kill 120 people in a minute minute. In an hour, he could take down a 7,2000-strong brigade. Of course, humans were not fixed targets. The situation would also change if there was a counter-attack, but even elite soldiers would have trouble shaking off the nightmare of a flurry of bullets.
Tutututututu! Mag machine guns fired from under the tree. The debris was scattered thickly. Powerful 7.62mm bullets smashed into humans, structures, pots, bushes, and rocks. The combined power of the machine guns and the Dragonov brought about the complete destruction of the Dambala. In just 10 seconds, half of the troops had been shot down. They barely had time to respond to the attack.
Ukubullara (Kill him NOW)!
Ugh! Tapadahai (Please help me)!
Audi! (Enemy)!
Dambala finally realized what was happening and they scattered frantically like insects.
Its coming from our nine oclock. Shoot back!
Alphage Alphage!
Budsela and Barong shouted at the top of their lungs. Budsela could not even begin to imagine that the watchman he had arranged for would have brought the devil here.
The military meaning of the term annihilation applied to a situation in which half of the combat forces have been taken out (dead or seriously injured). This did not apply to the Dambala warriors who took Yorunba. In spite of the terrifying firepower that led to half the troops being neutralized in an instant, not a single Dambala showed his back. Surprisingly, less than 10 seconds later, the counter attacks poured out.
Black Mamba was the one who had calmly spotted the hidden Dambala while he was perching on top of a tree. Samdi on the other hand, was the one firing at the Dambala. Because of the loud noises he was making, he was now the target of the counter attack.
Puck-puck-puck-puck-puck! Samdi faltered. The rifle failed to penetrate the bulletproof plate, but no one was beaten and happy.
How dare you! Youre a dead worm!
Samdi, who was shot several times by a rifle, exploded. He received the mag, pulled out the bubble wrap, and ran out. This is because the expression dead worm is a representative cleaning insect that digs up corpses.
Phew!
A roar signaled the arrival of Edos. The giant crushed the nearby trees and bushes as it rushed forward. Samdis focus on artificial muscles and stances surpassed Black Mamba. Bullets and RPG shells flew from the training ground. Samdi, who tried a speculative move, smoothly escaped a shell.
Black Mamba, who was still overlooking the battlefield from a high altitude, could not die. The heads of the RPG defenders and assistants who attacked Samdi were bound to explode.
Samdi ran 130 meters in just five seconds. A terrifying force that had the power of a landslide hit the Dambala camp. Fuwang! The 40kg weight flying at the speed of sound and 2.4 meters was a terrifying sight to behold. The gust of wind swung around Edos, which was not very wide.
The Dambala, who were hidden behind the trees, were hit by the split tree trunks. The Dambala hidden behind the rocks were hit by shards of stone. Blood and body parts of the body were mixed with crushed leaves and rock fragments as they were picked up by a tornado caused by the bubble wrap.
Heow, whos going to stop him?
At this point, RPG and mortar became shabby. Black Mamba admired the trigger for an hour at the grandeur of Manbu-mak. Samdis majesty surpassed Black Mamba, who was running around with Kukri and Glock in Sahel.
Ungang! Ungang!
Budsela shouted out loud. The only thing that could stop the crazy Petro is the Zombie Army. Behind the barracks, black humans with thick iron clubs popped out. It was a group of zombies controlled by Ogu.
Mbala Cadambu Abu Dal Delatun Ukbulara!
Ogu Ungang chanted a dark spell.
Wow!
The zombie army rushed frantically towards Samdi with a crazy momentum. It was like a rush of water when the river breaks its banks in the midst of a flood.
Hmmm, dirty things!
Shuang! Bbokbogi fell like a thunderbolt. The zombies held up their iron clubs, which were thicker than their forearms, with both hands to protect themselves. Shovel! Bbokbogi cut through the iron clubs without any problems, splitting them into two from top to bottom. The disgusting bloody smell spread out. Zombies were only threatening to humans, and were not a match in weight and power in the first place. Shuang! The zombie bodies were split horizontally and vertically with the blade that flew silently.
The Bbokbogi blade was an items that was finished with a diamond coating after being forged by die casting liquid metal. It was stronger and sharper than normal steel.
Shoot!
Even Budsela didnt think zombies would overpower Petro. It was a measure to concentrate on the firepower while tying the feet. Tutatata! A rain of bullets flew into the middle of the building, killed anyone it hit.
Wok!
Samdi swung Bbokbogi fiercely. It was a technique that he had learned by copying Oselots eight-way windstorm. Jjajajajang! The sound of bullets hitting the shovel blade was like corn splashing in a popcorn machine. Samdi was not Black Mamba. Samdi, who was hit three or four times , jumped out of full force.
Impossible!
Ogu Ungang burst out shouting. Zombies were strong against bullets, but event their bodies were not durable enough to withstand multiple heavy hits. Ungangs cries were buried in the noise of the battlefield and could not be heard. Zombies who were attacking Samdi were hit hard and shattered.
Oh, no. (Crying)
Ungang cried like a Dhole who had lost her baby. Puck! The back of Ungangs head exploded. The bullet dragged the gray foreign substance out to the forehead. Tuk! The magic wand that he was holding, the one thing that had never left his side, dropped to ground and rolled into the mud.
Punch, punch! The three-teb swift swept Dambala. Owls gaze from a 40m high took over the battlefield. A bullet flew just by coughing. Once captured, the head bursts and the chest is pierced.
Blood splattered around Barongs feet. He was taking cover behind the log barricades. As soon as Barong raised his head and screamed, a bullet was shot in his mouth. The bullet pierces through his head, pulling pools of blood and brain matter with it.
No! Barong!
Budsela screamed as he watched his friend go down. But there was no time to worry about anything else. His shoulder was injured when he was hit with a bullet. It seemed like it had pierced through his shoulder blades.
Ugh!
Budsela drew an indomitable fighting spirit. Just as he was about to switch his rifle to his left hand, a black shadow came out of nowhere and hit him. The expensive shovel blade, five times the price of gold of the same weight, passed through Budselas neck.
Damn it, it is wrong from the start!
His head flashed. The last ritual Budsela was snapped. With the death of Budsela, organized resistance is over. Only sporadic shots rang out in the woods outside Edos. No matter how thoroughly the Dambala tried to hide, they could not escape Samdis sense of smell.
Samdi jumped into the forest. The beautiful trees were cut off, and shrubs and ferns were flying in the wind. Samdi searched through the area and started picking out the Dambala like fleas in fur. Dambala, who took Yorunba and went through a cannibal, resisted the last one, and the last one was a sacrifice of
Bbokbogi.
The area where Samdi set up with Bbokbogi was revealed as if it had been pushed away by a plane. Blood poured out of the wounds, turning the ground around him red. About 160 bodies were scattered, and half of them were obliterated. A heavy silence was cast on the devastated Edos. Only the large torches that survived the war fluttered here and there.
Im tired of it. Im really tired of it.
Black Mamba shook his head. How could they have been so ignorant when theyre the same person? The Sahara Desert was romantic. They were just endlessly tired of this story.
Wakir, some of them managed to escape.
Ituri will take care of it.
They did not have to care about the Dambala that had fleed into the jungle. It was difficult to survive in the Ituri jungle without the help of a sorcerer. There was no problem of getting Ituri out of this jungle. No one would trust the words of the voodoo that the devil had descended.
Wakir, man is so foolish.
Samdi ripped the clothes off his body and wiped off the blood from the shovel blades. Why do people abandon life so easily? It was just a meaningless death.
It is more of a loss of self-reliance than stupidity. Man is an absurd being who creates God and hangs on to the creation of God.
Black Mamba smiled bitterly. It was the Holocaust that he had created. An unknown sadness rumbled all over his body. It was a feeling of sadness without a particular reason. It was just a sadness that derived from the pity of humans.
Even Dambal would have believed in God to be happy. He wanted to tell them that the purpose of life was not happiness, but life itself. Of course, it was too late to tell that to the dead bodies.
The Troy War was the result of the jealousy of Olympian goddesses. Humans were the soles of organs in which God moves. The gods simple watched as the humans fight and die under their advice.
The gods had no minimum sense of self-responsibility and they do not pity humans. For them, humans were just objects of play. It was no different to the way humans treated their animals, and humans enjoy watching chickens and dogs fight each other.
Ironically, the basis of Olympus was the human world. The gods admired the human world, and most of the time, the Goddess Namshin cheated on humans and gave birth. The Greeks may have created the Olympian myth by making a god and ridiculing the absurdity of human beings bound to it.
Religion commonly uses the afterlife as a threat card. The Voodoo was no different. Voodooism, which was a mixture of totemism and animism with Catholicism, was so empty that it felt compassion for religion. The believers buried in absurd faith seemed to be endlessly foolish.
But was that so? it was not silly; it was an addiction. Did Omok-Nun really believe that a cuckoo baby ten times bigger than him was his own?
They didnt have to know what Omok-Nun really thought, but it was not faith but addiction.
Humans were not much different from Omok-Nun. Look at the Marlboro advertisement. A very handsome cowboy looking into the distance at the horizon of the wilderness. In his mouth was a Marlboro cigarette. In a word, it was amazing. Unknowingly, he possessed the macho force of a cowboy. This brought about the collective fascination that anyone would look cool if they had a Marlboro cigarette and copied this mans posture.
Chapter 427 - Episode 20: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Kamuge was a Marlboro cowboy that produced biased images. If Omok-nun was a Christian, then Kamuge was a cuckoo cub demanding the sacrifice of a church member. Just as Omok-nun did not recognize the large size and harsh impression of the cuckoo cub and saw only the red mouth full of open eyes, the pier members were possessed by unfounded promises and vain rewards without seeing the shady reality of Kamuge.
Faith alone cannot move mountains. But faith makes us believe that we can move mountains. Woo-jung, who had lost his self-consciousness, became victim to the group hypnosis as if he were swept away by a flood. He did not believe it, but he was fascinated. Why do voodoo people throw their lives away?
Humans possessed by certain objects tend to create irrational defence mechanisms. For example, what was important to the girl fans of certain idol singers was not the musical quality, but the singers themselves. No matter how bad the singers music was, the obsessive fans would not care or be persuaded. It would be a relief if he didnt get his head stamped on the high heels.
Why was there such unreasonable and irrationality thing?
It could be considered some kind of disease. Destroying the amygdala located in the lower part of the monkeys cerebrum showed abnormal behavior. The monkey tried to attack snakes and leopards, eat stones and soil, and mate with other animals. These were actions that it typically feared. These symptoms were known as Kluver-Bucy syndrome.
The herd of monkeys that attacked Black Mamba were suffering from the Kluver-Bucy syndrome. The amygdala of these monkeys had been damaged by the Evoravirus infection and as such, they had lost their fear and inhibitions. Instead, the monkeys became vicious and full of hatred.
When a humans amygdala is damaged, the humans will also experience emotional disorders. They would not be able to read other peoples emotions, and they cannot control their own pleasure and discomfort. This is called Urbach-Vite Syndrome.
Patients with Urbach-Vite syndrome cannot control their emotions and cant recognize other peoples emotions. They openly intervene in other peoples fights and are the first to throw a punch. They blindly follow certain politicians or celebrities and easily believe in the absurd words of scammers or shamans.
On Sunday morning, do they know how to knock on the front door of the apartment to shout Hell of distrust and reverse the situation? They also grab the sleeves of passers-by. [Typically, these people are terminally ill patients, and should be treaded as such]
But how does the Urbach-Vite syndrome occur collectively in groups? There was no established theory, but it has been observed that it intensifies when the dependence on others or the outside to judge thinking and behavior increases.
Voodoo members were considered to be patients suffering from Urbach-Vite syndrome. There were also numerous voodoo members in so-called civilized society. They tended to be shadows of who they were before.
Wakir, Im hungry. Ive heard that Geumgang Mountain is also about eating.
Samdi collapsed on the fallen old tree. He took out a pouch containing dried jujube palm and Hibitor sap from his backpack and held it out to Black Mamba. Samdi was becoming more and more habitual with his manners.
Right. The purpose of life is to live. Its to make a living, so Im going to eat, he said with a laugh.
His body had just endured a fierce battle, so it complained of hunger and thirst. Considering his words that life was a confession, and that Geumgang Mountain was also about eating, it was faithful to reality.
Black Mamba and Samdi each had a bite of jujube palm and quenched their thirst with the sweet hibithor sap. Before they knew it, the rain had stopped and the moon stuck out its head from behind the clouds. Edos in the moonlight was like as peaceful as a wooden Buddha dog. The two sat in the middle of the space and ate quietly. The purpose of life was to survive. Just a handful of jujube palms and couple sips of water were more precious than a hundred lives, and that was pure happiness.
They checked the clock. A It was 5.05 and they had 70 minutes before the helicopter arrived. It took 35 minutes to track down and wipe out the Dambala defeated disease. It was an electroluminescence operation that would remain in the warriors history, but it was not a short time. It wasnt even enough time for a cheating woman to finish her makeup, but it was just enough time for a man to eat, drink a cup of instant coffee from the vending machine, and read an online article. Even if he was a less energetic man, he would still have had enough time to go to the toilet and smoke a few cigarettes.
Wakir, Kamuge hasnt appeared yet
Oops!
Black Mamba smacked his forehead. He had forgotten the final boss because he had been so aggressive.
Where is he? Is he stuck in the mess of the house? Do I have to search every corner?
Shouldnt we check on the hostages first?
Oh my! Thats right.
Yes, he had removed the obstacle that was blocking the hostages, but he had forgotten the purpose of removing the obstacle in the first place. The main force of Dambala had collapsed. He had even cleaned it up from spies, zombies, and Oselot. The obstacles were almost all gone. Black Mamba rushed to the Dambala camp as if he was flying.
Nothing special happened.
Rocks and boulders blocked the entrance of the underground passage. There was no way that the people of Kamuge would be able to move the rocks that weighed more than 500 kilograms; not without some heavy machinery at least.
Dambala had sent all of them on a business trip to hell. Samdi did not even pay the people any attention. He simply picked up the heavy rocks and threw them aside like they were made of straw. The heavy log entrance fell with a single kick. Samdi was cool and nonchalant as he did these actions.
Huh? What was that?
With the way now clear, Black Mamba was startled. The stairs were covered in blood. As soon as he got over the ominous feeling, Samdi pointed his finger at the steel door.
Thats not human blood.
Blood was flowing down the stairs from the tiny gap beneath the steel door. It was blood flowing out of the corpse that Oma had shot and killed by Black Mamba.
Im surprised.
He let out a sigh of relief. Tung-tung! In the meantime, the generator ran smoothly.
Kung! Samdi roughly opened the basement door.
Oh, it stinks in here!
His nose tingled from the odor. Even if we mixed 1,000 rotten eggs and Wang Geon, a dirty toilet that hadnt been cleaned for a decade, the stench would still be weaker than this. Even Black Mamba had to slow down.
The odor from the body was also formidable. It was almost impossible to prevent body odor in the hot and humid Ituri jungle, especially when they could not have a proper wash for 15 days. The smell that permeated the air was even worse in this confined room.
Oh my god!
Ugh, its a devil.
Oh Lord, pity the sinner.
All kinds of screams came out. It was pretty understandable. Black Mamba and Samdi mustered up the courage to smash down the door. The people with extremely weak minds and bodies could not help but be surprised.
Click. Black Mamba pressed a switch on the wall. The single, low-hanging incandescent lamp hanging lit up. The people of Kamuge were not just oridinary humans; not if they possessed electric lights in Kadanka, located deep in the jungle of Ituri.
Oh, my!
Black Mamba and Samdis eyes widened. The hostages were trapped in horrible living conditions. They were humans that were being treated worse than animals. It was difficult for Black Mamba and Samdi to get close because of the odor.
But they saw the figures crouching in the corner of the room. They looked like bags of bones trembling in the corner like monkeys cowering from a python. Their cheekbones were protruding, skin was parched, eyes were hollowed and their lips were white. There were even maggots living on their bodies. They looked worse off than the zombies you would see in Hollywood movies. (In fact, zombies were much healthier than ordinary people, as they were not crushed and skinny.)
In the middle of the room were three long wooden troughs.
Oh my Ive never seen such a bad guy!
Black Mamba roared. Samdi did not know what he was looking at, but Black Mamba, who had raised cows on a farm, had figured out the purpose of the troughs at a glance. Dambala confined the hostages in this room and fed them by pouring cassava porridge into the trough, as if feeding livestock. This was not just a horrid living environment; it was a deliberate insult. Was it simply hatred of white people? The answer was still unknown.
Black Mamba immediately understood why the hostages looked so frightened. When humans were forced to endure continued torture, harassment and humiliation, their minds would become terribly weak. Even students who continued to suffer from group bullying could not even think of opposing it.
Samdi and Black Mamba must have been extremely intimidating to look at. Their faces were covered in blood, and they were dressed in full combat attire that included reflective goggles and black masks. Of course the weakened hostages must have been scared to look at them.
Are you guys related to France Areva group?
No one answered Samdis question. Black Mamba thumped his chest. Would anyone be able to understand if a goblin appeared on a deep blue night and said, Are you related to France Areva group?
Excusez-moi pour le retard. (Excuse me for being late.) Je suis un mercenaire fran?ais.(Im a French mercenary). Vous tes un otage? (Are you a hostage?)
Black Mamba took off his goggles and mask and showed his face. His eyes showed that he was a rare beauty. Sometimes, a persons looks is stronger than language, so Black Mamba tried to appear gentle and friendly. Finally, someone answered him.
Yeah. Were Arevas engineers and scientists.
Le kidnappeur a t ananti,(The kidnapper was wiped out,) vous tes libre. (You are free.)
I survived!
Someone shouted out loud.
Wow!
Aller, Lgion trangre fran?aise!
A shout came out. The hostages jumped up and went wild. The gloomy basement suddenly seems to have transformed into a place of cheer and celebration. Some of the men stumbled forward with their arms open as they rushed forward to give their saviors a hug. . Black Mamba smoothly slipped aside. He was used to avoiding hugs from people.
Dr. Chateau Rollan, the head of Arevas geological exploration team, shed tears. It was clear he was with the French Foreign Legion. Seven months after being detained in the basement, a savior came. He was trembling with the joy of hope for his life.
No longer did he have to fear for his life, or fear that his hands and feet would be cut off. He did not have to fear of being eaten. He wont have to cut off his legs that were infested with maggots. The humiliation, indignity, and pain that he received for seven months passed by like a flashback.
Just a few minutes ago, Rollan was awakened by the sound of the explosion. He had listened intently to the shouts and sound of gunfire that overwhelmed even the sound of the rain. Was the rescue team here? Would they be able to defeat all of the guerrillas? Would the guerrillas come in here to kill them first? The awakened hostage buzzed with anticipation and fear.
The time to wait after the shot stopped was the time to determine life or death. Nothing was happening. The rescue team had failed. No, there may have been a battle between guerrillas. Everyone gave up hope and sobbed.
Rollan blamed God, blamed France, and blamed the company, when all of a sudden, the prison door was smashed opened and the savior appeared. Vous tre libre was such a cool phrase!
He wanted to kiss the mercenary, but he refrained. He hadnt brushed his teeth for seven months.
Black Mamba stared at the hostages. He had killed 600 people to save these 15 people. What would Buddha think? What did Jesus say? He was proud when he rescued the Orthodox and Kurdish in Caparuza. This time, there was no excitement.
Maybe it was because they were the best. Africa is a land of Africans. These are technicians from private companies who were put in to develop Zaires uranium. In other words, he was a subordinate of the group trying to take advantage of Africas resources. The world depends on the perspective of the perpetrator and the victim.
Who are you?
Dr. Rollan asked after he finally came to his senses.
Youll be in trouble if you behave rudely to Wakir. Give the official statement first. Samdi, who was standing like a steel tower, picked up a bloody Bbokbogi.
Ugh!
The frightened Rollan quickly stepped back.
Wh.. What are you doing? Im Dr. Chateau Rollan, the exploration team leader.
Black Mamba raised his hand to stop Samdi.
Dubaiburupa!
The hostages eyes were all focused on Black Mamba. Rollan raised his arms and shouted.
Dubaiburupa is a true hero.
Wow! Hurray for the Dubaiburupa!
Im not a hero, Im a mercenary and a killer. Black Mamba calmly denied it.
No, you are the hero of this era and the pride of France.
Aller, Dubaiburupa
Rollan and the other hostages shouted even louder. Black Mamba smiled bitterly. The French have often fallen into a hero-seeking game since Jeanne dArc. Was he really a hero? He had no desire to be an overworked hero.
Where is the rescue team?
The rescue team is me and my colleague.
Where are the other people?
Its just the two of us.
Rollans eyes were busy going back and forth between Black Mamba and Samdi.
Oh, my God! How many noble French young men have been sacrificed? Oh Lord, may you accept the righteous and noble soul.
Rollan sat down and began to pray. Black Mamba and Samdi looked down at the middle-aged man who was making silly comments.
Dont worry. Were the only ones here.
Oh my god. Is that even possible.
Rollan looked at Black Mamba and Samdi with suspicious eyes. He could not believe that these two mercenaries annihilated hundreds of guerrilla soldiers. And yet, here they are standing in front of him. Rollan grabbed Black Mambas hand.
Praise the Lord. How can I understand the deep will of the Lord? Lets all pray.
The other hostages all fell to their knees as they began praying at once.
Lord, he destroyed the seed of evil and gave life to his children Amen
Amen!
The loud chorus shook the basement. Black Mamba and Samdi were pushed out and the Lord took the place.
Chapter 428 - Episode 21: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Black Mamba came out for the worse due to this unexpected situation. He quickly retreated. When did the Lord come to Kadanka and join the Dambala? He and Samdi had done all the hard work and now the Lord was taking all the credit. That was nonsense. Operation Fist of Justice was reluctant from the start. He had only stepped in because he realized that no one was in any trouble. Although he was not expecting to receive any compliments, he did not expect to be pushed aside so quickly. As expected, he was a very great Lord.
Another voodoo? What is this?
Samdi murmured to himself. He looked uneasy. The doctor had said something about a hero to his master, and suddenly he was praising the Lord. According to his owner, the French commandos had failed to rescue him three times. It was a horrendous operation where he had to enter the stomach of a monster.
When he had saved the mortal, his master became a dog thief, and he only survived thanks to the wrong Lord. Did they even know that there were six monsters on their heads? Samdi peeked at Black Mamba. He wanted to leave them to the existence of the Lord and leave the stinking basement as quickly as he could.
Black Mamba could not help but laugh. However, he decided not to do anything about it after all. He had witnessed the behavior of religious men numerous times in Korea. Since France is a devout Catholic country, their actions were considered ceremonial. How desperately could the name of the God have been called in fear and despair.
According to the confession of Karungo, there were Koreans and other Asians among the hostages. He examined the faces of those hostages. He was curious as to which nerd had crawled into this remote African country and got themselves kidnapped.
He could not tell who was who, even when he looked directly at them with his eyes opened wide. They were all under a dim incandescent light. Their faces were completely stained and covered with their beards and greasy hair. They had been trapped in the basement for seven months.
Are there any Koreans here?
There was no answer.
Are there any Korean people?
He asked in Korean this time.
Me! Im Korean! Cough.
Only then did he hear an answer in Korean, mixed with the sounds of heavy coughing. The voice came from a man lying in the corner of the room, away from the crowd that had amassed in the middle. He did not look like he was surviving very well, even at first glance. He wrist was visibly broke, and he seemed to have trouble breathing. The man struggled to draw a breath. Black Mamba had met many Korean people, but it was not very nice to see them. No, there was a strange antipathy.
Why are Korean people here?
Are you Korean, too?
Lee Kang Chol was delighted. He burst into tears when he heard the familiar Korean words in the middle of remote Africa.
You dont need to know that. Why are you here?
Lee Kang Chol was startled by the response. He had asked out of joy, but the answer was a frosty response.
I am a commercial official. I came to Gabon on business and was kidnapped.
A Korean person came to Gabon for business?
Yes, Korea Electric Power is exploring uranium in Gabon. I am in charge of liaison with the Gabon government.
Black Mamba nodded. That was exactly what he had asked Bonifas to do. But what the man said did not add up. Gabon is an Atlantic country. It is thousands of kilometers away from the Ituri jungle in East Africa.
Dambala went all the way to Gabon and kidnapped you? Are you that important?
The words of Black Mamba were confrontational. They were like accusations.
No, I was on my way to Victoria, but I changed my schedule, and I was kidnapped while I was touring Lake Kivu.
Tourism? You came all the way to Tanzania from Gabon to see Lake Victoria?
Black Mamba was growing suspicious. Although Lake Victoria was worth visiting , it would be expensive for a civil servant to travel across the African continent. Furthermore, African countries receive and operate aircraft that are discarded by Europe and the U.S. for free of charge. It is a common name for carrying a coffin.
An airfield was basically a runway that had been built into the jungle. There were planes that had smashed as they landed on the unfinished runways, and aircraft that were abandoned due to failure to take off.
Crossing Africa by land presented even more problems. To get to Tanzania from Gabon, you would have to cross the Republic of Congo, which was a French colony, and Zaire, which was a Belgian province. All throughout Congo, armed guerrillas ran wild. This must be a Korean person who was out of his mind.
My fellow congressman begged me to go see the Victoria. Local missions or accompanying civil servants are parliamentary servants. You are Korean right? So you will know that much. I landed at Buchav Airport because the damn junk plane broke down.
What a bunch of shit. Tsk tsk!
Black mamba clicked his tongue. He remembered the saying of Hye-young that she was not a lawmaker but a member of the National Assembly. Regardless of the tight foreign exchange conditions in Korea, tourism with busy government officials was also taxed.
What happened to the National Assembly?
Lee Kang Chol could tell that his opponents words carried a strong sense of hostility. A white line was drawn on the dirty face. He had a lot of regrets for the dead.
Jang Kyung Sam, the damn the damn bastard was killed here by sepsis, and the foreign resource director was shot dead.
The answer was filled with a lot of emotion. It became this situation as humans trying to bury bean powder and humans approaching retirement age paired up.
Jang Kyung Sam, you say? Black Mamba found that to be a familiar name. What was this strange hostility that should be felt in a countryman who should be glad? When Black Mamba tried to say something, Samdi interrupted.
Wakir, there are no women here.
Although it was almost impossible for regular humans to distinguish the men from the women because of the current conditions, Samdi was a zombie. His senses would have detected the unique body odor of women.
What did you say?
Black Mamba was startled. He knew that there was supposed to be five women among the fifteen hostages. There were only fifteen hostages because but the rest of them had died. I did not mention it because I did not want to bring up a heartbreaking story.
It was a problem if there wasnt a woman there. Women are more adaptable to the environment than men.
Wait a minute, why are there no women here?
Black Mambas voice echoed in the basement.
The festive basement suddenly became quiet. The hostages looked at one another while avoiding the gaze of Black Mamba. Samdi was more tactful than Black Mamba.
Wakir, they are hiding something.
Samdis whisper was eye-opening and intrigued Black Mamba. The Orthodox people of Kapparuza threw their lives to save the woman. He was annoyed by the mysterious actions of the hostages.
We do not have time for this. They should have been saved too.
Duung! The interference field spread out. It was a skill that stimulated the amygdala in the limbic system and triggered a temporary state of the Urbach-Vite syndrome.
The guerrillas took all five women, said a man in his 40s.
Black Mambas face twisted angrily. Hs own father had been involved in the Japanese militarys sexual slave trade and had often talked about the blooming age of Korea. The girl who was taken from the straw bridge was said to be fifteen and sixteen. Well, what can cannibals do?
Did Guerrilla take you to the semen?
That is right, the man answered equivocally.
I do not think so.. We do not have time. Should not they be saved, too.
Black Mamba slightly untied the ragged flesh. If you shoot life at a man who is weak in mind and body, you die of a heart attack immediately.
Oh, my gosh! Whoosh!
The breathless man grabbed his chest and stumbled. He is a more vulnerable human being than I thought.
Roland, what happened?
Black Mamba looked at Roland with a straight face.
Phew, I am really sorry. I heard that five female team members are living somewhere else. Hey, Bernado, youve been there before right? Tell me the truth.
A man with an exceptionally large frame stepped forward. It was the same as being nasty, but he was quite a superior guy.
Do you know there the location is?
Its in a place called the Sanctuary, but I dont really know the exact location. Each time I was dragged there, I was blindfolded first. I think I walked about half an hour to get there.
This is why no one knew where the location was. It is unexpectedly close if you spin around, and it is quite a long way if you move along the road. You can not expect much from civilians.
What did you do there when they dragged you away?
I had sex with a woman.
Sex?
The eyes of both Black Mamba and Samdi grew bigger due to the unexpected twist. The word sex and hostage do not go too well together. To be exact, I was forced to have sex in the presence of the sorcerer.
Then what?
Bernado hesitated for a minute. When he finally spoke, he poured out his words as if he was determined to get though it.
The women were living in a surprisingly good environment, with good food. A female sorcerer dressed in black attended them. The guerrillas werent even allowed to be near them. Those women must have betrayed the state and the company and sold our secrets to them. Traitors! While we men were being tortured, those women were
Stop!
Black Mamba raised his hand to cover his mouth.
Stop talking nonsense. Are you prepared to refuse to exchange confidentiality with your hands and feet?
The man could not answer and avoided looking directly at Black Mamba. Realistic and aggressive violence was directly linked to individual survival. How many people would offer their lives for the abstract value of patriotism?
Samdi, keep your eyes on them. Im going to find women.
Black Mamba has disappeared.
Dirty bastard!
Samdi looked at Bernard with disapproving eyes. Colleagues, who could not protect women, talk a lot. He was a lousy fellow compared to Jamal, Ahmad, Jadri, Ibrahim, Aishe, and the pawns. The owner said that few people are sincere and loyal, with dark ink on their heads. The owner was always right.
I am going to live.
Black Mamba exited the basement and breathed in the fresh air. The hot and humid air at the end of heavy rain was heavenly compared to the stench of the basement. He used his spatial perception skills.
I dont believe it.
The width of the forest was 50 to 60 meters, at most. That was a fraudulent skill, but it was not very difficult for him to scan 4,500 meters. The viability of a hostage was inversely proportional to the time. Moreover, if the situation was changing rapidly like it was now, it may all already be over.
He leaped up from the ground and grabbed a branch that was about 30 meters high. He swung on the branch and flew upwards. He repeated this step a few times until he finally reached the top of the canopy.
Wow!
He exclaimed in surprise. The world was divided into canopy boundaries. The moon set in the cloudy sky and the brilliant starlight filled the sky. It was a scene that he never would have imagined when he was standing on the dark ground.
Under the starlight, the black carpet stretched endlessly. It was six kilometers long and four kilometers wide. The entire island was covered with primeval forests. But he did not have the time to admire the view. Sshik! Black Mamba raced across the canopy with spatial perception. It took him 20 minutes to cut the entire island like a board and investigate further.
Ten minutes later, he went down through the canopy. As soon as he came down a huge bridge tree and reached the ground, he tumbled back 10 meters away. Phuacc! A net of vanity hit where he was.
Im speechless because Im so stupefied.
He had seen all sorts of strange monsters in the Ituri jungle, but this time it was severe. The creature standing in front of him had its front foot raised like a horse. It was like a furry spider similar to a Goliath Tarantula. The spider attacked by shooting out a web net the same way a human would throw out a net.
Almost one square meter wide net hangs on his wide open leg. The tarantula was bigger than a golden retriever, and the net was strong enough to capture a man!
Ho Woong Gan was a voodoo sorcerer that specialized in grandiose and strengthened magic. The spider was a creature created by Kamuge by magic. If voodoo takes control of the world, all kinds of monsters will roam the Earth.
The spiders four yellow eyes burned brightly. The large eyes on the front of its head were the size of the bottom of beer bottles, and the eyes on the back row were the size of a tangja. It also had two black tusks which were the size of human arms. They looked very threatening.
Spiders have eight eyes. The row of four eyes in the front were relatively smaller and the four eyes on the back row were much larger. The reason why there are eight eyes is because the chest and head are a bundle. Spiders do not have neck joints like insects, so they can only look to the front. It is a case in which the square is reduced to the number of eyes during the evolution process of evolution. Spiders can not turn their heads, so they have no choice but to stare. It made Black Mamba feel worse.
Should he avoid this creature or kill it? While hesitating for a moment, the spider scratched its chest with its front paw. Poisonous fur on the chest flew like a blizzard.
You are very doomed!
Poisoned cheeks stung. Humans are almost dead if they feel self-awareness. There was nothing to see. Puck puck puck! About 10 MP5s bullets came pouring out. Kick! The spider jumped and clung to the trees. The bullet could not penetrate the carapace of the monster. The 9-millimeter bullet, which was only 800J, was not powerful enough.
The monster spider fell silent. The giant poisonous creature had been axed down. It took 0.2 seconds for a rattlesnake to put a venom into its prey that is within range. The time of the spider to hit the venom is only 0.1 seconds.
Chapter 429 - Episode 22: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Do spiders become smarter when their bodies get bigger? Tarantula threw a web net like a net and fell after it. It is a double ambush, secretive and insidious like a spider.
There are no words such as sportsmanship, fairness, or declaration of war in the dictionary of Ituri jungle. There are only two words to be killed or killed.
If it is a battle without rules, Black Mamba is all for it. As soon as he tried to take a leap away from the falling net with a blue cloth, a black shadow popped out from behind the net. The dismal Black Mamba slipped all the way to the front. Phuac- The leaves and corrosive organic matter thickly laid on the floor were well C heeled.
The tarantula swerved in the air with the help of a web attached to the tail. The worlds Black Mamba Tarantulas triple trick too was unexpected.
A black poisonous tooth popped out of a floating body that blocked the view. Boosik C the poison tooth of Tarantula, which is longer than bayonets, is stuck in his shoulder through bulletproof clothing. Tarantula, who achieved his goal, jumped and stepped down. It is a visceral avoidance of poison that does not want to be hurt by the exploitation of the victim.
Ugh!
Feeling extremely painful, Black Mamba hit the head, but only the corrugated plates were partially peeled off. The timing of the strike was late. The corrugated plate of the spot where the cuff was grazed was peeled off, but only scratched. The impression of Black Mamba is dented.
The poison spread through the blood vessels and lymph nodes like waves. The heat, which started from the area where the poison tooth was stabbed, quickly spread throughout the body. The skin burned red when the tissues antitoxin and Atrax (spider venom) collided.
Shoot! White pellets poured out of my spinal cord. Atrax was quickly sucked into white grains. The paralyzed body was released in an instant.
This is really great!
Black Mamba felt a sense of fullness with energy. I did not think it would work any better even if I ate a thousand years of Dongjasam. The problem is the bottom. The stiffness on the lower part put strength into it.
Tarantula, the one who was examining the condition of her prey, raised her eyes with anticipation for the dinner. It is a fairly resistant prey, but the abnormal resistance stamped on the venom is over. It was made into thick porridge, leaving only the pleasure to inhale. An excited tarantula jumped up and down.
The process of tarantulas attacking prey is similar to large cats and animals. Leap with powerful hind legs, grab the victim with the hooked claws of the front foot and hit his teeth.
The difference between the two is whether to break the back of the neck or inject poison. The power of the Dokdo a tarantula, but the fangs of a self really too much. The palm C sized tarantula tusks through human claws. If it becomes the size of a gold retriever, it can also penetrate armored vehicles.
Poor thing!
The imagination of a tarantula with its legs wide open is terrible. Of course, it is a normal human story. Woo-ooh C Gongjin faction was put into the handcuffs. Pichoot Pichoot C Four front feet trying to grab the black mamba were cut off at once. Tarantula undauntedly struck his tusks longer than the bayonet.
Tarantula made a mistake. The handcuffs grabbed a poisonous child that was falling like lightning. Crunch- there was a groan. KKKK- the venomous child spread from side to side. My mouth was pricked, my head was torn, and my heart was torn. Tarantula resisted by spouting poison like a fountain. The wet leaves burned down and smoke rose from the rocks, but the black mamba did not budge.
Kiaak C Tarantula broke into two pieces, leaving a desperate scream. The fierce battle ended in just three seconds. Steam rose from the spilled guts. The surrounding vegetation withered yellow. He is highly toxic.
It is not a really big deal.
Black Mamba threw away the two C piece monster tarantula. Tarantula was a great legba but met the wrong opponent. There is no poison on Earth that can poison Epidium. The boss C class monster, the one who misjudged his opponent, only raised his or her experience and ended his or her life without dropping items.
Realising- Black Mamba hit the ground without a moment to breathe. There is no need to expand spatial perception. The unique odor of voodoo in the air guided the way.
Was that it?
It was not long before I noticed four water houses sitting in the air. Dambala is the sanctuary of Kamugu, which is called the public garden.
In the Ituri jungle, a giant tree must be at least 3 to 4 meters in diameter and 50 meters in labor. The school trees in the jungle rise frantically to survive the photosynthesis competition. The first branch extends at least 20 to 40 meters above the ground.
The water house is installed on thick branches with long floor supports like masts, and the floor is laid first, and the walls and roofs are woven together. Water houses built on the branches and branches of large trees are limited in size. The house in front of us exceeded the place limit. The floor area was over 10 pyeong.
Hhh, lets see what kind of goblin we are playing.
Black Mamba gave a very cool smile.
Cuck- Kamuge shivered, clutching its chest. When a psychic C connected Omar dies, a brain C pulling shock comes. The trusted Legba and Spider C Omar were killed. How many times tonight. A powerful enemy, who had no idea, finally came under my nose.
Spy, cursed Petro!
Kamuge spit out a pool of blood in his mouth. All 600 loyal believers led by Budsela, 10 zombies led by Ogu, and Chinck friends with martial arts skills died. Surprisingly, even Oselot, the bodyguard of the guards, could not stop him.
The strongest Ohmine Spider also died without a single effort. No matter how powerful the spirit is, it is based on the evil spirit of death and human malice, but it can not be this powerful.
Ugh, three days left to go..
If Ruth Luhweh were the only one to be wise, he would not have to stay here. The great work is over. Plans to rally voodoo believers in eastern Africa to subdue Ntaganta and push Mobutu down have gone up in smoke.
Should we wake up incomplete Ruth Luhwe and co C destruct him? Should we run away now? Kahweyum went round and round in the room.
The reason why kamuge did not come to the front is because he could not leave the sanctuary. What is his obsession with losing both troops and Oma? In short, he is a cursed immortal creature.
The voodoo was the state religion of the Dahomei Kingdom, which flourished in what is now the Benin Republic of West Africa. The three tribes that played a pivotal role in the founding of Dahomei were the Yoruba, Pong, and Ebe.
Legend has it that the chiefs of the three tribes took a long journey east under the guidance of God. Those who were lost and wandering on land where the earth split and lava soared found a meteorite emitting light. The meteorite contained three blue C colored eggs. The three called the eggs the gift of the God, the egg of the Angel.
The three chiefs, who returned home, hatched the egg of the angel by mobilizing tribal magic and leaps. The Yoruba came from snakes, the Pongs from spiders, and the Ephesians from eggs. The three tribes called the great Rwah from the egg Lusruhe, the deity angel.
Ruth Luhwe was a great servant of transcendent power. When he cried, there was a drought, and when he hit the ground with his feet, water rose. The unclean man called lightning and killed it, and destroyed the mountain to find jewels. The power of Ruth Luhwe transcended common sense.
The chief of the three tribes founded Dahomei and became king thanks to the transcendent power of Lusruhe. Hoongan dedicated a wealth of personality to Lusruhe, who defeated external enemies and suppressed the rebellion. Records say Ruth Luhwe the spider wiped out 10,000 insurgents in a day. Since then, human trafficking has become an important ritual ritual of voodooism.
In 1740, the Kingdom of Dahomei lost the war against the Yoyo Kingdom. At this time, Ruth Luhwe disappeared. No, Rusruhe disappeared and lost the war.
Although the Kingdom of Dahomei was founded in the late 17th century, the traces remained a legend. This is because the royal family relied on Ruth Luhwe to rule mystically based on the voodoo religion, which is a state religion. There is no way that ideas or cultures can remain since they ruled with snake heads, spider eyes, and crocodile tails without independence. Later, the descendants of the Dahomei family survived by supplying slaves to Arab and European countries.
Kamugi is a great sorcerer who succeeded the dark horse of Dahomei Red Tong Hoongan. He happened to get the eggs of Ruth Luhwe in the Ituri jungle. To hatch Rusruhes eggs, one must use the voodoo vision.
First, insert the egg into the uterus of a white woman. Only Kahweigh himself would know why he insisted on white women. When the egg of an angel is in place, it makes the woman pregnant by intersection.
When a fertilized egg is conceived, the energy trapped in the egg of Ruth Luhwe invades the fertilized egg. Ruth Luhwe is the host of human fertilized eggs. Wicka (bowl) is a white woman, to be precise, a uterus. Two out of five white women die of side effects, and Ruth Luhwe is growing in three uteruses.
The timing of the departure of Ruth Luhwe from the bowl is not constant. It is 180 days at the earliest and 360 days at the latest. Houngan can tell the time when Ruth Luhweh is about to be born. Currently, the birth of an object is imminent.
When Ruth Luhweh is born, she feeds the blood of Oma, raised by magic. During the parenting process, the bond between Ho Woong C gan and Ruth Luhwe is formed. Kabugi suffered tremendous damage from the Black Mamba. Not only because of the military damage, but also because six omas, Ruth Luhwes baby food, were destroyed. There is no choice but to have a deep grudge against the weight of the car.
The kamugi pressed his thumb on his temple and set up four fingers. Mambo, who received telepathy, responded immediately.
Mambo, wake up Ruth Luhwe.
Markandal, Wicka is dead, but it is hard to control Ruth Luhweh.
Wake me up immediately. If Petro comes in anyway, it is over. I will not hold you responsible.
C I will absolutely follow the orders you say.
The three Mamboes, instructed by Kamugy, went to Wicka, which they were in charge of, without knowing the terrible fate that was about to come.
Mambo, the one who communicated with Kamugu, stared down at a white woman in a state of housework. Wicka, the one who is about to give birth, is in a state of housework. This is because nutrition and energy are quickly stolen.
Mambo took a bottle of blue liquid out of his arms. It is the blood of an oma. He rubbed the blood on the belly of the woman, opened his mouth and poured in the yorunba. The abdomen of the woman shook. The disgruntled Mambo began to chant a spell. Whether he is kamuge or Mambo, there is no way you have experience. It is just based on the knowledge that way.
Dambala Utti Amule Amule Wika Luhwe Luhweh
Mambo is order has suddenly stopped. It is a god to be held in the clutches of a Black Mamba and to be able to chant a spell. Black Mamba shook his neck.
What are you doing? Oh, my god!
Black Mamba untied his grip. I almost smashed my backbone.
Petro!
The black face of Mambo was bleached as white as a lie. Petro, the natural enemy of all Leahas, appeared. Her eyes turned white. The possessed Rwa went on a rampage.
Giggles, giggles.
What is the wrong with you? Is there a show?
Black mamba burst out. Mambo pointed back with his trembling fingers. The eyes of Black Mamba got bigger when he looked back.
What is that!
The belly of the woman, which was the size of Namsan Mountain, bulged. White women who are blind have no response. Black Mamba recognized that the mother was addicted to drugs. Oddly enough, when the womans bottom, which was clearly exposed, was caught in the eye, the heat rose and the bottom, which had been hanging, calmed down.
What did you say?
The eyes of Black Mamba gushed bright. His least favorite group are those who use humans as a means. Everything alive struggles. The weak are culled and the strong survive. Murder is acceptable for acts through struggle. But the act of human slavery, zombieization and eating is unacceptable.
Uxku Dasai, Uxku Dasai Oka Mead a Ruthruhe Wen Ruth. The great Ruth Luhwe is born.
What the hell are you talking about, bitch?
Come to think of it, he does not know their language. It is a waste to be questioned. He threw away the Mambo in his hand. Kwajik- The wall is drilled through. What power would a wall made of cocoa leaves and Abyssinia leaves woven from mashed vines have?
Argh!
Mambo crashed with a long scream.
Oh, damn it, I forgot.
There is no possibility that the priestess, who fell from a 30 C meter altitude, will escape death. I did not mean to kill him, but as a result I killed a woman.
For the sake of the God, the clingy spirit will save you.
The Black Mamba shook off its displeasure. The position of priest of a social group that uses humans as tools deserves to die. The problem is a white woman with haemorrhage. If you think that the thing that wriggles in your stomach is a cute baby, you are a human with a four C dimensional mental world.
Black Mamba was in conflict. The woman is dead or unchallenged, but alive. She hesitated because she could not decide what to cut off the woman and her stomach at once.
KEY- It ias out. However, he tore his stomach and escaped through the mountains so calmly that he was worried that the monster might pop out. His body was similar to a normal baby. At first glance, he is human, but at second glance, he is not human. The pupils are not black and white, and the mouth is as sharp as an alligator. There is a water knife on the hand, and an organ similar to a fishs gills behind the ear.
What are you doing?
A crouching scarlet creature sprang up. A human baby is born like a nugget and cannot stand up immediately. It does not take at least a year to get up.
Hahaha!
A dreary laugh tapped my head. Black Mamba spun like a top. The blade cut off the object that appeared at the back one after another, but the mass was not felt. On the other side, a sorcerer with a skull cane appeared.
Goat!
The eye of Black Mamba got bigger.
Chapter 430 - Episode 23: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Black Mamba, the one who has a great sense of sight and spatial perception, can not tell the difference between reality and shadow. It immediately recognized that kamuge the one who appeared in the front of him was a ghost. Indeed, objects with mass can not hide their attention and appear behind their backs. The ghost opened his mouth.
Petro, thanks to you, I have ruined my big business. Be cursed by Dambala. Property and happiness will be out of your way forever.]
From the psychobiography to the telepathic!
Black Mamba was surprised by Hae C yeon. This is a real left C hander. I did not know there was a guy like this in the world. Thoughtography refers to a psychic photograph that reproduces something that the human eye can not see or reflects the images that the brain has constructed on a particular object. That is a shallow ability that is just feast for the eye.
A real salt is a high mental power that embodies ones thoughts or imagination in another space. If the ratio is to be realized, kamuge is the highest level of left C handed techniques.
Dae C up is a jerk, you are a kamuge?
He threw a horse and solved spatial perception to track down his true identity.
[Yes, you are right, I am the prophet, Kamuge Makandal. Because of Peter, the enemy of Rewa, Lusruhe, the god of good faith, has become the evil spirit that destroys the world. The people of the world will curse this man.]
Whoa!
My mouth opened wide. Talkin Sunny is just a hostage C taker. The common thing about hostage C takers is the transfer of responsibility. From now on, It is your responsibility to take on the seriousness that is happening now. The responsibility for the death of the hostage lies entirely with the government for refusing to provide the evacuation aircraft. The irresponsible attack by the police cost the hostage.
Man, the world is hell by nature. Is not the origin of Dambala good deeds? The funny hell turned into a boring hell because you contaminated the Kl?vre. When a man like you runs wild, heaven becomes hell.
In fact, it tracked the true body of kamuge and monitored a creature called Ruth Luhweh. The move of Ruth Luhwe was extraordinary. He has a snout in the heart of Mambo.
[Hehehe, You are about to see hell.]
Kamugu lifted the wand of Mardu (A magic wand) and memorized the spell. [Luhre Rewa Nyorita Avriwadau Bungal Kardingos Wamba Inhab!]
At the same time as the shout of Tuap! the light flashed from the skull of Mardu. Kiruru C Lusruhe, the one who received the light, raised his head and stretched his arms and legs out.
Oh, my God! I am really going crazy.
The eyes of Black Mamba got bigger. It has only been two or three minutes. In the meantime, creatures have doubled. The skin turned dark, too. That is just a vicious monster. It is not a time to falter under the influence of a baby. Xuak C Coocri has shortened the space by 3 meters.
Oh my god!
Coocree passed through the creature. I could not feel anything in my hand. At the moment of surprise, the creature popped up.
A creature less than five minutes old jumps?
The neck of Black Mamba was bent 90 degrees. The kick that grazed his face hit his shoulder. Puck C the impact of a rifle shot was delivered. The face of Black Mamba, which had receded far, was rotten and smeared. I almost stamped my foot on my face. He was no less embarrassed. It is a dog C like situation in which ones blow is not working and the others blow is working.
Hehehe, Are you surprised? Ruth ruhwe is both a mass creature and a body. Ten days is enough to cover the sky.]
The sound of dog grazing!
Xuak- Coocri ran through the air at the speed of cutting the waist of a tiny fly. A hazy coating has been made. The creature in the coating should be cut like slice cheese.. There is no weight on the blade. It is like wielding a knife to cut the fog.
Oh, my God!
As soon as the frightened Black Mambas hands were delayed, the eyes of the creature flashed.
Ugh!
Black Mamba stumbled away. As if a flash bang (blind bullets) had burst, it turned white in front of me and my mind became faint.
[Hhhh, figuration is the power of Ruth Ruhweh. It is an uncontrolled coming of God. It is the end of the world. You die, I die, and everyone dies. The next time we meet, Ruth Ruhwe will tear your limbs and throw them as dog food. Hahaha!]
Kamuge threw a typical comment of villain and walked out. The body of goat went off with a thud.
Oh my god, Van Mehomme Oh my god.
By memorizing his true words, he drained his burning energy and regained his senses. jjojojong- The white curtain fell apart. The white curtain crumbled. It brightened up in front of me.
You crazy bastard! I will destroy the real thing.
That guy is a real nut job. Regardless of all ages, clubs are medicine for crazy people. Unexpectedly, he got his nerve up close. If it is 30 meters empty, it means he is living in another water house.
Kiruru- Just as he was about to kick out of the floor, Ruth Ruhwe stretched as long as he pulled out. It is a movement that ignores lightning, gravity and air resistance. Woong- He hit Gongjin on the head with a handcuff.
The cuffs undoubtedly split the space. Puck C a part of the body stretched like a rubber band slapped and disappeared. Ruth Ruhwe, the one who had been given a blow, fell far away and stared with eyes that had only white spots. No, it seemed like he was looking.
Oh, shit! This Bastard!
It is the first time I have been slapped since I had a mercenary meal. Deep in the eyes of Black Mamba, bright red came out like ink smudging. It is turning into slaughter mode. Brain activity began to work solely in line with the death of the opponent.
Ruth Ruhwe had a physical impact through contact. This means that his body is composed of matter in some way. Balsala is the right person to subdue him. Deconstructs an object called launch on a molecular basis. I opened the emergency pouch and held Balsala in my hand.
Squeak C Ruth Ruhwe, the one who was in high spirits, shrank. The eyes of the pale, childless eyes were nailed to the balsala. Shh- Black Mamba rushed in. Fit Fit Fit C Valsala split the air lengthwise.
It is as I thought. Coocree passed without a hawk, but Valsala felt a fine cut. SUSASAK C Valsala chopped Ruth Ruhwe like garlic. Kwu- a terrible scream rang out. Hundreds and thousands of pieces of Ruth Ruhwe have become limp. The man who turned into a gel state slid down to the floor.
I suddenly remembered fighting with a nigga. I grabbed the black liquid fleeing through the board. It feels like holding a watery dough. Hold the dough with both hands and shoot out the resonant waves. Whoosh- There was the sound of bees flapping in both hands. Knew- Knew- Flour dough struggled to get out of hand.
Aha, this guy is weak on Gongjinpa.
The excited Black Mamba hit the Gongjinpa faction with all her might. The black flour rice cake turned white and my arms felt heavy. Thud thud C I hit the floor like a hand C pulled ramble. The struggling dough sagged.
[Argh!] Ruth Ruhwe can not do this. You are not a Petro. What the hell are you?]
The telepathic message of Kamuge was delivered. There seems to be another ability to see the scene without a goat.
I am Tuvai Burfa.
[There is a curse of Dambala, Tuvai Bourpa.]
The last words narrowed as if they could be heard or not. It means that his energy has declined or he has run away.
Curse me or not, you madman. I will take care of him and cut off his dirty neck.
I took a bottle of water out of the backpack. I put the Ruth Ruhwe like a pizza dough spread out in a water bottle and close the lid. In novels, liquor bottles or pots were often used to seal goblins.
What a ridiculous mess.
Black Mamba grumbled out the door. The Ituri jungle is as messy as the world. I glanced at Ruth Ruhwe, the one who was wriggling in the bottle. Balsalara is a monster that has no way of overpowering if it had not been for an accent.
By any chance. is that real?
I thought this might be Adras like a nigga. Just as niggas exist in a messy world, some of the remaining Adras on the ground may not have perished.
The egg form is the most stable to withstand changes in the external environment. Would not Adras, the one who endured his years in the form of eggs, have been given some kind of concept and become this form? Black Mamba continued its near C truth reasoning. It is absurd reasoning, but the world is not everything in sight.
This woman will be damned if she has no luck.
He stared down at the dead young white woman with his eyes wide open. A wave that broke out while fighting Ruth Ruhwe tore the woman to pieces. She is rich and confident enough to be a member of the exploration team at a young age. Somehow, he fell into the hands of a voodoo sorcerer, played host to a monster, and met a miserable end.
There was no possibility of surviving even if Daerasin came anyway, but it was sad. I closed my eyelids with my palm. The eyelids that had been closed rolled up again and a hollow eye appeared. Anger flared up.
Kamuge, you bastard I will kill you for sure.
Out of sudden realize C flew to Gungshin Tanyeong. His chest and belly were pulled tight and his back muscles and broad belly muscles were stretched to form a U-shape. Using a soft joint, he shook his body in an S-shape. SAAA C Humans swam through the air in a parallel position to the ground. This is a non C sasin method that I learned from the sight of snakes flying from tree to tree.
It flew 40 meters horizontally. No matter what you do, the wingless one will fall. The moment he faltered, he stretched out Lakshasha. Puck C Cracker lodged deep in a waterhouse post.
Oops!
The muscles of the output of two horsepower were stiff. The body that was falling was sucked into the water house where the body of kamuge was detected.
You threw it up quickly.
There is nothing inside about 12 pyeong. I put my palm on the chair. It was warm. He was sitting in a chair a little while ago. Duung- Spatial perception was activated. I could not get a hold of him.
He is a very great guy.
An exclamation came out. He is a real jackass. If he disappears in such a short moment, he is capable of teleporting. Kamuge is a psychic before he is a sorcerer.
He left Kamugys residence and went up to another prime ministers house. There are only bodies of white women with torn abdomen and bodies of mambo with torn necks. The body was bloodless and pale. The same was true of another water house. The white woman had a torn abdomen and the mambo was disbanded. Ruth Ruhwe was not one but three. Two objects absorbed blood and disappeared somewhere.
Why did the man I captured come out of the way, but the other one tore his abdomen?
A thoughtful Black Mamba sprang up.
Kamuge, did you cut off the belly and take out the immature Ruth Ruhwe?
Black mamba gritted his teeth. Although I am well aware that the voodoo priest does not see humans as human beings, the degree was severe.
Shall we trace it?
The odds are 50 percent. It is a competition between the teleport ability of Kamuge and his spatial perception. Spatial perception extends up to 4 kilometers if there are no obstacles, such as deserts or grasslands. In Ituri, which is densely wooded and has a lot of magnetic light, the sensing ability is terrible.
In addition, an unexpected ambush hindered the chase. Frequently jumping lower limbs interrupted the movement. The cause is a huge amount of atrax injected by tarantula. Atrax, a poisonous ingredient in tarantula, is a natural erectile that outperforms of the efficacy of Viagra by 10 times. The average human being is on the brink of death, but Black Mamba has become the perv of the world.
Nimi Jotto, Edel is in Ennedi, Jinsoon is in Korea, and Hyeyoung is in America. What should I do?
Black Mamba grumbled, staring at the bulging front. A lucky man said he would pick up money even if he was knocked over. Black Mambada, where 1,000 adults are addicted to the poison that will kill them immediately, has become more energetic.
The sanctuary and Dambala camp, the residence of Kamuge, were surprisingly close. It was only 500 meters long. 500 meters is a day away from the Ituri jungle, but it does not apply to Black Mamba.
Back at the camp, Black Mamba grinned as he found a pack of beggars hanging in the open space. While he was handling kamuge, Samdi moved the hostage to the ground. As time goes by, Samdi understands the situation and moves actively.
I peeled the animal and laid it out for the patients.
Samdi pointed to patients lying down like a national student looking for compliments. Three seriously ill C behaved hostages are lying on Dino Palace leather and Wang Bam leather. It is kind of Samdi.
There are no appliances and no drugs to treat. Gongjinpa faction can cheer you up, but the medical staff will arrive soon anyway. Samdi did his best. The rest is for the support team to take care of.
Samdi is very smart.
Black Mamba tapped Samdi on the shoulder.
Samdi the nicest thing to hear is that you are smart.
Samdi, you can not use it when you are upset.
Hee~
Samdi, the one who understood what he said, smiled.
Wakir, what about the woman?
Dead.
Black mamba shook its head.
What a shame!
What is a waste?
What a waste of a woman. What about a cow crab?
Missed it.
It was worth a shovel.
Samdi turned around and said in a small voice.
You are a wreck, you are a man of your word for your sake..
Samdi is right. It was worth shoveling. All I have got is Ruth Ruhwe in the bottle.
What happened to the girls?
Rolang approached and asked.
Everyone is dead.
Black Mamba, the one who became uncomfortable, looked at Rolang and walked toward the Korean people. The conversation was cut off because I went to find a woman. A Korean lying on Dino Palace leather raised his head.
Nari, a Ministry of Commerce and Industry official, What is your name?
It is Lee Kang chul.
Whoops!
Black Mamba breathed in.
Chapter 431 - Episode 24: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Lee Kang Chul!
He was a boarding house student who had hid his mothers whereabouts the night before she had disappeared. Because of that, he and some other guys were falsely accused of hitting her even before she was buried in her grave. Jang and the speaker spread the rumor when only two people and relatives gathered. Mr. Jang and the narrators spread rumors, and when the locals and the relatives got together, they chattered until they foamed at their mouths.
The Houseguest and my Mother is a lovely story about a young widow and a boarding house student, but the story of the young widow Chung-mu and the boarding house student has become ugly as the days went by.
The Houseguest left the town on the train. Okies mother locked the harmonium (kind of piano). and said that, She does not have anyone else except for Okie. The Houseguest left the town by train, with the intention of running away at night. Okies mother hugged her, and then she disappeared with her eight-year-old daughter.
Lee Kang Chul has not forgotten this moment in the past 16 years. Lee Kang Chul, who made childhood and boyhood into a muddy gutter, is a name that you remember as clearly as you would your own name. As soon as he heard the name, his eyes sparkled as if he had been electrocuted by a high-voltage wire.
Is it the same name?
He put a lantern up to illuminate Lee Kang Chuls face. He had been imprisoned underground for seven months. His face was covered with dirt, so his eyes were the only thing visible even in the light. Even his teeth had turned black. There was no trace of the Lee Kang Chul that was a boarding school student in his memory.
Mum!
Even Khanma of sahel, the Angel of Death, cannot be free in front of the title of mother. If you take this title off, you are an ordinary Korean woman with soft skin. And If we go back a dozen years, would not it be the incomparable mischievous boy! It was heartbreaking.
A Mother, who became a young widow at the age of 30; a mother who was unusually weak; a mother who had to prepare meals for three boarding house students and 20 workers until she had no time to dry her hands. A mother who had been lying down late at night after washing dishes, and a mother who woke up at dawn to prepare the fathers durumagi (traditional Korean overcoat). A mother who shed tears on her sleeping sons face, a mother who fell into the abyss of sadness at the most splendid time of a womans life..
He felt sorry for his mother, who must have suffered from the questioning of grown-up men and women in the neighborhood. Lee Kang Chul was also unusual among the men who annoyed her. Considering the shower of presents and the efforts he put into his young self to win his favor, he still laughed.
Wakir, there are several patients who urgently need treatement.
Samdi called attention to this. Black Mamba came to his senses and checked the time.
It was 05:30 sharp, and the sunrise time was 45 minutes away. The outside world was bright with twilight, but Kadanka was still dark. If someone sent the report now, the helicopter would arrive in time for sunrise. The evacuation of hostages was urgent.
Samdi, satellite phone! Now!
Samdi opened the parabolic antenna with a skilled hand and then opened the phone. Black Mamba pressed the encrypted communication button and called the basecamp.
C the mother bird is a snipe, the baby bird is also a snipe.
C The baby snipe bird does a great job. Any problems?
C They cleared 596 Dambala guerrillas at Kamuge. and secured 15 hostages.
Pauls response was suddenly cut off. He must have been surprised.
C Hey, buddy, are you hurt?
Pauls voice was full of worry.
C Nothing to worry about. It was just a lousy guerrilla. Is there a Gazelle (some kind of French aircraft) in Benia?
C Huh Youre making me a bit speechless. The Gazelles squadron is on standby in Bucav. There is one that is used for emergency at the Basecamp.
C Its an emergency now. Im out of weapons. Send me some ammunition. Also, I need an automated external defibrillator (AED) and medical staff in a hurry.
C Copy that. Ill launch a medical helicopter and a support helicopter for Bucav right now. They will be there in 40 minutes. I will send the supplies immediately, and I will be there myself within 30 minutes.
C The coordinates are of the river island at the point where the Ituri River and the Eflu River merge, and they are 100-16-97, 28-39-41-47.
C Do you need anything else?
C I need a girl.
C Ha ha ha, should we send for a chimpanzee and a female gorilla?
C Ive changed my mind. I dont need your help, roger.
Black Mamba ended the call and laughed. He needed a real woman, but Paul thought it was just a joke. This is why only those who have eaten meat before can enjoy it.
Lee Kang Chul did not know a single word of French. He looked with envy at Black Mamba, who spoke French fluently. The official language of West Africa and Central Africa is French, and English was of little use.
Public official, how old are you?
Lee Kang Chul was being unpleasant. Why was his age important? Mercenaries tend to have hostile feelings towards the people that re presumed to be Korean. The giant standing next to him had a face that looked like he was going to hit him.
Im forty-seven
Lee Kang Chul answered calmly. The man he was talking to was his savior who had rescued numerous lives. Also, Lee Kang Chul has just witnessed him defeating hundreds of fanatic soldiers. He had no intention of angering this man and bringing trouble upon himself.
Forty-seven, you said?
Black Mambas facial expression became strangely wrinkled. It was roughly the right age. When Lee Kang Chul was annoying his mother, he was probably in his early thirties.
You worked at the construction site of Gyeongbu Expressway 16 years ago, right? I think it was in the middle between Chilgok District and Gumi city.
Haha!
Lee Kang Chul, who was frightened, had hiccups. He had no idea where he was right now after he had been kidnapped from Bucav. This was a remote area deep in the jungles of Africa, and yet, here he is with someone who actually knew him from the past.
Who are you? he asked.
Ha ha ha ha!
Black Mamba couldnt help but laugh. Lee Kang Chuls reaction was enough to confirm his suspicions. It was Lee Kang Chul, the boarding house student from Malsoon the small restaurant on the bridge. He looked absurdly at humans who had to look for him until they were exhausted in their iron shoes. As the master said, If we are meant to meet, we will definitely meet.
From now on, Ill ask the questions, and you answer. If you question me, or if you dont answer truthfully, therell be serious consequences.
As soon as Black Mambas words were over, Samdi put his face in front of Lee Kang Chuls eyes and smiled.
You may not have any fingers left, but you still have your toes, he threatened.
This was a terrible situation. When would Lee Kang Chul, an ordinary public official, meet a deadly evil person like Samdi? He was terrified just by looking at his bloody eyeballs rolling like cartwheels.
Oh, okay. No need to be so scary. At that time, I worked as a supervisor in Chilgok, District 12.
Black Mamba closed his eyes. As expected, the sky net never misses even if it is loose. Lee Kang Chul was a guy who held evidence of his mothers disappearance. The situation that night had been analyzed hundreds and thousands of times. The conclusion was that the uncle and Lee Kang Chul were the guilty parties.
Do you remember Malsoons small restaurant in Junggokma? The boarding house you have been to.
Gasp!
Lee Kang Chul screamed again. He had managed to live normally these last few years. He worked hard in his own way, got married like others, had children, and lived that way. Why was his heartbreaking past popping up in a place like this?
Tell me! Who the hell are you? he asked, desperately.
We dont owe you anything. From now on, if you talk back to us, I will cut off your toes if you ask back. If you lie, I will cut off your arm. If your toes are not enough, I will choose another part and cut it. You must have experienced what Africa is like. If you do not want your penis and tongue to be cut off, answer sincerely and without lies.
What kind of monster are you?
Lee Kang Chul shuddered. The mercenarys body was cold like dry ice. Whenever he said a word, it felt as if a piece of ice was piercing Lee Kang Chuls heart. He was so tired of it that he did not dare to protest. He did not even notice that the other persons tone changed to informal speech.
Okay, I remember. I will remember.
The story will get longer.
Black Mamba muttered.
Wakir, this conversation needs a comfortable sofa.
As Samdi spoke, three people picked up a sofa-sized rock and put it down next to Lee Kang Chul. It was larger than the foundation stone of Mahavira Hall of Jogyesa Temple. Black Mamba kicked the rock, turned it around, and sat down.
Oh, my.
Lee Kang Chul groaned unknowingly. There was no way a regular human would be able to kick those rocks, not unless they were made out of styrofoam.
Do you remember the dorms maam?
Lee Kang Chuls face was wrinkled. He was sorry for his wife, but Kim Mal Soon is the woman who had lived with him in his heart his whole life.
Of course. I never imagined there would be such a beautiful woman like her in the countryside, as she suddenly packed up and moved her lodgings.
It must have been love.
I fell in love with her at a glance. I was a single man, and she was a widow with a child, there were no limits. She had an outstanding beauty, but she was still in love with her dead husband. If I had not made that kind of mistake
Black Mamba interrupted Lee Kang Chul, who was babbling.
Stop!
Lee Kang Chul flinched and swallowed his words. Black Mamba grinded his teeth when his mother was mentioned in another mans mouth. If Black Mamba had not been able to clear his mind using his teachers guidance, he would have pulled out Lee Kang Chuls ears. On the other hand, it wasnt something that he didnt understand. His mother was a woman who would be a catch for any man with a good eye.
What was the mistake you have mentioned?
Black Mamba caught the end of Lee Kang Chuls words.
Why do I have to say that? I do not know who you are, but you have no right to ask about personal privacy.
Lee Kang Chul overcame the fear and protested. The indiscreet passion and courage of the youth left a lifelong regret. It was a heartbreaking story that he did not want to tell anyone.
You ignored my warning. You lied down in an African jungle with neither morality nor law. I can remove your skin without killing you.
Fit Fit- The Kukri knife was sparkled in the light. The beard that covered his face dropped to the ground.
Lee Kang Chul could only stammer in surprise. He opened his mouth as if to speak. If the blade had moved incorrectly, his neck would have been cut off. The past seven months after giving up his life have passed like a flash. It was a life that felt like a lifetime. He gave up, but public officials do not give up. Since he had worked for more than 25 years, he also had a pension. His attachment to life had become stronger.
There is no legitimate reason for violence. I have the ability to differentiate between true and false. If you do not want to die after suffering for a long time, you have to tell the truth. I will do an experiment first. How many children do you have?
I do not have any children.
It is a lie.
One daughter and two sons.
It is the truth.
Lee Kang Chul felt pathetic and stupid even though he was afraid.
How old is your father?
He is seventy.
It is a lie.
He is seventy three.
You are lying again.
My father died in a car accident 10 years ago.
It is the truth.
Lee Kang Chul opened his mouth. He heard that lie detectors would have a misjudgment rate of more than 30 percent. Black Mamba really had the ability to differentiate between true and false.
Every time you lie, I will remove a part of your body. Eventually, you will die. Bodies abandoned in the jungle are eaten by leopards and hyenas, and the leftovers enter the stomachs of white ants and burying beetles within 24 hours. A dogs death is not really that important. Did you love Kim Mal Soon?
Yes, I loved her with all my heart.
Lee Kang Chul answered proudly. There was no shame in loving her.
Did you rape Kim Mal Soon?
It was a question that Black Mamba couldnt ask as a child. Black Mambas face was deeply distressed
What are you talking about? Why would I rape her?
Surprised, Lee Kang Chul suddenly lost his temper and yelled loudly. He did not know that a single misjudgment would hamper a person because he said he could not commit a crime. Who the hell is this person? He wanted to check his face, but it was covered by goggles and a boonie hat, so he could only see the lower part of his nose.
Black Mamba was confused. Brain waves were stable, but blood flow had become faster and breathing became rough. This meant that the answer was both tru and false. Black Mamba looked down at the arms of Lee Kang Chul. There were no more fingers to break. His extremely weak body seemed like it would shatter if it were hit one more time.
16 years ago, you suddenly disappeared from your boarding house. You raped Kim Mal Soon and ran away. Is this true?
What? Who are you? How do you know all of that?
Flit! The flash of the Kukri knife sparkled again. The knife cut Lee Kang Chuls little toe and was deeply shoved into the ground.
Oh, my!
Samdi, who was standing silently behind Black Mamba, sprayed him with Chitosan (coagulant) and then tied it with a bandage. Lee Kang Chul shaked out of fear. That person is the devil.
I said I would cut your toes if you asked back. I killed 598 people today. If possible, I do not want to put blood on my hands. Tell us what you did on that day.
Lee Kang Chul struggled to turn his head and lay down straight. He looked up at the sky with blank eyes. Darkness was coming from the east side. A very long darkness passed while the sun was up.
Things happened at a time when he was obsessed with the construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway. It was hard, but he liked it then. A dark dawn still brought hope like any other dawn. He raised his arms and looks at his wrists, where his hands had been cut off. He lost both his hands because of the failed deputy. His life was over, but he did not want to give up his family. Even if he died, he wanted to die when he went back to Korea.
At that time, I was a 32-year-old single man who worked as a public official at the end of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Kim Mal Soon was close in age to me. She had a child, but she was a beautiful and mature woman. I truly loved her. I did everything I could to get her attention. It was like hitting a rock with eggs. I have never heard of her anything other than the word bon appetit. The full moon rose that day, but it was a cloudy day. I still vividly remember it.
(Coughing)
Chapter 432 - Episode 25: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Tsk tsk, you are doing so many things.
Samdi Squeezed his tongue. There are only two types of humans imprinted on the consciousness of Samdi: those who are friendly to their owners and those who are unfriendly. If you do not like it, you can kill it. For him who did not understand complex human relationships, the event of the owner was not frustrating.
Anyway, it is difficult if the human being that the owner needs dies. He took out a water bottle containing Hibitor fluid from the backpack. Hibitor sap is good for quenching thirst and has an excellent awakening effect. Coffee is incomparable.
Wait, wait a minute. The blood stopped the airways.
Black Mamba stopped Samdi. He put his palms on the prestigious blood of Lee Kang Chul and released the resonance. Woow- My internal organs trembled like a ship in full swing. When he shook his organs and slapped his back with his palm, he suppressed it and vomited a dead pit of blood. The expression of Lee Kang-chul became more comfortable.
Oh! Tha.. Thank you.
Keep going!
Black Mamba was cold C hearted. Lee Kang Chul almost died suddenly. When emotional ups and downs become extreme, the neurotransmission system can not accept electrical signals. When the involuntary root is silent, the brain and lungs stop. Of course, I am out of breath.
Human emotions remain an unknown area in the field of brain science. Does brain activity build the mind? Is brain activity a chemical interaction? The thesis is not a hypothesis that will be summarized within this century.
There are two ways in which human five senses acquire information and transmit it to the hippocampus. The path through the amygdala is accompanied by emotions such as taste and smell, and the path through the posterior cortex conveys objective materials such as color, shape, and mass.
Emotional information is blocked if there is an abnormality in the amygdala. The likelihood of developing affective disorder and Urbach C Bite syndrome increases. Conversely, when emotional information overflows without objective substances, the brain goes down due to excessive secretion of cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin. This is why when emotions of joy, sorrow .. etc are excessive, they die suddenly.
Lee Kang Chul, the one who was out of shock, looked at Black Mamba as he was far away. The spirit of leaving the house did not return home.
You are a person who needs a lot of care.
Samdi tilted a bucket into the mouth of Lee Kang Chul and spilled Hibitor sap. The focus was on the eyes of Lee Kang Chul.
That day, there was a death accident in tool 12. It was hard to die from the most common death accident. I came home late at night to fix it. I wanted to cry because it was hard and lonely because the manager fell out and put off responsibility to me. When I walked through the gate, Kim Mal Soon was sitting on the Daecheongmaru. I said, Malsoon, I am so tired. Her expression changed like frost feet. I told you five times not to call me that. There is no one in the world who can call my name. Then he turned coldly and went into the kitchen. I wanted to be comforted, but I was in despair momentarily. She was such a terrible woman that she was called the Snow White by the workers. It has been a year, but we have not had a private conversation. It is not normal to move away from your mind if you move away from your eyes. It was a pity for her, the one who was so obsessed with her husband who had already died. Those who live should not live. When she put down the table, the front of the jeogori slightly opened and I could see the breastbone. Looking at the secret part of the woman I love, I turned my eyes away. You are a young man, so you will understand. The pity of when the treasure you reach with your hands is not mine.
Lee Kang Chul, the one who was out of breath, stopped talking and peeped at Black Mamba. The existence of mystery is looking at the brightening eastern sky. Lee Kang Chul suddenly felt a shudder. Can a terribly strong human being look so lonely?
Lee Kang Chul, you have lived in vain. There is a feeling in the world that never changes. Novels, movies, poems, and paintings will have no meaning as long as they are blunt in absolute love, absolute loyalty, absolute friendship, and the world is good. Keep talking.
Black Mamba murmured as if talking to himself. The love of mother and father was absolute. Hye Young, the one who I loved, left for the United States in search of ambition. Are Jinsun and Ethel in absolute love? I do not know about love yet.
The master, Kkamdoongi, and Samdi are the only beings that have touched the heart since they grew up. Ironically, not all of them are human beings. The master is already a good man, and the black one is Adras and Samdi is a zombie. I was hurt so much by the humans around me. There is neither distrust nor confidence in humans. However, chemical bonding is only difficult.
Flawless Lee Kang Chul continued.
I couldnt sleep. Only her white chest went back and forth in front of me. I counted thousands of sheep and could not smoke string cigarettes, so I went out to the village well in the field and covered myself with cold water. I did not even have a chin. The passion that exploded was indescribable. I would not have gone crazy if she had given me a word, asking me to wait and saying I needed time to organize. I could not stand it at dawn and went into my bedroom. My eyes were flipped over. Hhhhh (Laughs)
Lee Kang Chul grinned. Humans seem smart and commit absurdly foolish things. In many cases, colleagues who used to live in a clean public office often take bribes and ruin their lives. There is something they say in common. He said he does not understand why he did that. It is not a foresight, but a guardian. Only afterwards do you realize your foolishness.
I knelt down and begged you to accept my heart. She had a cold wind just like her nickname, Ms. Baek Seol. It was fortunate that she, the one who was weak C minded, did not yell.
She begged me that it would not happen if I stepped down, but my eyes were already flipped. Does it make sense that a young woman with beauty and dignity is tied to her dead husband? Becoming a leafboard, I forcibly took off her clothes. I thought I should free her from her dead husband holding her. I thought it would be different if I force myself to have a relationship like a widow. It is half crazy. She desperately resisted. There was a tooth mark on the right hand, but it was cut off. Hahaha! At that time, suddenly a lantern light popped in and someone rushed into the door. The unidentified man rushed in shouting, and in a state of confusion, I hit my hand with a lamp and ran away. I came back before I left the neighborhood.
Why are you back? When was it?
She fell asleep wearing a body pillow and jeogori, but I tore it off. I was worried about her with her upper body exposed and went back. I do not know the time because I am out of my mind, but it is probably been a long time since midnight.
It is past midnight? I see. Keep going.
Black Mamba was rotten and rubbed, but he held it in and urged. If you want to know the details of the incident properly, you have no choice but to endure it.
I was looking for sympathy near the boarding house, and the mysterious man came back from the back wall. I hid myself in fear.
How long has it been since you ran away and a mysterious man came out?
It has not even been five minutes yet. I ran to the new road and came back right away. The unidentified man got out of the new road and walked along the riverside paddy road to the bridge. That is all. I was timid, so I had no chance to see the face of Kim Mal Soon. I volunteered that way and moved the tool to Dangje Tunnel. That is all.
Did not you see the face of a weirdo?
I did not see it. I was busy hiding my face in fear of being caught by an unidentified assailant. Since that day, I have cursed myself, who was stupid, and I can not forget her and have been living with regret. I want to sincerely apologize to her. I was so foolish.
Tears flowed down from the eyes of Lee Kang Chul. If I had persuaded over time, I might have opened my mind, but I missed the opportunity to get a real woman in a hurry and did what I could not do. He did not know how big the shoveling he had spread.
This is often the case with crimes of shameless offenders such as murder, theft, robbery, arson, fraud, blackmail, embezzlement, and rape. After primary damage, serious secondary damage occurs. There are common incidents such as a grandmother who pocketed the tuition of her grandchildren, the one who was pocketed, jumping into a train, and a female college student who was raped committed suicide because she could not overcome shame. The case of Kim Ma Soon is of a similar type.
Black Mamba looked up at the sky silently. Lee Kang Chul had calm brain waves, blood flow, and breathing. His words are true even if he does not look at them with spatial perception. If he wanted to lie, he had to take it off from the beginning. Although the price will be death. Lee Kang Chul was only a common timid man in Korea and a man who was Macho C Younger.
Samdi has a good sense of humor. The business of the owner is over. The old man among them is an unfriendly human being who has done evil to the owners mother. He took a step toward Lee Kang Chul. If you reach out your hand, the neck of an unlucky middle C aged man will break.
Stop it!
A gloomy voice was thrown. As if nothing had happened, Samdi picked the hour hand and stood behind Black Mamba and looked elsewhere.
Who are you? How do you know everything about that time? By any chance?
Lee Kang Chul, the one who did not know that he had just returned from crossing Samdocheon Stream, asked a vague question.
Fit Fit Fit- The sword shone brightly. Several Schiffari flies, led by the rotting smell of the dull wound, broke in two. A sword was pushed before Lee Kang Chuls eyes. Three heads of chiffari, the size of a red bean egg, are placed on the drawing. Lee Kang Chul looked at Samdi with tired eyes.
Lee Kang Chul, my master is merciful, but I am a demon from hell. You are capable of being stuck in hell whenever and wherever you are. Lee Kang Chul, you know what three heads of Schiffari are, right? It is your family. I hope there is no lie in your words. I am sure you are right, right?
Lee Kang Chul trembled unknowingly. When Hongans Dueoksini pushed the face of the rice cake and growled, his mind became confused. The shape was scary, but the horse was scarier. If it is a lie, it is a terrifying threat to cut the hair of his wife and two children. Lee Kang Chul, an ordinary public official, was distracted by the rush of life. I could not think of anything.
I mean there is no lie at all. I am an attempted rape offender. I have not felt comfortable in the past 16 years. I will take your sin. I do not know if I got paid for my sins like this.
The gaze of Lee Kang Chul remained on his blunt wrist. The wrist, which was not properly treated, rotted to the elbow. If you do not cut it off quickly, you will die of sepsis.
Wow, the jumper of Samdi is improving day by day.
Black Mamba was amazed. He is Samdi, the one who stands with his back against him with a huge size and threatens Lee Kang Chul by lowering his voice a lot.
Lee Kang Chul even hurt his organs due to long C term nutritional deficiencies and bacterial infections. In other words, he has stepped on Samdocheon Stream. Even if you receive treatment, you are wrong to live a normal life. Will I be able to last 56 years?
I heard the confession of Lee Kang Chul, but nothing has been revealed. Lee Kang Chul was found innocent that he could not help his mother.
Les Miserables!
Lee Kang Chul had also a poor life that has been harassed by fate. What is this? The attempted rape in front of him lost both wrists and became a moron. There is no word for revenge against dying humans. What kind of dog C like development is this?
The inside story of the day was roughly revealed, but the important question remained the same. The problem is the five C minute time that took place in the master bedroom on the day when the full moon went into and out of the clouds.
In the meantime, Lee Kang Chul, the one who has disappeared rather than an uncle, has been more suspicious. If it is not Lee Kang Chul, is it the uncle who disappeared beyond the back wall at dawn? It was unclear to conclude that he was an uncle. Lee Kang Chul said he returned in less than five minutes.
Humans are neither rabbits nor chimpanzees. The intersection of animals ends tremendously quickly except in some unusual cases, such as snakes. Perhaps the mating moment evolved toward ending quickly as it became the most vulnerable in the wild.
Humans feel anxious and threatened during sex only by men entering motels with women secretly. Human males who enjoy sex have made bloody efforts to increase mating time and evolutionarily fail to finish the situation within five minutes. This means that the uncle also did not curse Lee Kang Chuls mother.
I see. That person entered the master bedroom. My poor mother, that is why you are crazy.
While doubting, I wondered if it could be. Five minutes is not enough time to do terrible things. The problem is that a man named Baekbu stayed in his master bedroom for five minutes. When it comes to my father, I am a mother with mynosis. Whether you did something terrible or not, it is a mess for your mother.
The ruined human being smashed his mother and his happiness, and his family was also destroyed by the karma of Paeryun. In addition, it has become a time C limited life. It is amazing that he is in a position to commit another atrocity, and he is about to die. Do you mean there could be cases like this? My anger boiled up. There is no object to relieve the exploding flesh.
LOL.
Black Mamba raised his head and giggled. Boom boom- A drum rang in my head. A bloody tent unfolded in front of me. My head is starting to turn incandescent. The magic of Epidium, which had been sleeping for a long time, raised its head. It is wild, similar to acute Urbach C Bite syndrome.
Shouts! mum~
An angry cry shook the atmosphere. It is a lower that surpasses the roar of lions by dozens of times. Long hair blew away Bunny Hat and stood stiff. His eyes turned red.
In a world where you can not believe it, wow.
Kurrr- amplified sound waves pushed the bushes. Shrubs and weeds lay down as if they were being swept away by a storm, and huge trees shook. Kkirug- Quack-Ken-Ken-Ken-The forest was a mess. A flock of birds flew, a herd of monkeys went wild, and all kinds of animals were busy running away. The hostage in the rear also wrapped their ears and twisted their bodies. Samdi jumped up and hugged Black Mamba.
Wow!
Black Mamba shook off, but Samdi has strong forearms like the Four Heavenly Kings did not budge. Samdis physique and pure muscle strength are stronger than Black Mamba.
Hey, you!
Samdi put a lot of strength in his lower abdomen and imitated the voice of the loud master.
Oh, Master!
Surprised by the masters gang, Black Mambas struggle stopped. The moment passed like a daze. Black Mamba turned his head and looked back at Samdi. My hair calmed down and my eyes looked for the original black and white.
Wakir, I do not mean to. The big master ordered it.
The defective Samdi quickly stepped down after loosening his arm.
Chapter 433 - Episode 26: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
[3:21 PM, 9/11/2021] Shorouk: Swaa~ The scent of mint fluttered in my head. The incandescent brain cooled down in an instant. It is the power of Jeong Shim-gong planted by the teacher in the early stages of training. Samdi, the one who opened the hour hand and rolled a large eyeball like a cartwheel, caught my eye. He rolls his eyes when he is in trouble and when he lies.
There is no other old fox, whether it is the words of the master or his own judgment. I remembered pretending to be embarrassed by the baptism of the Hadong sisters eyes last winter. As humanization progressed rapidly, the number of stages was higher than that of fast Sun Woo-Hyun. The master made stiff logs into insidious old raccoons.
The Master!
Suddenly, my nose became numb. It is a master who has reached the
[3:25 PM, 9/11/2021] Shorouk: Swaa~ The scent of mint fluttered in my head. The incandescent brain cooled down in an instant. It is the power of Jeong Shim-gong planted by the teacher in the early stages of training. Samdi, the one who opened the hour hand and rolled a large eyeball like a cartwheel, caught my eye. He rolls his eyes when he is in trouble and when he lies.
There is no other old fox, whether it is the words of the master or his own judgment. I remembered pretending to be embarrassed by the baptism of the Hadong sisters eyes last winter. As humanization progressed rapidly, the number of stages was higher than that of fast Sun Woo-Hyun. The master made stiff logs into insidious old raccoons.
The Master!
Suddenly, my nose became numb. It is a master who has reached the Peak of Cheonmubong, in Yeonheohapdo Island, but minimal curvature is required. Hadong House and Deoksan House will take care of it, but would it be as good as a student? You need to take enough protein and vitamins. I missed the hermitage where the greenery was thick. In front of the worlds master Black Mamba, he was only a less fallen disciple who was hit on the head by bamboo rain.
Good job. Well done
Samdis black and blue face has loosened up. Black Mamba also smiled widely. Who would control themselves if they were not Samdi? Even if Mu-song and Noh Ji-Sim protrude in pairs from the guardian, they can not press themselves. I almost killed all the hostage I tried to save. Silence fell heavily on the vacant lot.
Whoa, what is this?
I looked back at the scattered hostage. He was relieved of himself, but the innocent hostage must have been surprised.
Even if he trained for a hundred years, he was wrong to become A Tangjung. The magic of epidium imprinted on genes can be sealed, but it cannot be rooted out. It is impossible unless you extract your soul like concrete and transfer your body to Adras.
Is that really a human being?
The mouth of Lee Kang-chul opened very wide. I did not think he was a human from the beginning. Did not you see the smashed guerrilla home base and a pile of corpses when you came to the ground? It can not be humans who have cleaned hundreds of guerrillas with brooms. My chest became stuffy as if I had a paralyzing nightmare.
He is old enough to reach heaven after going through many hardships. His heart was also shaken by the grief and sadness contained in the roar. Does the first person feel sadness? Who is the author? Are you sure?
The eyes of Black Mamba headed for Lee Kang-Chul. The red light disappeared and anger flashed. Lee Kang-Chul quickly lowered his gaze.
Hey, Lee Kang-Chul, did you say you lived in guilt? Of course you should. On that day, Kim Mal-Soon disappeared. You know
What? No way!
Lee Kang-chul jumped up his upper body with a sound like a bolt out of the blue.
Kim Mal-soon disappeared from the bridge forever. The restaurant was deteriorated and all the answers were in the hands of others.
Black Mamba said calmly as if he eas reading a newspaper article.
No way! Where did she go?
I dont know. Im sure theyre wandering in the sky.
Black Mambas voice became damp.
What about your son? What happened to your younger son?
Shut up, bastard like you dont deserve to even ask where the hat is. What happened to my son? A nine C year C old orphan would not have grown up happily. Did the tall man secretly send tuition and living expenses like Jerusha Abbott (Judy, the main character of Jean Websters novel Daddy Long Legs)?
Black Mamba roared. The time when I crawled around with a bucket in The Mak-jang and filled my stomach with the leftovers of the restaurant passed like a flashlight. Thanks to relieving his anger, he remained calm.
Ugh!
Lee Kang-Chul clenched his teeth. The gums that began to rot were crushed and pain shook the bone marrow. No way it became a reality. I can not believe it, but the superintendent in front of me is the son of Kim Mal-Soon.
The chicks arms are the one who took care of Kim Mal-Soon like a hen, the one who gave snacks to get information, the child who did not blink even if he gave money, the clever one who played on the top of his head, and the single eyelid. It is a very long way to go.
hee, I did not know that. The following year, after the construction of The Dangje Tunnel, I returned to Seoul. I could not forget her for a moment, but I could not even think of looking for her because I was timid. The only people who knew what happened at that time were the three people who met in their home turf. If we add one more person, he is the young son of Kim Mal-soon. I have nothing to say even if you kill me. How can I live by making the woman I loved look like that? If you just nod your fingertips, no no, if you just wink, that friend will finish me. I actually have no shame, but please give me time. I have children, too. While living without even thinking about getting married, I got married in an arranged manner after being over thirty. Because he was the only child, he could not overcome his parents torch to continue generations. I have a seven C year C old son and a five C year C old daughter. I endured because I could not die leaving my child behind. Give me time to deal with property so that young people can live. Please show mercy. I am a beast who makes a shameless request. (Laughs)!
Lee Kang-Chul shed thick tears.
Is that what a Korean father looks like?
French people also have irregularities, but they do not take unlimited responsibility like Korean fathers. I remembered the last appearance of my father, who was breathing hard and clutching his young childs hand.
[Ssang-ah, mom, mom] [I ask for my mom]
The last word I barely spit out after being blocked by phlegm rang in my ears. Since my mother disappeared, my fathers last words have made my heart ache every day.
Do not die and take care of yourself, son.
My heart went blank. What if he leaves his wife to his son and dies suddenly?
Samdi, the one who had only been listening silently, searched through the rustling backpack and took out a flat metal case. The elaborate silver case is The Kojibazigol that Emile took care of when leaving Paris. If you feel down, you have to pull a punch.
A black hand slipped in front of my eyes. A white cigarette stuck in a finger as thick as a machine gun was prominent in contrast to the intense complementary color. Black Mamba pulled out a cigarette silently and asked.
Samdi smiled and turned on the turbo lighter to light it up. The tips of Black Mamba and Samdis lips went up at the same time. The zombie version is on the mind and chloride.
The savory smoke hit my throat, swung my lungs, and passed through the larynx. Light purple smoke drew anger and disappeared. From the time he became an actual orphan, not an ordinary child, the outside world showed its teeth. Every day, he licked the bitten wounds and groaned angrily. What crime would the young child of Lee Kang-chul make him an orphan? The fierce eyes of Black Mamba softened.
This is a jungle called The Forest Of The Devil. Are you confident that you can escape from here safely?
If you let me know that I am alive, the government will send you a rescue team for me.
LOL (laughs)! Look at this guy who is actually poor people from the public. Even the Grim Reaper in front of him does not notice it, but he is brushing with fish thorns.
Samdi shook his hand like a thunderbolt. A huge reptile held by Samdi struggled. Lee Kang-chul, the one who was creeping down the tree where Black Mamba was leaning on.
Hey, he is different from other snakes. He always attacks. You almost crossed the Jordan River just now. But the taste is a delicacy as much as the poison is strong.
Samdi chewed a huge snake measuring 5 meters alive.
Huh!
The face of Lee Kang-Chul turned white. When I was kidnapped and taken by a guerrilla, I saw how scary Black Mamba was. First, two guerilla people who were bitten by a snake died in an instant. My heart was rattled by the immediate danger that existed. The giant mercenary who chewed up the black mamba was scarier but,..
Black Mamba stared blankly at the bright eastern sky. The upward air current brought a strong bloody smell from the camp side. The operation was successfully completed, but the tightness of weighing on the chest was not expected to be lifted.
What is the point of the bluff called National Treasure? What is the point of being a billionaire? What is the use of the ability to bless heaven and earth? I did not want this kind of life to cover my blood. Sitting at the dinner table with my mother and my late father, I just wanted to eat meat soup with rice.
Suddenly, I remembered the words of the master that it was nonsense to try to reveal the temptation. As expected, it is a very great inspiration.
Master, that is the reason why you told me not to rush.
I really wanted to cry out loud. The two humans, who ruined their mother and their lives, were so broken that it was not worth mentioning revenge. What kind of revenge would be given to humans living in a time C limited life ahead of death? Whoosh- Black Mamba spewed cigarette smoke for a long time.
Korea is a country that does not spare its people. You have already done it to dispatch the rescue team. You would have died on the agenda. You know your condition, right? Sepsis has already progressed to organs and bone marrow. I can not treat you at the level of Korean medicine. I will send you to France by military plane. And I will send you to Korea after treatment. Ssammu is high C quality, but expensive medical expenses are a problem. I will not be able to handle it due to the poor salary of public officials. I will pay for the treatment, so do not worry.
What! What did you say.
The eyes of Lee Kang-Chul, the one who was listening to Black Mamba, grew like tearing apart.
Why do you give such a big favor to me? I am your enemy. I made you an orphan, and your mother~
Stop, lets say it is because we are the same race. No, lets say it is because of your son and daughter. I can not make another monolids.
Hahaha, tha.. thank you so much. I will never forget this grace.
Lee Kang-Chul was speechless. He did not know there was a human like this in the world.
Dont say anything that is embarrassing. As you can see, I and my colleagues are not ordinary humans. Keep your mouth shut about me forever.
Okay. When I return home, I will search for administrative data from all over the country and find Kim Mal-Soon even with all my assets.
Lee Kang-chul clenched his teeth. The indiscriminate passion of his youth made his beloved woman and young son unhappy. He wanted to live without regret for the rest of his life.
Do not do that. I do not want your family to be shaken. Raise your children well.
I am sorry. I am really sorry.
Tears flowed down from Lee Kang-chuls white eyes. It is a video of the child becoming such a big character without having to see the pain and sadness he has had. The harsh life anger that the orphaned single-eyelid would have experienced so far has collapsed.
I am sorry, I have no shame. Crying!
Lee Kang-chuls sobbing did not stop.
Siri makes an old man feel ashamed.
Samdi slipped around. He took out a white handkerchief embroidered with roses from his combat suit pocket and wiped away tears. This is a gift from Lady Edel, asking her to protect Tubai Burpa well when leaving Novatopia.
The foolish owner, the broken owner!
Even after a hundred concessions, a human being named Lee Kang-Chul is the enemy of his owner. What useless mercy is it without pulling out your neck? But why do I think the owner did a good job?
I can not help but drink it!
Samdi muttered quietly. I knew a little bit of the big masters instruction to do as I wanted and not to leave any hesitation.
Tutatata- The loud sound of the rotor shook the dawn. Black spots appeared in the dimly bright eastern sky. It is a gazelle that flew from Benia. Samdi put a magnesium signal in the meg. The signal, which dragged up the puffed smoke, burned brightly from 300 meters above.
Two mercenaries and three safari C clad men got off the helicopter. Paul, is the mercenary with a strong physique the one who took the lead. A skinny human like a toothpick following Paul is DGSE Information Division Manager Flover Mackiss. They stopped and groaned at the terrible battlefield scenery.
Whoo! That is terrible. Is it hell directed by the angel of death?
Mekisi, whistled. Heavy rain overpowered the fire, but the burning spot was even worse. Hundreds of torn bodies, half-burned bodies, and fallen neck bodies are piled up.
Mercenaries and intelligence officers who were in charge of a pile of corpses that had been drained of blood and swollen in the water also took off their cranes. The old Okeophila Smaragdina mentioned by Black Mamba is likely to open their mouths wide.
Paul rushed like a rhinoceros, regardless of the hostage and the pile of corpses. He held the black mamba and lifted him up.
That is neat. You are like my friend.
It is all thanks to the lucky charm you gave me. Take this necklace.
Black Mamba took off the Misbaha on his neck.
Just take it.
Is not it a keepsake of your mother?
It is okay. It is a cheap Missbaha I bought for 10 francs in downtown, Djibouti.
What did you say?
Black Mamba made a face supported by the tram.
Hahaha! Did not you always say that everything was up to you?
Paul laughed out loud. Black Mamba smiled, too. Paul, the one who does not know how to joke, has also changed a lot.
Captain, thank you.
Captain that is really you. Is there any injury?
I was ripped off by a leech. Itches so much that I am going crazy.
You have been seriously injured. Hahaha.
Paul laughed out loud again. Who can deal well with the angel of death Azrail, if its not Black Mamba?
Special adviser, long time no see.
Mekisi bowed his head deeply. Do not touch Azuremers damn house, even if you kick the general managers butt. It is an oral phrase that all DGSE executives know.
Manager Mekisi, What is the matter?
The main building is responsible for the informants here. I am sorry I could not help you properly.
Mekisi lay down close. He is the successor to the chief of the intelligence department Miguel, who died after overwriting Baeklin. I had no intention of touching the dirty Black Mambas damn house.
Chapter 434 - Episode 27: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
There is nothing to be sorry about. You can work hard as much as the main building worked hard. Is not this jungle better than the sauna room (nickname of the Operations Department on the 7th floor of the DGSE)?
Black Mamba smiled vigorously. mekisis face rotted and rubbed.
Do not even talk. A few days after the adviser repatriated the survivors and remains of the 2nd rescue team, Kabaye, the one who was called to the swimming pool (nickname of the Office of the General Manager on the 8th floor of the DGSE), and his jurisdiction were cursed for life.
Why are you being criticized when you made it?
Jermain and Kabaye shoveled. DGSE and the Ministry of National Defense, which excavated the remains of the rescue team and rescued survivors, have quickly become stars. The media that bit the Ministry of National Defense mobilized all the rhetoric and praised the government. Excited Jermain came out on Talk Show and talked about the successful fourth operation of the Fist of Justice. There is a problem here. There was no record of dispatch of troops anywhere in the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Only the shadow, special adviser, was put in, but there can not be a record of dispatch. If he survived, he would be stuck in the bureau.. When Jermain was cornered, his friend, Kabaye, slipped his call name into the media.
What? Are you crazy?
Blood vessels sprang up on the forehead of Black Mamba.
He might have wanted to put the brakes on Bonipas victory. Anyway, the competition for the general director is decided.
So?
Miterang was so angry. The incompetent lumps of dung jumped for polluting National Treasure. The president and the upper class of DGSE, the one who clearly know the inside of the Fist of Justice operation, are bound to be amazed. Because he is talented and has shoveled on the subject of taking money. In fact, the incompetent Ministry of National Defense and the DGSE, which have not been able to resolve the situation for six months, are criticized and cheap. Minister Jermain resigned and Kabaye was suspended. Currently, Serfund is acting as the head of the information department. Serfund, the one who took the helm, suddenly kicked their butt and blew it here. It is true that if an idiot and diligent public official is in a high-ranking position, it is a natural disaster. (Laughs)!
Mekisi smiled bitterly. The performance of Black Mamba has established an external face, but the inside of DGSE has boiled like a boil. Bonipas, the one who took power, overturned DGSE. The biggest victim was the intelligence department. In Operation Rumans failure of information and operation of the fist of justice, the power of shoveling as well as the Ministry of National Defense was put on Serfunds table.
It was difficult for the Ministry of Information to raise objections. In Ruman, their sobbing hid and even shoveled the CIA intelligence officer as a guide to Black Mamba. Even after putting 50 informants in Ituri for half a year, Black Mamba found no signs of survivors and remains in less than 10 days. It was the difference between the superman and the criminal, but the excuse was not in a mood to work.
Serfund inspected the information system from the bottom to cut out rotten branches, downsize them, and cut budgets. When the crazy Surfund began to jump, the manager Kabaye wrapped his head around him and poured out. Maekisi was actually kicked in the buttocks, not in an investigative expression. The abusive language that he left the national ambassador to a team leader was also added.
Bonipas, the head of operations, is openly selected as the next general manager. Mekisi is in trouble having to run to Africa without squealing and face No. 1 to be avoided.
(Laughs), the flood hit the grave of the dragon king. I understand. Ituri Jungle is an extremely unfriendly area for human activities. You thought of natural variables too easily.
Thank you for your understanding.
Mekisi sighed inside. Another nickname for the angel of death, Black Mamba, is the exaggerated grinder. Before being held accountable, the operation of crying was successful. The advice of Manager Ariba to voluntarily pay taxes was correct.
What about him?
Mekisi looked at Samdi and caught his eye. He is a black man who was brought when Ange de la mort returned after Operation Ruman. It is memorable because he went through the process of acquiring French nationality himself. However, the appearance and atmosphere have changed a lot.
He is my brother.
The younger brother of the special military adviser?
Mekisis mouth opened wide. At that time, he was a big fool. Force flowed one after another as he held a heavy machine gun Meg like a toy in one hand, with a confident physique of 240cm, red skin, and one hand. The fact that he is intact after destroying hundreds of guerrillas is a new superhuman. The worlds Black Mamba called him his brother. Awesome. He came to his senses.
Do not think about useless things.
Maekisis head went straight into the stern warning. He had the call name in mind, but Black Mamba was wrong if he did not feel like it.
Tsk!
Black Mamba bit his tongue. Intelligence agency guys have a bad habit of thinking about using only useful people. The call name of living in shadow was enough for himself. He had no intention of pushing his brother Samdi into the blood river.
Thank you, owner!
Samdis mouth was wide open. The owner said to himself. The younger brother is the second cousin in Korean style. They are close after parents and children. It does not matter if it is a servant or a younger brother, but words alone warmed his heart.
Nice to meet you. Long time no see.
I owe you a lot from the last time.
Samdi slightly held Mekisis hand and greeted him with a heavy greeting. He will be in trouble if he hold the weak human hand tightly. Mekisis mouth opened wide. Less than a year later, the native, the one who could not even say a word properly, became perfect in words and attitudes. He became greedy. Did not Bonipas also succeed thanks to the discovery of Black Mamba? There is no way he should not be so successful just because he is.
There is something else to deal with.
Black Mamba has regained the spirit of Maekisi of drinking kimchi soup.
Just name it.
It is Lee Kang-Chul, a Korean who became a hostage without luck. Treat and send it to Korea.
We will take care of it without a hitch.
Maekisi quickly bowed his head. The more Black Mamba asks, the better. He is a loyal human being to the extent that it is widely said that the request of Black Mamba is worth a life.
You are here!
Black dots appeared one after another. They are the support team and the medical team that took off from Bucav. Some are helicopters carrying troops from the base camp to Bunya.
It is good to land thanks to the burning forest of the camp.
Paul muttered. Shuu-feng-feng-feng-feng- Paul fired a series of signals.
Tutatata- giant Chinook hovering from above. Fast ropes were thrown one after another, and the subordinates of Paul came down one after another. The landed mercenaries grasped the ground condition and waved white flags violently.
According to the instructions of Shin Ho-soo, three Chinooks and three gazelles fell one after another in the vacant lot that was burned down. The spacious camp was packed with helicopters that landed. A gazelle was on high alert in the air. As Paul said, if there was no fire, logging must be preceded in order for Edos to land.
Military uniforms and white gowns poured out of Chinook. Several reporters with cameras also jumped out. Eighty fully armed mercenaries lined up in front of Black Mamba. Black Mamba sat leaning against a tree of five Buddhas and smoked cigar smoke. It is enough relaxation to look arrogant.
Salute!
The mercenaries saluted at once following the slogan of the commander.
Rest, there are critically ill patients, so hurry up.
Salute!
The mercenaries began organizing the site. A dozen medical teams clung to the hostage and began first aid. Lee Kang-chul was treated first.
I really will not forget your kindness.
Just raise your children strong.
I will tell him your story often.
Black Mamba smiled silently without a word. Lee Kang-chul could not take his eyes off Black Mamba while being carried on the bed.
Patients who completed treatment boarded Chinook one after another. 80 mercenaries led by Paul and 20 members of the Barakuta team led by Holland were busy. Guerrillas bodies were collected in one place, and firearms and necessary data were collected. There were not many things to get out of the huge fire and heavy rain that occurred the previous day.
Advisor, did you catch kamuge?
No, I lost him.
I have to catch him and bring him to court.
Maekisi felt sorry for him.
You should have really gone and caught him.
Black Mamba pointed to the black forest. Maekisi couldnt squeak and crushed. He is an ordinary human being, not a monster that stirs this trap.
Manager Maekisi, if you go straight 500m this way, you will find four floating houses. That is where Kamuge lives. Examine there if you want to achieve results. There is a female hostage who was sacrificed by them.
Thank you.
Black Mamba is a double-edged knife. If someone touch it wrong, he will get sick of it, but the rice cake you get is also formidable. Mekisi, who was full of joy, glanced back at Holland, the one who was busy checking his hostage. The person in charge of the fist of justice operation is Barakuta team leader Holland.
Lets go!
Mekisi, the one who had hesitated for a while, led his subordinates and ran. If he looks for loyalty and reporting system, he will only follow other peoples tail.
Hhhh, will not he get sleep paralysis at night?
Samdi smiled. In the direction where Maekisi runs, there is a body of 600 millimetres in diameter and 15 meters in body length. He killed him, but he will be afraid to appear in his dream.
Oops, Oselot!
Oselot was hanging in the air. It is an item for the owner to use personally. There is nothing good about being noticed by humans. Samdi disappeared with a buzz.
Is this why aristocrats and noblemen have lower tummy?
Samdi takes care of it on his own, so it is comfortable to build. Maekisi will have a pretty hard time searching for a floating house hanging 30 meters in the air. The scenery of the water house is not very beautiful either. There is only a hostage with a torn abdomen and a torn body of Mambo.
Black Mamba only took a puff cigarettes deliciously in a comfortable position. The donut went up and the crane danced and flew away. A naked woman was formed and her mothers face was also formed. It was not even about manipulating cigarette smoke with resonance waves to form a shape.
Hey, Holland!
Black Mamba called Holland heading to the basement. Holland heard a call, but he slipped away pretending not to hear it. If possible, he did not want to hang out with an ignorant human being.
You are so rude!
This is what Samdi always says. FYIT- The ARMY rope flew toward Orlangd 40 meters away. When he moved his wrist, a cracker at the end swung around his back.
What is this? Ugh!
Holland was dragged down without any surprise.
Holland, If you do not run, your body will be cut off.
The terrible sound rang his ears. A rope like a piano line wrapped around the body was tight and tightened. Surprised by the metal sincerity digging into the flesh, Holland rushed.
Wh.. What are you doing?
The face of Holland turned red. He was dragged as if he were suddenly attracted, and his pride was greatly damaged.
Hey, you should come when I call you nicely. Would you be happy if a distant junior pretended not to hear it?
(Sighs)!
Holland is speechless. Although he is very young, the special military advisory is at the vice minister level. It is a distant superior. He still did not realize that Black Mamba hated stiff humans.
Holland, you need to make a contribution. You must be sad if you have no income after 6 months of rot in this jungle, right?
Then, tell me where else did you see it?
Holland was not an idiot either. He already understood Black Mamba right away.
You are smart. Go straight 2 kilometres to the west and you will see Edos. That is their second home base. There will be about 200 people. Hurry up and go before The Legion Entanger and I pick it up and eat it.
Thank you.
As if when Holland was sulking, he checked the coordinates with GPS and dragged an intelligence agent to disappear.
You have to work hard to get ahead.
Black Mamba laughed at the visuals. To get to Edos in the west, where Dambala made its last resistance, swamps and poisonous insects must pass through the primeval forest. The battlefield is also a mess. He has to wake up to deal with it.
Paul, go down to the basement over there. It is going to be salty.
Black mamba pointed at us.
Hehe (Laughs), thanks to having a good friend, you will get promoted again.
Pauls mouth is really torn. It is amazing if a friend says it is salty. Unlike Korea, Major is a high C quality officer in France. The most difficult course is to be promoted from captain to major. Paul ran to the cellar with his men.
Well, it is good if your friend does well.
Black Mamba, the one who had roughly finished organizing the traffic, leaned against a tree and slept.
The hunch of the reporter is more sensitive than the fly that found rotten meat. They recognized that Black Mamba was a VIP and flocked. Mercenaries guarding Black Mamba pushed the approaching reporter to the gun.
Why are you blocking the coverage?
He really needs a break.
Are you saying That persons rest is more important than the citizens right to know? Acually I want to tell you they There is no law in France to prevent the coverage of war correspondents.
Reporters raised their voices very loud.
That is not what I am saying, right? I mean, he is very tired. Who do you want to whine like a jellyfish when you do not even have the power to pee?
What? This person asked me to watch it.
Hey, What are you looking at? There is more coverage over there, but why are you whining here?
There was a physical fight between a reporter trying to get an interview with Black Mamba and a mercenary stopping him.
Chapter 435 - Episode 28: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Who will win if a man and a woman have a physical fight in public? No matter what, a woman wins. In so-called civilized society, each part of the body of a woman is a weapon. In other words, she encounter terrible criminal law terms such as harassment and sexual molestation.
Balisari pushed in with a sleek movement, or using her body as a weapon, like a tank. It is not even an intuition of a reporter. The only survivor of the battlefield, a man soaked in blood and sweat in combat uniforms, a man calmly sleeping at the scene where hundreds of guerrilla bodies are wrapped up, and the man in front of him are the call names that carried out the operation. It is a big scoop if someone get an interview.
If you touch my body, I will sue you for sexual harassment.
The mercenaries, who were pushed back by the force of rushing with outstanding chest, faltered. In an instant, Balisari, who broke through the blocking line, put a microphone on the face of Black Mamba.
I am Balisari a reporter from Petit, France. You are the consultant for this operation, right?
Black Mamba, who woke up from a deep sleep, pushed up his heavy eyelids. A black bar microphone is aiming at its face like a gun. The red rouge-painted lips float on the gaze along the stick. The rat-eaten lips crossed the blood of the battlefield. He was annoyed.
Do not cover the sunlight and get out of the way.
Sunlight is definitely good. Can you answer some questions for citizens right to know?
Balisari slightly twisted her upper body and bent his back. The front of the black blouse opened up and her chest was clearly revealed. It is one of her coverage skills.
Jeez! I think sunlight is a hundred times more important than the peoples right to know. If you hold out here for a day, you will find that sunlight is more important than gold.
Black Mamba closed his eyes again. He had no intention of having a nutritious conversation with a woman who was self-centered, selfish, and narcissistic. The first rule of mercenaries is to maintain the best condition. Now is the time to make up for insufficient sleep.
Balisari is not a polite woman to step aside. Originally, courtesy with reporters is a word that is not very close. The French Intelligence Agencys call name is veiled beyond the UKs spy zero. There is no foolish reporter to send a close-up scoop. In addition, anger rose at the level of cheap eyes pretending to have seen luxury goods.
You just have to answer a few questions. Whats your call name?
Oh, I am going crazy. He slapped me when he wanted to cry in the Kabaya.
He thought it was better. Work has been accumulated not only at home but also abroad. He has to find his mother and organize his salvation with the Jang family. Construction of Novatopia and factory construction of Samaria Farm are also busy. Murder is murder no matter how glorified it is. He has a lot of work to do, but he cant hang on to being a human white spirit forever.
Lady, I do not know what is your call name, but take care of your life first.
Fit C The light glistened at the fingertips of Black Mamba. Chik- A black object attached to Balisaris shoulder fell on the ground. A metallic glossy black spider with a dagger stuck in its head was habitually used.
He is Latrodectus, a specialty of Ituri. If you raise your front feet and stick your tusks in, the lady will go into the pizza oven. After 5 minutes, the lungs start to fill up, and after 30 minutes, even if a wrap specialist gathers together, they cannot raise the lady who rolls down to Hades.
Oh my, thank you for your kind explanation. Will you take off your mask and goggles? What is your call name? Was it 007? Did you kill all these guerillas by yourself? Is that possible?
Balisari made the call name a fait accompli and fired it like a gun.
Oh man, I will die rather than get sick.
He tried to scare her away, but the persistent woman did not budge.
Dude, stop talking like a beggar and help me evacuate the patient.
Black Mamba, who could not stand it, roared. In addition to sadistic insensitivity, this woman is invincible to be brazen. He want to cover her mouth with Gongjinpa, but it is not something to do to innocent civilians.
What? What did you say? Do you have no manners?
The startled Balisari turned two wicks on his eyes. It is the first time in 10 years of journalism that such a common-sense human being has been. What kind of barbaric speech is this to a beauty like herself? She decided to teach this man manners first. The media must enlighten humans who satisfy citizens right to know and who are ignorant of common sense.
Oops!
Balisari, who had been boosting energy, blew the air. The human who was smoking disappeared as he leaned against the tree right in front of him. The ghost was in trouble.
Balissaris surprise did not end. Suddenly, her body boosted up. A giant grabbed the back of Balisari and jumped up and walked as if hanging a coat on the branch of a giant tree. It is Samdi, who appeared with Oselot on his side. Balisari hung 3m high in the air like a balloon bug.
Ugh, What is this? Drop me off. You big fool, I cant let this go.
Balisari swarm. Samdi followed Black Mamba, who disappeared due to teleportation, and entered the forest.
Wakir, you looked so pretty. Why did you run away?
Hey, go to the cemetery and ask. Ten percent of men in the world died from nagging women. Besides, she is a reporter.
You are ugly compared to Lady Edel.
Why do you suddenly mention Lady Edel!?
I am afraid the owner will forget.
I am going crazy. Is he dead? There is no breathing.
If there was no scream, he died.
Puck- Samdi threw Oselot, who was wearing it on his side, to the ground.
(Screams)!
There was a strange sound, not a scream or breathing sound. The axillary bone where the bone body was barely formed was segmented. Oselot, who pretended to be dead, could not stand the shock and groaned.
That is a definite way. (Laughs)
Black Mamba giggled.
Wakir, you are amazing. The injury has already stabilized and bones are sticking together.
that soon?
Duung- he looked inside Oselot with spatial perception. Collagen at the end of the segment is proliferating fiercely. Ribs have already formed bones. It is a great regeneration system. In situations like this, bones stick in a week and calcify in a month.
My fingers!
Cells at the fingertips that have been cut off are regenerating. This is almost a phoenix. Of course, there are several animals that have the ability to regenerate the body. Lizard regenerates its tail and legs, and Mexican salamander Axolotl regenerates even when half of its body is cut off. The starfish also restores the body that has been cut off.
Turritopsis Nutricula, which belongs to jellyfish, is eternal through reverse reincarnation returning to the polyp state. Tardigrade, called water bears, endure vacuum and absolute temperature (-273), and do not die even after irradiating 1,000 times the fatal radiation.
Mammals do not have the ability to regenerate body organs. Humans are neither salamanders nor starfish. Oselot deserved to be proud of himself as a newbies. Of course, the truth is the residue of epidium produced by Conceletus through genetic engineering.
The monster in Area 51 passed by his mind. Sao was completely defeated by the monster Surfund underwater. Of course, things will change if he fight on track. When a monster at the level of Samdi strides, the Earth was terrible just thinking about it.
Living things evolve appropriately for the environment. In terms of the suitability of the global environment, it is difficult to say that Turritopsis Nutricula or a complement animal has undergone an evolutionary process on Earth. It is more reliable to say that space creatures were loaded on meteorites and introduced into the Earth.
Specificity conceives another specificity. There is no basis for claiming that higher organisms with the characteristics of completives have not been introduced from space. Rumors of aliens in Area 51 may not be a myth.
Human experiments with complex transplantation of spinal cord/bone/muscle/nervous were actually conducted in Auschwitz and Unit 731. It is a terrible experiment in which Marutas head is cut off and another Marutas head is attached, making it a perfect experiment for a romance novel.
Two Maruta people with similar body shapes are put on a coma state, and the neck is cut with a sharp scalpel. Exchange the necks with each other and join them to different bodies. It bonds the spinal cord with a special polymer compound and surgically connects nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and tendons. Experimental records show that the experimenter was alive for 10 minutes.
It is not known whether it is true or not, but head replacement is impossible even at the level of modern medicine. Even other peoples fingers have a low transplant success rate due to immune rejection. There is no way a lunatic operation to transplant the entire head is possible.
The biggest challenge in biological transplantation and genetic engineering is inhibition of immune rejection. If only reliable immunosuppressants are developed, technical difficulties are not so great.
The immune system of axolotl the salamander does not attack the transplanted tissue. Transplanting the DNA of a complementary animal into humans or animals and transplanting the DNA of axolotl to resolve the rejection can create a monster encountered in Ituri. Reptiles have a stronger immune system than humans and are easier to resolve immune rejection reactions. This means that if only immunosuppressants are developed, reptile monsters can be easily made.
Would not it be heavens providence that Kkamdoong appeared?
The world moves in pairs. Even if it is not Yin-Yang and the Five Elements theory, the world goes back bitingly. As he went through the world, he felt that there was a great providence that moved this world.
In the real world, being like yourself or a black person is a foul. There is a good reason when fouls appear. A being like himself would not have been born to beat up poor terrorists, guerrillas, or evil voodoo.
Wakir, this bastard is so annoying. Lets pull out the neck.
Samdi awakened the black mamba he was thinking about. The crumpled Oselot flinched. Black Mamba shook his head.
It is such a waste to throw away the plates. Smash it again.
He is crueler than evil.
Oselots mouth bubbled and his eyes turned upside down.
Paul, send a gazelle here.
Black Mamba informed Ulumbo of the coordinates of the prime ministers house.
What is this place?
The broken guide was kept on the tree.
Is he still alive?
Paul did not hesitate to contact him by radio. The gazelle floating in the sky turned around and headed east.
Hey, boss!
Salute
Go to the dock. There is a monster in the river. Do not take the mokoro at the dock and cross the river by boat. If you shoot three guns along the river, two pigmies will appear. bring them.
Yes, Sir!
The boss disappeared with two mercenaries.
Operation is over. The annoying back-up can be handled by the support team and 13th Regiment mercenaries. Hunger and fatigue flocked at once. Black Mamba dozed off with a cigarette in his mouth. Samdi quickly disappeared into the forest.
After a while, Samdi laid down the silver bag leather he brought under the tree and hugged the sleeping black mamba. Samdi committed the brutality of skinning the endangered mountain gorilla for the owners deep sleep.
His owners sleep was a hundred times more important than that of gorillas. If someone criticizes Samdi the one who will have a big distance, the human being who would say, So what? Do gorillas save the Earth?.
The Shadow team, led by Major Mekpee, headed east by reflecting on the path Black Mamba had gone through. Mekpee never imagined that team B led by Lewis would be over because of monkeys and hippos.
Steve cursed the pilot who mistook the target point. The 13km of Ituri jungle required infinite patience. The forest where sunlight was blocked was no different from the dark tunnel. He was exhausted by heavy and humid air and the continued attack of poison. Wet clothing and military shoes have become heavy due to external moisture and internal sweat.
Half of the crew had to pioneer a career path on the jungle road, and half had to be wary of fortune-telling with a lantern on the MP5 mount. Shadows fighting power is the worlds strongest. Three leopards, the silent assassin, were caught, and Black Mamba and Boomslang were undoubtedly hit or split in two. Billy made a silent bowl of elephant that suddenly appeared.
The problem is the poisonous insects. Wasps, meat fly, poisonous moths, fire ants, and unnamed poisonous insects frequently pulled their souls out. Without a powerful low-frequency generator and insecticide sprayer, they have to raise their hands.
In particular, trees as thick as pick-ups rising to the end of the sky were easy to be feared. This is because of a tree leech whose low frequency generator is useless.
Try to keep the footsteps as low as possible.
Major MecPee cautioned. Old Abicinian trees, covered with thick sichuan lichen, are home to leech. The shadow team tiptoed through the tree. The danger was not just on the tree.
Ugh!
One of the team members jumped with a low scream. The criminal, who penetrated the leather of combat shoes and inserted his tusks into the back of his foot, quickly fled. It is a big Tarantula twice the size of a palm. The toxicity of the yellowish brown Ituri Tarantula was terrible.
Oh, my gosh!
Kung- A member with paralyzed legs collapsed. The unlucky shadow crew immediately paralyzed his tongue and diaphragm. Dilute foam leaked out around his mouth.
You fool!
Major MecPee rushed in and administered epinephrine and steroids, but failed to save respiratory failure. Spider venom has not developed a suitable antitoxin. This is because there are many types of poisonous spiders on Earth, but there are only one or two types of spiders that can threaten human life. Of course, Ituri Tarantula is the exception.
It is over!
Chapter 436 - Episode 29: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
Steve chewed it out in a dry voice. Although unknown to academia, Ituri Tarantulas poison is being used in biological experiments and maneuvers at the CIA. Ituri Tarantula venom, similar to Atrax, blocks electrical signals transmitted to muscles and destroys cells. His heart and lungs stop at once, so he does not have time to do anything.
Swalskys pupils swelled up as if they were protruding, and his facial muscles twisted arbitrarily. The pain of the brain that has not been supplied with oxygen is beyond imagination. MecPee picked a Beretta. The intention is to relieve the pain of the subordinates.
You do not have to do that.
Steve shook his head. The light slipped out of the victims eyes. MecPee attached an index finger and a middle finger to Swalskys carotid artery. He could not get the hang of it.
Shh! (Giving him Middle finger)!
MecPees face rotted and rubbed. Less than 60 seconds have passed before Swalsky screamed and died. Shadow, the elite of the elite, was bitten by a spider and killed. Unbelievable, his heart collapsed.
Two victims have already occurred. One member bitten by a black death stalker is on and off. They both were hit by a bug. It would not have been unfair if they had lost their life to a black mambana leopard.
Oh, Swalsky!
Tutatata- The partner of Swalsky went wild with MP5. The new guest meaninglessly vented. Wasusu- There was a sound of raindrops on the leaves.
Run!
Someone shouted. A black shower poured from above his head even before he finished talking. A tree that senses vibration like a ghost. The two-leaf tree with white stripes on a blue background is a medium-sized tree with a body length of 30mm to 60mm.
There are several reasons why I am scared of him. The first is cover-up. It is not easy to distinguish with the naked eye if it is attached to clothing or equipment with a thin body like a paper. If they cannot catch it right away, make a hole in their clothes with dental floss and put a straw plate on their skin. The leechs saliva contains hirudin, which prevents blood clotting, and Haementin, which anesthetizes nerves. Even if blood is sucked, there are no symptoms of awareness until it is checked with the eyes.
The second is the ability to absorb a large amount of blood. When a 60 millimetres leech sucks blood, it increases to 120 millimetres. The amount of blood a single person sucks reaches 100cc. Anemia occurs even if only five animals are snouted. The third is parasites and bacteria that are infected during the blood absorption process. It causes multiple abnormal symptoms such as chills, redness, knowledge (literacy), and diarrhea, and loses combat power after three days.
Shadow has already been overwritten twice in leech showers. He had no intention of distributing wasteful blood to persistent vampires. He ran to death and got out of the protection of Avicinia. Outside the dangerous area, Shadow was in a hurry to spray DDT on clothing and equipment and wash his body with alcohol.
Ugh, I am tired of it. I am sick of it!
Steve got sick of it.. This is why he did not want to come to Ituri. It is the third time attacking a leech. He wanted to get rid of it right away and get out of the jungle. Of course, it is just an idea.
Sergeant Stove, is the direction correct?
The GPS signal is clear. The Devil Spring is 4.5km west of the current point.
Sergeant Stove, the one who checked the screen, guaranteed it.
Good. Go!
Surfunds biogenerator has stopped, but there is no way to lose its direction as long as Tutle and Octopus continue to send location signals.
Wait a minute!
MecPee stopped Steve and pointed to a giant tree 30 meters ahead. Steve increased the sensitivity of the night view. The bark of a giant tree is peeled off. He looked back at MecPee. accidentally? It means that. Elephants or monkeys sometimes peel trees. MecPee pointed his finger at the sky. An artificial structure hung with leaves was seen at a distant height.
Are they Pygmy People?
The Pygmy do not make such elaborate structures. I roughly make it, use it, and throw it away. Sam, check Doves.
Old stories!
Sam and Doves narrowed the trees and streets as they crossed mutual concealment and approach. Aboriginal weapons are arrows and spears at best, but there is nothing bad about being careful.
Ulumbo, looking down at the ground from Boma, gently bit his teeth. Unexpectedly, a group of soldiers appeared. It is not a poor guerrilla, but a special disease with highly restrained movements.
Hey? Is there someone up there?
Doves screamed under the tree.
Yankee
Ulumbos face was distorted. Yankee is Mahadurakas enemy. Mahaduraka expressed hostile feelings toward the Yankees several times. It was said that Yankee was behind the monsters release in Ituri. It does not matter if it is Yankee or not. In Ituri, they are all enemies except Mahaduraka and Pygmy.
Come down immediately. If you do not come down, I will kill you.
Doves sent a hand signal and shouted.
Are you crazy!
He did not understand him, but it was clear that he wanted Doves to come down. Will they become surrender and save their lifes? Will they die fighting like men? Will they be treated as prisoners if they become surrender? They cant even do it.
There is no word human rights or humanitarian in Africa. If you are not a colleague, you are an enemy. When you capture your enemy, cut your wrists and ankles and cut your genitals. This is to prevent revenge not only for yourself but also for your descendants. That is the law of Africa. Yankee is no different.
What if they are chasing Mahaduraka?
Came to mind Mahadurakas good face, which is more human than any other human. He also remembered the scary face of Samdi, who used to scold him for being a weak guy but secretly took care of him. Samdi, the one who beat the monster with his bare hands, was desperate. If they have a bow, they do not have to worry about Yankees.
Without the protection of Mahaduraka and Samdi, they would have already died ten times. The days with Mahaduraka were the most rewarding and happiest in my life. He was treated as a human being and praised. He does not want to cut his hands and feet, and he does not want to confess the deeds of Mahaduraka, the owner.
Crap! I did not even hug a girl.
He remembered Yaniku, the girl who was looking at him. Yaniku, she us the one who was 15 years old, twitched in front of his eyes. It was unfortunate. He was able to meet his master who would devote his loyalty and get married, but he was possessed. As expected, when something good suddenly happens, there is silence.
I am not a weak human being.
Ulumbo clenched his mouth and clenched his glove handle. There are 50 bullets. No matter how well-trained soldiers are shot, they die. There is also a grenade obtained in droves. He wanted to show Samdi he is not to weak.
Doves aimed at the structure on the tree in a knee shot position. If they dont know who you are, youre an enemy. Article 1 of the Shadow Rules is the extermination of the enemy. Doves lifted his left hand and bobbed (move lightly his head or finger up and down repetitively.) twice. It is a signal to overpower.
Tang-tang- Ulumbo was faster. He stopped breathing and pulled the trigger carefully. He learned how to use firearms when he was trained as a local source, and Mahaduraka also took a shooting posture before leaving.
No way!
Doves fell backwards. Blood poured out of his throat. Bulletproof clothing prevented chest skin, but it did not protect the neck.
Doves!
Surprised Sam approached Doves with a burst of laughter. Ulumbo, who was staring down at the Sams movement from a height of 30 meters, fired consecutive hits. Puck- A bullet was shot in Sams back, but he couldnt pierce the bulletproof plate. Sam jumped and covered behind a rock. Punch, punch, punch, Sam hit consecutive hits. Ulumbo fell down close to the floor.
Oh, my. Was there a gun?
MecPee, who was attacked unexpectedly, grinded his teeth. At best, he was unexpectedly slapped by the native arrow attack.
Break it down!
Kakakaka- Minimi two tablets fired up. Wooden debris splattered. Boma, who woven with very thick logs, endured a 5.56 millimetres Minimi bullet. Ulumbo fought back with Glock from time to time, but it was far behind. Ulumbo pulled out a grenade pin.
Here you go. Eat and Get off.
The grenade fell while drawing a parabola.
It is a grenade. Avoid it!
MecPee shouted. The shadow scattered like a spider child.
Billy, take good care of him!
Steve ordered him.
Whoops!
A giant Mestizo, who is more than 2 meters tall, kicked the ground. A man who leaped 10 meters hit a falling grenade with his palm and blew it. Boom- A grenade that bounced like a bullet exploded in the forest.
Take good care of him!
Whoops!
Billy pounded the ground and raced. The Parabellum bullet flying from the tree was stuck in Billys Body, but he didnt care. Billy, who shortened the 40 meters space at once, threw a fist with running elasticity. Quang- The fist of Billy shook a giant. Boma was stubborn and shaken.
What the heck! He is Samdi.
Surprised Ulumbo spilled all five bullets left in the ammunition. Billy stepped down. The bullet was stuck in vain on the ground. Billy, who had stepped down, kicked the ground and flew like a shell.
Quang- The giant who was charged with the shoulder charging fight shook violently. A horizontal shortcut to support Boma was pulled out. Boma, who lost his support, fell. Boma that fell on the ground was smashed. The nest has been destroyed, but the eggs cannot be strong. Ulumbo became like a frog in the ground. The spine and ribs were broken and the organs burst.
Oh my god!
Ulumbo opened his eyes. Extreme pain awakened the mind. It is a Halo-Banjo phenomenon. He forcibly turned my head and looked up at the sky. Lastly, he wanted to see the blue sky, but he couldnt see it because he was covered by a Canopy.
Crap, I wondered if flowers bloom in my life.
Tears flowed down from Ulumbos eyes. It was unfair. I could meet a good owner and get married, but at the end of the day, he was dawn. A black shadow covered Olumbo. Buddedik- He stepped on the weak neck with his heavy feet. This is the end of Ulumbo, a smart young man in Shangane Village.
Oh, no. I need to get information.
Major MecPee was sorry, but it was late. Once ordered, the Predator does not stop until another order is issued.
Captain, I was hit in the neck with no luck.
Sam appeared with Doves on his shoulder.
Damn!
MecPee kicked the tree. Three out of ten members were excluded from the battle. Two were beaten by bugs and this time by a bug-like guy.
Is Lieutenant Heyri and Lieutenant Lewis connected?
No, the signal is going, but it does not answer.
I am going crazy. What is going on?
Major MecPees face rotted and rubbed. Nothing in the world is going right. Its a mess.
Did they drop the communication device in the water?
What do you mean, the communication device works for a month even if it goes 100 meters underwater.
MecPee roared at the unfamiliar words of Steve. Communication devices are as important as firearms. Lewis can not manage it carelessly. This means that some kind of accident occurred in Team B. However, it is not possible to split the remaining seven subordinates and send them.
Team leader, he used The Glock Gun.
Sergeant Stove, who was investigating the destroyed structure, found an indigenous pistol.
Native people are not AK but they use Glock?
Local intelligence officers recruited from China or the Soviet Union sometimes use pistols, but at best they use 54 types of pistols copied from Tokarev Gun.
MecPee, the one who received Glock, frowned. The total number has been erased. The identity of the dead natives was very suspicious. Steve looked at Shadow, who was searching for native artifacts. Now is not the time to pay attention to clumsy things.
Major MecPee, we do not have time. Do not forget that the mission comes first.
Steve urged him.
Oh my god, you punk! Go.
It is no use trying to vent your anger. MecPee cursed the pilot who dropped his team member in the wrong place and ordered him to move.
The shadow team led by Steve arrived at Senote, called Puddle, around 11 a.m. In Kadanka, the emergency treatment for Areva hostage was completed, and it was time for Samdi to break Oselots bones again.
Everyone, be on guard!
Under Major MecPees instructions, Shadow entered the four-way boundary centered on Senote.
Agent Steve, what are you going to do with the lifting when you do not even have an encouragement?
Major MecPee looked into the stiff Devil Spring like soup and worried.
There is a Predator that is a hundred times more efficient than Kwon Yang-yang, so what is the concern? Billy, check out 3 types of Grendel and bring Surfund.
Oh my god!
Billy jumped into the Senote without hesitation from Ilho. An hour later, a terrible figure that seemed to be a combination of crocodiles and snakes popped up on the surface. It was similar in size to the head of a buffalo. Billy threw the head of Surfund to the ground.
Oh!
The eyes of the shadow team members widened. Surfund died with its vertically torn eyes wide open. He was told in advance, but the visual shock that the vicious eyeballs stared at was formidable.
Oh my god!
Steve was even more surprised. Surfunds neck was cut off, and something impossible happened. The shell of Surfund boasts the strength comparable to that of the NIJ Level III bulletproof suit with ceramic bulletproof plates inserted. It is at the level of defending 7.62mm NATO FMJ bullets. It is not just the skin. Bones are as strong as titanium.
Billy, find the body, too.
Steve roared. Mestizo did not hesitate to jump back into the swamp. Major MecPee shook his head excitedly. It has been five years since he was dispatched to the committee, but there are many things that are incomprehensible.
Chapter 437 - Episode 30: Ampadombe Fist of Justice
MecPee, the one who was waiting in Kisangani, was ordered to dispatch briefly. Help Agent Steve infiltrating Ituri jungle. A simple command was shaped like this. Team B, led by Captain Lewis, is missing, and Team A has three people dead and seven remain.
Even after losing 70% of their subordinates, they know nothing about the absurd monster in front of them. It is literally hands and feet that move as they are told. It is said that the hands and feet can move as the head tells them to, but only then can the fever soar.
He knows nothing about operating Hansel and Gretel, which are currently in action. MecPee wanted to split the head of a desk head named Hansel and Gretel and look inside.
Of course, the foolish witch who was kicked and stuck in a burning furnace is the Soviet Union. Fathers and mothers who threw away a piece of bread in their childrens hands are third world leaders who oppressed the people and monopolized wealth. So who are Hansel and Gretel? No matter how much he thought about it, it did not seem to be his country, the United States of America.
His country is the strongest country that shakes the world. Like Hansel and Gretel, the witch is not a weak child with twisted wrists. Then, is it the witch who made the scary monster in front of her? He did not want to admit it.
The reality of the Socrates project, which includes numerous operations, including Hansel and Gretel, can be explained by the tragedy of the common land.
Take tuna as an example. Darang fish, which are called tuna, include (Thunnus thynnus) Atlantic bluefin tuna, (Thunnus alalunga) Albacore, (Thunnus obesus) Bigeye tuna, (Thunnus albacares ) yellowfin tuna, and (Katsuwonus pelamis) Skipjack tuna. The king of tuna is Atlantic bluefin tuna called Honmaguro in Japan.
Atlantic bluefin tuna is in danger of extinction due to overfishing in Japan, Spain, and France. Endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna is rejected every time, although the UNs The Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Wild Animals and Plants calls for an export ban. The reason is the lobby of Japan, the largest fishermans country and largest consumer country. It is reasonable as 80% of Atlantic bluefin tuna is consumed in Japan.
The extinction of flatfish (the most frequently consumed sashimi in Korea is flatfish sashimi.) is not even mentioned. This is because farming is easy. The danger of extinction of Atlantic bluefin tuna is not because of consumption, but because its farming is difficult.
Strategic resources such as oil, uranium, rare earth metals, and bauxite are no different from Atlantic bluefin tuna, which is difficult to farm. The person who take over Atlantic bluefin tuna in the open sea and take over the grass of the public land first is the owner. The United States has launched a Socrates project to secure resources buried in a common land called the Third World.
The target of the Socrates project promoted by a committee called the White House in the White House is the third world. The purpose is to secure resources in the third world to prepare for future resource depletion and to prevent anti-Americanism through continuous management. This includes a rather rough operation to cut the bud of a nationalist leader. The happiness and future of the people of the third world are not considered. The United States is a world-class resource rich country. Nevertheless, the extreme selfishness of saving their own resources, making a full living with the resources of the common land, and using their own resources when the resources of the common land are depleted is the Socrates project.
Hansel and Gretel were clearly a difficult topic to solve by MecPee, an accessory to a huge interest group called the state, and also the spearhead of eradicating the opposing forces of the interest group.
Geez, he cut it neatly.
Steves face, who checked the cut surface, rotted and rubbed. There are no signs of force tearing or sawing the cut surface. It was cut smoothly enough to be admired by something. Even if the head of tuna is cut with a blade of special material provided in Zone 51, it is not as smooth as this.
The problem was serious. There is a being who can cut Grendels neck like cutting off a radish. Is it a Predator developed by the Soviet Union? Is it an alien? Steves small head is filled with questions.
How did he cut it? If an alien with 10 times the power of an elephant swings the diamond blade at sound speed, will a smooth cut surface like glass be made? It may be possible with ultra-vibration blades under study in Area 51. However, it takes decades to commercialize. Steve, who did not know the existence of Balsara and Black Mamba, fumbled through his memory until his brain burned.
there is nothing like this. There is nothing like this!
Steve shook his head. No matter how hard he search his head, there is no weapon that can cut off the head of the fund. The only possible situation is when the Surfunds honeycomb biometric structure collapsed for some reason.
Major, stab it with a knife.
You are telling me to just act like a hand and foot.
Major MecPee grumbled inside and pulled out a sword. In addition to being uncomfortable, he stabbed the head of Surfund. Ting- Metallic skin bounced off the blade.
Oh!
Surprised, MecPee took a deep breath and grabbed the sword as a counterattack and hit it down with all his might. Ttang- The blade penetrated the skin, but it bounced without piercing the dermis.
Oh my god!
MecPees impression was crushed. His wrist was sore from half elasticity.
Amazing! Is this possible?
McPhee was amazed. The head of the vicious snake was great in size, but its skin defense was more amazing.
Whatever you imagine, your countrys ability is more than that.
Steve was proud of what he said. When Grendel dies, the honeycomb structure of the skin collapses and the strength drops sharply to less than half. Even the skin with reduced intensity bounced off the steel blade. This means that the bio-structure of Surfund is no problem.
The biogenerator stops working when the Predators neck is cut off. The water in Devil Spring has a very high concentration of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. In other words, the body of Surfund was immersed in a preservative solution. The degree of corruption cannot be determined through sight-grabbing and time-division. It is impossible to estimate the time of death whether he cut off his neck or cut off his neck after killing it. One important clue has been lost to track the perpetrator.
Why is not this coming out?
Steve tilted his head.
It has been more than an hour since Billy went into the water to find the body of Surfund. The Devil Spring is deep, but it covers only 1,000 square meters. Billys ability does not take much time to search.
It has been another hour. Steve, who could not stand it, pressed the call transmitter. Ten minutes later, Billys upper body popped into the water.
Billy, why are you late?
Steve was annoyed.
Oh, wow!
You idiot, youre annoying me.
Steves impression was distorted. As the Dachshund Predator became physically strong, his brain was broken and his language skills were lost. Steve took the equipment set out of the backpack.
It is a state-of-the-art device that outputs meaning by analyzing electrical signals and vocalizations. Billys head was covered with a Fiber with sensors and connected to the computer. The alphabet was displayed on the screen.
[There is no torso. Octopus and turtle belly are bulging. Octopus and turtle cant be beat.]
You are doing all sorts of things.
Steve settled down. The biogenerator planted in Grendel also serves as an identification friend or foe. Turtle and Octopus recognized Surfund, who hid the biogenerator, as simple food. It is a simple logic, but it is a problem that no scientist in the project recognized. In other words, Surfund showed his weaknesses due to death.
Steve put the head of Surfund in a portable refrigerator case and sealed it. It is uncomfortable, but the operation is over. He has nothing more to do in Ituri jungle.
Major, the operation to retrieve the Predator is over. Call a helicopter?
We cant abandon Louis and withdraw.
The mission comes first. Do not dwell on small things.
It is a small thing~ so agent Steve should get out first.
MecPees stomach was twisted. This is why he hates desk engagement. Colleagues are no different from brothers. Steve, who said that the life and death of his brothers were small, was very annoying. If he did not consider completing the mission as a ground goal, he wanted to break some bones. Before that, Mestizo Predator will tear himself apart.
All right. Lets wait until tomorrow.
Steve, who noticed Major MecPees uncomfortable signs, took a step back. Without knowing that the instant decision might bring about a catastrophe.
Kadanka Dambala Camp,
Fourteen surviving Arevasa hostage, three female bodies, and two Chinook rotors who recovered Lee Kang-chul caused a fierce wind. Chinook, who recalled a large body, has set its direction to the northeastern French resource development headquarters in Bucav. The hospital facilities of the Resource Development Headquarters are the best in Africa. Survivors are taken to their home country after being relaxed at a local hospital.
Black!
Black Mamba opened his eyes. Pauls voice seemed to be deep in the water. His head felt numb as usual. He lifted the brain from the skull and felt dizzy as if it had spread a lot of foggym. It is a mental fatigue that occurs after a large amount of murder.
You must be tired, but you have to sleep at home.
Paul is smiling round and round in front of his eyes. Black Mamba stretched out and took a picture of tears hanging from the tail of his eyes with his fingertips.
Are you done organizing?
Its almost done. The basement was amazing. These guys are not just guerrilla groups. The equipment is amazing. Thirty subordinates were put in and pulled out.
You did not touch the monster body, did you?
It is about you, but is there a reason why? They only loaded experimental equipment and data. In the room where six monsters were dead, I installed the composition myself and hung the white phosphan on the timer. Only ashes will remain in an hour. But~
Dude, I know what you want to say. It is a cursed creature. There may be unimaginable bacteria and parasites. Only confusion occurs when it is known to the outside world. Science development is not a necessary and sufficient condition for national development.
Paul shut his mouth at a firm words. France is lagging behind in the fields of genetic and biotechnology compared to other powers. Paul, whose patriotism was triggered, secretly coveted UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal).
Phew, I get it. Anyway, thanks for having a good friend, there will be no problem with promotion to Comangdang.
Les amis valent mieux que largent. (Friends are better than money.) That is why friends are good. Give me a treat.
Black Mamba quoted an old French proverb.
Of course. Lets go to Djibouti. I have not seen the full moon or sunlight, so I will do Sunten properly. Its also quite fun to lie on the beach and watch the oil tankers on the Almandev Strait with someone smooth like you.
You are paying for it, right?
Is not this a billionaire being too mean to a poor soldier?
It is noisy. The year-end dividend I received from the Wakill Chamber alone is 100,000 francs. If you cry, your wife will tell you off.
Hehe, got it! Okay.
Paul raised his hand.
Is the camp organized?
It was a mess, a building, a corpse, unlike you. The people who died in the seventh barracks were art. It was an amazing Garnazelle (Garnazelle, grilled frog skewers from Solon, France).
There was no time to fill the bullet, so I used a citation. Those who died harshly are Samdis skills.
phew~ Samdi is his item. If I form a duo with you, I will be the female leader who can steal about one division. But you could have taken out the hostage without destroying the guerrillas
These guys are a group of Dambala fanatics who enjoy cannibalism as a part of the pier. They enjoyed eating young children and pygmy people. If you investigate carefully, you will find bone-stained areas or debris left after eating.
Vous les gars sales! (You dirty guys!) I only heard rumors, but it was true. That is why their bodies smelled disgusting.
Pauls face was flushed. A group of people who cut their hands and feet and even enjoyed cannibalism deserved natural punishment from the angel of death.
Messenger, Lieutenant Cornus!
The messenger ran to call the deputy commander.
That is not the only thing. The real reason they kidnapped Areva employees was a conspiracy to use women as hosts to bring a terrible immortal monster called Ruth Luhwe to the world. Money and weapons are a bonus. I witnessed Ruth Luhwe myself. Just keep it to yourself.
Wow, the immortal monster! Is it a sign that the world is ruined?
Paul opened his mouth wide. If it is not the words of Black Mamba, it is an absurd sound that would be dismissed as the sleep talking of a crazy man.
There is a background that you will not understand when an unintelligible event occurs. This case is not just a hostage kidnapping case. There is a complicated inner story when you see the Chinese intelligence agent woven together. Do not try to know it deeply.
Of course. I only have to step on the red carpet laid down by my friend, so there is no need to buy it and suffer.
Are we going to bury the dead body?
There is no forklift. I was instructed to leave a picture of the data and put on makeup. The gazelle will soon bring small Napalm bomb and white phosphorus.
That would be neat.
Black Mamba nodded her head. He cant bury them one by one, or if he leave them as they are, the epidemic can spread. Fire is the best purifier.
Salute!
A tired-looking subordinate commander has been called. The mercenaries have cleared hundreds of bodies that have exploded, broken, and burned for five hours. Not only physical fatigue, but also mental exhaustion.
Cornus, do you remember the pit where a small bone was abandoned next to the restaurant?
yes!
It is a pygmy bone. Excavate there and look around more. It is a trace of their cannibalism. Leave the photo data thoroughly and collect it as evidence. Thanks to the special military adviser, you will also be promoted to captain this time.
Chapter 438 - Episode 1: Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
Acte! Thank you.
The First Lieutenant ran like a young and lively kamikaze soldier who had been injected with drugs. It was evidence that the carrot and stick method of motivation worked on both tired humans and animals.
Damn, are you actually tired? Or are you pretending to be tired?
Black Mambas temples throbbed. According to the negro, Epidiums body did not produce any fatigue substance like lactic acid.
Epidium could be considered as an ultra-physical person that did not tire easily, but on the other hand, he could also be seen as an uncontrollable speeding train that had all its safety brakes removed. This meant that either fatigue was simply a psychological factor, or Epidiums genes had been mixed with Homosapien DNA.
Apart from being covered in dust and sweat, and being drenched in blood, the mind was tattered like an old, ragged changhoji (a traditional Korean plant-based paper designed to be used in households such as on the doors, walls, and windows) on a haengnang room (a room just through the main gate of a traditional Korean house, off to either side of the gate). The Young Go rock in Mt. Cheon Sung Falls, surrounded by the clear streams and breezes was missed. No, it was actually the master who was missed.
Of course its tiring. We just did what the Airborne Brigade couldnt do. You just have to make the simplest things more difficult whenever you get involved. Its like youre digging up strands of unveiled secrets. Consider it your karma.
Paul smirked like he was teasing.
Bud, thats a matter of ability, and also the reason the government wont let me go. As I said earlier, there is a special background to a special case. If the consultant cant eradicate the root of evil, then evil will always bloom again. Im not an apostle of justice or anything, but I do tend to wrap things up thoroughly.
True, the Black Mambas operation completion is on a different level than the GIGN or the Airborne Brigade. General Phillip gave you one heck of a nickname.
Paul agreed. In the information world, the results were typically dependent on the operative abilities of the agent. Having 100 third-class agents would never be better than having a single first-class agent. And a hundred of those first-class agents would never be able to match up wot a single special consultant. Not only that, the Black Mamba team was like a national treasure. If the Department of Defense had been in charge of every case, the Areva hostage case would probably have been discarded as an unsolved case.
A superior officer appeared along with Olonge and Kidamba. The Pygmy tribe always tend to show up only after the scene had settled down. Olonge and Kidamba came running across after finding Black Mamba.
Boo boo, Dubaiburupa Meioh!
Olonge and Kimdaba bowed their heads.
Short man, youve matured.
Samdi grinned. He suddenly recalled his embarrassment after smacking old man Olonge in the back of the head. Men ought to have some manners.
Ya boo souv dihinda!
Gol bai wagaya luxor luxor he donya-donya ina.
Olonge and Kidamba didnt know when to cut the chatter. This was the first time many of the soldiers and mercenaries were seeing the Pygmy tribe, so they were staring with curiosity.
This is frustrating. What are they saying?
One never realized the importance of another being until that person was gone. Ulumbos presence was indeed a large one. The Black Mamba looked back at Samdi. His facial expressions was kind of awkward and he shrugged his shoulders. It wasnt as if Samdi himself was going to understand a single thing about the Pygmys twittering.
Corporal, bring the four AK rifles and four ammo boxes that were snatched.
Yes sir.
Olonge and Kidamba stared at Black Mamba with confused looks as they were handed the rifles and ammunition.
Protect your family.
Mahad Santahai!
Olonge and Kidamba showed their teeth as they smiled. Despite the language barrier between the two groups of people exchanging rifles, the meaning was roughly delivered. Samdi tapped on Pauls shoulders.
Paul, you need to give those guys some sort of payment.
Paul dug into his pocket with a perplexed look on his face. He found 10 bills and 10 francs. Its fortunate he didnt find any jingling coins.
Are you that poor?
Samdi shielded his eyes as he reached out to Mekisi and Holland with the money. Since they did not want to be regarded as poor or cheap, the two somehow managed to find 2,000 francs between them.
Look, shorties, well done. Buy your women some nice clothes. You gotta cover up those crotches, dont you think?
Samdi handed 500 francs each to Olonge and Kidamba. It was his way of saying goodbye.
Woot, 1,000 francs is for Ulumbo.
The Black Mamba grinned. the Pygmy tribe had no sense of money. They would just think of it as a souvenir. In contrast, an entire elephant was gifted after saving Olonge and his two grandsons. A monstrous crocodile and leopard that threatened Kidambas village have been taken care of. The Damballah that trampled on Kidambas village had also been long taken care of. The concierges compensation was already as overwhelming as it could be.
The guns and money were simply rewards for finding the remains of the GIGN operation team survivor.
My fellow shorties, be angry before you can be sad. If someone hits you once, hit them twice as hard. Dont turn your back and be sad. Instead, widen your eyes and give it one more shot.
Despite the rumors and its reputation, the Pygmy tribe was actually made up of gentle and lethargic people. They would eventually become extinct because they were always running away from any outside threats. The Black Mamba wished the Pygmy tribe understood their language. The relationship with the Pygmy tribe had come to an end. They had their own lives to live, and they were destined to live in and around the Ituri Rainforest.
Paul, fly our short friends back to the village.
Will do. Is this like a warranty service? Ha ha ha
Paul gave a pleasant smile. If the end was good, then everything else that came before it was good too. Black Mamba handed the coordinates to both Kidambas and Olonges villages to the pilot. It wasnt necessary, but like Paul said, its like a final warranty service. This too, was part of Black Mambas generosity.
Gol bai wakaya luxor luxor cillian gopu duma aokushiga. (Well be sure to receive the superior seed the next time we meet).
Olonge tapped his ass and thrust his hips back and forth. The Black Mamba stared at Olonges back with a stinky look as he followed the pilot.
Hopefully it doesnt mean he wants me to get on top of the Pygmy virgin.
All of a sudden, a shrill voice cut through the air.
Barbarians! This cant be possible! Im going to sue you people! I wont let this slide by so easily!
It was none other than the Bali Sari reporter whom Samdi had hung on the tree. She was caught for the objectionable crime of being so tenacious to get an interview with Black Mamba.
Well, we already told you that youll be released if you just make a promise.
Its the reporters right to choose their interviewee! Who are you to jabber about it!?
The Bali Sari and soldiers around her began to argue yet again. Everyone had practically given up after a full hour of her evil sermon.
Who the hell gave you permission for that thing to accompany us duriing the interview?
The Black Mamba stared fiercely at Manager Mekisi. Mekisis head dropped down as he stared at the ground.
Tut tut! You were charmed by her face.
Samdi clicked his tongue. There were thousands of different types of human beings. There were humans that looked at the beauty of angels and fairies but treated them like rocks, while other humans would completely fall for cheese girls with deformed faces and shells. Cheese girl was a term that Samdi used to describe women who liked to show off, not knowing their place.
Im not sure if its gonna be okay. The press can be like a poisonous blowfish.
Paul worried. There were three things that shouldnt be touched in France. Dogs, the press, and illegal foreigners. These things may not be anything, but they tend to inflate matters if bothered. They overexaggerate things and get angry, and sometimes, they bite.
The government should endure it since they sent that kind of thing.
Thats right. That reporter is something else. You said youd let her go if she promised not to bother you anymore, but look how shes behaving.
Let her be. People live accordingly.
The Black Mamba didnt care whether the woman cussed or not. The job was already done. They would finally bid farewell to the damned Ituri Rainforest as soon as Ulumbo arrived.
This is no different than a load of manure at my uncles farm.
Black Mamba murmured in a cynical tone. Loads of corpses looked just alike the manure load at an uncles. Carrying weed and leaves with an A-frame carrier and covering up the filth in the barn was going to break everyones back. The thing they had in common though, was that both the lump of organic material and the load of manure, were completed by the Black Mamba.
Toot, toot, toot, toot! A black dot appeared in the sky. The dot appeared from the northeast direction first, then started moving in the southeast direction. Samdi pointed at the chopper approaching from the northeast direction.
Wakir, Ulumbo is coming.
Hes too late
The Black Mambas face turned a shade darker. The Gazelle chopper had taken one whole whopping hour to return. It should have taken no more than 30 minutes to winch up Ulumbo and come back.
Im not sure if that weakling didnt piss himself.
Samdi ran up to the chopper that had just landed. Shorty after, he returned with the pilot and the sergeant. His face was gloomy.
Wakir, Ulumbo is dead. His corpse returned.
Hmm looks like something happened.
The Black Mamba sank into deep thought. He had been in an uneasy mood ever since Ulumbo didnt come back in time. Every possible action was taken for survival. There was just no reason for him to die before a day had passed. It must mean that something happened.
His temper hit the roof. His first impression of Ulumbo wasnt all that great. He was always bragging, exaggerating matters and walking on eggshells like a little rat. But as time passed, Ulumbo eventually revealed his sincere attitude and gradually became a likeable person. His special compensation and marriage was guaranteed, but it has all become useless now. A promise couldnt be kept.
Poor dude, he was so happy to be married Hey, tell me what happened.
Samdi looked back at the soldier that came together.
Acte, this is Sergeant Leon.
Well done.
The Black Mamba nodded his head with a gloomy face.
We used the fast ropes to land on the jungle canopies, along with Army Sergeant Bresong. We used mountain ropes to climb down the tree. The Boma had fallen to the ground and there was a corpse of a native black man in it. The man seemed to have died from the shock of having his organs ruptured, and cervical spine fracture when he took the fall. We shot down the hyena that was devouring the corpse and brought back what we could.
The Boma had fallen on the ground?
The Black Mambas eyes widened. The Boma had been inspected by Samdi himself after he and the Pygmy tribe installed it together. It was built to be sturdy and fastened tightly for to prepare for the leopards.
Yes, it was destroyed.
Mmmm!
The problem is the battle casualties. Bresong, bring that over here!
The giant black man with an Army Sergeant badge was carrying a resin pack the size of a briefcase.
Acte, Army Sergeant Bresong reporting.
Bresong handed over a vinyl bag for oil collection. Black Mamba closely examined the contents of the bag. Inside was a piece of a grenade fragment, 12 gauges of 9mm Parabellum, 32 gauges of 5.56mm, and two skin ointments. It was evidence that Ulumbo had been in a battle.
A 9mm Parabellum gauge can be used on both a pistol and a submachine gun. It would mean that an MP5 was used for 12 gauges to be collected inside a jungle. The 5.56mm, 45 standard gauge is used in both the NATO Armys assault rifle and light machine gun.
There was no way the cheap guerillas could afford to use advanced firearms like MP5s or Minimis. This was clear evidence that Ulumbo was ambushed by Special Ops or an agent.
Its them.
Samdi gritted his teeth. The yankee that questioned anyone being psychic hunter, Lieutenant Lewis said his comrades were headed to Devil Springs.
It most likely is!
The Black Mamba nodded his head. Unexpected incidents always happened no matter how prepared things were. Perhaps that was why religions secure the niche
How unfortunate. he was very likely to become the next Ombuti.. how unlucky. Tsk tsk.
Paul clicked his tongue. Ulumbo was like a half wit and a show off, but things like that would eventually fade away just by being next to the Black Mamba. He had the best opportunity, but now its just a waste.
Ill identify and confirm the corpse.
Wi!
Leon and Bresong unloaded the non-woven corpse carrier bag from the chopper and unzipped it open. The unbearable sight of the corpse was revealed. It bore the signs of being torn apart by wild animals, but there were still clear signs that it was death by falling from a great height. Organs had spilled out from the abdomen, and the axial and femur bones were shattered. The Black Mamba looked at the barely hanging neck. Something had pressed on the corpses neck with enormous force and completely shattered it.
Paul, how strong do you think a fully grown gorilla is?
Well, I did hear the arm strength was five times of an adult man..
Paul faltered with an unsure answer.
According to the French National Museum of History, the grip of an adult gorilla is 350kg. An average adult mans grip is 50kg, Bresong chipped in.
Thats about seven times, eh. Thatd be enough to destroy the cervical spine.
But gorillas arent aggressive animals; they just act tough. There has been no history of gorillas preemptively striking humans. And theyre just not that cruel to attack humans that have lost the ability to resist anyway.
Bresong answered with confidence.
Didnt realize you were a gorilla expert.
The Black Mamba glanced at Bresong with an unexpected look.
I majored in animal behavioral science. Its an honor to be able to help a Special Military Advisor.
This dude, hes gonna be a successful one.
Paul was impressed by Bresongs wits. There werent many men that could recognize other men who were more powerful than them and to be displaying such adequate ability just at the right time. Bresong had a bright future ahead of him.
The Black Mamba suddenly remembered the chimera he had dealt with on the shores of Ounianga. It was a god-like presence that was neither human nor animal. It was a being that was presumed to have been created in Area 51. That must have been what killed Ulumbo.
Poor man, the money for his marriage has become the toll to the afterlife.
Samdi shut Ulumbos widely opened eyes, and put 1000 franc he ripped off in between Ulumbos fingers. This usually represented a form of ritual made by an owner or a master.
The Black Mamba didnt want to bypass Ulumbos sacrifice. He intended to get rid of the two remaining monsters in cenote before he left, anyway.
First, well check the site.
Paul expressed an agreeing gesture to Black Mamba.
Chapter 439 - Episode 2 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
Although it was only for a short time, Ulumbo was Black Mambas comrade. The Black Mamba wasnt the type of person to let a comrades death pass by so easily. He also wasnt the type of person to discriminate against a black man, either.
Bud, do you remember Mondos first meeting?
Pauls eyes were wide like a little childs.
You mean the day the dust storm covered the horizon, and swarm of flies flocked? You used to call me a greenhorn.
Hehehe, I was quite angry that General Phillip put you above me. An operation team leader was supposed to take orders from a Private Id be like Saint Francis if that didnt make me go nuts.
I didnt think I would have that kind of authority. It wouldnt have made any difference had I known anyway.
The Black Mamba was blunt. Nobody was going to favor a high-handed personnel appointment, but everyone were just pawns in a chess game ran by the oecophylla smaragdina.
Thats it. I still cant forget the words you said on that day: Im a Black Mamba. I dont put my head down when shooting. I dont become a burden to my comrades. Even the heroic warrior was once a a mere greenhorn. You were one heck of a bold rookie. I couldnt possibly imagine a rookie Private to tell me not to worry about whos going to pay for the food. Ha ha ha!
Paul chuckled. That once-clumsy rookie had now become the great Dubaiburupa. The Private has now become an assistant secretary-level Special Military Advisor. A human being that always possessed the same inside even if the outside appearance changed over time. It was someone that valued trust, loyalty, and cherished promises. That was who the Black Mamba had become. There was warmth in Pauls heart.
Im happy that youre my friend.
Dont be ridiculous. We live in a world where a living man will look for a place to die, and a dead man will be remembered as a piece of memory.
It sounds like death is an angel. Lets ride on.
Will do. Ill head straight to the basecamp as soon as Im done here.
Do you need any soldiers?
You know it. Its all a hassle.
I knew it. The napalms and white phosphorus ammunitions have arrived. Ill follow as soon as were done incinerating the corpses.
Wait, the napalms and white phosphorus are here?
There are also flamethrowers.
Paul added napalm thickeners to the gasoline tank and pointed to the soldiers who were mixing the solution together. The napalm that was used in the flamethrowers have the exact same properties as the ones used in grenades, but the viscosity was different. Generally, gasoline and thickener were blended together at a 50:1 ratio in this local area.
That looks good. Hey Samdi, pack 300kg of napalm and 50kg of white phosphorus. And dont forget the box of grenades.
Napalm and white phosphorus would not extinguish even under water. Additionally, they consume enormous amounts of oxygen. The Black Mamba intended to turn Cenote into a fiery hellscape. The chimera that Area 51 had created was an animal that burns oxygen to create energy. If the dissolved oxygen in the water perished, it would be the end for the creature. There wasnt one bit of intention to reenter the dirty and sticky Cenote.
Pauls eyes widened. The volume that Black Mamba had asked for was half the portion of whatever was brought in from Bukavu. It was more than enough to turn two soccer fields into complete ashes.
There must be some dirty stuff that you kept out of sight. Aide, please hand Master Sergeant Samdi the goods immediately.
Wi!
Paul didnt question them. The Black Mamba had every right as a Special Military Advisor to requisite soldiers and any required materials. More importantly though, there was always a reason for his friends actions. Soldiers were busy loading grenades and equipment. Samdi threw Ocelot, no the cocoon, on the cabin and hopped on.
Hey buddy, seize the day. Ill heat up the bath water and wait for you in Buni.
Shut it, someone might think were going out or something.
Sheesh, you cant even take whats given to you man, whats with you ringing the rims.
Give what? the Black Mamba asked.
Paul ignored Black Mambas words and shouted, Attention everyone! The 80 soldiers and 20 DGSE agents working on the field all lined up.
Salute the Special Military Advisor, the hero of France!
Acte!
The voices of a hundred rough men echoed in Kadangka.
Gosh, whats this embarrassing shit. This is driving me nuts. Sergeant Leon, lets go!
The Black Mamba gave Paul a pat on his shoulders then hopped on the chopper. Weeeing! The helicopter soared up high above the grounds of Kadangka.
Poooof! Giant flames soared up from the grounds. 600 dead corpses sizzled from the remnants of napalm and white phosphorus. You reap what you sow. There was absolutely no dignity in the barbaric land of Ituri. Asuras fire pillars burnt down every last piece of flesh and bone of those that refused to abide by human rights. Dregs of lost souls wandered around Kadangka in groups.
Toot toot toot toot! The helicopter hovered at an angle. A 15km transportation can be completed very rapidly.
Special Military Advisor, sir, were at our destination.
Sergeant Leon, Sergeant Bresong, well done. Return to Kadangka and wait for further instructions.
Yes sir, Ill dislodge the fast rope.
That wont be necessary, Sergeant Leon, just manage that guy well. Hes dangerous. Dont let anyone get close, and just shoot him if you see any suspicious movement.
Yes sir, understood.
The Black Mamba threw himself out of the siding door before Leon could even finish his response.
Argh!
Surprised, the fire control officer Leon instinctively turned his head towards Samdi.
Take care of the belongings. Adios!
Samdi jumped off too. Leon stretched his neck and searched the grounds. The Special Military Advisor was nowhere to be found. The Advisors bodyguard who had just jumped as well landed on the canopy. The bodyguard too disappeared immediately. Leon shook his head. Legion Etranger is known to have some crazy lunatics around, but who knew thered be a guy who would jump down from 20 meters high without any equipment?
Sergeant, what just happened?
Bresong, who was piloting the chopper screamed in insanity.
He just landed on the canopy and now hes disappeared.
I didnt see anything wrong did I?
Hey, only Handle with care things are left over there.
Could the Special Military Advisor possibly be the mercenary legend?
Nah, I dont think so. They say Azrael Kanma is mixed race and in his 40s. Lets head back.
Weeeing! The choppers RPM increased rapidly as it disappeared towards the northeast direction after sharply reaching a high enough altitude.
A light green object glided down the giant tree like a liquid. The only animals that could climb down a tree with their heads facing down were squirrels, martens, and ratels. The Black Mamba was now added to this list of creatures. Samdi on the other hand, had to practically jump off the branches, relying on his strong legs and arms that were as strong as an Asian black bear.
Those bastards found Boma and focus fired. Ulumbo stared into them and the chimera launched into action. It must mean those bastards are short on time too.
The Black Mamba growled after confirming the site. Fragments of shattered Boma laid everywhere and consumables like food and MRE had already been cleaned up by the wild animals. Cartridge cases scattered wherever geographical hiding was possible with no exception. Based on traces, there were about ten or less bastards, all being Louiss comrades.
Wakir, there was a special guy here.
Samdi pointed to the tree trunk where the Boma had been installed. About one span of Abyssinia shell had peeled off from about three meters above ground-level. There were no gray bears in Ituri. It was traces a chimera.
The Black Mamba discovered the first point of footsteps. The ground just about 10m away from the first point hallowed out.
Do it!
Yipe!
Samdi jumped. He flew 10m like a cannonball and shoulder charged. Swish! The tree was bruised. The trunks swung heavily and the branches shook as if a large storm had just hit it. The Black Mamba nodded.
Seems just about right. Lets go!
A rough outline was drawn. Itd have to be the chimera that killed Ulumbo, since it shared similar physical characteristics to Samdi. The chimera dropped the Boma by charging towards the tree, then it stomped on Ulumbos neck as he reached his final breath.
Lets go!
Tracing the chimera was a piece of cake. Not a lot of time had passed since it made its attack. It wasnt even necessary to look at the angle at which the grass laid, the broken tree branches, nor the traces of the depth of footprints on the ground. They could simply follow the smell of gunpowder and sweat in the air.
Wakir, the bastards headed towards the Serpent Swamp.
Thats for sure. I knew it was those bastards from Area 51.
The Black Mambas eyes were shining blue. The MK Project that was driven by Area 51 was surprisingly very similar to the production of Lus Luwe by Kamuge. The difference would only be that one were fanatics of religion and the other to science. The Shadow takes orders from the CIA. It was still unsure how Area 51 and the CIA are linked, but its assuring that they were in fact cooperating to each other somehow.
Samdi, install the antennas.
The CIA used satellite and high-altitude flying reconnaissance aircraft to track the Black Mamba back in Kaparja. The canopies did not veil the areas where the Devil Spring was located. The Black Mamba had no intention of getting caught while wandering around the area like an idiot.
Mekisi, call Director Bonipas and connect him to me.
-Roger.
Five minutes later, the satellite phone indicator blinked. The Black Mamba picked up the handset and pressed the red button. The call was converted to an encrypted compressed communication.
-Yo, I received the briefing. What a clean job. My heads rolling just from calculating your pay.
Despite the mechanical sound, the Director spoke in a very relaxing tone.
Whats with Director General Surrey acting like a wuss. Thanks to the main line, the support rate of Mitterang probably went up like 30 percent. The government budget shouldve been saved by a couple of million francs.
-Jeez, look at you go now. I wont refuse that, but a government official cant be much of a gall. Mitterangs heart is going to get a pulse if he receives your emergency communication. Tell me now. Im ready to unload my money sack. You can use your body, Ill use my money.
The Black Mamba almost broke out in laughter. Its just like Bonipas to be so relaxed and bold.
Are there any reconnaissance satellites and aircrafts flying over Ituri at the moment?
-Mm, must be serious. Lets cut off this communication and wait for a bit.
The call ended. Moments later, the indicator blinked again.
-Sorry for the late follow up. I can feed you information instantly if the four satellite bases in New Caledonia, Mayot, Petit Touder, and Ture are finished. Current time 15:10:30, the Keyhole No.11 is in between China and Japan. Now that I think of it, that damn voyeur patient is spying on your hometown. Itll be hard for those bastards to move Keyhole. The Dragon Lady (nick name of a U2 reconnaissance aircraft) that took off from Canaveral is currently passing by the Santa Cruz archipelago. Itll be passing right above ship Victoria in about two hours. There is one medium-altitude reconnaissance satellite over Sudan, but its Soviet equipment with poor resolution. You dont need to worry about the skies for two hours from now.
Sounds good. Good ole Mr. Bonipas, Ill give you a gift upon my return.
Bonipas gave the Black Mamba the exact answers he was looking. He deserved to receive something like a wallet sewn from an ancient crocodile leather.
-I may be fired and be disqualified from my public officials pension, but I cant refuse the Black Mambas gift. Cant wait to see what youre gonna get me. Good luck!
Roger that!
The Black Mamba had a cold grin on his face once the communication had ended.
Damn bastards, you picked on the wrong guy. Im a petty guy that needs to hit you back at least ten times before I can cool off.
There was no need to wait if there wasnt any surveillance coming from above. The yankees could only sit and watch if he managed to smash everything and disappear within two hours.
The Black Mamba and Samdi disappeared into the woods like a leopard on the hunt. The 5km trek would be like visiting a neighbor next door, thanks to the Black Mambas and Ssamdis mobility.
Its Agrippinas shield.
The Black Mamba lowered his voice.
Whats that?
Its the most advanced form of modern booby trap and hearing aid. Electromagnetic glass fibers as thin as spiderwebs that are linked to a computer are sprayed on the vulnerable areas around the campsite. When an organism larger than a certain size comes into contact, an electrical signal is transmitted to the central computer. Its practically the best system for defending camps in jungles with no perimeter visibility. Ive only heard of it, but its my first time seeing it.
So youre telling me the bastards that killed Ulumbo are close by.
Likely! There is a high purity magnetite outcrop nearby. Im unable to figure this out with spatial awareness.
Hehehe, looks like Wakir cant do everything in the Ituri jungle. Itll be just one idiotic chimera and ten Shadows at max. This wont even be fun. Lets just push in and smash them.
Samdi, who had accumulated practical experience in his own way, was confident. The Black Mamba however, shook his head.
I said its a booby trap. The reason it got its name is because there are poisonous toxins like Photomine and Cantarella laced onto the glass fiber. Photomines were commonly utilized by Agrippina, the maternal mother of Emperor Nero. Its created by adding buffon collected from a toads lung, pancreatic protein obtained from a pig thats been hung upside down before being killed, and arsenic acid. Photomine is a chronic toxin. Once the toxin passes its incubation period, it suddenly triggers. Youll either see your nose suddenly drop or see your hair turn gray waking up in the morning. Or your eyeball will pop out and your face will be all wrinkly while youre out shopping with your girlfriend.
Whoa, thats horrible.
You get shivers just imagining it.
Cantarella is a toxin created by the CIA by mixing spoiled Photomine, anthrax and poison found in an unidentified mineral. Once you inhale glass fibers through the respiratory tract, it disables the neurotransmitter ion receptors in your neuronal network.
So you basically become a human whos brain dead.
Thats right. If your nerves die then your entire body stop working. Even if your body overcomes the toxicity of Photomine and Cantarella, there is another problem. Buffon found in Photomine causes itching.
You can withstand itch.
But youd have to scratch your skin to a point itll peel off and rip your muscles, then ultimately expose your bones.
Wow, these bastards are even worse than politicians. Eventually, it means itll kill any organism that gets close to them, intruder or not!
Chapter 440 - Episode 3 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
You cant ask the snake to give you honey. If you are looking for morality and ethics, then you should visit schools, churches, monasteries, and mosques.
Youre learning a lot today, Samdi.
Your words and actions will shape your future, and the knowledge and experiences you have gained today will assist you in saving your life.
Unlike other times, Black Mamba spoke seriously. This was a topic that he had deep feelings about, all his life.
The reason he explained this in detail to Samdi was to add to his life experience. As his brother and the person who would become the center of Novatopias power. When Novatopia was fully developed, the wolves around it would reveal their teeth.
The conflict would mainly be in the form of irregular warfare. The weapons of irregular warfare were becoming more covert and more lethal by the day. Samdi, who was usually able to avoid falling mortars, was unable to avoid the advanced technology booby traps. Because of this he must learn to adapt, even though it was difficult, for the sake of his future.
Keep Wakirs words in mind. How do I approach when I despise itching?
Hahaha, would you eat a soup made with dogs nose? It is better to ride the canopy to track the smell of gunpowder. Its simple, right?
Wow, Wakir is smart! Very wise.
Samdi quickly changed his words. He almost became a rude human being.
That punk!
Black Mamba gave a bitter smile. Samdi, who was still relatively inexperienced, was cute despite the fact that he was absorbing knowledge at a terrifying speed.
Wakir, why dont you use Cantarella to feed Ocelot?
If Ocelot had heard that, he would have made the sound of water bubble.
Thats a good idea.
Black Mamba slapped his knees. They had no idea when Kamdoong would emerge from the underworld. They simply had to wait to see if Kamdoong would use Ocelot, but it would be a good opportunity.
Ocelot maybe have been contained for a long time, but he was still a dangerous beast. It would be playing with fire if he were to recover and escape. Furthermore, he was well-known around the world. There would be more than one or two unpleasant things happening if it were exposed to the outside world.
If they could leave Ocelot, who was difficult to manage, in a brain-dead state, they would be able to manage him more easily. For fear of escaping, they wouldnt have to commit atrocities that break bones every time. Cantarella is a rare example of a mixed poison that combines animal poison, mineral poison, and plant poison. It is also an excellent opportunity to investigate the effects of cantarella on his body.
Ocelot, who played with humans lives for his own amusement, became an experimental material thanks to Samdis words.
Duung! He grabbed the golden-bong porpoise with both hands, as if grabbing a basketball, and activated the resonant waves. Shua! The surrounding air and glass fibers were dragged into the palm of his hands. The air escaped the dense wave, while the glass fiber was trapped in the wave and swung around.
The continuity and dissolution of the resonant wave theory was used. As it had gone from simply spouting and pulling in to weaving a wave web. Wiwoong! The powerful absorption continued to attract the surrounding glass fibers. The glass fibers clumped together in the shape of beads. It was an extrusion method of pushing and pulling.
On Black Mambas palm was a lump of cantarella that glowed ominously. Even when the green bead shrank to the size of a bean, it contained enough poison to send 10,000 humans to the underworld.
I hope it tastes good.
Black Mamba made a lame joke and put a chunk of cantarella in a plastic pack which he pulled out of his emergency pouch. Going to the underworld is the excellent act for the general public.
Lets go!
Samdi and Black Mamba scaled the tree. Two round baskets appeared above the canopy. Samdi and Black Mamba were both wearing bulletproof fiber vests. Their two faces were red skinned. It was a relic of the ruthless attack by enraged locals.
The canopy of the forest was home to a plethora of animals. According to the data, 70 percent of terrestrial organisms live in the rainforest, and 60 percent of rainforest organisms live in the canopy. Ordinary people were not permitted to ascend or descend the canopy as they please. After all, they laced the physical ability to do so, and they were unable to withstand any type of attack.
The endless green rugs, the red clouds in the sky, and the sun just about to enter the western basin greeted Black Mamba and Samdi.
Oh, this looks so cool. How can something look this majestic?
Wow, heaven!
In comparison to the jungles damp and stuffy interior, the top of the canopy was like paradise. There was a significant difference between the two areas that were with and without air flow. The air was sticky and humid but it was rife with life. Because of the scorching heat from the sun, the tree grew taller.
Samdi was feeling much better and sniffed his nose like a dog, following the scent of the gunpowder. He wouldnt have had to struggle to track the shadows if Black Mamba had put Devil Spring on GPS in the first place. Of course, it was the guardianship designation that struck his chest after the incident.
Shadow camp was not vigilant either. McPhee had 15 years of experience in irregular warfare. He knew better than anyone else what to do and what not to do in an unfamiliar place. He was fully prepared for unexpected visitors.
Steve, did you check the Agrippina system?
Yes, it works flawlessly. We detected five signals, but all of them were animals.
Steve, who was staring at the screen, spoke up. The Agrippina spread for one kilometers was excessive. Many animals poisoned by Photomine and Cantarella will perish in agony. He used to pick up abandoned dogs and stray cats as an animal advocate. He was deeply depressed as a result of the indiscriminate killing.
Guard system?
Its working without any problems.
The CIA Department of Technology developed the guard system, which was specialized in defending local points. Landmines and high-pressure nets are installed near defense bases, and electric nets are also installed nearby. Slender poles power the electric net, which is surrounded by a sparse, soft metallic net. A powerful transformer applies a 5,000V voltage across the metallic net. A metal thread is wrapped between the trees on the outside of the net. The outer metal chamber is subjected to a 500V voltage. It is a hybrid of an alert and an attack system.
What about DAS?
Its working without any problems.
McPhee was unconcerned by the machine-like dry response. He couldnt afford to worry about Steves mood. Lieutenant Lewis team was still missing. The term Defcon referred to a situation in which the entire operational team has vanished. Chinook and Gazelle, the two helicopters flying over their heads every few minutes, were also getting on his nerves.
Check the guard system carefully.
McPhee spoke up as he walked outside. The words of President Matilda, referring to Persona Nongrata, echoed in his ears. His mind was not at ease, and he was experiencing discomfort.
An old story!
A slogan with exaggerated force rang out from behind.
Hell be the boss forever.
McPhee mumbled in hushed tones. While cutting-edge technology protects double triplets, the most important factor is humans. Even if an infrared camera is installed, it is a clean barn if the operator sleeps. After all, no matter how good the equipment is, it is dependent on the human.
McPhee checked the lamp angle, net height, and machine gun interlocking system directly. There are no issues with the defense. The missing Lewis team, on the other hand, continued to sound the alarm.
Its only one night, so it isnt a big deal.
McPhee sighed and shook his head. There was high-tech defense equipment and men with superior combat abilities. Predator Billy was at the top of the list. When the commander exhibited signs of stress, his subordinates would be alarmed. So, he overcame his fear and returned to camp.
The Black Mamba, who was looking, had come to a halt. There was a strong human body odor in the air, as well as a buzzing high-frequency sound, and their camp.
Here it is!
He put his finger on his mouth and pointed down. Samdi immediately went down the canopy.
Oh my god!
Puck! Samdis scream broke as a small flame erupted.
Oh man, I didnt think there would be an electrib barbed wire there!
Black Mamba was taken aback. He pulled out his Rakshasa. Shoong! Rakshasa shot out, squeezing through the trees like a splinter. Churik! There was a large Chameleon that had wrapped itself around Rakshasa. Rakshasas cracker broke.
The chameleon was thrown into the electrically charged metal fence. 500V was lethal to small animals. The output of an Amazon electric eel ranges between 500 and 700 volts. Even a crocodile will become entangled if he comes into contact with an electric eel.
There was a spark and white smoke erupted from the body of the chameleon attached to the wire.
Samdi, youre surprisingly weak against electricity.
Black Mamba didnt think that Samdis powerful body would fall to a 500-volt shock. Spak! The guard system of the shadows finalyl noticed the abnormal behavior that was going on. Shual. Rakshasa wrapped around the trembling Samdi. The giant was dragged up into the air.
Men who were dressed in black, suddenly appeared. They were wearing bulletproof vests, hats and combat shoes. They were also carrying guns. One of them took the fried chameleon from the ground. its dead body was still emitting smoke. The noxious odor of protein carbonization vibrated. The man smirked.
Jim, I told you it was an animal.
The team leader didnt have a good feeling about this, so we had to check to be sure.
God dammit! How many times has it been?
The guy threw aside the chameleon.
Lets go back!
Unfortunately, the Men in Black barely got the chance to return to the camp and rest on their hammocks. The predators that were eyeing them made the first strike.
A blast rang out as soon as the two shadows turned around. fit-fit- Thin staves like chopsticks flew into the air and pierced his jugular, as the blood escaped with his last breaths. Shadows, who had become like a fish cake skewer, collapsed without a scream.
Black Mamba caused a lot of flesh. Area 51 was conducting an inhumane project by securing the biological test data of Unit 731. That alone was enough to provoke anger.
The commanders of Unit 731, who committed atrocities, were not charged with war crimes. This was due to the fact that the United States and Japan carried out their trade behind the scenes. Interestingly, among the Japanese who received the medal from the Korean Ministry of Veterans Affairs is the commander of Unit 731. It can be declared that the Yankees an axis of evil.
Ugh!
After five minutes, Samdi came to his senses. If a normal person was electrocuted by 500 volts, he would have died, but Samdi was a zombie. It was refreshing to see him react as if he were a human being at 500V.
Are you okay?
Yup. Feels like I just took a nap.
Samdi got up and stretched, as if nothing had happened. Black Mamba laughed as his slow reaction. Samdi was the one who hung his head from Pomsaengpomsa. He understood and continued to be the same man.
Ssmdi, the target is 180 meters away at out 3 oclock.
Black Mamba pointed to the black forest.
It smells like peanut butter. I guess I forgot the C-Ration.
In 1958, the US military renamed the C-Ration MCI (Meal, Combat, Individual), but it was still known as the C-Ration. Samdis tummy grumbled. It was almost evening time. Samdi, who had a fast metabolism, was already starving.
Lets take care of this quickly so we can go get something to eat.
Samdi moved through the thickets as quickly and silently as a leopard. There was a strong odor of various human masses.
It didnt take long for his vision to blur. Eddos or Janggabai were not the culprits. For unknown reasons, there was an open space in the Ituri jungle where secondary surface plants disappeared, and the ground was clearly exposed. The jungle with the ground exposed beneath the primary jungle and lined with huge trees that were difficult to see even with a close tilt of the head was common in Southeast Asia.
Three silver-gray tents were visible between the trees 110 meters in front. Black Mamba raised his hand, shook it left and right, and pressed it against his chest. It was a sign language to maintain prayer vinyl and approach it. As Samdi approached closely, Black Mamba pointed three meters ahead.
A thin bombardment line could be seen hidden between the bushes. It appears that directional cremore is tucked away somewhere. Landmines would be sprayed in the vicinity of the camp if Cremore was installed.
Can you see the metal that looks like a trumpet?
I can see a machine gun.
Its an infrared lamp. There are two more infrared lamps installed somewhere. It is a defense system called ADS (automatic defense system). When a moving object is detected, the computer calculates the distance and location by triangulation and automatically transmits data to a machine gun linked to the operator. Its not technically difficult, but it costs astronomical money. Its the worlds strongest American money.
Agrippina system, electric barbed wire, Cremore, Landmines, ADS defense system, what are these? Is it a human hedgehog?
Thats not the only thing. You can hear the buzzing sound, right? This is the sound of high-voltage electricity flowing through the net surrounding the camp. The last defense net is a high-pressure net.
How are those people?
Shadows! The U.S. best batting force that denies its existence externally. They are the ones who are involved in secret and dirty operations under the DIA.
I dont know if they are the best, they seemed messy.
Ssamdi spit it out and the red face turned into a burning face. They are truly evil to step on Olumbos neck and crush it. Olumbo, who had always chastised himself for being a weak man, died fighting them until the bitter end. He demonstrated that he was not a vulnerable human being.
If He knew that Louis was in a gang with these guys, he would not have killed them finely.
Chapter 441 - Episode 4: Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
Ssamdi, who is simply ignorant and influenced by Black Mamba, has a narrow temperament. But, as Black Mamba, he valued justice and loyalty above all else. The only difference is that for Black Mamba, eliminating the chimera comes first, and revenge is a secondary concern. Because chimeras are a real-world threat.
The shadow team had a picnic in the Ituri jungle with a row of gimbap and a bottle of cider. The reason they were dispatched is related to the serfund they have completed.
The Surfund cenote and Camp are over 1,000 meters away. In the deserts or meadows, 1000 meters are nothing, but in the Ituri jungle, the situation is quite different.
Why did the Shadow team give up the open land around the cenote and move to a camp in the woods? Did they just come to understand the situation?
Oh, I see!
Black Mamba spit out exclamations that seemed to come from nowhere. The answer was the clear view. There are no bushes, shrubs, or weeds within a radius of 70-80 meters of the camp. In the Ituri jungle, it is a rare primary vegetation zone. From a defensive standpoint, it is an area that has been thoroughly cleaned over the course of four seasons.
The Shadow commander is an expert in non-regular warfare and a cautious human being. He chose a campsite based on the assumption that the enemies would be more powerful than the allies. In addition, he had faith in the teams boundary and defense systems. If the system prevents enemy access, these beautiful giant trees could become a natural barrier that prevents long-distance fighter weapons from being fired.
Direct-fire weapons such as grenades and anti-tank guns, as well as howitzer weapons such as grenades and mortars, are rendered ineffective by giant trees. He doubted that they were considering using long-range grenades.
As a result, they must approach the camp to attack it, but the triple defense system tightly defends the camp. The cost of ensuring the safety of the squad units operation team was prohibitively expensive. The United States Special Forces were the king of money.
Ssamdi, find the weakness points.
Ssamdi focused his gaze and fumbled around the camp. At first glance, he noticed a wide nose net that blended into the forest, as if two large beans stuck in the peanut threshing yard. It was so well-hidden that it could not have been discovered if it had not been mentioned by the owner beforehand.
He was in a bad mood after experiencing an electric earthquake on the outskirts. The hum of the transformer was enough to numb his neck. And because of the trees, he cant hit them from a long distance with a MAG. besides If he tries to enter the woods in a clumsy manner, he will be subjected to an electric steamer and become a target for automatic target-tracking machine gun bullets. He could also step on landmines and become levitated. He just wanted to hit the trees with a bubble wrap, according to his nature.
I can attack for five seconds, so would you just shut up and run?
Ssamdi threw out an unavoidable remark. It doesnt make sense even if he thinks about it.
How about landmines and automatic guns? If you touch the takeover wire, the claymore will be overwhelmed.
Ssamdis face was crushed by Black Mambas question. Its not that he didnt know, but she pointed it out savagely.
Wakir is the master and I am the servant. Thoughts belong to the master and actions belong to the servant.
In other words, it is a dissatisfaction with why people ask difficult questions that make people or zombies uncomfortable.
hahaha.
Black Mamba giggled. Its a major development. Now he knows how to twist logical expressions.
It means you should think when you are facing a situation. The shadow team commander has a lot of experience, and they had a perfect defense system, but they also had a fatal weakness. They organized boundaries and defense systems for humans. We are human, but we are not human either.
Ssamdi appeared to be thinking as he made a contemplative expression. Black Mamba smiled and pointed to the sky.
Its asymmetric power.
Aha!
Ssamdi got it right away. Asymmetric power was explained last time. Wakir exemplifies asymmetric power. Normally, humans are unable to move in the air, but this is not the case for the owners. Even without a rope, the owners can jump through trees more easily than a macaque.
Lets act as Eoreumsani (the clown who rides the rope of Namsadang).
Shake- cracker dragged the army rope and soared into the air. Black Mamba, who checked the tension, grabbed the rope and ran up like a flat ground in a right angle to the tree trunk.
Im not even surprised. I also can ride the trees now.
Ssamdi shook his head and wrapped the rope around his left hand. He clasped his massive body against the stem and climbed up he learn it from Black Mamba. A strong tension was applied on the top rope.
Oh? Oh!
Ssamdi was dragged up on a 50-meter-high branch.
We dont have time.
Shake- Amirov took off 30 meters ahead, toward a giant tree. His wrist flexed twice or three times. At the target point, the cracker swirled around the branch. Ssamdi flew across the space as if he was flying on a single rope.
For Black Mamba, who has mastered the arsenic method, 20 meters was nothing. She grabbed the rope and gracefully skipped it like a flying squirrel. After four tightrope walking games, Asura and Ddolmani Nachal reached the top of the shadow teams camp.
Three silver-gray tents 70 meters below drew their attention. For the general public, 70 meters is a dizzying height, but for them it was no different than flat land.
The perimeter system that Steve and McPhee installed with all their advanced equipment was temporarily neutralized. Although Mekphy is good at irregular warfare, he didnt even think about being able to infiltrate by flying through the air. The scary thing about asymmetric power.
Security and surprise are the biggest reasons why Black Mambas attack is the opponents collapse. Security and surprise are the first factors that crush enemies in war/fighting. Security and surprise are the bases that led Israel to victory in four Middle East wars.
In a nutshell, security is hiding ones plans and knowing what the enemy is up to. Zhuge Liangs ability in the Three Kingdoms is also entirely based on security. A surprise attack is a blow delivered when the opponent is unanticipated. Of course, surprise attacks are only possible when security is tight. A security breached surprise is similar to an alligator leaping into a bag.
Shadow team camp was relaxing. There was no separate alert. Two humans snore in hammocks on branches, a person uses a computer on a simple table, a person peeled his butt from a distance, and the rest are in a tent. The shadow team, who were unaware of Asura and Nachals descent, was dormant.
Is this your last break? Ssamdi will help you rest well. Go to the underworld and say sorry to Olumbo.
Ssamdi muttered and assembled the MAG barrel and pulled out a cartridge with 200 bullets. Black Mamba took out a heavy pouch from the backpack and hung it on a branch. It is a pouch with 24 grenades.
Ssamdi, there are eight people.
Black Mamba, who was pulling out the grenade safety hook, was startled. A large mixed-race mestizo came out of the tent with a 2 meters steel bar. The guy who was crooked like a gorilla was so sassy that his physique was comparable to that of Ssamdi.
The eyes of Black Mamba, who stood tall on the branch, and mestizos eyes just met after hitting from 70 meters away. She was able to read her opponents eyes, which flashed with raging violence and bottomless emptiness.
Ugh!
The jungle rumbled as the mestizo screamed.
Did he get the Howling Monkey gene?
With lightning-like movements, Black Mamba drew the grenade safety pin. Sh- Sh- Sh- three grenades flew in quick succession.
Whoa!
Mestizo swung an iron rode of thickness comparable to that of a rafter. Kang Kang Kang a loud sound rang out. And he was able to hit them as scoring a home run.
Oh, my. Look at him! Is he from Major League Baseball?
Black Mambas eyes got bigger. The best fastball pitcher in the Major League averages 165 kilometers per hour. The grenades speed is 450 kilometers per hour, which is faster than Hae dong- cheongs rapid drop toward his opponent. He hit a grenade with a force of 10,000 J, as calculated by momentum. His physique is incredible.
Boom- boom- boom- An explosion sounded somewhere in the distant forest. Black Mambas impression was as rotten as the relief pitcher who allowed a comeback home run in the bottom of the ninth. What kind of dog is this?
Enemy!
Someone screamed. The two shadows lying leisurely in the hammock and shaking jumped up as if they were bitten by a centipede. They jumped off carrying their guns, rolled, and covered behind a rock.
Grenade cannon, grenade cannon!
From behind the rock, a yell rang out. Three black-clad shadows emerged from the tent. One ran into the shadow and touched the machine, while the other two quickly bounced back. Its a surprisingly quick reaction.
Oh, my god!
Steves hand ran around the keyboard. Enemy? Is this making sense? Despite being struck by lightning, he did not forget what he needed to do. The ADS system was modified to become a Laser Tracking Projectile.
A laser tracking fire control system called a letrap which consists of a laser-guided aiming system, a target detection system, and a fire control system. When the laser tracks the body temperature of the target captured by the infrared lamp, the computer transmits location data to the shooting control device. The machine gun that received the data automatically tracks the target and emits fire. It is also a state-of-the-art weapon system at the level of a pilot plant in Area 51.
Theyre the most trained ones!
Black Mamba was amazed. Their actions are the ones that will enrage Jamal and Aishe. Shed already decided to annihilate the Shadow. The first target, of course, is the one that bounces backwards.
Saeng-saeng- A black mass, accelerated by gravity, split the atmosphere. A 920 g piece of iron flew at a speed of 125 m/s struck a weak human.
Puck-Puck- The left shadow had a smashed head, and the right shadow had a smashed spine. Shadow crossed the Jordan River without even screaming after being hit by a grenade stone (?). The explanation is lengthy, but it took place in an instant. The fugitive was killed first by Black Mamba, and the Shadow Team missed their chance to use their powerful weapon.
The shadow that fell to the rear was the MK19 high-speed grenade gunner and assistant. Contrary to what Black Mamba thought, he was not running away, but he fell back to activate the grenade cannon installed in the trench. The MK19 is a grenade launcher supplied to the U.S. Marine Corps and Special Forces in 1981 and is a monster that fires 40mm grenades at 60 rounds per minute. It is a bullet feed type, and 48 rounds go into the bullet barrel.
Se-An-Doo.
Ssamdi counted. Boom- boom- A grenade exploded. As a result, two tents were set on fire. Until now, the shadows had been unable to reach the target. Who would have guessed that there is an enemy in the air at 70 meters?
Puck- A stray fiber landed on the table.
Oh, Jesus!
Steve couldnt finish his work and took refuge under the table.
Whoa!
Mestizo cried, pointing into the air with an iron club. Only then did Shadow sense that the attacker was in the sky.
Hes at the top of the tree.
A torn shout was buried in the gunfire. Kakakaka- Behind the rock, two mini-mi fired fire. Pupapapa- There was no slow bullet, and the branches around Black Mamba suffered. The branches were broken, and the leaves were scattered.
The MAG, which had completed the bullet-barrage coupling, fired up. The power of the MAG is no match for Minimi, a light machine gun. Pieces of rock splattered, and holes were drilled in the tent.
In the meantime, Steve quickly reached out, entered the password, knocked on the enter key, and rolled under the table. He wanted to cover up behind a giant tree or rock, but he was terrified of machine bullets from the sky.
Letrap has been activated. The laser aimed at Black Mamba and Ssamdi. The motor was started by the fire control device, which had received location data. Wiing- Sophisticated motor devices accelerated the muzzles of the three machine guns to the point of laser irradiation. 7.62mm bullets were loaded into the engine compartment.
Ugh!
Black Mamba groaned quietly. Being targeted causes a tingling sensation on the temples. Who and how? She took out a safety ring and re-inserted the three grenades she was about to throw into the grenade pouch.
Here we go.
A unit containing 19 grenades fell to the ground. Its absurd, but Black Mamba has never fought a sensible battle. Chewing C The pressure has increased. Shack- Amirov stretched towards a tree 20 meters away. Puck- cracker pierced the tree trunk.
Chapter 442 - Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
Because heavy machine guns, such as the MAG, had such high firing recoil, using a tripod to shoot was the norm. But Samdi didnt require one. His strong muscles were enough to suppress the recoil, and he even enjoyed the off-beat vibrations that were similar to that of a motorcycle engine.
Human males, called men, tend to show off their strength instinctively. They admired speed and enjoyed vibrations ever since they were toddlers. Although the show of power changed from a sword to a gun, and the speed and vibration changed from a horse to a bike, the essence did not change.
On the weekends, large high-end bikes crowd the national highways 45, 46, and 6 along the Bukhan or Namhan rivers. It was not uncommon to see elderly men with gray hair riding a heavy Harley.
Instead of wondering what they wanted to do once they reached a certain age, these men were driven by jealousy. The mans instinct was to put on a black leather jacket and the need to feel the speed and vibration would take precedence over everything else.
The heavy vibration and unusual exhaust sound from Harleys V-type twin engine were something that knocks on a mans heart. Samdi, who was virtually addicted to the MAGs launch vibration, was dazed when his feet floated off the branches.
Yes, yes!
Without any surprise, he became like a sloth that was bitten by the claws of an eagle and crossed the air at a height of 70 meters and collapsed. Black Mamba was not in a pleasant mood either.
The machine gun linked to the laser completed the target line alignment shortly after Black Mamba was kicked out. Bababababa! Beautifully shaped twigs, epiphytic plants, and parasitic vines were ripped, broken, and scattered. It only took three or four seconds, but the shreds of innocent plants struck by hundreds of powerful armor-piercing rounds fell like rain.
Weiying! The laser followed the infrared light to track the moving targets, and the fire control system turned the machine gun barrel. Kirik C Kirik C The fire control system aligned the crosshairs by comparing the moving target with the coordinates it received.
Oh, my!
When Black Mamba recognized the source of the threat, his expression became distorted. A flash of light appeared just as he was about to leave his position. He quickly covered his ears. Quang! A violent sound erupted merely 0.2 seconds later. The shock wave rumbled through the forest.
The grenade that Black Mamba threw happened to land in a pile of M19 high-speed grenades. Following the first explosion, there was a continuous series of explosions that lasted for 0.5 seconds. Two grenade barrels caught up in the explosion were bombarded, and the explosion resulted in the other grenades exploding even without having their pins pulled. Although grenades were more stable than artillery shells, they were unable to withstand the tyranny and heat.
When an object produces sound, sound waves emanate around the object. The higher the pressure, the faster the sound wave. A shock wave is a continuous compression wave and a rarefaction wave, and the diffusion is attenuated. When the shock waves overlap, the sound wave pattern changes, and resonance occurs. The compressed wave and the surrounding atmosphere are separated, and the compressed wave forms a band in the form of a cone. This is the moment when sound waves exert physical force.
Puff! Shadow Camp was completely annihilated by the supersonic shockwaves, which struck Steves workbench 40 meters away. His outdoor table and a triangular tent containing intricate machinery and equipment were also ripped apart. Steve was also hit by the shock wave.
Billy, kill them!
A desperate scream rang out as Steves body was ripped apart by the explosion.
I shouldve moved Billy first
The moment he lost consciousness, he blamed himself for not being able to use Billy because he was engrossed in the defense system. Steve blamed himself for wielding a stone sword instead of his famous sword, but he did not know that swinging the famous sword was of no avail.
Kurr- Fragments and flames hit Steve and his body burned violently. He no longer had to worry about the witch Matildas thirst.
Argh!
Steve let out a long and anguished scream as he tried to communicate with the two Mini-Me shooters who were now behind cover. Although he was quite far from the blast and he was spared from the shards and debris, thanks to the rocks that blocked the way, the shockwave still caused his eardrums to burst.
The laser that was tracking Black Mamba and Samdi was cut off. And the three machine guns, which raised their heads and were looking for the targets, dropped their heads. Kururu! A crater was formed, and the flame covered a radius of 50 meters. As Bonifas said, the Black Mamba was nothing but a force of nature. The ancient primeval forest burned fiercely.
The fate of the three shadows who managed to survive luckily, was not very good either. Tututututututu! The MAG fired up and the shadows that were hiding behind cover were ripped apart before they could even recover or come to their senses.
A person was shaking in a clumsy position in an outdoor toilet 120 meters away from the camp. In the field, the toilet should be as far away from the camp as possible. This was due to the fact that the smell of ammonia, which was extremely pungent and would spread far and wide while mixing with the air.
McPhee couldnt bring himself to raise his pants and instead stared far away at the burning camp. The attack was both sudden and majestic. It happened within the span of twenty, no, maybe ten seconds? The Shadow A team, which was capable of steamrolling Marine Corps, was so easily defeated. His mind went blank.
The assailant was nowhere to be found. Due to the overwhelming concentration hit, the subordinates were unable to fire a single bullet properly. He had never imagined himself in a battle like this.
Ugh, that guy, that guy!
They are the persona non grata (the intelligence worlds heresy, the antagonist) who annihilated the Louis team. Once again, his instincts were spot on. McPhee crawled on the ground to avoid being noticed. If he were to be apprehended, he would surely be tortured and killed. If he died, no one would know what happened here. It was his responsibility to convey the information.
Wakir, I cant see him.
But before Sam could even finish his report, a scream broke out.
Ugh!
Mestizo appeared from the sea of fire. The giant jumped up to about ten meters and escaped the flames, propelled by a lightweight hydraulic stent. Only bulletproof clothing that has burned down and become ragged is draped over his upper body. Even the honeycomb double-layered chitin skin could not withstand hundreds of degrees of heat. It looks like hell see the carbonized and melted form in his dreams.
Billy swung the iron rode at them. The ground order to kill rang in his head. Ground orders were issued until the commander cancelled them. However, Steve, the commander, had died. As a result, Billy evolved into a true predator, annihilating life until he would be discarded.
Oh, thats okay.
Black Mamba blew the wind. The mixed-race giant looked like a gorilla and was rough in appearance. Whether he dug into the ground or found protection behind cover, he endured violence and tremendous debris to the extent of the resonance shock waves that occurred. The MK project created a true monster.
Black Mamba looked at Samdi. That monster and Samdi were they same. They were both humans who had undergone genetic engineering and biotechnology procedures, and they both managed to escape the laboratory.
You punk, youre alive. Thank you.
Samdis blood boiled the moment he saw the mixed race giant. That guy was the one who had brutally murdered Olumbo. Samdi misunderstood the look on Black Mambas gaze. Wakirs rule was to take an eye for an eye. Since, Olumbos neck was broken, he must be decapitated too. He hung the empty MAG on the tree and pulled out a blade.
Ill cut him to pieces.
Samdi charged at Billy, wielding a massive 2.4-meter shovel. The two monsters faced each other at a distance of 120 meters.
Fang! Billys head was hit by the massive shovel blade. Dust and debris floating in the air made a squeaky sound when they collided with the shovel blade, which was flying at almost the speed of sound.
Billy swung the iron rod instinctively, sensing the danger. Quang! It was like two runaway locomotives having a head-on collision. Huwang! Shock waves spread out. Billys legs slammed into the ground up to his knees. Samdi retreated by tumbling backwards instead of going against the rebound. Billy jumped up and pulled both of his legs out.
Amazing!
Black Mamba nodded in approval. The mestizos strength and speed were impressive, and the iron rod that endured the 40 kg metal blade flying at sound speed was also great.
Keuaak!
Billys bust exploded. He rushed the iron rod.
Wow, Im ashamed of everything I see.
Samdis face was hot. The opponent who rushes at random has many flaws. It felt like he was looking at himself from the past. His mind was strengthened, and his body was healed because of the life-or-death battle against the monsters and ocelots in Ituri. The owner was correct when he stated that strength comes from the mind, not the body.
Huang! The iron rod swept in. Samdi twisted his body, keeping his left leg grounded. He lowered his posture and with fearless steps, he let the iron rod flow through, digging into Billys chest. around his left leg. He lowered his posture and with fearless steps he let the iron rode flow through, digging into Billys chest. And finally, the middle of the opponents thunderstone and jade was marked by Hwidons shoulder. It is the exact center of his body. Billys chest bone sinking was also heard by Black Mamba.
Keuak!
Billy faltered and fell down, blood spewing from his mouth.
Youre done!
Samdi was satisfied. He was able to use Heads Antler Movement that he had learned from the big master and the owner.
Samdi, who took advantage of the situation, followed closely behind. Wing! The iron rod flew horizontally over his head and poked the shovel blade. Puck- Billy broke his neck because he was late on his feet. His blood was splattered. The weight of the shovel blade was palpable.
Hahaha! The owner is always right.
Simon Dominic smiled strangely. The owner stated that the person wielding the weapon vertically is a fool, and the person wielding the weapon horizontally is suicidal. Life and death was a battle of space and time. Stabbing is the only way to dominate space and shorten time.
Geu reu reu
Billys throat, where his larynx and esophagus were severed, made a sound of air escaping. Billy stumbled down; his breath caught in his throat. Its not because hes afraid. Its an attempt to recover by buying time instinctively. Simon Dominic was close behind.
Pitt C The bubble wrap tore the atmosphere. Its poking again this time. Tteong- Billy barely blocked it aside with his iron rode. He was puzzled as he was able to bounce it off too easily.
Its Simon Dominics plan. The shovel blade was adjusted to half elasticity and turned round and round, finally stabbing his lower body. Puck! Blood splattered from his thigh. Shek! Shek! Shek! The blade of the shovel rang. Billy couldnt come to his senses. And when he tried blocking it with force, the opponents weapon attacked other areas. Finally, he lost his strength, bounced and dug into the iron rod.
Although Billy and Samdi had similar physical abilities, there was a significant difference between knowing and not knowing martial arts. Samdi never intended to deliver a lethal blow, but with slow movements, the damage was gradually increased. And Billys body was splattered with blood.
Billy, who had taken over the space, was pushed to insanity. His abdomen was ripped open and there was a piercing hole in his chest. His arms had also been ripped. His body was dripping with blood. His movements slowed noticeably, and Samdis eyes brightened.
Hey rat!
The blade changed its trajectory from stabbing to horizontal cutting. Spaul! Billys head snapped back. Area 51 Prototype Mechanic Honter, part number 18, codename Billy, had been scrapped.
Oh no This cant be happening.
McPhee sighed. The predator was unable to fight back and his head had been severed. This was the worst possible outcome for him, as he had hoped for Billys appearance to rescue him. But after what he had witnessed, he dashed into the forest. He knew that it was up to him to report the incident.
Argh!
Samdi roared as he held up the iron rod. This time, he was able to fight properly. He didnt run wild with excitement or push with force. He observed the opponents movements calmly and used the movements he learned properly.
Good job.
Thanks to the great master and Wakir for teaching me.
Samdis face shone with pride.
Hahaha, now youre acting so humble! Anyway, you know that someone just escaped and ran away, right?
Huh? Someone managed to get away?
Samdis eyes got bigger. He had no idea.
Hes over there. Get him.
That bastard pours cold water in my good mood.
Samdi threw the iron rode and went to track down McPhee, who ran away.
Kids have to grind for free.
Black Mamba smiled nonchalantly.
What did they make it out of?
It was difficult to guess the material that the octagonal iron rod with a bluish luster was made off. The iron rod easily blocked the bubble wrap flying at the speed of sound. Despite the surprising impact, there was only a slight scratch on the surface. It is a stronger material than bubble wrap.
It weighted about 50kg, while the Guan Yus 80 geun (48kg) Cheongryong Eonwoldo which is the typical Chinese bluff. Human body structures cannot wield 48kg. Even if you train your muscles in a special way, joints and bones cannot hold it.
Chapter 443 - Episode 6 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
The key to close combat was speed. The heavier the weapon, the slower the speed. The metallurgy of making knives has constantly evolved in the direction of increasing strength and reducing weight.
Korean Hwando 0.9kg to 1.6kg, Japanese Katana 0.7kg to 1.2kg, Western Long Sword 0.8kg to 1.5kg. The amniotic sword Zwei Hand weighed approximately 2kg. Maces, war hammers, and flails, which weighed about 5kg each, were striking weapons that can break iron armor. This meant that the weight of the melee pinch weapon was less than 2kg at most.
If you tied a string to a 1kg dumbbell and swung your arm around, you could see why swords weighed only a kilogram. When the center of gravity was formed in the front of the hand, centrifugal force and acceleration placed a great burden on the joints.
Just because the weapon was heavy did not mean that it was necessarily stronger. Force is proportional to weight and squared to velocity. There is no stall if speed is not supported even if the weight is excessively increased. Of course, if someone physically strong like Samdi wielded the weapon, the weapon would be even more powerful. This was because acceleration would be added to the weight.
A noise came from behind. Black Mamba was observing the iron rod nad stopped and turned his head.
Girls are also varied!
The source of the noise was the sound of the decapitated mestizos limbs hitting the ground. It wasnt just the muscles spasming; it was a headless body writhing. A black substance, like coltal that was ejected from the cut of the neck, covered the blood vessels.
The bleeding eventually stopped. Considering the blood flow and blood pressure of the carotid artery, this was an impossible physiological phenomenon. Mammals are supposed to bleed when their necks are cut off. It was hard to believe even when he saw it with his own eyes.
But the surprises kept on coming. Thousands of tentacles protruded from the cut surface, all oozing with black liquid. The tentacles looked like tree roots, wriggling and snaking here and there. The shape of the search for the head that has left the house resembles a swarm of worms that put their tails in the sewer of a well and shake their bodies.
Zombies are horrendous.
The Black Mamba frowned. No one was going to be okay watching the scene where the tentacles were protruding out of a corpse. Even Black Mamba, who had undergone prenatal care, was so disgusted that it was difficult for him to keep his eyes open.
Damn you! You made something disgusting. Ill put a rug on you, so go ahead and do it.
Black Mambas curiosity was aroused. He kicked his head away and moved it closer to the body. The tentacles reached out and dug into the cut edge of the head. The head was dragged towards his body and stuck to him. The joint area was covered with a gel-like substance such as black coltal.
Oh my god!
The body and the decapitated head was being reattached! No living creature on Earth could reattach a severed head. Even the right-wing Lupa, the supreme body of regeneration, couldnt reattach severed body parts. Black Mamba, who had seen so many weird things before and after his birth, was incredibly surprised.
He placed his palms on Mestizos body to read the changes that have occurred. He could sense that the metabolism rate was going wild, as if he had dipped his hands in a bubbling hot spring. The cells at the site of damage had begun to divide and grow rapidly. Blood vessels were reconnected, cervical vertebrae were reattached and the nerves were connected. The heart was starting to beat again.
It was impossible to create something out of nothing. Mestizos body was noticeably emaciated. His body, which was as hard as a rock, had become as thin as an empty bag. This was proof that the accumulated fat and protein were being used as an energy source. It was a type of regeneration system that was different from Ocelots.
After the intense regeneration process, Mestizo was stretched out. It was the price of running the bio-engine. Upon awakening, the Epimedium Factor would inhale organic matter so that the body would revert to its former self.
Huh, even Jesus, who was pierced with a spear, was resurrected on the third day!
The decapitated Mestizo was resurrected in just 10 minutes. Even Jesus is a startling regeneration process. It was hard to believe with the naked eye, but since Mestizos body was formed by cancer cells, it might explain the phenomenon to some extent.
Lactic acid produced by cancer cells is a medium for metastasis and growth of cancer cells. Lactic acid binds to the NDRG3 protein to form blood vessels. The newly created blood vessels serve as a highway through which endlessly dividing cancer cells metastasize.
Maybe the monster that popped out of Area 51 was not rhetorical, but actually a real mass of cancer cells. If Ocelot is pure gold with a purity of 99.99, this is a 12k alloy mixed with impurities. That said, it was not worth preserving.
Hey, what is this?
There was a foreign object lodged in the brain. Duwoong! Back Mamba grabbed the head and activated his spatial perception. An image of a nail-sized foreign body stuck in the back of the head came to mind. The shape did not look like a bullet. The best way to find out what it was, was to take a closer look.
The quickest way to satisfy human curiosity is the attentive conception. The little son asked his father, Daddy, what is a wart? It is difficult to obtain an educational effect by explaining a hundred times that it is a ferocious insect with its forelimbs shaped like a sickle and protruding eyes with a triangular head. He took his son outdoors and said, Thats a mantis End!
Black Mamba stabbed the back of the head with his finger. It was not easy to pierce through it. If he forcefully pierced it, the skull would shatter. He took out the balsara and cut a small circle out of the skull. He lifted out pieces of the skull as if he was peeling a watermelon for tasting. A shiny, milky-white metal could be seen between the folds of the scapula. He grabbed the metal with his thumb and forefinger. A thin line hangs from a chip the size of a fingernail. It was an atrocity to be condemned, but he was not a surgeon and this guy was not a patient.
Turn it off!
Mestizo was shivering with foam. Black Mamba was indifferent. Its the eyes looking at a dog fluttering on a rainy day. Mestizos struggles weakened and his breathing slowed. Even if the head was cut, the resurrected one was immediately neutralized when the chip was ripped out. It was said that the chip embedded in the brain was a form of a life support device.
Dirty bastard. This is what those who interfere with human rights in the world do!
Black Mamba gritted his teeth tightly. The Commission and the CIA used humans as biological tools. They manipulated human genes and inserted and controlled the machines in their brains. It was an atrocity that couldnt be carried out be done unless you were someone with a cold heart. In this way, the Yankees were no different from the jjokbari who operated Unit 731.
The body of Mestizo was drooping. Black Mamba put his palms on the head and chest an activated his spatial perception. There was no signs of life. The dead man has been resurrected so strangely, and had died again so absurdly. One thing was clear. When you kill the monster that crawled out of Area 51, you have to smash the chip in its head.
Unlike the Nguanga Chimera, Mestizo was only bulky, and its appearance was no different than that of an ordinary person. What would happen if a human-like this ran rampant in the city? A human who could jump more than 10 meters and run faster than a horse while easily swinging a 50kg iron rod. A human who could deflect bullets and regenerate itself when a limb falls off. What if he was released into the city and ordered to kill humans? Just thinking about it was terrifying.
The monsters they had encountered so far fell into three categories: the half-human and half-beast of Lake Nguang, the chimera immersed in the Cenote Swamp, and this one, whose appearance was no different from that of a human. There may be other types of monsters out there.
Whats the point of the US incubating this kind of monster that will be of great international controversy? How many such monsters does Area 51 have?
There is no reason for me to worry about lack of nutrition. I guess Ill have to sell this guy to Bonifas. Again, the price of sweets will come out.
Black Mamba coolly brushed off his worries. The trouble is with Bonifas. Thats why people pay taxes. No matter how much you try to shake your head, you cant find an answer. Sending related data to DGSE may be a handshake, but there must be a check. Even gangsters must have multiple organizations rather than one powerful one so they cant go wild.
The burning fire died out. The stronger the firepower, the faster the burning rate. At the site where the combustible water disappeared, only the residual fire remained. Black Mamba kicked Mestizo like a ball and moved it and checked the scene. It was uncomfortable to touch the lump of cancer.
A pit with a depth of 1 m and a diameter of 6 m was created in the center of the camp. As he approached the pit, the scorching heat hit him. The black carbonized object made a crackling sound. It was the sound of white phosphorus burning everything, even charcoal. The scene was nowhere to be seen.
There was nothing left where the firestorm passed. Except for the three shadows torn by MAG bullets, there was nobody that maintained its shape. Firearms and other equipment were also melted. He wanted to gift the Shadows weapon system to Bonifas, but he couldnt find anything.
I should take this too.
Black Mamba picked up the square mechanism that Shadow was operating. The case had been shattered by shards, and the surface was charred, but at least it was still in good shape. Three machine guns linked to lasers were also collected by tracking the smell of gunpowder.
Hey, you pathetic bastard. At the very least, you ate a lion when you died to turn into snake dung.
Samdi burst into laughter. A human in a black military uniform is wrapped around a giant python. It is a shadow that the owner asks to catch without seeing it. Even the shadows were not being hit. Standing on his knees and elbows, he rips apart the snakes body with his greatsword.
They struggled, but the results were obvious. The snake grasped the breathing rhythm of the victim and tightened it with each exhalation. Once you get caught, there is no remedy. Over time, it tightens and eventually suffocates and the bones crumble. Then the whole thing goes into the snakes mouth.
Kei C As Samedi approached, the snake raised its head. There was a hissing sound of tongue scraping. Its a strong message that you dont want to interrupt your mealtime. Of course, the message didnt work. There was a glint of blood in Samedis eyes.
The yellow, emotionless eyes were unpleasant, and the fluttering, bifurcated tongue was also unpleasant. He remembered the terrible sight he witnessed when he first entered the Ituri jungle with the owner. Serpents are terrible creatures whose heads are cut off and bite their torso.
He had an out-of-shape fight with the shamans pet snake, and was beaten frantically in the cenote and entered the stomach. If the owner hadnt saved it, it would have been shit. The worst disgrace in Samedis life is a snake. If it was a snake, it was boring.
Sometimes the little things will open their eyes and lick their tongues!
Shhh C Bubbles broke the wind. The snakes head, which had been raised, fell without a hitch. My body trembled like crazy.
Ouch!
Snakes do not stretch their muscles even when their necks are severed. The owner told me to get him, but he didnt tell me to bring the body. Samedi is simply ignorant. I am not afraid of anything in the world. The only thing that scares me is the eyes of the owner with the meaning of pathetic.
No!
The cold-hearted Samedi rushed back and forth. To crush the victim, the body of the squirming snake was mercilessly ripped off. The body of the snake, as thick as a mortar, was cut to pieces by the formidable force.
Damn it!
He pulled out the shadow, but his breathing had already stopped. Samedi, who was trying to perform chest compressions CPR, frowned.
It varies.
Shadows breastbone sank. This is the only way to breathe oxygen directly from mouse to mouse. Samedi repeated dozens of conflicts in an instant. Should I just throw it away and say it was eaten by a snake? should I kiss
Huhu, a servant cannot deceive his master. Damn bastard, its Atarashis lips, damn it!
Simon took a deep breath. With a half-savored expression, he clasped his thick lips against Mekphys.
Wakir, Ive caught you.
Samedi threw the Mekphy he had on his side. Its a very emotional act.
Why did things go bad?
Black Mamba confirmed Mekphys condition at a glance. Mekphys face is pale blue. It is cyanosis.
It was on the verge of being eaten by a king snake.
Samedi involuntarily rubbed his lips with the palm of his hand and answered as he was fat.
Kukkuk! Black mamba has a hundred eyes. He couldnt hold back his laughter when he found the connection between Mekphys slumped chest and his fat answer. Samedis red face burned like a maple leaf in Guryongryeong.
Well, it will be difficult to live long anyway, but you have to breathe.
He placed his palms on Mekphys chest and activated a suction wave. Teddeuk- The segmented breastbone and ribs were pulled up whole by suction.
Mekphys breathing became more relaxed and his complexion cleared. Fortunately, there were no punctures in the lungs. Mekphy rolled his eyes. He is a man of great physical and mental strength.
Ugh, you better kill me.
It was a rumbling sound, but it was understandable.
There is a lot of trouble with a missing, trying to live.
He sat Mekphy upright and drove the dead blood from his body into the airway with the suction wave. Puck- The palm struck noble blood.
Uh-huh!
A bowl of black blood came out of his mouth. As the blood clots were pulled out, Mekphys face turned red.
Kill! There is no use in torture.
I didnt even save to kill. They said that even if you eat Seo-sook (Jos dialect), Lee Seung-gi is better. Why would you die leaving a good world behind?
Black Mamba laughed. There is no rank insignia, but this guy is the commander even by pretending to be. I had a lot to ask. The focus returned to Mekphys eyes.
Hey, Mechanic Hunter!
Mestizo flinched when he discovered Mestizos corpse. The eyes wandering around Hunters neck shook wildly.
Hmm, that was something called a Mechanic Hunter. Why are you surprised? With a severed neck attached? You dont even know the story.
Chapter 444 - Episode 7 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
The corners of the Black Mambas mouth grew stronger and the corners of her eyes drooped. What would a womans face look like when she found out that her wedding ring was cubic? She tried to get information about the Area 51 monster, but it was in vain. The expected middle-aged shadows were just hands and feet that knew nothing. Had she known this would happen, she should have caught the guy who handled the machinery.
What are you?
Dozens of question marks floated across MecPees face. It was only when he became the Shadow Team Leader that I realized the existence of Hunter and Grendel. The strongest biological weapon that the motherland had created was astonishing itself. Human dignity? Pan-Human Ethics? Such is the nonsense of those who have only mouths and no fists.
After all, a handful of strong fists are the masters of the world. Were there any rules when the Mongol horsemen swept Europe? Was there a cause when the private fleets of European empires waged naval battles in the Atlantic?
To survive, you have to be strong, and the one who survives is the strong one. This is why his country, the United States of America, is aiming for Pax Americana.
The opponent smashed the strongest biological weapon, the Mechanic Hunter, like a mouse. An unimaginable strength! The motherland is unaware of the existence of all dangers. He is a dark warrior who protects his country. He wanted to know the identity of the other person even by selling his soul.
You bastard with no frills!
Samedis eyebrows rose at the harsh tone. Samedi looked at Black Mamba and gently stepped on his ankle. Puddeuk C The ankle bone was crushed.
Ouch!
MecPee clenched his teeth and endured the pain. If you succumb to this kind of torture, you are not a Shadow. Patience brought another pain. A palm like a pot lid covered his right hand. Pududuk- As if bitten by vice, the bones of the fingers were crushed.
Ouch!
MecPee crawled through the pain that felt like his eyes would pop out. Shadow does not divulge secrets even at the moment of death. He took pride in his patriotism and enjoyed mental victories. MecPee didnt even know in his dreams that the giant in front of him was tormenting him with self-interest.
A has changed. I am G and you are B. name?
Its absurd for a yellow monkey to believe in his simple talent and hold weight. Eat with your Emmy.
MecPee, confused by the pain, poured out six letters.
Tttttttt, until a guy with no frills is stupid . It is wrong to die gracefully.
Samedi clicked his tongue. Its a pity that he dared to curse at the owner about his mother. Seriously, isnt he the only person who knows if its poop or soybean paste? The Black Mamba moved as he was about to break his hands and feet.
Shhh- The palms stretched out like they were stretched out and hit MecPees jaw joint on both sides. If the speed of the object exceeds the analytical ability of the visual acuity of the moving body, it appears as an afterimage. The mandible fell off. The joint was then dislocated by twisting both shoulders.
Aww!
The pain of forcibly missing the jaw joint is unimaginable. A strange sound escaped MecPees throat. Blood gushed out from the gaping mouth.
Black friend, no, shadow man, biting your tongue doesnt make you die easily. You seem to want to die quickly because you infuriated me, but it wont be easy. Ive never heard a story I wanted to hear.
Black Mamba smiled coldly. She captured the bursting life in the blink of an eye. She wanted to kill them right now, but she didnt have one or two pieces of information to get. If shed heard a curse on her mother in the past, she would have cut it in pieces.
This guy is a devil. No, its the devil.
MecPee was lost in the illusion of the shadow of a giant demon. Shadow is trained to the limit that the human body and mind can withstand. Only 120 hours of torture training were assigned to the training program. Experience all forms of psychological and physical torture directly, and cultivate the mental power to withstand torture.
There are more than ten educated suicide techniques alone. What do you do with ten? He is a psychic who notices even the slightest movement of biting his tongue and pulls out his chin.
Hes a pro among pros. no not human He was always ready to give his life for his country and was confident that he would not yield to any torture. But what is this?
His eyes turned white, and fear swept over him like a wave. As deep as the abyss, the eyes burning like lava are on the verge of losing my mind. Oops, my 42-year-old life fell into a gutter.
Wakir, I will kill the dead for saying that they will grant their wishes.
Samedi glared at MecPee with bloodshot eyes. This guy insulted his master. Hes the one who needs to peel the skin off right now and sprinkle salt on it.
Not yet. Bring it!
Its annoying
Samedi grumbled. The backpack containing his weapons and food and the backpack containing napalm and white phosphorus bullets alone weighed 450 kg. Three machine guns with strange devices, six 200 rounds, and a bag of drawers the size of a drawer tied with vines is 70 kg. If you include a large mixed-race mestizo corpse and MecPee, the package weighs a whopping 700 kg. A camel is too heavy to fall with its knees bent. It is a luggage bag that is impossible without the Ultra Super Porter Samedi.
Its not difficult to carry, but the old shadow caught his heart. While giving artificial respiration, the guy opened his eyes and their eyes met. Just looking at that guys face brought back dirty memories and made him feel dirty. Moreover, he even insulted his master.
We must defeat the monster in the Cenote Swamp and return immediately.
Are you going to Novatopia? Are you going to the old master?
Samedis eyes twinkled. Itouri Jungle is fun, but hes starting to miss the smell of humans.
Which one do you like?
I like the older teacher and Jinsoon, but I want to see Miss Ethel.
Samedi is always honest. He didnt know how to talk around.
I need to find my mother.
Black Mambas eyes sank deeply. Some bastard leaves a comfortable path and keeps going only on a difficult path. Ethel, who was squeezing the filthy native blood pus in the harsh desert, felt pity.
Samedi with an open mind concedes. We must not forget Miss Ethel.
Black Mamba turned away without answering.
Are you pissed off? I have no reason to be upset
Samedi tilted his head and followed after carrying a heavy bag of luggage. Samedi still lacks the skills to understand the complexities of human judgment.
Devil Spring, the cenote the CIA calls a puddle, remains turbid. The thick water surface, like a thin soup, cracked and cracked. It is the sound of methane gas rising from the floor and escaping into the air. Plants do not grow within a radius of 100m due to the toxic gas leaking from the swamp.
Shadow-san, is the hybrid monster hiding in the swamp your pet?
MecPees face rotted and was bruised. They know more of Area 51s secrets than themselves. Those who smashed the Mechanic Hunter in one blow and know secrets unknown to the sky, what the hell is it? It was difficult to even guess the identity of the person even though he thought about losing his hair.
Got upset if a predator jumps out of the swamp and attacks them, its perfect, but its a no-brainer. Neither Grendel nor Hunter can act autonomously. Steve is gone, so there is no one to give orders.
You dont expect that Keyhole and the Dragon Lady will send the video here to the headquarters, and the assault team will be dispatched urgently, dont you?
MecPees eyes widened. Since the chin has already fallen, there is no chin to fall off.
Wake up your dream. For the next 95 minutes, the sky is empty. The mid-orbit satellite RM444 doesnt have enough resolution to pick it up.
Black Mamba smiled round and round and pointed her finger at the sky. MecPees face turned black. How do they know the top-secret CIA satellite operation schedule? A clever human with ultra-physical and astonishing intelligence capabilities, the risk of interest is higher than that of the Ohio SSBN (Strategic Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine) with 24 Tridents.
Wakir, long nights have many dreams.
Samedi raised his voice.
Kukk, thats right. Get ready for the fireworks show.
Samedi took out 10 5 kg white phosphorus bullets and 30 10 kg napalm bullets from the backpack.
Wow!
MecPees eyes widened as if torn apart. It has been 20 years since he ate jjambap in the military. Its not MegPy who doesnt know what dark courage is. Their next move was obvious. The Predator is going to be like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Are you curious? Are you dying to tell me?
Samedi groaned.
Miss Shadow, dont even dream of suicide. What you consider to be extreme pain is not extreme pain. Your patriotism and military spirit are not the weight of a single leaf to me. Dont you want to engrave my words on your body?
MecPee nodded impatiently. Pain is also pain, but it is on the verge of going crazy because of curiosity and curiosity. Tuduk- The palms passed over the articular processes of both mandibles. His chin was stuck in place.
Name and rank?
Major McPhee, Onion McPhee.
Belong?
I am a soldier in the United States of America. The rest cannot be said.
MecPee shut his mouth tight. He was determined not to say any more.
Shadow is a special squadron belonging to DIA, called the Shadow Corps. They are currently dispatched to the CIA Duchess to do all sorts of dirty post-processing. Was there a CIA agent among the guys in the camp? He came to investigate the dead serpent, and you are the Shadow Team Leader sent for security purposes, right?
Ugh!
MecPees eyes widened as if torn apart. Its an unmistakable fact. For a moment, he was suspicious that he was a secret agent who inspected the CIA and DIA.
No surprise. I killed the Serpent.
Ugh!
MecPees chin dropped. Even if he collected all the moments that surprised him since he was born, he didnt think it would be as surprising as now.
Come on, even if you play, you have to finish work and play.
1,000 square meters is about 300 pyeong. Black Mamba divided the cenotes by 10 pyeong like a checkerboard. They plan to throw 30 napalm bombs, one for every 10 pyeong.
It takes 3 seconds to adjust the fuse, and 90 seconds to adjust 30 fuses. Black Mambas hand moved like an island war. The first bomb was set at 95 seconds, the second at 92 seconds, and the last at 5 seconds. Samedi has never dealt with bombs. From a distance, he just watched the sheep the owner was making.
Shish shish shish- The napalm bullets, which had been promoted by the priest, flew towards the cenote, biting their tail like a rosary. 30 drops took just 3 seconds. Chowk C 30 bombs landed on the surface at about the same time.
Oh, that cant be!
MecPees mouth widened. His physical ability was eye-opening, but he was fed up with his bomb-handling skills and calculations without an error. Its a computer, not a human.
Se- ang- doo-
Before Samedi could count the three, the flames soared. The sticky napalm covered the water surface of the cenote as if it was paved with asphalt. The combustion temperature of napalm is 1,200C to 1,500C. The 1,000 square meters of water turned into a fireball at once.
The airlifted napalm ammunition is not an initial type, but an improved type. In addition to naphthenic acid and palmitic acid, benzene and polystyrene were added. The burning time increases and it explodes when water is poured on it.
It is a myth that napalm can burn even underwater. A combustible cannot burn without oxygen unless a chemical reaction produces oxygen, such as thermite. Napalm only burns by drawing in oxygen from the atmosphere and dissolved oxygen from the water.
Aww- Powerful firepower called a heat storm. Shoot-a-ah, the air was terrifyingly sucked into the swamp. The swamp was bubbling. Hot steam rose like a cloud. The heated atmosphere dragged clouds of water vapor and soared into the sky.
Ugh!
Unable to stand the fire, MecPee screamed.
Its not like a weak bastard pretending to be!
Samedi grabbed MecPees back and backed away.
Heh heh, Ill give you a special white phosphorus as well.
Hissing C Ten additional white phosphorus bullets were dropped on the cenote turned into hell. Puffok- Puffok- A white flash of light flashed in the red flames.
White phosphorus charcoal increases the efficiency by mixing several auxiliary materials. The worst white phosphorus projectile is a thermite white phosphorus projectile. Thermite emits heat of 2,400C during chemical reactions. Thermite reacts in water, and the heat of reaction between white phosphorus and thermite rises to 2,700.
The white phosphorus bullet, which could not overcome its weight, was submerged in the water. Dededede- Cenotes water soared into the air like a geyser. It is a vaporization phenomenon caused by the explosive chemical reaction of the thermite white phosphorus bullet. The water of the cenote evaporated terribly. The water level went down in an instant. The sound of the fire sucking in oxygen, the sound of steam spewing, and the sound of boiling water mixed, deafening my ears.
The Black Mamba stared at the cenote, which was swirling with firestorms and thick steam. When she implemented it, the power of the napalm and thermite white phosphorus was enormous. The burning duration of napalm is 15 minutes and thermite white phosphorus is 3 minutes. In its current state, it was likely that all of the water in the cenote would evaporate before the combustion time passed. Its too much of a performance to bring out two monsters.
Heh heh, no matter how strong a monster is, can it withstand it?
Whether its a raccoon or an octopus, if you light a fire at the door, it will pop out.
Chapter 445 - Episode 8 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
If you want to play with fire, you have to do that.
There was little pride in Simon Ds face as he watched the grand fireworks show. Aklon Kuru (Servant) Ombuti preached the theory of the master and servant as one soul to the followers of Waqil at the construction site of the Spawn Bridge in Novatopia.
[Do you call yourself servants of Tubaiburpa? Not yet as I see it. A wife and children are recipients. A servant is the giver. No, the mind must go to the master without even giving it a consciousness. A lovely wife is once, and a cute child is once. The marginal utility of love is one year, and the marginal utility of loyalty is death. A true servants loyalty ends in death. The glory of the master is the glory of the servant, and the greatness of the master is the greatness of the servant. You are not yet servants. Examine whether you are loyal to your master without any ill will. Only those who are not ashamed of themselves deserve to be servants of the great Tubaiburpa.]
Simon D was moved by the interpretation of the ombuti-style Eungmu Soju Lee Saenggisim. I firmly vowed to become a true servant. When you meet a stinky master, your servants get sloppy too. You must be extremely lucky to have met a handsome owner.
Red flames swirled like hundreds of fire dragons, with white flashes that brightly illuminated the son-in-law. This was accompanied by the sound of strong winds being sucked into the crater as a ferocious plume of steam rose hundreds of meters into the air. A man must do this to play with fire. Destruction is also artistic if the owner touches it.
The guy Bonifas called the owner a natural disaster. I had intuition, but I lacked eye level. Thats called Creation of Heaven and Earth. Anyway, the time has come for the monster to come out. Yes? What is this sound?
Simon D listened. Before he could finish speaking, his sensitive hearing caught the foreign noise. A huge object fluttered beyond the thick cloud of vapor.
Soon, the howling became clearer. It was a cry full of anger and pain. Puak! A monster popped out of the cloud of burning vapor. It was as big as the giant tree nearby.
What is that?
Simon Ds eyes widened. It was a burning octopus No, its the chimera, the owner said. It couldnt be an octopus because it had a protruding snout like a crocodile. The shape might be similar, but the size was the best part. If the size of the mouth alone was 3 meters, and the lengths of the legs is 20 meters, then it was a very difficult opponent. The diameter of the sucker alone exceeded 10cm.
Did you put the octopus and crocodile heads in the frying machine?
Simon D, who had lost his sense of humor, spit out a meaningless sound. It was surprising that such a monster was nestled in a narrow reservoir. But this was not the time to be surprised. As the octopus struggled, sparks flew in every direction.
Simon D assembled the MAG barrel and connected the bullet with his familiar skill. There is no reason to wrestle with a good gun and wield it with blood. Its no different than a guy who puts his panties aside and hangs on his stockings.
Hey, Rakshasa!
The owner pulled out the Rakshasa. The Rakshasa wielded by the owner was a unique item. It was the supreme version of a ranged weapon. Simon D lowered his gun and sat down on a rock. It was a monster battle that was hard to watch. The popcorn and cola were disappointing.
Kururu! The atmosphere trembled when the Octopus shrieked. Its tray-like eyes flashed with anger. It had been eating well and resting comfortably, but now, it was suddenly suffocating and hot. He was unable to bear it and so he jumped out of the water.
Outside the water, things were even worse. A scorching firestorm was raging. It had jumped out of the water, confident that it could endure the atmosphere, but it proved to be wrong. Burning hot mud stuck to its skin. No matter how hard it struggled, its flesh sizzled without fail.
The Octopus was on the verge of going crazy. Its tissue burned in the white phosphorus and fell off, but new flesh grew in its place. Almost immediately, the newly sprouted flesh was also burned by white phosphorus, and new flesh grew to replace it again It was an endless loop of pain that turned the Octopus into a fireball of rage.
A human entered its sights eyes and he gleamed with anger. It could sense something creepy, but it the feeling. Humans were on the list of prey engraved in their genes. Of course, they could eat it.
Are you out!
The Black Mamba had increased his whip space. Wei Ying! Rakshasa cried wildly when she met an opponent it could be beat. Buzz Rakshasas cracker (pneumonia) gained centrifugal force and acceleration as it reached subsonic speed.
Sususu. Eight tentacles swept the ground. Because it was so large, a hundred meters was just a short distance away. Shuang! A huge bridge reminiscent of the mast of a sailing ship swept over a human. The giant tree blocking the path exploded.
Come! Lets taste the grilled octopus legs.
Three octopus legs were captured by spatial perception. It drew an irregular trajectory, but the path was clearly predicted. Shhik! Rakshasa fell like an island war on a cycloid curve.
The Octopus snorted. Humans had such absurdly slender legs. It gave his strong tentacles a lot of force and slammed them down. The tentacles of the attacking octopus and the slashing Rakshasa were intertwined for a moment.
The results were disappointing. The longest tentacle, 30-centimeters in diameter and 30-meters in length, was immediately cut off. The other two legs that had been stretched out were retrieved saying they were too hot. Just because you have eight legs doesnt mean that one cut isnt painful. Kururu! A cry of pain erupted from the octopus as its huge snout flew open.
Huh!
The Black Mamba stepped forward and slapped the body of the Octopus, throwing it 20-meters away. Black ink covered the 10-meter area of Bangwon. If it was underwater, 100m of Bangwon would have turned into black ink.
Chijik chijik The vegetation was burned down. The surface of the rock was splattered. The ink was acidic in high concentrations. The Octopus sprayed it ink continuously. The head of the Octopus had transformed into the head of a crocodile, but it continued to spray ink everywhere. A new version of Black Mamba bounced off like fallen leaves in the cold wind.
Octopus stretched its mast-like legs again when the ink attack had no effect. Churr! Two tentacles cut through the air and swooshed like a whip, hitting Black Mamba. Black Mambas new model quickly escaped the attack range.
Octopus swung his long legs at random, but it wasnt enough to match Black Mambas speed. No matter how powerful an attack is, if it doesnt hit the opponent, its in vain. Only the jungle was left in ruins.
Ill give it to you.
Black Mambas eyes flashed. The power analysis was complete. Octopus Chimeras skills were spanking and hitting with its legs, spraying acid ink, and biting.
Huh? The other one!
The Black Mamba, who was about to switch from evasion to attack, was startled. He detected another person coming out of the cenote. The water in the swamp was boiling in the flames of over 2,000. If you dont want to become a well-boiled Jaratang, you have no choice but to run away.
Kuo! The cenotes steam column swayed at the sound of an explosion. A gigantic fireball burst through the clouds of flames and whirling vapors. A flaming tortoise leaped out of the swamp and landed on all four legs like a crocodile. The saying that a tortoise was slow obviously did not apply to this monster!
Oh my God, what now?
Simon D screamed. The tortoise looked like a normal tortoise, but it was much larger. Its thick legs were the size of an elephants, and they supported its 10-meter wide body. It had two rows of shark teeth on its long, snake-like head. A loud bang was heard as the tortoise rolled on the ground. It was trying to put out the fire on its body.
Ill make you a beehive.
Tutututu! MAG spit fire. The turtle was completely covered by the powerful 7.62mm rounds at a close range of 150 meters. The result was unexpected. All of the 7.62mm bullets that hit the turtles shell bounced off without leaving a mark.
This is a scam!
Simon Ds face, who enjoyed the heavy firing vibration, was rotten and rubbed. Even a chimera grandpa, not a chimera, couldnt deflect heavy machine gun bullets. It was hard to believe what he had just seen.
Nimi Giotto, nothing is easy.
Tutututu! Simon D continued firing bullets relentlessly. Even if the turtles bulletproof armor blocked the penetration, the damage was not easy. The turtle hid its feet and head in the carapace of its back. Tung tong tong! The back armor shield did a great job blocking the bullets. The 200 rounds were emptied in an instant. The battle between the spear and the shield ended in a disastrous defeat for the spear.
Inspiration, you know that only pain comes back only if you do something clumsy, right?
Simon D rolled his eyes and ran out with a bubble wrap. McPhee didnt even listen to Simon Ds warning. Saliva dripped out of his gaping mouth. His brain had stopped working. He never dreamed that he would see such incredible things in his 42 years of life.
The Black Mamba was looking at the full volume even while facing Octopus. The monster hiding in the cenote came out. He wont lose with Simon Ds power, but hes not an easy opponent either.
I must finish it soon!
Buzz buzz. Rakshasa broke through the speed of sound. The wave of pressure pushed the air out, turning the entire area into a large vacuum. Small stones, soil, leaves, and branches were sucked into the whirlwind and swirled around its vortex.
Kururu! The Octopus reacted. Its long legs, which had turned red, moved dazzlingly fast. Small rocks were lifted with suckers and large rocks were rolled up by legs. Shoo-ah- Hundreds of rocks flew towards the Black Mamba like hail. It was a skill that is reminiscent of Master Daewoos detonation technique.
The tornado that was rushing at the unexpected attack flinched. Bang-bang-kwang-jik- The rock that had collided with the tornado shattered into pieces. The tornado sped up and moved even faster. The Octopus lifted a rock with its five legs and threw it, and Epidium smashed it with a whip.
The Octopus red eyes were the size of basketballs as it scanned the area around it. It had already thrown all the rocks that were nearby, so it wrapped one of its tentacles around a tree. Wooji-jik-Uji-jik- Arumduri tree was uprooted. The Octopus pulled out three giant trees that were between 30 to 40 meters tall, and swung them fiercely. The Octopuss reach had increased significantly.
Oh my god! Its changing tactics.
Black Mamba blew into the wind and the tornado accelerated. There was a continuous roar. A sonic boom that explodes air trapped in superimposed pressure waves. A tornado that Sein later named Asuras Dance encircled the Black Mamba and swirled around him. The battle between the monster and Asura is poignant.
Bang! The tornado and a giant tree wielded by the Octopus collided. The tornado ate the giant tree. Kwajajak- Puak- Aumdeuri giant tree was torn into pieces like a log put into a wood shredder. Debris covered the sky.
Octopuses are known for being clever. This particular Octopus, knowing that it was at a disadvantage, widened his huge jaws. It sprayed out a black, ink-like mist. The black mist enveloped the Octopus and covered the bangwon.
Any organic matter that touched the black mist melted away almost immediately. The Octopus had blocked the enemys vision with this smokescreen, and now it pushed its bruised body. Its three severed legs regenerated violently.
The Black Mamba is the best at stealth. This also meant that he could easily spot hiding enemies. There were only three skills that would not be deceived by the poison mist: guan eyes, spatial perception, and resonant waves. Even without demonstrating these skills, the Octopus, who was hiding behind the smokescreen, could be captured only with his senses.
Poison mist could not do much damage to Epidiums body. The Black Mamba jumped into the smokescreen without hesitation. As a result, Octopus made a mistake. He should have run away instead of attempting to regenerate its body.
Shuaang! The tornado pierced the poison mist. The mist was instantly caught up in the tornado. Rakshasa fell like lightning. The squeak is the sound of the whip and poison mist particles colliding.
Octopus realized that the smoke screen was useless and it decided to make its escape. It stretched out its long legs and wrapped them around the tree. Shuak! The huge tree moved through space like a swing. This was an amazing movement that only octopuses could do. Shuru! Rakshasha attacked the moment the leg that stretched out like a rope was wrapped around another tree.
Puchak! Light blue blood came spurting out. The tentacle it was using was cut off. In octopus, hemocyanin in the blood carries oxygen. Hemocyanin is a copper-containing protein that turns blue when combined with oxygen.
Keeek! A shout rang out, and the poison mist spread again. The evil Octopus gave up its escape. Three legs larger than a power pole hit the tornado.
The tornado exploded. Asuras whip swung uncontrollably. Soon, all the tentacles were chopped off, the jaws were separated, and its body was shattered. Octopus huge body was left in dozens of pieces within just two seconds. Even if an experienced chef puts flounder on a chopping board and sears it, it is slower than this.
The power of the tornado gradually dissipated. The moment Black Mamba stored the Rakshasa, the crushed Octopus collapsed. It was the end of the Octopus Chimera; a creature that was created by human tools. The description was lengthy, but it took less than 20 seconds for Octopus to blast rocks, spew poison mist to hide himself, and shatter it to pieces.
Chapter 446 - Episode 9 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
Hundreds of meters in a radius of the ancient Ituri jungle were devastated. Rocks cracked and the ground overturned. The beech tree was cut down, uprooted, and cut down. The blackened and burned vegetation and rocks were difficult to recognize. The blood-stained earth splattered from the shattered UMA (Unidentified Living Organisms) corpse shone with a blue fluorescence. In the middle of it, the Black Mamba is standing there with a whip in his hand. It is the embodiment of Asura who defeated the monsters of hell. Urleung- There was a big fire storm that covered the cenote. Xu Aaa-explosive vapor was blown into. Is it the mourning of the dead, or the lamentation of those whose regrets remain in this world? This is the Abyss of Hell Abyss. Water vapor from the rising air swirled around the Black Mamba like a cloud covered the moon and rose. The flame is the howl of the Abyss, and the vapor storm is the curse of the dead. The one who stands tall among them is the ruler of hell. Abadon, I am Abaddon, the Judge of the End! Saliva dripped down the corners of Mekphys lips. The cold-blooded McPhee was also fascinated by the terrible majesty of Octopus and the overwhelming majesty of the Black Mamba. The brain, which lost its computational power, was unable to link and analyze memories and information, and pulled out the bottom of the manipulated object. Abaddon is the code name given to the Black Mamba by Matilda, the head of the CIAs Special Operations Division. Although McPhee doesnt know, he saw Abaddon, the fallen angel of the Apocalypse from the Black Mamba. Our Father in heaven, may your name be sanctified Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil . Mekphy made his cross and began to memorize the Lords Prayer. After ten years of not attending church, the cold-hearted McPhee suddenly turned to a faithful saint. This is the power of the instant concept. A thousand times more effective than the priests 100 sermons and a thousand prayers of hope. If you are Abaddon, you must satisfactorily look around the earthly hell, spread your wings of darkness and disappear. Abaddon in reality picked up the giant Octopus head and sighed deeply. A creature that is neither an octopus nor a crocodile, a chimera created by human greed. Concretus, a distant and ancient intellectual, created Adras and Epidium to survive.
What was the purpose of the United States in creating psychics and chimeras? Living things are mortal. What Con Cretus and his committee seek in common is greed. In Concretus, the twilight age was advanced by the Epidium rebellion. Where will modern humans go? It was bittersweet. Its not something I should worry about. The Black Mamba shed his thoughts and dismantled Octopuss head. The bigger the body, the bigger the head. Puduk- Puduk- The downpour ripped the scalp, which is tougher than the aramid body armor, like a piece of paper. I searched all over my head to find my brain, but I couldnt find it. Its all about the tough muscles and tendons that support and work the jaws. After all, its a beauty thing.
I found the brain hidden in the corner of the upper part of the head. Despite the weight of 30 to 40 times that of a human, the brain was rather small. There is a chip embedded in the brain. Even if I did, its still the same. I ripped the chip off and stored it in an emergency pouch. This is a gift for Bonifas. After finishing the work, I looked down at the shredded Octopus corpse. White phosphorus attached to parts of the body is still burning flesh. The savory smell made me hungry. When I was a nightclub picky eater, my kitchen classmate would sneak away some German sausages and octopus sashimi. The taste of boiled octopus wrapped in old paper at the landing was excellent.
Octopus is an expensive fish. If you order boiled octopus at a Japanese restaurant, the amount is so small that you will cry. Of course, this is Black Mambas own standards. Black Mamba is the person who insists that each serving of ribs should be 5,000g. His claims regarding the amount of food had little credibility. In any case, it seemed that 10,000 people would be enough if the Octopus was cooked as a standard Japanese restaurant. Hey, youre a minute ago! How much Palma money for a Japanese restaurant!
Black Mamba lamented. Abaddon incarnate was a perverted demon who preferred money over blood. Simon D wasnt in very good shape. He gave up the MAG and started a close-quarter strike with a bubble wrap, but was blocked by his back armor, which exhibits a powerful defense, so it was not much fun. At best, he remains undefeated.
Puck-Pop-po-gi tapped his back. His blood splattered, but to a level that scratched his skin. Sniff C Turtle let out a snorting sound. Shuang- A huge tail reminiscent of a power pole flew in like an island battle. Simon D fell down on the ground. Wing-tail skimmed. The wind pressure dragged the curly hair clinging to the scalp. Bang C The rock hit by the tail exploded like firecrackers. Its unstoppable power One hit will break your spine, and thats the power thats left behind.
He cannot be vigilant that he dodged the attack. It rolled like a top and shifted out of position. Boom- The tail that passed by struck the ground vertically. The rocks cracked and dust flew away. While its movement is slow, its maniacal stingray tail and spring-like sharks jaws make it an island battle. driving me crazy! A cold sweat was dripping down. He wasnt a good match for himself. Grasping C Simon D, who got up and leaped about ten meters. Now is your chance when the combo attack is over and the flanks are empty. Weeing C A flash of light fell on the turtles neck. It is a one-hit fatality that unites weapon, body, and mind. Kwaung- The sharks head spread wide open in the back shell and let out a roar. The air shook like a haze. The problem isnt sound, its compressed sound waves propagating through air as a medium.
Uh-huh! Simon D, who had been hit like lightning, was startled and his posture shook. The balance organ was hit by the sound wave. Tung- Pokpogi, who lost speed, took a picture of his back. There is no way that the back armor that deflected 7.62mm bullets would be torn by the bubble wrap that lost speed. The bubble popped out without force.
Thats it. This is the cause of the Turtles sonic attack struggling. When he attacked with all his might, he noticed it like a ghost and sent out sound waves. Simon D staggered away. The jumbled brain quickly found its place. Simon Ds physical regenerative ability is also not easy. Kuaa C The head of the turtle, who seized the opportunity, came out like a spring. Paat-Samdi jumped and climbed onto his backplate.
Just- teeth as big as the forearm missed the target with a few shots. Simon D couldnt break through Turtles shield, and Turtle couldnt keep up with Simon Ds speed. His head, which had protruded about a dozen meters, quickly hid in his backshell. The wing-tail swept the fly that sat on its back. Damn it! Its like this every time. Even if he had a chance, he was caught in a sonic attack and was unable to deliver a critical hit. The attack ends with only the rim ringing.
Ouch, tail! Simon D, startled, jumped out like a grasshopper that met a mantis. A tail the size of a wing-electric pole passed by with a vicious blast sound. Bye! Simone screamed. It tumbling in the air like a lion on the horn of a buffalo. A turtles tail resembles a stingrays tail. At the distal end, there is a bone the thickness of the forearm. The central part of the cracked hip was stabbed in the bone.
Simon D lost his balance and fell to the ground. Unknowingly, he put a hand on his hip. he was sloppy His lips were taken by the old man, and his anus was given to the tortoise. His red face was rotten and stained. Pain is pain, but face is not a word. I was stinged by a slow turtle, so I was afraid that anyone would know.
Wing C The tail, which received the most centrifugal force, came back again. Simon Ds medicine went up. Nimi Giotto, you die and I die.
Shuang C The bubblegum came out to meet the flying tail. Bang- Simon D bounced off the bat like a baseball. The weight difference was huge. Woojik- Washussu- Puak- All sorts of noises rang out. Trees were crushed, thorn bushes were pushed, and cycads that had stood for hundreds of years were uprooted. Simon D, unable to handle the energy, rolled over. Wok! If you were a human, your abdomen would have been ruptured by the pressure, but Simon D is an arc zombie. He jumped up as if he had been hit. His curly hair stood up stiffly, and a chest light flashed in his eyes. Life started working properly.
Get away! Shuang- The Black Mamba has arrived. He was caught by the CIA aerial reconnaissance. Koo-Woo- When a new enemy appeared, the Turtle turned his head. The air shook like a haze. This is a sonic attack presented by the monster of Nguanga. An image of flying circles overlapping each other was drawn. Haab!
The lions back exploded. A sound wave loaded with a resonant wave shook the atmosphere. A fake sound wave imitating a niggers skill collided with the turtles sound wave. Aww- The atmosphere created a strong vortex. Shang-Rakshasha fell like lightning on a cycloid curve. Turtle, feeling strange, hid his limbs and head in his back. Grasping C The carapace is cracked. Aww C A cry of pain erupted. Wing- A huge tail flew in. Shuang- Rakshasha turned. Bang- The tail of the reinforced biological weapon collided with Rakshasha, which is made of the hardest material on earth. Shockwaves spread out.
Kuwawa- A different scream erupted from before. All three lobes on the tip of the tail fell off. Yuiying- Rakshasha created a whirlwind. Buzz-Bing-Buzzing overlapped. Upon reaching the subsonic stage, a hazy flattened membrane was formed. No one feels good about being beaten. An angry turtle rushed. It is a mountain that will be crushed by its size. It is said that even a tortoise has a knack for rolling, and a weight of 5 tons covered in iron armor struck like a landslide. No way!
A sigh escaped the ignorant attack. Black Mamba gently lifted her body. The tail flew straight like a spear. Even the tortoise knows how to use her head. Took- The new black mamba soared in the air as if it had a pedestal. Shuang-Rakshasha fell on a reverse elliptical orbit. Quang Woong- Turtle made a sonic attack. The sound waves compressed like a disk were pushed one after another. Haab!
Fuwang- sound wave collided with sound wave. Tail and Rakshasha entangled. Rakshasha, which has broken through the speed of sound, is the sharpest blade in the world. Plenty C The middle of the tail, which was 15 meters long, was cut off. Kuwawa- the turtle struggled. Blood was scattered like raindrops. Haab! Black Mamba counterattacked with a resonant wave. The air was compressed, inserted into its pinna, and exploded. The physical power is not very strong, but when it explodes in the ear, the situation is different. Queek- The turtle jumped. The protruding eyes grew as if they were about to come out, and blood gushed out from the nostrils. Although the shell was hard, the inside was not hard. They lost their center and stumbled. Black Mamba is not Song Yang Ji-in. Fast speed is special. Turtle plowed through the gaps in the thread that had been temporarily defenseless and rushed forward like crazy. Baba Baba Bak C Rakshasha hit the Turtle at a rate of 10 times per second. Her back was cracked and red blood splashed like a fountain, but the final blow wasnt enough. The turtles back shell is a honeycomb double-layered structure, reaching a thickness of 500 mm, and its strength is comparable to that of a titanium alloy. The Black Mamba is a knock on the frontal armor of a heavy tank.
It was easy to understand why Area 51 made a relatively slow tortoise as a chimera even in the water. Because of its strong defense. Even Rakshasha, who cuts steel and rock, could not cut the back armor.
If you dont, Ill beat you until you can. Even rocks are pierced by water drops. Black Mambas main specialty, the fan, showed another new spirit. Puck Puk Pok Puk Puk Puk Puk Puk Puk Puk Puk-Flashes fell intensively in the center of the carapace. The turtle suddenly became a victim of the third stage of the Muchishivarage. The torn and shattered living tissue exploded like firecrackers.
Turtle is a chimera that sacrifices speed to increase defense. He wielded his severed tail and pulled out his long neck to use his evil to bite the heinous attacker, but he had no jaw to catch the new black mamba that was observing its movements. There is no business in hawk. Gears backplate was pierced. Fuwak- Fresh blood gushed out like a fountain. Aww- the turtle groaned in pain. Anger and sadness were mixed in the scream. Black Mamba was stunned. She felt herself the villain. Youre lost! Simon D, who was looking for an opportunity, jumped up and got on his back. As long as the sonic attack is neutralized and the back armor is pierced, there is nothing harsh. Simon D was tenacious and cruel. I just got angry because I was pooped. The bubble wrap is basically a shovel. As if digging a trench, Simon D dug the soft flesh with a shovel without mercy. Every time I shoveled, flesh the size of a soccer ball fell out.
The turtle struggled, but it stuck like a horsefly and continued shoveling. No matter how fast the shovel was, Turtles body regeneration could not keep up. The wound that Rakshasha had pierced expanded to the size of a manhole. Aeg, you bastard!
Black Mamba sneaked out of the full volume. Simon D, who does not fall off whether the turtle rolls or rolls, looked like a horsefly larva. Africa is plagued with all kinds of poisonous insects and parasites, but none are equally bad as adults and larvae as horse flies.
Chapter 447 - Episode 10 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
East African horseflies, both adults and larvae, suck blood and transmit infectious diseases. The difference is whether it attacks you from outside your skin, or from the inside. The horsefly is one of three infamous predators of East Africa.
Horseflies are large and their bites are painful enough to make you jump. They are easily detected, but there are still many cases where the victim had been attacked and they screamed to their deaths.
There were many more cases of disgusting animals and creatures that cant be seen with the naked eye. More amazingly, they use survival tactics based on their evolution. Some flies are like carpet bombers; they lay their eggs in animal carcasses before flying away. Horseflies however, are parasites that lay eggs in living animals. And as with all parasites, they dont require consent before laying their eggs in an animal.
Horseflies catch other small flies and lay their eggs inside their bodies. When the small flies come into contact with mammals, the warmed horsefly eggs hatch. The larvae that break out of the flies body detect carbon dioxide produced during respiration and burrow into the animals skin. The larvae burrow their hooks into the flesh and happily eat the flesh and suck the blood.
The larva itself is terrifying, but more importantly, the secondary bacterial infection is fatal.
Shakespeare said that innocence and cruelty go hand in hand. The image of Samdi digging into the turtles back with a shovel was similar to a horsefly larva burrowing into flesh.
Although Samdis intentions were apparent, the chimera was also a living creature. The grotesque scene directed by the innocent Samdi was disgusting to look at.
Kuo-o! The stricken turtle raised its head and roared.
Hwaak C The roar sent shockwaves of compressed air throughout the jungle. Thousands of insects and animals that inhabited the canopy fell like hail.
Samdi, who was caught up with digging his trench, was startled. Even zombies would get stung and bitten by poisonous insects. Buaang- He created a gust of wind with his weapons and swept away the falling insects.
The turtle seized this opportunity to attack. Shuak C A shark head protruding from its back shell attacked Simon D. The mouth had 60 teeth in two rows, forming a formidable weapon. Its long neck, however, was its biggest weakness. Surprised, Samdi jumped back in shock.
Turtles trick didnt work against the formidable opponent.
Black Mamba however, didnt miss this opportunity. Shhh- Rakshasha had been twirling in the air, waiting for a chance to attack, fell like a bolt of lightning. The puck-whip passed through more than one rum.
The turtles movement stopped for a moment. A red line was drawn on the beautiful neck of the turtle. Its huge head disengaged from his neck and slid smoothly to the ground. As soon as its head hit the dirty ground, blood gushed out like a stream of fire hoses.
Kwa Kwa Kwa Kwa C The decapitated body struggled and writhed. Its thrashing body smacked into trees and threw up the rocks around it. Chimeras couldnt survive without their heads. And yet, the fight did not seem to be over.
Shayak- Rakshasha stretched out like a whip. Puck- It pierced the monsters heart.
Puak C Fresh blood gushed out like a water gun through the hole that Rakshasha had carved. Thump C The glowing body dropped to the ground.
The fight had been rough, but it had ended abruptly.
Fighting beasts is usually like that. Fights between herbivores and herbivores can last all day, but fights with large cats with deadly teeth and claws end in an instant.
Suddenly, silence came. Even the sounds of birds and monkeys disappeared. Even the insects, startled by the burst of life and the exploding air flow, disappeared. Tornadoes roared and the swampy area, previously filled with screams and gruesome shattering sounds, was dragged into a deep silence, as if it nothing had happened. Only the flames of the cenote hum without losing momentum.
Suddenly, Samdi rushed and ripped the chimeras head into pieces. He managed to retrieve the chip, and smiled with determination. It was a struggle, but they had finally found a way to deal with the large monster. His master was also right in saying that one life-and-death fight is better than a hundred smaller fights.
The Black Mamba was troubled by the corpses of Octopus and the Turtle. He was deciding whether to hand over the Chimera to the DGSE. The conflict did not last long. The conclusion was no. You had to hand over the corpse to properly pay for the meal, but it was too shocking for the DGSE to control. If the chimera were to be unleashed in the outside world, the worlds attention would be drawn. This would increase the risk of his actions being revealed. He wasnt afraid of being discovered, but it would be a hassle to get though all that.
Samdi, just throw them all into the fire pit.
Got it.
Samdi grabbed the turtle by its tail and dragged it behind him. He pulled it for four to five meters and turned to look back at the Black Mamba with a puzzled face. Even Samdi would not be able to move the body of a turtle that weighed more than five tons for hundreds of meters. The turtles back shell is 500mm thick and boasts titanium strength. It was too much even for Samdi to cut it with his dagger.
Black Mamba managed to rip through it with Rakshasha but it took a lot of time and effort. Black Mamba pulled Balsara by her arms. Decomposed objects called balsa into molecular units. The Turtles back armor, which could not be penetrate by even a machine gun bullet, was cut silently.
Shuang- Rakshasha sliced through the back and cut it into pieces. After digging into the cut groove, Rakshasha could simply cut the turtle.
Black Mamba remembered how he used to min stones from the quarry. There was a time when he had a part-time job of drilling holes in rocks with a rock drill. If he learned anything then, it was that there were times when it is used directly or indirectly.
Samdi threw the corpses into the cenote without leaving a single claw. The fire engulfed the new combustion material.
The chimera had popped up about three minutes after the napalm bomb exploded. It had taken five minutes to subdue Octopus and Turtle. A napalm flame lasts at least five minutes. When exposed to high heat of 1,200 C for more than five minutes, any organic matter turns into charcoal.
The waters of the Cenote were more than half drowned by the powerful fire storm, but the clouds were already gathering. When it rains, the swamp fills up in an instant. The heavy rain would sweep away any traces left on the ground. The traces of the plants that sprouted will disappear within a week. Ituri Jungle was such a place.
16:10, It took them an hour to clear the Shadow Team and clean up the chimera.
According to Bonifaces information, after 60 minutes, the Dragon Lady passed over Ituri. Of course, it will transmit the photo information No abnormality. Black Mamba called the Gazelle chopper with walkie-talkie. After 10 minutes, he ordered takeoff and sat down down on the rock that Samdi prepared.
The Gazelle helicopter had been waiting at Dambala camp, and it arrived in 20 minutes. 20 minutes was enough to have an ambiguous conversation with McPhee, and the remaining 40 minutes were enough to arrive at Bunia.
McPhee was in a comfortable position with his back against a fern and his legs outstretched. His gaze was fixed on the cenote where the flames were extinguished, but his focus was not clear. It was like looking into another dimension that existed beyond the cenote.
McPhee, why didnt you run away when we were busy fighting? An ankle fracture wouldnt have stopped you.
Huh, if I could have escaped, I would have run away. I couldnt get myself out of your grasp unless I warped to the mainland.
McPhees eyes found focus at the low and low question. These were the eyes of a person with an avoidant personality disorder who was forcibly summoned from the fantasy world to the real world.
You are wise. Im done with work, so lets have a conversation.
McPhees eyes lit up and then went blank again. A conversation? Was it normal to erase the powerful shadow armed with high-tech equipment, beat the mechanic Honter Billy, and erase the traces of both Grendel entities? You wonder why I attacked you? McPhee felt sick to his stomach, but he was still really curious. However, the atmosphere on the table asking for it is the one who shattered his subordinates.
Why bother with finding a reason between hostile forces? The enemy is just something to be crushed. McPhee questioned as he was bored.
The hostile forces? Whoops! Black Mamba grinned.
I cant even call it a hostile force. I dont care whether you pluck chestnuts with your penis or pluck your eyeballs to play billiards. The monster killed my colleague who was dragged into the swamp to save him. Its the same reason you were attacked. Because you killed my guide.
Guide? McPhee tilted his head at the sudden word. The relationship that ought to exist between the word guide and the attack did not froze. Did that black man shoot at you from the tree?
Yes. Olumbo was my comrade, and I took revenge on my comrade.
Ugh, you mean you played such a huge game with fire because of a little black man? McPhees face was in disbelief.
A black man? What has the color of your skin to do with your colleagues?
African men are no different from gorillas or chimpanzees. How can you compare a low, inferior negro to the value of Agent Shadow?
Would you say the same thing about your mom if shes black?
Thats a completely different matter?
No its not. If you want to look at it that way, then In my eyes, you look like a worm. Do you agree with me?:
McPhee, who was curled up in the corner, was momentarily at a loss for words. The existence in front of him is a Hercules class. If the gap between the Shadow men and the black Africans was two miles long, then the gap between him and Black Mamba was a thousand miles.
Did you also take out Lieutenant Lewis team?
Thats not right. The shadow team led by Lewis was forced to cross the river and they were attacked by hippos and crocodiles.
I was only watching humans being attacked by beasts.
McPhee groaned.
Why are you here? Im not stupid enough to save a man who is pursuing him to kill my comrades. Ituri is not a school to learn public morals, and Shadow is not a Boy Scout.
But still, humans cant do that.
I live by shaking my arm. Do I have any reason to live with your permission?
Dirty man, if you cant speak
McPhee was speechless and his jaw dropped. Lewiss team had tracked down the uninvited guests. There was no reason to save them, whether by accident or intentional. It was a natural reaction.
Because of one black man, the Shadow team had been annihilated, and Honter and Grendel were also annihilated. It was too much. How could such a person exist! The mental barrier that had been forcibly lifted was released. The creeds and values ??that have been upheld by being strong have lost their light.
I dont have enough free time to discuss racial issues with you. Ill just ask you a few more questions.
Ok, Ill tell you everything I know, except for state secrets. McPhee sighed in dejectedly. It was meaningless to look at each of these people individually. The world suddenly turned ugly.
Is there any reason why you want to cooperate so suddenly?
Its gone awry. I will suffer from guilt and hallucinations for the rest of my life, but what if I lose all of my subordinates and have to survive alone? No, more than that, its because of the skepticism your existence has caused. I have lived with the pride that I am a great human being. A while ago, I realized that I am a human being, even if I have it or not. The world is being supported by a food chain of weak meat anyway. You are Abaddon who will make the world immortal. Your friend is also Abaddons servant. Humans dont care whether the ants are large or small, whether they are black or white, or whether they are strong or not. In a world where a being comparable to God esists, what use is it for a small being like me to raise their chin? McPhee spit it out hesitantly, as if lamenting about his own feelings.
Black Mamba looked at McPhee. He could understand his disappointment. McPhee was a devotee of power and overconfidence in his own strength and abilities. He was in a state of temporary collapse of his values ??by overwhelming force. I understand, Black Mamba said. I might deprive you of your ego and get the information I want. Do you believe me?
I do. Im more surprised by the deaths of two predators than that.
There is no reason for us to make things difficult. If you answer me truthfully, I will let you go without any pain.
Before that, please answer one thing, McPhee countered. Who the hell are you? What is your nationality? What is your purpose? Are you even human? Or an alien?
Woah. This guy wants to ask one question but then asks several things. Im going to die soon, so what do you know about that? Samdi laughed. In a situation where a human named Lewis is about to die, he wants to know the identity of the owner, and this human is rising one step further. So you are human. If I die in ten minutes or in ten years, nothing will change. Cant you grant one wish of a man who will soon die? McPhees expression darkened.
I am invincible, I am Korean.
East invincible! Its crazy, but its a name that suits you. Youve heard of a French super-specialist consultant in the CIAs Special Operations Department. The destruction of the Chad Prolinat rebels and the retreat from Libya, the earthquake collapse in the Kafaruja Valley, and Assads folly in Syria are said to be related. I never believed it before, but I do now. Hang on, Korean? Did you say Korean?
The Black Mamba was neither a poet nor in denial. He turned his head to look at McPhee. His expression was grim, but a blue flash of light flashed from his eyes.
Ugh! McPhee quickly looked away. His eyes turned white as if he had been struck by a flash bomb.
Shut up. No more questions. Its my turn now. Is the production of genetically modified monsters at the level of the US government? Is it a secret project by a specific organization within the government with some sort of purpose?
I dont have the clearance to answer those questions, McPhee replied. Those of you who are familiar with the government system of the United States of America are foolish to ask. From the outside, the vast governmental institutions of the United States of America may appear to be running lazily, but they operate in an integrated way with checks and balances. McPhee avoided a direct answer.
Black Mamba however, was satisfied with what he heard. After all, it is said that the chimera is produced as a government-level project..
Chapter 448 - Episode 11 Everyone Has Their Own Form of Justice
It wont be noisy for a while. Black Mamba murmured. America is a pluralistic society. If the White House is the main body of the MK project, it is unlikely that the Predator will be used. This is because public brakes such as opposition politicians, the media, religious groups, and civic groups work. The problem is when a certain hawkish politician and a coalition of the military-industrial complex are behind the Predator. Those who have power naturally want to use it. A group that ate up on ethics and morals would not have created surfers, octopus, and turtles to help fish. The Predator is an asymmetric force that cannot be compared with existing weapon systems. When they are put in for the purpose of gaining economic gain or seizing power, great chaos arises. Callname Black Mamba has a consulting contract with the French government twice a year. Boniface is a human being who will tinker with the call name card right away when the Predator is installed. Unless you break your contract as an aggressor, youll be caught up in a long and tedious fight. Just thinking about it was terrifying. Do you know about the Socrates Project? I hear it for the first time. I act according to the direction of the committee. Right!
coolly admitted. From the beginning, he didnt expect Mekphy to know advanced information. It is up to you to put together a puzzle by gathering fragmentary and external information.
Where is Area 51? Everyone knows Area 51, but no one knows.
What are you talking about? It means being everywhere. It is called District 51 because it exists in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Huh, it seems so. Rumor has it that its near an air base in the Nevada desert. Black Mamba poked. The coordinates were confirmed by DGSE. It is also in Washington DC. Not in Nevada.
Mekphy replied sarcastically. 99% of the rumors circulating regarding Area 51 are nonsense. Area 51 is, in a word, an organization that prepares for the future of America. In short, it is a government-funded research institute that prepares food for the future. I dont know much about it, but as a soldier, I cant divulge state secrets. Mekphy was sneaky, but Black Mamba just passed. He knows more about Area 51. Only poop comes out when you turn the wheel. Mekphy is a strong-armed soldier. He killed Ollumbo by Hornter, but he did not excuse himself. He has done his job as an operational leader and is willing to take responsibility for it. Hes capricious, but if my will matters, so does the will of others. Are there any other special forces that have entered Ituri? none. Did you say Predator? What other kinds of predators are there? I dont know the details either. Thats all Ive heard from Steve and CIA researchers. The real thing was first seen here. There are two types of Predator: Honter and Grendel. The Honter is a biological weapon with superpowers. A psychic honter is a person with psychic powers who exerts psychic powers. Mechanic Honter is a mechanically capable person with artificial muscles and a lightweight hydraulic stance attached. The Billy the guy who blew up his neck is the Mechanic Honter. Grendel is a genetically modified biological weapon that has human and beast types. All three individuals you killed here are beast-type Grendel. Hmm, it looks like the ones you killed in Nguanga were human-type Grendel. Except for the psychic honter, we finished the meeting. Black Mamba murmured. The Nguanga Chimera was a hybrid of a gorilla and a chimpanzee with a human. He is smarter than the beast type, but his physical strength is inferior. The Voodoo priest created an immortal monster called Rusrufe, and Area 51 created the monsters Honter and Grendel. After all, the real monster is human. Whether its a Rusurufe or a Predator, the key is tough vitality. Physiologically, death is a phenomenon in which the heart stops and the activities of each part of the body that do not receive a blood supply stop. Brain scientist Dr. Guise has come up with a new theory that the renunciation of the brains survival is the death of living things. According to Guises theory, death proceeds as follows.
The body receives fatal damage -> Pain is transmitted to the brain without a break through nerves -> The brain that cannot withstand the stress gives up its survival -> Delivers a fatal substance to the heart -> The heart stops. In other words, it is the theory that the heart stops by eating the poison delivered by the brain. Conversely, if the brain doesnt give commands, the heart keeps beating. The tortoise chimera was decapitated in an instant, and the heart and muscles continued to work. Had it been left alone, it might have been a riot all day. In his own experience, humans behaved similarly. All the humans who were fatally wounded died quietly? Humans who had been unintentionally decapitated often continued their in-progress movements. The one who was running kept running, and the one who was waving his fist kept waving. Even without a head, if the heart was alive, meaningless movements continued. There is also a vivid record that a decapitated chicken lived up to two years. It is the story of a chicken called Mike that happened in a farmhouse in Denver, USA in 1945. The farmer put water and food directly into Mikes esophagus with a dropper, and Mike got along with the other chickens without much difficulty. When slaughtering a chicken, the head is cut off to drain the blood. If you miss a chicken that flaps hard, you will see a grotesque scene of a headless chicken galloping through the yard. It was because he did not realize that his head was cut off because of his bad head. What if Simon D kept sending messages to make him feel the fear of death before he beheaded Honter? Wouldnt it have been the moment when the head was severed that the brain had to give up on survival and stopped the heart? Did you kill him too hastily? All kinds of thoughts ran through my head. I dont know. shook his head. Chimeric turtles are a special case. The gel-like fluid pouring out of his neck stopped the bleeding from the carotid artery, so he was able to jump. Generally, life is extended by 10 to 20 seconds at most. Its important to scientists, but not so much to the military. Now is the time to get organized and jump out. You already killed the humanoid Grendel in Nguanga? Unbelievable! Are you really Abaddon? Hearing Black Mambas self-talk, MegPy was startled. You sound like Abaddon. Grendel encountered in the Sahara was a mixture of humans and apes. Even though the beast-type Grendel is the same, the human-type is said to have created a monster by manipulating human genes. Experiments on humans have been conducted, which deserve ethical condemnation, not to mention a religious point of view. What do you think of this situation? Those who have no limbs and only a mouth are talking about ethics, morals, and human rights. Woojung, who lacks information and judgment ability, becomes their faithful limbs, so their voices grow louder. Ethics and morals are relative. It changes with time and place. The immutable definition is power. This alone is an unchanging proposition. Strength is justice. What a refreshing conclusion. The Black Mamba roared. I hate to agree, but its hard to argue against. Could Korea make a chimera if its technically possible? I cant even stand it because there is no power. He cant even make missiles because hes watching the US, but the chimera is ignorant.
To create a chimera, a human polypeptide must be embedded with an ape polypeptide to express a meaningful trait. Even though humans and apes have the same nucleotide sequence, amino acid assignments are different between heterogeneous organisms. This means that the polypeptide becomes a simple mass of amino acids. For proper translation, when inserting the target gene, the gene for the enzyme involved in the proteinization of the polypeptide must also be inserted. Lets say we solved the diarrhea enzyme gene. Cells that have been plagued by virus invasions for so many years cant be fooled. Viruses invade cells of living organisms in the form of single-stranded RNA or DNA. Invading viruses use ssRNA and ssDNA (ss=single strand, single strand) to borrow host enzymes and ribosomes to express their own genes. Here comes a serious and fatal disorder. The organisms cells have evolved defense systems such as Dicer as a means of repelling viral invasions through evolution. Dicer is a scissors that cuts both ssRNA and ssDNA. Heterogeneous genes cannot stick together.
It is said that even a wizard grandfather, not a wizard, cant actually create a chimera that appears randomly in a fantasy novel. Nevertheless, a human chimera appeared. It is proof that countless filthy human experiments have been conducted that are indescribably indescribable. Simon D is such a modified human being. Step on an ant There are teachers who walk barefoot, while others treat humans as tree frogs in the specimen room. No other species has such a broad spectrum as humans. I felt very dirty. America has maintained peace and justice in the world for a century because of its strength. Without America, the world would have been communist or groaning at the feet of some imperialism. After two world wars, many countries gained independence. Korea is one of them. Thats a great arrogant remark by a cowboy gang. The Black Mamba also groaned. Mekphy continued to speak without hesitation. If America hadnt crushed Japan, Korea would still be sucking it up and mining coal in Sakhalin. The comfort women are still being dragged away.
Mekphy groaned without losing. Black Mamba grinned. Thats what an American McPhee would say. If it was the former self, one of the limbs would have been removed and we would have had a conversation. I did not know that the Pacific War was the Korean War of Independence. If the United States had become a defeated country, American women would have been the recipients of the Japanese mens semen. You, who are of the postwar generation, must have been born with claws and long legs. Mekphys face flushed red. She ripped off her chest with only her own heart, trying to scratch her insides.
Anyway, didnt Korea become independent thanks to America? is that only America entered the Korean War without any payment. America paid all war supplies and expenses. More than 60,000 people died, and the United States was entirely responsible for the post-war recovery costs. Korea is a country with a long history. During its long history, it has been subjected to numerous foreign invasions. Has there ever been a country like America that fought with my own money and blood? Even the good-spoken black mamba was momentarily speechless. Yes. The United States, for whatever reason, participated in the Korean War without payment and shed blood. an irrefutable fact.
There was only one time when Korea received foreign help. Did the Ming dynasty soldiers dispatched to Joseon properly fight the Japanese army? Did you pay the cost? China sent a large army to disrupt Korea on the verge of unification, and Japan has invaded Korea since ancient times. Eventually, Korea was colonized, and the Korean War was used to suck honey. For Korea, it is like having a very poor neighbor. Thats right. She nodded selflessly.
America, at least, is not a ruthless country. People younger than scholars irresponsibly denigrate America as a thug country. Korea is especially so. There is a strange trend of being treated as an intellectual when insulting America. Then, have you thought about what would happen if China, Japan, or Russia had the power of the United States? When Korea became a colony of Japan, did you not realize how ruthless and vile Japan was? America is at least a country of moderation. She has no choice but to put her own interests first, whether it be her individual or the country. No matter how much power is called justice, the development of Predator has gone too far. America is running rampant. I admit it. I dont know the details, but it is presumed that there is an agency running rampant among the vast information agencies. America is run by a small elite group. The military-industrial complex has long been a necessary evil in the United States of America. Hey, thats different. Didnt I say that earlier in the nuance that the White House is promoting it? After all, is it a military-industrial complex? Mekphys face rotted and bruised. He bluntly said his true intentions. America is different from Japan or China. Checks and balances work in American politics and administration. It is said that he has the ability to sleep. I am sure that the abnormal will soon become normal. Its an immoral cartel, but they say hes a good guy who feeds America. It might look good from an American point of view.
I am a soldier. I cant speak badly of my country to foreigners. To be honest, I would like to inform the headquarters of the dangerous existence of Invincible, as long as communication is still available. Im sorry!Black Mamba checked the watch. It was time for the gazelle to arrive. MekPy is a blunt person, but he is a human being with patriotism and a military spirit. The great powers were different no matter what. The Americans he met were each faithful to his job and full of pride for his country. For him, its a stomach ache and an enviable phenomenon. The level and prestige of a country depend on its people. I envy America with people like you. Black Mamba puts sincerity in his sarcastic remarks. Excuse me, I am envious of Korea that gave birth to an existence like you. Its crazy to know who youre doing this for and for what reason. The body that will soon die knows what to do. I am lucky to have met the invincible in the East. Cluckle! Mekphy chuckled self-consciously. I met a consultant named Zaytun in Syria. He was a secretly disguised commission agent. He was a man worth killing. And you are a soldier worth killing too. Thank you. Abaddon, no, I havent been living in vain since Ive heard praise from the Magi. Let me give you one piece of information. Watch out for Captain Matilda of the Special Operations Department. She is a psychic honter.
Chapter 449 - 3 Episode 1 We Hit The Jackpot!
Damn why are there so many fouls? It means that Psychic actually exists! I sighed. Numerous theories, experiments, and testimonies about superpowers abound, but there are no cases of psychics such as Psycho Guinness, Psychometry, Telepathy, Kleiboyance, and Teleportation notarized in the Middle East. A person known as a mentally competent person is often found to be a patient with a mental disorder such as delusional disorder, cognitive dissonance, and schizophrenia. Scammers are often deliberately cheating. A representative figure is Yuri Gella, who made a lot of money by pretending to be a superpower. I dont know what Matilda is, but if Mekphy warns, shes not delusional. In a world where humans, Cenozoic monsters, and genetically-modified chimeras resurrect even after being decapitated, why are there no Esperians? The escaped Kamuge is an excellent psychic with the combined ability of telepathy, clayboyance, and teleportation. Voodoo Bridge and Area 51 are just different from science or occult. Woong- The water bottle in the emergency pouch vibrated. Its a Rusurufe sealed in a water bottle and forgot. This guy that Kamugue left behind is the essence of a monster. Eokgobyeong Minced like garlic with balsamic vinegar and made with Gongjin wave, but it did not die. The Black Mamba did not realize that it was the one who destroyed the immortal being, Rusurufe. The niggers and the black mamba are remnants of the Concretus Twilight Century, estimated to be between 150 and 300 million years ago. Nothing could be more amazing than this. In fact, the Esper is not a very intimidating being if you know his abilities. When the Psycho Guinness Esper, who was also eating with the Black Mamba of the world, moves the fork to the heart, they scream and die. However, if you notice that your opponent is a Psycho Guinness and keep changing your coordinates or giving you time to concentrate, its not a big threat. Of course, this is a countermeasure that only a strong person at the level of Black Mamba can do. Stopped trying to ask Mekphy what kind of ability he had. Even if he wants to hide his ability, there are often situations where he has no choice but to use it. It is said that he is not strong enough to be recognized by ordinary people like Mekphy.
Mekphy leans her torso against an old tree and closes her eyes with her legs outstretched. The thick wrinkles and rough skin engraved on his forehead are the resumes of a middle-aged man who spent his youth in the field. Is there anyone who is not afraid of death? Her eyelids are trembling slightly, but she has a determined attitude.
Homo sapiens knows how to think and is afraid of the unknown. Death and darkness are unknown worlds. The fear of death is engraved in our genes. A person who accepts death calmly is someone who has mastered the extremes of bluff or knows how to die. The actions and words of the past become the shape of the present, and the actions and words of the present become the shape of the future. The pulpit of risking ones life rather than divulging state secrets cannot come from forced patriotism. This man is pretentious to look masculine, but he knows how to die. This is the strength of the United States as a great power. The shadow team consists of 11 people. Converting their equipment, which is only one squad, into cost, it is comparable to the equipment possessed by the Korean military battalion level. By spending money, he raised his survivability to the highest level. The state gives generously for the safety of its soldiers, and the soldiers trust the state and are full of pride. I suddenly remembered the remains of the Korean War, which are often excavated at Mt. Wolsong. The immature children who viewed Wolsongsan as a playground would use their skeletons as soccer balls and their thigh bones as toy knives, but they gladly reported it to the police. Because they give you candy and chocolate. Most of the remains are the Peoples Army (Chinese Army) and the National Defense Forces, but the remains of white and black people are found just like beans from the dead. The remains of the National Defense and Peoples Army were roughly loaded by Korean soldiers towed trucks. Skeletons would rattle and roll around the truck bins. The US military was different. I scoured the excavation site to avoid missing even a single piece of bone. Even small bone fragments were wrapped in white paper and placed in a white non-woven fabric. Their actions were reverent and tragic. Even when I was young, I wanted to become an American soldier rather than a Korean soldier. I just found out The reason the torture was reluctant was because of the remains of American soldiers he had seen several times at Mt. Wolsong. Whatever the reason or purpose, the youth of Heukmyeon in Byeokan came to fight for Korea, and died fighting for it. The painful youth buried in the wilds of a foreign country overlapped with the thick wrinkles of a middle-aged soldier. Each one has his own definition. Your definition also makes sense. You can get your hair out of your head by inhumane means, but youve changed your mind. If I continue to practice, it will be nothing but public harassment. A nation has neither permanent friends nor enemies, but people can be friends. If we hadnt met like this, we would have been good friends Major McPhee, I will remember you. Any last words? The Black Mamba mumbled as if lamenting. Major McPhee slowly opened his closed eyes and looked at the Black Mamba. Thank you. Also, the world is wide. I never imagined that a human like you would exist. Before you are a superman, you are a human with a warm heart. Invincible, Im more afraid of your ability to attract people than your fighting power. I want to talk a lot, but Nemesis doesnt allow it. I felt sorry for the black guide. A smile appeared on Mekphys face. Puck- As soon as the words Im sorry were finished, Black Mambas palm touched Mekphys temple and fell. In the time that one second was divided into thousandths, the brain turned into soft tofu. There was still a smile on Mekphys face, which was tilted back. Psychic Honter Matilda! If four years had planned such a dirty thing, you shouldnt have met me. I will teach you what the pain of not living or dying is. The blue eyes flashed. He didnt mind Mekphys warning. If the dam breaks, cover it with soil, and if the rats run wild, release the cat. In fact, the one that looks like a thorn stuck in his throat is the underwater Grendel. The Grendel met at the Ennedy Plateau and lived in Lake Nguanga. Serfund, Octopus, and Turtle have slept in Devil Spring. Its all about underwater Grendel.
no way! Suddenly, a creepy family came to mind. North Korea shares a border with the Soviet Union and China. Korea has only two neighboring countries, China and Japan. Although quarantined by the sea, Shandong Province can be heard with a cock crow, and Tsushima Island can be seen with the naked eye on a clear day. Both China and Japan are rogue countries, but China is a sleeping giant. On the other hand, Japan is a naughty neighbor who runs rampantly. There is constant friction with Korea regarding the Dokdo issue, and the issue of past history is becoming more and more twisted. Japan is floating on Earths most unstable tectonic plate. Japan is a country where the danger of super volcanic and mega tsunami still exists. There is also the theory that the collectivism and cruel nature of the Japanese are due to the threat of nature and the resulting anxiety. The reason why Japanese people flocked to Korea like a water wave during the Japanese colonial period is because of anxiety. I thought he was a bad guy, but hes not. Huh? At Simon Ds words, I woke up from my thoughts. Shaking his head, he wiped it away. What will happen?
As always, it was cool. The root of defilement is not in things and events, but in the mind. Master couldnt even eat and cook today, but he used to yell at me if I was worried about tomorrow. Alopecia areata only occurs when you work hard to bring the worries of the future to reality. He is a soldier-like man. Simon D, bury the animals so they dont eat them, and set up a tombstone. I get it. Hes a man with a lot of hands. Simon Ds expression still wasnt bright. He was saved by consecrating even his lips, but he went over the Jordan River without getting any nutritious information. If he had known that this would be the case, he would have been 100 times better off doing business in the snakes stomach without wasting it. The bubble wrap did its job. It is a collaboration between a human with strong physical strength and a giant shovel that even splits rocks. Even thick tree roots and rocks were not an obstacle. A huge liquid metal shovel scooped up the soil at a frightening speed. Forever oh my! (Poor Man!) Mekphy Rope (Bad Guy) Mekphy Rope (Bad Guy) Pong Bump Mekphy Le Le (Ugly Guy)
Simon D made a rectangular tomb in just five minutes, buried Mekphy, and then pounded the soil with a bubble wrap. Even with two fork cranes, the speed of work cannot be kept up. When youre done with the burial, you need to set up a log. He stood in front of a beautiful rose tree with an immovable nature. Wing- The bubble wrap fell at a 45 degree angle. Puck C A 40cm diameter rosewood was cut off with one blow. Simon Ds muscles are artificial muscles that are polymerized and processed from proteins extracted from cobwebs and chimneys. The muscle with a tensile strength of seven Pascals withstood the tremendous repulsive force. The bubble wrap demonstrated a power comparable to that of the incomparable double-edged ax in the past. In an instant, the branches were cleared and a smooth three mlong log was created. Chowk- Bokpogi split the logs vertically like splitting firewood.
Good! Simon D praised himself. The surface of the subsonic cut wood was slightly tanned by frictional heat. Thats enough for nonsense. Thump C A huge tree stands in front of the tomb. It only took a minute or two to cut down the tree and make a timber tree. After finishing the work, Simon D paused. Black Mamba looked at me with puzzled eyes. I have to finish. Do you have any plausible phrases? I cant write. His red face turned as red as pig liver. Dung~ Black Mamba grabbed the back of his neck. Because Simon D was humanized so quickly, I didnt even think about the fact that he didnt know how to write. Im sorry. When we get back, lets learn from writing. Im really sorry. He brought his younger brother and brought him to this place to do all sorts of chores, but he didnt even care about his personal affairs. If I didnt say bro . Wakir, the master must not say that he is sorry. The Ombuti said that a servant who makes his master feel sorry is not qualified as a servant. Ombuds are scary. Simon D trembled. An ombudsmans nagging is scarier than his masters fist. His eyes go round and round after an hour of terrifying nagging with his head in the ground and his ass raised in a strange position. Uh~ Ombuti, where the hell does this human over end? Black Mamba screamed. Tutututu C the rotor sounded. It is hidden from view by the canopy, but the sound is echoing from the southwest. I looked around the battlefield. The area where the two Grendel fought fiercely was devastated. The giant tree was broken and uprooted. The rocks were smashed and the ground turned over. Shrubs and weeds were completely shredded. I looked up at the sky. The canopy of Ituri was great. Even after such a fierce battle, the sky was still invisible. A single branch of a hagin tree covers a radius of 30-50 m. The thickness of the canopy reaches 10 to 20 m. Just because a tree is pulled out like a tooth is not enough to lift the canopy. Kurreung- Kurreung- The thunder sounded as if to leave. Hot water vapor evaporated in large quantities from the cenotes called cumulonimbus clouds. The atmospheric condition of Ituri Jungle is always unstable. Occasionally, cumulonimbus clouds erupt, thunder roars, and lightning flashes. This is because of the huge amount of water vapor that the forests spewed out. Patter C raindrops began to fall. A single drop of water that falls into a glass full of water overflows the cup. Chii- The cenotes flame that had been extinguished rose like a dragon, and then went out. Tutututu C Gazelle hovered over Devil Spring. It is an all-weather aircraft that does not cover night or rain, but visibility was not secured for landing. The Black Mamba didnt want the pilot to overdo it. The net slid down from the siding door. Simon D put his equipment, loot, and Mechanic Grandels corpse wrapped in non-woven fabric on the net and waved his hand. The winch rolled up the net. After that, Black Mamba and Simon D climbed the fast rope. Wei Ying- The gazelle raised its altitude. By a hazy coincidence, Hekatonkeir (a giant in Greek mythology, with 50 heads and 100 hands) covered the forest where his insides were exposed as if he was in a riot. The water level of the cenote, which had halved its water, began to rise. Nature healed the wounds stirred by humans without a word. The sound of monkeys howling, the sound of silverbacks tapping their chests to gather a flock, and the sound of rain hitting leaves filled the silence. The gunshots, screams, and shouts all disappeared, leaving only the sounds of nature. In the jungle where the traces of humans have disappeared, only the rough logs and logs remained alone. [The one who has defended his justice, Mekphy sleeps here.] Tutututu C The gazelle has landed in Olonge Village. There has never been a single instance of a huge vehicle landing on a village since the pygmy village was established in Ituri. All the pygmies with strong legs and eyes, regardless of age or sex, came out. When Black Mamba and Simon D appeared, shouts erupted. Sam D Umar! (Its Simon D, the guardian deity!) Wow! Fire control officer Lyon and pilot Bresson were bewildered by the warm welcome. Sergeant, you think we are messengers sent by God. Wake up, pygmies are not stupid. We welcome the special advisor. Superheroes have fans everywhere they go. Sergeant Bresson gave an envious expression. Wake up your dream, can anyone be a hero? You and I are doomed to die floating in a bed. Wow! A shout broke out. Six strong (?) pygmy young men appeared from inside the village, carrying a huge wooden statue that reached 5m in height. Curly hair that sticks to the scalp, thick lips that will be enough for two plates if you cut it, bulging eyes, a huge shovel hung over the shoulder, and Sam D. Sam D Kinito Uduma! (Praise Ssam D!) Crack-tock- The old pygmy warrior pounded the halberd. Umar Wedel Armandra! (Worship the Guardian God!)Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-dum Hundreds of pygmy all at once bowed their backs toward Simon D. Crack- crackle- the half-bell rang twice briefly. Adult pygmys lined up in front of Simon D. Crack-tick- As the bell rang, I kissed Simon Ds feet in turn and raised both hands.
Chapter 450 - Episode 2 We Hit The Jackpot!
Hey, this is so embarrassing. You dont even have to do this. Lips as thick as the steak served at the American camp were torn horizontally. As Ombuti said, even if you go into the shade, a large shade is good. All in all, if the master is great, the servants are also great. Simon D, who had lost his ego, received unparalleled teachings from Master Daewoo in a blank slate. The reset ego matured on the basis of mercy and retribution. He had no choice but to form a typical narrow-minded temperament. The pygmies reflected in Simon Ds eyes are just babies. Its soft, its sad and its cute. It is, of course, something that needs to be protected and supported. So I wrinkled the shape and beat the villains and monsters. I didnt ask for praise, but seeing the happy children made me feel better. Perhaps a transcendent being who pityes and protects a weak being, and a human being who praises and relies on that existence, this may be the true nature of instantaneous and realistic religion. Wait, this is not the time to like this. If the Ombuti knew, at least it was slanderous. My heart was pounding. The day before leaving Novatopia with the owner, Joldagu arrived at Jipun Bridge. After reporting to Aklan Kuru Ombuti of the riots on the Samaria farm, Joldagu was punished for an entire hour called Eolcha. With his head in the hot sand and his hips raised, his hands interlaced on his back. The reason is that he forgot the servants text and went out to the sunny side, putting pressure on his master. At the harsh words that told him to leave if he didnt like it, he turned into a rotten face and banged his head. I remember exactly what Ombuti said when he scolded Joldagu. The servants place is in the shade. A servant is the one who keeps the masters light in the dark. When a servant pursues the sun, he destroys himself and puts pressure on his master as well. Servants are living beings with the reflected light of their master. Anyone who wants to emit light on their own, I will make it glow.
The appearance of himself receiving the cheers of the pygmies overlapped with the squirrel with his head nailed to the sand. Ombutis hollow eyes pressed the back of his neck. Simon D glanced at Black Mamba and slowly fell back. Why is the guardian deity of the pygmies like this? You must be worshiped by the priests. Black Mamba pushed Simon Ds back and stood in front of him. Oh, Im crazy because of the owner! Simon D, with a depressed impression, forcibly raised his hand with Chunhyang and responded to the cheers of the pygmies. Umar Samdi Mahada! (Praise the guardian god Simondi!) O Longe raised her arms and shouted loudly. Waksan La Mahadi! (We all praise.) Hundreds of pygmies around them sang together. Float- Hey, Simon D! hard- Hey, Umar Samdi! The drums and banjo sounded, and the pygmies shook their chests back and forth and their hips from side to side in unison. Heh, Im in the mood to go into trance soon. Thats not bad either. Black Mamba rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a bag of leftover chocolates. There are roughly 200-300 chocolates the size of a fingernail. Chief Simon D, this is the Eucharist. Its good because you have a lot of fanaticism. Ugh! Simon Ds face was rotten and bruised. The bad hand of the master who pushed him to hell was savage. Oh, I dont know either. What will happen! Simon D was also addicted to What Will Happen. Each time he was greeted by a pygmy, he gave out a piece of chocolate. This is my flesh and blood. Umar Long Kun Kun Mazulka Ah! The pygmy man who received the chocolate showed his joy by leaping. Hey ho, Simon D Umar il la Halla! (Wow, Simon Ds guardian deity is with me!) The shouts of the pygmies shook the Ituri jungle. The Black Mambas operation was effective. The pygmies who ate the chocolate gained courage to protect their families and tribes. The master plagiarized the Catholic Eucharist and the servant deceived. It is dojingaejin who commits atrocities between masters and servants. The procession of the Eucharist (?) ended after an hour. The faces of the Simondi members who accepted the guardian spirit flashed with joy. Sergeant Lyon and Sgt. Bresson were taken aback by the bizarre event. The pygmies did not pay any attention to the Black Mamba. A generous smile appeared on the face of the Black Mamba, who had been treated as an invisible human. The Pygmies worshiped Samdi, the king of Bodun, as their guardian deity.
The Pygmies and Bantu, who farm on the outskirts of the Ituri jungle, worship the great spirit Mahaduraka. The power of Mahaduraka is revealed to the world through Bodun. When humans come into contact with the great Mahaduraka, they cannot withstand the power of the gods. die or become seriously ill. Its not a sin if you dont know. The pygmies are pretending not to see the descending Mahaduraka. I am not a black mamba to blame for the pygmy innocence. The noisy event is over. Olonge walked back and forth in front of the Black Mamba wearing the AK47 he was given. While protesting to ask for a look, his eyes are on the wrong place. The Black Mamba laughed at the sight of her eyes closed. Besides Olonge, there are twelve pygmy men with guns. It is said that they voluntarily searched the corpses of the Dambala and collected guns and bullets. This is a surprising change for obedient and passive pygmies. A wind began to blow in the pygmy community. Olonge, have you decided to face the hostile forces?Mr. Kosukei is here. (I protect my family.) Olonge looked at Simon D and said. It was like hearing the voice of Umar, not Mahaduraka. Even without Olumbos interpretation, the meaning was conveyed. Olonge did not disappoint his expectations. Good! He tapped Olonges narrow shoulder. Olonges face was wrinkled with wrinkles. Olonge called the young man with a gun. Bambo! So Kuda Waxaraha Ravani. (Bambo, bring the things of God.) Tusal, Adonga! A young pygmie called Olonge Adonga. Adonga means slave of Mahaduraka in Bantu. Olonge with Black Mamba was revered as an adult in the pygmy community. The emergence of the black mamba had a huge cultural shock on the pygmies. The warriors under the direction of Adonga Olonge brought the Sarcosuchus hides and the Dinofelis cage. Krre- Dinofelis exposed its teeth spanning a span. Wow, what is this? Sergeant Lyon was ecstatic. An unheard-of monster with fangs spanning a span of length, exuding a bloody majesty. Well, not a tiger, not a leopard, not even a lion The Bressons do not know of fossils dating back tens of millions of years. Gurru- A heavy roar flowed out of the reverberation tube.Damn, you cant be quiet! Black Mamba shouted loudly. King- Dinofelis, who received the attention of the Black Mamba, exposed her belly and turned over. The size of a Siberian tiger pretended to be a Chihuahua. Jumma, Ill live a long time. Simone was amazed. In the world of barbarism, those who recognize the strong live long. Dung-Dong- Hey! Dung-Dong- Hey! A group of warriors came carrying huge crocodile shells to the sound of drums. Underneath the 14-meter-long sarcosuchus skin, the appearance of small humans walking in close harmony with each other is the eponymous toy centipede. Kuk Kuk! Lyon and Bresson couldnt help but laugh. The image changes one hundred and eighty degrees depending on the production of surprising and terrifying objects. Lyon and Bresson, who returned to Djibouti, said that the most surprising thing in the world was crocodile skin. He said that the funniest things in the world are crocodile skin and pygmy. He said that the most absurd thing in the world is a human who throws a crocodile skin into a helicopter cabin. Although no one understood, the two enjoyed the reactions of their incomprehensible colleagues and were fully satisfied. It is an honor for the family to have contributed one arm to the operation of the Special Military Advisory Board. It is a military secret that cannot be revealed for a lifetime, and at the same time, it is the pride of a lifetime.
Titutu- The gazelle flew. Mahaduraka Akbar! (The Great Spirit is great!) Umar Samdi Mahada! The pygmies raised their arms and shouted loudly until the helicopter disappeared from view. The legend of the great great spirit Mahadurakha and the king of Bodun Umar was thus created. Afterwards, outsiders visiting the pygmies were forced to kiss the feet of a muscular black man with a torn, grinning catfish mouth. Arriving in Benia, the Black Mamba headed straight to the Northeast Resources Development Headquarters in Bucab as soon as the gazelle had finished refueling. Hollande, have the goods arrived? Yeah, its in the basement of the hospital. lets go! Simon D carried Ocelot on his shoulders and followed. A rectangular, milky-white metal box is placed on an iron table in the basement of the mortuary. The box was smooth with no decorations other than external handles, locks and air vents. This is a 5mm titanium tube that Black Mamba urgently ordered. You go out. He let Hollande go and pierced the metal box with a torpedo. Yep- The metal box was pushed out. There are scratches, but not enough to pierce. Good! She pulled out Cantarella beads from her emergency pouch that had been tightly packed with resonant waves. It is the size of a little finger, but enough to poison thousands of humans. Holding the Cantarella marble in his hand, he looked down at Ocelot. He is a villain like no other, trying to feed a man-like creature with a formidable poison. Do it like the karma of the evil you have committed in the meantime. Simon D tapped Ocelots mandible to open her mouth. The Black Mamba threw a chunk of Cantarella into her gaping throat. Simon D hit her chin and closed her mouth. Cantarella neutralizes neurotransmitter ion receptors in neuronal networks. A huge load is placed on the nervous system. Black Mambas face tensed slightly. It was highly anticipated that Epidium would overcome its toxicity. Turn it off! Ocelots body, which was in her dying state, trembled. Her eyes flipped open, revealing her white spear and her limbs shrunk. Shes about to run out of breath at any moment. This one is weaker than I thought. Is it because of the Oh Geum-yeon Labor Law? Black Mamba tilted her head. In Capaluja, the botulinum toxin was hundreds of times more toxic than Cantarella. Although her muscles stiffened, she detoxified in 5 minutes. Ocelots anti-toxic ability, which is stronger than him physically, did not live up to expectations. The reason why the Black Mamba has stronger detoxification ability is her ability to use her cleavage method, but she is thanks to Master Daewoo, who secretly consumed the Jinwongi without her disciple, and gave her interrogation and blood. No matter how faithful a disciple is, he cannot fathom the deep feelings of his teacher.
Ocelots trembling limbs spread. It looks like a large octopus that came up on land was hit in the head with a club and spread out. Simon D touched the carotid artery. Matten did not have it. run slow. What about breathing? It leads to about 10% of humans. It went roughly as expected. The thinking function is destroyed, and only the life-sustaining function remains. Throw it in! Simon D picked up the ocelot, put it in the metal box, and bound the lock mechanism. Good work. Thanks to you, you saved me a lot of trouble. Its all thanks to Waqir.
Simon Ds mouth was wide open. Hercules, with Black Mamba, Simon D, and Paul, flew off the poor runway. After a while, the aircraft heading southwest and west turned over and changed course to the northeast direction. Special advisor, you cant do this. The new general is waiting for the snow to fall. Hollandes face was rotten and bruised. Going to Djibouti for a tan? The words he had just heard echoed in his ears as if they were hallucinations. Bonifas became the general director? Yes, 14 Areva hostages and three remains were appointed by the president the day after they arrived in Paris. Tell me congratulations. The Black Mamba reacted sarcastically. Although timing was an issue, Bonifaces promotion was a matter of course. Hey, it doesnt matter. Please give me directions to change course. Hollande was sweet. When a special military adviser goes to Djibouti without a report, he himself is eaten by a serfund. Hollande, I want to play with this guy. The Black Mamba pointed to Dinofelis.
Creur- Dinofelis, who was lying at the feet of the Black Mamba, raised her head and looked at Hollande. The span of a geomchi glistened in the light of Kevins ceiling lamp. Haw! Hollande took a breath. The flesh that drifted in his yellow eyes made his neck numb. If I said one more word, it felt like I was going to bite off the trunk of his neck. If youve caught a wild beast, youll have to lock it up or put it on a leash. What if you release it? Hollande, stop whining. Manager Mackisey took my report and left for Paris. What matters is the report, not my face. I need a break. They need the Djibouti sun. Special advisor, in that case, you would only give the general manager one phone call. If you just go to Djibouti, I wont be a snack for the surfers. Hollande cleared it up. He was good before his eyes when he saw himself buried in a remote island in the Atlantic Ocean or in a Greenland ice sheet. Dude, Im shaking my arm, so it doesnt matter if its Mitterang or Bonifas. Shock! You say that I shake my arm and eat it? Paul turned his head and suppressed the burst of laughter. The Black Mamba is a human with a strong back end and a narrow inside of her. Hollande was stamped firmly.
Chapter 451 - Episode 3 We Hit The Jackpot!
Paul looked at his friend with envy. I was lucky enough to take a break in Djibouti, but I didnt know that Hercules would change the course in the first place. also, a great friend I was envious of the strength of the strong man who could look down on whether he was the president or the DGSE director if he didnt like it.
Did I say Musotoo Lee Saem-gi-deum? A person who can do whatever his heart desires are a monk who is detached from the wisdom of the world or an absolute strong man who does not care even if the world is hostile to him.
Male lions roam the grasslands with ease, but antelopes and zebras do not keep their eye on it for even a moment. Humans are no different. Those born as males Who wouldnt want to live proudly like a male? They say things they dont want to eat and do things they shouldnt do. If Sam-Sam Jang is pushed by the three generations, he will live with his eyes closed.
My friend, what about the Okeophila Smaragdina waiting for her eyes to fall out?
Paul was worried about Jang Sam.
I will come to Djibouti if necessary.
Black Mamba snorted. I spent 15 full days in the Ituri jungle alone. Although I was exhausted physically and mentally, the total time I saw the sun for a full moon was only three or four hours at most. All kinds of bizarre spores and pollen from the Ituri jungle piled up one after another. The body just before becoming cordyceps longed for the hot sun.
Hollande, the leader of the strike squad, is a major. Paul, a subordinate, cant openly attack him, but Sergeant Simon D, the bodyguard of the special military advisory, is not harsh. The rank of sergeant is only given because the rank of the Black Mamba is Major (sergeant?), and has no particular meaning.
Write, burlesque hair!
Simon D looked at Hollande with bloodshot eyes. Hollande, startled, groaned quietly. Hollandes liver was not bad enough to stand the gaze of a beast more fierce than a tiger and a human more like him.
On June 25, 1985, 14 Arebasa hostages kidnapped from eastern Zaire, 3 victims, and an Asian hostage arrived at De Gaulle Airport. The airport lounge, which was supposed to be crowded with domestic and foreign reporters, was quiet. This is because Canal Pli, who was asked to cooperate with a strong embargo from the government, kept her mouth shut.
While DGSE agents took control of the situation, a SAMU helicopter waiting at the airport apron dispatched the hostages to the Valdegras Army Hospital. Unlike other hostages, Lee Kang-Cheol was assigned a special room with a parlor. Manager Mackisey wasnt big enough to handle Black Mambas request in vain.
Heh, good! This is what despised me. If the call name is known to the outside, is it a big national loss? So please refrain from reporting? I cant do that What the state has done to me, this and that. Ill spit it all out Ho ho ho!
Missing the hostage convoy at the airport, Valisari grinded her teeth. I caught a scoop in Congo but missed the catch and the catch because of a black guy bigger than a grizzly bear. Thanks to you, the interview notes are empty. Belatedly, I went to De Gaulle Airport to pick up some gleaning, but I became like a dog staring at the roof.
She is a persistent reporter who is called the crocodile of Canal Pli. He was humiliated by hanging from a tree while trying to cover the Black Mamba in Kadanka, so he was poisoned.
In fact, all she knows is a superficial side branch. Call name is real, he was sent to the Ituri jungle to solve Operation Fist of Justice, and he wiped out a group of cultists and rescued the hostages. Although the facts were lacking, she didnt care in the slightest. As long as there is a storyline, you can add flesh. The public prefers fiction to be processed over facts.
Valisari, are you okay? French courts have always favored the government when there is a conflict of values between the peoples right to know and the serious violation of national interests. If you break the silence of the government and the media, you will get hurt.
Photojournalist Pinol grimaced. All Valisaris are good, but they tend to be too naive. Thats the only warning and warning on the desk.
Pinol, Ignore me and keep a picture of an Asian baby hanging from a tree. If the desk chews my article, Ill sell it to Charlie Hebdo.
What? Are you crazy?
Pinol jumped.
Heh, Im fine enough to recite A Midsummer Nights Dream to the end, so dont worry. The government will pay the price for ignoring Canal Plis crocodiles.
No, what are you trying to do? Serfund is the new DGSE Director. You will rot in prison for the rest of your life. No, I may be assassinated.
Pinols face went blue. This woman is drunk on a few successes and doesnt know the world is scary.
Pinol, you must have two big boys. do you know what Its a liver and a penis? If the penis is small, the liver should be large. is not it?
Valisari smiled softly and glanced at Pinols underskirt. Bitch, with a rotten snout. this doesnt work, that bitch is a crocodile you dont miss once you bite it. Its crazy.
Pinol was restless like a king ant on the lid of the cauldron he used to cook.
The scoop went, but the French press was silent. Because DGSE moved quickly. The DGSE used a fork crane to block the shoveling of Defense Minister Germain and Kabae.
Five reporters from Canal Pli who accompanied the Ituri jungle had to write a memorandum of confidentiality. A strong embargo was imposed on the press. The French press is free-spirited, but it has the attribute of being willing to cooperate with the government when important national interests are involved.
The next day, at noon news time, Mitterrand appeared directly on the national TV show. Mitterrand, somewhat arrogant, announced the blitzkrieg rescue operation of the 4th commando. Of course, this is a scenario written by Boniface.
An unknown number of French commandos, combined with the Air Defense Forces and Lison Etranger, carried out the 4th Operation Fist of Justice. The kidnappers are a group of evil Voodoo fanatics. The Fist of Justice team traversed the Devils Grove and raided the hijackers stronghold deep in the jungle.
The fist of justice destroyed the militants and rescued the hostages. Of the 22 hostages, 14 survived, and all were rescued. There were no casualties during the operation, and only 698 armed fanatics were killed.
The background of the operations great success lies in the French armys excellent weapon systems, operational capabilities, and intelligence warfare capabilities. Above all, the power of the citizens who trusted and waited for the government was of great help. Mitterrand emphasized the power and morality of the government and praised high citizenship.
Mitterrands announcement caused a huge sensation. Cheers and praise poured in from all over France. Although some media and citizens questioned the fact that there was no damage to the allies who killed 700 militants, the conspiracy theory disappeared with cheers.
The stock price of Mitterrang went up without realizing it was sky-high. The trust of the government and military, which had fallen to the ground due to repeated operational failures, was rapidly restored.
The media that missed the scoop grinded it. The Mitterrand government requested an embargo and hit the back of the head. Angry reporters rushed to hospitals, presidential palaces, the Ministry of National Defense, and broadcasting stations.
However, the articles in the evening and the morning of the next day did not differ much from the government announcements. France does not allow unlimited freedom of the press.
The reporters could not even go near the hostage. The security authorities pretext that the treatment and stability of the hostages come first. So the identity of the Black Mamba was buried. The incident happened the next day.
The nameplates on the 8th floor of the DGSE headquarters, the general directors office called the swimming pool, and the dull mahogany table has been changed. The nameplate of Pier Lagos disappeared, and the name Boniface took its place in Vernier. Of course, the man who took the swivel chair is not a bloated Lagos, but a bamboo-skinned man, a former chief of operations, and a surf und with blood flowing through his veins.
Damn you, youre going to shit to the end.
Boniface held Charlie Hebdos surrogate in one hand and glared at the head of the Kaaba as if to kill him. When the article was chewed on the desk, Valisari sold the article to Charlie Hebdo, a journalist specializing in revelations, as promised.
The head of the intelligence department, Kabae, slipped into the throat. On the surface, he curses Germain, who accompanied the reporter, but in reality, he is cursing that he has to listen. You are the person who signed the request for permission to cover the Canal Pli team, including Valisari.
Damn bitch!
hit the chest No quick regrets The word regret contains the meaning that the event has already happened, so it will be delayed no matter how early.
In 30 years of dealing with information, he has never eaten a single penny of black money and never asked for an unreasonable request. The only weakness was the squishy lower back. Germains request to dispatch a reporter was an opportunity to promote the government, but it was not a matter of simply allowing it. It was because the end of the operation was a call name. During the conflict, he withheld Germains official memorandum of cooperation.
Then a phone call rang. She was a beautiful 30-year-old reporter working for Canal Plier, her mistress, and her beloved Valisari.
[Mong Amuh (My Love) Did you see the list of Ministry of Defense? How about Royal Saint-Germain tonight?]
As if possessed by a single word that penetrated my heart like the spring rain sprinkling at dawn, I searched for the official document and checked the list. The moment I saw Valisaris name, I opened the lid of the Montblanc fountain pen like a zombie.
The moments lust returned to a tornado. A horned bitch on her ass just bought and hit it right when she was vigilant that it was settled with the help of an embargo from the media. This is the biggest crisis in my 30 years of public service. Kabae decided to voluntarily pay his taxes. My pride is hurting, but to survive, I have no choice but to apologize.
Sir, I have nothing to say. We mobilized our agents and the military police to collect the printed materials and detain the journalist Valisari for divulging state secrets.
billions have collapsed He is the best among the three managers. When it comes to rice bowls, Boniface is a far-fetched junior. The trust of the top management was also strong. There was no doubt that he was the successor of Lagos. Is it Hosadama? The place, which was as solid as concrete, began to shake with the appearance of the Black Mamba.
The sly surf und was sprinting with a black mamba. The moment Mitterrang called Black Mamba a National Tresor, his dream disappeared. The reason I got a reserved swivel chair was purely because of the Black Mamba. The embarrassment they are experiencing now is because of the Black Mamba.
Damn Correan!
One of the yellow guys blocked my way out. Even Kaba was unaware of the ripples of the case. From the moment Boniface took the seat of the general director, his eyes turned to greed and jealousy. So In-bae is strict with others and generous with himself, regardless of whether he is in the East or the West. You might be able to look back.
Director Kabae, have you forgotten that phrase?
Boniface pointed to the long picture frame hanging on the wall.
[Information is a normal function of government. It is not subject to criticism or praise.]
This is what Mitterrand said when it expanded and reorganized SDECE into DGSE. Kabaes face was hot. Boniface is already aware of his deviant behavior. It is a sound that criticizes the privilege given to the abnormal function of a civil servant, namely, the Valisari of Canal Pli. The French are tolerant of the underbelly, but when it comes to the surface, nothing is more embarrassing.
Are you the president?
exactly. The president must feel like drinking shit. When the damn bitch exposed the sole use of Call name, Mitterrand became a liar and was in danger of revealing the identity of the Black Mamba.
Charlie Hebdo made an extra on a copy. A thousand sheets at most. You can take it all back. The presidents face will never fall to the ground.
As the head of information, thats a poor excuse. Kabae, who had to make a cumbersome excuse, was rotten and bruised. Clearly, he did not fully realize the seriousness of the situation. His head became dull as if possessed by a ghost.
Charlie Hebdo is a minor press. Otherwise, the loss of the presidents face can be prevented by driving him as an article of gossip. The problem is Black Mamba. Have you ever wondered how big the aftermath would be if foreign intelligence agencies became convinced of his existence?
I know. We confiscated the replica plates and copy papers and recovered more than 90% of the printed prints.
Damn old man! The taste is gone. Are you infected with Ebola?
Bonifaces stomach swelled up. The head of the intelligence department is not a human word. Im not such a stupid person, but I suddenly became weird. You cant do that without a virus eating your brain. Even the clever Boniface could not even read the regressive psychology of an old man engulfed in jealousy.
Director Kabae, you have to detain a foolish bitch and collect the prints before you can touch the balls of your dead child. He must have already fallen into Adams hands. The problem got worse when Germain and you allowed Italian coverage. Why the hell did you sign the absurd request for coverage?
Im sorry!
Kabae, who had nothing to say, kept her mouth shut. I cant say that I signed it because I wanted to spend a hot night with my lover.
The Black Mamba refused to return and left for Djibouti. What are you going to do with this situation?
Boniface put Charlie Hebdos hohuge down on the table and slapped it with his palm. Black Mamba simply missed the sun and headed to Djibouti, but Boniface couldnt help but think that it was a pity. Even during Operation Luman, he misunderstood the unit of allowance and ripped out 300 million francs, and laughed bitterly. A common error in the relationship between A and E has plunged the beloved Kabae into a quagmire.
Chapter 452 - Episode 4 We Hit The Jackpot!
I have nothing to say. I will persuade you to bring it.
Kabae shook her head. There is no other heron that picked up cyanide (cyanide) beans and ate them.
Huh, are you trying to convince the Black Mamba?
Boniface laughed. that sounds stupid Black Mamba is strong. Even a president is a funny person, but would you be surprised by the status and power of the DGSE intelligence chief? To move him, you have to show your sincerity. Of course, abstract sincerity must be converted into concrete money.
Black Mambas intuition is more frightening than combat power. If you try to test him, you will get a stir in a word. While trying to test him in NDjamena, Balbue was forced to eat porridge with his left hand for the rest of his life. If Manager Ariva hadnt jumped in and dried it in time, he would have eaten dirt instead of porridge.
According to Mackiseys report, Sergeant Simon D, who protects the Black Mamba, is also a ruthless human whose hands speak louder than words. It is common for Kabae to go to Djibouti and die after being beaten up by Simon D. There is nothing wrong with the death of an incompetent public official who pays taxes, but the problem is that the number of sincerity increases.
Stop it. You still dont quite understand the Black Mamba. Valisari did the absurd thing to interrupt the Black Mambas activities and cover him. If Valisari had been a man, his neck would have been plucked. What do you think would happen if you found out that you had troubled me by sending an ignorant reporter? Miguel is burned to death, and Colonel Tangshi has his intestines removed from his house. Frightened, Joffre committed suicide in prison, and Landres and Valbuer left the company as morons. You want me to watch my senior scream and die?
Ugh!
Kabae, whose face turned blue, looked back at Mackisey and Ariva, who were present. They both nodded at the same time.
Sir, you cant go. The bodyguards of the Special Military Advisory Board are beasts, not humans. Hundreds of voodoo fanatics were killed by the blade of a shovel wielded by Sergeant Simon D. The reason he went crazy was that the Voodoo had been rude to the special military advisor. If the Special Advisor is the best warrior, Sergeant Simon D is the worst butcher. Had it not been for the Special Advisor to dry it, the Valisari would have been decapitated without hanging from the tree. That crazy bitch didnt even know that she saved her life thanks to the mercy of the special adviser, and she sang about a savage who doesnt know how to care for women.
Two words cou (neck) and pluck (pull) made Kabaes face look like an alien. As if a transparent finger was pulled, the upper part of the nose went up and the lower part was drooping down. It is the face that sees the climax of a horror movie.
The director-general has tamed that friend, so if you call him directly, he wont come. help me once I will make a formal apology.
Kabae fell flat. Listening to Boniface, its not the time to worry about Valisari. His neck is placed on the guillotine.
Dont make a big deal out of me. The Black Mamba is a beast. How do you tame a beast? He and I are on an equal footing. To be precise, he is G and I am Eul. Because there are many Bonifaces in the world, but there is only one Black Mamba.
Boniface jumped. Therefore, when you are old, you should retire at an appropriate time. Kabaebae is obsessed with the old dogma and cannot escape the view of seeing the Black Mamba as a spy.
What would you like me to do?
Kabae raised the white flag.
It has been a lot of hardship. I dont have the confidence to convince the Black Mamba, and I dont have anything special to do to ease the presidents anger. To be honest, Im going to explode in my head trying to figure out how to convince the Black Mamba.
Boniface just cut it. If you dont want to die, then stop.
Whoa, I see.
Kabae sighed as if the ground was going to die out. With her eyes out of focus, she looked up at the ceiling of the office for a while and stood up.
I will put my resignation letter on my desk.
The footsteps of Kabae leaving the general secretarys office trembled precariously. Mackiseys and Arivas pitiful eyes were fixed on Kabaes back. He is the general manager of Kabae, who was once called the legend of DGSE. In the later years of his life, he had his face painted over for misusing his penis and ended his 33-year public service. At the same time, the pension was also blown away.
Heh heh, if youre stupid, be diligent or not. New wine must be put in a new bottle.
Surf und!
Mackiseys and Arivas faces darkened. In the end, Kabae was eaten by his rival, Boniface. Both of them turned their heads at the same time. their eyes met each other
Is this the director-generals direction?
It is a question that both of them thought of at the same time. No one knows, but no one can say for sure. This is DGSE, where conspiracies and ghosts are commonplace. The wind from the Seine blew through the window. Charlie Abdos out-of-doors waters were overturned.
Under the provocative title, small letters filled the matte white paper.
[On December 18th, 15 out of 22 Arebasa scientists kidnapped from the Ituri jungle in East Africa were dramatically rescued. Fifteen survivors and three remains arrived at Jaro de Gaulle Airport on June 22 and were secretly transferred to the Valdegras Army Hospital.
The government was consistent with incompetence and lies in the hostage case from beginning to end. In the end, President Mitterrand, who appeared on the noon news, opened up a fraudulent play against the citizens. The presidents announcement is a blatant lie.
This reporter went directly into the Ituri jungle called the Devils Forest and saw the horrific battlefield with both eyes. The Mitterrand regime forced this reporter to remain silent, but this cannot be stopped, who regards the citizens right to know as a good on earth. It reveals the reality of the governments fraudulent schemes related to the rescue of the hostages.
First, the introduction of the first team of the 4th Justice is a blatant lie. There was only one fist of justice put into the Ituri jungle, which is called the Devils Great Forest, and it was a call name that had only been rumored and the reality was unclear.
For the past month, the fair team, Rison Etrange, Zinenne, and Jesspe did not move. The fact becomes clear when you check the operational records of special forces.
Call name is a slender man with a height of 185 cm and a psychic power. He couldnt confirm his face because he was covered with a helmet, goggles, and mask, but judging by the skin color on the back of his hands, he is Asian.
syncopation
Second, the kidnappers are not just a group of fanatics. Like the pygmies, they are cannibals that enjoy human flesh. All young female scientists from the Arevasa expedition were sacrificed. Did the Voodoo eat them? no. Of the recovered remains, two had abdominal eggs, and one appeared to have undergone a normal childbirth process. All the young female scientists died, and what was the reason for the unusual killing?
This reporter witnessed a giant reptile skeleton in the forest. It was a size that no other animal in our time could compare. The reason cannibals kidnapped scientists does not appear to be the simple intention of collecting a ransom. These may be aliens who have been hiding deep in the Ituri jungle and plotting to destroy mankind. The truth is known only to the government that covered up the incident.
syncopation
Third, it is about the ability of the call name. Call name and only two large black men, who appeared to be his bodyguards, drilled 300 kilometers through the Devils Forest. Ituri Jungle is a devils forest where even the special forces with modern equipment have been destroyed three times.
How did the two of them survive in a jungle uninhabited by natives, a demonic forest teeming with wild beasts and poisons, hundreds of thousands of deadly parasites, and endemic diseases? Only two people annihilated a battalion-sized armed group and rescued the hostages without victims. Is it possible?
The battle scene witnessed by the reporter was devastating as if trampled by Hekatonkeir. There was no evidence of the use of weapons of mass destruction, such as bombs, poison gas, or biological weapons. The victims had their bodies ripped to pieces, their heads and backs cut off, and their intestines poured out.
Call name is an unprecedented psychopath. Just because they are fanatics who enjoy human flesh, there is no reason for them to die miserably. They too have human rights and the right to be happy. The government should be held accountable for this and bring the call name to court.
This reporter believes that the government has a different reason for hiding the call name. Call name is not human. This reporter found the Arago cave incident in sources from the Napoleonic era. Arago Caves are limestone caves in southern Provence, where dozens of villagers died.
One day, a demon came out of the cave. A demon attacked a nearby village, brutally slaughtering villagers and animals. The demon that came out of the cave unexpectedly was an adolescent boy.
The Napoleonic regime imprisoned the boy and used it as a biological weapon, and promoted an evil human body modification to produce another Arago demon. This reporter is convinced that the call names and bodyguards deployed to the Ituri jungle are the products of the Arago project.
Fourth, the morality claimed by the Mitterrang regime is fiction. The government hid a sharp knife called Call name and shoveled three times by dispatching special forces unfamiliar with local circumstances. Rescue teams such as the GIGN hostage rescue team, the anti-terrorist team Harpas, and the Air Force Airborne Commando CPA10 did not wield the fist of justice and were devoured by the jungle.
Even Frances most elite anti-terrorist team was not enough in the Italian jungle teeming with wild beasts, poisonous insects, vipers, and cannibals. Hundreds of French youngsters have lost their lives in the harsh jungle as a result of poor government decisions and missed golden hour rescue operations. The liar Mitterrand should step down immediately, and Parliament must appoint a special inspectorate to investigate the governments self-righteousness and questions related to the Ituri kidnapping.
syncopation
Seven precious French talents lost their lives as a result of the governments lukewarm response. The death of five particularly talented young female scientists is a huge loss to the French scientific community. Female scientists make up only 3% of male scientists. This means that female scientists are 30 times more valuable than male scientists. The government should immediately formulate a special budget for nurturing female scientists and provide institutional support.
syncopation
The authorities should no longer cover the eyes and ears of the people. The president who revealed the truth behind the call name and mocked the people with a blatant lie should resign. Congress should immediately set up a special committee to investigate the Areva hostage incident.
The three of them read the extras 20 times. Im about to cry Aliens, cannibals, superhumans, nurturing female scientists, idiot monsters, etc. It is a novel full of absurd content and inconsistent feminist prejudices that ordinary citizens cannot believe. The problem is that what Valisari has spread is fiction based on non-fiction.
Mackisey, hows the damn thing going?
Boniface bit Goluz and started the fire. Damn human beings were fluttering, so I started smoking again. A strange smell resembling the fishy smell filled the pool.
The total number of copies displayed on Charlie Hebdos autopilot is 5,000. Fortunately, prints that were attempted to be exported to other areas were blocked in advance. Of the 1,200 copies distributed to arrondissement municipal (corresponding to barrels/half in Korea) where the publishing house is located, 1,180 copies have been recovered so far. 1,000 military police are conducting a thorough search. The remaining prints will also be recalled soon.
You must not miss a single copy. Make sure the citizens know that it is the work of the Nazi remnant plotting social unrest.
Yeah, its going on.
The traitor Valisari is imprisoned in a felony cell. Bitch, Ill cut your throat.
Bonifaces eyes ripped open like snakes eyes and radiated a bluish light. It is a sign that you are extremely angry.
Director-General, if you indict Valisari for leaking state secrets, you are admitting to the existence of the call name.
Isnt the picture already leaked?
It leaked, but it didnt leak. In the photo, only Sergeant Simon D appears, and there is no special advisor anywhere. There is no special torture for the confiscated film of Pinol. According to Pinols confession, the film of Asians turned all white as if the light had entered it. Unbelievable, but true.
If its a Black Mamba, I wouldnt be surprised if anything happens. So you mean Valisari was bullshit without a single picture of Call name?
Bonifaces eyes were shredded.
Thats right. Her crime is that of creating social unrest. It is better to treat it as a misdemeanor, punish him with a fine and release him. The influx of foreign workers has increased significantly these days.
Well, security in the back alleys of Paris these days is not very good.
Boniface nodded. It was obvious that I didnt even have to listen to the backstory. After doing something crazy, Valisari becomes a real psychopath. They could crash in Wechville-Sch-Meh while under the influence of drugs or crash into a large truck while driving at high speeds. The rest is up to the staff to figure out.
Chapter 453 - Episode 5 We Hit The Jackpot!
The French press has a bitter memory of being hit with a mace while working alongside the Nazis. The publisher and editor were executed and property confiscated. The press, which has learned the lesson, tries to restrain itself and self-correct when it comes to national interests.
DGSE is neither a Ministry of Education nor a monastery. It is a national security agency known for its roughness. Or not, the cold-blooded is destined to be slaughtered. Valisari should have been more careful.
Mekishi, how was the bodyguards investigation?
Sorry. There is no past as if it fell from the sky. The special adviser was never there to help the voodoo riot on a Samaritan farm in Toba. You likely met Sergeant Simon D in the Ennedy Plateau where the autonomous region is located.
Um, is it the demon of Nguanga Cavir?
Boniface groaned. There is no effect without a cause. There is nothing new in the Bible. Boniface intuitively guessed that Simon D was the evil spirit of Nguanga. This is the present time of the forgotten Nguanga evil spirit. Otherwise, the sudden appearance of Simon D cannot be explained.
Twenty-three years ago, a platoon of engineers working on a military map in the Ennedy Plateau area discovered a mysterious lake group. Communication with the engineering platoon investigating Lake County was cut off, and the whereabouts of the engineering platoon dispatched for the investigation were also unknown.
DGSEs predecessor, SDECE, launched an investigation, but to no avail. When Ennedy was seized by the Prolinat rebels, the investigation team withdrew. Relevant materials are buried in the DGSE archives, and the case of Nguyengas disappearance remains a mystery.
Boniface was the project manager for Arago. He vaguely guessed the identity of a being called an evil spirit. The demon is either an ocelot-like mutant or the ocelot itself.
After being confused for a long time, the Black Mamba requested the Ennedy Plateau area as an autonomous district. He gladly accepted. As expected, the Black Mamba cleared the evil spirits away. Boniface, who blew his nose without touching it, was delighted, and the Nguyenga evil spirit was forgotten.
Then what are the evil spirits that are said to have been killed and burned? Is it a good evil spirit?
Boniface ran into another question. According to reports, the Black Mamba incinerated evil spirits. Ocelots are out of control. The Black Mamba likely killed him.
Billion, Ocelot!
I remembered a promise I had forgotten. He offered to pay 30 million francs for dealing with Ocelot, and Black Mamba said he would deal with it when the opportunity arises. My heart was chilled at the thought that the Black Mamba was taking care of the ocelot and picking the hour hand.
Is this friend testing me?
Boniface was upset. I cant live on debt. The pricked Boniface immediately added an item to the pay bill. Since Simon D beat Ocelot in the Ituri jungle, it is not a wrong calculation. As an ocelot in a titanium coffin in a state of being neither dead nor alive, it would be vomiting blood.
Yes? What are you talking about?
Asked Mackisey, surprised. It sounds like a lot of absurdity to test the general director.
Oh no. continue.
Currently, we are trawling through the desert tribes near Ennedy, but to no avail.
It will. What is your fighting power level?
There are no eyewitnesses. The guide, Olumbo, is dead, and the pygmies are the only witnesses, but they do not speak at all. We analyzed the state of the Dambala fanatic who became fish meat and analyzed the approximate combat power. This is a summary report.
Mackisey pulled a sheet from the file folder and handed it to Boniface.
[Sergeant Burpa Simon Ds Combat Strength and Estimated Physical Analysis]
The main battlefield consists of two places, a residence, and a training zone, separated by about 450m. Other battle sites such as floating houses are presumed to be the skills of a special adviser. More than half of the 698 confirmed corpses of Dambala cultists were hit by Sgt. Data are estimates based on analysis of stride length, footmarks, ground stress, and scars.
The level of controlling the recoil of heavy machine-gun fire with one hand, the spear is anticipatory damage, and there are no bruises. Estimated cutting at subsonic speed when seen as charring marks on the incisal tissue.
Total combat power cannot be estimated.
Boniface looked at the summary report and closed his eyes. I remember throwing away the Black Mambas combat power report years ago. Who would believe that the strength of a human is equal to that of a horse? Sergeant Simon Ds strength is 1.5 horsepower. An ocelot mutation was evident.
Is this a sign that the world will turn upside down? A monster calls a monster The Black Mamba has wings.
According to the gazelle pilot Sgt. Bresson, the pygmies worship Sergeant Simondi as a god. As long as the special adviser carries him as a bodyguard, there is no need for words.
Stop the investigation. There is no need to touch the heart of the Black Mamba for nothing. What is Simon Ds current affiliation?
Boniface did not feel the need to uncover Simon Ds identity. If you believe in Black Mamba, you must also believe in Simon D. Whether it is a black cat or a white cat, you can catch mice well.
The last time I issued my citizenship card, I registered as a strike force belonging to the Operations Department.
Well done. Reinforce the security of Simon D to the same level as the call name.
If your security level goes up, you need to adjust your allowance.
Raise it to half the level of Special Advisor.
Mackisey was stunned. Sergeant Simon Ds abilities are amazing, but hes just a personal bodyguard for the special advisor.
Then, it will be 20 times the starting salary of the boss of the Legion Etrange headquarters.
Tseoup, can you defeat Sergeant Simon D if 200 strike teams from the Operations Department attack?
All right.
Mackisey immediately lowered his tail. The strength of Boniface is that it treats them strictly according to their abilities. This is one of the reasons why they are criticized for having neither blood nor tears.
Is there any progress in the investigation of Chinese agents?
The report from Black Mamba is correct. As a member of the Ministry of National Security (MSS), he was disguised as an NCNA (Chinese Xinhua) reporter and was actively supporting the rebels. They also supported Dambalas weapons. Another team is currently attached to Mai Mai.
Its like a sinister chink. If Ntaganta overthrows the Mobutu regime, it must be his intention to grab a big cake.
Thats right. He intends to support Mai Mai to obtain eastern Zaire, which is rich in uranium, copper, tin, and bauxite. I am in a state of panic because Black Mamba has erased the chateau (the Provincial Office) in charge.
Heh heh, the majesty of the National Tresor. If it collides with a black mamba, be it a dambala or a chink, it will be blown away. Embarrassingly, we didnt even notice Chinks movements, even after pouring tens of millions of francs into East Africa every year. Does it make sense to say that the ten-year performance of the East African Department of the Operations Department is not as good as the ears of black mambas?
No face.
Mackisey and Ariva, speechless, bowed their heads.
Damn, theres a lot to eat, so dogs and cows are all attacking them. Anyway, the nickname Kanma is a perfect fit for her. Please include this in your allowance calculation. If the calculation is correct, there will be no disputes. Even local spies with a D level of importance are dissatisfied with the compensation, and betrayal sprouts.
I will keep that in mind. Did you report Charlie Hebdo to your Excellency?
Ariva asked abruptly.
You bastard, are you going to change your grandsons diaper before the swivel chair gets even warmed up and bring him to the supermarket with his shopping cart?
Boniface was upset. Arivas head snapped up. As I said, it happened.
Its enough to treat the Nazi remnant and its followers as a happening because they were jealous of Frances development. An ethnic traitor who does not care about the safety of the country and the safety of its citizens does not deserve to eat a baguette and drink Evian. I will report to your Excellency separately after the situation is settled.
Boniface cut off the conversation as if it were slashing with a knife.
I will arrange it according to the Nazi collaborators.
Ariva prayed for Charlie Hebdos editor-in-chief and articles. Punishment equivalent to that of a Nazi collaborator was harsh. Two million people who cooperated with the Nazis were questioned, and 158,000 were sentenced to prison. There were 11,200 official executions and 100,000 unofficial executions. The media received harsher punishments. Newspapers that had cooperated with the Nazis were shut down. The owner was sentenced to death, and the newspapers property was confiscated. Other European countries also treated Nazi collaborators harsher than France. It is very different from Korea.
Valisaris shovel caused anger to the photojournalist Pinyoll and even to the publisher who lent the copy. So, if you want to stay strong, you have to avoid the tough ones.
How do you convince the Black Mamba apart from Mitterang? Whoops! To appease an angry beast, you have no choice but to give him a large piece of meat. Ariva, grab your gift and set off for Djibouti.
Ugh! Director-General, I have five families to support. The only people who can appease the torture are the Director-General and General Philip.
Manager Ariva jumped.
Its a joke. I also dont want to put a capable subordinate in the mouth of a beast. Gifts are a problem .
Tick-tock- Boniface tapped the table with his dry fingertips. Its the behavior he sees when hes in trouble.
Chairman, the special adviser was concerned about Novatopias power problem.
Boniface clapped his hands at Mackiseys words.
Thats good. How big is it?
Estimated to have a million inhabitants in Novatopia in the future, 800 MWp would be reasonable.
The Black Mamba rescued the Arevasa hostage. Ask President Areva to present a nuclear power plant.
Even if President Jacques Javert wants to give it as a gift, he cannot. Building a nuclear power plant offshore requires the consent of Congress. It also takes a long time to build. Even the Black Mamba wouldnt like nuclear power plants. I have a nuclear allergy.
I had no choice but to build a thermal power plant. What is the cost?
It will cost approximately 30 million francs to build an 800MWp heavy oil thermal power plant.
Its cheap for a national Tresor feel. Go ahead now.
Boniface consented without delay. The development of Novatopia is in line with the national interest of France. No reason to hesitate.
All right.
It was said that a lucky guy would pick up money even if he fell. The Black Mamba, enjoying the sun in Djibouti, did not open his mouth, but a large-capacity thermal power plant rolled in.
Since ancient times, it has been said that a genius cannot beat a person who works hard, a person who works hard cannot beat a person who enjoys it, and a person who enjoys cannot beat a lucky person. Bonifaces misunderstanding filled Black Mambas pockets.
At this point, adding Capt. Paul and Sergeant Emile to the promotion list will make the beast a bit softer.
Right. Black Mamba has a strong sense of companionship. Captain Paul brought biological test equipment and materials, and Emil provided special weapons. Enough justification for promotion. Go ahead immediately.
Emile and Paul, who had a handsome guy as their friend, suddenly found a cake. A poorly tough guy deals damage to those around him, but a properly tough guy gives a mochi.
Has the value of the equipment and materials that Paul recovered been analyzed?
Im staying up all night in the tech department. It is not a quantity that can be analyzed in a day or two. The Ministry of Technology is astounding that it is a resource that can advance the level of biotechnology in France by more than 10 years.
Huh, that friend is money just by touching it. Midas is the friend to cry.
Its not just that. There are two types of loot for which it is difficult to calculate an allowance. It is a computer equipped with a laser-linked automatic shooting system and a chip implanted in the heads of superhuman and chimeric monsters. We anticipate dramatic developments in semiconductor manufacturing technology, biological weapons, and fire control systems.
What cake! Isnt that the technology we struggled to get out of?
Bonifaces mouth ripped open. In semiconductors, fire control systems, laser technology, and bionics technology, the United States is a few ahead.
Yes, Im proud of myself, but when it comes to advanced weapons and computer technology, the Yankees are ahead. This means that the special advisor has acquired Yankees advanced industrial technology. When the polishing is done, you will have a rough outline.
Damn, I need to organize a reserve again this time.
His mouth grumbled, but his eyes were filled with laughter. This is really like sleeping and making a cake. If you report Valisaris extravagance to the president while pushing rice cakes, you can move on without being insulted.
Oilmen are very excited and stay up all night. At this point, like the United States, we need to start developing state-led technology.
Right. Large projects that are difficult to develop in the private sector should be taken care of by the government. Dismantle the arsenal that has been corrupted by corruption and bribes.
Heh, the nickname given by the Director-General of Natural Disaster is a perfect fit for him. Its because the arsenal who were getting rotten weapons and acquired rotten weapons suddenly seemed to be driven to hell without doing anything, earning high salaries and taking back money from companies.
Ariva giggled as if suing. Boniface nodded. As Ariva said, the arsenal was rotten. If you dont pick out rotten apples, even healthy apples will rot.
If I delay it any longer, it wont be porridge or rice. The iron should be beaten when it is hot.
Boniface clenched his teeth. Big changes start with small changes. At this point, Black Mambas nickname is going to be a flat wind-wave in addition to a natural disaster.
Chapter 454 - Episode 6 We Hit The Jackpot!
Boniface was always envious of the Pentagons ability to develop new technologies. The Yankee weapons development system is a two-person triangle between the government and private companies. Some criticize the evils of the military-industrial complex, but in their view, the synergistic effect is greater than the harm.
Many of the new defense technologies in the U.S. have come from Silicon Valley. The general public knows that venture capital has grown in Silicon Valley, but thats not to say. The midwife in Silicon Valley is the Pentagon. The nanny who raised Silicon Valley is also the U.S. Department of Defense.
The current Silicon Valley myth began when private companies backed by the Ministry of National Defense began to gather in 1948. At that time, microwave developers with the backing of the U.S. Department of Defense, who had a passion for radar development, gathered, and it was called Microwave Valley.
DARPA (Advanced Defense Research and Development Agency), a research and development organization of the U.S. Department of Defense, established in 1958, has grown into a high-tech industrial complex by leading technology development through industry-university cooperation with private companies and universities in Silicon Valley.
With intensive funding from Darpa, integrated circuits (semiconductors) were developed, and high-tech companies such as Intel and Hewlett-Packard appeared. Semiconductors, the Internet, radar, and GPS (navigation) are representative technologies developed and distributed by the Ministry of National Defense. The French arsenal is an elderly boat and a gutter compared to the U.S. Department of Defenses Darfa. Even if the defense budget is increased without reforming the arsenal, it is pouring water into the deadlock.
The intercom rang. Boniface, who was pensive in thought, was startled.
What?
C President Arevasa Javert has arrived.
It is the voice of secretary Durendal, who is wary of being eaten by the surf und. Boniface glanced up at the wall clock. I forgot my appointment time for an interview.
Ill see you in five minutes.
C All right.
Mackisey will embark on rebuilding the Humint organization in the eastern part of Zaire, and Ariva will send operational personnel to the Mambasa area to investigate the movements of the Yankees and Maimai rebels.
Boniface, who had hurriedly sent the executive officer out, tapped the table with his skinny fingers. The smell of blood and money wafted from the areas of Ituri and Rwenzori, stirred by the Black Mamba.
Ugh, this time it looks like the companys slush funds have been stolen. I brought rice cakes, but I cant be shy.
Boniface sorted the numbers on the aluminum case and pulled out the report. The first page of the report lists the items.
[Basic data for calculating call name allowance]
Boniface said in the last line that it was the destruction of Ocelot.
Hwiyu, this is Won! Should I call it a National Tresor or a natural disaster? No, the North Sea ridge that that friend told me would be perfect.
An exclamation came out of nowhere. Once you make a move, youll see mega achievements pouring in. Black Mamba is not simply a call name with strong fighting power. When he moves, an optical illusion is created in which the original operational purpose is seen as a local activity. Operation Fist of Justice is an incident where a unique and super-special consultant, Black Mamba, showed the true value of a national treasure without filtration.
I once told the story of an ancient oriental thinker named Zhuangzi at a meeting where Black Mamba had haute cuisine. [There is a large fish called gon in the dark blue sea in the north, which is thousands of kilometers in size. When the time comes, Gon transforms into a bird called Bung. The wingspan of a bung is thousands of kilometers. Bung flaps its wings once and soars to a height of tens of thousands of kilometers.]
Tired of the absurd bluff, he shot a word.
Black, the Earth is only 6,400 kilometers in diameter. There is no sea for thousands of kilometers of fish. It is said that if a bird called Bung flaps its wings, all living things on Earth will become extinct. Rather, Greek mythology is more realistic.
How exhilarating than a filthy god who often avoids the eyes of his wife and flirts with a human woman! How can you call a man who seeks only peace for himself? If you are a man, you should dream big, even if you dont know.
Didnt your dream to build a Korean-style house, eat miso soup (soybean paste stew), and read while lying on the floor?
I remember exactly. But that is more difficult than building a country.
The Black Mambas face looked sad as he responded to his grimacing. Does even the strongest human being who cant know the end have sorrow? Suddenly, the desire to protect Black Mambas wind arose like a flame.
Chiring- The intercom rang. Boniface, who woke up from his thoughts, pressed the call button.
C Director-General, one minute later, it is time for a meeting with Chairman Areva.
I get it.
Boniface cut the Gorouge with a cutter and opened the window. A river breeze from the Seine drove away from the cigarette smoke. Areva is a backbone company that feeds 120,000 French citizens. Javert is a wealth-creating entrepreneur and he is a wealth-consuming public servant. Of course, you have to deal with it.
A skinny, half-white man wearing a corduroy entered the office. Jacques Javert, chairman of Areva, the worlds No. 1 company in the construction and maintenance of nuclear power plants. Durendal silently closed the door and disappeared.
Nice to meet you. I almost got thirsty waiting for the president.
Boniface greeted Javert with a smile on his face at the subject who had forgotten his promise.
There is no face. My mistake caused a great loss to the country. I pray that the souls of the precious young people may sleep peacefully in the arms of the Lord.
Javert bowed deeply.
As a result of the governments poor response, seven precious human resources have been sacrificed. There is no facet. It is a pity for the hostages that were sacrificed.
Boniface also closed his eyes and meditated. Operation Fist of Justice was finished neatly by Black Mamba, but it left a big scar. The loss of lives of the commandos deployed in the operation alone was 397, including the three GIGN strike squads.
38 DGSE agents were also killed. The Ituri jungle replenishes nutrients by swallowing more than a thousand humans. Javert and Boniface had a bitter taste that even Domaine de Vecignol (sweet French chocolate) could not wash away. Thanksgiving and consolation came and went, and we got to the main point.
Because of the bounty, the president wouldnt have taken a difficult step himself, so what is it?
This is the reason I requested an interview with the General Director.
Javert put a piece of paper on the table. Its an extravaganza sprayed by Valisari.
Damn bitch!
Valisaris curse was not over. Boniface took care of his facial expression like a surfer, but almost immediately spit out abusive language.
What is this?
Boniface snapped his hand.
I am not interested in anything else. I am interested in the call name.
It is a novel written by a foolish co-worker who fell for the instigation of a remnant of the Nazis who were aiming for social chaos. The national traitor has been detained by the military police after the search has been completed.
Sir, I am the president of Areva.
Javert spit a word and shut his mouth. Boniface read the pride and patriotism in the words of the old entrepreneur. Javerts status is not low to ignore.
Its not all wrong. Lets talk.
As Boniface took a step back, Javerts face turned red.
The bounty promised with the Director-General is 30 million francs as a deposit and one million francs per hostage. With 14 survivors and 17 remains, thats 47 million francs. Ill add 53 million francs. Please introduce your call name.
What?
Some Boniface jumped too. My head suddenly throbbed at the unexpected request. On the one hand, I got tired of Javerts distribution, which offered 53 million francs to meet someone.
Its not possible. Callnames identity is top secret. There are only five security rankers who can view Call Names personal information. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense are also not included in the misidentification.
You dont even ask why you want to meet Kolname. Are you concerned about information leakage?
A sign flashed on Javerts face that his pride had been damaged.
Of course. I am the head of DGSE. I have a firm belief that only the dead do not open their mouths. Its obvious why the president wants to meet Call name.
I will not deny that it is for the benefit of the company. If that interest coincides with the national interest, isnt their room to think about it?
It is impossible. I will not listen to the presidents proposal.
Boniface just cut it. Black Mamba is a shadow. When the light hits, the shadow disappears. Even when Valisari cleans the cheap shit, the fire is still on the instep. Even so, the black mamba is heartbroken. Money isnt the problem if you arrange a private meeting and the shit goes wrong.
I understand the concerns of the General Manager. But todays decision seems to be left with regret.
Even if I regret it, I do it. Im sorry I couldnt listen to the presidents request.
Javert had a sad expression on his face, but Boniface did not blink.
Look at my mind. Im getting old and Im blinking.
Javert, who was picking up his hat and wand, pulled out his wallet.
Give it to Call name. In return for finding Arevas precious possessions. Congratulations on your appointment as Director-General.
With two checks on the table, Javert left the office.
Are you sorry?
Boniface felt something was wrong. A person at the level of Chairman Javert does not utter a single word lightly. Never, never say anything unfounded.
Life itself is regret, but whats the point of adding one more? How will it be?
Boniface was also infected with Black Mambas what will happen virus. He cleared his mind and checked the amount of the check.
OMG! The rice cakes are great.
Some Boniface also blew up a breeze. 39 million francs is the balance of the bounty promised by Javert. Another check is for 53 million francs. Chairman Javert had tossed out a huge piece of cake of 53 million francs. Boniface annual salary is 220,000 francs. Boniface tapped the calculator. Its ignorant, but curiosity prevailed.
Huh, the name of the DGSE general director is 400 years, but its not enough. If the black mamba is a pumpkin, then I am an acorn. No, it should be called Bung and Sparrow.
A sigh came out. It was surprising to see Chairman Javerts distribution and the value of Black Mamba.
Did you even ask me why?
Curiosity arises, but curiosity must end with curiosity. Javert-type humans are ghosts of skipping. From the moment you ask the reason, you are drawn into the other persons intentions. Unless you save the country, there is no reason to put the Black Mamba in the sun. I heard the intercom.
Durendal, schedule the Falcon. The day after tomorrow at 10 am, the destination is the 13th Regiment in Djibouti.
C All right. The media is in an uproar.
A riot? Durendal, I know youre a journalist, but avoid vague, provocative words.
C Yep, Im sorry. Newspapers and magazines alike went out of their way to find a call name.
Uh-huh! riot again?
C Oh, sorry again. Its not a riot, Im making an official offer to Call name. Le Figgart offers 2 million francs for a five-minute interview, French West magazine 3 million francs, and private TV broadcasters such as te ef en, Canal Pleu, and Dihec Witt are also offering 3 million to 5 million francs to appear on the air.
Damn bitch!
Boniface grabbed the hair around him, which was starting to thin out as if to pull it out. They want to imprison Germain and Kabae, who allowed Valisaris accompanying coverage, but legal action is impossible because they exercised their authority under the current law. Awesome hair is a source of anger.
Durendal, connect Captain Jean-Paul of the 13th Djibouti Regiment.
C Yeah, I see.
Damn it, quitting smoking is wrong.
He stared at Goluz, whose waist was cut off, lying in the ashtray. Even if I couldnt quit, my decision to cut the amount of smoking in half stumbled within two hours.
Im going to get cancer. Even though you are a civil servant, you have to pay taxes, but you have to pay them.
Boniface, looking for an excuse, sniffed out a cigarette and lit it.
Djibouti is a small country located at the northern tip of troubled Somalia, south of the Bav el Mandev Strait, the bottleneck connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It borders Yemen to the north of the strait, Eritrea, the hometown of Afwerki toward the Red Sea, Ethiopia to the interior of Africa, and Somalia to the Gulf of Aden.
Djibouti, a small country twice the size of the District of Gyeonggi, gained independence from France in the 1970s. It is one of the few countries with less presence than Korea due to its small land, small population, and poor economic power.
There is only one reason why the 13th Rison Etrange Regiment is stationed in Djibouti, where there is nothing to eat: the protection of the Bav el Mandev Strait, which is only 32 km wide.
Chapter 455 - 3 Episode 7 We Hit The Jackpot!
The Bav el Mandev Strait is divided by the island of Perim. The route to Yemen, called Bab Iskander, is only 3km wide and 30 m deep. Large tankers cannot enter and exit. The Dact el Mayun route on the Djibouti side is 25 km wide and 310 m deep. It is a passageway for tankers and ships between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Small rock islands called the Seven Brothers are lined up near the coast of Djibouti, and strong currents pushing them toward the coast impede the operation of ships.
Although the width of 32 km seems wide, the strait that large ships can enter and exit is only about 15 km wide. This narrow strait is the channel through which Middle Eastern oil is sold all over the world. Accidents at sea due to overcrowded large tankers and ships are common, and when the bottleneck is clogged, the world becomes noisy as if a hotteok restaurant is on fire.
The Horn of Africa mentioned in the media refers to the Somalia Peninsula, which includes Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland, and Djibouti. France has acquired Djibouti from the 19th century, which is located at the apex of the horn in terms of securing an oil channel.
Simien Beach, Djibouti, has a gentle dune lined with palm trees in the front and the Bav el Mandev Strait in front. The sun blazing in the cloudless emerald sky, and the endless sea seem to stretch out the width of white silk due to the sparkling scales of water. Although the strait is narrow, the horizon that humans can see from a height of 1.7 m above sea level is only 4.6 km. Standing on the beach, the seawater fills your view and the floating tankers are relaxing.
Dozens of beach chairs are lined up in the shade of palm trees. The beach chair is littered with only clothes and accessories, and only one man is occupied. At the mans feet, a huge black-and-blue-haired animal was lying on his face. The animal with its chin on its front paws like a dog is a mixture of a tiger and a Caucasian obcha.
A large black man is squatting next to the animal. A black hand rushed back and forth between his legs and his mouth. If you look closely at the bizarre behavior, it is bizarre. With his saliva-soaked fingers, he takes an ant that climbs on a log-like calf and slides it into his mouth.
Unparalleled party in the world, no need for explanation, Simon D, and Dino Palace. There are only matchless humans who can turn ancient beasts like Dino Palace into puppies. Simon D is the only human who enjoys live ants as snacks like chimpanzees.
Returning to Djibouti three days ago, Paul immediately invited an old colleague. Unfortunately, Bellman was the only colleague who accepted the invitation. Emile was out of contact with her new girlfriend because she was traveling to Corsica. Zhang was unable to leave because his wife, Hou Ying, underwent a liver transplant.
Adam Davis, a thriving California arms dealer and former CIA field agent, got on the plane as soon as he answered Pauls phone call, locking his arms depot and sales office. My friend and boss, the Black Mamba, is there.
The only matchless companions who have survived from the Sahel are Paul, Bellman, Emil, and Zhang Sheng. Three out of five survivors gathered. They put everything down and spend the third day enjoying Djiboutis indigo sea, burning sun, Islamic cuisine, and women.
It is close to noon. The sun hanging from the sky poured out unstoppable radiant heat. Djibouti is one of the hottest places on Earth. The average temperature in July is 43, and December is the coldest, with an average temperature of 34. At the end of June, the midday temperature rises to 48C.
The pair fully enjoyed the scorching sun while wearing only a Ray-Ban that covered half of their face and a pair of panties. Djibouti was not a bad choice. He praised his excellent choice.
Sweat gushed out from the bones, running down the copper-colored body. There is no dry sauna. The scale accumulated in the Ituri jungle also melted one after another in the sun. Dino Palace slowly woke up. With his tongue as rough as sandpaper, he licked and licked the sweat he had shed.
Hes not even a dog, what is he doing?
Simon D tilted his head. Dino Palace fears its owner but obeys it very much. It was hard to tell whether he was serving his master or he liked salty sweat.
Isnt there anything fun? Shall we play with him?
Simon D looked at Dino Palace with a squint. The guy has a strong skeleton so it wont be a problem even if hes hit hard. Dino Palace caught the attention of Simon D and secretly avoided behind the matchless.
Musou changed his posture to take a more active and intense resting position. It is not known whether Bonifaces stomach is rotten or not, and it is not known whether the Parisian magnates fight over the existence of the call name.
The beach was noisy with a group of men and women shouting. Five women and one man, who barely covered their national wealth with a piece of cloth, split up and are enjoying a beach volley game. The black skin jumped up and smashed the ball picked up by the slender blonde hair. Its a fairly experienced job.
Puck- A man who had his eyes on a womans legs was hit in the face by a ball and fell flat.
Eku!
The hat and Ray-Ban he was wearing came off. Gray eyes, a narrow forehead, and thin lips, as if drawn with a razor blade, were exposed. Captain Jean-Paul.
Ho ho ho ho!
Anyone can see its too much slapstick. A high-pitched laugh spread across the beach.
Whahahaha, game out! Paul, focus on the game. What do you do when you look at the ball without looking at it?
Kaisels bearded man, who was watching the referee, chuckled.
Bellman, look directly at you and the referee. It means that he has already made his fifth coming.
Oh my gosh. A poor carpenter blames the tools, and an incompetent player blames the referee. Come on, pretty girls, you should get the prize money for the championship.
Ula, Meh!
The women rushed in. Djibouti is the French of Africa. The Afar and Isas that make-up Djibouti do not speak French. Independence has long since disappeared in all fields of politics, economy, and society.
Bellman generously inserted stiff 10-franc bills into the bras of the white and black beauties. The women clung to the bellman and trembled with all kinds of aegyo.
Ho ho ho, Mr. Meh de Bu Donna va de Pene. (Thank you for your hard work.)
Ula, Mr. Meh de Bottch! (Oh, thank you!)
Ho ho ho. Seth maheung! (I love it so much!)
The women who received the money rubbed their ass on Bellmans groin, rubbed their backs with their large breasts, and trembled as they kissed.
Anangshyap (wait a minute), nu bonu ben serkin tuwa (should we suck our fingers?)
Two women who ate the same side as Paul raised their breasts and argued.
Ooh Nong! A Beau Cheval Bon crab (a good horse is given good water; a French proverb says that hard work is rewarded)
Bellman pointed his finger at the womans large breasts.
Oh, Nong Prablam!
The two girls took off their bras without hesitation. Her breasts, larger than melon and smaller than a watermelon, protrude and protrude.
Wow!
Cool!
Laughter and exclamation broke out. Paul put his hands together to cover his mouth and made a beatbox sound.
Whoops- pupa pupa-
The women shook their chests to the beatbox rhythm. Bellman and Paul attacked the woman, and she retreated to and fro. In the mess, even other women took off their bras and heated the atmosphere. The beach was so hot that the June sun was discolored.
The beach striptease ended with five girls side by side in their bikinis and lying on their backs shaking their big asses. When the vulgar performance was over, Bellman gave a happy smile. The reason why I called four men and five women was to induce competition.
Competitors are more anxious when there is one dropout than when there are many. The women tried their best not to drop out. The power of money made the young girl of the Islamic State naked in broad daylight.
It was the most thrilling performance of my life.
Paul put fifty franc bills into the womens chests. Black pearl skin gripped Pauls lower leg.
Heh heh, its not the heart thats shaking, isnt it?
Wah ha ha ha! Ho ho ho ho!
Roaring laughter and gossiping laughter spread across the beach.
Is it fun to play like that?
Simon D, tired of playing with eating ants, murmured. At first, we got along together, but the problem is power. No matter how lightly I hit it, the thin plastic ball was torn. Simon D was forcibly sent off after hammocking three beach volleyballs.
Is it because you want to play with girls?
The pair asked the newspaper with their eyes closed.
I dont like weak people and women who smell bad. Playing with the beads of the old master is much more exciting.
Simon D said he had no heart. The rosary play refers to Master Daewoos trick of the chase. Bombing rocks that rip apart flesh and crush bones is absolutely a spec.
Lets go back to the Hermitage tomorrow.
Simon Ds face darkened. To be honest, the big master is good, but the hermitage is not interesting. When I wake up in the morning, I chant the flames, and I get scolded from time to time. Every day I cook, practice, meditate, eat and sleep. Except for the fun of eating wild boars and roe deer without knowing the big boss, its incredibly boring. I wonder if I would have waited eagerly for Saturday. Its because the owner doesnt go to school on Saturday.
How pleasant it is to follow the owner. Smash it hot and play hot. Its full of strange things, and interesting things keep happening. There is no chance of seeing a woman dancing naked in the hermitage. The Hermitage is a boring paradise and the world is a fun hell.
I can extend my vacation time even more~
The pair plucked the horses tail long.
Wakir, are you trying to make it hard work?
Simon D, who was quick-witted, asked.
Ill have to roll it around a bit to protect that house. If youre stupid, just apply miso.
Dino Palace flinched. Dino Palace understood the matchless words. The mechanism is unknown, but it seems to be reading thoughts rather than understanding words. Mussou and Simon D, who experienced the Ituri jungle, didnt even think it was strange.
Damn, did you hear me? Youre all over the good times. Dont show me the hell Ive been through. Heh heh!
He said he liked Simon D, who was shivering from boredom. Kiing- Dino Palace looked at the pair with pathetic eyes. There is another eye looking at the matchless. The eyes of the women who were playing the beach ball game often turned like crosshairs. No woman would not drool over the perfect body that the David statue would be colorless.
Hey bitches, swallow something that will make you salivate.
Bellman giggled.
Heh, did you wrap that yangbans dick in gold?
Its not like gold. Even if the five of you attack at once, there is no harm in doing it. I may die.
Oh my God!
I want to die right now.
The womens eyes twinkled.
Crazy bitches, you cant do anything to die.
Paul muttered. The word death is a direct word, not a rhetorical expression. I doubted if any woman would ever be able to withstand that monster.
Black Mamba was not very interested in womens eyes, but Dino Palaces eyes were salty. I remembered a nigga and caught it, but its impossible for him. He stroked his hair and poked his nose into the social pages of Le Monde that he was reading.
[Reporter Valisari, a reporter specializing in Canal Plis report, was arrested by the Military Police for disseminating false information related to Operation Fist of Justice Journalist Balisari has repeatedly argued for the existence of extraterrestrials, call names and cannibals, blasphemed Emperor Napoleon and claimed the human rights of the kidnappers, and continued to act inconsistently. The appraisal authorities requested a mental evaluation, and the reporter was diagnosed with delusional disorder grade 2. For this, the Military Police imposed a fine of 1,000 francs and freed the reporter Human rights group Fiardo issued a statement condemning the military for brutally killing even captive kidnappers Operation Fist of Justice has many questions. Authorities are blocking contact with the hostages and the media because the hostages have been diagnosed with trauma The mystery of the weapon system that killed 698 armed fanatics without harm has not been resolved The popular media outlets are betting big on an interview with Call name claimed by Balisari]
The pair covered their faces with newspapers and muttered.
I am no different from an ant that has fallen into the funnel of an ant ghost. The days that lead to murder and murder hold onto their hind legs and do not let go. If you are tired and tired, you will be bitten by an ant ghost and dragged to hell.
Sheesh, how does an ant ghost grab Waquils hind legs and bite him? If he bites Waquilles leg, hell break his tooth.
Simon D stabbed Dino Palace with his finger. Quinn- Quinn- Dino Palace pretended to be dead. Dino Palace, who was beaten once to become a rice cake while fighting with Simon D, became a pet dog at the level of a Chihuahua.
Simon was bored. The owner only reads the newspaper, and the owners friends play with the women. Women didnt like them very much. Of course, he didnt like women very much. The women Paul brought did not smell as good as Miss Ethel or Miss Jinsoon.
Simon D smells the soul. They are slender, high-class call girls with good looks, but the smell of rotten souls is not to my liking.
Chapter 456 - Episode 8 We Hit The Jackpot!
Perfume is a liquid diluted with alcohol by combining fragrances extracted from plants and animals (petals, tallow, lanolin, beeswax, etc.) or minerals (petroleum, white wax, petrolatum, paraffin, tar, etc.). It may be a scent to humans with a dull sense of smell, but to Simon D, its just a stench. Simon D could not bear the stench emanating from the polluted soul and ran away when the low-quality perfume and body odor was added to it. If you draw lines on a pumpkin, does it make a watermelon? Simon D spat out outdated jokes he had heard in Korea.
Dude, pumpkins have their own uses too. The pair were crushed. Pumpkins contribution to the human world cannot be compared to watermelon. Nevertheless, it is denigrated for being ugly and tasteless. This is an example of human subjective emotions obscuring the essence. It means that Simon D, who feels the essence of the soul, has already adapted to human prejudice. Humans are social animals. Even if the content, aroma, color, and smell of souls are different, they camouflage each other similarly to coexist and coexist. Cunning humans made soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes to get rid of the stench of scum in bags. As society develops, humans lose their innocence at the beginning, which crowed in the wilderness, and depend on shallow knowledge. Human beings whose souls have deteriorated have deteriorated their mental abilities, and they are unable to smell the scent of their souls. Only beings who have undergone special training or are innate, such as Musou or Simon D, can smell the soul. The soul exists in the form of a pure spirit surrounded by a white shell. The soul is the fundamental spirit that constitutes the universe, and it is neither created nor destroyed. When souls are combined, they become great spirits, and when they are scattered, they become low spirits, so the numbers seem to change.
This is the same principle as the birth and disappearance of stars in the material universe. The essence of white is the earth, and it is made from memories acquired while humans are alive. Memory is the trajectory of a persons life. This means that the bag is easily contaminated. When a person dies, the soul returns to the original universe. Baek returns to dust with his body. So, when performing ancestral rites, incense is burned to summon the spirits of the universe, and alcohol is poured on the ground to summon bags. Because the soul of an ancestor without a hundred does not recognize the descendants. This is the relationship between the CPU and the memory device. Ears are the traces of contaminated bags moving around without being scattered. The left-handed shaman, sorcerer, and psychic borrow the energy of their ears to exercise their mental abilities. Udobangin Beopsa borrows the energy of the original spirit that exists in heaven and earth. As the number of humans increased, the spirit of the universe became more differentiated and inferior. A low-level spirit creates a low-level bag. This is the reason why more and more humans are throwing away the human condition and using the bridle of beasts as the population increases. Stupid Paul, itd be nice if you brought a girl who smelled good like Miss Ethel. Dont chew Paul too much. The woman was brought here to entertain us. The matchless defended Paul. The best way for a soldier to relieve stress is with a woman and vacation. Paul has found a reasonable way to do it, and he is showing the sincerity of showing a slapstick that he doesnt normally do. He has no eyes and no nose. What do you do if you bring a stinky woman in a pile? Ants have a sour taste, but they cannot eat that.
Simon D skimmed over the large black ants, a specialty of Djibouti, that climbed on his bare legs, poured them into his mouth, and chewed them. The exoskeletons bursting texture and the pungent formic acid are strangely addictive. Heh, dont look down on the ants. Can you tell me the story of ants and humans playing seesaw? Ants played seesaw with humans. Theres no chin to be funny because I dont have a chin. Each of the ants invited her comrades to play with them. All 5 billion humans have been summoned, but the ant procession is endless. When I got on about 1% of the ants living on Earth, the seesaw started leaning towards the ants. If you collect all the ants that exist on Earth, it is said that they are about 100 times heavier than humans. If you do the reverse calculation, the number of ants will be huge. This is the story biologists use when they claim that the earth is owned by ants.
When the naive Simon D was told to do the reverse calculation, he worked hard to do the reverse calculation. An animals weight is approximately the cube of its length. If a human is 180 cm tall and an ant is 1 cm long, 180 cubes are 5,832,000. The weight of 6 million ants is comparable to that of a human. If there are 5 billion humans, there are 30,000,000,000,000 ants. Hey, thats a lot. My eyes fluttered at the procession of Young. The scorching sun and the haze of the heated sandy beach evoked dj vu. From the moment he took the Dragunov in his hand, fate was caught in an uncontrollable torrent. It flows without measures, like when it is sucked into the underworld. Life and death are here, and the young soul cannot escape from delusion. Whats the use of shouting out loud when the leaves fall and flutter in the autumn wind? That this body is also a single leaf.The matchless lamented. The view of late autumn from this floor of the Jeoksan House passed before my eyes. The red maple leaves floating in Hiraniwa Pond were replaced by the corpses of Dambala covered in blood. Black, are you mad about having fun with us? Dont be trembling in the grass and come cool down in the sea.
After the beach ball game, the bellman poked his dripping face. When the Black Mamba bury one of her warriors in the Sahel, she banged on her barrel and sang a funeral tune. The face you see now is the face you had back then. I thought of my colleagues who had gone before for a while. Boomer must have brought his fishing gear. Chatre is drooling while giving a lecture on the hegemony of international relations tied to oil. I miss Trouble Maker Mike too. Everyone worked hard, so they must be doing well in hell. Even Emil and Jang-Chung, who have their eyes wide open, cant come, so what do you do if you blame them. Well, thats right. Im worried about these two guys. It should be fine. Zhang is working hard, but Emile is wrong. Shes still there after you put the Galvo bitch you cheated on. How many days will this cafe girl be covered? Bellman was fed up. Her friends also joined hands with Emiles female side. Its a living stigma, what should I do? The Ombuds are preparing for their retirement, so leave it alone.
Black Mamba also gave up. Humans with lonely souls try to fill in the empty corners with anything. Its not a habit that can be fixed just because other people say it. If you look at it that way, its true that the lucky guy is the best. If you look at him, the saying that heaven helps those who help themselves is considered nonsense. Thanks to the small bond of being Blacks partner, even if I live a life of debauchery, a good old age is guaranteed. Heh heh, la caque chung tuzh le ah-hung! The matchless smiled and brought out an old French proverb. Emile is a good-natured guy. For her friend, shes willing to shoot. Its good to have at least one ignorant person like Emil in a world full of clever humans. Se the ma hun. (It was really fun.) Ze-nee-pa-v-le-yap-passe. (I didnt know the time was passing. Two women who had received a 50-franc bill entered the shade of a palm tree. Bellman is walking on the beach surrounded by three girls. She turned her head as Dino Palace raised her head and glanced at the women. Huh, I must be smart! Black Mamba laughed. It divides objects into three categories. It has to do with the strong, the weak, and the master. Weak things dont even pay attention. Pretty, did you not stand up and follow the bird? Heh, I have diamonds, so maybe my eyes will turn to stones. The woman with skin black as coal frowned as she chewed on her matchless body. A stupid thing, an unreachable diamond is worse than a stone. heh heh. Paul giggled and rubbed the womans chest.
Ugh! As the woman let out a snort, Simon D fell far away. The smell of rot was stronger when humans said pretentious actions or words. Mussou lost interest and turned to the newspaper he was reading.
Friend, youre not even a Monk, and youre living your life without much fun at your peak age. Being young, capable, and having money, what is that? Are you still a virgin? Not sympathy. The matchless roared. You are very tired. Why not spend a few months on vacation here enjoying the sun? Thanks to you, Im joking too. Here, black women and white women can ride as they please. Paul didnt let his friend down. A friend who never dries blood on his hands. 698 corpses were officially identified in Ituri. The actual guerrilla death toll will be higher. Friends are not psychopaths. He is a more compassionate person than anyone else. Even if the body endures, the mind takes damage. Wasnt he also baptized in battle in the Sahel? Africa stinks too much. She hates deserts and she hates jungles. Humans hate it more. It is not a stress that will go away just by holding a woman. I have to sell it. The pair shook their heads. The extrasensory, which Paul is envious of, has serious side effects. His sharp eyesight clearly sees the Demodex worms stuck in a womans pores, his sense of smell smells like a womans mens blood that was finished three days ago, and his ears listen to a vulgar conversation that chews on a man.
The desire to hold a woman runs away for thousands of miles. When the heart is moved and the body responds, it is not necessary to embrace a woman or not. Can Paul know his unspeakable pain? Of course I dont know. Isnt it good to earn? By now, Bonifas must have a cramp in his head from tapping the calculator. Heh, the calculations are going to be a little complicated. The pair laughed out loud. There is no better pay than this. The 1.5 million francs from the DGSE and the two million francs for the Ministry of National Defense are pennies. The jackpot is Arevasas bounty. He received 8 million francs as a start-up for the duke, and 36 million francs for an additional balance and success remuneration. Thats 47.5 million francs. Global companies were also huge. Counting some scrap metal, a computer chip, and the corpse of a mechanic Honter would hurt your head. There really was money pouring in. Surfund became the owner of the swimming pool (an alias for the general directors office on the 8th floor of the DGSE main building) because of you, so you should solve it generously. As soon as they occupy the pool, they seem to suffer quite a bit.
He handed Paul the newspaper he was reading.
whats this? Sweetheart, you go somewhere else to play. Paul slapped Black Pearls ass. These are women who dont know anything, but its not good to hear them talk. The bright-eyed women rolled their eyes slightly and walked away. A bitch with a horn on her ass got into an accident. I meant to get rid of it in this room. Paul sharpened his teeth. If you kill a reporter because its annoying, the reporters in the world will dry up. Anyway, this woman cant die on her expulsion for making fun of her mouth. The fault is Minister Germain, blind to resonance, and Director Kabae, blind in jealousy. It is. Who knew that a person in that position would make such a foolish decision. If I stayed still, I would be able to enjoy my old age with a generous pension! Paul sighed. The DGSE Operations Departments dukes are notorious for their roughness. They are not humans to look at from afar, who uncovered the identity of the Black Mamba. Maybe Kava too will have an accident sooner or later. No, the Black Mamba may not let it go
When you get drunk with power, you fall into the illusion that everything will go your way. Pauls lament is the name of guardianship. There are many people who do stupid things that even Korean government officials do not understand and spend the last years of his life. Huiyu, Canal Pli and France-Soir (the largest evening newspaper in France) bet 10 million francs for an interview. How much are ten million francs? If it were me, I would throw off my kefine and run. But you wont be calling me. People have to look good. tup! Hahaha, nothing. The pair snorted. Even if you give me 100 million francs instead of 10 million francs, I am not in a position to reveal my identity. The interview also violates the obligation to pledge confidentiality. The generous allowance includes a secrecy fee. Money is enough. The 300 million francs for Operation Luman are being sucked into the construction of Novatopia, but there is enough money. If it is not enough, 10 billion won can be made quickly by robbing a few houses of Korean lawmakers. what! This is Liberation. How did you get this? Paul asked, holding a six-page tabloid version of the newspaper.
It was served by the hotel. okay? Paul tilted his head. Liberation is a left-wing newspaper. No, it is a far-left newspaper with anarchic tendencies. On one side and on the other side, there is an article claiming to reveal the existence of a psychopathic call name and the resignation of the president who concealed the truth, and on the third side, an editorial criticizing the governments hard response and accusing the soldiers who participated in the operation as rare butchers. One side was filled. Its amazing that an article like this isnt going to go out of print. How are you? Citizens and readers will decide for themselves. There are very few people who support this argument. Fun!
Chapter 457 - Episode 9 We Hit The Jackpot!
Mu Ssang laughed. France is definitely an interesting country. Balisari and Liberation criticized the government policies without fear of repercussions.
The criterion is national interest. The disclosure of the call name will have a significant impact on French foreign policy and the offshore dominance system. The sale of Liberation, on the other hand, has nothing to do with national interests. As a result, as long as it does not jeopardize national security, the government maintains a relaxed attitude by saying, you have a mouth, speak. In other words, the French media has unrestricted freedom of expression as long as it does not harm the national interest.
Is it possible to liberate Korea? Can Namyang newspaper sell an issue in which the editors post articles demanding the presidents resignation? It will be closed immediately, and the reporter in charge will be taken to the investigation room and forced to eat a bowl of jjamppong soup through his nose.
In addition, has the Korean media ever showed a grand attitude for the national interest? Unfortunately, it only showed a great interest in governments history. The distinction between France and Korea is the recognition of diversity, which means that neither the government nor the media is incorrect in stating that they are distinct. France is a country where diversity, paradoxically, acts as a social cohesion lever. (Authors Note: The diversity mentioned here does not correspond to the multiculturalism practiced by the Korean government.)
Black, If you dont want to spend your vacation in Djibouti, how about taking a cruise? It was deemed the best way to refresh by the royals of Aubagne.
Paul gently encouraged him. Despite its high cost, cruise travel is the best. Good friends, the best food, and visiting travel destinations all over the world are all enjoyable, furthermore the passengers can enjoy fishing on the deck at any time. Black is a person who, if he so desires, can catch a sailfish. As a result, Paul became obsessed with both long-term vacations and sashimi.
Im busy for the time being. I have things to do in my hometown and I have to repair Madame Emmas (chatres mother) house
Mu Ssang remits monthly living expenses to chatres elderly parents and Mrs. Julie (the widow of Sergeant Burimer). Even though the trust pension and foundation covered their living expenses, he planned to remodel their old house with the money he earned this time.
Silvie and Leah must have grown a lot.
Despite the fact that his plans had failed, a huge smile appeared around Pauls mouth. Black Mamba, the angel of life who cured Leahs thrombosis and autism when he was admitted to the Army Hospital and became exhausted as a result, was a life angel rather than a death angel. When he remembered Black Mamba, who was still sweating, his heart warmed.
Black Culture members, who have become rich thanks to Black Mamba, voluntarily remit their living expenses to the families of their deceased colleagues. To avoid forgetting their comrades. Although he himself gets a small amount of money every month, he sends Silvie and Leahs child support. The foreign mercenaries friendship was unbreakable. Moreover, the friendship of the Ratel team, who overcame dozens of death crises together, grew to be more than just brothers.
Since you have a lot of work to do, Ill take care of the remodeling. Of course, the cost must be borne by you. Chatre was a great friend, but she chose the wrong job. Intelligentsia doesnt suit the military uniform.
Chatre was a mentor who died as a result of my lack of experience. Her lonely, painful death keeps breaking my heart. Burimer, too, would not have died if I had been a little calmer.
Mu Ssangs gaze was drawn to the horizon. When he thinks of his deceased colleagues and their families, the last image of his father holding his hands makes him cry.
Black, you always did your best. Thanks to you, we are living and enjoying the sun and the sea. The tomb of a soldier is the heart of a comrade. They didnt die unless we forgot.
Thank you for comforting me. This time, me and Ssamdi killed more than 700 Damballah. I went insane when I saw the pygmy remains in the cauldron in Kidamba village. Those people should not be forgiven for their actions. I was afraid that if I kept them alive, it would be a disaster. As a result, I killed them without considering that those people could be someones son, father, or husband. I was only thinking about the Pygmies at the time. They should never again be subjected to such a heinous tragedy. Is it a double standard?
Mu Ssangs voice rose as he spoke. The image of Damballahs giggling around the pot that was boiling Pygmys children, as well as their parents gloomy cries, lingered in his mind.
Damballah slaughtered and ate the majority of the Pygmies in Kidamba Village. Near their restaurant, there were over 100 pygmy skeletons. They deserve to die. However, I am concerned about the Pygmys access to firearms. I am concerned that their own community will deteriorate or be demolished. There is a risk that the Pygmy identity, which has been preserved for a long time, will be lost.
You think so?
Mu Ssang had a different opinion. For thousands of years, the Ephe and Mbuti, also known as the Pygmy, have lived in isolation in the Ituri forests. They do not have leaders such as chiefs or elders, as do other African tribes. It is a co-production and co-distribution society in which men and women are treated equally. It could be likened to an ant colony. Without leaders, communities are extremely vulnerable to external attacks.
The Pygmy peoples homes have already begun to be violated by outsiders. The village of Kidamba, where I visited, 230 out of 300 villagers were killed and eaten. The Ituri jungle can no longer maintain an independent niche. I dont know how firearms will change Pigmy society, nor does Paul. The wind shakes branches even if the tree wants to stay still. The Pygmy have already been swept away by the wave of change. I didnt want to be involved in their lives, and I dont have the right to do so. However, they were only sad about the terrible reality where their children were cooked and being eaten without any anger. Therefore, I gave them guns because I thought of shaking up the stagnant consciousness and turning it into a human who knows how to be angry. Certain people with firearms can wield power that would result in the collapse of the community, but at the same time, they could unite and use it to fight outside invasions. They could also bury it in the ground and keep using their bows and spears. It is their choice. Anyhow, after thinking about it now, I regret doing something presumptuous.
Mu Ssang babbled as if it was monologues. It is always the case. Human brain scientists say that perception and managing the emotions associated with that perception are different. For example, there is a kettle with boiling water. The brain clearly recognizes that the kettle boils. However, it does not recognize that it is hot. When perceptions and emotions are separated, they cause accidents.
You are a one-of-a-kind being. You are a soldier, but you are not at all like a soldier. Did you decide to put down the gun and just hold the chalk? The Human sociologist will soon be led by Black Mamba.
I lost my mother because I was a weak child. Because of my lack of power, I was imprisoned and forced to live as a slave. I desperately desired power, and I received the unknown power. God, who created fire, does not instruct humans on how to use it. Humans must decide whether to cook food over fire or to burn other humans to death. Whatever the Pygmy do with firearms, it is their choice, and the outcome of that choice is theirs. You can blame my erratic behavior on me. Fickleness is a human characteristic. Haha!
Mu Ssang smiled bitterly. The Ituri jungle is no longer an unknown land, and thus it can no longer protect the Pygmies. The Pygmies are powerful in the forest, but they are only predators to humans outside of the forest. Sooner or later, the superstitions, madness, and ignorance of the outside world will swallow them. He just hopes that the gun he provided to them will be a catalyst that triggers positive change.
Right. With only bows and spears, the Pygmy cannot defend themselves against intruders. It is very likely that they will be murdered, dispersed, and absorbed by other races. Some may be able to survive by mingling with other races. Anyway, great job Black. Do you want me to send them RPG? In the Regiments weapon, there is a pile of unused weapons.
Paul turned the heavy subject into a joke.
I dont know either.
Mu Ssang ended the conversation soullessly. The orthodoxy and the Kurds had a fierce desire to survive. So he actively helped them escape. But his action of paying Kidamba and Olongge firearms was certainly an impulsive decision. He was angry at their passive and lethargic appearance. It is too unfair if humans, not animals, have to walk on the path of extinction because they are weak and pure.
The Pygmys fate is likely to be similar to that of the Neanderthals. There are numerous hypotheses regarding the extinction of Neanderthals, but all of them are intertwined with survival of the fittest.
According to biological estimates, Neanderthals were pushed back in survival games against modern humans. Their niches were reduced. As time goes by, the reduction of niches has been accelerated.
Neanderthal genes have been incorporated into a huge pool of modern human genes. The pygmy genes are also likely to fall into a huge sea of genes and melt without a trace. Its not something to be sad about, its nothing to be sad about. Differentiation and fusion of living things are the fate of species. Modern humans have become such a single genus, a single species.
Despite the fact that approximately 20 Damballah fled the Holocaust, the Ituri and Eflu rivers surrounding Cadanka are 120 meters wide at their narrowest point. As a result, they face a challenge in surviving and escaping the swamp of crocodiles, poisonous insects, and vipers.
Why did he track them down and kill them? This is because humans themselves do not have the justification to be respected. Humans are differentiated from other animals when meaning is given, whether objective or subjective.
He didnt want to blame the Damballah for being cruel and barbaric because that was their nature. However, when malicious intentions collide, the strong side emerges victorious. It is an unbreakable rule that has existed in the world of living things for hundreds of millions of years. He would have ended up as organic matter to feed the jungle if he had been weak. He was enjoying the hot sun in Djibouti because he was strong.
His father died because he was too weak to withstand the toxicity of Parathions poison, and his mother went missing because she was too weak to withstand the environment. The strong survive in this world, while the weak disappear. Guns are the tests given to the Pygmy.
There is a time for the dead and a time for the living. Anyway, Ive had enough rest, so Ill return to the living world.
Mu Ssang sighed. There are too many people to take care of than to cling to the memories of the dead.
Black, whats that metal box?
Paul pointed to a box containing Ocelot. Ssamdi was carrying that milky-white metal box around the entire time, refusing to store it in the unit warehouse and refusing to leave it at the hotel.
Its Pandoras Box. Dont pay attention to it. Sometimes ignorance is medicine.
Mu Ssang shook his hands. Monsters have to play with monsters.
Whoa, its so hot. The eggs will be cooked.
Bellman finished his walk and looked for the shade of the palm. Paul missed the opportunity to solve his curiosity.
What about the girls?
Theyre having fun.
Bellman pointed toward the sea with. I could hear them giggling on the beach, while they were playing beachball.
Captain, send them back. Your plan didn`t work.
Oh, my. I really wanted to relieve black this time. I spent a lot of money picking out useful things for the vacation. What is this?
Paul moaned. He brought in five A-class call girls to help his troubled friends mental fatigue, but Black didnt look at them for the last three days.
Its the bad luck of a smart person who met a bad owner. What can I do? Black is like eunuch. God is fair. He didnt give him everything. Hup!
Bellman, who was grinning, poked his face into the sand like an Olympic swimmer jumping into the lane. Paeng- bin beer cans passed through the space where his head was. Puck- The beer can disappear into the sand, leaving a small hole. Bellmans face turned yellow. I almost peed.
Hey, I almost died.
Bellman stared at Ssamdi.
Being hit by an empty beer can will not kill you, Bellman. If Wakir spoils you, your friend Ssamdi will scold you.
Uh~ Id rather die than suffer. Dude, no matter how light it is if I got hit with it, Id be dead. Even the Pygmy knows that energy is proportional to weight and squared to speed.
Its Bellmans fault. The reason Ssamdi got angry is because Black isnt eunuch, he is gay.
Paul trembled with emotion. As a result, the 5,000 francs he spent on the five women were a waste of money.
Oh. Do you want to do that when you are older?
Mu ssang looked at Paul with pathetic eyes. Krung- A heavy howling rang in the beach. Dinofelis, who was lying down, jumped up and stared at Paul.
Gasp!
Paul, who was taken aback, quickly stepped down. He wasnt sure when Dinofelis was lying down like a dog, but his size was no joke. Pauls back was drenched in cold sweat.
Chapter 458 - Episode 10 We Hit The Jackpot!
Krrrr
Dinofelis lowered its posture and began glaring intimidatingly. Its yellow eyes were like burning coals. It was displaying the typical signs of a predator about to attack its prey.
Hey, you punk. Behave yourself, hear me?
Smack!
A palm resembling a large steel plate smacked the creatures head.
One could act spoiled to its master, but doing that to the packs leader would only result in a severe ass-kicking.
Whimpering sounds were heard. Dinofelis tucked in its sharp canine teeth and began behaving itself straightaway.
It had recognized Mu Ssang as its master and parent. He did save its life, and used the gongjinpa (resonance wave) to cleanse its meridians and marrows for it to be reborn, after all.
As for Samdi, he was recognized as the pack leader in some way. It was all thanks to the severe beating Dinofelis received after trying to be aggressive with him.
Whoa, that surprised me! Hey, this thing, its that monster, right? But those kukri-like fangs are gone. Paul said, tilting his head.
When the creature was being loaded into the Hercules, even the mercenaries renowned for their toughness were visibly taken aback, shell-shocked.
Those fangs resembling kukri knives, amber-colored eyes gleaming with killing intent, muscles that rippled like flowing water, front legs that were even thicker than human thighs were connected to large, heavy-looking front paws
Just by looking at this creature, youd be overwhelmed by the strong stench of blood. Yet it has transformed so much in the last few days.
But it hasnt changed all that much from where I stand, though Sure, its a little bit different from how it was previously, but not too stark of a difference, I suppose. Well, its just a leopard, right? Like, an Ituri leopard.
Mu Ssang said something totally absurd. If a Dinofelis was a mere Ituri leopard, then a Siberian tiger must be a little house cat.
Unexpectedly, he ended up taking this Dinofelis under his wing. But that was just his nature. Before he realized it, Mu Ssang had rescued it as it was desperately fighting a terror-bird to death, effectively turning it into his pet in the process. But he did not have any specific reason for doing so, other than the fact that the creature reminded him of Blackie.
But now that he had it loaded onto the transport plane, the fellow mercenaries were reacting strangely. Mu Ssang began blaming his own inattentiveness for this. Dinofelis was a breed that evolved from the most fearsome ancient predators, Saber-toothed tigers.
This creature might be a pet to him, but to regular people, it was an even more terrifying predator than a Siberian tiger. On top of that, things could get rather complicated if the creatures existence was revealed to the scientific world.
If its outer appearance was the problem, then well, there was a simple enough solution plastic surgery. Mu Ssang was definitely not a surgeon, but he had Vajra with him.
Mid-flight, he proceeded to file down Dinofeliss fangs with Vajra. He delicately handled the teeth jutting outside its maw and filed them down to fangs resembling a Siberian tigers. In the end, the length of the fangs went down from 250mm to 70mm. Thankfully, the fangs enamel layers were unexpectedly thick, meaning he did not need to worry about nerve fibers and blood vessels.
After finishing up the fang-cutting task, Mu Ssang began injecting the gongjinpa (resonance wave) into the creature. If he was to give this process a name, it would probably be something like a fake version of meridian cleansing.
The resonance wave began to roughly vibrate Dinofeliss body on the molecular level. Soon afterwards, the creatures appearance began transforming. This change was so prominent, it was visible to the naked eye.
Its fur, as hard and sharp as needles, fell out and was replaced by new fur that was even softer than the finest silk. Its head transformed into a shape that seemed like a mix between a Caucasian Ovcharka and a Siberian tiger, while its body now resembled that of a leopard.
And now, four days later Hints of the original Dinofelis exterior were almost gone.
Even its aura had transformed after experiencing a total physical transformation and cleansing of its marrows and meridians. The killing intent it originally emitted had become subdued, matching that of a tiger instead. Overall, the feeling he gave off was like a mix between a jaguar and the aforementioned Caucasian Ovcharka.
Humanity has lived together with canine breeds for tens of thousands of years, evolving and improving the breed into all sorts of variants. No one would outright call you a liar even if you insisted that this creature was an Ovcharka mixed breed. Of course, it was hard to believe that there was an Ovcharka weighing over 200 kilograms in the wild, but still.
Give me a freaking break! It was already bad enough dealing with a nagging mother-in-law but now a damn animal has shown up to scare the crap out of me too. Man, looks like I cant joke around with my pals because of these two.
Paul alternated his dumbfounded gaze between Samdi and Dinofelis.
Dinofelis had already transformed into a toy by now, as if its previous bone-chilling aura was all a lie. Samdi was busy poking his finger in the animals ribcage, pulling at the ears and even trying to rip the legs off all in the name of testing Dinofeliss endurance level.
The poor thing was whimpering like a helpless puppy. Its eyes that were previously gleaming with killing intent were now welling up with tears.
I cant believe this. Is this really the same monster as before? The one busy shooting scary glares my way?
Paul slowly shook his head.
Some said that birds of a feather flock together sure enough, monsters were flocking around a monster. Paul got a nasty surprise when a black man with a physique that could rival the mythical Hercules showed up back then. But now, a 4 meter-long monster strong enough to steam-roll a Siberian tiger had joined them too.
At this rate, it would not be strange to see a Mesozoic-era dinosaur joining their ranks too.
H-hey, Black Mamba? What is the name of No wait, just what on earth is that thing?
Its a Dinofelis, belonging to the species of the ancient predator, Smilodon.
Smilodon? No bloody wonder!
Paul nodded in understanding. He didnt know what a Dinofelis was, but did recognize the term Smilodon. As he thought, his eyes were not playing tricks on him.
Now that you mention it, I havent named this guy yet. A name, is it ~ Mu Ssang mulled over his options carefully.
A name was very important. Back in the underworld, he perceived Adras as a panther, causing Blackie to turn into a black panther. The reason why it has not shown itself above ground for over a year might have something to do with its outer appearance. Well, it certainly could not roam the surface world, dominated by humanity, looking like a massive black panther after all.
It was truly unfortunate, but Mu Ssang was not quite the diligent type to give his all in coming up with a suitable name. Eiii, I dont care anymore. You will be Dino from now on. Dino!
Paul and Bellman stared at each other. Their dazed expression showed how dumbfounded they were at that moment.
Should I say how befitting of you, master? Samdi muttered that out loud, but then again, he was the mayor of Simpleton Village, so there was that.
But Dino reacted differently from the popular consensus, and stood right up after acquiring its new name.
Roar~ KROAR~!
Its explosive howling caused the land to rumble.
Oh my god!
Aaaahk?! What was that?!
Girls playing by themselves down at the beach screamed in shock. It was only natural for anyone to get shocked by such a loud roar.
Let me take them home first. Paul said before going down to the beach himself.
As if it was trying to show off, Dino began strutting haughtily around the campground before stopping and standing tall right next to Mu Ssang. Its eyes overflowing with pride were now locked squarely on Samdi.
Huh? Would you look at this punk! Samdi began tutting unhappily.
A mere animal dared to glare at him with such uncouth eyes! But still, he could easily figure out Dinos current state of mind now. He has also experienced an awakening akin to the heavens opening up when he earned his surname and name, after all. His old life with no past, no future, no meaning and no will flashed by like a lightning strike and transformed into a brand new world back then.
The difference between merely living on and living a meaningful life was like comparing two different realms. And Dino had been reborn the moment its master gave it a new name.
But now, it seemed like the little kitten was getting a bit too full of itself and forgot whats what for a moment, even if there was no denying how preternaturally smart said kitten was.
Hey, Dino? Why dont we have a little chat later tonight? See, the thing is, beating up a cat at night is a lot of fun, you know. Hehehe!
Dinos tail gradually tucked between its hind legs. A wall of killing intent that it could not control overwhelmed the poor creature.
Urgh, I stepped on poo, didnt I!
That Was the first impression Dino got after its mind had evolved.
*
The sun was dipping into the western horizon. Damp, refreshing wind blew in from the Gulf of Aden. They were the trade winds.
Mu Ssang recalled the contents of a geography textbook from his childhood that explained how northeastern winds blew north of the Equator due to the Coriolis Effect.
This head of his seemed to be too capable of storing sundry information that would have been fine to forget by now.
Look here, friend. What is your reason for avoiding women like this? Hang on, you cant be believing in the urban legend of some women having teeth down there, do you? Besides, what are you going to do about Edel? Paul asked in a serious voice.
Black Mamba was still in his mid-twenties. In other words, he was in the prime of his life. He was not gay nor was he an eunuch indeed, he was a perfectly normal man who enjoyed watching porn and magazines like Pen*house or Play*oy in his spare time.
All women, regardless of their age, could not take their eyes off Black Mamba once they ran into him. A clean face with not a speck of blemish, a well-proportioned physique that would have put most Renaissance-era statues to shame, gently flowing curly hair, and his charming eyes
A hundred times out of hundred, women would fall head over heels in front of such a specimen that boasted an incomparable genetic superiority. Just a glance from Black Mamba alone would be enough for numerous women to entrust the girdle of their skirts to him.
According to Zhang Shin and Emils testimonies, Black Mamba also had no contact with women back when he was assigned to Corsica. Apparently, the greatest unsolved mystery within the Deuxieme Rep was which way Black Mambas taste lay.
Unsurprisingly, he had not even embraced the incarnation-of-angel-itself Edel yet. No way would he be sated with some common call girls in this case.
No reason. Its just that I have a woman I love.
Paul and Bellmans jaws dropped at that simple, straightforward reply. A dude claiming to love someone yet not mentioning anything about them in the last four years? This woman he was talking about could not have been Rudrey Edel, thats for sure.
Its not Miss Edel, right? Bellman asked that.
Mu Ssang simply nodded in silence. He was no longer sure whether they were in love or not, but since they had not parted ways yet, their relationship was obviously not over.
Could it be that woman you were calling out to on that first day of wiping out the FROLINAT company?
Correct.
But you havent seen her since then, right?
I havent called her either.
You dumbass!
Paul and Bellman cried out in unison.
Majority of men will fool around even if their wives were scrutinising them! Yet, are you seriously telling us that youre keeping your distance from Edel just because of some girl you said goodbye to four years ago?!
The voices of Paul and Bellman grew louder.
As much as women insist on their chastity, men also must protect theirs. Men and women are equals after all. Mu Ssang replied.
Im telling you, youre like a character that jumped out of some Shakespearean comedy. Paul promptly gave up trying to convince Black Mamba.
This guy was saying he would remain pure as he also wished for his woman to remain pure. Although he was probably saying the proper thing here, would the world really operate in the right way like that?
You would not find another man spewing the same silly things as this guy. Indeed, Black Mamba had to be a new breed of men altogether. In this moment, it seemed like humanitys genealogy tree, which claimed to be a single species all along, was about to be rewritten.
Black. I think I figured out why you havent returned to Novatopia and are wasting your time like this. You are scared of seeing Miss Edel again. To put it another way, you like her. The reason why youre obsessed about some woman from the past is your desire to prove how moral and upstanding you are.
To put it bluntly, youre caught up in the business of ethics and morality. To phrase it simply, its like a superior moral syndrome where you want to hold the moral high ground in the relationship with that woman. Bellman proceeded to criticize Mu Ssang with a sharp tone of voice.
You might be right
Mu Ssangs expression darkened.
His feelings that used to be so intense had become as flimsy as a piece of paper before he had a chance to notice it. Maybe it was as Bellman said. Not being able to let Hae Young go might be some kind of a psychological mechanism to reward himself, to satisfy his own selfish wants.
Friend, you are a soldier. A soldier needs to be straightforward and simple-minded. That latter bit about being simple-minded could mean ignorance, but it could also mean that you shouldnt overthink things.
You have this tendency of running at full tilt without care during battles, but become way too sentimental after the fighting is over. Dont forget that were soldiers. Dont try to forcibly lump some meaning to your actions when youre supposed to be an ignorant idiot. The military as a group sticks closest to the ideas of utilitarianism, know what I mean?
Utilitarianism, is it? You might be right. Indeed, a soldier needs to be vicious so that he can protect the country and its people. But who would compensate for my life filled with bloodshed? People Ive killed number in the thousands. At this rate, Ill soon reach ten thousand.
No one in the history of mankind would have reached that grim milestone. Whether they are warriors, assassins or snipers, no one has killed over a thousand people. But then again, I chose this fate so no one else is to blame. I should take responsibility for my actions.
What on earth are you talking about! When you die, youll definitely be sent to heaven. Valhalla is known to invite the souls of warriors who have fallen in battle. Those who lived a good life only to die in bed will go straight to Niflheim.
Ive already received the invitation to Valhalla, you see. Friend, you should kill many, love as much as you want, and sire as many children as you can. Im getting excited from imagining what kind of offspring will pop out from your and Edels superior genes. Kekeke! Paul began cackling.
Im sure itll work out somehow. I havent lived long, but at least Ive figured out that time is the best solution for everything.
Friend, you certainly have killed many, but you also have saved just as many too. In such a case, you may never receive Odins invitation.
Sounds like I need to cozy up to Odin, then. If I want to go to heaven after wrecking some sh*t, being a pirate might be the best option I have. Should I become Drake of Aden Bay? Hahaha! Mu Ssang also burst into a fit of chuckles.
This was why having friends was great. While they were chatting and joking around, the stuffy feeling was blown away by the oceans breezes.
Paul shook his head. Even as a joke, you shouldnt say that. If you really become Aden Bays pirate, the Middle Easts oil exports will be finished for good. Even before Allah personally kicks your butt, Uncle Sam will rain down a barrage of missiles on you first, know what I mean? Hahaha!
Paul muttered an unfunny joke and laughed alone.
The pirate, Black Mamba! That didnt sound so bad.
Currently, Novatopia was fully occupied with receiving the Kurdish people from Southwestern Asia, as well as Eritreas Tigrinya people.
Tigrinya made up almost 50% of Eritreas population, and most of them were Christians. For a very long time, Tigrinya was in conflict with the neighboring Muslims, and their darkest hour came with Mengistu Haile Mariam becoming the chairman of Ethiopias Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC) in 1977.
Mengistus socialist-military dictatorship designated Christianity as a social evil and mercilessly oppressed the Christians. Unable to endure his rule, the Tigrinya people had to ride on wooden boats that did not even have motors to flee from their own homeland.
But the Mediterranean was not a simple route that could be crossed with mere rickety wooden boats. Countless Eritreans, now maritime refugees, drowned in the thousands as a result.
Vall Afwerki, now settled in Novatopia, stepped forward. He rescued the children of Eritrea from forced labor, and after getting permission from Aklan crews Ombuti, he guided the Tigrinya refugees to Novatopia.
Dubaiburupa was the prophet and the leader of the Kurds, Syrias Orthodox Christians and Eritreans. If he made up his mind to do it, then conquering and taking over East Africa would not merely be a pipe dream. Of course, the odds of him doing something so unprofitable and fruitless like that would be zero.
Mu Ssang closely observed Novatopias transformation, but did not interfere with it. Ombuti, Hawk Orifice, Bopal Shernion and Vall Afwerki were a hundred times better than he was when it came to the development of the autonomous region and the maintenance of the system.
Black Mambas unchanging motto was Itll work out somehow and Sit back and enjoy the ride, after all.
Paul, is there a reason for a regiment of Legion Etranger to be stationed in Djibouti? From what I heard, France will pay for the operational expenses while the land lease fee will be paid directly to Djibouti. Is that correct?
Take a look at those ships.
Paul pointed at the ships floating in the distant ocean.
Chapter 459 - Episode 11 We Hit The Jackpot!
The pairs eyes turned towards the Bav el Mandev Strait. A boat smaller than the palm of your hand is dotted. Its because of them. 80% of oil injected into tanker tanks through pipelines comes from the super major ExxonMobil (XOM), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS), British Petroleum (BP), Chevron (CVX), ConocoPhillips (COP), It is owned by Total (TOT). No one fully understands the global wealth and power of the Super Major. Is the super-major influence stronger than the grain majors like Continental, Monsanto, or Cargill? Mussou was born in Korea, a corner of the Far East, and went from one battlefield to another. There was neither opportunity nor time to develop an international perspective. Paul opened his mouth to the sound of his teeth breaking while sucking on ice cream. Its the difference between a tiger and a cat. Even if you combine all the grain majors, it is still less than the total toe of the super majors youngest. Thanks to Total Company, France is shouting loudly as an oil-producing country, not an oil-producing country. There is a saying that, after the presidential election, the first place the elected person goes to say hello is La Dfense. When Total shakes, France shakes. The Bav el Mandev Strait is the leash of the Western world. Whether it is a human or a country, if the leash is strangled, it is the same as suffocating to death. They say that the purpose of the stationing is not to secure Djibouti, but to be a security guard at Total Companys oil warehouse. It is not wrong. As long as oil pours out of the Arabian desert, we must protect this place. The rewards from the Western world, including the United States of America, are also savory. The Soviet Union has long been encouraging Somalia and Yemen to take control of the oil channel in the Gulf of Eden. It looks peaceful, but this place is a thin ice sheet Everywhere humans live is a battlefield.The pair of eyes sank as deep as an abyss. Its the trigger of the tube. The brain skipped space and recognized the object directly. As if pulling a 12x zoom, a palm-sized vessel approached straight ahead. It looked small because of the distance, but the deck was much wider than a soccer field. There were hardly any facilities in the upper part of the ship. It is an oil tanker with a deck house (sailors residence) rising up at the stern and only the pipes at the fore-end are tangled like a mansusan kudzu. The dozen or so dotted ships all have a similar shape. Great. The height from the waterline to the deck alone will be over 30m. A pirate ship, at best, is not at the level of a tongtong ship with an engine attached to an electric horse or ferry. How do you hijack a tanker? The pirates weapons are RPGs, machine guns, and rifles. A wooden boat carrying five or six people overturns when the tanker makes waves. Even if its lame, armed pirates and civilians are on a different level. They use powerful engines on small ships and run at 50 knots per hour. After terrifying them by hitting an RPG at close range, three or four ships rush in and hook them up and get on the boat. If you look at the guys rushing to the slow tanker, there is no other group of killer whales attacking huge humpback whales. Is there a huge tanker in the RPG? A tanker is an oil carrier, not a battleship. To transport a lot of oil, it is necessary to reduce its own weight as much as possible. The tanker hull shell plate is an 18mm steel plate. The bulkhead steel plate is only 6mm. It can be pierced with just one RPG. The bulkhead structure is useless if you are hit repeatedly in the odd part. When it is dug, it sinks under its own weight. Marine pollution will be serious. Pirates are pirates because they dont follow the rules. If youre worried about sea pollution, you wont be piracy. Tankers are a fire pit for Somali pirates. If you kidnap only one ship, they will play and eat for years. Their eyes are turned and they rush to death. From a shipowners point of view, its a delight. right. A 300,000-ton tanker can load two million barrels. The price of oil -based on OPEC this year is $31 per barrel. One tanker was equivalent to carrying oil of 62 million francs, or 170 million francs of oil. The shipowner has no choice but to negotiate the ransom. Hes a dog that guards pretty expensive things. The bellman, who was just listening, scoffed. Heh, the CIAs messy craftsmanship also contributed to the Somali pirate rampage. Why did the pro-Soviet Barr regime abandon the friendly treaty with the Soviet Union and return to the pro-US? Why did the idols of Iid go on piracy? Do you have anything to say? Bellman paused for a moment at Pauls counterattack. He was also confident in the operative team that threatened the Barre regime with battleships and bribed them. I hated Paul who took the medicine knowingly. Huh, so youre saying that we should just let Africa turn red? Are you a thug and cheat? A dog is a hundred times better than a CIA scammer. The United States does not coerce. Somalia, waking up from a socialist fantasy, has voluntarily chosen democracy. Bellman, who was desperate for an answer, introduced the Americas Theory of Merciful Solicitation. I like it voluntarily. The subject of a gangster swindler who threatens with hard power and secretly uses soft power is nothing to say. I have nothing to say to be a con artist, but what is worse than an ignorant ex-DGSE butcher? Yankees steeped in thug supremacy! The king of simple ignorance frogs! Bellman and Pauls quarrel led to a childish personal attack. Bellman is a former CIA Middle East officer, and Paul is a former DGSE Operations Department strike force. The two often quarreled over the others job change. It is a male bravado and a way of fiercely sharing friendships. Are you both female? Why are you arguing over a good fist? Fight like a man with Krav Maga and Sabate. Or do you try to solve your grievances with Simon D as a substitute? The incumbent mercenary and the incumbent arms dealer glanced back at Simon D playing with Dino.
The scene where Simon D grabs Dinos tail and drags him by the tail caught my eye. To keep Dino from being dragged, he thrust his front paws into the sand and even his fangs, but to no avail. Four traces of the plow were left on the sand. Paul and Bellman made eye contact. Master or servant! each others eyes are tired To fight with such a reckless bastard, its the sound of death. The two kept their mouths shut.
Dar- Pauls emergency radio rang. The backpack-type AN/PRC 77 radio, deployed by the U.S. military in 1968, is used as a standard radio for the NATO military unit. Paul picked up the handset. what? C Above, Im Dode, the HQ Companys signal operator. A man named Aklan Crew Ombuti is looking for the Captain. OK! Why does the ombudsman seek me out? -I ask if you are currently in contact with the Special Military Advisor. Oh, I can use a satellite phone, what do you mean? I get it. Paul put down the handset and looked around. Hey Black, the ombudsman seems to have contacted me because it was frustrating. Did you boil your satellite phone and eat it? phone call? I dont have anyone to call. Why an ombudsman? The pair tilted their heads. I completely forgot about the satellite phones of the Samaria farm and Novatopia that were installed with the help of Bonifas. Forgetfulness is one of the unparalleled specialties. The pair took out the satellite phone that had been tucked away in her backpack. I dont know when, but the indicator is blinking. As the pair picked up the handset, Simon D quickly unfolded the antenna. -Cheek- Wow-Kill, Lead-Yes-da. win- Communication sensitivity is very low. Black Mamba suffered a brief confusion of neuron network access due to the predicate Come on instead of Allo!. The jigging band caused by the diffuse reflection of the ionosphere was even more confusing because of the noise. Are you kidding? Belatedly, I thought about the fact that only Seon Woo-hyeon could use the strong Hamgyeong-dos tone of Nepneda. It is a cognitive dissonance phenomenon that occurs after living abroad for a long time. -Yeah, this is Seonwoohyun. Chichichi~ I have something to report to Waquill. Chii~ I could barely understand the words. Mommy? The pair, who had been lying on the beach chair with a loose posture, abruptly got up. Samaria farms have suffered voodoo riots, and plant design professor Michel Mulsori, PhD, is building a large-scale spinning mill and pellet mill. It has been four months since Seon Woo-hyun contacted me through a satellite phone. -Cheehee~ Its oil. Oil? Is the oil tank on fire? The matchless roared. The farm has five large oil tanks. Dried cotton wood is used for heating and cooking, but oil is used to fuel various machinery, transportation equipment, and generators. C No. Cheeeee~ Oil has come out. Oil came from the dock near the Pende River. Chii~ He barely understood the stern Hamgyeong-do dialect mixed with the muffled noise. The pair was bewildered. It is incomprehensible to say that oil came out of nowhere. Petroleum is not groundwater that springs up from the ground. Talking with the ignorant Seon Woo-hyun is inconceivable. Change Dr. Mulsori. C Okay. The squeaky noise bothered my sensitive ears, but Musou couldnt block his hearing. Korea is a country where energy resources are scarce. There is no coal, let alone oil, gas, uranium. There is only a small amount of briquettes or non-industrial anthracites made. Every Korean has a grudge against oil and gas. Invincible, his heart raced. C Waqil, its a murmur. Its been a while, Dr. Mooulsori. What the hell are you talking about? Mussou omitted the formal greeting and asked at once. Thats how fast his heart was. -Top-Loss-Weep-Nee-Dah. Petroleum- blew-out-uh-oh. Communication is messed up. It sounded like something had exploded, but I couldnt understand it because of the chugging sound and the short circuit. The pair stared at the sun, which was slightly tilted to the west. The blazing sun is the culprit that caused trouble. In the morning, the 13th Regiment headquarters received a report that a strong sunspot explosion was causing communication problems. I wondered what the sunspot eruption had to do with it, 150 million kilometers away. Outside the atmosphere, the solar wind is creating a magnetic storm and the ultraviolet rays are pouring down like rain. Radios with low power and shortwave communications are greatly interfered with by magnetic storms. Satellite communication using the ionosphere will of course deteriorate. You have to be able to understand what to get a license. The pair got nervous. The subject is petroleum, and the predicate has exploded, but the subject and predicate did not match. Black, lets go to Lac Assal. It is only 42 km from here. You can see the lake just past the Great Rift Valley. Paul felt a strange look and hurried.
Professor, lets talk on the phone in an hour. Mussou arranged the satellite phone and got into the jeep without asking why. When Paul asks to go, there is a good reason. Lak Assal, the saltiest salt lake in the world, is on the tourist list anyway. The two jeeps ran fiercely on the crumbling black ground. A huge beast with black dots on a tan background ran at the speed of a jeep. Poor Dino gets kicked out of the jeep after being hit by Simon D. A dino with a stride of as much as 20 m followed the jeep running at a speed of 70 to 90 km/h with a leisurely pace. As the monster became Black Mambas nephew, it turned into a monster. As Paul had promised, it took less than an hour to see the sparkling white lake. It is a rock asal with a salinity of 35%. The lake water where the horizon was visible and the salt piled up on the lake shore all shone in white. wonderful! Salt bubbles are floating around. Bellman was crazy about the salty lake where bubbles floated. The black lava land and the white salt land formed a strange ensemble. In fact, Rock Assal is all there is to see in Djibouti. Hey, no, no, no. If its hot, Im tired of it. Simone shook his head. The Djibouti beach was cool with the wind, but the salt lake was suffocatingly hot. If it was the heat, I was exhausted in the Ituri Great Forest. added here. I was fed up with the heat of 46 reminiscent of a salt steam bath. Nowhere else on the shores of the lake is this hot except in Lac Asal.
whats this? Did you run short to see this? Simone grumbled. Rak Assal was nothing more than a useless lake in the middle of a useless wasteland. It is a lake that can neither drink nor swim, the sunlight reflected on the salt field makes my eyes ache, and the salt grains blown by the wind cause skin allergies. A chicken head that doesnt understand the great ensemble of nature! Bellman only grumbled inwardly. Black, try resuming satellite communications. I get it.
The pair pressed the shortcut button. The last call number is automatically connected. Professor, can you hear me? C It sounds better. The same goes for improving communication quality. He raised his thumb towards Paul. Paul chuckled. The cause of the Rock Assal area is unknown, but the communication quality is maintained even when the solar wind hits. What I learned during field training was put to good use this time. C I have good news and bad news, which one should I report first? Speak at once. C Factory construction was halted due to a surge in oil. Obviously there was oil. The pair vowed again. C Im sure. The location is R-28 area. The area that Waquille said last time is unknown terrain. The land where there were dozens of circles with a diameter of five to 10 meters, with no weeds, and the loose soil was exposed, right? -Yes. The land was abandoned because it was impossible to plant cotton. Oil spewed while excavating to build a spindle tower there. What kind of cake! The matchless screamed.
Chapter 460 - Episode 12 We Hit The Jackpot!
This is a real cake. It is said that if you do good deeds, you will make rice cakes while you sleep. I was just taking a nap on the beach in Djibouti, and a large rice cake fell. No, it rose from the ground. Did you even save the Earth in a previous life? -Its not rice cake, its oil French professor Muulsori did not understand the Korean metaphor. Oil is the bread. Its a very big cake. Please explain the circumstances before and after. Musou wanted to dance, but he struggled to calm his excitement. Weve had the fortune of finding oil fields without wildcats (test drilling, drilling and checking traps), but its too early to say a toast.
Petroleum was used only as lamp fuel until 1860, when Renoir invented the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. With the mass production of automobiles, the demand for oil also increased sharply. If you only find oil, you will become rich. Crazed by the tears of the black devil, humans wandered through deserts and jungles. Oil wells that have succeeded in Wild Cat but are not productive due to various reasons are called curse of luck. What if Yoo-jeong, who was found after reporting an affair, is a curse of luck? Numerous oil developers have actually gone crazy. Even if you search for an oil well, it is futile if the reserves and recovery rate, i.e., productivity, are not secured. -Spindle tower construction is in progress in area R-28. During underground excavation work, groundwater spurted from a depth of 15 m. Construction continued by building waterproof bulkheads and draining groundwater through pipes. When we dug 30 meters down, the workers complained that the groundwater was salty. Just in case, I tried drilling with a drill rig. What do you mean? -Oil is a liquid that flows between strata. You need a bowl to hold the liquid. A stratum vessel that holds oil is called a trap. The trap should be sedimentary rock with good permeability at the bottom and non-permeable strata at the top. In terms of geological structure, this trap is divided into sedimentary fold stratum, fault stratum, and irregular stratum. Not all traps are accompanied by a salt layer, but most salt layers are accompanied by a trap. This means that there is a high probability that the sedimentary structures and oil-bearing parent rocks are present in the brine formation. To put it bluntly, there is a 20% chance that there is an oil layer, and less than a 5% chance that there is an economical well, but if thats the case, the probability is very high. Arent millions of French people scratching the Mars lottery with odds in a million to win a million francs? Wow! Professor Muulsori burst out a cheerful laugh like a man. Even the explosion of sunspots could not stop the professors very excited feelings. The professor continued. Oil is a hydrocarbon. The most common form of hydrocarbons is bitumen. It is the bitumen that Mesopotamians made thousands of years ago for the mortar of the Tower of Babel, the Phoenicians used to fill gaps in battleships, the Egyptians used it as an antiseptic for mummies, and even earlier, Noah filled the gaps in the ark. Bituminous is a hydrocarbon product that rises to the surface through cracks in the sedimentary folds broken by fault action. Oil ponds are formed under Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. Since ancient times, the Chinese have searched for saltwater layers to mine oil. They called the well from which the oil came out Hwajeong and Seokchil for petroleum. It was used as an oil pipe by connecting hollowed-out bamboo. Some scholars even claim that the Dead Sea is the entrance to a huge oil field. Get rid of the stereotype that oil only exists thousands of meters underground. Huh, its surprising that oil can be so close to the surface. So. -Check the drilling nuclei under a microscope and solidify with certainty just in case. I kept digging. Oil exploded at a depth of 500 m. Usually, drilling more than 1,000 m is required to penetrate the sedimentary layer, but the stratum here is rather thin. The part the current drill has dug in the salt layer. The oil in the oil layer penetrates into the broken fault layer and seeps into the salt layer. (Authors note: see picture) Heh heh, salty oil~ Are you saying you didnt put a straw in the actual oil layer? -Hohoho, Madam is going out, and the maid cant stir up her bedroom as she pleases. Shes got to get the right rigs, and decide whether to do it publicly or covertly. She asked Jjoldagu to get the payment and found Waquil. What are the chances of commercial success? We cannot guarantee the number of reserves and the recovery rate. However, there is little chance of being cursed with fortune. Communication is not good and there is a lot of work to be done, so I will briefly explain. Four conditions are required for oil to form. These are the parent rock from which petroleum is made, the conditions under which it is transformed into hydrocarbons (temperature), the path that hydrocarbons travel to the surface (fault cracks), and fault traps that capture hydrocarbons before they escape to the surface. The trap is the de facto layer of oil. The top of the trap is a non-permeable shroud, and the bottom is a permeable reservoir. R-28 Oil and saltwater gushed up to 15 meters above the ground at the moment the beet was embedded in the salt layer. Saudi Arabias Gawar oilfield, the worlds largest single oil field, has never seen this level of pressure. The reserves and the size of the oil fields will have to be explored to know, but the mining conditions are top-notch. I am convinced of the first points (traps with a production success rate of more than 90%, 50% of the second points and 10% of the third points) from the engineers opinion. Thats good! How is the quality of the crude oil? You have to analyze the impurity content to know for sure. In my opinion, light oil is clear. My personal wish is that there is no wish for a West Texas level. If you are going to use it for petrochemicals, Arabian Nights is good. It is amazing that the plant experts are also versed in oil. The pair do not know oil. The windswept moon is everything Ive heard that the quality of oil varies from field to field, but I dont know how difficult it is to mine, and I dont know what light oil is, or how good West Texas oil is. I grabbed the professor who said he was busy and asked me about it, so I only blew lip service. C Ecole Polytechnique does not give his PhD for free. He knows a little more than the rest thanks to his minor in resource engineering. Waquille, thirsty, its time to party. Professor Muulsoris mocking form was pleasing to the eye. He did the right thing, so he was squeamish. Lets go to the party now. Leave the price in front of me and drink as much as you like. -Our romantic boss, thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Musou was choked up and could not speak. It was only after he hung up the phone that he realized that he had found the oil field. This is why talent is so important. If you are ignorant, even if good fortune comes, you will kick it with your feet. What would you do if it was Seon Woo-hyun? He would have pickled the kimchi cabbage in saltwater. Whether its a company or a country, people are everything. It is a blessing from heaven to have such a talented person as Dr. Mooulsori. no. It is the unparalleled blessing of accepting people according to their abilities and humanity without prejudice.Congratulations Black, no Tubaiburpa. look at it Because Ethel is a bum. Long live Ethel! Wow! He said that he would pick up money even if he was lazy, but it was true. He took over the country and became the owner of the ranch for free, and the oil was pouring out of the land. Long live Tubaiburpa! Paul and Bellman hurrahed. Black is a friend and boss. Blacks luck is his luck. Heh heh! Even the poker-faced pair fluttered as if lost. Eheradiya~ A hum came out of my mouth. There is nothing that Koreans have as close as oil. How badly the whole nation was hit by the oil shock. The government took the initiative and made briquettes by slicing the discarded coal barracks three times, and many commoners lost their jobs and became paralyzed because of the gas emitted by the poor quality briquettes. That misfortune is in the present tense. The same goes for pairless. The reason he went into the bar with a pickaxe was due to the second oil shock. He had his own land in Africa, and oil poured out of that land. land and oil! A wealth of economic wealth has come into our hands. Its unimaginable luck. It sounds funny, but it was better because the land where the oil was poured was Chad, not Korea. What will happen if oil spills from your own paddy field? In many cases, the government intervenes. If he was an ordinary person, he would withdraw after receiving some compensation, but that is a problem because he is not an ordinary person. The military power and giant chaebols rush in, and if you dont make concessions, youre bound to hear a burst of sound.
Lets go, lets start with a celebration party. Charter a Djibouti Palace Kempinski banquet and drink it all night long. Oil is pouring in, and money is the problem. Paul was excited. Ugh, you simple ignorant man! Bellman struck Paul in the back of the head. Black, countries that have experienced two oil shocks are looking for an oil with their eyes turned upside down. The Gawar oil field, which does not seem to dry out, has also crossed its peak. Not an oil shock, but an oil panic. The current price of $31 a barrel can go up to $100 in an instant. As the butcher said, if youre having a party or a party, youll get a dog giving away porridge. We must immediately crackdown on the workers and establish a defense system. Bellman hurried. Again, the rhythm of dealing with information was different. Thats right. Black picked up the satellite phone. He entered his password and called Om Bouti. C What? Ombuti, are you okay? C Thousands, Thousands! This is Waquilles faithful servant, Ombuti. Ugh~ The Musou was fed up with the invincible over of the Ombuds. Its been a long time since I gave up, but every time I listened to it, chicken meat grew. Ombuti, how are things going with Basel? A competent butler is said to be handed down by blood? I need to see my children.
-its a godsend The mouth of the Ombuti, who was about to start a prayer, froze. C Hehehe, Soins happiness is purely thanks to Waqil.
A sly voice, one tempo late, tickled his ears. The Ombuti is in line 50 and Basel is only 19 years old. Now that he has a jar, the old toad is full of sesame seeds. The security of the Samaritan farms should be strengthened. C Waqil, dont worry about anything and get some rest. Aklan Crew is the keeper of the Waquilles peace. Ibrahim and Aishe set out for Toba Farm with 300 Kurdish fighters. Mohammed also set off with 50 Novanez (Eye of Nova) team members for information management. Dont worry, come on a lazy bridge. You and Ms. Ethel are banging togetherhehehehe! Ugh, youre a noob for roasting beans in lightning! Musou momentarily forgot what to say. It was said that an old rat pierces the poison, and aged ginger is spicy. The quickness of having already taken the necessary measures is amazing, but the ability to create an intelligence team and a combat unit within one year is amazing. It is said that there is someone helping the ombouti. Osmaniyes Lynx (lynx) Ibrahim and Madankis Tobeth (mist) Mohammed are reliable. The distance is not that great, but how did you get around? -Shangchol Kim (Kim Sang-cheol), a friend of Waquils hometown, gave me 30 trucks. Fighters and intelligence teams loaded up their weapons and fuel and set off early in the morning. Well done. I will be leaving soon. C Thousands, Thousands, Thousands, Thousands, the grace of Allah is alone on Tubaiburpa. Tubaiburpa is another name for the Prophet Muhammad. The eternal romantic master of the desert, Tubai Burpaa~ Ombuti, if you want to please Basel, you have to take good care of your health. The pair quickly shorted the satellite phone. It felt like my skin would turn into chicken skin if I kept listening. Basel is the best way to shut the ombutis mouth. Having a bride too young, the ombudsman is neurotic about the sound of a thief. The matchless stared at Dino. Dino is a monster with tireless stamina, strong fighting power, and amazing senses. Besides, hes a guy with a lot of spirituality, so hes smart enough to steam up any human. Perfect as a genetic watchdog. There are no coincidences in the world. He came into the world out of necessity, and he came into the world out of necessity. Sang-cheol hyung also came to Novatopia from afar out of necessity. Dino, who received an unparalleled gaze, glanced at Simon D and moved slowly. Dino stood in front of the pair and raised his right front foot. Its a signal that youre ready to listen. Hey!Paul let out an exclamation involuntarily. It is a movement that he learned himself by watching his subordinates salute.Hey! The happy pair stroked Dinos head. Kukuk- Dino looked at Simon D and made a strange sound. The owner is a being to be loyal to, but the boss is a competition target. Dinos challenge was not over. Simon Ds face was rotten and bruised. Paul, lets go back to the Kempinski Hotel. You want to go to a Samaritan farm? Yeah, Ill have to see it with my own eyes. Simon D, pack your bags. Im going to Toba. I get it. follow- follow- The emergency radio rang when the pair was in a hurry. Whos bothering to call at a historic moment? Paul grunted and picked up the handset. what? -Captain, this is the return order. The signalman used evil and cut off one syllable. What are you talking about? I mean, its an official vacation. Paul messed up. He took 15 days of leave under the pretext of performing special military advisers. Its only been four days, and the order to return is nonsense. C This is the commanders order. Is it operational? Pauls face contorted.
Chapter 461 - Episode 13 We Hit The Jackpot!
It depicts a Somali pirate racing through the Gulf of Aden with a high-performance engine attached to a wooden boat the size of a palm. In the past, a gazelle would sortie out and grind a few cannons to clean things up. The good thing about the sea is that it doesnt require any post-processing. The good times quickly deteriorated with the intervention of various human rights groups. Artillery is prohibited, and unless you are a current offender, you can no longer shoot. What could have been a simple task turned into a headache. When the sinking crossed the water, and the pirate climbed the ladder on the ship, permission to fire was granted. Eventually, the burden of being pushed out by helicopter or chased by a high-speed boat was burdened. In the midst of a gunfight, subordinates are often injured. What kind of dog shit is this! People often commit the folly of equating ethics, justice, and right. A pirate is a predator who neglects the human rights and property of others. The hostages kidnapped by them are chained and thrown into a barn until the ransom is paid. A company that is hit by a tanker suffers huge financial losses. Human rights should be protected, but should we protect the rights of robbers and thieves? C no. The answer came from the handset. Of course, this is not an answer to your question. The stress accumulated by the pirates overlapped with the current situation. Nimi Giotto, then what? Paul messed up. Anyone who has ever played billiards at lunch knows that. When the opponents cue ball is in the gansei position at the three-cushion closing chance, the heat rises. Especially when I get a call from my wife or company, I feel bad. Paul, who was interrupted by a chance to have a proper drink with a friend he hadnt seen in a long time, was no different. C I did not hear the reason for the return. Oh my god, wait a minute. Paul looked back at the pair. class is bully If the boss is black, he must be black. How about coming back? The pair held out their hands. Paul smirked and handed the handset. If your rank is a thug, you can call a stronger thug. Identifier? 342-563!
The pair pressed the identification number and pressed the unique number of the special military incident. The identification number is a password given to the unit receiving the military command, and the unique number is a password assigned to the person who can activate the military command. The 13th Reign Etrangere Regiment stationed in Djibouti can issue military orders by the President, the Minister of Defense, the 11th Airborne Brigade commander, and special military advisors. Ironically, Lt. Gen. Dimanche, commander of the Legon Etrange, has no military command. The French Embassy in Damascus, A Chaq Juch Sippy Sappene. (Tomorrow, the sun will rise tomorrow.) The incident embarrasses the DGSE and senior officials of the Ministry of National Defense. The stupid Sergeant Sako Ribry and his guards who touched the heart of the Black Mamba almost lost their lives. No country in the world is without an army. The attribute of a group called the army produces a lot of crap. If you lift the stencil, quack pain occurs again. The military is a place where a decent guy turns into a nerd overnight. There is no way to stop the progress of the unit, even if the command from the superior is issued a hundred times. DGSE, having been thinking about it, created an identification code and a unique number system to create a backdoor communication system that connects directly to the commander. C Arlo! C Coronell Vinchamp.
A muffled voice mixed with nasal sounds jumped across the room and tapped the eardrums. Did this person eat butter all day? Because of the pronunciation of the nasal sounds of koong, bang, and chon, the French soldiers felt that it was wrong to overwhelm the enemy with their tongues. This is a special military advisory. Captain Jean-Paul is with his main building. -Yeah, I know. Thats it. Stir Colonel Vinxiang hesitated. Colonel, Captain Paul is supporting me. Calling Captain Paul is a sign that someone wants to see me, right? Did the VIP come down? -Yes, Director-General Bonifas has arrived.
As the matchless spearheaded the pinnacle, Colonel Vinchamp bluntly confided that everything went well. The corners of the pairs lips slowly rose. Vinchamp, who was urged by Bonifas, must have been heartbroken. Life is the same everywhere. When a whale fights, a shrimps back is bound to burst. I like the sunset on the Djibouti beach. I will watch the sunset and enter. tell the general manager I am at Lak Assal Lake. If you are really busy, tell them to come to Salt Lake. Or bring a bottle of wine and tell me to come to my house. C Special advisor, that~Crackled- The incomparable mercilessly put down the handset. The answer is that he is supposed to dig a well. A person who abuses a weak person is a bad person, but a person who is strong and strong can be abused even more. In the face of oil spills, the allowance is a penny. If Bonifas complains, he is about to make a big donation to help the needy. Nimi Giotto, youre a good guy with balls.
Paul grumbled. The DGSE Director General is a power in power. Black Mamba is the only person who can tell Bonifas, who flew from Paris to Djibouti, to wait or come and take care of it. The award doesnt work that hard either. Wow! The puppies were huge. Bellman sighed. In America, he is the man who calls the CIA director to come. Hes a White House owner or a possible force. Damn, why did the surfund come? no way? The pair felt uncomfortable. Bonifaces only request is to come to see him from Paris to Djibouti. Director-General Bonifas is responsible for foreign territories and intelligence. The weight is different from that of Operations Manager Bonifas. He cant get away easily. Is this human going to pull out mulberry teeth! There were wrinkles on the pair of brows. Hey Black, what mustard-chewed face in the yard raining flowers from the sky? Oh, its nothing. Where are you now? The matchless asked Bellman. To train Novatopia artillery, there is no talented person like him. The child returned to his hometown, Anhui. Hong Kongs gangster spots are closed. I think Houings surgery is an excuse. Hong Kong is a hundred times better for organ transplant surgery. Theres no reason to deliberately go to mainland China, where medicine is underdeveloped. I think he lied to Paul.
Thats it. As long as the donor is ready, you can have surgery at Samu. I can arrange that. Pauls remarks covered the matchless face.
I got in trouble. Zhang is a guy who cant live on debt. Hes the one who mistook himself for the storyteller in the novel. He must have gone to kill the son of a party official who drove Ho Wu Ying into his car.
Bellman and Pauls eyes widened at the pairs words. What, that kid drank foreign troops water and his liver swelled up. China is a communist country, so surveillance by public security and soldiers is severe, so what can you do? Damn you, cant you say a word for help? Paul jumped. I have strong self-esteem. Hes not the kind of guy wholl drag his friends into his own revenge. Bellman, can you understand the situation? Well, even if the CIA doesnt know the autonomous provinces on the outskirts or the provinces adjacent to Hong Kong and Taiwan, its difficult to work with Humints inland. The vulgar surveillance and accusation systems typical of communism are tightly woven together. Foreigners are classified as an enemy, and locals cannot be trusted. They tell lies like they eat. Hey, I heard that you got involved with these guys in Ituri. You idiot! The pair sighed. I had an ominous feeling that sooner or later I would get involved with these guys. China is a terrible country with an official population of 1.2 billion and an unofficial population of 1.5 billion. Dont worry too much. Its a stinky strain called crocodile tendon thats tough. Even while being chased by Frolinat, he took the guerrillas pistols, daggers, amulets, and trinkets and auctioned them off to his retirement village seniors. Hes not the kind of guy whos going to do something to his own loss. Actually, hes a particularly stingy guy even in his fifties. Hes going to sell everything except black for money. Paul giggled. Paul and Bellman comforted him, but Musou was not at ease. But why are you looking for Zhangs whereabouts all of a sudden? Novatopia is growing rapidly. It is time to train our own army. I was going to try not to interfere if possible, but the heredity has kept me busy. Actually, Bomber Horse is the best artillery instructor. Shall I resign? Just feed me. Pauls eyes twinkled. Life as a mercenary was slowly getting boring. I was also tired of being a stalker chasing pirates in the salty sea breeze every day. no. Its not time for you to move yet. When the time is right, you have to take all the mercenaries with you. I want to go to Novatopia, too, but Im risking the accusation of selling death to provide information. Bellmen stopped Paul. Wait, who is the head of foreign operations in Langley? Its Adam, the Duchess. Ive only seen him once, but I dont know his real name. He is a white man in his early fifties, medium stature and bald.
Who is the officer in charge of the intelligence satellite and reconnaissance aircraft? If there was no job transfer, it would be Matilda. Shes a white woman in her mid-30s and Ive never seen her face. She knows nothing about her other than her slender beauty and rumors that she spreads her crotch well. Need more information?
Okay. She only needs to know her code name.
Bellman is a human being who is willing to take risks and help him. He can get additional information through the DGSE information department, but he doesnt want to burden his old friends.
Why are they suddenly looking for you? I have a feeling that we will meet soon. Bellmans face darkened. He also ate Spy Bob for 10 years. He knows better than anyone the unreasonable operations of the CIA and DIA. The Black Mamba is Frances best hidden trick. The Americas and France are the only countries that operate overseas territories and are willing to use force in international conflicts. At some point, the two sides are bound to collide. If you put France and America on the scales, it leans toward America, but if you put Black and America on the scales, it leans toward black. Black is a friend, boss and lifesaver. Paul patted Bellman on the shoulder.
Dont worry about unnecessary things. We are a black culture.
Bellman nodded his head. At that one word, the uneasiness flew away. Gogo! Lets go get a drink. Two jeeps bounced off salt particles and headed for the hotel. The silhouette of a strong man was reflected in the window of the suite on the 7th floor of the Palace Kempinski Hotel. After taking a shower, the pair is holding a wine glass. There is a 13th Regiment Recreation Center right next door, which is as good as a hotel, but I stayed at the hotel because I didnt want to flirt with a sweaty male. His calculation is not his own anyway. A comfortable rest is yours and the calculation is yours to DGSE.
There are two types of humans in the world. There are people who work to death and pay taxes, and people who live on taxes. There is no life that sucks more honey than enjoying life without spending my own money. This is the reason why humans who have tasted power do not want to lose power by any means. Paul and Bellman, who had been drinking all night long, went back to comfort with three cups of ciacarello. It was because I received a communication that the surfund was arriving soon. The two are in their 40s who have lived a bumpy life up and down. I was well aware of the fact that I cant see good results if I get caught up in the meeting between the surfund and the Black Mamba. The pair sat on the windowsill of the veranda and looked down at the Black Strait. [Did you eat?] C [The wind is so good] C [It was very difficult] C [I know without saying it] C [How about a cup of coffee?] C [All difficult things are just a passing wind] C [All difficult moments] C [It will flow] C [I love you] These words are the posture of passing by. About 30 oil tankers with flashing lights caught my eye. Tankers entering and leaving the Bav el Mandev Strait always maintain that number. Between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil and natural gas exit the strait every day. There are 86 countries in the world that produce oil. It is not a small number, but unfortunately Korea is not included. Since the 20th century, when oil emerged as the main energy and basic industrial material, half of international disputes have been caused by oil. I dont know who came up with the name of the Devils Black Tears, but the nickname Black Mamba is as fitting as the nickname. Because I am Korean, has Korea become an oil-producing country? The matchless muttered while sipping Sia Carello. Oil is not just a resource. power and power A straw-legged villager, who was angry at the few villages that had been neglected by his uncle, happened to get a huge piece of land and even oil. Cinderella, no, Edmond Dantes in the dark is exactly who she is. The Marshals of Edmond dAnthes were Fernand Mondego, No. 2, Danglare, and Gerard de Vilfort, No. 3. Who is his own foe? It is contained in the Silver Wonrok. He pulled out a small notebook held by a spring from his backpack. The poor quality notebook had the cover torn and crumbling and the inside faded to yellow. How much resentment did you have when you were a child, you might have named it Eunwonrok. (Grace is tenfold, revenge is one hundredfold] Now lint has risen and laughter came out at the invisible phrase. Vengeance is ten times more than repaying a favor. It was narrow and not fair. I read the first chapter. The word Mom written in front filled my eyes. Among the 15 names listed after that, the names alive without a cross mark are Pil-nyeo Jang, In-bo Park, Hwa-ja Park, Dal-su Kim, Jang-su-su, and Kang-cheol Lee. The crossed-out name has been erased from his memory.
Chapter 462 - Episode 14 We Hit The Jackpot!
In addition to the uncle and his wife and the speaker, there are three other men left. Prosecutor Dal-Soo Kim and Mr. Jang paid a large sum of money. The saltwater is supposed to turn on the water. Kim Dal-soo paid the money right. He threatened Kang Young-sook, the victim, to make a false statement in court, and destroyed the statements of those involved, which Hye-young prepared. The gnome was severely punished for not being able to reflect on himself on the subject of fabricating evidence, violating common sense. The mean face that had a rotten smile after being sentenced to three years in the short term and five years in the long term came to mind. As long as Kim Dal-soo is a prosecutor, you dont know how many people will come out with a crime like himself and ruin his life. This guy is unforgivable. Detective Jang Ki-soo, the nephew of the Jang family, is a corrupt police officer who imprisoned himself twice for accusing him of the crime. He was the one who hit his head with a nightstick that didnt even come off the cows dung, and flew his sidekick fore kick without remorse. He was going to cripple himself under the guise of his interrogation. He is an unforgivable man. Lee Kang-cheol, the human who provided the clue that put his mother and himself in misery. From an objective point of view, the momentary deviation of an old bachelor whose eyes are turned over by a beautiful widow is not a death sentence. And Lee Kang-cheol has already received retribution. He lost both of his hands, and the rest of his life is short. I want you to live well with your family.
I put a cross mark on Lee Kang-cheols name with a fountain pen. The mother, who resented her because she missed her so much, remains as longing for her, and Lee Kang-cheol is erased from his memory. When he wrote the names of Pilnyeo Jang and Inbo Park in Eunwonrok, he wrote them with a saliva-soaked pencil. When he broke the father of Kalchi-pa and Kang Young-sook, he used a ball-point pen to mark with scissors. Today I used a handmade Montblanc fountain pen. As the years passed, his tools changed, and so did his vessels. Mother, how painful you are! his chest was full. He doesnt have a family of his own. It was only when she was older that she found out that her mother had been raised as an orphan. His affectionate father was his mothers everything, with nowhere to turn. She was a mother who was exceptionally weak in body and weak in mind. She must have been shocked that her glass mentality was shattered only by sexual assault, not sexual assault. When the human brain is under extreme stress, it erases memory to preserve the object. Her poor mother with dissociative amnesia followed her instincts to escape the disgusting place. Her incomparable hat lost her memory and her billions of dollars fell in the terrifying reality of wandering around the world. Are you going to kill me? I stared at the paper to pierce through. Her name, Park In-Bora, shook like a haze. The income he got from meeting Lee Kang-cheol is circumstantial evidence that his uncle tried to rape her mother and only sexually harassed her. If you are eating well and living well, I will not be able to break you down comfortably. The pair let out a long sigh. It is a life of a terminal illness afflicted with an incurable disease, a pitiful life that is threatened with the poisoning of his wife, who has lived by rubbing his flesh. None of the family members whom the uncle took so selfishly took care of the uncles side. Jang poisons her to kill her husband, the drug addict goes missing, and Woo Tak becomes a biker idiot. Heeja, who was divorced from her shopping addiction, became addicted to alcohol. Inbo Park herself is a zombie whose body and mind are dying. What good is she if she has wealth. Before she could take revenge, she collapsed into stormwater. Hadong Ajime, president of ready-made textiles, broken parents I read the names on the next chapter aloud. Come to think of it, all the people who should repay the favor dont know their names. Hadong Ajime only knows that he is the same person as Park. She turned the notebook over. On the back cover, it says [I want to leave a mark on the world.] She was 17 when she entered high school, and she wrote this with her heart. Another look of her own. He is black history. His figure, sitting on the windowsill, was reflected in the glass door of the opposite veranda. The darkness acted as an amalgam behind the mirror. The doppelganger on the other side has long had a haircut. After his shave, his chin shone in a parrani, and semi-curly hair covered his ears and flowed softly. Like her mother, her slender face is more feminine. So you left a mark? He asked, staring at his other face reflected in his glass door. No answer. He raised his hand and clenched his fist. A hundred million handcuffs amplified his power of Epidium. The sound of grinding iron rang out. It is a weapon that rips humans apart and crushes steel. One hand is Asuras hand and the other is the hand that protects life. In the Sahel, by smashing the Prolinat army, the natives of the Sahel escaped the fear of death and plunder. In Syria, they wiped out terrorists and blew up their CBRN weapons. In the Ituri jungle, he erased the Dambala cult and saved hostages and pygmies. His own hands are the hands of Asura, where death and life coexist. In the future, the scale of death and life is expected to increase. Because of Novatopia. The Novatopia Immigration Committee, chaired by the Ombudsman, is only accepting those who have experienced the bottom of despair. Nevertheless, 30,000 people have already fled to Novatopia. Thousands of African refugees flee to the Mediterranean every day. Novatopia is not getting even one-hundredth of its refugees. This is because the production base and the living base were not prepared. The world is closer to hell than heaven, and the arms of God are far away. No, it has been a long time since I have not responded to human pleas. This is why the construction of Novatopia is urgent. The pairless wind is simple. If you were born as a human, you should at least not starve to death. He looked down at the notebook in his hand. Eun Won-rok, the name is grand, but it is an old and cheap notebook with a few lines of names. But it doesnt even make sense. It may be because of Eun Won-rok that he was not disturbed in a time of pain and resentment. [Muah, attachment is the greatest obstacle to progress. Lets say you were walking down the street with your hands full of silver balls and you found a gold block. Would you throw away the silver nugget you were holding and pick up the golden nugget? Are you going to turn away from the gold nuggets because the nuggets youve brought so far are a waste?] [Are there people who turn away from gold because they think silver is a waste?] [Hey, youre the one who cant throw away silver nuggets. Obsession is foolishness. Pain, another name for greed. When the time comes, what should be thrown away.] The teachers voice shook my heart. I see. I was holding myself tight! Something flashing blew my mind. The gap between the soul and the body was widened by how hard they were beaten. The gap like a mustard seed expanded into an infinite space. Infinitely light and infinitely free. No, there is no feeling of lightness or freedom. I couldnt feel the weight of my body. It floats in the air like a dandelion spore. Engmu Soju is life-giving! Ji-ying- Gong-jin shook her whole body. The resonance, which was called momentum, spread to the limbs. The handcuffed hand gripped the notebook. A bloody vein stood up on his forearm. Shoot-aah- Gongjin shook the inside of his body terribly. Her hair was stretched out to the sky. Paaa- The notebook was shredded finely as if it had been ground in a millstone, as if it had gone into a paper shredder. Whoops- The atmosphere was moving. Pieces of paper, like grains of paper, pushed by the wind, flew in the night sky like pine dust. Dino, who was lying on the sofa, raised his head. Glancing at the owner, he skipped the space one step at a time and stood in front of the door. Anything that comes in with the door open has the momentum to tear it apart. The chubby guy was different no matter what. Kwa Kwa Kwa C The resonating resonance rushed into the limbs violently. My hands got itchy. Haab! He unconsciously stretched out his hand. Suak C The energy that had been boiling inside of his body was drained away. Awkward- There was a low noise. It was nothing more than the sound of water falling from the eaves, but it sounded like thunder to the pairs ears. Titration was broken. Whoo-woong C The whirlwind has subsided. The wise man looked at the empty floor of his left hand. Where did the notebook go?
The notebook he was holding disappeared without a trace. It was something he had carried on his body for 12 years, but he wasnt upset at all. Rather, it was frustrating. hole? A pea-sized hole was drilled in the 12mm pair of glass veranda glass doors. Kin- Dino pointed his front paws at the opposite wall. OMG! There was also a hole in the wall. The perimeter of the hole is tanned black. I put my finger in the hole in the glass door. I felt the hot heat. I looked at my left and right hands alternately. Nothing changed. Surely, Jifung! tilted his head. In fact, if the earths wind was blown, he himself would be the first human to blow the earths wind. In many martial arts books and novels, various winds, winds, and winds appear, but this is nonsense. The only reliable data, however, is the Journal of the Inner Kyungsoo of Shaolin. Shaolin Inner Kyung Ilji Line emits light, not wind, with the middle finger. The way to learn the inner diameter of the Shaolin is cruel. Have a companion around the age of five to hone qigong and wire craftsmanship. An undeveloped hand with bones and muscles is of course deformed.
When the practice progresses, stand up the handgun tree with five fingers. When it reaches a level that can withstand one examination, the little finger is cut off. If you can stand on the palm of your hand for more than one sijin with four fingers, cut off your ring finger. Then cut your index finger. In the end, only the thumb and middle finger remain. The thumb is reserved for daily life, but all energy is concentrated on the middle finger. If you stand up on the palm tree with only your middle finger and run around the gym, one step is complete. This step should pierce the gong with the middle finger. Step three is to attach the middle finger to the gong and blow out the sutra to make a hole.
The reason why the training method of Shaolin Naegyeong Iljiseon was cut off was because of the brutal training method that was not like a Buddhist and the fearful power. It is not known whether the earth wind was actually ejected from the middle finger, but there are records of breaking bones and destroying organs with one finger. The suite has three separate rooms. The room with a hole in the wall is the room where Simon D rested. There is no way that Simon D, who is sensitive to the senses, is unaware of the wind that has passed through the wall, just as expected. Knock C the door opened. Simon D, who was tired of his face, came out to the living room. Knuckle!- Dino made a strange, polite sound. Kuk Kuk! His face turned red as he tried to hold back his laughter. There is a highway at the top of Simon D. The hair in the center of his curly hair, which was dense like a jungle, disappeared, and blood was dripping down his cheeks. Simon D ran over and fell to his knees. Wakil! I was wrong. Dont bother Dino. I listen to Waquill very well. Damn, why are you here? Surprised, the matchless grabbed Simon Ds shoulder. Wakil, I want to live longer. The world is so much fun. I want to live. Simone screamed. Hey, hey, its my mistake. Im sorry. Are you going to kill me by saying Im sorry? Simon D looked at the pair with tears in his eyes. Its a real mistake. It means that the skill was activated without me knowing. The pair raised their hands. He pointed his index finger at the decorative bronze equestrian statue standing next to the sofa. Woong- Gongjin swung.green onion!
A strong current escaped my fingers. A small noise rang out. Dino flashed and walked with the bronze statue on its front paws and wobbling on its hind paws. If the gait was disturbed, it was controlled by supporting it with the tail. Simon Ds eyes widened at the exquisite posture control. What a strange guy! The pair laughed. Dino recognizes his identity as a human, not as a Dino Palace. There is a saying that dogs think they are human, and cats know that humans are cats, but no animal behaves like a dino. Hey, its cracked!
Simons eyes widened. The owner had not touched it, and a hole was drilled in the thick bronze. Simon D suddenly wanted to urinate. He is very fortunate that he is a servant. If Waquill had been his servant, it seemed that he would not be at ease even for a moment. The attribute to obey a strong boss was the same as Simon D and Dino. What? Would you like to come to Lak Assal or come to the hotel in the evening? A thin line of flesh passed through his skinny face as if he had covered the skull with a thin layer of leather. Bonifas is known as the chief of DGSE and a surfer for the gymnast (swimming pool, DGSE alias). Yeah, Ill wait, but its not a dinner invitation A white line was drawn on the death mask, but it disappeared in an instant. The tail of Colonel Vinchamp, who was speaking with a perplexed expression, drooped. If I said any more, it seemed that Serfund would swallow it up. Damn, you dont want to have dinner together? They say die. Bonifas murmured. I flew to Djibouti to appease the upset Black Mamba, but the condition was worse than I expected. I was moved, but I understood Black Mambas feelings. The Ituri jungle is a rather rough area. I worked hard and finished the operation, but the cleaning team came with a lump of poop. Even if he changed his position, his temper was good enough for me. Bonifas face darkened. Ah man, the special military incident made me tremble, so why did the general come and make it hard to digest? Why are you crawling in a remote African country where there is nothing to eat and tormenting the powerless! Vinchamp groaned inwardly. The words that the general director mumbled without emotion were even more terrifying. It would be better if he was angry, but he sat upright for an hour with a corpse-like face exuding a black aura. There is no such thing as the truth.
Chapter 463 - Episode 15 We Hit The Jackpot!
Vinchamp was upset, but Bonifas was rotten and bruised. Im not sure if theres a person whos not happy with the DGSE Director, but wants to meet him! Damn it, somehow! Bonifas troubles deepened. DGSE is known as a thug on the international stage. Traditionally, they focus on Humint rather than SIGINT, because of their immediate and violent tendencies. France learned a painful lesson from the Dreyfus Incident that if the secret intelligence agencies were talking about their pride, not only would the organization collapse, but it would also put a great burden on the country. Honesty, honesty, and macho temperament are contained in the genes of DGSE. Bonifas was no different. The reason the inside is rotten is not because of your self-esteem. Anxiety that the good relationship he had worked so hard for might be ruined gripped Bonifaces heart. You are the person who knows the value of the National Tresor Black Mamba best. The supreme leader of sabotage, a consultant who has overcome the limits of an agent, and the worst assassin is Black Mamba. In a word, he is Hugh Mints highest peak and a super-special consultant who is perfectly compatible with the macho-oriented DGSE. France benefited greatly from the three dukes of the Black Mamba. Three operations, but 32 operations in DGSE operational units. Thats why the huge allowance is not worth it at all. The beginning and the end of information activity are human beings after all. No matter how much Sigint develops, it is just a meaningless signal without Humint. The reason the Yankees dont notice even after drinking from the Black Mamba is that they rely too much on Sigint. This is because machines cannot analyze existence beyond common sense. If France is to compete with Sigint powers such as the Soviet Union, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, the Black Mamba is a necessary existence. Judging by the head of intelligence, the Black Mamba is a cheat that you have to catch even if you give Corsica. The problem is that he is sloppy, and the fact that the cause of his turn lies entirely with the French government.
DGSE shoveled every time the Black Mamba was operating to see if it got stuck. Giving wrong information, attaching wrong guides, giving poor back data. Nevertheless, the Black Mamba did not receive much damage from his operational activities. That is to say, it is beyond common sense. He didnt blame the DGSE for repeated mistakes or lack of ability. There is a part where he is insensitive, and it is also the leeway of the strong. This time, even if he got stuck, it was big. It was not a simple mistake, but the Ministry of National Defense and the highest level of the DGSE took the lead and exposed the operation of the call name. There was no excuse for the Black Mamba who had been hit in the back of the head. Even if the touch is too good, it is a mask. Musou, who is the real party, is holding a toast with his friends for the discovery of genetics, and is bewildered by the unexpected increase in ability. Hes never done anything other than pout from the start. Boniface is like playing the drums and playing the drums alone and buying troubles. Tick Tak Tak Tak Tak Tak C Boneless fingers have been beating the table regularly for 30 minutes. This is a habit of Bonifas that appears when he is anxious. He is unaware of himself, but it is a torment for those who have to constantly hear the intermittent noise. Ugh, check that guys finger~ Colonel Vinchamp stared at the rhythmically moving fingers with his fluke eyes.
Vinchamp, isnt there a sharp way to relieve your mood when your VIP partner is upset? Im not asking because I dont know. Its frustrating to ask. Even if the surfund was caught weak by the special military advisor, he was firmly caught. After 30 years of jjambab, dig a trench with a fork. Vinxiang, scratching his eyes, said nothing.
well. It will vary from person to person. Shakespeare said that if a woman is upset, she should hold her first and then lie to the end, and if a man is upset, tell the truth and give her a present. Vinchamp dragged Shakespeare in, and he slipped away. He had no intention of getting hurt by getting involved in a whale fight. Isnt that a gender-discriminatory statement? Why? Its not about gender roles, its about temperament. A woman values her own feelings more than her truth. It is better to empathize with one word than to explain a hundred words. Men often accept clumsy excuses as ignoring them. Isnt there a saying that it is better to sell first? Bonifas nodded his head. What Vinchamp said is a hundred times right. Balzac also said that women should approach them emotionally and men should approach them sincerely. The secret to maintaining a good relationship with Black Mamba is also thanks to the sincere treatment of the cause. A person whose pride is at the top of his or her head does not tolerate intrusion.
Yeah, its better to get hit first. Bonifas jumped up and put on his frock coat. Vinchamp, the intelligent beast must first be given a gift and then beaten. Vinchamp was choked by the outfit of Bonifas. In Djibouti, the temperature does not drop below 30C even after sunset. The general was dressed in a white muslin shirt, cashmere vest, bladed trousers, and a frock coat. If you dress like that, your body will be covered with sweatbands. Vinchamp, who was about to say a word, shut his mouth. He may actually be a human with cold reptilian blood. Hes a human wearing a frock coat these days in the same world. Hes not the kind of person to get advice from. I hope that the general directors worries become as bright as the sky in Djibouti. Vinchamp bowed his head towards the back of Bonifass head. The sleepover went out. During the three years of being assigned to the 13th Djibouti Regiment, there has never been a more embarrassing day than today. The intercom rang. Simon D quickly picked up the handset. -Guest, a person named Piginer (swimming pool, DGSE alias) came to visit. How many?
C One minute. When Simon D looked at the message from the desk, the pair nodded their heads. Put it up! Simon D threw a few words and hung the intercom on the hook. The furious incomparable shook his head. He understood that the gesture he nodded meant that he was going down to the lobby, and that he would call Simon D. The behaviors of Ombuti and Simon D have something in common. Its like a woman who takes care of her lover. Goosebumps swelled up. Huh!
Bonifas, who had entered the room, retreated. His eyes met a huge creature lying on the rug. If you are not surprised when you encounter a beast whose eyes are flashing blue in a hotel room, you are not human. In an instant, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and wild beasts stored in memory pass one after another, but there is no matching animal. That guy is a dog. Its Waquilles pet, so dont worry. Simon D, who opened the door, sighed. Ugh! Bonifas took a step back. No one would be surprised when a black giant with three heads bigger than himself appeared silently, revealing his empty teeth. This guy is Black Mambas bodyguard, Simon Ds boss. Bonifas looked at Simon D with each eye. A suffocating gigantic body and a force that matched it spewed out one after another. He is indeed the bodyguard of the Black Mamba. Bonifas glanced around the room. A giant beast that youve never heard of, a black giant that even a grizzly bear can beat, maybe theres something else. Fortunately, there was a milky-white metal box in one corner, but no other monsters were seen. The matchless figure sitting on the window sill flashed and appeared in Bonifaces face Congratulations on your appointment as Director-General. Bonifas grabbed the incomparably outstretched hand. Like an old man taking care of his younger lover, he was full of affection. Thank you for the congratulations. The person who signed the letter of appointment is Mitterang, but the actual appointee should be Black Mamba.
It sounds like a no-brainer. I am just a field man.
If you are a field worker, I am a voyeur.
Its not like Bonifas, invincibility, or promotion. Didnt say a word of thanks. The corners of the pairs lips rose slightly. DGSE is a spy group, so voyeurs arent wrong. I liked the general director who did not stick to formality or formality. This time, I did it in a flashy way. A lot of hard work. What is hard work? At the cynical answer, Bonifas clapped his back. He sounded like a threat to calculate properly. It is the sorrow of Eul, who is hurt by even a single thoughtless word from Gab.
The heavy-ass president replaced his thanks with a handwritten letter. An invitation is also included. He said that he would like to meet him this time when he returns to Paris. Bonifas took the blue envelope out of his briefcase and handed it to him. I didnt like the shiny gold border and the colorful seal. Black Mamba took the envelope and flicked it with his fingers. The envelope flew across the living room and crashed into the mahogany desk. Its a surprising red leaf story, but its nothing compared to the earth wind. Bonifas, who had become chronic, was not too surprised. Read it when you have time. I am not Marguerite Duras (French novelist, screenwriter, and acquaintance with Mitterrand, who was known as a lover because of frequent meetings with Mitterrand). The invitation is discouraged. What will the president, who is too busy to meet with sweet writers, talk when he meets the bloody call name? Bonifas smiled bitterly. This is a subtly criticizing Mitterrand, who leaned to the left while advocating for the president of culture. The person in front of you is a person who has refused the French presidents invitation at all. Hes not the kind of person to be moved by a thank-you letter. Then you will receive a proper present.
Gift? Isnt that an allowance? At the sudden sound, the pair looked straight into Bonifaces eyes. This man is not the kind of person who can talk about gifts for no reason. Its just a gift. What do you need most right now? Hey, youre coming out big. You need a lot. Geosonometer, rod set (set of conduit required for drilling), turbine drilling rig, Nahoroimer~ Wait, are you okay? Maybe thats right. Yujing was found on a Samaritan farm in Toba.
The pair spoke frankly. Anyway, you need Bonifaces help to develop the oil fields. Bonifas is a helper, not a loser. Bonifas eyes widened. Huh, Allahs favor is pouring into the Black Mamba, no, invincible. The matter is complicated, so lets focus on that later. There must be something else you need. We need electricity. Every Novatopia construction site has a mobile generator running, but they say they dont have jaws. Thats right. Bonifas clapped his fingers and made a click. I will build an 800MWp heavy oil thermal power plant. Thats enough capacity to reliably supply electricity to a large city of 1 million people. For free? He asked with a stern look on his face. A power plant is not a gift that can be exchanged for words. of course. A gift for the founding of Novatopia. Its strange. The general director I know isnt this big The pair shook his head outward. Why is this! I have a small head, but a big liver. It should be that much of a national gift. I have already received the approval of the president. Bonifas jumped.
I have so much to be thankful for! thank you, general manager You are Santa who came in June. The pair was genuinely happy. The stable power supply is the first step to constructing Novatopias infrastructure. When electricity is supplied, the living standards of refugees can be raised on several levels. A large-capacity power plant is not an infrastructure that can be built with money. I dont know why the French government is so generous, but if you refuse to give it, theres nothing wrong with it. As oil fields were developed, thermal power plants rolled in. It feels like he has big hands and is holding his mouth firmly. Hmmmm! Im glad you like it too. Bonifas was delighted. Hes never seen a crush like this one since hes teamed up with the Black Mamba. With this, he achieved half of the purpose he had come across the Mediterranean Sea. He said, Wakill, I asked for room service. If you dont want to hear gossip later about being petty, you should serve a glass of wine. If you watch it, its samdi. As the atmosphere became more lively, I quickly grabbed a table for drinks. Hey, Im learning from Simon D. Well done. The pair laughed softly. He is certainly far from a socialite. If you go out as a negotiator, its easy to fucking eat. Is that sergeant Simon D who blew the heads of hundreds of kidnappers with a shovel? Bonifas looked at Simon D, who was standing behind the pair. The intimidation of the real thing was ten times stronger than that of Mackiseys report. Um, you must have done the security right?
Is there any I gave it a call name level rating. Heh, is that a naked call name that even a reporter from a private broadcasting company follows? The pair snorted. Bonifaces face turned white at the harsh criticism, but then returned to its original color in an instant.
Now that I am the general manager, I must say it was my fault. The heads of Minister Germain, Director General of Lagos and Director Kabae were blown away. Wow! Its a pity that some of the talented people take off their clothes. He said with a look of no regret at all.
The broadcast station reporter who annoyed you will also be punished. I sincerely apologize. Bonifas bowed his head slightly. Hahaha, when the sound of gold coins is chirping, the sadness disappears like snow. I got a big present too, can you be modest? I will not take it to heart. The pair accepted the apology in a cool way.
Chapter 464 - 3 Episode 16 We Hit The Jackpot!
Heh heh, this gentleman came to me because he was worried about the poop that Germain and Balisari had packed. What kind of rice cake is this! Did you say Balisari? It reminded me of a woman with a good body who ran wildly. He was annoying, but he didnt do any real harm. Thanks to him, he took care of a large power plant, so there is still a lot of business left. It was the feeling of wanting to present a Sarcosuchus-branded luxury bag to Balisari, who had been having an accident. Bonifas, who had lifted the heavy burden, was also relieved. The mighty death mask opened wide. Her lips, as if they had drawn a single line of gold with purple chalk, were wide enough that the Hahoe mask was colorless. Kah haha! Thank you. To be honest, I got a shit line.
I am sorry to have caused concern to the general director, who is busy with such things. The pair responded. The person you are truly grateful for is yourself. Voluntary tax payment is good for each other. It is good for the giver to feel at ease, and the receiver is good for not making harsh noises. Therefore, voluntary tax payment has become commonplace in Korea, a country of courtesy to the East. As the atmosphere became more cheerful, Boniface, who had a more relaxed mind, looked carefully at Simon D. He is a human being who kills an elephant with one shot and exudes the force that remains. Bonifas has the keen eyes of the national intelligence chief. He understood the value of Simon D, who possesses combat power comparable to that of Ocelot, early on. They say that even if they fall over, they fall down holding a beauty Bonifas lamented. The Arago project, which has been in progress since the Napoleonic era, ultimately failed and was abandoned. Only tens of billions of francs were wasted. It is said that a hero follows bravery, and the Black Mamba took a figure equal to Ocelot as his henchman. As a result, Black Mambas stock price went up without realizing it was sky-high. Did you kill Ocelot? Bonifas asked abruptly. How did you know? The astonished pair inquired. Ocelot, defeated by Simon D, devoured her Cantarella and nailed it to her titanium coffin. How did Bonifas know what he was doing? I have deceived my enemies all my life, never deceived my friends. Do not test me. What kind of gimbap side is this popping? I was bewildered by the sound. AHA! Musou recognized Bonifas, a voluntary tax expert, who was mistaken. Meaning that the ocelot was dealt with and not notified. Its because your face is too thin to deal with such a bastard and be condescending. The Musou made blatant remarks with agility.
Hes also a great person. Considering my position, I gave up the allowance. Bonifas was amazed. Certainly, the trust and friendship that had been built up over the years were strong. Bonifaces unrequited love never stopped. No matter how close we are, we have to do the calculations accurately. Besides, hes the shit I packed. Thanks for taking care of the thorn in my throat. As promised, 30 million francs will be added to this allowance and paid. He has an Interpol bounty of $500,000, but forget that. France is not in a position to talk about Ocelots death. What are you doing like that! Contrary to the words, the pairs mouth was torn. A thermal power plant was built and 30 million francs rolled in before the full-scale settlement could be made. The ocelot in the titanium tube is a recycling asset. They literally eat pheasants and eat eggs. Also, it became a lot of money because garbage was also used. After all, I am a genius. The choice to go to Djibouti gave us a power plant and 30 million francs. The matchless simply praised his actions on the subject of fickleness. Is that guy a chimera? Dont you want to sell it to me? Bonifas was sullen and offered. Bonifas suspected that Dino was also some kind of chimera developed by the Yankees. The Black Mamba is more than capable of catching a chimera and changing user perception. The various chimeras and humanoid biological weapons mentioned by Black Mamba in the report put the DGSE Department of Technology and the Biotechnology Research Institute under the Department of Science in an emergency. According to Black Mambas report, the fighting power and specifications of the Chimera developed by the Yankees are comparable to that of Ocelot. The set of three underwater chimeras hidden in Devil Spring is more than an ocelot. Although the Yankees may not readily reveal themselves, releasing Octopus or surfunds off the coasts of certain countries has devastating consequences, be it fishing or tourism. The National Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology is secretly analyzing the corpse of a humanoid monster called Honter. The team leader assured that if he obtained chimeric living stem cells, he could develop an artificial muscle comparable to Honter within five years. Simon D has already become a member of the Black Mamba. You have to be greedy to touch the balls of a dead child. If you request it as research material, your neck will fall first.
Bonifas attention turned to Dino. He was as gentle as a cat, but the atmosphere it gave off was horrible, not bloody. When I was with him, the tiger looked like a cat. Crre-Dino exposed his teeth and made a full impression. The glimmering eyes of the old man were very unpleasant.
Right C The moment Dino showed his teeth, Simon Ds fist hit the back of the head without any doubt. No frills, children do not interfere with adults playing. Dino sighed and buried his head between his legs. Since Simon D showed his new skills in burlesque every day, Dino also understood his flirty hair. The old man felt bad, but he decided to hold on. The dino is not a chimera. It is a species of an ancient beast that inhabits the Ituri jungle. Hey, can you? Bonifas swallowed the wind. In the early 20th century, a small giraffe-like okapi was also found in the Ituri jungle. After the chimera, an ancient beast appeared. Its getting worse and worse. The Ituri jungle has an ancient ecosystem. Extinct Terrorbird and Sarcosuchus habitats have also been identified.Chimeras are reliable, but Mesozoic and Cenozoic monsters are not.
Bonifas shook his head. Of course, Im not sure if its a similar shape or an extinct ancient animal. Simon D, bring that. Simon D brought a large canvas sack that looked tough. When the sack was unpacked, Dino jumped up. Dude, just go to the soup. Youre the one who got beaten up. Simon D spilled his dino and took out the sarcosuchus leather. Pygmy women are natural leather tanners. She made Sarcosuchus leather as thick and hard as an iron plate and smooth as a calf (young calfskin). The leather came out endlessly. It was too long though. Huge alligator leather, reaching a whopping 12m, filled the suite. The sarcosuchus leather from the sack was so perfect that it could even be made into a stuffed animal. Hey, thats great. It was real! Bonifas eyes widened. Exclamation came out of the majesty of the ancient creatures. The alligator is a lizard compared to the monster in front of you. I like you. This is my gift. It took me a while to pull out my teeth. Simon D sticks out his conical teeth that are curved inward like Kukri. It is a sarcosuchus tooth with a circumference of 300 mm and a length of 350 mm. Thank you for the precious gift. I like you too. Bonifas gladly accepted the gift. In terms of rarity, it is a gift that cannot be priced, but Simon D said that he liked it better. The knife does not go into the leather. It does not burn in a wood fire and does not catch insects. Its great leather. What are the things? Is Louis Vuitton or Cartier good at making leather goods? Wouldnt it make money to make and sell handbags? Uh-huh! The sardine Bonifas squeaked. This is the first time Ive seen such a reckless and dull guy. Sarcosuchus is a Mesozoic crocodile. When raw hides appear in a country that would be thrilled with fossils alone, the scientific world as well as the world are turned upside down. If you save it and receive a viewing fee, you will become rich. The billionaire collapsed when he said that he would make and sell a handbag as a treasure. Are you serious? Are you serious? Boniface wanted to punch the questioning face with a brazen face. If I did a rough calculation, I could make 700 pairs of womens shoes, and 500 if I made a Kelly bag. It must be quite large. Its a limited edition luxury product made from ancient crocodile skin, but wouldnt it be sold out quickly even for ten thousand francs each? Give it to me. Ill give you double. The pair shook their heads.
Youre going to send that stuff to the National Academy of Sciences (CNRS). Thats not right. That thing should be a handbag. Do I look like a money freak? Bonifas looked at the invincible. Well, you worry about chaos. Yes. The world is getting dizzy. Unusual things keep popping up. Paleontological creatures like Sarcosuchus become a bellows fueling chaos. It is better not to appear in the world. You are a unique human being. Warrior, Assassin, Psychopath, Monk. priest. Sage, all kinds of personalities are covered. Multiple personalities are not applicable and should be said to be compound personalities. What does it matter what my personality is? I am there! Hahaha! A word of mouth. Im in a sage mode now. I covet leather, but I give up. If you make a handbag later, Ill give you one too. Ill give my wife some points. I do. Without Mitterrands gift, you cant look down on your partner. Thank you. There must have been other ancient creatures besides Terrorbird, Dino Palace, and Sarcosuchus, right? Yes. The deeper I went into the Ituri jungle, the more I encountered what appeared to be ancient creatures. There were even titanoboas that were over 15 meters long. Huh? If it becomes known to the outside world, the ink of the related academic world will run with a nosebleed. Well, I want to dry it if possible. Even now, I cant decide whether the ancient beast survived by adapting to the ecosystem, or if it was a creature that Houngan of Voodooism modified with magic. The experimental equipment and research data that Paul organized and sent were the belongings of Dambala Boss Kamuge. Simon D also struggled with Sarcosuchus. I will. Elite counter-terrorism units were also eaten by the Ituri jungle, not to mention ordinary people. Bonifas mumbled. Hundreds of young soldiers were killed because of the stubbornness of the old. This is a typical evil that occurs when an incompetent person sits in a high position. A heinous terrorist kills dozens of people at best, but an incompetent policy maker kills tens of thousands with a single shard of paper. How strong is Dinos fighting power? I havent measured it. Shall we put it in the Yield Safari in Paris or the Fogres Safari in Lyon? If you get hit by that guys front paws, the rocks will also crumble. 30 to 40 tigers and lions will be turned into corpses in the blink of an eye. Hes a weak guy. I am training hard. Simon D slapped Dino in the back of the head. That friend must be in Frances arms. Bonifas was determined. Monsters call monsters, and humans are monsters, and beasts are monsters. Black Mamba is a person with the ability to see the world even when moving with a dokgodai. If you help Simon D, who is second to Ocelot, and even a strange monster, the destructive power is enormous. Carr- Dino pointed at the door with his paws. Room service is coming. Simon D opened the door. It wasnt long before room service appeared. When the waiter sees the dino, he is surprised. Bonifas, slightly worried, looked for Dino, but there was no sign of it. As the waiter left the room, the missing Dino appeared. Hes a really clever guy.Bonifas coveted Dino more. Animals cannot actively grasp the situation and take actions appropriate to the situation. Even clever chimpanzees cant reach the toes of a dino. I made a lot of money, but isnt it too simple? Coco vin and wine are everything on the menu. No landowner has more land than the Black Mamba, and no rich man has more cash than the Black Mamba. When the matchless smiled shyly, they decanted the outsider and handed over the glass. What do you do when you earn a lot? I dumped them all in the Sahara desert. The money is enough to support the family. Actually, it is an honor to receive a cup of Black Mamba. Come on, that guy is also interfering.
Bonifas laughed. Dino stood on his hind legs and held out a wine glass with his front feet. Hes no ordinary monster either. For the new Director-General Bonifas! for! Humans, Epidiums, Zombies and Cenozoic beasts toast with wine glasses at a Djibouti beach hotel. It is an extraordinary scene. The world has already become chaotic. There is a French proverb that in order to negotiate properly, start with three glasses of wine. Bonifas drank three Cia Carellos in succession, then pulled the aluminum case out of his old leather bag. French dignitaries keep important documents in lockable aluminum cases. No matter how well you store your documents, losing the case is a waste of money. Nevertheless, on the other side of self-confidence, there is a psychology of self-satisfaction that is consistent with the psychology of women who insist on luxury bags. Lets finish work first and drink properly. Lets get this sorted out. Im busy too. The technicians are waiting for you, so we need to go quickly. The main character cannot be left out in a historical place. The first is Arevasas bounty and success reward. Javert initially offered a bounty of 30 million francs on the condition that at least one hostage was rescued. The remuneration for success was 1 million francs per hostage. With the 14 survivors and the three remains, you will receive Arevassas bounty and success reward of 47 million francs. Subtract 8 million francs in advance, and 39 million francs are deposited. Hes a big guy.
Chapter 465 - 43 Episode 17 We Hit The Jackpot!
Is the barrel big? So what am I? Bonifas was wounded by the words of the matchless. 47 million francs is a lot of money, but Im going to tell myself to listen to it! He has never heard of him being big even after he has given hundreds of millions of dollars. Chairman Javert sows Korean ginseng and is himself a Provence radish? Hey, he throws 300 million francs and never hears a big one, but Javert throws at most 47 million francs and he hears a big one. After all, people have to have a lot of money to be treated. Bonifas grumbled as if to himself. The adjective of injustice was smeared all over his face. Director General, you are in charge of the safety of French people abroad. I risked my life to rescue the French. Of course you should thank me. Can you transfer a million francs from your bank account to my troubles? The matchless smiled and looked at Bonifas. Bonifas jumped. Why am I doing such a crazy thing? Ive never met a solicitor, and Ive never received a box of healthy drinks. Isnt it obvious that civil servant Park Bong? I want to give, but there is no balance. Thats it. The 300 million francs that the Director-General paid for Operation Roumans allowance is not money from your pocket, but the tax of French citizens. The bounty that Javert pays is the money he earned short. You jump even at 1 million francs, but Chairman Javert donated 47 million dollars. If Chairman Javert is an oak barrel for wine maturation, then the Director General is a pepper barrel. Hahaha, its a pepper shaker~ Its tart. Its a call to stop being stingy with the national tax and settle the price of goods quickly. Bonifas chuckled. It may sound bad depending on what you hear, but I didnt care. Black Mamba is not wrong, and Boniface is not a narrow-minded person. Because neither the director general nor I are idle people. The pair rushed without even blinking their eyes. He is a human being who does not come out a drop of blood even if he pricks him with a needle when he settles.President Javert is definitely a big guy. Initially, 53 million francs were added to the bounty, and 100 million francs were offered as a reward for success. Bonifas hid the fact that Javert wanted to meet the Black Mamba. Although Black Mamba is a freelancer, her call name status has not changed. Even if it is beneficial to the national interest, it is not desirable to have a meeting between a private businessman and a call name. One hundred million francs! The pair were astonished. People have different attitudes when entering and leaving the bathroom. No matter how rich you are, 100 million francs is not the name of a dog. He would be praised for just fulfilling his promises, but he is an unusual person for giving out more money. They were overjoyed that 14 of the staff were alive. They said that the value of an employee cannot be converted into money, and the pay for success has been greatly increased. Great. A rare true entrepreneur. If there is a chance, I will meet with Chairman Javert. Black Mamba showed interest. Bonifas was startled by the unexpected reaction. What a fucking old man like a fox, he was aiming for this when he said he was making a lot of money. Javert thought that his persuasion had worked, but he was mistaken. Javert has already served his purpose. When this happened, he would have been better off taking the lead on his own. After all, the chairman of a large group was not something anyone did. Director General, I will only accept the heart of Chairman Javert, who cares about his employees. One hundred million francs are expected to be paid as condolences to the families of the victims of Operation Fist of Justice. I will also return the 8 million francs I received in advance.Doom! Bonifaces expression hardened as if covered in ice water. His eyes resembled that of a bull that had collapsed on the ice. Why are you so stupid One hundred million francs Do you need money? Bonifas asked in a stuttering voice. Hundreds of young blood were pushed into the Ituri jungle by the hands of Okeophila Smaragdina. Those who have been casually sacrificed are someones son, father, and husband. What would they be thinking as they died? He would have been worried about his family to support. Act! Boniface, who had been dazed, abruptly stood up and gave a salute. Black Mamba, no, invincible, you are a true noble. I have always wondered why so many people of different religions and ethnicities follow you like a god. I just found out why. You are such a handsome person that even men fall for it. A tribute to a true human being with the human condition. Bonifas was thrilled. A human being who is willing to give 100 million francs as a price for his life to people he doesnt even know. Humans with beliefs are rare, but it is even rarer to find people who can demonstrate their beliefs through actions. Because human nature is fundamentally selfish.Hey, look at that face. Another increase in the number of ombuti virus patients. From what I can see, the owner is cool. Simon D muttered a little. The words that Bonifas spoke of as a true human shuddered. His heart was warmed by the desire to live as a real human himself. The rice cake is delicious when shared. If you hide it to eat alone, it stinks. Wow! great word Ill have to give it to the high-ranking officials and the people with the Senator badges.
Bonifas admired it again and again. Simon D, who was listening to him, wrote the words of the owner in the palm of his hand with a ballpoint pen and memorized them. He wanted to hear from Miss Ethel and be praised. Oh! This gentleman, your country is a clean area compared to Korea. The pair sighed. Korea is a country where people who are presidents pay less for rice cakes, and disintegrate groups that are in good standing. Stop making chicken meat and give me the bag. The cost of oil field development will not be high. My hands are coming out of my throat. The pair waved his hand with an awkward expression. Bonifas took out his fountain pen with a lingering aftertaste of shock on his face. Chairman Javert or the Black Mamba are not ordinary humans. If thats the case, then the general manager has to show that nobody else is doing it. Bonifas, burning with a burning desire to win, revised all the numbers on the statement of accounts. The compulsion of the peoples blood tax was also pushed to one side. That being said, compared to Black Mambas achievements, its a hemostasis of the foot. With your presence, the fist of justice has become a cluster bullet of justice. You are a National Tresor because you practice the magic that turns fishing into a trawl net. A large number came up at the same time, and each time the appendix was bigger than the book I read. Its also the reason I fell in love. Let me check the bill. The pair who took the sheet tilted their head. Is there anything complicated between us? Do you just slap like last time? Its a little complicated this time. Let me know if anything is missing. I do! The corners of the pairs lips slowly rose. I stared at Bonifas as he corrected the amount and entered it. There is no man who will not be excited to hear that he is petty. This unintentionally ignited Bonifas fighting spirit. [Summary Statement of Operation Fist of Justice] 1. Hostage Rescue: 14 surviving hostages, three remains (5,000,000 Fr.) 2. Rescue missing operational team members: Rescue 3 GIGN agents (18,000,000 Fr.) 3. Excavation of remains of previously deployed operational team members and collection of oil: 64 remains and 1,530 points of oil recovered(3,000,000 Fr.) 4. Guerrilla annihilation: Dambala rebels killed 698, 3 captured
(350,000 Fr.) 5. Eliminate potential threats: CIA and MSS (Chinas Ministry of National Security) removed (10,000,000 Fr.) 6. Acquisition of bioengineering data: Acquisition of bioweapon hornter (100,000,000 Fr.) 7. Acquisition of industrial technology and military technology: 4 sets of semiconductor, computer, biological mechanism control chip and technology, 1 set of laser-linked ADS fire control system, 350 pieces of genetically modified experimental equipment and 30,000 points of related data. (300,000,000 Fr.) 8. Other work support expenses
(63,650,000 Fr.) Total settlement amount: 500,000,000 Fr. Huh, people arent worth it. The pair sighed. The compensation for killing 701 Dambala rebels was only 350,000 francs. It is only 500 francs per person, or 125,000 Korean Won. Rescued GIGN agents cost six million francs per person. The price difference between French and Congolese is 12,000 times. For this reason, only when the country works properly, the people will also be treated. The pairs eyes, which were reading the amount, got bigger in items six and seven. Amazing, Great. The corpse and scrap metal collected as a gift to Bonifas without much thought cost 400 million francs. Pairless eyes popped out when he checked the total amount of the settlement in the last line. In the early 1980s, the Plaza Accord devalued major European currencies against the dollar. In 1985, the won/dollar rose to 870 won and the won/French fell to 250 won. 500 million francs! At the official exchange rate, it is 125 billion won. The construction cost of Kori No. 1, Koreas first nuclear power plant built in 1977, was 120 billion won. It was national history at the time. He earned money to build a nuclear power plant in a business trip of less than a month. Can this be done? Humans engage in economic activities to survive. Paradoxically, a profitable business is mainly a business that destroys humans. Liquor sales, undergarments sales (prostitution), drug sales, people sales (human trafficking), and life sales (contract murder) are the representative businesses that destroy humans. The profit compensation rate rises in the order of alcohol sales < prostitution < drug sales < human trafficking < contract murder. After all, he is a trader of human life. It is the most profitable business. Isnt it too overpriced? The pair flew to each other. Also, Boniface is Jaeshin. A pair of warriors who have learned how to read can read the numbers charred by Bonifas with a fountain pen. The initial sum of the accounts was 150 million francs. After giving up 100 million francs, it came back to 350 million francs. Whats even funnier is that the cost of supporting other crafts in item 8 is 63,650,000 Fr. It is a number put in by force to hit 500 million francs. Musou shed a cold sweat to manage his facial expressions. Okay, I am a high-ranking bureaucrat who has the duty to execute the peoples blood tax in good faith. You cant just spread the budget, and even if you dont spend the budget you should be spending, youre criticized for being an idiot. DGSEs Ministry of Technology and Intelligence estimated the operations performance at 150 billion francs. Im a vicious business owner who hasnt rewarded you even 0.3% of your performance. Bonifas, as always, was honest. Of course, this is honesty that only applies to Black Mamba. Bonifas is a cold-hearted and astute human being called a surfund. He is not the kind of person who will spread the word about liking the Black Mamba as a human being and being moved by it. DGSE head Bonifas is under heavy pressure on the extensive CIA Sigint activity. The budget for the Helios program, which raises intelligence satellites at medium and high altitudes, amounts to 50 billion francs. The existence of the Black Mamba is absolutely necessary until the Helios Project is put into operation. No, once the Helios Plan is completed, the need for a nuclear bomb without radiation, the Black Mamba, will increase. Pros are priced according to their abilities. 500 million francs is a piece of gum compared to the utility of Black Mamba. I had a lot of places to write, thank you for the gift. Honestly, I want to give you one billion francs. Heh, if its one billion francs, even DGSE in the world would feel burdened with the budget.
I also took a bribe, so I have to settle for that, but thank you for your understanding. But would people believe it if I said it was ivory?
Bonifas shook his heavy Sarcosuchus teeth. It looks like ivory when it looks frozen, but the sharpness is an awl. No other animal on Earth has teeth like this. In that state, it would be too much to draw attention to. Give me a second! The pair were handed over their teeth. It stirred resonance once and raised the force amplification function of the downpour to the limit. Woo-woo-woong C the sound of bees flapping their wings rang out. Duwoong- Spatial perception was activated. The final design, which would be made from ancient crocodile teeth, was engraved in my mind. The process by which the brain controls the torpedo and implements the design is no different from the process of a CNC machine tool. Sassack- The handcuffs stroked Sarcosuchus teeth. His hands were moving faster and faster. White bone powder flew out. It was as if his teeth were bitten by a milling chuck and cut with a bite. As expected, the owner! Bonifas, who did not know English, was bewildered, but Simon Ds sharp eyes saw through the process of turning his teeth into a dagger. The owners hand is sharpening teeth, much harder than steel, like a planer. The unexpected planing was over in an instant. Wheeing- A streak of tornadoes drove away the bone dust that had been flying all over the room and disappeared out of the window. In the pairs hands, a gleaming milky white sword was held. With a handle length of 150mm and a blade length of 200mm, it resembles a simple and practical Swiss PE90 bayonet. He grabbed the blade and concentrated his mind.
Chapter 466 - Episode 18 We Hit The Jackpot!
The fully amplified resonant wave was guided by the index finger of the right hand. The resonant wave, which reached the compression threshold, escaped like a burst of water. Ji-ying C Energy jumped through space and hit the coordinates written in spatial perception. There was a small noise. At the center of the tip of the handle of each sword, a blue-white flame burst out and then disappeared. A hole was drilled as smooth as a lie. A black whirlwind engraved pattern was engraved around the hole. It is a burnt mark created by energy rotating at high speed. The holes and tornado patterns were so sophisticated that nothing could imitate them. Heh heh, I dont envy the niggers infrasound attack. The pair was arrogant. Although the state of the spirit formation, which means that the meaning is one-sided, the older brother is made, the level of secrecy was unparalleled. The niggers infrasound attacks use air as a medium. It can deal with powerful range attacks and depth strikes, but is useless in near-vacuum environments. Earth winds cause bioenergy to jump through space and hit the target directly. It can exert its original power in any environment. I got a second-for-nothing secret as a life preserver. He dug the blood vessels with his fingernails, and held the blade with his thumb and forefinger and pushed it all the way. Zhuung- A deep and clear sword rang. The blade came to life as if it had been polished with a whetstone for three or four days. The tooth of Sarcosuchus, who met an extraordinary human being, was revived with an extraordinary dagger. Once you have created an extension, you should test it. Sheh- the blade swept past the innocent refrigerator. The corner of the metal refrigerator fell silently. Its useful. When you become the general director, you should have at least one unique item. Its an inaugural gift. The pair grabbed the blade of each sword and held out his handle. Uh-huh! Bonifas, who was handed the dagger, made only a squeaky sound. Although the Black Mamba is beyond common sense, it is the first time I have seen a transfer in front of my eyes. To call it a dream, the anticipation of the knife in his hand was terrifying. A translucent knife gleaming in a pale blue color wrapped around his hand. Heavily conical teeth with a length of 350 mm and a weight of 3 kg have been replaced with sharp knives. It is a unique item that men want to have even if they spend a lot of money. Boniface, who was staring blankly at the dagger, suddenly struck the document case. Evil C The aluminum filing case was cut smooth. The strength and anticipation of the blade were terrifying. It is a knife that cannot be made by modern metallurgy. Wow, thats great stuff! Do you like it? Every time you like it. Excalibur is a sword that does not envy. You have to give it a name. If possible, you will build it. Fang de lab?me (Abyssal Fang) The pair answered without hesitation. Made from the teeth of a sarcosuchus protruding from the deep swamp, of course, the Fang of the Abyss. It sounds plausible, but Jijiri is also a name without originality. Good. Pange is the best gift of my life. Bonifas was thrilled. In many cases, the value of a treasure is determined by the authority and story given to it rather than the performance of the object. Tacenzoter is famous because it symbolizes the authority of Kel Air Amenocal. Excalibur is famous because it is the sword of King Arthur. Even the tiniest linen cloth becomes holy when Jesus wears it. Pange is a dagger made by a superman by cutting the teeth of a monster of the Mesozoic era with superpowers. The original function of the dagger is amazing, but the legendary history is the highlight. What treasure can match Pangue de Levima? Bonifass mouth ripped open. Wakil, me too! Sam D, who was angry, looked at the match with the eyes of a child looking at the Lego showcase. Ill make it when I have time. Oh, Meh! Simon Ds face brightened. Later, starting with Simon D, Pange de Levima, or simply Pangue, 20 sarcosuchus toothed daggers were introduced to the world. Pangue became a symbol of Tubaiburpa, and those who had it became respected and loved by the world. Black Mamba, who the hell are you? Excited, Bonifas asked one question at a time. Director General, arent you tired of asking? I am Tubai Burpa. Thats what Ive heard from Bonifas ten times. I dont know the intention of asking, but I cant say, I am Homo epidium. right. You are Tubai Burpa. Im stupid for asking. If you received a gift, you should return it. At the last cabinet meeting, a decision was made on the circulation of decorative materials. Helicopters, tanks, armored vehicles, military trucks, artillery, support firearms, personal firearms and general munitions. Bonifas stopped him and stared at him. Talking to smart people is a good thing. No need to elaborate. Arent you going to give it away for free? The matchless asked with a smirk. Occasionally, the sound of pumpkins falling from the wall next door. When it squeaks, it is the sound of untiing the skirt straps of the orchard house next door. There are many eyes to see. Ill hand it over to 30% of the appraised value. Bonifas said with a triumphant expression. It is the replacement cycle, and only the accessories are replaced, but the accessories are equipment that can play in active duty. 30% is free. Hmm, I have already analyzed the military force needed for Novatopia. Give me the data! The pair held out their hands. I noticed. Im more afraid of your taut head than your fighting power. Bonifas, who had lost steam, handed over the thick file folder indiscriminately. [Novatopia Neighboring Countries Trend Analysis Report] [Analysis of military power equivalent to Novatopias geopolitical position] [Novatopia Military Organization (Plan) [Novatopia administrative system (draft)] [Novatopia Greening Plan Report]
Mussou glanced at the file folder about a span thick. The details that I hadnt even thought of were neatly arranged at a glance. Again, the collective intelligence of human beings was great. Are you going to charge a consulting fee? Heh, if you put it directly into my savings account, Ill get it. Bonifas laughed softly. I must first learn to receive.
The pair smiled innocently. Koreas corruption index always hovers at the top. According to articles published in foreign media, it hovers around the top 100 out of 149 countries surveyed. It is similar to Cambodia and the Philippines. Methods of delivering bribes have also evolved over time. Meet in the mountains, change backpacks, give apple boxes, use cannon bankbooks, get a job with relativesBonifas needs to learn for a long time even if he learns. Novatopia is just starting to stretch. There are a couple of issues that need to be addressed urgently. Simplifying a complex problem is food and protecting my home. For food, underground water development, desert greening, food crop cultivation, and cash crop cultivation are being carried out simultaneously. The Ombuti and Afwerki have formed an expert group and are doing well. The problem is protecting my house. The Armed Forces of the Sparrow Bridge vigilantes are only assault rifles and machine guns. Novatopia does not discriminate based on religion or race. Unlike neighboring countries, they enjoy complete freedom and are guaranteed a minimum standard of living. As time goes by, it will have a strong influence on neighboring countries. There is a very high probability that the dictators around them will invade Novatopia to stop the leak of power. The police-level vigilantes must urgently transform into the military. Its a fast-moving brigade~ Musou couldnt take his eyes off the Novatopia military force organization (in). If the enemy is within range, I am within range of the enemy. Paradoxically speaking, if the enemy is within range and you are out of the enemys sight, victory is inevitable. The formation of the Rapid Mobile Force prepared by the DGSE Technical Department was suitable for the Novatopia reality and had a high degree of perfection. France is a traditional military power, although it is under the dominance of the United States. Unit units such as division, regiment, and corps, as well as names such as lieutenant, colonel, general, and Marshal, are also derived from the French Army. This means that military doctrine took precedence. Weapons Development and Military Doctrine The cause of the collapse of the French army, an advanced country, lies in corruption and the nationalization of defense companies. The cause of the collapse of empires and powers that have disappeared into history is, without exception, corruption. Corruption erodes the foundation of a nations existence and at the same time breeds incompetence. As the corruption loop expands, the competent loses ground and builds up. Due to its closedness, the military is rapidly transformed into a yangachi group than any other organization. The solution that France, who experienced a painful fall, proposed to Novatopia, is an open military culture and an open military system that does not discriminate between men and women. The matchless had little interest in the open military culture. I turned my attention to the part about the national open military system. [Chad is incapable of embracing the autonomous state of Novatopia. -Omitted- The heterogeneity of Novatopia makes not only neighboring countries but also Chad tremble in fear. -Omitted- All citizens, without exception, are obligated to serve in the military. Citizens who are unable to exercise their military service obligations due to reasons such as low physical grades or mental and physical weakness are replaced by military service with labor designated by the self-governing government. -syncopation-] Mussou was completely engrossed in reading the preface. If this is well polished, the word itself of avoiding military service will disappear. called for pleasure. The Korean conscription system has a lot of talk and a lot of masks. If you had money and a hundred, you were exempted from the military, so sweet words such as the son of a god, the son of a general, and the son of darkness have become commonplace. In fact, when the children of wealthy and powerful families receive a new sword, the rate of physical and mental defects is very high. Of course, after receiving the military exemption, they immediately return to normal. Children of God are not wrong. Koreans have a unique gene that makes their mind and body strong if they cannot eat and grow up hard, and that if they are born into a relaxed family, they become weak in mind and body. Unusual genes refer to elite cartel corruption loops. The so-called We are Nami! culture breeds corruption and corruption. Those who have it cross one or two bridges to create their own league, avoiding fair competition and avoiding duty. Mussang had no intention of allowing the Korean-type specific gene to be allowed in Novatopia.
M He covered the thick report. There is a saying called Banmun Farmer. Holding an ax in front of a roadbed is nothing but a laugh. You just need to take the direction. Worries are the responsibility of the Ombudsman and the experts.I researched thoroughly and studied hard. It feels strange to know that the guest knows 100 times better than the owner, myself. France considers Novatopia to be the personal estate of the Black Mamba. There is no reason to interfere, and no intention to interfere. I just wanted to help. okay? This data is not at a level that some DGSE agents can produce at their desks. What is the reason for actively helping by mobilizing manpower? The pair asked sarcastically. No matter how much he needed France, his favor was too much. France is not a soft country that digs and trades. There are three reasons. The first is because I fell in love with a human named Black Mamba. I guess Im addicted to your ideals, courage, sense of justice, compassion, and determination. If you are not the hero of this century, you are Don Quixote, drenched in ideals. Historically, those who have received the title of the hero have plucked out the tears and marrow of others, causing the tears and blood of others to shed. Heroes are exploited, not given. The ultimate goal of his hero was his own achievement. You put all your bloody money into Novatopia. A fool far from being a hero. Whether you are a superman who wants to become a god, a merciful saint, or a deceiver after a period of unrest is an expression of personal greed to see until the end.
Its good to be honest. The second is guessed, but what about the third?
Heh heh, the second is, of course, because France needs you. Except for the Yankees, France is the only country that operates overseas territories and has an overseas garrison. As you are well aware, the left-wing government nationalized the defense industry, falling into a second-tier country in the field of information as well as weapons development. You have to fill the big hole until you turn the board over and make a new one. The third is that Novatopia is what France and Europe need.
Is it because of the Mediterranean refugees?
The pair knew right away. A growing number of African refugees are trying to cross the Mediterranean in wooden boats without engines. The wealthy Mediterranean countries of Western Europe face the dilemma of neither actively blocking nor accepting African refugees.
Yes. Political instability and ethnic conflicts in emerging African countries are getting worse. Thousands of people every day migrate to Western Europe to escape genocide and the Holocaust. If you expel them, international resentment will pour in, and if you accept them, they become a factor of social unrest.
Are they going to leave their hometown and escape death? The original sin of the European empires, which mixed the races by drawing borders as they wanted, and plundered them, was the cause of the refugee escape.
Anyway, France, which has been generous in accepting African refugees, has also reached its limit.
So, it sounds like Novatopia came into existence when you were terrified over the refugee issue.
To be honest, the interests of France and the Black Mamba are aligned. There was nothing wrong with the French government.
Heh, I must have called for hurray.
The pair looked at Bonifas from afar.
Chapter 467 - Episode 19 We Hit The Jackpot!
Somehow they gave me twice the territory The pair clicked inwardly. Humans live with their feet on the ground. The land is an economic property that all living things must occupy in order to continue to live. Even the lizards living in the desolate desert have their own territory, and the slender Sistos in the mountains burn themselves to protect their territory. Its not a rhetorical word, it actually burns. Corsica cystos is surrounded by dense vegetation, and when the temperature rises above 32, it summons and spits out volatile oil and dies. Of course, the surrounding weeds covered with volatile oil are also struck by lightning. Cystos is a plant tolerant of alkaline soils. From the ashes burned by rivals, a seed of Cystos gently protrudes its head. How would humans feel when even a single plant self-immolates to protect its territory? The history of mankind is the history of land-eating. Somehow, it was said that France was just spreading it out. No country is free from territorial issues. Hes a superman in another sense. Musou looked at Boniface again. Physical strength is the best for animals and plants, but physical strength is not everything for humans living as members of society. Boniface is the epitome of man for the state by the state of the state. He coldly grasped his inclinations and abilities and placed his bets. For him, he was betting on a battle against a young Korean who fell from the sky. It was a bit of a sneak peek, but he didnt feel so bad. As Bonifas said, their understanding coincided with each other. Theres no need to whine about being hit in the eye. Just hit the guy who hit you in the back of the head. Musou re-opened the Novatopia military force organization (plan). The DGSE intelligence department proposed a standing army system and a national open military system with three phases of military reinforcement in mind over five years. The standing army includes less than three % of autonomous residents, and the reserve army includes all citizens between the ages of 18 and 40. By the end of this year, a mechanized battalion centered on long-wheeled armored vehicles will be formed, and the number of troops will be increased sequentially as the population of the autonomous provinces increases. Do you think the power reinforcement project will be completed by organizing one rapid maneuver force brigade within two years, forming three quick task force brigades and 10 reserve forces? The final population of Novatopia was estimated at 1.8 million. Its twice the size of Gyeonggi-do, but the limit is 1.8 million? Isnt that too conservative? The matchless man who was reading the report tilted his head. If the influx of refugees increases as it is now, it will be 18 million, not 1.8 million. I read down the draft of the army organization in the next chapter. [Novatopia Mobile Brigade Electrification Plan Headline] 1. Total number of people: 5,000 2. Echelon formation: 7 battalions in total (1 air battalion, 1 armor battalion, 1 artillery battalion, 3 infantry battalion, 1 support battalion)
-Air battalion: 5 companies, 360 people C Armored battalion: four companies, 640 men -Artillery Battalion: three companies, 240 people C Infantry Battalion: three battalions. 3,000 people -Support battalion: 760 people (communication company, medical company, maintenance company, logistic support company, headquarters company) 3. Air battalion: 20 rotor wing C 5 companies (4 rotor wing companies, maintenance companies) C Lightly armed gazelle company: 3 SA342 gazelles, 1 SA341 gazelle C Armament: 4 HOT anti-tank missiles, 2 20mm cannons, 1 14.5mm chain gun 4. Armored battalion: 46 long wheeled armored vehicles, 4 AMX30s C 3 companies of long-wheeled armored vehicles, maintenance companies C Armored Vehicle Company: 15 AMX-10RC (105mm main gun), 1 AMX30- Armament: 105mm main gun (COTAC fire control system), thermal imaging device, tire expansion suspension five. Infantry Battalion: 3 battle battalions 3,000 men C Transport equipment: 100 armored vehicles, 200 high mobility vehicles C Support weapons: Mistral surface-to-air missiles, light artillery, mortars, automatic grenade launchers, heavy machine guns Personal firearms: Palmus, Mini-Me
Awful! He shook his head and closed the report. Traditional infantry brigades and rapid maneuver brigades were different. The list of required military supplies rang out for billions of dollars. A brigade, like a division, is an independent operational corps with support functions such as air, armor, intelligence, artillery, and communications. The concept of a mobile brigade is not a big deal. According to the doctrine, it is enough to add a punchy stick (field artillery) to the infantry brigade, attach wheels (transport armored vehicle), and attach dragonfly wings (helicopter). The problem is that the cost of the wheels and dragonfly wings is no joke. One gazelle costs seven billion won in Korean Won. It costs 200 billion won to purchase 20 gazelles, armaments, and spare parts. The purchase of only 50 armored vehicles and tanks for the armored battalion would cost 170 billion won. If a broker intervenes in the middle, and the person in charge of acquiring weapons receives a box of health drinks or meets a contractor in the underground parking lot, the budget is doubled immediately. There is no other hippopotamus in the arms acquisition business. Even if you take over the decoration materials at 30%, 100 billion won will melt like ice cream in the hot sun of New Years Eve. The 500 million francs and 125 billion won earned in the Ituri jungle disappear without a break. Invincible is not a battle commander, but a dokgodai eraser. Just looking at the title made my eyes flutter. A fresh blue leaf of grass floated on the water and flowed away~ I remembered a verse of the lyrics of Ganda on a spring day. It is not the green leaves of grass that float on the water, but the bluebills. Hundreds of billions of dollar bills flow along the underground waterways of the aquifer on the Stray Bridge. Director General, how much should I pour into a single mobile brigade? At least 2 billion francs should be involved. If you use decorative materials, it will cost 500 to 600 million francs. In a yard where oil is also pouring in, what is the cost of hundreds of millions of francs? Just scream! Bonifas scratched it slowly. Wow! A loud moan came out of nowhere. Paradoxically, I also realized that the French were selling the call-named Black Mamba at a ridiculously cheap price. It would not be enough for France to spend tens of billions of francs to blow up Luman, the air defense missile command, and the chemical and biological weapons store, which are hidden in the Capar Rouge Valley. Of course, the damage suffered by Assad is worth hundreds of billions of francs. Bonifas could have mistaken the three sheets for 300 million francs instead of 3,000 francs. If you have a mobile brigade combined with the general director and air battalion, you are a female captain who robs poor African countries. It can also push Habre into the desert. Do you have any other intentions? The matchless eyes looking at Bonifas were twisted. Its not just the refugee handling band. He wasnt necessarily a person with bad intentions, but he had hidden intentions. My intentions have already been revealed. Unlike neighboring countries, Novatopia is a free democracy. It is not just a free democracy, but a country where fair opportunities are provided without discrimination and discrimination and reasonable rewards are given for efforts. There was a lot more than a clerk who was digging groundwater in the scorching sun than a clerk who sorts papers in the office. Its a beautiful world everyone wants. Its too much of a compliment. What do you want to tell the editorial to make it longer? Whether you like it or not, I want to say that the people of neighboring countries want you. Im betting on the fact that within 10 years, a powerful state that surpasses Israel will emerge in the Sahara. By then, Chad must have been in Novatopias belly. Do you want to say that the neighboring countries, feeling threatened, turn their guns?
Yes. Gaddafi and Habre, who look like their necks have fallen, are they just looking at them? Novatopia has already ridden on the back of a tiger. To survive, you have to grow your teeth and sharpen your claws. Bonifas spoke as if the reality of Novatopia had nothing to do with him. Actually, Bonifas was relaxed. The ball went to Black Mamba. It hurts my head. The pair had a pain in the butt. Novatopia is a Rahula who has to suffer from all kinds of headaches. The Buddha also hated Aemuldang, so why did he want Aemuldang? I was reminded of the people of the Sahel, who were living immortally, the Orthodox and Kurdish peoples of the mountains of northern Syria, and the sold-out children of Eritrea. The reason he developed Novatopia is to provide a refuge for people who are persecuted and who have nowhere else to go. There is a saying in the saga that says Chaho (ൺ) and Daejangbudangyeochaya This is what a great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Liang lamented when he saw Jin Shin-hwangs march in Hamyang when he was young. Liu Liang dreamed of the world, but he dreamed of a utopia of people with nowhere to go. It was because he was born a man and thought it was the right thing to do. However, there were signs that the junk food was slowly interfering.
Hey, who is the yangban on the tigers back? Dont do it as others say. France is always on your side. Scream hot when you push.
Bonifas sincerely recommended. He wanted to see the Touhou invincible stand tall. Director General, theres no need to ring the rim. If Novatopia develops, there are only two arguing girls. Hissen Habre, a French servant, is not going to be in jeopardy, Libya and Sudan. Gaddafi is a hyena who wants to devour Chad whenever he has a chance. Sudan is highly likely to invade to divert ethnic conflicts outside. Novatopia is enough as a haven that gives hope to those who have lost hope but have not abandoned it. No, I have no ambition to become a hero. Military power will be operated as a defensive force. Well! France spares no effort in the establishment and development of Novatopia. After Napoleon, the hero disappeared. Wouldnt you like to be born as a man and build your kingdom?
I know myself well. My bowl is perfect for Aaron des Mans Municipal (Korean whole/half) district manager. I and the Director General are good partners and you are patriots. You have always tried to find the best compromise between France and me. After all, Novatopia is one of the pillars of French management in Africa. Do you agree with me?
Of course I agree. I have been fed up with human greed. The cause of quarrels, whether small or big, is greed. A strong deterrent to war is clearly needed. I am invincible Not a hero, not a puppet. Human resources are mine. The cost of forming and maintaining the Novatopia brigade will be borne by five Western European countries. France, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Spain will have to choose whether to continue to struggle with the refugee problem, or to shift the burden to Novatopia and bear a small burden. If the five Western European countries do not provide military support, Novatopia cannot accept refugees. Stop joking around.Duwoong- Bonifass face hardened at the resolute declaration. Its an unexpected twist. I knew he was a formidable human being, but I didnt know he would be this strong. No, he can become as strong as he wants because he is a non-greedy human. I got a back hit while putting in a little skill. Im not big enough to wreak havoc with the angel of death. We just found a way to win-win. Bonifas made a vague excuse. The pair pushed without giving a break. The plan to form three brigades in Novatopia is to put cobra teeth in the body of an earthworm and a crocodile head in the body of a lizard. If you have good teeth, your body cant support anything. First, form two brigades: an armored battalion, an air support company, and an infantry battalion. Please hand over the prepared materials. Are you ready?
Why are you doing this? If I hadnt thought of handing over the decorations, I wouldnt have prepared a list. The pairs eyes gleamed. Bonifas face, which had hardened so much, loosened like a lie. The plan I had been trying to convince myself of going wrong. Today, I lost to Black Mamba. I am now a fox. Please manage the list of decorative materials as a first-class security document. When Novatopia is ready to take over, I will immediately hand over the decorations. Anyway, if I deal with you, I always do business at a loss. Its useless, I mean to believe the saying that a merchant sells at a loss. Youre trying to eat a lot of leftovers and youre going to get ripped off. Maintenance cost burden! Those who fart are worried about losing their hair. Did I mention that you spilled an oil bottle while picking up sesame seeds in this situation? heh heh Bonifas giggled. I remembered the rotten faces of foreign ministers who chewed unripe olives. The original plan was to give away the decorations for free after a lot of contemplation. Trying to erase the debt to Black Mamba, he even spent upkeep. Say such a troubling story. Defense enhancement projects are not going to happen overnight. A lot of mercenaries who retired from Rison Etranger went on to become instructors in Novatopia. I mean, you are a human being who grows up on your own even if you leave it alone. Blessed by Allah, lets discuss genetics. I was once an inspector dispatched to Total. If its heredity, I know roughly by licking the surface of the watermelon, except for things I dont know. We found only the oiliness of the salt layer, but not the oil layer. There is heredity without even looking at it. The Toba Basin was a candidate group for exploration that Total Company had an eye on. Triangular seismic measurements even checked the basal strata, but they withdrew due to the outbreak of the civil war in Chad. Because I was needabai, my clothes will be turned upside down. President Mar Zuri, who was struck in the back of the head, is going to grind his teeth. I might pick you up in a Zipangu car.
Japanese tea? Chairman Marzuri is a Formula One supporter of Nissan.
Chapter 468 - Episode 1 I Hate Doing the Dishes
What is that man doing with Peugeot, Renault, and Citro?n? Yeah, I cant look at you because Im so blind. In a country where cheap, cheap Japanese cars are eating up the domestic market, would someone in a good position want to do that? Bonifas responded. President Marzuri would have grabbed the back of his neck if he had heard their conversation. Japan, a global oil importer, is an important customer of Total. Nissan sponsorship is Totals strategic marketing. I am willing to partner with Marzuri if he stops sponsoring Nissan.
The sarcasm and the incomparable to the monstrosity. Nissan is an abbreviation for Japan Industries, and it is an unlucky company that exudes arrogance in its name. It is also a representative Japanese company that was revived by taking advantage of the Korean War. Its not just Nissan. Japan took advantage of the Korean War as leverage and stood up from the aftermath of its defeat. It is often lamented over the 36 years of Japanese colonial rule, but the incident that actually explodes is the Korean War. Clever Japan happily dumped money when Koreans spilled blood on their own. In the midst of a bloody fight between the families, its like calling the boat of a local gangster. Every time he thought of Japan, his taste buds were bitter. More heartbreaking than the economic blow is the fallen national prestige and national pride.
Let me also say a word to Marzuri. If you dont want to see Thanatos face to face, Im telling you to go out with friends.Bonifas laughed softly. No matter how much the Black Mamba jumps and runs, it cannot directly develop oil fields. He is well aware of that, so he has opened up room for compromise. The mining of existing oil fields is decreasing, and the quality of newly developed oil fields is decreasing. No eruption wells have been discovered within the last five years. The Toba oil field, an eruption well, rains heavily during drought. Bonifas hates the Yankees as much as matchless hates Japan. Black Mamba was concerned that it would partner with the Yankee Petroleum Major. Yankee majors such as Shell, Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips have merged and acquired oil holding companies in the Middle East and manipulated prices and terms of sale to their liking. Although their influence diminished with the advent of OPEC, the Yankee Supermajors remained strong in the oil market. The original sin of the oil majors lies in their endless greed to pursue more and more depth while ignoring the rational management of resources. Bonifas struggled to ignore the fact that Total was also a member of the Super Major and was doing all sorts of mischief. Isnt it difficult to eat alone? There is nothing that the invincible East of the world cant do, but You cant build a wooden pole and dig with a pickaxe like a 19th-century developer. If you do not cooperate with the oil cartel, you will encounter unexpected obstacles at every stage of exploration-production-transportation. Are you saying that it is difficult to use the existing oil pipelines or pier facilities? A more difficult situation is a reconciliation of conflicts with the local people in the oil field. Whatever the ostensible cause of the mass violence in Africa and South America, the oil problem was behind it. Even now, in Nigeria, Colombia and Ecuador, indigenous peoples are fighting with the government with the help of NGOs. The government and developers are at fault. Of course, fair compensation should be given. Bonifas shook his head. Its not like that. Indigenous people who do not know the taste of money often do not back down even after receiving fair compensation. It hinders the production of oil companies that have acquired legitimate rights on the grounds of land ownership and environmental destruction. The purpose is money. Three months ago, in Nigerias Niger Delta, indigenous people smashed an entire oil plant and killed engineers. Shell Corporation, which was exploring the sedimentary layers, was dazed and fled at night. After strong protests by Shell and the US State Department, the Nigerian government called it an armed riot and dispatched troops. It was unfortunate that the villagers were slaughtered by machine guns. The background of political conflicts and military coups in African countries is mostly dissatisfaction with the distribution of oil imports. Sudans civil war is also due to oil. Southern Christians and Voodoo became wealthy thanks to oil. Muslims in the north, who only sucked their fingers, started a civil war to seize oil fields. Its all about money. He said that if the middle ear knows the taste of meat, bedbugs will not remain in the temple. Human greed is everywhere. It must be difficult to solve external interference and environmental problems. There are a lot of technical issues. For example, even if the borehole is only 3,000m down, the cleaning fluid that cools the drill starts to boil. At this time, if the helix axis of the drill conduit is not aligned properly, the irregular drilling pressure will crush the bit. Especially when it comes to cleaning solutions. What is the washing liquid? OMG! Bonifas looked at the warrior with a pitiful expression. It is the eyes of a human who does not know the washing solution or whether it is genetic development. What are you surprised at? I am an eraser, not an oilfield developer. Its pathetic if you dont know the wind direction and trajectory vector, but dont be damned if you dont know the drilling fluid. A guy with long sleeves dances well, and a guy with a lot of money is good at business. Bonifaces eyes widened at the matchless mouth. He is holding a flower board, so it is said to bet well. This is it! Even without a stick with a hole in it, a human being would still be able to kill people with his mouth. Washing fluid is a chemical that is injected to cool the bit, make the drilling debris into a gel and lift it to the surface, and prevent the borehole from collapsing. There are dozens of species, such as Thixotone, which is a liquid added with special chemical components to water, which makes the cleaning solution jelly-like, Aqua Gel that blocks groundwater leaking from aquifers, Fiber-Tex that fills cracks, and Chioji that neutralizes salt. By properly coating the borehole wall with a thickness of 4 to 10 mm by injecting a washing solution suitable for the conditions, it is possible to block groundwater or brine from permeating the well, and to prevent the inflow of groundwater from blocking the entrance to the oil layer. If the height of the eruption of the mixed crude oil in the salt layer is 20m, it is an oil well above Maracaibo. The high pressure of the eruption means Nangboda, which heralds a large amount of oil in a small area. Who is in charge? This is Professor Muulsori who was introduced by DGSE last time. He said he majored in resource engineering. Im talking about being an expert on icing I will dispatch a person whom I can trust. The pressure of an eruption sonde (an oil well in which oil penetrates the geological ore and rises to the surface through a borehole under the pressure of the parent vein) may cause the stratum to collapse, and environmental pollution is an issue. Under the turntable of the pump station, a rigid closure block to prevent oil and gas eruptions must be installed immediately. This is called a preventer. There are only six major companies in the world with Preventor technology. Totals Schaefer Prevent basic equipment is highly reliable. The oil cartel is more closed than the grain cartel. They compete fiercely with each other, but when a new force shows signs of appearing, they unite and cut off the buds that will grow. If you put a major ahead, it is advantageous in many ways in each field of exploration, mining, and transportation. No need to worry about exploration equipment. And~ Oh, my head. Squirt sonde or pump sonde. If it was meant to scare me, the director-generals intentions worked well enough. The cold-hearted pair waved their hands. Bonifas was once a DGSE supervisor supporting Totals offshore oil development. There were many things that were picked up on the spot. If you keep listening, you have to worry about alopecia areata. Why would you worry about a problem that technicians should be worried about? Puh Neong Bao Bu, Ki Bu and Ne Kho Ne. (Those who do not know the forest go to the forest needlessly. It means that they must know to become a head of state.) The consortium allows me to intervene. If you try to solve it on your own, your brain becomes like me. Bonifas stroked the hair around the survivors with a funny expression. He smiled unparalleled as he got back what he had said. Huh, the director voluntarily stepped forward, so get the brokerage fee from Total. They said that there are more, but the black mamba of the world is acting poorly. Bonifas grunted and pulled out his notebook.
The area of the Samaria farm is 2,900 ha~ According to Totals exploration data, the area suspected of oil formation in the Toba Basin is 50 km2 including delta sediments. If Total purchases the rest of the land and develops oil fields Bonifas looked at the numbers and murmured. Tok-tok-tok- The tip of the fountain pen tapped the notebook. Its a habit that appears when he makes important decisions.
France has no oil fields. Even in neighboring Germany, there are many high-quality oil fields. Across the sea, the UK also has an abundance of oil. God only hated France. It is impossible to increase the number of nuclear power plants by death. This is a golden opportunity for the country to own oil fields If I convince you, will you hand over the Toba oil field to France? If you find out the truth later, Im not a person who will stand still The tip of regret was spinning around in my head. I suddenly remembered Ibrahim Mutapa, the governor of Oriental, who had been given a bribe for a stake in a farm in Samaria. After visiting the Black Mamba, Mutapa developed a malignant nervous breakdown. He also offered the position of governor, and day after day he heard reports that he was being treated by a shaman.He secretly pulls Total into the neighborhood next door, and when he gets caught, he cant take the backseat. Uninvited visit of Black Mamba! Its something I dont want to even imagine. He doesnt know what will happen to him if he goes to work with his clumsy patriotism. Uh, I dont know. When you push, lets push it hot. Black Mamba is Korean and French. To be honest, the pendulum of trust leaned toward Black Mamba rather than Chairman Marzuri of Total. Bonifas decided to throw away all his regrets and toss Totals data to Black Mamba. Tak- The motion of tapping the fountain pen suddenly stopped. Bonifas unfolded a military map of Chad and drew an oval in the lower delta of the Pande River. Touhou invincible, the Toba Basin is in the form of books and books. According to Totals data, the basal stratum stretched from the Samaria farm in the direction of the Pende River. There is a 100% chance that a huge oil bowl is made in this oval. The area of the oval including the delta is 50 km2. Samaria farm occupies 29 km2, and the remaining 21 km2 of the delta is state-owned as river land except for some cotton farms. Buy the rest of the land. 100 million francs is enough. Two pairless eyes, as deep as the abyss, stared at Bonifas. Spatial perception is an interference field. Musou, who had guessed the conflict of Bonifas, secretly released his spatial perception. The interference field is not a wave that can control the will of others as shown in the novel. By increasing your favorability, you can make decisions in your favor when the other person is in conflict. The weaker the will of the opponent is, the more effective it is, and the stronger the will, the less effective it is. Will President Habre sell the land? The pair called for joy inside, but unknowingly picked up the hour hand. Dont worry. The land to be purchased is the Pande River swamp, which is abandoned due to flooding when the water level rises. Habre will open the fountain pen cap for 100 million francs. Moreover, thanks to you, the raccoon Macumbo, who survived, sits in the position of Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. If I say one word, I will take the entire cotton plantation that is sandwiched between the wetlands and hand it over. Bonifas was confident. The Ministry of the Interior and the DGSE jointly manage the former colonies of West Africa. If you say one word, the abandoned river site will immediately come over. Fair compensation is intended to prevent future quarrels in advance. Its true, dog poop is sometimes used as medicine The pair muttered. The world is something you dont even know. Macumbo, who wanted to kill Pae, would be of some help. Will you come with me to NDjamena? The Ombouti is my full agent. I hope the general director will handle the land purchase relationship.
Dont do that. I will deduct 100 million francs from your allowance for the land price. Wait a minute. If you delay these things, you will get a mark. Bonifas pulled out his satellite phone. Like Djibouti or Chad, the telecommunications infrastructure is a mess. After making an international call, you have to wash your fingers for at least an hour. Once connected, it is often disconnected like sugar candy. After finishing the call, Boniface smiled softly. At the dawn of the day, Ambassador Fabier of NDjamena met with Macumbo and decided to close the deal. All you have to do is sign the Ombuds. done! Musou wanted to carry Bonifas. Professor Mulsori has already recommended the purchase of the entire Toba delta of the Pende River. Buying land from other countries is not an easy task, and security is also an issue. Boniface has solved the problem cleanly. This is it! Ill roast beans over lightning. Heh heh, you have to hit the iron when its hot. U.S. Secretary of State Seward bought Alaska 120 years ago and had a lot of fun. The land transaction will mark the second savory real estate transaction in history. Congratulations. Heh heh! The brokers mischief is serious. Seward pays $5 per square kilometer, and Im getting $1.3 million for the same area. The incomparable kiddy laughed.
Chapter 469 - Episode 2 I Hate Doing the Dishes
The Samaria farm in Toba and the delta where it is planned to be purchased is 50 square kilometers and 15 million pyeong. It is 6 times the size of Yeouido, and 75,000 majigi is calculated in Korean majigi units. There are six rice fields that my father worked hard for 20 years. 75,000 Majigi is a vast land that cannot be grasped. The uncle and the Jang family dragged a nine-year-old child to steal a piece of land the size of the palm of their hand. Because she needed a justification to raise her nephew. Rather, he would not have been a slave for five years without the paddy fields left by his father. Knowing their intentions, how frustrated and angry they were. I looked up at the night sky outside the veranda. The black sky seemed to be full of stars. My mother always said that when a good person dies, she becomes a star. When I was young, I used to say that it was nonsense, but now I know that it is not a proposition to believe or not to believe. Because the stars are not in the sky, but in the heart. Father, Im watching you from the sky. Its not a paddy field, but its 75,000 maji. Father and son are like this. How are you? A hot lump was pushed up from the bottom of his chest. The nose was cold. Hey, if you like it, just say its good. The land that Secretary Seward bought for $7.2 million was a useless refrigerator. You bought a bowl full of black gold, not land. If 10 billion barrels are extracted, that means 100 trillion francs. oh my gosh, Im going to die of stomach ache. Bonifas clasped her stomach with both hands and made a deep impression. Bonifas is a tight-knit person who doesnt usually joke around. If anyone who knows him sees it, its a production that will go back and forth. Tobas oil was a shock that could not help but be excited even for him, who was cold enough to be called a surfund. 10 billion barrels is a lot, and the estimated world oil reserves are 2 trillion barrels. Does it make sense that a single oil field holds 0.5% of the worlds oil reserves? What! No one can confidently say about oil reserves. Who believes the Oil and Gas Journal bullshit? Oil is still being made. The sound of oil majors depleting their reserves is bullshit trying to raise oil prices. It is a problem because the depth of mining is getting deeper. What do you do if you drill a test borehole and get ripped off? Explore one mana. The Toba oil field is unconditionally P1. P1? P1 refers to oil fields with a production success rate of more than 90%. For oil extraction to succeed, reserves are important, but recovery is more important. As you said, if the depth of mining is too deep, no matter how large the reserves are, it is the rice cake of the painting. No fool would spend 200 million francs to extract 100 million francs of oil. The pair tilted their heads. Bonifas is the head of the intelligence agency. He will live a long life to see if a human being is sure that he even doubts whether he is the real Boniface. Its strange that the suspicious Boniface is so sure. There seems to be some other data The pair narrowed their eyes and looked at Bonifas. Blood flow and brain waves are calm. It is a characteristic of a person who is confident in his words. I have to take security measures first. Simon D, call Jjoldagu immediately. Quarantine the workers who witnessed the oil spill and raise the farm alert to three jindo dogs. I get it. Simon D picked up the satellite phone and went into the room. The world is full of things you dont even know about. Hearing about Ethels pitiful situation, he became capricious and intervened on the farm. Who would have imagined that oil would explode at the troublesome farm? This is the Korakseo that made rice cakes while sleeping. In any case, it is necessary to use the tombs of ancestors well to obtain a robe. Damn bitch, you dare trespass on your fathers ashes! The incompetent sharply grinded his teeth out of nowhere. His anger at Mr. Jang, who sent his son-in-law to dig up his fathers grave, boils again. I realized that plural lines are ephemeral, but that doesnt mean theyre slipping away. If there is no feedback on the act of violating the human condition, the world is no different from the jungle. Why but? Oh no. Exploration and development should be entrusted to the majors, right?
The pair, who had been in a different thought for a moment, waved his hand. No matter how good the oil, he didnt want to cling to it and get in trouble. 60% of Middle East oil is developed and sold through petroleum majors. I recommend handing over some of the oil fields to Total and entrusting development and sales. Youre just taking money like the Saudi royal family. Its me, but can you trust Total? The notoriety of the oil majors is so great. Fuck! Bonifas spewed wine. Notorious! Who dares to discuss infamy in front of the Black Mamba, the angel of death? Pit- A palm like a pot lid covered the matchless face. Se Mobe! (Its not good!), Rice Tief. (Youre going to get dirty.)
Simon D grunted and rubbed his palms with saliva and alcohol on his pants. Exquize, je ne le fa le EXPE HE! (Sorry, not intentional.) Boniface threw his handkerchief and nodded his head. His speed and agility are unbelievable even with the naked eye. If he had shot him, he would have stopped him. The bodyguards waiting outside the suite became pathetic. Did that person even save the Earth in a previous life! He is an out-of-class person, but his bodyguard is also out-of-class. The black mamba with a ruthless bodyguard was infinitely envious. What human would dare to water the angel of death. You cant start doing business until President Marzuri isnt tired of the world. If you want to commit suicide, what can you do? No one wants to die in a fire or a ship splitting open. The problem is the share transfer price. The reserves assessment is very conservative. The value of the stake in oil fields varies enormously depending on 1P (production success probability of more than 90%), 2P (production success probability of 50%), and 3P (production success probability of 10%). Depending on the price per barrel at the time of exploration and the forecast of future demand, the value of the stake goes back and forth between heaven and hell. Political uncertainty and economic growth in the importing country also play a role. It is advantageous to tap the calculator after extracting the reserves and recovery rate data for high-quality oil fields. If you hurry, you will be hit by an old major. Once the exploration contract is signed, the production and equity contracts can be signed later. Can you fully entrust me with the contract for the development of the oil field? Bonifaces eyes twinkled. It is mutually beneficial if Black Mamba owns the ownership and Total has the development rights. It is also the best solution for the French government. I have two Frenchmen who protect me. Emile guards his back and Bonifas guards his pockets. Im afraid to leave my back on you, but Im willing to leave my pockets. Boniface grabbed the outstretched hand and waved it. Im not sure if its a compliment or an insult, but thank you for believing in me. Oops, my back hurts from making big rice cakes. Is there any congo that falls on a crafty bear? Boniface stared at the matchless. It is the eyes of a spaniel waiting for the praise of the master after surpassing the skill once, or the eyes of a bureaucrat who valued the national interest. This is why France, which looks baggy, is a developed country. If only there were such bureaucrats in Korea . There was envy in the pairs eyes. Politicians and bureaucrats are groups that exist for the benefit of the state and the convenience of the people. If they work selflessly, the country will develop, and if it is corrupted, it will be ruined. Hahaha, I salute the thickness of the face of the Director-General for publicly demanding bribes. I will give you a one-percent stake in the Toba oil field. Hey, are you serious? Bonifaces eyes widened. A smirk hangs in his eyes. East invincibility does not lie. Really! Bonitas expression hardened.
Is the retirement age for civil servants 60 years old? The retirement age of the general director is approximately 5-6 years. What will he do when he retires at a very young age? Would you like to enjoy the sun on a bench in Luxembourg Park? Are you going to go up and down the river with a dog on a leash? Ugh! He never thought about what he would look like after retirement. After he retires, he will have about 20 more years to live. My mind was blown. France tends to be generous with the entry of public officials into the private sector. The problem is that private companies are reluctant to have public service experience. French officials have a reputation for being unkind and incompetent. A figure of himself wandering around the park holding a leash of a pet dog the size of chestnut was drawn in front of his eyes. There will be enough pension to live on, but money isnt everything in a mans life. Work is a field of self-actualization before economic rewards. No one wants to live helplessly. We invite Vernier Bonifas as an advisor to the tentatively titled Invincible Oil. However, work begins one month after retirement from public service. Remuneration is paid from the day of work, and a one percent stake in Touhou Invincible Oil is given as a stock option. Huh! Its an absurd declaration. Bonifas forgot what he was going to say and stared blankly at the pair. A one percent stake in Touhou Undefeated Oil is a devils temptation that no one can deny. Remuneration is not an issue. Stock options are effective from the moment the company is incorporated. Its a verbal promise, but Black Mamba says that if the other person makes a promise, he will go to hell. His covenant is as heavy as a piece of French land. The Black Mamba made DGSE Director-General his own in a few words. Its a promise to work in five years, but how do people feel! He has become an inactive adviser to Touhou Invincible Petroleum, which he did not even create.
Wow, I have to say this is invincible! You are a natural boss. He hates the hassle, but he has no choice but to gather people. I dont know how the world will change, but Ill accept that offer for now. But lets do it after five years. of course! The pair laughed softly. The saying that a person who eats salt turns on the water is an eternal truth. Bonifas, who sits on a negotiating table with Total, is expected to change his mindset. This time, the location has changed, and Bonifas has been baited by the Black Mamba. Is this the case with Tobas oil fields roughly sorted out? Is there anything to sort out? There is only one thing left for the general manager to do. He buried his back deeply on the comfy sofa. A rice cake was made while sleeping, and a person to cut the rice cake into easy-to-eat was decided. He only needs to bring his own money. This is thanks to the well-written ancestral tombs, as Seonwoo Bangna said. How come I feel like Im at a loss when I only see you? Bonifas had a slightly unhappy expression on her face.
Its because my stomach is narrow. DGSE has someone to track down. CIA Special Operations Director Louis Adam and Matilda are female agents. Duke Louis Adam is the one to watch, but who is Matilda? A woman in her mid-30s, who is the head of analysis for Sigint and Imint. If the worlds black mamba cares, shes a special woman. She is responsible for putting two pairs of shadows into the Ituri jungle. It must have been to confirm the surfund Grendel that I had slain. According to the confession of Shadow Commander Major McPhee, Matilda is involved in the development of Honter and Grendel. Also, she said she was a psychic herself.
Psychic honter? Have the Yankees gene control technology developed enough to create intelligent superhumans? Bonifas was startled. The French Institute of Life Sciences discovered a gene-controlled switch and named it homeobox. An experiment is underway in the laboratory to analyze the genome of mice and insert the gene for the shape of an eye into a fruit fly embryo. The experiment was half successful. Dozens of eyes were formed throughout the body of the fruit fly. It is a limitation of existing science and technology that there is no way to control the homeobox. I dont know if Matilda is a psychic honter or a real Psychic. I think if you track her down to her clues, shell get to know her whole story about the Yankees project Socrates. Um, important information. This is information you voluntarily pass on. I will not pay any information fees. Kick Kick Kick! Bonifas found it interesting to playback the horses of the Black Mamba. Director General, I have to work hard as a young man. If a man is small, he will grow old and be abandoned. Dont be shy, you are the richest man in Europe. How much wealth do you train a powerless old man to exhaustion to pass on to his children? Hmm~ The matchless faces clouded at Bonifaces request. Father and mother were happy even without money. My mothers face bloomed like a flower on a single comb that my father bought at a market in town. When her father returned from the field, her mother used to dig up her earwax. Her fathers face, with her mothers head on her lap, was as comfortable as having the whole world. [Imja, look at this. Chubby and well-balanced on both sides is just the owners ass.] [Egg, the pair hears it, but Kiyo makes a distant sound because its dignified.] It appeared in front of her as if drawn by a father who was teasing with ripe peach and a mother who hated it. When the pale pink radiant petals flutter in the spring wind, the sound of pulling strings and the cuckoos premature sound in the field harmonize with each other. A hard day melts like cotton candy with the warm smiles of a father who is steaming without even realizing that his sleeping room is wet, a mother who is fresh out of the cage, a young matchmaker who is obsessed with the fun of catching crayfish in a ditch. Happiness was in the heart, not money. Park Jin-bo and Kim Mal-soon, who used to laugh together when the flowers bloom and cry together when the flowers fall, went to an unknown place like petals falling into a stream that swelled in the spring rain. In that place, only the young pair, whose wings had been broken, was left alone.
Chapter 470 - Episode 3 I Hate Doing the Dishes
The nest is broken, but the egg cannot survive. Because of the money, the new road was driven to and fro like stones. He left his hometown for money, and became a butcher who caught people in the village of Leeyeokman-ri. Money is a monster. In difficult times, they were far away, but now they are flocking to them like a flock of dogs even without calling. The uncle who was wielding a thick cowhide belt as if possessed by a spirit, stood with his back on the Daecheongmaru and hit him! hit it! I remembered Mr. Jang who put chuimsae. The poisonous eyes that flew through the space and flew like a gust of wind came to mind. Eyes that are long torn like a buttonhole, and eyes that have crushed childhood and adolescence. Because the uncle and his wife were called wealthy, Assamryuk (a pair of mahjong tiles with endings of two, three, and six, called Ssangbiyeon, multiplies the number of fives by three. Names a best friend who matches well), but the wealth so-called was Sagu Kappan (Sangbiyeon). The combination of the blood of black sardines and blood of Gukjin that overturned the plate) hit.
The bloody battle between the uncle and his wife over the delicious meat called centrifugal fiber has reached the point of divergence. Jang Phil-nyeo, who is poisoning her husband, who is a life-limited life, as soon as possible, and Park In-bo, who is in the process of pulling out the pillars of her wife, Jang clan, the result of the drama is expected to collapse. The world is wide and unimaginable money is rolling around. You can buy dozens of core fibers only with the allowances earned from Operation Fist of Justice. The core fiber is just a snails horn, and their fight is nothing more than strife. You have less than 20 years to live, so is your fortune so desperately needed? If a white man has a hundred bowls, how can the lives of brothers be so different!
While father Jin-bo Park and mother Mal-soon Kim showed the extremes of pure love, In-bo Park and Pil-nyeo Jang showed the epitome of a drama. Gulgak, Eol, and flesh and soul ate by money. Humans should live a human life, not a sage life.I am not a rich man with money. It is a station and yard where money stays and flows. The money stays for a while, but it finds a place to go and flow. I became a mercenary because I needed money. Somehow, I became a Black Mamba, and I became invincible because I didnt like the bloody black mamba. Whether its the Foreign Legion Rookie Park, the Special Military Advisory Black Mamba, or the owner of Novatopia, nothing will change. I am an ordinary Korean young man who is still burdened with expensive haute cuisine, trembling at the price tag of premium wine, and tying the Dassault Falcon to the de Gaulle airport apron because of the price of oil. Money should be owned by those who need it and should be used where it will be used. If money does not circulate, it is nothing but stinky waste. The money I need is not the 500 million francs stamped on my bank account, but a hundred francs for three meals a day. The matchless mumbled to himself. Touhou invincible, I have been working with you for the past four years, but if you want to know something, you dont know. What else is there that you are doing after collecting money like crazy? I dont know. He doesnt look like a young man in his mid-20s, but an old man who has lived in the world for about 100 years. I know youre a Buta monk, but its really strange.
The pairs faces were distorted as if smiling and crying. The desperate struggle he had lived to not die flowed like a panorama. It is your own life, living in a world that no one knows about. Of all living things, there is no animal with as great an individual variation as humans. Some receive an annual salary that will last a hundred people for the rest of their lives, while others receive an annual salary that cannot afford to buy an apartment even if they earn for the rest of their lives. Humans are the only living beings that can condense ten years into one day. This is what happens when you eat bread soaked in tears when you are thrown into the world by yourself at an age where you havent even brushed your teeth. Thats what happens when you live a life that struggles not to die. If you put yourself in the chains of ethics and morals so as not to dishonor your father, thats what happens. This is what happens if you ignore the tens of thousands of times to be strict with yourself and tolerant of others. If you try not to be ashamed of yourself as you please, that will happen. Bonifas stared blankly at the pair. All kinds of emotions of joy and sorrow were buried in every word hesitantly. Black Mamba is not a monster created by Project MK or Project Arago. He is a true superman created by hundreds of intense emotional pains and a strong spirit that refines himself. Many people transcend religion and ethnicity, and he is a person who can be followed. Invincible, is your absurd strength the result of condensing ten years into one day? It is the result of a mixture of gimmicks and coincidences, which cannot be said that there is no divine providence. Perhaps the biggest part is the result of desperate training. What will happen if Simon D and the general public fight with bare hands? Even if a thousand ordinary people attack, they will not be defeated. The bravery and strength of a tiger is innate. He thinks like a human, sharpens his claws, and does not train his physical strength. As humans think and strive, there are differences between individuals. The story went the wrong way. Money is all you need to be comfortable with. If there are too many, you will only get mad at managing them. The matchless, who had fallen for a moment of appreciation, humbly finished it. Hahaha, you say that if you have a lot of money, you only get mad? refreshing words. Who else would dare to say such a thing if it werent for Eastern Invincibility? Unexpectedly, I widened my horizons. I feel like I have been rewarded with a rush to Djibouti. Are you going to stay at the hotel? no. The position of DGSE Director General is not idle. Its time to blow the deadline. Operation Fist of Justice has been completed. You have finished not in vain the blood of hundreds of young people who died in vain in the jungle. That is the true majesty of the National Tresor. Thanks to this, France has gained a lot. A sea of gratitude on behalf of the government. Cheers.
For the prosperity of Novatopia! for! For the undefeated oil! for!
For the friendship of the Undefeated and Serpent! for! Bonifas shouted a toast three times, and Musou and Simon D Dino sang in the back. Krre-Dino interrupted the toast with a glass of wine in his front paw. Simon D hit the back of the head, but he persevered and took one shot of wine. My circle is not even Alice in Wonderland . Bonifas laughed. If you hadnt come to Djibouti, would you have imagined the scene where the monster interrupts the toast and pours wine into the mouth? Its no surprise you know. Of the four beings toasting, Boniface is the only human. The Kempinski Hotel meeting exchanged necessary parts for each other. Although they are of different nationalities and races, the two are the best in their respective fields. When negotiation recognizes the competence of the other party and does not insert self-interest, satisfactory results are obtained. Bonifas was satisfied and so was the matchless. Undefeated, I will return to the swimming pool immediately. The countermeasures of the blatant Socrates project became urgent. Its not just the Yankees. Please keep an eye on Japan. Japan? I dont feel good. All of the Grendels the Yankees hid in the Ituri jungle were for underwater use. Serfund, Octopus, and Turtle are based on marine life. The Yankees are Japans ally. I dont trust the Yankees. Korean love for Yankees is unusual, but you are a little unusual. Boniface scratched it lightly. Dont rim yourselves knowingly. Yankees friend is Japanese. Japans economic power is shaking the neck of the US. Eight Japanese companies are among the worlds 10 largest companies by market capitalization. The Yankee company only contains IBM and Exxon. There are 33 Japanese companies in the top 50 companies ranking. There are 15 US companies and 2 UK companies. Unfortunately, there is not a single French company. Japanese money and goods have taken over America. The American political circle is melting into Japans all-around lobbying with money. Korea is significant because the Soviet Union and the communist countries of China are awakening their eyes. South Korea trusts the United States blindly, but the US State Department and intelligence agencies see Korea as Japans primary defensive outpost. Because Japan is an economic animal, a troublesome bastard who bullies neighbors when he has power, a thief who copies and imitates others, and a piece of shit from the Pacific that cant reflect on the past. Even in the Atlantic Ocean, theres a sleazy piece of shit that wants to touch France from time to time, but its a cooperative and competitive relationship. Korea has troublesome neighbors. Grendel is a biological weapon the CIA is developing in secret. No matter how close the relationship between the Yankees and Japan is, it is not a weapon to hand over. Also, although Japan is a ruthless country, it is not a mafia. Will Grendel be sent in to create an irrational number that overturns the Korean coast? The reason Japan invaded Southeast Asia was because of oil. The Japanese have aggression genes. They can become mafia according to their needs. As the mass of land is placed on the ring of fire, there is a sufficient probability of making an absurd attempt. I hope this is a mistake, but isnt the first principle to be wary of in the information world is mirror imaging (an error of judgment that comes from the belief that the enemy has the same thoughts as us, a common mistake South Korea makes in its North Korea policy). I see. If you search the Cabinet Investigation Room, you will find something. Korea is not interested and it is not worth putting in manpower Boniface, who glanced at the matchless eyes, quickly changed his words. Koreans are diligent and smart. I am convinced that Koreas economy and military might one day surpass Japan. Congratulations once again for becoming the master of black gold. Oh Bianto, Bon Nui! (See you next time, good night!) Bonifas took his words and left the hotel. Silence fell in the room where Bonifas had returned. As the pair fell in thought, Simon D and Dino quietly entered their respective rooms. The Fist of Justice is over? Not before we catch Kamuge and Rusurufe. I opened the emergency pouch and took out a water bottle. The scarlet creature, a span of a span, turned its empty eyes and stared intently. The black-and-white eyes were terrifying. Ruslufe was minced with balsamic and beaten with a resonance wave to make cake-like pizza dough and seal it. It was said to be an immortal creature, but in less than a week, it restored its original form. It looks like a human, but if you look closely, it contains all the characteristics of all kinds of creatures. A crocodile-pointed mouth, webbed hands, gills behind the ears, and tentacled arms According to Kamuge, Rusurufe is both a mass and a spirit body. In short, it is a scam. There is no countermeasure unless the entity wielding physical force does not receive physical damage. It is the size of the palm of your hand when trapped in a bottle, but you never know how big it will be when it pops out. Is this guy the same kind of Adras as a nigga? The lamp monster that appears in Arabian Nights is similar to this guy. Its an absurd image, but its not unreasonable speculation when you look at its physical properties. Sam D, bring the crystal bottle. Rusurufe is an unknown entity. If he finds what he has seen, he doesnt know what kind of arrogance he will do. Unsure of ordinary glass bottles, Musou ordered a solid crystal bottle with a titanium tube.
Huh, Wakir, what is that? Simon D, who was carrying a crystal bottle, was startled. If a demon existed, it would have looked like that. Rusurufe was captured at Kamuges residence. Simon D was not aware of the existence of Ruslufe. I do not know either. A guy named Kamuge called him Rusurufe. I feel bad. Let me kill you. Kiruru- Rusurufe shouted. Dede Chaong C A crack went straight through the glass bottle. Heo Yeons eyes, staring at Simon D, radiated evil energy. OMG! Simon D unknowingly took a step back. Fluttering C Rusurufe struggled. Zeng-Zeng- The cracked bottle shook as if it were about to break. This guy is a great thing. The pair was amazed. It is an attempt to break the bottle with sound waves and escape. The pair put a resonance wave around his handcuffs and opened the cap of his bottle. Suak-Lusurufe came out like a spring. The invincible, who had been preparing, blew a gust of wind. Puck- There was a hole in the pink body. Chiaak C a sharp scream rang out. Simon D covered his ears with both hands and made a painful expression. Shhh, the tortoiseshell handcuffs grabbed the fleeing body. Knock-and-dash- As the compressed air tightened like a net, Ruslufe struggled. OMG! Simon D blew nonsense. Rusurufe was transformed into all sorts of shapes, including crocodiles, lizards, birds, dinosaurs, and so on. It is a characteristic of atypical life forms that niggers have seen. Duwoong- Puk-Puk-Puk- Compressed air, suppressing the struggles of Ruslufe and feeding them resonant waves without remorse. Puck Puk Pak C A powerful resonant wave pounded the pink creature like a drum. Whether humans or monsters, hawks have no business. Ruslufe was ground like an apple in a juicer. The body, which had grown as large as a human, rapidly shrunk, and the pink color changed to black. As the resonant wave continued to push in, the shape collapsed and eventually stretched out like pizza dough. The size is also smaller than the palm of your hand. Musou pushed the Rusurufe dough into the crystal bottle and sealed the lid tightly. You dont know what will happen if you miss a guy whose physics doesnt work. When the gnome drills a hole in the cockpit of an airliner in operation and commits suicide attacks on a skyscraper in the city, a catastrophe occurs.
Chapter 471 - Episode 4 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Huh. Thats an absurd creature.
Mu Ssang, looking at the crystal bottle, muttered. The Rousseloufe, who was wreaking havoc moments ago, became a piece of black pancake inside the bottle. It may look like that, seemingly dead, but within a week it regains its original form. An assuming person may open the bottle and release the Devil.
Rousseloufe meant, in the tribal language in Benin, where voodoo originated, Incarnated Angel. Its creepy appearance and vicious eyes seemed more like a demons than an angels. It didnt really have any angelic features.
Rousseloufe could turn its body into a fog. Thus, it could enter a quarantined or closed-off area easily. It was hard to notice its infiltration and it was immune to physical damage so it was hard to deter it. All you could do was disintegrate its molecular integrity with a vajra or cellular structure with Gongjinpa.
If it entered a nuclear power plant and blocked the cooling liquid for the reactor that contains the fuel rod, the entire city was blown away. A terrorist attack involving an airplane was nothing compared to that.
It is quite serious.
Mu Ssang sighed deeply. Samdi did too. Their fight with the bizarre creature ended within 10 seconds. But the room was already a mess. Holes opened in the walls and pair glass was all cracked over. Only the resin in between was holding the glass. The devilish creature was restrained without much effort but that was only because it was Mu Ssang who did it.
It seemed dangerous but now its just a black dough. Is it dead?
Samdi shook the crystal bottle. The charred dough floated in the liquid-like burnt wood.
Its not dead. I am not sure if its pretending to be dead or barely alive.
Get rid of it. It is creepy.
Samdi felt an unexplained hostility.
I have no way to kill it now.
What about high-voltage electricity or burning it with white phosphorous in an airtight container?
Samdi insistently called for the elimination of the creepy creature. It was a great risk if it ever got out. Only Mu Ssang could handle it. So it was a great risk factor if it regained its former form and escaped.
White phosphorous? We should do the opposite. Lower temperature decreases the movement of molecules. We should put the bottle in dry ice.
Mu Ssang flicked his fingers. It proved to be a great idea. Inside a box filled with dry ice, the dough of Rousseloufe shrunk further. Mu Ssang probably could kill it if he needed to, but he had a hunch that it may be useful in the future. So he spared its life.
I hate doing the dishes.
It was a ten-year-old complaint. Living on your own meant you had to cook for yourself. Cleaning after that was even more bothersome. Five years at his uncles. Six years living on his own. Five months at the nightclub. The monastery. Mu Ssang had washed countless dishes. Whether it was cooking, an incident, or an operation, cleaning up was always the most cumbersome part of the job.
Frances Operation Fist of Justice was concluded but the fist of the Eastern Swordsman wasnt. Two Rousseloufes burst through a pregnant womans belly and disappeared. Considering the one in the bottle, the normal route of maturation is natural birth. The other two, either by their own power or Kamuges, escaped in an immature state. He didnt mention it to Bonipas but it was bothering him. Now he had dishes to do.
Although not as dangerous as Rousseloufe, Grendels and Haunters developed by Americans were also a risk. The MK project, part of Americas Socrates Project, was bothering him because of Japan.
Chui Do Shik and his followers taught him the true nature of the Japanese. Individually, they were shy but as a group, they became insane. They had a bad habit of justifying any means for their goal.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the examples. Japans Joint Staff Office only declared war on America after the attack on Pearl Harbor was successful. Such treachery is characteristic of Japan. On the other hand, the intelligence analysts of the United States dismissed the signs of a surprise attack. It was mirror-imaging. The analysts thought if they were Japanese, they wouldnt attack the United States to turn such a powerful country against themselves.
Mu Ssang connected the waterborne Grendel and Japan for a certain reason. Nothing guaranteed that Japans treachery and Americas mirror-imaging would combine to prove disastrous. Japan had the most amount of cash in the whole world. Its people were not as rich as the country, but its companies and government had a vast amount of money. The United States, spearheading capitalism, equaled money with character. The CIA was, for example, known for conducting illegal businesses to fund its operations.
In terms of financial policy, Japan was led by the hawkish, rather than the dovish. Prime Minister Konoe resigned after opposing the war with the United States in a cabinet meeting, pushed away by General Hideki Tojo. Then he took potassium cyanide and committed suicide after Japans defeat.
To this day, Konoe is derided as a coward and Hideki Tojo is praised as a war hero. That is Japan.
[Korea, historically, was not interested in expanding its territories.] A Japanese historian and novelist, Ryotaro Shiba, said that. No Korean would feel good reading such a statement. If they were Korean, they must be not versed in history or interested in Koreas future.
Ever since Silla unified the whole peninsula, Manchuria disappeared from Korean history. Goryeo, who unified the peninsula again later, was not interested in northern territories. Joseon also did not step further than the Tumen and Yalu rivers. During Sejongs rule, Lee Jong-mu punished the pirates in Tsushima, but did not occupy the island and returned to the peninsula.
Such a noble people in terms of the policy of non-invasion. Yet they fought each other to death in the small Korean peninsula. Koreans were difficult people to understand.
The Japanese people made several glaring contrasts to Koreans. Korea was centered around scholars versed in ancient Chinese texts but Japan was ruled by warriors, the samurai. In Korea, people were punished in a court of law but in Japan, the samurai beheaded them right away. A samurai would demand a common girl to remove her skirt and if she refused, he would behead her in broad daylight. The ruled must have learned to fear the ruling class.
After having been ruled by the samurai culture for a long time, the Japanese people developed two personality traits that were almost genetic. First, they obeyed their rulers without question. Second, they thought it was natural for a weak being to be treated with cruelty. Such traits were present even today, as ijime and burakumin discrimination.
Imperial Japan also referred to Korean villages as buraku. Thus, they considered Koreans as the same class of people as butchers in Japan. They called for Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity yet considered themselves superior to other Asians. The Japanese were first-class citizens. Koreans and the Chinese were second class. Some Japanese still referred to villages as buraku and considered him as a second-class human. It was a sad thing.
The samurai culture turned the Japanese people into a band of rats. They acted as a collective, never suspecting who is leading them. A corrupt politician would thrive there. They bowed to the strong and trampled on the weak. This mindset manifested itself into ruthless invasions into Russia, China, Korea, Taiwan, and the many countries of Southeast Asia.
When it came to territorial disputes, only two solutions were viable. A war or negotiation. If war was to be avoided, negotiation was due. And historically, negotiations didnt prove successful. Therefore, only when Koreas national power surpassed Japans, the Liancourt Rocks dispute could come to an end.
The scenario about which Mu Ssang was worried was that in which Japan released Grendels on Korean shores. An octopus tentacle thicker and longer than a utility pole would attack fishing boats. A swarm of sea snakes would attack a cruise ship. Japan would mystify it as Amaterasus fury finally reaching Korea.
Furthermore, Japan would try to invade Jeju Island. Its the same thing as the Liancourt Rocks. They were both historically and de facto Korean territories. Japan still thought of the entire Korean peninsula as some kind of colony of Japan. Grendels would help establish fear which they could manipulate.
Grendels and Japan. They may do as they wish. I will show them hell.
Mu Ssang kept silent. Was the Korean government as prepared as he was, being on their guard against Japan? It was a futile wish. He wouldnt have become a mercenary in France if the Korean government and politicians had such knowledge and wisdom.
His country abandoned him but he couldnt abandon his. It was just corrupt politicians who acquired power through illegal means. The land itself didnt abandon him. Even if you strangled the cock, a new day still dawned. Mu Ssang loved his country but he couldnt like it. Such a thought led him to a night of insomnia.
Mu Ssangs return to France was postponed for one week. The intelligence agency of each country and media were interested in who Call Name was. The DGSE was trying their best to mitigate it but many spies and journalists from each country gathered to Paris.
Call Name was in the spotlight because of the failed assassination attempt that targeted President de Gaulle in 1963. Jackal, the assassin, declared the intent to assassinate publicly and infiltrated the layers of bodyguards with sheer capacities. Before he could get to the president, the gendarme Jean-Marie Bastien stopped him. He was the Call Name of the time. Due to Bastien, the hidden sword of France, Call Name was revealed to the world.
The advent of a new Call Name was bound to interest the media. Spies and journalists, all excited, ran across Paris and even NDjamena. Even a Korean newspaper released an article that described him as a French special agent with a murder permit who brutally butchered African indigenous people. It was a copy-paste from an American weekly magazine that always portrayed him in a bad light.
Even if Bonipas hadnt asked him, it was hard for him to move publicly now. Mu Ssang decided to stay in Djibouti for one more day then move to the Samaria farm. He was not going to set foot in Paris or NDjamena. He sent the hide of Sarcosuchus to Emil.
Its driving me crazy. I have no time to fool around with a woman.
Mu Ssang was impatient.
Hey, Black. Stop frowning like that. Bonipas even gave you a holiday stipend. What is the matter? Rest. The oil under the ground does not flee.
Look at your dark circles. Once you start resting, you should completely relax. Forget all and rest.
Bellman pitched in.
Its not because of the oil. I want to go back to my hometown quickly. I need to find my mother. I will dispatch an informant once Im back in Korea.
Yeah, you should. Your mother is like our mother. There are a lot of skilled private detectives in America. We should hire an expert.
Bellman said, with a worried face.
You had left the CIA long ago. How are you going to help him? What are they going to do in Korea? They always mess up.
Paul pointed out.
I still have that much of a leverage.
Black wouldnt like that kind of flaunting. A salesman should stick to selling pistols.
What? I can even involve the Korean police.
Paul and Bellman argued playfully.
Stop it. I will call you when I need you.
Mu Ssang waved it away. If Africa is a war zone, Korea was hell. Lee Kang Chuls miserable appearance and his uncles face overlapped. He was practically a dead man now. To kill his fathers brother went against ethics.
Les Misrables. They were all victims. The good and the evil were simply karma painted over a soul. A dead persons soul dissipated and went back to the ground. A person died and was buried in a mountain or meadow. The memory of them was buried in the hearts of their loved ones. Revenge was futile.
Then, even if someone sinned, were we to forgive them if they were not a completely evil person? No. He didnt want that kind of paradise. The law of Novatopia dictated One should compensate for the loss one caused. His head felt clear but his heart didnt. Agony and conflict werent to be avoided as long as one was alive.
The Bachilkile region, situated northeast of the Ennedi Plateau, northeastern Chad. A giant male gorilla with silvery fur on its back and a small female gorilla appeared through the sandstorm. The female, leading the way, sniffed something in the air. It was the smell of damp water mixed in the dry air. The female looked back and grunted.
Is there water?
A tired mans voice emanated from within the male. The gorilla stomped on its chest and roared.
Because of that wretched bastard, Rousseloufe, a most precious treasure, was ruined. Its not like I could talk to it either
Chapter 472 - Episode 5 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Puddle-
A grudge-blown monologue followed, followed by the sound of grinding teeth. Gorillas cant grind their teeth while talking to themselves. The monologue came from the mouth of a skinny, middle-aged black man who was held in the silverbacks broad chest. Dambala Houngan Kamugeda escaped by teleporting.
It is ironic that the destination of Kamuge, who escaped from the Black Mamba at the best, is the Ennedy Plateau near Novatopia. He said that no matter how smart a man may be, he cannot glimpse the providence of God.
Camu took out a shiny white tool from his bosom. The menang (voodoo ceremonial tool, made by cutting the wrist of a girl under the age of 10) is a childs hand with only the white bones remaining after the flesh and tendons have been neatly removed. To borrow Goris vision, you need to connect to Goris brain through Menang.
The gorillas eyesight is not very good, but the ring that Ruthrufe is possessed is not an ordinary gorilla. Even if it does not reach the deceitful skill equivalent to clairvoyance, it is at a level where you can see a rabbit running 10km ahead. Duwoong- As if a street lamp was turned on in a dark night, the view was opened without hesitation. 1km, 2km, 3km, and 4km ahead, a long torn valley and a wadi with clear water were caught in sight.
There was water! Gori, lets go.
Kamuge hit Silverbacks temple with his menang. The relationship between Rusurufe and the shaman is ambiguous. Ruth Rufe recognizes the shaman as her slave, but will do well if the shaman provides enough human blood.
If the shaman dares to commit the disrespect of beating Rusurufe, it will be torn immediately. The ring hit by the shaman wasnt Rusrufe, it was just a powerful gorilla.
Two gorillas ran like the wind. When the ground was excavated, the red ground was dug and shortened by about ten meters. Even after running nonstop for the past 7 days, I was overflowing with energy. No matter how good the rings are, they are not intelligent. This means that it is just an upgraded version of Oma.
Damn it! Dambala will swallow you up!
The curse came out unknowingly. The object of the abusive language is Petro, who ruined Rusurufe. Kamus face didnt know how to straighten out.
When the Black Mamba beat Ruth Rufe in the Ituri Jungle stilt house, the terrified Ka Weight broke into tears and ripped open her hosts abdomen, lifting her womb. The seeds of Rusurufe are awakened after undergoing a full six-month maturation process in the womb of a compatible human being. Once the awakened seed is taken out in the middle, it becomes a monster with no divinity. The fall of the Bahomei Kingdom was also caused by the shaman of the royal family who mishandled the rebirth of Rusrufe.
If the uterus is removed, the ripening luslufe will be destroyed. However, it is a bigger problem when the matured Rusurufe is passed on to the enemy. The opponent is a powerful Petro who cannot even dare to fight against it. Porridge is a dog leash.
With tears in his eyes, Kamuge fled with an immature Rusurufe. Unsurprisingly, Ruth Rufe, who could not take her form, began to run rampant. Oops, she was about to be eaten by herself. Kamuge, who could not find a host, became desperate. Meeting people in the Ituri jungle is as difficult as the Sahara desert.
As they were leaving the jungle, a curious gorilla couple blocked their way. Without a second thought, Kamuge inserted the Ruslufe into the gorillas body. Looking at the genome sequence, I was expecting the results of the study that the genetic differentiation period between humans and gorillas does not exceed 5 million years.
The union of Rusurufe and the host is simple. It hypnotizes the gorilla and voluntarily invades and takes over the brain by bringing the container containing the luslufe to its nose. I was nervous because it was my first time trying it, but luckily I settled on it.
He gambled with the unstable Ruth Rufe just in case, but problems arose. The gorillas physical ability increased dramatically, but his intellect did not wake up. He understood simple commands, but basically did not communicate. Rusrufe, who was left behind after establishing the country, became a strong gorilla that listens at best.
He hit the ground, but there was no way to separate Ruth Rufe from the host again. Thats why I named them Gori and Rilla without any surnames. Afraid of being chased by the Black Mamba, Kamuge, with the help of the well-spoken Gori and Lila, wandered around without looking back.
Although the boundaries of the Ennedy Plateau are somewhat unclear, the CIA geospatial intelligence team estimates it to be around 60,000 square kilometers. The Ennedy Plateau is an area of dramatic geological fluctuations. Until 600 million years ago, it was a barren savannah area where the bedrock, granite, was rough eroded. About 600 million years ago, it was turned into a swamp similar to the Amazon River basin. Frequent heavy rains created huge rivers and lakes, and sedimentary layers of 2,000 to 7,000 m were accumulated on top of the eroded granite layers.
The plateau was subjected to lateral pressure when the Great Rift of East Africa was torn, and the bedrock layer swelled like a steamed egg. A flat grassland suddenly turned into a plateau of 800m to 1,600m. The exposed sedimentary sandstone layers suffered from heavy rains and torrents for many years, and after they turned into deserts, they suffered from extreme weathering.
The Ennedy Plateau has undergone a dramatic change in the last 500 million years into a savannah-wetland-tropical wetland-desert. Climate change and tectonic fluctuations have created the present-day singular topography, with red soils, long stretches of deep valleys, wadis flowing under rocks, massive masses of overhanging rocks, and bizarrely shaped natural sculptures.
The sound of running water was heard. The ring strides forward and stands tall on the edge of a sandstone cliff.
Right of the ring!
Ring, left!
Kamuge confirmed the valley through Silverbacks eyes. I could see a fairly large stream of water flowing down the bottom of a rocky valley where rosewoods and bromeliads were sparsely standing. No surprise. Even on the Ennedy Plateau, which is covered with rough and dry sandstone and sand, Wadi and lakes with flowing water are hidden everywhere.
The weight jumped off. Kamuge groaned, examining the procession of trees like a hairy beast, the narrow entrance as if he had been cut with an axe, and the wide inner grove that spread like a large pot.
Vacilkile!
This is the destination that I have been running nonstop for the past 8 days to avoid a terrible existence. Bachilkyle is a sandstone valley in the southwest of the Ennedy Plateau, located 80 km from Pada. The length of the valley is 31 km, and the width is so arbitrary that it narrows from two to three hundred meters to ten meters.
There is water in the basilkyle. Water from an unknown source suddenly appears and flows through the wadi and the crevices of the rocks and disappears without a trace. There are lakes all over the valley, but the source of the water cannot be guessed.
Voodoo shamans consider the Valley of Vacilkyle a holy place. At one time as many as five hundred shamans stayed in the valley to escape persecution from England and France. Kamuges teacher, the great Houngan Odum, also practiced witchcraft and smelted zombies here.
The reason the shamans gathered in the Valley of Vacilkile is because of their secrets. Thousands of Aboriginal people scattered across the Ennedy Highlands have been horribly mistreated by the voodoo shamans who inhabit the valley.
The abducted natives were either tested on the human body or made as a tool for witchcraft. Indigenous people reincarnated as zombies have also captured natives hundreds of kilometers away. In the early 20th century, French engineering forces subjugated them, but their notoriety and fear did not disappear easily. The natives did not approach the Valley of the Devil, nor did they speak of it.
Ka Weight came to the Valley of Kyle to find relics of his teacher and to devote them to cultivating followers. There is water here. Crops such as sorghum, millet, and corn can be grown on the wide flat land inside the valley. It is a secret and self-sufficient heavenly retreat.
lets go!
Woowook- Gori jumped off a 20m high cliff with a heavyweight. The thump-weathered sandstone crumbled, but the ring did not move. The weight of the car on his chest jumped.
Lila, bring the water!
Camu looked back at the female gorilla who jumped up after him. Lila scratched her head with a puzzled expression.
driving me crazy!
She forgot that the words didnt work. The two gorillas can barely understand simple words such as kill, attack, and stop. Gori understands a bit of complicated words such as kill quickly, dont kill, and bring him along, but hes a douchebag. Car weight, who was too bothered to teach him, went down to Wadi with a water bottle. He lost all his followers and had to do the work that slaves had to do.
Its real water!
It is clear water that I met after 7 days. The weight of the car flopped down, put his mouth in the wadi, and gulped. In East Africa, real water means clear, unpolluted water. It is not easy to find clear water, and even clear water is likely to be contaminated with parasites.
Big~
Kamuge was fed up as if he had drunk high alcohol whiskey. Polluted water can be purified by magic and drinkable, but it cannot be compared to natural clear water. For the past 8 days, I ran out of the Ituri jungle, passing through the Central African Republic and Sudan to Ennedy, running 3,100km day and night.
The runner is a gorilla, but he cant even sleep. When the water got into the tired and thirsty body, there was no honey taste. Car weight filled his water boat to the point that his boat wobbled. His dazed mind was fully restored.
He put his snout in the wadi and stared blankly at the two choking gorillas. Using his tongue like a spatula to drink water, the cockroach was no different from a wild gorilla.
Ugh, damn it!
The weight of the car covered his head with both hands. The creature in front of you is an angel incarnate, a foolish gorilla that cant even understand what youre saying, let alone Rusurufe. The angels egg, the treasure of heaven and earth, was turned into a useless stone in the blink of an eye. The tantrum was so intense that my eyes became cloudy.
Budduk- I ground my teeth to break them. The more I thought about it, the more resentful and bitter I became. The first one to kill is Bosco Ntaganta. If Ntaganta had not coveted Rusrufes eggs, he would have overthrown the Mobutu regime by now.
The second person to kill is Petro. Kadanka was the best place to awaken Rusurufe. If only a full moon or ten days had been given, all of Rusurufe would have awakened. If there are three loose loops, it is an invincible asymmetric power. It could also put pressure on the United States of America. I didnt even get hit by someone who didnt know if it was Rewa from another world or the monster of the end.
But this is something!
The army that had been nurtured for ten years was destroyed, and the base that had been built for three years was also destroyed. He lost his home and power and was kicked out like a dog from a family. The biggest blow is the loss of Rusurufe. A sigh escaped from Kamuges mouth as he watched the two gorillas, a powerful beast without ego. In this way, it is no different from Oma that has been strengthened by magic. No, hes much stronger than Oma.
Woowok- Silverback jumped up and looked into the valley. Tang C A gunshot rang out. A bullet pierced his rocky shoulder. Silverbacks eyes turned red. Susu C the bullet that had hit his shoulder was pushed straight back. When the bullet fell to the ground, the wound had already healed. Black Mamba, Simon D, and Honter have a powerful regenerative power that no one can compare.
Tang Tang Tang C Tang Tang Tang C A series of bullets flew from the inside of the valley. As if it were a special shooter, the bullet was stuck in the body of the ring without any loss. His body twisted as if the ring was tickling. The bullets that had been pierced fell.
There was a sailor.
He muttered as if Kamui was nothing. It is a defective product, but it is a body that contains Rusurufes divine power. Gori and Lila are on a different level from Oma, who has grown in size and strength through magic.
Dozens of ocher-colored tents are lined up in the upper Vachilkile Valley, and a herd of camels is muttering cud leisurely in the shade of a rock. The scenery is no different from the rest camp of a large caravan. The scenery outside was completely different. Dozens of jeeps and bikes are lined up in an orderly manner, and machine gun positions have been established.
Imad!
A cracked hoarse voice came out of the particularly large central barracks.
Sir, did you call?
A sturdy 30-year-old Arab pulled back the felt at the entrance to the barracks and entered. The man with his nose on the field table pushed the map to one side and lifted his head. A skinny face with no flesh, shiny eyes, a sharp hawk nose that could hurt if stabbed, and Abu Banshiri, the chief of Aloadin.
Didnt I tell you to avoid shooting training in the middle of the day? The current temperature is 48C. The dry air burns even the lungs of a trained warrior.
Its not training, its practice.
Practical? What are you talking about out of the blue?
Bansiris eyes became sharp. The Ennedy Plateau is a unique place. The red earth, blue sky, and the sandy wind that covers it all go together, often creating an optical illusion. A group of subjects riding camels appear out of the blue, and armed forces appear out of nowhere. Some people shoot in surprise, but it is just an optical illusion created by the heat of the earth and a tired brain.
The warriors are stopping Eves.
Ives? Heh, he shot at the fact that a Genie appeared from time to time, and now the boss appears to have appeared.
Banshiri blinked three hundred eyes. The main body of Ives, the king of the Genies, is fire. The harsh heat of the Ennedy Plateau is more than enough to call out Ives.
Chapter 473 - Episode 6 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Syria, my hometown, has a large climate difference between North and South Korea. Damascus has a desert climate with large temperature variations, while the Capaluja Valley in the north has a Mediterranean climate. In the summer, it is generally mild, only exceeding 30.
It has been six months since ANO, led by Bansiri, lived in Ennedy, but Sahara did not give up easily. The burning Sahara, the Sahara that I had only heard of, was unfamiliar. When the sun rises high, the atmosphere of the plateau heats up. When the hot, dry air was inhaled into his lungs, he gasped. After more than an hour of exposure to the intense highland sunlight, the mind begins to become clouded and vanity begins to appear. If a monster or an enemy with a gun appears in front of you, it will fire without your knowledge. Although the frequency decreased, the crews misfires continued.
Sir, this is the real Ives. The warriors are blocking the entry, but its not enough. Five local operators were killed.
Imad was desperate. He was also abusive when he received a radio call from a security platoon in Gugu. The gorilla habitat is extremely limited. No one believes that gorillas that should have been in the rainforests of East Africa have appeared in the Sahara. No madman will nod his head when he hears that he is fine even after receiving a focused shot. Um, I dont think it was a mirage or an illusion. From the look on his lieutenants face, Ban Ciri sensed that the situation was not simple. It is said that neither the rifle nor the Degcharev crossfire took any damage.
You dont get hit by 7.62mm bullets? Is it him? Bansiris expression hardened. There is a guy who was fine even after being hit by intensive machine gunfire. He is the black demon he is tracking, the self-proclaimed Tu Bye Bur Farah. The enemy who turned Aloadin, the holy land of Asa for a thousand years, into Gehenem (Islams hell), the one who brutally robbed the military funds hidden underground, the very bright red eyes of that man who jumped into the last refuge of Gods intestines and slaughtered the SS. filled my brain. The sword-red whip engraved in his brain was fear itself. He was useless as a human, a gun, or a sword. Ugh~ Bansiri moaned like a sigh. Cold sweat was welling up all over his body, and his eyes were dizzy. Its a conditional reflex that appears whenever you think of him. The horror of that day flashed right before his eyes. The bodyguards caught in the whips tracks had their necks blown, their arms blown off, their legs blown off, and their waists cut off. Lumberjacks, knives, axes, and bayonets were also caught in the whirlwind and shattered as if they were being ground in a blender. Bansiris hand was soaked in blood, but compared to him, it was like dust. The desperate screams of his subordinates, terrified of fear, resounded in his ears. dismissal!
Yes? What is the identity of the intruder? Bansiri, who was suddenly sober, asked. Two gorillas. Gorilla? It wasnt him! Yes? Imad was bewildered. Its a tone that doesnt care about gorillas or chimpanzees. He wondered if he was lucky enough to be who he was. Oh, no. The current situation? Bansiri was relieved by the report that the intruder was a gorilla. The appearance of Tubai Burpa is Asian. It doesnt matter if hes Eves or Genie as long as hes a gnome. Hes not a monster, but a monster grandpa, but if he gets shot, hell die.
The guard platoons defenses are on the verge of collapsing. Shall we attack? No need to rush. Spakin would suffice. Yeah, I see. The lieutenant ran out of the barracks. Bansiri closed her eyes. The roar of the heavens and the earth collapsing, the flames that filled the Kaparuja Valley, and the majestic cliffs collapsing in the slow video passed in a panoramic view. The explosion trauma following the whip trauma unwittingly blocked the bombardment. Because the cliff might collapse Zarkai, Im sorry. Ive been tracking his trail all the way here, but honestly, Im afraid Ill meet him. Forgive me for being afraid of revenge. Uh-huh! Banshi Li covered his face with both hands and sobbed. It is a miserable life that lost all 678 of Allahs warriors and survived thanks to Zarkais sacrifice. His lieutenant Jar Cai was helping his escape, when Tu Bai Burpas whip pierced his back. Zarkai, who was being dragged to the ground while flapping like a fish caught in fishing, was vivid in his eyes. A life that will go to hell anyway! I will surely take you away. Banshi clenched her teeth. With Assads help, he traced his trail, and he came to this place. The arduous journey passed like a lantern. He infiltrated France to control the organization, but the situation was more severe than he thought. ANO, RAF, and Black Guwol, who was involved in the security authorities trawling counter-terrorism operation, were devastated. They were busy escaping across the French border. An emergency network was activated in Monaco to gather warriors, but the results were disastrous.
There were only 25 ANO agents and 75 commando warriors led by Samrin (the Black Guwoldan suicide bombers). More than 90% of the core power of the organization was blown away. Even the chiefs, Abunidal and Samrin, have disappeared. Homeland Syria is a mess fighting its Turkish-backed Muslim brothers, and it has been impossible to build power in Western Europe, which has declared a war on terror. While chasing the traces of Tubaiburpa, he discovered the valley of Bachilkile, and settled there with the support of Assad and Gaddafi.
The Ennedy Plateau is a barren and poor land, but it is a land that is good enough to hide and raise troops. A remote place even in the Sahara Desert, this place is completely out of sight of the world. There are also military resources. Although Ennedy is a barren land, there are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 Aboriginal people inhabited by clans. Even if they all disappear, no one cares. Syrians are known to have many children, but Africans have more. Ten are common, and there are women who have given birth to twenty. Due to the high infant mortality rate, there were not as many boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 15 as he wanted, but he supplemented 500 local boy soldiers. These are commando warriors who throw themselves with bombs. If you survive to the age of 19, you will be given the opportunity to become an elite ANO agent. Bansiri opened up the map she had pushed back. He opened his eyes and looked into the circled area. Nguanga Khevir, 200 km northwest of the Ennedy Plateau, is surrounded by the Gipun Bridge, the capital of Novatopia. While reconnaissance of the highlands area, Ban Siri witnessed a startling scene. A waterway was created in the middle of the desert, and prefabricated buildings and tents were built endlessly. Humans and equipment were teeming with them, and huge construction sites took place everywhere. When I found out that the 800mm diameter concrete pipe buried underground was a water pipe, I almost fell down. Construction is underway to bury water pipes throughout the desert.
Hundreds of heavy machinery and thousands of humans were planting trees on the outskirts of the settlement. It is 300m wide and the formation is a windbreak forest. Hundreds of trucks have loaded wild Jatropha from Agbaya. One step in desert greening that Afwerki and Orifis discussed is the transplantation of jatropha called symendis. The scene where fork cranes and bulk pulchers rushed like dogs and planted Jatropha trees was spectacular. People installed 2m horizontal and vertical grids in various places and planted desert plants such as willow, poplar, and pyrite. The tens of square kilometers around Nguanga Cavir were no longer deserts. Who the hell is doing such a crazy thing? Bansiri was curious and seemed to go crazy. Ibris had already been completely forgotten in his mind. The maximum number of people that can be accommodated in the Vacilkile Valley is 1,000. Fireworks erupted from Bansiris eyes, staring at the Nguanga area. He thought that he should quickly raise the army and take over, but his mind was full. Puk Puk Puk Pak Puk Puk Puk Puk Pak C Rifle bullets hit the body of the ring. ANO, who hid in cliffs and trenches, tenaciously aimed at Goris head. Gori instinctively raised his arm to protect his eyes. The guard platoon failed to build gorillas, and the gorillas were not omniscient. Woowok- Goris gray back mane stood erect. Rage was young in Goris eyes as he stared at the man who was tormenting him and the iron rod. He did not act to be beaten. He just came to play with his friends and just drank water because he was thirsty. In Kururu-gok, a Jeep brought a double-barreled heavy machine gun mounted on amount. The Spakin DSHK-38 anti-aircraft machine gun was used in World War II. The Spakin was originally developed for small ships. Due to its long-range and high rate of fire, it was used for ground warfare and anti-aircraft use. The double-stretched Spakin weighs only 92 kg and is a munchkin that pours 2,000 rounds per minute. Wow! A monster has come. The crew cheered. The Spakin was recognized for its powerful striking power and rate of fire, and not only served as an anti-aircraft machine gun, but was also mounted on small reconnaissance ships. If the 12.7mm bullet that punctures the 20mm deck doesnt destroy the gorilla, its a scam. Tutututu-Spakin breathed fire. The bullets larger than a finger flew one after another. Kori sensed an unusual danger and lifted a rock as big as a car to block his way. Quang-bang-bang- sandstone rocks fell one fist at a time. Uwok- The valley of Bachilkile resounded in the low-frequency scream. Gori charged with the rock as a shield. His bullets rained down, but he couldnt stop Silverbacks charge. Aww!
Help me! The frightened child soldiers screamed horribly as a huge monster came crashing down like a storm. A gorilla weighing 300 kg is not a human unless you are surprised when it comes crashing down like a storm with a huge boulder. Puak-Puk-Goris foot stomped on the boy soldier, turning into a sack of rice and sticking to the ground. The boy who was kicked in his foot was separated from his upper and lower body. Aww, its Ives! Allah! The boy soldiers who had endured their fears gave up their weapons and fled. Even the boy soldiers who were trained in suicide attacks panicked. Shoot! I mean shoot.
The shooter threw a dagger at the fleeing rookie. Puck- A boy soldier with a dagger in his back fell over. The boy soldier screamed torn and crawled away on all fours. Shhh C A flash of light flashed. Shamsir wielded by the commander of the guard platoon passed through the boys neck. I will cut them all. The platoon commander raised his blood-flowing Siameseir and shouted a whale. There is no hell This is Gehenem, where an immortal monster soaked in human blood rushes in, cuts off the throat of a young child who is fleeing for life, and there are gunshots and clamors. Uwok- A terrifying cry swallowed the platoon commanders shouts. Shuung- The rock that left the gorillas hand flew towards the machine gun position 50m ahead. Aww!
The gunner, assistant, ammunition officer, and even the platoon commander looked blankly at the flying rocks without even thinking of avoiding them. Red rocks filled his eyes filled with fear.
Quang- The rocks hit Supakins fortifications directly. Even the Torchika, which was tightly stacked with a mixture of rock and mud, could not handle the momentum of the rock weighing more than 5 tons. The rock smashed the camp and attacked the humans.
A fire-breathing double-barreled Spakin anti-aircraft machine gun was smashed together with its mount. The gunner, assistant, and ammunition officer could not even scream and became fish meat. Saliva dripped from the lips of the guard platoon commander Al-Saudi, who escaped the embarrassment. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, who had been annoyed and tormented, Gori, who smashed the enemy with one shot, roared in victory. When they invade monkey territory, the powerless throw fruits, stones and branches. Its a little annoying, but not a threat. Stones thrown by humans are much stronger and make an unpleasant sound than stones thrown by monkeys. The stone that made an unusually loud noise tore its flesh and plucked its hair. It wasnt to death, but it was very painful. Hes strong, but he won. Du Dadada C Kori, realizing the power, groaned and tapped his chest. Quang- Shu-woong- Red flames stretched out in the song. Kukuk- Gori laughed. The stones thrown by humans were experienced enough. It hurts, but its nothing. Knock- A high-explosive RPG hit Goris chest, which was just about to leap. Cow- A ghastly scream rang out. Anti-tank hit bullets and 12.7mm bullets are incomparable in terms of power. The ring caught in the wind exploded like firecrackers. A 10m radius was covered in flames, and the ring was completely covered with fragments. Oh yeah! Give me one more step. The ANO veterans who caught the RPG had a lot of practical experience. When subduing an enemy, you must be sure to subdue it. One more shot was fired at the monster that rolled around in flames. Bang- The ring blew by the tyranny rolled over the ground and crashed into a crevice of the rock. Twenty pairs of eyes of humans who have lost their souls rushed to the scene of the explosion. A gust of wind blew away the flames and smoke. I can! The terrorists who identified the gorilla screamed in unison as if they had been attacked. The gorilla, which did not move and was spread out, had tanned hair, but the limbs were intact. If you get hit with two RPG7 shots in a row, even a light tank will explode. No matter how monster it is, one creature cannot be hit directly and maintain its shape. Damn! It was Ives. The shooter stuck with the RPG. Wait a minute, Abu Dil. A colleague raised his hand and pointed to the ball. Another gorilla appeared. Ugh, this cant be! Abu Dil, who was in haste to correct the target, exhaled in vain. OMG!
A white flag is held in the hand of the gorilla approaching without hesitation, followed by a skinny black man who is five steps away from the gorilla.
Chapter 474 - Episode 7 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Guard platoon commander al-Saudis face contorted as if he could not see. Nine subordinates were trampled to death by Ives, kicked to death, and turned into rice cakes on a rock. I was tired of peeing at the sound of a huge rock rubbing my ears. It was unilateral, but I understand. Ebris was originally a being of destruction and annihilation. However, this is not Ebris with a white flag. Does it make sense to say that I am waving a white handkerchief to a stick? With a size as big as a water buffalo, a truce, and reconciliation, the white flag cant be matched by the evil impression that can never be combined with the words! A ceasefire in the yard where the stomach ruptured, the upper and lower body separated, and the devastation of the Mokbul Ingyeon with scattered limbs occurred? The two guys crushed on the rocks are rich people who have been together for five years in the Pyrenees. Sparks flashed in Saudi Arabias eyes. What kind of conversation did you have with a monster abandoned by Allah? Hey, youre so rude! (Damn, absurd!) Someone mumbled as al-Saudi burned his anger. Yes. A truce is absurd. Damn, when did Allahs warriors pick up the arm and kill him! ball~ Shut up, you want to die!
A howling that amplified the roar of an angry male elephant tenfold was heard. Ugh! Saudi staggered at the pain of being stabbed in the ear with an awl. Kamuges voice amplification spell shook the valley. Stones fell from the cliff. The Saudis who were about to give the order to attack froze. Who are you? Saudi Arabias white spear flashed many eyes. You dont deserve my name. What? It is an insulting remark without any hesitation. His system of thinking was shaken for a moment by his resolute reaction to the point that he thought he was truly unworthy. Profit, dare! Saudis face turned red as pig liver.
for a moment! Kah Weight stopped Saudi Arabias thoughts and pointed his hand at the silver bag that was lying around. Kamuge is a shaman. Its like looking into the other persons mind. The Saudi gaze, who was about to give the order to fire, followed Kamuges fingertips. An unrealistic scene in which a gorilla who was hit by hit bullets in a row and rose was stuck in his eyes. Ugh~ Kurud! (Immortal!)
Saudi Arabias mouth opened wide and a heavy moan escaped. This is not a dream but a reality. Wow wow! The ring shook her body. Bullets and fragments of shells that had been lodged in his body fell at his feet. Silverback shook his head. His red eyes, as if dipped in fresh blood, stared at Saudi Arabia. Ugh! Saudi Arabia unwittingly stepped back. Ive heard countless times that a voodoo shaman wields zombies and monsters. But this isnt it. The creature that doesnt die from being hit by an anti-tank gun isnt a monster, its a god Rah rach, wax au ka su! (Oh, God has come!) In the unbelievable scene, the new crew members struggled to the ground. Saudis face darkened. The vulgar things that do not receive the grace of Allah are unavoidable. Call the boss, nigga! Kamui growled. The stunned Saudi picked up the walkie-talkie. Buaang- The harsh exhaust sound typical of a Soviet-made Jeep echoed through the valley. Dozens of UAZ-69 jeeps pouring red dust from inside the valley. The UAZ-69 is a military jeep produced by the Soviet Union since 1969. Combat jeeps lined up in a fan-shaped formation. Heavy machine guns, anti-tank guns, and automatic grenade launchers mounted on the loader mounts fired at Kamuge and two gorillas. He had a strong will to punish him if he saw any suspicious movements. Leading Commander Bansiri jumped out of the jeep from the jeep. Bansiri flashed three hundred eyes. While his opponent was fine, only his subordinates became fish. Saudi, what is this? Bansiri, whose heart was twisted, squealed. Sir, this is Unclean Ives. Allahs warriors fought bravely~ Bansiri waved his hand to stop the Saudis making excuses. I am the leader. Identify the identity and the reason for the attack. His gleaming eyes glared at emotionless eyes like grains of glass. Youre a human with a killer gene inside your bones! Kamuge read the killer gene in the Arabs eyes. Before being the leader of the rebels, Kamuge is a houngan and geneticist. The criterion by which he evaluates humans is the presence or absence of superior genes. The Arabs in front of us are strong human beings who have inherited excellent genes from generation to generation.
Genes dont get better just because an individual makes an effort. only inherited Individuals with superior genes are more likely to survive. The surviving individual passes the superior gene back to the offspring. The fact that a person with a killer gene has survived for more than 40 years eloquently speaks to a strong human being. Kamuge recognized the man. I am the high priest Kamuge. Who the hell are you?
Bansiri was startled. The shamans voice shook his brain like a giant bell. He would have lost his center and almost fell if he had not mastered the Mamluk Sir Keshis secret of correcting the soul. As you might have guessed, this is the evil Voodoo Houngan. Ummm, Voodoo Houngan! Bansiri moaned. He, too, heard the voodoos notorious deaf ears. Voodoo is an evil religion where people are sacrificed and the sacrifice is shared. He recognized the amazing abilities of Voodoo Hounggan. There are no evil spells. There is only one standard of being strong or weak. Sak-Bansiri disappeared. Sussuk- Kamuges cuff in the hand of Bansiri, who appeared in place after passing through the village, fluttered. It is the shadow cutting of Asa Shin that has been passed down for a thousand years. Kamuges expression hardened slightly, then loosened. He was calling each others check maids one by one. I am Abu Bansiri. He is the one who instructs those who do not know the true meaning of Allah.
Chapter 475 - Episode 8 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Man is human, and hunger is hunger. Emmusotu is alive! See you Waqil. Unable to bear the humiliation of the second roaring slogan, the matchless turned his face to the sky. The reddish-red sky turned to blue-blue. As the feathery clouds in the eastern sky were dyed red, a red photosphere protruded from the horizon. Mussang has never seen the sunrise on the horizon in Korea. This means that we have never seen a field equivalent to 4 km in the distance. The sun rising from the sea emits a red halo, but the sun rising from the ground spreads bright yellow rain in all directions. The sun has crossed the horizon. Yellow rain poured down on the savage land. The light emitted by the wheel of the sky drove the mist of the Pande River back to its original place. Water mist wrapped around Mussou, Dino, and Simon D, and went up to the sky. The gigantic beast and the red giant reflected in the luminous mist of water are nothing but the gatekeepers of the gates of heaven and hell. Behind the pair was a young bright yellow halo. Gandura was blown away by the river wind from the Pendae River, and the mist was dried up. A pair of incomparable wearing a light bae floated in a white cloud. Fog or humans? Ah! The clamor exploded. The incarnation of the god, Tubaiburpa, descended into the Human Age with the Isu and the ceiling. Black Culture was mesmerized by the exquisite performance created by nature. Hes a real man! Professor Muulsoris admiration took a different direction. What human could be prettier than me? Can even a god have the same faith and trust as Tubai? Its not incomprehensible. God does not answer, but Tubai is an answering being. An intense nerve impulse that started from the top of his head ran through his chest and lower abdomen, all the way to his toes. Professor Muulsori, who had been living as a celibate for 30 years, was heartbroken. His face was hot enough that he could feel it himself. Its not that I didnt like men. Its because I havent met a real man, a man. She realized later. It was said that she consumed her shining youth in vain because she was obsessed with self-righteousness. How about fifty! Shall I propose? The dried-up emotions flowed out like a fountain, but it was a sound without a jaw. Regardless of his age, the angel of Novatopia, Rudry Ethel, has his eyes wide open. All of Tubaiburpas vassals are followers of Ethel. Even the humans in front of us who chant Tubai Burpa are opportunists who only want a chance to have Ethel as their queen. If you get a spoon for Rudry Ethels rice, the angel who postponed the ascension, it will be like cotton in a noodle-making machine. Professor Muulsoris gaze rested on Simon Ds red face, which stood tall like a steel tower. its pretty cool A chicken instead of a pheasant, no, that man is also a real man with self-luminescence. Sweet water began to flow in the dry wadi. The water that flowed like a thread burst out like rushing water. Professor Muul Sori found his lost spring, but Simon D was in trouble.
I looked around the party who had met me with a pair of soft eyes. Professor Mulsori, Orthodox leader Bakri, Orthodox secret guard Mohammed, guerrilla warfare godfather Ibrahim, Mamluk supremacist Ahmad They are helpless people infected with the ombuti virus.
They are welcome faces, but every time I hear the slogan that raises chicken flesh, I feel a hundred times more uncomfortable and thousand times more burdened. At the same time, it warmed my heart. It is happiness in itself that humans trust humans. I felt like I had returned from the world of beasts to the world of humans. No, he returned to the human world he would create with them. Ho ho ho! Tubye, its been a while. Professor, you worked hard. The incomparable Professor Muulsori held the outstretched hand tightly. Thanks to the oil discovered by Professor Mulsori, he was able to develop Novatopia stably. There is no such thing as a belly button. Lets say hello to the hardworking family first. Like a seasoned senior, Professor Mulsori turned his unparalleled attention to other colleagues. You can talk about oil slowly. Thats right. The pair nodded his head and took the hand of the elder Bakri Zadir. Bakri Zadir, son of Ali Zadir, the successor of Antioch, has been through a lot. I lost my hair. Thank you. The villain is Tubaiburpas Kanzar (Persian dagger). Im just grateful that it has a use. Bakry bowed his head deeply. Tu Bye Burpa is his life and the master of his clan. I developed alopecia areata while sorting out the refugees in Novatopia, but the hard days were completely forgotten by a word of sincerity. Bakri Zadirs brother Mohammed Zadir, youve worked hard. Mohammeds eyes were sunken, too. As Novatopia began to be known outside, spies began to intervene. He was exhausted from building information networks and picking out impure molecules. Thousands of thousands of thousands of thousands of thousands of years, small people are just the eyes and ears of Tubaiburpa. The grace that saved her sister from her misfortune was also lacking, so she found happiness. Long live Tubaiburpa. Mohammed fell to his knees and kissed his matchless feet. Its useless! There is no other bride who is as pretty and gentle as Basel. The toad that ate the goose, no, Om Bouti, who took Basel as his wife, was blown away. This gentleman must be busy with work.
Aklan Crew remained in Novatopia with brothers Jamal and Amud. It is difficult to empty the space as important construction is being carried out at the same time. His mouth must have popped out of his mouth.
Everyone is suffering. Ibrahim, how many Kurdish brothers have migrated? Ibrahim praises Tubaiburpa. 4,500 people relocated over five occasions. The French government is actively cooperating. By the end of the year, 30,000 people are planning to move. Take care of your grading, taking into account your carrying capacity. I will keep that in mind. We are first introducing the brothers from the mountains of northern Aleppo who are in danger and those who are hiding in the Osmanie Mountains. Isnt Osmanie Turkish territory? Habitz of MIT (Turkey National Intelligence Service) is actively helping. I asked Tubai Burpa to give my regards. Oh, Ojak Vir (meaning that he is ranked number one in the first group) Hong Danmu (Habutsu) is helping! Tell them youll buy me a drink next time. Habitz is a Turkish friend who helped lead the Kurds across the Syrian border. So, you never know when and how the relationship will continue. Did you work hard in Ahmad training? Thanks to the grace that Waquille has given me, I have become three times stronger. Hahaha! The only ones who like being whipped are you and the scoundrel. OK? Are you not Nezema?
He pretended to be surprised when he found the tall, unmatched boy. Nezema, who had not dared to step out and was hiding behind the adults, came out with a bright face. Praise Tubai Burpa. Nezema greets Master. Yes, Jema fell to his knees. He is the guy who took the bat and accepted it as a disciple because he dared to face the zombies. You havent neglected your training all this time.
After a year, my body was well balanced. A master can determine the level of training just by looking at the body balance of his opponent. Yes, I have reduced my sleep and have been reminded of Masters teachings. Um, are you talking about a lot of work? Mohammed!
Yep! Contact with DGSE Ariva Manager and give Nezema and Niamma French citizenship. Yeah, I see. Choose smart kids, make them French and send them to Europe to study technology. Yeah, Ill do it right away. Until the founding of Novatopia, for the sake of convenience, they have no choice but to have French citizenship. No, you have no choice but to have French citizenship until you get international recognition. Korean nationality? its a no-brainer Politicians and bureaucrats, who had no way of acquiring nationality, and who were accustomed to receiving rather than giving to the people, would almost say nonsense. Realistically, we have no choice but to rely on the French system. The clever Boniface would have aimed for Novatopia to have no choice but to make a realistic tripartite with France. Nezema, when do you feel happy? Its time to master the ogeumgong passed down by the master and learn the science and the world from the uncles. Ohh! Being able to study and having someone to teach me is great happiness. Is there any other happiness? Nezema pondered. Tubaiburpas teachings to do as you please and not to be ashamed of it shook the soul. Yes, Jemma lifted his head. I will change the happy order. The first is when he sees his younger brother Niamma eating well, studying hard without endangering his life. This happiness was given to you by Master, so Master is the owner of Nezema. The second is when I help someone with the martial arts and studies I have learned. Now I teach study and gymnastics to children who escaped from Eritrea. This is also the happiness I got from Master for opening Novatopia and accepting poor children. The third is, as I said before, when I learn and master. Master has given me all this happiness, so I will repay his grace by helping others to the best of my ability. Hey! The pair smiled with satisfaction and tapped Nezemas shoulder. The size of the soul has nothing to do with age. At a young age, Nezema became a mature human being able to fulfill the human condition on her own. Suffering either nourishes or destroys the human frame. His basic personality is important, but his environment and help cannot be ignored. The pair looked back at Barkri. great. Thanks to you, the future of Novatopia is growing so well. These are people of different ethnicities and different religions, but they are people who have broken down the walls of their hearts. Whether they are yellow, black or white, Catholic, Muslim, or shaman, they are people who have become one with the black culture. Novatopias are not discriminated against based on religion, ethnicity, property or gender. Barkley said solemnly, as if reading a scripture. Emmusotu is alive! Long live Tubaiburpa! The rest were choked. Novatopias are rewarded for their efforts. Emmusotu is alive! Long live Tubaiburpa! A Novatopian thinks of what he can do before he hopes for anything. Emmusotu is alive! Long live Tubaiburpa! Oh my gosh, Im crazy. Geumganggyeong was brought to Africa and suffered a lot. The pair raised their hands. If I left it alone, it seemed like I would memorize the spirit of Eungmu soju and chant Tubai Burpa until sunset. If Barungo and Kamuge had seen this, they would have protested that the dog with the dung was scolding the dog with the chaff. Wakil! The sound of a drowning man calling out cooled the heated atmosphere. An unusually small man rushed to the side of the yard. Blue Pabo running across the ground, a terrifying face to see in a dream, a short height that can touch Simon Ds waist, and Seon Woo-hyun, nothing to look at. Its too late for my younger brothers and sisters to turn around. Soon Woo-hyun passed his breath over his shoulder as if sprinting for a fairly long distance. Damn it, my skills have improved quite a bit. It was a lot of hard work. The pair laughed softly. Wakil, you cant do this. It cant be like that, Jo Kang-ji-joon is left on a farm that smells like chicken dung and goes to have fun with a stupid Sicommon. Seon Woo-hyun threw the djembe (African hoe) bag he was holding in his hand and groaned. Seon Woo-hyun was indescribably disappointed. Humans are buzzing around the Black Mamba, but this time, the Ombuds are the only ones. The Samaria Farm would have been normalized in line with Waquils expectations if the Barungo had not rebelled. He practiced day and night to regain his lost honor and achieved considerable results. He was only looking for a chance to use his stronger fighting power in actual combat, but Waquille went to Congo with only Simon D without saying a word. Seon Woo-hyun lost his composure with regret and jealousy. Its his biggest weakness.
Sweet, you bastard with no frills! Simon D rolled his eyes. Aww C Before he could finish speaking, a huge beast came out and howled. Dino was standing like a shadow behind the pairless steps. A virtuous Dino knows the meaning of the spunky idiot that Simon D utters. It seems that the tall human in front of me has done something wrong to the owner. The roar is a warning not to flirt. Kururu- A huge roar that amplified the roar of the monk three or four times swept through the farm. Ek. This is even installing a terrifying cat and its crazy! Surprised, Seon Woo-hyun jumped and stepped back. Shhh C Dino, feeling bad, leaped up without a sound. He jumped 10 meters at once and swung his feet in the air. Siwoong- A log-like bridge rang out and attacked it. Seon Woo-hyeon, who was dazed, got up by bouncing his body, avoiding the claws like a dagger at the iron plate bridge. Isnt there some kind of beast?
Chapter 476 - Episode 9 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Shock! Barkley and others giggled, unable to contain their laughter. Seon Woo-hyun was pushed by his size and also by his teeth. Seon Woo-hyuns height is 165 cm, and Simon Ds is 240 cm. The appearance of the two of them standing opposite each other in a band looks like a Caucasian Ovcharka admonishing a Chihuahua. Jjoldagu is famous for being quiet among black culture, but he will be beaten by Simon D! Barkley and others were surprised by the remarkable expressiveness. Damn it! Seon Woo-hyuns clothes were turned over at the sound of his colleagues laughing. Simon D is in his 20s (only on the surface), but he is in his late thirties. Even just looking at the Black Culture Jjajangbap, its a dreadful jjolmdagu. He heard discipline in the blood, and even the ridicule of his colleagues. Besides, hes a zombie, not a human. He forgot the Novatopia principle that there is no discrimination and no distinction. Where are the zombie cubs? I am a servant number two. There is no formality between Waqil and me. A young guy who doesnt even know a horn is going out and its crazy.
The son-in-law became quiet. Jung-eun carefully looked into the pairs eyes. The people gathered here are so-called vassals. No one knows that Simon D is a former zombie. The core of the values that Tubai Burpa emphasizes is non-discrimination and compensation based on ability. Novatopia is not connected. Compensation for effort and reward for value creation is being established as a social system. Who am I! and Who I know well! do not work. Those who work ten hours a day are rewarded ten hours, and those who work one hour are rewarded one hour. Anyone who creates a value of ten will be rewarded with a tens, and anyone who creates a value of a hundred will be rewarded with a hundred. Novatopia is a new free country. You can enjoy an abundance of freedom, but at the same time, you cannot infringe on the freedom of others. No one is discriminated against on the grounds of former job, religion, ethnicity, rich or poor, or exile. Novatopia is a refuge for the poor. All Novatopias former jobs are Les Miserables. There is no reason to question the past, and if you discriminate based on your past deeds, you will be deported.
The pair pretended not to hear, ignoring Jungs gaze. In a situation where it is difficult to scold Seon Woo-hyun, pretending not to know is a constant. He turned away from the outside, but on the inside he was rotten and rubbed. Seon Woo-hyuns big weakness is discrimination, suspicion, and paranoia that doesnt let go of a sense of privilege. It was said that people change only when they die. In the eyes of the matchless, Seon Woo-hyuns paranoia is due to the closed North Korean society. When leading a high-class life, he regarded the people as slaves and showed great self-esteem, and when his father and family, who were party officials, were purged overnight, he would have lost trust in humans. What if everyone is in the same environment? Thats not it. Seventeen-year-old Nezema suffered a more devastating trauma. Zombies killed and devoured her parents right before her eyes. Neighbors did not help anyone. Still, I think of others first. Even though he knows that Simon D is a former zombie, he doesnt show anything and stays friendly. Obviously, the size of the soul is not in order of age. A sigh came out. You cant entrust important work to that.Why do you do leung fu (tongue + kung fu) with a good fist? Isnt a Novatopia man a fist? One word from Nezema became thunder-red. I will show you the power of the Thirteen Shades. Seon Woo-hyun flew up as if stabbed by a ball. A leg bent like a whip hit Simon Ds carotid artery. It is a speed that far exceeds the speed of human reaction. He was five or six times stronger than at the time of his captivity in the Sahel.
Puak C A crackling sound echoed from his throat. Simon D took a step back. The unexpected blow was so stealthy and fast that even the underworld Simon D could not move. Seon Woo-hyun read the Qing dynasty martial arts novel, A Woman Hero, and fell in love with Ha Ok-bongs lavish appearance. Ha Ok-bongs nickname is Shim Sap-mae. After the story of Heroes of a Woman was widely read, thirteen mai became a term to refer to a female middle school girl or an extraordinary female virtuoso. Each movement of Ogeumgong is a basic movement that effectively controls and draws the flow of qi and blood according to the movement of heaven and earth and the flow of time. When the practice reaches the stage, you can create your optimized herbivore according to the group of Ogeumgong. Seon Woo-hyun gave the name of the herbivore he made to thirteen, and added an artificial imaginary number to match the movement of each herbivore to thirteen. Even the ombudsmans terrible nagging could not break Seon Woo-hyuns bravado. If there is a scout and we can measure his ability, the physical difference between Simon D and Seon Woo-hyun is so great that it is difficult to compare. His muscular strength is 38 times, instantaneous muscle contraction force is 75 times, movement speed is 1.3 times, and the sensitivity of the instantaneous sensory organs is also incomparable. The only similarities are instantaneous speed and reaction speed. Theres a big difference in physicality and Ive heard a lot about it, so I cant help but play a pinch hitter. Heh heh, how are you? Do you feel refreshed? Seon Woo-hyeon, who had regained his spirit, shuddered. He surprised him. His feet were hollow and bounced off as if they had kicked a large tire. Although he did not reach the stage of erection, the kick with the remaining power after breaking his neck was of little effect. Seon Woo-hyun was very nervous. Ddu Duk Ddu Duk-Sam D shook his head to his left and right. Its a fairly powerful blow, but its a strength that is comparable to that of a human. Im pathetic, so I yawn. Youre going to protect Waquill with that kind of skill? wake up dream The Ituri jungle is infested with monsters like a dino. You cant get past a day. Use those soft bats to catch flies. Ugh! Jo Jong-ganna-nim~
A vein of blood sprang up on Seon Woo-hyuns temple. There was a lot of anger and no words came out. That guy has a unique talent that turns people inside out with every word he says. Would you like to get it right? Ill show you what you did. Xuang- A bridge like a power pole swept through the space. He was tall and his legs were long.
Billion, ignore! Seon Woo-hyun, startled by the terrifying speed, threw himself on the ground. Its thought that Gosu wont cast it even if its embarrassing. Suang-Kakjidong Bridge passed by with a bloody pounding sound. The wind pressure lifted her hair. Seon Woo-hyun then bounced off his body with a tablet. Using his body agility, he wrapped himself around like a top in the air and kicked the ten triangles at once. Papa Papa C A pile of hazy footprints piled up. It is a self-proclaimed Simsapmae Wonanggak made by grafting Wonanggak with the agility of Cheongpabo. Whoops, whoops- His heavy body skipped over the hazy curtain created by the shadows of his feet. He kicked ten triangles in an instant, but Seon Woo-hyun never felt the sensation of being caught in his toes. As soon as Simon D tapped his shoulder with his toe to gain physical strength again, a fan-like palm struck his side.
Swipe- Billion! The weightlifting carried on the palm of the palm that was lightly swung like a fly was enormous. Seon Woo-hyun flew like a straw. The power of Sarcosuchus, which weighs 5 tons, and Simon D, who has a lot of trouble, is unbelievable. He deliberately hit it with his palm to reduce the damage, but the small Seon Woo-hyeon became like a cultivator supported by a dump truck. Puak-Acacia trees on the outskirts of the apron were suddenly hit by a fall. A tree the thickness of a thigh that collided with a flying object was broken in succession. Seon Woo-hyeon rolled three or four laps on the ground to shake off his energy and got up. You bastard, say youre dead! Seon Woo-hyuns eyes lit up bright blue. Stupid human, there are so many unnecessary movements. Can you become the masters shield with that kind of skill? Simon D groaned. Master, it is burning too much.
Nezema was worried. Simon D and Jjoldagu are both superhumans. If it collides with power, disaster will occur. Leave it. Its not a bad idea to set the order at this point. It is difficult to see the fighting of the strong. Learn what you learn. The matchless was cool. Seon Woo-hyun and Simon D have a big basic physical difference. Even if a cat metamorphoses, it cannot become a tiger. Fatal injuries occur when each others abilities are similar. Contrary to what it looks like, there is nothing to worry about as weightlifting is very much missing in Simon Ds attack. Yeah, Ill keep that in mind. Yes, Jema politely bowed her head and turned her gaze to her full volume. The teachers words are always right. Males are comfortable with each other only when their ranks are established. And a friend who has a fierce friendship with his fists lasts a long time. Dude Dada Dak Dak- Seon Woo-hyun flew like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Starting with Lee Ji-gwan-su, wrist strokes, elbow strokes, swinging downstrokes, and popliteal strokes continued. Inspired by Black Mambas eighteen beats on the front wheels, its a thirteen-front wheel that I put my heart and soul into.
Simon D kicked off the attacks one by one on the spot without moving his feet. Knock-knock-knock-pucker-hands and hands met, feet and feet met. Youre a bastard, your body is an iron rod! Seon Woo-hyun was about to die. Every time it collided with Simon Ds limbs, bones rang and nerves were pulled out. Ugh, Bingshin! Ive only heard a lot of nonsense. I didnt even know you were watching. The matchless lamented. Seon Woo-hyuns movements were slightly disturbed every time, and the breakdown was visible. Every move of the Ogeum Gong is a special move. Oh Geum-gong is a dumb martial artist who competes with speed and striking power. There are no fuss and unnecessary movements like in Chinese martial arts such as Tanglang Kwon, Wing Chun Kwon, and Tai Chi. A little bit of finesse only reduces the destructive power. Seon Woo-hyeon is an idiot who gets silk and sells it, and makes clothes without a name. Unsurprisingly, in the middle of the sequence, there was a neck-and-neck pull motion. Its a phoenix. If you use a flashy but unnecessarily large movement against a strong person, its perfect for counterattacking. Moreover, there is a Jeep standing in the rear as an obstacle. If you are counterattacked, your evasive action is broken and you are immediately pushed into the defense. A master must know in advance the terrain and be able to use it. What did this guy learn from his master? My heart was emptied of the flashy moves that could only be used for Hasu. Seon Woo-hyuns skills were fully understood. Indeed, the pinch hitter is slowly getting tired. He slapped his hamstrings on the collarbones that hung around his neck like his hooks, and kicked his exposed chest. It is the simplest forward kick that focuses on speed and nok-gak straight hit. The soles of the feet like a log boat stretched out like an island. Ugh!
Seon Woo-hyeon, who was retreating to the back, blew a waste of wind. The jeep crate hit his butt. Seon Woo-hyun, whose posture was disturbed, had no choice but to dive into the cargo ship. Its Pom and Nabal, its something to live and see. Quang C The front kick that passed Seon Woo-hyuns back hit the beloved Jeep. The jeep kicked the rear fender and rolled two or three laps like a leaf and turned over.
Wow! Spectators flashed their thumbs. Crung- Dino also raised its front paws. Simon D raised his hands and responded to the cheers of the audience. No one cared about Seon Woo-hyeon under the car. Its a side effect thats inexorable. The vassals didnt even care if their limbs fell off and their hearts didnt break. Seon Woo-hyun, frustrated, crawled out from under the jeep. His injuries were avoided, but Namirs face is not worth it. Seon Woo-hyuns eyes turned to the broken Jeep. It is crumpled like a scrapped manuscript paper. Ignore nothing, human! Seon Woo-hyuns mouth was wide open. If he had been hit, his ribs would have come down and his spine would have been severed. If the Black Mamba hadnt raised his physical ability with the psychic beating, he would have been in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. A cold sweat ran down his back. The Voodoo Rebellion caused by Barungo became an opportunity for Seon Woo-hyeon to look back on herself. The world wasnt easy. Even Houngan Barungo made fun of himself by hiding his skills. If he had not been saved by the Black Mamba, he either became a zombie or died. His frustration continued. Ahmad did a good job and Simon D didnt bump into each other, but he felt like he was being pushed back. The arrogance of thinking that there was no rival other than the Black Mamba was shattered.Seon Woo-hyun clenched his teeth and practiced. Ogeumgong training became my main job, and farm work became my second job. He became strong enough and thought it was worth watching with Simon D. what is this? The level of destructive power was different. His confidence drained like an ebb. As he acknowledged Bisei, the strength of his body was drained away. Puak C Simon D tore off the rear fender of the Jeep cargo box. Puddud- I grabbed Fanda with both hands and tore it like a piece of paper. Hey, you idiot!
Seon Woo-hyuns eyes widened. He can make holes in three or four overlapping sheets of automobile steel, but he cannot tear them apart. Piercing with a blow and tearing with force are different. Damn it, I heard that he and his master are in the same direction. There is no discrimination in Novatopia. If he has saved his life from his master, repay him with his life. Blame yourself for what you lack before blaming the Master. The master made Novatopia as the last refuge for the poor. All the money earned by the owners blood was invested in Novatopia. Have you ever worked for others? Examine yourself once a day or even once a month to see if you have made someone smile. Seriously think about whether you want to live a life that only you can eat well and live well, or whether you want to live a life where everyone eats well and lives well together. If you show disrespect to your master once more, you become like a steel plate.
Simon D, who engraved the order, threw the iron plate away and stood behind the matchless.
Chapter 477 - Episode 10 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Seon Woo-hyun looked at Fanda and Simon D, who had been thrown on the ground, alternately. Namir (Im a dragon.) Seon Woo-hyeons status was devastated by the reality of being stuck in a gutter. The formidable power is something to be proud of, but the billionaire collapsed at the words that surpassed the leadership of the leader comrade. Zombies are the same as humans on the outside, but they cannot think. Beings without the ability to think cannot develop unless they jump over the dam of evolution. It just repeats the behavior according to its instinct. Sea otters put clams on their boats and break the shells with stones, but thats all. Chimpanzees do termite fishing with twigs, but thats it. Sea otters cant make stone axes, and chimpanzees cant attach leashes and needles to branches. Zombies are zombies, not humans. Then I realized that my skin, black as coal, had changed to a pale red. More like Scarlet, not Negro. The problem is that even a zombie grandmother, not a zombie, cant tear the iron plate and use the pastors speech. A flash of light came to mind.
I hope it is a metamorphosis! Seon Woo-hyuns imagination didnt know where to end. If the skin and the inside have been changed, there is only a metamorphosis of the hwangol. Simon Ds changes became smarter and stronger, just as described in the Battle of Female Heroes. Waqil also said that he had metamorphosed through the Oh Geumyeon Old Age Act. If the ogeum ball is the shell, the ogeumyeon nobeop is the kernel. Thoughts that people can easily come up with do not go beyond the boundaries of experience. Prejudice based on ones own experience is involved, but the person is not aware of it.
Unbelievable! Doubts rose like flames. After not seeing him for the past year, Waquille gave Simon D the quintessence of old age. He just cut off the human body when he wanted to, saying that he could do this!
Distrust sprouted in Seon Woo-hyuns heart. He is a fellow compatriot and Simon D is a nigger who does not know the basics. He is divided into North and South to fight, but he says that he is the same compatriot, and it is nonsense. He felt a greater sense of loss that Black Mamba only took care of him than the frustration he had suffered from Simon D. Human nature does not change. Seon Woo-hyeons incurable disease of doubting someone, shifting responsibility to someone, and blaming someone was triggered.
Simon D avoided murder even when he was a zombie because of his sincerity, and after being humanized, he became a loyal human being regarded as his successor by Master Daewoo. Human habits go to eighty, but nature goes with them to the grave. The possibility that Seon Woo-hyun would change was not very high. Also, he had the potential to become a troublemaker. Hey, look at that guys face. Then he sees a place to lie down and stretches his feet. I think the owners words are cool. He must learn Hangul quickly so that he can organize and use cool words. In Simon Ds mind, the fight with Seon Woo-hyun was already forgotten. He was happy with his appearance, acting cool and spitting cool words. Seon Woo-hyun will vomit blood, but Simon D, who is always faithful to reality, maybe the one who solved the secret of happiness. Barkley and others looked at Simon D in disbelief. What kind of teaching can you say that Langue kungfu (tongue kungfu) can reach the height of a thousand and one in a year! [Review yourself at least once a month to see if you have made someone smile.] she muttered What a connotation this is! Live a life of service, help others, bring humor to life, and so on. A man with a powerful body and unparalleled fighting power was equipped with deep intellect. There is no such thing as a manly man Im going to ask you out on a date tonight. A heart-shaped laser was emitted from Professor Muulsoris eyes. She had completely forgotten her age. If Simon D had known her feelings, she would have been devastated! Seon Woo-hyun, who was narrow inside, was shriveled to one side. If Seon Woo-hyun had coolly acknowledged Simon D, it would have ended pleasantly, but the atmosphere subsided because he was fat. Your forearms are thick. No. 49 Jongganna is the only loyal servant. I cant eat it because its dirty. Seon Woo-hyuns murmuring lost his strength. He wanted to argue with the Black Mamba about how to play the crotch, but the red-eyed bastard and the nasty beast are widening their eyes.
In the past, I used to scream and climb, but because of the stinky guy and the bloody cat, I couldnt even mess around with it. Somehow, a stronger guy appeared around Waquill. There was a growing fear that I might be forgotten. The spring days are gone. Seon Woo-hyuns spring day has gone over the torn iron plate. Thats it! Its the first time Ive ever seen a person wrong.The pair clicked inwardly. A person with a strong sense of self-consciousness. Seon Woo-hyun did not open his heart even though he had crossed the deadlock line together, saved his life several times, and even opened a way for him to live. He couldnt tell if it was a difference in personality or a side effect of the system. Wakil, isnt it great that you have made a runway of this quality?
Captain Connie Leon flashed her thumb and shouted. He is a man with a hundred eyes. It was clear that he was trying to save Seon Woo-hyuns gloomy spirit. Leon is a former captain of the 3rd Transport Aviation Squadron Poitou. During Operation Luman, he was the captain of Hercules, which the Black Mamba was on board. Fascinated by his calm ability to deal with situations, the matchless offered him a scout as a Falcon pilot, and Leon gladly joined Black Culture. Right. It took a lot of brainpower to build such a solid runway without using asphalt and cement. The pair stomped on the runway with their feet. The gray-white runway was as soft and hard as cork. The runway contrasted with the surrounding basalt black soil, making it easy for pilots to identify. There is a lot of white clay similar to kaolin here. Sand was mixed with white clay and discarded grade cotton was added. It was mixed evenly with a stirrer and spread on the runway to a thickness of 700mm. The spirit of Seon Woo-hyun lived. Seon Woo-hyun is a simple person with many thoughts. The reason why Seon Woo-hyun worked so hard to build the runway was because of the incomparable instructions. Mussou told Samaria Farms and Sponge Bridge to avoid the use of cement and asphalt when possible to build runways. In fact, most of the airfield runways in Africa are dirt roads made from loess. The soil covering the crust surface is only tens of centimeters to tens of meters. All living things on land depend on the thin and fragile soil like a piece of paper. Humans too easily damage the fragile paper that is the basis of growth. It is the act of strangling oneself. If the soil is covered with cement and asphalt, it will die. As a human being who lives on leased land, it is not polite to the land. Musou also instructed the construction of Novatopia to use natural materials as much as possible and avoid polluting materials.
Koryeong Torah~ Thats good. Musou intuitively immediately added ceramics to the Novatopia specialties. The more food, the better. There are a lot of pottery technicians in Korea. If you go to Icheon or Yeoju, there are more than ten towns and villages, where ceramics are made across the country and ceramics, are produced nationwide.
Kaolin is made by chemically decomposing feldspars in rocks with carbonic acid or groundwater. The origin of the name kaolin is because it is produced a lot in Goreung in Xian, Xian, China. As the general public thinks, it is not a name derived from Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. In Korea, it is called Baekto. Pottery and earthenware making is a continuation of manual labor. It is a battle between heavy soil and fire. 90% of production costs are labor costs. Africa is overflowing with cheap labor. As long as there is good soil, production is not a problem. Thanks, I thought of a good business item. Dont worry about winning or losing. Fisting is just punching. If you focus on winning and losing, you get stuck in the mold. What is to be acknowledged is learned by acknowledging it. Mussou advised with sincerity. Okay. They say Im ashamed to eat my age. Correct the North Korean way of speaking. Are you going to speak North Korean when you go to South Korea? Are you going to take me to Korea?Seon Woo-hyuns eyes twinkled. When the time comes, you should go in. Or, seriously, make Novatopia your home. Okay. I have no regrets about the future Korean land. Even so, marriage should not be done between members of the same family. My kind is good, but other races are not bad either. Transportation and communication are developing explosively. The wider the living area, the more blurred nationalism. The species split after the original ancestral squirrels and squirrels were isolated locally. Conversely, when isolation disappears, the notion of being different fades. Oh oh! Im happy that Tuby knows a lot. This is geology class, not biology class. Professor Muulsori sarcastically. this! I was distracted by the appendix. Dude, have you taken any security measures? 100 groundwater developers and farmworkers from outside are managed by Comrade Mohammed. They were quarantined in the annex of the mansion. We are currently engaged in the processing of oil pouring out of the wells. Mohammed answered. How much oil is pouring out? 200 barrels per hour. Were building levees, were digging pits with equipment, and were pushing them in. Musou did not feel the meaning of 200 barrels per hour. If 200 barrels per hour are pouring out of the test borehole one hole, that is, from a salt formation rather than an oil formation, it is usually not an oil field. If Mohammed had said the amount was enough to fuel a thousand cars, it would have come to pass. Hmm, have you paid enough? Yeah, I made a separate case to the groundwater developer and asked for their understanding. The farmworker was paid a months wages as extra pay. In a week, land ownership, administrative procedures related to development, and exploration facilities are all sorted out. Give the underground water contractor sufficient compensation and detain him for a week. all right. Seon Woo-hyun and Mohammed bowed their heads. Our boss, Tubai, shall we put aside the male chatter and go see black gold? Professor Mooulsori took the lead with Simon Ds arms folded. Uh huh! Simon D, throwing away the 5-ton Sarcosuchus, was dragged helplessly. Sam D is popular! Balkery laughed humbly. The Samaria farm is over 9 million pyeong. Its wide enough to drive around. The group arrived at the oil well development site by walking for 30 minutes. No need to ask for location. The smell of rotting eggs is gas, and the disgusting smell that gives you a headache is crude oil. A loud noise was heard. It is the noise of oil and gas that have been suppressed in the ground for a long time coming out through a narrow hole. A black oil column soared up to 30 meters high and poured like a fountain. In this century, it is an eruption well found only in the Maracaibo oil field in Venezuela. Its oil!
He knelt down on his knees and dipped in the sticky oil with his hands. A blackish-brown liquid with a foul smell, this is the greatest treasure of this century that makes the world laugh and cry. was numb. There was a big difference between what I heard and what I saw with my own eyes. No Koreans own oil fields. No, there will be no Koreans who have seen the heredity with their own eyes. The sound of a trolley being sucked into hell echoed in my ears. There are trolleys carrying people and trolleys carrying coal or equipment. Hell is the dark tunnel into which the accumulator is sucked. Makjang is called the two sky (the tunnel ceiling and the outer sky). Standing up in the turbid air all day while building a damp dongbari (a log supporting the tunnel), it is impossible to tell whether he is alive or dead. The two oil shocks dealt a heavy blow to Korea. The government and the people, who had become accustomed to cheap oil, were astonished. After opening the abandoned pit and re-selecting, he trembled at the third sorting of the discarded barracks. Seonsanbu who had left the coal mine was drawn to the high wages and gathered one after another. A 14-year-old musou also entered the battlefield carrying a pickaxe. a time when the salary of civil servants was 40,000 to 50,000 won, the coal mine industry received 80,000 won per month. Even an inexperienced postpartum woman received 40,000 won. It was hard to find a reason not to go into the bar. Another group follows. With the encouragement of the government, a large number of low-quality coal was put into the briquette factories, and many grasslands died from gas poisoning. In a land that does not produce a drop of oil, it is difficult to find a Korean who has not suffered from oil. This is oil! Musou rubbed the stinky, slippery liquid endlessly. The tank that had been sucked into the black hole endlessly turned into a dense line of horse heads and Christmas trees (slang for production head devices). Quin-Dino tapped the pair on the shoulder with his head. Huh? The pair woke up from their thoughts and looked at Dino. Dino pointed his paw to the black oil that covered the ground and shook his head. Its a sign that you cant stand the smell. It must have been difficult to bear as my sense of smell was so sensitive. Dino, who had obtained permission, slipped away from behind. Wait, this isnt it. Dinos actions awakened reality. The oil company who developed the squirt well was covered in oil and wept, but the situation in front of us is not such a problem. A radius of several hundred meters is covered with dark brown oil, and the oil belt is rapidly expanding outward. Aside from the crude oil that covered the land, what about the crude oil that gushes out like a fountain?
Chapter 478 - Episode 11 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Ah, it exploded!
You idiot. Block the left side first!
Call an excavator!
The site was a mess. The bank blocking the oil collapsed in many places. The laborers clamored, wielding shovels. The scene where the black liquid flew like a creek offended Mu Ssang. The laborers uninspired movement also offended Mu Ssang.
The laborers did nothing but clamor in front of an emergency in which the bank was collapsing. This kind of lazing off was common among the laborers. They shoveled once and looked up at the sky. The guards with assault rifles did not pay attention to the site either. They snickered, gossiping among themselves.
The amount of oil gushing out of the 200-millimeter pipe was considerable. Moreover, the site was quite elevated. It seemed unlikely that they would be able to hold the oil in place until the Total probing team arrived. If the outer oil-blocking bank collapsed, the crude oil was going to flow into the Pend river. The Pend river was the lifeline used by the hundreds of thousands of nearby residents as drinking water and water used in chores. A catastrophe was due if it was contaminated.
They are useless!
Mu Ssang muttered. The laborers were leisurely and slow. The work progress was abysmal. The guards shook off their duties. It was a common scene in Africa. The people did not think the work was theirs, unlike Koreans who considered themselves responsible for their jobs and did their best. Perhaps it was because Africans endured colonialism for a long time. That still did not stop Mu Ssangs sigh.
Mu Ssang looked back at Sun WooHyun and Bakri. They were all calm as if they went out for a picnic. Everyone was calm in the face of an emergency. It was an odd sight. Samdi, reading the air, grabbed a shovel leaning against his backpack. Mu Ssang held him back. It was not wise to pressure the laborers.
Lackey, do they belong to the farm militia?
Mu Ssang pointed at the guards.
Yes!
What a sight. They are neglecting their duties.
Sun WooHyun flushed. It was true that he neglected the farm to train. He had nothing to say.
They are better employed as Dinos meal!
Dino opened its mouth wide at Samdis words. Quality munching was ready, executable at any moment.
The pressure is too high, there is no way to stop it from erupting. We need to install a closed-off block but we have no equipment or technology.
On behalf of Sun WooHyun, Professor Mulsoli explained.
At this rate, the river will be contaminated.
With its viscosity, it will take quite a while for it to reach the Pend river.
The professor was calm as well. It may happen later but it was bound to happen. What did speed matter? Mu Ssang felt an urge to read the headspace of the professor.
Professor, if this was happening in France, would you be as calm?
Of course not. But we are in Africa.
She responded at once. None of her facial muscles twitched. It was the face of a mother disciplining a child just as in a French proverb.
Whoa!
Mu Ssang flinched at Professor Mulsolis double-face. She was going to try to stop the oil from flowing into the river but if it happened, it happened.
Has the shadow of the chicotte consumed you as well, Professor?
The chicotte?
Mulsoli opened her eyes wide and wondered. She did not know what the chicotte was. The chicotte is a whip made by the rawhide of a hippo. The shadow of the chicotte referred to a European whose subconscious harbored the violence of colonialism. Hakam Chartres, a historian and cultural anthropologist, told Mu Ssang about it.
In France, a leather whip called martinet was used to discipline children. The most expensive is made of the hide of a hippo. In Britain, it was called a nine-tail. The martinet was introduced to Japan in the early 19th century and is now occasionally featured in the countrys famous paid adult videos.
The chicotte is the original form of the martinet. When Leopold II of Belgium colonized Congo, a whip was a necessary item that any European colonizer carried. They considered Africans as cattle herded by whipping, not humans. As the number of slaves grew, so did the amount of whipping needed. It became a chore in itself.
Farm owners and technicians researched the most efficient method to administer whipping. They tested all kinds of leather: lion, snake, crocodile, elephant, etc. Vincent Gillet, Leopold IIs close subordinate, discovered that the hide of the hippo was most effective for use. Thus, the chicotte was born.
Here, most effective meant it inflicted deep, bloody bruises with the least amount of force. The chicotte was Europeans shame as well as consciousness. Even the civil rights groups advocating the human rights of Africans did not consider them to be the same as Europeans. The chicotte symbolized the violence of colonialism that was deeply rooted in the collective headspace of Europeans.
Japan used Asia as fodder for its growth but did not consider itself an Asian country. Most Japanese consider that they are closer to Europeans than Koreans, Chinese, and Southeast Asians. Their country was located in Asia, but their psyche was that of an advanced European country. That was their perspective.
Japans elitism, separating itself from the rest of Asia, also stemmed from the violence of colonialism. That violence, once institutionalized and rationalized, never faded. Violences addicting quality was deeply engraved in genes.
During the early 20th century, Japan owned Asia. Then they were defeated and the entire country was covered in ash. When the Korean War happened, Japan used it as leverage to become one of the biggest economic powers in the world. They may have lost their military power but they gained economic power. That was enough to rekindle their arrogance.
The order of the Cold War was established in the mid-20th century. Russia was overpowered and China walled itself off from the world. Southeast Asian countries were nice to Japan, eclipsed by its economic power. Only Korea opposed it habitually.
Japan saw Korea with a certain contempt that is akin to that a master would exhibit toward their servant. Korea resented the colonial period yet was still in its shade. The Japanese wooden shoes, geta; and traditional Japanese socks, tabi were like the chicotte for Korea.
The shadow of the chicottes roots was deep even in Professor Mulsoli, a cultured and educated person. Her attitude reminded Mu Ssang of the Japanese, who considered Koreans as second-class citizens. He did not feel like scolding the professor because he knew many Europeans were like that.
How many tons would equal the pressure?
What?
The professor, not understanding what Mu Ssang meant, asked back.
We cant let that be. We need to stall the eruption. How many tons would surpass the eruption pressure?
Are you serious?
The professor looked at Mu Ssang with incredulous eyes. Mu Ssang gazed at her silently.
The diameter of the drilling hole is 200 millimeters. The oil is soaring up to 30 meters in the sky so if we take that into the calculation, five tons would withstand the pressure. If something could do that, we can pour concrete in the hole to close it off.
Would it work if we wedge something in?
What?
The professor asked back again. A conversation between a superhuman and a normal person was bound to be inefficient. The starting point of their thoughts differed. Mu Ssang did not feel the need to talk anymore. The professor had her specialties, and he had his.
His gaze landed on the tree trunks piled up on the site. They were for scaffolding and 25 centimeters wide at the bottom end and five centimeters at the top end. They were 20 meters long. It could serve as a wedge. He tossed one trunk to Samdi. He could not do it but Samdi could withstand five-ton pressure.
Can you?
No problem!
Samdi, unlike his appearance, read the air very quickly and very well. He knew what Mu Ssang intended right away.
Lackey, make the laborers leave the site and close it off from the outside.
Im on it!
Sun WooHyun employed the guards to move the laborers and close off the site.
Samdi, consider it as hammering a nail into a drilled hole in a wall.
I understand. If it surpasses my power, you do the hammering.
Samdi ran like an athlete competing in the pole vault, holding the trunk in his arms. As if an enraged rhino were charging, the ground shook at his every step.
Ha!
His shout resounded on the farm. Using the trunk as a lever, Samdi soared into the sky. Mu Ssang hurled another trunk at the mid-air Samdi like a spear. The giant trunk met Samdi when he was 40 meters up in the air. It was the point at which the entirety of Samdis kinetic energy was converted to potential energy. It was an accurate aim. Samdi, who had started falling due to gravity, grasped the trunk.
Samdi dived while embracing the tree trunk. A great din shook the farm. Half of the trunk was thrust into the hole. It was the wedging that Mu Ssang had referred to. The fountain of oil that once soared 30 meters high, stopped. The trunk moved about, barely withstanding the erupting pressure.
It needs some hammering!
Mu Ssang leaped. He landed softly on the trunk and focused his resonance on his lower body. Slam! He trampled on the trunk as if to hammer a nail. The trunk was thrust further into the hole. He trampled again. The tree trunk was fully inserted into the hole.
Todays events were later described in one of the school textbooks in Novatopia. Everything had been resolved. Mu Ssangs entourage today was referred to as Dubaiburupas merciless hammer.
My God. Is that real?
Its unbelievable!
Bravo, Samdi!
The incredible scene had everyones mouths wide open in amazement. An absurd miracle happened before their eyes. A divine avatar, Dubaiburupa, was known for such things but Samdis feat was unexpected.
Mohammad. The hierarchy is set.
Bakri looked back at Mohammad.
Samdi has it all: loyalty, power, dexterity, and eloquence. He is indeed the first bodyguard. Brother Bakri, the game is over.
Mohammad glanced at Sun WooHyun and lowered his voice. There was some noise among Mu Ssangs subordinates regarding the hierarchy. Society needed order and to maintain order, hierarchy was necessary.
Novatopia was a newly established sovereign country. Tasks mounted up and many important decisions needed to be made. Currently, Ombuti is acting as Dubaiburupas substitute but what if something happened to him? Dubaiburupa showed no interest at all in words like subordinate or hierarchy. It was business among themselves.
We didnt need a closed-off block. We just needed a stopper.
Mu Ssang looked back at Professor Mulsoli and grinned.
Oh, Samdi!
Her eyes were on Samdi, not Mu Ssang. Her face was rejuvenated, as if she regained her youth of the last 10 years. It was a good thing to happen.
Samdi, you are so lucky. In Ituri, you became a god for the Pygmies. in Doba, you became a knight for a lady. You are a popular guy. I am jealous.
Mu Ssang jested.
In moments like this, you are not my master but more like a nemesis!
Samdi growled in a low voice. His frown deepened.
Leon, prepare to fly. We are heading to Novatopia.
Yes. I will get ready.
Mu Ssang decided to leave without a meal once the problem was resolved. He was in a hurried state of mind.
Professor, Total will send a probing team in a few days.
Thats fast. There are many issues to handle before that regarding the land and environment.
I am the Eastern Swordsman. There is no need to delay. The oil plant construction is to be postponed for a while.
I see. It is inevitable since we dont know the exact size of the oil field. The years worth of effort may be in vain.
The professor sighed.
The cotton farm is crucial too but nothing compares to oil. This place will be run by Total for now. It will take considerable time before the development area is determined. You will go to Novatopia too.
Thats great. Ive always wanted to see it.
Professor Mulsoli was delighted. For her, being engrossed in work meant days passed quickly. Still, she would miss some cultural aspects. In Novatopia, she could meet Professor Orifice and Professor Shernion. Furthermore, she could spend more time with Samdi.
Falcon lifted off. Half a day had passed since they arrived at the Samaria farm. Mu Ssang moved like lightning. He had an haute cuisine dinner reservation with Totals Margerie in Jipoon Dari.
He planned to fly straight to Korea after agreeing on a basic MOU with Margerie. The ownership shares and price thereof could be agreed upon later. Today, they just needed to negotiate. The flight distance between Doba and Novatopia was 1,350 kilometers. Falcon flew 10,000 meters above the ground at 850 kilometers per hour.
Novatopias borders were determined artificially. From north to south, it was 87 kilometers wide. From east to west, it was 290 kilometers wide. The square area was diagonally laid from northwest to southeast. The considerable area of Novatopia was enduring the construction of infrastructure. The French government was independently building a thermal power station as well.. Jipoon Dari was overflowing with equipment, supplies, and people that were pouring in.
Chapter 479 - Episode 12 I Hate Doing the Dishes
Novatopia was a reddish-brown land perpetually blasted by the sun. At midday, the radiated and reflected heat raised the surface temperature to 50 degrees Celcius. It was indeed like a giant frying pan. The only vegetation was a desert shrub like tamarisks and piroteknis and sturdy grass like Stipa calamagrostis.
At the beginning of the development of Novatopia, Mu Ssang had assured that 25,000 square kilometers of the reddish-brown desert can be turned into a lush green forest.
Captain Pellpeng, the head of the aquifer probing team, took Tripolitania and Cyrenaica in Libya as examples and opposed the plan. Even if they found an aquifer that could water the 25,000 square kilometers of land, the construction cost was going to be astronomical.
Mu Ssangs forte was his brute force and optimism. Mu Ssang had told Pellpeng and Ombuti.
[Ennedi is not a Libyan desert. I am not Gaddafi. Have you tried?]
That Have you tried? became the trigger of the Project Forestation (faire fleurir le dsert). Unfortunately, no one remembered that original name.
The project, originally named by Orifice, was renamed Blue Art, Blue Art, le Dsert the next day, which sounded quite childish. Mu Ssang had thought the original name was hard to pronounce and no one dared object to the bosss idea. Blue Art was the name of a paper-producing company in Korea.
Humanity achieved explosive prosperity in the last 200 years or so with the boldness that first tried what seemed impossible. Nothing is impossible in the world. One just didnt know how to do it yet.
The Project Forestation, like Mu Ssang had assured, began to turn the reddish-brown land green. On the preliminary roads that ran across the entire land, the first facilities to be built were schools. Mu Ssang had a firm belief that ignorance and illiteracy birthed slavery and discrimination.
Children from eight to 12 years were prohibited from laboring. Adolescents from 13 to 18 years were obliged to study for six hours and labor for four hours every day. Adults from 19 years onward were obliged to study for two hours and labor for eight hours every day.
Novatopias law and order were simple and strictly enforced. [Someone who doesnt work shouldnt eat.] [Someone who works will be rewarded.] Such banners flew in each construction field. Women and the elderly were not exempt. Even the crippled, if they could move their limbs, had to help, moving dirt in the least.
The project advanced in many places simultaneously. Heavy equipment and manpower were poured on the land in which there were only gravel and sand. Dozens of kilometers of roads were paved overnight. Waterways were made. Trees covered the ground to block the wind. Pasture was made. Farms were built. Water ran through the forest and sprinklers worked in the pasture. A great illusion was being constructed in the Eastern Desert.
The constructions that consumed most of the resources and manpower were the waterways and roads.
Professor Shernion divided Novatopia into twelve sections. One avenue ran from east to west. Six streets ran from north to south. Combined, they formed a lattice. Envisioning future traffic, avenues had six lanes and streets four.
The roads in Africa were in horrible conditions. Above 13 degrees North Latitude, where the Sahel Belt started, no regional borders existed and lands were not named. When there was no road, there was no city. The European colonists only exploited Africans and did not invest in the infrastructure.
Each European colonizer only developed a few major cities and built airports nearby. Two kilometers of landing strips were cheaper than 1,000 kilometers of roads to build. Instead of cars or trains, airplanes took ivory, gold, copper, wood, diamonds, rare animals and plants, and natural rubber from Africa to Europe.
Back then or now, airplanes were a special means of movement. The indigenous farmers or ranchers could not use them. Airplanes were suited for exploitation and ruling. To the local people, they were simply noisy lumps of metal that flew in the sky.
With poor road conditions, cities do not develop properly. When there was no city, there was no market in which excess agricultural products and goods were exchanged. When there was no free movement of goods, prices soared. The people in the Sahel were starving to death and excess crops rotted in warehouses in Doba. Farmers that couldnt accumulate wealth with trade could not buy expensive fertilizers or equipment. Poor infrastructure thus perpetuated poverty.
Professor Shernion, an expert in urban development, knew better than anyone else the relationship between a citys progress and its infrastructure. He persuaded Ombuti to invest half of the available resources in road construction. Ombuti, who was usually stingy, had to concede that it was an important task. As development advanced, it was hard to meet the demand for equipment and resources with airplanes alone.
Money indeed was powerful. In mere six months, the Western Highway of 1,000 kilometers, that connected NDjamena to Jipoon Dari, was built. It was quick but not so surprising. The Sahara was not Korea. There were no existing buildings or houses to settle, like Korea.
No land needed to be compensated. No environmental effects needed to be evaluated. There were no existing residents to begin with, who may have demanded more compensation or even protested. The only residents were rattlesnakes and lizards.
No bridges were needed. No tunnels either. They only had to level the ground, pour dirt on top of it, and tamp it down with a roller. That made a usable road. They needed to cover it with asphalt and paint the central line, but as it was, the Western Boulevard was one of the roads in Africa with the best conditions.
With the opening of the Western Highway, the development of Novatopia was even more heightened. The resources, provided by the French government unconditionally, coursed through the Western Highway. NDjamena was full of unemployed people. They became abundant manpower which also moved through the Highway.
Professor Shernion, after completing the construction of the Western Highway, put his hands on the construction of the Eastern Highway. The Eastern Highway connected the junction at the end of the avenue, to Pada, then to Bahay, which was a border town near Sudan.
Shernion had the ambition to develop Novatopia into a hub of transit trade that connected the Red Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. The Eastern Highway was going to be a conduit that would grant Novatopia access to the Red Sea, through northern Darfur.
When Professor Shernion breathed dirt on the road construction sites, Professor Orifice breathed sandstorms on the border. The project was inherently a forestation of a desert. The first step of that was to make a line of trees that will withstand the wind.
Professor Orifice, within a month, analyzed the precipitation of the past 20 years in Novatopia and the Ennedi Plateau, the frequency of the Harmattan, and direction of the sandstorms, and temperatures. The data was already available in the DGSE technological department and office of meteorology.
The analysis of the soil was also complete. The Ennedi Plateau was mostly a stratum of granite in which was exposed a stratum of sandstone, and mainly a clay colloid mixed with sand. If they stopped leaching by providing sufficient water, plants could easily root there.
The combined borders of Novatopia were 750 kilometers long. He calculated the required area of the windbreak forest at 300 meters wide and 490 kilometers long. The size was unheard of in history. Also, few such forests were planted in a desert. No government was that stupid to waste resources in such a project that promised no real benefit.
Professor Orifice was an expert in such stupidity. Even he couldnt have done it without a sufficient supply of underground water. The project was that massive.
Orifice divided the area into four sections and named them the First Maginot Line, the Second Maginot Line, the Third Maginot Line, and the Fourth Maginot Line. He named them Maginot because he wished the windbreak forest to block the sandstorm as the original Maginot Line deterred the enemy. Also, the original Maginot Line was also 750 kilometers long. The Novatopian Windbreak Forest Project, later named the Saharan Maginot Line, began like that.
Jatropha was the main species of the trees planted in the project. Orifice used heavy equipment to plant a tremendous number of jatropha, which was native to Agbaya and the Ennedi Plateau, along the Lines.
Jatropha was a fast-growing tree. With sufficient water, it grew three meters in eight months. It bore fruit in 12 months and in 15 months, it grew to six meters tall. It was a wide-leafed tree that thrust many branches and leaves. There was no finer tree than this for the formation of the windbreak forest.
Orifice, then, hadnt expected the fruits of jatropha to make a great profit later. Jatrophas fruits couldnt even be used as cattle fodder because of their peculiar smell and toxicity. The useless fruits proved to be a great substance to make biodiesel. No one knew then. A fortunate one was bound to continue to collect a fortune.
The whole Maginot Lines needed 20,000,000 trees in total. Jatropha alone couldnt make that number. Orifice planted olive trees, white broms, tamarisks, acacias, pirotekni, and apricots with Stipa Calamagrostis, a sturdy grass native to the Ennedi area, to protect the soil.
The entire Project Forestation, which was slow in the beginning, began to advance at a fast pace after Sang Chul brought a massive amount of equipment from Korea and the population of Novatopia grew.
Within a year, the First and Second Maginot Lines, which faced the Sahara, were completed. A total of 10,500,000 trees were planted along 250 kilometers of 490 kilometers. Wild jatropha, widely distributed in Agbaya, were no longer seen.
Currently, the Maginot Lines involve 300 trucks, 60 excavators, 20 bulk pulchers, and 10,000 people. Orifice employed all available trucks to bring jatropha from the Ennedi Plateau and the Sahel in the direction of Paya. The outer part of Novatopia turned green at a surprising speed.
Afwerki was not idle. Tasked with water facilities, he became a workaholic. Day and night, he buried water pipes, until his face paled, his lips cracked, and his eyes glazed over. Still, he was happy.
Of 3,000 people who escaped Eritrea with him, 800 were working in the same job as him. They dug the ground and buried pipes. They no longer feared for life. They ate, learned, and worked. It was the heaven Afwerki had envisioned.
Of the 3,000 people, 2,000 were children below the age of 13. He saved the 2,000 futures of his people and is continuing to do so. Afwerki, after suffering severely from the Ombuti virus, renounced his religion.
Bakri Jadirs father, Ali Jadir, also played a part. He was tasked with pasture formation with elderly people, women, and children. After school, the children and adolescents made lattice structures that hold the soil in place and the elderly and women sowed grass seeds.
Sturdy native species like Acutiflora, Cornulaca monacanta, and Stipa calamagrostis were mainly for holding the soil in place. To make it more fertile, beans and grass such as tall fescue and alfalfa were sown. When the soil was relatively stabilized, rossgrass, in the family of Poaceae, bahiagrass, and dallisgrass.
When water and fertilizers were abundant, the sun no longer killed the plants but nurtured them. The Jipoon Dari area was already green up to the horizon.
There was another person who toiled hard. Professor Loren Giz, an old friend of Mu Ssang. He joined Novatopia with 10 doctors and 30 nurses from Mdecins sans frontires. Roman Walter, who was crushing on Edel, joined too. Of course, he had no idea that the bloody man he met at the time was the owner of Jipoon Dari now.
On a hill overlooking Lake Yoa stood a two-story prefab building. Within 300 meters around the building, except for a guard post. It was the maximum valid range of an assault rifle and an RPG-7 without a dot sight.
Such an arrangement could only be for the security of its residents. Despite the heavy security, the building itself is a cheap prefab made with sandwich panels. It looked and was cheap but the terrace on the second floor, extruding into the lake, had a classy ambiance with its potted Ixora chinensis, seemingly reflecting the owners taste.
The Saharan wind from the northwest rippled Lake Yoa and rocked two unoccupied rocking chairs. It was a leisurely sight.
The door to the terrace opened abruptly. A wide-eyed, slender-faced young woman came out onto the terrace with a mop and a duster. Hotpants and a T-shirt with half-length sleeves revealed Bassels skin. A woman was prone to change. Bassel was no longer that girl who wore a niqab and glanced around in fear.
Chapter 480 - Episode 1 What Comes Around Goes Around
Oh, my goodness. Whats the deal with all the sand? Lady Edel wished to sit and look out around the lake. What am I supposed to do?
Bassel snorted and used her gun to shake off the sand dust that had accumulated on the chair before wiping it down with a wet mop. Her round hips shook as she mopped, and when she tried to dust off her T-shirt with her left hand, the T-shirt rolled up, revealing her belly button. Basel was unconcerned. Should she call it her unique style? Anyway, back to the startling transformation. Its the cool fashion
The rocking chair is a work of art created by a Kurdish craftsman who worked overnight for a month. Basel brought the rocking chair because Edel values opulence and she is uninterested in jewelry. Shes cleaning for the third time today.
If Dubaiburupa is the incarnation of a god and is the object of reverence, Lady Edel is an angel who laughs and weeps. Every Novatopia loves and likes lady Edel.
The blonde beauty, sitting in a terrace rocking chair and gazing out at Lake Yoah, became the Novatopians avatar. The ash tree rocking chair on Lake Yoahs mansions terrace became famous for its quaint love, the epitome of chastity, and love that will always come true.
[Bsame, bsame mucho
(Kiss me more, kiss me much more times)
Que tengo miedo a perderte.
(because I fear I will lose you)
perderte despus.
(Ill lose you sometime)
Quiero tenerte muy cerca
(I want to hold you so closely)
]
From the kitchen, a singing voice could be heard. The voice was clear and refreshing to hear, but it was sad and desperate.
Oh, how good the lady! Die.
Ddudadak- Bassel swung nervously at the headquarters. A year has passed since Dubaiburupa developed the groundwater and left. There was no letter, no phone call, and no one knows where he is.
Ombuti mentioned that Dubaiburupa returned to his hometown. Basel was taken aback. Dubaiburupa is Gods incarnation. Of course, Gods hometown is heaven. Heaven is said to be brimming with joy. There will be a plethora of lovely angels, but what about Lady Edel?!
[ mirar me en tus ojos
(I want to look at myself in your eyes)
verte junto a mi
(I want to be by your side)
Piensa que tal vez ma?ana yo ya estar lejos
(I think that maybe tomorrow Ill be away far.)
Mui Rehos de Sau
(far from where youll be.)]
Besame Besame Mucho
(Kiss me more, kiss me much more times)
como si fuera esta noche la ultima vez
(As if this were to be our very last night.)
que tengo miedo a perderte, perderte despus.
(because I fear I will lose you. Ill lose you sometime)
Ah! Lady!
Bassel stumbled as she pressed her chest. She didnt want to hear the final line. The lyrics of Perderte. Perderte pierced the heart of a 19-year-old child. She could feel the ladys heart, which was tired of longing.
I hate you, Dubaiburupa!
Bassel muttered and took a look around. There was no way anyone could have heard her, but she couldnt believe she could say that.
[ Bassel Jadir, you are not guilty. But if you think So, I am Dubaiburupa will forgive you. As Mohammed Jadirs younger sister Bassel Zadirs mind and body are clean, Dubaiburupa declares.]
Even a single toast brought to mind the gospel of Dubaiburupa, who recognized her as someones daughter, someones sister, and who brought her a life out of the hell. Her heart warmed just thinking about his gospel.
Its insane to hold a grudge against Dubaiburupa, who saved her, her family, and her husbands lives. Furthermore, providing them with land to live on. He is their lifes savior, their faiths master, and their more precious being.
Hmph. But hateful is hateful.
Despite she likes him more than anyone else in the world, she hated how he burned the heart of the angel-like lady. Tudadadak- Bassels hands were busy with wiping the dust. The 19-year-old girl was more sensitive than petals.
Bassel!
Yes, lady!
Its the call that makes her feel better. Bassel quickly opened the terrace door and entered the room. Edel, who was kneading the dough, looked at her.
Its going to be dusty soon, so whats the point of cleaning?
Hehe, I dont know when youre going to sit there.
Anyway, stop doing useless things and rest. Its not Harmattan season yet so why the sandstorm is blowing like this?
Are you still practicing cooking?
Yes, I just finished preparing the ingredients. Should I take a break?
Edel came out of the kitchen. She was dressed as Bassel. The hot pants that barely covered her pelvis and the tight-fitting T-shirt that showed off her bodys curves. Her pale face, which appeared to be filled with rage, had been tanned with light brown, but her dazzling beauty had not changed.
The blonde hair that looked like it was made of gold, the exquisitely flowing curves of a slender height, and Ixora chinensis in her hair all added to her sensuality. Edel, who added sensuality to her innocence, captivated everyone, including the lollipop man on Blanche Street (a prostitutes village).( A lollipop man he is the man out off the business)
Ah!
Basesl let out a thin nasal sound. Her heart fluttered despite the fact that she was a woman.
Is there something on my face?
Edel raised her flour dough-covered hand.
No. It is because youre so pretty.
Whats the point of being pretty? Theres no one to look at.
I know. Sir Dubaiburupa is so mean.
He has a lot of work to do. Do you think that I would have fallen in love with him if he was just a rich handsome guy?
Edel sighed, turning away from Bassel. She remembered Attis hospital, where she met him for the first time. She fell in love with him because of his pure soul rather than his superhuman ability; he removed parasites from the bloody bodies of children who were in pain. The man who appeared like a shooting star across the night sky was stuck in her chest.
Thats true. How a good man turned to be bad man?
Haha!
Edel burst out laughing when Bassel made the inevitable remark. A true man is unavoidably a bad man for a woman. Its impossible to imagine Dubaiburupa wrapped in Rudy Edels skirt.
Where did Lee Ji-han go?
He must have gone fishing. These days, he often carries a fishing rod.
Hes in a lot of pain. If he could catch a big fish, he will get relieved
Edels expression was slightly blurred. Uncle Ombuti brought in Yijihana three months ago as a chef. He is an Eritrean who lost his entire family and fled with his young daughter, despite being very sick. Yijihana was a fantastic cook. He is skilled in Arabic and French cuisine, as well as Asian cuisine.
He proved himself with a sharp knife. Edel called for hooray when the fish, which had only left its head and bones, swam leisurely.
Im happy. The savior is here!
Edel was well aware that her cooking skills were not very good. The teacher is excellent, but no one knows whether the blind disciple will be able to acquire the techniques.
Akra is taking care of the Tigre, so dont worry. Lake Yoa is beautiful to look at. But would be there any fish? I also dont know why the chef throws a fishing rod in a lake where there are only frogs. Would you like to make a dish with a frog?
Basel flinched. Scaleless frogs are unimaginable cooking ingredients in the Arab world. Syrian orthodoxy has long been forced into Arab culture and has been greatly assimilated. Cultural disintegration was also the starting point for elaborate leaders like Bakri to have serious doubts about religions integrity.
There must be a good reason for that. Women often do things that men cant understand.
Maybe he went to Buku Lake in Nguanga Serir. I heard there are many fish there.
What should we do? Lake Buku is 50km away.
Edels face became blurred.
Why?
Dubai is at Samaria Farm right now. What if he came to Novatopia today?
Oh, thats why you were practicing cooking? Should I send someone to call him?
I dont want to bother the chef.
Edel hesitated.
Thats your problem, lady. Lee Ji-han is the mansions cook and your employee. Yet you are still giving him so much freedom.
Oh, my goodness! You should not use such harsh words, Bassel. Hes a heartbroken person. Cooking is the heart. Do people enjoy eating food that has been made with a sick heart?
Basels spirit wandered for a while. As expected, she is a lady with the heart of an angel. But it seemed to make sense.
Actually, I wanted to make him food by myself.
Edel smiled brightly. She enjoyed just imagining Dubai enjoying the food she had made. Why should she give that pleasure to others?
Youve been treating patients all morning, lady. Im exhausted as well, and Im about to pass out. Simply leave it to the chef and relax.
Bassel was nervous. God blessed Lady Edel with beauty, heart, body, clear hair, and everything else, but He did not bless her with cooking skills. Unfortunately, the ladys tongue is nearly blind. Its not the first time shes become nauseous as a result of the ladys use of strong spices.
No, I can make some bouillabaisse.
Why does it have to be bouillabaisse?
Last time, he said he wanted to eat spicy fish stew. When I asked Lee Ji-han, he said that spicy fish stew, an oriental dish, is similar to bouillabaisse.
Then you mean that all the frozen fish that look tasteless are bouillabaisse ingredients?
Bassel pulled her head out and looked into the frozen fish in the sink bowl.
Lee Ji-han said that the uglier the fish for bouillabaisse broth, the thicker the soup comes out.
Sigh, I cant live because of you. But how can you put in headfish? Those who are undergrown are poisonous.
It is funny. Dubai would rather say its good.
I dont know. You take care of it.
Will it be okay?
Looking at Basel, Ethel grabbed the hem of her hot pants and pulled it down. Her outfit is identical to Basels, only her pelvis and chest are covered, leaving the rest of her body exposed.
Women in Novatopia dress in hot pants and T-shirts on a daily basis. When they worked, they wore a mompie and a skirt given to them by Dubai, but in normal times, most women wear hot pants. The issue is Ethel herself.
Lady, are you worried again? You also heard what Dubai said at the Wakil Chamber. I can remind you. [From now on, wear jeans, hot pants, and a sleeveless T-shirt. A pretty face and body are a gift from God. Beauty should be enjoyed by all. It is a sin to hide and not reveal it.]
Basel pulled her chin and stood upright, imitating with a solemn voice.
Pfft. Thats true, but
Edel stumbled. She, who supported Basel and Aichets arguments, suggested to Ombuti that womens clothing be liberalized. Ombuti, who was jumping up and down, was also captivated by the words of Dubai.
When Edel wore the hot pants, the other women began to wear hot pants as well. Thanks to this, Novatopia mens eyes enjoyed a treat.
Now, when you go out on the street, you cant even see Chador or Niqab at all. A woman with all her limbs exposed in the sun walks. It is a reality that cannot be imagined anywhere else in Africa. For Novatopia women, Edel is a ray of light that lifted the darkness.
Dubaiburupa has a strong conservative tendency. As a result, Edel, the perpetrator of the incident, quietly knelt down. But she couldnt bring herself to accept the atrocities of covering women in black cloth again.
Should I call the chef?
Anxious Bassel asked one more time.
No. He might be able to catch fish for the spicy fish stew.
Edel shocked her head. People who are heartbroken need to be left alone.
Okay. Im going downstairs to clean up. Dont overdo it.
Okay. Dont worry.
Edel was sure of herself. Even though she was unfamiliar with kimchi stew, she was able to impress (?) Dubai with it in Najamena. Bouillabaisse is a far more well-known dish than kimchi stew. That was her fathers favorite dish, so he ate it whenever he went to France. The chef also explained the recipe to her.
Edel poured an entire barrel of olive oil into a large pot with a thick bottom. she claimed that using enough olive oil would enhance the flavor of the broth. She heated up a bunch of onions, fennel, carrots, tomatoes, and garlic. The extra olive oil coated the ingredients without sinking, but Ethel dismissed it. A pleasant aroma was released as the ingredients began to boil.
Haha! I had a hard time getting Korean garlic, but it wasnt tasty, and it was rotten. Oh, it shouldnt taste too good, what if he becomes fat?
Edel put in a lot of ingredients with her ridiculous worries.
Chapter 481 - Episode 2 What Comes Around Goes Around
Of course, she faithfully followed the master chefs recipe, but the issue is the quantity. Edel, who studies medicine, was not familiar with the cooking world, which is dominated by adjectives such as appropriate amount and a sprinkle of rather than weight or volume.
There is a standard unit of measurement in the medical world. [If adrenal insufficiency occurs in pediatric septic shock patients, administer 2mg of steroid after 12 hours of observation if central venous oxygen saturation is 60% or less.] The time, behavioral guidelines, treatment methods, drugs, and dosage are all clearly stated.
In cooking, on the other hand, there were many undefined words in a recipe, such as put in the right amount for cooking, season it lightly, or put the desired quantity. which was beyond Edels vulgar abilities.
I heard that combining parsley and saffron would remove the smell.
Edel selected a glass bottle from the shelf with the words Azafran de la Mancha Denominacion de Origen written on it. Dried purple stamens are stored in a small, delicate crystal bottle that was similar to a perfume bottle.
The cook advised me to dissolve saffron in warm water before using it. Wine is better than water, Edel muttered as she poured a glass of white wine from Borodo and snatched a handful of saffron with tweezers before putting them into the glass.
Oh! Beautiful!
Ethels eyes became more delighted. La Manchas saffron was merely a dye, not a spice. The stamens moved and dissolved into a deep yellow color that was close to red. The bright yellow color transformed the white wine into a golden wine.
Should I taste it a little bit?
Edel gulped down her saliva as she stared at the golden wine. Her conflicted expression shifted to resignation. Even a small amount of alcohol in her body caused her face to turn bright red. She does not want to show him her drunk face. In the end, she poured the golden wine into the pot after evenly sprinkling it over the parsley.
Edel had no idea she had just passed through Hells gates.
Saffron is a spice made from only the pistil of a purple flower called saffron crocus and dried. Saffron crocus is native to Southwest Asia and the Iberian Peninsula. There are three pistils that should be picked carefully. Therefore, to get one kilogram of saffron, you need to pick 200,000 saffron crocuses. To purchase one kilogram of the Spanish La Mancha saffron, you have to pay 100 million won. Thats 500 won per saffron crocus.
Royal and noble families have used saffron as a dye for clothing and bread since ancient Egyptian and Roman times. Gold was a symbol of nobility and wealth in both the East and the West. Carotenoid pigments are extremely potent.
Cleopatras naked body is said to have shone golden because she bathed in a saffron tub. The kingdoms that lived in luxury while eating bright yellow bread in golden clothes vanished, but Saffron remained firm.
Since ancient times, Saffron has been known as the King of Spices because it was not only expensive and scarce, but it was also secretly used as a poison for assassination. If the dose of saffron exceeds 15 grams, it is lethal. Adults can be poisoned by 8 grams of Raman teas saffron, which contains chromine that becomes concentrated through a fumigation process. Furthermore, chromine becomes more toxic when dissolved in alcohol. In other words, she had properly prepared a poison.
Edel began to add the prepared ugly fish to the bouillabaisse broth. Rockfish, Munk fish, red mule, and headfish were added.
Oh, no!
Edel yelled. The amount, as expected, is the issue. The broth overflowed the pot as the ingredients were added without any precautions. Edel, who was rushing to get the ingredients, hit her head. She shoveled what was supposed to be a large bowl. However, she committed more atrocities by bringing a pot three times the size of the pot containing the ingredients and poured the half-cooked ingredients into the new pot.
The ingredients were boiling. Edel rested her chin on her wrist and kept an anxious eye on the kitchen clock. Chef Lee Ji-han explained that bouillabaisse is a combination of boiling and simmering, and he instructed her to boil the broth for 40 minutes. Only when the soup is boiled to a high enough temperature does the olive oil melt and broth become thicker.
There is still 5 minutes left.
The ingredients were scorched and burned, but Edel, who was only looking at the clock, did not notice that. The recipe is her religion. The appearance of an isolated beauty holding up her chin and waiting for her cooking to be done could set fire to any mans chest. Daeng! The kitchen clock rang.
Right!
Edel put the broth and ingredients in a mixer, ground them, placed them in a coarse amapo, and squeezed them. Her clever brain remembered the cooking process that she had heard once.
She put the extracted broth back on the fire. It smelled a little burnt, but she thought the smell would disappear soon. She was confident this was so as she did it exact to the recipe. The potatoes were cut and thrown into boiling broth, then the fish, shrimp, and shellfish were added all at once. The aged dough was poured by hand.
Dubaiburupa mentioned flour dough as a food ingredient. The name is strange, and the texture was not great, but if Dubai said it was a food ingredient, it must be. With a fork, she poked the potato which immediately fell apart. It was time to wrap it up, as the chef taught her. Finally, she chopped parsley, sprayed it, and sprinkled it with saffron, which she had saved previously, again.
Wow, Excellent!
The kitchen was filled with a fragrant aroma. Finally, the special bouillabaisse is finished. Edel looked at herself in admiration and wiped her sweat with the back of her hand.
Bassel!
Yes, lady!
Bassel ran up the stairs.
It smells good, right? Do you want to taste it?
Edel placed her hands on her waist and pointed proudly at the table with the tip of her chin. A portion of bouillabaisse that would be enough for five or six people is placed in the center of the table. This amount should be enough for Dubai.
Bassels face creased with tension. She always felt sick after eating the ladys food. Even though they appeared to be a plausible dish, the taste was always horrible. Her heart was too weak to turn away from Edels proud face and eager eyes, despite her desire to decline.
She closed her eyes and put a spoonful of broth in her mouth. Bassel tilted her head, anticipating tongue pain and convulsing nerves. But it was tasteless and odorless. There was no fishy or burnt smell. The only thing that seemed to sting her tongue was a subtle taste and a little dizziness.
Lady, this is the best dish youve ever made.
Bassel gave her a thumbs up. Edels addition of 30 grams of La Mancha saffron, a potent spice, must have done the trick. Not only was the fishy and burning smell blown away, but so was the greasy feeling caused by the excess olive oil. It was odorless because all flavors have been neutralized.
Ha ha ha!
The sopranos laughter echoed throughout the living room. It was the first time she heard Bassel complimenting her dish. She could not stop laughing with delight when Bassel, who has a picky eater, complimented her cooking.
Lady, your cooking skills have improved a lot.
Ha ha ha, I can do it too. I think I need to boil the broth a little longer. I heard that the more you boil the bouillabaisse broth, the better it tastes.
Edel was in high spirits. She, who had been concocting a concentrated poison, is a woman who does what she wants.
A small dot appeared in the southwest sky. It was a Falcon business jet heading towards Novatopia, where the special bouillabaisse awaits. The sky was clear and blue, with only a sliver of a cloud on the horizon.
Landing begins in five minutes. We will be entering Novatopia. This brings the current altitude of 9,800 feet down to 5,000 feet.
The jet lowered its altitude. The sky in the Sahara was a fantastic blue without the presence of a sandstorm.
Whats that?
Mu Ssang beckoned out the passenger room window. Ssamdi flinched, remembering that he was scolded by Wakil for knocking on a plane window in the past.
Im the luckiest zombie out of all the zombies!
Ssamdis mouth slowly curved into a smile. He would still be a zombie without an ego who could not die or live if he had not met his owner.
It looks like a windbreak forest, but its huge.
At Ssamdis words, Professor Mulsoli and his lackey clung to the window. Because they were hanging out on a Samaritan farm, the two were unaware of Novatopias changes.
Theres nothing special.
Professor Mulsoli grumbled and pulled out his binoculars. Looking down from 5,000 meters, Lake Yoah, which was 3 kilometers in diameter, appeared smaller than the palm of your hand. Windbreak forests are typically invisible to human eyes.
Oh, my god. I cant believe it! Its a windbreak. Its an endless windbreak!
Professor Mulsoli, who was peering through binoculars, yelled. Bakri and the others smiled. They did not say anything on purpose to surprise him. The inquisitive lackey also took his binoculars from his backpack. Working in the desert required the use of binoculars.
Wow! Theres a road, too.
The lackey admired it. A road that suddenly appeared from the distant western Sahara crossed into Novatopia and disappeared like a mirage into the eastern sand. Sun Woo-hyun was astonished by the dedication of the people who drilled over a thousand kilometers of roads in just over a year.
You did a great job.
Mu Ssang stated as he looked at Bakri. They were deserving of the plaudits. Hundreds of kilometers of windbreak forests were planted in a short period of time, and over 1,000 kilometers of roads were drilled. This is the result of peoples blood, sweat, and tears such as Bakris.
You should praise Dubaiburupa! All this was possible due to the fact that Wakil drew French support and provided an abundance of funds, food, and supplies. If they were unable to work, the children may have been unable to eat bread. He is the one who assisted them in obtaining food.
Barkley and the others faces were filled with pride. Professor Mulsoli and the lackey discovered pre-existing oil, but they created something from nothing. Oil is a valuable economic good, but Novatopia is a complete gift set.
Praise is yours. Blue Art Blue Art Le Deze! A project is not a task that can be accomplished with support only. It was possible because of your perseverance.
Mu Ssang held Bakris hands and patted them.
Damn it, thats political. The more Bakri and Mohammed lowered their heads, the more Wakil recognized them. On the other hand, youre a servant who keeps your head raised. You should learn from Bakri.
Lackey was sincerely advised by Ssamdi, who was learning the benefits of seniority. Hearing this, Sun Woo-hyuns face turned into stone while eating his black bean noodles.
There is no one above Dubaiburupa, and the small children are only doing their own work.
Bakri and the others yelled angrily. Those who were saved from death were courageous. No one was sluggish in Novatopia. After school, the students went out with djembe and a dustpan to work. They struggled as if they were possessed by a Genie, as if they would die if they did not work.
The whole of Novatopia was covered with the roar of heavy equipment and slogans to live. The beginning was small, but day by day it got bigger. It was a day that started with Blue Art Blue Art Le Deze! and ended with Dubaiburupa Ester Abek Nou (Dubaiburupa is with us.).
People will die for those who recognize them. No matter whether you live or die, you will be happy when your efforts are recognized. How miserable would it be if you worked hard but your efforts were stolen, and no one recognized you?
Mu Ssang picked up the intercom when the plane was above the Jipun Bridge.
Leon, turn at 2,500 feet and at a low speed.
Yes.
The Falcon orbited over Jipoon Dari at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour.
Oh, my. This is Jipoon Dari.
Sun Woo-hyun rubbed his eyes. A radially planned city, which cannot be seen in Africa, stood tall on a green grassland. Roads stretched out across the land where houses and buildings were arranged in an orderly manner.
There was a green lake in the center of the city, and the whole area of the lake was a park covered with trees and grassland. How could this tremendous monument be created in only one year? Sun Woo-hyun was in awe of the people who turned the desert into green grasslands and established the city. It is a characteristic of Koreans who work quickly, but this was even faster than he had imagined.
Mu Ssang cast a silent glance out the window. The reddish-brown land of 100 square kilometers where the Jipoon Dari is located has already been overrun by green. Ombuti and the professors were able to expand Novatopia beyond his wildest imaginations.
The citys heart is a five-square-kilometer park in the middle of Lake Yoa. Administrative facilities, commercial facilities, residences, farmland, grasslands, and military facilities were built on the inside. Jipoon Dari has already begun to resemble a city.
Falcon headed east along the road. Lake Kadam and Lake Serir, designated as Nguanga Natural Park, remained the same. Mu Ssang was satisfied.
Mu Ssang was fed up with Koreas natural resources being damaged in the name of development. He directed Professor Shernion not to develop anywhere near the lakes area. Nature needs to be preserved.
Falcon entered Lake Yoah after traversing and searching along the roads axis. The southern and western coasts of Lake Yoah were densely forested, but sand carried by Harmatan was encroaching on the lakes northern and eastern coasts. Separate windbreak forests were planted on the north and east coast of the lake to prevent erosion. The windbreak forest on the lakes north coast, on the other hand, had an unusual shape.
Huh? That looks like handwriting
Chapter 482 - Episode 3 What Comes Around Goes Around
Mu Ssang mumbled. The lake windbreak forest was planted in a specific pattern to create a symbol, which he couldnt tell if it was a pattern or letters.
Inwardly, he was astonished. This is not Korea, but the Sahara Desert. He didnt know who came up with this idea, but the tenacity to create some kind of symbol by transplanting thousands of holy trees was incredible.
The falcon was flying at 2,500 meters above the ground, and the windbreak forest was 6,000 meters away. The windbreak forest along the lake would be unrecognizable to most people. And as the heat of the surface shook the atmosphere, it became more difficult to recognize, even with Mu Ssangs special ability.
Duung- Epidiums vision has improved. Using the zoom lens, he was able to see the windbreak, which was a mix of date palm trees and trees he had never seen before because Mu Ssang had never heard of Jatropha.
The date palm trees grow straight up without any branches. Despite the fact that it provided adequate shade, it is not suitable for windbreak. The other tree he saw for the first time was in between trees and shrubs, with dense branches and leaves.
He didnt know who made it, but the shade trees and windbreak trees along the lake were exquisitely placed. Because the oblique angle made it difficult for him to read the writing, he called the captain via the intercom.
Move over the lake, Leon. Maintain your altitude!
Yes!
Mu Ssang gazed out over Lake Yoah.
[I envy your mother.]
He rubbed his eyes and looked down. Regardless of how many times he checked, the sentence created by thousands of trees was [I envy your mother]. He was certain, Edel was the only person besides him who knew this phrase and who could write it.
I envy your mother!
He sighed deeply. As the word envy it also means jealousy. Which shows Edels determination to be loved just as much as his mother was loved by his father.
The night before leaving Novatopia after completing the aquifer exploration, he had a serious conversation with Edel in the starry desert. That night, he told her about his father Park Jin Bo and his mother Kim Mal Soons love story. As he was eager to tell someone about the story.
His mother, who used to be a shaman, and his father, who fell in love with that woman who was dancing on Namhaes beach and spent a year and a half trying to win her heart, and after that they lived happily for a while before his death and her misfortune. Edel, who was listening to the ultimate love story, couldnt stop crying the entire time.
[Im envying your mom so much] This is what Edel said with her swollen eyes.
[What are you talking about! My mother was such an unhappy woman]
The Mu Ssang replied to the unreasonable comment.
[Dubai, only you can define happiness and unhappiness. Life is too short, and it may appear meaningless by human standards, where you love and die, leaving behind offspring. Is there a distinction from Gods perspective?]
[There will not be any. In the long history of the universe, there is no difference between a hundred years and a day.]
[Yes, my mother, Mrs. Laura, blamed and cursed my father her entire life. Since he was young, my father has been doing medical volunteer work in Africa. Everyone admired him, but in the eyes of my mother, he was nothing more than a half-hearted idealist.]
[He was wasting his wealth and youth in Africa, leaving his young and pretty wife in Liverpool, so as a noble woman she would have been angry]
[Yes, and my mother was a racist. As a result, she despised his hands touching black people and couldnt bear touching his body.]
[Even though Rudrey Edel managed to come into this world]
[hahaha, that is true. It appears that either she or both of them were drunk. I couldnt understand my mother at the time, and I still dont. Why couldnt she come to Africa to live with my father? It is true that life in Africa is more difficult than it is in England. However, there are many positive aspects. Is it possible that my mother, who couldnt overcome prejudice and refused to accept any inconvenience, truly loved my father after all?]
[It could be a big problem from womans perspective. Theres no flush bathroom here and, she has to live with bugs.]
[Hmph, Don`t pretend to be a nice guy. Even a pretty and soft beauty like myself can live happily here. Mrs. Laura is still living a luxurious life like a queen in her Liverpool mansion and still blaming my father. Because I hated my mother, I moved to Africa to live with my father. Is my mother, who lives a wealthy life, really happy?]
[I dont think shell be happy. Is this a life in which she resents her late husband and is neglected by her only child?]
[Yes, as for your mother, she found true love, and she has a son who misses her. Who else in the world could have received so much love as your mother did? Dubai doesn`t think that your mother was unhappy. Im envious of your mother. If I can spend even one day with someone I love, I will gladly give up the rest of my life.]
He recalled the conversation he had with Edel. She is the only woman who is unable to express her emotions, but inside her is a fiery woman who boils like lava, just like his mother, Kim Mal-soon, who lived for his father and only longed for him.
Edel, who prepared the kimchi stew which was closer to a poison, proudly served it, and stood out with her warm heart, where did she hide such a desperate passion!
Edel, the Rudry familys only daughter, can live like a princess with her inherited castle if she returns to Liverpool. However, because she has a noble heart known as compassion, she endures her hardships by remaining in the harsh Sahara. Its also because of the man she loves.
I envy your mother.
Is my mother a happy woman that Edel would envy? According to Edels logic, she was a happy person. Edel is a woman who cant live without a loving man. And no man can resist her fatal charm, which emanates from both her external and inner beauty.
He stayed away from Edel for two reasons. He despised the burden she had to bear as a result of Black Mambas harsh life. Hae Young is another reason. For the time being, he can ignore his heart, but will he be able to ignore Hae Young when she reappears? Will he be able to extinguish the flame-like fire love? It will not be easy.
In the end, that night in the desert proved to be a night in which only Edels strong heart was reaffirmed.
Mother, you must not be an unhappy person. Edel is jealous of you.
Mu Ssang muttered. The weight of the heavy stone that was pressing on his chest was halved. Suddenly, he realized that he missed Edel.
Leon, land.
-Yes, please fasten your seat belts.
Eh, the stewardess should do the in-flight broadcasting, not a grumpy mans voice.
Sun WooHyun grumbled without hesitation.
Whats the matter, I cant get in? Im Edels colleague.
No. Lady Edel said she is busy and asked you to visit her next time.
A tall white man and a strong Arab man competed at the entrance to the lake mansion. Mu Ssang would have said, The rude doctor? if he had seen him. Dr. Guise introduced Roman Walter as a Munich idiot at MSF Hospital in Atti, and Edel harshly criticized him for being a self-proclaimed German shepherd.
Oh, my. Why it has to be this person?
Captain Wazalan of Group 3 Guard was on the verge of death. As he was stunned and unable to use force after discovering this mans identity was Roman Walther, a German MSF doctor who took over a month ago.
Im a doctor who treats you for free.
Im always grateful for that. But Lady Edel wants to rest quietly.
Wazalan politely refused. He would have shot him to death if it hadnt been for an MSF doctor who treats him like a VIP in the autonomous administration.
I`m getting crazy. Call Edel.
Walters eyes glared.
I told you that she wanted to rest.
Wazalan did not budge.
She refuses to meet with me? Im a surgeon at Europes best hospital in Aachen?
Walters face rotted and rubbed. Fame has a lot of clout in the medical world. Edel will be unable to work at any hospital if he decides to intervene.
Yes, she definitely said she wanted to rest.
Wazalan repeated the same words as a parrot. Walter knocked on his chest, but there was no way to break through the ignorant Arab defense wall. The eyes of the two men staring silently were also frightening.
No matter how much Walter threatened and begged, there was no chance that Wazalan would listen to him. One word from the angel of Novatopia, Rudry Ethel, is the heavenly gospel. Even the Queen of England cannot pass through the guard at the entrance to her mansion if she says so. Walter, who did not know the truth, continued to shovel.
Ombuti rushed to Edel after receiving word that Falcon had taken off from Samaria Farm, followed by Ibrahim and Aishe. Aishe was also dressed in hot pants and a loose windbreaker.
Oh. Whenever I see that building, I feel frustrated.
Ibrahim said.
Its a big problem. How long does Wakir intend to stay in such a house? Tsk, tsk.
Ombuti responded. When the vassals of Dubai saw the Yoa House, they spit out this lament. It was 50 kilometers from Jipoon Dari on the shores of Buku Lake in Nguanga Serir.
The mansion on the shores of Lake Yoa serves as a temporary residence for Dubaiburupa while his Palace is being built. As Edel moved into this mansion, the shabby temporary structure was identified as Yoah House. Even though they tried to convince Edel to build a new house, she objected, claiming it was a waste of resources.
Beep- Ibrahim picked up the walkie-talkie he was wearing on his waist.
C Dubaiburupas private plane has taken off from Doba.
Okay.
Ibrahims face brightened.
Aklankuru, will arrive within an hour.
Ombuti smiled brightly.
Well be meeting Wakir soon. Do you think Lady Edel will be the happiest?
I think Aklankuru will like it more.
Ibrahim smiled.
That will be better for sure. Isnt he the dream and hope for all of us?
Right. To be honest, I find it more rewarding to build Dubaiburupas kingdom than to feel obligated to leave my descendants with an independent country.
Thats right. As we all know, Dubaiburupa is not greedy. I still remember the first time I met him in the Sahels rough sandstorm.
Ombouti narrowed his eyes as he remembered his encounter with a young man code-named Black Mamba. In less than five years, the Asian young man who was embarrassed by his inability to detect Ritam properly rose to the throne of a kingdom. The king is the king, no matter what. He has his doubts about Wakir being a human, but what if it is? He is the owner, and he will cherish him for the rest of his life!
Oh. There are no problems with dinner preparations, right?
Dinner? You told me not to make a fuss.
He opened his eyes wide upon Ibrahims confirmation.
But we still need to eat.
Ibrahim smiled round.
The only invitees are five members of MSF. And since Black Culture has twelve members, there are a total of seventeen. Oh, there were 18 people because the president of some oil company said he would be there. According to Dubaiburupa, the number eighteen is an insult. hahaha
Aishe joked while laughing loudly.
Dont say nonsense and check carefully. Its been a year since he came here. We cant be negligent. Had we prepared Wakirs hometown food?
Of course. The chef has been looking through his notebook since morning. He looked pitiful. Perhaps because of his childhood, his personality seemed a little bit radical.
Hahaha, Lady Edel will be surprised. She must think that the chef went fishing leisurely.
Thats also a bad hobby.
Aishe averted her gaze. The only reason to keep Dubaiburupas visit hidden was to surprise Lady Edel.
Isnt he MSF doctor?
Ombuti looked back at Ibrahim.
He is a surgeon called Walter. What would Wazalan make a fuss about? Whats wrong with him?
Aishe, the head of the mansions security, answered instead and tilted her head. The discipline of the Novatopia vigilantes is strict. Deviance during working hours will be severely punished. On the other hand, policing activities are widely recognized.
Doctors from MSF are valuable personnel in Novatopia because many refugees are sick or injured. Theres no way the security guard Wazalan didnt know this.
Salute!
Wazalan, who discovered Aishe present, saluted.
Whats going on?
Are you in charge?
Walter intercepted. His eyes scanned Aishe up and down. Her twinkling eyes soon faded.
You bastard, Ill pull your eyes out.
Aishes chest erupted in flames of rage.
Chapter 483 - Episode 4 What Comes Around Goes Around
Hot!
Aishe raised her gloomy eyes and gave a self-helpful smile. She was taller than most men, with broad shoulders, steel forearms, a sun-tanned face, and bulging muscles in her legs.. Even in her own eyes, she is far from feminine.
Above all, her breast was buried in the developed chest muscles. This was the result of running around the mountain with a machine gun for 10 years.
Except for Dubaiburupa, No one will see me as a woman.
She suddenly missed Dubaiburupa, who had said that the healthy and strong women were the real women. Anyway, now is the time to act as the head of Novatopia Guard.
Thats right. Im in charge of the security. Are you a doctor in the surgical ward?
Yes. I`m surgeon Roman Walter.
Oh, the doctor who was appointed one month ago. Nice to meet you.
Aishe reached out her hand.
Ugh!
Walters expression twisted as he unintentionally held her hand. Its not a womans hand, its a large monkey spanner tool.
Eek!
Walter clenched his fist. He had boxing and tennis training. He should have to remove his balls if he was pushed by a womans grip. There was a popping sound. The monkey spanner was transformed into a vise.
Ugh!
Walter managed to swallow the bursting scream. Instead of overwhelming his opponent, he had to endure the agony of crushing his finger, which caught his nerves and struck his brain. His eyes grew protruding, and his lips were poodle-like.
Ibrahim cast a glance at Aishe. Aishe is a woman who goes after her desires. Walters hand will be crushed if she is left alone. Surgeons and gamblers both have delicate hands. Their life will be ruined if they break their hand bones.
This is Yoah House. It is Dubaiburupas temporary palace, which the Novatopian people adore and respect. I hope the doctor understands. If the security guard made a mistake, we will deal with him in accordance with our regulations.
Aishe relaxed her grip and spoke politely. Walters white expression found its color.
Its not a big deal. Im just here to see Mis. Edel.
Walter, who was feeling down, caressed his hand and murmured.
You bastard, take your balls off and feed them to the frogs.
Ibrahim cursed Walter, who disgraced the men.
Oh!
Ombuti burst out a burst of exclamation. As the groups attention grew, he shook his head, as if nothing was happening.
Ombuti recalled him. He was a jerk doctor who worked for Ati MSF. He met him at the hospital where he had been carrying the blood-stained Wakil after completing the Sahel operation. He was the German doctor who attempted to take blood and skin samples from Wakil.
Lady Edel packed her belongings and followed him at the time. When Walter saw this, he insisted that it was for treatment purposes and tried everything he could to stop Edel. Ombuti realized Walter loved Lady Edel when he saw him struggling to stop Edel.
Since the appearance of Walter here, it has been clear what he was up to. His crawling into Novatopia must have something to do with Lady Edel.
He is a funny guy!
Ombuti snorted inside. Why should he crawl in here if he intends to commit suicide? Theres no need to get Wakils hands dirty. If he disrespects Lady Edel, more than 50,000 people will rush out with shovels to bury him in the desert.
But how did he know about this place and come here?
Ombuti tilted his head. Lady Edel immediately moved from Valdegras Army Hospital to the Njamena Wakil Chamber and came to Novatopia here. It was never revealed to the outsider.
Actually, there was nothing strange about it. Walter initially stayed at MSF to win Edels heart, but when she left, he lost his motivation and returned to his original job at Aachen Hospital.
Walter, the self-conscious paranoid, couldnt let go of Edel so easily. So, when she vanished like a pebble into the sea, he changed course and began watching Dr. Giz. He guessed Dr. Giz would be linked to Edel in some way because he was close to the mercenary who had been possessed Edel.
Walters efforts were not in vain. As he discovered Edels remains in a country called Novatopia, where Dr. Guise had moved to. He was delighted and immediately packed up and joined the Novatopia MSF.
Fortunately, Ethel was still single. Indeed, the noble Edel and the smelly mercenary were so different.
Walter sought a chance to confess his love to her, but he did not get any chance. Edels obstetrics and gynecology ward is separate from the main building, and there was little free time due to the influx of patients. Dr. Gizs subtle disturbance, of course, played a significant role as well. As a result, he couldnt help but pay a visit to Edels house.
Youre here to meet Lady Edel? Wazalan, what happened?
Aishe looked back at Wajalan.
I informed the lady, but she said she wanted to rest.
Thats what he said?
Aishe stared at Walter.
What the heck! You punk!
Walter was furious, but he didnt dare to get a seizure. The fear of almost breaking his hand while looking down on her as a woman prevented him from saying harsh words.
I must meet her.
Walter, you should be careful. Novatopia is a free country. It guarantees individual freedom, so compulsory actions against the will of others, regardless of their status, are severely punished.
What is it so tight? I just want to meet her as a colleague.
As Walter replied, Aishe checked her watch.
It is now 3:00 p.m. The owner of Novatopia will arrive shortly. Dinner is set to begin in three hours.
Oh, really?
Walters eyes sparkled with curiosity. MSF officials all wondered about Dubaiburupa, the owner of Novatopia.
There were many theories that he was from a royal family of oil-rich country in the middle east, that it was a puppet regime in the Soviet Union attempting to swallow Africa, and that the Yankees were a satellite state established to prevent African communism. Dr. Giz, the hospitals director, appeared to be aware, but he didnt say anything.
We invited our friends, MSF teachers, to dinner in the Yoa palace. Would you like to attend?
Of course I would like to. Thank you for inviting me.
Walters demeanor shifted. The anticipation of meeting Edel made the antipathy fade. They are also the most powerful people in Novatopia. Novatopia is a young country, but it is one that values order and strict discipline. He was well aware that there was nothing he could do to defy the leaders will. Besides, he cant defeat the arrogant Arab security guard.
I apologize for causing such a chaos, friend. Looking at your face, you appear to have been bitten by a poisonous insect.
I was bitten by a Red Scorpion that crawled inside my boots.
Wazalan stroked his face and spoke in such a way that it seemed like it was not a big deal. Despite the fact that he had developed a rash all over his body as a result of the red scorpion bite.
It is common to be bitten by scorpions, spiders, or vipers. He doesnt even care unless it is a venomous thing like a death stalker, rattlesnake, or horny snake. He suffers from a sense of fever and literacy (pain), but if he fails to endure this much pain, he is not qualified as a Novatopian soldier.
You are not in a good condition. Youll be in trouble if you develop sepsis.
Walter looked at the rash with a worried look.
It is a weak poison, so itll subside over time.
Nonsense. The poison of the red scorpion is a blood poison. When a blood clot blocks a vein in the leg, it becomes an eunuch.
Wazalan flinched.
Its an antihistamine. Take three pills now, and three more in the evening.
Walter took a medicine bottle and threw it at Wazalan.
Thank you. As expected, the doctor is different.
Wazalan bowed deeply in response to his adversarys interpersonal behavior. The doctor was a doctor, even if he wasnt very nice to him.
How can a doctor be called a doctor if he or she turns a blind eye to a patient? My lifes goal is to live in a world where no one is sick. Hahaha!
Walter laughed. He knows how to speak as a well-known doctor. As he walked away, he smirked.
Is he going to die soon?
Walter, whom he saw in Atti, was far from Hippocrates descendant. When looking at Sun WooHyun, it is clear that human nature is difficult to change. Ombuti was a little uneasy, but he couldnt say anything.
Heh heh! Last time, I bought a lot of oral athletes foot medicine. Where do you taste it?
Walter clenched his teeth as he turned to face the hospital. It is not a place to leave the obnoxious Arabs and blacks who stood in his way.
Aische scolded Wazalan.
Hey, idiot, how come you couldnt take care of that rut properly and caused our lady stress? Why did you have to call me for such a simple task?
Im sorry. He said he is a friend with Lady Edel
What nonsense, friend? You have no idea who Lady Edel is or how she could befriend someone like this.
Im sorry. I`ve been told to take a good care of the MSF staff because theyre a valuable guest..
Wazalan grumbled. He didnt want to speak badly of the doctor who gave him the valuable medicine.
How didn`t you use the techniques I taught you before? Pretend to push and thumb the one-inch point under the left nipple. Or drop the gun on the top of his foot.
Im sorry.
Anyway why you should feel sorry? Its a problem of that man who doesnt even know that.
Aische went into the mansion. She heard about that bastard from Lady Edel two days ago. He will be making his coffin if he dared to miss with Dubaiburupa`s women.
Haha. Youve grown a lot.
Ombuti beamingly smiled. He was pleased with Aisches progress, and he felt sorry for Walter, who had no idea he had managed to get out of the crocodiles mouth.
Oh my, its already a big deal that Uncle Ombuti came during the day. But even Uncle Ibrahim and Aische are here, too. Whats the matter?
Edel frowned. As the British playwright Noel Coward once said, [On a sunny summer day, the only things with legs that go outside are mad dogs and Englishmen].
Coward was wrong. Even in the middle of the day, Novatopians are on the move. They live without knowing Siesta (southern European nap time) and Kailolla (nap time in Arabic countries). The administration imposed a midday break under the strange name of curving time, but few people took advantage of it. The Novatopians are the most diligent and insane people on the planet.
Its just housework. I stopped by because I wanted to drink the Yirgacheffe (coffee native to Ethiopia) made by the lady.
Ethel snorted at Aisches words.
Do you mean that the busiest people in Nova just came to have a cup of tea at this time. Did the German Shepherd go? Its quiet now.
German Shepherd? Oh, you mean Dr. Walter. He left.
Im sick of him!
Edel shuddered. The thought of Walters eyes staring at her body as if he was licking it made her feel bad.
Lady, shall I deport him?
No! Walter works as a senior researcher at Aachen University Hospital. If he spreads rumors around the neighborhood, Novatopias reputation will suffer. In reality, he is a world-class expert in surgery. Hes a valuable asset to Novatopia.
Edel was startled by Aisches words. Deporting an MSF makes no sense. They have more power than the government at times. When Novatopias reputation deteriorates, it will become a second Palestinian in the international community. Its fine to be bothered by it, but theres no reason to get into pointless arguments about it.
Thats a wise judgment.
Ombuti, who had deduced what Edel was thinking, smiled cheerfully. When Africas tribes gained independence after WWII, the Tuaregs were shunned. This is due to its reputation as a masked warrior and looted nation. It is equally important to have a good reputation in the international community.
The myth that beauty is unintelligent is incorrect. Edel is a smart and considerate woman. In any case, there are more than a hundred ways to deal with the rude people without leaving a trace.
Be honest with me. What brought you here?
Wakil has departed from Toba on his private plane. Hell be here in 40 minutes.
Ibrahim reported with a smile.
Dubai is coming? 40 minutes? No way!
Edels face turned as yellow as Safran. Despite being without makeup, she had soot all over her face, besides the dough splattered. The kitchen was a disaster, and in her bedroom, there is a shambles of underwear.
You don`t need to be much worried. All you have to do is wash your face.
Hey, dont talk nonsense. I dont even have a cook. What should I do? Mr. Ombuti, youre mean. I purposely told me this late.
Edel glanced at Ombuti and was in a hurry like an ant whose antennae fell.
Chapter 484 - Episode 5 What Comes Around Goes Around
Mistress. We only need to add one more spoon to the dining table, so why worry so much? Aishe asked while grinning brightly.
How can you say that? Hes been wandering in the wilds for a month. Its most likely that he never got a chance to enjoy a proper meal, you know.
A tearful Rudrey Edel anxiously stomped her feet. Dubaiburupa looked like an emaciated scarecrow when he got carried into Atibels hospital. Being a mercenary was a very dangerous profession, after all.
Please dont be so worried, my lady. Our chef is preparing a feast so his food truck should arrive soon.
What are you talking about? Didnt you tell me earlier that Mister Yijihana went out with his fishing rod? Edel looked back at Bassel with wide eyes.
My apologies, my lady. Our chef should be working up a sweat right now in the Governor-Generals kitchen. Ohohoho! Bassel let out a peal of laughter while quickly evacuating to a corner nearby.
Uh-whew, how dare you! You were planning to prank me from the very beginning, werent you! Edel bit down on her voluminous lips while giving them a sideways glare.
Both Ombuti and Ibrahim began melting into puddles at the sight of that. Her smiling face was already pretty to begin with, but she became even more adorable when she got riled up like this.
Hehe. Isnt it more joyous to hear an unexpected piece of news?
How unfortunate that Lord Dubai cant see our ladys face right now. I mean, ones wife looks the most beautiful when shes focused on cooking, wouldnt you say? Hahaha!
Ombuti and Ibrahim chuckled loudly while looking at Edels face caked with globs of flour.
Edel quickly asked, Doesnt that mean we should head to the airport right away?
No, my lady. He detests troublesome matters like one hates the plague. The original plan was for him to simply show up to the residence and greet you.
We wouldnt have informed you in the first place if it werent for the sudden news of Totals CEO coming to visit us. As such, my lady, itll be alright for you alone to go to the airport and welcome him back.
Oh, my? It sounds like Dubai has confirmed the oilfields. Edels expression brightened even more from Ombutis explanation.
Indeed. However, isnt it a bit of a waste for such a massive jackpot, my lady? The Samaria farm is originally your property, after all, said the slyly-grinning Ombuti as he stared at Edel.
Edel and Wakil shared one notable commonality: the boundlessly-wide container of their souls. They have suffered under the hands of endless greed yet they lacked material desire. Ombuti asked her that question even though knowing how she is was, in a way, acting like a father being overly proud of his child that had matured to become a fine adult.
Please dont say that, uncle. All treasures have their rightful masters. Dubai only had to send a single lackey to recover the farm my uncle stole from me, didnt he? If I remained as the owner of the Samaria farm, then instead of Totals CEO, Id have hitmen showing up in my bedroom in the middle of the night, you know.
Im just a selfish woman who wishes to live a long and unencumbered life. Thats why I dumped a hot potato on Dubais lap. Thats all. Edel replied with a grave look on her face.
That prompted Ombuti to chuckle loudly again. Hehehe. I was just teasing you, my lady. Theres an old saying that goes like this: Treasure isnt a crime, but if the one with said treasure lacks power, it will become a crime. You made the right call.
It wasnt for free, though. I know how to calculate my benefits, at least. Edel grinned softly while taking off the necklace Mu-ssang had gifted her with.
She then shook it lightly around with her ring-wearing hand.
Huh. Now that is a truly excellent way to calculate a massive benefit, my lady. Ombutis expression began to soften once more.
Even though she was still young, she knew how to recognize and expand her territory, and also when to discard it. One could scour the world high and low and still not be able to find a more suitable candidate for queen than her.
She was so adorable and laudable that he wanted to take a bite out of her cheek or something!
Even the legendary Orichalcum cant restrain Dubai. So he should be tied down with affection, instead.
Does that mean the lakeside windbreak was for love
Shh! I still feel bad about those who had to work hard back then. Its embarrassing, so please keep it a secret. Edel pressed her index finger on her lips as her cheeks reddened.
Understood. Oh, and there is a Black Culture Dinner scheduled for six this evening. The participants will be Totals CEO and five doctors from the MSF.
Why didnt Kim contact us in that case?
Kim went on a business trip to Korea to purchase additional construction equipment, my lady.
Oh, how unfortunate. Dubai wouldve been happy to see Kim, after all, said Edel in disappointment.
But Ombuti simply shook his head. No, my lady. Nothing good will come about if it is known that he and Wakil both hail from same place. Indeed, itll only become more troublesome for Wakil if more people learn about his true origin. In any case, please get ready.
Edels expression showed a hint of anxiety while watching Ombuti turning around to leave. Bassel. Its not a helicopter but a jet plane hes riding on, so would he really be able to see it?
You can be rest assured, my lady. According to Mister Ombuti, Lord Dubai can even tell whether a crow ten kilometers away is a male or female.
What if he scolds me for doing something unnecessary?
Lord Dubai isnt a shallow person like that. I believe that your heart will definitely reach him, my lady.
Despite Bassels assurance, Edels expression did not soften at all.
A family whose background was too envious and moving to be seen as desperately unfortunate That was Dubais. A dying husband who asked his young child to look after his wife, the wife who loved her husband so much that she ended up losing her memories
And Dubai, who never forgot about his father and missed his mother so much that he even saw her in his dreams
The old adage said that to defeat a knight, one must shoot at the horse. So, Edel based her actions on Dubais mother, Madam Kim Mal Soons love, to let him know her feelings.
It was fine even if he did not get to see it, though. She just wanted to express her feelings in her own way. But now that she had done it, a sense of guilt tugged at her heart, as if she had used their beautiful love for her own purpose. It was kind of like a thief feeling guilty because of their crime.
***
Its finally finished! Yijihana yelled out after slamming the rear hatch of the food truck shut.
Because of orders from Governor Visgowa No, from Mister Ombuti of Aklan crew, Yijihana had to sweat buckets trying to prepare unfamiliar Korean cuisine.
Thanks to his teachers interest in Eastern cuisine, Yijihana got to complete the task this time, but he was still worried about it. The biggest constraint was the availability of ingredients and seasoning. He did his best to imitate the taste, but he had no confidence regarding the overall quality.
The master of this land will participate in this banquet. Pay close attention to your behaviors to ensure that our honored guests will enjoy their meal. Get going!
Bluart!
The caterer working for him, plus the assistants, quickly saluted and left. Yijihanas face, brimming with passion until then, suddenly went wane as if all energy had abandoned him.
As soon as an urgent matter was taken care of, the memories he wanted to forget reared their ugly heads once more. This was why he hated doing nothing.
Dammit! He spat out a curse word before plopping down on a chair.
Several faces flitted in and out of his mind, starting from his father who fought for his nations independence only to get killed in action by a bullet from an Ethiopian soldier; his mother who abandoned her young child to remarry; his grandmother who had to work extra hard to take care of her grandson; and finally, his teacher who taught him how to cook.
After getting married, Yijihana settled down in Yirgacheffe. He had a son and a daughter. A happy, fulfilling life. But it had to end after eight years all thanks to Ethiopias Christianity elimination policy.
During evacuation, he got separated from his wife and son. After going through hell and back, he managed to reach Eritrea, but his home country also turned out to be the land of oppression and unchecked carnage. It had transformed into a hellish world teeming with animals that would prey on his barely-ten-years-old daughter.
A friend affiliated with the Eritrean Liberation Front told him about the land of the gods, Novatopia. That story was like a lone ray of hope illuminating his hell.
Yijihanas mind flipped after hearing about how the freedom of religion was guaranteed in that place, that ones children could grow up safe and sound there, and how youd be rewarded for all your hard work at the end of the day.
After that, his mind could not process anything else. He discarded a shabby wooden boat, which had been prepared by him to cross the Mediterranean, and fled via land instead.
And Novatopia proved to be the land of gods, indeed. One had so much freedom and rights. Freedom of religion, freedom to choose ones job, freedom to choose where to live, implementations so that no one starved, rights to work
Hell, you even had the right to die with dignity like a human being.
The employment agency even found him five job postings that might suit Yijihanas skill set and age. Until he could find steady work, they provided him with a temporary residence, sustenance, and even living expanses.
To Yijihana, who suffered from the tyranny of the Ethiopian government and got persecuted by the Eritrean Muslims, this new home was basically like heaven itself.
And encountering the leader of the Eritrean Liberation Front, Vall Afwerki, was a stroke of luck too. Thanks to his help, Yijihana was able to settle down here without too much difficulty. After his cooking skills were acknowledged, he got himself the title of the Governor-Generals head chef as well as Miss Edels cooking instructor.
But now that he found a new home and his life had settled, the memories of the wife he still loved and his whip-smart son began tormenting him every day.
Were they still alive Or dead? If they were alive, under which skies would they be living right now? Even the face of his teacher, who sacrificed himself to help his disciples escape, flitted in and out of Yijihanas mind.
I cant let the my grandmas and the teachers sacrifice go to waste. Im sure Akra is doing a good job looking after Tigre right now. Urgh!
Yijihana shook his head before forcing his heavy butt to move. His back, shoulders and wrists were aching in protest after cooking nonstop for several hours. Surely no one in Novatopia was more tired than he was at the moment.
The master of Novatopia, Dubaiburupa, was scheduled to arrive later today.
He was revered as a god. Even the angel of Nova, Miss Edel, yearned for him even in her slumber. And Afwerki, famed for being a stubborn mule of a leader, pledged his loyalty to this man. All denizens of Novatopia fanatically followed Dubaiburupa. And now, it was Yijihanas chance to take a good look at who this man was.
Yijihana was utterly determined to see whether Dubaiburupa was a prophet, a visionary, or a con man. He climbed on his bike and stepped on the throttle.
***
The Falcon nimbly touched down on the runway. Unfitting of his nickname of violent thug, Leon intimately caressed the Falcons controls to do his bidding.
The Falcon reached the airports apron, and let its air-locked door open.
Even before the steps could be lowered, Samdi and Dino lightly jumped down and stood at attention on either sides. Afterward, Sun Woo-hyun and Ahmmad also leaped down to join in on the security detail.
Not long after, Mu Ssang, decked in unremarkable white gandura and a boonie hat, walked down the steps to reach the ground. Bakri and Co. followed him from behind.
My lady, the one youve been waiting for has finally returned. Oh, my? What on earth is that? Aishes eyes grew wide in surprise after spotting Dino.
As for Edel, her emotions welled up instantly, causing her eyes to get wet. Aishes words sounded like they were muted mumblings coming from deep underwater.
The air, heated by the suns radiation during the day, was dancing like a haze. And Dubai, flanked by Samdi and a massive beast, seemed to waver like a mirage.
Was it the atmosphere or Dubai who was dancing in her eyes? Or maybe it was just her eyes trembling all along. She could not be sure.
Ah, Dubai!
Edel suddenly began staggering.
My lady, please get a hold of yourself.
Aishes steel-like arm supported Edels trembling figure. Meanwhile, Mu Ssang gallantly strode to where they were.
Edel stared at him with dreamy eyes.
Aishe. Thank you for all your hard work.
Aishe shuddered instantly at his weighty baritone voice. He might be her benefactor who had saved her people and provided them with a place to live, but right at this moment, he had this air of real man oozing off of him. She could not help but notice it.
Bluart! Lord Dubaiburupa, hooray! Aishe ended up shouting inadvertently.
Aishe, please stop with embarrassing greetings. What belongs to Dubai should be given back to Dubai, yes? The Black Mamba grinned mischievously. His eyes staring at Edel were filled with tenderness.
Ah, yes. Indeed, whats Caesars should be given back to Caesar.
When Aishe removed her arm wrapped around Edels waist, the latter was quite literally sucked into Mu Ssangs embrace as if a vacuum had pulled her in.
Edels consciousness wavered briefly at the sense of stability given off by his broad, firm chest and this manly odor wafting off of him. Tears welled up without her even realizing it. Dubai, youve finally come home.
Her blue eyes moistened by teardrops were reminiscent of Lake Yoa on a rainy day. Right at that moment, the temptation to kiss those eyes washed over Mu Ssang.
Samdi and Aishe were quick to notice it and they hurriedly stood by the side to block the view. Dino watching in silence suddenly stood up and turned around, too.
Dino was around three and a half meters long and over four meters when standing on its hind legs. Its massive physique served as a firm wall.
Edels mind was floating on cloud nine by then. She even ended up closing her eyes too, when a pair of exquisite lips gently approached her.
She desperately prayed for those lips to land on hers for a kiss. But his lips only brushed past her eye and cheek before he distanced himself a little.
Feeling rueful, she hurriedly opened her eyes. His face was now right in front of her eyes, waiting. Despite his almost feminine features, his face was still strong and determined like that of a thousand year-old granite.
The face shed been longing to see in all of her dreams was finally here.
You look good, Edel.
Ive been planting trees whenever I had a chance, you see.
You did well. Being slightly tan really suits you.
And you, dear, youve become ten times cooler than before.
Well, if I want to become your man, I should at least be able to pull this look off, dont you think?
Aishe almost stumbled at this somewhat cringey banter. It was at this point that a bulb flickered to life in her head that the godly Dubaiburupa and the Angel of Nova, Edel, were still a pair of young man and woman at the end of the day.
After the strong moment of reunion blew past them, Edel finally tore her gaze away to look at Samdi. It seems that youve now become an excellent individual, Samdi.
Its all thanks to you and master, my lady. Was there anyone bothering you while we were gone?
Despite his evil ogre-like appearance, his manner of speech was as gentle as the spring breeze.
But Edel still flinched a little at the scent of blood contained within his gentle voice. Who will dare to bother me when Samdi is protecting me?
Edel lightly waved her hand in a dismissive jest. If someone was foolish enough to bother her, then Samdi was sure to rip that person into shreds.
Hehe, indeed. Oh, and that creature will protect you as well, my lady. Samdi chuckled before pointing at Dino.
Growl
Dino purred like a cat while rubbing its massive head against Edels chest. Mu Ssang grinned deeply at this feline behavior that would have put most house cats to shame. As expected, Dino was much quicker on the uptake than most humans.
Oh, my goodness. How cute!
Edel, looking like she was about to hit cuteness overload, hugged Dinos neck and giggled in delight even though the creature was easily ten times heavier than her.
At this rate, she might even try to pick Dino up and carry it in her embrace. It seemed that her mentality was also not exactly normal, judging from how she saw the strongest predator in nature as cute.
Dubai. This is no ordinary animal, isnt it? Could it be a Smilodon? Edel asked while peering into Dinos maw, her head tilting this way and that.
Although Dino kind of resembled a Saber-toothed tiger, its most notable feature, the lengthy canine teeth, were nowhere to be seen.
Its a dinofelis but it seems to have evolved into something a bit Strange. However, it understands human speech quite well.
Oh, my. How pitiful. Its kind went extinct so long ago, too. It must be all alone now. By any chance, did you name it Dino, Dubai?
How did you guess? Mu Ssangs brows arched up.
Dear, your infamous naming sense is world-renowned at this point. Since its a dinofelis, you no doubt could only come up with Dino. If it was an S. Fatalis, you probably would have named it Fate or something similar.
Urgh.
Mu Ssang could only grin wryly while Aishe turned her head away to giggle.
Is Dino a present for me, dear?
I wouldnt dare to call a preternaturally smart guy a mere present, though. No, its far closer to a friend. And with Dino protecting you, Edel, I can relax a little bit more.
Ah! Is Dino that smart?
Edel was surprised by that evaluation.
Dubaiburupa was not the type to make sweeping statements hed only guarantee something if his belief in it was absolute.
Which meant that Dino was no ordinary wild beast, after all.
Chapter 485 - Episode 6 What Comes Around Goes Around
If Edel were a regular woman, she would have wet her pants the moment she saw Dino. However, she had become rather used to abnormal situations while being next to Mu Ssang. This was not unique to her, though. The rest of Black Culture was like that, too.
She inspected Dino much more thoroughly. Its length, four meters. Height, 1.6 meters. Tail length, 1.5 meters. Weight, around 500kg. It was a physique that put even the Siberian tiger to shame. Its four-meter-long lithe body gave off the impression that this creature was capable of some astonishing feats.
Even an elephant might topple over after getting hit by this creatures thick-as-a-tree front limb.
However, it had a gentle-looking face. Its round amber-colored eyes and the way it purred were completely that of a cats, just on a bigger scale. It looked so gentle, so could it really act like its intimidating size?
Does it really matter, though?
Edel chose not to sweat over it. Novatopias security was iron-tight thanks to the special strike force and the civil militia. Thats why, instead of bodyguards boasting incredible combat prowess, she much preferred a friend that she could talk to.
Dinos fur, as soft and supple like silk, looked like a perfect replacement for her pillow. Sleep would come so easily and gently to her if she used this feline creature as a pillow and enjoyed the lakes breezes by the terrace.
Thinking about using the strongest beast in existence, Dino, as a pillow Now that was some out of the box imagination only Edel was capable of.
As for Dino, it really liked this human female letting out a sweet scent. It also liked the master but he was too scary, while the mean-natured leader (Samdi) was an opponent Dino wanted to overcome someday.
This human woman was weak but it seemed that they were of one heart and mind. A comrade it should protect, in other words.
But, her somewhat suspicious eyes inspecting Dino everywhere got on the creatures nerves. As a matter of fact, the way she looked at it was similar to back when master was staring at Dino after a vicious bird (terror bird) beat it up to a pulp.
Dino was triggered by that. Staying still and doing nothing might lead to this woman underestimating it.
Growl
Dino looked up at the sky. A flock of Rppells vultures were circling around there.
A Rppells vulture was a giant bird found in the Sahara desert that weighed around ten kilos and its wingspan averaged around 2.5 meters.
In 1973, one of these birds collided with a plane flying 11 kilometers above Ivory Coast and that became a widely talked about topic for a while. Unfortunately, these cunning birds of prey were found liberally in the Ennedi Plateau.
Novatopia did not have a food production system in place yet, and as such, NDjamenas Wakil Chamber took care of supplying all the foods. Most of them were transported through land, but some fruits, vegetables and meat that were perishable were transported through air.
But this arrangement created an unexpected headache. These vultures of Ennedi somehow learned about it and began raiding the airport now.
They used their powerful hooked claws and beaks to tear through the boxes and stole the meat and fruits. Some large individuals even brazenly grabbed the entire box of provisions and flew away too.
Vultures were known as the cleaners of the animal kingdom, Their claws and beaks were habitats of all sorts of germs and viruses. All the boxes ruined by the vultures had to be discarded for fear of contamination.
Shooting at them or using fireworks to scare them off only worked in those moments. And as a result, the airports management suffered severe migraines thanks to these unexpected and unwanted guests.
Rppells vultures circled around in low altitudes, silently targeting the meat boxes piled up near the airports apron. One bird lowered its altitude before landing on the pile of provision boxes covered in tarpaulin.
It was undoubtedly a scout.
The creature craned its fur-less neck and began screeching. It mustve been a signal saying that its fellow birds did not have to worry about humans.
In reality, Rppells vultures didnt fear humans at all. These birds of prey were vicious enough to attack back if any humans tried to chase them away.
Fifty or so Rppells vultures circled around overhead while gradually lowering their altitude a cunning action used to check out the humans reactions. Dino did not budge an inch and continued to glare at the kettle of vultures.
Roar!
But when the vultures reached around fifteen meters off the ground, Dino powerfully kicked the air to leap forward.
The firm surface of the runaway caved in as if someone used a shovel to dig the ground. Dino pounced on the kettle of vultures like a streak of lightning before taking almighty swipes with its front limbs.
Dinos front paws were as big as satellite dishes, and the 150mm-long sharp claws protruding from those paws easily swept past the insolent animals without mercy.
Miserable screeches rang out. Black feathers danced crazily in the air as if they were leaves swept up in gale-force winds.
Dino exhibited a truly incredible level of hang time in the air. It spread wide its four limbs like a glider to glide across the air and took vicious swipes with its claws.
Corpses of Rppells vultures, their necks snapped and wings broken, crashed to the ground while scattering dark crimson blood like rainfall.
Rppells vultures, struck down by a sudden misfortune, frantically ascended back into the air. After barely escaping Dinos claws, the birds hurriedly fled and disappeared from the view.
Having slaughtered the flying animals using a novel method, Dino landed softly on the ground like a feather.
Whooooa!
Humans on the ground loudly cheered on. Over a dozen Rppells vulture remains littered the ground. Not only was Dino shockingly fast, it displayed a stunning level of killing power, too.
Huh! What the freaking hell was that? Even Samdi was stunned by what he saw.
Whenever the master had a chance, he would stroke or pat Dinos body, strengthening the creature to the point where it was almost unrecognizable now.
Samdi realized that it just became harder to hit Dino in the back of its head whenever he wanted to.
Dino stood proudly, raising its front limb before waving it in a circle. It seemed that the creature became addicted to putting on a show.
Kyah! Dino, youre the best!
Edel jumped up and down in delight, her arms raised up high.
The kettle of Rppells vultures was one of the headaches plaguing Jipoon Dari. Due to the sizes of these birds, they even managed to snatch away a newborn baby too.
Dino was now a hero that drove back the villainous vultures. Edel instantly became enamored with Dino, while Mu Ssang was nodding in approval as well. Judging from that performance, Dino could definitely protect Edel and then some.
Dino, you shall protect Edel!
The resonance wave dug into Dinos brain.
Grrr
Dino stood close to Edel and glared at the surroundings with its scarlet eyes. This was the day that the divine beast of Novatopia, Dino the Queens Guard, made its first appearance.
Sun WooHyun finally found an opening after that commotion had died down. While being mindful of Dinos glare, he greeted Edel.
Once Mu Ssang and Edel climbed into the first jeep, Ahmmad took over the driving duties. Bakri and Aishe entered the second jeep. Sun WooHyun tried to enter the back seat only for Dino to shove him aside with its large butt and deftly climb inside first.
A goddamn animal dares to shove me aside?
Sun WooHyun was about to punch the animal in question only to sneakily lower his fist and trudge towards the third jeep. There was no guarantee that he would win even if he tried to fight the dang thing. And besides, losing to some animal in a fight would only humiliate the honor of Namir.
Sun WooHyuns anguish became worse after some random animal managed to steal his spot in the pecking order.
***
The Yoa House itself was nothing to write home about, but the vast plot of land it sat on was covered in a verdant hue.
The expansive front yard surrounded by palm trees had been converted into a theme garden filled with blooming flowers boasting a rainbow of colors. Sprinklers spun around to scatter water on the lawn, while swarms of bees and even butterflies were buzzing about.
The only evidence of this place being a part of Sahara, a desert of sand and rocks, were reddish sandstone boulders left behind in the garden as ornaments, as well as dark red stones paving the footpaths.
The noise of tires traversing the paving stones roared out. Six-passenger Renault jeeps arrived one after the other. Mohammad, decked out in tan combat gear, leapt off from the first jeep, along with two Kurdish warriors.
Chief Ariba and a slightly chubby man in his sixties exited the second jeep alongside one other man with sharp, alert face. More people climbed out of the third and fourth jeeps.
Mohammad began guiding them into the residence.
Well, Ill be damned. That man is getting harder to read, isnt he?
Chairman Margerie was flustered by the sight of the temporary building that had nothing going for it other than its large plot of land.
It was quite surprising to learn about a new independent self-governing state suddenly appearing in the withered eastern Sahara. But what surprised him even more was the shabby residence of this lands master.
The DGSEs General Director said that the master of this land was supposed to be a billionaire, but the so-called billionaires residence was even worse than the Parisian backstreet apartments used to house refugees.
The chairman of Total tilted his head in confusion only for his eyes to grow very wide next.
Huh! Chairman Margerie involuntarily let out a gasp of admiration.
The reaction was because an angel wearing hot pants and a sleeveless shirt had made her entrance. Her blonde locks seemed to be ablaze in the dying sunlight of the evening sun.
What a stunning beauty this woman was. She was so beautiful that even the cheap structure seemingly fashioned out of random panels now looked like a gleaming palace.
The woman greeted him. Mister Chairman, thank you for coming all this way.
Would the sound of water trickling from Mont Blancs glacier be this pristine and clear? Or would a stream flowing through the Provence be this refreshing? It was at that moment that Chairman de Margerie experienced both the profound cleansing of his sight and hearing.
Noticing something, Ahmmad and Sun WooHyun who were standing behind Edel, glared sharply.
Margerie quickly regained his wits after two pairs of piercing glares landed on him. The skinny Arab emitted the stench of blood, while the Oriental man with a seedy-looking face gave off a chilling aura reminiscent of a naked blade.
Ah! Mademoiselle, your beauty has taken my breath away, Chairman Margerie hurriedly replied and aimed for a chance to kiss the back of this beautys hand. But instead of said hand, he only received the sharp glares of the two men.
Margerie could not help but feel a bit sour after sensing that his opportunity had been taken away.
Thank you both. Its fine to return to your stations. Edel smiled at the two Kurdish warriors.
Honor to Dubaiburupa, bluart!
The Kurdish warriors performed perfectly disciplined salutes, their heels snapping close, before turning around to leave.
Huh. At least they are disciplined despite their shabby looks.
Margerie believed that personally stepping forward would make it easier to swallow up the big fish. But at the current moment, he sensed that something was not going according to his plan.
Novatopias master is waiting for you on the second floor. Mohammad reminded Margerie of his surroundings.
Mm. Very well, please show us the way.
Edel and Margerie climbed up the stairs. Five agile-looking men kitted out in black suits and the man with the sharp, alert face tried to follow them.
However, Ahmmad and Sun WooHyun blocked the path of these six men accompanying Margerie.
You lot will be on standby here.
The corners of the bodyguards brows arched up at the order made in clumsy French.
We are the chairmans bodyguards, while this gentleman here is the accountant.
You dont need any bodyguards where Sir Dubaiburupa is. And you definitely dont need an accountant either.
What are you even talking about? We have never left the chairmans side during our job.
The man who looked like the bodyguards leader raised his voice at the robotic and flat attitude of Sun WooHyun and Ahmmad.
Slice!
Shadows wavered for a moment there.
A short blade darkened like ink scythed through the air vertically and horizontally. Even though Ahmmads Mamluk Circassian Crescent Moon Slash had cleaved past them, none of the bodyguards had noticed it.
Bodyguards arent necessary in this place, said Ahmmad with a sly smirk.
Sun WooHyun wordlessly pointed at the chests of the bodyguards.
The chest area of the business suits worn by all five bodyguards had been sliced open and the fabric was left dangling in the air.
Uh-huk?!
Son of a b*tch!
Sh*t!
Bordel! (Dammit!)
An assortment of curses leapt out of their mouths. No bodyguard out there could maintain their calm in a situation where the area near their hearts had been attacked without any of them noticing it.
Man, you guys sure do have filthy mouths, dontcha.
Sun WooHyun lightly flicked his fingers.
Five nails three inches long each brushed past the ears of the five bodyguards, flying across the air before stabbing deep into the sandwich panels.
This was the hidden weapon Sun WooHyun developed for himself, the Miru Seru (Dragons Claw). He was still obsessed over all things dragon.
Urgh
The expressions of the bodyguards progressively got worse.
The hidden weapons had buried themselves deep into the steel plate. Only their nail heads visible on the surface.
The bodyguards did not even see the throwing motion. At this show of power, the five bodyguards lost their will to continue on with the confrontation.
Ahmmad pointed at a couch positioned in the corner of the living room. Though not the most luxurious, its still plush enough not to cramp your butts. Sit there and wait quietly, or get buried in the desert. Your choice.
The bodyguards flinched at the remark filled with the stench of blood. Unable to withstand the murderous glares of Ahmmad and Sun WooHyun anymore, the group wobbled their way towards the couch like cows being dragged to an abattoir.
The accountant joined them and obediently settled among the bodyguards too.
Chairman Margeries bodyguards were obviously the elite among elites, but at the end of the day, they were still normal people who only learned some close quarter combat techniques and fired a few rounds of their pistols. There was simply no way they could deal with the Dubais hammers.
Now thats a good boy. Youll breathe longer by knowing whats what. Sun WooHyun spat out some words that matched his chilling looks.
The five black suited bodyguards squeezed their eyes shut. They were supposed to make a living by embodying the threat of violence, yet they were helplessly suppressed by said violence. A guard dog that could not do its job as a guard dog would eventually be put down. Now, the bodyguards found themselves in danger of losing their jobs.
They were close to breaking out in tears at that moment.
However, Chairman Margerie was not paying much attention to the commotion taking place behind him. He knew his bodyguards were the top professionals that went through a rigorous selection processes. In other words, they were supposed to be on a whole another realm compared to some dumb soldier wannabes in the backwoods like this.
***
Edel guided Chairman Margerie and Chief Ariba into the drawing room on the second floor. Mu Ssang stopped his chat with Dino and stood up.
It mustve been difficult coming all this way, gentlemen. Im Sbard Gulbeig.
The official name on Mu Ssangs French citizen registry was Sbard Gulbeig. This meant that he had no choice but to introduce himself with that name in official meetings. Although he did think about changing this name, in the end he let it be out of sheer laziness.
Despite the stiff introduction, though, Chairman Margerie still smiled widely while reaching out for a handshake. Only a novice would act high and mighty in such a situation.
Hello. Im la Dfenses Michel Margerie. Its an honor to meet the master of Novatopia.
Mu Ssang lightly shook Margeries hand and smiled back. Novatopia is just a small independent state that only started taking its baby steps recently. Were still not at the level where la Dfenses emperor can praise us.
No need to be so humble. The authority of Novatopias master is quite amazing, after all. Its my first time meeting a client without my bodyguards, interpreters and even my secretary present, you see.
Chairman Margerie sneakily expressed his dissatisfaction. He was somewhat miffed after realizing that his bodyguards had been stopped at the ground floor. He was about to request that his bodyguards be allowed in, only for a large wasp to fly in through the open window with a loud buzz.
Dino lying flat on the floor behind the couch shot up to its feet and rapidly took a swipe with its front limb. Its claws scythed through the winds and accurately struck down the wasp.
Dinos long tongue then easily snatched up the falling wasp and it swallowed the insect up in the blink of an eye.
They said that bickering with someone would make you two grow closer; just like Samdi, Dino now also suffered from the habit of enjoying toxic substances as a light snack.
Chapter 486 - Episode 7 What Goes Around Comes Around
An ill-tempered wasp at a crossroads of life and death was not going to fall without resisting. Mustering up all its strength, it stabbed the harassers tongue with the dagger at the end of its abdomen. Its venom sack, which was 10 times bigger than a honeybees, pulsed like a pair of bellows. The venom flowed through the 7-mm long sting. A pleasant-sounding purring emanated from Dinos large reverb chamber.
Humans enjoyed tobacco and alcohol because of their stimulation. The nicotine that stung the throat and alcohol that electrified the tongue made them seek them repeatedly, unable to forget the sensations.
Dino was the same way. The venom of a wasp or a scorpion was meager but still, the stinging sensation at the tongue was quite addicting. Within hours since Samdi and Dinos arrival at Yoa House, the wasps with their nests in the trees in the garden and the scorpions hiding in the house were massacred.
A reddish-brown beast, as big as a rodeo bull, emerged from the ground out of nowhere. Everyone was surprised.
A monster! Fire!
Chairman Margerie flailed his hands and shouted. Only Edel, with her subjective taste, considered Dinos external appearance cute. Margeries face paled at the advent of a beast that was unseen and unheard of.
Crap!
Aribas hand, reflexively buried into his jacket pocket. Mu Ssang raised his hand.
There is no need to be surprised. Dino, stay outside.
Dino, with an unsatisfied face, glared at Margerie and turned away. Its waving tail and giant backside filled the doorway of the entrance to the house.
I lucked out!
Ariba let go of the holster and wiped the sweat formed on his forehead. Miguel, who was burned alive, was vivid in his minds eye. He lucked out not because the beast docilely went away. Because of Aribas shout, he was close to firing at Black Mambas pet. His heart pounded due to the shock.
Margeries mouth was agape.
What was that?
My family.
A monster is your family! What a family you have.
Margerie, placating his stunned heart, jested. He was the same kind of person as Sun WooHyun, who took importance in their reputation.
Dino is not a monster.
His flat response offended Margerie. A treatment with chicotte was due, for this precise reason, for the black-furred beast and yellow-skinned beast here. This beast was pretending to be a human, having received the advanced culture of Europe, but his beast-like nature was unchanging. Margerie compensated for his surprise with spiritual victory.
Oh, well. Of course. For you, it is a family. A member of your family almost killed one of your guests. You could have warned me.
Margerie, with an unfriendly face, blamed Ariba. In fact, he was blaming the inconsiderate host in a roundabout way.
Its his pet. The DGSE has no sufficient resources to make a list of each individuals pets.
Ariba, offended, grumbled. The atmosphere in the room cooled suddenly.
This is incredible! I could never talk to the host comfortably like this. Mu Ssang smiled without saying a word. The old man was struggling to assert dominance. It was an ancient negotiation tactic: to erode the other partys confidence so they wont be so aggressive.
Mr. Chairman. This place is safer than the presidential palace. Mu Ssang has more than one subordinate that can take the entire team of your bodyguards. I guarantee your safety.
Ariba was dumbfounded. To be Totals chairman was a notable status for sure but it was still nothing compared to Black Mambas. Ignorance became foolhardiness. What was he going to do by calling bodyguards in Black Mambas lair?
This rat is already bribed to the brim with Black Mambas money!
Aribas guarantee made Margerie grind his teeth. Everyone considered each situation according to their own experience. Margerie firmly believed that Ariba was already Black Mambas supporter.
Because of what Ariba said, it was awkward for Margerie to keep talking about his bodyguards. Of course, he knew his bodyguards would be of no use. He could gauge the owners capacity and status by his pet. Black Mamba was not wishy-washy. He ruined his image trying to assert dominance.
You are both very busy people. I suggest you conclude it quickly.
Ariba, opening a file, hurried. Ariba had assumed the reason why Margerie was being callous. It was because the DGSE did not cooperate when Total attempted to purchase the Doba delta. Margerie had been furious but the director didnt budge.
Bonipas, who was a secret supporter of Mu Ssang, was not going to help Margerie. He had repeatedly told Margerie to negotiate personally with the landowners. Margerie decided to break through.
Mr. Gulbeig. I will cut to the chase. Sell the Samaria farm to me.
You must be aware that its not a cotton farm but an oil field? How many barrels of oil do you think there is under the Doba delta?
Mu Ssang smiled. This old man was filled with greed up to his neck. He did not care for politeness when it came to people like him.
You sneaky bastard!
Margerie swore internally.
Total had been probing the Doba delta since 10 years ago. When we were temporarily absent, you took it.
Did Total own the Samaria farm? Do you have a probing contract with Lord Edel?
No, but
Margerie was struck speechless. He wanted to find a crack, or make one, but the other party was motionless like a rock. He was never going to sell the land. It was bad news for Margerie who wanted to profit without doing the hard work.
The Samaria farm takes up half of the area of the delta. I plan to purchase the remaining half of the delta. My companys land department had already set off to negotiate with the Chad government. If we each take half of the oil field, it will be to your detriment, Mr. Gulbeig. An individual could never rival a major oil corporation with great capital power.
Margerie smiled maliciously. It was true. For farmland, 50 square kilometers were a lot but for an oil field, they were not a lot. If two parties extracted from the same stratum, the one with more pipes were to win.
It was good for nothing in the end.
Mu Ssang imitated Margeries malicious smile.
What?
Margerie looked surprised. Something didnt smell right. Ariba shook his head with pity. The director of the DGSE had suggested a solution for the national interest. Margerie dismissed the DGSEs advice and jumped about like a Sifaka monkey.
Margerie was known to be a greedy brute. If the director hadnt warned, he would have hired mercenaries to take over the oil field. Of course, had he tried, he would have been obliterated. Ariba was not motivated to help him if it were not for the national interest.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Gulbeig legally purchased the ownership rights of the 21 square kilometers in the Doba delta along the Pende river as of June 30th, 1985.
What? Why are you telling me this now?
Margeries face yellowed.
One of the roles of the DGSE is to monitor the movements of foreign assets. We are not obligated to report to you. I am aware that what the director talked with you about was the MOU regarding the oil probing and development, not about the land.
I was fooled by a Saharan bumpkin. Is this why Bonipas told me that the game is over?
Mu Ssang seemed to have prepared for everything. Margerie had underestimated him as some wacko pouring money into a desert. That was his undoing. Margerie felt his face flush. He lost his face big time.
Ariba handed the envelope containing the paperwork to Mu Ssang. Ariba didnt like Margerie who only exhibited greed. This gesture was intended to rile him up.
This is the contract for the handover of property rights. Mr. Gulbeig purchased the 21 square kilometers of land for 100,000,000 francs, thoroughly legitimately. The French government assures that the 50 square kilometers in the Doba delta is Mr. Gulbeigs property and land leased to Novatopia.
Thank you. I owe you.
Mu Ssang commended the result of Aribas frantic round trips between France and Chad.
You are welcome. It is my duty as a public servant.
Aribas face brightened up. Second to Bonipas, Ariba knew Black Mamba better than anyone. What Black Mamba said was at least 10 times more important than what the president said. He was thanked by Black Mamba and he even said he owed Ariba. It was like he acquired two insurances with good benefits.
Margerie subdued his frown with all his might. The DGSE, for some reason, was cooperating with the Saharan bumpkin. He didnt know if there was an ulterior political motive or monetary transactions, but as Bonipas had said, the game was over.
Margerie was anxious. Total had just consolidated itself as a major oil company. Even if they acquired the whole Doba oil field, their rank would stay the same, but at least they could consolidate their current status.
Total will take care of all the probing, development, and sales of the Samaria oil field in Doba. The ownership share would be 50 to 50.
Margerie cut to the chase and gave his offer. When Total was the only party investing, giving Mu Ssang a 50 percent share was an unconventional offer. That is to say, if it is a common oil field. Bonipass warning, that excessive greed leads to ruin, had already evaporated in Margeries head. He was a merchant after all. Merchants were a kind that cut out a piece of their own flesh for the most meager of profit. If it was someone elses flesh, it was all the better.
Mr. Ariba, Director Bonipass negotiation skills are not up to his patriotism. He would not have a lot of employment offers after he retires from public work. This doesnt bode well for further talk.
Mu Ssang complained. He was not a type to negotiate. Instead, he showed the other party all his cards and sought mutual benefit. It enraged him to continue to negotiate with an old man that was greedy to no end. If it werent for his friendship with Bonipas, he would have kicked out Margerie long ago.
Mr. Chairman!
Ariba looked at Margerie with accusing eyes. Margerie didnt budge. To his standards, the share he offered didnt seem absurd.
Mr. Ariba. The share of 50 percent was very yielding on our part. Total plans to plant 500 drilling pipes for the next 10 years in the Samaria oil field in Doba. The development cost is estimated to be 2,000,000 dollars. Totals technological department deemed Samaria as P2 and estimated the reserve to be 300,000,000 barrels. By current oil prices, it converts to 9,300,000,000 dollars. If we invest 2,000,000 dollars for 10 years, the maximum profit we can derive from it is 4,600,000,000 dollars. Mr. Gulbeig doesnt invest a penny in the development of the oil field. Cotton farming would yield 9,000,000 francs per year, that is 3,000,000 dollars per year. Deducting labor and equipment costs, the net profit would not exceed 2,000,000 dollars. By simply handing over his 50 percent of ownership, he gets 500,000,000 dollars per year. No one has ever been this lucky in the history of oil development.
Margerie said it out loud for Mu Ssang to hear and crossed his arms. It was to pressure him, that it didnt matter for him anymore that if they made an agreement or not. The oil cartel had a concrete defense matrix. They competed with each other fiercely within it but didnt let any new competitor in it. With Totals interference, Mu Ssang wouldnt be able to buy any drill or a barrel of washing liquid. Margerie decided that he would make use of the available Blue Water mercenaries to obliterate Mu Ssangs forces.
Margerie, I am Sbard Gulbeig. It means the one that seeks gold in a world of darkness. You are too corrupt to be my partner in my pursuit of gold. You must first shed that dogma that the world revolves around you. This concludes todays talk.
Mu Ssang concluded. Oil was a resource that had no replacement. Maybe it will be more cumbersome, but he didnt need to worry about the future when he had a unique asset. What Margerie threatened him with only applied to normal human beings. Mu Ssang was not interested in tiresome negotiation at all.
Wait, Mr. Gulbeig. What I meant
A knocking on the door interrupted Margerie. Samdi entered pushing a coffee cart.
What?
Margeries eyes widened. The mans stature dwarfed the coffee cart. He never knew a human being could grow to this size. Indeed, colored people had beast-like genes.
Thank you!
As Margerie was about to take the coffee mug from Samdi, his hand hit the ceramic mug. It was because he was in a confused state at Mu Ssangs unexpected, bold response. The mug fell.
No!
When Margerie was registering surprise, Samdi moved like a flash of light. His feet took the falling coffee mug. His body was massive but his movements were featherlike. The feet, supporting the mug, moved about in the air.
The falling coffee liquid was back in the mug in no time. The movement surpassed that of an acrobat. Samdi placed the mug on the table as if nothing had happened.
It was Yirgacheffe, dripped by the mistress of Yoa House herself.
It is magic!
Margeries mouth fell agape. The mountain-like body moved like a feather, ignoring gravity. He could discern the black mans power from just that movement.
Chapter 487 - Episode 8 What Comes Around Goes Around
Margerie was shocked by the giant mans beast-like reflexes and sophisticated bodily movements. The oil business was mostly run by secret negotiations. What was shown in the media was only for show. In negotiations by oil major corporations, armed forces played a crucial part.
Since armed forces were an unofficial means, only a select few accompanied the negotiators. Margerie has an eye for discerning armed forces too. The red-skinned giant was on another level. Was there anyone similar among his bodyguards and Blue Water mercenaries? He contemplated the ones that considered themselves powerful.
The arrogant Savate master, Krav Maga master, Kung Fu master, martial arts champion, boxing champion, etc. The faces of such masters floated up in his mind.
Shitty bastards. None of them is useful.
Margerie clucked his tongue. They were all scarecrows. His top-tier bodyguards were stalled by two of Gulbeigs subordinates.
Skilled bodyguards and fighters seemed useless in comparison. For this reason, a woman would have a less attractive friend accompany her when she was meeting a man.
Margerie glanced at Mu Ssang. He did not seem impressed by his subordinates flair. He did not even seem interested. Was magic part of everyday life for them?
None of them was ordinary: the blade-like Asian and fog-like Arab downstairs, the unheard-of giant beast, the red giant before his eyes now. He had no idea how many of such beings Gulbeig would have as subordinates.
He remembered the scenery as he drove through the city. Well-trained and polite soldiers. Lively residents. Widespread construction sites. This was no ordinary African country submerged in poverty and stupor. Africans were known to be passive and lazy. Gulbeig must have been no ordinary leader to motivate them like this.
An odd character that built his kingdom in the middle of a desert. A master with unnumbered professionals and monsters as his subordinates. Margerie never expected there to be a mysterious figure like this in the backwater of the Sahara desert. He could no longer underestimate him as a Saharan bumpkin.
Margerie took a closer look at the owner of the oil field, with an odd name like Sbard Gulbeig. He was tall for an Asian and had sophisticated features like a woman. He looked like an ordinary young man. His clear and deep eyes were as clear as a lake and his firm posture, without any movements, indicated that he was a person with a lot of energy. Other than that, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Margerie was a boss, leading a major oil corporation. Sometimes greed clouded his judgment but he had an eye for talent. Whether it was animals or humans, the weak could never dominate the strong. With such powerful figures as his subordinates, Gulbeig was no weakling at all.
He had a kind-looking face and delicate hands but was nonetheless a strong individual. In the primitive ages, physical force determined who was stronger, but in the modern era, power and wealth determined it. With fists and guns, one could only expect to be a powerful or rich mans servant. This man was said to be a billionaire. He had such a wonderful collection of human talent.
When it comes to money, Im quite someone too.
An oil negotiation was a negotiation. A talented man was a talented man. Margerie suddenly found himself coveting him. Only time would tell whether he will be able to take Black Mamba under his wing.
Margerie refrained from providing a realistic offer and continued to be obstinate for two reasons. First, Gulbeig was a young man with no experience. Second, his battalion of Blue Water mercenaries had considerable armed power. The world of oil business was a tough one that required one to have a strong mind just to survive. With strong armed forces, one could save money and negotiate from a better place.
Ever since the 19th century when oil entered human history, the major oil companies possessed their own armed power. Margerie himself had masqueraded as bandits or armed insurgents to wipe out competing parties.
Margerie, who was deciding whether to rob or negotiate, concluded: the other party was young but still powerful and his subordinates were overpowered. It was risky to taunt Gulbeig who had such men under him.
If I use Blue Water on him, I may end up as red water: blood.
Margerie gave up on the idea to use the mercenaries. To lead a big corporation, one had to have capabilities but also luck. Margeries decision at the moment prevented Black Mamba from manifesting. He would have never known that Total had just evaded total destruction.
Mu Ssang was aware of Margeries brain waves, bloodstream, and the amount of serotonin in his system at all times. He was considering many things at once, overheating his synapses. The more one had, the greedier one became.
Mu Ssang had no interest in Margeries thought process. Instead, he was engrossed in the extraordinary scent of the coffee on the table.
Edel had a talent for concocting poison out of good ingredients. The dishes she cooked were something but the coffee she brewed did not pale in comparison. He was surprised more than once at what seemed like coffee but was actually poison. The peculiar scent made Mu Ssang feel anxious.
Yirgacheffe coffee beans were an important commercial crop in Novatopia. On the Ennedi plateau, a big-scale farm was being constructed. As the owner of Novatopia, he had to take a special interest in it. Mu Ssang covered the mug with both hands and inhaled the coffees scent.
Hmm. Edels quite talented.
Mu Ssangs faculty of smell was not as developed as a dogs but better than a tigers. He could tell apart minuscule molecules. A soft and thick scent, without any deterrents, regaled the olfactory organs and filled his lungs. The scent, after filling up his lungs, emanated to the rest of his body. It smelled like a mixture of acacia flowers and lavender leaves.
He held a mouthful in his mouth then swallowed. Afwerki had told him that is the proper way to appreciate coffees scent.
What is this?
Mu Ssang firmly closed his eyes. He felt as though there was a breeze in his mouth. His entire body trembled. The tenderness of the Mediterranean sea, with its calm waves, wafted in. He could hear the owls hoot in a mountain in his hometown. He could see the windflower in front of his fathers grave. The touching scent was Hae Youngs pheromone, the sweet sourness was Edels fragrance.
Mu Ssang felt his eyes welling up with some hot tears. How could one incorporate such sophisticated flavors and scents in a cup of coffee? This was extraordinary. Maybe this crop would prove more successful than the oil itself. As he was expecting a cup of poison with a burnt bitterness and sourness, he was even more surprised.
Samdi, this is the best coffee Ive had in my life. This wasnt coffee but life itself. The embodiment of happiness and love. Please relay my gratitude to Edel.
Mu Ssangs voice wavered. It was not just the baristas skill that allowed this to happen. This coffee was made with heartfelt feelings.
I will relay your exact words. I am scared Miss Edel would die of joy.
Samdis mouth was stretched wide in a smile. He would not be as happy if he himself was complimented. Samdi, about to exit the doorway, added.
Master, Miss Edel says that it is not proper to let a guest from a distant place leave without some souvenirs.
This is my chance!
Margerie, who was absentmindedly looking down at his coffee mug, brightened up. The mistress gave him a chance to continue the talk when it had fizzled to a halt. He started to speak while holding the coffee mug.
The mistress is a great barista. I have never tasted such great coffee either. There may be many pretty women but few beauties. There may be some smart women but few wise ones. There may be many women who can cook but few who know how to brew coffee properly. Today, I had the luck of encountering a wise beauty who also knows how to brew coffee. I envy you! Mr. Gulbeig has all the luck in the world.
Mu Ssang smiled slightly. Margeries words reminded him of his father who would praise his mother for being the perfect wife just because she made good rice wine. What Samdi said thawed the frozen ambiance.
Thank you for your compliment. I usually never go back on my decision but Edel is making that hard today.
Mu Ssang sipped his coffee and continued.
A negotiation begins with mutual trust. That is already lost but I will voice my thoughts considering that you journeyed here to the Sahara desert. The amount of investment you calculated assumed that the traditional vertical drilling would prove difficult in Doba and factored in the horizontal drilling and hydraulic crushing. Samaria is an erupting oil well that is not easily found except for some in Maracaibo. The yield will be great. The prospect of production is P1, or rather, 100 percent. By my calculation, the development cost is 300,000,000 dollars. Even with conservative calculation, the extractable reserve is 5,000,000 barrels and 10,000,000 barrels with optimistic calculation. In my eyes, you are a thug that seeks to invest 300,000,000 dollars to gobble up 77,500,000,000 dollars. Am I wrong?
At his blunt criticism, Ariba pressed his forehead and a deep frown appeared on Margeries wrinkled face. He had tried to trick someone who figured out the state of the oil field and the future procedures.
Sbard Gulbeig was not a name wasted on him. Bonipas warning, that he should not taunt him, pelted the back of Margeries mind. Margerie was filled with greed up to his neck, but he also knew when to back out.
Even though it was a small country, Mu Ssang was its monarch. He must have been sure of himself to come to the negotiation table even though he had powerful subordinates to send on his behalf. He needed to back down now. He admitted his defeat.
I am sorry. I underestimated Mr. Gulbeig. I apologize.
Margerie stood up and bowed as Asians do. Mu Ssang stared at him then nodded.
I accept your apology.
Would you call your accountant?
I will!
Mu Ssang pressed down on the interphone and called in the accountant. Margerie asked him a few questions and opened his mouth.
Total will take care of the probing and development of the oil field. Total is willing to offer 300,000,000 dollars per one percent of the share of the Doba oil field. That is, for 50 percent of the share, 15,000,000,000 dollars. How about it? The payment will be divided over 10 years. It will depend on the daily production rate, but for ten years, Mr. Gulbeig will make at least 30,000,000,000 dollars including the oil sales and the payment for the share.
Margerie mentioned numbers that were incomparable to his first offer and smiled. Only a major oil corporation could mention a number like 30,000,000,000 dollars.
Are you impressed? Bite the bait! Deep inside your throat!
His glinting eyes scrutinized the face of Mu Ssang who was considering the offer. Across the globe, erupting oil wells are a rarity now. The oil well in Doba appeared like a comet at the end of the 20th century. Its value was unable to be estimated. The development cost was significantly less and it was certainly a large oil field with 10,000,000,000 barrels of extractable oil.
The largest oil field in the world, Ghawar in Saudi Arabia, coughed up 500,000,000 barrels of oil each day. Taking into account LNG and sulfuric gas, Aramco made 200,000,000 dollars per day. One single oil field made an astronomical amount of 73,000,000,000 dollars. Such was the power of oil.
It was not just that. Oil wells eventually dried up and oil prices rose. If the prices were doubled, the Ghawar oil field would have made an astronomical amount of oil money that amounts to 140,000,000,000 dollars.
If the Doba oil field yielded 1,000,000 barrels per day, including LNG, it amounted to a daily revenue of more than 40,000,000 dollars. With an annual revenue of 14,600,000,000 dollars, in 50 years, it amounted to 730,000,000,000 dollars. Compared to that, the 15,000,000,000 dollars paid to Gulbeig over 10 years was nothing.
What, 30,000,000,000 dollars?
Even if Mu Ssang was experienced in such matters, he was momentarily dazed at the number. In Korean won, 30,000,000,000 dollars was 26,000,000,000,000 won. A Korean banknote was 0.11 millimeters thick. If the 26,000,000,000,000 won was stacked up in 10,000-won bills, it reached 286,000 meters. That was 32 times taller than Mount Everest. It was not a realistic amount.
When he worked as an assistant waiter in a nightclub, he got 5,000 won as a tip. When he mined coal, risking his life, he got 43,000 won. As he completed tasks as a mercenary, he touched six figures, but never eleven figures.
The entire export amount of South Korea in 1984 was 29,200,000,000 dollars. A single oil company could wield an amount higher than an entire countrys export. Mu Ssang witnessed the power of oil and sighed at Koreas status in the global market.
Even though he was shocked, now he needed to calculate properly. Margerie initially offered 5,000,000,000 dollars for 50 percent of the share. The amount rose sixfold and the oil revenue of ten years later was added on top of it.
Could you wield that amount of money?
Mu Ssang, having finished his own calculations, asked calmly.
Oil development is a gamble anyway. This time, the prospect of winning was the highest Ive ever seen. The initial cost is a lot but as an apology for my impertinence, I am willing to take some loss.
Mu Ssang smiled bitterly at Margeries faux magnanimity. Some spinsters were not interested in marriage. Some old people did not care to live longer. But there was never any merchant who would take any loss.
Chapter 488 - Episode 9 What Comes Around Goes Around
A merchant who voluntarily took losses was called a philanthropist, not a merchant. The world needs both merchants and philanthropists. If someone asked Mu Ssang, who poured money and effort into the Sahara desert, he would answer like this.
Everyone in the world is familiar with division and categorization. They lose sight of their goal as they seek causes and reasons. They label each other allies or enemies as everything collapses. I am simply following my hearts desire, which is no one elses business. You should do the same and pay less mind to what I do.
A wise man has a mouth in his mind. A fool has a mind in his mouth.
Mu Ssang muttered. It was easy to see who had the upper hand. The one who could end the negotiation without any qualms had the upper hand. Flowery words that harbored a threat were what one could say only when he had the upper hand. Margerie, blinded by his greed, made the mistake of thinking he had the upper hand.
I dont know much about oil development but I do know that an agreement has to be fair to both parties. Novatopias national policy is prosper together. Total is a precious asset of France and my partner. I do not want Total to be vulnerable to a great risk.
What is he going to say?
Margerie flinched. He sensed a great deal of willpower in Mu Ssangs clear and profound eyes that gazed at him. He felt as if he was going to be sucked into the blackhole-like pupils.
Anxiety caused his body to produce more serotonin. With his nerves tensed up, his unhealthy heart malfunctioned. His heartbeats became quicker and he perspired. Mu Ssang stopped talking and gazed at Margerie.
His heart is not sound!
At a glance, Mu Ssang figured out the state Margerie was in. His brain waves became tumultuous and the blood flow to his heart increased. His pulse rose from 80 to 100 to 200 to 300. Margerie averted his eyes and pressed the button in the defibrillator that was planted just beneath his collarbone. His tachycardia gradually returned to the normal range.
Mu Ssang continued after seeing Margerie regain his calm.
My solution is like this. Lets limit the scope of todays negotiation to the probing MOU. The development agreement shall be signed after the probing phase has been completed. I will grant you 20 percent of pre-emptive shareholding rights as a gesture to guarantee Totals development rights. The pre-emptive rights will cost 1,000,000,000 dollars, paid in one installment. The actual price of the shares will be tied to the estimated oil reserves. The probing costs will be financed by both parties.
Wait, that is
Margerie couldnt finish his sentence. His newly stabilized heart trembled again. Calm down! Margerie placated his heart that threatened to gallop again at any moment with all of his might.
Total would be able to evade the risks tied to long-term development and ease some of its cash burdens. I will get some funds for the development of Novatopia. I say this again, prosper together is the only way to quell any discontent. The sun shines on everyone.
Mu Ssangs last words, The sun shines on everyone angered Margerie.
It doesnt! What do I gain from this?
Margerie swallowed a shout. There was nothing wrong with what Gulbeig said. Total was able to ease some of the cash burdens and reduce the risks. Anyone who hears such an offer would praise Gulbeigs fair consideration.
The problem was the peculiarity of the Doba oil field. According to the geological exploration data, the sedimentary stratum of the Doba delta was shaped like a jar. The oil layer of the Ghawar oil field was spread across 400 kilometers but the Doba oil field was concentrated within 50 square kilometers. It was indeed an oil well.
There were no developmental risks and the cost was low. There was no need to insert water to bring up the pressure and there was no need to build a power generator to supply electricity. All they needed to do was install pipes then the oil would gush out.
Gulbeig, sly like a fox, took all the benefits he could take as he pretended to consider Totals circumstances. Margerie himself was fooled. With 20 percent of the shares, he could never participate in the administration.
After the probing phase, the price of the Doba oil fields shares would skyrocket. He ended up in a pickle.
He lost the shares and was about to be robbed of 1,000,000,000 dollars with his eyes open but he could not refuse either. He had whined about the obstacles first and the other party took that into account.
Margerie cried internally. He tried to trick the other party but now he was tricked. For a mere 20 percent of the shares, he had to pay 1,000,000,000 dollars. Furthermore, it was not for the shares themselves but the pre-emptive rights to buy them. Mu Ssang could sell the seawater of the Mediterranean sea if he wanted to.
Margerie absentmindedly gazed at Lake Yoa beyond the terrace. As an executive, he felt shameful having to take the offer, fully knowing its a bait because it meant he had been completely defeated in the negotiation. Sbard Gulbeig was not a name wasted on him. He did not know how he would be able to negotiate further with someone as stern as him.
This old mans acting is better than Alain Delon!
His disappointed look may have roused pity, but Mu Ssangs eyes were cold. It was evident that the old mans sad look was orchestrated. If Margerie had not tried to trick him till the very end, he would not have resorted to this. If one had no upper hand, one could never change the rules of the game. To have more likelihood of winning, one had to change the way they played it. And that was what happened.
All right. I will offer 10,000,000,000 dollars for the pre-emptive rights of 50 percent of the shares.
He does have a lot of money.
It was great magnanimity to offer 10,000,000,000 dollars for the pre-emptive rights only and not the actual shares. Only a chairman of a major oil corporation could make such an offer.
Mr. Chairman. I have no reason to alter my conditions. You should only approve or reject my conditions. There is only one Doba oil field but seven major oil companies.
Mu Ssang did not budge. This was it. He had the upper hand and Margerie had to follow. Margerie gazed at Mu Ssang mindlessly then shook his head. His greed had tainted his reputation.
Since I flew here from Paris hurriedly, I couldnt eat anything today. Do you not have any pity for a starved old man who journeyed afar?
Margerie made a sad face.
You are not a starved old man but a hungry lion.
Mu Ssang laughed internally. If Chairman Margerie was a pitiful old man, every other old man in the world must be in abject despair.
I will not send you off empty-handedly. If the Doba oil field is not up to your standards, I will renege on my offer of pre-emptive rights. We can discard the MOU now.
There is no need for such a thing. I was simply awe-struck at your great negotiating skills.
Margerie waved away the suggestion. The oil field was still a gold mine after all.
Since we reached a mutual agreement, lets call it a day.
Mu Ssang stood up and extended his hand to Margerie.
He is Black Mamba after all!
Ariba felt like old constipation had been resolved at once. It was great entertainment and catharsis to see someone as powerful as Margerie being handled by someone stronger. Margerie was a prominent figure around which even President Mitterand behaved carefully. Black Mamba was a powerful man indeed. He single-handedly subdued Margerie. Respect was due.
He also felt respect towards Mu Ssang because he did not use any shady methods. Black Mamba was a powerful physical soldier who also had supernatural powers. If Black Mamba used his powers to toy with the chairman, he would not have felt such reverence for Black Mamba.
Surprisingly, Black Mamba never used any of his physical or supernatural powers to intimidate the chairman. Yet, he defeated him nonetheless.
When one had powers, one was inclined to use them. Black Mamba never used his powers against normal people. That was why he had many followers.
After concluding the negotiation, Margeries face was not dark. He was the head of a global corporation. He did not cling to deeds that were done.
Thanks to the coffee sent by the mistress of Yoa House, I achieved a great partnership. This is for the mistress.
Margerie produced a long jewelry box from inside his suit jacket.
Well, she should receive it herself.
Mu Ssang called Edel through the interphone.
It was difficult negotiating with your husband but it was also worthwhile. This is a simple gift but it is for you, a beautiful wise woman who also brews good coffee. I wish a happy future for both of you.
Thank you, Chairman. You will be blessed by Dubaiburupa.
Edel received the box without restraint and opened the lid. Margerie dismissed the Dubaiburupas blessing bit as some sort of greeting.
Oh, my! It looks like Tasenzoter.
Edel, who was expecting jewelry, exclaimed. It was a compact folding knife that was as big as a palm. It looked like Ombutis Tasenzoter, but a hundred times fancier. The snake and crocodile on the sheath were inlaid with gold, the sand and stars were diamonds, and the stopper was made of emerald.
You know Tasenzoter. That knife was made from iron that was in an asteroid. Its name is Dike, justice in Greek. The components are 10 percent meteoric iron, 25 percent nickel, and 65 percent Damascus iron. It belongs to a collection that is unknown to the world.
Oh, my! I dont deserve this gift.
Edel put the knife in the box and handed it back to Margerie. Edel had no interest in jewelry. She was a wise woman who knew that excess is worse than lack.
It is no Excalibur or Durendal so dont feel so.
Margerie smiled. It was said that to take a knight, one must aim for his horse. Dike cost him 5,000,000 dollars but Gulbeig was a thousand times more valuable than that. Edel looked back at Mu Ssang with a perplexed face.
Edel, it is not courteous to reject a gift.
Thank you!
Edel took Dike at once. If Dubaiburupa said so, it was so.
Mr. Chairman. You are always welcome to visit and drink coffee here.
Haha. Thank you.
Margerie laughed out loud at Edels hospitality. Even though the negotiation was dissatisfying, it was good because he acquired friendship. A beautiful woman was a magical being that could thaw any atmosphere.
Dubai, can I borrow you for a minute?
Edel whispered to Mu Ssangs ear and left the room. Mu Ssang nodded.
Mr. Chairman. Do you have atrial fibrillation?
How did you know?
Margerie was startled. Atrial fibrillation was a type of arrhythmia in which your heartbeats became irregular. Due to abnormalities in the electrical signalling of the atria of the heart, his heart trembles frequently, leading to sudden lethargy in the body, dizziness, and difficulty in breathing. It could be fatal if not treated immediately.
The cause was the aging of the heart. Atrial fibrillation made blood clots and when the clots blocked the cerebral arteries, it led to a stroke. Since it has no evident symptoms and manifests without a pre-existing condition like hypertension or diabetes, it was seldom detected.
Edel is a doctor.
Even so, it is ridiculous. Are doctors these days equipped with portable X-rays?
Margerie laughed.
Excuse me.
Mu Ssang held Margeries head between his hands. Dimensional sight and Gongjinpa were activated at once. The intricate blood vessels in the brain were drawn in a three-dimensional image in Mu Ssangs head.
One of the middle-sized blood vessels was blocked by a blood clot and so were nine capillaries. After scanning his head, Mu Ssang placed his palm on Margeries crotch. Edel had said that arrhythmia patients often had sexual problems as well. Indeed, the blood vessel that was connected to the penile sponge tissue was blocked by a blood clot.
Mr. Chairman. Do you take a blood thinner?
I take urokinase. Since it can cause spontaneous bleeding, I only get prescribed it occasionally.
After placing his hand on Margeries heart, Mu Ssang used dimensional sight. The wall muscle between the left and right atria was deformed. It was a trace of heart surgery.
It seems more than three years have passed since you were operated on with radiofrequency catheter ablation. You have a defibrillator in your right shoulder but you are not in a sound state.
Mu Ssang muttered which surprised Margerie. It was not the first time today that Margerie was surprised by something.
Huh. Who are you?
The surprised Margerie asked a pointless question. It was surprising that he figured out what condition he had but it was even more shocking when he scanned his heart and brain with his palms and detected the defibrillator in his right shoulder. It was unbelievable even though he saw it with his own eyes.
What am I supposed to answer that with? You suffered from atrial fibrillation for a long time. You were operated on and are using a defibrillator and medications to treat it but the blood clots have already blocked 10 of the blood vessels in your brain. Your hearts not in a good condition. One blood vessel connected to your penis is also blocked. You will soon be visited by death. I presume you were sent to the ER several times recently for dizziness and difficulty in breathing. Your right leg would have gone numb often and you havent been having morning woods.
Mu Ssang recited the words like a shaman scolding townsfolk.
Are you a doctor?
Margerie kept asking pointless questions. Even renowned medical specialists could not diagnose as accurately as Gulbeig could. It was as if he was dissected and examined under a microscope.
Have you ever seen a doctor like me?
Mu Ssang laughed.
There is no doctor like you.
Margerie laughed too. If someone could figure out a patients state by mere touching, that person was not a doctor but a god.
Is this what Dubaiburupas blessing is?
Chapter 489 - Episode 10 What Comes Around Goes Around
What the madam of the house said earlier, which Margerie did not pay much attention to, suddenly popped up in his head.
He felt his heart race. Gulbeig was a mysterious individual that had seemingly descended from the heavens one day. As if to prove that, a strange creature that should not have existed on Earth served him, and close aides with shocking abilities worshipped him as a deity.
Since he accurately figured out the symptoms, Margerie began wondering if his illness could be treated too.
Magerie was a self-proclaimed materialist and his god was oil. He was not interested in Christianity or Islam. He would get goosebumps if he heard cringey stuff like Allahs blessing, Allahs will, Gods grace or Jesus leading you to heaven and non-believers ending up in hell, etc.
He knew his body better than anyone.
Recently, his company had been out-muscled by BP and TEXACO in the North Sea and Maracaibo respectively. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, OPEC was pushing back against the oil majors while beating on the nationalistic drums of communal resources.
Being forced to run around here and there resulted in his physical condition deteriorating to the point of needing to find a successor soon. So bad, in fact, he now had to be accompanied by a personal physician just in case something happens during his business trips abroad.
Could his atrial fibrillation really get better somehow?
Right, Dubaiburupas blessing! Could it be possible!
Out of nowhere, a baseless anticipation that his accursed chronic illness could be taken care of filled his mind. He did not care whether it was Jesus and his heaven, Allahs blessing or even Dubaiburupas blessing. As long as his body could last for another ten years, he would ask for nothing more. For the first time in his life, he wanted to believe in the existence of a god.
Chairman Margerie. Youve come a long way at great expense, so allow me to present you with this gift. It might hurt a little, but do try to endure.
Mu Ssang grabbed Margeries head with both hands.
Du-wooooong
The resonance wave was injected into the head.
No human organ was more sensitive than the brain. The blood flow in the brain consisted of the vertebral arteries joining together in the lower part of the brain to form arteritis basilaris and connect to the cerebral arteries at the back of the brain as well as carotid arteries at the left/right sides of the frontal lobe. This was called the Circle of Willis.
This Circle of Willis was the product of evolution which ensured that blood could be sent to the various parts of ones brain even if one part of the blood vessels got blocked off.
But the issue came when both passageways were blocked, making things quite serious. Chairman Margeries condition was similar to this, in that one side was already blocked off while the other was about halfway blocked. His capillary vessels could not complete the Circle on their own, so they had to be opened up no matter what.
With the image of a cotton hammer breaking boulders down, Mu Ssang began pounding on the blood clots clinging on to the blood vessels using the resonance wave.
The brains blood vessels were intertwined like a net. If it was possible, the blood clots had to be broken down to pieces small enough to be dissolved in the flowing blood. But if he failed to control his strength, the already-weakened lining of the blood vessels might burst, or blood clots might travel along the vessels and end up blocking somewhere else.
Despite his previous experiences, Mu Ssang still tensed up.
*
Ah!
The face of Gulbeig dripping with thick sweat was right in front of Margeries eyes.
Several times in the past, Margerie had invited Soul Masters from China and shamans from Africa without any regard to cost just to treat his illness. Of course, he made sure to give any con men a bullet or two in their hearts too.
Even with a simple glance, he could tell that Gulbeig was in a different realm compared to those people. The Gulbeig that coldly drove Margerie to a corner had disappeared now, and only Dubaiburupa that gave his all to heal the patient existed here.
It had not even been an hour since Margerie met Gulbeig, and the two men had no other point of contact until now. Their negotiation was already over, meaning Gulbeig had nothing to gain from doing this, so why was he going out of his way to help? Cracks began running on the stubborn heart of Margerie just then.
*
Aigo. Man, this is bloody tough!
Mu Ssang pulled his hands away from Margeries head, then wiped his sweat-soaked face with gauze.
Completely removing all the blood clots in the brains blood vessels required twenty solid minutes. What he performed was a medical procedure that could have ruined a perfectly healthy person with a single mistake.
Eliminating blood clots in the cerebral arteries and opening nine capillary arteries exhausted his mental strength to the point of him almost fainting.
Mu Ssang wordlessly stared at Margerie, currently in a half-vegetative state induced by the shock of the procedure. Why did he act on a whim and decide to do this, he wondered.
The memories of Bangtaesan, Chui Do Shik, and the Soul-Renewing Practice floated up to the surface of his consciousness.
He began recalling the desperate times from back then. He remembered the elders of the Inje Nature Preserve that warmly looked after him too.
Thats right rather than a whim, this was meant to be. He was doing what he wanted, so why did he even need to explain himself?
It was easy enough to reopen the blood vessels connected to Margeries corpus cavernosum penis. If the chairman was not suffering from another issue, he should be able to regain his pride as a man.
Mu Ssang ended up imagining Margerie getting very emotional after witnessing his junior erecting a tent in his pants in the early morning. That made him chuckle a little.
Lord Buddha said that if you wanted to help, then you should be ready to take off even your shirt. The cause for Margeries atrial fibrillation was his aged heart. Modern biomedical science was responsible for moving the metaphorical human heart away from the physical heart to ones brain, but that did not mean the physical heart was simply a lump of muscles.
Whether the idea of human heart = physical heart would get reaffirmed with this or not, no one could tell. Regardless of that, though, the heart was the only internal organ that reacted to the changes in the persons emotional state. For instance, itd run wild in moments of rage, while despair would make it shrink.
When a persons rationality was affected, only the heart would react, while the lungs or liver would remain as they were. Whether it was done through electrical signals or hormonal secretions, a heart exposed to severe fluctuations in emotions would rapidly age.
It was the same for the fibrillation of the heart. Too much load weighing on the heart often leads to the nerve cells in the atrioventricular node malfunctioning. And when the blood from the atria failed to flow properly to the ventricles, it would lead to a lack of blood supply to the brain. The brain would then raise one hell of a fuss, indiscriminately firing signals to the heart to send more blood.
The phenomenon of atrial fibrillation occurred when the heart began racing almost out of control after receiving all those electrical signals. When left alone, the symptoms would only get worse and more blood clots would block up the arteries.
The aging of ones heart was the realm that modern medical science could not do much about. But for Mu Ssang, he could deal with it easier than twisting the arm of a child. Vibrating the heart cells with the resonance wave would cause all the waste material accumulated in and around the cells interior and exterior to seep out. Imagine your coins flying out of your pockets as you start break-dancing.
Once the accumulated waste was gone, the mitochondria would then reactivate. In other words, the cells would become younger. The heart cells getting younger would obviously improve the hearts condition.
Mu Ssang pressed his palm where Margeries heart was. Chairman Margerie? Ive already eliminated the clotting around your brain and your manhood. From now, Ill be treating your heart. Try not to open your mouth.
The resonance wave traveled through the bodys tissues and organs and were projected into Margeries heart.
Ripples seeped into the heart like particles of fog. This was all thanks to Mu Ssangs dramatically improved control over his ability.
The heart faintly vibrated. Dark liquid began oozing out of it.
Mmmmmph! Margerie began making weird moaning noises as seconds ticked by.
The procedure will soon finish. Endure it.
Non, non! Your cadeau (gift) feels so good, thats why!
Chairman Margeries expression became blissful like a drugged-up junkie. Even his voice purred like a content cat. His ruddy complexion, his body spasming intermittently, thick sweat drops caking his forehead, and then, his sticky, heavy moans
Wait, could this old man be?
Mu Ssang suddenly felt a chill and hurriedly pulled his hand back then stepped away. He was not scared of anything in this world Except an old man almost ejaculating.
Chairman Margerie, your treatment was a success.
Margerie, still stuck in a hazy state as if he was still swimming in a pleasant dream, sobered up in an instant, his eyes opening wide.
Ah, aaaaah~!
He let out a loud cry without even realizing that he did. His entire body felt so light he was certain he would float away. His head that always seemed to weigh a ton now felt as clear and uncluttered as the Autumn sky.
My My chest, its beating energetically? B-but, how? How can this be?
The rhythmic and energetic beatings of his heart washed over Margeries senses like the ecstasy of life itself. The ever-constant dull pain in his chest that bothered him all the time was gone without a trace. He felt so unencumbered right now that it almost seemed like he did not have a heart anymore.
Its as you feel. Your heart has been reborn. Its become as healthy as a man in his early 30s. You can now take out the useless defibrillator inside you.
How How can this be! How can this be! Margerie found himself unable to finish his sentences, before jumping up to his feet. Oh? It Its coming back?!
His crotch felt tight as it swelled, making a noticeable tent down there. This would be the first tent in three years for Margerie.
He failed to contain the tsunami of emotions raging within him. Maybe he saved Earth or even the universe itself in his past life, because not only his brain and heart, but even his junior was given a second lease of life.
This unbelievable development caused his brain and mouth to act independently of one another.
Mister Gulbeig! N-no, everyone calls you Dubaiburupa, so I should call you that as well. Dubaiburupa, just what are you? Are you really a human? Not a god?
Chairman Margerie seemed like he would start prostrating at any second now.
Chairman, what I am isnt important. No, the important thing is what you choose to do from now on. Something that delights your mind can turn into a calamity once it passes you. You must not turn a moments delight into a hundred days of worries.
Your greed and excessive competitive streak have shaved away at your body and soul. What Im trying to say is that you have been abusing your body and mind, steadily killing yourself in the process. No matter how important the business in front of your eyes is, its not as important as the life your parents have given you.
Remember that even if you possess all the farmlands in the world, in the end, all you can eat is a small loaf of bread and a piece of fish. True happiness isnt with possessing things, but in generously giving things away. Happiness has the capacity to wash away the debris accumulated in your mind and body. If you managed to make someone smile, then on that day, your lifeforce has gotten a little stronger.
Tell me, do you see me as a fool who carelessly wastes billions of Francs in this withered corner of the Sahara desert? Indeed, I will look like a fool depending on ones viewpoint. However, it doesnt matter if my actions are foolish or not. Because, this is what I wish to do.
The citizens of Novatopia are made up of people that were driven to a dead end due to religious and racial reasons. This place is the final refuge for those people. For my own happiness, I dream of a land where those desperate people and I can all live fulfilling lives.
However, what do you dream of, chairman?
Something profound washed over Margeries mind just then. Feeling lost, he could only stare at Mu Ssang with dazed, empty eyes.
What do you dream of?
That last question rang noisily in his eardrums like a powerful echo.
Ah! Just what have I been living my life for?
Thick teardrops began trickling down from Chairman Margeries eyes.
It felt like the past 62 years of his life was just an illusion, merely fleeting soap bubbles. He lived like an emperor, yet he never was at ease, not even once. He had to keep his guard up at all times.
This life He had not lived it for himself, but that did not mean he lived it for other people either. Now that he got his wits back, he finally realized that only a broken body and withered mind remained as his reward.
Margerie began sobbing uncontrollably. His wrinkled face was soaked with his tears.
Mu Ssang wordlessly observed the sobbing Margerie. Every human possessed the seed of awakening in them, but only a handful was able to truly awaken. Once your consciousness becomes corrupted, the seed of awakening would get buried away forever.
His awakening was proof that Margerie had lived a pure, straight life, regardless of whether he was a villain or not.
That old man is a goner, too! Yep, hes a goner for sure. Uh-huh? Even Ariba is a goner now, huh.
Samdi, bringing refreshments to the drawing-room, saw this scene and chuckled softly. Edel was behind him, quietly wiping away her tears, too.
This was the true face of Dubaiburupa. A young and frail little soul without someone to lean on would seek out a bigger soul for shelter. Chairman Margerie was attracted to Dubaiburupas big soul just like Edel.
Chairman Margerie jumped up to his feet before kneeling in front of Mu Ssang with a thud.
I exalt Dubaiburupa. I always proclaimed that the world is a small place, but today, I finally realized that Im no different from a little child that lost his mothers secure hand in an amusement park. It is said that a foolish man should follow the words of the wise man. I wish to dream the same dream as you, Lord Dubaiburupa. Please, sir. Allow me to join your flock.
Even the manner of Chairman Margeries speech changed. His previously-frigid silver eyes were now burning brightly with fervor.
Mu Ssang wordlessly observed Margerie for a bit longer before calling out to Samdi. Samdi, bring me the fang.
After receiving the huge Sarcosuchus fang, Mu Ssang began circulating the resonance.
The Billions Water Armor began caressing the ancient crocodiles fang. The pure-white bone powder densely rose up in the air as sparks danced wildly. The fang transformed into a dagger in no time at all.
Hul? W-what on earth is that thing? Margerie, stunned by what he saw, shot up to his feet and asked Samdi.
Just what was that huge fang-like object, and was a human hand strong enough to cause sparks to fly just by striking it with another object?
Shh. Old man, you struck gold today. Not sure what the master likes about you, but hes thinking of accepting you as one of our family, Samdi whispered back in a quiet little voice.
Margerie was still confused about some things, but even then, he managed to figure out the situation more or less. It seemed that Gulbeig No, Dubaiburupa had decided to answer Margeries wishes.
Margeries life was about to be transformed And just what would it look like once transformed? His heart began pounding faster from the anticipation and curiosity.
Dooong
The crafting was completed in no time at all. A gleaming pure-white bone dagger now rested in Mu Ssangs palm. It had the same shape and design as the dagger granted to Bonipas.
As if he was in a trance, Margerie began alternating his gaze between the dagger and Mu Ssangs face.
When a hole was being opened on the handle, flames erupted and the hole punctured without Mu Ssang even touching it. To call that a mere superpower was an understatement. That feat looked too mysterious.
Chairman Margerie, kneel before the master. Samdi spoke in a serious tone.
Still in a trance-like state, Margerie went down on his knees once more.
Mu Ssang lightly tapped Margeries shoulder three times with the bone dagger. Margerie, you are now Dubaiburupas family. As proof, I shall bestow you with this, a Nova. You are the second foreigner ever to become a Nova. As for your name, it shall be Dapsang. From now on, you shall refer to me as Wakil.
Mu Ssang scrubbed the Novas hilt with the Billions Water Armor.
More sparks danced as the word Dapsang was engraved on the bone daggers handle.
Margerie accepted the dagger, now also called Dapsang, in a half-dazed state. He muttered in a trance-like voice. Nova! Dapsang!
Nova meant new world, while Dapsang was meant to indicate big mountain as Tibetans used that word to call K2, the second highest peak in the Himalayas.
Acknowledged by Dubaiburupa
He was Michel Margerie, but at the same time, also Dapsang Nova. From somewhere deep inside his chest, this sense of fulfilment began welling up. His body felt hot as if he had stepped inside an inferno.
He gripped the dagger Dapsang tightly and cried out. Wakil, how should I live my life now? No, wait. What should I do from this moment on?
Dapsang, do you wish to pay me to tithe? Or donate your entire fortune? Forget about it. From now on, youre Dubaiburupas family and a member of Novatopia.
Mu Ssang stopped talking there and stared deeply at Margerie, a slight smile now forming on his lips.
Chapter 490 - Episode 11 What Comes Around Goes Around
Dapsang, Novatopia is a family. A family does not make demands or assert ones rights. Self-sacrifice and generosity take precedence. We strive to share happiness and fulfilment.
A wife demanding her husband to be more responsible, a child one-sidedly asserting their rights, and the father oppressing his family That household is already beyond salvation. In Novatopia, we do not demand you to work, but there are also no special rights.
You, Dapsang, are allowed to live your life the way you want, other than to never live in fear. You can enter or leave as you please. Assez a qui se contente! (The satisfied person is someone who has enough! A French maxim similar to the idea of everything depends on ones mind)
After finishing his lecture, Mu Ssang patted Chairman Margeries head like a teacher presenting the gift of wisdom to his disciple.
He wanted to explain the concept of il-che-yu-sim (everything depends on the mind) or gyun-moon-gak-ji (attaining enlightened knowledge through seeing and hearing, recognizing, and knowing, i.e., through all five sensory organs), but Mu Ssang wasnt confident of making Margerie understand the concepts when the latter came from a starkly different culture. So he preemptively gave up.
They said that committing adultery often makes you an expert and it seems that Mu Ssang has become a bit of a pro in acting like a cult leader now.
Assez a qui se contente! Margerie muttered that while trembling away.
Something rocked his brain. As if the smell of mint had seeped into his head His consciousness that had stepped into the pine forest of Centime began strolling around the boundless space.
He more or less figured out the meaning behind Dubaiburupas Assez a qui se contente!
Humans could not discard their greed. However, they could certainly analyze the cause of the greed itself. If they felt that this was the wrong path, they need not tread on it. The ability to judge was a gift from the god that made humans Human.
Thank you. I, Dapsang, do not believe in the existence of a god, but I still managed to witness a great soul today. It doesnt matter whether Wakil is human or god. You as Dubaiburupa are already complete, and youre also the guide of souls. Today, Dapsang was given three new lives. My brain came back to life, my heart came back to life, and my manhood came back to life. I swear not to needlessly waste this new life granted by Wakil and use it for the sake of this world.
Margeries voice trembled.
Just like how a phoenix would experience rebirth within the heat of conflagration, Margerie acquired a new life through Dubaiburupas hands. It did not matter what the age of a soul was. He was happy about acquiring a new lease of life, sure, but what shook his soul the most was the implication behind the word, family.
A tired and withered soul finally found someone to lean on and rest a much bigger soul. Margeries heart began boiling almost out of control, while delight went off like fireworks in his head.
The eyes of Margerie, serotonin running amok in his system, began gleaming like a possessed shamans.
H-hey, would you look at this old man? Him becoming Ombuti No.2 would be troublesome, though
Mu Ssang was taken aback just then. Humans were capable of transforming in an instant through a special opportunity or circumstance. That was why Mu Ssang was somewhat afraid of the possibility of Margerie transforming into another version of Ombuti, the demon king of nagging, who had the nickname of king of going overboard too.
I only bestowed the gifts unto you because it was within my powers. Forget about making all these grandiose declarations for a minute. Why dont you stop your sponsorship of Nissan, instead?
Mu Ssang, feeling awkward now, ended up raising his voice. Despite establishing a nation, his original narrow-mindedness had not gone anywhere, it seemed.
Margerie became dazed for a moment there before taking Mu Ssangs thoughtless remark as a supreme command. I thought General Director was joking back then, but he was telling the truth, I see. In that case, I shall annul the sponsorship contract right away.
One remark from a narrow-minded individual, and Nissan suddenly lost a powerful sponsor. The Japanese carmaker would never find out why Chairman Margerie suddenly withdrew his sponsorship deal.
Edel, Ombuti and Samdi began clapping their hands.
Chairman Margerie, congratulations on becoming our new family member.
Thank you very much! Wakil has granted me this new life. And I shall fully devote it to Wakils cause. Margerie bowed deeply.
Dapsang, it seems that you still havent understood what I said. You must devote your life to your family and yourself. Remember that there is no family without me, and there is no country without families. Those people who go around talking about the Great Cause or whatever but do not look after their own families are either hypocrites or nut cases.
Dapsang, you shall return home right away. Your family must be worried, so you should show them your healthy body. Your work will come after that.
Ulla! Those are truly wise words, sir. Dubaiburupa, hooray!
At this point, Margerie was prepared to believe that the Arc de Triomphe was located in London as long as Mu Ssang was the one proclaiming that.
Broad smiles spread on the faces of Edel and Samdi, while the expressions of Mu Ssang and Ombuti distorted ever so slightly.
And so The chairman of Total, Michel Margerie, was kissed by lady luck on this day near a mysterious lake located in the eastern Sahara.
*
Ariba had to pinch his own thigh as hard as possible. The staggering pain sobered him up instantly. His wits that seemingly went on vacation returned to him.
Thats what Im talking about!
He witnessed the unfathomable depth of Black Mambas true weapon, his fearsome telekinetic powers that made others empathetic of him.
Margerie became bewitched by the godly ability Black Mamba displayed, and his actions, his mind and his manner of speech all got instantly sucked into the black hole of empathy. Just like that, he had become a follower.
The spy agencies of various nations were training espers, and they even had deployed the assets in several operations too. In fact, even the DGSE had people with psychometry powers in its ranks.
Originally, psychometry was a psychic ability to figure out the history of an object by simply touching it, but there was also another powerful application of it that involved empathy.
However, Black Mamba never relied on psychometry. He did not artificially shock the opponents mind, instead choosing to use truth and his ability to empathize as a means to do that. What a scary ability that was.
If Ariba had not been trained to resist brainwashing, if he did not know the real face of Black Mamba, and if he had not been scared to death, then he would be just like Chairman Margerie, kneeling on the floor in awe.
No, he did want to kneel, but his fear prevented that.
Ariba was one of the few people who knew all too well the terror of Black Mamba.
Black Mamba might be a man with few words, but he was the type to definitely do what he said he would do. Chief Valvoue ignored the warning about not calling Black Mamba Ange de la mort and ended up as a cripple.
Back then, Ariba was the one egging Valvoue on, and he got to experience this unmentionable terror of death. Something enveloped his face, blocking out his oxygen supply. He tried to claw it off with his hands but could not feel anything tangible.
A physical attack without an actual physical form was terror itself. Ever since then, Ariba suffered from the case of Black Mamba phobia.
Even now, Aribas eyes staring at Mu Ssang were filled with fear.
He recalled every politician, religious leader and philosopher currently recorded in the DGSEs list. But none of them demonstrated the level of ability to empathize as skillfully as Black Mambas.
Black Mamba normally did not befriend those who had plenty. What if he changed his belief and decided to suck in a wealthy individual like a black hole? The world order could get reorganized in this way. It felt like a cold wind scythed through Aribas chest when he thought about that possibility.
The emperor of oil, Chairman Margerie, had come under Black Mambas spell this is an incident shocking enough to stun the whole world. Of course, Ariba would never tell anyone about it other than General Director Bonipas. He had not forgotten Black Mambas warning of keeping his trap shut at all times, after all.
Dammit. Should I also just resign from the DGSE using this opportunity and join Novatopia? But I dont have money nor abilities, so would Black Mamba even accept me as his family?
Ariba became so envious of Chairman Margerie.
Outwardly, it might seem like Black Mamba had scored big by acquiring Total. But the truth was, it was Margerie that struck gold by acquiring a backer like Black Mamba. From this moment on, any factions trying to hinder him would disappear without even so much as a squeak.
Ariba could already imagine Total standing tall at the top of the oil supermajors pyramid.
If the DGSE was a shadowy but stable workplace, then Novatopia was the land of light-filled with wild adventures. This difference made Ariba deeply contemplate his options.
*
Samdi, what is the material for Nova? Its very light, so I was wondering Oops!
The Nova bone dagger slipped out of Margeries grip. It stabbed deep into the mahogany wooden floor, leaving only its hilt exposed.
Hul?! The shocked Margerie jumped up. He already had an inkling that this dagger was no ordinary object, but even so, its sharpness still managed to surpass his imagination.
Samdi replied. Its a fang of an ancient crocodile called the Sarcosuchus. I killed it personally in the jungles of Ituri.
Despite the unbelievable claim, Margerie nodded in acceptance without a shred of suspicion. He was already prepared to believe everything that had ties to Dubaiburupa.
He began scanning Samdi from top to bottom. Rather than a regular human, this big African man seemed more like Iron Man.
Huh! A life and death struggle between Samdi the Iron Man and the ancient crocodile, Sarcosuchus. If we can get it on video, we could make a killing by selling the footage off to Nat Geo.
The Iron Man who beat up an ancient crocodile to death, even though the monster boasted the 350mm-long fangs thicker than Margeries arms! As expected of Wakils bodyguard.
Dapsang, I dont know how rich Total is as a company, but do not forget that our master is Dubaiburupa. You better not entertain any wicked ideas of winning over the Miss through expensive gifts. If you misbehave toward either our master or Miss, then
Samdi stopped talking there, then pulled out a Beretta with gold trimmings from his back pocket.
Huh?! Thats my pistol! Margerie gasped before hurriedly patting his inner pocket. His Beretta tucked away securely under his jacket was gone.
As expected, Samdi was a surprising human being.
Crunch!
The barrel and the handle were crushed into a sphere as springs and the magazine popped out. Beretta, which cost a hundred thousand Francs and was only available through special order, met its end as a pile of scrap metal in Samdis hand.
This is the end waiting for you. Samdis reddish eyes burned ominously.
Truth be told, he was dissatisfied with Margerie. This old Frenchman was supposed to be a wealthy man, and after presenting some random knife to the Miss as a gift, he received the masters blessing and became a family member out of nowhere.
A person was bound to get arrogant if they earned their position too easily. That was why Samdi warned the chairman through a show of force.
You dont need to intimidate me, I already know full well. The true value of a treasure is in the meaning and the status granted to it. How can some mere pile of metal compare to Dapsang? Honestly, Dapsang is far more precious to me than Total, you see. Hahaha!
Margerie laughed good-naturedly, then pulled out the dagger with Dapsang engraved on its handle from the floor before gently caressing the weapon as if it was his lovers bosom.
He had experienced all sorts of things in his life, so he was rather pleased by Samdis spectacular show of strength. The stronger the individual members, the sturdier Wakils kingdom would be.
What the? This guy is no pushover, huh.
Strange light flickered in Samdis eyes. This old man looked so weak that he probably could not even kill a chicken, but his tough and unyielding personality was actually pretty similar to Ombutis.
Indeed, humans were different from animals. Rather than young and strong punks, the sly old foxes were harder to deal with.
Mister Dubaiburupa, sir. You should draw up the MoU first.
Ariba finally regained his wits and brought order to the drawing-room. A ceremony was one thing, but business was another.
He drew up the MoU, which was signed by Margerie and Mu Ssang.
[The owner of the mining area of the Pend Rivers delta in Chads Doba region (hereafter referred to as Doba mining area), Sbard Gulbeig, will enter into an agreement with the chairman of Total CFP, Michel Margerie, that contains the following:
The changed parts were the percentage of the preemptive right that had grown from 20% to 30%, while the cost of the preemptive right had also gone up from one billion to two billion dollars. Mu Ssang and Margerie were trying to be considerate to each other here.
As for supplying South Korea first with the produced crude oil, this only happened due to Mu Ssangs kindness. He might not like Korea, but it was still his home country after all.
After signing the documents, Chairman Margeries expression brightened to resemble a kid receiving a Christmas present he had been praying for the whole year. Well, he had received the greatest gifts imaginable today, after all three different types of renewed life. Not only that, but he was also accepted as Dubaiburupas family, so it was unsurprising to see him overjoyed like this.
*
Kuwahahaha! We were running rather short on funds lately, only for two billion dollars to land on our laps, master! I knew it, our lady is a bundle of good fortune while our Wakil has the Midas touch. Hahaha!
Ombuti received the agreement, then burst into raucous laughter.
Wakil possessed an ability to see through a persons true nature. However, not anyone could occupy the position of a chairman running a supermajor oil company. Ombuti was worried about his master being pushed around by the crafty old man, but as it turned out, master was able to bring out a result beyond anyones expectations.
Mu Ssang replied. We need to join hands with someone, anyway. To be considerate to Bonipas, I chose to end it there.
You did well, sir. From my judgement, this was the best outcome for this negotiation.
Its all thanks to the quality of the product. Oh, and Ive accepted Chairman Margerie as a member of Nova.
You made the right call, sir. Im sure hell serve as a pillar of strength during the development of Novatopia. Ombuti nodded despite the unexpected turn of events.
He was not the type to raise objections or argue against the masters decisions. He believed that the master must have had good reason to make such decisions, and if there was something lacking, then it was the servants duty to assist his master.
Ive granted the name of Dapsang to Chairman Margerie.
I see, Dampsang means hes the second person. Master, General Director Bonipas still doesnt know hes now a Nova member as well, yes?
Well, his job title is still the boss of the DGSE, after all. A man called the Serpent wouldnt be oblivious of it after receiving a Nova from me. Im pretty sure hes pretending to be none the wiser even after figuring it out. I too, have no desire to put the boss of the DGSE in a difficult spot.
Indeed, that was the wise decision, sir. I see, master was thinking about a protective shell for Novatopia.
Thats right. A nations power comes from information, financial muscle, and finally, military might. Novatopia has stepped into the international stage only recently. The further we develop into a juicy and ripe land of treasure, the more and more hyenas will drool after us.
However, I cannot stay in Novatopia forever. Thats why we must cooperate with outside forces while we internally foster and strengthen our self-defence capabilities.
Please do not be worried, Wakil. The citizens of Novatopia are people who have escaped from hell, sir. Even the children are filled with determination to protect their home even if it costs them their lives.
Indeed, that is the way. By the way, who was the barista that taught Edel how to brew coffee?
Sir, who else could it be other than Afwerki? Hes been frequently visiting the House for the past year to teach us the cultivation and commercialization methods for coffee, sir.
Ah. Id forgotten about him. Ive never drunk coffee as fantastic as todays cup, you see. Simply put, it was the best coffee in my life.
Mu Ssang raised his thumb high up.
That should be the case, sir. If Im being honest, Miss Edels skill in the kitchen is somewhat lacking, isnt it? However, she seems to possess a keen intuition when it comes to coffee, sir. So much so that this servant was deeply surprised by her talents.
Really? Even a lazy bum knows how to roll around, they said. So my Edel is
Hmph. Why dont I take over from there?
Mu Ssang and Ombuti flinched in surprise when a voice suddenly came from behind them.
Chapter 491 - Episode 12 What Comes Around Goes Around
The awkwardness you feel when the subject of your gossiping suddenly appears behind you
The expressions of Mu Ssang and Ombuti became a mixture of smiles and tears. It was as if they had to drink a bucket of water infused with a heap of motherwort.
Dear Rudrey is making tasty coffee, is she? Looks like the Harmattan will bring the scent of flowers instead of sand this year, right? I mean, I havent been alive for that long, yet I still get to witness something so unbelievable! Edel imitated Mu Ssangs manner of speech before pouting deeply. Even a bum knows how to roll around, doesnt he? Yet, you think I cant even do that? I had no idea that my dearly beloved monarch and the governor-general that I deeply respect would start gossiping about a helpless woman behind her back.
U-uh, t-thats not true. Besides, who is the helpless woman in this situation? Mu Ssang began stuttering.
One word from Edel, and tens of thousands of people would unsheathe their swords and step forward. She was helpless? Now that was utter nonsense.
But Edel continued to drive the nail even deeper. A Buddhist monk hailing from the east once said that you can become a saint by not gossiping behind peoples backs. Theres simply no way that our dear prophet Lord Dubaiburupa would talk about someone behind their back, now would he? This lowly woman mustve heard it all wrong, Im sure.
Mu Ssang suddenly felt dizzy. To think that sarcasm could fly out of her petal-like lips while she stared at him with eyes as pristine and blue as the lakes surface!
Urgh!
Unable to think of an appropriate reply, Mu Ssang lightly embraced Edel. There was this very good solution called physical touch available for lovers, and he decided to go for it. Thats not true. Besides, I prefer Rudrey that brews coffee well over Rudrey that cooks well. So what if you arent a good cook? There are plenty of famous eateries in the world, anyway.
Edel turned her head toward Ombuti before poking her tongue out. He blinked several times before sneakily backing away.
Hng, Calling my name now that youre in a pinch? While we were apart, it looks like youve picked up on how to sweet-talk a girl, havent you?
What are you talking about? The only human female that seems like a biological woman in my view is Rudrey and no one else. Anyway, shall we get on a yacht and go on a pilgrimage of renowned Michelin restaurants around the world?
Oh! Thats a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful idea! Lets take Dino with us, too. No ones better than Dino for my pillow, you see.
Edel completely forgot about teasing Mu Ssang by then, even blurting out Wonderful! three times in a row. Traveling the world with Dubai Just thinking about it made her heart race. Her face reddened like peach blossom petals, her breathing shallow and fast.
Huk!
Mu Ssang sucked in a deep breath. He found himself unable to scoff at the exaggerated Chinese expression meant to honor the Four Great Beauties, which described their beauty of having the ability to sink fish and entice birds to fall, eclipsing the moon and shaming flowers.
Edels bright face did not seem like it belonged to a human, but that of a beautiful flower in full bloom.
Mu Ssangs junior suddenly began twitching to signal its awakening. The superior physique would obviously result in superior seeds too. As his physique was strong, his sex drive was equally as virile. At this rate, his junior might rip open the fly of his pants.
Na-mo-ra-da-na-da-ah-ya-ya~
Mu Ssang hurriedly recited a Buddhist stanza called Ten Thousand Expulsions in his head.
Priest Dae-woo created this self-hypnotizing illusion called the Ten Thousand Expulsions in the hopes of making Mu Ssang devote himself to the ways of Buddhism. That was because things would spiral out of control if the Peerless under the Heavens (Mu Ssang)s lust was not reined in.
Now sucked into the stanzas effects, Mu Ssang began mentally repeating the Process of making love to ten thousand beauties and ejaculating.
One would grow sick and tired of a song one used to love after listening to it ten thousand times in a row. It was the same with ones favorite food too. Even the one and only uber-playboy would get sick of the deed after doing it ten thousand times in a row.
The teacher desired for his disciple to become the next Mahabali (benevolent and wise Asura), but Mu Ssang bearing the brunt could only shudder from the inhumanity of it all.
And when Mu Ssangs flesh did not want to go back to sleep even after experiencing ten cycles of the Ten Thousand Expulsions stanza, Monk Dae-woo could only lament his disciples lack of Buddhist ways.
According to various research done on the subject, an average man would have sex 2,580 times in his lifetime. What made the Ten Thousand Expulsions stanza so fearsome was that it fooled ones brain and body into thinking that one was doing the deed without actually doing it.
In other words, Mu Ssangs sexual experience would leap up by ten thousand encounters with one recital. And this was the secret to his vigor that would not run out even if Chinas legendary Four Great Beauties jumped on him all at the same time.
However, not even Mu Ssang trained in the ways of Ten Thousand Expulsions stanza could do anything about his lust energized by love.
Actually, there was something about his body that Mu Ssang was not aware of. An Epidiums physique would start secreting a powerful pheromone during the state of arousal. This was the result of Concretuss desperate attempt at increasing the number of Epidiums by altering their genetic structures to resemble that of a collective intelligence species.
His thick lips quickly covered Edels fluttering petals.
Hmm~
Edel shuddered grandly from this exhilaration and she started rocking her entire body. In less than a blink of an eye, her body grew hot, while her spine arched back.
Even if this was the first kiss of a man she loved, what she felt could not have been right. Never mind feeling sweet or her consciousness getting hazy, it felt as if she would die if she did not make love to him this instant.
Panicking somewhat, Edel quickly pinched Mu Ssangs forearm. Huh-uhk! Dubai, theres something wrong with me. What did you do?
A man that did not partake in the feast despite an aroused beauty waiting for him on the dining table and instead choosing to recite some Buddhist chant was a f***ing idiot. And Mu Ssang happened to be that f***ing idiot.
Dammit, I guess Im also an incorrigible bastard of a man, then!
Edels passionate response actually helped Mu Ssang regain his self-control. This was the benefit of the Ten Thousand Expulsions.
His life went out of whack because of dicks. His mother going missing started because of someones dick, and the twisted path his life had taken ever since then was also because of someones dick. Then again, dicks were always present in the incidents worthy of a spot in history books, now werent they?
Two people who like each other will become weird when they are together, you see. Mu Ssang took his lips away.
Oh my goodness, what should we do, in that case!
Despite replying like that, Edel did not allow Mu Ssangs lips to retreat.
Ombuti will make fun of us though.
No need to worry, love, since hes already gone.
Ombuti, who boasted supernaturally quick wits, would obviously not stand around like an idiot. Indeed, he had disappeared in the blink of an eye. With things like this, Mu Ssang had run out of excuses. Not even angels could stop humans in heat, after all.
H-hahaha, Margerie is still waiting for us, isnt he? Were all doing this to put food on the table, so let us quickly wrap this up and enjoy the dinner, shall we?
Edel finally regained herself when the topic of food was brought up. Oh no! I left a pot on the brazier and completely forgot about it! What should I do? I was preparing a dish meant to surprise you, you know? Hiiiing!
A dish to surprise me? Mu Ssang instantly flinched.
The corners of Edels eyes arched up ever so slightly.
Hoh-oh! Im really looking forward to it.
Mu Ssangs complexion switched so quickly that even the legendary fairy pitta paled in comparison.
Lets go!
Even the one and only Mu Ssang got helplessly dragged away by Edel. This was why men had to be careful C the moment they opened themselves to love, they would morph into a meek little calf with its nose pierced.
*
I knew that would happen. Ahmmad smiled softly while looking up at the staircase.
Mu Ssang and Edel were in the lead of the group coming down. One step behind them were Ombuti and Margerie, while the rear were taken up by Ariba and Samdi.
Looks like hes become an underling, too? Sun Woo-hyun tilted his head in slight confusion.
Margeries arrogant air when he first stepped into the Yoa House was nowhere to be seen, and now it looked like he was Wakils devoted follower.
Most likely! Ahhmad nodded.
After all, Dubaiburupa was someone who would not bat an eyelid even when the Seven Sisters (seven oil supermajors) showed up before him, never mind just Totals chairman.
*
Wakil, at the current rate of development, Novatopia will need another decade before its fully settled. If you wish to speed up the process, you need to construct a power station first.
The French government is constructing an HFO power station as we speak. The oilfields discovery came at a remarkable timing, in other words.
Ah-ha! In that case, under this ones personal command is a mercenary company called Blue Water, Wakil. How about deploying them to secure public order?
Not much crime happens in Novatopia. The worst that happens here are some angry punch-ups born out of differences in religious customs. The special strike force is enough to maintain the public order for the time being.
As expected of Lord Dubaiburupa!
Margerie was impressed. Mu Ssangs response seemed unhurried despite how insanely urgent this situation looked. But that only made Margerie more anxious about wanting to be useful somehow.
All of Dubaiburupas retainers were remarkable individuals. Margerie felt this urgent pressure to do something big so that his worth could be acknowledged.
Should I prepare heavy equipment and weapons, then?
Dapsang. I may exist with Novatopia, but I am not Novatopia. Its governor is Ombuti, so you should discuss such things with him.
Black Mamba had not once thought of taking on headache-inducing problems by himself. He had laid out the table, so it was up to other people to play their roles accordingly.
Governor, what do you need?
The influx of refugees is getting higher every day, but the construction of residential areas are failing to keep up with the demand at the moment. The Jipoon Dari house scheme has not made any notable progress so far.
Even though weve been devoting our full attention to the project, the rate of progress has not even reached 15% yet. My heart bleeds every time I see refugees staying in tents waiting for their allocated residents. Ombuti, seizing this opportunity, began whining as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.
There was no way that an experienced merchant would let a wealthy financier slip through his fingers.
Oh, my! The clothing, food and shelter issue of the citizens needs to be stabilized for the society to settle down, which in turn would lessen Wakils worries, too. I get it now. I shall take up the responsibilities for constructing one hundred thousand residential housing. I shall also start the construction of additional facilities such as shopping malls and parks. Governor, you should focus your energy in another area.
Margerie was refreshingly straightforward with his offer.
Huh! Are you being serious? Ombutis eyes grew wide.
The Jipoon Dari one hundred thousand residential homes construction scheme was the core of Novatopias development plan. Thats because said development plan originally called for around five to six hundred thousand citizens to be secured first before resettling them to different areas.
Is this why the master accepted Margerie as Dapsang?
Mu Ssang was only trying to be generous, but Ombuti was in charge of Novatopias operation. As such, he was looking at this situation from a different perspective. For one thing, just the cost of building a hundred thousand houses would be around two billion Francs.
To think that there was someone capable of treating two billion Francs as some pocket change! A man with a scope as large as Wakil had made his entrance, it seemed.
Both Edel and Samdis eyes widened in surprise at the sheer scale of money being talked about here.
Wakil told me about Assez a qui se contente, you see. I no longer harbor fear in my heart. Lets call this my first investment into my second hometown.
Margerie was pleased by the reactions of Ombuti and the others.
As expected, one should not hold back when it comes to spending money. If one chose to drizzle pee on a frozen foot, you would not make much of an impact other than making it smell a bit. The good example would be all those donations he made to Africa and other poorer regions around the world.
The amount of donations he made here and there certainly was not insignificant, but almost none of that money was spent on the good cause. Most of them ended up in the back pockets of politicians or high-ranking officials of poorer nations.
The only reason why he still donated despite knowing this truth was not for the poor people, but for the sake of Totals smooth operation. But now that he had become a member of Nova, Margerie could no longer turn a blind eye toward the construction of Novatopia.
By doing this, he would certainly earn Wakils approval, demonstrate his capability to other retainers and even help out those in need, too. Killing three birds with one stone, in other words. Two billion Francs was a bargain considering the benefits.
Dapsang, thank you!
Dont mention it, Governor. Honestly, its me whos truly grateful. Although I couldnt become a member of the Black Culture, its already a massive honor to become Novas member. Hahaha! Margerie laughed happily away.
After receiving the name Dapsang, Margerie learned about the existence of another loyal organization called Black Culture.
The Black Culture is just an informal organization independent of religious or cultural backgrounds. Its purpose is to guard Dubaiburupa, Chairman. But Wakil is building up the association called Nova with a bigger picture in mind. With this, I assure you that you shall soon witness a world quite different from what youve been accustomed to.
Hahaha, I didnt say that because I was unhappy. No, Im just envious of you, Governor.
Even though Im the head of Wakils servants and the Governor of Novatopia, I still havent received a Nova yet. Thats why Im envious of you instead, Chairman.
Is that so? It seems that I need to do a better job of safeguarding it, then.
Margerie sneakily obstructed Ombutis gaze while stashing the bone dagger deep inside his inner pocket. However, he still had no idea the true significance held by this dagger with the word Dapsang engraved on its hilt.
*
Once Margerie made his appearance, his bodyguards hurriedly rushed up to him.
Thank you for your hard work, everyone.
?
The sudden compliment from the chairman caused the bodyguards to stare at each others faces. They were ready for the event of getting fired here, yet ended up being praised for some reason. Not only that but his attitude of serving Mister Gulbeig as his master also came across as rather weird.
Hes changed somehow!
Margeries personal physician tilted his head in confusion.
It felt like the Chairmans face had gotten younger. His previously-cautious steps had become confident and outgoing. Clear vigor could be heard in his voice, too. But the physician could not hold onto his puzzlement for too long.
Thank you, sir!
The members of Margeries entourage shouted energetically.
The dealings of the higher-ups were none of their business, after all. And now that the threat of dismissal was gone, everyone felt relieved and happy.
Thats right those unfortunate enough to encounter Black Mamba would have to walk the path of destruction, while those lucky enough to meet Mu Ssang would become so much happier in their lives. It was the manifestation of Bali the Asuras nature, as intended by Monk Dae-woo.
Margerie solemnly declined the invitation to attend the feast and hurriedly left the residence. The exploration and development of an oilfield was a race against time. Depending on the trend of international oil price, hundreds of millions in dollars would be gained or lost in a day.
And so, Dapsang Margerie, now equipped with at least thirty engines, forgot about what Mu Ssang told him and ran straight back to his place of work.
*
The MSF hospital was located in Jipoon Daris bustling central district. Unlike its sister hospitals in other African nations, the one in Jipoon Dari was a proper five-story French-style building with plastered walls. The white building surrounded by lush palm trees reminded one of a resort rather than a hospital.
La-la-la~?
On the 3rd floors surgical ward
The chief surgeon, Roman Walter, was hurriedly getting ready to depart.
A hum unconsciously left his lips from the thought of finally seeing Edel again after four long years. Back then, he let his guard down and ended up losing her, but now? He planned to properly grab hold of her this time.
How have you been all this time? Nein, nein! Nothing bad has happened to you, I hope? I still love you. Yes, yes!
Feeling like buoyed floating balloons, Walter even began applying foundation around his eyes, only for his hands to come to a sudden stop.
I wonder, has that dirty black kicked the bucket by now?
Wazalan was an Arab and not a black African, but in Walters eyes, they were all the same.
Some orally-administered chemical drugs were dangerous to consume simultaneously. For instance, if you consumed the ursodeoxycholic acid meant to protect ones liver and the diabetes drugs from the tolbutamide family at the same time, you ran the risk of developing sudden hypoglycemia.
In other words, you must never take ursodiol, diabetic treatments and drugs meant to treat hyperlipidemia at the same time. You even had to be careful when taking aspirin; if you took it along with some warfarin, which was an anticoagulant, you would end up with a nosebleed.
One of the more lethal cases would be taking the athletes foot medication from the itraconazole family along with the antihistamine, terfenadine.
Itraconazole was cheap, so it was often used in the military. Meanwhile, terfenadine could block the potassium channels found in a persons heart, leading to arrhythmia. Someone who had been taking itraconazole for a long time could suffer from a heart attack if they also took terfenadine on top.
Not only was Walter a narrow-minded individual, but he was also a racist. He was definitely not the type of person to prescribe life-saving medicines to someone like Wazalan who hindered him in the past.
Chapter 492 - Episode 13 What Comes Around Goes Around
While Walter was considering how to get his revenge, that damn head of security went ahead and got himself stung by a scorpion. The surgeon brought up blood poisoning to scare the living daylights out of the other party, then tossed him some terfenadine.
Whether that punk lived or died all depended on his heart and blood vessels. If he was healthy, then everything should be more or less fine. But if he already had existing health problems Well, he would be wearing an oversized wooden coat (coffin).
If he died, then Walter would be pleased by it, but what if he did not? Wazalan should consider himself lucky if that was the case.
Back then, Wazalan was simply doing his job as the security guard of the residence. Most people would have understood where he was coming from. Even if they got angry about it, they would not have planned the murder of the other party. Walters racism was to blame for his abnormal behavior.
*
Walter suffered from narcissistic personality disorder on top of paranoid personality disorder. In other words, he suffered from a complex set of psychological disorders.
Unless you were a saint, anyone would get riled up at small things and even hate the ones that oppressed them. Usually, people would respond in one of two ways to such oppression: regular people would endure and walk on by as long as they did not suffer any real harm. But those suffering from personality disorders would display a variety of retaliatory compulsions.
Patients suffering from narcissistic personality disorder fall into disorder cluster B whereby they display behaviors of privilege and arrogance that are usually accompanied by these phrases: Do you have any idea who I am!, How dare you do this to me!, and Im different from you!
However, they also display complete obedience when faced with someone stronger than them. Such a personality was diametrically opposed to Mu Ssang who did not really recognize his own position or his full capabilities. As an aside, the Korean members of the dogsh*t house (the Assembly) were all cluster B patients narcissists.
The behavioral pattern of the patients in the personality disorder cluster A, the paranoid personality disorder, would usually go, Provoke me, and I wont take it lying down., Ill burn everything down to the ground., Ill get back at you hundreds, thousands of times worse.
They would demonstrate callous and combative tendencies, with a tendency to justify their violent behaviors by saying they were merely punishing the ones that wronged them somehow.
When narcissistic personality disorder is combined with paranoid personality disorder, a highly dangerous sociopath is born. Normally, no one would fully realize the threat someone like that posed. Examples of such individuals would be Jang Pil-nyuh and Walter.
La-la-la? Youre a genius, Mister Walter. Who would deal with evidence as cleanly as you? Heeheehee!
While cackling away, Walter ripped out several pages off his prescription pad. He used this pad to prescribe itraconazole to Wazalan earlier.
He ripped up the pages to tiny pieces before dumping them into a trash can. Befitting his German heritage, he was also thorough in getting rid of evidence.
That stinking bastard!
Walter suddenly stopped what he was doing and began gnashing his teeth. He did not care whether that black man lived or not. However, the one he should have killed The one he still wanted to kill if he had the chance was someone else entirely.
Walter even employed a private investigator, but for the past four years, he could not find a single trace of the bastard called Black Mamba. Indeed, Walter was dying to kill that bastard that caused him to be separated from his beloved Edel.
He could still vividly recall that yellow bastard of a mercenary showing up in the hospital half-dead on his comrades back. Walter had not cracked the mystery of why Edel chose that yellow bastard dripping with dirt over him. But today, he would definitely hear the answer to that mystery.
Walter took out a metal cigarette case. Among the neatly-arranged cigarettes was a cylindrical aluminum case about two pinky joints long. Two 3mm soft capsules resembling silkworm droppings could be seen submerged within the filler inside the cylindrical case.
Although its size was nothing much, the content was actually a powerful toxin that could kill three, or even four elephants. Not only that, but it also happened to be a timed poison that would kill its victim two or three months later.
Small evergreen trees with the scientific name called strychnos nux-vomica could be found in the East Indies. Peel the orange-colored skin off its fruits and youd get whitish gelatin-like fruit flesh and several flat seeds.
When you boiled the seeds in alcohol and distilled the solution before adding acetic acid, you would create strychnine, a drug that once ruled an era.
The strychnines lethal dose was 0.1g. Its toxicity was certainly nothing to scoff at. Once in the bloodstream, the rigidity and pain induced by nerves and muscles contracting easily exceeded wildest imaginations. The victims head and spine would snap backward until the back of the head began touching the heels. Meanwhile, bile and foam would pour out from the victims mouth as their limbs twisted in agony and their eyes would bulge out of their sockets.
The ingredients for the sayak (poison meant for execution) in ancient Korea were flowers in the Araceae and Aconitum families plus booja. This combination was meant to lessen the pain as much as possible during the execution.
On the other hand, the West preferred poisons that caused the highest degree of pain. Strychnine was an example of this. You were about to kill a person, so arguing about whether the methods were humane or not sounded rather nonsensical. But it still did not change the fact that the Caucasians possessed a fundamentally combative nature.
There was also another long-lasting poison called curare that did not cause pain, much unlike the strychnine. Curare was a neurotoxin the American Indians in the 16th century applied to their arrow tips. It affected peripheral motor nerves after entering the victims bloodstream, so ingesting it orally did not poison the target.
Curare was reintroduced to the world after it was discovered in the possession of the pilot of a U-2 plane that crashed in the Soviet Union. The painless poison that the American pilot was meant to use to take his own life that was curare.
Walter dissolved strychnine in chloroform, then added curare to create the timed poison, Langsam Tschss Gift. (German; A Slow Farewell Poison)
Until it got fully absorbed into the victims body, curare in the Langsam Tschss would continue suppressing strychnines toxin. The victim would carry on with their life, completely unaware. But about one to two months later, curare would be gone, allowing strychnine to do its thing.
The victim would suffer from rigidity and pain unique to strychnine until they breathe their last. And there would be no trace of it left behind.
This poison was perfectly matched to Walters narcissistic and paranoid personality.
There was a reason why he created two capsules of Langsam Tschss.
If Edel refused his advances until the end, he planned to drive her into literal hell of pain and spectate it from the side. A romantic notion like [Ill quietly let you go if you find me detestable and want to leave] simply could not exist in an individual like Walter.
Mu Ssang was capable of detoxifying the likes of botulinus toxin, so something like Langsam Tschss would not harm him in the slightest, but it was a different story for Edel.
Even if Mu Ssang was not in the picture, she would never accept the love of someone like Walter, a sociopath.
Basically, she was in grave danger.
*
In the Yoa Houses back garden
Guests began finding their seats around a lengthy table fashioned out of palm trees. The guests consisted entirely of the Black Culture plus the members of the MSF. Five chefs busily traveled between the table and the outdoor kitchen bench.
The invited guests were five doctors including Loren Giz and Roman Walter, along with twenty nurses and other support personnel from the MSF. Ombuti originally wanted only the members of the Black Culture to enjoy the reunion, but Edel wanted to invite the Doctors Without Borders as well.
The Black Culture members were fourteen in total C seven civil servants dealing with Novatopias development and administration, and seven warriors tasked with upholding public order. These fourteen individuals were the locomotives pulling Novatopia forward.
The civil servants were Al Aman Ombuti, Hawk Orifice, Bopal Shernion, Michelle Mulsoli, Vall Afwerki, Bakri Jadir, and Mohammad Jadir. The warriors consisted of Samdi Burupa, Sun WooHyun, Jamal Amud, Ahmmad Marwan, Aishe Burupa, Abdul Ibrahim and Nejema Burupa.
The reason why Bakri, Mohammad, Jamal and Ahmmad and others were referred to with their names was because they hailed from reputable Arabian families.
The name of a person from an Arabian family would usually consist of eight different parts. A mans name was made up of his honorific title, his first name, information on who his father and grandfather were, and finally, the family surname. Which meant that calling someone by their full name would require most of your day.
As many people descended from one family tree, calling people by their surnames would make it nearly impossible to differentiate who was who. For instance, the Jadir clan alone consisted of 120 individuals. This was why you usually used the name, not the surname, of someone from a reputable family.
The attendees of the feast came to only 39, but the back garden was already quite lively. The Black Culture side of the table was engrossed in the discussions of Dubais itinerary, Novatopias development and the exploration of the oilfield. Guests from the MSF were chatting among themselves, trying to guess the identity of the one called Dubaiburupa.
Aklan crew, is Wakil planning to step into the limelight with this opportunity? Aishe asked while lowering her voice.
Maybe Seeing how he is officially revealing himself to the world, he might have decided to end his career as the consultant. Ombuti replied lukewarmly to her question.
That probably wont be it. I believe that Wakil is trying to switch his main persona and the second one around. He mustve prepared the formal title of Dubaiburupa for that exact purpose.
Please make it simpler for me. I just cant wrap my head around what Uncle Mohammad or the professors are saying, you know?
Aishe complained that she could not understand what Mohammad was saying. That prompted all the eyes of the Black Culture members to focus on Mohammads mouth. He was the chief intelligence officer here, and he certainly boasted sharp eyes and insight befitting his job title.
Wakil is the angel of death. We must assume that all the global powerhouse nations have noticed his existence by now after he performed many consulting operations. Surely the DGSE knows it better than anyone.
However, Wakil metamorphosed from the angel of death to Dubaiburupa. He has transformed from a mere consultant to a transcendental leader, from the angel of death to the king of Novatopia. After joining hands with Wakil, the DGSE even prepared a clean identity called Sbard Gulbeig. When Wakil has no choice but to do another consulting operation, then he can always change back to
Thats enough, Mohammad! Even if its among ourselves, its not correct for servants to predict our masters actions. Ombuti raised his hand and stopped Mohammad.
Aklan crews words are correct. I crossed the line. My apologies. Mohammad lowered his head.
There is a famous Korean idiom that says that birds would hear you during the day while rats would eavesdrop during the night. He indeed crossed the line while chatting to his dear comrades that had shared blood with him.
So, simply put, its the issue of whether Superman is putting on his red underwear before wearing Clark Kents suit, or Clark Kent is putting on the business suit before wearing Supermans red underwear. Am I right? Aishe asked that, prompting the others to nod.
They could not bring themselves to say it out loud but still wished for it nonetheless. A king responsible for running a nation was also moonlighting as a hitman? Now that was unthinkable. One could excuse it in the past since it was for the sake of countless refugees, but with an oilfield in development now, he had no reason to force himself anymore. Honestly speaking, everyone here wanted to pack their lunch boxes and chase their master around, trying to stop him from doing anything too dangerous.
For our kings return! Aishe raised the Akra glass higher.
For Dubaiburupa!
The others roared out after her at the same time.
But why should he stop such lucrative work, though? I mean, just doing one job equals hundreds of millions of Francs rolling into his lap, no? Sun WooHyun, who was listening to them, chimed in while making a doubtful expression.
Thirteen pairs of eyes all shifted over to his face, locking squarely on him.
D-did I say something I shouldnt have? Feeling pressured by all those glares, Sun WooHyun began stuttering a bit. After failing in the Samaria farm, Namirs status became a butt of a joke. Even some random cats and dogs were trying to look down on him these days.
You dummy. Are you using your head to hammer nails or something? Wakil is the king of Novatopia. And you want the king to act as a kite (a field operative)? What will you do if something bad happens to him? Think before you run your mouth, will you? Samdi, the Sun WooHyun-beater, mercilessly rebuked him.
Now youre talking nonsense, fella. Wakil is someone capable of shooting down helicopters and smashing tanks to bits, so who can even hurt him? Since we dont have to worry about him dying, he might as well make as much moolah while he can. Sun Woo-hyun did not yield and fought back.
The expressions of both Jamal and Ahmmad were already filled with bone-chilling coldness. Sun WooHyun did not say those things out of malice, but his words were still very much problematic in terms of his attitude towards their king.
Just before Ahmmad angrily got up from his seat, Ombutis radio beeped noisily. Bassel was signaling them.
Hes coming.
One short sentence from Ombuti, and the hubbub of the back garden instantly died down. Aishe waved her hand, causing the sodium lamps around the guests to light up in a row. The members of the Black Culture and the chefs all stood at attention, waiting. The guests also ungainly got up from their seats.
A slender blonde beauty in hot pants and sleeveless top appeared first, followed by a young Asian man decked out in white gandura who was holding her hand. Right behind her was a massive reddish-brown beast. Dino always stayed within a ten-meter radius of Edel after Mu Ssang commanded it to protect her.
Bluart, bluart! Praise be our Dubaiburupa. Let Novatopias glory be everlasting!
A raucous roar rocked the setting sun.
Well, Ill be damned. This is kind of embarrassing, isnt it. Mu Ssang began scratching the back of his head.
Edel pinched his palm. You should reply to them, love.
Bluart! Lets enjoy this feast, then work hard, then sh*t everything away before starting again!
Wooooah! Dubai, Dubai!
The Black Culture members roared out once more before banging their forks on the plates. Having braved life and death situations with Mu Ssang, Ombuti and the others knew better than anyone that their master hated empty formalities and could also be rather unconventional.
On the other hand, the guests and chefs were staring at the master of Novatopia with stunned faces. They could not immediately figure out whether the people here were religious zealots or die hard fans of a celebrity.
Yijihana signalled to the chefs, and they began bringing out the dishes one by one. The smell of kimchi and sesame oil soon filled up the middle of the Sahara desert.
The one person Yijihana was most focused on was Dubaiburupa. The chef had no idea that the ruler of Novatopia would be this young. He kept staring, as if in a trance, at the tall, young and handsome Asian man.
However, Walter was probably the most shocked out of them all. For one thing, never in his wildest dreams did he expect Edel to appear while lovingly holding another mans hand. At this unexpected development, Walter rubbed his eyes several times and took another look, but the scene before him had not changed one bit.
Euh, euh!
He gritted his teeth and sucked in his moans. His clenched fists under the table trembled furiously.
How can my Edel appear while holding the hand of Novatopias king?!
Although it was strange for Edel to live in a house closely guarded by the special strike force, Walter ultimately did not think anything was wrong with that arrangement. That was because the residences of the MSF doctors were also guarded by the strike force.
No, this cant be. You cant do this! You you cannot!
Walter held back his tears. He simply could not accept this reality. The only man best suited to be by Edels side was him. Only he was worthy of claiming Edel as his own. And only he could make her happy.
Novatopias king, was it? That man was nothing more than a mere tribal chief of some forgotten corner of the Sahara desert, so how could he dare to call himself a king!
But, what was this? Her expression was brimming full of happiness, that smile etched so clearly on her face as she stared at her man! Just what was that?
Walters eyes gleamed sharply with jealousy.
Chapter 493 - Episode 14 What Comes Around Goes Around
Mu Ssang sensed a fairly dense murderous intent and sneakily scanned the guest seats. He immediately spotted a tall-as-a-lamppost Caucasian man with defined bone structure. What a funny guy he was, daring to bare his murderous intent in a location where the Black Culture, Samdi and Dino were present
Mm? Isnt he from the MSFs department of surgery?
Dimensional Sight allowed Mu Ssang to identify the target using ki and the brain wavelength unique to each individual. He did not even need to see his face to immediately recall the unpleasant doctor from before.
Why is that man acting like a mother-in-law whos been starved for three days straight?
Mu Ssang began tilting his head in confusion. Was it because of jealousy? From the way that doctor was staring at Edel, lasers might start shooting out from his eyes at any second now. But this world was filled with insane people who got furious and jealous about the love lives of distant celebrities, was it not?
Having a crush was not a crime, obviously. Besides, if that doctor displayed hints of causing trouble, then he would be taken care of appropriately. Mu Ssang withdrew his attention and turned his gaze away.
Unfortunately, a successful person like him would never really understand the victim mentality of others around him.
Over here, head chef! Mu Ssang called out to Yijihana.
Huk? M-me, sir? Yijihana standing there in a daze was jolted awake.
Of course. Is there another head chef named Yijihana in this place besides you? Well, if you dont like being a head chef, quitting is an option, too. Mu Ssang smiled brightly.
B-bluart! Its my honor, sir!
Yijihana rushed forward towards Mu Ssang before standing at attention. His heart fluttered when he realized that the king of this nation actually remembered the name of someone as unremarkable as him. Actually, he even felt his emotions well up after seeing Mu Ssangs bright smile.
Youre giving me goosebumps, head chef. You seem to be at least a decade older than me, so why dont we be a bit more informal?
Yijihana felt like he had morphed into a hot charcoal when Mu Ssang patted him on the shoulder.
Since when did the pecking order between a king and a cook get decided based on ones age?! Yijihana stood there as stiff as an ice pillar.
Mu Ssang began tasting the broth of maeuntang (spicy fish stew), then sampled a bit of bulgogi (sliced, seasoned and barbecued beef). All the chefs deeply tensed up and watched Mu Ssangs reaction.
This is pretty good, considering everything.
Something felt a bit lacking here and there, but he remembered that this was in the middle of the Sahara, not South Korea. Anyone expecting the properly spicy and lip-smacking flavor in such an environment would be an idiot.
Excellent. I dont know much about cooking, but I can tell that you all did a good job at bringing out the original flavor of the ingredients.
Wow! Thank you, sir!
The chefs cried out in elation.
One heartfelt praise was enough to win over these chefs. Cooking took a lot of hard work. One needed a deep understanding of all the ingredients and had to make complicated preparations beforehand too.
How to combine spices to bring out even the faintest flavors, controlling flames to achieve the exact temperature, whether or not to utilize the maturing process A chefs hands and brain had to continue working nonstop.
Like how politicians lived or died by their lies, and judges with their judgements, a chefs worth was determined by the flavor of their dishes. A simple evaluation of excellent taste served as a reward for all the hard work they put in that was part and parcel of the profession called chef.
Head chef Yijihana, you mustve worked hard for this. Have one on me with your subordinates.
Mu Ssang pulled out a thick wad of bank notes from his pocket and placed them in Yijihanas hand. This man somehow managed to cook maeuntang, kimchi stew, bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated meat), bibimbap (mixed rice) and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) even though he did not have all the ingredients available. The head chefs ability was indeed commendable, but his dedication was what won Mu Ssang over.
Bluart!
Yijihana, unexpectedly finding himself with some reward money, hurriedly performed a military salute. Mu Ssang began patting the shoulders of each chef standing in a line and praised them one by one.
Hooray, Dubaiburupas glory be eternal!
Chefs raised both of their arms and started crying out hooray!
Yijihana began shedding tears even without realizing it. An easy-going king without any false pretences, a king who recognized the hard work of people under him It was worth devoting oneself to a king like that.
Yijihana and the other chefs became the Dubaiburupa worshippers in one fell swoop. It was Mu Ssangs ability to empathise, the skill that scared Chief Ariba so much, working its magic once more.
Mu Ssang headed to the guest table next. What Novatopia most urgently needed was an established healthcare sector. Until it was properly established, the MSFs assistance would remain absolutely crucial. Even Ombuti treated the MSF members as royalties as he also understood how badly Novatopia needed these doctors.
*
That Thats the bastard, isnt he?!
Walters eyes grew so wide that they almost fell out of their sockets. He almost cried out, too.
That slender physique, that slim face, those kind-looking eyes, and the faint cross-like scar barely visible on his left cheek!
That bastard walking over here while holding Edels hand was, without a shred of doubt, Black Mamba the mercenary. To think that a damn gelber affe (yellow monkey) was Novatopias king! A camel might do a roundhouse kick at this rate.
You cheap slut. You, you Damn whore!
Walters eyes were spinning.
As it turns out, that woman was not his angel. She left with that yellow monkey and in the end, showed her true colors as a dirty slut that threw herself at anyone.
As Walter began shuddering from rage, his ears caught the conversation between the chefs.
Hey, bouillabaisse wasnt on todays menu, was it?
Oh, you mean that bouillabaisse by Lord Dubaiburupas spot? Miss personally cooked that, I think. Head chef prepared the ingredients and came here last night, you see.
Oh? Bouillabaisse prepared by an angel? How pleased Lord Dubaiburupa must be, I wonder?
Well, it just goes to show how much Miss loves Lord Dubaiburupa.
Indeed. The two of them suit each other so well, dont they? I had no idea someone that amazing would be this easy going, honestly.
Yeah, tell me about it. I almost cried just now, you know.
A vulgar gelber affe was a great yet easy-going king?! Walter was tempted to rip his ears off at that moment.
Bouillabaisse looked simple enough to cook outwardly, but to get the proper broth, you needed to invest a lot of time and dedication. It was at that moment that Walters mind was filled with the image of Edel personally cooking a dish meant for that dirty and vulgar mercenarys mouth.
His world seemed to crash right there and then. Fuel was dumped on top of his heart already burning in rage and the sense of victimhood.
That b*tch and her bastard Ill kill you both today.
Walter was a typical taciturn German with Aryan blood coursing in his veins. He calmed his rage, pulled out the cigarette case resting inside his inner pocket, then smoked a Cohiba Siglo. The aluminium cylinder found in the corner of the case helped with rapidly cooling his head boiling in rage.
*
Praise be to our Dubaiburupa. Id like to express my gratitude for inviting us today.
Doctor Giz quickly got up and bowed deeply. This young giant used to be an amnesiac young boy living on the snow-covered mountainside all those years ago. The little friend that used to take saunas with Giz back in Koreas Bangtae mountain had grown up to become a king and even founded a nation too.
Pride and warmth filled Gizs eyes.
Mu Ssang rushed toward Giz like a streak of lightning and helped the good doctor stand back up. He then grabbed Gizs hand tightly. Doctor, Im not such a great person that someone as renowned as you needs to bow.
I never imagined that the king of Novatopia would be someone this young. Its my honor to make your acquaintance, sire.
Its my pleasure, too. I genuinely respect the spirit of self-sacrifice you and your fellow members of the MSF have shown us. Mu Ssang deeply bowed before the MSF doctors and nurses.
[Friend, let us have a private get-together later.]
A quiet little whisper entered Gizs hearing. Mu Ssang and the doctor wordlessly exchanged some glances and grinned quietly.
We thank you for inviting us, Lord Dubaiburupa. Bluart, bluart le deje!
Similar expressions were etched on the faces of each MSF member as they bowed to express their respect disbelief and unwillingness. All the rumors and guesses turned out to be wrong. Novatopias king was not some Arabian prince, a wealthy Israeli, an African chief or even a Grand Sorcerer.
No, he seemed like an ordinary Asian man. A young and handsome one at that. Dozens of pairs of eyes gleaming brightly in curiosity began pricking holes in Mu Ssangs and Edels skin.
Mu Ssang finally shifted his gaze over to Walter. The Germans murderously intense expression instantly reverted back to an expressionless, everyday face. Walter was not some amateur who would let his animosity leak out in front of his enemy.
Ah, so it was this punk!
Mu Ssang remembered Roman Walter now. He was the doctor who refused to treat him back in Ati. He wondered if he should warn this punk right here and now, but in the end, decided to turn his head away. He could not bring himself to get worked up because of every little thing, after all.
I hope you all enjoy yourselves today! Mu Ssang waved at the guests before walking back to the seat of honor.
However, that only served to stoke Walters anger even further. Here he was, getting all worked up and restless for the past few years, yet this damn bastard did not even recognize him! His venomous glare stabbed deep into Mu Ssangs departing back.
Someone like Walter suffering from various personality disorders was unable to control their anger after being ignored like this.
*
All of you mustve worked your butts off!
Well, this is Lord Dubaiburupas kingdom where our descendants will call their home, after all. Aishe replied while smiling brightly.
Aishe. The Saharas UV rays are murderously strong. Although you look good, maybe its time you start thinking about taking care of your skin. Mu Ssang stared at Aishes exposed arms and legs while tutting softly.
Her previously-white skin had now become tanned deeply like coal. This was the result of arduously training the vigilante corps. every single day.
No problem~! We were merely following your commands, Lord Dubaiburupa. [A beautiful face and body is Gods gift to mankind. Everyone should enjoy the beauty of natures things. Hiding them and not showing them to the world is a sin.] Thats what you told us. No one here would dare to go against your will, you know?
Women of Novatopia arent brave enough to ignore your teachings, you see. So, burkas and niqabs have basically disappeared from Novatopia altogether. A small portion of women who still wear hijabs and chadors arent doing so out of force but out of their wish to continue their traditions. Once you go out to the city, youll see a ton of ladies walking around with their arms and legs exposed, sir, Aishe passionately explained the trend, her eyes now resembling round moons.
Sigh!
Mu Ssang cried out inwardly. Something he said in passing back then because he thought Edel might get embarrassed had somehow morphed into a maxim spoken by the gods apostle.
At this rate, these folks might really expose their chests and walk around if he told them to do so. It was at this moment that Mu Ssang got a renewed understanding on how much Novatopias residents acknowledged Dubaiburupa as the gods apostle, their prophet.
O-oh, I see. Do they like it, though?
Of course. Ladies are so happy about being liberated from niqabs and burkas. Lord Dubaiburupa, youve basically become THE love of all women living on this land, you know? Oh, even the menfolk will be exalting you, too. Even though they are having a bit of a hard time figuring out where to look these days! Im also a Dubaiburupa fan, you see. Hohoho~!
Im relieved to hear that everyone is happy with it!
Mu Ssang was sweating bullets inwardly. He somehow stumbled into a tough spot where he needed to watch everything he said.
It was in womens nature to Expose themselves. Mu Ssang was a na?ve guy at heart, so never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that women of Novatopia would use the apostles maxim as their pretext to turn into a bunch of exhibitionists.
Id like to thank you, Dubai. Even though I got involved accidentally, I still didnt think the second half of my life would be this glorious. Allow me to dedicate this toast in your honor. Orifice suddenly pushed his deeply-tan face forward and joined the conversation.
Looks like we have more than one pervert here who wants to thank me even after toiling away like slaves. A broad smile lit up Mu Ssangs face.
Our king is the real pervert in this case, though. Youve sunk all the money you earned after going through hell into the middle of this desert just so that you can keep feeding burnt-out has-beens like us.
Wah-hahaha! Mu Ssang exploded in laughter at Orifices counterattack.
Take a look at that. Isnt it beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes? Jipoon Daris sunset alone is a good-enough reward for all my troubles. Shernion pointed at the horizon dyed in the hues of amber and faint purple.
Massive sandstone structures jutted out of the crimson landscape, framing a lake burning under the sunset glow it was a truly breathtaking scenery to behold.
This doesnt seem like earthly scenery, does it? Once we finish constructing the artificial oasis that will serve as the hub, Novatopias citizens will probably not go hungry from the tourist money alone. Orifices whole face was smiling now.
He settled down in this place because he hated living in an urban environment where it was hard to even breathe properly.
A land only needed to be utilized properly. Once the infrastructure for tourism was set up, Europeans tired of the city life would no doubt flock to this place in droves.
Mu Ssang continued to speak. The rate of progress for both the greening and construction projects have exceeded my expectations. Honestly, I did not expect all of you to exhibit such a high level of abilities like this. I shall listen to the detailed report tomorrow. For now, let us toast to our success. Bluart!
Bluart!
Mu Ssang gulped down the Akra in one go and felt the booze sting its way down his throat. He felt his chest get hotter. It was not from the alcohol, however.
He accepted refugees with nowhere to go, turned the withered desert into a verdant land, and even set out to create a liveable country. Was this not what any hot-blooded man born into this world would crave to achieve some day?
Mm?
Mu Ssang, soaked in this content feeling, suddenly turned his head to stare in the direction of the exit. His Dimensional Sight caught someones brain wave becoming unstable, as well as his lifeforce rapidly weakening.
Aishe, who is standing guard by the back gardens entrance?
Thats the area supervised by the head of the 3rd security team, Wazalan, sir.
A problem occurred there. Go check it out.
Even before Mu Ssang finished saying that, an audible commotion broke out by the back gardens entrance. Aishe rushed over there without replying to him. The commotion grew louder and louder. Someone was even calling for a doctor with a loud voice.
Mu Ssang expanded his hearing even further. The commotion taking place at the entrance of the residence 300 meters away could be heard clearly now.
The sounds of a nurse performing CPR, someone shouting for a defibrillator, someone sighing weakly, and someone screaming that Wazalan had died were getting messily tangled up in his hearing. Mu Ssang shot up to his feet before vanishing from the spot.
His heart stopped beating without a warning, sir. CPR would have worked if his smooth muscles have gone rigid, but in my opinion, his heart muscles are experiencing atonia. CPR will not do much, said Doctor Giz.
He shook his head while pointing at the nurse currently sitting on top of Wazalans chest and pumping down with enough vigor to break his bones.
Aishe, push everyone back except for Doctor Giz.
Bluart!
Members of the vigilante corps quickly pushed back the crowd before establishing an encirclement around the perimeter. Mu Ssang pressed his palm on Wazalans chest.
He activated his Dimensional Sight once more. But he could not see any other symptoms besides Wazalans heart not beating at all.
Wazalans current status was that the terfenadines toxins, strengthened by itraconazole, had blocked off the calcium channels found in his hearts smooth muscles. The abnormal heart voltage caused the heart muscles and smooth muscles to go limp like a dead jellyfish.
His condition was already beyond the level of restarting the hearts contractions by massaging the heart or stimulating it through drugs. Mu Ssang had no professional medical knowledge and thus did not know such mechanisms were at work.
Wazalans body started to vibrate. Some said that being ignorant made you braver. A humongous amount of resonance wave was poured into Wazalans heart.
Powerful waves of shocks that even a defibrillator could never hope to match began rocking Wazalans heart. All the accumulated waste material found in the heart cells were cleanly washed away, and in the process, terfenadines toxins were also swept away like a mudbank being washed away by an unstoppable flood.
Chapter 494 - Episode 15 What Comes Around Goes Around
Once the calcium channels opened up, Wazalans heart was subjected to electrical shocks, causing his heart rate to gradually rise.
Ba-dump, ba-dump
The faint little contractions gradually gained momentum. The heart began pumping more and more blood, and his dying lung cells began to revive. Wazalans body temperature rose higher, and his limp diaphragm became taut again.
Mu Ssang sensed a life breathing again through his palm. What a relief that he was not too late. Feeling relieved now, Mu Ssang withdrew his hand. The satisfaction from knowing he had saved a life filled his chest to full.
His teacher used to worry about accidentally killing slugs and worms with his shovel while digging up the ground. What the teacher taught him back then was right C Mu Ssang killed a hundred villains, so he should do a good deed in return by caring for at least one living creature.
Wazalan ended up receiving a baptism of purification in his heart. And now, he would never have to worry about any cardiovascular issues again for the rest of his life. He must have saved a village or something in his previous life, because his luck proved to be as good as Chairman Margeries.
Wazalans diaphragm expanded, pushing his lungs upwards.
Kuk, cough! He coughed and wheezed heavily as his eyes shot wide open.
Woaaaah! Group leader came back to life!
The operatives of the vigilante corps and the strike force cried out loudly. A dead man had come back to life. Everyone in the crowd that witnessed this miracle all went on their knees and started prostrating.
Our king has arrived! Ombuti roared loudly. Let Lord Dubaiburupas glory be eternal!
The Yoa Lakes surface trembled from the roars of dozens of people.
*
Walter made his move while the commotion at the back gardens entrance was still in progress. He smirked insidiously while scanning the empty banquet venue. Even the chefs had rushed over to the entrance, leaving the place empty.
Looks like even the heavens dont plan to forgive the bastard and the slut!
Whether it was yesterday or today, things seemed to be going his way. Walter pulled out a cigarette case from his inner pocket. His hand cut the tip off a Cohiba Siglo, trembling ever so slightly. Getting poisoned by Langsam Tschss meant a certain death.
He pried open countless peoples chests, removed their organs and even severed their limbs all in the name of saving their lives. Never before in his life did Walter use his own hands to kill someone.
Nothing was better than his favorite cigar to calm his mind. The aromatic and flavorful smoke filled his lungs. His boiling chest cooled down rapidly.
The problem moving on would be Novatopias sages and the gods warriors sitting near the seat of honor. It had only been a week since he was assigned to this post, but even then, Walter already heard all the rumors surrounding them.
Once Black Mamba and Edel were dead, they would start suspecting Walter since he was the only one left behind at the venue.
I am too nervous.
Walter, who was wordlessly circling the seat of honor, began blaming his excessive mysophobia. Even if Black Mambas subordinates began focusing on him later, all Walter had to do was play dumb. Circumstantial evidence was not good enough to convict him of the crime.
Walter filled the wineglass with about 10cc of Akra and carefully removed the capsules of Langsam Tschss from the cylindrical ampoule. He then dropped them into the booze. The solvent for Langsam Tschss was alcohol, and Akra was a pure hard liquor boasting 42% alcohol content.
The coloring of curare included in Langsam Tschss began dyeing the colorless Akra, turning it a slightly bluish hue. With this, Akra was no longer a figurative booze strong enough to poison you, but a literal poison that could kill ten elephants with its toxicity.
Walter finished this series of actions, then wiped away the thick droplets of sweat caking his forehead with his palm. He has crossed the line of no return now. Black Mamba and Edel deserved to die, yes, but Walter was still supposed to be a doctor. He derived no pleasure from the preparation of killing humans. He felt this sudden thirst claw his parched throat, and even hunger began voicing itself.
An appetizing aroma began stimulating his olfactory senses. The origin of that aroma happened to be the bowl of bouillabaisse by Black Mambas seat, meant to be served as the main dish. The rich broth boiled down after hours of heat and those large prawns were whetting Walters appetite.
He then recalled the conversation between the chefs.
Thats the bouillabaisse Edel cooked!
Unfortunately, that bouillabaisse was not meant for him, but for some ignorant yellow monkey of a mercenary, Black Mamba. Edel was not his woman, but a corrupted angel that cooked for another man.
His chest suddenly clogged up, and tears leaked out from his eyes. He did not mean to, but still ended up tasting the broth with a spoon. It tasted so wonderfully rich and creamy.
It would taste even better to dip my hometowns garlic bread in this!
Walter fell into a daydream of him having a meal together with Edel. Like a hypnotized man, he began gorging himself on the soup. A single streak of tears trickled down his dried cheek. He always believed that Edel would be his woman someday, yet that wish turned out to be unattainable.
A dead woman could not cook any bouillabaisse, after all.
Huh? Dammit! What the hell did I just do?!
Even before he realized it, Walter had finished all of bouillabaisses broth. The bowl now had only fish, chunks of potatoes and some other vegetables remaining. Everything would be for naught if Black Mamba noticed that something was wrong.
While feeling dismayed, Walter hurriedly scanned the table, and spotted a dish that looked similar to bouillabaisse. It was the maeuntang that Yijihana racked his brain and worked his butt off to recreate.
The difference between the two dishes was that, while you needed to brew the bouillabaisses broth beforehand, you did not really need to do so with maeuntang. As for the broth itself, it was a mixture of miscellaneous meats and vegetables for both dishes, anyway.
Theres another bouillabaisse?
Obviously, Walter did not know what maeuntang was. Although it did look a bit different outwardly, that dish resembled bouillabaisse so much with its thick broth and its dark crimson coloration. Without hesitation, he began pouring the maeuntang broth into Edels bouillabaisse bowl.
Perfect!
Walter grinned in satisfaction. And so, all the broth of the saffron bouillabaisse meant for Mu Ssang ended up in Walters stomach instead.
He wasted too much time getting lost in useless daydreaming. Walter quickly poured 80% of Langsam Tschss solution into the bouillabaisse, then carefully coated the inside of the wineglass with the remaining poison.
The glass gleamed in this faint bluish hue. Walter then dried the wineglass with the heat from the fire meant to keep the food warm. Once the poisonous liquid dried out, even its color seemed to have disappeared for good.
Adios. I hope you two end up in hell!
Walter put the wineglass down by Edels spot, and that was the end of his preparation.
He heard a loud cheering coming from the back gardens entrance. A bunch of black men that worshipped a measly little mercenary? What a flabbergasting situation this was. But then again, this inferior race even deified a bloody lizard, so nothing was out of the imagination for them.
Walter genuinely thanked God for his Aryan bloodline.
Cheers, my foot. Its tears for you, morons! Walter snickered derisively while deeply sucking in the cigar smoke. Never mind eternity, Black Mambas life was scheduled to be over in a month.
Walter scanned the banquet venue one more time and confirmed that no one had witnessed his actions.
That damn Hippocratic Oath, you can feed it to dogs for all I care.
Walter reined in his momentarily-weakened mind, then turned around to leave. The only thing remaining for him was to spectate Black Mamba and Edel enjoying the taste of his Langsam Tschss. This tingling anticipation shook him from the top of his head all the way down to his toes.
*
Wazalan, you dumbass! Aishe, thick tears dangling near her eyes, took a swipe with her palm.
Slap!
Ouch?! Boss, that hurts so much! Wazalan cried out after getting slapped in the face for no good reason.
Wa-hahaha!
Everyone exploded in peals of laughter then.
Are you feeling alright now?
Yes. For some reason, my body feels so much lighter. Wazalan tilted his head in confusion.
Wazalan. Lord Dubaiburupa saved your life today.
Oh! Lord Dubaiburupa!
Wazalan quickly got down on all fours to prostrate. This was his first time meeting Mu Ssang face to face. Wazalans mind went haywire from the sudden entrance of his king accompanied by a massive divine beast to his right while commanding a red Genie to his left. A king that seemed like a human being yet not human at the same time.
Wazalan, congratulations on acquiring a new life. But you must treasure this new life Dubaiburupa has gifted you. You should retire for today and get some rest. Edel held Wazalans shoulder and helped him stand back up.
Ah! Miss, you mustnt use your precious hands to touch this lowly peasant! Wazalan cried out in alarm when Edel supported his torso.
Stop with such nonsense, Wazalan. Dubaiburupa said this before. There are no men above men, and there are no men below men. Im merely a doctor that handles the blood of her patients, thats all.
While supporting Wazalans torso, Edel began wiping away his snot, drool and foam caking his face and chest. Their current posture reminded observers of Michelangelos Pieta.
Woah! Our merciful angel, hooray!
Oh, our Lord Dubaiburupas glory be eternal!
Sparks seemingly began shooting out from the eyes of the soldiers watching. Some among them even began tearing up. Chefs joined them in shedding tears, too.
A prophet with the hand of God and his Miss with the hand of mercy. A saint who spent all of his fortunes to rescue refugees and an angel who unhesitantly handled the dirty foam of blood The pair was their king and queen. Who would not be moved to tears by such a revelation?
Edel, you might turn into a leader of a cult at this rate. Mu Ssang stared at Edel with a troubled look on his face.
But love, youre already the leader of a cult. You can basically do anything you want besides figuring out whats in my heart, cant you? Edel smiled softly with her eyes.
Well, Ill be damned!
Mu Ssang looked up at the skies above with an embarrassed face.
They said that being out of sight made you grow distant, didnt they? He suddenly began missing Hae Youngs pheromones that had gotten faint by now.
Am I just another one of those males in the end, then?
He thought himself a fool for thinking that a person could only fall in love once. On one hand, he felt far too unfamiliar with this face-tickling emotion.
Edels expression became dreamy. That was the side of him she had fallen head over heels with. Although he was capable of performing unexplainable miracles, Dubai remained firmly as a human being, and she simply could not stop herself from loving him.
Once the night was over, the stories of Dubai would spread all over Novatopia. The reason behind him revealing his ability despite onlookers was quite simple C he wished to step into the light now.
Edel was indescribably happy that her beloved would not have to cover his hands in blood anymore.
*
Although a storm had come and gone, Wazalans revival resulted in the banquets atmosphere becoming even more lively. The MSF doctors began discussing passionately about Dubaiburupas ability to resuscitate a dead person. After a round of well wishes and praises, the air surrounding the seat of honor was slightly heavier than before.
Mu Ssang asked a question. Aishe, did Wazalan suffer from a chronic disease?
He discovered that Wazalan did not seem to have any problems in his hearts blood vessels. In fact, his heart seemed clean and no foreign substances were clogging his blood vessels. Thats why he could not understand the cause of a sudden heart attack.
Sir. Wazalan is a healthy person. Members of the vigilante corps always undergo two hours of training and 20km-long runs every day. Such a training regime should be difficult for someone with a weak heart or problems with his blood vessels to endure. Honestly, I cant think of a reason either, sir.
Mohammad. There is no such thing as a result without a cause. As soon as the day breaks, investigate this matter and report back to me.
Understood, sir.
Who is in charge of the hygiene and medicine of the vigilante corps?
Miss Edel is personally handling that, sir. In fact, Miss Edel is truly devoted to caring for the soldiers, and
Sounds like the discussion will get more complicated, then. Talking about unpleasant topics will only worsen the mood. I shall listen to your report in the conference room at a later date. Mu Ssang quickly cut Ombutis words of praise and picked up his wine glass.
He kind of felt sorry for this old man, who was trying to become Edels shield just in case some sparks of blame landed on her.
Love, a historic day like this calls for strong liquor, dont you agree? Edel began pouring a lot of Akra into his glass.
How about some wine for my Rudrey, then? Mu Ssang picked up the bottle of Sciaccarello.
Alright. My wish came true today, so Id like to get drunk for a change. Edel replied while pushing forward her wine glass.
Mm?
Mu Ssang discovered minute imperfections in her wineglass just then. The wineglasss refractive index highlighted by the sodium lamps illuminating the back garden wasnt quite uniform.
His eyesight was eight times stronger than a regular person. More than that, a snipers eyes were always observing too.
He activated his Inner Eye. The presence of a thin coating inside the wine glass became clear to him. It did not matter whether that was the result of chefs not properly removing the soap residues or not, a foreign substance remaining on the glass was not a desirable outcome in his view.
Cohiba Siglo!
Mu Ssangs sensitive nose picked up the faint smell of Cohiba Siglo still lingering in the air. Quite a few among the Black Culture currently sitting around the seat of honor did smoke, but none of them was ballsy enough to smoke in front of Edel.
However, Mu Ssang did not want to sour the pleasant atmosphere. If there was something suspicious, he simply had to get rid of it, thats all.
Whoosh-
The wineglass in Edels hand slipped out only to be replaced by another one. It was Mu Ssangs Stealing Guard of Hundred Hands at work. No one noticed Mu Ssangs sleight of hand just then. Not even Edel herself realized that the wineglass in her hand had been switched out.
*
Dubai, how is the bouillabaisse?
Wow. Its amazing. I can pick up the flavors of both the bouillabaisse and maeuntang at the same time. I have to say, the chefs skill is something else.
Mu Ssang was impressed. The dish was supposed to be bouillabaisse, yet the broth was that of the spicy maeuntang. This had to be at the peak of a fusion dish.
Hohoho. Youre not lying, right?
Of course Im not lying. I can taste the flavor of France and my hometown at the same time.
Well, I cooked the bouillabaisse myself, Edel replied with pride clearly visible on her face.
Huh?! Really?
Mu Ssangs reaction was rather exaggerated.
Yes, sir. Miss Edel gave it her best this afternoon. Ombuti chimed in, his face full of smiles.
Despite her best efforts so far, Wakil had been more or less lukewarm to Miss Edel, but he finally acknowledged her today. Sure, it was nothing official, but this was already something, wasnt it! It was a victory for Edel, then.
Ombuti raised his glass high and cried out. For Lord Dubaiburupa and our Miss!
Cheers!
The members of Black Culture downed their drinks in one go.
*
Heeheehee. Enjoy your food and drinks while you can. You wont have many more chances to enjoy them, after all.
Walter inwardly cried out in elation. Finally, those two despicable people had consumed his Langsam Tschss. They would experience limb-distorting pain and die in about three weeks at the earliest, or five weeks at the latest.
His face was filled with a sadistic grin.
Excuse me, Walter? Why is your face looking like that? Harris, in charge of the gynaecology department, asked in a worried voice.
What do you mean, my face? Walter fumbled around touching his own face. His hand came away soaking wet. Huh? Why am I sweating so much?
The deserts temperature dropped rapidly after sunset. Even in this part of the Saharas Ennedi region, the air did get noticeably chillier in the evenings. In fact, the temperature would drop below 15 in the early mornings. So, him sweating like this? It was unthinkable.
Harris, I think I have a cold. Do you have any aspirin on you by chance?
H-hey, Walter? Walter!
Harris hurriedly grabbed and shook Walter as the latter began weakly mumbling some things, but none of his words was comprehensible by then.
G-rrrr-rrrk!
The sounds of phlegm gurgling leaked out from Walters throat. Intense pain surrounded his heart and quickly swept across his entire body. His limbs became paralyzed while his nerve cells became separated from his muscles.
[Argh! But, why am I?!]
His words remained trapped in his throat.
Chapter 495 - Episode 1 Please Tune Me Up!
An inexplicable question filled Walters brain. His blood foamed around his mouth. His heart trembled. His limbs felt numb. These were the typical symptoms of poisoning.
Langsam Tschss was only absorbed by the digestive tract. Otherwise, it was not lethal. He had only touched the capsules. There was no way he could have been poisoned. Walter had no idea that it was saffron that poisoned him. No matter how hard he sought the cause and explored possible routes of administration, he could not figure it out. It drove him crazy.
I am Walter! I am no lowly yellow monkey! I am Roman Walter, a legitimate descendant of the Aryans!
Walter yelled but his pure Aryan genes were no use against the attack of saffron. He had finished testing Langsam Tschss on animals but he could not procure human participants (victims) for a clinical trial. Comically, the first clinical trial happened to be conducted on his own body.
Strangely, his head felt as clear as a winter sky above the Mediterranean Sea.
One of the features of Langsam Tschss was that one had to look at their dying body with a clear mind. What a horrible poison it is!
Walter, even amid his resentment and anger, felt proud of himself. The brain could accurately perceive the dying body. It could tell the state of the body that changed at each moment. This was groundbreaking.
He focused his remaining mental capacity on his blurring vision. He could see Black Mamba and Edel exchanging endearing gazes. Black Mamba ate spoonfuls of bouillabaisse and shrimps with a knife. He gave Edel a thumbs-up.
Edel was drinking wine. Walter had coated the inside of the glass with Langsam Tschss. A Caucasian old man dipped his spoon in the pot of bouillabaisse. Edel gave him a dirty look. The man chuckled and looked up at a giant that people referred to as Samdi. The giant ladled some bouillabaisse on his plate and started to eat. He is now a dead man as well. Walters vision rapidly faded.
Poor dude. You chose the wrong master. But why am I subject to this!
Walters head fell to the table. The last thought that went on through his head was Hassans words, We plow the stardust drifting in the wind and drink the universe that is contained in a single raindrop.
It was so. Inexplicable things continued to happen in the world. A peaceful life was a hundred times harder to achieve than a successful life. Walter had always sought the opportunity to kill Mu Ssang. Yet here he was dying, after eating the bouillabaisse meant for Mu Ssang.
This is why every culture has a proverb that is equivalent to Right will prevail in the end. Frances rendition was this: As one makes ones bed, so one finds it. (Similar to youve made your bed, now lie in it.)
Walter was taken away on a stretcher and the MSF agents withdrew like a falling tide. Even though one of the guests, Walter, met a sudden death, the rear garden of Yoa House was still filled with bustling noise.
Orifice, Shernion, Mulsoli, and the cooks did not even realize that Walter was dead because Professor Loren Giz had told them that Walter passed out because he worked too much.
Everyone in Dubaiburupas entourage had fought the fear of death. The death of one doctor did not dismay them. Only Dubaiburupa mattered to them. Other than him, any other event was part of everyday life.
The incident happened elsewhere. The walkie-talkie in Ibrahims jacket rang. After listening to it without saying a word, he turned it off and looked back at Ombuti.
Aklan crew, a bother.
A bother? A dead person came back alive. An alive person suddenly dropped dead. What could be more bothersome?
Ombuti was indifferent. Wakir and Edel were having a good time. To Ombutis standards, everything was fine.
It concerns the leader of the Peshmerga battalion. Thousands of crowds have gathered on the eastern shore of Lake Yoa.
Thousands? Did they come out for a walk?
It is not a joke. More and more continue to gather. The headcount would soon surpass 10,000.
Bakri, has anyone registered a request for assembly?
No.
Bakri made a troubled face. Ombuti clicked his fingers.
The news of Wakirs return was leaked. There is no other reason for the residents to gather. They must be on the eastern shore of the lake because they did not want to bother him.
Before Ombuti could finish his words, a P4 leading jeep entered the rear garden. A broad-shouldered middle-aged man in yellowed military uniform jumped off the vehicle.
Blue Art! Governor, a rumor spread that Dubaiburupa was staying in Yoa House. The residents continue to gather at the lake.
Hadat, Dubaiburupa has returned.
What?
The middle-aged soldier jumped in surprise. Hadat, who spotted Mu Ssang sitting next to Edel, went on his knees.
Long live, Dubaiburupa. I am Al-Hadat, the leader of the Peshmerga battalion.
Stand, Hadat. A soldier salutes, not bows. Relay my message to the citizens on the eastern shore of the lake. I will be there in an hour.
Bluart!
Hadat disappeared in the jeep right away.
Wakir, would it be all right for you to appear before a crowd? There could be impure elements! Ombuti said in worry.
Novatopians have all kinds of ethnicities, tribes, and religions. They are too busy now but with time, there will be division. I need to show them that there is a core in this transcendent country. Up until now, Dubaiburupa has been the moon hidden behind clouds. From now on, he will be the sun visible to everyone.
Allahu Akbar! Wise words! We will bring you there.
No. You prepare the stage. Use all the lights on the construction sites and light up the shore as bright as day.
So be it, Wakir.
Lets conclude this dinner now. It is hard for me to eat a proper meal.
We are sorry!
Ombuti and others lowered their heads. They were unable to serve a proper meal to their master who returned after accomplishing a great feat. They had no words.
I am sorry, Dubai!
Edel bit on her lip as if to cry. It would have been great if the two could enjoy a meal alone like last time. Tonight, she did not even have the opportunity to talk with him properly. But Dubai was not her own. He was Novatopias. He belonged to the miserable ones. She had to tone down her feelings.
Lake Yoa was estimated to be a primal lake formed at least 5,000,000 years ago. It was 800 meters wide and 3.2 kilometers long. It was the biggest saltwater lake on Earth. The Great Saharan Aquifer was the reason such a lake formed in the middle of the Sahara.
Under the Sahara, water that has been accumulated for millions of years flowed from Algeria to Sudan. The aquifers depth was estimated to be 1,000 meters on average and at the deepest point, 4,000 meters. In other words, a river that was thousands of meters deep flowed under the Sahara.
Lake Yoa maintained its land thanks to the water supplied by this aquifer despite rapid evaporation. The western shore of the lake, a level ground, harbored Yoa House. The eastern shore was a rocky slope.
Once one scaled the gravel desert, a region of pink dunes unfurled before ones eyes. Then the navy blue lake showed itself. Orifice had referred to it as tourisms best asset. Humans could try but will never understand the mystery of nature.
The eastern shore of the lake had become immensely crowded. Crowds that looked like a pack of clouds gathered. Hundreds of construction searchlights lit up the shore and the lake as bright as day. The number of searchlights rounded up in a mere hour represented the dynamic nature of Novatopia. It reminded Mu Ssang of the construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway in the 70s.
More than 20,000 residents had gathered on the shore. Many were still climbing the slope. The guards struggled to control the crowd. The residents bustled and squirmed to acquire a seat closer to the lake. Most of them waited for the owner of Novatopia but some were participating in heated debates.
Mu Ssang had pondered, for a long time, about the way to unify Novatopia. Novatopia was a museum of ethnicities, tribes, and religions. Yet they still were fickle humans. Every resident of this country has experienced a dead end in their life. Currently, they heeded orders and were united but over time, conflicts were likely to happen. Multiculturalism rarely proved successful throughout history.
In the late 19th century, when Britain and France colonized the islands in the South Pacific Ocean, the indigenous people developed a new religion called cargo cults.
The indigenous people considered the cargo unloaded from the European ships, such as canned food, rifled muskets, radios, and rum bottles, as special objects sent to them by their ancestral gods. They thought the Caucasians had stolen the gifts of their ancestral gods. Even though they thought so, they did not have the power to retrieve the goods from the Europeans.
They made statues that looked like the white peoples objects, such as antennae, cars, and guns, and lined them up along the shore. Then they waited for the ancestral gifts to arrive. Voodoo could also be considered as a mixture of these cargo cults combined with local shamanism.
Humans could never become the rational archetype that Kant spoke of. No detailed analysis was needed. Humans were homo sapiens as well as homo religiosus. All thoughts ended up in religion. Even atheists had a religion called atheism.
We should never laugh at cargo cults. Modern humans were also in a different kind of cargo cult. People who were enthralled by idol celebrities and star athletes, people buried in social media, adults collecting LEGO goods, middle-aged Japanese men collecting used panties. There were many cargo cultists among us.
Mu Ssang considered the refugees gathered in Novatopia as a sort of cargo cultists. Jesus and Buddha were great because they preached universal values, not materialism. Only a great shock that shakes the deepest roots of consciousness could unroot belief in a cult image.
Mu Ssang envisioned a kind of a metaphorical furnace in which unity was possible through a powerful central figure and an open religion. Mu Ssang directed a shocking performance, inspired by Jesuss life.
On March 21st, AD 32, at three a.m., Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee. Was he exercising? Not at all. He wore the robe of a high priest and manifested the miracle of walking on water to show that he is the Messiah.
Inspired by that act, Mu Ssang had decided to walk on Lake Yoa at night when the moon was bright. If he spewed Gongjinpa through his soles, he could walk on water. The deeper the water was, the less efficient it was. He could not do it for a long time but it was a feasible idea.
Fortunately, Lake Yoa was, on average, seven meters deep. Along the perimeter, it was shallower. With such depth, he could walk up to 200 to 300 meters.
Dino, you have some work to do tonight to pay for the rice you eat.
Dino grumbled at its owners intent to give it work.
Rice? I eat meat.
Dino thought. It was intelligent but it still could not understand an idiomatic phrase.
You will see if you follow me.
Mu Ssang headed for the lake with Dino in tow. He could not swim to the spot. It was not classy. Mu Ssang pushed Dino into the lake and mounted it. He did not realize he already had a great vehicle to cross the lake.
Big cats liked water. Jaguars lived near a river or lake. They would jump into the water and hunt crocodiles. A tiger could swim as fast as 20 kilometers per hour.
A howl erupted from Dinos giant echo chamber. The sound waves rippled the water and waves approached the eastern shore. The sudden roar silenced the crowd.
Among the big cats, a jaguar was the most similar to Dinofelis. After getting the hang of it, Dino swam masterfully. With its wide front paws, it rowed and with its hind legs, it powerfully kicked at the water.
Mu Ssang had trained his balance on a twig as thick as a wrist in valley water and on top of a bamboo rod. The squirming back of Dino was like a wide living room.
Dino swam across Lake Yoa at a speed that matched that of a motorboat. Mu Ssangs gandoura danced in the wind. The giant beast swimming across the lake in a straight line and the man on its back gazing at the moon made quite a picturesque scene.
Mu Ssang jumped off Dinos back when they were 300 meters from the shore. He lightened his body and spewed Gongjinpa through his soles. His legs, submerged in the water up to his knees, rose suddenly. Gongjinpa supported his balance and applied surface tension on the water to support his body.
Bring the searchlights to the lake!
Samdi shouted, sensing his masters presence. Hundreds of searchlights headed for the lake. A figure in a white gandoura, under the light of the full moon, stepping on water, was revealed. An apocalyptic panic swept through the crowd.
Chapter 496 - Episode 2 Please Tune Me Up!
It is the mythical creature of Dubaiburupa!
See, the appearance of Dubaiburupa!
Allahu akbar!
Its the Mahdi!
All kinds of primal shouts shook the entire Lake Yoa. The tens of thousands of people in the crowd standing at once resembled an avalanche.
The refugees that settled in Novatopia had experienced extreme life conditions. For them, Novatopia was Utopia itself they could eat plentifully and be safe. Even if Ombuti and such had not promoted the policy of Dubaiburupas deification, he was already a godlike figure.
The rumor that Dubaiburupa came to Novatopia and revived Wazalan spread like fire. The spectacle of a god walking on a moonlit lake was like pouring fuel on that fire.
People who have not seen Jesus walking on water still believed in that story. People who saw Dubaiburupa walking on water had no choice but to believe it. The people at shore entered a trance.
Black Culture was even more surprised. The four professors and Afwerki were, to be specific. Ombuti and the rest were used to it. They would not be surprised if Mu Ssang drank the entire lakes worth of water.
Hey, Shernion. Are we watching a blockbuster movie made by boastful Americans?
There are basilisks whose nickname is Jesus lizard. Dubaiburupa surely is more powerful than that.
Shernion responded cryptically to Orifices question. Ahmmad clenched the hilt of his shamshir. Shernion likened Dubaiburupa to a lizard. Ibrahim pressed gently on the hilt to hold him back. Shernion did not realize he was about to face Allah.
This is hypnotism. A human is a human, not a water strider. He collectively hypnotized us.
Ignorance was bliss. Shernion insisted.
That is absurd. There is no movie set. Its not a show. Basilisks simply run across the surface quickly enough to not be immersed in the water. Dubaiburupa is ambling leisurely. That is some sort of mythical arts from the East.
Afwerki added.
Come to your senses!
Mulsoli poked Orifices side with her finger and pulled at Shernions ear.
It is a far greater feat to hypnotize 20,000 people than to walk on water. If the East had such arts, they would have rewritten world history.
Thats right. He has to be a god to hypnotize 20,000 people.
Orifice and Shernion nodded.
Then what is that?
Do I look like I know? Im just watching it too.
The four continued to debate amid the crowds cheers. The more you knew, the more bothersome you became.
This is effective!
The crowds enthusiastic reaction surprised Mu Ssang. It surpassed that of the teenage girls at an idol singer concert. This was much classier than being Call Name who wandered in deserts and jungles and showered in blood. Mu Ssang felt an urge to transform into a cult leader and quit being a mercenary to the French government.
Since he had already decided to use a confidence trick, the more shocking it was, the greater its impact. With his heels, he kicked up the surface. Minuscule droplets jumped up like a handheld fan. The Gongjinpa emanating from the top and back of his head caught them and wielded them about. Moonlight diffused in the droplets divided into fog particles. A reddish halo formed behind Mu Ssang. It depleted his stamina at a rapid rate to perform another trick as he walked on water. It was hard to maintain Gongjinpa steadily.
A lucky person was also lucky as a con artist. As the emanation of Gongjinpa became irregular, a white light reminiscent of Buddhas holy luminance appeared around him, then vanished, then appeared again. It was a top-tier performance.
Mu Ssang committed blasphemy by imitating Jesus and stealing one of the Buddhas features. It was not surprising, considering he was an asura in his past life.
[Thus, the owner of Novatopia wore sacred luminance and stepped on the waters of Lake Yoa to appear before his people.] Such a phrase was written in The Saga of Dubaiburupa, which was considered as the orthodox history book in Novatopia. Dubaiburupa did wear some light and walked on lake water. That was a fact but not a truth. Yes. Truth did not necessarily equal to a fact.
Whoa!
Dear God!
Some cried tears of joy. Some jumped up and down. Others knelt and prayed. A woman stripped herself of her hot pants and T-shirt. Everyone entered a state of trance. Cargo cultists waited for something nonexistent to exist. They create a nonexistent god to worship. There were countless gods but none of them appeared before their believers. Any believer would have gone crazy at the sight of their long-awaited god.
Dear people of Novatopia, I am Dubaiburupa.
Mu Ssang raised both his arms in the air. He was at a spot 50 meters from the shore. The blueish full moon shone upon the regal king that stood on rippling water. Silence fell upon the crowd. The sounds of bustling sand drifted in the wind, people gulping, and a running lizard was heard.
Whoa!
Our king!
After some moments passed, an explosive roar erupted. When 20,000 people roared at the same frequency, resonance occurred. The lake rippled and the gravel on the slope tumbled down.
This is maddening! Why are they roaring? I need to tell them something!
Mu Ssang yelled internally and pulled his ankle deeply submerged in water. The sounds shockwave rippled the surface so Gongjinpas surface tension was weakened.
He was barely floating on the water and maintaining the luminance at the same time. He was on the verge of falling underwater. He planned to make a speech on water and it was greatly taxing.
Whoa!
The roar intensified, oblivious to Mu Ssangs thoughts. The ripples became taller. Mu Ssang, in a hurried state, slid across the surface like a water strider and cut short the distance between him and the shore then jumped ashore.
Whoa. It is quite taxing to pretend to be a messiah!
His legs trembled at the exertion. He had no energy left for speaking. It was quite a problem because the crowds roar intensified at each moment.
Dino glanced back at its master. A spiritual animal was supposed to discern the state of its master. The master needed time to recover his energy. Dino shook its body to shed water in its fur and kicked at the ground to leap 20 meters to land on top of a stone pillar.
Dino raised its head high toward the moon on the stone pillar. A magnificent roar erupted from Dino. The air pushed away by the shockwave expanded like concentric circles. It was a tremendous force worthy of the title of King of the Beasts.
What is that?
Hurrah! Its the mythical creature of Dubaiburupa.
The crowds eyes converged on the giant reddish-brown beast, Dino. Samdi ran to Mu Ssang like a breeze. He discerned the weakened state of his master.
A beast and a zombie are much more empathetic than humans!
Mu Ssang was impressed. As Dino steered the crowds attention, Mu Ssang recuperated. The erupting roar was deafening. The performance elicited too much shock.
Wakir, that seems good.
Samdi pointed at the sandstone pillar on the shore. It was five meters high and 60 centimeters wide.
Great!
Vajra encircled the foot of the pillar. Samdi struggled with the pillar in his arms.
Ugh!
The pillar, which was sliced by Vajra and standing by the core, was broken like an icicle.
Ugh!
Samdi held the pillar upside down then soared. The pillars pointed head buried itself deeply in the sand. Mu Ssang jumped on the pillar. [The Open Discussion at Lake Yoa], the entire text of which was included in The Saga of Dubaiburupa, was about to begin.
Whoa!
Mahdi!
Dubaiburupa!
The roar seemed to shake the night sky itself. Mu Ssang raised his hand. The roar stopped at once.
Dear owners of Novatopia! I am Dubaiburupa. I am not God. I am not the Son of God. I am a being that is seeking the human condition to become human.
Mu Ssang said honestly. The performance was just a performance. He was not supposed to stay in Novatopia for a prolonged period and did not care to play God for no reason. Concretus, a being that approached divinity, became fallen because of a mere virus and natural disasters. That honesty proved problematic too.
Dubaiburupa is a man!
Man Dubaiburupa!
The crowd chanted. Their faces were lit up. Dubaiburupa was a god. The reason why a god would emphasize his humanity must be a covenant that he will be with humanity forever. They were supposed to accept him as a human even if he did not say so but he said it himself. The crowd was obviously moved.
Sit first. I dont feel good seeing you standing up all the time. Ouniangas sand is as cushiony as a chair seat that has a sponge in it.
Mu Ssangs loaded Gongjinpa in his voice. His low baritone shook the cool night air. People could not bring themselves to sit in veneration of present divinity, but at their divinitys words, they sat at once.
I am pleased to see you all. Have you seen the Dubaiburupa that you imagined? Beautiful, the one with the cat T-shirt. What do you feel now that you have seen the real Dubaiburupa?
Mu Ssang pointed at a young woman sitting in the front row.
You are so handsome. I want to marry you!
It was an unexpected answer. Mu Ssang flinched at her rather uninhibited answer. The woman herself must have been surprised too since she buried her face between her legs. She must have been carried away by the collective ambience of Novatopia. Marrying him meant she considered him as human. Mu Ssang was grateful.
Whoa. I am saddened that I cannot reciprocate that. Rudrey Edel has already occupied your desired spot.
Haha!
Long live Ms. Edel!
Laughter and chanting erupted here and there. The crowd cheered at the humble personality of Mu Ssang. A god incarnated as a man was so amiable. The solemn, tense ambiance thawed at once. Mu Ssangs approach was proving to be successful.
I just referred to you as the owners of Novatopia. Dubaiburupa is not its owner. He is just here and laying the groundwork. You are its owner. You will call this land home and pass it on to your children. The governor has just told me that there are 60,000 Novatopian mouths to feed. I am quite in a pickle with such a burden. But you also are, because you will feed those 60,000 mouths yourselves.
Yes. We are in a pickle.
Haha!
Someone shouted and that elicited more laughter. The word pickle was heard in many spots in the crowd. Laughter ensued.
Today, I am not standing here to give you some sweet promise. That is your job, the owners of Novatopia.
Tell us what you wish. We will promise willingly.
Someone said in a loud voice.
A promise!
A promise!
The word promise swept across the crowd.
Its a pity that you like pickles that much. Before we talk about the promise, I will explain why I referred to you as a burden. Novatopia is founded in a desert. In the last year, you made waterways, planted trees, made roads, and built homes until your hands peeled and feet blistered. You wouldnt have had the time to flick your penis after urinating and please your spouse after work. Blue Art is just in its beginning. For the next 10 years, we need to plant trees, make roads, sprinkle grass seeds, build factories, and make children. You, sir, are you happy?
Mu Ssang pointed at an old man sitting in the front row. His burnt face was deeply wrinkled and his silver hair was abundant. The man bowed on the ground as if stung by a bee.
I, Wajai Abdul, bow to Dubaiburupa. During my 63 years, I was never as happy as I am now.
Dear Abdul who trudged through life filled with misfortune, please receive my blessing. Why are you happy now?
I do not fear if my son will be conscripted. I do not fear for the safety of my daughter-in-law. I do not fear if my grandson will ever be sold as a slave. I do not fear if my assets will be robbed from me. I do not fear being whipped for no reason. People who want to work can work. People who work receive proportional compensation. No one oppresses me. I do not need to oppress anyone. My young grandchildren are educated
Mu Ssang raised his hand. This man was going to talk until the moon set.
The reasons Abdul spoke of are every humans birthright. It is not reasons for happiness but that which keeps misfortune at bay. In my eyes, you are in a pickle, Elder Abdul. You have two more years of hard toil. Every Novatopia worked until 65 years of age, then when they were 66, they could officially retire and enter a nursing home. A nursing home is where retired elderly people rest and get treated for their ailments. I am not merciful. I make the elderly work in fields and workshops to produce crops and products. I make them rear dogs and goats. Abdul will need to make money to afford his medication and give allowances to his grandchildren. You need to maintain your clarity of mind if you dont want to defame all your years. I will spank you if you ever get a preposterous disease like dementia.
Chapter 497 - Episode 3 Please Tune Me Up!
Whoa!
Dubaiburupa has spoken!
A roar erupted. Dubaiburupa, who was known to be merciless, said merciful words. There was guaranteed employment until 65 years of age. The government took care of you afterwards.
The crowd that was gathered on the shore was comprised of refugees who endured and escaped oppression and exploitation. It was a great grace just to receive a job and a home. Dubaiburupa had promised that even after retirement, one would be able to work small gigs and stay healthy until they die. It was a divine covenant.
Mu Ssangs head was swarming with thoughts. The demographics of Novatopia comprised of the Kurds who escaped Syria, orthodox Muslims, Eritrean refugees, refugees who fled the Sahel drought, and refugees from the civil wars in Sudan and Congo.
Their living standards were abysmal. More than 90 percent of them were illiterate. He had to perform a miracle to capture the attention of the uneducated. It was no use holding lectures about Buddhist scriptures to kindergarten children. It was tremendously difficult to explain Novatopias national policy and overall development to the residents. Ombuti and Afwerki were having a hard time translating Mu Ssangs words as well.
As a Novatopian graced by Dubaiburupa, you have five duties. First, the duty of national defence. Every Novatopian who reached the age of 19 is subject to conscription. No matter the gender, they have to serve for 36 months. Rash, disability, habitual dislocation, tooth extraction, accidental injury, birth tourism, homosexuality, conscientious objection, personality disorder, no matter the reason, no one is exempt. The disabled shall shoot on wheelchairs. Someone with no arms will do the paperwork with a pen between his toes. Anyone who did not serve will not be eligible for public work. But in cases of inevitable causes such as severe disability, childbirth, and education, one can pay defence taxes instead of serving. Second, is ones duty to work. The government will find employment for the unemployed. Those who do not work shall not eat. Third, the duty to pay taxes. No one will be burdened with caring for ones family in Novatopia. The government will look after the severely disabled and elderly. The government will pay for the nursing and education expenditures of children. If your income is of a lower bracket, your taxes will be less. If your income is higher, your taxes will proportionally increase. The clergy will also pay the taxes. Fourth, the duty to learn. Every Novatopian over the age of six will receive education for 11 years: five years of fundamental education, three years of applied education, and three years of advanced education. Those over the age of 20 will receive separate civic education. Fifth, the duty to conserve the environment. It may still be a foreign concept in Africa. Simply put, you shall not harm nature. For example, you shall not throw away excrements in Lake Yoa, cut down the trees in the windbreak forest, or engrave your name on rocks. Those acts will be punishable by law.
His loud voice travelled through Gongjinpa, rumbling in the air.
Thus said Dubaiburupa!
The crowd shouted at once. Dubaiburupa called them duties, but they were in fact rights. For them, who each trudged through a miserable life, his words sounded like a gospel that will lead them to the doors of heaven.
I have cut this natural stone pillar on which I am standing. This violates the fifth duty, nature conservation. It shall be punishable. I will pay 1,000 francs of fine right here and will be caned. What do you, people, think of this?
Mu Ssang stopped talking and looked around at the crowd. The place suddenly filled with the noise of people talking. It is not a sin to cut useless rock. It is a sin because Dubaiburupa said so. A gods act is never wrong. Can a god ever be punished? People started debating everywhere.
Mu Ssang waited for them to come up with their own conclusion. These were Novatopians who will have to live proactively, not passively. They seemed to reach a kind of consensus. A middle-aged man sitting on the front row said in a loud voice.
Dubaiburupa is a unique being. We, the people, are ignorant and stupid. We cannot judge you. We now understand the duties and the sternness of the law. Please take back your frightful words.
Please take back your frightful words!
The crowd bowed and said at once.
This is not how its supposed to go!
Mu Ssang was perplexed. Many Africans had not previously heard of the notion of nature conservation. He wanted to convey the message that even Dubaiburupa could be punished if he violated nature. But if he went on with his original plan, there will be great turmoil among them.
Heeding the peoples intent, I shall only pay the fines and do away with the caning. I will name this pillar Rahula and it will serve as a warning for nature conservation. I would like for you to cherish every single tree and every single stone from now on.
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
You will be punished if you dont fulfill the aforementioned five civic duties. You are great Novatopians. You shall protect your dignity on your own. If there are duties, there are rights. Civic duties are rights. Novatopias national policy is human dignity and freedom. Novatopians have the right to be treated as dignified humans, to pursue their happiness, and to live freely. You can adhere to the religion of your choice, work the job of your choice, and love and marry the partner of your choice.
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
The law dictating the duties and rights shall soon be codified. Novatopia recognizes no discrimination or privilege. If it is not a cult meant for exploitation, all religions are allowed. The clergy is no exception. You shall practice clear poverty. It refers to the abandonment of all greed. The clergy is still human. Humans cannot abandon their greed. I will by law separate the assets of religious organizations and the clergy. The clergy shall never touch donations and will be paid a set salary. Politicians and bureaucrats are not exempted too. Their salary will correlate to the average salary of the workers in Novatopia. Their bonus will depend on the quality of life of Novatopians. If the peoples quality of life worsens, so will that of the public workers. The royal family and the citizens will evaluate the quality of life. The public workers shall expect a heavy workload. Someone on the lazy side shouldgive up early. The public workers are subject to the duty of transparency. It is hard for someone in a high position to stay transparent. There will be weighted punishment for the politicians and bureaucrats involved in bribery and corruption. Five times of the received bribes shall be additionally collected on top of the fines. Political donations will be managed by a separate independent body. Someone who cannot control their greed should give up early.
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
Humans are humans because they know how to love. The greatest feeling God bestowed upon humanity is love. People are quick to hate but find it difficult to love. Life is short, it does not even span a hundred years. There will not be enough time to love, much less to hate. Love yourself, love your family, love your neighbors, and love your country. If you have love left after all that, then you may share it with me. I, Dubaiburupa, am a being that is both existent and nonexistent. My eyes will gaze upon the dream you build, my ears will heed the sighs you heave, and my nose will smell the sweat you drop.
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
Praise the Great Soul!
The crowds energetic chanting soared into the night sky. Mu Ssang had transformed from the Angel of Death to the Great Soul.
Thus concluded the speech of Lake Yoa. Mu Ssang and his entourage left but the crowd kept chanting, Thus said Dubaiburupa. Since that day, the law entries and customs in Novatopia were codified in a way that began and ended with the phrase.
The crowd persisted. As the night grew deeper, the 2.5-kilometer stretch along the eastern shore of Novatopia turned into a party with its participants in a trance. An unlimited amount of liquor was provided and fireworks embroidered the sky.
Many women stripped themselves of their already scanty clothes while shirtless men revealed their muscled bodies and enthusiastically stomped on the ground. The blue full moon gazed indifferently at the lake, desert, and the humans in frenzy.
The residents continued to gather until daybreak. The overwhelming emotion of having met the Great Soul Dubaiburupa, and its after-effect, led the Les Miserables to celebrate. The Saga of Dubaiburupa marked this day as a big festival and holiday, now known as the Full Moon Festival.
When the frenzied celebration reached its climax, Mu Ssang, who was submerged in deep sleep, opened his eyes slightly. He had sensed a movement in the air in the room. Even a single mosquito could not enter Wakirs room, guarded by Dino and Samdi. He instinctively knew who the intruder was.
The intruder did notmove at all. The gentle scent of jasmine filled in the air. It reminded Mu Ssang of his mother and Hae Young. Rudrey Edel must have changed her perfume after hearing about his mother from him. Something tugged at his heart.
[How are you doing? Be honest.
If you are not well, could you tell me?
I have been wondering about you.
I sometimes hear of you but it doesnt help me relax.
You always tell me you have a lot of things to ponder.
But you also tell me there is nothing inside of you.
Only the jasmine scent remained in the dream.
Lets go back to the past. I want to embrace genuine pleasure.]
It was Jasmine Flowers, a song she would sing often. In the two-story house from the colonial era, the image of her singing by the pond floated up in his consciousness. The pheromone of jasmine scent, that filled his entire adolescence, grazed the tip of his nose. She had approached him with the song of cuckoos, planted demonic pleasure and agony, then left him. The attachment of the relationship that had quenched his barren soul was as sturdy as a whales tendon.
She floated up in his mind holographically. She was a bottomless swamp. Her eyelashes always looked wet long and thick. Her brown eyes were so clear that they almost had a blue tint. Her long hair danced in the air like ripples on water. A nose that is quite prominent for an Asian. Taut lips with ambiguous tails. Her pale, long neck was reminiscent of something described in Noh Cheon Myeongs poetry. Narrow shoulders supported all of the above. He reminisced about the curves of her pale legs.
The natural fresh scent of the female body filled the air. It severed Mu Ssang from his reminiscence and attachment. The song faded from the cuckoos nest.
Dubai, shall I climb onto the bed?
Edels voice trembled with slight indignation. She had believed that she was in love with his soul but she had not expected her body to crave him this much. Facing her shame, she had entered his bedroom but her man was not reciprocating her invitation.
Rudrey, I have someone I am in love with.
Mu Ssang said with a sigh. It was not a polite thing to say to a lady who paid him a visit in his bedroom. It was even a cruel thing to say, but it needed to be said. It was childish but he felt like it was the least he could do now for Hae Young. Maybe his trauma about his father who died futilely, leaving his mother behind, played a part too. He still harbored the primal fear that he may leave this world first, leaving his loved one behind.
Dubai, you had just made a speech about marrying someone you love and having children. I cannot defy such a statement. I want you. It is okay if I regret this night for the rest of my life. I wont even regret it. You will leave once the day breaks. It is okay if I live with your shadow for the rest of my life. I wont regret it ever.
Edel recited as if in a song. Before she could finish her sentence, an iron-like arm snatched her slender waist.
Edel, I am no ordinary human. It may be too much for you.
You underestimate women. We can withstand a metric ton of weight in the bed. I dont know how that is possible, even if I am a physician. Haha!
Chapter 498 - Episode 4 Please Tune Me Up!
Oh, my gosh! What did I just say?!
Edel desperately wanted to cover her mouth. A woman that could endure the weight of one ton? What a cheap and dumb-sounding statement that was! Definitely not something an esteemed daughter inheriting the heritage of an aristocratic family should say.
She forgot all about the darkness of the night and began searching for a place to bury her face in shame in panic.
Ah!
A short gasp escaped from her lips. A powerful arm wrapped around her waist and reeled her in, like a toad snatching down a fly. Her face, which was searching for a place to hide, dug into his strong, thick chest. The smooth and sturdy skin of his bare chest touched her face, sending a shudder down her spine.
Fuu-huuph!
Edel involuntarily sucked in a deep breath. An overwhelming masculine scent dominated her senses. Her breathing became shallow as her consciousness threatened to abandon her.
Her slender and smooth shoulders rose and fell in a hurry to match her quickened breathing. And as if to match her heavy breathing, Edels satisfyingly full bosom pressed tightly against his steel-like chest.
Actually, even Mu Ssang was staggering after being subjected to this bosom coercion assault.
The Boyles Law was also applicable to the instincts of young men and women with thriving sexual hormonal secretions. It did not matter whether they were an excessively emotional woman or an excessively ascetic man, these two were still in the prime of their youth.
His desire had reached a critical point after holding back for so long.
Whoosh-
The Harmattan crossed the lake to rock the temporary shelter built in haste.
Its cold!
Edel quietly shuddered. To say she was cold in the middle of the Sahara desert where the temperature regularly hovered around 48 degrees Celsius, what nonsense was that! But then again, this emotion called love was an interaction of irrational and unreasonable. A young man and woman were in heat, so who cared whether one used a telephone pole to pick ones teeth or ears?
Edel became heady, her mind wavering back and forth from the powerful scent of the man. Did such an indescribably pleasant smell always come from a man? And how could such a steel-like chest feel so supple and soft?! All of her cells were coming to life from the fresh and primal lifeforce oozing out from the male.
Didnt they say that soft words win against hard hearts? Even the one and only Mu Ssang had to raise his hands in defeat at Edels bosom coercion.
Ba-dump, ba-dump!
His heart that remained unmovable even after blowing up hundreds of surface-to-air missiles began racing almost out of control.
Her slightly parted pale pink lips, her white teeth barely visible through the gap of her open lips, her faintly trembling eyelashes, her heaving chest, and the scent of Arabian jasmine tickling his nose All of these scents combined drove him crazy.
When described in the style of Wuxia, shed be like a single flower of pear blossoms soaked under the downpour.
His composure, trained by the Mind Centering Technique to remain steadfast, crumbled quickly. Women were supposed to be aroused by their imaginations while men were supposed to be aroused by what they see. Before he realized it, Mu Ssang pressed his lips on her skin.
Something as soft as cotton candy gently brushed past the hair on the nape of her neck and the ear lobe. Edel continued to shiver from this electrifying sensation. Every little hair on her ear lobe began ringing in different frequencies. A thrilling sensation she had never experienced ran riot within her nerves.
Edel had no choice but to admit that she was utterly wrong about male anatomy at this point. There was simply no way that a mans lips and tongue could be this soft and supple.
She crazily hung on to him. Her lungs were burning up like a palm trees leaves withered from a long drought. Water! She desperately needed water to wet her body and cool it down.
He asked softly. Does it feel good?
Yes. So good that I might die. You truly are a devil.
You want this to last forever, dont you?
How did you guess?
My intuition!
His burning tongue invaded her. Water! An oasis in the middle of a desert!
Fuu-woop!
Edels breathing stopped just then.
She thought that a little peck on the lips similar to birds brushing their beaks against each other was the only type of kissing in this world. But what was this? What was this foreign substance filling up her mouth and roaming wantonly free in every direction? This French kiss with his tongue deeply entering her mouth was driving her towards the point of passing out.
Edel had never experienced a French kiss before. Actually, Mu Ssang was her very first little peck she mentioned earlier. She continued to hold onto him madly, because she feared her body would crash to the floor if she let go. Her clumsy kissing skills resulted in her teeth loudly clattering into his.
Mu Ssang hurriedly broke the kiss. The hardness of an Epidiums teeth was more than enough to tear through a steel plate. If a humans frail teeth clattered into something that hard, itd be akin to a ceramic plate hitting a cast iron cauldron and cracking into bits. In other words, an end-of-the-world tragedy of the aroused Edel needing to get dentures might become a reality at this rate.
Edel was panting heavily as if she had sprinted 100 meters with all of her might. Just one French kiss later and the previously-innocent esteemed daughter of an aristocratic family had become utterly dazed and crazed.
How was I?
Even in the midst of all this, Edel still cared about her clumsy kissing skill. She was so pure and innocent that she did not understand the concept of being coy.
It was the most delectable thing in the whole world. This wonderful freshness thats also so mature that its addicting beyond belief. Just where did you hide this intense heat hot enough to burn a mans soul in your delicate body?
His leery hand began traveling down her spine and he caressed her hip bone. His naughty hand then started digging into the hill between her buttocks, causing her frame to quiver.
Ah, aaah! You playboy!
Edel jumped up and wrapped her legs around Mu Ssangs waist, clinging onto him tightly. This was the womans crafty heart expressing her desire to feel more of her mans hands.
His arms, tougher than forged steel, held and supported her hips. His warm breath traveled down her throat to reach her collarbones. Edels spine arched back like a bow. His hot lips then clamped down on the crown of her jiggling bosom through the fabric.
Ah!
She cried out. This heat incomparably fiercer than a mere kiss burned through her whole body. The heat flooded down her spine like a waterfall to travel past her abdomen and invade the valley between her thighs. She involuntarily gripped as tightly as she could with her legs. The desire to possess this man now scorched her body.
Dubai, I think my insides are boiling lava.
Love is lava, after all. It can melt anything when its burning, but itll end up as nothing more than useless crumbling piles of ashes when cooled down.
Youre so poetic. If love was truly eternal, there wouldnt be so many locks adorning the Solfrino Bridge, you know? However, there are eternal loves, too. I want you as mine. Its not just the lust of a woman who wants your seed, you know?
Edel somehow managed to say whats in her mind despite all the heavy panting. Her state could not be normal since she deemed his realistic description of lava poetic. According to Shakespeare, a woman in ardent love would start thinking that even her lovers yawn was poetry.
Mu Ssangs eyes were filled with burning heat. An Epidiums night vision was better than that of an owl. The moonlight pouring in through the terraces windows was as bright as a middle of a days.
Her face as red as a late Autumn apple, her heavy and intermittent panting, and those eyes burning in a crimson hue
Not embracing such a woman would be deserving of a thousand deaths. No you were disqualified from calling yourself a hot-blooded man if you did not embrace her.
His large, warm hands gently covered her smaller face. With proficient skill, he began deeply sucking in her tongue.
Edel shuddered grandly at this feeling of her whole being getting sucked in. She fought back with her own skill that had gotten noticeably better than before.
A kiss as sweet as cotton candy, as hot as hell, and as long as eternity continued on. Her brain, running out of oxygen, began pleading with her.
H-hurry, please tune me up!
She began sobbing. Her panting became too unbearable, while all the moisture in her body seemed to be concentrating down in her lower torso at the moment. If they hesitated any longer, she feared that all the water in her body would dry up completely.
Mu Ssang lightly spun around her hips in his hands to hold her in a proper embrace. This was commonly seen in Hollywood romantic movies C the so-called princess carry. In those movies, the male lead would pick up the woman with both of his arms and carry her over to the bed when the mood became just right.
This should be more than enough to better the Yankees mood-building, am I right!
Mu Ssang laid Edel down on the bed, then reined in his breathing. Hae-young always struggled to handle him back then. So, the concept of take it slow took root in his head. Then again, no human woman out there would be able to handle an Epidiums physique.
He caught the sight of the Yoa Lakes surface gleaming under the moonlight outside the window. Thousands of starlight were falling on the lake. Indeed, the current mood was no different than a scene from a romantic movie.
The teacher used to tell Mu Ssang this whenever he had to go on a business trip.
[Listen, you fool. Whether its a black horse or a white one, you must ride them like youre touching a glass plate or a fragile flower petal, understand? One slip-up from you, then never mind getting it on, your lady will be finished off instead.]
Remembering that made Mu Ssang grin unconcsiously. That man never embraced a woman before, yet he knew so much about everything.
His perfectly balanced and proportioned naked body Like droplets of a waterfall, the moonlight falling on his smooth skin seemed to scatter brilliantly away. How could a mans body be so beautiful?! Edels eyes grew dreamy.
None of the great sculptors of the Renaissance era managed to leave behind works of art that rivaled her Dubaiburupa.
Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump!
She grew scared that the loud pounding of her heart might bring the whole house down. And then, the living sculpture turned around.
Hup!
Edel sucked in a deep breath. As a doctor herself, she was obviously well-versed in human anatomy. However, that Could not be a human males junior. In fact, the word Equus began circling around madly in her mind.
That Humongous thing will be in me? Even though Ive never done it before?!
She began trembling like a leaf. Her previous one-ton confidence had already flown far away, perhaps beyond the lake itself.
Even so, I still love you!
The moment she squeezed her eyes shut, a weighty figure moved on top. However, it did not feel all that heavy for some reason. She felt a little scared even as this sense of deep satisfaction washed over her.
The image of that Equus junior was still lingering in her brain. Both her mind and body were ready, but she could not do anything about feeling scared.
The zip of her hot pants came down. The tight pants got caught around her hips, so Edel slightly lifted her lower torso higher despite her inner turmoil.
She disliked her mother, but even so, she still took that womans teachings to her heart C if she saw someone doing hard labor, she should try to assist and generally be more helpful.
Youre bigger than I thought!
What? Y-you mean, my hips?
No, your breasts!
A large hand dug underneath her T-shirt. Her warm mound as firm as a tennis ball filled his hand, some flesh even managed to spill out.
As Mu Ssang thought, this quality far outstripped the Korean-made goods. He closed his eyes and savored the soft suppleness and the warmth of her flesh. A faint, distant memory of touching his mothers breast as a toddler began coming back to him.
I, I dont care anymore!
Edel pressed herself against him, burying her face in his chest. His hands fumbled around her firm buttocks to remove her underwear, before feeling her bristled hair below.
Mu Ssangs hands trembled like a man suffering from tremors. He was like a Buddhist monk who knew the delicacy of meat but could not get to enjoy one for the past seven years, so how could he resist anymore? Before he realized it, his hands became rougher.
Well, no need to care anymore, anyway!
Her thin T-shirt was easily ripped off. With the hindrance gone, her suppressed bosom sprang free.
Aww!
A stiffly protruding crown belonging to one of her twin mounds instantly disappeared into his lips. The shocking impact of it being sucked on caused her eyes to spin dizzily. She wanted to be devoured by him. She wanted her beloved to completely, utterly, devour her whole being.
Edel wanted to sink below the surface like how a quagmire would suck her in.
I love you!
A person in love would even throw their soul to their love. As such, Edel transformed into someone far more hands-on. Actually, it was more like her reasoning was thrown out the window, her actions now dictated by her instincts. She caressed and licked every part of his body.
As if they were trying to check every strand of hair on each others skin, they desperately explored each others bodies. His hands, that were caressing the twin hills attractive buds, traveled south to explore the deep valley. There was a figurative flood waiting. It was indescribably silky smooth and warm.
His junior was quivering so hard, wanting to enter its home.
Mmph!
When his hand invaded her nether region, Edel moaned loudly while squeezing her thighs tight. And then, her breathing momentarily stopped when his massively engorged member touched her slick lower abdomen.
A hot object pushed in. That was his avatar. Finally, they had become one. Anticipation and fear ran amok, her muscles spasming out of control.
Aaaah!
Edels figure jumped up.
THUD-!
The bed creaked loudly under the passionate bodies.
*
Dino, chase everyone out!
Dino was dreaming a pleasant dream when a rude kick to its arse woke it up. The creature stared at Samdi in silence, its eyes rapidly filling up with dissatisfaction.
In the dream, Dino was using its skills improved by its master to finally defeat the terror bird. But before it could tear out the enemys throat, a dang rhino came out of nowhere to punt Dino in the butt. And that rhino turned out to be this detestable man.
Hey, you punk. Cant you hear that? Our master is preparing to make babies!
Samdi wanted to punish this little kitten for its rebellious glare, but he could not really pummel the creature anymore like he used to. This damn kitten had gotten pretty strong lately. Besides, he was the guardian deity of the Pygmy race, so he wanted to avoid creating a humiliating scene of him having fisticuffs with a damn cat if he could help it.
Thats why instead of hitting it, Samdi began explaining in a calm manner.
Dino instantly figured out the meaning behind Samdis words. Nothing was more important than making babies, after all. And every living creature was at its most defenceless state during the act. If the master was procreating, then quite obviously, it was Dinos job to clean out the surroundings.
Grrr-
Dino shot up to its feet, then began driving out all the inhabitants of the Yoa House. Its first target was an adult female pretending to be asleep.
Dinos front limb as sturdy as a steel beam tapped sleeping Bassel awake. She was listening in with her ears wide open at that time. She got dragged out of the bed, then without mercy, was tossed outside the building.
Akra slumbering away behind the locked door was also chased out. Just one tap from Dinos front paw was all thats needed to break the door lock like it was nothing.
Dino wrapped the deeply-asleep Tigre, Yijihanas daughter, in a blanket before leaving her outside the front door. As it turned out, Dino was not an uncultured beast that manhandled kids.
Yijihana woke up from his deep sleep and freaked out. Even if Dino was gentlemanly in its conduct, it was still the king of beasts. It might have been a pet to Mu Ssang, but to others, Dino was the terror personified. If you did not freak out after a paw as large as a metal tray suddenly woke you up in the middle of the night, then you were not a human being.
Yijihana was also helplessly shoved outside the front door by Dinos rather polite front paw. Beside him, the gardener, the assistant chefs and even maids were woken up before getting thrown outside.
Dino was utterly devoted to fulfilling its role. So much so that it even chased out the dog and cat Edel was raising. It even went on to clean out all the lizards, rodents, spiders and other insects hiding in the residence, too.
From Dinos perspective, humans and animals were all the same.
Chapter 499 - Episode 5 Please Tune Me Up!
Having completed the evacuation measures, Dino now firmly stood in front of the residences entrance and lightly waved its front paw. It was a gesture meant to warn the others that anyone showing even a hint of want to go back inside would get a severe beating.
The crowd that got unceremoniously booted out of their own rooms in the middle of the night meandered around in the open unable to complain, just groaning helplessly. What could they even do when a creature as scary as the Cerberus was guarding the door?
Heeheehee! Samdi was letting out an insidious cackle.
If it had been him chasing these people out, they would have showered him with way too many complaints. Trying to explain to every single one of them would have driven him crazy too. Besides, the act of explanation itself wouldve been too troublesome C he certainly could not go around saying, Our master is in the middle of the deed, so make yourself scarce, could he?
Punching them once would have quietened down any discontent, but too bad, he could not hit family members.
Dino was not necessarily what you would call an animal, but it was still an animal nonetheless. What could anyone say to an animal that could not talk but still shot you murderous glares?
After regaining his ego through Monk Dae-woos Buddhist powers, Samdi was becoming craftier with every passing day.
THUD-!
The house began rumbling just then.
What the?!
Samdi was surprised by that, and hurriedly guided the crowd out toward the lake. Those who knew what was going on had bright expressions, while those who did not know had the faces of someone chewing on bugs. And so, they were chased away to the lakeside like a herd of pigs.
*
Despite her resolve, this was turning out to be far beyond her imagination. When Edels expression distorted, his junior flinched and quickly retreated.
Even though she was swimming in a hazy state, her mind sobered up immediately. It felt like the heavens would fall if she let go of him now. This sense of danger that she might regret this for the rest of her life took a hold of her.
Even God has raised a son, so I probably Will not die!
Edel steeled her resolve once more, then wrapped her legs tightly around his hips to pull herself closer. Finally, she raised her hips higher.
And then, a lightning bolt pierced straight through her midriff.
Keuk!
An involuntary cry exploded from her lips. Even though she had prepared her mind as much as possible, the pain of her body being penetrated was impossible to describe in mere words. The closest comparison she could make was probably a massive stake being driven in with a hammer. Her squeezed-shut eyelids were flashing with thousands, no, tens of thousands of lightning streaks.
Mu Ssang had received enough training with Hae-young, but Edel was a pure virgin who had not even kissed a man before. Knowing it and actually doing it were two completely different things. She had no idea that her first time would be this painful.
Experienced ones would argue that technique mattered, not the size. Of course, those people would be right, normally speaking. But even the most exacting techniques could not overcome the overwhelming physical difference. After all, you used a thick pestle to pound into a large mortar, not a fire poker.
The entrance of a large member led Edels senses to escape her.
Oh, god! Daddy, I think Im about to die! Its too big, it wont fit inside!
She summoned all of her strength to hold onto his back, her whole body trembling nonstop.
Shwa-aaah-
It was at that moment that the resonance wave passed through his junior as a passageway to flood into Edels body.
The resonance wave began healing the damaged flesh down there, then spread to every corner of her body next. Her cells began vibrating at the molecular level, causing the accumulated waste material and impurities to break down.
Her revitalized cells began craving for nutrition. Blood rushed along furiously to distribute oxygen and glucose.
Ah, aaaaah~!
An ecstasy different from the pleasure of love making swept across Edels entire body. The delight experienced when ones body is upgraded to its best possible state was not something a human could grant, after all.
Edel let out a long moan without even realizing she did.
God was indeed great no, evolution was truly great. Her body, after experiencing an internal cleansing, adapted to the size of his Equus-like member. The searing pain passed in the blink of an eye. Edel began writhing from the ecstasy of her soul being satisfied.
The waiting proved to be difficult, yet the reward ended up being plentiful beyond words. In less than a minute, Edels physique reverted to that of an eighteen-year-old.
What would happen if the rumor of your body becoming a decade younger just from a single love-making session got around? Never mind women troubles, Mu Ssang might become besieged by millions of female would-be rapists.
The bed was soon filled with suggestive grunts, intense heat and lewd scents. The aircon Ombuti imported from South Korea was working overtime to spit out cold air, but it still failed to cool down the intense heat.
Aaahk?! Again? Edel cried out.
From then on, the bed had to suffer lots more until daybreak. But it was not only the bed C even the Yoa House rocked and shook as if earthquakes were afoot.
A Haengjaseung (trainee monk) who knew the taste of meat but had to abstain for the past six years would obviously not leave a high-quality feast unfinished. The previously-innocent esteemed daughter of noble family had turned in her virgin card C actually, it would be more apt to say that card got shredded apart into million pieces at this point.
Mu Ssang was rueful about the impending daybreak, but Edel welcomed it with all of her heart. Despite saying something about her being able to die happy now, in reality no one in their right mind wanted to die after such an experience.
*
Whether history was being written during the night or even if the harmony had been broken, the unchanging and uncaring sun still rose up.
The Yoa House was deathly quiet that morning. Usually, the residents would have had their breakfast before the sunrise and started their daily activities by now. However, despite the sun having risen up well over a footspan over the horizon, not even a single spider could be seen scurrying about.
In the terrace of Yoa Houses drawing room
One of the two rocking chairs greeted its intended master. As for the mistress of the other chair, she was currently slumbering away like a sated lioness.
Mu Ssang plopped down carelessly on the chair and began mumbling to himself. Bloody hell. That was hard work, alright.
His expression remained pouty as he spoke.
Handling a glass plate with a forged steel club was never going to be easy. A human body could not endure the strength and vigor of an Epidium like him. He could not even properly release his pent-up needs due to how cautious he was. Hae-young used to struggle mightily back when he was much weaker. They needed several months just to get used to each other.
Not only that, but the massive amount of poison the tarantula-type monster in the jungles of Ituri had injected him with also proved to be a problem. The poisons component, Atrax, was a natural aphrodisiac dozens of times more potent than Viagra.
The legendary Lao Ai, allegedly capable of using his junior as the axle for a wooden carriage, was nothing compared to him. Honestly, Mu Ssang feared that he might punch a hole into a boulder at this rate.
Edel might find it difficult to move around for the next few days, but in return, all of her internal impurities incinerated away. Now that her health and immunity had improved by a great deal, she probably would not come down with a common cold anymore.
Even though Mu Ssang did not get much out of the session, Edel struck gold in this exchange. Although, he could not help but adore her for enduring his assault with her frail body.
Tuning with her, huh~. Rudrey got she wanted, but what about me! I guess Novatopia is my fate?
Mu Ssang groaned deeply.
He was a Homo Sapiens Epidium. Putting aside whether or not he could have kids, one woman did not even come remotely close to fulfilling his needs. One slip-up from him and he might end up offing the woman he cared for. He confirmed it without a shred of doubt last night: he was simply not meant to have a sweet little married life with only one woman.
Get several wives, then? Back in Korea, such a thing would have been against the law, but more than that, the glares would have been too troublesome to handle even for him. However, nothing was stopping him in Novatopia. He was the law here.
Ombuti and Bakri might jump up and down in joy, I guess. Hehehe!
A small chuckle leaked out of his lips.
*
The sun peeking out over the horizon poured out its spear-like rays, brightly illuminating the lakes surface.
The emerald-hued lake spread before Mu Ssangs view, surrounded by palm trees and forests of tall reed grasses. Beyond the lake were erg and reg, sandstone pillars standing tall along with mushrooms, winds sucking up the desert sands, then minute particles of sandstone blowing around like a snowstorm
What a strikingly foreign scenery this was, far removed from South Korea with its pristine waters and mountains.
It was easy to see why Ombuti constructed the temporary administrative offices in this location. This whole area was a natural resource that could earn a ton of cash just by renting it out as a shooting location for a movie or a commercial. Another reason why he was so mindful about preserving the nature of this place.
Winds blowing in from the Northeast of Sahara dumped the smell of withered soil on his senses before going away. The Harmattan of the West Sahara would shift to the east around June. Although not as intense as when it was assaulting the West Sahara, it was still strong enough to endlessly dump sand in this location C the reason why Orifice was so hung up about creating a windbreak forest.
At around nine million ?, Saharas size was about the same as that of the United States of America. Its borders were indistinguishable, and the whole desert continued to expand every year, leading to some scientists to posit that it could even be as large as 13 million ? instead. Such a size meant that it was a hundred times larger than Korea.
Novatopia was just a little green dot in the middle of a vast sandstone-and-sand world. Twenty-five thousand ? was basically the same as a pebble on the front yard.
Mu Ssang scanned the lakes vicinity where the masses caused a commotion throughout the night. He did not need to activate his Inner Eye for the distance of between six hundred meters to two kilometers. He could even spot the fibers of a coconut shell rolling around on the ground from this distance.
It seems to have worked, then. Yup, thats how its supposed to be.
The corners of his lips sneakily curled up.
Not a single bottle of booze or bits of tissue were lying about. Considering the level of the indigenous Africans awareness, this should be considered a miracle. His strategy of putting on a performance about receiving punishment was the major factor for this outcome.
The citizens of Novatopia were definitely freaked out by the show he put on, which ensured that they would clean out the location of their commotion before going back home.
He then spotted dozens of trucks traveling tirelessly on the other side of the lake, clouds of sand left behind in their wake. He heard the noises of heavy machinery chugging along, liberally interspersed with the localized version of Arabic going ttu, tti, tta as well as French going veng, shong, ahng.
The words spoken by different individuals contained meanings they wished to convey, but the jumbled mess of languages turned into meaningless noise like the sounds of a honey bees beating wings.
When languages gather, they would lose meaning, but when peoples wills gathered, a great meaning would be given life. This great meaning created the flow of events, leading to the creation of history. And Mu Ssang was the big soul serving as the focal point that attracted the great meaning.
Where flowers wilt, fruits will ripen, is it?
Not one empire nor emperor thought about planting trees in the desert of Sahara for the past thousands of years. Not Egypt, not Persia, not even Rome. Never mind those ancient empires, even the Great British Empire or France simply saw Sahara as just that, Sahara. No one dared to even start a greening project in this unforgiving desert.
But here he was, a country bumpkin with a bum leg, starting an unprecedented greening project that no one in history ever tried.
And the dark-crimson desert was already transforming into a verdant forest. A man should at least achieve this much in his life, no? Mu Ssang felt a sense of accomplishment in his heart.
Your excellency, your coffee will get cold, sir. Yijihana carrying a tray woke his boss up with a voice as soft as a mosquito buzzing.
Ah. I almost forgot.
He had forgotten about the coffee while daydreaming. He picked up the slightly-crude ceramic cup, then deeply inhaled the aroma. The coffees aroma managed to shove aside the smells of the desert and the lake to enter his nose. It was as quiet and still as a mothers gaze, just as strong yet still tender.
If the coffee brewed by Edel was delicious, then Yijihanas coffee had an additional texture of feeling added on top of its taste.
The addictiveness of coffee rivaled that of cigarettes. Unlike green tea or black herbal tea, each cup of coffee had their own stories to tell.
A cup of coffee could bring out the words you always wanted to say. It could lead to a confession of ones love, and it could even act as a partner to many of your emotions. Green tea might have class, but in terms of popularity or the ability to communicate, nothing could beat coffee. This was the reason why a coffee cultivation field was being created in Ennedi despite all the challenges.
Chef!
Y-yes, sir! Your excellency!
Mu Ssangs soft call was still enough to shock Yijihana into standing at attention in a hurry.
Be at ease. You might make me choke on this coffee, you know.
Ah! My apologies, sir.
Chef, humans are animals of fate. Strangers meet and get to know each other, and after knowing each other well enough, they eventually become friends. And after staying as friends, they will grow close enough to become family.
Thats why you mustnt use the term Your Excellency. I get nasty goosebumps whenever I hear stuff like that. I call folks that eat the food from the same pot as me as my family. My family calls me Wakil. That title might mean master, but its actually a lot closer to being protector. Thats why Id like you to call me Wakil, too.
Thank you, sir!
Yijihana got down on all fours. He couldnt dare to use the name Dubaiburupa to call his master, so he settled on Your Excellency instead. But this great and noble being acknowledged someone as lowly as a chef as part of his family.
Deeply moved now, Yijihana could not figure out how to express his gratitude.
I felt a mothers affectionate gaze from this coffee. What was on your mind while brewing it?
Yijihana was stunned to hear that. While brewing this mornings coffee, he was indeed thinking about his grandmother, about how hard she toiled to raise him up, and how much he missed her.
Dubaiburupa was the first person to read what was on Yijihanas mind by tasting the coffee he made.
Thank you for your compliment, sir. To get the right taste of coffee, I have been giving my all for many years. Theres no end to coffees taste, as it can be sour, bitter, savory, smooth, or rough. I pondered and contemplated on ways to present the most delectable coffee to customers with my every waking moment.
And from a certain moment on, I began following the natural flavor of coffee rather than trying to extract it. Instead of relying on brilliant skills, I chose to adapt to coffees inherent flavors.
Fifteen years later, my coffee began reflecting whats in my heart, sir. No matter how excellent the ingredients were, the coffee ended up tasting unrefined if my heart at the time was in turmoil. But when I was happy, the coffee would end up tasting joyous.
And now Im not brewing coffee to present it to a customer. I only wish to be true to my heart, sir.
Yijihana finished speaking then stood back, ready to serve. He was quietly worried about the mood of the great and noble souring because of the words of a lowly man like him.
Aha! Your heart was in it!
Mu Ssang let out a quiet little exclamation. It was at that moment that a lightbulb lit up brightly in his mind. Unconsciously, he entered the state of deep meditation and contemplation.
Even though I exist, I rely on others understanding to categorize all things and separate whats good and evil! Beom-So-Yu-Sang Yak-Gyun-Je-Sang Bi-Sang Juk-Gyun-Yeo-Rae (A Buddhist mantra; it means All things in existence are fleeting and in vain. When you see all things but perceive what they are not, then you shall soon witness Buddha.)
A verse from the Vajra Sutra came out from Mu Ssangs lips. He somehow gained an enlightenment of the Buddhist scripture that elucidated the concept of existence in a quantum theoretical sense.
There was an old saying, Maeng-Gu-Wu-Mok. It meant that understanding the Vajra Sutra was as difficult as a blind turtle floating around the water chancing upon a driftwood. That was why Mu Ssang was genuinely happy about this.
If only master knew. He would have been overjoyed
The way of Buddhism was tough. Especially the Vajra Sutra C its meaning depended on ones interpretation. And even if you managed to interpret it somehow, it did not automatically lead you to grasping what it actually meant. It had been so many years since he grappled with the meaning behind the concept of Eung-Mu-So-Ju Yi-Saeng-Gi-Sim. (It means: one should not be attached to any thoughts arising in ones mind, or ones mind must be independent of thoughts arising within.)
Some people carelessly use the phrase, As easy as being a Buddhist monk. However, becoming a monk was no cakewalk. There was an old saying, In-Sin-Nan-Duk Bul-Beop-Nan-Bong, which meant it was difficult to be born as a human, but even harder to become a monk.
Before you could become a monk, one must pass the stage of Haengjaseung (trainee monk; also an ascetic monk). That term denoted a trainee monk who was determined to enter the monkhood and was doing the miscellaneous chores around the monastery.
However, you were a trainee monk only in name, as you were basically a glorified temple worker, a person who had to take on the hard labor that sustained a monastery C such as cooking food, tending to the vegetable garden, serving as a caretaker and even guiding people wishing to pay alms to the temple in question.
The duration of Haengjaseung lasted around three to four months at the shortest, and one year at the longest. Only after you have shaken off the identity of a Haengja, will you then be given the Ten Rules of Samanera as well as your Buddhist name.
Once a Samanera completed their prescribed Buddhist training, they were given the Rules of Upasampada and became a full-fledged monk. In a way, Mu Ssang was a Samanera who had not shaved his head.
Chapter 500 - Episode 6 Please Tune Me Up!
Whether you were a Haenjaseung or a Samanera, you still had to know the Buddhist scriptures. But those bloody scriptures proved to be incredibly tough to comprehend. Forget the scriptures translated from Sanskrit you first need knowledge of Hanja that rivalled that of a Chinese Classics scholar and a boundless understanding of the Buddhist teachings.
Trying to understand their meaning is like a blind fumbling around for a doorknob it gets you nowhere. So much so that even Zen Buddhist monks would choose to throw the scriptures aside and lock themselves up in closed-door cultivation for the sake of breaking through gongan!
Breaking though gongan was an outrageous training method where youd gain insight on Buddhist teachings through one moment of enlightenment instead of diligently poring through the scriptures night and day.
The Zen sect became popular after the appearance of its Sixth Patriarch Huineng, but even so, attaining an awakening was not as easy as it sounds. Monk Seongcheol divided the stages of enlightenment into three following stages: Dong-Jeong-Yil-Yeoh (in the waking state, one mind), Mong-Jung-Yil-Yeoh (in the dreaming state, one mind), and Oh-Meh-Yil-Yeoh. (in waking and dreaming states, one mind)
In the Dong-Jeong-Yil-Yeoh, the practitioner would constantly meditate on gongan whether they were seeking enlightenment, taking a stroll, working to make ends meet, or even having a meal. Unless they were asleep, their mind would be focused solely on one thing.
Truth be told, reaching this state alone was already an incredible attainment. Even a muscle brain would be able to pass the civil servant exam if they had the mental strength of Dong-Jeong-Yil-Yeoh. Even a playboy would hit the realm of vigor unheard of before.
As for the Mong-Jung-Yil-Yeoh, this was a realm where you would dream of gongan instead of dreaming about mundane life. And finally, the realm of Oh-Meh-Yil-Yeoh indicated that you would vividly hear gongan during your dreams as if you were fully awake. Reaching such a realm was next to impossible, but more than that, you would no longer be a normal person but a complete loon by then.
That was how much of a mirage this thing called enlightenment was C unattainable unless you were a total madman. Hell, finding a needle that accidentally fell into the Han River would be easier than this. (Authors note: If someone sneaks up and asks you, Do you know the Dao?, then please sock him on the nose with your fist, then say This is the Dao. If they get angry, then they are fake practitioners who are not sufficiently crazy yet.)
*
Huh-uh~. My teacher was someone who had truly gained enlightenment on his Dao, then!
A lengthy sigh escaped from Mu Ssangs lips. Despite having acquired the sorcery to summon forth wind and rain, his teacher went around asking for donations while wearing shabby-looking monks attire and grey rubber shoes. He was even robbed by a bunch of local hoodlums too. But enlightenment was something like that.
The Buddhist name Mu Ssang received from his teacher, Mu-ah, was none other than his gongan. The word mu-ah was the embodiment of Four Dharmic Seals, namely atman samjna, pudgala samjna, sattva samjna, and jiva samjna. Simply put, the teacher wanted his disciple to overcome the illusion of oneself created through the perception of other people.
It was similar to Socrates legendary Know thyself in a way.
All humans fear death. A person bitten by a turtle would get frightened by a pot lid because of their prior experience. Yet why do we fear death despite never experiencing it? We fear it simply because others have told us how scary it is. Its basically the same as the common phrase, if you friend jumps off a cliff, will you too?
Hell? Heaven? No living person has ever experienced those. In other words, there was no need to fear death.
The name Mu-ah, therefore, was gongan urging him to surpass the error of experience created when the knowledge of other people was added on top of his own experiences acquired directly or indirectly.
It went against ones comprehension. Something being here did not mean something else was over there. Because of ones knowledge, one could not properly see oneself C thats the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
A ceiling existed for both knowledge and physical strength, but wisdom and enlightenment were limitless.
Only then did Mu Ssang finally realize why his teacher was deeply wary of Left Martial Theories. The state attained by his teacher seemed even loftier than ever before.
[You fool, use your brain. Just one percent of your body will do. At this rate, youll end up as an idiot who uses his head to hammer nails!]
His teacher often chided Mu Ssang with those words while drumming the latters head with a goosefoot walking stick. He suddenly wished to run back to the small Buddhist temple and ask his teacher for praise right now.
*
How How is that even possible?!
Yijihanas eyes grew wide. The coffee cup was levitating in the air. Dubaiburupa was currently deep in a meditation, his hands resting on his knees.
The chef had heard that grand shamans and magicians could make objects move without touching them, but this was first time witnessing such a feat.
Yijihana, inwardly freaking out, held his breath desperately lest he inadvertently broke Dubaiburupas state of pure enlightenment.
The coffee cup levitating in the air was due to the power of mind brought on by Dong-Jeong-Yil-Yeoh. For a brief moment in times passage, Mu Ssang had escaped from the error of experience and became aware of his true self. The pure power of the mind perceiving the cup was not acting like a mirror reflecting reality, but was influencing reality itself. You could say that his mind, not his hand, was holding up the coffee cup.
Yijihana could not even lift a finger, fearing that doing so might create the slightest of noise. However, an unexpected source ended up breaking the peace, instead.
Tti-ririri~
The walkie-talkie suddenly began buzzing noisily.
T-that damn thing!
Yijihana glared murderously at the poor walkie-talkie.
Isnt that the sound of the walkie-talkie?
The moment Mu Ssang perceived reality as it is, like a mirrors reflection, his perfect state of meditation was broken. The coffee cup floating in the air fell back to earth. His mind power was not strong enough to maintain reality through the mirror of falsehood just yet.
Oh, no! Yijihana cried out in alarm. His mind was already painting the vivid image of the ceramic cup smashing into pieces after hitting the floor.
But just then, Mu Ssang extended his hand before lightly flipping around. The falling cup suddenly rose back up and landed safely on the tray.
Dubaiburupa, your glory be eternal!
Even before he realized it, Yijihana was already on his knees to offer a prayer.
Mu Ssang smiled wryly while picking up the walkie-talkie. He did not attain complete enlightenment, but walked away with an unexpected gift of psychokinesis instead.
The enlightenment vaporized into mist, yet Ive gained another ability belonging to the Left Martial Theory, huh. This is why I keep getting reprimanded for not walking the path of Buddhism, Mu Ssang lamented with a sigh.
Despite acquiring psychokinesis, he was far more rueful about failing to gain a complete understanding of his gongan. Sure, there was no guarantee that he would attain complete enlightenment, but even so, this was one of those cases of the one that got away.
He acquired the Finger Wind back in Djiboutis hotel. Then in Jipoon Dari, he acquired psychokinesis. His moment of enlightenment seemed so far away, yet his number of Left Martial Theory skills was increasing regardless.
Wakil, sir. Did you have a blissful night?
When Mu Ssang opened the radio channel, Mohammads voice came from the receiver.
Well, yes. What happened?
Walter passed during the night, sir.
What a pity. He was still young, too! Mu Ssang replied in a disinterested tone of a hundred-year-old man.
That punk emitted murderous intent oh-so amateurishly only to perish in a rather flabbergasting manner. Although, even if he did not die in that manner, he would still get beaten to death by Samdi, anyway.
When he was being carried out on a stretcher, Walters heart had not stopped yet, but it seemed that the MSF failed to resuscitate him afterwards.
What was the cause of Walters death?
Life and death was up to ones fate, but even so, a healthy doctor suddenly kicking the bucket was not a common occurrence.
Sir. It was drug poisoning. Thirty seconds into the first signs of poisoning manifesting, he developed tachycardia and sixty seconds later, his heart stopped beating, sir. The doctors present at the guest seats didnt even have time to do anything to save him. After he was taken to the hospital, they attached a respirator and heart-lung machine (ECMO), but his heart completely stopped functioning 15 minutes later.
Wait, he died through drug poisoning? Mu Ssang was puzzled by this. A drug poisoning out of nowhere?
Yessir. The cause of death is determined to be saffron.
Saffron?
According to Doctor Giz, the victims heart muscles extended due to the excessive consumption of crocin contained in saffron, sir. And the resulting cytokine storm apparently obliterated his immune system, sir.
To think that a seasoning can act as a deadly poison. Now thats surprising. Mu Ssang felt a chill run down his spine.
Indeed, he did think that last nights bouillabaisse tasted a bit too bitter, with a strong metallic aftertaste that resembled honey coming from it.
The reason why Mu Ssang was fine was because crocin happened to be an aphrodisiac. If the pig stimulant Jang Pil-nyuh used on her husband was a trash aphrodisiac, then saffron would be the top-tier version. But whether the aphrodisiac was trash or top-tier, consuming too much of it could greatly increase the possibility of your death during the deed.
The Epidiums super-tough physique that could break down the botulinus toxins in less than five minutes would obviously be unscathed by the likes of some aphrodisiac. However, Mu Ssang still ingested a quantity that did send a healthy man to afterlife. No wonder he felt unsatisfied despite the night-long session.
Also, Samdi acting more abrasive than usual had to be because he ate some of the saffron-laced bouillabaisse last night.
*
Yijihana, who was listening to the radio communication, became as pale as a sheet. One of the invited guests was poisoned to death. Even if it was him, he would suspect the chefs first.
He finally gained a life worthy of being a human and was even acknowledged as Dubaiburupas family, yet this lightning bolt came out of nowhere and mercilessly struck him down.
Chef, did you have a reason to use saffron in the bouillabaisse last night?
Yijihana fell to his knees. His teacher once told him that saffron was utilized as poison in the Middle Ages, but to think that an incident would really occur in the modern times!
Wakil, saffron as a spice is more expensive than gold, sir. Someone like me cant carelessly use it. Using it too much on a dish would make it too bitter, ruining the dish altogether. I only used a minute amount on the rice, maeuntang and paella, sir. It was so little that even after eating the rice, maeuntang and paella from the feast, Im still fine, sir.
Yijihana replied honestly without making excuses. This was how he lived his life until now.
Mu Ssang nodded, then spoke in a gentle voice to assuage Yijihanas fears. I wasnt asking that to lay the blame on you, chef. I only wanted to confirm something.
And so, the culprit was clear now.
Uh-whew! She used to make dishes rivaling pure poison, but now, she has finally created a real poison, hasnt she!
In other words, the bouillabaisse cooked by Edel was the culprit here. Since Mu Ssang knew she had no taste buds whatsoever, he decided to just eat the bouillabaisse and be done with it. But if he was a regular person, then he wouldve been dead, too. Hell, as an added bonus, his loyal retainers could have died alongside him, too!
If Edel learns about Walter eating her food and dying straight away, she would get a shock of her life. But if he were to keep this as a secret, then Then hed have to keep eating Edels food from now on.
A loving angel that cooked poisonous dishes A groan leaked out of his mouth.
It was then he suddenly recalled the scent of Cohiba Siglo wafting around his seat as well as the foreign substance coating Edels wineglass.
Mohammad, did Walter frequently smoke Cohiba Siglo?
Yes, thats correct.
That means the punk that did stuff to the glass was him.
It was unknown why Walter decided to eat the bouillabaisse meant for him, but Mu Ssang more or less understood the situation now. That bastard was trying to kill him and Edel. In that case, there was a good possibility that he did something to the bouillabaisse too.
Got it. Call every member of Black Culture here, please.
Yessir. Well see you in thirty minutes.
Mu Ssang put the walkie-talkie down, then began retracing Walters movements last evening. He also figured out why the bouillabaisse and maeuntangs taste had been mixed up. Walter must have eaten too much of the former and decided to use the latters broth to cover it up.
Wazalans situation led to the banquet venue emptying out, and Walter must have used that opening to do something to the wineglass and the bouillabaisse.
Mu Ssang got lost in the spicy broth of maeuntang in the bouillabaisse and failed to spot the presence of any foreign substance. Poisonous substances would only be on the level of unique seasoning to him, but still, he needed to confirm it regardless.
His mind automatically activated the Dimensional Sight. His internals were vividly projected into his brain. The process of concentrating his mind and bringing out his inner voice was no longer necessary. This was all thanks to acquiring just the tip of enlightenment.
He sensed a strange substance attached to the lining of his stomach. A viscous gel-like substance was attached there like some kind of a coating. Using the resonance wave, he detached this suspicious substance off his stomach and made it travel backwards through his oesophagus.
Cough-!
A blob of Langsam Tshss, along with some phlegm, came out of his mouth.
This poison, created by Walter himself, was designed to mix in with the digestive juices after entering the stomach. The poison then would develop coal tar-like viscosity to stick to the stomach lining. After curare melted down from the passage of time, the strychnine would bare its fangs.
That son of a b*tch!
Mu Ssangs glare become sharper.
Even at a casual glance, that greyish blob was poison. A doctor meant to save peoples lives was plotting to murder with poison? What a trash human he was.
Mu Ssang was reminded once more that there were too many bastards in this world who had thrown off the fa?ade of humanity and acted like pure animals. Thankfully, Samdi was the only other person to eat the bouillabaisse last night.
Well, a zombie wouldnt die from poison, so thats fine, he thought decisively, knowing that there was no need to worry about Samdi. Drinking a whole cannister of undiluted hydrochloric acid might hurt Samdi in some way, but poisons like neurotoxin, hemotoxin or hemolysin would not work on a zombie.
Akra. Summon all the family members to the first floor living room.
Yes, Lord Dubaiburupa!
The girl standing by the doorway hurriedly ran down the stairs. She was none other than Akra who troubled Sun Woo-hyun back in the Samaria farm. As promised, she was training as a nurse under Edels guidance.
Mu Ssang had no idea that saffron would act like poison. It could be a big problem if any of the servants of the Yoa House had tasted the bouillabaisse. As for Edel, there was no need to worry about her. Even if she did ingest the poison, last nights action should have cleanly cleared it out of her.
Chef, are the wineglass and the bouillabaisse bowl still being preserved as I ordered?
Yes sir. As you commanded last night, they are being kept in a freezer.
Confirm if any of the servants had tasted the bouillabaisse, then bring them to me.
Yes, sir!
Yijihana, frozen stiff from the tense atmosphere, hurriedly left the room.
Dino, go and bring me several living rats.
Dino rummaged through the drawing room, pulled out a basket with a lid, then soundlessly left. Meanwhile, Mu Ssang was getting somewhat irritated by this. Something minor had managed to ruin his good mood.
Less than five minutes later, Dino returned with the basket held in its maw. Mu Ssang opened the lid and peered inside only to scowl deeply from this intense stench.
Calling three pink and fur-less animals rats was a bit strange, though.
Mu Ssang did not know about the naked mole-rats, the indigenous rodents of Sahara. These mole-like critters usually burrowed deep underground to evade the scorching heat on the surface. They could evade human eyes but evading Dinos senses was impossible even for them.
In the meantime, the chef climbed up the stairs along with Bassel.
Wakil, Bassel said she has tasted the bouillabaisse, sir.
Lord Dubaiburupa, a-am I gonna die? Bassel, her complexion pale, trembled like a leaf.
Bassel, Im Dubaiburupa.
Ah!
His dignified reply was all thats needed for Bassel to regain her composure. He pressed his palm against the acupoint present on her lower spine and used Dimensional Sight to scan her internals. He could not spot any abnormalities.
Then again, saffron was not poisonous but aphrodisiac. Just tasting the bouillabaisse a little would not have affected her.
Bassel, youre perfectly fine, so no need to worry. You can go back to what you were doing.
Praise be to Lord Dubaiburupa!
With a much brighter expression, Bassel bowed deeply to him before climbing down the stairs. Mu Ssang sighed in relief. Now that he confirmed the safety of the employees, it was time to come up with preventative measures.
Chapter 501 - Episode 7 Please Tune Me Up!
Chef, are you aware of the symptoms of saffron poisoning?
Saffron is an expensive spice and a top-tier dye. Another use of it is as an aphrodisiac. My master chef said if you overdose on it, you become as relaxed as a willy that has just done the deed Excuse my crudeness. You become as relaxed as soaked cotton.
Yijihana quickly changed his phrasing. He wanted to smack his own mouth for uttering a crude metaphor in front of the noble Dubaiburupa.
Buddy, some willies dont relax even after the deed!
Mu Ssang laughed internally. He must have meant that ones muscles relaxed. It was something worth experimenting with.
Mu Ssang glared at the test sample on the dish. A red-bean-sized piece was separated from the lump of the test sample. The mole rats mouth was opened and the gray separated piece entered it.
His newly acquired ability, Psychokinesis, was suitable for messy tasks like this in which Mu Ssang would prefer not to use his own hands. It may seem like overkill but Mu Ssangs inclination toward efficiency explained it.
The mole rat screeched and jumped about. It fell to the floor then its limbs were contorted in grotesque directions. The poor things life ended within 10 seconds.
Langsam Tschss normally kicked in slowly, but in this case, the stomach acid had dissolved the coating and enhancing the curare, revealing the poisons intense toxicity. Strychnine is a lethal poison used by farmers to repel bears and wolves that harmed their cattle during the era of the American frontier.
They laced bait with poison. Animals that ate it died. The wolves, which ate their carcasses, then died as well. The bears ate the wolves carcasses then died. It was way too lethal for a 30-gram mole rat to survive.
Huh, theres an assassin!
Yijihanas eyes widened, his eyelids were almost going to rip. The body of the naked mole-rat had its limbs contorted and its backbone bent like a bow. It was a much more lethal poison than saffron. There was some lunatic who attempted to assassinate great Dubaiburupa. He was even more shocked because he was in charge of the food. His head was racing with hectic thoughts.
Chef, pour some liquor in the wineglass.
Yijihana, back to the present moment, poured some akra in the wineglass. It was the wineglass whose inside had been coated by Langsam Tschss by Walter. The dissolved Langsam Tschss danced in strands in the liquid.
Another mole rats mouth had its mouth open and was fed the laced akra. Unexpectedly, the mole rat stumbled drunkenly but was fine. The mole rat that was fed the test sample died instantly but this one, who was expected to die, was fine.
Did I overreact?
Mu Ssang wondered. He did not understand why.
Samdi, send this to Giz for analysis.
Mu Ssang was not inclined to wonder about uncertain phenomena. The dead are dead and the living are alive. He sent the wineglass, leftover bouillabaisse, and test sample to the MSF hospital. Walters efforts, who had developed the slow-acting poison and exhaustively planned the assassination, were all foiled by Mu Ssangs one sentence.
Comme on fait son lit on se couche! One sleeps the bed that one made! Right prevails in the end.
Mu Ssang, Ombuti, and the rest of Black Culture sat around a gigantic round table in the parlor of Yoa House. The absentees were Paul in Djibouti, Bellman in California, Emil in the Foreign Legion, Edel in sleep, and Giz who was processing Walters body. Mu Ssang was going to check up on the overall situation in Novatopia, appoint the leaders in each sector, then head to Korea.
The mistress was not around but no one thought of it as weird. Everyone in the room knew what happened in Yoa House last night. Ombuti, who considered himself as the protector of Edel, had slipped the word about what was happening in the bedroom. All in-house staff had vacated the place. What was happening inside was anyones guess.
Bassel, on behalf of the exhausted Edel, received the guests. Bassel, who was recognized as a legal wife of Ombuti, was de facto one of the most important women among them. Dinofelis was also sitting in a corner of the wide round table. Mu Ssang, who had hung out with everyone and everything in the bottommost part of the world, did not prioritize people over animals.
Ombuti, brief us on the current state of Novatopia.
Maybe his position had shaped him to some degree. He had the charisma worthy of a leader of a nation.
Aye, sir. Novatopias area is precisely 25,580 square kilometers and the total length of the borders is 750 kilometers. Its population is currently 63,280 and increasing by 10,000 every month as of now. OVer 500,000 refugees are waiting at the border, waiting for an entry permit. We are taking in as many refugees as our infrastructure can withstand but it is still overwhelmed.
The border length of 750 kilometers is exactly the same as the Maginot Lines. What a coincidence.
Mu Ssangs smile was slightly bitter. The Maginot Lines were fortified fronts against Germany, constructed by the French army minister Maginot in World War I. It took ten years and 16,000,000,000 francs to build them but they futilely collapsed at the German militarys armored attack. The Maginot Lines were synonymous with wasted effort. A fortress did not fit into an era of chemical weaponry.
Shall we expand our borders?
Mohammad gauged Mu Ssangs reaction. It was an absurd suggestion but Black Culture was unstoppable. If Dubaiburupa gave them an order, they would have overthrown the Chad government at once.
The more we have, the more we have to manage. Lets see it later.
Mu Ssang waved it away. What they already had was taxing enough.
I see.
Even though he had said so, Ombutis eyes looked otherwise. He was a former merchant and Tuareg warrior who sprinted throughout the desert. In his eyes, Novatopia was too small to be Wakils kingdom. The others did not seem different. Once the opportunity showed itself, they would make a mess at once.
Blue Art, Blue Art the desert! I shall begin with the work progress.
As soon as Ombuti finished the sentence, Nejema erected a chart board and held the pointing stick. Mu Ssang eyed Ombuti with curiosity.
I have appointed Ombuti as the inspector general of the project.
Mu Ssang nodded without saying a word. If Ombuti, who was experienced, appointed Nejema as the inspector general, there must be a reason.
Make the desert green!
Nejema shouted, thrusting both hands in the air.
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
The people sat around the round table and repeated after him, holding up their right hands. Dino, reading the air, held up his right paw and roared. Dino had all the rights to sit at the round table.
One who doesnt work shall not eat!
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
Just compensation for the workers!
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
Freedom for the rich, opportunities for the poor!
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
Have you tried it?
Thus said Dubaiburupa.
The chanting ended there with Have you tried it? Strangely, the Have you tried it? at the end was in Korean.
What are they doing? Ugh.
Mu Ssang screamed internally. All the phrases were taken from what he had said. He felt as if he was in the peoples square in North Korea. His blush turned into a flush when he heard the last phrase, Have you tried it? All the capillaries in his face seemed to expand at once.
He was embarrassed and wanted to wear a mask. Come to think of it, the shouts from the lakeshore in the morning sounded similar to the phrases they chanted now.
Project Blue Art is currently ongoing with eight divisions: the great waterway, windbreak forest, hub cities, energy belt, agricultural belt, industrial belt, tourism belt. The agricultural belt has five divisions: crops, cattle, coffee, pasture, and seeds
Mu Ssang raised his hand.
Nejema, skip the details and brief us on the work progress and issues.
I see.
Nejema tensed up. He had forgotten Mu Ssangs character. He abhorred complexity. Once he tasked someone with something, he rarely got involved.
The waterway is smoothly ongoing thanks to the aquifer you discovered. Lieutenant Pellpengs aquifer development team has withdrawn after drilling 25 wells at 10 sites When we ready the waterway, we can supply 400,000,000 liters of water daily. Current completion is at 35 percent. Afwerki is working hard to install the pipes. As for the roads, we plan to pave 2,800 kilometers outside the borders and 1,200 kilometers within Novatopia. For the first, the progress is at 85 percent. For the latter, the completion is at 45 percent. The windbreak forest is at 65-percent progress along the 490 kilometers of the northwestern border. Depending on the frequency and intensity of the sandstorm, the width varies from 100 meters to 300 meters. The most planted tree species are jatrophas, willows, and yellow poplars As for the crops: mainly sorghum, wheat, cassava, yam, beans, and we are test-cultivating various crops. The sorghum and cassavas are especially thriving. The sorghum is also planned to be used to provide shade in the coffee farms The tourism belt is divided into the Lake Yoa region, Serir lake region, and Ennedi plateau region. The infrastructure is currently limited to roads, utility facilities, and souvenir shops. When we do open it to the public, we will limit the entry of vehicles and operate camel sightseeing transport.
Camels?
Mu Ssang was startled.
Is there a problem? Shall we cancel it?
No. Continue.
Something was up with Mu Ssang but Nejema overlooked it and continued to brief.
The progress is at 15 percent. As it is not a necessity, the progress is slow. When Kim, who is in charge of equipment, comes back from Korea, the progress will accelerate. That concludes the briefing.
Mu Ssang clapped three times. The waterway, the lifeline of Novatopia, being at 35-percent completion, was motivating. It was thanks to Nejemas idea to build a road alongside the waterway.
The average annual rainfall in Korea was 1,200 millimeters. Novatopia had greater annual rainfall but still saw frequent floods and droughts. It was due to poor water maintenance. The key to the development of Novatopia was Afwerkis great waterway. The deepest part of the aquifer was said to be 2,000 meters deep. They would never need to worry about water running out, unlike oil.
You did a great job. A vast water tank that is hundreds of millions of years old is under our feet. We have the money and technology to bring up the water. The prosperity of Sodom and Gomorrah in Bab-Edh-Dhra was also thanks to its underground water. Bab-Edh-Dhras annual rainfall is mere 70 millimeters. Novatopias is 200 millimeters. Nothing prevents us from building our paradise.
Thus said Dubaiburupa. Have you tried it?
Black Culture shouted at once.
They are all infected by the Ombuti virus.
Mu Ssang shook his head. Anything he said soon was turned into the gospel. It was an adverse effect of the performance of walking on water last night. The event, which was aimed at gaining the peoples trust, was overly effective and produced fanatics. Even if he tried to discourage them, it would not have worked. Mu Ssang decided to accept it.
Nejema, report the issues.
First, money. Second, electricity. Third, weapons.
Nejema answered simply but the situation was not as simple. Each project was a big-scale construction. They drained money like black holes. The governor had ordered to place no further financial burden upon Wakil but only he could resolve this specific issue.
Ombuti, 530,000,000 francs were transferred to my Paribas account.
Sir? Did you say 530,000,000 francs?
Ombuti remarked in surprise.
The French government has been generous with the allowances.
Whoa! Black Culture exclaimed simultaneously. Wakir was indeed someone. He was like a well of money.
Per the contract agreed with Dapsang, starting from next month, 500,000,000 dollars will be transferred each month, 2,000,000,000 dollars in total. At the current exchange rate, it equals to 7,600,000,000 francs. And the Doba oil field will yield oil in 60 days. Dont worry about money and focus on the work.
Phew!
The attendees around the round table heaved a sigh of relief at once. The amount of money he wielded was astronomical. The only problem was that their only source of money was Dubaiburupa. The development would progress faster but they felt bad for draining his pockets.
We feel bad, friend.
Shernion and Orifice lowered their heads. Unlike the Africans like Ombuti, they had a notion that public assets and private assets should be separated.
Why do you feel so all of a sudden? Ive heard you two poured your own money into the coffee farms.
It was no significant amount and more of an investment for profit. It didnt really contribute to the infrastructure.
What are you talking about? A contribution is a contribution.
Mu Ssang looked at Ombuti.
Ombuti, how is the management of my accounts?
Net profit of 2,000,000 francs per quarter.
See? That is more than enough for me and Ombuti. A big amount of money, even if in my hands, it is not really mine. It finds where it should go on its own.
Mu Ssang smiled widely.
Look at that smile! How beautiful!
Orifices eyes were mesmerized. The smile of Dubaiburupa was exquisite. His smiling face seemed to expand and fill the whole conference room. Orifice stood unwittingly and bowed to Mu Ssang.
Wakil, I had no idea that a life of serving others with ones abilities would be as enjoyable as this. For the past year, I have felt so rewarded and happy. You are a true prophet and a great soul. I, Hawk Orifice, would like to fully commit to our cause. I want to be your follower.
Professor Orifice, you are acting weird. We are good friends. You should not start praising me just because I walked on water and showed some tricks. Are you already infected by the Ombuti virus?
Mu Ssang stared at Orifice, astonished. Professor Shernion stood abruptly and bowed.
When faced with an incomprehensible phenomenon, a scientist is poised to examine it, not believe in it. We will remain rational even if you start walking in the air, not just on water. Novatopia needs an order of command for it to be shaped properly. I have been jealous of Ombuti ever since I worked with you. I submit my application to be your follower too.
Chapter 502 - Episode 8 Please Tune Me Up!
This is the first time someone has told me he will become my follower. Mu Ssang giggled.
I am in love with Waki; as well. I will willingly be your follower. I am your responsibility now, Professor Mulsoli added.
What did I ever do?
Mu Ssang looked at Professor Mulsoli as if he had just been struck by an oxs horns. Bonipas was responsible for all of the people here, not him.
They have finally come to their senses!
Ombuti smiled, satisfied. Even the lofty professors from grandes coles sought to serve Mu Ssang. It pleased Ombuti. Ombuti believed that a boss and a subordinate acted like one being. The boss performance depended upon the capacity of their subordinates. That was his odd belief. The more intelligent his subordinates, the brighter the boss shined.
Wait for a second!
Ombuti stood abruptly.
May I have all of your attention, please. The brothers and sisters who sat here are of different ethnicities and peoples but have one common point: We are all graced by Wakil. I, as well, was saved many times thanks to Wakils grace and could avenge my wife and daughter. Sean and Jamal were reckless daredevils who opposed Wakil but now are our brothers, spared by Wakils mercy. Bakri, Mohammad, Ahmmad, Aishe, Ibrahim, Nejema, and Afwerki were all saved by Wakil when they faced extermination with their entire people. Even Dino is saved by Wakil. What did you do for Wakir?
The crowd went silent for a while. Bakri stood, holding the hem of his baggy tobe in his hand.
I met Wakil who was wearing a tobe and keffiyeh on a foggy lakeshore. I was wary but my six-year-old daughter was friendly to him, as if he were family. A pure soul had recognized a great soul. Wakil noticed Waels postnatal deformity and fixed it on the spot. Wakil had invested his precious time and effort for a strangers daughter.
Bakri stopped talking and looked around at his audience. A solemn ambiance descended upon the round table. Sun WooHyun reminisced about the people in his past. Orifice reminisced about the time Dubaiburupa appeared like a scene in the bible. They nodded. They understood the psychological shock Bakri must have experienced.
Wakil, without expecting anything in return, healed my young daughter and avenged my son. He led hundreds of my people and escaped Syria without a single casualty. Wakil always gave and never expected anything in return. The paths of our fate crossed. Its just that. Please live happily with your daughter. He said such words and left us. I still reminisce about that every day. Wakil, to his great burden, developed Novatopia for unfortunate people to live in. Throughout human history, no other god showed acting mercy like Wakil. They preached to us, Even pain is Gods benevolence. That was empty consolation and hypocrisy. If Gods benevolence means my children would be drawn up and killed without any reason, that my hard-earned assets would be taken from me, and my wife would be defiled, I deny such a God.
Bakri inhaled and adjusted his clothes.
Wakil, you graced us with great mercy yet we couldnt pay it back at all. I am ashamed. Wakil, you are the master of me and the people of the Jadir family.
Bakri bowed solemnly and sat down.
This is making me feel awkward.
Mu Ssang shuddered at the over the top flattery. He saved Bakris people and the Kurds purely on a whim. It took considerable time and energy on his part but Bakri also helped him with the operation.
As Brother Bakri said, we attempted to pay back Wakils grace but we only became his burden and trouble. This is because we hadnt exercised our capacities in an organized and unified manner. Today, even the three lofty professors willingly decided to serve Wakil. We consider ourselves to be serving Wakil but private relations are not suited for nation-building. I, the Aklan crew, seek to serve Wakil as the master of my soul. What do you think?
Ombuti looked around at the audience with his penetrating eyes. He was old but his upright posture and clear voice were worthy of the title of Tuareg nobility.
The audience was silent.
What is the master of ones soul?
Orifice asked Ibrahim who was sitting next to him.
It is a covenant that is traditional to the tribes of the Sahara and the desert tribes of Southwestern Asia. One devotes ones and ones familys life and everything to ones master. It is valid even after death so if ones body perishes, ones soul serves the master.
Whoa!
Orifice was very surprised. When he heard that it is valid even after death, he was taken aback. It was slavery, without any rights but a load of duties.
What happened to the god of your religion?
Ones soul master is incarnate in the world. No other God would be able to mesmerize me as he does.
Ibrahim lowered his voice.
Can that be? Orifice hesitated. It was not a joke. Even his descendants risked being bound by a slavery contract. On the other hand, he thought maybe it is not too bad. A gods role is to be someone a human can rely upon. People believed in formless gods. There was no reason for him to not believe in an incarnate god.
I would accept him as my souls master willingly. If it were not for him, I would have become a skeleton long ago.
When Jamal said this as if it was a matter of fact, many followed. The Kurds, including Ibrahim, complained that this due ritual has been postponed for way too long.
How about you, the three professors?
We are for it. I have lived many years and I dont mind a slave contract. What a diverse life. Isnt it so, buddy? Orifice asked, seeking Shernion and Mulsolis approval.
They said you are bound to serve even after death
Shernion did not finish his sentence. He was a devout Catholic. He needed to enter the pearly gates after death. If he had to serve Dubaiburupa, that plan was interrupted.
When we listen to the lectures of the Catholic fathers, heaven is not quite fun. No cars, no slot machines, no hot women, no tequila. Wouldnt you prefer a fun hell than a boring heaven?
You have a point, however
Think carefully. It would be so tedious to listen to the harp-strumming angels in an all-white palace. There is no Novatopia there. We are having so much fun even now. The afterlife with Dubaiburupa is going to be so much more fun.
That is right!
Shernion was convinced by the words Novatopia and a diverse life. He had left his school because of its tedious routine. If he ever returned to a life full of routine, he was going to lose his mind.
All my friends seem to be hanging out with Dubaiburupa. I was so bored in Doba. I dont want to feel left out.
Mulsoli nodded with a resolute face.
Bassel, please bring us a big bowl.
At Ombutis shout, Bassel brought a salad bowl. The glass bowl the size of a chamber pot was placed in front of Ombuti. Ombuti took out Tasenzoter from his pocket.
What bizarre show is he going to perform? Mu Ssang started to feel anxious. He was acclimatized to most instances of culture shocks but he was still wary of Ombutis impulsivity and Edels cooking. The occasional shows Ombuti performed were especially unbearable.
Tasenzoter Ariamma Junge Dubaiburupa!
Ombuti recited a spell and slashed his forearm with Tasenzoter. Fresh blood erupted like a fountain from the slashed flesh. Ombuti did not bat an eye and poured his blood into the bowl then staunched the bleeding. He then handed Tasenzoter to Bakri.
He is overdoing it again! Mu Ssang screamed internally. He had tasted enough blood on battlefields. Mohammad, Ibrahim, Aishe followed suit and poured their blood into the bowl. Lastly, Sun WooHyun, with the most reluctant face, buried the blade into his forearm. The salad bowl holding blood instead of the usual vegetables looked grotesque.
Orifice and Shernions faces paled. They did not expect such a gruesome ritual to be performed. Professor Mulsoli averted her gaze with a face that was on the verge of screaming.
When his turn came, Orifice closed his eyes firmly. He did not dare to let the blade slash his forearm.
Dont worry. Its already done.
Ahmmad whispered.
What? Is it already done?
Orifice opened his eyes. Ahmmad was holding Tasenzoter dripping with blood and his left forearm was bleeding into the bowl. Ahmmad, with his wide grin, looked like a homicidal maniac.
Sheltered in his comfortable life in the lab, Orifice never was once stabbed by a needle. Orifices eyes became all white, his face paled, and his body drooped. These were symptoms of anaphylaxis to excessive stimuli.
A rolling stone gathers no moss!
Mu Ssang wanted to applaud. Ahmmad had used the secret art of Mamluk Circassians to block Orifices pain nerves then slashed his muscles. His surreptitious and rapid maneuver was a sight to behold. Sun WooHyuns rank was going to drop further.
Huh. It seems he is not as bold as he is smart.
Ahmmad moved unconscious Orifice to a sofa. Professor Shernion boldly drew his own blood. For Professor Mulsoli, Ahmmad stabbed her fingertip with the tip of the blade to draw a small amount of blood. Including Professor Giz, who arrived late, a total of 15 people drew their blood. Ombuti held the bowl in which blood was sloshing and stood in front of Mu Ssang.
Great Dubaiburupa, our lord. Here, your loyal servants have willingly gathered their souls. The ones that drew the blood of solemn promise would always, alive or dead, serve one master. They will worship no one else but their master. Long live, Dubaiburupa!
We pledge our allegiance. Long live, our master Dubaiburupa!
Their roar shook the entire Yoa House.
Am I supposed to drink all of that?
Mu Ssang, holding the glass bowl reeking of blood, grimaced. It was not like they were in a blood donation van but they nevertheless had drawn so much blood. The amount of blood from 15 people could easily fill a gourd bowl. He could drink it if he had to but he did not want to. Ombuti pressured him with his firm gaze. It was going to be a joking matter for a long time if he chickened out.
Lets get it over with!
Mu Ssang held the bowl and gulped down the blood, forcing himself to think he is drinking some cola. When he was about halfway done, his head started to ring.
What is this?
Mu Ssang put down the bowl he was drinking from. He held his breath. Someone was sending him an intent but he could not figure out what it was. He had once received a telepathic message like that from Kamuge in the jungle of Ituri.
Ones telepathy has their own wavelength. It was not Kamuges. Perhaps due to the distance, the waves following the ringing were too weak. He discerned some kind of intent asking for help but could not figure it out further. The feeble waves soon faltered.
They will contact me again if they need to.
Mu Ssang, as always, shrugged it off. He was busy handling the crowd bowing before him.
First, straighten yourselves up. The elderly shall not overwork their backs which are already frail. Even before the ritual, we were one family. It doesnt change a thing if you consider me a friend or a master. What matters is fraternity and trust. Those things are mutual, not one-way. You should drink this too. I would mix my blood in here but my blood is poisonous.
Master, you speak rightfully. You shall spit in it then.
Spit in it?
At what Ombuti said, Mu Ssang, shocked, looked around at the crowd. No one seemed to question the suggestion. They seemed like they were going to mutiny if he refused. He was perplexed but there was no alternative. If he refused to spit, Ombuti would then ask him to urinate.
Black Culture each took one sip of the blood with Mu Ssangs spit mixed in. The desert tribes drink camel urine when they did not have enough water. They do not have qualms about drinking spit or urine. Professor Giz also took a sip of the blood-spit.
It was a great reward for Mu Ssangs entourage. The epidium in Mu Ssangs blood acted as a hormone that greatly boosted ones immunity. They were now able to keep most diseases at bay.
You are in a pickle. I am not a good master. I may even be an evil one. Instead of luxuries, expect to be worked until you die. I will promise one thing. I will always be standing in front of you.
We will be your stepping stone.
Great. A master shall gift something to his servants on a day like this. Lets call it a day with the briefing first. Dont worry about electricity. The French government gifted us an 800-MWp heavy-oil thermal power station. The construction will be done in 14 months. The groundbreaking will take place early next month. The electricity that we need now will be provided by wind turbines and solar panels that will be expansively installed. You shall endure inconveniences for only two or three months.
Oh! Merciful France! I am sure Master would have paid them something comparable to their mercy, though.
Haha!
At Mohammads words, everyone burst out laughing. Unless they were complete fools, France had no reason to waste such money.
Chapter 503 - Episode 9 Please Tune Me Up!
Its nothing significant. I just retrieved some bodies and articles left behind in the jungle and they are paying me back by constructing the power plant, Mu Ssang said nonchalantly.
He did not do it for the reward but the government is repaying it anyway. Samdi opened his mouth in amazement. Mu Ssang was even more indifferent than him, who used to be a zombie. A dark forest without a spot where the sun touched, bottomless swamps and valleys, unrelenting venomous insects and snakes, alligators and hippos charging with their red maws open, all of those things were like a joke to him.
They had fought an ancient crocodile, were dragged into sticky marshland entangled in a monsters tentacles, and entered a monsters belly after a fierce fight. The hellish jungle was still terribly vivid in his head. If that was nothing, what ever was something?
What a great merchant! Our stupid froggy comrades are so soft. It is so easy to toy with them. If I were with Wakil, Id have made a fortune!
Fifteen pairs of eyes were trained on Sun WooHyun. Their gazes were not favorable.
Did I say something wrong? Why are you all looking at me?
Tsk, a simpleton! Ombuti clucked his tongue.
A box of herring reeked of herring. There was a French proverb like that. It was difficult to change human nature. Even after a bitter defeat, that man still retained his hyperactive personality. In a reality where a nations king was working firsthand on construction sites, it was even more of an unbearable sight to behold. He referred to their soul master as a merchant. He wanted to crack open Sun WooHyuns head and examine his brain.
Dino stood furtively and approached Sun WooHyun.
What is this thing doing?
Sun WooHyun curiously stared at Dino who had its head close to him. Dino opened its mouth wide. Its diaphragm applied pressure on its lungs which robustly pushed air into its echo chamber.
A thunder-like roar erupted. Unexpectedly receiving sound wave explosions, Sun WooHyun jumped. When the ear-splitting pain passed, his ears were filled with a buzzing sound like a bees. Sun WooHyun glared at Dino while cupping his ears, then heaved a deep sigh. Fighting with a beast that could not even talk would only make him seem more pathetic.
Fair play! Dino, after neutralizing Sun WooHyun, held up his front paw and shook it. Black Culture gave Dino a thumbs-up. After defusing a human bomb, Dino had gained the right to join the meeting.
Weapons? What about human resources?
We are conscripting both men and women. We have enough military power but we have a severe lack of support weapons and patrol cars. Once the regiment is formed, we will need more rifles too.
Is that so? Ombuti, how is public security handled?
Mu Ssang looked back at Ombuti. When they were going through the city, he saw two kinds of uniforms. They were tending to so many things then that he did not even have time to ask.
We have strikers in charge of border security and militia in charge of domestic security. The strikers, headed by Ibrahim, are regiment-sized. They are comprised of a Kurdish Peshmerga battalion, a mixed-gender Arab Intifada battalion, and a Rainbow battalion made up of Eritrean refugees. There are three in total. In order to promote solidarity and healthy competition, we organized the troops by ethnic group. The total headcount is 600 because we still have yet to organize a heavy artillery troop. Aishe is in charge of the militia whose headcount is 300 divided into two troops.
An incomplete regiment and two troops. For our current population, it is more than enough but considering future growth and external circumstances, it is not sufficient.
Three months ago, we welcomed 3,000 Tuaregs from Kel Air. All of their cattle had perished because of the prolonged drought in the Sahel region. As they left their camping ground and wandered in the desert, the old and weak mostly perished, leaving behind men and relatively healthy women. These are an innately warring tribe. They are quality manpower but were not formed into a regiment because we didnt have your permission yet.
That falls within the governors authority. Why do you need my permission?
First, its because I am from Kel Air myself. I didnt want any misunderstandings that could insinuate that I am forming my own squad or attempting to gather power. Second, we still dont have an easy way to discern Kikalis spies among them.
Hmm. Lieutenant Colonel Aham Kikali!
He had forgotten that name. Kikali was Habibs subordinate and the leader of the greater group of Tuareg tribes. He remembered his horse-like face and how he invited him to conquer the Sahara together.
He may not be the caliber of heroes but would surely be a capable villain in troubled times. He would have become independent from the FROLINAT by now.
It is so. It is 450 kilometers from Mt. Emi Koussi to Djourab Erg is Kikalis territory. He is now busy unifying the Tuaregs in the Vilma area, Mohammad answered.
How powerful are his forces?
The headcount is at 3,000. They are proactively incorporating the dispersed FROLINAT remnants and the hostile Toubou tribe. Kikalis scouts are on camels wandering near our southeastern border. They are likely to prove troublesome in the future.
The misunderstandings are preposterous and I will take care of the second issue. The only natural resource in Novatopia is its people. If we dont make the best use of this resource, Novatopia has no future. There is a solution for every problem. People should be given jobs at which they excel at. Farmers shall wield plows and soldiers shall wield guns. There is no reason to let capable soldiers rot in idleness. Novatopia has already caught everyones attention. As Novatopia prospers, not just Kikali, but America, Russia, Libya, Sudan, and other surrounding countries will send their spies to infiltrate our borders. When we accept refugees, examine them extensively and once they pass the examination, trust them and make use of them.
I see.
I will now ask everyone a question. Mu Ssang stopped talking and looked around at the whole audience. His firmly closed lips and piercing eyes exuded certain charisma. The people in the audience found themselves straightening their posture subconsciously.
You drank the blood of the covenant today. Even before that, I have already accepted you as my family. I dont have a family of my own. You are my family. Should there ever be a fight for power in a family? When our nest is broken, everything will be in vain. A small crack can make the dike collapse. Novatopia is standing on a point when one step forward will lead to great leaps and one step back will lead to ruins. When a house catches fire, it must be put out before anything else. Finding out who started the fire comes after that. If you dont trust your family, the nest will fall apart. Remember that.
His stern caution made everyone hold their breath. Orifice stood abruptly and blamed Ombuti.
Aklan crew, you are the masters representative. None of us would ever harbor suspicion against you. You need to communicate with us a lot more rather than staring at your notebook and doing all the work on your own. Your unnecessary words brought about Wakils caution.
Haha. I would like to apologize in front of all of my brothers and sisters. Our master said that when someone does something out of character, it means their final days are approaching. Maybe my time has come. I apologize.
It is also our fault. We were oblivious to your burden. Lets meet regularly for a barbecue or something.
Ombutis apology and Orifices response thawed the abruptly frozen ambiance.
My words of caution had chilled the ambiance. A good cat is good at hunting mice. If you want a good cat to stay in your house, you should give it a delicious fish. Even among family members, fair treatment is essential. Tasenzoter, the symbol of Amenocals authority, is for moments like this.
I see. I will immediately organize the Tuaregs into a regiment.
I say this again, but people are resources. Make use of the prisoners by giving them physical labor. If someone speaks of human rights, smash their jaws. When you starve them, they are bound to start working.
At his horrible words, Professor Mulsoli and the rest opened their mouths wide, abhorred. Ombuti nodded as if it was a matter of course. Wakil had said that prisoners on death row should be executed by exhaustion or overworking on construction sites. It was to be expected.
What about the lack of weapons? Should we access the black market through Bellman?
Mohammad asked cautiously. Weapons could not be bought in supermarkets even if one had the money.
There is no need. I have agreed upon the transfer of weaponry with the DGSE. Starting from next week, some of the French militarys weapons will be transferred to us. Helicopters, light-armored tanks, jeeps, field cannons, anti-artillery cannons, machine guns, assault rifles, and miscellaneous supplies. All of these are going to pour in. One trucks worth will be sufficient to equip one brigade. The second wave of supplies will correspond with the organization of our military.
Whoa!
Fifteen mouths opened wide in amazement. They were already overwhelmed by the maintenance of the reduced-sized three troops. The supplies needed to equip a proper-sized brigade are tremendous.
Oh, my. We should build supply depots immediately! Mulsoli shouted.
Haha. We will need an air force.
Ibrahims mouth was stretched in a wide grin. He recalled the nightmarish memory of being hounded by Turkish attack helicopters in the mountains in Osmaniye. Mu Ssang handed a thick file to Nejema.
Nejema, that file contains a series of reports on Novatopia compiled by the DGSE. It includes the Circumstances of the Surrounding Countries, Military Strength Analysis with Regards to Geopolitical Positioning, Military Organization, Administrative System, Forestation Planning and more. Take them into account.
Thank you.
Nejema bowed deeply. It was information much needed for a newly founded country like Novatopia. He was in awe at his masters unending feats of capacity.
Will we even have time to go to the bathroom and sleep? I have been working hard by my standards but it feels like I cant even mention it.
Everyone nodded at Orifices words. With his unending source of money, he resolved any issue with a few words. An acorn needs to tumble 100 times to match a pumpkins one tumbling. Dubaiburupa had just shown why he is called Dubaiburupa.
Thats something that needs to be said. Everyone here should look in the mirror. Your faces are covered white in the cracked dust of your own skin. Your eyes are deep in their sockets in exhaustion. Your sunburned, protruding cheekbones are the only shiny part on your face. You look more like zombies than humans. I do not ever want to drink a glass of mourning wine in front of my subordinates graves. I want to reminisce about our past together and drink a cup of celebratory wine.
Worship Dubaiburupa!
Your future children will also be there!
The faces of Black Culture lit up. Their master had a way with his words.
Platitudes. Professor Giz should take care of these zombies.
I see. I shall cook up some nutritious ampoules. Giz grinned. Whether he was an asura or a king, the young fellow had not changed a bit. He was still a friendly, kind-hearted fellow.
I will cut to the chase and hand out your presents now. There are only 30 of these that I will give to you today. It is more like a token than a gift. Anyone who receives it shall expect to work until their bones turn to dust. This dust will be buried in the land of Novatopia. Anyone who does not want that should tell me now. Mu Ssang smirked.
Per Dubaiburupas will!
No one refused the gift. Samdi brought the box which contained the tooth of Sarcosuchus. Sun WooHyun and others showed extreme curiosity at the pick-shaped tooth that was longer than 300 millimeters.
Ivories, a hippos tooth, a rhinos horn Many conjectures were uttered. The most popular guesses were the ivories of the dwarf elephant native to the jungle of Ituri and the molars of a mutant pekari. Mu Ssang and Ombuti said nothing but smiled knowingly. Samdi held the giant tooth and spoke.
Everyone guessed wrong. This is the tooth of a Sarcosuchus, a crocodile from the Mesozoic era. I caught it with my bare hands in the jungle of Ituri.
What?
You must be kidding!
Everyones face held an incredulous expression. It was not a fossil but an impeccable fang without any minute cracks. The Mesozoic era? Had the crocodile come here in a time machine?
Thats astonishing. A crocodile is the only life form with dozens of cone-shaped fangs. How many meters was the length of its body? Even a massive Nile crocodiles fangs measure at 50 millimeters.
Professor Mulsolis surprise had a different tone than other peoples. Having majored in geology in college, she knew Samdi was not bluffing. She was not sure if it was really a Mesozoic crocodile or a mutant monster but a 350-millimeter fang was 10 times bigger than a crocodile from our era. If it was revealed to the public, it would make quite a buzz.
Maybe 15 meters? It was a vehement one. With a single bite, it could topple trees. With a single blow of its tail, it could smash rocks. Lackey, you wanted to go to the jungle of Ituri with Master. How are you going to fend for yourself in a place swarming with things like this?
Are you sure?
Sun WooHyuns face was blue. His physical strength had been greatly augmented but he still could not face such a monster. Only an ignorant brute like Samdi could. A person that does not give much thought about their own future. Sun WooHyun had not expected himself to be sent to Ituri soon.
Tsk, tsk. Samdi clucked his tongue instead of answering him. He surely would have given him a smack had he not been someone from Masters hometown.
White dust floated up vigorously from the Sarcosuchus tooth held in Mu Ssangs hand. Light flashed and there was a hole in the tooth. Black Culture was mesmerized by the tooths transformation. In five minutes, the tooth was shaped into a milky-white knife. Mu Ssang engraved Ombutis name on the hilt.
Mu Ssang met the eyes of each one of the 15 subordinates. In the confusion of the moment, he became the master of their souls and drank their blood of the covenant. The situation progressed more rapidly than he had ever envisioned. It was time to tune things up and leave. He held the knife, glistening in the sunlight, high up in the air.
Chapter 504 - Episode 1 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
The resonance wave forced itself in like the incoming tide. The Novas blade began vibrating at high speed.
The buzzing noises akin to millions of bees flying rumbled within the vast reception room. The milky-white blade heated up to emit crimson light.
The heated air rose higher, cold air rushing in to fill the void left behind.
70% of the Sarcosuchuss fang was metallic in nature. Boasting a Bouligand-type structure made up of chemically-connected metallic substances and calcium, it easily withstood the resonance waves pressure. Just the base material for Nova could be considered a treasure in itself.
A small tornado enveloped the heated crimson blade and swirled around. The heated air rose like shimmering haze, obscuring Mu Ssangs face. The dreamy atmosphere was joined by his powerful presence, creating a different type of performance compared to when he walked on water but this show was no less overwhelming and absolute.
Oh, ooooh! Our god has made his full descent!
Our great and noble Dubaiburupa!
The words of exaltation leaped out of the Black Culture members mouths without them even being aware of it. The group of four scientists were no exception; even Doctor Giz who knew Mu Ssang better than anyone became bewitched by the mystical aura gushing out from the blade.
This blade is called Nova. Its wielder is the proof of being my, Dubaiburupas, family. Also, it serves as a proof that youre a noble of Novatopia. A Novas wielder will now be referred to as Nova Chevalier (knight). And I pray that all Nova Chevaliers will act as the role model of noblesse oblige.
Our Dubaiburupa has spoken thus!
Woah!
A roar resounded as fifteen pairs of eyes began burning in fervor. The nova that illuminated the darkness of the space, the Nova carved out from the teeth of a Mesozoic Age monster through the power of a deity, and Chevaliers meant to protect the weak and uphold justice. The combination of these three monumental symbols left the Black Culture members in a state of trance.
Without the assistance of the rare drug Yorunba, Mu Ssang still managed to enter the ranks of special cult leaders exceeding that of houngans from voodoo cults.
Ombuti!
Ombuti went down on his knees after his name was called.
Ombuti, you are not only the Aklan crew, but also my agent. Dubaiburupas agent. I appoint you as Novatopias finance minister on top of being its governor-general.
I pray that you will turn Novatopia into a nation emitting the scent of humanity. Grant freedom to the wealthy and grant opportunities to the poor. Use your Nova to protect those still wearing the fetters of humanity, but you shall hammer down those acting like beasts.
By your will, my liege! Praise be to Dubaiburupa!
Ombuti received Nova with both of his hands and prostrated three times before finally backing away. This was the sign of respect and love a servant held for the sovereign of his soul.
Ombutis wrinkled face glistened softly from all the tears he began shedding inadvertently after his heart was overrun with emotions.
Driven mad with a desire for vengeance, he was fated to roam the Sahara until he buried his exhausted bones in the sand, yet here he was. If only the deification of his liege hadnt been expressly forbidden C Ombuti would have yelled [Gods not dead, Hes right here!] until his vocal cords blew out.
*
Mu Ssang summoned forth each member of the Black Culture and appointed them to a position while giving them their own Nova.
Mohammad Jadir, I appoint you as the Director of Intelligence Department. Information is a weapon, a nations strength. I beseech you not to forget the fundamental principle of serving the nation and its people, and never to interfere with the countrys politics.
By your will, my liege! Praise be to Dubaiburupa!
Mohammad also prostrated three times, then kissed Mu Ssangs foot before retreating.
The reason why Mu Ssang chose to appoint the Director of Intelligence Department next was that he learned an unforgettable lesson on the importance of information and the power it granted during his cooperation with the DGSE.
Bakri Jadir, I appoint you as the Minister of Education. Evil intentions always originate from ignorance, and even good intentions will turn evil once it is combined with foolishness. Whether Novatopia will turn into a nation of animals or humans, that will depend on you. Minister of Education Bakri, carve out and shape our future with both praises and whips.
By your will, my liege! Praise be to Dubaiburupa!
Bakri also prostrated three times and kissed Mu Ssangs foot.
Mu Ssang did not entirely hold South Koreas education system in a negative light. Only around 30% of near-one-quadrillion brain synapses were filled through ones genes. The rest were formed randomly or through environmental factors.
Improving the level of ones intellect was not the only goal of education. Humans tended to confuse irresponsibility and disorder as being free if they were not exposed to rules and restrictions. A thorough beating was just the ticket to wake up those with no sense of duty whatsoever.
Hawk Orifice, I appoint you as the Minister of Land. Land development is not everything you will overlook. I pray that you will ably uphold the balance between developing our territory and preserving it. You shall finish the ongoing projects in the next five years and turn Novatopia into Saharas emerald.
Bopal Shernion, I appoint you as the Minister of Industry. Whether our citizens will live well or not depends on you, Shernion. Focus on those industries that deal with food, clothing and shelter first to resolve the discomfort of our citizens. Industries that will sustain us come after that.
Loren Giz, I appoint you as the Minister of Health and Welfare. At the baseline, no citizen of Novatopia must suffer from hunger or moan in pain, or be unable to seek treatment in a hospital. However, its fine for those who dont work to starve to death. Create a society where people who work like humans and will be treated as humans in return. My personal wish is that all citizens will have a dinner waiting for them every evening.
Vall Afwerki, I appoint you as the Minister of Agriculture. The success or failure of Novatopia depends on the success of its water management and the greening project. Give your everything to construct the network of waterways, and also do not forget to focus on the creation of agriculture and coffee belts. Construct a seed bank, then spare no efforts to secure the original seeds.
Michelle Mulsori, I appoint you as the Minister of General Affairs. As the minister, Id like you to handle all the matters pertaining to human resources, diplomatic and judicial affairs, as well as culture and tourism. I apologize for dumping all the miscellaneous work on you like this.
Eight civil servant Chevaliers were born after they received their Novas. The public would go on to call Ombuti as lOmbre de Dubai (Dubaiburupas shadow), while Orifice and the others would be known as Sept Sages de Dubai (The Seven Sages of Dubai). With this, the framework for Novatopia to become a nation had been laid down.
*
The completion of eight Nova caused Mu Ssangs vision to waver in dizziness. The crafting process certainly looked impressive outwardly, but it exhausted quite a lot of his mental strength.
After perceiving Novas integrated information visualised through Dimensional Sight, he compared it to the info stored in his memories. Then he had to exercise a precise control on the resonance wave so that not even 1mm of error could occur. This process was quite similar to a modern-day 3D printers operation.
If he had not acquired the power of psychokinesis, crafting two, maybe three, daggers would have resulted in him bleeding from his nose. Mu Ssang took a short break before resuming his job of carving the Sarcosuchus fangs. Seven people busy shooting laser-like glares from their eyes still remained, after all.
The scale and the structure of the military are still under consideration. As such, Ill simply arrange the ranks and grant you with temporary responsibilities. If youre unhappy with your assigned rank, you will fight each other and decide who gets what.
Unlike the positions of civil servants, the pecking order definitely had to be established for military officers. An army must move in perfect unison under a consistent chain of command. No military in the world would negotiate and come to an agreement with itself first before making a move.
A tense atmosphere descended on the venue once he brought up the notions of ranks and fighting each other. Even though they had shared and drunk the blood of oath, family was family and pride was pride. More than that, these folks were hot-blooded warriors. Sparks began dancing from the gazes they exchanged with one another.
Samdi Burupa, I appoint you as the First Company Leader. Your responsibilities will entail acting as the captain of the royal guards as well as the inspector of state affairs.
Samdis lips widened in a huge grin, but Sun WooHyun and Ahmmad both were sighing softly in disappointment. They had already expected as much, but even so, they felt deflated nonetheless. How would they even fight a dude capable of swinging around a shovel over 40kgs in weight at the speed of sound, anyway?
Ahmmad Marwan, I appoint you as the Second Company Leader. Your responsibility involves leading the First Brigade. Train the Peshmerga battalion into a specialized unit meant for unconventional warfare. You will also train the Intifada and Rainbow battalions into rapid-response forces. Immediately turn the Touareg tribe into our expeditionary force.
Urgh!
Sun WooHyun was about to stand up only to stick his butt back on the cushion. Ahmmad was someone who would give up a comfy bed with his wife just to wield his sword some more. To fight someone like that, Sun WooHyun needed to shed some weight off his tummy, which had accumulated a bit too much fat these days.
Bloody hell, Ive been taking it easy for too long! Sun Woo-hyun lamented inwardly. His body got rusty during his tenure in the Samaria farm where he was treated like a king. The words Black Mamba always said smacked him anew in the heart just then C No moss will grow on a rolling stone, he said.
Sun WooHyun, I appoint you as the Third Company Leader. Your role is to act as the commander of the Rainbow battalion. Consult Afwerki for any data you need in commanding a battalion.
Abdul Ibrahim, I appoint you as the Fourth Company Leader. Your role is the Minister of Defense. Ensure that not one part is amiss in the management of our military strength.
Create a system that minimizes any personal losses incurred during the mandatory military service. Citizens who fail to complete their national defense duties cannot become politicians or bureaucrats. We certainly cannot have some politicians insisting that an insulated lunch box is an explosive, after all!
Wahahaha!
The last part of Mu Ssangs word elicited a burst of loud laughter. That single joke managed to undo the stiff atmosphere. How sorrowful it was, though, since he was not joking but utterly serious just now
Aishe Burupa, I appoint you as the Fifth Company Leader. Your role is to serve as the commander of Peshmerga battalion. Cooperate with Ahmmad and strictly train the Peshmerga to become the unconventional warfare unit.
Jamal Amud, I appoint you as the Sixth Company Leader. Your role is to serve as the commander of the Intifada battalion. Once the supply of vehicles arrives, immediately transform the battalion into an expeditionary force.
Nejema Burupa, I appoint you as the the Seventh Company Leader. Your role is to serve as the commander of the military police. The militia will change its title to military police, and expand its size to become a battalion. Change all general-purpose firearms to MP5, and you shall also train a platoon of snipers.
You shall strictly uphold the law and not be lenient towards any heinous criminals.
Praise be to Dubaiburupa! We swear to become our lieges loyal hammer.
The seven warriors all bowed deeply and received their individual Novas. And that was how the group known as the Sept Gnraux (Seven Generals) was born. They became widely feared as Dubaiburupas cruel hammers in the latter years.
Samdi beat up a Sarcosuchus in the jungles of Ituri and extracted thirty fangs from the creature. Sixteen of them had been distributed, leaving fourteen behind. No one could predict who else was destined to become new owners of Nova in the future.
*
I detest discrimination and classification. Yet I still appointed you all as Nova Chevaliers. I pray that you understand my intention behind doing so. Id like you to take the initiative and lead by example in the spirit of noblesse oblige to turn this barren land into a righteous nation.
Before you head off to bed every night, I want you all to remember the ones you made cry and the ones you made smile. When your original intentions waver, I want you to use your Nova to guard your heart.
Praise be to Dubaiburupa! We swear to become a handkerchief that wipes away our citizens tears and a loyal hammer of our liege! The fifteen Nova Chevaliers all replied loudly, full of spirit. Their complexions turned visibly ruddy from all the excitement, except for one person C there was a hint of shadow creeping on Ombutis face.
He had already read his masters intentions by then.
The master was an existence that no amount of renown or wealth could tie down. It was obvious that after setting up the stage, he was planning to leave once more. It was not I shall reign over you, but I shant rule you, but more like, he was going through the necessary sequences to dump everything on their shoulders.
My dear master, thats not the right thing to do, sir. Ombuti inwardly resolved himself. If he was given the right to choose just one person in this world to be happy, then it had to be Wakil. They had managed to pull themselves out of literal hell, so just where was a king planning to go while abandoning his own nation?
Ombuti, who was racking his brain until smoke came out of his head, suddenly began smiling faintly.
Yes, itll be sorted out as long as Miss Edel has his child!
Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not Ombuti manages to tie Mu Ssang down to Novatopia.
*
Around the time the sunset dyed the horizon in a mixture of vermilion and metallic crimson hues, a Falcon was taking off from Jipoon Daris airport to head towards the distant skies. It was carrying only one passenger.
It was finally the conclusion of the African business trip that had a lot of epic ups and downs for Mu Ssang. The green dot engraved in the middle of golden desert grew tiny in the proverbial blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, Edel had not woken up from her slumber until then. By the foot of her bed was a paw as large as a flattened pizza dough, rapidly shooting up into the air.
Dinos front paw swiped across the air in a somewhat irritated fashion. Three flesh flies buzzing in through the window were shot down without mercy. All sorts of insects and arthropods had piled up near Dinos feet by then: two centipedes, one scorpion, two wasps, dozens of flies
However, Dinos appetite had disappeared. Even these snacks it usually enjoyed could not catch his attention.
Could it be Did my master throw me away? That dang lump of metal, I hope it falls out of the sky. Dino resented the lump of metal that carried its master away into the distant skies. However, its intelligence was not quite high enough to predict what might happen if said lump of metal indeed fell out of the sky.
*
While Mu Ssang was busy doing his thing in Novatopia, a mid-tier earthquake with a magnitude of around 4.8 occurred in the mountainous regions north of the city of Aleppo, Syria.
The Syrian earthquake observatory declared there had not been any notable damage from the seismic activity as it happened to be a deep-focus earthquake occurring in the depth of 350km.
A deep-focus earthquake with its epicenter deep underground traditionally did not affect the surface much. And in reality, the damage seemed negligible: the impact extended only to the waters of the lake Maydanki disappearing completely, and dozens of brick houses in the mountain villages meeting with partial destruction.
Tens of thousands of human remains piled at the bottom of the lake also got swept away along with the lakes water into the rift opening up at the lakes bottom. The site of one of humanitys worst genocides disappeared for good, just like that.
Of course, no one cared about it in the slightest.
*
It was another location that bore the most of the brunt, however. It was none other than the Hollow Earth, the home of Kamdoong the Adras.
The movement in Earths crust was the reason why the Hollow Earth came to be in the first place. Around 150 million years ago, a meteor with a diameter of 35km crashed into the spot between the island of Cyprus and Lebanon. It triggered massive climate change and the crust movement that rocked the heaven and earth.
The calamity from the heavens could not be resisted, and it severed the lifeline of the Concretus civilization that had already entered its twilight years by then.
The African plate, now with its northern edge sunken in, pushed into the Eurasian plate. The Arabian plate stuck between the two got crushed, and the process of crust folding created a massive empty void underground.
After this empty space was created, a part of the living ecosystem on the surface sunk in deep into this underground dome. That was how the Hollow Earth had come to be.
And today, the underground ecosystem that had been maintained for the past 150 million years greeted its apocalypse.
Chapter 505 - Kamdoongs Breakthrough
Like tackling the lower torso of its opponent, the huge African plate subducted below the lower half of the smaller Arabian plate. Since the Eurasian plate was standing firm behind it, the Arabian plate inevitably became folded in the process.
A rumbling sound could be heard.
The Arabian plate was pushed up. The p-wave reaching the surface 2.5 seconds later (at the speed of 5 to 8 km per second) and the s-wave arriving four seconds later were only about 4.8 in the earthquake scale, but the actual scale affecting the Arabian plate in the depths of 15,000m easily exceeded 9.5.
The Hollow Earths base was the Arabian plate stuck between the Eurasian and African plates. There was simply no way that the eggs would remain unscathed when their nest was violently overturned. The history of destruction that took place eons ago was recreated on this very day.
Its target was the delicate niche that managed to survive until now since the fall of the Concretus civilization C the Hollow Earth.
Magma began gushing out from the rift that opened up at the bottom of the lake.
The unleashed magma pushed aside the lake water and exploded up to the ceiling of the cavern. The massive pillar of fire rising up began raining down on the lake next.
The massive ancient reptile swimming around with its head out on the surface freaked out and hurriedly submerged itself. To a creature that had relied on the colony of bacteria emitting faint blue light, the explosion of such a bright light was nothing short of an absolute disaster.
Magma boasting 1,200 met the water at normal temperature, resulting in an intense reaction. Vicious explosion noises were immediately followed by an incredible quantity of hot steam. The rapidly-expanding steam pressure forced the lake water to shoot up and the thin atmosphere began whipping about like tornadoes.
Magma broke through the shattered stratum to gush out from various locations. Meanwhile, the incredibly hot magma at the bottom of the lake evaporated the lake water. The 800? lake that resembled an ocean was boiling as if it was about to explode. Compared to this, the Devil Spring Mu Ssang had evaporated by using napalm and white phosphorous was nothing but childs play.
Magma contained high temperature and high pressure gas within. When liquid is transformed into gas, it causes an explosive increase in volume. The pressure from all that lava gushing out of the lake eventually triggered the volcano writhing to be unleashed.
Kaboom!
The volcano finally exploded. The powerful explosion completely obliterated the upper part of the crater. Tens of thousands of tons of lava and fragmented debris began exploding forth every second.
The humongous stone pillar supporting the underground domes ceiling began quaking. Aftershocks rammed into it one wave after another. The ceiling at least 15,000 meters thick began rumbling and shaking.
The Bossaurus let out a dying scream. Though its hide was thick enough to withstand the boiling lake water, it could not endure the heat from the evaporation now shooting past 300. Various reptiles rampaged madly at this sudden onslaught of tribulations, but unfortunately for them, there was no escape.
Soon, the air of the Hollow World was filled with gases so toxic that humans could not possibly survive for one second.
Sorrowful cries of gigantic reptilian lifeforms, exploding lava, choking-white steam expanding at explosive rates, burning embers and ear-splitting roars of the volcano A true hell on earth was created in this place.
There was no such thing as right or wrong in nature. Mother natures indiscriminate rage utterly crushed all lifeforms living out their stubborn lives in this narrow underground territory. If its existence was known to the scientific world, the Hollow Earth would have caused a massive uproar, but just like that, it was disappearing for good.
But there was no point in lamenting or grieving over its destruction.
The universe is formed through atoms and molecules made up of atoms. These atoms and molecules uncaringly continue to cycle over and over again. Cosmic debris and dust flying around in outer space came together billions of years ago to create Earth, and the water delivered by various asteroids went on to decorate the newly-born planet.
All that blood from the gigantic reptiles gushing out like a fountain consisting of molecules of nitrogen, carbon, copper, and more that were used to make up the pteridophytes and bacteria found thriving on the surface.
The corpses of all the reptiles dying helplessly were nothing more than amalgamations of atoms and molecules that would cycle over and over again until it is repurposed as a body of homo sapiens born under the blue sky of Seoul in the distant future.
The true god was time. Time was capable of melting down any incredible incidents and any unprecedented calamities into obscurity, much like a cone of ice cream melting under the bright sunshine. Only atoms remained behind as records of what happened.
*
An Adras body was indestructible, but it still had three fatal weaknesses: low temperature, viruses, and terrestrial magnetism. These three hurdles were the reason why Kamdoong could not immediately escape the Hollow Earth with Mu Ssang back then.
The temperatures of the Mesozoic Ages middle latitudes were between 60 to 80. Most of the animals avoided such high temperatures and thrived in the regions with high latitudes.
Some creatures still managed to carve out habitats for themselves in the middle latitudes, which ranged from 50 south latitude to 50 north latitude, by adapting to high temperatures in these regions. Kamdoong was certainly strong against high temperature, but its body structure was extremely frail against very low temperature.
Viruses were even more fatal. As a biologically-engineered creature, Kamdoong was a conceptless lifeform without a fixed form that possessed an ability to perform various levels of covalent bonding.
An atom consists of protons and neutrons forming a nucleus, along with electrons circling said nucleus. An atom is basically a small grain that requires tremendous energy to split apart, yet the distance between the nucleus in the middle and the electrons orbiting around it is considerably large.
If you enlarged an atoms nucleus to the size of a grape and viewed it, the electrons orbit would be around 250 meters away from the now grape-sized nucleus. To put that in another perspective, even if you enlarged the atom to the diameter of 500 meters, the nucleus would remain as tiny as a single grape.
There is nothing in the space found inside that 250 meters. An atom is not a compact, tightly-packed grain, but an empty abyss similar to outer space. This meant that Gautama Buddha held a shockingly scientific worldview since he stipulated that all creations in existence were nothingness.
An atom does not exist on its own; it bonds chemically with others, sharing electrons in the process. Once the individual atoms electron shells come in contact with each other, the electrons would start skirting around the two nuclei in a figure of eight. This is a molecule.
Tens of thousands of various atomic bonds, such as ones skin, blood vessels, hair, muscles, etc., that made up ones physical body, were built through covalent bonding. This bonding done by atoms maintains ones physical forms.
On the other hand, destroying that covalent bonding would turn an object back to atoms. The concept of extinguishment, which often pops up in fantasy novels, could be explained away as a type of covalent bonding destruction.
An Adras was capable of shortening or lengthening the orbit distance of the shared electrons between different atoms, thereby altering itself to any size and form it wanted. A human-sized Adras could greatly reduce its electrons orbit to become a flea, or alternatively, transform into an elephant.
An Adras was meant to serve as a shell for a Concretus. With their physical transformation becoming ever more volatile and extreme, an ability to freely shape-shift was a crucial prerequisite for any Concretus if they wanted to migrate into an Adras. This was the reason why Kamdoong transformed into a black panther the moment it acknowledged its concept.
Ironically, this superior ability was extremely vulnerable to viral attacks. If a virus invaded the gap between the relaxed atomic bonds, it would cause the nuclear force that make up its physical body to weaken. In human terms, it would be a case of viral infection if the infection worsened, it would result in the nuclear force becoming weaker than gravity, causing the body to break down.
In animal terms It would be death.
All the Adras that ended up in the Hollow Earth got wiped out precisely because the virus from the research subject factory had seeped into them. Viruses were also another reason why Concretus chose to implant the idea of non-concept in Adras.
However, Kamdoong had drunk Mu Ssangs blood, allowing it to withstand the viral attacks he had brought from the surface. Going up to the surface would mean Kamdoong would be exposed to the attacks of various viruses. If it wanted to escape from the Hollow Earth, it desperately had to strengthen its immune system.
The third and final hurdle, terrestrial magnetism, affected Kamdoongs collective intelligence. While human minds functioned through the 1 billion brain synapses that connect to each other, Kamdoong exhibited its ability to think and reason through countless memory eukaryotes fusing together. Bees and ants had collective intelligence similar to Kamdoong.
A violent sunspot explosion would go on to cause the migrating birds to lose their sense of direction, while bees would fail to locate their hives. This was because the solar winds had shaken up the terrestrial magnetism. Such a trajectory would be quite similar for Kamdoong too.
Terrestrial magnetism C Earths magnetic fields C was basically Kamdoongs GPS navigation data. If he could not accurately perceive Earths magnetic fields, then it would be no different from an ant with its feelers removed. So, Kamdoong would have needed some time to acclimatize to the differences in the magnetic fields of 150 million years ago and those of the current era.
There was no such thing as an existence without weaknesses. Even the peerless-under-the-heavens Kamdoong was unable to overcome the weaknesses of low temperature, viruses and Earths magnetic fields. So, one could say the creature was extremely unlucky in this case C just as it was nearly finished with its training to acclimatize and head to the surface, an earthly retribution from the gods had besieged it.
*
The lakes water, which was previously gleaming in a faint blue hue, had completely vanished and was replaced by a choking cloud of dense steam. But it was not just the lake alone; the entirety of the Hollow Earth was beset by the boiling steam and extremely toxic smoke.
The already-faint atmosphere was boiling. Inside this burning hell, where not an inch in front of your nose could be seen, was endless explosion noises and horrific screams.
The steam filling up the underground space soon broke through the condensation threshold.
A deluge of acid rain containing sulfur pummeled down. Raindrops, each of them thicker than bamboo shafts, pounded the boiling ground. This whole scene was reminiscent of a cauldron filled with boiling water being flipped upside down.
The weakened Bossaurus convulsed in its death throes. This creature managed to endure until the last moment through its tenacious vitality. Soon, though, its monstrous howls vanished. The volcano then demonstrated its power again.
A loud rumble sounded.
Like a reservoir with its dam bursting wide open, the volcano unleashed all the contents contained within its guts.
Fragmented debris flying out at the speed of sound mercilessly pounded Kamdoongs body. Even a piece of sticky lava came flying in, gluing itself on the creatures butt.
Uht, thats hot! Bloody hell?!
Kamdoong spat out the curse words that it picked up from its friend. Its tail transformed into a pair of tongs to pick off the lava piece and urgently discard it. Well-cooked smoke rose from its butt previously covered in lava.
Its fur, praised to no end by Mu Ssang himself, was now in a sorry state, visibly torn off and burnt in places. It was as if the creature suffered from the whitecomb, a sign that Kamdoong had been struck several times by now.
An object with constant mass would see its density increase when its volume shrank down; density was basically equivalent to toughness. If Kamdoong had remained a no-concept, shapeless existence until now, it could have shrunk its body size and withstood the external impacts.
After acquiring the concept of panther, Kamdoong lost the ability associated with being a no-concept being, only retaining the ability from when it was still a shapeless creature. In other words, it had lost the ability to reduce or expand the space between its molecules now.
The remaining ability was to either increase or decrease the density of its cells. This meant that it could only transform its outer appearance to a certain extent or get bigger or smaller, but that was about it C Kamdoong could not change the essence of its body anymore.
*
Fuu~. Do I have to take my chance, then? Kamdoong spat out a groan like a human might. The atmosphere filled with boiling gasses and steam easily reached the temperature of 300, but the creature did not suffer from any notable issues. Actually, its power of reasoning had become even livelier instead.
Kamdoong was a molecular lifeform. As such, it was unsurprisingly tough against high temperatures.
It rued all the time wasted on training to get acclimatized. The vertical tunnel its friend used to escape was a perfect place to carry out such training. Meanwhile, as much as thirty different viruses came tagging along with its friend. Such a large number of viruses proved to be a useful learning tool.
Kamdoong had finished getting ready to emerge into the outside world. It was planning to take its time to leisurely search for its friend, only for an earthquake to demolish the vertical tunnel.
Kamdoong glared at the tunnel, now gone without a trace, before turning around to leave.
Shuffle
Kamdoongs figure melted into the void.
Shuffle
Its figure reappeared in front of a massive metallic structure. It was a huge square stereobate one hundred meters in length and width, while another massive cylindrical structure fifty meters tall was placed above it. Some kind of a barrier seemed to be cast around the structure, as evidenced by all the fragmented volcanic matter flying in like bullets only to loudly bounce off an invisible layer.
The Katomizer!
Kamdoong glared at this machine. Here it was, the culmination of the Concretus scientific achievement: a matter transfer device known as the teleporter. This machine was present at the research area when the planets crust was overturned, causing it to fall into the underground space as well.
The Katomizer was developed during the Concretus twilight years for the purpose of mass migration to another planet that boasted a similar environment to Earth. If warping transported a matter to designated coordinates as is, then the Katomizer transformed matter into energy then transported it to the destination.
Although that was a far more advanced concept than warp itself, the device had a serious problem it had not performed any concrete tests since its creation. Kamdoong did not mention this device when its friend was ready to travel back to the surface precisely because of its incomplete state.
The danger-response manual saved in Kamdoongs mind specified that the Katomizer was the only method available. However, even the slightest error during the process of transforming matter into energy and back would result in said matter scattering into the ether as tiny atoms.
My issue is with the altered magnetic fields. Im Kamdoong and youre the invincible Eastern Swordsman. Getting extinguished without being able to see my friend would be too much, you know
The Epidium it became friends with after bloody fisticuffs suddenly popped up in Kamdoongs mind. Even though that guy was nowhere near the physical abilities of an original Epidium, he was still just as violent.
Who knew that a muscles-for-brain Epidium could be that crafty? Epidiums originally did not possess that strange shockwave technique, for one. Just thinking back to those shockwaves attacking at the cellular level made Kamdoong shudder.
Despite getting pummeled to a near-death state, Kamdoong did not have any hard feelings. While Adras were designed for medical purposes, Epidiums were conceived to be combat types after all. Besides, 150 million years were just too long. Even an unruly Epidium was a welcome sight for Kamdoong.
The image of its friend, who unhesitantly offered his blood when an Epidiums antiviral blood was demanded of him, wavered in front of Kamdoongs eyes.
It sure felt crappy while getting beaten up, but thats a small price to pay for making a friend, isnt that right! Besides all that, this better work! Kamdoong grumbled while lightly jumping up to the top of the stereobate ten meters high.
This stereobate was not simply there to prop up the Katomizer. No, it was actually a nuclear fusion reactor meant to supply the necessary energy to the device.
Meandering any longer could lead to Kamdoong turning into a pancake courtesy of the tons of bedrock above. The creatures eyes began glowing white.
The data contained with the cylindrical structure floated up as a 3D image within the central processing unit. Outwardly, this structure seemed simple enough. In reality, though, it was a 4D system where millions of circles were overlapping.
Kamdoongs front limb extended, its claw scratching a section of the structure.
A crack could be heard. The surface on this section came off, revealing a needle hole. Kamdoongs claw slimmed down until it resembled an awl. The thin claw disappeared into the hole.
Accompanied by some rumbling, a smooth trapezoidal object protruded from the wall. Its length was around 80mm, and on its upper part was a hole with a diameter of 5mm, shaped like a lick of flame. Its design was the same as the Vajra Mu Ssang had acquired earlier.
Kamdoong pushed its tail into this hole. The thick tail slimmed down enough to fit snugly into this small orifice. A fine needle emerged within the hole and collected Kamdoongs body fluid.
Chapter 506 - Episode 3 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
C ???, ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??. (Adras No. 1818 manufactured in the Concretus Calander year 77,282,228, confirmed / Katomizer Operational Authorization No. 218, confirmation complete)
A dry mechanical sound reverberated from the device.
A number panel rose out of the joint-less trapezoidal protrusion.
Humans say What a relief! in situations like this, right?
Kamdoong sighed in relief while recalling the Eastern Swordsmans memories. On the very last day of the age of twilight, Adras No. 1818 C Kamdoong C was scheduled to be presented to the research districts Head of Research as their new body.
An Adras received various modifications before the soul of a Concretus was implanted in it. The authorization number 218 sealed into Kamdoong was the necessary authority to use the Katomizer.
Rumbling sounds signaled something breaking apart.
Eventually, the ceiling gave way and began coming down. The height of the Hollow Earths ceiling was between four to six kilometers high. The kinetic energy generated by objects weighing millions of tons falling from so high up rivaled that of a nuke.
A loud boom resounded.
The heavens were crumbling while the earth overturned. That was not a hyperbole, but an actual calamitous event of world-ending proportions.
Fragmented matter dozens of tons heavy rained down at the speed of sound while the bedrock undulated like waves.
The nuclear fusion reactor followed the autonomous defense protocol and increased the level of its output. The external barrier defending the Katomizer became one level tougher.
Boulders ranging in from the size of sand grains to a handball stadium began pounding on the barriers surface. It withstood all the impact forces while undulating like the surface of the ocean.
A human would have become a nervous wreck in this urgent situation, but Kamdoong was an Adras, not a human. It did not know the emotion of fear. All the emotions it had acquired were based on Mu Ssangs consciousness. And that man did not hold any emotion called fear.
Whether the world was flipping upside down or not, Kamdoong did not care and solely focused itself on entering the data necessary to teleport through space.
Even though Kamdoong did not understand the principles behind the Katomizers operation, it still knew that following the instructions included in the danger response manual would do the trick. Kind of like how Miss Kim, a lethal weapon on the roads, could still drive around without issue despite not knowing anything about how a car operates.
Kamdoong finished entering various vector data such as the coordinates and the teleportation speed.
The moment it tapped a button equivalent to the Enter key, the massive stereobate began rumbling loudly. The secondary nuclear fusion reactor had come online as well.
A circle began vigorously spinning diagonally as well as horizontally and vertically.
An undulating energy tunnel began pushing out of the spinning circle.
Oh, what an amazing device this is! Kamdoong praised it while raising its front paw. To think that a system buried deep underground for the past 150 million years would still be operational!
The fruit of the scientific know-how left behind by the Concretus people was indeed amazing. Even if the underground environment was not exactly prone to weather-induced decay or corrosion, 150 millions years was still a long-enough time to turn sand into rock and rock into a diamond.
Since Kamdoong was a rational creature, it naturally became awestruck by this revelation.
*
Its time to leave! Mister Eastern Swordsman, Im coming!
Kamdoong double-checked the coordinates it entered then stepped inside the energy tunnel.
Rumbling sounds surrounded it.
The nuclear fusion reactors output increased even higher.
The Hollow Earth was bathed in the rainbow of light right afterwards.
Kamdoong vanished from the spot.
A single streak of pure-yellow light shot up from the bottom of Lake Maydanki where all the water had evaporated. This streak of light quickly shot south at fifty times the speed of sound.
The steak of light was supposed to revert back to solid matter somewhere in the Rub al Khali desert, but it continued to travel south.
A loud boom resounded as the pillar supporting the underground cavitys ceiling finally gave way and crashed. The underground space became distorted and twisted. It looked similar to a twisted heap of washed clothes after water is wrung out of it. A stratum several kilometers thick caved in completely. The Katomizer, with its defensive barrier now destroyed, was mercilessly crushed to oblivion.
The Hollow Earth that had withstood the test of time vanished in the blink of historys eyes. Even the rich diamond vein Mu Ssang was itching for a chance to mine disappeared without a single trace.
*
The streak of light flying at Mach 50 crashed straight into a frozen mountain peak standing tall at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. This mountain was located in the eastern part of the Antarctic.
The light managed to tunnel through a shockingly deep cavern in the frozen ice as tough as hardened boulder. A rainbow of colors madly swirled about at the end of the cavern.
Fwhooosh-
The vortex of light spat out a black panther before vanishing without a trace.
Something had gone terribly wrong here. The coordinates were set at the skies of the Rub al Khali desert, so why did it change to somewhere near the South Pole? It all boiled down to Kamdoong failing to enter the correct values.
Humans had a saying C a decade is enough to change any landscape. Even to a Concretus capable of living for 700 to 1000 years, 150 million years was unfathomably long. The Katomizer correctly did its job, but the landscape had changed far, far too much in the ensuing years.
Earth experienced several cataclysmic changes during its lengthy history. Its magnetic fields had changed greatly, which altered the coordinates by a substantial amount too.
Kkaaeeeeng-?!
The moment Kamdoongs plasma-fied body was reconstituted back to solid matter, it let out a cry quite unfitting of its usual forceful aura. It did not need a lot of time to figure out that something had gone wrong somewhere.
A cracking sound caught its attention.
The prokaryotes forming Kamdoongs exterior instantly froze up. It released some energy to shake off the ice covering its body. Almost right away, a harsh chill attacked the creature.
What the heck is this?
Greatly flustered, Kamdoong tried to activate a short-distance teleport.
Shu-shu-shu
Kamdoongs figure became blurrier before reappearing about ten kilometers away from its original landing zone.
Even before Kamdoong could regain its balance, a powerful blizzard viciously blowing over the frozen landscape pounced on it. Smashed around by the assault of snow blowing at 70m/s, Kamdoong was punted away like a soccer ball.
Ouch! Bloody hell!
Curses flew out of its lips. Its body minimization system kicked in. It shrunk down to one-tenth of its original size, while its external shape transformed to resemble a rugby ball. An oval was the most optimal shape to minimize external impact after all.
Kamdoong softly landed back on the ground. Now that its head and legs had submerged inside its torso, the creature looked like a turtle in a defense mode. In this transformed state, it managed to find some leeway to analyze its new environment.
Bzzz!
Its scouter activated. A set of data came out, which would read like this in modern language: [Current location: 78 28 34 southern latitude, 106 49 25 east latitude// Altitude: 3,488 meters// Current temperature: -79// Wind speed: 71m/s// No lifeform found within the range of 4,000// Unsuitable operational range for Adras, urgent escape recommended]
Kkeeeeuhk?! What the heck is this? Kamdoongs jaw dropped.
It could barely believe the scouters analyzed data. A frozen landscape, murderously cold storm winds, merciless cold that instantly froze the cells C was there a location like this on Earth, to begin with?
Even after scanning every nook and cranny of its memories, Kamdoong could not find any data on such a horrifying location. Honestly, it would be easier to believe that an error occurred during the Katomizers operation and its passenger had been thrown into another planet altogether.
Kamdoong did not want to admit it, but the scouter was functioning perfectly. The warps landing coordinates was a frozen field at an altitude of 3,488m near the Soviet Unions Vostok Station.
In other words, it had teleported into the absolute worst location imaginable. Teleporting into a power stations gas turbine would have been a better outcome than this for Kamdoong.
*
Damn Concretus! That damn Katomizer!
The panthers face distorted in displeasure like a humans. Kamdoongs prokaryotes were frozen solid, while the activity level of its eukaryotes fell off a cliff. It wanted to hurl curses at its creator, but its mouth had frozen solid too. Only twenty minutes had passed since Kamdoong praised the normally-functioning Katomizer, but now
It seemed that fickle mindedness was a condition prevalent in all lifeforms, regardless of whether one was a human, an Epidium, or an Adras.
The coldest place on Earth during the Concretus civilizations heyday was above-zero temperatures. The operational range for a general-purpose Adras designed by the Concretus was between -20 and 500. Of course, Adras designed for special purposes had a much wider operational range, but truth be told, even the specs of a general-purpose Adras allowed it to operate without issues in most parts of the planet.
The current temperature as measured by the scouter was -79. It had surpassed the limits that an Adras could withstand by quite a steep margin. That was why Kamdoong had to allocate most of its energy to maintain its body temperature.
The blizzard angrily pummeled Kamdoong as it waddled forward ungainly.
When Kamdoong crashed into a wall of ice, its frozen front limb cracked and snapped apart.
Krrrrng! What a humiliating sight!
Kamdoong stared at its severed front leg with a pair of dismayed eyes. Never in a million years did it ever imagine such a wretched thing happening to it.
The internal power generator was activated with a whirring sound. The flow of electrons sped up and Kamdoongs figure heated up into a deep red hue. The surrounding ice and its severed limb began melting down to goo.
With a sucking sound, the liquefied front limb was absorbed back into the main body and a new front leg jutted out. That certainly was an unbelievable sight to witness, but then again, Kamdoong was created with the ability to control its cells however it wanted. This performance looked as natural as a human putting a band-aid on a scratch.
Although Kamdoong had displayed the peak of limb regenerative ability, that was about it, really. Its situation had not improved at all. The melted ice froze up in an instant.
Kamdoong used the scouter to check the level of energy remaining within itself. Around two million zeon remained; 68% of the remaining charge would be enough for three more teleportation attempts.
A single teleport covering the maximum distance of 100km would consume around 400,000 zeon. So, three attempts would equate to around 1.2 million zeon. 30% of the remaining energy was meant for its survival and absolutely could not be used in teleportation attempts.
Kamdoongs emotionless eyes glared deeply into the frozen wasteland blanketed by the raging blizzard. There did not seem to be an end in sight. No matter how good an Adras eyesight was, it was still impossible to see beyond the horizon.
Can I escape from here after teleporting 300 kilometers?
Unfortunately, the scouter could not measure the size of this frozen wasteland. The scouters measuring range was limited to 100km, just like its maximum teleportation range.
Kamdoong looked up at the sky next. It needed the suns rays to synthesize the elements present in the atmosphere and acquire necessary energy. It could also acquire energy directly through other living organisms, but not a single trace of fauna or flora could be seen around here.
Penguins, seals, skuas and petrels living on the Antarctica were all found on the coastlines. No creature lived this deep inland. If only Kamdoong had ended up in the North Pole; it could have hunted polar bears or seals to replenish its energy reserve.
Death. You want me to die, is that it?
The winter in the Antarctica started in March and only ended around September. In other words, the South Pole at the end of May was smack dab in the middle of its winter.
It was nearly impossible to see one inch in front of your nose in this blizzard-pummeled frozen wasteland. Obviously, Kamdoong could not see the sun up there.
I dont have a choice, now do I!
Kamdoong decided to bet everything on its three remaining teleport attempts. Even if it failed to escape from this wasteland, it could still recharge its energy as long as there was sunlight. There was hope as long as it could activate its internal power generator. Kamdoong began praying ardently to see some sunlight soon.
The internal power generators output reached its highest threshold.
With Kamdoong in the center, a powerful magnetic field began swirling around. The fields energy output, around 200 million volts when calculated as the electrical voltage, pushed back the blizzard.
Shu-shu-shu
Kamdoongs figure became indistinct.
Accompanied by the sound of wet clothing smacking the waters surface, the Adras vanished from the spot.
Shu-shu-shu
Kamdoong reappeared in a spot 100km away to the east. It vanished again only to appear another 100km away to the east.
Bloody hell!
Curses were flowing so naturally from its mouth now. Despite performing three teleportations, the situation had not improved at all. The surrounding world remained as white as before and so did the bitter cold and blizzard.
Buzz, buzz
Kamdoong began scrounging up all its remaining energy. Its cells, under the intense load, complained angrily, but it clenched its teeth and endured. According to its friend, plenty of people out there could not take that one last step and failed to catch the bluebird right in front of their noses.
Kamdoong had no idea what a bluebird was, but even so, it still understood the meaning behind that saying.
Pow!
Kamdoong vanished from the spot.
Kkaaaeng!
But then, a black object suddenly fell from the empty air. Kamdoong could not even warp 100 meters away this time. A lot more energy than expected had been spent on defending against the harsh cold attacking its body structure. It thought that one more teleport should still be doable, but that assumption turned out wrong.
Kamdoong attempted another teleport right away. It was said that heavens helped those that help themselves.
Kkaeng!
Plop!
Kkaeng!
Plop
Unfortunately, all those heartrending struggles were unfruitful.
The heavens are abandoning Kamdoong?!
Kamdoongs eyes staring up at the sky were filled with resentment. Even the greatest lifefrom on Earth was not strong enough to deal with mother natures violent ways.
Since the exact size of this vast white world was unknown, shouting Just one more step! without any plan whatsoever seemed a bit too reckless.
The winds blowing around madly like a devils sorrowful wail began dying down. Powdery snow still scattered about, but this much was nothing compared to the murderously-sharp cold winds. Now finding itself with some leeway, Kamdoong laid itself down inside an open gap found in a crevasse.
According to the Eastern Swordsmans emotions, that should be called beautiful.
A curtain of green light was spreading open in the sky above. The ignorance of calling auroras northern lights could still be found in textbooks even to this day. The thing was, an aurora was a phenomenon of electrical discharge caused by the solar winds and Earths magnetic fields.
It occurred whether you were on the North or the South Pole. It was just that there were basically no people in the Antarctica, and the fact had not been widely known just yet.
Kamdoong was captivated by the stream of light rhythmically pulsating like a dance performance. Compared to the underground world where the air did not even budge, the surface world proved to be so much more dynamic!
Its thought processing nuclei came up with an analysis that just one day in the surface world was better than 100 million years back in the Hollow Earth.
Kamdoong flinched. That was an irrational analysis. All thinking processes and actions of the Concretus were based on logic. The word emotion did not even exist in their vocabulary.
Hehehe. Is it because of the Eastern Swordsmans virus?
Kamdoong chuckled helplessly. It would not die, but with how things were at the moment, escaping from here seemed impossible. It began picturing the images of humans unearthing the fossil of a black panther encased in ice many, many years later down the line.
What kind of nonsense was this? Kamdoong had finally been awakened with a conscious and briefly came up to the surface, only to be met with such a situation! The tuition fee seemed unfairly steep.
The blizzard that had died down for a little while began acting up once more.
Particles of ice carried by the winds mercilessly pounded onto Kamdoongs body. The energy gauge was dropping precipitously.
Chapter 507 - Episode 4 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
Kamdoong felt that he was in a perilous situation. He could adapt to the altered geomagnetism. He could develop a tolerance for the virus. But due to his bodys make-up, cold air was his insurmountable weakness.
A blizzard swept across the field at a speed of 50-70 meters per second. The ice shards carved by the wind were as sharp as pieces of glass. The wind blade comprised of ice shards and snow was as daunting as the Eastern Swordsmans shockwave. The physical damage was dismissible but his dropping body temperature was the problem. He had reduced his body to the size of a mountain cat but he still was bleeding a lot of energy.
When he was existing as Adras, he did not have a notion of survival and perishing. Once his ego was awakened, he understood the meaning of survival and death. That meaning was as much a question about existence itself as the reason for existence.
He reminisced about the black puma frozen in ice with its four wings spread out, then the humans who rejoiced when they discovered the unsightly fossil and made a spectacle out of it. He could vividly imagine his own body on the dissection table, being torn apart bit by bit.
I will never be subject to such an ordeal.
Kamdoong who had transformed to the size of a mountain cat, extended his claws. He did not think of going underground. His remaining energy was just short of 1,000,000 zeons. To evade the wind blade, which was his biggest obstacle and the cause of massive energy loss, he had to go underground. Kamdoong rerouted the energy allocated to maintaining body temperature to ELF.
Kamdoong opened its mouth wide. Supra-low waves buried themselves rapidly in the ice field. In the ice that was as hard as granite, a 10-meter deep hole was made. The powdered ice in the air made the strike dozens of times more efficient than using just air.
More efficiency meant he could conserve more energy. Kamdoong heaved a sigh of relief. The inside of the hole was cozy and warm. Just by getting out of the blizzard, the heat loss was reduced by 80 percent. Now he had a shot. Kamdoong decided to escape underground.
Kamdoongs body rapidly transformed. Like a deflating balloon, his bodys surface area was reduced. Protruding parts like its head, limbs, and tail were absorbed by his trunk, which became greatly elongated.
The black puma was now merely a drill-shaped creature glinting with dark luminance. It plunged into the ice. The drills diameter was 50 millimeters and length was 500 millimeters. It was a big drill. With a smaller body, his energy output was greatly reduced. But what he needed was endurance more than power.
Every living things ultimate goal is to survive. Kamdoong attempted a desperate escape. The pumas head appeared at the tip of the drill. It howled and let out great sound waves. It was his ultimate weapon, high-level ELF. The di-helical, focused ELF in the 7-Hz range dug into the ice. Kamdoong advanced 20 meters at once.
The 50-millimetre-wide drill dug into the ice at a rapid speed. In the wake of the supra-low waves, evaporated ice shimmered. Kamdoong the Drill penetrated the ice at the speed of one meter per second.
He gauged the depth every 100 seconds. [1,500, 1,600 2,100, 2,300, 2,400, disabling the cold-resistant mode, 2,500, 2,600 ] As he dug deeper, the temperature around him rose. After 40 minutes, it reached minus 20 degrees Celsius within his active range. He retrieved the energy that had been allocated to cold resistance and allocated it to ELF.
Is it going to be all ice till the end?
Kamdoong was sick of it and also exhausted.
[ 3,900, 4,000, 4,100] When he reached 4,100 meters, he let out a scream.
Whoa?
He was suddenly in midair, but in the next second, he was plunged and submerged in water. After drilling for 70 minutes in the ice, Kamdoong penetrated 4,100 of permanent ice and fell into Lake Vostok. It was similar to what Mu Ssang went through when he fell into the lake in the underground world.
The lake water was as chilly. A human would have experienced a heart attack but he had no heart. The living drill pierced the lake water at a tremendous speed and continued to go down.
I will exit through the other side of the Earth.
Kamdoong commanded a useless resolve. The average depth of Lake Vostok was 400 meters. After reaching the bottom in no time, Kamdoong sensed a mysterious current. A live current in a dead lake indicated that the lake was connected to the outside world.
Kamdoong scanned the bottom of the lake. Not too far from where he was, there was a narrow underwater cave through which the lake water was being drained at a tremendous rate. Kamdoongs body was transformed into a box jellyfish. With agile movements uncharacteristic of jellyfish, he entered the narrow underground cave which was more like a slit in the rock.
A jellyfish that was really not a jellyfish rode along the strong currents. Mu Ssang was swept by the lake water from a collapsed dam then fell into an underground lake. On the other hand, Kamdoong escaped an underground lake, swept by water. Friends walk similar paths but sometimes there is a point where the said paths diverge.
After 48 hours, Kamdoong entered the Weddell Sea on the eastern shore of Antarctica. Exhausted, Kamdoong floated on the surface like a real jellyfish. He escaped the ice field to evade the cold air but the sea was not any different. Even the lake under the ice field seemed more favorable. As soon as he entered the seawater, severe cold grasped him.
Where am I?
He had depleted all his conserved energy. He was barely maintaining survival mode. When the scouter was turned off, so were his survival instincts. A jaeger swooped down, spotting a jellyfish floating on water. Its sharp beak took away some of his flesh before he had time to react.
Without the shared fusion, and with his guard down, Kamdoong had to let it take some of his flesh. When the other jaegers saw that one of them got food, dozens swooped down on Kamdoong.
Kamdoong, startled, emitted the ELF. He was still powerful despite his exhaustion. The jaegers, each with a hole in their body, fell like leaves shaken by the autumn wind.
His dwindling energy was now completed depleted. Kamdoong hurriedly dove into the water. It was an almost comical sight, the overpowered Kamdoong fleeing from jaegers.
That did not mark the end of Kamdoongs ordeal. Seals hunted him down. When one chased him, several others followed as if in a competition. One of them, who has just bitten off a mouthful of the jellyfishs bell, screeched. A small hole had been punctured in its side. Many holes appeared in the heads and bodies of three seals.
The ELF, even in its greatly weakened state, was powerful enough to puncture the animals soft hide. Two quickly ran away and four floated down, bleeding out.
It was unavoidable. Even a dragon is harassed by loaches and minnows when it falls into a creek. A male lion, once diseased and weakened, was hunted by packs of hyenas.
The jellyfish, or Kamdoong, with half of his body lost, could not believe what just happened. His body used to block the metallic teeth of a dinosaur. Yet here he was, being eaten away by mere creatures. Because he lost half of his body, he could not transform anymore. At this rate, he was going to be the feed of mere terrestrial creatures.
A tentacle shot out from the jellyfish. A dead seal floating downward was brought to the jellyfish. The seal was torn apart at molecular levels and absorbed by Kamdoong.
I cannot even recover one percent of the non-nuclear cells.
Kamdoong gave up on absorbing the living organisms. It was far too inefficient. It did not allow him to restore his nuclear cells and he expended more energy catching and absorbing the organisms. To restore his body and replenish his energy, he needed the sun to run his bionic generator.
I am an embarrassment to the name of Adras. Will the suns rays pierce through here?
Kamdoong was doubtful. If it would, how can the Earth be this freezing? Kamdoongs scope of knowledge was extremely unbalanced. He did not know anything about the world above the ground. All he had was the Eastern Swordsmans memory which he had scanned incompletely.
Now I can only wait for a friend to rescue me.
He only had five percent of his energy left. He was on the verge of entering hibernation. He did not have sufficient energy to transform out of the jellyfish state. He had to stay conscious in this unfamiliar world. He did not know what danger would strike him at any moment.
Kamdoong changed his bodys system to survival mode. He routed all of his remaining energy to defence and hardened his body. At the very least, he could not allow mere creatures to bite off his flesh anymore.
Kamdoong, in a half-comatose state, converted his energy to waveforms and emitted thought waves. Thanks to the large amount of his friends blood he had absorbed, he could connect telepathically. It depended on the Eastern Swordsmans ability whether the connection is made or not. He could count on the epidium that allowed him to penetrate the underground world from above the ground.
[Help me, friend.]
[Eastern Swordsman!]
[You said friends stand by each others side in times of need!]
The unsightly jellyfish floating on the Weddell Sea continually emitted thought waves. The antarctic cold overwhelmed the epitome of the great Concretus biotechnology, Adras.
A massive sea creature appeared between the glaciers. A humpback whale jumped into the air then fell back into the water. A baby whale followed its mother to indulge in the play of jump-fall.
The mother was gorging on krill. Whenever she soared, with her two-meter mouth open wide, dozens of kilograms of krill disappeared into her throat.
Each winter, a humpback whale mother, with her offspring born in the South Pacific, passes the Cape Hope and enters the Antarctic waters. The mainstream scientific rationale for the humpback whales long journey toward Antarctica was to attain the omega-3 fatty acids abundant in krill.
The humpback whale opened her mouth wide and started drinking seawater. Kamdoong floating on the surface was helplessly swept into the massive maw with the swarm of krill.
The humpback whale mother, who entered the antarctic sea in early winter, had sufficiently accomplished her goal. They swam through the Weddell Seas floating ice and headed for their home in the South Pacific.
[You said a friend reaches out when you need them!]
Desperate thought waves were emitted ceaselessly.
Falcon flew across the sky above Niger with a roar. Leon, the pilot, was concerned about the anti-air missile grid in Libya. Gaddafis crazed zealots were waiting for any Western aircraft to enter their skies. He had planned an itinerary through the Mediterranean Sea via Niger and Algeria.
A thud was heard from behind the cargo area. Mu Ssang put down his coffee mug and stood at once. It was a reflex. Human behavior alternated between reason and irrationality like a pendulum.
One may be in awe of the magnitude of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier but would rarely pay any attention to its components: bolts and rivets. In contrast, when one eats a dumpling, one is quick to find one grain of sand in a mouthful of savory filling. Ocelot was akin to that grain of sand.
Mu Ssang glared at a fixed titanium coffin then used Dimensional Sight. Contained inside the coffin was the most dangerous thing in the world. He scanned the inside of the coffin like an MRI machine. The dozens of fractured bones and severed tendons were almost restored to their normal state. An epidium-augmented body was truly a superior thing.
They were headed for France because of Ocelot. Mu Ssang abhorred inefficiency. He was going to hand Ocelot to Bonipas.
Ocelot was far too dangerous to be kept in Novatopia. If he regenerated his body, the 20-millimeter thick titanium coffin would be treated like a sheet of cardboard.
Mu Ssang shuddered to imagine the outcome should the enraged thing ever escape. Beyond Novatopians, the hundreds of thousands of refugees waiting to enter will also be massacred.
Samdi subdued Ocelot in the jungle of Ituri but Ocelot was technically still stronger. If Mu Ssang had not messed with Ocelot with Gongjinpa, Ocelot would have surely defeated Samdi. If Samdi and Dino fought together, they could tackle Ocelot but the impact of the fight would have obliterated Jipoon Dari.
Your fate is quite a handful too.
Mu Ssangs glare softened. Ocelot made Mu Ssang hesitate. Considering all the effort to capture him, Mu Ssang was reluctant to dispose of him. If he were to keep him, there were considerable obstacles.
It was day 21 since he was locked up in a titanium coffin. No matter how much epidium he had, he still needed to eat. He was going to die if they deprived him of organic matter and water.
It is a merciless world but I still cant starve anyone.
Mu Ssang entered the passcode and opened the lid of the coffin. His master had said that starving a living thing to death was the vilest of sins.
Ocelot jumped out like a compressed spring. His body was bony but still retained its structure. Receiving a blow to his chest, Ocelot was driven into the coffin. Mu Ssang did not spare any force. The blow had collapsed his ribs.
You wretch!
Ocelot glared at Mu Ssang. His gaze was full of malice and resentment.
Stuff yourself.
Mu Ssang threw in ten packages of field ration. Ocelots eyes glinted. He had been starving for 21 days. He ripped open the packages and devoured their contents. All packages were gone in an instant.
Hurgh!
Drink some water.
Mu Ssang threw a five-liter water bottle to Ocelot. Ocelot drained the bottle in one go. He did not even stop to breathe. The collapsed ribs had already regenerated. Mu Ssang shook his head. Its rate of regeneration was terrifying.
Why didnt you kill me?
Do you prefer if I had?
Ocelot shot Mu Ssang a malicious glare without saying anything.
If you dont, stay quiet, Mu Ssang blurted out. Ocelot butchered people for fun. For him, humans were less than dogs or cats. It was infuriating to merely look at his face.
What will you do with me?
I have no idea either.
Release me!
Then what?
Mu Ssang smiled. Ocelots face bloomed into a wide grin.
I will be a good person. I will work for you.
Chapter 508 - Episode 5 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
Mu Ssangs face was awe-struck as if he had just been struck by an ox. He was surprised that Ocelot knew the word good.
Are you aware of the concept of being good? If I ever took you in, I doubt I will ever live out my destined lifespan.
Mu Ssang drawled as he looked directly at Ocelots pupils. Within his blue irises, some scarlet was seeping out. That hue was characteristic of epidium activated by murderous intent.
If his mind had teeth, he would chew me alive, Mu Ssang sneered in his mind.
Great. You are doing great. You are doing well. You and I are two of the only epidium-enhanced beings in the world. We are of the same tribe. I can be your slave. Just spare my life!
Ocelot was desperate. Maybe they could talk this out. He could not avenge himself if he was dead. Once he was fully regenerated, he did not need to fear Mu Ssang.
Did I really fight with him in the garden of the Paya Hotel?
Mu Ssang let his guard down. A serial massacrer must have a reason for doing so. Some considered themselves martyrs, buried in extreme beliefs. Some were devoted to their ideologies. Some were doing it unconsciously, with multiple personalities.
Ocelot was a new kind of killer with an antisocial personality. He considered himself a great being and deemed humans to be like ants or earthworms. Similar to how Hwa Ja killed ants for fun with a twig as they came out of their colony, Ocelot killed people for fun. Mu Ssang abhorred people like Ocelot, mesmerized by their own power and acting out because of this narcissism.
The same tribe? Id rather believe that a bulldog grew a pair of tusks than believe a word you say.
Mu Ssangs gaze became menacing. A clear membrane formed and covered both his hands. Ocelots bones were as hard as titanium. It was exhausting to break them without Billions Water Armor.
Hey, Black Mamba, I have a lot of hidden funds. I will provide you with money and women. I will give you 10,000,000 dollars. No, 20,000,000 dollars, Ocelot, feeling threatened, blabbered.
Some punching will change your mind.
Mu Ssangs hand thrust like a flash of light. Ocelot, surprised, parried it with his forearm. Colliding with Billions Water Armor, Ocelots forearm was bent at an acute angle.
Before he had time to scream, Billions Water Armor grasped his shoulder bone and collarbone at once. The bones, nerve bundles attached to the bones, blood vessels, and muscles were crushed like clay. It would only take him three days to regenerate all that.
Ugh!
A desperate scream resounded.
Wakil, is everything all right? Leon asked through the intercom.
You dont have to worry about it.
Yes, sir.
Mu Ssang turned off his intercom and glared at Ocelot with cold eyes. Ocelot, who was about to leap out of the coffin, flinched. The more animalistic instincts one had, the more one was mentally subdued by an opponent that had defeated them in the past.
Silence!
Ocelots mouth was clenched shut. It was Psychokinesis that Mu Ssang had recently learned to use. Once the target was silenced, Mu Ssang began battering Ocelot as if he was a wall of a house about to be demolished. Heavy thuds followed one another. He fractured Ocelots backbone and neck bone in multiple pieces and crushed the bones in his limbs. Then he ripped out the tendons in his wrists and ankles and partially crushed his liver and lungs. Within one minute, Ocelot became octopus-like, with everything below his neck turning all soft and tender.
You cruel wretch! You have no humanity! I will avenge myself.
Ocelots eyes revealed not pain or fear but insanity. It was just like Samdi said, even God cannot tame epidium. Mu Ssang was also able to endure Mrs. Jangs cruel abuse that lasted five years thanks to this unyielding stubbornness of epidium.
You, of all people, speak of humanity. I shall be able to leave you alone for 10 days now.
Mu Ssang closed the lid of the coffin and locked it. He resisted the urge to smash Ocelots mouth too when he spouted nonsense about humanity when he did not have any himself. Ocelot was the textbook example of a demon.
Humans are humans because they have the ability to sympathise and empathise. No lifeforms other than humans possessed such qualities. Sympathy referred to a proactive stance on which, through imagination, one understood the difficulties of another. It was a gaze of understanding from a higher place toward someone in a lower place.
Empathy referred to a state-oriented act in which one shared ones psyche interactively with another. In Buddhism, mercy was closer in meaning to empathy than sympathy. For example, if you give a loaf of bread to a beggar, that was sympathy. If you went around panhandling with him, that was empathy.
Some people sentimentally interpreted sympathy as an intellectual understanding of someone elses pain and empathy as shared emotional suffering. Such an interpretation cannot be labeled as incorrect as it is a very narrow and political view.
Mu Ssang could see the true nature of a person. Even if Samdi had not warned him of epidiums insanity, he could sense that the only human thing Ocelot retained was his form. Ocelots sympathy was replaced by malice and empathy by madness. He had no reason to treat Ocelot as a human. If he had considered Ocelot a fellow human, he would have euthanized him, not subdue him with violence.
His head started to ring again.
Again?
Mu Ssang, enjoying coffee leisurely, put down his mug. If it happened once, it could have been his imagination. But for it to happen twice is no mere coincidence. He sat in a Lotus position and recited the Great Compassion Mantra. The mantra was the best tool to focus ones mind.
Sara sara. Siri siri. Soro soroModaya modaya. Maedariya. Niraganta. Gamasa nalsanam. Baraharanaya manak. Sabaha. Sitdaya. Sabaha. Mahasitdaya
His soul rose and his mind fell. His clouded head cleared like the autumn sky.
[Help me, Eastern Swordsman!]
He heard a faint vibration. Kamdoong arose in his imagination. As their souls connected, the imparted thought became comprehensible.
[Friend, help me.]
[Eastern Swordsman!]
[You said friends stand by each others side in times of need.]
What is this? Kamdoong?
His surprise almost broke his mindfulness. He already had some concerns regarding Kamdoong because he had told him that he will visit but Mu Ssang had never heard from him since then. Only a natural disaster could put someone like Kamdoong in danger.
Even mighty Sun Wukong was buried under a mountain for 500 years. Even Mu Ssang himself could not rival the violence of nature itself. Since he could receive Kamdoongs thought waves, Samdi must have escaped the underground world. Even thought waves could not escape a perfectly sealed space.
He wanted to know where he was but Mu Ssang did not know how to send out thought waves. He could only convey some sounds on his Gongjinpa over a close distance. Mu Ssang was in a hurry. His only friend was in danger and he could not locate him. Mu Ssang still had not located his own mother in Korea. How was he supposed to find Kamdoong?
As he grew more desperate, his headspace cleared as if a cloudy sky was clearing, as if things went in focus in a telescope. His vision soared to an infinitely high place. The shoreline of the African continent, which he always saw on maps, was vividly painted in his imagination.
Mu Ssang was ecstatic. He had finally gained a proper supernatural power. It was Heaven Seeing Eyes that his teacher told him about. No, it wasnt quite so. Mu Ssang was connected to Samdi through their epidium blood and his powerful thought waves were directing Mu Ssangs consciousness. If it had to be named, it was more of Right Martial Halls necromancy than it was Heaven Seeing Eyes.
His vision scoped the southernmost tip of the African continent. The cobalt sea and robust waves slapping the shore swept his mind. On the land stood a lighthouse with a design that mimicked that of an old castle. The thought waves were emanated from somewhere in the deep sea dozens of kilometers away from the shoreline.
Leon, head to the southernmost tip of the continent. Looking from the sea, there is a cape as stout as a hippos tail and to its right, I see a city. There is a castle-like lighthouse. Do you have any idea where this might be?
If you say southernmost, there is Cape Point and Cape Agulhas. If the cape is stout like a hippos tail and there is a city nearby, it is likely Agulhas. Cape Point is more of a crocodiles tail.
I see a sign marking the boundary between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
Its Cape Agulhas, Leon replied mechanically, not discerning Mu Ssangs intent.
Set course to Cape Agulhas.
Aye, sir.
Falcon changed course. The distance from the Niger desert and Cape Agulhas at the southernmost tip of Africa was 6,500 kilometers in a straight line and 7,300 in actual flight distance. Even taking into account the spare fuel in Falcon, the return flight to Novatopia was going to be difficult. Leon had some concerns about the fuel but said no more words. He had faith in his boss.
After seven hours, Falcon appeared above the southernmost tip of the African continent. They could see the strong waves from the Atlantic Ocean slapping Cape Point. Cape Point was commonly known as the southernmost tip of Africa but it was actually Cape Agulhas, 154 kilometers away from Cape Point.
Wakil, we will arrive at Agulhas in 10 minutes.
Maintain altitude at 2,000. Tilt the angle 10 degrees to the left. Fly in a circle at a leisurely speed. Mu Ssang ordered the direction and speed over the intercom. Leon was confused.
Sightseeing? There are only sardine trawlers and whales here
To the left of Cape Agulhas was the Atlantic Ocean and to its right, the Indian Ocean. In both directions, there was not a single island on the vast expanse of water that spanned hundreds of kilometers. There were many hidden underwater rocks along the shore of Cape Agulhas. No ships were passing by. If the boss acted incomprehensibly, there must be a reason for it. He must not have come all the way here to gaze at the oceans.
Leon, how low can you go while maintaining the scoping mode?
At the speed of 250 kilometers, I can lower us by 400 meters.
Great. Maintain the altitude of 1,000 and drop the speed to 200 kilometers.
Aye, sir.
Falcon flew in circles over an area 120 kilometers away from the Agulhas shoreline. Mu Ssang used his vision to scope the ocean below but he did not see a single floating debris, let alone any ships.
[Eastern Swordsman!]
Yes!
The thought emanated right below Falcon. He spotted two whales cruising in the waves. It must be a mother and her baby since the 3-meter one was swimming in the 15-meter ones wake.
Could it be?
Mu Ssang remembered when Samdi was in the serpents stomach in the jungle of Ituri. It was a nonsensical guess. Mu Ssang put on the harness. What was nonsensical was the existence of beings like himself or Samdi.
Leon, do you see the whale?
Yes!
Fly along the direction they are swimming in.
Aye!
Match the frequency of my satellite phone and elevate the altitude and wait.
Before Mu Ssang finished his sentence, a warning beep filled the cockpit. On Leons dashboard, the light indicating open doors was turned on.
Wakil! Leon shouted but Mu Ssang had already disappeared from the cabin.
He is driving me crazy!
Leon, perplexed, slammed the steering wheel with his fist and continued the circular flight. He knew what powers his boss had but that still did not stop him from worrying.
Mu Ssang assumed the halo fall posture. He extended his limbs wide and tilted them backwards along with his head to reduce the falling speed. To land on the back of a moving whale, he had to meticulously tweak his falling speed. Mu Ssang fell at the speed of 60 meters per second. The air was clear and so was the sky. The speed of the wind, at two meters per second, also aided his aim.
Open!
The training at Deuxieme REP was still effective. Mu Ssang shouted reflexively and pulled the bridle at his hip 300 meters above the surface. His parachute unfurled rapidly. His body was abruptly pulled upward against gravity.
The MC-1 Mobility Parachute was capable of steering and horizontal movement thanks to its air holes and steering lines. Mu Ssang steered himself along the direction in which the humpback whales were going.
It was quite a sight to see humpback whales glided through the water as they blew out water. Mu Ssang pressed on the rapid disassembly button and shed the parachute and fell free. He elegantly landed on the whales back. The humpback whale barely noticed him and went on its way. To a 30-ton humpback whale, Mu Ssang was akin to a fly.
How could he?Leon shrieked, looking down at the surface. Wakil had shed his parachute and landed on the whales back. It was a legendary spot fall, worthy of being included in the Foreign Legions history.
To a superhuman being, Leons concerns did not matter. He just needed to do his job. Leon shook his head and went up in altitude. He should not surprise the whales with the din from the aircraft. They might decide to dive underwater. He was not aware that a humpback whale accompanied by her baby rarely left the surface.
Mu Ssang placed his palm on the whales back and loaded Gongjinpa with his voice.
[Hey, Kamdoong!]
Gongjinpa went through the thick outer skin of the whale and vibrated through the inside of the humpback whale. The heap of krill in the massive stomach of the whale flinched.
[Have you come, my friend?]
What kind of situation have you gotten yourself into?
He had guessed as much but it was a bad joke that the powerful Kamdoong was eaten by a whale. Before he rejoiced at being reunited with his friend, he was concerned.
[Are you okay, my friend?]
[That is quite an irrational question.]
Mu Ssang laughed at the cynical retort. A being on a level with Kamdoong was eaten by a whale. There was a big problem.
Mu Ssang scanned the inside of the whale with Dimensional Sight. He was thorough with the search but still could not spot Kamdoong. The stomach was full of half-digested krill and fish and nothing else.
Has he transformed?
Mu Ssang was aware of Kamdoongs ability to transform. He exercised patience and scrutinized the whales massive belly, even employing Resonance Wave to feel up what was inside.
A jellyfish?
In his field of Resonance Wave, he felt an object with a radically different density than its surroundings. He focused Dimensional Sight and saw a squirming jellyfish in his imagination. No lifeforms could survive in the stomach where high-acidity digestive fluid was gushing out. And a jellyfish could not move autonomously out of water.
[You dont look too great.]
[One thing led to another, I lost some of my body. I also depleted energy required for my survival]
Chapter 509 - Episode 6 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
The thought waves broke up. Some people remain as acquaintances even though one spends ones whole life with them. Some people become close friends over a cup of tea. Kamdoong and Mu Ssang had only spent a day and a half together in the underground world.
The expression to be in someone elses shoes refers to empathy. If you have a similar experience, you can easily empathize with someone going through the same thing. The ordeal Mu Ssang went through in the Caparuza valley where a dam collapsed was indeed horrible.
Could it be the loneliness of life so far? Was it the empathy of having gone through the same ordeal? Was it the impossible odds of an encounter that hardly happened once in countless eons? Like the heart trembling at a verse of poetry, Kamdoongs distress was conveyed to Mu Ssang intact through the thought waves.
[Have you eaten?]
Food was the alpha and omega of Mu Ssangs life.
[Eat? I dont understand the question but I get the intent. My energy is depleted.]
[Thats serious!]
If Samdis energy was depleted to the extent that he could not get himself out of a whales stomach, it meant the situation was serious. Maybe he was showered with lava, massaged by hundreds of millions of metric tons of rock, or engulfed in a viral storm. Mu Ssang felt deep pity as if his own flesh was ripped apart.
Stories were for later. A clear membrane covered his hand. He was going to rip open the side of the humpback whale and extract the stomach.
He heard a bizarre screech and his hand, which was about to rip open the whales skin, stopped midair. The baby whale, which was swimming alongside its mother, struggled to get on her back. Deducing from its size, it had not even been weaned off breastmilk yet.
Huh, what shall I do?
He sighed. He needed to get Kamdoong out of there immediately but the struggling baby made him reluctant. Without its mother, the baby whale was definitely going to perish in the vast ocean. If he killed the mother to save his friend, the baby was just going to be like Mu Ssang when he was nine.
While Mu Ssang was hesitating, the mother whale accelerated abruptly. She turned and shot forward at once, suggesting something was happening. Its screeching wails betrayed the desperation of a herbivore fleeing a predator.
Is there a predator?
The waters near Cape Agulhas were teeming with seals and sharks. Attracted by the abundance of big prey, orcas frequented the area too. Great white sharks fed on orphaned baby humpback whales and orcas even hunted the baby protected by its mother as they hunted in a pack.
Mu Ssang used Dimensional Sight. 100, 200, 300, 1,500. On land, its range ranged from 400 to 500 meters but in an ocean, its range spanned 1,500 meters.
He sensed a pack of lifeforms targeting the humpback whales. The mother whale and the baby were panicking because of them. He sensed the frenzy of the chasers that was akin to that of a pack of lions ambushing a wildebeest.
Orcas!
The chasers were orcas, also known as the ultimate sea predators. There were only two predators with a body size from five to eight meters that were suitable for hunting humpback whales: great white sharks and orcas. Great white sharks were solitary because they fed on each other too. If the chasers were in a pack, they were orcas.
White waves relentlessly jumped 1,000 meters behind the whales. He could see the stark contrast of their black back and white bellies. The orcas accelerated and the humpback whales hurriedly swam.
The speed of the orcas and humpback whales was roughly the same at 30 kilometers per hour but the baby was the issue. The mother had to slow down many times to make sure the baby was not falling behind. The distance between the predators and prey was shortened in no time. The mother humpback whale, scared, changed her course frantically.
Her back was slippery as it was. The frantic movement annoyed Mu Ssang.
Calm down. I will save you.
He tramped on the back as he shouted. The heavy impact was sufficient to rein in the massive humpback whale. The whale calmed down as if she understood what Mu Ssang said. He was quite a demanding passenger and he did not even pay any fare.
I didnt expect to play white knight today!
He pulled out Dragunov from his backpack. It was not right to meddle in the wildlifes ecosystem, but the screeching baby kept tugging his heartstrings.
Dragunov started firing. The bullets kicked the water in front of the orcas. Orcas were smart and friendly enough to perform a show with a human. He did not feel like hitting them directly.
Be good and go eat sharks or seals.
The orcas were relentless. They approached the whales rapidly. He had to hurt them to chase them away. Mu Ssang placed Dragunov in its place and pulled out Rakshasa.
Rakshasa!
A deafening shout containing resonance waves exploded. It shook the atmosphere and rippled the water. Mu Ssang stood on the whales back in Heavenly Pillar Stance and wielded Rakshasa.
Rakshasa, seeing the world after a long while, roared. It surpassed the speed of sound at once. A frenzied form of a dinosaur resonated with an asuras call. The atmosphere fell back from Mu Ssang.
The humpback whales flinched and the orcas, now close by, looked up from the water. They noticed that the lifeform on their preys back was extraordinary.
If caught in the path of supersonic Rakshasa, even a massive orca was cut in half. Mu Ssang purposefully reduced its speed and hit the head of an orca with the flat side of the weapon.
Even with reduced speed, the momentum was equivalent to one metric ton. The orca who received the blow withdrew hurriedly. Mu Ssang pranced around on the whales back, which was as wide as a boulevard, and hit the orcas surrounding it. They screeched and dispersed in an instant.
Look at them!
Orcas do not relinquish their prey just because they were hit several times. They withdrew and reorganized their formation. The pack of orcas charged into a linear formation. White waves rose robustly.
They know how to use a distraction!
Mu Ssang was rather entertained. Only three of them were conspicuously charging through the spray of seawater. His Dimensional Sight spotted two other orcas diving deeper below the surface.
Rakshasa struck the surface of the ocean at supersonic speed in a path shaped like many overlapping circles. Each time it struck the surface, the ocean parted like a deep crevasse. The depth was over 10 meters.
Something heavy was caught in the path of Rakshasa. One of the orcas who dove was hit. He screeched and rose to the surface. He was bleeding from his blowhole. The orcas stopped charging and held their heads up and seemed to communicate.
The one who seemed to be the packs leader screeched. It must have meant something similar to Not worth it in human language. They had an abundance of prey. They did not need to obsess over this one. The orcas who were charging swam away in a different direction. They were indeed intelligent.
Look at this one!
When the orcas were out of sight, the baby humpback whale approached Mu Ssang with its snout. It whimpered like a puppy when Mu Ssang caressed its snout. Its big eyes showed a certain emotion. The mother stopped in place when she saw Mu Ssang touching her baby.
His hand covered in Billions Water Armor caressed the rough skin around the baby whales mouth. The barnacles and big parasites whose names were unknown to Mu Ssang were swept away at once. The baby screeched joyfully.
Is this a whale or a puppy? Yes, I name you Humpie. Do you get it?
Mu Ssangs lack of flair for naming persisted in the southernmost tip of Africa, in the Indian Ocean.
I must get Kamdoong out of there. Lets play later, buddy.
Mu Ssang patted the baby humpback whales head as if it was a puppy and moved onto the nose of the mother whale.
Open your mouth!
Its massive eyes blinked. Mu Ssang was in a hurry. He grabbed her upper and lower jaws and tried to open her mouth forcibly. They did not budge. When he exerted more power, the whale shook her head. Her jawbones might break if he tried to open her mouth forcibly.
You are a whale. Of course, you dont understand me.
Mu Ssang grumbled and took a military rope out of his pocket. Humpback whales filter krill out of the water with their massive brush-like teeth. There was a space between the upper and lower teeth in which he could insert the rope.
He straightened the rope with Psychokinesis. He recalled a saying that when you are gifted with a talent, the universe had planned a specific use for it. As soon as he acquired Psychokinesis, an opportunity to use it presented itself.
Just as he was about to insert the rope, the mother whale opened her mouth wide. Mu Ssang was overwhelmed by the cavern-like maw. He could not understand how such a massive and powerful creature subsisted on krill.
Thanks to the whales cooperation, the operation became easier. The rope passed through her esophagus and entered deep into her stomach. The ropes width was only two millimeters. She must have barely felt it.
He located the jellyfish with Dimensional Sight and drew the rope close to it with Psychokinesis. The rope in the stomach poked the jellyfish.
[Can you hold onto it?]
[F*ck! If I could move, I wouldnt even need your help now!]
Kamdoongs retort was rather fierce.
Whoa!
Kamdoong must have been tired of waiting. Mu Ssang himself routinely used strong language in the underground world. A cuss word was not learned, it was absorbed.
[I am sorry. I will get you out of there soon.]
The rope wound around the jellyfish. The act required him to maneuver both Psychokinesis and Dimensional Sight. It was quite taxing on his stamina. All that was left was to extract Kamdoong by pulling on the rope. The operation was nearly done.
He wipe away the sheen of sweat that formed on his forehead with his sleeve and patiently pulled on the rope. Fortunately, the whale continued to cooperate until Kamdoong was out of her body.
Its done, buddy.
Mu Ssang gently smacked the space above the whales mouth. The whale closed her mouth and wailed.
Is she going to be a spiritual creature like Dino? Am I talented at turning animals intelligent? Haha! Mu Ssang, with a heavy burden off his chest, giggled.
[There is the sun! What a relief.]
A thought wave resonated.
Are you really Kamdoong?
Mu Ssang checked the extracted object which startled him. It was a box jellyfish missing half of its body and ripped apart like a rag. Could this really be the epitome of the great Concretus biotechnology, Kamdoong?
[Nice to see you again, friend. Its quite embarrassing but it really is me.]
Haha! How are you going to regenerate?
Samdis response made Mu Ssang laugh. Samdi was neither animal nor plant. Losing half of his body was not life-threatening.
[I lost half of my eukaryotic cells. I had to expend my regenerative energy. It is hard for me to communicate now. I need you to touch my body, friend.]
The sprawled jellyfish inspired pity. He held it up and touched it with his head. An immense stench assailed his nostrils but now Kamdoongs thought waves were more clearly heard.
[Why is the atmosphere different? Has the sun aged? With the current solar energy, the Earth needs to rotate 40,000 times before I could regenerate my body.]
A hundred years? Mu Ssang, surprised, yelled. It meant his friend would only come into being after Mu Ssangs death.
[Why are you surprised? Epidium allows us to live for 1,000 years. Even with gene fragmentation, we surely would make it past 500 years. A hundred years is nothing.]
Hey, you and I have a different concept of time. A hundred years is quite long. What is taking you so long?]
[The sunlight in this world is feeble. My bionic generator cannot run efficiently. To restore the eukaryotic cells, it will take a long time.]
What if you could use somebodys epidium?
Mu Ssang asked abruptly. Kamdoong answered after a while.
[I would like to see the world for some more time but I dont want to sacrifice a friend for me to survive.]
That means it certainly will be useful. I have some dysfunctional epidium.
Mu Ssang, relieved, pointed at the sky. High up in the sky, Falcon was continuing its circular flight.
[Do you have some epidium tissue? If I remember correctly, humans refer to this kind of situation as lucking out. If I utilize epidium-enhanced tissue, I can enter a mobile state immediately. Within a year, I will be able to regenerate all of my body and even redesign it.]
Mu Ssang could feel Kamdoongs joy.
What do you mean by redesign?
[There are some restraints to my transformative ability. If I have access to some epidium tissue, I can use the epidium as a carapace through reverse transcription. I dont need to go through the process of regeneration. Moreover, I can alter my essential nature. I can go over the boundary between lifeforms and inanimate objects.]
Could this be? Everything under the sky has its use!
Mu Ssang genuinely marveled at the lucky situation. All the trouble of dragging Ocelot around had borne fruit. Mu Ssang pulled out a satellite phone without hesitation. He set up the antenna on the whales back and tweaked the frequency.
Leon, drop the titanium box in the cargo area and a lifesaving buoy.
Aye. I will attach a parachute then drop them.
No. Lower the altitude and drop them right away.
Aye!
Falcon emerged from the clouds. It lowered its altitude in a spiral then dropped a silvery object from the cargo area. The titanium coffin was submerged in the water then rapidly floated up.
Leon accomplished the feat of dropping cargo 50 meters away from the target with not a helicopter, but a jet. A horseshoe-shaped orange buoy dropped in the coffins wake.
Chapter 510 - Episode 7 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
The din of the jet flying low threatened to shred eardrums. Unlike ships, which floated with buoyancy, aircraft floated with lift. Heavy equipment like a silencer could not be attached to them.
The humpback whale lowered its head, raised its waist, and prepared to dive. With a flick of its tail, it dived right away. Mu Ssang urgently kicked the whales back to gain momentum.
The impact, strong enough to crush rock, shook the massive 40-ton body of the whale. The humpback whales hide was over 500 millimeters thick. They barely felt most impacts.
Hey, missy. What am I going to do?
The voice enhanced by Psychokinesis shook the mother whales brain. The whale who was about to dive, unbelievably, raised her head and straightened her back.
Huh? She understands what Im saying. Good girl.
Mu Ssang was delighted. He thought of the stories of castaways in the international section of a newspaper. A whale let him ride on its back and took him to another ship. A whale shooed away sharks for them. A whale guided a rescue ship to their location. Considering the mother whales behavior, those might not have been fabricated stories.
Resonance Wave was an interaction field. The mother whale was definitely intelligent if she reacted to it. If he could steer the mother whale, he did not need to struggle with the tiny lifesaving buoy.
The rope shot through the air. It wound around the titanium coffin floating on the surface and then wrapped around the lifesaving buoy too. With his martial arts skills and telekinesis, such a highly sophisticated operation was not difficult.
Leon, wait for us at the Cape Town airport.
Wakil, you are 145 kilometers away from Agulhas. I should pull you there.
Like boss, like subordinate. A jet was not like a helicopter. To keep them over the surface, it needed to maintain at least 200 kilometers of speed. An object flying at 200 kilometers per hour was going to drop a rope 2,000 meters long and a human was going to hold onto the said rope and move 145 kilometers. The idea was absurd.
I am Dubaiburupa.
Aye!
Leon answered with vigor and changed course. His boss was omnipotent. It was almost blasphemous to question his order. Falcon shook its wings a few times and flew westward.
Shall we begin, friend?
[Place my unsightly body on the epidium-enhanced creatures face. I cant gobble up something just because you gave it to me. I shall first check if it is high quality.]
Kamdoong, even on the verge of death, was playful. He not only copied Mu Ssangs memory but also his personality.
That makes sense!
Mu Ssang smiled. The real master did not let death shake them. Mu Ssang entered the passcode, unlocked the coffin, and opened the lid. Dazzling blue light shone from Ocelots eyes.
You wretched bastard! I will tear out your flesh and feast on it. I will shatter your bones and feed them to pigs.
Swears and curses poured. Ocelots handsome, movie-star-like face crumpled in a deep frown. He ground his teeth which made quite a menacing sound.
Go on ahead. I have a gift for you.
Mu Ssang did not bat an eye. He slapped the jellyfish on Ocelots face.
Argh, you wretch! What is this?
Ocelot yelled with his mouth that was not covered by the jellyfish.
Ocelot, it is your chance to do something good before you go. You, with your own mouth, boasted about making over 2,000 stuffed humans. If you ever reach the afterlife, do apologize to the victims of your murderous hobby.
As soon as Mu Ssang finished talking, the jellyfishs tentacles dug into Ocelots nostrils.
What? What are you up to? Black Mamba, we belong to the same tribe. I am a victim. Why are you doing this to me? Ocelot, suddenly anxious, jabbered on.
I never expected for a moment to pity you.
Mu Ssang clucked his tongue. Among the parasites that control the behavior of their host, there is one called Toxoplasma gondii which lives in cats. It can only reproduce in the digestive tract of a cat.
If it ever entered the body of a non-host like a human or a mouse, it found its way to a cat through an ingenious method. It controls the brain through the nervous system. Humans and mice infected by the parasite feel an amplified affection towards cats.
An infected mouse would play in front of a cat and try to touch it. A cat is not a mouses friend. It would return the mouses performance with bloodshed. When the cat is sated, the parasite would lay eggs in its stomach. Humans were not unlike mice. People who would kiss cats in the mouth are likely also infected.
Ocelot was in a worse fate than a mouse infected by Toxoplasma gondii. A mouse was freed after death but Ocelot had to be absorbed by Kamdoong. Ocelots soul would mourn such a fate.
Get this thing off me!
Ocelot jumped. He accomplished the miraculous feat of jumping with a body that only had crushed bones and severed tendons. That was how shocking of a sensation it was for Kamdoong to touch up the inside of his brain.
Mu Ssang, who was about to inflict another punch, lowered his fist. Ocelots eyes turned and only showed the white. The ripple-like flinches in his body faded.
[Epidium affinity: 2.25 percent, Excita virus affinity: 35 percent, Deuterium: 0.05 percent, Viral recording: 5,200. Not quite high grade. Also, it is severely damaged.]
I had to subdue it. Is there a problem?
[No. Epidium makes you violent. There is a reason it is called Epidium of Insanity. The tissue could be damaged. I only need the cellular structure intact. The tissue can be regenerated.]
He is just as unbelievable as Ocelot!
Mu Ssang shook his head. Few were as fearsome as Kamdoong. It was incredible for Ocelot to stay alive with a destroyed body but it was even more incredible for Kamdoong to attempt to regenerate it.
What are you going to do? Is there anything I can do to help?
[I need energy. Shake this fellows brain with shockwave. Dont touch anywhere else but the gray matter of the cerebrum which you will turn into a soup-like state. Dont ever touch the hippocampus. I need it to stay alive. I must take over the body in a living state to make the most use of the material.]
That is quite a tall order!
Mu Ssang sufficiently understood Kamdoongs demand. Kamdoong was intending to erase Ocelots soul once his ego was paralyzed. That way, they could eliminate Ocelot for good.
When the synaptic connections in the gray matter of the cerebrum were shaken, one lost ones ego. The soul and the body are bound together by a chemical connection. Even a powerful shaman cannot separate the soul from its body as long as the ego is alive.
Mu Ssang grabbed Ocelots skull and used Resonance Wave. Careful not to touch the brain stem and cerebellum which were in charge of vital life functions, he battered the gray matter of the cerebrum. Dozens of billions of sophisticated synaptic connections were ground up.
Argh
Ocelot managed to let out a feeble sigh during such a drastic operation.
[I found deuteronion! I shall not worry about viruses anymore. This is the greatest gift, friend.]
Kamdoongs though waves took on an overjoyed tone.
Deuteronion? What is that?
[It is a chemical compound incorporating deuterium only produced in an epidium-brain. It is a great janitor, sweeping away all intracellular germs, viruses, and toxins at once.]
Aha!
Mu Ssang exclaimed. He had seen the white granules from his own brain which neutralized the botulinum toxin in five minutes. That must have been deuteronion.
Kamdoong, a molecular organism, was most vulnerable to viruses and very low temperatures. Every organism has a natural habitat. Viruses lived in cells. Epidiums deuteronion immune system was invulnerable. Kamdoong had acquired an ultimate elixir that surpassed any other legendary elixirs.
After the probing was done, Kamdoong began the assimilation. The jellyfish melted, turned into a gel, and disappeared into Ocelots nostrils. A silent yet desperate fight took place inside the coffin conveyed on the whales back.
This is quite interesting. A fight between an impure soul of epidium and an awakened soul of Adras? Hopefully, it will end well.
Mu Ssang was way too emotionally detached for a person who catalyzed the fight itself. Mu Ssang dropped the lid of the coffin and plopped down on top of it. He had no idea how long it was going to take. He just had to wait.
If things went smoothly, Ocelot was going to be born again as Kamdoong. If Kamdoong cannot completely subdue Ocelots soul, he will end up with multiple personalities.
Thank you so much, miss. You saved my friend!
Mu Ssang patted the whales head with Billions Water Armor. The whale screeched. Either intentionally or unintentionally, the whale swallowed Kamdoong and saved him. If he floated around the ocean with depleted energy, his life energy would have faded before Mu Ssang could get there.
Good girl, take us to land.
They could not stay on the whales back forever. Mu Ssang located Cape Agulhas with GPS and hit the surface to the whales left with Rakshasa.
There was a great splash. The humpback whale was more intelligent than he expected. She steered right and accelerated. The humpback whale glided through the strong waves of the Indian Ocean with a human on her back.
Mu Ssang was enjoying it all. It was no different from reining the cow when he was young. Where, where meant to the right, there, there meant to the left. Go, go meant to speed up and Stop, stop meant to slow down. The intelligent whale quickly learned the orders. Mu Ssang hit the surface occasionally to indicate direction.
An apt one looked majestic no matter what he did. The Indian Ocean with a backdrop of the red burning sun. The massive humpback whale glided through waves. A man on its head wielding a whip. The scene was picturesque.
The mother whale reached the waters near Cape Agulhas after five hours. It was a smooth journey. The great white sharks who approached hastily for the baby whale were promptly scared off by Rakshasa.
One withdrew after receiving one blow and survived. The other one who kept harassing them was cut in half. The behavior of the sharks differed greatly from the orcas behavior. Even as their partner was being cut in half, they thrashed about, agitated by the smell of blood. Dozens of impertinent great white sharks were sacrificed to Rakshasa.
Mu Ssang bound the titanium coffin with a rope and shouldered it on his back. He threw the lifesaving buoy on the surface and jumped into it.
She is quite big!
Seen from the front, the mother whale seemed different compared to when he was on her back. Her massive body was overwhelming. The mother whale firmly gazed at Mu Ssang with her gigantic eyes as if to put him in her memory. The eyes wider than a dinner plate could not seem kinder.
Her eyes resembled those of a wise person. They reminded him of his teachers eyes. He patted her head with his palm. The whale let out a long screech. He could feel the affection palpably emanating from her.
She knows that it is time for farewell.
Mu Ssang let out the identical sound waves from his mouth. He had analyzed the pattern with Dimensional Sight. The whales eyes looked different. Mu Ssang felt like she was smiling. The baby whale shoved its head in as if asking him to touch it as well.
Are you a puppy or a whale?
It was a big baby whale but behaved just like the Jindo puppy he had in the distant past. Mu Ssang responded with the same screech as the baby whales and caressed its head. The baby whale splashed the water with its fins in joy.
It was nice meeting you, farewell!
The mother whale and its baby hesitated. Mu Ssang splashed the surface with Rakshasa then pointed at the distant ocean. The mother whale let out a long screech and turned. The baby hesitated then followed its mother.
When she was about 500 meters away, the mother whale jumped out of the water. Her massive body rose five meters from the surface. Her massive fins flapped in the air.
The 40-ton body hit the water with a tremendous splash. She jumped 30 more times. Mu Ssangs heart trembled.
What a beast! I shall reciprocate.
Rakshasa circled in the air. When it had sufficient momentum, it fell to the surface with a great splash as if a bomb had gone off underwater.
Mu Ssang mindlessly stared at the whales gliding toward the horizon where the waves turned red, reflecting the setting sun. The scene was peaceful and beautiful. He felt his eyes well up. The beauty tugged at his heart.
The world must be a very bleak place without friendship. He did not expect to reunite with Kamdoong in this manner and be friends with a pair of whales.
If he had cut the whale open to get Kamdoong out in his hurry, he could not have gazed at their gliding away which was so peaceful and beautiful.
The fact that they were a mother and her baby changed his mind. The love between them moved him. No matter the species, love had no reason. If there ever was, it no longer was pure love but some kind of transaction.
The horseshoe-shaped lifesaving buoy charged toward the shore. Mu Ssang had walked barefoot on Lake Yoa. He did not need to use Resonance Wave. Instead, he simply hit the surface with Rakshasa to gain momentum.
Once ashore on the gravelly shore, he requested a helicopter from the French embassy in South Africa then sat on the coffin. The one with the upper hand moved their mouth. The ones beneath him had to move their legs.
Andre, the embassys security officer, frantically searched for an available helicopter. Ever since the incident at the embassy in Damascus, all French embassies in various corners of the world were on high alert. Rumor had it that if you did not respond promptly to the Special Military Advisors request, you will be scrapped of your rank and have several bones in your body broken. The rumor was considered to be very reliable.
The moon rose. Mu Ssang used the coffin as a bench and gazed at the dark sea at night. Dark waves that pranced here from a distant place in the ocean slapped the rocky cliff along the shore. What sounded similar to running locomotives hit Mu Ssangs ears.
Are you happy?
He straightened his back, pulled in his chin, and lowered his already baritone voice. He felt like only at this moment would his inner self tell the truth.
Chapter 511 - Episode 8 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
[I am ecstatic. Up to the present moment, I had been living solely for the what, and not the why. The suffering and sorrow I had been through eventually turned into the source reserves for my empathy which enabled me to comprehend the sadness and pain of others. I had a grasp of love because I had encounters with sorrow. Love is passion and passion is joy. A person who strives to win the hearts of a million people is not able to appeal to the hearts of mothers and junior humpback whales. A truly great soul does not boast of might. Those in high places are in fact, just wielding illusions of might and dominance.]
Mu Ssang affirmed these reflections in silence. This was truly the case. Your passions truly reflected your character and motivations. If it was the case that Mu Ssang was resentful of his pathetic circumstances and tried to take revenge for his grievances upon rising to great power, he would just turn out to be another version of Ocelot who performed assassinations as a hobby.
The world is driven by a vast ecology of major and minor dynamic interactive networks. The rise and fall of affirmative or toxic interactions compose the delicate textures of fate, directing occurrences, and gathering karmic energy.
Adras and Epidium referred to the fossil remains of the intelligent life that had lived 150,000,000 years in the historic past, during the period of the Concretus. Once the universe conceives a life and bestows them with spiritual gifts or innate talent, this is accompanied by correlated functions. If it were not Mu Ssang, Homo sapiens Epidium, who would have revived Kamdoong or seized hold of Ocelot?
The revived Epidiums lingering ghost led to a disastrous situation. Seven months ago, at harbors in Singapore and Spain, Ocelots museums had been unearthed. Four hundred fifty bodies had been discovered in underground warehouses. This stunning volume paled in comparison to the way in which they had been murdered. The DGSE autopsy officer reported in the postmortem review that 50 methods had been used to assassinate the deceased.
Karma refers to an applied action and its resulting outcome. If he had not been reborn as Epidium, if he had not learned Five Combined Movement, Kamdoong would still be unconscious in the nether world and Ocelot would still be performing assassinations for pleasure.
Kamdoong and Ocelots fight dragged on. The result had been predetermined. Even basic parasites could determine human behavior. A sophisticated being like Kamdoong had no reason to fail to possess, inhabit Ocelots body.
The night slipped by and dawn started gradually broke in Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. The veil of Hypnos was met with resounding silence. If Mu Ssang had not become a mercenary, he would not have known of the presence, the existence of such a place.
The strong waves rising the Indian Ocean and those from the Atlantic were crashing against each other. A heart-wrenching screech rose to pierce the silence of the shore shrouded in the dark. A seal attacked by some predator? A baboon that fell off the cliff? Just as Mu Ssang pondered in wonder, shooting stars started rapidly descending from just over the horizon.
Mother!
He was about to make a wish when the meteor shower abruptly halted. In the middle of the milky way shrouded in the thick haze, so that it seemed like actual milk would ooze out if you squeezed, wrung it out, stood the full moon. The moon slowly morphed into his mothers face. His bright-faced mother was shining down from the milky way from the full moon.
His mothers face, conjured in his imagination for the last dozen or so years, remained beaming radiantly always. Not once had the face revealed any trace of expression of pain or sorrow. Her face was always compassionate and warm upon the moon, upon the river, and in the wind blowing past. Could this further reflect her motherly affection towards her son?
The true blessing that flows out from humanity is love. If you can grasp sadness, you can grasp love. Only in the event you truly grasp sorrow, you can grasp love. Love, hope, and joy were the three pillars or rocks of life.
Countless refugees leaped over barbed wire and traversed the desert. Their desires were perennial. They desired their children to attain a better, more comfortable life than theirs.
His chief cook had also lost his wife and son as they fled. His young daughter was the motivation that drove him. The mother humpback whale, a mere animal, also shielded the great white sharks teeth with her body in order to keep her baby from harm. Unconditional love ultimately resulted in joy and planted seeds of hope.
A shooting star rapidly traversed the sky. He could not harbor, articulate a wish at this point also but remained content with bliss that swelled to the volume of the many stars adorning the sky.
He designated Novatopia as a shelter for empty, tormented souls. It was not quite so. He himself was an empty, tormented soul. With some irony, the many beings that he had considered as empty, tormented souls quenched his own empty, tormented, abysmal spirit.
He intended to console then received consolation in return. He intended to cheer people up, then received consolation in return. It came as a gift from the refugees in Novatopia. It came as a gift from the mother and baby humpback whales.
Would they be safe? Wouldnt orcas or great white sharks attack once more?
Mu Ssang kept pondering about the mother and baby whales that were not even humans. He felt like something was amiss as though he had lost a pair of shoes that his feet were accustomed to.
His buttocks trembled. No, it was the coffin beneath them that was shaking. He checked the time. Seven hours had passed since Kamdoong had usurped, taken hold of Ocelots body.
Are you done?
[Yes. It took time because I needed to uncover the depths of the unconscious psyche as well.]
Kamdoongs thought processes grew more intense. Before, it had felt like a typewriter had been inserting thoughts into his brain. Now, it felt as though messages were being radiated, channeled into his brain.
Was he of any use?
[His soul is decayed but his body remained in top form. By human standards, is he considered physically attractive? You said it doesnt hurt to have good looks to stand out from crowds in the corporate world.]
Oh, well. I cant help be slightly materialistic too.
Mu Ssang smiled contemptuously. Kamdoongs thought processes had been influenced, drawn from Mu Ssangs memories. Judging by appearances, which he consistently despised, must have been buried deep within her subconscious. Ocelot was certainly gifted with stunning looks. But Kamdoong could not walk around in public with his face revealed.
He is a vile criminal. You cannot mingle with humans having that face he has.
[Is that so? I dont need to mingle with humans but if you say so. Picture a handsome humans visage which I will use as a mask.]
Good looks were truly desirable. Mu Ssang envisaged the face of Omar Sharif in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. The movie was more than 20 years old but still the all-time favorite of the mercenaries within the Foreign Legion.
Mu Ssang was also mesmerized by the charisma of Omar Sharif walking out of a mirage in a desert. His dashing face with intense features, his sturdy but compassionate gaze. In the movie, Omar Sharif could effortlessly balance contrasting aspects of his personality. Another actor emerged in his thoughts. Soulful, melancholic eyes. Slender lips that hardly parted. Alain Delon, one of the historic icons of French cinema.
[Those humans are considered handsome? I will rearrange these slightly.]
Whoa!
Mu Ssang instinctively leaped out of the coffin. The titanium lid was finely dissolved into a sand-like form. It was Kamdoongs main weapon, the high-level ELF. It could have pierced a hole in Mu Ssangs body.
What is this?
Illumined by the dazzling moonlight, a man in a dragon robe climbed out from the coffin. Ocelot was dressed in the same garments. However, the man no longer had Ocelots face but someone elses. Kamdoongs abilities to transform and teleport re-enacted a scene from a horror movie.
Omar Sharif!
Mu Ssang gasped. Brunet mustache and asymetrical features. Sturdy and compassionate visage. It was Omar Sharif himself who wielded a rifle upon horseback. On a closer look, Mu Ssang recognized the melancholic eyes, slender lips, and slightly wavy hair of Alain Delon.
I have made an error. He is too dashing. It stirs up jealousy.
Mu Ssang was stunned speechless. Kamdoong perfectly exemplified the image in his mind. He was going to turn many heads, draw much chatter if he ever set foot in Myeongdong, the bustling shopping district of Seoul.
The imitation, artificial Omar Sharif remained very much enchanted. The moon in the sky. Twinkling stars. The flow of air caressed his skin. The texture of gravel under his feet. He had not experienced these intense instincts and feelings in the past. This truly captured the essence of authentic, meaningful living.
Friend, this has to be, the sensation, termed joy.
Kamdoong spoke with brief pauses in between.
Are you able to speak as well?
Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide with wonder. Kamdoong no longer spoke through telepathy but with a loud enunciated speech that was almost deafening.
I had to familiarize myself with the outline of the oral cavity. I will soon familiarize myself with it. Thank you for providing me a lifeline and thank you for providing me with this physical body.
Kamdoong strode up to Mu Ssang and held him close.
It truly does not matter.
Mu Ssang cleared his throat to conceal his humiliation and repelled the chest of the imitation, artificial Omar Sharif backward. He felt wary, uncomfortable about the intimacy of the gesture between two males. Also, the scent of blood from his dragon robe was pungent with a foul odor.
I am contented with being friends.
I am, content, as well.
Mu Ssang shuddered at the sleazy, lust-filled voice of the imitation, Omar Sharif. Ocelot solicited everyone for sex, regardless of their gender. If only Kamdoong inherited the depraved preferences of Ocelot as well The very thought was the stuff that nightmares were made of.
Friend, the human visual stimuli delivers a peculiar sensation. I feel a sense of revulsion.
It must the distinction between an instinctive reflex and a meditated response. You absorbed too much stimulating content in one go. A human only registers a few objects which are presented to their field of vision to immediate memory. They gloss over most of what they witness upfront.
Is that truly the case? The situation in which shapes and colors are blended in one visually witnessed plane remains intriguing, still.
Kamdoong taking on the outer form of Ocelots body remained as thrilled as a child who had just received a limited-edition toy. He seemed to have intense curiosity, hunger for action. Mu Ssang abruptly interrupted him.
Time will help you adapt to the new physical frame. What is your current state?
Thanks to the high-quality material frame, I could regenerate non-eukaryotic cells and get the bionic generator up and running. In six months time within this location, I can replenish my energy and regenerate eukaryotic cells.
There is a good place where you can keep a low profile for six months, haha.
Mu Ssang grinned. If he was able to lure Kamdoong to the monastery, his teacher would treat them with proper care. He also revived a sense of humanity in Samdi through merciless blows. The imitation of Omar Sharifs face grew a shade darker. Something didnt feel quite right.
Kamdoong, I will gift you with a name.
Mu Ssang spoke as solemnly as a headmaster delivering a speech.
What name? My name is Kamdoong.
Kamdoong did not display any sign of interest.
This isnt the way it is supposed to go.
Mu Ssang felt a sense of disappointment.
You cannot be called Kamdoong in human capacity. What day is it today? Sunday. What about taking on the name Sunday Leopard?
Kamdoong stared at Mu Ssang incredulously.
Sunday Leopard? It feels inauthentic.
Mu Ssang was taken aback. He was originally on good terms with Kamdoong and now he was turning fussy, temperamental. It was a matter of things taking on their natural course. The first time was a heavy blow. The second time, the pain seemed less severe.
That is how I name objects and personalities.
Mu Ssang pressed on stubbornly.
Is that the case? Then I will accept it only when I assume a humanoid form.
Kamdoong conceded with unexpected ease. He had intended to assume the human form only when he had to in any case. For him, Kamdoong sounded a hundred times more amiable and intimate than Sunday Leopard.
Kamdoong felt more compelled to adopt the name Kamdoong than the fancy new label, Sunday Leopard, due to Mu Ssang. He had inherited Mu Ssangs tendency to feel a strong bond to his first love.
Have you altered your essential manifestation to human too?
No. The essential manifestation remains the black leopard. Once a notion is determined, it cannot be easily altered. To maintain a complex outer form as a human, I must expend heavy reserves of energy.
Kamdoong dissolved and transformed back into a black leopard much larger than a male lion. It was the very form Mu Ssang had encountered in the nether world.
Krrrgh!
A piercing howl resounded loudly. The physical manifestation of the black leopard with a backdrop of the full moon remained gorgeous and regal. Dino exuded alluring charisma as well, but in comparison to the black leopard, it was like contrasting a firefly with the moon.
You are truly gorgeous, both in the manifestations of man and leopard.
Mu Ssang gushed.
Is that the sensation termed jealousy?
Jealousy? No. Remain in the form of the leopard for as long as possible. You will drive unsuspecting women wild with desire if you ever wander around in human form.
Your words do not make any sense. My essence remains unchanged. Why will I abruptly drive women wild with desire? Let me read your mind so I can get a better understanding.
No need. We can converse now. You do not need to guess my thoughts any further. Change the physical manifestation. The helicopter is approaching.
I see.
The leopard rapidly transformed into a human male form. The blood-stained dragon robe remained as spotless as a fresh version. The micro-tremors had dissolved the blood caught upon the fabric surface at an atomic level. The helicopter urgently dispatched by the embassy landed on the shore near Cape Agulhas. After loading the two mystery, anonymous passengers, the helicopter took off for the Cape Town airport.
Chapter 512 - Episode 9 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
The warm sun scorched with blazing heat, dazzling radiant beams in all directions. The soft wind gently caressed the skin. Varied drifting scents emitted from the plants gently teased the nasal senses. The soft. mushy soil was tender to the treading of the soles. The distinct gurgling sound of water was soothing to listen to in the background. Feeble, adorable, and cuddly animals This was the universe that thrived above the ground surface level. This was the earthly paradise in which he was going to dwell in. Kamdoong flared his nostrils wide open and inhaled gulps of air from the surrounding atmosphere.
Kkkhrp!
Kamdoong let out a bizarre cry and shuddered in shock. The heady oxygen that filled his lungs, the pungent stench of ozone, various blended scents drifting through the air, and scintillating aromas caused him to lose his mind in wild. manic ecstasy.
The atmosphere of the nether world was mostly composed of the oxygen that was emitted by cyanobacteria, the gaseous sulfuric acid erupting out intermittently from the volcano, and the methane rising out from the lake of lava. Compared to that grim, inhospitable atmosphere, how pleasant and liveable this atmosphere seemed in contrast!
Kamdoong inhaled the atmospheric air up to the point that the cells within his lungs were close to exploding. His nano bionic generator fuelled by solar energy and abundant oxygen started whirring with a noisy, disruptive din. Kamdoong shut his eyes close and became immersed in a decadent sense of pleasure.
Look at this fellow. I saved his life and brought him here to familiarize him with the habits, practices of human beings. And all he is doing is flaring his nostrils open!
Mu Ssang threw Kamdoong the evil eye. Kamdoong was overeacting. The monastery resembled a mere minute nostril in contrast to Kamdoongs vast, sprawling natural habitat. Truth is often unsettling, a bitter pill to swallow. Rather, in case one says that a 165-square-meter luxury condominium is shabby, desolate, slum-like, this remains rather thinly veiled bragging or exaggeration, distortion. If one claims that a 16.5-square-meter room is shabby, that is a rather ironic, acerbic, thinly veiled truth. He had an instinctive compulsion to smack the back of Kamdoongs head but restrained himself, thinking that this was the first time he was bathing in the sunshine, within the stretch of 150,000,000 years.
Didnt you say there was a monk?
Refer to him as a spiritual master.
Mu Ssang lowered the volume of his speech. The mentally conjured images and connotations of the word Monk did not accurately reflect his teachers personality. There were all kinds of monks, some dishonest, insincere, and even lacking in scruples, corrupt. Some profit-seeking shamans passed themselves off as monks to conceal, disguise their true motives, character, with the spiritually ennobling, edifying image and purported sanctifying purposes of Buddhism.
A teacher? A master? He shall earn my recognition of that title if he proves himself to be stronger than me.
Kamdoong snorted snidely. Kamdoong had no idea that a being gifted with clairvoyance and clairaudience had been observing him from the time he entered through the gate.
He seemed more insightful, gifted with greater perception than when I had met him underground. After he consumed Ocelot, he has become quite arrogant. Could it be a side effect of the drug?
Mu Ssang mused and pondered. Kamdoongs personality had changed. Or rather, he had an alternate personality channeled through him. His behavior bore semblance to that of an ordinary human. Mu Ssang didnt worry excessively. Just a few potent fist blows could pound some common sense into a human who flared up in rebellious defiance. Kamdoong was no different.
Mu Ssang could not wait to meet his teacher in person once more. He had hoped, yearned to be embraced with open arms stretched out widely with burgeoning warmth, hospitality. His Dimensional Sight scanned the 600 meters in the surrounding area. His minds eye scanned through, observed the ants following the trail of aphids, a caterpillar munching on pine leaves, and wasps invading, swarming around a honeybee hive.
Has he gone out to gather alms? I dont sense his presence at hand.
He didnt sense his teachers energy field around.
I shall scan for presence too.
Kamdoongs scouting scanner was activated.
Friend, 15 degrees to the left, 1,013.5 meters away, there is someone who emanates a similar energy to yours.
He is currently in the inner sanctum. How wide-spanning is your scanning range?
I dont know yet. I havent adapted to the world above the ground surface yet. I first need to have my energy replenished and my eukaryotic cells regenerated.
That is certainly the case. Teacher! I am back!
Mu Ssang leaped into the inner sanctum with a yell that resonated, echoed around the mountain. He sought to see his teacher as soon as possible. He had many stories to tell and many things to boast, brag about. Kamdoong followed him at a leisurely pace. Mu Ssang was quite a monstrous mutant to leap 30 meters at once but Kamdoong was functioning on another level altogether, leaping 100 meters at one go.
The inner sanctum referred to a valley where a creek flowed through. all year round. Numerous mushrooms and edible plants thrived across the valley but the unfavorable topography and many venomous snakes were the reason for the local residents not setting foot in it.
Mu Ssang, taking huge strides, winced. Robust energy flowed out, traversed in front of him. He heard a sound that resembled water gushing out of a collapsed, unleashed reservoir dam.
F**k!
The familiar, earth-shattering sound caused Mu Ssang to grimace. Even Samdi with his body as tough as steel, shuddered at the very thought of the masters psychokinesis.
Hundreds of big and small stones honed in on Mu Ssang. like a swarming fleet of crows.
What is happening now? I will shield you, my friend.
Kamdoong spoke in a tone resembling a character from an animated television show for young children that aired at 5 p.m. Mu Ssang caressed the cringe-induced goosebumps upon his forearm.
Kamdoong stood by and stared at the rocks crashing down. A great howl rang out, piercing through the silence. The high-level ELF, Kamdoongs major weapon, shot through the air. with multiple strokes resembling a fine-toothed comb. The scorched, burning atmosphere simmered down.
The double-helical ELF was wrapped around the rocks that hurtled in. Vibrant fireworks blossomed 100 meters above the ground surface level.
Hundreds of big and small rocks that flew into the ELFs range were crushed into the sand. The stone powder with a texture that felt as fine as flour pelted down heavily upon them.
What a feat!
Mu Ssang was highly impressed. Kamdoong had neutralized his teachers psychokinesis to which he remained rather vulnerable. The accuracy remained vastly superior to the anti-air missiles of the Americans.
Kamdoong was not even working at his optimal state. He had converted Ocelots human power over into energy and conserved it but that simply replenished merely 40 percent of his total energy reserves.
My teacher does not forget any slight made against him
Mu Ssang had a bad feeling about the situation. Even if Kamdoong was an overpowered monster, he still wasnt his masters match. He managed to neutralize the psychokinetic blows pummelling through, but this was merely a tease.
Even though he was already in his nineties, his teacher remained rather playful. He loved children and got along with them very easily. He would play marbles, hopscotch, and squid game with all the children in the neighborhood.
When he was playing around with the children, he behaved exactly like one. He would have been delighted then if he had lost all of his marbles, he took offense and ceased to play. He was going to take offense that Kamdoong had fully neutralized, repelled his psychokinetic strike.
Tremendous energy flowed through. The cumulus that hovered above the mountain was shoved back away by the repulse. Mu Ssang gazed at the top of the mountain to check as an instinctive reflex.
The mountaintop towered as a single giant rock plane. It stood at 30 meters tall and 250 meters horizontally measured
Could this be the case?
Mu Ssang glared suspiciously at the rock plane with eyes brimming with mistrust. Unless he was God, he couldnt uproot the 150,000-ton rock and hurl it towards them. Even though his teacher was an extraordinary being in possession of supernatural powers, his body remained merely mortal, human. Even his potent spiritual gifts couldnt overcome the confines of his physical body.
Is he for real?
Mu Ssangs eyes widened to the fullest with awe and wonder. The mountaintop had come loose, dislodged, resembling a radish that was being pulled out of the ground. Rock and debris crashed down in a rapid, descending avalanche. The area around the mountaintop was in a disastrous mess.
The mountaintop floated upwards into the air. It wasnt just a special effect created by film editing and CGI graphics in a movie. It was actually taking place in reality. Mu Ssang shivered at the majestic show that unraveled on the stage of clear, blue sky and bright, blazing sun.
Upon gaining sufficient power capacity, the mountaintop rapidly crashed down with rising speed. The giant rock honed in on Kamdoong, hurtling towards him like a lightning. The high-pressure atmosphere shimmered violently, as a result.
This is not fair! This cant be!
The shock was mind-blowing, staggering. Whether it was a mere illusion or actual reality, they had to survive the threat. The spiritual manifestation of Mu Ssang was seen flashing across from a distance.
Mu Ssang sprinted 500 meters at once, running along with Fearless Steps. Taking shelter on the foot of the opposite side of the mountain, Mu Ssang released a huge sigh of relief.
Kamdoong, with no prior experience, acted rather recklessly. Kamdoong stood on a wide rock and stared at the hurtling, soaring rock. An unknown danger was gravely endangering his friends life.
His friend who had sacrificed his ego and physical body was now his master and creator. If anyone ever touched his friend, even if it were God, Kamdoong was not going to ever forgive them. Kamdoongs eyes were ablaze with fury.
Kamdoong stretched his neck forward and gaped, with his mouth wide open. He then released a maximum-yield ELF. The ELF surpassed the speed of sound travel. Sonic booms blasted out, one after another.
The entire mountain was blown apart, while the temperatures of the atmosphere soared up to hundreds of degrees in heat. Grass and trees withered away and the fleeing birds dropped down, resembling the fall of autumn leaves.
Even Mu Ssang felt sweat oozing out from his clenched fists. It resembled the legendary fight between Zhuanxu, an emperors scion, and Gonggong, a gods son. Their fight was fantastic fiction that recurred frequently in Chinese mythology, but the fight unfolding before his eyes was real action.
The ELF grew to the size of a cartwheel as it struck down on the mountaintop. Stone powder started enveloping, descending over everything. A big hole was gorged out on the mountaintop.
Thats not right!
Mu Ssang shook his head in dismay. The ELF was powerful as a blast but it was like a mantis trying to fend off a cart. Even in the event that a high-level ELF was magnified, amplified by 100 times, it couldnt deter the 150,000-ton rock with sufficient momentum. Kamdoongs ELF only blasted open a one-meter wide, 10-meter deep gorged cave. The rock continued to fall down relentlessly in free fall.
What?
Kamdoongs breath was stuck., choking in his throat. Even before the rock struck him, the pressured air crushed down on his body. Startled, Kamdoong attempted to teleport away in flight. Kamdoong vanished and emerged directly next to Mu Ssang.
Haaah!
Mu Ssang kicked the ground, like a frog that had just encountered a snake. His teacher wouldnt stop at this. He needed to flee from his teachers attack. Otherwise, he would be caught up in the blast zone. As anticipated, the rock abruptly halted its free fall.
What is that?
Kamdoong squinted his gaze. The rock soared up into the sky again. It seemed to defy the laws of gravity and inertia. The rock, once again loaded up with renewed energy, charged towards Kamdoong, resembling a black cruise missile flying forward.
How foolish! I can just escape it once more.
Kamdoongs body seemed to dissolve, then reverted back to its original form. A tremendous force field disrupted atomization processes. Kamdoong was stunned into silence by the sensation of the atoms that were being teleported back to the set coordinates then returned to their original location. When Kamdoong winced in pain, the rock had already reached close to his face.
Argh!
Stunned, Kamdoong kicked at the ground. Before he could flee for 10 meters, the 40-meter wide rock charged forward with immense force. Kamdoongs eyes, which contained the pupils and whites that resembled a humans, betrayed an emotion that closely resembled fear, fright. A desperate scream rang out.
The rock crashed down on Kamdoong. Despite his immense power, Kamdoong was crushed down beneath the bloody sand after striking out.
Half of the rock exploded above the ground surface level. Debris and dust burst out explosively. The mountain was shattered. resembling violent earthquake debris. Large pines were uprooted while cliffs crashed down, collapsed. The mountain was drawn, entangled into the fight by unfortunate circumstance, and became a collateral casualty.
This must be a mere dream!
Mu Ssang was overwhelmed by what had just taken place. He couldnt laugh or cry. Kamdoong dissolved into soybeans ground down into liquid seeping down between millstone cracks. The incredible, highly improbable incident, finally caught Kamdoong off guard.
Mu Ssang frantically scoured through for Kamdoong by tapping into his Dimensional Sight. The location where the rock crashed into Kamdoong remained just 450 meters away from him. In that range, Mu Ssang could visually discern a single ant. But he actually saw nothing at all. He couldnt sense Kamdoongs presence. He could only sense a mysteriously magnetic force field.
Mu Ssang, in incredulity, leaped over to the site of the disaster.
How could this happen?
Mu Ssang collapsed, crashing down to the ground. Up close, the rock appeared even more massive, intimidating. Half of it was buried deep beneath the ground surface. He didnt dare to make an estimate of the force of the momentum. Even a god wouldnt have survived the blast, let alone Kamdoong, a mere mortal. He developed ominous premonitions when Kamdoong made vague, thinly veiled threats like: If he is stronger than me
The sole remaining Adras on the planet, Kamdoongs life came to an abrupt, crashing end. Kamdoong did retort with a rude response, but it did not make sense to mercilessly wipe them out just because of a trifling remark. Even the Buddha had left a breathing hole when he locked up Sun Wukong. Mu Ssang gazed in wonder at the scene in a dazed state of bewilderment.
Wait, Teacher goes for a walk barefoot because he fears he might tread on ants. He respects the life of a mere insect. Why would he smash Kamdoong heartlessly with a rock?
It didnt make sense. But the apex of the mountain was indeed just before his eyes, and Kamdoong had completely vanished. Maybe the Teacher considered him as a being that shouldnt exist.
Alas, Kamdoong! You died on the very day you were born. What a cruel fate! The teacher is so brutal. How could he snuff out your life like this?
You are a foolish chap! Yes, I am rather brutal.
The teachers voice rang loudly through his ear. Mu Ssang, startled, ceased complaining.
Teacher!
Instead of articulating a response, a terrifying earth-shattering sound rang out. Mu Ssangs head swung around by 180 degrees. A pile of rocks hurtled towards him from behind.
Hap!
Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide with terror. The pile of rocks collapsed to the ground as if pulled over by a magnet. Dirt, dust, and leaves exploded out into the open.
It seems like I wouldnt be able to do that again for a second time.
Mu Ssang wiped the sweat that broke out upon his forehead, with his sleeve. It was no simple task to attribute the coordinates to each of the hundreds of large objects with gathering momentum, then alter their course via using psychokinesis. He felt a throbbing, skull-shattering migraine.
This was the biggest distinction between a supernatural power and a mere technical skill. A supernatural power moved objects with mere intentional concentration, but a skill required manual. physical steering, movement.
Hmm. It seems like you have picked up a crude skill while you had gone missing. Here, I have a gift for you.
Before Mu Ssang had time to register the Teachers voice, the atmosphere started trembling, shaking violently.
Teacher, what is this petty grudge! Save Kamdoong as a priority.
Mu Ssang yelled out suddenly but was met with a chilling silence and no reply. Mu Ssang froze in anguish. Silence descended over the mountain, barren of birds chirping.
What is this object here?
Mu Ssang kicked at the ground and leaped back. A small explosion burst out where he was. Cold sweat dripped slowly down his spine. It was the legendary Thunderclap. This technique compressed all surrounding air as forcefully as steel on both sides of the target object like clapping of ones hands. He could have been vanquished, just like a fly smashed by a swatter.
The national arsenal of France was developing a weapon that was similar to this. It was a projectile shooter fuelled by the strong magnetic force of neodymium. A powerful electromagnetic force accelerated the projectile to reach close to the speed of sound, then the power was abruptly cut off, and the projectile was shot out. Of course, the slow, lazy, inefficient bureaucracy of France meant that no one knew when the device would enter the public domain.
An authentic neodymium magnet was a hazardous object in itself. If a ballpoint pen had been positioned between two neodymium magnets 500-millimeters apart, it would then get shattered within seconds. If your finger got trapped in between, you needed to be rushed to a hospital.
Chapter 513 - Episode 10 Kamdoong’s Breakthrough
Thunderclap refers to a technique, under which the law of the five phases that harmonize or clash gets applied to the Energetic Palms technique. Energetic Palms refers to a technique that leverages force emanating from giant palms channeling energy flows that were used by Dh?tar??ra to vanquish, eliminate an evil dragon-in a manner that resembles violently swatting a fly to death.
The mechanism is analogous to the pulling forces of attraction and pushing forces of repulsion of a magnet, but the scale and force function on a different level compared to a neodymium magnet. It could flatten steel and disintegrate rock. It could turn the bones and muscles in a human body into decomposed, desiccated form that resembled a flattened dried fish.
Again?
Mu Ssangs hair shot up. Great energy flows rose up and fell down in flux. Two giant hands closed in on Mu Ssang from opposing sides. Their grasping power remained too massive for him to escape, flee from.
Hahp!
Mu Ssang narrowed his eyes to concentrate and deflected the force fields emanating from the big palms with the use of psychokinesis. The extended palms warded off his psychokinesis with ease and struck him hard very rapidly. It felt as if he was trying to cope with, survive, confront the torrents of a valley creek with a shovel to tide over the rainy monsoon season.
Teacher, have you lost your mind?
Mu Ssang whipped out his Balsara and began to wield, brandish it. The ripping sounds of taut silk being torn apart were heard. The massive, encircling palm had vanished suddenly. When one had disappeared, the other palm vanished simultaneously.
Teacher, if you persist in carrying on doing this, I will sell your car away, and donate the money from the sale to a charity home or shelter!
Mu Ssang took the opportunity to exploit Priest Dae Woos display of weakness. Fiat Panda was the Teachers sole and highly cherished physical asset or resource. Immersed, soaking in the fun of driving around, the Teacher had even trained in car maintenance work. When a person has something to preserve, shield, shelter, they grow both strong and weak simultaneously. The teacher, who had transcended all material desire, was just ailed by the Fiat Panda as his sole flaw, vulnerability.
The aura of the atmospheric air became disrupted, distorted by waves of force. A foot clad with white rubber shoe suddenly manifested, appeared. Short-sized Priest Dae Woo appeared, glimmering a pristine mirage. He was less than 10 steps away, standing next to a pine tree. Mu Ssang shook his head in dismay. His Dimensional Sight or any battle moves didnt have any effect on the Teacher.
Hahaha! You have been dealt your moves. You shouldnt have brought that obnoxious, repugnant creature to pollute, desecrate the pristine water of the valley.
Priest Dae Woo remained his usual self. He was bald-headed and bore long bushy eyebrows while short in height. He was wearing white rubber shoes and holding on to a staff made out of a stem of wild-growing spinach that stood as tall as himself. It was the staff that Mu Ssang had crafted for him around seven years ago, during the winter when they had first met. The teacher was still wielding the crafted staff.
Teacher!
Mu Ssang leaped out and warmly embraced Priest Dae Woo. His small stature was pressed against closely Mu Ssangs wide-spanning chest. Mu Ssang felt as though he was hugging a bundle of dried weeds close by. The teacher barely ate any food. No wonder his muscles were wasting away and atrophying. Without the muscle bulk, his body resembled a bag of skin that just barely contained some ribs, bones. If Mu Ssang held on to him any tighter, his bones and joints would get crushed into wrecked remains like dried, ruined crops.
What is this, Teacher! A human body isnt supposed to feel like this!
Mu Ssangs eyes welled up with gushing tears.
Look at you. You are old enough to be the parent of a few children. Stop acting like a child.
Priest Dae Woo remained nonchalant and aloof as though Mu Ssang had just come back from a stroll around the town. Mu Ssang knelt down to the ground and bowed in respect.
Teacher, the Buddhas grace, anointing has protected me. How have you been?
Mu Ssang bowed three times and knelt down to pay respects.
Dont speak using flowery language. I am tired of people who throw around fancy words and people who always try to rationalize everything in a reductive manner. Its not the Buddhas anointing or blessing at all. You are independently strong, so you were unharmed even though you often enjoy bashing people up wherever you go.
Your student does pull off very powerful fist blows.
You are wandering off from the teachings of the Buddha and familiarizing yourself in the ways of fist combat battle. That is why you are chalking up both good and evil karma.
Priest Dae Woo softly stroked his students hair tresses with his limp, spidery, slender hand. Fortunately, at this point, the stench of blood wasnt as pungent, strong. When he came back for the first time, the stench of blood was so nauseating that Priest Dae Woo thought he was beholding a blood demon before him.
The more I look around at the world, the more I feel the need for fists rather than palms. If I have to go to hell, I go willingly.
Mu Ssangs great resolve made an impression on the mind of Priest Dae Woo. The eyes of Priest Dae Woo lit up with wonder. His students interference, disruptive force field had advanced further to the next level.
At this rate, he was going to be able to telepathically influence or direct the thoughts of a sentient human. Compassion forms the ground reserves of spiritual powers. Greed serves as the source reserves of demonic powers. His greed might have come across as well-meaning, but it remained excessively controlling, manipulative. His students no longer heeded his advice out of frustration.
Your path was forged as such from the beginning. You wont listen to me. Its a real pity. Tsk, tsk.
Priest Dae Woo grumbled, complained. Mu Ssang had been closer to his son than his student. Any parent would desire for their offspring to start a family and live comfortably. rather than train to be a war hero.
I am truly sorry.
Mu Ssangs heart was touched. His old teacher expressed concern about his students safety. The said student was gallivanting across the world, obsessed with his wielding his power. He wanted to relieve himself from all human conditions and serve his teacher in full dedication, but his ambitious heart did not truly desire to do so.
To each their own destiny! By the way, that is quite a massive ornate object there. Is that the ancient artifact you mentioned before?
Yes. I retrieved it from the depths of the nether world. That world is where that character, Kamdoong, used to inhabit.
Mu Ssang directed Balsara to Priest Dae Woos palm. Priest Dae Woo scrutinized it closely and shook his head in disapproval.
It is a mysterious, unknown object. The world may soon be in plunged into turmoil. When mysterious beings and objects turn up, it must be to cleanse the chaotic universe. If you came into possession of a mysterious object, it must mean you will encounter something to resolve it with. Make sure you dont use it in unethical, illegitimate ways.
Vajra threw the object right into Mu Ssangs open palms.
I will bear that in mind. Kamdoong must be grouped in the same class as Vajra. He may not be a human but after usurping a human identity, he is not fully inhuman either. It is out of your character to impulsively zap him into oblivion like this. What shall we do? Do you have any idea?
Mu Ssang, sensing an opportunity at hand, seized the chance.
You foolish child. I dont know where you found this object. but that thing shouldnt be allowed to live on, exist in the human world. It is neither an animal nor a plant. It is neither living nor dead yet feigns, passes itself off as a life form. It has even obtained a sentient form. Its whole existence works to transcend. make a mockery of the laws of heaven and earth. It defies the laws of life to even be living. Yet it went advanced further and made a mockery of my home, by likening it to a mere nostril. So I had to mete out punishment to him.
Yes indeed, Teacher. When did discipline become synonymous with butcher? Did you pawn your heart for some sugar-coated candy? You used to advocate that mercy was composed of both humanity and mercy. A student is acting out in compassion and his teacher wreaked destruction upon him. Thats a chilling irony. Revive him, either by reversing time or bringing his body back to life.
Mu Ssang insisted stubbornly. The teacher clearly didnt intend to kill Kamdoong and even if he was dead, there must be some way to bring him back to life.
Slaughter? What do you mean?
Priest Dae Woo beamed.
He was wiped out, annihilated by your psychokinesis What?
Mu Ssangs gaze was thunderstruck. The rock that had crashed down on Kamdoong was no longer there. Mu Ssangs head looked up to check the top of the mountain. The rock was now back in its original place. It was deflecting the afternoon sun rays and stood silently still. The shriveled old pine tree lodged between the cracks of the rock stood intact as well.
What has just taken place?
Mu Ssangs eyes rolled towards both the left and right. He gained spiritual awakening to epidium at 11 and mastered Chui Do Shik at 18. He didnt expect to be as shocked for latter outbursts but this was actually the third time.
I have reduced him into mere smithereens.
Smithereens? My goodness!
Mu Ssang ran back to the site. Smithereens of flesh and blood, which he assumed was Kamdoong, was splattered across the rock but there was no indication of the mountaintops strike. No crater, no collapsed trees, or floating dust clouds.
Kamdoongs form was ghastly. The roadkill at night melted into a puddle of animal hide and blood in the morning after hundreds of cars ran over it during the night. Kamdoong looked like a roadkilled carcass of a raccoon. As a matter of fact, there were no life signs. Kamdoong was dead, without a doubt.
Was all of the shattering strike impact a mere mirage? It wasnt so. The rock returned to the mountaintop but Kamdoong remained in smithereens. How could this happen? Mu Ssang looked back at the Teacher.
Was this a mere illusion?
You may need to face disciplinary action as well! How dare you try to compare my great martial prowess to mere trickery, vain illusion, sleight of hand?
Priest Dae Woo glared at Mu Ssang to pretend to be offended.
You are indeed the greatest monk. Perhaps you will enlighten me spiritually today.
Mu Ssang had shifted his tactics to flattery. The teacher had a naive, childlike character. A compliment could make truly cheer him up, placate him. He needed to assuage the Teachers fragile ego to rescue Kamdoongs life.
Isnt that the reality! I stand as the true archetype of all monks. You have recognized your teachers true nobility, spiritual mastery finally. This requires authentic discernment. I didnt even name the spiritual gift.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang was stunned into dumbstruck silence. If the Teacher could uproot an entire mountaintop with the mere activation of a mysterious, unknown skill, the full spectrum of his spiritual powers remained mere childs play. In reality, compared to Teachers supernatural mastery, his spiritual powers vastly paled in comparison, appeared to be a motley repertoire.
How about the Five-Phasic Illusion Strike?
You remain truly abysmal at coming up with names. Sure, why not, lets call it just that.
Could I learn the strike moves too?
Cease all pursuit. You have already strayed off far from the true path. You ought to serve the country by having a brood of offspring, not knocking on a woodblock for decades, hidden away in a monastery. That would truly turn out to be a great loss for this country. That kind of indulgence should be left for an idle old man like myself to mull over.
I am very busy, indeed so. Still, you need to clarify the concept, for a slow, unintelligent student like myself.
You are fully aware of your dull, slow wits. People who cannot get even the dimmest of monks to interpret the principle of existence and emptiness are the same thing with a string of inscrutable, unfathomable words, taking it for true philosophical musings or spiritual doctrine. Truth is lived in reality, not perceived, grasped mentally. My aged lips are struggling with ardent toil because my dim student has not truly grasped this axiom, rule. The fundamental building blocks of all life in the universe, atoms, are not tangible, material particles but tiny nanoparticles adrift in a vast, empty void. An atom itself is an empty particle. Something that is inherently empty manifests outwardly as emptiness. Emptiness draws its capacities to exist from the underlying, indwelling composition, construction of matter. This is the nature of existence. I left transcendental form untouched and moved physical matter only. This is a cosmic principle that you can only truly grasp after advancing to a level where you can distinguish emptiness and existence through applying the principles of the five phases. Does your head hurt from these profound musings yet?
Yes. The student is experiencing a profound pang termed a migraine.
Mu Ssang shook his head in disappointment. It was not a difficult concept to grasp but he pretended to be ignorant to please the Teachers whims. If he let on that he had some measure of understanding, the Teacher would ramble on for days.
Thats certainly the case. It would be no fun for me if you grasped all principles immediately
Does this run upon the same principle as that which implies that potent autosuggestion may inflict a burn on someone through the use of ice?
Ssshhhh. Autosuggestion refers to a crude hypnotic method shunned even by the lowly, marginalized shamans. A willful, rebellious person remains immune to hypnotism. Even if someone is hypnotized, they dont lose their sentience or awareness. Its not an apt analogy.
Mu Ssang nodded in affirmation. Hypnotism was not even deemed as spiritual gifting.
It is so. Kamdoong could transform but he did not opt to. Why didnt he?
Lets assume that the Teacher, as he claimed, crushed Kamdoong to death by leveraging just the composition of the rock positioned at the mountain apex. Kamdoong could flatten his body just like a sheet of paper or crumple it together like a solid marble. Mu Ssang was curious why he had been fatally defeated.
True transformation involves the process of not just dividing the molecules but dissolving their molecular structure. Then you will then be able to reorganize, reassemble them. That object cannot alter its essence but it can rearrange its molecules. It deflected the attack through activating a protective force field.
Poor Kamdoong. You shouldnt have thrown a tantrum!
I am suspicious of the relationship between you and that object. Is the object of the same nature as the black magic stone that was brought here the last time?
Yes. He lived underground without a sense of ego for hundreds of millions of years and this time, he became friends with me and gained a sense of identity. He has seen the daylight for only two days. Show some compassion.
Mu Ssang had just referred to Kamdoong in the most pejorative manner possible.
It is a monstrosity that shouldnt be allowed to exist in the world but if he is already your friend, it cant be helped. Will he obey the rules now? If not, I can discipline him again.
Kamdoong, if he could hear the audible claims, would have passed out, appalled by the offense. Priest Dae Woo waved his sleeves. Dust surged up around Kamdoongs corpse. decayed remains. The energy that had restrained Kamdoong and flowed between his cells to prevent shape-shifting was dissolved. Kamdoong morphed back from the flattened smithereens on a rock back into his rapidly regained original human physical frame.
Ugh!
Less than five minutes had passed when Kamdoong stood back up on all fours. The air around Kamdoong rapidly altered. The sunshine radiated down in gentle rays upon his body. Kamdoongs body emanated, emitted blue-hued sparks. The midsummer day unfolded with cool breezes unfurling, resembling late autumn weather.
He is quite a character!
Priest Dae Woos eyes widened in shock and awe. He knew that Kamdoong was a strange mutant who wasnt supposed to be able to survive in the world but he still didnt expect him to restore his form with such ease and rejuvenate himself by drawing on warm sun rays to revive himself.
Kwagh!
Kamdoong had gravitated toward the sun-kissed sky for an extended period. His eyes contained distinct pupils and whites, looking upwards. He had spent 150,000,000 meaningless years living underground in the nether world. A single year has passed since he began living a meaningful life after getting hold of his human identity.
Before he had time to truly savor the life above the ground-level surface, a cruel being had turned him into bloody smithereens. His friend had also bashed him up when he first came to his abode. His teacher was just the same.
On top of beating him without any remorse, he channeled viral force flows between his cells to impede regeneration of cell growth. He was on the verge of death.. He was resentful and bitter but now did not dare to retaliate in defense.
Chapter 514 - Episode 11 Kamdoongs Breakthrough
Kamdoong was confused. Humans inherited the throne of apex predators from the Concretus. He was surprised to learn that human history only dated back a million years and was shocked at their incredibly rapid proliferation. There were few at the top of the food chain pyramid. At the age of dawn, the population of the Concretus was a mere 10,000.
Humans were prolific. Facilities called airports, corridors called roads, and any places on the surface of the planet were swarming with ant-like humans.
Other than their short history and proliferation, the individual variance in physical strength within the human species was also surprising. Humans were physically vulnerable, comfortable in their tamed environment. Their combat strength measured by Kamdoongs scouter was close to zero.
At the age of dawn, the Concretus were weaker than even humans but they altered their bodies into Adras and covered their bodies with enhancements. The device Mu Ssang calls Billions Water Armor was also one of the devices. Kamdoong found it interesting that humans are living with such vulnerable bodies without any enhancements.
The aged man before his eyes had combat strength that was unmeasurable with his scouter. He even greatly surpassed the ancient Concretus with Adras bodies and enhancements.
Why such variance between individuals? What was even more frightening was that at a first glance, this man looked weaker than the real body of a Concretus. The numbers on his scouter were shabby as well. He was obliterated by a skinny old man who looked like he would topple at the slightest gush of wind. He did not even have time to show his power. It meant that if Kamdoong provoke a wrong human, he would have his ass handed to him.
In this world above the ground, a frail-looking human exercised unlimited power. The uncertainty of the above-ground world scared Kamdoong. When did these chaotic beings inherit the Earth? Humans scared him. With their hidden powers, he did not even dare to bump into them in the streets. Kamdoongs misunderstanding deepened.
Kamdoong glanced at Priest Dae Woo with his scouter. He seemed stern and strict. The underground world was a dog-eat-dog battlefield. The weak were preyed on. The above-ground world was not any different. When he was weakened, all kinds of creatures fed on him.
The Adras met death in two different ways: an acute, atomic-level disintegration and a slow disintegration due to a viral infection. No matter which one the aged human chose to inflict, his life was over. When he pondered the concept of termination, a sudden fear engulfed him and he felt resentful.
What did he do wrong for the old man to hurt him this much? He flared his nostrils and urinated on a pillar. Does that warrant the punishment of death? He just encountered a beautiful world and before he could breathe a few times, he had to die just because he encountered a cruel human. Kamdoong resented all this. He was feeling so resentful.
Kwauh!
Kamdoongs heart-wrenching howl echoed in the mountain.
[Hey, you! Be quiet. A creature is not supposed to howl in broad daylight!]
A voice resounded in his head. Kamdoong, surprised, retracted his neck and closed his mouth.
Huph!
Kamdoong got the hiccups. A bull-sized leopard getting the hiccups, shaking its upper body, was a bizarre sight.
You stupid fellow. You should have been careful with your tongue. You should have known your place.
Mu Ssang looked at Kamdoong with pity. His petty teacher did not like to hear someone demeaning the size of his temple. Moreover, the leopard arrogantly boasted that no one is stronger than him. It was sufficient to invite Teachers wrath.
There is a saying that a man should not misuse his three tips. Kamdoong urinated on a pillar, misusing the tip of his penis. He boasted his strength, misusing the tip of his tongue. He fought Teacher, misusing the tip of his fingers. He fulfilled all three conditions to warrant some beating.
Kamdoong found a way to preserve his life. Only pampered humans said nonsensical platitudes like It is better to shatter as a jade than to survive as a roofing tile. As long as there was a mountain, there was not going to be a lack of log.
A carnivore exposes its belly when they submit. Kamdoong decided to shed his pride but could not bring himself to do that. He was the ruler of the underground world. He could never expose his belly. Fortunately, he could transform.
His front and hind limbs were elongated and his snout was shortened. His back straightened and his head rose upright. His soft fur like black silk turned into an antique tunic.
How did his fur turn into fabric? If you knew how it work, it was not that surprising. Kamdoongs fur does not contain pigments but were made of light crystals reflecting certain frequencies of light. It is similar to jewel beetles, peacocks, and morpho butterflies.
Light crystals only reflect certain frequencies and let others pass through them. Our eyes see certain frequencies of light reflected by the surface of an object. Kamdoong can rearrange the molecules in the light crystals to manifest all kinds of textures and colors. If he wanted, he could turn into a glamorous woman in a bikini on a beach.
The black leopard vanished and Sunday Leopard appeared in its place.
A wicked thing!
Priest Dae Woos mouth was agape in astonishment. Kamdoongs transformation ability was ingenious enough to impress even an experienced high priest.
Mu Ssang, what is the identity of that thing? Is it a nine-tailed fox from the West? Why is everything you bring here a wicked thing?
That, that is because
Mu Ssang stuttered. He had no way to describe Kamdoongs identity in a few words. He needed at least three days to cover the history of the ancient tribe, the Concretus, and the underground world.
Master!
As Mu Ssang was dumbstruck, Sunday Leopard, or Kamdoong, knelt in front of Priest Dae Woo and bowed.
What does he mean?
Master, spare my life! I will behave.
Priest Dae Woos eyes widened. He was acting absurd. He came back to life after being crushed under a mountaintop. Now, he turned into a man and said he will behave. It was a mysterious act of a mysterious fellow.
You will behave?
Yes, I will. Please dont kick me out. I just need some meals.
Meals also cost money.
Priest Dae Woo was his natural self. He drawled and looked down at Kamdoong with discontent.
He is more talented than he looks. Feeling pity for Kamdoong, Mu Ssang defended him.
Is that so? Can you adjust the television antenna?
Phew!
Relieved, Mu Ssang slapped his forehead. Kamdoong was in a hurry. It seemed like Teacher would spare his life. Kamdoongs eyes yellowed. If he accessed Teachers memory with thought waves, he could figure out what a television antenna was.
Why isnt it working?
The emitted thought wave could not access the sea of memories and only tethered around the edge. Kamdoong raised the output. His yellowed eyes turned bright yellow. The wild-spinach staff struck his head.
Kehng!
Startled, Kamdoong let out an animalistic howl, not a human scream.
You bastard. You only learned tricks. Mu Ssang, what is his weakness?
He is vulnerable to viruses.
Mu Ssang told him the truth. When dealing with Teacher, he had to stick to truths. Otherwise, he could be struck with Tight-Fillet. Kamdoong, startled, bowed lower.
I wanted to know what a television antenna is.
Hmm. If you snoop on someones memories just because you can, you are worse than a thief. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in a rock?
Master, I didnt know it was wrong. I will never snoop on a humans memory ever again.
Kamdoong jumped in fright.
Mu Ssang, teach him how to adjust the television antenna. The wretched antenna must have been turned in the early typhoon. I only get a static screen. I can still imagine the slender legs of young women on TV! Oh, well.
I see!
Mu Ssang looked at Kamdoong with pity. Whenever it is windy, snowy, or rainy, he would have to climb 300 meters along the ridge of the mountain to where the antenna was.
Mu Ssang could already picture Kamdoong adjusting the antenna at the top of an oak tree and shouting Is it clear now?
It was not just that. People assume that monks only meditate in a lotus position and sound their woodblocks but that is a total misunderstanding. Monks need to make a living too. At three a.m., they recite the morning prayer. They collect edible and medicinal plants, running across mountains and fields. They cook food for the rituals. They till the field. They chop wood. There was no end to physical labor in a temple.
Kamdoong could be the most powerful being in the world or even the universe, but to Teacher, he was but a mere creature. Teacher was kindest to the weak and sternest to the strong. After seeing Kamdoongs hardiness, Teacher was sure to work him to exhaustion as he did to Samdi.
So, with three square meals, are you willing to do anything?
Yes. In fact, I dont even need food.
Priest Dae Woos eyebrows rose at Kamdoongs assertion.
Mu Ssang, what absurdity is he talking about now?
Kamdoong absorbs the sunlight itself and converts the atoms in the atmosphere into an energy source. You can think of it as a chloroplast.
That is quite an odd thing! Kamdoong, are you a human or something else?
Master, my personality is based on my friend Mu Ssangs. If he is a human, I am too.
That is quite a good thing! Kamdoong, if you are a human, what kind of human will you be?
Master, when Mu Ssang took me out of a whales stomach, he was about to tear open its side but then changed his mind. He didnt kill the whale and inserted a rope in its mouth and took me out. The baby whale made him change his mind. The emotion I felt in his soul was love. I was connected to him through telepathy so I could feel the whole situation. And he gifted me a body of epidium. He said a human is no longer human when they step out of the boundary of the human condition. I dont quite understand what he meant but it had something to with the concept of justice. He is my friend and master. I, Kamdoong the human, will live with love and for justice with Mu Ssang.
Look at him talk! He should be the cult leader, not me.
Mu Ssangs eyes widened. He had not expected Kamdoong to be so eloquent. His learning ability correlated with his age that surpassed 100,000,000 years.
Oh, love and justice! Those are quite good things. You are of the Buddha. I will give you a Buddhist name, Gonggong, which means emptiness.
Priest Dae Woo slapped his knee and gave Kamdoong a Buddhist name. Thus, Kamdoong was recognized as a human.
Your mercy is boundless. Gonggong seeks an audience with Master.
Kamdoong, as Sunday Leopard, bowed his head. His life was spared at last. Also, he gained a name from the most powerful human. He was greatly moved.
Aye. I shall amply water your dried-up soul.
Priest Dae Woo stroked Kamdoongs hair.
Whoa!
Mu Ssang was astonished at Teachers duplicity. He beat Kamdoong up, literally breaking apart the mountain in the process, mere moments ago. Now he was as mellow as a spring breeze. Kamdoong was as well. He was sidling up to Teacher like a cat when it was the first time they met. If the severe beating was mercy, any more mercy would break him apart atom by atom.
Will you behave like an animal or act like a human?
Master, Gonggongs nature stays leopard-like. To regenerate my damaged body and replenish the lost energy, I must assume the leopard form.
What shall I do? Tsk, tsk.
Priest Dae Woo clucked his tongue. If an ox-sized black leopard prowled the temple grounds, a rumor was going to spread. It might make a fuss. The temple was located in a secluded area but it still had visitors and hikers.
Kamdoong, sensing Priest Dae Woos hesitation, changed his form. Sunday Leopard vanished and was replaced by a mountain-cat-sized big cat. Kamdoong did not rearrange his molecules. He created an optical illusion using light crystals and optical nanoparticles.
It is a kind of an illusion!
Priest Dae Woo nodded. In his clairvoyance, Kamdoong was still a black leopard.
Thus began Kamdoongs life at the temple. His routine was no different from Samdis. Only one thing differed. Samdi ate a tremendous amount of food but Kamdoong did not eat.
Kamdoong needed to pay for beatings, not food. With the excuse of turning Kamdoong human, Priest Dae Woo exercised Soul-Returning Pain Administration on him daily with Energetic Palms and Thunderclap. Kamdoong paid for the beatings by withstanding more discipline. It was an incredible fate.
Priest Dae Woo kept his promise of watering Kamdoongs soul with two methods. The first was through intensive discipline and teaching of Buddhist precepts. The second was Soul-Returning Pain Administration. Kamdoongs soul was watered by his own tears at the unbearable mental and physical pain.
Priest Dae Woo, who could not hand over the temple to Mu Ssang anymore, considered Samdi and Kamdoong as candidates. That was why Kamdoong was going through severe training at the temple.
It was a pity for him to have a non-human as a student. Time was going to tell if his wish to hand over the temple and retire would come true.
Kamdoong submitted to Priest Dae Woo because of his animalistic instinct but also due to his peculiar fear for viruses. Kamdoong mistook the energy that inhibited his teleportation abilities and transformation as a virus..
Chapter 515 - Episode 1 The Yamanashi Collection
The Concretus history during the Age of Twilight was peppered with the conflicts against the tiny onesviruses. The Concretus people, emboldened by their advanced science, lived in an artificially created aseptic environment.
Viruses are tiny. Even the comparatively large rabies virus is only around 0.1 micrometer. Depending on the type, many of the viruses are not even the size of 0.0001 micrometer. Realistically speaking, a complete shut out of viruses is impossible.
Fundamentally, a virus is an existence that parasitized a host cell to survive. Surprisingly, only a small number of viruses forsake and destroy their hosts. Most of them do not harm the hosts and while others help enhance the hosts immune resistance. Some even settle in as a part of the host cells composition.
Paradoxically, an aseptic environment would continuously worsen a persons immune system. The Concretus immune system had basically crumbled to nothing, rendering them helpless even against regular non-harmful viruses.
The Concretus carried out a planet-wide project to eradicate all germs and viruses for millions of years. After being subjected to an unceasing attack, the desperate viruses simply had to mutate. They altered their characteristics, simplified themselves, and shrunk their sizes down.
The confrontation between the Concretus and viruses ended in the latters victory. The planetary crustal movement simply hastened the Concretuss extinction by a little bit thats all.
In a battle between acellular and cellular life-forms, it was inevitable that the former would emerge victorious. The possibility of the Homo sapiens treading the same path as Homo concretus in the future was increasing even now.
According to an experiment by Professor Berg from the University of Bergen, the number of viruses found in 1cc of seawater was 250 million. Based on that number, lining up every single virus existing on Earth in a single queue would get you 200 million light years in length.
Basically, Earth was a planet where cellular life-forms had borrowed the habitat of acellular life-forms. In correct terms, viruses were not the parasites humans were. One should view this situation as humans having invaded the viruses homes.
An Adras was a Concretus; Kamdoong was no different when it came to the phobia of viruses. Due to the nature of a molecular life-form, there was no way to avoid the attacks of viruses. Any error occurring during the cells molecular arrangement process would cause an Adras internal power generator to break down. An Adras unable to replenish its energy would gradually wither and die.
After drinking Mu Ssangs blood, Kamdoong spent about a year climbing up and down the vertical tunnel in the Hollow Earth to enhance his resistance to viruses. He had pretty much adapted to the viruses found on the surface. But scared out of his wits at the moment, Kamdoong had no clue about that.
Being ignorant or unaware made you an easy mark. Under the guise of training, the deathly scared Kamdoong was exploited for labor and even had to deal with ridiculous beatdowns.
Soon, a rumor of a large, pretty cat that resembled a panther living somewhere in the Cheonsaeng Mountain began doing its rounds in nearby villages.
All sorts of rumors spread, such as a cat carrying a pile of firewood on its back, swinging around an ax, tilling the field, shouting loudly while holding a TV antenna, or even sorrowfully crying while staring at the moon. But they all remained just that, rumors.
Rumors no one believed would remain as nothing but rumors in the end.
*
Mu Ssang did not inform the auntie from Hadong that he had returned to Korea. His nightly action with Edel was raucous enough to rock the Yoa House, after all. Just like how a thief suffered from guilty conscience, he felt rather awkward about seeing Jin-soons face after that.
It was indeed a troubling matter to him since he knew very well how sincere and serious Jin-soon was. He would definitely have a rough time after she finds about his return later on, but for now, he clearly wanted to avoid facing that awkwardness.
Even the one and only Black Mamba reverted back to being the dumb and timid Mu Ssang the moment he set foot on Korean soil.
The legend of a black cat holding a TV antenna and mightily struggling was all true, of course. Now that Kamdoong had taken over all the sundry chores of the temple, Mu Ssang found himself with not much else to do. He prepared his masters three daily meals, fell into a state of meditation on top of the Yeonggo-seok, rummaged through the pages of textbooks, and even spent a whole day catching crayfish by the mountains creek.
Just like that, a restful ten days flew by unnoticed.
Every day was the same in the small Buddhist temple nestled in the Cheongsaeng Mountainyesterday was today, and today would be tomorrow. The day would begin with the Buddhist service ritual performed at 03:30 am, and a day would conclude at eight in the evening with the last of 108 bows.
The ritual of sharing Jogong (breakfast), Sasi (lunch), and Yakseok (supper) belonged to only Monk Dae-woo and Mu Ssang. During mealtime, Kamdoong would either climb up on the Yeonggo-seok to recite the Buddhist scriptures or operate its internal power generator to replenish its energy reserve.
During the power generators operation, the temperature around the small temple would plummet to the point of being frosty. The trees near the temple lost their solar radiation heat to Kamdoong and withered away. Once, all the insects within the radius of dozens of meters from the temple froze to death.
It did not take a genius to imagine that whenever such things happened, Kamdoong would get a royal beatdown for harming innocent lives.
*
Uh-huh. The black sesame soup tastes especially unrefined today, said Monk Dae-woo.
He used a piece of radish kimchi to thoroughly wipe the inside of his small balwu (a wooden food bowl used by Buddhist monks), tossed the vegetable in his mouth, and then pushed the dining table away. He had scooped up some black sesame soup from the large balwu to his smaller one meant to carry side dishes, ate a few drops, and then ended his gongyang (Buddhist-style meal) there.
Mu Ssang pleaded with him, feeling alarmed and worried, But, Master, please have a little more.
Mu-ah, my dear disciple. It seems that my end is getting nearer. Its getting harder to eat food these days.
Heok?! You cant! Mu Ssang cried out involuntarily at that.
You fool, you might give someone a heart attack like that! Did you know that Ive been battling the envoys of the afterlife every single night, just for a single hope of seeing your offspring one day?
Really?! That means I shouldnt have kids any time soon, then! I mean, you were thinking of attaining Buddhahood [1] the moment you see my kids, werent you? Mu Ssang opened his eyes wide and pretended to be shocked out of his wits.
You fool! Attaining Buddhahood, my ass! Im simply scattering my soul to heaven and earth while returning my body to the soil. Last night, I negotiated with Gamjae-saja [2] and got myself two years of extension.
The terms of the negotiation is that if you get yourself a kid in two years, Ill tag along with Jikbu-saja [3] and leave on the day your kid reaches adulthood. But if there are no offspring in two years, then Ill go with Jikbu-saja at the end of the second year without any complaints whatsoever.
Hul, what kind of abuse of power is this?!
Mu Ssang was dismayed. When deciphering what his master just said, the old monk was insisting that Mu Ssang gets married and have children in the next two years. In other words, this was a threat. Monk Dae-woo would attain Buddhahood in twenty years if Mu Ssang got married in the next year or so. But if not, then the old monk would only live on for only two more years before kicking the bucket.
Master, what kind of unreasonableness is this? If youve been negotiating with King Yama or Emperor Fengdu Dadi, then sure, why not? But with Gamjae-saja or Jikbu-whatever, just a huff from you and those two might get blown out the windows, so what negotiation are you even talking about, Master? Stop making things up, please.
Uh-huh, such ignorance! The positions of Gamjae-saja, Jikbu-saja, and Gangrim-chasa [4] might be low, but they are still close aides of King Yama. So much so that people even call them King Yamas Three Doorknob Musketeers! Ill let you know that an old monk like me can communicate to King Yama through the Three Doorknob Musketeers.
Is that so? These days, those who deserve to die are living a good life while the undeserving are dragged to hell by grim reapers, but I understand now. So thats whats been going on. The afterlife and the living world are two sides of a coin, but this is a serious matter, Master, with the boundary getting blurry like this.
Hm, hm. Thats something King Yama needs to be dealt with personally. Why dont we focus on dealing with your situation, instead? Now that you have the hang of it, surely you can do it many more times, cant you? A widow might find that first step hard to take, but after that, itll be an open season. Stop wasting time and get on top of Jin-soon right away.
Monk Dae-woo said up and began grinning slyly, his eyes narrowed to slits.
H-how did you find out?! Mu Ssang asked back in shock.
Hmm, so you really have done some of that action, havent you? It must be with that English noble lady named Rudrey Edel, right?
Sigh! Mu Ssang facepalmed himself after getting suckered into his masters guessing game.
You fool, are you planning to tie the knot only after this old monk has sung the hymn of nirvana first? Lets be honest hereyour foundation is heat hot enough to steam Bodhidharma to death. I have sleepless nights thinking about how the weird twist of fate has made you go astray, boy.
Since ancient times, dragons give birth to dragons, while tigers rear tigers. Understand? This teacher of yours has been delaying his reincarnation just to leave behind his teachings to your offspring. Dont you find someone like that too pitiful? Monk Dae-woo discarded all pretense of playfulness and began whining seriously.
Mu Ssang wordlessly stared at the wrinkled face of his teacher. That face looked like an aged tree.
Just like how every groove in a record hid the lyrics to a currently hot pop song, each one of those wrinkles contained the benevolence of an old monk that deeply cared for and loved his disciple.
Mu Ssangs emotions welled up in an instant. He shot up to his feet before prostrating on the floor to begin his apology. Master, please forgive this disciple who has been acting immaturely in front of you. I shall sire your grandchild as soon as possible and entrust its future to your wisdom.
Monk Dae-woos expression brightened instantly. Excellent. Youre a smart kid, I tell you. Namu Amida Butsu!
You fool, the amount of rice grain I spilt is ten times more than what you have eaten in your whole life.
Monk Dae-woo sneakily turned his head away, his face filled with a triumphant expression. But then, he shot up to his feet and threw open the rooms door. Come, theres something I want to show you.
An old man on the verge of death seemed to possess physical strength that exceeded a healthy young man.
Shu-shu-shu
Kamdoong appeared before them as if he was rising from the ground. He then placed a pair of white rubber walking shoes with stars drawn on the toe cover and then politely stood back, ready to serve.
Buddhist monks wore white rubber shoes during the summer and fur shoes during the winter. To differentiate the shoes more easily, images like stars, the moon, or the sun were drawn on their toes. Numbering the shoes or giving them names bred the habit of classifying and separating things, so such actions were avoided altogether.
Smack!
The goosefoot staff thudded into Kamdoongs head.
Gonggong, you fool. You want me to drive around with the rubber shoes during such stiflingly hot weather? All the sweat will make my foot slip off the clutch every time I try to press the pedal. Are you planning to age those sandals Mu-ah bought for me until you can make stews out of them?
Monk Dae-woo shouted way louder than necessary. What an unfair thing this was for Kamdoong, though how could it have known whether the old monk was going for a drive or walk around begging for alms?
Kamdoong stood on his hind legs and quickly raised both of his front legs. Despite the dental structure making it hard to form human words, the creature still spat out a desperate-sounding exaltation. Oh, master. No, Lord Master! Your glory be eternal! My master, whose virtue has touched the heavens and whose powers have blanketed the mundane world! Opening the eyes of your ignorant disciple like this every day, your grace is as boundless as rivers and seas, Master!
Kamdoong spat out an exaltation cringe enough to make the listener blush and then immediately presented the sandals. This conduct already surpassed common sense as well as whats considered moral. Just how did the one and only Kamdoong end up like this?
The thing was, there was no hero before a whip. Monk Dae-woo used a merciless, unforgiving whip to rule over Kamdoong who had acted thoughtlessly and arrogant until now.
The whip was a figure of speech here, of coursethe mediums to project physical pain were boulders as large as houses, oak trees wide enough to wrap ones arms around, and a bronze flagpole support as thick as a grown mans torso. Furthermore, Monk Dae-woo even projected his ki to render Kamdoongs defence systems useless too.
Kamdoong simply had no avenue to fight back.
When an intelligent life-form was subjected to assault that it could not cope with, its response would come in distinctly different phases.
The first phase would be resistance and avoidance. One would demand a more humane treatment, not listen to orders, fight back and/or run away. The second phase would be acceptanceone would give up and silently do as they were told. The third phase was the grateful phase. One would thank their assailant for their grace despite all the beatings and mistreatments.
The fourth phase would be the exaltation phase. One would stop being passive and start exalting their abuser passionately. One would start doing flabbergasting things like offering a prayer of gratitude after receiving a lump of hard, cold rice as rations.
And finally, the last phase was the indifference phase. Whether one got beaten up or got abused, they would keep their mouth shut and do what they were supposed to do. In this phase, both the abuser and the victim would have inadvertently reached the state of freedom from all ideas and thoughts.
Reaching such a state would basically make you a Zen priest or a Daoist practitioner at its peak.
The path of being human was treacherous, indeed. Through the psychological and physical abuse, Kamdoong had trodden on the path of human to enter the fourth phase in the introductory stages of Dao.
All Mu Ssang could do was to chuckle hollowly at the sight of broken Kamdoong. He fully understood his masters intentions, but even so, his friend became far too much of a broken wreck.
*
Monk Dae-woo started his FIAT Panda without any warning. He simply smiled back when Mu Ssang asked where they were going. The old monk, accompanied by a dumbfounded Mu Ssang and a well-behaved Kamdoong, drove hard on the Gyeongbu Expressway.
The Panda entered the Bukdae-gu interchange and entered the city limits. The vehicle crossed the Geumho River, drove on Route 909, before coming to a stop at the entrance to the Bullo-dong Tumular.
Monk Dae-woo speedily climbed up a hilly gorge and stepped inside a typical rural farmstead with a wide front yard.
The main house was a traditional tile-roofed building, shaped like the Korean letter giyeok about twenty sections large. The dilapidated roof was overgrown with weeds, and the front yard was also overrun with tall grasses. The house seemed to have not seen a human visitor in a very long time.
Mu-ah. This is the house you shall live in from now on.
Mu Ssangs eyes widened. Im sorry?
Master, did you purchase this house?
Of course. Which other close acquaintance besides your master will buy a house for a man with no one to rely on? Also, even my nostrils are getting stuffy from trying to share the cramped temple with a demon-like disciple. Now that a trustworthy cook has settled in the temple, Im thinking of kicking you out.
But, Master, where did you get the money?
Mu Ssang was puzzled by this. His master did not even bother to save up a bag of rice in the temple. He was the type to let spiders weave their webs in the small iron pot meant for food without his disciples around, so there simply was no way that he had money saved up.
Hahaha! Havent you been sending me money to buy meat or something quite diligently until now? Here, I dont need it anymore. Monk Dae-woo rummaged through his rucksack, pulled out a bank book, and tossed it over to his disciple.
Mu Ssangs eyes widened again. This bank notebook detailed all the living expenses hed been sending every month to his master. Only two instances of withdrawal were recorded on it420,000 Won for Mu Ssangs university admission fee and two million Won for the purchase of this farmstead.
The rest, around 2.8 million Won, remained untouched in the account.
Master?! Whats the meaning of this! This disciple can always provide you with all the money you need, so why You didnt even buy food for gongyang, too
Mu Ssangs emotions welled up, preventing him from continuing on. His master did not spend a dime of money he had been sending every month in the last four years. The only times the old monk did were for the sake of his disciple.
So noisy! Where would an old fart of a monk like me spend the money on, anyway? Besides, not all money is the same. How can I uncaringly waste all the money you earned by shedding sweat, blood, and tears? I dont want to hear your nagging anymore, and thats why I bought this place. The rest is up to you now. Hahaha!
Master!
Dont get too emotional, boy. Havent you grown tired of an old monks body odor by now? This land is Geum-Hwan-Nak-Ji [5]. Ive been keeping an eye out for a place for you while going around asking for alms, you see.
Are you saying that a Taoist fairy dropped her gold ring here? Master, you also believe in feng shui?
[1] Death
[2] One of the envoys of the afterlife in Korean folklore
[3] Another envoy of the afterlife
[4] Another envoy of the afterlife
[5] A Korean feng shui term, roughly meaning a location where the gold a deity had spat out has landed.
Chapter 516 - Episode 2 The Yamanashi Collection
Would you listen to this numbskull? Feng shui (Pung-Su in Hangul) is an abbreviation of Jang-Pung-Deuk-Su (roughly means Hiding Winds and Acquiring Water). As long as there are mountains, waterways and people around, there will be feng shui (winds and water).
Ah, so its not a belief, but existence, master?
Right. Feng shui means you put the winds in order and acquire water. There are two major streams in feng shui. Things like Yang-Pung-Taek-Su (roughly means A place of yang energy) and Yeum-Pung-Taek-Su (roughly means A place of yin energy) are just means to choose a nice location to make life more comfortable for the living and give the dead a better rest. Rather than a field of study, itll be more correct to call them wisdom of life.
The true essence of feng shui is Yeong-Gi-Pung-Su, which is about reading the flow of the earths ki, the gyeol of the winds, and the directions of the waters then physically utilizing them.
Ive heard about things like Bae-San-Im-Su (a landscape with mountains at the back and facing water in front) and Geum-Gye-Po-Ran (a golden hen warmly nesting her eggs), but its my first time learning about Jang-Poong-Deuk-Su or Yeong-Gi-Pung-Su, master.
You think your knowledge, that is smaller than a mustard seed, can win against me? Even if a genius studies for his entire life, they will not be able to grasp even a silver of the universes truth. Thats why you often see bald monks and Dao practitioners put on all sorts of shows for the sake of that single epiphany.
Mu Ssang thought he could more or less understand this concept. Earth was just a small planet in the far-flung corner of the vast universe. Yet the humans living on this small rock had managed to accumulate a near-endless amount of knowledge already. And here he was, still having a hard time trying to understand just a single verse of the Vajra Sutra (the Diamond Sutra).
Things were so hard that many monks, sick and tired of poring through the endless Buddhist scriptures, would lock themselves up in closed-door seclusions to potentially experience an epiphany through their gongan.
Master, what if you get that epiphany, the awakening?
You come in contact with the truth of the universe, obviously. Ideas like the Akashic Records or whatever didnt just fall from the sky, you know.
The Akashic Records? Whats that?
Even if I tell you, you wont get it. In any case, lets wrap up our chat on feng shui first. This thing called Bae-San-Im-Su is nothing much, I tell ya. A land with mountains in the rear to block out strong winds and waterways in the front for farming is a good land to live in. During the time this old monk was going around everywhere asking for alms, it was near impossible to find a village that didnt meet the criteria for Bae-San-Im-Su.
And thats Yang-Pung-Taek-Su for you. But then, the so-called aristocrats that love a free ride more than anything else caused such places to morph into Yeum-Pung-Taek-Su.
Thats when fakes calling themselves feng shui experts began showing up with their cheap magnets to bedazzle the descendants of the dead by using some fancy-sounding words like the earth energy, earth veins, Yong-Jin-Hyeol-Jeok (revealing the vein where the king/dragon has passed on) and Geum-Gye-Po-Ran.
Both the swindlers and the victims have become blinded by their own greed, so how would they even properly see the spirits and ki of the land?
I see. Does that mean every self-proclaimed feng shui expert is a fraud, master?
No. Some are indeed experts who have achieved success through their own right with constant research and study. However, I havent come across anyone who has reached the realm of hearing the sounds of the land itself yet.
You can hear the sounds of the land? Mu Ssangs head tilted to his left.
He could use his Dimensional Sight and the resonance wave to analyze the situation underground like a blind elephant feeling around with its trunk, but hearing the sound of the land? This was his first time hearing about it.
Im talking about Yeong-Gi-Pung-Su from earlier, boy. See for yourself, then. Gonggong, capture a stray mutt or a cat and bring it to us.
Yes, teacher!
Shu-shu-shu
Kamdoong vanished from the spot. Less than a minute later, it reappeared while literally dragging along a fairly large mixed mutt.
The clearly-terrified mutt couldnt even bark and was helplessly drooling away. Whimpering sounds were clearly heard.
Hahaha! With Gongong around, things are never boring, isnt it!
Master, an animal is abusing another animal, it seems. Mu Ssang grinned wryly.
A cats paw could not grip things due to its structure. A farcical sight of a large black cat dragging along a mutt twice its size by the poor creatures tail was something only Kamdoong could create in this world.
A land is alive. Its just that you are unaware of it since its not visible. Monk Dae-woo used his staff to draw a circle on the ground where a bundle of sasamorpha was growing.
Kamdoong tossed the mutt inside that circle. As expected of a creature with supernaturally quick wits.
Judging from how the mutt began jumping around desperately, it seemed to have finally regained its wits. Unfortunately for the creature, though, it still could not escape from the circle.
Now, take a good look! Monk Dae-Woo scanned the color of the heavens above, before waving his staff around.
The mutts figure jumped up in the empty air. Its four limbs began pedalling like crazy while its head bobbed up and down. It was like watching a dog swim.
Uh-uh?! H-how?! Mu Ssang cried out in shock.
The mutts fur was visibly getting soaked as if it was raining right now. The creatures maw opened and closed but no sounds came out from it. Although it did not make one iota of sense, that phenomenon was eerily similar to the dog sinking underwater.
The mutt struggling like crazy eventually went limp.
How is that possible, master? Did you use your Five-Phasic Illusion Strike?
No. Thats Jang-Su-Hyeol (hidden water vein) where the water ki is concentrated. This old monk simply listened to the sound of the flowing water ki and altered its direction to the surface, thats all. As for the mutt inside the seal, its currently drowning.
Wait, is water actually filling up its lungs?!
You fool, cant you see the completely soaked mutt before your eyes?
Wow! Mu Ssangs jaw dropped.
Depending on usage, this could be a very scary weapon, indeed. If you trapped someone you did not like inside Jang-Su-Hyeol, then that person would go utterly nuts trying to escape and eventually drown. If the techniques area of effect were to be widened, then every single resident within a city could drown in less than five minutes.
This Taoist technique was even more terrifying than a neutron bomb.
Monk Dae-woo lightly waved his staff. I cant kill an innocent creature, now can I?
Mu Ssang heard the loud noise of water splashing. It reminded him of the thunderous noise he heard back when all the waters of Lake Caparuza flooded down the chasm that opened up in the crust below.
The dying mutt jumped back up to its feet. It stood around in a daze, perhaps failing to figure out its situation. But then, it crazily high-tailed out of there while leaving behind echoes of distinctive whimpering. Meanwhile, the ground inside the circle had not changed at all.
Thats amazing. Master, is this also the profound law of Saek-Jeuk-Si-Gong Gong-Jeuk-Si-Saek (matter itself is voidness; voidness itself is matter, or form is emptiness; emptiness is form)?
That is indeed so. Once you see through an object and its essence, you can physically utilize that very essence. For instance, find Yeom-Hwa-Hyeol (the hellfire vein) and you can burn the world down. Find Cheol-Dun-Hyeol (the earth metal vein), and you can crush the world flat like a pancake. This is Yeong-Gi-Pung-Su (literally: divine ki/spirit feng shui).
Monk Dae-woos reply was as unhesitant as a bachelor saying yes to a tryst. It was as if he was explaining that tables had four legs and the Korean A-frame had two supporting legs.
I see.
Mu Ssang thought he could understand it. Listening to the sound of the land, determining the flow of elements, and altering said flow could allow an individual to physically utilize natures essence. Compared to this, how futile and laughably immature humanitys scientific knowledge was!
Have you memorized it well, boy? Just like how ki flows within a human body through the conception vessel and governing vessels, the ki of the land flows from one earth vein to another. This here has the water ki in spades. For someone like you full of fire ki, this place is perfect.
Master, Im deeply awed. Mu Ssang bowed 90o before his master.
Compared to his masters Heaven-Seeing Power, his own unorthodox techniques like becoming one with nature, Dimensional Sight and the resonance wave were a mere childs play.
Hmm, hm. Of course you should be. Im the old monk responsible for raising the one and only Dubaiburupa, so this much should be natural, no? Monk Dae-woo grinned slyly while glancing sideways at his disciple.
This disciple of his was supposed to inherit all of his teachings yet the boy had entered the wrong path of unorthodox martial Dao instead. This caused the old monks feathers to ruffle up whenever he saw Mu Ssang.
Samdi, that idiot!
Meanwhile, Mu Ssangs expression crumpled unsightly. Samdi mustve ran his mouth off and informed the master of all the happenings in Novatopia.
As you just witnessed, feng shui is within the realm of Heaven-Seeing Power. Once you reach the level of seeing its veins through your Heaven Seeing Eyes and listen to the flow of ki through your clairaudience, then you can call yourself a feng shui expert.
Would a famous feng shui expert on the level of, say, Great Monk Muhak hear the sound of land?
No. Studying without the necessary awakening or an epiphany can only help you guess the flow of water ki and fire ki. A real feng shui expert would not show up in the mundane world, after all. If Great Monk Muhak was a great monk who had an awakening, do you think hed be stupid enough to waste his time finding locations for Yi Seonggyes palace or graves for the aristocrats? Wait, now that Ive said it, Im that stupid monk who went around looking for a spot for his disciples home, arent I! Monk Dae-woo broke out in cynical laughter.
Master! How can you say something so presumptuous! Mu Ssang hurriedly waved his hands in alarm.
Hahaha. Losing yourself in something isnt necessarily all bad. Arent you also madly lost in your quest to live? Its about time that you find a place to rest a little. And this very spot will be your home, your resting place.
From the perspective of Yang-Pung-Taek-Su, this land is very good. Behind the residence, you can find a dense forest of broad-leaf trees that pump out fresh oxygen and phytoncide. And the Bullocheon flowing before the village replenishes the water ki, too. All those hills found here and there are suitable for a stroll. And with your Gamulchi, you can reach the Palgong Mountain and your school in fifteen minutes
Good for your health and pretty convenient for modern living, too. Let me ask you, isnt this an ideal spot?
If it really is an ideal spot, whats up with the state of this farmhouse, master?
It all depends on the willingness of men, obviously. A favorable shift in luck doesnt just waltz in, does it? Never mind an ideal spot, even the heavenly Dao palace will be of no use for those who dont work hard for it.
Wise words, master. Mu Ssang nodded away.
The master was right. It did not matter whether a location was filled with yang or yin energy, it should be considered an ideal spot as long as it was nice and comfortable to live in. Mu Ssang walked around the vicinity of the residence once and at the end of the walk, the corners of his lips quietly rose up.
He did not know anything about this Geum-Hwan-Nak-Ji or whatever it was called, but the surrounding scenery was fairly similar to his old home back in Jip-eun Dari. Instead of the Nakdong River, it was now replaced with Bullocheon (the name of the stream flowing before the village). The Wolsong Mountain was now hills with old tombs scattered about. The field of peach trees was now palm-like trees spreading their leaves wide.
Mu Ssangs emotions swelled from his masters thoughtfulness.
Master, you knew of your disciples dilemma, didnt you?
Im supposed to be your teacher, after all. I can certainly guess the thoughts of a disciple whos been doing his best all this time. Something you cant pick up or let go is something you might as well embrace.
Master! Mu Ssang stopped talking and bowed deeply while bringing his hands together.
His old home in Jip-eun Dari held too much history, and he could not easily bring himself to move back in. The memories and happiness when he was still a young child, the despair and all the pain, his fathers sudden passing, a rather suspicious case of his mothers disappearance
Mu Ssang was locked in a dilemma for a long while, wondering whether to move back in there or not.
But his master was a master, indeed. Despite Mu Ssang not saying anything, the old monk still guessed his disciples dilemma correctly and took care of the cause of all that anxiety.
Mu Ssangs heart felt warmer. A dilapidated farmhouse in the outskirts of Daegu felt a hundred times more precious than the entirety of the vast Novatopia.
Anyways. Whether you choose to throw money at this place or paint it with gold, its your business now. As for me, Im going back to shoot the breeze with Lord Buddha. Come, Gonggong. Lets go.
Monk Dae-woo urged on, but Kamdoong began hesitating.
B-but, teacher. This place is nice and
Gonggong, that mutt you brought to us earlier
Our teachers glory be eternal! Yes, of course! We must go back! Gonggong must study hard, must memorize everything and get beaten up.
Even before Monk Dae-woo finished his sentence, Kamdoong shot forward like a streak of lightning and opened the Pandas door, then stood stiffly at attention. That conditioned response was totally reminiscent of Pavlovs dog.
Oh, Kamdoong! You poor thing!
Mu Ssang almost teared up just then. Just how much grilling and grinding one must go through to end up like that?
Just how long do I need to hear that fools nonsense about his teacher being eternal? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Monk Dae-woo tutted while giving Mu Ssang a sideways glance.
Mu Ssangs face reddened instantly. To think that that fool Kamdoong would memorize Dubaiburupas glory be eternal! Even Mu Ssang himself would get embarrassed every time he had to hear that chant.
Master, please drive carefully.
Mu Ssang ended up saying something rather pointless. Even if an 18-wheeler pounced on his master, the old monk could easily blow away the offending vehicle as if it was made out of paper.
Monk Dae-woo rolled the drivers side window down. Boy, you dont have to worry about any fire in the half majang (one majang is about 393m) radius of Jang-Su-Hyeol. So, look after them well, okay?
Monk Dae-woo winked at his disciple, pressed the accelerator of his FIAT Panda and soon, disappeared from the view. Only the stinky exhaust fumes and Kamdoongs hopeless-looking expression remained behind in its wake.
Mu Ssang tilted his head. Look after what? What am I supposed to look after?
The farmstead around 160 pyeong wide purchased by Monk Dae-woo started a chain of sorts; Mu Ssang bought three more residences and a part of the vast forests and grasslands behind the farmstead, too. He even paid extra for them. This was his greed acting up C he wanted to have hills and a flowing stream of water within the boundaries of his home.
Then, an old man living next door heard the news and came around to ask Mu Ssang to buy his house, too. Apparently, the old mans grandson caused a bit of an accident and he needed money quite urgently. Mu Ssang did not even try to negotiate and dully bought it off the old man.
The news got around, causing many others with their own circumstances to show up, all of them hoping to sell their homes to Mu Ssang. He bought them all while even generously adding extra amounts on top.
In the end, he bought fifteen more farmsteads surrounding the original one his master had bought for him. Only then did he recall his masters assurance regarding half-majang radius not catching fire; as usual, his master was an amazing individual.
The total area Mu Ssang bought was around 2,000 pyeong, which included the fifteen farmsteads and the woodlands about 300 pyeong wide. Such a land was pocket change compared to Novatopia and the farm in Doba, but this was Korea, a country where most of its citizens did not even own land large enough to stand on.
Mu Ssang did not stop there and even bought the additional 5,000 pyeong of land including a useless grassland and a hilly terrain behind the residence. In comparison, the wealthiest family in Indong, Missus Jangs family, owned a plot of land around 500 pyeong wide. Missus Jang would often bring up how her familys home was as large as a soccer field during her verbal assault of Mu Ssangs mother.
Never mind enjoying a soccer field-sized home, Mu Ssangs mother lost her parents early and had to grow up as an orphan. She could not even argue back and just silently wiped her tears. Judging from her personality, she was tearing up not because of the envy of the vast traditional house, but because she missed her grandparents.
A soccer field was around 2,614 pyeong. The reason why Mu Ssang purchased the useless grassland and the hills were due to his childish streak acting up C he just wanted to present his mother with a house even bigger than a soccer field.
Actually, what he truly wanted was to put his mothers frustration to rest for good, which was caused by a measly little traditional home 500 pyeong large.
He wanted to see his mother proudly say This is the real soccer field right to Missus Jangs face. Mu Ssang might not have been a small-minded person, but that did not mean he was a generous man either.
Once he completed purchasing the land, Mu Ssang had all the farmhouses and boundary walls demolished. He then went through the proper procedure to combine all the lots to create a single 2,000 pyeong plot. The remaining 5,000 pyeong of grasslands and forests were left unchanged from their original designation.
The act of purchasing the land, converting the lands usage, the fee for demolition, and combining the lots cost him around two hundred million Won overall. Despite spending enough money to buy twenty apartment units in the city of Daegu with some change left over, Mu Ssang did not even bat an eyelid. If it was the issue of capital, then well, he had so much that he had no idea what to do with it.
Even after excluding the commission from the French government, the profit from the oil extracted from the Doba mining region and the revenue from the Wakil merchant company, Mu Ssangs official annual salary was a million Francs. That amount consisted of his commission as Frances Special Military Advisor as well as acting as the French Embassys advisor. The salary from Chairman Margerie was also included in that total.
There was also the small matter of various special commissions and unofficial revenues to consider; all in all, a fixed salary of around 2.5 million Francs entered his pockets annually. Converting that to Won, itd be around 700 million Won. Mu Ssang was basically making over 120 times the annual salary of a bank teller.
Of course, the salary of a mercenary was a lot more realistic than this. A regular mercenarys annual salary was about 24,000 Francs, which was only a little bit higher than what a Korean bank teller of similar work experience would take home.
The French governments treatment of its National Treasure was definitely something else. Would Mu Ssang receive a similar level of treatment from the Korean government after making the exact same type of contribution?
He shook his head in resignation, knowing the answer was no..
Chapter 517 - Episode 3 The Yamanashi Collection
The harsh treatment Korean soldiers were subjected to, along with their meagre wages, was truly wretched. Maybe officers on the field or generals were paid enough to buy themselves a decent meal.
But those on the company grade, along with non-commissioned officers, were treated so poorly that it defied common sense. The annual salary of a sergeant boasting a career of twenty years was actually less than what a newbie bank clerk got. To make matters worse, some soldiers that made do with pittance and had to change his/her workplace often could not even afford a half-decent closet.
As for the soldiers drafted into service, their tale was too heart-wrenching to even mention out loud. Canteens clearly displaying their history in battlefields would often come with faded reminders of the past, such as Made In USA 1945-05-15 stamped on the bottom and David Jr carved out with a dagger on the side.
What about their boots, then? Your little toe would poke out through the worn leather, while the glues holding the soles would have long lost their effectiveness, forcing you to hold them together with some steel wires while wearing them as if there was nothing amiss.
Meanwhile, white plastic fuzz and nose-stinging stench emitted from the plastic food tray, used since the Vietnam War days.
The situation with rice was also tragic. The Tongil rice (unification rice) would only see the light of day after spending five years in storage. Unsurprisingly, such rice were crumbly and smelled disgusting. Even their color was an unappetising yellow.
As for guk (Korean side dish soup), most of the time it was simply a salt guk with chopped radishes and chards added as an afterthought. Every once in a while, they would serve either mackerel or sandlance guk, and on the weekends, they might bring out meat guk with pork fat visibly floating around on the surface. But on those pork fat guk days, privates would suffer serious muscle pain after washing all the food trays using laundry soap.
Going on a training exercise was actually easier on the new recruits lives. Staying in the base was an unending series of terror and anxiety. Not getting beat up during the day by the officers meant that you could not sleep at night out of sheer nervousness.
And their wages were even more tear-inducing. A sergeant facing an imminent discharge after 30 months of compulsory service received only 4,700 Won as their monthly salary. That amount was just about enough to buy two novels and a packet of crisps.
Patriotism came from self-esteem and pride. But would soldiers on the company grade, non-commissioned officers, and regularly drafted soldiers be full of self-esteem and pride? Even after they were stained to the soul with a sense of deprivation, financial difficulties, terrible living conditions and even physical abuse?
Would a soldier, who was paid pittance and measly hazard pay, be burning with patriotism? Of course not. The core of the combat force, the company-grade soldiers and non-commissioned officers, would fall into a pattern of habitual behaviors, and whenever a chance presented itself, they would steal or divert military supplies.
Of course, the true hot bed of corruption and irregularities were found among the field grade officers and generals that loved to sing ideals of patriotism and sacrificing oneself for ones fellow countrymen. They would collude with civilian suppliers to pocket huge bribes, deliberately worsening the quality of the supplies. Hell, they even had the gall to cut out regular soldiers side dishes during the mealtimes too.
The corruption in the military ran rampant, but the public at large only got to hear about a small number of these cases. That was due to the unique nature of any closed-off organization, which includes the military. They looked after one of their own, after all.
Everyone was corrupt or complicit; they were too busy burying their skeletons to even care about stamping out any irregularities among their ranks.
The truth was that, while the government was waving national interests and patriotism around as their trump cards in public, the cost incurred through corruption and irregularities had already shot past what was logically acceptable as budget to improve labor conditions. In such a situation, increasing the defence budget would be the same as pouring water into a bottomless pot.
Mu Ssang had three personal wishes. One, to live in a han-ock (traditional Koran house) with the Hangrang-chae (separate servants quarters) and enjoy meat guk at his leisure. Two, to fill up the sarangbang (reception room for male guests) with ten thousand books and read them at his leisure. And finally, cultivating an orchard in the backyard to raise peaches, apples, pears, persimmons, red dates and grapes at his leisure.
All of his wishes were related to the hanok, in other words.
The trauma of getting bitten every night by bedbugs and fleas crawling through the gaps in the walls of the hangrang-chae in the big uncles residence (Baekbu-daek) was still haunting him. The door did not even close shut properly in that place back then.
In all honesty, living in a han-ock was not that inconvenient as long as you properly renovated the kitchen and the bathroom, and minimized the potential loss of heat. Actually, there were many advantages to ones health when living in a han-ock. Not only that but you could easily chat to your neighbors, making it better for you psychologically as well.
A han-ock was poor at handling fire, but Monk Dae-woo said not to worry about that.
The apartment craze that swept across the nation in the mid 70s ended up covering Seoul and other major cities in masses of concrete. The Korean aunties lost their minds at the convenient apartment complexes and as a result, the massive concrete behemoths become the dominant trend in the Korean housing culture.
However, Mu Ssang was not interested in these concrete chicken coops. Staring at these beehive-like apartments always reminded him of the coops back in Sang-hans family-run poultry farm. A chicken captured within such a cramped space could only do two things C eat the fodder and lay eggs.
Humans could not live like chickens, of course. And according to the theory of Yeong-Gi-Pung-Su as mentioned by Mu Ssangs teacher, apartment complexes were the absolute worst. You were disconnected from the outside world by all that concrete and were also situated high up in the air, meaning you could not come in contact with earth ki. This prevented you from accepting the elements beneficial to your body.
Mu Ssang sat down on a stone pedestal, the only trace of an ancient tomb left, then looked at the village down below. With the rural village alleyway in the middle, the left side had around twenty or so rural farmsteads, while the right side was his plot of land with its soil laid bare after the land development process was completed.
That 2,200-pyeong plot of land, 36 pyeong larger than the internationally-accepted size for a soccer pitch, sure looked massive from up here. So large, in fact, that he did not have any rebuttal if someone accused him of arrogantly display his wealth.
Ma, that is the real soccer pitch. The house of the Jangs main family cant even touch its shadow, ma. Ill build you the biggest house in this country, youll see. So you can boast as much to Missus Jang as you want. And Im going to plant lots of peach trees on the back, too. Please smile again in embarrassment while holding up a peach just like back then.
But pops isnt around to tease you, like when he said that peach was as pretty as your butt, ma. So you can tease me instead, saying that peach looks like my ass.
The scene of his father and mother, laughing and joking around while holding a weirdly-shaped peach, replayed itself so vividly in Mu Ssangs mind.
[Ssang-ah, you must be ungry, my boy. Ere, ave some.]
An illusory voice filled with love and affection trickled into his hearing. A lone tear traveled down his cheek.
Master Master, you said that your time is near. This disciple only believes in you, master. But if youve been lying, Im gonna smack you real good, master. If you dont want a black eye from your disciples fist, you better pull your socks up, master.
Ja-Mo-Su-Jung-Seon (The thread in the hands of a kind mother)
Yu-Ja-Shin-Sang-Ui (Makes clothes for the body of her wayward boy)
Im-Hang-Mil-Mil-Bong (Carefully she sews and thoroughly she mends)
Ui-Gong-Ji-Ji-Gui (Dreading the delays that will keep him late from home)
Su-Un-Chon-Cho-Sim (How can my heart as humble as a blade of grass)
Bo-Deuk-Sam-Chun-Hui? (Repay your affection as warm as a ray of the Spring sun?)
Mu Ssangs mother, patching up her sons socks late into the night under the light of a kerosene lamps When the young Mu Ssang woke up from his sleep and frowned, her gentle and soft chest enveloped him tightly. Her gentle embrace tore through his heart harder than forged steel.
Mu Ssang quietly recited Meng Jiaos poem, A Travelers Song, as tears continued to travel down his cheeks.
*
Mu Ssang immediately called the daemokjang (a skilled carpenter experienced in building timber housing) when the land development was finished to get the estimates for a modernized han-ock. The construction work started in earnest right after. Plots of land where the rural farmhouses were usually built did not often get registered as actual plots of land for houses. They were mostly treated as farmlands or simple forested lands.
Out of the 7,000 pyeong of land, the 5,000 pyeong of farmlands and grasslands were designated as the back garden, and the remaining 2,000 pyeong in the front was designated as the actual site for the residential house construction. When applying the building-to-land ratio of 40% and the floor area ratio of 80% on the 2000-pyeong plot, the resulting han-ock would have the floor area and the building area of 800 and 1,600 pyeong respectively.
Of course, Mu Ssang was not planning to construct a house that humongous. A Korean han-ock was built upon the foundation of the Buddhist philosophy of Gong (emptiness) and Taoist philosophy of Heo (void). Rather than ostentatious and flashy, most han-ocks followed the style of simple, unassuming -chaes (satellite buildings).
The spacious gap between separate -chaeswas the unique aspect of the Korean han-ock as it embodied its easy-going nature.
Five daemokjangs worked together to come up with a blueprint, and soon, the construction was underway. While each rooms would be independently located, they would still be integrated with the help of the toetmaru (a narrow wooden porch running outside rooms) running through them all. Every building was to be placed on top of pedestals, while all the materials would be natural, no artificial stuff. Even iron nails were not to be used unless they were absolutely necessary.
Mu Ssang watched the busy construction site with content. The power of wealth was certainly great. The appearance of the site, with equipment and workers buzzing around like a swarm of bees, kept changing from day to day, from hour to hour. It looked different today compared to yesterday and this afternoon compared to the morning.
Ma, should I build the Myo-Yeon-Geo (a place with a particularly great view mentioned in Li Bais poem, Questions and Answers in the Mountains) and welcome fairies there? Or, should I build a pleasure palace and fill all of its wings with beauties from five oceans and six continents?
You say Im a vulgar idiot? My master said that isnt so, you know. He says that never mind how many there are, I must jump on top of every woman I meet to spread my superior genes around as much as possible. Ma, should I give you a dozen grandsons? Or hundreds of granddaughters? Maybe I shouldnt care either way and make as many of both as possible? Myo-Yeon-Geo~ Myo-Yeon-Geo~ Indeed, Myo-Yeon-Geo with a wonderful view. Mm! Wait, Myo-Yeon-Geo?
Mu Ssang humming along some inane stuff to himself suddenly hardened his expression. He had recalled something buried deep in his memories just now. The thing was, Myo-Yeon-Geo was also a famous gomtang (beef bone stew) diner in the city of Daegu.
Once he was reminded of that, his mind drifted over to the Daedeok restaurant next, which was quickly followed by memories of the In Ae Won.
After purchasing Anjirangyis In Ae Won, he had completely forgotten about it. And he also had completely forgotten about An Bae-tae No, the Abe gang and the fifteen gangsters he had loaded on a plane for a one-way trip to Ombuti.
How could he have forgotten about those vicious, wicked bastards who planned to burn 42 kids alive just to extract the Yamanashi Collection buried below the In Ae Won?!
Did I get some kind of frontotemporal dementia because of that son of a b*tchs Soul-Renewing Practice?
Mu Ssang was somewhat worried. The symptom of such dementia came in the form of a decline in ones cognitive function. But the symptoms manifesting from a drug overdose would be similar to dissociative amnesia.
He was not drugged, but a silvery needle two handspans long did poke and stir around in his brain dozens of times back then. If Mu Ssang was not an Epidium, he would have gone to meet his maker a long time ago.
The collection of Yamanashi Hanzo, nicknamed the Bae-Geum (similar meaning to gold-hungry) General, reputedly included thousands of Goryeo celadons, Joseon White Porcelains, the Royal Seal, various paintings, calligraphic works and books in addition to hundreds of other national treasure-tier cultural works of art.
Mu Ssang bought In Ae Won before going on his business trip to Ituri, and figured that the place was probably empty by now. Monk Bumwoo was not someone who would abandon a bunch of kids in a space clouded by a ghastly aura, after all.
I heard that more antiques have been taken to Japan than left in Korea
Mu Ssang was not all that interested in divine artifacts. He did not even pay attention to all those diamonds rolling around the Hollow Earth like some common pebbles too. He certainly was not greedy about things like this, but even he understood that cultural works of art could not be left forgotten and rotting in some weird space.
The problem was the seals, though. He knew nothing about sealing techniques.
Mu Ssang heard the sounds of a cars engine. He emerged from his thoughts and glanced below the alley to spot two women kitted out in hanbok (traditional Korean dress) stepping outside a taxi. The two began walking up the alley toward him.
Mm? What is the Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duo doing here?
The Dimensional Sight read ones unique brainwaves instead of seeing ones outer appearance. As such, Mu Ssang would never mistake a person for someone else as long as he had read their brainwaves once before.
Auras that were neither clean nor impure belonged to real shamans and exorcists. The chill-inducing aura came from Sun Woo Bang Na, while the coarser aura came from Sun Woo Ma Go.
Oh, great god. Have health and prosperity been blessing you, sir? This girl would like to offer her greetings.
Sun Woo Bang Na, who outwardly looked thirty-something years old, did not even give herself time to wipe the beads of sweat on her forehead before quickly prostrating on the ground. This eighty-something grandma sure was outgoing, wasnt she?
Hooray, hooray, one thousand cheers! I pay respect to the benefactor, oh the divine man.
Sun Woo Ma Go, looking like a grandma of over sixty years old, greeted Mu Ssang behind her mother using a rather grandiose ceremonial gesture. Despite being a mother and daughter, she still displayed the strict behavior of a priestess.
Mu Ssang hurriedly waved his hands in embarrassment. Hurry and stand up, both of you. Why are you prostrating on the ground and making such a fuss? Are you trying to ruin your nice dresses or something?
We are grateful for your kindness, oh great god.
Two mudangs (shamaness) seemingly reversed back up while fixing their clothes.
Are you taking care of father well?
Theres no need to worry, sir. Every day, the daughter offers her prayers and with the aid of the Cavern Spying Technique, she confirms the graves intactness. Hes resting in peace, so please do not worry, sir. Ma Go C Sun Woo Ma Go C bowed so low that it seemed like her back was about to snap in half.
Im grateful. But what brings you two here?
Mu Ssang was getting nasty goosebumps from the over-the-top respect two women showered him with. And they were old enough to be his grandmother and great-grandmother, too! However, he decided to let it slide. In the world of mudangs, ones place in the pecking order was strictly based on the rank of the divine spirit in their physical being.
One month ago, Great Ancestor Jeon Woo-chi has descended on this plain, sir.
Descended? Was it a possession, then?
People often used descent and bing-ui (taken over by spirit) interchangeably, but those two terms were not the same. For one, the descent meant a state of ones physical body forcibly taken over by a deity, while bing-ui was when one simply lost the control of ones body after some random evil spirit had taken over it. The possession referred to the descent in this case, and when it happened, the hosts ego would coexist along with that of the deitys will.
Yes, that was indeed so, sir. The Great Ancestor led this girl high up in the heavens to cross great oceans and endless mountain ranges. Then, past a vast desert where winds of sand blanketed the heaven and earth, we reached a plateau with strange rocks and deep valleys.
We witnessed a young, verdant land in the center of this infinite desert. Groundwater swelled from various places in this blessed land with dense foliage.
How can that be!
Suddenly, the heavens rang and the earth rumbled below us. A great soul revealed himself and walked barefoot on the lake. Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life prostrated and cried out [Dubaiburupas glory be eternal!]
Earnestness and the unshakeable faith contained in the cries of their souls stunned the Great Ancestor. The shock caused him to lose his spiritual power and fall. This girl woke up from this vision and immediately realized that the great soul was you, oh great god.
Holy cow. At this rate, Im gonna develop involuntary convulsion at the mere mention of glory be eternal. I heard that Jeon Woo-chi showed up in the royal palace and ran amok there while still alive, but why the hell did he have to show up in the middle of the Sahara when theres nothing for him to leech off there? Mu Ssang complained bitterly in his head.
At the end of the deliberation, this girl finally understood the intent of the Great Ancestor. He wants this girl to serve you, oh great god.
What kind of a situation am I in now? Mu Ssangs wide-open eyes were now staring straight at Sun Woo Bang Na.
Please take pity on this girl, sir. Going against the command of the deity in ones body will cause a mudangs soul to be destroyed. Please, I beg for your benevolence!
The Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duo bowed again and again like a pair of long-headed grasshoppers.
Huh! Well, Ill be damned. Do you want me to chase Jeon Woo-chi out of you, then? Mu Ssang jokingly asked them.
Ack! Lord Jeon Woo-chi is this girls great ancestor, sir. Please grant us your mercy, sir! The Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duo became visibly spooked.
The world you have seen by awakening your souls eye was actually the Sahara desert. The densely verdant land is the country I have founded called Novatopia.
That land is incomparably rougher and harder than South Korea. A land where all sorts of people abandoned by the rest of the world gather to build a foundation for their new lives. Are you willing to discard the comfort and convenience to happily embrace the hardship?
Oh, oooh! Oh, the great and noble divine man! This girl will happily follow your will, sir. Sun Woo Bang Na prostrated as if she was crumbling down.
In that case, I now acknowledge you as my family. You and Ma Go shall now receive my divine artifact.
Hooray, hooray, one thousand cheers!
The Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duo went down to their knees.
They said that practice makes perfect C Mu Ssang had gotten pretty good at acting like a cult leader by now. Not much he could do about it, though.
Besides, the shamanism had to walk the shamanisms path. If things were tough within the countrys borders, then it did not seem like such a bad idea to open up the path of Korean shamanism in Africa.. In a way, this was a form of cultural export.
Chapter 518 - Episode 4 The Yamanashi Collection
If theres a result, then there must be a cause. The export of popular culture, nicknamed the Korean Wave in the future, started with the Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duos Gutgeori jangdan (shamaness song and rhythmic dance), Gangsinmu (the possession dance) and Jakdu-tagi (jakdu: straw cutter; straw cutter riding). The believers in the Voodoo cult and the local shamanism went especially crazy over it.
The jaws of people from all races and backgrounds would drop at the sight of splendid Seongjut-gut (exorcism-like ritual to appease and welcome Seongju, the guardian deity of housekeeping) ceremonial dance. And their eyes would pop out from the sight of the Jakdu-tagi.
The Gutpan (the performance of Gut) would transform into a public festival, while the Gutgeori jangdan would morph into a peoples song.
The seeds of the Korean Wave were not planted by the export of K-dramas in the late 90s, but the export of Gutpan in the 80s.
*
Mu Ssang pulled out fangs of the Sarcosuchus from his backpack. His original intention was to gift one of these to his master, but the old monk proved to be rather lukewarm to the idea. Monk Dae-woo lashed out all sorts of insults on his disciple, saying that Mu Ssang was a pathetic fool who relied on foreign objects, and that he was too hung up on looking good on the outside.
Woah?! Arent those teeth of a dragon from ancient times, sir!?
Ooh! How can such rare items be?!
The mudang mother-and-daughter duo freaked out, their eyes opening super-wide. As expected, the real deal sure was something else. They even instantly recognized the true identity of the Sarcosuchus fang with just one look.
Thats right, this is how a normal reaction should be like! The corners of Mu Ssangs lips sneakily curled up.
The Dimensional Sight and the resonance wave were activated by Mu Ssang.
White bone powder whipped up in the air as bright sparks exploded forth. In the blink of an eye, the huge fang took on the shape of a slick dagger. With the psychokinesis added to the mix, Mu Ssang had basically transformed into a living 3D printer.
The Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duo dazedly stared at the extraordinary display of a blade forging technique.
A stream of gentle breeze swept away the falling bone powder. The milky-white Nova in Mu Ssangs hand gleamed in this mysterious light. That performance would have made any onlookers fall head over heels.
Sun Woo Bang Na. Are you prepared to serve everyone under the heavens from the lowest position imaginable?
His weighty baritone voice rumbled on. He was following up the flashy performance with the interference wave next. No wonder Monk Dae-woo accused Mu Ssang of being a dumbass too hung up on superficial appearances.
This Sun Woo Bang Na is prepared to accept the will of the great god, sir. Sun Woo Bang Na replied loudly enough for her vocal chord to tear apart.
The name of this blade is Nova, and its real identity is a fang of a powerful dragon from ancient times. A Nova is a divine artifact meant to serve as proof that youre now part of my, the invincible Eastern Swordsmans, family.
Mu Ssang let go of Nova. The dagger leisurely crossed the empty air and gently landed on Sun Woo Bang Nas open hand.
What an incredible divine tool!
As Sun Woo Bang Na brought her hands together with Nova in her grip, an auspicious aura began gushing out of her.
Nova would be nothing more than a rare collectible to regular people, but to psychics like Sun Woo Bang Na, it was a heavenly treasure they could only drool over in their dreams.
A divine tool amplified the psychomancy powers of a psychic. This effect was more pronounced the older the tool was, since it would have accumulated more of natures ki. However, two similar tools would still demonstrate a stark difference in their effectiveness depending on the attributed deities ranks. For instance, a tool attributed to the highest-rank god, the Jade Emperor, would grant a far stronger spiritual power compared to a tool of a lower god like Janggun.
But Asura was an unmatched great god. Meanwhile, a Sarcosuchus was a dragon from over one hundred million years ago. As such, the Nova was a powerful divine artifact with no equal in the current era.
Oh, oh! I can see. I can see!
Sun Woo Bang Na suddenly began jumping up and down in excitement. It was unknown what exactly she was seeing, but her excitement easily surpassed a warriors happiness after acquiring a divine sword.
Sun Woo Ma Go. Are you willing to become stone support below the toenmaru and stepping stones in a stream of water?
Yes. I swear in the name of the deity spirit occupying this girls body, sir. Ma Go pledges to become the great gods stepping stone, blade and even hammer, sir.
In that case, receive the undefeated Eastern Swordsmans divine artifact. My divine tool.
Oh, oh! Oh, great god! Im eternally grateful.
The moment Sun Woo Ma Go received her own Nova, sparks began exploding from her hand. Her spiritual powers began reacting to Mu Ssangs own spiritual power and the weight of one hundred million years worth of time. Not wanting to drop the Nova, Ma Go gripped the dagger even tighter.
Her eyes rolled back and her whole body shuddered like a malaria patient. In less than a blink, she had entered the state of trance.
Sounds of beans popping came from Ma Gos body next. Her bent-forward back began straightening up. The back of her hand, once a spiderweb of bulging veins, became smooth and supple. Her white hair turned brown before becoming completely black.
Her yellowing teeth regained their pristine whiteness while her dark lips became redder. Deep wrinkles vanished, her facial skin becoming firm and taut. In the blink of an eye, Ma Go went back twenty years in time and reverted to an auntie in her 40s.
*
Huh. It seems that her spiritual power has been stuck at the precipice of awakening! Mu Ssang exclaimed.
It only took one drop of water for a cup filled to the brim to spill its contents. And the dagger, Nova, acted as the trigger that let power overflow in Ma Go.
The ageing process occurred when the generational change in cells got progressively slower and slower. A human being was an organic matter consisting of 270 different cell types that numbered over 60 trillion in total. Among them were the stem cells, and they were responsible for maintaining a persons appearance.
The continuous splitting of these stem cells led to the creation of new cells, which in turn caused the old cells to fall away. This process was what allowed individual organs to maintain their shapes and carry out their intended purposes. As long as the cells reproduction rate remained at a steady pace, a human would be freed from the ageing process altogether.
Some species of salamanders could regenerate their severed limbs. Lizards could do the same with their severed tails. Slice a Planarian in half, and its torso would regrow a head, while the head would generate a new torso. Such regenerative abilities were only possible due to the continuous operation of the pluripotent stem cells.
Even in humans, one could reverse the ageing process by somehow returning the pluripotent stem cells to the state similar to the embryonic stage. This causes explosive cellular division and reproduction.
When martial art experts reach the pinnacle of their art, their physical bodies would become younger. A Taoist practitioner going through an epiphany and an awakening would regain their youth. A powerful mudang, with their spiritual powers overcoming the breakthrough point, would become younger. In all of these events, ki and spiritual energy formed an important foundation.
Just like the above examples, revitalizing the exhausted stem cells would reverse the ageing process internal clock. This was pretty much the principle of Man-Ryu-Gwi-Jong. (A Buddhist term; every flow in existence will unite as one. In this case, it means all fields of studies will still give the same end result)
*
What could be a better gift to a woman than her youth? Sun Woo Ma Go confirmed her youthful appearance and immediately fell into a state of pure ecstasy. While still holding her Nova, she began dancing around madly like a lunatic.
Shed been riding jakdu and performing gut almost every single day, so it should not come as a surprise to see her jump around so proficiently like this!
Tears welled up in the eyes of Sun Woo Bang Na. Due to her daughters insufficient spiritual powers, she had been worried about sending her child to the netherworld first. But now that lingering regret had been answered, the world seemed to have become so much brighter in her eyes.
Oh, great god. I simply dont know how to repay this incredible favor youve shown us, sir.
Once the commotion died down, the mother-and-daughter duo demurely prostrated on the ground.
Dont worry too much about it. Are you two not mudangs charged with resolving the grudges and circumstances of the mundane world? As such, do not hold back and be generous with your own benevolence. Eung-Mu-So-Ju Yi-Saeng-Gi-Sim! (do not be attached to any thoughts arising in ones mind, or ones mind must be independent of thoughts arising within). Mu Ssang grinned brightly back at them.
Oh! Not wanting any compensation whatsoever! I see, a great god is great for a reason!
Sun Woo Bang Nas eyes began sparkling dangerously. The relationship between a psychic like mudang and the gods of shamanism was strictly based on the principle of give-and-take. One could not borrow spiritual abilities without repaying the corresponding price. This was the reason why Musok (Korean shamanism) could not become a widespread religion, limited to individual circumstances at play.
We swear to give our all to serve and carry out your will, oh the great god.
You two should not serve my will, but answer the call of the regular people in need.
Mu Ssang was sweating buckets at the moment, trying to maintain the dignity of the great god. This was almost like riding on a tigers back.
Sun Woo Bang Na flinched. The regular people of the mundane world are like tigers and raccoons, sir. They never think about the lack of hard work on their part and their own karma. Instead, they choose to deny and criticize the miraculous nature of the gods and spirits.
Despite their own negativity causing them to miss out on the spirits graces, they blame their failings on mudangs and resent the gods.
Sun Woo Bang Na. It seems that youre still not ready to serve from the lowest position. Imagine how frustrated they must be to seek out a mudang in the first place. A person in urgent need, a person searching for something to rely on Such people do not have any hope remaining in their hearts. Its only natural such people will complain and whine.
Do you wish for logs and boulders, not people, to come to you for gut? You should put yourself in their shoes. Remember that gods will abandon the holy men and women who are too full of pride and arrogance.
Ah! Sun Woo Bang Na let out a soft little cry before falling deep into her thoughts. Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach at the question of if she wanted logs and boulders as her clients for gut. She then bowed her head deeply. This girl wishes to become your hands and feet, great god. Please, give us your guidance!
I cant even properly control myself, so with what ability will I even guide you? It seems like youve encountered speedbumps in the business side of Musok, then?
I can only apologize, sir. Even after receiving your generous backing, the progress is at a snails pace. Sun Woo Bang Nas face reddened as she replied.
The great god had donated the massive amount of one hundred thousand Francs, yet there was not much progress to speak of.
Huh. I guess starting something anew isnt that easy, eh? Mu Ssang grinned brightly. Sure, he had supported them with quite a handsome sum, but that would not have made things easy for this duo. The nature of shamans like mudangs was strictly individualistic, after all.
Its all the fault of this girl, not knowing the worldly matters and being thoughtlessly arrogant, sir. I fear that its already too late to raise the true path of Musok in this land. Mediums have fallen to become slaves of wealth, while the regular people of the mundane world have become biased and see Musok as nothing but superstition, sir.
Mu Ssang replied, Most Musok shamans are caught in the trap of selfishness and individualism. Thats why they find it hard to accept a worldview where everyones united. They ignore the prospect of everyone taking one step together and doggedly focus on their own individual ten steps, so how can they be trusted to lead the regular people!
Youre indeed correct, sir. Its truly lamentable that they carry on treating others like tossing a rotting rope to a drowning person.
Sun Woo Ma Go, feeling a pang of guilt, sneakily hid behind her mothers back.
How pitiful. A Gutgeori (shamanesss song) could easily become a furnace that burns away all jealousy bubbling within a community, bringing out empathy and sympathy in people The greed of Musok shamans prevents them from seeing the moon. Instead, they simply stare at their own fingers, it seems.
I apologize, sir. It is all because this girl is not good enough, sir. Thats why this girl wishes to spread the path of Musok in a new world, exactly as Great Ancestor Jeon Woo-chi has told me to.
Mu Ssangs cool eyes directly stabbed into the Sun Woo Bang Na mother-and-daughter duo. Novatopias combat prowess, with the seven generals and Dino standing firm, was strong and stable. However, the problem lay with bastards like Kamuge that could be sharpening their blades in unknown places.
The sorcery of the Voodoo houngans was no joke. It was the real deal. If it was the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo, they could definitely shore up Novatopias void.
Hmm. If things always worked out like how you intended, would this world be a hellscape full of demons? Itd have become a world of love and kindness by now. Novatopia is a pantheon where Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Voodoo and the local shamanisms mingle together. As long as religion stays in the realm of religion, I shall not interfere.
Musoks advantage is that it knows how to play nice with others, as well as its high degree of empathy towards others. In my opinion, it has enough motivational force and charm to unite the pantheon. However, are your hearts ready to work together with foreigners in a primal and unforgiving land?
We shall gladly serve.
Hmm. Give me a call when youre ready to depart. Well, then. Now that thats been taken care of, what brought you here? Did Jeon Woo-chi inform you that Id be here?
Our Great Ancestor is a high-ranked god but even he dares not to sneak a peek at the itinerary of a great god, sir. This girl merely came here on a trip to verify an ominous phenomenon, sir.
Hoh-oh! Is that so? Mu Ssang asked, his interest piqued. A shaman practising the darker side of sorcery would definitely be drawn to ominous signs from a village situated near ancient tombs.
As a land under the Geum-Hwan-Nak-Ji, this village always has drawn interest from feng shui experts and mudangs since time immemorial, sir. A great person meant to lead a nation or a genius that will feed his fellow citizens should have been born, yet the reality proved to be anything but. Barbaric personages that go against the will of heavens and morals keep being born, and instead of the village becoming livelier, it has gradually fallen into dilapidation.
Oh-hoh! So, what happened? Mu Ssang lightly slapped his knee. As he thought, a gifted mudang was certainly different from all the wannabes out there.
Several people with noble hearts are traveling the width and breadth to search and eliminate the iron stakes driven deep into the ground in various locations, but the crux of the issue is not those stakes, sir.
Those cunning Japanese Onmyojis committed an atrocity by installing various formations to steal lifeforce permeating this lands pung-su veins. This girl has determined that the energy of Palgong Mountain, which should have been a site of Geum-Hwan-Nak-Ji, is being redirected elsewhere. Thats why I came to check the earths vein, sir.
The land is the origin of all life, sir. When the land becomes barren, the people living on it will face hardships, and people facing hardships will lead the country into eventual ruin, sir.
Excellent. If only our moronic politicians have half as good a heart as you, this country would not have ended up in this state. Mu Ssang replied earnestly, then smacked a shaft of tall bamboo with the blade of his hand. The shaft as thick as ones arm was sliced off cleanly.
The severed bamboo scythed through the air and stabbed deep into the ground which used to be a front yard of a house. It was right in the middle of Jang-Su-Hyeol, the spot where Monk Dae-woo had drawn a circle earlier.
No need to exhaust your energy searching for one. Its right over there.
Oh, oh! Were grateful for your guidance, oh great god. This girl will verify it and return soon.
Despite the shocking performance, the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo was not surprised in the slightest. The miracles of the great god should be subjects of awe and respect, not the subject of shock and amazement. The two mudangs descended the hill right away.
Guidance, my foot! Mu Ssang tutted softly.
His speciality was beating people up and blowing things up. He was the merchant of destruction. Without his masters input, how would he have known whether that spot was a Jang-Su-Hyeol or a rubbish hole?
Sun Woo Ma Go began circling around the Jang-Su-Hyeol. Her steps gradually gained pace until a thick dust cloud was kicked up, completely obscuring her figure.
Kee-hee-hee!
Sun Woo Ma Go dizzily circling the spot suddenly let out a bizarre cry and collapsed on the ground. Her state had changed from trance to possession just now. Even Mu Ssang would have felt dizzy after spinning around that fast.
Sun Woo Bang Na quickly held her daughters hand.
So wet!
Sun Woo Ma Gos hanbok was soaked in water. A single streak of vapor rose up from her wet hanbok.
Mu Ssang had never witnessed the performance of a real mudang before. His genuinely curious eyes greedily observed the mother-and-daughter duos actions.
The vapor rose up high into the air. Steam was also rising from Sun Woo Bang Nas head. About a dozen minutes later, the mother-and-daughter duo climbed up the hill again.
Oh, great god. Judging from the terrain, we estimate that the redirected lifeforce is heading towards the mountain in front of Daemyeong-dong. However, we could not determine the exact location, sir. Our apologies.
In Ae Won, eh? That sneaky old fart! I shouldve guessed it when he said something weird back then. Mu Ssang facepalmed.
Only now did Mu Ssang understand what the old monk meant by look after them well. When the latter said not to worry about a fire breaking out, he was not talking about the house, but the Yamanashi Collection. Monk Dae-woo already knew what was going on and had sneakily dumped the annoying work on his disciples shoulders.
This place was going to become Mu Ssangs home where hed welcome his mother. He certainly could not let the lifeforce of the land be redirected to somewhere else.
You two, you think you can destroy the Space Transfer Technique performed by Onmyojis?
Sun Woo Bang Na visibly flinched.
Chapter 519 - Episode 5 The Yamanashi Collection
Ah, the space transfer spell! Sun Woo Bang Na exclaimed in surprise.
Is it that impressive of a technique even for you?
It is the pinnacle of the lost Ying and Yang Arts. The space transfer spell is a legendary technique that binds time to a third-dimensional space, making it 4-dimensional. Take a look at that uncovered red soil. Before it was demolished by bulldozers, that soil raised an old town of a few dozen traditional houses with tiled and thatched roofs. By using the space transfer spell to fix time to when the town existed, the town will forever remain in its place as long as the barrier stays up.
Well, all that talk about dimension or space pockets wasnt complete hogwash after all.
To be specific, this spell is used to bind time rather than transfer space. The purpose of the spell is to conceal oneself but could be used to hide a large number of supplies with the help of a powerful Onmyoji. However, the pocket of space created within the space transfer spell is unstable. It needs constant protection by a barrier to be maintained.
So they use the pool of energy from the ground to maintain the barrier?
Precisely. The only prevailing truth between Heaven and Earth is time. The most powerful spells and techniques perish in its flow. This energy is the foundation of this world and represents all things positive. Because this energy was taken from them, the townspeople became depraved and had their lives shortened without their knowledge. We can take out the metal stakes that are nailed in the grounds energy points but there is no solution to the space transfer spell.
I guess thats why there were so many cancer patients and criminals in this town. Dirty work as one would expect from those nasty people. Is there a possibility that this spell is scattered all over the country like the metal stakes?
You need a Grand Onmyoji and a massive amount of supplies to create a pocket of space with the space transfer spell. The possibility is unlikely.
Thats a relief. Well, come on then!
Please wait for a bit. Let me first take care of the evil spirit hiding in the pool of energy.
Sun Woo Bang Na felt confident. She felt as if she had all the power in the world after she obtained Nova. Being a mythical object, Nova increased her spiritual energy two to three times. Her eyes, now strengthened by the energy, located the spirit.
Evil spirit? Ugh, what is it now?
Mu Ssang thought about Rousseloufe inside of him. Here, evil spirits meant spiritual entities that can exert force in the physical world. Dokkaebi is one such type of spirit and spiritual entities that are not able to exert force are called illusions. Perhaps he was destined to constantly encounter obstacles. It was just his luck for it to be so difficult to build a single house.
For every receiver, there is a sender. There is a spirit hiding in the pool of energy that is working as a catalyst between the energy and the pocket of space.
Sun Woo Bang Na started to gauge the distance going back and forth from the energy point with a magnet. Sun Woo Ma Go nervously stood on standby with the Sword of the Seven Stellar Gods in her left hand and Nova in her right.
Third is water, seventh is wood If fire is second, then earth is sixth Metal twenty-eighth, ha!
Sun Woo Bang Na struck Nova into the ground after the incantation. A strange sound came from the energy point. The ground started shaking violently. Then boom! A looming figure the size of an ox burst from the ground.
Huh, aint that something.
It was a massive figure with needle-like fur. Radiating a dark aura, its eyes were ablaze with hellfire. The very definition of an evil bear spirit.
The spirit started rushing towards Mu Ssang like the wind, scattering pebbles and dust behind him.
You! Do I look that easy to you?
A sharp shout interrupted as he was about to attack with Balsara.
How dare you, you dirty thing!
Ma Go threw the Sword of the Seven Stellar Gods without hesitation. Calculations are unnecessary when it comes to mythical weapons controlled by spiritual energy. The sword traveled with such speed that it seemed like it disappeared in a flash, only to reappear protruding through the top of the spirits head. As the spirit stood back up and was about to attack, Ma Go struck him with Nova.
With a flash, a wheel of light erupted from the mythical weapon. There was a sound similar to an exploding hot air balloon. And with the sound of hissing air, it dissipated. A pile of ash accumulated on the ground then sank beneath the earth.
Woah, she isnt a shaman. Shes an Amazoness! Mu Ssang marveled. Despite being a woman, she was bold, her attacks perfect in both timing and accuracy. Flawless execution. She was not just an ordinary shaman, but a fighter.
All sorts of thing are poppin up. What is it?
Its an Oniguma (bear spirit). Mountain Gods in Japan make bears that are centuries old do their bidding like how Mountain Gods in Korea use tigers.
Tsukinowaguma? That sounds like an insult. Those Japanese and their names. Why is it causing a ruckus over here?
Pfft! This Tsukinowaguma works like an antenna that transfers energy to the space pocket.
Sun Woo Bang Na explained while holding back laughter.
Tsukinowaguma or whatever croaked. So the pocket of space shouldve become like an unplugged refrigerator. Can space pockets collapse?
There is a medium working as a backup battery. It will hold it for a while, but it will collapse in time.
That cant happen. No, my treasure! Come on!
Mu Ssang giddily shoved the mother and daughter to the backseat and hurried over to the Social Services Building. To Mu Ssang, who experienced it all, this was just like playing another game.
Sun Woo Ma Go seemed to flinch at the entrance to the basement and took out the Five Colored Flags. She then chanted an incantation while making hand signs.
Sibangsamsae Obangjineon Simudeungeungju Bahabarabara!
There was a fluctuation in energy at the entrance to the basement. Ma Go drove the Five Colored Flags into the doorpost. A scream reverberated through the air. The scream was terrible enough to rip the souls of the weak to shreds. A cloud of blue smoke in the shape of a cat rose from the doorpost.
You wicked thing! Go back to where you came from.
Ma Go took Nova out and swung at the spirit. Poof! The smoke exploded like fireworks.
Its a Nekomata (cat spirit) that protects the barrier.
Ma Go aint no pushover.
Ma Go is the successor of Dudurisok (Tree God Faction).
Dudurisok?
A word hes never heard of.
Dudurisok is a group that has its roots in Bihyung, who became the Dokkaebi King after defeating the Spirit King Gildal back in Silla Era. Dokkaebi is a compound word between Dotgu(mortar) and abi (man). Mortar was a tool to process grains and at the same time a weapon. And abi means a healthy man. So in modern terms, Dokkaebis are Navy Seals. Ma Go transcended her limits and became the Dokkaebi Queen, master of all spiritual techniques. Japanese-made spirits like Nekomatas cant hold a candle against her.
Thats good then.
It is thanks to the increased spiritual energy and the mythical weapon. Everything is the grace of the Great God.
What grace, even gangsters give their goons weapons. Hmm, Id like to see her fight Kamuge!
Mu Ssang said with a smile on his face.
Let us proceed.
The Sun Woo Bang Na mother and daughter lead the way into the basement. The basement was still pitch black. Sun Woo Ma Go took out two bells the size of oranges and began to shake them. The bells became brighter each time they rang.
Illuminate!
The two bells stuck to the ceiling and started emitting a bluish light. Mu Ssang nodded his head. Spellcasting arts that require mediums to activate were certainly in a league beneath Ma Go.
Hmm, things have changed! Mu Ssang murmured to himself as he looked around the basement. There were ten stone pillars each about 1.5 meters glaring in red, twenty metal poles as thick as a duck egg was coated in a blurry light, and something glistening in white flowing in between them like a stream. This place was nothing short of a fantasy. Surely, the basement was empty when they locked up An Bae Tae and his crew.
The concealment spell broke when the Nekomata was defeated. Those metal poles are a medium to receive and transfer the energy to the space pocket. Its made of sterling silver, and they used streams of mercury to connect them to the stone pillars. Seems like this Onmyoji had an abundance of both spiritual energy and money.
Sun Woo Bang Na said in awe. It would have cost a fortune to install a spell like this underground.
This Yamanashi Hanzo guy was greedy to the point that he was dubbed the Money Idolizing General. Who knows what kind of corrupt acts he must have committed as the governor of Chosun (Korea 1392~1897). What are the stone pillars?
Theyre the axis that is holding up this spell.
Can you remove it physically?
Its possible with one million Kwans worth of force (4 million kg) applied at once, but the space pocket would disappear.
They made it so complicated. These stingy pricks!
Mu Ssang slowly loosened his grip from Rakshasas hilt. The spell was created with the mindset if I cant have it, then no one can. Mu Ssang shook his head at the stinginess.
My daughter and I will take care of it.
The Sun Woo Bang Na mother and daughter put down their knapsack and took out their tools one by one. A black felt hat, a red jeogori (traditional upper garment), a green skirt, a black gwaeja (traditional jacket), the Five Colored Flags (ebony, crimson, indigo, alabaster, amber), the Sword of the Seven Stellar Gods, and staves came out one after the other. They had really stuffed their bag.
Are you about to perform a Pudakgeori (exorcism)?
Yes, sir. There is an Oni (Japanese Dokkaebi) on every axis that supports this spell. You would normally have to perform a Gut (complex exorcism) to break its connection, but a Pudakgeori will be enough thanks to Nova.
Sun Woo Bang Na took out a magnet and confirmed the orientation. The flow of time between heaven and earth is ever-changing. If one were to make a mistake in calculating the time and orientation of the spell, it would just end up being a meaningless struggle.
Amongst shamanic rituals, there are Bison, Pudakgeori, and Gut. A Bison is a ritual where one shaman offers a prayer, a Pudakgeori is performed by 2~3 shamans with instruments and dance to rid of lesser spirits, and a Gut is a joint ritual with many shamans, musicians, and offerings of food and drinks.
One-on-one combats would be considered a Bison, a Pudakgeori when beaten by a couple of people, and a Gut when its an all-out group assault.
For an average shaman, the purpose of exorcism whether it be Bison, Pudakgeori, or Gut is to wish fortune for the dead and ward off evil. And the order of the ritual goes from Chungshin (calling out to the gods), Oshin (pleasing the gods), and Songshin (seeing off the gods).
Amongst shamans, those who are trained in combat and spellcasting are called monks. Monks are more specialized in warding off evil than they are in dance or music. Sun Woo Bang Na was closer to being a monk than a regular shaman. And Sun Woo Ma Go, the successor of Bihyung the Dokkaebi King, was already a monk without a doubt.
The calling of the North is water. Its authority is with ebony. Hyunmyojinwon!
Hyunmyojinwon!
Sun Woo Ma Go repeated the spell cast while planting the ebony flag to the designated spot. The flagpole made of a lightning-struck Jujube tree sunk into the pavement as if the concrete were mud.
The calling of the East is wood. Its authority is with indigo. Donginhosaeng!
Donginhosaeng!
Sun Woo Ma Go planted the indigo flag.
The calling of the South is fire. Its authority is with crimson. Sungwangbomyung!
Sungwangbomyung!
Sun Woo Ma Go planted the crimson flag.
The calling of the West is metal. Its authority is with alabaster. Chungjungyunheo!
Chungjungyunheo!
Sun Woo Ma Go planted the alabaster flag.
The calling of their intersection is earth. Its authority is with amber. Jungsangyugu!
Jungsangyugu!
Sun Woo Ma Go planted the amber flag. These two were in complete sync.
Hanin Daegilsang Daewung Daegwangmyung Pohwi Daeanjeong Chiwu Daehwiri Wangum Daeyerak! Surisuri Mahasuri Susuri Sabaha
Sun Woo Bang Na collapsed on the floor after the incantation. She was sweating buckets after spending so much spiritual power.
Pfft!
Mu Ssang almost let out a laugh. She was indeed a member of Pantheon. He did not think the words of cleansing said before prayers would be used as an incantation. The words are similar to amen or abracadabra which is often heard in Africa.
The Five Colored Flags all stiffened up at once. The amber flag at their intersection began shining. A low hum echoed throughout the basement. What seemed like a pencil-thick pillar of light grew bigger and bigger.
Eventually, the pillar of light grew to the thickness of an arm and began to pulsate. A massive amount of energy could be felt. Sun Woo Bang Na pointed to the first metal pole to their left with Nova.
Go forth!
The pillar of light enveloped the metal pole. and with a hiss, the metal pole disintegrated like sand and poured onto the floor. A monster with a horn on the crown of its head appeared from where the metal pole used to be.
Huh, its a Japanese Dokkaebi (Oni) like the ones in the picture books I read as a kid, Mu Ssang remarked, bemused. It was a textbook Japanese Oni with a single horn and a spiked metal bat. As a little kid, Mu Ssang thought that all Dokkaebi looked like that. This imagery was a testament to the failing education system. The monster lunged at Sun Woo Bang Na. She avoided the attack with ease and the metal bat struck the ground. And with a boom, sparks flew everywhere.
Ho! It has physical force!
Ma Go leapt in front of the surprised Mu Ssang while brandishing Nova. While leaving behind a trail resembling a halo, she split the Oni in two. Soon after, the Oni burst like a balloon with an audible pop.
As expected of the Dokkaebi Queen the Bihyungs successor!
An Oni is a formidable spirit, but it seems it wasnt a problem for my daughter, said Sunwoo Bangna, slightly boastful.
Oni is another word for sewage gunk.
Mu Ssang did not really care whether evil spirits or Oni popped up. These lesser spirits were insignificant compared to the real monsters created by Rousseloufe or Kamuge, which were monsters genetically altered and enhanced with sorcery.
Fufufu, the word Oni is used to describe all Japanese spirits.
Sun Woo Bang Na chortled at his awful dad joke.. He was young, but the Avatar of the Great God was certainly quite different from the rest.
Chapter 520 - Episode 6 The Yamanashi Collection
Being relaxed was the privilege of the strong. After having their fill, lions would leave the rest of the hunted prey to wild dogs and hyenas, then leisurely stroll away.
On the other hand, wild dogs, hyenas and leopards would never hand over any part of their hunted prey to other predators. Even after gorging themselves silly, they would either hide the remainder of the prey or drag it back to their nests. That was because they had no guarantee of successfully subduing another prey next time.
The damaged Yin-Yang formation began resisting like a living lifeform.
With a buzzing sound, the metallic pole began discharging electricity. An opaque barrier enveloped the pole and the stone tower.
Kiii-yo-oht! Ma Go cried out while swinging her Nova. A crescent streak of light flashed during flight, easily slicing apart the opaque barrier.
Be gone!
Sun Woo Bang Na did not miss the opening and struck the metal pole by guiding the Five Flags Killing Formations pillar of light.
The metal pole cracked and disintegrated. Out of nowhere, an Oni jumped out and tried to pounce on Mu Ssang. But Ma Go swung her Nova once more. The Oni, split apart in half by the spirit sword, was extinguished without even putting up a decent fight.
The Yin-Yang formation was a collection of forms that connected the metal poles with mercury, allowing it to serve as the energy medium to create various formations. The formation that could easily withstand the power of breakers or 27 tons of excavators crumbled to nothing under the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duos spiritual powers.
But Nova was the real reason why Yin-Yang formation could not even resist and was destroyed to bits. Just like how you would defend against invading viruses with vaccines, the greatly-amplified foreign spiritual power severed the connecting spiritual chains of the formations. That prevented the formations from exhibiting their original power. The Onmyoji responsible for setting up this formation must be rolling in his grave right about now.
The air-raid shelter was filled with flashing lights, roars, and the death throes of Onis in their final moments of extinguishment. By then, Mu Ssang had already settled down comfortably to enjoy the spectacle of Korean mudangs performing exorcism.
*
Less than one hour later, all twenty metal poles acting as the axis for the Yin-Yang formation crumbled to nothing.
The space twisted and writhed; the stone tower began vanishing as if it was getting sucked into the empty space. It was the final struggle of the Yin-Yang formation set up to protect the separate space.
With a rumbling sound, the building began shaking around and pieces of cement started falling from the ceiling. Mu Ssang snatched up Rakshasas handle.
Rakshasa spun around in the air, gaining momentum in the process.
Sun Woo Bang Na urgently shouted while pointing at the stone tower disappearing into the empty space. Oh, great spirit! Please evacuate! Its too dangerou Ack?!
Even before she could finish, the ceiling several dozen square meters wide began falling on top of her. Her shout ended in a scream instead.
Ack! Save us, great spirit!
Ma Gos eyes were glazed in terror. Even the most fearless Amazoness could not help but reveal her timid nature when a danger she could not deal with manifested itself.
The area around 20 meters wide went under Rakshasas control. The supersonic storm quickly swallowed the falling ceiling. The huge slab of concrete shattered and turned into powder.
Rakshasa began lumping all the chalky dust like a dough being rolled around inside a wooden bowl.
With a loud boom, the huge cement rice ball cake crashed into a corner of the basement. This jaw-dropping performance left both Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo utterly speechless. Without a doubt, the avatar of the great spirit was on a different level compared to them.
Those sons of a b*tch. Underhanded right until the end, huh. Mu Ssang gritted his teeth while looking up at the 7 to 8 meter wide hole in the ceiling.
The bastards had placed the trap on the ceiling, designed to crash down if the seal had been forcibly broken. This was why he simply could not view the Japanese favorably.
Shu-shu-shu
In the meantime, the final stone tower disappeared into the empty space. Even the basement stopped shaking around.
Light bright enough to be blinding suddenly exploded.
Woah!
Mu Ssang rubbed his eyes. A new space, a pitch-black hole, revealed itself in front of the three explorers. It was a staircase going further down.
A staircase appearing out of nowhere didnt stun Mu Ssang, but the fact that he failed to notice it in the first place, did. He was shocked by the realization that a formation good enough to fool his senses existed out there.
As expected, one should not get too cocky about worldly matters. Without the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo, Mu Ssang would not have had a way to deal with any of these issues unless he begged his master to come along. Obviously, Master would not have been interested in a treasure hunt as he had detached himself from the mundane world.
*
Oh, great spirit. We do not sense any spiritual power. All seals have been undone, sir.
Wasnt much, then. In that case, shall we take a gander at how amazing the Yamanashi Collection really is?
Mu Ssang leisurely walked down the staircase, his hands resting behind his back. When the trio walked down the steps of uneven heights, they were greeted by a pitch-black steel door stubbornly denying all visitors.
He lightly knocked on it with his fist and got hollow echoing noises in return. It seemed like it was a normal fire door.
Vajra was not needed to break down most steel doors. The Billion Water Armor began tearing into the steel like it was ripping into pieces of paper. Mu Ssangs perfectly-shaped muscles, reminiscent of Manila hemps tautly twisted together, rippled and writhed.
The steel door was cleanly ripped off the hinges.
Oh, my!
Goodness me!
The eyes of the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo became dreamy. A young, virile and strong male was all females ideal partner. Wven if one deployed all sorts of sophisticated vocabulary to dress it up, a females degree of interest always placed a certain degree of emphasis on the sexual charm of their potential partner.
Even if the woman in question was old, she was still a woman, and an attractive man was still a man. Anyone who looked down on the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo just because they felt ecstasy from a males scent probably had no clue about real life.
A massive whip dissolving a slab of concrete several tons in weight actually did not leave much of a lasting impression. Any miracle surpassing the range of humans cognitive ability would no longer seem like an act of man but that of a god, thats why.
Mu Ssang felt this chilly feeling pricking his back. Although the two women looked thirty-something, they were still grandmas, one in her eighties while the other in her sixties. Was it really okay for grandmas to spit out such coquettish voices as if they were young girls? Unfortunately, Mu Ssang did not have enough years under his belt to understand women and life itself.
*
Once they kicked the steel door down and stepped inside, a space at least ten times bigger than the basement above greeted the visitors. But there did not seem to be any notable facilities down here.
On one corner was a mountain-like pile of field beds and blankets, along with neatly-organized stacks of outdoor lamps (oil lamps with glass to keep winds out) and jerry cans. Was it because time had stopped flowing here? All items were spotless as if they were brand-new.
An air-raid shelter, is it?
There was no doubt that this was a raid shelter built during the war in the Pacific. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, sensing their imminent defeat near the end of the war, began constructing shelters even on Joseons territory.
Ma Go lit up the wick of one of the outdoor lamps. The unpleasant smell of kerosene spread around, chasing the darkness away in a sphere. Never mind the Yamanashi Collection, they could not even spot a single piece of broken porcelain.
But the combination of Mu Ssangs Dimensional Sight and the resonance wave was one of the best skills out there to search for hidden items.
The resonance wave began tickling past all the walls, the pillars and the floor like some kind of a mine detector.
How can the actions of all of these sneaky bastards be this similar, I wonder! Mu Ssang muttered as the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
The brick wall behind Sun Woo Ma Go was hiding something that boasted a different density from the rest.
Ma Go, step aside!
Shu-shu-shu!
A transparent layer overlaid on Mu Ssangs hand. The blade of his hand pierced through the bricks as if it were soft tofu.
Mu Ssang felt a strong resistance from the tip of his hand. As expected, the other side of the brick wall was steel. While keeping his hand buried in the wall, he powerfully yanked it down. The brick wall noisily cracked and crumbled down. A steel door gleaming in inky darkness revealed itself.
Oh, my goodness!
Ma Gos eyes opened wide. She had already scanned every inch of this wall with her spiritual eye. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that someone would hide a steel door by bricking up an entire wall.
Narrow-minded bastards. Acting as exactly as they look, huh!
This sort of concealment matched the typical personalities of the Japanese. After building an air-raid shelter below a basement, they disguised a secret area with a brick wall and even went as far as hiding the entire space with the Space Transfer Technique.
Mu Ssang yanked the rest of the brick wall with his Billion Water Armor. The broken bricks tumbled down to reveal the entirety of the steel door. Three padlocks even bigger than a persons head now stood in his way. Obviously, he did not have the keys.
He tried to check the thickness of the door by banging on it.
A rather weighty noise came back to him. The door must have been over 200mm thick.
Mu Ssang initially wanted to send his resonance wave to the Billion Water Armor and tear the door down, but quickly revised his plan. According to adventure or fantasy novels, the main characters entering secret bases or dungeons inexplicably let down their guards or made mistakes at the last hurdle. As a result, traps would activate and those poor characters had to go through hell and back C something they could have avoided in the first place.
Mu Ssang hated anything that was annoying. He inserted his Vajra through the doors gap, then simply chopped downward.
The bolts were cut down without any resistance. Mu Ssang looked behind and smirked. The Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo raised their arms up high and made heart signs above their heads. Showing off ones strength seemed a bit childish, but it was in a mans instincts to do so regardless.
The weighty steel door two handspans thick was forcibly opened wide. The air from the space locked up for the past forty years rushed out. However, rather than an unpleasant moldy odor, they were greeted by a pleasant scent caressing their noses.
Huh! Now thats amazing!
Their jaws dropped. The interior space seemed to be around 330-meter squares. Rows of 5-tier shelves made out of juniper trees stood tall, each shelf filled with wooden boxes of varying sizes.
Even in a cursory glance, there had to be over two thousand boxes stored on the shelves. Boxes on the floor were probably in their hundreds too. You did not have to be a genius to figure out what happened here: the Japanese had packed these treasures to ship them off to Japan, only to fail at the last stage.
Oh my goodness!
Goodness me!
The Sun Woo mother-and-daughter gasped out in pure shock. They had no idea that the separated space was hiding such an incredible secret. Now they understood why the great spirit chose to interject personally in this matter.
Oh, lord great spirit, you have struck gold, sir. Congratulations.
No, these are not my things. They are the blood, sweat and tears of this land.
This girl was thoughtless. Please forgive us. Sun Woo Bang Na lowered her head.
But Ma Go hurriedly raised an objection. But great spirit! If you have not recovered them like this, these treasures wouldve been lost to time forever or claimed by the Japanese, sir. As such, they should obviously be your property now!
There is a verse in the Analects of Confucius: Gyeon-Ri-Sa-Ui (The man who, in view of gain, thinks of righteousness).
Just because you have a lot of wealth, it does not mean you should have feasts ten times a day or live for hundreds of years. Having too much property is actually a lot of work and can even be agonizing. True wealth wealth doesnt belong to one, but already have their uses set in stone.
Even so, you worked so hard to earn these, oh great spirit
Ma Go could not let go of her lingering afterthoughts.
Hahaha. If its the issue of money, I already have a ton of it rotting away in my bank account. Its fine. Shall we confirm whether they are real treasures or not first?
Mu Ssang opened the very first box he could grab. He got rid of the wax seal and opened the lid to reveal a celadon incense burner about 20cm tall, surrounded by wood chips as fillers. The porcelain boasted the pristine jade hue, with the upper part shaped like a lotus bud supported by four turtles.
Even to the eyes of an amateur like him, this incense burner emitting a pristine, perfect jade hue was clearly something else.
Sun Woo Bang Na, can you take a gander at this item?
I shall obey, sir. Sun Woo Bang Na replied, then held the incense burner with both hands while closing her eyes.
A psychic was someone that connected the past, present and future. As far as the ability to determine an objects history was concerned, no other spiritualist types came close to them.
Uh-huh Geopsal, Jaesal, Cheonsal, Jisal, Nyeonsal, Wolsal, Mangsinsal, Jangseongsal, Banansal, Yeokmasal, Yukhaesal, Hwagaesal, all of you mischievous demons and phantoms, be gone! Uh-huh-ee! Even you, Seo Dap-chan and the little punk thats not even old enough yet, disappear, now!
Let us ask the gods of travellers and housekeeping. Uh-huh! It sure is an aged item, isnt it! The soil from the south and lumber from the north came together 675 years ago. You are being taken to the ruler of the land. Then, a strong man bearing a sword has acquired you.
And now, you enter beyond the walls of Hanyang. Gat-wearing (a bamboo hat worn by men in the Joseon era) punks are busy exchanging you. Huh, now youre in Andong Hahoe Village. Two policemen with daggers stuck to the ends of their guns are entering the living room. Aigoo, how pitiful! A nobleman wearing a gat kisses the ground after a butt plate hits him.
And an old baldy monk wearing a Buddhist monk robe grins like a fool after getting his hands on the incense burner. Uh-huh! You sure do have many stories to tell, dont you.
Sun Woo Bang Na continued to recite the history of the incense burner.
Ooh! A jackpot, it is! Mu Ssang loudly clapped his hands.
A single Goryeo celadon would easily exchange hands for tens of millions of dollars in auctions held by the Sothebys or Christies. And thanks to Abe Nobuyuki sealing the storage with the Space Transfer Technique, the state of the stored articles was top-notch.
You could ask for any price you want on a perfectly-preserved antique with history behind it. As the corner of his lips curled up ever so slightly, Mu Ssang sneakily stole a glance at the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo. Their abilities were absolutely necessary for this matter.
Woken up from her immersion because of Mu Ssangs clapping, Sun Woo Bang Na deeply bowed her head. This greenware has been created 675 years ago in a kiln overlooking the ocean, sir. The Japanese policemen robbed it at gunpoint while muttering something about debt. As for the precise location of its creation, it should be easy enough to locate by comparing the result from the thoughtography to a map, sir.
Oh? I guess itll fetch a pretty handsome sum, then! Mu Ssangs lips widened in a huge grin.
Of course, sir. Just putting a handful of these items in an auction would
Mu Ssang glanced at Ma Go, his lips still smirking away. Its not fulfilling enough to just bring home all the cultural works of art stolen from us, so we certainly cannot let these leave the country, now can we?
In that case, what do you mean by fetching a handsome sum, sir?
Ill get a local expert to appraise some of these and hand them over to the government at a reasonable price.
Aigoo! Lord great spirit, youre being too na?ve in this matter, sir! Itll already be a huge relief if they dont accuse you of being a graverobber and throw you in prison. Sun Woo Bang Na jumped up in alarm.
Even if things worked out in their favor, they would only receive a pittance as the so-called reward while the treasure would end up in the storage of the Cultural Heritage Administration.
Sun Woo Bang Na thought that the young master was too pure and na?ve, but she was dead wrong. Mu Ssang was a sly merchant who had experienced all sorts of ups and downs by now.
Hehehe~, well, we shall see. For now, why dont we take a look at a few more?
Mu Ssang knew better than anyone that the boundary between fair and unfair laws wholly depended on the power of the individual said laws were applied to. He was someone who could change the rules if he did not like where things were going, after all.
*
More celadons, white porcelain, bronzewares, weapons and household items, along with scrolls of paintings and valuable books flooded out from a few other boxes the trio chose to check out.
According to the appraisal by the Sun Woo mother-and-daughter duo, countless many of the treasures hailed from the Goryeo and the Three Kingdoms eras. There was no point in investigating any further C this place was definitely the storage containing Yamanashi Hanzos treasure collection.
During the Japanese Occupation of the Korean peninsula, the Japanese collected Korean cultural works of art through any means possible C such as graverobbing, illegal seizure, or simply buying them off. Unaware Koreans that had no clue about the true worth of these works of art were easy targets for the collectors and dealers.
But then again, plenty of turncoat bureaucrats willingly assisted the collection efforts of the Japanese in charge too. And many small-time criminals robbed graves and temples of their valuable antiques to sell to the Japanese as well. It was only natural for the true colors of people to be revealed when their country was facing adversity.
The top of the Japanese collector/dealer foodchain was occupied by Ogura Takenoske and Yamanashi Hanzo. The defeat of the Japanese in the WW2s Pacific theater led to a period of confusion by the American forces. Ogura, boasting super-quick wits, seized this confusion to smuggle his collected treasure to Japan.
The Ogura Collection reputedly boasted over 1,000 items but the Korean government could not even confirm the current status.
As for Yamanashi He was embroiled in a corruption scandal and lost his chance to smuggle his collection out of Korea. Over the ensuing decades, many discussed whether the collection was real or not, some even raising a bit of grief over it.
And somehow, through a series of circumstances and a twist of fate, the secretive Yamanashi Collection ended up in Mu Ssangs hands.. Whether the world was at peace or going through turmoil, the lucky bastard would still strike it rich while the unlucky would always be a loser.
Chapter 521 - Episode 7 The Yamanashi Collection
Yamanashi Hanzo, Abe Nobuyuki. Thanks a lot for looking after Koreas cultural heritage so well. This boy will take good care of them from now on, okay? Oh, and Ill make sure to pay a visit to your descendants and give them my regards later too. A few well-placed punches might do it, dont you agree?
Besides, dang it. My teacher sure does know his stuff, alright. No matter how much this invincible Eastern Swordsman boasts about his greatness, hes still nothing but Sun Wukong dancing around in an old monks palm, isnt he?
The quantity and quality of the Yamanashi collection were so stupendous that even Mu Ssang ended up humming some nonsense to himself.
Some time ago, he tried to recover a handful of Korean cultural assets back in France only to get laughed out of the room. He was blushing beet-red while bringing up the Korean governments feeble policy towards its own cultural assets and the level of a Koreans awareness on the subject matter.
If Governor Yamanashi had not gone to such great lengths to collect these artifacts, and if Abe had not concealed them so thoroughly, then all these important cultural assets would have vanished into the ether like someones sneaky fart. Just thinking about that possibility nearly made Mu Ssang faint on the spot.
If thousands of national treasure-tier cultural assets had been smuggled to Japan, then never mind lamenting over it, there would not be any chance to retrieve it.
Mu Ssang also received a bonus on top; once Sun Woo Bang Na read the antiques history, they would get to find out the identity of the pro-Japanese traitors who dared to hand over their own cultural heritage. It was only right that their estates, acquired as the reward for being so pro-Japanese, was robbed off their hands as their just desserts.
Hehehe~! Theres no such thing as free lunch in this world, now is there? Since you two acquired some spiritual powers, its time for a bit of volunteer service.
Mu Ssang glanced back at Sun Woo Bang Na, a strange grin hanging on his lips. Until then, she had been utterly arrested by the sight of a gorgeous formal dress fit for an empress, but his nasty grin jolted her to her senses.
Her spiritual powers befitting a powerful mudang detected an ominous foreboding just then. But not even the god residing in her, Jeon Woo-chi, could have guessed the prospect of hard labor in store for her C locked up in a basement for five months, doing nothing but identifying antiques and detailing their histories.
*
Oh, great god, I found gold, sir! Ma Go shouted from deeper inside the storage.
Gold? Gold is just gold, isnt it? Mu Ssang replied disinterestedly. Why should he care about a few pieces of gold when national treasure-tier cultural assets were strewn about practically everywhere?
There are quite a few in here, sir. Please come and confirm it for yourself.
Of course, no one would ignore free gold on hand. Mu Ssang leisurely strolled towards the deeper section of the storage, his hands resting behind his back. A trapezoidal object in Ma Gos hand gleamed in the golden hue under the lamps light.
The engraved Japanese letters Showa 15-nen (1940 A.D.) and 3,000g were still clearly visible on the bullions surface. Inside the exquisite wooden chest were ten rhombic bullions, each weighing 3kg. And there were 120 chests of equal sizes carefully piled up in this location.
Heol! Why the hell are there so many of them?! Aha, this was supposed to be the military funds for the Japanese, wasnt it?
Mu Ssangs lips widened in a huge grin. There had been rumors about the Japanese Imperial Headquarters stashing military funds in Samjiyeon, Gunsan and Daegu after sensing their imminent defeat in the war. And one of those rumors proved to be true.
[Hehehe, itll be better for you to give up now. Its impossible for you to kill all these people and hide their bodies. And once people start arriving from our main family, this whole place will be utterly destroyed. Kids will be the first to disappear.]
Mu Ssang recalled the face of Abe Asotaro busy spewing venom while his rat-like eyes darted about.
Hmm, even that punk Abe did have his uses, didnt he? Feels like I should pay a visit to the JSDFs top brass and express my gratitude or something
The corners of Mu Ssangs lips sneakily curled up. If it were not for Abe Asotaro making that threat, he would not have bought In Ae Won in the first place. That punk happened to be the grandson of Abe Nobuyuki, the 9th governor-general of Korea.
Mu Ssang felt like ten years of pent-up frustration wash away after thinking about the Abe family going nuts over their desire to recover the Yamanashi Collection. If only that idiot Abe did not threaten the lives of young children C he would not have ended up as a slave in Africa.
*
Mu Ssangs dislike of Japan and the Japanese people was somewhat harsher than what most Koreans thought about their neighbors. Just like how a person needed to have humanity if they wanted to live like a human being, a nation needed to have national dignity if it wanted to stand tall as a nation. In Mu Ssangs view, Japan lacked that national dignity.
He wasnt being salty about Japan occupying Korea for 36 years. The law existed as the final bastion in personal and societal affairs but in the affairs of nations, a nations strength reigned supreme. The possibility of wars between nations breaking was ever-present, and if a nations strength was weak, it could end up being colonized by others. The crux of the matter here was national dignity.
It was not that only a small portion of the population acted illogically. Rather, the entire nation of Japan itself acted like a madman. Just reading about or listening to a handful of Japans past should be enough to make most people nod their heads.
The past century or so for Japan was a period of collective madness. From the Sino-Japanese War onwards, millions of young men were thrust into grim battlefields under the pretext of patriotism and loyalty. From the middle of the Manchurian plain to the islands in the Pacific, these young men died from starvation and diseases.
A nation that forcibly dragged young kids who had not even hit puberty to war zones just to use them as sex slaves. A nation that refused to give rights to vote to the settlers from other nations even though they were forcibly dragged to Japan. A nation that still allows the mug of Ito Hirobumi to grace the highest-denomination currency in circulation. All those Joseon citizens were forcibly imprisoned. A nation that proudly tried to register the Battleship Island (also known as Hashima, infamous for its hellish mines) as a world cultural heritage site, even though blood and resentment of forcibly-drafted Chinese labourers soaked that entire island
Japan was that kind of a nation.
It did not stop there; Japan also acted wickedly toward its own citizens all the time. The conscripted members of the so-called comfort women during the wartime did not just include the Joseon women, but the Japanese too. And it was also Japan that coerced its own pilots to perform suicide attacks after filling the Zero fighters with only enough fuel for a one-way trip.
The act of seppuku (suicide by disembowelment) by the Japanese novelist Mishima Yukio, which happened post-war, laid bare exactly what kind of a nation Japan was. On that day in 1970, Mishima Yukio and four of his followers took over the Japanese Self-Defense Force headquarters and declared thus:
[The ones maintaining the soul of Japan are the Self-Defense Force. The act of protecting Japan means youre protecting its blood and its culture, its tradition. Youre all samurais. Why do you protect a constitution that denies what you are? Is there anyone else who wishes to follow me?!]
After his speech, Mishima Yukio slit open his own stomach with a dagger. His follower, a man named Morida, then beheaded him with a sword.
The media and the politicians dressed up his gruesome final act as something to admire, a role model for all to follow. His fame as a novelist shot through the heavens afterwards. Japan was the kind of country that went crazy over a lunatic like Mishima Yukio.
China also did many unspeakable acts in the Korean peninsula, but its misdeeds were practically buried and overlooked by the cruel and truly wicked deeds of the Japanese. To put it another way, you could forget about the guy punching you in the face, but you could never, ever forget the bastard that tore off your skin and poured salt on your wounds.
There was no statute of limitation on clearing up the bad history. The Japanese politicians and its media would argue that it was time to bury the hatchet, which only worsened international strife, and move on to a better future together. But that was simply sophistry.
The present was a bridge connecting the past and the future. The present could only learn from the past, so how could anyone suggest burying and forgetting the past?
Some people would say that there were quite a few pro-Korean politicians currently working in the Japanese government, but that was just wishful thinking. The majority of Japanese politicians, media personnel and academics still had not let go of the insidious dream of the so-called Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
As for the so-called pro-Korean faction, they simply had a bit of sympathy in them, willing to toss some pieces of bread at their less fortunate neighbors. But if Korea grew to the point of threatening Japan, they would immediately start throwing rocks.
Japan as a nation did not possess that national dignity. As long as something benefited themselves, they did not give a rats ass about causing pain and suffering to other nations. This was the reason why Mu Ssang was deeply wary about the frequent meetings between the Japanese Naicho (the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office) and CIAs Special Activities Division.
*
Oh, great god. How much do you think this item will fetch? Ma Go asked with a trembling voice.
She had the issue of trying to slander the remains of the great gods father after measly little two million Won managed to blind her. Even though she had let go of her greed, the attraction of the gleaming gold bar still proved to be quite strong.
Mu Ssang was abruptly brought back to Earth by her question and quickly began calculating in his head. 120 chests, each weighing 30kg, would mean 3,600kg in total. The London gold exchange put the price of gold at $360 per ounce in 1985. One kilogram was around 12 million Won in the international market price or 18 million in the Korean market price.
He had not even done much, yet an amount of 64.8 billion Won just fell from the heavens and landed on his laps. Actually, it was more like Abe Nobuyuki had politely yielded everything over to him on a silver plate.
Its around 65 billion Won, Mu Ssang replied in a disinterested voice.
The rule of marginal utility also applied to gold; 64.8 billion Won was definitely no pocket change, but Mu Ssang had been handling big numbers recently and this amount failed to shock him at all. Besides, wealth within ones sensible range would be seen as good but wealth that was exorbitant was nothing but trouble.
Man Whats up with my luck here? Ive been trying my hardest to spend money, but more and more keeps piling up in front of me! Mu Ssang unhesitantly spat out some drivel that would have incurred the wrath of even the kindest of folks.
The thread of fate certainly was mysterious, was it not? He met Hyung Dong in the Daedeok restaurant, which led to beating up Abe and his gang while they trying to burn down In Ae Won, then after taking pity on the children there, Mu Ssang bought the place. He gave Monk Beom Woo twenty million Won, twice the market rate, so that the monk could buy an even better place for the kids. That twenty million returned as a profit thousand of times larger.
Oh, lord great god W-what should we do about all these gold, sir? Ma Go, clearly overwhelmed by the number, began worrying about needless things.
Mu Ssang replied, Someone once said that making money is a technique, but spending money is an art. Plenty of people out there cant escape from the shadow of the world through their own efforts alone.
There are orphans. Some old people cant rest yet and need to carry on. And there are too many children wasting away as factory workers. For all those struggling for their lives in dirt, and all those falling behind and discarded by society itself Im thinking of creating a shelter where they can prepare for a second lease of life.
With all this treasure, sir? But its been said that not even the nation can save a person from poverty, sir.
Mu Ssang wordlessly stared at Ma Go. This woman could have become a huge deal as long as she discarded her worldly desires. But she could not let go of that one desire, and it was blocking her progress. The process of awakening, having an epiphany, was not as simple as being logical and understanding what was right or wrong.
Ma Go, that saying is nothing but a contemptible excuse made by politicians deeply stained by their greed. Nothing in this world truly belongs to you. Wealth stays with you or flows to someone else depending on fate. Do you just sit on all the accumulated spiritual power and do nothing with it? Of course not, you use your accumulated power to help undo the troubles of the mundane people, dont you?
A teacher spreads his knowledge to his students. Wealth is like that. Whether you have a lot of it or pitifully little, wealth is something given away by someone who has it to someone who doesnt.
Ma Go gasped in dizziness as if a lightning bolt had struck her.
The words of the great god shook her sixty years of life right down to its roots. Ma Go plopped down on the spot and fell into a state of contemplation.
Sun Woo Bang Nas face brightened into a deep red hue.
*
Mu Ssang felt troubled. Now that the separated space had been undone, humidity and the temperate changes would soon start affecting these antiques. Not only did he not have anywhere suitable to move these things to, trying to move thousands of boxes would also be quite an undertaking. The only method he could think of was to close this place up again, then build a new storage area in Bullo-dong, his new home.
Sun Woo Bang Na, can you install a formation or a barrier that can maintain the temperature and humidity?
My apologies, oh great god. I do not know such a technique. But if its a barrier that can hide the building or defend against intruders, then yes, I can do it, sir.
Good. Install the barrier right away to hide this basement, then temporarily move your residence to In Ae Won. Before leaving for Novatopia, you two will stay here and record the histories of these antiques. Compile the list of the pro-Japanese collaborators while youre at it too.
Euk?! Y-you mean, every one of these, sir? Sun Woo Bang Nas expression crumpled instantly.
Even if she worked together with her daughter, they would have to stay cooped up in here for the next six months, pouring out every dollop of their spiritual powers until they bled from their nostrils.
She had been looking forward to an opportunity to show off her enhanced spiritual power, but now, she faced the unenviable prospect of overworking herself to death in some basement. The joy of discovering her countrys lost cultural heritage cooled off in no time.
Whats wrong? Dont want to?
N-no, sir. Of course not. What a worthy task this is, dont you agree! This girl is happy, sir. Yes, shes Really happy, Sun Woo Bang Na replied while shedding cold sweat. The great god treated her without worrying about ones status and that made her temporarily forget about her position.
But Ma Go was grinning from ear to ear. Even if the great god told her, Make me a needle by shaving down that metal club! she would have believed that she fully enjoyed the process.
*
Gamulchi (Mu Ssangs bike) entered a narrow alleyway flanked by houses with tiles, slabs and slates as their roofs.
Huh? These punks are still digging up the road whenever they want!
Only last year, the alleyway had been paved with stones, yet it was now in a state of total disrepair. The act of refurbishing a perfectly-fine road just to receive extra budget had not changed, it seemed. Left with no choice, Mu Ssang parked his bike by the road.
Mu Ssang pushed open the pitch-black twig door by the stone wall. It was covered in the dirt of passing time. He did not sense any presence inside the house. He could not even sense that old lady either, the one who would usually blink her swollen eyes and ask, Oh, Jin-soons man is home?
But she should be home from work by now Mm?
He finally sensed a persons presence in the backyard. But when he got there, Mu Ssang had to hold his breath. The presence belonged to Jin-soon wearing a white jeoksam (a traditional Korean unlined summer jacket for ladies) and a skirt weaved out of ramie fabric. Thanks to her slim figure, the hanbok suited her so well.
Below the stone wall with ivy and muscadine vines clinging on was a small dining table with cabrioles. On this table were a bundle of mistletoe and a bowl of purified water. Jin-soon sounded like a mudang performing a rite to welcome a home-keeping god as she began talking to herself.
[Oh, my beloved. You leave, you leave, you leave again and depart again. How can our meeting be this brief yet the goodbyes be this achingly long? Youre on the other side of Earth, yet Im here.
Im not afraid of the distant and rough road, but I fear my dear will be troubled. Should I entrust my heart to the winds or the waves and send it to him?
The mistletoes fruits ripen, yet my heart remains empty. Even though butterflies flock when flowers bloom, and mountain birds fly in when the mistletoes fruits ripen Even though my heart has ripened so much, my cruel beloved doesnt spare me a glance.
Even if the ass has widened, my beloved still doesnt know how to pound it. Fine. Do what you want. Do you know about the mistletoe and a tree? You better prepare yourself. Just like how a mistletoe buries its roots, Ill stick my straw in you and fill the remaining years with unprecedented nagging]
What?! Im f*cked!
Mu Ssang sucked in a cold breath. Her lengthy monologue started fine, but it only became more twisted as it carried on. He felt his back go cold by Jin-soons firm resolve made with the mistletoe and a bowl of purified water.
Buddha said that there were four good wife types in this world. One, a mother-like wife; two, a sister-like wife; three, a friend-like wife; four, a servant-like wife. None of those types included a wife who swore to dig her roots and nag you to death though!
That thing about the mistletoe and a tree was something he told Jin-soon last winter. Mistletoe was an evergreen shrub, meaning it remained green all year round. Its leaves fell in the winter and that made it look withered, and that was why this plant signified chastity and fidelity.
A mistletoes pair was already decided; Taxillus yadoriki only grew on oak trees, while Korthalsella japonica only grew on camellia trees. It was the same story for mistletoes growing on chestnut trees, alder trees and birches. That is why mistletoes are usually compared to a compatible couple.
However, a young tree could wither and die from having too much of its nutrients sucked out by the mistletoe. The mistletoe responsible would die, too. That was why the plant signified a couple growing old together. It was also the reason why one asked for their partners hand in marriage under the mistletoe in Western European countries like France and Germany.
Of course, this was nothing more than humans arbitrary interpretation.
Chapter 522 - 9 Episode 1 Affection Over Love
Not wanting to be discovered, Mu Ssang employed the One with Nature technique to slip out of there in silence.
Socrates once said that meeting a good wife was happiness, but meeting a queen-of-nagging wife will turn you into a philosopher instead. How bad must it have been for a great scholar like him to make a remark belonging to the category of moral victory?!
While slipping out of the alleyway, Mu Ssang racked his brain hard enough to nearly fry his synapses. He wanted to live a happy life and definitely did not want to end up as a philosopher. But, by failing to appease Jin-soons mood, he could morph from Dubaiburupa to a philosopher whether he wanted to or not.
Jin-soon was a typical example of a so-called iron hand in a velvet glove in both mind and body. Any man meeting Jin-soon for the first time would be surprised by her superb body and facial features, but also by her Janus-like personality.
Just staring at Jin-soons figure was good enough to purify ones eyes; youd get surprised by her round hips supported by those slender ankles, then surprised again by her voluminous chest supported by her slender waist, and then finally get surprised once more by her open and friendly face supported by her slender neck.
Jin-soon was basically a female Buddhist saint. She just could not ignore others hardships. She might haggle in a department store, but would never do that in traditional backstreet markets. She did not even frown or wince while taking care of the excrements of her patients too.
She considered the viewpoints of others first, and you could easily sense her kindness in every word she saidso much so that patients under her care called her the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
Jin-soon was also broad-minded. Even if something hurt her, she would shake it off soon after. If the other party apologized first, she would forgive them right away. If her junior in school or from work called her for help, Jin-soon would head out to pay for the drinks even if it was middle of the night.
Jin-soon was tenacious and could be stubborn too. A young lady with a killer figure and a friendly face was also blessed with a nice personality. Unfortunately, such a thing was also a magnet for maggots. When those maggots dared to cross the line, the Buddhist Goddess would transform into Medusa in an instant.
A guy who could not take a hint would get his crown jewels done in by a front kick, and then a Judo throw would ensure that he kiss the ground. An armbar would then break his arm. If she were royally pissed off by him, she would even pay a visit to his lecture hall and boarding house to beat the living daylights out of the idiot.
Jin-soon was born with strong bones, and on top of that, she had the resonance wave that washed her marrows. She even learned self-defense technique too. Any men marked for death by Jin-soon would have to choose between begging for mercy or hiding until the end of their days.
From their single-digit ages, Mu Ssang and Jin-soon went through all sorts of ups and downs like a married couple. If Jin-soon knew Mu Ssang better than he knew himself, then he could also safely say that he knew her better than anyone out there.
And now, the Janus-like Jin-soon declared that she would dig in her roots like mistletoe and nag him for the rest of their lives. How scary was that?! Of course, he had no choice but to try cheering her up!
Even Lord Buddha taught his followers that one should give their partners gifts every now and then as it would make your life that much easier. Mu Ssang made his way out of the alleyway, got on his bike and hurriedly rushed back to In Ae Won.
Even the one and only Mu Ssang was a failure in the field of women.
*
Jin-soon was none the wiser about Mu Ssangs brief stop-by. As for her monologue, it continued on for another thirty minutes.
Sigh!
Jin-soon poured out her frustrated heart through a monologue that could have been either a longing prayer or a lamentation of her fate. Once finished, she plopped down on the floor. Her throat had dried up, while her vision was becoming dark and blurry.
She gulped down the bowl of purified water resting on top of the dining table in one go.
Burp!
A refreshing burp burst out of her throat as if she had downed a bowl of makgeoli (raw rice wine).
Then again, she was capable of drinking a whole pot of makgeoli by herself when she was still in high school with braids still dangling off her head, so this much was nothing.
Her parched throat had calmed down, but fatigue flooded in like an evening tide. It felt like her joints were breaking down and her melted cells were trickling out of her pores.
Jin-soons day was always so exhausting. She would wake up around three in the morning, then head over to Gorangol Togul-Am Buddhist monastery to fetch medicinal water. The trip back and forth took over one hour, but the rumors of the water from there being miraculous prevented her from giving up.
She then offered the purified water and pray for her dear Mu Ssangs safe return, before catching a quick shut-eye for a couple of hours. At around six, she would eat a quick breakfast and go to work.
A nurses shift changed every twelve hours. Even though the shift change occurred around seven in the morning, a low-rank servant like her showing up at work exactly on time would result in an immediate execution by glares of the veteran nurses who worked throughout the night.
Looking after patients and getting tortured as doctors gopher for twelve straight hours caused dark circles to sag all the way down to her lips. Her gums would swell up, while her bloodshot eyes felt stiff and crusty as if she suffered from dry eye syndrome.
As for today A large group of victims of food poisoning rushed in from a nearby high school without any warning whatsoever. It was so busy that she could not even eat lunch. And to make matters worse, Yeon-soon called just as Jin-soon was about to go home for the day, finally tipping her anger over the boiling point.
[Big sis, I wanted to eat buckwheat soba noodles tonight!]
Gasoline was poured on top of a seething fire. A girl who should be old enough to know better was treating her big sister like a kitchen maid.
[Did you shove down all the pocket money I gave you down a cows gullet or something?! Just go to a damn diner and eat whatever, will ya?!]
[Mommy?!]
The stunned Yeon-soon hurriedly hung up the phone. But that only stoked Jin-soons anger even higher.
Whats wrong with me?
Some random personality had managed to devour her original one. It felt like the goddess of rage, Fury, was shaking her around by her throat. Jin-soon knew that this was an acute manic disorder caused by the serotonin hypersecretion, but she had no avenues available to release her anger.
The culprit for her manic disorder was the lack of news for the past three months, her dear Mu Ssang seemingly having disappeared without a trace. It was rather obvious where he went off to though C a hellish land full of devils.
How difficult must it be for him? He was not injured, was he? Was he eating his meals on time? Maybe he was suffering from extreme cold or heat? A minute felt like three years to her. If it were not for the old monks assurance that she had nothing to worry about, Jin-soon would have gone mad a long time ago.
The trio of worry, fatigue and irritation drove a young woman named Cho Jin-soon into the flames of hell. So much so that an intense need boiled in her, hoping that someone would try to get on her nerves on her way back home.
If a woman pissed her off, Jin-soon would yank and drag that poor hag by her hair. If it was a man, then she would kick his nut sack. With her preparation complete, she brazenly wandered the street. Whether it was a good thing or not, no one tried to get cute with her.
Even if hes detestable, just one more time
And so, she ended up offering another bowl of water and prayed away.
*
Jin-soon pressed her face closer to the vanity mirror on the dressing table. The reflected face without any make-up looked puffy and cracking.
I prefer you and your fresh face, though.
That one sentence from him made it so that she had applied a single dab of facial cream ever since.
Sigh Fresh, my foot! All fresh things must be kept frozen to remain fresh anyway!
Jin-soon scooped up and smeared a lot of rejuvenating cream on her palm. Not having used makeup all too often before, she had no clue on how to do it. Like a frustrated husband painting an innocent wall with clay for no reason, she plastered her entire face with thick amounts of cream. And while trying to find her powder case, something she could not even recall when she bought, Jin-soon turned her not-that-large room upside down.
Just where have you gone and disappeared to?
She kicked the dressing table, and just like that, a powder case covered in dust popped out.
Seriously! Whether its a man or a product, a locally made thing needs a good kicking first. Hoho! Jin-soon smiled triumphantly before smacking her face with a powder puff. So strong was her smacking that even Mu Ssang would have been scared by it.
Since she got the party going, Jin-soon also pulled out a light pink lipstick. Her dear really liked this color.
Dear!
A sigh accompanied by tears leaked out of her all on their own. The month of April with pale pink peach blossoms dancing around in the winds would always dye Mu Ssangs face dark with longing. Despite the abuse of that viper-like Missus Jang and Baek-bu (fathers older brother), he still resolutely endured it all while waiting for his mother to come back home.
Whats gotten into me?! Im not some hooker or anything, so whats up with all this Dokkaebi trying to cross a muddy field nonsense?!
Her own pale pink lips had never looked so unfamiliar like right now. And she found herself so pathetic for raising a fuss with a bloody lipstick in the middle of the night too. She began scribbling some words on the mirror with the lipstick.
[Mu Ssang, youre a bad person!]
But when she finished scribbling, she realized that it was nonsense. He had never done a bad thing in his life. So, she wiped that off and wrote something else.
[Mu Ssang, youre an idiot!]
But this was wrong, too. He was smart. Even as Missus Jang tormented him to no end, he still managed to read every single book in the primary schools library. He always ranked number one among the students in the villages middle school too. She wiped the mirror clean and wrote something else, again.
[Mu Ssang, youre a busker!]
Good. Thats so him! Jin-soon grinned brightly. Dear, youre a busker, and a grumpy, mean person at that. I dont care. I dont care anymore! You keep getting my hopes up with all em words, but you soon start reciting irrelevant nonsense to change the topic, and thats why youre a busker.
I dont care anymore, you know! And youre such a selfish person too! Grapes are so ripe that they are about to turn into wine, and the spring hiding deep in the mountainside is starting to overflow. But like Lord Buddha sitting there aloof, you have your back turned against me. Thats why youre a meanie and selfish guy. I dont care anymore.
Jin-soon displayed a high-level of expertise at entertaining herself by yapping on and on. Doing so gradually calmed her heart down.
I might go insane at this rate, Jin-soon muttered while staring at her depressed face in the mirror.
The youth of Jin-soon, once filled with overflowing vitality, had disappeared, replaced by a Kabuki actor glaring back with bloodshot eyes.
What am I even doing? Why am I wasting my emotions for no good reason?
The great teachers words about centering her thoughts not on the outside but inside rang loudly in her head. But Mu Ssang was not outside, but on her inside. She could shake off all external matters, but what was she supposed to do about this lump buried deep inside her chest!
Right, Im tired, thats why. Its all because of stress.
Jin-soon shook her head quickly.
To use as the offering, she had to be the very first one to draw the water from the stream. Togul-Ams mineral water was found on the eighth ridge in the Gorangol. To be the first person there, she had to leave the house at around three in the morning. But preparing a lantern and a water bottle during the pitch-black darkness of the early dawn would always make Yeon-soon throw a fit.
She would say, What will you do if you fall down a cliff? What would you do if you ran into a wild animal on the way? She would also say, Big sis, you aint made out of forged steel. Just get some much needed sleep, okay?
Her intense nagging would end with, You think Mu Ssang would be happy to learn that youve been doing this? Of course, Yeon-soon was right. If the man knew, Jin-soon would have received a stern lecture.
And just like Yeon-soon said, not going to draw the water would give Jin-soon two extra hours of sleep. But knowing that her dear Mu Ssang was wandering around hellish battlefields out there, she had to do something. All she could do was pray, so how could she stop?
Jin-soon began tidying up her messy room.
He might suddenly show up out of nowhere, after all. I mean, he always shows up or disappears like a Dokkaebi, doesnt he? And dear also likes buckwheat soba, right? Okay! Perk up, Cho Jin-soon!
Jin-soon stood right back up, changed to a pair of jeans and headed to the kitchen.
*
Mu Ssang picked up a small box containing a pair of earrings found in In Ae Wons basement. Apparently, this pair was worn by Gwangjongs beau, Queen Daemok. While on his way back, he managed to catch the owner of a flower shop about to close up for the day and bought a bundle of roses too.
Even though he thought this was a bit cringey, he was still prepared to do anything to satiate a starving lioness.
He remembered Edel tearing up from a box of macarons. Edel was an angel, while Jin-soon was a female Bodhisattva. The corners of Mu Ssangs lips unconsciously curled up a little. He was beginning to act like a total thief dying of happiness, not knowing what to do with a Western beauty in one arm and an Eastern beauty in the other. The thing was, both looked and tasted so good!
*
Jin-soon!
A weighty baritone voice rumbled on and shook the old tile-roofed house.
Whats this?! Did a Dokkaebi really show up?
Jin-soon, sagging on the floor like an auntie having to contend with birth labor the whole night long, stopped counting the patterns on the ceiling. Her breathing stopped, her ears perked up. Even if that voice was hallucinatory, she wanted to hear it one more time.
Jin-soon! Come over here this second!
That unhesitant, playful voice It definitely belonged to her dear Mu Ssang. Jin-soons consciousness wavered in excitement just then. Lightning bolts and fireworks went off in her mind.
Dear!
The sliding door was yanked open, hard. Jin-soon, now changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, rushed outside barefoot.
Haha! Nothing happened while I was gone, right? A laughing Mu Ssang shoved the bundle of roses right in the nose of Jin-soon charging straight at him.
She was planning to jump into his arms but now, she missed the timing. Her brows quivered unhappily. She one million times preferred hugging him once over hundreds of these roses. And when she thought about it some more, this over-the-top performance was out of character for him.
If a person suddenly started doing something they did not do before, then well, there was always a good reason for that.
Hey, youre feeling guilty about something, arent you?
Jin-soon was still Jin-soon; she expertly hid her tearfulness, armed her voice with blade-like sharpness and began stabbing at the core of the issue.
Uh, yeah. Actually, I came back a few days ago. See, the thing was, I was trying to prepare a present, and Mu Ssang faltered and began mumbling away.
All ten excuses he had prepared were melting away to a puddle as tears pooling in her eyes began spilling over.
A preseeeeent? Do I look like a thoughtless woman who wants a present from someone coming back home? Jin-soons voice became icy.
W-well, no. Thats not it, but you see, even Lord Buddha said one should give presents to his woman, so
Mu Ssang inadvertently recalled Jin-soons figure declaring her resolve in front of a bundle of mistletoe. His hand taking out the gift box suddenly began losing strength.
Dang it, shouldve lied and said I just arrived.
No matter how quickly regret arrived, it was always too late.
Jin-soon continued on. Be honest. You forgot, didnt you?
Never! Never! I would never forget about such a thing! Mu Ssang gasped in alarm and hurriedly placed the gift box in her hands, an awkward grin filling up his face. Of course he did not forget; he was simply avoiding her because of that reason pricking his conscience.
Jin-soons tightly wound-up heart wavered precariously at that moment. Just what kind of a person was Mu Ssang? According to Uncle Samdi, Mu Ssangs abilities pierced the heavens, and hundreds of thousands of people worshipped him as their king.
Despite all that, he remained as Mu Ssang from Jip-eun Dari. To Jin-soon, any presents were fine. But the greatest giftand the only giftshe would love to have was Mu Ssang never changing and becoming someone else.
Why dont you open it and take a look? Mu Ssang, still mindful of her mood, gently urged her on.
Jin-soon narrowed her eyes and leered at him. I wonder, will some jewelry made out gold crumbs be enough to exchange for a few missing days?
Y-you dont think so? Mu Ssangs expression became troubled. It seemed that this operation was a failure.
I need to open and confirm something else first. Jin-soon replied, then grabbed his hand to drag him inside the room.
Mu Ssang could not resist and was dragged inside in a fluster.
Jin-soon ordered him. Take everything off!
But, uh, its still early in the day, though?
Your dad jokes arent funny. Take them off!
At her icy command, the guilty Mu Ssang hesitantly took off his clothes. Taking off and chucking away the tight T-shirt revealed his sculpture-like upper torso. Jin-soons eyes taking in the sight became dreamy.
He did not stop there, however, and took off his pants too. While he was at it, he also took off his underwear.
Thanks to getting bitten by the Legba tarantula back in the jungles of Ituri, Mu Ssangs junior had evolved to a higher stage. The component in the tarantulas venom, atrax, was a malehood enhancer that surpassed even the mandragora. His horse-like member dangled out of its hiding place.
Oh my god?! What on earth is that now?
Jin-soon acting high and mighty gasped out in shock. As a nurse, she had seen her fair share of male reproductive organs by now and even handled quite a few of them, but that one! Her heart began pounding faster, while her mind grew fainter.
Jin-soon was mistaken, though. The junior of a person she loved was always going to be different physically than that of a patients.
Besides, the presence given off by a docile kitten and a raging tiger was as different as heaven and earth. An equine member instantly transformed a nurses eyes to that of a womans. Her breathing quickened while blood rushed to her face until it was about to burst.
Her resolute determination to confirm whether he was injured or not using the trained eyes of a nurse crumbled to nothingness in that one moment.
Ack?! Why did you take your underwear off?!
Jin-soon belatedly screamed her head off.
Chapter 523 - Episode 2 Affection Over Love
You told me to strip! Mu Ssang complained and pulled his underwear up his legs.
No! Am I crazy? I kicked away a jewel that tumbled my way!
Jin Soon screamed internally but the deluxe willy had already disappeared. Jin Soon reminisced about the genetically improved eggplant growing between rows of peppers. Among tiny green peppers, the big purple eggplant evoked certain lewdness. She greatly missed the purple eggplant that disappeared into his underwear. Her dreamy eyes chased the afterimage.
Will it fit? A baby comes out of it. Surely we will be able to adjust to each other.
Her mouth filled with saliva and her loins burned. The sound of her swallowing her saliva thundered in her head. She flinched at the sound.
I must be crazy!
Jin Soon took a deep breath and blinked her eyes. Her blurry vision came into focus. She wanted to go back in time but if she asked him to whip it out, she would look crazy.
You are driving me crazy! You did it on purpose.
She regretted raising her voice. Many feelings like longing, attachment, and regret were mixed into a certain awkwardness. It was the self-consciousness of a virgin.
What are you even saying? Do you think I am a flasher? Mu Ssang jumped.
Hng. Do you remember when you smashed the chamber pot in my house with an iron?
You remembered quite a detail. I wanted to know which was stronger, the chamber pot or the iron.
When my aunt tried to tell you off, you abruptly exposed your penis. My mother and aunt were taken aback and could not tell you off. Instead, they laughed out loud. You seem to have used that tactic today too.
Did I do that? Those were the happy moments.
Mu Ssang smiled. Those were the happy moments in which their souls were not contaminated. He understood Jin Soons sentiments. She must have cared for him a lot that she wanted to check it with her own eyes.
When Mu Ssang opened his arms, Jin Soon was drawn to him like a neodimium magnet. Her massive breasts applied a pleasant pressure on him. Mu Ssangs penis squirmed at the scent of the body of a healthy young woman.
Hers are bigger than Edels!
When Mu Ssang was immersed in the thought of the thieve, Jin Soons world was swirling with colors. With her sight disabled, her faculty of touch, smell, and hearing heightened. Two hearts beating like a drum battered their souls.
The intense scent of a male and the familiar scent of her hometown friend rushed to her like water from a broken dike. No other chest in the world could feel as safe and comfortable. Jin Soon, unconsciously caressed Mu Ssangs back as smooth as ceramics, and muttered.
Thank God!
The world, a gray hell a few minutes ago, turned into iridescent heaven in an instant. Jin Soons system of perception was simple. If there was Mu Ssang, that place was heaven. If there wasnt, that place was hell.
Jin Soon, dont worry. I dont even have a scratch. Shall I tell you a cosmic secret?
What is it?
Jin Soon looked up at him.
I am immortal.
What?
Jin Soon let out a long sigh.
Why are you sighing?
I am scared that you may ascend into heaven in a flash.
What are you talking about?
The word immortal seems ominous. Your skin doesnt even have pores. It must be a divine body, not a human one. All of your scars have disappeared too.
Jin Soon, with trembling hands, caressed the scar on the left side of his cheek that was fading. The deep cross-shaped scar that deformed his cheek was fading.
Even bullets fly past me. Do not worry too much.
I am glad but also worried. I want you as a human not as an immortal god.
Jin Soons voice took on a certain sadness. She wished for Mu Ssang to be an ordinary office worker or an owner of a fried chicken joint. Even an owner of a noodle stall would be better than a mercenary.
Useless words. Teacher is more likely to ascend in a flash, not me. I bought some land in the Bulro District and have begun construction. Have you ever met a god who buys land and builds a house?
Land? Really? How wide is it?
Jinsoons eyes widened. It was always Mu Ssangs dream to have a tile-roofed house with a wide garden and to eat bowls of rice plentifully with beef soup. It was also her wish too. She was happy. Her boyfriend finally decided to settle down. Her prowling mind did not lose a chance.
It is wider than a soccer field.
A soccer field? Are you being metaphorical?
No. I bought an entire neighborhood and made an area as wide as a soccer field.
Oh my god. Have you laid down the foundation?
For sure. The land is almost prepared. Carpenters are preparing lumber according to the schematics.
Mu Ssang answered without thinking too much.
What? You only came back to Korea a few days ago. Sure, you would have gone to visit your monk teacher. But in just a few days, you bought many houses, prepared a field as wide as a soccer field, made schematics, and received permission for construction? Are you the president? Are you the king of ghosts?
Jin Soons eyes had a sudden glint.
Mu Ssang frowned, realizing he was caught in her misleading interrogation. He was just trying to pamper to her but did not know it was too much.
Tell me honestly. When was it you really came to Korea?
Mu Ssang saw an illusion of a mistletoe, barely registering what she said.
One month!
Mu Ssang closed his eyes firmly and owned up.
One month?
Jin Soon drawled. Mu Ssang closed his eyes firmly. Now he had to endure a flurry of punches from her direction.
One month? Do you have an explanation for it?
Jin Soon gave Mu Ssang the stink eye. She was about to inflict a frontal kick and a straight kick.
Ugh, stupid fellow! To think that someone who cannot eat the treat dangling in front of him is my student
A lament was heard from the inside of the sanctum of the mountain. Monk Dae Woo, immersed in a meditative state, slapped the bamboo door and awoke. When his student took out his willy, and they started cuddling and caressing, he expected the weather to turn turbulent soon.
But his student ruined it all. His clairvoyance was ruined because of his anticipation. Priest Dae Woo, versed in many things, could not figure out his own student well.
He did such a good job! Such a good job! He does not know when to conserve his energy and when to spend it! I even sent Kamdoong who was still recovering. Tsk, tsk!
Priest Dae Woo was feeling impatient. Mu Ssang, apt at handling all matters, did not know much about women. The Buddha said one should sow three seeds in one hole.
Jin Soon was quite fertile soil, so to speak. Only one seed would suffice and thrive. But his stupid student did not even think to till the land, let alone sow any seeds. If he kept snooping on him, the anticipation was going to kill him. At this rate, he was not sure if he will be able to procure an heir before he died.
If a monk is not able to shave their own hair, they must ask someone else. Should I summon some kind of mythical succubus for him?
Priest Dae Woo grumbled and wore his rubber shoes and went out of the sanctum.
Hahaha!
Something glimmered at the corner of the room. His haughty friend was getting his share of beating from a female human. Kamdoong felt like a resentment of 150,000,000 years was being flushed at once. He loved his friend but it was still fun.
Eh?
The movement of the air was as minuscule as the fluttering of a flys wings but it still did not fool the senses of Mu Ssang. Blade-like energy slashed the empty space. The sound of something clashing into another and a scream. Kamdoong, ambushed by a strike of Billions Water Armor, was hit in the head without any chance to evade it.
What is it?
Jin Soon held a wooden stick and approached the corner of the room. Jin Soon was bold enough to bring water from a source in a deep mountain valley at night where wild beasts roared.
Hey, you said you urgently needed to regenerate your energy. What are you doing here?
Mu Ssang scolded him. The corner of the room shimmered. Kamdoong revealed himself. As Sunday Leopard, the human form, he could not let light pass through. He needed to assume his leopard form for that.
From inside the space, a big front paw appeared. A head and a trunk followed. In an empty space, a giant black leopard appeared magically. The black trunk was like a piece taken from darkness itself and a human-like eye with the distinctive white and black pupils shined white.
Its a ghost!
Jin Soon scared, hid behind Mu Ssangs back. Any human would have been scared.
There is no need to panic. He is a friend of mine.
Mu Ssang patted Jin Soons shoulder.
A friend? Oh, my God!
Jin Soon was dumbstruck. Uncle Samdi was an incredible being by himself but he was still human. To say that a leopard bigger than a tiger was his friend! It was absurd.
My friend, I am sorry I interfered with your pleasant time. I simply followed Masters order.
Kamdoong, reading Mu Ssangs mood, excused himself. Even the dinosaurs in the underground world become irate if you interfere with them when they mate. He figured he merited some punches for interfering with his friends mating process.
Jin soons eyes widened. A talking leopard! It was getting even more and more absurd. Can the oral structure of a leopard produce human language?
Master ordered you?
Yes. He told me to tell him if you were going to make offspring.
Ugh. Wretched old man!
Mu Ssang was appalled by Masters interference. He was about to shout Pervert! but also felt sorry for him. He was already ninety years old. His student-to-be-heir was like this, maybe he was not fit to inherit the temple. He even sent Kamdoong.
Hey, humans need privacy. It is wrong to snoop on others.
I am aware of that. If I dont obey his order, he suppresses me with a boulder. I have no other choice. I will go now and you shall continue the work that you have been doing.
What work? Jin Soon is my sister.
Do not lie. The human female is secreting noradrenaline, oxytocin, and estrogen in great amounts. You also produced a lot of oxytocin. This kind of reaction cannot happen between a human brother and sister.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang was appalled further. Jin Soon snuck out her head.
Mr. Black Leopard is right. My name is Cho Jin Soon, Mu Ssangs future wife.
You are unlike most human women with your clear speech and expression. My leopard form is called Kamdoong and my human form is called Sunday Leopard. Master gave me a name of Gonggong. You can choose any of the three to address me.
I will call you Kamdoong. Nice to meet you.
I dont quite understand the feeling of nice but it feels nice. I existed for 153,763,225 years but that time was quite meaningless. You do not need to use honorifics.
Jin Soon, astonished, looked back at Mu Ssang.
Kamdoong is right. He is very old.
Oh, my!
Jin Soon was awestruck. She became aware of the fact that Mu Ssang lived in a different world. Kamdoong held out his paw as if to shake hands.
Jin Soon. I like the name. My friends wife is my friend.
She is not my wife. She is my sister!
Mu Ssang clamored but Kamdoong did not listen. Jin Soon grabbed his giant paw. At that moment, a line of blood shot from Jin Soons wrist. The blood evaporated and went into Kamdoongs nostrils. Before Jin Soon had time to be startled, her bleeding stopped and the wound healed.
Jin Soon, dumbstruck, looked at Mu Ssang. Mu Ssang smiled and nodded.
He seems to like you. You got lucky today.
Jin Soon could not understand what he meant. As she was about to open her mouth to ask, Kamdoongs body faded.
Master, no, Teacher is calling me. Mu Ssang, Master said that a man who brings tears to a womans eyes is not a man.
Kamdoong, I like you a lot. If we meet next time, I will cook you a nice meal.
Jin Soon waved. Jin Soons ability to adapt was unmatched. Kamdoongs eyes showed a faint emotion.
I cannot absorb biomatter directly but I am grateful, Jin Soon. Human emotions change so quickly and abruptly. Before I met your husband-to-be, I spent so many years in darkness. It was because I had no ego. A being with ego can forge their own destiny.
Leaving mysterious words, Kamdoong disappeared into the thin air. He had appeared like a ghost and disappeared like a ghost. Jin Soon stared at the empty space. Sang Cheol had referred to Samdi as a ghost but Kamdoong was the real ghost.
If it were a common person, their eyes would have gone all white and they would have fainted, but Jin Soon adjusted to it quickly. Indeed, Jin Soon had quite a resolve.
He is gone!
Mu Ssang muttered mindlessly.
Mu Ssang!
Jin Soon yelled.
What?
What? Is this something that can be explained with a what?
The world has an invisible part. You do not need to be aware of the world I live in.
What do you mean with I got lucky? Why did he take my blood?
Kamdoong can communicate telepathically and teleport. He took your blood because he needed some medium for the connection of psychotic waves. When you run into some ordeal, call upon him by focusing your mind. I dont know the exact range but Kamdoong will help you.
That cant be! So you are saying that he will come to save me like superman when I am in some kind of danger.
Yes.
Is he stronger than you?
He may be a close match to me.
Really? Whoa!
Jin Soon clapped and jumped joyously. If someone as powerful as Mu Ssang could protect her, she did not need to fear anything in the world anymore. She liked her new bodyguard but the joy of finally joining Mu Ssangs world was greater.
What did he mean by change the rule of the game?''
Jin Soon muttered. Kamdoongs words swarmed in her head. Something flashed in her head.
I will go for a walk for a while. The outhouse of the neighboring house is empty.
Jin Soon opened the door and went out of the room.. Mu Ssang was confused.
Chapter 524 - Episode 3 Affection Over Love
Why did she mention the empty outhouse of a neighbor? The sudden appearance of Kamdoong was outrageous. But Jin Soons behavior, who barged out the front gate full of adrenaline, was even more absurd.
She said she would entangle your brain with roots. And she said she will not cease her nagging. The rules of the game explained by Kamdoong were starting to be interpreted in a perverted way. Was she going to force-feed scopolamine to him and interrogate him about his relations with girls? Was she going to throw a psychedelic party? Was she going to bind him in the empty house and wield her nine tails? The scenes he imagined were absurd but there were many absurd things in the world.
Do I love you or do I want to be loved by you?
Jin Soon passed the front gate and looked up at the sky that was as black as ink. The crescent moon in the middle of the night sky was surrounded by a reddish halo and one stray dark cloud was eating away at a corner of the halo.
Ten years ago, when she walked over the mountain with Mu Ssang, she had seen the same sky. In retrospect, the summer drought had persisted. The monk and Mu Ssang straddled the ordinary world and the supernatural world. She had gotten used to the shock of the extraordinary. More than Kamdoongs existence, the words he said before leaving were a greater shock.
The rules of the game? It was so: when she was on Mu Ssangs back smelling of sweat along the irrigation ditch of the Nakdong river, the endless game had begun. Love is a game and a game needs adjustment and balance. Horse racing has race weights and go has handicapping. Otherwise, storytelling is impossible.
She was stubborn to judge Mu Ssang and define his happiness. Her resolve to warmly welcome Mu Ssang, who must have been physically and psychologically tired, turned into complaining and attachment.
This is akin to worrying if the expensive clothes of a child are torn when the child tumbles. She simply convinced herself that for his happiness, she could do anything. But the only thing she did was add the weight of her own stained soul to the weight of his tired soul. The story was going in the wrong direction.
Whoa, how could I have been so stupid!
After she kept receiving things from Mu Ssang, her thoughts were centered around her. It was the attachment to the desired outcomes. She took out the jewelry box from her pants pocket. The sophisticatedly crafted mother-of-pearl glistened in the moonlight. The jewelry box itself was a jewel.
She carefully scratched the beeswax sealing the lid and opened it. Inside was a sophisticated copper mirror and a pair of gold earrings were.
Ah! Jin Soon exclaimed.
The luminance of the gold earrings reflected in the copper mirror dazzled her eyes. Their antique and majestic appearance indicated that they were a national treasure.
Id rather he brought cheap replicas from the busker in the town.
Jin Soon put on the earrings and looked into the copper mirror. She suddenly felt a mixture of bitter, sour, salty, and sweet flavors in her heart, thinking about their story so far. She remembered herself rejoicing at a handful of alpine knotweed.
Mu Ssang had extended his hand with a glum face. In the hand was a handful of black nightshade. Eat this! Mu Ssangs simple tone and the bittersweet taste of the plant overlapped.
The fresh and sweet taste of the newly budding leaves of a wild rose vine that Mu Ssang held out without words. The fruits of the crimson glory vine that he procured for her until she was full. His back on which he told her to climb when she was at a loss about what to do when the creek was about to overflow. The sweet scent of his sweat. The sensations that she had felt more than a dozen years ago were revived like a fragment of earthenware.
The sensations were so stark that chills ran down to the tip of each of her hair strands. His awkwardness when he smiled shyly as he extended a present to her did not change one bit. Only she had changed.
It was stupid of her to assume that Mu Ssang should have headed her way right after landing in Korea. She should have just been content if he was at ease. If his tired soul could get some rest even for a moment, that should have sufficed.
I am sorry, Mu Ssang! I must have been possessed.
Teardrops ran down Jin Soons cheek. If he hid something from her, he must have had a reason. Even if it involved someone else, that is a thing of the past. She only needed to look it over. She did not feel good making him uncomfortable.
If a bird does not sing, one should wait until it does. Her actions were no different from crybabies and drama queens.
Their story! The countless stories that she made with him!
Stories consist of sentences and sentences consist of words. Words, by themselves, do not make much of a sense. Words, harmonizing with one another, become a sentence with meaning. Sentences harmonize with each other to form a story.
Love is a story. The phrase love story is quite inverted. People do not live to be happy. Likewise, people do not make stories because they love each other. Stories stacked on top of each other to form love. Love at first sight is more like a carnal desire than true love. Love is the sum total of stories ingrained in our memories.
For the whole day, she was not able to handle her feelings and made a fuss. Due to her stubbornness, she messed up a matter that time would have handled. A weak story leads to weak love. A sturdy story leads to sturdy love.
So what if he referred to her as a sister? It was fine as long as that made him comfortable. She sought another story even though they have built a beautiful, sturdy story in the years they spent together. Cho Jin Soon was content if Mu Ssang had a rocking chair that ensured comfortable rest, a water bed that ensured a good nights sleep, and a table on which they could place plenty of food.
This day was not the only day left in the world. Lovers turn into married couples. They had many days together ahead of them. If one gently pulled at a pumpkin vine, one would get a pumpkin. If one abruptly pulled at it, the vine would sever. If a bird does not sing, one should wait until it does.
Jin Soon had rented the neighbors outhouse at 50,000 won per month for a year. She was fine if she ended up as a mother to his children. She was fine if she was referred to as a sister. She was fine if she ended up as his friend or maid. She was fine even if her soul is torn into strands and was served with some soju. If she kept him in front of her eyes, they could build a story. If she held onto the present moment, she would acquire the future too.
Jin Soon thus made the legend of a mistletoe. The history books in Novatopia later referred to this moment as The Moment of Clarity of Empress Cho Jin Soon.
He is a busker! Love is a story! I finally understand it. To face each other, the rules of the game must change. To face each other, we must first look in the direction of each other. Love is something comfortable and good. If it is not comfortable, it is not love. If we looked in the same direction for a long time, we will end up facing each other. To get some fun, first, you need someone.
Jin Soon muttered in a singsongy voice as she entered the front gate. Her face was overflowing with confidence.
You are late!
Yeah. I have prepared your shelter in the Mr Sims, the neighbours, house.
My shelter? What about Teacher?
Oh, no. The monk grandpa would like it a lot!
Ugh!
Mu Ssang was speechless. Teacher would welcome the prospect of their marriage.
But
You said you are building a house in the Bulro district. How far is it from here? Dont act foolishly in a country that doesnt produce a single drop of oil. Just live here.
Jin Soon subdued Mu Ssangs feeble protest at once.
Mu Ssang saw an illusion of a mistletoe shimmering before his eyes.
Mu Ssang, dont think too much. I will handle it. I am the end of everything. Just let me handle things and you can enjoy your freedom as you eat the meals I cook for you. Okay?
Uh, this is
Mu Ssang stuttered, overpowered by Jin Soons eagerness.
Mr. Sim is a seeker of ginseng. He scours the entire country for the medicinal roots and his wife and daughter keep the wide house. If you live with them, they will feel safe.
Jin Soon concluded. She exploited his sympathy for the poor at just the right moment.
Ugh! I see. I need to oversee the construction anyway. If I live close by, it will be convenient.
Mu Ssang surrendered, seeing some rationality in it. Mu Ssangs shelter ended up in the neighboring house of Jin Soons house. Mu Ssang, with his many sins, obeyed Jin Soon.
Men think they choose women but they could not be more mistaken. A smart woman does not let a useful man go. She sets up an elaborate spiderweb and plans a highly sophisticated scenario to catch him.
What about tending to Teacher at the temple? Would Kamdoong be able to cook even simple porridge?
Can he do that?
He is just assuming the form of a black leopard because he is replenishing his energy. His original form is simultaneously a black leopard and a human.
Is that possible? I am a nurse and that defies the knowledge of anatomical physiology I have learned so far. What is his true identity?
Hundreds of millions of years ago, there existed sentient life forms called Homo Concretus on Earth. Kamdoong is one of them. He procured some data to become the black leopard. After. he acquired an epidium body to become a human. I gave him both the data and the body. So our souls are connected.
This makes my head hurt! I dont know anything about Concretus or epidium. I just need you. Oh dear! I forgot I had prepared some yukhoe and buckwheat noodles.
Jin Soon did not ask further. She was aware that the visible world was not everything. If he said so, it was so. If a tiger cooks rice and a lion cooks dishes, it would not be so surprising.
Huh? Those are quite time-consuming dishes. How did you know I would come?
Heh. I have always been prepared to make them. I didnt know when you would come.
Jin Soon omitted the part that to buy the ingredients, she had to spend her entire monthly wage.
Is that so?
Mu Ssangs voice became sullen. That meant she cooked the dishes every day for a boyfriend even that she did not know would come. That kind of dedication was unheard of. Did she still feel heartache for the past him that only had water for meals?
Edel, I am sorry but I feel like you should come in second.
Mu Ssang sighed deeply. Jin Soons Operation Mistletoe was smooth sailing.
Jin Soon made a stock of kelp and skipjack tuna and seasoned it with soy sauce, sake, mirin, and salt. That was the soup for the buckwheat noodles. She then boiled the noodles that she had freshly gotten from the mill. She grated some mountain yam and radish and put the paste in small bowls. She also finely grated a wasabi root that she procured after much difficulty. She then sliced dried stone laver. She was very skilled at handling the ingredients. Her hands moved fluidly.
Buckwheat noodles are commonly known as a Japanese dish but they originate from Korea. Even in a Japanese cooking dictionary, it is written as: In the early Edo period, a Korean monk, Wonjin, taught how to make noodles with mixed wheat flour and buckwheat. This was how buckwheat noodles were introduced to Japan.
Before the Japanese learned how to make buckwheat noodles, they made a sort of cake with buckwheat and dipped it in soy sauce. Koreans forgot the value of their traditional culture and even criticize it due to the trauma of colonialism. Buckwheat noodles were not the only example of such behavior.
Mu Ssangs mouth was agape in awe. It was not just the yukhoe and buckwheat noodles. Bulgogi, yukhoe, seasoned beef, neobiani, skewered meat and vegetables, kimchi stew, and a variety of plant dishes. Even the chef Yijihana could not dish out such an assortment of delicacies in such a short time. Only Jin Soon could.
Mu Ssang felt happy. After a hundred days, he could feast on rice and meat. God bestowed Jin Soon with a flair for cooking that Edel did not have.
Yeon Soon, who was coming home from watching a nighttime movie at the theater with friends, stopped at the front gate of the house. She could hear the joyous laughter of her sister and a low voice of a man. She did not even have to think. Mu Ssang was home.
The old miss is rutting! Haha.
Yeon Soon turned towards a friends house. She was eager to see Mu Ssang but if she ruined the mood by entering the house now, Jin Soon was going to kill her.
Like what Yeon Soon said that night, no one knew whether the rutting old miss got some fun that night except for the relevant parties. No matter what, as she prepared breakfast in the kitchen in the morning, Jin Soons face could not look any brighter.
Mu Ssang used the entire outhouse of the ginseng seekers house. Jin Soon frequented the place to pamper to Mu Ssang. The fair lady and guy thus formed a de facto marriage. The wife of the ginseng seeker complimented her for being a great wife. Her two daughters, all grown up, eyed her with jealousy.
Mu Ssangs routine was simple. He woke up at four in the morning and hiked at the mountain in front of the house. He avoided the hiking routes and climbed his own path. It took about 70 minutes to hike two mountains and return to the reservoir.
It would take an experienced hiker more than 24 hours to complete the course. Among hikers, a rumor spread that a mysterious beast lived in the mountain but no one really believed it.
After his morning exercise, he ate the breakfast prepared by Jin Soon and went to school. After school, he checked up on the temple and construction site. Mu Ssangs money expedited the construction in the Bulro district greatly.
The food served at the canteen was cheap. The most expensive item, the omelet, was 650 won. The food served their essential role, to satiate hunger. They were not for gastronomy. Jin Soon was well aware of the state of the food in the canteen.
Mu Ssang, with his great metabolic rate, ate a tremendous amount. Jin Soon prepared a seven-tier lunchbox that contained 20,000 calories. Edel could never do this. Only Jin Soon could. Mu Ssang, already famous with northern snakeheads and as Darth Vader, went onto another level of fame with the seven-tier lunchbox..
Chapter 525 - Episode 4 Affection Over Love
This is a work of art!
Kim Kyung-sik put a piece of bulgogi in his mouth and rolled his eyes. Mu Ssangs lunchbox was filled with sublime delicacies.
I wanna feast until I die of a burst stomach!
Bae Min-ji took three pieces of boiled beef and put them in her mouth. The seven-tier lunchbox attacked by a pack of human hyenas was turned into ruins in no time. Like the meals eaten by monks at a monastery, no ingredient was left behind, not a piece of kimchi or bulgogi, not a drop of soup.
Well, it will be easier for Jin Soon to wash.
Mu Ssang held his chopsticks and licked them. By the time he took a spoonful of rice and a few pieces of boiled beef, the lunchbox was already empty. This occurred daily.
The quality of a dish stemmed from its ingredients. Pork that came from a factory-farmed pig raised in a cage so narrow that it could not even turn its body greatly differed in taste from a pig raised in a farmers house. Chickens native to Korea that freely grazed around the neighborhood make for a great dish with some rice, garlic, and salt.
Jin Soon took up her familys kitchen when she was ten years old. She became a master of cooking after years of cooking up various dishes with limited ingredients.
It was natural for young people around the age of 20 to have seemingly insatiable hunger. To them, the fantastic dishes made by a great cook with quality ingredients were irresistible. In the world of animals, the strong hoard all the food but in the human world, the hungry shall be fed first.
Mu Ssang could not and did not want to protect Jin Soons lunchbox from the pack of hyenas. Roh Gil-su and Ahn Dal-su, the regulars, smiled shyly and lowered their head.
Mu Ssang, you practically sustain us. We will wash the lunchbox now.
All right.
Mu Ssang asked Kyung-sik, the president of the college major, How many students in our major skip lunch?
Three from the countryside who survive off part-time jobs. Two girls who never eat lunch. They are saving for their tuition.
I see.
Mu Ssang looked at the sky. The sky after the rainy spell was clear. The wind pushed a piece of white cloud northward. It was the same sky Mu Ssang would look up at when he was starving himself.
Their lives are their own responsibilities but we should at least feed the ones who work hard! I earned like a dog, I shall spend like a minister.
In the deans office, Choi Ho-rims eyes, as he put down a bag of files, shot to the table. The table was empty after he organized it when he left work yesterday. Now, there was a thick envelope on it.
What is this? Did the secretary Kim place it here?
Choi Ho-rim unconsciously opened the envelope and pulled out its content.
What?
Choi Ho-rims mouth was agape in awe. There were two bundles of fixed-amount checks each worth 10,000 dollars. At a glance, there seemed to be 200 of such checks. The issuing bank was the Seoul branch of BNP Paribas. Choi Ho-rim quickly checked the currency exchange rates in the morning newspaper.
[Rate: KRW/USD 870/1] The number was starkly registered in his mind. Two million dollars equaled roughly 1,700,000,000 won. It was a tremendous amount. He tapped the envelope with shaky hands. A folded note fell.
[One million dollars are for scholarships. Any student whose GPA is over 3.0 and working a part-time job to pay for their education is eligible. 800,000 dollars are for free meal plans. Of the entire student body, find the students who are in need of free meals. I am not a lunatic. Dont worry. Humans are different from animals because we share food. The method and procedure will be handled by the intelligent dean. If you need more funds, leave a note on the bulletin board in the college of arts and humanities. I will provide more. Please do not inquire further about this and keep it a secret. C Mr. Non-Attachment]
Mr. Non-Attachment? What a peculiar figure.
Choi Ho-rim plopped down on the sofa. The contents of the letter and the writing style revealed the charisma of a philanthropist above the conflict and strifes of the world. They had received various donations and scholarships from the alumni and benefactors but this amount was unheard of. The way it was donated was also peculiar as well.
Mr. Kim?
Dean, you called?
A middle-aged man entered the office cautiously. Choi Ho-rims name served as a nickname as well. Ho-rim meant mountain tiger. If you did not do your best, the mountain tiger will gobble you up.
Who was the guest?
Sir?
The secretary had no clue.
Who was the guest that was here before I came to work? Choi Ho-rims voice was raised.
Except for the head of the office of the student affairs, no one was here.
Mr. Kims neck was buried in his torso.
Did you ever leave the office?
Choi Ho-rims eyes were glaring. If no one was here, did some ghost come in and place these checks?
I unlocked the door at eight a.m. sharp and I opened and cleaned your office. I never left the place. Is there a problem?
Kims face revealed emotions of mortification and worry. If the tiger dean ever went berserk, his crotch was surely going to be kicked.
No. Tend to your work.
The secretary did not seem to know anything. Choi Ho-rim looked down from the window. The ground was 20 meters below and he experienced vertigo. The main buildings story height was quite tall. To climb up four stories up to the fourth floor, they had to be a lizard or a spider.
It is most mysterious. Could it have been really a ghost? They are a good person regardless. This is precisely why Korea still has compassion and hope. Mr. Non-Attachment? This is quite humbling. Maybe I should sell the land I stashed in Daegu and contribute too. This is quite exhilarating!
Choi Ho-rim burst out laughing. This world was ruled by shameless people. The people who could yell the vilest swear words gained dominance. As long as it made money, even shame was not considered shame. Yet this kind of genuine person, who donated a great amount to feed the hungry students, still existed.
This is why the world is an interesting place. There are corrupt politicians swindling peoples sweat-soaked tax money. There are silent philanthropists doing what is right. Like this person. They are the kind of person who is aware that the world does not evolve around them.
The next day, simple posters with the dean and the donators names were attached across the campus.
[We are seeking recipients for A Good Person scholarship.]
Eligibility: GPA of the previous semester must be 3.0 or higher. Mmust be working a part-time job.
[We are seeking recipients for A Good Person free meal plan.]
Eligibility: Students who are not able to afford lunch at the canteen.
[A good persons doctrine:]
Humans differ from animals because we share food! C Mr. Non-Attachment.
The campus boiled up. The office of student affairs was put under great workload because of the overflowing applications. Students entered a heated debate as to what it means to be a good person and what the name Mr. Non-Attachment meant.
Unlike the dean and professors expectations, the number of students who applied for the scholarship and free meal plan was not that high. Of all the students whose grade was 3.0 or higher, 30 percent applied for the scholarship. Three thousand eight hundred applied for the free meal plan.
Mu Ssangs sudden donation elicited a good-person movement across the campus. Let us not highlight the books borrowed from the library. Let us not vandalize the flower clock just to use its hand as lightsabers. Let us not urinate on the walls. Such simple campaigns and projects like active volunteer efforts and fund-raising for fellow students in unfavorable circumstances sprouted competitively across the campus. The campus soon overflowed with good people and Mr. and Ms. Non-Attachments but no one knew who they were.
Haha! A good persons doctrine was effective. The number of applicants for the scholarship is half of what we had expected. Students who applied for the free meal plan cards are fewer than our expectations too. This means my students are good, esteemed people too.
Choi Ho-rim burst out laughing.
Your A Good Persons Doctrine was highly effective. The consensus that if I apply for the card for no reason, a starving fellow student would not get it, seems to have formed. I highly commend the students conscience that they will not ask for a free ride. This is all thanks to your great insight, The head of the office of student affairs added quickly.
Stop your flattery. A good persons doctrine is a good persons words. Who is that person? I am curious as well.
So what?
The one who made the first ripple was not interested in all the buzz. He had planted the embers. If it burst ablaze or was put out, it was up to itself.
He passed his days enjoying Jin Soons dishes, hiking for 40 kilometers every day, going to school, and interfering with the construction with his remarks. He preferred arguing with humans over wrestling with beasts.
The construction ended March next year. It took eight straight months. The main house was a one-story, 3,300-square-meter L-shaped building inside the inner gate. The six outhouses were each 132-square meters and two-storied. There was another 99-square-meter outhouse near the gate. The eight houses had a total area of 1221 square meters and the entire place including the garden was 2,013 square meters. The houses were placed with ample space between each other.
The gate led to a sweeping green lawn at the front was the main house. To the left were the outhouses. To the right was the bamboo forest. The water from the valley watered the forest and wound around the lawn and exited in front of the outhouses.
The 5,000-square-meter area behind the main house was a back garden. He had many fruit-bearing trees like peach trees planted there. Mu Ssang eagerly wished for his mother to stand under the peach tree enveloped in pink petals and planted the peach tree himself.
The main house was equipped with a living room, a parlor, a dressing room, a shower booth, and a bathroom. The spacious wooden-floored open space between rooms was sealed with floor-to-ceiling double tempered glass at both sides. When needed, it could be completely open again.
On the first floor of the basement, there was a normal storeroom and a secret space for personal things. On the second was storage for treasures taken from Governor Yamanashi.
It took quite a fortune to build a traditional Korean house. The above-ground facilities cost 400,000,000 won. The underground stories cost more than 300,000,000 won. Including the land price and the cost of landscaping, the total cost surpassed 1,000,000,000 won. It was the first time that Mu Ssang financed something for himself.
Mu Ssang sat sprawled on the wide wooden-floored open space in the main house and looked out at the lawn. The sprawling lawn and the outhouses around it made him feel content. He was grateful. He had finally built the tile-roofed house that he had dreamt of.
But he regretted it somewhat. He had splurged 1,000,000,000 won on a tile-roofed traditional Korean house. He donated 1,700,000,000 won to feed the students and regretted spending 1,000,000,000 won on his own house.
Why did I design it so big? He muttered as if to ask someone. The house was too big for him to live alone. There were more than 50 rooms. To clean them all, he would be exhausted and collapse. At night, ghosts would likely appear.
The answer was obvious. It was because of loneliness. He resolutely tackled the world on his own. Yet loneliness seeped into him. Even if one gets the whole world, what is the point if one is alone?
When a house is built, there should be a housewarming party. Mu Ssang made a list of guests in a study where the scent of wood filled ones nostrils. His brush was used by the first king of Joseon, Taejo. His inkstone was from an art gallery from the Goryeo period. His folding screen was a painting by Kim Myeong-guk which depicted traditional social values. His study was a museum of national treasures.
What kind of life have I led? Mu Ssang muttered and stopped writing. The thin brush sprinting across the traditional Korean paper came to a halt. Edel, Teacher, Kamdoong, Aunt Hadong, the five sisters of Jin Soon, Lee Sang-han and his parents, the members of Black Culture, Bonipas, Chairman Margerie, Councillor Hamilton His brush did not move further.
As for Park Mu Ho, his wife and Eminai, he decided he will call them later. The adoption process for Eminai was not concluded yet. He also excluded the people from the French embassy. They are work relations. He did not consider professors and friends from college either. He did not have any close friends among them anyway and even if he did, he wanted to prevent any unnecessary rumors.
He also excluded friends from his childhood and adolescence. He did not want to remind himself of the painful memories. He did not want to boast his riches to the people who knew him when he was most miserable. He also excluded Uncle Samchul. He did not want rumors to spread in Jip-eun Dari.
His relatives and townsfolk in Jip-eun Dari had no real points of contact. He lost contact with many of his childhood friends. His uncle and aunt were his enemies. Except for Sang-han, he was not really close to his friends from middle school and high school.
He unconsciously let out a sigh. Many of the guests were foreigners. There were few from his hometown. Not even one relative. He was going to live quietly in his hometown yet he did not really know anyone here.
A Fiat Panda charged towards the front gate made out of yellow-hearted pine. The wind from the robust engine pushed open the gate doors. The car did not decelerate and passed through like a gust of wind.
The Panda charging like a frenzied warrior made a 90-degree turn and accurately stopped along the parking line. The motion was almost cinematic. Teacher liked to watch the AFKN. He ended up as a reckless driver like a foolhardy teenage boy.
A tall mixed-blood Arab man in a copper-brown monks habit opened the drivers door. A bone-skinny, short old monk got out of the drivers seat in an arrogant pose.
Did you see that?
Chapter 526 - Episode 5 Affection Over Love
Monk Dae-woo squared up his shoulders and breached Mu Ssangs personal space with his bald head. His face was full of pride and confidence. He was like a kindergarten child anticipating a compliment.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang huffed and retreated. Teacher had disposed of his gray monks robe and went all black. Pitch-black rimless sunglasses, calfskin gloves, studded black leather jacket. He was no longer a monk but an old thug who was lately acquainted with the pleasures of the world. His glossy head contributed to the image of a member of a bike gang.
Teacher, what is all this?
He was well aware of Teachers childlike candor, but how could he fashion such a look in the July heat?
Mu Ssang turned his gaze to Kamdoong unconsciously. Cleanly shaven hair, old monks robe, white rubber shoes, big beads draped around his neck, a wild-spinach staff in his hand. His noble posture was that of an archetypal practising monk. Kamdoongs appearance was as shocking as Teachers, albeit in a different way.
Did they swap souls?
Teacher, always playful, could do such a thing with no qualms whatsoever. Mu Ssang scanned Kamdoong with Dimensional Sight. Kamdoong shook his head with grim eyes. He was as resigned as a bullied middle school student.
Did you see?
Monk Dae-woo insisted. His posture, with his neck upright and chin pushed out, was akin to a black man in Harlem. He must have been very proud of his feat. Mu Ssang felt like he was going to be punched if he did not answer quickly.
I saw. Its great.
Mu Ssang averted his eyes and gave him a thumbs-up.
This is quite a cinch. If the engine was stronger, I could have performed much more powerfully.
It was sufficiently powerful and exciting.
I went through two sets of tires last spring to learn how to do skidding. I realized that if one pours ones whole heart onto something, it is bound to happen.
Haha!
The veins in Mu Ssangs temple bulged as he tried to suppress his laughter. Teachers heart met the wrong owner. An F1-race feat was certainly doable by Teacher.
With Panda, he could turn mid-air, vault, and run along the wall like an acrobat. He was proud of himself because he did not use any supernatural powers and only used his muscles and reflex to control the vehicle. For a man in his nineties, he was quite great.
You did quite a feat. Maybe you should be cast in a movie.
Hmm. I shouldnt steal other peoples jobs.
Monk Dae-woo kept moving his shoulders. A gold chain decoration hanging from the leather jacket clinked. Mu Ssang had no idea where he got such a hippie jacket.
This isnt it!
Mu Ssangs smile faded. Teacher was dressed like a typical old motorcyclist on the highway between Seoul and Chuncheon. Mu Ssang felt a certain uneasiness. The feeling was not unwarranted.
Mu Ssang, it is time I graduate from car driving. After learning how to skid, it is no fun anymore. A car is too tame.
Is that so? A car is safe and you can drive in bad weather and
Thats the problem. It is not speedy and thrilling enough.
Monk Dae-woo cut Mu Ssang off.
Speedy and thrilling?
Mu Ssang grimaced. Teacher had skittered around everywhere, engrossed in his car. Now he was saying that he would be a motorcyclist.
You are a young man and dont have romantic sentiments at all. Your entire emotional capacity is as big as a stingrays penis. If you are a man, you shall love the low grumble of the engine and blare out some music from radio as you drive down a road covered with cherry blossoms.
A stingray is quite well endowed. And it has two penises.
Mu Ssang defended the fish. A stingrays penis is used as an insult in Korean because male stingrays are not a good catch with their small stature and the spine attached to their penis often injures fishermen. When they catch a male stingray, the first thing the fishermen do is sever the hand-sized penises with a blade.
A sheathed Excalibur is no more useful than a kitchen knife in use!
Monk Dae-woo glared at Mu Ssangs crotch. Mu Ssang, startled, covered the area with his hands. Monk Dae-woo must be still disappointed with what he did or did not do with Jin Soon.
That is quite a profound insight.
The black men on television are quite adept at handling their motorcycles. They can lift the front wheel and only run on the back wheel, lift the back wheel and run on the front wheel only, and can turn in a gliding motion in a narrow alley.
Monk Dae-woo glanced at Mu Ssangs back pocket as he spoke. Mu Ssang was dumbstruck. He came to his students housewarming party but paid no attention to the house but coveted his students motorcycle.
Gamulchi, this may be where we part ways.
Mu Ssang detached the key from his belt. It was quite unfair for Teacher to hijack his students motorcycle but he was much elder, more powerful, and more eloquent than Mu Ssang. And now he is embodying an archetypal thug. Resistance was futile. Cooperation was the only way.
Teacher, try out Gamulchi first. It has quite a power output and is quite stable. It is quite a ride.
That is quite auspicious.
Monk Dae-woo snatched the key from Mu Ssangs hand.
Mu Ssang, I am quite fond of Harley-Davidson. The mixed beat of the vibrations tugs at my heart! Haha!
Monk Dae-woo, excited, acted quite boisterous. Mu Ssang nodded. Gamulchi was better suited for driving but Harleys V-shaped twin engines emitted a peculiar low grumble and exhaust sound that fascinated the male heart.
A human male, once past puberty, is instinctively drawn to speed. It was surely not surprising if Teacher, soon in his nineties, was suddenly fond of black leather jacket and relishing speed and vibrations. Men, as long as they had enough energy to walk, were keen to mount whether it was a motorcycle or a woman.
Dont worry. I will get you a Harley in a fortnight.
I thought it took more than a year to import one? My students should never lie.
His wrinkled face was stretched smooth when his eyes widened.
Dont worry. I have that much leverage, Mu Ssang said loudly. It just needed to be registered as a diplomats vehicle and be transported on Falcon.
Mu Ssang was happy to pamper Teacher. Monk Dae-woo had no attachments in the world. It would not have been surprising if he got on a storks back and went on to the other side at any moment. So, it was quite good news that he was beginning to covet things. If he asked for a personal helicopter, not Harley, Mu Ssang would have still obliged.
What is this? You splurged big time.
Monk Dae-woo, having accomplished what he came for, looked up at the main house. Its size, blocking most of ones field of view, was tremendous. The many wooden parts connecting the pillars with the four-sided roof were reminiscent of Gyeongbok Palace.
It is quite big.
Mu Ssang flinched, still overwhelmed by Teachers eccentric behavior.
Big doesnt even begin to describe it. Most people would be overwhelmed by its size.
Mu Ssang was discouraged. Teacher must have meant more does not equal better. Teacher had always done away with needless possessions. If he ordered Mu Ssang to sell the house and donate the money, that was going to be quite troublesome.
Teacher, it is indeed too big. I had to buy off the houses of struggling neighboring elders. So the area became wider than planned.
Mu Ssang hid his anxiety and explained in advance.
I thought so. The town was in decline. Of course, many would sell their houses and move elsewhere! They dont have any foresight.
Priest Dae Woo clucked his tongue. Thanks to Mu Ssang who tended to the towns energy, the Go Boon town regained its prosperity. The people who sold their houses metaphorically kicked out luck that tumbled their way.
Phew, I got lucky!
Mu Ssang let out a sigh of relief. Buying off house after house, the area had become quite big. Teacher had lived his whole life without any intent or needless possessions. He got lucky because Teacher did not tell him off.
Gonggong, read that.
Monk Dae-woo pointed at a nameplate.
The House of Accepting Hearts.
Kamdoong responded politely.
Do you know how to read Chinese characters?
Mu Ssangs eyes widened.
Hey, even Samdi is better than you. You barely memorized Thousand Hands Scripture.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang had no retort to that. Samdi read through half of the 600 books of Prajnaparamita in the short time he stayed in the monastery. Mu Ssang was dumbstruck.
I am sorry for disappointing you.
Is that attitude Im sensing?
Would I dare show attitude in front of my great teacher?
You are such a petty man. That was attitude. I am going for a walk around the place.
I will guide you.
I have my own legs and eyes!
Monk Dae-woo waved away then strode on. He was reminiscent of a baby black bear.
Are you done regenerating?
Kamdoong, quiet up until this moment and overwhelmed by Priest Dae Woos energy, joined his palms together solemnly.
The Lesser Vehicle, Gonggong, thank the Eastern Swordsman for his concern. I have completed recharging and regenerating the damaged core.
Teacher turned him into a dork! Mu Ssang clucked his tongue. He shuddered to think the amount of discipline that turned even Kamdoong into a proper monk.
Why are you acting like that? Did you eat something weird?
Mu Ssang glared at Kamdoong.
Shush. When I met Jin Soon, Master beat me up for a month for getting caught by you. I tried to resist then
Kamdoong pointed at his forehead.
Restraining Headpiece!
Mu Ssang lamented. It was a control spell what Teacher used to turn Samdi into a human. Until the caster releases the binding, any being with a soul cannot escape the restraint of the headpiece. Xuanzang retrained Sun Wukong with this spell.
The high-level ELF was no use. Neither was transformation. Whenever I had a thought that wasnt monk-like or said a swearword, my entire body was disintegrated. I had to experience my cells being torn into molecules. That feeling and pain Ugh!
Kamdoong clenched his fists and shuddered.
Teacher can be quite petty sometimes.
How dare you say such a thing! Teacher is as gentle as the sun in the sky and as merciful as the wind in a forest.
How did Kamdoong end up like
Mu Ssang could not finish his sentence and gazed at Kamdoong with pity. It also made him fear Teachers capacity. In a short amount of time, he perfectly instilled human emotions in Kamdoong. It was a more difficult task than moving a mountain or draining the ocean.
Friend, be wary of what you say. Teacher is able to hear the sound of a window opening in the town below, Kamdoong whispered.
I can hear you!
Monk Dae-woo yelled from the back garden.
Ouch!
Mu Ssang cringed and Kamdoongs face was lit by golden light. The light stayed on the top of Kamdoongs head then faded.
Gonggong, Ive released it.
Teacher, I am grateful!
Kamdoong knelt on the ground. The persistent soul binding was undone.
Friend, when you need some muscles, just tell me.
Kamdoong rolled up his sleeves.
You must be overflowing with power!
It must be because of the genes of the fellow called Ocelot. An incorrigible animal-like bastard must be beaten with a woodblock. My fists are barely holding it in.
Without Restraining Headpiece, Kamdoong turned hostile. His expressionless face showed a subtle smile and his shoulders squared up. Mu Ssang understood why Teacher had to restrain him with the headpiece.
Hey, that is why Teacher bound your soul. In the human world, even if you are strong, you shouldnt act up. Also, dont smile. Especially in front of women, dont show your smile.
Haha. I do not know the difference between men, women, animals, and plants. I only care if I can empathize with them.
I think I get it.
Mu Ssang nodded. Kamdoong was not an animal or a plant. His emotion and reason were also not genuine but a mask instilled by Teacher. He awakened and gained a humans body but he still remained a bionic robot in essence. No wonder he felt nothing toward women.
Youve built 12 outhouses! You are finally showing some sense.
Monk Dae-woo, completing his walk around the house, grinned widely.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang frowned. He knew what Teacher was thinking. Designed after the story of Lord Mengchang who had 3,000 guests, the outhouses were for visitors.
You did well to bring the valleys water into the garden. It bodes well for feng shui. I doubt you did it consciously though.
You are exactly right.
Mu Ssang scratched his head. He knew nothing about feng shui. He only did it because he liked water.
I designated this area for the construction of your house because of the waters energy connected here from the Palgong mountain. But even the waters energy is no match to your fiery energy.
Should I make a pond in the energys center?
Never. The center is only where the waters energy and life force gather. Water as a physical substance matters not. The center has finally stabilized. If you dig it up, how are you different from Japanese invaders?
I stay ignorant. You shall designate the spot for the pond too.
Huh. I need to go back to the mountain and you still seek to use me!
Monk Dae-woos squashed eyes were overflowing with kindness. The resolve that kept him sane as he went through hell several times was apparent. He had sent Mu Ssang to war zones, trusting his good heart and strong resolve, but that still did not set him free from worries.
Mu Ssang had a good heart. It pained Monk Dae-woo to ponder the inner conflict and pain that Mu Ssang must have felt as he absolved the bloodthirst and violence that seeped into his soul. The public thinks of the six Buddhist supernatural powers as a solution for all, but it was not so. If human fate solely depended upon causality, the world would be a lot simpler..
Chapter 527 - Episode 6 Affection Over Love
Foresight has levels. Only the Buddha and bodhisattvas can freely see the past lives and futures of themselves, people, and creatures. A clairvoyant human can only guess the future from ones past karma and present state.
The present is the sum total of every small thought and habit in the past. The present decides the future. Destiny and fate are not fixed things. Ones karma forms ones destiny. Ones destiny becomes ones fate.
No way! You said one who does not share ones knowledge is ten times worse than an ignorant one. For you to go for a night walk through the mountain with a fine bodhisattva, your body needs to be strong and your mind clear. Adequate exercise is said to prevent dementia.
Mu Ssang smiled abashedly.
The only thing you trained when you were across the ocean was your tongue!
Teachers staff flew towards the top of Mu Ssangs head. There was a thud of a thick muscle being hit, not a hard skull. Monk Dae Woos eyes widened. His staff changed its course on its own and hit Mu Ssangs shoulder instead.
Haha! I am already ignorant. My fragile head should be spared.
Your skull is fragile? Even a Pachycephalosaurus would be no match. You have acquired quite a flair.
Your stupid student acquired it when he reached the state of selflessness. Up until now, your student depended upon others perceptions to judge things and see the world in black and white. He gazed at the images of things and didnt realize the emptiness within. All things are meaningless. When you see that, you become the Buddha!
Mu Ssang remembered Mrs. Lee, Hae Youngs mother, who kicked him out after deeming him a beggar. She had a lowly soul. She was blinded by vanity and greed. She confused lowly pleasures with freedom and self-indulgence with courage. She was the very reason why he broke up with Hae Young. He could never imagine himself being a family with that woman.
Mu Ssang could not believe a pure soul like Hae Young came from the womb of such a vulgar woman. Genes were not reliable and so was the law of heredity. It was stupid. Mrs. Lee was yet another person caught in the illusion and could not see her true self. Mu Ssang himself, who was indignant about illusions, was an illusion. Everything was a vain delusion.
That is quite auspicious. You did take the four-phrase precepts I taught you to heart.
Priest Dae Woos face bloomed in a wide smile. Mu Ssang felt his heart warm up. Teachers smile enveloped him like spring sunshine. To shed attachments was a precept that sustained him when his ego was collapsing. He recited it as a mantra to subdue his desire to murder and his feelings of insanity. Small epiphanies led him to this day.
Yes, Teacher. I understood the value of applying a precept to action. To retain this resolve, I named the main house Eungsim-je, the House That Responds to Hearts.
Respond to hearts? You understood the illusion of ego. That is auspicious. Anyone can be taught, but not everyone can be enlightened. I pay homage to the immeasurable Enlightened One!
Monk Dae Woo closed his eyes and recited a Buddhist mantra. He was feeling sad. Mu Ssang was such a great student but he was not monk material. Monk Dae Woo felt the enigmatic nature of the way the universe operates.
I do not truly understand the precept of shedding attachments. I only seek to understand it. If I keep pondering it, I may reach your level one day.
After being overseas, your words have properly flourished! Haha.
Monk Dae Woo laughed out loud. This is why it is said that it is more worthwhile to teach a kind student than an intelligent one. A student is like a monks child. They were more precious than ones child. A child leaves ones bosom when they grow up but a student always keeps their teacher in their heart.
I have decided to let go of guns. I do not want to see more bloodshed. I built this house to settle down. I have made sufficient money. The amount is sufficient to buy the whole island of Jeju. I made money. Now I shall spend it. I will light a lamp where it is dark and erect a wall where it is cold.
Monk Dae Woo gazed at his student. He was proud of his grown-up student. He was saddened at his twisted destiny. He was already 88 years old. He was supposed to retire last year but because of Mu Ssang, he postponed it to 100 years of age.
Mu Ssang, I knew you were not monk material. Yet I still robed you, cleansed you, and taught arts to quench your fiery nature, the infernal fire. As I said before, you were an asura in your past life. An asuras energy is immeasurable. only ?akras infinite energy can subdue it. With my mere energy, I couldnt subdue it. The infernal fire is the collective of all murderous intents. When it reaches ones brain, one becomes insane. For someone as powerful as you to go insane, it would be truly disastrous. I sent you off to be a mercenary for you to let out your uncontrollable infernal fire. I sent you to hell because my power was insufficient. It is my fault. I turn to the immeasurable Enlightened One!
There was a touch of sadness to Monk Dae Woos mantra-chanting voice. He was feeling so proud of his student who overcame all hardships and understood the illusion of ego.
Teacher!
Mu Ssang hugged Teacher and broke into tears. He was already aware of Teachers concerns. Epidiums murderous insanity, which Teacher referred to as infernal fire, could have turned him into a being more terrible than Ocelot if he failed to let it out. Mu Ssang was touched deeply by Teachers endless love that made him worry after sending his student to hell.
Huh. You have grown enough to calmly gaze at the world without being influenced by it. So why are you crying? Your nose is dripping onto your expensive leather coat. I procured that after two hours of digging around, ignoring judging gazes, in the early morning market in Dongdaemun.
Teacher, this is a rip-off. I will buy you a real Herms. You should ride around in mountains and fields on your Harley with a glossy airhorn in your shiny leather jacket. All women would go ooh and aah.
Haha! I should pick up a glamorous one on the back seat. All men would die of jealousy. That is quite a refreshing thought.
Monk Dae Woo jumped like an immature teenage boy.
Teacher, have I escaped the infernal fire?
Epidiums insanity is engraved in ones genes. The sound of war drums in ones head. The shout to kill. Boiling blood. Several massacres he committed in a trance state. There always was certain fear hiding in the corner of his mind.
When you understood the illusion of ego, your murderous intent and insanity hid deep inside your subconscious. Mu Ssang, you were orphaned at a young age and could endure your vile uncle and aunts hellish abuse because your true nature is kind and resolute. But it is also thanks to the profound love of your mother and father. As long as you remember your parents love, your reason will rein in your insanity. Dont think about the killings you committed. Ones karma depends upon ones intent. If you are sure in your intent, there is no karma.
Monk Dae Woo stroked Mu Ssangs hair with his bony hand. Mu Ssang could no longer inherit the temple but became a hero who could balance the world. Monk Dae Woo was satisfied. And he was still lovable like a teenage boy.
Your grace is the same as my parents love.
Mu Ssang bowed deeply. He could stand here today as himself because he crossed paths with Teacher. His bosom was his hometown, father, and mother. It was wide enough to embrace even the insanity of epidium.
Why is he crying now?
Monk Dae Woo looked back at Kamdoong who was sniveling. His handsome face was soaked in tears. Kamdoong wiped his tears with his sleeve.
Teacher, this must be the human emotion! Thank you for turning me into a human. Pay homage to the immeasurable Enlightened One!
Kamdoong joined his hands together. When he first gained ego, he merely became aware of his being. When he befriended Mu Ssang, he still felt a strong unity akin to the collective intelligence of ants or bees. He never felt any emotion as fulfilling and moving as this.
There is a spot on ones back that one cannot reach when it itches. He felt though as if someone was scratching that spot. He could give anything to this person. He could even give them his nonexistent guts. His heartbeat and his brain trembled in joy.
Gonggong, humans are human because they can empathize. Only humans can share anothers pain, contentment, and happiness. God is capable of empathizing with everything. Thus a human is a seed of a god.
Monk Dae Woo caressed the glossy head of Kamdoong. His vast bosom amply embraced Mu Ssang and Kamdoong, both immensely powerful beings.
Lets go. I will designate the spot where you will dig a pond.
Monk Dae Woo strode toward the bamboo forest to the right of the main house. His wild-spinach staff flew through the air. His staff drew an elongated oval on its own. The area was about 330 square meters. The staff, having finished drawing the line, flew back into Monk Dae Woos hand.
Spring water is blocked there. Go check.
Dimensional Sight and Resonance Wave were activated at once. His awareness expanded deep into the ground. The density changed at 700 meters below. Mu Ssang felt the vibrating energy of water. The energy that was supposed to flow freely, was struggling like a calf being put on a leash for the first time.
The flow is blocked. I sense very impure energy. It doesnt seem to be underground water.
The sneaky Japanese monk did something funny here too. Gonggong, do you feel it?
Yes, Teacher.
Kamdoong melted and disappeared into the ground at once. He soon soared back with a big cat with two tails.
Nekomata!
Mu Ssang looked at Kamdoong with incredulous eyes. Kamdoong exercised great physical power but Nekomata is a ghost made of spiritual energy. It was immune to physical power.
Kamdoong hurled Nekomata to the ground. Nekomata enlarged its body rapidly. It became as big as an ox in an instant. It raised its fur and glared at them with red eyes.
An impertinent one! Kamdoong opened his mouth wide. The air shimmered at the powerful blow of ELF. Nekomata, who was about to leap, was disintegrated as disappeared into the air.
Did he just combine physical and energetic power?
Mu Ssang, surprised, asked Monk Dae Woo.
Gonggong was like a blank canvas, unlike a certain stupid one. I could paint anything on a blank canvas. I implanted an entity-banishing seal in him.
You did a great job. Mu Ssang nodded. Teacher must have discerned the increasing muddiness in the world. If he taught Kamdoong how to banish ghosts, there must be a reason.
Since we removed the trash blocking the waters flow, the underground waters level must be rising.
Mu Ssang scanned the underground with Resonance Wave.
I feel water 180 meters below.
It is quite clear and lively, close to an energy center. It is top-quality drinking water. You chose a great spot to build a house.
Have you discerned the quality of the underground water? You are admirable. You will do great as a water developer.
That is why I am your teacher! Haha.
Mu Ssang looked at the giggling Teacher with envious eyes. He was now embarrassed at boasting Dimensional Sight and Surreal Senses. He was like a minor demon flaunting his magic in front of Fengdudadi.
Should I turn the valley waters course to the pond too?
No. You will benefit from multiple water energies. The valley water and the spring water have different sources so you shall treat them separately. If you mix in the valleys water, you will attract scum.
I see.
Mu Ssang, I keep saying this, but you need water energy close by. Build a pavilion near the pond and stay there often. If you face peril in the future, water will be the antidote. Be close to a great body of water.
Mu Ssangs eyes glinted at the unexpected advice.
Do you foresee a worrying peril?
Beings like you and Kamdoong appeared in the world because of certain reasons. You are not destined to die early, so dont worry too much.
I dont. This is but a life in the vast cycle of reincarnations. I dont mind too much.
Look at how you talk!
The wild-spinach staff hit his head again. Psychokinesis was activated reflexively this time and attempted to change the course of the staff, but it didnt work this time.
Ouch!
Did you expect to fool me twice? You are still but a novice monk. Dont pretend youve mastered the energies. It is embarrassing me.
Based on the muscle power loaded in the staff, you surely will stay in this world until I have children.
Look at you. You have been anticipating my death to inherit the temple, havent you?
Of course. Real estate prices are soaring these days. If I expand the temple into a big monastery using the soccer-field-sized front yard, I shall make some profit in donations.
You bastard. I shall live for 10 years longer just because I dont want it to be yours. Monk Dae Woo feigned offense.
Teacher, I wish you a long life.
Mu Ssang felt a heartache. Teacher said the period of 10 years on a whim. He only had Teacher and Aunt Hadong as close acquaintances in the whole world. If Teacher passed away, with what could he ever fill that emptiness? Who will tolerate his childlike jest? Suddenly, the world took on a gray tone and his heart felt heavy.
Mu Ssang, even with a pond, the places water energy is still no match to your fiery energy. Yin equals water energy..
Chapter 528 - Episode 7 Affection Over Love
Yin equals water energy?
Mu Ssangs worry turned into anxiety. The next word was predictable. Starting from the longevity point, Teacher always emphasized the energies of fire and water. Teacher seemed childish at times, but he retained his expertise. If one was not careful, one could easily be fooled.
Teacher, I am still a student.
You! Stop being perverted. Is your wife the only woman around you? Why dont you let Jin Soons sisters live with you two? Is Mina your son?
Ugh!
Mu Ssangs heart dropped. He had forgotten about Mina, who was in Mu Hos house because the adoption process didnt proceed properly. She was abandoned by her father who killed her mother and left her orphaned. She would call Mu Ssang Daddy! and cling to his back like a baby koala. And he had almost forgotten about her.
I promised her that I would come see her when she enters elementary school, Mu Ssang muttered weakly.
His heart ached when he thought about the girl who would be waiting for him dearly. He paid the wife of Mu Ho a great amount for the expenses but that did not ensure that they would take care of her properly. To quench the fires overseas, he ignored the fire nearby.
There was also Jin Soon and her four sisters. The elder three were going to college in Daegu. There were a lot of rooms so they did not really need to rent a room or stay in a dormitory.
I visited her this spring. She was energetic but her face showed otherwise. I shouldnt really be doing your errands at this age. My fate is quite sad too, added Monk Dae Woo, after glancing at crestfallen Mu Ssang. Mina doesnt really have anything common with him. He took her in because of pity.
It was great that a high school student took in an orphan and worked hard to make ends meet. Sunlight falls evenly on the ground but blades of grass are of different lengths. Depraved monks chanting non-attachment all day did not amount to one high school students action.
Phew! I had forgotten about her. Mu Ssang heaved a deep sigh.
Haha! Thats why you are low grade. Even though you attempt to judge and fix the world, you still need me to function as a proper human. Do you get it?
I know. The rice grains you dropped are more than the whole bowls of rice I ate. I will take in Mina right away. I will let Jin Soons four sisters stay here too.
Mu Ssang smiled widely. The more Teacher cares about the world, the later he will leave it. It was a good happenstance. He even thought of making careless mistakes just for the sake of that.
You shall. Isnt the back garden quite vast?
It is. I shall build an orphanage when the time comes.
That is quite auspicious. As you wipe someones tears, you are wiping yours too.
Monk Dae Woos expression softened like a spring breeze.
When do the guests arrive?
Jin Soon will come tomorrow morning and the foreigners will arrive the day after tomorrow.
What? Jin Soon is coming tomorrow? I was thinking of eating some of her noodles in cold soybean soup but I guess I wont be able to today.
Should I call her now?
Dont. She is working as a nurse. I dont think you called me, who is quite busy, just to brag. Why did you call me? Monk Dae Woo drawled and glared at Mu Ssang. He was pressuring Mu Ssang to own up.
Haha. To be honest, I have quite a hassle that I would like for you to deal with.
Eh? Do you have a hassle you cant deal with? I find that quite unbelievable.
Monk Dae Woos eyes widened. What could prove to be a hassle for Mu Ssang? Money resolves most issues in this world. Power is above money. Violence is above power. If Mu Ssang took offense, he could butcher even the president. What would be a hassle for him?
To be honest, there is an orphanage called In Ae Won run by Priest Bumwoo
Mu Ssang briefly explained the scheme of Abe and his Yamanashi collection, along with Abes intention to burn the children to death in In Ae Won.
That is quite auspicious. I had expected as much but for such a complex thing to happen, I am quite dumbstruck. With your temper, you wouldnt have spared their lives, would you?
Monk Dae Woo firmly gazed at Mu Ssang. It was a gaze of blame, asking if he killed them.
They just plotted it. If we jail them, it would take peoples taxes to feed and clothe them. I sent them off to Novatopia to work. They will need to plant trees in the desert until they die.
You did great. They are human-faced beasts but if you are not on a battlefield, you shall not kill. So, you are saying it is difficult for you to move the Yamanashi collection.
Yes. The curfew is lifted but considering the zeitgeist, I would like to minimize needless conflicts.
Hmm. You have become quite human. Haha!
Monk Dae Woo giggled. Kamdoong was confused.
Teacher, Eastern Swordsman is originally human. It is nonsensical to say he became human.
The wild-spinach staff landed on Kamdoongs glossy scalp.
You havent become sufficiently human, considering your needless words. Shall I extend your disciplinary period?
No! Great Teacher! It is all my fault!
Kamdoong, startled, knelt and held the pant leg of Monk Dae Woo. Just thinking about the soul-binding Restraining Headpiece was shudder-inducing.
You, leave it be, lest you tear my expensive leather pants. Why did you even think to budge in when two adults are speaking.
I will be careful.
Kamdoong was completely resigned.
Lets look at the cellar first. To move valuable things, we must set specific coordinates.
Yes. Lets go.
Kamdoong, following them from a distance, changed form. Gonggong changed into a black leopard.
Teacher is quite harsh. Am I his only victim? Kamdoong complained internally.
After having his skull hit many times, his brain seemed to have become frozen. Kamdoong felt more comfortable in his original form than a humanoid form. A large black leopard followed Mu Ssang as it shook its tail.
Huh. Its quite a field! Mu Ssang exclaimed.
The basement built under the foundation of the main house was about 660 square meters wide. The wide space was filled with only homeostatic devices, a generator, and some tools required for training. It was otherwise empty.
We must go down one level further.
Mu Ssang caressed the wall. A part of it became transparent and a number pad floated up. When he entered the passcode, a machine protruded from the wall lining. After his irises and fingerprint were scanned, the floor descended.
What is all this? Did Korea have such technology?
I called a French engineer to build this. It took quite some money.
The elevator stopped. A dark steel door opened and an empty space appeared. When he caressed the wall surface, the lights were turned on one after another.
The first underground floor is a normal basement. Here, we are at 20 meters below the surface. I designed it as a bunker initially but now I will use this space as storage for cultural artifacts.
Mu Ssang skipped details such as Bonipass help and the use of Gongjinpa. Teacher could discern the true nature of the phenomena.
I smell gunpowder. Kamdoong sniffed.
Your nose is quite good. Is that because you are a leopard?
Mu Ssang stroked the wall and it opened. The various weaponry inside the wall emitted a chilly sheen. Two Dragunovs, five MP5sd3s, five Glocks, Minimi light machine gun, grenade launchers, M2 heavy machine gun, stacks of ammo and combat uniforms, a massive whip
What is all this? Are you planning a coup?
Monk Dae Woo opened his mouth wide. Korea has one of the most strict gun laws in the world. Even a hunting rifle requires a permit that is hard to get. When it is not hunting season, it must be turned in to the police. A sniping rifle and a heavy machine gun were outrageous.
Great preparation prevails, doesnt it? Mu Ssang answered indifferently.
To be honest, he wanted to quote Agrippina. He had no intent to open fire in his home country but Korea was Americas alley. Should a conflict arise, he was not going to go down without a fight.
Huh! You dont trust the government.
I cant. They are traitors who leaked nuclear and missile technologies in order to gain recognition for their regime. I have a tricky relationship with America. I have finished things on good terms but you dont know what will happen in this world.
Hmm!
Monk Dae Woo sighed deeply. Mu Ssang was not the type to attack first but he was also not the type to show mercy if someone touched his family. A fight between a dictator who razed a city with the military and his student, a one-man legion, would prove disastrous. A sigh escaped his mouth.
Friend, that whip smells like it came from my world.
Kamdoong pointed at Vajra.
Thats for sure. It is made from the tendons of a Bossaurus.
Mu Ssang picked up Vajra. A massive whip drew a circle in the empty space. When it surpassed the speed of sound, it hit the wall, leaving a deep mark on it.
Huh. That is at least half a foot thick! Monk Dae Woo exclaimed. He was well aware of his students power but the thickness of the iron wall was impressive.
The outer wall is 1,000-millimeter of concrete and the inner wall is 200-millimeter thick semi-hard iron. Even a bunker buster cannot infiltrate it.
Is there a need for such a measure?
You already know this. The genetically modified bionic weapon developed by Americans in Area 51 is frightfully powerful. A Predators combat strength surpasses that of a tank or a fighter jet. If they send humanoid Predators
Mu Ssang shook his head slowly. He needed a substantial defence to deter the humanoid Grendel or psychic Haunters that he defeated in Ounianga.
Hmm. It is indeed your business. You brought me here for me to move the entire Yamanashi collection.
Monk Dae Woo changed the topic. Mu Ssang could handle his own business. Monk Dae Woo had already transcended mundane matters. It was not prudent for him to interfere.
Yes. Please move them to the display shelves.
Will you pay me?
I will give you Gamulchi.
You are swimming in money and choose to be stingy to your own teacher?
I will buy you a widescreen television set.
Hmm. After you.
That evening, in the area around the mountain in front of Mu Ssangs house, a light earthquake of the magnitude of three was felt. The 2,570 items in the basement of In Ae Won, belonging to the Yamanashi collection, 360 kilograms of gold, and the display shelves were teleported to the storage space in the basement of Eungsim-je in Bulro district.
The fruit of the zombie labor of the Sun family, 60 books indexing the cultural artifacts, along with the list of sympathizers to Japanese colonialism, were moved as well. In the books, 30 items of Japans national treasures were identified.
The next morning, the ever-tranquil entrance of Eungsim-je became bustling and vibrant. Six women got off a taxi. They looked at each other. They thought the taxi driver brought them to a wrong destination.
The vast building filling the field of view, Hong Ye Mun, and the pavilion sitting on a stone foundation were reminiscent of a front gate of a palace. The tall granite wall seemed to stretch infinitely. They came for a housewarming party, not for a walk around a traditional palace. Jin Soons eyes widened too. She had heard Mu Ssang talk about it several times, but a picture was indeed worth a thousand words.
Jin Soon, is this the right location?
Yeon Soon looked back at Jin Soon with incredulous eyes.
It is indeed Mu Ssangs house.
For real?
Really?
Shall we ask him?
Gye Soon pointed at the old foreign man standing upright in front of the front gate. It was quite odd for him to suit up with a bow tie in this hot weather but there was no one else they could ask.
Welcome, Jin Soon and her family.
The Arab old gentleman bowed deeply. It was Ali Jadir, the father of Bakri Jadir. Hearing his fluent Korean, the Hadong familys eyes widened.
He knows us!
It really is Mu Ssangs house!
What is happening?
Ha Dong Daek and her sisters opened their mouths wide.
Hello. Who would you be?
Jin Soon asked.
It is pleasure to meet you. I am Dubais butler, Ali Bakri. Call me Ali.
How can I? You are my senior.
You, Jin Soon can.
Ali grinned. Ali spent his younger years as a butler to a Jordanian aristocrat. From Wakils words, he had guessed that the young lady in front of him was going to be his queen.
Please come in.
The vast doors opened.
Whoa! They exclaimed.
The lawn was as wide as a soccer field. Clear creek water flowed along the stone waterway. A lush bamboo forest shivered in the wind. A knee-tall stone foundation supported a picturesque, vast traditional Korean house. The view before them was worthy of being featured on a postcard.
Jin Soon, what has happened?
Ha Dong Daek looked back at Jin Soon.
I am not quite sure either. Mu Ssang said it is as wide as a soccer field and it indeed is!
There he is.
I see the monk grandpa too.
The sisters swarmed to Monk Dae Woo and Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang, we are here.
Ou Soon jumped and wrapped her legs around Mu Ssangs waist and clung there like a cicada. Had he not trained his lower body, he was surely going to fall backward.
Look at her act up.
Ha Dong Daek scolded her but Ou Soon did not bat an eye.
Hello, monk grandpa!
Oh, the beauties are here!
Monk Dae Woo grinned widely but was ignored right away. The young women focused their attention on Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang, you must be a ghost, right?
Mu Ssang, there must be a djinn in your ring.
No, there must be a magic lamp somewhere.
Is this really your house?
Mu Ssang was feeling overwhelmed. It would be easier to handle voodoo zealots than to listen to the babble of the sisters. Jin Soons face was not so bright, unlike her sisters.. Each brick and each tile must have cost Mu Ssang his hard-earned money.
Chapter 529 - Episode 8 Affection Over Love
There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Receiving money from someones pocket is the second hardest thing after enduring hunger. Jin Soon only took two Sundays off and worked every day for 12 hours to get a monthly wage of 160,000 won. Unless one was born to rich parents, one needed to pay a great price to touch fortune.
Six years had passed since Mu Ssang became a mercenary. This vast traditional Korean house was a payment for all of his torn flesh, broken bones, and heartache. His time as a mercenary could not always be better than when he was slaving away at Wu Taks. What is visible isnt the whole thing. It seemed to rain in Jin Soons heart.
How much was your salary?
Are you curious? In Korean won, it should be about 20,000,000.
You are joking!
I am not.
That is absurd!
Mu Ssang is a liar!
Mal Soon and Ou Soon jested.
Look at these ladies. They take me for a liar!
Mu Ssang feigned offense and jumped. Yeon Soon and Gye Soon were in college. Mal Soon was in high school. Ou Soon was in middle school. Mu Ssang played along with the playful liveliness of teenage girls.
You should say something believable if you want to be taken seriously. How does it make sense that one persons monthly salary would be worth 10 apartments?
Haha, yeah. I dont believe it myself either.
Right? Its absurd!
Ou Soons eyes twinkled as she babbled on. Mu Ssangs face bloomed in a grin. It was a soft smile encompassing the tails of his mouth and eyes, like a stroke of ink spreading on a scroll. Meaningless talks would warm ones heart when it is said by family. That is why family is good.
Wakil is talking with his great teacher. I will guide you.
Ali led the Hadong family to the main house. There were six rooms in the main house. Each room has a separate entrance space and is equipped with a dressing room and an ensuite bathroom. The entrance space was a rare design in Korea. It was French style. In the design phase, Mu Ssang had quite a difficulty explaining it to the architects.
The rooms were attached to the 99-square-meter open space with a raised wooden floor that was separated by a double glass door that led to the aforementioned space. Each room was a separate space yet connected to the open space. Ali opened the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front and back of the open space. The wind blew through.
Whoa!
The five ladies were open-eyed in amazement. It was a traditional Korean house but not so traditional either. The open space, antique decor, and modern convenience surprised them. Each room was on a par with a hotel suite. The five sisters surveyed the entire house.
I will only need one wooden pillow for a good nights sleep. Where did you go, friend? Your son has made it and built a palace. Where even are you?
Ha Dong Daek dabbed her teary eyes with her sleeve.
Jin Soon, this door leads to the back garden. Wakil said you are to tend to the back garden.
Me? Tend to the back garden? Is it some sort of secret garden?
Jin Soon pondered as she was handed the key to the small door. This must mean that it is a special place for Mu Ssang. As she pushed open the door, Jin Soon firmly pressed her chest. It was a field of peace trees.
Mu Ssang!
Mu Ssang must have been missing his mother so much that he covered this vast area with peach trees. Each branch was budding. In a fortnight, pale pink petals would be dancing in the air. Jin Soon could feel how much Mu Ssang missed his mother. Her eyes welled up.
Argh!
A monster!
Screams erupted near the outhouses. Mu Ssang looked at Monk Dae Woo with an uneasy face. Kamdoong must have been napping there in his original form.
Tsk, tsk. He must have been careful. What shall we do?
Ha Dong Daek and Jin Soons sisters did not know his true identity. They surely would not understand Kamdoongs existence.
Maybe it would prove quite auspicious. He is too handsome. Maybe he will be less conspicuous as a cat. I never used my spells on a human being. This cant be avoided.
Monk Dae Woo clucked his tongue.
Maybe we can hinder the retrieval of a certain memory? Would that be a problem?
It used to be a problem. Ones memory is ones sense of self. It is not moral to interfere with it. But to prevent the confusion due to Kamdoong, this time shall be an exception.
Ocelot is causing problems even after his death! Mu Ssang complained.
Ocelots superior good looks caused quite an odd problem. Jin Soons sisters are made up of two mature women and a girl in her puberty. Sunday Leopards mug that was a mixture of Alain Delon and Omar Sharifs good features could cause quite a stir.
It was in fact Mu Ssangs fault, who provided Kamdoong with a too-handsome body donor and gave him Omar Sharif as an inspiration. Only Ocelot was the losing party here, whose body was donated and soul was exterminated.
[Gonggong!]
At Monk Dae Woos call, a black line streaked from the outhouse.
You called, Teacher?
A black leopard appeared out of thin air and bowed.
You came because I called. You should stay as a leopard.
I was originally a leopard.
Kamdoong stared at Monk Dae Woo as if wondering what is the problem was.
You are a cat now. Reduce your body tenfold, no, 40 times.
A common cat weighs between two kilograms and five kilograms. A big species never exceeds 8 kilograms. For Kamdoong to appear as a cat, his body must be reduced 40-fold.
Should I change my form to an animal named cat too?
No need. A cat enlarged dozens of times is a leopard.
I see.
Kamdoongs large body, like a punctured balloon, was reduced to a five-kilogram size in an instant.
Is this sufficiently small?
Dont talk. Cats dont talk.
Monk Dae Woo glared.
[Huh, I see.]
Kamdoong, startled, ceased speaking.
I am sorry, Kamdoong.
Mu Ssang felt sorry. Because of the playful women, innocent Kamdoong had to live as a cat. But Kamdoong did not feel any qualms at all. He didnt mind if he had to be a human, a leopard, a cat, or a tree. He simply felt most at ease as a leopard.
Ha Dong Daek, Mal Soon, and Ou Soon ran up to them, panting.
Mu Ssang, there is a black monster in the outhouse.
It is bigger than an ox. Im just so scared.
A monster? A black cat maybe?
Mu Ssang pointed at Kamdoong.
How cute!
Ou Soon, simple-minded, abruptly embraced Kamdoong. Kamdoong still retained the leopard form but he was cat-sized, so he was a cat.
No, that wasnt it. It was a black monster bigger than a lion! Mal Soon blabbered.
I saw it too. It was a cat spirit a hundred times bigger than a cat, Ha Dong Daek added. The entire Hadong family clamored on. Jin Soon was about to say something when Monk Dae Woo waved his sleeve.
Ha Dong Daek, Mal Soon, and Ou Soons eyes clouded over for a moment then regained clarity. The Kamdoong they discovered was replaced with the smaller Kamdoong.
Hmm. Mal Soon, look closely. Isnt this the monster you saw?
The three clapped at once.
It is! I was surprised at this cat.
Sorry for bothering you, monk grandpa.
Mal Soon and Ou Soon bowed.
He is a Bombay cat named Kamdoong. He is a spiritual animal who has been under my tutelage for a long time. Get along. If he doesnt behave, tell me. I shall fix him.
Kamdoong flinched at the last words Teacher said.
Is he really smart?
Of course. I will show you. Kamdoong, from now on, if what I say is right, raise your right paw. If wrong, raise your left paw.
Meow!
Jin Soon is beautiful.
Kamdoong raised his right paw.
Jin Soon is a woman.
Kamdoong raised his right paw.
Whoa!
The girls exclaimed.
Kamdoong, the sun rises from the west! Ou Soon shouted.
Kamdoong tapped his head with his left paw and made a circle.
Whoa!
Haha!
There were exclamations and laughter. The five sisters were enthusiastic about Kamdoong who was as cute as he was smart. Kamdoong underestimated the young girls obsession with cute animals. Suddenly aware of it, he attempted to escape.
I am speechless!
Jin Soon shook her head. She already knew Kamdoongs true identity. A very intelligent cat would still not be able to compare things. Her sisters who believed that Kamdoong is just a smart animal were in fact, dumber than Kamdoong.
Samdi, who Jin Soon had met before, was not human either. How many extraordinary beings were around Mu Ssang? She thought she knew him well but she encountered more and more unknown parts.
Mr. Butler, how many guests do we have tomorrow?
Lady Jin Soon, the chef of Lady Edel will take care of the ingredients. Do not let yourself worry.
Edel? Who is that?
Jin Soons eyes glinted.
Oh, Im an idiot!
Old Man Ali wanted to punch his own mouth but it was too late. Ali spent 20 years as a butler to aristocrats. He was well aware of how intuitive women were when it came to competition for love.
Yes, she is Dubaiburupas maid.
Lady Edel, please forgive me for saying this.
When Ali apologized in his head, but a counterargument arrived.
In Novatopia, does a maid has a chef?
This is why I should retire!
At his repeated mistakes, Old Man Ali felt his vision darken. He didnt dare to lie further. If Edel was angelic, Jin Soon was charismatic. His attempt at covering up led to a bigger problem.
Mr. Butler, I am sorry for asking further. Please dont mind it.
I see.
Old Man Ali feared the dont mind it further.
Guests in Korea should be treated in a Korean way. The mistress of a Korean house treats guests with such an amount of food that they can feel their stomach touch their liver. Anatomically, there is quite a distance between the liver and the stomach. Do you understand what I mean?
It was an assertion that she shall lead as the mistress. The metaphor of the liver and the stomach hit him as a quite meaningful phrase too.
There are about 50 guests. Including the attendants, it could be 70.
In an hour, bring me the list of guests, how long they will stay, and the brief individual description of their tastes.
Old Man Ali felt chills at her decisive order. Her charisma was on a par with Wakils.
Edel is falling behind.
Old Man Alis face darkened. Ones heart tends to lean toward the people with whom one went through many things.
Ha Dong Daek and Yeon Soon got on a Citro?n BX and went to a market. Jin Soon went on cleaning the house with her sisters. The five sisters all had a knack for cleaning. The entire house was tidied up in no time. For a house to be a home, a familys gaze and touch were required.
Old Man Alis face darkened further. Edel was a doctor. It is a great profession but not suitable for a mistresss role. The entire world could praise her but what use is it if her husband doesnt? He was biased towards Edel yet still he had to acknowledge Jin Soons value.
Ha Dong Daek and Jin Soon filled the 16-people limestone table with various dishes in no time. Ha Dong Daeks hands were quite deft but they did not compare to Jin Soons. Boiling, frying, stir-frying, roasting, blanching, her hands handling ingredients were as soft as water and as fast as the wind.
Butler Ali gazed at the table incredulously. Ever since he was born, he never saw a table laden with as many various dishes at once. An aristocrats table was a poor mans table compared to what was before his eyes.
How could so many various dishes be made in such a short time? Ali stole glimpses at the lady tending to Wakil like a tongue in a mouth. Monk Dae Woo grinned widely. Ha Dong Daek feigned ignorance.
Ali shook his head with a troubled face. To be honest, Edels cooking was abysmal. As an Arabic proverb goes: great cooking redeems the wife of any wrongdoings. Both ladies were beautiful and elegant but the scale was losing balance rapidly.
Mu Ssang, I have never seen such a big house. Why did you make it this big?
Ha Dong Daek was greatly worried. The maintenance cost alone would cost a fortune for such a palatial house. Mu Ssang stopped eating galbi and scratched the back of his head.
Right. It somehow ended up like this.
He had nothing else to say. Ou Soon, gorging on bulgogi (marinated beef), stopped moving her chopsticks. She was young but still could worry.
Mu Ssang, I counted it all. Five rooms in the main house. In the outhouses, 42 and 4 in the biggest one. In total, 52 rooms. Why did you build it this big? Arent you going bankrupt?
Bankrupt? Hahaha! Mine is nothing really. Overseas, there is a house with hundreds of rooms. The outhouses are for workers and guests. The main house is for Ha Dong Daek and you girls.
Everyone stopped in mid-motion. Six pairs of eyes were trained upon Mu Ssang.
I will use the study. You shall each pick a room.
The ice didnt thaw at the additional explanation.
What do you mean?
Ha Dong Daek asked incoherently.
Since I have a large house, I thought why should the girls live in other peoples? Yeon Soon and Gye Soon should move in right away. Mal Soon is about to graduate so you will pick a room now and move in later. Ou Soon should commute from this house.Mu Ssang concluded on his own.
Ha Dong Daek kept repeating What, overwhelmed by Mu Ssangs decisiveness.
Whoa!
Mu Ssang, you are the greatest!
The sisters stopped eating and ran to the rooms. There was abrupt chaos as they each picked a room.
What just happened?
Ha Dong Daek didnt know what to do.
Chapter 530 - Episode 9 Affection Over Love
When you have a daughter, you are bound to worry. You worry that she will be catcalled in the streets. You also worry that she wont be attractive enough for that. If Mu Ssang lives together with them, it would be extremely assuring but it was also too great a favor to ask.
Thanks to Mu Ssang, her five daughters could study without worrying about money. She could not possibly ask for lodging as well. Ha Dong Daek hesitated between her love for her daughters and her face of honor.
What should I do?
Ha Dong Daek looked at Jin Soon. Her eldest daughter was an adult now. She had been for quite some time. She has always been clever since she was a child and after college, she was perhaps a hundred times smarter and clear-headed than her own mother. Ha Dong Daek found herself relying on her eldest daughter to handle things.
Leave it be. Mu Ssang will take care of everything. If he lives with you, you dont have to worry about anything.
Jin Soon was nonchalant. She did not see any problems at all.
Hey, there is a thing called face. It is not even one or two people. How can I let him take care of all of you five? Since your father died, Mu Ssang has been helping us tremendously. I only fed him with cold leftover rice. This is too great of a favor for him to return.
Ha Dong Daek reminisced about the past days in which she relied on Mu Ssang. She suddenly felt a wave of emotions. Ha Dong Daek lifted her apron and blew her nose with it.
We can just do as Mu Ssang said. Yeon Soon is 23 and Gye Soon is 21. Mal Soon is 19. They are quite adept at chores. For the maintenance of this vast house, we needed people anyway.
Yeah, my daughters are quite adept housewives. Still, it doesnt feel right to keep receiving things without giving.
Ha Dong Daek shed her guilt. She excused herself by saying that it is late to tell off her daughters.
Auntie, do as told. You are already one big family. Family doesnt operate on such objective terms. Life is an interwoven fabric of relations. It is good for Mu Ssang as well. Rely on the light of the infinite one! Monk Dae Woo blurted out.
Yeah, I will follow what you said, Monk. I will have my daughters move in right away.
Ha Dong Daek answered unconsciously. Thanks to the monks words, her uneasiness vanished at once.
You should move in too and take care of Mu Ssangs meals. Arent you sick of Jip-eun Dari?
Ha Dong Daek shook her head.
You are better at tending to Mu Ssang than me. I have been a farmer my whole life. This kind of luxurious house intimidates me. I will wait for Mu Ssangs mother in Jip-eun Dari. If you are well, I am well too.
Ha Dong Daeks words were watery with emotions. Jin Soon, moved, held her hand. Black dirt under the nails, gnarly joints, dark skin clinging to the bones with barely any flesh in between. Her hands expressed the sorrow of a widow better than any words.
Those were the hands of a superwoman who raised five daughters. They were the most beautiful hands in the world. Those were humble hands, faithful hands, and kind hands.
Mom, Mu Ssang and your daughters know of sorrow as well. The one who knows sorrow also knows that happiness is near. Do not worry at all. I am happy living.
Jin Soons tears fell on the gnarled hands of Ha Dong Daek.
Mu Ssang was not the type to procrastinate. Furniture for students was necessary. He called a truck and moved Jin Soons, Yeon Soons, and Gye Soons things to Eungsim-je. Thus, Eungsim-je welcomed its first tenants.
The main house, excluding Mu Ssangs quarters, had six separate rooms. Excluding the living room, Jin Soon, Yeon Soon, and Gye Soon each picked a room and moved in. Mal Soon and Ou Soon, who also each picked a room, said they wanted to change schools and move in right away. Teenage girls, already enamored with the palatial manor, didnt see their countryside house that smelled of excrements of cows and chickens as a house.
F*ck. Lee Sang-han is in quite a pickle.
Sang-han grumbled as he attached a support on his lame left leg. Because he was the only son across three generations, he was assigned to civil service but he enlisted as a career soldier claiming that was what a man was supposed to do. In fact, he was also fleeing the smell of chicken shit.
He was assigned to a scouting regiment and commuted to the Demilitarized Zone. He belonged to the so-called DMZ police. The South Korean DMZ police sometimes breached the border but the North Korean DMZ police did it routinely. Often, they just swore at each other from a distance but sometimes there was gunfire. He spent each day in blood-draining anxiety.
F*ck. The sky is the same as before. Treacherous bastards. Lieutenant Kim, Captain Park, and Lieutenant Colonel Lee, I will sever your ankles even if I end up in hell.
Sang-han swore. That day, when he retreated due to inferior firepower, the weather was as scorching as today. Sweat ran down ones body even when one was standing still. He still hallucinated the gunshots, clamors, and screams. One of his colleagues stepped on a mine then he lost consciousness.
When he came to in a hospital, his entire body was wrapped in a bandage. He went through three rounds of operations to remove the shrapnel of various sizes. However, he could not keep his ankle where half of the tendons and muscles were decimated.
The doctor suggested an amputation and a prosthetic but he could not accept that. Rather than lose a limb, he chose to withstand the pain and inconvenience. He blamed the sky for the unbelievable reality but nothing could be done.
The absurd reality did not stop there. He was labeled with mutiny and disobedience. His subordinates died in the blast or were shot to death. No matter how hard he defended himself, his bosses did not budge. He needed to go home with a measly amount of compensation.
I envy you. You have a friend.
His wife jested as she extended him a shopping bag. Her name was Go Min-ji. They went to the same middle school. Now she was the wife of a cripple Lee Sang-han. They hurriedly got married because he was the only son across three generations. In fact, Min-jis stomach was bulging from an accident on the day of the alumni reunion, necessitating an early wedding.
Sang-han was dumbstruck. He fled to the military six months after their marriage. He came back a cripple. It was a miracle that Min-ji was still by his side.
I am sorry. You must not have any spare money.
Sang-han looked at Min-ji with embarrassment. They could barely afford the milk formula for their child. They had to shudder at buying even a measly cuckoo clock.
Its fine. I sold a truck of eggs yesterday. Your mother must be waiting. Go.
Go Min-ji got him his crutch. Sang-han was a man of few words but had a great heart. She sometimes did blame him but he was still her husband whether he did well or poorly. She was glad that he had a friend who called him to such an occasion. Go Min-ji was yet another Jin Soon.
I didnt let the girls move in to be maids!
Mu Ssang shook his head.
It is a needless expense. I and the eldest three, us four can handle a hundred guests and more, Ha Dong Daek insisted.
She did not understand why they needed to hire caterers when there were less than 100 guests.
I know. If you hurt your back, the medical expense will be more. We are creating jobs for the caterers as well.
You have already spent a lot building this house. We shall save even a penny.
Ha Dong Daeks insistence ended with Jin Soons remark, as always.
Mom, do as Mu Ssang said.
I see, girl. Is your mouth Mu Ssangs?
Ha Dong Daek hired five friends from Jip-eun Dari who were all great housewives. She promised three times the normal daily labor wage and additional transportation allowances. The five women from Jip-eun Dari came at once, leaving behind their work in the fields.
Mu Ssangs eyes widened as he exited the front gate. A middle-aged woman and a man on a crutch it was Lee Sang-han and his mother.
Sang-han!
The middle-aged woman, overwhelmed by the architecture, jumped in astonishment.
Mu Ssang!
Sang-hans mother hugged him tightly.
Maam, is everything all right? How is Sir doing?
I am always fine. Sang-hans father is busy handling the farm after half of the chickens died.
Ouch. That must have been a great loss.
Its fine. One goes through such a thing at least once when one has a chicken farm.
Mom, let me see him too.
Sang-han gently pushed his mother away.
Huh?
Mu Ssangs eyes scanned Sang-hans crutch and leg. He had assumed that it was from another drunken fight. But it was not such a simple injury.
Mu Ssang, your friend, always so disobedient to his own mother
Mom, thats enough. This is really nothing, Sang-han insisted.
You were alive!
Sang-han, quite stout, cried in Mu Ssangs chest. It had been seven years since his best friend decimated Kang Choon Shik and the Kkalchi gang before disappearing.
I am sorry. I had my reasons.
Mu Ssang was feeling emotional too. When he was cleaning the chicken shit at Sang-hans familys chicken farm, Hae Young and her friend Choi Min-sun came to the grape orchard to hang out. The events that happened then played before his minds eyes like an old film roll. The two men, who each trudged through their own eventful path, hugged and shared warmth without saying a word.
Lets enter first.
Is this your place?
Yes.
Really?
Have you ever seen me lie?
Mu Ssang grinned.
Yeah. You never lie.
Sang-hans eyes widened as he entered the front gate.
Whoa! This is driving me crazy.
You are driving me crazy. What happened to your leg?
F*ck. Its a long story. Your story must be longer though.
Old Man Ali, spotting Mu Ssang, approached them in quick steps. Sang-hans eyes widened. A suited-up old Arab man was quite a peculiar sight to him.
Ali, this is todays VIP. Tend to him well.
Aye, I will do my best. Could you be Mr. Lee?
Sang-han had to smother laughter at the old Arab mans sloppy Korean pronunciation.
Yes, I am Lee Sang-han.
Welcome. Lady Jin Soon ordered me to guide you to Wakils study.
Ali bowed.
Mom, lets go.
I am still quite overwhelmed.
Sang-hans mother shook her head. For Mu Ssang to have a house larger than a Joseon aristocrats It was quite supernatural.
Who is that foreign old man?
He is my butler.
Butler!
Sang-hans eyes followed Alis back. For the maintenance of this vast estate, there must be a butler. It was a certainty. He had many things to catch up with Mu Ssang. Unfortunately, Mu Ssang could spare no time.
Wakil, Councillor Hamilton from the British embassy.
Wakil, Mr. Davis from California.
Wakil, Mr. Jang Shin from Singapore.
Old Man Ali reported busily.
Sang-han, get some rest. Something can be done with your leg. Dont worry too much.
With that, Mu Ssang went out to greet the guests.
Huh. He has many foreign friends.
Sang-han had hundreds of question marks whirling in his head but had no choice but to be stuck in the study.
Sang-han, what is happening?
Mom, you sound too grim. This is a good thing to happen.
Sang-han was confused as well. It was not a study but a whole other world. The beams, pillars, and rafters were made of the highest caliber pine. The window frame was made of a Chinese parasol tree. The loess wall was covered with traditional Korean paper.
A 10-meter wide wall was covered with bookshelves. The other three were open to outside with windows and doors raised to the ceiling. He felt like he was sitting in a large pavilion in the middle of a forest.
What did Mu Ssang say about your leg?
Sang-hans mothers eyes glinted.
He was just worried about his friend.
With that, Sang-han lay down and rested his head on a wooden pillow.
He must have made a lot of money. It is great to see such an unfortunate boy make it.
The antique wooden pillow had a distinctive scent. Sang-han had no idea that the very wooden pillow under his head was used by King Sejong himself.
The wide study was filled with the scent of pine and the moldy smell of books. Sang-han only knew how to use his muscles but he still has heard of a thing or two. He recognized some cultural artifacts on a national-treasure level such as the antique folding screen, cushions, tea table, and the mat on the floor. He was awestruck.
Wakil, Lady Edel and Aklan crew are here.
Before Old Man Ali finished his sentence, a sequence of cars arrived. The French government still treated its national treasure well. As soon as the chartered plane arrived at the airport, the waiting vehicles from the French embassy in Korea took the guests and ran down the Gyeongbu Expressway.
From the vehicles, the wise ones from Novatopia such as Orifice, Samdi and the generals, Edel, Dinofelis, Yijihana and the cooks, and various attendants swarmed out.
Whoa!
Exclamations erupted. A blonde goddess, wearing hot pants and a tank top, showed herself. Various eyes gazed at the goddess ambling across the lawn toward them.
Edel, thanks to Mu Ssangs grace, has had her beauty upgraded a level further. Her skin glowed as if it was powdered in gold. Her curves became more stark. Her blonde hair had a better texture and glowed in the midday sunshine beating down on the ground. Her gait, trained by Bassel, was fluid as if dancing.
Is that a Western nine-tailed fox?
Ha Dong Daeks mouth was agape in awe..
Chapter 531 - Episode 10 Affection Over Love
The left-side bodyguard Ahmmad quickly stood next to Edel. Samdi and him called themselves Edels royal guards, after all. The left-handed Ahmmad volunteered to become the left-side bodyguard, resulting in others dubbing Samdi as the right-side bodyguard.
The right-side bodyguard, Samdi, had preternatural quick wits despite his bear-like appearance. He slipped in among the crowd like a sneaky shadow while Ahmmad and his sharply-gleaming eyes followed after Edel.
You dumbass. Youre marked by Jin Soon now. Tsk, tsk!
Samdi expressed his condolences to the simple-and-honest Ahmmad. That one thing separating humans from animals was that the battle between females were so much more visceral and deadly than that of males.
Getting tangled up in a fight between women C and not just any women, but women with strength C would, at best, result in mortal injuries. Samdi cared deeply for both Jin Soon and Edel. Since Jin Soons younger sisters were here, she must be watching the proceedings from somewhere, too.
Samdi definitely did not wish to be marked by her and be subjected to her glares for the rest of his life.
With the opulent han-ock and its vast green lawn serving as a backdrop, the seductive charm oozing off of the Western Nine-Tailed Fox appearing solo could only be described as heart-stopping.
Even Bell Man and Jang Shin who knew Edel almost better than anyone could only stare agape, their jaws dropped to the floor. The five sisters were in a crisis mode too. Their four pairs of eyes staring at Edel began shooting flames out as if to set the foreign woman on fire.
Is she a Hollywood actress or a supermodel?
So freaking hot, too! Shes glowing all by herself! Look at all that glow!
So bloody unfair! How can anyone be so genetically superior?!
But this is bad, you know! Shes even prettier than our own sister. Should I dump a bucket of dirty water on her or something?
The five sisters, their eyes in a various states of dreaminess, spat out critiques matching their individual personalities. They could not even muster up the will to find fault in that absolutely stunning beauty. Shock, adoration, jealousy, worry All sorts of emotions ran amok inside the hearts of these young women.
One beat later, the eighth van performed a showy drift while pushing across the parking lots brick floor. The rear door slid open wide and a pitch-black shadow leaped out from the opening.
The shadow crossed the air and lightly landed about one step behind Edel. Dino was putting on a grand show for its entrance befitting of Edels exclusive guard.
Ack?! What on earth is that?!
Mommy?! Its a monster!
Screams exploded out from everywhere. You wouldnt be a human if a buffalo-sized predators sudden appearance failed to shock you. Dino raised its head high up and opened its maw wide.
Roar!
A powerful low frequency howling rocked the Eungsim-je (the House of Accepting Hearts). It was declaring that any existence daring to threaten Edel would not be forgiven.
Dino, behave yourself. This is Lord Dubaiburupas home. Edel gently patted Dinos head.
The big creature flinched, then nodded in understanding before lowering its posture.
Wow!
The eyes of the five sisters grew super-wide. The records showed that Cleopatra was accompanied by a black panther, but not in a million years did they imagine that a modern day re-imagining would appear before them. A blindingly beautiful woman, protected by a beast! What a fantasy-like sight this was.
This world is so unfair!
Four young women spat out lengthy groans. None of them knew that a real fantasy-like existence was sticking close to their own big sister though.
What the hell is that thing now? Jang Shins eyes grew wide.
Its Dino. Wakils pet, thats what it is. But uh, was it always that big? Bell Man replied before tilting his head in confusion. When he last saw the creature back in Djiboutis beaches, Dino was about the size of a lioness but now, it rivalled a buffalo.
As expected of Wakil. Even his pet is something else, alright. Jang Shin muttered away while sneakily hiding his home-made explosives back in his inner pocket.
Dino certainly was strong, but individuals surrounding Mu Ssang were just as dangerous as well.
Thats an incredible beauty accompanied by an amazing beast, isnt it? Nephew, what kind of an animal is that? A predator the size of a buffalo? I cant hardly believe my eyes. A dumbfounded-looking Hamilton glanced back at Mu Ssang.
Its a subspecies of the now-extinct Dinofelis. I captured it back in Ituris jungles.
Aha, Ituri, I see! Hamilton nodded in understanding.
Even now, fauna and flora no one had ever heard of or seen before were being discovered in the mysterious jungles of Ituri. An imposing creature like that could easily call that place its home.
What was that noise? Jin Soon, who was in the kitchen draining blood from ribs, asked Kamdoong.
[An insolent little kid is raising a bit of fuss, thats all.]
A disinterested-sounding reply rang inside Jin Soons mind. After imprinting her blood into his database, Kamdoong could send her telepathic messages now.
A little kid? What kind of a kid can make a noise that loud? And I thought I heard Mal Soons screaming, too?
[The invincible Eastern Swordsman is there, so why are you worried?]
Youre being noisy. Dont you know the saying that a womans curiosity can even kill a cat?
Her curiosity now genuinely piqued, Jin-soon took off the cooking gloves and headed to the main hall.
[No, its actually curiosity killed the cat, not a womans curiosity killed the cat, you know. Besides, Im not a curious cat.]
Kamdoong grumbled while trudging along behind her.
Jin Soons expression hardened when she got there. A figure of a semi-exposed beautiful Caucasian woman walking on the lawn like a trotting robin slammed hard into her view .
Thats Rudrey Edel?
Jin Soons eyes narrowed to slits. Women possessed a supernatural power of instinctively recognizing a potential love rival. Just one glance was enough to figure out that the Caucasian woman was Edel from Ali the old mans explanation. Blood rushed instantly to Jin Soons face as if shed been riding a roller coaster.
Hadong-daek (auntie from Hadong), stupefied by Edels appearance until then, glanced back at Jin Soon standing by the main hall. Her oldest child was wearing a pair of Levis that tightly clung onto her shapely buttocks and the gap between her thighs, and a thin T-shirt that allowed her chest to protrude noticeably.
Even though Jin Soon did not expose any of her skin like the vulgar Western Nine-Tailed Fox, her attire amply displayed her superior figure for all to see.
As expected of a daughter whose good character was already well-known in all nearby villages since her childhood; a girl who did not give her mother any troubles during her birth!
Hadong-daek normally chided her daughter for the girls uncouth dress sense, but right now, she felt rather relieved by it. With that much, that girl had no reason to cower before the Western Nine-Tails.
[Her refreshing and friendly facial features are like the midsummer breeze from the valleys of Wolsong Mountain. The line extending from her swan-like neck down to her deer-like shins is reminiscent of a blue dragon ascending to the heavens. Her firm hips and abundant chest are as dynamic as a white tiger! Her pelvis is light yet wide, so surely she can even support Mount Tai!]
Those words were not spoken by some vulgar lowlife, but the great old monk himself.
Of course. Even the well-versed great monk acknowledged her as a pure masterpiece, so that Western Nine-Tails doesnt even stand a chance!
Missus Hadong-daek filled the void left behind by slight inferiority with the great old monks favorable evaluation. To her, titles like an esteemed daughter of an aristocratic house boasting lengthy history, the goddess of the mid-Africa, the angel of NDjamena and the Lady of Novatopia meant nothing.
No, that woman was simply the Western Nine-Tailed Fox threatening her daughters position. The eternal truth about an arm always bending inwardly remained true with Hadong-daek.
Edel, who was skipping across the lawn, suddenly came to a halt. This feeling of her temples being tightly suppressed It felt like a wild predator was hiding in a forest and glaring at her. A chill ran down her spine. Her urgently-darting eyes eventually came to a stop.
A slender Eastern beauty standing proudly was haughtily looking down from a tall Oriental-style floor. That figure that filled Edels view like some kind of a zoomed-in image. Edel instinctively realized that the worst obstacle in her life had finally made its entrance.
Until the 19th century, the British aristocrats married between cousins. One of Europes most prominent royal houses, House of Habsburg, declined everyone because of relatives marrying each other. Uncle Ombuti said that even he was unsure whether that woman was Dubais real younger sister or a lover. However, in case of uncertainty That woman was 100% his lover.
Sparks exploded between a pair of black eyes and blue eyes. Jin Soons eyes were clearly black, but upon a closer inspection, they were actually the so-called phoenix eyes (monolid eyes) with hints of crimson streaks in them. Edels blue eyes were typical Caucasian upturned eyes. One gave off an air of dignity, while the other was innocent and adorable-looking.
On one side was a wild aster that lived through all sorts of ups and downs and even had to sooth her hungry tummy with water in the past. On the other side was an esteemed daughter that enjoyed a sheltered life of a flower in a greenhouse. Even in terms of their natural personalities, Jin Soon was an amazonian, while Edel was tender and kind.
So much so that the latter even gave up on avenging her fathers unfair death and tried to heal the wound in her heart by performing charity works. Her irises began shaking precariously after being subjected to a firm, unyielding glare.
Samdi, help me!
Edel looked around for Samdis figure. Even her breathing became heavier, faster. She felt like passing out from the lack of oxygen. Her eyes finally spotted Samdi among the crowd, busy crouching and making himself small.
One glance was enough to tell her that he was clearly hiding. Dubai was far away, still in the middle of greeting his guests. Feeling like she was abandoned in a desolate wasteland, loneliness and sorrow began flooding Edels heart.
The vast Eungsim-je fell into a state of eerie silence. Once Edel stopped walking, the Novatopian people walking behind her also came to a stop. Bell Man, Hamilton, Jang Shin and the five sisters all held their breaths. The atmosphere felt like a bomb ready to go off.
Someone nervously swallowed their saliva. That set off a chorus of nervous swallowing to rise up from here and there.
Kamdoong sneaked out from in between Jin Soons ankles. It lightly jumped up and settled on her shoulders, then scanned the crowd with a pair of arrogant eyes.
A few humans recorded fairly high numbers in the scouters reading, but they were mostly on a similar level. But the one with probably the highest number was cowering away for some strange reason over there.
Why is Jin Soon being so weary of these humans?
Kamdoong followed after Jin Soons gaze. At the end of that gaze was a fresh young white woman. According to all the knowledge Kamdoong had acquired so far, she was a beauty.
Aha. So, this is a battle between two females trying to claim the invincible Eastern Swordsman for herself!
Having analyzed the situation, Kamdoong glanced at its friend sitting over yonder by the toetmaru (narrow wooden porch) by the sarang-che (a detached building for menfolk in han-ock). He didn not seem to be minding this much. Kamdoong silently nodded at that.
The Teacher enjoyed something called dramas, staged plays of human lives, appearing in a low-tech device called television. Their contents were mostly of the makjang variety (slang for soap operas) where human females used all sorts of twisted means to claim successful males for themselves.
Kamdoong could not quite figure out why someone as incredible as the Teacher was so obsessed with staged plays saddled with such obvious storylines and even more obvious endings. Those dramas were not worth wasting time on, but even so, they did teach Kamdoong one valuable thing the problems of females had to be solved by females.
Dino discovered Kamdoong and became deeply tense. Its spine arched up while its handspan-long fur stood stiffly on its end too. Having become a very intelligent creature these days, Dino instinctively realized that the opponent was a very dangerous existence.
What a rude little punk!
Kamdoong was dumbfounded. In its current life, the Teacher smacked the poor thing around at any given opportunity, but there was no changing the fact that Kamdoong used to be the king of the Hollow Earth teeming with horrifying existences.
After reaching the surface, even some random nobody dared to get on Kamdoongs nerves now. The Teacher always said that a rude punk deserved a good beating. The staring contest between Jin Soon and Edel somehow morphed into Dinos challenge against Kamdoong.
Jin Soon shifted her gaze over to Dino. That huge beast emitted an incredible aura. A tiger or a lion could not even compare to it. One swipe from that creatures front limb as thick as Eungsim-jes pillar might even knock out an elephant, too.
There are just too many extraordinary things happening around Mu Ssang, arent there
A sigh inadvertently leaked out of her lips.
How is she so calm?! Edel was greatly taken aback by that.
Just what kind of an existence was Dino?! She almost got a heart attack first time she saw it. Yet that woman was glancing at the enraged Dino as if it was a mere little kitten. A little bit of sadistic desire to see that womans expression cramp up began mushrooming within Edels mind.
The peanut gallery became utterly confused. Only Missus Hadong-daek, the five sisters and Jang Shin had no clue to Dinos mightiness. Thats why they could not understand Dino baring its fangs at a little cat.
T-this is bad! Thats definitely Kamdoong!
Samdi was the only one sweating bullets inwardly. He was now blaming himself for hiding like a coward, but it would not look good to make his appearance at this late stage. The strong recognized other strong creatures. That cat perched up on Jin Soons shoulder was a cat only in appearance. Without a doubt, that existence had to be Kamdoong, the one Wakil said was as strong as him.
Dino was fairly strong, but no way in hell it could match up to Kamdoong. Jin Soon could be a rather scary woman. If Kamdoong indeed was siding with Jin Soon, then Dino and Lady Edel were in a big, big trouble.
Dino, no longer able to withstand the tension, leaped forward. The lawn caved in as its huge figure flew across 10m in the air.
Kamdoong fired off a directional soundwave. A horrifying sound that could not possibly have come from a cats vocal cords suppressed Dinos roar.
The atmosphere tumbled. The low-level E.L.F., its output held back somewhat, squarely struck Dino pouncing down from the air.
Dino fell like a goose shot down by a bullet. It staggered back up to its feet and glared at Kamdoong.
Kamdoong fired off another more vicious E.L.F.
Dino was flung away like a rotary tiller hit by a runaway dump truck. It flew towards the direction of where the cars Ombuti and Co. had arrived in were parked.
The huge figure slammed into a van, causing the vehicle to destroy the lawn and bounce away like a kicked soccer ball.
Ah, Gonggong, that fool! Destroying a perfectly-fine car and all. Tsk, tsk! Monk Dae-woo spectating the show from below tutted softly.
He wanted to witness how Jin Soon would deal with the other woman in her beaus life, but two insignificant creatures popped out of nowhere to start a fight instead.
Huuuuh?!
Oh, my god!
Awww, how pitiful!
The crowd shuddered at the impossibly-to-understand scene happening without any warning whatsoever. Actually, a huge beast crumpling like a piece of toilet paper by a black cats roar even proved to be comical, too.
Dino! Edel cried out in shock.
The Dino she knew of was unrivaled, unbeatable. Not even Ahmmad the swordsman or Sun WooHyun the martial art master could beat the creature. Dubai and Samdi were the only two people capable of suppressing Dino.
Dino, dont give up!
She could not even tell what had pummeled Dino just now. All she could do was to cheer on from the sideline. She tightly clenched her fist and waved it around energetically.
Dino sprayed out on the lawn staggered back up to its feet. Its master had tasked Dino with protecting Lady Edel, after all.
That punks got some pretty strong bones, doesnt he!
The invincible Eastern Swordsman divided people into four categories. One, the common folk capable of telling a pile of crap from doenjang (Korean soybean paste) with their eyes alone. Two, the sensible hoodlums that could immediately tell the difference with just a whiff. Three, yangahchis (gangsters) working for someone who realize the difference after a brief taste. And finally, the irredeemable animals that could not tell the difference even after having a taste.
Such animals were beyond the help of gentle guidance, so he posited that they needed to be beaten up to an inch of their lives first.
Kamdoongs internal generator raised his output. Kamdoong was planning to turn that beast into a pile of meat paste in one hit.
Kamdoong, you mustnt kill it.
But then, Jin Soon drained all the fun out of it.
[Damn it. Fine, I got it. Ill beat that thing up and transform it into a more sensible person No, I mean, a more sensible animal.]
Kamdoong shot forward like a bullet.
And one headbutt later, Dinos sorrowful cry rang out in the air..
Chapter 532 - Episode 11 Affection Over Love
Huh. Even Ill be in trouble after an attack like that.
Mu Ssang began pitying Dino currently getting beaten up one-sidedly.
Kamdoong was a formless creature capable of transformation. His body remained on the spot only for its head to shoot out and slam into Dino, then a fist extending from its waist punched the poor Dinofelis in its chin. Then the tail transformed into a bird beak to stab Dino in the eyes.
Not stopping there, dozens of hammers rushed in to mercilessly pound Dino on the head, chest and the rest of its torso. A rope shooting out like a streak of lightning restrained Dinos legs next. Kamdoongs movements were so fast that no one else other than Mu Ssang could follow it.
Every time a black line was drawn in the air, a wretched scream would swiftly follow.
Dino tumbled around the lawn like dead leaves being blown around by the Autumn winds. Like beating up a dog in one of the three Dog Days of the Summer (three hottest days) On the housewarming day of the Eungsim-je, a Dinofelis threshing ground opened its doors instead.
Dino became a tough customer after drinking Mu Ssangs blood and going through the three-phase Soul-Returning Pain Administration technique. After experiencing the Bone-Crushing Rebirth, Dino received Samdis constant abuse and the awakening of its blood to become an unprecedented monstrosity. But against a fraudulent existence called Kamdoong, Dino couldnt do anything other than be beaten up mercilessly.
The hitting power was proportionally multiplied by the speed and the surface area. If you get stepped on by a foot wearing a sneaker, youd feel pretty bad. However, being stabbed by a high heel would make you scream in pain and demand hospital fees for compensation. Of course, all would be forgiven if the high heel-wearer happened to be pretty.
The MBT (Main Battle Tank) Black Panthers weight is 55 ton, while its power output is 1,500 horsepower. Now imagine the mobility and power of a Black Panther shrunk down to one-fortieth of its original size all the while maintaining its original weight and power output. That chilli would not merely be spicy anymore but properly fatal instead.
Ack! Dino! Edel called out in a desperate cry.
Of course, Dino did not have any room to reply. A cat no bigger than just a snack was simply too fast to catch. Not even Dinos powerful attacks with its front limbs, tail or fangs worked. It struggled with all of its might, but its attacks still scythed through the empty air in vain.
Dino desperately fought back but could not even touch Kamdoongs shadow. And the latters speed was accelerating gradually, too. Trapped behind a black curtain, Dinos roaring and screaming slowly weakened and petered out.
*
The strongest bone in a human being was their thigh bones. Thigh bones could withstand the downward pressure of three tons and lateral pressure of up to 500kg. Bones of all animals had evolved to become stronger against downward pressure. That was because whether you were a prey or a predator, you had to run.
The bigger the frame of an animal, the higher the toughness of its bones would be. Out of all the animals currently existing, rhinos possessed strongest bones. An adult rhinos thigh bone could withstand the downward pressure of 109 tons and 20 tons of lateral pressure.
The force behind Kamdoongs strikes, which were both vertical and horizontal, reached anywhere between 50 to 100 tons. Toughness of Dinos bones was three times that of a rhino, but it was still not enough to survive a continuous barrage of punishment. Bones rivaling titaniums toughness got crushed, Aramid-like layers of muscle broke down, while the hide boasting a honeycomb-like structure was shredded apart.
Dinos regenerative ability was second to none. It regenerated its damaged tissues in real time, but no one could withstand an intense assault on such a level for a prolonged period. It could do nothing about the accumulating fatigue. Dinos stored energy was rapidly exhausted, forcing its regenerative ability to reach its limit too.
All axial bones snapped simultaneously, while the destroyed muscles and tendons lost their regenerative capabilities.
The noise of a heavy object falling to the ground rocked the surroundings.
The dark curtain dissipated, and a single streak of wind blew away the dust cloud. The massive reddish-brown beast No, a blob of decimated bloody meat was sagging on the ground, with a pitch-black cat nodding arrogantly away, its paw stepping on said bloody meat blob. All this happened in around three minutes.
*
Holy shi How is that even possible?
Its a demon cat!
The groups collective jaws had fell to the floor, since they were familiar with Dinos imposing mightiness so well. Just what kind of an existence was Dino? A beloved pet of the great and noble Dubaiburupa and Novatopias sacred guardian beast strong enough to deflect bullets and shatter boulders, that was what it was!
A few members of the special strike force reached under their jackets, but none dared to pull out their pistols. Not only were they prudent enough to know that a pistol would not do much against a demon strong enough to pummel Dino, they also knew that gunshots should not be allowed inside Dubaiburupas personal residence.
Jang Shin and Bell Man spat out lengthy sighs. They couldnt even breathe properly during the past three minutes of the supersonic barrage of attacks.
Three minutes were enough to utterly devastate the lawn and wreck three innocent vehicles. Jang Shin and Bell Man sneaked a glance in Mu Ssangs direction, but he had this blas expression that seemed to say, Nothing happened here.
Then again, the battles they had gone through in the past were just as desperate and exciting, werent they?
*
Kamdoong lightly tapped Dino with its front leg. There was no response as if the creature was knocked out for good.
This punk, its a lot weaker than I thought!
Kamdoong then spun its head and glared at Samdi next. The scouter measured that individuals stat value at 150, meaning he was strongest among this group of humans.
Since Im scoring points, should I just score big in one go? I mean, its really nice and refreshing when Jin Soon brushes my fur with cham-bit [1]
This was the moment that one of the strongest under the heavens, Samdi, was about to be exchanged for Jin Soons combing.
Huh?! Samdi hurriedly looked away when that sinister glare landed on him. F*ck me, one wrong move here and Ill be climbing inside a dang coffin!
He began trembling away. Samdi was strong enough to lift mountains and suppress the world with his spirit alone. That was why such a person trembling because of a cat proved to be a rather humorous situation, but also not a surprising one since that cat happened to be Kamdoong.
Eh. Its not worth the trouble, is it? I cant even be bothered anymore. Whatever!
Kamdoongs disposition after transforming into a cat was also beginning to mimic a lazy cat. It disappeared for a moment from the spot only to reappear on Jin Soons shoulders. As if it had never left, the cat cutely wagged its tail ever so lazily.
Jin Soon began chiding Kamdoong. I told you not to kill that creature, didnt I?
[Its not dead. I made sure to keep that punk alive since the invincible Eastern Swordsmans smell was strong on it. Wait for a little bit, and itll revive. Supplying extra protein and calcium will accelerate its recovery.]
Its now meat paste, so how can it eat anything?
[That punk is no ordinary animal. Its body itself will absorb the necessary nutrients.]
Ehh? Jin-soons eyes widened. Would that process be like cotton absorbing water or some such?
*
Tsk, tsk! That idiot, Gonggong. Venting his anger on an innocent third party and all. Monk Dae-Woo tutted in unhappiness.
The war of nerves between Jin Soon and the blondie hottie somehow devolved into a Kamdoongs stress-relief event. It seemed that quite a lot of stress had accumulated inside the Adras after being subjected to merciless abuse dressed up as a means to instill human-like emotions in the creature.
Which was understandable, since Kamdoong was crushed under mountains and had his cells torn apart every single day. No wonder he had so much frustration built up.
Besides all that, though! That chick, she sure is a sight for sore eyes. Its none of my business whether Jin Soon and Edel bicker or start a catfight, isnt it? They both look pretty fertile, after all! Hehehe~! Mu Ssang, you lucky son of a gun! Whether you play in both camps or become hounded by the double trouble, you do you, okay?
Monk Dae-woo left behind some irresponsible-sounding words and melted into the empty air.
No one seemed to care as Gamulchi drove out of the main entrance. Mu Ssang was the only one grinning softly.
The order of all things encompassed all things, as expected. The concept of good and evil, ethics and morals created by human intelligence were all meaningless in the end. The more a transcendental being interfered with the worldly matters, the more disturbed the order would become.
*
Dino, Dino! Sob, sob! Edel sobbed away while holding onto Dino that now looked like a crumpled scouring pad.
Dino died trying to protect her It felt like she was in a nightmare. Even the traveling contingent from Novatopia was left utterly stupefied. To think that there was a cat strong enough to pummel Dino as if it was a little mouse!
What should we do about that now! Jin Soon felt lost.
It kind of felt like she had personally slapped Edel around just now. Her heartstrings were tugged at the sight of a Caucasian woman shedding real tears of sorrow. Even that one remaining hostility about a bi*ch feigning love to fool everyone was washed away by those tears.
Eh, Im a crazy fool, arent I! If Mu Ssang likes her, then its all good, right? Jin Soon groaned, then put on the slippers.
Underling, go and translate, double time, the quick-witted Ombuti quickly elbowed Sun WooHyun in his waist.
*
Rudrey Edel!
Y-yes! Edel flinched in surprise and raised her head.
Wow!
Jin-soon almost forgot to breathe just then. A face even smaller than Samdis fist and those tear-stained cheeks were totally a sight for sore eyes. That face reminded Jin Soon of an about-to-ripen peach ever so slightly drenched in the passing shower.
Those blue eyes trembling away in fright vividly reminded Jin Soon of the jade hue of the celadon pot with carved lotus petals design, which Mu Ssang had given to her as a present earlier. This woman was no ordinary beauty; her looks alone could set fire to the hearts of all hot-blooded men.
Woah And they said that when Xi Shi frowned, every woman in Hangzhou frowned, too!
Jin Soon could only sigh in lamentation.
*
In truth, though, the standard of beauty was very subjective and depended heavily on cultural influences. Geopolitical factors and different eras changed the beauty standard all the time. As for the modern standard of beauty, it had been greatly influenced by the western imperialism.
During the days of the Han dynasty, for instance, having bow legs like Wang Zhaojun was the standard of beauty. During the Warring States period, women like Xi Shi or Zhao Feiyan that looked frail enough to get blown away by moderate winds were seen as beautiful.
But during the Tang dynasty, somewhat overweight and hairy women like Yang Guifei were considered beautiful. And during the Three Kingdoms era, women who were good with poetry, singing and dancing like Diaochan were seen as beautiful.
There were quite a few bizarre beauty standards, too. During Japans Heian Period, women with black teeth were seen as beautiful. When their menstrual cycles began, the Japanese women rushed to have their teeth dyed with oxidized steel. Maybe this was when the perverted tendencies of the Japanese took its first tentative baby steps.
In the Hottentot tribe, women with big hips were considered beauties, while the Shambalas considered women with big feet beautiful. Meanwhile, the Karen people saw long necks as the sign of beauty.
Now imagine a woman with a mortar-like butt and a neck as long as a stork flashing a toothy grin showing off her blackened teeth; your junior making a tent in your crotch would retreat in the blink of an eye.
Indeed, the standard of beauty belonged to the eyes of the beholder even so, certain absolute criteria did not change. And those would be ones eyes, skin, and their talents. Ones eyes were the windows to their heart. A woman with clear eyes would inevitably have a clear heart. And the pristine, unblemished skin was the first requirement of a beauty regardless of the era.
If it was the realm of skin quality, then Africans were superior to Caucasians, while Mongoloids were superior to Africans. But Edel broke this common sense. Her skin, so smooth and supple that no pores seemed visible, reminded one of a national treasure-level white porcelain. Touch it, and it might just cling ever so gently to ones palm like a glutinous rice cake.
A woman with talents was beautiful. The reason why Seo Hwa Dam fell head over heels with Hwang Jin Yi was because the latter was so good at poetry, singing and dancing. Even Dong Zhuo, who could have taken any women under the heavens as his own, fell for Diaochan due to her talents.
Jin Soon glanced at the people from Novatopia. All of them held expressions of either lamentation or anger. Those expressions contained their genuine worry and care for Edel.
She remembered hearing that Edel was a doctor. Edel, it seemed, had a talent for making people like her, just like Mu Ssang.
What a gemstone-like woman she was. Edel was not a woman reflecting Mu Ssangs glow, but she herself glowed so brightly. She was indeed capable of occupying a corner of Mu Ssangs heart which happened to be just as unyielding yet gracious as a Buddhas heart.
It was at this moment that Jin Soon acknowledged Edel.
Rudrey Edel, it mustve been difficult to travel so far from home. My name is Cho Jin Soon, the lady of this house. Jin-soon offered her hand.
Edel flinched, but shook the offered hand. Im Rudrey Edel. But the poor Dino died. What should I do now? Sniff, sniffle!
Dont worry, Dino isnt dead.
Dino isnt? Edels stunned eyes landed on Jin-soon.
Dear! Are you just gonna keep watching and do nothing?! Jin-soon yelled loudly instead of answering her.
Hahaha~! Did you swallow up a trains smokestack or something? Mu Ssang approached them while putting on an oily grin. He was the very picture of a coward hiding somewhere only to reappear after the fight was over.
Dubai! Edel hesitated, clearly still weary of Jin Soons mood.
Would you look at this girl? Stop wasting time, will ya? Jin-soon shoved Edels back from behind.
Ah!
Edel landed deep inside Mu Ssangs open arms.
Youve been through a lot, havent you. Mu Ssang held her as a sheepish expression floated up on his face.
This sight felt like icy cold winds were blowing in Jin Soons chest, yet her heart also felt satisfied at the same time.
Ombuti, ever the reliable snatcher of opportunities, hurriedly raised both of his arms high. May the glory of Dubaiburupa be eternal!
Bluart, bluart le deje!
Everyone from Novatopia all roared out in one voice. Windows and doors of Eungsim-je seemed to tremble from their loud, grand rallying cry.
Dubaiburupa de gloire [2]!
Pater ptri? de gloire! [3]
Hands and blades of Dubaiburupa greet the master of their souls, sir.
Sages and generals prostrated three times before standing proudly at attention, ready to serve. Jin Soon stared at this unbelievable and unexpected spectacle in pure stupefaction. It seemed that her dear was someone far greater than what she had been imagining all this time.
Good work traveling so far to get here. This place isnt Novatopia, however. Refrain from excessive displays of etiquette. Chef, prepare for a banquet and as for everyone else, put your feet up and take it easy. Except for Ombuti, Samdi and Sun WooHyun, the rest are dismissed for the night.
Bluart!
The old man Ali guided the group toward the building for guests.
*
Tsk, tsk! Wow, you really were merciless this time, werent you? Mu Ssang tutted loudly after confirming the status of Dinos internals through his Dimensional Sight.
Every single bone was shattered as if a hammer had diligently and thoroughly pounded them to smithereens. The destroyed internal organs and muscles were in a tangled mess, making it difficult to differentiate what was what.
Even amidst all this, major blood vessels were left unaffected. Which meant Kamdoong was thinking about Dinos regeneration while dishing out the punishment. Well, if it really wanted Dino dead, one shot from a high-output E.L.F would have done the job.
Dubai, can you save Dinos life? Edel asked with a trembling voice.
What an idiot. Its not even dying, so whats there to save!
Kamdoong had to say something after becoming a bit upset.
Ack?! Edel jumped up in fright and hurriedly hid behind Mu Ssang. A vicious cat! Its so terrifying!
Her complexion went utterly pale.
Hey, you dumbass. Why are you frightening the timid Edel like that?
[Hmm? Look at you being so overprotective. I can already tell youll have a bright future, buddy.]
Kamdoong snickered sarcastically.
Besides all that, how could you wreck my pet like this?
[Didnt you say an insolent punk needs a good beating to see the light? Are you going back on your own words now!]
Kamdoong did not want to back off an inch.
Dear! Jin Soon intervened to lighten the mood.
Yeah, I got it. I got it already! Youve already become Edels friend, havent you? Mu Ssang chuckled before injecting the resonance wave.
Dinos IPS cells began activating after ki stimulated them. The torn, shredded parts began reconnecting, while the crushed parts were cleanly regenerated. The stored protein and calcium reserves were rapidly depleted. Dinos physical size began shrinking like a balloon losing its air.
Are you a chef? Jin Soon shifted her attention over to Yijihana.
Sun WooHyun quickly translated what she said. Mu Ssang had him stay just so that he could act as an interpreter.
Yes, maam! Lady Jin Soon! The stiffly-frozen Yijihana stood at attention.
Please go to the kitchen and bring the canister of milk. And also grind the meat and its bones, then bring them here.
Yes, maam. Understood.
Jin Soon picked up a 30? stainless steel milk canister and began pouring its contents on top of Dino. Stunned by this, Edel opened her lips to say something, only to quickly clamp them shut.
She became speechless at the sight of Dinos still body instantly absorbing all that milk. Jin Soon glanced at Kamdoong, but the black cat simply meowed disinterestedly as if to say, See, I told you.
[1] Cham-bit: traditional Korean fine-toothed bamboo comb
[2] Glory to Dubaiburupa!
[3] Glory to the father of a nation!
Chapter 533 - Episode 12 Affection Over Love
Edel had a complicated expression on her face as she watched Yijihana hurriedly rushing away. Dino died trying to protect her, yet she couldnt do a single thing to help. What did she do back then when the bloodthirsty mob set her father on fire? The eighteen-year-old Edel hiding in a furrow in the cotton field trembling away overlapped with the current twenty-eight-year-old Edel.
While she was sobbing away, Jin Soon acted. That drive and that strength that could not have possibly come from a fellow woman Edel could never possess such talents. Her body was so frail that one night with Dubai nearly killed her. That little girl who used to hide in the attic while waiting for her fathers macarons remained as weak as ever even after all these years.
Lady Jin Soon, here it is. Yijihana came back with a large steaming bucket in tow. Due to the urgency of the matter, he decided to grind all of the ribs currently being boiled in the kitchen. What a relief that there was a disposer available here.
Pour it over Dino!
Yes, maam!
At Jin Soons unhesitant command, Yijihana dumped the watery meat soup on Dinos body.
Water and nutrients were sucked right into Dinos figure, causing all the withered and cracking residues to break off and fall away. Dinos torso, looking like a sagging airless balloon only a second ago, rapidly began recovering.
This was a shocking scene to behold, but it should not have really come as a surprise. Biologically speaking, all animals on the planet existed with green-colored plants as their foundation.
Plants processed the suns energy to store complicated carbon molecule-type energy. Herbivores absorbed the calories synthesized by the plants while carnivores survived by taking away the energy processed by the herbivores.
The reason why animals evolved to possess a particular type of digestive system was that they had to move. Even vehicles required a greater quantity of fuel to travel at high speed than while idling in a traffic jam.
Animals required a great quantity of energy to make drastic, urgent movements, causing them to develop a particular digestive system to have an efficient energy supply. If animals absorbed energy through their skin like how plants did with their leaves, then there would be no reason for digestive organs to exist. Kamdoong was a good example of this.
While going through the Bone-Crushing Rebirth process, atoms constituting Dinos cells were changed to a zeolite structure. Sometimes referred to as gods catalyst, a zeolite was a microporous crystal with many pores in it. Spreading wide only one gram of it would result in a surface area wider than a soccer field.
A matter with a larger internal volume than external surface area possessed adsorptive characteristics. The industrial world exploited this characteristic and used zeolite in applications such as catalysts to extract various chemicals from crude oil, or as base material for detergents that separated and adsorbed waste material. Cells found on a geckos feet were capable of freely traversing vertical walls and ceilings because they boasted the zeolite structure.
Kamdoong deployed its somatic cell atoms in a tandem configuration to absorb the necessary atoms from the atmosphere, then directly processed them into energy. Dinos somatic cells were zeolite-types in a parallel layout. Although Dino could not directly process energy, it could still absorb the already processed nutrients.
A grandmaster-level expert who had already experienced the Bone-Crushing Rebirth was able to survive for a fixed amount of time without eating, and this was the reason.
Monk Dae-woo had not experienced the Bone-Crushing Rebirth, but he still reached the realm of absorbing external ki to supplement his diet. In terms of the energy processing evolution, then the order would be: Kamdoong > plants > Monk Dae-woo > a grandmaster-level expert > Dino.
Dinos figure suddenly exploded in pure white light. The crimson-brown fur all fell off while the size of its body began shrinking. Edel became tearful again at this unexpected transformation. Dubai, is Dino dying?
No need to worry. Its body is reforming to the most optimal version of itself. Mu Ssang replied while patting Edels shoulder.
There was a well-known phrase for an occasion like this one a blessing in disguise. Dino, after it was pummeled to within an inch of its life by Kamdoong, experienced an effect similar to receiving all three stages of Soul-Returning Pain Administration ten times in a row. As its body was being reconstituted, Dino even fully awakened the Epidiums blood, too.
A figure covered in crimson fur similar in appearance to a Caucasian Ovcharka stood on the spot when the white light faded away. This was Dinos, the combat organism, rebirth after evolving to its final stage.
Dinos eyes shot open. Its bright, intelligent eyes shifted over to Edel.
Whimper
Dino extended its lengthy tongue and licked the cheek of Edel crouching near it.
Dino, youre alive! Dinos alive Sniff, sniffle! Edel wrapped her arms around Dinos neck and broke down into a flood of tears. Although its appearance had changed, Dino was still Dino in her eyes.
[Hey, is that woman stupid or something? That thing wasnt dead to begin with, so whats with the its alive! shtick?]
Please be quiet. You were in the wrong. Jin Soon replied while her expression turned into a scowl.
Kamdoongs round eyes opened wider.
[Are you implying that Im at fault here? I dont understand this. Its not logical.]
Kamdoong shook its head. He was being considerate for her while beating the holy crap out of that insolent animal, but now she was criticizing him for the act? During Dinos beatdown, Jin Soons brain was pumping out large quantities of adrenaline, endorphin and dopamine. Yet it was cortisol being secreted now. If she enjoyed that ruckus, that was fine. If she did not, also fine but her emotions seemed to be a tangled mess.
Even Lord Buddha said that it was difficult to fathom the heart of a woman that changed twelve times in a single moment. As such, it was foolish to expect Kamdoong to understand Jin Soons ever-changing whims.
Dino shot back up to its feet.
And after discovering Kamdoong, its fur stood on end while its fangs began noisily grinding.
[Huh! Did this punk forget all about fear after getting a bit stronger now?]
Kamdoong glared at Dinos palpable hostility. It began wondering whether to punch a hole in that insolent creatures gut or simply disintegrate that dang thing on a cellular level.
Dino, thats enough! I dont want to see you get hurt anymore! Edel stroked the nape of Dinos neck.
[Thank heavens!]
Dino inwardly sighed in relief. Its will to fight had not been broken yet, but all of its nerves and muscles froze up instantly when that pitch-black little creature began glaring back. Although this whole thing was unfair, Dino understood that it could never win against that little black thing after going through 100 near-death experiences.
Dino, come over here, said Mu Ssang.
Dino went down to the ground in front of Mu Ssang.
The Billion Water Armor materialized and enveloped his hand. Try to withstand this.
The Billion Water Armor mercilessly slammed into Dinos side.
Dino screamed while getting flung far away. But, even after being thrown around like that, Dino got up and returned to its master before prostrating again. It totally resembled a new recruit in the army being disciplined by their superiors.
Wow! You actually withstood that!
Mu Ssang was genuinely impressed after checking out the impact area on Dinos torso. Although the beasts hide had been ripped up two inches or so, the inner skin was still intact. Its flesh managed to withstand the force equaling a 7.62mm round, in other words.
This alone already exceeded the level of those Chimeras developed in Area 51.
Oppa! Why are you hitting the poor Dino right after it came back to life? Dont you feel sorry for Edel? Jin Soon began growling like a tigress.
Mu Ssang flinched grandly. Judging from the flow of events, these two ladies were about to form a united front against him.
Hey, you. I was simply testing Dino out, thats all. Let me tell ya, Dinos now twice as strong as before. Looks like Samdi will be smacked around by Dino now.
Dino snickered and glanced at Samdi. The latters expression cramped up rather unhappily, but at the same time, Sun WooHyuns eyes were beginning to sparkle noticeably.
Sun WooHyun was pathologically obsessed with the idea of getting stronger. And thats why his stares at Kamdoong had gotten rather heated right now.
Twice as strong, eh? I might as well get a beating from that perverted cat, too.
But a pair of feline eyes boasting clear black irises like a human was also glaring at Sun WooHyun.
[What a strange human you are. In that case, this perverted cat will beat the living daylights out of you later.]
Sun WooHyun had no idea that his monologue was heard in its entirety by that perverted cat, Kamdoong.
Thank you, big sister. Edel smiled bashfully.
Eh? Big sister??
Jin Soon flinched at the unexpected big sister treatment. They had not even confirmed who was older here, yet she was already being treated as the older of the two?
Edel seemed to have read what was on Jin Soons mind, so she continued on from where she left off. Age doesnt really matter, you know? My heart tells me to call you my big sister. And Im not Cinderella. I hate the idea of being Cinderella, too.
Not Cinderella!
Jin Soons emotions welled up instantly.
She felt the same way. She too, hated Cinderella. Without the need for a deeper explanation, she fully understood Edels intentions; Edel was saying that she was not planning to hitch a free ride here.
In the past, Mu Ssang also expressed his dislike of Cinderellas story. But why did he and Jin Soon not like Cinderella? There were a thousand different versions of this age-old fairy tale but all of them had one thing in common the theme of the protagonists rise in status.
Cinderella was unable to change her fate through her own powers. If it were not for the fairy godmother suddenly appearing to cast some fairy magic, that girl was destined to live the rest of her life covered in ash and soot.
The lowly things like a rat, mice, a pumpkin and vines transformed into a carriage driver, horses, a carriage and a glamorous dress through the power of magic. But truth be told, none of them was earned through Cinderellas own efforts.
When the stepmother dolled up her two daughters and took them to the party venue, all Cinderella could do was run to the forest in tears.
She even said, I cant go to the party anymore!
Put simply, she did not have a single shred of will or volition anywhere in her body.
There was another point to consider here: the emphasis on the main characters sexual attractiveness. The glass slipper, a metaphor for Cinderellas attractiveness, was enough to seduce the princes heart. Without relying on that attractiveness, she would not have escaped the fate of dirt and soot.
In Jin Soons view, Cinderella was a harmful character that used her charms to get herself a free ride.
Im neither smart nor great enough to be your big sister, Edel. Im just a little weed living under Mu Ssangs shadow. Jin Soon shook her head.
Without Mu Ssang, she would probably be selling some cheap ties in a department store or wrestling with disgusting wastewater in the Daegu Dyeing Industrial Complex Corporation.
Big sister, a truly great person is not the great that you imagine to be. Great people like that will only cast great shadows over the world around them. Ive lived inside hell for a long time. A hell where there was no one to love or trust. Thats why Im so happy to meet you, big sister.
Edels blue eyes were sparkling brightly. The strong desire to be together with Jin Soon and her trustworthy, gracious heart caused Edels own heart to race.
I now see that youre someone our dear needs in his life, after all. After spending two decades with him, my soul has become more abundant, I think. So, yes. You can bring your soul here, too. Two of us are pretty fulfilling already, so adding another person will surely make our lives even more fulfilling.
Jin Soons eyes silently observing Edel eventually filled to the brim with gentleness. As it turned out, this woman was not a competitor but a companion.
Sniffle! Thank you, big sister. It took me ten years to get here, but I finally have a family.
Edel hugged Jin Soon tightly. How could there be someone as warm-hearted and gracious as her in this world?
Edel lost her father at the tender age of eighteen, and for the next ten years, she basically cut off all contact with her own mother. All those days spent in difficult loneliness sped past her mind like a revolving lantern. Without even realizing it, tears began streaming down her face.
Jin Soon wordlessly patted Edels back. A wounded soul had come to her asking for help. Was there a soul that hadnt been damaged or withered in some way in this world?
Jin Soon began singing gently.
[Wolsong Mountain, covered in pitch-black darkness
When I was going around the mountains bend
A callous hand I held with all my heart
Was the signpost for my soul.
When I was crossing a strong brook
A wide smelly sweaty back I rode on
Was the land Id build my home
All the things in this world
Will it be as good as a fragment of your love?
All the praises in this world
Will it be as good as your furtive whispers?
Foxglove tree in the backyard, with essence in its roots
Blooms flowers in times of Spring
Woman with love growing ever so in her heart
Consoles your lonely soul
Ill plant my roots here and go my own way
Im not scared of blizzards or thunderstorms
But I fear never reaching you even at the end of my breath.]
A clear, gentle singing spread out to the surroundings. Mu Ssang felt a pang in his heart. In Yuan Haowens poem, Song of the Wild Geese Mound, the poet cried out, What is love and why does love move some creatures to live or die!
But Jin Soon went one step further. He even felt a chill when she said she was afraid of not being enough even after dedicating her whole life.
Ugh!
However, Sun WooHyun listening on felt like his head was about to crack into pieces. He lived almost all of his life in the dog-eat-dog world, so stuff like this sounded like cringe nonsense only good for ironical laughs. These people They were living in a totally different world from him. Rather unsurprisingly, he was having a torrid time trying to translate what Jin Soon was singing about.
Ombuti furrowed his brows, causing Sun WooHyun to flinch. The words This punk cant do anything right, seemed to be written all over the old mans face.
Why dont we go and cook together, Edel? We need to prepare the banquet to welcome the guest. Jin Soon grabbed Edels hand.
C-cook?! Me? Edel flinched grandly.
Thanks to the Saffron affair, she finally realized that cooking was simply not in her blood. Didnt she nearly poison Dubai and the rest of the Black Culture that night? Just hearing the term cooking caused her heart to crash to the pit of her stomach.
Big sister, Im not good at cooking at all, Edel replied with zero energy in her voice.
What an amazing person Dubai was for enjoying all the food Edel had cooked until now! To think that she could not even cook delicious food for someone she loved Edels heart filled up with cold wintry rain.
Cooking is all about love and not about showing off your skills, you know.
Y-yes, youre right. Cooking is about love.
Edels courage perked up. It felt like cooking or whatever would never be a problem as long as she worked together with Jin Soon. The Korean tigress and the Western Nine-Tailed Fox headed inside the main building while holding hands.
Jin Soon and Edels encounter ended in a feel-good manner thanks to Dinos violent beatdown. On that day, Jin Soon inadvertently ended up with a younger sister three years older than her, while Edel found a sister she could lean her lonely shoulders on.
Mu Ssang did not even have to lift a single finger to clean this mess. Dino was beaten up to the point of death and that helped the creature to be reborn as a combat organism. As for the instigator of that ruthless beatdown, Kamdoong was able to vent his accumulated stress too.
There was a phrase in I Ching: clouds form according to the dragon, and winds arise according to the tiger. Changes began from winds and clouds. The term Pungwun-ah (a lucky hero in troubled times) was derived from this phrase, as the first two letters came from wind and cloud.
Just where would this meeting of wind and cloud Jin-soon and Edel guide Mu Ssangs fate? Only time will tell.
Sang-han, I heard Ssang got a job overseas, and looking at things in here, he must be making lots of money, son.
Looks like it, ma. That guy, hes been through all sorts of hell, so he deserves all the good things coming his way.
Sang-han scanned the study. Every bachelors home without a females touch more or less resembled one another. Thick layers of dust and fallen hair tumbled around whenever you opened or closed the door. You would see a pile of toilet paper stacked by the upper part of the room, while lewd magazines with their particularly salacious pages folded in for future revisits would be strewn everywhere in the room.
A corner of this messy pile would inevitably pay homage to Pentouse or Playoy magazines smuggled out of the American military base. That was the typical description of a space occupied by a bachelor living alone, but now
Just what was this place? Not a single hair strand or a layer of dust could be spotted in this room over twenty pyeong (approximately 66 square meters) wide. Even after assuming that Mu Ssang was a clean freak, this sight still did not make much sense..
Chapter 534 - Episode 13 Affection Over Love
Sang-han dazedly stared at the bamboo forest and the expansive lawn with a gentle stream flowing through it. Just how much money did Mu Ssang make to be able to build such a home?
Fickleness of fate, irony of fate, no gain without pain Sang-han couldnt think of a suitable idiom for this case. His not-so-smart brain could only make tumbleweed noises.
Every painting hanging on the wall looked artistic and gorgeous, while even the regular daily items oozed luxurious class. Simply having money would not have been enough to touch these things, never mind buying them. Suddenly, Sang-han could not bring himself to take out his housewarming gift for Mu Ssang from the plastic shopping bag a cheap cuckoo clock.
His friend, who regularly went to sleep starving, came back super successful. But Sang-han, who helped out such a friend, could not even afford to buy a bottle of powdered milk for his child these days without counting pennies first. He was happy for his now-successful friend, but his own broken state left him in deep sorrow.
Sang-han, you and Mu Ssang are best of buddies, arent you? Leave it to me, this mother of yours will say something to him, and
Mother! Sang-han loudly yelled at her.
Goodness me?! You dummy, why are you yelling at me?
Mother, do not ever do that. Someone who tries to burden his friend isnt a real friend. Dont you know that?
You dummy. You think you have the luxury of sticking to your principles in your current situation? Even half of what little chickens we have left are falling dead these days. If this keeps up, we will be eating pebbles to survive, son. Sang-hans mother pounded her own chest in lamentation.
She knew Mu Ssangs nature pretty well. She had no idea how that boy became so wealthy, but regardless of how it happened, he was not the type to ignore a friend in need.
Dont do that, mother. Mu Ssang used to starve back then, but at least I didnt. Im sorry about selling off the vineyards to pay for my treatment, mother. I swear to work hard and buy it back someday.
Sigh. My boy, what can you do with your hurt body? You cant even join a construction crew, son. Watching your wife having to work her butt off to put food on the table is killing me inside. Thats why we should just throw the idea out there for Ssang to hear. Trust me, son. Keeping your mouth shut and not saying anything will only make Ssang resent you for not telling him the truth later.
Whatever the case might be, you cant, mother. If you dare say anything unnecessary to Ssang, consider us finished, mother. Remember that.
Oh gosh, would you listen to this dummy? Youre a man, so what good are you if youre so stiff and inflexible like a bamboo stick?! Sang-hans mother spat out a series of heavy groans.
Those despicable bastards!
Rage welled up in Sang-hans heart. Was this his reward for picking up a gun for his country? A flood of emotions threatened to explode in his heart, but he did not really have an outlet to release them.
The people at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs even threatened him with jail time for disrupting their work if he showed up there one more time. No matter how much he shook his fists around in anger, no one cared or looked his way.
Dear guests, allow me to guide you to your quarters.
Old Man Ali showed up to interrupt the conversation between the mother and son.
Huh, what happened to Sang-han! Mu Ssang quietly lamented after welcoming Bonipas to his home.
Seven years were definitely a long time. And it seemed that Mu Ssangs friend had gone through a lot of trials and tribulations in that time.
Guests continued to arrive. Emil and Paul arrived first, followed by the General Director of DGSE, Bonipas, and Section Chief Ariba. Eungsim-je began to get livelier with the arrival of various guests, all wishing to congratulate the master of the house.
Bonipas just couldnt sit still. He caressed the byeongpung (traditional Korean folding screen), was visibly moved by the Goryeo celadons, and even started praising the beautiful patterns and elaborate construction of the hwamunseok (traditional Korean figured mat).
Eastern Swordsman, dont you think its rather uncouth for all these valuable antiques to be handled so carelessly? Bonipas asked while caressing the hwamunseok below him.
He could not help but sigh in appreciation at the elaborate construction and detailed patterns. He felt the care of a true expert artisan and the wisdom of time from the mat, something he could not pick up from items made by famous brands like Herms, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Dior, or Van Creed Lapel.
Whats the point of locking up all these antiques inside a heavily-secured storage to gather dust? I want the guests coming to my home to see and feel all these items containing the souls of my ancestors.
Ah. Youre quite proud of these things.
Koreas history extends over five thousand years. If only our cultural heritage hadnt been burned down or stolen from these lands during the frequent wartime chaos, not even Greeks or Romans can rival this countrys heritage. I plan to recover the cultural artifacts stolen by the thieves in the future. France is no exception.
Bonipass expression crumpled slightly. He had been probing Mu Ssang with antiques as pretext, but he walked away with even less than before. France was second only to Britain when it came to stealing cultural heritages of other countries throughout history.
France did not even bother to respond to foreign governments requesting the return of their cultural artifacts. Hell, the French government snorted derisively at the Korean governments demand for the return of all the stolen artifacts. But the matter would become a bit more complicated if Black Mamba got more hands-on with this issue.
No need to fret, director. Other than a few les manuscrits corens [1], France doesnt hold anything of note.
It doesnt?
The hwamunseok youre sitting on, the teacup in your hands, and the Korean desk before you are not antiques. If you visit the workshops, you can directly purchase them for dozens of Francs, or a couple of thousand Francs if you really push it. I can tell you that the level of the stolen craftwork arent all that great, director.
What? These werent antiques?! Bonipass jaw dropped to the floor.
At a casual glance, all these items looked like expensive antiques, but to think that they were not He was rendered speechless.
Mu Ssang chuckled while continuing on. Still, these items are on another realm compared to the stuff from Herms, Louis Vuitton or any other daylight robbers that fool their customers through elaborate high pricing policy. Hehe!
Mm
Bonipass thoughts became complicated. Any patriot would feel proud of their own countrys tradition and culture. Despite being treated like Frances national treasure, it seemed that Black Mambas heart still belonged to Korea.
Bonipas sneakily caressed the dagger, Fang de lab?me, stashed under his jacket. The unparalleled, unmatched blade fashioned by Black Mamba using his supernatural powers! The moment Bonipas received this weapon, he instinctively realized that he was now a member of the invincible Eastern Swordsmans family.
Black Mamba was a collaborator that could be hired through money, but the invincible Eastern Swordsman was an existence engraved in ones mind as their boss. Wanting to see his boss live a free and happy life, and the patriotic desire to see a valuable collaborator working for France Bonipas felt at a loss as those two sentiments continuously tugged at him from two different sides.
Wakil, Chairman Margerie has arrived.
Old Man Alis announcement cut short Bonipass wandering thoughts.
A real big fish has shown up, I see! To think that even Chairman Margerie would come to the housewarming. I guess Koreas national status cant even match up to the Eastern Swordsmans personal status, Bonipas, who was feeling a bit wounded in his pride until then, began muttering cynically.
No eggs are bigger than their nests. Mu Ssang replied nonchalantly.
Bonipas could not retort back. That was because he had spotted a group of people crossing the lawn. Wow, Chairman Javer!
Bonipas shot up to his feet. The elderly gentleman chatting and walking alongside Chairman Margerie was none other Chairman Javer of Arevasa. Bonipas coldly rejected that mans request for a face-to-face chat with Black Mamba, but to think that he would actually show up here.
Chairman Margeries steps gained pace after discovering Mu Ssang. He stopped on the terrace stones and bowed deeply. Dapsang offers his greetings, Lord Dubaiburupa. Congratulations, sir.
Thank you for coming all this way. Im happy to see you doing well. Mu Ssang greeted back with a half-bow.
Its all thanks to your grace, Lord Dubaiburupa. It feels like my life has been given a restart and now, Im living a new life.
Thats good. A healthy mind will reinforce your mind, too.
Yes, sir. Youre indeed correct. As for the result of the business venture, Id like to submit a separate report later, sir.
Did this friend of mine finally lose his mind?
Chairman Javer stared in stupefaction at his friend currently acting like a devoted underling. Margerie fervently praised this young man as a one-of-a-kind prophet that the world had not witnessed before and now, he was acting like a slave catering to every need of his master. With things like this, Javer could not help but view this young Asian man as a leader of a shady cult or the likes.
Mu Ssang asked. And who is this gentleman accompanying you?
This is the chairman of Arevasa, Voton Javer, sir. My apologies for not alerting you ahead of time.
While making his introduction, Chairman Margerie elbowed the dazed Javer at the waist. Jolted awake now, Javer hurriedly offered his hand for a shake. Ah, hello. Im Voton Javer. Forgive me for my daring intrusion. I wanted to meet the master of Novatopia, Dubaiburupa.
Welcome to my home. Its called Eungsim-je. In French, itd roughly be the combination of la vache qui vit dans la valle ne conna?t pas la douleur de la vache qui vit dans la colline [2] and le soleil brille sur tout le monde [3] . Its Come as you like, and leave as you like, in a way.
Thank you for welcoming this uninvited guest. After listening to all of Chairman Margeries tales about you, I simply had to meet you in person.
You meet only to learn that the other party is someone worth knowing. And after knowing, you become friends. As such, I wish for you to enjoy your stay here.
Javer received Mu Ssangs unfathomably deep gaze and flinched slightly.
He doesnt seem like a fraud or a leader of a cult, at least
Javer was puzzled by this. Sure, this young Asian man in his mid-twenties was quite refined and composed like a real prophet, but that was about it. What did Margerie see in this man to recommend Javer to have a meeting?
How have you been, Chairman Javer?
Oh? What brings you here, Director of the swimming pool? Javer smiled brightly when Bonipas greeted him. The chairman had been pretending to not notice the General Director of DGSE even after spotting him some time ago.
What a sly fox
Bonipass expression crumpled unsightly. Director of swimming pool, was it? Javer was obviously mocking Bonipass nickname and the DGSE as a whole.
Novatopia is a self-governing territory actively supported by the French government, chairman. As such, its only normal for me to come seeking an audience with its king. Why are you here?
Me? Im just tagging along with my old friend. Im a tourist, you see. Javer shamelessly replied.
The one and only Chairman Javer comes to a small country in the Far East that ostensibly holds nothing of value for him? And hes claiming to be a tourist, too? If true, this story will show up in the front pages of Le Monde. But if youre joking, sir, you must have an ulterior motive. Am I correct?
Haha. Director Bonipas. The world you live in might be overflowing with conspiracies and deception, but my world only has people and uranium. Besides all that, are you still unwilling to introduce me to Black Mamba?
Black Mamba is not someone you can meet just because you want to. After donating his reward of 100 million Francs as compensation for all the sacrificed soldiers, he has vanished without a trace.
Amazing! Javer jumped up in shock.
Hes more than just another superhuman, chairman. No, hes far too eccentric for us regular people to judge.
Woah! To think that hed readily throw away 100 million Francs, just like that. What an amazing man, indeed. Back then, I wanted to hire him for a commission, but now Id dearly like to meet him as a fellow human being.
Javers eyes began sparkling.
You will meet him sooner or later if fate wills it, chairman. However, you should consider decreasing the size of your entourage first if youre serious about meeting him in person, Bonipas muttered quietly. He was pleased by the sight of Chairman Javer failing to realize that Black Mamba was right in front of him.
The size of my entourage, you say? Javer shifted his gaze over to Margerie and noticed the latters silent nodding.
Chairman Margerie showed up with one interpreter, and that was about it. Meanwhile, Chairman Javer was being accompanied by over a dozen people. Obviously, the master of Nova would not look favorably at a person trying to display their status like that.
My friend, you have plenty of time.
That was the extent of what Margerie told his friend, Javer. The opportunity was laid out before him, and whether he made the connection or not would now depend on his own luck and discernment.
Ogilvy, with the exception of one interpreter, all of you shall return to France.
Oui, monsieur!
The middle-aged man named Ogilvy did not say anything else and turned around to leave, directing the entourage to do the same.
Oh? Not bad. As expected of a man who put 100 million Francs to rescue his employees.
Mu Ssang was somewhat impressed. For people below you to not question and follow your orders that defied common sense, there must be a firm bond of trust between you and them. Either that, or you were an unspeakable tyrant.
Yijihana directed the chefs and bodyguards to quickly prepare the banquet venue. The required equipment, kitchen utensils and ingredients were provided by the French embassy, which also provided the vehicles for transportation.
On one side, Jang Shin set up a brazier and connected a gas canister to it. Inside the main houses kitchen, Jin Soon and Ha Dong Daek directed five aunties from Jip-eun Dari to start frying and grilling. Soon, Eungsim-je was filled with aromas of various cuisines.
Yijihana cooked French and Arabian dishes, Jang Shin cooked Chinese dishes, and Jin Soon cooked Korean dishes. For the main course, the traditional Korean dishes like bulgogi (marinated slices of beef), broiled eels and galbi (grilled short ribs) competed for the honor with haute cuisine. For desserts, Korean cold noodles and shaved ice with red beans competed for attention against Jang Shins har gow (shrimp dumplings), stormy petrels nest soup and cold jellyfish salad.
The vast back garden became the stage for a recreation of a legendary banquet fit for the emperor of Qing dynasty, but with an international flavor.
As for alcohol, champagne was the overwhelming choice of booze. Bonipas provided an infinite supply of the high-class champagne, Dom Prignon.
Champagne is originally pronounced as chang-pa-new; sparkling wine produced in Frances Champagne region is whats came to be known as champagne. All the other sparking wines produced elsewhere could not legally be called champagne.
Korean guests enjoyed the unique foreign dishes, while the guests from overseas raved about the traditional Korean dishes. Doctor Giz grew resentful at how evolution restricted humans to having only one mouth, while Sun WooHyun became envious of cows for having four stomachs.
The aunties from Jip-eun Dari, hired by Ha Dong Daek for todays work, could only watch on in pure stupefaction. They cowered in the face of the incredible residence. Theor brains simply could not come to terms with it. Then, their wits went on an impromptu holiday while they spectated on all these colorful foreigners.
Seriously now! Never in my whole life have I seen such a rich household draped in money like this.
Wow, look at all these guests, they are all foreigners! Some are black, some are white, some are even red! I cant no longer tell whats going on here.
That man over there, what do you call it? An Arab? I think thats what he is? His eyes are so deeply sunk in his skull, but his nose is so huge. Hohoho!
Youre right! That must be why we got that delivery of weird-looking lamb meat earlier.
The old idiom said that three women coming together would leave no plates unscathed. Their hands continued to move nonstop and so did their mouths.
Listen, Ha Dong Daek. That young gent over there, is he the master of this place? Yeongdong-daek, unable to keep a lid on her curiosity anymore, ended up asking that question.
It had already been thirteen years since Mu Ssang left Jip-eun Dari. All these aunties treated him like air back then, like how cows saw chickens. There simply was not enough common denominators to link that young, healthy and successful young man to the scrawny little boy covered in dirt from their memories.
Hes really good looking, isnt he? Hadong-daek played dumb and asked back instead.
Let me be honest here, Ive never met a young man with such a good physique and a handsome face before in my whole life. I wonder, is he married? My daughter, Yeong-sun, is already at that age, so what should I do!
Stop making me laugh, will ya? Why would a master of a household this wealthy even bother with your Yeong-sun?
What was that? What are you trying to say about my daughter?
Without any warning, Yeongdong-daek and Buksam-daek started bickering.
You are being noisy, you two! Ha Dong Daek, just how did you stumble into working for a wealthy family like this one? Maechon-daek asked while pushing her face real close.
Ha Dong Daek did not bother to reply, simply grinning meaningfully at the noisy aunties.
Mom? Mu Ssangs calling for you. Yeon Soon stepped inside the kitchen to search for her mother, Ha Dong Daek.
Really? Why?
He said he wants to introduce you to the guests, so you should hurry, mom.
Alright. I cant let those important guest wait for me, now can I? Ha Dong Daek, with a satisfied grin on her face, threw off the apron and lightly dusted off her skirt.
She hired the womenfolk from Jip-eun Dari precisely for this very moment. The thing was, Ha Dong Daek also had to suffer a lot of persecution from her fellow village women. By siding with Kim Mal Soon and looking after Mu Ssang, she naturally ended up as an outsider in her own hometown.
Ha Dong Daek knew how to hold her grudges.
[1] les manuscrits corens is a French term denoting the Oegyujanggak Royal Books
[2] A cow living in the valley does not know the pain of a cow living on the hills
[3] The sun shines on everyone
Chapter 535 - Episode 14 Affection Over Love
Say what now? Ha Dong Daek is going to introduce herself? This house must belong to Ha Dong Daeks relatives for sure, then!
What nonsense are you on about? I know every one of Ha Dong Daeks relatives, all the way to her eighth cousins. The richest of the lot is Mister Jo in Jinpyeong-dong, with fifty majigi [1] under his name.
Maechon-daek in her early sixties was rather socially well-connected and that enabled her to quickly rebuke Yeongdong-daek. Aunties nodded in agreement. Ha Dong Daek had a different surname to them, meaning she did not have a lot of relatives here to begin with.
Wow, you must be a really close relative to the master of the house since they are asking you to come and greet the guest and all. You should hurry now. Yeongdong-daek urged on while taking down Ha Dong Daeks skirt hanging by the clothes rack.
Please hurry and finish frying all the jeon [2] as well as finishing preparing japchae [3] and sundae [4]. Guests mustnt run out of food, you know. Ill quickly pop in and greet the guests, then come back to finish helping you.
Ha Dong Daek put on the hanbok skirt over her work pants and exited the kitchen with lively steps. The women stood there, dazedly exchanging glances with each other. Their half-disbelieving expressions still clearly displayed how dazed they were about this whole situation.
*
A short while later, Ha Dong Daek returned to the kitchen. She was followed by Butler Ali and Sun WooHyun carrying mountains of gifts.
Madam, we shall store gifts with large volumes separately. Will that be fine?
Yes, thank you.
Do you have any other instructions for us, maam?
No. You must be terribly busy, so you should quickly return, Mister Ali.
Well, then. Please excuse us.
Butler Ali conversed with Ha Dong Daek in fluent Korean before turning around to leave. Sun WooHyun next to him could only smile awkwardly in silence before bowing and leaving. Since he still had not fully mastered South Korean dialect yet, he figured that it might be better to keep his mouth shut rather than speak in his native North Korean dialect here.
However, the gazes of the middle aged ladies were fixed on Ha Dong Daek and no one else. A foreigner speaking Korean fluently should be a bizarre sight for these women, but they could care less about Ali at the moment. The five aunties rushed to surround Ha Dong Daek.
They couldnt help themselves. A crow came back as a swan, after all. Ha Dong Daeks deeply tanned neck was now home to a big diamond necklace, while sparkling bejeweled earrings dangled tantalizingly on both of her ears. The golden bangle around her wrist looked weighty, while her fingers were decorated with bejeweled rings gleaming beautifully under the light.
Oh, my goodness! Ha Dong Daek, what are all these?!
L-let me see, too!
Oh, my! This is what they call diamond, isnt it?
These women had lived all of their lives in the poor Jip-eun Dari wrestling with dirt, but they were still women at the end of the day. As such, their eyes were popping out of their sockets from the sight of the gorgeous jewellery.
Ha Dong Daek did not stop there and pulled out a blindingly-gorgeous dagger from under her jacket. It was an ancient Persian dagger encrusted with various diamonds.
Gold trinkets or jewels dont mean much, honestly. This knife here, what did they say? Ah, right. Its supposed to be a treasure used by a queen from a Persian empire thousands of years ago. They said selling this knife alone will be enough buy ten apartment blocks and Ill still have some change left over.
T-ten apartment blocks?
The jaws of all the aunties hit the floor.
A foreigner gentleman of high station gave it to me as a present so I couldnt say no, but what can an old hag with no hubby like me will do with a nice silver knife like this? Ill just give it to Jin Soon later, said Ha Dong Daek, while pretending as if this whole thing was nothing to fret over.
That gemstone in the handle looks like a Cats Eye, doesnt it? Look at how its middle section is shaped like a slit, just like a real cats eye! How mysterious. Ha Dong Daek, looks like you struck gold in the twilight of your life.
Im not the lucky one, though. My daughters received an even greater gift than me, you see. Its the case of Chul-Ho-Yi-Ban-Ho-Yi [5], in a way. Ha Dong Daek even resorted to mouthing off a smart-sounding idiom to ram her advantage home.
When Mu Ssang introduced her as someone no different from his mother to all those important guests, Ha Dong Daek nearly broke down and cried right there and then. Just that single introduction was enough to melt away all those moments of sorrow and hardship she had to suffer.
Mu Ssangs introduction opened the floodgates; guests all enthusiastically cheered on and began showering Ha Dong Daek with gifts. She naturally panicked and tried to decline, only for Mu Ssang to tell her Chul-Ho-Yi-Ban-Ho-Yi.
She sneakily asked her eldest daughter what that phrase meant, and she was told that it roughly meant whats given away will come back in the future.
What was that? Your daughters also received jewellery as presents? How wonderful it would be if I also had a relative like the master of this household! Deoksan-daek slapped the floor while clearly sounding envious.
By the way, youve been saying Ssang this and Ssang that. Who is this Ssang? Maechon-daek asked that question, sounding genuinely curious.
You still havent figured it out yet? Dont you know that this house is Mu Ssangs?
A grin bloomed on Ha Dong Daeks face. Finally, here was the reason why she chose to hire the aunties from Jip-eun Dari. Mu Ssang probably would not be happy about this, but still. The hard feelings from the past were just too big to simply bury away, at least to Ha Dong Daek.
No woman could freely choose a boy or a girl to be her child. Even so, Ha Dong Daek gave birth to only daughters, leading to others labeling her a useless woman throughout her entire life. It was already terrible that her husband passed on from a car accident, but all these people viewed her as a lowly woman who had basically devoured her partner. Even though she had not done anything!
When she stayed close to Mal Soon, who happened to be a shamaness, people started calling Ha Dong Daek possessed. And when Mu Ssang helped out with the tuition fee for her daughters, a baseless rumor of her selling her body to get the money started doing the rounds too.
Her only crime was working herself to the bone until weariness was the only companion left, all for the sake of putting food on the table for her daughters. Young, immature girls that waited impatiently with their beaks wide open like a nest of swallow hatchlings. Indeed, all she did was sending her kids off to school so that one day, they could live like human beings.
If the fellow villagers couldnt help her, fine. But why did they do something as terrible as making her life so miserable, too? Big sister Mal Soon also got harassed like this right up until she disappeared without a trace.
Obviously, Ha Dong Daek had been gritting her teeth and sharpening her knife.
Who is Mu Ssang now?
Mu Ssang? Isnt that the name of Indong-daeks nephew?
Mu Ssang certainly was not a common name.
As the aunties began combing through their memories, Deoksan-daek finally recalled Indong-daeks despised nephew named Mu Ssang.
Wait, are you talking about Jin Bos son?
Oh, so you do remember. Yes, its that Mu Ssang. The boy who was treated as a low farmhand before he was falsely accused of being a thief and chased out of our village He is the master of this household.
Ha Dong Daek finally dropped the bombshell. The corners of her lips curled up, while the bustling interior of the kitchen suddenly fell into eerie silence.
All five aunties sucked in their breaths as their jaws hit the floor.
Mu Ssang that worked as a farmhand in Bak In-bos house! Even if a mulberry field turned into an ocean before their eyes, it would not even hold a candle to this revelation. Mount Baekdu blowing up wouldnt be as shocking as this!
Ssang couldnt hold back anymore, and he ran away from his Baekbus [6] home just to attend middle school, didnt he? That boy was always so smart and outgoing. Is it any surprise that he went overseas to find work and came back super-successful? And then, he called all of us here, saying were all family and we shouldnt live separately and stuff. You see all those huuuge rooms over yonder? They all belong to my daughters, you see?
Ha Dong Daek ruthlessly drove the nail in even deeper. The aunties were knocked around silly by Ha Dong Daeks quadruple rhetorical questions.
H-Ha Dong Daek, you also live in this house?
No, not yet. Ill have to stay in Jip-eun Dari for a bit longer until my youngest graduates from the villages school. The oldest three girls have already unpacked their stuff here, though! Oh, and let me tell you, Mu Ssang has been responsible for the school fees and allowance money for my girls all this time. Let me also tell you, I knew Mu Ssang would become someone great despite what everyone was saying back then.
Aunties were now left stupefied by a round of Let me tell you assaults.
Oh my word! B-but, Ha Dong Daek, you arent even Mu Ssangs real relative! Yeongdong-daeks eyes darted around. She was clearly feeling aggrieved about this situation, judging from the look on her face.
Ha Dong Daek, did you save the Bak family in your previous life or something? And you havent even done much for Ssang, either. Deoksan-daek said that out loud in jealousy.
Other aunties were seething in anger at all the luck landing on Ha Dong Daeks lap. If they were to argue about closeness in the family tree, then they would no doubt be far closer to Mu Ssang by blood than Ha Dong Daek, yet this!
Y-youre right. She only gave him some leftover rice dumped in cold water, handed out a couple of old clothes and gave him school fees a couple of times, didnt she? T-this isnt that old folktale about Heungbu, so how
Deoksan-daek and Maechon-daek were openly trying to take the shine off Ha Dong Daeks actions that led up to this moment. But Ha Dong Daek almost broke out in laughter just then.
They actually had the gall to call him Ssang just now! These women called him an offspring of a whore or a concubine. They insulted him with labels like a son of a no-good shamaness, a bastard, a filthy scumbag and so many others. Since when did they start using his real name to call him?
Youre right. Im not even his hundredth aunt or something, so were definitely not relatives. Its all thanks to how virtuous and kind Mister Jin Bo and Big Sister Mal Soon were, and how caring Ssang really is. All I did was take pity on Ssang going through so much hardship and gave him some leftover rice, you know? But he told me that just a single lump of rice and just one cup of water were more precious than all the treasure in the world to a thirsty, starving boy.
C-could it be Did Ssang pay for your daughters monthly school fees, too? Deoksan-daek suddenly butted in and asked a question.
After graduating elementary or middle schools, the girls of the village would either start working as conductors, domestic helpers or as factory workers. But, as if to mock that tradition, Ha Dong Daek sent all of her daughters to high schools and even universities. As this was the single greatest mystery in Jip-eun Dari, people began suspecting that Ha Dong Daek sold her body to afford such a thing.
Of course. Where would I find enough money to send my kids to high schools and universities? Id probably have sent them away to work as conductors or domestic helpers like other folks. Indeed, its Ssang that took care of their upbringing until now. Last time, he gave me twenty million Won to pay for the girls tuition, too!
Ha Dong Daek raised her chin just a bit higher, her head arrogantly tilting about 15 degrees to the side.
Huh?! T-t-twenty million!
That was the sound of jaws permanently gluing themselves to the floor. Aunties, stupefied beyond description, momentarily forgot what was on their minds just then.
T-thats why those girls are attending universities and even bought all those farmlands, too Yeongdong-daek muttered powerlessly.
Trying to send just one child to a university was incredibly tough for a rural family leading a difficult life. One would have to sell their livestock and even their farmlands if they wanted to care for a university students needs. There was even a slang Wugoltop (a building/structure built through tuition fees earned from selling ones cows) that was invented to insult universities.
A lump of leftover rice returned as ten apartment blocks, and some worn-out hand-me-downs returned as gold trinkets? And Mu Ssang also paid for the tuition fees and living expenses for all of your five daughters, too? And, and! You even moved into this exquisite palatial mansion? But Im his real relative Buksam-daek muttered to herself.
She was the wife of Mu Ssangs paternal first cousin, once removed. In other words, she was the real relative of Mu Ssang among them. Ha Dong Daek was neither a relative or anything like that. Her husband, Mister Jo, was a distant relative of Buksam-daeks cousin-in-law. That made him, what, a hundred times removed?
A womans fate depended on her partner; if Mu Ssang married Ha Dong Daeks daughter, then the widow that everyone looked down on would ascend straight up into the heavens. Look at how Ha Dong Daeks nose was piercing the clouds already!
H-Ha Dong Daek, why dont we let bygones be bygones? Arent we all one big family? Anyways, I must go speak to Ssang right away. Buksam-daek steeled her resolve and stood up. There had been some bad blood in the past, but she didnt think anyone would spit on a smiling face.
But, Ssang told me that Even though hes willing to forget some things, he will never forgive those who dared to belittle his mother and put her through hell, Ha Dong Daek unhesitantly spat on the smiling face.
D-did he now? Buksam-daek stopped midway and plopped down on her butt.
If only she had tossed him some leftover food back then! No, wait, if only she hadnt insulted and scorned that boys mother back then! She couldve had pretext to cling onto Mu Ssang but now, she had nothing. Who couldve predicted this turn of events! The unfairness of this whole situation brought tears to her eyes.
Ha Dong Daeks cold eyes observed these aunties lamenting their life choices. It was said that as women got older, more and more of their energies would gather at their mouths. Woon, the story of Mu Ssangs success would spread to all corners of the village, and their ultimate destination would be Indong-daeks ears.
[You see? After discarding your humanity, your eyes became as blind as a bats. You all did your best to make Ssangs life a living hell, but in the end? Hes come home as a real success story!]
Ha Dong Daek desperately wanted to shout those words out aloud. She desperately wanted to rip to shreds the hearts of that old woman who tormented her nephew till the end and these aunties that discarded their humanity.
Big sister Im not doing this because Im a mean person at heart. Soon, the whole of Jip-eun Dari will be turned on its head. Oh, how I wish you were here right now to take a good look at the faces of these women! Even though I got my revenge, you still havent!
Ha Dong Daek sneakily wiped away a hint of tears in her eyes with the hem of her skirt. Kim Mal Soons pretty face ever so faintly lingered in Ha Dong Daeks vision. Big sister, who looked so frail that even a gentle breeze could have taken her away
She was subjected to a nonsensical level of slander and treated with contempt for no reason by these cheap women. Thats why she shouldve been here to take in the wonderful sight of them lamenting away like this.
*
Inside the vast study
Mu Ssang and Sang-han settled down with a traditional Korean desk between them. Aromatic steam rose from the coffee brewed by Edel. But both men had not touched the cups yet.
How did this all happen? Sang-han suddenly threw a question out, hoping to break this weighty atmosphere.
Mu Ssang softly chuckled. Well, it just happened.
Ha, haha. I guess thats like you. Sang-han also began chuckling away.
It didnt matter how, as long as the end result was good. No need to pry any deeper, in that case. In all honesty, Sang-han wouldve flown into rage if his friend still couldnt succeed after going through so much crap in his life.
What about you? How did that happen?
Well, it just happened.
Like how it was back in high school, Sang-han imitated Mu Ssang.
However, Mu Ssang didnt chuckle at that. Something like that dont just happen, bro. Let me see.
He then reached out to roll up Sang-hans trousers.
This!
Mu Ssangs expression hardened. This was not a living persons calf but that of a mummy. As if a butcher had removed all meat from the bones, no muscles or tendons could be seen on Sang-hans leg, only the wrinkled skin wrapped around the bone.
Mu Ssang could almost understand his friends decision to not amputate and continue to hold on.
Did you step on a mine?
Mu Ssang was well-versed in the horrors of battlefields, and that helped him to instantly identify this wound as the one caused by exploding shrapnel.
You can tell? Sang-han replied disinterestedly as if it was none of his business.
Mu Ssang activated his Dimensional Sight. He could see that even the bones were badly affected, too. Capillary vessels failed to regenerate properly, causing inflammation to eat away at the osseous tissues.
Ali!
Did you call for me, sir?
Go and bring Doctor Giz and Director Bonipas here. And also tell Edel to come.
Yes, sir!
Ali disappeared like the wind. Soon, Edel staying in the main house rushed in like a lightning bolt.
Rudrey!
Yes, oppa [7]!
Wait, what? Oppa? Mu Ssang stared at Edel.
Big sister told me to call you that. She said that oppa is a wonderful nickname that can morph into appa [8] any time.
Give me a break, will ya. You two are having so much fun, arent you? Fine, whatever. In any case, can you take a look at Sang-hans leg for a sec?
Edel took a closer look at Sang-hans leg before shaking her head. Well have to perform X-ray and MRI first to make sure, but his current state is definitely not great. Looks like inflammation has spread to his bone marrows, and his nerves seem to have died, too. He needs to amputate.
Urgh! Sang-hans expression cramped up. He was frightened by Edel who could nonchalantly spit out such evil-sounding words when she looked like an angel.
Rudrey, in your opinion, which will be a better option? Reviving his bones or inserting stents?
Even if we treat his inflammation and rebuild his bone structure, theres nothing we can do about muscles and tendons that have withered away. Doctors cant create something out of nothing, you know.
We can take care of that.
Someone in the front room replied to Edel. Bonipas and Doctor Giz stepped into the study.
Mu Ssang asked Bonipas. Are the prototypes available yet?
Yes, they are. The nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy prototypes were finished recently. They can be moved at will just like real muscle fibers by integrating electronic signal system.
Thats odd. How did the experiment progress so much, so quickly?
Hehe. We reverse-engineered the sample you sent to us. If the eggheads couldnt even do that, they all deserve to get fired. We did finish the testing phase for leg muscles, but we will still need another two, maybe three decades before we can replicate the complicated movements of a human hand.
Mu Ssang was left in awe at the Concretus technological prowess once more. Compared to the Billion Water Armor, these artificial muscles were positively primitive.
How long do we need for the operation and rehabilitation?
Two months should be enough, provided that you can cleanly regenerate this fellas damaged bones while Doctor Giz takes care of his neurotransmitters.
And the cost?
Twenty million Francs. But for free if you accept me as a Nova member! Bonipas sheepishly grinned.
Oh?! A sitting director of the swimming pool wants to become a member of Nova? Mu Ssangs dumbfounded eyes stared at Bonipas.
Ill be retiring in one year and six months, anyway. Since thats the case, I need to think about how to put food on my table in my twilight years. I made up my mind back when you gave me the Fang de lab?me. Dont worry, Ill pull my weight, at the very least, Bonipas declared confidently.
Im guessing its because of that Rainbow Warrior terror incident? Mu Ssang brought that up out of nowhere. That incident was actually a DGSE operation. Fitting for the organizations reputation, the whole thing was a badly-handled mess.
Someone has to take the fall, after all. And it wasnt a job we could ask the Angel of Death to take care of anyway. Bonipas replied with a wry grin.
From Frances perspective, Greenpeace became a part of the axis of evil when it began interfering with Frances nuclear tests that cost billions of Francs.
[1] Korean measurement for farmland
[2] Korean-style fried pancakes
[3] Stir-fried vegetables and noodles
[4] Korean-style traditional sausage
[5] What comes from me will return to me one day
[6] Eldest uncle
[7] Affectionate term in Korean for close male friends or partner
[8] Appa originally means dad but, as a slang, it can also mean hubby or father of my children
Chapter 536 - Episode 15 Affection Over Love
Mu Ssang began tutting away. The operative and the reporter from Le Monde went around running their mouths off, and thats how I got to learn about it. That operation wasnt like you, director. The standard of the operatives was fairly low too. Mitterrand mustve lost a ton of face, so its unsurprising that your position is in a bit of precarious state.
Mu Ssang had been crisscrossing the world without much rest for around five years. It was said that an uneducated maid of a saint could quote Latin with enough time. Similarly, in the past five years, Mu Ssang acquired eyes to discern the flow of international politics as well as the ulterior motives of the higher-ups.
You can say that we got what we deserved for getting drunk on the legendary tales of our National Treasure, Bonipas sighed in bitterness.
Having tasted unparalleled success in the last few years, the DGSE became a bit too arrogant and complacent. The organization mistook the cheat code called Black Mamba as its own competence instead.
Also, the national security council was unenthusiastic about the idea of mobilizing Black Mamba thanks to the astronomical commission fee. A rather typical attitude of short-sighted bureaucrats that only focused on the budget before their nose, neglecting the potential returning benefits hundreds of times greater in scale.
The operation itself was simple enough: an operative would infiltrate Greenpeace as one of their own, while another operative dispatched from the intelligence division disguised as a tourist would deliver an explosive device. The operative would attach the explosive under Greenpeaces ship then coax the rest of the members to disembark from the rigged ship.
One large Ka-boom! later, it would be the end of the operation.
The problem started during the process of sinking the ship and escaping from there. The operative was no Black Mamba; while wandering around the port, he ran into police officers and got into an almighty scuffle only to have his butt arrested in the end. Then, an anti-nuke reporter working for Le Monde exposed the whole thing, leaving the DGSE with little room to deny involvement or try to cover it up. Overall, the whole operation had been handled rather poorly.
The Minister of Defence took the fall and resigned, but the pressure from both domestic and foreign sources had not let up yet. Public opinion was one thing, but just as important was the head of the bureaucrats, Mitterrand, flying off his handle for not deploying Black Mamba for the job. Even though he had been the most reluctant one to hire Black Mamba in the first place, he began throwing tantrums after the operation went sideways, blaming others for making wrong decisions.
Im guessing you were left hanging out to dry for not deploying Black Mamba, then. Hehehe! Mu Ssang chuckled while staring at Bonipass wane, exhausted complexion.
It was so obvious. No head of an organization would willingly admit to making mistakes, after all. The sacrificial lamb was already set in stone.
Its better this way, actually. Not only would the Angel of Death never accept such a commission, I wasnt even thinking of requesting it in the first place, anyway. Hehehe! Bonipas also began chuckling away.
The head of the idiot bureaucrats could only see one thing and not the whole picture. Black Mamba was not some common trash enslaved to money nor was he a marionette that came to life with a flick of a switch.
All the missions he had taken on happened to match his principles, thats all. Youd be lucky not to get a merciless beating after asking him to bomb the ship of Greenpeace which was made up of peace-loving hippies.
Ive been dancing in the shadows for 35 years now. I did many unmentionable things for my country at that time. I think Ive done all that I can, Bonipas began muttering away.
Hed be sixty years old the day after tomorrow. People in the east called that the end of the first act to ones life story. For the second act of his life, Bonipas wanted to be in the light and do something more constructive for once.
If the DGSE was the shadow, then Novatopia was the light. The dynamic, pulsating nation that appeared like a mirage in the middle of the Saharan desert, Novatopia! And the man whos building such a nation from the ground up, the invincible Eastern Swordsman blessed with luck and momentum! The combination of Novatopia, its king, and Dobas oilfield was truly a game-changer.
No one could stop the march of a man riding on luck and momentum. In around five years, Novatopia would have finished building enough foundation to establish an independent economy of its own. Dobas oil deposit that showed up out of nowhere would provide the necessary funds for such rapid development. What Bonipas could contribute in this situation would be to construct and strengthen the combat power of the nation.
Bonipas took out the Fang de lab?me. Eastern Swordsman. Before we deal with your friends matter, can you name my Fang first? Dapsangs been showing off so much lately that I cant stand it anymore.
Mu Ssang tilted his head in confusion after receiving the dagger. The only mountain taller than Dapsang was Mount Everest.
Do you want to be named Chomolungma [1] or something?
Dont invite trouble like that! Ive already witnessed Chomolungma earlier today. If Edel is a lady who will be loved by everyone, Jin Soon is a lady who will embrace everyone.
Bonipas jumped up in alarm. As expected of a director of an intelligence agency, he accurately pointed out special qualities of Edel and Jin Soon in one sentence.
Mu Ssang smirked a little before focusing his mind.
Sparks flew from the Fangs handle. The engraved letters said Chogori, which was a Balti word for a tall mountain, and it also denoted K2, just like Dapsang.
Bonipas, you shall now receive this item, Chogori.
Thank you. From this moment on, Chogori will act as the member of Nova and become Novatopias shell. Bonipas politely received the modified Fang with both of his hands.
Im sure theres no need for a lengthy preamble between us. Your job as Chogori is to create Novatopias military system.
Yes, Im well aware. I better put on my best poker face for a while if I want to keep my position as the director of the swimming pool.
Mu Ssang nodded. Bonipas needed to remain in the general directors position in order for Novatopia to get Frances stored military equipment without running into much issues. This was why working with smart people was the best.
I promise to work you to your bones, director.
Well, I found a new job at my old age, so I need to pull my weight, obviously. Bonipas grinned sheepishly. This was the first time in his life that he felt his mind so relaxed.
Congratulations, Chogori. Edel smiled brightly.
Thank you, miss. But I should congratulate you instead, Miss Edel. I was informed that Yoa House was rocked by
The back of Bonipass head was suddenly struck down, causing him to kiss the floor in an instant.
Urk! Dino?! Bonipas, freaked out by what happened, hurriedly clamped his mouth shut.
Dino appeared behind him without making any sound, silently shaking its front paw like a rolled-up fist. If Bonipas dared to say one more word, his skull might be bashed in. Not even the dog among the bosss close aides could be called normal.
Ehehe~, serves you right! Edel stuck her tongue out. Dino pretended to be none the wiser and stared into the distance.
Anyways, congratulations, director. If you work hard, Im sure you can become a true servant one of these days. Hahaha! Doctor Giz laughed out aloud.
The servant of Novatopia did not carry the same meaning of servant that everyone in the world knew of. No, it was the single greatest position in existence where you got to act as Dubaiburupas deputy. This concept was created by none other than the supreme sovereign of raising a fuss, the demon king of going overboard Ombuti himself.
Bloody hell? Fine, fine. Do be kind to me once I am in a high-enough position. Bonipas stiff, stubborn-looking face filled up with a warm grin.
Sang-han and his mother could only look on in silence, their eyes blinking nonstop. They couldnt understand a single word of this conversation taking place in French. Things seemed to be progressing quite quickly here, but they couldnt even imagine what these people were even talking about.
Goddamn it, what are they yapping on about here? Man, this life of mine with no connections whatsoever sure sucks donkey balls! Sang-han muttered in anxiety.
Oppa, I think you should finish up your friends matter now. Edel quickly redirected Mu Ssangs attention.
Yes, youre right. Doctor Giz, Ill ask you for this favor. This guy here is my best friend since my childhood days.
Your friend is my friend too. Im the best in the field of biological electric signal linkage. You can rest easy. Doctor Giz easily agreed to it.
Sang-han. This old me will fix your leg now, so what are you going to do for me in return? Mu Ssang asked in a playful manner.
Sang-hans mother sitting a bit further away and silently listening in perked up instantly. She wanted to rush toward Mu Ssang and ask if he was being serious here, but had to stop herself. Her dumb son threatened her earlier with leaving home for good if she even dared to open her mouth, after all! Her innards began drying up from anxiety.
Mom, you should come closer, too.
O-of course! Sang-hans mother listening closely rushed in like a lightning streak.
Ive always been your underling since our school days, no? Whats mine is yours and whats yours is also mine, right? Besides all that, can you really fix my leg? Sang-hans voice trembled as he asked.
Mu Ssang suddenly grabbed Sang-hans leg. Theres a lot more to this world than meets the eye, bro. Anyways, this will hurt a bit. Hold on.
The resonance wave was injected into the leg. All the osseous tissues corroded by the inflammation began to break down as if sandpaper was grinding them down.
The resonance wave seeping into the tissue rocked the cells to reawaken their dormant vitality.
The stenosed capillary vessels were revived, and the mitochondria began to get active once more. With this, Sang-hans osteoblasts should start regenerating his bones. The passage of time should take care of the rest.
Mu Ssang changed the flow of his energy from pushing to pulling and began running his palm across Sang-hans calf, shin and femoral region. All the small shrapnel still embedded in the bones and muscles got sucked out by the inhalation wave.
Keugh! Sang-han clenched his teeth.
Skin on various parts of his leg tore open and blood began dripping down. Mu Ssang took his hand away, prompting Edel on standby to quickly wipe the bloodied leg with gauze and disinfect it. Sang-hans mother, shocked by this unexpected development, sucked in a deep breath.
Mu Ssang opened his palm. The eyes of Doctor Giz and Bonipas widened in surprise. Dozens of tiny metallic debris resembling sesame seeds stuck tumbled to the floor from his open hand. This sight was more or less familiar to Edel, but it wasnt to Bonipas and Giz, and they couldnt hide their shock.
Bonipas muttered in amazement. Yet another one of bosss miracles, huh?
S-Ssang-ah? Wha, what is all this? Sang-hans mother asked, her eyes threatening to pop out of their sockets.
They are tiny shrapnel still embedded in Sang-hans flesh and bone, mother. Because of these things, Sang-han mustve been in a lot of pain until now.
Oh my, you dummy of my son! Why didnt you say anything! Sang-hans mother held her son and broke down in tears.
Just how excruciating the pain mustve been, what with all these abominable shrapnel buried in his flesh? She couldnt hold it in anymore after realizing the pain her son was in, and her resentment toward the country flared up in an instant.
You told me itll hurt a bit, but it wasnt much, bro. Sang-han declared confidently, his forehead caked in sweat. As expected of a dude who was labeled as a scary, unrelenting bastard back in his middle school days.
How does it feel, Sang-han?
Refreshing. What just happened here, though? Was that the Absorbing Star Technique from wuxia novels?
Mu Ssang grinned brightly. As expected of his simple-minded blood brother; totally playing into the stereotype of a wuxia geek, this idiot began talking about the Absorbing Star Technique the first chance he got. However, Mu Ssang used the inhalation wave to extract the shrapnel, so his friend was technically not incorrect on this one.
Okay, Sang-han. Listen closely. From today onwards, you are an employee of the French embassy stationed in Korea.
What are you talking about? Sang-han dumbfoundedly blinked his eyes like a cow falling on its butt on slippery ice.
Dummy, if your boss says so, then it is so. Got it? Mu Ssang pretended to smack Sang-han in the noggin.
Sang-hans expression became dreamy as if he was actually dreaming right now. Boss, was it! A title that he missed so much, a name he longed to hear so badly all these years! Their middle and high school days spent together as blood brothers flitted in and out of Sang-hans memories.
Indeed, if the boss said so, then so it was.
Mu Ssang continued on. Youre going to follow Doctor Giz over here and leave the country for a while as a diplomat. In a secret location, theyll perform a medical procedure on your leg. To put it simply, they will reinforce your bones with stents, then attach artificial muscles and tendons afterwards. The material used will be top secret, while the procedure itself will also be super top secret, got that? If all goes well, you wont even need six seconds to sprint 100 meters, and even run as fast as a horse for one solid hour.
A-are you being serious? Does that mean Ill become the Six Million Dollar Man for real?
Dont be ridiculous. The procedure will cost around five billion Won.
F-f-five billion?!
The complexions of Sang-han and his mother went pale with fright. No other words registered in their brains as the sky-high amount of five billion Won rang too loudly in their ear canals.
My blood brother, Lee Sang-han, is getting piss-scared by mere five billion, is it? Heh. Dont cry, your big bro is here. All you gotta do is just go through the procedure. Leave the rest to me. The procedure and rehabilitation will take around three months, though. And from today on, you will no longer have a mouth. You understand what I mean, dont ya?
Got it. I wont blab my mouth until the day I croak.
You also cant show off your strength. Just live like a regular person, and that will be all. Can you promise me that?
Of course. I give you my word.
Uh? Sang-hans mother was left utterly dazed by this rapid, unexpected development and could only make uh, uh noises.
Mother, you heard us, right? Your son, Sang-han will be receiving a procedure that doesnt exist in this world. Thats why you must keep it a secret, too.
Of course, of course. This old hag wont have any mouth anymore. Ill do anything if my boy can get his leg back. B-but, what about that huge medical fee? The wrinkled face of Sang-hans mother darkened with worry.
No need to worry about that. Itll all work out, I promise. Mu Ssang grinned brightly at her.
Bonipas watching on from the side was enraptured. Yes, that smile That was it! The smile of a real man who haughtily looked down on the world but still empathized with the pain of his fellow men that smile filled with self-belief and confidence!
Sang-han. You came to my housewarming with a gift, so dont you think its about time you hand it over?
Uh, well, about that. The thing is Sang-han hurriedly hid the shopping bag behind him.
The eyes of his mother trembled at this sight. She could clearly feel her sons shame. Her breathing seemed to clog up at that moment.
You dumbass. Your big bro is about to spend five billion for you, so why are you acting so cheap? Mu Ssang snatched the shopping bag away and pulled out its content. Hey, this is great. Isnt this one of those cuckoo clocks thats in high demand recently?
Mu Ssang pressed the coffee spoon in his hand against the red clay wall. The cutlery silently dug into the wall that looked as impenetrable as a forged steel plate. He mounted the clock on the wall and began raising a fuss over it. Rudrey, what do you think?
That really is a priceless gift, oppa. It goes well with the decor, I think. Edel replied while lightly wiping her tears away.
Expressions of both Bonipas and Giz became solemn. Even at a casual glance, one could tell that was cheap clock mass-produced in an unnamed factory somewhere, something that stood out like a sore thumb in this elegant, high-class study. The kind, warm heart of their boss rushed at them like the warmth from a fireplace.
B-boss! Sang-hans voice trembled weakly. His big bro-cum-boss had this talent of making people cry, whether it was now or ten years ago.
Sang-hans mother suddenly stood up. She tidied up the hem of her clothes, then began prostrating on the floor toward Mu Ssang.
M-mother?! What are you doing! Mu Ssang, taken by surprise, hurriedly tried to stop her, but Sang-hans mother still managed to finish bowing to him three times.
Im an uneducated country bumpkin and couldnt see Lord Bodhisattva right before my eyes. The first bow is meant to express my gratitude for saving my boys life, sir. The second bow is meant to express my respect for the real man who overcame all sorts of hurdles to become an important person. The third bow is my show of reverence at Lord Bodhisattva who shares happiness with people around him. Thank you, sir. Thank you! Sob, sniffle!
Sang-hans mother began shedding thick tears.
Holy cow! Since from when did my mother become so eloquent? Bloody hell, I guess I take after my father, then
Sang-hans eyes grew as wide as lampshades. His mother wasnt acting like her usual quiet, reserved self today. But then again, he still didnt know about the fact that every mother on Earth was capable of transforming into a superhero for the sake of their children.
Mother, you mustnt do this. You know that Im a lonely guy at heart. I need a friend, and I also need the friends mother to look after us. You can always earn money and save up to build wealth. But what does a person live off on, mother? Its affection and love. A mother who gladly welcomes you home when you throw open the front door to enter, a mother who prepares supper for you even if all thats remaining are some leftover rice and young radish kimchi Such a mother is precious to me. I hope you understand what I mean.
Sob, sniffle Yes, I do! What did this unlucky old hag do in her past life to be blessed with such good fortune Sang-hans mother hugged Mu Ssang and cried even louder.
Em-Mu-so-Ttu Yi-Sang-Gi-Ttim! [2]
Bonipas muttered in the typical tongue-twisting French accent.
The National Security Agencys Daegu division was located in Dongseong-ros back alleys. The exterior of the three-story building with various signboards messily decorating it looked just as shabby as all the others surrounding it.
Its basement floor was a bar, the first floor was a stationery shop, the second floor was a coffee shop and finally, a signboard proclaiming Daedeok Company could be seen hanging on the third floor.
[1] Everest, the mother of all gods
[2] Eung-Mu-So-Ju Yi-Saeng-Gi-Sim!
Chapter 537 - Episode 1 Age-old Connection
Anyone wanting to pay a visit to the Daedeok Company would first have to navigate through a set of thick bars blocking the staircase. Climbing up the stairs would get you to the front of a fire door, and the actual entrance beyond that was yet another uninviting steel door with depressing grey color.
Any prospective clients coming to see the export/import agents would most likely be left with poor impressions of this series of spectacles.
Once you step inside past the steel door, you were greeted by the office space that seemed smaller than what the exterior of the building would suggest. About half of the office space that should have been around fifty pyeongs seemed to be missing, and what remained were heavily partitioned by flimsy-looking dividers. Overall, the office felt claustrophobic.
Even so, this place had everything required to run a business. Samples of leather goods dominated one of the walls; photocopiers and water coolers, desks with typewriters, and even a spacious consultation table with two telephones on it. The latter looked perfectly fit for the purpose of spreading open the leather samples and examining them.
A large, wide table like this was a must if one wanted to examine the imported leathers from water buffalos and alligators. The overall atmosphere didnt seem any different from a regular import agency office. And as luck would have it, the Daedeok Company really did import leather as its main business. Of course, its main purpose for existence was something else, with the truth hidden within the vanished space of the office.
Inside the separated space, divided from the trade office by a brick wall
Unlike the mostly-unmanned office on the other side, the five to six agents were busily doing their jobs in the agency. One of the agents located by the inner corner of the partitioned office stopped poring over the documents and straightened his back while stretching his cramped limbs.
A pair of narrow bloodshot eyes, protruding cheekbones, bristle and bushy beard, and a well-muscled physique If he started swinging an ax around, people wouldve mistaken him for an extra in a fantasy drama series playing the role of a bandit. And he also happened to be the Daegu branch manager, Yi Dae-deok.
That bastard, Jang Pal-soo, is too rough and slow-witted to be any good. If I leave it up to him, this punk might end up causing another big-ass incident like back in Sabuk. I guess a slippery punk is still better than an idiot, huh. Yi Dae-deok muttered that before dismissively tossing aside a document he had been staring at.
Jang Pal-soo was none other than the culprit responsible for breaking the back and smashing the leg of Park Sam-chul, a farmer from Jip-eun Dari. Park Sam-chul wanted to earn money during the farming off-season for his daughters tuition fee, so he entered the mine on that faithful day.
The trio of National Security Agency agents dispatched to Sabuks martial law management branch office was caught doing something questionable, and the ripples from their actions spread far and wide. Funnily enough, their inhumane torture was not seen as problematic, but all the massive amounts of bribes they had pocketed were. Unsurprisingly, the internal audit bureau had a field day.
Bribes happened all the time but it was still in the early days of the Chun Doo-hwan regime and it needed sacrificial lambs to pacify all the fuss kicked up by the Sabuk incident.
As a result, the bulk of the blame fell on the agent with the shortest career of the trio, Yoo Young-chul, and he was fired from his post. His heroic sacrifice meant that Jang Pal-soo got to keep his job in the National Security Agency, while Kim Young-no had to change his job to a cop. And then The National Security Agency announced to the media that they had punished the corrupt agents appropriately.
It was said that, although mother nature was too vast for regular people to fully understand all of its rules, she still didnt forget to punish the evildoers in the end. Jang Pil-nyuh hired Yoo Young-chul as her private chauffeur, then ordered him to disturb the remains of Mu Ssangs father, Park Jin Bo. However, Samdi caught him in the act.
Obviously, the greatly-angered Mu Ssang would not let Yoo Young-chul go unscathed. The corrupt bastard didnt even leave behind an intact bone and got buried in the deepest parts of Wolsong Mountain as nothing more than some piles of ashes.
Maybe the resentment of all the miners who either died or were left disabled permanently due to the aftereffects of torture had become specters that goaded the corrupt bastards to commit acts of idiocy again. Jang Pal-soo, who was the main instigator in that incident, was about to get his second run-in with the Angel of Death soon.
Jeong Pil-su!
Even Yi Dae-deoks voice was as loud as a bandit. He definitely did not match the image of what an export/import company president should look like or behave.
Yessir! A man in his late forties jumped up to his feet and rushed towards the branch managers office. As soon as he opened the door, he bent his whole torso forward ninety degrees.
Not you! Im looking for Jeong Pil-su. Damn it, why did you two fckers have to have similar-sounding names and confuse the living sht out of people, ah?
I see. Ill call him right away, sir. Jang Pal-soo got insulted for no good reason, but he still chose to dash down the stairs without complaining. This was the reason why the stone-brained Jang Pal-soo managed to survive in this organization for so long.
Yes, yes. Im on my way, sir.
The reply could be heard coming from downstairs and was soon followed by the noises of someone rushing up the stairs.
Did you call for me, sir? Jeong Pil-su replied while breathing heavily.
The white name tag attached to his coffee shop uniform rose and fell to match his heaving chest. Yi Deo-daek had a really short fuse. Meandering about would only result in you paying dearly with your health.
Obviously I called for you, otherwise why would you even be here? Anyways, couldnt you hurry the f*ck up? Did you flush your military disciple down the damn toilet the moment you got promoted to the deputy branch manager? Yi Dae-deok roared unhappily at his deputy.
Oh my, boss! Theres no way I can rush up here faster than this. Besides, why arent you using the intercom, sir? Its not for decorations, you know?
Shut up. Have you found out that guys identity yet?
According to the civil registry, his name is Park Mu Ssang, age twenty-six, and hes the cultural advisor working for the French embassy, sir.
Say what now? Hes the cultural advisor? Yi Dae-deoks eyes narrowed even further.
What nonsense that was! An advisor in such a capacity was usually taken up by a high-ranking diplomat. In terms of South Koreas Department of Foreign Affairs, that position would be reserved for a second or third-rank civil servant.
Of course, a spy often used the guise of an advisor to carry out their espionage activities. Sometimes, a young agent would be installed in that position to carry out special assignments. Even so, that position was not something a twenty-six-year-old little punk should be occupying, especially not a Korean that was not French in any way.
Is he a dual-citizenship holder, then?
Yes, sir. He is. His French name is Sbard Gulbeig, sir.
Gimme a f*cking break. I guess our country has become a lot more internationalized these days, hah? Any old cat and dog seem to get dual citizenship these days. Is he an offspring of someone high up or something?
Animosity filled up Yi Dae-deoks eyes. Politicians and high-ranking officials did all sorts crappy sh*t to prevent the military from conscripting their kids.
The method favored by the higher-ups of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Agency was to get their children dual citizenship, then sneakily have them work for embassies and consulates of other countries. Obviously, all sorts of national secrets were being sucked out of them at this very moment.
No, sir. Never mind being a kid of someone high-up, this guy lived a dirt-poor miserable life so far, sir. He has basically shoveled dirt all his life, it seems. Jeong Pil-su smirked a little.
You dumb f*ck. How can a dirt-poor punk like him be hired as an advisor for the French? When I was twenty-six, I was busy brewing coffee and jotting down memos for senior agents at the Namsan office! Yi Dae-deok roared angrily again.
Sir, should we just drag his ass in here?
No, you dumb sh*t! Man, not only your names are similar, even your thoughts are similar, too! France is not Congo or Gabon, get my drift? Its a permanent member of the goddamn UN Security Council, for crying out loud. If its a French advisor, then hell, even the department head must tread carefully around him. Besides, I heard that hes busy entertaining a whole bunch of foreigners in his home?
Yes, sir. Its apparently a housewarming party.
Bloody hell. Someone here is stuck in an office, busy kicking some sense into some snotty kids throwing rocks around, yet some other lucky punk can throw a fcking housewarming party with all sorts of foreigners lounging in his bloody house? Hey, Jang Pal-soo, you fck! Are you trying to kill that bastard or something? Hold yourself back a little, you dumb f*ck! Yi Dae-deok roared even louder than before.
The pitiful cries of someone getting beaten up to within an inch of their life coming from a room deeper in the office gradually quietened down.
Eh, I better fire that idiots ass or something. Here I am, getting pissed off about this whole thing, yet that idiot is making it f*cking worse. In any case. Tell me his family tree.
Sir. Hes a dirt poor nobody, but a strange nobody, sir. His father, Park Jin Bo, died when the boy was eight. His mother, Kim Mal-soon, is currently missing. His guardian according to our data is his uncle, Park In Bo. Hes has a prior record of theft at the age of thirteen, was chased out of his big uncles home, worked his ass off to pay for his own tuition to go to school, but during his graduation year, he was arrested for rape.
He spent six months in detention but his sentence was suspended and he was released early. He worked as a doorman in a nightclub to attract patrons, then spent thirteen months as a Buddhist monk, before traveling to France at aged twenty-one. Sir.
Jeong Pil-su proceeded to explain what he investigated for the past month in the simplest way possible.
Huh. What a tear-inducing life story that is. But, how can an orphan with a criminal record be able to travel overseas? What kind of a connection did he use to do that? Yi Dae-deok tilted his head in confusion.
An ex-convict could not leave the country without going through the National Security Agencys background check first. If the records of that background check was still in the system, then Jeong Pil-su would know.
Back when he left the country, the guarantor was none other than Consul Hamilton from Britain, sir.
Consul Hamilton!
Yi Dae-deoks eyes grew wider.
Consul Hamilton knew the ongoings of South Korea very well, and held an even greater influence than the actual ambassador. But to think that someone like him was in cahoots with some kid from the gutters? It sounded even more unrealistic than a tiger starting a family together with a house cat.
How the hell did an orphan with no goddamn connection whatsoever get chummy with the British consul, of all people?
Sir. There was an incident back when Consul Hamilton was still an advisor. He was almost lynched by a mob of yangahchis in Gumis marketplace.
Aha, that. I remember it now. The British ambassador lodged a sternly-worded complaint to his excellency Mister President because of that incident, didnt he? And that resulted in the Daegu branch commissioner and the Gumi district chief losing their jobs, even though they hadnt done anything. Yi Dae-deok slowly nodded.
After having his head bitten off by the president, the police commissioner established a special investigation division in the Gumi police station and proceeded to arrest every single yangahchi they could find. That was how that incident came to an end.
The current regime lacked legitimacy and could not even raise its voice at the foreign powers. Nothing good would come out of getting on the wrong side of a diplomat from a powerful country. Even that kid named Park Mu Ssang wouldve been dragged into this office a long time ago by Jeong Pil-su if it werent for his position as the advisor working for the French embassy.
Throw a punk, any punk, in the agencys basement and feed him a concoction of heart-warming meals, and before long, hed straighten up real nice and start singing about the times he got a bit too naughty for his own good.
Yes, sir. It sure raised a lot of noise for a while, that incident. Back then, some random Buddhist monk showed up out of nowhere to beat the living snot out of those yangahchi idiots before taking the British consul to a hospital. And as luck would have it, the monastery Park Mu Ssangs been polishing his noggin happened to be in Mt. Chung Saeng. I think thats when they made contact, sir.
Oh, so you think Consul Hamilton was showing his appreciation? In that case, why did he go to France and not Britain?
Well, I guess he did whatever took his fancy, sir.
What did you say?
Yi Dae-deoks brow arched up in annoyance.
Sensing an impending danger, Jeong Pil-su quickly added extra information. Sir, Park Mu Ssang is a Lgion trangre.
Lgion trangre! What the hell is that?
Huh? Youre supposed to be a branch manager, yet you dont even know whats a Lgion trangre?
Jeong Pil-su narrowed his eyes to slits.
Yi Dae-deok was supposed to be a veteran of thirty years working for South Koreas intelligence agency. A branch manager of his experience level should be able to figure out what his underlings were thinking of simply by taking a gander at their eyes. Knowing this, Jeong Pil-su deliberately formed an expression that said, You dont even know that, sir?
This was nothing more than his twisted mentality wanting compensation for his battered pride by exploiting the superior officers ignorance.
Yi Dae-deok grabbed a brass paperweight resting on his desk and angrily hurled it at his underling.
The paperweight accurately smacked Jeong Pil-su in the shin.
Ouch?! Jeong Pil-su began hopping around on one foot.
You f*cking punk, wanna die today?!
T-thats what the French foreign legion is called, sir! Only the Gurkhas can join the Brits foreign legion equivalent, you see. Jeong Pil-su, now thoroughly sobered-up, hurriedly stood at attention.
What the hell? Give me a damn break. Lgion trangre? You think you are somebody important by rolling your tongue like that? Huh? Fine. So, what did he do there?
Well, sir. A man with no education and no possession will end up doing the most obvious thing, sir. Shooting at stuff.
Well, Ill be damned. A Buddhist monk whos also a mercenary, eh~? His life sure sounds f*cking complicated, doesnt it?
Actually, its more like everythings f*cking rosy for him, sir. His rank is that of Major.
Whats this Major thing?
The Korean army doesnt have an equivalent rank, sir. The closest I can think of is a warrant officer doing the role of a chief master sergeant leading non-commissioned officers, sir.
Now thats even weirder. If he was actually an officer, then Id have understood it, but the leader of all non-commissioned officers? Besides, all the chief master sergeants in our country are made up of stinky old men, no? Yi Dae-deok tilted his head after failing to figure it out.
I also dont know, sir. Well, the only thing the mercenaries do beside eating is fighting, so he probably achieved some kind of a meritorious deed or something in the field.
You also dont know? Hey, you dumb prick, you have the galls to say that to my face? You goddamn salary thief, finding that out is your bloody job. Probably, you say? Didnt I say this already?! Its your job to never be uncertain about things like this!
Yi Dae-deok began glaring murderously. Jeong Pil-su was a bright kid but as expected of a punk hailing from Seoul, he was as slippery and twisty as an oiled-up eel.
But sir, what can I do with the pathetically puny information budget you give us?
F*ck me, will you listen to this punk? Hey, you dare getting on my nerves just because you now have some experience under your belt? Cant you get the money by ripping it off some hapless idiots?
But sir, times are tough for everyone out there, so in my good conscience, its a bit hard for me to do that.
Stop f*cking around, you punk. In that case, how the hell did you buy a car with the salary of a deputy manager?
I saved up like crazy, sir. Jeong Pil-su remained brazen in his reply. That was because he knew that he should be considered a gentleman when compared to the behavior of other agents.
Wow, you slippery bastard! Tch. Why is Park Mu-ssang staying in Daegu instead of where the French embassy is? I heard that he built himself a massive mansion?
The building at Bul-ro is under Park Mu-ssangs name, but its usage is registered as the French cultural institute, sir.
Is that right? I see, so they bought the land using him as a proxy. Makes sense, since a foreigner will have a hard time trying to buy land in our country. Their purpose must be to collect information, then?
Could be, sir. My contact working at the French embassy said theres no other available information besides that, sir. Jeong Pil-su closed the file folder, concluding this eventful report.
What a strange man that guy is. Reassess him as a third-level surveillance target and take over the operation.
Whether his name was Park Mu Ssang or Sbard whatever, getting in the bad books of a diplomat sent by a powerful country would do no one any good whatsoever. A third-level target denoted a person of interest with unclear identity designated as a target of constant surveillance.
But, branch manager!
Hey, you dipsh*t, its the president! The president!
President. Im already running into a problem with manpower just to keep an eye out on the targets university activities, sir.
Install listening devices, wiretap him, or send Jang Pal-soo to tail him, I dont care. Do what you think will work. More importantly, though, make sure not to scratch too much and have scabs fall on us.
With that, Yi Dae-deok stopped giving attention to this matter.
Understood, sir.
Jeong Pil-su returned to being the owner of the coffee shop, but his head was still filled with worries. That saying of dont scratch too much and have scabs fall on us? He heard that quite often back when he was still assigned to the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. It meant that one should do whatever it takes to get the intel, but in case of a problem, one would be hung out to dry by themselves.
Argh, I dont care anymore! Ill just assign Jang Pal-soo to tail him, and install a couple of wiretaps in his house or something!
Jeong Pil-su threw off the apron and headed to the bar on the basement floor. He had no idea that this path down to the basement was the figurative path leading down to the depths of hell.
Currently, Jin Soon was earning rave reviews after presenting jok-bal (pigs feet), cold jellyfish salad and watermelon salad as midnight snack for the guests. Not wanting to play the second fiddle, Jang Shin also proceeded to prepare the Five Spice Sliced Steamed Pork and cold seafood-and-veggies salad mix. Yijihana followed up with sorbets and consomm too. But both men could not win against Jin-soon in the end.
Since the ethnicity and cultural preferences were rather diverse among the guests, over ten different types of alcohol were prepared. Makgeolli (raw rice wine), kumbokju (soju), champagne, Sciaccarello, various beers, and even tequila and Akra made their appearances. Plentiful dishes went perfectly with plentiful booze to deepen the evenings plentiful atmosphere.
Mu Ssang spoke up. Hey, Sang-han. Dont hold back and enjoy yourself, okay? I mean, way back then, didnt I almost finish off all the grapes in your family vineyard?
He then pushed forward a bowl of watermelon salad toward Sang-han.
It wasnt just the grapes, though. Didnt I deliver two dozen eggs to you every week or something? Sang-han replied with a bright grin.
Buoyed by hope, Sang-han had finally regained his former confidence and a certain calmness. Sang-hans mother, seeing how much happier her son had become, became so much warmer and brighter.
You wanna bring that up now? Right, I got to eat two dozen eggs every week for two years thanks to your help, didnt I? Your chicken run was included in the family vineyard, so if I want to keep eating your stuff, you better get your vineyard back, right? How much?
How much what? Sang-han asked back in a daze.
I mean, how much for the vineyard that was devoured by your leg after you stepped on a mine? How much, if I want to get a loan for it?
How did you find out? Are you also a fortune teller or something?
Sang-hans eyes grew wider..
Chapter 538 - Episode 2 Age-old Connection
Hey, you. Not everyone can become the boss, know what I mean? You can only become one if youre capable of seeing a thousand leagues ahead while sitting down. By the way, I heard that Mrs. Jae Soo is worried a lot lately? You two had some baby trouble, didnt you? However, let me tell ya, you did the right thing by marrying her.
Woah! Sang-han gasped in surprise before glaring angrily at his mother.
His mother jumped up in surprise herself before shaking her head so fast, it seemed like she would unscrew her head from her shoulders. She had not said a single word about this topic, after all!
Mu Ssang smirked knowingly while pulling out a cheque book. Well, Ive been checking out the housing market since I was building one, you see? The funds remaining after buying the vineyard is to buy my nephew some powder milk, got that? I was too busy the last couple of years and had no clue that you got married, never mind my nephew joining this world. So, to prevent you from grumbling later on, take this and do your thing.
Mu Ssang placed a cheque in Sang-hans hand before winking at Edel. She silently raised her thumb up high.
B-boss! Sang-han couldnt finish his sentence and was faltering on his seat. Emotions welled up and his nostrils began feeling numb, as if he blew his nose a bit too hard.
Theres this other thing I must take care of, so Ill excuse myself, alright? Mu Ssang then quickly left the study as if he was running away. He was afraid Sang-hans mother would raise one hell of a fuss that would put Ombuti to shame.
H-hey, wait a minute, will ya?!
Sang-hans jaw hit the floor, while his mother put her hands together toward Mu Ssangs departing back and began bowing her head repeatedly. Not only did Mu Ssang bring her son back from the brink, he even saved the lives of Sang-hans wife, the infant grandson and an old hag like her.
All she did was feed him a few times, hand out used clothes and give him a bit of pocket money every now and then. None of those things was noteworthy events since that boy was her sons friend Yet they returned a million fold in value all these years later. How was she even supposed to react to this windfall!
What Mu Ssang said about how deeply he was grateful for her giving him the leftover rice and some young radish kimchi continued to echo in her ears. His back as he crossed the wide yard seemed to grow bigger and bigger in her vision until she couldnt see anything else.
Hes so cool, isnt he? Edel grinned brightly.
Boss was also cool ten years ago, you know. Sang-hans voice trembled as he replied to her.
They said that having a smart wife would lead you to good fortune. If it hadnt been for Sang-hans wife nagging him to come here in the first place, hed still be lamenting about his broken life, resenting the unfair world and wasting away what remained of his life.
*
There was no such thing as a neverending party. Guests went to their assigned quarters to get some rest, leaving only Ombuti and Bonipas in the study along with Mu Ssang. They remained behind to report on the current situation in Novatopia, the international political landscape, CIAs movements, and the transport of the stored military material.
Three hundred thousand already? Isnt the rate of the population increasing a bit too fast? Mu Ssang asked, slightly worried.
In less than a year, Novatopias population reached 250,000. If this kept up, that number would shoot past half a million before the end of the current year.
Please dont worry, my lord. Black Culture members are keeping a tight rein on things.
This clearly demonstrates how many people are still driven to a desperate corner, doesnt it?
Yes, sir. The civil wars in the neighboring country have intensified, while the European nations beyond the Mediterranean Sea have tightened their border control, sir. As such, we have over one million refugees waiting for their turn outside our borders.
Wow. The issues with food and medical supplies must be no laughing matter, then.
Dapsang has been supplying the majority of provisions consumed in the refugee camp, sir. But whats funny in this situation is that none of the big food majors making a ton of money in Africa has sent us one bag of flour or even a grain of rice. Ombuti gritted his teeth.
You shouldnt expect such things from parasites like them. Novatopia is the final haven for those people who are driven to a corner with no way out. Make sure to never go against our principles.
Yes, sir. Itll go according to your will, Wakil.
Any issues with the countrys security?
Nothing of note, sir. These people have already experienced hell before joining us. They feel happy from the simple fact that their safety is guaranteed, and that they wont go to bed starving in our land. We dont have too many citizens causing trouble, and your three-strikes rule has done wonders to forcibly suppress potential crime, sir.
Im sure thats the case. A fool who still cant wake up after tasting forced labor has no room for rehabilitation. We also have no need for those who feel different before and after the proverbial toilet break. Novatopia doesnt have enough time nor leeway to mind the rights of criminals.
Well said, sir. We do not need trash in our midst. In Novatopias books, no one so far earned four stars [1].
How scarily strict! Bonipas, who was listening in, pretended to shiver.
Novatopias laws were simple but stern. Criminals involved in the breach of national security, violent crimes, or other serious forms of crime were hit with sentences of forced labor and pecuniary punishments. No one was exempted from this rule.
A first-time offender would be trialed normally in a regular court proceeding to ascertain their guilt, then sentenced to forced labor and heavy fines. A repeat offender was sent straight to the forced labor camp regardless of the crime committed for the period of five years minimum to ten years maximum.
But the convict caught for the third time doing the same crime was given a choice between forced labor for life or banishment from the country. Choosing forced labor for life meant you would be planting Jatropha trees at the borders until you kicked the bucket. But choosing banishment meant you would be kicked out to the middle of the desert with enough food and water to last you two weeks or so. Either way, this was truly unforgiving punishment unthinkable in modern society, indeed.
What would the convict be thinking of when they had to choose between getting chased out to the desert of death or planting trees in the said desert for the rest of their life? And what about those watching on, how would they feel about this? This was the reason why Novatopia didnt have criminals.
*
Ombuti, are those fifteen idiots I sent to you last year still diligently planting trees? Mu Ssang asked about the well-being of the Abe gang, which he had forgotten about until recently.
They are under the special management of the security bureau, sir. Two of them have died from local diseases, while one took his own life. The remaining twelve are diligently planting Jatropha trees near the border to Ennedi.
Diligently, you say?
The noble and great Dubaiburupa has declared that those who dont work will not get fed. As such, anyone who doesnt meet their daily quota will starve, Ombuti replied nonchalantly as if he was explaining that a desk had four legs.
Wakil, dont you think the lifelong forced labor is too inhumane? How about just executing them? Bonipas tried to test the waters a bit.
Voices of concern regarding Novatopias harsh penal code were being raised in the international community. Human rights organizations were frothing at their mouths, claiming how evil this practice was. A rather troublesome situation for Novatopia that just started setting up its national framework.
Novatopia is a nation that respects human rights by not performing executions. However, I firmly believe that the victims rights are a hundred times more important than that of a criminals. Besides, were short on manpower, so killing the potential workers is a bit of a waste, wouldnt you say? Ombuti, form a separate management team and strictly monitor the forced laborers serving life terms to prevent them taking their own lives.
And thus Dubaiburupa has declared so! Ombuti hurriedly pulled out a pocket notebook and jotted down what Mu Ssang said.
Holy cow, like master, like servant!
Bonipas wordlessly shook his head. He brought up the topic only for the situation to become worse.
The man who was ready to spend his entire fortune for the sake of people he had never even met, yet who was also capable of slaughtering thousands without batting an eye that was the invincible Eastern Swordsman. Without a doubt, he didnt even give a rats ass whether the media yapped on about him or not.
*
How far along are we with the formation of the Rapid Response Forces?
The formation of the armored and the heliborne battalions is already complete, sir. Meanwhile, an independent mounted battalion consisting of the Tuareg tribe warriors has also been established, and the sniper battalion is currently training in Corsica, sir. They are scheduled to return to Novatopia next month.
Chogori, were there any mountain guns included in the stored military equipment?
Of course there are some. We have a whole bunch of OTO Melara Model 56 105mm guns as well as GebG36 75mm guns taken from the Germans gathering dust in storage. And I was thinking of throwing away all those useless scrap metal taking up space in Lets say, in the middle of a desert. Bonipas saw through the invincible Eastern Swordsmans intentions and jumped the gun first.
A weapons striking power was certainly important, but its suitability with the terrain was even more crucial. An OTO Melara mountain gun was a howitzer with the maximum range of 11km, but it could also be improvised into a short-distance direct firing gun with a range of 300m by lowering its angle of elevation.
The era of mountain guns came to a close after the introduction of multi-purpose rocket launchers and missiles, but in the middle section of Sahara with its massive sand dunes, one could say that the mountain guns were the best-possible artillery to possess since their firing trajectory could be altered at will.
Ombuti, what do you think about increasing the scale of the Tuaregs mounted battalion into a regiment and arranging a mountain gun battalion with Chogoris assistance?
Its an excellent idea, Wakil. Two horses can pull along a 105mm gun, while one horse should be enough to pull a 75mm. Opening fire with forty guns lined up next to each other will surely produce a spectacular sight to behold, sir. Ombutis complexion brightened.
A mounted regiment on horseback boasted excellent mobility and was also rather stealthy, but as a trade-off, its overall firepower was low. The kinetic energy of a 105mm high-explosive shell was around six million Joules, about thirty times that of an anti-personnel RPG warhead. That was more than enough to cover the weak point of the mounted troops.
*
As the discussion on official matters came to a close, Mu Ssang suddenly asked Bonipas a question. Chogori, what is the intention behind Chairman Javer wanting to meet me?
Javer is a sly snake of a man. You can never tell what hes scheming. He probably needs Wakils abilities to deal with a special matter.
My abilities, you say?
There are several areas on this planet that humans simply cant approach. The DGSE declared over a dozen such locations as mysterious by now. The jungles of Ituri is one such location. And its no wonder Chairman Javer is salivating at the prospect of hiring Wakil, whos skilled enough to easily conquer such a jungle.
Oh! Im kind of interested now.
Mu Ssang was becoming intrigued about this. The Hollow Earth found under the ground was a fresh, shocking experience for him. Back then, he was ill-prepared for what went down. The thing was that Mu Ssang was not the kind of a man to say no to an adventure.
Bonipas shook his head. I think theres no value in meeting him. Javer is connected to the CIA. And there was that instance of the CIA lending Javer the keyhole for the purpose of geological prospect. We dont know if its a simple business partnership or something more sinister, so being cautious wouldnt be such a bad idea.
A CIA stooge, huh. Chogori, have the results of the analysis on the Haunter samples I gave you come out yet?
Bonipas flinched a little at that sudden question. My apologies, but the idiots at the National Research & Development Institute and Technical Design Division are stuck with that damn Haunter thing and cant seem to make much headway. Other than some negligible success in analyzing the muscle and skeletal structure, itll be another ten years or maybe even more before we get a full analysis of that damn creature.
It vexes me, but I must admit that there is a massive gap between the level of our technology and theirs.
Bonipas came out and said it despite the humiliation he felt. Since they were one family now, he should not be hiding anything.
Its not possible for the level of the Americans technology to be that much advanced compared to the French. Either they acquired an ancient artifact that were not aware of, or they could have found a fragment of something with an extraterrestrial origin. Im quite certain that the unknown connecting chain can be found in the Americans Socrates Project.
I agree with your assessment, Wakil. There must be a source for their sudden advancement in technology.
I ran into unimaginable monsters and unexpected people in the Ituri jungles. Yankees Chimeras, monsters created by Voodoo cults houngan, monstrous beasts with unknown origins like Dino, special forces teams from America and China and even the Voodoo cults soldiers trained in modern warfare, among a myriad of other things. None of this is what youd call normal. I suspect the KGB and Japan, not China, as the backers of Kamuge.
Thats a totally plausible guess, Wakil. After you went on a rampage there, the Ituri jungles became the center of the international storm. The DGSE strengthened its HUMINT operations in the eastern parts of Congo, while the CIA is focusing on planting [2] operations.
No, thats wrong. The way I see it, the real deal is hiding within Area 51. The folks at the CIA is nothing more than leaves meant to conceal the ongoings at Area 51. This Socrates Project isnt some simple-minded plan to help the Americans snatch candy away from lots of babies.
Then what is it?
A pile of crap and doenjang might look similar and even have similar coloring, but they are not even remotely on the same level. Ive already denoted the combat strengths of Haunter and Grendel in my report on the Operation Fist of Justice. Theres nothing more to add on that front, but do consider this: what will happen if a group of monsters on the level that not even I can easily triumph start rampaging in a densely populated area?
Itll be Armageddon. Bonipas shuddered.
If gigantic Chimeras like the Serpent, Turtle and Octopus went on a rampage in the center of Paris, then it would result in an indescribable calamity. Just imagining it alone gave him chills.
Mu Ssang continued on. The Yanks are in the middle of manufacturing a variety of Chimeras. Two Chimeras I destroyed back in Ounianga Kbir were small-sized hybrids of anthropoids and reptiles. But the creatures I destroyed in Ituri were much larger in scale weighing in at several tons, designed from the onset as aquatic or amphibious in its operational range.
A naval blockade?!
Only then did Bonipas figure out the meaning of crap and doenjang having different levels. The act of butting in on a developing nations natural resources development to siphon out all the juicy profit, and the act of dominating the worldwide movements of goods and becoming the sole decider on the distribution of resources were not even remotely on the same scale. To put it simply, the entire world would become Americas vassal state.
Imagine a situation where giant aquatic monsters continuously attacked merchant ships and oil tankers heading to a specific country, like what the German U-boats did during WW2. That country would get squeezed to proverbial death.
Maybe it was nothing more than some unfounded worry. Nevertheless, such a thing meant America would transform from a thug to a Neo-Nazi nation. Not to forget, France was unfortunately not a resources-rich country.
My home country, France, needs to kiss the Yankees butt to survive? Bonipas felt a chill run down his spine.
You must redirect the DGSEs attention to Area 51. Find out what is the hidden goal of the Socrates Project. Discover its true scale and its headquarters. No matter how strong our opponents are, a way to defeat them will manifest itself as long as we pull the curtains back and reveal their identity.
Understood. Looks like I now have one more reason to protect my spinning chair. Bonipass expression hardened.
The DGSEs information division had submitted a similar report earlier, but it failed to gather much attention during the Nation Security Council conference. What with America still maintaining its Cold War attitude, the French couldnt find enough of a reason to go on an adventure, so to speak.
Mu Ssang spoke up. Its not possible to hide your ice pick in your pocket forever. Ive already laid out several traps. I covered the skies to cross the ocean, jumbled up existence and non-existence to confuse the enemies, forcing them to crawl out of their hiding place in anxiety. Then, like a cicada discarding its skin, I slipped myself out and hid within the darkness.
Truly amazing, sir. Ive made an educated guess after receiving a report that you suddenly revealed your divinity in Novatopia, but to think that you have already
Bonipas was genuinely impressed. His young boss was looking three, no, four steps ahead. Rather than having an overpowered combat power, the endless depth of a cunning mind made an existence even more frightening. Bonipas was unaware that the way he addressed Mu Ssang had subtly changed already.
I knew that youd correctly guess my intentions, Chogori. I may seem to be hiding, but I am not. I may seem to be crouching, but thats how I shall attack.
Wakil, you must be careful. Youre alone and you also have another place to protect on the other side of the planet.
[1] Stars: each star represent how many times a convict went to prison; four stars mean going to prison four times
[2] Plant: implanting a spy, a mole, in the targets operational nerve cente
Chapter 539 - Episode 3 Age-old Connection
Are you worried, Chogori? Mu Ssang asked in a disinterested voice.
Are you not worried in the slightest, Wakil? Bonipas countered with a question of his own.
A Predators combat power apparently rivaled Ocelots. Just what kind of a being was Ocelot? Both the DGSE and DST (Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire; Directorate of Territorial Surveillance) were coming up with hypothetical defence situations against Ocelot even as they spoke, but the way Bonipas saw it, they were simply wasting their time.
You wouldnt even have enough time to bring out the big guns to shoot back if an existence possessing a battalion-level combat power resorted to a hit-and-run tactic.
What worries you so much, Chogori?
The Predators you have crushed came in various shapes and types, Wakil. And according to your analysis, they can practically appear from everywhere, whether its on land, underwater, in the air or even underground.
The Predators that appeared in the jungles of Ituri all had something not quite finished about them. The eggheads at the DGSEs analysis team think these monsters were just test subjects to see how good their environmental adaptability was. If we assume that our opponents are at the final phase in their experiments to successfully deploy biological weapons, then we shall see them used in actual combat situations in less than two years. And Wakil, youre alone, sir.
Bonipas stopped there, choosing to swallow back the rest of his words about what would Mu Ssang do if Predators attacked Korea, Novatopia and France simultaneously.
Chogori. We dont even know what will happen to us tomorrow, so whats the point of worrying yourself sick with matters that might happen in two years? Being too nervous will lead you to make a mistake.
You may have guessed it already, but let me clarify why I put on such a show back in the Yoa Lakes shores. I did that so Novatopias citizens wouldnt lose their resolve even if Im not there. Besides, Im not alone. You and Dapsang are here, and so are the Black Culture. And then, I also have a special friend as strong as me hiding in the shadows. Most importantly, I have hundreds of thousands of citizens I must protect.
Theres a special friend strong enough to rival you?! Bonipas cried out in shock.
Youll find out in due course. I have my family here, plus countless many people willing to follow me. A person with something to protect is bound to be strong.
Ripples formed on Bonipass usually hard-nosed face. The powerful beings weighty declaration about being strong when theres something to protect slammed hard into his heart just then. Wakils figure overlapped with his own that had been hiding in the shadows trying his best to protect France for the past several decades.
Did the riches and freedom France enjoy just fall out of the sky one day? Of course not. Countless others just like Bonipas had to throw away their valuable lives to achieve the current state. He began thinking that it was a pity that France was not included in the list of things that needed to be protected.
Despite accepting Black Mamba as his boss, France being Bonipass birthplace hadnt changed.
Wakil, youre a billionaire with one of the greatest oil reserves in the world as your asset. Not only that, youre also the king of a nation. Are you not worried about losing everything?
Bonipas asked that question he always wanted to ask.
Hahaha! Chogori, listen. Mu Ssang laughed out loudly before staring at Bonipas with unfathomably deep eyes. No one emerges from their mothers womb while clutching gold bars. Youre born with nothing, and if you get lucky, you might get to achieve something big once before dying of old age. Thats life in a nutshell.
Nothing in this world is mine nor is it truly yours. They simply stay with you temporarily as fate dictates it. Just like how some of Frances budget trickled into my bank account, and like how I managed to get my hands on the oil slumbering away underground, whats in my possession will one day trickle into somewhere else where they are needed.
In this scenario, Im merely a nice manager who uses his assets in an efficient manner, thats all. They were never mine, to begin with, so why should I worry about them?
At the end of his sermon, Mu Ssang grinned brightly.
Ah! Em-mu-so-ttu Ee-sang-gi-tteem! Bonipas gasped out in amazement that wouldve made Buddhist monks blush.
He had been idolizing Black Mambas boundless ambition, but the latter said that was not it. That vague aphorism about how Mu Ssang did what he wanted without holding back himself in fear? Bonipas thought he could more or less understand it.
Power is even more transient than wealth. Do you say Im a king? No, Im just a meddlesome idiot who gladly took on hundreds of thousands of headaches. Wouldnt you say that itd be far more liberating and relaxing to build a flashy mansion in the spectacular Alpine mountainside and live my life carefreely? Or how much fun would it be by building myself a ten-thousand ton yacht, load it up with beauties from every nation on Earth and go on a leisurely cruise around the world?
Honestly, that sounds pretty appealing, boss. Isnt that a romantic dream of any red-blooded man? Thats why youre a great man, boss. Even though I still cant figure you out.
Thats not it, either. I simply asked for trouble of such a scale because my wish is to do something meaningful and die with honor as a man. In other words, Im a seriously selfish fool. Hahaha! A grin spread on Mu Ssangs face as the corners of his lips curled up.
Since the invincible Eastern Swordsman says hes a selfish fool, Ill strive to become another selfish fool as well. Im glad to have met you, boss. Bonipas bowed deeply where he sat without even realizing it.
Various worries and uneasiness crushing down on his chest disappeared like melting snow. Bonipas had seen his fair share of politicians and philosophers willing to figuratively sacrifice themselves to better this world, but none of them was what youd call a true man who managed to transcend the shackles of fame and fortune.
This wasnt about ones abilities, not his personality or wisdom gained through ones age. Bonipas felt awakened and awed by Mu Ssangs declaration of leaving behind ones name and dying with honor and pride since he was born as a man. No matter where this man goes in the future, Bonipas would surely follow him. Just like how a new bud of life sprang to life on a withered old tree, fervor and passion began raging in Bonipass heart.
*
Javer was trying to sleep, but when someone knocked on the door, he instinctively confirmed the time with his pocket watch. It said two in the morning. Who would even think to pay a visit at this late hour?
Oui?
More knocking noises came back as a reply.
Oui, Im coming!
Javer threw on some clothes and pushed open the strange traditional screen door made out of paper to the side.
Huh?!
Javer kissed the floor with his butt and hurriedly crawled away. But that was because of a black panther with fur as black as the night standing in front of the doorway.
This massive black panther silently standing aloof under the moonlight didnt seem like a part of reality but Javers imagination. He quickly pinched his cheek. This was not a dream.
The black panther quietly studied Javer without moving an inch. Those eyes didnt emit bone-chilling killing intent as a normal wild predator would, but they looked far closer to that of a normal persons, with distinctive irises. Javer eventually recognized the sentiment reflected on those eyes it was disdain.
The beast before Javers eyes was no ordinary animal. Not only wouldnt there be a panther tall enough for its shoulder line to reach Javers chest, but no panther of any kind would also possess eyes as clear as a young human childs like this particular creature did. Could it be an ancient beast possessing intelligence, then?
A Fenrir!
Javer hurriedly swallowed back his own words. This creature could not be a Fenrir. The Fenrir could only be revived with the presence of a Philosophers Stone from the Kingdom of Dahomey, but that object had vanished a long time ago. But the Americans couldnt have sent a Chimera here either creatures manufactured by messing with genes of other animals. Although Javer had never seen a Chimera before, he still heard that those things were vicious and extremely feral.
Javer asked the black panther a question. Did you knock on my door?
The creature silently nodded.
Holy cow. You can understand me?
The black panther nodded again, then turned around to leave while wagging its tail ever so lazily.
You want me to follow you?
The black panther nodded again.
I wont. Definitely not!
Javer wanted to confirm if the black panther understood human words or not. A smart dog could be trained through repeated routines to recognize certain commands, but even they couldnt understand a more complicated set of words. Even the Chimeras manufactured by the Yanks acted according to their instincts.
What the hell, is this old human trying to mess with me?
Kamdoong was getting ever so slightly ticked off. If only the invincible Eastern Swordsman didnt ask it to bring this old human in one piece without any harm done to him Kamdoong wouldve knocked the old man out and dragged his butt over to the meeting location.
Cold glares sharply flickered in Kamdoongs eyes.
Huh?!
Without even realizing it, Javer hurriedly stumbled back in alarm. Kamdoong lazily raised its front paw before lightly swiping at the empty air. A drainpipe made out of stainless steel was cleanly sliced apart. It was obviously threatening him.
I dont know what this creature is, but theres no doubt that its a real monster.
Javer was coated in cold sweat now. No matter how sharp the claws of an animal was, there was simply no way that it could slice apart metal without making any noise whatsoever. Not only did this animal before his eyes perfectly understand human speech, it even knew how to threaten like a mafiosi too.
It didnt matter whether this creature was a Fenrir or not, it being a dangerous existence did not change at all. Javer followed after Kamdoong as if he was in a trance.
Kamdoong trundled lazily into the pitch-black bamboo forest. Javer following behind couldnt help but tense up a little. Although it didnt seem likely, if that black panther stopped being so merciful, then hed end up as a meal in a blink of an eye.
Uh?!
Suddenly, his view got brighter. A small pavilion appeared under the moonlight like some kind of a mirage. The full moon emitting cold but calm light from the heavens, bamboo trees creaking against the winds, and a small pavilion with a tiled roof in an octagonal arrangement It certainly was an elegant scenery he had stumbled into.
Why did you lead me here? Huh?!
The black panther before his eyes had vanished without a single trace. Even though the moon and the outdoor lamps around the pavilion were so bright! Javer hurriedly scanned his surroundings but he could only see creaking bamboos. As he thought, he mustve been entranced by a ghostly monster or something.
What is your reason for trying to see me, Chairman Javer?
A stiff, harsh voice suddenly rang loudly in Javers ears. Stunned, he hurriedly scanned the surroundings once more. His gaze eventually went up just in case, only for him to gasp out in surprise again. Huh!
A dark shadow was standing tall on top of a bamboo tree piercing the heavens above. As if he was a part of the bamboo tree swaying in the winds, the dark shadow also swayed without falling off. What a bizarre scene this was. After the monstrous animal, it was now the turn of a monstrous human to make an entrance.
W-who are you?
Im Black Mamba.
A bone-chilling wind brushed past Javers chest just then. He never imagined that their encounter would happen in this manner. He couldnt even be sure if that dark shadow was a human, to begin with.
Javer sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. He certainly didnt earn the position of the worlds best atomic energy group chairman through a game of chess, after all.
My neck is aching from trying to look up. Is it possible for you to come down here so we can at least chat face to face?
Javers heart was racing. Finally, the man that everyone was dying to learn whether he even existed or not had made his appearance. Javer had finally met the man who didnt even seem like a human being.
Your neck might hurt, but I had to rush to this far-flung corner of the east at a great cost to myself. I repeat, what is your reason?
Its because of the jungles of Ituri. It concerns a matter far more important than the uranium mine from our last transaction.
The individual standing tall on top of the bamboo tree flew up into the night sky, then scythed through the air like a swallow to land gently in front of Javer. The old chairman was visibly amazed. As expected of Black Mamba capable of roaming the Ituri jungle as if it was his living room!
Urk?!
Javer hurriedly swallowed back his shocked cry. The face he saw was at the peak of sheer ugliness. Eyes so small and narrow, they might as well be buttonholes, instead; ungainly protruding cheekbones; mottled skin, reminiscent of a crocodiles leather
How can a person be this ugly?!
Javer swallowed back his saliva pooling in his mouth. Black Mamba seemed like a desert-dwelling Arab with 25% African blood coursing in his veins. But his ugliness was making it near impossible to figure out what his race actually was.
Mu Ssang was chuckling inwardly, however. Javers torment was understandable, since Mu Ssang combined the faces of three men widely acknowledged as quite ugly into one Ombuti, Sun WooHyun and Samdi. A simple double eyelid procedure alone was enough to transform the impression a persons face gave off, after all.
Manipulating his own skin wasnt that hard when relying on the resonance wave and the inhalation wave. Focusing pigments to temporarily create dark spots on the facial skin was also not that difficult. The actual hard part was maintaining the transformed face. The root of all the unorthodox schools of martial arts, such as Dimensional Sight, resonance wave and telekinesis was willpower. Meaning, Mu Ssang had to focus quite a lot of his mental energy on maintaining his new look.
Javer, Im not handsome enough for you to stare in stupefaction like that. Is there a reason for you to thoroughly memorize how I look?
A chilly voice seemingly rumbling out of the depths of hell shook Javers eardrums. After he was called out, Javer quickly regained his wits. He reminded himself that the individual before him was not human. He shouldnt expect manners or the patience of a human, in other words.
Before we start, Id like to express my respect and awe at your abilities and courage. Allow me to get to the point. Id like to buy your services for the down payment of one hundred million dollars. Of course, the payment after the successful operation will be much higher.
Sounds like it will be a difficult assignment. Unfortunately, you found the wrong guy for such a job. Im tied to the French government, after all.
Javer flinched ever so slightly at Black Mambas disinterested attitude. A hundred million dollars equaled three hundred million Francs. And this was only the down payment; itd still be his money even if he failed the assignment. The money on offer certainly matched the scale of the seat of chairman of Areva S.A.
I already know that youre not an agent but a freelancer. This assignment shouldnt be difficult for you, since you are capable of roaming around the Ituri jungle like its your living room.
Hmm. Sounds like youll only reveal the contents of the assignment after getting a yes from me. One hundred million dollars is by no means a pocket change, but Ive already made enough money.
With that, Black Mamba stopped talking. As if he had already forgotten about Javers presence, he turned his head and fixed his gaze on the Milky Way crossing the night sky. His attitude seemed to say, I dont care whether you request me for a job or not.
Javer hesitated for a little while before opening his lips in some difficulty. Whew Its my loss, then. The assignment is to recover a small rock about twice the size of a quail egg. Its notable characteristics include a greenish-blue hue even murkier than a sapphire, and you feel a lot of warmth when holding it in your hand.
Whats this? How does he know about Ange Sikager?
Mu Ssang peered deeply into Chairman Javers eyes. To think that someone would actually be searching for Ange Sikager hidden within his inner pocket! Mu Ssang tried all sorts of methods to figure out what this small rock even was, but so far, he had nothing to show for it. He suddenly felt tempted to temporarily forget about his own creed of not using his powers on a regular, powerless civilian.
Do you think the jungles of Ituri is a drawer in your study you can open and shut whenever you want? You want me to stumble around blindly inside a terrifying jungle well over 50,000? wide for a rock?
Javer hurriedly raised his hands. Of course not, Black Mamba. That stone is actually in the possession of a Pygmy band living in that jungle. Unfortunately, I dont know which one has it, and worse still, there are twenty-five Pygmy bands in Ituri.
Mu Ssang flinched slightly. That confirmed it, Ange Sikager was definitely the rock Javer was searching for. The rock he got as a gift after saving the old couple in the Olonge village.
If youve already narrowed down your search range, is there a reason for you to hire me at such a great cost? A bigshot like you would surely have a private force of your own. And you could even hire a mercenary company to acquire extra combat strength, too.
Youre correct. Im sure that no one out there knows more about the Ituri jungle than me. Ever since my teenage years, Ive been chasing after that rock. So far, Ive led five expeditions into that damn jungle and every single time, came back home empty-handed. And starting around three years ago, the whole of Ituri seems to have gone mad. That jungle was already horrifying, to begin with, but at least it didnt have actual monsters back then.
Javer slowly shook his head. The jungle itself was monstrous, and being attacked by actual monsters that firearms couldnt even suppress was a nightmare in itself..
Chapter 540 - Episode 4 Age-old Connection
A bat that would appear out of nowhere like a ghost to devour peoples eyeballs, a giant snake that swallowed several people at once, a leopard that teleported away with a crew member in his mouth, and a monstrous bird that chopped peoples bodies in half with its ax-like beak An endless stream of unimaginable monsters attacked them one after another.
As if that wasnt enough, there were insects smaller than grains of sand that entered your body through your nose and ears to consume you from the inside out. Leeches that fell from trees and drained you of all your bodily fluids. Ant colonies nibbled away and left nothing but bones within five minutes, inflicting greater fear than said monsters.
Moreover, the now-hostile Pygmy tribe relentlessly showered them with poisoned arrows. They buried 1,300 bodies in this jungle alone. It came to a point where they could not get anyone to enlist due to rumors about Ituri, the Devils Jungle. Being ambitious was one thing, but stepping into the gates of hell was a different story.
I dont know what that stone is worth, but countless lives mustve been sacrificed to the Druid because of your greed.
Mu Ssang felt his lips tighten into a scowl. He was a veteran of Ituri. Outsiders could not last a single day in these woods.
There are only two types of people. Those who are worth something and those who are not. The Japanese soldiers massacred three hundred thousand Chinese in Nanjing and Hitler commanded the genocide of six million Jews, but the world is no different from what it used to be. Those who are worthless in life are worthless in death.
Ha, a worthless person, you say? Is a persons life something that can be measured?
Mu Ssang snickered. This clearly was a person who believed the world revolved around him. He reeked of a stench from a rotten soul. A person in a different plane of existence from chairman Margerie.
Of course. The body of a dark-skinned illegal immigrant that froze to death in the back alleyways of Paris is incinerated together with sewer rats. This is the way the world works.
The deadline?
Mu Ssang said in a steely voice. It was pointless arguing with this kind of person.
300 million dollars if you find it within six months and 200 million within a year.
Javer put up four fingers to elaborate.
Oh! 400 million dollars for a single stone. The Cullinan [1] pales in comparison. Obviously, the usage and purpose of the stone would be secret then?
Javer just gave a faint smile. As he said, it was obviously a secret. Mu Ssang took a moment to collect his thoughts. Koreas national budget in 1985 was 12 trillion won (~10 billion dollars). 400 million dollars would be 356 billion won. It was an excessive amount of money for a single stone. He was now in possession of 3% of an entire countrys budget. The life vest that held Ange Shikageo somehow felt heavier.
Could it be the legendary Yeouiju [2]?
400 million dollars would be considered dirt cheap if Ange Shikageo turned out to be a Yeouiju. Gems filled with shamanic or godly powers are called Jubo. Jubos made by snakes are called Saju, by cranes Hakju, by clams Hapju, by tortoises Byulju, and by centipedes Chungju, but at their peak is Yongju (Dragon Gem), or Yeouiju.
Yeouiju is short for Yeouiboju and Seokbisangjeol (Korean biography of Gautama Buddha) depicts it as follows. [At the ear of the Dragon King is the Yeouiboju. By obtaining this gem, the common man would be granted anything he so desires.] Mu Ssangs mind wandered due to Javers insane offer.
But one should always take advantage of those with money. At first glance, Javer did not seem all that fazed, but his brain waves faltered and his blood flow increased. He gave off a shady aura of someone who was hiding something. Mu Ssang took his offer and raised the bet.
Things got lucky last time. Even I need to put my life on the line in the jungles of Ituri. Ill think about it for 400 million dollars upfront, and 600 million dollars if I succeed.
Mu Ssang went all in with his call. He gained nothing but overconfidence dealing with Bonifas.
Fine. I will pay the 400 million dollars upfront.
Javer accepted his raise without a moment of hesitation.
Whoa, mister hotshot. Maybe I shouldve raised him 40 billion dollars.
Mu Ssangs jaw dropped. He didnt think Javer would say yes immediately.
Good. I accept your request.
Thank you. I will transfer the money to a Swiss bank in Bern. It will be available in three days and registered under Hydra. The password begins with the fifth decimal of pi.
Hydra and 92653, huh. 400 million dollars isnt a small amount of money you know.
What would he do if Mu Ssang just took the money? But Javer didnt even budge.
Its not a lot of money for me. A professional at the top of their field is priceless. Youre not the type of person that would throw away his pride for 400 million dollars. If you are, then I would blame myself for my lack of judgment.
Youve got guts. Ill see you after I find the stone.
Javer could only follow Mu Ssangs shadow as he suddenly shot up onto the canopy of a bamboo tree before launching himself again. His silhouette seemed to cover the full moon for a moment then the Black Mamba disappeared without a trace.
Hes no normal human! Not everything is as meets the eye of course. Anyway, what happened to Jackal?
Jackal, who was supposed to be tailing them with an infrared camera was nowhere to be found. There was just no way the Black Mamba would miss some watchdog. Jackal was thrown back into the shelter after being knocked out.
Javer rolled up his sleeves. The lustrous gold Rolex revealed its splendor. He carefully rotated the crown, pulled it out, and placed it in his ear. The crown and the wristwatch were connected with a thin wire.
[Ill see you after I find the stone.]
A raspy voice buzzed in his ear. Javers face lit up with assurance. This was more than success to be able to identify the Black Mamba and record his voice.
Javer put his sleeves back down. The ??????? symbol on his wrist disappeared underneath it.
Javer felt as if he was dreaming. For the Black Mamba to come to him, je had hit a home run. Javer didnt overexert himself trying to analyze the Black Mambas actions. It was bound to be a pain for a normal human to try to understand those who are beyond humanity.
Fufufu! The day the Leviathan sheds his skin will be the day the Njord will rule the world.
Javer murmured unintelligibly as he approached the shelter.
Jackal!
His follower was sprawled about on the yard. Javer quickly ran over and checked his pulse. It was apparent to him that Jackal was attacked by a leopard spirit. Now the idea that the Black Mamba is a part of the New Race became a fact.
Worthless! Shameless!
Javer kicked his follower on his side.
Oui!
Jackal jumped up into a fighting position. Javer looked at him in annoyance. He was worthless compared to the Black Mamba enhanced or not.
Gah! Better just give a facial sketch to that vulgar yankee.
Javer grumbled as he returned to his quarters.
Mu Ssang looked into a small mirror and started to undo his transformation. His rugged face returned to its original smooth silky skin, narrow eyes opened up, square jaws found their curve. After removing the energy from the dark spots, his face was restored. He massaged his still tense face.
This is costing more energy than I expected. Looks like it was a futile attempt. Perhaps I should just get botox.
It was quite regrettable. His plan to separate the Black Mamba and Mu Ssang looked good on paper, but it limited his powers. This was a massive hindrance.
Ah, screw it. Master told me not to use this technique if possible anyway. Lets take a look at that billion-dollar egg.
As always, Mu Ssang decided not to bother with troublesome subjects. He took out the crystal bottle containing Ange Shikageo and the sealed Rousseloufe from the life vest. Rousseloufe looked at him with his red beady eyes. The evil and malice in its eyes were enough to ruin anybodys day.
The artist who wanted to draw the devil could learn a thing or two from those eyeballs.
Mu Ssang was unaware that a normal humans mind would immediately be taken over if they were to look into Rousseloufes eyes.
What the! It got warmer.
Mu Ssang tilted his head quizzically with Ange Shikageo in his hand. Its lukewarm surface was now like a freshly baked loaf of bread. Its dull green color also cleared up.
Rousseloufe thrashed about frantically. However, unlike its usual violent tantrums, it seemed that it was struggling to avoid something truly terrifying.
Hmm?
Mu Ssang placed Ange Shikageo on the crystal bottle and Rousseloufe desperately stuck itself to the bottom. It was like watching a frog trying to outrun a snake.
A natural predator?
It was no use thinking about it. You only know something to be true when an event confirms your memories. Theres no use trying to find the answer in your memories when the situation is beyond common sense.
Guess Ill know in time. Ill hand you over to Javer at some point and collect the rest of my payment.
The reason Mu Ssang was so carefree was that he believed in his spatial recognition. His spatial recognition allowed him to read the natural energies in the physical world. He could find Ange Shikageo wherever it was and retrieve it with the Natural Assimilation technique. The deal was to hand Ange Shikageo over to Javer. He made no promises to not take it back.
Mu Ssang put Balsara, Rousseloufe, and Ange Shikageo back into the life vest and went to sleep. He didnt know how dangerous these strange objects were, not even in his dreams.
No party lasts forever. Sang-han and his mother left the very next morning, along with doctor Guise and manager Ariba. Bonifas, Margerie, and Javer also parted ways. The rest of the members stayed for three more days before leaving. The five women who came as day laborers from the Resting Leg also went home with their pay and stories to last them a lifetime.
These laws are a load of bullcrap!
Mu Ssang hurled the legal precedents he was going through. The papers exploded after making contact with the wall. The documents were scattered all over the study.
Geez, that temper!
Jin Soon sighed while peeling an apple. Her dear was allergic to legalese. Not that she was fond of them herself. The reason Mu Ssang had to fight tooth and nail ever since he was a child and became a human butcher was all thanks to nonsensical laws. Jin Soon stuck an apple slice in his fuming mouth.
Son of a They send children by the barrel to other countries and make local adoption so damn complicated.
He couldnt find a way to adopt Mina. Legally, an unmarried person has to be over 35 years of age to adopt a child. The confusing documents and procedures were problematic, but the biggest hurdle was Mu Ssangs age.
His attempt to adopt her as a French citizen was also unsuccessful. He couldnt adopt her as a parent and would have to place her in an adoption agency through social services. He tried to place her with the agency temporarily before adopting her, but was rejected due to his dual citizenship and criminal history.
Couldnt Mu Hos family just raise her? You gave them plenty of money to support her.
I know how people can get. Mu Hos wife is no pushover.
Mu Ssang shook his head. Mu Hos wife was a greedy woman. He clearly remembered Mu Ho walking on eggshells as he went down the mountain with a bag of deodeok (mountain herb root).
4 million won (~3400 dollars) was not a small amount of money back then, but he didnt want to blame Mu Hos wife, who had two kids of her own. Only saints could always stay true to their word.
I heard Grandma Hongchun isnt doing too well either
Jin Soon looked at Mu Ssang with pity. Mina is currently unprotected, with her grandmother being the legal guardian. She knew better than anyone how her brother was feeling, having grown up without parents. The problem was the law.
Apparently, I need her biological fathers written statement to disown her at the very least. Im going crazy here.
Her biological father, Bae Inseok murdered Lee Suk-Ja for being a hindrance before casually marrying someone else. Mu Ssang couldnt believe they gave him, someone who didnt even know what his own daughter looked like, her guardianship.
The Wise Sages would be rolling on the floor in laughter if they ever saw the King of Novatopia, the angel of death Black Mamba struggling to adopt a single child.
Oppa, lets not get held up on adoption and just claim legal guardianship. We can get her custody if Grandma Hongchun applies for you to be Minas legal guardian at family court. Be her guardian first, then adopt her when you get the chance.
Jin Soon carefully comforted him.
I wouldve done that already if I wanted to.
The reason he insisted on adoption was that he wanted Mina to have a father. Mu Ssang understood the anguish and misery of not having a father better than anyone else. Mu Hos wife wasnt a bad person, but she was no philanthropist. If Mina were to be raised in her hands, the discrimination would only leave her with emotional scars.
Lee Gi Su, damnit!
Mu Ssang remembered his sad eyes as he told him, Lets grab a drink when were both in hell. When his spell lifted that controlled him, the 5th Red Mask Lee Gi Su committed suicide after asking him to take care of Lee Suk-Ja his sister. Choi Doshik was the one who drove these two poor siblings to their gruesome fate.
Time sure flies. That little bugger is ten already. Think she remembers my face?
Not sure. I last saw her 5 years ago. Hopefully, she will remember the phone calls. There are also those pictures we took together. Lets do it your way. We will only be adding salt to her wound if we push this any further.
Mina wasnt happy at Mu Hos. She would always ask when they would be coming back. They couldnt leave her there any longer, and Mu Ssang never looked back after making a decision. He immediately found her biological father, Bae Inseok. And Bae Inseok gave the written statement of disownment, shaking uncontrollably the whole time after meeting his grim reaper once again.
[1] The worlds largest diamond
[2] Wish-Fulfilling Dragon Gem
Chapter 541 - Episode 5 Age-old Connection
In the dog days of summer, they say that even a single grain of rice on your lips is now a burden. It means that one becomes tired and cant be bothered by the sweltering heat. Mu Ssang was lounging on the floor on a wooden pillow, gently fanning himself. The fan blades made a clicking sound every time they moved. It was the sound of nap-interfering flies being struck down. It was also the horrible realization that this bamboo fan, with Jungsuns traditional landscape painting, had turned into a fly swatter.
The main room, however, which had been built with geomancy and divination in mind, was kept cool by the breezes from the bamboo forest. A hollowed-out spreading yew from Mt. Baekdu was also used to make the hardwood pillow, which was carved for ventilation. A sikhye (rice drink) and a chilled fruit sundae sat beside his head.
This wasnt a bloody war zone or a jungle where you couldnt let your guard down even for a moment. His carefree demeanor exuded a will that, while he wasnt doing anything, he still desperately wanted to do even less. This was euphoria, heaven on earth, and peace in our time.
Oppa, the registration papers are here from the court~
Jin Soons sharp voice pierced the tranquillity. Mu Ssang jumped to his feet.
Its the selection decision document.
Mu Ssang said with a bright smile after reviewing its contents. With this single piece of paper, they had finally gotten past the red tape. Mu Ssang got on the phone right away.
Hey, its Ssang. The legal process is finished.
Passengers rushed out in a crowd late Saturday night at Daegu Station. The gate had just been blocked by a station employee. Mu Ssang frowned as he looked at the time.
Oppa, over there!
Jin Soon pointed to the stairwell. An intimidating man with a bear-like frame and the appearance of a bandit had just walked up the stairs with a sizable bundle of luggage. Mu Ssangs frown melted away. It was Mu Ho.
Behind him, a stocky woman and a little girl with pudgy cheeks appeared. Mu Ssang couldnt decide whether to cry or smile. Although much older, this big-eyed little girl with a red backpack and a bounce in her step was unmistakably Mina.
It upset him to see her in bright red shoes, a frilly skirt, and a sleeveless white shirt. Even at first glance, they appeared to be made of low-quality materials. She didnt necessarily need to be in expensive clothing, but he was still unhappy.
Was it the thrill of the journey? Or the fact that shed finally get to meet Papa? The young girls face brightened, and her steps became lighter. Her stride came to a screeching halt. Her big eyes began to tremble. She also didnt seem to know whether to smile or cry before crying out.
Papa!
Mu Ssang experienced a surge of emotions as a result of that single word. Joy, sorrow, rage, and loneliness Mu Ssang spread his arms wide open.
The little girl crawled like a squirrel under the gate. Her left shoe was the first to fall off, followed by her right. She didnt seem to notice as she ran toward him barefoot, jumping into his arms and sobbing.
Wah!
Youve grown, koala bear.
Mu Ssangs voice trembled. Jin Soon wiped her tears away with a handkerchief. She was reminded of her Mu Ssangs words about the importance of love in peoples lives. Mu Ho and his wife stood motionless as the young man and the little girl celebrated their reunion.
I hate you, papa!
Mina encircled Mu Ssangs neck with her delicate arms. Mu Ssangs heart was aching. She was far too young to have been apart for so long. He could tell she was determined not to let go ever again.
Days in Achimgari Valley after losing his memory flashed before his eyes. Every day after sunrise, Little Mina would pay him a visit.
Back then, the cabin he lived in was about 50 meters away from Grandma Hongchuns. Mina crawled over to his place in the dead of winter and nearly gave her a heart attack. When Mu Ssang opened the door, she clung to his back like glue. She was desperate for attention. Mu Ssang blamed himself for not bringing her sooner.
How long has it been? Its been 5 years since we last saw each other.
Mu Ssang felt Park Mu Hos hand on his shoulder. People in the precinct assumed they were brothers because of their similar names and physiques.
You know me, I dont have a lot to say.
Mu Ho observed him intently.
Youve become a man!
Ive got a long way to go.
Mu Ssang grinned. It wasnt much of a conversation for sworn brothers who hadnt seen each other in 5 years. But thats just the way men are.
It mustve been difficult to raise the kid.
No, not at all, not at all.
Mu Hos wife flushed with embarrassment. She wasnt thick-skinned enough to accept Mu Ssangs gratitude. She was just a mother who loved her children and tried her hardest to make ends meet with what little they had.
How come its just you two? Where are the kids?
Left them at her mothers. Didnt want to drag them along in this hot weather.
It was most likely the wifes decision. He could tell by looking at Minas cheap clothing.
Lets go.
Yeah, lets hurry. The weather in Daegu is a b*tch.
Mu Ho used a handkerchief to wipe his neck. It wasnt just the cold weather that made him break out in cold sweats.
Nice to meet you, princess.
Butler Ali bowed to Mina, who was wrapped in Mu Ssangs arms.
Im not a princess, Mina retorted, startled.
You are now.
Ali, the Butler, grinned. Mina relaxed as he gave her a soothing smile. Jin Soon suppressed her laughter. She knew his statement was more than just words.
The Mu Ho couples eyes widened. They couldnt hold back their surprise in front of foreign cars and butlers in suits on standby.
Oh my, is this your car?
After seeing the almost gleaming Citro?n, Mu Hos wife looked at Mu Ssang. Mu Ho was equally perplexed. The old foreign gentleman and the French vehicle did not match up with Mu Ssang who he remembered was dressed in rags and dying buried in the snow.
In the 1980s, owning a foreign vehicle meant you were at the top of the social ladder in Korea. Mu Ssang ignored Mu Ho and his wifes puzzled expressions and gave an order.
Ali, were going home.
Yes, sir!
Ali got behind the wheel. Mu Ssang sat in the passenger seat, and Jin Soon and Mina sat in the back. M ina clung to Jin Soon and ignored the Mu Ho couple, with whom she had been living for the past five years.
Shouldve treated her better, Mu Ssang muttered under his breath. Children are extremely sensitive to the emotions of others. They also have a natural sense of who is in charge. Looking back, he was also the same.
Wow! It feels like its sliding on the floor. It doesnt shake like buses either.
Mina exclaimed. She was as restless as a puppy in fresh snow. She leaned over the armrest and chattered nonstop in Mu Ssangs ear.
Is this papas car?
Yup, youll be riding this from now on.
Wow, really? Youll be giving me rides?
Uh-huh, mister Ali or Jin Soon will give you rides if papas busy.
The grandpas name is Ali?
Yup, just call him mister Ali.
Hi, mister Ali. Im Mina.
Im aware, princess!
Ali turned his head slightly and smiled.
Hey, he called me princess again. Im Mina!
Mina raised her puppy eyes to Jin Soon. She put two and two together and realized the woman Mu Ssang mentioned was the one who was holding her. She was a clever little girl.
Fufu, Im Jin Soon! How cute.
Jin Soon slightly pinched her plump peachy cheeks.
Are you papas wife?
Eek! This little
The surprise attack caught Jin Soon off guard.
Why do you call him papa?
Jin Soon tried to avoid the question.
Papas just papa.
Oh, really! Im sort of like family that lives with him.
Jin Soon felt comradery here. Not oppa, or dad, but just papa. She was the same way. Not really friends or dating Just oppa.
So Im going to live together with papa and big sis?
You sure are. Well all live together now. Youre going to have to go to a different school, is that okay? Mu Ssang asked.
Yup, Im gonna live with papa so its fine. I can make new friends.
Mina smiled softly.
Gosh, arent you all grown up?
Mu Ssang stroked her cheek with his hand. He was overcome with emotion. Mu Hos stomach churned. She was so different and talkative than when she was at home. He felt so insignificant in comparison to his sworn younger brother.
The front gates swung open. Mu Ho and his wifes eyes grew larger as they passed through the gates. The five sisters were there since it was the weekend and they all came out.
Wow, so youre Mina.
She looks so pretty.
Gosh, shes so cute.
Everyones attention was on Mina, and no one was paying attention to Mu Ho and his wife, whose jaws were on the floor. Minas eyes twinkled with excitement. She had never been the center of attention before.
Hello, my name is Mina.
Her bow nearly knocked the girls over with excitement. Mina was quickly swept away and vanished with the five sisters. Jin Soon and Yeon Soon prepared a late supper.
Holy, Ive never seen a table this large in my life.
Mu Ho couldnt hide how thrilled he was as he sat down. Hed never even heard of a table that could seat twenty people with room to spare.
Oh my, the table is bigger than our living room.
Hey, what are you talking about. Mu Hos house is plenty big. Its even got a yard that the kids could play in.
No, the house may be big, but its old and useless. A small apartment wouldve been better.
Mu Hos wife waved her hand in disagreement. Mu Hos face stiffened, but she didnt notice and kept going.
A hanok [1] is better than any apartment.
And a thousand times better if its a hanok like yours. Mu Ssang, how did you make so much money?
Mu Ssang felt uncomfortable with her thrusting herself like this without giving him and Mu Ho a chance to talk. He couldnt tell them that he made that money by killing countless lives, selling oil, or taking advantage of the rich.
I work as an international broker agent. I get a nice cut sometimes when I solve a particularly difficult problem.
Wow, really! How big of a cut?
Well, it depends.
Mu Ssang avoided answering the question. She would start foaming at the mouth if he told her a digit from ten to a hundred million dollars. One mistake, and he would have to answer questions till dawn.
So, how about my husband? What can we do? Its difficult to make ends meet on a cops salary.
She spoke too quickly and let too much slip out of her mouth.
Stop exaggerating. Youre married to a stand-up police officer. Im jealous of you.
Jin Soon said this with a horrified expression as she looked at Mu Ssang. Mu Hos wife turned out to be the type of woman who is ungrateful for what she has and believes that the grass is greener on the other side. The type of woman Mu Ssang hated the most.
He had a reason for wanting to speed up the adoption process. There was no way this woman, who badmouthed her own husband in public, could take good care of Mina.
Tsk!
Mu Ssang internally clicked his tongue in disapproval. What a rude woman. They may be sworn brothers, but he didnt really get to know Mu Hos wife. They had only ever met twice. It was when Mu Ho went on a business trip and he came down to give them herbs and roots from the mountain.
Its an hour and a half walk along the mountain trail to get to Bangdong from Achimgari Valley. She didnt even offer him a glass of water back then.
There was no way her marriage with the good-natured Mu Ho was going to go well. He took a peek at Mu Ho, who seemed to be maintaining his composure. Mu Ssang sighed. This woman was distancing him from his sworn brother.
Mina, unlike the Mu Ho couple, immediately adjusted to the environment. She kept chirping away next to Mu Ssang, paying no mind to Mu Ho and his wife.
Papa, I really like the sisters.
Woah, look at you already sucking up. Hahaha!
Mu Ssang roared in laughter as he fed Mina ribs he had sliced into tiny pieces. Mina gulped them down like a baby bird. Then tears started to roll down her eyes.
Hey, hey, why are you crying?
Ou soon wiped her tears.
Im just so happy. Im so happy to be with papa. Because he promised. He promised to bring me home when Im all grown up. I would dream about him coming back for me, and sometimes I wouldnt. I was just always sad.
Mina started bawling into Mu Ssangs shirt. A sudden silence fell over the room. Mu Ssang gently stroked Minas head.
Papa keeps his promises. Youre my daughter. Dont worry about anything other than eating all you like, playing all you want, and learning whatever you want to. No scary animals or scary people will hurt you anymore. Because theyll have to get through me first.
Wah!
As Mina cried harder, the five sisters also joined in. The beginning of this relationship was with Lee Gi Su, who was once his mortal enemy. And Mina is the result of Lee Gi Sus repentance. O How mysterious are the fates!
We will teach you everything and buy you pretty clothes. Tell us whatever you need or want. We have a lot saved up, you know. Were all family now.
Ou soon exclaimed with confidence.
[1] Traditional Korean-style house
Chapter 542 - Episode 6 Age-old Connection
Yeah, dont you worry about nothing now. I will pack you the best lunch box in the world.
Mina, your papa is a real-life king. Youve really become a princess.
The five sisters perked back up and began to babble away. Minas mood quickly changed, as children are, and joined the five sisters in their chatter.
Mu Hos wife was immensely regretting her past actions. Had she known Mu Ssang was this rich, she would have taken better care of Mina. She could taste the bitterness in her mouth as of she had just taken a bite out of a Chinese motherwort thinking that she had lost her chance to claim her cut.
Big sis, lets go get some dessert.
Dessert?
Mu Hos wife ran her eyes over the table with melons, berries, and fruits she had never even heard of.
The kitchen is filled with fruits and sweets from all over the world. Oppa has a lot of friends from other countries. He only likes Korean fruits, so he doesnt serve them on the table. Lucky for us since we get to eat them all. Fufufu!
Yeon Soon and Gye Soon, who quickly caught on to what was happening, dragged Mu Hos wife into the kitchen.
Oh my God!
A loud outcry broke out from the kitchen.
Im sorry, brother. My wifes so frivolous she doesnt know what to do with herself, Mu Ho said with a bitter smile. His wifes ill cultured actions made it feel as though he was chewing on sand.
Housewives have no choice but to be more realistic. There is no woman who wouldnt be envious of a house like this. Dont worry about it.
No man, Im talking about Mina. I shouldve done better. I saw what she was wearing today and We received all that child support from you and still couldnt take better care of her. Im at a loss for words.
Mu Ho felt embarrassment beyond description. Mu Ssang worked tirelessly clearing the Mukjeong field to grow peppers. Though he may have more strength and stamina than ten bulls combined, clearing, farming, and selling crops from more than 6 thousand square meters of land was no easy feat. Thats how he earned that six million won (~5000dollars).
His wife promised to take good care of Mina and Mu Ssang gave her most of his hard-earned money before he returned to his hometown. Mu Ho didnt keep that promise and would have nothing to say even if Mu Ssang were to punch him. On second thought, he would most certainly die if he were to punch him. He would have nothing to say even if he were to yell at him.
Looks like you had a difficult time, brother.
I thought Mina was a quiet kid who didnt like to talk much. But it was actually because my wife played favoritism that she stopped bothering to. I was f*cking stupid. God, how could I not see that? Mu Ho asked with this head in his hands.
No, I know detectives dont have much time to spend with their families. It also wouldnt have been easy for your wife to raise Mina on top of her own two daughters. Its all over and done with. Dont beat yourselves up too much.
Mu Ssang tried his best to put out the fire. He knew his sworn brother had a temper. He had no intention of breaking his family apart.
All right. Mina would always talk about how her papa was going to come back for her when he makes a lot of money. What would have that five-year-old possibly have known? I didnt really get it. When my kids told her that her papa wasnt really her dad, she would fight them with fire in her eyes. Mina and Yoonhee especially would be at each others throats at the drop of a hat. I shouldve noticed sooner.
It was difficult for Mu Ssang to hear all this. How heartbroken and desperate must she have been for her to have thought of Mu Ssang as her dad when theyve only spent a year together! His own face that longed for his mother overlapped with Minas in his mind.
Hahaha!
Fufufu!
They heard Mina, Mal Soon, and Ou Soons laughter coming from the balcony. Mu Ssang let out a sigh of relief. Mens friendships were often broken due to their wives. Fortunately, Mu Ho had not changed a single bit.
Ill raise her well. Though Im not sure I can be a good father. Ive never been married.
Who else but you can? You are the world to her.
Mu Ho felt embarrassed in front of Mu Ssang. Unlike himself, Mu Ssang was a real man with a big heart. His sworn brother was the only person that could mend that childs broken heart.
Do you still visit the older folks?
No, I didnt want to go without you there. Ive been sending staff members every other week to check. Grandma Hongchun doesnt seem like shell make it through this year and the Bangdong couples still doing okay. More than seventy families lived in Achimgari Valley at one point but now its a ghost town. Its all because of that miserable Beak Beak cult leader and the espionage case.
Hey, is there any chance maybe?
I know what youre going to say and you dont have to worry about it. We mobilized the nearby military units to search Mt. Bangtaes vicinity, but there was no trace of a cave. The log cabin became a playground for wild animals. There are no more disappearance cases in Wontong and they dispanded the investigation headquarters. Itll permanently remain a cold case. But he must have died, right?
Probably not. A master in control of his ki can still survive for a certain period of time even after being fatally wounded. Hell recover sooner or later as long as he stays holed up somewhere.
Thats a huge problem.
Mu Hos face darkened.
Oppa, Ill bring some drinks to the study.
Jin Soon noticed that their conversation had moved on to something a lot more serious and interrupted them.
Thanks!
Mu Ssang got out of his seat. Jin Soon always knew what he wanted. Something Edel was no competition in.
Papa!
Mina clung to Mu Ssangs back befitting her nickname koala bear as soon as he stood up. Mu Ssang went down to the study with Mina on his back.
Mina, do you remember running through the woods on papas back?
Yeah, papa bought me clothes, gloves, and a lot of sweets. I remember everything.
Oho, what a smart girl you are. Youre gonna do so well in school.
Uh-huh, but I dont think I could get first place.
Mina pouted.
Its okay if you cant be first. I want you to be a good person.
How do I become a good person?
You have to share your snacks with your friends and give them the last piece if you can. Youre on the right track if you can make your friends happy.
Dont worry, papa. Im not greedy. Im popular with my friends.
Thats right. Thats papas girl.
Im really your girl right?
Minas voice started to shake.
Of course you are.
Ugh!
Mina groaned, trying to contain her crying.
Maybe I shouldve just killed that Bae son of a b*tch!
Mu Ssang felt steam coming out of his ears.
Wow, so many picture books.
Mina latched on to the bookshelf as soon as they came down. The bookshelf was filled with picture books Jin Soon had bought for Mina.
Holy, this is a 50-year-old Royal Salute!
Startled, Mu Ho quickly supported the bottom of the bottle he was clumsily picking up with his left hand. It was one of the many bottles that came from searching the senators office. His secretary mentioned that it was easily the price of a car.
Alcohol is alcohol. Theres no difference whether you get drunk from a Kumbokju [1] or a Royal Salute.
Mu Ssang gave him a smile and began to recite Lee Baeks Jangjinju that he remembered was on a wall at Mu Hos house.
(Juinhawuiunsojun, As the host, how could I say I dont have the money?)
Mu Hos eyes faltered, not knowing whether to cry or smile after accepting the glass.
(Chasugochuidaegunjak, let me buy us a drink, and well drink together.)
Mu Ho recited the response, then took a shot of the strong whiskey.
(Ohwama Chungeumgu, purebred fine horses and leather clothes worth a thousand gold pieces)
Mu Ssang also drank from the same glass before offering it again.
(Hoahjangchulhwanmiju, call someone over and have them exchange these with fine wine.)
(Yeoidongsomangosu, let us wash away these age-old worries together.)
The two of them exchanged verses as they drank from the glass back and forth. Mu Ho chuckled as he emptied the last glass.
Thank you, brother. I would have been in trouble if you started reciting Jangjinju from the first verse.
Lee Baeks Janjinju has three stages with twenty-five responses. Mu Ho didnt think he could survive drinking thirteen glasses of whiskey in a row.
Dont be a wuss now. Dont you think I know that youre spending all that investigation fund on drinks? Here, have another glass.
Hey now, dont be spreading rumors about me being a corrupt cop.
Strength returned to Mu Hos voice. His younger brother recited the Jangjinju from his house on purpose. Mu Ssangs gesture warmed his heart.
Brother, if this Choi Doshik recovers hes bound to come after you.
Theres nothing to worry about.
Mu Ssang glared at the kkwaenggwari(small gong) that was on the wall as a decoration. The kkwaenggwari came off the hinges by itself and floated mid-air. He pointed to it with his index finger. A gaping hole the size of his finger appeared in the middle of the kkwaenggwari. The kkwaenggwari flew towards them and landed in their hands.
What was that! Telekinesis?
Mu Ho asked with his mouth agape and the kkwaenggwari in front of him. It was impossible for him to recognize the Iljisun(single finger technique). He was so distracted by the flying kkwaenggwari that he didnt even notice the hole. Frustrated, Mu Ssang put his bare index finger through the kkwaenggwari again up close.
What the!
He finally got a response. Mu Ho keenly observed the kkwaenggwari that was handed to him. Smoke was coming out of the perfectly circular hole. Then he finally realized that the first hole was made by a long-distance attack.
Horrifying!
If he used this technique to pierce someones heart or brain, they would die without knowing what killed them.
This meant that his sworn little brother could assassinate the president with no evidence if he so desired. Mu Ssang, who had been a blunt sledgehammer in his youth, had now been refined into a sharp sword.
Better hope that bastard does come looking for you then.
Mu Hos thick lips curved upwards.
Well, that I dont know. Choi Do-shik is an extraordinary master. Though Im not too afraid of him.
What sort of world have you been living in?
Mu Hos eyes welled up with tears. Powerful men never got to where they are by chance. His younger brother couldnt have gained such power if he had led a normal life.
You wouldnt understand even if I told you.
I guess you were always out of my reach, even back then. What do you really do?
Im working with the French government. Its a tough job but Im free. Its better if you dont know everything.
Mu Ho fell silent for a while before suddenly saying,
It would help me sleep better at night if you led a normal life. Youre the type of person that could survive in any condition.
I know I want to live a normal life too but I guess Im just not destined to stay in one place for too long. Hahaha!
Mu Ssang laughed grumpily. He wanted to lead a quiet life but at the same time longed for the bloody battlefields. Such is the fate of an Asura.
it looks like you made enough money. Can you get out?
Im working on it. There could be some blood though.
Mu Ssang gave Mu Ho a pre-prepared envelope. The envelope contained 10 million won (~8300 dollars).
What is this?
Mu Ho asked with a stiff face after checking its contents.
Lets call it child support for raising Mina.
Call it what? What are you talking about? Im already ashamed by the child support you gave us the first time.
Mu Ho pushed the envelope away.
You fed a penniless amnesiac and gave him a place to stay. I know we dont have to repay each other as brothers, but I hate seeing you like this. Buy your wife the apartment she wants as a present.
No, what present? The hopeless wife of mine deserves no present! Mu Ho said angrily.
You didnt do right to her either. I heard that other detectives save their funding to give their wives gifts every now and then. I also heard that you sometimes ask to get paid in advance to buy drinks for your lackeys. Your wifes probably not happy with the leftover salary that comes in the mail.
Ugh!
Mu Hos face crumpled up from the harsh truth.
A typical Korean housewife struggling to make ends meet and raise her children on her husbands salary. Allow your amazing little brother to give you a little boost.
Brother!
Mu Ho felt his throat tighten. Mu Ssang was defending his wife despite the fact that he was probably upset about what had happened with Mina. His big heart was incomparable to Mu Hos. The memoryless teenager he discovered in the past had matured into a real man capable of comprehending the bitterness of this world.
Ill take the gesture. The money you gave us five years ago was no small amount. Dont make me feel any worse about myself.
Hyung, lets do away with these calculations. Were brothers. You remember the black bean noodles you bought me? You had to spend all the money that you had with you that day because I ate for more than ten people. To be honest, it was pretty unsightly when your wife nagged you back then. Hehehe!
Damnit, the suns rays hit us all the same, and yet one of us is bigger than the other.
Mu Ho slouched over. Who was the older brother here?
Oh my, attached at the hip much?
Jin Soon smiled at Mina who was nodding away in Mu Ssangs lap. Mu Ssang stopped Jin Soon from trying to take her away.
Ill carry her.
He caressed Minas cheeks. A warm sensation rose from his fingertips to his heart. There was no feeling more tender than this. This poor soul, scarred by the hideous selfishness of adults. It was truly tragic that Mina was not the only one with these circumstances.
That damned master of mine tricked me again. Shouldve known when he didnt say much about the huge backyard.
He remembered his masters strange smile when he discovered Yeonbok majored in child welfare.
5th Red Mask if youre watching, I was too late with Lee Suk Ja but I brought your child under my wing. Ive become her father. Ive kept my promise.
Mu Ssang murmured in a small voice. The guilt that gnawed away at his heart disappeared. Now complete and whole, Mu Ssang stood up with Mina in his arms.
Jin Soon, show him to his room. Night brother.
Mu Ssang walked out of the study.
[1] Soju
Chapter 543 - Episode 7 Age-old Connection
Papa, give me a piggyback ride!
Mina whined after waking up from her catnap.
Oof, youve grown so big that I cant carry you no more.
Mu Ssang exaggerated as he threw Mina over his shoulders.
Giddy-up horsey! Hehehe!
Mina pulled on Mu Ssangs ears while giggling. Her laughter echoed across the night sky. Mu Ho stared blankly at his younger brothers large, ocean-like back.
This passing moment was as overwhelming as looking at a large mountain. No. Perhaps it was more akin to the massive cotton candy that a street vendor might give you at a field meet, puffed to his hearts content. A smile appeared on Mu Hos face.
[The cotton candy heart of a Dokkaebi with a steel-plated back] would be a perfect title for a childrens storybook.
Ha, what have I been doing all this time?
Mu Ho asked himself for the first time. And nothing came to his mind. His wife was not the only one who was to blame. Has he ever tucked the little one in during cold winter nights? Has he ever been out on a stroll with her in his hand?
He liked to venture out rather than stay inside and enjoyed the company of his coworkers and alcohol over his daughters. So even a simple thing like putting up a swing set in his large empty yard never occurred to him. Time flew by, but he had no recollection of ever reflecting on himself. He just assumed that this was how all fathers were.
The difference between him and Mu Ssang lay not in their abilities but in their hearts. He thought he was raising Mina but he was sorely mistaken. A child is a person, not a dog or a cat.
A hundred promises of tomorrow will never be able to outweigh the efforts made today! He was overcome with shame. He may be a great cop, but he was a terrible father. Mu Ho was given an unintentional opportunity to reflect on himself.
Big oppa!
Yes! Big oppa?
Youre oppas big brother so of course. Or should I call you like this, Officer Park!
N- no, no. I just thought it was undeserved.
Mu Ho stuttered at his never-thought-before title.
You should get to bed. It doesnt look like big sister will be joining you anytime soon.
Jin Soon gestured to the kitchen where you could still hear waves of laughter every now and then.
That silly woman!
Mu Ho grumbled as he followed Jin Soon.
The next day, Jin Soon packed everything that Mu Hos wife laid eyes on for the couple. Dates, olives, figs, and avocados to name a few fruits, and for meat, a whole hind leg of Basque ham, sausages as thick as ones forearms, and herbs and spices from around the world.
It wasnt just perishables either. She rolled up a Turkish rug, grabbed a box of Syrian olive soap, and stuffed sacks of coffee beans into their trunk. Two large trunks were crammed full with all sorts of European and African goods and perishables.
Mu Hos face burned bright red. He wished he could bury his head in the sand.
That blasted
Mu Ssang stopped Mu Ho from bellowing by placing his hand on his shoulder.
Brother, dont meddle in womens business and let them be.
This is driving me nuts!
Mu Ho let out a sigh after another.
Oh my, what in the world! These are real pearls.
You keep saying yes, and people will take advantage of you. Mu Hos wife, Hong Gahae, couldnt peel her eyes off of Jin Soons necklace. Pearls are graded on their shape, luster, defects, thickness, and color.
The two perfectly round 5mm rainbow lipped pearls on Jin Soons necklace were a gift from Ombuti and were more expensive than diamonds of the same size.
Its probably expensive, isnt it?
Yes, they say that gold chains are nothing compared to rainbow lipped pearls.
Was the necklace also a gift from one of Mu Ssangs friends?
Hong Gahaes eyes flashed with jealousy.
Yes, an acquaintance of Mu Ssang that does trade in Africa gave it to me.
My word! The rainbow color is so, so beautiful.
She couldnt keep her desire from coming through in her voice. Jin Soon held back a sneering laugh. It is said that cats die of curiosity, sparrows of grain, and women of jewelry, and this woman was the embodiment of that saying.
Is it to your liking?
Jin Soon smiled politely.
Whew! What difference does it make? Im not even in Mu Ssangs line of sight.
Hong Gahae let out a long sigh. The young girl in front of her was enviably attractive and had a wonderful personality to boot. Even so, she had raised Mina for five whole years She suddenly felt bitterly disappointed in Mu Ssang. It was quite audacious of her to feel this way, but most human beings only see things the way they choose to view them.
Ill give it to you as a gift.
Jin Soon removed her necklace and placed it around Hong Gahaes nack without much hesitation.
What! A gift?
Hong Gahaes eyes widened in disbelief.
Jewelry may be expensive, but people are more valuable. Youve done well raising Mina.
B- but!
Despite her words, Hong Gahae snatched the necklace and hid it under her blouse.
Stop! Lets go! Mu Ho roared. Getting sick of his wifes behaviour, Mu Ho grabbed her and hurriedly made his escape.
She was too much!
Shes the most greedy woman Ive seen in my life.
Jin Soons younger sisters stood there, mouths agape.
Big sis, how could you give her your necklace? Wasnt that a gift from old man Ombuti?
Gye Soon squealed.
Heh, I aint no plastic umbrella missy!
Jin Soon snorted and left them alongside Mu Ssang. Yeon Soon smacked her little sister on the back.
Dont you unripe little ones dare to call our big sisters actions into question. What would the disciples know about their masters plans?
Ow, that hurt. What was so masterful?
That woman is the wife of Mu Ssangs sworn brother. You know our Mu Ssang. Hell give that woman whatever she wants every time she visits. Thats why big sis showered her with gifts. Imagine how embarrassed the well-mannered Mu Ho oppa felt. Hed probably never show his face here again.
Could that woman that took big sis necklace know what shame is? I think shell nag Mu Ho to come back eventually
Gye Soon tilted her head in doubt.
You moron! Thats why big sis gave her the necklace at the last moment. Mu Ho probably wants to go into hiding just about now. Hed want to get a divorce before thinking about coming back here. If they do, Ill eat my hat.
Yeon Soon declared with confidence.
Wow, what a master!
How profound!
Gye Soon, Mal Soon, and Ou Soons jaws dropped.
What did she mean by plastic umbrella? Ou soon asked.
Thats something big sis wanted you to hear, little ones. Youve probably used plastic umbrellas before. It rips in strong winds, and the bamboo support snaps at the slightest pressure. That woman is a defective product that should be discarded after a single use, and she should serve as a lesson to you. Do you understand?
Big sis, thats really scary.
Mal Soon and Ou Soons faces stiffened.
You need to meet Mu Ssangs expectations. Ou Soon, I know youre making trouble lately you little tramp.
Yeon Soon narrowed her eyebrows.
Ugh!
Ou Soon felt the blood drain from her face. They found out that she stole her big sisters makeup to go out with boys.
What are you talking about?
Jang Pil Nyuh glared at her youngest sister-in-law. The rumor that Mu Ssang made some money working overseas and built a spacious hanok wasnt a big deal.
There were people even in Indong that built their houses with money made from working construction in the middle east. Mu Ssang was a better worker than most even when he was young. But there was nothing for him, someone with a criminal history, to do except manual labor.
The problem was with what she heard afterwards. They said that he has a main house bigger than the grand Buddhist temple and six two-story hanoks fit to be royal palaces. A creek that runs through a soccer field of a front yard and a vast bamboo forest within the premises. These were shocking accounts from the five women who helped them move as day laborers.
Stories of a hundred yankees who came to the house warming party, that their enemies, the Ha Dong family, were living with him, and that foreign visitors treated Mu Ssang like a king. Stories of the Ha Dong family and their daughters swimming in gold and jewelry
Stories that were harder to believe than if someone were to tell her that a cat just gave birth to a calf. More than anything, the most surprising was the rumor that he went back to college after being expelled. It tore her apart.
Well, Ive only heard the rumors
Jang Sang Sus wife trailed off. She also thought the Park familys claims were far-fetched. She felt she just ticked off her sister-in-law with nonsense.
Those down-and-out things dont know left from right.
Jang Pil Nyuh shook her head in disbelief. It was utter nonsense. No, it couldnt make sense.
Those day laborer bumpkins say they saw it with their own two eyes. Maybe its not total nonsense.
Jang Pil Nyuhs older sister-in-law added while trying to not get her worked up. Sure, it was hard to believe, but there was a smoking gun.
Hmph, dont those country bumpkins have anything better to do?
Jang Pil Nyuhs stomach was in a knot. Those women wouldve never spoken like that had her family still been in power. They puffed up their chests after most of their land went to Samshik Capital. You just cant help such uncultured swine.
Guess he did build a house. Ill burn it all down.
She would not stand Kim Mal Soons children running amok while she was still alive. Those cretins should stay down in the gutters where they belong.
Ah! Is that the Ha Dong cow?
Jang Pil Nyuh came across a familiar womans back while driving through the new road next to Jipeundari. She was on the ground with her head wrapped in a towel, but she could tell that it was her enemy even from a distance.
Driver Kim, stop the car!
The quick-witted driver backed up, parked the car, and hurriedly opened the door. He was often slapped across the face if he wasnt quick enough. Jang Pil Nyuh got off the car gracefully.
Weird, is she digging up premature potatoes because she has nothing left to eat?
Jang Pil Nyuh asked herself. The Ha Dong wife was throwing premature potatoes in a pile. They were late in planting potatoes due to a severe Spring drought. But it still wouldve grown big enough in two more weeks.
During famines, they would have to dig up potatoes the size of quail eggs in mid-June. She didnt want to strike a conversation, but her curiosity got the best of her. No, she wanted to confirm if the rumors were true or not.
Hey, Ha Dong cow, what are you planning to do with all those premature potatoes?
The Ha Dong wife got up and stretched her lower back. Her eyes met Jang Pil Nyuhs who was on the new road.
Hey, Ha Dong cow? That damned bitch is still spouting hogwash.
The Ha Dong wife felt irritated. It had been a long time since Indongs Jang family, who had been expected to rule forever, had fallen from grace. The world had changed, but Jang Pil Nyuh continued to act haughtily as if it were in her blood.
Well, if it isnt Wu Taks mom. Long time no see. What brings you here?
This blasted wench!
Jang Pil Nyuhs face scrunched up in anger. This wench calls the much younger Kim Mal Soon with honorifics and calls her Wu Taks mom. She slightly regretted the fact that she didnt just pass her by.
I was just passing by. So why are you digging up premature potatoes?
The Ha Dong wife was further irritated by the womans unfitting Seoul dialect. She started imitating the Seoul dialect after her husband succeeded in his business, like a fraud full of bull.
I wanted to make side dishes for our Ssang. Ssang loves potatoes but the ones in the market are covered with pesticides meant to kill worms.
Our Ssang? Its like theyre already a thing!
Jang Pil Nyuh was dumfounded. Since when did this husband killer and street rat get together? If she heard that right, she was digging up pesticide-free potatoes, premature or not, to make that Mu Ssang bastard side dishes. Even newlyweds wouldnt care for each other like this. Well, the nosy woman always looked out for that bastard since way back when.
Its hot. Here, have a soda before you get back to work.
Jang Pil Nyuh took out a can of soda from the cooler. Canned products have just started to come out. When would a low life like her have ever drunk an ice-cold soda like this in the scorching heat? Jang Pil Nyuh decided to be patient and show off.
Ssang has tons of french soda cans in his fridge at home.
The Ha Dong wife opened the can like a trivial thing.
Mu Ssang went to a different country?
Jang Pil Nyuh felt unsatisfied with her reaction but took this chance to prod her with questions.
Good! This bitch heard the rumors.
A smile crept across the Ha Dong wifes sunburnt face.
Yeah, he was out of the country for a while, then built his house here, wanting to come back home. Now hes always here and only leaves the country for work.
Jang Pil Nyuh couldnt understand a word of what she said.
So he made lots of money then?
Who knows how much hes made. Ssangs been paying for my daughters schools and living expenses. They say that the house he just built is 23,000 square meters but I dont have the brains to figure out the numbers. Apparently, it cost a million dollars just to build the thing.
Twenty-three thousand square meters? A million dollars?
Jang Pil Nyuh retorted in surprise. Her family, the Jang head familys house is 1,850 square meters. She couldnt even imagine twenty-three thousand square meters. The Ha Dong wifes face was dripping with smugness. Jang Pil Nyuh came back to her senses just a bit too late.
Twenty-three thousand square meters is thirty-five rice fields large. Thats at least sixteen tons of rice. How scary.
The Ha Dong wife fake shuddered.
Did you measure it yourself?
Jang Pil Nyuh said with an unpleasant expression.
Id have to be as blind as a bat to not be able to see how big a piece of land is after spending my entire life farming. There are seven hanoks larger than whales and just the backyard alongside the hill is over 10 thousand square meters. Now, Ssang would finally have done it all he could if he just brings back big sis Mal Soon. Every cloud has a silver lining, you know?
Ugh, Kim Mal Soon!
Jang Pil Nyuhs face turned as white as a ghost. The Ha Dong wife felt elated beyond words. This was the face she was waiting for. If only she could get the other women in town to see her face.
Where are you, Mal Soon? You shouldve been here to witness this.
The Ha Dong wife wished she had a camera on her. She really wanted to save that face to show Mal Soon. She blew her nose into her apron.. It made her heart weep to think about Mal Soon who must be looking down on her from up above.
Chapter 544 - Episode 8 Age-old Connection
Whats this wench doing looking all sentimental? What is she looking at?
Jang Pil Nyuh wondered. This wench, who was acting all high and mighty before, was looking up at the sky, bullying her nose on her apron, and looked like she was about to cry. She would look like a crazy person if she had a flower in her hair.
Aha, she made all of it up. But of course!
Jang Pil Nyuh mistakenly interpreted the Ha Dong wifes internal turmoil. Her mood perked up again and she swallowed her words of disdain. Jang Pil Nyuh was the type of person who was bitter about other peoples joy and reveled in their hardships. A mindset that was closer to a disability.
But she didnt feel elated for long. The Ha Dong wife spread both of her hands wide open and waved them over Jang Pil Nyuhs eyes.
Is this wench crazy?
Jang Pil Nyuh looked at her rough, calloused hands, taken aback. Each of her fingers, almost black from working the fields, flashed hints of gold. She felt her eyes spinning.
What is this?
Jang Pil Nyuh didnt seem to be aware of what she was doing as she grabbed the H Ddong wifes hands and slowly begin observing them.
Holy!
Jang Pil Nyuh drew in a quick breath. She had rings on six of her fingers beside her thumbs and pinkies. They were Cis Anu that was gifted by Ombuti.
Cis Anu represented a cycle in a day. The rings were each decorated with a different precious stone and were linked with dawn C morning C noon C afternoon C evening C dusk. Ombuti gifted the Ha Dong wife with these protective rings of the Tuareg tribe after accepting her as the godmother.
The Park family of Jip-eun Dari didnt disrespect Kim Malsoon and Mu Ssang out of jealousy alone, but because they were afraid of the Jang head family. And the Ha Dong wife, who reached out to help when everyone else neglected him, Mu Ssang made sure to pay back a hundredfold.
Jang Pil Nyuh was Hyangshim Fibers lady of the house, albeit in name only. She had an eye for jewelry. The platinum ring on her left hand and the gold ring on her right had intricate engravings each with distinctive stones. These werent some fakes you could easily buy at a common marketplace. These were part of a genuine collection; something a country bumpkin like her could never even dream of. These were, very conservatively, at least six figures each.
The rumors were real!
Her previously elated mood fell into a bottomless pit. She was so distraught that it blurred her vision and increased the size of the bags under her eyes. And now the Ha Dong wifes face lit up like the sun.
It was a housewarming present from a foreign CEO.
The Ha Dong wife unwrapped the towel from her head. A pair of Golden earrings dangled from her earlobes. Jang Pil Nyuh pursed her thin lips. They were undoubtedly masterpieces.
Its from Ssangs Chinese friend. Ssang told him, This is my aunt and shes like a mother to me., and the Chinese friend went, Jjamou wandai!. How could this dumb old me know what they said? Yeonsoon tells me it means Hurray to the godmother. I had tears in my eyes because I was so thankful to Mu Ssang and at the same time couldnt stop laughing from being so glad to have sent that daughter of mine to college. Wuahahaha!
The Ha Dong wife threw her head back and started roaring with laughter. She couldnt control herself. Her children, as it turned out, were the best crop that she ever raised. Who cared if Jang Pil Nyuh was wealthy or not. She failed to raise her children right.
Huija and Wootak how to pay their way into a 2-year trade school, and Hwaja couldnt finish even that. The Ha Dong wife actually wore all these jewelry today in case she came across Jang Pil Nyuh.
This is a gift from a guest from America.
Jang Pil Nyuh didnt have the energy to be surprised anymore.
The guests are all foreigners?
Yes. We had the housewarming party two weeks ago. They came from America, France, Hong Kong, and a bunch from Africa too. Some foreign gentlemen called a Consul came from the British embassy, also a high-ranking French official, and a world-renowned Ph.D. It was utter chaos.
What? Why would those people come for Mu Ssang?
What would I know? He makes a lot of money and must be really powerful. Ssang gave me 10 million won to prepare food for that party.
10 million won!
Jang Pil Nyuh groaned. That meant he blew several apartments worth of money for housewarming food. How much money could he have made to spend 10 million won on food preparation?
Ill see you next time.
Jang Pil Nyuh picked herself up off the ground. Her mouth tasted sour from listening to all her bragging. There was a ringing inside her head. She could feel a migraine coming on.
So Kim Malsoon is living happily with her children in a whale-sized hanok? She could never let that be. She will hire a hooligan to burn the house down if she had to. Jang Pil Nyuh turned around gritting her teeth.
You leaving? I got some more stories to tell. Here, have a bowl of noodles before you go.
The Ha Dong wife tried to persuade her from leaving.
You can keep your stories to yourself along with your noodles.
Jang Pil Nyuh tried to make her escape.
Hey, Wootaks mom, did you hear that Ssang was accepted into K University? He got in last year.
The Ha Dong wife yelled with her hands cupped around her mouth. This was the fatal blow she had prepared.
Step on the gas!
Jang Pil Nyuh slammed the car door shut and shouted at the top of her lungs. The startled driver brutally stepped on the accelerator. Screech- the car bolted away leaving behind a cloud of dust. The Ha Dong wife watched the car disappear into the distance covered in debris.
What are you getting so worked up about, you damned bitch!
She felt a smile on her face. Her smiling lips slowly parted ways and she burst out laughing.
Hahaha!
The Ha Dong wife laughed until it started to hurt. She never had such a satisfying day before. She felt sorry that her unni wasnt here to witness this. The Ha Dong wife took off her earrings, her bracelets, and her rings.
These were meant for Mal Soon. What good are all these trinkets to a simple farmer girl like me? Itll just make people jealous and turn me into a gossip.
The jewelry returned to her pockets after completing their task. The righteous will come out on top in the end. She was an affectionate person who knew her place. She gave birth to Jin Soon and took Mu Ssang under her wing. These were the prime years of the Ha Dong wife.
Where should I take you, maam?
Driver Kim took a peek at his employer through the rearview mirror. That glaring look, the narrowed eyebrows, and those quivering corners of her eyes, all pointed to an imminent tantrum.
Were you not aware that were going back home?
An expected shriek exploded out. Driver Kim recoiled like a turtle going back into hiding.
Fucking bitch, if it werent for the money
The driving became slightly more reckless. He would have thrown her out onto the curb ages ago, but he had to pay the bills somehow.
That low life mustve made some chump change somehow.
Jang Pil Nyuh ground her teeth against each other. She had never felt so displeased in her life. The thought of talking to those women that visited that lowlifes house completely disappeared from her mind.
She was more shocked to hear that he was accepted into a university than the fact that he had made money. She tried to weed him out ever since he was in grade school but the little beastie would always get back up on his feet. She spent a significant amount of money to put him in jail, but now he overcame all those obstacles and was in a university. This was earth-shattering news.
Jang Pil Nyuhs biggest failures were her own children. So it was natural for her to harbor hatred towards Mu Ssang, who took after Kim Mal Soons looks and intelligence. She pondered different ways to throw Kim Mal Soons child down into the gutters like his mother, but could not come up with a good idea.
Aunty, isnt my husband home yet?
Yes, he said hell be here soon.
Whats that blasted man doing, coming back on a boat?
Jang Pil Nyuh angrily threw her handbag down. The bag bounced off of their elastic sofa and hit one of the lights. The light bulb shattered to pieces. The scared cleaning aunty escaped into the kitchen. It was routine to avoid the missus when her voice went up.
Jang Pil Nyuh flopped onto the sofa and covered her face with her hands. She felt waves of severe headaches. She couldnt find a way to take care of the shark loans from Samshik Capital. Her last hope was her midget of a husband.
Samshik Capital promised to halve their interest rates if they made her husband responsible for the loan. The credibility of the entire Jang head house was somehow placed lower than that of a midget. The same midget that used to bow at their steps.
That midget started standing tall. He used to flinch at their every move and now wouldnt budge during a thunderstorm. That was fine one way or another. Half of their interests would amount to more than a hundred million won. Jang Pil Nyuh was ready to keep her head down.
The problem was the twenty-five miles of distance between her and her husband. She hadnt heard from him in more than two months. She went to see him, putting her pride aside, but her attempts were always in vain. The lackeys that she placed inside the company all ended up being fired. Hope slowly disappeared in these two years and now she could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel.
She never realized that time could pass by so slowly while waiting for her husband. Her insides were boiling with rage. What she thought was going to be her saving grace, CB, was dragging her family through the mud. Now her husband looked down on her, Kim Mal Soons child was absolutely thriving, and Mu Ssang solved the Ha Dong familys circumstances. Everything went against her plan.
There was a harsh pounding in her left temple. The headaches became much worse. As she hastily swallowed her medicine something snapped inside of her head. As the external conditions worsened, her internal bipolar disorder came out in the form of violence.
That midget scammed me! I ought to cook him alive! Did you really think that you could get away with betraying the Jang head familys eldest daughter!
A bottle of alcohol flew across the living room and destroyed the decorative cabinet.
The ringing of the doorbell snapped Jang Pil Nyuhs mind back into reality. She picked up the intercom with lightning speed. Her husbands face with a grim expression appeared on the screen. She would have to grovel to the likes of him. Jang Pil Nyuhs insides churned.
Its been a while, Jang Pil Nyuh said suggestively. She was the one in need so she took the defensive stance.
Ah, yeah. The secret to living a long and happy life lies in not seeing your face.
Park Inbo scanned the destroyed living room. Jang Pil Nyuh flinched at the gravelly voice. She unintentionally glanced over to the windows in the living room where the Dokkaebi (Mu Ssang) would peer in, giving herself away.
Right, why did you want us to meet?
Bak In Bo asked, playing innocent.
Lets cut to the chase. Lend me 2 million dollars, Jang Pil Nyuh said rather bluntly.
2 million? You think I have that kind of money? Dont you know better than anyone else that all those metal scraps get thrown in there?
The company has plenty of cash flow. You said its filled to the brim with dollars and yens.
Bah, you want me to take money from the company to bail you out and go to prison for embezzlement? You still havent given up on those kinds of ridiculous ideas? Are you being serious?
Jang Pil Nyuh lost her patience from his line of questions.
Youre the one speaking nonsense. Your in-laws are about to be ruined. You said youll think about it over the phone yesterday. Cut that out and just pull 2 million from the company.
Ha, look at you. I said Ill think about it. I never agreed to pull anything from the company. You and the brother-in-law insisted on greenlighting CB, then took it over. Now you want me to embezzle money from the company to pay your debts? Are you in your right mind?
Bak In Bo stared blankly at Jang Pil Nyuh. He appeared like he was looking at a stranger or someone whod just gone insane. Jang Pil Nyuh felt shattered. Shed already pulled from everywhere she could think of. Her husband was her last hope.
Her family would lose their land if they couldnt repay the loan sharks tomorrow and she promised her father with only her husbands phone call as the silver lining.
Youre our familys son-in-law. A son-in-law is still a son. Just lend us 1 million, no, 500 thousand dollars. We only have 1,400 rice fields left and my father is bedridden thinking that hed lose all of that too.
Jang Pil Nyuh lowered her head at her husband for the first time in her life. Her familys situation was that urgent.
Only 1,400 fields? A son-in-law is still a son?
Bak In Bo looked at his wife as if he just heard an alien speak. No, it mustve been alien. Only 1,400 fields? 50 fields and youre considered a wealthy farmer. Who is this woman to all 1,400 fields only?
A son-in-law is still a son? At the very least, it was definitely not something that should be said by the Jang family. His father and mother-in-law treated him like their servants pet dog, his wife tried to poison him, and his brothers-in-law took money from his company like rats. If this was what she meant by family, then her definition was an insult to all other families.
Jang Pil Nyuh, Ill gloss over the fact that you took out a loan of 200 million won with the house as collateral. In fact, the house is yours. Ill place you as the sole owner on the deed. Dont even think about pulling money from the company. Dont even think about intimidating the employees as you did before. Because I caught and fired all your Jang family lackeys.
Bak In Bos face turned ice-cold. Had his dead younger brother not told him, he wouldve been poisoned to death by his own wifes hand. He got rid of his primary physician, Dr. Kim, and all of the Jang family members and their goons from the company for good measure.
How could someone who tried to murder her own husband with poison say a son-in-law is still a son with such a straight face? He wanted to spit on this detestable woman.
This cant be!
The blood vessels popped from rage and Jang Pil Nyuhs eyes turned red.
Ah, yes! This house is your property now. I will take my leave before I am caught trespassing.
Bak In Bo sneered as he walked out the door.
Argh, you little midget piece of shit!
She let out a shriek a good octave higher than a soprano. A jade incense that was unfortunately within her reach became airborne. The concrete walls, however, prevented it from flying any further.
There was an explosive sound. The incense was a part of a collection from a well-known master that her husband bought from Yeoju. The stunt cost her 1,600 kg of rice, but this only fueled her rage.
Youve all had a good run. Im no saint, but you people are evil. I hope you get to feel what your many tenant farmers were forced to experience. Deep, profound sorrow and hopelessness.
Bak In Bo muttered as he walked out the door..
Chapter 545 - Episode 9 Age-old Connection
He remembered the tenant farmers groveling on the frozen hard ground during the winter solstice. The ones whose lands were taken away when quotas werent met. Those desperate faces begging for another chance It was the fear he felt that day that drove him to be so money hungry.
He worked to expand his business day and night and somewhere along the way had become just like his father-in-law. He realized that there were things more valuable than your possessions only after being faced with certain death.
Hyangshim Transportation needed minimal supervision so it didnt matter as much. But Hyangshim Fiber was a company that earned them foreign currency with exports. He couldnt rest until it went to the right person.
Haa wonder if hell accept.
Bak In Bo climbed into the car with a heavy heart.
Auntie!
A piercing high pitched voice shook the living room. There was no answer. Chanmo and Chimmo had already escaped when Jang Pil Nyuh destroyed the kitchen utensils. Jang Pil Nyuh was having a hard time holding back her rage and migraines.
Sure he was acting out of line as of late, but she did not expect her submissive husband to dismiss her like this. No, he already turned his back against them and there was almost no chance he was going to help. She was just too uneasy to face the truth.
A restless father, a disappointing mess of children, a husband out of her control, a successful Mu Ssang, the Ha Dong Daek with a mocking smile, Samshik Capital who just wrapped a noose around her neck and was just waiting to kick the chair from under her feet All these thoughts were flooding her mind.
Argh, that damned Kim Mal Soon!
Argh, Ha Dong Daek! You bitch!
Aaargh! You dare mock me you dirt-covered filth!
That womans daughters are all going to college? Aaargh!
Something was destroyed after each and every scream. Human uneasiness comes from not knowing ones place. There would be no reason to feel uneasy if you had already come to terms with your abilities, status, and consciousness. Uneasiness comes from ignorance.
There is a saying called Jogogakha (look under your feet). This was used as a response to the question What is the reason that Bodhidharma came from the west?. It was a zen Buddhist riddle meaning, how could you ask for the reason why Bodhidharma came from the west when you dont even know whats happening right next to you?.
Jang Pil Nyuhs misfortune came from the fact that she did not know her place. She wasnt the eldest lady of the Jang family but the wife of Bak In Bo. Not Jang Kyung Jus daughter but the mother of three children. If she knew to look under her feet she would not have made everyone miserable along with herself.
Uff, ugh!
Jang Pil Nyuh fell onto the sofa. She didnt have the stamina to keep up with her temper. She could feel her head spinning along with the images of her father and her brother in Samshik Capitals clutches.
The angel-like Samshik Capital turned out to be the devil. Their overdue interest rate was increasing every month by 1% and after 2 years was at 24% a month. With the initial rate of 1.5% this months interest was 25.5%. if they couldnt pay the interest by the day after tomorrow they would lose the ancestral mountain and the main family house.
Her father borrowed $500,000, her uncle $200,000, her fathers older cousin $100,000, and her fathers younger cousin $80,000. They sold the family land and used every connection to pay the interest until this point. They already paid $2.5 million, about three times more than the original loan amount.
That was the limit. We couldnt repay a single cent of the original loan. This pitfall called increasing interest rates was as deep as it was wide. This months interest was $200,000. There was nowhere to turn to. Despite organizing all of the familys resources, Samshik Capital secured all of the evidence and avoided every single dispute.
Two raids they mobilized with members from an organization also failed. For the Jang family, they were lucky from just the fact that Samshik Capital didnt exercise their CB security right.
Her father and the elders of her family came to see her almost every day. Words of resentment and accusations followed one after another. Her ego and self-esteem were wounded beyond healing.
Bak In Bos words just added salt to her wounds. Salt isnt a big deal on a healthy body. But when salt comes in contact with a wound it causes excruciating pain. You forget about the one who wounded you, and your hatred becomes concentrated on the one who added the salt.
The one who added that salt was some dirtbag dwarf that kept his head down for decades. This brainless human being who paid top dollar for some pottery like a b*tch dared to sprinkle salt on the Jang family.
Why did I do that?
Jang Pil Nyuh stared blankly up at the crystal chandelier. She must have been possessed by a Dokkaebi to have taken over those convertible bonds. She wouldnt have swallowed that poison had she carefully reviewed the terms.
The common denominator of those who fall for these scams is greed. You wouldnt be tricked if you werent greedy, and when you are blinded by greed, advice falls on deaf ears. Jang Pil Nyuh didnt understand that her familys greed came back to bite them.
Jang Pil Nyuh slumped onto the sofa to lay down. If she had known that her familys land had gone straight into her husbands grasp, she would not have been able to sleep no matter how exhausted she was. Perhaps it wouldve driven her insane
Wu Tak leaned against the stairs on the second floor and looked down at the destroyed living room. His expressionless face turned to Jang Pil Nyuh, but his gaze peered outside the window.
The state of the living room didnt surprise him as this happened fairly often. What was surprising was his father. On the brink of becoming evil, he almost doubted that it was actually his father.
Where did it go wrong?
The house was a luxurious mansion, but you wouldnt call it home. He may have gone to a bad school, but he could still tell the difference between the two. His father sold his heart and soul to that company. He would work until your bones turned to dust and paid no mind to your family.
And his mother was always up to something. Late-night calls with his uncles became frequent, and constant visits from people he didnt recognize. The topics of those conversations were never pretty. Most of them were about who should be appointed as executives, who should be cut, who they needed to meet, how much money they needed for bribery, etc. Things even he could tell wouldnt be of any help to the company.
His eldest sister Hui Ja couldnt break free of her shopping addiction even after getting married. She couldnt break free from it even after being divorced for that very reason.
His second older sister Hwa Ja drowned herself in alcohol and drugs. She was beaten like a dog a few years back and was hospitalized for six months. They say old habits die hard. She relapsed and started doing drugs again after being released. Shopping, sleep, alcohol, and marijuana were her life. She was currently missing.
What about Wu Tak himself? He didnt even touch a textbook and his three years of high school. He wasted his time joyriding with some sleazy biker gang called The speeding Dalgubeol.
When was the last time we ate together as a family?
Wu Taks face darkened. Its been 5 years since his family sat together at the same table. Its been even longer since they had a real conversation. There was nothing to talk about. They didnt care for each other and didnt have a reason.
There is no family. There is a mother who is trying to steal a fathers company, a father who neglects his family, a daughter whose only concern was shopping, a daughter who went missing after being severely addicted to drugs, and a halfwit son who wastes his time with thugs. These were the true faces of people who lived in this house.
He was taken aback when Mu Ssang was expelled and arrested. There is no way in hell that Mu Ssang did something like that. So it was no surprise to him when he found out that his mother and Hwa Ja planned the whole thing. It did make him a little happy when he heard that Mu Ssang was working as a waiter.
Was that something to be happy about?
Wu Tak shook his head. No one in their right minds would say that being a waiter was worse than being in a biker gang.
He looked down at his mother who fell asleep on the sofa. It gave him a heavy heart to see her like this even after her hysteric episodes. He could barely remember the last time they talked together.
His mothers life wasnt that of Bak In Bos wife or Bak Wu Taks mother. His mother was still the eldest daughter of the Jang family. There was no denying the power and authority of Indongs Jang family.
Most of the land in Indong is the Jang familys property. His grandfather from the main family owned 2,700 fields in farmlands alone. They say that a single field yields around 240kg of rice. His grandfather was a farmland owner then yielded him 648,000kg of rice yearly.
His grandfathers power was second to none. He had over a hundred families working for him as tenant farmers. The chief of police and local governors would visit him after being elected. His mother had nothing to fear with her familys support, and his father spent his days repressed.
His father was at his worst after visiting his mothers family during the holidays. He would curse and hit the walls in a fit of rage. Wu Tak only realized later that his father was being treated like a dog at the hands of the Jang family.
The dynamic of his parents relationship changed after Hyangshim Fabric was established. Hyangshim Fabric sold more than $20 million in profits. His mothers family, with all their power, couldnt make more than a million with their farmlands.
Those overconfident uncles backs hunched over and his father stood tall. In the end, all the power went to the one with more money. Wu Tak also stood a little taller. He wasnt a Jang, he was a Park. Even he caught on to the shift in the dynamic.
His mother and her family met together frequently after this. They plotted to take control over the company and destroyed themselves in the process. This was a broken home. And Jang Pil Nyuh was the one who started it all.
Refusing to admit when she is wrong, bipolar, violent to the point of throwing kitchen knives at her husband, spoiling your children unconditionally It was a miracle that his father lasted so long.
His mother always had an entitlement problem. Her children were never in the wrong because she was their mother and she was never in the wrong. She spoiled her children but there was no love or warmth. He once told her that he wished his aunt was his mother when he was seven and was slapped across the face. He was given nothing to eat for an entire day.
His aunt was kind and loving, unlike his mother. Were something to happen, his mother would punish him. But his aunt would first ask him if he was okay. He was deathly jealous of Mu Ssang who was raised by his aunt. He wished his mother was more like his aunt. He wished for it more than nice clothes or snacks.
I kind of want to see that f*ckers face again.
Wu Taks words startled himself. Did he really want to see Mu Ssang? His parents didnt know what kind of a monster Mu Ssang was. He remembered being beaten unconscious, getting waterboarded then getting beaten some more. And yet he still wanted to see him.
Thunder roared and rain started to pour. The raindrops hit the patches of grass.
Ah, whatever! Running through the rain woo woo~
Wu Tak opened the front door. Riding his new Japanese bike was bound to take his mind off of things.
Where are you going!
A voice pierced his eardrums like nails against a chalkboard. Wu Tak ignored it and went into the garage.
Im gonna have nothing to say to Mu Ssang at this rate. And Im supposed to be the older one.
With a roar, the motorcycle drove through the rain.
Wu Tak spent the first 2 of 5 years with Mu Ssang harassing him, and the latter 3 in utter defeat. His hole of inferiority was too deep to climb out of. Wu Tak was also a member of Les Misrables.
Bro, hey bro!
Mu Ssang lifted his head from Jin Soons 7 story lunch box. It was Sungshik, the departments student representative.
Wha?
Mu Ssang said with a mouth full of tuna over rice. People stopped skipping lunch thanks to the Good Person Project. Even the hyenas didnt come for his lunch box this time. It was as if he spent $1.7 million just to enjoy Jin Soons lunchbox.
I was thinking we could go to Gasansanseong Fortress for the welcome trip. What do you think?
Fu- Gasansanseong Fortress!
Mu Ssang facepalmed himself. He destroyed that driver Lee and told him to write uncles whereabouts and put it inside that cave at the Gasansanseong Fortress. That was 7 years ago. He didnt mean anything by it. He just wanted driver Lee to be even more miserable. He forgot all about it amid the craziness.
Bro, Mu Ssang bro.
Sungshiks voice interrupted his thoughts.
What! Man, stop calling my name as if Im drowning. What did you say?
The welcome party. I asked for your opinion?
Aak!
Sungshik screamed. Mu Ssang flicked his finger at his forehead.
Man, thats something the student representative should figure out on his own. You want me to tell you what to do at this age?
Sungshik was in no state to answer. It felt like he was hit by a hammer and not a finger. His head was ringing. Sungshik barely recovered before retorting,
That was too much. I told you your hands are like a weapon. Ah, my skull feels like its broken.
Man up. When are we going?
We decided on this Saturday.
See, look at this. Youve already decided among yourselves and youre just giving me the news. Do you guys think Im a joke?
Mu Ssang glared at him.
Woah, bro. Its not like that. Youre just not interested in that kind of stuff you know?
Sungshik cowered. He was 4 years older than him. This was no laughing matter.
Hahaha! Im kiddin around.
Kid around one more time and Im gonna have a heart attack. Just make some time and make sure to come empty-handed. Youre always getting ripped off anyway. Hehehe!
Sungshik let out a sigh of relief.
This son of a gun is giving me the finger. Youre here to collect money arent you?
Hehehe, we could pitch in but we dont have nothin you know?
Sungshik started to rub his hands together like a fly.
You sly son of a Your tuition was taken care of thanks to the Good Person Project.
Hehehe, which is good news for my dad but it doesnt help me much. I did write him a thank you letter though.
Man, you think a busy person like that has the time to read your letters?
Mu Ssangs lips curved upwards.
Chapter 546 - Episode 10 Age-old Connection
Politics might have degraded into an appalling cesspool of petty catfighting or name-calling. and the citizens might have been silenced into submission, based on fear and apathy, but the world still does hold minor glimpses, glimmers of hope. A morally upright or ethical persons principles C the notion that what distinguishes humans from other animals, is the fact that people are capable of kindness. compassion, altruism C spread rapidly like a wildfire. Everyone hoped to be considered by others as morally upright individuals.
Many individuals from the general public began to actively take part in the An Exemplary Person social justice movement. Chairman Choi Horim promoted the idea so aggressively that there was not a single person left who had not at least heard of, had some inkling of the An Exemplary Person campaign. All the typical white-collar workers. corporate executives and even shoe shiners had begun donating to the widely-publicized social activist cause.
There wasnt a single definitive cause that drove the charity and donation funding. They donated money for tuberculosis treatments, shoes for orphans, heating in nursing homes, nursing for the elderly who had been abandoned by their children and even donated funds to assist many who had been wrongfully charged with crimes and jailed for crimes they did not commit. Mu Ssangs donations at K University also rose quickly from $1.7 million to $2 million.
No one actually was certain of the true identity of an exemplary person. Whether it was a corporation, foundation, or individual. Only the fact that the K Universitys secretary office was taking care of an exemplary persons business as its legal representative, the official subsidiary was made officially known to public knowledge. More people becoming beneficiaries of the collected funds only implied more overtime demanded of employees working in the secretarys office. It was their duty to compose all the official thank you letters that were mailed out to express gratitude to donors for their generous gifts of cash.
Its up to the exemplary person whether they actually read my letter, or not. Just the mere fact that there is actually a living person of that stature and benevolent intention in the world is truly a blessing and grants us some room to breathe in and feel assured, pacified.
Whatever! Ill deliver all the meat dishes over to you guys. There are thirty-two people in our mayor district, so lets say eighteen kilos of pork belly and twelve kilos of pork ribs. Eat your hearts out to blissfully filled tummies.
Hu- Hyung!
Sungshik gulped a deep breath in, stunned at this declaration. Sunyoung, who was eavesdropping on their conversation, had eyes that grew wide with wonder. 30kg is 150 portions. It was more than adequate support, no, truly an astonishing level of support, validation.
The 80s were a time back when cooking meat directly with a flame-grilling stovetop was considered an exotic, quaint idea. It was an exotic idea for a valid reason. If one were to boil or heat up to 600 grams of meat in a boiling pot of soup it could potentially feed up to ten people, but roast up that same mass of meat and its not even enough to feed two to fill up their stomachs. Roasting meat was financially considered a lavish, excessively extravagant, indulgent idea during this era.
Naturally, students did not even dare to think about roasting as a means to actually cook meat with. They would normally cook curry or kimchi soup at these welcoming parties. It was no wonder why Sungshik and Sunyoung were so taken aback, stunned.
Woah, meat, meats. Hyung, thats going to cost a lot of money.
Sungshik nudged Sunyoung who was sitting just beside her.
Oop! Oppa, hehe!
Sunyoung jolted up in alarm and moderated the tone with which she was addressing Mu Ssang. She nervously took a peek at him. It was as if she was looking upon a tiger whod just escaped from its cage. Mu Ssang beamed in delight.
Hut- a dark force!
Sunyoungs face turned deathly pale with fright.
The term Oppa began vanishing from Universities during the late 1970s. Girls began to address the older male students with the label Hyung instead of Oppa. Mu Ssang was peeved, unsettled by, and did not approve of the use of the label Hyung regularly quipped by younger girls. Being termed as Hyung by girls felt like a grave insult to Mu Ssang as he was highly masculine with high testosterone levels and machismo.
Had the generations youth collectively undergone a gender identity crisis or revolution while he had been away from the country? How affectionate, how musical to the ears was the term Oppa! The term Hyung ought only to be used to refer to gross men. Even if one was to broaden its boundaries to embrace more inclusivity under its definition, it should only be applied, strictly to the same gender.
There was a specific incident that prompted the female students to call Mu Ssang Oppa and not Hyung. Kim Mihee, who was studying in the same form class year, called him Hyung back when they were freshmen and suffered a backlash. Of course, her suffering a backlash was mere gossip amongst his friends. All Mu Ssang did was just closely scrutinize Kim Mihees visage. Although he did glare at her for an excessively protracted period due to his sense of being insulted.
Kim Mihees blood drained rapidly from her face due to discomfort from being scrutinized intensely by Mu Ssang. Her hands and feet began to quiver violently and her face turned a deadly shade of blue, upon which she blacked out, losing consciousness, and fell down, collapsing to the ground. Her friends gave her CPR, an ambulance sped over with urgency. It was truly quite a spectacle.
The witnesses present at the event started spreading malicious rumors that Darth Vader Hyung had completely obliterated Kim Mihees spirit by attacking with his dark force palm blast. When the dust had settled, Mu Ssang had become a galactic villain who wielded the martial arts moves of the deadly villain, Darth Vader.
Mu Ssang became the one male student to be termed as, labeled Oppa after the Kim Mihee incident, but there led to undesirable consequences. Stare downs turned into regular habits that trended amongst many male students. Of course, situations gradually turned volatile, then exploded into violence.
Other half-wits rehearsed their staring fits by directly facing mirrors. Obviously, no one actually fainted or collapsed on the ground. It was a trivial event that was entrenched in the minds of the public through the mass public screenings of Star Wars in movie theaters.
Sunyoung was nervous about having angered and offended the galactic villain. A look of annoyance didnt leave her face even after Mu Ssang directed a warm smile of assurance towards her to calm her.
Hyung, wouldnt it be too much?
Dont worry about it, its nothing. Ive got a long way to go in comparison to the Exemplary Person.
Well, thats true. The Exemplary person is paying for thousands of peoples livelihoods and tuition fees. It makes me want to graduate as soon as possible and also become an Exemplary person.
A look of awe and wonder spread across Sungshiks face.
Do whatever you want. Ill get going now thats settled.
Sunyoung let out a sigh shed held in restraint in relief after Mu Ssang left.
Whew~ what a relief.
Hey, how reckless can you be, just shoving your head between the jaws of a crocodile in that reckless, impulsive, manner. If you have a death wish, keep it to yourself. You have nearly caused me a heart attack with all your nonsense.
Sungshik lashed out, chiding, with a tone of harsh reproach.
Sorry, sorry! That Oppa is dashing, has an athletic, muscular, hulky frame, great charisma, a charming personality, and is loaded with wealth but hes so aloof and detached. I dont know whether to call it chilling or terrifying. Anyway, he possesses this mysterious aura that he radiates and emanates.
Sunyoung, what do you think that Darth Vader Hyung really is?
Im only revealing this to you, alright?
Sunyoung lowered her voice.
What?
One of my friends is going to Young University. Shes friends with this girl Gyesoon. Apparently, shes Darth Vaders little sister.
Sungshiks eyes widened in wonder.
Really? Thats huge. Then could that Gyesoon turn into Princess Leia?
You fool.
Sunyoung swung her hand to rap him on the head. Sungshik wobbled, unsettled, and disoriented, after being hit on the back of his head.
We could find out the true identity of the galactic villain if we ask her.
I have already inquired with my friend. Next week, Darth Vader Oppas true identity will finally be disclosed, revealed to all.
Haha, I cant wait for next week. My guess is that the galactic villains actual identity is the heir to a thriving, expansive conglomerate.
No, he must be an international hitman. He has that chilling, merciless, mercenary aura about him.
Sunyoung was surprisingly insightful and perceptive at times.
Girl, thats just insane and out of this world. What would an international hitman be doing in South Korea of all places.
Thats true. Wish he would teach all those heartless military killers a lesson.
While Sungshik and Sunyoung were debating Mu Ssangs identity, the galactic villain rushed over to Daegu Elementary School. Minas classes had just ended. Mu Ssangs actual identity was a 26-year-old who struggled with raising a flighty 10-year-old daughter.
Vroom- the snakehead released a rumbling growl. Mina leaped out from squatting in front of her school entrance and sprinted over to Mu Ssang.
Papaaa~ak!
Mina tripped over a rock that protruded sharply from the ground. Swoop- Mu Ssang teleported over and swooped Mina up into his arms.
My darling cub, were you waiting here for papa?
No, I have just ended school. Papa, can I try that ppobki(honeycomb game) just for once?
A child is a child. She had already forgotten the fact that she had almost tumbled over and Mu Ssang picked her up from twenty meters out. Her focus was solely upon the sugary snacks that had been laid out by a man in a straw hat.
Of course, you certainly can.
Big Unni told me I should refrain from these. She says its actually junk food.
It is junk food, but its fun. Kukuku!
Mu Ssang chuckled. His little girls whining was actually somewhat endearing to him. He suddenly recalled nostalgic memories of the scent of bread snacks back in Jippeundari days.
Really! Youre not revealing all that you know to me, am I right?
Minas eyes sparkled with glee, delight.
Haha, papa will probably get into trouble too, if he does so.
Hehe, certainly the case!
Mina skipped over to the ppopki vendor, only upon getting Mu Ssang to perform a pinky promise. Mu Ssang couldnt help but start beaming with joy as he glanced over at Minas tense, hunched over back. It wasnt too bad to be a father to a cuddly junior, even as a swinging bachelor.
There is a forked road that extends over to the right of the direction toward the fortress, halfway to the top of the Hantijae mountain pass. 20 minutes of trekking along that small road would lead one to a clearing that extended approximately to around half the size of a soccer field. This was where todays welcome party would take place. There was a stream that held large reserves of water about 5 minutes away from the clearing. A clearing that held enough space to kick a ball around leisurely, and massive water reserves where you could get yourself the camping ground site.
Vroom- the snakehead with its tremendous horsepower ascended up the rough mountain pass. The guys were strenuously working to survey the area by pitching tents, and the gals were busy chattering away.
Oh my, Oppa youre here.
The three girls shot up, erect with glee, and curtsied politely like well-mannered, disciplined nursery kids.
Oh yeah, hello lil Pretties!
Mu Ssang waved at them, savoring the little joys in life.
Big Hyung, welcome!
The guys rushed over and bowed down with shared poses as though they were team members of a gang. Mu Ssang tasted some lingering sensations of bitterness in his mouth. It felt as if hed abruptly risen to political leadership in the North. He thought perhaps he was considered as an outsider and misfit to his classmates due to the age difference. In reality, it wasnt the age but his finicky, excessively formal, fastidious, prep school mannerisms and habits.
Oh boy, why is this so weighty to lift. Ugh!
Sungshik tried to unload the boxes of meat from the back of the snakehead but he couldnt handle the weight and they fell out of his hands.
Geez, you weakling!
Mu Ssang quickly kicked the boxes before they touched the ground and held them close. It was no wonder that Sungshik fumbled. There was a total of 20 kg of pork belly, 10 kg of pork ribs, 5 kg of tripe, 5 kg of sirloin, two bags of pickled green onions, lettuce, sesame leaves, and ssamjang(sauce) in sum amounting to over 50 kg. It was not a weight that some limp-wristed wimp could manage independently.
Wow, Oppa even bought beer.
Bae Minji cheered.
Minji, the sirloin, and tripe are for the Lil pretties who are on diet. Eat your hearts to your content.
Wow, sirloin! Oppa, youre the best.
The girls cheered with joy. They didnt dare to conjecture if there would actually be sirloin or tripe.
Look, look, I told you Hyungs a wealthy heir of a conglomerate.
Sungshik tapped on Sunyoungs back with his fingers.
Sunyoung nodded earnestly in affirmation. Who else could be the heir of a conglomerate if not someone who brings sirloin to a simple welcome party?
Mu Ssang hung his helmet up upon the bike and began to depart in haste. He wasnt expecting much, but he was going to check on driver Lees reports.
Hold tight little ones. This Hyung is going to head out for just a moment.
Come back quickly.
His six classmates bowed down at once in unison.
Oh boy!
He couldnt even joke around with them. Evidently, there had to be something amiss with his mannerisms/ affect in speech. Mu Ssang used Chunpabo(Blue Wave Step) for just one time and no one could even catch a glimpse of him and, like a water strider, slowly ascend, climb up the steep mountain trail. It would take less than 5 minutes to fully ascend a rocky mountain like Gashisanshung.
Mu Ssang easily located the rock cave at the Chiki summit. This cave he stumbled upon by accident held a small entrance that only raccoons could move in and out of easily and was cleverly concealed with Berchemia trees and Bur Cucumbers, rendering it rather challenging to locate even if you knew you where to look.
Wonder if this son of a gun actually kept his promise.
Mu Ssang forced his hand in and started slowly feeling about the ceiling of the cave. Instead of paper, something else struck out, hit back.
Huh, what the-
Mu Ssang withdrew his hand swiftly, biting his tongue in sharp pain. A Mamushi that was dragged out persisted in dangling off of his middle finger. Poisonous snakes usually are quick to release, let go after injecting venom but this was a very odd, bizarre one. He peeled off the Mamushi and tossed it into the bushes. It was shameless, brazen, impertinent, but it was actually his fault for trespassing and entering without obtaining legal permission.
He had learned something of grave importance thanks to the Mamushi. His special recognition ability was not perfect or
flawless. He couldnt intuitively detect cold-blooded reptiles whose body temperature remained much lower than their surrounding climate.
That son of a gun. Hes somewhat believable, credible.
There were four pieces of paper. Driver Lee had kept his promise for 4 months. The pages were yellow and wrinkled, the letters were bled out and gray. 7 years was not a brief amount of time. The grammar and spelling were a mess, and the handwriting was sprawling and chaotic, but he could still decipher and decode the messages.
1980.11.30
(The owner) proceeded over to the hospital on his way to work. Heavy coughs and difficulty breathing. Unsure of what the diagnosis actually was.
(Jang Kisoo) promoted to an executive. The little shit had only been promoted thanks to his moms high standing.
(The owners wife) went to travel to Japan for a week with the eldest daughter. Many visits from her family. Mostly wrinkly old fogeys.
(Heeja) came back home after getting a divorce. Goes out shopping every day to the mall and the Dokkaebi market.
(Hwaja) goes out clubbing every day. Drowns her sorrows in alcohol. Gave her 5 grams of meth for some money.
(Wootak) bought a new motorcycle. Japanese Yamaha 600 cc, doesnt come home most nights.
1980.12.31
(The owner) had a fight with his wife. Seems to be about Hwaja and electing new executives. The owner did not come back home. Seems divorce is on the cards.
(The owners wife) constantly brings fortune-tellers and mudangs into the house. Kang Youngsook finally committed suicide. She said thats good news.
(Heeja) just buys stuff every day.
(Hwaja) took her to a hospital to get an abortion.
(Wootak) was accepted into Bokjin trade school. Loiters around with thugs.
1981.1.31
(The owner) the illness is called pulmonary emphysema. The date to build a 3rd factory has been set.
(The owners wife) in a very good mood, family members are visiting all the time.
.
Side note
The Kalchi gang disappeared. They must have been done in like I was.
1981.2.28
(The owner) another fight with the wife about Hwaja. Hospitalized.
(The owners wife) temper became batshit crazy. Often throws whatever is within reach. Lady Park got hit in the head with a trophy and broke her skull.
(Hwaja) got mugged, beaten, and hospitalized. Diagnosed for 18 months. I got cracked down on by the owner. Had to tell him how Hwajas been using drugs. Got fired on the spot. No longer able to report. Not my fault.
Kukuku! Look at this guy.
Mu Ssang couldnt hold back his laughter at the end. He made an effort in his own right. Even someone like Haviv buckled under his beatings.. He could just picture driver Lee terrified and cowering.
Chapter 547 - Episode 11 Age-old Connection
Not my fault? Kukuku!
He couldnt help but giggle out loudly in glee. These were the rantings of a desperate man getting hunted down in deadly pursuit by a ghostly specter. He did rough him up quite aggressively in that forest in Hajoongdo. He must have been truly terrified about getting chased by a ghost all night racing wildly through a pitch-black forest.
He might seem fine, just reading from facial expressions, but driver Lee actually suffered internal damage from the incurred injuries and will potentially see blood in his stool for the rest of his life. It was simply karma for ruining a young students future and making a flowering young girl take her own life with him pressing her ruthlessly for petty cash.
He was not truly concerned about whether Hwaja took drugs, or Wootak turned into a thug, or whether Jangpilnyeo was plotting and stealing with her family. Just the fact that his uncle had come down with terminal illness arrested his attention.
Pulmonary emphysema is a terminal disease in which the terminal bronchiole distal airspace gradually gets constricted or destroyed. In other words, the pulmonary alveolus loses tension and ceases to function. The cells, being deprived of oxygen supply, simply died off. resulting in blue-tinged skin, irregular breathing, and compulsive coughing, which caused immense, searing pain.
If its been 6 years since the disease had been diagnosed, the person in question would also be on his deathbed. He saved him from being poisoned by his wife and now he had contracted a terminal illness. His uncles life was filled with adversity and grim challenges.
Damned master, so this is why you told me not to hurry. Is this the unfolding of karmic forces!
He felt indifferent to the news that his uncle was terminally ill. The uncle that he had resented so intensely. He had experienced a multitude of deaths in a row. He had become desensitized, numb to the vagaries of life and death itself.
No, you need to pay the penalty for all your sins. You cant die this irresponsibly.
A flock of birds flew up into the air spooked by the reverberations, shrieking sounds of piercing howls. If his uncle were to die here, a piece of truth about his mothers disappearance would be buried into silent secrecy along, sealed along with him. The real truth would then be concealed with fabricated lies to cover up. That could not be allowed to happen.
No, maybe its better for it to fade away, die miserably in silence, in this way.
Mu Ssang fell into a state of turmoil, anguish, confusion. He could outline most of the truth of what he overheard from Lee Gangchul. But he was afraid he discover something else amiss. The truth that was concealed within another truth could work as a double-edged sword. He didnt want to bleed excessive blood just trying to get down to, discover the truth. The side of him that wanted to keep him alive and make him pay for his sins collided/ clashed with the side of him that hoped he could simply be silenced through death and being killed off.
[A wolf and a lynx could appear very similar, but they are actually distinct breeds and are destined to compete for their own hunt. When faced with a difficult puzzle to solve, let time work things out for you.]
Mu Ssang was reminded of his masters words from 6 years ago. Events were unfolding just as he had predicted. Thanks to his master he avoided hurting a member of his family with his own hands and solved his problem without making any real effort. What can you say, his master was some truly remarkable old man who was very much larger than life, a mythical figure.
This felt right. There was no need to hurt his own. He just needed to let things remain as they were. Mu Ssang rubbed the papers rigorously between his palms. The worn pages vaporized into dust and flew away, floating adrift upon valley winds. And his dark past that had always occupied a deep recess of his heart was swept away, along with it.
The fight between the wolf and the lynx should be nearing the end at this precise moment, then.
If his uncle was the wolf, then the Jang family was the lynx. By helping the losing side every now and then, one could thoroughly annihilate both parties. The fight that began 6 years ago had already turned into a brutal, violent feud.
In a capitalist society, power does not come from force or feuds, but from money, cashflows, profits. Mu Ssang estimated his wealth. Even if he excluded Novatopia there was Dova Oil, the fees he received from Total and Areva, and the compensation he received from the French government totaling about 10 billion dollars. He was also now earning around 700 million dollars each year. It just came to reach this status quo.
The Jang familys wealth was derived from their land ownership. The worth of Jangkyungjus land, which is considered a Mansukjigi(person who owns enough land to yield 1.5 million kg of crops), was estimated at 3.5 million dollars with a yearly earning of around 200,000 dollars or in the nearby approximation.
An astounding amount of riches for the average person, but as insignificant as a grain of sand in his sight. The audacity to have been so pretentious and arrogant when they and all their wealth could be so easily dissolved, destroyed with his hands.
How should I handle Jangpilnyeo and the Jang family in a way that would bring my parents great glory?
This was the thought that had always been bothering, distressing him. Jangpilnyeo was an evil witch who threw his parents out onto the streets for some inheritance, abused her nephew, and tried to poison her husband. It was more than likely that she was involved with him being imprisoned, his fathers grave being unearthed, and his mothers disappearance. Even his master never said anything about forgiving this witch.
Jangpilnyeo is mentally dependent on her family, and money means everything to her. A persons life without some means that can provide for its very sustenance is a fate that is worse than death.
Jangpilnyeo, weve been enemies for far too long. It is about time to end this bitter feuding.
Mu Ssang put on a cold, icy, indifferent expression. He wasnt aware that Park Inbo had beaten him to it in dismantling the Jang family and demolishing all that remained of familial bonds.
Who the hell are those guys?
Mu Ssang activated his penetrating vision sight function. His eyes zoomed in like a camera zoom honing in on the campsite. He could see someone horsing around upon a beloved snakehead mast. There were five people in total C someone with a cigarette in his mouth, someone who kept spitting upon the ground coarsely, and another one constantly squaring his shoulders and putting up artificial, contrived poses.
They were definitely mere local thugs, drifters, louts, as one could discern by their just looking at their beer bellies and shaved heads. Ssamdi, who despises rude, slovenly people, would have completely demolished them and buried them six feet under.
His classmates of 11 female students and 19 male students were on a confrontational standoff with these five thugs. They had 30 people and yet were huddled together in fear. Well, one should not expect a herd of gazelles to competently be able to take on hyenas on an even scale. Herbivores and carnivores are vastly distinct, considered on a genetic level.
Looks like they need a good bashing up to snap them out of their delusions to come to their senses.
Mu Ssang glided down the steps. The thugs focused on Mu Ssang as he strolled over with a limping gait and wobbly step.
Big Hyung, did you finish your business?
Sungshiks red, swollen face lit up. It seemed he had stood up to them as the representative and was slapped around.
What happened to your face?
Hyung, most people are telling us to pay 2 dollars each to pitch our tents. They hit us when we told them there was no way wed do that. Myungsoo also got hurt.
Sungshik tattled to him like a little kid who had just lost a fight in humiliation.
Alright. Ill talk to them, dont worry.
Mu Ssang bared his teeth as he grinned from ear to ear. He was thankful to have come across some thugs to let out some steam on, but he didnt want to create a violent scene in front of the girls. Sungshik backed off quizzically. Thugs wouldnt be thugs if they were that considerate.
Man, look at this scrawny loser. What are you actually?
Nupchi felt animosity towards Mu Ssangs genteel, cultivated demeanor. It appeared that he was some mommys boy still coddled around in swathing cloth fabrics. Mu Ssang nonchalantly examined the one who was seated on his saddle. Discerning from his smashed nose, misshapen ears, and the sheer volume of muscles bulk built up, resting upon his shoulders, one could tell instantly discern that he was trained as a wrestler. The rest were just morbidly obese thugs, fat, rotund gangsters.
Huh, few lucky bastards who managed to flee from clutches from the Sam-Chung Education Squad.
Mu Ssang shook his head.
This little nuisance. Nupchi Hyungnim, it looks like hes truly brave, audacious. Should I slash him wide open and examine his innards?
One of the thugs stepped forward, triggered by the mention of the Sam-Chung Education Squad.
Careful, Muldae. It seems this gentleman is impervious, impermeable, impenetrable of getting mortally wounded.
The thug holding on to the snakehead mast bickered. The other four surrounded Mu Ssang, each armed with a weapon. One was tossing a pocket knife back and forth in his hands, one was cutting his nails with a Japanese slicing knife, and one was twirling a motorcycle chain around, causing a scene and ruckus.
Kya!
The female students rushed behind Mu Ssang to take shelter. They say females instinctively gravitate towards those with power in times of crisis and turmoil. It turned out to work wonders, move mountains.
Oppa, what do we do!
The girls trembled in fear and wild panic.
Ha, audacity and illiteracy are two sides of the same coin.
He may have been restraining his magical powers but it was astounding to be this dull and stubbornly inert. The fact that this thug was perched upon his beloved motorcycle was an adequate rationale to end his miserable wretched existence.
Eh? Look at this guy swaggering around like he is a king when he is nobody. Do you want me to gorge your eyes out?
This Nupchi who was resting upon the snakehead mast started glaring at him. Mu Ssang whipped out a silver cigar case from his front pocket without making any reply. This wasnt Africa. This was just home. He just wanted to talk some sense into them if he could.
A stick of Cohiba Siglo popped out at the press of a button. He nipped the bud, lit the cigar, and inhaled the smoke in slowly. The perfect mixture of savory and sharpness calmed him down rapidly.
Woah, looking good this guy. Hey, Bulgom, aint that what you call a cigar?
Nupchi asked.
Yes. They say the best cigars that are made in this country are from Cuba.
Muldae answered, rubbing his hands together ecstatically,
Muldae, come over here so for a second.
Slap- Nupchi suddenly struck Muldae across his face.
Ah!
Muldae held his face in his hands after getting hit out of nowhere then quickly stood back up erect.
You fucker, I asked Bulgom did I not?
Bam- Bam- Nupchi pounded Muldae without holding back.
AH, Nupchi Hyungnim, Im sorry.
You low life, I didnt ask you. Losers who take others chances to answer are the worst of them all.
Muldaes face had bloated swollen, bleeding mess when they were finished. The students faces blanched as pale as a ghost. They were at a loss for words at the insane reason that took him to beat his subordinate in that way.
A look of satisfaction appeared on Nupchis face. This was the ideal atmosphere to threaten people and bend them to his will. He steeled his face and began glaring at the troublesome-looking guy who was still smoking away.
Mu Ssang drew a deep breath of smoke. He couldnt help but snicker at the thugs who clearly couldnt tell their left from their right. Their textbook thug threats almost seemed cute.
How cute. Come on then. Get down from there.
Nupchi felt exasperated. This guy didnt even bat an eye.
This yours? Its nice. Ill buy it.
Nupchi rapped on the snakeheads frame.
Ha! Did you get the money? Its about eight thousand dollars.
Mu Ssang sniggered. This Nupchi was clueless. Then again, it had to be hard to discern objects with his tiny squinting eyes.
Whew, darn thats expensive. Hand the keys over. Ill take it for a spin and Ill buy it if I like it.
Nupchi put his hand out.
Hahaha!
Mu Ssang feigned a laugh. Now he was asking for a beating to come to his senses.
Fuck man, hand over the keys. Ill try it before paying for it.
Stop here, apologize to the kids, and just get lost. You wont live long if you dont know what is good for you.
What in the world are you talking about, didnt you hear me? You better hand it over or-
Fwip- the wallet that was in the thugs back pocket appeared in Mu Ssangs hand. No one knew what had just happened. Nupchi looked confused as Mu Ssang pulled out the contents of the wallet. The wallet seemed oddly familiar.
Get out of here for goodness sake. Man, how can you even joke about buying a BMW motorcycle with thirty dollars in your pockets?
Mu Ssang snickered then tossed the wallet back to its owner. Nupchi finally caught on to what was happening after guessing it intuitively. His face flared up in fury.
If he was a person with a background in martial arts or even half a brain he wouldve frozen still with alarm. Nupchi could only think that Mu Ssang took his wallet from him when he wasnt looking. This was the limit of a common thug.
Huh, you son of a bitch, you think youre funny? Come here. Im going to beat you to a pulp.
A pulp(jelly), huh? Its quite complicated to turn someone into a pulp you know? You have to remove the keratin and increase the gelatin. Going to need a lot of moisture as well. Would you use carbonation or acids to melt the bones? Ah, whatever! Its too much. Hey, Nupchi, you dont understand a word of this, do you?
Hahaha!
Fufufu!
Cough, cough
The students erupted in laughter as Mu Ssang muttered to himself with a solemn expression. Some female students coughed from laughing so much. Nupchis face flared up again. He didnt know what he was talking about, but it was clearly meant to mock him.
You little dummy, you know something you fool?
Man, you didnt specify what youre talking about. Even linguistics teachers wouldnt know what youre talking about.
Hahahaha!
The students burst out laughing again. The girls were about to fall over. The dangerous situation they were in had become a comedy. Nupchi, who wanted to say he was going to kill him if he kept stepping out of line, was stopped dead in his tracks.
You fucking, eh, I mean, uh-
Nupchi stammered.
Hey, crooked nose, you want to say something threatening but cant think of anything good to say right? Stop trying and go home. This Hyung doesnt want to show anything violent with these lil pretties around.
Nupchi exhaled through his nose after bring hit with a dose of truth. He couldnt handle him with words alone. As he was about to lunge at him another thug rushed forward and grabbed Mu Ssang by the collar.
You braggin about being a nerd you little shit?
Man, youre asking for it.
The thugs hands reached out for Mu Ssang but grabbed no object but air. Mu Ssang swatted him away like a fly. Crack- the sound of an ax splitting a log reverberated.
The thug was struck in the face, spun around like a top, and with a thud fell in front of the snakehead. He quivered then went limp- his soul halfway fleeing from his body.
Cheeky fool. Interrupting me like that.
Mu Ssang dusted off his hands with exaggeration.
Wh, what!
The thugs surrounded Mu Ssang. The male students tried to step in with shovels and tent poles. Mu Ssang waved them away.
You guys sit still. These people really dont know whats good for them. Let me teach them a lesson.
Darn, kill him!
Nupchi yelled, gritting his teeth.
Chapter 548 - Episode 12 Age-old Connection
Im going to take your eyes out.
Ill use your guts as a jump rope!
Trash talk ensued as they gathered their weapons.
Geez, its like these guys havent ever fought in a group before.
Mu Ssang sighed. These thugs didnt even know how to use their weapons. They were waving the knife back and forth, twirling the motorcycle chains, and even attempting to lunge at him with a throwing ax firmly rooted in their hand. They were minor gangs normally used deployed as front-line combat warriors.
He resisted the urge to teach them how to throw the ax for distraction, whip the chain diagonally, and have the guy with the knife rush in and aim for a one-hit-ko in between his third and fourth ribs.
Mu Ssang shook his hand back and forth as if trying to frighten away flies. The three thugs advancing on him spun in circles as a result of the impact. He was careful not to crack their heads open, but they wouldnt be able to eat solids for at least a few months.
The thugs wobbled around as if drunk before collapsing with a *thud*. Their arms and legs began shuddering for a few moments before slumping over. Not totally unlike a frog pancaked on the ground.
Damn, the hell am I doing with these kids!
Mu Ssang exhaled smoke from the cigar feeling a bit deplorable.
Wow, the dark force!
Amazing!
Incredible!
Darth Vader hyungnim, hurray!
Sungshik and the gang exclaimed in triumph. Eyes of disparagement fell on Chulsoon who shouted Darth Vader hyungnim, hurray!.
Hey, whyd the Darth Vader thing come out? If you want to get blasted with the dark force, do it alone.
Sungshik raised his eyebrows.
Huh? Uh, no, I just got excited.
Uh, ah!
He wasnt the only one making odd noises. Nupchi jolted up. His stomach clenched and had difficulty catching his breath. He brushed it off thinking Mu Ssang was unexpectedly strong when Muldae was taken out in a single blow. He could probably do the same himself, but laying out three bodies that are carrying weapons was a completely different issue altogether.
Fuck, hes in another league. Damn it!
Nupchis face darkened with gloom. Not even the Cutting knife hyungnim back in Dongsungro could do something like this. Hopeless, he glanced between Mu Ssang and his defeated gang. His sense as a fighter, be it only trained in gang fights, was warning him louder than ever.
Nupchi, right? Should I smack you before you apologize or do you want to apologize before I smack you?
Fuck, whats the difference!
Nupchi became infuriated. He was considered the simpleton in their gang. The reason he survived 10 years of being a gang member wasnt because of his fighting skills but from having guts. A gang fight is about not backing down. The one with bigger balls wins. It was all do or die anyway. The blade inside his inner pocket gave him some courage.
Shit, what, its not like youre wearin steel plates round you.
Nupchi pulled out a short cutting knife. The blade flashed, reflecting the sunlight.
I will break you if you use a weapon.
Mu Ssang said seriously.
Fuck, lets go then.
Nupchi danced around him nervously. Having guts is one thing, but the opponent was rendering that useless. This pretty boys pale face seemed like the grim reapers in his eyes.
Ha, I felt bad so I was going you let you off with a smack. Tut, tut! If you have a death wish, youll get what youre asking for.
Fuck, Im gonna get you at least once before that.
Nupchi ran his tongue across the blade. Blood trailed down from the slightly open wound. The second stage of intimidation.
Man, what are you doing with that cheap mass-produced kitchen knife? Youre embarrassing me. If youre going to cut yourself, at least do it with a Honyaki knife. Youve got no class.
Fuck, I was wondering why I saw my mother in my dreams yesterday. What a shitty day.
Nupchi clenched his jaws. His opponent wasnt going to be intimidated and was proficient in weapons. He shouldve realized that when his underlings were taken out in a single blow.
No matter how much he wanted to run away, he couldnt sheathe his knife and concede defeat like this. The competition was fierce in the criminal world as much as those who worked a nine to five. It would mean the end of his career if he backed down without putting up a fight.
Fuck, I dont know anymore.
It didnt seem like he was going to forgive him easily anyway. Nupchi put his right foot forward with his elbows tucked in and jabbed his shoulder into Mu Ssangs upper body. The move was called hissatsu that he learned from the Cutting knife hyungnim.
What!
Nupchi drew a breath of surprise. His upper body that he was aiming for had suddenly moved to the left. His opponent didnt seem to have moved any other part of his body. The blade appeared to have missed its target when Nupchi bent his elbow and thrust the knife the other way
Look at this guy!
Mu Ssang raised his eyebrow. From the quick and decisive technique, he could tell that numerous others must have fallen victim to having their arteries severed and guts spilled out. Tap- Mu Ssang grabbed the blade with his bare hands.
Ufufufu! Youre mine now.
Nupchi smiled as he twisted the handle. He was imagining Mu Ssangs fingers being sliced off when the sound of something cracking open echoed through the air.
Aak!
Nupchi smacked on his cheek, was forced to do a backflip then crashed onto the ground. He was like a bale of hay tossed aside after crop-dusting.
Euuk!
Nupchi raised his head. The skull-splitting pain forced him conscious. He had ringing in his ears and a blurry vision like walking through a thick fog. He felt his brain rolling around inside his head as if a giant had thrust him into the water and was violently shaking him around. There was a flash then everything turned dark. He didnt know what was what. The fog lifted and his sight returned to its focus.
Why is my knife in the fuckers hands?
Nupchi stared blankly at the cutting knife in his opponents hands.
It felt like he was possessed by a ghost. But there was no way that a mere thug would be able to recognize the technique that was used.
Huh, this guy is as resilient as Sunwoohyun.
Mu Ssang was slightly surprised. This wasnt your average thugs resilience. He did watch his power when hitting him, but he didnt expect the thug to regain consciousness this quick.
Wow!
In just one hit.
Thats Mu Ssang hyungnim for you.
The cheers broke out.
Did you see?
Sungshik looked around at his classmates with his chest puffed out as if he had taken out the thugs himself.
We did!
The classmates said unanimously. The overwhelming violence that was used to subdue evil had moved them more than works of art.
Wake up dickheads, I know youre all awake!
The thugs slowly opened their eyes at Mu Ssangs words. Terrified, they averted their gaze not knowing where to look.
Assemble!
The thugs hesitated to follow Mu Ssangs order.
Look at these guys! Still havent had enough I see.
He kicked them like a soccer ball without any regard as to which part of the body he was kicking.
Aaahhh!
Screams and grunts filled the mountain range.
Be it Korea or Africa, these thugs dont listen to you the first time around. Assemble!
The fact that violence is more effective than words is a never-changing truth. The five thugs kneeled in a single file line with lightning speed. Mu Ssang flicked the cutting knife he was holding with his finger. Klang- the impact broke off about 30mm of the blade from the tip.
You halfwit, you cant even tell the shinobi(blunt edge) from the Yokota(sharp edge) on this knife. You should be ashamed. It doesnt even have a Hamon(hardening pattern). Were you trying to draw blood with this cheap thing that wasnt struck even once after coming out of the mold? Get this out of here. This is only good for peeling fruits.
Mu Ssang indifferently handed the now blunt knife over to Minja.
Minja, use this to prep vegetables and fats when making the soup.
Oh my, our kitchen knife just happened to be in awful shape. This is great. Thank you, Oppa.
Minja took the knife with a wide smile.
Didnt I tell you that I would break you if you pulled out a weapon?
Mu Ssang turned around and faced Nupchi. His expression, warm like the spring winds while talking to Minja, transformed like a cold stormy winter night. Blood drained from Nupchis face. Hes been in the gang business for over 10 years now. There are rules even in this line of work. Those who lost even after using weapons would have to pay their debts by cutting off the ligaments in their wrists or ankles.
No reason to look so glum. Ashtray!
Nupchi quickly put his left hand out and supported it with his right. Mu Ssang put his shortened cigar out on his palm. The thick extensively dried cigars are different from your average rolls. They are not easily put out. This bizarre scene is what is known as a performance of complete submission in their world.
The stench of burning flesh filled the air, but Nupchi stayed expressionless. The onlookers, on the other hand, looked horrified. The girls covered their faces.
The one thing that Im good at is beating the shit out of people. Ill break just three of your bones. You wont lose consciousness or die from this.
Fuck, was that supposed to be reassuring!
Nupchi wanted to cry. He would rather have his ligaments cut off. If he broke his femur or spine he would have to beg on the streets.
I have nothing to say. Do what you want.
Nupchi closed his eyes. He picked a fight with a monster and was going to pay the price. He only prayed the monster would show Mercy and not destroy him.
Thats a good attitude. Lets make this quick then. Im just going to smack you with my hand so dont be too scared. Thank your luck that you didnt hurt these kids too badly.
Thank you for showing mercy!
Nupchi bowed. He thought there was no way anything could be broken from a smack. Nupchi still had no idea what his opponent was capable of. Mu Ssang was someone who was raised on beatings. He was beaten by his uncle when he was nine, Choidoshik as a teen, and by his Masters staff as an adult.
Money comes to those who know how to spend it, and women are respected by those who get around. From those numerous beatings, Mu Ssang became proficient in dishing them out. He became a beating master who can inflict the exact amount of pain he wants to.
Bam- Kuek! Pow- Aak!
Mu Ssangs palm ripped through the air. Nupchi stood there and took the hits like an old wall being demolished just without the chance of crumbling down. The sound of the impacts and the screams of a pig being butchered echoed off of the Gasan mountain fortress. The thug underlings buried their faces in their arms and covered their ears. Their boss being destroyed was just a spoiler of what was to come.
Nupchi wanted to die. His palm was surely made of steel. He could feel his flesh being torn apart and his bones breaking into pieces with every single hit. He came to resent his resilience to beatings. He wanted to pass out but his resilience prevented him. The beating was short and impressive. Nupchi was tossed aside like a rag doll.
Sungshik and the others faces grew pale from witnessing the harsh beating.
Sungshik, is that the same person that we know?
Hehehe, didnt you say hyungnim was a pushover? Youre fucked Chulsoon.
Sungshik looked at Chulsoon like someone on their deathbed.
Fuck, no I didnt! I said hyungnim was the kindest person in the world.
Chulsoon denied the allegations. Darth Vader was always smiling, unlike his nickname. He was called a pushover amongst their friends for always paying for food and drinks. They were at a loss for words from witnessing the true cruelty of Darth Vader who they thought was just a kind Hyung with lots of money.
Just three bones as promised. The 6th and 7th ribs are on your right and your left forearm. I left your right arm intact so you would have no problem eating and your upper ribs so they dont pierce your lungs. I was going to break your spine but held back because I felt sorry for you. Arent you glad?
Hyungnim, thank you!
Nupchi bowed. The monster did hold back a lot considering everything. Ribs and forearms werent too necessary(?) in performing day-to-day actions and healed relatively quickly. It was pretty weak retribution for drawing a weapon.
What! Hyungnim? You son of a bitch, do I look like someone whod consider you my brother? Get on the ground heads down before I knock your teeth out!
Mu Ssang roared. The thugs all planted their heads into the ground when the words heads down left his mouth. There were no two words more familiar than heads down to those who served in the military. This was natural for these thugs who took the extended class for heads down from being in a gang.
Myungsoo, get me something to beat them with.
Myungsoo went to search with lightning speed. The students broke their silence and started to talk amongst themselves. Myungsoo came back with the thick pole used to support their shared tent.
Ho, this is pretty good.
Whoosh- the aluminum pipe cut through the air. The thugs faces darkened.
-We almost died from a smack to the face. That is going to kill us.
-Fuck, lets run away.
-Youve got no chance, shithead. Didnt you see him moving around like a ghost?
The thugs made eye contact with each other while communicating nonverbally.
Ah, screw it. Myungsoo, take over for me.
Mu Ssang handed the pole over to Myungsoo. The thugs collectively let out a sigh of relief. Myungsoo and Sungshik hit them while taking turns, but the thugs all had smiles on them. It was better to get hit a hundred times by these kiddos rather than once by that monster.
Nupchi, your lackeys are just thugs but you look like someone with experience in cutting people open. Where are you from?
Samshik gang- No, I mean, Im with Samshik Services.
He answered immediately. His mouth seemed to have a mind of its own.
Whod you learn to use a knife from?
From Sashimi hyungnim.
Sashimi? You mean the one who was in the Yakuza before killing two cops and fleeing to our country?
Ah! Do you know Sashimi hyungnim?
Nupchi asked. Bam- the aluminum pipe struck the top of Nupchis head.
You stupid fuck, what would I have anything to do with a thug like that? Wait! You, you kidnapped a female student from the flower garden 5 years ago, didnt you?
Mu Ssang asked suddenly. He connected the face of the person who pierced his lungs to this thug named Sashimi.
Wha-!
Nupchi stood up all of a sudden then keeled over.. Feeling the immense pain of broken ribs penetrating his organs.
Chapter 549 - Episode 13 Age-old Connection
It, it cant be!
Nupchi, a former member of the personal guards to the Sashimi Gang, stammered in shock. His eyes widened and started to drool unconsciously. The slender frame, the seemingly warm face, kind-looking eyes, eyebrows dark like the night, and the most damning evidence of them all C the faint scar left on his left cheek. This person in front of him was the nightmare that destroyed his organization 5 years ago.
Another nickname for the nightmare was the Three Abstentions. You shall abstain from encountering him, you shall abstain from looking at him, you shall abstain from crossing him.
He had just violated all three decrees by encountering, looking, and crossing the Three Abstentions. Nupchi was overwhelmed with extreme fear. He broke out in cold sweats and his teeth started knocking together.
You, youre the nightmare-
Bam- The tent pole fell on the top of his head.
Aak!
Nupchi groaned, covering his head. He never expected hed ever see the Three Abstentions nightmare again. But the world was small and his luck had run out.
Shut your mouth!
Nupchis eardrums took a heavy blow from a terrifying growl like that of a tigers.
Uhp!
Nupchi sealed his mouth like a clam. The intense pain was a vivid reminder of what happened 5 years ago. The Sashimi Gang, who had claimed profitable areas like the Donsung Way, Daegu Station, and the Northgate Market as their own, may not have been one of the main gangs but was as influential as those main national gangs such as the Northside Gang, Yangeuns Gang and the Donjae Gang.
His boss, originally from the Yakuza, had a godly sword-fighting ability, and Nupchi himself was only barely able to be a part of the 22 personal guards even with his background as a national amateur wrestling champion and a 4th dan black belt in judo.
They all jeered at the little country bumpkin girl when she said, You called Oppa, huh? Youre all in big trouble. Even the legendary fighter, the Lynx, shouldnt have been able to handle dozens of swordsmen in that narrow alleyway.
The price they paid for kidnapping the oddly fearless little girl was disastrous. To think that the Oppa that little girl mentioned was the nightmare! The day that the nightmare visited the flower garden hideout was engraved in his memory. She was incapacitated in a single blow and was forced to witness the onslaught that followed.
Their efforts in taking a hostage and preparing weapons were in vain. How were they expected to deal with something that flew around like a ghost and blasted through concrete walls with bare hands! Their boss, the 22 personal guards, and 30 footsoldiers were laid out in 20 minutes flat.
On that day that came to be called the flower garden massacre in the criminal world, the entire elite members of the Sashimi Gang became disabled for life for kidnapping a single little girl.
Two of his colleagues from the personal guards were still crawling around the Seven Star Market begging for scraps. They had their spines shattered for hitting that little girl on the cheek. Nupchi felt his broken ribs with his hand. The same ribs that caved in with a single kick 5 years ago.
Damned bitch!
Mu Ssang raised his eyebrows in anger. The ones responsible for having the Sashimi Gang kidnap Jinsoon were Jangpilnyeo and Hwaja. He tried to take him down using Jinsoon as bait. Had he arrived just a little bit late Jinsoon would have suffered a terrible outcome. He would have ripped Jangpilnyeo and Hwaja apart a long time ago if it wasnt for the fact that they were family.
Bam- Mu Ssang flicked Nupchi on his forehead.
Aak!
Tears ran down his face as Nupchi put his hands on his forehead. Surely this was an impact from a hammer. There was no way that this was from a humans finger. A pain akin to having his head split open ensued.
You falling asleep, you son of a bitch? Youre the fatty that was guarding the storage entrance right?
Yes, yes, thats right.
Nupchi put his head down. Cold sweats broke out from his forehead. One wrong move and hed be the one forced to crawl around the marketplace.
You bitch. Looks like you still havent come to your senses after all that. Whats your name? Ill personally write it on your tombstone.
Nupchis vision became disoriented. His usually dark face turned ghastly pale. The nightmare in front of him was the same person who broke his bosss bones one by one without saying a single thing.
Hyungnim, spare me. I didnt do anything bad since that day and became a hard worker at Samshik Services. Just ask anyone. Theyll tell you about a certain earnest section chief named Particus. I swear.
Nupchi slammed his head on the ground and begged for mercy. He could still see his boss who lived like an octopus without bones before committing suicide. He wanted nothing more than to run away, but his chances were dismal against the nightmare.
Fufufu, his name is Farticus.
Hey, thats so childish to make fun of someones name like that. Fufufu, it is a bit funny though.
Look at that ass. Its like a rice cake! Probably why hes so Farticus.
Come on girl, dont be like that. I feel bad for him.
The girls laughed at him mockingly. Nupchi was well over 100kg. It was hard not to laugh at his bear-like stature with a name like Particus. Their fear of gangs was long gone from witnessing the majesty of the Darth Vader.
Those damned bitches, shouldve ripped them in half.
Nupchi clenched his jaws. He wanted to shred those big mouths apart and eat them for breakfast but it was more likely that he would be ripped apart long before then.
What happened to the Sashimi Gang?
They all retired except me. Those who couldnt go back home are herding pigs in Weolbae and Sashimi hyungnim drank cyanide with coke. I became a new man and am working under Samshik hyungnim only in finding missing people. I didnt do anything bad even once. I swear.
Nupchi whined.
Wait, Samshik?
The name sounded familiar. Mu Ssang snapped his fingers after dusting off an old memory. He remembered overhearing the people from the Jang family bash Samshik Capital.
Is Samshik Services and Samshik Capital the same company?
Yes. They were both founded by Samshik hyungnim. Sashiko Services mainly dispatched workers for construction and cleaning and such but lately, weve been focused on finding missing people. Sashiko Capital was founded just last year but I dont know what it is exactly that they do over there.
Sashiko Capital was a paper company that Park Inbo made to uproot the Jang family. Something neither Mu Ssang nor Nupchi was aware of. No one in the organization knew about this, in fact, because Samshik himself was personally taking care of the particular business.
Looking for missing people? Explain that to me and make it short.
He didnt care whether Samshik Capital was conducting business with the Jang family or not. What intrigued him was the fact that they were looking for somebody. Gangs and thugs knew more about their area than even the police. Something had just crossed his mind.
Yes. Well, weve put everything else aside and been looking for this one woman for about seven, eight years now. Hyanshim Fabric is offering a large reward and is funding the operation.
What! Hyangshim Fabric?
Mu Ssang raised his voice. A chill ran down his back like someone had poured ice water on his head.
Whats the name of this woman youre looking for?
Mu Ssang asked. His voice shaking.
Kim Malsoon.
Mu Ssang faltered. Kim Malsoon- Kim Malsoon- The name rang inside his ears. The name was fairly common in the country but there couldnt be two Kim Malsoons involved with Hyangshim Fabric. For his mothers name to come out of some thugs mouth!
Jangpilnyeo, is it you, you bitch?
His low mumbling carried an uncontainable bloodthirst. That wretched Jangpilnyeo was someone whod be capable of hunting down his mother indeed. She already tried assassinating her nephew and poisoning her husband did she not?
Nupchi began turning purple. He felt a stinging in his skin and had difficulty breathing. It was as if he was drowning in water. Nupchi clutched his neck and went into a fit of coughing.
Ah!
. Ohm Amoga Bahirochana Mahamudhra Mani Padma Tsubrara Prabharmtaya.
Mu Ssang used the Calm Mind to quell his emotions and hid his murderous spirit.
Age and appearance? No, do you have a picture?
No, but we have a sketch.
Nupchi pulled out a laminated piece of paper half the size of a clipboard. The paper flew out of Nupchis hands into Mu Ssangs. Startled, Nupchi tried his best to keep his mouth shut. This was the nightmare after all. Who knew what else he was capable of?
Hmm!
Mu Ssang fixed his gaze on the paper. The delicate face, dark eyebrows and teary eyes, sharp nose and vivid lips, the fragile neck and shoulders. It was his mother.
They drew in a few wrinkles here and there and some whites in her hair to accommodate for her age but it was a surprisingly well-depicted sketch of her upper body.
Mother!
A storm of melancholy clouded his conscience. His heart, steeled by the battlegrounds, melted like ice cream confronted by his mothers face. Mu Ssang controlled his emotions and placed the sketch inside the emergency pouch.
Who exactly from Hyangshim Fabric gave the order?
I, Im not sure. Some pudgy lady visited the CEO every now and then to check the progress. Really, I swear. I was always out with other lackeys as a footsoldier so I dont know.
Nupchi may be a simpleton, but he wasnt completely out of touch. He realized that the woman that his organization was looking for was someone important to the nightmare. He didnt want any loose ends coming back to bite him in the ass so he muscled through the immense pain and bowed down like an insect.
Mu Ssang looked up into the sky without a word. The folds of the clouds looked like that of his mothers skirts. The image of his mothers beaming face after he would come home late at night after a day of playing outside and yelling Mom, food! when he saw her waiting for him on the balcony floated to the surface of his memory.
You little bugger, you need to eat before playing outside. His punishment, a light tap to the head, was due to his mother worrying that something even slightly stronger would hurt her little child.
God, lets come to an agreement already. Are 16 years not enough for you?
The heavens remained silent.
A pudgy lady could have been neither Heeja nor Hwaja. It was most likely an employee. Jangpilnyeo specialized in ordering thugs around with money. That bitch involved gangs to look for his mother. Mu Ssang became restless and felt pressed for time.
Im in charge of searching for her. Ten of us from the organization and fifty others are searching the entire country. Ill report to you regularly from now on.
Nupchi quickly added after gauging the situation. His survival instinct was kicking in from the threat to his life.
Sixty people?
Mu Ssang frowned. The cost of employing sixty people was no joke. Janpilnyeo was already deep in the CB pitfall. There was no way she had the tens of thousands of dollars to spend in her situation. If it wasnt Jangpilnyeo, it mustve been his uncle. But why? Mu Ssang was confused. There was no other choice. He would have to look for this Samshik.
What are those?
Mu Ssang pointed to the thugs kneeling on the ground.
Those are my lackeys that I bring to work sometimes. We were short of people so I brought them in to ask around in the Chilgok and Dongmyung areas.
That so? Alright, then you should get back to it.
Mu Ssang hit each and every one of the thugs heads with the tent pole in his hand like a drum set.
You were probably delinquents in school and grew up and became thugs, am I right? All thats left for you in this world is acting as a human shield for real gangbangers then going to jail or becoming disabled for life.
Mu Ssang took out a cigar. The butt end snipped off with a tap from his fingernail. Nupchi moved like the wind and lit his cigar with a lighter.
Foo~ Do what you will with your miserable lives but dont show your faces in front of me ever again. Keep posing around in a group like that and Ill cut one of your limbs off next time. You understand?
Yes, sir!
Their answer resonated throughout the valley.
Nupchi!
Yes!
Go get treated at a hospital then wait for me at the bench in Central Park at 7. Im going to have to see this Samshik.
Mu Ssang was pressed with an intense feeling of urgency but didnt want to leave the welcoming party in this disastrous state.
Yes, sir! Anything you need!
Nupchi bowed down. He felt his heart sink when he mentioned his boss but he wasnt going to talk back to the nightmare.
It was absurd to think that hell have to be Mu Ssangs guide right after he had broken three of his bones but orders were orders. It was something that a criminal like himself would have to accept as fate.
Nupchi, show me your arm.
Mu Ssang needed him to be in a working condition if he was going to use him. He snapped Nupchis bones back in place. Fwoosh- The resonance waves activated his cells and washed away the toxins in his body.
Aaaah~
Nupchi let out a moan. Not bacause it was painful. A pleasure greater than the one he felt during sex with Choonja flowed through him. Bam- Mu Ssang hit the back of his head.
Youre grossing me out! Roll up your shirt.
Mu Ssang placed his hand on the broken ribs and alternated using the resonance waves and the absorbing waves. Crack, crack- The ribs snapped back in place. Nupchi had to clench his jaws from letting out moans of pleasure. He wasnt sure what was going on but the pain subsided and jolts of pleasure rushed through his upper body.
Its all back in place more or less. Lets see, what to use for support.
He looked around but couldnt find anything to use as support. Swoop- He grazed a pine tree as thick as his legs with the edge of his hand. The tree fell without a sound. The eyes of the onlookers widened.
Oops!
He used the resonance waves without even thinking. He used telekinesis on the cutting knife one of the thugs used. Fwoop- The knife flew into his hand from the nearby grass.
What do you think of my knife skills?
Mu Ssang said with the knife in hand. This didnt change how others were looking at him. Japanese cutting knives were used to cut fish, not fall trees. It was crazy talk to think one could just snip a tree with a knife. It was crazy all the same whether he did it with the edge of his hand or with a knife.
Well, since he was at it, Mu Ssang brandished the knife a few more times in the blink of an eye. 6 wooden boards about the right size to use as support fell on top of each other one by one..
Chapter 550 - Episode 14 Age-old Connection
Wow, its magic!
Someone exclaimed.
Really!
Amazing!
The atmosphere changed all of a sudden. People tend to decipher whats happening based on their own experiences. When faced with an event beyond those experiences the said event transforms from a fact into something similar to a fact. Nupchi, who knew his way around a blade, was at a loss for words but the other thugs and students thought of it as a magic show.
Hey, take your shirt off!
Off, sir!
The thug who responded had definitely been in the military. He repeated the order and presented his shirt. First aid is one of the most important subjects you learn in Castelnaudary. Spend enough time as a mercenary and you eventually become a doctor yourself.
Mu Ssang tore the shirt into strips and fixed the supports on Nupchis arm and chest. The whole process took less than 5 minutes. The onlookers couldnt help but look surprised at how fast he treated the wounds.
Mu Ssang took out his wallet and gave Nupchi whatever amount was in it.
Its for the medical bills.
Ah, no need, sir!
Nupchi shuddered. They say feed the pig youre about to slaughter. The way Mu Ssang was speaking to him was making him experience heaven and hell back and forth.
Hey, take it when your Hyung tells you to. I broke your bones off clean then put them back in place the same. You should be alright but go see a doctor anyway. You have to take care of your goods too.
It was unprecedented for Mu Ssang, who hates thugs, to treat and give money to Nupchi. This, of course, would never have happened if he wasnt carrying a sketch of Mu Ssangs mother. This was why they say the lucky ones could come out of landslides unscathed.
Thank you, hyungnim!
The more simple the person the weaker they are to kindness. Treat them like you should a human and watch them drop their guard. Tears welled up in Nupchis eyes. The nightmare was actually a dream of a good omen. He wanted to crush all those who called Mu Ssang the nightmare and the Three Abstensions. How could they say to not get close to, look at, or come across someone so humane and benevolent?
Does that make any sense to you?
Sungshik and the rest looked at each other incredulously. They didnt expect to see someone carry fire in one hand and water in the other quite so literally. The criminal world they witnessed today was a harsh reality where the victim stifled their cries as they had their bones broken and moved to tears when given money for treatment.
Nupchi, do you still want the bike?
Mu Ssang smiled.
Ah! Forgive me.
Nupchi tumbled down on his knees. The other thugs who were gauging the situation in the corner also kneeled down right after.
You cant get back the time you spend. Doesnt it feel like a waste throwing away your youth on violence and threatening others? If you continue to see only what you want to see, hear what you want to hear, and feel what you want to feel, then you are animals- not human. Right now, you are the sum total of all your past selves and your future is decided by how to talk and act today. Do you understand what Im saying?
.
Mu Ssang looked around at the thugs. The ten pairs of eyes didnt even budge. He didnt know whether they were listening or just pretending to.
Did you think you looked cool cracking your knuckles and spitting on the ground? You lived as a thug, so youre a thug right now. And since youre still a thug youll just be a thug in the future too. Have you ever encountered someone who was happy to see you? Smiled at you? You, whos a thug? You want to be happy, dont you?
Yes, sir!
At least youre answering me now. Happiness isnt a goal, its reality. Would it make you happy if you took candy from a child? Or would it be more fulfilling to see a smile on that childs face from the candy that youve given him? Happiness isnt something that can be achieved by yourself. True happiness lies in others smiling faces that youve contributed to. Smiles and violence- were responsible for spreading them.
The atmosphere changed. The thugs were focusing on Mu Ssangs words with sparkling eyes and the students fell silent.
Damn, its like Ive started a cult. Ddubaiburfa rubbed off on me!
Mu Ssang thought sheepishly.
Do you know what the difference between thugs and Gundals are? (Gundal: Korean gang, romanticized and glorified through media similar to how the mafia was through movies like The Godfather) Gundals know their place while thugs have no shame. If youre going to use violence, live as a gundal. If you have a hard time surviving out there, come find me at the largest house in Bulrodong. Ill make you gundals myself. Understand?
Yes, sir!
Now get out of my sight. Dismissed!
Thank you, sir!
Nupchi and the thugs ran down the mountain with lightning speed.
The classmates huddled around him after the thugs disappeared.
Hyungnim, are you a reverse-aged martial arts master? Doctor? Both?
Kid, anyone can do this.
Wha- Whos that anyone?
Someone, man!
The male students jaws dropped at the indifferent response. The female students looked at him with sparkling eyes.
Are you human?
Shit, man. What do you think I am then?
Batman or Superman maybe?
Mu Ssang smacked Sungshik on his head.
You little- Didnt you say Im Darth Vader before?
Hehehe, did you know?
How could I not when you say it all the time? But Im just a normal student.
Eh? If youre a normal student what would that make us? Single-celled organisms?
Sungshik cried out.
Oppa, you were really cool. Do what you will with your miserable lives. Whew! What a killer line. Im gonna use that one.
Minja jumped up and down.
What are you saying? What he said afterward was what really struck a chord with me.
What? You mean what he said about how your past makes who you are now and your future is determined by your present?
No. When he said Come find me at the largest house in Bulrodong. That really struck a chord with me.
Get outta here!
Jin-sook, youve finally gone insane.
Look, what a golddigger.
Criticism ensued.
Hyungnim, you should run for congress.
What are you talking about. Hyungnim should run for the presidency.
30 people spoke their minds all at once. Mu Ssang shook his head.
Ugh, so noisy. I have a favor to ask from all of you.
Mu Ssang looked around seriously.
Keep our mouths shut, right? We know.
Sungshik interrupted him and turned to his classmates.
You guys see anything today?
No, we just had fun at the welcoming party. We did have to pay off some thugs though.
Chulsoon took this chance to recover from what she said earlier.
Right, we didnt see anything.
We dont want to experience the dark force.
You know Mu Ssang hyungnim holds grudges right? Were all responsible now. Everyone keep your mouths shut.
Sungshik shook his fists threateningly.
Ah, come on! We already said we didnt see anything. Stop fucking with us.
The students broke out laughing and joking. Mu Ssang smiled. They werent too clueless. Well, it wasnt as if anyone wouldve believed them.
Anyway, lets get this party started. All this running arounds got me starving.
Sungshik and the rest looked at him dumbfounded. Mu Ssang just swung his arms around a couple of times during the whole ordeal. There was no running of any kind.
The foods all prepared but the kimchi soup is somewhat off. Give it a taste.
I dont know anything about cooking.
Mu Ssang lied. He didnt want any more work at the moment.
Eh, thats a lie! You even brought all the right sauces.
Jin-sook took hold of one of Mu Ssangs arms and dragged him over. Minji fed him the soup with a ladle. Mu Ssang frowned. The taste was neither here nor there. He only tasted the sourness of the kimchi. Even their youngest, Woosoon, would have done a better job.
You used tap water with no stock. I bet you didnt brown the meats or fry the kimchi either and just put it straight in boiling water.
Wow! Howd you know that?
Anyone could tell.
Eh, that anyone again!
Lets just make it edible flavor-wise since you all look hungry.
There was too much pressure from the starving hyenas to cook it again using stock. Mu Ssang fished out the meats and kimchi and fried them together on a pan using perilla oil. He added sugar during the process to counteract the sourness of the kimchi. Something that he learned from Jinsoon.
They re-boiled the soup using stir-fried ingredients. They also added onions and curry powder to make up for the lack of proper stock. When you use onions and curry powder together the curry flavor is neutralized while amplifying the flavor of the soup. Also, something that he learned from Jinsoon.
What do you think?
Wow, this is it! Didnt you say that you dont cook?
Minji shouted with joy. The sour flavorless soup was reborn. The deep flavor of the soup and the kimchi came alive. The girls rushed to grab a bowl themselves.
While at it, Mu Ssang decided to make his specialty- chicken chips. Chicken chips were his own recipe that was inspired by British fish and chips.
An Epimedium body requires significantly more meats than average due to its raw horsepower. Chicken breasts are a good source of energy but are dry and easy to get tired of. The recipe for chicken chips is astonishingly simple.
Slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces, season them with salt and pepper, then leave it out to dry. Fry them in oil without any breading before serving. These crunchy chicken chips are a great snack and go very well with beer.
Sungshik, isnt the Darth Vader hyungnim becoming too popular? The girls are all over him. Damn, what, did he save the world in his past life or something?
Chulsoon said filled with jealousy.
Bam- Sungshik smacked him on the head.
Geez, man. Thats why youre such a scrub. Those girls are barking up the wrong tree. Hyungnim is already taken.
What! Whos the lucky girl?
The boys faces lit up.
I dont know. Just know that hes taken.
Sungshik said bluntly. Mu Ssang pushed his urgent needs aside and spent his time with his younger classmates. There was a youth, plenty of food and drinks, and endless stories. A small break for the angel of death Black Mamba.
The events of this day made the identity of Darth Vader even more clouded in mystery. A baseless rumor about him being a top-level chef spread around. Some said that Darth Vader was orphaned as a baby and adopted by a couple in France. The absurd story concluded with the assumption that he came back to Korea to steal the secrets to Korean traditional cooking.
Weird. Did the nightmare hyungnim feed me drugs?
Nupchi asked himself. He didnt feel any pain even after having three of his bones broken. It was questionable now whether his bones were actually broken or not. He hadnt even drank water let alone consume drugs as of yet, but this was the nightmare they were talking about. It was possible that he gave him drugs without him even knowing.
Where did you get treated?
The physician asked while looking at his x-rays.
Why do you ask?
The bones have mended already. A clean break is treated by a professional. Almost no signs of damage. This was obviously treated by a skilled doctor at least two weeks ago. Why are you lying?
The doctor said, annoyed.
Does this guy have a death wish?
Nupchi was also annoyed. He desperately wanted to turn in after this. He thought about punching this doctor in the face who was spouting nonsense and refusing to treat him.
Ah!
A sudden chill ran down Nupchis back as he glared at the doctor. He was reminded of the absurdity of a certain someone cutting down full-grown frees with a kitchen knife. Just the thought of it made his stomach clench.
Mu Ssangs words about how they were responsible for spreading smiles and violence-hit him like a truck. Those words struck him harder than his threat to cut off one of his limbs. He had always lived with a frown.
Smile! Lets try to make him smile.
Nupchi smiled as if his life depended on it. His never-used facial muscles twisted into form. His slit-like eyes opened up vertically like a lizards and his nostrils flared. His upper lips rolled up showing his boar-like canines. It was a live depiction of a textbook fantasy orc.
Ah! What the hell?
The surprised doctor pushed away from the desk to distance himself from Nupchi.
Whats wrong?
Nupchi said, confused. He was acting out on his own.
I just wanted to ask the doctor who treated you about the treatment process. Why are you getting angry?
Angry? What are you talking about? The nightmare gave me first aid.
Eh? Nightmare? Like a bad dream? First aid?
Nupchis answer gave the doctor more questions. Nupchi closed his mouth. It was no use talking to the doctor. The purpose of a cutting knife was to cut fish. Cutting knives and other blades were also often used to cut human flesh, but certainly never to cut down trees.
Dont tell me if you dont want to. Theres nothing to treat. The bones have been mended and I dont see any inflammations. Stop joking around and go home.
The doctor said curtly. Nupchi wasnt sure but he looked like his prides been hurt.
Vroom-
The heavy noise from the exhaust made Nupchi break out in cold sweats. The nightmare is the Three Abstentions. He was bound to be pulverized by his boss when he finds out that he brought the Three Abstentions, the one he wasnt even supposed to look at, to the office.
Ah, fuck it! Whats he gonna do, kill me?
Nupchi decided to let it go. He could always heal back up even if his boss were to pulverize him but a single blow from the nightmare and he could quite literally be pulverized. There wouldnt be anything left of him to heal back up. It wasnt really a choice, to begin with.
Hyungnim, were here. Do you see the five-story building, the third one on the second street? Its right there.
Mu Ssang stopped his snakehead and looked up at the building. A small sign with Samshik Services written on it could be seen on the 3rd floor. He climbed up the stairs and went in through the fire escape.
There were only a few desks inside the large mostly vacant office.. Two goons who were eating takeout noodles on the couch leaped up and bowed at a 90-degree angle.
Chapter 551 - Episode 15 Age-old Connection
Samgeum! Welcome back!
Black noodle sauce on their lips, strange slogans, stiff gang greetings, smiley face badge dangling from their left chest, Mu Ssang saw a microcosm of the jumbled Korean society from these goons appearance.
Whats a Samgeum?
Korea did become an arena of all sorts of slogans ever since the New Community Movement, but hed never heard of this Samgeum before.
Samgeum! Is the boss here?
Yea, hes here.
A goon in his late teens responded nervously. Bam- Nupchi struck the back of his head.
You little, you answer with yes and finish your response with sir. Did we not teach you that?
You did, sir. I will correct it, sir.
The goon screamed, screeched out at the top of his lungs.
Stupid little son of a bitch, do it right next time. Alright!
I will sir.
Nupshi glared at the goon next to him who was frozen in fear while still holding his chopsticks. The goons face stiffened.
Cmon you little fucker, relax. Is that smiley face badge on you just for show? Smile, fucker, smile!
Samgeum! Smiling, sir!
Louder!
Nupchi smacked the goons head again.
Bam-
Samgeum! Smiling, sir!
Should I just ship these idiots over to Novatopias workhouses?
Mu Ssang began to contemplate quite seriously. Nupchis scrunched-up face, the goons who were about to cry, and the smiling face badges on all of their chests, it was a sad excuse for a comedy.
Nupchi, we dont have time to play around with these sad little things.
Yes, Im sorry. This way.
Surprised, Nupchi bowed his head. The two goons eyes widened to the size of a cows. For there to exist such a person who even Nupchi hyungnim couldnt go up against!
What the hell is Samgeum anyway? (Samgeum: Three Geums)
Its our gangs slogan. Its short for Jigeum(Now) Hyungeum(Cash) Ipgeum(Pay up).
Jigeum Hyungeum Ipgeum (Pay up in cash right now)? Hahahaha!
Fuck, I told them we should change the slogan!
Nupchi tried to ignore Mu Ssangs hearty laughter. Samgeum was a new slogan that the Boss who founded Samshik Capital made himself. He had a hard time-saving face when he had to say the slogan out loud. Mortifying.
Thats good. Samshiks bound to succeed. Lets go!
Succeed my ass, since when did gangs go out to collect interest when weve got two perfectly good fists? That dumbass boss of ours is making me look bad. Fuck, I should just take him out!
Nupchi, despite his internal monologuing, knocked on the door as carefully and lightly as he could. There was no answer.
Move!
Mu Ssang grabbed the door handle and rushed in. Nupchi followed, giving up on what was about to happen next. A man in his 40s looked up while on the phone.
What is this?
The angular face wore a look of annoyance. Mu Ssang scanned the office in a single glance: the large room, furniture, where the windows were placed and their size, and the mans appearance. A snipers eye was a piece of natural scanning equipment.
He was a quite bulky man in his 40s. He had an angular face, big sharp eyes, a glistening forehead, and thick eyebrows placed far apart from each other. It was the face of someone with an unwavering spirit and a knack for making money.
The walls were covered with precise military-grade maps in a 5,000:1 ratio. There wasnt a single trophy or art piece that youd expect at a gang boss office. Nupchi bowed at a 90-degree angle.
Boss, Im back, sir.
Without answering, his triangular eyes looked Mu Ssang up and down. He may have given up some of his criminal past but he was once known nationwide as the one who went toe to toe with that Sashimi. This gutsy bastard that just came out of nowhere didnt look easy to deal with.
Who is this?
He needed an explanation from Nupchi. These past few years working as a CEO of a legitimate company held him back from swearing at himjust barely. Nupchi tried his hardest to tell him using his eyes but failed.
You little shit, whats wrong with your eyes? Speak, damn it. Speak!
Samshik burst out. Nupchi quickly drew closer to his ear and whispered.
What!
Samshik bolted up from his chair as if it had electrified him.
The nightmare!
Why would the Three Abstentions nightmare be here in his office? The nightmare disappeared after wiping out the Sashimi gang. Bewildered, he took a better look at the visitor in front of him from his head down to his feet.
Samshiks eyes began twitching. Hed survived this dog-eat-dog world, not with physical strength but by being a good observer. From Mu Ssangs perfectly balanced form, rugged arms, and deep lake-like eyes Samshik gathered that he was a real master- hiding his power like a dragon hides behind clouds. It was only natural for Samshik to grovel.
Im Jin Samshik responsible for managing Samshik Services.
Im the one you call a nightmare. Pleasure.
His low baritone voice hit Samshiks eardrums one syllable at a time. Samshik felt a chill run down his spine. He looked into Mu Ssangs eyes without meaning to. His glare bore into his skull.
Ah!
Samshik drew in a breath of panic. His body, which went through many battles in the past, smelled danger. He noticed a cross-shaped scar on Mu Ssangs cheek. A mark of a bloody past. His experienced senses were alerting him of immense danger. One wrong move and he was out.
Apologies for having you made you come out all this way. Ill serve you as a hyungnim from here on out.
Samshik offered his allegiance on the spot. This is why your name value mattered. Mu Ssang became a hyungnim from a stranger in a matter of moments.
A survivor, I see!
Mu Ssang nodded. He had good eyes on him. The ones who survive are the strong ones. Age was nothing but a number in the criminal world. The strong made the rules. Youd be lucky to have someone who respects your age.
Nupchi, go get drinks for this hyungnim here.
Yes, sir!
Nupchi, who was standing there awkwardly, briskly walked out to carry out the order. Samshik peered over at Mu Ssang who, denying the sofa, was sitting on a metal chair. He looked defenseless at first but Samshik noticed that he placed his left foot at a 45-degree angle. This was someone who fighting was his second nature.
Sorry for barging in like this. I wanted to ask about this woman youre looking for.
Mu Ssang cut to the chase. There was no reason to be friendly with a gang leader.
Huh?
Samshik was caught off guard. He thought Mu Ssang was just here to make money from them. Samshik gritted his teeth.
That motherfucker!
He wanted to rip Nupchis tongue out. The customer is king. There was no use for an organization that would leak their clients information. The moment they are forced to retire is the moment theyd go hungry. This was why there was no end to espionage in these organizations. Samshik clenched his stomach to work up the courage.
Im deeply sorry. We were asked to keep the clients information secret, you see~
Samshik trailed off. The nightmare was scary indeed but so was losing everything. He decided to hold out for now.
I understand. But if youre looking for someone named Kim Malsoon, that becomes personal.
Fuck, this is terrifying.
Samshik gulped. Somehow, his silent eyes were more intimidating than the bloodthirsty ones.
Did you know already?
Your client must me Park Inbo, correct? I dont have a lot of patience.
Mu Ssang gently placed his index and middle finger on the coffee table in front of him. The fingers slowly burrowed into the hardwood like a drill.
Fu-!
Samshik accidentally spat out an air of disbelief. He could not believe what he was seeing. Last he checked the coffee table was made of 3-inch Lauan wood, not styrofoam. What the nightmare was showing him was the most threatening protest hed ever seen.
The only way for a softer object to penetrate a hard object is through speed. If hed pierced the table immediately he wouldve been surprised but not this freaked out.
The fingers continued to go through the table as he watched. Pop- Until they eventually went all the way through. Samshik shuddered at the noise. He had this strange feeling that he was next in line for this inefficient hole punching process.
Client confidentiality was important, sure, but his opponent was no ordinary human. He was the nightmare. He needed to be alive to even worry about going hungry or whatever. Samshik promptly opened his mouth to give him an answer.
Its been five years since we accepted CEO Parks request. More specifically, our entire organization is employed by him. We focused solely on finding Ms. Kim Malsoon for the past 5 years. We tried everything from police reports, private detectives, to placing goons all over the country.
Did you find anything?
Samshiks gaze darted between the hole in the table and Mu Ssangs fingers. He had goosebumps. Were he to tell him that they didnt find anything and he was sure hed get to feel what those holes would feel like on his body.
Ms. Kim Malsoon is wandering from place to place. We thought wed find her easily but we were always a step behind. She moved to new addresses at least three times just from what we know. We first got word that she was at the Moonlight Restaurant in Choongmu. When we found the place, she was already gone. The owner of the restaurant told us that she wasnt mentally stable but she was a kind and hardworking woman.
Whyd she leave?
Her husband made advances on her.
God damn it!
Crack- The metal chair screamed. The metal pipe armrests crumpled like paper. Beauty was something all women strived for but was a curse to his mother.
He was correct to assume she was mentally unstable. The world was full of animals that would take advantage of mentally unstable women. Minas biological mother was killed in that same manner.
Is this her son?
Samshik flinched. Kim Malsoon was 46, the nightmare in front of him was approximately in his mid-twenties. Samshiks heart fell. This put him in an absurd predicament.
Samshik didnt ask how Mu Ssang was related to Kim Malsoon. He wasnt so foolish as to try and confirm his suspicions. His job, now, was to report to the nightmare until he was satisfied.
Her husband, we roughed him up a bit. It didnt seem like the lady was assaulted.
Samshik carefully added. He started referring to Kim Malsoon as the lady. The world was so big and yet so small. For the nightmare to be Kim Malsoons son!
Continue!
A noise like a beasts in pain thatd been chained up deep underground and tortured escaped Mu Ssangs lips. Samshik trembled. He jumped up and grabbed an old notepad.
She left the Moonlight Restaurant in the summer of 79. So she had already left three years prior when we found the place.
Did you find out in what way she was mentally unstable?
His voice became hoarse. He didnt want to ask but he had to know to manage the situation.
She was fine in cooking, knew how to add and subtract, and didnt have any problems in her daily life. But she couldnt remember anything about herself. Her name, age, where she was from. And she suffered from chronic migraines. She used to say Ssang my baby where are you during her episodes but couldnt remember a thing when she came to. The owner seemed sorry to have lost a hardworking employee.
Ugh!
A suffering groan interrupted Samshik short. Mu Ssangs eyes began to sting and his nose clogged up. A memory of his mother carrying his lunch box on her head surrounded disappeared behind the pink flower petals blowing in the wind.
Mother, so thats what it was. You were wandering around that whole time with no memory.
A defense mechanism of the brain where it deletes certain memories to preserve itself: dissociative amnesia. Tears welled up in his eyes. He felt faint and as if something was sitting on his chest.
He remembered his father who was affectionate with his wife whether Mu Ssang was there or not, his mother who would brush him off playfully, the cherry blossoms blowing in the wind, his mother who would say she didnt mind the smell as she would embrace his sweaty father. His mother loved her husband more than her own life. Even her son came second.
Doctors say that the human brain suppresses traumatic events that it cant handle in the subconscious. How harrowing must those memories have been for her to erase them!
His mothers condition was worse than the one he experienced at the Bangtae Mountain. Those women from the village, Lee Gangchul, his uncle, and Jangpilnyeo crossed his mind. His repressed bloodthirst began leaking out.
Samshiks face turned blue. His skin was tingling and felt as if someone placed a boulder atop his chest. It became hard to breathe like he was surrounded by water.
Huff huff-
Samshik struggled and gasped out desperately for air. Mu Ssang snapped out of his fury and contained his bloodthirst.
Ahem! Continue.
Fooo-!
Samshik finally was able to draw a breath. His knees were trembling. He just experienced materialized bloodthirst like youd read about in those Wuxia novels. The prowess he supposedly showcased when he annihilated the Sashimi Gang was not all that he was capable of.
The clues led to the Jukdo Market in Pohang. She stayed at the fish market for two years. She had to leave because she was being harassed there too. The last we heard of her, she was at a Songdo sashimi restaurant in Busan Guanganri Beach. We barely lost her track last winter. We brought some of those people that were harassing her for a talk. Shes been wandering around because these bastards wouldnt leave her alone. We wouldve found her already if it werent for these fuckers.
So?
Mu Ssangs voice dropped a pitch lower. His mother was wandering around, avoiding these animals. The subconscious that was affecting her brain was the love she had for his father and memories that became too difficult for her to handle. The mere fact that his mother was still living in chaos and endless fear depressed. and darkened his mood, emotional state..
Chapter 552 - Episode 16 Age-old Connection
If you see here, shes never left the Gyungsang coastline. 80% of our employees are searching the Gyungnam and Gyungbook coasts at this very moment.
Samshik etched lines on a large laminated map with a red marker to elaborate. The red lines did not leave the Chungmoo-Masan-Busan-Gijang coasts. Samshik poked the Jipeundari then circled it.
This is Jipeundari, where she used to live. Were also searching Chilgok, Indong, Dongmyung, Gumi, Waegwan, Buksam, Yakmok- areas that are within its 20km radius, just in case. Nupchi is in charge of the inland search.
Mu Ssangs eyes bored into the circled area. His mother was most likely wandering the North Gyungsang seas because thats what she considered her true home, where she spent a year with his father at 18.
Mother, did you hate Jipeundari that much?
Jipeundari was his home, but it was nothing short of purgatory for his mother. If it werent for his fathers love for her, his delicate mother wouldnt have lasted.
His mother used to offhandedly tell him about the abuse she faced in her married life from Jangpilnyeo. Jangpilnyeo discreetly harassed her when no one was looking, and his mother scared that shed hurt the family, did not speak up.
It wasnt just Jangpilnyeo. Everyone from the Park family back in Jipeundari tormented her as if it was a given. Of course, the abuse was instigated by Jangpilnyeo and the Jang familys influence, but the other womens jealousy also played a part.
Like that of a willows and glowing beauty, her supple body was foreign in rural countrysides like Jipeundari. His mother, an orphan, craved affection, but the only one who reached out to her was the Hadong wife.
How alone she mustve felt! The amount of shock she mustve felt when his father passed away! How horrendous the harassment mustve been for her to lose her memory!
When he would wake and crack his eyes open at night due to the faltering shadow from the oil lamp, he could see his mother sitting underneath the light seven out of ten times. There she was folding socks or ironing his fathers work clothes or sewing her sons clothes that tore while he was playing. He heard her softly sing words of woe.
[.Young, I met my love at eighteen and became a woman. Other hardships pale in comparison with married life. No day wasnt a backbreaking uphill battle. I didnt open my mouth if it would hurt my love. When I overcome one hill, the next appears. Hill after hill, I lost my child. My love embraced this child-losing woman in his arms. But, my honey said, there is hope when we grieve. I am the finger to his glove, fish to his waters, and I take delight in having a place to rest my weary body. My loves affection is more profound than the ocean and higher than the clouds. My affections arent able to fill up a pitcher. Once, just once, I could give it to a single person.Ssang, my Ssang, my other half, my son. When I die, bury me at your fathers feet. This affection I couldnt give to him here in life, I will provide by washing his feet with my hair in death.]
His mothers woe was so delicately put. How much she mustve loved his father to wish to be buried at his feet! Her passionate words of love made him shudder. She was a woman who could brush off harassment if it meant she could protect it.
But beauty is short-lived! Her loving home was destroyed, and she wandered the land without a place to go back to. They say the heavens plans dont favor one individual but even so, how ill-tempered are the fates to his mother!
Mu Ssang felt something hot rise up from underneath his chest. Why did he endure the heartless abuse from Jangpilnyeo for five long years? Wasnt it because he firmly believed that his mother would return one day?
The longing turned to resentment and faith into loathing. These childish memories came rushing back.
Mother, Im sorry.
Memories define who you are. It wasnt that his mother didnt come back. It was that she couldnt.
Ah!
Samshik flinched. A single tear rolled down from the nightmares eye. A myriad of emotions appeared on his usually indifferent face. It was like watching the colors bleed into existence. Who would believe that the nightmare shed a tear?
Samshik felt stinging in his chest. The nightmare wasnt the Three Abstentions at this moment, just a young man looking for his missing mother. This intimidating being filled him with pity.
What about the police?
Mu Ssang hardened his voice back into place.
Astounding self-control!
Samshik marveled. What kind of battles did this twenty-something-year-old experience in his life to be able to control his emotions this quickly? Just another example as to why his age shouldnt judge him.
The police?
Samshik smirked.
Those lazy shits dont care. We gave the sketch to five different stations, and not one of them passed it on to another. So we had no choice but to do it ourselves.
I see!
Mu Ssang nodded. Muho hyung once told him that he sent a cooperation request to the Board of Education and the police when he disappeared in the Bangtae mountain, but he found the request shoved inside a cabinet, neglected. So, as Samshik said, theyd have to do it themselves. So he could vaguely understand his masters words when he said that relationships could not be pushed without reciprocal agreement.
Why is CEO Park looking for her?
Mu Ssang asked out of the blue.
He didnt give us a reason.
Samshik shook his head. That was probably true. Park Inbo was someone who bode his time and withstood all the humiliation for 40 years to completely trap the Jahre family and shake them to their core. As someone who embodied the phrase, revenge is a dish best served cold, he would never have revealed his intentions to some gang leader.
Ah! CEO Park used the phrase Hwaegeunbochoon quite often around me. Though I never knew what it meant.
Samshik remembered, desperately trying to give more information.
Hwaegeunbochoon?
Mu Ssang flinched. Hwaegeunbochoon is an excerpt from a poem that Yoo Jahre, teacher of Zhu Xi of the Song dynasty, wrote titled Jajuheechuksa. Directly translated, it means protecting the roots to bloom in the upcoming Spring. It could be used when biding ones time under challenging times to strike at the opportune moment. It is almost synonymous with the phrase Washinsangdam(Perseverance) and was befitting for Mu Ssangs grudge-holding uncle.
However, the context of the same poem reads [I will stay on my path even if others criticize my purpose. I am afraid of nothing except for letting myself down.]
Thus the speaker indicates that he did not act in such a way to deserve criticism. He is only ashamed of his conscience. And if one were to shed a different light on the subject, the words Hoigeun contains a sentiment of regret, and in Bochun that of reparation.
What did he regret? And what was he planning to do for reparation? No one understood his uncle quite like Mu Ssang. There was no chance that there was some newly-found love for his family- not in a thousand years. So then, what was the reason for spending all of these resources in this search for his mother? They say knowledge is poison without the complete picture. His mind was in disarray.
Thank you for your efforts.
Mu Ssang reached out for a handshake. Samshik, and in unconscious impulse, grabbed the nightmares hand with both of his and bowed deeply.
This is paid work, after all. Were closing in on her movements. There will be good news soon.
Thank you. Have the inland searchers also relocate to the coastlines. She will not be anywhere near Jipeundari unless she regains her memories.
I will. CEO Park placed a twenty-thousand dollar reward in addition to the fees were already receiving. This is vital to us as well.
That so? I will put my name on the line. Consider me in your debt, and I will come to your aid just once when you ask for it.
Sir!
Samshik retorted without thinking.
I dont give empty words.
Thank you. I will try my best.
Samshik bowed so deep his nose almost touched the floor. The nightmares word had more value than anything else. They may have come up to the surface, but the foundations of their money lending and service practices were still very much a part of the criminal underbelly. There was a constant struggle of interests involving scheming and gang fights. The words fighting fair didnt exist where they were. Weapons and backtabbing were standard procedures.
Every organization knew about the nightmare, and no organization dared to cross his name. Then, if and when money fails to save his life, hell be able to invoke the terror. It was an unexpected lifeline.
Holy shit! Did I save the world in my past life or something? I better give Nupchi overtime for this.
The bastard that brought in the nightmare had transformed into the employee of the month. Whoever gets involved with the Black Mamba is either ruined or hits the jackpot. If anything, Nupchi was the one who saved the world in his past life.
Was Samshik Capital created to target the Jang family?
How did you know?
Samshik asked, startled. He grew more curious about the nightmares identity. Samshik Capital was a paper company CEO Park created to dismantle Jangpilnyeo and her family. The services and the money lending were their fronts to hide that fact.
How far are you in?
Mu Ssang answered the question with a question of his own.
Were far behind on schedule from doing everything by the books. The lands we have for collateral are 2,700 wet farmlands and 300 dry, 5,000 wet farmlands, including 100 Jungbos of forests (1 Jungbo is 3,000 pounds or ~10,000m2), 1,200 dry farmlands, and 300 Jungbos of forests. So 90% of the Jang familys land is our collateral. Theyre currently priced at 8.5 million dollars altogether.
Samshik said triumphantly. The amount of land that the Jang family possessed in Indong, Gumi, Andong, Sukjuk, Yakmok, and Sunsan was extensive. So if they could take 70% of the lands that were a part of the collateral, the money theyd make on fees alone would be 80,000 dollars.
8.5 million, huh? All this talk about the Jang family looking down on the Choi family in Kyungjoo, and thats it? They were that arrogant when their wealth doesnt even add up to being 10 million!
Mu Ssang lamented. 8.5 million couldnt put a dent in anything. How many farmers were subjected to the Jang familys abuse? How many lands were taken from their rightful owners because of their lending schemes? He found the insignificant fight the Jang family and his uncle were waging against each other to be utterly deplorable.
What the-
Samshiks mouth gaped open. If 8.5 million isnt significant, then what is? He was at a loss for words from Mu Ssangs confidence.
The capital needed to purchase those lands are coming out of CEO Parks pocket?
You caught on to everything. I get one percent of the transaction. Over half of the collateral lands are in our possession already. CEO Park is our top client.
Ha, the Jang family be coughing up blood if they found out.
We are working entirely within the legal boundaries.
Samshik had nothing to hide in this regard. Even those Jang family blokes gave up on their attempts.
Thats not my business, owner Jin!
Yes, what do you need?
How much money is being spent on searching, miss Kim Malsoon?
Including the labor, transportation, and food, it costs about 2,500 to 3,000 dollars per person per year. So its costing us 15,000 every month now that weve increased our numbers to 60 this year.
15,000 a month, huh?
Having been a gangbanger his whole life, Samshik could not recognize the French check Mu Ssang pulled out. So he just sat there and stared like a bull on ice.
200,000 dollars. Itll be about 170 million won in our currency.
Uhp!
The check slid out of Samshiks hands. Stunned, he dove after the statement as if hed dropped a priceless artifact and picked it up. Samshik looked at Mu Ssang full of questions.
You need money to get work done. One hundred million wons for you to do exactly that. Please increase the search partys headcount to 180 and complete it within three months. If you bring her back safe and sound in the next three months, the remaining 70 million won is yours.
Wha-!
Samshik exclaimed. He lost count of how many times he became bewildered like this after meeting Mu Ssang.
Is this a scam?
His eyes bore into the check. He shook his head. If the nightmare asks for money, you give it to him even if you go into debt. Theres no reason for the demon to trick him.
Hyungnim, youre incredible.
He couldnt help but bow down at the presence of the god of wealth. Samshik was so obsessed with money he made something like samgeum the slogan for his organization. CEO Park may have deep pockets, but he was nothing compared to the nightmare.
Owner Jin, youre much older than I am. Isnt it a bit odd to call me hyungnim?
You know that age doesnt matter in this line of business. So please, call me as youd like. Hehehe!
Samshik was confident in what he said. If the nightmare, with all his strength and wealth, wasnt the hyungnim, then no one was.
In time, I will, then. Now, can you do this for me?
I will do my best. But, no, I will make it happen.
Samshik clenched his jaws. The money was secondary. If he could get the nightmare to back him up, this countrys alleyways were as good as his. Hed have to find Kim Malsoon in the next three months, even if it takes all his goons and money to do so.
Ill trust you. You dont have to go to the CEO of Hyangshim Fabric anymore. Ask me for the necessary resources and report to me on the progress.
Mu Ssang gave him his phone number and his address.
I will find a mother for you, hyungnim.
Samshik blatantly called her mother.. Now that Mu Ssang was his hyungnim, it was only natural that hed call Kim Malsoon mother.
Chapter 553 - Episode 17 Age-old Connection
The corners of Mu Ssangs lips curved upwards from Samshiks audacity. Mother isnt just a regular title. Its the master key towards empathy and others hearts. Those who call their friends mothers mother become a part of their family right then and there.
He visualized Samshik, a man with a face like a Jabberwockys and built like a thumb, trying to charm his mother, a delicate flower-in-the-wind, by calling her mother, mother. Mu Ssang would let him use that title if he found his mother.
Mu Ssang was not irked by Samshiks audacity. He may be money hungry, but he seemed trustworthy. Mu Ssangs master told him that relationships find their way back, yet he couldnt just sit idly by. Besides, hed waited long enough.
Godspeed.
Mu Ssang patted his new younger brother, old enough to be his uncle, on the back and left Samshik Services.
Hyungnim, dont worry about a thing, and rest easy.
Samshik saw him out to the front of the building and bowed at a 90-degree angle. He wouldve considered it fortunate just to avoid catastrophe but now was celebrating the fact that hed gained the approval and support from the same disasters. Mu Ssang didnt look back. Instead, he waved behind his
back and a moment later disappeared with a roar from a giant motorcycle.
Whew, hes gone!
Samshik checked his watch with a long sigh. What felt like ten hours had just been one.
Buck, that was depressing. I should visit moms with some beef or something tomorrow.
Samshik blew his nose and went back inside.
Nupchi!
Samgeum! Did you call, sir?
Tense with agitation, Nupchi strode into the office. He brought the nightmare with him without reporting first. Hed have nothing to say if the boss wanted to bash him half to death. His mended ribs suddenly started to ache.
Ah, come over here, you precious little thing.
Samshik greeted him with a beaming smile.
Fuck, Im not falling for that. Not falling for it!
Nupchi tensed up even more. He remembered the nightmare that broke his bones one by one with a smile. Samshik also ripped the teeth out of his victims while laughing. He tightened his stomach and waited for the incoming blow.
Nupchi, youre promoted to the department chief from here on out. Miss Kim Malsoons case is yours.
Wha-?
Nupchis eyes grew as large as baubles. What was this warm wind in the season of fists!
Why! Not satisfied?
Its just so out of the blue. What about Ssogari hyungnim?
Nupchi muttered. It might be good news for him, but the Kim Malsoon case was chief Ssogaris.
The organization is growing. We need more chiefs. Lets talk about the specifics at the management meeting tomorrow.
Samshik threw him an envelope he took out from the drawer.
Take your goons and go out for drinks.
Samgeum! Thank you, sir.
Nupchi caught the envelope. His face lit up like the Autumn sky after feeling its thickness. He finally realized that the nightmare was the one that brought about the warm winds. He received a swift promotion and an immediate bonus. He hit the jackpot. It was a lucky dream and not a nightmare indeed.
Bah, get rid of samgeum starting today!
sir?
Fufufu, Jigeum(Now) Hyungeum(Cash) Ipgeum(Pay up). No need for that anymore. Samshik doesnt bother with pocket change. Our slogan is lucky dream from here on out. Understand?
Yes, I understand, sir.
Nupchi was confused but decided it was best to answer first.
Have you seen Daebu? The movie The Godfather I mean.
Of course. Cause, a man who doesnt spend time with his family can never be a real man. Man! What a line from Marlon Brando.
Eufufu, youre right. Those who dont spend time with his family aint no man. The nightmare is now our family. No, hes become our Godfather.
Whoaaa! Really?
Nupchi jumped up in surprise. So this was going to cause tidal movements in the criminal world. A tsunami.
Fufufu, I brought him in as a hyungnim.
Wow! Hyungnim, thats terrific. Well take over Daegu first.
No, dumbass. Weve got tons of work to do. First, gather all the fuckers that are playin around and have them all look for miss Kim Malsoon. Then, increase the number of people to at least 200.
200 people, sir?
Nupchis eyes widened. Itd be nice to have more people, and the problem was the cost.
Dam it, just go out, get drinks with your goons, and get ready to shit your pants running around trying to find her starting tomorrow.
Samshik chased Nupchi away and grabbed hold of his treasured bottle of Hennessy from the cabinet. It felt most appropriate today. The almighty nightmare promised to vouch for him. There was nothing to fear. This was the beginning of the golden age of Samshik.
You reap what you sow. The fate of these organizations that had been confronted with the nightmare had been divided by what relationships theyd built. The Sashimi Gang was forced to leave the stage, and Abes crew was condemned to forced labor in Novatopia. The Samshik Gang had seized the chance
ofa lifetime. Lucky dreams and nightmares were up to the dreamers to interpret.
The rumbling of the 1,200CC double-acting engine shook the night road passages. Finally, the snakehead stopped at the field of reeds in Gugari, where the Nakdong river and the Gumho river met. The dark river, dimly lit shores, and the endless field of reeds blowing in the wind were all somehow
repressed by a deafening silence.
Kuaaaaa!
Aheart-wrenching cry echoed through the deserted field. All the pent-up rage, sorrow, pain, regret all of the negative emotions mixed into the roar. The angel of death Black Mamba, the superhuman who awakened his Epidium genes, was still some womans son when it came down to it.
His mind, numb from the battlefields and tempered with training, couldnt contain the crushing affection he had for his blood. Tears streamed down his eyes like a broken faucet.
Awoman who was wrongfully widowed in her early thirties, a woman who lost her mind from being sexually assaulted by her kin, wandered from coast to coast for 16 years with no memory of her loving son. That woman was his mother.
What could she have owed the world at that age to be lost in such a state without knowing who she was? The father was poisoned with pesticides, the mother was wandering the earth with amnesia, and their son became a slaughterer. How could one typical familys fate fall so low?
His hanok and peach groves were awaiting him, yet his mother, who he could still picture smiling with the flowers blowing in the wind, was nowhere to be seen.
O Heavens, heavens in slumber that forgot its duty to this world! You very heavens, if youve decided not to wake, I, Mu Ssang, will personally fulfill your duty.
The intense radiations of his booming voice swept through the fields and caused flocks of night birds to all fly away collectively.
Oppa!
Jinsoon greeted Mu Ssang, who walked through the front gates while wearing sunglasses at night.
You havent gone to bed yet.
Aslightly raspy voice escaped Mu Ssangs lips. Jinsoon looked at him for a moment then pulled him into her embrace. Through mutual understanding, his simmering pain stabbed Jinsoons heart like a knife.
Oppa, does it hurt too much?
Im alright. What about Mina?
Misery loves company. At least he had hope that hed find his mother one day, but the little one would never get that chance.
Daddy!
Mina jumped out from the main floor before he could finish his thought. She had a shoddy teddy bear in her arms. The same bear that hed bought the day he left her at Muhos.
Oh boy, our Minas not asleep yet.
Mu Ssang promptly picked her up and rubbed his face against her.
ah! That stings. I go to sleep fast if Im hugging the teddy bear you bought me. But daddy cried.
Perceptive little thing.
Mu Ssang tutted internally.
Wha-? This daddy cry? No way.
Thats true. If my daddy cries, so would even a giant boulder. Hehehe!
Mina, say good night to daddy. But, you better get to bed.
Jinsoon pat Minas head.
Okay. Good night, daddy!
Mina kissed Mu Ssang good night and ran up to her room at Jinsoons words.
Shes all grown up.
Because she knows shes loved.
Mina, who became emotionally stable, stopped throwing a tantrum to sleep with Mu Ssang. She started calling him daddy instead of papa and helped around the house. Mina had wholly become his daughter.
Uhuh, that so.
Mu Ssang headed towards the main room leaving behind a choked-up voice. Jinsoon was left with heartache. The one and only Mu Ssangs strong back looked fragile like the Autumn leaves falling in the wind. She stopped herself from running over to give him a big hug. A man needed some personal
space.
Slam- The studys door closed shut. Droplets of dew formed in Jinsoons eyes. Only two things in this world would bring her oppa down: her lost aunt and Hyeyoung. It was infuriating, but she had no control over either one. It felt as if a large rock was weighing down her emotions.
The next day, there was a furor. Truckloads of materials and heavy machinery arrived, and sounds of workers yelling at each other filled the space. Then, they began working the spot where Mu Ssangs master marked with his staff to dig a pond and make an island in the middle.
Mu Ssang kept the pond in mind when building this house and redirected the stream to flow towards the building. The reason he postponed the construction was that the water levels were inconsistent.
If one fails to manage the correct amount of water to be procured or flooded, the pond becomes a spawning pool for algae and insects. Then, come, Summer, it would be a nest of mosquitos and mayflies.
His master took care of their worries. Then, as they drilled into the marked spot, a torrent of groundwater erupted. They no longer need to trouble themselves about keeping the water clean.
Can you finish this in a week?
Ho, theres no way. It would take at least three full weeks.
The construction manager shook his head after taking a look at the blueprints.
Its only 200 pyung. (Pyung: 3.3m2)
Its a whole 200 pyung, you mean. The pond we can dig up with an excavator, sure. But were going to have to line the walls with rocks, balance the amount of water that comes in and out, lay down patches of grass, and replant the trees. Itd be three weeks bare minimum if we were to line the island with
rocks and put up a gazebo. This is going to cost you a fortune, though.
Dont worry about the money and get the job done right. If there are no problems, Ill pay you extra if there are its not going to be pretty for your chief.
The manager, who was looking down on the young homeowner, flinched.
alright. Ive been doing this for forty years, and Ive never seen a bigger house. Its going to be a beautiful piece, so get off my case.
Fine. Plant lotus flowers in the pond and peach trees on the outside.
Ho, you trying to reach Shangri-la?
Perhaps.fufufu!
Mu Ssang faintly smiled. He hurried the construction in hopes that his mother would return as soon as possible. He wanted to see her cooking rice in lotus leaves on the pavilion with the peach flower leaves blowing in the wind.
On the third day, the foreman gave a confident worker an earful for faltering while carrying rocks together with another worker. It was the same work thats been having trouble since day one. It was a huge safety risk if you werent careful while carrying heavy loads with another person. This particular
worker was exceedingly amateurish.
Mu Ssang looked at him quizzically. He was someone he remembered but couldnt quite pin a name to the face. The worker was puffing out clouds of smoke after the foreman left. It seemed this was eating away at him from the inside.
Tse!
He peered at his right hand that was holding the cigarette. It was missing two-thirds of its forefinger and one-third of its thumb. He couldnt keep the weight because it slipped out of his soft fingers. That right hand holding the cigarette, hed seen that hand somewhere before. It was on the tip of his
tongue.
Ah, owner Kim!
Mu Ssang recalled perfectly. It was Sanghans fathers friend- the owner of Kisung Fabric, He was the person who went out of his way to try and hire him when Mu Ssang was released from the Daegu jail. He gave him some cash back then and was also kind enough to excuse that it was an advance
payment for his new employee.
Mu Ssang may have only met him once, but he remembered him as a stocky person overflowing with warmth and kindness. However, he had difficulty recognizing him with all the weight gone and his frail body.
That evening, Mu Ssang visited owner Kim who was cleaning up.
Owner Kim Gitaek.
ant
Kim Gitaek jumped up as something had burned him. His heart sank. The hounds had finally caught up to him. His mind turned white, and he plopped down. Mu Ssang was just as surprised by the adverse reaction.
Why are you so surprised?
With those words, Kim Gitaek finally looked up at Mu Ssang, very much confused. It was an excellent-looking, noble-like, well-built young man. A stud, as his daughters would say. Someone he had no memory of.
Uh, who are you, sir?
Dont you remember? Im Sanghans friend from Gwanhori.
Gwanhori?
He remembered the slender young man next to Sanghan.
You have a good memory. But, unfortunately, something came up back then, and I couldnt visit your company.
Something, supposedly. He was busy wiping out all those who had been involved in the event. Owner Kims eyes scoured Mu Ssang up and down.
You dont look like youre here for work. Its Its hard for me to look at you like this.
Kim Gitaek voiced out with trembling temerity. The anguish of losing his company and being chased by loan sharks came rushing back.
Mina emerged from her room.
Daddy, its time for dinner.
? Aight, tell your sister that theres going to be a guest.
Okay, Ill tell her.
Mina returned with a bounce to her step.
Fufufu, how cute!
Mu Ssang smiled proudly at Mina. She talked to him informally when alone but switched to formal speech when someone else was with them. So mu Ssang turned into a babbling imp for his daughter.
Haha, have some dinner with me.
You, you!
Owner Kim jolted up.
Yes, Im the homeowner.
What in the world, how could
Kim Gitaek stared at Mu Ssang, bewildered..
Chapter 554 - Episode 18 Age-old Connection
Kim Gitaeks eyes darted frantically between the house and Mu Ssang. The
annexes lined up on the left-wing were nothing in comparison. Perhaps it was
due to the sunset over the ridge of the tiled roof of Ungshimjae(main house).
The otherwise ordinary-looking young man with jeans and a navy blue suit
was glowing in his eyes as if he had a halo around him.
In the past, the same young man he remembered had been just released from
jail with a shaved head, an old camouflage military uniform, and a dried out
ghastly white face. It was such a violent sea change. He couldnt believe that
the young man in front of him was the same beat-down person he had met at
his friends house eight years ago.
Well, its just as amazing that Im in such a state also. Fufufu!
Kim Gitaek snickered to himself. He was doing pretty well for himself as the
CEO of a small company before becoming a day laborer. To consider practical
reality. Letting go of all self-restraint, Kim Gitaek followed Mu Ssang.
Huh, what is this? Is this a table or a playground?
Kim Gitaeks jaw dropped open. Ungshimjaes menu was abundant. Jinsoon
created all kinds of meat dishes for Mu Ssang, who needed to consume massive
amounts of protein. And to balance the meals, she also had to increase the
number of words that signified fish and vegetables. Kim Gitaek was first
surprised by the size of the table, then the dishes that filled it.
Mister, school playgrounds are much bigger than our table.
Mina corrected him.
R, right. Playgrounds are bigger than tables.
Kim Gitaek gave Mina with her chubby cheeks a weak smile. It was a peculiar,
bizarre family. The five girls that he could tell immediately were sisters called
Mu Ssang oppa but didnt look like the young man at all. The bright little girl
who called him her daddy also seemed a bit too old to be his daughter.
YOung man, are you married
Said Kim Gitaek, looking at Mina and Mu Ssang.
Haha, Im not married, but Mina is my daughter
Th, that so?
Kim Gitaek had a hard time understanding him. Finally, he decided she was
probably an orphan that he adopted.
Here, lets all thank Jinsoon unni for preparing supper and tuck in for dining.
Big unni, thank you for the mean-.
The meal began after the young man lifted his spoon. Kim Gitaek sat there
astonished. The family was expressing themselves without reservation while
firmly following invisible principles. The women chirped away like birds, and
the young man answered each of them with a proud smile. The family was
unbalanced yet was more affectionate than others.
Its not much, but help yourself.
Th, thank you. Is it okay for an uninvited guest like myself to intrude on your
family meal?
Kim Gitaek stuttered after grasping the implications of Jinsoons claims.
They say humans are humans because we like to bond over dining and meals.
Mina babbled.
Huh!
Kim Gitaek exclaimed in awe. It wasnt something he expected to hear of a little
girl. But, he could tell the character of the man of the house in those words.
Hehe, its something daddy says.
Mina stuck her tongue out and faintly smiled. Kim Gitaek, without thinking,
tried to stroke Minas cheek before restraining himself. His hand, missing two
of its fingers, was too hideous to touch the cheeks of an angel. Mina grasped
Kim Gitaeks hand.
Mister, you are heavily wounded, arent you?
Tears filled her big eyes full to the brim.
Ah!
Kim Gitaek shuddered as if he had just been electrocuted. The warmth from the
tiny hands filled his heart. His walls of rage, hatred, self-loathing, and regret
all dissolved in an instant/
The five girls were all looking over at the same small precious white hands
holding his. Then, finally, once as loud as a street market, the table fell silent.
Mina, mister got hurt while working hard for his family. Because a father is a
provider that looks after his family. A father is a protective shield that doesnt
cry even when its damaged and hurt.
Jinsoons voice dropped. Her father, who had been killed in a car accident while
delivering drinks, Mr. Jinbo, who was poisoned by the pesticide he used, the
mister that had his fingers cut off by machinery- they were angels called
fathers.
Heukheuk
The fourth, Malsoon, and the youngest, Woosoon, held back their cries. Kim
Gitaeks face struggled to appear both to cry and smile. It was such a bizarre,
peculiar family, no, a family that brimmed over with love and affection.
Hey, God has a child as well. He better not ignore me. Cheers to the mister and
our Mina!
Mu Ssang cleared the air out of nowhere.
Cheers
Women are quicker to sympathize than men are. What appeared to be an
unrecoverable mood was instantly lifted as they began eating and drinking.
Famished, Kim Gitaek began mindlessly filling his stomach.
Mister, drink some water. You have to chew your food very patiently to get all
the nutrients.
Mina handed him a glass of water.
Okay. Youre so smart, angel.
Hehe, its also something daddy says.
Mina smiled timidly. Kim Gitaeks face fell with sadness. He thought of his wife
and two daughters that were probably barely eating ramen for dinner.
OWner Kim, pick up your spoon and let your mind be at ease. Oppa doesnt
bring just anyone to the table. When you put your spoon down, therell come a
chance to lift your spirits.
Jinsoon helped Kim Gitaek, who was lost in his thoughts, clear his mind.
O, okay.
Kim Gitaek felt the weight lift off his shoulders. The young lady called big unni
had an odd air that calmed people down. She was different from his oldest
daughter, who didnt know how the world worked and just spent her days
whining with fussy entitlement.
After the meal, Kim Gitaek came down to the main room and lost words at the
magnificent study. The study was at least 30 pyung(1 pyung:3.3m2), filled with
scents of pine and ink lingering everywhere. Every nook and cranny was
sublime. Even the roonm used for the reception was over 20 pyung.
Is this your house? What happened exactly?
Kim Gitaek asked again, knowing it wouldnt make any difference. Sure, the
world had become so crazy that some president was dissolving giant
companies with a military background, but this was just beyond belief. How
could circumstances change so drastically in just seven, eight years! He
couldnt even begin to inmagine what had happened.
Theres no such thing as mine in this world. Were here for a moment and
gone in the next.
Huh, you sound like someone thats beyond it all. It makes me doubt myself,
knowing what I did when I was your age.
Not to sound condescending or patronizing, but it all depends on your heart.
Those who complain that their fifty pyung house is too small wont be satisfied
even with a hundred playing house.
Thats true. Is that clock also a heart?
Kim Gitaek referred to a cheap cuckoo clock in the middle of the wall. It was
the only item that was out of place in the study. It didnt belong here, no matter
how you looked at it.
Its a gift from Sanghan. The most important item in this room.
Mu Ssang smiled.
Ah!
Kim Gitaek exclaimed. He remembered what Monk Myoyungeo, the head monk
at Grace Temple, had said once. [Does the Buddha eat food? Eat cake? Shop at
malls? Dont bring money or supplies. Just bring along your heart-felt
empathy. Dont put an ounce of compassion in your thousand-dollar checks
and instead put a thousand dollars worth of kindness in a single pair of shoes.
Bring along your heavy hearts, wounded hearts, and broken hearts. And toss
them aside right here. This monk will spend his days ironing, sewing, and
connecting those hearts, you tossed aside. Then maybe Buddha might glance at
The young man sitting directly across from him resembled Monk Myoyungeo
for a moment. After thhat, Kim Gitaek felt at peace. He let go of his troubles fora
bit of while and basked in the night breeze coming from the forest and the
sweet scent of coffee.
He looks like hes knee-deep in trouble.
Mu Ssang waited until owner Kim opened his mouth. There wasnt a lot left to
the imagination. His once large frame had shrunk down to show his
cheekbones protruding from his face, and his eyes trembled with angst.
It wouldnt be any common issue if a company CEO with more than a hundred
employees turned into a construction day laborer. His thumb appeared to have
been cut off by machinery a long time ago, but the wound on his forefinger
remained fresh and painful.
Seems you had your fair share of troubles, young man.
More for you, it seems, owner Kim.
Ha, lost everything, as you could tell. Owner? What owner! Just call me,
mister.
Kim Gitaek smirked.
Long story, sir?
Dont get me started. Theres no end to the stories. Damn. I ran a tight ship
with my company, you know f only Hyangshim Fabric hadnt come in like
that..
Kim Gitaek cut the sentence short and sipped his tea. There was an internal
war waging in his mind with the memories of his past rushing back in. Mu
Ssang flinched.
Hyangshim Fabric? The one with their headquarters in Donsungro?
I see you know them as well. Well, I guessed you would. It is the biggest
company in Daegu. I had to expand my factory and hire more workers whenI
was backed up with exports five years ago. Those new workers I hired were the
problem. Those twenty new hires formed a union and started fueling the other
workers. Give us a raise. We cant do the three rotation shifts. We need a new
climate control moderation system. Make us playrooms for our kids. They
eventually started asking for steak lunches saying they were tired of eating
rice.
That sounds rather fishy.
Right. No one would say no to higher wages. The former employees joined in,
and it became a disaster. But we had backed up orders, so what can I do? I gave
them their 20% increase, the climate control, and the playroom. But its
impossible to work in fabrics with two rotation shifts. Tired workers often
result in faulty products and workplace accidents. The union didnt like that and started a strike. They blocked the entrance with barrels and beat up my
other employees with pipes and lumber. I had to pay the buyer eight thousand
dollars in penalty fees for being late. It was driving me insane.
Tut-tut. You should ve reported them for an illegal strike.
Mu Ssang made clicking sounds with his tongue.
of course I did. But those police scoundrels were all in on it too. They just kept
saying that the company and the union should work it out. The company
became a mess in just six months. I was out of options when the Managing
director Jang from Hyangshim Fabric offered to buy the factory. But how could
1?I built that company myself and raised it like a child. I told him no. And the
very next day, the union head threatened me that theyd sell my equipment if I
didnt pay their wages. The bank stopped giving me loans, so what can I do? I
got the money from sharks to compensate them.
Kim Gitaek let out a long sigh. What came after was history. The textile-fabric
industry exploded in the mid-70s with a wave of fashion.
Fabric and dye companies were on every block in Daegu Nowondong,
Bisandong, and Sungseo. There was a surplus of needs, and the industry was
on a bull run. And in between those cracks, the loan sharks were rampant.
Stories of entrepreneurs who borrowed from the sharks and lost their factories
and homes didnt even make it into Sunday Seouls Gossip page. (Sunday Seoul:
one of the major magazines in the 70s-80s)
You fell directly into their trap.
I never even thought that they would intentionally sabotage my company like
that. How naive I was! I thought everything would return to normal if they
stopped their strike. I had all those orders, after all. But, of course, it wouldnt
have been like this If I had just sold the company back then
Kim Gitaeks face was filled with remorse.
How much did you borrow to be completely ruined in this manner?
Hahaha, just three thousand dollars. It was just three thousand dollars, but
the interest was one hundred and fifty, then three hundred, and it jumped to
four hundred on the fourth month.
Kim Gitaeks face burned bright red. Shadows loomed over them from the front
gates.
Oppa, big unni says youll require drinks, not just tea.
Gyesoon placed drinks and food on the coffee table.
Aight, tell unni that I said thank you.
Jinsoon rushed over to the rescue. That clever girl noticed the gloomy
atmosphere and prepared drinks for them.
Mister, Ill get your room ready. Its the first room to your left when you want
to turn in for the night.
Miss, I need to get going.
Kim Gitaek looked up at Gyesoon uncomfortably.
Sleep here. Unni says you should.
Gyesoon smiled at him and left. Kim Gitaek scoffed in snide mockery. She
sounded like she said that the big unni was always right and needed to follow
her orders. What a peculiar, bizarre family this was.
The girls are beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate.
Its a blessing.
Mu Ssang smiled. His master was onto sonmething when he had instructed him
to live with the five sisters. Jinsoon and her younger sisters and Mina brought
him vitality and were the reason he woke up every morning. If it werent for
them, his soul would still be somewhere in the vast deserts all alone.
This is a bizarre bottle. So is the food.
Kim Gitaek downed the Sciaccarello and gave a probing, curious stare.
Not something youre used to, right? The drink is a wine from the
Mediterranean, and the food is a fruit from Africa. I work in other countries,
you see.
That so. Thanks to you, I get to have a fancy dinner and an expensive alcoholic
beverage imported from overseas.
Enjoy it. Whats the name of the union head that gave you trouble?
His name was Lee Soobok. Ive never seen anyone nastier than him. He riled
up my other employees, saying I was embezzling the companys cash reserves,
threatening my family, reporting every little thing to the government, its
tough even thinking about it.
Owner Kim clenched his teeth.
Mu Ssang picked up his phone. Of course, no typical employee would instigate
something like that and go ona strike with those ridiculous requests. However,
something had just clicked in his mind.
Is this Bulrodong
-Ugh! Hyungnim! What can I help you with at this hour?
The surprised voice of Samshik boomed out loudly over the line.
Do you know someone called Lee Soobok?
-Hes a swindler that works for Chamchi in Nowondong.
Bring him here!
-Yes, sir.
The call was brief. Owner Kims eyes grew wide with wonder.
Chapter 555 - Episode 19 Age-old Connection
At the words Get him!, Kim Gi-taek flinched. At the stark energy akin to a blade striking the top of ones head, his heart dropped. The conversation lasted a few sentences but the content was outrageous.
His hunch told him that the young man in front of him could be the hidden ruler of the world of darkness. The name Lee Su-bok caught his attention. He could never forget that person even if he die.
Get Lee Su-bok? Who will do that? How?
Kim Gi-taek walked on his knees and approached the young man.
Have a drink. The night is young and my bottle is deep.
Mu Ssang evaded Kim Gi-taeks eagerness. He raised his glass and hurled a mouthful of liquor at his uvula which flinched. He handed the glass to Kim Gi-taek. Kim Gi-taek, holding the glass, was feeling confused.
The menacing energy had disappeared without a trace. A soft ambiance like a spring breeze, similar to that between enlightened masters, replaced it. Kim Gi-taek felt as though he had hallucinated.
Who are you?
Sir, dont ask me who I am, Ask me what I do. Not everyone in a monks robe is a monk. Not everyone holding a blade is a killer.
ant
Kim Gi-taek exclaimed softly. The young man invited an impoverished no one to a meal and lent his precious time. Why did he do that? What did he have that the young man would fear?
For the past few years, he had to be wary of people and was chased by fear. This rendered him doubtful, petty, and fearful. He wanted to enter a mouse hole to evade shame and wretchedness. Kim Gi-taek emptied his glass and poured himself another, which he promptly emptied as well.
Sir, take your time. This liquor is quite strong although it takes quite a while to come up.
Yeah, I was being rude. Dont call me sir, please.
Kim Gi-taek insisted with a bit of indignation. The word sir triggered his PTSD every time.
All right. Judging from your behavior, the loan sharks must have been harassing you a lot.
Kim Gi-taeks eyes reddened. He was so grateful for the young man for overlooking his flaw. He thought of the saying, Age is just a number. How could this man be so insightful about the world and generous at such a young age?
They are not people. I only borrowed 3,000,000 won. The sum total of the interest I paid them surpassed that amount in a year. I borrowed money from everywhere I could then I couldnt contact them for a few months. When I could, I already invested the amount in my factory. I had no means to pay the
interest that grew to become more than the original amount borrowed. When I couldnt pay for the interest, they began threatening me in any way whatsoever. Verbal threats. They beheaded cats and dogs and threw their heads into our house. They threw balloons filled with animal blood to my wife and
daughter.
Kim Gi-taek, overcome by emotion, started to take a deep breath. Their brutality still made his heart beat. Mu Ssang filled his glass without a word.
My eldest daughter developed PTSD symptoms after being showered in animal blood. We couldnt stand their brutality. I had to give them my factory as a loan payment. I still had to sell my house to settle various accounts. This world is really a wretched place!
Kim Gi-taek quenched his resentment and chewed an apricot as if it is the loan shark himself.
That is like my uncle.
Mu Ssang wanted to sigh. His uncle and aunt were now hell-bent on killing each other. His uncle was using his syndicate to undermine his wifes familys foundation. His aunt was seeking a chance to poison her husband. Neither of them would feel any qualms bullying someone else and would employ any
means whatsoever to do so.
Mu Ssang now understood how his uncles business could grow so much in such a short time. His uncle was good at numbers and quick with thoughts. Mr. Kim was only one of the many poor victims caught in the spiderweb his uncle weaved.
On the other hand, his uncle and his syndicate worked hand in hand to destroy Mr. Kims fabric factory, ultimately, it was the governments fault for letting a backward financial system persist. Had the government provided Mr. Kim with some bond, he didnt need to resort to finding a loan shark. The
police colluding with the syndicate was also guilty. The world smelled of corruption.
Mu Ssang looked at Kim Gi-taek with eyes full of pity. He was a morally upright and responsible man who sold his house to settle his debts. Mr. Kim was an archetypal example of an upright small business getting ruined by a poor financial system, an evil loan shark, and corrupt civil workers. There must
be many more Mr. Kims in this country.
What do you mean that they used some scheme?
Mu Ssang asked what he had already guessed. A businessperson couldnt be kind all the time. They needed to see the big picture and sometimes be heartless like his uncle. To hire someone, Mu Ssang needed to gauge his character.
Lee Su-bok is the one who incited my workers and Jang bribed the police but the real culprit is Bak In Bo. His nickname in this industry is Barracuda. He gobbled up many factories using his tremendous capital power and any means whatsoever. Bak In Bo used his syndicate members, working with the
loan sharks, to take my factory. I was stupidly toyed by them.
He has some insight.
Kim Gi-taeks value rose in Mu Ssangs mind.
So, is everything settled now?
No. That would have been great. I thought it was done but due to compound interest, the interest surpassed the original borrowed amount.
Did you double-check the contract?
did. There are my signature and stamp on it. It cant be helped. I should have been smarter.
Kim Gi-taek slammed the floor with his hand, overcome with rage.
Oh, no! Mu Ssang clucked his tongue. It could mean one of two things. Mr. Kim could have not read the contract properly as he said or the bastards forged a new contract.
You said you sold your house. How are you doing now?
Ineed to feed my family so I am working as a day laborer. My wife and two daughters are hiding in an inn to avoid them.
In this heat? Your family must be suffering quite a lot.
Its all my fault. If the bastards catch them, they may sell their organs. They should hide.
Mr. Kims face darkened. A dark aura emanated from him in thick waves.
Organs?
Mu Ssang wondered. He knew what the word meant. He didnt understand what sell meant. Even in the evil voodoo, they may dismember or castrate a living person but never extract their intestines.
The liver or the kidneys. Such things. They are not humans but demons. If you dont pay the debt, they take your organs. They have a doctor who specializes in extracting such organs. They have a vendor too. Everyone around here knows of this. If you die during the extraction surgery, your body gets
hurled into an ocean in a weighted coffin.
Is that so? They forfeited their humanity long ago.
Mu Ssangs eyes took on a chilly sheen. Mr. Kim wasnt on his record of favors and grudges but he was still someone who exercised grace in his eyes. He extended a helping hand without prejudice to a criminal from prison. Return favors tenfold. Return grudges a hundredfold.
Sir, I must ask you for a favor.
A favor?
Kim Gi-taek set down his glass and raised his reddened face. Once alcohol entered his starved stomach, he became quite drunk quickly.
Haha. What favor can I render you, who has everything?
Even a mayfly that only lives for a day has wings. Even a flea smaller than a sesame seed can jump.
Mu Ssang grinned. Kim Gi-tack bowed without a word. Mu Ssang spoke in a roundabout way but he was still telling him off for his low self-esteem.
Thave a teacher alone in a temple. He wanders the world these days but when he is at the temple, someone needs to tend to him. I would like to hire your wife for the maintenance of the temple as well as tending to the teacher. I assure you, no loan sharks would be able to approach the temple. If you
grant this favor, I will protect your two daughters.
Are you for sure?
Kim Gi-taek was astonished. He knew what Mu Ssang meant in the guise of asking for a favor. He meant that he will protect and feed his family for nothing in return. Mu Ssangs tone became stern.
Idont make empty promises. I have more than 50 empty rooms at my place. You can surely use some of them. But its not for free. Your wife must be prepared to wrestle with a TV antenna in the middle of the mountain. Your daughters will be tasked with cleaning the house.
Thank you. I am grateful. I accept your favor, even though it is making me lose face.
Kim Gi-taek held Mu Ssangs hand tightly. His wife and two daughters were shivering in fear in a narrow, stinky inn room where they couldnt even take showers properly.
He could accept the situation as a payment for his foolishness but he couldnt accept his familys ordeal. If they could get out of that wretched inn, he had nothing else to wish for. Mu Ssangs proposition was like a spell of rain in drought and the sound of the gospel in hell. Kim Gi-taeks watery eyes
glinted.
That shall be it for your family for now. You shall resolve the loan shark issue with me. You cannot live like that, with a leech attached to the back of your head.
How will you ever be able to handle those vicious thugs? They are like evil spirits.
Have you ever given up on an order just because you had a stack of orders to handle?
Never. We pulled all-nighters. We relayed some work to other factories. We bought more machines. We fulfilled every order no matter what.
Kim Gi-taeks face took on pride and longing.
Thats it. It depends on your mindset whether there is a means or not. Where is their office?
Kim Gi-taeks face was awestruck. It was so. The means was something found, not given. He only thought of avoiding them up until now. He still feared them, though.
What are you going to do? They wield wrenches when they get upset. They have a prosecutor bribed to the brim. Even the police cannot touch them.
Kim Gi-taek freaked out. If Mu Ssang provoked them in his youthful vigor, it could prove quite disastrous. He did not want to see a young man get hurt because of him. He didnt think he would be able to bear the burden of guilt.
Lam not some random person. I am not the police. You can just give me your word.
Idont know the location of the office. It is registered under Pungguk Capital.
Kim Gi-taek was resigned to fate now.
The phone rang.
~ Mu Ssang, Nupchi must be at the front gate now.
It was Sam Shik.
You did great.
Mu Ssang responded tersely and put down the receiver.
Eh. I shouldnt have sent Old Man Ali.
Mu Ssang complained as he rose. To open the front gate, he must go down to the biggest outhouse. He had sent Old Man Ali back to Novatopia because he pitied him working for so many years, separate from his family. His absence was palpably felt, which Mu Ssang didnt expect when he was around.
When the front gate opened, a Pony entered, shining its headlights.
Tgot him!
Nupchi, from the passenger seat, reported.
You did a good job. Get him out.
aye! Dolbbak, get him out!
The drivers seat door opened abruptly. A bald giant came out of it, bowed 90-degrees toward Mu Ssang, and unloaded the cargo in the back seats.
The giants shield-like hands pulled out a scrawny man from the car. He was in his mid-40s, blindfolded, and had his hands bound together behind his back. His cheeks were swollen red, suggesting a few slaps were received.
Spare my life!
The man bowed like a grasshopper.
silence! Before I take out some teeth.
Dolbbak slapped the man without any restraint whatsoever. The mans impatience hinted that he was a low-rank nobody. The man clenched his lips shut and shivered like a tree branch in the winter wind. The smell of ammonia filled the air.
Filthy bastard! He is leaking.
Nupchi frowned deeply. The mans crotch darkened with urine.
Look at you, Lee Su-bok!
Kim Gi-taek growled like a wounded animal.
Sir, please wait in the study.
No. I must see him suffer.
Kim Gi-taek glared his eyes and shook his head. Feeling his insistence, Mu Ssang turned his back without a word.
Drag him after me!
Mu Ssang went around the main house and headed for the back garden. To interrogate a low-level nobody, the basement was the place of choice but there were many devices that must be kept hidden from the outside world, and also, Kamdoong was living there. This kind of nobody was not worth
opening the basement door. Nupchi and Dolbbak each held Lee Su-boks shoulder and dragged him after Mu Ssang.
The back garden with the lamps off was dark without any glimmer of light. The two flashlights Nupchi and Dolbbak held were the only source of light.
Take off his blindfold and unbind his hands too.
aye!
Lee Su-bok squinted at the intense flashlight. Dolbbak was the lowest rank in the Sam Shik syndicate. A mafia member and a con artist both lived off darkness but they held vastly different amounts of dignity.
The mafia considered con artists and pickpockets as vermin. Dolbbak still had to prove his worth in his syndicate but he still looked down on a con artist like Lee Su-bok.
Judging from Dolbbaks attitude, Lee Su-bok guessed that someone important was present. Why did the Sam Shik syndicate kidnap a no-name nobody like him? He was but a minor con artist. He felt himself tense up. The important figure of the kidnapping syndicate revealed his face. That means they
had a surefire way to silence him for good.
This very day could be the day he entered the afterlife. To escape a tigers den, he must give it a satisfying feed. The problem was that he didnt know what that was. Lee Su-boks brain scanned his memory at the speed of light..
Chapter 556 - Episode 20 Age-old Connection
Chapter 556: Chapter 50 Episode 20 Age-old Connection
Are you Lee Su-bok from the Chamchi syndicate?
A low voice rumbled. Lee Su-bok strained his eyes. In the ink-like darkness, a figure of a man was barely visible. He missed his timing to respond.
A pointed toe of a shoe buried itself in his side. The kick was without any restraint, devoid of any mercy.
argh!
Lee Su-boks upper body crouched like a shrimp. The gut-shredding shock made him come to his senses.
You bastard. When he asks, you respond right away. Do you get it?
Nupchi growled like a beast that starved for many days.
Yes. am Lee Su-bok.
How old are you?
Forty-two.
You are lying. Are you left-handed or right-handed?
Lee Su-bok felt ominous. He needed his left hand intact to feed himself.
Tm right-handed.
You lied again! I shall discipline you.
Lee Su-boks right pinkie was abruptly thrust toward the back of his hand.
argh!
Lee Su-bok, startled, pushed back his pinkie to no avail. He tried all of his might but his pinkie approached the back of his hand bit by bit. He had to fight against his own pinkie! Lee Su-bok was suddenly reminded of a scene from the movie The Omen. In the scene, a young childs head was thrust toward
their back.
Am I possessed?
Lee Su-boks face paled. If an infectious disease specialist saw it, they would have diagnosed him with the terminal seizures of acute tetanus.
What scheme is he plotting? Why is he freaking out on his own?
Dolbbak wondered. The circular light of the flashlight shone upon a man who shivered, holding his own finger. A sound like a dry twig breaking was heard. The finger, surpassing the terminal angle, was broken.
argh!
Lee Su-boks soulful scream was blocked. The mysterious power that broke his finger blocked his mouth too. Lee Su-bok, who was about to jump up, collapsed again as if hit in the head by an invisible hammer.
Its a ghost!
His finger betrayed his will and was broken on its own. A tremendous power broke his finger and blocked his mouth. Lee Su-bok was overcome with tremendous fear.
Nupchi, there, there is a ghost here!
The flashlight was shaken. Dolbbaks hand was trembling.
You wanna die? Stop shaking!
Nupchi growled right into Dolbbaks ear. A dry voice devoid of any emotions flowed out of the darkness.
Lee Su-bok. Thats the payment for your lies. You are left-handed.
Tam. I am left-handed.
Stop trying to fool me. How old are you?
Thirty-five.
Fearful, Lee Su-bok confessed his real age.
Whoa! He lied about his own age! He is indeed a con man.
Nupchi clucked his tongue.
His face looks so old! I believed he was 42. How did Mu Ssang know?
Be quiet. He knows everything.
Dolbbak closed his mouth shut.
I took only one finger this time. Next time, I will take your teeth. When did you start conning people?
L entered an apprenticeship under Chamchi at 22.
That is quite a career. Why did you touch Mr. Kims fabric business?
Te was Mr. Kim!
Lee Su-bok felt dizzy. He could lose a finger. That affair needed to be taken to his grave. If he opened his mouth, he didnt need to worry about his finger. It was his neck that was at peril.
L simply got a job to make ends meet. I orchestrated a strike to improve the working conditions!
The ring finger of his left hand was fractured without a warning. His left hand, shone by the flashlight, was looking grotesque. A white bone tore through the palm and the tendons and muscles were visible in the torn skin. That wasnt all. A healthy tooth shot out of his mouth.
Aaargh!
The pain of a healthy tooth being extracted was quite tremendous too. Lee Su-bok covered his mouth with his bleeding hand. The gesture covered his face with blood. The miserable sight made Kim Gi-taeks face pale. He had led an ordinary life. He had never witnessed a gruesome sight like this.
You ignored my warning. The night is young. You still have many fingers and teeth. You also have toes. You also have ribs. You also have a penis.
Its a nightmare!
Nupchi and Dolbbak shuddered at Mu Ssangs emotionless voice. He was saying he could extract all the exposed appendages and if that doesnt prove sufficient, he was going to unroot the mans penis. They themselves had severed fingers with an ax and extracted teeth with tweezers but it was nothing
compared to the nightmare before their eyes.
Please make it right!
Lee Su-bok, with his mouth blocked, couldnt scream and could only shiver. The second time, the pain was tenfold. The fear was tenfold. His head was emptied.
He no longer feared the threat and danger of a loan shark syndicate. He was faced with a demon, not a human. A demon in ones backyard was ten times more fearsome than Japanese invaders across the sea. He now only wanted to own up and evade the pain and fear.
Shall I grant you one more chance at owning up?
Yes, thank you!
Those words were the gospel itself. Lee Su-bok nodded countless times.
Why did you target Mr. Kims fabric business?
Our clients coveted the corduroy fabric produced by Mr. Kims factory. It is much more convenient to take an existing factory than to build one from scratch and import machines.
List everyone who was involved in the scheme.
Jang Gi Su paid 5,000,000 won as a deposit. He planned the scheme. Chamchi supplied the manpower. The manpower consisted of low-level nobodies from the Pungguk syndicate. The one in charge of them was Kang Cheol-min from the Pungguk syndicate. Jang Gi Su bribed up the police and the
Ministry of Labor so the operation went smoothly.
Lee Su-bok was feeling overwhelmed. As a con man, he was quick with thoughts. He was faced with someone who saw through his lies. If he lied once again, his neck was going to be snapped in half.
You are a bastard!
Kim Gi-taek clenched his fists and shivered.
What was your remuneration?
The deposit of 5,000,000 won was used up as expenses. Chamchi received 10,000,000 won. I got 7,000,000 won.
What about the ones from Pungguk?
They also got considerable amounts.
Nupchi, did you hear that?
Yes. We shall retrieve the illegal compensation from Chamchi. But.
Nupchi didnt finish his sentence. The Sam Shik syndicate colluded with his uncles syndicate. Nupchi couldnt decide it on his own.
I will take care of that.
Lam sorry. We are not strong enough to touch the Pungguk syndicate.
I shall take care of that too. You just keep battering the con artists.
Isee.
Mu Ssang tossed Lee Su-bok a sheet of letter paper and a ballpoint pen.
From now on, you will describe the scheme in detail, elucidating what, why, where, when, who, and how. If you lie or skip details, you know what will happen. It is up to you if you will stay on earth or pass onto the afterlife. You have two hours.
Mu Ssang stood without any regret. His status didnt make it seemly for him to keep conversing with a low-grade con artist. It was also a waste of time.
Nupchi, when he finished writing, let me know. If I deem the content unsatisfactory
Mu Ssang threw a gaze upon Nupchis side.
I will make sure it is satisfactory!
Lam counting on you.
Mu Ssang exited the back garden. Kim Gi-taek followed him.
Dolbbak, staunch his bleeding first. Because of him, my own rib is going to be extracted!
Nupchi growled in distress behind Mu Ssangs back.
Hey, he is the vilest of the con men. Will he dig his own grave?
Dont worry. Syndicates have their own ways. Lee Su-bok will now be able to remember the number of grains he ate ten years ago. If he doesnt, he will crawl on the ground for the rest of his life or enter his grave early, Mu Ssang answered indifferently.
He had two faces that were different from each other. He was kindest to the good-hearted people but he didnt consider evil people as proper humans. For them, he was the Angel of Death.
Phew. I still dont understand what is happening.
Kim Gi-taek sighed deeply many times. He was an ordinary businessman. He had a lot of grudges but when he witnessed Lee Su-bok being tortured, it affected him. He sensed an oncoming massacre that made his heart tremble.
A good person like you may be better off not knowing. You will need to endure further disgust at the level of wretchedness some humans can attain.
Mu Ssang muttered inaudibly.
Mu Ssang, back in his study, opened his wallet and took out all the banknotes.
Lwas graced by your favor eight years ago. I couldnt keep my promise up until now. It is late but I am paying you back.
What? Dont. I said I am lending you money but that was an excuse. I was just giving you some pocket money. It wasnt a great amount either. My conscience doesnt allow me to receive it.
Kim Gi-taek tried to wave it away.
For a thirsty person, a bowl of water is worth more than gold. When you wander in a desert for a few months, you consider anything else than water and food worthless garbage. You quenched the thirst of a thirsty one. You must pay for the inn fees and clothe your family properly.
Yeah. I accept your favor.
Kim Gi-taek, holding the money, flushed. Mu Ssang was feeling content. He could always trust someone who keeps his conscience in times of need. Kim Gi-taek lived up to Sang-hans fathers words who vouched for him.
Mu Ssang, he has finished writing.
Quite some time after midnight, Nupchi brought him a 20-page report. Mu Ssang read it and nodded. Lee Su-bok was indeed a clever con man. The report was well written, covering from the preparation to the ongoing circumstances, with clarity and conciseness.
This bastard?
Mu Ssang was slightly startled. On the list of the bribed civil servants, police officers, and prosecutors, there was a familiar name. The chief prosecutor, Kim Dal Su. He was the prosecutor who demanded five years for Mu Ssang according to the investigation report forged by Jang Chi Soo and Mu Ssangs
forced confession.
A baby should know his place. When you rot in prison for a few years, you will know how to live in this world. On the day Mu Ssang was sentenced, he had said such words with a smirk in the prison van. He was also a member of the Jang family.
Haha. It is said that nemeses are bound to meet. This time, I shall teach you, Kim Dal Su, how to live in this world.
Mu Ssang laughed mischievously. He began this endeavor to help Mr. Kim. But now it was his own business.
Sir, what shall we do with the con man?
Since he was asking, they hadnt killed him yet. If they did, they would have handled it on their own.
Do as youd like. Do the same with the involved ones.
Nupchi felt grim at such a vague order. Such ambiguous order was the most difficult, from a subordinates perspective. It didnt sound as if he trusted them with the task. It sounded like a threat that they shall be held responsible for the outcome.
Should we sell them a slave to fishing ships? Should we cripple them and sell them to a salt farm?
Nupchis hesitation deepened. Mu Ssangs indifferent, vague order unwittingly threatened the lives of one con man and 20 thugs.
Lets go, sir.
Mu Ssang got on the Citron. A long night was bound to be eventful.
Thank you. Let us go.
Kim Gi-taek was wanting to leave the gruesome scene. He hurriedly got in the passenger seat. The Citron, leaving Eungsim-je in the middle of the night, passed a park and headed for the industrial complex.
Kim Gi-taek was feeling anxious. He was worried that they might find the inn. The Citron took a turn left at the intersection in front of an elementary school in the direction of a womens high school. It pulled over in front of a dilapidated three-story building. The building was simply marked with a
palm-sized sign that said inn without any further distinction.
Lwill bring them out.
Do as you please.
Mu Ssang, who was about to get off, sat back in. There was a situation ongoing that needed him to get off the car, but he deemed it resolvable outside the building. Kim Gi-taek pushed open the sliding door and ran into the building.
There are thugs everywhere.
The location of the hassle was the rightmost comer room on the third floor whose window was open. The threatening voice of a man, the noise of a resisting woman was heard clearly. Without looking, Mu Ssang knew it was a thug who targeted a woman living alone in a cheap inn.
He is not worth a 100-won coin.
Mu Ssang fumbled in his pocket to find a 10-won coin. The worthy 100-won coin retuned inside the pocket. The copper coin, receiving Resonance Wave, glowed incandescently. The coin left Mu Ssangs hand and swooped into the window.
The common showers are at the end of a third-floor hallway. The man suppressed the woman and was about to defile her. The circular object that had just flown through the window attached itself to the mans cheek.
aargh!
The man covered his face and screamed. White steam rose from the center of his cheek. The copper coin, controlled by Psychokinesis, buried itself into the mans cheek. The man, suddenly attacked, struggled to get it off. The womans eyes widened at the incomprehensible sight.
C Are you just going to stay there?
The woman, surprised by a voice from nowhere, covered herself and ran out of the showers.
A thug is not worth 10 won, to be honest.
Mu Ssang hummed and bit on his cigar. The thug was going to live the rest of his life with the number 10 engraved on his cheek. To erase it, he will need to remove the deeper part of his skin.
Since this day, Novatopia imported a great number of 10-won coins from Korea. The laboring criminals had the number 10 engraved on their left cheek, and the Buddhist tower on their right cheek, which was the image on the other side of the coin. Novatopia was not a corrupt country like Korea..
Chapter 557 - Episode 21 Age-old Connection
The labor sentence in Novatopia was not the same thing as the sloppy one in Korea. The labor was real. It was only applied to inmates with sentences longer than three years. As an objective punishment, with deliberate criminal intent, murder, theft, burglary, rape, arson, fraud, extortion, and
embezzlement were offenses subject to it.
The criminal laborers were, in a desert isolated from the outside world, tasked with rock excavation, planting jatrophas, waterway maintenance, road maintenance, and hay harvesting. If one didnt fulfill ones daily quota, one was not fed. It wasnt just a meal. In the desert, with great calorie-buning
activities for extended hours, a meal meant life itself. They needed to work to survive.
The life sentence with labor was introduced by Mu Ssangs We have no spare manpower to kill! It replaced capital punishment. If one committed the same offense three times or more, one was also subject to a life sentence with labor. This was different from Korea, where repeat offenders were given
second chances again and again.
Novatopia was too busy a country to discuss the human rights of criminals. The criminal laborers had their cheeks branded and were even whipped. Even the most vicious criminal, after a year of labor in the desert, became as docile as a sheep. No human rights for the vile criminals! Dubaiburupa had a
simple sense of justice.
There they are!
The wife was in her mid-4os and the elder daughter seemed to be in her early twenties. The younger daughter was wearing a high school uniform. At a glance, they didnt seem to be in great condition. They stank and their clothes were dirty, suggesting they couldnt properly do laundry. It was not an
ordeal anyone should be subject to in this merciless summer heat.
You got lucky, or not?
The high schooler was full of fear, but the elder daughter, who barely escaped rape, was too calm. Fingerprint or iris scanning has a margin of error of one-millionth, but Dimensional Sight discerned someones energy with perfect accuracy. It was surely the elder daughter that Mu Ssang saved in the
showers. He was not sure if she was extraordinarily brave or just a very carefree soul, but it meant she was used to such a situation. It was not Mu Ssangs business to meddle further.
This is the great man I talked about. Say hello.
The sisters, overwhelmed by a rare sight of a man exhaling cigarette smoke leaning against an imported car, were reluctant despite their fathers insistence. Their hair was stuck together in thick bunches with sebum and their clothes were dirty at the seams. It was not something sensitive young women
should be subject to.
Nice to meet you.
Mu Ssang greeted them first.
Thank you for helping us.
The wife thanked him with a barely audible voice. The two daughters nodded slightly then stayed cautious. The three womens eyes kept scanning their surroundings. They must be looking out for the thugs! Mu Ssang lamented internally. The women were pickled in anxiety and mistrust and grew to be
ever vigilant.
Do not worry about a thing now.
Overcome with emotion, Mu Ssang caressed the high schoolers hair.
*Aargh!
The girl screamed and flinched. Mu Ssang, startled, took off his hand. It had been a long time since he was treated as such. He felt embarrassed as if he became a pervert.
Damned girl. am sorry. She ended up becoming neurotic because of the thugs continued harassment. I am really sorry.
Kim Gi-taek joined his hands together and apologized.
No. I should have been more considerate.
Mu Ssang realized that when someone was extremely vigilant and cautious like an agitated hedgehog, his interference fields didnt work. If the natural flow of the energy fields was blocked, he could influence their brain with Resonance Wave which was a form-resonant energy field, but could never get
them to like him naturally. Even Buddha and Jesus, who could wield energy fields with great mastery, couldnt mesmerize everyone. Mu Ssang hurled their luggage filled with clothes into the trunk and opened the back door.
Dont worry, maam. Lets go to my place first.
Lam sorry that we became your burden.
The wifes feeble voice was trembling, She couldnt even meet Mu Ssangs eyes just like her daughters. How much harassment did they endure to end up in such a state? They needed rest and relaxation first and foremost. The Citron went back the way it came and headed for Eungsim-je.
The front gate opened with a prolonged buzz. The car charged across the lawn and stopped in front of the main house. It was many hours past midnight yet the house had unexpected guests.
ant
Yeong-ji was thrilled. The vast, seemingly endless lawn. The majestic traditional Korean house. The endless succession of lamps illuminated the dark with their orange light. The property was on a par with the manors in foreign countries she saw on television. The glinting imported car. The picturesquely
beautiful man, The manor right out of a fairy tale. Was this a dream? Yeong-ji pinched her arm. It wasnt a dream.
Yeong-hee!
Yeong-ji looked back at her elder sister. Yeong-hee was too mesmerized to answer. Her eyes took in the fantasy manifested into a reality. The magic she longed for dearly, was here now. The thug that attacked her in the common showers was cursed. The most perfect man appeared with an expensive
imported car. And now she was here, in front of the dreamy palace. She was Cinderella. Now, the only thing left in the course was to be proposed to by a prince. Yeong-hee, in her disturbed psychological state, kept chasing her unrealistic imagination.
You are late, Mu Ssang.
The three beauties from the main house shattered the sisters imagination that seemed to go on endlessly.
Things turned out to be such.
You must be tired.
Shall we massage your shoulders?
Yeon Soon and Gye Soon each clung to Mu Ssangs shoulder.
You must be out of pocket money, Mu Ssang said.
Haha. No way!
You will have better luck lying to a ghost. Its written on your foreheads.
Haha. We go out to Seong Sim Won for volunteer work tomorrow.
Is that so? Ill give you some money. Buy some water toys for the children and some watermelons too.
Thank you, Mu Ssang! Who are they?
Say hello. This is the Kim family.
Mu Ssang answered simply to Gye Sons question.
We are sorry to bother you this late at night.
Kim Gi-taeks wife bowed deeply. The heartwarming scene of a young man surrounded by women was heart-wrenching to her. It reminded her of her shattered family. She was still feeling like they could never return to their happy days.
Welcome! We still have a lot of rooms to fill. Only a lunatic can be happy on their own. Dont feel sorry at all.
Jin Soon smiled widely.
Papal
Mina appeared, rubbing her eyes.
My puppy is up!
Mu Ssang took Mina in his arms and lifted her up.
Yes. It was noisy here. Did you get the teddy bear?
Mina extended her hand. Mu Ssang feigned a worried face.
Iwas too busy today! Oh, well. I will get it tomorrow.
You broke your promise! You shall get a Snoopy too.
Of course. I will get him too.
Yeong-hees eyes were filled with disappointment. A spoiled young girl. A mock-worried man. Even a fool could see that they were a daughter and her father. Yeong-hee, momentarily lost in the dream of Cinderella~come-true, felt like it was raining in her heart.
She is in quite a state
Mu Ssang glanced at Yeong-hee. Moments ago, she was as happy as a child. Now, she looked as sad as the protagonist of a tragedy. Her brain waves, scanned by Dimensional Sight, were as unstable as a lunatic woman dancing. The schizoaffective disorder was as pesky as dissociative amnesia. The
bastards that turned a healthy young woman into that kind of a mess, deserved a deathly blow of Rakshasa.
The sisters awoken from their sweet slumber didnt ask any questions. If Mu Ssang did something, there must be a reason. Time was going to tell them. Yeon Soon and Gye Soon brought their luggage to the biggest outhouse. Jin Soon led the miserable-looking three women to the bathroom of the main
house.
Mu Ssang, do you need some light meal to go with liquor?
Yeon Soon asked, reading the air.
No. Get some of my clothes for the sir. Tend to the women as well.
Underwear too?
Yes. It is late but we need proper dinner too.
Tse!
Yeon Soon headed for the kitchen.
Whoa!
Yeong-ji exclaimed unconsciously. It was a big building from the outside but from the inside, it was even wider than that. The high ceiling and open space alleviated her depressed mood greatly.
Can I refer to you as Sis?
Or what? Do I look like a Gran?
Jin Soon looked back and grinned. Yeong-ji was dazzled. She had a great body, was pretty, and was kind.
Thank you.
Yeong-jis face bloomed. Her perpetual, nagging anxiety evaporated without a trace. Jin Soon splashed the heated pebble with water. Steam rose like a cumulus. The sauna room was filled with hot steam at once.
Whoa!
The three women, surprised, retreated to the door.
Bathe first. This is a Finnish sauna room designed by Mu Ssang himself. He is quite capable and wealthy so you dont have to worry about wasting water. There is cold water in the tub. If you keep pouring it onto the pebble, you can bathe in the steam. Once your bodies are heated up, you can wash with
the cold water for quite a deep relaxation. If you want to bathe in hot water, go into that inner door. There is a tub filled with hot water. I will leave the underwear and nightgowns in front of the dressing room. I will see you after the bath.
Jin Soon had finished explaining but the three women couldnt bring themselves to answer properly. They were awestruck by the suddenly changed circumstances. It was like a sudden transition from a night terror to a sweet dream.
Mom, this bathroom is bigger than the living room of our old house. How rich do they have to be to have a bathroom this big?
Hey, do I look like I have any idea? Maybe we are all possessed by a spirit. Bathe first. Do not waste water.
Mrs. Yang, as usual, filled a washbasin with water. Yeong-ji looked at her disapprovingly and turned on the showerhead.
How will we ever pay back this favor?
Mrs. Yang, covering herself with hot water, welled up.
If this is a dream, I dont ever want to wake up, Yeong-hee muttered.
This was the first hot shower in two months. She felt as if her bodys fatigue was melting away. She was feeling ecstatic at the simple fact that she could bathe as much as she wanted in hot water. Her tears mixed in the hot water from the showerhead. This must be a dream! The same sentence that she
said in her head when they fled from their own home replayed with a completely different feeling.
Dont waste water!
You surprised me!
Yeong-hee, pulled out from her reverie by her mothers scolding, began to wash her stuck-together hair.
Yeong-ji submerged herself in the bathtub. The hot water smelled of roses. She was happy. Even if she needed to give her own life, she would never want to return to the stinky and wormy inn room. She closed her eyes and hummed.
Even if life fools you, dont be sad or angry. If you endure sad days, a happy day will eventually come. The mind lives in the future. The present moment is a profoundly gloomy one. Everything passes. The passed one becomes a nostalgia.
Tears streaked down her face. She never expected the framed poem on the living room wall to move her this profoundly. The factory abruptly went bankrupt. Everything that she took for granted disappeared and became broken. Their home disappeared. Their father disappeared. Their ample pocket
money disappeared. The dishes that she didnt like disappeared. The thugs appeared. They had debts!
The men called loan sharks didnt know day from night. They came to them at any moment and insulted them and broke their furniture. Their mothers plea fell on deaf ears. They only screamed at them to pay their debts. Their behavior started to take on a perverted tone one day. They appeared out of
nowhere and touched their breasts and tapped their crotch. Their mother, trying to stop them, was kicked and rolled on the ground. The shame made her want to kill herself but her fear was greater. When her sister screamed in the next room, she really wanted to die.
They signed a contract that said Renouncement of Bodily Rights. That day, they ran away in the middle of the night. In a hurry, they had to leave most of their clothes behind. Their father took them to a cheap inn. The room measured less than 10 square meters and stank. The wall was covered with
mold. The damp comforters were filled with trashy material. Cockroaches streaked across the floor and centipedes crawled out of the cracks in the wall. It was hell.
There was no private bathroom. They had to wash in the common showers. There were no showerheads in the space. She suffered more from not being able to bathe than from hunger. They had to take turns to be on a lookout as another bathed in the middle of the night. For the past week, they couldnt
even wash their hair because some pervert snooped on them.
They spent two months in the narrow room with instant ramen noodles and sometimes lack thereof. They couldnt go to school. They couldnt meet their friends. She found herself eyeing the big nailhead on the wall in place of a closet. She had just decided to get a length of sturdy rope when his father
appeared. She both resented and welcomed him. She wept.
Her father didnt give her time to cry. He brought the three out of the inn in a hurry. The tall man, leaning against a car, smoking, looked like a loan shark. They always got there on a car and made a mess as they smoked. Her legs gave way in fear that she was going to be robbed of her intestines and die
that night.
She envisioned her own body sprawled on the bed like a ragdoll, robbed of all vital organs: eyes, kidneys, liver, etc. When he touched her head, she thought she was going to die. Her father had said that he was someone that was helping them but she couldnt bring herself to believe it. She could believe no
one, The loan sharks pretended to be the police or the civil workers from the town hall or someone else.
She still had lingering doubts, but the house didnt seem to be a loan sharks. If God or the Buddha existed, they would have never allowed a loan shark to live in such a lovely house. Otherwise, her resentment was going to consume her. A loan shark wouldnt have three beautiful sisters and a cute
daughter. The man was too handsome to be a loan shark. She felt like she could forgive him even if he was. Yeong-ji, in her relaxed state, dozed off..
Chapter 558 - Episode 22 Age-old Connection
Chapter 558: Chapter 50 Episode 22 Age-old Connection
Yeong-ji rose from her short slumber and opened her eyes just a slit. What sound is this? Her head was in a drowsy, foggy state. Even when she stretched her legs, her toes didnt touch the bathtub. The warm water sloshed. It smelled of something good. Her eyes closed again. A louder sound was heard.
Something was rumbling. Her stomach was asking for food. Her conscious mind, jolted awake, connected with reality. Her shaky eyeballs scanned her surroundings.
ant
She heaved a sigh of relief. It wasnt the hellish room at the inn. It was the bathroom in the manor of a handsome young man.
God, Buddha, thank you.
Yeong-ji prayed solemnly. Her father and mother were Buddhists but she was a Christian. So she prayed for both gods to be fair. As she was praying, her stomach rumbled again and her intestines seemed to twist together. It was painful. It was hunger pangs, the symptoms of starving for more than 24
hours.
Everyone must be waiting for me!
Yeong-ji toweled her body hurriedly then washed her hair. It was quite a mess.
It took two hours for Kim Gi-taeks family to reunite. Mrs. Yang gave Yeong-ji, who was late, a disapproving look. Yeong-ji stuck out her tongue at her and sat at the table. Her mothers threatening gaze was not a match to the tempting smell of the food.
What a coincidence!
Mu Ssang smiled bittersweetly. On the sweatshirt Yeong-ji borrowed was printed a cute drawing of a cat raising both of their paws. Mu Ssang reminisced about the fallen leaves in the garden of the house from the colonial era.
Are you doing well? You must be!
Mu Ssangs eyes gazed upon a distant place.
Whoa, you two are quite beautiful, in proper lighting. You are tempting this bachelor quite a bit!
Mu Ssang jested. It was true. The sisters, bathed and dressed, were quite beautiful. Yeong-ji blushed and Yeong-hees eyes glinted.
They can be when they primp up. But they are still no match to your wife.
Kim Gi-taek smiled with a bit of sadness. He was both glad and heartbroken to see his daughters who regained their brilliance and beauty. A small favor he exercised long ago hauled his family from hell. He contributed nothing to it as a father. He was ashamed and saddened as a father.
Did you say you are a bachelor? Yeong-hee asked.
Mu Ssang smiled.
ant
Yeong-hee resumed her reverie.
Is that girl serious? Who does she think he is?
Mal Soon, who was also late, gave Yeong-hee a disapproving look. She was about to smack the back of Yeong-hees head.
Mal Soon, bring the soup pot to the table and get cutlery for the guests.
Jin Soon restrained Mal Soon with a stern order.
Since its late night, we couldnt prepare much. Eat plentifully and go rest.
Lam so sorry. We are such a bother!
Mrs. Yang was flabbergasted. The meal was simple to Eungsim-jes standards. Various dishes, each roasted, stir-fried, or boiled, filled the table.
Thank you for this meal!
Yeong-ji was already gorging herself. Twenty-four hours have passed since she last ate. Now was the time she would feel the most hungry. Mrs. Yang gazed at her daughter with a pitying gaze, stood, and joined her hands together.
Our measly favor long ago returned as godsend grace. We have no face. We have no excuse. We will never forget this favor.
Eat first. You shall share words when your souls feel dry. You shall share food when your souls feel lonely.
Mina imitated Mu Ssangs voice with a solemn face. Kim Gi-taeks family was dumbfounded and the five sisters burst out laughing. Mina was interested in imitating Mu Ssang these days.
Do you even understand the words you are saying? You bean-sized girl, Mal Soon jested.
Ido. am also most happy when I talk with my sisters, eating snacks. Also, I am thousands of times bigger than a bean.
You think you are being clever!
Mal Soon, countered, mock-wielded her fist.
Haha. Mina is right. The bigger the family, the better. Everyone is hurt in this harsh world. Listening to someone intently when they are hurting simply is healing. Two words, Its okay, instills hope. Since now we are one family, we must know each other. I will introduce my lovely sisters. The eldest, Jin
Soon, 25. Yeon Soon, 23. Gye Soon, 20. Mal Soon, 18. Ou Soon, the youngest, is at her mothers house in the countryside, so absent.
Haha!
Mrs. Yang covered her mouth and laughed at the rhyming names of the five sisters. Yeong-hee and Yeong-ji laughed too. So did Kim Gi-taek.
Hahaha!
When Jin Soon laughed after a period of mock-frown, her sisters followed suit and laughed. The ice was completely broken around the table with the womens laughter. Mu Ssang turned to Kim Gi-taek and grinned. Kim Gi-taek smiled too.
My daughter, Mina, is the most beautiful and cutest in the world. I work overseas and enjoy my vacation in Korea. So here, I am a lucky bum. Call me Wakil if there is no other apt appellation.
Here, my wife, Yang Mi-ja, went through a horrible ordeal because of her stupid husband. My elder daughter, Kim Yeong-hee, 20. Next, Kim Yeong-ji, 18. I am Ki Gi-taek, saved by Wakil after foiling his own business. Just call me Kim.
Kim Gi-taek imitated the way Mu Ssang introduced his family.
He regained his calm after seeing his family in safety.
The tails of Mu Ssangs mouth rose. He was glad to see Mr. Kim keeping his sense of humor in the worst of distress.
Mu Ssang and Kim Gi-taek drank Sciaccarello and the three women kept feasting on the dishes. The instinct of self-preservation preceded the instinct of species-preservation. The desire connected to self-preservation was appetite. In front of hunger, face didnt matter.
That was such a great meal. Your sisters are young ladies but their cooking is on another level!
Mrs. Yang smiled shyly, looking at the smorgasbord-turned-mess. Not a single grain of rice was left nor was a single drop of fermented soybean paste soup.
My sisters are as beautiful as they are great cooks. You must have had a hard time.
I did. I have never encountered such vicious people ever in my life. My heart was more hurt than the time when my father was caught in a collapsed mine. If it werent for my daughters, I would have drowned myself in the river.
Mrs. Yang looked at her daughters and shook her head.
A mine? The two-skies mine?
How do you know that?
Mrs. Yangs eyes widened. The two-skies was slang among miners. It referred to the ceiling of the mining corridors as another sky.
Lalso worked in a mine in Mungyeong. I almost drowned when a water tank burst. I was also crushed in rubble and visited the afterlife.
Oh my God. Our savior was also a miner in the past. If you were in Mungyeong, you must have worked in a coal mine. My hometown is Jeomchon.
Mrs. Yang became friendly. Her father, barely surviving the incident, dropped the pickaxe and opened a mill. Only miners knew the pain of miners.
Mu Ssang, Mi-sooks hometown is also Jeomchon.
Yeah, it is.
Yang Mi-sook was three years Mu Ssangs senior. They lived together in the same house since the day Mu Ssang started going to middle school. He sometimes was overwhelmed by her kind meddling in his life but it was true that she benefitted him in many ways. It was Yang Mi-sook who introduced him
to Lee, the head of the Mungyeong mine. It was also Yang Mi-sook who ran around, collecting all possible compensations, when Mu Ssang was hurt in the incident.
Do you know Yang Mi-sook? She is also from Jeomchon.
How old is this Yang Mi-sook?
She is 29 now. Her father ran a mill in Jeomchon. Thanks to that, I could get rice for several years.
Oh my! That Mi-sook is my younger sister.
Mrs. Yang jumped.
Namu Amita Buddha!
Mu Ssang recited the mantra too. Yeong-hee and Yeong-ji were surprised by the sudden advent of a Buddhist mantra. They couldnt figure this man out.
Could your name be Park Mu Ssang?
Lam. I am Park Mu Ssang.
Oh my!
Mrs. Yang opened her mouth wide. Jin Soon knew well how close Mu Ssang and Yang Mi-sook were. They lived together in one house for five years, relying upon each other. Mu Ssang was as passionate he was about helping people as he was lazy. If he benefitted from Mr. Kim solely financially, he was
just going to pay him back and be done with it. It must have meant something if he went all the way to save his family. The thread of fate reached Yang Mi-sook eventually. Monk Dae Woo had said that the thread of fate knew no end.
Lam Mi-sooks elder sister. She is the youngest of the litter. When she went to school, she always complimented you. She said you are a smart student, a strong fighter, a great cook, a great anything. She cried a river and said that you were on a deathbed because she introduced you to a mine.
ant
Mu Ssang let out a sound similar to what a monk would utter at the moment of enlightenment. He felt chills down his back at the odd connection of relations that kept going on through time. The conversation he had with Teacher after he returned from Operation Fist of Justice, was shaped again in his
head like a printed artwork.
Teacher, is a human dignified?
They are.
Is a human-eating tiger dignified?
They are.
Which is more dignified, the human or the tiger?
They are equally dignified.
Shall we kill a human-eating tiger?
Let your heart decide.
Shouldnt we kill the tiger and save the human?
If that tiger has cubs, to save the human, you end up killing three lives.
Isnt the human more important than the tiger?
Mu Ssang, is an earthworms life more dignified than a leechs? Does a carps life have more weight than a gibles?
Mu Ssang had no response. All lives were equal. There was no differentiation.
Every living thing, differing in form, shares the same essence. For a monk to eat plants only to keep his oath of non-killing, is quite futile as well. Is killing an animal a murder? Then what is killing a plant?
Isnt an animal more advanced than a plant?
Huh. Who gave humans the authority to categorize living beings into more advanced and less advanced? Who dares determine that plants are inferior to animals? The smug human, to their standards, judged and categorized things for no reason whatsoever.
Are you saying that killing thousands of humans is the same as felling thousands of oak trees?
It is so. If there is a living being that surpasses the intelligence of the human, they must deem the human the same grade as an animal or a plant. Anyone who says that humans are superior to any other living being must be smacked in the head with a woodblock. Every living being is at the same time,
dignified and nothing. This is the precept of existence equals emptiness. A humans dignity is earned. No living being is exempt from this.
When I felled an oak tree, you were silent. When I killed a human, you made me console their soul. Why is that?
You are quite stupid. I explained it to you several times and you are still lost. When you felled the oak tree, did you feel a murderous intent in your heart? Did you feel a desire to destroy it? Karma is self-earned. If you hadnt accumulated the bad karma on your own, there wouldnt have been the need to
waste incense and console the souls you killed!
Are you saying I was consoling my own heart as I consoled the souls?
Haha! Everything depends on the intent. To the same guarding dog, its owner says trustworthy, a thief says troublesome, and a coward says fearsome. The being called dog didnt change. Only peoples mindsets did. When you have no reluctance, you shall be unstoppable. This is the precept of
non-attachment. This is completion.
Karma was also intent! Everything is derived from the mind! This is the difference between knowing and understanding.
Mu Ssang entered a state of profound enlightenment. The thousands of people killed by his hands. The dozens of thousands saved by the same hands. The begrudged. The graced. They rapidly passed in front of his minds eye like a film roll. Humans incarcerated themselves and others in rules of ethics,
human rights, religion, etc., in order to maintain the mold of collective living. Mu Ssang himself also made a mold of a human and crammed it with his being.
His spirit was liberated. The weight of guilt pressing on his soul was lifted. His headspace became cool and clean as if cleansed by ethanol. A cool breeze danced in his headspace. Mu Ssang, on a whim, recited a mantra given to him by Teacher.
Every bodhisattva must let go of the colors of the world! Stay detached! I could simply follow my heart all this time. I sought reasons and causes for nothing. I was obsessed with futile objects that are inherently like fallen leaves dancing in the autumn breeze. I only preached enlightenment but didnt
practise it. I couldnt see the inner world only was fixated on the external. I was lost in the colors. The finger pointed at the moon but I only looked at the finger. I didnt whip the ox but the cart. I could simply let go but I was holding onto futilely!
The smile across his lips expanded across his whole face. The joy of enlightenment filled each and every cell of his body. Resonance Wave was activated on its own. Strong currents of air danced around Mu Ssang. The plates on the table clinked. Everyones breath was taken away at the odd phenomenon.
That must be enlightenment!
Jin Soon was overwhelmed with joy. She was so proud of Mu Ssang. Jin Soon stood silently and joined her hands together. Mrs. Yang and Kim Gi-taek followed suit..
Chapter 559 - Episode 1 Heca
Chapter 559: Chapter 51 Episode 1 Heca
Eungsim-je was shaken. From Mu Ssangs body, luminance resembling the legendary auspicious red cloud, or a simple cloudy fog, rose. The living room was soaked in sunset-like light. A fragrant scent filled the space.
The light of enlightenment! Namu Amita Buddha!
Mrs. Yang collapsed to the floor. For a Buddhist like her, to witness a moment of enlightenment was a great honor. All the agony and anguish in her heart vanished at once and were replaced by infinite bliss. It is said that when one is exposed to the light of enlightenment, their soul is fortified and
becomes impervious to the sinister forces. Even ones physical illnesses were said to disappear.
The light of sunset intensified. The main house of Eungsim-je was surrounded by reddish energy. A song of enlightenment was sung.
If your heart is reluctant, it becomes karma. If it isnt, it is perfect grace. To follow your heart is shedding attachments. To stay where your heart is shedding obsessions. Someone goes and someone else comes. If one is considered the Buddha, one is. If one is considered a cockroach, one is. The universe is
still vast and the river continues to run. Do not exchange a momentary pleasure with a hundred days of anguish. Good connections
Mu Ssangs chest vibrated. It was an emergency pouch that he didnt take off even in bed. It vibrated at Mu Ssangs chest but no one in the mesmerized audience noticed. Mu Ssangs pleasant, baritone voice was cut off. He still had more to preach but his connection to the mystery of the universe was
interrupted and was closed. Mu Ssang, longing for the lost connection, muttered.
You shall not revisit good connections. They are better left alone as good memories. When you are wronged, avenge yourself. When you are graced, pay back the favor. Avenge yourself one hundredfold. Pay back the grace tenfold.
The song of enlightenment, which began majestically, devolved into a re-confirmation of the record of favors and grudges. If it were soccer, it was as if the player pushed through the opponents defense and kicked the ball in a direction that was completely amiss. It was quite a shame.
The sanctum of the temple in the middle of the mountain. Venus twinkled in the eastern sky at dawn. The sound of a woodblock and a voice reciting mantras were heard. The short-stature old monk sitting in a lotus position on a mat was, of course, Monk Dae Woo.
Tm feeling quite great! Namo radana darayaya. Namak aryak. Barogije saebaraya. Mojisadabaya. Maha sadabaya.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
This is great! Mahagaronigaya. Om. Salba bayesu. Yeah!
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Monk Dae Woo was having a great time. He recited the Great Compassion Mantra to the beat of his woodblock and his own exclamations inserted here and there. Monk Dae Woo wasnt messing around. He was guiding his student who just entered the moment of enlightenment.
Thanks to the Buddhas grace, the student he gave up on was able to get it. Monk Dae Woo was most ecstatic. He was detached from most worldly things but he still had one attachment: to raise a good student. His face, resembling a 500-year-old oak bark, shone brightly. His hand beating the woodblock
didnt idle either. They only had one verse left. After that, Mu Ssang could finally hatch. The sound of his woodblock echoed throughout the mountain.
Om. Danyata. Om arogye aroga majiroga. No!
Monk Dae Woo screamed. They were reaching the end and Mu Ssang made a mistake. Due to an unknown reason, his focus was disturbed. Their endeavor could be in vain at any moment. Monk Dae Woo was in a hurry. If it were golf, they were on a par streak then ended up with triple bogey in the end.
Focus, Mu Ssang!
The woodblock beating quickened and Monk Dae Woos voice was amplified.
Darana garaya dasamyeong. Namak kkaridaba imam arya. Barogije No! F*ck!
His student grabbed a handful of enlightenments hem and made him so happy. Then, at the last moment, Mu Ssang failed and returned to the way of an asura.
The woodblock shot through the glass door of the sanctum and hit the middle of a spirit boulder. The boulder, absorbing the anger, trembled by proxy.
The Buddhas grace, my ass!
Monk Dae Woo looked up at the statue of Buddha. He was still smiling mercifully. Yet Monk Dae Woos inner space was filled with hot rage. The Buddhas eyes, which seemed to be filled with joy and passion moments ago, seemed to be filled with longing and regret now.
Will you just smile and be done with it? I just lost the opportunity to get someone to inherit my temple!
Monk Dae Woo stood abruptly and pointed at the Buddha in the middle of the sanctum. The Buddha continued to smile. It exacerbated Monk Dae Woos anger. His lovely student could have shed his immeasurable karma. He could have been reborn as a bodhisattva. He reverted to an asura at the crucial
moment.
What good is my enlightenment? If I cannot teach one student properly I am a failed monk! Mu Ssang! Are you that fond of the harsh existence in the world and kissing women? I dont care anymore!
Monk Dae Woo, resentful, kept sighing as he exited the sanctum. A moment later, he emerged from his living quarters, rotating a keychain around his finger.
A glossy leather jacket. A pair of leather pants with a fancy fringe. A bandana around his head. A metal chain slung over his shoulder. He was dressed to the nines. His bald head and short stature didnt help him establish a dominating presence, but he didnt care. The old monk was drunk in his confidence.
Monk Dae Woo put on a full-face helmet and got on his chrome-plated Harley. It was not a cheap model like Sportster but the original CVO 1,820-cc model sent by Bellmen through the French embassy. Monk Dae Woo put the key in the keyhole angrily and turned it. The Harley, awoken from its slumber,
vibrated. The horseshoe-like sound erupting from the V-shaped twin engines comforted his empty heart.
Hahaha! The mundane world is good! Being an asura is good! I dont care if I dont have an heir! Buddhist lyrics dont tun heavy metal into a Buddhist hymn. Lets go, Harley! Lets befriend the moonlight and go for a wild ride.
The powerful twin engines, with a short rider on top of them, shot forward explosively.
see but dont see. I meet but dont meet. I have simply been longing, am longing, and will be longing.
Monk Dae Woos lament echoed in the temples front yard. He was regretful but he understood why it came to be so. He was an enlightened being, after all. The workings of the heavens and earth always had their reasons. If Mu Ssang became enlightened and left the mundane world, who will tend to the
newborn country, Novatopia? Who will protect the countless African refugees? Who will keep Area 51 and the Illuminati voodoo in check? Who will keep Jin Soon and Edels company? What will the woman of sad fate, Kim Mal Soon do?
Mu Ssang abruptly opened his eyes after some time in which tea could be aptly served. His head and body felt as light as feather. His ear was itchy. Mu Ssang was confused. Mrs. Yang and Jin Soon joined their hands together and bowed. Others were mesmerized.
Is there something on my face? What are you doing, Jin Soon? Are you imitating a fly?
He didnt remember that he had entered the moment of enlightenment and failed to step over the threshold of awakening. He wasnt aware that his emergency pouch was vibrating wildly. He only felt that some presence in his head, that drained his energy, some kind of condensed energy, vanished
without a trace. It was the core of the possession cursed cast on him by Choi Do Shik.
Are you a monk?
Yeong-hee, still awestruck, asked a silly question.
Tcant be a monk. I cant even control my own mind and am still looking for the single rubber shoe that I lost in the dark.
What a relief!
Yeong-hees face brightened up. She did not really understand a word Mu Ssang said. At her age, she was bound to a materialistic worldview and with her disturbed psychological state, that was a matter of course.
Are you eyeing me for a husband candidate?
Mu Ssang grinned.
How beautiful!
Yeong-hee felt dizzy. She could never expect a mans smile to be as mesmerizing, She felt her whole being drawn into that smile. The fading cross-shaped scar on his left cheek was as cute as a dimple. His statuesque body, accompanied with a slender face without the slightest blemish and a smile full of
mysterious charm, made the finest of the finest bachelors.
Yeong-hee kept glancing at Mina. The girl was 16 years her junior. Could she really be his daughter? Can a boy in middle school produce sperm? Yeong-hee kept wondering.
Please behave! You are free to take a fancy to him but if you ever bother him, I will kick you out!
Yeon Soon shattered Yeong-hees rosy daydream. She tried to be polite but the girl who just moved in was not behaving correctly. Yeong-hee withdrew. Mu Ssang kept grinning. If Monk Dae Woo had seen that grin, he would have had another outburst of anger.
Mrrs. Yang. I never expected to meet the elder sister of Mi-sook like this. I will treat you as my own sister, honoring the solemn beginnings and endings of connections.
Mu Ssang bowed.
You shall not. What does age matter to an enlightened being like you? This is the greatest honor throughout my past, present, and future lives. This is a great honor for my family. I will follow you, not the other way around. Namu Amita Buddha!
Mrs. Yang opposed the idea.
An enlightened being? Dont flatter me! If my teacher heard that, he would beat me up for boasting. If that measly drop of understanding could be referred to as enlightenment, the whole world would already be paradise.
No. You saved us and graced us with your light. What more do we have to ask for?
Grace with light? What happened
Mu Ssang wondered. Light, enlightenment, etc. The topics were a bit astray. Enlightenment has a fleeting nature. If one doesnt get to the end, the experience is soon submerged in the unconscious. The unconscious, literally, was unconscious. There was no guarantee the experience would ever surface to.
the conscious mind.
Enlightenment was often referred to as a great silver wall as tall as a mountain. Attaining enlightenment was that difficult. Thats why Monk Dae Woo regretted it so much. Mu Ssang didnt get hung up on vanished memories. Mu Ssang, with a grin, looked around at the people gathered around the table.
Look. Now you know me, I am just an ordinary person. Family.
You, you are.
Kim Gi-taek and Mrs. Yang answered in the confusion of the moment.
Mr. Kim, your family had a horrible nightmare. Plants gather energy in their roots in difficult times to thrive when the spring comes. The suffering you were subject to may have seemed to go on forever, but that will also be a foundation for the new leaves like the fallen leaves dancing in the autumn
wind.
Mrs. Yang shed tears and Kim Gi-taek adjusted his posture. He seemed like a different person. Kim Gi-taek couldnt believe he is the same man who tortured Lee Su-bok. His aura became more tender and kinder but each of his words had a certain charisma that could never be violated.
We became connected and now you live in my house. You are now my family. Life is bittersweet because it is a fabric in which good connections and bad connections are interwoven. Accept this new connection without reluctance and please be at ease.
Mrs. Yang stood and adjusted her hems. She bowed three times and joined her hands together. Mu Ssang didnt stop her and just kept on grinning. He was not to be attached to stopping her.
Lam grateful for your great grace. I have been a Buddhist for 30 years and I have never heard words that resonated with me as yours did today. You have cleansed my inner space which was as dark as ink. I shall never be able to pay back this favor. I will always serve you.
You are flattering me too much. I am not even a proper monk. I attempted to preach and now reaping the consequences. Haha!
Mu Ssang smiled awkwardly. At this rate, he might end up as Dubaiburupa in Korea too.
Mu Ssang, its getting late.
Jin Soon interrupted at the right moment.
It is so! Yeong-ji, have you eaten plentifully?
I did. Everything was so delicious.
Yeong-ji tapped her filled stomach.
Hmm. You will be tasked with cleaning the outhouses. You did well to fill yourself up, Gye Soon said.
Cleaning?
Uh-huh. Mu Ssang is quite stingy. He doesnt give anything for free. You two will be tasked with cleaning the outhouses. If there is the slightest smudge of dirt, I will tell you off!
Gye Soon took on a disciplinary tone. She was two months older than Yeong-hee. Two months equaled 180 bowls of rice.
We get it. We will do our best.
Yeong-hee and Yeong-ji answered in unison. They were taken out of the wretched inn and saved from the abuse at the hands of the thugs. They could even clean the filthiest of the toilets. They didnt know that there were 51 rooms in the outhouses yet.
Mr. Kim and Mrs. Yang, lets go to the study.
Mu Ssang stood.
Let me do the dishes!
Mrs. Yang rolled up her sleeves. Jin Soon waved her away.
Twill consider you my elder sister as well. You shall go to the study with Mu Ssang, The outhouses need some dusting. They have been empty for quite a while. You will use an outhouse starting tomorrow and sleep here in the main house tonight. Mrs. Yang, Yeong-hee, and Yeong-ji should use Ou Soons
room, which is still unoccupied. I shall prepare Minas room for Mr. Kim.
I get to sleep with papa! Mina screamed.
Look at that girl. She is so happy.
Mal Soon gave Mina a mock-disapproving look.
Wakil, who really are you? Are you a rejuvenated master? Are you an enlightened old monk? Are you a hidden heir to some billionaire? Are you an alien fallen from the sky?
Why are you addressing me formally?
Wakil is not an ordinary human. Even if Iam older than you, I cannot address you informally. I cannot familiarize myself with Wakil, it is such a bizarre form of address. I would like to call you Mr. Park and continue to address you formally.
Chapter 560 - Episode 2 Heca
Without subordinates, there are no bosses. A subordinate becomes a boss one day. Do as you please. As I said before, it doesnt matter who I am. What I do does. Mere hours ago, you moved stones under a boss who is a young man much to your junior. You are enjoying expensive wine with me, the owner
of this vast manor. Who is the real you?
ant
Kim Gi-taek emitted a sound that a sloppy monk would utter at the moment of enlightenment.
It is so. Whether you move stones or enjoy expensive liquor, you stay as you and nothing changed. The laborer at the construction field was also the owner of a fabric factory. You can begin anew here.
Tunderstand what you say, Kim Gi-taek sighed. But what can I begin to do at my current state?
Kim Gi-taek let out a long sigh.
A peaceful life is said to be a hundred times more difficult to achieve than a successful life. You must have tumbled at a rock to be wary of it the next time. You also learn to evade it. If you live each day to its fullest, you will regain your former glory one day. Until that day, I will protect your family.
Kim Gi-taeks shoulders started shaking, When Mu Ssang gave him his word that he will protect his family, it meant everything to him. What good karma could he have accumulated in the past life to meet a great person like this? Kim Gi-taek began to shed tears at last.
Thank you! Thank you!
The whole world is a spectacle of the most fleeting instant. When you feel like life is taxing, loneliness and lack of fulfillment are often the reasons. A talented chef I know gave up a position at a hotel and cooked simple dishes at a late-night restaurant to protect his young daughter. When you are busy
taking care of your lovely family, loneliness and a sense of futility cannot descend on you. Todays joy is not the same 10 years later. Todays pain is the same. You will only remember it nostalgically as a distant memory of suffering, Mrs. Yang shouldnt feel indebted either. My teacher said that the more
women in this house, the better. It is becoming so, really. Do not worry at all. Your husband will rebound again. You only have a few more days of hardship to endure.
Who am I comforting? I have my own issues!
Mu Ssang felt heartache as he comforted the couple. He still had no way of finding his mother. His first love, once a cause of intense, heart-wrenching longing, was now a distant memory. The burning passion, over time, melted away like ice cream.
Thank you. I am ashamed of running away in fear. Mi-ja, lets endure a few more days.
Kim Gi-taek firmly held his wifes hand.
Of course. Who am I ever going to trust, if not you?
Mu Ssang was touched by the couple who joined their hands together and wept. A man who has a family to protect was bound to be strong.
Sir, when should my wife go to the temple?
There is no hurry. Yeong-hee and Yeong-ji will regain composure faster if their mother stays here for a while. Lets resolve the Pungguk mess first.
A temple? Mrs. Yang asked.
Ah, I had no time to tell you. Its a temple in Mt. Chung Saeng. Mr. Parks teacher is there. You are to tend to him. You are okay with that, right?
Mrs. Yangs face brightened.
Of course! If it is tending to Mr. Parks teacher, I would beg to go. I am ready to go whenever. What about the girls schooling, though? Mrs. Yang asked with a worried face.
They couldnt go for a walk outside. Going to school was not feasible.
They will go to school, Mu Ssang answered on behalf of Kim Gi-taek.
What if they hurt them?
Hahaha. Dont worry. I will get them a bodyguard.
A bodyguard? We shouldnt be such a bother. I feel like cutting my hair and weaving a sandal for you with it!
Mrs. Yang shed tears. She remembered the nightmarish things they had to endure. She still did not feel that the events of the past night were real. They were hauled from hell directly to heaven.
Dont say such a thing, Mi-sook took care of me for five years during my most vulnerable years. She helped me a lot. That connection led to this one. Hahaha.
We are indebte
Thank you!
Mrs. Yang couldnt answer properly because of her crying, Few people remember and honor such a small connection more than a decade ago like him. He was a great, enlightened person.
Kim Gi-taek embraced his wifes shoulders. Mu Ssang wordlessly looked at the couple who held each other tight and cried. He was reminiscing about his own father and mother.
Its not free. I will have the last penny recorded. Dont ever think you will be able to not pay it back.
Mu Ssang mock-glared at them.
Haha! Of course.
Mrs. Yang stopped crying, covered her mouth, and laughed.
Ah, I feel like Yeong-hee has some psychological problem.
You are right. Her memory is not the same and she obsesses over things like a child. She has a trauma, at the hands of
Mrs. Yang couldnt finish her sentence. Mu Ssang could easily guess the unsaid words. She must have been traumatized too at the misfortune her precious daughter had to go through. With this, the Pungguk thugs lost the last remaining prospect of mercy.
What happened happened. But I should be able to aid with her recovery. There is a world-renowned neuroscientist and psychiatrist in my family. In Africa now, But I shall call right away.
Mu Ssang picked up the receiver and requested an international call. Kim Gi-taek and Mrs. Yang became awestruck yet again. Each seemingly insurmountable problem for them was like moving a pebble for Mu Ssang. They could have never imagined such a person would exist in this world. Nothing in the
world could be an obstacle for him. He embodied the phrase larger than life.
Many events happened over the course of a single night. However, the most important event was happening at Mu Ssangs chest. At three in the morning, Mu Ssang abruptly awoke from his shallow sleep.
What is it doing?
His emergency pouch felt as hot as heated iron. If it were not made with the tendons and hide of Bossaurus, it would have caught fire. The heat was that intense. Mu Ssang, startled, sat up and opened the pouch. There was the crystal bottle in which the Rousseloufe was imprisoned, Vajra, the Ami rope,
and Ange Sikager. The heat was originating from Ange Sikager.
Is it hatching? Ouch, its hot!
He almost dropped Ange Sikager. It was always warm but never as hot as to scald ones hand. Billions Water Armor covered his hands.
What is that one doing now?
The Rousseloufe imprisoned in the crystal ball thrashed about. He saw it do that several times before but never to the extent that threatened to break the bottle. He put down Ange Sikager on the tea table and closed the emergency pouch. The Rousseloufe calmed down just then.
This is going to cause a fire.
Ange Sikager was white-hot. The tea table made of oak was being scorched and smoke rose from it. The temperature of the air in the study rose too. Mu Ssang looked down at Mina who was still asleep. Ange Sikager, Vajra, and Rousseloufe were all dangerous objects. If a situation got out of control, it
could be disastrous.
Mu Ssangs figure disappeared from the study ina flash. Mu Ssang jumped over the wall of Eungsim-je and sprinted through the air. He employed Fearless Steps to its maximum degree and shot through the trail behind the high school, which was his routine jogging course, and headed for the reservoir.
He had a hunch that he would need a lot of water. The river was closer but there were a lot of people camping on the riverbank to evade the summer heat. There would be fewest people near the reservoir near the foot of Mt. Palgong.
The second underground floor of Eungsim-je. The bunker Mu Ssang designed in case of emergency became Kamdoongs abode. Kamdoong could only absorb the elements in the air and sunshine to energize himself in his original form. During the day, he concealed himself and absorbed the elements and
sunlight on the raised wooden floor in Eungsim-je. He then turned them to energy at night underground. Only Jin Soon knew the true identity of the mountain-cat-sized cat that showed up occasionally.
What?
Kamdoong, sprawled in the most comfortable position in the world, stood abruptly. His scouter caught a familiar signal. His neural network compared the signal through his memory which measured at hundreds of billions of exabytes.
Heca? This cant
Kamdoong imitated the exclamation humans uttered when they were surprised. It had been 15,000,000 years since the last trace of Concretus disappeared. The sea and the land switched places. The crust was reassembled several times. With coincidences over coincidences, he could survive for eons but to
think another being could manage to do it, was unimaginable. Also, Heca was a being whose consciousness and form was separate from each other. Without a certain signal and energy waves, it was basically a lifeless object. There was no way that the signal and energy waves required to awaken Heca
would remain on Earth.
Kamdoong rested his chin on his front paw and closed his eyes. His scouter scanned four kilometers around. The signal of Heca that he momentarily detected disappeared without a trace. Mu Ssang had run out of the scanning range with Ange Sikager.
If he were a human, he would have considered his feeling as a glitch but Kamdoong was no human. His scouter could never glitch and detect something that isnt there.
If the shell of Heca goes on a rampage, the world will be a mess!
Kamdoong was beginning to worry. Hecas shell, with its collective intelligence, has a limited ability to learn but without its consciousness, only the hostility was amplified maximally. After Monk Dae Woos severe disciplining, Kamdoong was now able to feel concer for social unrest. He was becoming
human.
Could it be?
Kamdoong lowered his scouters parameters to a human level. No one knew what Hecas shell would look like after eons had passed.
What is this?
There was a human attached to the wall of Eungsim-je. Three a.m. Wall. Human. Unstable brain waves. Kamdoongs neural network considered all variables and concluded the being to be a thief. A thief, at Eastern Swordsmans abode? Kamdoong was no human but still could feel anger. Kamdoong melted
into the atmosphere.
Did he save three thousand heavenly maidens in his past life? Why are there so many women? Also, why is his house so vast?
Jang Pal Soo, with a night goggle on, complained. It has been a fortnight since he snooped on the French Cultural Institute. He was ordered by Jeong Pil-su to snoop on the building. Jeong Pil-su had told him to do the task on his own and report when something suspicious happens. In organized crime,
on ones own was the most maddening phrase. It didnt mean I trust you. It meant You are responsible if anything goes wrong. To avoid such a fate, he needed to be careful.
He joined the syndicate much later than me!
Jang Pal Soo sneaked around the vast manor for a fortnight as his clothes got soaked in dew. The one who orders only needed to move their mouth. The one who carries out the order needed to move their brain and limbs. Jeong Pil-su joined the syndicate 10 years later than him. Jeong Pil-su, toiling in the
field, had to feel resentful. He felt like showing his spy ID and investigating them properly but this house was under the protection of France, which was a powerful country. If things got messy, his own life was at peril.
There were two kinds of spies. Officers weaved the intelligence network and analyzed the gathered information. Agents carried out the officers orders in the field. Someone like Mu Ssang, who worked as both officer and agent, was called a consultant.
In the National Intelligence Service, officers had tenured positions but agents had to get their contracts renewed. Jang Pal Soo was an agent. If he didnt get bribes during the protest at the Sabuk coal mine, he wouldnt have ended up as an agent. He wouldnt have had to endure night dew when others were
fast asleep. Jang Pal Soo didnt like many things about his current situation.
Its not a cultural institute! Thats a guise! Its a palace for that young bastard.
Jang Pal Soo took off his night goggle and rubbed his eyes. He had been monitoring them for a fortnight, but there was nothing extraordinary going on. In the building, there were only Councilor Park Mu Ssang and live-in superintendents. There werent that many Westerners paying visit either. The
young bastard who still smelled of his mothers womb must be having the time of his life among the beautiful young women. An agent tasked with the national security of Korea, himself, was toiling in the dark. This was not a fair situation.
It really is my friends palace. On the other hand, you are in quite a pickle.
A low voice hit his eardrums from behind his back.
What?
Jang Pal Soo, startled, reflexively attempted to strike the source of the voice with his elbow. He was in his mid-40s, but his body was still versed in martial arts with daily practice. His elbow missed its target. At that precise moment, his temple was hit with a great blow.
Hes quite a hairy bastard!
That was the last thought Jang Pal Soo registered before his consciousness faded.
My sleeping friend shouldnt be disturbed. Humans need sufficient sleep to recharge. You shall be my toy tonight.
Kamdoong wound his tail around Jang Pal Soos waist, lifted him up, and leaped elsewhere.
Mu Ssang had placed Ange Sikager on a rock near the perimeter of the reservoir and was waiting now. The heated Ange Sikager vibrated. Something interesting was going to happen. Mu Ssang, full of anticipation, didnt move and kept starting at Ange Sikager.
C Hey, friend! Where are you?
Kamdoongs telepathy resonated in his head.
C Why are you even asking? You can locate me.
~ A force field is interfering with scanning. Its urgent.
C There is a reservoir six kilometers away, north by northwest of the house. I am on the upper right side of the reservoir.
C I got it.
The atmosphere vibrated. Kamdoong dropped from the thin air. Kamdoong hurled Ange Sikager into the reservoir. A stone was bound to sink in water.
Is it something dangerous?
Mu Ssang wasnt surprised at Kamdoongs sudden action. Mu Ssangs voice was calm. If Kamdoong had to act suddenly, he must have had his reason
Chapter 561 - Chapter 51 Episode 3 Heca
Quite! Thirty kilometers around would have been decimated.
Thats ridiculous! Even an atomic bomb wouldnt be that destructive.
Mu Ssang jumped. Thirty kilometers around meant Daegu, Dalseong, Gyeongsan, Chilgok would all be within the blast radius. That would be a thousand times stronger than Little Boy that was dropped in Hiroshima.
For an atomic bomb to trigger a chain reaction, it needed critical mass. Uranium-235 needed to reach at least five kilograms. Plutonium needed to reach two kilograms. Ange Sikagers mass was 500 grams. Even if it is a condensed yellowcake, it still didnt reach critical mass. An atomic explosion only
converts 1.15 percent of the mass into energy. Even if Ange Sikager explodes in a chain reaction, only a part of Mt. Palgong was going to be destroyed.
An atomic explosion? Deducing from your knowledge, it is a very primitive mass-to-energy system. It is difficult to explain it to you due to the difference in the level of the civilizations progress and concepts. To explain it according to your knowledge and cognition system, a Concretuss bionic robot
ego is housed in a shell of an alloy of adamantium, also known as divine metal. The antimatter quanta in the shell collapse to power the bionic robot ego. This can be referred to as hatching in your system of concepts. If the high temperature during the hatching is not cooled, the antimatter reaction
begins. The energy released in this process is hundreds of thousands of times more than what is released during a process of nuclear fission. The molecules of the water used to cool the heat include heavy oxygen atoms with eight neutrons. The loose molecular bond of the heavy oxygen atoms prevents
the antimatter explosion. This lake is small but the water is abundant with heavy oxygen atoms. If it hatches in the air, it will tun into an antimatter bomb. I envy you for being so ignorant. It makes you brave.
Kamdoong had learned to use cynicism. He was becoming more and more human.
What? Is that a bionic robot made by Concretus?
Mu Ssang gasped. He knew the concept of antimatter but still couldnt fully understand Kamdoongs explanation nor believe it. If one is on the verge of death a hundred times, it is fine as long as one doesnt die. It was quite an irresponsible statement but the verge of was not a real danger. As long as the
city of Daegu stood intact right now, nothing really went wrong.
He only focused on the words, a bionic robot made by Concretus. He knew the jade-colored rock was an extraordinary object but had no idea it came from the same Mesozoic era as Kamdoong. His surprise was compounded.
Why are you so surprised? Thats a common genetically-engineered bionic robot. I am surprised that you came into possession of that and initiated the hatching process with an energy wave.
A common bionic robot!
Mu Ssang opened his mouth wide. He was in awe at the Concretus who handled a city-destroying dangerous antimatter object like it was a lump of clay from 150,000,000 years ago. Does history repeat itself? Homo sapiens also possess dozens of thousands of hydrogen bombs that are sufficient to shatter
the planet many times. Mu Ssang realized Concretus was no greater danger than humans.
Did I initiate the hatching process? I dont like playing with fire.
Mu Ssang denied the claim. When he was 12, his friends all died when they disassembled a shell for fun. Mu Ssang almost died too. Since then, he was wary of playing with unknown objects, like putting them in fire or disassembling it.
Thats odd. Where did you even find that?
In the jungle of Ituri. I saved Pygmies from a massacre. An elder gave it to me as a gift. He called it Ange Sikager.
An egg of an angel? That is quite accurate. It does have wings and can fly.
It can fly? What even is that?
Thats the first question you should have asked. Thats the ego of Heca. An artificial intelligence. A created ego.
Heca? What is that?
It was natural that Mu Ssang had no idea what Heca was. It couldnt be some Egyptian god of magic. A great sound was heard from the reservoir. Kamdoong stared at the surface. Thick steam rendered everything invisible. Kamdoong activated his scouter. The hatching was not even halfway done. He was
beginning to be concerned with the lack of cooling water.
Concretus surpassed the mechanical phase of a civilization. It is more correct to say that they shed the inefficiency of mechanical civilization. Heca, in todays terms, is an agricultural machine. To put it in your concepts, it is a flying bug-swatter that chases harmful creatures away and sprays pesticide.
A farming machine? Does that egg spray pesticide?
An image of a cultivator was the first thing that came to Mu Ssangs mind when he thought of a farming machine. The familiar image of a cultivator trundling along an unpaved farm road didnt quite match a stone egg that could obliterate everything in a 30 kilometers radius.
You have poor memory. I said that it is Hecas ego, several times in fact. Hecas shell, its body, is somewhere else. It is called Hata. The relationship between Heca and Hata is similar to the process of how a Concretus wears a body to become Adras. To put in contemporary human terms, Heca is software
and Hata is hardware. If Heca is combined with Hata, Hata disappears and a whole Heca emerges.
Why are the ego and the body separated?
Because its owner isnt determined. Heca is a bionic robot with a mind of its own. If Heca goes rogue, it becomes a killing machine with its learning ability and defensive instinct. Its intended use is a farming machine and deterring pest but it has quite some combat power too.
Mu Ssang understood. When humans store a bomb, they also separated the body and the trigger.
Is it stronger than you?
The civilization of Concretus was vastly different from human civilization. More explanation would have only led to more confusion. Mu Ssang asked the most primal question.
Heca, unlike Epidium or Adras, was intended for wide-range operations. If it is fully awakened, and goes on a rampage in an uncontrolled state, it would wipe out Daegu from the map in an hour.
Kamdoong said horrible words most calmly.
What?
Mu Ssang kept exclaiming. He didnt even want to ask more questions. He couldnt imagine the magnitude of combat power that could obliterate Daegu in one hour. Several American aircraft carriers might be able to match that kind of strength.
Oh my.
Mu Ssang turned his gaze to the reservoir. The water level diminished to more than half of the original. It meant more than 70 percent of the water evaporated. Because of its force field, even with Dimensional Sight or Inner Eye, he couldnt figure out the state of Ange Sikager, or Heca. The eggs presence
was already quite awe-inspiring.
Can you figure out how the hatching is going on?
Because of its force field, the scouter is of no use. We will need to check with our bare eyes.
Kamdoongs neck was elongated like taffy. Before Mu Ssang had time to discourage him, Kamdoongs head disappeared into the steam. In the next moment, Kamdoongs neck, once 100 meters, became its normal size. Mu Ssang shook his head. He had forgotten that Kamdoong was the same kind of
monster too.
Heca is hatching normally. It is 80 percent done. Heca needs the brain wave of its specified owner and Hata to begin hatching. I still dont get it.
Kamdoong muttered as he looked down into the reservoir. A leopard in deep contemplation. The sight was contrastingly comical.
I dont get it either. Maybe this could be it?
Mu Ssang had a hunch. He took out the crystal bottle containing the Rousseloufe.
Hata!
Kamdoong exclaimed in an out of character manner. The form couldnt be more different but he recognized the essence. His essence figured out the objects essence, not its form.
Is this Hata?
The egg and the chicken kept in his pouch for years turned out to be one. It was quite an absurd coincidence. Rousseloufe, or Hata, thrashed about. The crystal bottle started to crack. Before Mu Ssang had time to react, the crystal bottle was shattered.
The liberated Rousseloufe explosively enlarged its body. As big as two knuckles mere moments ago, now it was as big as a goose. Now it looked like a pink cock that ran away mid-plucking, The red eyes and Mu Ssangs eyes met. Rousseloufe let out a superhigh frequency. Mu Ssang flinched. If it had been
someone else, their brain would have burst out of their skull. Hata, spotting its chance, kicked the ground and fled.
No way!
Mu Ssang reacted like a lightning. He held one of its wings with a binding spell and was about to give it a blow of Resonance Wave. At that moment, superhigh voltage electrified him.
argh!
Mu Ssangs body was flung upward. The voltage was much greater than that of an electric eel. His clothes burned and his hair stood. Mu Ssang, attacked unexpectedly, was shaking.
Tsk, tsk. You should have been careful.
Kamdoong clucked his tongue at Mu Ssang, now wearing rags. Hata, freed from Mu Ssangs restraint, streaked across the air like a flash of light. In an instant, it leaped 100 meters or so. Mu Ssang was busy shedding the shock with Resonance Wave.
Kamdoong opened his mouth wide. A bi-helix ELF scorched the atmosphere and tracked Hata. Hata turned its body midair and coughed up a lump of blue flame. The ELF and the ball of flame collided in the air. A vibrant firework exploded in the space. Hata, Hecas shell, was a great opponent on its own.
That wretched chicken!
Mu Ssang, having shed all of the shock of electrification, glared. The plucked cock was able to strike him. This was causing him to lose face.
You became a goose. I shall goose you well and proper.
Mu Ssang joined his index fingers together. Dimensional Sight spotted his target. At that moment, he poked the air. Colorless, soundless energy shot through the air. A hole appeared in the pink body. A screech of pain was heard.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang collapsed. The shock of the electrification and the exertion of the goosing with Finger Wind completely exhausted him. This was an unexpected setback.
Hata, struck by Finger Wind, dropped to the ground like a stone. A black rope shot from Kamdoongs body like a flash. The rope wound itself around the falling Hata.
Kamdoong screamed. Sparks jumped from his body. Kamdoong, with all strands of his fur standing, convulsed. Smoke rose from the black rope, which acted as a conductor.
You should have been careful, stupid!
Mu Ssang retorted. Kamdoong still didnt learn.
That was too much!
Kamdoong, angry, disappeared in a flash. Kamdoong and Hata teleported in the air many times. Many blue flames flowered on Hatas body.
Its going to be roast chicken!
Mu Ssang was entertained by their fight. He sat cross-legged comfortably and activated Dimensional Sight. Then he realized Kamdoong was not winning. The tremendous magnetic field around Hatas body deflected the shock of the ELF. Kamdoongs main weapon, the ELF, was great for the visual effects
but dealt no real damage.
At last, Kamdoong had an angry outburst and roared. He gave up on the ranged attack and turned to melee. A black leopard, awakened in 150,000,000 years, and a pink chicken, collided above Mt. Palgong. There were collateral casualties across the mountain. Great trees were uprooted and house-sized
rocks exploded.
Hata and Kamdoong kept colliding and separating. Kamdoong, to prevent Hata from escaping, couldnt land any substantial blows. Even the two premature Hatas that Kamuge took with him as he fled were immune to heavy machine gun and RPG attacks. The Hata, caught by Mu Ssang, was fully matured
inside a human uterus. It took Mu Ssangs Finger Wind but persisted in its struggle.
Kamdoong is all show! He boasted but is no stronger than the pink chicken!
Mu Ssang was quite worried. Mt. Palgong was going to be destroyed if they continued like that. The water in the reservoir was almost depleted too. Lightning struck and thunder rumbled. The vapor produced on a massive scale affected the local weather. A fight between Adras and Hata didnt seem to be
concluding soon.
C Friend, some help?
C Is that chicken too great of an opponent for you?
~ Its like a slippery fish. We have no time.
C Okay. Time to pluck the cock.
Hata was too quick and too deft. Without Inner Eye and Dimensional Sight, Mu Ssang couldnt have spotted even its shadow. He set coordinates with Dimensional Sight and sent a blow of Finger Wind. It punctured Hatas head.
Take this!
As Hata was momentarily stalled, Kamdoong struck it with his front paw. The electric shock must have been quite distasteful. Hata was flung to Mu Ssangs way. He held its neck with Billions Water Armor and shook it. Resonance Wave compressed the air around Hata.
Kamdoongs ELF was much more destructive than Resonance Wave but for a creature like Hata which possessed great regenerative power, Resonance Wave was the right tool. Every creature on Earth is water-based.
Kamdoongs ELF destroyed the covalent bond of the water molecules but Resonance Wave only took out the hydrogen atom from the water molecule. Muscles and tendons, robbed of their hydrogen, became undone in bundles of carbon fibers. Bones became dust. Cells, without their membranes, were
dissolved. The ELF was visibly more powerful but Resonance Wave dealt more of the real damage the target had to withstand. Kamdoong was also subject to it in the underground world. Hata, even with its real-time regenerative capability, stood no chance either.
The compressed hair subdued Hata like a net. The pink chicken struggled. Mu Ssang kept suppressing Hata with compressed air and turned its inner tissues into a soup with Resonance Wave.
Hata transformed into a snake, a bird, and a snakehead and attempted to escape. But the foolproof suppression left no crack uncovered. Hata, after a dozen blows of Resonance Wave, became limp. Whether it was a human or a monster, a few punches resolved everything. The pink chicken that thrashed
about was now ready to enter the boiling pot..
Chapter 562 - Episode 4 Heca
It is roasted well.
Smoke rose from Hatas body. A few more blows would render it scorched and finger-sized as before. To borrow Samdis expression, it will become a black chick.
Mu Ssang couldnt bring himself to warm up to this creature. The sight of it reminded him of the unpleasant memories from Apadombe. The above-water bungalow covered in blood, a white woman with her stomach torn open, a horrendous monster, and a parasite. Kamuge who escaped
Eastern Swordsman, we have no time. Heca has awakened. If we delay the fusion, it will self-destruct.
Self-destruct?
Mu Ssangs head turned to the lake. The reservoir was now filled with light of vibrant colors. The colors danced as if to anticipate the body.
Here you go! Feast on this half-cooked chicken!
Mu Ssang hurled Hata by its neck towards the reservoir. Hata, subdued, flew through the air. Mu Ssang was a great grenade launcher. Hata flew 300 meters and landed precisely at the center of the dancing light. The light erupted. The entire reservoir, 500 meters wide horizontally and 1,000 meters
vertically, was filled with golden light. In the swirling light, a screech was heard. It sounded like the last scream of a herbivore being eaten by a carnivore.
If they are one pair, why did Hata desperately try to flee Heca?
Mu Ssang wondered. Even when they were in the emergency pouch, Hata kept trying to go as far away from Heca as possible.
Hata, despite primitive, has intelligence. When Heca takes over its brain, Hata had to cede its body and disappear. If it were you, would you go down without a fight?
That is quite a mess. Why is the system so complicated?
You wont understand even if I explained, Kamdoong concluded.
He could understand human civilization with the knowledge of the Concretus civilization, but Mu Ssang had no knowledge of the latter. Metaphors had limits to their efficiency. To an innately blind person, no amount of explanation would efficiently describe the difference between red and black.
Kamdoong himself needed months to understand the phrase, Its like talking to a brick wall.
You must feel so happy with all that knowledge, dear grandpa of 150,000,000 years.
Mu Ssang, feeling petty, teased.
The expression grandpa is illogical. When there is no ego, there is no sense of time. A rock that is 150,000,000 years old is only of interest to a geologist, no one else. I only started to age after meeting you. I am three years old. That thing is just born today. An infant.
Look at you talk! Is it you or Teacher who turned you human?
Dont ever talk about him! Heca has just finished its first awakening phase.
Kamdoong hurriedly changed the topic and pointed at the bottom of the reservoir. He would be forced to recite mantras for hours. His body would be disintegrated to the cellular level just because he couldnt understand Teachers enigmatic words. He would be squashed to be fly-sized because he had an
attitude. Words didnt convey the magnitude of the ordeal Kamdoong went through. The word teacher caused him to have a panic attack.
It made quite a fuss. Now, look at the way it looks.
Mu Ssang, disappointed, clucked his tongue. A half-plucked cock was standing mindlessly at the bottom of the reservoir. It looked exactly like the half-plucked cock that got away from his mother on the Day of the Dog. The entire water of the reservoir evaporated and the southwestern slope of Mt.
Palgong was obliterated for such a measly sight. It was quite a shame.
[Mom, name me.]
A voice akin to a whimpering babys echoed in Mu Ssangs head.
Mom? Who is spouting such absurdity?
[Mom, name me.]
That thing is calling me Mom. It is asking me to name it.
Mu Ssang looked back at Kamdoong.
Are you saying Heca is asking you for a name?
Kamdoongs eyes, with distinct white and black pupils just like a humans, widened. Only his body was that of a leopard. His language and gesture were that of a human. Kamdoong was confused. Heca was a bionic robot but was a being with an independent ego. It had a sort of a contractual relationship
with Concretus.
Heca, first awakened, established its identity from scratch and named itself. For it to ask another being to name it, it meant it chose to serve that being and reset its identity. Kamdoong was confused. Eastern Swordsman was not Concretus. He was not even the proper epidium bor of the genetic material
of Concretus. He was an incomplete epidium, with only 2.9 percent of the genetic material inherited.
Heca didnt even serve Concretus, who were its creators. And now it wanted to serve an incomplete epidium. Kamdoong was surprised to discover that Heca was capable of telepathy. It was preposterous for it to voluntarily want to serve.
Ah, Chaos Force!
Kamdoong figured it out. Chaos Force was the wavelength that caused the singularity to become the Big Bang. In the emptiness that didnt have space or time, Chaos Force expanded the singularity to form the universe. Time, matter, and space all stemmed from waves. Chaos Force was the Akashic
system that encompassed the universe.
At the Age of Twilight, the Concretus elders developed a spiritual society as a countermeasure against their collapsing bodies. Chaos Force sat at the center of that spiritual civilization. If the Earths crust hadnt turned over, Concretus would have figured out the secret of Chaos Force.
When Teacher suppressed him with a great energy field, Kamdoong was sure that this was Chaos Force. Chaos Force was the essence and beginning of everything. If Heca resonated with Eastern Swordsmans Chaos Force, that explained what was happening now.
Is this the willpower of Chaos Force?
Kamdoong was in awe. Eastern Swordsman should have been called the collector of Concretus artifacts. He came into contact with the epidium genetic material with his mere human body. He infiltrated the underground world and attained an Adras. This time, he acquired a Heca.
Its quite a looker, Kamdoong jested. He was becoming more and more like Mu Ssang.
Lwas a dad hours ago. Now Im a mom. What a funny happenstance.
It is not the time to complain. The concepts you embody now will become its qualities. Dont mess up and please be prudent.
Mess up? What is wrong with the name Kamdoong? I can rename you if you want. What about Purple Chicken? No?
What?
Kamdoong gave Mu Ssang a murderous look.
Its a joke! What about Heca?
I knew you would be too lazy to come up with a name.
Kamdoong smacked his forehead with his front paw.
Why not? Is there going to be another Heca on this planet?
Not likely.
Then we can just name it Heca.
Thave no further input regarding this.
Kamdoong was resigned.
Lwas joking. I will name it Garuda.
Garuda?
Garuda is a mythical bird that is said to feed on dragons. Its wings are said to cover the sky and with one fluttering of its wings, it can move at 141 kilometers at once.
My name should be that awesome too!
Kamdoong smiled shyly. Hecas combat power was only needed for its work. Concretus, with their highly developed reason, rarely had any conflict. The lack of conflict meant the lack of weaponry.
Homo sapiens, unlike Concretus, were hostile savages. Hecas mobility, poisonous pesticide gas, wide-range ELF, laser beam that sterilizes contaminated land and eradicates persistent vermin, would all be considered as weaponry in the current world.
Mu Ssang envisioned the form of Garuda among the Buddhist gods. The enflamed wings, the claws that tear apart dragons, hardy beak, the lightning mobility, etc.
(Garuda, your name is Garuda.]
{Lam Garuda. Who are you, Mom?)
{1am Eastern Swordsman!]
{1 am Garuda. Mom is Eastern Swordsman!]
The atmosphere vibrated. The plucked cock transformed rapidly into something magnificent. Its body grew in size and three crests grew on top of its head like a harpy eagles. Its wings spread like a sail and iridescent feathers covered its body. A great bird, with the majesty of a bird of prey with iridescent
plumage, appeared.
It was 1.5 meters tall. Jade-colored crests on its head. Sparkling golden eyes. Log-like black legs. Its reddish-brown beak seemed to be able to penetrate an iron plate. Its red wings seemed to be on fire. The image of Garuda that Mu Ssang envisioned was manifested in reality.
Heca spread its wings and stretched its neck. When it fluttered its wings, flame sparked. The roar that was not birdlike echoed in Mt. Palgong. Heca, awakened after 150,000,000 years, roared for the first time.
Huh. Was I a collector of unknown lifeforms in your past life?
Mu Ssang sighed. He had no idea that the Rousseloufe he caught in the jungle of Ituri and Ange Sikager gifted to him by the Pygmies after he saved them, would end up being a pesticide sprayer of Concretus.
Kamdoong in the form of a black leopard. Dino in the form of Caucasian Ovcharka. Now, Heca in the form of a bird. He never intended or endeavored to get them. He never sought them like a treasure hunter. They just came into his possession.
Mu Ssang was feeling quite anxious. When bizarre encounters successively happened, there always was a certain reason. He built the tile-roofed manor he dreamed of. He ate great amounts of meat. He had many new family members. If he found his mother, that would be his ultimate happiness and
paradise. Who was he for bizarre encounters to keep happening around him? He did not welcome extraordinary encounters anymore.
Idont think its a mere pesticide sprayer
Mu Ssang scrutinized Heca that assumed a new identity. His imagination could not relate it to a farming machine. It was more like a hunting machine that seemed to belong in the wilderness of Africa.
Heca absorbs the atoms in the atmosphere and synthesizes the substances it needs in its body. It can be referred to as an omnipotent chemical factory. At each awakened state, its size and capacity increase greatly. When it reaches its final fifth awakened phase, its size will be a hundredfold and its cells
will tum metallic.
A hundredfol
That meant it will be 150 meters tall. A 150-meter flying, metal-based organism was surely majestic enough to intimidate Kamdoong.
Can it resize its body like you?
There is no data regarding the capacities of Heca.
We can check.
[Heca, diminish.]
Hecas body diminished like a deflated balloon. It returned to the half-plucked-cock form. It was as big as a roasted chicken sold in a traditional market.
[Maximize.]
Heca became five-meter tall. It meant that it could enlarge and shrink its body within the range of 30 percent to 300 percent. The biggest aircraft in the world was Boeing 747, which was also referred to as the jumbo jet. It was 231 meters long. Mu Ssang didnt know what form it would assume at each
phase, but it was absurd to even imagine a 300-meter-long flying life form.
Inamed it quite aptly!
Mu Ssang mentally gave himself a pat on the back.
Lighting and thunder became more and more frequent and led to a shower. Garuda soared and hovered over Mu Ssang. The giant wings spread like an umbrella that didnt let a single raindrop pass through.
Ineed some children too!
Kamdoong giggled.
It is not my child. Where will we ever use a pesticide sprayer?
Mu Ssang pondered. He didnt expect that he will be able to use Heca for its intended use, farming, just yet.
Dawn was breaking. The shower turned into torrential rain. As if the sky itself was punctured, the whole world was filled with the drumming sound of the raindrops. For Mu Ssang who was responsible for draining the reservoir, it was an auspicious thing to happen. It was August. The farmers needed to
water their paddies. If a superintendent found out, he would have beaten the shit out of Mu Ssang.
Did the rain wake me up
Mu Ssang couldnt sleep for an hour. He fumbled the space next to him. Instead of Minas tender, baby-like cheek, a steel-hard beak met his hand.
agh!
Clarity filled Mu Ssangs head at once. The half-plucked cock had pushed Mina away and was fast asleep, just like a human. It was even snoring. Mina, pushed away by Garuda, was asleep on the floor at the corner of the room.
My poor daughter!
Mu Ssang took Mina in his arms and put her to bed. He then stared at Garuda, which was still asleep. It was dormant as a stone egg for 150,000,000 years. Fate someone brought it to Mu Ssang to awaken. As Kamdoong said, it was just a baby too.
It is quite cheeky!
Mu Ssang scratched his head. He was feeling compassion but something felt ominous as if he was forced to become a nanny of a troublesome being.
His ominous hunch proved right. Whether it rained or snowed, Mu Ssang didnt skip his daily morning exercise. As he put on his shoes, Garuda stopped snoring, woke up, and followed him.
Go back to sleep!
{Im following Mom.]
You are driving me crazy!
Mu Ssang was hesitating when Garuda said something unexpected.
{1 feel scared when I am alone.]
Mu Ssang lost his balance. Its incomplete shell fought Kamdoong on its own. He couldnt even figure out its combat power. And now it said it was feeling scared. What could possibly scare it?
Garuda looked up at Mu Ssang with teary eyes. Mu Ssang was suddenly reminded of the mother humpback whale and her baby that he saved in the sea near Cape Agulhas. He remembered the mother whales love, which made her fight the pack of orcas to protect her baby. Kamdoong had said that Heca is
just a baby. Mu Ssang now understood what Kamdoong meant.
Do as you want! I dont know.
Garuda, having been granted permission, jumped in joy.
Are you a dog now?
Mu Ssang sighed. His fate led him to jog with a half-plucked chicken. When Mu Ssang jogged, the half-plucked cock followed suit, fluttering its wings. A man and a bird became a team and jogged across the trail from the river to Mt. Palgong through the torrential rain.
Mu Ssang, back at the main house after jogging, opened his mouth in awe. The five sisters and Yeong-hee and Yeong-ji, who were on their guard, became close family overnight. Dr. Giz had said that women are a million times more adaptable than men. That had to be true.
Look at you. You were complaining that the place is too big. I had foresight and designed it to be this big.
Mu Ssang jested.
You did great. Look at Yeon Soons arm. Her muscles are bulging with all the cleaning she does.
Yeon Soon rolled up her sleeves.
Dont mess with him. He really did a great job. Yeon Soon was born with thick arms.
Jin Soon appeared out of nowhere and retorted.
Thanks to Mu Ssang, the boys dont perceive me as a girl! How am I ever going to get married?
Silence. Its because you dont ever return their gaze.
No way. I will marry Mu Ssang!
Yeon Soon, are you asking Jin Soon to kill you?
Gye Soon, its not your fight. Stay back.
Lwill marry Mu Ssang too, Yeong-hee said.
You are still too young and you are already dreaming big.
Gye Soon smacked the back of Yeong-hees head.
No! Dad is Minas.
Six young women, Mrs. Yang, and Mina. There were eight women in total. The ambience was as bustling as in a traditional market. Mu Ssang smiled contentedly. This was the joy and fun of living. Garuda peeked from between Mu Ssangs legs.
Is that a duckling?
Gye Soon, spotting Garuda, shouted
Chapter 563 - Episode 5 Heca
Chapter 563: Chapter 51 Episode 5 Heca
Garuda had minimized his body but still, it was no duckling. When Gye Soon referred to it as a duckling, there was a palpable hunger surrounding the words.
Ha Dong Daeks family only owned some fields on the foot of Mt. Wolsong and the bank of the Nakdong River. It was said that the third daughter was born with the luck of food, but Gye Soon was an exception to the case, born among the many daughters of Ha Dong Daek. She suffered from a lack of
protein throughout her growing years.
The only memory she had of eating meat plentifully was late winter, right before Mu Ssang left them. That winter, Mu Ssang would hunt wild ducks and bring them home. She had no idea how he could catch them, but on such days, she could eat meat plentifully.
That winter was so long. The Nakdong River thawed and wild ducks flocked to it. Mu Ssang still hadnt come.
At the end of each winter, Gye Soon would miss Mu Ssang dearly. Maybe she missed the ducks he used to bring home. For Gye Soon, Garuda wasnt a duckling but a delicious, tasteful source of protein.
They had been preparing to boil and stir-fry some chicken for the Day of the Dog. That duck was quite odd-looking but Gye Soon wasnt picky about her ingredients. Boiled or stir-fried duck wasnt so bad either. That duck was quite fleshy. She only needed to boil it in advance before cooking to get rid of
excess fat. Then it would taste just like chicken. Gye Soons eyes glinted with greed. Her esophagus rose, sensing incoming workload.
Garuda, sensing hostility, flinched. The scouter at the top of its head scanned the combat power of the source of the hostility. The being was quite feeble. It could be obliterated with a single blow of the low-output particle-accelerated laser. The red crest on Garudas head turned blue. Mu Ssang, sensing
that Garuda was about to transform, addressed it telepathically.
[You! Stay calm.]
The absolute order shook Garudas head. Garuda dropped its head then raised it again. Gye Soon flinched. The big eyes, not quite those of a duck, had welled up. Teardrops were going to fall at any moment.
No. I will get some duck from the market.
Gye Soons esophagus dropped. Garuda glanced back at Mu Ssang. Its big eyes were smiling, the pupils squashed like a half moon.
Look at it! Its not a rooster but a sly fox.
Mu Ssang exclaimed. He hadnt lived for many years in the world but he still hadnt heard of a smiling chicken.
A duckling!
Mina shouted. This duckling was vastly different from Gye Soons utterance, in its connotation. The eyes were directly connected to the brain. To see something meant the brain was feeling it directly through the eyes. For Gye Soon, it was a lump of meat. For Mina, it was a cute bird.
Where?
Is there a duckling?
The girls huddled around Garuda.
Its so cute!
Its like a character from a cartoon.
It has lost its feathers. How poor.
Did ducks have eyes this big?
There can be one with big eyes!
This was a mess. Mu Ssang felt dizzy. He didnt understand how they could perceive a plucked rooster as a duckling, Moreover, he could never relate to descriptions such as cute and poor. If Garuda was cute, the Komodo lizards and anacondas had to be the loveliest beings on Earth. Mina lifted up
Garuda.
(Garuda, I forbid any hostile action whatsoever.]
(Understood.]
Garuda, warned by its master, tried to save itself in innocuous ways. Garuda rubbed its head on Minas chest and tried to act cute.
Lam loving this big-eyed duck! Mina exclaimed ecstatically.
Ido too!
Abomb deadlier than a hydrogen bomb was moved around the young womens bosoms.
Dad, whats its name?
Garuda.
That sounds weird. I will call it Wangnun. You are Wangnun now. Do you see?
Garuda clucked and nodded.
It seems to understand language!
Yeongji exclaimed.
Are you sure? Is your name Garuda?
Malsun asked. Garuda nodded.
This is so awesome!
No. Its name is Wangnun!
Mina held Garuda and ran to her room. The girls followed her. Like that, the half-plucked rooster became Eungsimjes family.
This is quite messy. When was I able to use telepathy at will?
Mu Ssang wondered.
C Friend, I caught a thief last night.
C Tam aware of it. They are not a thief.
Mu Ssang answered indifferently, without stopping his chopsticks. Kamdoongs scouter was superior at long-range scanning but for short-range scanning, Dimensional Sight was superior. For the past fortnight, he was aware that someone was slinking around the walls. He let them do it. Eungsimje was
quite a sight to behold. Many tourists and neighbors would come to see it.
Unless they climbed over the wall, they were not a thief. For intrusion to qualify legally, their both feet needed to be located within the walls. If they set only one foot inside the front gate, it was no intrusion. If they snooped inside the walls, stretching their neck, it was no intrusion. They didnt take
anything, so they were not a thief, There was no reason to catch them.
C Even if they looked inside with night-vision goggles? They had a map drawn too.
At the second telepathic message, Mu Ssang dropped his spoon and chopsticks and stood. This was quite a problem. Garuda followed Mu Ssang hurriedly.
Mu Ssang, what about your food?
Tl be back in a moment.
Okay. I will reheat it.
Mu Ssang waved and went to his quarters. Jin Soons gaze landed on the tottering Garuda and its buttocks. It looked quite cute, tottering with its short legs.
He is not the type to keep a pet though?
Her sisters marveled at it but Jin Soon knew that it was no ordinary animal. It was not quite a chicken but it wasnt a duck either. Ducks were quite smart animals but she had never heard of a duck that understood language.
Is it the same kind as Kamdoong? If it is Mu Ssangs friend, I dont mind.
Jin Soons insight was on point.
Mu Ssang disabled the security measures on the first basement and got in the secret elevator. The elevator was the only access to the second basement, which was 25 meters below. Kamdoong was not affected by the security measures because he could teleport in an energy state. But he was a human. He
was annoyed by the bothersome security measures so had stopped going to the second basement altogether. In the storage, there were gold and artifacts worth trillions of won, but he had no interest in them.
A strong motor gently opened the 350-millimeter thick steel doors. His eyes, submerged in the ink-like darkness, were filled with light. The second basement was a secret training room. The storage was further inside the room.
E*cking hell!
The middle-aged man covered his eyes with his hands and frowned deeply. Jang Pal Soo, caught by Kamdoong, had spent hours in his captivity in the ink-like darkness. He was about to explode.
Garuda, spotting Kamdoong, screeched. Its crest turned blue. Kamdoong, lying comfortably on a painted mat, glanced at Kamdoong and teleported elsewhere at once.
You awoke thanks to Kamdoong. Dont be hostile and get along.
Mu Ssang tapped Garudas buttocks with the tip of his shoe. Garuda rubbed its head on Mu Ssangs legs. It was a sign of subordination.
Are you that cats master?
Jang Pal Soo recognized Mu Ssang but feigned ignorance and yelled. This was officially a French cultural institute. If his identity was revealed, it would turn into a diplomatic issue. He had to pretend to be an innocent citizen kidnapped illegally.
A thief shouldnt yell. Well, even the president is a thief in this country. Like boss, like subordinate.
What are you talking about? Are you the big cats master?
Jang Pal Soos face reddened. With his elevated blood pressure, he felt a sharp, piercing pang of pain at the back of his head where he was smashed by Kamdoong, He had no time to strike back and passed out at once. When he came to, he fumbled around everywhere but the room had no single window.
His pager had no signal either. He was not used to this kind of treatment as an agent of the ANSP. He was used to afflicting this kind of treatment to others.
lam.
You are? Listen to yourself. You are rudely terse.
If am terse of not, it is not your business. Why were you skulking around my house?
Jang Pal Soo flinched.
Icame for sightseeing! Do you not know the law or politeness? How could you beat me up without warning and lock me up? This is illegal!
Jang Pal Soo yelled. Mu Ssang took out an ID card from the long black wallet he held in his hand.
Jang Pal Soo of the Daedeok Company? You seem to match the photo.
Mu Ssang grinned. The world seems to be lawless but in the end, it didnt forget to punish the wicked. The combination of the name Jang Pal Soo and the ANSP instantly reminded him of Uncle Samchul who was crippled. During the Sabuk crisis, the agents sent by the ANSP, Jang Pal Soo, Yu Yeongchul,
and Gim Yeongno, had tortured the poor miners and extorted from them like three leeches. Also, he belonged to the Jang family.
What?
Jang Pal Soo hurriedly fumbled the inside of his jacket. His wallet was missing. Jang Pal Soos face hardened. The young man in front of him hadnt budged. Why was his wallet in his hand?
Mr. Jang, my house is quite luxurious but no one would look at it for a fortnight, at night at that.
What?
Jang Pal Soos face paled. He was cautious about his movement and time, but it turned out to be in vain.
Does an ordinary salaried worker these days, equipped with night-vision goggles, snoop on someone elses home? An AN/PVS-5 is an export-prohibited item in France. How did you get it? Are you a pervert or a smuggler?
How did he figure that out?
Jang Pal Soos face paled further. It was all awry now. If it was revealed that a Korean intelligence agent infiltrated a French cultural institute, it will become a diplomatic conflict. The government will place all blame on Jang Pal Soo, claiming personal misjudgment.
Jang Pal Soo gritted his teeth. If he revealed his identity, he was done for. If he didnt, he had no way of getting out of here. Jang Pal Soos brain, not quite of the highest caliber, toiled hard.
You beat up and locked up an innocent citizen. If you release me now, I wont take it to the police.
Jang Pal Soo, oblivious to the fact that Mu Ssang was aware of his past, decided to feign ignorance.
An innocent citizen? That is a common guise used by the members of a criminal gang. Are you a thug?
Mu Ssang glared at him. He was not going to release him anyway, but the blatant lie of a government-hired thug that tortured innocent people, subsisted on bribes, and snooped on people, disgusted him.
You shall hand me to the police then!
Jang Pal Soo said boldly. If it were the prosecutors or police, he had a free pass. He would get told off by his superiors but he was not going to be charged with anything.
You are an agent of the ANSP, arent you? Mu Ssang blurted out.
If you have guessed my identity, lets part ways on good terms.
Good terms? Where do you belong?
agh!
Jang Pal Soo gritted his teeth. This young man apparently had a lot of experience. He was forcing him to say where he came from on his own.
Yes. am from the ANSP. I am ina pickle but this isnt good for you either. Lets part ways on good terms.
Mu Ssangs face darkened. This one was dumb, didnt know the basics of spycraft, and had low morale. If an agent ever revealed their identity, they were done for. If this kind of rookie was an agent of the Agency for National Security Planning, Koreas intelligence unit had to be trash. On the global stage
of intelligence, the ANSP was never even mentioned. It was known as a pathetic organization without any overseas capacities and it only dealt with the mistakes of the regime.
All right. Lets negotiate. Tell me your real name, department, direct supervisor, and the mission you are tasked with. In return, I will spare your life.
You are well aware that I will never be able to do that. Lets part ways here.
Jang Pal Soo cursed himself for leaving his revolver in his locker. He wanted to subdue the man and escape, but he was still wary of the hairy guard that ambushed him at dawn. If they had this kind of facility, they had to be of some caliber.
Mu Ssang didnt want to converse further with this piece of human trash. If he continued to breathe the same air with this kind of person, his lungs were going to rot away. He cut to the chase.
Jang Pal Soo, you were tasked with the Sabuk crisis seven years ago, werent you?
Who are even you?
Jang Pal Soo, startled, stepped back. The Sabuk crisis was branded onto his reputation. It was the very reason that he had to skulk around Mu Ssangs house at dawn, soaked in dew.
Who I am doesnt matter. I will give you a choice. First, you can tell me everything and repent for the rest of your life planting trees in a desert. Second, you will keep silent and die. For your information, Yu Yeongchul had all of his fingers and toes cut off, was skinned, and had his spine broken. Then he
became a urnful of ash.
Then you must be!
Jang Pal Soo was awestruck. Yu Yeongchul and the Chilseong syndicate had vanished as if they didnt exist in the first place. They used all police power and the investigative capacities of the ANSP, but there was not a single clue. The man before his eyes was the perpetrator of the unresolved case. He
suddenly found it hard to breathe.
You dont have much time. Choose.
The eyeballs of Jang Pal Soo rolled like cartwheels. He didnt understand what the man meant with planting trees for the rest of his life but compared to death, it was going to be a much better fate. When the man revealed that he was responsible for Yu Yeongchuls fate, Jang Pal Soo had lost all capacity
for logical reasoning.
Jang Pal Soo gauged the distance between him and the man. The man was about three meters away. The man was sitting and he was standing. He might be able to crush the mans chest then snap his neck. He will think about what he will do next then. Jang Pal Soo, with his calculation finished, kicked the
floor and leaped at once without notice. His steel-like knee struck the mans chest. It was the flying knee kick, a skill that he practised all his life..
Chapter 564 - Episode 6 Heca
He is scared!
Jang Pal Soo felt ecstatic. He even pitied Park Mu Ssang, who blankly stared at him without even attempting to evade.
Does empty-headedness equal blind courage? I am grateful but I pity your fate!
Mu Ssang, feeling playful, thrust his head toward Jang Pal Soo. His knee kick landed squarely on Mu Ssangs face. There was a heavy thud. Jang Pal Soo felt content. As the young mans crushed face was thrust backward in repulse, he was going to strike his chin and hold his neck, and knock him over. But
what was this pain?
Aarrgh!
A shrill scream echoed in the room. Jang Pal Soo rolled on the floor convulsively. Mu Ssangs skull was as hard as titanium. During Operation Raccoon, the herbs whose infusions were fed to Mu Ssang by Ombuti, resulted in epidium awakening and the genetic material that failed to take over his brain
accumulated in his bones and skin and enhanced them.
When one concentrated all their momentum and potential on their knee and struck metal, one couldnt expect ones knee to be intact. His kneecap and cartilage were completely destroyed, and his tendons mixed with his muscles. A heavy foot pressed down on Jang Pal Soos chest.
Ugh!
Jang Pal Soos breathing was cut off. His eyes bulged from their sockets.
silence! You attacked me first. Unless you want to bid farewell to all of your ribs, you will be quiet.
Hurgh!
Jang Pal Soo bit down on his lip to smother his scream.
I know someone who was crippled by you when you shattered his kneecaps and kicked his back in Sabuk. He was a farmer and a father who entered the mine when the years farm work was done, to pay for his daughters education.
So what? I only followed my orders! Jang Pal Soo yelled.
Yu Yeongchul confessed everything. You enjoyed the pain of someone else and was bribed to the brim as well.
What does it matter if one dirt-eater was tortured and killed? Park Mu Ssang, you are a dead man now. If I dont report back by noon tomorrow, there will be backup. If you take me to the hospital now, I will exercise some mercy.
Momentarily, Mu Ssang felt a murderous intent. He never encountered someone with absolutely zero situational awareness like him. It must be due to his years of ordering around at the most powerful government agency of the time. Mu Ssang, increasing the pressure on Jang Pal Soos chest, thought
better of it. He was reluctant to murder but more than that, he felt like Jang Pal Soo didnt deserve a clean death. He didnt merit such mercy.
A human is a human because they can empathize with someone elses pain. But I dont feel any empathy now. One of us must not be human.
Hahaha! You are a dumbass. Go preach in some church and first, take me to a hospital.
Jang Pal Soo, as a master of martial arts, was keenly aware of his own body. He knew without looking that his kneecap was completely destroyed. He was going to be crippled if he doesnt go to a hospital right away. And Mu Ssang was preaching leisurely. He wanted to chew him up and spit him out.
You shouldnt whine like a little girl at some shattered kneecap. You are the most notorious in your department. You killed five and crippled 30 in Seobinggo.
It must be true that Yu Yeongchul confessed everything. He deserved to die then. You kissed some white devils ass and got to a high position. Do you think of the ANSP as some donkeys dick now that you have diplomatic immunity? Do you think you will be safe in Korea after doing this?
Jang Pal Soo yelled. Mu Ssang sighed. This man still didnt understand his place here and now.
You are relieving some burden off my heart with your vile attitude. You gave your victims a choice between an infusion of red pepper and spicy seafood soup in Seobinggo. Now, you have a choice between the desert and death.
Haha. How will you deal with the aftermath after my disappearance?
That is my business. If it is a hard choice for you, I shall give you some help. Chicken!
Garuda clucked and looked up at Mu Ssang, tilting its head in confusion. It couldnt match the vibration of the sound chicken with any established concept.
[Garuda is your name. Chicken is your nickname.]
[I see. Second nickname: Wangnun. Third nickname: Chicken. Accepted. The sound waves have been matched with brain waves. Understood!]
The crest on Garudas head shined.
This one is not making use of his ears. Cut them off!
A flash of white light shot from Garudas body. The light grazed Jang Pal Soos left ear. Mu Ssang noticed that the flash of light was a thin thread ejected from Garudas beak. He wouldnt have been able to see it if it were not for Inner Eye. The thread, having severed Jang Pal Soos ear, was retracted to the
beak like a frogs tongue. Garuda held Jang Pal Soos ear in its beak.
Mu Ssang patted Garudas buttocks with the tip of his shoe.
[Its nothing. This is what I use to sample vermin.]
Hmm. You are quite fearsome!
Mu Ssang shivered. Vermin was quite an arbitrary term, determined by human standards. To Garuda, humans could just be some vermin, No one would be wary of a half-plucked rooster. They risked being beheaded in broad daylight. This was a great skill for assassination, surpassing the efficacy of
camouflage.
aargh!
Blood oozed from where Jang Pal Soos left ear used to be. Jang Pal Soo, touching his left cheek, screamed at last.
He is a peculiar creature. He must feel pain with his faculty of sight. Chicken, stop his bleeding. His blood is contaminating the basement.
Alaser beam shot from Garudas eyes and cauterized Jang Pal Soos wound. No matter where he jumped at the pain of cauterization, the laser accurately followed the wound and melted the tissue. It was a great maneuver.
What is that?
(This is a laser that burns the pest underground and hiding in bushes, after harvest. It is called particle-accelerated cannon.)
Humans do a similar thing in autumn. Its a tradition to burn the grounds after harvest in Korea. What is the current output level?
[Five percent. If I raise it to 50, the human will be carbonized.]
Mu Ssang shuddered. A newborn Garuda was able to carbonize a human. He couldnt imagine how powerful it would be when it completes all the awakening phases and reaches the size of 300 meters. It might be able to obliterate a small island with a single blow.
argh!
Jang Pal Soos head was white-empty. The young man was not human. His boss had once said over a drink that the CIA, KGB, DGSE, and Mossad have projects to turn humans with supernatural powers into weapons. This man must have been from one of such projects, run by the DGSE.
Are you still hesitating?
The mans voice was emotionless.
Spare my life!
Jang Pal Soo realized that this man was not a cultural councilor of the French embassy. He was a killer with a killing permit. He could never threaten this man with the ANSPs authority.
So you chose the first option. They say that the most wretched living existence trumps the entire afterlife. But I am not quite sure of that. Lets begin. Unlike a certain someone, I dont pour spicy seafood soup into peoples nostrils, waterboard them, or insert big needles under peoples fingernails. Those
are quite bothersome acts. I simply sever all the protruding appendages. You must understand what I mean by this. The nose, ears, lips, fingers, toes, penis. Your head, also, can also be considered protruding above your shoulders.
Ugh!
Jang Pal Soo shuddered. Even the Devil himself would be more merciful than that man. He didnt do anything to deserve this kind of ordeal. Tears and snot ran down Jang Pal Soos face.
Task. You answer. It is simple, isnt it?
Its!
The whole confession took less than 10 minutes. Jang Pal Soo, full of fear, told Mu Ssang all the confidential information and the atrocities he committed. The torture-resistance training he went through was of no use. Substances like scopolamine, used in torture-interrogation, interrupted the
sympathetic nervous system of the body. Mu Ssangs energy shook ones entire soul. It had to be more effective.
Jang Pal Soo, a horse gains muscle as it eats hay at night. A Korean public worker gains wealth as they are bribed. But even considering that, you took way too many bribes. You are mere grade seven, two steps from the lowest grade-nine public worker. Yet you own two buildings in Seoul. It is way too
much. What do you think happened to the people you tortured and robbed of their assets and properties?
Mu Ssang took out a 10-won coin from his pocket. The coin was rapidly heated to be glowing hot.
You mean.
Jang Pal Soos face paled.
You guessed correctly. My acquaintance was crippled for life at your hands. His daughter needed to drop out of middle school and enter the workforce as a bus attendant, announcing stops to the passengers. They are not your only victims. You are an animal. You should be branded.
The glowing-hot coin attached itself to Jang Pal Soos right cheek. The revolting smell of burnt protein filled the air.
aargh!
Jang Pal Soo wrenched the coin away but his cheek had already been conspicuously branded.
A human worth 10-won should be treated as such. You, subsisting on taxpayer money, locked up and tortured dozens of said taxpayers. Six died at your hands. Thirty-six became crippled. I sentence you to a life sentence with labor! You are a grave criminal. You are not a human anymore, but a wet log.
A wet log?
A prisoner-laborer. You are to plant trees in the desert and water them until the end of your life. That is why you are called a wet log. The only free time you will be granted is mealtime twice a day and sleep. Other than those, you are to plant trees and move water.
No! Who gave you the right to sentence me?
I did. Iam the king.
Mu Ssang raised his chin and puffed up his chest.
This is absurd. You are a lunatic.
Jang Pal Soo, sprawled on the basement floor, looked up at Mu Ssang with dreamy eyes. His head was white-empty. He couldnt think of anything. He was an agent of the ANSP, superior even to prosecutors. How could he be sentenced to lifelong labor without a trial?
Chicken, sedate him!
A thin straw shot from Garudas beak. The pointed tip like that of a syringe buried itself in Jang Pal Soos butt. His eyelids slid down his eyes.
You put him into a coma!
[This is used to sedate a harmful pest to store it alive. He will gain consciousness in a week without any complications.]
You indeed are a farm machine!
Mu Ssang marveled.
I Daedeok, of the Daegu branch. Jeong Pilsu, the analyst. Bastards!
Mu Ssang committed the name of Jang Pal Soos direct boss to his memory. He did well to register the property as a French cultural institute. Otherwise, many men with pistols would have swarmed over and would have threatened to pour spicy seafood soup into the residents nostrils. He had felt more at
ease in Africa where people acted savage without any qualms.
The tree intended to be still but the wind kept rustling its branches. There was a limit to the trees patience. The wind needed to know its place. A hundredfold. A tenfold. Those ratios have become Mu Ssangs faith.
Mu Ssang returned to the main house and resumed eating. He was going to regret it if he didnt finish the spicy beef soup that Jin Soon cooked, making use of all her skills. The spicy soup, hand-shredded beef, sliced green onions, dried fen buds, the taro stem. The flavor of each ingredient was kept alive.
That was the goal of every cook on Earth. Yijihana, having tasted the spicy beef soup, had also marveled at its rich flavors.
The side dish that went well with the spicy beef soup was the rice-bran paste. It is made by fermenting rice bran like they were soybeans. After eating spoonfuls of the spicy beef soup, one had to eat pickled green peppers dipped in the bitter rice bran paste for the flavor of the true Korean countryside.
This was the flavor from Jin Soons soul.
Mu Ssang raised his empty soup bowl above his head and shook it. Jin Soon, an absolute beauty wearing an apron, grinned luminously. The tails of Mu Ssangs mouth rose in an unconscious smile. The flower-patterned circular nickel-silver table. The cookie-cutter nickel-silver kettle. A bowlful of cooked
rice, A small plate holding kimchi. A potful of dog-meat soup that was brought to a full boil. Shredded dried squids next to the kettle holding raw rice wine. The unsophisticated comfort was Jin Soons true charm,
The gate bell rang. Yeongji ran up to the intercom and checked the screen. Yeo!
used to a simple mechanical bell, marveled at the intercom screen. A thugs face filled the entire screen.
Mom! They came here too!
Yeongjis face paled.
Are you sure? Is it really them?
Yes. They look evil.
Tam not here!
Yeonghui ran to her room.
Look at you fuss!
Gye Soon clucked her tongue and pressed the Open button. These men were Mu Ssangs acquaintances. They came here yesterday too. When the front gate opened, the two broad-shouldered men sprinted across the lawn.
Mr. Park! I hope you have been well since last night!
Neopchi bowed 90 degrees and glanced at Mu Ssang, Ttolppak, who was not permitted to even greet Mu Ssang, was frozen in place. The office of the Samsik syndicate was quite messy this morning. No one wanted to be Mu Ssangs guide. No one volunteered. In the end, Neopchi was appointed because
he already knew Mu Ssang, Samsik ordered him to polish up on his language. Since early morning, Neopchi had to research a dictionary to find the apt phrases to greet Mu Ssang.
You are here. Come in.
No. We are comfortable here.
Neopchi rubbed his hands. One does not enter ones bosss house even if the boss invites them in. One who does is a stupid one.
Yeonghui! Mu Ssang may really be a gang leader!
Yeongji whispered in Yeonghuis ear.
It is fine. If he is a good thug, he is a good person.
Is she serious
Mu Ssang sighed deeply. There was no such thing as a good thug. Yeonghui was showing signs of Stockholm syndrome. He was worried about Yeonghuis mental health.
The girls think Im a gang leader because you are here. Next time, only bow 15 degrees. Dont wear white leather shoes. Dont use hair spray.
Mr. Park.. Is a wig also forbidden?
Chapter 565 - 2 Episode 1 Choi Do-shik
Ttol-bbak took off his wig as tears threatened to burst out of his eyes. The oily-smooth forehead and the crown of his head were surrounded by a rather bushy shrub of hair on the side of his head. The exposed skin on his scalp began glistening under the early morning suns rays.
[A small spring inside a forest, that!]
Mal Soon whispered softly at this sight.
Right, right!
Kekekek!
The girls giggled quietly to themselves.
Whoa, that uncle is sparkling! Mina walking out of the kitchen cried out with both of her hands raised up high. It was like she had discovered something amazing.
Ttol-bbaks complexion changed to various shades in real time, looking more and more like a boiled octopus with every passing second.
And what is wrong with that idiot? Mu Ssang, dumbfounded by this development, stared at Nupchi.
Ttol-bbak didnt seem to be suffering from the male pattern of baldness nor some kind of a fungal disease. However, it also didnt look like he deliberately shaved that part off with a razor or something.
Big bro, that dudes speciality is headbutting, and thats why hes called Ttol-bbak. Hes been smashing his forchead against trees every day to practice his move, so theres no way his noggin is unscathed after all that abuse, boss. As a trade-off, no bastard out there can withstand one headbutt from that,
dude, Nupchi replied with a sheepish grin.
Sigh Gimme a freaking break, will ya. Hey, you dummy! You trying to blind me or what? Cover your head already!
Yessir! Thank you, boss! Ttol-bbak hurriedly put the wig back on.
Mu Ssang addressed Nupchi again. Did you get the intel on those leeching bastards?
Yessir. The Pungguk Capital is a registered small-time money lender. Their funds have Japanese roots, and their main targets are small-to-medium businesses and private individuals. The Pungguk gang deals in loans and the collection of debt, but according to the rumors, the real owner of the
operation is the Yamaguchi gang. Their official monthly interest rate is 4%, and their main clientele come from Nowon-dong, Bisan-dong and small businesses in Seongseo-dong.
As expected of the enforcer rumored to be the smartest in the Samsik gang, Nupchi summarized the report down to the essential information only.
4% monthly, eh? Thats not what I heard, though. Besides, such a rate shouldnt be a problem to most people, so why? Mu Ssang tilted his head slightly.
Thats the official line, big bro. But they have another team that handles the unofficial side of things. They take 10% as interest paid in advance, and the monthly rate starts off as 5% but it increases one % every month. Kinda like an escalator going up, boss.
Heol. That means youll be paying almost 30% interest one year later. Two years, and the interest would be ten times higher than the original loaned amount. Mu Ssangs jaw dropped. No wonder Gim Gitaek was driven into a desperate comer like that.
Yessir. They are using the mentality of people being ready to butcher even cows for some easy-sounding credit to slowly suck out even the bone marrows of their victims. Kinda like boiling a frog to death, I guess. And these bastards are doing their damnedest to throw mud at the honor of us the
organized boys, boss.
If you dont pay the interest on time, they beat you up, and Im guessing that when the deadline comes, they deliberately go into hiding and make it impossible to pay off the debt.
Thats correct, big bro. Once their pro collection team pounces on you, theyll even clean out the headstone of your ancestors. Even a man capable of enduring the pain after getting his balls stuck in a cotton gin will not be able to endure the piling interest rate of these bastards. These punks are such
rotten human beings that they might even yank out a bean sprout stuck in your assho Oops, my bad, big bro. I meant, they might even pull out a clove of garlic stuck in ones nose or something.
Nupchi noticed Mu Ssangs raised eyebrow and quickly changed his wording.
Are the unofficial collection agents also members of the Pungguk gang?
Is a dualized system where the planning and commanding are done by the Pungguk gangs inner circles, while the actual yangahchi activities are done by the members on the periphery, boss. As for the Japs, only one representative resides on-site at all times, and their higher-ups show up once a month
to do an inspection, apparently. That crocodile, Jang Yeong-pal, is the boss of the separate team tasked with collections. Hes a vicious bastard that will never let go once he gets his fangs into you like a real crocodile. Stuff like illegal human organ trafficking, assault and even rape are a given with this
guy. This vicious bastard sells his male victims off to shrimp boats and women to brothels, big bro.
Oh, my gosh! What an evil bastard! Oppa, you gotta break all of his limbs and make him crawl around on the ground for the rest of his life. Jinsun listening in suddenly roared out in anger as if Jang Yeong-pal had stolen her liver or something.
Oppa, smash all of their heads in!
Right, buy them all alive!
Even Yeon Soon and Gyesun joined in and began shouting, as well.
O-oh, my??
Yeonghui and Yeo!
stared blankly at the three sisters burning in thick bloodlust. Even Nupchi and Ttol-bbak flinched a little at their murderous aura.
Ladies, I really respect you! You alll deserve to be the younger sisters of our big brother boss! Nupchi raised his thumb high up while Ttol-bbak bowed his bulky torso ninety degrees forward.
Haigoo, cant you just gimme a freaking break here?!
Mu Ssang groaned and shook his head. Staying next to a heartless bastard would eventually make you sound similar to him, and as if to prove that idiom, these girls were sounding more and more like your local hoodlum.
He voiced his guess next. They must be thinking of cutting off their tail if a problem rears its head. Their location?
Their headquarters is located in Nowon-dong, while a branch is set up down in Busan, big bro.
Wait, what? The headquarters is in Daegu? Mu Ssang tilted his head in confusion.
Something about that seemed like its in the wrong order of things. Most of the Japanese-backed loan sharks planted their roots in the city of Busan. Which meant there was another untold sting to this tale.
Whos the boss of the Pungguk gang?
Hes name is Bak Gi-chung, but hes not that well-known in our line of work, big bro. As for the Jap representative, his name is supposedly Yamazaki, but, uh what was the name of his organization again?
When Nupchi began wringing out his memories to get that elusive name, Ttol-bbak quickly came to his aid. Bro, hes supposedly from Higashi Honganji temple [1], right?
Ah, thats right! Higashi Honganji temple!
Nupchi raising his hand for a smack suddenly flinched and faltered. While cautiously minding Mu Ssangs reaction, he began patting Ttol-bbaks head rather than smack it like the usual. The memories from that day on the Gasan mountainside came blowing in like a blizzard in his chest C the day when
Mu Ssang punished him for beating up his own underlings.
Higashi Honganji is a temple in Kyoto, isnt it? Man, foreigners taking us for a ride wasnt enough, so now even the bloody Jap monks are out to steal from this country, too?
Mu Ssang felt his irritation shoot up. It had already been over a century since Higashi Honganji set foot in Busan under the pretext of missionary work.
Outwardly a Buddhist temple, they were actually the originator of the infamous ninja clan, and they were also practically the head family in the world of yakuzas. During the Japanese Occupation, Higashi Honganji was also the backer supporting the Japanese imperialists efforts to plunder the land. These
bastards mustve set up Pungguk Capitals headquarters in Daegu because they had another loan shark business operating in a similar manner down in Busan.
The Japanese Buddhism was completely different in nature compared to the Korean Buddhism. While the Korean Buddhism could be described as the mountainside Buddhist philosophy that distanced itself from the mundane world, the Japanese Buddhism was more like a lifestyle Buddhism, factional
Buddhism, and an economy-driven Buddhism.
Many Japanese Buddhist temples either ran corporations or shops of some kind. Basically, they were corporations out to make money by borrowing the good name of Buddha, their focus not on spreading Buddhist teachings but pocketing more offerings, so to speak. Even the object of their worship was
not Lord Buddha, but the founder of the temple or the sect, sometimes even the abbot.
The duty of the National Security Agencys domestic division was to determine the flow of the funds belonging to the Japanese yakuza and the bogus Buddhist temple blooming like poisonous mushrooms within Korea. Knowing that, Mu Ssang felt his unhappiness at Yi Dae-deok flare up again. That man
tried to investigate Mu Ssangs background while being utterly oblivious to the countrys guts aching away like this.
Or, maybe Yi Dae-deok and his gang of agents were turning a blind eye on whats going on after they were pressured by the pretext of foreign capital investment.
By the way, who told me about Higashi Honganji back then?
Mu Ssang tried to comb through his memories. He was pretty sure that someone had mentioned that place before.
Big bro? Nupchi carefully called out when Mu Ssang fell deeper into his thoughts.
Yeah! Continue with your report.
Last months Japanese inspection team apparently wanted to prepare extra moolah to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of Sai Dojiku, so they
Dammit, Sai Dojiku!
Mu Ssangs mind was jolted awake by that name. He had completely forgotten about it! Abe currently withering away as a slave for life in Novatopia was a first-rank ninja from Higashi Honganji, wasnt he?
According to that insidious bastard, the missing Choi do-shik was the Great Martial Teacher back in Higashi Honganji temple. Should he blame his numbness to murder encroaching into the obliviousness of daily activities for this slip-up? He was disappointed at himself for forgetting such an important
connecting detail.
Choi do-shik, hes still alive!
Mu Ssang gritted his teeth without even realizing it. Unsurprisingly, that bastard did not die back then. Even if he was inflicted with a fatal wound, a martial artist on the level of Choi Do-shik should never be presumed dead until his corpse was verified. As an example, didnt Mu Ssang also manage to
overcome several close brushes with death by relying on his incredible physical specs and willpower?
Not only was that bastard alive and well, he even held his sixtieth birthday celebration, as well. The thorn in Mu Ssangs side had finally reared its head once more. It was said that old grudges never died, and mortal enemies would eventually run into each other on a lone bridge somewhere. To think that
the encounter with Kim Gi-taek would lead him to Choi Do-shik like this!
I wonder, how good is his combat prowess nowadays?
Even an elephant would die from a black mambas bite. Back in Bangtae Mountain, Mu Ssang got extremely lucky and got to learn the One with Nature technique, which allowed him to defeat that bastard through a sneak attack. But that was just a one-time thing. Back then, he only barely finished
awakening as an Epidium, meaning he had nothing but high physical stats.
Since then, Mu Ssang learned the five combined movement, acquired supernatural senses and powers, and even mastered the modern weapons and combat tactics. Never mind his combined combat strength, even his close-quarter combat prowess had incomparably gotten stronger.
However, Choi Do-shik back then could leap thirty meters with one step and could puncture a boulder with just a finger. What would it be like if the two of them fought each other now?
In terms of combined combat strength, Mu Ssang was overwhelmingly superior. Besides, his talent lay with sniping. Instead of getting up close and personal, he could just put a bullet in the targets head from afar and end it right there and then. Block the potential path of retreat by lobbying multiple
grenades in a row and let the target taste the pain of three taps Not even that old bastard Choi Do-shik would survive that.
What if they fought in close-quarter combat, though? Mu Ssang might be ahead in terms of physical specs, but he was definitely inferior in experience and wisdom. He might have acquired the Finger Wind recently, but he wouldnt be able to use it in a situation where flurry of offense and defense
happened at a lightning-quick pace.
The moment he try to focus ki, his head would go flying. It was the same story for Choi Do-shik who knew the Hidden Soul Palm technique. His wind strike could split boulders apart and chop huge trees into pieces, but Mu Ssang was confident of breaking that bastard in half the moment the latter tried
to condense ki.
Whether that bastard was in Korea or Japan, it really didnt matter. Mu Ssang simply wanted to have a go at him. His blood began boiling with hunger.
*
Uncle, how much do you still owe them?
Tm not completely sure, since they change the amount all the time. But if we calculate the interest according to their ways, then it must be several tens of million Won.
Dont you have the loan agreement with you to make sure?
Last time they showed up to pick a fight, they forcibly took it away Gim Gitaek roughly scratched his head. He realized how pathetic he sounded just now.
The three sisters cried out simultaneously. Uncle, you idiot!
Uh-huh? You guys are being rude! Mu Ssang tutted away.
What could a normal person do against a bunch of gangsters when he probably had never taken a swing in anger his entire life? Even if Gim Gitaek came across as pathetic in this case, there was nothing he could do but get pushed around by those bastards.
The issue here was with how the five sisters perceived and evaluated men. An unintended side effect of all men coming across as disappointing seemed to have occurred here after the girls started living with Mu Ssang.
Theyve planned this whole thing, then, said Mu Ssang.
It didnt take a genius to guess that those bastards mustve altered the agreement to suit themselves by now. This Pungguk gang turned out to be a nest of parasites rivaling even the Midge Ur back in the jungles of Ituri. A Midge Ur laid eggs and devoured the hosts body until the poor victim was dead.
Just like what happened to Habib, these punks deserved to get buried in the middle of the desert as per Allahs commandments. Let the hyenas feast on their bones until nothings left behind.
Whats the relationship between the Pungguk gangs boss Bak Gi-chung and the separate collection teams boss, Jang Yeong-pal?
Mutual cooperation, big bro, with neither above the other. And Jang Yeong-pals a second-gen Japanese Korean.
Hmm Well deal with Jang Yeong-pal first, then. The number of the separate collection teams members?
Not sure exactly. The regular members seem to be around twenty, but another fifty or so other yangahchis are brought in depending on the situation, big bro. The regular members all stay in the dormitory inside the branch office, by the way.
Thats good. As long as I know where, their overall numbers ultimately dont matter. Mu Ssang nodded slowly. Ten or hundred, it didnt really matter to him one way or the other. Nupchi, this girl here is Yeonghui, and this one is Yeongji. Youre now in charge of their protection from today onward. I
dont have to tell you the reason, right? Until I say its enough, commute to this place every morning and accompany them to their schools, then bring them home after the schools over. If annoying flies dare to buzz around these girls, dont worry about the consequences and pulverize them.
Yes sir, leave it to us.
Girls, you should not wander away from either your schools or this house for the foreseeable future. You must not try to sneak out, understand what I mean?
Yes, oppa!
Hooray, Im finally going back to school!
Yeong-hee replied demurely while Yeongji joyously bounced around. As luck would have it, today was the opening day of her school. Yeonghui didnt have lectures today, so she chose to stay home while Yeongji went to pick up her school bag.
sparkly uncle, please take care of me!
Dont you worry about a thing, princess, said Ttol-bbak as he bowed his gorilla-like torso ninety degrees forward.
Thank you so much, President Bak, said Mrs Yang as tears pooled in the edges of her eyes. To think that shed get to see the day her daughter could go back to school! It didnt feel real at all even after it happened right before her eyes.
You can rest easy, maam. That fella Ttol-bbak might look a bit slow in the head, but hes on another realm altogether compared to some measly loan sharks. Mu Ssang grinned back, then turned around to leave, his new destination the basement floor.
It might seem pointless to compare the sizes of acorns (gangsters), but still Some acorns were larger than the others.
*
On the second basement floor under the Eungsim-
Yawn Youre here again so soon? Must be something important, huh. Wheres that chicken always waddling behind you, though?
Kamdoong lazily rolling around on the hwamunseok yawned loudly, then wiped away a trickle of tears with its front paw.
It flew off to Japan. Chicken had been nagging me for tritium, so I asked DGSE about it. And they said its half a million Francs for one gram. Obviously, I freaked out. That dang thing wanted three thousand grams of the stuff, but I didnt have the money for it.
Wait, the invincible Eastern Swordsman has no money? Kamdoongs lips quivered.
Yup, I dont. Bonipas informed me on the sly that a heavy-water nuclear reactor with the TRE [2] built in can be found in the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant on the coast of Shizuoka. And apparently, Hamaokas reactors produce about 4,000 grams of tritium per year. Our little cock with no feathers just
took off like a lightning bolt when I mentioned the coordinates.
Aigoo, you cheapskate! Just by selling off all the gold down here, you could
Hey, those are just a pile of lead painted yellow, got that? Just painted lead, thats all. Besides, Chicken can just cling onto the reactors titanium exhaust and siphon as much tritium as it wants. I see no reason to waste 1.5 billion Francs in that case. By the way, why does it even need so much of that
expensive tritium, to begin with? Mu Ssang smartly steered the conversation away to another topic.
Tritium is a necessary catalyst in nuclear fusion. The probability of Hecas energy source being a fusion reactor is quite high.
A fusion reactor? Are you saying that a furless cock is capable of controlling plasma over a hundred million degrees in temperature?
Mu Ssangs eyes widened. A nuclear fission reactor and a fusion reactor were not even on the same scale of difficulty. The technology of working fusion reactor is an energy source of dreams. It had been twenty years since the United States of America commissioned the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
USS Enterprise. However, even such a nation had failed to take a single step toward a working nuclear fusion reactor.
The scientific community was raising a lot of noise over this technology. Currently, two opposing sides were glaring at each other with no signs of backing off one side arguing that within a century, wed see a working prototype of a nuclear fusion reactor, while the other side arguing that the idea of a
fusion reactor itself was a just pipe dream.
To think that Chicken had a built-in nuclear fusion reactor, though! Even if that little thing was a living robot built by the Concretus, that still sounded utterly unbelievable.
Kamdoong continued on. By compressing either methyl mercaptan or hydrogen sulfide with the pressure a ten million times heavier than the atmosphere, you get superconductor. Stack one million superconductor membranes on top of one another, punch a hole with the radius of one/one-hundred
thousandth of a micron through the stack, then shoot tritium inside to get
Ah, aaaah! Thats enough. Enough, I say! Yes, yes, I know Im stupid, okay? Mu Ssang hurriedly waved his hands. Listening to a bunch of alien words he didnt understand would only give him a nasty case of migraine.
I knew it. Explaining to you was a waste of time. In any case. Heca will awaken once it acquires enough energy. By the time it returns to you, Im sure itll have transformed significantly.
Sigh. No matter how much its changed, its still Chicken to me. Mu Ssang grumbled away while pushing aside the large business-use refrigerator.
(1] The Eastern Monastery of the Original Vow
[2] Tritium Removal Facility
Chapter 566 - 2 Episode 2 Choi Do-shik
Chapter 566: Chapter 52 Episode 2 Choi Do-shik
The large 1,7008 business-use refrigerator and six freezers were pushed into a comer in one go. The refrigerator was filled to the brim with C-rations and freeze-dried foods, while the freezers were packed with quick-frozen meats and fish, plus blocks of frozen groundwater pumped out from the depths
of 700 meters.
These appliances contained wheels fixed at the bottom, but even so, the physical strength required to easily push aside five tons of weight could only be described as near impossible, beyond human capacity.
Kkamdung brought all these things down here every now and then despite complaining all the time. Well, its existential worth was being cast under doubt, considered in all. Besides Mussang, only Kkamdung, Samdi, and Jinsun were fully aware of the presence of all these infrastructure and emergency
rations hidden deep in here. The second basement floor could serve as storage space to keep the gold-hungry general Yamanashi food reserves, but it was originally built to ensure the safety of Mussangs family.
The thing was, the United States of America was the reason why Mussang was so highly focused on securing his familys safety. This was rather ironic, considering that America was an allied nation with ties to South Korea. He instinctively sensed that they would come to blows and start battling, combat
exchange, not too long from now. Even though he didnt know whether his actual, real opponent was the American government forging ahead with the Socrates Project or a particular group that was operating, running Area 51.
There were more than a hundred reasons why America was the top power in the world, and the first reason in that lengthy list would be its militarys mobility and amphibious entry penetration capacities.
Aside from America, no other nations on Earth boasted the ability to deploy a division-strength combat force on another nations soil in a mere proverbial blink of an eye. Thats because Americas eleven naval carrier battle groups could roam the great oceans for thirty years straight without being
concerned about refueling, while it had constructed airforce bases in many varied parts of the globe.
South Korea was basically Americas courtyard. Without worrying about the Korean governments interference, American soldiers could freely leave or enter the American military bases in the country. And combat personnel could be brought into Osan Air Base in around two hours from Okinawas Kadena
Air Base. The Seventh Fleet stationed in Japans Yokosuka was capable of anchoring in Pyeongtaek-hang in less than 24 hours, also.
In other words, there would be no way to fight back if Shadows and Predators infiltrated the country while Mussang and Kkamdung were in Novatopia. The second basement floor was their Maginot line meant to buy at least some leeway to take action. It might be an unfounded concem at this point, but
it wouldnt hurt to extend some extra effort with battle preparations. *
The heavy refrigerator was pushed aside to reveal a keypad on the wall. Mussang placed both of his thumbs on the screen surface.
Beeep!
A mechanical announcement of (Confirmation Complete] rang out shrilly.
Jiii-iting-
The wall two meters in width and 300mm thickness was flung wide open. Shocking items that would have left national intelligence agents or police officers utterly flabbergasted were present before their master.
Alengthy, dark-crimson whip revealed itself among them C the weapon responsible for giving Black Mamba the nickname of the Angel of Death. It was none other than Rakshasa that gorged and feasted, drew upon the blood of a thousand men.
Mussang wordlessly stared at his alter ego, Rakshasa, his expression containing hints and shades of remorse, regret. The greatest, vilest weapon born out of the marriage between an ancient lifeforms body segment sample and the cutting-edge technology; the unique item that only Asura could wield C
the wicked weapon that tured the human Bak Mu-ssang into a being thats not purely human.
And like poisonous fangs of Rakshasa, the kukri knife and two milky-white daggers emanating venomous cold lethal hazard could be seen nestled within the coiled whip. The pair of daggers were the true Fang de labime (Fang of Abyss), crafted out of the Sarcosuchuss lower canine teeth, and they were
termed as Chomolungma.
The pair of Chomolungma was different from other Fangs that were distributed to Bonipas and the others in that they were far more metallic in composition, production. They weighed double the weight, and their sharpness and durability effortlessly surpassed the kukri, which was considered a treasure
blade in its own right.
*
There didnt seem to be any limit or end count to the displayed weapons of murder within the walls recesses. Two Dragnuv rifles, three MP5 sd3s, five Glocks, two Minimi miniguns, dozens of ammo boxes, five boxes of grenades, twenty sets of defensive battle gear including bulletproof and stab-proof
vests, etc The list of weapons filling up the recess seemed more than enough to annihilate a military team stationed in a rural area, at the very least.
Mussang scanned across the displayed weapons with a quizzical, casual, inquisitive glance. South Korea was not a savage, unruly, chaotic, lawless land in the manner Africa was. In fact, Koreas public security was considered truly world-class. There werent all that many countries in the world where a
lone woman could walk on the street without fear or concern, late at night. All these weapons would not see the light of a day if it were not for the lingering, haunting, specters monsters of Area 51 and the Shadows.
What if he alerted the relevant authorities about the Socrates Project and the dangers posed by the monsters that had been produced, created, assembled in Area 51? It would be a royal waste, squandering of precious reserves of limited, finite time. America was the sacred church ground where Koreas
ruling class and those with vested interests went to pray, nonetheless, considered, after all. Mussang would be branded as a communist insurgent trying to destabilize the Korean society and either get dragged to Seobinggo or imprisoned in the dreaded Cheongnyangni-dongs no. 46.
What if he battled up against a Shadow on Korean soil? The Korean military and the police would be hell-bent, obsessed with trying to take Black Mamba down with seething, raging fury. Obviously, hed not let that happen, but the mere possibility of such an event left him rather desolate, dejected. He
couldnt even trust the army and the police forces of his own homeland grounds.
*
The reason for Mussangs expedition to the basement owed mainly to the gravity, weighty clout of the names Higashi Honganji and Choi Do-shik.
He cleaned up a handful of stinky weasels to help out President Kim Gi-taek only for a pack of rabid wild dogs to appear immediately following. He could easily demolish, eliminate a gang like Pungguk with one hand, but the ninjas from Higashi Honganji and yakuzas using firearms werent opponents he
should dismiss lightly or underestimate callously.
Abe was merely classed as a first-grade ninja. He said that a special-grade ninja commanded ten first-grade ninjas, while an elder-grade would command ten special-grade ninjas. It was not wise to prejudge Choi Do-shiks martial arts prowess, since he boasted the title of the Great Martial Art Teacher.
Ifa group of ninjas or an elder-level individual that Higashi Honganji took such immense pride in, were visiting the Pungguk gang, then Mussang would have no choice but to start a round of exorcism to clear out trash and waste substances.
The yakuza remained an issue, as well. The top three organizations including Yamaguchi-gumi had been using handguns for a long time now. Even automatic rifles turned up as weapons during the inter-gang conflicts, too. Nothing was as annoying as getting hit by bullets blindly fired by a bunch of
shabby, untrained imbeciles. The motto, oath of the foreign legion army was: Lack of preparations will be paid for with blood seized for exchange in an act of vengeance.
*
Mussang seized a sleeveless reddish-brown shirt from the folds of the recesses of stored garments. This bullet- and stab-proof clothing was carefully crafted, woven out of the Bossaurus tendons and Dyneema fabric. The fabric was thin enough to roll out into a fist-sized lump but not even a .38 revolver
round or a sashimi knife could pierce through it. After putting it on, he velcroed a cuff sewed out of the same materials placed upon his wrist.
It had been a while since he had touched, sensed the kukri. This blade didnt get much love after the entrance of the dreaded Rakshasa and Vajra. Even so, it was still a treasure weapon that even the modern smithing technology would have had a hard time trying to replicate.
Jiii-iting-!
Kukri began crying in his clutches, embrace.
My bad. Youre too big for me to carry around in this part of the world.
Lugging around the large kukri with the blade over one ja long (about 30cm) in South Koreas streets was basically asking to get arrested for the possession of illegal arms. Mussang hung up the kukri on the wall, then picked up a Fang, The performance of a weapon was certainly important, but their
portability was just as crucial, if not even more so.
Mussang concluded his preparations by adorning, casually fitting into a green-tinged navy-blue suit, and stashing the Fang blade hidden under the recess folds of his clothes.
*
According to Gyeokmongjeongji, a literary work written by a Korean philosopher Dasan Jeong Yak-Yong, the optimal period for learning, formal education extended between the ages of twelve and sixteen. He had posited that ones intelligence and wisdom would mature like a bamboo shoot during those
five years. For any age younger than that, one would lack sufficient sentient capacities to learn. But, from the age of seventeen onward, ones eyes would acquire logical cognitive reasoning capacities and their stubbornness would rear its head, making it highly challenging to absorb new ideas, concepts,
paradigm shifts.
Mussangs optimal period of five years was utterly ruined and destroyed by Mrs. Jang and her husband Baek-bu (big uncle). Choi Do-shik took over from there to ruin the next period of his life. If it hadnt been for that insidious bastard, Mussang wouldnt have to say goodbye to Hae-young, either. You
could say that Mrs Jang and his big uncle were like parasitical weeds that made his life difficult, while Choi Do-shik was chili powder dumped on his life that finally seemed to be going well, progressing smoothly.
Hehehe! I hope I get to run into you soon, Choi Do-Shik. Mussang muttered that while a chilling smirk spread across his visage.
Despite all the concerted efforts, there was not a single piece of news with regards to his mothers whereabouts. Yet he stumbled onto the shocking, unforeseen news of Choi Do-Shiks survival, instead.
They said that a good, fateful connection had gradually developed
silently while grudges came pouring out at you in intense flooding tides of fury, and this situation seemed to indicate this fully. That name, Choi Do-Shik That was like a thorn caught deep in Mussangs throat. He had never erased the terrible memories of that retard, and he had a feeling that there
would never be true peace for him unless he managed to exorcise, purge the undesired image of the demonic specter termed Choi Do-Shik from his psyche.
And the only way to accomplish that was to utterly destroy, eliminate that retard. A dead man couldnt do anything or tell tales, after all.
Time was always fair, restored justice eventually. The effects of the passage of time were now working backward in reverse; while Back-bu, Mrs. Jang, and Choi Do-Shik were entering their dusky twilight years, Mussang remained to escalate upon the upward trajectory. His abilities were getting sharper
and more potent, perceptive with every passing day while Choi Do-Shik couldnt even escape his own aging process or physical decline.
Decked out in a pair of faded jeans and a non-descript navy suit, Mussang finally emerged from the shadows of the basement. He chose to carry only one Fang dagger as his weapon this time.
*
President Bak, are you thinking of paying a visit to that Pungguk gang? Kim Gi-Taek hurriedly clutched, clung to Mussangs clothes.
The latter replied, his attitude completely calm and unperturbed. Well, we need to sort it out quickly for the sake of both Yeong-hee and Yeong-Ji, dont you agree?
Regardless of that Please be careful. They are evil vermin wholl start stabbing you with sashimi blades if they dont like how things are going.
Kim Gi-Taek was visibly perturbed, disturbed. Even a superman would get fatally wounded when stabbed violently by a knife blade. Hed be too embarrassed, disgraced. to remain in Eungsim-Je if his benefactor was wounded on his behalf.
You dont have to worry too much, uncle. The hide around my gut is surprisingly thick in layered flabby tires, you see. You said that the one in charge is a retard named Kang Min-Seok, am I right?
Yes. Hes the person in charge.
pray that Lord Maitreyas blessings will protect you, President Bak. Namu Amida Butsu! Mrs. Yang offered a prayer that didnt quite sound quite right for some reason.
Mussang smirked gently, before climbing hastily into his Citron steering seat. Jinsun-ah, Imma quickly head out and deal with this matter, then come home in a bit. Why dont we have yeolmu bibimbap and samgyetang for tonights supper?
Til also prepare your favorite dish, roasted eel, Oppa. Jinsun smiled gently, teasingly.
Back when he didnt know any martial arts, her Oppa C Mussang C was still strong enough to annihilate the Sashimi gang, Hed never get injured by some measly gangsters, in other words.
Oppa? Try to hold back a little, okay? I mean, itll be massive trouble if you accidentally finish them off, you know? Please hold back just enough to teach them a proper lesson. Gye-soon urged Mussang with a concerned tone.
However, Yeon-soon suddenly cried out as if she was one of the victims. Girl, what are you even on about?! You gotta make sure those bloody rapists cannot repeat their damned crimes again. Oppa? Please slash up all of their trashy trunks today.
Oppa, you come home with even a spot of blood on you, theres no dinner for you, okay? Do you know how hard is to remove blood stains from clothes? We have to rub them hard enough to wear out our fingers, you know? Gye-soon began warning Mussang next.
Okay, okay. I got it. Man, you bunch of jokers love to nag endlessly, dont you?
Mussang shook his head in exasperation while driving off in haste.
When the trunk of the sedan slipped past the front gate, Kim Gi-Taek and Mrs. Yang exchanged wordless, silent glances. It seemed that the real gangsters, crooks were these five sisters. Yeong-hee sneaked back into her room while feeling a bit scared. However, she was also feeling deeply elated right
now.
*
The Citron sedan turned right at the Manpyeong Negeori (intersection). The vehicle navigated through the complex, winding road network of 3rd Gongdan-Ro and exited at the Geumho river. The Pungguk Capitals building was located between Nowon-dongs 3rd industrial zone and a riverside road
where Geumhos Hajung-do (island) could be seen parked from a distance.
This 3rd industrial zone, also known as Nowon industrial zone, was an industrial complex constructed toward the end of the 60s with the purpose of providing home for all of Daegus most polluting, high carbon emissions factories. Around 200 textile-related and 300 mechanical equipment businesses
operated out of there, and most of them were merely small-scale operations.
The 700-or-so small businesses crowding Nowon and Bisans industrial complexes were the source of the Pungguk Capitals income. In all honesty, those businesses were pushovers that allowed the gangsters to sink their fangs in and squeeze, wring them dry of all the most lavish, substantial profits.
Big bro, its that building over there. That whole area around the building, about twenty thousand Pyeong, belong to Pungguk Capital. Nupchi pointed at a lone building towering massively over the Geumhos riverside bay.
It was a white five-story building, with five-meter-tall security walls hiding something behind the above-mentioned building construct.
Looks like they are planning to build a proper base of operations here. Which truly benefits me.
Mussang parked the car far away, then took a walk around the buildings premise grounds.
Du-wuuung-
His Dimensional Sight spread around like ripples. He detected twenty people inside the five-story building, its layout imprinted in his imagination. Three barracks were located beyond the security walls, with thirty people in total residing within their space.
Thad better wrap up all loose ends well, taking the interests of older sister Mi-suk into close consideration.
If these punks displayed even just the slightest hint of remorse, then Mussang planned to rough them up a bit and leave them alone. But he was going to completely finish off, brutalize anyone sold out to dark forces today.
Repay kindness ten times over, but vengeance must be a hundred times more brutally, violently recompensed!
That was the way of the desert-dwelling tribes, and also Mussangs despotic reign.
*
What brings you here today?
A security guard at the front door blocked Mussangs path.
Greed, money, profits, loot, obviously. You think Im here for a vacation?
Ah, of course. Please step right back in.
The security guard stepped back, stunned at Mussangs curt, abrupt reply. Not one person coming to Punggunk Capitals building gave off a good impression, the security guard reflected, pondered to himself.
Mussang pushed open the refurbished glass doors and took a step within, prompting six pairs of eyes to look intently at him in shocked bewilderment.
The interiors layout didnt look any different from the branches of the Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives. Two female employees sat behind customer service desks, a male employee was behind them, and there was a middle-aged man who seemed to be a manager. Finally, a big guy
was standing tall with an overbearing, obnoxious attitude huddled, cowering in a gloomy, dusky corner space.
Despite wearing a security guards cap, his bulging, flabby, and haughtily raised lips uttered hoarsely, Im an yangahchi! to anyone who dared to countenance him directly.
The service desks had acrylic panels with deposit, loan, and VIP engraved on them, A normal (?) place of business that had nothing to do with what Mussang was here to do, in other words. He scanned the interior once, before heading toward the staircase leading up to the second floor. Thudding
footsteps could be heard resounding, banging loudly behind him.
Dear customer! Where are you going?
Mussang ignored that and stepped onto the staircase. The big guy rapidly blocked, obstructed his path. Customer, the first floor is where transactions take place. If youre looking for a toilet, its just behind in that sectio
The big guy spoke very candidly and warmly, but his demeanor indicated quite the reverse. Mussang glanced over behind him, causing the big guy to flinch and depart, cowering, slinking away.
The huge hulk immediately began tilting his head, quizzically bewildered. He couldnt figure out why he cowered back a moment ago. The punk before him was just a lean, scrawny young man, after all.
You insolent son of a b*tch. A nameless, gutless cipher who has the audacity to! Nupchi observing the mood angrily stepped forward, but Mussang silently raised his hand to protest. Nupchi bowed and stepped back to defer in remorse. Yessir. My apologies.
Mussang asked the huge hulk. Is Kang Min-Seok in the office?
Why dya wanna see him? The huge hulk retorted rudely, clearly getting riled up, agitated, incensed. His manner of speech took on a more defiant, offended, intimidating tone, mocking tone.
To take care of a loan.
Sure. Yknow what, though? Youre going off-limits, stepping out of your place, customer.
What was the point of chatting to a nameless, serf cipher, anyhow? Mussang wondered, pondering to himself.
Shuffle-
Mussang brushed past the big guy like he was invisible and indignantly breezed up the stairs to ignore his insulting presence,
How the hell did he get past me?
The big guy was puzzled by what happened. He made sure to block the narrow staircase with his large hulking frame, yet his opponent still somehow slinked away, escaping his grasp.
F*ck! Young punks these days dont know how to listen! The big guy angrily reached out to seize hold of the tail end of Mussangs collars.
However, the latter reached back as well; without even bothering to look. He then poked the big guys Jangdae-Hyeol (acupuncture point) just above the nipple area with Three Dusting Cannon Jabs. The big guys outstretched arm began shaking, quivering, shivering, and faltering at awkward, impossible
angles like an octopuss slivering tentacle.
Heok?!
The big guy powerfully gulped, heaved his breath all the way back in. His nostrils desperately flared open to breathe, but no oxygen entered his lungs and he could only make choking, gasping noises. Getting jabbed in ones Jangdae-Hyeol paralyzed ones diaphragm. Leaving him like this would lead to
cyanosis, eventually causing brain death, a fatal comatose paralysis. The huge hulk suffering from the lack of oxygen began slivering pathetically, miserably away.
You dumbass, youre the so-called young punk these days. Stop exaggerating and lead the way, will ya? Mussang pushed the big guys shoulder to turn the latter around, then slapped his myeongmun-hyeol (acupuncture point) by the base of his spine.
Fuu-huph! Cough, cough!
Finally able to breathe again, the big guy began coughing and wheezing desperately.
Chapter 567 - Episode 3 Choi Do-shik
The big guys face morphed into a mess of saliva, tears, and mucus within a matter of seconds. Nupchi, upon witnessing that sight was suddenly overcome with a sense of dja vu, nostalgic memory.
Back in the time in which he was still serving in Bupyeongs 7320th unit, the daily beatings and many varied forms of physical punishments turned into a daily ritual, a regular occurrence for him to go through. However, the so-called training for potential gas attacks happening every three days
remained just as horrible as the first time that he had experienced it. Even after receiving that wretched, torturous training for over three months!
Ones breathing would undergo immediate disruption, their throat would feel like it was burning with fiery, scorching, flames, and with the pain feeling somewhat akin to their facial skin getting peeled off excruciatingly Just the thought of this made Nupchis skin crawl in a dreaded cold panic. He
learned for the first time how wonderful and precious clean air could be, back in those tormented times.
The pain of ones lungs being squeezed out and ones heart being tossed, shoved around presently experienced by the huge hulk seemed to rival the gas chamber of the Sam Chung Re-education Camp.
Eiii, what a filthy thug! Nupchi blurted out while frowning intensely.
Unlike the tone of his voice, though, some pangs, murmurs of sympathy ever so tugged at the comer of his heartstrings. He had already experienced the attacks of the nightmare (big bro) before, so he knew. Even an innocuous little brush could result in a severe or fatal stab wound.
smack-!
Ouch! The big guy, now being dealt with a deadly punch to smash his face, shielded his head while shaking back, staggering side to side in dishevelment, disorientation.
Mu Ssang muttered scornfully at him. You shortsighted fool. Want to live out the rest of your life safely, fully intact in one piece? Go back to your village and return back to agrarian farming life, alright? You should be grateful that the callouses on the edges of your hands have saved your life. Anyhow,
please take the lead on providing the directions!
Sorry? Y-yes, sir! The huge hulk hastily rushed up to the front without saying anything else, his legs shivering in pathetic pain, misery.
Tsk, tsk! Mu Ssang exclaimed in shocked disapproval.
Callouses would form on the inside of your palm when you wield weapons over an extended period. But wielding farming tools would build callouses on the edges of your palms, instead. In other words, this big guy was a noob that started his career as a Yangahchi just in recent times.
The company you kept would eventually influence you; once this big guy got corrupted to the core by the lifestyle of a gangster, itd be too late to tum back.
People like gang members, prostitutes, and spies would always live at the margins of society as long as human society lives on, exists. The cold, hostile atmosphere of the military regimes early days thawed sufficiently for childish, juvenile, impish imbeciles with too much energy but lacking the
motivation to till the land in order to head towards large cities. Inevitably, though, they would almost always just end up as Yangahchis.
Aggression, lust, and harboring unfounded suspicious were natural instincts related to self-and race preservation. A space of vacuum will get filled up by some presence, culture, or tribe eventually while stepping on one side of a balloon causes another ballon portion to swell up with helium gas particles.
More vigorous policing efforts would never be sufficient to wipe out the professions (?) of Yangahchi or prostitution.
Mu Ssang stopped climbing up, ascending the staircase, and glanced back casually behind him. The middle-aged man talking on the phone stopped stiff, silently surprised, in his tracks,
No, dont stop. Do carry on. Mu Ssang smirked and resumed his ascent in climbing up the steps.
Thats what he wanted, after all. Itd save him from wandering around to seek out individual wild dogs if someone called the whole pack over to this specific space. The big guy ascended to the second floor and rapped the door surface hard with loud banging knocks on the second fire door.
What is it?!
The voice that sounded from behind the door frame was faint, soft, hardly audible. Regardless of what their intentions were, it seemed the owner had sought highly solid soundproofing to insulate their building from emitting high noise levels.
Its me, Mak Sang-chu.
Hey, inane fool! Go and watch the floor downstairs! An unfriendly yell shrieked out, exploding out resoundingly, from behind the door.
Mak Sang-chu (lettuce)? Kekeke, do these punks use vegetables as their gang names? Nupchi jested out loudly.
Nobody knew how it had all begun, but for some reason, gangs in the region of Daegu picked out the names of fish as their gang names. The big guy just feigned not having overheard it and simply threw the fire door open, Intensely intimidated by the slender young man, the huge hulk couldnt even think
coherently, lucidly enough to summon a clear, sound reply at the moment.
In the same manner that the eyes of a sniper could capture a mental photograph of what he saw within a mere 0.7 seconds, Mu Ssang rapidly scanned, surveyed, his sight examining the environment intently and closely inspecting all individuals found within the upcoming battlefield. Five so-so
Yangahchis, two with fairly good physiques; 130nf out of the interior space about 365m wide seemed to be a training space decked out with rubber mats on the floor; the ceiling was 2.8 meters high, six pillars supporting it; seven steel cabinets, five steel desks, six swivel chairs, two three-person couches
wrapped up in imitation buffalo hide, two cloth-covered three-person sofa couches
Hehehe, would you look at how these lowly good-for-nothing serfs are wasting their time? Nupchi chuckled in a soft, snide, snigger.
The eyes of the five men between twenty to thirty years old were glued on a TV screen that was then screening the scene of a curvy blonde riding atop a black man, her hips furiously, frenetically grinding away in moaning pleasure.
*
Hey you d*ps**t, did I not tell you not to come inside!
Was it because they got interrupted in the middle of viewing the contents of the video? A topless gangster showing off his carp-shaped tattoos glared furiously at the big guy with enough intensity to raze down a house down with the burning intensity of his gaze.
This guest wants to speak to Deputy Chief Kang, you see. The big guy retorted with a nervous tone while rubbing his hands together with sweaty, quivering palms.
So what, dumbass? Why the f**k did you bring him over here, then?
The carp-shaped tattooed man began devouring the huge hulks pathetic, limp, figure, with a cocktail fusion of dialects from Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do.
You thought I wanted to come here? Im here because I dont want to lose my life heedlessly! The big guy, unable to say what was on his mind, could only stumble around clumsily, awkwardly like a disoriented ant that had no feelers.
Wheres Kang Min-seok?
Mu Ssangs deep baritone voice resounded, echoed through the interiors.
Holy sh*t, you truly have great vocal cords, dont you? Im Deputy Chief Kang. What do you want? A man in his early thirties at the back of the floor stopped swinging the practice golf club and strode fearlessly, without shame, or trepidation, over to Mu Ssang.
It wasnt proper or decent to judge a person simply by their looks alone, but this guy, with pinholes for eyes, the lower jaw jutting out noticeably, and his eyes darting around like a zipping fly shooting around.. He looked exactly like a rat. Once Kang Min-Seok stepped up, the glares that were fixed upon
Mu Ssang all reverted back to the TV screen.
Tm here to pay off President Kim Gi-Taeks loan.
Really? But why are you being so curt, and hostile? You are here to start a quarrel or what?
Youd gradually, intuitively gain character discernment after handling many people over the course of your life. A man who could remain relatively unfrazzled while being surrounded by a group giving off so many negative vibes or aura of Im a gangster that fell under one of these categories C one, he
had an issue in his brain or two, or he completely knew perfectly well how to take care of himself.
Kang Min-Seok decisively judged that this young man fell under the latter category.
Arent you just the same? Mu Ssang grinned impishly in reply.
Even humans had grades; Kang Min-Seok was an insolent, impetuous little Yangahchi, but he still had sufficient sound judgment enough to discern a persons underlying character and concealed motives. A punk like him would certainly survive longer in this field of work.
Alright. Take a seat. Kim Gi-Taek, thats who you say you are.. Kang Min-Seok decided to instinctively trust his gut feeling, His instincts had been honed for over a decade which prevented him from retaliating with force directed at this young punk. Still, a beatdown could always come at a later point in
time.
He pulled out a thick stack of papers from the contents of a steel cabinet, then plopped himself down heavily upon a sofa couch seat.
.Hey, Mak Sang-chu!
Yessir!
Slap, slap-!
Without any hint of the slightest, faintest warning, Kang Min-Seok proceeded to violently strike and slap the huge hulks cheeks in a spinning flurry. The huge hulk, Mak Sang-chu, kept his mouth shut silent and persisted in leaving his face open to slaps, violent hits.
You dipsh*t, cant you clean this place properly?! Look at all the dust, you pathetic punk.
Yes, sir! Il get right on it! Mak Sang-chu yelled out with loud enthusiasm, as his reply.
Being a Yangahchi was no cakewalk, it seemed. Mu Ssang sighed inwardly. How could their repertoire be such a carbon copy of Nupchis actions? Was it because they had a crap for brains? These punks had no hint or even an iota of originality within their soulless, spiritually desolate, desiccated
personalities.
Listen here, Deputy Kang. Stop tormenting the poor kid and lets hurry up with paying up our bills, shall we ? Mu Ssang shifted his gaze over to Mak Sang-chu. You retard, you arent even twenty years of age yet, right? This punk, your bones havent even been fused organically yet, but you still desire to
lear how to spill another persons blood first? Go pack your bags right now and just return to the village where you originally came from. Where your parents remain still waiting for you, the only souls who care about you in the slightest!
Uh Uh Mak Sang-Chu stumbled again, his gaze locked squarely upon Kang Min-Seok.
What the hell? Will you listen to this as*h**? Who the hell are you to tell my cipher to come and go as you please?!
Just as Kang Min-Seok was about to throw a massive tantrum, Nupchi stepped forward to say something. His big brother said not to do that earlier, but he just couldnt stomach some insolent, impetuous lowly serf acting up, rebelling like this.
Hey, Im Nupchi and I work for Bro Sam-shik. Shut your trap and get back to the daily grind!
Kang Min-Seoks pinhole eyes glared directly towards Nupchi. He had no idea which pond Nupchi had been swimming in, but having a gang family name in this line of work was the same as advertising ones talents, vocational capacities.
They said that even a mere dog hound would get all tough and noisy in its own territory, but Kang Min-Seok was still cowered by Nupchis hulking size and massive spidery hands.
Eiii, f**k! What a sh*tty day this is turning out to be. Hey, you dips**t, just get lost and leave! Kang Min-Seok vented his fury on the innocent Mak Sang-chu and settled down comfortably in his couch seat again. Okay, so. Whats your specially secured deal negotiated with President Kim Gi-Taek?
Whats it to you? Im here to pay, and youre going to get paid. End of story.
Huh, Hehehe, thats true. Paying everything in one go, then?
If you were me, would you want to stare at an ugly like swine face over and over again, too?
Kang Min-Seok managed to suppress his anger from boiling over and exploding. This young punk seemed to have a talent of rubbing you in the wrong way with only a few words. Kang Min-Seok oh-so wished he could smash that smug, smirking fools chin, but for some reason, his body froze still on the
spot when he stared into the young mans chilling, piercing gaze.
..Hm, hm, Heh, hehe. I see, then. He borrowed three million from us on August 15th, 1982. His interest started off as 5% monthly and is calculated, aggregated as compound interest. It went up one percent every month and now, the cap has reached 50% monthly. We never got to collect the original loan,
and by adding all the premiums~ F**k me, why is the calculation so darn complex?
Stop this bullsh*t already. How much is the amount owed? Mu Ssang abruptly cut Kang Min-Seok off.
Kang Min-Seok tapped on a calculator before his brows shot up high. After forgetting about this months interest, we obtain the aggregate sum of 32.7 million Won. Ill round it off to a clean, simple 32 million. How about that? Im feeling super generous today, what with how pitiful that uncles life has
tumed into.
Holy sh*t, what a bunch of mean f*ckers!
Nupchi inwardly flinched. To think that three million Won ballooned into 32 million in four years! That was over ten times the original loan amount. These bastards caught people inside a fish trap and ruthlessly cleaned them out and fleeced them. A bunch of thieves that would even rob you of the
underwear youre wearing on your body right now.
The fish trap in this case was a slang word that was used by the loan sharks to denote the private loan with a monthly escalating interest rate. Just like a fish trap, it was easy to get in but impossible to get out. The one that started this whole fish trap concept was the Samshik Capi No, actually, it was
Bak In-bo. He wanted to create a loan scheme to completely overthrow the Jang family, and the fish trap concept was the key factor to achieving this.
*
That is one helluva interest rate, aint it? A frown etched on Mu Ssangs face. He then pulled out ten ten-thousand Won notes from his wallet before placing the money on the table. Deputy Kang, I loaned you a hundred thousand Won. The repayment due date will be ten years, while the interest rate
starts off as 5% per month. But it will increase by one percentage point every month. If you wish to pay back before the date, then you will be liable for the cost of covering the losses to the potential income generated. Which will be one hundred times the original loan amount.
What did you say? Kang Min-Seok made a face of a man who got struck by a train while staring at Mu Ssang.
Eu fuhahaha! Nupchi couldnt hold it anymore and exploded into a peal of laughter.
The big bro was not only good with his fists, but he was also gifted with a silver tongue. Nupchi learned for the first time today that words could be more refreshing than a fist.
You motherf*cker, stop yapping bullsh*t! You, you must be a fixer, aintcha?! Kang Min-Seoks complexion resembled a pig liver after he got turned into a moron.
He began thinking that this young punk mustve been hired by Kim Gi-Taek. Ones livelihood was more sacred than ones blood. If Kang Min-Seok and his boys dont destroy this young punk today, then their career as loan sharks would be finished for good.
Kang Min-Seok shot up to his feet, then kicked the coffee table, hard.
Bang-!
A dull noise rang out.
Uh?!
Acry erupted out of Kang Min-Seoks lips. The table didnt even budge an inch. He then noticed that Mu Ssangs hand was resting on the tables surface.
Kang Min-Seok had to bear the full brunt of the rebounding impact force. He furrowed his brow in pain while staggering unsteadily in neither sitting nor standing posture.
But then, Mu Ssangs foot curved up like a whip. He caught Kang Min-Seoks neck with his ankle, and then!
Whoosh- slam-!
Kang Min-Seoks face slammed on the tables surface. He couldnt do anything against the powerful force yanking his neck down.
Kku-aaaahk! He screamed loudly.
Ahumans face obviously was not tougher than the wood three inches thick. His nose broke and his lips burst open. Although the blood was shed, Mu Ssang adjusted his strength perfectly to ensure that Kang Min-Seoks facial bones would not cave in.
You bastard. Even you think its bullsh*t, dont you? Is there a law or something that says you can do a bullsh*t interest rate but I cant? Is there?
Slam, slam, slam-!
Kang Min-Seoks face repeatedly kissed the table, hard. He struggled to free himself, but Mu Ssangs hand gripping the back of his neck was impossible to remove.
Mu Ssang wasnt being gentle with Kang Min-Seok because he was a law-abiding citizen. No, his real plan was to scare the living daylights out of this rat-faced punk and make him cough up the original loan agreement. Knocking him unconscious would make it that much more cumbersome to find that
document, after all.
*
On the TV screen, the positions of the blonde woman and the black man had switched.
Huff, huff, ah, ah, huff, huff
The pantings and moans harmonized rather well with Kang Min-Seoks pained cries. Yangahchis focusing on the porn had no clue as to what was transpiring behind them. They didnt even pay attention to the cries, either. Those debtors who couldnt honor the interest would often get dragged in here and
get beaten to a pulp, after all.
,..What the hell? What is that f*cker doing?
Kang boy is getting his sh*t beaten up.
A hooked-nose Yangahchi sitting on a metal folding chair and looking around, and a cigarette-sucking thug with mismatched ears resting his feet on the coffee table finally discovered the sudden change in the situation.
Deal with that bastard!
The mismatched ears drew a line below his chin. Letting an insolent young punk like that leave here in one piece was simply asking for more trouble in the future. But itd be the end of said trouble by killing him and dumping his body to the bottom of the Geumho River.
The hooked nose shot up to his feet while yanking out a sashimi knife.
Whoosh-!
Almost at the same time, a nickel ashtray found on Kang Min-Seoks coffee table seemingly teleported through space.
SMACK-!
And then, the noise of a gourd bowl shattering resounded out in the room.
Kaku-ah! The hooked nose clutched his forehead as he toppled over to the side. The whites of his eyes were showing.
Mu Ssang muttered. These punks, all they know is to pull out weapons the first chance they get. How bloody scary. And then, this idiot just begs for more punishment, doesnt he?
Slap-!
Kang Min-Seok crumbled after getting slapped around. He felt the grip behind his neck weaken and thats why he tried to slip away, but too bad for him, it was not possible to fool Mu Ssang.
What are you all doing? Go f*ck him up! The mismatched ears pulled out an adorable-looking tomahawk from somewhere under his jacket and loudly yelled at his colleagues.
Whats that?!
Holy sh*t! That little punk f*cked up our brother Kang!
Only then did the Yangahchis figure out whats going on and hurriedly yank out their tools of the trade C a steel pipe, a baseball bat, a piece of lumber from a construction site with bits of cement still stuck to it, and even a pick axe Although they were called tools, they were more like items meant to
threaten the tardy debtors.
Mu Ssang cocked his eyebrow. Thats because he spotted traces of blood on those shabby-looking tools. All those poor debtors getting dragged in here to get beaten up like dogs Just what wouldve been on their minds while getting beaten up like that!
Cold light flickered in his eyes as he glared at the Yangahchis rushing at him.
Whoosh-
A tomahawk came flying in first. The axs blade about half the size of an adults palm accurately flew in at Mu Ssangs chest.
Snap-
However, the blade got caught between his thumb and index finger.
Swish-!
Yet another tomahawk came swinging in. The technique to diagonally strike down at Mu Ssangs throat definitely didnt belong to an amateur.
He tilted his neck almost ninety degrees out of the way. The moment his palm tapped on the elbow holding the tomahawk, the weapon left the Yangahchis grip to end up in Mu Ssangs hand. The weapon spun around.
Smack-!
The broadside of the axs blade smashed into the mismatched ears cheek. He couldnt even scream as he went down for the count. Several small white objects flew out of his mouth just then.
Mu Ssangs figure seemed to shift elusively like a shadow wavering under a street lamp. It was as if the pipe and other weapons were deliberately avoiding him; the weapons brushed past him and took swipes at the empty air.
Splat, splat, splat, splat-!
Strange wet noises rang out exactly four times. Those noises were the Pungguk gang recreating the history of the Sashimi gang forcibly getting expelled out of existence.
Aaaahk!
Kuhuk!
A rich, cacophony of variations of screaming and cries rang out, shattering the dull, placid nightscape. Four Yangahchis struck down by the axs flat surface were now resting nicely on the floor. With their cheekbones and jaws shattered, itd be at least six months before they could even think about eating
solid food again.
Fuu-wu
Nupchi let out a long sigh..
Chapter 568 - Episode 4 Choi Do-shik
The loud roars and screams abruptly ended, and the inner recesses of the office, stretching as wide as an expansive athletics field was met with an eerie silence.
Mu Ssang took down one opponent with an ashtray then finished off five more retards with a designated ax in only two breaths worth of time. Quite shockingly, the disadvantaged embodied physical form of inhabiting
a human being didnt even adversely affect the moves of his original martial arts practice.
Not a single piece of the office furniture broke during the commotion. The wall-mounted fan still whirred away persistently on end, unbroken, while the TV continued to mechanically screen all the lewd scenes and the
accompanying steamy sound effects.
The world had not changed at all. If it hadnt been for the pool of blood spreading wide over the patterned floor tiles, Nupchi wouldve believed that he had been hallucinating under the hot summer sun. He suddenly
felt a need to go and relieve his bladder in the toilet.
*
Hu-Euuuh Kang Min-seok let out a whimper that bore odd inflections of tone.
His dazed eyes scanned the unconscious gangsters laid out on the floor. No wonder something felt off the moment this bastard stepped in the office. It was a complete disaster that Kang Min-seoks bad premonitions
always proved to be very accurate and justified.
His dejected gaze lingered upon the man in his mid-forties, the one who dallies around with the tomahawks. Even though he resembled a deflated balloon at the moment, that man was called the Tempest of Twin Axes
once upon a time in Murakami-Gumi.
At the middle of 70s when the turf war in Hiroshima was at its peak, it was none other than the twin axe wielder Jang Yeong-pal that turned the residence of Oka-gumis field lieutenant into a sea of dripping red stains
of blood.
But now, the team leader of the special business operations team got his axes stolen before getting killed off. If this was a dream, then it had to be an absolute terrifying nightmare. If it was a joke, then it was truly
devoid of any humor in the faintest sense.
*
Oii, Min-Seok? Thats enough distraction, so its time we get back to our business, no?
H-huh-urgh! You, you absolute beast! Kang Min-seok finally returned to reality and began stumbling back in a comatose, foggy state of mind.
That calm voice, seemingly sounding like a big brother chiding his youngest sibling, terrified Kang Min-seok endlessly. He stared at Mu Ssang as if the latter were some sort of alien invading intruder.
Now, now. Take a seat. Lets get back to where we left off. Mu Ssang grinned brightly while plopping down on the couch.
Kang Min-seoks eyes finally regained their focus. The special business operations team was the core of the Pungguk gang, responsible for 90% of the gangs revenue. In a group filled with talented, intense gangsters,
Kang Min-seok still managed to climb to the position of the mid-boss based merely on his venomous drive alone. He was not a push-over, to sum things up concisely /
He cautiously posed a question. Brother, which organization are you from, if you dont mind me asking?
If this unknown intruder was affiliated with a major organization, then regardless of what, negotiating remained the sole solution. But no matter how Kang Min-Seok racked his brain, he couldnt recall any
organizations that held in their legion a fighter of such superior caliber. However, different organizations joined hands after a bit of a turf war happened as a matter of course.
Hoh, would you look at this punk?
The way Kang Min-seok addressed Mu Ssang and his manner of speech had drastically altered. But that only allowed Mu Ssang to see through Kang Min-seoks thought processes. Not only was this rat-faced punk
trying to save face, but he was also even aiming to get himself an achievement by turning this crisis into an opportunity to profit, gain an advantage.
Why do you want to know that, when youre nothing but a leech sucking out blood from people at the end of their ropes? Start worrying about saving your own neck from trouble instead.
You motherf*cker!
ang Min-seoks expression disintegrated into a chaotic mess. He was trying to buy some time but that just didnt pan out.
Without a doubt, hed be saddled with all of the blame for this incident eventually. The higher-ups would no doubt demand that he offer up at least two of his fingers as compensation while accusing him of failing
miserably to competently manage the clients.
0, wait; since the team leader got done in too, so maybe itd be the whole hand, in its place! N-no, wait some more! Even before that could happen, Kang Min-seok might get killed by this intruder or end up asa
cripple as an immediate consequence.
Sh*t! Im the motherf*cking viper, Kang Min-seok! And my sashimi blade can put a hole in any as*holes gut!
tt was a case of acting now or facing certain impending doom. Kang Min-seok mistakenly hit a ballpoint pen and dropped it on the floor, then while pretending to pick it up, he sneakily pulled out a sashimi blade from
the sheath strapped from under beneath his shin.
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. His opponent was an unimaginably skilled expert. He only had one shot at this.
ang Min-seoks lowered posture sprang up within a blink of an eye.
ow-!
His left hand smacked the thick document file to scatter the papers around. He then thrust the sashimi blade faster and stronger than he had ever done in his entire life.
What an unfortunate thing it was, though, that Kang Min-seok had completely overlooked the simple fact of Jang Yeong-pal losing his ax and getting completely finished off, obliterated just a minute ago.
Heok?!
Kang Min-Seoks eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets. He expected the scattering documents to blind the intruder for a moment there, yet not a single piece of paper flew up into the air. He also didnt get that
distinctive sensation of a blade carving into the soft human flesh, either.
Worse still, the moment he realized that the bestial being before his eyes was beaming with smug condescension, he felt nothing but empty air pockets within his grasp. The tool of the trade that had been
accompanying for the past ten years betrayed its master and entered the bastards clutches, instead, how unfortunate!
Even before he had the chance to freak out, though, his right hand was grabbed by the forearms.
I see, youre stained to the core with the mindset of a Yangahchi, eh?
Those words rumbled like thunder in Kang Min-seoks ears.
Stab-!
The sashimi blade spun around in the air before stabbing straight into the table below. And the spot the blade dug in happened to be where Kang Min-seoks hand remained dangling.
Kukuh!
Kang Min-seoks eyes turned bloodshot within an instant. The feeling shooting up from the hand traveled along his nerves to slam into his brain. It only took a millisecond for his brain to determine that that feeling was
in fact, stinging jabs of pain.
He dazedly stared at his old tool of the trade, its handle currently protruding out from the back of his hand.
A sense of dja vu washed over him. These memories flooded in that he had forgotten about completely until this precise moment Back in the days of elementary school, the pastime of insect collecting was the
homework teachers loved to assign their kids during the Summer vacation camps. The insect collection box is made out of cardboard and vinyl cover, dragonflies, locusts, long-legged hoppers, regular grasshoppers,
and a large garden spider, all pinned up on a board
Why was Kang Min-seok recalling all those things at this present moment?
Kkuaaaaahk!
He belatedly shrieked out. It wasnt a dragonfly pinned to the insect collecting board, but his own right hand. The cold, uncaring blade severed the bone and tendons in his hand to bury itself in the table until the only
part left protruding externally was the hilt.
His shock and the subsequent terror far exceeded the immense pain that he felt.
I thought you were a venomous, highly driven scoundrel, but you aint much, huh.
Smash-
The noise of splitting a piece of firewood with an ax exploded, blasted out loudly. Spits of blood and little white objects burst out flying from Kang Min-seoks mouth. He couldnt even scream as his figure floated up in
the air before crash-landing back with a loud thud on the ground.
The blades sharpness meant that his right hand was ripped apart into shreds. Kang Min-seok trembling with whites showing in his eyes eventually went slumped down limp on the ground.
Huh-uh Nupchi looking on also shuddered violently as if he was trying to squeeze out the last drop of his urine with force.
He could clearly see all the corn kernels that flew out of Kang Min-seoks mouth. A strike of that power invariably meant that never mind just some teeth, the poor suckers gums and jawbone mustve shattered into
vast smithereens.
Only then did Nupchi realize that the complete terror, his big brother, had gone easy on him back in the Gasansanseong Fortress. He inwardly thanked the terror, then also thanked his boss for personally supervising
the physical hunt for Missus Kim Mal-Soon.
Hey, Nupchi. Stem this guys badly wounded, bleeding heavily for me. Were not done yet, after all.
Yessir!
Nupchi ripped up the shirt of one of the Yangahchis and wrapped it up around Kang Min-seoks mangled right hand. The hand was almost sliced neatly apart into two shredded slabs by now.
There was not one single hint of hesitation or conscience in Mu Ssangs ruthless, sudden strike of attack. Nupchi had gone through all sorts of life-or-death situations before but even he was left shuddering at the
decisiveness of his big brother. In fact, he had to question if this man was really the same guy as the one who got flustered by young girls nagging him or treated a shabby-looking old monk with so much respect and
reverence.
*
Bang-!
The steel door flung wide open suddenly, almost threatening to detach from its hinges in the process. A large group wielding all sorts of weapons rushed and pounded, pouring inside. Some wore business suits, some
wore gym clothes, T-shirts, all proud wife beaters or bashers, and one of them even showed up in his floral-patterned pajamas while wielding a steel pipe.
They seemed to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but all of them emanated the exact same aura or vibes C and this vibe was bloodthirsty.
These enraged men were, of course, the members of the Pungguk gang, tipped off by the sales manager. Bak Gi-chung called every member he could get in touch with, and they all ran over here as hastily as they could.
The interior was over one hundred Pyeong in size, but it still filled up to the brim in an instant when thirty men flooded into the rooms interiors.
Nupchi, step back!
Nupchi rapidly evacuated to the far side of the room. He already knew that barging in now would only get him into trouble, especially when dozens of angry men brandishing tools of violence have emerged on the
scene.
The old adage went that no one person could stand up against a numbers game. Nupchi estimated that his limit was sending two punks to heaven, but thats about it. By the time he got rid of one bastard and started on
the second one, he wouldve been stabbed in the gut and his head burst wide open. That was the terrifying consequence, the result of a gang bashing, pounding.
*
The gang members crowding around at the exit suddenly divided into halves resembling the Red Sea parting. A business suit-wearing man in his late 40s leisurely waltzed into the interior. He looked like your typical
aging gangster with nothing but greed left, a remnant in his sodden head, judging from his sagging belly, a gait that had lost their tension and the flabby cheek flesh. He took his time scanning the interior briskly before
fixing his gaze upon the figure of Jang Yeong-pal.
Dammit! Go check up on his state.
Yessir! A Yangahchi quickly rushed over and pressed his ear to Jang Yeong-pals chest. Hes just unconscious.
Take him to the hospital.
Fut! Mu Ssang ended up laughing at that.
That chubby bastard hadnt even looked after himself properly, so it was quite a sight to see him act like he owned the place after dragging in a handful of Yangahchis.
Whoosh-!
A steel pipe flew in.
Bang-!
The weapon buried itself deeply in the patterned floor right below the groin region of the punk trying to help Jang Yeong-pal out.
Hiiiik?! The Yangahchi freaked out. He discarded Jang Yeong-pal and urgently scrambled back.
Dont move! Take one step, and Ill turn you into a shish kebab.
umble-
An intense and heavy baritone voice rocked the interior. The once-noisy space instantly fell in awkward, eerie silence.
Bak Gi-chung asked cautiously. If you dont mind me asking, where are you from, brother?
However, Mu Ssang ignored the question and shifted his gaze over to Nupchi. Hey, Nupchi. Are the Yangahchi as*holes working part-time in the local civic service offices or something? Why is it that every single one I
meet lately is conducting a census?
Maybe they are searching for their dads who abandoned them when they were still young? Kekeke! Nupchi cackled, guffawing, bellowing away.
Bak Gi-Chungs complexion turned dark-crimson to resemble a pig liver. The thing was, his lifelong trauma just happened to be his father. That man ran away with another woman, abandoning his wife and Bak
Gi-chung in the process C which meant Nupchi had inadvertently stepped on Bak Gi-Chungs reverse scales just at that point.
Kill them! Show them no mercy! Bak Gi-chung bawled out, shrieking like a wounded animal. He completely forgot about the steel pipe buried in the floor and the sight of comatose, motionless Mister Twin Axe.
Kill em!
Woaaaaah!
The Pungguk gang members charged directly into the interiors like raging, hormonally charged bulls. These punks were cut from the same cookie-cutter, of course. Mutts ganging up would invariably lose their fear.
Obviously, a bunch of Yangahchis was only suited to stealing from the helpless working class would not know anything about forming ranks, encirclement, or even attacking in a tribe at a go. They just rushed in
without even hatching any plan or order.
Useless idiots, you must be elated about remaining as mere juvenile simpletons.
BANG-!
Mu Ssang kicked the couch with enough force to launch a jeep in the air. The heavy furniture, which was a wooden frame clothed in buffalo leather, flew across the air like a massive, pulverizing, cannon bombshell.
Uwaaahk?! Get out of the!
Panic spread across the faces of Yangahchis rushing, dashing in with all their energy. There wasnt any room to escape hastily in time, in any case.
Kuwaaahk!
Aaah!
Three men rushing in got thrown around like ragdolls for foolishly trying to block the incoming hurtling sofa chair with their bodies.
Crunch-!
The sofa chair continued on to destroy two more hapless Yangahchis that couldnt dodge in time before it collided into the wall with a heavy smash.
Boom-!
The sofa chair met a commendable end after utterly demolishing, eliminating five Yangahchis.
Huk?! K-kill him! Bak Gi-chung cried out desperately.
His terror took the outward form of aggressiveness. It wasnt him being brave, though; it was his urgent realization that unless he killed the enemy first, hed be the one who was struck with a mortal blow today. All
sorts of weapons, including steel pipes, motorbike chains, deformed bars (steel bars with longitudinal and transverse ribbing), a longsword, etc., pummeled down like a hailstorm like raining blows.
Some said that loan sharks were a couple of stages higher in the merciless scale compared to your regular gangsters. It certainly seemed that way right now. This situation was more than enough to make most normal
people cower, yet these bastards still rushed in, full of wrath and scorn. You didnt have to be a genius to imagine just what they were like during the ordinary, regular days.
Looks like you retards need a good bashing up as a lesson, said Mu Ssang as he took a huge stride forward.
Nupchis eyes enlarged in wide wonder. The nightmares figure seemed to grow as slender and feathery as a piece of paper as that moment. On top of that, the thinned body began shimmering like a plume of smoke
wafting through the air. All those weapons missed their target, only swiping at empty air or hitting the empty spot. Combining Fearless Steps with the One with Nature technique caused the phenomenon of vision
distortion.
Although the gang rushed in with great momentum, thats as far as their threat level reached. Mu Ssangs wavering figure suddenly transformed into a raging tornado wind blowing.
Slapslapslapslap-!
Powpowpowpow-!
His figure was blinking and flashing while persistently accompanied by a series of impact noises. After getting their faces slapped around and their butts kicked hard, Yangahchis bounced and rolled around like corn
kernels popping to explode loudly inside a popcorn maker.
Those who got to take a swing with their steel pipes should consider themselves fortunate, at least; most of the Yangahchis didnt even get a chance to use the weapons in their hands before crumbling to the ground
like a mud wall crashing down against a raging flood gushing forth.
It might have been only a mere slap, but one should never underestimate it. An impact force strong enough to break ones jaw and cause fractures in neck bones would concuss ones brain. Concussion of that level will
result in the loss of vision and balance. If you have a weak constitution, youll black out at once, but if you happen to have a sturdy build, then youll be thrown down falling backward onto the floor, whimpering in pain,
and unable to restrain yourself.
Even before the second hand of the wall-mounted cuckoo clock had a chance to do a half-circle, 29 of the thirty Yangahchis flooding inside the office space were bowing down on the floor tiles. The space over a
hundred Pyeong wide was quickly filled up with the stench of blood and pained moans belonging to the gang members. Their bones were broken into bits, and their muscles were shredded apart mercilessly.
Bak Gi-chung was the only one still standing on his two feet.
That was beautiful! Nupchi quietly muttered without even knowing she was speaking aloud.
A streak of drool slowly trickled down the corner of his slack jaw. That famous saying about Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee seemed barely adequate to apply to amateurs at this point.
What Nupchi witnessed was so cool, and he dearly wanted to express his feelings in clever-sounding words. But he could only draw a blank. For the first time ever in his life, Nupchi got to learn how painful it was not
to be able to verbally express his feelings. He was gradually awaking to the full possibilities of mastering philosophy.
*
Your name?
l-its B-B-Bak Gi-chung.
Bak Gi-Chungs breathing quickened, his legs trembling pitifully. 36 of his subordinates got utterly crushed in one breath. And all those subordinates were second to none when it came to their level of viciousness, too!
This man, whoever he was, definitely was not someone to be trifled with. Only then did Bak Gi-chung realize that he had yanked on King Yamas nose hair just now.
Sit down! Mu Ssang pointed at the couch.
Despite dozens of people now laying on the floor fully comatose, wounded, the interior of the office space remained remarkably intact, unscathed. Other than the kicked couch, not a single piece of furniture was
disturbed. Even the calculator and the ashtray on the coffee table remained in the same spot, too. Such a display of skill was only possible for the Angel of Death Black Mamba, the god of war that exercised complete
mastery over the battles flow.
Y-yes, sir! Bak Gi-chung replied like a well-behaved elementary school kid and cautiously placed his rear-end on the far end of the couch.
Aman who thinks the strength of a group is his own would instantly turn into a coward the moment said group scatters, gets diffused into the winds.
Tell me, whats the highest interest rate as delineated by the Interest Limitation Act?
non
Bak Gi-chung couldnt immediately answer. But he didnt mean to do that. He was still too dumbfounded, stunned, for his brain synapses to connect properly.
Smack-!
Asound of a gourd shattering rang out piercing the awkward silence. A finger flicks power obviously depended on who was doing the flicking. A finger flicking at 100kph was already on the level of a lethal weapon.
Thud-
Bak Gi-chung flipped backward while the whites of his eyes were revealed.
Huh? A weak punk like this dares to mess around like a gangster until now!
Slap, slap-!
Bak Gi-chung regained his wits after his cheeks were ruthlessly slapped about twice.
Hey, as*hole. Im asking again, whats the highest interest rate as restricted by the law?
Y-yes, its 25%. Bak Gi-Chungs brain desperately sought out the answer after his survival instinct kicked in.
Oh, so you knew. Bak Gi-chung, call a tour bus here.
W-why a tour bus2
This punk is a glutton for punishment, isnt he? Hey, dumba*s, you think youre in a position to question me?
Smack-!
Yet another finger flick rammed into Bak Gi-Chungs forehead.
Kuuuuhk!
Nupchi grabbed Bak Gi-Chungs hair just as the latter fell back, then whispered in his ear. Blackout again, and itll be a snip-snip for your junior. Got that? .
Chapter 569 - Chapter 52 Episode 5 Choi Do-shik
Chapter 569 Chapter 52 Episode 5 Choi Do-shik
Keok?! N-no, you cant!
Bak Gi-chung began hastily, rapidly waving, flaying his arms around in manic panic like a desperately drowning man. The images of sleek legs and full breasts began to flood through his dwindling awareness, jolting it
sharply back from the brink. The whites in his eyes reverted back to how they were as if it had all been a mere deception.
Nupchi grinned in smug satisfaction. This fatso had not much to occupy himself with around this space, but still had too much money and an active sex drive. An idiot like that would have nothing but various vices in
his mind! To him, the junior the source of his pleasures was the reason for his existence. Something as precious as his own life itself.
Hey, b*tch, you wanna sit to piss for the rest of your life? Start singing when we say sing, and start dancing when we say dance, got that?! Nupchi grinned while not forgetting to glare intensely by using his thuggish
Sanpaku eyes.
Y-yes, I got it.
You got it, eh? Would you listen to this punk?
Smack, smack-
Nupchi used a steel pipe to repeatedly smack Bak Gi-chung in the head.
Ouch?! Bak Gi-chung hurriedly shielded his head and crouched lower.
Hey, as*hole, no matter how chaotic the world becomes, a bloody leech can never become a water snake, do you get my drift? How dare a f*cking loan shark knobhead (boss) complain to us?! Before I crack open your
damn skull, call the bus here, you dipsh*t!
y-yes! Bak Gi-chung couldnt say anything else and hurriedly picked up the phone.
Nupchi narrowed his eyes and glared at the fatso. His demeanor suggested that any unwise action would lead to Bak Gi-chung getting his skull cracked open with a blade chop.
A trash is trash no matter what, huh. Tsk, tsk.
This fatso was just another yangahchi, no more, no less. A leaders true colors would be displayed in the moments of crisis. And a bastard who didnt show one iota of concern for his bloodied, unconscious subordinates
and couldnt even endure superficial pain was at the peak of trash-dom. It seemed that Mu Ssang dressed himself in stab-proof gear just to take out some trash.
Nupchi, drag that punk over here.
Yes, sir!
Nupchi dragged Kang Min-Seok and dumped the latter on the couch before proceeding to ruthlessly, ferociously slap the rat-faced bastard on the cheeks. Kang Min-Seoks head spun this way and that, but he still
didnt regain his consciousness. Feeling troubled now, Nupchi could only carefully gauge Mu Ssangs response.
Well, hell come around once I shake his brain up a bit. Mu Ssang grabbed the back of Kang Min-Seoks head and began circulating the resonance wave strike
Vrrrr-
A powerful quake rocked Kang Min-Seoks brain. One mistake in this treatment, and hed end up either as an idiot for life or merelyt brain-dead.
Kkuh~uh Kang Min-Seok cracked open his eyelids.
Hey, as*hole, keep your eyes peeled and take this sight in if you dont wanna die.
Slap-!
Nupchi mercilessly slapped Kang Min-Seoks cheek, prompting his eyes to regain their focus.
Mu Ssang tossed a calculator at his way. The original amount was three million Won. Annual interest rate, 25%. The loan duration is 46 months. Get it wrong, and Ill cut off your hand. Remember that.
Ei, ei udduhstend. (I, | understand)
Kang Min-Seoks jawbone was broken and the inside of his mouth was torn apart like a rag; no wonder he couldnt speak properly. Sensing the imminent danger to his life, he used his left hand to tap on the calculator
with all of his dedication while whimpering and grunting away.
*
Hoek?! Are you telling me that monster went on a rampage just because of a loan for some loser named Kim Gi-taek?!
Bak Gi-Chungs eyes grew super-wide. Wasnt this basically the same as a pest control dude burning down the entire house just to catch a single cockroach?! Completely dismayed by what he just found out, he began
glaring murderously at Kang Min-Seok. Bak Gi-chung oh-so badly wanted to shatter the skull of the motherf*cker that summoned a demon into their house.
F*ck me, why the hell are you glaring at me for?! Its not my fault, you know!
Kang Min-Seok has been making his living through his ability to gauge situations. Obviously, he had seen through Bak Gi-Chungs current moods by now. His only fault was simply adhering to the business policy set out
by his boss, and his reward for doing that was getting the living daylights beaten out of him.
The one who wanted to shed tears at the unfairness of it all was Kang Min-seok, not Bak Gi-chung!
*
Even though I havent smoked in a while
Mu Ssang pulled out a gold-plated cigarette case. Hakam Chartres enjoyed smoking these, and that led Mu Ssang to enjoy them, too. Of course, he was talking about Cohiba Siglo.
Chartress recommendation played a part in why Mu Ssang decided to start smoking. The major reason for him to start smoking was to mask the stench of blood he disliked so much. And that eventually turned him
into an avid smoker. Cohiba Siglo had this appetizing, smoky aroma, perfect for neutralizing his sensitive olfactory senses.
This unique aroma easily on another realm compared to the locally-produced tobacco often proved to be a fly magnet for the agents of imported tobacco inspection squad. Mu Ssang even got halted by the agents from
the Monopoly Bureau and was forced to pull out his diplomats identification this one time.
Such a thing might be unimaginable now, but even right up until the 1988 Seoul Olympics, you had to pay a considerable fine if you got caught smoking imported tobacco.
The president of the country stepped up to declare that anyone smoking imported tobacco didnt deserve to be called Korean. Once upon a time, banners proclaiming [Dont buy or smoke foreign cigarettes that
undermine the countrys economy!] blanketed every street as far as eyes could see.
Just like that, smoking the local tobacco turned you into a patriot, while you were a traitor for smoking the imported stuff. As a result, the pathetically-poor quality of the local tobacco didnt get a chance to improve for
a long while.
Funnily enough, the greater level of prohibition only made the status of imported tobacco to soar even higher. Poor folks wrapped loose tobacco in newspaper and smoked that, but those with some disposable income
smoked stuff like Camel, Marlboro, or Lucky Strike. The rubbish quality of the local stuff played a role, sure, but a part of it could be blamed on the tendency of Koreans that did things the more prohibited they were.
The Monopoly Bureaus (the current-day Korea Tobacco and Ginseng Corporation) inspection squad acted just like the police by searching through your personal belongings, your workplaces and even your private
homes. And if they found any imported tobacco on your possession, then never mind confiscation, you could even get charged with a crime. This was a rather sad portrait of the time when the country was still under
the military dictatorship, but back then, Korea was in a desperate need for foreign currency so it couldnt be helped in some sense.
Cohiba Siglo was a luxury tobacco product with each cigar costing around one dollar the US to import. Smuggling a case of ten cigars and selling it would net you around hundreds of thousands of Won. No smuggler
was dumb enough to risk bringing in a tobacco product that likely wouldnt sell.
It was actually Bell Man who sent shipments of Cohiba Siglo from the USA. A box with around one thousand cigars got delivered last month, so Mu Ssang was in no danger of running out anytime soon.
He lightly tapped on the end of the cigar to cut it open. Nupchi on standby with a lighter in hand lit up the cigar with the speed of a lightning bolt. The gentle yet aromatic scent of the tobacco was a good match to the
acrid stench of the spilled blood.
Thanks.
N-no, not at all, big bro. Nupchi bowed deeply while backing off.
His face was filled up with all sorts of emotions, including respect, admiration, fright and many others of that kind. The figure of Mu Ssang leaning obliquely against the couch and smoking a thick cigar was so
mesmerizingly cool in Nupchis eyes. Even Mu Ssangs bored expression looked so damn cool.
Is this what they call the air of the strong? Will I also get to pose like that one of these days?
Unlike his usual self, Nupchi came up with a somewhat philosophical proposition for himself.
*
Oggae, iddts fibe point eighteey seex milleon Won. Kang Min-seok finished his calculations and began mumbling away while cautiously glancing at Bak Gi-chung.
Although his pronunciation was strange, the amount wasnt that hard to hear C 5.86 million Won. Mu Ssang pulled out a thick wad of ten thousand Won notes from his inner pocket. It was six million Won he prepared
before coming here.
Well, a debt should be paid regardless of what, no? Alright. Bring me the loan ledger and its accompanying documents, the loan contract for President Kim Gi-Taek, and finally, the principal repayment certificate.
ang Min-Seoks troubled face continued to glance in Bak Gi-Chungs way.
E-excuse me, brother. Allow me to personally write down the confirmation letter for Kim Gi-taeks loan repayment. Thats why, how about we
ow-!
upchi mercilessly kicked Bak Gi-chungs side with force.
Ouch! The overweight yangahchi toppled over like a bowing shrimp after a lightning bolt out of the blue struck him down.
You f*ck, one of your employees cant even help your customer properly because hes too scared of his boss!
Pow, bang-!
Nupchi mercilessly kicked Bak Gi-chung. The latter could only release, let out pathetic cries while rolling around on the floor.
You dumb sh*t, because you ran your company like sh*t that my busy big brother had no choice but to personally come down here.
Nupchis kicking got fiercer and fiercer.
Unable to endure the poor abusive treatment anymore, Bak Gi-chung suddenly yelled out loudly. Sure, the business transactions ledger was as important as his life, but what was the point if he wasnt alive in the first
place?! Bak Gi-chung wanted to yell out why should some random bastard care about how he ran his business, but a completely different thing leaped out of his mouth instead. H-hey, Viper, you dumbass! Do you
want to die?! Hurry up and show them the documents and issue them with a payment receipt already! Hurry the f*ck up, will ya?!
Tears and snot flooded down Bak Gi-Chungs face as he yelled. The bewildered-looking Kang Min-Seok staggered toward the cabinet as quickly as he could.
Mu Ssang casually perused through the thick pile of loan ledger, the loan contracts, the certified copy of Kim Gi-taeks resident registration, the certificates of various seal impressions, and other documents including
written memorandums of understanding. He then handed this pile as thick as a handspan over to Nupchi.
Nupchi retrieved a golf bag from somewhere, dumped all the golf clubs inside on the floor, and filled it with the documents.
You dumb motherf*cker?! Youre supposed to hand over Kim Gi-taeks documents only! Why are you giving him everything?
Bak Gi-chungs complexion paled in an instant. Theyd have to suck on their fingers if their operational funds were to vanish overnight. Growing ever anxious now, Bak Gi-chung continued to fret and fidget like an ant
with its feelers removed. However, he couldnt overcome the fear and kept his mouth shut.
x
Hmmm, what a horrible mess. Mu Ssang scoffed after checking out the contents of Kim Gi-taeks loan contract. Not one business owner in their right mind would ever agree to such rubbish conditions while taking
on a loan. Hey, Deputy Kang. Looks like well have to add the crime of private document forgery on top of everything, no?
The corners of Mu Ssangs lips were curling up, but his glare remained deathly cold. Kang Min-Seok was tempted to say, Thank you! just then. Rather than letting this demon continue to torment him, hed much
prefer to get handed over to the police. Actually, hed never forgotten the kindness if that happened!
Even if the crime of document forgery was added on top of money-related blackmail and physical threats, youd only serve around two years in the slammer, anyway. And thats in case you already have priors.
However, the problem Kang Min-Seok had at the moment was his gut feeling. It said that this demon-like bastard would choose to go with even more horrifying torture instead of letting the cops handle this mess.
Tsk! Nupchi picked up Jang Yeong-pals tomahawk.
That prompted Kang Min-Seok to reply urgently. Y-yes, I did temper with the contract.
Tll keep this as evidence at least for now. Mu Ssang stored away the forged loan contract and the principal repayment certificate, then tossed the wad of money on the table. Here. Now that the loans been paid up,
its time for the boss to sign it off, no?
Bak Gi-chung dazedly leaning against the wall snapped awake and rushed over to sign his name in one stroke of a pen.
Well, then. Although I did pay off the loan out of old loyalty, what will I do to put food on my table now? Sucking on fingers will get salty after a while, you see Its not like I can go around ripping people off, like some
people I know Mu Ssang muttered that as if he was talking to himself.
Bak Gi-chung wasnt slow. He was quick to catch on that two plus two obviously equaled four, and that rustling sound was unmistakably from the next door widows skirt coming undone as she sought to quench her
man-thirst.
Finally! Sounds like the demon is ready to leave! Bak Gi-chung inwardly cried out in elation after figuring it out.
Finally, this demon-like bastard was about to leave them alone. Not only that, but it seemed that a path to get the ledger and loan documents back have opened up, too.
Excuse me, brother. May I briefly go to the third floor? Bak Gi-chung asked while rubbing his hands.
Araging tiger will grow docile once its belly gets full. To calmly drive out a tiger invading ones home, theres no choice but to feed it well. Bak Gi-chung wanted to make this demon leave as soon as possible, even if that
meant sacrificing every single cent stored in the safe upstairs.
Toss-
Mu Ssang flicked the cigar hed been smoking.
Whoosh-
Acrimson dot crossed the air and smacked straight into Bak Gi-Chungs forehead.
Puff-!
Embers scattered everywhere.
Hothothot-! Bak Gi-chung jumped around ungainly.
I dont have a younger brother as badly fermented as you. Nupchi, you should go and help this fella with his heavy load.
Yessir!
When Nupchi went along with him, Bak Gi-Chungs expression crumpled even worse than before.
Hehehe. You think Im an idiot that works for free? These bastards have a tendency of treating their brains as decorations, dont they? Mu Ssang grinned softly to himself.
His personal dictionary had no such thing as free service. Getting compensated for exerting himself was only natural in his book. Mu Ssangs favored method of calculation was not the principle of the beneficiarys
burden, but that of the perpetrator. Whenever he went on important missions like Sahel, Syria, and Ituri, the beneficiary and the subsidizer of his travel costs were different. Todays beneficiary was Kim Gi-Taek and
his family, while the one paying for his travel cost was Bak Gi-chung.
*
Bak Gi-chung came down the stairs while carrying a travel bag. Nupchi was following very close by while carrying a small Boston bag C the so-called reimbursement for the travel cost.
Mu Ssang chuckled. Fut!
Bak Gi-chungs eye was swollen into a black shade of bruise. It didnt take a genius to figure out what happened. He mustve tried to pack a small amount of money in the bag, only for Nupchi to beat the living daylights
out of him. The safe upstairs should be emptied out by now, then.
Brother, youve taken our operational budget and even the slush fund. Isnt it fine to give us back the ledger and those sundry documents? With that, we can both say that you were never here and Ive never seen you
before. What do you say, brother? Bak Gi-chung began rubbing his hands while making a desperate expression.
ff you judge a person solely by their facial expressions, then Bak Gi-chung looked even more pitiful and deserving of your sympathy than, say, an Eritrean refugee who lost their entire family while trying to flee the
conflict.
Mu Ssang could only sigh at length at a humans endless capacity to act foolishly. This fatsos life was about to fall to the depths of the netherworld, yet he was still worried about some ledger? What a pitiful bastard.
Bak Gi-chung. Whenever you rode around in the shiny new supercar bought with the blood and tears of your victims, and when dozens of underlings bowed ninety degrees before you, you mustve felt like you were
the emperor of the world.
The reason why a Yangahchi will always remain as a yangahchi is simple. Its because you dont have roots. An Yangahchi using violent means to steal and rob from other people is no different from an unruly animal.
And in the animal kingdom, the one with the most power is the king.
A Yangahchi torments those weaker than them while being oblivious of how high the heavens can be. But the moment someone stronger than you shows up, its your fate to get all of your roots yanked out.
Mu Ssang stopped talking there, scanning all the Yangahchis laid out on the floor. Now that he had paid off Kim Gi-taeks debt and received the loan repayment certificate, the first part of this trip was basically over. As for the sightseeing tour of the Pungguk gang members, it was now up to them to determine whether itd end in South Korea or get an extension in the desert of Africa.
Bak Gi-chung, theres an old saying about how the animals in existence could be classified as insects. Those would be Inchung (scaly insect), Wuchang (winged insect), Mochung (hairy insect), Gaechung (insect with
carapace or shell), and finally, Nachung (naked insect). Whether your life ends as a Nachung here or you get another chance at reverting back to a human being will depend on your answers from now on.
What the hell is up with this conman bullsh*t hes busy spewing?!
Bak Gi-chung was inwardly confused, but he did his best to keep his wits about him. Since this man was impossible to read, who knows what kind of torment hed unleash upon Bak Gi-chung at the slightest hint of a slip of the tongue?
Whats the purpose of those buildings in the back surrounded by the tall walls?
Those are military facilities we bought from the Americans. Weve been using them as a dormitory for our boys.
And your family has how many members?
Its fifty-two.
Including Kang Min-Seok, a total of 35 were lying on the office floor right now. Which meant seventeen were still unaccounted for.
Thats quite a lot. Do all 52 stay in the dorms, then?
Bak Gi-chung flinched. N-no, not really
You better tell us everything while Im still being civil. Three barracks around one hundred pyeongs wide can house three hundred people, easy. Whats the reason for such tall walls? You have something to hide, dont you?
N-no, no way. What you see is exactly what the Americans have sold us. It has a training facility and even a medical facility for the Bak Gi-chung jumped up in alarm.
A medical facility, you say? The corners of Mu Ssangs lips curled up, but the glare in his eyes had grown so much sharper.
He got interested in the old barracks simply because of the strong stench of disinfectant. The stench was trying to disguise another smell wafting around in the air C the acrid stench of blood. A stench that could only be picked up on a battlefield was wafting around in the middle of a normal city, which shouldnt be possible in normal circumstances.
There was one other thing to consider here: Yangahcis didnt understand the concept of loyalty, to begin with. Youd not be called a Yangahchi if you actually spent your own dime to operate a medical facility for your underlings.
L-its only on the level of employing a nurse to stick an IV drip, brother. Bak Gi-chung was now visibly panicking. He was thinking to himself, Sons of b*tches! What are those damn Japs doing, taking their sweet time?!
He was getting exceedingly nervous right now.
Chapter 570 - Chapter 52 Episode 6 Choi Do-shik
I can just go and get hold of a gander for myself. Ill be right back, so why dont you relax in the meantime? Mu Ssang headed to the exit while he was uttering these words.
Bak Gi-Chung felt like his heart was about to explode violently out of his mouth. The six hundred million Won and a luxury watch were supposed to be Chuseok bribes (Korean thanksgiving). The cash meant to serve as the deal sweeteners, rake-offs, and commission fees obviously didnt have any names on them, but that wasnt the case for the watch; the name of the recipient had been engraved on the watchs underside already.
Itd be terrible, controversial news if the heavy-hitting politicians, civil servants, and judicial officers with connections get exposed for all dirty hidden misdeeds and crimes. But the secret facility of the barracks getting exposed was far worse, much more wretched, than that. The only way to fix this crisis now was to kill this intruder retard and grind down his corpse to turn the bones into animal feed.
Aigooo! You stupid Jap brothers of ours, hurry up, will ya?!
Bak Gi-chung desperately prayed for the Japanese inspectors to notice the commotion on the second floor. This was the disadvantage of having too good of soundproofing performed upon your office. The costly soundproofing done to prevent the debtors shrieking from escaping from the premises came back to bite them back in the asses now.
Mu Ssang suddenly flinched and took his hand away from the door handle.
His body flashed and seemingly teleported twenty meters behind him. He grabbed and pushed Nupchi standing there awkwardly behind a thick pillar, then slid behind the couch as if he was moving on ice.
SMASH-!!
The window toward the rear suddenly shattered and two streaks of light flew in.
Clank, clank-!
Two shurikens flew in like bullets, causing sparks to fly off from the concrete wall.
BANG-!
At the same time, the exit door was kicked open. The offices interior light was abruptly sucked outside; dark shadows seemed to flash by mere moments before streaks of light scythed past the winds.
They are here! Bak Gi-chung yelled loudly. Elation, relief, grief, and various other emotions were contained in his yell.
Dont make me laugh! Mu Ssang glanced at Bak Gi-chung before stomping on the corner of the couch.
BANG-!
The three-person couch stood right up after getting stomped on by the Iron Leg.
Stab, stab, stab, stab-!
Four throwing daggers stabbed into the couch in a perfectly uniform line.
SHATTER-!
The window noisily shattered apart right afterward. Two shadows leaped inside the interior. And at the same time, two other shadows stepped inside through the open doorway as if they were getting sucked inside.
Sa-sasasak-!
Four shadows slid inside to surround Mu Ssang in no time at all. It was the so-called four directions formation.
And what are these clowns supposed to be now?
Mu Ssang was somewhat puzzled by what he saw.
These new intruders all wore exactly the same attire as if they were being sponsored by the same company.
They gave off the vibes of evil henchmen number one, two, three, and four from an action movie set, too. Starting from black yukata to black haori, they even wore black Ray-Bans over black masks, too. They mustve been dead-obsessed over the color black and decided to go all-in on the color scheme.
Assigning identification numbers was one of the occupational diseases that came with being a sniper. Mu
Ssang mentally labeled these black-clad intruders Black One, Two, Three, and Four starting from his right.
Not only did the Four Black Bros share their fashion sense, they also carried the same tools of the trade, too.
Wakizashis in their right hands gleamed sharply under the faint light. (Wakizashi: a short Japanese taichi l with the bladeless than two feet long; a short sword)
Once the black fashion parade finished surrounding Mu Ssang, the previously-warm interiors temperature plummeted to alarming lows rapidly.
The conscious Pungguk gang members did their best to roll and crawl to evacuate toward the far corner, grunting and groaning loudly in the process. Some among them displayed an admirable level of loyalty by dragging away their fellow unconscious Yangahchis. Rather suited for Yangahchis, their survival instinct seemed to have developed to a high degree.
Mu Ssang lightly kicked the couch standing tall, returning it to its original position. He utterly ignored the black fashion brigade emitting dense killing intent and simply plopped down on the couch.
The four black fashion brigade members glanced at each other. It seemed that they were thinking, What kind of a bastard is this?
I hope your skills are as orthodox as your fashion sense. Mu Ssang snickered derisively, but inwardly, he was impressed.
Shurikens were simply meant to intimidate the target for the purpose of securing their positions. The two from the rear jumping in secured their positions first, then the two others rushing afterward provided cover for the rearguard.
It was easy to guess the harshness and the duration of their training solely from their smoothly-flowing body and foot movement techniques. These four were the special-grade ninjas that he had only heard about in the rumors.
Black Threes gaze brushed past Mu Ssang sitting on the couch, scanning the interior, before stopping on Bak Gi-chung.
The fatso with quick wits jumped back up to his feet before planting his forehead on the floor to start groveling. Haaai, odorokubeki richuokubeki kanshin shuru! (Im deeply awed by your stunning skill!)
He translated what Mu Ssang said, except the contents were totally something else. Black Threes cheeks visibly twitched under the mask. Bak Gi-chung tensed up greatly just then. Since the Japs came in guns blazing while covering their eyes and mouths, it was impossible to tell if they were smiling or frowning in irritation.
Baku-sensei, okurete mo-shiwake, arimasen. (Bak-Sensei, apologies for coming so late.)
Black Three courteously bowed his head.
Gincho-shite gachigachi-desu. Onegaishimasu! i (l ive been dying of anxiousness until now, sirs. Please, I beg of you!)
Bak Gi-chung began rubbing his hands like a housefly sitting on bacon fat.
Bak Gi-chung, whats up with these black crow-wannabe clowns?
Mu Ssang wasnt asking that because he didnt know. He had already sensed them while they were making their way down from the fifth floor.
Gi-Chungs attitude, thats all.
Hehehe, they are warriors from the Great Nihon Empire that protect Pungguks interests. You f*cked up real bad, buddy. And now, were gonna chop your head off.
Sure enough
Bak Gi-chung became all triumphant and the like as if he hadnt been groveling on the floor a minute ago. It was as if hed be the one to behead Mu Ssang or some such.
Mu Ssang could only smile wryly. A Yangahchi was a Yangahchi for a reason. Some said that the origin of the word Yangahchi came from the old term denoting beggars, Dongnyangahchi, but truth be told, it simply meant the post-war vagrants with no jobs going around causing trouble.
More specifically, the term denoted the trash pickers carrying large bamboo baskets on their backs. Their role was to go from town to town to pick up trash using their tongs. A Yangahchi would not hesitate to steal if the owners werent around, raped women if given half a chance, kidnapped children, and often deliberately got on peoples nerves just to rip off hospital treatment fees.
Law-abiding regular people treated Yangahchis like carriers of an infectious deadly plague and didnt even try to come anywhere near them. Trash-like people going around picking up trash That was the reason why Yangahchi became THE term to denote the trash-like maggot of a human being.
This Bak Gi-chung bastard definitely smelled like trash.
Mu Ssangs irritation level soared even higher. You scummy bastard busy kissing the Japs ass! I sentence you to a life of hard labor. Since your character isnt upright, youll plant upright trees for the rest of your life. If you plant trees diligently enough under the hot foreign sun, youll surely become a human being one of these days!
What bullsh*t are you spewing now?! Man, Ive never seen a f*cker as crazy as you. You know what, Im gonna bury you under the jujube tree in my front yard. And Ill make sure to use the jujubes ripened by your rotting body as offerings come to Chuseok and Seollal. Heheheh! Bak Gi-chung cackled insidiously.
He couldnt help but cackle after imagining Mu Ssang getting beaten up right in front of his nose.
Mu Ssang wordlessly cut off the tip of his cigar and mouthed it. What a contradictory creature a human could be. No one could predict what will happen in the next second, yet they still worried about what might happen in a year; even though they lived an unstable life where they could die tomorrow, humans still rampaged around as if they would live on for a century.
Live for the moment, be faithful to today! That was all, really. The cigar smoke lazily wafted up into the air.
Black Threes eyes flickered in uncertainty. Sugoi, Sugoi Shonkei Shuru! Anatawa daredeska? (Amazing, truly amazing! I respect you. Who are you, mister?)
Mu Ssang curtly shot back. You dumbass, I dont know Japanese.
Bak Gi-chung interpreted for him once more. He said, he admires your skill. He also asked who you are.
Dont f*cking make me laugh? These crow-wannabes are probably chumps dispatched by Higashi Honganji, am I right? Bugs are not qualified to learn who I am.
The black fashion parade heard Bak Gi-Chungs interpretation and immediately placed their hands on their weapons. That single movement caused the chilling sharpness to flood into the office.
Would you look at these clowns? You must think South Korea is some kind of a joke, with how you run around in your Jap clothing and your Jap butter knives. Hey! Kuso Kurae! (Go f*ck yourself!)
Mu Ssang didnt know Japanese, but thanks to Choi Do-Shik, he at least got to learn a few swear words. Didnt matter what language it was, you could memorize most swear words by hearing them a few times.
Chiksho
Yo-it!
Black One leaped up while Black Two rushed in low along the floor.
Flash-!
Black Twos blade sliced past the location of Mu Ssangs knee. That move just now was overflowing with the deadly determination to land a sure-kill attack even if that meant hed die in the process.
Black One spun around at the peak of their jump while unsheathing his blade.
Pa-aaaah-!
The blade containing the force of Batto Jutsu leaped across space and tried to slash down at Mu Ssangs forehead. A regular person wouldnt even be able to notice the moment of drawing the weapon and where they got cut down. Thats how sneaky this attack was.
Despite starting later, the blade aiming for his head closed in first via a tricky landing technique before the blade aiming for his knee could arrive. As expected of ninjas, then; what an insidious combined attack that fooled ones eyes.
laijutsu? Mu Ssang sucked in his breath.
He witnessed several times the red-faced ones teach Choi Do-Shik the ways of taijutsu back in Bangtaesan. Iaijutsu was a Japanese swordsmanship technique developed in the post-Edo period, and it was a swift sword strike that used the attack as its defense C a one-hit-kill Batto Jutsu meant to be employed during real combat situations.
Whoosh-
The moment the blade wind scattered his hair, Mu Ssangs head seemingly dropped into his shoulders while his back folded rearward. His upper body folded into the lower part like a piece of paper.
Swiiiish-
A blade no longer than two feet long scythed past the space where a persons torso used to be, missing its target by a mere hairs breadth. And a blink of an eye later, Black Twos wakizashi sliced across where Mu Ssangs lower torso should be.
Shu-wook-
While maintaining his bizarre stance, Mu Ssang sleekly slid back as if the blade wind had pushed him back. He was deploying the Twin Cicadas Stick Together technique, then the Golden Mile Moving Wave right afterward.
Pa-aaahk-
The blade cut through the empty space.
Performing a one-hit-kill sword strike was bound to leave an opening.
Swish-!
A dark shadow dug in past the trajectory of Black Ones blade. That speed seemed to utterly ignore space and time itself.
Black One hadnt still landed on solid ground by then; he could only suck in a cold breath after his space had been breached, He tried to change the blades trajectory and chop down but right at that moment, a dark object suddenly shot up.
Pow-!
Crunch-!
An impact noise was immediately followed by a clear sound of bones fracturing. Black Ones head arched up into the air.
POW, pow-!
While their figures remained close, Mu Ssangs knee shot up to slam straight into the ninjas side.
Crunch-!
Black Ones body folded in half like a folding phone.
Kku-fuuuhuk!I
A bizarre yelp exploded forth from his mouth, one that could be either a scream or simply air escaping from his lungs. Black One crumbled to the floor like a deflated bag.
All this happened in the blink of an eye. The description of these events might have been lengthy, but in truth, this flurry of offense and defense didnt even take 0.5 seconds. Black One might be quick and powerful, but Mu Ssang was ten times faster and stronger. This was the law of the jungle.
Black Two, having lost the timing to assist his colleague, could only glare murderously at Mu Ssang.
I went overboard just now!
Mu Ssang wanted to kick himself. When he struck Black Ones chin with a palm strike, the latters jawbone and neck bones shattered, causing his brain to scramble. That alone killed him twice over. Then, the knee strike landing on the side shattered Black Ones ribs, simultaneously crushing his liver, kidney, and lungs. That killed him three times over.
It seemed that dealing with vicious foreigners draped in dense killing intent for so long had unknowingly turned him into a more unforgiving killer himself.
Heeeeot!
Mu Ssang sucked in a cold breath. A man who shouldve died three times over was grabbing onto his ankle. A corpse with its internal organs destroyed and its neck pulled out of its sockets by half a hand span, causing the head to flop around was actually grabbing someones foot?! That sounded like a scene straight out of the Korean Ghost Stories. (Also known as Hometown Legends.)
The Dead Soul Technique is a horrifying secret sorcery technique belonging to Higashi Honganji temple, and it allows one to retain a small amount of their life energy just before they get taken away by the grim reaper, all for the purpose of restraining their enemy.
Ninjas would never waste the chance created through the death of their comrade.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-!
Three shurikens came flying in towards Mu Ssang in a triangular formation. Those came from Black Four in the rear. A moments gap later, another three shurikens thrown by Black Three came flying in next.
Chiksho
Fwhoosh-!
Black Two let out a human-like roar for the first time and rushed in like a phantom.
As*hole, youre dead, so go to hell already!
Pow-!
A powerful kick sent the corpse flying.
Crunch-!
The bones of the fingers gripping his ankle shattered, and the corpse went flying like a cannon shell.
Stab, stab, stab-!
All six shuriken stabbed deep into the corpse. Black Ones sacrificial spirit was commendable, but that only resulted in him dying four times over instead.
Shu-aaaahng-!
But then, a wakizashis blade flew in through the opening created.
Heeeeot! Mu Ssang was stunned for the second time this evening. Another shuriken seemingly teleported through space and appeared right before his eyes right at that moment.
That happened at the perfect timing as Black Twos blade tried to cut through Mu Ssangs throat. The continuous barrage of shurikens and Black Twos wakizashi attack were nothing but distractions for this one hidden attack.
The oblique muscle in Mu Ssangs waist contracted by about a handspan.
Stab-!
The muscles gripped the shuriken trying to dig in. Contrary to Black Twos anticipation, Mu Ssang didnt even budge from the spot.
Swish-
The wakizashis trajectory was in consideration of where Mu Ssang might dodge, so it ended up slicing through empty air. Black Two didnt try to stop his momentum and simply slipped past Mu Ssangs arm like a nimble swallow.
However, he still looked like a snail in Mu Ssangs eyes.
Slam-!
Mu Ssangs elbow slammed down on Black Twos exposed spine. The attack applied a force similar to a polar bear stepping forward to slam down its front paw.
Kuuuhk
A muffled scream held back through sheer will leaked out of Black Twos mouth. He used the impact force from his spine shattering to slash down with the cats claw attached to his left hand.
Son of a b*tch
As expected of ninjas, what a bunch of vicious, tenacious bastards! Then again, ninjas always hid one final trick up their sleeves so that they could die together with their enemies.
Mu Ssangs foot suddenly flew up.
BANG!
The foot crushed the ninjas left hand that lost its target. But the kick didnt stop there; it continued on until connecting with the groin next.
Craaack-
A bizarre noise accompanied Black Twos figure shooting up two meters into the air before he crash-landed back on the floor.
Yellow-colored liquid wetted the patterned floor. The terrible stench of ammonia spread all over in an instant. Black Ones final fate wasnt very pretty after his face got split open vertically and his internal organs crushed to mush, and Black Twos end was just as gruesome. His spine was shattered while his nuts were crushed. Not only that but his pelvis was shattered and his bladder was ruptured, too.
The silence so still that a pin drop could be heard descended in the office. Not even five seconds passed by since Black One and Two started attacking together, only to end up utterly torn apart like rags. The gruesome exchange of blows started and ended in the proverbial blink of an eye.
Two destroyed corpses were the only evidence left behind of the horrifying carnage.
Korea was not in the middle of Africa. Whether it was Bak Gi-chung, the Pungguk gang members, or even Nupchi himself, they were nothing more than some ordinary (?) gangsters that only knew how to throw punches around. The worst they could do was stab people in the gut with sashimi knives or swing around steel pipes.
Thats why the sight of lightning-fast exchange of deadly strikes, and vicious attacks tearing human bodies apart left them utterly paralyzed in fear and shock. Dozens of pairs of eyes dazedly stared at the two lumps of protein that used to be living human beings less than one minute ago.
Chapter 571 - Chapter 52 Episode 7 Choi Do-shik
A duel between experts was often decided by their breathing.
The moment you lose your breathing was the moment your head went flying and your heart pierced right through. However, you had no choice but to keep breathing in and out to supply oxygen to your muscles contracting and relaxing at an explosive rate. Mu Ssangs muscle cells trained in the slow-and-deep breathing technique could maintain contraction without oxygen for around seven to eight minutes. Such a thing was basically cheating in close-quarter battles between experts.
Fuu-woo
One deep exhale led to a large quantity of air being pushed out, and then Hup-hup-hupThe staccato-like inhales sucked in the oxygen like a vacuum cleaner. Sleeping cells woke back up and their previously limp state tautly tensed up.
It had been a while since he last experienced this feeling of violence. His brain shuddered in ecstasy after tasting the familiar sensation of bones breaking and muscles ripping apart. The reason why he didnt feel the guilt of murder was because his opponents this time were Japanese, or more specifically, ninjas. The Pungguk gang members could only stay dead still after unintentionally becoming witnesses to a gruesome no, to a never-before-seen slaughter-fest. The intruder this time had to be an unmatched, unrivaled devil in existence. A mad, savage devil that burned so brightly in front of their eyes! Yangahchis, subjected to terror intense enough to rip out their hearts and cut off their throats, couldnt even dare to look away.
N
Mu Ssang pulled out the shuriken caught by his oblique muscles. Five blades gleamed sharply under the fluorescent light. Even the stab-proof vest manufactured out of Bossaurus tendons and Dyneema was still not enough to defend against a shuriken containing inner force. He stared at the hole in the clothes with dismay. No blood was shed thanks to his quick thinking and his skin and muscles trained in the combined repetitive expelling theory. Even so, there was no escaping the fact that he almost got injured from the cheap tricks of some rats. This was the fault of his combat sense getting rusty. He hadnt entered a battlefield in over a year already. The longer the peace, the worse the rusting of your mind as well as the softening of your muscles. The training was just that, training. Instead of one hundred simulated combat training, participating in just one life-or-death struggle full of blood and broken bones were far more effective.
Eiiii, dang it. Gye-soons gonna nag the hell out of me, wont she? Mu Ssang was nervous about the holes in the jacket and shirt. Eungsim-je might be a humongous han-ok, but he chose not to employ a dedicated caretaker for the place. As a tightwad, Mu Ssang just couldnt stand the idea of people lazing around. Kamdoong sneakily took care of repair and reinforcement work while the five sisters took on the duties of cooking, cleaning, laundry, and managing the garden.
Gye-soon was in charge of the laundry. Befitting her sharp, alert looks, she sure had a ton of nagging energy in her, too. Some time ago, there was an incident of Mu Ssang smacking around a Yangahchi near the back roads of the Dalseong Park. The blood from the punk landed on Mu Ssangs clothes, which led to a barrage of nagging that nearly knocked him out cold. But now that his clothes got a hole in them it seemed unlikely that hed dodge that girls nagging this time.
Hey, Jap. Pretty good, not making any noise or giving off any presence. Mu Ssang spoke while lightly shaking around the shuriken. You are fine after Hidden Soul Flight? Stunning. I am Gato Danzo. I wish, know the name of you, warrior. (TN: Gato speaks in broken Korean. Tried to convey that with broken English.) Black Threes voice was trembling. Although he spoke in broken Korean, there was no issue with understanding him. Old man, it seems you know how to speak Korean. Why did you let that fatso interpret for you, then? The ninja covered his face with dark sunglasses and a mask. Even his voice sounded sprightly, too. However, they were still not enough to fool Mu Ssangs senses. Gato was a wrinkly old man in his seventies. Kankokujin are inferior subjects. Language of inferior is vulgar, so I dont use. But, Kankoku warrior, very amazing. (Kankokujin: Japanese for South Korean) Gato replied matter-of-factly. He was thinking that time was on his side. His opponent must be using some amazingly high level of endurance to withstand the venom of Gokuraku-poon (Paradise poison), but no one could last for more than three minutes against this poison. He was certain that if he played along to keep the crazed dog calm, time should take care of everything. This old fart deserves a damn beating, doesnt he!
Mu Ssangs mood instantly soured. The old ninja was saying that speaking in Korean dirtied his mouth, but since his opponent, today was too excellent to be from an inferior race of people, hed deign to speak in the inferior tongue. You could say anything you want C free speech and all C but that didnt mean the listener wasnt allowed to get offended by it.
Any thoughts of sending the old man off gently vanished completely from Mu Ssangs mind.
Haigoo-, you sure know how to flap your gums, dont you? I heard that the halls of the Eastern Monastery of the Original Vow are teeming with senile specters dreaming of the Greater East Asia empire. And what do you know, looks like one of those senile specters has crawled his way in here, too. You must be an elder or something, so why did you stop attacking me? The life-or-death fight just now ended too quickly for the remaining two to join in, but judging from the nature of ninjas, they shouldve kept attacking Mu Ssang even now. Iga-ry shinobi are Samurai. A Jonin (high-grade ninja) dont join when Chunin and Genin, fighting. Gato replied flatly while glancing at the much-younger Black Four. Gokuraku-poon was a powerful nerve toxin as well as hemolysin derived from the essence extracted from an osanshouos hide (Japanese giant salamander), mixed with melted venom from the taipan species of snakes and fungus. It was about time the toxins deadly effects started manifesting. Haigoo! So, what you are saying is, you threw away expendable underlings to figure out your enemys combat strength. Hey, as*hole. You might have been a terrible bastard when younger, but now that youve become an old man, you should at least try to be more like a human being. A punk like you is called chinpira (yangahchi) in Korea.
A warrior doesnt die, dont get insulted. We only scatter like sakura petals!
Mu Ssang found the old ninja busy spewing a line from a haiku laughably stupid. He certainly had no desire to argue the ethics with a loon who seemed to be utterly brainwashed in the legend of Samurai filled with collective madness and willingness to throw away their lives.
Besides, what was the point of wasting energy running his mouth off when he had two ready-to-fight fists and a sharp blade? He didnt like this old mans very Japanese-like insidious and hypocritical behavior, either. Sure, hidden weapons and poisons were a part of ones arsenal. Even then, all those talks about warriors and sakura petals and whatnot were getting on Mu Ssangs nerves.
Fut! Busy yapping on like a mutt flapping its wings after chomping on a frog or something. If it wasnt you, then maybe it was a passing ghost that chucked this poisoned shuriken in my way. You know, Korean warriors will never use poison because its too shameful to do so. A low-life punk using hidden weapons and poison busy calling himself a warrior, eh-? You must be the type to argue that a kitten is a lion, then. Mu Ssang proceeded to pour out a bucket full of insults before licking the shurikens poisoned blade. Heok?! Gatos composure collapsed instantly.
That bastard knew that the shuriken was coated in poison all along, but simply pretended to be unaware until now. Whats even more shocking was that he actually licked and ingested the fatal poison, Gokuraku-poon. That poison was a powerful neurotoxin. If ingested, its effects would become so much worse. Gato placed his dimming hope on that.
Are you surprised? Slightly bitter and sharp, eh? Tastes pretty good, I have to say. Did you know that Koreans enjoy eating garlic and various chilies, and as a palate cleanser, we also ingest venom? Drawing black lines on a pumpkin doesnt turn it into a watermelon, and likewise, pumping air into a flatfish doesnt turn it into fugu. Just like you say, allow me to scatter you fools like sakura petals.
Mu Ssangs glare became deadly cold. Euh, euh Gato spat out a faint little moan. He felt a creepy chill run down his spine. The opponent today had to be a top tactician. Not only did he excel in stunning martial arts and physical abilities, he was also a resourceful strategist capable of reading the situation and responding to it accordingly. Gato was dismayed to realize that a Jingol (true bone) tactician could be found in Korea when the lineage of such tacticians had been severed a long time ago in Japan.
NA
Buzzzz
The shuriken in Mu Ssangs hand began vibrating. His target wasnt Gato, but Black Four. Mu Ssang caught on to the fact that Gato was secretly trying to protect Black Four. The reason why the old man didnt personally get involved in the fight just now was probably to secure the safety of Black Four.
A villain would only get to learn the pain felt by others after losing something precious to them.
Tsu-aaahing-!
The red-hot shuriken flashed before jumping across space. Kwa-aaaahA throwing weapon no bigger than half a persons palm roared like an enraged storm, caused by its velocity faster than that of a bullet.
Keok!
Black Fours complexion paled instantly. He felt his own solar plexus tingle ominously when that devil moved his hand. There wasnt any time to think or dodge; he instinctively swung his wakizashi.
CLANG-!
An ear-piercing metallic noise rang out to prove that twenty-plus years of harsh training wasnt just for show.
Unfortunately! His wakizashi couldnt withstand the kinetic energy of the shuriken traveling faster than a bullet and snapped in half.
Stab
The shuriken decelerated slightly before stabbing deep into Black Fours chest. Whiiiirrrrr-!
The spinning shuriken continued to dig deeper into the chest flesh.
Black Fours brain failed to process what happened in that blink of an eye. Even as the sliced and torn flesh danced and scattered like the sakura petals, he stood his ground while gripping the broken wakizashi with all his might.
Mu Ssang was merciless. He fully repaid Gato for running his mouth off. Thats why one should always be careful with what they say in front of heartless jerks.
Kuwaaaahk-!
A scream belatedly exploded out of Black Fours mouth, the whites of his eyes showing. N-no! It cant be! Gato hurriedly reached toward Black Fours chest, but there was nothing he could do by then. H-how is that even possible?! Bak Gi-Chungs jaw dropped to the floor as he pointed at Black Fours chest.
Thick smoke gushed out of the ninjas chest as if someone had shoved a burning charcoal briquette in there. The nose-stinging stench of burnt human protein instantly filled up the office.
Human flesh and blood ripped and shredded, scattering in the air; Black Fours chest with smoke gushing out; a high-pitched howl of the dying and the accompanying thrashing of the limbs; the dying mans colleague trying to save his life but failing
This scene created by Asura was on a whole another realm compared to that of human
beings.
I shall be more merciful, then.
Whoosh
Black Twos wakizashi crossed the space with great momentum.
Stab-!
The sword skewered into Black Four and flung him backward.
Ka-boom-!
Black Four slammed into the concrete wall. He now resembled a stuffed animal mounted on a wall, smoke still pouring out of his chest.
Thats not a good look, isnt it!
A dark shadow cast over Mu Ssangs expression. He had already seen through the level of abilities and methods of these ninjas. He never planned to kill them so viciously but then Gato had to say that nonsense about inferior race and whatever.
Wha, what-what?!
Shock and horror swept across the office. That thing on the wall was not the head of a deer or the horns of a water buffalo. No, that was a living person, now skewered to the wall!
Blergh, wuu-eeehk The Punggunk gang Yangahchis began throwing up just then. Bak Gi-chung also joined their ranks. Kang Min-Seok realized how futile his life have been so far. He didnt even want to live anymore. If only he took care of Kim Gi-Taeks loans in a normal manner, that monster wouldve just paid up the debt and left quietly. Kang Min-Seok was the culprit that opened the lid of hell.
A devil as terrifying as that man was living a quiet life somewhere, yet Kang Min-Seok busy flapped his gums about how small this world was. Even though he was no better than a bug compared to that man!
He grew so ashamed and hateful of himself. As a matter of fact, he wanted to leave this planet if that was possible.
Chiksho!
Gatos eyes became bloodshot. The Suga Yoshihide Jonin currently impaled on the wall was the successor of the organization. To broaden the young successors horizons, they came to Korea to inspect their special business operation with the Pungguk gangs cooperation only for them to get annihilated like this.
If this was indeed reality, Gato didnt want to believe it. If it was a dream, then it had to be the worst nightmare in his life.
Koso Kurae! (You f*cking bastard!)
Having thrown away his facade of leisure, Gato was now no different from a wild beast that lost its offspring to an enemy. Rage and killing intent changed him into a living demon.
You said youre Gato, right? How does it feel to lose something precious to you? Have you enjoyed this chance to reflect on your lives so far?
Kudabattesimae! (Ill kill you!)
Gato roared and aimed his wakizashi in the midstance. Very well. Being stronger is justice in this field of work, anyway. Come! I shall give you a chance to exchange some moves with me. Mu Ssang pulled out Chomolungma from under his jacket.
The milky-white blade began ringing and vibrating
The crying blade! Gato flinched nastily.
In Higashi Honganjis six hundred years of history, only one person managed to make his blade cry, and that was the Great Martial Teacher with the blood of Joseon running in him.
An unexplainable sense of defeat washed up in Gatos heart, but he quickly took control of his emotions. A warrior does not die, he merely scatters like the petals. Thats all. Chewa-ruru-!
A string with a pendulum-like weight attached to its end wrapped around Gatos wrist. The thumb-sized weight emitting dark luster and a string about six meters long attached to the armguard entered his palm.
Is that a miniature meteor hammer?
Mu Ssang was looking forward to seeing how Gato would utilize that meteor hammer-like weapon. Wakizashi were fairly common, but a pendulum-type weapon was quite a rare sight, indeed.
Gato released about sixty centimeters of the string and began rocking it back and forth. The weight rocking left and right soon began spinning in a circle.
Ki-eeeeeei!
A sharp high-frequency noise spread within the office. Yangahchis began frowning. Kkiii-, kkiiiiiii- The noise slowed down before picking back up again in a strange rhythm. Three different lights seemed to flicker from the weight at the same time. The frowning faces of Yangahchis went slack just then. Their jaws hung loose, their gazes fixed to the spinning weight. What a pathetic trickery that is. Mu Ssang glared at the spinning weight unhesitantly past his ruthless judgment. That was just a hypnotism technique relying on high-frequency noise and light to stimulate a specific part of a human brain. Just like when one took drugs, a large quantity of dopamine is secreted by the brain would cause a persons consciousness to become blurry and weak. A dirty, cheap skill befitting ninjas, then.
Swoosh-!
The weight suddenly flew in like a lightning bolt.
Whoooosh
The shuddering air was shoved aside.
Grab-!
The weight carrying a great deal of momentum was easily caught by Mu Ssangs hand. Didnt matter whether it was a weight or its grandpa, none of it could overcome an Epidiums physical specs or the defenses of the heavenly artifact, Billion Water Armor.
Heok?! Gatos eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Whoosh-!
He didnt even have enough time to get shocked, however. An incredible force suddenly yanked Gato forward. However, he was no pushover. Gato instantly stopped resisting, then raised his inner force to lighten his body.
Swiiiiish-!
Gato even added repulsive force to Mu Ssangs pulling power to fly in towards his target like an arrow.
Flash-!
Gato yanked his sword out. An elder-grade ninjas iaido scything through the air could generate a blade speed of over 100 meters per second. When combined with the wakizashis weight of one kilogram, the impact force should be similar to a compact sedan crashing into a wall.
Whoosh-!
A cold metallic light fell on Mu Ssangs head.
Flash-!
But then, a milky-white blade rapidly rose up. The milky-white light and the pale metallic one crisscrossed each other.
Slice-!
The wakizashis blade was cut in half by Chomolungma. Gatos chin also happened to be within the bone blades trajectory.
Slice-!
The milky white light scythed all the way through Gatos crown. His expression became dejected. Sugoi! Gonokoto O isuusa kokai ko kaisimasu yo (Amazing! But youll come to regret today.) The end of Gatos sentence blurred. Before he could finish, his soul left his flesh. In one exchange, Higashi Honganjis martial teacher, Elder Gato breathed his last. This was his reward for angering Asura. Once Gatos inner force stopped circulating, a crimson line running down from the crown of his head to Adams apple gradually materialized.
Splatter-!
Blood exploded like fireworks going off. Gatos head split open wide.
Plop
A corpse with its soul long gone crumpled unsightly to the floor. Episode 2
Chapter 572 - Episode 8 Choi Do-shik
This was the fate of those who lived by their blade.
In a world where everyone fought everyone else, there was no such thing as an eternally strong or an eternally weak. Monk Dae-woos decision to allow Mu Ssang to become a mercenary was the stroke of genius, in a way. Mu Ssang acquired unorthodox abilities after experiencing various epiphanies, while his five combined movements reached the realm where he no longer needed to get into a stance to activate it. On top of that, he was kitted out in top-tier items, too. The result of this battle wasnt because Gato and his fellow three ninjas were weak, but Mu Ssang happened to be far too powerful for them. Mencius once said that out of the trio of heavenly luck, geographical advantage and harmony, harmony was the most important of them all. In reality, however, the heavenly luck was the actual truth of the universe itself.
It was not for nothing that the idiom of nip it in the buds had come about; Gato and his comrades were not blessed with heavenly luck, which resulted in them ending up as some lumps of bloody meat on the floor.
Regret, my a*s! Floods are prevented through embankments, while Chinpiras is prevented through the use of your fists. As soon as I find my mother, I swear to hop across the ocean to your archipelago and grind you all like garlic with my Rakshasa. A bunch of dirty hypocrites! Mu Ssang grumbled unhappily. The world wouldnt function properly with only good guys running it. Bad people were also necessary. However, dirty hypocrites were an exception. People like that were rather akin to rust C if dirty bastards somehow wormed their way into the others, it didnt matter whether they were good or bad, they would all end up corroding away. Since ancient times, human history revolved around the game of Monopoly. You either conquered or got conquered by somebody else. You could also become a villain or a hero in the process. But Japan is a rust-like existence. It doesnt know how to play well with others nor be gracious and accepting of others. It clings on like rust and endlessly gnaws away at their target. Not only that, it even tries to change the targets unique traits, too. Thats why Japan was a dirty hypocrite.
Well, this matter has gotten more serious, huh.
Feeling troubled now, Mu Ssang began scratching the back of his head. Chomolungmas blade didnt have a speck of blood or human fat on it, but the rest of the offices interior was bathed in blood, starting from the floor, the walls, and even the ceiling.
The corner where the Yangahchis had evacuated to was relatively clean, while the area around the entrance where Mu Ssang had a fight against Higashi Honganjis pupils was too gruesome to behold. He didnt want to spill blood if possible and thats why he went easy on the Yangahchis, but thanks to the ninjas, that plan went down the toilet in a spectacular fashion. Once the police take a gander at this place, surely the folks at the Headquarters of the National Police would lose their minds.
Mu Ssang felt at a loss about how to deal with the aftermaths.
And what should I do with those punks? Yangahchis were acting like young chicks frightened by the shadow of a flying eagle, their heads buried and not even budging an inch from their spots. Would the acute PTSD sufferers be able to plant trees properly, though? Argh, I dont care anymore! Im sure itll work out somehow. Plans had to be made ahead of time, but there was no need to jump the gun and start worrying already. Most worries would be resolved with enough time, or remain as just that, worries.
Nupchi!
Mu Ssangs voice got louder. Nupchi!
Yes? Ah, y-yes! The stupefied Nupchi hurriedly dashed out from behind the pillar.
Go and take off the Ray-Bans and masks of the crow-wannabes.
Yessir!
Nupchis legs didnt want to stop shaking. The first ninja victim got the worst of it. His torso was crushed, his neck broken to the side while the face was squashed beyond recognition. On top of that, five throwing stars were piercing him, too.
Nupchi sneakily tucked away from the shurikens, though. These cool weapons couldnt be bought even with money, after all.
The second ninja victims face was left intact, although his torso was still crushed gruesomely. It was a similar story for the ninja nailed to the wall. The old fart that died last, unfortunately, had his entire head split wide open. Which meant that only the second victim and the one on the wall had undamaged faces.
Nupchis trembling hands reached out to take the masks and the sunglasses off. Both ninjas were in their mid-thirties with gaunt faces and crew-cut hairstyles.
Mu Ssang was getting somewhat worried here. If bastards of this level slipped into Korea in large numbers to take over the criminal underworld, then well, nothing would be as terribly inconvenient as that. Koreas public security would be rocked to the core in such a case. Bak Gi-chung!
The way Bak Gi-chung was drooling away from his slack jaw indicated that he was not of a sane mind right now. It seems that hes daydreaming right now. Nupchi, drag his a*s over here.
Yessir!
Just as Nupchi was about to slap Bak Gi-Chungs face, the fatso leaning against the wall lost all strength in his legs and collapsed to the floor.
The lofty, untouchable inspectors from Japan got utterly wrecked in front of his eyes. Just who were they! They were top experts that could crush rocks by clenching their fists and cutting steel pipes apart with just a single stroke of their swords. The Korean gangsters busy boasting about being famous nationwide had nothing on these Japanese ninjas.
Thats why Bak Gi-chung had no doubt that they would easily suppress that devil, and that why he just couldnt accept the reality of them getting utterly annihilated in less than one second
This this has to be a nightmare! A f*cking nightmare! I, I cant accept this! Bak Gi-chung began muttering to himself. Smack-! Nupchi stomped his foot down on the back of Bak Gi-Chungs head. Hey, as*hole, who cares whether you accept it or not! How dare you run your mouth off and call my big bro whatever the f*ck you want! Hes not a nightmare, but a good dream!
F*ck, maybe I did board the wrong ship?! Bak Gi-chung began thinking that after listening to some punk saying the devil was a good dream. Even though he was clearly a nightmare!
By the way, who was this bastard busy hurting him right now?
Urgh H-hey, why are you hitting me?! Bak Gi-chung complained in mumbled voice. His eyes still lacked focus, indicating that his mind was still adrift somewhere.
You dumb sh*t, my big bro is calling for you. You wanna become the next stuffed animal or something?
Stuffed animal?
Bak Gi-Chungs consciousness wandering around the riverside of Styx finally returned to reality. His head snapped to the side, his eyes fixing on the corpse nailed to the wall. That was not an insect pinned to a box. No, that was one of the lofty inspectors, now impaled to the wall with a wakizashi. Did a persons body contain that much blood? Bak Gi-chung began tilting his head. Heo-uhhrrrkkkk?!. He jumped back up to his feet. All that blood pouring down the wall was now dyeing the floor crimson. He had been wondering why his clothes felt so wet and clingy, and as it turned out, hed been wading in that pool of blood. His wandering mind returned home in an instant. Y-yes, Im coming! Bak Gi-chung dashed forward as if his previous injuries had never happened, then stood at attention before Mu
Ssang.
So, then. Who are these people?
The two bastards that died first were inspectors sent by Higashi Honganji, while the senile Jap was one of their elders, sir. As for the Jap pinned to the wall, Ive never seen him before, but the two inspectors treated him as their superior.
Bak Gi-Chungs manner of speech had reverted back to how he used to be. The protectors of Pungguk now became bastards, while the elder dispatched from the main temple was called senile. However, Mu Ssang didnt mind that. This fatso was simply very politician-like, thats all. Sucking up to different factions when needed was the nature of Yangahchi, after all. Are these four all the Japs in here? Yessir! N-no, wait. No, its not. An old monk as gaunt as a skeleton arrived this afternoon. An old monk as gaunt as a skeleton, you say? Was he also one-armed? Mu Ssangs eyes flickered as he asked that question. I, Im not sure, sir. He was wearing a large trench coat, you see But he didnt seem to be one-armed.
Okay. Did he have a huge scar around his throat?
Im sorry. I couldnt get a good look, you see. When our gazes met, it was like I was looking at a scary specter, sir. My mind just wanted to abandon me. I was so scared that I couldnt even look back at him.
Mm! Mu Ssang moaned quietly.
Choi Do-Shiks specialty was hypnotic arts. Normal people wouldnt be able to look at him straight on. Mu Ssangs instincts told him that the old monk had to be Choi Do-Shik. A missing limb could always be supplemented somehow, after all.
Chimeras were being mass-produced in Area 51, and even the DGSE succeeded in producing artificial muscles and stents. In terms of military cooperation, Americas partner was not South Korea but Japan. For a long time now, the American government did its hardest to hinder South Korea from developing its own military technology all the while allowing the Japanese to pick and choose from the latest available tech.
The odds were that Naicho (the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office), which was in an uneasy three-legged race with the CIA, could have received the latest biomechanical technology from the Americans. Higashi Honganji was in cahoots with the Japanese government. As such, it was highly likely that Choi Do-Shik got himself a new artificial arm.
The corners of Mu Ssangs lips curled up slightly. In the past, just thinking about that name alone made his heartbeat weaker and his mind waver. But now? He felt nothing. Actually, he was feeling rather pleased by this development. The battle instinct deeply ingrained in the Epidiums DNA began boiling up.
Where did that old monk go, then?
H-he left along with a guide as soon as arriving. Did he say anything before leaving? Bak Gi-chung desperately racked his brain. Failing to answer quickly would result in either getting impaled to the wall or his entire body getting smashed to bits. The gruesome state of the corpses didnt want to leave his mind even now.
W-when he was chatting to the ninja elder, I overheard them talking about the Yamanashi Collection.
Kekeke! Mu Ssang began cackling loudly.
Now he figured out why Choi Do-Shik and Gatos group had slipped inside Korea C to find the Yamanashi Collection that used to be stored in In Ae Wons basement.
Choi Do-Shik was an expert in sorcery techniques, so him going out to confirm made sense. However, there was nothing inside In Ae Won basement now except for a special formation installed by Sun Woo Bang Na mother and daughter duo. Mu Ssang could already imagine Choi Do-Shiks enraged face after getting played for fools. An eye for an eye, Choi Do-Shik. And Ill make sure its a hundred times worse! Mu Ssangs eyes burned in cold light. He was now thinking of chasing after that bastard as soon as he was finished with all the trash in here.
Is there a punk named Jang Yeong-pal among you? Y-yes, its him over there. Bak Gi-chung immediately pointed at the ma with mismatched ears.
His opponent was a devil. Who knows what will happen to him if he dares to hesitate or take his sweet time?
Oh-oh? Isnt he the one chucking around tomahawks earlier? Mu Ssang grinned slyly. Wasnt that guy pretty handy with his little axes back then? Uwaaahk?! D-dont kill me! Jang Yeong-pal shot up to his feet and made a beeline toward the exit.
Even if he was destined to die today, he didnt want to suffer the fate of his head splitting in half and his chest ending up like an apple inside a food blender. His broken jaw clattered and his broken arm dangled limply, but the pure terror still enabled his feet to move like a free man.
What a weird bastard he is! Mu Ssang muttered with a cocked eyebrow, then he shifted his gaze over to Nupchi. Yessir, Ill go catch him.
Nupchi picked up Jang Yeong-pals discarded tomahawk.
Swish-!
The ax flew in a straight line and stabbed into Jang Yeong-pals shoulder. Whether that was luck or the result of his skill, Nupchi managed to do something notable today. Kuwaaahk!
Jang Yeong-pal about to grab the exits handle thrashed around in pain. Nupchi rushed in and grabbed the bleeding man by his throat before slamming him mercilessly on the floor. Run all you want, youre still just a mere flea. Nupchi began dragging the now-limp Jang Yeong-pal. Did that idiot take steroids or something?
Mu Ssang tilted his head in confusion. Sure, Nupchi had always been a muscle-for-brain, but for some reason, he had also gotten much braver and all fired-up today.
And so, this was how the legend of Nupchi had begun C the one who united Koreas underworld in the future and established the Novatopia workforce dispatch center.
Hey, youre Jang Yeong-pal, arent you? Mu Ssang asked while using the tip of his foot to flip over the collapsed Yangahchi.
Why are all these punks too lazy to answer, I wonder?
Mu Ssang slowly stepped on Jang Yeong-pals knee joint. The core of Pungguk Capital was its special business operations team. The official money lending side of their business was nothing but a window dressing. This punk on the floor was the leader of that special operations team, so that made him the real number one around here, the most vicious one of the lot. Y-yes, I am. Sniffle-! Hey, as*hole. Dont tell me that you never prepared yourself to shed some tears of blood when you started terrorizing your victims? P-please forgive me this one time. I, I promise to live my life straight and narrow from now on. Ill never do anything like this ever again. The sobbing Jang Yeong-pal desperately clung onto Mu Ssangs leg. He truly desires to leave this line of work for good after realizing that a small fry like him could disappear from this world in an instant. He lost all desire to remain after witnessing a devils rampage today. How old are you?
Im forty-two.
Youve been stealing until youre forty-two years old, so you really think you can change overnight? Do you know whats the biggest dereliction of duty for the politicians? Coming up with a too-forgiving penal code, thats what. Do you think its normal for serious convicts that should serve life in prison to walk around on the street in broad daylight? Mu Ssang strengthened his foot just a bit more.
Crunch
Kuwaaaahk! A wretched scream rang out from Jang Yeong-pal. But Mu Ssang didnt even bat an eyelid. A predator-like bastard relying on his brute strength to live on needed to get his wings clipped for good to prevent him from hurting and threatening more innocent people in the future. With Jang Yeong-pals knee joint shattered like this, not even the top-tier modern medical technology would be able to make him walk properly ever again.
Hiiiiieeeek?!
Yangahchis desperately avoided meeting Mu Ssangs glare when he began scanning them. It was quite a sight to see all these gangsters paling in fright. Did you have fun spectating today, then? I shall give you a chance to turn over a new leaf. Choose between these two options. One, you
Mu Ssang suddenly stopped talking. Thats because he noticed bright headlights outside the window. A taxi then came to a stop afterward.
Vroooom
A short while later, that taxi drove away. He didnt stop talking because of the arrival of the bus and a taxi. He had to stop because of the passenger getting off the taxi. Nupchi cautiously asked. Big bro, should I tell the bus driver to be on standby?
No, wait here for a sec.
That passenger spelled trouble, big time. An aura as dark and shady as Pariss sewers and as evil as the Voodoo cults priest could barely be sensed coming from that man. His faint brainwaves flickering on the edge of cutting out were similar to a critical patient on a deathbed. Of course, no critical patient would come to visit a lonely building on the Geumho Rivers riverside in the middle of the night.
Which could only mean that that man knew how to control his brainwaves just like Mu Ssang. Dammit!
For a moment there, the brainwaves of the taxis passenger and the bus driver seemed to overlap only for the normal brainwaves among the two to simply disappear. Even if you mastered the sport-modified version of martial arts for a century, you could never take a persons life in a single moment without any trace whatsoever. A man who could control his brainwaves, a man who could disinterestedly end another human beings life in a blink After putting those two clues together, the identity of the taxis passenger became abundantly clear.
Choi Do-Shik was a psychopath that treated humans like dogs or cows No, as ants or cockroaches. No one felt guilty for stepping on ants, after all. It seemed that that bastards habit of casually killing people hadnt changed at all. The reason for Choi Do-Shiks obsession with wealth was due to his ambition to rebuild the Pure White Cult. Thats why he was also training the red faces, too. That bastard must be royally irritated after locating the destroyed Yin-Yang formation and the treasure storage with nothing but dust inside. That bus driver was terribly unlucky for running into a seething predator who had lost his prey.
Mu Ssang muttered to himself. A reunion after eight long years is it! Sorry? What do you mean, big bro? Nupchi, go inside the bathroom. Until I say you can come out, never step outside. Dont even breathe too loudly, okay? Yessir, big bro! The quick-witted Nupchi didnt even ask why. He rapidly snatched up the travel bag and the Boston bag, then disappeared into the bathroom on the double. One of Nupchis good points was that no matter how urgent the situation was, he made sure to take things that needed to be taken. There was a good reason why a survivor could keep surviving in this line of work. I shall make sure to kill you this time! Mu Ssangs nerves sharpened up like a blade. Tension stiffened his limbs. He began circulating the resonance wave.
Shwa-ahhhhaaarghh
Tens of billions of white solids generated in his brain and spine, the Epidium biuret, were released into his blood vessels. Every single one of his cells began waking up from their slumber.
Creak
The old monk opened the thick fire door, then opened the even thicker soundproof door beyond it. His figure, clad in a trench coat and a fedora deeply pressed down on his head, seemed to glide smoothly into the office. That fashion sense seemed utterly incompatible with the second half of August when the late Summer heat hadnt eased up vet.
Chapter 573 - Episode 9 Choi Do-shik
A bamboo pole-like figure resembling a skeleton covered in human skin, the haggard-looking inverted triangular face, emotionless reptilian eyes, a chin sharp enough to use as an ice pick, protruding cheekbones
There was no need to check the old mans physical traits. The assimilation technique to skirt past the Dimensional Sight or the shadowy foot technique he displayed just now
He was, without a doubt, the leader of the Pure White Cult, Choi Do-Shik. The man with the identification code is double-zero.
The scar near the hollow of his neck was relatively a new addition. His right arm, which shouldve been severed back then, was intact, too. But those things didnt really matter when trying to gauge that mans essence.
Just like how Kamdoong acquired the concept of a panther and became the current Kamdoong, the name Choi Do-Shik contained everything there was to know about Choi Do-Shik. Even if he transformed himself into a transgender man or gained weight to become a fatso, Mu Ssang was dead sure of recognizing him. They said that good characters die young while evil characters live on. As if to prove that, that villain was as tenacious as one could get.
Mu Ssangs eyes became still, focused. From the depth of his mental storage holding miscellaneous items, a projector emerged to rewind a reel of old film.
It started when he fought a monstrous big snake in Bangtae Mountains black pond. He got kidnapped by Choi Do-Shik, then barely managed to keep himself alive inside the stalactite grotto by eating centipedes and millipedes. He killed five Red-Faces, then the fatally-wounded Choi Do-Shik escaped from there.
The side effects of the Soul-Renewing Practice caused Mu Ssang to lose his memories. He wandered the snow-covered Bangtae Mountain, then as he was about to die, big bro Mu-ho discovered him in the nick of time. And then, the time he spent with Mina in Achimgarigol
All those memories rushed past his mind in the blink of an eye. Mu Ssang witnessed countless instances of vile sorcery, magic, and biological experiments on humans taking place within the shadows of the sun-lit world. However, none of them were as cruel and inhuman as the Soul-Renewing Practice. Drugs, acupuncture needles, and beatings were the main tools of the Soul-Renewing Practice. Drugs were used to weaken the victims willpower while the acupuncture needles were used to mess with the memory center. And by repeatedly inflicting extreme pain through All-Torture, the victims memories would be replaced and their personality forever altered. And so, the perpetrator would become the god while the victim would become their slave.
The operations success rate was only around 0.5%, but those who manage to survive would acquire strength and perception a dozen times greater than a regular human being. That was the reward for sacrificing ones lifeforce. The survivors of the operation were the so-called Red-Faces.
The long silver needle poked and prodded the victims brain. Meanwhile, the All-Torture tore the muscles and broke the bones of its victim. All that, without the benefit of anesthesia. Those things used to be symbols of pure terror back then.
Choi Do-Shik was god and master. When he appeared, the Red-Faces automatically bowed their heads submissively. And even if that blotch on the floor was phlegm that bastard had spat out, Red-Faces wouldve gladly licked it clean as long as they were ordered to do so.
Depending on the order, they would kill or spare their targets without a second thought. If it hadnt been for the Epidium biuret and the powerful memories of his parents rejecting the inseminated fake memories, Mu Ssang wouldve definitely ended up as Red-Face No.6. Hmm Mu Ssang unconsciously sighed in relief.
When he laid his eyes on Choi Do-Shik, animosity boiled up in an instant. That could only mean that he had completely overcome the trauma of the Soul-Renewing Practice.
Even the smallest trace of that curse remaining wouldve caused Mu Ssang to feel endless love and respect the moment Choi Do-Shik made his appearance. Hed have reflexively bowed down ninety degrees and call that old bastard My lord or some such. Thats how terrifying the curse of the Soul-Renewing Practice was.
Thanks to Monk Dae-woos Mind-Renewing Purification technique, the curse of the Soul-Renewing Practice had drastically weakened. However, Mu Ssang still hadnt fully escaped from the trance of bloodlust and rage.
His teacher once said that Asura was born in the ocean of blood, and he was right about that. If it werent for the holocaust releasing his bloodlust, and if he hadnt experienced awakening before coming here, then he might not have escaped from the curse of the Soul-Renewing Practice for the rest of his life. He owed a great deal of gratitude to his parents and Teacher.
The old idiom said that good fate would not come but bad fate would never end in a single encounter. Mu Ssang coincidentally ran into Kim Gi-Taek which led to the appearance of the conman Yi Su-bok. That connected to the Pungguk Capital, then Higashi Honganji joined in on the fun. And finally the last piece of this puzzle, Choi Do-Shik, also made his grand entrance.
The chili powder that interfered with Mu Ssangs life, the bastard that poured sugar into a misfiring engine The bastard is deserving of retribution a hundred times over was now standing before him, all alive and seemingly unscathed. Choi Do-Shik, I sincerely thank you for surviving until now.
Mu Ssang grinned faintly. His chest boiled like the molten metal inside a furnace while his head became icy cold.
Choi Do-Shiks current mood was in the absolute pits.
He had two purposes for entering South Korea. One, to retrieve the Yamanashi Collection. Two, to acquire the Supreme Reverse-Blood Ki Restoration Technique. To complete both goals, he had no choice but to set foot in Korea once more. The treasure and the pureblood were in Korea, after all.
Choi Do-Shik was over the moon when he discovered the map of the hidden Yamanashi Collection in the clans archives. Although no detailed list of items in the Yamanashi Collection survived to this day, the rumors indicated that it contained over 500 national treasure-level items.
The Ogura Collection in comparison was a mere childs play as it only featured 100 national-treasure level and 1,200 treasure-level items. Ogura was merely a businessman operating out of Daegu, while Yamanashi was the Governor-General of Joseon. Of course, they were operating on a different scale altogether. And as a condition for accepting Naichos request, Choi Do-Shik even acquired the Ying-Yang Formations blueprint from the Abe family. Who could possibly stop his march in South Korea now? As soon as he got his hands on the blueprints, Choi Do-Shik grabbed the Buddhist artifact capable of undoing the seal, the Kizuna (a rope weaved out of human hair, currently displayed in Higashi Hongangji temples Amita hall) and headed to the hidden storage facility.
But then, the treasure that was basically his already was not there. The Ying-Yang Formation was already destroyed while the storage had been emptied out. And he was put through a wringer thanks to a strange formation installed there. Choi Do-Shik only managed to escape after working his butt off overturning the ground in the vicinity of the formation. The Yamanashi Collection was supposed to become the funds for the Pure White Cults revival. Rather than disappointment, Choi Do-Shik was overcome with rage first. The thieves responsible for stealing HIS treasure must be apprehended as soon as possible, even if that meant utilizing every resource available to his clan.
He was feeling pressed for time when some insect that drove up on a bus blocked his path and began asking all sorts of questions. His irritation level shot through the roof then. How the hell should he know when the Chinpira that called for the bus would get on the damn vehicle?! His irritation calmed down a little once he trampled the insect to death. But now, what was up with this bloody situation?!
Choi Do-Shiks colorless Three White Eyes took in the situation of the office like a camera snapping a photo. The interior of the office was painted in blood while thirty-five insects were shivering away in the corner, their heads buried in pure terror. The one sitting on the couch staring back at Choi Do-Shik with a calm expression was a notable exception.
Four stationary objects filled up his view next. Four corpses kitted out in yukata and haori slammed into his eyes. The two disciples of the temple, supposed to be preparing the donor, Elder Gato, and the top inheritor of the family Yoshihide! Why were they in such a wretched state!
This situation wouldve freaked out most people, but Choi Do-shik remained composed. He didnt win the position of Higashi Honganji temples Great Martial Teacher through a game of dominoes, after all.
Choi Do-Shiks gaze swept past the two disfigured corpses before stopping at the old man with his head split open and the 30-something man pinned to the wall. Only then did his expressionless face shows a hint of disquiet. That was the very first human-like reaction Choi Do-Shik displayed in his adult life.
Gato! Yoshihide!
Choi Do-Shiks voice sounded coarse and gurgly. It was as grating as using a plastic bucket to scratch on a blackboard. At least he got to speak normally again, thanks to the vocal cords procured from a Korean maruta (symbolizing log, denotes an imprisoned human test subject for cruel biological experiments performed by the Japanese army) transplanted to his throat. Choi Do-Shik felt an onset of migraine just then. They said that bad luck often came to you in a pair and sure enough, he was besieged by two unimaginable incidents in one day. Was there anyone in Chosen (Korea) capable of turning two special-grade Ide ninja disciples, Elder Gato, and the top inheritor Yoshihide into bloody meat paste? That sounded even more inconceivable than flying pigs.
Choi Do-Shik briefly glared at Mu Ssang by the couch, then stood before Yoshihide impaled on the wall. The cause of death was the void in the victims chest area created by the shuriken that dug into the flesh until it came to a stop at the spinal column. The shuriken spinning at a high speed ripped human flesh apart like a buzzsaw. Not even a god could have survived after a big hole opened up in their chest, one big enough to shove a fist through.
What Choi Do-Shik couldnt understand was the state of the surrounding flesh. They were burned to crisp like charcoal. He had lived through the violent, rough world, but never before in his life had he come across such a mangled corpse before.
If a shuriken was thrown across a considerable distance at the speed of sound, the air resistance should greatly increase the weapons temperature. However, the battlefield was only about twenty-five meters at the longest. That distance was simply not enough to super-heat the shuriken. Choi Do-Shik became even more alert. If there was a phenomenon he couldnt understand, then a danger he couldnt understand was surely hiding nearby, too.
Pull-!
The wakizashi stabbed deep into the concrete wall was yanked out. Choi Do-Shik laid Yoshihides body on the floor, grabbed the hilt of the sword, then closed his eyes.
Grrrr
The wakizashis blade began vibrating. The vibration gradually got stronger.
Shatter
The blade then shattered into pieces like some kind of reinforced glass.
WuuuungThe metal pieces flickering under the light landed gently on Choi Do-Shiks palm as if they were gathered through a net. That was a display of Hidden Soul Resonance Barrier at work. Choi Do-Shik quietly scattered the blade pieces on Yoshihides corpse. What was done was already done. It was too late to turn back the clock.
Sayonara, Yoshihide. Bushi no toributo o mote ikou teki wa kanarazu mukurite yaru! (Farewell, Yoshihide. Accept this tribute of a warrior, for I shall definitely avenge you!) Choi Do-Shik performed a simple ceremony, then shifted his glare back to Mu Ssang. His glare seemed to be overlaid with an opaque barrier, giving off an unpleasant feeling. A strong individual could recognize a fellow strong individual. No matter how well Mu Ssang suppressed his killing intent and the fluctuations of his energy, it was not possible to completely mask his natural sharpness and aura.
Without asking a single question, Choi Do-Shik could easily deduce the culprit of this incident. In that case, itd be fine to ask why later on. Right now, finding an offering to appease the souls of Gato and Yoshihide took priority.
As I thought, cheap tricks dont work on him!
Mu Ssang was inwardly impressed. He deliberately killed Gato and Black Four in a gruesome manner because of his anger at their actions. But he also wanted to unsettle Choi Do-Shik in the process if possible. Important people of your clan were turned into mangled corpses. A normal person wouldve lost their mind from rage or started rampaging around by now. However, Choi Do-shik was vastly different. As expected, using tricks just didnt suit Mu Ssang. Kore wa nan desu ka? (What is this?)
Choi Do-Shik tilted his head in confusion. Does the strong dragon cross the river? The one sitting on the couch was responsible for creating this eye-catching scene. He could understand this strangers laid-back attitude, but for some reason, he also got this powerful sense of disharmony. A familiar scent was coming from the bastard deserving of merciless death, yet the sharp aura he also emitted It couldnt be him.
No.37 was a beast even wilder than an actual wild beast. And the one before him was like a calm but bottomless lake found in the middle of a mountainside. As a matter of fact, it even felt like Choi Do-Shik had run into a Zen monk meditating quietly in a mountain temple. A persons temperament was similar to their fingerprints. Ones temperament once formed would not change until their death. Thats why Choi Do-Shik was getting confused here.
S-sir, Great Martial Teacher!
A sudden yell cut short his train of thoughts. An opaque layer seemed to cover up the Three White Eyes. And now, Choi Do-Shik had the eyes of a serpent preying on a rat. Bak Gi-chung was crawling on his knees. Even the experts from the head office treated this gaunt monk with the utmost respect. Bak Gi-chung feared that if nothing was done, hed get trampled to death by the devil. The only way to survive this situation was to cling onto the leg of an expert from the head office.
Unfortunately, Bak Gi-chung the chameleon chose the wrong ship to jump aboard once more. Actually, it was more like, he made a fatal mistake this time. He foolishly thought that Choi Do-Shik was a human being like him.
En Mushi yo? (Another insect?)
Bang-!
Choi Do-Shiks left foot kicked Bak Gi-Chungs arse like a streak of lightning. The fatso became airborne and flew forward at an incredible speed. Whether it was intentional or just a coincidence, a supporting pillar for the building was standing tall in the flight path of Bak Gi-chung.
Slam-!
Bone splinters and crushed muscle splattered everywhere. One kick from Choi Do-Shik erased a human named Bak Gi-chung, replacing him with a bloody lump consisting of skin, flesh, bones, blood, hair, and various other bodily fluids. This was the true nature of Choi Do-Shik, the inhuman bastard that murdered people like stepping on ants if thats what his mood dictated.
And this was how the new powerhouse in the shady world of loan sharks, Bak Gi-chung, had died. This end seemed too merciful considering all the murder, kidnapping, rape, organ and human trafficking, and other despicable crimes he had committed in the past decade or so.
Huh huh!
The frightened Yangahchis caused a messy chaos trying to get themselves further away from the battlefield. However, Choi Do-Shik was not interested in those insects. His glare didnt stray from Mu Ssang once.
Damn. He was precious manpower, but now Mu Ssang tutted unhappily.
Managing the windbreak forest at Novatopias borders was easily the worst job available. Thanks to the extremely hostile environment, everyone tried to avoid working there. So, the master of tricks, Governor Ombuti chose to deploy the convicts serving life terms as well as third-time offenders instead. Thats why Novatopia had no fourth-time convicts.
But the problem now was that the strict penal code has led to a lack of convicts to send off to the borders. The death of Bak Gi-chung meant that Mu Ssang just lost a useful worker to maintain the windbreak forest.
Was it you? Choi Do-Shik abruptly asked while omitting the subject.
Mu Ssang got up right away. His deep eyes reminiscent of a still lake stared straight into the turbid, corrupted eyes. Choi Do-shik involuntarily flinched. It felt like he got pricked by a needle. To think that an evil monster like you has managed to slip out of the retributions fetters. I guess the mesh of heavens net is indeed too porous. Mu Ssang replied with a koan-like statement.
I-said-who-are-you?
Choi Do-Shik flinched again before emphasizing every single word of his question. Thanks to getting the replacement of the vocal cords, he could enunciate Japanese quite well but speaking the Korean language remained as hard as ever. As he thought, he was a proud Japanese, not some lowly Korean. Dont you want to know the fate of five Red-Faces?
A weighty baritone voice struck Choi Do-Shiks eardrums like thunder.
Kek! Num-ber-thirty-seven!
His emotionless reptilian eyes suddenly began burning brightly. Some people were aware of the existence of Akai Kao (red face) but only one dared to call them Red-Faces. And that was Bangtae Mountains No.37.
The changed aura didnt matter now, this punk was definitely No.37. Choi Do-Shik abruptly felt subtle pain coming from his severed arm. Through the assistance of the elders, the severed stump had been regenerated. And thanks to the cooperation of Naicho, Choi Do-Shik got himself an artificial arm as well. This artificial arm was operated via the brains electrical signals stimulating the electronic movement sensors embedded in the artificial muscles. The arm lacked pain receptors, yet he still felt it. Thats because No.37 was responsible for cutting off his arm in the first place. Mu Ssang smirked and started mocking again. Looks like even hell didnt want your ass, then. And it seems that you needed seven years to crawl out of the underworld, too.
No.37 meant he was the 37th sacrifice. After hiding himself in Bangtae Mountain, Choi Do-Shik sent Red-Faces to kidnap healthy and promising teen boys, then used them as his marutas, guinea pigs for his insidious experiments. Men who lost their lives after failing to withstand the Soul-Renewing Practice numbered 36. And Mu Ssang was the 37th test subject.
Chapter 574 - Episode 10 Choi Do-shik
Even more, practitioners were using the Body-Renewing Practice to mass-produce simple fanatics.
It was unknown just how many women had been kidnapped. However, according to Gangwon Provincial Police Agencys database, the missing person cases for the districts of Inje, Yanggu, and Wontong in the past decade numbered over three hundred.
Thats why Choi Do-shik couldnt be a human, just a dreadful monster. Chiksho! Tr-ai-tor! You dastardly, sinful degenerate! Choi Do-shik began growling like a wounded beast. The gypsum board from the ceiling began falling while the windows vibrated noisily. Choi Do-shiks voice was burning with naked killing intent and resentment. However, it made sense why hed feel this way when looking at things from his perspective.
No.37 was not only his disciple but also an enslaved person. As such, it was not wrong to call Mu Ssang a degenerate since not only did he damage his masters physical body, he even dared to wreck his masters influential work (?) too.
Humans tended to see and feel what they wanted to see and feel.
He sure can be scary when hes angry like this!
The dark and dreary killing intent gushing out from Choi Do-shik stung Mu Ssangs skin. He circulated the resonance wave to remove the sticky killing intent acting like a fishing net.
We never were in a relationship of trust and loyalty for you to start blabbing nonsense like betrayal and stuff. Why bother calling me a traitor when two of us are not meant to exist under the same sky in the first place? It sounds like you dont care whether all those Red-Faces are alive or not. Even though they served you all their lives. I know you got tainted by the Japs way of thinking, but humans shouldnt live like that, you know?
Mu Ssang snickered detestably. Choi Do-shiks complexion morphed to resemble a fresh liver yanked out from a Kabuki actor covered in lime. How dare a mere maruta try to lecture the great leader of the Pure White Cult! Not only that but in such a rude manner, too!
The brazen manner of speech from a punk young enough to be Choi Do-shiks grandson nearly caused the rice grains from a meal he had four days ago to start acting up. Dammit!
However, Choi Do-shik quickly reflected on himself. The be-all and end-all of Bushido was the calm mind. A samurai should know how to smile while stabbing into a comrades heart and shed tears of sadness while cutting off enemies heads.
Fuu-wuuph
One deep breath was enough for Choi Do-shiks enraged expression to revert to his previous pale complexion. The great martial teacher of Higashi Honganji getting riled up by a mere enslaved persons provocation? The whole world would snicker at that nonsense.
You are nothing but a failure that wont last a few more years. After that, either your brain will turn into jelly, or youll turn into a madman. I am not so free that Id get attached to some disposable failure. Choi Do-shik stopped talking there and silently gazed at the corpses of the Ide disciples. Tanaka and Gondo were excellent combatants even among the Ide disciples. They should be seen as top experts if elders were excluded from the evaluation. As for Elder Gato was more like a manager known for excellent administrative abilities rather than his combat strength. However, he was still an elder at the end of the day.
Never mind failing to protect the top inheritor of the clan, Yoshihide. These three capable combatants who had mastered the mysterious ways of ninjutsu for dozens of years couldnt even swing their swords properly before getting killed off. Hah, hahaha! Although hes an insolent punk, I have raised him properly, havent I? Only I could have raised a creature like him, no one else! Choi Do-shik was feeling rather chuffed. No.37, he taught for only around seven months destroyed four special-grade ninjas that trained for decades in the art of ninjutsu. Just how great was this punk, in that case! And Choi Do-shik was the teacher of such a man. Didnt that prove how incredible he was!
What a bunch of worthless trash, losing to a youngster still reeking of mothers milk! If No.37 was comparable to a fine gemstone, then these four ninjas were a pile of excrement.
Choi Do-shiks gaze looking down on the corpses became colder. The unpredictable whim of a psychopath was now swaying in a weird direction.
Okyubomono! (You useless trash!) A chilling curse word slithered out of his lips. Mu Ssang didnt know Japanese, but he did pick up on the trash part. Well, he heard that every day from Baek-bu and Missus Jang, after all.
Hehehe. Trash, indeed. The disposed of objects were defective goods if you consider them as objects. Its funny. There arent many defects among the Japanese goods. Still, many of the actual Japanese is defective in the head for several reasons. Oii, Mister Defect, are you a Joseon-jin or a Jap? Mu Ssang continued to snicker, but Choi Do-shik replied faintly. Heh. If you wish to know, then Ill tell you. Sixty years ago, a Joseon-jin threw away a baby not even a hundred days old in a valley near Cheon-Eunsa in the Jiri Mountain. An honorable Higashi Honganji monk passing by took in this dying baby, personally changed his diapers, and raised him by begging around for milk.
The monk sent the baby to the medical university and even taught him the clans top-secret arts. So, am I a Joseon-jin or a Nippon-jin? Choi Do-shik returned Mu Ssangs question with another question while sounding like he was reading off a textbook. The story he told was as dry as his dry, flat delivery.
Dismayed a bit by the reply, Mu Ssang asked back. And so? Higashi Honganji is a ninja organization. Are you saying youre glad that they raised you as the organizations weapon? Thankful that they raised you as a vicious hunting dog? What does it matter? Thanks to the clans benevolence, Ive become a powerful individual. What else is needed in that case?
III
Mu Ssang and his sharp tongue couldnt develop a timely retort to that. Choi Do-shiks attitude resembled a hungry man that would gobble and a thirsty man who would drink water. He implied that hed alternatively become a more powerful monster than some frail human being. No.37. Let me ask you a question, too. How did you escape from the stalactite cave? No, wait. How did you escape from the influence of my Soul-Renewing Practice? That was the homework Choi Do-shik failed to figure out for the past seven years. The curiosity was driving him mad right now.
Amaterasu lit the torch and guided me the way. Mu Ssang curtly replied.
How could he explain in mere words all the physical and psychological pain caused by the Soul-Renewing Practice? His killing intent broke out of his control and began boiling over.
Yosh, Yosh! The brilliant light of Amaterasu lighting the universe is indeed the guiding light of all living beings, the shortest way to enlightenment. The lighting is the grace of Japans god. Slap, slap-!
Choi Do-shik began slapping his forehead.
Maybe he is a nutcase, after all? Mu Ssang cocked an eyebrow and stared agog at Choi Do-shik acting weirdly. This old fart turned out to be even more insane than some random religious nutjob clinging onto you at the exit of Seoul subway station, busy pestering you with questions of Do you know what the righteous path is, good sir? Either he was insane for real, or he was born-again Jap to the core. Choi Do-shik suddenly became severe. No.37. You are the sole success story of my superhuman project. No, wait. A girl also escaped from the Soul-Renewing Practices side effects, so does that make two? No, that girls talents are simply not up to snuff, so shes a failure. Listen, No.37. I shall let bygones be bygones. Come back to the fold. In the past, you were my successor, and youre still my successor, even now.
Come back? Your successor??
Mu Ssang had to question his hearing just then. Choi Do-shiks resentment should run to the deepest core of his being since thats how Mu Ssang felt. Did someone like that say hed forget about his resentment with a straight face? Even though Mu Ssang stabbed him in the neck with a stalactite, cut off his limb, and even destroyed his dantian?
Not only that, hed accept Mu Ssang as his successor? Even though the latter burned down the hideout in the Bangtae Mountain built through so much care and attention? Even though the latter slaughtered all the Red-Faces raised at a high cost?!
What an unfunny joke this was.
Thats right. You are superhuman. And by standing next to me, a celestial being, we can trample on the entire world. So Amaterasu has guided you to the start of a monumental undertaking.
Heol?! Mu Ssangs jaw dropped to the floor.
He had a feeling that Choi Do-shik was insane, but even he never expected the level of the old farts insanity to be this extreme. So a man nearly lost to resentment now wanted to join forces with his sworn enemy to conquer the world?! Looks like playing the part of a cult leader for too long has turned you into a nutcase suffering from mythomania. So youve gone beyond the deep end and came out the other way, huh. Tsk, tsk! Mu Ssang tutted loudly. I-am-being-serious. Choi Do-shik spoke one word at a time.
His expression was serious, his voice filled with unyielding conviction. His irises didnt even flicker or waver once. His brainwaves remained composed, his blood flow just as calm.
Mu Ssang felt a chill creep upon his skin. This man- he was being deadly serious. He was insane.
Was Choi Do-shik genuinely insane? No, that wasnt it. A psychopath was a monomaniac that happened to be far more honest with their desires than an average person. Their instinct to satisfy their desires was far more potent than other primal instincts like resentment or rage. In that regard, one could argue that the most heroic and villainous people found throughout history were psychopaths. It was impossible to weaken that insane old farts conviction, and besides, Mu Ssang had no reason to continue humoring his nonsense, either. A beatdown was the best medicine for a crazy as*hole like him, anyway. Hey, you piece of sh*t. Your very existence is filth and calamity to this world. Get my drift? Stop making me laugh by trying to play a hero, and offer up your head already. I shall cleanly cut it off this time.
Feeling thoroughly disgusted now, Mu Ssang spewed out some choice words. The murderous intent and energy emission hed been suppressing gushed out of him like a hurricane.
Its impossible, then!
Choi Do-shik tutted inwardly.
No.37 was a once-in-a-lifetime raw material. Thats why Choi Do-shik wanted to re-accept this young man as his disciple by burying the hatchet, but it seemed that reconciliation was no longer on the cards. No.37 was a heaven-defying rebel that managed to withstand the fourth stage of the Soul-Renewing Practice. However, if his ideas remained stubbornly fixed, he had to be eliminated.
Chiksho! Orokamono! (You foolish bastard!)
Even before his voice forcibly squeezed out of his vocal cords could reach his target, Choi Do-shiks figure suddenly extended significantly. His Shadow Flight trained for five decades was as sneaky as the nightly fog and as rapid as a sudden flash of lightning.
Sliceeeee-!
The air split apart. Mu Ssangs head bent to the side ninety degrees. Swiiiiish-!
A punch missing Mu Ssangs cheek by a hairs breadth slammed into the support pillar behind him.
BANG-!
Rumble
Concrete debris scattered everywhere, and the building rumbled noisily. A concrete pillar wide enough to wrap ones arms around collapsed as if heavy machinery had crushed
it.
Whoooosh-!
Mu Ssangs spinning figure was falling towards the back of Choi Do-shiks head. Choi Do-shiks upper body, about to get hit by that counter, ignored the human physiology by spinning to the left side and escaping from the arc of the attack.
Split-!
The jumping attack lost its target and split the air instead.
Slice-!
A standing coat rack in the trajectory was severed in half. A three-inch thick piece of furniture made of maple trees was cut into two parts as if a treasure sword had cleaved it apart.
Pa-pat-!
After this brief exchange of moves, the two men quickly created distance between them. Blood seeped out on Mu Ssangs cheek after the strong fist wind brushed past him. Meanwhile, blood leaked out of Choi Do-shiks ear.
Although there wasnt any direct impact, the capillary vessels in his skin still ruptured from the strong fist wind. The two men became so severe after the first exchange ended in a draw.
Whiiirrr
The resonance wave traveled along Mu Ssangs skin.
Bzzzz
Purple scales rapidly enveloped Choi Do-shiks skin.
The resonance wave enveloped the exterior of Mu Ssangs body with a layer of air. Choi Do-shiks Hidden Soul Fish Scale Armor was actually tissues activated through special nano cells formed below his inner skin. Like how a lotus leaf let water droplets trickle down its surface, it performed the role of deflecting any incoming external impact.
Although their natures were different, they were also protective mechanisms performing similar functions.
Mu Ssang didnt bring out his Billion Water Armor. As a result, he might never get another chance to fight an expert on the level of Choi Do-shik. A strong enemy was supposed to be a good teacher. If he relied on treasures to fight, he might waste this heaven-sent opportunity to enhance his innate abilities.
Shu-aaaang-!
Mu Ssang charged in first. Rip-! The blade of his hand tore through the air. Choi Do-shik felt the sensation of the middle of his forehead splitting open just then.
Swish-!
Choi Do-shiks forearm shot up to deflect the attack. But the moment he performed the Hidden Soul Kick, his temple suddenly began itching with the sense of danger. Paht-!
His body reacted before his brain could. Choi Do-shiks head snapped back so fast that his spine almost broke in half. Fwoooosh
BANG-!
Mu Ssangs elbow ripped past the air, missed its target, and blew apart a chunk of a concrete pillar in the way. Choi Do-shiks hair stood on their ends at that sight. His head almost got blown apart just now. No. 37s reflexes began surpassing Choi Do-shiks. Then, just a briefest of a brief slip-up by Choi Do-shik, and Mu Ssangs favorite attack, Eighteen Beats of Shock, erupted forth. His hands, feet, head, shoulders, elbows, and knees spun around in a flowing sequence and attacked like a cartwheel. Thirty-six continuous blows rained down like a hailstorm in a span of a single breath Bang-! Bang-! Bang-! Explosions continued to ring out loudly. Choi Do-shik unleashed his Hidden Soul Energy to the fullest to defend against the relentless barrage of blows.
The two mens figures could no longer be seen with naked eyes. Only vague dusky silhouettes and explosion sounds were audible. Every time they took a step, the patterned stone floor caved in, and the whole building rumbled and shook. The concrete debris and wrecked furniture scattered and flew around whenever punches and kicks missed their targets.
The office of the Pungguk gang transformed into a deadly ruin. The lightning struck down Yangahchis out of the blue. Pieces of concrete, broken bits of office furniture, ceiling panels, and other projectiles rained down like hailstorms. The incoming storm winds ripped open their heads and tore through their flesh. Like ants trapped in an epic elephant fight, these yangahchis couldnt do more than cling on desperately to the wall like cicadas. They couldnt even breathe properly due to being gripped by the fear of getting hit by the debris. They couldnt open their eyes because of all the dust.
Huh-euh Mommy, please save me Kang Min-seok tried to dig himself even deeper into the walls corner. His skin stung, and his breathing clogged up whenever the fight between two monsters got closer to his position. His skin and clothes were all ripped up as if razors were scratching his body.
He was experiencing the killing intent and powerful fist winds of the genuine experts, something he only heard about in various tall tales. Monsters that should only exist in manhwas and movies had leaped out into the real world. Compared to them, Kang Min-seok was nothing more than a helpless and feeble human being. He suddenly wanted to throw away everything and go back home to start farming with his mother.
BOOM-!
A pipe flying at the speed of sound stabbed deeply through the bathroom door. Nupchi, unable to win against his curiosity and was about to open the door carefully, freaked out grandly and hurriedly closed the damaged door. After that, he couldnt bring himself to open the door again. Nupchi forcibly folded his massive frame below the washbasin and muttered helplessly. Big bro, thank you. Youre now my religion, big brother. I swear to stay loyal to you forever.
A tiger merely saw a rabbit as food and would never try to look after it. But, on the other hand, Nupchi was genuinely moved by Mu Ssangs warm heart that cared for some worthless punk like him. And there were Mu Ssangs incredible abilities to consider, too.
Powpowpow
Bang
Smack
Boom-! All sorts of noises and explosions continued to ring out loudly. Arm and arm collided, and leg tangled up with leg. Hitting walls caused said walls to collapse. Hitting pillars caused said pillars to crumble. From the start, the two mens battle remained as close-quarter combat.
When Choi Do-shik took a half-step forward, Mu Ssang slipped away half a step to his right or left. When Mu Ssang tried to charge in, Choi Do-shiks turn to dodge to his left or right. The battle between experts was a battle of space. Youd lose your space by using large movements to avoid incoming attacks, making it that much harder to counterattack on time.
Exchanges of attacks and defenses filled with danger continued, where one mistake could mean losing their lives. Noises of bones breaking and muscle shredding continued, but the battle only got more intense and unrelenting. The space between the two men grew wide, concentrated killing intent and auras. Even the air became sticky, heavy. Sonic booms exploded every time they exchanged attacks, and the office interior swept up in the strong fist winds now resembled pandemonium. POW-!
SMACK-!
Two loud explosive noises rang out simultaneously. The moment Choi Do-shiks Hidden Soul Palm slammed into Mu Ssangs chest, the latters headbutt burst forth at the speed of light. Mu ssang stumbled back two steps, while Choi Do-shik faltered ungainly and stumbled back nonstop. The latter might have reinforced his physical body through a martial art technique, but it was still not enough to win against an Epidiums steel-like noggin.
Mu Ssangs head was so hard that even Monk Dae-woo was amazed by its sturdiness, after all!
Chapter 575 - Episode 11 Choi Do-shik
Even his hard skull or Hidden Soul Energy couldnt withstand the blow on a par with the momentum of a 1,000-kilogram perforator hammer. Blood oozed out of Choe Dosiks nose and ears and flowed down his face. His skull was cracked and his brain was shaken which he perceived as vibrations that felt like ocean waves. When the sensory processing was halted, he couldnt see or hear anything as if he entered the deep sea.
I will finish you off! Huh?
Mussang, approaching him again, somersaulted in the air. Several dozens of bullets as big as a knuckle grazed his soles and buried themselves in the wall. Even though Choe Dosik was unconscious, his experienced body, which trained for 50 years, protected itself reflexively.
Hidden Soul Energy flowed throughout Choe Dosiks body. His sensory organs were reanimated his bleeding stopped. His shock-induced temporary blindness lifted. The objects that were shaken and distorted in his vision, came into focus. Subject 37, in the posture of Stillness of Heavens Will, filled his field of view. Choe Dosik stared emotionlessly at Mussang. Could he be a human?
He kept his poker face but he was in fact severely shocked. His strike landed squarely on its target. He could feel it in his hand. Hidden Soul Palm, loaded with his inner energy, directly struck the mans pit of the stomach. His palm could have shattered a thousand-year-old rock. The man was supposed to be coughing up blood on the ground now. Yet he stood proudly. Choe Dosik was awestruck.
Choe Dosik sent Hidden Soul Energy down his arm to relieve his numb hand. That man wasnt made of flesh and blood but steel and quicksilver. It wasnt just his palm that delivered Hidden Soul Palm that felt numb. His every limb that struck the mans body felt numb and its joints felt loose. He felt as if he was fighting an elephant wearing iron armor.
Is that man the one I remember?
It is said that a young mans day is worth more than an old mans year. But even that had to have a limit. He was a weakling that he could crush in less than a second. Now he stood before him, after seven years, as a master giving off inner energy. The man was now surely his match. If it was a joke, it was an awkward, unpleasant one. Even if the man were his student, Choe Dosik couldnt have brought him to this level in seven years.
He had doubted the existence of Subject 37. They were said to possess the best physical strength and force of will in the entire world, but their existence was a mere possibility. For someone to reach a level where they can wield their energy at will, even with natural aptitude, it would take at least 30 years of training. When it came to the level where enlightenment was possible, hard work alone didnt suffice.
Astonishingly, the mans punches and kicks were loaded with Matured Evil Energy. It was an ability only someone of the highest caliber could acquire when they endure through the eight burning hells and the eight freezing hells. Even without a direct hit, Matured Evil Energy could make cells perish with its mere presence like radioactivity. Choe Dosik shook his head. He couldnt figure out that one back then. He still couldnt.
It was a matter of course. Mussang wandered around the very burning and freezing hells that Choe Dosik knew of. Thousands of humans died at his hands. There was no reason Mussang couldnt acquire Matured Evil Energy which he himself referred to as Resonance Wave. Choe Dosik was forever destined to wander, oblivious that Subject 37 was the very Black Mamba, also known as the Angel of Death or the Nightmare of Battlefields.
Should I unleash a Great Way?
Choe Dosik hesitated. Great Way Of Charged Blood And Energy was a spell that would eat away at his own life force. It overheated ones body. With each use, a year was deducted from ones lifespan. He also hesitated because he was coveting the young man.
South Koreas police and military forces were tremendous, due to its conflict with North Korea. Whenever there was an incident, many trucks loaded with armed policemen ran to the site in no time, and fully arms soldiers swarmed out of the nearby barracks. Choe Dosik himself was arrested and charged with treason several times, which he barely escaped.
With firepower and advanced strategy, a single individuals combat power fizzled. Choe Dosik had learned and practiced supernatural powers that allowed him to calmly gaze at the world without being influenced by it. But a swarm of men armed with modern weaponry could still subdue him. The deftest human could still not overtake the speed of sound. No amount of training rendered the body bulletproof. The most powerful master was still wounded by a bullet fired by a rookie cop or a new army recruit. For the last few decades, he witnessed his limit as an adept without the support of a superhuman. With Subject 37s combat power and his supernatural powers, they could rule the world.
The conflict was short-lived. Subject 37 was already a fully grown beast with fangs and claws and all. Choe Dosik couldnt turn him into his ally. An untamed beast needed to be euthanized. If he tried to catch it, he was going to be its feed.
Choe Dosik, with his fingers, deeply pressed the energy centers in his chin and the back of his neck. With the blockage removed, the stored energy coursed out like waterfalls. His blood vessels and muscles bulged.
Mussang, unlike Choe Dosik who was desperate, was feeling calm and leisurely. Choe Dosik, who haunted his dreams for a long time, now felt like nobody. He felt his trauma melt away.
Choe Dosik was adept at mobility and improvisation but he was as lightweight as he was quick. Mussang had overpowering physical strength and supernatural powers. Mussang didnt know if Choe Dosik had unrevealed hidden powers but he also had many yet-to-be-unleashed numbers. Resonance Wave, Camouflage, Psychokinesis, Finger Wind, etc. If he lost to a man in his sixties, he surely didnt merit the nickname Eastern Swordsman.
What are you called?
Choe Dosik had asked Mussangs name for the first time. Choe Dosik proudly considered himself an adept. He only remembered the names of a few people whom he considered worthy. The rest were mere numbers.
Eastern Swordsman!
You cant be serious.
Choe Dosik gave off tremendous murderous energy. Feeling offended, he sprinted toward Mussang with heavy steps.
He is all show!
Mussang found Dosiks quick and shallow movements laughable. Choe Dosik stabbed Mussangs eyes with his fingers. All of his moves lacked grace and class. Mussang, after parrying Choe Dosiks elbow, rolled left but something unexpected happened. He had thought he had figured out Choe Dosiks moves and their patterns but it wasnt so. When he expected a fist from his right side, a knee flew in with lightning speed from his left. Choe Dosiks combat power was suddenly 150 percent augmented. Mussangs body flew back like a log. Choe Dosik didnt miss the chance where the opponent was sprawled on the ground. He straightened his leg and struck Mussangs chest with his heel. Mussang, desperate, made a multi-layered shield of Resonance Wave on the struck area.
The thud was not characteristic of a normal strike. It was a sound similar to kicking styrofoam. Mussang, sustaining damage, bounced into the sky with his foot forward. The foot shoved into Choe Dosiks chest like a missile. Choe Dosik, astonished by Mussangs movement that seemed to defy natural laws, barely had time to block his foot. The momentum still shoved him skyward. Choe Dosik, without any resistance, let the blow hurl him away. When he landed, he took a deep breath and replenished oxygen.
The two monsters struck each other again. Mussangs Five Combined Movement and Choe Dosiks Hidden Soul techniques became enmeshed. Hands met hands and feet met feet. Knees, elbows, shoulders, and even head and buttocks, became weapons. None of them could utilize any great skill but had to resort to a succession of minor skills to defend each others attacks.
The place, over 3,300 square meters wide, was filled with crazed winds. The metal cabinet was crumpled like paper and desks and chairs turned to dust. The walls and floor were covered with dents. The surface of the walls was rapidly eroded as if carved by an invisible hand plane.
Does he not need to breathe?
Choe Dosik was reaching complete exhaustion. Breathing was what differentiated offensive moves from defensive moves. The man didnt seem to need to breathe. Therefore his moves had no such distinction. Each move was at the same time offensive and defensive. Even with superior speed, Choe Dosik found himself being overwhelmed due to the lack of breathing pauses in the mans moves. Choe Dosik, cornered by Eighteen Beats of Shock, leaned against a pillar.
He had no way to withstand the powerful blows from all directions. He was planning to reduce the space the opponent could use offensively. Then he would attempt a counterattack. A kick, whose sound alone was shudder-inducing, struck. Choe Dosik embraced the pillar with Hidden Soul Steps and flew around it. Tremendous momentum struck the pillar.
A bomb-like din sounded. The fortified pillar, struck by Mussangs kick, collapsed. Even the 500-millimeter wide concrete pillar could not withstand repeated blows. The building trembled. Shards of concrete flew like shrapnel and gypsum boards fell from the ceiling.
Argh!
Ah!
Sad screams were heard. Those were of the shrimps caught in between a fight of whales. Concrete shards, flying at the speed of sound, shattered the thugs heads and ground their bodies. The lucky ones died instantaneously and the unlucky ones screamed. Whoa!
n
Choe Dosik, evading the blow by moving around the pillar, was still caught in the blast. The pillar, once his shield, became a murderous weapon. As the blast engulfed him, numerous debris cut his face, body, and limbs like flying blades. Choe Dosik, now completely covered in his own blood, was flung back like a kicked can.
Choe Dosik kicked a wall and turned in the air. His Panama hat was long gone. His Burberry coat was now blood-soaked rags. Choe Dosik, with messy hair, flashed across the space. He embodied the phrase, The white ghost slinks at night.
Choe Dosiks kick landed on Mussangs chest. He hadnt expected Choe Dosik to bounce back to him like a ball bouncing off a wall. Mussang was flung back and hit a pillar. Choe Dosik flashed to him. Mussang, startled, teleported away. A punch landed where he used to be. The pillar cracked, threatening to collapse at any moment.
Mussang cracked his neck from side to side and adjusted his posture. He didnt feel so calm and leisurely now. If his armor hadnt reduced the initial damage, a few of his ribs would have been broken. Choe Dosik was much more adept at supernatural powers and moves. Even with Mussangs natural aptitude, decades of training were not something that could be easily surmounted. How are you able to do that? Hidden Soul Mirror!
Choe Dosik answered simply. He needed to breathe. He had no time for long talks.
I want to learn it!
Mussang coveted the skill. It was an overpowered counter move, amplifying and returning the opponents move. Miraculously, silence enveloped the scene. All of the indoor lights had been shattered. Through the newly glassless windows, bright moonlight shone. Mussang wasnt feeling quite satisfied. Choe Dosiks face was starkly pale.
Tsk!
Choe Dosik clucked his tongue. When Subject 37s fist grazed his shoulder, his bone cracked. His body was indeed metallic. He routed Hidden Soul Energy to heal the fracture. If he continued to fight the human metal, none of his bones and joints were going to last. He felt angry at himself for not being able to subdue a young kid like him.
Something feels weird.
Choe Dosik felt a sudden pang of doubt. It was an absurd prospect but he felt like the young kid was steal-learning his skills. Did he have time to do that in the murderous scene? He didnt feel good. He even had to reveal Hidden Soul Mirror yet he still couldnt defeat the kid. How could such a being exist in this world? If the night grew long, more nightmares were bound to come. He had to put an end to it.
I will kill you.
Choe Dosiks pupils turned gray. He needed to unblock another energy center. He opened the energy center below his belly button and awakened the energy stored around the area. The energy he inherited from his five teachers awakened his cells and coursed through his nerves. With that, his three-year energy-saving plan was foiled. Energy, once used and not retrieved to be stored in the body, evaporated. The whole situation fueled his rage.
Choe Dosik took out a dagger from his clothes. The blade was sharp and had a stark, blue sheen. The length was mere 30 centimeters but with the wavy patterns on its surface and the bright moon, the dagger gave off bloody, murderous energy.
A Muramasa!
Choe Dosik smiled at Mussangs recognition of his beloved weapon. He even felt a bit of friendliness.
The dagger from hell, Hell-Muramasa!
Choe Dosik grinned. Muramasa, once a name of a famous swordsmith from the Muromachi period, now became a term to refer to the legendary weapons crafted by him. They were known for their sharpness. Like most daggers, Muramasas were used for many mutiny-assassinations. For this reason, they earned the nickname, monster-blades. The Hell-Muramasa was the blade with a horrendous backstory, in which Muramasa put his wife and daughter into the melted iron to forge the blade.
Mussang took out Chomolungma. It gave off the milk-white sheen.
From that blade, I feel the weight of eons. What is it called?
Chomolungma!
A worthy name.
The blue blade flashed across the space with its owner and stabbed Mussangs solar plexus. Mussangs solar plexus retreated as if made of liquid. Five Combined Movement was combined with Flexible Moving Technique. It was a simple ruse but very effective. The opponent, suddenly losing their target, was bound to expose their own weakness.
What? Mussang grimaced. Choe Dosiks arms were elongated and the tip of his blade thrust further without the least consternation. It was Hidden Soul Soul-Shattering Strike, which followed the targets estimated movement. It was as cruel a skill as its name.
Mussang, despite all of his experience, was startled. He barely parried Muramasa with his left hand. As his balance was minutely disturbed, Choe Dosik brought his right arm closer to his chest with his left forearm, loaded his foot with momentum, and kicked Mussang. He had successfully used Mussangs strength to his own benefit. Mussang, flung into the air, flew like a fired shell. A din was heard. Mussang had turned around in the air and landed on two feet. He barely evaded being a subject of a shameful sight.
Muramasa drew a circle then another. It drew five circles which then surrounded Mussang and danced around him like will-o-the-wisps. It was Hidden Soul Tailing Steps. The ghostly fires rained down on him.
The milky white sheen of Chomolungma coursed across the air. The ghostly fires faded away in turn. Mussang had previously severed the wings from thousands of flies with a kukri.
Chapter 576 - Episode 12 Choi Do-shik
For a human to cut off a flying flys wings with a blade, they must be skilled at sophisticated sword-wielding and also have superhuman visual acuity and physical speed. Choe Dosik, with his sophisticated moves that made it difficult to tell fake moves from real moves, directed energy bullets toward Mussang but Mussang lifted the dancing bullets in a half step. It was thanks to his absolute muscular speed and Dimensional Sight filling the entire space.
Mussang never systematically studied sword arts. It was a mishmash of applied moves of Five Combined Movement, modern martial arts, and his Mamluk skills. On the other hand, Choe Dosik was the master of the masters, who practiced the secret ninja ways for 50 years. Logically, Mussang was supposed to be losing but in reality, they were a close match.
The fight forced each of them to act against their own nature. Choe Dosik, who was used to surreptitious ambushes, tried all of his might to distance himself from Mussang. Mussang, who was used to attacking from a distance, endeavored to get close to Choe Dosik. A fight between masters is a fight to take control of more space than the opponent. As one loses more spaces, one became likelier to lose as the fight goes on.
To control more space, one needed to minimize unnecessary moves. When one evaded the opponents attack, fewer moves meant one was able to retaliate quicker. A masters moves were at the same time offensive and defensive. Efficient moves determined whether that became possible or not. When it came to sword arts, Choe Dosik was like an experienced adult and Mussang a child. With that disadvantage, Mussang had no choice but to get close to his opponent and make use of his strength and speed. Choe Dosik, without sufficient space under his control, had to be limited in his choice of abilities. Mussang didnt earn the nickname The Nightmare of Battlefields in a game of poker.
Fierce hand-to-hand combat empowered by legendary weapons turned murderous. The white and blue sheens of the blades danced between the two superhumans. High-frequency clanks assailed their eardrums. The remaining window glasses shattered at the sound waves. They were each resolute in their determination to kill the other. All the abilities they learned and practiced through their lives came on stage. A fight between masters was determined by the slightest unbalance in their powers. A single mistake led to an insurmountable outcome. Resolve and willpower had more to do with victory than real combat power. Mussang and Choe Dosik had one thing in common: their limitless confidence and self-esteem. They faced each other and entered hand-to-hand combat at a close distance.
The eardrum-assailing din was constantly heard but no one covered their ears. Most thugs had lost their lives, caught up in energetic whirlwinds and crushed by falling debris. The surviving ones had mostly passed out as well.
In Mussangs words, it was a heartbreaking loss of manpower who would have tended to the windbreak forest in Novatopia. Whales pay no mind to the death of shrimps. The death of the thugs caught up in a fight between monsters did not even merit a 10-won coin.
Mussang distorted Muramasas trajectory with Resonance Wave. Choe Dosik used Hidden Soul Energy to draw in Chomolungma. They each planned to afflict a fatal strike upon the other but the result was that Muramasa and Chomolungma clung to each other like two magnets. The young man and the old man, longtime nemeses, glared at each other over their blades.
Your moves are sloppy. Even third-grade yakuza wouldnt use their blade like that. I will not even qualify it as sword arts.
Choe Dosik gritted his teeth and growled. It was true. Subject 37 didnt know anything about sword arts. He never learned from any master or seemed to know the most basic moves. His whole moves consisted of crude dagger-wielding learned in the army and a mishmash of moves he learned from his friends and enemies.
Despite all that, with his keen reflexes and explosive power, he parried Choe Dosiks blade and even countered it. Was this the difference in innate aptitude? Were all his years of training in vain? Choe Dosik was disheartened. A common mouse, if enlarged to a tigers size, would no longer be a mouse but a terrible beast too.
I pity you for only considering skills and resolve to be the only things that matter. A real master seeks to do something for others. They seek to protect someone.
Choe Dosik shook his head. Do something for others? Protect someone? Such ideas never entered his head.
Why shall I ever?
A human sees themself mirrored in others. You would never understand. You only see humans as a means for something. Haha!
Mussang smirked.
Mirrored in others?
The young mans words clung to his headspace like leeches. They felt unpleasant. Those were empty words. The only person that mattered was Choe Dosik himself. Anyone else was indeed a tool. Once a bug, always a bug. Bullshit!
Choe Dosik held out his left hand. The web of Dimensional Sight spotted the surreptitious movement. From his five fingers, gray spiderwebs shot like the teeth of a comb. The space was vaguely lit by moonlight only. A thread as fine as spiderweb wouldnt be visible even if one strained their eyes.
Huh?
Mussang, still parrying Muramasa, teleport-retreated a dozen meters at once but still got covered in the spiderweb that flew in explosively. The spiderweb contracted. Mussang, who had been leisurely fighting Choe Dosik as he learned the secret ninja abilities, hadnt expected this.
What is this?
Hidden Soul Spiderweb! Goodbye.
A common man would have been diced like the onions in okonomiyaki. But the opponent was no one else but Subject 37. Choe Dosik, without wasting a moment, kicked the floor and leaped. The blue sheen struck from above.
Why is he smiling?
Choe Dosik felt chills down his spine. Subject 37 was smirking. A warning siren blared in his head.
Huh?
Choe Dosik kicked the heel of his own right foot with his left foot and glided through the air. Mussang released a whirlwind from his body. It was thousands of blades made of Resonance Wave. The contracting Hidden Soul Spiderweb was disintegrated into dust. Mussang teleported up close and kicked the ankle of Choe Dosik, who was just landing.
In the moment of peril, Choe Dosik didnt have wings but Hidden Soul Leap. His Burberry coat fluttered and he kicked the air and leaped again. That was the only gap Mussang ever needed. Mussangs arms were elongated like an octopuss tentacles. Chomolungma slashed the space.
Hah!
A desperate scream was heard. Choe Dosiks chest was slashed open. Blood sprayed everywhere. His Hidden Soul Armor was like a sheet of paper against Chomolungma enhanced with Resonance Wave. Choe Dosik retreated hurriedly. He flashed back ten times as he breathed once.
He destroyed Hidden Soul Spiderweb
Choe Dosik was speechless. Hidden Soul Spiderweb was not really a spiderweb. It was not something that was destroyed easily. It was a recently developed ability, a collaboration between modern biotechnology and ancient magic.
The material used in this ability is the threads the mussels use to attach themselves to rock, near Erimo, where the Japan Trench meets the Kuril Trench. A 1-millimeter thick thread secreted by an Erimo mussel can sufficiently withstand 100 kilograms. Its adhesive strength well surpassed that of industrial adhesives.
When the catalyzed adhesive protein of the Erimo mussels, dihydroxyphenylalanine is injected under the skin of ones palms, one was able to use Hidden Soul Spiderweb. When in use, the protein is compressed by Hidden Soul Energy and shot through the sweat glands. Its strength could even subdue and capture supernatural humans. When contracted, the web turned its victim into thousands of pieces of diced flesh and bones.
Who are even you?
Choe Dosik, awestruck, forgot to stitch his chest with Hidden Soul Energy. He was not Subject 37 anymore. No human could escape from the grasp of Hidden Soul Spiderweb.
I am a beast that beats beasts to death. I am a paradoxical Buddhist that kills mosquitoes!
Mussang gave a two-sentence, haiku-ish response for Choe Dosik to understand. After responding, he was quite content that the phrase captured his essence quite well. Choe Dosik grimaced.
You are an animal! How could you even cut me with that sloppy posture?
Choe Dosik, suppressing his rage, asked. He had retreated reflexively but still was wounded heavily. The bones in a humans arms were supposed to be made of calcium, not rubber.
When you get beaten up by a bony, bad-tempered old man, you have no choice but to do it.
You are ridiculing me!
Choe Dosik reached the end of his patience. The mans tongue was as cutting as his hands. He had a knack for enraging him with mysterious words. Do you have any abilities you havent shown
yet?
Mussang grinned. He felt like he had a complete tour of Choe Dosiks repertoire.
You are a dead man!
Choe Dosik, normally psychopathically emotionless, had a fit of rage. He was enraged enough at losing. He couldnt stand Mussangs jesting. The Burberry coat covered the space around him. The moonlit indoor space turned completely dark. Choe Dosiks body melted into the air. It was the epitome of secret ninja abilities, Hidden Soul Assimilation.
Choe Dosik was defeated in Mt. Bangtae because he lost track of Mussang when he used Camouflage. Begrudged, he developed a new ability, that allowed him to be one with darkness itself.
You must be kidding.
Mussang laughed. Dimensional Sight started to scan a wider area. Dimensional Sight was no ordinary supernatural detection ability. It was a spiritual ability that could detect Kkamdung even when he melts into space. It was on a much higher level than a ninja ability, that merely fooled peoples senses to ones benefit.
Any being with life force couldnt conceal themself in the interference field. Choe Dosik could have tried all his might but still wouldnt have fooled Dimensional Sight. Hidden Soul Assimilation merely fooled the senses. It was of no use within Dimensional Sight.
Below the ceiling above Mussangs head, two yellow eyeballs appeared. Muramasa soundlessly started to go down. Choe Dosik grinned. No matter how powerful the man was, he still couldnt parry an invisible blade. Choe Dosik minutely tweaked the speed of the blade not to disturb the air around.
I dont have all day! Be quick, please.
Mussang was completely aware of Choe Dosiks moves. Choe Dosik would reveal himself at the moment of strike. Mussang was going to subdue him at once then and end this fight. He had to be compassionate about the shrimps waiting around them.
Goodbye, then!
When it was a few centimeters above Mussangs head, the blade struck down. Billion Water Armor tapped the flat side of Muramasas blade.
What?
Choe Dosiks glaring eyes widened. Before he had time to be properly astonished, a gigantic hand made of energy filled his field of view. Choe Dosik clenched his eyes shut and concentrated Hidden Soul Energy on both cheeks. A sound akin to an ax striking hard oak log was heard.
Choe Dosik, freshly slapped, turned like a top in the air. Unable to completely shed the momentum, he struck the wall and fell. Muramasa, broken in half, fell to the ground too. Mussang attacked without giving him time to recuperate. Vicious vermin required swift treatment. If one allows them to flee, things get complicated.
You monster! Choe Dosik lifted his right arm, which he hadnt used up until now.
What?
Mere five meters in front of Mussang, a pitch-black hole faced him like the entrance of hell itself. Mussang kicked the air and retreated like a grasshopper encountering a mantis. Choe Dosiks right prosthetic hand emitted flames. Heavy gunfire echoed in the space. The same gun, when held by a master, becomes as destructive as a missile. The speed of Choe Dosiks shooting reflexes matched Mussangs evasive maneuver.
Blood splashed from Mussangs body and concrete shards rose to form fog. Mussangs silhouette flashed across the space several times. Bullets followed him like a guided missile. Mussang, suddenly covered with bullets, rolled on the ground and took cover behind a pillar.
Fuck!
He hadnt expected Choe Dosiks prosthetic hand to be an automatic rifle. The bullets struck with tremendous momentum as well. Determining from that, they must be JSP bullets, enhanced from standard 5.56-mm bullets. His upper body was protected by the vest made of Bossauruss hide but his limbs caught several bullets. For someone who asserted the way of the samurai, the attack was quite some dishonor. But Mussang himself hadnt been playing fair either. A fight between life and death was their reality, not some Hollywood film. All kinds of maneuvers such as shoving the enemy to a pool full of alligators, tying them to a hot air balloon, or pushing them off a cliff were unnecessary tricks only seen in films. In reality, a bullet to the head often sufficed. Choe Dosik did what he had to do. Mussang himself was to blame.
It was a fight between a mercenary and a ninja. Black Mamba was a war machine suited for efficient massacres. Choe Dosik was a psychopathic ninja that wouldnt hesitate to kill his own parents for his own cause. Fair play was a joking matter. The way of the samurai was not to be found in this scene. A ninja could use a gun. The victor dictated justice. Spitting in the eye or hanging from the opponents balls, the end justified the means.
A JSP bullet sacrificed its penetration power to amplify its destructive capability. When it entered flesh, the tip was detonated and sesame-seed-sized shrapnel buried themselves throughout the tissue. Mussang made use of Dimensional Sight.
Chapter 577 - Episode 13 Choi Do-shik
The lead fragments buried in his thighs and upper arms were as numerous as stars in the night sky. He caught five bullets in total, yet shrapnel fragments numbered 756. How did Mussang know this? He just did. Dimensional Sight was an intuitive process.
Dirty Jap! Why did you ever mention the way of the samurai then?.
Mussang complained. The bullets Choe Dosik fired were viciously filled with gunpowder. This kind of bullet was banned globally due to its viciousness.
The Japanese first started using this kind of bullet. It was reminiscent of their colonial mindset. If FMJ bullets granted humane deaths, so could these bullets.
Whether one is beheaded by a blade or catches a bullet in ones heart, death is the same. A sashimi blade is good when it makes quality sashimi. A murder weapon granting quality deaths was a good weapon. To qualify it as inhumane would be hypocrisy.
The kind of the bullets didnt matter as much as their numbers. He caught five shots. Humans respond to stimuli rationally with the collaboration of three cells: the place cell that allows them to remember their location, the grid cell that will enable them to locate themself in space, and the speed cell that will enable them to gauge their speed and direction. It takes 0.3 seconds for the three cells to receive stimuli and react. A reflexive reaction like touching a glow-hot heater usually happens within 0.1 seconds.
Dimensional Sight skips all the above steps happening between synaptic receptors. The brain itself feeds the nerves with stimuli. The only time for reaction is the 0.1 seconds in which muscle fibers contract.
These cells are called biological navigation systems. The number and quality of these three cells determine the individual difference in reflexes. The best sniper still needs 0.3 seconds to locate the target and pull the trigger. Therefore, no one could ever possibly catch Black Mamba with aimed firing. It also meant that if one covers a wide area with bullets or the bullets are fired by a supernatural martial arts master, it could pose quite a threat to Mussang
Even a surgeon wouldnt have been able to extract all 756 fragments. A typical human would have entered the afterlife if they caught five loaded bullets. Mussang wasnt a surgeon or a standard human. He would have beat up the Grim Reaper if they ever visited him.
The bullets, deterred by Resonance Wave, had lost most of their momentum by the time they entered Mussangs body. They couldnt pierce his firm muscles, nor could their fragments expand. Mussang pressed the wounded area with his palm and used Resonance Wave to suck out the details.
The bullets and fragments buried in the muscle were sucked out of his body. Mussang brushed the barnacle-like pieces off his palm and stood. No rifle could ever incapacitate Mussang.
Choe Dosik stared at his steaming prosthetic arm rifle. The body made of titanium alloy, having unleashed the entire 100-round ammunition at once, exuded heat. When the engineers loaded his prosthetic arm with ammunition, he never expected to use it one day.
Have I leveled the playing ground with it?
Subject 37 seemed to have caught at least 20 bullets. A superhuman wouldnt perish at that damage, but his combat power would have been reduced tremendously. Choe Dosik, heaving a sigh of relief unconsciously, flinched.
What have I done like this?
Choe Dosik muttered. He was an esteemed supernatural human who could toy with peoples souls. Yet he was battered at the hands of a lowly enslaved person. He had to resort to firepower. His collapsed pride turned into rage.
The memory of the recording of Emperor Hirohitos speech, We shall endure unbearable ordeals and overcome insurmountable challenges, sounded in his head. The emperor hurled 20 million of his people into hellfire and was struck with two atomic bombs but still kept his resolve.
And Choe Dosik didnt even look up to the emperor. This wasnt even an ordeal. His gray, clouded eyes took on definite murderous energy.
Yeah! Once started, I shall see to it till the
end.
Choe Dosik shook his head and shook off the unpleasant emotion he had just felt for the first time. The dead are silent. To avenge his honor, he needed to kill Subject 37. The victor dictated justice. The victor was the honorable one.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Mussang walked out from behind the pillar. His steps were as leisurely as that of cherry blossom watchers in Hakone.
What?
Choe Dosik, unlike a ninja, gasped. His gray eyes scanned Mussang up and down. He was intact. He was covered in blood, but he only sustained surface wounds. How can a human be as whole as him after being showered by dozens of bullets? Could he even be a human? Choe Dosik frowned.
Choe Dosik, you seem to have reached the end of your patience and power. Lets call it a day. It is well past midnight. Even though the national curfew is lifted, my mother will tell me off if I come home late.
Mussang stopped talking and pointed at the entrance. The thick iron fire door was in tatters. So were the soundproof windows. The double-glass windows had been broken long ago.
Lets end this. You shall exist on worms in a pitch-black world as I did.
Mussang provoked him. The building of Pungguk Capital was in a remote place, but the closest industrial park and residential area were each only 300 meters and 400 meters away. There had been a din after a din. There had been gunfire. It was bizarre that no one had called the police. It was weird that no police officers ever showed up.
The police were elsewhere. They had swarmed to Daemyeong District. Even if someone called the police, no one was left to answer the call at the station, let alone someone to go to the site.
Daemyeong District was in turmoil. Big-scale explosions with unknown causes happened one after another. Sinkholes appeared here and there. Dozens of well-built houses were buried in rubble, and the cars on roads fell underground. The known casualties numbered more than a hundred.
I Daedeok, the head of the Daegu branch of the ANSP, concluded that armed North Korean spies were to blame. He was already feeling quite tense due to Jang Palsus disappearance. The 50th Division and police were operating under emergency measures. The human resources from the 50th Division blocked the area in front of the mountain. The police force was put into handling the incidents and questioning the residents.
Choe Dosik, of course, was responsible for the catastrophe. Still, in thrall to Seonu Bangnas spell, he had ruthlessly destroyed the underground bunker and escaped. In the process, the five tons of TNT inadvertently exploded.
Yamanashi was addicted to wealth. He would not spare anyone who would try to infiltrate the bunker and steal his riches. Neither Mussang nor Choe Dosik was aware of the catastrophe in Daemyeong District. Even if Choe Dosik had known, he wouldnt have cared.
You wretch!
Choe Dosik wanted to chew up the grinning young man, but he lacked the teeth just as the man said. His last remaining hidden ability was surely going to be effective, but it ate away at his energy too. Puppet Awakening!
It was the last spell on which Choe Dosik was counting, and at the same time, he was reluctant to cast. To trigger Puppet Awakening was akin to dropping an atomic bomb at close range to decimate the opponent. He would be caught up in the blast too.
Choe Dosiks hands reached into his clothes. He would shake up the opponent with his hidden weapon, Gorgon. An iron weight flashed across the space, targeting Mussangs head.
All right. You still had some more abilities to show!
Mussang flung back his head. The weight grazed his cheek with a blue sheen. Choe Dosik flung back his hand. The weight, connected to his hand with a wire, shot in the opposite direction and targeted the back of Mussangs head. Without looking, Mussang covered the back of his head with his hand. A sturdy wire of unknown material wound around his wrist.
Great!
Choe Dosik grinned slightly. The real threat of a Gorgon was not in its weight but a wire. The iron wire, developed by Dr. Kuroda, was made of nanocarbon fiber. The elasticity was seven times that of iron and the flexibility a hundred times. The two-wall surface of the iron wire was covered with dozens of thousands of tiny thorns like those of a box jellyfish. The wire could fall on a large tree trunk at once. There was no way a humans bones and flesh would be able to withstand it. He mercilessly abruptly pulled back the Gorgons wire, envisioning a scene where Subject 37s wrist was severed at once.
Ugh!
Choe Dosik grunted. Tremendous power akin to a commercial jet in takeoff pulled him forward. Choe Dosik had no time to take off the glove connected to the Gorgon. He was unrooted like a vegetable. He was being pulled like a fish caught by a fishhook.
A great palm flew into him like lightning. He had no time or space to evade it. Choe Dosik glared and dodged it with Hidden Soul Palm. Grand Threefold Palm enhanced with Resonance Wave and Hidden Soul Palm collided. The first strike dislocated his left shoulder. The second tore his lungs. The third collapsed his ribs and churned his intestines.
It is no use!
Choe Dosik was resigned at last. The mans power equaled that of an avalanche. His honed moves collapsed feebly before the man like a house made of wood. Now he had to resort to the last resort, Puppet Awakening.
The great palm-filled his field of view again. Choe Dosik gritted his teeth. He couldnt evade it, and he didnt attempt to. It was quite a bargain if he harmed himself and could awaken the puppet in Mussangs head and acquire an enslaved person with such tremendous power. He concentrated Hidden Soul Energy on his face to brace for the strike.
The great palm struck his chin. Teeth and blood shot out of his mouth. The blood from Choe Dosiks mouth exploded. The mist of blood sprayed Mussangs face.
How gross!
Mussang wiped away the blood on his face with his palm. Choe Dosik had his jawbone be broken and lost several teeth but didnt flinch. His glaring gray eyes were clouded further.
You are my slave. Kneel! Kneel!
Choe Dosik closed his eyes and chanted the spell. Steam rose from the top of his head, and his taut skin became slack. His black sideburns turned white. His biological clock suddenly started to turn more quickly. I know you are Korean. Dont pretend to be Japanese and speak Korean. Mussang, covered in blood, was feeling quite annoyed. He kicked Choe Dosik, who was still reciting the spell.
It begins!
As Choe Dosik finished his spell casting, there was a heavy thud. Choe Dosik flew across the space like an artillery shell and collided with a pillar. The pillar, already in a poor state, started to lean with a creaking sound. The four of the six fortified posts had already lost their function. The remaining two were in poor condition as well.
Bwergh!
Choe Dosik vomited a bowlful of dark-red blood. His body was now completely exhausted, and he could not utilize his energy.
Kneel! Kneel! Now!
Choe Dosik yelled.
Are you out of your mind?
Mussang stared at him.
Why is the puppet not responding?
Choe Dosik yelled hysterically. The seed of the puppet he had planted in Mussangs prefrontal cortex was not supposed ever to disappear. A seeded person could not be accessible even after death. The caster could cast Puppet Awakening to invoke their soul.
Since it was one of the evilest spells, it had severe prerequisites and consumed much energy. The caster needed to sacrifice their blood to awaken the seed of the puppet. Then, controlling the instrument consumed a tremendous amount of energy. Choe Dosiks appearance was suddenly altered. His black hair turned gray. His taut cheeks drooped. The skin of his neck became slack, and the tails of his eyes drooped downward. His overflowing energy faded like a deflated ball. It was the price he needed to pay when he expended his life force.
Beeerrrkkk!
Choe Dosik threw up blood again. He was still armored, but he had sustained considerable damage.
You are out of your mind. A puppet? Awakening? What are you even saying?
Mussang had no idea. When he welcomed Gim Gitaeks family, he had suddenly entered a moment of enlightenment. The puppet seed planted in his head by Choe Dosik had melted away then. Mussang continued to luck out.
Choe Dosik was speechless. He didnt feel like responding, nor had he the energy to. He sat sprawled on the floor stained by dust and blood and mindlessly looked at the ceiling.
Dont respond. It must be one of the sloppy spells of the Unorthodox School of Martial Arts. What is this? It is very sturdy. It shall serve as a rope to restrain you. Mussang held the Gorgon in both hands and pulled it taut. Choe Dosik stared at his beloved weapon with empty eyes. The Gorgon was not a mountain-climbing rope. Even though he was pretty adept at using it, he still had to wear protective gloves. The man was not a human, and his hands werent either.
A Gorgon!
Choe Dosik answered with a sigh.
A Gorgon?
Mussangs eyes widened. A Gorgon was the very name of his whip that he had lost when dragged into the underground world in Syria. He felt an odd sense of nostalgia.
It is quite useful. If you have shown everything, stand and go home. Mussang wielded around the Gorgon like a cowboys lasso and smirked. Choe Dosik was not only wholly exhausted but aged tremendously. He didnt merit a comfortable death. He needed to exist on cockroaches and worms in total darkness and await his demise. Mussang wasnt sure if the second basement had a supply of cockroaches, but he also wanted to ask many questions to Choe Dosik.
I shall. I blame the universe. I was on the verge of taking over the world, but a Korean kid had put an end to it.
Choe Dosik ground his teeth and complained. He became utterly shocked when the kid didnt respond to Puppet Awakening. How was he going to be compensated for his lost life force? The lead fragments buried in his thighs and upper arms were as numerous as stars in the night sky. He caught five bullets in total, yet shrapnel fragments numbered 756. How did Mussang know this? He just did. Dimensional Sight was an intuitive process.
Dirty Jap! Why did you ever mention the way of the samurai then?
Mussang complained. The bullets Choe Dosik fired were viciously filled with gunpowder. This kind of bullet was banned globally due to its viciousness.
The Japanese first started using this kind of bullet. It was reminiscent of their colonial mindset. If FMJ bullets granted humane deaths, so could these bullets.
Whether one is beheaded by a blade or catches a bullet in ones heart, death is the same. A sashimi blade is good when it makes quality sashimi. A murder weapon granting quality deaths was a good weapon. To qualify it as inhumane would be hypocrisy.
The kind of the bullets didnt matter as much as their numbers. He caught five shots. Humans respond to stimuli rationally with the collaboration of three cells: the place cell that allows them to remember their location, the grid cell that will enable them to locate themself in space, and the speed cell that will enable them to gauge their speed and direction. It takes 0.3 seconds for the three cells to receive stimuli and react. A reflexive reaction like touching a glow-hot heater usually happens within 0.1 seconds.
Dimensional Sight skips all the above steps happening between synaptic receptors. The brain itself feeds the nerves with stimuli. The only time for reaction is the 0.1 seconds in which muscle fibers contract.
These cells are called biological navigation systems. The number and quality of these three cells determine the individual difference in reflexes. The best sniper still needs 0.3 seconds to locate the target and pull the trigger. Therefore, no one could ever possibly catch Black Mamba with aimed firing. It also meant that if one covers a wide area with bullets or the bullets are fired by a supernatural martial arts master, it could pose quite a threat to Mussang
Even a surgeon wouldnt have been able to extract all 756 fragments. An ordinary human would have entered the afterlife if they caught five loaded bullets. Mussang wasnt a surgeon or an average human. He would have beat up the Grim Reaper if they ever visited him.
The bullets, deterred by Resonance Wave, had lost most of their momentum by the time they entered Mussangs body. They couldnt pierce his firm muscles, nor could their fragments expand. Mussang pressed the wounded area with his palm and used Resonance Wave to suck out the elements.
The bullets and fragments buried in the muscle were sucked out of his body. Mussang brushed the barnacle-like chips off his palm and stood. No rifle could ever incapacitate Mussang. Choe Dosik stared at his steaming prosthetic arm rifle. The body made of titanium alloy, having unleashed the entire 100-round ammunition at once, exuded heat. When the engineers loaded his prosthetic arm with ammunition, he never expected to use it one day.
Have I leveled the playing ground with it?
Subject 37 seemed to have caught at least 20 bullets. A superhuman wouldnt perish at that damage, but his combat power would have been reduced tremendously. Choe Dosik, heaving a sigh of relief unconsciously, flinched.
What have I done like this?
Choe Dosik muttered. He was an esteemed supernatural human who could toy with peoples souls. Yet he was battered at the hands of a lowly enslaved person. He had to resort to firepower. His collapsed pride turned into rage.
The memory of the recording of Emperor Hirohitos speech, We shall endure unbearable ordeals and overcome insurmountable challenges, sounded in his head. The emperor hurled 20 million of his people into hellfire and was struck with two atomic bombs but still kept his resolve.
And Choe Dosik didnt even look up to the emperor. This wasnt even an ordeal. His gray, clouded eyes took on definite murderous energy.
Yeah! Once started, I shall see to it till the end.
Choe Dosik shook his head and shook off the unpleasant emotion he had just felt for the first time. The dead are silent. To avenge his honor, he needed to kill Subject 37. The victor dictated justice. The victor was the honorable one.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Mussang walked out from behind the pillar. His steps were as leisurely as that of cherry blossom watchers in Hakone.
What?
Choe Dosik, unlike a ninja, gasped. His gray eyes scanned Mussang up and down. He was intact. He was covered in blood, but he only sustained surface wounds. How can a human be as whole as him after being showered by dozens of bullets? Could he even be a human? Choe Dosik frowned.
Choe Dosik, you seem to have reached the end of your patience and power. Lets call it a day. It is well past midnight. Even though the national curfew is lifted, my mother will tell me off if I come home late.
Mussang stopped talking and pointed at the entrance. The thick iron fire door was in tatters. So were the soundproof windows. The double-glass windows had been broken long ago.
Lets end this. You shall exist on worms in a pitch-black world as I did.
Mussang provoked him. The building of Pungguk Capital was in a remote place, but the closest industrial park and residential area were each only 300 meters and 400 meters away. There had been a din after a din. There had been gunfire. It was bizarre that no one had called the police. It was odd that no police officers ever showed up.
The police were elsewhere. They had swarmed to Daemyeong District. Even if someone called the police, no one was left to answer the call at the station, let alone someone to go to the site.
Daemyeong District was in turmoil. Big-scale explosions with unknown causes happened one after another. Sinkholes appeared here and there. Dozens of well-built houses were buried in rubble, and the cars on roads fell underground. The known casualties numbered more than a hundred.
I Daedeok, the head of the Daegu branch of the ANSP, concluded that armed North Korean spies were to blame. He was already feeling quite tense due to Jang Palsus disappearance. The 50th Division and police were operating under emergency measures. The human resources from the 50th Division blocked the area in front of the mountain. The police force was put into handling the incidents and questioning the residents.
Choe Dosik, of course, was responsible for the catastrophe. Still, in thrall to Seonu Bangnas spell, he had ruthlessly destroyed the underground bunker and escaped. In the process, the five tons of TNT inadvertently exploded.
Yamanashi was addicted to wealth. He would not spare anyone who would try to infiltrate the bunker and steal his riches. Neither Mussang nor Choe Dosik was aware of the catastrophe in Daemyeong District. Even if Choe Dosik had known, he wouldnt have cared.
You wretch!
Choe Dosik wanted to chew up the grinning young man, but he lacked the teeth just as the man said. His last remaining hidden ability was surely going to be effective, but it ate away at his energy too.
Puppet Awakening!
It was the last spell on which Choe Dosik was counting, and at the same time, he was reluctant to cast. To trigger Puppet Awakening was akin to dropping an atomic bomb at close range to decimate the opponent. He would be caught up in the blast too.
Choe Dosiks hands reached into his clothes. He would shake up the opponent with his hidden weapon, Gorgon. An iron weight flashed across the space, targeting Mussangs head.
All right. You still had some more abilities to show!
Mussang flung back his head. The weight grazed his cheek with a blue sheen. Choe Dosik flung back his hand. The weight, connected to his hand with a wire, shot in the opposite direction and targeted the back of Mussangs head. Without looking, Mussang covered the back of his head with his hand. A sturdy wire of unknown material wound around his wrist.
Great!
Choe Dosik grinned slightly. The real threat of a Gorgon was not in its weight but the wire. The iron wire, developed by Dr. Kuroda, was made of nanocarbon fiber. The elasticity was seven times that of iron and the flexibility a hundred times. The two-wall surface of the iron wire was covered with dozens of thousands of tiny thorns like those of a box jellyfish. The wire could fall on a large tree trunk at once. There was no way a humans bones and flesh would be able to withstand it. He mercilessly abruptly pulled back the Gorgons wire, envisioning a scene where Subject 37s wrist was severed at once.
Ugh!
Choe Dosik grunted. Tremendous power akin to a commercial jet in takeoff pulled him forward. Choe Dosik had no time to take off the glove connected to the Gorgon. He was unrooted like a vegetable. He was being pulled like a fish caught by a fishhook.
A great palm flew into him like lightning. He had no time or space to evade it. Choe Dosik glared and dodged it with Hidden Soul Palm. Grand Threefold Palm enhanced with Resonance Wave and Hidden Soul Palm collided. The first strike dislocated his left shoulder. The second tore his lungs. The third collapsed his ribs and churned his intestines. It is no use!
Choe Dosik was resigned at last. The mans power equaled that of an avalanche. His honed moves collapsed feebly before the man like a house made of wood. Now he had to resort to the last resort, Puppet Awakening.
The great palm-filled his field of view again. Choe Dosik gritted his teeth. He couldnt evade it, and he didnt attempt to. It was quite a bargain if he harmed himself and could awaken the puppet in Mussangs head and acquire an enslaved person with such tremendous power. He concentrated Hidden Soul Energy on his face to brace for the strike.
The great palm struck his chin. Teeth and blood shot out of his mouth. The blood from Choe Dosiks mouth exploded. The mist of blood sprayed Mussangs face.
How gross!
Mussang wiped away the blood on his face with his palm. Choe Dosik had his jawbone be broken and lost several teeth but didnt flinch. His glaring gray eyes were clouded further.
You are my slave. Kneel! Kneel!
Choe Dosik closed his eyes and chanted the spell. Steam rose from the top of his head, and his taut skin became slack. His black sideburns turned white. His biological clock suddenly started to turn more quickly.
I know you are Korean. Dont pretend to be Japanese and speak Korean.
Mussang, covered in blood, was feeling quite annoyed. He kicked Choe Dosik, who was still reciting the spell.
It begins!
As Choe Dosik finished his spell casting, there was a heavy thud. Choe Dosik flew across the space like an artillery shell and collided with a pillar. The pillar, already in a poor state, started to lean with a creaking sound. The four of the six fortified posts had already lost their function. The remaining two were in poor condition as well.
Bwergh!
Choe Dosik vomited a bowlful of dark-red blood. His body was now completely exhausted, and he could not utilize his energy.
Kneel! Kneel! Now!
Choe Dosik yelled.
Are you out of your mind?
Mussang stared at him. Why is the puppet not responding?
Choe Dosik yelled hysterically. The seed of the puppet he had planted in Mussangs prefrontal cortex was not supposed ever to disappear. A seeded person could not be accessible even after death. The caster could cast Puppet Awakening to invoke their soul.
Since it was one of the evilest spells, it had severe prerequisites and consumed much energy. The caster needed to sacrifice their blood to awaken the seed of the puppet. Then, controlling the tool consumed a tremendous amount of energy. Choe Dosiks appearance was suddenly altered. His black hair turned gray. His taut cheeks drooped. The skin of his neck became slack, and the tails of his eyes drooped downward. His overflowing energy faded like a deflated ball. It was the price he needed to pay when he expended his life force. Bwerkh!
Choe Dosik threw up blood again. He was still armored, but he had sustained considerable damage.
You are out of your mind. A puppet? Awakening? What are you even saying? Mussang had no idea. When he welcomed Gim Gitaeks family, he had suddenly entered a moment of enlightenment. The puppet seed planted in his head by Choe Dosik had melted away then. Mussang continued to luck out. Choe Dosik was speechless. He didnt feel like responding, nor had he the energy to. He sat sprawled on the floor stained by dust and blood and mindlessly looked at the ceiling.
Dont respond. It must be one of the sloppy spells of the Unorthodox School of Martial Arts. What is this? It is very sturdy. It shall serve as a rope to restrain you.
Mussang held the Gorgon in both hands and pulled it taut. Choe Dosik stared at his beloved weapon with empty eyes. The Gorgon was not a mountain-climbing rope. Even though he was pretty adept at using it, he still had to wear protective gloves. The man was not a human, and his hands werent either.
A Gorgon!
Choe Dosik answered with a sigh.
A Gorgon? Mussangs eyes widened. A Gorgon was the very name of his whip that he had lost when dragged into the underground world in Syria. He felt an odd sense of nostalgia.
It is quite useful. If you have shown everything, stand and go home.
Mussang wielded around the Gorgon like a cowboys lasso and smirked. Choe Dosik was not only wholly exhausted but aged tremendously. He didnt merit a comfortable death. He needed to exist on cockroaches and worms in total darkness and await his demise. Mussang wasnt sure if the second basement had a supply of cockroaches, but he also wanted to ask many questions to Choe Dosik.
I shall. I blame the universe. I was on the verge of taking over the world, but a Korean kid had put an end to it.
Choe Dosik ground his teeth and complained. He became utterly shocked when the kid didnt respond to Puppet Awakening. How was he going to be compensated for his lost life force?
Chapter 578 - Episode 14 Choi Do-shik
Neither hand-to-hand combat, gunfire, nor self-consuming spell worked. Choe Dosik sustained heavy damage. He ran into setback after setback. For the seed of a puppet to be destroyed, the hosts soul must be changed. Even a complete transformation would not change ones soul because the soul is the essence of ones existence. Was the man a tengu disguising as a human? Choe Dosik was willing to sell his soul to the Devil to figure out the man.
Choe Dosiks eyes glowed blue. He didnt have time to blame the universe. If the great master Choe Dosik was subdued by a garlic-smelling Korean, he wouldnt even have any more face to lose.
Choe Dosik surreptitiously pressed the red dot on his prosthetic thumb with the middle finger of the same prosthetic hand. He didnt know how devastating the 9,500,000-joule energy of the explosion would be. He would rather go down with the enemy than be shamed. If he survive it, he would have another chance.
A minute sound akin to a bedbug falling from a wall was heard. It was the sound the DDNP safety device made as it was disabled. Mussang retreated rapidly. Choe Dosik ripped off his prosthetic hand.
Is he no longer a head ninja but a self-harm con man?
Mussangs eyes widened. He was expecting another round of shooting but it wasnt so.
Take it!
Choe Dosik hurled the prosthetic hand to Mussang. When Mussang hid behind a wall, Choe Dosik escaped through a window as if dragged by some force.
A retina-burning flash was seen and a comparable din was heard. Hellfire and debris whirled around the space. The remaining two pillars that were still standing finally collapsed. The entire building was shaken.
The hellfire scoured the space and escaped through the windows and entrance. The energy of 9,500,000 joules matched the destructive energy of 155-mm high explosive. The space became a mess. The cement dust and debris and all kinds of debris falling from the ceiling made it difficult to see anything. The torn-up building let out a final sigh.
A tornado formed and scoured the space. It blew the floating dust and debris out the windows. The inside became clean at once. Mussang walked out from behind the collapsed pillar. Other than his hair which was covered in white dust, he was intact. The pillar shielded him from the explosion and debris. Resonance Wave blocked the flame and explosive wind.
Considering the original function and size of the prosthetic hand, the extent of the explosion was great. The Japanese must have developed a novel kind of gunpowder. It wasnt so surprising. If one mixed C-4 with dust explosives employing H202, this kind of explosion was achievable. The ninja boss fled!
Mussang laughed. His vision and hearing were temporarily blocked but the web of Dimensional Sight was spread across the space. He had already been aware of Choe Dosik fleeing through the window.
Choe Dosik was an ego-driven person, who considered himself a superhuman. Mussang had expected his pride to cause him to employ this kind of tactic. He didnt expect him to flee at once.
You are but a fleeing flea.
Once Choe Dosik was spotted in Dimensional Sight, there was no way Mussang would ever lose track of him. His shadowy figure jumped out of the window.
Choe Dosik, escaping the spot, used Hidden Soul Flight with his remaining energy. His body and mind were in tatters but this was nothing compared to the injuries he sustained seven years ago in Mt. Bangtae. He didnt expect the desperate fleeing to be re-enacted today. That time, he had been ambushed. This time, he lost fair and square in a fight. He had no words.
Hidden Soul Flight was not suited for long-distance mobility but over a short distance, it was a great method of transport. Choe Dosiks slowed legs frustrated him. He used spell after spell but his wounded body continued to lag. He used to be able to flash at once to the river ahead that looked like a black ribbon. Now, it felt like an insurmountable distance.
A great din was heard. From behind, scarlet flame illuminated the sky. Choe Dosik stopped moving and looked back. The flame was erupting even from the second floor of the building. The bomb installed in the prosthetic hand was way more explosive than he expected it to be.
Could he be dead now?
Choe Dosik strained his eyes.
What?
A black dot leaped above the hellfire. It soon got bigger to be as big as a bird. This one was way too tenacious, more so than a whales tendon. Choe Dosik resumed his flight. Every muscle in his body ached. He was short of breath. But it was not the time to tarry.
When he reached the riverbank, Choe Dosik jumped in without hesitation. The river was bubbling with suspicious white foam and an intense stench assailed his nose but he had no choice. He was being hunted down.
Right before he dove, he felt a trembling pain in his heart. Choe Dosik reflexively loaded his body with more weight with a spell. With the centroid moved to his upper body, his diving speed was accelerated. His upper body entered the water. Something struck his ankles which tarried to be underwater and were now decimated. They were sacrificed instead of his heart.
Choe Dosik dove to the bottom of the river. The water was muddy and filthy but thanks to the storm that brought torrential rain, the deepest part reached four meters in depth. It was one of the basic ninja skills to use water to ambush and escape. He was going to sprint down the bottom of the river, or so he planned. To ditch Subject 37.
Argh!
At last, he screamed into the water. Excruciating pain sprinted up to his nerves and he felt as if his brain was being poked by a needle. Mussangs Finger Wind had severed his nervous tissue at the speed of sound so he was registering pain belatedly. Choe Dosiks face, checking the wounded area, darkened. Just above his malleolus, there was a hole as big as a quarter. Blood rose from the hole. The hole was cleanly cut as if made by precision industrial equipment. First, his arms and now his legs were crippled. He was enraged but had no way to retaliate. He fumbled at his chest and took out a first-aid bag. He tightly wound a staunching bandage around his ankle and resumed sprinting down the bottom of the river. He looked like a ghost.
Mussang arrived at the riverbank right after Choe Dosik jumped. His tracking had to be slowed down when he cast Finger Wind. But it didnt change anything. Choe Dosik even suppressed his heartbeat but if he didnt turn off his brain waves, he was still visible in Dimensional Sight. He was like Sun Wukong on the Buddhas palm. Also, he knew that Choe Dosik had sustained heavy damage.
They should stop polluting the river.
Even with the torrential rain which increased the water tenfold, the stench and slimy foam persisted. The river was known for being filthier than sewers. The residents didnt go near it. The factories in the industrial park dumped wastewater and chemicals in the water. In the cover of torrential rain, such acts became more frequent. Even the government truck draining human waste dumped the load in the water. Still, compared to the acid lake in the underground world, the rivers water was like ambrosia.
There was a heavy thud. Mussang, who was about to jump into the water, looked back.
Whoa!
His mouth was agape in awe. The collapsing building spectacularly filled his field of view. Even though all the pillars had collapsed, it was only a five-story building spread across 660 square meters which made it quite stable. He didnt expect it to collapse like a house of cards.
Fuck. Neopchi is in the bathroom.
Mussang looked at the river than at the collapsing building. It wasnt just Neopchi. Thirty-seven members from the Pungguk syndicate were still in the building. There could be someone else too. Most thugs died, caught up in the fight, but some were still alive. Even human trash deserved to live.
Mussangs face darkened. He inadvertently caused many deaths. He must be harboring the murderous energy of the entire world. When he touched something, many casualties ensued.
He didnt hesitate for long. Neopchi was but a criminal thug but he was also Mussangs friend now. If someone goes around doing volunteer work without tending to their own family, they were nothing but human trash. Only hypocrites were worried about fire afar without quenching one near. He had some qualms but he could catch Choe Dosik later.
Enjoy that shit water! I took out your arms then legs. Next time, it will be your neck! Take good care of it for me.
His low voice shook the surface. Two hundred meters downstream, Choe Dosiks head breached the surface.
Fucker! I will avenge myself! Tenfold!
Choe Dosik yelled. Just tenfold? I was expecting a hundredfold.
Mussang, who was awaiting the chance, poked the air with his index finger. Shapeless, soundless Finger Wind charged through the space. In Finger Wind, dense energy streaks through the space to hit the target. He named it simply Finger Wind because he couldnt be bothered to give it a fancy name but it had nothing to do with the wind. It didnt need any medium. The presence of air wasnt required for it to be effective. He hadnt measured the speed but it was surely faster than sound.
What?
Choe Dosik, sensing incoming danger, dove down rapidly. The surface rippled slightly when Finger Wind reached into it.
Aaargh!
A desperate scream was heard. In the filthy water, blood rose like smoke. Mussang didnt tarry and turned on his heel and leaped across the air. If he was killed, that was going to be so. If he wasnt, Mussang could kill him later.
He crawled out!
The man who was sitting by the road was Neopchi. He was absent-mindedly staring at the rubble of the building of Pungguk Capital. Mussang let out a sigh of relief. Some people were endowed with the luck that led him out of danger. Neopchi was one of them. This kind of person was immune to bad luck. They were instinctively adept at preserving themself.
Mussang hesitated again. When one gets rid of the weed, one had to unroot it. If one didnt, leaves would sprout from the roots again. He was still thinking of Choe Dosik and how he could have ended him right there. If he started tracking him again now, was he going to be able to catch him? Choe Dosik was a ninja. He was an expert at hiding and fleeing. Since the golden time had already passed, the prospect of catching him again even if Mussang resumed chasing was unlikely. More than that, he didnt want to go near the smelly river again.
Oh well. He may cower in fear for seven years or so like I did. I will one day unroot the lair of the ninjas.
Mussang gave up on Choe Dosik like the fox gave up on the grapes. Between Choe Dosik and Subject 37, the tables have turned. It was Choe Dosiks turn to suffer from trauma. Mussang was now free from his. That was a great gain.
Due to the failed curse casting, he was aging at an accelerated rate. He lost one of his legs. He sustained heavy internal injuries. He may not recover his previous power ever again. Mussang had confirmed that he was just one of the opponents, not some insurmountable foe. Now he witnessed the limit in his power. He had nothing more to fear. Neopchi, are you hurt? Mussang! Neopchi jumped. He was worried sick about Mussangs safety. Even a superhuman like him could be lost in such an explosion and collapse.
Are you all right?
Mussang!
Neopchis eyes became teary. Mussang was worried about him too, apparently. He was touched and moved. His sinuses hurt. He didnt know someone was going to be able to rival Mussang. He cowered in abject fear in the bathroom. The ensuing explosions, screams, gunfire, limbs scattered across the floor, burnt dead bodies, etc. If it were not for Mussang, he was going to be killed ten times and more. Mussang!
Neopchi knelt and cried like a calf that rejoined its mother. He was overcome with emotion. When he left his hometown after committing a grave mistake, his mother had given him a firm embrace, saying, I trust you.
Mussang, who he had considered an incarnated god, now felt like his own mother. He had spent his years punching and cursing people. No one ever asked him if he was all right. No one but his mother. Why did he live like that?
I am sorry, Mother!
He had forgotten about his mother who must be worried sick in his hometown. A decade he had spent as a thug melted away in hot tears. Dont be melodramatic and report. Why are your clothes wet?
Mussang grinned. He understood what Neopchi was feeling. Even the most cold-hearted person, once shaken by unbearable fear, seeks to retrieve a happy memory to console themself.
Pieces of iron pierced the bathroom door. I was so scared, I was hiding in a tub. Then bullets started coming in. One of them broke the faucet. I couldnt move even though the water was filling the tub. Then a bomb blasted the door then through the open door, flame and debris started coming in. I felt like I was going to die. Then it was silent. I crawled out of the bathroom to see the building completely destroyed. There are body after body, all torn up and burnt. The building was still being shaken so I only took the valuables with me and came out. The building collapsed not long after that.
Neopchi, still in a state of panic, didnt realize he was speaking in a dialect. If Samsik found out, he was going to discipline him.
You said you were in a tub filled with water?
Chapter 579 - Chapter 53 Episode 1 Connections
Mussang genuinely marveled. The walls of the bathroom and the thick door couldnt shield from a high explosive. It must have been divine intervention for a fragment to break the faucet. The tub filled with water must have shielded Neopchi from debris, shrapnel, fragments, flame, and energy waves. Otherwise, he would have been turned into soup and barbecued flesh. His ancestors must have been looking out for him.
A lucky one!
Mussang muttered. A lucky one?
Neopchi listened to Mussang attentively. He was always determined to listen to everything Mussang, the great one, had to say.
The universe looks out for you. It is someone like you who gets lucky continuously. Thats great! I shall buy a lottery ticket first thing tomorrow. Since I am a lucky one, I shall be able to find Ms. Gim soon.
Mussang stared at Neopchi who looked happy. Neopchi wasnt educated and had a hard life yet he had a pure side and he was loyal to his friends. The bear didnt turn into a human because she was smart. She could be human thanks to her patience and tenacity. Neopchi would wholeheartedly help him find his mother, not because of the money Mussang would pay but because of his good-heartedness and sincerity.
Neopchi, move into Eungsimje tomorrow. I will give you one of the outhouses. Found the headquarters for finding Gim Malsun. Use any much manpower as you would need.
Are you sure?
Neopchi jumped ecstatically. He didnt even realize that he responded without asking for permission to do so.
Eastern Swordsman does not say vain words.
Mussang grinned.
I am sorry. I didnt realize. I will be loyal to
you.
Neopchi bowed deeply. To be Mussangs subordinate was what he had been dreaming of. If he was going to be a tail, he needed to be that of a dragon. He had already realized that Gim Malsun was Mussangs family. It was a thugs hunch.
Neopchi gritted his teeth. He was determined to find Gim Malsun, whether by calling every number in the phone book, directly searching the inns along the shoreline, or visiting all the restaurants around the area.
Neopchi was an onion farmer in his hometown. He dropped out of high school. He only knew how to land a good punch. Despite that, his mother must have been praying for him to the spirits. He met an extraordinary person and now he had a bright future. The lucky one continued to be lucky. What is that?
Neopchi had brought three bags with him. The traveling backpack and the Boston bag were from Bak Gichung. He had gifted it to them voluntarily. Neopchi emptied the contents of the large fishing bag. There were three wakizashi, 10 shurikens, two tomahawks, an iron pipe, a sashimi blade, and Muramasa whose tip was broken off.
I should be able to pay for the food that goes into my gob to contribute to your business.
Neopchi smiled shyly. The weaponry that was from the bag remained proof of Mussangs legendary power. First, he had escaped the building with only the money bag. Then he went back in and brought the weapon bag too. He barely evaded being buried alive but it was said that you only live once. You are quite economical. You will do well no matter what you do.
Mussang clucked his tongue. For Neopchi to consider selling the weaponry when he was on the verge of being killed, he must have some four-dimensional thought process.
I have heard that often since I was young. Look at this. The tip is gone but it is a great sword. If I sell this to Samsik, he will give me at least 1,000,000 won.
Neopchi picked up Muramasa and scrutinized it. Even the uninitiated could see that it was a great sword.
Dont attempt anything foolish. That sword is haunted by countless spirits full of grudges. If Samsik owns that sword, his days will not extend for much longer. You cannot use a Japanese sword either.
I see.
Neopchi lowered his head, disheartened. When the time comes, I shall fashion you a tool that will suit you.
I see. Thank you.
Neopchis mood brightened up quickly. He was quite simple-minded.
Dont tell anyone about that.
Of course. I didnt see anything today. I wasnt even here. I have a surefire alibi.
Even Neopchi could read the air. It was not an ordinary incident. The building collapsed and 37 Pungguk thugs and four Japs were buried in the rubble. About ten of them were buried alive. There may be unaccounted-for victims. It was a sensational incident. A real man resulted in a real incident.
Hes a real man!
Neopchis eyes gazing at Mussang resembled those of Ombuti. The four Japs were great masters, worthy of being featured in a wuxia novel. When Mussang decimated them at once, he was thrilled and almost jizzed in his pants. When the ghostly old man and Mussang fought, the sounds alone indicated that it was not a fight between humans. Neopchi got to witness the making of history. He was already hyped to gossip about this. Yet he was just ordered to keep silent. This was tragic.
Mussang gazed at the building that was not a heap of concrete rubble. It was quite an incident. He came here to settle Gim Gitaeks debts. Inadvertently, he caused the Pungguk Capitals building to collapse and its people to be killed along with the Japs.
An innocent bus driver was sacrificed too. The bus, crushed by the building, became as flat as a hotcake. The taillights were still blinking. Mussang was determined to live as Mussang in his hometown, quietly. That resolve was short-lived. As Bonipas said, he was a living natural disaster.
He looked up at the sky. The half-moon was approaching the western horizon. The chicken porridge that Jinsun prepared was likely cold now. The young radishes must have lost their freshness by now. His clothes were a mess too. His jacket and jeans were in tatters as if slashed by a lunatic. Several holes made by flame sparks revealed the skin underneath. Also, he was covered in a lot of blood. If he went home like this, there was going to be some telling off.
Mussang, why isnt the police here yet? There were a lot of explosions and flames. Normally, they would be swarming by now.
Neopchi wondered. Yeah. I think it is odd too. Are they on a strike?
That was an absurd prospect. They were in Korea, not France. Under the stern military regime, no public worker could ever go on a strike. Mussang, didnt you tell me to scout that building over there?
I did.
Mussang clapped his forehead. He had told Neopchi to investigate the barracks surrounded by tall walls. Because of the Japs and Choe Dosik, he had completely forgotten about it.
They are involved in some shady business. Dont you think they all ran off? Rumor has said for a long time that the Pungguk are involved in organ and human trafficking.
Even if they did, there would still be their trace. I shall investigate the place.
Mussang, who was about to leap, listened closely. A police car with its siren on was approaching them. Lets go! Shit flies are swarming in. Tomorrow, you will find out who the bus driver was. He was only working a night shift to earn some more money. I will surely avenge him. Tsk, tsk.
Mussang clucked his tongue and turned on his heel. He had already confirmed that there was no life sign within the concrete rubble. He was not to stay here for a long time. Neopchi quickly held the bags and followed him. He couldnt hear anything but if Mussang said so, it was so. Only after quite some time had passed since the Citro?n left the scene, police cars started gathering at the site.
Mussang, like a thief, jumped over a wall, turned into smoke, and seeped into the basement. Kkamdung, sprawled on a treasure mat, glanced at him and resumed the comfortable posture.
Hey, the homeowner. You are not a middle school student anymore. You shouldnt be fighting like that!
Kkamdung clucked his tongue like an old man. Indeed, he was one since he was 150,000,000 years old.
Huh?
Mussang was dumbfounded. He never expected to be reprimanded by a leopard in his life. Stay safe. Even if you are the strongest man in the world, you cannot possibly rival all the evil in the world. First, you shall think of a way to evade Gyesuns nagging. You shouldnt be trouble for Jinsun.
Kkandung turned over and added. Mussang was awestruck, mouth agape. Momentarily, he thought Kkamdung must be the one to inherit Teachers temple. Ssamdi, also, became monk-like in a short period. Kkandung followed suit. Mussang didnt know if Teacher was extraordinary, if Buddhism itself was transformative, or his two friends were born with hidden Buddhist aptitude. Also, when did Kkamdung acclimatize to Jinsun? Ssamdi was sort of Edels fanboy. Kkandung became Jinsuns.
I never expected to be advised by a leopard in my life. This is absurd.
Mussang washed off the bloodstains and changed into clean clothes. As Kkamdung said, if the five sisters ever caught glimpse of that, there was going to be a mess. Gyesuns nagging was quite frightful but the fastidious Yeonsun and freakishly intuitive Jinsun were on another level. In the manor, there were three beings far scarier than Choe Dosik.
Mussang, who was headed to his quarters, flinched. The shadow sitting on the foundation stone in front of his quarters couldnt be anyone else than Jinsun. She used to wait for him just like that when he was a student.
You scared me!
Mussang, I know you fought with some cult leader.
Are you a psychic?
Jinsun forcefully led Mussang inside.
I know you. If you felt like you should change into new clothes to come home, you must have been through a mess with your long-term nemesis.
You are scarier than Choe Dosik.
Be quiet. Own up. Are you hurt?
I have a little hole in my side.
Jinsun looked under Mussangs clothes. The wound made by the shuriken had already almost faded. Jinsun was visibly relieved.
What happened to Choe Dosik?
I spared his life. I only took out one of his ankles and probably an eye too. But I had to let him go. Oh well. You should have been more careful.
Jinsun was visibly disappointed. Choe Dosik was the embodiment of evil. If Mussang had to let him go, he must have had a reason. But it was still disappointing. But Jinsun was content that Mussang came home safe and sound.
Dont you worry in the least? He wasnt as strong as I expected. From this day on, he will suffer from nightmares. He will fear that I may ambush him at any moment.
Jinsun calmly gazed at Mussangs eyes as he boasted. Her eyes teared up. Mussang, promise me one thing. That you will not die before I do.
I promise!
Mussang was touched. Jinsun was saying that she was okay with him being injured but he still needed to be careful not to die. She meant that she wont be able to overcome the grief. Mussang pulled Jinsun close and held her tight.
I promise. I will never die before you do, Jinsun.
Jinsun pulled Mussangs head close and placed it on her lap. She had numerous questions but didnt ask any. Loves history is not made with words but touch. Love began and ended with touch.
The heft of Mussangs head turned to the equal weight of love. If love were a game, it was said that the one who loves more was the losing party. That was a very stupid thing to be said around. Love was not a contract or transaction. What was there to exchange? Love was not a game but a story.
Mussang, I went to Minas school today.
Jinsun changed the topic.
What happened?
Mina beat up some boys who teased her for being from the countryside.
She did well.
Mina is acting like a mischievous boy because you are lenient like this! There were two boys and one of them had a father who is a prosecutor.
A prosecutor? Yeah. A superintendent at the Daegu Prosecutors Office.
And?
One of his lackeys came to school and raged. He threatened to prosecute Minas guardians. Her homeroom teacher was frightened.
He is asking for some battering. What is the prosecutors name?
I glimpsed at the student card and it said Gim
Dalsu.
Gim Dalsu?
Mussang, who was enjoying the bouncy feel of Jinsuns thighs, sat up abruptly. Jinsun pressed firmly on his forehead to make him lie down again. Mussangs memory synapsed made several connections. There were many Gim Dalsus in Korea but few Gim Dalsus who were prosecutors. There could be only one ill-tempered Gim Dalsu who worked at the Daegu Prosecutors Office.
(You are a filthy wretch. Dont ever think that six months of jail time cleared your name. I will send you to Cheongsong. I will show you how powerful a prosecutor is.)
On the day Mussang was released on probation, Gim Dalsu had babbled such words. His smirk and the foul stench from his mouth were still vivid in Mussangs memory. He had to restrain his trembling fists from punching Gim Dalsus face outright.
Haha, Gim Dalsu! I will show you the power of Eastern Swordsman.
Mussang muttered. He told him to show the power of a prosecutor. Mussang was going to show him the power of the Eastern Swordsman.
Do you know him?
I do. I know him well. Hahaha!
Jinsun flinched. She smelled the incoming bloodbath.
Is he one of the
Jinsun figured it out right away. Gim Dalsu must have been one of the people who made Mussangs life hell. Is there going to be a typhoon? My stacked-up connections to people are being cleared one by one.
Mussang closed his eyes and muttered. There is no real coincidence in the world. Could this be a hunch? Something big was about to happen. Mussang feasted on a basinful of chicken porridge and Jinsuns proper ginseng chicken soup then fell asleep. Jinsun had made the same soup five times. Even Samsik could never expect to be treated with such effort.
The next morning, Gim Gitaek and Ms. Yang, holding the debt settlement receipt, cried with joy. They had suffered hell for three years just because they resorted to a loan sharks help. They didnt know what strings Mussang pulled but they were finally out of hell. These pieces of paper could hurl someone into hell then haul them out at once.
Thank you, Mussang. I do not know how I shall replay this favor. Gim Gitaek and Ms. Yang stood and bowed. Jinsun grinned widely. Mussang had gone through some hassle just to return some semblance of hope to Yeonghuis family.
Chapter 580 - Episode 2 Connections
A favor? It is not. I am also lending you. Jinsun, bring me a pen.
Mussang gave and received.
I see!
Jinsun turned back, still grinning luminously. She had asked Mussang on the day of the housewarming. Why was he pouring tremendous amounts of money into a desert for total strangers?
[A human life barely lasts a hundred years. It doesnt matter who I am but how I live. We already know how we shall live. The Buddha, Jesus, and other visionaries showed by the example of their lives. One of the most pathetic existences in the world is to be a fake monk who is obsessed with Buddhist adages and wastes years pondering them. If you live like the Buddha, you will be the Buddha. No amount of meditation and adage-pondering will get you there. To live like the Buddha is to console a tired soul and to house a tired body. If you yell a Buddhist adage to a person on the edge of a rock cliff, ready to jump, will they respond? If the Jewish people entered Canaan after years of wandering in the wilderness, will their strife come to an end? No. Utopia literally means a place that exists nowhere. Life itself is strife. The place it takes place shouldnt make much of a difference. Then what shall humans live for? Hope. Humans live for hope. Hope dilutes the ordeal of reality and empowers them to live. People dont live to be happy. People feel happy to live. Happiness and hope are like mirrored images. You feel those emotions through others. If you make someone smile, that smile turns into your happiness.]
When he had finished talking and grinned, Jinsun felt a sudden pang of fear. She feared that Mussang would turn into a magical hermit and be gone on a storks back. Dubaiburupa! The foreigners had referred to him with that name. They genuinely loved and followed Mussang.
Many families like Yeonghuis regained hope thanks to the Pungguk syndicate, the evil loan shark, being dismantled. With hope, happiness naturally followed. That man who smiled playfully with an unassuming face was Dubaiburupa who sowed hope and gathered happiness. He was her man whom she loved more than her own life. Jinsuns heart, also, was filled with happiness.
Mussang held out the debt settlement receipt and pen to Gim Gitaek as indifferently as an innkeeper handing a receipt to a guest.
I will sign it! I have some face left.
Gim Gitaek, with a bright face, signed and stamped the document without even reading it. Mussang had paid his tremendous debts. Considering it as borrowing from Mussang was the least he could do. Mussang had relieved the burden on his heart as well. Could there be any young man as righteous and thoughtful as him? Gim Gitaek had never felt as much intense happiness filling up his heart as he signed a loan contract.
Borrowed Amount: 6,000,000 won (six hundred won)
Effective Date: August 28th, 1986
Repayment Date: August 27th, 1996
Repayment Method: installments over seven years starting after three years have passed since the Effective Date
Annual Interest Rate: 10 percent Interest Payment Method: to pay a twelfth of the annual interest at the end of each month
Special Considerations: In case of failure of payment, the borrowing party shall pay with labor. The rates will follow that of a field leader in Novatopia
The borrowing party had borrowed the aforementioned amount on the above conditions
Gyesun, stealing a glimpse at the document,
said.
What are special considerations? It is basically saying that Mr. Gim doesnt need to pay any interest and just live in the outhouse. Gyesun!
Mussang, caught in his attempt at generosity, laughed. It was not troublesome at all. The vast manor had many outhouses. If there were few residents, the space would feel creepy. With Mr. Gims family living together with them here, there would be a pleasant, bustling ambiance. It would be quite joyous to watch them regain their former happiness too.
What?
Gim Gitaek reread the text of the contract. It was as the young woman said. It insinuated that Mussang would consider household chores as interest payment.
Well!
Gim Gitaek tried to subdue his hotly welling-up eyes with shy laughter. In the world was an evil wretch like Gang Minseok and also a bodhisattva like Bak Mussang. He felt a sudden urge to labor hard for him.
Why did the loan sharks give up so easily? They are tenacious and
Gim Gitaek, overcome with emotion, couldnt finish his sentence.
I persuaded them. Then they burned the contract and documents in the safe at once. They were quite nice than expected. What?
Gim Gitaek and Ms. Yangs mouths were agape in awe. If the evil leech Gang Minseok and the loan sharks could ever be qualified as nice, there would be no real nice people left in the world.
How does that make sense?
Maybe they suddenly wanted to be the Buddha.
Mussang continued to grin. They were better off not knowing. The five sisters giggled and Gim Gitaek kept muttering to himself and shook his head. He was beginning to understand what Mussang meant when he said he persuaded them.
Yeongji, returning from school, yelped in joy. The handsome bachelor had resolved their debts. Now she never had to see the smelly thugs ever again.
I love you, Mussang! Yeongji hugged Mussang and kissed him on the cheek. Behave!
Yeonsun smacked the back of Yeongjis head. Gyesun dragged her away.
Yeonghui, I am afraid of these sisters.
Yeongji, they spared your life this time. Even I get smacked when I hit on Mussang. You dare not. The first rule of living in Eungsimje, do not ever hit on Mussang physically. Do you get
it?
I get it.
Yeongji nodded frantically at the honest threat. The eldest, Jinsun was always quiet. But the second and third sisters were tougher than most men. However, Yeongji had something else to be surprised at.
Neopchi brought five lackeys and entered the front gate. Jinsun, informed in advance brought them to an outhouse. Neopchi dropped a hefty fishing bag onto the ground. It was the weaponry he had collected yesterday. Mussang, I brought them! Yeah, hand it to Yeonsun.
Neopchi hauled the bag onto the wide wooden floor and took out the tools inside. Tomahawks, iron pipes, sashimi blades, handaxes, chains, swords, and shurikens were brought out one by one. Those were the weapons the Japanese and Pungguk thugs wielded. Gim Gitaeks family gasped at the deadly weapons but the five sisters were indifferent. They were used to seeing such objects.
Mussangs instincts were always on point. Every thug was punished and their weapon confiscated. The same with the burglars in the streets. Mussang, due to his distasteful experience being framed, developed a habit to collect and keep evidence. He was going to submit them in case the punished thug ever sued him.
It was Yeonsuns job to label and organize the weapons. She simply wrote the date, location, name, and a brief description of what happened on the label. The storage for miscellaneous items at the corner of the living room was the armory. In the space, every item that had the remotest possibility to be used as a weapon was stored. Some even had blood and hair still clung to it.
Look, you are quite broad-shouldered. Wash this for me.
Yeonsun, collecting the weapons, hurled the bloody iron pipes and axes to Neopchi.
Yes, mlady.
Neopchi brought the bloody weapons to the outdoor faucet where the water was pressurized.
You shouldnt be washing the evidence.
Mussang complained.
Mussang, you are being silly. No one would ever retaliate. No one would dare come near our house.
Because Mussang routinely confronted thugs and criminals, there was a heap of weapons in the storage room. Yeonsun, who had to smell blood every time, was quite stressed out about the whole thing. She had asked Jinsun to discourage Mussang but she only laughed.
Then sell it all to a used iron collector.
What are you even saying? He will call the police at once. These are loan sharks. Even their weapons are as wretched as their owners. They should have stuck to sashimi blades only. Iron pipes are quite a laughing matter.
Yeonsun hurled the various weapons into a big box and slammed the door shut. Those were not the words a young woman in her early twenties would commonly say. Having heard of Yeonsuns complaints and charismatic personality, Ms. Yang and her two daughters faces paled. The girls started to hiccup with speed.
Yeonsun, please take kindly to me.
Neopchi bowed 90 degrees. For him to be at ease, the favor of the maidens was necessary. Among the five sisters, Yeonsun was in charge of morale. If it were the military, she was like being tasked with comms duties. It will depend on how you behave.
I brought you a pig.
Neopchi smiled shyly and pointed at the Pony he drove here. Before Yeonsun had time to answer, Yeonghui and Yeongji went, opened the trunk, and moved the pork to the kitchen. It was quite an odd sight for two young girls to move heavy meat like that.
Are they high?
Mussang wondered. Yeonghui and Yeongji used to be resigned and only did the chores you told them to do. Now, they actively sought things to do. It was a good thing to happen. Humans are used to collective living. If they got used to a collective living here, maybe it was going to be good for their mental health. Mussang postponed the thought to call Dr. Giz. He hadnt seen the subtle smile across Yeonsuns lips. Evolutionary biology was not always right. Yeonghui and Yeongji, before they had time to adapt to a collective living, had to tiptoe around to not slight Yeonsun.
Mussang, I would like to see the great monk today.
You went through hell. Rest more.
No. Thanks to you, we have been rescued. The girls are going to school again. My husband is preparing to open a store. I shall do what I need to do. You told me that the aged great monk is living alone without anyone to tend to him.
Ms. Yang pointed at her packed luggage. She was eager to leave now.
What is your husband preparing to do? He will buy a Porter and sell toast and hot buns filled with sweet red bean paste. He will need to sell anything, even water or dirt, to pay back your favor.
He will do well. Then let us go.
Mussang nodded. Gim Gitaek had a strong spirit. He once had more than a hundred employees. For him to fall to his current state must have been taxing for his heart. The only thing he could do now was to observe him.
Why is Teacher out the door? That doesnt happen often.
When the Citro?n turned a corner on a mountain road, Mussangs eyes widened. The short-statured monk was leaning against a pillar and whistling. Recognizing the song, Mussang couldnt help but smile. He was whistling Only the Dandelion aptly and masterfully. He still retained his childlike aspect. But Mussang had somehow a bad feeling.
How come you came out here to welcome
me?
Who would go through all that hassle for you? You are tainted by the cruel fate and all the kissings in the mundane world!
Priest Daeu shouted. The atmosphere grumbled.
I have a guest!
Mussang was astonished by sudden Psychokinesis.
People eat pork today. Greet properly.
The wild-spinach staff tapped the top of Mussangs head.
Ouch!
Mussang feigned pain, grasping his air, and scanned Teachers face.
He is quite angry? Is his TV broken? What did he mean by the cruel fate of the mundane world?
Mussang had no idea that the Teacher was angry because of him. From Priest Daeus perspective, his student who failed right at the threshold of enlightenment could only be seen as a failure.
see
Teacher, have you been well?
Mussang bowed on the ground. The staff tapping had some attitude to it today. His head was ringing. Mussang, for an old monk-like me to whistle Only the Dandelions, do you think I have been well? Well, I have been somewhat well thanks to you. I am riding a Harley and blaring tunes on highways. It is quite a good fate for a monk.
Priest Daeu lamented. Mussang, always quick with his hunches, had already read Teachers sentiments from his choice of the song. A direct apology was the best policy here.
Teacher, I also seek to inherit the temple. I have never forgotten it. I am doing my best every day. You should take care of your health. If I am not up to your standards, maybe one of my children will. You should be able to oversee
it all.
You never train your soul but your tongue! I eat well, release well, and walk around well. You have brought a beautiful bodhisattva here. You must have realized that I was growing lonely during the long nights here. I am finally seeing some astuteness in you, who have always been quite dumb!
Priest Daeus face softened quickly. If Mussangs child inherited his temple, that was also quite auspicious. Teacher, please think of your face. She is one of my acquaintances. She will tend to the temples chores. Sister, say hello.
Ms. Yang, who was awestruck in the conversation between a student and his teacher, which was quite beyond the scope of this realm, flinched.
Dear great monk, my name is Yang Mija. I dont quite have fortunes favors. When I was suffering, your student helped me out of it. I will tend to you well.
Priest Daeu gazed at the middle-aged woman who politely joined her hands together with merciful eyes. The woman exuded sincerity and sophistication. But there was a certain shadow remaining in her being.
How can a persons eyes look that kind?
Ms. Yang glanced at Priest Daeu and felt her heart melt in kindness. The old monks eyes had purity in them like an infant childs. They also had immense reserves of kindness.
You have quite a good-natured demeanor. You are not to be led to a shabby temple like this. You are temporarily tampered with by evil forces. I wonder if it was Mussangs fault?
Chapter 581 - Episode 3 Connections
There are too many such people in Korea. I only disciplined the greediest and rudest specimens.
Why does my heart flinch when you say discipline?
The summer has passed. You shall eat hot food and warm your back on a heated floor. Ms. Yang is a devout Buddhist and quite adept at attending to chores. She will tend to the temples needs well.
Mussang quickly changed the topic. He didnt intend it but several dozens of lives ended up being buried. If the Teacher ever knew of the incident, he was going to make Mussang recite Buddhist scriptures for a whole day.
Where do connections come? The ancient people said they come from the west. The breadwinner of a family is the pillar and beams of the said family. Peace within a family is only possible thanks to the breadwinners sacrifice and endeavor. You shall treat them well. If the breadwinner falls, so does the family. If you forget this and dont even make them breakfast, you shall also fall like someone.
Teacher!
Mussang yelled. Priest Daeu, who had gone off on a tangent, glanced at Ms. Yang and quickly changed the topic.
Connections follow emotions. Emotions follow connections. That is how this world works. Bodhisattva, you do not need to be concerned about tending to the temple that much. You can just enjoy the stay at ease. You met my student due to the virtues you accumulated in your past life. The demon who possessed your world will be flushed away like a wall made of dirt in a flood. In the temple, there may not be worldly pleasures but an abundance of clear wind and clean air. Do not worry about anything at all and just tend to your hurt heart. Namu Amita Buddha!
Priest Daeus face turned gentle like cotton candy and words tender like a spring breeze. Ms. Yangs face was filled with respect and adoration. Both the teacher and the student had a knack for charming people.
Thank you. I only have gratitude. The unfortunate woman without a roof in the entire world, graced by your goodwill, had her heart cleansed. I wish the infinite grace of the Buddha to stay with you and your student forever! Namu Amita Buddha!
Ms. Yang kept bowing. It is said a tiger begets a tiger. After meeting the great monk, she understood the magnanimity of Mussang.
The first emotion coming to a failed businessman is a shame. When their fortune leaves, so do their reputation. When poverty enters the front gate, love flees through the window. Shame fills the absence of recognition and love.
When even shame gets washed away, purged from ones conscience, the second guest, separation comes. Their partner leaves and so do their children. A poet once sang, Poverty does not negate love but there were different degrees of poverty. The difference between a poor one and an impoverished one was the same as the difference between real fruit juice and fruit-scented water. The sturdy love of a middle-aged couple also gets tested by the bitterness of reality like a piece of fish on a cutting board. Maybe Ms. Yang did accumulate great virtues in her past life. Before separation could come, Mussang came into their life. It must have been the Buddhas grace.
Ms. Yang entered the drafty kitchen. Priest Daeu and Mussang went up to the sanctum.
Sit.
Mussang cautiously knelt on the mat.
Lets have a look.
Priest Daeu covered the top of Mussangs head with both hands and closed his eyes. It is gone! The persistent seed of strife is gone. You missed your chance to be enlightened but you had some positive outcomes. That is quite auspicious!
I jump from hell to hell. What could ever be auspicious? I only had some of my hearts burden relieved.
Huh. You act like a monk now. That is auspicious. Tell me about it.
His wrinkled face bloomed into a big grin. As a teacher, he was more than ecstatic to see that the persistent seed of evil was gone that even resisted his supernatural powers. Mussang briefed him about how he saved and brought Gim Gitaeks family to safety, how he entered an awakening state in the middle of a conversation, the birth of Garuda, and the fight with Choe Dosik.
Those events are quite auspicious. You may have to be a great evil to discipline evil but please be merciful toward life. Every living being has a reason to live.
I will remember that.
Namu Amita Buddha!
Priest Daeu closed his eyes and recited mantras for a while. Ssamdi stood between life and death. Kkamdung whose origin was unknown. The enigmatic Garuda. The mysterious monster Dino. The world-flipping beings flocked to his student.
He couldnt see Mussangs future with his spiritual eye because Mussangs original soul was bigger than his own. A little bit of enlightenment could never match an asuras power. When powerful beings gathered, there was always a corresponding reason. The world was going to be turned upside down. The only remaining connection he had in the mundane world brought darkness to his mind.
Asuras are known as gods of destruction but they are an ancient warring tribe. The king of asuras is called the King of asuras. Garuda is a direct subordinate to the King of asuras. It means that you are Sura-King. When powerful beings gather, the order of Vishnu is shaken. It is no use telling whether it is good or bad. Namu Amita Buddha!
Teacher, what is this made of?
Mussang took out the Gorgon, Choe Dosiks weapon, and handed it to Priest Daeu.
That thing is filled with murderous intent!
Priest Daeu wielded it lightly. The jade contribution box caught in its path was sliced open. It was one of the most expensive Buddhist items in the space but it was of no use in this particular temple because no one ever contributed anything to it.
Priest Daeu continued.
I have no idea. There wouldnt be any sturdier and sharper item in the world than this. Also, it is infused with an evil spell.
Priest Daeu caressed the hammer. It screeched and blue smoke rose from the blade. Priest Daeu waved the smoke into a ball. He then tossed the candy-sized smoke ball into his mouth and swallowed.
It must be Japanese. The energy is salted lightly.
Priest Daeu burped exaggeratedly and returned the hammer to Mussang. With the spell removed, the blade turned from black to silver.
You underhandedly use me for your chores. Now you wont be tracked and your soul wont be invaded either. I am just in awe with Choe Dosiks evil intent.
Do you mean he intentionally left the Gorgon to me? He was going to utilize it later.
That sounds like him.
Mussang nodded. Choe Dosik was an expert at harming people. He was surely prone to using such a trick. Now he could gift it to Neopchi safely.
Did Choe mention Puppet Awakening?
Yes. He was acting crazy, wondering why the seed of the puppet was not responding. It was quite comical, haha.
Mussang giggled. It was quite funny to see Choe Dosik be disheartened after yelling Wake up, Puppet! several times.
miles.
It was not a laughing matter. He is inherently evil. My teacher, a hundred years ago, went to the Honshu island in Japan to weed out the teachers of the evil arts. He entered the afterlife before he could finish that task. That is why there are still ones like Choe Dosik. Teachers teacher?
Mussang, I also had to learn all I know. My teacher was wary of Japan across the ocean more than China. I am hell-bent on a student inheriting my temple because that was also my teachers will.
Do you want me to take down and eliminate Japan?
No. The flow of the world has its reasons. The rise and fall of nations also depend on it. If you interfere with it, you will be caught in a repulse.
What is Puppet Awakening? Choe Dosik must have been counting on the spell.
He must have been. It is a spell developed by the engineers of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The seed of the puppet is a marble made by the chemicals extracted from Arhopala japonicas caterpillar which are then treated with spells. It is planted in the victims brainstem. If the caster recites a spell of a certain frequency, the seed responds and awakens. When the victims brain is corrupted, they become a puppet only responding to the casters biddings.
Is such a thing possible?
It sounded absurd. Mussang was aware of the existence of spells and witnessed some himself but this sounded far-fetched. How could anyone turn on and off the intricate thought processes of a human being?
It is. In western Japan, there is a vast valley rivaling that of Huangshan, China. The butterflies native to the area, Arhopala japonica, secrete peculiar chemicals when they are caterpillars. Attracted by the chemicals sweet scent, ants consume them and had their brain subdued and their dopamine levels suppressed. With reduced dopamine, they lose memory and curiosity and could only focus on the task at hand. The affected ant protects the caterpillar until they die, continuing to consume the chemicals. Someone influenced by Puppet Awakening is just the same. They lose their memories and curiosity. They only heed the bidding of the caster. You were impervious to it because the auspicious light you emanated when you were in a state of enlightenment eliminated the puppets seed. No one could be more immune to bad luck than you! Haha.
Priest Daeu, having finished the long explanation, chortled. What?
Mussang had goosebumps. His body even resisted the most lethal poison, botulinus. Even the compound poisoned like Cantarella couldnt affect him. It was no surprise that he was immune to minor spells but when a foreign substance directly attacks the brain, it was possible that could lead to a momentary lapse. In a battle where every moment counted, even migraine could prove disastrous. I thought you kept hitting my head for no reason.
My power was not strong enough to remove the puppets seed planted deeply in the brain. I kept hitting it to dislodge it but your skull is quite thick.
I assume all that hitting was loaded with some love too?
Mussang shot a defiant stare at the Teacher. His wild-spinach staff could replace a drill in a construction field.
Hmm!
Priest Daeu cleared his throat. He wanted to deny it but he didnt want to lie to his young student. Did you use Resonance Wave to Choe?
US
onan
Priest Daeu hurriedly changed the topic. If he continued to let Mussang talk, he was going to babble on for a long time. I used it as protection but not offensively or defensively. He was too quick for me to load my blows with energy.
You did great. One of the ancient ninja spells is to absorb the opponents energy and disperse it. In wuxia terms, it would be Energy Absorption. Since you let him go, it is better you didnt reveal your hidden ability.
I crippled him with Finger Wind in the end. A leg and an eye.
Finger Wind? That of Shaolin?
That is more like telekinesis than Finger Wind. Like this.
Mussang opened his hand and flicked it. A big woodblock on a mat flew into his hand. It was ten times bigger than an ordinary woodblock.
You learned another of the evil spells!
Priest Daeu clucked his tongue.
I am sorry. Due to my ineptitude, I stray further away from the Buddhas path every day. I gravitate toward the way of an asura. Mussang scratched the back of his head.
That must be the karma you accumulated as an asura. You shall let it be. Show me.
Mussang rapidly attached his palm to the woodblock then detached it. The movement could not be followed with bare eyes. The opposite side of the woodblock was completely shattered. The side where the palm touched was intact.
Your Resonance Wave has advanced another level. It shall protect you wherever you go.
Haha. Other than your wild-spinach staff, no one would ever be able to harm me. Whether it is Shaolin or Tongbeiquan, they cannot harm me if I dont let them get to me. This is the real
bit.
Mussang held up his index finger and poked the air. The atmosphere vibrated. Of course, it was imagery only seen by Priest Daeus spiritual eye. In the middle of the spiritual rock in front of the sanctum, a hole as deep as the depth of two palms was made. It was the exact spot where Priest Daeu had hurled his woodblock after getting frustrated when he tried to assist Mussangs enlightenment. The rock that weathered dozens of thousand of years kept getting harassed by the ill-tempered teacher and his student.
What?
Priest Daeus eyes widened. It was different from a telekinetic blow.
What was that?
Thats Finger Wind.
It is. Did you feel some tingling in your nerves?
Yes. Up to my butt.
Hahaha. I never expected to witness such a legendary skill with my own eyes.
Priest Daeu burst out laughing, quite out of character.
A legendary skill? How come?
I have only wondered about it and never realized it. The myth says that a monk once blinded an emperor from miles away. I dont know anything further. You shouldnt say you dont know. You discipline us with all kinds of abilities. You are not saying it even if you could.
You continue to run your mouth! The foreign influence has spoiled you. I am but a grain of dust in the vast universe. There is a limit to my knowledge. I am just guessing here but pressure caught in two differently-natured energies must be acting as a projectile.
Like a rail pistol gun?
Yes. Just like an electric eels body evolved into a bionic generator, your body could have been developed into a high-purity superconductor.
Chapter 582 - Episode 4 Connections
The scientific knowledge coming out of Priest Daeus mouth was college-lecture-level. It was not strange. A monk was also a human. Some fake monks defiled temples, had an affair with a female Buddhist, were obsessed with accumulating wealth, or were obsessed with academic or artistic endeavors. Priest Daeu was quite knowledgeable in worldly knowledge. Despite his age, he subscribed to reputable scientific journals from overseas through Mussang.
I get it!
The metaphor of a rail gun helped Mussang understand. The explosive, rough dark energy of sm epimedium. and the pure, natural energy, Resonance Wave, were opposites and could never mix even though they shared the same blood vessels and nerves. If an ordinary human was bestowed with the two energies at the same time, they would not be born but end up as a miscarriage. If the monk Priest Daeu mentioned could use Finger Wind, he was likely also an epimedium.
It is like the shockwave the snapping shrimp uses. It stuns a fish with a single blow.
Was there such an organism in nature? If only it could be enlarged, it would be able to break apart the planet. Use it again.
Priest Daeu firmly closed his eyes. He was seeing through his spiritual eye.
I will.
Resonance Wave charged through like a reservoir whose bank collapsed. The dormant dark energy in Mussang was awakened. The two energies rivaled each other, each increasing their intensity. Mussang unleashed Resonance Wave. In the stacked layers of the energies, Priest Daeu could see the forces of attraction and repulsion.
When the air kept being compressed over and over again, his willpower let go of the force of attraction. Resonance Wave was unleashed. A hole was made in the rock, as thick as a wrist. The secret of the terrible destructive momentum was super-compressed energy, the repulsion between two opposite energies, velocity, and the collaboration of all three.
Whoa!
Priest Daeu marveled. The super-compressed energy, approaching the density of solid metal, surpassed the speed of sound. The incredible momentum made him puff.
You are quite monstrous! I am in awe of your body that can withstand such a process. If an ordinary person ever used such an ability, their body would shatter like glass, unable to withstand the repulsive shockwave. Only a being like you could stomach it. Hahaha!
There was a sad touch to Priest Daeus laughter. As time passed, his student turned more and more monstrous. He intentionally refrained from teaching Mussang the offensive abilities but he learned it elsewhere anyway. What could be done? An asura learned on their own
I cannot use it often. When I use it, I am exhausted for a few seconds. Choe Dosik escaped, taking advantage of that momentary lapse.
Mussang never mentioned that he was reluctant to dive into literally shitty water.
You are expending your entire energy reserves. Finger Wind is akin to the atomic warheads numerously manufactured by the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It can serve as a decisive strike but your body is also harmed in repulse. Even if you seem to be made of literal metal, you will still be affected by accumulated fatigue. Until you can handle it by dispersing the energies, spare the ability.
I will put that to mind.
Your body seems to be sufficiently strong. But what about your mind?
Priest Daeu grinned and touched his students weakness. Mussang, dumbstruck, murmured. He had caused more than 40 souls to be buried but felt barely any reluctance. He felt as though he had just gone to a restaurant for a meal. He could never tell Teacher that killing people felt no different from killing ants.
These days, I realized that I am only myself and I shall not rely upon any external object. Am I headed in the wrong direction?
Mussang asked in a gentle, mawkish tone. No. Is Garuda evil for devouring dragons? Are the Buddhist kings evil for banishing the ghosts? No. It is just what happens. You cannot blame a tiger for eating a lovely rabbit. The conflict and strife between humans is also a matter of course. The path you walk is neither good nor bad. It is just the will of the vast universe and your own. Even when you call a rose a lump of shit, it doesnt become that. Even when you call a lump of shit a rose, it doesnt bear scent. You are you and nothing else.
Ah!
Mussang felt tremendously relieved. The will of the universe and his own. It was so. The good and evil were also just intents. There was only essence. All else was constantly changing.
Can Choe Dosik ever threaten your family?
I have Kkamdung protecting them.
Yeah. His detection skill and teleport ability are quite something. The evil being can never approach your family. I am not in a position to say this as a sloppy monk but if you have a good gun, you do not need to make your fist toil. Avoid fistfighting and handle him from a distance. Your soul is like an ocean but your essence is opposite to the Buddhas. You can embrace clouded and muddy souls but not someone like Choe Dosik, who abandoned his humanity altogether.
I shall put that to mind. Yeah. Be on your way. I seek to spend a night with you in the temple. It has been such a long time. I can scratch your back too!
Read the air! A fine female fellow has just appeared. You just dont want me to hoard her presence. Hell awaits you! Teacher! Lower your voice. She may hear us.
Mussang, startled, glanced back.
Silence. Dont ever pretend you want to sleep with a smelly old man. Before I hit you again, go and make some children.
Priest Daeu held up the half-broken large woodblock.
I am on my way!
Mussang waved away and stood. Priest Daeu grinned. Had he never crossed paths with Mussang, he must be quite lonely now. He may have already left the world. A grin flowered across Mussangs face too. Had he never met a Teacher, his life would have been quite boring.
Dont worry about Ms. Yang. There is no finer place for her to calm her disturbed soul. Send me some money. The minister in Jinpyeong District opened an orphanage but he is quite clumsy at managing it unlike you. He is driven through. The whole thing is quite a mess. I shall feed the children and school them.
Aye.
Mussang bowed and left the temple. No one ever truly figures out the connections. Gim Gitaek, when he exercised mercy upon young Mussang, saved himself in the future. The connection between Yang Misuk and Mussang led Yang Mija to Priest Daeu. It also led Mussang to the orphanage in Jinpyeong District.
The freak monk who enjoys his Harley frequented an orphanage. Yang Mija could tend to her hurt heart thanks to her new connection to a great monk. Yeonghui who came to see her mother a few days later, had all of her mental turmoil fixed with one touch of Priest Daeus Spirit Cleansing. Mussang thus saved Lee Sanghan and Gim Gitaek and paid back the favors they lent him.
There were barracks mere 50 meters away from the building of Pungguk Capital. It was used by the Japanese in the past than by the American soldiers during the Korean War. The legal owner was U Beomseok but it was de facto owned by Choe Dosiks people.
The facilities had an ambiance that was as shadowy as Koreas history. In contrast to the heap of concrete lit by searchlights, thick darkness surrounded the area. The space surrounded by tall walls and a black steel door felt as shady as if haunted by ghosts.
The building near the front gate was the office and room for the special unit members. The special unit, led by U Beomseok, was the lackeys for the Hamon clan. Half of the 20 members of the special units were from a yakuza made of Koreans living in Japan.
With the office at the center, barracks were situated to its left and right. The right building was used by the Pungguk syndicate as a waiting space and the left building was a sickbay. It was only called that and the exact use was known to no one. The strikers led by Jang Yeongpal only handed the debtors who signed the oath of renouncement of bodily rights to the office there and couldnt enter the building itself.
Slightly past early evening, in the waiting space, a shrill scream and a low grumble of threat were heard.
Who are you to hit me?
A teenage girl screamed shrilly.
You poor thing. You violated the rules.
The man with a baseball cap pushed down to his head didnt budge.
What rules? I only came here to participate in a clinical trial, not be hit by a baseball bat. Give me the compensation for the three days I was here. I am going home.
You spout quite some nonsense. Have you been living in the fourth dimension?
The eyes of Baseball Cap glinted with sadistic pleasure. The woman flinched but it was already too late. The black bat slashed the air. It was made by winding rubber rope around a plastic pipe. A sound akin to a face being slapped was heard. I am in a foul mood today. You shouldnt have screamed, bitch.
Baseball Cap kicked the woman sprawled on the floor, unconscious. The woman squirmed but couldnt scream anymore. The merit of such a bat was that it could make for a quite gruesome visual display without really inflicting lethal injuries. A dozen men and women gasped at the horrible sight. No!
A young girl, overcome with fear, broke into sobs.
Shush!
A middle-aged woman covered the childs mouth but it was already too late. Baseball Caps face was soaked with cold-bloodedness and cruelty.
Who was that?
He yelled and wielded the bat. Someone blocked the bat in its path.
I told you that the child is of utmost importance.
The man wearing thick sunglasses held the bat and threatened Baseball Cap.
I am sorry.
Move them quickly. We shall have some drink then. This is some ridiculous hassle.
When Sunglasses left, Baseball Cap wielded the bat threateningly.
Before I eviscerate you, go down now!
The dozen men and women, overcome with extreme fear, ran down the stairs.
Lord, please protect your child!
The middle-aged woman tottered, holding the hand of the young girl.
The indoor space was about 99 square meters wide. On the tea table, beer bottles and various snacks were laden. The faces of the three men sitting on a sofa were as heavy as a rock. The man in his mid-30s, with a Mohawk, was Murai from the Hamon clan. The square-faced man with a rocky build, sitting next to Murai, was U Beomseok, the head of the special unit. The man sitting across them in a suit was unnamed.
Of the six beer bottle on the table, four were still capped. The beer poured in tall glasses had their bubbles disappear long ago. The three men, shone by the fluorescent light, looked as yellow as the beer itself.
Mr. Murai, we need to export the donors within 12 hours.
Three deep wrinkles appeared on Murais forehead. He had heard the same words three times from the suited man. He didnt bother to respond now. Murai looked back at U Beomseok.
No. We have forestalled it but it is quite a huge incident. The ANSP advised that there may be armed North Korean spies related to the explosion in the mountain. South Korea is in a truce, not in peace. It means a great deal for armed spies to appear in the country. The ANSP and police are operating in emergency and soldiers are everywhere. If we ever attempted to escape with the girl, we will get caught at the checkpoint. In our current circumstances, the bribed officers cannot be of much use.
U Beomseok exercised the most patience he could muster and explained the situation to the suited man. To be honest, he wanted to smack him but he was one of their most important clients. He didnt dare face the consequences.
Dumbass!
The suited man grasped his hair with both hands. How could he be this unlucky? He acquired the perfect donor but the circumstances didnt allow for her utilization.
Murai, the client doesnt need to consider your specific circumstances. We paid a sufficient price. You are now obligated to deliver. Thirty million yen is not an ordinary amount. We are ready to proceed.
How much time do we have left? Surely you wouldnt have opened her stomach yet.
Murais words took on an irritated tone.
Language, please.
The suited man glared at Murai. His boss was not to be mentioned by a meager shaman.
I apologize. We are routinely informed by the bribed officers in the prosecutors office and police. We have intel that the ANSP and the prosecutors will search this place tomorrow. We will begin after we handle that.
Great. The donor should be out of here tomorrow. If you deliver her to the port in Busan, we will handle the rest.
The suited man dabbed at his eyes. If he didnt bring the donor to Kyoto in four days, his own life was at peril. Physical fatigue compounded with mental fatigue made his eyeballs sting.
I see. Get some sleep in the resting room. We will do our job.
Please do.
The suited man nagged for the last time and exited the office.
Murai emptied the beer without bubbles and frowned.
Korean beer is trash.
U Beomseok said nothing and smiled.
This is not beer but urine.
Murai complained again and with some frustration and angst, put down the glass on the table. The tails of U Beomseoks eyes moved at the sound. With the suited man gone, Murai was acting up again.
Chapter 583 - Episode 5 Connections
Look at the Japanese lad complaining. Beer without bubbles must taste like piss. Did you expect it to taste good?
U Beomseok, stressed out, swore internally. He had never tasted foreign beer so he didnt know if Korean beer tasted bad in comparison. But even if you hate your wife, you dont take kindly to someone insulting her. He wanted to shower Murai with insults but he was his boss. When your boss complained, you needed to find a solution as a subordinate.
Mr. Murai. Lets switch to Western liquors and toss the lame beer.
U Beomseok pressed the intercoms button.
Have you called?
Even before the bell ringing died down, a man in his mid-20s appeared and bowed 90 degrees. Bring us two bottles of Valentine 30.
Sir, we only have one box of the 30s that is to be sent to the 13th prosecutors office. Can I serve you with the 20s?
Bring them here!
U Beomseok tossed his half-drunk beer glass. The annoyance he felt at Murai found its outlet. The young man stared at the glass but didnt evade it. The glass left a beer stain on the mans clean jean jacket and fell. The man caught the falling glass with his foot and politely set it down on the table. He was shamed but his face didnt flinch. It insinuated that he was no ordinary thug and he belonged to the special unit.
We dont even need to bribe them anymore. If we send a gift to a battlefield, we will only get told off.
U Beomseok addressed him in a kinder tone. Razor was a Korean born in Japan who belonged to the Hamon clan. Even though he belonged to the special unit, U Beomseok couldnt shame him for that reason.
I will be ready.
Razor bowed and entered the pantry.
This is quite unexpected. I dont even have any idea what actually happened. I only lost some men.
U Beomseok held an open beer bottle and drank from it. The building was destroyed but he had taken that in stride. Being a loan shark wasnt really the noblest job around. But it paid well. To rotting carcasses, flies were bound to be attracted. Other hungry syndicates often provoked Pungguk, asking for some profit share. Bak Gichung and Jang Yeongpal werent exactly pushovers, either.
The fight that he had assumed to be quenched soon became more fierce as time passed. The Pungguk syndicate and the special unit were like teeth and lips. He intended to send backup but Murai stopped him. He had said there is a supernatural agent in the building. U Beomseok had nodded. With two such agents, one could even overthrow a nationwide syndicate.
Then a great incident happened. Bombs exploded and the building collapsed. The Pungguk syndicate was now done for. The supernatural agent also fled. Two from the special unit sent on a scouting mission, never returned. It happened right before his nose but he had no intel whatsoever. He didnt know who the ambushing party was. He didnt know what happened in the building. He didnt know how many were killed. The welfare center had some issues to be resolved as well. He had no time or attention for the neighbor.
Mr. Murai, are you sure about delivering the
girl?
U Beomseok picked up the missing persons ad on the table and waved it. On the ad were printed the text that read: Child Missing and a black-and-white photo of a cute girl wearing a onesie skirt.
The press hadnt yet caught a whiff of the explosion last night. But the city and its outskirts were covered with police officers and soldiers. He was not sure if he could deliver the child to Busan through the checkpoints with all these flyers spread across the city. He was feeling anxious about Murais promise.
Mr. U, if we were in Japan, things wouldnt be handled this sloppily. The Japanese Cultural Institute in Busan was mobilized. They bribed up every rough corner. Koreans are very efficient when they are bribed. They become like Shinkansen.
Murai said matter-of-factly like saying This table has four legs. Fucker. Even your esteemed supernatural agent had his ass handed to him.
U Beomseok, unlike his inner monologue, heaved sighs on the outside. He had no retort to what Murai said. Almost everyone in upper positions was bribed by them. He felt a pang of uneasiness.
Mr. U, let the cultural institute handle these matters. We have our job at hand. Have you finished clearing the warehouse?
Dont worry. We only spared conventional medical equipment and swept up the rest and tossed them in the basement. We welded shut the entrance door and built a wall behind it. No one would be able to infiltrate it.
U Beomseok assured him. The police came for a look around a while ago. They were bribed, of course. Gim Dalsu would handle Prosecutor Bak Byeonggyu and Detective Bulldog Chu Busik but he was not to be completely trusted.
What about the feed crusher?
It is quite a big piece of equipment. We buried it in the backyard and planted a tree on top of
it.
Did you handle the waiting participants? We told them to keep their mouths shut.
Told?
Murais eyes shot up.
The ones who signed the contract of renouncement of bodily rights are locked up in the basement. The participants in the clinical trials are in the living quarters.
No. They must be locked up in the basement too.
Murai glared at U Beomseok.
They have no evidence. Do we really need to do that? If there are no one around, that will rouse suspicion more.
nit
U Beomseok looked at Murai with incredulous eyes. Excessive politeness was rude. Murai only had to run his mouth but he had to run around.
Their mouths will be the evidence. Follow my order, Mr. U.
Phew!
U Beomseok sighed. He had to endure Murai since last night. He cleared the medical equipment and had the flooring reinstalled and the walls repainted. He had the quarters sprayed with ammonia to mask the smell of blood.
Quick!
Murai slammed the table. Murai had his reasons to feel anxious. The ANSP, being a Korean government organization, couldnt be controlled by his connections with the prosecutors. The lack of preparation was often the problem, not the other way around. U Beomseok didnt understand that Murai wasnt taking any overt action himself considering he is in a foreign country, thus honoring its hierarchical structure. My fists are trembling!
U Beomseoks heartfelt hot with rage. He wanted to smack the Japanese mans rat-like face but he didnt have the status or power to do so. He pressed on the intercom and called Razor in.
Mobilize everyone in the unit. Send the participants in the living quarters to the basement too. Get them sufficient food and water and weld the door shut. Dont forget to splash the welded area with sulfuric acid and graphite.
U Beomseok was quite meticulous. When the welded area met sulfuric acid and graphite, it rapidly became rusty and looked old and colors fade as if it was welded years ago.
I see.
Razor strode out of the office with deft steps. But when he was out of the office, his steps slowed down. He had answered clearly but he didnt feel so.
Until when do I need to work as a butcher?
Razor muttered. He had entered the syndicate to make the ends meet in Japan. But it was not a job any normal human could do for a prolonged period of time.
The granddaughter of the chairman of the Japan Business Federation is proving to be quite some trouble.
Murai heaved a deep sigh. All the policies and rules in the world didnt stem from good and evil nor do they differentiate the two. They were made to serve the greed of the one with power and used so.
He could almost see the angry old man who would be waiting for the donor dearly. He didnt care if some Koreans were killed in the process. But Oku Hitoshi was a big figure. If their Korean branch shut down, which was their most lucrative branch, he wouldnt be able to restore the clans face even if he committed seppuku.
Great. Its either do or die!
Murai gritted his teeth and tamed his anxiety. Only time would tell if it was able to be done.
A ghost landed on the riverbank. It was Mussang, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses.
What are they doing? They cant be serious!
Mussang beheld the giant concrete rubble incredulously. The authorities were supposed to look for any buried survivors through the night. But no one was on site. Not even a single officer to preserve the scene.
A day had passed since the explosion but they hadnt even touched the rubble. Only some police line roughly surrounded the site and three lonesome excavators stood. Most of the police force was used to subdue protests and spy on universities. The lack of manpower was a matter of course.
He wanted to open the skull of the responsible authorities and examined their brains. They at least had to look for survivors. Maybe they were conferring about the aftermath instead of saving the survivors. Thus worked Korean society for decades-long at a stretch.
Mussang immediately turned his gaze elsewhere. He had no remaining business with Pungguk Capital. The authorities were to handle the rest. Now he had to check up on the barracks. He couldnt handle all the injustice in the world but at least he could handle the one before his eyes.
A welfare center?
Mussang wondered in front of the black steel gate. He hadnt noticed the gate yesterday. The Japanese expression bothered him.
We will see what kind of welfare you are handing out.
A whiff of wind jumped over the tall wall. He landed right in front of the guard dogs. The two dogs, startled by the shadow, ran out of their kennels. Before they had time to bark, Mussangs hand caressed their heads and they fell to the ground.
Sleep tight for one hour. I will spare your lives. You are just dogs.
Dimensional Sight spread like a traditional handheld fan.
One, two, three, four. Why are there so many people here?
Mussang wondered. His minds eye had seen at least 70 people. According to Jang Yeongpal, there were 20 live-in guards in the building. If he were to trust him, the remaining 50 had to be from the outside. The ghost leaped again.
Mussang used Camouflage and pushed open the door to the first building. The moldy smell of sweat and feet overwhelmed his faculty of smell. Jang Yeongpal was right about there being living quarters. With a living room in the middle, four rooms surrounded it.
There were 19 asleep humans. One was missing. Mussang was going to enter when he listened attentively. Someone was talking on the other side. Considering the size of the barracks, there had to be some separate space. He soundlessly got out of the living quarters and snuck up to the other side.
Mr. Murai, Prosecutor Gim Dalsu called. They excluded Bangol and Bulldog from this investigation.
Mussang heard a low voice.
Great. The ANSP is the problem. Did Oyeol contact you?
I cannot reach Jang Palsu. He always shows up when there is food. Fuck!
U Beomseok ground his teeth. No amount of rage was going to make the vegetable in the second basement of Eungsimje respond. Bingo!
Mussang smirked. He hung upside-down from the window and snooped on the inside. No light escaped, blocked by the thick curtains. Mussang waved a bit then one of the curtains was lifted. Telekinesis was quite a useful ability.
Two men, who seemed to be living off the dark at a first glance, were drinking. One looked Japanese. The other seemed to be a martial arts master.
What does the cultural institute say?
The head of the Daegu branch has quite a foul personality. He cannot be bribed. Even Mr. Shirai gave up.
Murai shook his head. Their organization had several connections across Korean society. Mr. Shirai had tried to contact the branch head through several routes but Daedeok didnt budge.
If even Mr. Shirai gave up, we will need to fold our business temporarily and lie low. How will you ever deliver the donor?
It is indeed possible to hide the needle in the haystack. We can use the prosecutors car.
Will Gim Dalsu agree to that? That undermines his security.
U Beomseok had doubts. Even though Gim Dalsu loved money dearly, surely even he was not going to let a criminal organization use his
car.
Will he give up his own virility?
Aha! You mean blood transfusion.
U Beomseok slapped his thigh. Gim Dalsu had his blood change with a healthy teenagers every quarter. He was close to his 60s but was staying quite virile. For him to enjoy such a perk, he had no choice but to cooperate.
I smell corruption, Gim Dalsu, haha!
Mussang smirked coldly. He was not planning to spare Gim Dalsus life anyway but he was still unforgivable in his mind for one particular reason. The name Murai didnt sound unfamiliar either. Murai Yuso was one of the commanders who slaughtered the guards and infiltrated the Korean Royal Palace. U Beomseoks ancestors also cooperated with him to betray his own homeland nation.
A hundred years had elapsed since then. A Japanese man with the corrupt name of Murai frequented Korea, a Korean man was working with him, and the Korean authorities protected them. The dark history was still ongoing
You do not deserve an easy end.
A beasts eye, shining blue, rose above the rooftops of the barracks.
Chapter 584 - Episode 6 Connections
As he had expected, these men were active members of an organ trafficking organization. The thugs imported from Japan and manufactured domestically in Korea worked for hand in hand and built a lair near the riverbank for one evident reason. The city of two million people served as a great source for the products and the shitty water of the river made it easy for them to dispose of the industrial waste.
These people no longer put the dead body in a barrel and tossed it in the sea. If they put it in the feed shredder, the body became soup in five minutes. Then they could just pour it into the river.
I was going to get some sleep. Who is this?
U Beomseok, glancing back, flinched as if burned by fire. The special unit had strict rules. No lackey would ever enter with a baseball cap pressed down on his hair and wearing sunglasses. He must have come from the outside.
But if he were, the dogs would have barked. At night, four hounds and six Akitas freely roam the property more for spotting escapees than intruders. Ten dogs closer to beasts were silent. How come?
Who are you?
U Beomseok asked a useless question. The intruder wouldnt have come to exchange names with him.
Eastern Swordsman!
The intruder answered calmly. U Beomseok had no response momentarily. He was not expecting the man to answer. If it were not for the recent emergency, he would have thought the man to be a special tour.
Ive heard you have a difficult delivery. Shall I help?
Mussang smirked. U Beomseoks eyes widened. He felt like he needed to kill the man.
You wretch!
Murai was quicker in his action. His fingers moved rhythmically as if playing the piano. Finger-sized daggers approached Mussang rapidly. Mussang waved at it leisurely.
At the next moment, he was holding all five daggers in his hand. His gesture was not focused at all but it was still systematically trained ability.
What?
Murais eyes widened. His brain found it difficult to process the novel sight.
It will be your turn soon, Jap.
Die!
U Beomseok kicked the floor, leaped, and targeted Mussangs chest. The dagger blade glinted in the fluorescent light. There was a clear-sounding thud. It was the ordinary soft slap Mussang often inflicted upon bad-natured ordinary people.
Argh!
It was soft to Mussangs standards. U Beomseok turned in the air and fell to the ground to land sprawled on it. Only then had Murai the sense to accurately gauge the situation. Before the slapping hand met U Beomseoks face, the hand retreated a bit.
Murai was the shaman of the Hamon clan and a master at the same time. He could figure out that if the hand hadnt retreated, it would have shattered Mr. Us head or broken his neck. He never entered a pointless fight.
Murai didnt hesitate a second. Black smoke rose suddenly. It was a mixture of the Hamon clans illusory ability and modern chemical technology. The thick curtain of smoke containing CS expanded explosively. Before anyone had time to react, thick darkness enveloped the office. Murai attached suction cups on his hands and soles and climbed up to the ceiling like a gecko. Then he glided toward the entrance.
Where are you going without treating your guest? I would like some water.
A hand grasped his ankle. As if caught in an industrial press, his anklebone was crushed. Startled, Murai took out a knife from inside his jacket and wielded it. When he was about to bury the blade in the wrist of the hand that caught him, he was caught in a great centrifugal force. Murai fell to the ground headfirst and the very head was buried through the floor.
Argh!
He had protected his head with a protective spell but the impact far surpassed the protection. His eyes turned backward and his mouth foamed. Murai desperately held onto his fading consciousness. Mussang waved. A whirlwind was made. Black smoke rolled up like a mat, shrunk to a roll-cake size, then compressed to be fingernail-sized. The ink-black office was abruptly illuminated to be as bright as day.
Is he a supernatural agent?
Murais eyes widened. The mastery of the abilities the intruder cast brought his fading consciousness back to reality. Mussang compressed the darkness further to be rice-grain-sized and tossed it in the fish tank. A goldfish swallowed it and immediately turned upside down and rose to the surface. U Beomseok, coming to, continued to lie down on the floor and spectated the unrealistic performance.
Mussang never spared his murderous intent. They were not good nor ordinary. They were just the same kind of lot as voodoo priests and desert thieves.
Names?
The mans cold eyes turned to U Beomseok. Huh!
U Beomseok, startled, puffed. He felt as if he was facing a tiger naked and submerged in ice water at the same time. His consciousness started to fade again.
I am the head of the welfare center, U Beomseok.
He answered right away. Mussang shook his head.
I wont ask again. No fake shows. Who are you really?
U Beomseok hesitated to answer.
Argh! U Beomseok fumbled at the plastic back that suddenly covered his face. He grappled with both hands but could touch nothing. There was no plastic or cloth. U Beomseok, overcome with fear, frantically scratched his face.
Mussang gazed at his frantic victim with unchanging cold eyes. When he was about to breathe in, he sent a compressed Resonance Wave to block his windpipe. When one cannot fill ones lungs with air, one starts to feel excruciating pain. The brain, deprived of oxygen, starts to emit frantic electric signals. The nerves, overwhelmed by the signals, burn with pain. Blocking ones breathing was one of the most effective methods of torture that roused psychological fear through physical pain. If Mussang hadnt planned to send him to Novatopia to tend to the windbreak forests, he would have already crushed all the bones in his body. When U Beomseoks face became blue with suffocation, Mussang lifted Resonance Wave that covered his face.
Argh!
U Beomseok panted frantically. His face and neck became covered in blood in mere 30 seconds. His face, covered with a mixture of blood, tears, and snot, evoked the imagery of the portraits by Picasso. Murai, watching the scene, felt his face pale.
Who are you?
I am the head of the special unit, U Beomseok.
That was the answer Mussang was expecting.
Mr. U! Are you out of your mind?
Shut your piehole, Jap!
An apple flew in and blocked Murais agape mouth. It was one of the snacks on the tea table. Mussang glared at Murai with the coldest gaze.
Hurgh!
Murai coughed up the apple pieces lodged deep in his throat. The blood-covered pieces of apple flew out from his mouth with some broken teeth.
Mussangs fists started to massage Murais entire body. Murai, enduring the blow, could do nothing but squirm, drooling and covered in his own spit and snot.
Novatopia needs more people to tend to its forests. That is why I spare you two. I hired a Japanese guy called Abe last year. He has a great work ethic like a typical Japanese person.
When he heard the name Abe, Murai attempted to say something but couldnt. He could only hiss. His jaw had been dislocated. U Beomseok trembled in fear. He didnt know what the man meant with tending to forests but it didnt sound good.
U Beomseok and the special unit! That reminds me of two filthy names. U Beomseok and U Beomseok. Unit 731 and the butlers to the Japs. What a filthy combination of qualities. What are you tasked with?
U Beomseok closed his eyes shut. The man already knew everything. He didnt fear death but feared the pain he would feel until death. I will investigate and figure out everything eventually. If you answer sincerely, I shall feed you to the feed shredder. If you dont, I will hire you as forest managers.
U Beomseok felt chills down his body. What could even this forest job be for death by the animal feed shredder to be better than it? When U Beomseok hesitated to say anything, someone knocked on the door.
What is it?
Mussang yelled. U Beomseoks eyes widened in shock. The man was speaking with his own voice.
Its Razor. Are you all right?
Didnt you hear the sounds? Of course, something is up. Enter!
U Beomseoks mouth was agape in a mixture of shock and awe. The man even imitated his most minute antics. Razor opened the door and entered the office.
What is this?
Razor frowned. The sight of his two bosses sprawled on the floor, beaten up, confused him. His hand hesitated for the slightest bit and went inside his jacket.
Argh!
Razors wrist was flung back. The pistol he held flew into Mussangs hand. Razor, still confused about what was happening, looked at his empty hand and the intruders which now held his gun.
Hurgh!
Razor puffed. He was about to reach the weapon hidden at his side but now his head and two arms fell limp toward the floor.
Your hands say that you are quite adept with daggers. Do you want to have a go at me?
No. I am already aware that it is quite pointless. Hahaha!
Razor laughed. Even Murai and U Beomseok were already subdued. He stood no chance at all.
You are quite smart. Who are you?
My name is Ha Geukdo, a Korean born in Japan. I was sent to Korea as an assistant to the special unit. I am number three in the Hamon clans lackeys. I am currently tasked with human resources and managing finances and surveillance.
Ha Geukdo divulged top secret after top secret.
You seem to understand what I say. Do you belong here too?
Yes. This is an organization formed pre-war so a lackey like me doesnt know anything about it. I am partial to its philosophy that entire Asia exists for Japan to prosper. It sounds quite mental.
Ha Geukdo glanced at Murai. Murais gaze was so murderous that it could probably be cancer-inducing. Ha Geukdo smirked and turned his gaze back to Mussang.
You dont seem satisfied with your organization.
Who would be? I joined to survive.
Razor interrupted himself and glanced at Murai and U Beomseok.
It is not something humans should do to fellow humans. So I have had a lot of internal struggles. My father surely wouldnt have named me Overcome the Islands for me to live like this.
Do you know who I am?
I dont. I am just guessing you might be the one who decimated Pungguk last night. It seems like today is the last day of Mr. Murai and my bosss lives. Of course, apparently, I and the sleeping ones are to join them too.
Whoa!
Mussang marveled. The man was clever and knew how to read the air. Ha Geukdos brain waves and bloodstream were very stable. They were only disturbed when he mentioned his father. He was a rare jewel found in a heap of trash.
As you said. What is the special unit tasked with?
Guiding the visitors and supplying the material.
You need to elaborate.
Ha Geukdo glanced at the strangers face. Each word and gesture was filled with willpower, resolve, and confidence. His eyes behind the sunglasses must exhibit the same clarity. His own life was shit now but he wanted to live like the man. He let out a feeble sigh and opened his mouth again.
There are three kinds of visitors. Organ recipients, blood recipients, and clients to child prostitutes. Ninety percent are from Japan and the rest are Koreans and Westerners. For the ones who cannot come to Korea, we deliver the tailored goods to them.
The tailored goods?
Mussang mused. pondered. Human organs were not like machine components. Even if they find the most compatible donor, transplant rejection was likely to happen. A great deal of information was needed for someone to have their organ replaced. We hack into the hospitals medical records. Most Korean hospitals with more than 50 beds are connected to the Hamon clan. Of course, the means through which it is possible is money and blackmailing. What?
Mussang was shocked. This news was panic-inducing. They were scanning the entire medical records of entire South Korea in this very office. There could be no better method to find the most suitable donors for their clients. His own medical records may already be in their hands.
The Korean peninsula, since ancient Japanese invasions and up to the colonial period, had always been harassed by the neighboring islands. Before the Japanese could harass the country, their Korean collaborators disturbed social cohesion and made peoples lives miserable.
More than four decades had passed since liberation but Korea was still plagued with doubled-faced, evil Japs and their collaborators. Some of these wretches had their blood replaced with that of young victims. Some considered children younger than 10 years of age nothing but their plaything. Some extracted the organs of unassuming victims to line their own pockets. This was all happening in broad daylight.
Do you have Korean clients too?
Yes. I am in charge of managing the register.
U Beomseok closed his eyes shut. The world was turning upside down. His life was done for too. Last night, he had seen his late mother gesture him toward her in his dream.
There must be a reason you are so candid with your answers?
Ha Geukdo prostrated down upon the floor tiles with contrite deferment, reverence.
I am 26. I dont think it is too late for me to turn my life around and make karmic compensations for the sins I committed. If you spare my life, I will live as humanely as possible for the rest of my life. My towering heap of sins may not make that possible but I dont want to tarnish my fathers good name anymore.
Chapter 585 - Connections
You dont want to taint your fathers name!
Mussang reminisced. Do all children feel the same? Mussang himself had stayed in Jipeun Dari not to taint his own fathers name, even enduring abuse and hunger. Unless one gave up their humanity, one shouldnt tarnish their parents names.
Parents are the same. Even though they have to wear torn-up rubber shoes, use coal to warm themselves, and have to gut countless fish to make a living, they want their children to wear good clothes, use a radiator, and never have to gut any fish for a living. Such beings are parents.
Even when they faced a sudden blizzard in a mountain pass, he was genuinely fearless, assured when he was with his father, and he wasnt afraid. Even though his fathers body had disappeared, the memories they shared, such as time spent around a campfire in a cave and his fathers broad back on Mussangs chest, stayed as nostalgia. Now, to Mussang, the weeping criminal thug in front of him didnt look so evil.
Ha Geukdo, are you Japanese?
Mussang tested him the first time. My real surname is Gim. It was given to my ancestor by Koreas king. I am Gim Geukdo, a Korean. My ancestors came from Japan, but they have lived in Korea for 400 years and settled down with Koreans in marriage. So I am a real Korean.
If the surname gets revealed, could your ancestor be Gim Chungseon?
Mussang wondered. He had thought that Koreans living in Japan didnt belong to either country. He had never paid attention to them until now. He just thought to interrogate a yakuza thug. He didnt expect to get confronted with a peculiar lineage.
Yes. Sayaka, or Gim Chungseon, a Japanese hero in Korea, is my ancestor. My grandfather got deployed to Sakhalin for assisting independentists, and his surname got changed to Ha too.
Ha, Geukdos voice took on an outraged tone, and his eyes welled up. The miserable lives over three generations passed before his minds eye. His grandfather, a wealthy farmer in Dalseong, was sent to Japanese Sakhalin forcibly and had to work as a logger. It was for assisting the independence movement, but the real reason was his lineage.
The Japanese, especially the ruling class, didnt tolerate differences. His grandfather was sent to Sakhalin because he descended from Sayaka, who surrendered to Korea. For that sole reason, he was sent to the deathly Sakhalin and changed his surname. The king-given name Gim then switched to Ha, whose character means to blame and to insult. Exhausted by taxing labor and harsh nature, his grandfather birthed his father and passed away early. The actual cause of death was said to be pent-up anger.
His father was born in Hwatae. When he was 20, Japan fired the first gunshots of the Pacific War. The following year, he was dragged to the Battleship Island but toiled for 16 hours every day in the mine exhaustingly. Then, he heard the news of Japans defeat in the mine too.
After the war, he settled down in Osaka, and his father met his mother, who was in similar circumstances. They got married and had a son. But, unfortunately, their happiness didnt last long. It was pneumoconiosis. Even on his deathbed, his father cursed Japan and blamed Korea. But, unfortunately, it wasnt just him. All the forced laborers shared the same sentiments.
The laborers who developed pneumoconiosis demanded compensation and medical expenses from the Japanese government, Mitsubishi, and Mitsui. The three entities swiftly dismissed the demand. Since Korea was Japans colony, forced labor didnt constitute legal. Regarding compensation, Japan had already paid a lump sum to the Korean government during the settlement between the two countries in 1965. Therefore, they were saying that they should demand that the Korean government compensate.
Even Korean victims of the atomic bombings could not receive any compensation. So it was not surprising. The problem originated from the Korean government. The war victims overlooked the nuclear bomb blasts that led to the social fallout of pneumoconiosis victims. The victims had neglected all medical warnings. The offender was Japan, but their own country, Korea, also abandoned his father.
To save money, his father kept trying home remedies. Finally, seven years ago, hearing the method from someone, his father emptied a pumpkin, filled it with uric fertilizer, made a soup with it, and ate it all. The following day, he couldnt open his eyes. Maybe he ended his own life because he was sick of the
pain.
The night before his death, he called Geukdo to his deathbed. He told him that their real surname is Gim, not Ha. He also told him to live as humanely as possible every day. But, unfortunately, Geukdo wasnt heeding the advice.
As a teenage boy, Geukdo was full of rebellious energy. So what? What does that change? His father had told him to be proud of his roots and live as humanely as possible, but he didnt want to. He resented that they got shoved about because they had no power.
He wandered the back alleys of Osaka, knifing and punching. Then the Hamon clan hired him. Thus, the descendant of the noble knight, Gim Chungseon, joined the yakuza.
I want to live as humanely as possible. For my grandfather, who died of pent-up anger in frozen Sakhalin. For my father, who resented and missed his country at the same time. For my mother who went back to Goryeong saying she is sick of Japan and her son who turned into a thug!
Gim Razor Geukdo wept. Gim Geukdo intuitively knew from the moment he saw Mussang that three generations of his familys existence, tossed around in the strong currents of the era, could, at last, be concluded. Had he met the man before him seven years ago, he wouldnt have ended up in yakuza. He had one shot at life. If the man decided to kill him, he was going to die. If he chose to spare him, he would serve the man.
How will you live if I let you live?
Mussang tested him for the second time. He was not a Christian minister who opened the doors to heaven when one repented. He was Black Mamba, the Nightmare of Battlefields. No matter the circumstances surrounding Gim Geukdo, the sins he committed as the henchman of the Hamon clan werent light.
I will liquidate my assets and open an orphanage. I will take care of orphaned, hungry children and raise them, so they dont have to end up like me and hurt others to live.
Mussang gazed at Gim Geukdo nodded at last. He only made some foolish choices. His was good-natured, in reality. He needed someone to brief him on the Japanese syndicate anyway.
I dont have much time. I detected 70 in this facility. Twenty-two, including that Jap, belong to the special unit. Are there others?
I am spared!
Gim Geukdos face brightened.
You are correct. Of the 48, eight girls and two boys are for prostitution. Twenty young men and women are for blood transfusion. Eighteen are for organ transplants. Some are here because they needed money, and some get kidnapped or scammed to come here.
A peculiar strength shone through in Gim Geukdos voice. Since he was assigned human resources and finances tasks, he knew the specifics better than his boss, U Beomseok.
Mussangs heartfelt stuffy. The last Japanese governor of Korea, Nobuyuki Abe, said the following words when he went back to Japan after the countrys defeat.
(Japan is defeated, but Korea didnt win. We sowed a colonial mindset among Koreans, more dangerous than any swords or rifles. Submerged in defeatism, Koreans will fight and continue their enslaved existence. Korea will not come to its senses even after a hundred years. I will come back then.)
After saying those words, he died of an illness not more than ten years later. He couldnt return to Korea, but his curse still haunted the land.
I shall curse Japan with Eastern Swordsmans curse. I was hoping you could give me the list of clients, or rather, animals of the welfare center. I also need the list of hospital personnel connected to the welfare center and any Korean involved in the running of this place.
I see. How shall I call you?
I am Eastern Swordsman.
A pleasant-sounding baritone voice reached Gim Geukdos eardrums. He could feel the power and resolve palpably in the vote. How could the same human species have such vastly different individuals? He didnt dare to ask his real name.
What shall we do with the special unit members who are asleep?
If I tell you to kill them, will you?
For the greater good
Gim Geukdo murmured. His hands were already filthy with all kinds of sins. If he added an ounce of betrayal on top of them, nothing was going to change.
Gim Geukdo, there is no greater good in the world. The greater good is just an excuse made by the powerful. Anyone who mentions the greater good is one hundred percent a con artist. There is only willpower. The resolve to retain the human condition. I will take care of the special unit.
Thank you. I will gather the documents.
Even though he had decided to betray them, they were still his colleagues. If ordered, he would kill them, but he didnt like to. After which, Gim Geukdo opened the cabinets and safes and swept together the data.
Sir, its ready.
Gim Geukdo brought a massive travel carrier.
Wait for a second.
Mussang flashed away for a moment then came back. Gim Geukdo didnt ask where he went. Mussang didnt say either.
Do you have vehicles in the building?
Two passenger vehicles and 25-people minibus. I have the keys.
Thats great. Bring the people.
That is
Gim Geukdo hesitated.
Do you have hidden obstacles? There are only eight guard dogs around the walls. Of the ten, I tranquilized the two.
Whoa!
Gim Geukdo was startled. He had discerned that the man was a great power, but he hadnt expected him to figure out the exact number of the dogs around the property.
We sent them to the basement and welded the doors shut. To open the iron door, it will take quite some time.
Is there an end to your wrongdoings?
Mussang remembered the French people locked up in the underground stone room in Apadombe. The Japanese surpassed even the voodoo priests in cruelty. Mussang stood abruptly, pulled U Beomseoks limbs to dislodge his joints, and smacked his temple.
Argh!
U Beomseok fell like a sack of potatoes. Murai, whose joints were fractured long before, had his templed smacked and passed out. They didnt deserve any mercy.
Lets go!
Gim Geukdo flinched. He didnt say Lead the way but Go. He looked back at Murai and U Beomseok. Their eyes were unfocused like that of a boiled octopus. He doubted they would ever need to regain their functions at all. He shuddered as if he had just urinated on a utility pole in the middle of winter. Had he challenged the man, he would have ended up like that. Instead, he tucked the carrier under the table and followed Mussang.
Mussang entered the left building that Jang Yeongpal had referred to as the waiting room. He didnt intend to loiter. The longer the night, the more numerous the dreams. When he entered, he could smell an unpleasant smell.
Gim Geukdo turned on the switch. Big and small rooms remained strung along the hallway in the middle. The room was more spacious than it had looked from outside. He pushed the door of the first room. There was a particular push to oppose the force. Gim Geukdo hastily dug out the keys.
Mussang waved away at him and turned the inner door handle with telekinesis. The door opened. Gim Geukdo hurriedly pushed it open and turned on the switch. The room was about 10 square meters wide and had a pink wallpaper printed Tinker Bell holding a magic wand. The ceiling had wallpaper that had Snow White and the seven dwarves. There was a toy-like dressing table and a small wardrobe. Except for the large bed in the middle of the room, it was a typical childs room. Mussang frowned. The use of the room was evident.
This room is for child prostitution. We covered the stench with chemicals.
Hmm!
Mussang nodded. He could smell no human scent but only carbolic acid.
The rest of the rooms? The same?
Yes. Here stay the children and the donors who get destined to certain doom, fatality. Willing organ and blood donors stay in the building on the right.
Mussang said nothing and pushed the door of the fifth room on the right. Gim Geukdo, sensing his intent, moved the big wooden bookcase. Behind it stood an ordinary wall. Mussang struck the area and heard a sharp clanging of metal sounds.
Even though they were welded shut, it didnt matter if the whole door frame got detached. A stairwell submerged in the dark opened its maw wide in the space. Gim Geukdo shook his head. The man had surpassed all human standards long ago.
Is there such a thing as an evil gene? They live across the continents but do the same kind of things! Mussang muttered as he went down the stairs. All kinds of junk blocked the stairwell: broken desks, kitchen utensils, car tires, and all types of indoor exercise machines. Gim Geukdo made a disconcerted face. Humans have no foresight. When he was to block it, he hurled everything in sight. Now, he had to unblock it and saw no easy way of doing it.
Stay upstairs for a while.
Mussang sent Gim Geukdo up the stairs and took out the Gorgon from his clothes. If they cannot move them, they could demolish them. The Gorgon roared in the narrow space. The junk hit by the Gorgons weight dissolved like sliced vegetables, including wood, plastic, and even metal. In a short amount of time, the debris disappeared, and fine dust replaced it. It was still no match to Rakshasa, but it was still quite effective in a narrow space.
Chapter 586 - Episode 8 Connections
It is quite useful!
Mussang marveled. The wire and the weight of the Gorgon matched the explosive power of the 72-millimeter lightweight trench mortar. The material industry was the foundation of manufacturing and defense. High-caliber iron led to a better barrel which led to a broader range. Sturdier fiber led to lightweight bulletproof vests.
A barrel that gets broken after firing a few shells, a rescue ship equipped with a fish swarm detector, and a tank fitted with a power pack with a bit of instant momentum? Sadly, the valuable material of which the Gorgon was made is made in Japan. But unfortunately, Korea still was limited to producing nylon and tire code paper.
When Areva intended to share their nuclear technologies with Korea, the government minded the United States and refused. Mussang had been sick of such behavior that refused freebies. Korea still had a long way to
go.
An iron door was seen behind when the rubble cleared out. Since every gap was welded shut, it was no longer a door but an iron wall. Someone was knocking at the iron door from inside.
This is welded shut too!
If Murai and his men kept their mouths shut, the 48 people inside would never be able to see the sun in ten or a hundred years. Instead, they come on the list of long-term missing people.
What is this?
Mussang looked back at Gim Geukdo with menacing eyes. Gim Geukdo, stepping down the stairs, flinched at the hostile gaze.
They only consider the Japanese, Americans, and Caucasians as humans. Murai especially despises Korea. He only considers Koreans as goods that might potentially trade for money. When things didnt turn out well, he ordered this to get rid of the evidence.
Did you intend to leave them here and flee?
I have no excuse.
Gim Geukdo lowered his head with a pale face. He ordered the particular unit to do this. He had no excuse.
How did you dispose of the victims until now?
We ground their bodies in an animal feed grinder and threw them away in the river or buried in the mountain.
The mountain?
Mussangs eyes were glaring. Five skeletons of children had been found in the mountain. Mt. Waryong was only 300 meters tall but had deep valleys. It was only 4 kilometers or 7 kilometers away from here. They must have buried the skeletons without a doubt.
How long have you been doing this business?
Since 1965. First, they began trafficking the prostitutes needed in the red-light districts in Japan. Then they expanded to other activities. U Beomseok began child prostitution, and five years ago, when Murai was appointed as the director, we began organ trafficking. Quite some vermin then! They shall be thrown directly into the feed grinder too. Novatopia could never use such vermin. They will corrupt other redeemable criminals!
Mussang ground his teeth. Without his coincidental intervention, the evil Jap and his Korean collaborator would have continued to leech off Korean society. Murai and U Beomseok, who were to work as tenders of the windbreak forest, suddenly had their fate changed. They needed to suffer what they were afflicted with.
Mussang knocked on the steel door. The thud reverberated. It must be at least 50 millimeters thick. It was a matter of course that nothing was heard from the inside. He took out Vajra from his emergency pouch. He didnt need to toil for no reason when he had a good tool.
With Vajra, he drew a line along the welded line. The steel door was soundlessly cut as if a box cutter cut the paper. With Resonance Wave, he pulled the cut piece out. The cut iron piece was as big as to crush a person.
He lifted the whole door and leaned it against the wall. He missed Ssamdi at moments like this. Ssamdi was good with physical labor. The characteristic moldy smell of the basement and various body odors from many people assailed their noses.
Gim Geukdo turned on the switch. The incandescent lights installed across the ceiling began flickering on in sequence. The inside submerged in the pitch-black dark was suddenly showered with light.
Women banging on the wall screamed and retreated into the basement. Fear was infectious. The rest also huddled to a corner farthest from the entrance. All the faces were full of fear. Then, with bated breath, everyone glanced at the intruders. There were 48 people in the 100-square-meter basement. But an eerie silence permeated the air.
Gim Geukdo glanced at Mussang and smiled bitterly. The members of the particular unit were routinely dressed in jeans, navy jackets, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Coincidentally, the man had a similar outfit. Since they have been bullying the people since last night, it was no surprise that they would be surprised.
Mussang stepped on the threshold and scanned the frightened people. His gaze scanned the children huddled together. They gazed at Mussang too. They looked like they hadnt even graduated from elementary school.
The crouched posture was like that of a wounded animal. Faces full of anxiety and fear, about to burst into tears at any moment. Empty, unfocused gazes. The pink lipstick on their lips. The blue mascara on their eyes.
Fuckers!
Mussang felt as though a hot ball of rage was soaring in his throat. He didnt expect child prostitution, which was commonplace in Africa and the Middle East, to run rampant in Korea. If consenting adults participated in prostitution by their judgment, it was their own business and not their own. But child prostitution was an entirely different matter. Children, whose minds and bodies were ruined early, find it impossible to have an everyday life. The filthiest scum on Earth was the clients of child prostitution.
Who is her?
Mussang pointed at the girl holding the hen of a middle-aged woman. She seemed to be around six. The childs prominent forehead, revealed between two pigtails, reminded him of someone. He hadnt expected them to exploit such a young child. Even 12 or 13-year-olds are children too.
She is a heart donor. Someone sent by the recipient in Japan is here in Korea.
Gim Geukdo lowered his voice and whispered.
What?
He had spotted a man in a suit in the waiting space of the living quarters. He must be someone sent by the recipient.
A grandson of a prominent Japanese political figure, who had his atrium ruptured in a traffic accident, is waiting for her heart. The best surgeons in the country are doing their best to keep him alive, but they seemed to be at wits end now. That girl has a price tag of 200,000,000 yen. That matters too, but because of the status of the recipient in Japan, the Hamon clan is doing their best too.
Are you taking her to Japan? There must be many checkpoints.
Prosecutor Gim Dalsu agreed to lend his
car.11
The wretched lump of shit is at it again.
Mussang was speechless. Technically speaking, prosecutors and judges are the last bastions for social justice. Of course, it was well known that many such positions are bribed to the brim in Korea, but he hadnt expected anyone to be as corrupt as Gim Dalsu.
Mussangs gaze moved from the young girl to the middle-aged woman. She was well past her heyday, but her facial aesthetics were still well maintained, and so was her body. She smiled at Mussang with her eyes. The smile felt familiar. It was as if a ripple of a smile spread from the inner side of the eyes toward the tails. Mussang flinched.
I Minju!
Mussang almost yelled out her name. She was Ms. I, Hyeyeongs birth mother. She spearheaded the modern feminist movement in Korea. She was also once elected as a congresswoman. He had heard about her often from Hyeyeong but had only met her once. That one encounter proved fatal. He had wanted to rip her apart. Why was she here?
Has that woman ever showed motherly love?
He wondered. I Minju cold blood running in her veins. She had done everything in her might to marry Hyeyeong off to the nephew of the head of the ruling party. She was one of the reasons why Hyeyeong left for America. She had even sold the house Hyeyeong lived in when she refused the marriage. Mussang himself had to be arrested five times because she had pressured the police. The world was vast, but old connections kept resurfacing.
Who is her?
Mussang feigned ignorance and asked Gim Geukdo. He didnt feel like letting on that he knew her and had no reason to do so. When you step on some dogshit, that could ruin your whole mood for the day. So the best policy is to evade it.
Her blood type is the rarest in the world, Rh-null. There are only six known people in the world with that blood type. She is the seventh, and of course, it is not known elsewhere.
What is even that?
Of the Rh blood types, the bar-D-bar-bar-D-bar (-D-/-D-) was quite well known, but he had never heard about the Rh-null type.
The type lacks all the 160 antigens found on red blood cells. As a result, any donor can receive so-called golden blood. Its real value is seen during organ transplant surgeries. If we give the blood to the recipient, it greatly lowers the immune resistance. One 400-ml pack of her blood costs roughly 100,000 dollars.
Huh. She was quite someone. So, the woman and the girl come together.
Yes. That woman is not aware of this, but she can easily make ends meet by selling her blood all her life. Even the Japanese government was involved in finding that particular combination.
That is quite absurd. How much does she cost?
The woman demanded lunch with Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro in return for her donation. Also 10,000,000 yen. The special unit was going to be rewarded with 500,000,000 yen in a lump sum.
Hmm. Deliver two people and get 4,000,000,000 won. If you can locate the products, its quite a lucrative business.
Yes. With the right circumstances, one operation could yield 10,000,000,000 won. We didnt bother with drugs because organ trafficking alone was lucrative. Everyone knows that, but it requires active cooperation from the hospitals and building an extensive database. Its a high-tech industry. No one can easily get their hands on it.
Ten billion won!
Mussang was startled. This was the precise reason why the significant criminal gangs in the world participated in organ trafficking. He remembered the time when the head of Areva asked him to sell his sperm. Superior sperm and eggs had long been commercialized in Western European countries. Human hearts, kidneys, livers, etc., were being sold in the black market like parts of beef.
The old man had said that he will pay 400,000,000 dollars if I find Ange Sikager for him. Black Mamba is quite good at business. He would be sad if he knew that Ange Sikager had turned into a purple chicken. Would he also be aware of Garudas secret?
An irrelevant thought passed through his head.
How will you handle them, sir?
Gim Geukdo asked cautiously. There were a total of 48 months. It was quite a troublesome situation. There is no need to hesitate. The ones with a home shall return there. The ones without shall be compensated and be sent off. I will tend to the orphaned children.
Aha, it is so!
we
Gim Geukdo nodded as if enlightened. There were two kinds of participants. First, the promise of sound money attracted the abductees and volunteers. The children involved in prostitution were all orphans. Except for the ten orphans, they could release the rest and send them on their way.
He didnt care if what happened here became known in the world. The participants barely knew anything, but it was better if they ran their mouths. He wanted the incident to be widely known in Korean society and a warning. Mussang considered that too.
No!
The young girl burst into tears. She must have been frightened of the scary men discussing something standing at the entrance. Everyones gaze landed on the child. In it were mixed anxiety, nervousness, and irritation.
Shut up!
Someone told her off in a calm voice.
Make her stop crying!
Some women yelled, and peoples gazes fell on I Minju.
Yeongsuk, stop crying. We are going on an airplane and flying soon. If you dont stop crying, we cannot get on board or eat ice cream.
I Minju comforted the girl.
No!
No!
Save us, sir!
When the girl cried, the child prostitutes joined in.
Be quiet!
We are in a pickle!
As the children continued to clamor, peoples anxiety grew. Deep furrows appeared on Mussangs forehead. When people are faced with hardship, their true colors are revealed. In a crowded cage, pigs snap at each others tails. Chickens peck each other. Humans were no different.
Be quiet!
A low voice rumbled in the basement. Then, as if he had just waved a magic wand, children stopped crying at once. Mussang strode up to the young girl. She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. Are you Yeongsuk?
The child stared at Mussang. A smile bloomed across Mussangs face. The child smiled too. This was true Resonance Wave. Mussang squatted and opened his arms wide.
Come to me.
The girl shook Minjus hand, ran up to Mussang, and was drawn into his embrace.
What is she doing?
I Minju wondered.
Chapter 587 - Episode 9 Connections
Does she understand that he is good-looking?
I Minju wondered. The young man was good-looking. Even though his face remained concealed behind a cap and sunglasses, she could see that he was quite an attractive man. His long legs, leopard-like waist, bear-like shoulders, and low baritone voice constituted all the conditions of a real man.
For I Minju, an egomaniac, Yeongsuk didnt look like a girl suffering from the traumatic memories of her abduction but a picky and sensitive young girl. When someone would pat her head or touch her cheek, she would wail as if her mother had died. But this time, she ran right into the arms of a stranger.
I Minju aware of the circumstances surrounding Yeongsuk. She knew she was abducted and an organ donor. She didnt mind. So what? She could just use the girl to her benefit. She comforted and persuaded the ever crying child with all means whatsoever. Before three days had passed, Yeongsuk allowed I Minju to stay by her side.
When was the last time I heard a low, hefty voice like that?
Unconsciously, she licked her red-lipsticked
lips.
Mussang held Yeongsuk and took out his handkerchief to wipe away her tears and snot. Her feeble heartbeat reminded him of a violet that flowered between rocks. What a cute and lovely girl! Who would ever dare to extract her heart?
Ten pairs of eyes continued to gaze at him. What had they ever done to fall into this kind of hell? Why was the world like this? The injustice mocking common sense began to fill Mussang with anger. Were you scared, Yeongsuk?
Yes!
Are you still?
The interference field enveloped the child.
No, I am not!
Yeongsuk is a good girl.
Mussang caressed Yeongsuks cheeks and gestured at the huddled children.
Come here! You too!
A voice as soft as a spring breeze sounded out. Just like the autumn sun would nurture harvest, and the wind would shake the field for crops to shed pests, the voice empathized with their wounded souls and embraced them. The children looked at each others faces. Hes a good person! They exchanged knowing gazes. They ran out to him.
Teary faces, scared eyes, the tails of their mouths twitching as if to burst into tears at any moment, they looked just like a baby deer who barely escaped the claws of a tiger. They are of the age at which they should act spoiled. But instead, fear tamed them to accept the resignation. They were such sad souls.
I am sorry that I am late.
Mussang gave each of them a firm hug. These children were like gourd flowers that can only bloom shyly over a wall after sunset. Would they ever be able to overcome their trauma? Mussang felt as though his heart had caught a bullet.
Ah!
Gim Geukdo let out a quiet exclamation. Undeniable charisma and warmth. Now the children had somewhere to lean against. They had someone to tell on something. They had someone to be pampered by. He somewhat was jealous of the children in the mans embrace.
Had he met the man at that age, things would have played out differently. Korean! When someone shouted, stones soon followed. He wasnt scared, and his punches were stinging. When the Japanese children ganged upon him, he had no way of winning. His mother would cry as she spread fermented bean paste over his bleeding head like a home remedy. His father had helplessly sighed.
He was called homeless because his family couldnt prepare him a lunchbox. He had no one to talk to, let alone rely on. His father talked about when they had to turn in all the cutlery and silverware and heat pine-cone soup with carved wooden spoons.
Whenever he heard such stories from his father, he felt a flame of outrage burning hot inside him. His father said that he did not consider his sons ordeal since he lived like that. That man wasnt a helpless, sighing being like his father. That man was the powerful, sovereign god he dreamed of being himself.
People held their breath at the unexpected turn of events. The sunglasses-wearing men, who had politely requested their collaboration, were transformed into evil monsters wielding leather bats. Were these men other members of the gang? Were they trying another ruse? Wondering gazes converged on Mussang. Mussang welcomed the looks with his own, which were as calm as a deep lake.
Some of you may have realized that this place is hell. Some of you may have not. Do not intend to know anything. If you know, intend to forget.
Who are you, sir?
A man in his 40s cut him off. Mussang gazed at him. He looked like someone who worked a day to live for a day. Maybe a peddler.
Why are you here?
It was hard to live. Then, finally, I came to pawn one of my kidneys. How did you find this place?
I saw an advertisement in a toilet at the East Daegu Station.
What?
What did he say? Mussang looked back at Gim Geukdo.
The informants put stickers across the public restrooms in the country. When someone calls after seeing an ad, the informant figures out their details and brings them here.
That is shudder-inducing.
Mussang shook his head. They abducted victims themselves, but they also set up a spiderweb for a victim to walk in on their own. They were like vampires. He felt pity for the victims caught on the web, but at the same time, he couldnt understand a non-disabled person selling their organs voluntarily. It was absurd. He felt the same with the ones who came to sell their blood. All kinds of things happen in the world, but how could they devalue their bodies like this?
How much were you gonna get for a kidney?
Two million won.
You risked your own life for that amount?
Everyone knows that we only need one kidney to survive.
The man boasted his excellent knowledge. Ignorance indeed led to blind courage. Mussang looked around at the audience.
I will tell you briefly. This place is neither a welfare center nor a hospital. You are in the waiting room. You havent entered the hell itself. When you enter the operation room, you will harvest all of your viable organs, and your body will be ground up and thrown away or buried. The same with blood donors. It is not a blood transfusion. It is a blood replacement. All of your blood in your body will be sucked out.
Could that be?
The mans face paled. He had sensed that something was wrong with the vibes of the place. But he hadnt expected this.
Thats insane!
Something smelled fishy. I came because they give good money for some blood!
Then what is this place?
Who are you?
People clamored like the frenzied frogs in the paddies in late spring. Mussang clucked his tongue. He explained. If they didnt understand, it was on them.
Be quiet. You dont need to know who I am or this place. You just walked out of deaths maw. Your ancestors must be looking out for you. This place is to be demolished soon. Does everyone have someplace to go?
No!
I Minju yelled. Mussang glared at I Minju with cold eyes.
I am not like those people. I need to go to Japan with that girl tomorrow. Who are you to ruin my business?
What a dumb bitch!
Gim Geukdo, standing politely with his hands joined together behind Mussang, hissed an insult. If that woman ever got to the Suidobashi Hospital, she would donate all of her blood to the recipient and meet the Buddha.
Mussang was confused too. He had saved countless people from death, but he never met someone like I Minju, who protested. People hardly changed. Eight years have passed, but Minju was still as selfish and self-centered as before.
Are you this girls mother? I doubt it. What kind of mother would bring her daughter to hell?
Shut up! You seem to want to be a hero, but you came to the wrong place. Yeongsuk, come here!
I Minju, running out of retorts, insisted with fierce eyes.
No! I hate you.
Yeongsuk yelled.
That wretched girl!
I dont care if you go to Japan or not. So why does she need to be sacrificed for your business?
It is none of your business.
I Minju yelled.
Does she know whats up?
Mussang, dazed, asked Gim Geukdo.
I briefly told her when she signed the contract. She didnt know that she would be robbed of all her blood at once and tossed to be pig feed.
What?
I Minjus face paled. She signed the contract that said she would donate four times over six months. She had never heard of this.
Dumb bitch. A contract is between humans. You have just been their prey. Do you still not know that?
Mussang slapped her just hard enough not to injure her. He had endured the urge so far because she was still Hyeyeongs mother, but he couldnt stand to keep watching her face.
Argh!
Bloodshot from I Minjus mouth.
Filthy bitch. You sold your daughter for power, and now you want to sell a child for money. I want to twist your neck, but I cannot bring myself to.
Sold my daughter? Who could that man be?
That was the last thought she registered as her consciousness faded.
Mussang looked around at the audience with stern eyes. A merciless blizzard raged in the basement that seemed to be filled with a spring breeze.
Do you have any place to go?
No one stepped forward. Mussang looked back at Gim Geukdo.
Sir, the property is guarded by dogs. If they just exist, they will die.
I have taken care of it.
The dogs, frightened by materialized murderous intent, stayed put in their kennels.
I see.
Gim Geukdo, always reading the air, took out a bundle of bills from within his clothes. He had already figured out his new master, Mussangs tendencies. Being an aide was not an easy job.
Take seriously your newly earned lives. This place will be ashes soon. Get out of here as soon as possible. If you want to meet the Grim Reaper or be beaten by the guard dogs, you may make many noises.
Gim Geukdo warned them and distributed the money to the people. Few said thank you. Most got out of the basement, glancing at Mussang. In the basement, there was only I Minju, who had passed out, the ten children, and Yeongsuk still in Mussangs arms.
Sir, they are quite ingrateful. Does it not bother you?
It is but another fleeting moment. Then, I follow my hearts whim. Shed attachments!
Mussang was indifferent. They were Les Misrables as well. They were tossed around in an overly competitive society. No wonder they lost all their trust and faith. They were submerged in anxiety and doubt that Mussang may be lying. The moon looks smaller than a mountain because the mountain is closed, and the moon is further. Seeing deceives. The mass shall just live ardently like that. Even the soul of an immense asura was not recognized and forgotten. He didnt care about their souls. He did as he pleased. It was already out of his mind.
I thank you for the great lesson.
Gim Geukdo bowed deeply.
I must take care of this place. Where is the feed grinder?
I buried it behind the building.
Lets go. You kids wait here.
I want to come with you.
I am scared!
The children clung to Mussang with teary eyes.
I get it.
With Mussang in the lead, the children followed him like ducklings. Gim Geukdo glanced at I Minju, who passed out and followed Mussang and the children. Mussang was not an overly kind person. Gim Geukdo didnt understand why his master left the shameless woman alone.
The above-ground space was brightly moonlit. Mussang breathed in the fresh air until his lungs were about to burst and looked up at the sky. A half-moon, which was soon to be a full moon in two days, was pinned in the middle of the sky. An early song of crickets chirped loudly.
Headlights dazzled the childrens eyes. Gim Geukdo momentarily disappeared and came back driving a bus. Murai and U Beomseok were dragged out of the bus.
Argh!
Recognizing their faces, the children screamed. The girls started to snivel. Mussang looked at Gim Geukdo.
Murai is a pedophile. U Beomseok is a sadist. They hurt the children a lot.
Their sins are indeed staggering. They dont fear you, on the other hand.
I took pity on them.
Mussang nodded. It was a sort of Stockholm Syndrome. The fear-ridden children must have relied upon Gim Geukdo, who cared for them.
I will dig up the machine.
Gim Geukdo held a shove and stepped forward. Mussang held up a hand.
That will extend over a millennium. The children should not witness it. So get them on the bus.
I see.
Gim Geukdo took Yeongsuk from Mussang, and the children got on the bus at once. Mussang held out his two hands, set coordinates, and focused telekinetic power. It didnt surprise Gim Geukdo anymore. A god was able to do anything. He deftly pulled on the cable and supplied the machine with passion. Then he turned on the switch. The grinders rollers started to turn against each other.
Chapter 588 - Episode 10 Connections
Mwurgh!
U Beomseok, figuring out the situation, struggled. He needed his mouth ungagged to try to negotiate or beg. He desperately pleaded with his eyes.
Murai clenched his eyes firmly shut. When the manager betrayed him, it ultimately ended all ties. This is why Koreans were second-class citizens. His hometown, Daisen, came to his mind with its cows grazing on pasture and its thick scent of tea. He thought about his brother, who must be engrossed in his final training at Daisenji. His brother was also set on a schedule to be sent to Korea next month.
Yuki, you shouldnt come to Korea. There is a Tengu or an ogami.
Murai, resigned in defeat, wished desperately for a way out.
Mussang tapped U Beomseoks throat and stomach to prompt his voice to return.
Spare my life! I can pay you any amount.
U Beomseok desperately yelled out with his hoarse vocal cords.
Why are you doing this to us?
Murai, who gave up his life, was calm, unlike U Beomseok, whose face was covered with tears and snot.
Why? Were you committing atrocities like this for a reason? This is the 20th century Korea Enlightenment Act in which Japan arrested independence activists and conscripted workers in the guise of taking in starving children and adolescents under 18 in 1923. Did your government order you to enact martial law in Korea?
How does he know?
Murai flinched. He thought of the situation as a cinch. Even if he ended up brutally murdered, he had to inform the organization.
You two wrecked souls and ruined lives. You are headed for the no-blood hell. Your soul will be almost non-existent, not belonging to any category among heavenly beings, humans, animals, asuras, ghouls, and demons. Your body will continue the cycle of destruction and rebirth to no end. Twelve times a day, you will die, shrunken as small as a mustard seed. You will die twelve times a day, bloated as big as a mountain. Before entering that place, I will allow you to stretch your bodies and leave last words. I am bein quite merciful, am I not?
Mussang smiled with malicious glee.
He is indeed my master!
Gim Geukdo marveled at Mussangs verbosity. His on-point words sent chills down his body and made his fingers and toes squirm in cringe.
Spare us!
A samurai doesnt die. They only fall like a
petal.
U Beomseok desperately yelled out, and Murai murmured with his eyes closed. Mussang scoffed at the Japanese man, who pretended to be calm. He wanted to discipline him, but there was not much time.
So those were your last words. You will have to say the rest in the no-blood hell. Begin!
Aye!
Gods words didnt need to be challenged. So Gim Geukdo didnt hesitate a second and lifted U Beomseok and pushed him into the feed grinder. Then, quite viciously, he made him go in feet first.
Filthy betrayer, I will haunt you as a wandering spirit!
U Beomseok glared a bloodthirsty look at Gim Geukdo.
You may.
Gim Geukdo answered tersely and turned on the switch. The conveyor belt got the material in a hook and dragged it into the helical grinder.
No!
A terrible scream screeched through the night sky. The large helical gear began to eat his legs first. U Beomseoks mouth was agape in shock. Then, the machine vibrated, chewing an unusual, hard object. U Beomseoks scream dragged on until his whole lower body had vanished. The grinder, having been fed, spat out gel-like bloody waste. It only took three minutes to turn U Beomseok into a basinful of blood.
Agh!
Murai shuddered like a tree branch in the icy cold winter. Mr. U, who had always been headstrong, was ground alive and turned into a basinful of blood before his very eyes. If such primal fear didnt affect someone, they were already a dead person. Gim Geukdo lifted Murai and put him on the machines mouth.
Sir, help me! Forgive me!
Murai struggled. Because of the raw visual shock, the petal-brave was no longer visible. How desperate had he had to be to call his subordinate sir?
You said you shall fall like a petal. Fucker, stop lingering and just go!
Gim Geukdos eyes glimmered with sadistic pleasure. The pent-up resentment and rage he had bottled up as he served the Japanese he hated were let out at once. He endured day after day, and finally, this day has come. The switch had been turned on. The conveyor belt dragged Murai into the machines stomach with tremendous force.
Argh!
The din of the grinder drowned out Murais scream. Finally, the outlet threw up a ground-carrot-like mixture. Having eaten U Beomseok and Murai, the hero asked for more.
Its a Mitsui product. It is indeed quite
good.
Mitsui, along with Mitsubishi, used Korean forced laborers the most during the colonial era.
The children must have had some closure.
Gim Geukdo smiled a wan grin as he looked at the bus. He didnt draw the curtains on purpose. The children had to live through hell. The sad ending of the directors of the facility, Murai and U Beomseok, was a gift from him to the children.
No!
Mussang made clucking sounds with his tongue. The children were flocking to the bus windows. Since no curtains had been drawn, they must have witnessed the gruesome scenes. Mussangs evil eyes turned to focus upon Gim Geukdo.
Sir, its my fault. I apologize.
Gim Geukdo knelt on the floor with a thud.
We cannot rewind time. I am worried if it will be yet another trauma for the children.
Mussang made clucking sounds with his tongue.
It is my fault. I am sorry to have inconvenienced you.
Gim Geukdo abruptly pulled out a dagger from his clothes and stabbed his chest with no hesitation. (If I go to the sea, I will die in the water. If I go to the mountain, I will die buried in the grass. But, if I die next to the Emperor, I will have no regrets.] His misjudgment could only be repaid with death. Agh!
The blade stabbed only his skin then halted. His arm disobeyed his intent.
Fool, take that dagger back in!
As Mussangs voice rang his eardrums, his arm became free. Gim Geukdo, surprised, let go of the daggers handle.
I apologize! I apologize!
Mussang glared at Gim Geukdo, who bowed and bowed like a grasshopper on a twig. The Japanese consolidated the mindset that an individual is the collectives expendable tool as they went through long Middle Ages and contemporary militarism. The ones from the Hamon clan were more extreme. However, Gim Geukdo was still confined to Japanese behavior due to being born and raised in Japan.
Gim Geukdo, we are in Korea. Koreans dont kneel for every little reason. Koreans dont say sorry all the time. So dont overreact and get the people in the living quarters on the bus.
Mussang told him off in a quiet voice.
Aye, sir.
Gim Geukdo hurriedly drove away.
He did that on purpose.
Mussang grinned impishly. Gim Geukdo could have fooled a ghost but not him. The Japanese were an incomprehensible bunch. Japan, which was winning, had its fortune turn at Midway. Japan had exercised marine power far mightier than the United Statess but still lost miserably. There were many reasons why Japan lost and why the United States won, but the most prominent was the Japanese soldiers blind loyalty. That blind loyalty led to significant damage and casualties.
The parents who sent their sons on a sea battle acted the same. Even though their sons were buried in cold seawater thousands of kilometers away, they apologized to the war headquarters. Because of my childs lack of loyalty, he ended up causing trouble for the Emperor. It is our fault as parents for not educating him properly. Such apologies followed one another. One father had even recited a letter that told his captured son to commit seppuku, and then he did so with a dagger.
Mussang was not sure if it were their true feelings or cries contaminated with the insanity of militarism. Still, it was extreme collectivism and insanity that neglected the human condition in any case. Some gourmet had said they could tell who you are by what you eat. That was some absurdity. One could figure out a human or an animal at a glance. When the half-moon started to decline toward the western horizon, the front gate of Eungsimje opened. The sound of an engine moved through the gate. It meant the vehicle was not visible. The sound of the engine halted at the back garden.
He is here!
Neopchi, dozing off sitting on a stepping stone, stood abruptly. The engines sound trailed away, and the space vibrated like ripples. The front part of the bus was exposed out in the open. As if an ear of corn was being peeled, as if a banana was being peeled, the buss body was exposed in the open.
Can that be?
Neopchis eyes bulged like the actual fishs. He had thought he would not be surprised by anything at this point, but his masters abilities knew no limits.
A pitch-black cat jumped and landed on Mussangs shoulder. It was Kkamdung who had concealed the bus by stretching his whole body around it. His body had absorbed all visible light. There was no way the bus was going to be visible.
Friend, some students fail their semester, being too caught up with their hobbies.
Kkamdung whispered in Mussangs ear. Mussang was dumbstruck. Now, a leopard had concerns regarding his grades.
Take them to the basement. We have a sufficient number. We shall call in the aircraft.
Mussang pointed at the members of the particular unit loaded at the backside of the bus like cargo.
You said you had no money. So why do you need to get that lump of steel in the air? Then, when Heca returns, its going to be simple.
Could the purple chicken be a cargo aircraft?
When it finishes its third awakening, it develops inner cavity.
It is much more useful than you!
We have but different uses.
You dont even pay for what you eat.
What I eat is quite expensive. So I shall work by back off.
The space shimmered with tidal waves. Kkamdung and one of the particular unit members disappeared. Kkamdung reappeared after five seconds. Another disappeared again.
What is this, sir?
Teleportation.
Whoa!
Gim Geukdo couldnt help but exclaim. The abilities of a yin-yang artist were but deceptive trickery made by mixing sense-deceiving spells and tools. Those were advanced skills but nothing compared to the teleportation he had just witnessed firsthand. Gim Geukdo now couldnt consider Mussang a human after witnessing up close that he commanded such an incredible being.
My back!
Kkamdung tapped his back. He teleported 21 times between the bus and the basement. He had the right to complain.
Dont be a pussy and help unload the bus!
Mussang got off with Yeongsuk in his arms. The ten orphans followed him. He doubted the police and prosecutors would adequately investigate the welfare center when they were connected to the particular unit. Still, he didnt feel like leaving evidence there either.
You have returned!
Neopchi, who was waiting, bowed deeply.
Yeah, fall back for a minute.
Mussang fell back with the children away from the bus. Kkamdung reassumed his original form.
Whoa!
The children shouted in awe. The moonlit giant black leopard, by simply standing, constituted art.
Kkamdung shot wide-range ELF. With his energy fully restored, Kkamdungs ELF was of a different grade than before. The atmosphere was sizzling hot. A strong magnetic field enveloped the minibus.
As if a dune was swept away by a desert wind, the shape of the bus began to disintegrate. Then, each sand-grain-sized fragment was further dissolved to the molecular level. Not more than a minute had passed when the 25-people bus disappeared without a trace. Only some scorched lawn revealed hard evidence that the bus had been there.
I paid for my food!
Kkamdung disappeared and left the stunned humans on the site. Who are you?
Neopchi nudged Gim Geukdo, who was standing in a daze.
Gim Geukdo. Nice to meet you.
Gim Geukdo, startled, greeted Neopchi formally. No matter which organization he belonged to, he had to treat his superiors properly for things to go smoothly.
Nice to meet you. I am Neopchi, no, Mun Indo.
When Gim Geukdo treated him well, Neopchis mouth was open wide in awe. Now he had subordinates not long after he joined Mussangs forces. Finally, things were starting to look up. Mussang!
Jinsun appeared like a shadow.
I apologize. We have more family again.
Mussang smiled shyly.
You are quite adept. You spread your seeds so wide, and now you have more than children. If this were television, I should be wailing now as your wife.
Jinsun imitated a scene from a television series and giggled.
Quite so. This one is Yeongsuk. I still dont know the rests names. All orphans.
Its good. The great monk said that the more women around you, the better.
Jinsun grinned and looked at the children. Thick make-up, luxury clothes, teary and dusty faces, and eyes shaking with anxiety. The children had gone through much.
Yeongsuk, come here!
Jinsun opened her arms wide.
Is that woman a good person?
Yeongsuk asked Mussang. Mussang smiled and nodded. Yeongsuk let herself in Jinsuns embrace.
You must all be hungry, right?
The children stared at Jinsun.
She will be your mother.
At Mussangs words, the childrens stony expressions melted away. Jinsun, who became a mother instantly, threw Mussang the mock-evil eye.
This one is called Gim Geukdo.
Nice to meet you, maam. I can work as an electrician, gardener, plumber, and tiler. I am at your service.
Gim Geukdo bowed gregariously and politely.
Nice to meet you. The children seem exhausted. We will greet each other formally tomorrow.
Jinsun greeted him simply and looked back at the children.
You must be famished and exhausted.
Yes, Mother!
I will just be your big sister!
Jinsun grinned and shook her fist in a simulated demonstration of mock defiance.
Chapter 589 - Episode 11 Connections
Yes, sis!
The children answered promptly and looked at Mussang. Mussang grinned and nodded. Only then do the children display an expression of relief.
Lets go. I will cook you some ramen. You shall eat first, then bathe.
Yes, big sis!
Jinsun headed for the inner quarters with the children like a mother duck herding her ducklings.
They need psychiatric help before physical healing.
Mussangs face grew dark with gloom. The childrens personalities turned passive and resigned after being tamed by prostitution and abuse. They even doubted Jinsuns friendliness. Their minds had been shattered and shaken. Their only fallback was him, whom they consider a powerful being. The fragile minds could break at any moment.
Korea didnt have proper laws or public civic-mindedness concerning child abuse and child prostitution. People selfishly thought, It is okay if it is not my child. Money handled everything. The welfare center couldnt have been the only place where rawhide whipping ran rampant.
I didnt expect a real angel with an angelic face, an angelic body, and an angelic heart, to exist for real.
Gim Geukdo said out loud for everyone to hear. Jinsun looked back and smiled.
You know how to navigate the in-house politics. Help Mussang.
Aye. I will serve him well.
Gim Geukdo bowed down swiftly like a robot.
F***. I never said anything as awesome.
Neopchi smacked his forehead. Jinsun was the absolute master in Eungsimje. To survive in a hierarchy, one needed excellent communication skills. The compliment was one of the greatest among them. No one hated to be complimented. When it flowed downward, it was a compliment. When it flowed upward, it was flattery. He had never seen flattery kill anyone. Mussang, you are the hero of justice of the 20th century.
ever
Neopchi pondered and attempted to flatter.
How can I be the only one? Read some books instead of watching anime!
Mussang made clucking sounds with his tongue. Neopchi grimaced. He had forgotten that some people were immune to flattery. Mussang had transcended all that formality.
Sir, you look content and happy.
Happiness is simple. Eat well. Hang out with people with whom you can connect. Humans are bound to rely upon each other. You must have sufficiently experienced isolation and loneliness in Japan, havent you?
Yes. I craved human contact. I needed someone to take my side and listen to what I say unconditionally.
Gim Geukdos face was steeped in remorse. He joined the syndicate after feeling the limit of doing everything independently. But the emptiness in his soul deepened. The Japanese psyche fundamentally perceived different as wrong. Moreover, as a Korean, he was always isolated and cast out. To eat and hang out well was an impossibility.
It is so. Happiness is simple. To have a home in which to rest your tired body. To have family who welcomes you. To have some fermented bean paste stew boiling up on the table. That is happiness. When you pushed out too much ointment from the tube, to have someone to share it. When you have Chinese food delivered, have someone separate the chopsticks for you. To have a son with whom you can go to a public bathhouse. To have a daughter who will pull out your silver hair. To have a wife who will nag you to stop drinking. When you say, Its raining outside the window, to have someone who will respond, Summer is over. That is happiness. Do you see the thing in common in the examples I gave you?
There is somebody else.
Gim Geukdo answered swiftly.
Yes. Happiness is not achieved in isolation. If you become happy after winning a lottery, how long will it last? How long will the happiness last when you make love with someone you love? Happiness may be found all around you. If you want to be happy, make the ones around you happy. Numerous moments of life at which we feel happiness are spread all about you.
Ah!
Gim Geukdo and Neopchi exclaimed instantly. Anyone could utter the exact words, but when Mussang said it, each word rang their hearts. Gim Geukdo nodded unconsciously. The expression Numerous moments of life at which we feel happiness are scattered all around you touched him deeply.
Neopchi is your boss, Geukdo. You shall call him Big Brother. Jinsun is not a kind angel but a fearsome one.
Mussang didnt wait for their response and turned to his study.
Thank you, sir!
Neopchi and Gim Geukdo shouted out loudly behind Mussangs back. Neopchi voice was louder. He was glad to have a subordinate, but his charisma and eloquence had been immense. He was grateful to Mussang for making things clear.
Are you Korean diaspora in Japan?
Neopchis tone changed instantly.
Yes. Mussang spared me. I am serving him with all my heart, but he is quite enigmatic. What kind of person is he?
I dont know. He is strong to the strong and weak to the weak. He is fearsome but kind, cold-hearted but warm, special but ordinary. Sometimes he looks as enlightened as a monk, and at other times he is as murderous as an asura. For his enemies, he is a force of nature. For his friends, he is the Buddha. You held onto a leg of the Buddha, and he pulled you out of hell.
I am truly blessed. When he asked if I am Korean or Japanese, if I had answered Japanese, I would have been fed to the feed grinder too.
Gim Geukdo shuddered.
Feed grinder?
When we harvested the organs from the victims, we drained their blood and fed their bodies to the feed grinder and threw them away in the river. Then, ordered by Mussang, I tossed the head of the special unit and the Japanese supervisor to the feed grinder.
He is quite a thug!
Neopchi felt sick. Even the lousy loan shark-like the Pungguk syndicate couldnt be their match. His new subordinate was one of the villains. He didnt know how to handle him.
I should have gone with Mussang like yesterday.
Neopchi calmed his beating heart and pretended to be calm.
What happened to the Pungguk Capital building yesterday?
I demolished it with Mussang.
You have my respect.
Gim Geukdo bowed down 90 degrees. Respect is not warranted in this case. We would decimate you yesterday but couldnt because the Capital building collapsed. What happened to the people in the facility?
Everyone locked up in the basement was released. Mussang brought the orphans here. The 20 Korean members of the special unit and one Japanese member were teleported away. There is some foul-mouthed middle-aged woman left in the basement. I handled her, thinking she will trouble Mussang otherwise.
Did you kill her?
Neopchi frowned. Mussang never hurt ordinary folks.
I didnt kill her but injected some Itai in her prefrontal cortex.
What is Itai?
It is a chemical used by the Hamon clan to which I belonged. It is a chemical extracted from a caterpillar of a butterfly. When injected into the brain, it prevents the secretion of dopamine. In the short term, it leads to memory confusion and bipolar symptoms. In the long-term, it leads to advanced dementia.
Whoa.
Neopchi shuddered. His grandmother in his hometown had dementia. She didnt recognize herself or others. She didnt know when to go to the bathroom. She was losing her humanity. The very word dementia made him feel a cold knot deep in his heart.
Mussang is not to be bothered with miscellaneous affairs. His subordinates like us shall take care of them.
Gim Geukdo said as if to say that a chicken has two legs.
This one is rather intimidating!
Everything his new subordinate said was shudder-inducing. If he ever wronged Mussang, he would inject Itai in his head.
You did well. Lets work hand in hand.
Neopchi patted Gim Geukdos shoulder. Maintaining charisma was everything to a thugs life.
Of course. Nice to meet you.
Gim Geukdo maintained a low stance. Mun Indos boss didnt look strong, but he started serving Mussang first. For that fact alone, he deserved some respect.
Is the kid in Mussangs arms an orphan too?
Yeongsuk is an organ donor supposed to be sent to Japan. Instead, the special unit had abducted a child suiting the conditions. Her parents had been handing out flyers. Gim Geukdo took out a flyer from his pocket and handed it to Neopchi.
She looks cute in the photo too!
Under the text, Child Missing, a cute young girl was wearing an overall skirt.
Due to the hectic circumstances, I had no chance to tell Mussang yet.
Somethings odd. On a flyer looking for a missing child, there would be contact details of the parents and the local police station in-charge.
Neopchi wondered. There was one single phone number on the flyer. He had never seen anything like this. One of the main gigs of the Samsik syndicate was to look for a missing person. Parents with a lost child had their hearts turn to coal in anguish. On the flyers, they often added multiple phone numbers, including the police station and several relatives, if they could not answer the phone themselves.
Mussang is busy with other things. So I will take care of this.
Neopchi folded the flyer and put it in his trouser pockets.
I see.
Lets go. You look like you need to bathe and rest too.
Gim Geukdo indeed looked filthy, as if to be mistaken as homeless. Neopchi and Gim Geukdo headed for the outhouse.
With 12 new family members, the 16-person table provided insufficient space the following day. So Yeonsun had to drag out the nickel silver table from the storage room.
Eungsimjes tables were always brimming over with feasts. Jinsun followed Mussangs policy: Eat well. Bowls of white rice, beef seaweed stew, spicy stir-fried beef and tofu, roasted fish, pork ribs sizzling in a pot. Overwhelmed by the abruptly changed environment, the children looked around self-consciously and couldnt dig in properly. On the other hand, Yeongsuk, having spent a night with Mina in her room, changed overnight. Mussangs eyes gazing at Yeongsuk were filled with endless kindness.
Where is Mr. Gim? I dont see Yeongji either.
He went to the forge early morning where he had his truck worked on earlier. He thinks of modifying a used truck to a food truck and selling toast and pancakes filled with cinnamon sugar. Yeongji followed him.
Why did Yeonghui didnt join them?
I was humiliated.
Yeonghui answered gently in a barely audible voice. Mussang smiled. She didnt behave as a big sister should.
What your father does is never embarrassing. He is making a living. But, if you dont overcome shame, shame will continue to rule your life.
I understand. My bad.
Yeonghui bowed her head further. She felt that Mussang was inconsiderate of her feelings, but the sisters would have told her off if she talked back.
You must be all hungry. You dont need to pray. Lets eat.
Thank you.
The children said in unison and dug in. It was a matter of course, considering they had been locked up in the basement for a whole day yesterday.
A skinny girl sobbed.
Why are you crying?
Malsun looked at the crying girl.
It is so nice here.
What is nice?
No one beats us or says bad words at us. I love this warm rice so much. You will not sell us elsewhere, will you?
What?
The five sisters eyes widened. Sell them?
Sir, we will be good.
Let us live here!
The children all began to cry. The ambiance chilled at once. Gim Geukdo, grimacing, gauged Mussangs mood. Mussang kept eating spoonfuls of rice without saying a word. The rice grains felt like sand in his mouth.
Mussang, what have they been through?
Jinsuns face darkened. Mussang closed the book he was reading.
Is it bad?
He had expected it. The childrens bodies werent mature, yet they had to endure all kinds of abuse. Its no wonder they are in a bad state.
I couldnt stand the sight. They are all malnourished, and they have whipping scars and cigarette burns. Some girls have their private parts ruptured, and their nipples have fallen off. What have they gone through?
Its what you suspect. They were abducted by child prostitution ring and went through all kinds of abuse for two months to two
years.
What did you do to the offenders?
Jinsuns eyes took on a murderous sheen.
I ground the two bosses in a feed grinder. Their lackeys will be sent over to Novatopia for lifelong labor.
I am saddened to say you did well when what you did is, in fact, murder. What can we do for their treatment?
If we send them to the hospital, there will be quite some noise, right?
The nurses will call the police right away. Their psychological trauma is worse. There is no trustworthy expert in Korea. So I shall send them to France.
Will they be able to have normal lives in Korea after treatment?
I am thinking of sending them to Novatopia.
That appears prudent.
Jinsun nodded. Her clinical opinion was that the children couldnt receive proper treatment in Korea. Even if they recover, it will be challenging to overcome their trauma and mix in society.
Mussang held up the receiver. He had to ask for Bonipas and Dr. Gizs favor. Mussangs favorite jet, Falcon, landed at the Seongnam Airport three days later. A bus belonging to the French Embassy entered the main apron. Mussang had left Korea after he couldnt adapt to society. The ten children thus left.
The press didnt mention the extraordinary incident in Nowon District at all. Instead, they chattered on laboriously about the alleged spy operation in Daemyeong District. An article in a local newspaper stated that the Pungguk Capital building collapsed due to poor construction quality. Mussang was dumbstruck. He preferred silence also, but he also discerned the deep-rooted connection between the Japanese syndicate and Korean politicians and bureaucrats. The dark history raged on.
They shall all be killed!
Mussangs rage meter flared up in explosive intensity.
Chapter 590 - Episode 1 Cause and Effect
Chapter 590 Chapter 54 Episode 1 Cause and Effect
The war in the Pacific came to an end on August 15th, 1945. The victors of the war, the Allied Nations, boasted over sixty overseas colonies by the end. But the loser of the battle (by this time, Italy had already surrendered and began siding with the Allied Forces, while Germany had surrendered in May the same year), Japan only had one colony under its belt. And that was the Korean peninsula. The positions of the colonies were also split along the line of the losers and victors. When Japan and the Allied Forces signed the peace treaty in 1951, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Burma (Myanmar), and other colonies of the victors automatically inherited the status of the Allied Forces. As for Korea Not only did it have to suffer from the pain of being a colony, it now had to inherit the Scarlet Letter, denoting it as a defeated nation, too. Korea was the sole defeated nation colony in history, and it was also the only nation to be excluded from the Peace Conference.
As a result, the colonies of the victorious nations could proudly and confidently demand compensation from Japan. Sadly, however, Korea couldnt even politely ask for payment.
The rules of engagement in the international community were brutal cold. If you dont have power, you need a pretext, at least. Korea didnt have any power, and neither did it display any apparent resistance against the foreign ruler that could have helped its case with the international community.
Despite all those lonely skeletons of the freedom fighters left behind in the desolate Manchurian plains Despite the price paid with blood by all those grassroots movements crying out Freedom! that got mercilessly crushed
The footprints left behind by the rich and unscrupulous that assisted and sucked up to Japan were so much more significant. Japanese yangahchis fatally stabbed a nations queen in the palace bedroom. Her body was set on fire soon after. The palaces garrison officer was in bed with the Japanese ruffians while the actual palace guards got frightened by the gunfire and ran away from their posts. Meanwhile, both the king and the prince didnt dare to utter a word, even though the kings wife and the princes mother had been killed brutally.
The central figure of the assassination, Adachi Kenzo, said these infamous words: Mere Joseon bastards (trusted Russia and] dared to raise their heads, thereby looking down on our Great Nippon Empire. Thats why we hunted the fox down.
Adachi Kenzo remained a central figure in the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and lived a pretty precious life until his death at 85. No one dared to say anything, whether it was the royal court, the cabinet, media, or some other random passerby. A country like that wouldnt get to appeal its case to the international community. The term noblesse oblige didnt get invented for no reason. The part that got the most attention wasnt the ordinary men desperately resisting the Occupation, but the actions and words of the upper-class traitors and cowardly royal court. From the perspective of other nations, Joseon looked like a country that readily accepted Japans rule.
The Philippines received half a billion dollars as compensation from Japan. But Korea had to jump through multiple hoops and make many pleas to get the same amount under the pretext of economic cooperation through the agreement on reparation. If Korea were allowed to participate in the Peace Treaty and demand compensation like the others, even five billion dollars wouldnt have sufficed. Korea wouldnt be crying over the issue of comfort women until now, too. The amount of half a billion paid out might be the same, but the nature of the two payouts was different. The Philippines got the compensation with their heads held high, but Korea had to sell their pride to eke out that amount. Considering the situation back then when the Korean government barely had any seed money to develop its infrastructure, lowering their heads to Japan was an understandable gesture. But that didnt make the shame any more bearable. Why did such a thing happen, though? Thats because we failed to gain independence through our own hands. Instead, that independence simply fell from the sky while Koreans were asleep. The atmosphere was the Mena House Hotel in the Giza Pyramid complex 15km away from Cairos city center. And the ones that dropped the independence were Roosevelt, Churchill, and Chiang Kai-shek.
Even then, the independence nearly ended up drifting aimlessly away without any firm promise, thanks to Churchill getting too greedy during the negotiation. Without any participation of Koreans, determined the fate of Korea and its people in that manner.
However, something even more gob-smacking than that occurred after August 15th, 1945. The Rhee Syngman regime forcibly stopped the Special Investigation Committee of Anti-National Activities from doing their job to capture those who actively cooperated with the Japanese empire during the Occupation period. The regime then appointed the pro-Japan faction members to critical governmental posts re-hired the majority of those who worked as patrolmen during the Japanese Occupation as the police to suppress the Korean nationalists.
Even someone like Noh Duk-sul, that served as a high-grade detective during the Occupation, responsible for arresting and sending countless patriots to prison got re-hired to a high-ranking post in the national police. Where was justice when even people like him acted as if the whole world was under their beck and call?
As a result, the push to punish the pro-Japanese was thrown out the window, and the history of corruption began in earnest. It led to the sorrowful phenomenon of the traitors that betrayed their people and kissed off the enemies continuing to lead prosperous lives generation after generation. In contrast, the children of brave patriots that sacrificed their lives and wealth for their nations independence couldnt even afford a single decent meal.
Chartres, you were right all along, Mu Ssang muttered quietly. Chartres, a former historian, lamented that South Korea didnt have a founding father figure. Instead, its first ruler, blinded by his desire to hold onto power, chose to embrace traitors and the corrupt, leading to the vanishing of justice. Chartres contended that a country with no justice was bound to walk the path of corruption.
Korea was colonized and ruled over by Japan for 35 years. Meanwhile, France was occupied by Nazi Germany from June 14th, 1940, to August 25th, 1944. Four years and two months, in other words. Over a hundred thousand French were prosecuted for collaborating with the Nazis during that short period.
France strictly punished every French citizen that willingly collaborated with the Nazis. Including summary executions, a total of 12,000 people were executed. In addition, between fifty to sixty thousand received various sentences, including imprisonment, forced labor for life, and revoking their citizenship.
Compared to this, Korea boasting a 35-year-long occupation produced a nonsensical phenomenon of 221 prosecutions, one execution, twelve imprisonment, and eighteen suspensions of citizenship. Rather obviously, this was not the result of Koreans being such resolute patriots, and no one was pro-Japanese during 35 years of Occupation.
Having dealt harsh punishments for all traitors, France advocates for life imprisonment without exception for traitors to this day. Even their media was no exception. Any media organization that collaborated with the Nazis was shut down immediately, all of their assets confiscated. What about Korea, then? Instead of punishing the pro-Jap traitors, the worlds of politics, law, and finances were monopolized by the pro-Jap factions. And the dregs of immoral corruption also managed to taint the yangahchis. As a result, the newspapers that led the way in the pro-Japan propaganda began writing even more brazen articles one after another.
Shady organizations like the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and the Hamon clan extended their evil tentacles into the country. Yangahchis became their eyes and ears, hands and feet. And whats crazier about this situation was that the judicial authority and the administrative organizations meant to destroy such groups began protecting them instead.
This was because people learned that being traitors would lead to a good life. But, unfortunately, it was already too late to yank out the roots of evil by now. Whether or not Mu Ssang would go against Monk Dae-woos command not to interfere with the mundane world Now that remained to be seen.
The day after, I sent the kids to France
That afternoon, Gamulchi letting out weighty, throaty exhaust noises headed to the Textile Center. Mu Ssang, feeling somewhat pressed for time by this and that, decided to meet with Baek-bu and finally deal with what needs to be dealt with. What brings you here, mister? A young security guard blocked Mu Ssangs path. He stood straight with a raised chin in a show of pure arrogance. I came to speak to the president. You have an appointment, then?
Mu Ssang stared straight at the young security guard. The latter flinched at the overbearing attitude. Another security guard behind him sneakily went for the baton on his waist.
Mu Ssang then glanced at this security guard next.
Heok?! The security guard let out a shocked gasp and stumbled back ungainly.
Mu Ssang was about to say something but stopped himself and turned his head away. Trying to reason with some idiots dying to show off after getting their hands on a tiny bit of authority would be an utter waste of his energy.
Call the secretary, then. Do I need to make an appointment for that, too? N-no, not at all.
The security guard picked up the intercom and began dialing while looking somewhat unwilling. He wanted to ask the purpose of the visit, but his lips didnt want to part for some reason.
Mu Ssang took over the receiver. Yes Im his nephew Yes. Im from Jip-eun Dari.
The security guards overheard the nephew part and jumped up in surprise.
Here, talk to the secretary. Mu Ssang handed the receiver back to the security guard. The latter kept nodding his head like a bobblehead toy, unable to say anything other than Yes, yes over and over again. Its this way, sir.
The security guard rapidly became uber-polite. He pressed the button on the elevator and even performed a smart military salute before leaving. I guess being the owner of the place does have its perks. Should I also act a bit arrogant from now on? Mu Ssang smirked while murmuring that. Novatopias citizens numbered over a million now. He was the monarch of a nation and also one of the wealthiest men on Earth. Thats why these petty fools trying to show off with just a tiny bit of authority and wealth came across as laughable in his eyes.
Its the entrance of his real nephew. Isnt this like the return of the prince! Chief Jung Ah-youngs heart began pounding away. Plenty of the presidents nephews came to see him already. A few even worked in the company, too. But, of course, they were all nephews from his wifes family. In the past, the number of such nephews was over ten. Finally, however, she got to fire those wage thieves and chase them out of here.
The president only had one real nephew. The president often talked about a talented, amazing nephew like a bad habit. A nephew that one and only president Bak In-bo wanted so badly to see again but were too afraid to do SO
That was Bak Mu-ssang. Since his hometown was Jip-eun Dari, he had to be that talented, amazing nephew from all those stories.
Knock, knock
Chief Jung knocked on the door to the small-fry trap. As his health deteriorated through the illness, the president became more anxious and temperamental, abrasive, with every passing day. Getting summoned to the presidents office would inevitably mean you ended up half-dead, so the employees began calling the office small-fry trap.
Jung Ah-young stepped into the office without waiting for an answer. Not only was she the sole employee who didnt fear the small-fry trap, but she was also the doorway capable of joking around with the president of the company, Bak In-bo. Mister President, your nephew, has come, sir.
Who the hell is it this time? Just send him home, will you. Bak In-bo took off his reading glasses and waved them around in the air.
Honestly speaking, he was getting fed up. With their foundation already yanked out, the in-laws had been deploying this appeal-to-his-humanity tactic using young nephews-in-law for a while now. But sir, he said hes the nephew from Jip-eun Dari. What did you say?!
The reading glasses in Bak In-bos hand fell to the desk.
Cough, cough! Bak In-bos trembling hand urgently massaged his temples as he tried to control his heavy, gasping breaths. Even the one and only cold blooded Bak In-bo couldnt help but freak out at Mu Ssangs sudden entrance. Man, that almost killed me. Hurry up and show him in. Hehehe, I wonder, just how much has he changed after all these years? However, Bak In-bo was still Bak In-bo. He regained his composure in an instant. Due to the effects of jaundice, his yellowing eyes began gleaming in the lights of anticipation and excitement.
When the visitor stepped inside the secretarys office, a lady secretary manning one of the desks raised her head to confirm. Then her eyes grew super-wide.
The person is stepping inside, he Facial features as delicate and well-defined as a Greek statue, a proud physique six feet tall at the very least, and a well-balanced body shape of an athlete A rare kingly character had made his appearance.
My goodness! The secretary unknowingly gasped out in awe.
Two other female secretaries raised their heads away from the piles of documents to look. Their eyes instantly widened, and it was the same story for Jung Ah-young, as well. Jackpot?! Hes the real deal, a real man! Jung Ah-youngs breathing clogged up. She sensed the caring, warm atmosphere and a wild beast-like aura thats weighty like a boulder emanating from him simultaneously. This nephew did not resemble his five-feet-and-half uncle with unattractive facial features. Like, not at all. The nephew didnt seem to share many genetic traits with Wu-tak, Hui-ja, and Hwa-ja. Simply put, this man was the real deal. A man that emanated the scent of a powerful yet passionate alpha male! Jung Ah-young was a spinster who didnt have much interest in men, but her heart still pounded madly away. She never imagined that a man like this existed for real.
So, it was this woman!
Mu Ssang instantly deduced that Jung Ah-young was the Samshik Capitals business contact. A woman in her mid-thirties with a curvy figure, she wasnt the most beautiful person in the world, but she still gave off a kind impression. Her eyes were clear while her lips had this determined look to them. A woman giving off such an impression was usually loyal to the core and very stubborn. She might be perfect as Emils wife. Her curvy figure and tenacious-looking eyes made Mu Ssang believe that she might be able to whip that indecisive Emil into shape in no time at all.
By the way, where have I seen him before? Not knowing that her fate had already been set for her, Jung Ah-young quickly combed through her memories. Aha! The alpha male kitted out in all-black I saw back in the early winter a couple of years ago! She finally remembered. That man was wearing a black suit over a tight black shirt, carrying a black backpack and a black Ray-Ban on his face She recalled the man with a body straight out of her dreams. She was so shocked back then that she even went on a diet because of him. But now, a man even more remarkable than that Mister Black Fashion had appeared before her eyes. The funny thing was, Jung Ah-young had no idea that the so-called Mister Black Fashion was Bak Mu-ssang standing right before her. Is there something on my face? Feeling slightly uncomfortable now, Mu Ssang chucked that question at the secretary. Jung Ah-young sobered up instantly and hurriedly lowered her head. Its a pleasure to meet you. Im the Chief Secretary, Jung Ah-young. Nice to meet you. Im Bak Mu-ssang. A baritone voice reminiscent of winds gushing out from a deep cavern rumbled the secretarys office. Jung Ah-youngs eyes grew dreamy. She had been searching for a man like this. If he told her to Take everything off! then shed be too weak to say no. . These girls, how dare they?!
The eyes of the other two secretaries were glued to Bak Mu-ssang and didnt want to leave him. Lasers were shooting out from those lustful gazes. At this rate, they might even take off their panties and throw them at him.
Jung Ah-youngs glare sharpened considerably. What are you all doing? Want to work through the night? Her shrill yell freaked out the secretaries, and they hurriedly buried their heads back in the document piles. But Jung Ah-young still managed to read the warning shots fired by the underlings eyes. So they were saying that this was nothing more than a hysteria of a spinster. Im not that old, you know?! She tried hard to console herself but still was driven mad with unhappiness at her not-as-ideal looks, which made her look three, maybe four, years older than her actual age.
Mu Ssang estimated Jung Ah-youngs age to be in the mid-thirties, but she was only thirty-two in reality. Once a woman goes past thirty, every subsequent year would be like a nightmare to her. It was indeed a tragic situation akin to the sun setting over the mountain on the west, impossible to fix, like how it was impossible to capture a cow that escaped from captivity and ran away. Getting married for Jung Ah-young was getting progressively harder every year.
You dont resemble our president all that much, you know? Jung Ah-young said that while tilting her head.
Mu Ssang pointed at the presidents office with his chin without saying anything. He was silently saying, shut up and guide the way. Even that looked so cool to Jung Ah-young Our presidents health is frail, sir. I know Im being impertinent here, but Id still like you to not say or act in a way that might worsen his health, sir. Mu Ssang simply observed Jung Ah-young in utter silence without saying yes or no. If you thought it was impertinent, then you shouldnt say anything to begin with. Knowing you were being impertinent while still saying those things meant that you were being impertinent anyway. Jung Ah-young felt her whole body freeze up right there and then. Fuu-woo. Im just asking for a small favor, sir. Jung Ah-young added that with a sigh. Fuu, fuu. He might not have any luck with his kids, but he still got lucky with his employees, it seems. Mu Ssang chucked his observation out there as if he was talking to himself. But Jung Ah-young still sensed the heaviness of time from those words. Compared to his cousin of similar age, Wu-task, it was like trying to reach a small pebble found on a new road to substantial boulder thousands of years old resting on a mountain peak. Just what kind of a life did this man lead to getting here? Jung Ah-youngs curiosity stoked up. Youre a good person, Miss Jung. Mu Ssang smiled after saying that. Jung Ah-young cringed in pain. Behold! A thin pale line drew on this mans handsome visage, prompting his facial muscles to soften like waves in the calm lake. His expressionless face instantly filled up with a refreshing grin. S-so beautiful!
The grinning face of the presidents nephew was like a brightly-blooming lotus flower under the morning sun. Was it natural for a mans smile to be that magnificent?!
Jung Ah-young was amorously drawn in after him into the office.
Chapter 591 - Episode 2 Cause and Effect
Chapter 591 Chapter 54 Episode 2 Cause and Effect
Can I enter now?
A dry voice brought back Jung Ah-youngs wits swimming in the fourth dimension back to reality.
Heok?!
Jung Ah-young sucked in a deep breath. Was his refreshing smile reminiscent of a lotus flower under the morning sun just a mirage? His calm still eyes gleaming in bluish light seemed to be scanning every single cell on her body, sending chills down her spine. His dry, unfeeling expression was so cold that she might even catch flu at this rate.
If its possible at all, please dont smile. You might end up ruining many women that way. Then, jung Ah-young threw out a joke that wasnt a joke.
Dont worry, and Im not irresponsible enough to smile like an idiot in front of any random woman. And you can also stop worrying about the president. Im too old now to start whining, after all. Jung Ah-young stared at Mu Ssang with her unconvinced eyes. The company president once said that his nephew was a martial art expert capable of destroying a crew of gangsters in the blink of an eye. If someone like that started acting violently out of anger, then the already-frail president would cross the River Styx today. The president might be a strict, meticulous person, but alcohol could turn him into a blabbermouth in no time at all. Most of the regrets he talked about concerned his nephew, Bak Mu-ssang. Listening to those stories sent shivers down Jung Ah-youngs spine. What a fantastic thing it was for a child not even ten years old to endure unmentionable abuse and starvation for five years. After listening to the fragments of the past, all she could say was that it was a minor miracle for the boy to survive through that harsh environment.
She was just a stranger, so there wasnt a whole lot she could say here. Even so, she felt all sorts of emotions bubble up inside her, and sometimes, her president didnt even seem like a human being anymore. If she were in Bak Mu-ssangs shoes, she probably wouldnt have held back as he did.
Many people might curse him, but hes an irreplaceable benefactor to me, you see. Jung Ah-young muttered while turning the door handle. The present was the moment of the worlds of Bak In-bo and Bak Mu-ssang connecting again after thirteen years of severanHowever, unlike the composed-looking Mu Ssang, Jung Ah-young was visibly getting nervous, even though she was just a bystander in this situation.
Mu Ssang smiled faintly and smoothly stepped into the office. He fully understood what Jung Ah-young was saying. Even the Angel of Death was an irreplaceable benefactor, a missionary, to some people.
Bak In-bo unsteadily rose to his feet. An uncle and his nephew faced each other and started glaring as if they were in cockfighting. The deep eyes sunk deeper while the undulating eyes undulated even further. The aging Baek-bu and the young nephew began guessing the history and circumstances. The weight of all the time that had passed by crushed down on the space occupied by both men.
How can this be! Hes already deceased! The uncle who lorded over Mu Ssangs childhood days filled with nothing but fear and hatred has vanished, replaced by a sick and shabby little older man. Of course, mu Ssang wasnt expecting to see a victorious figure, but still, he never imagined that the uncle waiting for him was an old, diseased lion breathing his last in the corner of some shallow pit.
He didnt even need to use Dimensional Sight to confirm this empirically. The uncles ruddy complexion that dripped with fat once upon a time was so gaunt now that it resembled a skull with some skin applied to it. His arms and legs were puffy and crumbly like withered stumps rolling around in the Wolsong Mountains seventh ridge. His eyes were also yellowing from the traces of jaundice. The tear sacs below his eyes had swollen up, almost ready to burst. The uncles first energy reserves had run out, his blood circulation was congested, and his bodily fluids were all dried up. That was his current state. His upper eyelids drooped to cover almost half of his eyes. His eyelashes trembled every time he gasped for breaths So much so that Mu Ssang even felt pity for the older man. The aging process, and the eventual death, of a human being, was directly tied to the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes. But unfortunately, a telomere gets shorter every time a cell divide itself. So when not enough telomere remains, the division of cells comes to a stop, signaling the impending death. ao practitioners referred to this as exhaustion of the primal energy.
Baek-bu C fathers older brother C was sixty years old this year. hat indeed couldnt be called a youngster, but even so Even though he should still be enthusiastic enough to focus his attention on running his business, he somehow ran out of his primal energy. At this rate, he might not even last a year.
You shouldnt be like this!
Mu Ssang felt his tension seep out of him. His elder was supposed to be at the height of his success, ready to show off his victorious visage to his nephew.
There was an old saying about an ascending dragon learning about repentance. Nothing was as wretched as a dragon that reached the end of the heavens unceremoniously crashing back down to the ground. So, what was the point of kicking around an old, sickly lion about to die?
Mu Ssang suppressed the pang of sympathy, trying to raise its head in his heart.
Bak In-bo broke the ice first. Youve become a fine young man, nephew. His phlegmy voice rasped out with immense effort, sounded like it was composed of all sorts of emotions. Yeah. Thirteen years is long enough for me to become an adult and for you to become an old man, uncle.
Bak In-bo flinched as if he got pricked by an ice pick. He wouldve calmly accepted a string of curse words, but not this. Instead, mu Ssangs ordinary-sounding reply burned in a blurred mix of pain and resentment. The day he ran from home, big snowflakes the sizes of cotton balls fell from the heavens. Mu Ssang said, One day, youll regret this, before vanishing along the road covered in knee-deep snow. That final parting image of the boys back still wavered faintly in front of Bak In-bos eyes. Back then, all he could think about was the audacity of the boy.
Very good! A faint grin crept up on Bak In-bos face.
A cat was a cat, but a tiger would always be a tiger. Tiger cub would never become a kitten. So he thought, his nephew was incomparable to the imbeciles of the Jang family. You liked having money back then, uncle. And I can see that you made a success of yourself. Guess the world outside your window must look puny to you now. It seems that I failed to recognize your talents as a businessman, uncle. But then again, I couldnt notice anything with all the crap you put me through back then. Keke! Success is it Bak In-bos grin deepened.
Whether his nephew was sarcastic or genuinely impressed, it didnt matter to him. he said that a good tree was different from the others when it started to bud. So how happy was Bak In-bo to learn that his nephew had belatedly enrolled in a university? His kid was the sole male whod carry on with the legacy of the Bak family.
Bak In-so sighed in relief as if he had finally found a savior in the hostile land that hed been wandering alone all this time.
Take a seat, nephew. Bak In-so plopped down on the couch.
His nephew seemed to possess an aura comparable to a vast mountain. Merely facing him like this depleted Bak In-bos energy ultimately.
A businessman feeds many people extending beyond himself, while a merchant takes advantage of other people. Im a heartless man who only chases after profit without caring about anything else. began as a merchant initially, and through luck, I became a success story hats about it.
To my ears, it sounds like you mercilessly ripped many people off for what they are worth and even went on to rip them off their hides, too. A cold smirk formed on Mu Ssangs face.
Just how many factories had to be shut down, and how many more other businesspeople like Mister Kim had to shed tears at Good Heart Textiles insidious tricks?
Yes, I admit Im nothing more than a sly merchant. I grew my company through improving relations rather than improving the quality of our products. Investigated and manipulated the tendencies, connections, and familial ties of anyone who might help me in my business or even buy my products.
I didnt care about methods buyers, civil servants, influential locals, the media, conmen and even organized criminals, and you name it, I did it all once you dig out all the pertinent information on someone, no one is immune to a perfectly-timed bribe hats how I grew my company. Bak In-bo confessed right away. Uncle, that still takes talent to pull off. Thats your ability ts not like youre running a charity, after all The ones who lost in the competition and got left behind are the idiots.
Haha, sounds like youve gone through massive pain, nephew.
Indeed, I have after getting wrongly accused of being a thief and leaving Jip-eun Dari, specifically. Mu Ssang disinterestedly replied as if they were talking about some strangers.
Im sorry. Bak In-bo apologized with a long sigh. His head faltered like a drugged heron.
That was the one thing he shouldnt have done. The truly shameful part of his life that had been eating away at his heart like a tumor until now.
Heol!
Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide as his uncle just said hes sorry? that word shouldnt even be in that older mans vocabulary be must be at the deaths doorstep, then.
A depressing silence filled the space between an uncle and his nephew.
Chief Jung, should I bring in their tea now? Dont mind it, since Ill take care of it. But, you lot, focus on your work instead. Jung Ah-young curtly cut off her underlings offer. The underlings expression crumpled, thinking that her attempt to see the kingly characters face once more ended up with the spinster witch marking her for life instead.
The Good Heart Textiles actual owner was Bak Mu-ssang. Unfortunately, only Jung Ah-young and the lawyer, Mister Yi, were privy to this knowledge.
President Bak In-bo had already finished the title transfer by now. His share in the company, along with his will, was sleeping quietly in the underground vault of the Daegu Banks head office. If he were to die tomorrow suddenly, his choice would immediately come into effect, turning Bak Mu-ssang into the de-facto owner of the Good Heart Textiles.
Even if it was a simple task of bringing tea to the office, this task couldnt be left up to someone who had no idea what was going on.
Wow, what a damp atmosphere!
Jung Ah-young walked as silently as possible. The young Mister Baks gaze was fixed to the old Mister Baks forehead, while the old Mister Baks gaze was wandering up at the ceiling of the office he feared that carelessly disrupting the choking silence that permeated the office would be akin to throwing a lit match into a gas canister he volatile atmosphere would explode in an instant.
Feeling intensely nervous, Jung Ah-young cautiously placed the teacups on the coffee table and quietly stepped back.
However, the presidents office atmosphere wasnt as volatile as she feared. U Ssang was a seasoned warrior who survived countless killing field attacks for Bak In-bo. He was a go-getter who started his business with just five second-hand buses and eventually turned it into a leading textiles manufacturer in a relatively short period.
The nephew was Asura, who didnt even bat an eyelid while killing thousands of people. His uncle was a ruthless tyrant who ruthlessly wrecked his in-laws to interfere with his business. Both men were amateurs whod vent their emotions like a fool. However, they had walked on enough challenging roads to know how to control themselves regardless of the situation.
That dang girl, still shoving this bitter green tea stuff in my face and all, why dont we share a booze instead? Bak In-bo sneakily pulled out a bottle of Kumbokju from under the coffee table. (Kumbokju: a Korean soju company)
Mu Ssang glanced at the bottle, eliciting a soft chuckle from his uncle. His sight belonged to a hen-pecked husband that stashed a bottle of spirits away, hoping to escape the wifes unrelenting nagging.
Uncle, you shouldnt be drinking alcohol with your condition at hand. Dont be so stiff, nephew. He cant even live past a century, so whats the point of stopping this and not doing that ve been running hard all my life, so its about time I come to a stop, too ven the television, says the one who worked hard all his life should be on his way now.
Bak In-bo picked up the teacup filled with green tea and got up from the couch. He dumped the tea on the nearby flower pot, then refilled the cup up, pouring soju with the teacup meant for green tea was at least three times larger than a soju cup measuring two teacups almost emptied the soju bottle. That spinster girl nags me so much that I cant even drink a sip of soju whenever I want, you see.
You never had luck with your wife, and its been the same story for your kids, but at least you got lucky with your employees. So maybe youve done some good things in your past life, uncle.
Hehehe. Ive got nothing to say to that anyway. Lets drink. Bak In-bo dumped the whole cup of soju down his throat, then began shuddering gleefully u Ssang got swept up at the moment and ended up emptying the cup in one go, too.
Keuh-heuh!
His palate, spoiled by various expensive wines smooth taste, couldnt efficiently deal with the unrefined taste of cheap diluted soju, He wouldnt get drunk even if he knocked back a hundred Kumbokju bottles, but that didnt mean his sensitive tongue wouldnt sense the unpleasant sting of the alcoholic burn.
Still, stinging soju was preferable to some sweet-tasting wine when wanting to knock back simple intoxicant. Youve experienced the kind of a world where one wrong step wouldve sent you plummeting down the thousand feet-tall cliff, right?
Mu Ssang silently nodded at the uncles question to point in verbally explaining himself, he thought.
To you, it must sound somewhat funny, but believe you me, and I also lived a life like that for over ten years, I had to endure the humiliation of not being allowed to enter the main halls of the in-laws whenever I went to visit them even though I was married to their eldest daughter!
I got so mad at them, and couldnt see anything else other than making money no matter what, ut once all that money started rolling in, I got terrified that I was as terrifying as riding upon the back of a rampaging tiger, I just ran forward blindly when I came to my senses one day, I had nothing with me. I didnt have a wife anymore, and I didnt have any kids; not even my soul ll of them have left me.
Bak In-bo stopped talking there, then poured what little remained of the alcoholic liquid in the soju bottle on the empty cup u Ssang silently listened as if he was listening to someones confession.
Just who am I? Why have I been living like this? Just where am I headed off to gather my energy just left me at this emptiness and loneliness? Even began thinking in vain that if I start helping out people who dont know where to go and wander around aimlessly only to get sick or injured, then Then maybe, Id get to see my path forward again, hats why I donated to here and there whenever I could ough, cough Damn it, this damn cough!
Bak In-bo dumped all the spirits down his throat.
Cough, cough, wheeze Kuk, cough, kuk! He began coughing severely enough to throw out his intestines. The office door was flung open, and the figure of Jung Ah-young rushed inside. He hurriedly fed Bak In-bo with some medicine, then briefly shot a glare at Mu Ssangs eyes, criticizing him for breaking the promise. I havent done anything, though? Mu Ssang sheepishly turned away in embarrassment after becoming the villain of the situation. For some vague reason, the woman didnt seem to notice the empty bottle at all, and he couldnt even say that he was not responsible since it was the older mans fault for drinking spirits all on his own.
Cough, cough, wheeze!
Jung Ah-young placed a respirator on Bak In-bos face and patted him on the back, but his coughing fit didnt want to stop at In-bos complexion grew bluish hat was the sure sign of cyanosis, which was caused by the lack of oxygen in his system.
Oh, no! his is bad! Jung Ah-young hurriedly picked up the phones receiver. Mu Ssang, silently watching, raised his hand. The receiver slipped out of Jung Ah-youngs grasp and landed back on the phones cradle.
Oh my gosh?!
Hell turn into a corpse by the time the ambulance gets here.
Vrrrrooo
Mu Ssang pressed his palm on Bak In-bos chest and pumped in some of his resonance waves.
Rumble
A powerful wave of energy shook the paralyzed diaphragm and expanded the lungs olive oil that the waste material lodged between cells tumbled out.
Tu-dada dada-!
Mu Ssangs palm slapped all over Bak In-bos figure like a streak of electricity, which led to internal organs that shifted out of their spaces, quickly returning to their original order.
He ended the emergency treatment and removed the respirator off Bak In-bos face. I get it, and youre hurting, so you can stop now.
To finish it off, he slapped the older mans back so forcefully that In-bo let out a loud cough and spat out a phlegmy lump covered in blood. A foul stench immediately spread out everywhere so that the node was the combination of all the foreign matter lodged in his lungs and blood clots from the internal bleeding.
Bak In-bos complexion became that much more comfortable even his rough, shallow breathing reverted to normal almost instantly.
Heuph! Jung Ah-young hurriedly covered her mouth with a simple, typical office worker. What happened just now was hard to take in without bewildered eyes widening in wonder so much, unable to comprehend. Miss Jung, you should take care of this mess by yourself without calling on anyone.
Y-yes!
Still feeling bewildered and shocked, Jung Ah-young hurriedly mopped away the bloody lump, then reorganized the coffee table. Only then did she discover the bottle of Kumbokju. He shot a resentful glare in Bak In-bos direction, Sir! W-what is it? Bak In-bo faltered and began breaking out in a sweat.
Mu Ssang chuckled softly at that he thought that everyone wouldve lived happily ever after if only his uncle had taken Jung Ah-young as his wife, the matter of marriage didnt concern just the couple. A failing marriage could easily make everyone else in the family just as miserable.
If youre done, you can leave us now. Dont worry about my uncle.
A-ah, yes!
When the phones receiver flew out of her hand and returned to its cradle, Jung Ah-young briefly wondered if she was still asleep, but just then, she witnessed the nephew slap his uncle around a few times to bring the dying man back to life. With that, Bak Mu-ssang no longer seemed like anything human in her eyes. Then, having lost the courage to even form a reply to him, Jung Ah-young cautiously escaped from the office premises.
Chapter 592 - Episode 3 Cause and Effect
Chapter 592 Chapter 54 Episode 3 Cause and Effect
Huh-uh. This must be my first time being able to breathe with little restraint. What happened here?
Bak In-bo breathing precariously until a few moments ago, opened his wide as if he had discovered a new world. He had to live with death always breathing down on his neck for the past few years. He used to confidently say that not finishing what needed to be done was more fearsome than death, but facing his mortality helped him to realize that his ignorant remark was just that, a statement made to hide his fear.
He feared the very thought of death. The soul-wrenching pain he felt whenever he tried to breathe was now gone. His breathing was so easy and simple now, and his chest that used to weigh like a ton, felt like a bundle of feathers. He was flailing around with desperation in absolute fear, pain, and terror, yet his nephew rescued him with just a few well-placed slaps on his body. Was Mu Ssang some kind of a physician of souls or something!?
Its just a simple trick that anyone with the ability to control ki can pull off, uncle. Mu Ssang replied nonchalantly. It was as if he simply applied antiplasmin and put a band-aid over a scrape. A simple trick, you say? In that case, its a straightforward trick, then! It feels like youll know a lot more about how much time I have left than the actual doctors. Hehehe!
A burst of laughter burst out from Bak In-bo all on its own. He knew the state of his body better than anyone. During the past eight years of his suffering from pulmonary emphysema, modern medical science strived tirelessly to save the internal organ ruined by malignant tumors and fibrosis.
Yet his nephew managed to instantly cure the illness that not even the qigong therapy, religious prayer sessions, herbal remedies, home remedies, and various other medicines had not healed. Not stopping there, he even called it a simple trick, too. Just how incredible was he in that case!
Whether its your lungs, liver, heart, stomach, or intestines, none of your organs seem to be in good shape, uncle. So Ive dislodged and removed the accumulated micro-particles and inflammatory substances in you and tried to dissolve some of the blood clots blocking your blood vessels. Once capillary vessels regenerate in those tissues with fibrosis, and you get your immune system back up and running again, I guess youll have another five years or so left.
If nothing had been done, his uncle wouldve died even before a doctor arrived in the office. So the current phenomenon was a peculiar situation, the Angel of Death transforming into the Taoist God of Life.
Oh-ho! That alone is already good enough, nephew. Not sure whats going on here, but thank you. Bak In-bos expression grew radiant with joy. No need to get too excited, uncle. After all, this is merely the last gasp of brilliance from a dying candle. But, on the other hand, if you push yourself too hard, then you may end up crossing River Styx in two, maybe three years.
Mu Ssang felt his innards twist slightly, so he threw some negativity out there. He rushed here, planning to give back everything he had received all those years ago, but somehow ended up being a classic gentleman to a villain deserving of a brutal thrashing. He hated how soft he was acting right now, but what could he do? This uncle of his was the closest remaining family member under the sun. He should save the older man first before doing anything else.
A damn wife that fed poison to her husband. A reprobate daughter that went missing one day. A son hangs out with gangsters the whole day and wreaks havoc all over So let me ask you, nephew. Whats the point of trying to eke out one more second of my life when both my body and home are wrecked beyond repair? The bodys hunger can be soothed with a bowl of hot beef-bone soup. But nothing can soothe the spirits needs. You ought to know.
Bak In-bo mumbled out a lengthy essay. His children raised with much care and time withered away into weeds, while the nephew thrown out to a rocky field transformed magically into a rugged, unyielding pine tree.
An old saying about a curved pine tree protecting your familys burial grounds. Bak In-bo of the past never imagined that hed leave the familys future affairs to his nephew. Humans were never meant to figure out how the heavens calculated aggregate debt sums, it seemed. With all the clogging dust dripping away from his heaving chest, only regret remained to fill it up to the brim.
Its cause and effect, uncle. When you reach the underworld and meet my father, you should apologize to him. Mu Ssang threw out yet another cutting remark.
If you earned something, youd also lose something in return; thats how life operated. His uncle lived a life of lining up his own pockets by wringing out every drop of blood-tinged tears from the eyes of other people. As such, his end would not be pretty.
Not sure about that. I think Id be too ashamed to look Jin-bo in the face. All those years ago, Jin-bo sent me a letter to save the sorry a** of this worthless brother of his. I mean, unless were talking about an episode of Hometown Legends, an object cant travel between the world of the living and the land of the dead, no? Theres only one person whod start a letter with, From Jin-bo to big brother
Bak In-bo narrowed his eyes and threw Mu Ssang a suspicious glance. However, the latter wordlessly stared at the passing clouds outside the window.
Human hearts were hard to predict, but seasons constantly changed as dictated by the heavens. Somewhere in the far-off distance, but still under the same skies, was Mu Ssangs mother, most likely eking out a difficult life.
Feeling sheepish now, Bak In-bo decided to change the subject. I know I have no right to ask you this, but how have you been?
Livestock cant survive outside the pen, but a wild beast can only survive after escaping from the captivity, no? Thats true. Bak In-bo nodded without even realizing that he did. His nephew was indeed an unfettered, ferocious beast. Not some average lynx or a panther either, but a Siberian Great Tiger. He chose to endure and stand his ground at Jip-eun Dari because he had hidden motives. That boy was not a talented egg whod remain confined in pen, thats for sure.
You mustve resented me a lot, nephew.
Denying that will be a lie, sure. But after going through so many close brushes with death in dens of devils and having seen the unforgiving world out there Even that turned out to be nothing major, uncle. Fuu Im sorry. Bak In-bo sighed deeply in sorrow.
I thought youd be living it up right until your final days, so whats the story here, uncle?
Its my comeuppance.
Fuu-hut! Mu Ssang snorted involuntarily.
Did he say comeuppance after all he had done? Was this older man messing around now?
Why did you transfer the house and the land in Jungguk-ma to my name? Were you expecting me to go, aigoo, thank you so much, uncle?
Im just returning Jinbos house and the farmlands, plus twenty majigi-sized farmlands he was supposed to inherit to you, thats all. The transferred rice paddies are around thirty-five majigi, while the vegetable fields are about four majigi.
Even in the Bible, its written that whats Caesars must be returned to Caesar. Since Jin-bo isnt around anymore, its only fair or just that his son inherits them all. Its all my fault. I wished to reduce my regret somehow by doing this. I realized way too late that nothings more precious than my parents, siblings, and nephew. Im truly sorry. Huh. You have changed a lot, uncle. Mu Ssang was taken aback. Uncle had changed. This older man was not the type to say sorry, even if someone pressed a knife to his throat. Instead, he was the type to sell off his ancestors if he could earn an extra buck for doing so. Well, its because Im at the deaths doorstep, thats why! Isnt it supposed to be like, when a person changes so much, thats when they are about to die, no? Hahaha! Bak In-bo chuckled loudly.
Is that why you put up the operating cost for In Ae Won and four other orphanages in Anjirang? Huh. You already know pretty much everything, dont you? Some time ago, I ran into Monk Bumwoo. He told me that a muscular stranger suddenly showed up to save all the kids in danger and dealt with the gangsters. Im now convinced that it was you. Makes sense since you were not exactly what people would call ordinary, even as a little kid.
What Ive done isnt something to advertise, anyway. I only did it thinking that maybe Ill derive some solace for myself by doing so. All I have left is cash reserves, after all.
Is the money the reason for your fallout with the Jang family? And why did you decide to disrupt your in-laws foundation?
This is creepy. How do you know so much about what Ive been doing? Then again you wouldnt have sent me that letter if you didnt know anything. Rather than money its more of my pride at stake. As a man, I should give back as much as they gave me. Uncle, do you still remember the incident when I paid up all four months of unpaid school fees? Mu Ssang suddenly brought out a tale from the distant past.
Fifteen years ago, the immature thing he did got him falsely labeled as a thief. It was the only action in his life that he was not proud of.
Thats already fifteen years ago, isnt it. I already figured out that you didnt steal that money. I mean, youre the type to destroy a shop, not a small-minded crook stealing some pocket change, after all.
Fut! Mu Ssang chuckled at that.
Folks who knew the human Bak Mu-ssang the best were Jin-soon and his master. His uncle was probably the third on the list.
Earlier in that day, I found a snake of luck traveling down the drainpipe from your houses eaves. I quickly grabbed it and sold it to a traditional medicine shop. They gave me 1,200 Won. I used that to pay for the unpaid school fees and even bought a book with the change. So, Uncle, let me return that stolen money.
Mu Ssang pulled out 1,200 Won from his wallet and placed the money on the coffee table. This was his way of voicing his resistance to his uncle returning the land after so long Kekeke. I always wondered where you got hold of the money from, but I see now. You simply caught a lucky snake and sold it. But seeing how I still gathered magnificent wealth, I guess that little guy was a fake! However, Im still the bad guy here after making you work as an enslaved person with no pay. Kekeke!
Bak In-bo cackled self-deprecatingly. His nephew got kicked around mercilessly by the vice principal for unpaid fees, causing the boys ribs to break and his intestines to bleed. Bak In-bo blackmailed the vice principal and lined his pocket when that happened. Looking back now, even he couldnt understand why he was such a monster during those years.
Bak In-bo silently stared at the money before slowly shaking his head. Alright. I returned what needed to be replaced and got back what needed to come back to me. And you are one evil kid for harboring that resentment to this day. It makes sense that you still call her Missus Jang with your temper, huh. Then again, you started calling my wife Missus Jang when you were ten years old, no?
They say that even if you hate someone, youre bound to resemble that person sooner or later. And you ended up resembling me. Hahaha!
Bak In-bo felt pleased with that moment. A man had to be driven hateful even if he wanted to achieve something grand. He was sure now that his nephew was the perfect man to inherit the company. I certainly cant call a witch that tried to dig out my fathers grave and curse his soul, my aunt, now can I?
What?! That b*tch! Bak In-bo was rendered speechless.
But then again that woman even tried to poison her husband to death. So nothing was probably off-limits or considered improper for her.
Ive already buried her henchmen six feet under. I also went to Missus Jangs place to kill her, but I didnt want to dirty my hands, so I held myself back.
Huh-uh! Bak In-bo sighed at length.
That sigh was a palpable signal that his life energy was seeping out of him like cigarette smoke. He wasnt free from his wifes evil actions. He was too ashamed to even look at his nephews face right now. Im truly sorry. But, theres no need for you to do anything. The Jang family is finished now. They are putting up the final struggle, but itll be too difficult for them to rise again.
A fight between a king cobra and a black mamba, is it?
Mu Ssang silently nodded. Habitats of king cobras and black mambas were different, so they would never run into each other in the wild. But lock them up inside a restricted space, and they would end up dying together while trying to devour each other. A black mambas venom was indeed potent, but a king cobra exceeded it in terms of size and physical strength. Mu Ssang was well aware of how his uncle viciously robbed the Jang family through Samshik Capital. Uncle was driven, vicious, and obsessive enough not to desire to lose advantages to anyone. Meanwhile, Missus Jang was not what youd call an average person, either. Since two venomous people were clashing against each other, things were bound to get very bloody.
Uncle, are you happy now? Mu Ssang abruptly asked that question.
Bak In-bo flinched. Happy was one word he had forgotten about for so long.
My life has been in vain, so what happiness are you even talking about, nephew? Now that I stand at the end of my life That question is just too cruel for me to think about. Bak In-bo rubbed his craggy face with both hands.
He raced after a bluebird called money all his life, but that bird turned out to be nothing more than his stubbornness flapping its wings of futility. Uncle. What Im about to say might be tough to listen to, but you still need to hear it. Happiness and misery are reflections of oneself on a mirror called the other side. You keep staring at yourself, crushed by pain and rage every single day, and thats why you can never be happy.
Uncle, you and Missus Jang use rage and hatred you have for each other as your fuel to wreck yourselves. You two even spew enough venom to destroy your closest family members, too ruthlessly as a result. Hwa-ja is a mess, Wu-tak has strayed down the wrong path, and even the once-normal older sister Hui-ja ended up with a psychological issue. My father lost his life, and even my mother went missing.
Euhk!
Bak In-bos expression crumpled like a discarded newspaper. Then, finally, the topic about Mrs. Je-soo had reared its head. He had been praying that his nephew wouldve forgotten about it, but unfortunately for him, the boy wasnt a forgetful type. (Did you think I helped you with farmwork despite your abuse because Im an idiot? I must wait for my mom since shell come back home eventually, and thats why I endured all this time like an ox, you know!)
Those words spat out by the nephew as he packed his bags on that snowy day still rang so vividly in Bak In-bos hearing. Indeed, Mu Ssangs tenacity was more formidable than the tendons of a bull.
Uncle. Whats your reason for searching for my mother for the last eight years? Even going as far as hiring a criminal syndicate, too.
Huh-uhk?! Bak In-bo jumped up in shock like a scalded cat.
How did his nephew learn about his search for Je-soo?! Could it be that the boy still remembered the incident from that day? Bak In-bos heart began racing erratically. He sneakily tried to gauge Mu Ssangs moods, but the latters still figured like the Donghwasa Temples Gatbawi. Nothing could be read off from his unmoving expression.
How did you find out, nephew?
Uncle, do you still see me as your little nephew that you used to smack around? Mu Ssang coldly shot back.
His expression changed drastically, spurring a blizzard of northerly cold winds to sweep across the office.
Urgh! Bak In-bo spat out a lengthy groan. What a scary kid his nephew was, possessing a bizarre ability and unfathomably deep thoughts. Trying to avoid the topic haphazardly would only invite a bloodbath instead.
Im sorry. Truly sorry. Jin-bos passing, Mrs. Je-soo going missing, you going through hell and back, all of them are my fault. Ever since you were young, you often said that your wish was to live in a tile-roofed house with your mom and eat white rice and meat stew every day until your gut bursts open. My wish is the same as yours.
Youve grown up to be an excellent man. And the house and the land meant for your family have been returned to you, too. This means the last remaining matter that demands resolution is locating where Mrs. Je-soo is exactly. Jin-bo is no longer with us, but if only I can see you and your mom living happily together again, then I dont mind closing my eyes for good today!
Bak In-bo pounded his chest.
His greed and his wifes misplaced jealousy caused the death of his only little brother and turned Mrs. Je-soo and his nephew into aimless wanderers. Yet, looking back, all Bak In-bo felt was remorse and lamentation. Two streaks of tears slowly dripped down his withered face.
Did this old man lose his marbles? Wait, maybe hes a doppelganger? Mu Ssang grew suspicious of whether or not this older man sitting opposite side of him was the one called Bak In-bo. His uncle was not the type to soak in the reminiscence of the past and not the one to shed tears like this. No, it would be only regular for him to start yelling out that its none of other peoples business how he lived his life.
His apologizing like this was already a heart-stopping shock to the system, so to think that he was even crying! He must be at the deaths doorstep, then.
Uncle. I saved a man named Lee Kang-chul in Africa. He got kidnapped by a cult called the Voodoo cult. They cut off both of his wrists, and he was dying of blood poisoning. Mu Ssang gritted his teeth as he spoke out.
He didnt want to speak about the matter related to his mothers purity, but he just couldnt let what happened back then as an unsolved riddle forever. Whether to kill or leave alone his uncle today, Mu Ssang needed to decide so that they could go on with their lives.
Whos Lee Kang-chul? Bak In-bo asked while blinking in confusion.
Who was Lee Kang-chul, and why was he suddenly brought into their discussion? Bak In-bo felt a hint of a foreboding creeping in.
He was the hooligan that tried to hurt my mother.
Heok?! Bak In-bo desperately gulped back his involuntary yelp.
That night seventeen years ago, when the bright full moon shined relentlessly in the middle of the night sky Bak In-bo vividly recalled the events of that night as if they had just occurred yesterday. So that bastard who tried to assault Mrs. Je-soo but ran away in fright after Bak In-bos entrance on the scene was Lee Kang-chul?!
Bak In-bo never discovered who that hooligan was, yet his nephew somehow managed to find that punk. But then, the thick wall of dark clouds seemingly began to cloud his view.
Uncle. What happened on that day?
Chapter 593 - Episode 4 Cause and Effect
The cold, bluish lights flashing in Mu Ssangs eyes began stabbing Bak In-bos pupils.
The older mans eyes were numb while his hands and feet shriveled. Then, finally, it was here. Bak In-bos whole body pricked and stung as if thousands of needles were prodding him. Even his diaphragm froze solid from tension.
This bone-chilling shudder ran down from the top of his head right down to his toes. That mustve been a warning. His nephew silently said that any lies would mean Bak In-bos immediate demise.
Bloody hell!
Bak In-bo held back his scream and squeezed his eyes shut without himself knowing. The anger riding along on the wifes hatred and the truth behind his over-the-top anger was none other than his fear. Fear of that question getting thrown in his direction one day manifested itself as aggressiveness toward his nephew.
Im such a moron. A goddamn crazed moron!
Bak In-bo suddenly wanted to chop off his willy and throw it outside the window. The old saying about mismanaging your three tips leading to your familys ruination was not a joke.
A slender yet captivating figure, pitiful facial features, and a heart of gold. Je-soo was an angel. No one would blame Bak In-bo for fancying an angel, but he did something unforgivable, which was the problem here.
That son of a b*tch!
This whole mess was the fault of the bastard named Lee Kang-chul. What was it called again, Voodoo or tofu cult? If you were kidnapping someone, shouldnt you do your job correctly before things go south?! Why did you leave that punk alone so that he could blab his mouth like this!
Bak In-bo couldnt tell what that bastard told his nephew, and that was a huge problem here. One wrong word uttered would lead to everything going down the drain.
Events of that day hurtled through his memories like a revolving lantern. The unidentified assailant trying to hurt Mrs. Je-soo that night threw open the door and fled quickly. Moonlight flooded in through the wide-open doorway like a waterfall. And inside that dark room, a single white flower appeared like a dreamy painting.
Her snow-white inner skin glowed softly under the moonlight. There was an angel he could only look on furtively from a distance for the past dozen or so years. How was it possible that someone with such a slender figure hid such beautiful curves!
Bak In-bos vision grew pitch dark, his throat getting dry. His wife, with a bone structure of an ox and crocodile-like skin, wasnt even human compared to his sister-in-law.
His hands moved on their own to pull down her pants around her knees. He swore on his soul that this wasnt his real intention. His junior, deprived of action for so long, reared up instantly. It stood with such power that his groin began hurting in no time at all. His hands moved on their own again to drag down the womans bloomers by her hips.
Bak In-bos vision was assaulted by the sight of a dark forest found between the delta of a pure-white flower. His junior demanding to be released writhed in anger. All his reasoning was paralyzed at that moment. Nothing besides that dark forest was in his mind. In short, he went insane from lust.
His lustful instincts were soaring that he couldnt even undo his pants properly. Instead, he hurriedly fished out his junior and was about to thrust his way forward, only for Mrs. Je-soo to kick an oil lamp. And when the oil holder of the light smacked him on the forehead
Ah!
The stinging pain coursed throughout his senses, causing his strained junior to explode.
The front of his pants became a wet, sticky mess. His once-raging libido instantly waned. Nothing in this world seemed as futile as this at that moment. He wanted to cry. No, he tried to commit suicide. But his sense of shame didnt last for long. The sticky, warm liquid trickling down from his torn forehead sobered him up pretty quickly.
What is the name of!
For a moment there, Bak In-bo was skeptical of the images that confronted him.
Her hair was messy, large breasts glowing under the moonlight and groin just about hidden in the shadows, her eyes wide-opened with shock, and mouth gagged with tape
Mrs. Je-soo was gasping, crying, struggling away in her restraints. Bak In-bos gaze drifted down to his soggy crotch for some reason. All he could see was his limp junior and a wet crotch.
But, why did I?
His mind went blank.
Click, clack.
Sounds of stones falling and hitting came from the backyard. Someone was trying to cross the collapsed stone wall. Bak In-bo snapped wide awake just at that point. If someone sees this scene, both Mrs. Je-soo and he will be done for.
He untied the tape binding her wrists and hurriedly dashed out of there. Thankfully, the one who showed up was the young Mu Ssang. The kid said something to him, but Bak In-bo didnt have any mental leeway to understand what the boy was saying. He couldnt even remember what his replies were, too.
Why did I do that back then?
He has been asking that question over and over again for the past dozen years or so. Of course, he deeply adored Mrs. Je-soo. But his one-sided crush could not be revealed publicly, causing his frustration to grow. Sometimes, hed ask for assistance from his junior to relieve the built-up frustration using three of his fingers (Authors note: the size of Bak In-bos junior means not all five is needed for the job). Finally, however, he could swear in the name of the heavens above that he never wanted to do the actual deed with her.
Lee Kang-chul might be the culprit responsible for causing Mrs. Je-soo to run away from home, but it was none other than Bak In-bo that put the finishing touch by actually committing a heinous act on her. Je-soo was deeply in love with Bak In-bos younger brother, and she was also particularly strict with protecting her womanhood.
Maybe because she grew up as an orphan, Je-soo was also very generous with her love for her family. However, the shock of the assault ended up wrecking and overturning her mental state.
One moment of mistake destroyed everything beyond repair. Bak In-bo spent so many sleepless nights imprisoned by the sense of guilt and unrelenting regret. From a specific moment on, his junior stopped being active too. Then, he began pouring all his energy into running his business.
Wasnt there an old saying about losing some, winning some? Now that he could no longer embrace women, even alcohol and gambling became a distant memory. His business seemed to be riding a favorable wind as things continued to work out swimmingly.
But, so what? He already guessed that the worst stain in his entire life would one day make an appearance again and start strangling him. Sure, he shot his load even before making contact with the fertile female land, but he was still lost to his lust back then. A truly irreparable nightmare wouldve unfolded that day if it hadnt been for his premature ejaculation.
Mu Ssang wasnt demanding reparations for all the hardship he suffered because he was a magnanimous, forgiving man. No, its because his heart was vast. He was also fully capable of going through hell and back just to dig out the truth if it was related to his mother, Mrs. Je-soo.
Would his nephew forgive him if he said that he blew his load without going inside? Not in a million years. Je-soos purity had been defiled while Bak In-bos pride as a man was shattered into smithereens. Running his mouth off now would only lead to his head flying off his neck.
The truth wasnt always moral or ethical. He was dying anyway, so he had no qualms about getting beaten to death here. However, hed be too ashamed to face his younger brother in the afterlife if he caused another great injustice of the nephew murdering his uncle.
Bak In-bo racked his brain until fumes of smoke began rising from his head. This was the case of quick-witted thinking. Facing an impending threat to his very life, Bak In-bos brain quickly cooked up a scenario consisting of 90% truth and 10% falsehood. That 10% was a secret that hed have to take to his grave.
Bak In-bo abruptly opened his eyes. His grave determination to speak only the truth seemed to envelop each word he spoke. Earlier that day, your mother and my wife had a massive argument. My wife said that half of the harvest from the leased land was too much and that Je-soo would only get twenty percent like everyone else. Your mother then demanded the farmlands of about ten majigi be given back to her since it was meant for her family in the first place.
Your mother was correct. Including the farmlands I shouldve given to Jin-bo in the calculations would provide us with twenty percent, not fifty. Your mother never got into an altercation in her life, but she still stepped up this time, and that was all for your sake, nephew. Mrs. Je-soo had to raise a child without her husband, so she mustve been feeling anxious and rushed.
Even if Je-soo was right, shes always been frail. Theres no way she couldve won against my vindictive wife. So she got taken to the proverbial cleaners and left us in tears. Afterward, well, I had a massive fight with my wife. As you may already know, I adore your mother as much as I detest my wife. Im a man, after all. After all, any hot-blooded men wouldve fallen for a good woman like your mother.
Bak In-bo spoke fearlessly. If he wanted to be convincing, he had to admit those things that needed to be accepted first.
Mu Ssang silently nodded. Baek-bu (fathers older brother) indeed liked Mu Ssangs mother a little too much, and in reality, he did show goodwill quite often behind his wife, Missus Jangs back. Thanks to their uncle giving Mu Ssangs family 50% of the profits from the leased farmlands, he and his mother didnt have to worry about putting food on the table.
Honestly speaking, Mu Ssang wasnt aware of Bak In-bos goodwill being based on his unrequited love, whether back then or now.
I was tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, I decided to go to Junggok-ma. I couldnt hold myself back from all the worries, you see. But I was too embarrassed to call out to your mother late at night, so I just hung around outside the window, trying to figure out if Mrs. Je-soo was asleep or not.
But then, the situation in the room sounded strange. I heard a man panting and your mother whimpering helplessly. I was shocked and started paying closer attention. I mean, even if every widow in the world starts inviting man to their quarters, I knew that your mother would not be one of them.
Well, yes. Mother only knew my father and no one else, after all. Mu Ssang curtly replied. Was there any other couple as loving as his mom and dad? Probably not!
He already heard the in-depth details of that day straight from Lee Kang-chuls mouth, anyway. His uncles testimony so far was just unnecessary additional info.
I realized that some nutcase was trying to assault your mother. So I kicked the door down and jumped inside. I was about to grab the back of that bastards neck, but he took a swipe at me with an oil lamp.
I got hit on the forehead, and just as I began staggering, that bastard managed to escape from there. Mrs. Je-soos top and pants were already removed, while some industrial tape was used to gag her and bind her arms and legs. She was seconds away from a truly horrifying fate. I sighed in relief, took all the tape off her, and quickly got out of the room. Thats when I found you in the yard.
Feeling parched with thirst, Bak In-bo gulped down the water in the cup. Mu Ssang slowly nodded while listening. His uncles story didnt seem to have any missing pieces or flaws within it. On that day, Mu Ssang stayed out late to play in the willow forest and only returned home around midnight. Uncle had a piece of tape stuck to his forehead back then. It mustve been the wound he got from the oil lamp.
I was supposed to be strict about being near a woman, so can you understand how flustered I was? I returned to Jip-eun Dari as quickly as I could. And then all sorts of unsavory rumors made rounds regarding your mother running away from her home, but I never said a word about that nights events.
The more you hit a fugu, the bigger its belly will become. If I stepped up carelessly or without a plan, it wouldve been the same as pouring oil into the fire. I might not be a good human being, but that days events? I swear under the heavens that everything I did on that day was all above board, that I did nothing to stain my honor as a man.
Bak In-bo ended his testimony while looking as heroic and solemn as the narrator in a silent film. He was born with quick wits and even acquired the wisdom of age on top, too. As such, Bak In-bos silver tongue was as fluent and effortless as the waters of Nakdong River during the flood season.
Mu Ssang kept his eyes closed, not saying a single word. He wasnt an empty-headed idiot whod believe Bak In-bos testimony just like that. Instead, according to his uncle, he was a savior responsible for protecting his mothers honor if his words were to be believed at face value, of course.
My poor mother!
Lee Kang-chul had been a lodger for over a year. First, she almost got raped by a man shed been cooking breakfast and dinner for every day. Then she flashed her nude body at the brother-in-law, who rushed into her room. Mother was a frail woman who only knew her father, and thats why she mustve received a devastating mental trauma.
However, would that trauma be bad enough for a loving mother to abandon her son and disappear? As a man, Mu Ssang found it hard to understand.
Something was missing here. The motive was not convincing enough.
Mu Ssang gritted his teeth. No, this was wrong. His uncle needed to remain as the villain here. He should be interrogating his uncle with questions, didnt you also try to assault my mother? However, his lips didnt want to part.
How could a son say such terrible things that would humiliate his mother? No matter how he resented his uncle, they were still family sharing the same blood. Mu Ssang couldnt just start beating this older man up like a gangster.
Just as he sat there, trying to organize his thoughts, Bak In-bo suddenly opened his mouth. Mu-ssang-ah!
He lowered his voice with deliberate intent. Finally, he realized that this was the perfect time to drive the nail home.
Youre an adult now. Im a man, and so are you. The past of us men kicking and punching can be dealt with later. However, the matter with your mom cannot. Just one unresolved question can make our relationship much more abrasive and difficult. Your father has passed on while your mother is missing, so whether you like it or not, Im your only remaining blood relative. Now that Ive come clean Im not going to leave anything behind now.
Theres more?
Its embarrassing to admit this, but Ive been impotent for over two decades. A big part of why my wife treats me like useless trash is related to my limp junior that cant get up anymore.
What kind of an out-of-nowhere crap is he talking about? Mu Ssang blinked dumbfoundedly like a frog that accidentally swallowed a wasp.
If you dont believe me, we can go to a hospital to confirm. Or, if you want to confirm now, Ill call a trustworthy urologist to the office.
Bak In-bo began kicking up a fuss as if he was prepared to take his pants off right now. Mu Ssangs eyes flickered right at that moment. Thats right. He wasnt narrow-minded enough to demand reparations for events that happened when he was still a little kid. But the incident involving his mother was like a thorn stuck in his throat. If he could resolve this suspicion just as his uncle had alluded to, then his mothers honor would remain intact while the weight on his heart would be lifted by a bit.
There was no need to call for a doctor. No other types of examination were as good as the combination of five cooperative movements, Dimensional Sight and the Rule of Sight.
Wuuoong-
Dimensional Sight scanned Bak In-bos body. The neural network starting from the brain and the spinal cord and connected to the older mans phallic organ floated up like a detailed hologram.
Baek-bu wasnt lying. The penis arteries were blocked off, while erectile tissues were disconnected. Activating the Rule of Sight caused the tiny tissues to enlarge in Mu Ssangs view. Blood clots as hard as pebbles were clogging up the arteries while the erectile tissues were so weak that they might as well be nonexistent at this point. Those were evidence of the erectile function being lost a long time ago.
At this rate, Cyclic GMP would never be activated by the nitric oxide secreted by the corpus cavernosums epidermis and the ends of the penile nerve tissues.
And when Cyclic GMP was not activated, the veins would not be closed off, either. In other words, the penis would remain limp as a bulls saggy balls in the middle of a hot Summer regardless of the stimulus received. In medical terms, itd be organic impotence. With that, the sole remaining suspicion in Mu Ssangs mind completely vanished.
If you say so, then it must be true, uncle. Youve always stood behind your words, after all.
Mu Ssang sounded indifferent, but his expression was noticeably brighter. The seasoned Bak In-bo obviously wouldnt miss the change in his nephew.
Its done! He finally managed to earn forgiveness for his sin. Adam could not fool God, but he was not Adam, and Mu Ssang was not God.
Ku-hahaha!
A burst of laughter broke out of Bak In-bos mouth all on its own. If his nephew insisted on getting an examination, he probably wouldve felt a bit sad about it. Thats why he wanted to bear-hug Mu Ssang for believing him so quickly. This kid sharing his blood was indeed a generous, forgiving man.
Youre right, nephew. I might have lied often and done many cowardly things in my life, but Ive never broken a promise. So, now that weve more or less managed to clear the air, can I ask you for two favors?
Favors? Please dont. Uncle, you and I are not close enough to listen to ones favors. Its already a minor miracle that blood hasnt started flowing yet. Mu Ssang flatly rejected him while leaning back.
Kekeke, arent you a rather cold-hearted one!
Despite the icy retaliation, Bak In-bo didnt back down an inch.
Now that the familial relationship has been re-established, the ball is back in his court. No matter how incredible and successful Mu Ssang was, Bak In-bo would always be his uncle. Mu Ssang would always remain as just a nephew, much lower in the family pecking order.
This was the truth of the world that could never drastically change in a flash.
Chapter 594 - Episode 5 Cause and Effect
Mu Ssang looked up. He wanted to look up at the blue sky, but the ceilings white plaster panels blocked his view off. So instead, his fathers always smiling face appeared as the patterns on those panels.
Dad, I should put this to rest right about here, yes?
Fathers bright, sharp eyes narrowed affectionately, and the corners of his large lips reminiscent of a catfish began curling up.
[Do what you want, son.]
Like the nurun guksu (yellow noodles), the voice that rang in Mu Ssangs ears was just a bit unrefined, just a bit chewy and rich. His heart tingled with emotion. Nurun guksu was a Gyeongsang Province-style kalguksu. The dough was a mixture of coarse Cheongguk flour and fine imported flour, plus some soy powder. A wooden roller would be used to flatten and spread out the dough. After folding the dough, it got cut into thin strips before being boiled in the broth of anchovy dashi. It was simple, hearty, honest food.
For specific reasons, Mu Ssangs fathers image always overlapped the wooden roller flattening the nurun guksu. During the ruthless Spring drought season, where the only thing to survive was the bare stalks of barley ears, his father would plant wheat seeds in the parched and cracked fields. Dry-field rice couldnt even sprout under such conditions, but Cheongguk wheat could grow no problem. The tall, resilient wheat was turned into flour in the village mill.
The wheat flour entering the noodle press came out as thick, coarse strands resembling knitting threads. The yellowish noodle dough resembling cotton cloth was transformed into bundles of noodles about two handspans long before being carefully placed inside jars even taller than the young Mu Ssang. This would be his familys provisions until new barley ears ripen next year.
Noodles from cheap wheat flour like that tasted far worse than flour from the U.S. Aid. Not only was it too unrefined and coarse, but your throat would also feel scratchy after eating it, too. And eating such unappetizing flour noodles for not just one or two days, but for several months in a row for all three meals caused the smell of wheat to reek out of your mouth.
When Mu Ssang refused to pick up his chopsticks and stared intensely at the noodle bowl with puffed cheeks, his father burst out into a burst of raucous laughter.
[Darling, we have anchovies, so get us nurun guksu for today!]
[Goodness. At this rate, our child will start misbehaving, even more, you know!]
Even as she pouted, Mu Ssangs mother still rose to stand. She then poured out the yellowish budget flour and the imported one into a brass bowl and kneaded the dough while mixing little bits of soy powder. After the rolling dough absorbed all the moisture, the sticky mixture clinging onto the brass bowl was pulled loose before being kneaded and rolled over and over again.
Thats when Mu Ssang realized the truth. He realized that one needed patience and time to enjoy delicious noodles.
[Darling, youll have a hard time when you get older if you injure your wrist doing that.]
A pair of giant hands snatched the brass bowl away. The dough being caressed by mothers slender arms finally met its match.
Bang, bang-!
The flour dough was subjected to intense battering. Watching the strong father batter the dough was a refreshing sight to behold. Once the battering was done, the wooden roller as tall as the young Mu Ssang came to play.
Father placed the sticky dough on the pounding board, then, while scattering soy powder on top, began flattening the dough with the roller. A full moon at least ten times larger was created in the proverbial blink of an eye. This substantial full moon was quickly folded in several layers like a blanket, then cut into many strands.
[You little troublemaker, do you have any idea how expensive anchovies are?]
Mother made a stern face while tossing the noodles into the anchovy broth. Yet, even as she narrowed her eyes disapprovingly, her lips were still smiling. Even her angry face remained captivating.
Other than some thinly-sliced squash and squash leaves as garnish, nurun guksu didnt come with eggs or something as familiar as cucumber slices. Even so, this noodle dish was so tasty. Pour some spiced sauces on the noodles and mix them well with chopsticks, and you wouldnt even believe how fast all the noodles have disappeared into your tummy.
Soggy and bloated plain wheat noodles became fathers problem in the meantime. Mother loved her husband slightly more than her son, so her eyes would narrow sharply once more at this arrangement. Even so, nurun guksu remained as delicious as ever.
[Father, why is nurun guksu still yellow even though you mixed a lot more white flour?]
[Its delicious, right?]
[Yup!]
[Then its all good, right!]
He was right. Noodles had to taste good, whether the noodles were yellow or white, and nothing else really mattered. Delicious yet straightforward nurun guksu, father and the wooden roller, mother making the nurun guksu That was family, the conditions for being human. Within the boundaries of a home, planting soybeans could get you adzuki beans instead. Or, planting adzuki beans might get you regular soybeans instead.
*
When the father is absent, the uncle must take on the role. And when the son is less than satisfactory, a nephew will have to fulfill the sons duties. Nephew, youre driven and tenacious to great lengths, but at the same time, youre broad-minded and quite affectionate, too. I know it all too well.
Aigoo, this old man thinks hes seized the initiative.
Mu Ssang inwardly clicked his tongue. Just as the uncle knew him, he too knew how the uncle operated. Was it because the older man was at the deaths doorstep? Or was it due to all the internal force accumulated while running his business? The wisdom of age was now added to Bak In-bos quick wits for tricks, allowing him to forge ahead with seizing the opening.
What are the favors, then? Let me hear them out first, at least.
Huh! Still being so hostile and all, arent you. This is my first favor. Bak In-bo took out a sizeable yellow manila envelope from the office safe. Here! This is for you.
He then dropped that envelope as thick as a phonebook on the coffee table with a loud thud.
What is this, uncle?
The management data for the Good Heart Textiles, the list of real estate the company owns, copies of shares and their rights transfer papers.
What did you say, uncle?? Mu Ssang ended up asking back inadvertently. What on Earth was this kick-in-the-bulls-nuts all about?!
If only the in-laws were satisfied with the Good Heart Travel and didnt lust after the textile business, I wouldnt have gone to such lengths to uproot their foundation. However, the Jang family happens to have profound roots.
They might have gotten smacked around without realizing who their enemy is, but the Jang family wont go down that easily. The shares they possess and what I own are about equal. I know them. They arent the type to take the beating lying down.
If I suddenly croak, the company will end up in the hands of the Jangs family. I will not watch that happen even if dirt enters my eyes. The Good Heart Textiles and Travel are companies that I, Bak In-bo, poured all my soul into building up from nothing. Its the company of the Bak family now, and it shall remain that way in the future, too.
Adding the line of Buddha bless you to a Christian hymn doesnt suddenly transform the song into a Buddhist hymn. Likewise, a Buddhist hymn wont become a Christian one with the addition of hallelujah. Soybeans must grow where you plant soybeans, while adzuki beans must grow where you plant adzuki beans. Ive been getting things ready to hand this company over to you for the past five years. In other words, youre now the owner of the Good Heart Textiles.
Bak In-bo solemnly declared as if he was reading the Declaration of Independence. Then, after it tripped on an icy surface, Mu Ssang blinked his eyes in stupefaction like a bull.
Unpacking what his uncle said Well, the older man implied that he mobilized the Samshik Capital to uproot the Jang family, all for the sake of leaving the company in his nephews hands. And since all the procedure was finished, said nephew should take over the company now.
Im the biggest shareholder of the Good Heart Textiles with shares of thirty percent. The nominee trust is still in my name due to taxes and the eyes of the Jang family bastards, but the actual owner is you, nephew.
Once I die, the remaining shares will automatically become yours. That will push the overall shares past the fifty percent mark under your name. The original shares documents and other related documents are stored safely in the vault of the Daegu Banks main branch.
Bak In-bo placed the key to a safety deposit box on top of the manila envelope and grinned sheepishly. So this was the finishing line of his battle of Sekigahara prepared for the past five years. It felt like the indigestion of the past ten years was getting washed away.
Mu Ssang dazedly stared at his uncle. This was a lightning bolt out of the blue. The house and the farmlands were either the property of his father or inheritance meant for him in the first place, so getting those back was evident. But he had no reason to inherit the company.
I havent even put a brick in this companys foundation, so what right do I have to inherit this company, uncle?
The travel side of the company wasnt much to worry about, but the textile business was a serious concern with the annual revenue in the tens of billions of Won. One shouldnt treat such a company carelessly.
You are my nephew. But, of course, you have the right.
You think Im a moron whod gladly take on a bundle of headache? Not interested, uncle. Mu Ssang curtly said no.
Sure, the Good Heart Textiles was a pretty large company, but compared to Dobas oilfields? It wasnt even on the scale of a mom-and-pop corner shop. Inheriting a small company would only saddle Mu Ssang with an extra headache.
An enormous amount of funds was invested in Novatopia, but the nation should reach self-sufficiency in around three years and balanced finances in five. Novatopias potential was limitless. The revenue from tourism was growing exponentially, while all the jatropha trees planted as windbreak turned into an unexpected source of income, too. Moreover, the fruits of these trees produced high-quality biodiesel. A lucky son of a gun would still swim in money even after falling in the middle of a desert, it seemed.
If Mu Ssang utilized his savings sitting pretty in his bank, then well, he could probably buy a company with the size of the Good Heart Textiles dozens of times over. But, then, annual salary and bonuses alone would be enough to live out the rest of his life quite well.
Mu Ssangs shoulders were already bearing a heavy load, yet he needed to ensure the livelihood of nearly one thousand employees, too? No thanks.
*
Ku-hahaha! Bak In-bo exploded in a peal of laughter.
When was the last time he got to laugh out this loud! He felt refreshed right now. Yes, this was the mental fortitude of the Bak family. This nephew of his was indeed his blood relative! Bak In-bo suddenly wanted to rush to the in-laws at Indong and loudly yell this at them: Can you see this, you bastards! My nephew still doesnt want it even though its all free! You Jang family bastards are just a bunch of thugs and dogs compared to him.
The in-laws trauma has been crushing down on his chest for the past four decades instantly dissolved away. He made the correct call to hand over the company to Mu Ssang. Indeed, it was the best business decision he had made in his entire life. It seemed that Bak In-bos younger brother came up with a remarkably prescient name for the boy. Befitting the name of Mu-ssang, the boy was true guk-sa-mu-ssang. (An excellent scholar without equal in his country)
This matter has been settled already, nephew. If you dont take on the company, then those Jang family vultures will descend and start a feeding frenzy until the bones are the only thing left behind. Tell me, is it alright for only a shell of a company to remain while a thousand employees lose their jobs? All the legal procedures have been taken care of. Ive already washed my hands clean of this, so whether you decide to throw away the company or not is none of my business now.
Bak In-bo crossed his arms. Once his nephew takes up the reins, the likes of the Jang family would be nothing more than a mud wall getting swept away in flood. All thats remaining for him was to put the finishing touches to this whole saga, then find out where Mrs. Je-soo was. But, with his physical condition improving, his desire to live again began rearing up.
He wanted to dust all the worries away and travel around the world till his dying day.
Uncle, do you even know what my day job is? I butcher people, uncle. Im a mercenary. My specialty is killing. Shoot to kill, stab to kill, and even strangle to kill. If you want someone dead, just say it. A favor to wreck some fools, I can certainly do it. But a favor to take over your company? Youre asking for something impossible here. Better give up, uncle.
Mu Ssang deliberately emitted a hostile atmosphere. Running a business wasnt as simple as it sounded. If he tried to supervise the Korean workers in the same way he handled the African Voodoo cult, then well, the whole world would descend on his back, thats for sure.
Kekekeke! Bak In-bo began chuckling away.
Strangle someone to death, is it! What a satisfying thing to say that was. All the accumulated stress from the Jang family bastards trying to interfere with his business got washed away instantly. But, if he wanted to see the company thrive into the future, he must hand it over to his nephew, no questions asked.
Bak In-bo clenched his fist. I know you better than anyone in this world, nephew. Youre a good kid, the type that everyone calls a genius. In my sixty years on this Earth, Ive never seen anyone smarter or tougher than you, boy. Besides, running a business isnt that hard as long as you know how to spot useful people and utilize them. The Good Heart might be a bit cramped to contain your ambition, but what can I do when theres no one else?
Are you seriously saying that a dude drunk on stinking fumes of chemicals and human blood should sit on a swivel chair, inspect documents, and balance deposits and withdrawals all day long? Thats one heck of harsh torture, uncle.
Mu Ssang dismissively waved his hands, but Bak In-bo didnt back down an inch. Thats exactly it. But theres no need for you to step up personally and deal with the headaches. As I have done so far, its already past the point of using trickery to grow this company. All you must do is just be the unyielding center of this company, its shining beacon. Just leave the running of the operation to a qualified professional with a good head on their shoulders. What could be a problem for you, then?
Seriously! What should I do now?
Mu Ssang didnt know what to do. The attitude of the uncle, with his arms crossed, was saying, Do whatever you want with this. Age spots on several parts of Bak In-bos face, his eyes dominated by the signs of jaundice, his drooping eyelids The tyrant cracking his whip was nowhere to be found now. No, he was just an aged, tired man with one foot in the grave.
Uncle was not someone whod listen to words of persuasion. And it didnt seem right to keep saying no to an ardent plea. At that moment, Mu Ssang abruptly recalled what his master told him.
[Mu-ah. A man with a long road ahead must forget about the road he has already walked past. Only then will you be able to see the long road beyond the horizon.]
*
Fuu-woo! How are Wu-tak these days, uncle? Mu Ssang sighed before changing the subject.
Bak In-bos expression brightened instantly. The nephew tried to change the subject, which meant he had half-accepted it. Just a bit of push, and he might be wholly won over.
That kid, hes changed just a wee bit in recent times. He mustve cleaned up his act or something because hes been working in the company for a while now.
Thats good to hear, uncle. Wu-tak might have strayed a bit, but hes always been a smart kid. So, stop trying to dump the company on a nephew who doesnt want it and simply let Wu-tak handle it.
Bak In-bo grinned softly. He didnt have much of a chance to smile for months and years on end, yet talking to his nephew made him grin automatically. The Good Heart Travel was meant to be Wu-taks, to begin with. Once Mu Ssang takes over the textile side of the operation, Wu-tak would automatically gain a robust shelter from the storm. This was the final scheme of a top trickster.
He may be my son, but I cant let a kid not suited for the job take over the company. The Good Heart Travel is a perfect match for him since all he has to worry about is maintaining the vehicles and managing the ticket sales. However, Id still like you to become his protective wall.
Mu Ssang quickly saw through his uncles thoughts. So was every father in the world of the same mind! The fundamental goal of Baek-bu, with his time running out, was to ensure the future of his son, Wu-tak. The older man mustve racked his brain for so long, trying to salvage both his son and the company. That was commendable no matter how one sliced it.
Mu Ssang wasnt heartless enough to stomp cruelly on the wishes of a father fretting about his child. Besides, didnt he already know of a perfect person to run the company? So if it was Mr. Kim Gi-taek, it was acceptable to leave the company to him.
Dont come whining to me even if the company goes under, uncle.
In the end, Mu Ssang raised his hands in defeat.
Thank you, nephew!
Was he that desperate? Bak In-bo reached out and grabbed Mu Ssangs hands. The latter silently gazed at the older mans aged hands resembling the wrinkled chicken feet. So this was the heart of a father worried about his child, the frailty of an older man who has no choice but to rely on his blood relatives.
Dont worry about Wu-tak, uncle.
Im sorry for dumping this burden on you. I truly am. I finally realized how important my family is just as death approaches me, so you can say my sixty years of life were all in vain. And now Let me ask you the second favor, too.
No assurance that Ill humor it, uncle. Mu Ssang made sure to have an out before hearing anything.
I know what Im about to ask is challenging, but find it in your heart to forgive my wife and Hwa-ja. Ive heard about all the vile things those crazy women have inflicted upon you. Youre smart and driven, so theres no way you wouldnt know the truth of the situation. I know that youve been holding yourself back until now, also. I also know that you were responsible for destroying Dongsungros Sashimi gang, Chauffeur Lee, and Kkalchi. Youve tolerated the grievances until now, so is it possible for you to just let it go?
Mu Ssang clamped his mouth shut firmly in defiant silence.
Chapter 595 - Episode 6 Cause and Effect
Mussangs cold eyes were fixed firmly upon Bak Inbo. The definition of the noun forgiveness is to overlook someones wrongdoing or fault without criticizing or punishing. It means forgiveness belongs in a highly subjective area between the relevant parties.
Someone beyond such moral boundaries utters the word forgiveness too hastily. Forgiveness is the true revenge. No human has the right to blame others. To even dare to make such outrageous claims is insanity. When they are wronged themselves, they wouldnt mention forgiveness quickly.
Forgiveness demands a contrite apology to express remorse. Hegel said the etymology of the word forgiveness is the same as resignation. Without first obtaining an apology, forgiveness is hypocrisy and illusory placation through defeated acceptance of being wronged without retaliation or vengeance. To put it gravely, the last resort for the weak is forgiveness. When one had the power to avenge oneself, one didnt need to resort to forgiveness.
Are you telling me to forgive your wife and daughter, who havent offered a single word of apology?
Mussang asked slowly.
Bak Inbo found it challenging to answer. He had seen the same eyes when Utak wronged him more than a dozen years ago. Then, those eyes harbored rage or, instead, ridicule. The pesticide bottles were shattered entirely, and a fragment had slashed his forehead. The same eyes had glinted amongst the lethal blue pesticide and red blood that had covered his face. Jang Pilnyeo, ordinarily stoic, had hurriedly ran out of the barn with Utak.
Uncle, do you remember Aunt Bak-sil?
Mussang asked in an abrupt burst of nostalgia. Bak-sil was the sister of Uncle Samchul. She went through an ordeal in the South Seas as a comfort woman and returned to Korea 20 years after the Liberation. The left half of her face distorted, and her nose collapsed and caved in. Her hobbling gait did not help her ugly appearance. Nevertheless, she would wield her fist at the sky and yell with all of her might.
She returned home after all the years, but adults shunned her, deeming her unclean like an accursed leper. Children called her names like evil hag and ignored her too. Her only friend was his mother. The women in the town would gossip that the witch and the prostitute had become friends.
When Mussang left Jipeun Dari, Bak-sil drowned herself in the Nakdong River in summer. She couldnt endure being shunned by her townsfolk and relatives. She belonged to the dark history of Jipeun Dari, where many people shared the same surname.
The woman who made quite some noise in the town?
Bak Inbo was bewildered by the mention of an undesirable character. He could not read Mussangs intent, who suddenly mentioned the unpleasant incident.
Do you also think she was a prostitute?
Well, even though she didnt intend for it, she was a whore to the Japanese.
Bak Inbo looked at Mussang and couldnt finish his sentence. His nephew could have ended up as a judge or a prosecutor had he not been expelled. The perpetrator, Jang Pilnyeo, ruined his life by framing him for rape. He didnt feel like he could judge anyone.
Thats a shame. Every adult in the town thought so. I am not blaming just you, Uncle. I still remember the words Ms. Bak said, shedding tears, next to my mother. After being dragged to Palembang in the South Seas, she had to take dozens of Japanese soldiers per day. If we allocate 10 minutes per soldier, it adds up to seven hours. Since most Japanese men suffer from premature ejaculation, it would have been shorter. When she got malaria and requested a day off. she was kicked in the face with a boot and had her face collapse. She is a victim, condemned to hell against her will. Was she a prostitute? Could she ever forgive the offenders who brutally deprived and fleeced her of her femininity, youth, and beauty? Do you remember what her will said?
Mussang stopped talking and stared at Bak Inbo. Bak Inbos tongue felt prickly. How could he forget? The incident had distressed aggrieved the whole town.
[I am killing myself because I couldnt avenge myself when I still lived. I resent the Japanese as much as I resent my relatives. What did I do wrong? Why should I be pointed at and called morally reprobate? The elders of my family sent me to be a whore to the Japanese soldiers to avoid delivering goods to the Japanese government. They are worse than the Japanese soldiers. I will become a ghost and haunt the Bak family who didnt heed a word I said and only insulted me.]
When the suicide note was discovered, Jipeun Dari was distraught. Bak-sil was Bak Inbos cousin in the 10th degree and a year younger than him. There were nine people that Bak-sil would have referred to as elders. After her suicide, the people who were possibly targeted by her grudge gathered money and hired a shaman to console her soul. There was quite a commotion.
Bak-sil was a victim of the circumstances of the era. She had no power, so she had to be dragged to a faraway foreign country and had her being ravaged. She survived everything and returned home, but no one treated her as a human being. Bak-sil had protested to claim her innocence through her suicide, but no one heeded it either.
All it led to was the gloomy atmosphere and air in the town. Whenever someone died or a disease spread, rumor said that it was Bak-sils deed. A shaman was hired. Everyone only cared about their family and sought to evade the ghosts wrath. Most humans are selfish and self-centered, but the Baks in Jipeun Dari were extreme in their levels of haughty arrogance or vain conceitedness. Thats why Mussang dismissed the relatives in Jipeun Dari.
Bak Inbo then understood why Mussang mentioned Bak-sil. His nephew had criticized him for neglecting his role as the head of the family. He also said he had to go through the ordeal because he was as powerless and helpless as Bak-sil.
I know what you mean. I find it hard to ask you to forgive my wife, who even touched Jinbos remains. But that woman is mentally ill. Will you kill a lunatic and be labeled a murderer? Hwaja ended up as a drug addict and is missing. Please understand how distraught I must feel like her father.
Justice always takes the side of the strong. Your wife was never a weakling.
Mussang remembered the most devastating and vexatious moment of his life. He still remembers every word of the verdict.
[The defendant is guilty of seducing and afflicting sexual violence upon a minor. He is responsible for a lot of things. Considering that he is repentant, has no criminal records, and has settled with the victim, I sentence him to two years in prison. However, the sentence will be reprieved for four years, starting from the effective date of the verdict. I forbid the press from divulging his name to protect his identity.]
That was the verdict read by the judge of the appeals court. He still vividly recalled the calm, aloof face of the judge reading the verdict, sitting on his high seat. Before he could feel resentful, he was dumbstruck. It was illegal for them to jail him for 200 days without any verdict. If Yuan Haowen hadnt bribed the relevant officials, the reprieval would never happen.
Had Kang Min-seok been a judges daughter, would he have given them a reprieval and protected his identity? He was more than willing to behead him if there were such a judge. He hated hypocrites more than criminals. Mussang could have ended up like Auntie Bak-sil had he not had his strength and resolve.
Bak Inbo felt a sense of deep sorrow. Considering Mussangs personality, his wife and daughter were already dead. He wasnt concerned with his wife but with his nephew and daughter. He didnt dare to see his nephew killing his daughter. Even though she ended up a mess, she was still his child. If his nephew killed her, his family could be considered wholly ruined.
Bloodshed in the family ends up a perpetual burden on your heart. My wifes family is about to collapse. If she married a Bak, she should be a Bak, but she remained a Jang. When her family collapses, that will be it for her too. I am quite petty indeed. When a person reaches 50, they are supposed to know the worlds workings. Let alone that, I abused my young nephew and couldnt keep my wife. I have lived a life in vain.
An expression of futility descended upon Bak Inbos face. An evil plan lit up in Mussangs head. He was not like the helpless Auntie Bak Malnyeon. There was an apt punishment for psychopaths.
You will witness no bloodshed.
Thank you.
Bak Inbos face lit up with cheer.
Death may be a better fate.
Thats not my business.
The target was not spelled out clearly, but Bak Inbo answered in joy. He didnt want Mussangs soul to be hurt by the violence he may afflict. Bak Inbo pressed on the intercom.
Ayeong, bring that thing in.
Jeong Ayeong handed him a faded envelope and exited the room.
Take it. My days are numbered. I have a multitude of regrets. This is one of my greatest regrets.
What is this?
This is some money I prepared for your schooling and living expenses. I had heard late how you barely survived the mine in Mungyeong. I had the money prepared then, but I couldnt hand it to you because I had no courage. Considering your personality, you wouldnt have taken it even if I gave it to you, would you have?
You know me well!
Mussang laughed heartily. When he left Jipeun Dari, he vowed never to do with the whole place.
Each year, I added some money. Now it is a significant sum. It should sustain you until you graduate. I dont know how much you made being a mercenary but take it as my apology.
Bak Inbo thought Mussang was going to college with his money as a mercenary. What face would he make if he knew that he was as rich as to be able to make a scholarship for thousands of students and pay for their tuition and lunch?
Mussang lowered his gaze at the time-weathered envelope. Even though their relationship was strained, he was still his relative. He wasnt moved emotionally, but his heart warmed nevertheless.
He had once stubbornly insisted that his father release the hare caught in the trap his father had installed. When he saw the fearful round eyes of the animal, his pity subdued his appetite for the meat.
Your mother needs meat. His father, perplexed, had released the hare. Instead, one of the familiar rabbits that Mussang fed each day went into the pot. When he impulsively spared the hare, he had to pay for it with one of his rabbit friends life. He didnt know if his father intended it or he needed meat, but the lesson had stayed with him to this day.
It was all he needed to forgive his uncle. When he used Dimensional Sight and Magic Eye, he could see the bacteria swarming greedily about food. The pores on Jinsuns face looked like caverns, and the sebum and keratin were glaringly revealed. Some leniency was required for smooth sailing in this world.
Mussang looked at his uncles dry face and then his bony wrist. In the past decade, the white envelope had turned yellow. The yellow, stained envelope was evidence of his uncles sincere motives. He had a million hares in Novatopia. He could forgive one domesticated rabbit.
I will use it well.
Mussang took in the envelope. With that, he found that he could finally forgive his uncle.
Thank you. It may sound strange, but everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how quickly one becomes aware of the mistake and how one makes reparations for wrongdoing. We are family. A native tribe in Indonesia cut off a finger to mourn their lost family. They are subduing grief with physical pain. What has passed is in the past. Let us let go of the past pain and head for the future. We need to find your mother. If you have some compassion, please empathize with my anguish.
Bak Inbo mumbled as if to express a degree of sympathy. Those were heartfelt words of an old, tired, and sick man in the twilight years of his life. Yet, his uncle regained his humanity close to his death.
Could Teacher have anticipated this?
The teacher had said that a family matter needed time to be adequately resolved.
Uncle, I will find my mother. Your job is to take care of Utak. He is the eldest grandson, after all.
Mussang politely refused his uncles offer to have lunch together and left the building. He needed time to declutter his head.
Could you give me a minute?
When he was about to exit the entrance, Jeong Ayeong ran up to him, out of breath. She was out of her uniform and was in casual clothes, holding a purse. She seemed to be leaving work early.
Mussang, lets have some soju with some roasted gizzard.
Mussang stared at Ms. Jeong with a confused face. He had seen a French woman who offered to sleep together at first glance but never seen any woman who asked to share a drink as soon as they met.
Why?
I know you are someone of momentous gravity, high standing, towering status.
Jeong Ayeong kissed the air around him, smacking his lips. A glamorous woman flirting and teasing didnt seem repulsive in the least.
Arent you being too direct?
I have been too reticent all my life and am still single at this age. With no love life, at least my career should flourish.
Alright then. Dinners on me.
Mussang laughed out loud. She was pretty playful. She and Emil would make quite a smashing couple. They had a simple dinner with blood sausage stew in Dongseong Street and moved elsewhere.
Jeong Ayeong hailed a taxi in the Tools Street in Nowon-dong. The roasted gizzard place, with a sign that said Aunt Deoksan, was frequented by Bak Inbo when he was running Hyangsim Travel.
Jeong Ayeong entered first, sliding open the door. The place was small, barely 33 square meters wide. It only had six tables which were made from modified cable barrels. It was a shabby place but had a familiar, cozy and quaint ambiance.
Chapter 596 - Episode 7 Cause and Effect
It is said character is more important than appearance. When you know someones favorite restaurant, you know their personality. Jeong Ayeong had a practical, plain personality. A quite stingy girl, too, described politely as frugal.
I have learned to drink from this places owner. Since it has seen three owners, I like Aunt Deoksan the most. The gizzard is easy to cook, but still, she gives me significant portions.
You worked at the company since the beginning?
Mussang, looking outside the window where dusk was setting in, responded half-heartedly. The restaurant was close to Pungguk Capital. The day was old, but no shopkeeper covered the various equipment and machinery with a tarp.
The Tools Street was bustling with merchants and customers haggling. Korea had corrupt politics and protests against it, but the robust roots-and-shoots economy. That was the proper strength and momentum of the country.
Yes. I was the first employee. I started with the first owner. Thats why I am a manager without good looks or skills! Haha!
Jeong Ayeong laughed and pulled a chair and sat in it. The screech of the chairs metal leg dragging on the floor rang in his ears. Then, as if the noise was the signal, a plump woman came out from the inner room.
Long time no see, Manager Jeong.
I am stuck in Dongseong Street. I only come to Nowon-dong at the beginning of each month for supervision.
Is that so? How is Mr. Bak?
So so.
Oh well. There must be no God. So the baddies thrive, and the good people struggle. I have never seen anyone as kind as Mr. Bak.
My uncle is kind?
Mussang, dumbfounded, stared at the mistress of the restaurant. What she said shocked him greatly.
I have never seen any man as handsome as him! You must have had some auspicious dream, Aysong.
Aunt Deoksan, scanning Mussangs face, screamed. She dropped the nickel silver tray, which rolled on the floor and had its gizzards scatter all over the floor.
Mussang?
Aunt Deoksans eyes widened in wonder.
Auntie!
Mussang stood up suddenly. His chair scratched the floor with its metal legs and tumbled to the floor. She was Hyeyeongs nanny, Aunt Deoksan. Even bullet wounds could not shake Mussang, but he couldnt keep his composure when it came to his mother and Hyeyeong.
Mussang stared at Aunt Deoksan. She was Hyeyeongs nanny and maid. He had only seen her birth mother, Lee Minju, once but had frequently seen Aunt Deoksan for three years. Her appearance changed, but he could still recognize her. Such were connections. A few days after seeing Lee Minju, he ran into Hyeyeongs former maid. Was it a coincidence or an omen?
Long time no see.
Mussang regained his composure at once.
How is the miss?
Mussang shook his head without answering. Aunt Deoksan seemed to feel awkward.
I am being too nosy! I will get you your food quickly.
Aunt Deoksan was in her 50s with an equal amount of life experience. She knew that she couldnt be too nosy to a customer unless she worked for a census, even if he was an acquaintance. She came to her senses and ran to the kitchen, shaking her big butt.
Do you know her?
Jeong Ayeongs eyes widened.
She is an acquaintance.
You look surprised. She is not just an acquaintance. The world is small. Am I right?
The world runs on connections. You are bound to run into people. When you do, there is a reason.
Hmm. We came here to drink, not study philosophy. This is the first time I drink with a man other than Mr. Bak.
Jeong Ayeong tapped the neck of the bottle to get rid of the diluted part of the liquor. The skill of her hand told him that she was quite a drinker.
Its an honor.
Mussang smiled shyly and held the glass.
The honor is mine. My hands are pretty expensive. I only pour for Mr. Bak.
Jeong Ayeong held the glass and handed the bottle to Mussang.
Dont hate Mr. Bak too much. He worked too much, trying to grow the business, and got ill. Now his days are numbered. Whenever he drinks, he regrets everything and strikes his chest. Now he has heart disease.
There was certain wetness to Jeong Ayeongs voice.
Bak Inbo may not have hit rock bottom as a human. However, he has someone like you near him. You wasted your time and money if you offered to drink with me to defend him. I cannot forget the ancient days, but I have already forgiven him.
It must have been difficult. But, you are a good person.
Jeong Ayeong smiled and extended her glass.
I am not that good. Only the strong enjoys the right to apologize.
Mussang opened a new bottle and filled her glass. Jeong Ayeong drank it all at once and put two gizzards in her mouth at once.
Dont smile. You look beautiful, but I also feel dizzy.
Mussang smiled further. She had a great personality, more outgoing than most men. He liked her unaffected character. She would be an excellent match for Emil, who had an easygoing personality.
Mr. Bak is a lonely person. I am not to judge his family history, but his wifes family meddled with the business and embezzled money. Thats why he came here every day to vent. When he got drunk, he then began to talk about his brother and nephew, you. He told me you could lift a burlap sack full of rice with one hand at the age of twelve. I didnt believe it. Then he began to cry, saying he hurt you too much. Six years ago, he began to donate to a group home. Even to this day, the company donates 3,000,000 won to the group home.
I dont feel anything. I am just surprised that a human can change to that extent.
Mussang felt indifferent. What happened happened. Only the strong could forgive. But, unfortunately, the weak didnt get to exercise that right.
I think his guilt played a part in his decision to give you the company without any remuneration. He fooled his wifes family by issuing CBs. That is also to let you inherit the company with a clean slate.
The topic is too heavy. We are drinking for the first time. I dont even work in the company. I am an outsider.
Mussang withdrew. Jeong Ayeong grinned.
You are the biggest shareholder of the company and soon will be its CEO. You are not an outsider.
I didnt want it. I feel kidnapped in sleep.
Haha, I want to be kidnapped too then!
Her hearty laughter shook her breasts.
She will never run out of breastmilk.
Mussang had a sudden random thought.
My uncle was healthy even though he was short and thin. What happened?
He suffered a stroke six years ago. A year later, emphysema too. Its because he breathed in exhaust every day tinkering with old buses. The pressures from the Jangs, family problems, chain-smoking, and excessive drinking would have surely played a part. Bronchodilator, antibiotics, steroids, etc. He must have taken a truckful of prescribed medications. Now he has more side effects, and with his immunity reduced, they dont work as well.
Jeong Ayeongs tears glinted in the lamplight. Mussang liked her more and more. She was a kind and trustworthy lady. Of course, she wasnt his to give, but even if she were, he wouldnt want to give her to Emil, the player.
How long do you think Mr. Bak will live? I was shocked today. I thought he was going to die.
Jeong Ayeong didnt say a word about the ability Mussang showed. Of course, such a superhuman power required certain secretiveness. Nevertheless, she was thoughtful enough not to inconvenience someone with shallow curiosity.
It could have been today. Or three months. I could balance his body but could not replenish his depleted life force. But, with my frequent help, he will be able to live for five more years.
Five years!
Jeong Ayeong stood and bowed deeply.
Thank you. Mr. Bak is my savior. I got a job thanks to him. I could pay for the education of my two brothers. I could keep my elder brothers bankrupt martial arts center from closing down. Thank you.
We are here to drink, not thank. Sit.
Mussang waved away.
Your savior, my uncle, ruined my life. The favors and grudges of beings are hard to understand, like threads interwoven in a fabric. I have grudge and resentment mounted like a mountain, but I couldnt abandon him when he died. Because of that, I got into trouble. I dont want the company.
Jeong Ayeong glanced at the man neatly emptying his glass. He was heart-wrenchingly handsome. He was beautiful but also exuded masculinity. Wild men and intelligent men were both few and far between. A man both fantastic and wise might as well be extinct. Such a species was before her eyes. She understood why Mr. Bak boasted of having such a nephew. Had she been a few years younger Jeong Ayeong swallowed. She felt the heat rise in her, and the thought of seducing him, blaming the alcohol, seemed more and more attractive.
You are unbelievable. You referred to as trouble is the company targeted by Ms. Jang and her family. Mr. Bak struggled for six years to let you inherit a clean company. I was jealous, seeing all that by his side.
I have all the money I need. But, no matter how much you have, you can only eat three meals a day. You can only live a hundred years. So, like I said, inheriting a company doesnt interest me.
Mussang felt indifferent. He had the chairman of a multinational corporation doing his biddings. A small company like that wasnt going to impress him. So he only accepted the offer because he had to.
Haha. I thought you were joking. But it seems like you meant it. So I shall deserve a third glass to celebrate meeting a real man!
Jeong Ayeong held out her glass.
Drink to your capacity.
Mussang did not force or suggest anyone drink. He doesnt enjoy alcohol too much himself, but he scorns the forceful-drinking culture. Instead, everyone should drink to their capacity.
I feel left out!
Jeong Ayeong gave Mussang a mock-evil eye and sipped from her glass. This girl was a heavy drinker.
What is Utak doing these days?
Since five months ago, he has been learning car parking and maintenance at the company. He does not do any sleazy things now. He is coming to his senses.
Thats great!
Mussang nodded. When he saw Utak decimating the Sashimi gang, he didnt look all too sleazy. It was also Ms. Jangs fault that Utak wandered outside and didnt feel at home at his own house. No one would have withstood the constant comparisons to the sons of other families.
Miss Jeong, do you have a boyfriend?
Mussang asked.
Why do you ask? Are you introducing me to someone?
Her alcohol-red eyes glinted.
How about a foreign guy?
You are! If he is healthy and capable, I dont care if he is Korean or foreign. At my age, I dont get to be picky.
Jeong Ayeong was relatively relaxed about it, unexpectedly.
He is from the Foreign Legion. He is from the Basque Country in Spain but is a French citizen now. He is about 30.
Oh, a foreign mercenary and a spring chicken! Sounds great.
Wait a second.
Mussang held up the receiver of the phone installed in the restaurant and requested an international call. Jeong Ayeong stared at Mussang, who spoke in French and English. She had jokingly responded to his suggestion and didnt expect him to call the person outright.
Its the same genes.
She nodded. Mr. Bak also was straightforward. They were similar in that they sprung to action right after the decision. Mussang replaced the receiver and smiled.
He will come to Korea next week. His salary is about three times that of an average Korean bank employee, but he has a dividend income higher than that. So you wouldnt have to worry about making ends meet.
Hurrah!
Jeong Ayeong held up both arms. She didnt feel drunk anymore. What great luck? Money and a man abruptly tumbled her way. A fortune teller at the entrance of the Dalseong Park had said that a particular person would remove the blockages in her fate.
This dinner is on me! I was acquainted with you, and now I will not be single anymore. Mussang, thank you for shining sunshine on my moldy life!
Jeong Ayeong stood first. She didnt forget the energy between Mussang and Aunt Deoksan. Three bottles of soju were much less than what she could usually handle, but the young CEO-to-be didnt need to be informed of the miscellaneous details of the company.
When Jeong Ayeong left the place, Aunt Deoksan turned off the signage. The three laborers left in the room left too. Aunt Deoksan sat close to the table, dragging her chair.
I would like some too.
Aunt Deoksan held out the soju glass. Mussang filled it and his too.
How did you end up doing this?
Cooking is the only skill that I know. I started this business to make ends meet. The wretched woman sold the house. When you and the girl left, my chest became empty. You two were such a great couple. It was a match made in heaven. God must not even exist.
Chapter 597 - Episode 8 Cause and Effect
Aunt Deoksan wiped her tears with her sleeve. Mussang and Hyeyeong were such a beautiful couple. Mussang was responsible and sincere at an early age. Hyeyeong was older than him but seemed younger. If the mother who had abandoned her young child hadnt suddenly appeared and made a scene, they might have ended up as a good couple. Aunt Deoksan felt hot anger soar in herself.
The world is small. I had no idea that the boy Mr. Bak talked about could be you. Why did you live like that with a rich uncle? If she had known, she wouldnt have opposed your coupling.
Aunt Deoksan said. Mussang emptied two shots without saying a word. He couldnt focus on what Aunt Deoksan said. Memories that rolled in disrupted his headspace. Aunt Deoksan thought he and Hyeyeong parted because of Ms. Lee. That woman did kick him out, calling him a bum.
She had a lowly soul. Greed and vanity blinded her. She confused humble pleasures with freedom. She twisted self-indulgence with courage. She used her abandoned daughter for her gain.
Lee Minju, whom he met in the welfare center, was still the same. He couldnt believe that a pure soul like Hyeyeong was born from her womb. Genes or the law of heredity were not reliable.
Its all bygone things.
Mussangs face looked as dry as fallen leaves in late autumn. He had wanted to kill her, but he couldnt bring himself to harm Hyeyeongs birth mother, so he just left her in the basement. (Mussang had no idea that Gim Geukdo had injected the Itai poison in Lee Minjus head.) She was but one in many blundering humans. But he didnt feel like defending her either to Aunt Deoksan.
I almost forgot!
Aunt Deoksan smacked her head and brought an envelope from the counter drawer.
Two months after Miss left for America, a letter arrived. It was before the house was sold, so I was able to take it.
Thank you.
Mussangs hand shivered imperceptibly. Love is like a burning fire. Ones first love is to brand ones heart with its heat. Mussangs heart had been imprinted so profoundly and vividly by the explosive emotion felt during his most reckless days.
Aunt Deoksan handed him the letter and went into the inner room. Mussang took out another sealed envelope from within the envelope. The words To my love! struck his eyes. Circular, squiggly handwriting was Hyeyeongs. Hot tears welled up along with hot emotion in his heart. He opened the envelope.
[We met in April under the old pine tree.
We shared deep feelings underground.
In the sky, we shall be a pair of phoenixes.
On the ground, we will be two trees with a connected branch.
Even if the eternal universe comes to an end
My longing shall not ever cease.
]
The ancient poem whose words were changed by him ripped off the thick scab covering the wound. The heart-wrenching pain ensued. The connected branches were cut apart, and the wings of the phoenixes were cut off. Someone said that memories are the true essence of humans. Sweet and happy memories passed in front of his minds eye. He acted calm like an adult when he let her go, but that was just a fa?ade. His heart started to bleed.
[My love, two months have passed since the scorching sun in Santa Barbara tanned our necks. The red curtain of the sunset faded, and the sodium lamps strewn along the Paseo Nuevo street were lit. Now I am to battle my loneliness in my apartment hotel room.
I check my address book because I feel like talking to someone, but I have no one to call. Is the cuckoo still singing in your heart? I forget the beginning and end of the ancient poetry you recited. I hate myself for only remembering your hardened chest and sad face.
What good is a masters degree or a doctorate for happiness? I would like to sing next to my love, drinking rice wine. I want to enjoy the ecstasy of your firm chest pressing down on my breasts.
I booked and canceled three flights in two months. I knew what you meant when you appeared in a waiters uniform and dumped me. I am going to be successful here. No matter what, I will succeed here and go home.
Everyone acts desperate right before and after love. But I believe if love restrains the loved, that is attachment and self-centeredness. Thats why I left. Like cheesy pop lyrics, I had to leave because I loved you.
I loved your soul, and I loved your muscular body. When your soul clouds over and your body collapses, will I be able to keep loving you? I couldnt fool myself. Maybe I was wrong. I am crying right now, pounding my chest. But I am still determined to succeed. I will not die before I die. I will fight and rise victorious.
You gave me the courage to enter a different world. I didnt leave you more than I fled from myself. They say a woman is the home of a mans soul, but I was not brave enough to be yours.
Now you must go home. Now you must go home where the front gate is wide open, the blooming flowers welcome you, and fermented soybean soup is bubbling. I was happy thanks to you. I am still excited and will continue to be. But, it would help if you were satisfied too. It would help if you were rewarded for all the years of pain and suffering you endured.
What a load of crap!
Mussang swore loudly and crumpled up the letter. It made no sense. What did she mean with the flowers and the stew? Jinsun. Jinsun was only a little girl with pigtails who needed to take care of then. It was just an excuse. Three years of burning love couldnt have cowered before Jinsun, who was only a little girl then.
Was our love just this for you? Do as you wish!
Mussang tossed the crumpled-up letter into the coal pit in the table. The two pieces of paper turned to ash at once. Humans relied upon each other but essentially were solitary beings. Why did she refuse to understand that they were two striving to be one?
Bye, my love.
Tears streaked down his cheek. He understood her pain. Hyeyeong left because of her mother, who became a traumatic memory. Aunt Deoksan was not wholly mistaken when she said they parted because of Lee Minju.
Lee Minju was a feminist who never took care of her own family. Hyeyeongs father, exasperated, married another woman with whom he had another family. Hyeyeong, at the age of seven, was abandoned and raised by Aunt Deoksan. Her desire to study pained her, who vowed to never become like her mother.
She hesitated between the desire for passionate love and her ambition. Thats why he pushed her away to make the decision easier for her. If that helped her make her mind, it was good. But, unfortunately, he was the lingering one. Aunt Deoksan never came out of the inner room. The hall of the restaurant was lit until dawn.
A moldy smell woke Mussang. Beams of sunshine streaming through the window poked his eyes like spears. They made a checkered pattern on the ceiling that awakened his synapses. He was in an inn in the back alley of Nowon. His temples pounded. The cheap, diluted soju brought the uninvited guest called a hangover. No one would have believed it if Black Mamba, the nightmare of the battlefields, could blackout due to alcohol. But if he intended to be drunk, he could.
I am cutting myself too much slack!
It was absurd. Hyeyeongs letter shattered his diamond-like soul. His body had evolved into horror, but his soul stayed human. It was no surprise since he had always been struggling to retain his humanity. Resonance Wave cleared the hangover, brushed off the debris of nostalgia remaining in his head, and ousted the moldy smell through the window. He had a new girl. The bygones had to stay as bygones.
He felt something inside the pocket of his suit jacket. It was the envelope from his uncle. He checked the amount and was a bit surprised. It was a 30,000,000-won check.
This is stupid. I needed that 200 won back then.
A cup of water is lifesaving to someone stranded in a desert, but a bucketful of water was nothing to someone swimming in a reservoir. So he checked the contents of the yellow envelope as well. There were financial statements, current reports, data, shareholders receipts, trust fund contracts, and a copy of his will for the past five years.
He inherited 30 percent of Hyangsims shares for free like that. Then, when his uncle passed away, he inherited the remaining 22 percent. So he would be the absolute shareholder of a medium-sized company with annual revenue of 28,000,000,000 won with 52 percent of the total shares.
I may not be the reincarnation of an asura but a god of fortune in Islam!
Mussang laughed. In his adolescence, he suffered because of the lack of money. Now, money followed him everywhere. He might as well drown in it.
The intercom of the room rang.
If you dont check out until twelve, you will be charged. So if you dont like that, you may want to hurry.
The deep voice of a middle-aged woman made the receiver vibrate.
Haha!
He couldnt help but laugh. Middle-aged Korean women were invincible. Mussang, the angel of death, the king of Novatopia, and the owner of the Doba oil field was no match to a middle-aged Korean woman.
Mussang went home in the afternoon in broad daylight. It was a significant change for Mussang, whose routine was as set in stone as a Swiss clock. Jinsun welcomed him with a smile without saying a word. Flowers were in full bloom. A fermented soybean stew was bubbling.
Lets have a drink, Jinsun.
How come?
We need to discuss family matters.
Jinsun stared at Mussang. He rarely cracked a joke. If he said family matters, it was going to be family matters. But, on the other hand, if he slept outside and asked for liquor he usually didnt like, he did have something to talk about.
Jinsun went down into the basement. She had five barrels of Sciaccarello sent by Emil in the cellar. Mussang only enjoyed two liquors: Sciaccarello and Valentine 30.
Sciaccarello is native to Corsica. The grape plant enjoyed basking in the Mediterranean sun and wind, rooted in granite soil. That rendered the flesh of the fruits firm and the resulting wine slightly peppery. Unfortunately, the produce was not great, and it was not imported to Korea.
It isnt too bad to enjoy autumn with some drink in broad daylight amid a bamboo grove. I have a beautiful woman by my side. The bustling bamboos accentuate my appetite. The world seems easygoing at times like this. This should be sufficient, but my heart still feels empty.
Mussang muttered. Jinsun felt her heart drop. Mussang was vulnerable to kindness and love. She suddenly remembered the beautiful Korean woman. She accepted the young British lady called Edel, but she couldnt get Hyeyeong. She was only going to burden Mussang. She would use him as a stepping stone, not be a stepping stone for him. That was her take on the matter.
Mussang, it must be costing you to look for your mother. Of course, it is not much, but I wanted to help.
Jinsun didnt reveal her doubt and held out a passbook from within her clothes.
What is this?
Mussang opened the passbook.
2,100,000 won? Jinsun, you are quite good with monetary matters. How were you able to save up this much with your nurses salary?
Some life returned to Mussangs empty countenance.
You pay for all the expenses. I could save up almost all of my salary.
Thank you. I will have flyers printed with this. We shall cover the whole country with flyers.
Jinsun was well aware of his wealth. She just wanted to contribute to a good cause. Mussang touched, pulled Jinsun close to him, and hugged her. In his embrace, Jinsun smiled triumphantly.
A husbands success is up to his wifes. A fire shall be put out with a more significant fire. If Hyeyeong was a campfire, Mussangs missing mother was a forest fire. She successfully put out the campfire with the forest fire. She was pretty a tactician.
Mussang, be patient.
I was orphaned at nine. It has been 17 years since my mother went missing. I am supposed to be used to waiting now, but my heart still feels empty to this day.
Neopchi established a headquarters in Busan and hired 500. The great monk clucked his tongue. He said it is a waste of money and time.
I know. The monk is usually right. But as a son, I couldnt do anything. If it werent for the Teacher, I would be in Busan myself now. This liquor is quite mild. Geukdo!
Yes, sir!
Razor, who was waiting outside the pavilion, came at once. Mussang tried to discourage him, but he kept staying near Mussang.
Bring me some Geumbok-ju.
How come?
A pine worm needs pine needles. I need some pigskin and gizzards.
Mussang stared at the cheese and bacon served with the liquor. They didnt go well with the wine. His taste must have reverted.
Gim Geukdo brought the grill, charcoal, pork belly, and ssamjang. Gim Geukdo, keen and clever, became the butler of Eungsim-je in a few days. Even the highly intelligent Jinsun was impressed at his keenness. If Ssamdi was a flying bear, Geukdo was like a deft swallow. Jinsun wondered from where Mussang was bringing these people.
Chapter 598 - Episode 9 Cause and Effect
Gim Geukdo set up the grill and lit the charcoal with a blowtorch. Yeon Soon got some pork belly on the grill, and the cooking smell attracted some wasps. Flashes of light streaked in the air, and the buzzing wasps dropped to the ground. Gim Geukdo had slashed the air as indifferently as the spectating women. Such a feat happened routinely at Eungsim-je.
Geukdo, have a drink.
Yeon Soon held out a glass.
Thank you. I am on my shift.
Gim Geukdo refused politely and vanished.
He is pathologically shy!
Yeon Soon clucked her tongue. Mu Ssang smiled. It wasnt just his sense of responsibility. Gim Geukdo, after being applied soul-changing disciplinary beating, got his combat strength to upgrade a level further and stopped meeting Mu Ssangs eyes. Come to think of it, Seon Uhyeon was admirable for not being downtrodden after three sessions of such a treatment. He suddenly missed Novatopia. This land was ripe with cumbersome connections.
I met my uncle yesterday.
Mu Ssang, stirring the sliced pork belly with bamboo chopsticks, blurted out.
Tell me nothing happened.
Yeon Soon rolled her eyes. Uncle Bak In Bo and Mu Ssang were arch-nemesis. If they ran into each other, it was going to be messy.
I respect traditional ethics! I wouldnt hurt my uncle. Haha.
Mu Ssang laughed.
Its like pouring boiling oil into ice-cold water. Are you saying nothing happened?
Long story short, I inherited his company.
What do you mean?
Yeon Soon blinked.
I dont know if hes losing his mind or has come to his senses, but he had given me all of his shares.
He is trying. Although I dont think all the years of exploiting the young female employees should go unpunished. That company is corrupt. Refuse the offer. It will only be a burden.
Yeon Soon blabbered like a bird. She was not trusting of Bak In Bo. She was worried that that man might have tricked Mu Ssang into a trick.
I inherited the textile company. Utak will get the bus company.
Textile? Shouldnt it be the other way around?
Are you sure? Did he give you the company 20 times bigger than the bus company? Is he on his deathbed?
Jinsun was surprised too.
Youre right. His days are numbered. I did what I could, but he got five more years at best.
Oh my! He may be being punished for all the abuse.
It wont give peace to Mu Ssang, though.
Yeon Soon made an incredulous face. Jinsun muttered.
He is regretting it all too much. Ive forgiven him. You will treat him as an elder too.
Mu Ssang!
Jinsuns eyes got teary. The distinction between abusers and the abused fade with a prolonged family conflict. If Mu Ssang could forgive him, it means he was relieved of a tremendous emotional burden.
I cannot let the Jangs acquire the company. Even if I didnt like it, I had to take it. I am not going to get it for free, though. I will pay for it. The price amounted to roughly 3,500,000,000 won.
Isnt that too much?
Yeonsuns eyes widened.
Mu Ssang is richer than you think. Uncle In Bo must think the company is a great gift, but in fact, it doesnt compare to what Mu Ssang has.
Jinsun scoffed.
Let me pour you some soju. Congratulations, even though I dont completely understand it. I should secure a job before I graduate. Haha.
Sure!
Mu Ssang drank everything Jinsun and Yeon Soon poured for him. His uncles change of heart and Hyeyeongs letter made him want to drink. They already had ten empty bottles. Mu Ssang, feeling drunk, rested his head on Jinsuns thigh.
This is great. I like this pavilion among the bamboos, but I shall make an island in it and name it Malsun Island when the pond is made. That will also be a good place to drink.
Will you name it that?
Yeon Soon asked incredulously.
Whats the matter? My father is the pond that embraces me, and my mother will be the island that lets me rest. With fragrant liquors and delicious dishes, wouldnt that place be paradise? Jinsun, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of me?
The noodles we cooked and ate in your studio!
The chicken porridge you brought when I was lying down in the room with my ribs broken. What else?
The pheasant you roasted on the island in the middle of the river. What about you?
The spicy bean sprout stew you made for my hangover. The smell of seaweed soup fills the room when I wake up in the morning.
I like your smell more.
You too are such a cringy couple!
Yeon Soon shuddered and left the room.
It was so. The most vivid memories tend to be those of meals. The dish you shared with your love long ago tends to be engraved in your memory. Even if the persons face fades, the flavor of the word stays.
Eating is not a simple instinctual act for self-preservation. It allows one to affirm ones connections with others. It is a ritual in which one shares happiness with others. Noodles, chicken porridge, bean sprout stew, and seaweed soup are ordinary, possibly dull dishes. The memories engraved with pleasure tend to embellish the typical dishes to be divine.
If you love me, I love you too. A sword gets broken when it strikes the rock, but ceaseless drops of water make a hole in it. Some perverted professor once lectured that libido is the foundation of love, but in my experience, shared emotions are.
Mu ssang couldnt finish his sentence. He could still hear her mothers singsongy lament in the cotton fields.
[So many cotton flowers, and Ive got two hands
Why why
The soft cotton will keep my child warm.
The rough cotton will keep my man warm.
Why why
The sun is setting. My son must be hungry.
My man must be exhausted.
Why why]
Mu Ssang fell asleep, unable to tell Jinsuns lap from his mothers.
Jinsuns face, looking down at Mu Ssangs sleeping face, showed all kinds of emotions. She was still musing on what Mu Ssang said: If you love me, I love you too. Her heart was beating at those words. She could still hear Clementine he used to sing when she was on his back.
He was the person she would live together until the end of the world. It changed nothing if he were a businessman, a murderer, a rich man, or a poor man. He always gave her his back on the riverbank. Happiness was simple. Living with someone you love and eating with someone you love was happiness.
Mu Ssang named the mid-pond island Malsun Island and placed a sign that said Myo Yeon Pavilion on the pavilion built on the island. The construction of the garden that began at the end of August ended in mid-October, amid autumn. The pond, which was planned to be 660 square meters, ended up being 990 square meters. The artificial island in the middle of it grew proportionately. He planted peach trees along the ponds perimeter and planted lotuses and hostas.
Eungsim House, Pond Jinbo, Malsun Island, and Myoyeon Pavilion were all built. But his mother was still missing. Nupchi advertised a significant amount of reward money, but it only brought more false reports.
Nupchi, feeling anxious, had used all the thug workforce in North Gyeongsang. He stayed day and night along the southern shoreline of Korea from Pohang to Haenam and searched the cities, towns, inhabited islands, Jeju, and Ulleung to no avail.
Other than Nupchi, everyone else enjoyed peaceful, uneventful days. Emil, who entered Korea right after Mu Ssangs call, made many empty bottles of Geumbokju with Jung Ah Young. They spent many nights together. Jung Ah Young was impatient to get married, but Emil was adamant that he could not marry before Mu Ssang did and returned to France. He intended to pressure Mu Ssang, but it was not going to work. Mu Ssang was resolute that he would not marry before he found his mother.
Gim Gitaek was diligent. His food truck was always bustling with customers. At dawn, he sold toast, gimbap, and cinnamon-sugar-filled hotcakes. In the evening, he sold noodles and udon. His truck was trendy late at night.
With the lifting of the curfew, all kinds of customers frequented his truck until daybreak. Workers freed from their late-night overtime, suited business people, police officers, workers from the red-light districts, thugs, and young people aimlessly wandering the streets, all found comfort in a bowl of hot noodle soup that filled their empty stomachs. Mu Ssang didnt meddle. He only sent Gim Geukdo to eliminate the neighborhood thugs who might interfere with Gim Gitaeks business.
Why are you packing?
A displeased voice resounded in their home. Utak turned his head. His mother was leaning against the doorway, one foot over the threshold, and was giving him the evil eye.
I am leaving this place.
Utak answered indifferently and shoved clothes into his supersized suitcase. He was sick of arguing with his mother.
You are an ingrate!
A vein bulged on Ms. Jangs forehead. Ever since they acquired the CB, peace left their household. Her family was shaken up, and relatives often came to meddle. Her children were trouble incarnated as humans, but Gim Malsuns son came home after being successful overseas, and everyone was talking about him in Jip-eun Dari. Her gray hair increased as her account balanced dwindled.
Are you going to live with your father?
Yes!
Utak answered bluntly, looking back. His mother ruined everything. Even though she gave him birth, he no longer wanted to get stressed out arguing with her in the same home.
Ingrate!
Ms. Jang gritted her teeth. Her sons gaze was similar to her husbands when he left their home.
Dad is sick. The least I could do is get him three square meals.
Utak added, infuriating her further.
I fed and clothed him!
At Utaks roundabout blame, Ms. Jang almost threw up. Her gaze became sharp, and her frown made deep wrinkles between her eyebrows. Hwa Ja, who had been her friend, had been missing for more than a year. Hui Ja hasnt been herself ever since she lost her daughter. Utak, her last remaining sane child, sided with her husband now.
She trembled at her sons betrayal. Then, a few days ago, a fresh memory when she went to see her husband at his company and was shamed instead resurfaced.
Why are you here?
Her husband had muttered. He was treating her the same as some paddler. She was not welcome at all but was too important to kick out. Hot rage surged in her.
How are you faring as a de facto widower?
Pretty well. Why are you here?
Bak In Bo answered indifferently. His monotonous voice enraged her further.
Does a wife need a reason to see her husband?
Bak In Bo gave Ms. Jang a deep gaze. She was no longer a paddler but a malicious reporter from a local newspaper.
A proper wife doesnt. A wife who hasnt called her dying husband for two months does.
Look at him talk!
Ms. Jang, unable to retort, trembled. Her husband changed last year. The dynamics between them were shaken up because of her family, but still, he hadnt treated her like this. She didnt know that her husband knew she was behind the scheme to poison him.
What are we going to do with Hwa Ja? Just keep on waiting?
Hmm!
Bak In Bos face clouded over. He hadnt paid any attention to her after submitting a missing persons report to the police. She had always lived as she wanted. Usually, she would ask for money then go missing for a month or two. He assumed she would come back when she ran out of money this time. But it had already been more than a year.
Nothing from the police?
No. Something must have happened.
Like mother, like daughter.
Bak In Bo heaved a deep sigh.
What? Am I her only parent? You also played a part!
Ms. Jangs anger erupted. She could speak in Standard Korean, but her true colors showed with a dialect when overcome with emotion.
I tended to business. Family matters were yours to deal with. Is that not right? My business thrived. Did our family? Tell me what I did wrong.
He no longer spoke informal speech. Ms. Jang nibbled her lip. She had no retort. What was that going to achieve anyway?
A woman needs to put her family before everything! Instead, you prioritized our business and let your family meddle. Look how our children turned out. Its high time you come to your senses.
Bak In Bo enraged her further and pressed on the intercom.
Ah Young, I need you here.
Jung Ah Young bowed curtly at Ms. Jang and waited for the order. Ms. Jangs eyes became upturned in a deep frown.
Dont you know how to greet?
Maam, we are working. I am Mr. Baks employee.
When she was about to rash out at her curt response, Bak In Bo waved away.
Inquire the Central Police Station about Hwa Ja and call Samsik. I need to get him to search Busan.
Samsik is busy with the affair.
Jung Ah Young answered surreptitiously, eyeing Ms. Jang.
I am going to hire another syndicate through him.
Bak In Bo didnt know that Nupchi had employed all possible thug workforce to look for Gim Malsun.
Chapter 599 - Episode 10 Cause and Effect
When Jeong Ayeong left, Bak Inbo covered his face with his hands. Even though Hwaja was a lost cause, she was still his child. Of course he would be worried.
Its my fault for not raising her properly. Its all my fault.
Bak Inbo sighed regretfully. Hwaja was 13 when she drew the Big Dipper on Mu Ssangs thigh. At that age, she had to know it was wrong. Of course, it was her mothers fault for making her do that, but still, Hwaja was laughing as she burnt his flesh.
He was supposed to discipline her at an early age. Now he is reaping the consequences of neglecting that duty. He wasnt normal either, whipping with a thick leather belt. Ms. Jang murmured, scanning his face. It irritated Bak Inbo greatly.
What? Do you have some other business?
Ms. Jang couldnt say it. There was an unbreakable wall between them. If she asked him for some money for the use of the companys operations, she thinks he would just swear at her. She didnt feel like asking him to buy the stocks either. Her pride didnt allow it. Ms. Jang gathered her purse and stood.
Take care.
Ms. Jang muttered and left the CEOs office.
Take care? If she meant those words even the slightest bit, I would help her family right away.
Bak Inbo shot a murderous gaze toward the door. Their unfortunate relationship is inconveniencing others too.
Ms. Jang shook her head. Once family but now he has become her nemesis, she would rather kill and forget, instead of having these thoughts haunting her like sticky phlegm.
Go! You ingrate. I fed and clothed you, only to be betrayed like this. Go die!
Ms. Jang imploded. It wasnt enough that her short, impotent husband treated her like some stray dog. Nor that his lowly employee dismissed her. Or that her own son betrayed his already isolated mother, and sided with her wretched husband. Her daughter, missing. All of these events mingled in her head.
Red fog covered the ground. A ghost wearing a blue hanbok and a black traditional Korean hat rose from the ground. His face was as pale as plaster, and his eyes were bloodshot. It was her dead brother-in-law, Bak Jinbo. He roared, How dare you disturb my sleep? You shall be cursed!
No!
Ms. Jang clung to the wall, trembling. Her eyes turned all white, and she started to foam at her mouth. A technicolor hallucination is the usual symptom of the frontal lobes fusiform cells malfunctioning.
Mom!
Utak, shocked, ran to the bathroom. He threw a basinful of water onto Ms. Jangs face. He was used to his mothers fits, which have been happening several times since last year. The physicians treatment was simple. Whenever she starts seeing unreal things, she should be slapped several times or be splashed with cold water.
Ms. Jang opened her eyes and looked around. Her unfocused gaze meandered the space.
What happened to Jinbos ghost?
Mom, wake up! There is no ghost.
Utak yelled. Ms. Jang, stared at her son absentmindedly. It was almost laughable. The ghost she had seen when she was scheming to poison her husband and the family elders before had appeared again. Of course, any ordinary person would have a mental breakdown after this, but Ms. Jang is no ordinary person. Nevertheless, her steely resolve remained unshaken despite the ugly scene that just happened.
I am not going to die. I am the eldest daughter of the Jang family.
She stood and entered the bathroom.
Fuck!
Utak kicked his suitcase. Even though he hated her, she was still his mother. She ruined their family, but he couldnt just leave her after what happened.
Mu Ssang, I envy you. Your father and mother loved you. I even liked them more than my own parents. Thats why I hated you.
Utak heaved a deep sigh.
The next day, just past noon, the elders from her family barged in. This has become a common family scene, happening again and again over the years. Her two-story manor was no longer her familys home, but had turned into the headquarters for her familys operations.
Welcome!
Ms. Jang greeted them reluctantly. She already knew what they would say. As expected, her uncle, Jang Gyeongmo, spoke even before he sat down on the sofa.
Did you ask your husband?
It felt more like an interrogation rather than a question. Ms. Jangs gaze rested her uncles sparse eyebrows. She wanted to rip off the remaining strands right there and then. But she couldnt do it, not with everyone around watching.
Because of Hwaja, I couldnt even bring it up.
She expressed her dissatisfaction with a soft sigh. This crown no longer felt like respected elders, and instead, more like haunting ghosts.
What are you talking about? Our entire family is going to the dogs. One lunatic shouldnt matter.
Ms. Jang gave him the evil eye.
Dont you have children and grandchildren? What kind of mother would turn a blind eye to her child missing? You shouldnt say such a thing.
Should I not say such a thing?
Jang Gyeongmo gave her the evil eye as well.
He said nothing wrong. But, if she was dear to you, why did you allow her to be a drug addict? Everyone knows that there is a drug addict in the Jang family. Our reputation has hit rock bottom. I am very embarrassed.
Aunt Nakdong lashed out. Ms. Jang glared at her. They used to pamper her when she owned the company. Now, this is how they treat her.
You are picking a fight, arent you?
All of them ganged up to blame her whenever the situation got worse. She can feel a pain at her temple, as if pecked by a woodpecker. Ms. Jang pressed the spot with her hands.
Please watch your mouth.
Jang Gyeongju glanced at her daughter and tried to rein in his brother. He addressed his brother Jang Gyeongmo, but his gaze was actually on his wife. Nakdong Daek bowed and withdrew without saying a word. They may be in a pickle, but the people in the Jang family still respected the basic traditional hierarchy.
We were blinded by greed.
Jang Gyeongmo glanced at his brother and heaved a deep sigh. He considered himself to have been fooled by his niece. But his greed was the primary reason as to why he ended up in this situation. He believed that once they become Hyangsims significant shareholders, they wouldnt need to negotiate with tenant farmers anymore. Their children would have guaranteed employment forever. Such words were sweeter than purified sugar, it was no wonder they went all in.
On October 25th, 1981, he bought a CB bond that he didnt even fully understand. He was willing to do everything, even if it cost him his soul. But had he bought it with his own money, it wouldnt be a problem now.
The nightmare began when he took out a loan from Samsik Capital. He lost 50 majigi of high-quality paddies as interest, and 150 more as payment for the actual borrowed amount. Then he converted the wretched CB bonds to shares.
His family and other relatives soon followed suit, unable to withstand the high interest payment and conversion price. All of their CB was converted to shares at 28,000 won per share in May 1984. Eventually, after two years and seven months, they finally gave up, their burden was gone. It was a good decision in the end. Despite the circumstances, they were still able to keep what they have and to prevent further loss.
The dividend rate of Hyangsim is on the higher side at 12 percent per share, but once the conversion price is considered, it is only 2.1 percent. Still, it was better than the CB bond which is only one percent of the annual interest rate. In the end, he sold 375 majigi of paddies for 17,857 shares. He also took out a loan for 300,000,000 won. Considering all the costs, he bought a 5,000-won stake at 50,000 won. As a result, the after-tax dividend of his shares came down to 8,900,000 won. Had he put the same amount in a savings account, he would have earned an interest of 80,000,000 won. It was definitely an outrage.
Samsik Capital had shaken up their entire family to the core. But no one knew that Bak Inbo, husband of their eldest daughter, was the man behind Samsik Capital. Bak Inbo himself sustained heavy damage too. After purchasing the Jang familys vast farmland under Samsik Capitals name, he became short of cash. It was a lose-lose situation in the end.
The Jang family converted all of their CB to shares. Jang Gisu and Jang Sangsu had 53,571 shares. Jang Pilnyeo had 17,857 shares. Jang Gyeongmo had 17,857 shares. Jang Gyeongtaek and Jang Gyeongnam had 17,857 shares. 117,142 shares were newly issued. As a result, the total number of shares increased to 507,142 shares.
Bak Inbos share dropped to 41 percent with 208,000 shares. Jang Gisu and his brothers share dropped to 22.4 percent with 113,571 shares. Jang Pilnyeo C 11.4 percent with 57,857 shares. Jang Huija and siblings at 7.9 percent with 40,000 shares. Jang Gyeongmo at 3.5 percent with 17,857 shares. And finally, Jang Gyeongtaek and his brother at 3.5 percent with 17,857 shares. Other shareholders had10.3 percent with 52,000 shares.
Bak Inbo: at 41 percent with 208,000 shares
The Jang family: at 40.8 percent with 207,142 shares
Jang Huija and sisters: at 7 percent with 40,000 shares
Other shareholders: at 10.3 percent with 52,000 shares
In the end, Bak Inbo and Jangs shares were roughly the same. The majority of the shareholders, together with Jang Huija and her siblings became the decision-makers. Everything went according to the Bak Inbos plan.
The Jang family couldnt participate in the decision-making despite their huge shares since the general shareholders sided with Bak Inbo. Bak Inbo trusted them to side with him when he promised Mu Ssang the companys steering wheel. And so they did.
The Jang family sustained tremendous damage. The interest payments alone were enough to strangle them, and they lost 4,000 majigi to Samsik Capital. Even so, they were still not free from the interest payments.
The remaining 60 majigi of paddies were for bank security. Basically, they only had 20 majigi of intact paddies to themselves. Minus the farming costs, the annual profit didnt even exceed 3,000,000 won. They were finally able to pay off the loan shark, but the interest payments to the bank still remain.
Their lives started to go downhill due to the burden of debt. The familys main house was still doing relatively well, but the other properties are facing the risk of getting auctioned off.
You may be able to withstand all this, but I cant. Gyeongtaek and Gyeongnam are suffering as well. She told us that she would pay for our interests, but she stopped after three months. So we had to give up our lands to Samsik Capital to be free of these payments.
Jang Gyeongmo explained. No matter how bad the situation got, he couldnt be mad at his brother. However, their family will be ruined if this keeps up.
Utaks mother is not doing well financially either. Still, the shares are worth 36,000 won each.
Thats why we ask Bak for his help. If he buys our shares, we can finally be free. We wont be able to steer the company, but we will be able to survive now. She owes us that.
Jang Gyeongmo pounded his chest. Jang Gyeongju was exasperated because he understood what his brother felt. But his son-in-law changed all of a sudden, and even abandoned his wife. There was nothing he could do. Jang Gyeongju darted an accusing look at his daughter. Had their marriage been successful, they would have been able to withstand conflict. But, now they couldnt even stand each other anymore.
Hmm!
Jang Gyeongju cleared his throat and closed his mouth. His son-in-law had treated him like a serf. He was no better than a stranger now. He needed to go himself, otherwise, they wouldnt be able to get out of this whole mess.
Lets use the pig aphrodisiac again.
Jang Chisu, who was cowering in a corner, suggested with glinting eyes.
No.
Jang Gyeongju shook his head.
We have no way to poison him now. At his company, Jeong Ayeong checks everything he drinks. He has no favorite restaurant. His doctor cannot be bribed. There is no way.
Jang Sangsu added.
Jang Gyeongtaek, nibbling on his lip, blurted out.
I am sorry, Gyeongju. But I am going to sue your daughter for fraud. I met my lawyer yesterday. He agrees that everything that has happened sufficiently constitutes fraud.
His words were unexpected and shocking, especially in this traditional family. Silence descended upon the living room. Jang Gyeongju, Jang Gyeongmo, Jang Pilnyeo, and Jang Sangsus mouths were left hanging open with shock. Everyone else said nothing, and simply stared at the ceiling or the floor.
The seed of division finally sprouted in the Jang family. The situation is that bad. The strife Bak Inbo orchestrated has finally happened.
What? Sue me? Everything I did was for the benefit of my family, not just my own. How could you say such a thing?
Ms. Jang protested in a shrill voice.
Chapter 600 - Episode 11 Cause and Effect
How dare you raise your voice like this!
Kuh-hmm!
Jang Kyeong-mo tried to chastise his niece, while Jang Kyung-ju cleared his throat in attempts to shut the mouths of these proud, unyielding, old folks. But it was too late. The burning embers had already been set alight.
Where are your manners! Why do you think big brother chose to do this! Its because things have become too challenging even for him. I also dont care anymore. Who would believe that I, Jang Kyung-nam, a well-known and respectable leader of the community, would have trouble sleeping at night because hes worried he wont be able to pay for his sons lodging fees! Do you think any of this makes sense! Why dont you say something? Why dont you!
Haaigoo. Will you look at this guy being so rude to his elder! Have you thrown away the customs and traditions of our Jang family out the window!
Jang Kyung-nams wife began pounding hard on the floor.
Uh-huh! Get a grip of your selves. Our Jang family is not dead yet.
If you think not being dead is akin to being able to breathe, then you are gravely mistaken. As people, we need to be able to provide for ourselves and put food on the table. The head of the family should at least handle the interest.
Our eldest brother is also dealing with his own issues. You know this, so why are you behaving this way?
Do you have any idea what the tenant farmers are saying behind our backs? They say that a stone has burst open the head of a sly snake, and we, the Jang family, are that snake!
The bank interest hasnt been paid for three months already. Any time now, they will show up to confiscate our property. Aikoo! This whole thing is killing me right now!
These old folks, with their heads full of white hair, spoke nonstop like a group of chattering devils. The head of the family must make up for the losses, and yet the head of the family also suffered the most. Missus Jang should reimburse everyone who has been affected. And they must act like the people of gentry that they are
Their loud yells and whining persisted. Most of the criticism was directed at Jang Pil-nyuhs sister-and-brother duo. Jang Kyung-ju and his brother tried to control the situation, but it had already gone off the rails by then.
Urgh! Missus Jang let out a feeble moan before collapsing abruptly. The whites of her eyes showed, and foam began to bubble out of her mouth.
Please reading on NewN0vel 0rg)
Aiiigooo! Bak-sil-ah!!
Jang Kyung-ju cried out in alarm. All the women present rushed in hurriedly to pour cold water over Ms. Jangs face, and started to massage her arms and legs. Ms. Jang pretended to be unconscious after the situation became too hostile for her. But no one noticed that, thanks to her excellent acting skills. To be able to use her chronic illness to her advantage in this way, Ms. Jang was no ordinary person, indeed.
*
Even after Ms. Jang was moved over to the living room, the arguments still havent stop. Finally, amidst the heated conversation, Jang Gi-su and Jang Chul-su arrived. Jang Gi-sus expression wasnt so bad, but Jang Chul-su was pouting, as if he was dissatisfied with something.
Good to see you, uncle. How have you been?
Good to see you, too. You must be coming from your work, then. It must be busy dealing with the countrys affairs, yet you still made time for us.
Jang Kyung-ju gave his nephew, Jang Chul-su, a warm welcome. Even Jang Kyeong-mos expression brightened as well. As the vice-governor, his son was the pride of the family.
Our family is facing an imminent peril, and the worries of our elders are only getting worse. So of course, we couldnt just sit idly by and focus only on our jobs.
Unlike his slick responses though, Jang Chul-sus complexion wasnt that good. He saw the dissatisfied looks on the elders faces and figured that they mustve been arguing for a while now. Being stubborn like old farts would get you nowhere. Gathering like this every day to yap on and on without actually having a clear strategy was the very definition of wasting time.
The family has tried all sorts of methods in the past three years, but none of them seemed to work. Finally, the family had to take a loan from shady people. He tried very hard to find any skeletons in their closets, but their opponents didnt seem to have any bodies buried in their backyard.
Even his other relatives, who occupy important positions in the political and government circles, shook their hands and refused to get themselves involved with this issue. He did prepare a way out of this, but he was hesitant to bring it up due to how unsightly it was. Indeed, if it hadnt been for the phone call from his older cousin, he wouldnt even be here right now.
My son, how did it go? Jang Kyung-ju noticed his sons expression and asked cautiously.
Father. My chat with the president of Dae-il Spinning Co., President Yeo, went rather well.
Oh-hoh! How much did he ask for the shares, then? Jang Kyung-jus expression brightened.
We agreed on 35,000 Won per share. President Yeo owns 20,000 shares, so that will be 700 million Won.
35,000 Won! The bear performs all the tricks, but its the thief pocketing all the money, isnt it! How are you planning to come up with the funds?
Ive already agreed to get a loan of five hundred million Won from the Daegu Bank, using the shares to the travel company as collateral.
Is that so? In that case, I shall take care of the remainder. Jang Kyeong-mo, listening from the side, quickly butted in.
Nephew Jang, what is this all about?
Uncles, please gather around. Jang Gi-su requested his fathers cousins to come closer. Even the other relatives who got involved with the funds pushed their butts forward to get closer.
We secured the extra 4% today, which means our total shares are now at 44.8%. So we have more than President Bak Inbo now.
What does that matter, though? We may be on an equal footing with him, but the remaining 6% are still on President Bak Inbos side, no? Jang Kyung-nam butted in.
Keep listening, please. Elder sisters husband seems to be putting his faith in the general shareholders. But once you get right down to it, they are all strangers, arent they? Even blood relations are torn apart by money issues these days. Who wouldnt want to drink water after we have rammed enough salt down their throats? As proof, even President Yeo came over to our side. So, even if the rest of the shareholders decide to side with President Bak Inbo, we still have a chance at winning this. Our shares are 45%, while Hui-ja and her two siblings have a total of 7%. Add them all together, and we get 52%. Thats game over, everyone.
I see. Looks like there is a way for us to overcome this crisis.
Both Jang Kyung-teks and his brothers faces brightened almost instantly. Among the key members of the family, these two happen to be the ones most in need of money. Failing to find a way out of this dilemma would mean they would end up begging in the streets very soon.
Once we call for an extraordinary general meeting, and swap out the chief executive officer with one of our own, the Good Heart Textiles will become our familys company. Hyundai and Samsung wouldnt be so special anymore. Soon, our family will also join the ranks of chaebols.
Bang-!
Jang Gi-su triumphantly slammed his hand on the tea table.
But what will you do about those children? Are you sure they side with us? Jang Kyung-tek asked, sounding worried.
Ive already finished negotiating with Hui-ja. Hui-ja bought the company shares with her alimony, you see. She now possesses 16,000 shares, thats about 3.2%. I agreed to hand over 30% of the Good Heart Travels shares plus 200 million Won in cash. If Wu-tak, with his 3.8% shares, chooses to abstain, then itll be game over for President Bak Inbo.
I would want nothing more than to have things work out the way you envision them. But President Bak is as sly as a fox. Do you think he wont do anything to counter us? This time, it was Jang Kyung-nams wife who voiced her worries.
I shall take care of that part. Jang Chul-su stepped forward.
Prosecutor Kim Dal-su from the Daegu District Prosecutor Office agreed to help us out on that front. As a result, there will be a search-and-seizure investigation at the Good Heart Textiles next week. After all, no company out there has a spotless record, after all.
Now look here, nephew. Arent you going a bit too overboard with this one? If the value of the company fails, it will also impact us negatively in the end. Jang Kyung-ju voiced his worries next.
Please dont worry. We have Man-su working as the head judge in the Gwangju appellate court, and with brother In-su working as Gyeongsangbuk-dos district police commissioner, they will be able to apply external pressure. Meanwhile, Ill utilize my administrative powers to investigate everything thoroughly, from the factorys waste management down to the cafeterias hygiene.
Ill make sure to find something, anything, and make it look like its all the fault of the present CEO. As you know, the husband of our older sister happens to be a man with a squeaky-clean record. We wont stand a chance if you dont use such means.
Huh. Seems like young bucks think differently from us old folks. We old farts really should just take the back seat and observe. Hahaha! Jang Kyeong-mo laughed out loud. This is why having political power is so great.
Thank you for your kind words. A family can only stand straight and true if their elders managed to find their feet first. Thats why uncles, I ask you to endure for a little longer and work together with us. As long as we snatch away the companys control, we will have an inexhaustible supply of wealth, everyone. I swear, I shall be able to help you get back double the losses you all have suffered so far.
The eldest son of the family head sure is different, I see.
The expressions on Jang Kyung-tek and his brothers faces loosened up at their nephews confidence. Jang Kyung-tek recalled that he was this close to almost suing his nephew, so he quickly made a sheepish smile and patted Jang Gi-su on the back.
This time, things worked out because President Yeo is a lightweight. But the other folks have been friends with President Bak for a long time. Moreover, they have business relationships for just as long, too. Please dont underestimate this task and give it your all. In turn, I shall prepare the necessary funds.
Old man Jang Kyung-ju reminded his family.
This family meeting, which started as a heated argument session on who was responsible for this mess, quickly transformed into a warm and peaceful party. Unfortunately, and unbeknownst to them though, Dubaiburupas towering shadow had already been cast over the Good Heart Textiles. Whether or not the external pressures from administrative and judicial authorities would have any effect still remains to be seen.
*
Just as the elder Jang Kyung-ju feared, Bak Inbo was not sitting on his hands idly. Somehow, details of the meeting made it to his ears, and immediately, he was making his next move.
Presently, inside Jang Kyung-teks sarangbang C
Jang Kyung-tek was snoring away while still in his outdoor clothes. For a man over sixty years old, a heated debate which lasted several hours was too much to handle, given his limited stamina.
Riiiing!
However, the ringing phone woke him up from his tired snoozing.
He pushed aside the wooden pillow, slowly got up, and picked up the receiver. Who is it!
-Sir, its Lawyer Yi speaking. How are you?
Uh-huh What can I do for a lawyer such as yourself?
All this talk of suing for damages is still running rampant. Which is why Jang Kyung-tek sobered up instantly. Lawyer Yi wouldnt be calling him for a round of poker game, after all.
Id like to treat you to a plate of dageumbari (saw-edged perch) tomorrow in Captain Lees Sushi Restaurant. Why dont you bring Elder Kyung-nam as well?
Whats all this about?
Dont worry, sir. It wont be terrible for you. Also, when you come tomorrow, please bring the actual shares with you, too.
As befitting his job description, Lawyer Yi didnt reveal the real reason for his call. Jang Kyung-tek pondered his options for a bit before finally saying yes. He may have lived a relatively affluent, easy-going life as a landowner, but that didnt mean he is a total fool.
*
Inside Bak Inbos favorite restaurant, Captain Lees Sushi Restaurant C
Before Jang Kyung-tek and Jang Kyung-nam could settle down, Lawyer Yi stepped inside the private room. The waiter laid out various side dishes and brought in a stainless steel bowl filled with cooked mussels and bottles of Kumbokju. Feeling thirsty, Jang Kyung-nam grabbed the bottle first.
After a round of booze went around, they exchanged some small talk about how fatty the mussels were.
Eventually, though, Lawyer Yi put down his soju cup with a loud tap. Elders, it mustve been quite tough for you these past few years.
Kmph. Well, theres no point in bringing that up now. Jang Kyung-tek poured himself a stiff one and gulped it down.
Lawyer Yi smiled warmly in response. This old man is too oblivious to how the real world operated. How could he reveal his inner turmoil so quickly in a negotiation! He should have already had some suspicions about what kind of a get-together this is, after hearing the instructions of bringing the shares along.
Im sure you already know that President Bak does not hold a good opinion of his in-laws.
Well, our eldest brother and the head of the family tends to discriminate people a bit. So a narrow-minded man obviously wouldnt be pleased with this kind of treatment.
But President Bak does not see you two uncles in the same light as the others. He told me that you two are the only ones who have treated him like a human being, and would even exchange well-wishes during the holidays, too.
Lawyer Yi came up with that story on the spot. He had no idea if the uncles from the in-laws family exchanged greetings or swore at each other. But it didnt matter either way. This is all a ploy to gain a favorable response from the other party, effectively lowering their wariness in the process.
Is that so? Bak In-bos talents or wealth werent much to write home about, but he certainly had an upright character. I never discriminated against anyone, you see. Hahaha! Feeling rather pleased now, Jang Kyung-tek began laughing happily away. He figured that there is nothing wrong if someone with such power looked at him in a favorable light.
The day before yesterday, Suseong-dong madam paid a visit to President Bak. She just wasted time trying to test the mood until she left, but President Bak isnt a dummy. He immediately figured out what it was she wanted.
Hmm, I see.
I will get straight to the point then. Well pay you 35,000 Won per share.
Both Jang Kyung-tek and Jang Kyung-nam eyes opened wide. Only yesterday they were seriously considering selling the shares at break-even price. But now, the situation has changed.
Why should we sell them when the company is about to become our familys? Jang Kyung-tek played hard to get. Indeed, as long as the family gained control of the company, none of this would matter.
Fut! Lawyer Yi smirked as if he found the two older men rather pitiful, and stared back at them. You shouldnt speak of unrealistic things, sirs. Including Chauffeur Baeks 10% would get us 52%, after all.
Nonsense. President Yeo agreed to hand over his shares to Director Jang yesterday. Which means our family will be the majority shareholder now. Jang Kyung-nam said something that he shouldnt have, but was too busy basking in a sense of superiority to realise this. An old man like him simply had no clue how intense the battle for the shares can get.
Lawyer Yi cringed inwardly, but displayed none of that while he continued. Please dont tell anyone about this. But, just who is President Bak? No matter how clever Director Jang thinks he is, he cant even compare to that wily foxs toenail. So let me just get to the point. Do you think Hui-ja will forsake her father and side with the in-laws? And did you know that Utak wants to leave Ms. Jangs home and live with President Bak?
Mm!
Jang Kyung-tek and his brother started to feel anxious. To be honest, it was this lingering feeling of anxiety that had brought them to this meeting.
Nephew Jang and Pil-nyuh sounded so confident back then, but the husband of their niece was no pushover. It didnt take a genius to know that the general shareholders would support Bak Inbo. Besides, no can be absolutely sure that his kids would abandon their father and side with the in-laws.
It felt like there is still some hidden conspiracy that could possibly meddle with what was supposed to be a sure-fire transfer of shares.
I know you mustve regretted a great deal after purchasing those CBs.
If you fail to seize this opportunity, this will just add another regret in your lives, sirs. Im sure you already had to sacrifice far too many farmlands after listening to Director Jangs assurances. You might have finished paying off the private loan, but you still have the bank interest payment breathing down your neck, with your remaining land and estates tied up as collateral. What will you do if you dont decide quickly enough now and end up homeless?
Hmm, hmm!
Truth be told, even President Bak doesnt have a lot of financial leeway at the moment. He can only purchase around twenty thousand shares, and thats about it. So why dont we add five hundred more and round out the price at 630 million Won? That should be more than enough to solve your problems in one go, yes? By then, you can get your houses affairs in order, the debt collectors will stop harassing you, and you can buy back the lost farmlands, too. I mean, one must think of ones survival first before anything else, wouldnt you say?
Hmm, hmm!
The minds of Jang Kyung-tek and his brother are easily bewitched by the sweet whispers of the devil. The lawyers sentiments resonated especially loudly in their hearts. The two older men felt incredibly desperate at the moment, but still couldnt bring themselves to agree to this unplanned sale. They were still members of the Jang family. The very thought of betraying their own weighed quite heavily on their conscience.
Jang Kyung-nam glanced at his older brother, and the two locked eyes for a while. They fell for Nephew Jang and Bak-sils recommendation like a couple of hypnotized men, and ended up wrecking their own homes. They could read in each others eyes the desire to go back to how things were before.
Just as the two elders ruminated slowly, Lawyer Yi decided to add one more thing. This really is your last chance How do you gentlemen plan to endure the humiliation when one wrong choice will make you both homeless? President Bak came to this considerably difficult financial decision for the sake of you two, after all. But if you are not ready to accept his goodwill, theres not much we can do. Its unfortunate since opportunities like this wont come ever again.
Lawyer Yi drove in the final nail. There is an old saying: that even dogs will not want to sniff on a lawyers crap. But these two old men can barely keep their wits up at his dazzling words.
Chapter 601 - Episode 12 Cause and Effect
Uh-huh! Why are you in such a hurry, dude!
With the final opportunity presenting itself, the humiliated Jang Kyung Nam that was sitting outside his home sobered up instantly and hurriedly stopped Lawyer Yi from trying to leave. A gentlemans life is his face. Losing face was the same as dying for a man of high stations. But to protect ones honor, one needed money.
Akin to how his financial status had dwindled, Jang Kyung Nam from the rural backwaters began bowing even more profoundly than before. The truth was that no one cared whether or not you drank the cold water and began picking your teeth.
Jang Kyung Nam glared sharply at his older brother. But, of course, Jang Kyung Tek wasnt dull enough to miss the true intent behind that glare. We need to survive first for our family to exist, brother!
Alright, lets do this. When will the funds be ready?
Jang Kyung Tek gritted his teeth and slammed his palm down on the table.
Well draw up and sign the shares transfer contract today. Then Ill give you 100 million right now as the signing fee. Did you bring the actual shares as I asked, sir?
Here they are. Jang Kyung Tek handed over the total shares.
Perhaps with much predictability, the 100 million in front of his eyes was much more precious than the promised one billion without any guarantees. Ironically, these two older mens naivety that verged on stupidity, plus their easily-swayed hearts, helped them recover their wrecked wealth. This was another example of why the phrase irony of fate was invented.
President Bak knows how to pick his prey, doesnt he? Tsk, tsk!
Lawyer Yi tutted to himself. Although its a pity, these sloppy old country men were filled with greed, that he cant help but be upset. Without lust, prostitutes would be out of jobs, and likewise, the fertile land where the swindlers operated was peoples avarice. President Bak wasnt the type of a man whod finish the transfer but delay paying the rest of the amount, but he did precisely that. What could these two older men even do in that case?
The rest of the payment will be electronically transferred to you as soon as were finished preparing it. It shouldnt take more than ten days. Please give me your bank account number.
The share transfer was a done deal when the waiter came to serve the sushi plate. Jang Kyung Tek and his brother stared intensely at the procession of zeroes in the cheque with eyes filled with various emotions.
Big brother. I swear, I will never mess with shares ever again, from today.
Please reading on NewN0vel 0rg)
Me too, little brother. I dont want to go through this nonsense ever again, even if I have gazillions in my bank account. Jang Kyung Tek shuddered while replying.
Those damned shares screwed them over for the past few years. His wealth was in ruins, while the torches and pitchforks of his relatives who invested in this scheme were close to burning him down. His head started aching at the mere mention of sha in shares.
It feels like weve been through one nasty nightmare, brother. But, as I thought, a caterpillar should munch on leaves. Jang Kyung Nam shook his head in defeat.
Six hundred thirty million should be enough cash to recover half of the lost farmlands. It felt like a rabbit dragged to the undersea Dragon Palace had gotten its extracted liver back somehow.
Lawyer Yi, thank you!
Im merely an errand boy, sirs. If you wish to thank someone, you should thank President Bak. In any case, you two mustve gone through a lot after getting caught up in the head familys greed, gentlemen. So why dont you relax and enjoy yourselves today? Lawyer Yi continued to drive a wedge between the Jangs right until the end.
Jang Kyung Nam tried to stop Lawyer Yi as the latter got up to leave. Hold on, fellow. Why dont you stay and enjoy this expensive sushi with us?
Unfortunately, I cant, gentlemen. The two of you must have a lot of things to discuss in private, and I have a trial to attend in the afternoon. Ah, it seems that Im out of time. Well, then.
Humans tended to search for a way to rationalize what happened if they felt guilty. So Lawyer Yi presented Jang Kyung Tek and his brother with time to bad-mouth the prominent family.
A lawyer put food on their table by stoking the flames of strife between the parties involved. Thats why that old saying about not even dogs wanting to sniff a lawyers crap was invented in the first place.
*
Lawyer Yi finished the negotiations and left the sushi restaurant with carefree, playful steps. President Baks pet theory about ones egotism being more important than the common good was absolutely on the money. The betrayal of Jang Kyung Tek and his brother would indeed cause massive turmoil within the rest of the Jang family.
President Bak didnt stop digging deep into the financial foothold of his in-laws but even sowed the seeds of distrust and conflict within the entire family. That man was even more cunning than a raccoon and even more driven than a viper. Lawyer Yi had come in contact with unsavory characters and incidents during his decades as a lawyer. However, even so, he still shuddered at the viciousness of President Bak.
Lawyer Yi sought out the nearest payphone and reported the negotiation details to Bak In bo. He also added one more thing as the phone call came close. I dont wish to become your enemy, President Bak.
*
Vroooom-
Gamulchi slowed down just as it was about to cross the university gates.
A scene Mu Ssang hadnt seen in a while was playing out before his eyes. Either side of the gate was handled by four rows of the riot police squadron armed with pitch-black suppression batons and shields resembling scutums. (Rectangular shields used by the ancient Roman soldiers.)
It started again as soon as the new semester got underway.
The endless game of tag between the cops and the student protestors had been ongoing for a while now. Ever since Chun Doo-hwan kicked Choi Kyu-hah (Japanese name Umehara Keiichi) out and took over the government, the streets were filled with the choking smoke of the tear gas almost every day.
The militaristic chants of the riot police reverberated throughout the campus. Meanwhile, the struggles and arguments between students and cops trying to inspect their school bags became a matter of regular occurrence. Bleeding students fleeing in a hurry became a familiar sight, while the scenes of denim-wearing Baekgol-dan (South Korean plainclothes riot police, active between 1980 to 1990) viciously beating up students also became a common-enough occurrence.
With Septembers Asian Games just around the corner, the protests flared up again with the start of the new semester. What set off the latest round of demonstrations was Kwon In-sooks sexual torture perpetrated by a member of the Bucheon Police Station. This incident was yet another inhumane, immoral act of those in power that utilized vicious, underhanded means to suppress the pro-democracy movements. The judicial authorities and the mass media were complicit in this unwarranted energy display.
*
The student protests started when the Chun Doo-hwan regime declared measures to liberalize learning institutions on December 21st, 1983. Allowing all the students expelled from their schools after attending anti-government protests to re-enroll. Still, it only served as a trigger for even wider-scale protests.
The goal of the 12/21 declaration was to dilute the publics hostile sentiments towards the regime. Unfortunately for Chun Doo-hwan and his close aides, they underestimated the publics hostility towards them. As a result, the perpetrator would never really know how much it hurt the victim. That was the common mistake of the dictators drunk on their power.
The declaration led to the activist students returning to their schools while the police force residing on various campuses began withdrawing. That triggered the university students, who were holding themselves back at the outrageous level of suppression until then, to start flooding the streets as early as the new years break.
Various student organizations sprang up from everywhere; their goal is the democratization of campuses and Korean society as a whole. The cost of the regimes misjudgment was quite severe. Protests in schools, protests on the streets Demonstrations throughout the night and even during the day continued on and on.
Just what kind of a man was Chun Doo-hwan, though? He was a brutal, ruthless individual whod brazenly beat the living daylights out of you, then ask you how it felt.
The riot police blocking the campus entrances might have withdrawn, but plainclothes officers and a specially-organized suppression squad named Baekgol-dan were deployed to schools in great numbers. Their campus inspections soon became a daily occurrence. And whenever a commotion broke out, dozens of chicken coops (police vans) showed up instantly.
The plainclothes suppression squad, AKA Baekgol-dan, was unlike the regular riot police that pushed the protestors back in an organized fashion. Baekgol-dan members were always dressed in simple streetwear and armed with suppression batons. They would appear out of the blue and disappear like the wind. Filled with physically imposing, athletic members, the Baekgol-dans infamy was a well-known feature of Korea in the 80s.
*
Mu Ssang was unconcerned with the state of Koreas politics. He had two reasons for that. First, while roaming Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, he got to see and hear quite many things. A person usually saw as much as they knew and learned as much as they could see. But what you could see was not everything there was to know. Yet another truth was bound to be hidden under the surface of any incident.
Choi Kyu-hah, known as the sacrificial lamb of the military regime, was nothing more than an accomplice and a compliant bystander. He gave the go-ahead for the expansion of martial law and the establishment of the National Integrity Emergency Response Committee. And it was also Choi Kyu-hah that ratified the development of martial law on May 17th, 1980.
Choi Kyu-hah kept his mouth firmly shut when the New Military Regime arrested Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil and confined Kim Young-sam to house arrest. Indeed, he was a bystander and a coward who didnt put forth a minimum of effort to rein in the unjust events happening in his own country even though he was the president.
Now that Mu Ssangs horizon had been broadened and his thought process far more flexible, he could already see the end of the dictatorship. Although the current reality of South Korea was frustrating, it still hadnt reached the absolute pits like Africa or the Middle East. Once the citizens become enlightened, the grounds for the dictator to stand on would automatically vanish.
As for Mu Ssangs second reason, it had to do with the difference in his level, so to speak. If you labeled Chun Doo-hwan as a fraudulent being, then Mu Ssang was also a dishonest being. A living cheat. The Angel of Death was a destructive existence that shouldnt even be allowed in a cramped country like South Korea. Imagine him chopping the heads off of the New Military Regime personnel just because they got on his nerves C what kind of chaos would that usher into this world!
*
Mu Ssang ignored the riot police standing around in rank and file and headed to the library. History tended to get disinterested in what was right and wrong when the collective awareness of the citizens was low. However, the Korean citizens collective awareness was not that low. Therefore, the current situation should resolve itself with enough time. Time was the best troubleshooter that would solve all sorts of headache-inducing problems.
*
Hurry, lets get outta here!
F*ck! Die, punk!
Consider yourselves dead if you fail to catch that b*tch!
Urgent yells, loud swearing, and hurried footsteps rocked the previously-silent library. Five, no, six students rushed inside the reading room, followed soon after by ten or so Baekgol-dan members kitted out in helmets and batons. They were like a pack of wild dogs chasing after a deer.
Shatter- Crash-!
Desks were destroyed while chairs went hurtling around.
The once-still reading room suddenly transformed into an arena. Desperate fighting broke out in various places, accompanied by screams and angry yells. Curses were liberally thrown around while windows broke one after another. A student, bleeding after he got struck by a suppression baton, began wildly swinging his club. A Baekgol-dan member got hit in his leg and staggered about ungainly. Another student got attacked by a double sidekick and crashed to the floor while grabbing onto a chair.
The balance quickly tilted in favor of the Baekgol-dan members. None of the students studying in the reading room tried to intervene, only observing the situation with frightened eyes. Mu Ssang wasnt thinking of criticizing them. Each person had their sense of justice and their circumstances to consider. Thats how history was made and how it continued to march into the future.
Even so, things were getting out of hand here.
Aaaahk! Let me go, you sh*thead! A female student went ballistic when her hair got snatched.
You b*tch! You think you can run, but you were just dancing on my palm! Now die!
A Baekgol-dan member dressed in loose-fitting jeans viciously yanked at the female students hair. She tumbled painfully to the floor, but her trouble didnt end there as the assailant mounted on top of her next.
No, you die, you bastard!
The female student with her messy hair swung her fists around in determination.
Slap-!
Her fitfully swung hand landed on the Baekgol-dan members cheek. The female student mustve been a rather hot-blooded individual, it seemed.
What is wrong with this little b*tch?! Im going to teach you a damn lesson!
The Baekgol-dan member mercilessly punched down at her.
Aaaahk!
Blood splattered as her scream exploded. The Baekgol-dan member, his reasoning gone for good now, yanked out his suppression baton from the belt holder. At this rate, hed beat that female student to death.
Fuu-woo! Gimme a freaking break! Mu Ssang spat out a groan.
The plainclothes suppression squad AKA Baekgol-dan often entered the campus grounds to drag away protesting students. Some students even ended up as vegetables after batons mercilessly pummeled them. Occasionally, youd hear about students losing their lives too.
But the incident of Baekgol-dan members dying or getting gravely injured at the hands of enraged students happened just as often. Les Miserables, or so they say; both students and Baekgol-dan were victims of their era. The real sinners, in this case, were corrupt soldiers, politicians and the mass media that had become dogs to those in power.
Even if Mu Ssang wanted to remain unconcerned with this situation, he could not ignore an act of illogical violence about to take place before his eyes.
F*ck! Dont worry, b*tch, for I shall pay for your funeral later!
Whoosh-!
The baton came down at a vicious speed. Mu Ssang flicked an eraser in his hand. Sure, the Baekgol-dan member had gone overboard here, but Mu Ssang still had no desire to grievously harm a mere tool simply following orders.
Bang- Smack-!
Two different impact noises rang out loudly. The suppression baton ignored the laws of physics and went flying in the opposite direction.
Ouchhh?! The Baekgol-dan member cried out in pain when his suppression baton smacked him in the forehead. Who hit me?! Come out now when Im being civil!
The Baekgol-dan member, with a massive swelling on his forehead, began glaring murderously while yelling in rage. Then, utterly oblivious that his baton was the culprit here, he wildly swung his weapon around in the air.
Ill be the one paying for your funeral, punk.
Swish-!
A ball-pen whizzed through the air.
Stab-!
The pen punctured right through the thick denim and stabbed into the mans thigh. Nevertheless, the cell faithfully demonstrated the laws of physics where the momentums directly proportional to mass and velocity.
Aaaaahk?!
After suffering from a sudden misfortune, the Baekgol-dan member dropped his baton. Mu Ssang deliberately avoided hitting tendons and blood vessels with the pen. Injured muscles would recover pretty quickly. From Mu Ssangs perspective, this punk seemed fond of exaggerating his pain.
Hey, punk! Get off her, will you! If youre hungry for action, go to a brothel or something. How dare you mount a girl without her permission!
Mu Ssang kicked the bastard still on top of the female student as if he was a soccer ball.
The female students face was bloodied, while her cheekbone area had swelled up black and blue after getting hit earlier. Other than her burst lips and bleeding nose, neither her bones nor teeth were damaged during the assault. Thanks to her cheekbone absorbing most of the impact, she avoided her face getting damaged beyond repair.
Mu Ssang pressed the students Indanghyeol (an acupuncture point right in between eyebrows) and Yeongyanghyeol (acupuncture points found on either side of the nostrils) to stop the nose bleeding. Are you alright?
Do I look alright to you, big bro? The female student replied sourly while pulling the hems of her torn blouse close to hide her exposed chest.
Even though her top was ripped open and her brassiere got yanked loose, this awkward situation failed to soften her raging temper. This girl was one brave kid, at the very least, bold enough for the Baekgol-dan to go mad trying to arrest her.
I guess youre not alright, then. Mu Ssang chuckled, took off his jacket, and put it over her shoulders to cover her torso.
He was wearing just a thin vest and nothing else under the jacket. The reading room was now witnessing the unveiling of a perfectly inverted triangular torso covered in tautly-stretched muscle fibers reminiscent of high-quality manila ropes. Countless eyes locked on the injured female student instantly shifted away to land on the statue-like bronze torso of Mu Ssang.
Even the assaulted female student looked up at him with dreamy eyes.
Whoa!
A living statue!
Gasps of admiration and awe could be heard coming from here and there.
Hey, I know who that is. Its Big Bro Darth Vader! One of the students finally recognized Mu Ssang and cried out.
Trample that punk, now! The commander of this particular band of Baekgol-dan yelled in a shrill voice.
The Baekgol-dan members figured out the situation; they shoved aside the students and rushed in toward Mu Ssang.
Huh, well!
Mu Ssang sharply glared at the incoming Baekgol-dan.
The dozen or so men rushing at him like a pack of hungry wild dogs slammed their brakes and came to an abrupt halt. How could these young punks deal with Mu Ssangs killing intent when not even the professional killers of war zones could do it?
Mu Ssang didnt feel much of anything toward the members of the suppression squad. If you got stabbed with a knife, youd generally blame the one stabbing you, not the blade itself.
What are you doing, you fools?! You all want to put on gas masks and run laps for the whole night or something?! The commander angrily yelled at his lungs, kitted out in a black combat uniform and a cap pressed deeply on his head.
Kill him!
The Baekgol-dan finally regained their wits and rushed in all at once. Two bastards in the front of the pack unhesitatingly swung down their batons. They were, to be precise, targeting Mu Ssangs head, not his shoulders.
Mu Ssangs glare grew cold and menacing. Students, once participants in a life-or-death struggle, now turned into bystanders and screamed in alarm.
Chapter 602 - Episode 13 Cause and Effect
Kkyaaaahk!
Female students, picturing a horrific end to this scene, screamed in shrill voices and urgently turned their heads away. The suppression baton was a weapon meant to suppress. Getting hit in the head with the big club made out of birch would surely crack your skull and cause an outpour of blood. A fair number of people even get killed now and then from being hit in the head, too.
Mu Ssang sneered. Looks like you are all dangerous bastards, huh.
Never mind some measly baton. Not even a metal pipe wouldve been enough to hurt Mu Ssang. However, not a single person would be happy to see some punks rushing in just to get their skulls cracked open.
Mu Ssangs left hand performed one of the moves belonging to the Stealing Guard of Hundred Hands to scoop up both of the falling batons, as if he was picking up some pebbles.
Smack- Slap-!
Mu Ssangs bear-style punch, with his fingers tightly clenched, smacked and slapped the chin and cheeks of the two Baekgol-dan members.
The two who were rushing in oh-so energetically suddenly lost all light in their eyes and began stumbling around like a couple of drunkards. In the eyes of the witnesses, it looked like the assailants just placed their batons in Mu Ssangs hand and began dancing like idiots.
Pow, pow-!
As the two Baekgol-dan members staggered around without any sense of equilibrium, a foot was mercilessly connected into their unguarded butts.
Tumble, crash-
Both men tumbled to the floor while shoving aside the reading room chairs. Since both of their jawbones and gums were cracked, these two poor fools would have to eat liquefied food for the next three, maybe even four months.
Aikoo~, looks like these punks are working under the influence of alcohol, eh? Mu Ssang sarcastically ranted.
A suppression baton was as hard and heavy as a metal club. These two Baekgol-dan members were drunk with the taste of blood. If they hadnt targeted Mu Ssangs head but some other body parts, he wouldnt have hurt them this badly.
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Kill him!
Die, as*hole!
The sight of their comrades falling so easily had pushed the rest of the Baekgol-dan over the edge. In a sudden rage of hormones, they angrily pounced on Mu Ssang like a locust horde of the desert that had gone crazy.
Mu Ssang was disappointed. All these punks were still wet behind their ears, just kids barely past the age of 20. Some of them even used to be protestors who got gassed up with tear gas fumes and got drafted into the military, eventually finding themselves assigned to the Baekgol-dan. So what exactly was making these punks go berserk like this?
All of you, stop this now!
Too bad Mu Ssangs warning fell on deaf ears. They wouldnt be called the Baekgol-dan if they had stopped just because someone told them to.
Batons fell on Mu Ssang like a hailstorm. His figure started swaying and wavering like a mirage. Finally, batons slid past him as if the assailants were deliberately trying to miss their target.
Pow pow pow-!
Sounds of a club repeatedly hitting wet laundry rang out in the library. With barely any time in between the hits, the Baekgol-dan members got their cheeks slapped around, and they tumbled unconsciously to the floor like falling dominoes.
You f*ck, dont move! The Baekgol-dan commander in the black combat uniform hurriedly yanked out his revolver.
Uwahk?!
Its a gun!
Students began screaming.
Mu Ssang glanced at the muzzle, pointed at his chest, then cocked an eyebrow at the policeman. The sadistic eyes of the cop gleaming sharply under the deeply-pressed cap made him feel disgusted for some reason.
Oii. That things an antique over 30 years old, isnt it? Can it even fire properly? Tsk, tsk!
Mu Ssang instantly recognized the weapon and began tutting away. That was a Smith & Wesson K-frame six-shot single barrel Model 10 revolver. That antique, developed in the 1950s, was the standard-issue handgun of the Korean police.
Not only was it a grandpa-tier revolver, its clunky design meant that its accuracy was laughable at best. As for its advantages, well, it doesnt misfire? About that much? Then again, there are so few cases where modern firearms miscarried due to the functional problems, so that wasnt something to be proud of.
Shut up, you f*ck! Raise your hands high before I put a bullet in your head! The plain-clothes cop roared angrily, the muzzle swaying up and down uncontrollably.
The revolver itself was terrible, but the cops firing position was even more stupid. The way he stood diagonally and supported the grip with his left hand, made it seem like he was worshipping the gun, and not wielding it. His pose might look nice, but it happened to be the absolute worst position to even withstand the recoil.
Hey, dumbass, are you trying to imitate Charlie Chaplin or something? Whats up with your rubbish firing position? Even Im getting embarrassed while looking at your sorry ass. Although, a moron messing around with a rusted gun is more preferable to that Moon Gui-dong bastard who tortures his victims with his tiny willy, isnt it!
Wah-hahaha!
The students who were listening burst into a peal of laughter.
Shut up, you f*cking commie bastard! Raise your hands, or Ill shoot!
The lower part of the policemans face was visibly getting redder from anger. He looked this close to squeezing the trigger.
However, Mu Sssang began taking a look at his own body. Im not red, though? By the way, why is our conversation even heading that way? Since Im a red, does that make you black? (TN: the Korean slang for commie is red, hence this joke.)
Mu Ssang pointed at the policemans black combat uniform.
Students burst into another round of laughter. They were always on the receiving end of brutal beatings and got chased around like rats every day by the police, so watching a cop getting openly mocked like this was the catharsis theyve all been waiting for.
What the hell?! This insane motherf*cker!
The cops face became so flushed that it seemed ready to burst any second now. Mu Ssang was left dumbfounded by what he saw. The movements of the cops eyes, his tense shoulder muscles, all these things indicated that he was only a moment away from pulling that trigger.
Sure, this was the era of the government acting like a goddamn thug, but that man was still a cop of South Korea, not a member of the Black September Organization. Was he really thinking of pulling the trigger inside a library teeming with students?
You f*cking bastard, die!
Blam-!
A loud gunshot rocked the reading room. In the blink of an eye, the thought of No, he would never instantly became He did!. However, Mu Ssang didnt even blink once and continued glaring at the bullets trajectory as it brushed past his head. He had already determined beforehand the potential course by analyzing the muzzles direction and the movement of the index finger.
Ah, damn it!
Mu Ssangs complexion paled instantly. He had forgotten about the students standing behind him. He hurriedly looked back in alarm. The bullet embedded itself into the reading table partition, while a pale-faced student right next to it was trembling in fright with their eyes slowly losing focus.
Even the one pulling the trigger seemed to be shocked by what happened as he was dazedly staring at the bluish smoke rising from the muzzle. Then, two, maybe three seconds later, screams and commotions broke out.
Kkyaaaahk!
Uwahk?! That f*cker fired his gun!
Woo, woo!
Trample that bastard to death!
All sorts of curses burst forth from the crowd. But that reaction was understandable. Clubs and tear gas canisters were meant to suppress, but guns and knives were intended to kill.
Even if you closed the lid on a toilet, it would still smell horrible. The publics violent reaction to firearms became so much worse, partly due to how the incidents during the Gwangju Uprising of May the 18th got publicized despite the regimes strict lockdown on the press. One will definitely be agitated, when ones life is being threatened. Road rage is a typical example of this.
Y-you f*ckers! Dont you dare move! Anyone moves, and Ill shoot you down!
When the atmosphere became very hostile for him, the cop began waving the guns muzzle in every direction. The male students who were stepping forward to gang up on the cop froze on their spots.
The cop switched on his radio.
Hiss, hiss-
Back up, need back up!
Haigooo. Give me a freaking break! You are a crazy as*hole. Mu Ssang cocked his brow unhappily.
This cop was starting to remind him of the rotten-to-the-core Jang Chi-soo. Mu Ssang was only 13 when he was falsely accused of theft. Jang Chi-soo wanted to get a false confession, and began slapping the young Mu Ssang in the head with a nightstick.
A bastard like this is definitely not acting as the walking aide of the people, but a stick of punishment instead.
Bang-!
Mu Ssang kicked a Baekgol-dan helmet rolling around on the floor.
Crack-!
A chill-inducing noise rang out loudly. Instantly, a massive pair of glass windows shattered into pieces. The helmet shot forward like a bullet and destroyed the cops shin, bounced away, and eventually broke the window.
Kkuwaaaaahk!
Blamblamblam-!
Along with the cops wretched scream, three more rounds of bullets were discharged one after the other. The fluorescent lamps in the ceiling shattered when the bullets hit them, scattering the plaster powder like white mist in the process.
Hes rotten to the core, isnt he? Mu Ssang tutted away.
If the cop had discharged his gun by accident while tumbling backward from the impact, there was no way he would have fired three rounds in a row like that. This damn bastard wanted to take everyone else down with him.
Aaah!
The shocked students hurriedly evacuated to the far corner.
This goddamn moron!
In a flash, Mu Ssang seemed to have teleported to the cop. And he stomped down on the cops right hand that was still holding the revolver.
Crunch, crack-!
The chilling noise of bones getting crushed resounded. Mu Ssang was merciless this time.
Kkuwaaaah! A shrill scream burst out of the cops lips.
The force of impact brought about by the Thousand Ton Stomp, performed with the resonance wave, can easily reach two tons worth. As a result, the cops right hand would never be able to grip chopsticks for the rest of his life.
South Korea was unlike in Africa or the Middle East. Mu Ssang never imagined that he would run into a crazed idiot who is willing to fire a gun indiscriminately inside a university library. The fact that the cop fired three rounds in a row was pretty damning evidence of the mans intent to murder the students.
In all honesty, though, it didnt matter what the justification was. This cop already broke the regulations on firearms. The standard procedure for the Korean police was to always leave the first chamber empty, fill the second chamber with a blank, and only load the live ammunition in chambers three to six. Yet despite the regulation, this bastard packed all six chambers with live ammo.
Broken bones jutted out of the cops skin, while blood-soaked nerves and tendons were now visibly in a messy tangle. Mu Ssang delivered the punishment decisively and mercilessly.
Whoooa~! I knew it; he is Darth Vader!
Holy cow! How pitiful.
Big bro, youre the best!
Stunned by Mu Ssangs freakish performance, the students began crying out in a mix of horror and awe.
*
Mu Ssang picked up the blood-covered revolver and put the safety on. He released the cylinder and took out the remaining two rounds, then grabbed the cop by the collar as he squealed away like a pig on festival day. He picked up the wounded man, only to be met with a huge surprise.
Huh?! Its Jang Chi-soo!
Mu Ssang quickly swallowed back his words. A bean-sized wart can be found smack-dab in the middle of the cops forehead, with three strands of hair sticking out of said wart. That was Jang Chi-soos trademark lucky spot. Anyway, even if this man, in his late thirties and with a gaunt face, didnt have that wart, he was still unmistakably Jang Chi-soo.
How could Mu Ssang not immediately recognize someone who was mentioned explicitly in the record of favors and grudges!
Since his days as a patrolman, Jang Chi-soo acted like the peoples stick of punishment, and unfortunately, it seems like he still hadnt fixed this crappy habit of his. Mu Ssangs business with Jang Chi-soo was particularly unsavory. This bastard was the one tasked by Mu Ssangs aunt, Missus Jang, to imprison the young Mu Ssang for ten days straight while beating him up every single day.
Unfortunately, it didnt stop there. Six years after that first encounter, Mu Ssang ran into this bastard again thanks to Kang Young-sooks assault and rape case. To no ones surprise, Jang Chi-soo was responsible for cooking up all sorts of false testimonies, even tampering with the crime scene.
Bitter enemies were supposed to run into each other on a lone bridge somewhere. And as expected, South Korea is a nation of far-too-cramped landmass.
A cop indiscriminately fires his gun at innocent students?! Do you think students studying in a library are spies or murderers?! You as*hole, youre beyond saving, arent you!
Slap, slap-!
Mu Ssangs palm viciously swung back and forth across Jang Chi-soos face three to four times. He even smacked the cops chin upward too. His slaps contained a hefty load of emotions, causing the noises of breaking bones to ring out loudly.
Kkuuuuuk!
Jang Chi-soo was already suffering from nerve-shattering pain. Despite that, he couldnt even scream properly, as he tip-toed precariously between life and death. Then, as his consciousness was about to fade away, he was suddenly brought back by a tidal wave of pain.
This was the effect of Mu Ssangs trademark technique, Returning Mind, Burning Body, which was a vile torture technique that applied intermittent stimulus to the victims nerve system in order to sober them up, allowing them to experience the full brunt of the pain.
Why the f*ck did you fire your gun, as*hole? This is all your fault, is it not? Eiii, what a weak-ass punk. He already blacked out. Mu Ssang released his grip on Jang Chi-soos collar. The unconscious cop slid to the floor like an empty sack.
From the outside, Jang Chi-soo seemed to be suffering from a fracture in one of his shins and a crushed right hand. But his internal injuries were much more severe. Not only was his jawbone shattered, but his molars and canine teeth would not function properly anymore too. In addition, five of his ribs were also broken, damaging his lungs and liver in the process.
Kill that motherf*cker!
The agitated students rushed in and began kicking and punching Jang Chi-soo without realizing his current state. Finally, the female student, whose hair was yanked around earlier, took off her shoe and mercilessly slammed Jang Chi-soos head with the heel.
Hey, hey. Thats enough. Youll kill him at this rate. Mu Ssang stepped in to stop the agitated students.
The angry mob instantly stopped their gang beating and retreated like a receding tide. After all, no one here was brave enough to go against Darth Vaders command.
Big bro, thank you so much. Were alive thanks to your heroic act.
Hes right. If it werent for you, big bro, we would have been beaten half to death and thrown inside the bakery.
Mu Ssang asked in a dazed voice. Bakery? Whats that?
Prison, big bro. Prison! (T/N: the Korean slang for prison is ggam-bbang; bbang is bread in Korean)
Hooray to our big bro Darth Vader!
These naive students began throwing cheers around, without realizing the severe consequences that lie ahead.
Hooray, my foot. Stop trying to embarrass me, will you? Anyway, you all saw this f*cker firing his gun, didnt you?
Yessir! Hes the real bad guy here.
We need to beat those bastards to death, too!
The students who were thrashed earlier by the Baekgol-dan got agitated again and began growling menacingly. Finally, they picked up the batons and seemed ready to murder the unconscious Baekgol-dan members laid out on the floor.
Dont do that! These punks are just a bunch of pitiful idiots, you know.
Okay, understood.
The furious students conceded and stepped back without complaint. Darth Vaders commands were absolute, after all.
But big bro, things just got massively complicated for you because of us. And what are we going to do with that pig? One of the students, who seemed to have a sharper brain than the rest, asked, while pointing at the battered and bruised Jang Chi-soo.
That f*cker is the worst of the worst. But, of course, you all saw him pointing the gun at me before firing, right?
Of course. That f*cker tried to shoot you. Then he tried to shoot at us. If you hadnt chucked that helmet at the bastard, several of us wouldve died today! A motherf*cker like him needs to be trampled to death, you know.
Keep a lid on that, will you. Since I turned a pig into that state, yeah, things might get a bit noisy for me. Dont you worry, though. Ill handle the fallout.
No, thats not right. Let us take care of it, big bro. It cant be more than three years in prison, right?
Hey, you. Youre supposed to be studying your butts off for the future right now, so dont you think that losing three years will be the end of youu? Like I said, dont worry about it and just come forth as witnesses when necessary.
Im sorry about this, big bro. Well prepare affidavits. You can call on us anytime.
The students eagerly chucked their student ID cards at Mu Ssang. Even those students who rushed into the library during the action didnt hesitate to present Mu Ssang with their ID cards. In the blink of an eye, he ended up collecting over a hundred ID cards.
Tsk. I finally caused a scene, huh.
Mu Ssang felt a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He wanted to stay under the radar and live a quiet life if possible, but still, he ended up getting involved. Of course, he wasnt scared, but that didnt mean he was happy about the annoying, unavoidable trouble that is about to come his way. Since he went against his Masters orders, he could very well end up repeating the exact similar scene of Sun Wukong being crushed under the Marble Mountains.
*
Mu Ssang asked the female student who got her hair yanked around earlier. Hey. You alright now?
Yes, Im alright.
She replied vivaciously, as she pulled out a compact mirror from her handbag. She combed her hair, tried to fix her make-up, then covered her bruised cheek with her hair.
Huh. I guess thats really how women are!
Mu Ssang was genuinely impressed. Even the female guerillas of Sahels FROLINAT frantically dolled themselves up despite the terrible environment they were in.
Come, lets go to a hospital. Ill take you there.
The female student finished tidying up and demurely looked up at Mu Ssang. My name is Kim Sook, and Im a big fan of yours, Big Bro Darth Vader. Can I get your autograph?
Kim Sook took out a notebook from her handbag while talking about something completely unrelated. Mu Ssang wanted to take her to a hospital, so what on earth was she talking about here? An autograph out of the blue?
Mu Ssang, feeling somewhat bemused now, shook his head. Seeing how you are muttering nonsense like that, youre not okay, girl. Hey, guys. Take her to a hospital right away.
Kim Sook grinned softly while the other students cackled away.
Oppa. Is it okay for us to take away these comatose bastards?
Mm? What do you have in mind?
Were thinking of locking them up in the percussion band club room, you see. We want to use them to exchange for our friends who were taken away by the cops.
Chapter 603 - Episode 14 Cause and Effect
You want to exchange them?
Yes, big bro. Kinda like a hostage exchange.
You think the cops will negotiate?
Of course. They usually ask for the exchange first. Whenever we release a pig, we make sure to specify the conditions first in order to get our captured student comrades freed.
Haigoo You already have a system in place, huh.
Mu Ssang recalled Hakam Chartress observation on how bright South Koreas future was. He never witnessed public demonstrations against immoral politicians or unjust regimes in Africa or the Middle East. Although their situation is a hundred times worse than South Koreas, the people living there were too busy minding their own businesses.
Maybe, this level of passion and the go-getter attitude of the Koreans are the source of the countrys dynamic growth.
Mu Ssang scanned the reading room, then locked his gaze on Kim Sooks face. The blood-splattering action and gunshots scared off all the cowardly men, prompting them to gather around in a remote corner murmuring amongst themselves. Meanwhile, Kim Sook had finished analyzing the battlefield and was deciding on the next course of action.
Most men would end up dazed and lost after getting chased around and beaten up mercilessly, their lives being threatened each time. But this girl was unfazed, making her an excellent commander material C a top general.
Shell whip her man into shape, huh!
Mu Ssang silently studied Kim Sook. Her determined, tidy face was dotted with 65 freckles of varying sizes, like islands in an archipelago. Although it was a bit of a stretch to call her beautiful, she is still on the cute side.
More than anything else though, Mu Ssang was impressed by her firm, unyielding personality and the concern she has shown for her comrades. The list of unmarried men in Novatopia, which is far too many, quickly scrolled through his head. Most of them were too busy with work, which is why they couldnt find a good woman for themselves despite making good money and being undoubtedly talented in their ways.
Shed be the perfect woman to whip Sun Woo-hyun up into shape! But their age difference Tsk!
How old are you, Kim Sook?
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22 this year, big bro.
Mu Ssangs sudden question caused Kim Sooks face to flush deeply. If you didnt know who Darth Vader of the K University was, you had to be a foreign spy. He is the man with enough abilities to embarrass the professors, with his statue-like physique and an outstanding face. Not only that, he was a good man who often paid for the meals and drinks of his juniors, too.
All sorts of rumors regarding his real identity were floating around C some said he was a second-generation chaebol, a secret son of a top political figure, a CIA operative, or even an alien from another planet. His identity might not be clear, but one thing was for sure: as a wealthy, intelligent, good-natured, and kind man, Mu Ssang is considered best husband material in human history. One simply had to grab hold of a man like him if one gets the chance, even at the cost of selling your soul to Mephistopheles.
Thats a good age in any case. You should take the cop and two Baekgol-dan members with broken jaws to a hospital. As for the rest, do what you want with them. But dont forget that they are also pitiful bastards. They are nothing more than hands and feet, merely following orders from the higher-ups. Make sure not to hit them or starve them. Right now, you can argue your case with self-defense, but by imprisoning them and beating them up, youll get charged with obstruction of justice plus group assault.
Understood, big bro. Their state is pretty bad, anyway. Hitting them now might end up killing them, so we wont.
Jang Chi-soo and the injured Baekgol-dan members would be taken to the university-run hospital, while the ten remaining members would be locked up in the basement club room.
Despite Mu Ssang giving out his permission, Kim Sooks expression clearly showed her disappointment. He asked for her age, so shouldnt he follow up with that? Instead, he said: Thats a good age as if he was someones grandpa or something! This was what was on Kim Sooks mind at that moment.
*
Phwwwweet, phweeet-!
Loud noises of whistles belatedly rang within the library.
What was that?!
Which bastard dares to cause a scene in the library!
Security guard uncles rushed inside while waving around their pitch-black nightsticks. Judging from all the fuss they were causing, it seemed that they were outside all this time, but too scared to step in and interfere. And now that the situation has come to an end, they mustve decided to show up to prevent people from accusing them of slacking off.
Keep it down, will you! Kim Sook yelled loudly at them.
The security guards flinched visibly and shrunk away, while cautiously minding Kim Sooks moods. The pitiful scene of their black nightsticks drooping toward the floor was reminiscent of limp d*cks shriveling away.
Whenever there was a commotion on the campus, the most pitiful group of people was the security guards. Indeed, they were the most powerless group of people in this situation, squeezed and kicked around by school authorities, agitated students, and even the crazy police.
*
Jang Chi-soo, today was merely a taste of things to come. I shall soon show you what real Hell is like. Of course, itll be for free.
Mu Ssangs emotion-filled eyes followed Jang Chi-soo as he was carried out in a stretcher. That bastard was one of those people he had to punish sooner or later, but fate conspired to have them get into a tangle like this. Somehow, it felt like some unknown powerful force was herding all of his prey in Mu Ssangs direction.
Before heading home, Mu Ssang picked up the antique revolver and the spent cartridge. Not only was the environment no longer conducive for learning, but a squadron of riot police was about to descend pretty soon. Moreover, he now has to deal with unwanted attention, despite going through so much trouble not to stand out.
*
Dad? Whats going on? Did you come home early because you wanted to see me?
Mina happily ran up to Mu Ssang when he came home early.
Of course. My eyes get all tired if I dont see you for more than an hour, you see.
Uh?! Thats no good! Is Dad becoming a grandpa?
Minas large, clear eyes sparkled in a way that was so adorable, Mu Ssang nearly had a heart attack. The unpleasant memories from earlier evaporated instantly, leaving not a single trace behind.
Ahahaha. No, thats not it. Whenever a man sees a pretty girl, his eyes will open wide and become very focused, you see.
Eii, dad, youre such a joker! Mina smiled brightly.
Aigoo~! You cute little thing! Mu Ssang quickly picked Mina up, put her on his shoulders, and danced around in circles.
Kyahahaha~!
A young girls tinkling laughter rang within the Eungsim-je.
Haigoo Whenever oppas around, that little girl is dying of happiness, isnt she! Gye-soon grumbled without any malice in her voice, as she came to the door to welcome Mu Ssang home.
Mu Ssang asked Mina. How was school? Are you having fun?
Ng! Its so much nicer than the Inje Primary School. And I have over ten friends following after me, too!
Wowsers, youve become an alley boss, havent you? But youre my daughter, so thats expected.
By the way, my teacher and friends say youre too young to be a dad. They say its not dad, but oppa.
Really? Which one do you prefer, Mina? Dad or oppa?
Dad, of course.
How come?
I can hug and kiss you all I want since youre my dad, you know? But I cant do that if youre my oppa. Big sisters always call you oppa, and thats why they cant hug you and kiss you, you know? See? Dad is so much better.
Urgh I cant win against her.
That sly little thing
The seven single girls who called Mu Ssang oppa can only shoot glares in Minas direction.
How was your day today? Did anything happen?
Yeah, something happened. I had to hit that idiot Dong-seen again.
Eh? Isnt he the kid that you smacked around the last time?
Ng! I was skipping rope, but he cut my rope out of the blue with his scissors! I got angry, so I threw him over the shoulder a bit and hit him just a little, but he started bleeding from his nose.
Aikoo! Looks like we have a thug in our house. Mu Ssang pretended to make a serious face.
He used his resonance wave to energize Minas physique and taught her a few self-defense techniques as a bit of a joke. But by doing so, it just made her invincible among her peers.
Im sorry, dad Mina said as she observed his mood.
Nah, its alright. Its okay to hit a cowardly man. Are you worried about Dong-sons mom marching into your school like the last time?
Ng. I apologized but Dong-sons dad is supposed to be a bigshot. Last time, some uncle came to school to scold me. What should I do now?
Dont worry about that. Your dad is an even bigger shot than him. Jin-soon who was listening, chimed in while smiling brightly.
Even if Kim Dal-su is not a simple chief prosecutor but the Prosecutor General itself, it still wouldnt matter one bit. Mu Ssang had been chomping at the bits for a chance to settle his score with that man, and now, he just stepped right into the firing line. Mu Ssang might be able to brush aside one transgression with a chuckle, but he wasnt kind enough to let the second one slide without repercussions.
Really! I dont have to worry?
Jin-soon replied. Of course. Ill go speak to your teacher tomorrow, so dont worry about a thing.
Whoa! Mom, youre the best! Mina cheered on loudly.
Jin-soon smiled bitterly and glanced at Mu Ssang. Thanks to her oppa becoming Minas dad, Jin-soon was turned into a mom even though she remains single. Should she laugh or cry about this? She couldnt make up her mind.
*
Next morning.
While Mu Ssang was in the shower, Yeon-soon pounded on the bathroom door. Oppa, we got a swarm of flies buzzing at the front door.
Mu Ssang was in the middle of drying his hair. He switched the dryer off and peeked his head outside the door. Say what now?
Oppa, you started something again, didnt you? A whole swarm of flies is buzzing outside the front door and raising a huge ruckus, you know.
You dummy, what do you mean, again! You think your oppa only knows how to cause problems? Mu Ssang lightly chopped Yeon-soon on the head.
Police! Open the door, now!
That roar was accompanied by the pounding noise on the front gate.
Maybe those idiots havent eaten breakfast yet or something? What a diligent bunch they are.
The annoyance came knocking on the door far sooner than Mu Ssang expected. The incident took place yesterday afternoon, yet the Five-O showed up the first thing in the morning. It seemed like they managed to analyze the situation quickly this time Or, the Educational Affairs Department actively assisted the investigators.
The university authorities were supposed to maintain a neutral stance, but that didnt mean they were on the students side. It didnt matter which society it was, those who have invested in their personal interests will not want to see chaos break out or for change to take place.
Oppa, they might break down the front gate at this rate.
That aint going to happen. Thats the toughest gate you can ask for, made of eight-inch thick teak lumber reinforced with titanium. Even if those fellas resort to using axes, theyll need to hack away for three days straight just to make a dent.
Aigoo Oppa, now isnt the time to boast about the gate, you know? Just what did you do, anyway?
Itll be their loss if they manage to break the gate, though. Do you have any idea how much that gate costs? So even if they pay up with every single penny of ten years worth of their salaries, it wont be enough.
Mu Ssang was completely relaxed and unconcerned. But, of course, if the cops had given the National Security Agency a call, they wouldnt have shown up here at all. Eungsim-he was registered as a French-owned cultural center, after all.
Of course, Mu Ssang wasnt considering using his status here anyway.
Thats not what I asked you, oppa! So what should we do now?
Yeon-soon was left frustrated by Mu Ssang and his nonsensical replies. The person who should be dealing with this crisis was busy yapping on about the value of the front gate, its no wonder she was frustrated.
No matter how incredible he was, the opponent this time wasnt some typical gangsters, but investigators dispatched by the authorities. There was no way that Mu Ssang could fight against the government now, was there?
What are you doing here? Youre supposed to be crushing garlic cloves! Girl, you should be worried about your garlic, not the gate.
Slap-!
Jin-soon smacked Yeon-soon on the back.
Sis, what is making you slack off like this? Yeon-soon asked, while watching Mu Ssang trudge nonchalantly away as if he was on his way to say hello to a friend or something.
You dont know what kind of a person our oppa is. Hes a hundred times stronger than you think. So, stop worrying about him and quickly crush the remaining garlic, okay? Oppa will get hungry.
Whats the point of being strong, though? You also need political power, you know? Yeon-soon muttered tilting her head, then went back inside the kitchen.
They were living in a world where just a single word from Chun Doo-hwan is enough to evaporate a chaebol into thin air, while soldiers were mobilized to shoot civilians dead on the streets. As such, Yeon-soons worries were well justified.
*
Department head, sir. This wont lead to trouble, right, sir?
Detective Ha, wearing a leather jacket, looked back at his superior officer, kitted out in a trench coat. He did as ordered and pounded on the gate to the point of breaking down, but that nervous feeling still didnt go away.
Theres no way you could afford a humongous residence like this in South Korea unless you had a powerful backer. Also, the material of the gate seemed unusual, too. The new nightstick made out of polycarbonate was his tool of choice, but not a single nick nor dent could be seen on the gate even after all that hard pounding. His elbow was starting to ache from the rebound instead.
The superior officer in the trench coat, Kim Yang-su, turned his head left and right as he took in the massive gate, big enough for a tank to roll through, then scanned the seemingly-endless stretch of the stone walls on either side said of the gate.
This had to be the most prominent private residence he had ever seen in his life. And to think such a place was found within the district he was in charge of C Bul-ro dong (suburb).
The inviting aroma of doenjang stew, grilled fish, and meat wafted out from beyond the walls. Unfortunately however, those aromas which are capable of kicking ones stomach awake, were interspersed with a nose-stinging stench.
Sniff, sniff
Kim Yang-su brought the dirty end of his trench coats sleeve closer to his nose and took a sniff. That stench was coming from his own body.
Thanks to the damn protests getting worse lately, he hasnt been home for the past three days. As for today, he was catching a couple of quick Zs on the office couch only to be woken up by the directors call. After an unpleasant call, he rushed here as soon as he could.
For some reason, a flood of rage began filling him up. Here he was, having to munch on stale burgers and kimbap while rushing around everywhere like an idiot without a moment of rest. Yet, some other punk lived in a huge house filled with inviting aromas of many different dishes.
And like an idiot who is still living in a rented room even in his late forties, some other dude was living it large in a house more extensive than an actual palace. And why he hasnt seen his wife and kid for so long that he could barely recall their faces anymore, some other dude was living in the company of seven young lasses.
The stale, hard dumplings he had shoved down his throat before coming here started acting up in his gut.
You dumbass, call me either section chief or chief detective, will you? Just how long are you planning to call me the department head?
But sir, that title feels more affectionate and nicer, you know? Besides, department head is a higher rank than section chief or chief detective, too. Detective Ha grinned sheepishly.
Kim Yang-su was the chief detective from the Dongbu Police Station. Even though he was referred to as department head, his actual rank was a lieutenant. In the South Korean cop lingo, the common nickname used for a detective sergeant on a higher pay grade was department head.
Kim Yang-su had been a department head for a long time, so people still called him that even after his promotion to lieutenant. Some people called him detective squad chief, but that wasnt an official title, either.
You dumbass, we came here to catch a goddamn commie. Doesnt matter whether this place is the Blue House or the Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa. If no one comes out, break the gate down.
Haigoo. But sir, look at this gate. It doesnt look like itll budge even after we lob some grenades at it. Should we blow it up with a bazooka or something?
Detective Has question was answered from the other side of the gate.
Holy cow. I didnt know police officers these days lob grenades and shoot bazookas at an innocent citizens house. You sure are wonderful servants of people, arent you? Rather than acting as the peoples crutch, youve moved up the ladder to become the peoples bomb, huh.
You d*ckhead, stop sprouting bullcrap and open the damn gate! Were here on official business! Kim Yang-su roared angrily.
Official business? Dunno what youre talking about, but lets deal with it after I have breakfast, okay?
His roar was met with a snarky response.
Huh?! What the f*ck is up with this bastard?
Hes a tough customer, alright!
Well, now Ive seen everything.
The four detectives present today were lost for words. Just what kind of an era were they living in right now? The Samchung Re-education Center had been officially shut down some time ago, in the meantime, the hostile political situation had only gotten worse. So even if you say something correctly, you could very well get arrested for spreading false information.
In this era, you could get arrested even without committing a crime, and get beaten black and blue until you end up as a disabled person. Even then, you had no one to whine to. And to think that there would be someone ballsy enough to declare he wants to have breakfast first before negotiating with detectives who are here to arrest him! Either that man was insane, or had a really trustworthy backer in the shadows.
Oiii, Bak Mu-ssang! Lets not make this difficult, eh! I mean, if you make me angry, its going to get real tiresome for you, too. Get my drift? Kim Yang-su kindly reminded.
You have a point there. It is kind of annoying to have flies buzzing around, isnt it.
If you get it, then open the gate.
Sure, sure. Do your official business.
Clunk-
The side gate finally opened. Three detectives shoved the door open and rushed inside.
Youre Bak Mu-ssang, right?
That I am.
Youre under arrest for obstruction of justice and grievous assault.
One of the detectives pulled out handcuffs while the other two tried to grab Mu Ssangs arms. However, Mu Ssang shoved back the two detectives and growled unhappily. Hey, man. Youre supposed to present your badges and the arrest warrant first!
The four detectives stood there, eyes wide open as if they had just heard something unexpected.
The detective in the leather jacket glared murderously. What the f*ck did this sh*thead say?
Dont call me sh*thead, you sh*thead! Before I file a complaint of trespassing on your ass, hand over the warrant first.
Chapter 604 - Episode 15 Cause and Effect
Despite his threats to file charges, Mu Ssangs face had on a mocking grin.
The truth was, Mu Ssang wasnt some antisocial rebel who treated authoritative figures with utter disdain. On the contrary, he respected the order and was always mindful of his conduct. In other words, he is a model citizen.
His distrust of authoritative figures and the lack of respect towards police officers came from his personal experience with Sergeant Jang Chi-soo and Prosecutor Kim Dal-su.
Under the Revitalizing Reforms system, the cops took on the role of watchdog. But, once the Chun Doo-hwan regime took over, the cops were transformed into hunting dogs. Hence, the idea of an arrest warrant didnt seem to exist in the brains of these detectives who have shown up today.
Simply stick a label of commie or public safety offender on a suspect, and everything would be hunky-dory. File charges? What a laughable notion that was. Why would the cops bother with these formalities that will take too long to resolve, when they have working fists and feet to deal with the source of their headache right away?
What did you say?! A warrant? Will you listen to this dumbass!
Kekeke! Hey, youngster! You have no idea how this world operates, eh?
Kim Yang-su chuckled while his fellow detectives cackled away like hyenas. This is the moment where the Black Mamba, the one and only Angel of Death, is being called out as a wet-behind-the-ears punk.
Look here, fellow. Looks like youve been working out a bit, but that doesnt matter here. Stop resisting if you dont want to waste away in a prison cell. Cooperate with us nicely. Then we might even consider resolving this without throwing you in detention. Detective Ha spoke in a chiding tone while lightly shaking a pair of handcuffs in full view.
These punks
The corner of Mu Ssangs brow curled up. These cops reminded him of Jang Chi-soo, who handcuffed him and used a nightstick to beat him mercilessly in the head all those years ago. Seems like the abusive attitude of cops at large hadnt changed at all in the past decade.
Not too many Koreans held a positive impression of cops. It was no longer a question of whether or not they liked cops. The publics typical response bordered on aversion at this point. This was because the harrowing experiences during the Japanese Occupation further reinforced the negative perception the people have towards the cops working as puppets of the dictator.
In particular, the corrupted cops who abused their powers while conniving with political thugs like Lee Jeong-jae, Lim Hwa-su, and Yoo Ji-gwang during the Rhee Syngman administration era, their actions ensured that the public image of the police would be stuck in the sewers for good.
*
Please reading on NewN0vel 0rg)
Big brother. Should I take care of this? Gim Geuk-do who was observing the situation from afar, shouted at Mu Ssang.
Nupchi repeatedly told him not to interfere with the actions of their master, but Gim Geuk-do felt frustrated to be simply watching and not being able to do anything. Dont these people know his master? How dare these insects to try to get on his nerves! He couldnt understand why his master still had not destroyed these fools until now.
Hey. Just sit back and watch. Mu Ssang waved his hand back.
The opponents this time werent some street thugs but cops. Of course, you can suppress your opponents as long as you are overwhelmingly stronger than them, but Gim Geuk-do still hadnt reached that level of expertise just yet. Worse still, he hasnt acquired Korean citizenship yet C assaulting cops now would mean his expulsion from the country.
Chief Detective Kim Yang-su glared sharply at his subordinates to stop the mfrom acting rashly. There is a saying about a dragon crossing a river; one would never have the gall to treat a team of detectives like a bunch of sh*t-eating mutts unless they have some robust backing.
In all honesty, rank-and-file cops like them were just a bunch of losers that could only show off their authority in front of regular citizens. If they mistakenly provoked a sleeping tiger, then theyd have to kiss their jobs goodbye.
Kim Yang-su steathily stepped back to switch on his walkie-talkie. Now seems like a good time to find out if he missed out on any critical information.
*
Alright, lets hear what youre charging me with. Mu Ssang smirked while asking Detective Ha.
What a funny bastard you are! Here is a police squad pursuing a group of commie f*ckers and was about to make an arrest until you obstructed their operation. You assaulted the members of police carrying out their rightful duties and freed commie sh*theads. And now, you want to hear what your charges are? Hey, youre also a commie, arent you?! Detective Ha, acting like he is pissed off, began shouting while pointing fingers at Mu Ssang.
To have a civilian getting in his face like this was revolting, and causing the dumplings he ate that morning to act up in his stomach.
Ah, how lamentable! I guess its now acceptable to call a group of thugs who have broken into a library policemen, based on police regulations. Also, an act of terror such as indiscriminately firing ones revolver in a public space, is now considered as police officers carrying out their official duties, huh. Did Kang Min-chang teach you to say these things? Wait, could it be that our Baldy Commander-in-Charge issued a special directive to arrest citizens without a warrant?
(Kang Min-chang is the Director-General of the National Police, infamous for his public statement that a victim who died from police torture, Park Jong-chul, was: He got hit slightly, and he just keeled over dead)
Mu Ssang smirked and began making snide remarks. Back when he didnt have any power, he couldnt say a single thing to retaliate no matter how angry and resentful he was feeling. This proves how important it is to possess power, since he can now say whatever the hell he wanted without holding himself back.
You motherf*cker?! Shut your mouth! You dare make fun of His Excellency?! Surrender now before I convict your sorry ass! Detective Ha roared in anger.
It wasnt only him, though. The other two detectives were getting beet-red in their faces, too. Of course, carrying out an arrest without an appropriate warrant was illegal, but only if they are unknowingly dealing with a sleeping tiger. Besides, there are so many laws, those that are not easily recalled are as good as non-existent, anyway.
Hey, punk. Are you sure youre cops? Here stands a brave citizen who subdued a terrorist. But instead of awarding him a medal for his bravery, you want to convict him instead? Eiii, you rotten, stinking, sh*t-eating flies. This is why people still call you a bunch of sh*t flies.
Eeeuhk?! What is up with this motherf*cker?! Detective Ha grabbed the back of his own neck in shock, while the other two detectives complexion turned so red it looked like they were about to explode.
How can a mere civilian treat cops like some kind of dog poo straight to their faces? This had to be Has first time encountering someone like this in the past five years as a detective.
This punk is getting funnier by the minute, fellas! Oh, just because you have some money, you think us cops are shrimp d*cks or something?
Detective Bak slowly inserted his hand under his coat. He figured that the suspect wouldnt give in unless a gun was involved.
Youre the laughable ones here. You know, I was planning to just smack you around a bit and let you off the hook, but now? I change my mind. Im filing charges of armed assault on the group of bastards that crashed the library yesterday. And Im also filing charges of trespassing and intimidation on you lot. So hand over your IDs now. I cant even tell whether youre thugs or real cops, you see?
Mu Ssang began picking his nose nonchalantly. The trio of detectives couldnt do much other than just stand there and dazedly stare at a dude picking his nose.
Arrest that f*cker! Hes a nobody! Its fine to break his bones, too! Kim Yang-su roared loudly.
Every police station owned the red list sent down from the higher-ups C the so-called sleeping tigers list. All individuals in that list are almost off-limits. That means even if they were caught in the act, they still had to be given special treatment.
Aha, so this sh*thead was bluffing all along!
Detectives rushed towards at Mu Ssang from both sides. Detective Ha was reaching under his jacket for his gun. If the punk makes any sudden moves, he intended to shoot the suspect in the arm or the leg.
I wasnt bluffing, though!
Mu Ssang felt dismayed. He overheard the the radio conversation the chief detective just made. He already knew that the law of this land was not fair since the age of 13, but never did he imagine that the system would be this rotten to the core.
Shuffle-
He took a half-step back and poked at the Gimun-hyeol (accupoints just below the right ribcage) of the two incoming detectives with his index finger.
Heok!
The detectives charging forward sucked in deep breaths and collapsed weakly to the ground.
Tumble, shatter-!
The stone statue of the Four Warrior Spirits placed next to the gate got caught in the confusion and was knocked down to the floor, causing its head to crash and break off.
Aigoo! Do you have any idea how much that statue costs! Dear Dh?tar??ra, please forgive this wicked man! Mu Ssang went pale and hurriedly offered a prayer.
Stop messing around, you f*ck! Detective Ha yanked his gun out.
But then, Mu Ssang flicked his finger at the same time.
Bang-!
The object coming out of his nose scythed through the air.
Pow~!
A disgusting object smacked into the detectives forehead. Detective Ha staggered around like a drunkard before joining his colleagues on the ground in agony.
Huh. Looks like a bad case of dizzy spells! Listen, Mister Chief Detective. Stop skimming off the investigation budget, and just buy some good midnight snacks for your underlings? I mean, how can they catch real commies when they are so weak like this! Youre starting to make me feel sorry for you, you know.
Y-you bastard! A civilian assaulting police officers?! Imma throw you in the deepest Cheongsong prison cell where youll never see the light of day ever again! Unable to charge in like his underlings, all Kim Yang-su could do was yell angrily and not much else.
Hes been a detective for two decades. He couldnt tell what the suspect just did, but his internal alarm was set off nonetheless. This punk is a true martial arts expert, someone who is only heard of in passing rumors.
Cheongsong prison, eh? Stop making me laugh, you sh*tty-ass loser. You idiots, not only are you trespassing; you even damaged private property. No one will say youre carrying out your official duties when all youve done is break into an innocent citizens home and destroy his property. Youre even worse than a bunch of yangahchis. Also, you should stop lying, I never touched these folks. You witnessed it, no?
Euuhk?! You son of a b*tch!
Kim Yang-su was about to blow his top but still couldnt find a good retort. In the meantime, the suspect continued to stand there while his fellow detectives just collapsed to the ground one by one, or at least thats what it looked like to him.
You guys are in big trouble. You have no idea how expensive that statue is now, do you? That statue is made 1000 years ago in India is considered a cultural asset! The East India Company collected that about 200 years ago, and I paid around 500,000 dollars for it. 500,000 dollars is what, 400 million Won? How much is a police lieutenants salary these days? 250 thousand Won? Aikoo~ looks like youll have to live with sucking on your fingers for the next 100 years or so.
Mu Ssang pointed at the headless statue of the spirit warrior rolling around on the ground and smirked.
Wuaahk?! You motherf*cker! Imma kill you! Kim Yang-su chose to risk his life and charged head on. All sense of reason just flew out the window when the snide remark about his salary reminded him of his musty-smelling rented room.
Hey, youre the one cursing at and attacking me here. So, Im just defending myself. You agree, dont you?
Slap- smack-!
Mu Ssang slapped Kim Yang-su on the cheek before lightly kicking the detective on the inside of his thigh.
Kim Yang-su couldnt understand what had just happened as he rolled over on the lawn. But, Mu Ssang still showed some mercy, as none of the detectives bones were broken.
Listen, as*hole. Get a warrant first. How do you expect me to tell whether youre armed robbers or cops?
You motherf*cker! How dare you hit a cop? Youre going away for 10 years, at least!
Oh? And you think you can arrest me?
Kim Yang-su continued to yell in anger, but Mu Ssang didnt even bat an eyelid.
Beep, hiss-
-ETA, five minutes.
Kim Yang-sus walkie-talkie began hissing and buzzing just then. And that slightly encouraged the brought-downed detective. You bastard, dont you go anywhere! Youre now dead meat!
Hah. Hey, as*hole. Do you think owning lots of charcoal can get you a real diamond? Mu Ssang smirked even deeper.
He already overheard this chief detective bastard calling for backup, of course. In fact, hearing Kim Yang-su requesting for reinforcement to deal with a suspected armed spy from the North actually disappointed Mu Ssang.
No thanks to the Baldy-in-Charge of the country doing whatever stupid thing that came to his mind, now even his rank-and-file gophers ended up imitating him.
Vrrroooom~!
A row of vehicles entered the access road to the Eungsim-je, their engine noises clearly audible now.
Mu Ssang counted the number of vehicles and glared at Kim Yang-su. Holy cow, you called for five chicken coops? Arent you going overboard here?
You dumbass, you think youll be fine after laying your hands on cops? Its too late to beg for forgiveness now! Kim Yang-su staggered back up to his feet. He felt his energy returning now that the cavalry has arrived.
Gimme a break. You want me to start something big, dont you? Anyway you moron, its too late to go back for you, not for me.
Mu Ssang picked up the trio of detectives whimpering away on the ground and tossed them outside the gate as if they were bundles of straw. He kicked Kim Yang-su out too, then shut the side door.
Mu Ssangs official status in South Korea was Frances cultural advisor. Specifically, his job title was the Second Secretary of the French Embassy, where on paper, his duty is to investigate local cultures. But, of course, all of those things were just a cover cooked up by the French government at the last minute, meant for the one and only Black Mamba.
Even without using his lofty-sounding title of Special Military Advisor, which in itself is a vice minister-level ranking, Mu Ssang is still a diplomat, meaning he was exempt from the lawful detainment, arrests, or simple confinement of the host country. Yet, even without this privilege, Mu Ssang will still choose to act the same way, just so that he can royally screw over the cops.
Holding strong grudges was one of the defining characteristics of the Bak family from Haman, after all.
The noise coming from the riot police setting up camp outside the gate was deafening. An entire team of riot police, a total number of 135 personnel were mobilized.
Mu Ssang spun his arms around to loosen his muscles. A mischievous grin appeared on his face, as if something nice had come up to relieve him of boredom.
Heave ho, heave ho~!
The riot cops began pushing against the gate in a rugby scrum formation which made Mu Ssang chuckle. The Eungsim-je was constructed to withstand against military attacks. The front entrance was made out of whole teak lumber reinforced with titanium, and weighed over 1,000kg. The odds of the gate being pushed back by those people were as good as non-existent. Even the side door was cast out of titanium alloy. Youd need at least an antitank gun to be able to destroy it.
Deploy the ladder!
The roar of the commanding officer could be heard next.
Waaaaah!
A ladder was placed against the wall. The riot police began jumping over. These officers were kitted out in riot gear and helmets, and continued to jump down the three-meter high walls. A group made up of plain-clothed Baekgol-dan and combat-geared riot police were quickly forming on the lawn. Some of them began tumbling on the ground while grabbing their sprained ankles.
Waaaah! Arrest him!
F*ck, Ill earn the vacation reward this time!
The riot police began charging straight at Mu Ssang.
Gimme a freaking break.
Feeling dismayed now, Mu Ssang gave each of the charging cops a slap to their faces. Gim Geuk-do retrieved the helmets, shields, stab-proof vests, suppression batons, etc., then dragged away all the unconscious riot police, to pile them up by the gate. Once a platoon was completely incapacitated, no one else tried to climb over the wall again.
The Eungsim-je, which was filled with roars and screams earlier, was suddenly met with eerie silence.
*
Dad, fighting!
Mina, holding Young-sooks hand tightly and hiding behind a pillar, peeked her head out and began shaking her clenched fist. Mu Ssang looked back at her and made a V sign with his hand. However, his action seemed too comical.
In the main yard, Jin-soon and her sisters laughed their butts off, while Yeong-hui and Yeong-ji watched on with stiff faces.
Sis, this is bad! Yeong-hui anxiously paced up and down.
She was well aware of how awesome Mu Ssang was, but the opponents were riot police this time. Just what kind of people were the riot police?! They were a group of law-approved hooligans that crashed the campus, indiscriminately fired tear gas canisters at civilians, and beat people up for no reason with their clubs. She was dying from all this anxiety.
Relax and just enjoy the show, will ya! Gye-soon said smoothly.
*
Yeong-huis worries were not unfounded, however.
Swoosh-
A lone tear gas canister flew over the wall.
Poof-!
The canister landed on solid ground before releasing thick white smoke. Then, it spun around angrily on the floor while tear gas gushed out. That was known as the Flip Out tear gas canister.
The Flip Out canister was a new type of tear gas explicitly designed to bounce around everywhere while releasing the gas, preventing the protestors from picking it up and throwing it back at the police. Its manufacturer, Samyang Chemicals, made a huge profit with this particular creation.
Jin-soon quickly took Mina and Young-sook inside the main house. Meanwhile, Yeon-soon switched on the lawns sprinkler system. Sprinklers rose from the ground and began firing water jets while spinning around.
Jin-soon closed and locked the thick glass windows once inside. She and the rest of the girls stuck close to each other by the window like a flock of sparrows, as they watched this great beatdown. Since Jin-soon and the others had experienced tear gas before, their reaction was lightning-quick.
Kuwaaahk! Nani?! P-poison?!
Gim Geuk-do tumbled and rolled around on the ground, his face a mess of tears and snot. As a Japanese-Korean, this was his first encounter of the spiciness of the Korean-made CS tear gas that burned your throat, popped your eyeballs, and clawed at your skin like 60-grit sandpaper.
He ended up crying out in Japanese from sheer agony, which gutted Mu Ssang to the core.
Chapter 605 - Episode 16 Cause and Effect
Haha! These will be perfect tributes for the Yasukuni and Kushida shrines.
Mu Ssang tried to stifle his cackling without much success. The local tear gas bombs were so foul, they incapacitated even the hard-ass Kim Geuk-do, just when he was about to rip his face off. It would certainly be a sight to behold if he were to throw a few of these apple bombs at Japanese politicians while they are making offerings at the temple.
They say courage and stupidity are often one and the same. Tear gas bombs may be common in protests, but not in residential buildings. Once again, this is a grim testament to the fact that the military views its citizens like mere pawns. Eungsimje is a private home registered as a French cultural institute. What would happen if word got out that the police actually raided it with tear gas?
It would make international news.
The bald officer will probably have to deliver a personal apology. The careers and lives of all the detectives and police officers involved in this operation will definitely come to a halt. Mu Ssang couldnt care less for the higher-ups, but he didnt want to watch the police having to sacrifice needlessly, especially those who had nothing to do with this. He may not be able to personally offer these poor, overworked souls a bowl of warm oden soup, but at the very least, he will not want to get them into trouble .
Mu Ssang raised both of his hands, and the atmosphere started to shift. He was using his telekinesis powers to compress the putrid smoke. The still-spinning tear gas canister slowly floated up.
Go!
The canister flew away, past the fence toward where Mu Ssang was pointing at, leaving a white trail of smoke in the air, like a comets tail. Once he got rid of the canister, Mu Ssang placed his palm on Kim Geuk-dos back. The Resonance Wave was a high-energy wave that employs physical force to manipulate both particles and waves properties of matter. The photoelectric force of high-energy waves has the power to separate foreign substances.
The Resonance Wave disassembled the CS particles that were stuck to his body tissues. Kim Geuk-do felt a refreshing wind that smelled of pine trees pass through his lungs. The immense pain he felt earlier was gone without a trace. Kim Geuk-do looked at Mu Ssang with empty eyes, still shocked beyond belief. His master was definitely not human. He was the god among gods, with whom none of Japans millions of lesser gods could even compare with. His heart swelled with gratitude.
About a dozen more orange cans were thrown over the fence, bringing in smoke with them.
The police used four types of tear gas bombs: KM25 (Apple bombs), Multi-targeted bombs (Bull bombs), pepper fog, and SY44 (Direct targeted bombs).
They must be crazy.
The SY44 was a dangerous item, shot out of a launcher like a rocket, and could be lethal on impact. His telekinetic powers takes time to be invoked and couldnt be used on multiple targets. Mu Ssang moved like drops of rain, as black lines appeared and vanished into thin air. One by one, the bombs were kicked over the fence back where they came from.
Awesome!
Please reading on NewN0vel 0rg)
Kim Geuk-do exclaimed in Japanese without realizing it. It was like seeing a human fly swatter in action. Fortunately, none of those vile tear gas cans made it to their side. Mu Ssang managed deflect even the remaining bombs that flew in afterwards. They heard the bombs go off one after another beyond the fence. A now-familiar putrid smoke filled the area.
Aargh.
Fuck! What is this!
There were cries of panic. The police squad was wiped out by the tear gas. When it came down to it, the police were still humans after all. They tossed their equipment aside and scattered like ants in the rain. The scene was littered with launchers, batons, and shields.
Kim Yang-su, you son of a bitch! Who the hell is in there? You said it was just one Japanese man!
The commander shouted at the top of his lungs. He has been called to hundreds of protests before, but never had he ever imagined such a thing to happen. Sure, sometimes, there have been some determined individual who would bravely pick up a bomb or two, and managed to throw them back. But not even a ghost can be able to reflect every single one of the bombs.
That, that is, sir
Kim Yang-su was at a loss for words. He himself had no idea what just happened. He felt the pain growing in his sore mouth after getting smacked across the cheek.
You shithead. You said that it was just some nobody and a few women. So what now, is that house filled with North Korean spies or something? You did this on purpose to screw me over, didnt you, you piece of shit.
The commander went into a frenzy.
Fuck. What would I know?
Kim Yang-su kept sighing. It felt like he was having a nightmare. They wouldnt be able to bring the suspect in at this rate unless they get the counterterrorism squad involved.
Chief, the warrants been postponed.
Detective Ha said, with the walkie-talkie in hand. Kim Yang-su frowned. They just had to kick him again while he was already down. Warrants that concern public safety are almost always approved. The reason why he went ahead with this operation is that he was confident that he can get the warrant as promised. Now things have definitely become more complicated. He cant figure out who this guy really is.
Fuck, why? If it had been turned down, so be it. But whats the meaning of postponing it?
Its the command center. For you, sir.
Detective Ha gave him his walkie-talkie. Kim Yang-sus face crinkled further as he listened.
Ordered with four years probation for attempted rape dont know the details? So why would the French embassy be involved? So what! The British consul vouched for him? Understood. Over and out.
Kim Yang-su turned the walkie-talkie off and glared at the dark red front gates, still standing tall. Everything he had done since dawn, and with just a few old pieces of dumpling in his stomach, all of that for naught. He was infuriated. Fucking hell. Who was this son of a bitch?
Hysterically, he threw the walkie-talkie and huffed out.
Hey, Chief Kim. Got your panties in a bunch? What did they say?
The commander asked.
This fucker has a history. He got four years probation for attempted rape when he was still in high school.
A bad egg he is! Lets report it to the higher-ups and get our boys armed up.
The commander cut him off and scrambled about.
Looks like Foreign Affairs had the warrant postponed. They said they needed to check some details.
Check? Hes a threat to public security and is caught red-handed. What do they need to check for?
The riot police leader wondered. Once someone was deemed a threat to public security, the police would request a warrant, but will go about arresting them even before the warrant was issued.
The Foreign Affairs records say that he entered Korea with a French passport named Sbard Gulbeig.
Sbard Gulbeig? Thats hard to pronounce. An international criminal entering Korea with a fake passport?
It is not so. When he left the country in 1981, Councilor Hamilton vouched for him. A British consul wouldnt vouch for a young felon unless he is crazy.
So who is he?
The squad leader seemed irritated.
They dont know. They are inquiring with the French embassy but there was no answer.
That was no surprise. Black Mamba is Frances tactical weapon. Only the ambassador and the first-class generals knew of his identity. The ambassador wouldnt divulge such confidential information without his countrys orders or Black Mambas permission.
Then we can beat him up. He made the police lose face. We will send in armed riot police.
The Foreign Affairs is contacting the Korean embassy in Paris and Interpol as we speak.
Kim Yang-su mumbled. The squad head ranked higher than him but as a police sergeant, he was still the leader at the scene. When the responsibility fell to him, he couldnt make a rash decision.
The Foreign Affairs are just a bunch of Rolex thieves. Since we have a yes from the higher-ups, lets proceed with the arrest. Thirty-two of my boys are locked up in there!
The squad head was insistent about the use of armed forces. Kim Yang-sus face looked grim. From his 20 years of experience as a detective, the current situation was triggering a warning siren in his head. The real risk is not that the viability of it. The real obstacle was the uncertainty itself.
Lets see. Since we need to rescue the hostages, lets try negotiating with them first.
Kim Yang-su wedged his face between the small creak in the middle of the door and the doorframe, and shouted.
Bak Mu Ssang, lets talk.
You were just launching tear gas cans into a morally upright citizens home moments ago. I suggest you continue with that.
A cynical response came back.
Id rather die than deal with this asshole!
Kim Yang-su pounded his chest. His new years horoscope prediction did not look positive. And now, he ran into this C the worst asshole in his entire career. If he continued to deal with him, he felt like his lifespan would significantly reduce.
Hey, lets talk this out. We know you cannot keep doing this too.
Its not like we are close friends anyway. Your warrant must have been rejected.
Is he a psychic?
Kim Yang-su, evidently flinched.
Lets talk.
Kim Yang-su practically begged.
Yeah, talking is better than fighting.
With a sudden change of heart, Mu Ssang opened the small door. Kim Yang-su stepped in, bracing for the worst.
Huh?
Kim Yang-sus eyes widened. He had expected there to be dozens of people helping Mu Ssang. But it was just Bak Mu Ssang himself giving off a murderous vibe at a distance. Who knocked out the riot policemen lying down on the ground by the front gate? Who deflected the dozens of tear gas canisters? Could this house really be haunted?
Show me the warrant!
Mu Ssang held out his open hand.
What about them?
You should be concerned with your own safety first. Do I seem like a psychopath murderer who would massacre dozens of innocent boys?
Mu Ssang glared at Kim Yang-su.
You asshole. Why are you talking to me informally? The grains of rice I have left over must be more than the bowls of rice youve eaten your entire life.
Kim Yang-su, finding himself with no retort, tried to intimidate the young man with his seniority instead.
Look at you talk. Do the policemen usually leave food uneaten? You need to watch the way you talk first. You are a policeman, a guardian of the people, yet you talk like a common thug.
Mu Ssang, already disgruntled, couldnt pretend to talk nicely either.
Ugh!
Kim Yang-su grasped the back of his neck to rein in his rising blood pressure. He was going to be 50 soon and here was, arguing with a twenty-something. He felt sorry for himself. But this man couldnt be subdued with force or words. If he lose his temper right here, it will be a loss for him. He emptied his mind.
Listening to the ongoing argument, the five young women came out from inside the house.
Mu Ssang, slap him before kicking him out.
Thug police, out!
You talk as ugly as you look.
In Korea during the 1980s, the police and students were like sworn enemies. The women folk definitely werent going to talk to him nicely. Kim Yang-su felt dizzy amidst of the womens yelling.
Have you eaten today? Mu Ssang needs to eat.
At the high school students words, Kim Yang-su covered his head with his hands. No one is normal in this household, not even the young schoolgirls. What Kim Yang-su had no idea of is how important meals were for the people who lived in Eungsim-je.
Who are you? You are a felon and yet you could go overseas with a British consuls sponsorship. You even returned with a French passport. Who are you really?
Fuck!
They must have discovered his entry record when he returned to Korea after Operation Sahel. He felt sympathy for them. Had they inquired further, they would have found out that this place is actually registered as a French cultural institute. Seems like the police are fumbling around. Mu Ssang laughed lightly.
You did your homework. I am a French national.
Kim Yang-su looked as if he had just been hit by a 25-ton freight truck.
You are out of your mind!
Hey, I know who I am. I dont need you to tell me.
These people are driving me mad!
Kim Yang-su wanted to shove his revolver into the mans blabbing mouth. But of course, once he pulled out his gun, the assholes fist would smash his head before he could even pull the trigger. Thats why he was trying to negotiate with him despite his aversion to the situation.
Why is Consul Hamilton involved?
I have friends around the world. Anyway, how do you think your wife and children will manage?
Why do you worry about my wife and kids?
I know you need to work for a certain number of years in order to be eligible for pension. If you act up now, youll be let go even before you become eligible. If you choose to ignore protocol now and abuse your power, I shall do the same. So should we continue? Or will you apologize and be cordial?
The warning sirens in his head were suddenly amplified. No one in Korea ever dared to treat the police like this. Maybe this guy he had strong connections all over the country.
Fuck. Im sorry! I did bad. Are you happy?
Kim Yang-su felt like wrenching apart his own jaws. A detective sergeant apologizing to a suspect! It felt like had put the entire police history to shame.
That sounded like swearing more than an apology.
Mu Ssang drawled as he squinted at the policeman.
We need to go to the station first. You must know nothing can be resolved here.
Show me your ID! To my eyes, you look like a thug and not a police officer.
Mu Ssang held out his hand.
Hes driving me crazy.
The asshole must be a pest in his past life. Kim Yang-su tried to calm himself down and showed him his ID card.
Are we in a rush to somewhere? You didnt even give me time to examine it.
Kim Yang-su gave up his ID to him. The more he talked to this man, the closer he is to losing it and pulling out his revolver. That should be the end of him, with blood gushing out of his smashed head.
Here! Examined it all you want!
Kim Yang-su tossed his wallet to the man.
Whoa. You were quite handsome not so long ago. The police work must be wearing you down.
Its because of assholes like you!
Kim Yang-su cried internally, unable to voice out his retort. Mu Ssang tossed his wallet back and walked towards the main house.
Where are you going?
Hey, like I said earlier, I havent eaten yet. If you havent as well, you can join us.
Ugh. Im going mad.
Kim Yang-su clawed at his chest. He lamented to the heavens for creating such a difficult human being. He blamed his own luck for running into this guy.
Please try to understand. If I skip a meal, you will not hear the end of it from my sister. To be honest, Im more afraid of my sisters nagging, than all the riot police squads combined.
Yeah. Do as you want.
Kim Yang-su gave up and just plopped down to the ground.
Chapter 606 - Episode 17 Cause and Effect
Chief Kim, lets light some tear gas under these boys noses. That should wake them up. Then take them away.
Yes, sir!
Kim Geuk-do bowed at a 90-degree angle. Mu Ssang headed inside to check whether or not Kim Yang-su was foaming at the mouth in anger. Left alone on a grass field that resembled a playground, Kim Yang-su paced back and forth like an ant with a severed antenna.
Geuk-do, hit him with an uppercut on the Gimun spot, in between the ribs, after he gets the tear gas.
Kim Geuk-do nodded in response. Mu Ssang is petty until the end. He couldve just simply let them go, but he wanted them to have a taste of their own medicine.
Did you beat up those cops like dogs? I knew youd get into trouble. But, oh my, the soups all dried up.
Yeon-sun gabbled as she placed the soybean soup on the table.
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They were asking for it. Those White Skull Gangbangers followed this girl to the library and jumped her. I couldnt just stand there and watch them hit her face and expose her breasts. So in the heat of the moment, I threw in a few punches, and now theyre all out there saying this and that.
Mu Ssang lazily moved his spoon.
Good. Those animals who hit women should have their hands cut off.
Yeon-sun raved on as if she was the one who was attacked.
Thats probably not the whole story. They wouldnt bring out the entire police force just because he smacked a few cops around. Bro, just come clean. You broke someone, didnt you?
Jin-sun was as sharp as ever.
Jang Chi-su. He was the leader of the White Skull members.
Dear Lord, Jang Chi-su.
Jin-sun, who was deboning a fish for Yeong-suk, recoiled in surprise. How could she forget? This was someone whom Mu Ssang swore hed get back at since he was 13. Someone who screwed him over twice in his life. Jang Chi-su was the one who tampered with evidence to incriminate Mu Ssang of stealing and rape.
That man is unlucky. He must be in pieces by now.
Jin-sun knew Mu Ssang better than he knew himself. So it wasnt hard to imagine what her petty, spiteful boyfriend must have done.
Lets jut say, its going to be difficult for him to return back to society. I was planning to send him to Novatopia, if he didnt shoot me with his gun.
Shoot you? Guess he did have a death wish.
Jin-sun made a tut-tutting sound with her tongue. Considering Mu Ssangs long-standing grudge with him, and the fact that he even attempted to shoot Mu Ssang, Jang Chi-sus life was decidedly over.
Good riddance and all, but wouldnt this cause trouble?
Gye-sun worried.
You girls have nothing to worry about. We wont have any problems: not legally and not with the authorities neither.
Sis, whats he talking about? I dont understand a thing.
Yeong-ji, you go on and get Mu Ssang his cup of coffee. You kids wont understand.
Gye-sun chased Yeong-ji away before she could interrupt.
Brother, one call to the embassy will solve everything. So why are you doing this the hard way?
Yeah. The police cannot do anything to foreigners.
Gye-sun agreed with Yeon-sun.
You girls are right, but Im the embassys councilor. A councilor is a high-ranking official. And right now, technically, the police are invading the councilors residence with diplomatic jurisdiction. Our country will become a laughingstock if the foreign press got wind of this. I just want to live quietly. And while at it, Im going to teach the local police organization a lesson they are not not going to forget.
Such a profound intent!
If you say so then.
Yeon-sun was impressed, while Jin-sun remained indifferent. They didnt need to be afraid of an army battalion, let alone a police squad. Even if Mu Ssang did nothing, there is still a fearsome creature taking a nap in the basement.
Mu Ssang, when will Garuda return?
Jin-sun asked. Kkamdung always stayed in the basement out of sight, but Purple Chicken always followed Mu Ssang around. The more powerful beings they have as allies, the better.
It will return soon. I feel its presence growing stronger. It must have almost finished recharging.
Mu Ssang needed a lot of focus to be able to connect to Kkamdung, but connecting with Garuda will be easier. It was the difference between friendship and a soul tie. He could feel Purple Chickens presence better these days. He was curious as to what it will look like after it finishes recharging.
Hes here!
Get him!
When Mu Ssang went out the front gate, the awaiting riot police ganged up on him. Mu Ssang just let them do whatever they want. Several riot policemen pulled and pushed him. They were so used to shoving people into their chicken coop this way, but this time they couldnt make Mu Ssang budge even a step further. Mu Ssang had amplified his weight with his supernatural powers. At least three dozen men are required to be able to move him.
Look at them!
Mu Ssang glanced at Kim Yang-su but he ignored Mu Ssang. The squad leaders smirked at him. He could tell that they wanted to humiliate him by using their lackeys. Mu Ssang shook off the riot police clinging to him and kicked the bus door open with a kick.
Kim. We have agreed against this. Was I caught in the act? Am I a suspect? A defendant? No, Im not. I am a law-abiding citizen and you attempt to drag me away like a criminal?
Kim Yang-su had no response to the questions. What Bak Mu Ssang said was right. There was intel saying that Bak Mu Ssang is the one who smashed Sergeant Jang and his twelve thugs. But in fact, this was mere suspicion, he is not a suspect. They shouldnt have touched him.
Who is he? Im going to kill him and deal with the consequences.
The squad head touched his pistols holster. He had never before seen a wanted criminal vandalize a police bus. This guy needed to be disciplined.
Are you sure?
Mu Ssangs eyes glinted at his newfound victim.
That is enough!
Kim Yang-su yelled at the squad leader. If news got out that the asshole shot his pistol several times in the library, anyone involved would be met with disciplinary action. If this man was really a nobody, they could frame him for something, but the man didnt fear the police at all. Instead, they could be framed for something.
Should I just quit and open a bar?
A detective buttering up to a suspect, he is beginning to doubt his job. He had never met anyone as troublesome as this man. Kim Yang-su heaved a deep sigh and called for a police car with his walkie-talkie.
Once he returned to the East Police Station, he was severely told off by his superior: why did he need an entire riot police squad and three hours just to arrest one man? He defended himself by stating that the warrant was rejected, but to no avail. Instead, he almost got slapped, and was told that in the case of a felon, the warrant can be issued after the arrest anyway. The police promotion exam never said that a warrant is necessary to arrest someone. Kim Yang-su, after having to stomach the humiliation, went on to interrogate Mu Ssang himself.
You destroyed Sergeant Jang, right?
Kim Yang-su asked right away. He needed some suspicions confirmed first in order to press charges.
If we do without context, an earthworm can easily be a snake, while a cat, a tiger. If it were you, would you do nothing when someone is shooting at you? It was outright self-defense. Also, there were 82 students in the reading room. What would you do if someone was shot? You should be thanking me.
Do you have evidence that Jang Chi-su fired a gun in the library?
Kim Yang-su challenged. Mu Ssang looked at him with eyes full of pity.
Kim, is that a kois head on top of your shoulders? Or a chickens? Dont push it. I kept Jang Chi-sus pistol and bullets back at my place. No other evidence is needed. The bullet scratch pattern, the bullet marks and trajectories say it all.
Kim Yang-sus mouth fell open as he stared at Mu Ssang.
Who are you?
An upright citizen!
Ugh!
Kim Yang-su frowned. Even if he asked a hundred times, the man would answer the same way.
I need his gun back.
Kim Yang-su held out his open hand.
Are you thinking of erasing evidence? You will never take it from me.
He is a freaking psychic!
Kim Yang-su flinched knowing that Mu Ssang saw him through. This man was as guile as a fox and as strong as an elephant. He felt like he had aged 10 years just interrogating the man for a few minutes.
You do admit to obstruction of justice, right?
Never. How could the police justify their beating up a girl, not even at some protest scene, but in a library? Do you call that justice? Let me ask my lawyer first. The police beat her up as a group and attempted to assault her. This is aggravated battery and attempted rape. What do you think?
To his every question, the man replied back with a question. Kim Yang-su felt severely exhausted. He badly want to quit right now and just open a bar.
They spread communist flyers and incited a protest. They were a threat to public security. In that case, the warrant could be issued after the arrest. Anyway, wheres the evidence that the police beat her up?
Dont even try. I laud you for trying to protect your colleagues but I have a truckful of evidence and witnesses. You might be implicated as well. Considering your age, you should still be paying for your childs college fees.
Ugh!
Kim Yang-su groaned. The man was naturally good with persuasion. He felt like he was being interrogated instead. Mu Ssang took out a bunch of student ID cards.
I have more than ten dozen students who said they are willing to testify. You may attempt to frame me all you want, but you will not succeed. So give up and apologize, else I will also seek damages.
Ugh!
Kim Yang-su continued to groan. Because of Sergeant Jangs mistake of firing real bullets, all of the evidences and circumstance are disadvantageous to them. His boss told him to interrogate the man thoroughly, but how would he ever be able to do that? On the contrary, the entire police station will end up being sued.
He felt like murdering the dumb Sergeant Jang. He only needed to arrest the main instigators, but instead, he had to use lethal force, now causing all of this mess. If news got out, the higher-ups will make him take all the responsibility.
What is the Foreign Affairs doing about this?
Kim Yang-su was starting to get impatient. He needed to corner Bak Mu Ssang to prevent more people from getting hurt. If he could be sure that this man is a nobody, he would be able to do anything. But no such intel came in. It drove him crazy. Suddenly, something just saved Kim Yang-su from his present ordeal.
What is he doing?
His boss rushed into the violent crimes department, pushing chairs aside.
Inspector Kim, uncuff him!
I never cuffed him.
Kim Yang-su said, confused by the sudden change in his bosss tone.
Excusez-moi!
Sorry to inconvenience you.
A female officer was guiding a group of men in suits into the station. There were three foreigners and one Korean. The sudden appearance of these visitors hushed the violent crimes department at once.
Hello. Im the head detective, Bak Sang-eun.
Sang-eun greeted them politely. He was expecting the visitors, even though he was notified at the last minute. A middle-aged white man in a neat suit nodded and turned his gaze away immediately.
Are you Sbard Gulbeig?
His Korean was fluent.
I am.
Mu-ssang looked at the man.
Pleased to meet you. I am a first secretary of the French Embassy in Korea, Joel Anquel.
The man bowed politely.
I am fucked!
Kim Yang-su gasped. He made a big mistake. Bak Mu Ssang is not a pile of turd, but a landmine. The employees in the police station, whose eyes were all wide with surprise, waited with bated breath.
Mu Ssang figured out the situation at once. The Foreign Affairs must have inquired the French Embassy regarding Sbard Gulbeigs identity, which got the Embassy to page his coded communicator. But that was collecting dust somewhere in his study. The Embassy, not receiving a response from him, must have decided to mobilize a team to investigate the situation. Half of the work done in the Embassy was spying anyway, so this was not surprising.
I am the lawyer representing the French Embassy, Gang Yong-mok. This is the second officer, Henri Jon. While this is the Embassys legal investigator, Boton Concord.
The Korean man introduced the rest of the group. The door to the chiefs room slammed open. The station chief walked up to them hastily.
I just got the call. I am the head of the East Police Station, Bak In-yong.
The chief bowed politely. Most police stations are headed by police superintendents. Police officers are considered as special government positions but if ranked, they would be counted as fourth-grade officials. So the diplomats are still of a much higher rank than him.
I am Anquel from the French Embassy in Korea.
Anquel greeted the chief and looked him straight in the eye.
Weve been informed that the Korean police have detained one of our most important citizens. We expect a reasonable explanation for this.
The chiefs face paled. This all started with the troublesome case that has been hounding the station since yesterday. And given the corrupt nature of todays regime, they are expected to pander to anything foreign.
At this point, it doesnt matter anymore whether or not that man is innocent. If the French Embassy decided to bring it up to the foreign press, they will be put in a very bad situation. The agents from the ANS would definitely not let this go. Everyone involved, starting from the chief, would be implicated.
You have come a long way, lets have some tea first.
The chief pandered but instead, Anquel looked to Mu Ssang to say something. The chief pleaded with Mu Ssang with his eyes. His dumb subordinates have really stepped on a landmine this time. If this man decided not to show them any mercy, they will really be doomed.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
Kim Yang-su felt his heart drop. He already had a bad feeling from start, and things have finally led to this. For the French Embassy to send a team of people just for this person, this case is not something the chief could handle. An image of his wifes face came to his mind, already past the age of 50 and yet still living in a rented place. He wanted to just leave and flee.
Chapter 607 - Episode 18 Cause and Effect
It was already too late for that, however. He was beating a dead horse. Stepping on the mans back, Park Sangeun whispered in Kim Yangsoos ear.
You useless f*ck, I told you to wrap it up. So whyd you stir up the hornets nest and make all this commotion? Did you not hear me when I told you over and over again to follow the rules and regulations? Did you think youd keep getting gold flakes shaking down the rich? Jang Chi Soos one of yours, isnt he? And you call yourselves civil servants.
He whispered but loud enough for everyone around them to hear what he said. Startled, Kim Yangsoo darted his eyes around the crowd. His coworkers were poker-faced, Bak Mussang had a smirk on his face, and the foreigners looked thoroughly confused.
Ha, this godd****d son of a b*tch!
Kim Yangsoos face fell dark. A fire rose from the bottom of his chest. He could see that his superior was trying to make him the scapegoat now that they were on the losing side. In the end, he was nothing but a cannon fodder.
This was his godforsaken reality. His so-called direct superior wasnt going to hold him back from falling off the ledge. Instead, he was the one pushing him off. Who was it that told him, Shake down a nobody and theyll drop jack shit, but shake down the rich and theyll drop flakes of gold.?
Was it a doppelg?nger that told him to shake down Bak Mussang for all he was worth 10 minutes ago? He should be nominated for an award for how fast he changed character. Getting stabbed in the back was a regular part of life, but this wasnt it.
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Do I shoot this m*****rf*****?
A bloodthirsty look appeared on Kim Yangsoos face. If his chief werent so adamant about getting his cut, he wouldnt have stepped on this landmine. He wouldve put a bullet in his head if it werent for his son, who got into college last year, and his daughter, who was graduating high school next Spring.
The time spent on every individuals thoughts and circumstances came and go as quickly as the speed of light. Then, Mu Ssang scanned the room filled with the embassys people, the police chief, the head detective, and the other officers and raised his hand.
Even a cuckold would stand up for his wife when others curse at her. This was his country, whether he liked it or not. This interference from the embassy wasnt part of the plan, nor did he want outsiders to witness their dirty inner workings.
Un instante, Ankur! (One moment, Ankur!)
Oui, je vais couter. (Yes, I will listen.)
Ankur straightened his posture. He didnt know Mu Ssangs true identity, but he knew that Sv?rd Gullveig was a special military advisor C someone with the same level of authority as a vice minister.
tais-toi et fais comme si tu ne savais rien! (Be quiet, and act like you dont know anything.).
Oui, bien s?r! (Yes, of course.)
Ankur smiled. Mu Ssang looked over to the crowd. There were the desperate faces of the police chief and the head detective, the drained look from the sergeant, the petrified officers, and the ever-so-curious female officers. There was more than meets the eye. Every person had their own stories and struggles.
Secretary Ankur, thanks for coming all this way. There was a small misunderstanding. The Korean police are fair and just. We are resolving the matter in a free, open environment, so please stop troubling yourself and enjoy a cup of tea with the police chief.
Oui!
Ankur stepped aside without question. Before leaving the embassy, he was ordered to extinguish all personal opinions and make all of Mr. Sv?rd Gullveigs wishes come true. It was a suspicious situation, but everything was according to the special military advisor.
Thank you.
The police chief bowed his head. He broke out in a cold sweat that ran down his back. He felt he had just come back from the gates of hell. The head detective followed suit and bowed until he heard his bones crack.
Jon, this is a police station. The Korean police do not use force in their questioning.
Mu Ssang looked at the military officer Jon who was still on high alert. Like hell, they didnt. They cuffed and beat their suspects when they set foot in the interrogation room. Mu Ssang wanted him to leave the room.
Oui!
Jon finally caught on and left the room without further questions.
The department regained its peace but lost the will to investigate. Kim Yangsoo was staring out of a window at the feather-like cloud floating by.
Sergeant Kim, dont you need to write up a statement at least?
Mu Ssang cleared the air.
Ah, yes. Thank you, sir.
Kim Yangsoos attitude did a one-eighty.
See, the atmospheres softened up now that youve softened your attitude.
Im sorry. Lets get started then.
Kim Yangsoo awkwardly pulled up in front of the typewriter.
Did you assault officer Jang Chi Soo, Lee Sibal, and the other 12 officers from the task force?
Kim Yangsoo felt an itch on his face. This was the first time he had ever spoken formally to a suspect while writing up their statements. And yet it felt natural for him to do so. Whether it was because he was feeling immense pressure from the suspect in question or a polite person, to begin with, was up for debate.
I couldnt tell if he was a police officer or not because he barged in without a uniform. However, I did subdue a criminal that was shooting up a library. It couldnt have been a civil servant of justice that opened fire on a student, could it?
It, it couldnt have been. So the first shot wasnt a blank?
Kim Yangsoo asked carefully so as not to step on another landmine. Mu Ssang looked at Kim Yangsoo with pity.
Sergeant Kim, do they make blanks that can go through library ceilings nowadays? Jang Chi Soo fired a loaded gun from the start and shot three more times. If someone like that can call themselves police, this administration is on the brink of collapse. Ill make it collapse with my own hands.
Mu Ssang said with a fierce look on his face. Doom- Kim Yangsoo shuddered at the crushing pressure. He finally realized. The person in front of him didnt need others help or support. He was already glowing without power or money.
Ah, Im sorry. I didnt mean it that way.
Hmm! Sorry for getting worked up. I took pictures of the scene. Should I give these and other evidence to the press? The majority may already be in the hands of the government, but there must be a few crazy enough to cover it. If not, I could always give them to the foreign press or a correspondent. I wouldnt have to go far; I could give it to Ankur.
Mu Ssang pulled out a plastic bag with the revolver and the bullet in question from his inner pocket. Kim Yangsoos face darkened. The station was looking all over the place for that very missing gun.
Hes got us boxed in. Jang Chi Soo, just who did you decide to mess with?
An exasperated sigh escaped his mouth. Their opponent wasnt a simple martial arts master. It was someone who was more cautious than a veteran detective. Someone with endless resources, an identity thats got French officials shaking in their boots, unimaginable physical power, and as meticulous as a detective. This wasnt an average landmine; it was an anti-tank mine.
Mu Ssang persisted.
The situation is simple. Police officers off duty raided a school library carrying guns and weapons. Not only did they relentlessly assault a student, but they also opened fire. I was almost killed by the very same gun while trying to de-escalate the situation and, in the process, had to defend myself. That is all. If you want to know more about the event, youll have to talk to a lawyer with the people from the embassy present in the room. FYI, the officers and the commander that invaded my home sweet home should expect a lawsuit coming their way. On charges of trespassing, vandalism, abuse of power, and intimidation. Looks like your superiors are going to have a field day with this. Thats my entire statement. You figure out the rest.
Mu Ssang said heartlessly and stood up.
W, wait!
Kim Yangsoo hastily grasped at Mu Ssangs sleeves. Everything was a blur. At this rate, France would get involved in the trial process. And the result was obvious. Those involved would be let go, and the station would get dissolved. Not to mention their country becoming an international laughingstock.
Mr. Bak Mussang, Ill apologize. Lets pretend that nothing happened.
Would you have been able to pretend that nothing happened even if I was a powerless regular citizen?
Of course not. Its not something a detective like me should say but, one law for the rich and another for the poor and one law for the powerful and another for the powerless isnt it?
Thats very honest of you. So you were following orders, huh?
The police have to obey their superiors. The little guys dont have any power. Ill take responsibility. Let the young uns go. They have it rough as it is.
Mu Ssang observed Kim Yangsoo indifferently.
Sergeant Kim, how old are you?
Fifty soon.
Do you have a house?
Its embarrassing, but I still rent a place.
The man looked like he was in his mid-fifties with prominent wrinkles, rough skin, a curved back, and a burned-out expression. Humans adapt and conform to their groups culture and environment. The Syrian secret police, Mukhabarat, holds absolute power in the country. If one were to speak against the government or Assad, theyd disappear without a trace. They would beat women to death for not wearing their niqb now and then. Its because Assad and his officials egg them on.
Kim Yangsoo was no different. He was on the front lines of violence because of their corrupt government, but at his core, he was a loving father to his family and your average police officer that looks after his subordinates. But unfortunately, the world wasnt going to change from beating up a few low-ranking police officers.
Have you eaten?
I had a few dumplings that were leftover from yesterday before I was called in.
Kim Yangsoo spat with a flush of anger. Mu Ssang smiled.
Call the police chief.
I can take care of you, sir.
Kim Yangsoo dissuaded him with a troubled expression.
Didnt you say youre the little guy? So what could a low-ranking detective do for me exactly?
Kim Yangsoo got up after Mu Ssang cut him short like a guillotine.
F*ck it. Its out of my hands now.
Kim Yangsoo gave up entirely.
Later in the interrogation room, the police chief and Mu Ssang sat across while sergeant Kim sat behind them on a metal folding chair. Again, Mu Ssang cut to the chase.
Do you want this to be resolved within the East police station? Or do you want it to be reported to the higher-ups?
Mr. Bak Mussang, about your identity.
The chief trailed off. Those men from the embassy didnt reveal anything about this mans identity. So he had to know to figure out how to respond.
Whats my identity got to do with the situation at hand? Do you treat your cases differently according to who the person is?
The chief flinched from Mu Ssangs lightning-like gaze. He had an odd suspicion that hed get punched if he answered honestly.
No, but.
Thats what Im talking about. Criminals should get punished, and those who harmed others should pay for the damages- whoever they may be.
Thats true.
The chief answered sourly.
Sergeant Kim, was it your decision to circle my house the first thing in the morning?
I was ordered by head detective Park.
Kim Yangsoo happily took the bait.
Who ordered tear gas bombs on my house?
It was the task force commander Kim Hyun.
Who ordered the raid on campus?
Head detective Park Sangeun.
Kim Yangsoo made sure to punctuate every syllable as he uttered the words head detective Park Sangeun.
Who was the prosecutor that filed for the warrant?
Prosecutor Kim Dal Su from the East branch.
Is that so!
Mu Ssang raised his eyebrows. Jang Chi Soo was a member of the Jang family. Members of the Jang family are dispersed in different areas of the government thanks to their power. He remembered Jang Pil Nyuhs snake-like eyes. This was beginning to reek of their conniving.
Chief, would Jang Chi Soo qualify for workers compensation?
He would not.
The chief answered, passing the perception check.
If someone were to beat someone with a stick, is it the sticks fault or the persons?
Its the persons fault, of course.
Chief, I hope I dont see some thug with a stick walking around in a police uniform. I may be busy, but I have time to consider the image of our police.
This is much more frightening than telling him that hes fired.
Kim Yangsoo thought. Officer Jang Chi Soo, commander Kim Hyun, and head detective Park Sangeun were degraded as common thugs. Mu Ssang was telling the chief that he would be next if these people werent fired. Kim Yangsoo basked in this moment of glory.
Head detective Park Sangeun had made a colossal mistake. He would still be out of Mu Ssangs radar if he hadnt tried to be clever and whispered in his ear. But unfortunately, Mu Ssang was an individual that can see through betrayal and false accusations. He dug his own grave while trying to outsmart him.
I understand what youre saying.
The chief answered without putting up a fight. He was in no position to look after his subordinates when his neck was on the line.
Are there any students in your holding cells?
The chief turned to Kim Yangsoo.
125 students were brought in from the scene of the protest yesterday. But, unfortunately, we ran out of room, and some are in the training room downstairs.
I heard that the violent protest in Donsung-ro yesterday was inflamed by the police.
Mu Ssang tailed away while scowling at the police chief. The chief pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead. His eyes were as dry as sand, and he felt a sharp pain like a razor blade cut him. He had a peculiar case of increased heartbeat and difficulty breathing each time Mu Ssang looked his way.
Sergeant Kim, tell me what happened.
Its illegal to march on the roads, and its a principle to subdue them. The task force assaulted the student with the megaphone and dragged him out. Enraged, the other students rushed forward. At that point, everybody was involved in the fight. Jang Chi Soo and the White Skull Gang chased after the students who ran away.
Kim Yangsoo told the story as it is. Most fights between the police and protesters broke out this way.
Chief, youd sneak your son out of this mess if he was involved, yes?
I cant say I wouldnt have.
These young students are your son who worries about the future of this country. You understand, dont you?
I do. Ill release the students we have detained. Ill also lift the search on the others who merely participated in the protest other than the radical few that assaulted police officers and destroyed public property.
The chief surrendered and gave up everything in his arsenal.
Chapter 608 - Episode 19 Cause and Effect
The request from the ANS to keep Bak Mussang there caused all of this mess. Otherwise, the police wouldnt have done their best and even used the smoke bombs to detain him. They say it was a formal request when in fact it was an order. This world is one where the local police chief is summoned by the regional director of the ANS, only to be slapped in the face.
Even if he were a literal mountain bandit, he wouldnt be able to weasel out this time.
Bak Inyong forcibly erased the imagery of Yi Dae-deoks nasty face that clung to his mind. Even though the ANS were intimidating, the Westerners scrutinizing them with their sparkling blue eyes were ten times the threat. The ANS must not have expected the French diplomats to act this quickly.
Bak Inyong already decided what to do. The ANS would make him shoulder all the blame if this case spread like wildfire to become a diplomatic conflict. Or worse, they could even frame him as someone who made the country lose its face on the international stage and send him to some forced labor camp.
No reality preceded the reality of making ones living. For him to keep his position, he needed to suck up to Bak Mussang and prevent the Westerners from getting involved. People thought the position as chief of the police station came with some authority but in fact, he could be laid off any day on a superiors whim.
I applaud your brave decision. I will release the detained Baekgol fellows today. Do not charge the detained students with anything as well.
Thank you. I will treat it as though nothing has ever happened.
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Bak Inyong accepted the offer without questioning it. It was a reasonable response.
Mr. Kim and the detectives were just doing their job. The riot policemen dispatched here also did a great job.
I get what you mean.
Bak Inyong nodded. He already took a liking to this man called Bak Mussang.
Im spared!
Kim Yang-su, listening to their conversation, felt hot tears welling up in his eyes. His direct superior had pushed him off the ledge and then his victim granted him mercy. The man was not an anti-tank mine but a firework lighting up Kim Yang-sus life. This is why the world is an interesting place.
If you want this case to end here, dont ever be curious about who I am. It will depend on you whether this will turn out great for everyone or otherwise.
Mu Ssang stood, dusting his clothes.
I get what you mean.
Bak Inyong parroted the same response. His only wish now was for the human-plague to leave his station as soon as possible. The man was not someone who would yield to persistence. For Bak, who lost to the man in logic, power, and charisma, had no choice but to await the mans decision on him.
When Mu Ssang left the police station, the personnel from the embassy followed him in an entourage. The chief and managing staff had to follow them to the door and send them off politely. Thirteen years ago, Mu Ssang had vowed to avenge himself when he left the door of Chilgok Police Station with bloody scabs all over his head. That vow was now realized.
F*cking ANS!
Bak Inyong glared at the rear of the car driving away from them, with gritted teeth.
The next day, all of the detained student protesters were released. The 55 students, previously wanted, had all of their charges dropped. The riot policemen were granted three days and two nights of bonus days off and roared in joy. The East Police Station, after all the mess, overhauled itself into a law-abiding, exemplary police station.
Three days later, the discharge request for Sergeant Jang Chi Su was submitted. He was blamed for corruption, abuse of authority, violation of firearm protocols, and battery. His injuries were not considered to have occurred on duty. The riot police commander and the chief detective handed in their notices and gathered their things. They had to obey the chief of the police station even though they resented it. But due to the organizations nature, they had no choice but to pack their bags.
If Mu Ssang said he was going to do something, he always did. He sued the head of the violent crimes department, Kim Yang-su, and the three detectives, seeking damages for his house and psychological damages for frightening women who were not in good health. Resentfully, they settled outside the court with settlements worth their entire yearly salaries. Kim Yang-su, taking out a loan from a bank with his retirement money as the mortgage, wailed.
Women of poor health dont yell at detectives. They dont laugh in a front yard where tear gas canisters fly around. My wife flinches and shrieks when she sees a single cockroach. He has more money than all the water in the Nakdong and he is suing us for what must be pocket change for him!
A week later, four women visited Eungsim-je, all with an anxious countenance on their faces. They were the wife of Kim Yang-su, the wives of his subordinate detectives, and the mother of Detective Bak, who was unmarried. The women acted most cautiously, clearly warned beforehand by their husbands and son as to how to react.
You did a great job raising a great son. Dear maams also must be great wives to your husbands.
Ah, yes.
The women lowered their heads, conscious of what each other is doing. The handsome young man in front of them was like a Grim Reaper for their husbands and sons careers. Mu Ssang handed an envelope to each of them.
This is the compensation I received.
Sir?
The womens eyes widened like the dish in an oil lamp.
The police is the bastion of safety for the citizens. Your husbands and son said they only followed their bosss orders but if the police commit unjust acts, where will powerless ordinary citizens put their trust? But they are also all fathers and sons of families. I am giving you back this money because I believe that in their hearts, they are good police officers.
Ah!
Thank you. We are sorry.
The women, receiving the envelopes, welled up. Mu Ssang didnt care for wealth. Those sums were in fact, like pocket change to him. Despite that, he pettily went through all the hassle to sue them for damages to warn the police. Following orders and getting meager salaries couldnt excuse them from their abuse of authority.
Mr. Kim and Detective Ha must be still renting a place for their families, right?
Yes, we do.
Mu Ssang took out a plastic bar where many keys were attached by a ring.
Cheonggu Apartments, in Sincheon-dong. Complex 402, Unit 506, and Unit 703. They are empty now. You can move in right away.
Sir?
The eyes of the wives of Kim Yang-su and Detective Ha widened, overstretching their lids.
You can live there rent-free until you purchase your own homes. Its not free. There is an orphanage in Anjirangi called Inaewon. You will volunteer there twice a week. I need your signatures or stamps here.
Mu Ssang held out the contracts.
Really?
Namu Amita Buddha!
The three women wept and Detective Has mother closed her eyes and recited a Buddhist mantra.
Thank you. We will always remember your mercy.
How shall we ever repay you?
Its just what being human is. Humans differ from animals because we know how to share. I am trusting you to keep this a secret from your husbands and son. All right?
Of course. My husband needed this humbling experience. This is mine! Haha.
Kim Yang-sus wife giggled with still-teary eyes. The four women, who had entered the front gate of the manor most anxiously, exited it as if they had just had a supernatural experience.
The women promised to keep their mouths shut but some words did slip. The detectives of the East Police Station surreptitiously began protecting the people of Eungsim-je. Inaewon was bustling with volunteers all of a sudden. Mr. Kims food truck suddenly had a lot of police customers.
Black Mamba, the Angel of Death, was merciless but Dubaiburupa was merciful. The weak and powerless always ended up benefitting from his grace, except for one, Jang Chi Su.
Hes been transferred to the convalescent? Then I shall pay him a visit.
Mu Ssang, tipped off by Kim Yang-su, visited the university hospital where Jang Chi Su was hospitalized. On his way, he bought a flower basket to boot.
Seeing Mu Ssang entering his ward, Jang Chi Su flinched and wiggled on his bed. He was indeed a human silkworm cocoon, covered with bandages all over his body. He was still in a serious condition. He had his intestines ruptured and six of his teeth broken. His left tibia, the bones in his right hand, and fingers, eight in total, were also broken. Five of his ribs collapsed and his lower jawbone was also cracked. He suffered a total of 15 fractures from a few punches.
He shouldnt have wronged someone like Mu Ssang who meticulously avenged all the instances where he was wronged. Jang Chi Su illegally kept Mu Ssang locked in the in-station jail for 15 days. Thus 15 broken bones in return. The six broken teeth were to be counted as interest payment.
Ugh.
Jang Chi Su glared at Mu Ssang. He wanted to murder the man but he couldnt even move his fingers. The metal pins keeping his lower jawbone in place prevented him from talking either. He could only give Mu Ssang the most toxic gaze he could muster.
Maam, you must be worried.
Mu Ssang cheekily greeted Jangs wife by his bed.
Thank you for coming. But who are you?
Jang Chi Sus wife asked.
I was graced by Sergeant Jang a long time ago. Thanks to him, I also became a civil servant.
Mu Ssang handed the potted plant to Jang Chi Sus wife. On the decorative ribbons surrounding the plant were written the words Wishing your speedy recovery and On the riverbank of the Yeonhwa. The second was the alleged spot they picked to frame Mu Ssang with rape. Mu Ssang never forgot any single instance in which he was wronged.
Thank you. He is kind-hearted, helping many. He sometimes sleeps outside because he needed to help someone. He took his job bestowed upon him by our beloved nation, very seriously. No one knew he would end up like this. Where is justice?
Mu Ssang stared at the babbling woman without saying a word. She was tending to her injured husband. Yet she wore heavy makeup and luxury clothes. Her finger sported a diamond ring. A Cartier wristwatch glinted on her wrist. Her big natural pearl earrings swung from her lobes. Her scarf and blouse were Burberry, which was not officially imported to Korea. With a policemans salary, they were not affordable at all.
A wretch. Jang Chi Su must have been taking considerable amounts of bribes.
Same husband, same wife.
Did people come from his work?
No. Its odd. He was hurt, trying to arrest a bastard ruining our country. But no one came for a visit in two weeks. Can you believe that? That lunatic cannot be allowed to live! Look at what he did to my husband.
Jangs wife shuddered as if they were forsaken by the entire world. Mu Ssang laughed internally. Even though Jang Chi Sus reputation wasnt that great anyway before all of this happened, now, no one was going to undermine their own career by visiting him in the hospital. That was how the world worked.
He must be a psychopath to make your husband like that. Does he have any bad blood? A psychopath is persistent. He may come to visit your husband if he ever became aware that he was still alive.
Mu Ssang did not intend to keep listening to her whining so he intimidated her a bit. Her face turned from anger to fear.
Oh my! He is not someone to be begrudged by someone. What should we do if that monster ever comes here?
Haha! No way. It was silly of me to say that. Sergeant Jang is not someone to frame and jail someone or hurt someone on purpose, is he?
The very monster mock-tried to comfort her, all smiling.
Oh my, you scared me!
Jangs wife pressed down on her chest with her palm. Mu Ssang looked back at Jang Chi Su and smirked. His eyes were all bloodshot from elevated blood pressure from anger.
Maam, I have something work-related to tell you.
Sure. I will give you some privacy.
The woman exited the room. The wife of a corrupt cop indeed had a keen sense for such things. Mu Ssang got a portable chair and sat close by.
Jang Chi Su, do you remember the Sony radio theft case in Jipeundari?
Jang Chi Sus eyes widened after a moment of pondering. He faintly remembered the face of a youngster who protested and yelled.
Bak Mussang?
You must remember the rape case seven years ago.
Ugh.
A faint moan escaped the steel-pin-ridden, plaster-fixed jaws. The face of the one who he jailed six years ago overlapped on the faintly smiling mans face now.
He is that boy!
He remembered the scenes in which he argued and wrestled with the boy. Jang Chi Sus eyes were filled with a look of impending doom.
You seem to remember, thank God. I was worried you may have forgotten since you ruined many other peoples lives, not just me. I dont care how much you received from Jang Pil Nyuh. You framed conscientious student protesters to be criminals and caused a high school girl to commit suicide by jumping into an ice-cold lake. How will you ever pay for your sins?
Mu Ssang poked Jangs ribcage with his finger.
Oof!
Jang Chi Su writhed in pain.
For someone who likes hurting others, you have pathetically low pain tolerance. I can only imagine how many people were hurt at your hands. Do you remember that I said I will pay back all the pain you inflicted on me?
Argh.
Yes, you do. Now it is time for you to pay your debts. You were fired three days ago. If someone like you stays in the police, victims like me would continue to be made. You should have really stopped hurting innocent people even though they may have seemed powerless. Your injuries were not even recognized by your former job. You will pay for your own hospital bills. Give it four months. You will relatively heal. Then I will visit again. Have you heard of lifelong labor? Korea doesnt have that kind of punishment, does it? Of course. Im taking you somewhere else. Keep taking care of yourself. See you soon.
Mu Ssang tapped Jang Chil Sus cheek and exited the room.
I must kill that bastard!
Jang Chi Su writhed like a caterpillar. He could move his eyes and see the potted plant Mu Ssang brought him. The black letters on the pink ribbon, Speedy recovery momentarily seemed like Condolences.
Krgh!
One of his half-healed internal wounds ruptured. Blood streamed into his throat.
Mu Ssang whistled as he exited the hospitals front gate. He felt as if he had just gotten a hurting teeth removed. Korea was too small a country. He had vowed to avenge himself but he didnt expect it to play out like this. His fathers teaching, that a man should always keep his promises, always proved right.
Yi Dae-deoks office.
Mr. Jeong. You touted that its one of the best shots we have. But it seems like you were wrong.
He gave Jeong Pil-su the evil eye, with his eye with a lot of white.
You are right. Hmm!
Jeong Pil-su, at a loss of words, kept silent.
Chapter 609 - Episode 20 Cause and Effect
Eungsim-je was a public office space that also served as a French cultural institute. A councilor resided there. Even the powerful ANS couldnt do anything out of their jurisdiction. Bak Mu-ssang was figuratively a hot potato roasting in burning coal. He was untouchable. They raided his house to get ahold of him and searched the house, using the police force. Jeong Pil-su had utilized the rare opportunity in which the riot police and the student protesters collided. The seemingly prevailing plan had turned to failure due to an unexpected variable.
Yeah. No one would have known the French would move that quickly.
It was difficult to blame Chief Bak of the East Police Station either. There could be several dozens of excuses but it was not manly to whine. The regional director wasnt going to listen anyway.
Why did he hide his identity from the police?
It is your job to figure that out. Forget the Jang Pal-su case. Focus on Target Three. It is weird enough that he became a councilor at that age.
Sir, about Jang Pal-su
Jeong Pil-su drawled. An agent was often referred to as a kite in the organization. Once their connection to the organization was no longer, they were practically a stranger. Due to the organizations nature, sometimes they needed to accept some losses. However, Jang Pal-su went missing while fulfilling the order Jeong Pil-su gave him. He felt a sense of responsibility. But they had no means to search the French cultural institute especially after their first attempt failed.
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Think of him as a pebble dropped in a lake. I am at my wits end handling the Daejeong case.
Yi Dae-deok concluded. The explosion in Anjirangi, known to the media as the doings of armed Communist spies, turned out to be a simple happenstance, a simple sinkhole incident despite the massive damage. The Pungguk case, where several dozens of bodies were found, also was concluded as a war between criminal gangs.
The Daejeong case still proved problematic. Despite the worn-out outlook, the inside was filled with cutting-edge high-tech medical equipment and several dozens of bodies buried underground. Various illicit drugs were also found. The problem was that there was no one inside.
The television sets were on and so were the refrigerators. A coffee pot was on although the water had all evaporated. The estimate that more than a hundred would have been residing there was defied by the fact that only 10 livid guard dogs were left behind. The middle-aged woman found in the basement was completely out of her mind, babbling nonsense. Yi Dae-deok considered the welfare center as a secret biological research facility of Japan and was putting all the investigative power into the case.
What could his real identity be? The councilor must be a cover. His real job must be spying for the French government.
If I knew that, why would I call you? All diplomats are spies, just working in plain sight. He may be a spy but is not an ordinary one.
Yi Dae-deok poked Jeong Pil-sus belly with the pen he held in his hand.
It must be so. As soon as the riot police moved, so did the French embassy. Within three hours, Westerners appeared at East Police Station. Bak Mu-ssang must be someone as important.
Everyone knows that. His backstory doesnt matter. He does.
Yi Dae-deok slammed the tip of his pen into his desk. The shaft was smashed and the ink pipe flung out. Jeong Pil-su flinched.
Look at this flimsy thing.
Ballpoint pens arent the sturdiest things around.
Pil-su, Ive heard you are quite skilled at throwing daggers. Can you throw a ballpoint pen to penetrate the fabric of jeans and stab the flesh underneath?
Sir, I am but a human.
The Baekgols de facto uniform, a jean jacket and jeans, were made of the thickest of the fabric. With a steel chopstick or a bamboo gimlet, it could possibly be pierced but with a lightweight, flimsy ballpoint pen, it was unlikely to be able to damage it.
Yeah. You are a human. A lacking one perhaps, but you are a human.
Yi Dae-deok said without even the slightest chuckles.
You talk like you are, asshole.
Jeong Pil-su felt resentful. Yi Dae-deok, unlike a typical higher-up in the ANS, never used his authority for personal gains. He was even talking to him without any air of authority when he was just a mere lackey. He had some respect for him but didnt feel friendly at all when he opened his mouth.
How fast does it have to be for a ballpoint pen to penetrate jeans and bury itself two inches into the muscle?
Jeong Pil-su pondered.
If we assume the weight of the pen to be roughly half of a 9mm Parabellum round and consider the friction with air due to its volume, it would need to be at least 500 joules. To load a projectile with such momentum, the speed would need to be just below the speed of sound. Has such a pen-shooter ever been invented?
Thats enough, you half-wit.
Yi Dae-deok yelled. He considered Pil-su to be quite clever. It was just that he didnt know when to stop.
Why not? The CIA makes use of plastic pistols. It wouldnt be odd for them to have such a pen-shooting contraption.
Hey, who would invent such a useless thing? Maybe as a toy for some crooked despot, but nothing else.
Yi Dae-deok chuckled.
Sir!
Jeong Pil-su eyed the employees outside the window cautiously. They were still living in a dictatorship. They had to be careful about what they said.
You dont get to shush me. Im talking about a man who can launch ballpoint pens like that.
That cant be! Bak Mu-ssang?
Jeong Pil-sus eyes widened.
Yes. It is him. He launched a pen into the thigh of a thug who was beating up a college girl. Moreover, the pen evaded all the blood vessels and tendons and only tore through the muscle. The doctor in charge marveled at that.
Beat up a college girl? He deserved more than what he got.
Jeong Pil-su, forgetting about Mu Ssang momentarily, overreacted as if his own girlfriend was beat up. It was to be expected from a man who had been single for way too long.
You are stupid. Dont overreact. If you slam a pen directly into the muscle, it still wouldnt be buried as deep. He is said to be from the Foreign Legion. Before I slam a pen into your anus, you better get some info about his background.
Yi Dae-deok shouted.
Is he still a third-degree suspect?
Dont be dumb! We cannot designate him second-degree and search his house without any evidence. Get lost right now! Dont end up like Jang Pal-su.
Aye.
Jeong Pil-su promptly stepped away from Yi Dae-deok. If he tarried, his shins would suffer a kick.
Dae-deok must mean great virtue. What an undeserved name.
Jeong Pil-su grumbled as he went down the stairs. Yi Dae-deok always looked out for his subordinates but also knew how to get them to work for him. Jeong Pil-su had no idea that a great peril awaited him in his future, much worse than getting kicked in the shins.
What? Did Minas teacher say that?
Mu Ssangs eyebrows shot up.
Yes. I went to her school because her teacher called. She begged me to send Mina to another school.
Jinsuns voice had a distinct touch of anger.
Huh. So he is asking for someone elses daughter to be sent elsewhere instead of disciplining his own child. Ive never heard a more ridiculous thing.
Mu Ssang clucked his tongue. He was going to teach the man a lesson anyway. This just expedited it.
Still, a teacher shouldnt say such a thing. Maybe she could learn a lesson too.
Yeon-sun resented.
Shes nothing but a powerless twenty-something. The one who struts around with a prosecutor husband is to be blamed.
Jinsun, eyeing Mina who was engrossed in playing jackstones, defended her daughters teacher.
My academic advisor is in the same frustrating situation. His upstairs neighbor is a prosecutor. And he routinely gets drunk and plays the piano through the night and sings. The neighbors cannot say anything but seethe. Are prosecutors that powerful?
Gye Soon grumbled.
What good are prosecutors before our brother? Are you going to let this pass again?
Yeon-sun provoked Mu Ssang.
Rice plants bow when they are ripe. The stronger you are, the more cautious you must be. Hmm
Mu Ssang, platitudes wont change anything. A boil must be squeezed. Ripe rice must be harvested. If you do nothing, they will act up even further. They need to learn a lesson.
Yeon-sun went on.
I get it. Calm down. Be ladylike! Geukdo!
Yes, sir.
Geukdo stood up from playing jackstones with Mina and Yeong-suk. The jackstones got scattered around in the process.
No!
Yeong-suk was about to cry. Now they were too spread apart for her to sweep them with her small hand.
Im sorry!
Gim Geukdo didnt seem to know what to do. The same Gim Geukdo, who ambushed a man with 20 bodyguards with nothing but one sword, was at his wits end when he made a six-year-old girl cry. Mu Ssang grinned and held up his hand. The five scattered jackstones were gathered up by an invisible hand.
My dad is the greatest!
Mina and Yeong-suk hurrahed. The two girls held the most power in Eungsim-je.
Did you get the info?
Yes. The Ogami in Seongnae. He meets his sponsor twice a month. They have a reservation this evening.
Did you get the guest list?
The Ogami said nothing. According to Kim, he hangs out with Jang Chul Su often. He is said to come out to the meetings with subordinate prosecutors. So I am expecting five or so.
The prosecutors are known to throw quite some parties. Shall we go look? I am not too fond of overthinking it.
Mu Ssang smirked. He planned to collect information, leak it, and ruin their lives.
Sir, you only need a small knife to gut a small fish. I can go get him for you.
Gim Geukdo said. He didnt think Mu Ssang needed to handle this minor scoundrel himself. It was his job to handle the small dirty jobs.
Getting him isnt an issue. Hiding our trails is. You are still quite clumsy at avoiding peoples gazes. Get a van and wait in the alley near the post office. When I page you, you will come right away.
I see.
Gim Geukdo prayed Kim Dal Sus soul may rest in peace. He couldnt forgive someone who wronged Lady Mina.
What position did prosecutors hold in Korean society? The prosecutors portrayed in films or on television were one of the two kinds. Good, hardworking students from poor families or pampered spoilt children from rich, powerful families.
Either was either portrayed as a fighter for justice battling social injustice or corrupt officials producing social injustice with politicians and conglomerates. The good students are often portrayed with a love story. The rich kids are often accompanied by a rich but rude woman. But none of it influences the jobs social image which has been consolidated in society.
Films and television do not reflect reality. Prosecutors are but high-class salaried employees employed by the prosecution service, numbering 1,800. Only a few of them get to investigate socially relevant cases and get portrayed by the press. Most are mere employees working on cases irrelevant to power.
The issue is that these salaried employees held too much power with their investigative authority which they exclusively held. If they investigate a case or cover it up, if they press charges or not, it was entirely up to the discretion of the prosecutor presiding over the case. Sometimes, this power structure hurt poor, powerless citizens further. This abuse of authority stems from article 11 of the law regarding the prosecutors office.
The article forces prosecutors to blindly follow their superiors orders. A higher-up prosecutor could always replace his subordinates if they were not happy with what they were doing. Basically, the whole prosecution service worked like, positively put, an army and negatively put, organized crime.
Regardless of their background, all prosecutors are driven to power. Roughly 1,800 prosecutors worked in offices across the country. They form a pyramid power structure culminating in the Public Prosecutor General.
A pyramid structure confers fewer and fewer higher-up positions as you go up. Ones competency as a prosecutor matters less than the current political landscape, ones alma mater, or connections. Thats why prosecutors strived to get connected to powerful figures. This resulted in the creation of various cliques.
Due to these characteristics of prosecutors organization, powerful figures could manipulate practically any case if they wanted to, by planting their people in key positions. The four most important positions in prosecution were appointed by the president. Thats why prosecutors always have to lean political. Whenever there was a new administration, it caused quite some noise in prosecution as well, along with internal injustice and corruption.
The prosecutors connected to power appoint reputable, competent prosecutors to be their close attendants. Then they grow together as a clique in various important relevant organizations.
This causes a severe structural problem. What is the original role of prosecution? Directing police investigations and maintaining public order. The above structure means that incompetent, disreputable prosecutors handled cases directly affecting the average citizens. Losers in internal power struggles still wielded the power of prosecution. This is why bribery was so rampant in society back then.
Chapter 610 - Episode 21 Cause and Effect
Prosecutor Kim Dal-su was appointed nearly two decades ago. A prosecutor is then automatically promoted to chief prosecutor around the 13-year-mark after their first appointment. However, not all chief prosecutors are the same.
Chief prosecutors who do not have sufficient backing and abilities would inevitably become hyang-gum, wandering amongst different branch district offices. Both the hyang-gum and its magistrate counterpart, hyang-pan, are constantly exposed to bribes and hospitality from people with influence. (Hyang-pan was legalized and accepted as standard practice in 2004.)
These are the so-called sponsored prosecutors/magistrates. Unsurprisingly, Kim Dal-su was one of them, and has been acting as one in Daegus Eastern Branch District Office for the past seven years.
*
Gaomi was a high-class traditional restaurant with a long history. Located in Daegus Seongnae-dong, it first opened its doors during the latter era of the Joseon Dynasty.
Of course, to keep up with the current times, this establishment had to change its status from a classy restaurant to a hostess bar. Fermented rice wines and traditional soju have been replaced with imported liquor and beer, while the old-school playboys and patriots have changed to the nouveau riche and racketeers. Rickshaws were replaced by luxury automobiles, while gisaengs who used to entertain the patrons through song and dance are now replaced with cheap girls selling their bodies.
After all these years, the only things that havent changed were the jaw-dropping price of alcohol and the graceful and elegant building itself.
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Its been a few days since the last time Eojang-gak hosted guests, as can be heard from the cacophony of laughter reverberating loudly from within. Eojang-gak is the largest private room in Gaomi. It was spacious enough for 20 drunkards to mess around lazily inside with their partners. Although currently only eight people were occupying the space, their salaciousness easily rivaled that of 40 people.
The sumptuous feast that was laid out on the vast table in the middle of the room has been neglected for some time now. The reddish wall made of Japanese yew, with traces of wear and tear clearly visible, had several wet tissue lumps sticking out here and there. The lady escorts had their hanbok upper garments unbuttoned, with their skirts flipped up to produce drinks from their valleys and recesses.
Their pale-smooth skin reflected the ceiling light, disoriented the eyes. In the meantime, a mixture of loud and soft peals of laughter, as well as a sticky, musky scent filled up the room.
*
Aigoo, you little girl! Take it easy, will you.
The main host of todays gathering, Sin-gu Constructions President Jo, slapped the butt of his partner as her head still remained buried in his crotch.
But you asked me to suck it as hard as I can, didnt you? The partner feigned a pout and leered at him coyly from the corner of her eyes.
Aigoo~, you cute little thing! I cant even stand my wife smiling at me, but you pouting at me like this is definitely a sight for sore eyes! President Jo pressed his large, catfish-like lips on his partners, which were already soaking wet.
Hes right, you know!
Its funny, isnt it? My junior works so well when Im here, but why does it go limp when Im back home?
Wahahahaha!
Ohohoho~!
Another round of raucous laughter broke out.
Gentlemen, shall we go for a round of gaegosaeng? President Jo put down his booze-filled cup and began taking out a bundle of ten thousand Wons. Four piles, each worth 200,000 Won, now rested on top of the table. That was the payment for their second round of debauchery. He asked the four ladies to decide if they want to each grab a pile, or to take a risk where one lucky lady can take all four piles.
As for the gaegosaeng that President Jo has brought up, he wasnt talking about the slang word which is used to refer to the hardships ordinary people go through to put food on their tables. No. In fact, he meant the act of thrusting hard and pounding on a womans nether region to make them wet.
Basically, it was a naughty slang term to denote a game where a group of people will engage in acts of fornication in the presence of their peers, thus turning everyone present as joint offenders.
A mix of greed and shame were showing in the eyes of the lady escorts. Unlike dogs, humans dont mate whenever and wherever they please. Sex is an act performed by the involved parties in private. Even though they had to sell their bodies for a living, these girls, who are in their early twenties, still found it difficult to open their legs and perform the act with others present.
Hence, what makes this game much more interesting.
The girl willing to partake in the gaegosaeng would get the piles of money that match the number of men she will service. The other girls would have no choice but to go back empty-handed and still have to take their panties off. Of course, some men would still make sure that their girls get paid in the end. But more often than not, such men would not participate in the gaegosaeng in the first place.
As a hostess, she has to sell her fake smiles, damage her own body will all the booze, and has to accept seeds of men whom she didnt even care for. Of course, each of them has their own reasons, but none of these women were working as hostesses simply because they love the job. The gaegosaeng is a nasty and perverse game that is meant to use money to turn a helpless woman into a figurative dog.
*
The girls scanned each other warily while trying to read the mens moods. Of course, whoever steps forward now would be able to snatch up the whole 800 grand, but there was the matter of loyalty amongst co-workers to consider as well. At the same time, they have to be mindful of the mens moods as well.
No volunteers, huh? We are not in the Military Manpower Administration, so why are you all so hesitant tonight? Eh? Uh-huh! Looks like the waters of Gaomi have become a lot muddier, I see. Very well! Why dont I make it an even million, then! President Jo pulled out another bundle worth 200,000 Won, then scanned the girls with his eyes burning bright.
Ill do it!
President Jos partner quickly raised her head from his crotch, then wiped off all the liquid from lips with tissues.
Aigoo, youre betraying me! You cheap whore, is money so much better than my pecker? Fine. Go ahead!
Wahahaha!
Hohoho~!
President Jo was like a silent film narrator, as he imitated Kim Jung-bae (South Korean media personality), which prompted another raucous round of laughter. In the meantime, his partner threw off her clothes and laid down neatly on the boryo (traditional Korean mattress) that was previously placed on the floor by her colleague. Her nipples stood erect from nervousness.
Her elegantly-flowing cleavage, silky-smooth skin, cute belly button, and protruding dark bush are enough to disorient the onlookers eyes. Judging from her stunning figure, this hostesss confidence was not misplaced.
The mens eyes were burning with lust, while the women scanned their colleagues figure with curiosity.
Why dont you have a go, fella? Kim Dal-su asked the third-grade prosecutor sitting next to him. He was leaning comfortably against a hostesss embrace. After three, maybe four shots of strong liquor, his complexion had become quite ruddy.
The young prosecutor who was sitting there, sipping demurely at his shot flinched noticeably. I, uh Ive never done this before, so Well, this is embarrassing!
The young prosecutor, Yeo Yun-dong, was at a loss for words. The Eastern Branch was his very first post. The veteran prosecutors already warned him many times before about what usually happens in these get-togethers, but he still wasnt prepared.
So far, he could tolerate the excessive drinking and the salacious nature of this gathering. He can even manage to turn a blind eye on a second round. But this gaegosaeng thing? It just wasnt right. Youre expected to perform a sexual act with a woman you didnt even know, with everyone watching? This is not what an average person should be doing.
And if by any chance this gets out the faces of his beloved wife and his enraged father-in-law flitted through Yeo Yun-dongs mind. His once erect member instantly lost motivation and shrunk back like a deflated balloon. Of course, he might end up just as corrupt as everyone else given time, but for now, he didnt wish to live like this just yet.
Ahahaha! Our young gentleman here hasnt gotten over his honeymoon period yet, has he! So lets just leave him out of this one, shall we? President Jo, a veteran who has experienced all sorts of things in his life, quickly intervened.
The purpose of todays gathering was for the chief prosecutor to introduce the newbie. So if the person in question became unhappy for some reason, then this whole thing would have been a waste of time.
Well, everyone here knows that my junior isnt so cooperative these days, so which means Chief Kim, you should put your excellent tool to good use, then. Jang Chul-su paused from sucking on his partners breast to offer his opinion. His partner quickly hid her exposed chest with the hem of her hanbok.
This little girl! Everyone should appreciate a pretty thing, you hear? Jang Chul-su threw open her hanbok top.
Goodness me!
Jang Chul-sus partner grinned lazily but didnt try to cover herself up again.
Dammit, because of money, I
Yeo Yun-dong sighed under his breath. His chest felt tight.
But youre still in your prime, Vice Governor, so it wont do for you to back out like this. Besides, Im also not feeling as motivated these days, you see. Of course, its about time I pay a visit to Bokji-gwan, but Tsk!
Kim Dal-su licked his lips bitterly. As recommended by President Jo, transfusing fresh, young blood into his body proved to be a turning point in his life. Once every three to four-months, he would visit Bokji-gwan to get all of his blood replaced, which in turn revitalized his youthfulness. But no thanks to some stinking bastard, Bokji-gwan was shut down, eventually ending this extraordinary period of life for Kim Dal-su.
An aged body can only produce aged blood. Even if fresh, young blood is used to replace the old, one can only enjoy the revitalized body for around a month before things slowly revert back to how it was. According to Bokji-gwans doctor, this process is inevitable, unless one chooses to replace ones spine, ribs, sternum, skull, and pelvis, among others.
Kim Dal-su sought out every reputable tonic that could possibly revitalize him, but hadnt seen much results so far.
Chief Kim, has there been any progress on that front? Jang Chul-su asked out of curiosity.
Unfortunately, our side had to let this one go because the people from Apsan decided to take over the investigation. Bokji-gwans effectiveness was undeniable, but now Dammit! (Apsan: a mountain in Daegu city, home to the National Security Agency branch.)
Kim Dal-su was genuinely unhappy. But he lived in an era where the National Security Agency is king. Even the prosecuting authority with
jurisdiction had to give in if those Nat-Sec boys decided to take over. Kim Dal-su was planning to make use of this investigation to worm his way into the capital, but that dream was as good as shattered now.
And yet, his dream was one thing, but his manhood was the more pressing concern right now.
Gentlemen, you can rest assured. I heard that there is another Bokji-gwan in Busans Seomyeon.
Is that so?
Both Kim Dal-su and Jang Chul-su perked up instantly.
So, theres another one of those abominable places in Busan?
A bright light briefly flashed in the distant corner wall of the room.
Yes, sirs. You see, a successful construction company possesses a good and fast information network. I can assure you, this info is reliable.
Kim Dal-su shot up to his feet at President Jos assurance. Yoshi! Then there is no need to worry about firewood when theres a verdant mountain nearby.
He tarnished whats supposed to be a squeaky-clean proverb, then quickly undid his belt. Despite being in his early fifties, his physique was still surprisingly firm and youthful. As for his manhood, it was already prepared for action, judging from how it swayed as he moved around.
Wow, a horse might cry in jealousy there, Chief Kim!
Oh, my goodness me!
Even though Kim Dal-sus package was nothing impressive, President Jo still sucked up to him with a flattering comment. Even the girls pretended to cover their eyes demurely.
Kim Dal-su triumphantly mounted the naked woman. The Eojang-gak was soon filled with impressed gasps and laughter, lewd moans, and a sticky stench.
*
What a contemptible sight!
Mu Ssang, having slipped into Eojang-gak by using the One with Nature technique, couldnt help but be dismayed with what he saw.
He heard that corrupted prosecutors often mingled with local businessmen and engaged in all sorts of disgusting depravity, but even he hadnt anticipated things to be this bad. But, seriously now, these men were supposed to be the heads of their own families!
The small sense of hesitation that Mu Ssang felt earlier evaporated in an instant.
Except for that young guy, should I just beat up the others like dogs and drag them away now? Or should I just be patient and wait until they leave this bar and then drag them away without leaving any trace?
While Mu Ssang was pondering his options, an incident was about to unfold in Eungsim-je.
*
-The targets Citro?n has left the access road. Confirmed, Target 3 sighted in the vehicle.
Do we have the phone line?
-Yes, sir.
Then lets begin!
-Roger that.
A dark shadowy figure slid down the utility pole that was located near the villages entrance.
Poof-!
Eungsim-je was suddenly enveloped in darkness.
Goodness! Whats going on? Jin-soon who was using the oven in the kitchen, cried out in surprise.
She was in the middle of preparing a midnight snack so that Mu Ssang would have something to eat after returning from his vacation, but this unexpected trouble halted her progress.
Gye-soon lit a candle and came out of her room.
There wasnt any notification about a blackout, though Gye-soon-ah, does the village across the road have electricity?
They do. Everything looks normal over there. What should we do? Even Uncle Geuk-do went out with Oppa, too.
Can you go check the fuse box?
Gye-soon checked the fuse box located outside the main hall, then shouted back at her older sister. Sis, fuse box looks okay to me.
Oh, no. Ill have to throw away the chicken in the oven at this rate. What will I do about Oppas snack?
Eigoo~, the ice cream will melt at this rate
Jin-soon was worried about Mu Ssangs snacks while Yeon-soon began worrying about snacks for Mina and Young-sook. Finally, the three women stared at each others faces.
Lets call for an electrician.
But, sis. Its already past ten in the evening. They mustve closed for the night, you know?
Well, it cant be helped if no ones working anymore, I guess.
Jin-soon flipped through the phone book. Everyone was working their butts off these days to make a living. Factories, both big and small, operated all night long, and quite a few electricians were burning the midnight oil as a result.
However, unbeknownst to her, Jin-soons phone call was intercepted by the National Security Agencys agents.
*
Good evening. Were from Samyang Electrical.
Three men kitted out in overalls and toolboxes entered through the front gate.
Thank you for coming so late at night.
Good thing were working nightshift today, miss. However, we must bill you separately for this call, as its considered overtime.
Of course. Please fix the electricity as soon as possible.
Dont worry, miss. It shouldnt take long once we are able to find what caused the short circuit and replace the fuse.
The three men, carrying lanterns, scattered to the main house and the sarang-chae (detached house for menfolk in han-ock).
*
Back in Gaomis Eojang-gak C
The spectacle has ended, and the hostesses have left the room. President Jos secretary entered with an apple box, put it down, and left in silence. Then, it was time to grease palms.
President Jo pulled out three shopping bags from the box and pushed them towards the three government officials. Itll be year-end soon, and Im sure our valuable nation builders will have many expenditures to worry about. So please take these and put these tokens of my appreciation to good use, gentlemen.
Thank you. Its all thanks to patriots like our President Jo here that our country can function properly.
Of course, of course. Those beggars only know how to pay lip service but have nothing else to speak of.
Both Jang Chul-su and Kim Dal-su accepted the shopping bags without hesitation. But Yeo Yun-dong stared at with complicated feelings. None of them were aware of the grim reapers glare that was locked onto the backs of their heads at that very moment.
Oh, and here. I know its a bit early, but still, allow me to present you my gifts for the upcoming holidays, gentlemen. President Jo pulled out three jewelry cases.
Kim Dal-su opened his case first. Oh, pure gold buttons!
He was genuinely impressed. Two large buttons for magoja (hanbok outer coat for men) were shining brilliantly within the case. Even at a glance, one could tell they must be worth ten nyangs. (Each nyang equals 37.5g of gold.)
Jang Chul-su was also visibly excited. Only Prosecutor Yeo maintained an unreadable expression as he stared at the case. He has heard of sponsors who would hand out a gold key as a parting gift, but gold magoja buttons? He has never heard of that before. Then again, something this unique was bound to be memorable.
Is there anything troubling you lately, President Jo? Jang Chul-su asked, while pocketing the case.
Thanks to you, things are going well, Vice Governor. Although, we do have plans to develop a members-only, 18-hole golf course at Gyeongsan. I shall submit a business plan to you next week.
Since its President Jos business venture, Im only happy to be of assistance. Jang Chul-su smiled brightly. Once President Jo completes the golf course, a membership to this exclusive club would automatically roll onto his lap.
Im grateful, sir. President Jo bowed his head.
This is the true power of the sponsors. The construction of a golf course was a challenging business venture, where getting the permit alone was already complex enough. However, it will be a proverbial gold mine once the construction is completed. Fair competition between bidders? Resolving civil complaints? Assessing environmental impacts? All of these issues can be resolved as long as you grease the right palms. So why would anyone waste their valuable time worrying about such things as permits?
Is there anything else I can help you with? Kim Dal-su asked this time.
The Seocheon Night is one of my other businesses.
Is that so? Mm, there is an ongoing case which involved the selling of methamphetamine and the counterfeiting of imported liquor that was forwarded to us by the police. Prosecutor Yeo, youre in charge of that case, I believe? Kim Dal-su locked his eyes on Yeo Yun-dong.
Yes, Chief Prosecutor!
Make it go away quietly.
That will be difficult, sir. Of course, I can turn a blind eye on the counterfeit liquor case, but the drug-dealing case will be difficult to overlook. Yeo Yun-dong replied curtly.
Chapter 611 - Episode 22 Cause and Effect
Cases involving counterfeit imported liquor happened reasonably often.
Whenever a new gang tried to push out the old and take over the business, theyd dump a truckload of anonymous tips on the police. As such, the cops didnt even have to wait for someone to file charges to investigate and apprehend the offenders.
All imported liquor found in nightclubs was fundamentally fake. The patrons already drunk on booze and the atmosphere would never be able to differentiate whether they were drinking the good stuff or just plain water. So there was no reason why the establishments wouldnt resort to using counterfeit liquor.
From the governments perspective, it didnt matter whether the citizens drank water or booze. As long as you got drunk, counterfeit or not, it ultimately didnt matter since youd all piss it away in the toilet anyway. The governments sole reason for strictly regulating fake liquor wasnt the health of the citizens but simply the liquor tax.
However, a prosecutors time was too valuable to waste on tax evasion cases. Indeed, the issues involving liquor tax, VAT, and special consumption tax were the matters for the employees of the National Tax Service to lose sleepover. However, drug dealing was different.
Drugs were like cancer. If not snipped at the bud, itd blossom into a shortcut to national ruin, a hotbed of crime, and eventually destroy the lives of the victims. As a person wearing the badge of prosecutor and drawing salaries from all the citizens taxes, a drug-related case was not something Yeo Yun-dong could sweep under the carpet. At least, thats what he believed.
*
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This son of a b*tch!
Kim Dal Su sobered up instantly.
He was planning to pass along a veterans know-how to a youngster and give him a fat allowance in the process But now, his face was trampled on unceremoniously.
The organization of prosecutors placed the ideals of Unity and Indivisibility, Clear Chain of Command even above the Constitution itself. As such, mutiny could not be allowed.
But here was one of those uncompromising dumbasses Kim Dal Su only heard about in passing rumors. Numerically speaking, one of these idiots referred to as Pro-Dumbass was bound to show up sooner or later and Yeo Yun-dong happened to be that one.
Prosecutor Yeo, let me tell you something. A good thing is a good thing. Its just a waste of everyones time locking up a handful of small fries. After all, other punks will quickly fill the void. Youre like this only because you dont know how these organizations operate. Kim Dal Su lowered his voice and tried to persuade Yeo Yun-dong nicely.
It was common to see a newbie prosecutor going wild, out of their sense of justice. One of the prominent roles of a chief prosecutor was to place reins on bucking young horses.
Im not sure if youre referring to the prosecution organization or the organized crime in this case, Chief. But it might be better to forget about releasing the drug dealers at this point, sir. Weve already requested the National Prosecution Authoritys Science division for hair sample analysis. Yeo Yun-dong pushed the shopping bag and the jewelry case back to President Jo before continuing.
Thank you for your consideration, but Im not such a good man, nor do I have enough time to do good things. Therefore, Id recommend that President Jo donate to an orphanage or a nursing home at the end of the year.
Hey, you sh*thead! Walk away from this case, now! Kim Dal Su roared in anger, his brows shooting up high.
Since you ordered me to, I shall resign from this case, Chief. Well then, I shall be leaving first. Yeo Yun-dong shot up to his feet, then staggered out of the room.
Heh. I see. There is still someone worthy of being a prosecutor. Ill remember you. Mu Ssang silently watched Prosecutor Yeos departing back.
What an unfortunate thing it was for that young prosecutor. Someone with an admirable sense of justice wouldnt go far in his organization due to its toxic culture.
Chief Kim, that man, he! President Jos eyes nervously darted back and forth.
Hed been doing this sponsor thing for over a decade now, and this was his first time running into a hardheaded fool like that. That punk most likely wouldnt blab to someone on what happened tonight, but if he chose to pursue this matter till the end, then the embers would surely land on President Jo too. Alcohol evaporated from his system instantly.
Dont worry about him, President Jo. Ill take care of this. Kim Dal Su replied while gritting his teeth.
It seemed like the time had come to let an immature young punk taste the bitterness of the organization. A prosecutor like him would either crumble on his own or throw in the towel and leave if no cases get assigned to him.
Hes a reckless simpleton who doesnt even know how the heaven operates, isnt he. So lets not mind him for now. President Jo, are the Cheongsaechi (spearfish) gang ready to go? Jang Chul Su quickly changed the topic.
Yes, sir. Just give me the word. All you need to think about now is deciding whether to incinerate Bak In bo to ashes or just scare him a little. President Jo formed a faint smile as he replied.
The Cheongsaechi (spearfish) gang was part of his organization. The relationship between a construction company and a band of gangsters was similar to a crocodile and an Egyptian plover. And more often than not, a business person would be serving as the gang boss too, just like President Jo.
If our Chief Prosecutor doesnt find anything solid, Ill make sure to give you a call, Jang Chul Su glanced at Kim Dal Su.
I heard that hes the husband of your main familys daughter. Will this be fine?, Kim Dal Su asked back. Most business people would be finished for good if the prosecutors barged in unannounced and performed search-and-seizure on their place of business.
Uh-whew. Hes still my in-law, so Im not happy about the prospect of seeing him in trouble either, Jang Chul Su let out a crocodiles sigh.
I see. Give me a call at any time, gentlemen.
Thank you. Oh, and dont worry about the matter with the golf course.
The crocodile and the plover continued to exchange meaningful words.
They dont know when to stop, now do they!
Mu Ssang was left speechless. His uncle mobilized the Samsik gang to shake up the Jang familys roots, while the Jang family planned to utilize the Cheongsaechi (spearfish) gang to erase his uncle from existence. A figurative mudslinging match between a burnt kettle and a singed pot was about to occur.
However, Mu Ssangs uncle mustve saved a village in his previous life or something since he got lucky again. Last time, Mu Ssang stumbled onto the scene where people plotted to poison his uncle to death. And this time, these folks planning to mobilize gangsters were caught red-handed by him.
*
Vice Governor, how about unburdening yourself first before calling it a night? Kim Dal Su suggested Jang Chul Su.
No, Im no longer in the mood, unfortunately. Besides, my junior isnt cooperating lately, so I dont think I can handle being humiliated by a cute young thing.
In that case, allow me to escort both of you gentlemen to Busans Bokji-gwan next week. After that, I shall set up a nice little gathering for us at the year-end.
That sounds good, President Jo. Well then, shall we get going?
Allow me to drive you home. President Jo quickly got up and assisted the wobbling Kim Dal Su.
If one was entertaining guests, one had to see it till the end to make it memorable.
In that case, please take good care of us.
Kim Dal Su and Jang Chul Su followed President Jo outside the room. Since both men occupied high government positions, they couldnt afford to be seen driving an official or private car to a hostess bar. If the Prime Ministers inspector team or the National Prosecuting Authoritys Integrity Committee learns about it, the fallout would be no laughing matter.
Shu-shushu
The air shifted to reveal Mu Ssang decked out in a baseball cap and a pair of Ray-Bans in the now-empty room. But, of course, he wouldnt have relied on the One with Nature technique if he knew those three would be moving together.
Dang it. I wasted my time and soiled my eyes for no good reason.
Mu Ssang pressed the pagers button to send the signal, then vanished from the spot like a wisp of smoke.
*
The moving vans passenger door suddenly flung open, and Mu Ssang settled down on the seat.
Huhk?! Big brother?!
The vehicle swerved thanks dangerously to Gim Geukdo freaking out.
Our situation just became simpler for us. Kim Dal Sus resident is in Beomeo-dong, right?
Yessir. His place is between the public prosecutors office and the Daegu Bank.
Once the Benz parked by the hostess bars entrance gets going, follow it!
Mu Ssang sunk deeply into the seat and closed his eyes. Did they say great hardships and difficulties? To think that they would use that term in such a manner! The world had gotten quite strange, it seemed.
He suddenly found himself pathetic for messing around with these small fries. Not only could he not erase all the injustices running rampant in this world, but he also didnt have a reason to do so either. He wouldve probably let Kim Dal Su go C for now C if Mina hadnt been caught up in this matter.
Hehehe I shall teach all three of you what hardship and difficulties actually mean! Mu Ssang smirked lazily.
It was your business, and no one elses, for you to waste the wealth you acquired through proper means. You shouldnt be criticized for it. However, the wealth wastefully thrown away by these bastards came straight from the pockets of the hard-working citizens and fraudulent activities. What was Hell, anyway? Once all fair competition was gone, and all hope was lost, it was Hell.
The hostesss milky-white naked body and dark bush were still vivid in Mu Ssangs mind. That girls face slowly morphed to Jin Soons, then to Edels, then even to Hae Youngs face after. Since he became a mercenary, he began thinking about a female body for the first time.
Yup, Ive been taking it easy for far too long!
A sigh of lament automatically leaked out of Mu Ssangs lips. He preferred the wild, untamed Africa where he could let loose without worrying about anything. Yet, even though he was so sick of those winds of sand and the burning sun, he found himself longing for them right now.
Big brother. Were at the entrance of Beomeo forest. If we go around that corner, well be at Kim Dal Sus residence.
Got it.
Mu Ssang wound the window down, then flicked his wrist.
Swish-!
A single bamboo chopstick he robbed from the hostess bar flew forward like a streak of light.
Rip-!
The chopstick tore through the Benzs rear tire before disappearing into the night.
Screech-!
The vehicle skidded precariously before coming to a stop. The chauffeur jumped out of the drivers seat.
Uh-whew! Those idiots, how can the road maintenance be this crappy! The chauffeur lightly kicked the torn tire while grumbling away. President, sir. We have a flat tire.
Quickly deal with it. These gentlemen need to get home right away.
Yes, sir! Please wait for a minute or two. The chauffeur bowed, then took out the spare tire from the boot and began changing the flat.
Utilizing his expertise, he quickly finished his job. But, just as he straightened his back, a lengthy shadow suddenly loomed over him.
You seem to be working hard late at night, mister.
Whore you? The chauffeur frowned unhappily. What a typical reaction a gangster would have.
Merely a pedestrian number one! Mu Ssangs palm sneakily brushed past the back of the chauffeurs head. The resonance wave entering him rocked the chauffeurs brain.
Kkeuh-euh The chauffeur spat out a weak moan before crumbling to the ground.
And Im the pedestrian number two! Gim Geukdo kicked the chauffeur to drop the latter into a nearby ditch, then yanked the passenger-side door open.
Are you done fixing the flat? President Jo turned his head to ask.
Its about to get fixed!
Pow-!
A calloused fist slammed into President Jos temple. He blacked out without finding out what had happened to him.
Looks like our dear gentlemen are in dreamland, big brother. Gim Geukdo lowered his fist, then dumped the three middle-aged men inside the van. Should I bring the driver, too, big brother?
Leave him be. He wont remember anything. Dont forget to pick up our labor cost, though.
Yessir! Gim Geukdo grinned happily while taking out the shopping bag from the car.
What good timing, too, since Mina was complaining earlier about how not pretty Young Sooks clothes were. Gim Geukdo wanted to buy new clothes, so this was a remarkable turn of events.
Vroom~!
The van drove off from the scene soon after. Only the lone Benz was left behind in the deserted entrance to Beomeo forest. As for the matter of pedestrian number three discovering the chauffeur stuck in the ditch that depended on the poor mans luck.
*
How many did you plant?
We planted one wired bug in the sarang-chae and one more in the main building. And five wireless bugs on various parts of the residence.
Two employees of Samyang Electrical Company whispered to each other.
That should be enough. Planting anymore will make them more noticeable.
Deputy Chief, should we try to shake up the women?
Leave them be. We dont have time, and it will get us nowhere. Make the call!
Yes, sir!
A short while later, the lights came back on in Eungsim-je. Samyang Electricals three employees only needed ten minutes to finish their business, get the payment for the repair work plus overtime, and stroll out of place.
Plant bugs? Shake up? What are they even talking about? Argh, who cares! Kamdoongs ears perked up for a moment, only for it to return to its previous comfortable sleeping position.
Those humans came to assist Jin-soon, after all. After finishing their work, they left. There didnt seem to be a need to butt in.
*
Vroom-
The van drove past Eungsim-jes front gate.
Geukdo, return the van to the owner of the fried chicken place. They need to open their shop tomorrow.
Yes, sir!
Gim Geukdo drove the van with the logo [Cock-a-doodle-do Chicken] stuck to the side and exited from the residence. Mu Ssang borrowed the van, thinking that there would be many people needing to be kidnapped, but it turned out to be a bit of a waste of time in the end.
Mu Ssang entered the second basement floor while carrying three middle-aged men.
Kamdoong raised its head briefly before burying it between its front paws once more. Friend, your hobby is keeping you busy, I see!
Instead of fooling around, Im doing missionary work, you know.
Arent those three too old to serve as slaves?
Well, our manpower is always lacking, and since these three have been enjoying a great life, their stamina levels should be pretty good.
What a pitiful life, to be captured by a heartless human, eh! Kamdoong closed its eyes after losing all interest. It didnt care if every human in this world suddenly croaked one day. Other than his friend and master, the invincible Eastern Swordsman, of course.
You three gorged yourself to stupor in the light, so its about time you experience starvation in the shadows. Mu Ssang proceeded to throw Kim Dal Su, Jang Chul Su, and President Jo in the pitch-black darkness of the basement then left without even glancing back once. The weight of positions like a chief prosecutor, the vice governor, or an owner of a company was less significant than a chicks teardrop to him.
*
Next morning
The mealtime of Eungsim-je was as lively as usual. But that was understandable since there were many people here, and most of them were women, to boot.
Dad, do I have to transfer school now? Mina asked dejectedly.
The noisy dining table was met with a bout of sudden silence.
Uh? What do you mean by transfer? Pretending to be oblivious, Mu Ssang asked back.
Dong-seons mom was scolding my teacher yesterday. My teacher couldnt even say anything and just cried, you see? So Dong-seons mom said that if the teacher doesnt transfer the violent girl right away, shell have the teacher chased out instead.
Oh? And who is this violent girl? Mu Ssang grinned brightly.
Aaaaing, dad! Dont be like this! Mom, you said my dad is so much higher than Dong-seons dad, right? Mina turned to look at Jin-soon next.
I did! Your dad is indeed so much higher in status.
Does that mean I dont have to transfer?
Of course~. My daughter doesnt want to transfer, so who would dare force her? No need to worry, child. Dong-seons mom wont show up at school anymore. Jin-soon reassured Mina. Mu Ssang went out last night, so the result was pretty much set in stone.
Really?
Come on now, have you ever seen your dad lying?
Ehehehe~. Thats true. Our dad never lies. Mina smiled brightly.
Once the family breakfast was over, Jin-soon whispered into Mu Ssangs ear. Did you throw him in the basement?
Yup. What a trash he was, too. And, as a bonus, Jang Chul Su from the Jang family and another corrupted civilian tagged along, too.
Are you thinking of sending them to Novatopia?
Yup. Keeping those rats here is too much waste of good rice, after all.
Oppa. I also want to live in Novatopia.
What? Why? Mu Ssang jumped up in surprise.
Didnt you say that Novatopia is a land of justice?
Yeah, but at the same time, its a rough, savage land, too.
Oppa. Im Jip-eun Daris original tough nut. Instead of this corrupted civilized society, I prefer living in the land of righteous savagery, you know. Sometimes, I feel so frustrated with the idea of living in this country.
Mu Ssang wordlessly stared at Jin-soon. He found it difficult to refute her. South Korea was undoubtedly a lot more stable and developed than Africa, but so many things about this country left you frustrated nevertheless.
Once the purple chicken comes back, Ill take you there. If you like it over there, you can stay. But if you like it here more, then you can always come back. Mu Ssang nodded and replied to her.
Most of those people with bad history with him had been taken care of, more or less, by now. And once he discovers his mothers current whereabouts, hed have even less of a reason to cling to this country.
Thanks, oppa! Jin-soons complexion brightened considerably.
She had an ulterior motive for asking him. A certain feeling of danger brought out this change in her. A feeling that if she continued to sit tight in Korea, shed die as an old spinster!
*
Mu Ssang went to the basement storage only on the following day.
Snap, poof-!
When he switched on the lights, he was greeted by shrill screams.
Waaaahoow?!
Three middle-aged men shielding their eyes with their hands were sticking very close to each other like a trio of barnacles.
The basement storage located 25m underground constantly maintained the temperature between 4~10 to preserve the cultural artifacts. A human body waking up from an alcoholic stupor felt coldness even more acutely than average. These three mustve been pitifully shivering away for the past one and half days.
Chapter 612 - Episode 23 Cause and Effect
Mu Ssang decided to leave them alone like this out of his great desire to screw them over, which is proving to be working out on its own.
These successful men needed less than two days to transform into complete Neanderthals who couldnt even form proper sentences. While animals can survive near-absolute zero temperatures, humans can barely endure 5 temperature. At this rate, even an 80-year old garbage collector would still be in better shape than this trio.
Wuhahaw?!
Uh-uh-uh!
Animal cries instead of human words were coming out of their mouths. The fear of darkness is one of a humans instinctive fears. Any human stuck in pitch-black darkness alone for some time wouldnt be able to preserve its humanity for long. Kim Dal-us and his companions were completely lost to the cold, hunger, thirst, and fear. As such, they couldnt help but treat the unknown man appearing before them now as their savior.
Tsk, tsk Totally out of it, eh. Mu Ssang tutted softly.
Once humans are stripped off any sign of civilization, they will become weak and frail. The sobbing noises coming from these middle-aged men were a a mix of desperation, relief, sadness, and happiness, that Mu Ssang could even feel a pang of pity towards them. It would be challenging to get a decent conversation out of them with their current state.
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Mu Ssang called out to Kamdoong. Hey, friend. Raise the temperature a bit!
Cant you just flip up the switch yourself?
I dont want to waste oil on them. Earn your keep!
You, Scrooge!
Wuuuoong-
Kamdoong fired up the wide-range ELF, resulting to powerful air circulation. The principle of the rise and fall of temperature is simple. If the molecule activity is high, the temperature will then increase. Otherwise, the reverse will happen.
The basements temperature rose in an instant.
Once their frozen bodies have thawed completely, the three mens eyes started to regain focus, and they hurriedly scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. Overall, the interior space seem to be around 100 pyeongs. (Just over 330 square meters.)
Besides the refrigeration units filling up one wall, the space was empty. After attempting but failing to gather more information to analyze their current situation, three pairs of eyes landed on Mu Ssang.
Fut! Mu Ssang chuckled softly to himself.
Those eyes were demanding answers. Now that their surrounding conditions have slightly improved, the old habits of the three men have started to resurface. A classic example of arrogant men who are used to ordering people around with just a point of their chins.
Kim Dal-su and his chums were angry at the man responsible without even knowing the severity of their situation.
Where are we? Kim Dal-su asked in a low voice.
Coming from living an elite, high society for the past couple of decades, his dignity has not wavered so easily. An ordinary civilian wouldve started to wonder why they were brought to this unfamiliar place to begin with, before wondering what they have done to deserve this.
Fut. Arent you curious about who I am? Mu Ssang smirked.
Who are you?
Do you remember, seven years ago, Jang Chi-soo provided you with fake evidence and testimonies against a mere high school student, and you imprisoned that kid for 205 days in a detention center. It was probably around the time before you rose to chief prosecutor.
I dont remember. And I do not need to remember. But you! How dare you imprison a serving prosecutor this way?! Release me right this instant before you f*ck up your life even further! Kim Dal-su roared out a chilling threat.
While Mu Ssang tilted his head at these ridiculous words, there was a sudden movement in the shadows by the basement corner. Which lowly bastard dares to disturb my sweet nap time!
Fwhoooosh-!
A liquid-like substance slammed viciously into Kim Dal-su.
Whoosh-
A small tornado swept across the basement.
Aaah?! The screaming Kim Dal-su was flung away, like a leaf caught in a storm. What struck him just now was a lump of air condensed by low-output ELF spread over a wide area.
Hey, dude. You mustnt kill him!
He wouldve been dead already if he wasnt your slave, friend. I have tried to hold back since he is your property. Yawn~! Kamdoong opened its mouth wide and yawned lazily. Spear-like fangs much longer than an adults finger gleamed sharply in the light. The three mens clattering teeth and pathetic whimpering were starting to get on Kamdoongs nerves.
The three men noticed Kamdoongs presence, and their jaws fell immediately to the floor. A black panther is already much more intimidating than a Siberian tiger but this, this had to be a monster in the shape of a black panther, since it could speak!
Heuh, euuuuh?! A, a, ghost?!
Its, its a monster!
Kim Dal-su and his companions shuddered in fear after realizing that they had been sharing this space with a horrifying existence. Finally, Kim Dal-su crawled away to a far corner. Jang Chul-su and President Jo also slowly backed off, desperately trying not to set off that black monster again.
Friend, didnt you say that humans will live longer the more they are cursed? Well, those bastards have been cursing you for the past two days, and it was quite a sight, Ill have you know. Kamdoong glanced at the humans, his eyes burning like lightning bolts, before returning to sleep.
Empty curses are useless. However, allow me to demonstrate what a real curse is. Sa-de-ju-il-wol so-mi-ro-yok-cheon beom-she-gak-il-cheon myeong-il-so-cheon-gye abracadabra! Mu Ssang raised his hands high, then chanted an unknown and incoherent jumble of a spell.
Duu-woong-
The resonance wave enveloped Jang Chul-sus face, compressed the air, and created a barrier.
Mu Ssangs go-to torture method is the All-Torture, which will break the victims fingers, slice off his flesh, and create the sensation of a plastic bag wrapped over the victims head. The first two cause direct pain and optical terror, while the plastic bag method adds in the element of terror of your impending death.
Euk?! W-whats going on here?! Unable to breathe, Jang Chul-su began clawing at his face. But, no matter how he tried, he still couldnt breathe.
It felt like something was blocking his nose and mouth, but his hands couldnt find anything. His diaphragm spasmed uncontrollably while his oxygen-deprived brain started to go crazy.
Kuwaaaahk! Jang Chul-su thrashed about like a madman, his complexion turning deadly blue.
When a perfectly-fine person starts to suddenly claw at their face and throat, while thrashing about like this, others would inevitably assume that this person had gone insane or has been cursed. The faces of both Kim Dal-su and President Jo started to lose all semblance of color.
Ill just let you have a taste of it for now. Mu Ssang waved his hand.
Jang Chul-su went slack like a discarded tissue, his breathing came in heavy and laborious pants.
Jang Chul-su, Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, age 55. 45th grandchild of the Jang family from Indong, the eldest son of Jang Kyeong-mo. Joined hands with Jang Pil-nyuh, Jang Gi-soo, and others to steal the Good Heart Textiles belonging to Bak In-bo, the husband of your fourth cousin. But when the struggle over the companys shares didnt go as you planned, you decided to scheme with Jang Pil-nyuh and the rest in poisoning Bak In-bo.
However, your attempt failed. And now, you are schemed with Kim Dal-su and the others to plan a fake tax investigation in hopes to find any irregularities. Just now, you were talking about mobilizing the Cheongsaechi gang to murder Bak In-bo. Am I correct so far?
Euh-hurhk?!
The face of Jang Chul-su, his breathing barely recovered, paled once more. Both Kim Dal-su and President Jo could only stare at Mu Ssang with horrified faces as they witness this spectacle.
W-who are you! Jang Chul-su cried out, his eyes starting to lose focus.
Im Bak In-bos nephew and the true owner of the Good Heart Textiles. Mu Ssang readily revealed his identity.
Keok?! Y-y-you are Bak Mu Ssang?! Jang Chul-sus eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
This man was the bastard that his older cousin, Jang Pil-nyuh, tried so hard to kill, again and again, only to fail each time. That cousin was always known to be a nasty and driven b*tch. But even she had to admit her defeat to this guy, saying that Mu Ssang was more evil than a viper, and more brutal than a whales tendons.
Hoh? The Vice-Governor even knows my name? I mustve become a bit of a celebrity, then! Mu Ssang smirked deeply.
M-Mister Bak, w-why dont we talk about this first?
Dont worry; Ill get back to you soon. Next up is Dear Chief Prosecutor Kim Dal-su!
Uh? Uuuh?! Kim Dal-sus complexion quickly went pale. He couldnt even speak coherently after realizing the urgency of the situation. All he could do was wave his hands desperately.
Oh, dont be like that. You and Jang Chul-su have been such good buddies in this life, so its only right that you should accompany him to the Underworld, too.
Duu-woong-
The resonance wave was activated once more.
Keeeh huk!
Kim Dal-sus situation was no different from Jang Chul-sus. First, his eyes bulged out of their sockets; he began to tumble madly around on the floor while clutching his throat.
Before Kim Dal-su could die though, Mu Ssang released the blockage on his breathing.
President Jo, you should also have a taste, right?
Uwaaah?!
Having witnessed the fate of the two men, President Jos complexion turned blue even before it happened. Unfortunately for him though, it did not prevent the plastic bag curse over his head.
Kim Dal-su, age 48. A chief prosecutor assigned to Daegus Eastern Branch Criminal Department. During your first year, your first post was at Daegu District Prosecutors Office, Andong Branch. The second year, Daegu Western Branch. The third year, Daegu Eastern Branch.
According to rumors, youre the classic example of a sponsor prosecutor. Using a borrowed name, you actually own several real estates throughout the country, amounting to a value of around one billion Won. During your time at the Western Branch, you were in charge of Bak Mu Ssangs rape and assault case. As a result, you received a hefty bribe from Jang Pil-nyuh, under the conditions of issuing a guilty verdict.
But, when you saw that the case would end with a probation ruling, you abused the regulations set for prisoners awaiting judgment, and imprisoned Bak Mu Ssang illegally. Am I correct so far?
I dont have any personal vendetta against you. I simply did my job as a prosecutor to get a conviction, thats all. If someones guilty about this, then its Sergeant Jang Chi-soo who tampered with the investigation. Even the money I received from Jang Pil-nyuh was nothing but small change. If you end this right now, Ill overlook everything that happened. Ill even give you one of my buildings. Kim Dal-su tried to plead his case while his face remained a mess of tears and snot.
Mu Ssang wordlessly glared at Kim Dal-su. This punk seemed to have lost sense of reality after being in a powerful position for too long.
What a corrupt bastard you are. Even if you work diligently and honestly your entire life, it would have still been a challenge to manage to buy a house. And yet you bastards own ten apartments and three buildings. Let me ask you something. Isnt your wealth made out of bribes from corrupted businessmen like him? Is it not the result of stealing from the blood, sweat, and tears of helpless commoners? I feel disgusted just talking to you.
Mu Ssang growled at Kim Dal-su, then shifted his glare over to President Jo, whose body was spread out on the floor. Blood seeped from his face after he clawed it with his own hands. His bulging stomach resembling a toad rose and fell like a pair of bellows.
Jo Sam-han, the president of Sin-gu Construction. Well known for being a big fish among the sponsors,and the Cheongsaechi gangs boss. A truly unlucky businessman who finds himself in this nightmare simply because you decided to mingle with Kim Dal-su and Jang Chul-su. Indeed, youre one unlucky son of a b*tch. Hehehe!
Uwah?! Jo Sam-han cried out like a wounded beast.
Just as Mu Ssang said, Jo Sam-han had never even met Mu Ssang until today! So if he were guilty of something, then it would be for entertaining this f*cking duo of Kim Dal-su and Jang Chul-su in Gaomi.
A sudden bolt of lightning flashed out of the blue! Jo Sam-han has never felt this aggrieved in his entire life.
Y-you might have bad blood with Prosecutor Kim and Vice-Governor Jang, but I dont even know who you are. In fact, this is our first time meeting each other. So please let me go.
Its a crime to mingle with criminals. Mu Ssang cut him off curtly.
M-Mister Bak, we live in a country governed by laws and regulations. You cant do this. If you think Im guilty of something, take me to a court of the law. Despite his trembling figure, Kim Dal-su managed to squeeze out what he wanted to say.
Shut up!
Mu Ssangs voice was low and heavy, yet the basement still rumbled ominously. Kim Dal-su and the rest writhed from the intense pain in their eardrums. They soon realized that this man before them was specialized in primal violence.
Kim Dal-su. You told me seven years ago that ones guilt was not decided by truth, but by a prosecutor. I shall return those words right back at you now. Whether or not you are guilty, the Angel of Death, the invincible Eastern Swordsman, will decide upon on it. And that would be me.
Mu Ssang then tossed a small notebook and a ball pen to each man.
From this moment on, you shall write down all the crimes you have committed so far, while following the five Ws and one H. (What, Why, Who, When, Where and How.) Particularly, list down all the bribes youve received so far and the current status of your wealth C you shall not leave out one banknote and not one single pyeong in your testimonies.
But before you begin, I shall tell you one more thing about myself. I am Dubaiburupa, who lords over all specters under the heavens. Its up to you whether you believe me or not, but regardless, you will suffer the kind of pain of having your entire nervous system ripped out and your four limbs crushed, while stuck in an eternal limbo of life and death. You will submit your homework in two hours.
The 350mm thick metal door made of titanium alloy slammed shut in front of the trios eyes. And just like that, what remains are the dazed looks of three middle-aged men, a horrifying monster, and the echoes of an inconceivably scary threat.
*
Exactly two hours later, Mu Ssang returned to the basement along with Gim Geuk-do. The latter was stunned by the existence of this underground facility, but managed not to show it on his face. His master was definitely an unparalleled and unmatched existence in this world. It shouldnt have been a surprise to him that Mu Ssang would own such a facility.
Mu Ssang only took one glance at the testimonies compiled by the three men before tossing them aside. Unsurprisingly, villains were cut from a different cloth. Even after finding themselves in a scary situation where their life was being threatened, these three men still tried to justify their actions in any way possible.
Looks like you didnt take my warning seriously.
Zzziiing-
One side of the walls suddenly opened up wide.
Hoo! Gim Geuk-do inadvertently let out a gasp, while Kim Dal-su and the other stared in shock, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
The exposed recess in the wall was filled to the brim with grenade launchers and an antitank gun, numerous machine guns, assault rifles, pistols, and other various firearms. That wasnt all. There were whips that seem too big even for a person to wield, a Kukri blade scary enough to send shivers down your spine at the sight of it, and other weapons could also be found alongside the firearms.
J-just who are you?! Kim Dal-su barely managed to squeeze out his question. What he was witnessing is an unprecedented and utterly unimaginable situation in the whole of South Korea.
The Angel of Death!
A soul-chilling reply came his way. A cold, uncaring tone caused the temperature in the basement to drop. Gim Geuk-do shuddered involuntarily. This was the true face of his master, not the man who would lovingly humor a little girls bad behavior, not the man who would put on an apron and attempt to cook, even as Lady Jin-soon was scolding him from the side
How unfortunate. I wasnt planning to cripple a trio of old men, but now Mu Ssang raised his hand. A dark-red club 1.5m long that was earlier hanging on the wall flew out and landed on his waiting hand.
Whoosh, whoosh-!
The club tore through the air. Gim Geuk-do stared at Kim Dal-su and the others with eyes full of sympathy. Was this the Soul-Returning Pain Administration? Soon, the dark-red club designed to bring back the scattering soul, the Soul Returning Club, was about to make its appearance.
Gim Geuk-do was reminded again of how he almost got slapped to death by that thing.
The complexions of Kim Dal-su and the others turned pale-white with fright. Memories of the horrifying pain from two hours ago flooded their brains. The pain they were about to experience should be just as bad, if not worse. And while the law is far away, the club was right in front of their eyes. They should at least try to survive this first and foremost.
I, Ill write again!
Ill be more thorough this time!
Im sorry, I made a mistake. Please dont hurt me!
Kim Dal-su and the others pleaded desperately with Mu Ssang, their real, undisguised faces finally revealed.
This childish behavior disgusted Mu Ssang so much that he immediately started swearing. Its too late for that. This is made from the sinews of a dinosaur that used to roam the Earth 150 million years ago. Consider it an honor!
Craaack-! Riiiip-!
Kuwaaaahk!
No! Dont kill me!
The entire basement shook from the wretched screams and the rhythmic hitting noises unique to the All-Torture technique. The Soul-Returning Pain Administration reinforced ones physique, but the All-Torture tore apart ones body into pieces. The external injuries may seem like reddish bruises on the outside, but the technique injured bones, muscles, and even internal organs.
In just three minutes, Kim Dal-su and his friends vomited blood and sagged onto the floor like a trio of corpses.
Geuk-do!
Yes, my master!
Gim Geuk-do inadvertently mouthed the word, master, even though he was already warned not to use it. But this is because he has yet to recover from the shock of witnessing the Soul-Returning Pain Administration carried out by this completely different beast.
Hey, dude, do you think were still living in the Joseon era?
Ah, my apologies, big brother!
What I showed you was Higashi Honganjis All-Torture technique.
Ive heard about it before, big brother. And it certainly is merciless, isnt it Gim Geuk-do replied, shuddering.
Ill teach you when I have the time. In any case, inside that fridge are combat rations and drinking water. Use your massaging technique to loosen their bodies. And once they come to, give them something to eat. And bring their properly-written testimonies to me in four hours.
Yes, sir. As long as I dont kill them, that should be fine?
Chapter 613 - Episode 24 Cause and Effect
Kim Dal-su and his friends flinched noticeably.
The All-Torture technique was undeniably effective. When a person has reached a point where they couldnt hold back their excrement anymore, and have also discharged half of their bodies fluids, theyre inevitably resigned to whatever is to come. Whether they die or not doesnt matter anymore, because they are only focused on escaping from their current state.
If they die, they will never see the sunlight again. But if they survive, theyll see the day now, wont they? Mu Ssang threw out some words nonchalantly, before leaving the basement.
Kim Dal-su flinched again. Those words He used to say that all the time. In his line of work, assaulting defendants, slapping witnesses around, even abusing suspects to the point of getting their bones and eardrums broken or torn apart are all common occurences.
Without even realizing it, Kim Dal-su started to tear up. But they were not tears of sympathy from putting himself in his victims shoes. Those people were mere commoners, born with clay spoons in their mouths. And Kim Dal-su is a noble-born, fed with not just some typical silver spoon, but a gold one!
Instead he was reminiscing his life: to have absolute authority to do whatever he wants. To be strong financially that when his son mistakenly threw away a bundle of 100 million Won, he could just easily laugh it off. To be able to sleep with two women at once what a wonderful, dream-like life it was! It is the fear of dying, and the thought of possibly leaving this wonderful life behind that has made him shed tears of resentment.
It was the same case for Jang Chul-su and President Jo. They know that in order to return to their previous, wonderful life filled with absolute power, they had to satisfy this insane bastard.
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Even before Gim Geuk-do could do anything, the pens of Kim Dal-su and his friends rushed through the papers surface like streaks of lightning. Almost miraculously, they remembered everything, even the name of the person who bought them a bowl of ox bone soup ten years ago, and the face of the person who gifted them with rings for their kids first birthday parties.
Gim Geuk-do lived up to his nickname of razor blade by remaining sharp and relentless. With his persistent nagging, Kim Dal-su and the others shed thick tears while jotting down their personal history until their arms have gone numb. However, unfortunately for them, this was just the beginning of a rough and lengthy road that they had to overcome.
*
Whats wrong with this thing?
Mu Ssang stopped listening to Ombutis report over the phone and tilted his head.
The phones reception had gotten worse, and it was not because call were piling up on the lines. The difference can be so small that ordinary people would not be able to detect it, but Mu Ssangs hearing could rival that of a hound, and he managed to pick it up without any problem.
Mu Ssang put the receiver down without warning, and decided to listen to the rest of the report through the encoded phone which was using a separate line. He doesnt usually use this phone line because there is a slight delay, and he didnt want to expose the contents to DGSE. But at least here, he didnt notice any drop in reception.
Mu Ssang grew suspicious then. He tested the reception of the regular phone by calling a Chinese restaurant and asked about the price of jajangmyeon, ordered some fried chicken, and tried to get in touch with Emil by making an international call. Definitely, the lines reception wasnt great. Particularly with the international call, the drop-in reception was easily noticeable.
Son of a gun! Could it be?
Immediately, Mu Ssang disassembled the phones receiver. He found an extra transmitter added to the signal sender, which has reduced the radio frequency intensity, leading to a drop-in reception. His suspicion was right. A transmitter the size of a 100 Won coin was stuck inside the phones receiver.
Wow! we got a man with a death wish right here! Dunno who it is, but he sure wants to die soon, huh.
He was dumbfounded that someone managed to sneak into the study of the one and only Black Mamba. Mu Ssang immediately headed to the main hall. Just as he thought, he found another transmitter hidden in the main halls telephone as well.
Mu Ssang narrowed his eyes. Six young women are living in the main house. Young Mina and Young-sook are staying here, too. If the intruder had been some pervert or maybe an armed robber, then Mu Ssang wouldve lamented his shortcoming for the rest of his life. He could finally understand why a predator would go mad upon discovering that another creature has invaded its territory.
How did they get in, though?
Could someone be daring enough to infiltrate Eungsim-je and install these listening devices? Only one person is good enough to slip past Mu Ssangs perception and enter this place, and that was his master. Even if Mu Ssang wasnt home, Kamdoong was in the basement. And after the Soul-Returning Pain Administration had sharpened his senses, Gim Geuk-do has also become a force to reckon with.
Most importantly, though, all those people who have held grudges against Mu Ssang were currently overseas. Choi Do-shik was in tatters, while the FROLINAT rebels, Bansiri, and the ANO agents who have managed to run away, Kamuge, the Chinese operatives, and the CIA didnt know anything about the ties between Sbard Gulbeig and Bak Mu Ssang. They also didnt have any reason to come to South Korea.
[Hey, Kamdoong. Are you asleep?]
Mu Ssang immediately called Kamdoong. The latters scouting range is four kilometers. So as long as the intruder is still here, Kamdoong would definitely have detected his presence.
[Why are you calling me? I got fed up with these cheap humans crying like babies, so I moved to the storage. But, you know what, I think I prefer gold over the hwamunseok. I shouldve used gold as my bed from the get-go.]
Mu Ssang was dumbfounded again. To Kamdoong, gold was nothing but some material to make up its bed.
[Hey, you. How can you sleep when my house got shaken up? But, hey, you arent slacking off, are you?]
[Aha, so thats what they mean when they talk about shaking the girls up. Yesterday, Jin-soon made a call and three men came to repair the electrical fault. They talked about one wired bug in the sarang-che, another one in the main house, and five wireless bugs here and there. Is that a problem?]
[Urgh. Give me a break, will you? Got it.]
Mu Ssang was frustrated. Kamdoong the Adras has gone too far this time. Seemed like some punks disguised as electricians have installed a few listening devices around the house and quietly retreated. Because of that, Kamdoong most likely didnt see the need to question it.
Must be the National Security Agency rats, then.
The culprits were too obvious. Only the National Security Agency would strategically switch off the power, disguise as repairmen and infiltrate the target location. Anyway, he managed to find the wired bugs, but the wireless ones would prove more difficult.
The resonance wave and the Dimensional Sight were not that all-powerful. For example, he couldnt use resonance waves to locate devices the size of fingernails. Meanwhile, Dimensional Sight wouldnt be able to detect non-living objects either. But then, to just rummage through the vast house didnt seem like a practical solution either. Mu Ssang didnt want to trouble Jin-soon, after all.
*
Mu Ssang urgently requested for a listening device detector from the French embassy. He couldve asked Aubagnes Emil or Bell Man, the arms dealer, but that would take too much time.
The detector arrived around five hours later. Mu Ssang used it to find all five American-made wireless listening devices. These were only about twice the size of a fingernail. The bugs were found inside an orchid pot, the sink drainage, underneath the dressing tables drawer, a fire detector, and a hi-fi speaker respectively. Still, he wanted to be absolute sure, and even combed through every nook and cranny of the separate buildings, which took him three hours in total.
Hmm. You were the one who started this, not me. However, Im going to play by my rules. Mu Ssang gritted his teeth.
The National Security Agency existed for the sole purpose of handling anti-Communist investigations and also, analyzing overseas activities. So it was already unfair that the agency siphoned off the overseas operations budget and used them as pocket money for the regime, who uses their information network to monitor their political enemies. Yet, to think that they even have the guts to snoop around an innocent citizens private life!
Unforgivable.
In the meantime, the National Security Agency, as well as the team leader responsible for planting these bugs, have made it to the Black Mambas hit list. Of course, although Jeong Pil-su was merely trying to justify his tax-financed salary by performing his job faithfully, he managed to get his name added to the list too.
*
Just what the hell is the real identity of this dude? And what is Dubaiburupa? Which country uses that kind of name? Could he be a king in exile or something?
Jeong Pil-su couldnt help but raise these questions while staring at the report compiled by the wiretapping technician. He didnt know a lick of French, so there was no point in directly listening to the phone conversations. However, the contents of the summarized report were definitely something to behold.
The report contained a lot of things: the refugee camp beyond the border being extended to increase the number of people they can admit, the production of biodiesel from jatropa rising by 50%, a company-sized military force sighted moving around on Bachilkile located northeast of Ennedi Plateau, the production of oil from the Doba oilfields increasing by 20%, or the royal palace construction reaching its final stage, etc
Jeong Pil-su couldnt make heads nor tails of this report.
He got slightly ticked off by this. He resorted to use petty tricks to successfully plant listening devices, but he still didnt get what he was looking for. The conversations and phone calls were all about exceedingly regular, everyday stuff. Athought there was that one international call, but it got cut out halway, making it difficult to understand its contents.
But just going by the contents of that call, Bak Mu Ssang was either an internationally-connected entrepreneur or a king of some nation. But, of course, one shouldnt take these things at surface level. The world of espionage always had double, triple layers of deception on everything, after all.
Could it be that North Koreas State Political Security Department had set up a branch in a foreign country, and was training for a special agent to be dispatched to the South? Or, was the CIA performing a high-level operation to overthrow the South Korean regime? All sorts of hypotheses entered Jeong Pil-sus head.
As Yi Dae-desk had pointed out earlier, Jeong Pil-su was definitely getting way ahead of himself.
*
Clink-
The bell dangling on the coffee shops entrance rang out.
Welcome! Jeong Pil-su bowed deeply.
Deputy Chief. We couldnt find much, sir.
Unfortunately, the person who just entered the shop was not a customer, but one of his agents returning from an assignment. Jeong Pil-su shot a glare at his subordinate. The agent, Kim Si-work, felt like hed develop stage-4 cancer just simply from his superiors glare.
Jang Chi-soo has a super bad history with Bak Mu Ssang, man. He must know something, so how come?
Sergeant Jang Chi-soo, who commanded the Baekgol-dan to invade the library, was fired. However, he was merely following the order of his chief then, who in turn had received a request for cooperation from the National Security Agency. In other words, he should have been able to get off with a light slap on the wrist, at most a transfer to another branch, but definitely not outright dismissal.
Jeong Pil-so wanted to smack Kim Si-wuk for returning empty-handed.
Sir, Jang Chi-soo is suffering from aphasia. How do you expect me to communicate properly with a critically-ill patient suffering from aphasia, sir? And when I told his wife that I was his friend, she glared at me as if she wanted to strangle me right there and then. She glared at me as if I were an auntie from a church knocking on her door on an early Sunday morning to spread the gospel I thought Id get cancer from her glare, sir.
Kim Si-wuk sneakily dissed at Jeong Pil-su just then.
You dumbass, if that guy was really suffering from aphasia, why didnt you try to converse through writing?! Jeong Pil-su angrily roared at his subordinate.
That was hopeless, too. That guy began having wild convulsions when he heard the name Bak Mu Ssang, sir. How can he able to write anything in that state?
Eiji, dammit. Nothing seems to work in our favor whenever that man is involved, isnt it! Is he some tangled-up spool of thread or something?! Jeong Pil-sus expression crumpled in sheer irritation.
When one gets distracted while spinning a spool of thread, the thread would get tangled up in the hook and turn into a hot mess. Jeong Pil-su needed to make a report to the branch manager soon, but he had no idea how to untangle all the messy threads.
He requested the chief of Dongbu Police Station for information, but all he got in return was stuff he already knew, plus some other inessential fluff. Requests for more detailed information were met with We dont know anything.
It has been a while since the police became the National Security Agencys junior organization. So if they said they dont know, they really dont know anything.
Jeong Pil-su even summoned the detectives involved in the case and interviewed them, but not one of them said anything that could put Bak Mu Ssang in a bind. Instead, they all parroted the same line about Bak Mu-ssang being an excellent diplomat and a man with a gracious heart. Threatening them didnt work, either C the detectives forgot about their stations and advised Jeong Pil-su and the rest that continuing would only further affect international relations negatively.
But half of Jeong Pil-sus irritation stemmed from a deeply personal reason. Six women were tasked with waking Bak Mu Ssang up in the morning, cleaning his house, massaging his shoulders, or making his beds. The voice analysis they were using revealed that all of them were young, vibrant women in their late teens to early twenties.
Here he is, already past his thirties but still not knowing the warmth of a girlfriend. In the meantime, this other bastard lived with a flashy harem of six young, vibrant girls attending to his every need. This sense of deprivation was making Jeong Pil-su tear up.
By the way, who are those two little girls, anyway?
No matter how Jeong Pil-su sliced it, Bak Mu Ssang seemed like a total enigma. While Jeong Pil-su was chewing his nails in anguish, wondering what to do next, an agent came down from the third floor. Deputy Chief, all the bugs have gone offline, sir.
Wha? Wired, wireless, all of them? Jeong Pil-su began growling like a old woman who hadnt eaten for three days straight.
Yes, sir. The signal just got cut off not too long ago.
Huh-uh. This is driving me nuts! Jeong Pil-su plopped down on a nearby stool.
If all seven bugs, both wired and wireless went offline, it could only mean that their target had used a wiretap detector. That bastard was no advisor. He had to be a spy. And not just any spy, but a high-ranking one, too.
Fine! Ill show you what Im capable of! Jeong Pil-su slammed his palm down on the counter and got up.
Even the branch manager had acknowledged Jeong Pil-sus ability to find a target. Shadowing Bak Mu-ssang would be a tiresome affair, but this wasnt Jeong Pil-sus first rodeo either.
And just like that, Jeong Pil-su ended up digging his own grave.
*
Aigoo~, thats so great! I shall make you crawl for the rest of your life as a token of my appreciation.
Mu Ssang stared at his cars rearview mirror and inwardly began singing in ecstasy. Suddenly, a Daewoo Lemans just showed up as if to tail him, only for it to be replaced by a Hyundai Pony soon after. Two punks: one with a mouse-like pointy lower face, and the other, a well-built man with a good-looking face, were tailing Mu Ssang while regularly exchanging cars.
Unfortunately for them, Mu Ssang could easily determine even the eye color of a fly resting on a drivers forehead 50m behind him. So the two cars alternatively tailing him would be totally wasting their time and energy.
It would be easy to lose the two cars tailing him, given the Citro?n he was driving, but Mu Ssang continued to drive slowly. He was thinking of seeking out the rat hole anyway, so he wanted to thank the rats for willingly showing up first this time.
Hehehe. Youll be drinking gruel for the rest of your lives.
Mu Ssang planned to capture the tailing agents and pull out all of their teeth. Humans, like animals, derive much pleasure from eating food. Itd cost a fortune in hospital fees if all of your teeth got pulled out, and just as important, youd also suffer the tragedy of never enjoying solid food ever again. The difference between ones natural teeth and dentures was similar to the gap between a rifle and a Minimi machine gun.
No need to drag this any longer, he thought. Mu Ssang parked his Citro?n by the entrance of a food alley located behind the Daegu Department Store, then stepped into the gallery itself.
Jeong Pil-su hurriedly closed the distance. The food alley was in the main street and teemed with the evening crowd. One mistake, and hed lose his target.
Mu Ssangs steps came to a halt in front of an open stall. Nothing beats a bowl of hot, steaming oden as a snack when the cold winter winds began to blow in. It seemed like the perfect thing to soothe his hollow heart. Red dried chilies and white spring onion roots were floating in the oden soup, served inside a square stainless steel bowl, and topped off with several blue crabs.
Even at a casual glance, the basics looked alright. The odens fish content was always important, of course, but something just as crucial would be the taste of the broth. If the soup had significant bits of radish and kelp, then it would have been a mistake. In order to get a thick, rich soup that also tasted clean and pure, kelp and radish has to be removed.
Auntie! Twenty odens, please!
Haigoo, are you planning to fill yourself up with oden, young man? A well-rounded auntie grinned and welcomed Mu Ssang.
It seemed like today was a good one for her. Earlier in the evening, a customer calling himself the Oden Killer had ordered thirty oden skewers, and now, yet another big customer had shown up at her stall.
Auntie, thats twenty-two, isnt it? Mu Ssang pointed at the skewers dipped inside the stainless steel soup bowl.
Haigoo, youve noticed it, eh? Im just giving you extra since youre a handsome young man!
Thank you for the free food, auntie.
Mu Ssang leisurely scooped up the hot soup with a plastic bucket, blew on it for it to cool down, then proceeded to munch on the oden skewers. Who knew that the man, by whom Novatopias citizens worshipped as their gods, Dubaiburupa and the Angel of Death that drenched Africa and the Middle East in blood, was just a regular young Korean youth who enjoyed eating oden in the local market.
Chapter 614 - Episode 25 Cause and Effect
The Korean dictionary defines oden as eomuk aka fish cakes, but this is actually wrong.
Eomuk is an ingredient that is the same classification as the Japanese kamaboko, which is a type of cured surimi. However, oden is a dish where a mixture of kamaboko, fried tofu, daikon radish, devils tongue jelly among others are skewered on sticks, and cooked in a broth of jangguk. (clear soybean soup)
In other words, eomuk (kamaboko) is simply just one of the ingredients in oden. But, if one follows the dictionarys definition, a bowl of oden soup would be a bowl of fish cake soup instead.
Borrowed words have integrated themselves deeply into our everyday lives, and have become part of popular culture. Oden is a cheap meal that was meant to fill up a persons hungry heart during the difficult times throughout Koreas history. The most common image of oden is one where hungry laborers are found surrounding a steaming nickel-silver pot while feasting on oden.
A shabby food cart that was fashioned from a handcart, inexpertly covered with planks and a tarpaulin. A coal briquette brazier coughing out toxic gas fumes, with carbide lamps hanging overhead to chase the darkness of the night away. The creaking chairs covered in stains. The rough-looking but expert hands of an auntie as she poured the steaming bowl of broth amidst this shabby backdrop
All these impressionable details and textures would always accompany oden as a fond memory of the past.
*
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Mu Ssangs eyes lingered on the aunties rough hands. Those were beautiful hands used to raise her kids and to protect her home. How heavy a weight and burden has been placed on those hands!
A soft grin floated to his lips. The auntie grinned sheepishly and slowly hid her hands.
Auntie, how many kids do you have?
Eh-whew~, somehow I ended up with five kids. Every day is a bit of Hell, you know?
Sounds tough. What about your hubby, auntie?
Its been over two years since he injured his back in a construction site and was forced to stay at home. Auntie turned her head slightly and quickly wiped a tear off her eyes. It was definitely a story that will tug at your heartstrings.
It mustve been tough, auntie.
Its my job to look after my family, of course. So I need to persevere to be able to afford my hubbys medicine and to send my kids to school. Auntie grinned energetically.
That was a smile of a strong and brave mother. For a moment there, Mu Ssang recalled the hostesses from Gaomi, as well as Kim Dal-su and his companions who are currently being whipped into shape by Gim Geuk-do. People who chose to make an honest living are always beautiful to behold.
*
That dudes pretty swift, isnt he? Mu Ssang smirked as he glanced briefly at the agent assigned to tail him was loitering around in front of a food cart about ten meters behind him.
While he was enjoying oden, the agents attire changed again. His face now sprouted a new beard, his brown leather jacket is replaced by a grey parka, while his beret turned into a baseball cap. This man was meticulous, but he chose the wrong target to mess with today.
Tailing someone is an unfulfilling, tiresome hard labor. While Mu Ssang sat here leisurely filling his stomach, the agent following him had no choice but to keep his eyes wide open and stare at his target all day to make sure he wont slip away. The agent also has to worry about his disguises, and he has to endure the smell of the delicious food yet fight back their hunger.
Did that idiot know that all this hard work was just a massive waste of his time? Now that Mu Ssang had filled his stomach, it seemed like a good time to greet his guest.
Auntie, that was great. Thank you for the extra serving, too. Mu Ssang gulped down the warm broth, then left.
Sure thing. Thank you for stopping by!
Mu Ssang pushed a cheque with 300,000 Won written on the surface towards her.
W-what is this?! I, I dont have enough change, though?
The auntie pointed at the price list hanging on the wall with a troubled face. Twenty oden skewers would only amount to 2,000 Won. To be able to earn 10,000 Won until dawn would already be considered a good day for her. Unfortunately, she didnt have enough money to give as change for such a large-sum cheque.
Auntie, you should use the change to buy your kids Christmas gifts. Mu Ssang grabbed the reddened hands of the auntie and placed the cheque within.
Goodness me! The stunned aunties eyes opened wide.
There are no hands as beautiful as yours, that you have been using to support your home and feed your children, auntie. And also, having a tough day isnt Hell. Hell is when you have lost all hope for the future. So I will stop by again next time. Mu Ssang grinned brightly at her, before lifting the tarpaulin flap to exit the stall.
Aigoo, this isnt right, young man! The auntie freaked out and tried to chase after him.
But Mu Ssang didnt even glance back and simply waved his hand before blending into the evening crowd.
My hands are beautiful, you say?
The auntie raised her hands to take a closer look. Her hands, blistered and red from the heat, didnt look pretty. The young mans hands were even softer and smoother than her own granddaughters hand, who had just began to walk recently.
Youre right, young man. My kids are my treasure and my hope.
Tears came into the aunties eyes. She pictured the delighted faces of her hubby and five kids once they have received their presents. A warm feeling began to fill up her chest. She thought shed never forget the moment when the young man held her hands.
*
Huh? Why is he coming out?
Jeong Pil-su was flustered. He didnt expect the target to just eat a couple of oden and leave. He was supposed to swap his position with Kim Si-work in the next alley without detection, but the situation had suddenly and urgently changed.
Yet Jeong Pil-su quickly cooled his head and walked forward calmly. He planned to just walk past his target and calmly hand the proverbial baton over to Kim Si-wuk, who is on standby in the next alley.
Jeong Pil-su followed faithfully to the rules of How to Tail a Target 101, but this time, this target was his worst match. Mu Ssang was capable of reading a persons brainwaves and blood flow. So even if you disguised yourself, no, even if you went through cosmetic surgery to alter the shape of your skull and the color of your skin, even if you change your gender, it would all be useless. Even if you try to change your body odor, the atmosphere you ooze out, or your attitude through whatever special way, he would still be able to see through you.
*
As Jeong Pil-su was three, maybe four steps away from walking past Mu Ssang, he suddenly flinched. His breathing suddenly clogged up, and a pain that is akin to having his whole body disintegrating just flooded his senses. He quickly scanned around for his target, but he was well out of reach.
Whats going on here?
Jeong Pil-su opened his mouth, but his paralyzed vocal cords couldnt make any noise. The lights coming from the carbide lamps on either side of the alley began to spin in his vision. His consciousness began to fade away, as if he was sinking into a deep pool of water. it felt similar to symptoms of acute hypoglycemia, but he doesnt have diabetes.
Ah, f*ck! This is bad!
Jeong Pil-su started to curse his arrogance for underestimating a monster who is capable of firing a ballpen at subsonic speed. He thought he was tailing his target, but he was actually being led around. Desperately, he tried to cling onto his fading consciousness. But soon, his vision turned pitch-black darkness.
Uh-huh, whats gotten into you, man? I said you should have only one round of booze! Mu Ssang caught Jeong Pil-su as he collapsed like an empty sack. He placed the latter under his arms, and left the alley while whistling away.
This alley is filled with folks who pass out or get sick after drinking a bit too much. So to anyone who witnessed this scene, Mu Ssang looked just like a loyal friend looking after his drunk buddy.
Huh?! Where did they go?!
Both the target and Jeong Pil-su disappeared like smoke. Kim Si-wuk hurriedly ran around the alley and jumped through the crowd like a grasshopper being chased by a scythe. He continued to circle the bustling promenade like an ant that has lost its feelers.
*
Euh, much!
Jeong Pil-su regained consciousness from the freezing cold. His mind was still hazy, as if a fog had just settled in there. He instinctively tried to move his fingers. No matter what the crisis was, one had to know the current state of ones body first before dealing with the situation.
What is going on here!?
There was no need to check where he was. He was in the middle of a mountain, the clear moonlight descending like a waterfall. He was dragged into a terrifying location, where the eerie silence was intermittently broken by hoots of an owl, rustling noises of the wind brushing past tree branches, and a small animal scurrying away.
He found himself dangling from a tree branch like a straw raincoat. Finally, he regained full consciousness and felt like his wrists were breaking off and his arms were getting yanked out. At that moment, he noticed embers flying up to the night sky. He narrowed his eyes and tried to focus his vision.
Someone was sitting in front of a campfire. To think that some bastard dared to tie up a National Security Agency operative at his wrists and dangle him from a tree! Only a lunatic would dare do such a thing. Jeong Pil-su wanted to crack open the skull of that bastard whos done this.
You woke up sooner than expected. A weighty voice rumbled through the night air.
Who the hell are you?
Its me!
The lunatic turned his head. However, the torso remained still, so only his head spun around 180 degrees like an owl to look up at Jeong Pil-su. I reminded him of a scene straight out of that movie, Omen, when the little girl possessed by the devil spun her head around.
Jeong Pil-su was creeped out. A human is not an owl, after all.
Ugh?! Bak Mu Ssang? Jeong Pil-su cried out.
It wouldve been better if he were speaking to a devil. Things will be much more complicated if Bak Mu Ssang was indeed responsible for his current situation. Jeong Pil-sus solar plexus ached murderously from Mu Ssangs punches, while his shoulders screamed in pure agony.
How long has he been out? Jeong Pil-su looked up at the sky. A full moon shone brightly, while the faint light of Venus could be spotted leaning towards the west. It seemed to be around one in the morning, judging from the angle. He got caught around eleven or so, which meant he had been dangling around for almost one to two hours.
As he figured out more and more of his situation, the pain seemed to worsen.
The delicious aroma of meat stimulated Jeong Pil-sus olfactory senses. That bastard used a portable gas stove with a flat stone on top to grill meat. The smell of juicy pork belly assaulted Jeong Pil-sus nose mercilessly. Now that he thought about it, he didnt even have supper today.
Slurp, suck
The sound of oily fingers being licked clean wafted towards Jeong Pil-su. The combined assault on his senses of both smell and hearing has caused his stomach to rumble in pain.
That bastard, didnt he already gorge on oden earlier? And yet, he is eating again now? Is he possessed by a starving ghost or something?
Inwardly, Jeong Pil-su hurled all sorts of curses. But he was right. A starving ghost indeed possessed Mu Ssang.
*
Oii. I brought you to this quiet place so that we can have a nice little chat, just between the two of us. Youre feeling a bit uncomfortable over there, am I right? Mu Ssang yapped on in a snide tone.
Jeong Pil-sus brows shot up. Finally, he swallowed back his retort and said: Would you be comfortable in my shoes, you punk?!
Well you got yourself in this mess, so what can I do? Just bear with it for the time being. Mu Ssang swallowed the meat, then turned his head to look away.
You you!
If he was just going to say that, why did he ask in the first place?! Jeong Pil-su wanted to shoot back with a retort of his own, but the cold air suddenly froze his jaw, and he didnt want to follow commands.
Say the right words, will you! Keep yelling in the middle of the night, and the mountain guardians spirit will get annoyed with you. So lets just chat like civilized folk and eat some meat, eh? Even I cant polish off a boar on my own, you know.
A blade flashed sharply against the light.
Slice-
A piece of meat separated from the large black object and floated into the air.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-!
Light flashed several times. Thinly-sliced pieces of meat landed perfectly on the flat stone as if from a magic trick.
Huk?!
Jeong Pil-sus eyes opened wide. That wasnt like any magic show being shown on regular TV. Is that bastard even human?! Jeong Pil-su instinctively tried to rub his eyes, but his hands were still tied above his head. Now that he took a closer look, the black object he thought was a boulder turned out to be a giant boar.
Not only was finding a boar difficult, it was even much more difficult to catch one. So just what was the real identity of Bak Mu Ssang?! The ex-convict Bak Mu Ssang? Sbard Gulbeig, Frances cultural advisor? Or the mysterious Dubaiburupa?
Jeong Pil-su felt like his head was about to explode.
If you dont want to talk, why dont you just cross the River Styx, then! Mu Ssang suddenly aimed a pistol at him. Its pitch-black muzzle was pointing at Jeong Pil-sus forehead.
What is that thing, again?
Jeong Pil-su stared dazedly at the black hole pointing at him. The sudden change in the situation temporarily paralyzed him.
Huh-quick!
Jeong Pil-sus yelp came one beat later. The gun that was holding is the Beretta that shouldve been hidden under his jacket. The round hole of the silencer looked like a hole leading to the Underworld. A tool is just a tool, after all. In an opponents hand, a trustworthy weapon turns into a vile item that could threaten the life of its owner.
Arent you supposed to be a National Security Agency agent, so why are you so scared?
Jeong Pil-su nearly blew his top at Mu Ssangs snarky remark. He was yelping not because of the gun pointed at him, but out of his fear of Yi Dae-deoks fists. To think that his weapon was stolen by a civilian What a humiliation this was, and definitely deserving of getting himself beaten to death.
Whoa, whoa. Lets calm down here, shall we.
Jeong Pil-su was always favored because of his ballsiness and his ability to resolve issues in various situations. However, he needed to find a way to calm his opponent down first for the time being. If the agitated opponent got provoked too much, hed end up as a ghost in no time at all.
Calm down? Why should I calm down, though? Mu Ssang tilted his head.
I work for the National Security Agency.
I already know.
If something happens to me, its not gonna be nice for you, either.
You dont have to worry about my welfare like a nosy aunt.
Jeong Pil-sus opponent didnt even budge. The guns nozzle remained pointing to the same spot, too. Then again, a man with the status of cultural advisor wouldnt be scared of the National Security Agency. Wasnt that the main reason how he got into this sh*t show?
I apologize for tailing you. Lets have a good and sincere talk about resolving this issue. In the end, Jeong Pil-su had to lower his guard.
Being sincere is good. Even my father used to say that being sincere is the perfect way to calm an angry opponent. However, are you sincere enough to calm me down? Even though you mustve been in the Nat-Sec for quite some time now?
Jeong Pil-su was internally riled up. Mu Ssang implied that every person working in the National Security Agency was insincere and dishonest.
I am sincere. Take that away from me, and I would just be a corpse! Jeong Pil-su yelled out. A bird, woken up by his yell, flew away in a hurry.
You dumbass. Be as wily as you want, but its useless. Only owls will hear your cries in this place, you see.
Their current location is at Hwajeong village. More specifically, it is a spot near town where he had once dug a pit to bury Hwa-ja all those years ago. Never mind a loud yell, Jeong Pil-su could fire his gun here, and no one would even hear him.
Mu Ssang took out a vinyl bag from his pocket. Ah, is that why you have planted all these bugs in my house? Two wired and five wireless bugs. Seven in total.
Bak Mu Ssang, lets negotiate. First of all, Im at fault here. Jeong Pil-su squeezed his eyes shut.
This was the worst possible situation. If this punk lodged an official complaint through the French embassy, it would definitely cause one hell of a ripple. This incident wouldnt just end with an apology from the countrys president. but Korea would have to suffer an international humiliation. In the meantime, there was a good chance that the National Security Agency might get disbanded.
No need to get that nervous, fellow. Before I was a French diplomat, I was a Korean. Is that why you idiots keep hanging around me? Although I dont hold much affection for this country, I still dont want to see it humiliated by foreigners. A wife who has been cheated on by her man still gets angry when someone badmouths him, you know.
T-thank you! Jeong Pil-su bowed his head without even realizing it. As long as Mu Ssang didnt try to raise a diplomatic fuss, this situation could be resolved one way or another.
No need to thank me. Ill be handling this matter my way, after all. First of all, well talk after I hit you a couple of times. One hit per listening device. How about it?
Oi, oi. Hey, lets calm down and talk first.
Having gained a bit of an upperhand, Jeong Pil-su returned to being a slippery eel. Getting beaten up was part of resistance-to-torture techniques that have been drilled into him every year since his newbie days. So getting hit seven times wouldnt even leave a scratch on him.
Unfortunately, he had no idea the severity of Hell that was about to be unleashed.
Chapter 615 - Episode 26 Cause and Effect
What an arrogant bastard. Should I just pummel him with All-Torture right now? Or, should I pull out his tendons one by one?
Mu Ssang was a special-tier consultant who knew all the ins and outs of the intelligence community and its operatives. Thats why he could easily see through Jeong Pil-sus conceit.
A spy agency fundamentally belonged to the dark territory, a long way removed from morals and ethics. Agents working for such organizations would unhesitantly resort to appeasement tactics through bribery, sucking up to ones ideology and ego, or forceful tactics such as threats, torture, and even assassinations.
A person whose job was to steal should be resolved to lose whats theirs. The anti-torture training carried out by various intelligence agencies worldwide was meant to restrict information leaking out from their agents confessing under duress. The KGB and Mossad implanted bombs in their agents to take themselves out, while pentobarbital was injected over a long period of time to dull the sense of pain. As South Koreas National Security Agency relied heavily on HUMINT operations, its anti-torture training tended to be extreme.
*
I guess youre just about perfect as my lab rat. The corners of Mu Ssangs lips sneakily curled up.
He remembered one of his skills that hadnt been tested on humans yet. It was none other than the Cranes Beak Point Strike, performed by condensing resonance wave and using it like a needle to prod a persons nerve sensors. Increasing the intensity would cause the tissues to get swept up in the spasming energy, spinning like a drill to burn down.
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The wuxia skill that attacked internal organs, but left the exterior fine, viciously crushed the victims innards. The Cranes Beak Point Strike was far more precise as it disintegrated the tissues moisture at the atomic level. In other words, it was a flawless assassination technique that killed the victim on the cellular level.
Of course, Mu Ssang wasnt planning to kill this agent. On the contrary, by adjusting the intensity and burning only a specific set of nerve sensors, the victim would suffer unimaginable pain and hallucinations.
Having incurred contempt of Mu Ssang, Jeong Pil-su inadvertently ended up as a human guinea pig.
*
What do you mean, a lab rat?! Stop talking nonsense, and let me go already! Jeong Pil-su growled menacingly.
Really? Hey, man. Would you let a thief that made a mess of your living room leave in one piece if it was you?
As sharp as a cranes beak, a finger needle tapped on Jeong Pil-sus gyeonjeong-hyeol. (An acupuncture point found on a persons shoulders)
Euk!?
Jeong Pil-su felt a stinging pain and gritted his teeth. He didnt expect Mu Ssang to inject him with a truth serum. Instead, Jeong Pil-su prepared himself for a flood of horrifying pain about to come. Truth serums came in various types, including sodium amytal (amobarbital), mescaline, and scopolamine.
Koreas National Security Agency used a mixture of scopolamine and diluted tetrodotoxin. Tetrodotoxin, abbreviated to TTX, was a nerve toxin extracted from a pufferfish or blue-ringed octopus. It affects a persons peripheral and central nervous system, paralyzing the respiratory and motor muscles. Only 0.1mg of this toxin was enough to kill a man. Pentobarbital was used as its counteragent.
Hey, did you prepare Pentobarbital, too? Jeong Pil-su tried to sound relaxed.
His breathing slowed as the pain akin to thousands of ants biting his flesh assaulted his senses. It was a typical reaction when poisoned by TTX. However, he survived five anti-torture training regimes, so he was confident of withstanding this one, too.
If you can endure this seven times, Ill change my surname. Mu Ssang grinned brightly before starting a countdown. Five, four, three, two, one.
At the end of the counter, he poked the same spot as the first hit.
Kkuwaaaahk?!
A shrill scream rocked the still night sky. Unlike the first hit, the pain shooting through Jeong Pil-sus body was akin to every nerve fiber snapping off in half. He clenched his teeth hard. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets while bluish veins bulged on his forehead.
He made a mistake. This bastard, he wasnt injecting TTX, but hitting a persons acupoints just like a scene from a wuxia novel. Did that mean things like instant death point or confusion point in those novels were all real??
Five, four, three, two, one. Mu Ssang counted down again and poked the same spot for the third time.
Kuwaaahk!
Jeong Pil-sus scream got louder as foams gushed out of his mouth and his body distorted and curled. A blue-faced ghost was slowly filleting Jeong Pil-sus flesh as if he was some kind of a fish. But that was just an illusion created by his oxygen-starved brain. The nerve-shredding pain crashed back in when his consciousness faded to a certain point. However, the pain riding on an alternating strong-subtle rhythm prevented him from blacking out.
His nerves were curling up while his muscles were loosening. The crotch of his pants was getting wet too. Jeong Pil-su desperately tightened his sphincter. During the anti-torture class, he ended up crapping his pants and had to lug around the shameful nickname of Pants-pooper for six years. That trauma managed to defend his sphincter.
Why is this as*hole counting down and hitting me in the same spot?
In the midst of all this pain, Jeong Pil-su couldnt help but get curious. Curiosity was one of the qualifications required to become an excellent spy.
Mu Ssang using his Dimensional Sight to check up on Jeong Pil-sus state, was slightly taken aback. He didnt expect this fella to endure three hits. However, it seemed that this Nat-Sec agent had been properly trained. Mu Ssang always viewed Koreas Nat-Sec as a pathetic group, but he began seeing the agency in a renewed light now.
However, would this agent make it through the fourth time?
Five, four, three, two, one.
Yet another countdown began, followed by another poke at Jeong Pil-sus gyeonjeong-hyeol.
Grrrr!
Instead of a scream, a throaty growl escaped from his lips. The sound of air leaking out from the lungs that had lost their ability to contract after his diaphragm went slack. Jeong Pil-su desperately clung to his flickering consciousness. Even though these taps seemed like a childs prank, his bones were cracking as if he was wrapped in a sheet and got beaten up by a gang.
You motherf*cker! Just kill me! Dont you know who I am?! You think youll be safe after you did this to me! Jeong Pil-su mumbled hoarsely. To think that there was someone this crazy in this world! This obstinate desire to die rather than yield to pain began filling him up.
Huh. Seeing how youre still generously worrying about me, I guess youre still fine, eh? But, you also dont know who I am, right? Finding more about each other through skinship like this is the story of our lives, no? Five, four, three~
The countdown began once more. Jeong Pil-su felt the nervous tension shoot up. Only horrifying pain waited for him at the end of that countdown.
As the count ticked down, the more nervous he got. Even his heart was beating in an irregular rhythm, too. That crappy anti-torture training could be chucked to the dogs for all he cared right now. Thats how horrifying this torture was.
Poke-
The same point was poked again at the end of the countdown without any mercy. This was the fifth time.
Kkuwuuuk!
Jeong Pil-sus internal organs tumbled. Starting from his anus, it felt like every organ in his body was curling up and twisting around.
Krrrk, krrrk-!
He began vomiting with enough force to pull out his intestines. And at the end of all the vomit was a flood of blood gushing out from his mouth and nose. Jeong Pil-su barely managed to focus his fading consciousness.
The bastards face repeatedly grew closer only to grow distant in Jeong Pil-sus vision. That was the sign of him entering the state of shock. The face of that evil bastard wavered and flickered like a bonfire. Jeong Pil-su was dying here, yet that bastard was smiling. That bastard he was a psychopathic superhuman!
Do you want me to tell you why Im counting down to zero?
I dont want to know sh*t like that! Jeong Pil-su wanted to say, but his body going through shock could only pant laboriously. If only youd put a bullet in my head! He ardently wished for that to happen.
Someone told me that hitting the same spot five seconds later is the most effective way to hurt your opponent. And I believe that. You see, the punk who taught me that is certifiably insane, but he was also a master of torture. Thats why I decided to test it out.
Son of a b*tch, thats what you meant by a lab rat? Youre the insane f*cker here!
Jeong Pil-sus consciousness finally faded away.
Uh! I guess five times was pushing it!
Jeong Pil-sus brainwaves became erratic. If left alone, hes cross the River Styx in less than ten minutes. Mu Ssang pressed his palm against Jeong Pil-sus myeongmun-hyeol.
Du-wung-
The resonance wave gushing revitalized the cells and disintegrated the impurities. It continued to unblock the blockages, disintegrated impurities, and re-energized the cellular activity but failed to revive the damaged cells. Jeong Pil-su was kept alive by explosively revitalizing his life force, but his lifespan had been reduced by around a decade.
Euh euh!
Jeong Pil-su cracked his eyelids open. It felt like he had stepped a foot inside the netherworld only to get dragged out against his will.
You see, Im not very good with keeping time. So thats why Im counting down like this.
You sh*thead, when did I ask you?!
Jeong Pil-su poured out a torrent of curses even as he swam in grogginess. He began hating this bastard that added uselessly friendly explanations as much as he detested his branch manager, that criticized his grammar in a report.
Eiji, dang it. Its well past five seconds, isnt it? Well have to start from scratch, then.
Heok?!
Jeong Pil-sus groggy head sobered up in an instant. This couldnt be right. He had no idea what kind of a method Bak Mu-ssang used here, but he was revived right back from the brink of death. The soul-wrecking pain also vanished without a trace, as if everything so far had been a passing dream.
This guy is not a normal human being. No, wait. Hes not even human!
This bastard was planning to torment Jeong Pil-su right up until death, then revive him only to start the torture all over again. A creature wearing a humans face shouldnt be this vicious!
Jeong Pil-su didnt fear death, but he certainly was scared of endless pain. His survival instinct fully awakened now. Jeong Pil-su squeezed out what little energy he had and cried out. I surrender! Hey you, I surrender unconditionally!
You surrender? But, Ive only just begun. Besides, the dude surrendering is still a bit rude, too. Mu Ssang poked on Jeong Pil-sus other gyeonjeong-hyeol.
Kuwaaaahk!
Jeong Pil-sus figure curled up like a squid on a grill. His face became a mess of various fluids as blood trickled down from his nose and mouth.
I shall spare you from the last hit. Okay, so. Next up is punishment for threatening the purity of my sisters. Six additional hits, then. Mu Ssang drove in the resonance wave to heal Jeong Pil-su, teetering precariously between life and death.
Kku-work!
Foams bubbled out of Jeong Pil-sus mouth. As he thought, this bastard really was planning to repeatedly half-kill then revive him.
I, I surrender, sir. I unconditionally surrender, sir Honorifics leaped out of his mouth all on their own. His pride or stubborn streak? They no longer mattered.
Eiii~, but Ill be at a loss, though? Mu Ssang replied languidly. Jeong Pil-su wanted to ask what exactly would you be losing out on.
Your name and affiliation?
Only then did Mu Ssang begin the main questioning.
Jeong Pil-su gritted his teeth. This bastards real goal was never about getting answers but to torture his victim. Im Jeong Pil-su, deputy chief of the Daedeok Company.
The Nat-Secs Daegu branch, eh? I wont ask you your real name.
Jeong Pil-su flinched. It seemed like Mu Ssang already knew the inner story of the branch.
And you know what my identity is, dont you?
Serving in Lgion trangre, currently as the French embassys cultural advisor!
You know that much, yet you planted all those listening devices? Is the Nat-Sec cafeteria serving brave pills along with food these days or something? Whats your reason? Mu Ssang grinned slyly.
Dont try to be smart here, fella. If you end up neither living nor dead for the rest of your life, dont you think thatll be too tragic?
Boom-!
A loud explosion went off. The Beretta blew past Jeong Pil-sus head and slammed deep into the tree trunk.
Euh-huh?!
Jeon Pil-su flinched in alarm. He could actually feel the sizzling heat against his scalp. Of course, you could try to be smart with fellow humans, but it was meaningless to do that against a monster.
We started paying attention when a French cultural center suddenly opened its doors in Bullo-dong. But when no overt operations (sanctioned espionage actions) took place, we began suspecting that maybe you are a double agent.
A double agent?
You showed up while we were suspicious of the Yanks OPLAN 50 (The unique designation of the US Pacific Command that has jurisdiction over the Korean Peninsula). The Korean-American relationship has become quite frayed recently, you see. Weve detected various signs of the CIA supporting Kim Young-sam. Since you werent actively in any operations, we had no choice but to wiretap you.
Gimme a freaking break! Why did you suspect me in the first place?
Agencies capable of deploying superhumans as agents are CIA, KGB, and Mossad, sir. And only the CIA might dispatch such agents to Korea. Jeong Pil-su willingly replied to all the questions.
Aha, that ball pen!
It sounded like the trigger for the wiretapping was the ball pen Mu Ssang stabbed into the thigh of that Baekgol-dan member. Something he didnt think twice about turned into a loose end. There was no doubt that Mu Ssangs cautiousness had gotten lax lately.
Are you going to stay interested in my affairs? Even though youll turn into a ghost of a bachelor?
I know its unfair for me, but what choice do I have? Uh-whew! Jeong Pil-su spat out a groan. Even Yi Dae-deok had acknowledged Jeong Pil-sus unyielding guts, after all.
Hah. I have no interest in the current regime, nor am I a friend of Yanks. I merely wish to live in peace. So, will you stop harassing me, or should I just bury you now? If you choose to stop this useless nonsense, Ill even give you a bonus of a hundred million Won.
Mu Ssang didnt dislike this agent, still willing to carry out his duty despite bearing the Cranes Beak Point Strike brunt. Thats why he decided to test the waters a bit.
What can I do when its my job? The National Security Agency does a lot of shady stuff worthy of all the finger-pointing, but we still have many agents burning with a sense of duty, sir. Money is good, but I dont want to live like a cheap coward.
With that reply, Mu Ssang found Jeong Pil-su even more likable. This guy wasnt a bureaucrat that received bribes and did nothing like Kim Dal Su or Jang Chul Su, but someone with a proper mindset. A stubborn mule like this agent was what really maintained and drove South Korea forward.
Although his actions pissed Mu Ssang off, his desire to serve his nation was still commendable. What a strange country South Korea was. Since the days of the Joseon dynasty, the ruling class was teeming with oecophylla smaragdina-like humans while the lower class always loved their country and worried for its future.
Whoosh-
The Finger Wind cut apart the rope, causing Jeong Pil-su to fall on the ground helplessly.
Tumble-
The rope tied around his wrist automatically came undone. Jeong Pil-su plopped down on his butt on the spot. His opponent today was impossible to resist. While he was ready to face death, Jeong Pil-su felt calm and composed, but a sudden rush of fear took over now that he was freed.
Jeong Pil-su, your mindset saved your life today. Im also a Korean like you. I may not like this country, but I do love it.
Jeong Pil-su became dazed as if someone had hit him in the head. He could sense that these monster words were filled with sincerity and a sense of frustration and regret. Then again, why would someone like Bak Mu-ssang walk the turbulent, rough road of a double agent!
My apologies, sir. It looks like Ive seen only what I wanted to see. Jeong Pil-su barely managed to get up, then bowed deeply.
Turn around and sit down for a minute. If you go home in your current state, youll start sh*tting blood in around ten days and soon lie down inside a coffin.
Heok?! Jeong Pil-su let out a gasp of shock and turned around. After all, Bak Mu-ssang was not the kind of a man to issue empty warnings.
Mu Ssang used his resonance wave to revitalize the damaged nerve cells and tissues, then lightly slapped Jeong Pil-su on the back.
Blegh! Jeong Pil-su vomited out a bucket full of pitch-black blood. His burning, tumbling innards felt refreshed while the pain went away.
Jeong Pil-su. Being obstinate for no good reason will only shorten your lifespan needlessly. If you wish to preserve your neck and the agency, you should be more circumspect next time.
How scary! Jeong Pil-su thought he heard his heart tumble at that weighty warning. I understand, sir. By the way, are you really a human being?
If youre human, then Im also human. Why are you asking me that, though?
You are an existence that transcends a martial artist or a superhuman, sir. Thats why I just cant see you as a human being. And what is Dubaiburupa?
You should keep your mouth shut on that one. I will be waiting for your branch manager in the central park tomorrow.
Mu Ssang had a lot of things to care of, so he didnt want to waste his time and energy talking to an underling. But, to not get tangled up with the National Security Agency anymore, he needed to suppress the head honcho of the branch.
Chapter 616 - Episode 27 Cause and Effect
Y-you mean, my boss? Jeong Pil-sus eyes widened.
Mu Ssang wordlessly raised his hand. Then, the Beretta deeply embedded in the tree trunk broke free and entered his waiting hand. Jeong Pil-sus eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at this unbelievable display of psychokinesis.
Koreas National Security Agency also had a psychokinesis user, but that persons ability was only good for moving a fork resting on a table slightly to the side.
That display of psychokinesis was merely the beginning, however.
Blamblamblam-!
The Beretta spat out a quick series of flames. That was the three-tap rapid-fire, a skill Black Mamba hadnt demonstrated in a while.
Heok?!
Please reading on NewN0vel 0rg)
The stunned Jeong Pil-su ducked his head fast enough to dislodge it off his neck nearly. However, bullets missed his crown by a hairs breadth and slammed into the oak tree trunk he was leaning on. The muzzle continued to spit out more flames. It took less than three seconds to bury themselves in the tree trunk for sixteen rounds.
Mu Ssang opened his palm before clenching it. Bullets began tumbling out of the hole in the trunk. Without even realizing it, Jeong Pil-su hurriedly looked behind. There was only one hole in the tree trunk as if a woodpecker had pecked on it. Meanwhile, dozen-plus crushed bullets on the ground were gleaming under the moonlight.
How can this be?! Jeong Pil-sus jaw dropped to the ground.
Rather than an out-and-out offensive weapon, a pistol served a more defense-oriented role. Not only did it have low accuracy, attaching a silencer caused the weight balance to concentrate more on the front of the weapon, further worsening its accuracy. You might be born with superhuman abilities, but you had to train hard to become good at shooting a gun.
Jeong Pil-su dazedly stared at the muzzle and the blue smoke rising. Just how many skills did that man possess?! Jeong Pil-su was shocked even more by the shooting skill than the mysterious power to move things with the mind. He began shuddering after imagining what might happen if Bak Mu-ssang got his hands on an automatic rifle.
Jeong Pil-su, this world is much bigger than you think. Things you found amazing are nothing to speak about in reality.
I-if you say so, it must be true. Jeong Pil-su stuttered slightly. What could a little cat-like him say when a tiger declared so?
Mu Ssang pressed the magazine release and ejected the magazine. He lightly tapped the gun on top, and the last remaining round popped out. He caught it between his thumb and index finger, then squeezed it tightly.
Creak, crunch-
The shell flew off while the bullet got crushed flat as if squeezed by an industrial press. He tossed the shot, now thinner than a coin, over to Jeong Pil-su.
Aht?! Hot hot hot! Jeong Pil-su caught the bullet without thinking, only hurriedly shaking his hand. The smell of burning flesh wafted out, and his hand blistered immediately.
CRUNCH-!
Next up, the metal magazine was crushed like mud in Mu Ssangs hand. He tossed the crushed magazine and the Beretta over to Jeong Pil-su, then silently pointed at the latters legs.
Oh, uh! Jeong Pil-sus body began shivering all on its own.
That gesture was a warning that his legs would be crushed if he tried anything foolish. This series of actions Bak Mu-ssang had demonstrated so far was meant to serve as a raw, naked warning.
All strength abandoned Jeong Pil-sus body as cold sweat dotted his forehead. Even his sphincter that managed to hold on until now began to loosen up sneakily.
Make sure your boss fully understands, got that!
Uht?! Jeong Pil-su cried out in shock. The man standing before his eyes had vanished entirely. He hurriedly scanned his surroundings, but all he could detect or hear were the rustles of the night winds and the hooting of an owl.
The sight of the mercilessly crushed magazine and the heat from the flattened bullet reminded him that all this did happen for real. A dokkaebi did not bewitch him, nor was he in a dream. It all happened for real!
F*ck me. Whats the point of working for the Nat-Sec now? Might as well just start a farm or something
A helpless lamentation leaked out of his mouth all by itself. Jeong Pil-su suddenly recalled the Metamorphosis, a novella by Kafka. Somehow, he saw himself in the protagonist, someone with no more uses left. He felt more useless than an insect.
*
The following day, Jeong Pil-su barely managed to submit a summarized report before sagging down on the coffee shops table. It was still very early winter, but the middle of the mountain at night was cold enough to make his teeth chatter. The after-effects of dangling from a tree and getting hit by the cold night winds and the horrifying torture left their heavy toll on him. The physical damage was indeed considerable, but the psychological sense of loss was the biggest culprit of his lack of energy.
Clink-
The coffee shop entrance opened. Unfortunately, Jeong Pil-su only placed the Closed sign on the door but forgot to lock it.
Im sorry, dear customer. Were not open today. Jeong Pil-su yelled out while still lying on his back. He didnt even want to lift a finger right now.
Wow, arent you looking good there, fellow? You told me to leave it to you, but now, look at your pathetic ass. How are you feeling now?
Huk, president! The stunned Jeong Pil-su tried to push his torso up to collapse on his side next. But instead, his legs just gave in like the tentacles of an octopus.
Its fine, you dumb sh*t. Stay there and dont try to move too much. Yi Dae-deok growled unhappily, but his tone contained a great deal of worry.
Im sorry, boss. Ive got no excuse.
Jeong Pil-su failed to fulfill the bosss orders and even messed up the operation. Itd be only standard for him to get a vicious kick up his backside without being given a chance to complain.
You dont. Even a dumba*s like you is one of my own, though. Every agents been staying up the whole night trying to find you.
What about Kim Si-wuk, sir?
That idiot? He got a well-deserved beating and is currently writing a letter of apology.
But, it was my fault Jeong Pil-su mumbled weakly.
Hey, you dumb sh*t, you should be ashamed about this. Youre supposed to be a senior agent, yet you got kidnapped by a bloody civilian? And you, you blabbed your mouth, didnt you?
Jeong Pil-su could only blink his eyes in silence like a bull tripping on an icy field. Being ashamed only applies when you got done in by an opponent worse than you. How was he supposed to resist a bona fide monster? He was not ashamed at all right now.
You dumba*s. How can an agent get kidnapped by a civilian and start blabbing his mouth after only a few punches?! Did you throw all that anti-torture training outside the window or something? Our company needs big-headed punks with small mouths, get my drift? Punks like you with a small head and a big mouth should just resign and join that political party, Sinhandang or something! No, wait. Why dont you just go away and join the Pyongyang Broadcasting Station instead! The branch managers infamous rant began flooding out of his mouth.
Sir, that guy wasnt interested in the information. He just asked me about my name and affiliation, but that was it. Jeong Pil-su tried to defend himself with a voice as loud as an ant scurrying away. He couldnt speak any louder than this, even if he wanted to. His chest was besieged with this flesh-tearing pain whenever his vocal cords vibrated.
You dumb sh*t, how dare you to run your mouth after wasting the valuable government asset! That was a tax collected from the citizens. Taxes of the citizens, I tell you! Yi Dae-deok yelled while angrily pounding on the Berettas magazine, resembling a trampled steamed bun.
Uh, Sir? The only asset wasted is that damaged magazine.
You fool, youre that valuable government asset! Do you know how much tax youve been slurping down that piehole of yours until now? We spent a ton of money training you, yet you come back home after getting wrecked by a civilian? And you even blabbed who you are! You dumb useless trash! Yi Dae-deoks voice got louder and louder.
But Sir, Bak Mu-ssang is an advisor, not a civilian. Not just a normal advisor either, but a monster, too!
A monster?! Do you think you can spew whatever nonsense you want just because you have a mouth? So, Im putting you on the VIP protection and management detail from tomorrow on. And youll also be humoring other teams requests for assistance!
Heok?! Sir, you want me to be a babysitter for some rich kids?! Jeong Pil-sus expression crumpled unsightly.
Whats wrong? Dont like it? If you dont like it, you can clear out your desk! I also dont want a dumba*s underling like you that goes around getting wrecked every day!
Ones rank was indeed a bully. Jeong Pil-su was saddened by the branch manager mercilessly dragging him across the coal like this but didnt know what else he could say here. No matter how hard he tried to explain the true terror of Bak Mu-ssang, the branch manager wasnt the type to pay heed, anyway. Even Jeong Pil-su caught himself wondering if the events of the last night were just a nightmare from a cold winter night, after all.
Aigooo, branch manager! Please! What was I supposed to do when I was nowhere as good as him! That guy is an untouchable whos a superhuman martial art expert and a top-tier sniper. I cant win against that. How do you think I ended up in this state, Sir! Jeong Pil-su desperately clung to Yi Dae-deoks pants.
Hey, you. Its not the branch manager but the president. President! This punk, youve lost your mind after getting beaten up by that civilian, havent you! By the way, did that guy crush this thing with his bare hand? Yi Dae-deok studied the magazine in his hand from this and that angle.
It was spherical, like a rice ball rolled up by a dung beetle. The thickness of the metal was only about 0.8mm, but the magazine was still made out of carbon steel. So its shape wouldnt change much, even after hitting it with a hammer twice.
Theres this thing too, sir. Jeong Pil-su took out the flattened bullet from his pocket.
Ohh, sure thing, you punk! Did he also crush this with his hand?
Of course. He squeezed it like wringing the laundry, and thats the result, Sir. Jeong Pil-su chose to hold back on the part about how sixteen rounds instantly hit the same hole; if he said that out loud, his boss might kick his ass for spewing more bullsh*t.
Huh. I dont have a choice but to believe it, now do I Yi Dae-deok brought the flattened bullet closer to his eyes. Hey, bring me a magnifying glass!
Yi Dae-deoks secretary on standby quickly rushed upstairs to the office and returned with a magnifying glass.
Holy cow, he wasnt kidding!
Yi Dae-deok noticed the faint outlines of a fingerprint engraved on the bullet. He felt a chill run down his spine. He thought he could now understand the meaning behind Bak Mu-ssangs show of force. It was a good thing that that man wanted to meet face to face.
By the way Why did that man kidnap you in the first place? I dont think hes crazy enough to turn you into a rag just because you tailed him for a bit Yi Dae-deok narrowed his eyes and glared at Jeong Pil-su.
Well, uh I guess I offended him. Jeong Pil-sus head quivered a little.
You offended him?
I, uh, planted bugs in his house, sir.
What the hell?! Dont you know when to stop?! Why did you even plant bugs inside a foreign cultural center?! Yi Dae-deok clutched the back of his neck.
Their opponent was a high-ranking foreign diplomat. If the French demanded answers, then all of their heads would roll instantly. The Yanks had already taken them to the cleaners, but at this rate, it looked like the French would do the same, too!
You dont have to worry about that, Sir. Bak Mu-ssang told me that hes still Korean. He also said that he still loves this country even though he doesnt like it. Sure, he beat me up black and blue, but he was also a mans man, Sir. I think Ive fallen for him.
What the f*ck? Would you listen to this moron! Did you catch that Stockholm Syndrome or something? Yi Dae-deoks expression crumpled deeply.
Sir, can you see this? Jeong Pil-su lowered his shirt and showed Yi Dae-deok his collarbone.
What is it? I cant see anything.
No, Sir. Take a closer look. Can you see a blue dot there, smaller than a fly dropping?
Yi Dae-deok used the magnifying glass to look. Uh! I can see it.
Indeed, he could see a small blue dot on Jeong Pil-sus skin. It was smaller than a flys head.
Thats the evidence of Bak Mu-ssang tapping me with his finger, sir.
So, when you say you got beaten up, is this it?
Yes, Sir. Compared to this, TTX is just a childs play. Jeong Pil-su stopped talking there and began shuddering after recalling the indescribable pain. He wouldve probably revealed all the top-secret information he knew back then if Bak Mu-ssang started asking him about it.
If that friend hadnt changed his mind toward the end and healed me, Id have died while sh*tting blood, Sir. And he warned me that if we do anything unwise one more time, he will chop off the legs of everyone, starting from the gophers and even you, president. Jeong Pil-su smirked while saying that.
Urgh, that punk! Why me when I didnt do anything? Yi Dae-deok flinched a little. Even though the story he heard sounded far-fetched, there was no denying that Bak Mu-ssang was one scary superhuman. He felt more chill run down his spine.
According to Bak Mu-ssang, the bad guy isnt the tool, but the hand wielding that tool, sir.
Huh, huh huh. One of that mans former professions is supposed to be a baldy monk, and it sounds like that was true all along. How about we head-hunt him as our special agent, then? Yi Dae-deoks eyes began sparkling.
Fut! Jeong Pil-su chuckled helplessly. What useless nonsense that was. It was the same as a kitten wanting to manage a tiger. Sir, do you know how much is a French advisors annual salary? That mans house alone is over ten thousand pyeong in scale. I felt so small and insignificant when I entered his house to plant those bugs. But, Sir, do you honestly think you can give him the same level of treatment with your authority as a branch manager?
But, what about his patriotism
Thats even more hopeless, Sir. Dont you remember what that young scientist in Germany told us when we tried to bring him back home? He said that Korea has abandoned him, that Germany has given him so much more. But, unfortunately, hes too busy repaying Germany what he owes, and Korea is merely one of the hundreds of foreign countries on Earth to him.
Mm!
That man is not the type of serving under someone else, Sir. Besides, why would he do this job when all we do is investigate the backgrounds of the regimes political rivals, arrest the demonstrators and wipe the bottoms of the higher-ups while generally wasting our days? If I had his abilities, Id have resigned a long, long time ago, Sir. Eh-whew! Jeong Pil-su sighed at length after saying some self-mocking things.
Yi Dae-deok was about to yell back, only to hold his tongue. None of whats been said was wrong, after all. Urgh, I dont care anymore. Ill find out what kind of a punk he is anyway once we meet face to face. Then, Ill see how much of a big fish he is that he can order around a Nat-Sec branch manager to show up at midnight.
Midnight at the central park, sir. Jeong Pil-su reminded his boss of the time and place one more time.
Hey, you! I already know, so just file an accurate report and talk to a therapist, got that? Did you run into a tiger or something? Ill give you a week off, so stay in a hospital in the meantime.
Understood, sir. Jeong Pil-su nodded slowly. His branch manager might go on a rant and hurl abuse around, but Yi Dae-deok, a superior officer, knew how to look after his subordinates.
Yi Dae-deok was inwardly feeling troubled at the moment, however. He got a message about an unscheduled management-level conference tomorrow morning. If he were to meet Bak Mu-ssang at midnight, itd become a race against time to attend the six oclock meeting at Namsan in Seoul. That conference was undoubtedly important, but his curiosity was far more vital than canceling the appointment.
*
In the main hall of Eungsim-je
Jin Soon picked up the ringing phone. Hello?
-Get Bak Mu-ssang on the line.
A curt reply jumped out of the phones receiver. A frown etched on Jin Soons forehead. May I know whos speaking?
-You dont need to know. Just get him on the phone as I told you.
Some random man was trying to be overbearing on the phone? That triggered Jin Soon.
If you have a business with him, come and see him yourself.
She wasnt scared of either the organized criminals or the cops. Also, the elderly monk told her to treat Buddha as Buddha and treat evil as evil, after all!
-What was that?! You crazy bi*tch! Do you even know who I am while running your mouth off?!
Hey, loser, who dont you tell me who you are, then? What a crackpot loser of a dumpster fire youre.
-What the hell? What the f*ck did you say?
Jin Soon took her ear away from the receiver. Her eardrum ached from all the yelling traveling on the copper phone line.
Im too busy for this nonsense!
Clack-
Jin Soon hung up the phone. She had no reason to wrestle with a lunatic. Her hands were already full from helping Mina study and prepare Oppas snacks.
H-hey, Im calling from the agency The rude caller, the Nat-Secs Min Ju-seok, hurriedly yelled into the phone, but the line was dead by then. Huh? What is up with that crazy b*tch?!
Min Ju-seok chuckled hollowly while holding the receiver. People trained by the military dictatorship would automatically lower themselves when they heard a forceful manner of speech and a mere mention of the agency. This would be his first time in three years working for the National Security Agency to run into a woman as daring as her.
He dialed the number once more. It was OK to lose his temper later. His branch manager had a character ten times worse than his. Min Ju-seok had no idea who this punk Bak Mu-ssang was, but if he failed to set up an appointment properly? His shins would turn into rags in no time at all from his bosss kicks.
Listen here, Im calling from the agency.
-So what?
When he got a short, curt reply, Min Ju-seok finally blew his top. Hey, you bi*ch! Where the hell is your damn manners?!
-And you? Did you feed your manners to your dogs?
Clack-
The phone went dead again.
Chapter 617 - Episode 28 Cause and Effect
Min Ju-seok sat there shuddering in anger while holding the phones receiver. His rage gushed out of his head like steam from a boiling pot.
This f*cking b*tch! Imma just!
Bang-!
He slammed the receiver down hard, almost enough to break the phone, then quickly put on his jacket. He looked like a pit bull ready to rush over there and show whos the boss.
The sound of a typewriter pecking rapidly away like a machine gun came to an abrupt stop right at that moment.
Mister Min, dont you know what our boss is like? Are you planning to bail out of work only to sh*t blood later? The person typing away, Kim Jin-suk, raised her head and threw that out there as if she found Min Ju-seok too pitiful to behold.
Ah! R-right. Theres that, too. Min Ju-seok faltered where he stood. Even though this situation called for him to rush over to that insolent girls house and slap some sense into her to vent his anger, his shin bones safety was a greater priority.
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He suppressed his emotions and picked up the phone once more.
Im calling from Daedeok Company. May I speak to Bak Mu Min Ju-seok tried to sound as courteous as possible. But, unfortunately, doing something he wasnt accustomed to only made him feel like throwing up.
-Go away.
Click-
Beep, beep, beep
Even before finishing his sentence, he was greeted with a cold rejection followed by yet another dead phone line.
Kuwaaaahk! If I dont beat that b*tchs ass up right now, I aint no Min Ju-seok but some loser motherf*cker!
Mister Min Ju-seok, stop with b*tch this and b*tch that. The woman listening will get annoyed with you if you keep doing that. Besides all that, this is troublesome, isnt it? Now that they dont even want to answer the phone! Kim Jin-suk pouted deeply.
Min Ju-seok was a musclebrain that mistook boorish behavior and overbearing attitude as qualities of being a man. Kim Jin-suk didnt know who the woman on the other side of the phone line was but still felt deeply refreshed by this event as if she had drunk a bottle of ice-cold cider.
Ah, crap! Min Ju-seok realized that now wasnt the time to get angry. He was the one with the urgent need here. He was even ordered to perform civil service as gently as possible (?), but his short temper always proved to be a stumbling block. Miss Jin-suk, can you make the call instead of me?
His calling again would get nowhere fast. He knew that he was being shameless but still decided to ask Kim Jin-suk for a favor anyway.
I dont want to! Do something about your temper instead, Mister Min.
Just this one time, will ya!
You will stop using b*tch in the office, yes?
Yes, yes. I got it.
And I cant do it with an empty stomach.
Fine, Ill buy you kuruma prawns for dinner.
Okay, then! Only then did Kim Jin-suk pick up the phone.
Blooming hell, this is why women should just stay home to look after kids and cook food!
Min Ju-seok panted angrily while his expression crumpled. There was a good reason why he remained single even into his mid-thirties.
*
Ah, yes. Im so sorry about that He has a short fuse, you see Yes, its an urgent matter Thank you so much. Kim Jin-suk winked before handing the receiver to Min Ju-seok.
Hello, this is Min Ju-seok from Daedeok Company calling.
-Hello. How can I help you?
The woman who got into a verbal showdown with him earlier replied calmly as if nothing had happened between them. Min Ju-seok briefly wondered if this woman was the same b*tch he had been arguing with a few minutes ago.
He gritted his teeth and continued. Id like to speak to Mister Bak Mu-ssang.
-Unfortunately, my Oppa isnt home right now. If youd like to leave a message Who did you say you were from Daedeok Company?
Is this girl messing with me?
The womans friendly and gentle demeanor only served to fuel Min Ju-seoks rage even further.
Its Min Ju-seok, miss. When can I speak to him?
-He should be home soon.
Please write down my phone number, miss. Again, Im Min Ju-seok from Daedeok Company.
*
Yes, Ill ask him to give you a call. Jin Soon ended the call and grinned slyly. How dare a douchebag as you call me a b*tch? What a stuck-up idiot. Busy screwing around without knowing who youre messing with!
Living together with a crow for a little too long has led the swan to the dark side.
*
So, this guy wants me to call him back on this number? Mu Ssang asked while looking at the memo. He didnt know who Min Ju-seok was, but he sure knew what the Daedeok Company was.
Ng. And he was such a douchebag, too.
Well, folks from that neck of the woods are always like that. As soon as they get just a tiny bit of authority, they just cant resist showing that off.
Mu Ssang immediately requested an international call. Koreas National Security Agency became the CIAs underling quite a while ago. By calling Bell Man, who still maintained a connection to the CIA, itd be a cinch to confirm the identity of Min Ju-seok. Sure enough, he got his answer in less than one hour.
*
-I heard you were looking for me? Im Bak Mu-ssang.
A weighty baritone voice traveled through the copper line to reach Min Ju-seoks phone.
This punk is putting on some airs, and sh*t isnt he
Min Ju-seoks irritation level shot up again. Acting essential and all were reserved only for actual agents with fundamental authorities. Something must be wrong with this family since the woman was rude as hell, and the man seemed to think he was a big-shot or something.
My boss wants to change the appointment time, you see.
-You must be Na Gyeong-bok, then?
Euk?!
Min Ju-seok was taken aback. Only his direct superiors knew his real name. Not even the administrative agent Kim Jin-suk knew the name of Na Gyeong-bok.
W-who are you, mister?
-You called without knowing who youre dealing with?
A point-blank retort slapped Min Ju-seok in the face. He began massaging his forehead. Whether it was the man or the woman, they both were rude punks.
Look here, man. Why so rude? You sound like still a young man, so its not nice to forget your honorifics like this. Min Ju-seok politely tried to scold the other party. Although the voice on the line sounded weighty, its timber indicated that the other party was a young man.
-
A short silent interval ensued.
Heh, this punk. He got scared, isnt he?
Min Ju-seok smirked softly. He had no idea that the man on the other side of the line was trying to decide whether to rip his throat out or pull out all of his teeth.
-Hey, moron. Was there some weird clause about Nat-Sec agents not using any honorifics, but innocent civilians must always be courteous? So some random bastard that draws a salary from the tax we pay wants to threaten a tax-paying good citizen?
Scared, my foot! A rather bone-chilling response came flying through the phones copper line. Min Ju-seok was momentarily left flustered. Ordinary civilians didnt use the term agent. Just as Min Ju-seok tried to grope at the other guys identity, more shock-inducing bombshells dropped on his head.
-National Security Agency, Daegu branch, Special Government Employee 8th grade, Na Gyeong-bok. Disqualified from the field duty due to lack of ability, excluded from civil service duty due to coarse language and overbearing attitude, and re-appointed to administrative burden last July. But, hey, as*hole, youre just a lowly paper-pusher, so why the f*ck are you all acting high and mighty and sh*t? Hurry up and get to the point already. Or get Yi Dae-deok on the line!
Huk?! J-just who are you? The freaked-out Min Ju-seok stuttered severely. Without robust backing, no one could investigate his background and career record that quickly. He felt a deathly chill run down his spine and this prickly sensation on the back of his head.
-Doesnt matter, moron. I was thinking of chopping your head off, but Im going to take pity on your sorry ass. Why did you call me?
S-sir. My boss wondered if he could bring forward the appointment to ten in the evening. Will that be fine with you, sir? Min Ju-seok inadvertently ended up using honorifics.
Here was yet another sad portrait of the military dictatorship that lost itself in the power game and forgot to care about the familiar people.
-Very well. If you dont want to learn how comfortable inside a coffin is at your young age, you better understand some manners, you rude little punk!
Mu Ssang didnt even wait for a reply and down the receiver.
Beep- beep
Only the uncomfortable beeping noise of a disconnected line came out from the phone. Min Ju-seok dazedly stared at the phones receiver. His back felt itchy and hot, as if several leeches had stuck onto him.
*
Sons of goddamn stinking parasites! Mu Ssang grumbled angrily after putting the phone down.
The current regimes real heavyweights were the National Security Agency and the Defense Security Command. Like how it was with Namyeong-dongs and Seobinggos Anti-Communist Branches that tried to re-enact literal hell on earth, these two state organizations lorded over the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches of the government. The power of these two agencies was absolute. An average, innocent person could transform into a felon overnight, ministers and the members of the National Assembly had to lower their gazes, and not even the National Prosecuting Authority could raise a voice at them. A regular citizen stood no chance.
Most parasites didnt harm their hosts. But thats because a parasite would die if the host died. However, some parasitic creatures like tachinid flies, parasitoid wasps, and toxoplasma gondii mature by devouring the hosts they infect. So if organized criminals or yangahchis were simple parasites, then privatized government institutions with absolute authority were basically like a predatory parasite that strangled its host, its own country. Min Ju-seok was just another cog in that machine, and thats why it was pointless to point fingers at him.
Mina lying on her stomach on the floor and dozing away, raised her dizzy head. Her arithmetic homework was stained with drool marks.
Dad? Who are you scolding like that?
Oh. Just some random rude punk, thats all.
How was he rude?
Well When being rude, it can be described as you not having four important things. You dont have eyes, so you dont know how to look, you dont have ears, so you dont know how to listen, you dont have a neck, so you dont know how to lower your head, and you dont have a mouth, so you dont know how to explain. So someone like that is considered rude.
Mina began imagining a person without eyes, ears, a neck, and a mouth. And that person looked like an egg ghost.
Its an egg ghost, dad?
Eh? Oh, wow, youre right! Mu Ssang chuckled at that child-like imagination. Mina, you must learn to use your eyes to find good people, use your ears to listen to good things, use your neck to greet people and use your mouth to say only good things. Okay?
Ng. Im already good at that, dad. Big sisters always say Im kind and well-mannered.
Aigoo~! My cute little kitten! By the way, is that kid Seon-dong still causing trouble at school?
No, hes depressed lately. Kids he bullied are bullying him back now. Dad, did you scold his dad?
Yeah. I did teach him about those four things.
Wow! Dad, youre even more amazing than my teacher!
Ehehehe~. Im your dad, after all. Oh, hey. Wanna go to a department store with me? Mu Ssang, feeling pleased now, decided to spend big today. Minas favorite pastime was shopping, after all.
No, I like going to the local market more.
Eh? You wanna go to a traditional market?
Now that was an unexpected reply.
I like it there, cause lots of grandpas and grandmas are there.
Mu Ssang instantly figured out where this was going. Mina, do you want to see your Grandma?
Ng. Its unfortunate for my Grandma, you see? Achimgari is cold, you know.
Mu Ssang felt the tip of his nose sting a little. Was this because the blood was thicker than water? Got it. Lets go see your Grandma during your winter break.
Waaah! Dad, youre the best! Mina began bouncing around in joy.
Mu Ssang was proud of her. Despite her young age, Mina hadnt forgotten about her maternal grandmother. But, of course, it isnt the first condition for being a human, not forgetting ones roots and family!
*
The central park was located near Daegus city center, Hyangchon-dong. Gyeongsang Gamyeong still stood there, along with some other historic remains. The park was easy to reach and blessed with a verdant forest, making it a favored picnic spot for Daegus citizens.
At precisely ten in the evening, Yi Dae-deok parked his car in front of a coffee shop named Da Vinci, about 30m away from the Palgakjeong. (Octagonal pavilion) This position afforded him an unhindered view of the pavilion facing the westbound street.
Yi Dae-deok spotted a well-built mans silhouette in front of the pavilion. The dim lights of the parks street lamps cast a long shadow of this man.
One didnt win the title of the Nat-Sec Section Chief through a game of cards. The management of the Nat-Sec was made up of three deputy commanders and twelve section chiefs. As for the position of the department head, thats occupied temporarily by the so-called parachute appointments.
Yi Dae-deok was a veteran of the espionage game who had experienced all sorts of scenarios. Thats why he didnt just rush ahead. Instead, it was crucial to make the other party anxious first to seize the initiative.
He waited for ten minutes, but that man was like a sturdy tree, not even budging an inch from the spot. Plenty of folks with nothing much to do, like wandering drunkards and couples out on a date, loitered around the park, but that mans presence remained absolute, oppressive even. There was this heavy stillness around that man as if the air surrounding him now weighed a ton.
If Yi Dae-deok dared to break that stillness, a sharp blade might come flying in his way, which raised goosebumps on his skin.
How long are you going to stand there?
A voice suddenly rang in Yi Dae-deoks hearing. He had to furrow his brows deeply. He felt a bit frustrated that he lost the initiative to the other party from the get-go. He began walking forward in heavy steps. He failed to secure a psychological advantage. What a slip-up that was.
Bak Mu-ssang?
If you wish to know who youre talking to, introduce yourself first. Authority entrusted to you by the citizens isnt a blunt club. But, unfortunately, whether its Jeong Pil-su or Min Ju-seok, you people tend to use the club meant to catch sons of b*tches to take cheap shots at your real paymasters.
Yi Dae-deok wasnt prepared for a lecture like that and became speechless for a moment there. This punk Even though Bak Mu-ssang was still a youngster, not only was he not cowered in the slightest, he even dared to treat a high-ranking officer of the National Security Agency like a piece of discarded gum.
A manager of a Nat-Sec branch was comparable to a directors position in the headquarters C meaning, no one dared to throw an insolent remark like this at his face. It seemed that a wet-behind-the-ears punk became blinded by power after climbing to the position of advisor for an overseas powerhouse nation. This young punk was staring straight at Yi Dae-deok and unhesitantly spitting out a lecture.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Yi Dae-deoks temper began rising.
Youre not very polite, are you. Do you even know who I am? Yi Dae-deok tried to remain cautious with what he said, though. His opponent this time was a high-ranking diplomat and a superhuman with an unknown background.
Since you dont use honorifics from the start, I dont think youre in any position to talk about how polite I am. And I now know why your subordinates are such a bunch of rude punks.
A curt reply immediately came back in Yi Dae-deoks way. As the report said C this man was a demanding customer to contend with.
Huh, huh-uh. Well, fine. Im Yi Dae-deok. It seems that youve already investigated my identity.
Im Bak Mu-ssang. And you also did some homework on my identity, did you not?
Yi Dae-deoks moods soured even more. This youngster just didnt want to give an inch here. Forgetting about ones status for a moment here, Yi Dae-deok as an elder, was getting displeased by this attitude.
Dont you think youre a bit too discourteous as a younger person? Yi Dae-deok shot a sharp glare.
You came here to talk about your age? I know a bit about how people like you operate. You people see other humans as either enemies or disposable tools. If you want respect, start showing some respect first. Mu-ssang sharply ended his sentence there as if he was using a knife.
Yi Dae-deok was filled with greed to fix Mu Ssangs attitude and bring the latter under his wing, while Mu Ssang planned to scare the bejesus out of Yi Dae-deok and make the Nat-Sec stop interfering with his life. Two men dreaming of two opposing dreams didnt even entertain the idea of shaking hands and simply sharpened their knives, hoping to snatch away the initiative.
Mu Ssang unleashed his bloodlust that he had been purposefully holding back. It wouldnt do for him to beat his fellow countryman because things were getting annoying. However, this Nat-Sec agent was the type to cling onto his target like a leech if not sufficiently suppressed right here, right now.
Mu Ssangs deeply-hidden visceral bloodlust spread all over and seeped into his eyes as a blood-red aura.
Hugh?!
Yi Dae-deok sucked in his breath. His psyche was shaken up by the vicious, violent aura and the burning glare of a slaughterer staring at him. He had left fieldwork a long time ago, but his intuition that got his hands stained with plenty of blood in the past still hadnt gone anywhere. People with those eyes didnt hesitate to kill, whether they were killing dogs or humans.
Yi Dae-deoks dismissive attitude about his opponent being an immature punk disappeared into the ether instantly.
Im beginning to seriously wonder if this country is a liberal democracy as explicitly stated by the Constitution. Police officers meant to protect the citizens property and lives invaded a university campuss library, assaulted a young female student, and indiscriminately fired their guns.
And then, the National Security Agency operative named Jeong Pil-su dared to break into an innocent citizens home to plant listening devices and even tried to tail said citizen.
The bastard named Min Ju-seok started hurling insults and threats to my younger sister for no good reason, even though they have never even met before.
Right now, I have half a mind to crack open the skulls of this countrys so-called civil servants and check out the state of their brains. Let me ask you this, are you also one of those dimwit bureaucrats that treat fellow citizens as your servants?
Chapter 618 - Episode 1 Mother, My Mother
Unlike the poignant contents of that remark, Mu Ssangs tone remained calm and composed as if he were an adult scolding a little kid.
Yi Dae-deok was about to deliver a retort but was repelled by Mu Ssangs indignant glare.
Far too many people in this country love to crack the whip called the abuse of their authority. However, citizens are not idiots. Before long, those people will get hit in the back of their heads with a blunt club called consequences. By the way, my blunt club tends to be a bit more severe.
Please dont scare me too much. And also my apologies for inconveniencing you. Yi Dae-deok slightly lowered his head. But, as Jeong Pil-su said, Mu Ssang was not working under someone else, nor would he allow repeated excuses or threats against him.
Mu Ssang began viewing Yi Dae-deok in a new light at this sudden response. He thought of ending this man if the latter continued to put on useless airs tonight, so he felt a bit deflated by this response. Ill accept your apology for now.
Thank you. Just who are you? Yi Dae-deok strengthened his lower half to sit up straight.
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He didnt come out on a nightly stroll to get a lecture from a youngster. A powerless loser holding a picket and shouting some anti-government slogans was as futile as trying to punch the air. However, the opponent standing before him was a superhuman who exceeded his imagination. If such an individual couldnt be head-hunted, then Yi Dae-deok had to know who he was dealing with to think of appropriate countermeasures.
You already know my name and nationality, dont you? Im just a young man who left this country to become a mercenary hoping to put food on his table. Things worked out well for me one way or the other, and I somehow became a French diplomat. Thats all there is to it.
I guess a young man in this day and age can order around the French embassy, easily discover all the listening devices, kidnap a senior Nat-Sec agent without leaving behind any trace whatsoever, know all there is to know about a Nat-Sec agent despite the secrecy, and even squash steel like mud, too. If thats what a normal person is capable of, Id like to become a normal person, Yi Dae-deok retorted in a slightly sulky tone.
A government advisor certainly was not of a low rank by any imagination. Still, it was also not high enough for a foreign embassy to hurriedly crash the party at the first sign of trouble either.
Huh. You were the cause of all this, not me. I merely wanted to live an exceedingly simple, comfy life. Thats all. However, I wont be so forgiving the next time. Mu Ssang chuckled before making his reply.
Still feeling a bit peeved, Yi Dae-deok decided to lightly provoke Mu Ssang. You shouldnt underestimate the National Security Agency. If you were just a regular advisor, I wouldnt be standing here getting cold winds blowing on my face. Sure, we cant make a foreign diplomats life difficult, but we can continue investigating in the background. Besides, an advisor cant stay at home 365 days a year. Your family
Whoosh-!
A hole exploded open in the exposed bench between Yi Dae-deoks thighs and right below his crown jewels.
Heok?!
Yi Dae-deok hurriedly swallowed back the rest of his sentence about how Mu Ssangs family might experience many tiresome things in the future. His junior wouldve been a goner if that hole were only one inch higher. He wasnt all that convinced while observing Jeong Pil-su shuddering away earlier in the day, but it was all trueBak Mu-ssang was indeed a psychokinesis user. He was not only any ol user either but also a monster!
What is the meaning of this? Yi Dae-deok was usually a brave man, but he was still freaked out. He barely managed to rein in his pounding heart and raise his voice.
What were you going to say about my family? And with what authority? Besides, dont you guys at Nat-Sec have better things to do? Are you also one of those halfwits that view your fellow countrymen as a fish dick or something?
You wanna kill me? Go ahead. Im fully prepared to give up my life if it means the nations safety will be protected.
Yi Dae-deok remained stoic, unflinching. He could proudly boast about being second to none when it came to his boldness and guts.
Is that right? Youre prepared to die, eh?
Powpowpowpow-!
More holes opened up in the bench Yi Dae-deok was sitting on. The wood that was two inches thick was tempered by the rain and wind over many years and not even a pistol round could puncture it, yet!
Yi Dae-deok broke out in cold sweat. If his conversation partner were serious about it, hed have to book his funeral right away.
In that case, you do what you have to do. Ill do what I have to do in return. Do you know that Im a narrow-minded man that returns favor one hundredfold? I shall make you feel the consequences of cracking the whip called the abuse of authority.
While saying that, bone-chilling bluish light flooded out from Mu Ssangs eyes.
Yi Dae-deoks back was now thoroughly soaked in sweat. He heard the old saying about how ones eyes could pierce through papers, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect to see human eyes shoot ghostly blue embers!
Looks like I misspoke. Youre a potential danger that threatens the safety of this nation. I have to manage and regulate all national safety risks. Would you pretend none the wiser when a dangerous monster jumped into your backyard? Yi Dae-deok dearly wished to run away from here but still held his ground. If he was going to retreat from here, then he might as well have stayed in the Vietnam jungle as a skeleton.
Mu Ssang sighed under his breath. Yi Dae-deok was driven by his conviction when nicely put, but he was being stupidly stubborn when not so nicely put. Someone like him was the type to continue his duty even after a knife was thrust under his throat. If Bonipas were a cunning fox, Yi Dae-deok would be a straightforward bear.
One should hide a needle in a haystack, right? Mu Ssang decided to throw just a tiny bit of bait at the stubborn bear. His current title and rank were created to hide the Black Mamba in the first place, anyway. If you wish to know that badly, then here it is. My name is Sbard Gulbeig, the French Armys Special Military Advisor, and I also serve as a standing member of Frances National Security Council.
Heok?! Yi Dae-deok sucked in a cold breath. He was so shocked that a cigarette he tried to smoke to calm his frayed nerves fell out of his grip.
Frances National Security Council was the top permanent state organization directly under Frances president that deliberated and established policies regarding national defense, public order, and the management of the overseas territories. Its members include the Minister of the Interior, Overseas Territories and Territorial collectivities, Minister of Defense, the General Director of the DGSE, the Armys Chief of Staff, and the General Director of the Military Police.
A-are you being serious?!
Do I have a reason to lie? If you dont want any friction with the French government, pretend that you havent heard anything about me today. Mu Ssang shot him a sharp glare.
I, I shall do so. Yi Dae-deoks attitude did a complete 180.
Bak Mu-ssang had no reason to lie. Although the Special Military Advisor position sounded unfamiliar, Yi Dae-deok knew a lot about what the National Security Council of France did. A standing member of that council was comparable to a ministerial position. Yi Dae-deok figured out why the French embassy raised such a fuss earlier.
The only reason I told you about my top-secret identity is to avoid friction between our camps due to some misunderstanding. And you will take the truth of my identity to your grave. If you dont
Mu Ssang grabbed the thick pillar of the pavilion.
Crunch-!
His five fingers dug into the pillar made out of a pine tree from the Geumgang mountain that withstood centuries of harsh winds and frost as if it was mere tofu.
Snap-!
Mu Ssang ripped off the pillar, like it was a piece of styrofoam, and tossed it in front of Yi Dae-deoks feet.
Heol?! Yi Dae-deoks eyes widened, his jaw dropping to the floor.
Mu Ssang growled. Do you understand what Im trying to say?
An imaginary cold blade seemed to stab Yi Dae-deok in the heart. That demonstration was meant to imply that a sea of blood would flow if Yi Dae-deok opened his mouth. But instead, he couldnt meet Mu Ssangs glare and had to turn his head away.
However, despite his shock, his suppressed greed made him raise his head once more. I swear on my parents names, and I will not tell anyone. However, it is said that when the heavens bestow a gift, there will come a time when you must use it. So please, help our mother nation in crisis.
Ill pretend that I didnt hear anything. What can an immature punk like me even do for this country? Youll also regret asking me for such a favor after leaving this place. Ill act as if I didnt hear anything, so Mister Branch Manager, you shouldnt say something youll regret later. Mu Ssang curtly cut Yi Dae-deok off. This branch manager turned out to be more tenacious than the tree sponges found in the jungles of Ituri. So much so that he was getting fed up here.
Were still from one mother nation, are we not? You may have found success in France as an advisor, but your roots are still firmly Korean. So dont look away from your nation and fellow countrymen facing a crisis.
Hah, hahaha! Mu Ssang inadvertently chuckled at that. He tasted this stinging bitterness akin to drinking boiled motherwort water in his mouth.
He even felt like punching the branch manager, who even dared to bring up mother nation in every one of his sentences. The patriotism-can-solve-anything type of people happened to be the ones Mu Ssang detested most. These cunning older men staying in the rear where it was safe and secure while demanding the blood of the young ones were the real Oecophylla smaragdina.
Mu Ssang suddenly observed a trend. The mesophyll smaragdina-like humans could be found practically everywhere, but South Koreas case seemed to stand out more. Throughout history, the victims of sacrifice were always the ordinary people that were exploited, living tough lives. He was rather pathetic for wasting his time talking about this go-nowhere topic with someone he didnt care much about.
If the branch manager hadnt been an honest-to-a-fault type of man, Mu Ssang wouldve scolded him royally and gone home already.
If you want to employ someone, offer an appropriate compensation first. France does not force people to prioritize the mother nation and patriotism. Instead, give rewards matching ones abilities, and patriotism is sure to follow. So stop trying to coerce me with all this patriotism talk, and make it so that I can be patriotic of my own volition.
Yi Dae-deok could only sit there, blinking in silence. He felt tight-chested as if he was wearing ill-fitting clothes. This young man was only young on the surface, but in reality, he was as astute and crafty as a seventy-year-old man. Yi Dae-deok tried to appeal to the young mans innocent sensibility, but his efforts were entirely in vain.
Those motherf*ckers!
Yi Dae-deok already had seen Bak Mu-ssangs prior records. However, Bak Mu-sang couldnt have been the only victim of the corrupted governmental authority, now could he?
If Yi Dae-deok were subjected to such crap repeatedly over the years, even hed have lost all love for this country. Instead, he wanted to drag all those sh*tty bastards to Namsans Anti-Communist Branch and throw them inside the torture pan.
Im truly sorry. Ill erase all of your criminal records off the books. However if you cooperate with the government, wouldnt you also be in the light in South Korea, too?
My house faces south and gets plenty of sunlight, so you dont have to worry about that. You operate in the shadows so that you may need the light a lot more than me. Mu Ssang grinned slyly.
Yi Dae-deok tutted to himself. Nothing was working here.
Money isnt everything, now is it? Yi Dae-deok resorted to a lame excuse next.
Mu Ssang stared compassionately at Yi Dae-deok. Whats the salary of an enlisted soldier in South Korea, again? Its about five thousand Won for a 30-month sergeant ready to be discharged. Lets agree that the whole conscription thing cant be helped due to the current North-South situation. Shouldnt you provide the soldiers serving the country with a minimum acceptable compensation? Thirty months out of ones golden time is too much of a sacrifice, dont you think?
Five thousand Won is barely enough to buy one book and some biscuit crumbs from the PX[1]. No, hang on. Biscuits are too much of a luxury, arent they? I heard that the soldiers have to buy red chili paste and perilla leaves for themselves these days due to the poor quality of side dishes.
I also heard that kids with powerful backers can suddenly come up with illnesses, go overseas to study, and whatever else to dodge the draft altogether. Let me ask you, do you think the draftees would be overflowing with patriotism when they have to suffer through extreme abuse and hard labor with only 5,000 Won as their compensation?
Urgh! Yi Dae-deok could only let out a tormented grunt. He persisted with the patriotism angle only to get a verbal smackdown instead. And after hearing about these problems, he realized that he hadnt even thought about such things before.
France doesnt have a conscription system like Korea, so its impossible to compare. However, according to the official exchange rate, the annual salary of a Lgion trangre Major is around ten million Won. In other words, its four times the salary of the Korean armys warrant officer. Im a Major, but my annual salary easily exceeded over a hundred million Won.
Heol?! Yi Dae-deok couldnt help but feel alarmed.
Of course, the amount of salary would be different due to various factors such as the scale of each countrys economy and their living standards. However, such a stark difference in pay for a similar military rank still left Yi Dae-deok utterly stunned and speechless. No matter how much of a heaven-sent talent Bak Mu-ssang was, itd still be impossible for him to get that much salary in South Korea.
If you learn about the annual salary of the Special Military Advisor, then Branch Manager, you will immediately experience a bout of serious self-crisis. If the Korean government wants to match France and show me the appropriate treatment, it will have to arrange the position of an agent with full authority and an annual salary of billions of Won. You think they can do it?
Urgh! Yi Dae-deok had nothing to say.
Such a reward system was impossible in South Korea, where rank and seniority determined ones annual salary. Even after adding the danger pay and other benefits, the resulting wages would still be a drop in the bucket. The only arsenal left now was appealing to Mu Ssangs patriotic streak, so no wonder Yi Dae-deok was feeling frustrated as hell.
Im sure youre already aware of this, Branch Manager, but Koreas Nat-Sec is seen as the rural backwaters in the international intelligence community. In other words, a frog in a well.
Thats because the lack of funds and equipment hinders us.
Yi Dae-deok didnt want to admit it out of his pride, but the French government advisors criticism about them being a frog in a well was correct. But unfortunately, the National Security Agencys overseas department was still stuck in the HUMINT phase. Not only that but also they were too focused on America and Japan. Europe and the other third-world countries were at a pathetic level of cutting out and collecting newspaper articles.
Mu Ssang shook his head in empathy. Nonsense! Its not the lack of funds, but there are too many thieves in your midst. The annual budget meant to be invested in fostering talents and building networks is being siphoned off like some hidden stash under the pretense of so-called governing funds. Dont try to cover up this despicable reality, Branch Manager.
Dammit! Yi Dae-deok yelled out a curse without even realizing it. It seemed that he ran into his match today.
The world is changing quickly. Information will go beyond affecting national security and start influencing the finance sector soon. The more SIGINT (signals intelligence, intelligence-gathering by interception of signals) improves, the greater the importance of HUMINT will grow as it rearranges the vast information gathered into valuable data. But, of course, the quality of the field agents will remain just as crucial.
Get stuck in the old convention, then today will remain the same as yesterday, and tomorrow will be no different from today. If you dont want to be left behind, then throw away the patriotism marketing ploy and instead introduce a system that favors ones abilities and unhesitantly appoint anyone with talent, whether they are Koreans or not. You can have ten thousand Min Ju-seoks working for you, but they will still only be a waste of food and not much else.
Well seriously consider your suggestions. Yi Dae-deok nodded away. Even though it didnt feel good to hear all these, none of what was said was wrong.
Mu Ssang was as narrow-minded as ever. Min Ju-seoks fate had been sealed owing to the crime of swearing at Jin-soon.
King Gojong of Joseon ignored the vast Gyeongbokgung Palace and even the Changdeokgung Palace, instead choosing to use the shabbier Deoksugung Palaces Jungmyeongjeon as his office. Thats because Deoksugung was located right next to the American legation. During King Gojongs time, Horace Newton Allen, the American ambassador, requested President Roosevelt support Joseons liberation from Japanese rule. Do you know what Roosevelt said back then? Why do you ask me to keep a nation that lacks the will to defend itself? America wont intervene on behalf of a government that doesnt have the choice to try and fight back for its survival.
Do you not find that truly humiliating, Branch Manager? Mu Ssang stopped talking there and then glared at one of the stone monuments erected to praise and extol former governors.
Boom-!
A blameless stone monument shattered into bits.
Yi Dae-deok flinched. Do you have any intentions of meeting His Excellency?
If I wanted to meet him, Id have done so already. But after witnessing the pathetic sight of him giving up on Koreas defense industry and handing the data over to America, I lost all trust in that man. The greed for power has intoxicated him and made him deaf and a loudmouth. In my view, hes no different from the cowardly Gojong. You dont protect your country with loud words. And you dont show your patriotism with your mouth, either. Korea that still isnt developing the necessary strength to fight back has not changed much from how it was a century ago.
Mm!
Looks like weve strayed from the topic, havent we? Anyways. Stop with the nonsense about mother nation, patriotism, and the rest. When you find the will and strength to fight, then you can come and seek me out again.
Mu Ssang got up and then began dusting his butt.
[1] Post exchange, a shop in a military base
Chapter 619 - Episode 2 Mother, My Mother
A nation with no desire or ability to fight back! Yi Dae-deok muttered out loud without even realizing it.
He felt a chill run down his skin, as if ice-cold water was poured on him. Thats right, Korea relied totally on the U.S.A. for both military and intelligence gathering. The countrys president even gave up on nuclear and missile development just to get his coup dtat acknowledged. The current regimes situation was no different from King Gojongs time, who had set up an office right next to the American embassy.
And the National Security Agency was no better eitheras it handed all local information over to the CIA under the pretext of Korean-American cooperation. So even if American soldiers were found guilty for assaultingor worse murderingKorean civilians, the country would still choose to give up the right to prosecute these criminals.
Yi Dae-deoks face burned in shame. Forgive me for my rudeness. From now on, there wont be anything that will go against your wishes or cause you any inconveniences, sir. And if theres anything I can help you with, I will gladly come to your aid.
Yi Dae-deoks tone had turned a lot more courteous. But it wasnt because he found out that Bak Mu-ssang occupied a minister-level position in France. Despite his verbal denial, Mu Ssangs worries for his mother nation could still be sensed in his words.
No, dont. Itll be much more straightforward if we just act like cows and chickens. Why would I dance around with a double-edged sword called the Nat-Sec, anyway?
This country will never catch up to Japan if it insists on sticking to the current system, where the only way a soldier can get promoted to general is by not causing any problems or where a civil servant will only get their promotion and guaranteed retirement by not doing anything that will make him stick out like a sore thumb.
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While Korea wastes its days struggling with internal strife, China has started to race ahead of us by sticking to Deng Xiaopings black-cat-white-cat theory. Shouldnt you know by now, that trying to block the eyes and ears of the citizens will only come back to bite you in the end?
The actual threats are not lying within our country, but rather outside our borders. You should be swimming in the wider seas by now, so how long do you plan to continue acting like pawns for those in power? Mu Ssang spoke in a resigned sigh and then turned around to leave.
Advisor, sir. I know this isnt the right place, but do you mind if we talk a little while longer? Yi Dae-deok asked desperately.
Bak Mu-ssang belonged to a group in charge of defending Frances national security. His every word on national security is like gold dust, opening Yi Dae-deoks eyes to reality. He wanted to listen to him more if he could help it, even if it were just one more word.
I cant even take care of my own affairs, yet I waste your time with my unsolicited opinions, said Mu Ssang, before leaving the pavilion without a single goodbye.
Yi Dae-deok couldnt even bring himself to stop Mu Ssang and simply sat there dazedly, staring at the retreating back of the latter.
A cold wind brushed past Yi Dae-deoks sweat-soaked clothes, sending chills down his skin. However, he found it easier to breathe now. Earlier, when they were sitting close by, Yi Dae-deoks skin continued to prick and sting, while his breathing felt tight and difficult.
Once this country is ready to fight back, I shall help you get the anti-aircraft defense system. The higher-ups are probably thinking about selling their souls just to cling on to America, but thats a waste of time. Receiving an empty shell without the actual software needed to run it will just further reaffirm this countrys subordination. Its about time we stop being so devoted to America when it comes to self-defense.
Even though Mu Ssangs figure had grown distant, his voice still rang clearly inside of Yi Dae-deoks ears.
Heok?! Yi Dae-deok jumped to his feet in surprise. The anti-aircraft defense system is the main topic of discussion for the conference that will take place in Namsan later on. Chills ran down his entire body.
Although this will be dealt with in time, I still advise you to go and ransack Higashi Honganjis mission in Busans Haeundae as well as Seomyeons so-called Daejeong welfare center. You will find all sorts of parasites there. Ive heard that one shouldnt judge a book by its cover, and Im somewhat relieved that our current regime still has an honest civil servant willing to tough it out.
Mu Ssangs shadow vanished into the darkness.
Vroooom-
And then, the sound of a bikes exhaust grew distant.
So cool. He is truly a cool mans man! Yi Dae-deok muttered to himself.
He felt pathetic trying to head-hunt and lord over such a man. It was akin to a garden snake trying to swallow a wild boar. His eyes drifted as they took in the sight of all the holes on the bench as well as the damage done to the pavilions pillar.
Yi Dae-deok suddenly realized that Nowon-dongs Pungguk Capital and the Daejeong welfare center were Bak Mu-ssangs handiwork. Upon realizing this, he was able to understand several bits of evidence that seemed incomprehensible before.
There is a limit to ones stupidity, and his willingness to shove his own head inside a crocodiles open jaw. Yi Dae-deok found himself utterly pathetic for raising so much fuss earlier over a simple lack of honorifics while in front of a such an individual.
You want us to call you once the country has found the desire and the means to fight back? Just who are you?
Despite the cold winds, Yi Dae-deok didnt want to leave the pavilion just yet. It might have been shocking to find out about Bak Mu-ssang being a standing member of Frances National Security Council, but that only made Mu Ssangs actual identity even more mysterious.
Yi Dae-deok felt envious of France, for being able to recognize Bak Mu-ssangs true worth and for giving this man a position of such power.
An agent on standby walked up and urged Yi Dae-deok. President, sir. We need to get going now. We dont have much time.
Hey, you. Do you think that stupid conference is important to me?! Call the Busan branch and tell them to start a secret investigation on Higashi Honganjis mission and its Daejeong welfare center. No, wait. Never mind, Ill go there myself. Summon all the field agents available right now, Yi Dae-deok roared.
*
Young Master! What brings you here in the middle of the week? Sister Yang quickly rushed out of the temples kitchen with a bright smile to welcome Mu Ssang. She used to worry about the honorifics and seemed to have finally settled on Young Master now.
I wanted to see my Master, you see. Mu Ssang grinned back at her while handing over a bundle of goodies. He had collected wild herbs and reishi mushrooms while roaming the Palgong and Yu Hak mountains. And while on his way here, he also bought some Korean beef bones and tenderloins for good measure.
Oh, my goodness! Such valuable ingredients, Young Master!
Oh, no. Its nothing much. Older sister, it must be tough trying to serve a cantankerous old man in the middle of a deserted mountain like this. Does the daily life here get too lonesome?
No, not at all, Young Master. Its much nicer to have the Grand Monk with me in the temple. And that young foreigner gentleman comes to visit often too. Hes even more handsome than Hollywood actors, you know? And the day flies by so quickly while I spend time with the mountain animals that come to the temple.
The handsome and young foreign gentleman was, of course, Kamdoong. That man looked like Omar Sharif and Alain Delon combined. So its no surprise that Kamdoong is exceedingly handsome to behold.
A great tit flew down and landed near Sister Yang. She scooped up a handful of millet from the wooden bowl and scattered it on the ground. What a peaceful sight this was.
Hahaha. My Master has become a little kid, while youve become a proper Buddhist nun, sister.
Hey, you punk! Since youre here, you should hurry up and come in already! Whats up with all this chit-chat! A sharp roar came from the temples sanctum.
Oopsie! Sister Yang smiled and quickly ran into the temples kitchen.
Yes, yes. Im coming! Mu Ssang stepped into the temples sanctum.
Hey, you. Ive been hearing that you got yourself swept up in useless matters lately. Is that true?
Even before Mu Ssang could offer his greetings to Lord Buddha, an unpleasant question came hitting him first.
Eiiing, Kamdoong, you moron. You blabbed your mouth, didnt you?
Ouch! Mu Ssang cried out in pain. A chestnut that was resting on the Buddhist altar suddenly flew out and smacked him, before returning to its original position.
You dummy! Didnt I tell you that things will find their right path even if you leave them alone? So why did you go around poking at things?
W-well, the cops and the Nat-Sec idiots started interfering with my life, so
Would you listen to this idiot? Are you some common rank-and-file soldier who mess around with children? If you have too much time on your hands, why dont you be like Kamdoong and clean the sanctum and sweep the front yard instead?
You do have a point there, Master, Mu Ssang readily admitted. These events wouldve shaken up an ordinary persons life to the core, but to Mu Ssang, these were minor matters that wouldnt affect him all that much.
What brings you here so late in the day, though? Is there something on your mind?
My Baekbu [1] is terminally ill, Master. I feel troubled as to what to do.
Eii, you dummy. Youve already made up your mind about it, so why are you asking this old monk for an answer!
Ehhh? But I havent made up my mind at all though.
Why would you come and seek out this smelly old monk if you still hadnt made up your mind? You just wanted some kind of affirmation from me, and thats why youre here.
Mu Ssang was stunned. His Master had hit the nail right on the head. He had actually decided not to do anything about Baekbus illness, but his heart couldnt find peace until now, as if his familys blood was tugging at his conscience.
Master, even though my hearts already made up, delusions and my obstinacy have hidden the truth from me.
Hahaha. Its rather cringing to see my disciple pretending to be an enlightened monk, isnt it? Youre so shabby that this old monk cant even close his eyes and rest until now. I still have to work my butt off for you!
Master! Mu Ssang embraced his Masters figure, which was as thin as dead branches. You have to live for a long time and stop your shabby disciple from doing dumb things, Master.
You dummy, youre giving me the creeps. But my disciple is one of the wealthiest men alive, so Im going to stick around as long as I can to have some fun at your expense. First things first, though, change that old TV to a colored one, okay? Sister Yang says she doesnt like that old black-and-white TV.
Ehehehe~. You shouldnt use the sister as your excuse, Master. You probably wanted to see some hot young things in full color, right? Dont worry, Master. I knew youd ask for something like that, so Ive already ordered a wide-screen TV. Some people should show up tomorrow to install it, Master, Mu Ssang cackled.
Hmm, hmm. Thats good, then. Monk Dae-woo coughed to hide the awkwardness.
I see that our dear Grand Monk is having fun now that Young Master is here.
Everyone, Ive prepared food at the main room. Sister Yang opened the sanctums door and alerted the two men of mealtime.
Uh-huh! Why would I be happy to have some punk who dare make fun of his dear Master hanging around! Monk Dae-woo shook his head.
My dear old Master is simply finding solace by watching over an immature young punk. Hahaha! Mu Ssang cackled again. Since his mother still hasnt been found, his Master is the only person in the world whom Mu Ssang could find comfort with.
Eigoo~. Whether its the Grand Monk or the Young Master, you two are the same when saying incomprehensible things. In any case, let us hurry, Sister Yang urged.
*
Mu-ah. Are you planning to interfere more with matters of this mundane world?
No, Master. From this disciples perspective, the world still isnt satisfactory, but its steadily marching toward the correct direction. So far, it doesnt seem necessary for me to jump in and cause a scene.
I am pleased to hear that. I guess youve grown up, my disciple.
Ehehe, well, your disciple is certainly good with metal things, thats true! Im good with guns and also handy with knives![2]
Smack-!
A Buddhist rosary hanging on the wall came flying and smacked Mu Ssang before returning to its original place.
Ouch! Mu Ssang got punished for being too cheeky.
Fetters of infatuation, is it? Mu-ah, where is your heart lingering on currently? Monk Dae-woo asked out of the blue.
Mu Ssang couldnt reply right away. Instead, he considered his homes in Jip-eun Dari, Novatopia, and Eungsim-je. All three places didnt fit the fetters of infatuation mentioned by Master.
Go where your heart is leading you. Namu Amida Butsu! Monk Dae-woo said some riddle before closing his eyes. Mu Ssang bowed before his Master and then quietly retreated.
*
Go where my heart is leading me?
Mu Ssang reflected on what could be considered as fetters of infatuation in his life. His Master was an enlightened monk and not the type to say random nonsense. Since the Masters advice was to go where the heart was leading him, Mu Ssang needed to figure out where it is.
The remaining fetters of infatuation for him would be his mother and Hae-young.
Nupchi is putting in all effort to find any traces of Mu Ssangs mother right now, which meant the other unresolved fetter would be Hae-young. Even though he said he had severed the chain connecting his heart to hers, the love between a couple wasnt some cheap emotion that could be severed so easily. It wasnt like smoking that you could just quit, but more of something to endure.
Could that be where my heart is leading me?
The letter Mrs. Deok-san handed over to him some time ago came back into Mu Ssangs mind, details faintly coming back to him He recalled the location was where his parents had their first encounter, while their son went to the same location on a break-up trip.
*
Mu Ssang dazedly looked up at the signboard of the Chungmu passenger ship terminal.
His father met his mother right here. Didnt father say something about falling in love at first sight to a 19-year-old girl in a soft, pink Mudang dress, as she danced away during the ritual for abundant harvest? He chased after her for one and a half years until finally winning her over.
A father found his love here, while the son had to say goodbye to his love in this place. The memories of their steamy break-up sex in that Bijin-do B&B made Mu Ssang dizzy momentarily.
Bboo-woooo
A passenger ship blared its horn as it left port. This is the same dock where Mu Ssang and Hae-young got on a boat headed to Bijin-do island six years ago.
And now, here he was, standing on these docks again, while she was someplace far away. The sea route information board leaning at a crooked angle remained the same after all these years. Even the sea gulls flying leisurely overhead hadnt changed. And yet, only the people had changed.
Mu Ssang can picture Hae-young fighting off loneliness inside an empty apartel located in the street near Paseo Nuevo while bathed in yellow sodium lights. The words she wrote about wanting to speak to someone while rummaging through her notebook only to realize that she had no one to call hit Mu Ssang in the heart really hard.
This was no ones fault, but the pressure from society that had led them here. Mu Ssang completely wrecked the lives of Prosecutor Kim Dal-su and Sergeant Jang Chi-soo, as they were the main culprits behind his break-up with Hae-young.
Back then, he cried bucketload of tears like some idiot while listening to the song If the Ocean Was a Land. But he could summon the Falcon right now and cross the Pacific.
But what would he do upon reaching there? Time is relative. Six years to young people would be akin to six decades to older adults.
He loved Edel and Jin-soon. And obviously, Hae-young wouldnt still be clutching onto her pillows longingly after all this time. The sweet and happy memories flashed past his mind like a revolving lantern.
The heart could be cunning sometimes. He acted like a big man while saying goodbye to her, yet it was all just a ruse. Fragments of memories, as sharp as broken ceramic pieces, dug into his heart, causing blood to slowly trickle down.
His view was momentarily blinded by bright lights, which belong to the navigation lamps of the fishing boats returning to port. Mu Ssang just noticed that it was already evening. After buying a ticket to Bijin-do island at the ships terminal, he wandered the docks for the next two hours.
Unable to leave the docks, he decided to go to a nearby motel to turn in for the night.
[Yi-Seong-Jang]
By the time he regained his wits, he found himself standing in front of the motel called Yil-Seong-Jang, where he and Hae-young had stayed in all those years ago. Six years had robbed the letter L from the signboard, turning the place from Yil-Seong-Jang to Yi-Seong-Jang. But just like how Bak Mu-ssang was the invincible Eastern Swordsman, there was no doubt that this was the same motel from before.
It was said that Kim Yu-sins favorite horse took its drunk owner to Cheon Gwan-nyeos home. The invincible Eastern Swordsman wasnt some dumb animal, yet his wild wandering still unconsciously led him to the steps of Yil-Seong-Jang.
*
Mu Ssang tossed and turned throughout the night, as glimpses of his past and the sounds of waves continued to haunt him. He only finally fell asleep in the early morning. He could have blocked out the noises of the crashing waves, but there was nothing he could do about the voices messing around in his head.
Riiiing-
The dull ringing of a phone woke him up. When Mu Ssang picked up the intercom, his hearing was tormented by an old ladys phlegmy voice.
-Guest, its already midnight. Are you going to leave or stay for another day?
Kukuku!
He chuckled. Even the unfriendly tone of the landlady was also the same as six years ago. Nothing seemed to have changed, which brought him this unexplainable sense of relief.
Im going! Mu Ssang replied curtly and slammed the receiver down, the same way he did six years ago. Of course, everything changes over time, but some things will remain the same. And that is why the world is such an exciting place.
[1] Fathers older brother.
[2] TL: A pun on growing up/maturing and metal things was lost during translation.
Chapter 620 - Episode 3 Mother, My Mother
Creak. The inns worn-out front door opened.
Ah!
Mu Ssang grimaced as he came through, flipping his wet hair. His eyes hurt, assailed by the sun. The soft sunshine poured down, welcoming this traveler. Based on the weather, it didnt feel like a day in December but rather, in April. Compared to the day before, when the cold wind blew and snowflakes danced in the air, it was a warm day today.
As he exited the alley, the long breakwater next to the cruise terminal caught his eye. Before he left for Bijin Island, he had walked the same street with Hyeyeong, while drinking hot oden soup. Various stalls selling oden, boiled crabs, clams, noodles, udon, and fried fish were lined up along the road. The landscape today was no different from before.
The hard-working women had already opened their shops. The sound of knives hitting cutting boards, boiling water in big pots, while gutting mackerel for broiling, has definitely got him feeling hungry. He had skipped dinner the night before, which is rare since he usually has an insatiable appetite.
He was craving for some hangover soup with boneless meat, covered with dried vegetables, served in an earthenware pot. If he were in Corsica or Aubanne, paella de campo (a European dish of rice, beans, and seafood simmered in a vast, two-handled frying pan) would have been its equivalent.
Haha!
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He couldnt control his laughter. He was suddenly reminded of the famous French philosopher Jacques Lacan who said, The three luxuries of man are food, sex, and death. Thats right. Food, sex, and death are equal pleasures, whether it be for humans or animals.
Humans enjoy food by grilling, broiling, steaming, frying, and adding spices, while animals eat to survive. Humans indulge in sex, while animals lose interest as soon as their rutting period ends. Humans die in comfort in their beds, buried in sophisticated rituals and were mourned for, while animals either perish in the stomachs of other beasts, or are left in the wilderness to be consumed by maggots. Therefore, to call someone a beast is a profound insult.
H wont be able to get bone broth made with chili oil from a mere food stall. So he bought a bowl of oden instead, went down the breakwater, and sat on a tetrapod. Plastic bowls and bamboo chopsticks from his past, are now replaced by styrofoam bowls and plastic forks. Six years is quite a long time, a lot of things can change. Even the departure time that was printed on the ticket is long past.
The blue sea water rushed through the gaps between the tripods. It is definitely an uncomfortable place to stumble into and die. Suddenly, he remembered the young man and woman who climbed up and down the escalator in Daegu Department Store as they ate ice cream. Why did they feel uncomfortable standing side by side, sharing the ice cream? Is it because they felt a sense of foreboding of their future?
Its my first proper Christmas for the first time in six years!
He chuckled. His eyes stayed on the layered waves crashing against the shore, but his thoughts were in the past. Fragments of different memories which he had repressed began to stretch and resurface. Images of Hyeyeong dressed in a gray trench coat and a red scarf, overlapped with those of his mother, who danced in front of his fathers grave in red and blue. The hem of Hyeyeongs scarf fluttered in the sea breeze, overlapped with his mothers headband fluttering in the mountain breeze.
[I was born on Mothers Day, when the pale pink peach blossoms danced in the air.
My father, who was tilling the land then, abandoned the plow and ran to me instantly.
My father, who was dancing in a swirling motion, is gone.
My mother, who would sew socks under a lantern light, is gone.
Their orphan son planted flowers alone.
If the flowery branch is shaking, is it my fathers soul?
When the pale pink petals danced, my mother would have listened to them.
In Mt. Wolsong, filled with lush greenery, only the cuckoo cries can be heard.
You wet the pillow, while listening to the birdsong, during an inky black night!
Even as I listen to the sea breeze, I cant hear your voice.
You scream like a deranged ghost, but you cant hear me.
Will you hear me when my words are colored blue?
Will you come to me longingly if I blow peach blossom petals across the sky?]
Tears started to form in his eyes. The blue sea slowly turned gray.
Would you like to play with a grumpy crab? Shall we play with its pretty shell?
A chirping voice brought him back away from his scattered mind. He turned his head abruptly. A little girl who looked about three or four years younger than Mina was standing at the edge of the breakwater. She was cute, almost doll-like, with her red face and hair in two braids, wearing a red jacket. A calm sea breeze blew. Her cute cloth bag was dangling from her back, and the hem of her ruffled white skirt turned over.
Oh, the wind sure is something today!
She hurriedly pushed down her flipped skirt. They both smiled. Her pretty face and cute demeanor made him smile. Then, the little girl asked abruptly.
Hey, are you hungry?
Not really.
Liar, Ive been looking at you for a while. You must be hungry if you want to catch fish that bad.
Haha, yes. I am hungry.
Mu Ssang burst into laughter at the little girls assumption. There is an army rope in his shirt pocket. If she asked him to catch fish, he would do everything he can do as she asked. He felt a chill run through his chest.
Ugh, I need a fishing rod to catch fish.
The little lady bit her finger and pondered. She was so cute and pretty that he wanted to hug her so badly. Then without warning, she jumped off the breakwater. Did she felt provoked by his gaze? She bit her lip as if she had just made a serious decision, and took off her bag, which is just an old bag covered with lint.
Hey, eat this.
As Mu Ssang was contemplating whether to buy new clothes and a new bag for the girl, a whole loaf of bread appeared in front of his eyes. His eyes widened at the unexpected situation.
Ugh! Arent you going to eat it?
He opened his mouth stupidly, and alternately looked between the little ladys face and the loaf of bread held in her small, claw-like hands. At that moment, his empty stomach rumbled shamelessly.
Look. Children are hungry too, but you are hungrier.
Aww!
Mu Ssang unwittingly let out a low moan. The little ladys innocent words made him cry. Never before had he received such a pure favour from anyone! A rush of heat and affection rose to his chest.
I will enjoy it. Thanks.
Mu Ssang politely and reverently received the bread as if it were Holy Communion given in a Catholic church. Isnt this what the true spirit of sharing is all about?
Is your name Yeonga?
Yes. Yeong-a.
The little lady enunciated the syllables of her name. Mu Ssang stared at the childs eyes which shined like jewels. There was something familiar in her eyes that caught his attention, and he could not look away. They were watery and frightened black eyes, with exceptionally long eyelashes!
Im staying here.
Uh! Thats right. You should stay.
He was startled by her words, so he took a bite of the bread and started to eat. The sweetness of mass-produced bread filled his mouth. And yet, it was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted in the whole world. Even the freshly baked pain au chocolate from a three-star Michelin restaurant on the Champs Elyses cant compare with this. It was so delicious that he was almost moved to tears.
In his mind, the piece of cheap bread turned into a sweet sake bread which his mother used to make. It is a crude bread fermented with makgeolli, with a handful of sugar added to wheat flour. But there is no dessert more delicious than that. Suddenly, an image of Edel holding a box of macarons while crying came to his mind. Is this how she had felt then?
Lacan said that some memories, especially special ones, are capable of etching themselves permanently in our minds. There are happy memories too: his mothers smile, that seemed to be carried to him with the sea breeze rushing through the waves. The salty smell of cooked oden and the smell of Hyeyeongs freshly harvested crops. Isnt it amazing how humans can bring to mind the memory of a loved one just at the sight of food?
Is it good?
The young girl looked at him blankly. Then, those clear, black pupils twinkled like starlight under her long eyelashes. Mu Ssang felt chills down his spine.
Yeah, its good. There is no bread in this world that tastes better than this.
You must be thirsty too. I also have milk.
The child took out a cartoon of banana-flavored milk from her bag and held it out to him C a plastic container shaped like a jar as a symbol of warmth from this pure soul. It seems like she comes from a good upbringing. Her parents must be good people too.
What a kind child!
Mu Ssang did not hesitate and accepted the banana-flavored milk. He then cut the bread in half and gave one to the child.
Lets eat together!
The childs eyes darted between the two halves, as if comparing their sizes.
But now its small.
The little lady hesitated.
But it tastes better if you share it.
Mu Ssang laughed softly.
My mother also said so. She says that we have to share the food.
The girls eyes twinkled once again. Her hunger seemed to have overcome any hesitation she might have had. A smile formed on her face. Here they are, a young man and a little girl squatting opposite each other on the breakwater, sharing bread and banana-flavored milk. As if in silent agreement, they ate in small bites.
But I dont have anything to share. What should I do?
Mu Ssang put on an embarrassed expression. He felt frustrated. He wanted to give the little girl something, but he had nothing, just a Glock and Chomorangma. There was a length of army rope in his pocket, and a dagger hidden under his sleeve. They are weapons to kill people, not fitting to give to a child. It was also weird to give the child a large sum of money.
My mother said when you help someone, you should not expect anything in return.
Yeongas words hit him hard. Another memory came to mind: a plane disappearing into the clouds, with Hyeyeong in it. He could still see it vividly in his minds eye.
Life is quite exciting!
These four words resonated in his heart. He understood now that the chains of delusion were not with Hyeyeong, but with himself. It is true she caused him trouble before. Still, as long as she was happy, he will give her his blessings. And if she chooses to come back, he will accept her as well. He wanted to forget all the unpleasantness between them.
The lump that had formed in his throat was gone in an instant.
Hey, are you sick?
The girl looked at him intently and asked.
No. I was thinking about something. You are a wonderful person, you know.
Mu Ssang reached for the girls hair. For a moment, his hands looked red, tainted with blood from the battlefields. He was worried that he might taint such a pure soul.
Hey!
A woman wearing a bodysuit and a cloth skirt ran toward them as the sea breeze blew.
Oh, its my mother.
The girl got up to her feet.
Ugh!
Mu Ssangs face paled. He felt like he was hit by a pile of grenades, and fell into a lake 8,000 meters deep. The woman was in her mid-thirties, with a delicate body like that of a willow branch. Her long, slender neck had a few wrinkles. Seeing those narrow, round shoulders, that egg-shaped face, and long eyelashes that seem to cover her eyes, instantly Mu Ssang was transported to the past.
Its Mom!
Mu Ssang could count the strands of hair in her eyelashes. Her white face had turned dark due to sunburn, but he can still recognize his mother, whom he had longed for the past 17 years. She looked pretty well-to-do. His heart was beating like it was about to explode, no doubt due to the recognition of kinship.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang could only whimper. This isnt funny at all. Did Master foretell that this would happen?
Girl, I told you not to stray away!
The woman glanced at Mu Ssang with a watchful eye, and lightly clasped the girls head.
Mom, I gave this poor man bread and banana milk.
The child swiftly grabbed the hem of the womans skirt and clung to it, while twisting her pigtails.
You did great. Good girl.
The woman stroked her childs hair. The child made a soft sound and licked her lips.
You cant play here. You could fall into the sea. Okay?
Yeah, I wont come here anymore.
Whoa!
Tears streamed down Mu Ssangs eyes as he felt a sense of dj-vu. He remembered staying out late at night playing in the willow forest, and his mother would scold him the same way. Then, he would answer back, grab the hem of her skirt, and shout that he was hungry, as they slowly walked home together.
Where have you been?
Gim Malsun was confused. Why is this strange young man shedding tears? She didnt know what to do or say.
Oh my gosh!
Mu Ssang moved closer and grabbed Gim Malsuns shoulder. His breathing came in short gasps, and his throat felt like choking, so his voice did not sound right.
Chapter 621 - Episode 4 Mother, My Mother
Mom, its me!
Oh my! You must be out of your mind, sir.
Gim Malsun felt chills down her spine. The man was huge and beast-like. He looked more terrifying than a tiger, and more revolting than a snake. She was used to having men grab and drag her to the inner room, and eventually pulling down their pants. Strong-looking men terrified her.
These horrific memories started in one fateful encounter That day, the red setting sun filled the sky like blood. She was walking down a newly-paved road when out of nowhere, a van drove up next to her and three men got off. She tried to run back but had barely gone a few steps before getting caught and forcefully thrown into a van.
The van drove all night only to finally stop at the beach. A middle-aged man who was missing two front teeth was there waiting for them. They got on a boat and drove to a remote island. This was the first time she saw a salt farm. There, she was forced to work in a large salt field together with 30 other people, and only five of them were women.
The work was very taxing. They had to push salt all day on the salt farm, with the sun beating down mercilessly on them. The salt was then carried to the warehouse on a wheelbarrow. The same man would yell and beat people up, so there was no way she could find a moment of rest. Her frail body could not cope with working on the salt farm, which was ten times more difficult than working on an ordinary farm. So after three days, she passed out in the middle of work.
The man screamed at her and struck her with a stick, but she remained mobile and seemed almost dead. Finally, he gave up and allowed the workers to eat and get cleaned. Besides the work toil, the frequent catcalls she received from the man made it impossible for her to sleep well at night. Finally, it got too much that one night, she stabbed the man with a pair of scissors.
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He shouted at her and beat her up, but she didnt flinch. She lived this way for 10 years. A distant relative of hers was also working the same salt farm. The two of them plotted their escape from the hellish island. Finally, during a night that was dark as ink, she and her relative boarded a small boat and escaped.
They arrived Busan by car, but was immediately sent to a place where naked women were lined up like dolls on a glass display. Turns out her relative had betrayed her as well. In a way, he was a villain much worse than the man at the salt farm because of his betrayal.
There she was constantly beaten up, and was forced to accommodate multiple men in a day. She begged and prayed but no help came. At last, perhaps by divine intervention, the brothel caught fire, and she managed to escape. She had only been in the brothel for ten days, but still ended up with child, whose father she was not even sure of.
She had lost some of her memories, but this didnt affect her everyday life. Only her past memories were erased completely, while her daily memories remained intact. Given the choice, she would rather die or hide from the world, but life went on. After the girl was born, she cant even think of dying anymore.
Whenever she stayed in one place for too long, men wold prey on her. Some men will show goodwill towards her at first, but eventually reveal their true intentions and simply coveted her body. She grew to hate men.
Everytime she was molested on the job, she would quit and find a new one before she can suffer. Over the past seven years, she has worked at 20 different restaurants. Whenever she met someone who did her a favor, her immediate reaction was of fear.
Mom, dont you recognize me? Im your son, Mu Ssang!
Mu Ssangs face was filled with emotions, as he enunciated each syllable of his name.
You must have lost your mind!
Gim Malsun was unimpressed and clucked her tongue. But the young mans eyes seemed clear and not clouded by lust. She thought a young man in his twenties would not covet her old body.
I cant believe it!
Mu Ssang trembled as if from cold. In an instant, his entire world was turned upside down. There was no way he can be mistaken. After all, he is an excellent sniper who could easily locate his target among tens of thousands of people.
Mu Ssang recognized his mother, whom he had not forgotten even after 17 years, and longed for this day when they can finally be reunited. But the one thing he was afraid of seemed to have happened. It was the dissociative amnesia that Dr. Giz had been talking about.
Mother, do you not recognize me? Japan Dari! Bak Jinbo! Bak Mu Ssang! Gim Malsun! Im your son!
Mu Ssang continued to tremble. He found his mother at last, but how could she be like this!
Bak Jinbo?
Gim Malsun was startled, warmth filled her heart at the mention of the name. The name brought about a distant memory. She clung desperately to these heartwarming feelings, her large eyes pondering as she bit on her lips. Mu Ssang felt hopeful upon seeing this reaction to his fathers name. He sang the song that her mother used to sing whilst she picked cotton flowers in Miyeong.
[I cant, I cant pick it all up today.
Hey, hey!
The soft cotton will fill my sons winter clothes.
The rough cotton will fill my husbands clothes.
Hey, hey!
The sun is setting over the western horizon. Mu Ssang must be hungry.
Hey, hey!]
Ah!
Gim Malsun groaned softly. She remembered: a hill that was split in half by a deep ravine. White seaweed scattered at the end of a narrow road that wind down a cliff. A man with a broad chest and warm hands. Pale peach blossom petals danced in the air. Slowly, a fog started to fill her head and it felt like it was going to split. She had almost forgotten that this happens to her several times a year.
Oh, no!
She yelled, trying to stop these memories from slipping away. Suddenly, she was sleeping soundly when someone grabbed her breasts and covered her mouth. Her clothes were torn away from her, as a hammer hit her on the head at that precise moment.
Aww!
Gim Malsun screamed and collapsed. Inky darkness fell over her consciousness.
No!
Mu Ssang moved to support Gim Malsun. He blamed himself. Had he noticed his mothers psychological state earlier and explained to her calmly, she would have been able to understand the situation without passing out.
Within the human brain, each neural network is unique. The neural network itself is malleable, and external factors can act as stimuli to provoke or suppress neural activity.
With every action, theta waves are emitted from the hippocampus. Theta waves are responsible for curiosity, attention, and interest. As such in a dim-witted persons brain, barely any theta waves are being transmitted, and even if there are, the strength thereof is almost insignificant.
For patients with severe dissociative amnesia, the transmission of signals between neurons and synapses in the hippocampus becomes unstable. When an excessive shock caused by an external factor is registered, the neurotransmission in the hippocampus is disturbed. Memories get jumbled up, causing one unable to distinguish their memories anymore. Sometimes, one can completely lose ones mind in the process. He had to be careful not to shock her further.
The myth where a son bled into his mothers mouth in order to save her is nothing but a myth after all. If that had actually worked, it would have been because of the intense smell of the blood that managed to rouse the person from unconsciousness. Human olfactory cells are most sensitive to the smell of blood.
Mu Ssang held his mother with one hand and placed the other on her forehead. He raised his Dimensional Sight to the highest level. Resonance Wave penetrated her brain like a sound wave. The intricately intertwined capillaries and nerve bundles were vividly painted in different colors.
The hippocampus and amygdala had been impacted. The cerebral cortex was covered with toxic substances. There were also many blocked and broken capillaries. He had no idea where to start. If he accidentally touched any of the complex neural circuitry, the effect could be irreversible.
Resonance Wave could be used to easily disintegrate glucocorticoids and beta-amyloid toxic substances that deposited in the cerebral cortex. Although the microvessels connected to nerve cells remained untouched, but relatively large capillaries had been impacted.
Resonance Wave shook her entire brain. The process is akin to pouring water into a blocked water pump then pouring Drano into a blocked pipe. The brain is a mysterious organ, a hundred times more complex than the heart. Extreme caution is necessary. Mu Ssang was sweating profusely.
Mom!
The young girl cried.
Dont cry. Mom is being healed!
After finishing the non-invasive surgery, Mu Ssang patted her on the forehead.
Is my mother dying?
Her big eyes filled with tears. To this child, her mother was her everything.
Call me brother. Our mom will wake up soon.
As if Mu Ssangs words were a signal, Gim Malsun opened her eyes.
Gim Malsun sat up and pushed Mu Ssangs arms away.
Let go of me!
The young mans eyes were filled with sadness. She felt heart almost drop. Both mother and son scanned each others faces for a while. Mu Ssang was indeed her son. His personality and stature resembled his father, Bak Jinbo, but his face looked just like his mother, Gim Malsun.
A slender face, with gentle eyes like a cows, dark eyebrows and long eyelashes, a conspicuous nose, and delicate lips like a womans. His features were not unfamiliar. He looked a lot like her. It would be wonderful if the young man who called her mother was really his son! A look of regret appeared on Gim Malsuns face.
Ah!
Mu Ssang sighed. He tried to rouse her memory, but his attempt was unsuccessful. His mother will not be able to regain her memory anymore. As Dr. Giz said, memories do not belong to the physiological realm but rather, the psychological realm. Although his efforts can help restore her memory eventually, but they are not enough to retrieve her memory now. He didnt dare touch the hippocampus, which sat deep with her brain.
Is my name Gim Malsun?
Mu Ssangs face darkened. Dissociative amnesia can improve or worsen depending on ones environment. Under continuous repression and stress, reactive oxygen species and beta-amyloid, which is a defective protein, will continue to damage synapses and inhibit the production of neurotransmitters.
He may have managed to escape his ordeal with strength and resolve, but his mother was frail. A woman of her beauty was like vulnerable prey. It would not have been just one or two guys who have attempted to touch her. The stress of repeated aggression and her resignation to her fate must have worsened her condition. His heart ached just thinking of the hard life her mother must have endured all these years.
Are you going to say hello to your son?
Gim Malsun frowned at the young mans face. Somehow, she found herself able to him. Although she couldnt remember, her heart ached at the sight of him, her son. It is the innate recognition of kinship. It has been 17 years since she passed out and lost her memories. If he was indeed her son, how harsh his life must have been to be orphaned at such a young age?
You still dont recognize me!
Mu Ssang said again. Normally, she would fee uncomfortable being this close to a man, but this young man seemed trustworthy. She was reminded of an image of sunshine shining through the darkness.
She has been chased by and learned to be afraid of men her whole life. But this young mans forearms seemed strong and comfortable enough to protect her from everything. Her head, which always felt cloudy, suddenly felt as clear as the autumn sky.
Is my name Gim Malsun?
Thats a very old-fashioned name!
The girl said, and Mu Ssang couldnt help but laugh.
Is my husbands name Bak Jinbo?
Yes. He loved you dearly.
Loved?
My father died of pesticide poisoning. He held my hand as he took his last breath. He told me to find and take care of you. Those were his last words!
Tears streaked down Mu Ssangs face. His heart ached as he felt remorseful for not being able to keep his promise.
Ah!
Gim Malsun closed her eyes. Seeing the hot tears of this young man tugged at something in her heart. Was it his warm, firm heart that she vaguely remembered? Her head had forgotten, but her heart remembered. All the ordeals she went through seemed to melt away. She had a husband who loved her, and her son finally came to see her.
Do not cry!
Gim Malsun comforted Mu Ssang with her hand. Her face was also covered with tears.
Mom!
The strongest man in the world found himself speechless. He was shaking from the touch of his mothers hand which he had longed for everyday during the past 17 years. His heart immediately melted. Neither his superhuman training nor his mental resolve that has been forged in bloody battlefields, could prevent this from happening.
Mu Ssang? My son!
Mu Ssang clenched his teeth and nodded. He felt like crying when he answered. For him and his mother to be subject to such a fate, life indeed is harsh.
What have I ever committed for God to punish me this severely?
Gim Malsun blamed the divine. She tried to trace her memories but only saw misty fog. She felt resentful of her twisted fate.
Chapter 622 - Episode 5 Mother, My Mother
Her body remembered the innate sense of kinship. Her heart was pounding, but her head was empty. How in the world could this happen? What a strange life. How many times could one collapse from exhaustion after crying so hard that ones eyes are sore and throat is hoarse! She felt crestfallen when she realized she didnt recognize her own son.
Mussang, my son!
Her sobs turned into wailing.
Mother!
Mussang hugged his mother firmly. The world was a cruel place, preying on the weak. Who made his mother this way? Anger engulfed his soul and overshadowed the joy of finding his mother.
Ah!
When her mother cried, Yeong-a clung to her and wept too. The sobs of the mother and son, who were reunited for the first time in 17 years, along with the young girls cries were mixed in the strong sea breeze.
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Yeong-as crying made Mussang come to his senses. Even if he conquers the world, what good is it if he forgets his loved ones? Gentle energy enveloped Gim Malsun and Yeong-a. The strength of the interference field correlated with the strength of ones empathy. Gim Malsun was awakened from her mental fog.
Im sorry, Mussang.
Her voice was as heavy as soaked cotton. Her suffering meant nothing. Her sorrow melted at the hardships her young son would have gone through. All mothers in the world would have felt the same. Even if she filled her stomach with crude food, she was content if her children were fed with delicacies.
Its my fault for not protecting my mother. I was too young to fulfill my fathers will. Time is power. A lion cub who was chased by a wild dog became a regal, maned lion. No one will bother you now, mother. The bad guys who tormented you will pay for it a hundredfold.
They both smiled. His mothers apology harbored many meanings.
You grew up to be a fine young man. How old are you?
A smile spread across his tear-soaked face. The hardships of the past melted like snow in his heart. He grew up well even in the vilest dredges of the human world.
Twenty-six. You got married when you were 19 and gave birth to me when you were 23. I heard that I was conceived late because you were bullied by Jang Pilnyeo.
Jang Pilnyeo?
Gim Malsun was startled. She felt cold and terrible as if she had stepped on a snake walking down the street.
Shes your sister-in-law. She miscarried her first child because she lived through a harsh marriage with hostile in-laws. She and her husband had a big fight and got separated.
That Jang Pilnyeo?
Karma is getting back at her. You must be feeling a sense of relief. Hehehe!
Thats right! Its not okay to hurt people though.
Mussang grinned. She never hit her son even after he lost money in poker countless times. She could have turned toxic with all the hardships she had gone through, but she still had a kind heart.
I will take care of it. What about Yeong-a?
She sniffled and looked at Yeong-a.
Phew!
Gim Malsun let out a long sigh without answering. Mussang found the answer in her sigh. Two wet eyes covered by long eyelashes and a long, slender neckline resembled his mothers. A child who looked like his mother also had a kind personality like hers. He felt regret turning into anger for asking the question.
Im going to kill the bastard!
His mind went livid.
Uncle!
Yeong-a grabbed his pants and shook them.
You little rascal, call him brother!
His hostility disappeared in an instant and a smile as soft as the spring breeze arose.
Brother?
The girl looked confused. Uncle is her brother? But hes the bad uncle that made mother cry.
You look like me, dont you?
Mussang squatted and looked at the child. The child, looking at him, clapped her hands.
Your eyebrows are similar to mine. The same with your nose and lips.
Look at that! We look alike. Im really your brother.
Ugh, still though.
The little lady did not warm up to him easily.
Haha, this little rascal!
Mussang laughed aloud. Suddenly, he had a younger sister who was 20 years younger than him and she was such a cute girl that he felt like biting her cheeks.
Mom, do you like uncle?
Yeong-a tilted her head. Her mother that said she hated the uncle, was in his arms crying and saying she liked him. Even in her eyes, her mother was acting strange.
Yes!
Gim Malsun, who was feeling shy, wriggled out of her sons embrace.
Mussang, what did you do to me?
Gim Malsuns eyes widened. As if a sack of rice had been removed from her shoulder, her body, which had always been in a state of stupor, felt as light as feathers. Her headache was gone, and she felt strength entering her limbs. She felt like she could move a bucketful of broth. The change was so sudden and big that she felt scared.
Im a little strong. I kicked out the evil ghost that was clinging to you.
Mussang gave an explanation that he felt she could understand.
A ghost?
Gim Malsun looked at her son with a smile. She was a psychic herself. She felt great energy emanating from her son.
Is that so!
She acknowledged it readily. Rather than a medical explanation, a ghost was a concept that she could understand immediately. If her son said so, so be it.
The lost memories will soon be restored. Dont worry about anything, just trust me.
Mussang made a promise. Although his abilities are crude, he knew a master who could turn Ssamdi, who was a zombie, into a human being, and Dr. Loren Giz, the worlds most renowned expert in neuroscience. Restoring her memories is a matter of time but whether recovering the memories is desirable, is something he has to ask his master
Oh!
Gim Malsuns face brightened. She was not a loner thrown out in the world. She had a loving husband and a happy family. She had a strong desire to recall that happiness. More than anything else, she wanted to remember raising her son. Her desire for life burned anew.
Mom, the sea breeze is feeling cold. Lets go eat some hot broth.
Im working at a restaurant
Gim Malsuns face looked sullen. Mussang grew up to be an amazing man. She was the mother of the most powerful man on Earth, world-class rich, and the King of Novatopia. His mothers appearance filled Mussangs eyes. She was wearing market-brand, cheap, baggy clothes, a shabby quilted jacket, a stained apron, all hinting at a hard life.
Mother, dont you worry about anything now and leave it to your son.
All right!
Gim Malsun felt like all her worries were blown away at once. In her eyes, her tall and rock-hard son looked more reliable than a seawall. She held her sons hand so firmly that she almost blocked blood flow to his hand. She was not afraid of the female owner with a fierce temper.
Lets go.
Mussang lifted Yeong-a onto his shoulder and began walking.
Whoa!
The girl yelled in amazement. Tears flowed again from Gim Malsuns eyes. His rock-like back was going to protect herself and Yeong-a from this filthy world.
Gim Malsun took Mussang to the shabby restaurant at the back of the ferry terminal. It was a small place with about 10 tables. The signboard said Seonchang Seolleongtang but there were more than 20 menu items.
Hey, you are back!
The owner sighed at Malsun. After moving from place to place and not having much income, she ended up in this small restaurant.
Malsun, you shouldnt leave like that with a pot boiling on the stove!
A middle-aged man raised his head from looking at the pot. Mussangs heart ached. It seems that her mother was still called Malsun here, her name from her hometown when she cannot even remember where shes from.
Do you need anything?
Gim Malsun was feeling very nervous. It was the man who occasionally quarreled and sexually harassed her by touching her butt.
What kind of seolleongtang is seolleongtang without a single piece of meat?
I put a lot in when I was preparing it earlier
What? Come and check it with your own eyes. The broth was also clearly made with milk. You serve this to customers?
The man raised his voice and tapped his pot with chopsticks. Gim Malsun and Yeong-as faces turned blue, and Mussangs face turned serious. It has been 20 minutes since they left the breakwater. That bastard didnt eat and waited for his mother to come. It was visible that the man was putting on a low-quality con art. Mussang teleported and grabbed the middle-aged mans neck.
If you come here to eat, shut up, eat, and fuck off.
Malicious energy was pouring out of his every pore.
Ouch!
Life flickered from the mans eyes.
Damn it!
Mussang loosened his grip and gave the man some room to breathe.
Who are you?
The mans eyes widened.
You dont want to know. If you dont want to poop into a bag for the rest of your life, go eat quietly.
Hey heh!
The man who glanced at Mussang momentarily turned his head as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes are scarier than a tigers. His heart was beating violently.
Enjoy your food.
Mussang tapped his shoulder. He had pierced the mans energy center with negative reiki. He was fine now, but an excruciating ordeal awaited him a week later. The man stiffened like a stake. He had wet himself a bit. He clenched his groin with all his might and protected against further leaks.
Eat it right away!
Aye, sir!
The crying man grabbed his spoon. His groin was not going to hold it any further. He wanted to get out of the restaurant quickly, but a fear that he might be killed by this young man stalled him.
Mussang looked back at his mother and smiled. Gim Malsuns tense face visibly loosened. It was a scene that she could not have imagined as a woman who has been driven and chased by men all her life. Now her strong son was going to protect him.
Malsun, did you go looking for your child?
An auntie who boasted bountiful breasts slowly opened the sliding door and entered the restaurant.
Hey, are you busy?
No. There were no customers.
Is that so!
Gim Malsun nodded her head. The auntie tilted her head. This is not the weak Malsun that she knows of. The usual Malsun would have apologized first with her head down. She doesnt know what it is but something has changed in her.
Yeong-a, did you go to the breakwater again? I told you never to go there many times!
The auntie glared at the young girl. Yeong-a stuck her tongue out and hid behind Mussang. Mussangs raised his eyebrows. Her attitude toward others on the same rungs of life bothered him.
Who is this bachelor? He is tall and very handsome.
The auntie looked up and down Mussang.
Oh my, you really are good-looking, arent you? And you are?
The womans nostrils flared and a wrinkle formed between her eyes.
Watch your words. Shes my mother.
Mussangs eyes became stern. He did not intend to tolerate his mother to be subject to any vulgar imagination. The hardships she had already suffered were enough.
Oh my God!
The woman yelled out! The face of the man who was chewing on his seolleongtang turned pale as the remaining life exited his body.
Mom, shall we have lunch?
Call Yeong-a, Ill bring a bunch of food from the kitchen.
Lets eat somewhere else.
He took this mothers hand as she headed towards the kitchen. He didnt want to stay in a place like this for even an hour.
I have to cook my sons food with my own hands.
Gim Malsun insisted. What a precious son he was! She wanted to cook a warm meal and eat it. Mussang shook his head.
Mother, you have to feed your son for fifty years. There are many days left for all that.
Yeah!
Gim Malsuns face bloomed brightly like a rose in May. Mussang picked up the cashiers phone and dialed it.
Mr. Jin, I found my mother Exactly Seonchang Seolleongtang, the dock behind the Chungmu Ferry Terminal. Is Neopchi over here? Okay. Get all the other kids out.
As he slammed the phone down, the woman who had run her mouth flinched.
Mom, lets go.
Mussang restrained his boiling emotions as much as possible. Excessive action and emotional breakdown were going to influence his unstable mother.
Boss, is it all right if I head out for a moment?
All right!
The woman answered right away. Mussang left the restaurant holding his mothers and Yeong-as hands. The woman stepped out of the restaurant door and stared at their backs as they walked away.
Hmm, she looks too young to have such a strapping, grown-up son. He surely looked after her looks. What is she going to do with her partner?
The womans eyes flashed with jealousy. Wherever she is, she is a person who will only believe in things she wanted to believe in. Gim Malsuns age was unknown. She appeared only to be in her mid-30s. The woman still didnt fully believe that he was her son.
In the ferry terminal parking lot, when the pair opened the Citro?ns door, the girl cheered.
Whoa! Its uncles car.
Yeong-a, Im not your uncle. Im your brother.
Whatever.
At Yeong-as nonchalant answer, Mussang smiled.
If you call me Bro, Ill buy you pretty clothes and shoes.
He cautiously attempted to bribe her. Was it the pull of kinship? He felt his heart warm just by watching the cheeky girls face.
Chapter 623 - Episode 6 Mother, My Mother
Yeong-a grinned brightly. Didnt matter whether you were a kid or an adult, bribes had a way of softening people up.
The girl asked innocently. Including the full moon bread, too?
Of course. Ill buy one thiiiis big, said Mu Ssang while spreading his arms wide.
Yeong-as eyes widened. Even the banana milk, too?
Yup. Ill buy lots and lots of them!
Oppa~! Yeong-a unhesitantly called Mu Ssang Oppa.
Haigoo~, you cute little thing! He lightly picked her up and began spinning around with the girl in the air.
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Kyah-hahaha! Yeong-a giggled in happiness.
However, Mu Ssang didnt hear her bell-like laughter as innocent laughter at all. She was at an age where fancy clothes and shoes wouldve started taking priority in life, but her focus was on acquiring snacks and food instead. It could only mean that her life so far had been a tale of poverty and hardship.
That damn bi*ch!
Mu Ssang recalled the greasy face of the diner lady. He began wondering if that ugly diner lady even paid his mother her wages properly on time knowing that she suffered from mental health issues. Yeong-a shouldve still retained some of her baby fat, but she was far too thin for her age. And her scaly, reddish patches on her face told everything there was to know.
Kim Mal Soon wiped her tears and silently looked up at the heavens above. When was the last time Yeong-a was this happy? Because the mother was found lacking, even the daughter was treated as a nuisance. Thats why she was so grateful to her son for treating his younger sister from an unknown father with such kindness and warmth.
Oh, my beloved. The heavens have looked after our son all this time. And they mustve pitied this terrible woman for they saw fit to send her son to save her.
Kim Mal Soons beloved, who apparently asked his young son to protect his wife before his passing, must be somewhere up there. The zelkova tree on the outskirt of a village was unmovable and sturdy because its roots supported it. She couldnt remember preparing a single warm meal for her son, yet the boy still grew up as a warm, kind man. That had to be thanks to Kim Mal Soons beloved looking after their child.
Yeong-a asked innocently, Oppa, where are we going?
Somewhere that makes delicious food, of course!
Wow, thats so rad! She excitedly raised her hands up high.
She really hated the smell of seolleongtang, but that was the only dish she could eat back in the diner. Mu Ssang opened the rear door and gently put Yeong-a down on the back seat of his car. Kim Mal Soon reverentially took off her shoes before entering the car as she didnt want to dirty the expensive-looking floor carpets. Mu Ssangs heart ached at that scene, but he did his best to pretend that he hadnt seen anything.
*
Mu Ssangs Citro?n stopped in front of an expensive-looking restaurant specializing in baeksuk (boiled chicken soup with rice and herbs). He deliberately chose an establishment that served this dish to keep jogging his mothers old memories. He hoped that his mother might stumble into a trigger of some sort to unlock her memories by doing so.
But This place looks so expensive! Kim Mal Soon hesitated in front of the restaurant.
Mother, theres no need to worry. Just look at your son driving a foreign car. I assure you, Im a thousand times richer than you think, mother. Mu Ssang grinned brightly. His smile was as bright and warm as the late Summer sun peeking out from beyond the clouds after a long rainy season.
Kim Mal Soon thought she might go blind from his radiance. At first glance, he was handsome. At second glance, he was exceedingly cool. And by the third glance, Mu Ssang was the most wonderful man under the heavens. He made all the hardship Kim Mal Soon had gone through until now seem like just a figment of her imagination.
Mother. We used to have chicken coops made out of steel wires by the left corner of our front yard. Whenever you cooked sumac chicken, the appetizing aroma would permeate throughout our home. Id be drooling like a slob, peeking my head inside the kitchen. Even without many of the ingredients, you used to cook some amazing dishes, mother.
Sumac chicken?
Yes. Father and I really loved your sumac chicken, you see. Whenever I recovered from stomach aches, father would go to Wolsong Mountain to get some sumac plants. Then, youd dump a ton of sticky rice and garlic along with sumac and chicken in the pot, and boil them for a long, long time. And when I picked up my spoon and tried to dig right in, youd quickly pilfer the drumsticks and give them to father. Yes, you were a bad mom who prioritized her husband over her son! Ahahaha! Mu Ssang regaled his mother with the stories of the past as if he was singing a song.
Ah! Kim Mal Soon could only gasp like that whenever her son told her about the past she couldnt remember.
Her mind could already picture the scene of a loving husband and herself pulling the meat off the chicken bones to feed her mischievous but still kind son. She mustve been so happy back then! She suddenly recalled that shed always add sumac chicken to the menu every time she started working in a new diner. Her brain might have forgotten it, but it seemed that her body had not!
Oppa, I like jjajangmyeon, though. Yeong-a suddenly tackled Mu Ssang just as he placed an order for sumac chicken.
Oh, no! Yeong-a! Kim Mal-soon was taken aback.
Her daughter never ever whined about her food. Yeong-a silently drank the soup of seolleongtang she hated so much without any complaints, so why was she being picky with her food now?
Ahahah. Sorry, looks like I was only thinking about myself. Mu Ssang chuckled. He placed another order for jjajamyeon after getting the restaurant managers understanding.
Wow! Oppa, youre the best! Yeong-a was very generous with the honorific of Oppa today.
This is so strange Yeong-a is a kind girl, but shes also a shy child, too Kim Mal Soon tilted her head.
She can instinctively tell, mother. That Im her older brother. Mu Ssang replied as if he was stating the obvious, but his words only made his mothers chest well up with warm emotions.
Son You mustve worked hard, havent you? I was a bad mother that couldnt even cook you a decent meal, but you still grew up to be a fine young man, Kim Mal Soon muttered as tears welled up. She reached out and carefully caressed her sons face. This skin smoother than a ceramic, his chiseled facial features C what a wondrous miracle that he grew up to be such a handsome young man!
Mu Ssangs heart ached painfully. His breathing clogged from emotions and it felt like the chicken meat got stuck in his throat, not wanting to go down. Mother, they say heavens will bestow trials and tribulations to forge a hero of their era. Unripened persimmons can only become delicious after getting bombarded by frost, while apples taste their best after a drought. What Im trying to say is Mother, just think of your past as a nightmare. From this moment on, its time for you to live your life. Every second is precious.
Alright. We have plenty of time left, so theres no rush, son. Lets take our time and listen to the tales of our past. Did you say Im forty-eight this year? I can hardly believe it. I thought I wasnt even forty yet Kim Mal Soon sighed ruefully. She spent the last seventeen years not knowing her own age. Since her son said he was twenty-six, it was the same as him being abandoned at the age of nine.
Just what kind of a circumstance was surrounding her at that time? Kim Mal Soon wanted to ask, but something told her that Mu Ssang wouldnt be so forthcoming with an answer.
Mother, your baby face earned you the jealousy of all the village womenfolk back then. This is when you were around twenty-three. Mu Ssang took out a black-and-white photo from his wallet. It was a typical first birthday photo of a young couple and their little baby in between.
Jinsun found this photo while going through the photo album of Missus Hadong. Even the auntie herself said she had forgotten all about it.
Ah! Kim Mal Soon gasped, unable to say anything else.
The girl in hanbok with coiled hair looked so young. But that girl in her late teens definitely had her face. Maybe, because of her cherubic face, her in-laws couldve bullied her?
Kim Mal Soons eyes quickly shifted from the face of the baby in the photo to her son sitting across her. Those warm, round eyes and slender lips were identical. As for the handsome man sitting across from the young girl in the photo That mustve been her husband! Kim Mal Soon stared emotionally at the photo, utterly lost in her thoughts.
They say a mother can unconditionally recognize her son That baby is me, mother.
My my son! Kim Mal Soon tightly held Mu Ssangs hand as if shed never let it go again.
Mother, your hometown is Chungmu. And up until now, over a thousand people have been searching for you throughout the country.
Goodness me, a thousand? Kim Mal Soon was stunned by that revelation.
Yes, mother. Your son is quite wealthy, you see. My master said that Id meet you when the time was right, but I just couldnt sit on my hands doing nothing, you see. I raised a whole lot of fuss but in the end, things worked out exactly as my master said they would. Hahaha!
Your master?
Yes, mother. Hes an amazing person that molded your son into a proper human being. Speaking of which, lets hurry and get going. My master is the only person in this world who can heal you, mother. We must speak to him as soon as possible.
But, son? What about the food? Leaving like this is against manners. What should we do now? Kim Mal Soon was taken aback again and asked her son in a fluster.
Dont worry, mother. Ill deal with it. Lets just pack up what we need and quickly go. Aikoo, this little one has dozed off.
After polishing off the bowl of jjajangmyeon, Yeong-a couldnt win against the post-meal drowsiness and dozed off on Mu Ssangs lap. He carefully hugged her, then wiped the remnants of jjajangmyeon off her mouth and nose with his handkerchief. He seemed so natural while doing that.
Does my son already have children? Kim Mal Soon tilted her head in confusion before expressing her lamentation over the now-cold chicken dish. Oh, no. We havent even enjoyed the meal properly, but theyve all gone cold now!
They had forgotten all about the food while lost in the reminiscent of their past.
Mu Ssang grinned deeply. Its fine, mother. You can cook one for us later.
Of course, of course! Kim Mal Soon nodded like a bobblehead toy.
She no longer needed to cook meals for those shameless men that tried to flirt with her all the time. In comparison, shed be glad to prepare hundreds of meals a day for her beloved child. A rush of happiness flooded in to fill up her heart.
*
A minivan rushed in and stopped in front of Seonchang Seolleongtang. Three men with large physique quickly climbed out of the vehicle. One of them was Nupchi, who rushed here after getting the call from Samsik. He glanced at the diners signboard, then unhesitantly stepped inside.
Welcome, sirs! Auntie Seoho greeted them excitedly.
Nupchi ignored her while scanning the diners interior, then asked a question. Auntie, is Missus Kim Mal Soon here?
Kim Mal Soon? Whos that? We dont have anyone with a name like that.
She thought they were customers, but no. What a waste of time this was! Auntie Seoho didnt even bother to think twice and simply shook her head.
Nupchi had made a fatal mistake just now. Kim Mal Soon had lost her memories and she was also an ultimate example of a baby face. She didnt even know what her name or age was, so how could anyone else know? Nupchi and Co. tried to find her with nothing but age, a sketch of her facial features and name, so no wonder they were always left chasing shadows even after finding someone that knew her. Monk Dae Woos assertion that this was all a grand ol waste of time was right on the money.
This lady here. Nupchi showed the woman the composite sketch.
Hmm, she kind of resembles Yeong-as mother, but the age is a bit Auntie Seoho tilted her head in confusion.
Auntie, did a tall and handsome young man stop by here earlier?
Yeah. He went out sometime ago with Yeong-as mother to get some lunch. By the way, who are you?
No need to know, auntie. Give us three bowls of seollongtang. Nupchi replied while pulling out a chair and settling down on it. His two underlings cautiously sat down on his opposite side.
As for Auntie Seoho, she went inside the kitchen, her wide hips swaying in excitement.
Huh. How could this happen! Nupchi groaned deeply.
Nearly thousand workers had been mobilized to turn the southern coast upside down, but they had nothing to show for their troubles so far. Nupchi was this close to jumping in a lake out of shame, so to hear that his big brother had personally found the madam! He couldnt tell what kind of supernatural power was involved here, but regardless of what, he was left speechless.
Are they detectives? But, detectives wear jackets, dont they? Auntie Seoho in the kitchen tilted her head in confusion.
Port Seoho always had a ton of yangahchis. Minor incidents occurred often, and detectives walking around with photos or composite sketches searching for people became a common sight around here. But this trio They were acting like cops, but Auntie Seoho could swear that she had never met a detective chasing after criminals while wearing fancy business suits.
Yup, that young punk must be a gigolo or something. Auntie Seoho came to a weird conclusion on her own.
Dururuk, bang-!
The diners entrance was roughly yanked open, then a flat, coarse face of a man peeked inside, the rest of his body staying outside the doorway. Nupchi dumping rice into a bowl of seolleongtang glanced up to see who it was. Judging from that guys intoxicated face induced by daytime drinking and the cheap cigarette stuck between his lips, he seemed to be one of the local yangahchis.
Hey, you might break my door down! Are you going to pay for that if you do, Mister Nam?! Auntie Seoho angrily shot a glare at the yangahchi.
Auntie! Where did that bastard go?!
What are you on about? Dont ask me when you cant even make heads nor tails of yourself! Auntie Seoho could talk with the best of them after dealing with coarse sailors all her life. Some young punk twenty years her junior was rudely addressing her, but she knew that itd be a waste of her energy to argue with a dumbass in the first place.
Argh, f*ck me! Im talking about some pretty f*ckboy that called himself the son of Yeong-as mother!
Nupchis hands came to a sudden halt.
Ahaaa. You ran into Skipper Jo, then? That pretty boy youre talking about went out to lunch with Yeong-as mom sometime ago.
Where did they go?
They have legs, so how should I know? They must be somewhere.
Is he really her son, though?
Dont ask me. Still, hes got a nice face and all, so she might have caught herself a big fish.
You dont think Yeong-as mother has ran off?
Haigoo~, you worry like a little girl, fella. Her belongings are still over there, so shes running off to where now?
F*ck. Which dumb motherf*cker dares to disturb me, Nam Pal-bongs business! I dont know who he is, but hes dead meat!
The yangahchi named Nam Pal-bong stepped inside the diner, finally revealing his huge barrel-like physique.
You start fighting again in my diner, then Im warning you, Imma call the cops! Auntie Seoho murderously glared at the yangahchi.
Eiii. Stop showing off because this tiny-ass diner is yours, auntie. Besides That punk couldnt have gone far since Seohos small and all. Nam Pal-bong glanced at Nupchi and his underlings before stepping outside the diner. His yangahchi senses warned him that the unknown trio was dangerous, so he quickly got out of dodge. Unfortunately for him, though
Capture him!
Yessir!
The broad-shouldered underling duo shot up to their feet. Nupchi and quick wits only needed to hear little snippets of the conversation to figure out who this local yangahchi was talking about. Even though his big brother told him not to create a scene no matter what, letting that as*hole go left a sour aftertaste in Nupchis mouth.
Sounds of fisticuffs ensued right outside the diner. Shortly thereafter, Nam Pal-bong was dragged back inside.
Why are you doing this?! Assaulting someone in the broad daylight?! What is the meaning of this! Nam Pal-bong, now black-eyed, desperately struggled in anger.
Shut the hell up, b*tch!
Slice-!
A chopstick faintly nicked the skin off Nam Pal-bongs ear on its way to stab deeply into a wall. Nupchis specialty, his throwing technique, had been unleashed once more.
Euk?! Nam Pal-bong saw the chopstick jutting out of the wall and clamped his mouth shut.
The two underlings dragged him and threw him in a corner of the diner. Auntie Seoho also hurriedly shut her mouth after sensing the mood had become ugly in an instant. But then
Oh my goodness?! What is happening now? Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets next.
Two minibuses came to a screeching halt in front of her diner, then hulking men in business suits began flooding out of the vehicles. They unhesitantly stepped into the diner next. Cowered by the ominous aura these men emitted, Auntie Seoho quickly took refuge behind the counter. Twenty big men stepping into the diner meant its already-small interior was now filled to the brim.
Brother! The suited gangsters (?) bowed their heads simultaneously to Nupchi.
Man, youre making me dizzy. Our big brother will be here soon. Wait outside and welcome him.
Yessir! The suited gangsters flooded back outside and stood at attention.
F*ck! Im screwed! Nam Pal-bongs expression crumpled unsightly. He wasnt sure how it happened, but somehow, he got tangled up in some criminal organizations business. A small fry like him would simply end up as living fish food dropped into the Chungmu harbor if he got on the wrong side of an organization of this caliber.
*
Mu Ssangs Citro?n came to a stop in an empty spot in front of the diner. He opened the back door and carefully hugged the still-sleeping Yeong-a. He then held his mothers hand with his free hand and headed back to the diner.
Huh? And who are you all supposed to be? Mu Ssang dazedly scanned all the muscles lining up in front of the diner. That was when Nupchi rushed outside to greet his boss.
Big brother, congratulations.
The muscles also bowed smartly before Mu Ssang, too. Congratulations, Chairman!
Haigoo, you dumbasses. People might think Im a mafia boss or something. Mu Ssang dismissively waved his hand away.
Mother! You mustve gone through so much! The outgoing Nupchi quickly bowed his head at Kim Mal Soon next.
Flustered by this unexpected scene, she hurriedly looked at Mu Ssang, silently asking for a clarification.
He explained the situation to her. These guys are a part of the crew that has been searching for you, mother.
I-I see. All of you, you mustve worked hard because of me. Kim Mal Soon bowed her head at them.
Aikoo~! Mother, that isnt necessary! Nupchi looked flustered and lost by how polite Kim Mal Soon was.
Chapter 624 - Episode 7 Mother, My Mother
Even though Nupchi was lucky enough to call Mu Ssang his big brother, itd be more correct to call the latter Master, instead. Not only that, but wasnt the big brother supposed to be the king of some country in Africa? Wouldnt a mother of a king be a grand queen dowager, like in those historical dramas?
What are you all doing?! Hurry up and serve our queen dowa I mean, big brothers mother! Nupchi yanked the diner door open wide.
Mother, we welcome you~!
The muscles in smart suits quickly laid out the red carpet on the ground and stood on either side before bowing ninety degrees forward. Nupchis ability to jump the shark easily rivaled that of Jeong Pil-su, it seemed.
Aigoo, goodness me! Kim Mal Soons eye widened and she began fretting about like a lost child.
She was used to getting beaten up with sticks, chased around, and treated like garbage and couldnt deal with this incredible performance. She urgently sent SOS signals to her son with her pleading eyes.
Mu Ssang unleashed Dubaiburupas god-level dignified aura in the open, something he had not done so in Korea before. Mother, never bow down to anyone unless you desire to do so. Soon, this whole world will bow down to you even if they dont want to.
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Rumble-!
His thunderous baritone voice rocked the glass door of the diner. This was the announcement of Novatopias godmother, Kim Mal Soons entrance to the world stage.
Kim Mal Soon sobered up instantly. A mother shouldnt be negatively affecting her sons dignity. She stood tall without even realizing that she did and held her head high. Lets go, son!
She began striding across the red carpet as her loose pants sleeves flapped around.
Heok?! T-that woman Yeong-as mother?! Nam Pal-bong dazedly staring at this shocking turn of events with a slack jaw hurriedly sobered up. He still couldnt figure out what the hell was going on here, but he wasnt blind enough not to notice that this event was heading in an unfavorable direction for him.
Bloody hell, Im dead!
His internal alarm honed through dozen-plus years working as a back alley yangahchi was desperately crying out. Even if he behaved himself now, the best outcome would be a serious injury or two. So, he glanced sneakily at the gangster standing guard next to him. This gangster was concentrating on Yeong-as mother walking on the red carpet.
Nam Pal-bong seized this chance by shooting up to his feet and head-butting the gangsters abdomen.
Uht?! This motherf*cker! The gangster stumbled back after that unexpected attack.
Get out of the way, b*tch! Nam Pal-bong shoved the gangster aside and dashed toward the backdoor that led to the bathroom. His life was on the line here, after all!
Bang-!
He kicked the door open and threw himself outside.
Hah, f*cking idiot. Have fun out there, then. The gangster didnt even bother to give chase and simply chuckled away. This was why a yangahchi couldnt get an upgrade and remain as a yangahchi.
Pow- Smack, bang-!
Dull impact noises came from the outside.
Ouch! Wuaaahk!
A scream resembling a squeal of a pig about to get slaughtered rang out. Gangsters on standby by the rear door dragged Nam Pal-bong inside, now resembling pickled cabbage, and tossed him on the diners floor.
How dare a f*cking loser that cant even put up a fight try to show off in front of us? The gangsters dusted their hands and returned to their original posts.
Oh my goodness?! Mister Nam? Kim Mal Soon jumped up in shock at this scene.
Yeong-as mom, please help me! Nam Pal-bong desperately cried out.
However, Kim Mal Soon bit her lower lip and turned her head away.
Do you know this man, mother? Mu Ssang turned his head and looked at her.
He Hes a bad man! Kim Mal Soon was shaking like a lone leaf against the winds. Her usually gentle-as-a-lamb eyes were flickering in anger.
Mu Ssang firmly held his mothers hand and gently patted her back. The gentle, warm sensation managed to calm her frayed nerves.
Mu Ssang glanced at Nupchi. Hey, what is this thing?
Big brother, this punk is someone who knows your mother. However, he didnt look like a good sort of a person, so I had him captured, just in case.
Good work. Auntie!
Nupchi yelled loudly. Auntie! Hes calling for you!
Y-yes, Im here! Auntie Seoho sheepishly peeked her head from beyond the cover of the counter. Her complexion was deathly pale while her eyes urgently darted about. She looked so pitiful right now.
Mu Ssang glared at her. What is this thing, auntie?
I dont know who he is. The auntie immediately feigned ignorance.
Hey! Want to kick the bucket today?! Before I crack your skull open, answer him properly, woman! Nupchi glared murderously at her. He found her whole act contemptible since he had already seen her openly shoot the breeze with the beaten-up yangahchi.
I, I really dont know anything. I swear! Pal-bong is Pal-bong was the one Auntie Seoho trembled pitifully, unable to string together a coherent sentence.
Nupchi, take that thing out of our sight. Mu Ssang issued a new order, not wanting to show his mother an unsightly scene like this. Seeing something this traumatic wouldnt be good for her.
Yessir! Hey, you lot! Throw that human trash inside the minivan!
W-wait! Yeong-as mother, help me! Nam Pal-bong desperately called for help as two muscles dragged him outside.
Auntie Seohos complexion was drained of even more color. She had been thinking of demanding compensation for her business since one of the workers was about to suddenly quit, but that plan dissipated in the blink of an eye. Once Nam Pal-bong confesses to everything, Auntie Seoho would not be spared either. She began desperately praying to the Lord above to make this group of scary men quietly go away. Of course, the Good Lord was in no mood to humor her wishes.
Nupchi, who is the second in command after you? Mu Ssang asked.
Its Mast, big brother.
What kind of a nickname is that?
Youll understand when you meet him, big brother. Ehehe!
Mu Ssang cocked an eyebrow, but still summoned the gangster in question. Mast! Come here!
Yes, Chairman! A gangster in his mid-thirties bowed deeply. He had a triangular face, narrow slits seemingly carved out with a knife for his eyes, a long scar running down from his temple to his jaw C even at a casual glance, this gangster looked cruel and merciless.
Mu Ssang had to hold his laughter, though. The keloid scar resembling ropes running down an inverted triangular shape of a face reminded him of a yachts triangular sail. It seemed Nupchi wasnt talking nonsense just then.
Mu Ssang straightened himself and ordered Mast. Your job is to find everything there is to know about that Nam Pal-bong punk and report back to me.
Can I destroy him, Chairman? He asked back, demonstrating that his personality was as scary as his face.
I dont care as long as hes still breathing. Find out everything, even the number of rice grains he had for dinner ten years ago.
A spine-chilling conversation unfolded between the two men.
Oh, no!
Auntie Seoho felt icy chills stabbing into her chest as cold sweat trickled down her spine.
Mu Ssang turned around to address his mother. Mother, where is your room?
His voice that had been as cold as early Winter frost while talking to gangsters instantly became warm Spring breezes.
W-well, I didnt have a room per se Kim Mal Soon hesitantly pointed at the living area.
Mu Ssang could see three dining tables connected together taking up space in the center of the living area, while a small closet and a cheap, exposed wardrobe were located in the corner of this exposed room. Next to them were clothing belonging to his mother and Yeong-a, haphazardly hanging on the wall.
Fuu-woo Mu Ssang spat out a long sigh.
This establishment was your typical tiny diner with a small dining area. Which meant the living area had to be used as the additional dining area, too. This also meant that his aging mother and young sister had no privacy or a quiet place to rest.
That wasnt all, however. A diner selling seolleongtang doubled as a pub and sold suyuk (thinly-sliced boiled beef or pork) and dogani (cartilage from a cows knees) as snacks. If drunk patrons stayed late in the living room to drink the night away, Kim Mal Soon and Yeong-a wouldnt have a choice but to sit on the dining areas stools and wait. Mu Ssang could already picture the scene of his mother and little sister nodding off on top of these cheap stools.
Mother, please throw all of them away, said Mu Ssang as his mother tried to pack up her shabby and worn clothes. He believed that she needed to throw away the past seventeen years of dark history if she wanted to begin a new life.
But, son? They are still wearable, arent they?
Mother, listening to your son will get you good things in the end.
Of course. Yes, I shall listen to my son. Kim Mal Soon no longer hesitated and discarded the clothes. She then rummaged through the small closet to find a thick Buddhist rosary. Even so, I must take this with me.
Mu Ssangs eyes opened wide. The detailed wooden rosary, its surface sleek from hand stains, was something he recognized.
I dont have attachments to other things, but I must simply take this rosary with me, son. I dont understand why I love it so much, though Kim Mal Soon put the rosary around her wrist and gently caressed it. The old man from the salt pan and Nam Pal-bong tried to take it away, but she still managed to hold on to it for the past seventeen years.
Mother, that rosary was your birthday gift. Father spent a month carving that out with a knife, saying that having a piece of jujube tree felled by lightning would be good for you. He even fashioned the string for it, too. But He was bloody wrong about that. You became a widow that year, after all! Mu Ssang grumbled unhappily.
Ah! Thats what happened? I see. I see! Kim Mal Soon tightly clenched the rosary as tears began pooling in her eyes.
She could picture the scene of her beloved husband making this gift deep into the night even though farming mustve tired him so much. Was that why she was so obsessed with this item? Did the heavens grow jealous after she received so much love from her husband?
She sighed and asked her son. What will we do about Yeong-as clothes, then?
We dont need them, mother.
Yeong-as clothes were all cheap nylon, their colors long faded away. They were probably hand-me-downs from somewhere. Nylon wasnt good for childrens health, too.
If she had any other dolls or toys, Mu Ssang wouldve taken them, but other than a dirty rag doll, he couldnt see anything else. He felt proud of Yeong-a after realizing that she somehow managed to grow up so bright and kind despite her rubbish environment.
Kim Mal Soon sneakily gauged her sons mood, then quickly stashed the dirty rag doll inside her bag before leaving this room. Mu Ssang grinned faintly behind her.
Aigoooo~, congratulations, Yeong-as mom! How unfair it mustve been for you when you had such a splendid son! Goodness me! I cant even imagine the twist of fate that made you lose your memories, and made us call you Yeong-as mom all this time. If I hadnt taken you under my wing like a friend, you and your little girl wouldve starved to death on the streets. Auntie Seoho desperately tried to make herself look good all the while praying that Nam Pal-bong wouldnt say anything stupid to implicate her.
But auntie, you always insulted my mom and beat me up! Yeong-a inside Mu Ssangs embrace pointedly shot back at the diner lady. She woke up sometime ago, but pretended to be still asleep since her Oppas arms felt really warm and secure.
Auntie Seoho grew even more desperate. A-aigoo, Yeong-a~! You adorable little thing~!
I dont like you, auntie.
The diner lady rushed in as if she wanted to hug Yeong-a, but the little girl shook her head resolutely.
W-what was that? Y-you little shameless Ah! Ohohoho~! Yeong-a, you must be so happy now that you have a handsome older brother to protect you. Yeong-as mother, your life will now be a smooth sailing since your rich son has come to take you home. But what about this poor old me? My son is an idiot who only knows how to take my money and waste it somewhere. They say a womans fate depends on who she marries into. Let me ask you, why is the world so topsy-turvy like this? Aigoo, my rotten luck~! Auntie Seoho continued to run her mouth while cautiously gauging Mu Ssangs moods.
If those scary muscles filling up the dining area got their hands on her, who knows what kind of hellish fate would be in store for her? She had no choice but to suck up to their leader for her survival.
Mu Ssang coldly asked her. Auntie. Have you paid my mother her wages on time?
They say one evidence was enough to build an entire case. Mu Ssang, having figured out the situation more or less, glared at the diner lady. If his mother had received her wages properly, Yeong-as clothes wouldnt have been in such a bad state.
T-that, well B-because Yeong-a and her mother are boarding here, so, so Auntie Seoho hesitated and mumbled quietly away.
The city of Seohos marketplace was the playground of the group Nam Pal-bong belonged to. And Yeong-as mother happened to be a wooden basin managed by Nam Pal-bong. If the auntie blabbed her mouth here, she might get beaten up to death by the local yangahchis.
Big brother, that Nam Pal-bong bastard said something about not forgiving those who mess with his business. Im pretty sure hes either a member or a snitch of a local human trafficking cartel. Parasitic criminal gangs that supply manpower to the adult entertainment districts and suck their blood out are dime-a-dozen in port towns like this one. The manpower those gangs supply are called wooden basins, and the wages made by these wooden basins are pocketed by the parasites. The local businesses find this arrangement pretty nice since the wages can be kept low. Befitting a man who cut his teeth in the darker parts of the world, Nupchi instantly saw through what was going on here.
Auntie Seohos complexion went pale from fright as Mu Ssangs brow curled up. Call Mast here, now!
Yes, sir! One of the gangster quickly dashed outside.
A few seconds later, Mast hurriedly ran back inside the diner and bowed to Mu Ssang. Chairman! That ugly bastard is a henchman working for the gang that runs Seohos marketplace. Their main source of income is supplying manpower, but they have a side business in human trafficking, too. The details are
Mu Ssang raised his hand to stop Mast. We dont have the time for that. Give me the detailed report after we return to base!
Yes, sir! Mast clamped his mouth shut. Although there was a crucial piece of information he must tell the Chairman, he had no choice but to keep quiet if that was the order.
Mu Ssang addressed Nupchi next. How many boys can you summon in one hour?
We already have twenty two in this place, and I can mobilize another fifty in that time frame, big brother. Nupchi tensed up.
Will they be enough?
Yes, big brother. Enough to wreck some country bumpkin fools, but the local gangs are usually protected by the local cops, too. We arent scared of them, but well have to sacrifice a couple of our guys to them.
Hmph. Ill take care of that. Mu Ssang picked up the phone by the diners counter and called someone. Hello, this Advisor Bak Oh! Mister Min Ju-seok! Yes, Ive been well. Id like to speak to the chief director Yes, chief director, its Advisor Bak here Yes, its the marketplace in Seoho by Chungmu. Ill have to borrow the riot police for this one Im planning to catch a few parasites Theres no need to go that far Thank you, I owe you one.
Mu Ssang slammed the phone down. All the gangsters tensed up and waited for his command next.
Mast!
Yes, Chairman!
Thirty minutes from now, a squad of riot police dispatched from Chungmu police will arrive at the docks. Your role is to take charge of the boys here as well as the riot cops to apprehend every single yangahchi within the districts of Chungmu and Tongyeong. Especially the Seoho marketplace gang that deals in supplying manpower! Do not miss a single one of those bastards.
Ehhh? Im going to command riot cops?! Masts eyes opened super-wide as other gangsters began whispering to each other.
Did you hear that? Were going to work together with cops now?
Holy sh*t, man. Is this for real?
You heard our Chairman on the phone just now, didnt you?
Whoa! So f*cking cool!
Silence! Nupchi raised his hand high. Big brother has given you his orders. Mast, get going now!
Yes! Haha, its been a while since we got to show off, hasnt it!
The gangsters flooded outside the diner. The once-teeming interior was emptied in an instant.
Big brother, should I encase her feet in concrete and make her fish food? Nupchi glared murderously at Auntie Seoho. This hag dared to use the bosss mother as a slave, so he couldnt wait to crack the womans skull in half.
Mu Ssang also glared at her. Auntie. Anything you want to say?
P-please spare my life, good sir! Im just an idiot who doesnt know anything! I only went along since they were giving me a helper for cheap! The bad folks are Nam Pal-bong and his friends, not me. Auntie Seoho trembled like a lone leaf in the winds.
She wouldve treated Yeong-as mother with utmost respect if she knew the latter had a son this scary. Honestly speaking, she never thought she was doing something bad. Others were doing the same thing as her, after all.
Auntie Seoho tried so hard to squeeze out tears that refused to come out, then stared pleadingly at Kim Mal Soon. That stare was so desperate and pitiful that Kim Mal soon thought shed get cancer.
Ssang-ah. Im already content as is. Were about to leave and start anew, so Id like to throw away my sorrow and resentment and everything else here.
I understand, mother. Mu Ssang tightly gripped his mothers hand. Her kind and gentle nature hadnt changed even after she lost her memories and had to go through so much crap.
The German soldiers that herded Jews into gas chambers during the Second World War werent some notable individuals. They might have been brainwashed by the collective madness, but regardless of what, it didnt change the fact that they came from backgrounds as varied as regular students, factory workers, teachers and farmers.
The face of evil could be exceedingly plain, ordinary. Thats because the situation would often give birth to evil. People not seeing their abuse of power as abuse in the first place was a rather common occurrence.
Chapter 625 - Episode 8 Mother, My Mother
Sister thank you for helping us until now. However, have you seen the haves helping out the have-nots before? Its already not enough for us have-nots to look after each other, so dont you think its terrible to steal so unabashedly as you have? I wont ask you for my missing wages, but you must promise that youll not insult other people and pay them fairly. Kim Mal Soon spoke sage words of advice.
For all this time, she couldnt say what needed to be said and was always on the receiving end of abuse. But now that she had gotten those words off her chest, she felt indescribably refreshed.
Auntie Seohos eyes opened wide. She thought Yeong-as mother was a moron all this time, but that turned out to be false. Y-Yeong-as mother, thank you. Thank you! Im too embarrassed to say anything other than apologize to you.
The diner lady bowed down deeply as tears streamed down her face. Her tears were the result of her relief knowing that she had survived and her resentment over the fact that she couldnt even talk back to a lecture from some woman she considered her slave.
That was how the world operated, however. A kind person shouldve been seen as just that, a kind person, but the world viewed them like a moron, instead.
I see. One needs strength if they want to be treated like a human being. Kim Mal Soon thought that to herself while tightly gripping her sons hand.
Her son was here. And he was the most outstanding son in the world, too. She felt warm emotions filling up her chest.
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Mu Ssang glanced at Yeong-a. Yeong-a, do you want me to scold that auntie?
Yeong-a narrowed her eyes and glared at the diner lady, then shook her head. No, the crying auntie is too pitiful.
Her tone indicated that she wanted to scold the diner lady but pity stopped her. Mu Ssang wordlessly glared at the diner lady before shaking his head. Most people were no different from this woman, anyway. They would often get lost in the pursuit of minor gains right before their eyes and failed to realize how badly they were abusing their superior positions.
Although her actions were deserving of punishment, the victim in this case, Mu Ssangs mother, had already let it go. So, that would be the end of this saga.
Alright. Im sure this auntie will be kinder in the future. Then, lets get going.
Oppa, I dont have to live in this diner anymore?
Yup. Youll be living with me from now on.
And my mom, too?
Of course. We even have a separate room for you, too.
Really? Yeong-as eyes sparkled like stars.
Yup! My house has fifty-nine rooms, you know. Mu Ssang opened and closed his fingers six times while replying to her.
Whoa! Really!
Yup. My house is really huge, you see. Theres a big pond there, and theres an island on that pond, and I even built a little house on top of that island, too.
Whoa!!! Really? Yeong-as eyes began spinning. That house sounded like mansions in those fairy tales her mother used to tell her.
Yeah. The pond is called Jin-Bo-Yeon, the island is called Mal-Soon-Do, and the little house on the island is named Myo-Yeon-Geo.
Whoa! So cool! Oppa, lets go! I wanna see my room. Yeong-a cried out in elation and bounced around.
Jin-Bo-Yeon, Mal-Soon-Do, Myo-Yeon-Geo! Kim Mal Soon quietly mouthed those names. The tears she barely managed to suppress began flooding down her cheeks again.
Some things her son said sounded too fantastic to be believable, but even then Just how lonely had he been to use the names of his parents like that? Kim Mal Soon suddenly remembered the salt pan where she had to work her butt off for ten years. That place was horrible, but the island village surrounding it was rather idyllic.
That village was quite close to the salt pan. Stone walls followed along a hills ridge around the villages perimeter. By the time dinner preparations were completed and the salt pan workers were about to come home, the grayish smoke from all the cooking wafted up beyond the stone walls and thatched roofs.
Back then, she wondered if people living beyond those walls were happy. Were the families living under those thatched roofs enjoying their lives? Envy used to tear her heart apart.
I, too, will head to my own house surrounded by homely stone walls.
I, too, will head to my own house and prepare a pot of steaming rice and doenjang stew to share with my children.
I, too, will head to my own house and sit on the sun-kissed terrace stone to watch the evening sun disappear below the horizon.
Those thoughts rushed past her mind, and more tears flooded her face.
Mu Ssang gently urged his mother on. Mother, lets leave this place to my boys and go back to our home. Dont worry, Ive prepared for everything.
Alright. Yes, lets go. Kim Mal Soon turned around to leave.
Ah! Mom! My doll, my clothes! Yeong-a finally remembered her stuff and began panicking.
Your Oppa promised to buy you lots of pretty clothes, so its okay. And your dolls already here! Kim Mal Soon whispered to her daughter while gently placing the ragdoll in Yeong-as hand.
The little girl tightly held the doll, not wanting to let it go. A warm smile bloomed on Kim Mal Soons face. She had no present for her daughters birthday, so she ended up making this doll by herself. And Yeong-a has been looking after it for many years now. Who cares about her fathers identity at this point? She was a precious child that even the manly, successful son had acknowledged as his sister, after all
Big brother. For wasting that much money and your time, Im so ashamed. Nupchi lowered his head.
Nonsense. Whats visible isnt necessarily everything there is to see. All the hard work you and your boys had put in did help in some ways. Ive finally found my mother, so who cares about money?
Big brother! Wahhh! Emotions flooded Nupchis heart like a tsunami. No one would be as generous and benevolent as Mu Ssang in this whole world! His loyalty began soaring automatically.
Mu Ssang could only smile wryly, though. Nupchi was right about wasting money and time on this missing person case. The dragnet spread by Samsik Service and Nupchis own Wolsong Service had been relying on over one thousand people to do their jobs at the cost of ten billion wons. All that money had gone down the toilet now.
He suddenly felt resentful of his Master. That dang old fart! Why couldnt he have used his supernatural powers to help Mu Ssang find his mother sooner? Or help her not go through the wretched life for the last seventeen years or something! Saying the time wasnt right yet so Mu Ssang shouldnt force the issue? Was that really the right thing to do!
However, Mu Ssang knew that he was being immature. His Master certainly had achieved enlightenment in Dao, but he was still a human being at the end of the day.
It was just that Mu Ssang wanted to vent all the pain in his heart to someone after learning about how wretched his mothers life had been.
Nupchi. After you wrap up things here, make sure to bring Nam Pal-bong with you back to the base. As for the captured yangahchis, make them sign overseas employment contracts and drag them to Eungsim-je. A man from the National Security Agency will be waiting for you at Chungmu police station to help you with the documents. Their transportation will be provided by the police themselves.
I see, big brother. Dont worry, Ill handle it. Nupchi bowed ninety degrees at Mu Ssang. His big brother was in the same realm as God. If he said so, then so it shall be.
Vroom-
Mu Ssangs Citro?n carrying a mother and daughter pair departed from the docks. With that, only Nupchi bowing his head and the still-stupefied Auntie Seoho remained in the lonesome diner.
*
Kim Mal Soon turned her head and wordlessly took in the sight of the docks getting further away. Her beloved mustve taken pity on the unfortunate woman since she was guided to this town and her son came here to find her. After enduring those torturous years somehow, the day she could finally smile had come for her.
[I followed the winds to come here! And I follow the winds to leave
But what will we do if you come here after we leave?
If you come, then follow where the winds blow
I shall be waiting for you where the winds stop.
Peach blossom branches bend from the weight of moonlight
When a cry of a roe deer in the back hill startles an owl and makes it fly away
A wildflower that blooms and wilts without you noticing will call the winds
I will also stay up at night to listen to the singing of the winds.]
Kim Mal Soon quietly hummed a song.
Heuh-euh
Mu Ssang blinked his eyes to chase the layer of moisture away. The wildflower that bloomed and wilted was his mother, while the winds were both the cruel fate and his father. Chungmu was his mothers hometown, where she met her beloved for the first time.
Even though she couldnt remember, she still instinctively circled this area all these years. And she was worried about her beloveds soul wandering here alone after she leaves. Her memories might be gone, but her soul still remembered him. Just how pure and deep their love mustve been!
Mother, they wouldnt have invented the term How uncanny for no reason. Father is always watching you, so you dont need to worry.
Hhnng! Kim Mal Soon let out a hum with a hidden meaning.
Mu Ssang suddenly pictured Jin Soon waiting for him patiently back home and wanted to see her so bad. Feeling a bit downcast, he switched on the cars stereo.
[Does anyone know this person?
A delicate figure with sparkling eyes,
Her kind heart is like the moon,
She promised me by the shore that she would,
Be with me to the ends of the earth,
Does anyone know this woman?]
A 1983 song called Does Anyone Know This Woman? that turned South Korean people into sobbing wrecks came on the radio. Moon Ju-ran the singers husky voice began tugging at the listeners heartstrings.
Sniffle! Kim Mal Soon began to sob softly. Her indescribably heart-wrenching tears even managed to melt Mu Ssangs hardened heart.
Waaaaaah! Yeong-a also broke down in tears. But the cruel radio station continued playing the song.
[Does anyone know this person?
Her overflowing passionate red lips,
Once she sets her mind, theres no going back,
She promised in my arms to follow me and my dreams.
Does anyone know this woman?]
Mu Ssang looked through the rearview mirror to see how his mother was doing. She could be seen wiping the tears away, and all the cracks and wrinkles on the backs of her hands powerfully slammed into his eyes. His mother came from a generation that had to go through so much.
She lost her parents from the chaos of the war. After growing up in a harsh environment, she met Mu Ssangs father. But her happiness was brief; her beloved husband died tragically while she got separated from her young son later on. Who could be blamed for her tumultuous life? It was just that the era they lived in was a terrible one while peoples hearts were just as bad
Mu Ssang switched the radio off. Inside the car became deathly quiet like a funeral.
Oppa, can we stop by the ocean before we leave? Yeong-a began whining after the car exited Seohos marketplace and went past Chungnyeolsa Shrine.
Mu Ssang was taken aback. Eh? Arent you fed up with the view of the ocean?
But, someone is calling out to me, saying they need help.
Mu Ssang urgently parked the car by the side of the road. When did you start hearing that, Yeong-a?
If it had been some other person, they wouldve dismissed her words as nonsense. But Mu Ssang was an Epidium. He didnt think Yeong-a was messing around for fun. Didnt he also hear someone calling out to him in his dreams while living on Wolsong Mountain?
Mm I think since yesterday? Maybe the day before? Yeong-a tilted her head.
Yeong-a, dont bother your brother with jokes like that. Kim Mal Soon tried to stop her daughter.
Eiii. Mother, I know you also feel a bit rueful to leave just like this. Mu Ssang used his mother as a pretext to turn the car around, then took the seaside route instead. This was a good chance to change the gloomy mood in the car.
Oppa! Over there. Someone is calling out for help! Yeong-a pointed at Dongseom Island beyond the floating fish cages.
Screech-
The car came to a stop.
Rumble-
Mu Ssang activated his Dimensional Sight. Information on countless schools of fish and other marine lifeforms flooded his brain. He didnt detect anything notable down to the depth of 400 meters, which was his limit for detecting underwater.
He continued to scan the area only to spot a column of water shooting up from the surface of ocean far away. A pitch-black object then floated up to the surface.
Kki-woooo-
A high frequency soundwave containing hints of pain and urgency rocked his eardrum. Whales?
Oppa, over there! Yeong-a was getting very agitated.
Mu Ssang looked at the girl. The whales were so far away that the regular human eyesight wouldnt be able to see anything. But, if she heard the whales thoughts from this far, then She must be an animal Esper.
He couldnt immediately decide whether his little sister possessing superhuman ability was a good thing or not. For now, he should deal with this situation first. Mu Ssang strengthened his abdomen, then circulated the resonance wave. Wu-ohhhhh!
His loud howling traveled along the horizon. The powerful sound wave split the surface of the ocean as if a physical ship had traveled across the water.
Kki-woooo-
The whale replied back.
That sounds oddly familiar? Mu Ssang tilted his head in confusion.
Whales could make dozens of different noises and varied tones like humans. Normal people couldnt differentiate those, but Mu Ssangs hearing rivaled that of a submarines sound analyzer.
Splaaaash-!
The waters surface split open. A huge black back of a whale sliced apart the water to rush closer to the oceanside.
Splash-!
A huge fin slapped the waters surface. Then, an ugly head emerged suddenly. It was a humpback whale.
Goodness me?! A whale? Kim Mal Soon cried out in shock.
Huh? Isnt that Hoksoon? Mu Ssangs eyes grew wide.
That had to be Hoksoon, the whale he encountered back in Cape Agulhas. Mu Ssang pulled out Kamdoong from that creatures tummy mere moments before his friend was about to get totally destroyed. Then, Ocelots body was handed over to create the current iteration of Kamdoong. However, just how did this whale get here?
Oppa! Its that guy! Yeong-a jumped up and down urgently.
Hoksoon dived underwater before emerging once more. Its beak was lifting up a smaller humpback whale around eight meters long.
Kkiiiing-
Hoksoon cried out sorrowfully.
Damn it! Looks like Hokdol got caught in some fishing nets!
If left alone, a tragedy of a young whale drowning might occur.
Ssang-ah, just whats going on?
Mother, that whale calf has been ensnared in fishing nets. And Yeong-a mustve heard the mother whale calling out for help.
Goodness me! Kim Mal Soons jaw dropped. What an absurd explanation that was, something not even found in fairy tales! She was the type of a person who believed that all things in existence possessed spirits, but even then, this was too much.
Oppa! They are asking for help! Yeong-a urgently jumped up and down in agitation.
Whoosh-
Mu Ssang kicked the ground to leap forward. He only needed to step on the waters surface a couple of times to land on the back of Hokdol.
Flash-!
His Chomolungma revealed itself. Opaque flashes of light crazily danced every which way.
Tumble-!
The fishing nets ensnaring the whale calf instantly got chopped apart and came loose. The whale, now freed from the deadly restraints, splashed back on the water. It split the waves and swam around in happiness.
Kkiiing, kkiiing-!
Hoksoon whimpered and whistled like an excited puppy.
Mu Ssang could guess what happened here. The humpback whale mother-and-calf duo mustve gotten ensnared in the fishing nets while traversing the Sea of Okhotsk.
Huh! Would you look at that!
Hokdol approached the coastline and repeatedly breached the surface of the ocean.
Fwhooosh- Splash-!
Large sprays of water splashed all over the shore. A breaching was an event where a whale broke through the oceans surface from below to perform a back tumble while going back under. A wondrous spectacle of a giant whale performing tricks for the delight of a young girl clapping her hands suddenly unfolded on this coastline.
Oppa, whats that guys name? It wants us to play together! Yeong-a cried out happily while waving her arms around.
In that case, lets go! Mu Ssang flashed and landed back on the solid land.
S-Ssang-ah! My son?! Kim Mal Soons expression now resembled someone who got hit by a runaway bull. She stuttered ungainly since her jaw was too stiff to form proper words.
Mother, it seems father has sent these whales to console you.
R-really? B-but, how can you do that?
I just learned a few tricks, thats all.
Kim Mal Soons jaw dropped even further. A few tricks, he said! Her son couldnt have been a normal human being!
Oppa, what are their names? Yeong-a was clearly excited rather than shocked, unlike her mother.
They are a mother whale and her son. The mother is called Hoksoon, while the son is Hokdol.
Hokdol-ah! Lets play!
Kkiiiing-!
Hokdol replied with another breaching. Unlike other whales, a humpback leapt high enough out of the water to reveal its entire body. The sight of a huge creature revealing its white underbelly while plunging back into the water was indeed something to behold.
Mother, shall we go for a ride on a whale? Mu Ssang didnt even wait for his mothers answer. He placed her and his little sister under his arms, then jumped forward. An amusement ride to console his depressed family members had presented themselves, so he didnt want to miss this chance.
Kyah-hahaha~!
Goodness me?!
Yeong-a laughed happily while Kim Mal Soon screamed.
Mu Ssang landed safely on Hoksoons back and cried out. Lets go!
Hoksoon flinched momentarily after his intention was not transmitted properly to the whale. Then again, didnt he control this creature with Rakshasa back in Agulhas?
Hoksoon-ah, lets go! Yeong-a cried out, prompting the whale to beat its tail fin.
Fwhoooosh-!
The huge figure of the whale exploded forward as if it had stepped on the accelerator. The whale over twenty meters long swam forward at the speed of 30kph while carrying three humans on its back.
Oh my goodness!!! Kim Mal Soon, completely flabbergasted now, desperately clung to her sons waist.
Oppa, I wanna ride Hokdol!
Sure thing!
Hoksoon, please slow down!
The whale instantly slowed down. Mu Ssang nodded at this scene. There was no doubt now, Yeong-a was an Esper. Not just any, but a really powerful one at that.
Hokdol pushed its snout forward. Yeong-as tiny hands rubbed the whale calfs snout.
Oppa, he wants you to clean him.
Huh. What a smart kid. Mu Ssang chuckled at that. He did clean all the barnacles and parasites sticking to the whale calfs snout back in the Agulhas.
Shu-shu-shu
The Billion Water Armor covered his hands. Mu Ssang began rubbing the whale calfs snout with it. All the foreign matter stubbornly sticking to the creatures skin fell off. Hokdol splashed its fins around in delight.
Mu Ssang then picked Yeong-a up and carefully placed her on the back of Hokdol swimming alongside its mother. Whether it was the older brother or the younger sister, both of them were beyond common sense at this point. Hokdol carrying Yeong-a scythed through the waters surface.
Chapter 626 - Episode 9 Mother, My Mother
Kkyah-hahaha~!
A bell-like laughter of a young girl spread on Tongyeongs coast. Mu Ssang smiled at that and glanced at his mother. Her previously-gloomy face was now wide-open and clear like the Autumn sky. Her eyes and nostrils had opened wider while her expression was excited. Her reaction was indicative of an endorphin and adrenaline overdose.
Mother, this feels great, doesnt it!
Of course, son! Am I really riding on a whales back? This isnt a dream, right? Kim Mal Soon spoke in an excited voice. She resembled a little girl lost in the thrill of a theme park ride.
Its just a whale, mother. Youll soon be living a whale of a mansion, anyway. This son will give you the happiness you couldnt experience for the past seventeen years, with added interest.
Im getting scared that I might snap awake from this amazing dream. Kim Mal Soon shook her head.
Her son was bringing her a tsunami of happiness. However, too much of a good thing could also be bad. She was getting scared of this sudden happiness. What if her son summons a crane and rides away someplace while leaving her behind?
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Alright, now. Its about time you two go where youre supposed to go! Mu Ssang lightly stomped his foot on the back of the whale a couple of times, but the humpback whale mother-and-calf duo didnt swim away from the coast and continued to whimper away.
Oppa, what if they get snagged in the nets again? Yeong-a asked worriedly.
Mm! What can we do about that, I wonder? Mu Ssang stared at the whales still lingering around the coast.
They were not even human, but a fated encounter was still fate. The only natural enemies of a humpback whale were orcas and humans. A tamer Esper would receive a severe blow to their soul if the animal they were psychically connected to dies. In other words, Yeong-a would be sad, and Mu Ssang simply couldnt allow that.
The Soul-Returning Pain Administration would be used on humans to reinforce their meridians and constitutions, then the resonance wave would cleanse their marrows. But a whale? Mu Ssang couldnt think of a way.
Hmm. Maybe that might work?
He suddenly recalled deuteronion, the essence of Epidiums and the building block of the greatest immune system in existence. Deuteronion was a heavy hydrogen compound that would instantly kill a human when injected with it. Then again An elephant didnt develop cancers because its massive physique could accommodate an immune system dozens of times stronger than a human beings.
Urgh. Im sure itll work out somehow. If not, oh well! Mu Ssangs specialty, Whatever happens, happens! was activated on this day once more.
Since Hoksoon was ten times the size of an elephant, Mu Ssang suddenly began getting this baseless confidence that everything would work out just fine. He sat down crossed-legged, then circulated his resonance wave.
Fwhooosh-
From his brain, the particles of deuteronion emitting the minty scent flooded out. Mu Ssang then pressed his palms on Hoksoons head.
Fwhooooosh-
The resonance wave containing deuteronion particles entered the whales brain.
Gee whiz, this isnt something I should try again Mu Ssang groaned while sensing his energy instantly drain out of him.
Kk-woooo-!
Hoksoons massive body began writhing. Mu Ssang leaped off the whales back and landed on the solid ground.
Ka-phwhooosh-!!
Hoksoon went berserk and began thrashing about. A huge whale at least forty tons in weight caused massive sprays of water. Mu Ssang deployed his Dimensional Sight to scan Hoksoons interior. The creatures internals was changing more than he had expected. If he had a thermometer with him to measure the whales temperature, hed have thought that the creature was on fire.
Oppa, Hoksoon has gotten strange! Yeong-a cried out.
Heol?!
The whale going on a rampage suddenly went quiet. The previously-black body now took on a crimson hue. The thick fuselage of the whale became more streamlined and sleeker while its length had increased by over ten meters. Its fins even developed claws as sharp as knives, too.
With this, a new species with a length of over 30 meters and a weight of 40 tons had made its entrance into the world. The whale now resembled the Mosasaurus that once lived in the Jurassic period.
Hoksoon raised its torso out of the water and opened its maw wide. Its teeth that resembled combs and meant to filter krill now became sharp and pointed like spikes. Those eyes that looked sorrowfully gentle now had transformed into a vicious predators. Mu Ssang quickly spread an air barrier around the ears of his mother and Yeong-a.
Roaaaaaar-!
A grandiose howling exploded into the air. The oceans surface rumbled as if a storm had rolled in. As befitting a creature that received a dose of deuteronion, the essence of Epidiums madness, the sheer intensity of the aura this whale emitted was no joke at all. Yet another absurdly powerful creature had appeared in this world right after the Purple Chicken, Garuda had made its appearance.
Hey, you! Pipe down! Mu Ssang loudly yelled.
Kkkiiiee
Hoksoon lowered its head. Its sharp, murderous eyes instantly reverted to its previous gentle ones. After seeing this, Mu Ssang gave up on the idea of modifying Hokdol. He didnt think the calf would survive the shock of deuteronion being injected into it. Itd be nice if Hokdol received some deuteronion through its mothers milk, but there was a good chance that the lactation period had already ended.
The future calves would resemble Hoksoon, though. Its common to see animals in the wild passing down their immune system or vaccines to their offspring. For instance, honey bees C the process of gathering honey and pollen naturally introduces bacteria and viruses into royal jelly.
When the queen bee consumed the royal jelly, the digested bacteria would cling to the protein called vitellogenin. This protein would travel along with the bees internal fluids and get mixed with the fertilized eggs. This was the same as the offspring receiving powerful vaccines from their mother even before they are born. This vitellogenin existed in most mammals, as well. Mu Ssang couldnt help but look forward to seeing what kind of an offspring Hoksoon would produce in the future.
Now, go!
Kwa-wuuuu-!
As if it understood Mu Ssangs command, Hoksoon turned its massive body around to head back to the open sea. The whale submerged underwater, then suddenly leaped out of the surface.
Whoa!!!
Oh my goodness!
Yeong-a and Kim Mal Soon cried out in surprise. Hoksoon leaped up almost a hundred meters into the air, flipped on its back, and landed on the water.
Fwhoooosh-!
A massive column of water exploded up as if a massive anti-submarine depth charge had gone off. Hoksoon repeated this worlds biggest-whale-breaching show around a dozen times, then leisurely swam out to the open sea. Hokdol lingering near Yeong-a also chased after its mother.
With that much improvement, its not gonna get harassed by a pod of orcas. Mu Ssang grinned brightly. Even after turning a gentle humpback whale into a vicious, berserk monster, he remained utterly nonplussed about it. As expected of the Angel of Death, Black Mamba.
*
Just as Mu Ssangs Citro?n entered the access road leading to the village near the ancient tombs, snow began falling. This was considered the auspicious snow. Kim Mal Soon smiled brightly and stuck her hand out the window to catch the falling snowflakes. Her old habit of getting excited by the snow like a little puppy remained to this day.
Whoa, Oppa! Its snowing! Yeong-a raised both of her hands and cried out in happiness.
A content smile spread on Mu Ssangs face. The dejected kid became a chatterbox after riding on the back of Hokdol, which could only be a good sign.
Wow! So huuuge! Yeong-a cried out in shock next. Her eyes grew twice as large, too.
Goodness me?! Kim Mal Soon was also too stunned and she couldnt even think about stopping her daughters nonstop chatter.
Rumble-
Thats because her mind had temporarily abandoned its duty the moment their car slipped past the humongous front gate opening automatically. A lawn as expansive as the salt pan spread out before her disbelieving eyes, while an opulent tile-roofed traditional house as big as several grand temples joined together blocked her view. This scale was well beyond what her son had described earlier.
Mother, this is the home youll be living in from now on. Mu Ssang grinned after stopping the car in the parking lot.
Kim Mal Soon climbed out of the car, her eyes blinking nonstop. To her left was a row of two-story han-ocks, while the right side was filled with a bamboo forest and an expansive pond, its water gently rippling from the breeze.
This couldnt be a private home but a well-maintained public park or something. The tall tale her son had been telling her turned out to be underselling the truth. Then again, her son was capable of summoning whales for a ride, so there was probably nothing he couldnt do.
Gim Geuk-do supervising a group of workers by the pond hurriedly dashed towards Mu Ssang. Wakil! Youre home, sir.
Mm. Did Nupchi call you yet?
No, sir. There hasnt been any call from that guy.
I see. That guy must be crazily busy right now. Hahaha! Mu Ssang laughed loudly. It made sense that Nupchi was too busy to contact the base. This is my mother and my younger sister.
Sugoi! Gim Geukdos eyes opened wide immediately.
His master had disappeared without a trace only to bring home his mother, someone hed been searching high and low for quite some time. Not only that but he even brought a cute little princess along, too. What a shocking thing this was!
Wakil, congratulations.
Indeed. This is a day to be celebrated. Mother, this is Gim Geukdo, the butler.
Madam! Im Gim Geukdo. You must be over the moon, maam! Gim Geukdo bowed deeply.
Thank you! Kim Mal Soon couldnt say anything else other than that. She was too busy trying to calm her stunned heart.
Mu Ssang looked around. Wheres everyone?
Sir. Madam from Jip-eun Dari has arrived earlier, and they are currently in the backyard boiling soybean lumps and preparing dried radish greens. Should I call them, sir?
No, thats fine. Ill go there personally.
The aromatic smell of beans being cooked had already wafted all over the place by then.
Two large cauldrons by the backyard were spitting out thick steam. Jin Soon and her four sisters were busy tying up the radish leaves with straws. Yeonghui and Yeongji didnt know the cooking process, so they helped by scooping out and delivering beans and handing over the radish bundles. Meanwhile, Mina and Young Sook were squatting close by to spectate on what was happening. It all looked quite peaceful.
Oppa! The youngest of the siblings, Ou Soon, discovered Mu Ssang and called out to him. Auntie from Hadong heard that call, stopped tossing firewood into the furnace and straightened her back before turning around.
Mu Ssang greeted her. Auntie!
Oh, my. Youre finally home Urhk?! Auntie from Hadongs eyes opened wide in an instant. She then stared deep at every part of Kim Mal Soons face one inch at a time, like a mother carefully pulling a cutlassfishs meat out of its many bones for her child.
Aunties nostrils widened and her eyes began trembling powerfully. The resonance wave had cleansed Kim Mal Soons marrows to rid years of stains on her body and revitalized her beautiful looks from her youth. Thats why auntie could instantly recognize her despite over a decade and half having passed them by.
Ah! Jin Soons jaw also fell to the floor, her eyes trembling powerfully, too. Yeon Soon tilted her head in confusion, while Gye Soon, Mal Soon, and Ou Soon could only silently observe the situation. Jin Soon was eight years old when Kim Mal Soon went missing. For Yeon soon, she had her suspicions, but the younger sisters were too young to remember anything. Besides, far too many years had passed them by.
A stunned silence filled the backyard, only the oak firewood cracking in the fire and the steam escaping from the cauldrons breaking the stillness. Yeong-a sneakily hid behind her Oppas legs.
S-sister! Aunties emotional cry rang out into the sky. She hurriedly rushed forward and powerfully embraced Kim Mal Soon. It Its really you, isnt it! Sister! Sniffle, sob!
Thick tears rolled down the aunties eyes. Kim Mal Soons eyes also teared up. Although she didnt recognize this woman, her deep affection still touched her deeply. When did Kim Mal Soon ever receive such affection before? She gained a renewed realization that she had finally escaped a world of animals and returned to the embrace of humanity.
O-oppa, is she? Jin Soon stared at Mu Ssang.
Yes, shes my mother.
Oppa! Sniffle, sob! Jin Soon tightly hugged Mu Ssang and began crying.
The last wish of the man she loved had finally come true. And now, shed no longer have to watch her Oppa aimlessly wandering all alone in the bamboo forest or sitting blank-faced by the pond as his heart ached. Nothing in this world would be as joyous as this event.
Women were overwhelmingly superior in empathy than men. Jin Soons sisters, the Kim sisters, Mina and Young Sook all broke down in tears next. Gim Geukdo watching this scene also silently wiped his tears away. In an instant, the Eungsim-jes backyard was turned into an ocean of tears. The overflowing emotion here rivaled the North-South Korea separated families reunion that took place in 1983.
It didnt take Auntie from Hadong to realize that something was wrong. Ssang-ah, what happened to your mother?
She has amnesia. Mu Ssang replied, his voice not all that gloomy.
However, Auntie felt like the heavens had collapsed on her. What did you say! Aigoo, sister! How can this be! Sob!
She let out a heartbroken wail. Kim Mal Soon hugged and patted her back. This auntie was supposed to be as close as her blood sister. Mu Ssang also said the auntie was really affectionate and could be emotional, and sure enough, her affection was real and it also moved Kim Mal Soons heart greatly.
Younger sister Please stop crying.
Ill. I will. You know, for some reason I had a feeling that we should prepare seewood soup for dinner today. Auntie from Hadong smiled while sniffling away.
Jin Soon instantly figured out who Yeong-a was. This little girl resembled Oppa somehow. Unfortunately, the world wasnt gentle enough to leave a woman with a pretty face as Mu Ssangs mother unscathed. Unless he had a child during his teens and developed a talent in lying, this young girl could only be his much-younger sister.
Jin Soon then noticed the girls worn-out clothes. Her heart began aching at the sight of the little girls nylon top, the cheap and faded parka, tights with its seams coming loose, the loose-fitting frilly skirt and the cheap red vinyl shoes.
Hi. Whats your name? Jin Soon crouched and got down to the girls eye level.
Im Yeong-a! The girls eyes sparkled like an early dawns star.
Jin Soon thought she might get sucked into those eyes. Even if their fathers were different, Mu Ssangs little sister was just like him and something about her seemed extraordinary.
Youre so smart. What about your surname, though? Jin Soon gently whispered.
I dont have one. Its just Yeong-a.
A cold wind brushed past Jin-soons chest just then. It seemed that Mu Ssang had missed something important.
Yeong-a, listen. Youre Bak Yeong-a. Your father is Bak Jin-bo, and your Oppa is Bak Mussang. Youre Oppas little sister, so that makes you Bak Yeong-a. If someone asks for your name, you should always tell them youre Bak Yeong-a.
Yeong-a quietly stared at Jin Soon, her tamers eyes activating. The little girl hadnt seen anyone with such white heart like this older sister. The diner ladys heart was inky black. Most people were either grey or black, too. Someone with a white heart could be trusted.
Okay, I will. But Who are you, sister?
Jin Soon flinched and hesitated before replying. Im your older sister, Yeong-a.
Okay, sis! Im Bak Yeong-a! Yeong-a grinned shyly but still brightly. All the hardship in her life made this little girl somewhat precocious.
Youre so kind. Lets go! This big sister will get you pretty clothes for you. Jin Soon picked up Yeong-a and headed inside the main house. She had recently purchased some clothes from a department store to give to Young Sook. Two girls were of similar age, so the clothes should fit.
Kim Mal Soons eyes chased after Jin-soons back.
Urgh, auntie! Im dying of starvation here Mu Ssang whined as his stomach grumbled pitifully.
He was almost at the brink of collapsing. In the past two days, he only had a bowl of oden, half of a moon bread and a few pieces of boiled chicken. As a glutton like no other, Mu Ssang obviously couldnt continue on with that little.
Got it! Ill quickly prepare something for you. Yeon Soon, you look after your sisters and finish up the rest, okay? Auntie from Hadong left the unfinished work to her daughter and hurriedly went to the kitchen.
*
Ah! Kim Mal Soon gasped in awe.
The famous they said that clothes gave you wings. Yeong-a emerging from the house with new clothes looked like a completely different child. Kim Mal Soons eyes staring at Jin Soon became so much gentler and grateful.
Meanwhile, the kitchen became a busy place. While auntie put the rice on fire and began preparing vegetables, Jin-soon took out the seaweed from the water and chopped them into large chunks. The water that the seaweed had been soaking in was placed on top of a gas burners flames. The chopped seaweed was dumped into a frying pan along with beef, then fried in perilla oil.
She used the back of the knife to pound the cloves of garlic and added them to the frying pan. Soy sauce and salt were added as seasoning then a dash of perilla seed powder was sprinkled on top. As the seaweed soup boiled in the pot, a cutlassfish was grilled, pajeon (Korean style onion pancake) was fried, and duruchigi (Korean-style bouillabaisse) was prepared. Jin Soon was like a flowing stream in her efficiency while her hands moved as fast as lightning.
My daughter, youve learned to cook so well! Kim Mal Soon praised Jin Soon wholeheartedly.
This young lady possessed a generous heart, had a smart head on her shoulders, blessed with a good figure and even came equipped with an excellent cooking skill, too. Without a doubt, she had to be the best wife material in the world. Kim Mal soons expression displayed how content she was.
Auntie setting up the dinner table stopped what she was doing, while Mu Ssang flinched subtly.
Chapter 627 - Episode 10 Mother, My Mother
Mother? How guile she is!
Mu-ssangs mouth was agape in awe. Jin Soon used to call his mother Auntie when they were young but now it was suddenly Mother. She was not a docile cat on top of a kitchen roof but a nine-tailed fox with two mouths for extra mouth-running.
He hates the fishy smell. So when I make seaweed soup, I dont use anchovies or mussels, or clams to make the stock. When I make kimchi, I only use some fermented shrimp. You can teach me what I dont know.
Jin Soon grinned, looking back at Kim Mal Soon.
I see. A man needs to eat to his taste to make a living for his family properly. You are as kind as you are beautiful. So are your words. You have been doing a great job taking care of Mu Ssang.
Kim Mal Soon was grateful for Jin Soon. She had had a hard life. Whenever she looked at the sea, she wanted to leave her fate to the waves. Whenever she climbed a mountain, she wanted to do the same to the winds. She couldnt even register the birth of Yeong-a. Since she didnt know who the father was, she didnt know what surname to give her. If it were not for Jin Soon, she wouldnt know what to do with all the mess.
Mother! Only you recognize Jin Soons worth. I love you!
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Jin Soon ran up to Kim Mal Soon and kissed her cheek. Then she looked back at Mu Ssang and winked at him.
Things are going great!
Aunt Hadong grinned opportunistically. Her daughter was all ready to get married but Mu Ssang continued to tarry. The longer the marriage was put off, the likelier it was going to be foiled. Now her daughter only had to charm her future mother-in-law.
She is all act today!
Mu Ssang pounded his chest. Edel would be able to naturally act this way but Jin Soon would never. A woman in love can transform to a greater degree than some mythological creatures like Kkamdung, Ssamdi, Dino, Garuda, and Hok-sun. Mu Ssang could see through 400 leagues underwater but couldnt see through a womans heart who stood right next to him.
Mu Ssang took the front seat at the table and his mother and Aunt Hadong flanked him, each sitting at the side next to him. Yeong-a sat next to his mother and Jin Soon next to Aunt Hadong. Mina, who routinely sat next to Mu Ssang, had her usual throne usurped. Mi-na could read the air well enough to not complain but when she sat next to Jin-sun, her eyes were full of dissatisfaction.
Kim Mal Soons eyes were wide with surprise. Why were there so many women in the house? Of the 13 seated around a 16-person table, only Mu Ssang was male. Gim Geukdo, also reading the air well, had run to the shopping mall to run some errands. With 13 women of all ages, the table resembled some corner in a traditional street market.
The Monk Grandpa said he has too much fiery energy. And needed women to subdue it.
Jin Soons explanation was a cue for the introductions.
Mother, I am Jin Soons sister, Yeon Soon. I turned 23 this year and am a college senior.
Mother, I am next in line, Gye Soon. I am 21 and also in college.
Mother, I am
The five sisters and Yeonghui and Yeongji introduced themselves one by one. Kim Mal Soon was confused deeply. She couldnt remember who was who. Yeongsuk concluded the round of introductions with her childish, mispronounced greeting. Then the dishes came. Each grain of cooked rice was glistening as if it were individually oiled and the bowls smelled nice. The crisply roasted fish looked appetizing.
A potful of steamed seasoned ribs. A potful of seasoned and stir-fried seafood. Roasted pine mushrooms. Bulgogi boiling in a chafing dish. Sauted plants. Slices of raw tuna. A stew of tilefish. Roasted eels. Assorted Western meats like Jamn, Bierschinken, and Pastrami. The wide table was full of various dishes from around the world.
Whoa!
Yeong-as eyes widened to twice their size. Kim Mal Soons mouth was agape in awe. The only things she ate at the salt farm were government-issued stale rice mixed with flat grains of barley, pickled radish, cabbage kimchi, and fishcake mixed with vegetables. Even when she escaped the salt farm and worked in restaurants, her diet didnt differ greatly.
She had to deal with diners all day and only had some minutes to fill her belly. When she worked in a sashimi joint, her meal was a stew made of leftover fish parts. When she worked in a spicy bone stew place, she only had leftover soup from the tables to eat with rice. When she worked in a seolleongtang restaurant, she only had the white bone broth to eat with rice.
Even the rice and side dishes were the leftovers from the diners tables. When she roasted fish, steamed ribs, and roasted roots, they were all for the owner or the diners, and never for herself or her daughter. A table covered from side to side with dishes was a marvelous thing.
She had to cook for the salt farm owners and construction field workers for a decade. Then it was seven years of cooking for diners. She never had someone cook for her in all that time.
Now I am treated like a human being!
Her heart ached and her eyes filled with hot tears at the first instant of humane hospitality she received. The bowl of rice in a brassware bowl with a red sheen seemed to shine. She didnt dare put her spoon in it.
Could a mother who couldnt be a mother to her son ever accept being treated like this? Awe was soon displaced with guilt. Kim Mal Soon clenched her hand around her sons.
Mother, this is but a shabby table but I hope you enjoy it. Jin Soon said.
Thank you, dear.
Kim Mal Soon took her first spoonful of rice. The gesture was heart-wrenchingly solemn. Mu Ssang couldnt bring himself to continue to watch and lowered his head. He remembered how he was beaten up in his uncles house after eating some stale rice without permission. He also marveled at his first bowlful of white rice cooked by Aunt Hadong. He well understood how his mother felt.
Ah!
Kim Mal Soon sighed. The rice was cooked to the just-right consistency and sweetness. Each taut grain of rice danced in her mouth. She was a cook herself for 17 years. She knew better about rice than anyone else. For a bowl of perfectly cooked rice, you needed high-quality rice and also good water. Chipped grains let out starch, resulting in sticky rice. Grains with a blueish hue were not fully ripe yet. Ones with a blackish hue were too old or eaten by insects. When one washed the rice, one also needed to quickly wash it only twice or three times to prevent starch from being dissolved. The fire was also important. One needed to begin with strong heat and shimmer down to gentle and steady. Weak fire also meant porridge-like consistency.
This was a bowlful of rice cooked by someone who knew what she was doing with the best rice and water and steady care. With this quality, one didnt even need side dishes to complement it. Kim Mal Soon felt further enamored with her sons companion.
Mina was feeling disgruntled. She resented the small girl who took little bits of fish flesh from her father. She was full of resentment, feeling sad that her best-in-the-world father was taken from her.
Brother? Why is my father suddenly a brother?
She couldnt enjoy any food on the table. The hams, which she used to like, only tasted salty now. Mu Ssang stole a glimpse at Mina and had to smother his laughter. Her face was full of jealousy. He didnt feel like comforting her or explaining it. The children were to sort it out themselves.
Mina, Yeong-a is younger than you but technically your aunt.
On the contrary, he chose to instigate further conflict.
I see!
Mina answered reluctantly. Mu Ssang grinned. The Jews wandered the wilderness for 40 years and were finally rewarded with Canaan, the land promised to them. Was it really the land where milk and honey overflowed? Were the Jews finally happy?
No. The human condition itself is suffering. No life was devoid of pain. Canaan must have harbored its share of pain. Life is the process of learning through rounds of fight and reconciliation, love and hate, and hurt and healing.
Mina already experienced discrimination where she used to live. Yeong-a was born into the hate of the world. He was curious as to how the two girls would resolve the twisted hierarchy between them.
Are you really older than our mother?
Gye Soon asked cautiously. Her mother was 46. Kim Mal Soon seemed to be in her mid-30s. She couldnt believe that she was actually older than her mother.
I am two years her senior.
I dont believe it!
You look so young!
Whoa!
The young women marveled at the fact that Kim Mal Soon was in fact 48. Then they forgot about the food altogether and began a wild session of chit-chatting about skincare. That was said to happen when three women or more gathered. Mu Ssang couldnt guess how they were able to eat as they spat out as many words as the food.
Mother, its time for you to say hello to Father.
When they were finished eating, Mu Ssang hurried.
I am looking forward to it too. What about you, honey?
Dont you worry, Mother.
Jin Soon pointed at the small icebox.
You already prepared?
Kim Mal Soon looked at Jin Soon as if she was proud of her.
It was not a difficult task. Ive heard that Father liked boiled chicken and rice wine. I began boiling the chicken as I began preparing for the meal and I already had some rice wine begin fermenting. I also had some fruits I got as a gift. The only thing I had to do was make some savory pancakes.
You did great.
Kim Mal Soon marveled. Jin Soon was very adept. She was the perfect wife material for any son. If they ever let her go, her husband would jump from his grave and tell them off.
Mu Ssang, when do you plan to marry her?
Huh?
Mu Ssangs eyes widened like those of a bull slipped on a field of ice. He had so many things to do. And his mother was already talking about marriage? Also on the day she was reunited with her son after 17 years? Mu Ssang gave Jin Soon a blaming look.
Hmph!
Jin Soon showed him her tongue behind Kim Mal Soons back. Mu Ssang shook his head. He now couldnt defeat Jin-sun with her newly acquired, powerful ally.
* * *
More and more snowflakes began to fall on the mountain behind the village. Jin-sun, holding Yeong-a in her arms, led the way. Kim Mal Soon and Auntie Hadong followed. Then there was Mu Ssang, following them with a big icebox and a mat on his shoulders.
Sis, I didnt know you had such a fine daughter.
You took kindly to her. With her father passing so early, she has had a rough childhood.
Did yours pass early too?
Yes, before Jin-sun could turn 10. It was a car accident.
I didnt know!
The two widows voices took on certain wetness.
She turned out just fine despite all that. She is very resourceful. There is a certain grace to her as well.
You compliment too much. Mu Ssang deserves such words. He took care of our family since he was a just kid. My girls turned out fine thanks to him. We owe much to him.
That is quite true. Thank you.
He could clearly hear what his mother and Aunt Hadong were talking about. Parents are naturally inclined to show off their children. Still, he was not some royalty or anything. Neither was Jin Soon.
Have you ever lived with her for more than one afternoon? Jin Soon is not some royalty but an ill-tempered chicken.
Mu Ssang complained in a low voice, fearing his mother would tell him off. He was a powerful warrior but still a cowering son before his mother.
Mu Ssang stopped in front of a large pile of stones. Its where he buried the Chilseong gang who touched his fathers grave. On that day when he left his uncles house, 13 years ago, it had snowed just like today.
They had some food and liquor for the ritual today but then, he had nothing. So he caught three crawfish from the stream nearby, roasted them, and offered them with some stream water in his rubber shoe. His bare feet bled on the frozen ground, scratched by rock, but he barely registered the pain.
The son was running away from abuse and the dead father was offered some water in a smelly, black rubber shoe and three crawfish. He had vowed in front of the grave. That he would never bow to the world. That he will find his mother.
Father, I kept my promise! It was not easy, haha.
Chuckles left his mouth. It took 13 years for him to keep the promise. It was said that a nobleman would take a decade or more to avenge but still, it was quite some time.
Working in a Chinese restaurant as a delivery man. The cattle market. The chicken coop of Sang-hans family. The coal mine full of coal dust. The snow-covered Achimgari town. The floating port in the blue Mediterranean. The Sahara where buzzed the Harmattan. The rebels falling in a bullet shower. Himself standing in a hell where blood flowed like streams. His past days went by before his minds eye.
Mu Ssang!
Jin Soon suppressed her tears. His exterior was as hardened as diamond but he was still soft on the inside. And she alone knew that soft part of this powerful man. She was proud of him for keeping his promise. Her heart ached at his tumultuous journey.
Where is the grave, Mu Ssang?
Kim Mal Soon looked around. The grave was nowhere to be seen.
Its right in front of you.
Huh?
Kim Mal Soon wondered. She only saw some pile of boulders and no grave.
That pile of rocks is the grave.
What happened?
Kim Mal Soon lamented. She now saw the tombstone and the stone censor in front of the pile. The size of the rock pile had dwarfed them.
Its a long story. Jang Pil Nyuh had damaged the grave to bring a curse upon our family. Since then, I covered it with rocks to protect it.
Oh my!
Kim Mal Soons mouth was agape in shock. How could her son ever move such large rocks? No. He now could ride on whaleback. It was surely feasible for him now.
What is the evil bitch doing?
Kim Mal-sun, being a shaman herself, surely knew of such a practice. Her calf-like gentle eyes turned hostile. She had miscarried her first child because of that woman. Now she was hearing that the same woman had defiled her husbands grave. Kim Mal-sun was a meek woman but was not weak as to forgive someone who harmed her son and husband.
Chapter 628 - Episode 11 Mother, My Mother
Something funny is ongoing. Something like a dogfight.
Mu Ssang giggled. Even though Jang had wronged them, he couldnt stoop to the same level. After much pondering, he had devised some plan.
That bitch! Id like to lecture her myself.
Kim Mal Soon bit her lip. According to Aunt Hadong, the woman had her son work like some mule without feeding him properly. She wanted to claw the evil womans face and pull out her hair. That was the worst revenge she could think of.
It will be as you will.
Mu Ssang said with confidence. He had drawn most of the dragon except for the eyes, which he reserved for his mother. He wanted to give her some closure after she regains her memory and suffers.
Jin Soon, wait a second.
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Mu Ssang stopped Jin Soon who was about to place the offerings in front of the grave. Mu Ssang pointed at the four-meter-high stone pillar.
Mother, say whatever you want to say to Father. When I erected that pillar, I had promised him that you would come and place your gravestone herself.
Ah!
Kim Mal Soon felt her heart tremble and warm up. At his last moment, her husband must have held their sons hand and asked him to find her. The young child must have vowed to find her and make a gravestone for him. There could be no father and son more admirable than them. Their upright souls and deep connection moved her.
Thank you. When I join you, I will bring a handful of cotton seeds and a bundle of pressed noodles.
Streams of tears flowed from her eyes. She had been saving all the tears for this precise moment.
Sister!
Aunt Hadong wept too. She knew. The pressed noodles were made with rye. The yearly draught and the wretched poverty. The cotton and rye represented the fate of all the wives in this country. They planted cotton to clothe their families and rye to feed them. She was saying that she would do her wifely duties in the afterlife since she couldnt do it in this life.
Mother!
Jin Soon empathized with Kim Mal Soons grief. She was in awe that the woman had not passed out yet. It must be because of her memory loss. The mother and her son went through the same kind of ordeal and lost their memories the same way too. Could there be a more wretched coincidence than this?
Regaining memories posed another problem for them. Mu Ssang was capable of everything. He knew Teacher who was capable of supernatural powers. He knew Dr. Giz, a renowned neuroscientist. Mu Ssangs mother was not as strong as him. When Mu Ssang regained his memory, even with his strong character, the shock of murder traumatized him. Wouldnt it be better for her to leave the past behind and build a new life? Jin Soons worry deepened.
Mu Ssang rose into the air and attached himself to the stone pillar like a gecko. Thousand Water Armor rose and swept the surface of the pillar. The jagged surface of the limestone was now level and smooth.
The moss-covered blackish rock was carved into a gray tombstone. It was a shocking scene but no one was shocked. Everyone took it as a routine incident. Vajra saw the light of the day in a long time. Like a brush dancing on a scroll, the sword crisscrossed the surface of the pillar. Dust rose soundlessly into the air.
[Thank you. When I join you, I will bring a handful of cotton and a bundle of pressed noodles.]
Finger-deep letters were engraved on a feet-thick stone pillar. He added what he wanted to say next to it.
[I will let her join you after several decades. You must understand. We have a lot of catching up to do.]
He felt as if something that has been pressing on his chest was removed.
Ah!
Oh my!
Now there was some acclamation. Jin Soon, who was aware of what Mu Ssang was capable of, still was amazed.
My son may save the universe!
She felt a mothers greed already swelling in her heart.
Jin Soon lined up the offerings and spread the mat. On it, Mu Ssang bowed twice then Kim Mal Soon did.
Yeong-a, you shall bow twice too.
Yeong-a, not understanding the situation, bowed after her mother.
You shall too, dear.
With that, Kim Mal Soon acknowledged Jin Soon as her de facto daughter-in-law. When Jin Soon hesitated, Aunt Hadong prodded her shoulder. Jin Soon put out her tongue at Mu Ssang and bowed. Mu Ssang frowned as if he had put something vile in his mouth. He felt as if he was being swept along by some invisible force. With nothing to do, he pulled out some dried weed from the ground.
The stones plopped into the pond and made a ripple around. Mina was crouched by the pond, throwing stones at it. Then there was grandma. Everyone was happy but Mina was quite serious.
The root of her agony was the little girl who called her father Brother and her grandmother Mother. For Mina, having to call someone four years younger than her Aunt and address her formally was enough to get her to feel as serious as Jesus in Gethsemane who prayed that God takes away his burden.
She could just be Dads daughter.
Mina complained. She wanted to monopolize her fathers love but knew well enough that she couldnt. When she lived in Inje, she was sad because the woman only loved her daughters. If the girl were her sister, she would teach her how to fight, help her with homework, and teach her how to play jackstones, and even braid her hair. But she turned out to be her aunt.
If we dont get along, Dad and Mom will be sad. But will Grandma love me as Dad does?
Of course she would, haha!
Argh!
Mina jumped at the unexpected response. The short old monk tapped the ground with his wild spinach staff and guffawed.
Monk Grandpa!
Mina yelled.
Girl, you are going to burst my eardrums.
You scared me.
Did you do something wrong?
No.
Then you shouldnt be scared.
You heard it all.
I did, of course.
Monk Dae Woo said shamelessly.
What shall I do, Monk Grandpa?
Mina seemed to be on the verge of crying.
Do you hate Yeong-a?
I dont hate her but I dislike her.
Why do you hate her?
I have to call her Aunt and talk to her formally.
Did Yeong-a tell you to do so?
No!
Look at that. You are creating your own useless worries and agonies.
Its not useless.
I think Yeong-a will gladly call you Sister and hang out with you.
Are you sure?
Her frown disappeared. Monk Dae Woo scrubbed the holes he made with the staff with his foot.
That was easy, wasnt it?
What?
Should we worry about why the holes were there?
You made it with your staff. What worry?
Its just like that. Erase your worries like this.
Ah!
Haha. You would feel sad if you want to be friends with Yeong-a but she doesnt know that, wouldnt you?
I would.
To receive, you must first give. If you open your heart first, Yeong-a would be happy too.
What if Dad loves her more?
When you throw a stone into the pond, the pond stays the same, doesnt it?
Yes.
A heart is much wider than this pond. Even if there were hundreds of Yeong-a, your fathers heart will stay the same.
Ah!
They are coming. They may scold me for being nosy. Mina, you must not tell anyone I was here. Its a secret!
Monk Dae Woo winked.
Thank you, grandpa! Oh, hes gone.
When Mina raised her head from bowing, she only saw some leaves flying in
Yeong-a!
When Yeong-a got off the car, Mina, who was waiting for her, ran up to her.
You must be cold.
Mina gave her wool beanie to Yeong-a along with her mittens.
Huh?
Yeong-as eyes widened. When she wanted to play, other children would just call her names like fatherless bastard. Some even threw stones at her. She played with cats and birds because she had no friends. The sudden friendliness confused her.
I will show you around. Our house is really big.
Mina held Yeong-as hand and led the way. A big smile flowered on Yeong-as face. This girls heart was as white as snow. Everyone who lived here had a snow-white heart.
All right, sis!
The two girls, hand in hand, disappeared. Maybe they felt a sense of solidarity, both born in extraordinary circumstances. They accepted each other without any qualms.
This is the way!
Mu Ssang nodded and smiled. Kim Mal Soon, Aunt Hadong, and Jin Soon were grinning too. No one spoke of any hierarchy at all. No hierarchy was needed when a person loved another and shared their feelings.
Kim Mal Soon, finally in her rightful place after a long, winding journey, took the main bedroom. Jin Soon had Mina, Yeong-a, and Young Sook share one room. They had plenty of spare rooms but she asserted this is best for them to get along with each other. The other two women agreed.
The next day, Kim Mal Soon woke early at dawn. She felt the need to cook for her son which she couldnt do in a long time. She couldnt sleep soundly because of her excitement and the suddenly changed environment but still felt well-rested and clear-headed. She stood on the edge of the wide-open, wood-floored space between the rooms and gazed at the main house in the distance.
My son is there!
She sighed regretfully. Her heart ached at all the lost years she spent without knowing who she was. She remembered Mu Ssang saying that now she should cook for him for several decades. A smile rose to her lips. Even though he now had superhuman abilities, he was still her son.
Kim Mal Soons hand moved slowly. Everything was unfamiliar. The kitchen equipment, the expensive earthenware, the oven, the pressure cooker, the blender, etc. She didnt even know how to use those expensive imported electric tools. The sliding door to the kitchen opened soundlessly. Jin Soon had woken up at the sound of the earthenware clinking.
Mother!
Jin Soon hugged her from behind.
You should get some more sleep.
I slept plenty. Let me help you.
Jin Soon explained with patience the locations of the various equipment, how to use the machines, the ingredients stored in the fridge and the refrigerator, and Mu Ssangs taste. Kim Mal Soon prepped the meal as Jin Soon helped. She well understood a mothers intent to cook for her own son.
Mu Ssang, Mother cooked breakfast.
She did? On her own?
Your mother is back. Now she will rule the kitchen.
Rule? Haha.
Jin Soons eyes looked beautiful as she looked down at Mu Ssang. He pulled her face close and kissed her.
Ah!
Jin Soon felt drunk in the thick musk of a man.
Mother is waiting.
You are too gregarious. Why is she suddenly Mother?
Jin Soon smirked instead of answering.
The familial hierarchy is all messed up now. An aunt is a mother. A niece is a sister.
You have no one to blame but yourself. You wandered too far and too wide. When I saw Mina and Yeong-a asleep together in each others arms, I teared up.
Thank you. Its all thanks to you.
Dont block the natural flow of your heart. The Great Monk understands the human heart better than anyone, especially better than a certain someone who is the embodiment of pettiness.
Jin Soon imitated Monk Dae Woos voice and pretended to marvel.
I still want more sleep.
Mu Ssang pretended to not recognize it.
This will wake you up.
Jin Soon slapped a steamed towel on his face. The towel was still scalding hot from the steaming pots steam.
What is this?
You will not eat the first meal cooked by your mother in forever with sleep gunk still stuck to your tear duct. Now I shall shave you as they do in those unscrupulous premises in Seoul.
Jin Soon wiped his face clean with the towel and took out a shaver. He was looking scruffy after not shaving for two days.
Stop it. I will do it myself after showering.
Mu Ssang sat up.
Enjoy it when it is offered.
Jin Soon pressed his forehead to subdue him.
You are driving me crazy.
You were crazy from the beginning. We shouldnt let it worsen.
Her deft hand explored his chest. That was the perk of youth. Every shaving began with the groping of the chest.
I am really being driven crazy!
Mu Ssang couldnt suppress his sighs. Jin Soon not only awaited his advance like before. Now she actively sought it. Before he knew it, like a boa constricting its prey, like drizzle soaking ones clothes, she approached her target. Now, with his own mother on her side, Mu Ssang had no chance of escaping.
Mom, you need more sleep.
Mu Ssang looked around. The Carrara limestone table imported from Italy was empty. It shone alone in the fluorescent light.
Ah!
He exclaimed. The press-made, cheap nickel-silver table with a gaudy rose pattern sat in the center of the kitchen. It was the table used by Jin Soon for a long time.
The brassware bowls were so full of rice that they almost toppled over. Clear taro soup. Yellow egg pancakes. Butterbur stems seasoned with powdered sesame. Budding leaves of Toona Sinensis mixed with red pepper paste. Mung bean pancakes. Fermented bean stew with diced radish and pumpkin leaves. A length of roasted hairtail.
Mother!
Mu Ssang couldnt finish his sentence. They were the same dishes his mother had cooked for his birthday in the year she went missing. Her maternal instinct proved its greatness. Her physical brain might have lost its memories but her soul didnt. His eyes filled with hot tears and he choked up.
I dont dare to fill a table that wide on my own. Still, I made a lot of rice. Now eat.
Kim Mal Soon invited.
Eat a lot!
Chapter 629 - Episode 12 Mother, My Mother
You should eat too, Mom. You too, Jin Soon. Where do you think you are going?
Jin Soon, who was about to slip out, was caught in the act.
You should eat with us, dear.
Yes, Mother!
Jin Soon, moved, answered in a choked-up voice. She knew the meaning of that meal, those precise dishes. Mu Ssang had sung about it, calling it Mothers haute cuisine. It was also the very dishes she cooked during their darkest times. She had made the same taro soup and pumpkin-leaf fermented soybean stew to comfort Mu Ssangs alcohol-assailed stomach.
The very man eating spoonfuls of rice was who found the person who made it. She had to watch him collapse after the woman he loved left him and he couldnt forget her. As a woman, it was hard for her too. A tear accompanied each spoonful of rice. No carefully made side dishes were needed. The condensed tears dropping onto the bowl of rice were as salty as sumac bark.
The old nickel silver table, whose rose patterns were weathered and faded, was like a reminder to themselves never to forget the dark days. She felt a certain fear. If she sat at the table, she felt like she would eat her tears as a side dish as before.
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Kim Mal Soon sat close to her son. She deboned the hairtail, put kimchi on his spoonful of rice, took a piece of mung bean pancakes, and put it in his mouth. She seemed willing to chew it and feed it to him just like swallows do for their offspring. Mu Ssang willingly became a baby bird. This was not just food but pure life force shared by ones mother.
Mom, the rice is exquisite. Another bowl, please.
All right. Eat a lot.
Kim Mal Soon placed the third heaping-full bowl of rice onto the table. Mu Ssang emptied the whole potful of rice made with a 30-person pressure cooker. In the 1980s, an average rice bowl contained 390 milliliters of rice. A doe of rice weighed 1,600 grams and when cooked, it weighed roughly 4,000 grams. These days, an average rice bowl contained 190 milliliters of rice, that is, 80 grams. By this measurement, Mu Ssang had emptied 40 bowls of rice.
Burp!
That was a nice, cathartic burp. Kim Mal Soon gathered the scorched layer of rice on the bottom of the pot, placed it in another pot with water, and set it to boil. The sliding door to the kitchen opened. Aunt Hadong walked in with bushy hair.
I recognized the sound of your footsteps. You love your son dearly.
Of course. I woke up early to cook him breakfast. Are you in charge of the kitchen?
No. I still live in Jipeun-dari. Jin Soon has been taking care of it for two years so far.
Is she taking care of all these houses? Shes a young lady but already very resourceful. Greenhouse-grown vegetables tend to be watery but these are not like that. Where did you get it? Im in awe.
Kim Mal Soon exclaimed. She has been cooking for 17 years but had never seen any rice or vegetables as fine as these. Each grain of rice seemed alive, bouncing about in the pot. The vegetables were fresh as if they had just been unrooted.
Mother! You flatter me.
Jin Soon smiled shyly. The vegetables eaten here were mostly grown here too. They got direct sun most of the year but during winter, they were grown in a greenhouse. The vegetables were fresh and delicious thanks to Kkamdung and Mu Ssang.
Kkamdung provided the nutrients the plants needed by refining the elements in the soil and air. Mu Ssang enlivened them with Resonance Wave. She was not to be complimented for it. Nevertheless, Jin-sun didnt lose the chance to consolidate her place as her daughter-in-law.
Auntie, with my mom here too now, just rent out your house and move in here.
What about the farm and U-sun?
Let the tenant farmers use the fields. U-sun can go to school here in Daegu.
I shouldnt burden you further. You already take care of my daughters.
Aunt Hadong hesitated.
Dont be like that, Auntie. It will be better for Mother to have her friend close by. I can also go overseas with peace of mind. All of your family is here. Why live alone? Lets pack your things right away.
Sis, lets do so. Us widows should rely on each other to live out the rest of our lives.
Kim Mal Soon urged.
If you are fine with it, I shall.
Aunt Hadong yielded right away.
The family will become bigger once again. I should make more money.
Mu Ssang joked.
I should get a job too. Maybe at a restaurant. To help out.
What?
Haha!
At Kim Mal Soons words, Mu Ssangs eyes widened. Yeon Soon and Gye Soon, who were just entering the kitchen, giggled. What Kim Mal Soon said was like saying pouring a bucket of water into the ocean.
Mu Ssang, Ill walk there.
Kim Mal Soon had the car stopped in front of the Ilju gate.
Its cold outside. The temple is still two kilometers away.
We are seeing a great monk. It is not courteous to drive the car up to right under the temple.
As you will.
Mu Ssang got off the car and held Yeong-as and Kim Mal Soons hands. To strangers, they just seemed like an ordinary family with a young daughter, visiting a temple in the mountains for a picnic. The Citro?n was blocking the only narrow path to the temple but no one worried. During winter, the already-rare visitors to the temple dried up.
The mountain trail was calm and quiet. The breeze swept up the fallen leaves and the snowflakes that had been dancing in the air since yesterday began to pile up. A roe deer sang a long note somewhere.
Brother, the baby deer must be hungry.
Yeong-a prodded Mu Ssangs leg.
A baby deer? How do you know that?
Mu Ssang asked, feigning ignorance. The deer continued to bawl. Yeong-a, listening, became teary-eyed.
It says it is orphaned. It may starve to death!
Yeong-a is too kind. Deers have their own world. We shall go.
Yeong-a must have some of the touch in their family. She precisely figured out what the deer meant with its bawling.
I feel pity
Yeong-a hesitated.
Every living thing deserves pity!
Mu Ssang lifted Yeong-a and put her on his shoulders and advanced in long strides. After two kilometers of hiking, the forest cleared and there was a wide basin. A small snow-covered sanctum and two small houses appeared like a painting. The empty temple grounds were full of fresh energy. The wind bells tinkled in the distance. It was a pastoral scenery of a temple.
It is quite fine. I dont feel any evil spirits or energies.
Kim Mal Soon marveled. The monk must be someone of great spiritual powers to raise her son into who he was now. She couldnt wait to acquaint herself with the great monk.
You are here!
One of the houses had its door flung open. Mrs. Yang ran up to them, dragging her shoes on the ground. Noticing Kim Mal Soon, she abruptly stopped.
Who is this?
My mother.
My God! You finally had your dream come true. Its all thanks to the Buddhas grace! This is why the magpies were so loud this morning. Thank the Buddha!
Sister Yang cheered and prayed.
Mother, this is Sister Yang.
Im Kim Mal Soon.
Kim Mal Soon joined her hands together too.
Maam, welcome. Your son calls me Sister but Im just Yang Mija, who was saved by your son. I have a lot to learn from you.
Sister Yang joined her hands together.
Has Teacher gone out for alms?
No. He finished the morning prayers and went out for a ride There hes at it again!
Sister Yang, startled, pointed at the slope near the garden rock.
A low exploding sound was accompanied by the sound of gravel scattering. A heavy silver motorcycle showed itself halfway up the slope. A 1,820cc original CVO relentlessly sprinted down the mountain slope covered with trees, bushes, and rock.
Oh my!
Mu Ssang frowned. The motorcycle didnt slow down as it approached a gorge roughly 20 meters wide. Then it soared, rearing.
Its flying!
Yeong-a marveled, mouth open agape in awe. The motorcycle, after successfully crossing across the gorge, skidded right in front of Mu Ssang. It was a quite professional-looking performance, better than most renowned bikers. Mu Ssang cleared the thick dust with Resonance Wave. A short old man took off his leather bandana and waved it at them. His glistening bald head embarrassed the beholder.
Did you see?
Teacher! Wear your helmet.
Mu Ssang yelled. He was fearing for the unlikely worst but the steep mountain was covered in snow. Teacher was a human after all. Even with his supernatural powers, he still had normal human bones and muscles. If he lost balance, his already weakened bones would all shatter.
Teacher?
Kim Mal Soons eyes were full of dismay. The glistening bald head. The fully wrinkled face. The stature reminiscent of a dried-up dead goby on a salt farm. The shiny leather jacket. The leather pants with gaudy tassels. There was no great monk but a simple old thug. The skin-tight leather clothes and his low-hanging white beard made for great contrast. It was great consternation for all of them.
Haha. Hey, I am in my most natural form. Have you ever seen a fish with an oxygen mask?
Monk Dae Woo reared the front wheel of his bike and whirled around on the back wheel.
Please behave!
Mu Ssang said.
You look so cool!
Yeong-a raised both hands high up in the air.
I practiced for 10 days and only Yeong-a appreciated my feat! You cute little angel.
Monk Dae Woo squatted in front of Yeong-a.
Do you know me?
Yeong-a scrutinized the monks face. She was surprised that a stranger knew her name.
Of course. Ever since you were born, or I just know, you know.
Monk Dae Woo changed the topic and waved away. The space was split apart then a baby roe deer appeared like magic.
Whoa!
Yeong-a yelped as she hugged the baby deer.
Its cute, isnt it?
Its so cute. What happened to its mother?
Caught in a hunters trap and died. I took the baby in because I felt sorry for it.
Poor little thing! Bad hunter!
I did well, didnt I?
You did. You are so great!
Yeong-a gave him a thumbs-up.
Sister, get this deer something to eat.
Yes, Teacher.
Sister Yang tottered to the kitchen.
Mu Ssang shook his head. Teacher, like the master schemer he is, mesmerized Yeong-a at once. But something didnt feel right. He usually didnt meddle with nature.
Teacher, please behave. My mother is finally here.
Am I misbehaving?
Monk Dae Woo shrugged. The thick chains slung over his shoulder clinked.
You should have at least changed into other clothes.
You still talk dumb after all that I taught you! Does a monks robe billowing in the air equal enlightenment? Do skin-tight leather clothes suddenly un-awaken one? Thats why you still have a long way to go! Haha.
Mu Ssang didnt attempt to retort and gazed at a distant mountaintop.
You should have come right away if you finally found your mother. Why did you tarry?
Did you know?
I didnt. It was just a hunch.
Monk Dae Woo said.
Mother, this is Teacher.
I see you, great monk.
Kim Mal Soon joined her hands together and bowed deeply.
Im no one great! I subsist on what your son gives me as pocket money. You have come a long way to get here.
Monk Dae Woo bowed with one hand raised as if joining it together with his other hand.
I was graced by the Buddha to reunite with my son. I have no further wish whatsoever.
Your husbands good karma must have helped resolve your tangled bad connections. It is also thanks to your good luck. The Buddha wasnt there to help you.
Monk Dae Woo laughed.
Great monk, I shall prepare tea.
Sister Yang yelled from the kitchen.
You shall. Yeong-a, you shall name this deer.
Monk Dae Woo looked back at Yeong-a who was trying to feed milk to the baby deer.
What shall I name it?
Yeong-a bit her finger and pondered.
Get it a beautiful name. Let us have some tea then.
Teacher!
Mu Ssang tugged the hem of Teachers clothes, who was heading to the sanctum. Monk Dae Woo tapped the chain decoration over his shoulder and made it clink. The gesture meant that he was finely dressed to enter his sanctum. Mu Ssang didnt let go of the hem.
I see. You are no longer my student but a nagging mother-in-law.
Monk Dae Woo grumbled and turned to the living quarters.
Hahaha!
Kim Mal Soon giggled. It entertained her greatly to see her son and the old monk fight over something so trivial. The old monks charade-free, candid demeanor put her at ease.
* * *
Sister, do you want to regain your memories?
Monk Dae Woo set down his teacup and asked.
Of course. Why not?
Kim Mal Soon asked and lowered her gaze. The monks eyes, as clear as the tea itself, made her feel as if her stained body was being cleansed layer by layer. It was a stark contrast to when he acted like a thug with a matching costume.
You blocked your memories yourself to protect your soul from insurmountable shock. Do you still wish to regain your memories?
Is there anything more shocking than a mother forgetting her own sons face?
Kim Mal Soon gritted her teeth and asked. She didnt know what great shock the monk was talking about but she remember being sold to a brothel. Could there be anything more shocking? If she could, she would seal away the memories of the past 17 years and regain her memories before.
Dear Buddha!
Monk Dae Woo closed his eyes and counted his beads.
Sister, if you regain your old memories and lose the recent ones, you will regain your son but lose your daughter. I am sure you understand this.
Ah!
Kim Mal Soon, surprised, bowed. The monks appearance didnt reflect the greatness of his soul within. He was apparently able to read peoples thoughts. He was a monk with supernatural powers.
Mu Ssang, can Dr. Giz be here right away?
Yes. My jet is in Novatopia. If it is refueled in Singapore, he can be here at midday tomorrow.
Call him right this instant.
[Mu Ssang, well need Dr. Gizs knowledge if we are to selectively revive your mothers memories. With time, the seal will fade and painful memories will return too, but without the relevant parties around, her mental shock would be lesser.]
The telepathy from Teacher said something a bit different.
The rice bowls of the days before are something completely different from what we use today.
In the first photo, taken in the last days of Joseon, the size of the rice bowl is quite daunting.
Chapter 630 - Episode 1 I Knew It
[Is it possible?]
[I am able to control the spiritual aspects but still dont know much about the brain structure and the mechanism of memory. If I consult Dr. Giz, I might be able to find something.]
Mu-ssang saw a ray of hope shine through the thick gray clouds. If he remembered correctly, the human memory consisted of multiple memory neurons forming a fabric-like network. For a person to be able to erase and form certain memories, he would have to read trillions of memory mappings and analyze the connections between the neurons in order to do so. Even if he utilized all of the computers in the world, it would still prove to be an impossible task.
[You mean, you can replace some memories?]
[If we can locate the spots where the synaptic affinities are enhanced, then it is possible. We can replace the connections with augmented reality. Something like, I can fabricate a realistic-looking scar at the back of her head to corroborate the story of falling off a cliff and sustaining brain damage.]
My teacher is great indeed!
Mu-ssang thought. Teacher intended to completely replace a piece of cloth that was already stained by another. It would be an impossible task for anyone else, but not for Teacher. This was unlike Choi Do-siks Soulwashing, which is akin to tearing apart the figurative fabric. The latter was more like striking a rice bowl in order to shoo away the fly that was sitting on it. It would shatter the bowl, and even possibly break the table. It would cause the person to lose their sensory faculties, and to break their mind eventually.
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[We could also tend to the psychological scars.]
[Yes. When the tree bark paper is wet, it will tear at the slightest touch. But once it is dried, it will become sturdier than before.]
[Teacher!]
[Why do you talk like that? It sounds creepier through telepathy.]
The teacher frowned deeply while the student smiled unabashedly. Although Teacher didnt say it explicitly, but he implied that Mu-ssang shouldnt attempt to prolong his uncles life. Mu-ssang didnt intend to do so either.
Sister, you should stay here and keep Sister Yang company for a few days. My only skill is to sew together torn-apart souls. Your son will pay for your room and board, so dont worry!
Monk Dae-u guffawed. Finally, he was able to help resolve his students grudge. The day could not get any better.
Thank you, great monk.
Kim Mal-sun stood abruptly and bowed deeply three times. She felt as if she was in the presence of Buddha, as she received the good graces from the monk.
Mu-ssang, leave Yeong-a here too.
As you wish, Teacher.
This is quite auspicious!
Monk Dae-u gazed at Yeong-a, who had fallen asleep on a mat while hugging the baby deer. Looking at them, one couldnt help but smile. He had gone to Eungsimje to see Yeong-a, but ended up just tending to Mi-nas heart instead before heading back.
He has been waiting for his student to inherit his temple for six years. Though his student was not a viable candidate anymore, but he brought someone else for that: his sister. This must be the grace of the heavens.
[Teacher, do you plan to turn Yeong-a into a monk?]
[What are you talking about?]
The unexpected telepathy startled him.
[Dont play dumb. Your two eyes are filled with greed.]
[If I did, you wouldnt leave me alone.]
[Wouldnt I?]
[Dont you worry. Yeong-as mental capacity is on a whole other level, unlike yours which is only good for fighting. She can continue to live in the mundane world even as she trains. Fifteen years would be sufficient.]
I will buy you an Agusta.
Mu-ssang grinned.
A bribe? Then I prefer a Stradale.
You will receive the keys in 10 days.
Mu-ssang answered without thinking. An Agusta Stradale was a mountain bike model. A custom order costs twenty times the price of a Pony, but considering Teachers financial situation, it was just pocket change for him. He was even willing to buy him a private jet. Leaving his mother and Yeong-a behind, Mu-ssang left the temple with peace of mind.
Sir, Im back.
Neopchi greeted Mu-ssang. Kim Geuk-do glared at him suspiciously. Because of the hundreds of thugs he dragged here, the whole place was a mess. Why did he bring them here? He wanted to smack the back of Neopchis head.
Report.
Mu-ssang said as he glanced at the 60 bald thugs.
We caught 280 thugs across Chungmu and Tongyeong. The ANS and police were of great help. They have all filled out their overseas employment contracts. There will be a ship prepared soon.
Help? Its their job, to begin with. I dont see them anymore, so I guess Kkamdung must have already dragged them away.
Yes. He was angry because they woke him up.
Kim Geuk-do replied.
Thats understandable.
Mu-ssang nodded. Kkamdung recharged himself with sleep, so he was very particular about keeping the peace and quiet while sleeping. The thugs must be dragged away to mop the floor of his underground lair.
And Nam Pal-bong?
Beaten to a pulp. He did something to your mother.
Thats enough. Send your boys to the outhouse and bring Dotdae here.
Mu-ssang silenced Neopchi. He already expected the worst when he found out Yeong-a was his sister.
Aye. Apologies, sir.
Neopchi felt like slapping himself for speaking out of turn.
Mr. Chairman!
Dotdae ran up to them and bowed low, while trying to catch his breath.
Tell me!
At Mu-ssangs terse tone, Dotdaes face paled. He may have did his interrogation job too well and heard something he shouldnt have. It was a nightmare to cross Mu-ssang.
Did anyone else hear of what Nam Pal-bong had said besides you?
No. It was just Neopchi and me who interrogated him.
Dotdae felt as tensed as a squid roasting in a fire.
Thats good. So what did he say?
Your mother was abducted by human traffickers. She was then sold to Bigeum and was enslaved in a salt farm for a decade.
Enslaved?
Yes. On remote islands, there are many salt farm workers who are unpaid and basically working like slaves. Usually, these are the mentally-retarded or people with no social connections. But sometimes, a normal person like your mother end up there as well. Once there, all connections to the outside world are cut off, and they are under strict surveillance so no one can run away. They are said to be forced to work 18 hours a day.
18! What else?
Mu-ssang groaned. It was a miracle that his frail mother survived.
The owner of the salt farm, Moon Gi-sik, took a fancy to her and decided to take her away from working in the farm and tried to have sex with her instead. Nam Pal-bong is Moon Gi-siks nephew. He also took a fancy to her, so he helped her escape the island. But when your mother refused to live with him, he sold her to a brothel. Once, when a fire broke out, she managed to escape from the brothel and found work in restaurants. Unfortunately, she ran into Nam Pal-bong again in a market a year ago.
Is that so? How often was she beaten up to have left her with multiple cracked bones and stomach ulcers?
Mu-ssang thought as his chest was filled with rage.
She was robbed of her savings and was enslaved again. He even drew a tattoo on her body.
That was the end of the story.
Who were the traffickers?
Mu-ssang asked with his eyes clenched shut.
We still dont know, but I have sent some boys to Bigeum. Many years have passed but parasites cannot survive without their host. If we interrogate Moon Gi-sik, we will get some clues.
Neopchi vowed. Predatory fish eat each other by nature. The police may not be capable, but a criminal gang would be able to locate other criminals.
Dotdae, I need you down in Bigeum. Bring Moon Gi-sik and everyone involved back here.
Yes sir.
Neopchi, you will get 150 able-bodied men and organize a squad. Then you will scour the salt farms along the western and southern coasts of the country and round up all the owners who are employing slaves and human traffickers. Bring the enslaved here too. As for the local rich and officials, you will make a list and report it to me.
Yes sir!
Dont worry about the expenses. If you run into a problem, just say my name to get them to cooperate.
Mu-ssang handed him his account book and the name cards of Kim Yang-su and Lee Dae-deok. He may not able to resolve all of the injustices in the world, but he could try fixing what is already in front of him.
Thank you.
Neopchi and Dotdae were ecstatic. Now even the police and the ANS agents have to answer to them. This was exactly why strong connections were necessary to get anything done in this country.
Master, should we even bring those filthy beings back here? I can just eliminate them where they are.
Kim Geuk-do said with strong murderous intent.
Dont bother. This is a task for thugs. Neopchi is the right man for this job.
I was mistaken.
Kim Geuk-do understood what Mu-ssang meant right away. Even if he eliminated these filth, soon some other would take its place. This was why the Japanese police could never cleanse the yakuza completely and just kept them under surveillance.
Where is he?
In the outhouse. Jin-sun provided first aid.
Let us go.
Mu-ssang gazed down at the still unconscious Nam Pal-bong. His features were unrecognizable and almost 70 percent of his body has sustained internal bleeding. He scanned him with his Resonance Wave. Nam Pal-bongs small intestine was tangled up together, and he was suffering from sepsis. Dotdae had really beaten him to the brink of death.
Mu-ssangs eyes turned murderous. For ordinary people like his mother, even a lowly thug like Nam Pal-bong was considered more threatening than actual criminals. Thugs like him proved to inflict the most harm to ordinary people. Just like in the jungle of Ituri, venomous critters like wasps, leeches, and parasites were are a much bigger threat than predators like leopards and black mambas.
Mu-ssang had seen land leeches for the first time in the jungle. Once, while he had stripped his butt in order to relieve himself, his field of vision suddenly turned black. Apparently, thousands of black leeches lurked in the bushes and had decided to attack him all at once.
These leeches were very sensitive to vibrations. At the slightest movement, they immediately attached their tails to a stem or leaf and stretched their bodies toward him, ready to attack.
Likewise, humans have an innate fear and disgust for bloodsuckers. Vampires, bloodsucking bats, leeches, bedbugs, and fleas, all of these could only instil fear in everyone. It was definitely a nightmarish sight to behold when a thousands of leeches moved all at once, outstretched toward the source of blood.
Moreover, land leeches were known to be quite voracious. Once they started sucking blood, their once toothpick-like bodies would soon grow as large as fingers. Some would even burst open after having sucked more than they could actually contain. A fully sated leech could reach up to ten times its original size. By then, their movements would turn slow, and a different hunt would begin.
A swarm of bats would fly in and feast on the squirming land leeches. Red wasps would lay their eggs within the leeches using their long ovipositors. Nam Pal-bong was like a land leech that had been caught by a bat right after he had feasted more than he could digest.
Death is a mercy that he doesnt deserve. He should slave away in Novatopia. Bring in a doctor to resuscitate him.
Mu-ssang detangled his intestines with Resonance Wave before he walked out of the room without looking back. He had a lot of things to do. His meeting with his uncle was already delayed since he had ran into his mother unexpectedly.
Death is indeed a much better fate.
Kim Geuk-do clucked his tongue. His master could be quite fearsome. Death would indeed be a better fate than what U Beom-seok and Murai had ended up with.
Oh, its you!
Ms. Jeong welcomed him.
You look good.
Mu-ssang smiled. Her once chubby physique had become quite slender. Falling in love must have done its magic.
Really? He calls me every day even though international calls must be quite expensive.
Ms. Jeong said. Seems like she was getting along quite well with Emil.
Dont worry. Emil is a lot richer than you think.
When do you plan to get married?
Shouldnt I be asking you that instead?
Mu-ssang returned the question, feigning ignorance.
Do you want to see me die with anticipation?
Ms. Jeong mockingly gave him an evil eye. Her boyfriend was adamant that his boss should get married before him. It was driving her insane.
The time will come. What is my uncle doing?
He is waiting for you.
* * *
You look better.
Come in. Thanks to you, both my body and heart feel better. Back then, I didnt expect myself capable of feeling this way, but now I wouldnt mind living for another decade.
Bak In-bo grinned. He said it as if it were a joke, but he actually meant every word.
Death is indeed better than a life full of pain.
Mu-ssang didnt think to tell him that he had found his mother. Though he had accepted his uncle, but he didnt forget what he had done to his family. Forgiveness is synonymous to letting go. But only the weak resorted to forgiveness in order to find closure. The strong were able to forgive without forgetting. And Mu-ssang was strong enough to do just that.
Sounds like something you would say.
Bak In-bo laughed despite Mu-ssangs cold response.
You must purchase some of our stocks. I will pay for them.
Bak In-bo started to talk business right away, and he meant what he said.
Stocks? Are the Jangs still at it then?
Mu-ssang understood right away. The family fight must have reached its peak.
Chapter 631 - Episode 2 I Knew It
When a creek dries up, the big fish dig into the creek bed to hide while small fish climb upstream with all their might. In this case, they converted all of the CB and are now openly recruiting shareholders. They demanded for a provisional shareholder meeting last month.
What for?
To kick me out, what else? The meeting is in a week.
A shareholder meeting. They must be quite prepared.
Mu-ssang remained indifferent. He had unintentionally inherited the company but didnt feel like getting himself involved in all of the politics. Still, if he neglected his responsibilities completely, the Jangs would end up taking over the company. Thats one of the reasons why he dealt with Jang Cheol-su and Kim Dal-su separately.
There is one issue: even though my wife only cares about her own family, I still didnt expect Hui-ja and the Daeil Fabrics CEO to betray me. She told me she was wrapping up her business, but she betrayed me at the last moment instead.
Well, betrayal is what you are good at, so I guess you are just getting a taste of your own medicine.
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Mu-ssang jested. Based on the way his uncle took over Kim Gi-taeks business, this was as expected. Considering how his uncle had triumphed over his battle with the Jangs, and how he was used to always getting his way, it was no surprised that he felt betrayed as he was now when the CEO sold her shares without consulting him first.
Well I am not so innocent either. I still dont understand how my family ended up like this. It must be karma for all the times I have wrecked up other peoples lives.
Bak In-bo took it in stride.
Anyway you didnt call me for that. The IRS and prosecutors must have been harassing you. And the district offices environment department must have paid you a visit to examine the waste water too.
Mu-ssang squinted his eyes at Bak In-bo.
Bak In-bos eyes widened. How did you know all this? I knew something was up, thats why I called you.
The vice governor Jang Cheol-su and the prosecutor Gim Dal-su are working together to hammer you, Bak In-bo. They have help from the police force and tax investigators, and they plan to bury you alive using the Marlin gang.
What? What a sly bastard!
Bak In-bo frowned deeply. As a typical double standard, he seemed to have forgotten how he had once employed the Samsik gang to undermine the Jangs.
You dont have to worry about the IRS or the prosecutors anymore.
Mu-ssang grinned. as of the moment, Jang Cheol-su, Gim Dal-su, the head of the regional IRS office, as well as the prosecutors who were bribed by the Jangs, were all working diligently on the Ennedi Plateau.
I recall reading an article recently about five officials and a local construction companys CEO who have gone missing. It only mentioned their initials but still
Bak In-bo stood abruptly, his eyes wide open. He manage to connect the dots. His nephew must have figured out their scheme and have already dealt with them somehow.
I am not so forgiving as to spare someone who has threatened to take away my source of livelihood. The authorities must have placed an embargo, and some rookie journalist managed to pick it up and reported the story. Too bad.
Mu-ssang clucked his tongue. He could easily predict where the journalist would end up.
Fuck!
Bak In-bo collapsed onto the sofa.
What were you thinking? I dont really care about them, but you are my nephew.
Bak In-bo was anxious. He also had a few officials on his payroll. The worst that could happen was just to pay a bit more taxes, pay any fines, and at most be put on probation. After all, one should familiarize oneself which such things in order to run a business in this country. But if his nephew had really taken care of five people, this was already beyond his control.
I can take care of my own business.
Mu-ssang cut him off.
Well you certainly take your business seriously. I just hope nothing goes wrong.
Bak In-bo felt thirsty all of a sudden and drank from a cup in big gulps. The companys future was important, but his nephews future was 10 times more. He is the sole heir of the Bak family and to the company after all. Also, he couldnt bear to see his sister-in-laws face if something happened to him.
You dont have to worry about anything. I will get rid of the obstacles while you only have to do your job.
Mu-ssang was indifferent, which infuriated Bak In-bo. But he simply stared back at Mu-ssang and nodded. Even as a kid, Mu-ssang has always been prudent and audacious at the same time. He cured his own illnesses while a university hospital couldnt even manage to do so. He also had the ability to leave a note inside of a locked office that is located within a skyscraper. Yet now, both uncle and nephew shared the same fate. He had no choice but to trust Mu-ssang.
If you say so. If they are really gone as you say they are, I feel like I have just been relieved of some days-old constipation.
Bak In-bo, having now regained his calm, smirked.
What are the Jangs up to these days?
They are having a taste of their own medicine. I did some retaliation myself. I bought 17,857 shares from Jang Gyeong-taek. Now the Jangs will start fighting amongst themselves.
In the end, the old aristocrats will succumb to money as well. And it is just like you to sow such a huge seed of conflict within them.
Even if I fall, I shall do so splendidly. In the end, people dont betray, but money does. I may not be a conscientious person myself, but I am still miles better compared to the Jangs. They preyed on the weak their entire lives. Now its time they have a taste of their own medicine.
Bak In-bo chuckled. It was strange, but whenever he met his nephew, he always found some form of catharsis.
I thought he had changed. But he is still a scheming, petty bastard after all.
Mu-ssang thought as he stared at his uncle, who was guffawing so hard his shoulders shook. When a zebra is being chased by a lion, it instinctively runs toward a weaker zebra, so that the lion will be distracted and prey on the weaker one instead. That was how the saying Its a zebra that kills a zebra, not a lion came about.
Humans were just like zebras. The only difference was that they know of vengeance and have a desire to retaliate. The Jang brothers would now face criticism and retaliation from the other Jangs, while some would still choose to side with the more powerful Jang brothers. But no matter its size, an organization would often collapses due to internal power struggle rather than from external threats.
You must have successfully persuaded Hui-ja. Knowing you, you are not one who would easily give up.
Seems like no one can fool you. You are right, when the Jangs were confused, I used Hui-ja to ascertain U-taks ownership of the travel agency. Jang Gi-su didnt waste a moment to exchange his textile shares with travel agency shares. He must be short on cash to have acted so hastily.
You are always scheming, but you are no different, arent you? You must be short on cash yourself after purchasing the lands put up by the Jangs.
How do you know everything?
Bak In-bos eyes widened. Whenever he met his nephew, his heart would drop several times. He was indeed taking out many loans just to be able to buy the lands from the Jangs.
I cant read peoples minds.
Of course, you cant. No one can.
Bak In-bo sighed deeply. He did not expect that his wife would scheme with her family to overtake his company. He didnt expect that his longtime client would betray him. Likewise, he also didnt know what his nephew was up to.
Even if it is a bequest or inheritance, you will still be bombed with taxes. The net worth of one Hyangsim Textiles share is roughly 32,000 won. Then 225,857 shares would be worth roughly 7,200,000 won. I will purchase them from you now. You must be postponing the inheritance because of the taxes, arent you?
That amount is not just lunch money! How will you ever get that much money? Dont bother.
Mu-ssang pressed down on the intercom and called for Ms. Jeong.
Ms. Jeong, which bank do you use?
The Bank of Daegu.
Open an account for me and let me know once its done.
Mu-ssang handed her his stamp and stamp certificate. Ms. Jeong was left wondering as she exited the room.
Are the travel agency shares all in U-taks ownership now?
Yes. It is legally inherited. My own shares are now his too. There wont be a single Jang left in the company.
Bak In-bos eyes had a menacing look, which gave Mu-ssang the chills. He just bore witness to a scene where a petty persons vengeance was about to take down an entire family. This just proved that one must be careful not to disrespect anyone.
Thank you for bringing him up. I was never once welcomed even by my own wife. But thanks to you, I can now find peace in the afterlife.
Momentarily, the look that Bak In-bo gave Mu-ssang softened greatly. He had always been jealous of his brother for having a beautiful and kind wife. In his case, no amount of money was enough to save his marriage.
When you pass, U-tak will become my only relative.
What about your mother?
Thats my business.
Ugh! Bak In-bo was taken aback with his nephews cold response.
You should try to find her before its too late.
Bak In-bo muttered. Mu-ssang didnt react. As the conversation came to an end, a heavy silence descended upon them. Both the uncle and the nephew were busy pondering on their own thoughts.
The telephone rang and broke the silence.
Mr. Bak. I have opened an account for you.
I see. Give me a minute.
Mu-ssang called the branch manager of the BNP Paribas and transferred 10,000,000,000 won, before he called Ms. Jeong again to get a check issued from the bank.
You really are rich.
Ms. Jeong handed him the check worth 7,200,000 won. Mu-ssang grinned and handed the check to his uncle.
What is this? Is it real?
Bak In-bos eyes widened in surprise after he checked the amount printed on the check. It was indeed a 7,200,000-won check. He knew his nephew was not one to make jokes so lightly, but 7,200,000 won was indeed no small amount.
Did you rob a bank in France?
Lets just say I somehow ended up with a sizable amount of money.
Mu-ssang gave a vague response.
Oh my God!
Bak In-bo continued to exclaim. Suddenly, his nephew felt like a stranger to him. He knew Mu-ssang wouldnt answer him no matter how much he insisted. He felt like the person in front of him was not his nephew anymore, but some leprechaun from a fairy tale.
Im sorry to keep sending you on errands, but please deposit this in my uncles account.
Then I could have just asked the amount to be transferred directly while I was at the bank? Why is the check even needed?
Ms. Jeong complained.
If we deposit the amount directly, the Jangs would question the authenticity of the transaction. Make sure to scan both sides of the check and include it in the contract.
Whoa! You really thought of everything.
Why are you so surprised! Hahaha.
Mu-ssang guffawed. When he organized the shares of the Doba oil field, that task was a hundredfold more complicated than this.
Is there any other problem?
The amount of this transaction will not be precise, so you only have to focus on calculating the taxes.
My nephew is much richer than me. A-yeong, prepare the contract and transfer the shares to him right away. Send the remaining amount to my sister-in-law and use the rest as the advance. Today is my lucky day.
Bak In-bo was ecstatic. He didnt know how it came to be, but his nephew was now a powerful figure, that even becoming the owner of Hyangsim Textile was not considered a big deal for him anymore. It was definitely a great decision on his part to give the company to Mu-ssang.
I see. Im feeling a bit dizzy though.
Ms. Jeong held up the check with a confused face.
A-yeong, this is no time to tarry. Whats the update on the purchased lands?
2,300 majigi of paddies. 300 majigi of fields. 12,000 jeongbo of mountains. 30,000 pyeong of an orchard. Im not sure about the rest but so far, we own 65 percent of the Jangs paddies, give or take.
Haha!
Bak In-bo guffawed then coughed. He was reminded of the day when his father-in-law looked down on him while he was bowing low on the ground. That day, the old man was even smoking tobacco in a long pipe.
You would have never expected me to strike like this.
Bak In-bo propped up his glasses as he wiped away the tears that welled up at the corner of his eye.
Should we purchase the rest too?
How much money do we need?
Roughly 130,000,000 won.
We already have the bullets, its time to fire them. Call Mr. Jin. U-tak will have a third of the newly acquired real estate. Mu-ssang will have two-thirds. Do you understand?
Of course. Ill handle it right away.
Ms. Jeong left and headed toward her office excitedly. As the one handling the companys finances, she was happy that the company was overflowing with money. When the company account was dried up, she felt lethargic herself. Moreover, Bak Mu-ssang was her husband-to-bes boss. He was already like family, not just a simple business acquaintance. It was only right for her to feel happy.
A-yeong, I have picked quite an awesome heir, havent I?
Ms. Jeong held the doorknob as she looked back.
You are definitely good at your job.
Yeah! Thats about the only thing Im good at. Haha.
Bak In-bo muttered self-deprecatingly and laughed. Ms. Jeong silently opened the door and exited the room.
Uncle, what do you mean to do with the shares?
Looking back, I had wronged your father so deeply. If only I had given him some fields when he left the family, then he wouldnt have to work so hard, leading him to get poisoned by pesticides. I was at fault. If I had just given him some fields, then he wouldnt have to struggle so much.
Bak In-bo stopped talking all of sudden and looked out the window regretfully.
On a windy day like this, wouldnt it be nice to share some rice wine and leek pancakes with my own brother? But it is now too late to regret.
Huge teardrops streaked down Bak In-bos face. Mu-ssang listened without a word.
My brother has already passed, and I shall not take my stupidity to posterity. The land is a symbol of both life and spirit. Just think of it as a bribe. Im bribing you to be on good terms with U-tak and to look after him!
I shall accept it. Dont worry about him.
There was a saying that goes: a person changes drastically as they approached their final days. He used to think his uncle was someone who relies greatly on reason and logic and would never allow himself to be tangled with emotions.
Thank you.
Bak In-bo held his nephews hand. Mu-ssang, out of pity, couldnt bear to pull back from his uncles wrinkled, veiny hand.
Chapter 632 - Episode 3 I Knew It
They say that to a founder, the company is more important than their own children. Dont you find this sad?
Mu-ssang tried to gauge his uncles true sentiments.
I have sacrificed my own health for this company. Of course I feel sad. Id be lying if I say I wasnt. Hyangsim isnt a conglomerate but it does have 1000 employees and 10 subcontractors. If I fall, all of my employees including their families will be homeless. This is a huge burden to have. The CEO title may sound prestigious but it comes with a hefty price tag. Overall, I feel sad but also relieved at the same time.
Bak In-bo became silent and looked out the window. The streets were overflowing with people and cars. He reminisced his early days in business, when he had to hustle about with his business on worn-out buses.
Hey, 1,200,000 people depend on me for their lives now.
Mu-ssang laughed internally. This man, who once whipped his nephew with a leather belt after accusing him of stealing money, was now responsible for making the livelihoods of thousands of people possible. His uncle was no longer a mere small town merchant but already a proper entrepreneur.
You should visit Ulju. There is this man called Min Mu-sik, who is one of the executives of the Fisheries Cooperative Union and owns 2.5 percent, that is 15,214 shares. He asked me to buy his shares, said he needs to buy a ship. He is on my side anyway so if we purchase his share as well, ours will amount to 47 percent. I also have the signed letters from the other regular shareholders. The Jangs cannot do anything now. Their game is over.
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Mu-ssang calculated the shares. Of the entire issued 507,142 shares, 225,857 shares was 44.5 percent. And with the additional 2.5 percent, it indeed added up to 47 percent in total.
I shall.
Filthy wretches! I gave birth and raised this company myself! Do they think they can oust me? They shall never set foot in this building again.
Bak In-bo gritted his teeth. Mu-ssang looked at his uncle with eyes filled with pity. His uncle was still a slave to his own ego, no different from Jang Pil-nyeo.
Uncle, what is the point of gaining the whole world, if you lose your friends and neighbors in the process? What good are piles of wealth if you can just suddenly die anytime? You have left your mark in the world, and thats more than what an ordinary man is able to do. Its time to leave all of your grievances behind and focus on taking care of yourself. Just look at this apartment where you live on your own, I bet there is not a single plant to be found. Im sure I will find cobwebs in your rice cooker, and mold in your toilet. Now it is time for you to live for yourself.
Ah!
Bak In-bo moaned as if awakened from a deep slumber. All this time he had been so focused on sprinting forward in his career, not once throwing a sideway glance or a look back. Never had anyone said such heartfelt and sincere words to console him. His days were numbered. What good is there to bear hate and rage?
Youre right, Ive done my part. The livelihoods of 5,000 people are your responsibility now. It is no easy task!
The sounds of hollow laughter reverberated in the office. Mu-ssang then turned around without telling him about his mother. Bak In-bo continued to ponder deeply even after his nephew was gone.
Back in Eungsimje, Mu-ssang called for Gim Gi-taek to his study right away.
How is business?
We have two more food trucks. As you suggested, by adding fried chicken and fried chicken skin to the menu, and after switching the fishcake to the one containing more than 70 percent real fish, our customers have increased. There are no disruptions to our business. There are also rumors that the police frequent the place, so plenty of young women would hang out there late at night to fish for boyfriends. I have managed to pay back the amount you lent me to Jin-sun.
Is that so? You are great at this.
Its all thanks to your help.
Gim Gi-taek started to tear up. Given his dark pass, if he had not met Mu-ssang, he would have been gutted and thrown in the Geumho River.
Haha. It wouldnt have been possible if not for your hard work. Unfortunately, I need you to yield your business to someone else.
What?
Gim Gi-taeks eyes rolled, like those of an ox that had tumbled on ice.
I need you to take over Hyangsim.
Sir, what are you talking about?
Gim Gi-taek jumped. It was all so unexpected. For him to head Hyangsim was definitely unexpected news.
Hmm. I think I owe you an explanation.
Mu-ssang revealed that he is Bak In-bos nephew and is also the biggest shareholder of Hyangsim. He also told Gim Gi-taek that his uncles days were numbered.
Bak In-bo is going to die soon? I knew it. There is no God if people like him are allowed to live for so long.
Gim Gi-taek trembled as he clenched his fists. He was unable to think of anything else upon hearing the name of his nemesis.
Huh. He still holds a grudge.
Mu-ssang understood Gim Gi-taeks reaction. His uncle was the reason why his once flourishing company went down and was bought off. Gim Gi-taek was robbed of his company, of his home, and was being chased by loan sharks. It was no surprise that Bak In-bo was his nemesis.
Mu-ssang attempted to explain in brief words his uncles health, his fight with the Jangs, and the upcoming shareholder meeting. As he spoke, Gim Gi-taek said nothing and just continued to listen.
My uncle has been repenting the past few days as well. During this shareholder meeting, he will resign as chairman. Once he hands over the company to you, you wont have to see his face ever again.
You should manage the company yourself. I know you better than anyone else, so I know that if you handle the company, it will become the best in Korea, and even in the world.
Gim Gi-taek insisted.
Im just an ignorant man still lacking in experience. There are still a lot of things I do not know and need to learn. Also, you know I am not the type of person to be bound in one place.
Mu-ssang sniggered.
Ive only managed a small factory. I am not sure if I have what it takes to take over a big company.
You will still do better than a selfish person who only cares about himself.
Ive failed in my business before.
Failure teaches you how to not repeat your mistakes.
Am I dreaming?
Gim Gi-taek mumbled.
Sir, you owe me one.
I know. You saved my family.
So this is your chance to repay me. There are many people out there with the skills and experience to run a company, but only a few have a kind heart such as yours. You have handled textiles all your life. Will you be content with just boiling fishcakes and frying chicken?
Gim Gi-taek felt his heart skip a beat. It was true. He is not getting any younger, and he couldnt keep driving a food truck around. Most of all, he was indeed indebted to Mu-ssang.
You will have full authority with me backing you up. You wont have to worry about anything as you run the business.
Mu-ssang pushed a pile of documents which include Hyangsims financial statements, current states, and list of clients. Gim Gi-taek, who has been staring at the floor all this time, suddenly looked up.
Thank you, sir. I know I have many flaws, but I will work hard and think of this as payment to what you have done for me.
Gim Gi-taek gritted his teeth, his eyes glinted with steely resolve. He fully understood what Mu-ssang meant by giving him this opportunity. He hesitated at first because it was all too much. But knowing that he has the strongest man to support him, he had no reason to hesitate at all.
Mu-ssang smiled. Novatopia had a great shortage of textiles and clothes. This is a great opportunity for Hyangsim with a guaranteed additional 1,200,000 loyal customers. Also, although the African market currently had a low purchasing power, but it still had great potential.
The shareholder meeting is in a week. Meet up with my uncle every evening starting from tomorrow to check on and monitor the state of the company. The Jangs will recommend Jang Gi-su as the new CEO, but I will take care of that. You only have to prepare yourself for the chairman position.
I understand. If it were not for you, I would have ended up dead. Now, I will work hard with the mindset of saving others.
Gim Gi-taek clenched his fists with a face filled with resolve. Mu-ssang grinned and pushed the pile of documents toward him.
Mr. Gim, I hope we stay on good terms!
Dont be like that, Mr. Bak.
Gim Gi-taek said. This man has definitely done him a huge favor. He may not be addressing him as such, but this young man was indeed his master.
On the day before the shareholder meeting, a rumble that sounded like horseshoes pounding the ground, usually associated to Harleys, could be heard resounding along the road. A motorcycle stopped right at the front gate, and a woman in her mid-30s wearing a hanbok, got off from the back seat. Up close, though her overall demeanor and vibe made her seem like in her mid-30s, but her wrinkle-less, pale face was that of someone in her 20s. Just like magic, Gim Mal-sun has returned.
Sister, I am heading back now.
Monk Dae-u turned his motorcycle around.
Great monk, you cant go right away. Mu-ssang and Jin-sun will be heartbroken.
Gim Mal-sun held on to his sleeve.
I can see my fake student anytime. Today should solely be for your family reunion. This smelly old monk will go see Yeong-a instead. I pray to Buddha that your endless grace and good fortune will continue into the afterlife!
The Harley revved and Monk Dae-u disappeared without waiting for Mal-suns response. Gim Mal-sun, confused, simply clasped her hands together and bowed towards the departing motorcycle.
Great monk, in exchange for giving me a new life, I will return the favor by helping other suffering souls.
Monk Dae-u was someone who would do other people huge favors and forget about it immediately. If the Buddhas reincarnation does exist in Korea, he would definitely be the one. Gim Mal-sun bowed for a long time.
Afterwards, Gim Mal-sun turned around and gazed at the huge front gate. She could hardly believe that this palatial manor house was her sons. She was here just a week ago, but now that she had regained her memories, this all felt very new and unbelievable.
My son grew up to be a great man.
Large tears fell from her eyes. She left her son orphaned at an early age due to her carelessness: she was trying to reach out for some pine leaves that were growing among rocks when she accidentally fell off a hilltop. She had no one to blame but herself. Out of guilt, she couldnt bring herself to ring the doorbell.
But her hesitation didnt last long, the majestic gate opened wide on its own. Gim Mal-sun entered cautiously. Several fireworks went off all of a sudden.
Congratulations, Mother.
Everyone in Eungsimje were shouting, warming up the cold winter air.
Oh my!
Gim Mal-sun raised her head in surprise. Before her was a seemingly unending tunnel made of different colored balloons and chrysanthemums. Jin-sun, who was tipped off by Sister Yang, had hurriedly orchestrated this welcome event.
Ah!
Gim Mal-sun almost collapsed. Beneath the tunnel of chrysanthemums, a strapping, good-looking man stood, grinning back at her. It was her son. He still retained his childhood features. When she saw his smile, her immediately blanked out.
Mu-ssang!
Mother!
Mu-ssang caught his mother just as she collapsed. Gim Mal-sun was speechless but continued to shed big tears. Images of her son as a boy, who was already so smart and witty then, filled her head.
Mu-ssang, I abandoned you! I have wronged you greatly!
Gim Mal-sun wept, unable to say moe. Mu-ssangs shirt was soaked with her tears. Gim Mal-sun touched her sons face and her fingers brushed against a scar. The scar left from a pumas claws and a grazing bullet was slowly fading, but a mothers hand could still discern it.
It must have hurt you badly.
This boy must have gone through so many hardships. The mere thought tugged strongly at her heartstrings.
Dont cry, Mother. Its nothing.
Mu-ssang wiped away her tears with his palm.
Sister! Its me.
Aunt Hadong said.
Hadong!
The two women hugged each other crying.
Mother!
Auntie!
Aunt Hadongs family members ran towards them. Everyone was crying. After an emotional moment, Gim Mal-sun gave an embarrassed smile.
You have regained your memories, Mother.
Yes, I did. You must be Jin-sun. You grew up to be a fine young lady.
Gim Mal-sun hugged Jin-sun.
Where are Teacher and Dr. Giz?
Mu-ssang asked.
The monk went back to the temple to look after Yeong-a, and Dr. Giz said he will arrive in the evening.
Oh.
His Teacher must have meant for both mother and son to reunite and catch up on all the lost years.
How is Yeong-a doing?
The monk is taking great care of her. He refers to her as a student but she is actually more like his granddaughter. They were busy with training so I couldnt bring her with me.
When Gim Mal-sun finished talking, a strikingly good-looking man appeared out of nowhere.
Mother, Im Dimanche. Lets go inside as the day is getting cold.
Kkamdung who is fully suited up, bowed politely.
Who could this be?
Gim Mal-sun turned to her son and asked.
He is my friend and my brother at the same time.
[Dont teleport in front of her.]
Mu-ssang glared at Kkamdung in warning. He shouldnt have made his entrance by soaring across the ground.
He is even more handsome than my son. Your friendship must be the most precious thing in the world.
Gim Mal-sun grabbed Kkamdungs hand to shake it.
Of course. Friendship is a pact signed for life. Come Mother, lets go in.
Kkamdung answered cheekily as he held her hand while leading her inside.
Look at that!
Mu-ssang was confused. When did Kkamdung met his mother before? Why is he calling her Mother?
Eungsimje was bustling with the sound of people talking. The current ambiance was a stark contrast to that of a week before. Back then, there was still some awkwardness between them. But now that Gim Mal-sun has regained her memories, her cordial personality has returned as well. The women started talking and catching up endlessly. Mu-ssang and Kkamdung didnt even dare to join their conversation.
Gim Mal-suns entire vocabulary seemed to only consist of good, nice, kind, and beautiful. After all, she was a kind-hearted lady and only had positive things to say. Having met Monk Dae-u and now finally reunited with her son, she no longer held any grudges in her heart. The whole world looked beautiful and good in her eyes.
Chapter 633 - Episode 4 I Knew It
Come here.
Gim Mal-sun gestured to Yeong-suk who was standing at the side. An orphaned child was the saddest being in the world. Yeong-suk approached her slowly.
How old are you?
Five.
Yeong-suk smiled and waved her hand.
Look how cute you are! You must be Yeong-as sister.
Gim Mal-sun lifted her up and sat her on her lap. At that moment, Kkamdungs eyes shone.
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[Who is this young girl?]
[I saved her from human traffickers, but havent found their parents yet. Why?]
[She needs to be monitored closely.]
Kkamdung wondered. Most people associate all psychological activities to the brain, but the mind is actually a collaboration between the brain and the heart. The emotions emitted by the brain are amplified by the experiences accumulated from the world and kept in the heart. Hence, emotions are thus amplified by experience.
The girls brain secreted neurotransmitters as expected, but her heart didnt react. And yet, she is still able to react emotionally, just like any other human. That would mean a deliberate intent was involved.
[Monitor her? Shes just a cute little girl.]
Mu-ssang was indifferent. Yeong-suk was about to be sold to Japan with I Min-ju, who had the Rh-null blood type. He still felt pity for her.
Oh my!
The sound of Aunt Hadong pounding her own chest pushed Yeong-suk out of his mind.
Sis, why did you go up there when it was raining?
I went up there to grab some pine leaves. Mu-ssang had eaten some old dried persimmons at his uncles house and was suffering a bellyache.
Gi-sik was crippled after falling from that very rock. You are lucky that you are still alive.
Oh my! So, did you lose your memories?
That Jang woman must have purposefully given him a rotten persimmon. That bitch!
Everyone reacted sympathetically while Gim Mal-sun related the story of how she fell from the Eagle Rock at Mount Wolsong. Both Aunt Ha-dong and Jin-sun who knew what really happened, showed even more pity and sympathy than the others.
Auntie, so how did you run into Mu-ssang?
Jin-sun flinched at Yeon-suns question since it was a touchy subject. But as it turned out, Jin-suns worry unwarranted.
Calmly, Gim Mal-sun told her tale of getting kidnapped by traffickers in Sindongjae. How she was sold to a salt farm on an island and was put to work without pay as a cook for the salt farm workers, all the while doing other various errands. She also told them about how she struggled from one restaurant to another, and how she finally reunited with her son thanks to Yeong-a.
The women who were listening to her story with tears in their eyes, rejoiced with the storys ending. Mu-ssangs heart ached as he watched her recounting her tale calmly and discerningly. She was no longer a frail woman bullied by Jang Pil-nyeo. Her struggles had hardened her and made her stronger.
My Teacher is indeed great. I shall get him an Agusta as soon as possible!
Teacher had only tampered with her memories involving Bak In-bo, but left the rest intact. His mother was not weak. Her ordeal was indeed pitiful and difficult for her. However with time, both happy and sad events in her life had turned into nostalgic memories. If he had altered all of her memories, that would have been a serious manipulation of a womans growth and life journey. As usual, Teacher handled things well.
Sis, you must have lost your years along with your memories. If I lost mine, will I look younger too?
Gim Mal-sun seemed like she had evaded the touch of time, and Aunt Hadong envied her. All eyes were on Gim Mal-sun.
No! I orphaned my child for 17 years. What good are these looks?
Gim Mal-sun answered firmly.
You only say that because you have the youthful features.
Aunt Hadong grumbled.
Thus, Eungsimje welcomed its rightful owner.
Both mother and son sat face to face with teacups in hand. There were some conversations that could only take place between a mother and her son.
Mu-ssang, why did you build such a big house? I think I can get lost in here!
Do you still remember how Jang Pil-nyeo bullied you, saying you are poor and did not have a house of your own. She was jealous of your beauty. Do you remember?
Yeah. She made my life incredibly hard. I grew up an orphan and poor, so she wasnt wrong, but it was still hurtful. You can still remember things that happened a long time ago.
I was a child then but I felt humiliated too. At that moment, I vowed that I would build a house 10 times bigger than the Jangs. I think this one is actually 20 times bigger.
Mu-ssang laughed. It was a funny albeit sad story.
Yeah. You must have missed me terribly to have created an island in the pond and named it Mal-sun Island. I am to blame for all that has happened.
Mal-sun sobbed.
Mother, I created both Lake Jin-bo and Mal-sun Island as my prayer and wish for your eternal happiness with Father. Dont cry.
Your poor naive father! May his soul rest in peace.
Teacher said his soul has entered a good path. Dont worry about it.
Yeah, it must be so. No man is kinder and more compassionate than your father. You take after him!
Gim Mal-sun continued to weep.
Mother, stop crying. You should not meet Jang Pil-nyeo with red eyes.
Meet Jang Pil-nyeo?
Gim Mal-sun immediately stopped crying and fear rose within her instinctively.
Dont worry. She no long has any power now.
What do you mean?
Her entire family has fallen. She is a nobody now.
How could this happen?
Gim Mal-sun was shocked. She never expect the Jangs to fall ever.
They are but nothing to me now.
Mu-ssang grinned.
My son is good. What did you do?
I now own most of the farmland that the Jangs previously held. So, it does seem like I had done something.
Oh my! They used to say that it is impossible to travel across Indong without stepping on Jangs property. Why would they sell their land? Did you buy it all?
Gim Mal-suns eyes widened in surprise. Unimaginable things continued to happen. Mu-ssang recounted how his uncle had founded a big company, and how the Jangs attempted to take over the company, only to be met with retaliation.
So together with my uncle, we divvied up the lands between the two of us. They are not that expensive: one square kilometer of paddies, 82,500 square meters of fields, 99,000 square meters of orchards, and some mountains. Its really nothing.
To Mu-ssang, those numbers were nothing, but not to Gim Mal-sun.
Oh my!
Gim Mal-sun gaped in awe. They might have been able to buy a few more patches of paddies after a decade of labor, but this amount was unimaginable.
The world does change. I cannot believe that your uncle managed to grow his company to that size, and that the Jangs would end up like that.
What has risen is bound to fall. I bought my uncles company too. Tomorrow, Jang Pil-nyeo will be booted out, and you will take her place.
What do you mean? I know nothing!
You dont need to. You only need to greet the shareholders. Tomorrow, Jang Pil-nyeo will finally fall. You only have to do what I tell you and you shall get your revenge.
Yeah. I may be able to forgive everyone but her.
Jang Pil-nyeo was hated even by Gim Mal-sun, regardless of her kindest heart.
The doorbell rang. Jin-sun picked up the intercom.
Hello. Delivery from the embassy.
On the screen, a lanky Westerner came into view. Jin-sun opened the door with the press of a button. Sometimes, they received direct deliveries from the embassy, such as supplies or documents that were needed urgently. This time, a car was used for delivery.
Thank you.
The man from the embassy took down two suitcases from the vehicle, had the receipt signed, and left right away. The suitcases were filled with clothes directly delivered from France. Jin-sun had nagged at Mu-ssang, and Mu-ssang at the DGSE in turn, for these to arrive sooner.
Thank God theyre not late.
Jin-sun opened the suitcases. Various clothing items, accessories, and cosmetics poured out into a pile.
Mother! Your clothes have arrived from France!
Jin-sun shouted from the open area between the rooms.
Whoa!
Young women immediately ran out of their respective rooms. They looked like wildebeests jumping into a river in the Savannah.
What is she talking about, Mu-ssang?
I ordered clothes for you from France, as the country is well known for fashion.
Mu-ssang said matter-of-factly.
What are you talking about!
Gim Mal-suns mouth fell open in awe once again. What was his son talking about?
Your son is quite an important figure in France. Lets go try them on. They will look great on you.
Mu-ssang led her mother into the main house. The seven young women, including Yeong-hui and Yeong-ji, were hovering over the delivered goods like wasps, busily trying them on. The living room has turned into a fashion show.
Chanel skirts, Herms jackets, Cartier wristwatches, Givenchy blouses, Burberry coats, Louis Vuitton shoulder bags, etc. Designer goods tumbled onto the floor like rocks. Special Military Advisor Sbard Gulbeigs request was misinterpreted as an order to splurge in the department store.
Gim Mal-sun had only ever worn hanbok, loose work pants, and an apron before. She was feeling quite overwhelmed and daunted by these clothes, yet the young women were unfazed. The living room of Eungsimje was filled with merry laughter and happy squeals. It was just as Monk Dae-u had predicted. All of lifes ordeals have returned in the form of good fortune.
The next day, there was still laughter to be heard. The woman who had just set foot on the front yard was no longer Gim Mal-sun of Jipeundari, but instead, she was Gim Mal-sun, a fashion model.
Mother! Cut us some slack!
Whoa!
Oh my, sis!
Everyone exclaimed. No one could tell that Gim Mal-sun was a middle-aged woman in her late 40s. She was wearing a dark-gray pencil skirt over a pair of tight leggings with vertical stripes. For her top, she was wearing a pearl wool blouse, and a Burberry trench coat paired with a cashmere scarf. Finally, she was sporting a pair of Swede long boots to complete her look.
All of these designer goods worn over her frail figure made her look like some top fashion model. Mu-ssang, who was usually indifferent to fashion, exclaimed as well.
What shall I do?
Gim Mal-sun was feeling overwhelmed. All these clothes and her entire look felt so foreign to her.
They look great on you. Mu-ssang said with a grin.
Is that so?
Of course. You are the best.
Jin-sun gave her a thumbs-up.
You look good, maam.
Both Gim Geuk-do and Gim Gi-task said simultaneously. Gim Mal-sun spread her shoulders wide open. If her son and her daughter-in-law said so, it must be true.
At the lobby of the Hyangsims headquarters building, a beautiful man and a woman walked in.
Sir!
The guard, who was told off by Mu-ssang previously, saluted to him. That gesture caught the attention of plenty of onlookers who squealed in excitement. Jang Pil-nyeo, who was walking in confidently surrounded by her entourage of employees and family, stopped in her tracks.
What is this?
Jang Pil-nyeo turned around, and her eyes met Mu-ssangs. A gaze as cold as a winter lake passed between them. Jang Pil-nyeos mouth fell open in awe. A long time has passed but she could still recognize Mu-ssang.
Isnt he the son of the concubine?
Jang Pil-nyeo looked back at Jang Sang-su.
Im not sure
Jang Sang-su mumbled. He had seen Mu-ssang several times when they were kids. He even spied on him when they were in high school. But all those times were not enough for him to remember his face.
Is he Mu-ssang or not?
Jang Pil-nyeo wasnt sure either. Her prejudice was too strong to acknowledge the connection between the farm boy Mu-ssang she used to know, and this man in front of her who possessed both class and charisma. Her button-like eyes looked Mu-ssang up and down.
Who is that?
Her gaze turned towards Gim Mal-sun. Her slender body was covered entirely with designer items. Jang Pil-nyeo herself enjoyed shopping occasionally as a pastime with her two daughters. She knew the designers and their brands quite well. Jang Pil-nyeos small eyes widened as much as she could.
On the other hand, Mu-ssangs mouth was turned up in a smirk. She must have gone through a lot of stress since her face looked as dry as a withered twig, and there were even bald patches on her head. The bones of her eye sockets were visible under her skin. While his mother looked like a newlywed bride, Jang Pil-nyeo looked like someones great-grandmother. Jang Pil-nyeo always had bony features, and her protruding cheekbones were not flattering either. With her ugly face and the smallpox scars, she ended up marrying the late Bak In-bo.
Thats!
Her smallpox scars burned. That smirk, with the right side of his mouth turned up, was the very smirk he made when his forehead was cut open by the pesticide bottle that U-tak threw at him. The image of blue pesticide dripping down a blood-soaked face with that very smirk plastered on it, had frequented her nightmares for a long time. So the rumors she heard from her relatives in Jipeundari were true. It was Mu-ssang, and last she heard, he had made a lot of money working overseas.
She knew this would happen, so she stamped on him continuously in hopes to prevent this from happening. But the weed-like boy still bloomed eventually. Her good mood changed immediately to bitter sullenness in a matter of seconds. Her surprise turned into rage about to boil over.
Chapter 634 - Episode 5 I Knew It
You must have married a wealthy woman.
Jang Pil-nyeo was feeling disgruntled. The wretched bastard must have seduced some wealthy woman. After all, he had a great body like his father and was quite handsome, taking after his beautiful mother.
What a bitch!
Gim Mal-sun was tearing up. Back then, she would have immediately broken into sobs, but now she had her son to rely on. Mu-ssang held his mothers hand firmly as she stepped forward. An evil spirit like Jang Pil-nyeo just needed to meet her match.
Watch your mouth. You cant talk to me like this.
Jang Pil-nyeo felt like she was slapped on the face and almost lost her balance. Her ears rang and her knees almost gave way. She strained to gain control and tried to gather herself together. Her negative energy was something that could intimidate even Bak In-bo so she glared at them menacingly.
Ugh!
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Mu-ssang glared back at her with his steely eyes, which made Jang Pil-nyeo avert her eyes instinctively. She felt as if she was faced with a tiger and not a human. She wondered if the man was really the boy who used to work for her and whom she abused daily.
[Are you saying you should have never adopted me? But you never fed nor clothed me anyway. Dont call me a vipers son. Im not your son nor have I ever taken anything from you. I may well be just a slave to you.]
She could still hear the snarling words he had said on the day he left them. Mu-ssang was like weed that survived the farmers hand. A raging fire burned in her chest. She wanted to run up to him and slap him on the face that instant, but couldnt bring herself to make the first step forward.
Who is that?
She scrutinized the imposing young lady next to him. She seemed like she has taste too. She felt intimidated by this woman with a slender figure, who had a classy posture and was covered by designer goods from head to toe.
Looks like you are a gigolo to some wealthy bitch.
Now she is implying that Mu-ssang was a prostitute.
Has your eyesight worsened that much?
Haha!
Gim Mal-sun laughed, covering her mouth. Before, that toxic gaze would have made her cower in fear, but not anymore.
You wretch! Watch your mouth. Why are you here?
I have business to attend to. Anyway you dont look so well. Take care of yourself.
Mu-ssang replied calmly.
Its none of your business. Look at you, still disrespectful to your elders as always.
Jang Pil-nyeo roared.
You still consider yourself an elder. If you really are one, then act like one. An elder is supposed to be able to speak from the heart, while a non-elder cannot control what comes out of his mouth. You seem like the latter one to me.
Mu-ssang smirked.
What is that wretch saying?
Jang Pil-nyeo frowned deeply. Her smallpox scars were flushed. Long ago, his face was enough to give her a headache, and his words would always upset her stomach. But now, his every word seemed to make her blood flow backward.
Gim Mal-suns lips took on a certain smile. She found it funny that someone she had hated for so long couldnt recognize her. The change in her facial expression was quite amusing too.
Sister, there are so many people around here. It will only make you lose face if you argue with them.
Jang Sang-su dragged Jang Pil-nyeo to the side. He knew she couldnt beat Mu-ssang when it comes to eloquence and charisma. The wise decision was to just excuse themselves.
You two are fired!
Jang Pil-nyeo directed her rage towards the security guards. Both of them, who had saluted Mu-ssang earlier immediately paled. They were like krill that got caught in a fight between two whales. And now, they have even lost their jobs.
Please forgive us, maam!
The two guards knelt down and begged.
Shut up! You are animals!
The guards faces turned grim at her chilly response.
Why are kneeling? You did nothing wrong. Stand up right this moment!
Gim Mal-sun yelled without fully realizing it, but the two guards didnt respond. Jang Pil-nyeo had the authority to fire them, not her.
Stand.
A low voice rumbled.
Yes, sir.
The guards stood back, confused.
Dont worry about it and just keep doing your good work.
Mu-ssang tapped them on their shoulders.
Thank you, sir.
The guard who recognised Mu-ssang bowed immediately. They really were just mere employees who got caught up in a fight between an aunt and a nephew.
You wretch!
We dont have time, sister.
Jang Sang-su tried to assuage Jang Pil-nyeos anger, which was about to reach boiling point. They were not going to gain anything by arguing with the charismatic Mu-ssang and the classy lady next to him.
Wretch!
Jang Pil-nyeo was not able to overcome her anger, even as she was being dragged away. On her way to the elevator, Jang Pil-nyeo turned her head around abruptly. Her button-like eyes were burning with rage.
You shall pay for this.
Everyone could hear the sound of her grinding teeth.
Sister, we can do anything to him after the shareholder meeting. Lets go.
Jang Sang-su dragged Jang Pil-nyeo into the elevator.
Hahaha!
Gim Mal-sun guffawed, filling the whole lobby with merry laughter. Was that really Jang Pil-nyeo? That woman earlier was but a husk filled with so much rage, it was probably the only life force left to keep her going. Was she really the cruel woman from her past? Pity had overcome hatred at this point.
Mu-ssang, how could we have feared a woman like that before?
It was not fear but disgust, the same way we would step away from sewers that are full of rats and feces.
Yeah. She is just a pile of shit thats all.
Im glad you see it now.
Mu-ssang grinned. He had achieve his first goal: his mother no longer feared Jang Pil-nyeo.
You did well there.
Gim Gi-taek smiled and added. He too, felt catharsis somehow.
Inside the auditorium on the eighth floor of the Hyangsim Building, a banner said Interim Shareholder Meeting. As usual, the space was full of shareholders talking about their interests. But there werent a lot of people around since Hyangsim was unlisted. The employees from the General Affairs department barely needed to do anything.
The shareholder composition of Hyangsim was simple. The shares were never distributed and none were reserved for the employees. The owner and his family, plus 15 normal shareholders including acquaintances of Bak In-bo, and the Jangs. In total, 20 shareholders all in all.
Todays shareholder meeting was centered around the fight between the owners, Bak and Jang. Given the simple composition of the shareholders, rumor has it that Jang Gi-su had the advantage in terms of the number of votes. The Jangs eyes were already glinting with greed, fully expecting that they will be appointed to the core positions. The public shareholders were starting to worry about Bak In-bos downfall.
Dividends were the main interest of the public shareholders, more than who is actually steering the company. With Bak In-bo as the head, Hyangsim grew by 50 percent every year ever since it was founded. From a public shareholders perspective, with Hyangsims dividends ranging from 12 to 20 percent, it was like the goose that laid golden eggs. They tolerated Bak In-bos rule despite his toxic personality, because they feared that doing otherwise would threaten the gooses well-being.
Have you heard from your son yet?
Jang Gyeong-ju asked with a hushed voice.
Something must have happened. It has been more than a month!
Jang Gyeong-mo sighed deeply with a downtrodden face. Their eldest son, the proverbial beam of their family, had been missing for more than a month. On top of the police investigation, they had utilized all the connections the Jang family had but still couldnt find a single clue as to his whereabouts.
Oh, no. The prosecutor and inspector went missing at the same time.
Jang Gyeong-ju was as anxious like an ant whose antenna had fallen off.
We cannot employ the Marlin syndicate anymore. Chi-su ended up the same way too. Misfortunes have befallen our family!
Jang Gyeong-mo couldnt stop sighing.
Uncle, we have the shares. Why are you still worried?
Thats true, but
Jang Sang-su said. The two old men continued to frown.
Your worrying will not conjure him up here. Only worry about the votes if we are losing.
Jang Pil-nyeo blurted out.
Why do you say such a thing?
Jang Gyeong-ju eyed his sisters reaction.
Why not? Our family is on the brink of collapsing. We have to focus on this matter.
Yeah. Bak In-bo is not someone who can remain patient after being provoked. The quiet is very disconcerting.
Jang Gyeong-ju decided to mingle with the public shareholders. They needed every last vote they could get.
Please enter, dear shareholders. The meeting will begin shortly.
An employee announced.
The auditorium was heated enough to cause one to perspire, but tension reigned over the space. The 20 Jangs looked confident while the public shareholders looked grim. The banner in front of the auditorium said On Dismissal of the Chairman and On Appointment of the Chairman. Without Bak In-bo, Hyangsim didnt seem to have a bright future ahead.
Sitting on the platform, Jang Gi-su locked eyes with Jang Gyeong-ju who was seated in the front row. Jang Gi-su got the message and proceeded to recheck their status. They had 207,142 converted shares and 20,000 shares from Yeo Man-deok. Including Hui-jas shares, that will be an additional 16,000. With 15,000 shares from the public shareholders backing them, their shares have reached 51 percent at last.
Even if U-tak voted for his father and had the backing of the public shareholders, they still had the majority shares. For this very showdown, they had liquidated all of their assets, and even took out loans from loan sharks. Today, their ordeal will finally come to an end.
Jang Gi-su waved his hand as if to say Dont worry, but Jang Gyeong-jus face didnt brighten. His son-in-law, seated on his seat on the platform with a calm face, bothered him greatly.
Sorry, brother. That place will be mine now.
Jang Gi-su took a glimpse at Bak In-bo. His jaundiced face was pitiful. Had he not attacked the Jangs and cut off their cash flow, he wouldnt have to suffer so much.
Where are the two uncles? What happened?
Jang Pil-nyeo asked in a low voice. Jang Gi-su looked around at the attendees. He couldnt find Jang Gyeong-taek and Jang Gyeong-nam.
They said they are on the way, you know they tend to tardy.
Jang Gi-su was indifferent. There was still 10 minutes before the beginning of the meeting.
Oh, Mu-ssang!
Ms. Jeong recognized him and seemed overjoyed.
Am I late?
No. Well begin soon. Oh my!
Ms. Jeong fixed her gaze at Gim Mal-sun. Mu-ssang waved away.
Shes my mother.
This is the Gim Mal-sun?
Ms. Jeongs eyes opened wide in awe. She inadvertently gave Mal-sun a once-over, still hardly able to believe it.
Open the door, Miss.
Gim Gi-taek hurried.
I see!
As soon as Mu-ssang, Gim Mal-sun, and Gim Gi-taek entered, the door to the auditorium slammed shut. Supposedly, only shareholders could enter, but Ms. Jeong and the rest of the employees were too mesmerized by the mother and the son, and didnt think to reject their entry. And even if they had considered the rule, but who would say no to Mu-ssang? Ms. Jeong glared at the shut door.
Shes his mother? I should really pay more attention to skincare!
Ms. Jeong muttered weakly. She resented her rough skin which was becoming slacker and slacker every day.
Theyre here!
Bak In-bo smiled imperceptibly. He located his nephew who had just entered the space.
Whos that?
Bak In-bo wondered. Right behind his nephew, a young lady was escorted by Gim Gi-taek. He noticed that his gestures were way too polite as he guided the young woman.
He didnt age well!
Mu-ssang and Jin-sun never actually said anything, but Aunt Hadong and Yeon-sun had told Gim Mal-sun everything. Jang Pil-nyeo looked as vile as her personality, but Mal-sun didnt expect her husband to age the same way, in fact, she pitied his shriveled-up face. Thanks to her capable son, only she could evade the touch of time.
Thank you for being here. Im sure youre all busy.
The emcees words blew away Bak In-bos curiosity.
The total number of shares are 507,142. The shares present are 506,142. With the attendance of 99.8 percent, the interim shareholder meeting will now begin.
The emcee rapped the table with his gavel.
Now the chairman will greet the attendees.
Bak In-bo stood and stepped up to the podium.
I am sorry for inconveniencing many of you due to my health concerns. First, we will discuss the dismissal of the chairman.
A public shareholder raised his hand before he could use his gavel.
Everyones busy, so why dont we discuss the two topics at the same time? Im busy too. I have sprouts to tend to otherwise I dont get to eat.
Hahaha!
I concur. Im busy too.
The shareholders laughter managed to break the ice.
We have received a request to discuss the dismissal and appointment of the chairman. Do we hav any objections?
No.
Then with your approval, we will proceed to discuss the matter now.
Bak In-bo used his gavel. Jang Hak-su, another nephew of Jang Pil-nyeo, raised his hand right away.
The current chairman, Bak In-bo, is unable to fulfill his role due to his health problems. While the CFO Gim Pan-sul has a history of embezzlement. This shareholder requests the dismissal of Chairman Bak In-bo and CFO Gim Pal-sul. I also request the renewal of terms for Directors Jang Pil-nyeo, Jang Gi-su, and Jang Gyeong-ju. Also, I request the appointment of Jang Sang-su as our new director.
The Jangs babbled on.
Chapter 635 - Episode 6 I Knew It
What are they talking about, Mu Ssang?
Kim Mal Soon whispered. She understood the words but didnt understand the context.
The rich are fighting each other for some big money.
I didnt like your uncle or aunt but they had a son and were quite well off. How did they end up like that?
They are not humans but a pack of wolves. When the hunt is finished, humans share the meat. Wolves fight among themselves.
I knew there would be a fallout!
Kim Mal Soon clucked her tongue. Her brother-in-law and his wife were both very greedy. Jang Pil Nyuh bullied her because she couldnt have or steal her beauty. Kim Mal Soon made a mischievous face.
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Good. Do we have any other opinions?
Bak In Bos gaze swept across the audience and stopped when it found Mu Ssang.
I do.
A shareholder wearing a traditional topcoat raised his hand high.
Share it, Shareholder Gim Hak-haeng.
The old man stood and faced the Jangs.
The company has been making a lot of profit under Bak In Bos leadership. I got great dividends during his term. If he is ill, he could rest for some time. I cannot trust someone who doesnt have relevant experience. I object.
I object too. He can rest in Jeju. My mother runs an inn there. He will have free room and board. Mr. Bak, go to the Grans Inn in Daejeong-eup, run by Hyeon Sun-nyeo.
The request of the man in his 40s was a bit peculiar but they could still feel his pure intent.
You should have bribed him!
Jang Kyung Ju told off his eldest son.
I did bribe his son. Now he sent his father as a proxy.
These days, even small towners are not to be underestimated.
Jang Gi Su and Jang Sang Su sighed deeply. When they bribed the father, he sent his son to the meeting. When they bribed the son, he sent his father instead.
He is seeking to resign. Why object to that?
Who schemes at a shareholder meeting?
Stop being stupid!
Get out!
The Jangs clamored like a bunch of demons. The public shareholders began complaining.
Who are you people?
Why are we kicking out Mr. Bak when he has been such a good leader?
The Jangs and public shareholders started to point fingers at each other. Then they started swearing at each other.
Mother, look at their shenanigans. That face there is the head of their family.
I now understand why you brought me here.
Kim Mal Soon sighed deeply. She was glad that her son held power. Otherwise, they would have been victims of those lowly wolves.
Be quiet!
Bak In Bo used his gavel. The quarrel didnt cease. It was a common scene at shareholder meetings. Sometimes the quarrel between shareholders would develop into a fistfight then the police and paramedics would come to the scene as well.
Be quiet!
Someone roared from the back of the seats. His voice rumbled in the auditorium. The quarrel ceased at once. The shareholders strained their necks to see who was there. Dozens of pairs of eyes were concentrated on Mu Ssang. Bak In Bo smiled fleetingly.
Speak, Mr. Bak Mussang.
Mu Ssang stood.
Chairman Bak In Bo is resigning not because he was pressured to but out of his free will. I hope everyone understands this. I wholeheartedly support Chairman Baks decision to leave the company to new hands. I call for the dismissal of all executives including Chairman Bak. As to candidates, I suggest Gim Gitaek, Kim Mal Soon, Bak Mussang, Jeong Ah Young, and Gim Pal-sul. I hope the current board of directors assumes responsibility for all the conflict and resigns at once.
The low baritone voice was clearly heard by the attendees. Jang Pil Nyuh looked up suddenly. The name Kim Mal Soon shook her awake. She only knew one Kim Mal Soon ever. The only Kim Mal Soon Mu Ssang would mention would be the same person. She glared at the classily dressed woman seated behind Mu Ssang.
Silence descended upon the auditorium. At his announcement, the public shareholders were busy figuring out his intent and the Jangs were dumbfounded.
Who is babbling such nonsense?
Jang Gi Su, shaking out of his surprise, roared.
What is he talking about?
Who is Gim Gitaek?
Who is Kim Mal Soon?
Who is he?
Drag him out of here!
There was a clamor. They didnt recognize the shareholder who just spoke but couldnt recognize the names he mentioned as candidates. To the Jangs, he was a madman. The Jangs stood and swarmed up to him. They were about to drag Mu Ssang out of the auditorium.
Sit. If you dont, your legs will collapse and you will be disabled.
Aargh!
Ouch!
The voice roared in the auditorium and the young Jangs covered their knees with their hands and rolled. The Jangs, demoralized, looked at Jang Kyung Ju, the head of the family.
Kim Mal Soon!
Jang Pil Nyuh, as if hypnotized, muttered the name. For someone to be elected as an executive, they have to be present at the meeting. It was written in the rules too. But Kim Mal Soon was not here. It was a puzzling situation.
Could she be her?
She took out her glasses from her purse. She adjusted the lenses to get them in focus. The woman sitting elegantly in her seat could never be Kim Mal Soon. She had covered half of her face with the hat and sunglasses but Jang Pil Nyuh could tell that she was in her early 30s. Her lips were taut, her teeth white, and her jawline was slender. There was not a single wrinkle on her neck. That woman couldnt possibly be Kim Mal Soon.
Is she Bak In Bos friend?
Jang glared at Bak In Bo with eyes full of hatred. His gaze was fixated upon the woman too. Judging from his face, he didnt know her either. That meant the woman was a total wild card. Jangs head filled with agony.
Why is he here? Hes not a shareholder. Drag him out of here!
Jang Hak-su yelled and pointed at Mu Ssang.
Who is he, Mu Ssang?
A distant cousin of Jang Pil Nyuh.
I dont like the way he points his finger at you.
I can break it.
Mu Ssang grinned.
You should.
Kim Mal Soon grinned too, thinking Mu Ssang was joking. At that moment, something surprising happened. The sound like a dry twig breaking resounded in the space.
Aargh!
Jang Hak-su grabbed his finger and frantically turned in space. An employee hurriedly brought him out of the auditorium. Mu Ssang grinned back at his mother. Kim Mal Soon was chilled. She had forgotten that her son had supernatural powers. She felt sorry for the injured man but also felt protected. She had felt this way when her husband was alive and protecting her. It was such a familiar yet forgotten feeling. Still, it seemed like unnecessary violence.
The general director felt sweat forming on his back out of anxiety. He was a krill caught in a fight of whales. Jang Pil Nyuh was someone who would slap her secretary for not getting the temperature of her coffee right. Jang Gi Su fired employees routinely. He thought about his daughter who was still in college, then about his son who was studying for the college exam for another year. He thoughts about all the digits in the amount he borrowed from the bank. This was the fate of the employed party. They had to cower even though they didnt do anything wrong.
Bak In Bo used his gavel.
Please be quiet. I think an explanation is due.
The moment came. The general director clenched his eyes shut and answered.
Mr. Bak Mussang is the biggest shareholder with 223,214 shares, 44 percent of the total shares issued.
What? He is?
Jang Pil Nyuhs face paled. Forty-four percent? He couldnt have procured that amount without inheriting Bak In Bos shares. She didnt expect her husband to bequeath his shares, not to their children but to a nephew. This was a betrayal. She didnt even register the fact that she had betrayed him first with her family.
What are they talking about, Gi Su? Whos that?
Jang Kyung Ju looked back at his eldest son and yelled. Jang Gi Su stood and pointed at Bak In Bo.
Brother, did you give your shares to that rat?
Mr. Jang Gi Su, this is a public shareholder meeting. Please refrain from such language.
Im sorry. Did you sell your shares to Bak Mussang?
Jang Gi Su asked through clenched teeth.
I did. I handed over all of my shares to Mr. Bak Mussang. The transaction took place after the list of shareholders was discarded. So he now has my voting right too.
Ugh!
Jang Gi Su felt disheartened by the dry, terse response. The transaction didnt have any flaws legally.
Things seemed too calm. I knew it.
Jang Kyung Ju leaned back against his chair, resigned. The uneasiness he felt manifested as this. They still had to count the votes but he still felt like they were caught off-guard.
I dont believe it. I request verification.
Jang Gi Su yelled.
I concur. I declare a pause for the verification to take place.
Bak In Bo smiled. He had postponed the handover to not give the Jangs time to react. He wanted to strike them square.
Whats happening?
Jang Gi Sus eyes darkened. The document was flawless: the contract, the proof of delegation of the voting right, and the transactional receipts. Bak Mussang didnt only soak up his brother-in-laws shares but also Min Mu-siks. All the papers were there.
I concur. I call for a vote.
Jang Gi Su still felt confident. The ambush shook him up but the result would prove to be the same.
Mr. Jang Gi Su asked for a vote. Do we have any objections?
Bak In Bo accepted coolly.
No.
The shareholders said in unison. This matter could only be settled by a vote. The preliminary discussion was merely a legal formality.
Here are the proposed bills. Mr. Jang Gi Su proposed the dismissal of the chairman Bak In-bo and CFO Gim Pal-sul, the renewal of the terms of Jang Pil Nyuh, Jang Gi Su, Jang Kyung Ju, the appointment of Jang Sang Su to the board of directors. Mr. Bak Mussang suggested the dismissal of the entire board and the appointment of Gim Gitaek, Kim Mal Soon, Bak Mussang, Jeong Ah Young, and Gim Pal-sul. Now we will proceed to vote on the proposed matter.
The employees moved at once at the sound of the gavel. A large backboard was installed and covered with a great piece of paper. The result of the vote had to be written there for the record.
To banish any misunderstanding, the votes wont be anonymous. Do you agree?
We do.
Great. The voters should now sign their names on the bills they agree with. First, the ones who support Jang Gi Sus bill should sign.
The scene was reminiscent of a class president election in school. When a shareholder wrote their name onto the paper with a black marker, the employee wrote the number of shares the shareholder had next to their name. Whenever such a thing happened, there was a round of exclamation and sighs.
[First: Jang Gi Sus bill]
Dismissal: Chairman Bak In No, Director Gim Pal-sul
Renewal of Term: Director Jang Pil Nyuh, Director Jang Gi Su, Director Jang Kyung Ju
Appointment: Jang Sang Su
Jang Pil Nyuh: 57,857 shares
Jang Gi Su: 95,271 shares
Jang Gi Su: 16,000 shares (delegated)
Jang Gi Su: 3,150 shares (delegated)
Jang Gi Su: 2,000 shares (delegated)
Jang Gi-su: 20,000 shares (delegated)
Jang Sang Su: 18,000 shares
Jang Kyung Ju: 300 shares
Jang Kyeong Mo: 17,857 shares
Total: 245,785 shares (48.56 percent of the shares present)
Do we have more?
The Jangs rigged it! This is pointless.
Complaints were heard from the public shareholders seats.
Then we will conclude the count.
With the sound of the gavel, the vote count concluded.
What happened to Kyung Tek and Kyung Nam?
Jang Kyung Ju yelled.
No one answered him.
Why are you all mute?
Jang Kyung Ju yelled again but the Jangs said nothing with their mouths agape in awe.
Order, please! Next, the ones who agree with Mr. Bak Mussangs will sign their names.
Mu Ssang strode to the board. Silence descended upon the audience. Dozens of pairs of eyes were fixated upon Mu Ssang. It was inevitable. This was a fight between the Baks and the Jangs. Bak In Bo and Gim Gitaek signed and the employee marked the number of their shares.
[Second: Bak Mussangs Bill]
Dismissal of the entire board
Appointment: Bak Mussang, Gim Gitaek, Kim Mal Soon, Gim Pal-sul, and Jeong Ah Young
Bak Mussang: 208,000 shares (delegated)
Bak Mussang: 15,214 shares (delegated)
Bak In Bo: 16,000 shares (delegated)
Bak In Bo: 1,000 shares (delegated)
Bak In Bo: 300 shares (delegated)
Bak In Bo: 200 shares (delegated)
Bak In Bo: 300 shares (delegated)
Gim Gitaek: 10,000 shares (delegated)
Gim Gitaek: 7,857 shares (delegated)
Total: 260,357 shares (51.44 percent of the shares present)
The count was concluded. There was no need to name the delegators. Bak In Bo and Mu Ssang hid them intentionally. The auditorium was dead silent. Bak In Bo held the gavel and absentmindedly stared at the counting board.
I knew it!
Bak In Bo muttered. He felt a multitude of emotions at once. He had calculated the very same number many times as if counting the wins on a go board. The relief of everything concluding washed over him, making him dizzy.
Chapter 636 - Episode 7 I Knew It
I didnt expect my son, U-tak to betray me!
Jang Pil-nyeo clenched her fists and muttered. If her son had not sided with the wretched dwarf, she would have been able to take over the company. Her fingernails were digging into her palms causing it to bleed, but she couldnt feel any of the pain.
It was an outrage. The company was almost within her grasp, yet slipped through her fingers. All the land and assets had just vanished into thin air. They are now only left with useless shares that didnt help them get the company, and instead left them with a tremendous amount of loans. She felt like hallucinating.
You are not my son! Go die!
Jang Pil-nyeo cursed at her son. In a blink of any eye, the entire Jang family just went bankrupt, and it wasnt her fault, but her sons. Her hands were shaking and she felt like she was about to black out. Blaming others was a common trait of this selfish family. And to Jang Pil-nyeo, ever her son was just one of the others now.
Where is Gyeong-taek. Where is Gyeong-nam? You wretches!
Jang Gyeong-ju roared. His two cousins didnt show up at all, which was the main cause of his anxiety. Because of their absence, they lost the vote. His worries proved to be true.
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A total of 506,142 shares were valid for the vote. Of these, Jang Gi-sus bill amassed 48.56 percent with 245,785 shares, while Bak Mu-ssangs bill amassed 51.44 percent with 260,357 shares.
The emcees harsh words fell upon Jang Pil-nyeos ears, who was still confused.
No!
Jang Pil-nyeo waved his arms around, as if trying to grapple onto something.
I hereby declare that with regards to the case of dismissal and appointment of the members of the board, Mr. Bak Mu-ssangs bill has prevailed.
Bak In-bo banged the gavel, the sound disheartened the collective hearts of the Jangs. The sound declared the collapse of the Jang family, which had persisted for many generations until today.
Finally, Jang Gi-su came to his senses. This couldnt be. He had given up on garnering U-taks shares to their side. But the final blow to their downfall proved to be the shares owned by the two absent uncles. He felt the need to forestall their destruction by any means whatsoever. He raised his hand high up in the air, in a last desperate attempt for salvation.
I object. There was no shareholder called Gim Gi-taek. Explain the movement of shares of this person.
The company is not obligated to explain the movement of its shares, but for the benefit of clarification, we shall. Emcee, please.
Bak In-bo smiled bitterly. He had anticipated this to happen. The emcee read out the prepared note.
Mr. Gim Gi-taek was given the shares of Jang Gyeong-taek and Jang Gyeong-nam. The two sold their shares to Bak In-bo and delegated their voting rights to Mr. Gim Gi-taek.
No!
Jang Gyeong-ju grimaced. He couldnt believe what the emcee was saying. They could have won if the two cousins had just gone absent without voting. But now, he found out that they actually sided with Bak Mu-ssang. This was the deepest kind of betrayal. The beams and the roof of the house felt like they were collapsing onto him, and he himself collapsed as well.
The uncles did that?
Jang Gi-su muttered, dumbfounded. The bad feelings he had felt proved to be true far too often. His vision went dark, and he couldnt even bring himself to take care of his father who had collapsed.
What?
The uncles did what?
How could they?
The elders of the family betrayed their own family. The Jangs realized too late.
Gyeong-taek and Gyeong-nam sold their shares? Why did the ancestors let this happen?
Jang Gyeong-mo clenched his eyes shut.
Jang Gyeong-ju stood abruptly despite his limpness. His brothers lamentation was like fuel to the roaring fire within him that was caused by this betrayal.
Go die, Gyeong-taek and Gyeong-nam!
Jang Gyeong-ju roared then collapsed again, this time clutching his chest. The employees who were on standby put him on a stretcher and brought him out of the auditorium. His collapse signalled the collapse of his family. Finally, Bak In-bo got his revenge after decades. But now it was Mu-ssangs turn to get his.
Dear shareholders, order please, and return to your seats.
The emcee tried his best but the clamoring intensified. Jang Pil-nyeo clung to her last shreds of consciousness, the emcees voice and the Jangs clamoring mixed and echoed in the auditorium as if she was listening to them from underwater.
Wake up, sister! We need to react.
Jang Sang-su held Jang Pil-nyeos arm and shook it.
Hmm!
Jang Pil-nyeo, woke from her stupor, took out two balls of Cheongsimhwan, and chewed them down without water. In her muddled vision, she could clearly see the handsome face of the gigolo. He was the culprit who caused all of this turmoil. Her rage exploded.
You son of a concubine. It must be you. You schemed all of this with that wretched dwarf. Why are you doing this? I shall never forgive you even if I get thrown into the coldest of the freezing hells. Dear ancestors, dear heavens, please punish this filthy traitor!
Shut your hole!
Aargh!
Jang Pil-nyeo clutched her ears and screamed. It seemed like she was the one being punished. At his thunderous words, all the clamoring had ceased at once. Jang Pil-nyeo stopped her cursing and stared at Mu-ssang, his lightning-like gaze scoured through the audience.
If you want to leave, leave now. But if you want to stay, then be seated. From now on, anyone making noise will pay for it. Ushers shall guide any such person out. Find your seats please!
His supernatural powers amplified the atmospheric pressure of the place manifold.
Mu-ssang sighed internally. The Jangs still remained because they were hoping that there still might be some meat left for them to devour. The Jangs were like a pack of condors hovering around a rotting carcass.
Are they still even human?
Bak In-bo looked at his wife with eyes full of pity, her selfishness and self-centeredness were of a different level entirely. This woman who had committed unspeakable sins and immoral acts, was calling out to her ancestors and the heavens the moment she felt wronged. On the other had, Mu-ssang has always been a helpless victim. The words she had uttered would have been more fitting if they came from Mu-ssangs lips.
Chairman!
The emcee caught Bak In-bos attention with a small voice.
Continue.
Bak In-bo nodded.
These are the newly appointed board members. Please come onto the dais.
Mu-ssang stood while holding the hand of his mother. Gim Gi-taek followed suit. An employee came back with Jeong A-yeong, whose face flushed instantly. She looked confused. She had expected the commotion in the auditorium, but never expected Mu-ssang to appoint her as a board member.
Why is she here?
Jang Pil-nyeo rubbed her eyes. Gim Mal-sun ignored her and casually walked past her with elegant steps. Jang Pil-nyeo slapped herself to her senses.
Yes. I still have my shares, and I still own Hyangsim Travel. Even Yi Sun-sin could rise again with only 12 ships left. I shall find out your schemes soon enough.
She was still the eldest daughter of the Jang family. She could not lose face to a lowly concubine. Jang Pil-nyeo straightened her back full of determination.
Mr. Bak Mu-ssang, the councilor to the French Embassy and the largest shareholder of Hyangsim Textile.
Mu-ssang bowed lightly.
Hurgh!
Jang Pil-nyeo coughed. She had no idea how high a councilor position was, but she couldnt believe that the runt ended up being a high official of France after going overseas. She was starting to feel faint again.
Mr. Gim Gi-taek, the witness to the textile industry in Daegu.
Ms. Jeong A-yeong, a founding member of Hyangsim Textile.
Mr. Gim Pal-sul, a finance expert.
Jang Pil-nyeo took another couple of Cheongsimhwan and a handful of benzodiazepines. She could no longer register a word the emcee had said. She only hear the words councilor and Aunt Hadongs bragging echoed in her head.
No. That seat is mine.
Jang Pil-nyeo mumbled.
Ms. Gim Mal-sun, the mother of the biggest shareholder, Bak Mu-ssang.
Gim Mal-sun?
Jang Pil-nyeo, startled, looked up. She thought she had heard wrongly, but the emcee clearly said Bak Mu-ssangs mother, Gim Mal-sun. At that moment, Gim Mal-sun took off her Capeline hat and sunglasses.
Dear shareholders, together, let us steer the company to the benefit of our employees. We are in this together.
There was a shout of joy. The shareholders were mesmerized by Gim Mal-suns beauty. Outside of the auditorium, the employees were ecstatic at the news of the incoming pay raise. There were no sweeter words than this.
That bitch!
Jang Pil-nyeo screeched. She had wanted to stab that very face with a knife many times. She was dressed differently now, yet her face and body didnt change a bit from 17 years ago. But Jang Pil-nyeos voice was drowned out by the loud cheering that ensued.
Mother, wave back at them.
Mu-ssang whispered.
Gim Mal-sun beamed and waved.
She is a beauty!
She must be a Miss Korea winner.
All hail Gim Mal-sun!
There were loud cheers both inside and outside the auditorium. Usually, a persons age and life experiences were revealed on ones face. But Gim Mal-sun was so pure, she couldnt even swear properly. With her innate beauty that was further enhanced under Mu-ssang and Monk Dae-us care, and with her entire body covered with designer goods, she deserved all of the cheers she was now hearing.
This concludes the interim shareholder meeting of Hyangsim Textile.
The emcee concluded the meeting with the introduction of the newly appointed board members, but the shareholders couldnt bring themselves to leave their seats. Their gaze were on Gim Mal-sun, the protagonist of the shareholder meeting.
That bitch!
Jang Pil-nyeo foamed at her mouth. She wanted to be on the receiving end of the spotlight and all the cheers. This lowly woman didnt deserve it at all. She saw that her husbands mouth was agape in awe, and Jang Pil-nyeos eyes were ablaze with jealousy. The look on her husbands face fueled her desire to wrench apart Gim Mal-suns face.
She must be immortal!
Jang Pil-nyeo was sure that it was the case. Otherwise, how was she able to retain her look for 17 years? That woman must have killed herself and returned back immortal. Seeing how her looks have defied reality had caused Jang Pil-nyeos delusions.
Long time no see, In-bo.
Gim Mal-sun greeted him with a kind face.
Mal-sun!
Bak In-bo couldnt continue, his unfocused eyes avoided Gim Mal-suns gaze.
In-bo, many years have passed. Joy and sadness have all melted away like ice cream. As time passes, unforgiveness and hatred all seem meaningless.
I am sorry I have sinned!
Bak In-bo knelt down and wept. His shameful deeds in the past days were brought back to mind.
Its okay. A human life can only last a mere hundred years or less. It is already too short for just love and care alone, thus, hate and grudges arent needed. Stand up now or others will see.
Thank you for forgiving me!
Bak In-bo stood. Never had he received such unconditional forgiveness, never had he heard such kind words of forgiveness from anyone. He wept big tears of regret which he had never shed before.
Jang Pil-nyeos eyes were ablaze with rage. It was that very act, the pretense of kindness and grace, that had fooled her husbands parents, her husband, and her children too.
You are a zombie! I will rip your skin off.
Jang Pil-nyeo attacked her.
What an insane bitch!
Bak In-bo roared. Mu-ssang waved him away. His mother wasnt the woman she was before. Some people were brought down by hardships, but some rise through it. His mother was the latter.
Pil-nyeo, have you ever heard the undead talk? You must be losing it.
Mal-suns voice was clearly full of pity.
What?
Jang Pil-nyeo, who was about to jump, stopped abruptly at her words. She was a wrinkled old woman now, yet Gim Mal-sun still looked fresh and young as ever. Even without the designer goods, her wrinkle-less, vibrant face and invigorated voice caused her much despair. This woman was a fraud, a con artist.
Pil-nyeo, why are you still this way?
What does it matter to you how I live? You seem confident now that your son is rich.
Jang Pil-nyeo roared.
Dont you know, your words apply to you even more? Before, you had piles of gold and received praises from everyone like an empress, so you thought that the world is your oyster. But all of that is merely an empty shell. All of your gold has been washed away like a sand castle in the wind, and the praises went with it too. You lost your company. Your family has fallen. Your husband left you, while your daughter is missing and is a drug addict. What is left of your life? Is this the end result you wanted after hurting and reigning over others your entire life?
Ugh!
Jang Pil-nyeos pockmarks flushed. She couldnt come up with a retort to her words. Rage soared to her head and her temples throbbed.
You have ruined your own family and your husbands as well. Do you still have any greed left? How will you handle all the blame, all the people pointing their fingers at you? How will you settle your loans? It is high time you come to your senses.
Whatever you say!
She answered back, but her face darkened. The mere thought of it was horrible enough. The finger-pointing and the loans were the least of her problems. Gim Mal-sun had everything that Pil-nyeo ever longed for. She would rather kill herself than to see Gim Mal-sun and her son living happily.
I pity you. You will live alone in your cold home. You will have no family to laugh and cry together with. What is the point of living if you only to be pointed at all the time? When I think of all the abuse you have inflicted upon us, I want to curse you, but I realize you dont even deserve that. I would rather spend my time living happily with my son. You should too.
Gim Mal-sun turned around, as the hems of her trench coat flew and brought a whiff of scent that seeped into Jang Pil-nyeos nose. The scent fueled Jang Pil-nyeos unbearable jealousy.
You filthy wretch!
Jang Pil-nyeo trembled as if she were about to fall ill. She started to hallucinate, dozens of white-faced and black-faced demons turned and swirled in front of her eyes.
Chapter 637 - Episode 8 I Knew It
Pil-nyeo, go home now and show love to the ones near you. Once you have placed warm rice and delicious fermented soybean stew on the kitchen table, both your husband and U-tak will return. Once you water the withered flowers and place a yellow chrysanthemum on the windowsill, Hwa-ja will return.
Gim Mal-sun looked at the frothing Jang Pil-nyeo with pitiful eyes. Her sister-in-laws misfortune stemmed from her endless greed, and with greed came jealousy and envy. She already had so much but failed to appreciate their worth, instead she coveted what other people had. Such a life could never feel complete.
Mother, lets go. Even if the Buddha himself spoke to her, she still wouldnt listen.
Mu-ssang held his mothers hand firmly. Every person has their own personality or character, which defines the collective thoughts of the person. A person with good personality will allow good vibes to flow in. But with a bad personality and bad thoughts, only bad vibes can enter.
Some people with bad personalities can still hold some goodness in them. But for those with a fundamentally flawed set of thoughts, even God couldnt force them to have good thoughts. Jang Pil-nyeo was one such person.
Are you hungry?
There is a good spicy bone stew restaurant in the Central Market. Lets each have a bowl.
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Yeah. Let us hurry.
Gim Mal-sun pulled her sons hand to lead him away.
Hmph!
Jang Pil-nyeo felt breathless.
Gim Mal-sun had everything Pil-nyeo ever longed for. A successful son, youth, beauty, and wealth. Why did Mal-sun have all of those, and not her? If there was a God, this couldnt have happened. The world had forsaken her. She felt like there were dozens of woodpeckers pecking her head, as white-faced and black-faced demons whirled around her frantically. Suddenly, something went off in her head.
Gim Mal-sun! You wretch.
A piercing screech was heard. Jang Pil-nyeo, with only the white of her eyes visible, charged towards the window like a crazed ox. The large window shattered.
I knew it!
Mu-ssang teleported.
No!
Bak In-bo screamed.
Gim Mal-sun!
A banshee-like screech resounded. The Army rope shot forth like the head of a black mamba. Just before Jang Pil-nyeo could splatter into the ground like a falling persimmon, the rope wound around her ankle and pulled her up just in time.
Pil-nyeo!
My daughter!
All of that happened in a matter of seconds. Jang Gi-su and Jang Gyeong-mo, upon realizing the situation, were appalled. The auditorium was filled with commotion and noise at once.
Mu-ssang clucked his tongue. Fortunately, none of her arteries was severed, but countless pieces of glass were buried in her skin, causing her to bleed profusely. Upon Mu-ssangs touch, the glass pieces that were buried all over her body were removed all at once. He had used Resonance Wave to push the skin around each piece to force it out. But the biggest damage came from multiple fractures of the cervical vertebrae and hip joints.
What are you doing? Call an ambulance!
Gim Gi-taek yelled. The employees who were shaken from their surprise, moved frantically, searching for a first aid kit and a stretcher while others making the call.
This woman continues to cause trouble until the last moment!
Mu-ssang complained. If his mother wasnt here with them, he would have let the woman fall to her demise.
You did a good thing.
Gim Mal-sun patted her sons butt.
Death may have been a finer fate for her.
It may well be!
Gim Mal-sun nodded.
Thank you!
Bak In-bo stared sadly as his wife was being brought out on a stretcher. Despite successfully enacting his revenge, even much more successfully than he had expected, he still didnt feel good.
* * *
Who is the oldest among the elders?
Mu-ssang looked around at the murmuring Jangs.
That would be me.
Jang Gyeong-mo said.
I will cut to the chase. I will buy all of the shares you have. At 10,000 won per share.
10,000? No way!
Jang Gi-su said.
No way?
These shares are worth 30,000 won each at net price. This is straight-out robbery.
Robbery? I havent lived many years but this is the first time Im ever called a robber.
Mu-ssangs eyes glinted at Jang Gi-su, who flinched and immediately stepped back.
Then you can keep all that useless toilet paper. Mr. Gim, Hyangsim Textile will have no dividends for five years.
I see. To expand overseas, we would need a lot of cash saved up. So there will be no dividends for 10 years.
Gim Gi-taek added and went even a step further.
What is all this crock of shit?
Jang Gi-su roared. A non-public share without dividends was indeed like toilet paper. No one would buy the shares from them at a high price when they wouldnt entitle the owner to any dividends. They were not going to be able to pay the loan interest for the next month. They had already spent more than 10,000,000,000 won, and with no dividends, there would be no return for them for five or even 10 years.
A crock of shit? We are merely consolidating the companys structure. You can do what you want when you are the chairman.
Mu-ssang spat out before leaving the auditorium, holding his mothers hand.
Jang Gi-su, you are still your old self. I am Gim Gi-taek, the CEO of Giseong Textile. You may have forgotten but I havent. Mr. Bak offered you 10,000, but I plan to pay 5,000 each and reduce capital.
Gim Gi-taek squinted at Jang Gi-su before following Mu-ssang out.
Gim Gi-taek from Giseong Textile? What?
Jang Gi-su frowned deeply.
Huh.
Bak In-bo sighed. His nephew was truly intimidating. He shuddered to think what would happen to him if he decided to oppose him. It was a wise decision for him to let Mu-ssang handle U-tak.
* * *
The next day, U-tak visited Eungsimje. Mu-ssang remained indifferent, but still adhered to his mothers instruction to let the hate of the previous generation end there. Gim Mal-sun greeted him warmly.
You are an adult now too, U-tak.
Auntie!
U-tak choked up. His aunt looked just as she did when he was young. She was beautiful, kind, and affectionate. The heavens were unfair, by granting only his cousin with a good father and a good mother. This only made him powerful the way he was now.
You must be starving. Lets eat first.
All right. You must have gone through so much.
He liked his aunt a hundred times better than his own mother. He couldnt bring himself to imagine the ordeal she must have gone through. He was speaking through his nose without realizing it.
Look at her face. She went through much worse when she was living with us.
Mu-ssang said cynically.
You are right. But is this really your house?
U-tak felt like he was dreaming. He didnt expect to find a manor of this size in Korea, let alone believe that this was Mu-ssangs house.
Does the size even matter? We still eat like everyone else, and sleep in the same sized bed in the end.
Mu-ssang grinned.
But this is still quite big.
U-tak shook his head. He had heard from his father, but a picture was indeed worth a thousand words. He was jealous of his cousin who had casually described his palatial house as simply quite big. Come to think of it, his cousin had always had a quite unique character even before.
Jin-sun!
U-tak flinched.
U-tak? Long time no see.
Jin-sun greeted him a bit formally. Gim Mal-sun had told her to let go of the past, but the pent up emotions all these years could never melt away at once.
Thank you for greeting me.
U-tak smiled abashedly, remembering how he had asked a criminal gang to abduct Jin-sun before. Dishes were brought onto the table one after another as the whole family sat around it.
Eat plentifully, U-tak.
Yes, Auntie.
U-tak put a spoonful of kimchi stew into his mouth and wept. It was delicious. He didnt know kimchi stew could be such a delicious dish. When the food was cooked with the heart, and it was eaten with family laughing and talking together. This was family, and this was happiness. He felt sad for the days he spent in his dank room without anyone else.
Are you really Mu-ssang?
U-taks gaze wandered about in the study, unable to focus on anything.
Should I smack you again for you to come to your senses?
Mu-ssang grinned and shook his fist in the air.
No. Ive had enough on the mudflap on the in-river island.
U-tak replied.
How is your mother?
U-taks face darkened.
Thank you for asking. The brain surgery went well. But she sustained nerve damage from where her neck was broken. Im not sure if shell be able to walk again.
Mu-ssang sipped on his tea without a word. Even though Jang Pil-nyeo had acted out of the blue, he could still have prevented her fall. The Baks tended to be quite petty.
I expected it. It was her own fault after all and we have no one else to blame. Im sorry and thank you.
U-tak, pulling at the seams on the cushion he sat on, blurted out. His mother lived her whole life buried in envy, anger, and indulgence. Her envy toward Gim Mal-sun was especially strong. The hatred she nurtured endlessly had ruined herself, her family, and her lineage, all led to a meaningless end. She was his birth mother, yet he felt no pity for her.
Do you still take kindly to the Jangs?
Not at all. I have hated them for a long time.
Mu-ssang nodded. After all, his uncle was treated poorly by the Jangs. U-tak could not have been an exception.
You must have heard from your father, but even though they have fallen, the Jangs will not stop fighting amongst themselves. If they dont hand over their shares soon, I will make them fall for good.
Who could disagree with you?
U-tak sighed.
Take this.
U-tak took the envelope Mu-ssang held out.
What is this?
Its 200,000,000 won.
200,000,000 won?
U-taks eyes widened.
Hui-ja exchanged 1.6 percent of Textile shares for 10 percent of Travel shares with Jang Gi-su. Of course, your father have played a part in this. If we add the 10 percent owned by Hui-ja to the 45 percent owned by your father, we get 55 percent in total. Your father had successfully fooled him, using Hyangsim Textile as bait. Jang Gi-su must have thought he was getting profit from it but he lost what he had by trying to get more.
Ah!
U-tak uttered a sound similar to what a monk would say at his moment of enlightenment.
Buy the 10 percent that Hui-ja owns with this money. Then call a shareholder meeting immediately to fire Jang Sang-su and take control of the company.
Father handles the money matters.
U-tak mumbled.
How old are you to still be relying on your father? I heard you are tasked with the distribution of the buses. Then you must have seen the wretched condition the female conductors live in. Construct a new dorm and give the female conductors a raise. Fire all the Jangs who have embezzled money, and steer the company towards the right direction.
Ah!
U-taks mouth fell in awe. Mu-ssangs character was on a different level. If his own character could be compared to a small sauce bowl, Mu-ssangs was a big basin. No, it was more like a lake. He blamed himself for not doing anything, just cowering by his uncle all this time.
You must have a kept a lot of grudges in your heart.
I am too petty to forgive you, but my mother was not. The hate from the previous generation ends there. People say that logistics is a dying industry, but they are misguided. No one walks dozens of kilometers like they used to do in the past. So run the company well, then you will make a lot of money to pay me back quickly.
Mu-ssang!
U-tak wept, unable to continue speaking. He felt like he was awoken from a long dream.
******
After all the noise, Christmas was finally approach in three days. Today, the family of Gim Gi-taek was going to move out.
Everyone in their family was respectful and honorable: the husband sold gimbap on the streets at first light. The wife looked after an old monk in the mountains. The two daughters helped their father whenever they had free time.
Mu-ssang bought the home they used to live in, as a Christmas gift for a family who deserved happiness.
Sir, I will definitely pay back this great favor.
Please, dont. I am getting goosebumps. Just dont exploit the subcontractors and give the employees a great raise. Make their salary the best in the industry. Confidence comes from love for ones work.
I will put your words to heart.
Thank you, sir. I wouldnt be able to repay this favor even if I make you shoes out of my own hair. How could we have survived without you?
Sister Yang teared up. When she saw him take out the land purchase certificate, saying it is a Christmas present for them, she wondered what good karma they must have accumulated in their past lives for them to receive such kindness now?
You shouldnt be acting this way too. Its not a favor.
Mu-ssang pretended to shudder and rubbed his forearms frantically.
I still feel like I am dreaming. They say we never know what the future holds, but who knew the powerful Jangs would collapse like that? It all feels meaningless.
Gim Gi-taek sighed. Bak In-bo and Jang Gi-su had caused his downfall but now, their nephew, Bak Mu-ssang, saved them. Like a wasp in a honeycomb, Jang Gi-su was led to his demise. While he himself, who used to be fleeing from loan sharks daily, became a chairman now. Such was the strangeness of fate, how a few change that he had given to a boy many years ago had saved him from hell.
Greed had blinded them.
Mu-ssang looked out at the garden moodily. A few birds looked for something in a frozen stream, while the winter breeze blew leaves around randomly. The world was filled with intertwined relations, and yet nature stayed the same.
They got what they deserved for doing all that they did. But you were quite cruel to bring your mother along. Jang Pil-nyeo was definitely going to lose it to have to face her like that. I heard Hui-ja went to Jeju with Bak In-bo. Somehow, I pity her, to lose her husband and children, and to be left crippled like that.
Jin-sun shook her head. She had expected her demise to be something like this. But when it actually happened, it still seemed way too harsh.
You are the salt of the world. If you lose your taste, what will season it? (Matthew 5:13)
Gim Mal-sun, who was placing pieces of bulgogi into Yeong-suks mouth, blurted out.
Do you go to church?
Mu-ssang was surprised.
I dont! I just saw the phrase framed on the wall in a Seolleongtang restaurant.
What does it mean, Gran?
Mi-na asked.
I dont know. I just know it is a good saying because it was on a wall. You should ask your father about difficult phrases like this.
Haha!
Mu-ssang burst out laughing. His mother was a sage of traditional Korean religion. For her, learning was not imparting but rather a form of receiving. But Mi-na was not ready to understand it, so it was no use explaining it to her just yet.
Chapter 638 - Episode 1 Socrates Project
Gi-taek, youll be late for work if you keep talking to Mu-ssang.
Yang Mi-ja whispered.
Oh my!
Gim Gi-taek stood. He was too into the conversation that he didnt notice the passing time.
Ill be on my way, sir.
No need to rush. No employee likes a boss who comes to work early at dawn. And after work, you should head for Bisan-dong. I always feel great after obliterating a great obstacle! Haha!
Mu-ssang guffawed.
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What are you saying? I should greet you and your wife at the very least. Rest well, Maam.
Gim Gi-taek politely greeted Gim Mal-sun and walked briskly out of the front gate. Yang Mi-ja followed while rubbing her crinkled suit with her palm.
You look great.
Mu-ssang smiled contentedly. When both Gim Gi-taek and Yang Mi-ja disappeared from the kitchen, Yeong-hui took the seat next to Mu-ssang.
I dont want to move out, Mu-ssang. I want to live here with Mom and Dad.
Yeong-hui was feeling disheartened. Eungsimje was a paradise. The manor had the vibes of a well-tended park, and the pocket money she got from cleaning the outhouses was pretty good as well. She also had a lot of sisters as well, and the finest bachelor, Mu-ssang, to keep her company.
Sometimes, you cannot do what you want. Do you want to see your father bow to me, someone who could be his son?
Why not? You are higher in rank anyway.
Everyone has their own important roles. There is no high or low.
Mu-ssang chuckled at Yeong-huis ignorance.
But I like living with you.
Yeong-hui looked downtrodden.
Humans are supposed to return to their place of origin sooner or later. What Gran meant with salt is actually referring to a persons character and role. To lose ones taste means to be unable to fulfill ones role in life. Just as your parents have finally found good opportunities now because they have fulfilled their respective roles. Your father assumed a big role of managing a company, while your mother assumed her role of taking care of her husband and daughters.
But we dont need to move out. We can just ask Mom to live here with us. I want to live with you.
Yeong-ji cut in.
Yeong-ji, the real world doesnt work like that. Do you think your mother will come here and leave the monk behind? Your family is moving out so that your mother has an excuse to move back in with her family. Your mother is a good person, and she will not have peace of mind unless things go as planned.
Gim Mal-sun smiled.
I still dont get it.
Just let it be.
But you said one cannot do what one wants.
Thats also part of letting it be.
Yet, you do whatever you want. You are acting just like the monk grandpa.
Well, I am his student so that is to be expected.
Oppa, I really dont want to move out. I think I may be in love with you.
Yeon-sun smacked the back of Yeong-jis head.
You are still just a baby. What are you even saying?
I should move out. Im scared of her.
Yeong-ji cried, pretending to be sad.
Well the front gate is always open.
Yeon-sun pointed at the front gate. Yeong-hui and Yeong-ji looked disappointed. The two sisters were not able to win against Yeon-sun, who grew up in much more difficult circumstances. Mu-ssang grinned. Yeong-hui and Yeong-ji were eventually defeated. Come to think of it, his mother stood a better chance in this regard.
Mu-ssang!
Yeong-a tottered up to him.
Careful, lady. You might fall.
Gim Geuk-do followed, worried. The birds that were hunting by the creek flew around Yeong-a.
My princess is here.
Upon sensing Mu-ssangs approach, the birds fled hurriedly, as if faced with an approaching falcon.
Come back, birds!
Yeong-a extended her arms, as several birds landed on her hands and arms.
How was kindergarten?
Mu-ssang lifted Yeong-a.
Yes. I made many friends, and there are many dolls.
Do you like kindergarten more than the monk?
I like both. The monk fixed my headache and so I am now stronger. Do you want to see it?
Yeong-a raised her arm and tried to flex muscles that were not there.
You are such a cutie!
Mu-ssang rubbed his cheek to Yeong-as.
It stings! I like you, but I hate your stubble. Haha!
Yeong-a pushed at Mu-ssangs chest.
I like you too, but I hate the candy stuck to your hand.
Yeong-a hurriedly hid her sticky hands behind her back. Her eyes were so bright that there was almost a blueish hue. Yeong-as eyes focused on the candy stain on Mu-ssangs shirt.
I made your shirt dirty, what shall I do?
Her big eyes started to tear up.
This can be washed off. I just hated it because it is not good for your health. Do you want chocolate instead?
I love chocolate. Mi-na gave me some yesterday. Haha.
Yeong-a, who was teary just a few moments ago, looked lively as ever.
She is indeed my family!
Something warm soared from the pit of his chest. Just as a new life is born from pain and sadness, so is hope born from despair. A world without a childs laughter is a dead world, and thus, all happiness began with family. He reminisced on Edels ample bosom.
The Golden Bridge which was located off the Coastal Trail hill, was an ordinary cafe that resembled the real thing, with its iron frame and blue observation windows. When one was seated inside, one can catch a vision of the Golden Gate Strait and the Golden Gate Bridge.
But as a large black sedan arrived, it no longer felt like an ordinary cafe anymore. 20 broad-shouldered men dressed like tourists blocked the entrance to the cafe, as the owner hung a Closed sign on the door and walked down the Coastal Trail.
A white man, wearing a Panama hat and a gray Burberry coat, got off the vehicle. The man looked around the inside of the cafe before taking off his hat, revealing a man with a lean face, in his early 60s.
It was Henry Davis, who was feared even by the director of the CIA Special Operations, known for their ruthless operations. Henry Davis was in charge of the Socrates Project. He was a powerful man during the Reagan administration, and it was so unusual for him to show himself in the countryside by the western coast.
Davis stopped in front of an antique-looking frame that was hanging on the wall. The frame contained a white text on a red background. It was a scroll referred to as the Royal Artistic Spirit by the Freemason. Davis mumbled the phrases.
[At the doorstep of hell
Three shoemakers arrived.
They told the master of darkness
They have something to tell him
The master, with an angered face
Told them.
To me, hell is
Only for you.
In front of hells doorstep,
There was not a single mason.
The master of darkness
Awaited a hundred, a thousand years
But they didnt come.
What the masons do is a secret
When they die
They go to heaven directly]
It was a poetic phrase on mysticism and the pride of the elite, just like the expressionless Davis.
Look at you lingering.
Davis looked around at the empty cafe.
Where did you come from?
A Scottish, coarse voice rang.
A noble tourist!
Davis didnt respond. Suddenly the air in the cafe moved. A silver-haired man in a black Catholic clerical robe and a beautiful woman in tight leather pants appeared out of thin air.
The man held out a palm-sized square plate in front of Davis, as Davis held out a pointed square stone. This was how the Freemasons confirmed each others identity.
I didnt expect you to come here. Long time no see.
Davis bowed as Asians do.
Davis, just call me by my name. I dont want us to feel distant.
You have always been friendly.
And you are always sharp as ever. Hahaha!
The silver-haired man smiled kindly. Davis turned to the woman.
Matilda. You have levelled up. How long can you use it for?
Blind Screen, just five minutes.
I wouldnt qualify it just. In that time, an entire troop could already be decimated.
I gained wrinkles in exchange for doubling the time. How is Chifon?
Matilda looked over Daviss shoulders. The air shifted again and a handful of Matildas hair flowed down onto the floor, as if severed by a pair of scissors.
Your only talent has ever been that: camouflage. And yet you want to fight me?
Matilda extended her hand as the air shifted once more.
Chifon has always been shy.
Davis held up his hands. Matilda lowered hers but continued to frown. Davis was a frightening being, but he also has a great bodyguard.
Have a seat, sir.
All right. My legs have gone numb just by standing.
The silver-haired man plopped down onto the chair that was pulled back by Matilda. In the meantime, the chair on the other side of the table was pulled back on its own.
You can show yourself, Chifon.
A tall black man wearing a metallic cape and clothes made of a bizarre material that strained the eyes appeared. The clothes seemed to come from an SF movie set, but the silver-haired man didnt pay any attention to them. Matilda glared at the black man.
Please be brief. Energy isnt the only thing the old age takes away.
The Gorgon in the abyss would laugh if Lamartin says his energy was taken away from him.
Can a human evade the universal law of life even as he gained some supernatural powers? Just like her, you gain some, you lose some.
The silver-haired man waved his hand. The gesture was meant to say that report is due.
Project Bamboo and Project Green Hammer are proceeding without any problems. We will handle Korea, using Japan as leverage.
The silver-haired man raised his hand to cut him off.
We dont need to talk about the long-term projects. Korea is but a pawn on the chess board. The Soviet Union is to be dissolved. Our focus needs to be on energy and food.
Davis flinched.
Project MK is ongoing despite small obstacles, but Project Cuckoos Nest has unfortunately failed.
Thats a shame, we put quite some effort into it. How much did we lose?
With the loss of the Caparuza Biochemical Plant and the Hasakah Oil Plant, the Mosul, Kirkuk oil plants in Iraq, as well as the oil pipe construction combining the pipes from Syria and Iraq at Al-Bukamal connecting them to Port Beniyas, the loss amounts to 5,000,000,000 dollars in total.
Thats tremendous.
Yes. And now, we have a problem procuring oil from the Middle East.
The attempt to get Hatay to secede from Turkey must have been foiled as well.
His wrinkled eyes glinted as he spoke.
Im sorry.
Davis bowed slightly. Hatay was a strategically critical area for Freemasonry to operate in public. The unspoken goal of Operation Cuckoos Nest was the construction of the Unified Lodge for the Freemasonry.
I have hidden behind the altar for far too long. There must have been some unforeseen variables.
Adam was owned by Abaddon. How stupid. Abaddon is someone who is suspected to be Frances hidden weapon.
Suspected?
Matilda flinched. They had poured huge amounts of resources to track down Abaddon, but to no avail. Just hearing the name frustrated her.
He was buried alive when the Levant tectonic plate collapsed.
Did you find the body? Or even a strand of DNA? The church has persisted for 2,000 years despite all the persecution, thanks to our accuracy and our habit of confirming with actual evidence. There is no such word as suspecting in Freemasonry.
The silver-haired mans tone turned terse. The teacups on their plates clanked.
I see. I will investigate it again.
Is Reagan still under our control?
It isnt as smooth as we expected it to be. But since both sides want the same thing, the project itself is ongoing smoothly. They must have caught some hint since they replace all three of their committee members.
With his high approval rating, it wouldnt be as easy to handle Reagan as we did Ford.
The silver-haired man tapped his fingers on the table, driving a hole into the hard mahogany table with each tap. The Ford he mentioned was indeed the 38th president of the United States, Gerald Ford.
Ford survived two assassination attempts, and was the only United States president to do so. Both assassination attempts were at Sacramento and San Francisco, both Californian cities with large Freemason branches. Ford was targetted because he wasnt too enthusiastic about the Socrates Project.
But when the assassination attempts failed, the Freemasonry pulled a badger game instead to push Ford to his downfall. The world thought he lost his power because of his incompetency and his conflict with the parliament, but it was in fact because of the sexual harassment case that took place in September 1976. Freemasonry had great power but some things dont always go as expected, even for them.
They dethroned Ford and put one of the Freemasons, a peanut farmer, in his place but to no avail. Carter, scared of how Ford was removed, focused too much on morality and human rights, ended up losing on his second term. The United States, fed up with Carter, chose Reagan who called for Pax Americana. The Freemasons hard work all became in vain.
Reagans Pax Americana wouldnt be bad for us either.
Let us see how things play out.
Yes. We still have control on the committee anyway.
I expect you to handle that with discretion. Anyway, this is the reason why I came.
Lamartin took out a fist-sized metal box from within his clothes and placed it on the table. The box opened with a click, revealing grayish white powder that looked like bamboo salt inside. Davis stared at Lamartin.
This is a trace of Ka.
Chapter 639 - Episode 2 Socrates Project
Ugh, Ka?
Davis jumped in surprise. Matildas gaze switched back and forth between the metal box and Davis. He was the same person who didnt flinch when he received the report that 50 scientists had been irradiated and died. He continued to munch on his hamburger as a berserk predator tore down the partition and entered the research station. She was surprised that someone as cold as dry ice and as dry as the desert sands in Namibia could be surprised.
What could Ka do to scare the executioner, who was also called the Iron Compass? Before Matilda became an ESPer, she was the director of a CIA analysis team. Therefore, she knew about the existence of Freemasonry. Nevertheless, she didnt realise that there was someone named Lamartin and that Davis was a Freemason. She realized that she was forced to make a choice. Either she joined them or she was removed.
* * *
There are many theories about the origin of Freemasonry, which is also called the most powerful of all secret societies. Adam and Eve. Osiris of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. Prometheus of Greece. Celtic Druids. The descendants of the clerical order of knights appeared in the 12th century. Scottish mystics in London in 1717. The descendants of the Mesopotamian kings who built the Tower of Babel.
The official founder, recognized by Freemasons themselves, was Hiram, who was responsible for building the palace of King Solomon. They also claim that Hiram is a descendant of the architect who built the vast Egyptian pyramids and the Tower of Babel.
The motif of Freemasonry is death and resurrection. The resurrected disciples go in the direction from which the light of God came, to the East. Whether it is true or not, the fact that Hiram existed in the same period as Dangun, that is, in the 30th century B.C., and that Freemasons consider the East as Gods abode, has some significance.
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How many empires and kingdoms have come and gone in the last 5,000 years, how many religions and value systems appeared and vanished? If a mere secret society can exist for 5,000 years and spread all over the planet, there must be a reason for it.
Ka was the very reason that allowed the Freemasons to control the world in secret. Ka referred to the power of the mysterious artifact studied by the scientists in the society, or to the artifact itself. The work of architects and masons consisted mainly of geological analysis, foundation excavation and development of the iron mountain. They are the professions most likely to come into possession of an ancient mysterious artifact.
Thanks to the Freemasons Ka, the United States has made great scientific achievements. The beginning of the MK Project was the bizarre discovery of a dead body in a crater in the Arizona desert.
The dead body that resembled a giant gorilla turned out to be 150,000,000 years old when radiocarbon analysis was performed, but it still had its bones and some of its muscles hadnt turned to stone. The Workers of Truth developed the predator based on what they had gleaned from the dead body.
There were three types of Ka. Baphomet, which represented its complete form. Arc, which could be downgraded through reverse engineering. Paladin, who imparted knowledge that went far beyond modern science. Freemasons gained power when they had the Paladin in their possession.
The Concretus artifact that Mu-ssang procured is a type of Ka. Kkamdung and Garuda are Baphomets. Ssamdi is an Arc. Dino is a Paladin. The predator being produced in Area 51 was also a Paladin equal to Dino.
* * *
Are you saying that this powder is Ka?
Davis came to his senses and stared at the gray-white powder.
This is a clue that will allow us to track Ka. At least this is an Arc.
Hmm, Arc!
Davis groaned. He didnt doubt what Lamartin said. A Grand Master like him owned the Providence Eye, the symbol of Freemasonry that could see everything. Providence Eye denoted an interference ability that could read the essence and history of everything. If Lamartin said so, it was so.
He risked being excommunicated for losing the only Arc procured by the church. If he could acquire a new Ka, he could also be a Grand Master and redeem himself. He felt rushed. Davis would have coughed up blood in shock if he had learned that the Arc had been reforged from Ssamdi by Mu-ssang to Ssamdi.
Where?
Mambasa, Congo. Fill in the rest of the details.
Lamartin stood up.
Take care.
Im going to make use of this girl.
Davis glanced at Matilda. She was a great asset, but if a Grand Master coveted her, he had to give her to him. Matilda was lucky.
As you wish.
Even after Lamartin left, Davis could not take his eyes off the little metal box.
It looks like cocaine powder.
He applied some saliva to his finger and tasted the powder. It was salty.
Is it salt? It should be analyzed immediately. A committee will be convened.
Davis stood up abruptly. As Davis left, the owner of the cafe appeared. The Royal Artistic Soul and the Providence Eye disappeared and the Gloden Bridge Cafe reopened its doors.
* * *
Gerald Ford, in the second year of his term, convened a council called the Energy Council. A Freemason Grand Master, Senator Gregory, demanded an independent organization equal to the CIA in an operational capacity. But Ford ignored the demand and established it as a department within the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Contrary to Freemasonrys intent, Ford limited the committees function as a decision maker on stable supply energy supplies, including oil, and didnt give it independent operational authority. Ford, hated by Freemasonry, survived two assassination attempts and eventually lost power.
There are claims about why Ford only partially accepted Freemasons demands. First, he may have figured out the true identity of Freemasonry. Second, he was himself a member of the Illuminati. The truth, as always, was elusive to everyone.
The DIA was eclipsed by the CIA, but in military information, it was still the largest in the world. It owned a spiderweb-like network of 16,000 agents across the world. Its task forces were known for their rough-and-tumble approach.
The Energy Committee was established at DIA, but Freemasonry still liked it. They were able to conceal the Churchs intentions and take advantage of the extensive information DIA had possessed and its combat power. After Carter was elected president, he transformed the Energy Committee from a docile advisory body into an active operational body with executive powers.
[The goal of the Energy Committee is to procure the means to collect information, establish development policies, and gather resources in the Middle East and developing countries wif energy resources.]
It was a polite term, but what it implied was menacing. The goal of the committee went from collaboration to exploitation. The termresources meant that they were targeting classic resources such as oil, coal, and uranium, as well as all the resources that could be converted into energy. This, of course, included the substances that were thought to be exploitable in the future.
The expressions collect and procure were even more ominous. They meant that the organization was trying to threaten and extort the Middle East and helpless developing countries in order to rob them of their resources. In short, they felt they would willingly break or circumvent the law to achieve their goals. For this reason, the Energy Committee was located at DIA.
Carter, who did not advocate ethics and human rights, internally strove for hegemony. The Freemasons, who controlled the United States government, were the reason.
Nevertheless, it was not fair to criticize Freemasonry and the United States as evil forces. Many countries are only loyal and patriotic. There are many countries that are more selfish and aggressive than the United States. They are just keeping a low profile because they dont have enough power. If Japan hadnt been defeated, entire Asia would have been enslaved.
In 1983, the Reagan administration proclaimed Mighty America and launched the Socrates Project. The project was an expanded plan in which Reagan added to the goals and means of the Energy Committee. Reagan and Freemasonry shared the same interests.
The Energy Committees goal expanded to Respond to the depletion of fossil fuels, including oil, and oversee the development of disruptive technologies that enable America to control its enemies. The committee became more aggressive and foward-looking. The intent of Freemasonry was manifested as the Socrates Project.
To allow for quick decision and execution, the committee had only three board members and one executor. The three board members represented the government, the private sector, and the military, respectively. The executor was appointed by the president and the Freemasonry behind him from three candidates selected by the three board members.
* * *
December 22, 1986. While Mu-ssang was quietly attending the shareholders meeting in Daegu, another important meeting was taking place in Los Alamos. Los Alamos was a city located 50 kilometers north of Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico. It was not global thanks to the Manhattan Project, which decimated Japan.
The United States government chose Los Alamos as the location for the Manhattan Project because it was isolated, dry and near a desert where nuclear experiments could be conducted. Unlike its fame, Los Alamos had only 10,000 inhabitants and was isolated in the mountains 2,230 meters above sea level.
The Manhattan Project was completed, but Los Alamos retained its reputation as the sacred ground of nuclear weapons development. It had a nuclear waste processing plant, an interim nuclear fuel storage facility, a plutonium production reactor, a uranium and plutonium concentration plant, a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, a deuterium and tritium concentration and production plant, a nuclear weapons production and repair plant, etc. These facilities were together on a grid-like a go board. During the Cold War, the United States produced thousands of nuclear bombs and hydrogen bombs in a frenzy.
* * *
Long time no see, Davis.
A plump old man followed his fat belly into the conference room. It was Henry Herman, chairman of the Pan-American Oil Cartel, representing the private sector. Two old men seated at the large mahogany table in the center of the large conference room turned around.
Welcome, Mr. Herman.
Davis greeted them politely.
Im late.
Herman looked around the conference room. The room was 120 meters underground and uncomfortably damp. Herman buttoned his Burberry coat.
No. We arrived early.
A lean white man with an expressionless face raised his hand. It was Peter Hethway, the director of DIA, representing the military. The one who greeted him effusively with his eyes was Peneta Ian, the presidents energy advisor. These three formed the committee and led the Socrates project.
Davis, is this good news or bad news? Why did you call all three old men? Could it be that we have lost control of the Gulf of Aden?
Herman smiled kindly. For the past year, the three men had never gathered in one place. Most cases were handled by conference call.
No way, sir. America is great and the Gulf of Aden is peaceful.
Davis, out of habit, operated the remote control he held in his hand and set it down. The two-meter wide translucent screen spread from the ceiling and the tan stopped. Older people tended to prefer reading information on traditional paper rather than on a screen.
Read the report on current energy conditions first. Or you can skip it. The specific materials will be sent to your offices.
It must be something important.
Each of the three men opened the flat aluminium case that was in front of them.
[Resource Depletion Committee Report]
1. The global energy expenditure in 1986
: 13 gigatons converted to coal
2. Composition
: oil (36 percent), coal (33 percent), wood (13 percent), gas (12 percent), nuclear (4 percent), hydraulic (2 percent)
Wood includes all combustible recyclables and wastes. Geothermal, the solar, wind, etc. are negligible.
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) comprise 81 percent.
3. Oil
Geopolitical risks. Oil shocks in 1973 and 1978 increased the price of Middle Eastern oil 14 times in eight years, from 2.59 dollars to 36 dollars.
1,500,000,000,000 barrels of mineable reserves. Approximately 30 years of supply.
4. Gas
Russia-centered. Geopolitical risks.
180,000,000,000,000 cubic meters of mineable reserves. Approximately 50 years of supply.
5. Coal
700,000,000,000 metric tons of minable reserves. 400,000,000,000 tons of economically exploitable reserves.
The mining costs are skyrocketing. 100 years worth of supply, reduced from 200.
4. Oil Sand
Most reserves are in Canada, the United States and Madagascar.
Estimated reserves: 750,000,000,000 barrels
It takes 30-40 years for economic extraction technologies to develop.
Tar sand is unlikely to be exploitable.
6. Outlook
Thanks to continuous development, the global supply of fossil fuels would increase, but this poses a major risk in terms of remaining reserves and price fluctuations. Environmental damage from fossil fuels would reach critical levels.
7. Electricity
10 percent of the global energy supply
Generated from:
Fossil fuels (76 percent), hydraulic (14 percent), nuclear (10 percent, in the United States, 20 percent.)
It is difficult to build more nuclear power plants. The safety of nuclear waste and reactors is in question.
Chapter 640 - Episode 3 Socrates Project
In the coming pages, the terse tone stayed the same. Herman leaned back against his chair. Hathaway propped his chin on his hand while Ian maintained his upright posture. They differed in posture but shared the same facial expression: boredom.
8. Forecast of Planetary Climate Disasters Caused by the Use of Fossil Fuels
The CO2 content in the atmosphere is skyrocketing due to the use of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests. Even before the depletion of the fuels, there is a risk of a planet-wide climate catastrophe caused by climate change.
According to the simulation run by the committee, if the current fossil fuel usage continues, in 50 years, the carbon gas concentration in the atmosphere will reach 500 ppm. The atmospheric temperature would rise two degrees.
9. Alternative Energy
Geothermal, wind, tidal, and solar are supplementary sources of energy. They cannot serve as the main source of energy within the next 100 years.
10. Nuclear Fusion Reactors
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The research outcomes at the University of Pennsylvania, Los Alamos, Princeton University, Culham, and other laboratories are disappointing.
Collaborative research in Europe is also lagging. However, judging from the current technology, common-use fusion reactors will be available within the next 100 years.
The Challenges of Nuclear Fusion
The superconductor is yet to be developed. During the past 70 years, the critical temperature rose by a mere 13K. The cooling takes way too long (five months).
Capacity and Mass
High Temperature/Pressure
More than 100,000,000 degrees Celsius. More than 2,000,000 hectopascals. More than 20,000,000 degrees.
Limits of Maintaining the High Temperature
12. Regarding Lithium Supply
Worldwide reserves are estimated at 20,000,000 tons. Eighty percent in salt lakes. 20 percent in mines. Main reserves in the salt lakes in Bolivia, China, Argentina, and Chile.
No minable lithium mines in the United States.
Future Lithium Demand
Aircraft lubricant, antidepressant, alloy for reactionary material in hydrogen bombs, optical communication material, rocket propellant, batteries. Demand for lithium is set to rise. Minable lithium mines are necessary.
A single note was attached as an appendix.
[Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Incident and Problems Thereof]
1. Date: March 28th, 1979
2. Location: Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, Middletown, Pennsylvania
3. Reactor Type: a pressurized water reactor
4. Incident Type: Core Meltdown
5. Cause: Water Supply System Malfunction
6. Incident Level: Five
7. Outcome: See Appendix
8. Aftermath: Rise of anti-nuclear sentiments, the construction of 70 nuclear power plants canceled.
Davis, there must be a reason you gave us a report more appropriate for a presidential secretarys office. Also, you mentioned Three Mileyou know we dont like that name.
Hathaway propped up his glasses with his finger and looked up. It meant he was not feeling good.
You must know that the Three Mile incident was reported as Level Five, on-site radiation exposure, but it was, in fact, Level Six, an external leak of radiation. The Carter administration quarantined the radiated residents from the outside and canceled the construction of the nuclear power plant. Due to these idiotic measures, the notion has spread that nuclear power plants lead to disasters.
Davis, you always make us wait far too long. We get it. Open the lid.
Herman cut him off. Davis smiled his fake smile.
Apologies. I forgot that you are always busy.
The screen halted mid-air and came down. The map of Africa was projected onto the cloth.
Six months ago, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.5 took place north of Lake Kivu, part of the Great Rift Valley. The epicenter is at Goma, northwest of Lake Kivu.
With Lake Kivu at the center, eastern Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda were zoomed in on the screen.
These are the areas in which aftershocks were observed. Currently, along the lakes shoreline on the high plateau in East Africa, aftershocks with magnitudes of 5-6 are intermittently happening.
A red circle was drawn around Mambasa, 400 kilometers west of Lake Albert.
This area is a tropical rainforest called the Great Forest of Ituri belonging to Zaire. Unfortunately, due to the aftershocks along the rift, a great landslide occurred in Mambasa.
The screen was zoomed in on again. The ground was revealing its scarlet innards. A white line ran across the divided ground, and the words 6km appeared next to the line.
Pegasus, a Middle Earth Orbit satellite, captured this image. You will see the white line running across the upper part of the divided ground.
Is it a vein of quartz?
No. There is some quartz, but it is mainly a deposit of salt, whose thickness ranges from five to ten feet.
A 10-foot-thick salt deposit? This may be fascinating to geologists, but not to me. America has too much salt. Its citizens are getting cardiovascular diseases due to over-intake of sodium. Soil saline content in California is ruining the orange orchards. Ian mused.
High-grade salt usually comes from the salt lakes of Uyuni, Bolivia, or the Himalayas, the pink salt. Sometimes from Korea too, the bamboo salt. Herman agreed.
An executor would not be tasked with importing salt. You said Uyuni. Do you mean lithium?
Hathaway propped up his glasses with his finger.
As of now, yes.
As of now? Herman asked. His face seemed kind, but his eyes were cold.
Dirty old Jew!
Davis tensed up. The mans kind gaze was a charade. Herman, representing the American oil cartel, was a hardcore Zionist.
Lithium is one of the most important resources, but I dont believe the executor would call us oldies out here just for mere lithium. So, Davis, why did you call us? Ian asked.
When Davis hesitated, his wristwatch vibrated. He took out an earpiece from the wristwatch and put it in his ear.
Executor, there are no security breaches. We have acquired our target.
Davis smirked imperceptibly. He now had leverage over Herman. He put the earpiece back and removed an aluminum case from his briefcase.
This is the C-one report.
The C-one had the highest security measures. It was to be discarded immediately after reading. Hermans face hardened.
[Mambasa Report: Fusion Reactors of Geological Age]
1. Oklo Report: A Natural Nuclear Reactor
1-1 Discovery of a Natural Nuclear Reactor
Oklo Uranium Mine, Franceville, Haut-Ogoou province, Gabon, 1972.
In a natural state, neutrons are introduced with water as the conduit. Of the 12 mineral deposits, six emitted heat through nuclear fission of uranium chain reactions. That is equivalent to the energy produced by six million-watt nuclear power plants for a year.
The Oklo uranium mines stratum is made of sedimentary rock formed in the early Precambrian during the Proterozoic era.
1-2. France Pierrate Uranium Laboratory Oklo Report
If water-dissolved uranium keeps sedimenting and gets condensed, when the number of the second type of neutrons surpasses the first type, a chain reaction happens in a natural condition.
Natural uranium has steady rates of isotopes. 234 0.0055 percent, 235 0.72 percent, and 238 99.2745 percent.
The uranium ores mined from Oklo have only 0.44-0.592 percent of uranium 235. The Pierrate laboratory confirmed the existence of a natural nuclear reactor. This was named the Oklo effect.
1-3. The committees conclusion regarding the Oklo report
No glass forms were discovered in Oklo.
There is no evidence that substantiates the Oklo effect other than the lower rate of uranium 235.
This is a remnant of an ancient civilization or an alien civilization.
2. Ancient Nuclear Fusion Reactor in Mambasa, Zaire
2-1. The geological analysis of the Mambasa region
It was determined to be an early-Proterozoic-era sedimentary stratum similar to Oklo. It belongs to the Albert fault zone.
2-2. First Probe
Some areas of the vast salt deposit have extraordinary concentrations of lithium. (12 times that of Uyuni.)
Some lithium isotopes were artificially altered.
Suspected nuclear fusion reactions or artificial lithium refining.
Usually, Li-6 is used for nuclear reactions, but oddly, Li-7 was used.
3. Conclusion
It is highly suspected that a civilization capable of nuclear fusion was once located here.
4. Resolutions
4-1. Probing of the Albert Fault Zone in Mambasa and acquisition of the developmental rights
Utilizing a special operations squad to hide the area from public view.
Dispatching a probing team.
Using military engineers to build a preliminary road network. The construction will also drive external attention away from lithium mining.
Activation of Gamma One and Gamma Three.
5. Notes
Thirty kilometers around the target area are two gold mines and one diamond mine operated by armed guerrillas.
The region has three large armed rebel armies and a dozen small-scale armed groups.
To hide things in plain sight. Davis hid a lie in nine truths. For anyone to search for Ka, the area was too wide. And the areas to search were swarming with hundreds of thousands of rebels and harsh natural environments.
Zaire was a developing country with loose policies, but Freemasonry still couldnt operate openly with its military and mining schemes. The jungle of Ituri was not a favorable environment at all. The armed rebels were also a threat. Only the United States of America had the power to overcome all those disadvantages and move along with its tasks.
You are clever, Davis. The report was just an excuse to call us here so you could report about Mambasa. But being overly cautious could easily turn into neurosis. Herman criticized Davis in a roundabout way.
A satellite of the Soviet Union moves above Mambasa twice a day.
Hmm. If Pegasus has the footage, we can be sure who sent the intel satellites.
The KGB, MI5, France, Japanit could have been anyone. They may not realize the value of the area, though.
Davis trailed off. He needed to get these patriotic oldies all excited for him to get some goodies himself.
An ancient nuclear fusion reactor? Even if that fails, its a win if we gain the massive lithium mine. We gain it and defend it! Its a time attack.
Hathaway discerned the point.
Of course. We have already dispatched the first expedition team.
Good. But we need an explanation. Us oldies are not physicists like you. I cant even memorize the periodic table.
If you are well versed in physics, I will lose my job. I will explain it briefly. The amount of Li-7 rapidly dropped because it collided with neutrons to produce tritium. This is a nuclear fusion reaction that has never been seen in nature. The reactive activity of Li-7 was raised, and there was also a stable supply of neutrons in the reactor. Thus, the plasma in the reactor was maintained stably. It is strange that they used Li-7 instead of Li-6, which is much easier to handle.
With the current development of nuclear physics and technology, a common-use nuclear fusion reactor will not be feasible, not even at the end of the 21st century, let alone this century. There are countless Mount Everests that we must climb before we can see a common-use fusion reactor. No alloy can withstand 100,000,000 degrees Celsius, which is hotter than the sun. The main obstacle is the lack of a true superconductor. It shouldnt lose any electricity and needs to be compact and usable at room temperature. If we cannot make it on our own, we may have to steal it.
We need a prophetic answer. The scientific society is planning to find the answer in the strata in Mambasa. The United States has wasted billions of dollars to leave some useless footprints on the moon. If America gains but a fragment of an ancient fusion reactor with the Mambasa Project, true Pax Americana will be realized. The next century truly will be ours.
Davis concluded with a passionate speech that was out of character. Herman clapped.
What a moving speech, Davis. You should be sent to the Senate instead of me. You must want unofficial, unlimited support, right?
Yes.
The activation of Gamma One and Gamma Three will rouse human rights issues. Its a tricky request.
Herman shook his head.
Carter returned to his peanut farm. The president will not turn down the decision of the committee.
Davis smiled confidently. The committee had total control when it came to the Socrates Project. Thats why he is pandering to these men right now.
We got ourselves good!
Hathaway looked back at Ian. He needed the clearance of Peneta Ian as Energy Advisor to the White House. To dispatch a squad of special ops agents and activate Gamma One and Gamma Three, they needed the presidents approval. Especially when Gamma Three was activated, the project manager was bestowed with permission for extrajudicial killings. The scientists and workers on the expedition were not military personnel but civilians. Reagan must act carefully.
Chapter 641 - Episode 1 Garuda
Mr. Ian, the United States has a short history but has achieved great prosperity today thanks to our audacity and courage. We were ridiculed for purchasing Alaska and watering war zones around the world with the blood of our young. Our fatherland became a superpower like that. That great fatherland is being challenged militarily by the Soviets and economically by the Japs. Now, we need a breakthrough.
Hathaway pressured him. Ian nodded imperceptibly.
Davis, where is the inertia magnetic fusion reactor research now?
I have no words. The Alamo laboratory spent $3,000,000,000 over the past decade to raise the critical temperature by a mere 20 degrees Celsius. Currently, the superconductors critical temperature is minus 235 degrees Celsius.
Ian lowered his head apologetically.
Thats a shame. Will it be possible to raise it to minus 100 degrees Celsius?
No, said Davis certainly.
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It was not going to be easy to reach minus 200 degrees Celsius this century, let alone minus 100 degrees.
It cant be helped. Over the past century, humans have become bizarre animals that mass-spend resources and energy. Oil will be depleted someday after fueling industrialization and supporting human society. Energy expenditure is skyrocketing, and we need to do something. If you two are fine, I wont oppose it either. No one expected us to stroll on the moon. Doing something is always better than inaction. Lets do it. If the project succeeds, the Russians may sell Kamchatka to us.
Kamchatka! Hearing its name alone makes me happy. Hathaway giggled.
Hahaha. Mr. Davis will be the next Seward.
Herman giggled too. Seward was the U.S. Secretary of State who purchased Alaska in 1867. He was criticized for buying the useless frozen wasteland, but the booing turned to cheers when a gold mine was discovered in Alaska in 1887. When massive amounts of oil, gas, and iron were subsequently discovered, he became a hero.
However, Russia became a laughing stock for 300 years. The Soviet Union was very much like Russia at the time. With excessive military spending, their weak economy wobbled. A thousand hydrogen bombs were no use. If the United States of America successfully develops a fusion reactor, it would be another moment of shame for the Soviets.
Davis, can we lend the Mambasa area?
We cant. Davis shook his head.
Mambasa is near the okapi preservation area. The jungle of Ituri is a treasure trove of many species, like the okapi. Hundreds of animal rights activists and the United Nations will criticize us. Even though Mobutu, with his weak political foundation, wants to sell it, he will have a hard time doing so.
How shall we do it?
We cannot make it a concession, but we can procure the development rights.
There is also Ntaganta, who is seeking any chance.
Hathaway grinned.
Do we have to care about animal rights activists who care about some mongrels? They only have mouths, never hands and feet. So we can bribe them easily. The real problem is the Russians and their minions on the prowl.
Herman didnt look pleased. Davis smirked. It was what Herman would say. The main concern of the oil developers was not development failure but environmental activists. He well understood his aggression.
A well-organized opposition always subdues the silent majority supporters. First, I will make an excuse. Northeastern Zaire is a red zone full of rebels, armed guerillas, and voodoo groups. I will spread the rumor that a high-quality gold mine has been discovered. Ntaganta will salivate. He needs money for his armies.
In this scenario, we will provide information that Ntaganta, after procuring the gold mines, is bulking up his forces to Mobutu.
Hathaway discerned the point right away.
Yes, Mobutu, while anxious, cannot help but rely on the United States. We can procure the resource development rights in exchange for ousting the rebels. We can use military force in the guise of self-defense.
This reminds me of Chiles Allende. I feel like America is acting like a band of thugs, Ian muttered.
How selfish. Herman chuckled. Hathaway summarized what had been said so far.
A drunken girl is anyones target. No one can blame a country for acting on behalf of its interests. A countrys elites should take care of their nations interests. Otherwise, they are traitors. For our nations glory and progress, we can do anything, no matter what anyone says.
What you say is true to some extent. Everyone lived happily ever after happens only in fairy tales. Europes wealth and progress are thanks to colonizing Africa and India. Japans wealth is thanks to colonizing Korea. The United States is quite civil compared to Europe and Japans greed, Davis said with a smile, but nothing was smile-inducing in what he said.
Great. Lets name this project Green Flow. The jungle of Ituri is a green world. Nuclear fusion is a clean source of energy. It fits.
Agreed.
Ian and Herman agreed with Hathaways suggestion.
Thats it then. What is the composition of the troops we will deploy?
To officially deploy the Marines, we need the presidents approval. Id like to mobilize 15 Shadow teams as an advance party.
Fifteen Shadow teams! Are you kidding?
Hathaway flinched. The DIA had 30 Shadow teams in total. The Shadow teams were elite squads made up of re-trained special-ops agents. A Shadow team consisted of a leader and ten teammates. Fifteen such teams would be a regiment-like force. They have only been mobilized three times so far: the assassination of the Chilean president Salvador Allende, Operation Cuckoo in Syria, and the exploration of the Ituri jungle in Zaire.
There is a native American proverb that says that one raises a hound to use it in the hunt. The jungle of Ituri is also known as The Dark Forest. The nature there is incomparably harsh compared to Vietnam. Major McFee was leading two Shadow teams, but they were decimated in three days. No green berets or rangers can move there. To protect the advance party, one Shadow team would not suffice. So Id like to deploy Black Shadow too, Davis added.
The committee members only perceived the MK Project as an ESPer training program. They didnt know the existence of Predators, which were gene-modified bioweapons. The being that decimated the Turtle, Octopus, and Serfund that had been hidden 200 meters underground and the Shadow teams armed with cutting-edge technological weapons was like a pesky obstacle to them.
Black Shadow? Hathaway jumped.
Black Shadow was top-secret. Only four psychic Haunters and six mechanic Haunters were produced by the collaboration between the DIA and Area 51. They had not passed a thorough internal examination and had never been deployed in any actual operation so far in the history of their department.
It cant be used. Its a secret that will attract quite a lot of attention from the public once revealed. Ian waved away.
Herman nodded too.
Lithium and fusion reactors were important, but they still didnt warrant the use of Black Shadow.
Thats a shame.
Davis stepped back. He mentioned Black Shadow just to deploy them in addition. He didnt lose much.
Isnt that the jungle where an agent named Black Mamba rescued Areva hostages? Hathaway asked.
Thats just something one journalist from a French private TV network claims. Even Black Shadow cannot roam freely in that jungle. Even Kotcheff would not use such hyperbole in his movies. One agent decimating hundreds of rebels and rescuing 20 hostages?
Davis denied it firmly. He didnt believe in the existence of Black Mamba. A human cannot become a monster while retaining their intellect. Haunters proved that. He also didnt believe in the existence of Black Mamba because of a strong intelligence agency.
The United States has the most intelligence agencies in the worldthe independent CIA and 16 other organizations. The problem was that they were closed off from each other and reluctant to share information. As a result, the CIA didnt inform Davis properly, who was in the DIA.
Frogs are loud creatures by nature. Mitterrand must need some hero figure to raise his dropping approval rating.
Hathaway agreed, too. There is a limit to a humans capacities.
A voodoo cult in Rwenzori disappeared. We suspect that the DGSE must have made some kind of transaction with them, Davis trailed off.
He was intent on finding any sign of the Predators who had disappeared. Nothing else interested him. If Hathaway got involved, it only added to his already taxing workload.
Let us confer.
The three members moved to the small conference room.
Davis, we give you all the clearances regarding the execution of Project Green Flow, including the mobilization of the 15 Shadow teams. You will have to do without Black Shadow.
Thank you.
Davis received the documents politely.
May you not disappoint us oldies.
Of course not, sir.
After discussing a few more matters, the lights turned off in the conference room. In the underground bunker of Los Alamos, the worst operation in history had just been approved. The executor, Davis, moved the academic societies under the supervision of the Committee.
The vast area encompassing the Rwenzori mountain range in East Africa and the jungle of Ituri was a treasure trove of resources covered with gold and uranium mines. The failed Mobutu regime failed to control the eastern part of the country, 1,800 kilometers away from the capital. Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, bordering Zaire, also had unstable politics and weak militaries.
Around a meat plate abandoned by the cook, various insects were bound to gather. On a messy battlefield where government forces from four countries and armed warlords intermingled, Davis was going to pour fuel onto the fire.
Suddenly, there was a plentiful supply of high-quality gold ores in the Kigali gold refinery. Many indigenous people visited the jewelers holding quartz and pyrite with high gold content. The rumor arose that there was a gold mine in the jungle of Ituri. Bloodlust could already be smelled in the air.
The Soviet Union and Japan had intelligence satellites and knew the strategic importance of lithium. The KGB and CIRO detected the United States moves and acted on them. It hadnt been a week since the initiation of Project Green Flow.
Zaire, the owner of the coveted treasure, didnt know anything. The Korean government also never discussed the future energy problems. They were busy enough suppressing pro-democracy protests.
On the Sakura shore, 50 kilometers south of Shizuoka Prefecture, on four square kilometers of the plot, stood Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. The plant was run by Chubu Electric and had five reactors. Two were launched in 1976 and were pressurized heavy water reactors, while three were later built and were boiling water reactors. Both use deuterium oxide for cooling and retardant.
Heavy water reactors have inferior efficiency to boiling water reactors. They also handled the cooling water in a more complicated way. But the Japanese government continued to use them because of Plu-Thermal (the system to reuse plutonium fuel in the boiling water reactor.)
Plu-Thermal allowed the economical use of nuclear fuel. With re-processing, it yielded plutonium. Highly pure plutonium can also be used in an atomic bomb. Plu-Thermal didnt pose any technical obstacles, unlike Monju, a fast-breeder reactor, but if an accident happened, it gave off a massive amount of plutonium with a half-life of 24,000 years. It was a double-edged sword.
Main Control Room, Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant
Is the cause still unidentified?
Close to midnight, an enraged roar erupted. There had been an error in the second pressurized reactors water supply pump. Three hours passed, but the cause was still unidentified and remained elusive.
Apologies, sir.
Ishihara was tasked with the cooling and retardant, but the security guards were timid. Thirty had been checking the control equipment and pumping facilities, but the cause remained elusive. Their faces were dripping with fatigue, but they didnt dare complain.
The second reactors core will be exposed in an hour! Kaeda roared.
The fuel rod would be exposed when the cooling water stopped being provided. Before that happened, they needed to turn off the reactor. The loss from such was problematic, but the bigger problem was their use of Plu-Thermal and Tritium Trapping, which happened behind the local residents backs.
The Plu-Thermal needed to be approved by the governor of Shizuoka first, but Chubu Electric got tacit approval from the CIRO and surreptitiously extracted plutonium and tritium. When the halting of the nuclear power plants was known to the outside, as they examined the causes, the two operations were going to be exposed. The local residents will be enraged, which could escalate into an international conflict.
Find the cause, Ishihara! If you cant, you may as well jump into the sea right this moment.
Yes, sir! Ishihara and his crewmates responded quickly and jumped out of the room.
Useless bastards!
Kaeda kicked the console.
Chapter 642 - Episode 2 Garuda
The malfunctioning TRF had been the bane of his existence for the past year. Now, the water-supply pipe was malfunctioning again. When the reactor was halted, the TRF risked being exposed. It would fall under his responsibility but he was worried more about Genjis nagging. They needed to detach the TRF equipment first. He was feeling very much in a hurry.
You idiot!
Kaeda covered his toe with his hand and jumped in place. He had struck an iron plate barefoot. No wonder his toe was stubbed. He wound his handkerchief around his bleeding toe.
No!
Kaeda struck his forehead with his hand. He had just thought of a much more troublesome matter than the TRF. He limped elsewhere.
* * *
What happened?
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Ishihara craned his neck from within the inner wall. He couldnt see the water pump that was 20 meters underwater. He could only see the roaring dark waves five meters below the concrete partition. The waves from Suruga Bay hitting the partition sounded like thunder.
Sleet fell. A lone sodium lamp emitted red light like a monsters eye in the sea fog. The dark sea at night. It felt as if a sea serpent would jump out of nowhere and drag him into the sea by his hair.
Ishihara!
What? You scared me.
Ishihara looked back, surprised at the sudden call.
There could be a problem with the filter. A foreign object may be blocking the pump.
Katayama, the opening blows away any debris with pressurized air.
Some shrimp that likes the warm water may be blocking the opening. Shrimps have halted the operation of nuclear power plants in Korea.
The infiltrating shrimps may have been pulverized by the pressure of the pump. The retardant may have been contaminated. Those scenarios dont sound realistic.
Ishihara shook his head.
With the opening blocked, the water pump may be overheated.
We removed debris from the opening with a gripper just yesterday. For the shrimps to block the opening, they would have to be as numerous as the population of Japan.
It cannot hurt to check.
Katayama took out the diving suit and oxygen tank from the emergency vault installed in the inner wall.
Hey, nighttime diving is against the rules. What do you think you are doing?
The reactor is being halted. Rules can be bent. My father drove his Zerosen into the fuel tank of Destroyer Evans.
Katayama wore his diving suit and shouldered the oxygen tank.
What an idiot!
Ishihara was feeling as anxious as an ant with its antennae severed. Following the rules was the most important policy in a nuclear power plant. If one violated any, they would have their salary reduced, to say the least. He would be given a warning as Katayamas superior.
Long live the Emperor!
Katayama, fully equipped, jumped into the dark waters.
Katayama!
Ishiharas cry was drowned out by the waves hitting the inner wall. He covered his head with his hands. Katayama, a far-right-leaning person, still couldnt differentiate between courage and recklessness despite his retirement-nearing age. He always talked about the Yamato spirit and kamikaze and acted impulsively. Ishiharas heart had skipped many beats because of this man.
* * *
I knew it!
Katayama exclaimed. The wire net over the soccer-field-sized opening was completely covered with shrimp-like small creatures. Because of the poor inflow of the water, the water pump overheated and the retardant was contaminated. Katayama, floating on the surface, waved.
Ishihara! Its the shrimps. Numerous shrimps are blocking the opening!
Great job, Katayama. Place the opening of the tube to the opening of the water pump.
Ishihara cheered. He didnt expect the troublemaker to do such a good job. He manned the gripper himself. The 250mm metal pipe was submerged underwater.
What an idiot! Thats why you must retain your Yamato spirit.
Katayama clucked his tongue. The suction tube was placed 10 meters beside the target. Ishihara couldnt tell between the water-supply opening and the used-water expulsion opening. Katayama swam vigorously toward the tube.
What?
Katayama wiped his goggle. He was seeing a giant underwater rock protruding from the depths where the metal pipe was headed for. He had never seen such an object in the past 10 years.
The giant creature, poked by something pointed, opened its eyes. It was the Garuda, absorbing tritium leisurely with its tentacle in the TRF. The metal tube scratched Garudas body and passed it by.
[Was I just attacked? Is it so?]
The Garuda felt offended. It had made an energetic bowl by compressing methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide and was actively replenishing its tritium reserve. It did not like to be disturbed when it was eating.
What is that?
Katayamas eyes widened. The object, that he thought was a rock, moved. Sediments from the sea floor rose and clouded his field of view. He made out vaguely a body as big as two commute buses and a tail as long as the body.
I have never seen any whale that looks like that.
Katayama wondered. Sperm whales, blue whales, humpback whales, etc. The names of various whales passed rapidly in his mind. Nothing matched what was in front of his eyes.
Great! I shall prove my Yamato spirit.
Katayama was scared but decided to observe the creature accurately and report back. His father never feared falling from the sky. A soldier full of Yamato spirit would be recognized by a creature like a whale as well. He may be in the newspaper as the discoverer of a new whale species.
The creature raised its head. Its neck was as long as a slide in a playground. Its head was as big as a refrigerator. Its eyes were bigger than sushi plates. There were two horns protruding from its forehead. It wasnt a whale. It was an unimaginable monster.
A Godzilla!
The proverbial Yamato spirit was ineffectively faced with the existent, immediate fear. Katayama, startled, swam up with all his might. Nitrogen poisoning was the least of his concerns at the moment.
The Garuda was quite bothered by the little creature that disturbed its mealtime. It flung open its folded wing and waved. A blade-like undercurrent rose. The current tore down the inner concrete wall and engulfed Katayama, who was swimming up.
Aargh!
The was a muffled scream. Katayama was swept by the current and disintegrated like a soybean in a stone hand mill. Blood spread across the water. Katayama was Heca or Garudas first prey after it had tumbled across the planet for 150,000,000 years as a jade-colored stone.
[Oh no. Its not really my fault.]
Garuda flinched. Its masters order that forbade any hostile act upon a human being, echoed in its head.
[I didnt know it was a human!]
Garuda feigned ignorance. It had such a cheeky side. It had even pretended to be a plain duck in front of Jin-suns sisters.
******
Chubu Electric had chosen Suruga Bay despite its unstable faults as a location for its power plants because of the 150-meter high rocky mountain. Nuclear power plants required a plot for their nuclear waste. Chubu Electric had perforated the rocky mountain in the back and built a nuclear waste treatment facility.
Kaeda appeared at the entrance to the radioactive waste dump 100 meters underground. With busy fingers, he wore a hazmat suit and entered the restricted area.
Open it!
Yes, sir!
A lead-filled 500mm iron door opened. Kaeda glossed over the guards greeting and got on the linear car. The linear car, after running through a corridor, stopped in front of a yellow iron door. Kaeda manipulated the panel on the wall, then the wall to his left slid open.
Kaeda walked down the corridor where four red or yellow barrels were stacked on top of each other, four by four. At the end of the corridor, a 300-meter wide and 50-meter tall silo showed itself. It was Kaedas destination.
Officially, there were five silos at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. The silo in front of him was a secret sixth silo tasked with recycling nuclear fuel. It extracted plutonium from the used nuclear fuel and mixed it with uranium to make MOX (mixed oxide fuel), which was used in a boiling reactor.
Of course, the true intent behind the secret silo was not to make MOX but to extract plutonium. Japan was the only country that was ever struck by atomic bombs. Their constitution mandated peace and only allowed the use of military force for self-defense. They had a park dedicated to peace. But it was all showmanship. The totalitarian mindset still prevailed in the country, which still regarded people as a means to an end.
The atomic bombs shocked the entire country greatly. Their fear turned into an obsession over owning atomic weapons as well. Plu-Thermal and TRF facilities were truly a preparation for the development of atomic bombs. Kaeda, a far-right-leaning person himself, advocated the re-arming of Japan.
Kaeda wiped his sweat-covered forehead with his sleeve. He climbed an iron ladder and looked down at the silo. Thirty meters below his feet, a blueish liquid sloshed. A giant head of an alligator broke the surface. It was as big as a small car.
It was one of the three Predators that Ishihara received from Freemasonry. Japan paid a tremendous amount for this one creature.
Vertically slitted yellow eyes glared at Kaeda. It was a predators gaze upon its prey. In its maw slightly open, razor-like teeth glinted in the light.
Huh!
Kaeda, startled, stepped back unconsciously. That very creature robbed him of his sleep. It absorbed radiation for 15 months in the silo and ate 300 kilograms of meat a day. It was quite a hassle to move in tremendous amounts of meat and fish disguised as waste barrels.
Wretched creature! I hope it commits suicide after getting tired of life.
Kaeda complained. It grew three times its original size and 10 times meaner. He was ready to sacrifice himself for his country, but taking care of the monster was way too much work.
Submerge!
Kaeda took out a palm-sized controller and shouted. The monster dove into the water. Kaeda stared at the controller. The monster was not bothered by automatic rifle rounds. With one blow of its tail, it could tear down the hangars door. What would happen if the controller ever got broken or the control chip implanted in its brain lost power? He shuddered to think of the outcome.
Its so stupid. Unleash that thing near Jeju?
Kaeda shook his head. Koreans were not going to lose their territory just because some sea monster roamed their shores. Koreans were a distasteful bunch. They didnt bow to the strong even when they were weak.
They routinely fought amongst themselves but once invaded, they united and fought. They were very different from the Chinese or Southeast Asians. They would have a better chance by unleashing the thing in between the Spratly Islands.
The islands proved to be part of an important trade route for Korea, China, and Southeast Asian countries. Most Middle Eastern oil imported by Asia passed through the area. If they blocked this area, Korea would have to surrender.
The guards and Ishihara must get the situation under control as soon as possible.
His heart felt heavy. When the reactor was stopped, it would automatically be reported to the prefectures office. The residents would protest. International auditors would raid them. What if the TRF and the sea creature were revealed? Kaeda shuddered. He surely would need to commit seppuku.
* * *
The metal pipe hit Garudas head.
[Why do they keep bothering me?]
The tentacle wound around the metal tube. The 20-ton gripper was dragged down to the edge of the inner wall helplessly. Dark seawater rumbled in front of his eyes.
No!
Ishihara, startled, stepped down on the accelerator pedal in reverse with all of his might. The 500-horsepower engine rumbled and exuded dark exhaust. But it didnt budge. The gripper, now just beside the edge of the concrete structure, lost balance.
No!
Ishihara cried out. The heavy machine fell at last.
[Yes!]
The Garuda placed its head in the falling machines trajectory. It mimicked Mu-ssangs personality. The Garuda, which was like a blank slate, inherited Mu-ssangs wit and pettiness. The gripper bounced off Garudas head and sank toward the bottom of the sea.
[I was attacked. Twice in a row.]
The Garudas eyes turned into vertical slits. A great roar echoed in the mountains. The Garuda expanded its wings and stretched out its body. It was 60 meters from its head to its tail. Its head was disproportionately smaller than its body. It had a long, slender neck and body. Its tail was as long as its body. The jade-colored, fan-shaped crest turned into two horns.
Golden pupils bigger than dinner plates shined and its massive legs stepped on the sea floor and supported its hefty body. The two horns emitted electric sparks. The Garuda was finally here in its full form.
It elongated its neck. The bionic fusion reactor in its chest was started. Electric sparks ran along its metallic skin. It had overflowing energy. It opened its massive beak, five meters long.
Kkamdungs ELF was not comparable at all. The strong ELF poured. The underwater speed of sound was three times faster than in the atmosphere. As a medium, water was dozens of times superior to air. A meter-wide hole opened in the body of the gripper.
Chapter 643 - Episode 3 Garuda
The Garuda, a bionic robot, had sensors where humans had nerves and sensory organs. Micro lattice formed its skin and contained sensors for texture, temperature, friction, strength, colors, and sound waves. The skin itself was a humans sensory organ. In terms of seeing, it was a combination of a micro camera, picture radar, and a multi-spectroscope. Its eyes served as laser cannons and couldnt see anything.
[What is this?]
Garuda wondered. Its artificial intelligence compared the collected information with its archives. The discrepancies in the power level were tremendous. According to the saved information, the target had to be disintegrated to molecular levels.
The bionic fusion reactor was activated. Its two horns protruding from the top of its head caused an interference resonance wave. Its two plate-sized eyes glowed white. High-momentum photon energy bounced off the retinae 10,000,000,000,000 times per second. Tritiums energy levels rose rapidly.
The electric laser that had just surpassed the threshold shot from the mirror. A scarlet beam two meters wide illuminated the sea. The gripper, caught in the laser beam, was soundlessly disintegrated. Ishihara, who in the drivers seat, met the same fate. He was drowning in underwater pressure. That surely was a better fate.
The underwater area off the eastern shore of Japan was where the Pacific plate dove below the North American plate. Along the edge, a seismic zone was formed. In Suruga Bay where the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant was located, there was the Suruga canyon, the epicenter of the Tokai earthquake.
The small Suruga plate, sitting on top of the vast Pacific plate, withstood tremendous stress. Hard rock blocked the Suruga plate that kept trying to dive under the North American plate. The rock was sustaining tremendous pressure too.
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A laser shot directly forward. A piece of 25-ton heavy machinery was not anything significant. Garudas tritium laser, at its full capacity, shot through the sea floor. The red beam directly struck the rock. The underside of the rock disintegrated like flour. The rock, losing its friction, gave way to the pressure.
With the obstacle removed, the 5,000-square-kilometer-wide Suruga plate sank. The Shizuoka prefecture was shaken up. Suruga Bay sloshed and the Enshu-nada bubbled up. It was an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5. If the Pacific plate had sunken, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or above would have decimated Shizuoka.
The ground near the Hamaoka plant suffered. The ground rose two meters and the sea floor collapsed by 1.5 meters. Crevasses appeared across the area and flames rose. The reactors and waste facilities were designed to withstand up to a magnitude of 7.5 but the supportive buildings and facilities collapsed at 6.5.
Boom! The electric wire towers fell like domino blocks and became bent and collapsed. The high voltage wires and 150mm-wide cables got tangled together. The transformer exploded. The circuit breaker did too. The reactors still stood but with the decimation of the surrounding buildings, the substation was no longer functional. It was a very localized earthquake with a limited area but its outcome was destructive.
The electricity was cut in Sector 1 and Sector 2 at the same time at once. Only Sector 3 had electricity supplied from outside. Blue sparks jumped here and there in the darkness-submerged two sectors. A siren was heard. The night shifter jumped out from here and there, frantically.
Its an earthquake! An earthquake!
Run! Run!
A clamor suddenly filled the space where only the sound of waves and wind could be heard moments ago.
Stay alert!
Someone shouted but no one was listening. Hundreds of people, panicking at the risk of being radiated, ran to Sector 3 where there was a radiation-blocking hanger and electricity was still live. They looked just like moths flying into a campfire.
Dont run! I am the head of security. The repair team must halt the reactor immediately. Operators, cut the electricity now.
The head of security yelled. Some employees who were running off came back. The Hamaoka plant entered an apocalyptic state with one strike from Garuda. It really was Black Mambas minion, who was known to be a natural disaster himself.
******
The underground caves waste treatment facility was shaken. Kaeda, who was just exiting the sixth silo after the Nureonna control system, lost his balance and fell. The corridor was suddenly tilted and shaken.
What?
Kaeda, wide-eyed, grasped a pipe. When he pushed against a wall and regained composure, the hangar was shaken again. The pipe detached from the cave wall. Kaeda hit his head against the wall. Objects were falling. Iron beams were becoming bent. Heavy things hit each other. The collective din was deafening.
Its an earthquake!
Kaeda grimaced. What was this? There had been signs. Small earthquakes of magnitude 2-3 happened five times this year alone. The company paid no mind. Small earthquakes were part of everyday life in Japan.
The Shizuoka earthquake observatory and the Meteorological Administration all determined them to be routine occurrences. While everyone had become accustomed to them, something was ongoing on the sea floor. The imminent threat was something else. The blueish liquid ran across the caves floor. The structure was more vulnerable to vertical shock than horizontal. There was a fault in the hanger which broke the silo.
No!
Kaeda shouted. It was the highly radioactive liquid that had filled the sixth silo. If it touched him, his radiation-blocking suit would not prevail. Kaeda stood abruptly and frantically ran to the entrance. If the silo cracked, 3,000 tons of radioactive fluid would be spilled. He did not feel like taking such a shower in the midst of current circumstances.
Help!
The shout stopped Kaeda in his track. The security guards were crushed under radioactive waste barrels. Kaeda couldnt leave them behind. They were his colleagues and now comrades on this newfound battlefield.
Fuck!
Kaeda looked around for a lever. A barrel weighed 200 kilograms. Without a lever, it wouldnt budge. Instead of a lever, he found a shrill screech assailing his eardrums. Kaeda, startled, looked back to see his worst nightmare manifesting in reality.
No!
A small-car-sized head was forced through a crack in the silo. The Nureonna, with its thick midriff stuck in the crack, screeched as if it was greatly annoyed and wielded its head around. The 500mm fortified concrete wall was torn down. Kaeda fumbled in his pockets.
No! Its gone!
Kaedas face paled. The controller was gone. It must have been flung out of his pocket when he hit the ground. He looked back. The blueish liquid covered the cave floor.
I shall fall like a cherry blossom!
Kaeda turned back.
Im sorry!
Kaeda shook his head and ran toward the entrance. It was meant to operate underwater but it still could outrun any human. He heard the sound of bones breaking. The Nureonna was feasting on the employees. He could no longer use a linear car because its tracks were all bent. He ran out of the waste treatment facility.
Oh my!
Kaeda was dumbstruck. The power plant was in flames. Dark red flames rose here and there and soared to the sky with each explosion. The sirens blared, assaulting the eardrums. Circles of flashlights frantically roamed the yard. The employees were running about in confusion.
Fujimori!
Yes, sir!
A man who had been shouting into a megaphone ran up to him.
Call all the guards and call the employees taking shelter in the earthquake-resistant building too.
Yes, sir!
The head of security took out his intercom. There was a din. The upper lid of the second reactor soared into the sky. Vapor billowed out like clouds. It was a sign of an imminent meltdown. With no electricity, the water supply pump would stop too. A nuclear reactor continued to emit heat after it is halted. Without a cooling liquid, the overheated nuclear fuel melts the core of the reactor. If the meltdown continues, the protective shell melts down too and radioactive fume is released into the atmosphere.
It may end up like Chernobyl!
Kaeda suddenly felt wide awake. April this year, a meltdown happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine. The damage was indescribable. The 30 kilometers around the explosion site became a wasteland and 3,000,000 people were affected. If a meltdown happened here, the 700,000 people in Shizuoka and nearby Shimizu were done for.
Fujimori, I declare a third-degree emergency. Activate the emergency water supplier!
Kaeda yelled.
Sir, we first need to activate the emergency power supply.
Move now!
The employees ran about frantically. The enormous power supply vehicle sprinted across the yard, followed closely by a fuel supply vehicle. Employees hiding in the main control room swarmed out. Kaeda grasped his head and moaned. It was the worst kind of catastrophe.
Dozens of headlight beams illuminated the yard. Trucks and jeeps coughed out armed men. It was the defense force, tasked with the power plants protection.
Sh*t!
Kaeda swore. This was the reality of the Defense Force. They only knew the manuals and something not in them could only be handled by following direct orders. They individually possessed no analysis or adapting skills.
Yoshida!
Yes!
Can you drive an armored vehicle?
Im sorry but the hangar collapsed on it.
Yoshida trailed off. Kaeda looked around at the guards. Half of them were bare-handed and the armed ones only had Type 64 battle rifles. He couldnt blame Yoshida for it either. Japan was a peaceful country. After the Japanese Red Army disbanded in the 1970s, the word terrorism was only found in dictionaries.
Do you have a common-use firearm?
We have M2 heavy machine guns and 40mm grenade launchers but the launchers are in the armory.
Place the machine guns immediately up front.
Sir?
Yoshida looked at Kaeda with wide eyes. He well understood orders such as suppress fires or maintain order but never heard one involving firearms. Kaeda wanted to poke his eyes. This man joined the Defense Force for job security and nothing else.
Right now!
Yes, sir! Prepared shooters, come forward! Those unprepared, prepare right away!
The startled officer ordered. A heavy machine gun and two light machine guns stepped forward and 20 ran toward the Sector 3 barracks. They were the grenade launchers and rifle shooters.
We need artillery.
Kaeda sighed. The Nureonnas hide was stronger than steel. A heavy machine gun could damage it but still couldnt kill it. To eliminate it, they needed an RPG7 or a 30mm machine gun. They at least required Mina guns to establish some defense but they only had two 7.62mm 62-style machine guns and one 12.7mm M2 rifle.
Kaeda didnt know when the men who ran to the barracks would return. Kaeda wished that the hangar silos sliding door could stall it. The heavens didnt grant his wish. If it still operated, the door would have stalled the nureonna but the earthquake had deactivated it.
There was a din. The sliding door got unhinged and was flung through the air like a soccer ball that was just kicked. The walking catastrophe stepped out of the building. The nureonna was relishing its finally regained freedom. There was food everywhere. The air was fresh. This was heaven.
What is that?
A nureonna!
The gator monster!
The guards office at the entrance of the hangar was filled with a clamor. A dozen or so guards gazed at the monster with their mouths agape. The monster stood on its hind legs and roared.
A godzilla!
Someone corrected him. It looked like an alligator but an alligator could not stand on its hind legs. It was correct information but not very much needed at the moment.
A tail thicker than a utility pole slammed the office. The structure made of concrete and steel was crushed like a melon that was stepped on. Blood and debris splattered everywhere.
Run!
The surviving guards dispersed like startled spiders. The nureonna ate them one by one. It was like a toad feasting on flies.
* * *
F*ck!
Kaeda grimaced. He clearly heard the nureonnas roar amidst the explosions and clamor. Kaeda hesitated. With the current forces, they could not stall the nureonna. But they still couldnt ask for outside backup because the identity of the monster had to be kept a secret.
Did I bring this upon myself?
Kaeda sighed deeply. His hesitation was short-lived. If the nureonna entered one of the nearby cities, that would be material for some horror movie. They needed to handle it before it exited the plant grounds.
Yoshida, call for backup at Itazuma.
There was the 1st Divisions 34th Regiment stationed in Itazuma. They needed heavy artillery fire if they were to subdue the nureonna.
Chapter 644 - Episode 4 Garuda
What?
His round eyes glinted through his glasses. Kaeda could not take this man for a soldier. He belonged to some red light district, promoting some nightclubs and luring people in.
Stupid! Request an armed helicopter right away.
Kaeda yelled. To think that this kind of person was allowed to join the Defense Force was absurd.
Yes, sir!
The officer, startled by the yelling, called the comms operator.
Nobuyuki, what number is Itazuma?
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What?
Kaeda felt rage. A troop commander didnt have such a vital number memorized. Also, he addressed his subordinates formally. Kaeda felt deep rage. Only half a century had passed yet the Yamato spirit was gone, which used to rule the entire Asia and build an empire.
The previous generation sacrificed themselves in the North Sea and bled out in the jungles of Southeast Asia. The younger generation now only cared about dating and traveling overseas. This is why he joined the far-right political organization.
The walkie-talkie rang when Kaeda was glaring at Yoshida menacingly.
Sir, the electricity supply vehicle cannot access the second reactor. The debris is blocking its path.
The voice of the head of security mixed with the static fueled his anger.
F*ck! Access the external transformer.
We cant. The axle cables access plug doesnt fit the second reactors emergency power transformer.
No!
Kaeda felt exasperated. Such a problem was unheard of in the glorious Japanese empire. This was not China or Korea.
What are you saying, idiot?
The transformer is made by Westinghouse. Compared to domestic products, the plugs shape itself is different.
Ugh!
Kaeda was engulfed in rage. This was why the young ones could never be of any use. This meant that they didnt check the equipment after installing it. The one responsible should be fired right now but the current circumstances didnt help.
Enter the second reactor and connect it to the emergency water supply pump yourself.
Sir, the radiation is over 20 Sv. Its way above the lethal amount.
The head of security said with a teary voice. Kaeda stared at the second reactor which was fuming cumulus-like vapor. The inner pressure must have been over 400 kPa. Soon, it would explode and Shizuoka would turn into hell. They laughed at the Soviets when they couldnt handle Chernobyl. Now it became their problem.
Shut up! My father and grandfather ran into the enemy in his Zerosen with his bomb. Wear the suits and enter! No questions asked.
Kaeda cut off the communication without waiting for a response. There was another problem. This was nothing compared to the imminent meltdown but quite troublesome nonetheless.
The problems roar resounded across the yard. Kaeda turned his head. A great silhouette shimmered beyond the flames. The enormous gators head against a backdrop of a burning building didnt seem realistic.
No! It ended up happening.
Kaeda gritted his teeth. In a month, they were going to unleash the matured nureonna near Dokdo. It was amphibious. The handful of Korean guards were going to be eliminated in five minutes.
If South Korea deployed its military in Dokdo, Japan could sue them. The Korean navy could be kept at bay by the first guarding squad at Yokosuka. The United States promised not to get involved. If Japan could get the island redefined as a disputed territory, it would be an advantage.
Heavens, why have you abandoned Japan?
Kaeda yelled at the dark sky. Their secret weapon turned into a catastrophe. It was maddening. It was said that the heavens granted a persons planning. The wretched earthquake ruined all of their plans. The culprit was underwater in Suruga Bay but Kaeda only blamed the heavens.
The nureonna wielded its 15-meter tail. The debris of the buildings and flames were scattered with sparks. With one strike, the burning repair room collapsed.
Whoa!
What is that?
Is it Godzilla?
Are we on a film set?
It looks too real to be CG!
The Defense Force officers eyes widened. They had experienced earthquakes in the past but not such a monster. Even though they were seeing it with their own eyes, they couldnt believe it to be real. The unrealistic visual confused some and piqued others curiosity. Yoshidas reaction was the latter.
Yoshida!
Kaeda yelled but Yoshidas attention was engrossed in the giant monster.
Its giant body could easily crush an elephant. Its grotesque appearance was nightmarish. There were countless blade-like teeth in its maw. It jumped on its hind legs. Yoshida, a collector of action figures, felt like he could flaunt this experience to the club members. Yoshida wanted to throw his pistol away and open his sketchbook right there.
Shoot! You idiot, shoot now!
Kaeda yelled. This is why the far-right organization he joined was founded. The Defense Force was not military. Only the dredges of society who couldnt get any other job flocked here.
The nureonna charged. Its strides were easily over 10 meters wide.
Shoot at once!
Yoshida, coming to his senses, shot his pistol. Then the M2 and 62-style machine guns fired at once. Then the 64-style rifles followed. Reddish light shone across the night sky. The 7.62mm rounds afflicted barely any damage but the 12.7mm bullets penetrated the monsters body, splashing blue liquid.
No one liked to be hurt. The nureonna, after getting hit by the bullets, began thrashing about. One strike with its tail sent the parts storage room away in pieces. With one kick, it tore away the pipes blocking its path. With vaulting strides, it closed the 200-meter gap between them. Kaedas face paled. Now it was just going to be a feasting ground for the nureonna.
Shoot! Shoot!
Yoshida yelled. His face was pale too. It was not a scene in a comic book but a reality unfurling before his eyes. As soon as he smelled the putrid stench from the beasts maw, he felt like his soul fled his body.
Bullets rained down. No order was needed. No one wanted to be stomped to death by a monster.
The nureonna jumped over the police line. Its crimson eyes glinted at its prey, the Defense Force soldiers. A soldier was stomped to a pulp by a cauldron-sized foot. Its enormous tail slashed the air.
Aargh!
Aargh!
They were no different from flies crushed by a swatter. The ones caught in the orbit of the tail had their upper bodies crushed, their heads burst, and their backbones severed. Its big maw held a heavy machine gun shooter and lifted him to the sky. Then its blade-like teeth crushed the human and his rifle at the same time.
Shoot its eyes!
Kaeda roared.
I cant!
Yoshida threw away his pistol and ran off.
No!
With their leader fleeing, the rest of the Defense Force followed suit and scattered like spiders. The nureonna stretched its head backward and roared. It was a victorious one, after subduing its prey completely. After decimating the Defense Force squad, the nureonna began its feast. It fell buildings, stomped on humans, and gorged itself on humans crawling on the ground, desperately trying to flee.
Long live the Emperor!
Still, there were some courageous soldiers among them. One soldier emptied his magazine on the nureonna with a yell. All of the bullets in the magazine buried themselves in its body. The nureonna made a strange, laughter-like sound. It seemed to be laughing at him. With one stride, all the bullets in its hide fell to the ground like pebbles.
Mom!
The courageous Defense Force soldier shed tears, forgetting completely to change his magazine. He missed his mothers nagging: stop reading comic books and get a job, wash your hands before eating, stop collecting war vessel action figures, take off the Imperial flag on your wall, etc. The nureonna stepped on him nonchalantly. His foolish courage turned him into an okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory seafood pancake.
The nureonna glanced at Kaeda just to pass him by. Predators were made with human genes spliced into the beasts. It was not a simple-minded beast thirsty for blood.
My God!
Kaedas eyes followed the nureonna. It was smart. It hunted the armed soldiers first, leaving behind the unarmed ones. Kaeda couldnt understand why it spared his life and let him go.
* * *
From within the sea in front of Hamaoka, the giant head of a creature soared. Its beak was as big as two King-sized beds. Blue sparks exploded between its two horns. The Garuda was emerging after finishing recharging itself. It already missed Mu-ssangs scent. There was no more tritium underwater.
With a roar, it made a great hole in the seawater as it took off. Its giant wings struck the sea surface. The Garuda had activated anti-gravity measures. It soared 2,000 meters directly above the sea surface.
[I smell something good. Something smells tasty.]
The Garuda sensed the radiation and tritium concentration leaked from the waste treatment facility. A vast shadow flew around the Hamaoka power plant. The sleet let up. In a newly cloudless sky, a half moon shone elegantly, oblivious to the clamor on the ground.
The Garuda lowered its altitude. A vast, monstrous bird flying across the night sky against a moonlit backdrop was a legend in itself. Of course, the humans battling two nightmares at the same time on the ground had no time to appreciate that magnificent display.
The nureonna looked up from the massacre it was committing. Instinctively sending danger, the monsters eyes glinted. The nureonna inhaled deeply. Its small-pool-sized stomach swelled. A great din sounded from its vast maw. It was a Predators only ranged weapon, Sonic Wave.
The ball of compressed air tracked the flying Garuda and exploded nearby. It was much more thunderous than real thunder itself. The deafening din sent the humans on the ground covering their ears and rolling on the ground. Due to the cavitation effect, the Garuda was showered with extreme heat and compressed waves. Its artificial intelligence was interrupted.
[How dare they cross Purple Chicken!]
The Garuda, disgruntled, glared at the Nureonna. It glared back. The Garudas scouter measured its tissue composition and combat power. It had vermin genes and a combat power of 1,000 MF. It was but a vermin weakling with a puny combat power.
[Decimate!]
The Garuda determined the right course of action was elimination. An ELF tangled like a length of thread beamed from its vast beak. The incandescent air shimmered.
In the Nureonnas lower abdomen, directly struck by the ELF, a 500-millimeter hole was made. Its enormous body fell like an old big tree onto the chaotic ground.
[How weak. Wait, what?]
The Garudas eyes widened. The weakling stood back up. Bubbling black liquid blocked the hole in its belly. It was weak but possessed great regenerative power. The AI looked up relevant information in the database. There were a few tissues similar to its own in the weaklings body. The radiation-soaked tissue also seemed appetizing and nutritious.
[I needed more tritium and strontium anyway.]
The Garuda shot downward like a fighter jet.
Dear God, what is that?
Kaeda felt like he was in a nightmare. When the black dot became bigger and bigger, he thought it was the Cobra helicopter from the 34th Regiment. But it was a monstrous bird, dwarfing the Nureonna. Since something like the Nureonna existed, surely something like that monster bird could too. But it was too much. The wind it caused as it shot downward pushed Kaeda away as if he was a fallen leaf. A human caught in a fight between monsters was indeed something like an ant.
The Garuda descended upon the Nureonna as if a hawk descended upon a rabbit. Great metal flaws grasped the Nureonnas head. The three-meter-long claws crushed its skull which had proved impervious to bullets. The Nureonnas head was distorted unrealistically and a thick tentacle crawled out of its maw. The tentacle wound around the Garudas feet and strangled them.
The Nureonna shook its head. One metal and another rubbed against each other with a great creaking sound. The Garuda, relatively lightweight, was swung around. The Nureonna was 30 meters tall, and Garuda 60 meters. On the other hand, the Nureonna weighed 50 tons and Garuda five tons, a mere tenth.
The Garuda was lightweight because its body was optimized for flying. The metallic polymer nanotubes comprising its hide was micro lattice. It absorbed shock well and could regenerate. Its weight was a hundredth of titanium. The 20th centurys science was not going to be able to replicate it in any way whatsoever in the near future.
The Garuda activated its gravity field. A 1,000-ton pressure crushed the Nureonna. It fell without any real resistance. The Predator thrashed about but it was now indeed a lizard caught by a condor.
Chapter 645 - Episode 5 Garuda
The Garuda crushed Nureonnas head with its beak and stepped on its abdomen with its feet. It was the perfect parterre position. Nureonna, who had activated Nureonnas viciousness with the Garudas beak, resisted like crazy. It swung its four legs, scratching and tearing the Garudas leg and abdomen. Crackle-Crackle- Even with the claws that were harder than steel and sharper than a sushi knife, it was not enough to penetrate the microlattice outerskin and slipped.
The Predator was a biological weapon produced by culturing paladin tissue in Area 51. Although with incredible combating power and agility, the Garuda was a complete Baphomet. The overall combat power was as different as a matchlock gun versus vulcan cannon. Fainted Gaeda woke up from terrible friction sound on its eardrums.
The Garuda!
Gaera murmured blankly. Legend of the Garuda, one of eight Gods, had been proved. How could the terrifying Nureonna be crushed like that! I was amazed at the power and majestic posture of the monstrous creature standing tall while stepping on the immortal biological weapon Nureonna.
Oh, no!
Gaera became alert. Nureonna was a biological weapon of Great Japan to bring the glory back again. If the lost controller was found at the dump site, I could be the owner of the most powerful weapon. The astronomical amount of money and effort from the past 18 months may be all lost.
Nureonna, dont give up!
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Gaeda clenched the fists and shouted. The only thing a gullible human can do was just cheer. The Garuda glanced around. TuTuTu- Scouter analyzed a human. Combat force 1 MF, it was just a simple life form based on carbon, consisting of large amounts of water and protein.
[Was it a human specie gone bad?]
If a weak being meets a stronger being, he must choose either to run away and save his life or simply be eaten. You shouldnt eat spoiled food. The Garuda lost interest and turned its head away. Squeek C Metal grinding sounded.
Nureonna, who had gained a momentary break, bit the Garudas neck and drooped. The Garuda did not budge. ZuZuZu-two horns flamed with discharged power. Zap- Ultra-high voltage current hit Nureonna. Ak-A miserable scream shook the night sky.
Nureonnas eyeballs turned white and his mouth gave out white fumes. His head slumped to the ground helplessly. There was a pungent smell of burning protein. Nureonna, whose nerve and brain tissues were burned by the ultra-high voltage, was nothing more than a hearty whole crocodile.
[Almost cooked?]
The Garuda raised its toenails and scratched. It was split from the chest to the groin. Hot steam erupted and the intestines poured out. When a hawk catches a rabbit, it splits the abdomen and eats the intestines first. The Garudas behavior was no different. The beast world has no referee and no rules. A stronger was the supreme.
Its gigantic beak devoured the protruding intestines. The Garuda, who ate the intestines cleanly, tore apart Nureonna like a pig plucking from a butcher. Buuk-Buuk-Crack-Crack-The limbs fell apart and the bones were shattered. The blue body fluid poured out like a waterfall.
The regenerative power of the Predator was beyond imagination. Fragmented living tissue was rejoined. The head that fell off rolled over and ran away. The Garuda swallowed the wriggling flesh without mercy. There was no other elk sitting in the bean field like it.
It was very different from the appearance of a purple chicken from Ungshimjes master bedroom, who was trembling in cuteness. The original Garuda was a pest exterminating agricultural machine. There was no master, and there were no masters females who had to look pretty, so there was no reason to flinch.
The Predator obtained by the Office of Investigation vanished without leaving a single bone fragment. All that was left was the muddy blue bodily fluid on the ground. The ending of the Predator, who was known to be fearful, was too bland.
******
Kaooo-Full and satisfied, the Garuda pulled his head long and cried. It ate a Predator barbeque weighing 50t, so it was obviously very full. Poossss-a white and black airframe came out of the body. They were unnecessary moisture and elements.
The Garuda emerged without preliminary action. Suaak-A huge body flew over 1,000m to the sky like it teleported. The unusual maneuver was because the gravitational field engine and the ion engine are responsible for takeoff, descent, and acceleration. The wing was for energy charging and defense, and only serves as an assistant to the directional rapid acceleration when maneuvering.
The Garuda spread its huge wings. Shaaa- The radioactive material released into the atmosphere was violently sucked in. Still, it wasnt enough. Kaoo- The ultra-high-level ELF hit the reactor No. 2 directly. Clank- The storage container was broken.
Coolant and moderator poured out, and exposed nuclear fuel spewed out massive amounts of iodine, cesium and strontium. Radioactive material rushed to the Garuda like a tornado. The energy tank filled up rapidly.
******
Tutatata- A helicopter squadron flew in from the east. It was an AH-1S attack helicopter that urgently launched from the Itazuma 34th Regiment, which received a request for support.
Japan, merely abundant with money, did not care about the astronomical cost of production from this limited amount of product. Fighters and helicopters were no different. Based on the F16, the F2 was independently developed, and the AH-1G Huey Cobra was used as a base to develop the Japanese Cobra attack helicopter AH-1S Cobra.
The biggest drawback of the Cobra attack helicopter was the optical aiming fire control system. In other words, night operations are challenging. Fuji Heavy Industries has converted the AH-1S into an all-weather attack aircraft by adding thermal imaging equipment and linking it with the Helmet Control System (HHS).
The lead helicopter approaching the Hamaoka nuclear power plant slowed its speed. The ground conditions reflected in the thermal image looked serious.
-Alpha, the nuclear power plant was burning. The reactor was emitting water vapor. Roger.
-Lower the altitude to 300 m. Landing after close inspection. Roger.
-Copy. Roger
Oh my, what was that?
The gigantic object rapidly magnified. It almost would have collided. The lead helicopter pilot, who was lowering the altitude, pushed the control stick and stepped on the paddle hard. Wowwoong- the helicopter made a roaring sound, changed direction, and inclined rapidly. The two helicopters that followed also turned rapidly.
Hirosi, did you fall asleep?
The pilot, who stabilized the aircraft, complained. The co-pilots duties are fire control and radar detection. It was a dizzying situation that would have crashed without a chance to avoid if it wasnt for the cobra with good mobility.
IIm sorry. The thermal image was clear and the radar was clear
The co-pilot stuttered.
Chikshow, do you want to die?
Im not lying. Check out for yourself.
The co-pilot re-buttled.
Huh, how can this be!
The pilot rolled his eyes and looked at the radar screen. The screen was as clean as if it had been washed with water. So was the thermal imaging screen.
Does a mirage appear at night?
The bizarre creature visible to the naked eye was not caught by the equipment. The pilot rubbed his eyes. When you are tired, you experience the Liborik phenomenon, in which the sky and the earth are reversed, and when blood rushes to your head due to a sudden maneuver, you may see a mirage.
No matter how advanced the radar was, it was useless without reflected waves. There were 2 types of technology involved in modern stealth. Radar Spike which deceived the radar through a shape design that reduced reflected waves, and the attachment of absorbent materials(paints, rubber, etc.) that absorbed radar radio waves.
Bio-weapon, the Garuda, was the plasma wrapped around the microwatts body, called bio-weapon powder, absorbing radio waves and replacing them with thermal energy. The outer shell absorbs the substituted thermal energy. There was no reason to be caught on thermal imaging equipment and radar. Perfect stealth, Ghost.
First, lets report.
Communication came in before the pilot could call out.
-Bravo, what happened??
-Unidentified flying object. Wish for commend.
-Hold, Roger.
First Class Yamamoto, the rear squadron pilot, turned his head. The squadron should be in the lead, but the VIP was on board so Bravo was in the lead. A fit elderly man in his 70s who occupied the co-pilots seat was a VIP that Yamamoto would not dare to look at. Oku Hidoshi, President of Chubu Electric Power and President of Keidanren. The hidden identity was the President of the Daejung Ikchan Society.
Whats going on?
Sir, please look at your nine oclock.
What was that?
Hitoshis eyes grew larger. A dark object floating above the nuclear power plant came into sight.
-Unknown. Its not an airplane..
Yamamoto voice slowed down. The only objects that can be stopped are helicopters and airplanes. The object was too large to be called a helicopter, and too speedy to be called an airplane. Besides, it wasnt caught on the radar. If it had been caught on the radar, it would have already been noticed.
-Ah, Changed direction. I want instructions.
-Stupid, thats the one. The reactor will not be damaged in an earthquake.
Hitoshi was excited after hearing the communication.
Should I attack?
Shoot him down right now. Crush it.
-Bravo, Charlie Fire. Roger.
The two cobras increased their speed, and Yamamoto crossed and opened the distance. If you see any damage done by the VIP on board, it will be a big issue.
-Charlie, attack. Roger.
-Copy, Roger.
-Weapon Selection
The fire controller chose a 20mm castling machine gun. Bravo and Charlie sprinted side by side. Puf-Puf-dozens of rounds of machine guns knocked the body of The Garuda. Kwangkwangkwang- A firecracker feast took place in the thin air.
-Bravo, it didnt hit.
-Change weapon, Roger.
-Copy, Roger.
Bravo and Charlie weapon controler changed weapon to rocket guns. Puwak-Puwak- Left and right pods vomited flames. Four 70mm rocket guns split the space.
Tututu- Scouter analyzed the momentum of an approaching object. Zuzuzu-A powerful hush enveloped the body. It didnt seem like it caused damage, but it looked like it should be in pain. Bang-bang- Reddish flame embroidered the night sky.
-Continuous fire, Roger.
-Copy, Roger.
Flames erupted from the left and right pods. Dozens of rocket guns knocked The Garuda. A deafening glow and foggy smoke enveloped the target.
[A measly pest was challenging and now a metal fly, too.]
The Garuda who was disturbed(?) when eating went into pest extermination mode. Mutt also revealed its teeth when it touched it when eating. If you stay still, you know, the bales, and the flying flies continue to provoke you. The Garuda sprang from the foggy smoke and flame.
-What, retrieve, retrieve.
-Copy, Roger.
Tutututu- Two helicopters sped away rapidly. The Lycoming turbo engine powered the engine and pushed the body up. The pilot didnt know of The Garuda. He should put the harness right away and abandon the helicopter. The AH-1S can accelerate to 250km and the Garuda can accelerate to 50,000km.
The distance was 500m. Wiing-the Garuda, who overtook Bravo at instant, swung its tail. Bang-in one strike, the helicopter was scattered and fragmented. It was like a fly struck by a fly catcher. The pilot and co-pilot were dismembered without time to scream.
-Oh no, Bravo, Bravo!
A frightened Charlie dived to the ground as if to hit the bottom. Hsing-shadows covered Charlie.
-Oh, No~
A scream rang the communicator. Kwaang- Charlies fate, struck by the Garudas feet, was no different from Bravos. The body burst like a firecracker. The wreckage fell to the ground.
Huh, how could this be!
Yamamotos eyes looked like they were going to pop out in surprise. What could it be that attacks helicopter like its catching a fly Yamamoto immediately turned around?
Attack, I said attack. Ignorant President yelled. Kauuu-The Garuda opened its mouth. The ELF, twisted like a thread, split space at five times the speed of sound.
Cant. Its an ULF (Unknown life forms).
President Hitoshi could not hear the answer. Puck-a not so loud noise rang. The helicopter, which was struck directly, was scattered as powder without a sound. President Yamamoto and Hitoshi evaporated without a trace.
President Hitoshi Oku sought a donor to replace his granddaughters heart through a grand dinner. Hitoshi, who held power and wealth in one hand and dreamed of recreating the public spirit of Daedong-A, who considered the life of others as light as a feather, was decomposed into a molecule units.
******
[The master told me not to leave food.]
Wooung-Nuclear fusion reactor started. Squeeze- two horns got struck by a voltage of one hundred thousand Kw. Puwak-A thick light stream hit Reactor No. 2 directly. Puss-the reactor was decomposed in atomic units. There was not a handful of ashes left in the place where Unit 2 was.
Kauuu- The Garuda, who finished the job, disappeared into the black sky. Only Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station, which became armageddon, and soulless humans remained on the ground. Plutonium and tritium, secretly accumulated by the Japanese government, disappeared clean into the Garudas stomach. Nureonna, which was scheduled to enter the Dokdo, also entered the stomach of The Garuda.
It was up to the Japanese government to decide what to do after the nuclear accident, how to explain the Predators existence, and how seriously the Garudas existence would be taken.
Perhaps the Garuda was a Japanese benefactor. The damage from the earthquake in Shizuoka was not so great. The coast subsided, old buildings and constructions that were not earthquake-resistant collapsed, and roads twisted. There were only hundreds of people killed. If the tectonic stress had not been relieved, the Great Tokai Earthquake would have swept Shizuoka and Yokohama, as well as Tokyo. In addition, it prevented the meltdown disaster and solved the Predator, which lost control.
The Japanese are a people who look up to the strong, whether they are bad or good. When they find out the truth, they will bring the Garuda to Yasukuni Shrine, worship, and will pay tribute. Past and present, fact and truth are confused and human alienated from the truth and adheres to the fact.
Chapter 646 - Episode 1 Veritas Caritas Justitia
The truth was the original, and fact was a phenomenon. The victorious USs basis for Japans Occupation policy was to utilize existing political institutions. Why did the United States do such a thing when required to punish war criminals and form a new government with democratic personnel?
It was because the US was surprised by the Soviet Bolshevik Revolution, ruthless expansionism, and communism in China. The United States, which had a communist trauma, set Japan as an ideological and military defense line. As a result, the far-right war fanatics of the vested right survived, regardless of the public and private military, and the handling of war criminals was undisturbed.
The more chaotic society and the worse the economy, the easier it was for those to expand power and voice. The seeds of Japanese rearmament were planted from the moment of defeat.
The US military regime implemented in Korea was also an extension of Japans GHQ (Allied Forces Supreme Command General Headquarters) policy. The execution of the pro-Japanese factions and collaborators of the country was only a wish. The purpose of the US military government was not to create a just society but to stop the Soviet Union and annihilate communism.
The US military government sold the vast amount of Japanese property (corporations, land, houses, raw materials, mines, etc.) confiscated in Korea to the general public. Those who could afford to purchase such property were pro-Japanese patriots who had cooperated with Japanese colonial rule and other vicious businessmen who had filled their stomachs with the blood of their own people. Those with easy access to wealth emerged as powerful social establishments, and moral corruption was rampant. Independence activists and the Japanese resistance forces? They ended up with nothing in their hands.
Japan, where far-right war criminals were preserved, could not reflect on itself, and conflicts could not disappear in Korea, where pro-Japanese traitors remained intact. Could America be held accountable? No. Because America was America, not Korea. That was the reason Korea had to be strong if it felt unfair.
Justice without power was only strife, and power without justice was just violence. We made the mistake of making the strong stronger instead of making the right thing strong.
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******
Amy Studio #701, District 3, Paseo Nuevo Street, Santa Barbara, California C Bang, the front door swung open. A beautiful Asian woman entered as if being chased and threw off her flat shoes. The woman who was about to dash into the room hesitated. [Veritas Caritas Justitia]
The woman pressed the fast-beating heart with her palm and stared blankly at the picture frame on the opposite wall. The calligraphic alphabet was a little awkward, but the strokes of the landscape painting were full of power. The woman looked at the frame for a long time as if it were still living.
Veritas Caritas Justitia
The woman mumbled. The womans face was reflected in the mirror hanging at the bottom of the frame. She was a beauty with a small face supported by a long neck like a crane, and her dense facial features were positioned in precise proportions under her straight forehead. There were many beautiful women in the world, but only one In Hye-young, the Mussangs lover with dark blue eyes covered with long eyelashes.
Sister, I got no money. Lets call it this.
A face filled with nervous laughter filled her eyes. The frame by Mussang as a Christmas gift was hand-crafted, written, and designed by him. Tears welled up in the eyes, flashing with anger. Hye-young, who ran out of steam in her body, stumbled.
Im sorry, I got neither truth nor love nor justice. Im really sorry!
Hye-young headed to the bed scruffy. She opened the closet and grabbed some clothes. She stuffed her clothes into a large 28-inch carrier on the bed. She was confused that she didnt even know what she was doingthud, the cosmetic case that was thrown nervously collided with the carrier wall.
Ah!
She stopped the motion abruptly. The contents spilled out of the case where the lock was released. The lid of the skin, eye stick, essence cream, lipstick, and powder case was opened. A jumble of white powder spilled onto the stuffed clothes. The suitcase became a mess.
Whats this!
Hye-young, who felt weak at the knees, covered her face and floundered on the bed. Water dripped between her fingers. The past passed by like a flashlight. That worthless day without truth and love.
The price of choosing Veritas between Veritas and Caritas was harsh.
Life in America was a variation of pain and despair. With her extreme Korean mindset, she could not easily fit into American society. There was no day to feel at ease because of the differences in culture, food, language, and the huddles during the study.
The American Graduate School, which she challenged with a complete determination that a bird would fly if pushed from a cliff, was still tough. The triumphant start had hit a rock since the first day of the research process. An unexpected language issue blocked the way like an iron wall. The fast, harsh Southern accent drove her groggy. Not a single professor lectured with clear pronunciation like the English instructor in Korea. As she could not understand fully, there was no question to ask.
Moreover, the research process at the University of Santa Barbara was very different from the subjects at Korean universities. Korea and herself were big fish in a small pond. She was mesmerized by topics like Geographic Information System (GIS) and Spatial Cognition. She could not stand it, so she pledged the fall semester.
After taking a leave of absence from graduate school, she enrolled in a university-affiliated ESL course for six months. It was a shame that a graduate student, not even a college student, was taking ESL courses. She trained her mouth and ears at her best. She taught her tongue and ears to speak and listen to English better.
It was not easy to meet Asians on American campuses in the 1980s. Asian women were even rare. A pretty Asian woman was like a natural monument. Although she overcame the language problem, she encountered another hurdle of racism and curiosity from peers. She got attention wherever she went, and she had to suffer from a man who was constantly flirting.
The Earth Sciences graduate program at the University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) was ranked in the top 20 in the United States. Class hours per week amounted to 27 hours. To maintain the scholarship, she had to not miss lectures and seminars and thoroughly prepare for oral exams. She took a catnap and scrounged with hamburgers to save time. She could not afford a single moment to recall her love, who was left behind in Korea.
The teaching assistant and group study were essential in the graduate program. Most assignments were given as a group, and the assistant played a kingpin in the group study. Envy and jealousy always co-existed in the group study. When she stood out, envy and jealousy followed, and when she fell behind, she was despised with racial prejudice.
The intelligent and pretty In Hye-young no longer existed. Only a stupid and weary woman remained. She cursed herself for leaving the lover behind. Longing, regret, and the loneliness of being alone in this world led her to depression. She wanted to grab some straw to hang on to it, but nothing caught on it.
In her second year, she impulsively slit her wrist in the laboratory. The teaching assistant, Robert, discovered her on the verge of dying from excessive bleeding.
Robert was a devoted gentleman. It was Robert who arranged for a stable scholarship. She heard that a national institution funded the scholarship, but she was careless about where the fund was from. The money was the most important, not the source of funds. She was so desperate to receive the devils money.
Robert was the straw she could cling to. Why did she become close to Robert? Mussang was four years younger than her. She suppressed herself with the compulsion to take care of a younger lover and the perception to act like a mature adult in the relationship. It was unknowingly stressful. Robert, ten years older than her, was a giving person. Robert became a father. He became an older brother and became a friend to her.
There was another reason she was dependent on Robert. The role of the teaching assistant had absolute power in the research process. The degree graduate year and scholarship were determined by the teaching assistant and the degree of likability. Thanks to Robert, she positioned well in the study group and met the expectation of a picky Professor Samuel.
The relationship with Robert became intimate during the trekking in the Efalecian Mountains. It was a trip to celebrate her masters degree. She knew nothing about men but only Mussang. Mussang was solid and sincere. She did not realize how deadly a sugar-coated man could be. She did not know a saying C women are always attracted to bad boys. This could be a lame excuse. The psychological collapse caused her foolishness.
She discovered he was a married man a year after living with Robert. Anger burned the soul. She was angrier at him deceiving her rather than the fact that he was a married man. Robert actively defended himself and apologized. He asked if he was honest with his marital status in the first place and if she could feel for him. He said he was in the process of filing a divorce.
The event glossed over. Years went by in a vague neither living together nor parting. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldnt figure out the exact reason to allow an intimate relationship with a trashy man like him. She had to admit she gave in to reality.
She stopped by the lab to again collect the research materials. She witnessed the shocking scene. Robert had his pants down and shook his waist vigorously. The woman who lay on the work table and screamed was Susan from the graduate program. That disgusted her. She had goosebumps all over her body as if lice were crawling, and she was drinking car antifreeze.
Susan put her clothes back on and walked out with a smirk on her. Robert claimed it was loveless sex. He said he only loved Lynn. He was the most shameless guy in the world. She threw things like crazyanything to grab like scalpels, scissors, protractors, scales, etc. Robert took off like an irresponsible bastard. And this was how she ended up.
A full blue moon was floating outside the window. Santa Barbara was a clean area located on the Pacific coast. Abundant ozone colored the moon blue, and high pressure mixed the smell of the fishy sea with the scent of wine.
Tears welled up. She was dumbfounded to search for why the moon looked blue until that moment. She had gained knowledge and lost wisdom. She gained reason and lost her romance. She had lost its essence but gained her reputation.
.
My darling, do you still hate the cuckoos cry?
She terribly missed Mussang, who liked the moon and hated the cuckoos cray. It was devastating to recall when Mussang disappeared into the darkness, singing ChangHenge.
We met on the eighth day of April at NoInSong. Youve given me deep affection in the deserted basement! May the heavens be a sinner, now and forever. Even if there is an eternal heaven and earth, the sorrow will not continue endlessly. Sobbing, sobbing, sobbing!
A sob came out in the last verse. What a gentle and endless song of love! She could not remember the previous verse. Only the verse Be a non-wing, now and forever rang out.
Her eyes were filled with the last moment that her lover, stronger and smarter than anyone else, looked endlessly sad.
Squawk!
Hye-young cried as if she was about to spit out her intestines. she was sad and crying because she could not remember the verse of her lovers favorite song JangHanga and his gloomy face.
She lived in a dream for four years. The old Jeoksan house was a tomb where an elderly man who became an early adult and a dreamer puppy girl who looked up at the sky and dug the ground dreamed of it. When Mussang made the sound in the kitchen, her mouth became watering. Someone elses meat was tasty, someone else grilled it for her was tastier, and even the best ever when Mussang cooked it for her. He was the best chef to make simple soybean paste stew to taste 100 times better.
How about a seafood soup he cooked? The pot was stacked with octopus, midge, lily, squid, blue crab, clam, water parsley, and bean sprouts!.
Even with the same seasoning, he was capable of turning the tingling spiciness into happiness. When she crunched the vegetables, the sound came from her temples, not her mouth. She wanted to hug him. She wanted to feel that taste again.
She shed tears. What a degree! If he wanted, she could wear a provocative blouse that reveals her chest bones, put red flowers on his head, and sing the folksong Yookjabaegi in the rhythm of Jungjungmori Jajinmori like a prostitute.
Whats the use of masters and doctorate degrees in happiness? After she sent the farewell notice to him, she never stepped foot in Korea. She dared to meet him with her unfaithful body. But She wanted to know every trace of him. She wanted to run to the airport.
Oh, my love!
Her body, that burst out at his soft touch, became senseless. She never felt orgasm during her relationship with Robert. She missed his touch. She longed for his hard chest like steel and his strong center of the body.
.
Hye-young got up and went into the bathroom. She turned the water on ripe hot and cleaned with a towel as the skin was peeling off. Soon, the skin turned red, but she did not stop. Guilt pierced her heart. She wanted to peel off her contaminated body shell. She wanted to put herself into the washing machine and run it.
Chapter 647 - Episode 2 Veritas Caritas Justitia
The hands that caressed her breasts trembled. This was a pretty breast that Mussang described as a ripe red bean on an upturned white porcelain bowl. Taut tits like a broiler, a touch soft as cotton, the energy that makes you rise and fall heaven and hell dozens of times. Just thinking about it made your heart soar. I want to feel that touch. I want to hear that rich, baritone voice tickling my ear. I want to hug him so that my ribs are crushed.
Sob, sob! Why did you leave? Why?
Hye-young leaned against the wall and sobbed. He was the one she loved so much, but he was self-conscious about others opinions about his degree or age, though none of that was a big deal. Unlike a mother who abandoned her child, a cold-hearted father who was inferior to others did so well as to be moved. She poured gasoline on the longing that held down desire. She was awakened.
I dont need this at all. I need to meet him!
Hye-young suddenly jumped out of the bathroom. She ran into the built-in closet with dripping water without wiping her naked body. Jeans, blouses, and leggings flew through the air. The object in her hand was a thick notebook with a yellow cover.
The booklet, too large and heavy to hold in a small hand, was the phone book she had brought with her when she left Korea. It was the same phone book torn by a charioteer on the street to show his strength, and that was also always ready in two volumes (peoples directory, reciprocal book) from door to door.
Hye-young turned over the bookshelf and found it. The name of the owner of the incomparable rented room was Kim Cheol-soo. Hye-youngs eyes that had found Kim Cheol-soo were lost. The name Kim Cheol-soo filled three pages. There were more than 5,000 people on the national board when there were three pages of clear letters (length and width 210mm*297mm). There were also more than 20 Kim Cheol-soo from Waegwan-eup Waegwan-ri.
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Ahh!
Hye-young heaved a long sigh and threw away the phone book. The most common last name in Korea was Kim, and the most common name was Cheol-soo. It was like finding a Jack Edward in America. She realized that the years had passed longer than her name. For older people, seven years is nothing, but youth is a long time to change a life.
Hye-young calmed her excitement and dried herself with a towel in one hand and a hair dryer in the other. She dried herself like a northern fish to be placed on the ancestral rites table, like a ritual to remove the traces of dirt.
She packed her suitcase and picked up the phone. She booked a ticket with New York Airlines to Gimpo Airport and got dressed. She finished her runaway preparations and looked back at her room. The studio apartment she had lived in for five years had been transformed into someone elses room. Bang! She kicked her rear end against the front door and headed to the elevator. The sound of the auto-locking mechanism came from behind her.
Goodbye!
Hye-young waved her hand without looking back. Tap, tap, tap, the sound of shoes, and the sound of wheels rolling.
A fate once twisted would not let them go so quickly. Hye-youngs footsteps stopped right in front of the studio apartments entrance. A vulgar face, more disgusting than a screaming tick fanatic, blocked her path to Jesus heaven and the hell of the unbelievers. Hye-young moved slightly to the side and took a step. She thought shed get cancer if they talked.
Lin, that wasnt my intention. Susan first.
Robert smiled all over his face and muttered.
Shut up!
Hye-young shoved Robert, who tried to put his arm around her. What am I going to do with a scumbag like that? She shuddered. Even if you wash a car, its a people car, and if you put a turbo engine in a pony, it will not turn into a Lamborghini. The lice were smeared on the wiped body.
Lin, what are you up to? Where are you going?
Get out of my way! Im going back to my hometown.
Korea?
Roberts eyes widened as if he were being torn apart. Hye-young quietly moved forward.
Lin, if you do not last a few months, the doctors course is over.
Robert begged in a tearful voice.
Such a degree, you asshole!
Hye-young walked as if she were running.
Madam, please give me a moment.
It was a polite but peremptory tone. Hye-young flinched and stopped. This was the man who showed up with Robert. He stood 10 meters back like still life and appeared in front like a mirage.
Please call me Miss. Who are you?
Hye-young rolled her eyes. The salutation Miss made her stomach growl.
Ill do it. Call me Spector.
So?
It is about the state scholarship Ms. Lin has received so far.
Despite the hostile response, his expression did not change. He didnt even blink. He looked as if he had been injected with a vial of Botox in his face or was wearing a mask.
National Scholarship!
Hye-youngs shoulders dropped. Theres no such thing as a free lunch in the world. If you eat salt, you should turn on the water.
Id like to talk to you for a moment.
Sure.
Hye-young headed to the open-air cafe on the beach. Despite it being past midnight, many guests were occupying the table. They were pairs of young lovers who enjoyed wine. The open-air cafe, which lines up on the Santa Barbara beach, offers an outdoor stand for tasting and promotes a variety of wines.
If its wine, France, Italy, and Chile come first, but high-quality wines are also mass-produced in California. The Center of this is Santa Barbara. Hye-young entered the cafe with a tasting glass. Spector sat across her, and Robert sat at the table next to her with a glass of soda.
Miss Lin, are you giving up the doctoral program?
The blue eyes stared. Hye-young was terrified. She didnt feel any hint of warmth in his eyes. It was like looking at the eyeballs of a Burmese python. Suddenly she missed Mussang. If he were next to her, she wouldnt even be scared of dinosaur eyes, let alone python eyes
Im not giving up, but I want to rest now.
Hye-young was confused.
Good. Can I ask you why you want to rest?
I just want to rest
Hye-young replied with a sigh.
Can I see that as a synonym for giving up?
Her voice was dry, as if she were reading a book consistently. He was a man who was unlikely to bleed a drop of blood even if he was stabbed with a needle.
For now, I dont think it would be too wrong.
Hye-young replied in a cynical tone. I want to rest, so what reason is needed.
Im sorry.
Hye-young was terrified. She felt the smell of dark blood, not regret from the mans words.
Mussang, Im scared!
All of a sudden, sorrow soared.
Miss Lin, excuse me, but please reconfirm the agreement.
Spector pulled the file out of the old Dax briefcase and gave it to her.
Sure!
Hye-young, who was discouraged, quietly opened the file. It was a copy of the State Scholarship Agreement. At the time of the contract, she had only roughly read the credit maintenance part, subsidized amount, and degree-related matters and put it down. She didnt even remember where she put the contract. The rest are the fifth wheel. Robert brought the tasting wine and put it on the table. Hye-young put her nose into the contract without even looking at him.
f-3 If the signed beneficiary renounces their masters degree in the midway or the probability of obtaining a degree is significantly low, they are obliged to work for an organization designated by the Academy for three years.
.
h-4 If the signed beneficiary falls under case f-3 after obtaining a masters degree, they will work for five years at the Academy.
s-2 The signed beneficiary cannot refuse the work designated by the Academy. This includes overseas assignments.
s-3 The signed beneficiary automatically acquires US citizenship in the case of h-4.
t-1 The signed beneficiary agrees to the confidentiality pledge. The related work with the Academy shall be kept secret permanently. The Beneficiarys Pledge of Confidentiality is valid for life.
.
Hye-youngs eyes widened. Provisions she hadnt even thought of were lined up one after another. Then she felt that everything was weird. The national scholarship was too generous, covering tuition and living expenses if it was spared. She was a Korean international student who had nothing special. Pretty and intelligent women were all over the campus. It was unlikely that a long-term scholarship of a hefty amount would be granted.
Mr. Spector, what kind of academy is mentioned in the contract?
Its just an academy.
Is it an institution related to the government?
Of course. Miss Lin received a scholarship from the government of the United States of America for the past five years, paid by the peoples taxes.
Is it a secret institution?
No comment.
Is US citizenship automatically acquired?
Yes. You must give up your Korean nationality.
What if I dont give up?
You will give up.
What is the meaning of t-1?
It means that it is dangerous to leak a secret.
Does danger mean death?
No comment.
Ugh!
Hye-young wrapped her head around it. It was unclear whether the person she was talking to was a human or a robot. Sweet and spicy wine turned into thin and sour lemon juice. What was the name of the tasting wine? Hye-young desperately recalled the name of the wine to get rid of the ominous omens stuck to one side of her brain.
Miss Lin, can I ask where you are going?
No comment.
Hye-young mimicked Spector. Its purely reactionary.
Miss Lins booked flight to Korea has been canceled.
After all, it was just an imitation. A counter punch hit her temple.
What did you say? Is this the United States of America?
Hye-youngs voice rose. The eyes of the young couples, enjoying wine and cocktails, all turned to Hye-young. Spector waved his hand. Gazes disappeared like a lie.
Thats right. The United States values the agreement.
Spector didnt even flinch. That reminded her of the name of the wine.
Trickery!
Hye-young muttered softly. The name of the wine was trickery. She was caught in a tough cobweb set by a sloppy rocker.
Miss Lin, the Academy respects your wishes. If you comply with only a few rules, you are free.
You canceled my flight as you wish, and now you say I am free?
Hye-young had anxiety ahead before she got angry. It meant that an institution called the Academy was closely watching her every action. She remembered the rumors circulating on the campus secretly. It was rumored that intelligence agencies were using international students with economic support bait for experiments or as sources of information. It was said that the target is South American and Asian students with poor pockets. It was a rumor that had been around for a long time, but she didnt like it.
Do I need to go back to the studio apartment?
Hye-youngs voice trembled.
No. Your abode has changed.
Hye-young looked back at Robert, who was sitting at the table next to her. Roberts gaze wandered through the night sea as if he were in another world. A handful of anger erupted at the bystanders attitude.
Robert, was it planned?
My love is not a lie. I still love you as much as my life.
Robert glanced away from Hye-youngs gaze.
God, oh, my god!
Hye-young stumbled. I knew you were a person who was irresponsible and impulsive, but I didnt know that you would be this careless. This guy deliberately pushed himself into a trap. She wanted to tear the mouth of this grumpy and shameless white guy.
You bastard!
Splash- Hye-young replaced the dirty feeling by pouring the wine left in the glass on his face. Robert, covered in wine, pulled a napkin without speaking and wiped his face.
Miss Lin, well guide you to your new abode.
Spector was unconcerned about Hye-youngs deviant behavior. He only said what he had to say.
Is he really a robot?
Hye-young felt a strange sense of discomfort. Spector seemed like a human being who lacked emotion. Humans also act according to the input data and situations, but they cannot be unresponsive to the feelings of others like Spector.
******
Then, please rest.
Spector finished guiding Assistant No. 18 and turned around calmly. The mission that brought back the hen who wanted to escape the chicken coop was over. The agents stupid actions almost cut a hole in the chicken coop management.
Hye-young cringed as she opened the front door of the new studio apartment. [Veritas Caritas Justitia] was hung on the front wall, and a mirror was hung at the bottom of the frame. Hye-youngs surprised eyes scanned the room.
Oh my god!
Hye-young screamed. The objects in her studio apartment had been moved as are. Less than an hour later, they were placed in precisely the position they were in. Even the trash can that had been kicked and rolled at the foot of the bed was still there.
The only strange thing was a white envelope on the living room table. Hye-young opened the envelope with a trembling hand. Two hundred-dollar bills came out. Hye-young kept getting goosebumps. The cancellation fee for a ticket to Korea departing on the same day was $200.
She kept getting goosebumps. It felt like Alice in Wonderland. She didnt know what the Academy was, but it was certain that she had fallen into the ant ghosts den. The ant cave that you cant escape from no matter how hard you hit!
The next day, the world suddenly changed. No, the world hasnt changed a little. She has changed. The world she was used to became uncomfortable. When she left the studio apartment, a gaze followed her right behind, and when she entered her room, the gaze dropped.
She even suspected that the organization called the Academy was testing repressive psychology. It could be a victim mentality, but the other party is a meticulous organization that even sent the ticket cancellation fee. She felt sorry for herself that she was in a situation where she had no choice but to suffer no matter what they did.
Mussang, maybe I like it!
Chapter 648 - Episode 3 Veritas Caritas Justitia
Hye-young choked. There was no direct threat, but the feeling of being suppressed was stressful. The only person who could relieve her hag-ridden heart was 10,000 kilometers beyond the Pacific Ocean. If she called for him, would he even hear her since theres quite a distance between them! Would he be able to cover her shoulders and tell her everything is fine, that she could relax? She lost all of her energy.
Unlike Korea, US administrative agencies policy-making and execution moved within a reasonable and predictable range. Excessive physical force by the police was often a scandalous topic, but that is inevitable in a society where guns are common. What is the value of an ordinary Asian student studying abroad to restrict human rights using abnormal means? No matter how much she thought about it, she couldnt figure out why.
Growl-
The signal from the stomach interrupted the thought process. Come to think of it, all she had since the evening before yesterday was a glass of wine. The moment she recognized her hunger, her stomach roared. Her insides felt like they were twisting with hunger. The white envelope on the living room table looked like a bowl of noodles.
Haha!
Dumbfounded, Hye-young laughed. She wanted Mussang like a baby longing for her mothers breast. She struggled with a longing that felt like death Should she jump off of the roof? What a body, flipping out with hunger when she was just thinking about stabbing her chest with a knife! She was mortified.
What a solemn instinct of conservation of ones self. She remembered an actors line, You are not dead until you are dead. Shes never heard of a mother that lost her child to have died from starvation. Insanity, maybe, but not death from starvation. A widow with a husband that faced sudden death, lying behind the folding screen, still filled her stomach with puffy eyes. That was humankind. Yes, living humans have to eat; if one wanted to live, one would have to eat.
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Hye-young got up and put a parka on, and grabbed her wallet. She needed protein and carbohydrates to comfort her stomach. She stopped as she left for the front door, then threw off her coat. She didnt want to feel the unpleasantness of being watched. She opened the refrigerator just in case.
As expected, there was pizza and hamburgers. These people were just amazing. Anyway, an organization called the Society will soon take action. There was no point in worrying about an event that hadnt happened. A jew wandering the wilderness wouldnt stop facing hardship just because they entered Ghana. Theres no life without wounds!
Hye-young bit through the cold pizza without even heating it. Its ridiculous, but physical hunger beats psychological hunger. [Veritas Caritas Justitia] sorrowful stare looked down at Hye-young.
******
Paseo Nuevo Alley, on a holiday, the red-brick road was empty without a single car, except for a pedestrian from time to time, and the sound of saxophone at the musical instrument store frequently missed the beat. Flower pots were surely placed on the windows along the leisurely alley of white Spanish-style buildings, and red ivy covering the wall shook leaves in the sea breeze.
The benches, sparsely placed on both sides of the street, were occupied by an old man emitting cigar smoke and an old woman who put down a shopping basket. The leisurely scenery made her heart throb. Until 50 hours ago, she was a part of a peaceful landscape, but now she has become an outsider.
The wind that ran from the faraway sea swept through the alley. All the ivy leaves shook, and the unknown flowers by the window were flattered. She remembered the ivy at her homeland house that used to act pompous with the wind of the Nak-dong River.
A skillful man weaving a boat with ivy leaves to float on a palm-sized pond of hiraniwa garden, a woman tapping the palms of her hands while giggling, and an alley heading home were a path to a paradise just for her.
Where is he, and what is he doing?
There is not much to do in Korea for a person who is a high school dropout with an ex-convict label. Although he is a remarkable human being, Korean society is not open enough for a person with no educational background and a criminal record to succeed. Doesnt matter, anyway. Hes capable, and she will be the support he can rely on. Hye-young comforted herself with a sweet imagination.
Hahaha!
A loud laugh broke the afternoons leisure. A young couple appeared at the entrance of the alley. The man was as thin as an anchovy, and the woman was as fat as a hippo. The anchovy and hippo wrapped around each other and rubbed so hard that she worried their pelvis might get bruised. The white woman shook her long hair around and constantly laughed, wondering what was so joyful. A generous amount of flesh jiggled like waves.
Why do they like girls who cant even care for their bodies?
Hye-young murmured. The woman wrapped her right hand around the mans waist like a snake and held a bag of nuts in her left hand. No idea if she may have become fat because she is gluttonous or if her being a glutton made her fat, but if a woman who looks like a teenager had a Michelin tire around her waist, she did not take care of herself.
Self-care? Oh my!
Hye-youngs head felt dizzy as if a hammer had hit her. It was her who couldnt manage herself. She was the one who threw herself at lousy trash and shamelessly tried to find him. Did she, by chance, become influenced by American society, which considers sex as easy as shaking hands? Suddenly, a girl with a dark face with a countrified name passed through her mind, and she felt chills down her spine.
Hye-young had forgotten Jo Jin-soon, who she had driven away from a sense of defeat. A girl, wearing a school uniform, who was taller than herself with a bigger chest, a girl who was said to have stopped by Mussangs home he had lived alone in since she was in the second grade of middle school to cook, wash and clean for him.
Jin Soon is a girl who wandered around Bangtae Mountain in winter in search of missing Mussang, entered a department store as a clerk at the age of 16 to earn Mussangs tuition, and is a potent girl who waited every single day for seven months with supper cooked for Mussang when he was imprisoned in Daegu Detention Center.
[Why are you doing unnecessary things?]
[How tough and bitter must it be for Mussang. He is not guilty, so he will be right back. I need to have something warm ready for him to eat.]
Her bold reply was vivid as if it had happened yesterday.
[ If I reached out, I could touch your face, but I hid my hand because I was afraid you would get away. Please tell me just once that I can reach out my hidden hand. Never mind, dont say anything. Im just going to be a shadow like this]
The diary I secretly peeked into had ink smeared everywhere from wet tears, and the damp paper had dried up and wrinkled. Can humans even love other humans this much? She was fed up with it, so she had nothing else to do but walk away.
What if Jin-soon was in her shoes right now? Would she have thrown her body out from loneliness? Theres no way. That girl regarded loneliness as a luxury. The girl would have dismantled chickens at the poultry farm and carried manure around at a vineyard so she could earn Mussangs tuition.
Where there is Mussang, there is Jo Jin-soon. Whether its hell or heaven, that was s a fact. Hye-young felt like she was falling off of a cliff. Hye-young abandoned her loved one to achieve her ambition, and Jo Jin-soon abandoned herself for her loved one. Thats the difference between the two. She had no place to stand. A sense of defeat swept through her body.
******
What the hell is the problem? You stubborn Korean bitch!
Robert threw down the glass he was holding. CRUNCH C A glass that collided with a large spectroscope was fallen a heroic death. Sex? They enjoyed each other, what is the problem? He didnt understand Lynn, who suddenly was acting like a modest lady.
There are plenty of sex partners. Lynn, intelligent with beauty, was a loss, but she was not enough to be upset about. The problem was a phone call he got a while ago. Californian handicrafts-man (Full-member of Freemason) has announced a 30-point deduction. It takes three years to recover the deduction. It was a bolt out of the blue for him, who had been waiting for the day to leave the trainee status.
I cant believe this is happening because of one assistant!
Robert was very much twisted. Of course, it was his own mistake. If Spector did not take immediate action, Lynn would have flown back to Korea. It is an obvious mistake as an agent who discovers and manages the employees needed for the organization, but the disciplinary action was way excessive.
The United States is a country where Freemasons are firmly established. Freemasons were deeply entrenched in agencies with authority and the business world. Soon the national interest became a benefit of Freemasons.
The official name of the association was the United States Institute of Energy Management and Development. One of the direct henchmen of the Socrates Project Committee under the DIA was a sub-organization of the Freemasons. The society maintained a pool of talents by supporting financially troubled gifted ones.
The gifted ones that belonged to the talent pool were called assistants. The society makes use of assistants to its liking when necessary. They were used as a researcher, informant, donor, etc., and some were even mobilized for shady research and disappeared silently according to the rules of Gamma No. 2.
Robert, a trainee, was unaware that the organization was keeping an eye on Hye-young. Freemasons kept a close watch on Korea, which was growing into an Asian powerhouse. Hye-young was chosen as a member of the organization to be dispatched to Korea.
The identity of the national scholarship Hye-young received was the living expenses paid by Freemasons. The organization treated the assistant relatively reasonably. They solved economic difficulties, and the assistant needed to work for a fixed period of time. Of course, breaking the rules resulted in restrictions, but that was the same for any organization.
It depended on which rules, though. The DIA Gamma Rule followed a top-secret elimination guideline that granted the project manager absolute authority. When Gamma is invoked, the person in charge could eliminate any internal and external adversaries against the project.
Gamma 1 restricts the fundamental legal rights of personnel mobilized for the project. No. 2 can dispose of the personnel engaged in the project without trial. No. 3 eliminates one part or all project personnel. No. 4 wipes out external adversaries. Robert was completely unaware that his life was in jeopardy.
******
Fifteen days passed. Hye-young keenly felt that she could not soothe her physical hunger with the delivery of food nor soothe the hunger of her soul with TV. She was tired of just looking at pizza, hamburgers, and kung-pao chicken. She was desperate for the spicy taste that tingled her tongue and burned her throat.
Unable to resist, she bought kimchi and rice at World Mart and roughly bought spices, including red pepper powder. She wasnt sure if it was made by Koreans here or imported from Korea, but she appreciated that there was kimchi on the aisle at the mart.
She had no experience in making kimchi stew. In the United States, she did not cook at all, and when they were in Korea, Mrs. Deoksan and Mussang were in charge of cooking. She recalled what she saw Mussang do while cooking. The stock was made with dried shrimp and onions, and kimchi and pork were stir-fried in a frying pan. She added different ingredients to the boiling water and then heated it.
The sour smell of kimchi filled the small studio apartment. Hye-youngs impression distorted as she tasted it. She didnt expect high quality, but it was plain and just spicy. The kimchi stew made by Mussang was not like this. It burned her tongue, heated her throat, and set fire to her chest.
Her forced cheerfulness turned gloomy again. She wanted to put the stew pot in the trash can. First time for everyone! Hye-young comforted herself and pushed the poor-tasting rice and stew down her throat like a widow who lost her husband eating rice and stew at the funeral home.
Rrrr- the doorbell rang. Even the sound of the doorbell was as squeaky as the kimchi stew. She stuck her chopsticks in the rice bowl and pushed her eye into the small hole on the front door. The convex lens showed a waning yet clear face. Hye-young opened the door with the chain still in place.
You still have things to do here?
Honey, can we sit at the table and talk?
Robert looked as pitiful as a beggar begging at the entrance to Goletta Beach Park.
Robert, if it were inviting all the people in the world to the table, youd be the six billionth one.
Ow, thats cold. Were closer than this.
We definitely are not!
Hye-young pulled the handle of the front door. Robert stuck his hand urgently.
What a temper, and I came here because of the society.
Stop being funny!
Hye-young pulled the handle as hard as she could.
Hey! Im telling you the truth. Check this out~.
Robert screamed. There was a plastic ID card in the hand stuck in the door. Hye-young snatched the piece of plastic away. It was a temporary researcher identification card from the United States Geological Survey.
So?
Hye-young sharply raised her eyes. She didnt want to let a lump of filth inside the house.
Damn, Reagans office would be easier to get into than here. You still havent gotten over it? I apologize from the bottom of my heart. My mind must have gone out for a while.
Oh, my God, why did I with that kind of man
Hye-young shuddered at the uneasy feeling as if she had lard all over her. He doesnt even know what hes done wrong. The blue eyes that once appeared likable seemed like a muddy puddle with all kinds of filth.
If youre going to talk about personal things, get the hell out of here!
Damn, my nails cant even squeeze in.
Robert kicked his tongue at the cold message for him to leave. He couldnt understand Lynns behavior. Men and women cannot eat steak every day. Sometimes they eat pasta, hamburgers, and Chinese food. He was frustrated with Lynn trying to end everything for good after only tasting some Chinese food.
You have to take a flight to Africa in three days. Its a geological survey.
Geological survey?
Hye-young opened the door. A geological survey business trip caught her attention.
Chapter 649 - Episode 1 Green Flow
Hae Young squinted her eyes in excitement at the mention of Africa.
Africa was an old continent. The reason why it had fewer rugged mountains and high peaks, compared to Asia or America, was that the geography of the continent had been through wear and tear caused by its weather for the longest period of time. In fact, a sacred place to a geographer was not Jerusalem or Mecca, but rather Africa.
It offered plenty of opportunities in gaining knowledge. Africa was diverse and colorful, with an endless spread of black rocks and red sand, and stars dancing and filling up the sky as if they were about to pour out. It was an endless green carpet, the bare skin of the earth whispering ancient secrets. Hae Youngs brain was filled with adrenaline rushing from all of the excitement. Her heart was racing. The excitement building up within her was enough to even calm an upset stomach.
Oh, the smell is driving me crazy! Can you do something about it?
Robert shuddered while pinching his nose.
Get out if you dont like it. I dont want to argue with you over cultural differences. I dont always enjoy the foul smell of Caucasus either.
Hae Young raised her eyes. He always sucked at reading the atmosphere.
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All right, all right.
Robert raised both of his arms in surrender.
Go ahead.
As an aftermath of the huge earthquake that took place in the Great Lift Valley in June, massive landslides have occurred in the Republic of Zaire and the Western Highlands of Rwanda. The Cambrian metamorphic rock strata in the northeast of Lake Albert has been exposed.
Precambrian Era! Which period?
Hae Youngs eyes sparkled. Even though the Pre-paleozoic Era was lumped together with the Precambrian Era, it still spanned a long period of four billion years, which was made up of 2.6 billion years of the Archeozoic Era and 1.4 billion years of the Proterozoic Era. Though the secrets of the early Earths creation and chemical evolution process were hidden well, to discover a vivid nodule (just a stratum revealed on the surface) was like finding a needle in a haystack. If one was lucky enough to find a fossil, a doctorate thesis would not seem so far away.
The distribution of potassium-argon (K-Ar) isotope spectrum in a sample ranges from 600 million years to 1.2 billion years. As always, its not certain, but we cant just measure carbon based on that.
Hae Young nodded. Carbon radiation measurements were relatively accurate, but the half-life was short, making it difficult to apply to Precambrian stratigraphic dating.
Whos the leader of the investigation team?
Naturally, it is Professor Samuel, and the professor nominated you specifically. By any chance
Robert glanced sideways at Hae Youngs chest, mumbling the last part of what he was saying. Hae Young pretended like she didnt notice. He was not even worth getting angry at as it was tiring to have to confront another animal who only recognized sex.
What do I need to prepare for?
Not much. This investigation team has a strong support team. You just need to prepare your personal hygiene products. Such as
Okay. Get out now if youre done talking.
Hae Young cut him off mid-sentence. It was easy to predict what he was about to say. Not only was he vulgar, but he was also a dastard.
Honey, can I sleep here tonight?
Damn you bastard! Die!
Hae Young picked up a kitchen knife with kimchi sauce still on it. Her pent-up anger was about to explode.
Oh! Blood, blood!
Upon seeing kimchi sauce left on a cutting board, Robert was frightened out of his wits and opened the front door to run out.
You pigeon-hearted bastard!
CRASH!
Hae Young, still panting, threw the kitchen knife into the sink. As her agitation and anger subsided, she was now filled with sadness and depression. She stared at the food that looked like a greasy virus floating in the soup, which could hardly be called Kimchi stew. Though she put in so much effort to make it, she still could not bring herself to dip the spoon in it. Without a second thought, Hae Young poured the cold Kimchi stew into a trash can.
Africa was no strange place. The academic advisor, Samuel, was someone fascinated by the mono-layer of the Precambrian Era in the Great Eastern African Territories. The professor, who discovered the rock layer from the Preproterozoic Era in the mono-layer zone, went half crazy. He left for Zaire once the exploration expenses were ready. It was understandable since he had looked into a strand of the mystery of the formation of the earth. This exploration was his fifth expedition.
It turned out rather well. After all, an African mole cricket covered in dirt was a hundred times better than a slut.
Hae Young rushed to the lab at once. Topographic maps, aerial photographs, ruler, denominator, clinometer, telescope, magnifier, camera, hammer, hand ax, sample holder, power drill the list of geological survey items she needed to pack had no end.
And the evil bastard said that all Id have to pack were hygiene products!
Hae Young released her anger by kicking Roberts locker, and then she packed her feminine hygiene products.
Edwards Air Force Base, located in Antelope Valley on the western tip of the Mojave Desert, was the worlds largest air force base, known for its military aircraft, rockets, and other missile tests. But actually, only a small portion of the information was known to the public.
The U.S. Air Force and NASA jointly used a vast 400 km^2 site in comparison to Incheon Airport of 56km^2, which boasted the dignity of the Cheonjo Kingdom (One quadrillion kingdom). The 06R/24T area facing the desert at the southwest side of the base was a high-flying reconnaissance aircraft main station. It was also the area where the dead alien body controversy took place in the 1960s.
A figure entered the 06R/24T parking ramp of the C5 Galaxy, a strategic transport aircraft. It turned out to be a taxi that had brought the exploration team to Africa for a non-stop flight.
Vroom!
The sound from a nose cone came. Three Humvees that were waiting started to climb the slope.
CLANG! CLANG!
Two M113 armored vehicles followed. The Galaxy could easily be able to gobble up five combat vehicles.
Subsequently, tug cars pushed their heads in one after another, while workers in green attire moved busily on the Caesars Plate. By the time loading of exploration and experimental equipment was finished, three limousines had entered a parking ramp. Civilians carrying personal backpacks descended from the first limousine. There were 15 exploration teams led by Professor Samuel. Then, 33 soldiers dressed in black got off the limousine that followed. The soldiers were immediately sucked into the body of Galaxy, without sparing a look at the exploration team nor making any sound.
Hae Young tilted her head. A cold feeling of lacking emotions emanated from the soldiers dressed in black. They were similar to Spector who prevented them from going to Korea. It was also hard to understand the composition of the exploration team. There were only four geologists, including herself, Professor Samuel, Robert, and Kerry.
The remaining 11 were personnel coming from the physics and chemistry fields. There was no rule that prohibited physicists and chemists from accompanying the geological exploration team, but it seemed way too much. On top of that, there was no assistant in sight such as interpreters, medical personnel, correspondence personnel, and cooks.
Should I eat Ugalina Fufu (an African style Bindaetteok, which is Korean mung bean dough but made of casava dough instead) that the natives rubbed with their bare hands? They are not going to serve Yakori (edible larva) putty, are they?
Hae Young was rather concerned. Africa was not bad, but she hated its food and water. Furthermore, the area to be explored was close to where the entire Areva resource team was kidnapped. Hence, the heavily armed safety team accompanying them was understandable. It was assisting personnel that was the problem.
Were not going to fill up our stomach with military C-rations, are we?
Hae Young looked at Samuel, the advisor. She hated unsanitary food, but the leery water filtered through the filtration system and injected with disinfectants was disgusting as well. That was the limit for Hae Young, who had never tasted tear-stained bread.
Lynn, do you know about black and white rice in Africa? Black rice is food made from scorched fire ants.
Professor Samuel grinned.
Is white rice made from white ants?
Hae Young crinkled her forehead.
Excellent! As expected, the human cerebral neocortex is great. Only humans are capable of the process of association. Dont forget that we are mole crickets. Being obsessed with incomplete vision and taste will destroy the identity of mole cricket.
Professor Samuel spoke in a backhanded manner. In other words, he was saying, eat whatever you are given.
What about an interpreter?
Ill bring in the chimpanzees that Mrs. Jane Goodall adores.
Professor Samuel glossed over with a soulless reply. Hae Young got emotional. This meant that she was not the key personnel.
Lynn, you dont have to worry. The advanced team has already paved the way and is building a camp.
Robert tried to wrap his arm around her shoulder. Hae Young didnt even look at him and slapped his arm away.
By the time the committee sent a dual-purpose expedition team, the jungle outside Mombasa, the Jair Ituri province, was suffering. The loud gunfire and roar of dozens of heavy equipment engines shook the jungle, and the insecticide, emitted by the fumigation company and thus covering the workplace, was white.
The site where The Engineering Battalion of the U.S. Army Corps that the committee deployed a month ago was paving a 6m wide and 125km long road from Brina to Ngongpanwaza. Man-made machines were great. The Corps of Engineers used their strength to dig through the jungle at a speed of 30 kilometers per week.
When five X-Cabeta logging saw machines cut off a giant tree at once, an extraction machine picked it up and threw it out of the road. When the excavator pulled out the tree trunk, the bulldozer pushed the ground while the vibration roller pressed down on the ground and flattened it.
The huge Abyssinica, which was more than 3m in diameter at the bottom, could not stand a chance, and a murder swamp covered by midge could not stop machine corps from advancing. Poisonous insects and snakes covered with powerful organic phosphorus insecticide were dying in piles, and the beasts took flight at the sound of gunfire and roar. The fearless terror bird was turned into a hive by gunfire.
There were no external factors to hinder the rushing construction work. There were no landowners to play tug-of-war over acceptable prices, no environmental protestors lying on the ground, and no conservationists calling for the protection of salamanders. The Jungle Road, later called 27 North Ituri Road, was almost completed.
The survey team of the Armys Geographic Intelligence Bureau, which was dispatched with the Engineering Battalion, also showed as much power as the Engineering Battalion. In just three weeks, the survey team drew a contour topographic map, cross-sectional diagram, and structural contour (corner line) in a 10-kilometer radius around Ngongpanwaza.
Since contours were lines that connected places of the same height, the geological boundary was parallel to the contours. Once the contour map was completed, the recapitulative stratification was considered to be almost over. Professor Samuels team did not need to waste time on preliminary work, and Hae Youngs worries were also temporary.
Vroom!
A Humvee galloped through rough ground that showed its red inners. A lieutenant colonel whose uniform was covered in white salt jumped out of the Humvee.
Commander, its opened.
The engineering battalion commanders expression was full of pride. In 35 days, they broke through the 125-kilometer road and built a sector. There had never been such powerful and hasty construction work done in the history of the U.S. Army of Engineers. He lost 40 men, but it was an inevitable sacrifice.
Nicely done. Two days ahead of schedule.
A firmly-built soldier with a shining star on his shoulder tapped his palm with a baton. He was Freemasons handicrafts-man and also the supervisor of Green Flow appointed by the committee, sector commander Brigadier General McKinley.
There were casualties today as well. Sergeant Davis, who was hit by Black Mamba, didnt even have time to inject anti-toxins. Sergeant Peterson, who gave up his leg to a crocodile, is preparing to be evacuated.
Hmm thats too bad.
McKinley offered his soulless condolences. Lieutenant Colonel Weavers face fell. The commander was heartless. His subordinate died while the other was crippled, but all he could say was that it was too bad.
The crew is exhausted. We need a break.
All right. Take a break in the sector and continue working on the outside of the barbed wire at night.
There are too many poisonous insects running into the light. The fumigation company is also dying and falling over.
Lieutenant Colonel Weaver showed some discontent.
We are soldiers. Reinforce the insecticide sprayer and proceed. The research team will arrive tomorrow.
A cold-blooded and dry order has been dropped.
Yes, sir!
Lieutenant Colonel Weaver retreated without a word. Soldiers obey orders and there is no excuse.
Hahaha, the promotion of the Major General is just around the corner. Cant waste time.
McKinley grinned. No organization was as closed and unreasonable as the military. Whether it was a developed or underdeveloped country, the sigh and sacrifices of countless soldiers were bound to follow until a star was made. Some countries were overflowing with money for building high-end officers hotels and golf courses, even if there were no medical expenses for soldiers whose ankles had been blown away by landmines.
At the headquarters of the DGSE in Paris, Bonipas pushed a thick report he was reading and opened the map. Scale 1: 5,000. This was a military map of eastern Zaire. The exposed strata in the Mombasa region caught by the satellite were not much of his interest. The problem was the uranium mine in Areva S.A, 110 kilometers west of Buni. Large-scale mining facilities had been built and platform mining had begun. If anything happened, there would be huge damage.
The master cleared the room, but the credit is for Yankees to take. I cant turn a blind eye to national interests just because I dont like Javer. The bullies gathering in Ennedi is also a problem.
Bonipas cut off the end of the Gauloises with a cutter. Cigarettes were the best when one couldnt concentrate. After the destruction of the Voodoo forces led by Kamuge, the area of Mambasa became an owner-less mountain. This was because the existence of the terrifying Mahaduraka (Black Mamba) and Bodoon (Ssamdi) was spreading through the mouths of the Pygmy tribe.
The Black Forest was the realm of the Great Spirit that swallowed the Damballah led by an evil sorcerer. In Africa, zombies and monsters possessed by the evil spirit such as the Great Spirit, Bodoon, and Houngan, were not beings in fairy tales but in reality. Fear brought forth another fear. No armed forces, including the Mai-Mai rebels, dared enter the jungle of Ituri ruled by the Great Spirit.
Chapter 650 - Episode 2 Green Flow
Like a natural disaster, the effect of Black Mamba was attributed to Chairman Javer. As highly qualified nuclear scientists and engineers returned to the company, he could keep the Benny Uranium mine, which had an estimated value of 5 billion. Furthermore, he took care of the morality and loyalty of his employees. It was the same as Black Mamba sowed and Javert reaped.
There should be a reason why Yankee made a fuss I am also concerned about Novatopia. I dont want to call the Master, Bonipas murmured.
Yankees intentions were also suspicious, but Benny mine would be in danger if pressured armed rebels advanced to the Ituri jungle.
Armed groups in the southeastern part of the Ennedi Plateau, which expanded their scope of activities, were also concerning. It would be okay if they were the Sudanese rebels, who targeted the remnants of Frolinat or Darfur. But what if they were targeting Novatopia with milk and honey?
He believed in the cruel hammer of Ssamdi, Dino, and Tubaiburpa, but no one knew the future. Novatopia couldnt rely on the Masters force and charisma forever. If the group that nurtured its power in Ennedi was against Novatopia, then it had to be eradicated on its own at some sacrifice. That was Novas duty.
If Master came forward, it would solve with no harshness. However, he did not want to call the Master, like the souls owner and his child, into a bloody battlefield. Ombutti and seven hammers idea was not different. The point was that there was no suitable agent to go into the Ituri jungle.
Beep! Beep! The interphone rang.
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Your Excellency, Gloxmann has arrived.
Let him in!
A middle-aged man with a stylish Kaiser beard entered. Its Gloxmann, a new intelligence chief. Gloxmann frowned involuntarily. Although it had been more than a year since he started to work in the office as the head of the department, the general directors smoking taste which smelled like a fish rotting and full of smoke, was still disgusting.
Director, what if you change your taste?
Whats wrong with Gauloises? Bonipas refuted.
Shouldnt you at least be up to Svard Gulbeigs level of standards?
Gloxmann took a flat case of cigarettes out of his coat pocket. A savory smell spread throughout the room when he opened the case lid. Ten reddish-brown cigars with an intact pattern of tobacco leaves appeared. A thick cigar coated with the pure golden thin film was a premium Cohiba Gigolo called Bolivar. Bonipass nose fluttered.
Is this a bribe?
Yes! It is about 200 dollars. You should try it.
Gloxmann grinned and cut off the end with a cutter.
I appreciate the bribe; however, it is not a time to discuss my taste.
Bonipas picked up his cigarette without any facial expression.
Ha, such a serpent in a pool. It should be hard to get dinner.
Gloxmann clicked his tongue inside. The DGSE staff seemed to keep suffering from a fish rot smell.
Landed at 12:30.
Gloxmann reported without a subject or object.
How many?
Three shadow teams and 15 civilians were seen on the expedition.
Hmm, is it the advanced team? Whats the point of Yankee renting a runway and Hercules?
It would be a threat to not ask for a free ride.
Gloxmann had a bitter smile.
Well, its not lithium. Wed taken credit and information, but we still couldnt find a clue about what theyre looking for.
Bonipas made a rough guess, but he didnt show his true intentions like a Serpent.
They might be looking for an Excalibur.
I dont care if they are looking for Excalibur or the Holy Grail, but our property is the point.
Its going to happen soon. The triangular points connecting Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Vnia is a red zone that Mobutu has given up. A good appetizing snakehead jumped into a puddle full of hungry catfish and piranhas. There is a good chance that Yankee and local armed forces will clash. When a collision occurs, useful information can be obtained.
Whats the status of Black Beans?
The Mai-Mai militia is estimated at 5,300, and the Rwandan FDLR is estimated at 2,000. There are more than a dozen minor armed forces of hundreds of men. The rugged mountainous and sky-clad jungles are also the best conditions for guerrillas to live in.
Of course, it will not be a human being if you are not jealous of El Dorado, which is full of Gold, Uranium, copper, Bauxite, and Nickel. I feel I would like to step in too.
Bonipas showed his self-interest. Novatopia solved the food and water problem but lacked underground resources.
We have great France and 15,000 loyal men.
Gloxmann responded.
Im just kidding. Mitterrand will kick my butt if theres a kidnapping like last time or if the Benny mine is occupied. I will be in big trouble if I get fired. My wifes spending is too much, and I still have open tabs from Ovidul (A premium wine bar in Champs Elysees).
Bonipas spun the rotating chair from side to side and tapped the chairs handle with a fountain pen in his hand. This performance demonstrated a helpful opinion.
Black Mamba, I mean, Mr. Svard Gulbeig will be summoned.
What did you say? Black Mamba?
Bonipas opened his eyes.
If you send your troops little by little, it will be hard to survive in the Ituri jungle. It will also lead to a nightmare of Indochina.
So, you need a superman?
You dont need to bring the nightmare from 40 years ago. The Areva situation smashed our entire time. Its hard to guarantee results if we send a squadron of courtship to the Airborne Brigade.
Black Mamba is a freelancer. We cannot force him.
He is still a French citizen.
Have you checked on him?
Bonipas asked, pretending not to know.
According to reports, he went to college. He has recently acquired a small textile company. He seems to be spending time to the point I become jealous.
Ha, thats Black Mamba. The Korean Government still doesnt seem to know about him.
We had little trouble with intelligence, but its all fine now.
Huh, there is a reason why they are still in an underdeveloped country. They dont recognize and cant use talented people. The Black Mamba is a double-edged sword. He is quite expensive.
Bonipas chuckled. An intelligence agent was staying at the embassy. Gloxmann could not know the Masters route, but he did not know anything.
However, he is worth it. Nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons are our pride. If there is something wrong with the Areva, there is a strong possibility that Greenpeace will take it over like a tick. A clumsy response will recreate the Rainbow incident (the DGSE agent blew up a nuclear-resistant Greenpeace vessel). The best way is moving Svard Gulbeig with the Yankee as an anvil.
Gloxmann insisted firmly. Bonipas fully understood. There were tweezers, but no one could mobilize a dull drill. Ironically, France, one of the best countries of nuclear power, had no uranium mines on its territory. When the second Areva crisis broke out, the leftist party gained strength and public opinion on nuclear energy deteriorated. Gloxmanns concern was not a quirk.
Hey, Boss, no matter how much you catch a cockroach, it keeps crawling out. I wiped them out in my house and then the next cockroaches moved in. For whom should I wipe out the rebels?
Gloxmanns neck shrunk up at a subtle rebuke. When Serpent was calling someone by their title, his feeling was offended.
Should we send an agent, Sector?
No. If Black Mamba is the Richelieus cannon (the largest battleship in French built-in 1940. It has a 14-inches main gun with a load of 47,500 tons), Lup Deng is a firecracker.
If you play it well, the firecracker is also a good gun. We inserted a slipper in the Yankees exploration team. If we wake our slippers up in proper time and support them from the outside, we will get some unexpected results.
Great. The manager wont play anymore. First, tie the exploration teams feet to Djibouti and put Lup Deng in.
Yes, sir. Aircraft will not allow having minor maintenance problems.
Gloxmann grinned.
Hurry up. Black Mamba summons is on hold.
Bonipas did not allow Black Mambas summons even though he was the only answer. Master was no longer the evil of the battlefield but the king of a country. And Novatopia was a hundred times more precious than Areva.
Yes, Sir.
Bonipas lit the cigarette with Cohiba Gigolo in his mouth after Gloxmann left.
Damn it. Master took all the good things. I need to ask after him. It would not be bad to get some fresh air for a while. Miss Edel is still waiting tho
Bonipas sneaked out his intention by self-justification.
The next day, the counter-terrorism sector under the DGSE operations department dispatched 20 agents called Lup Deng to Benny. It was a supporting team. There were signs that blood storms had been revealed in the Ruwenzori area in eastern Zaire. Also, there were signs of aspiration for luck in the Sahel.
The Galaxy loaded 70 tons of cargo and 48 passengers in its stomach, then flew 11,000 Kilometers in 13 hours. Kyuuung! Unexpectedly, the point where the heavy body was lowered was the runway of Djibouti 13th Foreign Brigade.
The mid-term arrival in Djibouti was due to the committees hard work. Buchan Airfield had a short runway and a terrible road surface for the Galaxy to land. Ugandas Kampala Airport and Nairobi Airport were eye-catching with Lubanka (KGB). The strategic transport route was enough to issue for the Soviet Union to get on its nerves. The Commission, which did not want to provoke the Soviet Union, chose Djibouti as a desperate measure.
Gasp!
Hae Young stopped breathing urgently. As she left the aircraft, extreme and dry heat burned her lungs. How could she believe this was winter weather! She checked a thermometer that was attached as a bonus to the altimeter on the wrist. Its 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 32 degrees Celsius. It was well known that Djibouti was one of the hottest places on Earth, but knowing and the first-hand experience were pretty different.
Skrr! The nose cone reclined, and the armored car and the humbug roared out.
Its like the head of a ten-necked fish with a sheath! Hae Young murmured.
The raised nose cone resembled the head of a ten-necked fish with a sheath. The Christmas holiday in Morning Garigol was achingly squeezing her heart. The monsoons broke a bone of ice in the valley and caught ten herds with their bare hands. The young fish was pulled out, gills were immediately picked, and blood was drained. It tasted better when blood was lost. She said shed forget, but the memory burned. Paradise! Heaven had become a paradise that cannot be found again.
Lady, where is Professor Samuel?
Hae Young glanced back at a man in a black uniform. She didnt know if he was in charge of shadow Major. She was annoyed by his dry and rude way of speaking. No, she was upset because her memories were disturbed. Without giving an answer, she pointed to a palm tree at the corner of the building with her hand.
Major Hammers eyes followed the end of her fingertips. Then he saw a middle-aged man squatting under the shade of a palm tree.
He was wearing a wide-brimmed bunny, and his hands were holding a coffee cup that was steaming. Hammer was unhappy for no reason. He had such a weak body, but he cared about his posture.
Professor, the departure has been postponed.
Samuel raised his eyes and looked up at Major Hammer. His eyes showed the reason for this incident. Major Hammer felt so offended and raised his helmet. The eerie pale blue eyes appeared. The two glared at each other for no reason. Its a fight between males.
We faced some trouble in Hercules, Major Hammer spat out.
Whats wrong with that?
Samuel forced himself. The nine-foot-thick salt deposits produced in the Precambrian period strongly stimulated pure scholarly curiosity, regardless of their hidden purpose. If an additional landslide occurred, the exposed rock formations would be covered. Though having no desire to imagine it, it was a terrible disaster that he kept throwing a monkey wrench into the plans even though it needed to be in a hurry.
Hercules is not a taxi that can fill a puncture and run. Its more than the lift key. The risk is expected when thrust rises, explained Hammer.
Hammers voice was quite gentle. If someone didnt want to lose his reputation due to the crash, he must not talk nonsense.
Phew. Thats what Frog does!
Samuel sighed. Whats the use of opiates if die in a hurry? It was 2,200 kilometers from Djibouti to Buchav Airfield. Africa was not the United States of America. The French Hercules was the only taxi. The trouble occurred anywhere, anytime.
Lean, the departure has been postponed. Let your team know.
Samuel turned his eyes away and drank hot coffee while saying it. Older people were better than young people because they knew how to persevere. The steaming exploration team flocked to the foreign units restaurant. The truth that eating was left behind, was different for Asians or Westerners.
Mademoiselle or Corean?
What?
Hae Young, distracted by the indigo sea of the Straits of Babel-Mandeb, was surprised.
How do you know?
Hae Young turned around. A major in a sand-colored military uniform, unique to the foreign unit, was staring with his murky gray eyes. He was a soldier reminiscent of a wolf in the wilderness because his wrinkled face was like an old tree, and his left ear, where half of it disappeared, matched with gloomy eyes.
Im sorry to surprise you. Its Major Jean-Paul. Are you Korean?
The mercenary was polite, contrary to his stark impression.
Chapter 651 - Episode 3 Green Flow
Hae Youngs mood just became slightly happy. Its pretty common for people to mistake Koreans for Japanese or Chinese. So it was unusual to meet a foreigner, especially from a remote location in Africa, who recognized a Korean.
Yes, this is Lynn. How did you know?
She put her hand out with pleasure. The mercenary officer had a rough and muddy-toned British accent in which t was pronounced and r was silenced, but it was not difficult to understand.
Its nice to meet you. I dont know Korea very well, but I do have a Korean friend whom I like. Thanks to him, Ive been to Korea twice.
Paul gently held Hae Youngs hand and released it.
Oh, you have. What is he like?
Living abroad made anyone patriotic. His polite manners and the mere mention of having a Korean friend quickly made her like him already. A hostile face immediately turned into a friendly one.
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He is a friend whom I respect the most and also my mentor, more like my spiritual master. He also likes to stare at the sea from here.
He sounds like a good man. He must also be a mercenary.
Thats right. A mercenary who earned his freedom. Or should I say a freelance mercenary?
Paul showed a big grin. Heard Wakil found his missing mother last month. Governor Ombutti named December 23rd as the meeting day and designated it as a public holiday. A friends happiness was also your happiness. Just thinking about it made Hae Young feel happier.
Is he young?
Hae Young was curious. Koreans going overseas were extremely limited. These limited Koreans were usually workers who went to the Middle East during the construction boom, international students in US and Europe, and businessmen wandering around the world. A Korean mercenary! This person was refreshing and cool.
He is much younger than me. He is a complicated man who hates and loves his country, and who loathes and yearns for the woman he loved. Hahaha!
Paul was enjoying the conversation. Soldiers existed to fight. There was nothing to do when there was no battle. During this time of boredom, there was no reason not to enjoy the conversation with a beautiful woman.
A woman he loved? A past tense?
A guilty conscience needed no accuser. Hae Youngs reaction was a bit sensitive. She felt pathetic asking useless questions but tried to rationalize it as killing time.
Yeah, he was an old-fashioned friend who couldnt let go of his fantasy of the woman who left him. When the adrenaline pours in, even a prostitute can look like an angel. Its like a 20th-century collaboration work between Romeo and Hamlet.
Paul chuckled. It was fun to make fun of the master.
Even a prostitute can be seen as an angel! Hae Young muttered without realizing it.
It broke her heart.
Mademoiselle, I heard Bucab was your destination. The Rwenzori Mountains are dangerous, but the Ituri jungle is hell. Dont go anywhere without a bodyguard. It will take at least 48 hours to repair the transport plane. The mercenarys bed is hard, but the food is decent.
Thank you for your concern.
Hae Young bowed her head.
See you later, Idiot (in Gyungsang dialect).
Paul said his goodbye just like the way he learned from Black Mamba. It was his additional service for the beautiful Korean lady.
Gasp!
Hae Youngs heart dropped. The accent was clumsy, but it was Gyungsang dialect.
Excuse me, wait.
Hae Youngs voice trembled.
How can I help you?
Paul stopped and turned around.
Did you also learn that goodbye from your Korean friend?
Yes, thats right.
Can you say it one more time?
Paul was puzzled, but he repeated the goodbye one more time.
See you later, Idiot (in Gyungsang dialect).
This time, he tried to mimic Black Mamba as best as he could with more accent on the word idiot.
No way, said Hae Young to herself.
Hae Young felt dizzy all of a sudden. The goodbye that Musang used to playfully say, even the accent on the idiot sounded the same.
May I ask what his name was?
Her voice trembled.
I am sorry. Its classified.
Paul refused. Black Mambas identity was highly classified. On the other hand, he felt bad. The beautiful lady seemed so desperate.
Is mercenarys identity a secret?
Yes, there are many mercenaries who hide their identity and use nicknames. France respects privacy.
Can you at least tell me his nickname?
I am sorry. Its classified.
Paul repeated like a parrot.
Are you close with him?
Of course. He saved my life more than ten times. We are brothers.
Ahhh, did he ever mention a name, Hae Young, by any chance? Hae Young pronounced her name very clearly and stared at Paul with eagerness. Its ok even if its not him. She still wanted to retrace anything associated with him.
Hae Young? Paul repeated to himself.
Paul dug into his memory. It was definitely a Korean name that sounded familiar. Then, it flashed. During Operation Chad, it was the name Black Mamba cried out on the hills after completing the first Holocaust.
Unbelievable! said Paul in his mind.
The smile disappeared from Pauls face. Black Mamba said his lover had left for America to pursue a degree. The woman standing in front of him just arrived from America to Galaxy.
Can you re-pronounce your name again?
Hae Young. In-Hae-Young!
Hae Young pronounced each character one by one in a clear voice. Paul stared into the womans eyes shaded by long eyelashes. The master frequently mentioned her scent and sparkling eyes. Those watery eyes drew out the protective instincts. No doubt that it was the masters woman that left him.
Should I kill her? asked Paul deep inside.
Paul had a sudden urge to kill. Master currently had a woman by his side whom he needed to protect with his life. Edel was a young girl with dazzling beauty and a noble personality. Paul himself, Oh Hyun Ja, and the seven hammers also would do anything to protect her. Samdi and Dino also cared for Edel deeply.
Jin Soon made Oh Hyun Ja and the Seven Hammers, who once claimed that there was no better bride than Edel, realized that there was another sky above the sky. Her innate dignity and noble personality solidified her as the queen.
This woman would make waves and ruin the masters peaceful family. How could he let the precious angel suffer? Putting humans aside, would the protector of Jin Soon, Dimangshi (Blacksie), tolerate this woman? Would the protector of Edel, Samdi, and Dino, accept her? No chance. She was lucky if Dino didnt swallow her.
I cant kill her myself, thought Paul.
Paul shook his head. Murder was normal in a mercenarys everyday life. He became a human butcher who took lives too easily. The Black Mamba was the angel of death, but Tubaiburpa, the master of the spirit, valued life and sought the path of humans. It might be the Servant Masters decision but definitely not for him to decide.
No, Ive never heard of it.
Paul shook his head.
Ahhh!
Hae Young lost the energy in her legs to stand still. She was hoping it was him, but it didnt seem like it. The mercenary officer didnt seem so trustworthy, but there was no reason for him to lie.
Mademoiselle, are you alright?
The mercenarys words echoed as if they were in deep water. Hae Young bit her lips hard and pulled herself out above the water. There were so many Koreans who spoke in the Gyungsang dialect just wasted energy
Its the girl who left the master. Unbelievable. Women can never be understood, said Paul in his thought.
Paul felt bad. He wanted to say something to comfort her, but he had already said enough. She appeared to be naive with dazzling beauty, but Paul wasnt naive enough to believe at face value.
Paul, have you ever loved someone so much that you would throw away your life?
Hae Youngs voice sounded like she was on the verge of crying. She wanted to be comforted. She wanted just one word of encouragement.
I loved my wife. But even love has an expiration date. After about ten years, she wouldnt even be surprised at my sudden entrance or care to respond to my farts. After about twenty years, I began to ask myself, what is left of me? What have I given my wife?
So, what is left of you?
Nothing! Only the time we spent together. Mademoiselle, the journey to a must-eat place is said to be much more fun than the place itself. Isnt love more beautiful when its left as memories? When the love is over, only treasure the pictures. As soon as you peel the crusty skin, the blood-shedding pain will follow.
Paul gave his sincere advice as an elderly person. Even if she came back, there was no room for her.
You know love very well. You are more of a philosopher than a rough mercenary.
Hae Young was sour and shot right back at him. Those words treasure only the pictures hurt like needles piercing through her.
Have you ever put back together the pieces of your comrades torn body? Have you ever stopped a bullet with your own body to save your comrade? Only noble souls are worthy of noble love. A love that puts oneself first is not true love. Well then, I wish you the best.
Paul threw out somewhat harsh words and strode away.
Gasp!
Hae Young took in a deep breath. It was as if he was talking about himself. She didnt even get to say goodbye and silently stood there in her thoughts. Only noble souls are worthy of noble love rang in her ears. You can un-button and re-button a suit, but you cant re-live the past.
On January 10th, 1987, Hercules which had recently completed its maintenance transported the expedition team to Bucab. Chinook, which was waiting at the municipal airport, loaded the exploration team and flew to Benia. Although the blunt rotor sound shook her eardrums and the turbulence was so intense that lifted her butt up and down, Hae Young, nonetheless, fell asleep with her nose tucked into her lap. Even the majestic green carpet that stretched endlessly under her feet could not interrupt her sleep. It was partly due to the jet lag, but she couldnt sleep for two days because of what the mercenary officer Paul said to her.
Lynn, it seems weve arrived.
Cary tapped on Hae Youngs shoulder. Hae Young, who woke up in surprise, looked down below the window with a blank face. She could see white cigarette burn marks as if they were intentionally dotted on the green carpet. Tu-Tu-Tu-Tu! Chinook descended. The cigarette burn marks rapidly enlarged.
What in the world!
Hae Young couldnt contain her astonishment. Countless heavy machinery and humans were moving about like ants.
Wow!
The rest of the team members were equally astonished. A jungle of the size of dozens of football stadiums vanished. Buildings and facilities took their place. At a glance, it was not a simple base camp but a large research institute.
This was not a simple geological expedition.
A cold breeze rubbed against Hae Youngs chest. A man named Specter said she needed to work for five years. Not sure what it was, but a heavy burden like that of a hefty lunch price was pressing down on her chest.
A soldier dressed in black escorted the group who just got off the plane to the corset research village. When Sector General McKinley finished the welcome briefing, Professor Samuel hurried the team without any time for organizing belongings.
Mac, take your kids to Chamber 3 to set.
You got it!
An elderly white man disappeared with ten researchers. That meant they were not in a geological team. Shortly thereafter, seven little puppies with green overalls and red hard hats entered the conference room.
Jeeeeing! A screen fell from the wall of the conference room. Spot! A mountain slope with a broken waist was projected onto the screen. The signs and numbers indicating contour lines and strikes, outcrops (where rocks or strata are directly exposed to the surface) lengths, and strata thickness were making ??? dizzy.
The first survey was completed by an earlier team. Your job is to collect samples. The outcrop exposed by the landslide has a thickness of 70 meters to 180 meters and a length of 1,850 meters. The areas where we will investigate start from here and end here where a grayish-white deposit has been revealed. Your body will be tired, but the stress will not be great.
Samuel used a laser pointer to mark the target. A red mark was stamped and the 700-meter distance was automatically marked. The attendees nodded their heads. The hillside was cut into chunks and the stratum was cut in a direction perpendicular to the strike as it descended. This was the best condition for sampling.
We are going to start collecting the samples now. Each of you will take positions from Point A to Point J and collect samples. Follow the white deposits and collect samples of the exposed deposit every ten feet. Collect samples from the following: ten feet from the top of the outcrop and ten feet from the bottom, one foot above the white deposit and one foot below, and one foot inside of the center. In other words, collect samples from five different spots at each point. The first set of collections would be approximately 350 points.
Collect samples from one foot above and below the white deposit? Hae Young asked in her mind.
Hae Young tilted her head in confusion. Professor Samuel did not even mention essential work such as rock separation, stratum thickness, contained fossils, joints, and strikes. The grayish-white deposit reflected on the screen showed that the thicker area was over 10 feet thick and the thinner area was over 5 feet thick. Stratum samples were important data for revealing the relationship of strata. This meant that they were not interested in stratification or chronology. The instructions were not in line with proper sampling logic.
So, no geological survey but instead gold veins?
In reality, a geological survey was like groping a blind elephant. This order was like a robber who knew where to dig and went in to excavate. Geologically, gold veins often infiltrated crystal deposits. As suspected, instructions soon followed that supported the suspicion.
As you are collecting samples, if you come across any unknown objects, make sure to collect them regardless of weight, shape, or material. And
Chapter 652 - Episode 4 Green Flow
Professor Samuel skipped over explaining the unidentified object and proceeded to explain the handling of accidents and report flow. Hae Young felt offended. She was a geologist. She was well aware of the value of discovered fossils and minerals.
The oldest rock ever found was a gneiss named Louis in Scotland. It was estimated to have formed 2.8 billion years ago. The stratum from the Archeozoic Era had its radioactive isotopes measured at 3.6 billion years ago. He was dismissing the mystery harbored about 3.6 billion years ago and regarded it as an unidentified object.
The Cambrian Era was known for its fossils. The Precambrian only left bland bedrock devoid of fossils. There was more than what met the eyes. The microbes were even found on asteroids. The Precambrian fossils were never found, not nonexistent. The thesis she was preparing was on the existence of Precambrian life forms.
The true primal beauty revealed itself in earthquake-bent mountain ranges, raging volcanoes, and the deepest of abysses. A geologist read the mystery narrated by primal rocks. It was the same anticipation one would feel while watching a young woman undress. Professor Samuels demand denied her that feeling.
Am I a treasure hunter?
Hae Young was confused that her esteemed academic advisor abruptly turned into a commercial excavator. She felt angry, but she still relied on him for her degree. She also owed him some things. She needed to listen to him.
Professor, is the grayish-white sediment crossing the center of the stratum feldspar or quartz?
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You will know when you get there. You will be surprised.
Samuel ignored Kerrys question.
What shall we do when a leopard shows up?
Kerry shot a question again.
The area is located on the outer perimeter of the Ituri jungle. It has already been secured. Dangerous beasts and venomous insects are few and far between. Each scientist will be accompanied by two top-tier bodyguards. Hae Young, do you have a question?
Professor Samuel brought his attention to Hae Young, who was rather sulking.
No.
Hae Young chose to keep silent. She had dozens of questions, but if she knew that they were not going to be answered, why even ask? She chose to spare her questions for when they got there.
Good. Pack up your equipment! Lets go!
Samuel brought his 10 minions to the field where the sun beat down on the ground mercilessly. Shadow agents followed them, equipped with helmets that also served as hoods. Their uniforms were black.
Hae Young whistled. The stratas height varied from 150 meters to 300 meters and angled from 50 degrees to 70 degrees. The vast scenery filled her sight. The satellite imagery and photos on the slides she saw in the conference room were no match to the real thing.
The striped gneiss was granulite that displayed pinkish stains and grayish white laters of minerals here and there. That meant it went through a temperature higher than one thousand degrees Celsius and a pressure higher than 10 kilobars. At first glance, she knew it was from the Precambrian Era.
The particles glinted in the grayish-white mineral deposit had a zigzagged pattern across the center of the stratum. It looked as if some majestic green monsters pure divine blood ran from its innards and then it coughed out. Hae Young smelled the transient scent of the sea, which was fishy and comforting at the same time. Her soul smelled it, not her faculty of smell. She took a bit and put it in her mouth.
Oh! she exclaimed.
The professor said that she would be surprised. He was right. The strong salty taste was accompanied by bitterness and sourness. It was sodium chloride with immense impurities. The thick grayish-white mineral deposit was not quartz or limestone or marble. Until now, no other salt deposit had been revealed as conspicuously as this. The claim that the Great Rift Valley was an ancient land that was never submerged in seawater proved to be false at this precise moment.
Could it be oil?
She thought, maybe the hidden goal of the exploration was oil, untold by Professor Samuel.
Isnt it marvelous? I feel like Im gonna pass out!
Kerry, tasked with the G point, let out a yell with a pink salt crystal in one hand. Kerry was from the geology department of the University of Washington. She first met Kerry when the team was formed, but after falling out with Robert, she only had Kerry to talk to.
I am in awe too.
Hae Young nodded. The pink hue was due to iron and minerals in seawater. This proved that this salt deposit was formed in an ocean. Here was the proof that the Great Rift Valley was submerged in seawater for hundreds of millions of years. Any geologist would be in awe.
Are we in Alice in Wonderland?
Alice was a girl.
Kerry flinched at Hae Youngs nonchalant remark. She might be aware of the true nature of the project.
Lets dig. Professor Samuel may lose it at last if we tarry.
Kerry glanced at the soldiers waiting at the bottom of the fault.
Ha!
Hae Young laughed. The soldiers on guard wore all-black: combat suits, masks, helmets, and goggles. They looked just like cyborgs in animated TV shows. The four Cyborgs didnt move at all, without removing their helmets in the scorching hot weather, for hours. Anyone could see that they were keeping an eye on the scientists.
I dont want to be caught up in that, either.
Hae Young wielded her hand drill and pickaxe. A desert and a jungle might have the same temperature, but what was tangibly felt was vastly different. There was some wind in the desert but trees blocked the flow of air in the jungle. The muggy climate combined with the lack of wind meant that the felt temperature was exponentially high. Hae Young became covered in sweat, dirt, and salt.
There were three gunshots. It was a signal for the end of their day. Hae Young straightened her back from her day of work. Once 10 minutes pass from six oclock, the Cyborgs fired the shots for the scientists to wrap it up. It was for their safety. Hae Young stared at her bag containing ore samples.
Sigh!
She sighed. She worked five hours just to complete three points, which were less than a percent of the F region allocated to her. Her legs that climbed steep hills were shaking and her field of view had a yellow tint. Her day was far from over.
Once she returned to the lab, she needed to turn the ore samples into thin slices whose width was two-hundredths of a millimeter. The exhausting toiling, boring repetition, lack of sleep, and bad food, was this the living condition of 19th-century Black slaves? Hae Young was completely exhausted but still followed a Shadow Cyborg who held the ore bag.
Professor Samuel wasnt slacking, either. He had his eyes glued to a polarization microscope with a pile of ore slides provided by his 10 students. He needed to pick relevant slides to send to the chemistry team.
Most slides ended up being discarded. Less than 10 percent of the slides were relayed to Professor Macs chemistry team. The X-ray microanalyzer first examined the constituents, then the slides were sent to the second analysis team.
The second analysis consisted of radioactivation analysis, mass analysis, and isotopic analysis. The polarization microscope, X-ray fluorescent spectrometer, neutron activation analyzer, inductive coupling plasma spectrometer, etc., the cutting-edge high-tech equipment were all employed. This couldnt be a simple geological probing. The equipment involved was too tremendous.
On the third day of the exploration, Hae Young continued to climb the hills and collected rock samples. The Ituri jungle had localized heat waves and high humidity. The sun kept blasting down. When she wielded her pickaxe a few times, her clothes began to get soaked in sweat which soon evaporated to leave the salt. She would have appreciated some wind, but the heavy atmosphere didnt move at all.
My skin feels so sticky!
Hae Young threw away her drill and unzipped her Goretex windbreaker, which served to deter venomous insects, and she then unbuttoned her blouse too. Her white breasts were revealed. She gave up on her brassiere on the second day. She fanned herself with her wide-brimmed hat. A shriek of a whistle was heard.
Damn Cyborg! His eyesight is phenomenal.
Hae Young glared at the Shadow agent who was 200 meters below the slope. Then she buttoned her blouse hastily. The security team prohibited anyone from revealing any area of skin during outdoor activities. Hae Young didnt want to get bitten by venomous insects, either.
Hae Young, you are quite hardy. I want to give back all the scholarships Ive received for the past three years and go home.
Kerry threw the sample bag on the ground and sat on it. The movement made gravel roll down the slope. A sharp whistle was heard. Kerry stood abruptly, startled. A deflector, a carnivorous crustacean similar to an ant lion, was capable of making a person limp for the rest of their life with one single bite.
Kerry, what are we looking for? Its not gold. We are not going back to the normal transformative process of minerals either.
Hae Young made a complaint.
Its just the third day. We shouldnt give up now.
I almost died twice already.
The chemical squad continued to spray the area with defoliant and pesticides, but it was impossible to completely deter vipers and venomous insects. A green mamba dropped from a tall tree was beheaded by a Shadow agent. Wasps were kept at bay by a high-frequency emitter, but she was already feeling neurotic about the vermin. The camp confiscated their perfume and lotion and handed out mosquito nets and portable pesticides. She didnt like the measures but had to concede that they were logical.
Thats really nothing. I almost became a gators lunch yesterday. It jumped me from the ground and I couldnt think of anything at the moment. My head just went all white.
Really?
Hae Youngs eyes widened.
I have some respect for the Shadow guy now. He made its head explode with one shot.
I am more afraid of the mosquitoes and flies than the gators.
Yeah. Having a maggot grow in your body is a horrible feeling. Be patient. Soon the analysis will be completed.
Did we find anything?
Lithium!
Kerry gave a brief answer with a proud expression.
Lithium? The element of the third period?
Hae Youngs eyes widened.
Yeah, that lithium.
Why? The planet already has more than enough hydrogen bombs to shatter itself.
The United States may seem chaotic, but it still foresees the next five decades. Now, it is only used in alloys and antidepressants, but soon it will be valued in the energy sector. The academy must be looking for highly pure lithium.
Valued in the energy sector?
It is used in fusion reactors. We are just henchmen. The VIPs are elsewhere.
Kerry indicated the chemistry teams laboratory, faintly visible far away on the foot of the mountain.
The salt we dug out is sent to the chemistry team for analysis. They work in rooms with air conditioning and fans. There is some confidential work that I dont know We are just working outside like some slaves, Kerry added.
Hae Young felt a sort of solidarity. She also was indebted to the state after receiving government scholarships.
We just need to keep drilling and hammering.
For the next three months! Your arms and shoulders will grow bigger and muscular, Hae Young.
Kerry giggled.
Sigh!
Hae Young signed deeply. She didnt care if America made antidepressants or hydrogen bombs with lithium. This was not scientific fieldwork but some manual labor. This was at least ten thousand parsecs away from academic research. Three months in this hell? What was she doing here when the treasure was just an arms reach away?
Kerry, why are we digging when the strong Shadow Cyborgs are everywhere?
Because they dont know which is which. Professor emphasized this point. Geological acumen is needed to identify objects. Cyborgs know nothing.
Kerry spat out and climbed into a hammock set in the shade. With the sun waning, some wind was felt. The pests relentless attack was reduced too. Some hard labor was done by the Cyborgs, but she was already feeling exhausted ordering them around. She couldnt rest, either. She couldnt sit unless she risked getting bitten by god-knows-what and dying the same day.
Three gigantic fans were on, but the inside of the tent was muggier than the outside. Samuel took off his magnifying goggles and rubbed his dry eyes. He glared at the broken air conditioner and stepped out of the lab.
When is the Agrippina shield going to be completed?
Samuel clucked his tongue. The air conditioners outdoor fan was broken. Probably chewed up by a gator, its steel plates were found crushed and punctured. Despite the three barbed-wire fences surrounding the camp, some unknown monsters continued to infiltrate the grounds. This was driving everyone crazy.
Lets have some coffee, Samuel.
Professor Mac walked out of the chemistry teams lab chamber. His eyes behind the thick glasses were bloodshot too, but his expression was content.
I think you ended up finding something good?
Dont be in such a hurry.
Mac entered the lab. Holding a coffee made by a researcher, Mac pointed at the void evaporator.
We are extracting lithium carbonate with some added sodium carbonate. We need time for the salt concentration to go up in the water. It will take 30 hours for us to get results.
Chapter 653 - Episode 1 Ooparts
Whats the content level?
The reaction to sodium phosphate (Na2HPO4) is encouraging. The average is 2.8% and the average for the sample of Ungpanwaza is 8%.
Professor Mac answered without taking his eyes off the vacuum evaporator.
8%! Thats where it is.
Samuels eyes grew bigger and his voice grew louder.
Lithiophilite (Li(FeII, MnII)[PO4], the rock with the highest lithium content) is nothing in terms of extraction efficiency. Why would we be digging into a layer of Uyuni salt that has a content of only 0.5%, while abandoning the zinnwaldite (zinnwaldite, K(Li,Fe,Al)3[(Al,Si)4O10](F,OH)2 lithium-containing glassy mica, called glacial-phosphorus mica) with 3% content levels?
Im not even jealous of Chinas rare lands with this jackpot. Even if you quit Pandora and dig up lithium, this business will still be profitable.
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We dont know yet. Itll probably be used for high-performance batteries or medical use at the moment. Exon will make money by adding it to high-quality lubricants. Anyway, you should hurry up. The data distribution map needs to come out quickly to report to the committee. Please just fill in the analysis staff quickly. But is there even a possibility that Pandoras case will come out?
Mac lowered his voice. Lithium was important, but there was another truly important thing.
Not yet Its possible if you look at the abnormal lithium content. Even if we apply the existing theory that the first creatures appeared 550 million years ago and early humans appeared 3 million years ago, the pace of human evolution does not make sense. If dinosaurs went extinct 60 million years ago and mammals gained power, theres no way humans would not end up that way
Samuels eyes flashed. Carr was alive and well in Freemasons history. Australopithecus was nothing but the leftover of an ancient civilization.
Well, its possible that mammalian humans have emerged after the extinction of reptilian humans. Does the assistant know the hidden purpose?
How can we know when McKinley has blocked communication between the security team and the researchers? I didnt mean to hide it until the end, but I think they did assume lithium. Theyre pouting because its a commercial expedition. We are short-staffed, not just for the analysis team but in general as a whole. I need to request to recruit more staff at the conference.
Were short of analytical equipment and reagents as well.
I see. The progress has been slowed down while worrying so much about security.
Isnt the assistant temporary anyway?
Youre too aggressive. If they arent aware of Pandoras box, theres no reason to use Gamma to dispose of high-end personnel.
Hmm, youre in charge. Im sure you got it.
Professor Mac smirked. The physiological differences could be detected between different ethnic groups, whether explicitly or implicitly. The difference was the innate difference between evolutionary inheritance. People of color, whether black or yellow, had no choice but to fall behind. Professor Samuels words were only a crocodiles tears.
Three days later, 10 researchers and 20 assistant researchers were supplemented. Additional equipment was also supplied. Samuel could feel the committees profound power. Considering traveling time, it meant that they selected and deployed personnel within 12 hours after receiving a request for support.
The sample throughput, which was only 100kg per day, increased to 300kg. The air conditioner in the Corset research building also worked very well. Researchers who had been overworked and were tired of the heat cheered up. Shallow focus earthquakes shook the ground, and they suffered from predators, poison, and mosquito flies daily, but the exploration team carried out their tasks without stopping.
15th day of exploration, 3 a.m.,
BANG! BANG!
Explosive sounds shook the campgrounds. Sirens wailed like crazy, and all lights on the outskirts of the camp were switched on. BANG! BANG! Loud sounds of gunfire echoed. A black shadow ran out of the Corset barracks that were located on the outskirts of the camp. Armored cars and Humvees roared into action.
Ntaganda took the bait. Potty, how many people are here?
McKinley, dressed in a full-dress uniform, remained calm. Sound detectors that were scattered three kilometers outside the camp informed the movement of the rebels in real-time. Signs of the attack were identified an hour ago.
Its more than I expected. 150 people at the Charlie branch and 250 people at the Delta branch. They must have been itching to do so.
The deputy Major Potty was also irreproachably armed.
Hahaha. Itd be weird if you arent itching when youre getting blindsided and getting your jar of honey taken away. Is Shadow on the move?
Yes, he should have arrived at the perimeter fence by now.
Bang! Bang! As if the deputys answer was the beginning, there was a loud explosive sound from a 40mm high-speed grenade and a heavy shooting noise from a heavy machine gun. McKinley listened.
The ADS is working properly. Do we even need to use Shadow?
McKinley looked like a teenage boy enjoying a game. Even if Shadow and the security company werent on the scene, there was zero possibility that a sloppy guerrilla would penetrate the ADS defense system. The Mai-Mai believed in darkness, but they were mistaken. Computers linked to infrared detectors automatically recognized targets. It wasnt even necessary to fire a flare.
The camp defense line was equipped with electric barbed wire, two layers of circular barbed wire, a booby trap, mines, and ADS. At best, guerrillas armed with RPGs, grenades, and rifles were not even in the right place to deal with Shadow and Marine Corps guards armed with anti-tank guns, high-speed grenades, heavy machine guns, mortars, and infantry fighting armored vehicles (LAV25).
A guard at Charlie Guard Post has been shot. You have to get revenge.
He would be proud of himself for sacrificing himself for a cause. What happened to the re-supply of air compressors?
McKinley didnt budge. If one got Mambasa with the life of one Marine, its a profitable business. The ADS system was great, but the real thing was Agrippina Shield. A Hercules, which was carrying an air compressor, crashed, so the electromagnetic glass fibers, which were the core of the Agrippina shield, were sealed and decaying.
It will take ten days. If we spray it ourselves in a dustproof suit
No way!
McKinley cut off the deputy. Cantarella applied to electromagnetic glass fibers was not just some simple poison.
Reduce the supply period by whatever means necessary.
Yes, sir.
Ill be watching the situation in the command room. You should reassure frightened researchers and private engineers.
Yes, sir!
The deputy rushed out. Less than 10 minutes after Potty left, the booming sounds of gunfire died down. There was not even a chance for McKinley to observe or anything. The intermittent sounds of gunshots were cut off. The camp returned to its peace as if it was a lie.
Shadow, who joined with the Marines, wiped out the guerrillas that were at a standstill between the booby-trap and ADS cross-fire, with dot artillery and machine gun fire nets. The losses suffered by the sector were only a few bullet holes on a barrack and a food container box hit by an RPG stray bullet that was smashed. The only casualties were two workers at the guard posts.
At Kinshasha Presidential Palace, the Capital of Zaire, Mobutu, who was welcoming the U.S. ambassador Kandinsky, was restless. Less than an hour after receiving a report about a group of militants raiding a U.S. mineral exploration camp, a creditor rushed in. Mobutu, who had experienced the Areva incident, was terrified. He had to hand out two large feeds to appease the angry French government officials. The United States was much more of a fierce predator than France.
Your Excellency, there are approximately ten casualties of researchers, two security guards fallen, and about twenty wounded. High-ticketed research equipment was destroyed and valuable research materials were lost. The president is very concerned about this.
Kandinsky lied nonchalantly. Fatal human damage was only two deaths, one food container, and 100m of barbed wire loss, but Mobutu could not come forward to confirm himself and there was no way to confirm. The method of exaggerating the damage and pressing the opponent was a typical skill of a U.S. diplomat.
I apologize, Ambassador Kandinsky.
Mobutu just rubbed his forehead with a troubled face. He handed over the right to develop underground resources and geological surveys of 200 square kilometers northeast of Mambasa, Ituri Province, and received 20,000 tons of Texas wheat and 30,000 tons of Oregon corn. Both sides were in excellent deals with justification and benefits.
The United States disposed of overproduced grain, whereas Zaire lent useless land beyond administrative power and obtained food for the relief of the poor. It was a common transaction between developed and underdeveloped countries, but the problem was that an unofficial transaction of $1 billion to a secret Swiss account was done. He felt like he had ants in his pants. He couldnt play innocent when he had swallowed one billion dollars.
As you know, the political situation between Rwanda and Uganda is also unstable. There are more than a dozen armed groups along the border from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Albert. How would Zaire be able to promise the safety of the expedition team in this situation?
Highly spirited Kandinsky pushed Mobutu.
I will immediately send a battalion of the Revolutionary Peoples Army to Mambasa.
To appease the angry beast, he had to feed, but he resisted to save face.
You mean the Zaire army? Kinshasha and Mombasa are 2,200 kilometers straight. Its not going to be easy to control.
Kandinskys remark was sardonic.
Dont worry, Ambassador. Theres a loyal Revolutionary Peoples Army regiment in North Kiv. If we take a battalion out and deploy it, its no problem.
Mobutu was choked up, but he couldnt express anger. A newly emerging nation in Africa, which was unstable in political affairs, had a vague border between governmental forces and rebels. There was also an absurd situation in which the troops dispatched as the suppression forces join the rebels. It was due to deep-rooted tribalism.
The target of loyalty was not the president but the leader of the tribe, and the target to be protected was not the citizens but the people of the tribe. It was often the case that the gun was turned around after sending troops.
Your Excellency, Moise Tshombe is being reorganized with the support of Angola and Uganda. If we take the troops out of North Kiv, the trouble will be Moise Tshombe.
Kandinsky did not budge. Mobutus pride was hurt, but he had no choice but to show the white flag. He had been trying to boost his military strength in his own way for the past decade, but things havent improved a bit. The bottom line was revealed trying to save face against Kandinsky, who knew everything about Zaires situation.
What would you like me to do?
Kandinsky pushed right away.
The United States protects its citizens by its own military. We need a Marine regiment to defend our camp against vicious rebels and greedy guerrillas. Please, approve the presence of the Strike Regiment and the establishment of a no-fly zone.
Umm!
Mobutu uttered a deep moan. He established a one-party dictatorship of the Peoples Revolutionary Party, but he did not know when a traitor would pop out. He himself pushed the prime minister of Lumumba and the president of Cassa through a coup dtat and acquired power. A government that lacked authenticity should always be mindful of being betrayed.
Theres no way another person couldnt do what he did. A jerk named Ntaganta had already betrayed, and Moise Chombe was also looking for a chance. The problem was Cassa. Allowing the U.S. military presence would increase the possibility of political maneuvering by Ilpa, former President Cassa, who was behind the Mai-Mai rebels.
Your Excellency, you dont have to worry about Cassa. Theres been a lot of information about poor health these days.
Kandinsky scratched Mobutus back at the right time. Cassa was anti-American. The CIA had launched a removal plan. There was no way that an old fox, Mobutu, didnt know what Kandinsky was implying. His expression brightened.
All right. Ill approve the station of troops and the establishment of no-fly zones. However, the garrison will be limited to a battalion, and the no-fly zone will be limited to the triangle connecting Brina-Buni-Mambasa.
In that case, please extend the geological survey and resource development rights to 50 years.
Kandinsky pushed for the real objective he had hidden.
Agreed!
Mobutu didnt know the value of the treasure in his hand. He readily agreed. 20 years or 50 years, no difference!
Of course, sir,
Kandinskys face brightened to have achieved the purpose of the visit. The U.S. had well-filled the price of lost food containers and two Marines who had fallen in action. The business relationship between the countries was steeper than individuals or social groups. If you had the power, you could steal the candy right out of your opponents mouth.
On the 45th day of the expedition, 580 additional troops from one U.S. Marine Corps Rapid Task Force were deployed to the camp. Half of them were assigned to the research support team and half were placed to defend the camp. Theres this, so theres that, and if its gone, thats gone, correlation to everything. The introduction of the rapid maneuvering force was a trigger to change Hae Youngs fate.
Hae Young, as usual, dragged her tired body and returned back. The tight schedule of working hard during the day and studying hard at night; no, working hard day and night, continued on. Dark circles stretched long and her white face was covered with freckles and red spots.
Lynn, your skin on your face is a hot mess. Youre fed up, arent you?
Samuel looked at Hae Yung with pitying eyes. The mission of the organization was important and the national interest was important, but he did not feel comfortable pushing his beautiful, innocent, and smart disciples into danger.
If you want to save your skin, you have to stop being a mole. I am tired of it, though.
Hae Young made her reply sound sulky.
Hahaha, get your hands off the work. Put that pouting mouth back. Starting tomorrow, you and Keri are going back to the main business.
Really? I guess St. Gabriel must have come down to you, professor.
Hae Young rejoiced. It was as good news as when the air conditioner was installed.
Chapter 654 - Episode 2 Ooparts
No time for jokes.
Samuel brushed off Hae Youngs joke and spread the topography. Horus exhibition plan, which flashed at the top of the 13th-story pyramid printed on the U.S. dollar bill, represented the establishment of the World Government and one-man rule by the Antichrist. Gabriel was a messenger of God and a being that burned and killed animals (Heretic, a being that harmed the world). A being that Samuel, who had a handicrafts-man status, could not like.
Samuel used a highlighter to draw a line from the lower Zambezi River through the eastern end of Victoria to Somalia, and along the western zone connecting the lake Tanganyika, lake Kivu and lake Albert. The Mambasa Npanwaza area was crossed in the crosshair.
This is it.
Samuel tapped the center of the crosshair with a highlighter. Hae Young tilted her head. It was 20 km into the center of the Ituri jungle. Pauls warning about the center of the Ituri jungle crossed her mind.
It was said that its a terrible place where a monster snake that swallowed a person in one bite and a terror bird that broke the spine of a leopard in one kick, wandered around. If one got attacked by a tree leech, one would become a mummy in just three minutes. Hae Young became frightened.
What about this place?
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Anything you remember?
Samuel stared.
Thats where the primitive human fossils were found one after another.
Thats right. Its the Albert Fault Zone, an extension of the Great Earth Zone were currently working on. Thats not to say were picking up Australopithecus fossils, which arent monkeys or humans. Keri and you will move here.
Is it just Keri and me?
No need to worry about safety. It is a place where the green field work has been finished, just like here. Trust the cyborg bodyguards.
Hae Young nodded. When it came to safety, Americans were thorough. Unexpected dangers existed anywhere.
Ill have to draw a nodule map first.
No way I will leave such a beautiful woman up for manual labor
Samuel grinned.
He was speaking so much nonsense. Did he think she was a feast at a party table?
Hae Young, who did not trust her advisor, was itching to speak up. Was the person whod been pushing her till she looked like a zombie not Samuel but a doppelganger? She was skeptical of his intention to be giving a fair word now.
Nodule map is already complete.
Samuel spread the C0 (American paper standard 36.1 inches x 51.1 inches) map on the table. Hae Young looked at the nodule map, which was filled with rock constituent by section. The shape was similar to the pre-existing exploration area of the Npanwaza cut-out map. The salt deposit crossed the nodule like a thick band and the point where the lithium content was more than 3% was marked as a dot in red highlighter. It was pitiful. Its a map that could only be made if 20 people stuck together and struggled hard for a month.
Four cyborgs and 30 marines will be assigned to your team. As for 30 marines, start with placing them in a spot where the lithium value is high and leave them to collect samples. Keris and your mission is to measure the age of the nodule and draw up a route map (A layout where the geographical survey results are written following the route), Samuel added.
He was glancing at Hae Young.
Theres no reason not to collect meaningful objects or fossils, is there?
Of course.
Hae Young agreed without a moment of thinking. She had finally got a legit job. There was no reason to refuse. She wondered if soldiers that only knew how to shoot would even collect samples properly, but it was not something for her to worry about.
The collected samples didnt need to be processed. The complex analysis would be done at the nest. Just use a mass spectrometer to date the radiation and get it over with. Leave the dirty work for the Marines and the safety team, and you can focus on the route map and meaningful stuff. All right?
All right, Hae Young answered willingly.
She was skeptical of the professors intentions, but at least, she would not be looking at Roberts freaking face! She would gladly take risks. She, of course, did not have any idea that this very decision would be the trigger to open Armageddon.
Treasures were not guilty, but the powerless who had the treasures were guilty. The newly independent country, Zaire (Congo), suffered from political instability and poverty but was rich in resources. The Soviet Union which was in the middle of power-struggling with the U.S. regarding the third world would never miss out on Zaire.
The KGB supported the former President of Cassa, a political opponent, and provided military advisers and large amounts of weapons to the Mai-Mai rebels to bring down the pro-American regime, Mobutu. The KGB could not have been unaware of the movements of the U.S.
KGB director Chuikov suspected that Yankee was reversely re-enacting the 1962 Cuban crisis. The settlement of U.S. bases in eastern Zaire would put pressure on pro-government regimes in Uganda, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. Instead of showing a hysterical reaction, Chuikov dispatched a seven-part agent from the KGBs First General Bureau, just like the sly polar bear he is.
If one caused a scene in connection with the Mai-Mai rebels, the worlds attention was drawn. He intended to beat on the ugly bare face of capitalism when that happened. Fifty agents specializing in assassination and terror attacks secretly infiltrated the ridge west of Lake Albert, which connected Buni-Brina and Mambasa.
Japan was a blessedly defeated nation. The sins of Japan were formidable. The death toll from the Pacific War alone reached 30 million, and the casualties and disappearance of the U.S. military alone stood at 400,000. Japans crimes against humanity committed in Korea, China, and Southeast Asia were almost impossible for even the Nazis to be introducing themselves.
Nevertheless, the Allies handled defeated Japan gently as if it was touching a five-tier whipped cream cake. The United States did not receive a penny in reparation. Only seven Class A war criminals were executed through a reduced trial called Crossing Out War Crimes. Japanese Emperor Hirohito, a special war criminal, was excused by claiming one sentence that he was deceived by Dojo. It was a measure of stupid retardation.
How did this mysterious situation happen? Some said that the soil where Hitlers monster was born was due to harsh convictions and reparations for the defeated country in World War I and that the U.S. which learned its lesson conducted wisely.
That was nonsense that shouldnt even be heard by the deaf. The United States was neither the Avalokitesvara (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) nor Jesus. Because they highly appreciated Japans strategic value. They embraced Japan to use it as a bridgehead to prevent the expansion of the two communist countries, the Soviet Union and China. Of course, if Japan resisted, Korea would have played the role, but Japan was milder than a Persian cat and more docile than a Chihuahua.
In the early 1970s, Zhou Enlai introduced a bottle cap theory that the United States should suppress Japans militaristic nature, while Kissinger introduced a traitor jab theory that Japan was the most likely country to deceive the United States and make nuclear weapons.
Unfortunately, the U.S. policy was different from Kissingers. Instead of pressing the bottle cap tight, they opened it wide. The result was the rearmament of Japan. It could be seen that the U.S. was largely responsible for Japans extreme-rightist gains.
Conversational spirits were utter nonsense. The Japanese spirit contained a typical small-bellied gene that bowed to the strong and trampled on the weak. They would lay flat on their stomachs in front of a nation where the opponent was strong and bite them mercilessly when their weaknesses were shown. That was Japan and the Japanese. There was no difference whether it was powerful or ordinary people.
Intelligence agencies were no different. Japan had traditionally been a country with strong human information networks (HUMINT). Intelligence agencies and police played a pivotal role and made extensive use of local agents.
The trawling network, which was formed by the military police, special forces under the headquarters of the staff, and the special higher police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications through pro-Japanese sources, shackled Koreans breathlessly. The reason why the independence forces were unable to communicate in Korea was because of these intelligence agencies and pro-Japanese traitorous sources. The true pro-Japanese traitor was these Korean informants.
After the defeat, Japan artfully disguised and dispersed intelligence agencies thoroughly. It was inconceivable that the head of their intelligence agency would appear as a lawmaker, show his face to the media, speak for the president, and leak state secrets to the media like in Korea.
The official number of the CIRO, the National Intelligence Service, was only 110. The intelligence headquarters limited the internal information of the Self-Defense Forces, while the Public Security Investigation Agency collected information related to the maintenance of public order.
Well, officially, that was it. The CIRO was a direct organization of the Prime Minister and served as an orchestra conductor. The orchestra members were from numerous private organizations, including the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, the Japan Broadcasting Association, the World Economic Research Council, the Institute for International Affairs, the East Asian Forum, etc. CIRO released a huge budget and used these institutions as subordinate intelligence agencies.
The Overseas Department of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office was divided into International Division 1 and International Division 2. The second division was dedicated to mass media and international public opinion. The collection and operation of overseas information were entirely under the jurisdiction of the International First Division. Kenji Ishihara, head of the Cabinets intelligence investigation office, also served as head of the International First Division. It was aimed at smoothly progressing the operation of Kako Tamako (cuckoo eggs).
Bastard! Lost contact with everyone?
BANG! Ishihara put the phone down as if to break it, then clenched his jaws. NHKs low-orbit satellite Tenzo 2 was an international first-part intelligence satellite. The intelligence team sent by Tenzo 2 to check the exposed strata of eastern Zaire and the intelligence team sent to Mambasa to understand the trend of the U.S. military, which had become more active, had lost its contact. It had not even been confirmed whether 30 informants were eaten in the jungle or died during combat.
Shit, shit! Nothing is working out. The spoiled servant barks at me for an apology, resource development is blocked, and its driving me crazy.
THUD! THUD! Ishihara wrapped his head around with his hands and bumped his forehead on the table. As the head of a countrys intelligence agency, it was an unfitting thing to do, but it was understandable. Operation Mambasa, which had been anticipated while trying to deal with the nuclear accident at Hamaoka, also suffered a setback.
Ishihara was a member of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and was a representative of the far right and hawk. He was someone who could not forget the nostalgia of Great Japan that dominated Korea. The ambitious operation of Kako Tamago was a hot mess due to the Tsugaru Bay earthquake, the Hamaoka nuclear power plant accident, and the sudden appearance of UMA.
Although it was troublesome to deal with the nuclear accident, the loss of plutonium, tritium and adult Predator accumulated over a decade was painful to his bones. The grand plan to throw Korea into chaos and swallow Dokdo and Jeju Island had also been postponed indefinitely.
Since the Meiji Restoration, Japans two wishes had been safe land and abundant resources. Japan floated on the Earths most unstable tectonic plates. Korea was a rare country, but it was a country without earthquakes. CIROs plan to obtain safe land was the Kako Tamako plan, while the Mambasa plan was the plan to obtain resources. All of the ambitious plans in partnership with the Imperial Rule Assistance Association were in vain. He was about to lose it.
Hito Ga Inaku, Roku na Yako Ga Inai! (There are no people, no one useful!)
Ishihara patted the desk with a shallow booklet and lamented. The booklet, which had a first-class secret red stamp on it, was a report sent by Kinshasha, the general manager of Marubeni Corporation. The report contained comprehensive information such as a massive base built outskirts of the Ituri jungle, the addition of U.S. Marines, the status of rebels, the environment of the Ituri jungle, and the distribution of underground resources.
According to the report, the Ituri jungle was Armageddon. Ituri jungle was a place where cannibals and monsters were unruly, infested with all kinds of poisonous insects, and where tens of thousands of armed guerrillas ran wild. Salary man-level informants were expected to die off without any effort.
He wanted to send intelligence agents with survival capabilities like the United States, the Soviet Union, or Korea, but there was no manpower to use. The regular Self-Defense Force troops were at the level of salary-man with no combat experience, and there were no special forces at all. The police commando had quite the backbone, but they could not be taken out because they were on standby after the enemy forces launched the Asama mountain cabin incident. There were lots of options, but when it was time to be used, there were no useful people.
Damn you, cowards!
Ishihara gnashed his teeth. Its because of the peace constitution and the stupid politicians. The Great Japanese Empire, which smashed Russia, overthrew China and ate Joseon, disappeared. The samurai, armed with loyalty and bravery, disappeared and were filled with idiots who lost Yamato-Tamashii. The pre-war generation shrank and the post-war generation was weak.
Gacho Kenzo! (Manager Kenzo)
Ishihara rang the intercom and called out Manager Kenzo.
Yes. You call me?
A short, middle-aged man entered. He had protruding teeth, protruding eyes, high cheekbones, a low and flat nose bridge, and darker skin. Typical Malay-Japanese.
Ameko (a similar but strong degrading meaning to Yankee) has added military power to Mambasa. What do you think theyre up to?
Ishihara did not even ask about the missing intelligence agent. The consciousness of the power class of Japan was deeply rooted in distorted numerical culture and contempt for life. It was a remnant of feudalism and militarism. The anachronistic consciousness, that failed to comply with orders was shameful and that shame should be washed with hara-kiri, was deeply established.
Ha! Its not a normal geological exploration. Its not a fossil excavation in terms of mobilized troops and equipment. The subordinate judges it as either strategic or large-scale commercial resource development.
Is that so? The satellite imagery team estimated the white band as a salt deposit. No uranium or diamonds come out of salt. Is it some rock salt thats so special that they bring military troops to dig up?
No way. The finest Andean rock salt imported by absentminded epicure is 50,000 yen per ton and the Himalayan pink salt is only 60,000 yen per ton. Apart from imported corn, there may be something special about rock salt from billions of years ago.
Kenzo gulped down the part about being cheaper than corn and quickly changed his words. Words that completely denied the bosss words are disloyal.
Chapter 655 - Episode 3 Ooparts
Ishihara stared at Kenzo with slanted eyes.
Kenzo, salt is just salt. Ameko wouldnt enjoy grilled foods with salt like some Korean (from Joseon) in the Ituri jungle. Although, grilled okapi belly on mahogany charcoal would be delicious.
Ishihara grinned sarcastically.
According to a report by Matsushida Ueno, the older the salt sediment layer is the higher the lithium content is. I do cautiously assume that Amekos purpose may be lithium, said Kenzo.
Kenzos response was hesitant. Ishihara tended to disregard uncertain speculative remarks.
Lithium? The lithium that Yomiuri made a fuss about the next generation of food? Ishihara asked back.
Kenzo breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the boss didnt show any sign of anger.
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Yes, sir. Matsushida and Sony have launched prototypes. Lithium batteries are said to be much more powerful than manganese or nickel batteries. The Ueno report was certain that lithium batteries were going to be the main force of the battery market.
Yoshi! Its not oil or uranium. Its lithium. Is lithium that expensive? Expensive enough for Ameko to make a fuss?
If youd want to say that it is expensive, then it is. If youd like to say it is cheap, then its cheap. In Japan, the market price is around 500 yen per kilogram. With international market price, it is traded at five times the price of copper. As usage increases, prices are likely to explode.
Oh! Its not a big deal. Ill just have to see who falls back as if I am watching a sumo game.
Ishihara lost his excitement. He paid a lot of attention to it and turned out that it was just some mere mineral that had not even been commercialized. It was difficult enough to deal with the Hamaoka nuclear accident at the moment.
Lithium is a hydrogen bomb tritium extraction catalyst. Its a mineral that the U.S. reserves as a strategic resource. You should not take it lightly.
Kenzo drew back the attention. It was not an easy matter for him, who was suffering from the trauma of nuclear bombs.
It is a little strange. I just remembered. Ameko has been stockpiling lithium and tritium for decades in Kingston. The amount they stockpiled could smash this Earth dozens of times if they produced hydrogen bombs with them. Yet, theyre mobilizing the Marines to build a permanent base for lithium? Dont you think something is off?
Thats an excellent insight. A large supply ship was escorted by a destroyer into the port of Dar es Salaam. Lithium may not be the purpose.
Is that so? Are they trying to overturn Mobutu?
Theres no reason for Yankee to touch the obedient Mobutu. He would become a headache if he sided with Brezhnev. We need to send an informant. Tenzos satellite image information is limited.
We lost contact with the people of the overseas department. The results are obvious if we send people that are similar to them. The success of Pearl Harbor was because we had Nakano School (founded by the Japanese Army in 1938. During World War II. Secret intelligence agents who specialized in espionage and conspiracy were trained. It was popular for their elites that were almost-inhuman-superhuman). We dont have enough manpower because the old cowards disbanded Nakano. I have been telling them that we need to train special forces from earlier days. If only the old hags listened. Should we send an SAT (Special Assault Team)?
Ishihara crumpled up his face. It was obvious that even if the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office staff were dispatched once again, they would melt in the jungle.
Theres a concern of causing a misunderstanding with the CIA. If there is any discord between the U.S.-Japan alliance, we will be losing more than gaining.
Kenzo was freaked out by Ishiharas projection. Japan did not have the right to collective self-defense. When the SAT collided with the U.S. military, Japan would be the one getting beaten up.
Yoshi, youre right about that. How nice would it be to have a psycho(best) agent like Abaddon or Black Mamba? Sheesh!
Ishihara smacked his lips. Spending 10 billion yen on super luxury agents such as Abaddon, who went missing after smashing a secret base in Syria and a terrorist training center, and Black Mamba, whose existence was ambiguous, would be well worth the price. The reason why he knew the existence of Abaddon and Black Mamba was because CIRO exchanged information with the CIA.
The ability to carry out impossible operations without hesitation and the brutality of killing 100 or 1,000 people without mercy suited his taste perfectly. Tracking of the Black Mamba was attempted through the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, but the trail was vague like fog.
There is Higashi Honganji. Ninjas cant reveal their identity, and even if they do, we will just play innocent.
Well, its not easy
Ishihara blurred his sentence. He had already contacted the governor of Higashi Honganji once. Ninjas specialized in environmental adaptability and viability. Although it was the best card to operate in a tropical jungle, the fact that he was the godfather of Yakuza and the requirements felt tricky.
The first condition was to allow the establishment of a new missionary school. The second condition was to hire a Higashi Honganji student as a special agent. Even if he wanted to agree to it right away, the problem was the subject who shackled Higashi Honganji.
MacArthur also restricted Higashi Honganjis missionary activities when closing Nakano School. This was because Higashi Honganji cooperated with Nakano and trained Kamikaze. Higashi Honganji could not establish a new missionary school or increase the number of its students.
He secretly raised his students through the Hamong family, a collateral descendant, but there was no place to use them. As he sent his students to Yakuza as a desperate measure, he unintentionally overshadowed the stigma of being the main house of Yakuza, and CIRO was in a dilemma where they could not utilize the best intelligence resources because they were wary of the U.S.
Its time for us to speak up, sir. We cant keep being wary of Ameko forever, can we?
Kenzo scratched his pride a little.
Yoshi, the empire cant keep being wary of others forever. Tell the school board, if they find out the objective of the U.S. military and secure a base in Mambasa, we will grant the conditions. Kenzo, take charge of this operation!
Yes, sir!
Kenzo saluted the heels of his shoes and turned around.
Kenzo, has the UMA flight tracking been successful?
Kenzo stood still while holding the door handle. When it came to UMA, he had nothing to say.
Im sorry, except for the witnesses statement that he disappeared eastward
Well then, get out!
Yes, sir!
Ishihara glared at the ceiling as if Garuda was there.
No way CIA would be betraying What the hell else is it?
Mirror imaging was the first principle to watch out for when analyzing information, but they could not possibly suspect the CIA. Even if it wasnt the U.S. but some greater country, they could not create a predator that tore and ate the Nure-onna like its paper.
Is it a sign that the world is going downhill? Ishihara murmured.
His eyes were still on the ceiling.
The Higashi Honganji Presbytery readily accepted Ishiharas proposal. The sword is there to be used whether as a radish cutter or to cut a person, not to be kept in the sheath, said Ryoma Matsuda, the chief of Higashi Honganji. A sentence that smelled bloody, showing the identity of Higashi Honganji.
Choi Do-sik, who was revived like a phoenix through the Great Law, led a group of literary students and left for prose. Next to Choi Do-sik, as if she was a shadow, was a female ninja with her hair down to her hips. She was a narrator called Lacetz (Rakshasa).
Following the Soviet Union and Japan, France also dispatched additional process squadrons and intelligence teams to the Areva Resource Development Headquarters, 130 kilometers south of Mambasa.
Executor Davis intention was to entice the Marines under the pretext of a rebel attack and entrench the Mambasa Triangle into a permanent semi-territory. The intention was quite successful, but the situation was beyond control due to excessive attention.
In eastern Zaire, there was a messy battle and a ruthless murder game that took place every day due to the intertwining of spies from powerful nations; U.S. troops and various armed warlords.
Hae Young was immersed in the work by going up and down the fault zone without being aware of the urgent situation. Even if she knew, nothing would have differed. What mattered to her was the fossil to prove her hypothesis, not the battle.
Smash! The blade of the hand drill broke. Fossil excavation required delicate movements. Once concentration got scattered, iron-hard metamorphic rocks relentlessly ate through the drill bits.
Oh, death must feel like this!
Hae Young flopped down. Ngpanwaza was a highland of 1,700m above sea level with temperatures rising and falling by 30. If she was to continue for one more hour, she might collapse from exhaustion.
Do they ever get tired?
30 Marines were collecting samples nonstop like ants, going up and down the slope of the incision site. The soldiers wore military uniforms that covered their entire bodies and were equipped with full-face helmets. It was a wonder how to endure the heat and lack of oxygen.
The Marines picked it up and bagged any rocks that seemed a little weird, fossil or not. They were completely useless minerals, such as semi-translucent obstruction stones, crystal rods with developed joints, magnetic iron ore, etc. She didnt like it but stopped caring. It was none of her business what they collected as long as they designated a working point.
Keri, do you have a spare bit? Hae Young shouted at Keri, who was working in the G sector.
I dont have it, either. Should I ask them to bring it?
Keri pointed at a cyborg on an all-around-security mission in a saluted position. They played three roles: bodyguards, monitors, and task assistants.
No, thanks. I need some rest.
One should rest if one was tired. Fossils would get damaged if her fingertips were numb. Hae Young, who was standing up, stumbled and fell over.
Oh, my!
Keri came running to help.
Its an early sign of heatstroke. You need to cool yourself down with cold water.
Keri carried Hae Young down the cutting area. Four cyborgs shadowed. The ground shook like a wave just as they arrived at the base camp.
Its an earthquake. Evacuate immediately. Evacuate immediately! Keri picked up the walkie-talkie and yelled.
Marines that were on the mountain slopes rushed down. The ground fluttered as they left the cutting area. CRRMMMM! The earth cried.
Run, run!
Keri and Hae Young yelled.
AHHHHH!
The Marines screamed and ran for their lives. The upper part of the 200-meter-high cliff, which they did not dare to climb, collapsed. QUAAA! A huge pile of dirt and rocks swept down towards a distant valley.
From sector F to sector H, the nodule disappeared without a trace, and an additional 300m-long incision appeared outside of sector G. Dense cloud of dust flew and twirled. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Oh, my!
The frightened Hae Young stared blankly at the natural disaster. If the drill bit hadnt been broken, she would have been done for.
Lynn, you must be blessed by an angel!
Keri tapped Hae Young on the shoulder with a freaked-out face. If he hadnt left the workplace with the spirit of chivalry, it would have been over.
Angels blessing my ass!
Hae Young made a complaint. If she was protected by an angel, she wouldnt have been dragged into a hellhole like this. PFFT! The radio indicator blinked.
The nest. Is everything all right?
Im sorry, unfortunately, everythings fine.
Keri choked up. He almost lost his life, so his words couldnt be nice. The terrain changed frequently due to continued aftershocks, but Professor Samuel pushed for exploration.
Hahaha, dont complain. Its the fate of a mole underground. Report the situation.
From sector F to sector H, the fault surface disappeared and additional incisions were revealed.
You must be very frightened. Leave or continue the work on your own accord.
All right, Roger!
Keri shorted the radio and huffed.
Damn old man, trying to milk everything.
The next day, Hae Young made a blue dot on the route map and climbed the incision. Terrified Keri didnt come out of the workshop and remained in the nest. The steep cliff collapsed, forming a surface of about 60 degrees. It was alright for climbing, but the weakened ground could collapse at any moment. She shuddered at her own recklessness, but resonance moved her body.
She felt for the strata carefully along the collapsed incision. The lower part of the incision identified by the mass spectrometer was a gneiss fault area of the Precambrian period 1.4 billion years ago. If the upper strata were close to the Cambrian period, fossils were highly likely to exist.
The reason why no animal or plant fossils were found in the Precambrian stratum was because of low oxygen concentration. If there was not enough oxygen, organisms with bones or tissues could not appear. This was why paleontologists were not interested in the Precambrian period.
Hae Young did not believe in the theory that only green algae existed during the Precambrian period. Whether it was 600 million or 700 million years, they were both the same time frame that humans could not estimate. Scientific truth could be produced as many times as possible if only a few conditions were met.
People were easily fascinated by the word scientific, but necessary and sufficient conditions did not always exist between science and truth. How do people judge a case that happened hundreds of millions of years ago?
What if the crust flipped over like a pancake mold (Boong-eo-Bbang: fish-shaped pastry) and all the traces went hundreds of kilometers underground? Who could guarantee that there had been no environment similar to the modern Earth somewhere in the long four billion years?
In the upper part of the stratum, intruded metamorphic rocks were widespread. This vein intrusion was a geological makeup where uranium deposits were likely to develop. The basal conglomerate layer was clearly a Precambrian metamorphic rock that had been subjected to folding action.
Bingo!
Hae Youngs face brightened up. It was a stromatolite fossil. She carefully collected the stromatolite with a dental electric drill and meticulously recorded them on the card.
Chapter 656 - Chapter 61 Episode 4 Ooparts
Hae Young smiled with satisfaction. The skeleton of the defense paper (the final course of the Ph.D.) was the hypothesis that the center of the Great Earth, from Lake Malawi to Lake Albert, was lifted, while torn from the seabed and the second rise happened after the seawater evaporated in a deep basin state. The academic advisor constantly criticized her, saying that she chose the wrong direction.
Damn old hag, he told me not to be writing novels!
If one found any eukaryotic fossils in the Precambrian strata, their paper became the cover of the Nature journal. She could picture the U.S. Geographical Society flipping out and her image covering the front page of the Korean morning newspaper. Hae Young, who was showered with adrenaline, felt her way up the strata.
A pine cone!
She was so surprised that the drill she was holding fell off. A fossil of a pine cone suddenly appeared from the shale floor on the top layer of the conglomerate. It was a pine cone fossil with clear pine needles. As it was known, pine trees appeared in the late Mesozoic era.
No way!
Her mind flew to the Cambrian period. Why was a pine tree that appeared in the Mesozoic era in the Precambrian period? Where did the Cambrian and Paleozoic go, and now the Mesozoic? Maybe one should throw the geological common sense that people knew so far; in the trash can. Hae Young collected the pine cone fossils and climbed up the slope.
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A trilobite!
A scream broke out without even realization. Following pine cones, a pile of trilobite fossils appeared. Trilobites were representative players of the Paleozoic era. Assuming that the stratum where pine cone fossils were found was in the Mesozoic era, it was in the order of the Mesozoic reverse rock layer, the unknown sandstone layer, and the Paleozoic sales layer. The strata and fossils were mixed up.
The Paleozoic stratum between the Precambrian and Mesozoic eras could disappear due to inconsistency. However, there could not be a reversal between the Mesozoic layer and Paleozoic layer. They could not exist in the Mesozoic stratum unless the trilobite fossils were revived and crawled up through the ground.
This phenomenon occurred if trilobites flourished in the Cenozoic era or when the stratum was flipped over completely like a bread mold, and the Precambrian stratum was bent by folding. Of course, the stratum was not a walnut-snack bread mold and Pangu was only a legendary giant.
Yes, this is it!
Hae Young clenched her fist. She was so excited that she could pee herself. Nature magazine was out of the window now. She felt there could be something that would turn the world upside down. She climbed a dangerous incision that could collapse at any moment. Her brain was bursting with the desire to solve the mystery of the strange reversal stratum.
******
Im about to go crazy. Would it be so horrible if it was a little cloudy?
Hae Young glared at the blazing sun with her eyes. The work, which began at seven oclock, had passed noon. Like a madwoman, she skipped lunch and crawled around the cliff. A backpack full of fossils weighed her shoulders down and she was light-headed from hunger.
Sweaty jeans, that wrapped around her legs, ate away at their physical strength. The blouse had been soaked with sweat for a long time and the hunters jacket had become white from salt. She took out the military grade ration, then put it back in the backpack. She felt like shed be throwing up if she ate. She took two tablets in the size of a pinky nail from the pouch and swallowed them. It was a nutritional supplement that combined vitamins and sodium. She lifted the bra and wiped the sweaty breast with a towel, then she stopped.
Who is that?
She couldnt tell who the silhouette climbing up the slope of the cutting site was. The silhouette would fall over several times on a rough slope and then stand back up. The heated atmosphere waved like a haze, making it seem as if a person was floating in the air and approaching.
Thought he was resting?
It was Kerry, who remained in the nest. The man dressed in an all-in-one yellow researcher attire.
Oh, man.
Kerry gasped, sweating like a waterfall. Sweat ran down everywhere even if one just stood in one place, but he climbed a steep slope of 300m, so his exhaustion was expected.
Kerry, whats up? I thought you were taking a day off.
Itll collapse with even the tiniest movement. Did you think Id feel comfortable doing that?
Kerry collected his breath and grinned.
Hmph, I bet the Gargamel kicked you in the ass.
I came running because I was worried. Now, Im disappointed. Oh, my God! Look at the sweat.
Kerry wiped off Hae Youngs face with a sports towel.
Kerry, dont come close.
Hae Young slapped his hand away.
Oh, Im sad that you dont understand my pure kindness. Hahaha!
Kerry grinned as he felt awkward. He was, in a way, stuck on her. Lin was on a different level from a personal and tough American woman. She had an oriental beauty, was considerate of others, and was well-behaved. While staying together, he grumbled like a puppy who lost his mother, but she didnt give him a chance.
Lin, dont be coy. Im going insane just digging in this damn place. A coal miner wouldnt even inhale as much dust as we do. Let us have some fun while working.
Kerry pushed. He heard that Asian women were easily attracted to Caucasian men.
Youre not my type. If you want to have fun, look for a Bantu woman dressed in red clay. There are six of them in the support team.
Want me to do it with a dirty savage!
Kerry shrugged his shoulders. The thought of a woman with red mud on her face and with a musty smell was awful.
Kerry, are you a racist? You seem like youll call me the Yellow Monkey.
Hae Young frowned. All the white dudes knew was sex. She missed Mu Ssang all of a sudden.
Sorry, I didnt mean it that way. Im just talking about the hygienic aspect. Im so lonely!
Startled, Kerry quickly made an apology.
If youre so horny, go into the woods and get with the gorillas.
Hae Young pointed towards a dark forest above the cutting site.
Youre too much. Dont you feel sorry for my youth, to be torn to death by a silverback?
Kerry, I have a man I love. Hes stronger than ten silverback gorillas. You better watch out, said Hae Young.
She was wearing a serious face.
Well, I may be scared of a silverback but not of a man.
Kerry didnt know what Hae Young truly meant by what she said.
Stop talking about useless things. Just look at the strata. Its taken my breath away.
I saw it on the way up. The Cambrian strata disappeared and the Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata reversed. There must have been an over-thrust.
Its not a fault. I didnt find any ripple marks, dry layers, cross-bedding, graded-bedding, groove marks, or flute marks. It looks like a giant kneaded it and flipped it over as a whole.
Hae Young pointed at the flat stratum with no protrusion.
Maybe a huge explosion overturned it?
Its a more realistic speculation than a mono-layer, but can such an explosion occur?
To flip over thousands of kilometers of strata as a whole, it must be a powerful explosion that would make the moon bounce away.
Lin, you look exhausted. Lets call it a day if you dont want to suffer from heatstroke. Let me carry your bag. Gosh, why is it so heavy?
Kerry, who was picking up Hae Youngs backpack, acted like a crybaby.
Okay! Lets go, madangsoe.
She is tired, but more importantly, her body was itchy and was driving her crazy. Hae Young gave up her work.
Mattangsseh?
Its a Korean word for servants. The one special madangsoe in the world is called Dolsoe.
The Dolsoe must be a lover or a husband.
You know it. A clumsy man who spills his belongings doesnt deserve to be a Dolsoe.
Hae Young pointed to a long yellow cloth that fell to the ground.
Aha, I must have dropped a towel when I fell.
Kerry kicked off the rock covering the cloth, quickly picked it up, and stuffed it into his pocket. The pattern of watermarking D and S on the edge of the towel was clear. Hae Young was not interested in the fact that the towel that fell could not crawl under the rock nor in Kerrys flustered reaction.
******
The next day, Hae Young found sector H again, which she climbed the previous day. Kerry returned to the nest, saying he had something to check on. It must have been a big deal since the cat refused the fish.
Tree stumps and bedrock that werent there yesterday were revealed here and there. It was a sign of fluctuation of Earths surface overnight. She was scared, but curiosity and desire moved her hands and feet. Some say you resemble the very people you hate the most. Hae Youngs resonance resembles her parents. She left Mu Ssang because of her resonance and regretted it deeply, but she wasnt aware that she was burning with resonance again.
Yesterday was today. With the burning sun of the equator, high humidity as if in a steam bath, and a heavily subdued atmosphere, Hae Young was covered with sweat and dust. Her eyes stung. The sweat-melted mascara got into her eyes. She tilted the water bottle to wash her eyes.
She wanted to wash her face, but if she used all the water in the water bottle, she would have to bring it from the base camp. She didnt want to ask a cyborg to do it, and it was hard to go back and forth 800m. Hae Young missed the camp. She desperately wished to take a cool shower and sleep well for about 10 hours.
Who did I put on makeup for? she thought.
Before coming out of work, she habitually put on mascara and painted on her lipstick. Mascara and lipstick were all that was for so-called makeup. Smelly cosmetics such as lotion and perfume brought in poisonous insects. When she was with Mu Ssang, She didnt even bother to put lipstick on. The past years had become unfamiliar as if it was some others life. Hae Young took out a wet tissue and wiped her face hysterically. She roughly wiped off the lipstick as well.
Yesterday, her breast was itchy. But today, the inside of her underwear was itchy. It was because of a rash in her important areas. The application of terbinafine hydrochloride did not improve the condition. The itchiness was one thing, but the fact that mold lived there was so uncomfortable.
Hae Young wanted to throw off her clothes and wash them off. She glanced around. There was no way there were other people, other than the cyborg who was keeping security at the far bottom. She turned around and unzipped her trousers. She pulled down her underwear and showed her genitals. The itch was relieved by the wind. Maybe it was just in her head.
What am I doing!
A sudden surge of sorrow came. It was ridiculous to see herself exposing her genitals in a wide-open place. If shed put a flower on her head, itll be the complete version of a mad woman. What if Mu Ssang saw this madness? It was awful just to imagine.
Im not even a virgin. Why do I care
Tears that were held back poured out like a broken faucet.
But Im glad Mu Ssang took my virginity, at least. If you cry, you lose.
As soon as she thought of Mu Ssang, her mysophobia started. Hae Young wiped her tears and looked up at the dark forest above the cutting area. She heard that rivers were intertwined in the forest and there were countless swamps and pools. Its a place one should never go in, but the desire to wash up was so strong. As she approached the forest, a flock of mopani came in like clouds. It was proof that there was water nearby.
Oh, its water!
When the forest was about 30m away, she found a slim stream flowing along a gentle slope. The stream of water led to the original forest. Hae Young made a puddle by blocking a thread-like stream of water with a portable stainless steel shovel.
Oh, its cold!
She flinched while putting her hand in. The water thats supposed to be lukewarm because of the geothermal heat was cold? This was where her head tilted. Her eyes searched up the stream. About 5 meters upstream, a shiny object could be seen. The essence of science is persistence and suspicion. Hae Young climbed up the stream.
Oh my God!
Unknowingly, an exclamation came out. The edge of the stream, which was less than a foot wide, was frozen. The shiny object was ice reflected in the sun. This place was Africa, on an equator where geothermal was suffocating. A place far from thin ice. How did ice formation make any sense when the sun pierced the middle of the sky, radiating heat as if to burn ones skin?
There is no result without a cause. Hae Young looked into the water with her face close. There was no object in sight. She put her hand in the water and stirred it. A cold block of ice caught her hand. Her fingers were so cold that they could stick to one another. She pulled away her hands out of fright. This was the culprit who froze the water. She poked with a shovel. The object remained motionless. The roots were firmly buried in the rock formation.
What the heck is this?
An object emitting cold air appeared from the unknown stratum. The thought of washing her sweaty body flew away to a faraway country. Using a portable electric crusher, she carefully dug out the reverse rock that was holding the object.
Thirty minutes of investment was made to remove the conglomerate stuck to the surface of the object with a dental drill, and the impurities were washed with weak acidic hydrogen fluoride. When foreign substances were wiped with a microfiber towel, the object showed its face. Her palms felt freezing.
Hae Young stared at the milky white object on her palm. The cylindrical object that fit into the palm was colder than ice and lighter than a tree of the same volume. At first glance, it was an ice mica, but there was no ice mica with a perfect arc at the edge.
A neolithic tool?
Its a ridiculous imagination, but there are many things in the world that human intelligence cannot comprehend. The Mesozoic strata were placed on the Precambrian strata. There was no law that stated Cenozoic strata could not exist between the Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata.
Hae Young measured it with a tape measure. It was 150mm in length, 20mm in diameter, and had a smooth cylindrical shape, and the circular edge was treated with 3R (metal processing method that pulls three sides into a curved surface). If the material was wood, it would have rotten or silicon would have permeated the tissue and it would have been heavy as stone. There was no rock that came to mind even if she searched through her brain.
Sophisticated artifacts whose physical properties were unknown were not neolithic tools, no need for spectroscopic analysis. The sound of a Neolithic person making such a sophisticated object was as absurd as the sound of a frog making a spaceship.
Chapter 657 - Episode 1 Novatopia Crisis
Who the heck are you?
Hae Young inadvertently hit the compass on her wrist with a cylindrical object. At that moment, the compass turned violently. The needle, which was spinning as fast as an electric motor, broke off of the spike. The needle that broke away hit a tempered glass cover and rolled up in one corner in an ugly way.
Oh my, why is this acting this way (in southern Korean dialect)?
The forgotten dialect popped out of Hae Youngs mouth out of surprise. Compass is a necessity for geologists out on the site. Hae Youngs face looking at the broken compass dilapidated from displeasure. Come to think of it, its a birthday present she got from Robert. Annoyed, she unbuckled the compass and threw it aside.
Wait. An object with a powerful magnetic force!
Hae Young realized the meaning of the broken compass. Magnets would not react violently to just stone tools or fossils.
Metal!
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She inhaled. Although it was difficult to distinguish the geological era due to inconsistency and large-scale intrusion, strange metals suddenly popped out between the Mesozoic and Paleozoic strata. It was not a low-grade tool. It was not a modern component. Its an Ooparts (out-of-place artifacts). Hae Youngs heart fluttered.
What did it mean by Ooparts from the Mesozoic era?
It was an event that would turn the academic world upside down, better yet, the world upside down. She could imagine herself being interviewed by CNN. In Hae-young on the cover of Time magazine! In Hae Young on the mass media all over the world! Life would turn around.
It is said that sparrows die of feed, cats die of curiosity, and tiger moths die of light. Hae Young opened the hell gate again because of her resonance, even though she previously caused a misfortune because of her resonance.
******
As dusk fell, Eungsim-je (the House of Accepting Hearts) had a gentle atmosphere. Kim Mal Soon took care of her sons meal and bed, even school bags and lunch boxes, as if she was pouring out an affection that she had not been able to give. Jin Soon willingly gave up her seat to her future mother-in-law. No, she became a daughter.
The wishes of Mu Ssang were his mother, a tile-roofed house, and boiled rice. Mu Ssang who achieved his wishes was happy. His foresight read an unusual precursor, and as he knew that a peaceful life would not last long, he devoted generous affection to his mother and family.
There is no more vague concept than happiness and misery. A person living in a spacious, shiny apartment misses the days of a small room in a slum where tap water does not even come up, and a self-made businessman misses the times they harrow the field with a spotted brown cow.
The younger generation envies the older generation because they got a good job whenever theyd finish college, and the middle-aged generation complains that it is hard to even cross the threshold of college back then. The old man rebukes if one knows the misery of their days and the hunger of the Korean War. Historians teach that those born in 1580 who suffered from the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, the Chinese invasion of Korea in 1627, and the Manchu War of 1636, are the truly unfortunate generation.
The pastor teaches that faith is happiness, while the monk teaches that happiness and unhappiness are in ones heart. Thats true. The roots of happiness and unhappiness lie in distinction and comparison. Some deplore that their parents have not handed down any inheritance, and others say that they can work hard, thanks to the healthy body theyve inherited.
It is happiness if you appreciate that there is a place to lie down even if you live in a slum neighborhood where you have to slowly crawl up the icy hill when it snows. Happiness and unhappiness are not external; they are internal. Enjoying life makes you happy, and living to be happy makes you unhappy.
Kim Mal Soon was happy. Although the sudden change in environment had her bewildered, she engraved the hardship and pain of the past in her heart and enjoyed the life she was given. She raised purified water the moment she opened her eyes to pray for her husband to be reincarnated in paradise, and then she prepared breakfast for the large family to eat. She learned math and Korean from Jin Soon, and when she took the time to go to work, she listened to the employees hardships and even secretly helped them financially. This month, she made a nursery and kindergarten in the company. Living was rewarding and happy.
******
Wow! Thats amazing, mom.
Mu Ssang, who received the notification of passing the post-elementary school qualification exam shouted hurrah.
Well, Your mother isnt old yet.
Kim Mal Soon put strength on her shoulders in high spirit.
Mother, youre amazing.
Jin Soon smiled wide and circled around, holding Kim Mal Soon.
Haha, I barely pass. Its a little embarrassing.
Its been less than two months since you started studying. Who would study and pass like that at your age, mother?
Thank you, baby.
Kim Mal Soon shed tears. She had never been to school. She couldnt be more jealous of the kids going to school, but she had been blessed with such fortune in her late years that she got to wear a school uniform. She was just so thankful for Jin Soon, a lucky charm.
Time for celebration! Time for celebration! Older sister, lets have a party.
Ha Dong Daek threw an envious celebratory comment.
A party? What party? I told you, you should have studied with me.
Kim Mal Soon shoved it in her face with blame.
Oh my God! How would I go to middle school at this age? Itll be embarrassing.
Ha Dong Daek waved her hands. Mal Soon was smart and young like a maiden, but at the age of being a wrinkled grandma, she had no intention of studying with a headache and taking the post-elementary school qualification exam.
No. Since I started working at a company, I saw that people, whether old or young, need to be educated.
I cant because I have dumb little head. Ill continue to live just like this.
Ha Dong Daek left like a wind. She felt like if she stayed, then she would be stuck studying.
Hahaha! Its hereditary
Jin Soon laughed quietly. Her brother studied well because he took after his mother, and she, herself, took after her mother.
Ssang, I heard youre dating a foreign girl
Kim Mal Soon shot a question suddenly.
Argh!
That freaked out Mu Ssang, and he glared at Jin Soon. Jin Soon shook her head and hinted fiercely at the door, indicating that the person who asked was her mother.
Baby, Ive heard you accepted her, too.
The arrow went towards Jin Soon.
Yes, mother! A lady from an English aristocratic family. Shes beautiful and has an angelic heart.
Oh, youre too soft! Seed cannot be divided.
As long as I can be next to Mu Ssang, I am happy. Youll like her if you meet her, mother.
Yeah? If you accept it, Ill stop now. But what are you going to do with the family registry later on?
Kim Mal Soon glared at Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang was left speechless.
Mu Ssang became mute. Talking about this and that was making the story long and pathetic.
Mother, dont worry. There is a country that my brother founded in Africa. Edel will live there and I can live here. I dont mind if we live together, either. Hes a softie with me. Hahaha!
Jin Soon shook her fist.
Ssang built a country? What are you talking about?
Shed never heard of it. Kim Mal Soons eyes have grown so big. She knew her son was outstanding, but she couldnt believe that he founded a country, and she was speechless.
Yeah, I just happen to see the people who didnt have a place to go, the people who were on the verge of death. It just happened that way.
Oh wow, so did my son become a king?
Yes, mother, you are the kings mother, a queen dowager.
Jin Soons face was taken over by a content smile.
Thats too much for my head to handle. If Ssang did a good deed, then thats good. Anyway, lets take a look at the western maiden. Should I take this opportunity to travel abroad?
She didnt care about the country. The attention was all over her daughter-in-law.
Sure thing. Ill prepare for it.
Well, thanks to my distinguished son, Ill get on an airplane. Ill just continue a normal life. What would I do if I were a kings mother? Im gonna go study
Kim Mal Soon went up to the main house.
I think shes shocked. What do we do!
What do you mean shock? And if its too absurd, it doesnt even feel real. I live thinking it as what it is.
Jin Soon shook her head. There were a lot of things that she couldnt understand even though she had been living with Mu Ssang since she was a little child. If you try to understand something you dont understand, youll only have trouble.
Dad, when is Wangnun coming? Mina, who was unable to intervene in the adult conversation, asked.
Well, its here already, but
Mu Ssang stuttered. Garuda came back on Christmas Eve. Mu Ssang himself had a jaw-dropping experience with Garudas new look. It was a fortune that he came back at dawn. If he came back in broad daylight, it would have been a mess.
Where is it?
The East Sea!
Eeek! Why is it in the sea?
Minas eyes opened wide.
Wangnun has become an adult. Its too big to live in a house.
Korea was too small for Garuda to hide. He freed the predator in the East Sea as a protective measure.
Is it taller than Dino?
10 times. No. 20 times!
Wow, but my house is big.
Its still too small for the Wangnun to live in.
Daddy, I miss Wangnun.
Oh man, What do we do?
Mu Ssang, who loved his daughter dearly, was in an awkward situation. Even if Garuda shrank and converted the body, it reached 20 meters in length. It could be reduced to a maximum of 6 meters, but then it could not demonstrate its stealth capability. The family would be okay with that, but the impact of the giant UIF was too big. For him, someone who wanted to live quietly, that was such disturbance.
Oppa, call it. I miss it, too.
Jin Soon supported Mina.
Oppa, I miss it, too.
The Young-a also stepped up.
Mu Ssang couldnt beat the attack of glittering three-pair of eyes. Even if it wasnt for this, he planned to go to Novatopia. Garuda was needed in Novatopia rather than in Korea.
Chicken!
Mom, why are you calling me?
The response came immediately.
Oh, Im going to be insane.
Mu Ssang clicked his tongue. This fellow responded by calling him a mother when he called for chicken. Artificial intelligence was as good as human beings.
Mina misses you.
The small female human that mom likes? Here I go!
150 kilometers southeast of Dokdo, the sea in front of Oki Island bubbled. QUAA! A huge object popped out like a torpedo. A patrol boat belonging to the Korea Coast Guard, which was advancing toward Dokdo, was struck by misfortune.
BANG! The 1,000-ton patrol boat, which collided with Garuda, got its keel broken and the middle east of the hull cut off clean. The hull was sucked into the sea without time to send an SOS.
Oh? Its not my fault.
The transfer of responsibility and I dont know attitude were the main features of Garuda. PSHH! Garuda disappeared westward at a cruising speed of 20 times faster than the speed of sound. Kuung! Exactly 90 seconds later, Garuda landed in the backyard of Eungsim-je (the House of Accepting Hearts).
Wow!
The family members of Eungsim-je dropped their jaws together. Legs thicker than the pillars of Daeung-jeon Hall, a giant body comparable to the height of a 20-story apartment, a blue magnetic field wrapped around the body like a goblin fire, and even the darkness was surprised by Garudas dignity that feed on dragons, and stepped back.
Oh my!
Even Jin Soon, who had become accustomed to senselessness, could not keep her mouth closed.
Ssa Ssang, whats that?
Frightened Kim Mal Soon hid behind her son.
Grandma, its Wangnun.
Mina pointed at its sparkling eyes. Kim Mal Soon couldnt even answer and dropped her jaw. Young-a ran and patted its leg.
Too big. Way too big!
Got it.
SHUUUU! Micro-lattice tissues compressed. The huge fuselage quickly turned into a petite 6-meter-size.
Huh? Would you look at that!
Mu Ssang was slightly surprised. Garuda had consciousness from the perspective of artificial intelligence but did not have consciousness from a human perspective. This meant that Animal Espers brain waves could self-coordinate with artificial intelligence. If so, it meant that the Houngan Kamuge could also affect Garura.
Chicken, I am giving you an absolute order. Protect my family.
Mom, I got it.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Scouter imprinted images and brain waves of Kim Mal Soon and the Eungsim-je family.
Why did you get so big, Wangnun? We cant even play anymore.
Mina made a complaint.
PURRRR! Garudas eyes curved like a half moon. It bent its neck and rubbed its head against Minas chest, just like a pet. Kim Mal Soons face straightened out. She raced through the sea in the South Sea on a whale. There was no way that the legendary King Yeong-jo could not appear.
Go back. You can eat if radioactive creatures appear like last time.
I got it.
After the meeting, Garuda returned to its original size. SHUUUU! The giant shot up into the night sky like a feather. The black shadow that covered the moon disappeared without a trace. Girls with disappointed faces and women who were mesmerized only stared at the sky.
******
The vast Sahara Desert, an altitude aircraft that crossed 16 to 19 north, could see picturesque blue islands between the southern tip of the Emi Koussi mountain and the Ennedi Plateau. Not to mention the rectangular blue land floating like a mirage on the endless yellow land was, of course, Novatopia.
The unified agenda, which was set ablaze by Mu Ssang, put multi-ethnic and multi-racial people in a large smelting furnace called Novatopian people. Their native culture was respected, but Korean and French were adopted as official languages.
Novatopias religious policies were based on freedom, responsibility, and versatility. Priests and religious groups were strictly prohibited from forcing religion and were required to pay taxes. Clothes or attaching symbols symbolizing a particular religion and preaching in public were also prohibited. The noise of worship, which caused many complaints from residents, was also subjected to a crackdown. Those who violated the principles and regulations were immediately sentenced to compulsory labor sentence. It was a rather drastic move, but the disputes and conflicts caused by religion disappeared efficiently and the Dubaiburupa formed the mainstream of faith.
Language integration, religious conflict resolution, strict personal punishment system, social structure that could be fruitful with effort, fair educational opportunities, and overflowing jobs were Novatopias agenda. The distinction between Kurdish, Arabs, Negroids, Caucasoids, Mongoloids, and Bushmanoids had disappeared, leaving only Novatopians.
Chapter 658 - Episode 2 Novatopia Crisis
Since the beginning of history, there has never been a place where the proverb Every cloud has a silver lining has been applied as well as Novatopia. The hopes thrown by Dubaiburupa were embodied by a group of talented people with strong beliefs and clear goals. The refugees who caught straw in a dead-end alley worked a miracle.
The Blue Art Project, embodied by five wise men, was not simply a business of planting trees and creating grassland. Instead, it was the construction of a natural infrastructure that integrated facility infrastructure, education infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, and defense infrastructure based on environmental and nature conservation.
Natural infrastructure is a term that corresponds to gray infrastructure, represented by concrete. There is a so-called free rider in the background of the conflicts in development. There is also a free rider in the background that says environmental projects and nature conservation are recognized as charitable projects. If there is someone who spends money and someone who enjoys it separately, there is no choice but to have a conflict. In reverse, if investors and beneficiaries coincide, development is bound to be faster. This was the reason that the five wise men focused on building natural infrastructure.
The best development and investment is a structure in which clean water, clean air, and the establishment of a resting space form a virtuous cycle with industrial production, including clean agricultural products and clean energy production. For instance, an asphalt-covered road is just a travel passageway, but a canal becomes a tourist attraction, a fish farm in itself, and can provide moisture to the city. Although natural infrastructure is challenging to build initially, over time, it generates unparalleled returns compared to gray infrastructure.
Ironically, the reason that the Blue Art Project was able to build a natural infrastructure was because it started from nothing. Novatopia was a white paper with no power to hold back and no complex interests that could cause conflict.
Mussang and Nova members succeeded in The Blue Art Project based on the power of money poured by European powers reluctant to the influx of refugees and the skilled and resourceful workforce supported by Bonifas.
The beginning of Blue Art was water. A water pipe connected to 30 super-sized wells covered the entire country like a spiders web. Five hundred million liters of water per day were supplied to key cities, energy belts, agricultural belts, and tourist districts. Five hundred large and small lakes were built, and canals, connected with main roads, linked one lake to another. The land of sand and rock was turned into the land of canals and lakes. Novatopia was called Almia Alvarado (Country of Water).
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Essential conditions for plant growth are sunlight, water, air, and nutrition (inorganic and organic substance). Soil is not only a prerequisite to mechanically supporting the roots of plants and transferring nutrition. When enough water and fertilizer were supplied, Novatopia was transformed into a green land in a short period.
A 100 to 300-meter wide windbreak forest surrounded the 750-kilometer border, and the 25,580 square kilometer desert covered with yellow sand and dark red rocks had been turned into greenery. The area of artificial reforestation alone reached 12,000 square kilometers, which was half of the country.
The remaining desert areas were Lake Yoa, Serir Lakes, and the Ennedi Plateau, which were developed as tourist areas. Professor Orifice and Professor Mulsori assured that their own climate, like the rainforest, would form within ten years. It was the sound of rain pouring into the desert.
Bonifas and President Marzuri supported the afforestation industry actively. Clonal afforestation, in which seedling experts select elite seeds and plant clones uniformly, was crucial. Capital Mera of Indonesian origin, planted in Wakil Company using the low-fat stewed method, grew to a height of 10 meters in a year, and Poplars of Burmese origin grew faster than that.
The afforestation business has evolved beyond simply creating forests into an industry that obtains commercial products, including timber. In just three years, Novatopia had reached the stage of obtaining wood for plywood, processing wood pellets, securing diesel oil, and harvesting pharmaceutical ingredients and tropical fruits. Almia Alvarado had transformed into Almia Blue Art (Blue Country).
The energy industry has also progressed based on natural infrastructure. Thermal power plants use turbines powered by steam generated by boiling fresh water. Even if coal, fuel, and gas were abundant, electricity could not be generated without water. Large amounts of water were also required to remove antioxidants in exhaust gases and prevent fuel oxidation. The 800MWp super-large thermal power plant, which was gifted by the French government, was consuming 30 million liters of water per day.
Professor Shenion launched an eco-friendly microgrid (a small independent power grid) project. A 1MWp class Jatropha curcas diesel power plant, a 0.5MWp wood chip power plant, and a 0.1~0.3MW class solar power plant were built one after another throughout Novatopia. Although the Jipoon Dari thermal power plant supplied sufficient electricity, its purpose was to prevent environmental pollution and efficiently distribute electricity.
The total length of the road crossing Novatopia was over 2,000 kilometers. Except for the 320-kilometer longitudinal road, all roads were paved with a composite material that mixed white clay and sand, cotton shavings, and wood fragments instead of asphalt. As a result, composite roads were absorbing noise and significantly reducing fine dust scattering.
Despair and pain make humans strong. Lets live like human beings, Lets live well was the aspiration of the Novatopians. As the basic infrastructure, energy, housing, and food were solved, various industries arose like fire.
Manufacturing plants were not an exception to the natural infrastructure policy, either. Strict standards were applied to the emission of soot, noise, vibration, and wastewater. Business owners created swamps to collect factory wastewater, and management was obliged to put fish grown in the swamps on the table. No one wanted to eat heavy metal-contaminated dishes.
Novatopia, where the Blue Art Project was closed, was not about just changing the sea but a bigger change. The road was full of vehicles and cargo ships transporting materials that filled the canal. Tourists flocked to the streets, and the streets were full of people of all races. It took less than five years for Chads useless desert to turn into a pearl of the Sahara.
Jipoon Dari, the capital of Novatopia, belongs to the Lake Yoa County Tourist District. Professor Muulsori and Professor Orifice built Jipoon Dari as a natural ecological city. The 200-square-kilometer city covered with lakes, canals, and forests northwest of the city was preserved with a barren rocky desert (Reg) and a tan sandy desert (Erg) in the southeast. The desert was a tourist attraction and a base for the Kurdish Peshmer (Fighters to Death) brigade garrisoning the capital.
The Blue Palace was built on the hill east of Lake Yoa, on the dark red sandstone hill that stood in front of the crowd by walking across Mussang Lake. This was Dubaiburupa Palace, which was built with the motif of Hellbrunn Palace, Austria by Shenion and Mulsori.
Edel chose harmony and freedom over authority and domination. The Dubaiburupa Palace, built on a million square meters of land, had no fences or gates. The building consisted of the outer guard building, the main building on the fifth floor, and the annex on the third floor.
The one-million-square-meter land, decorated with 20 large and small lakes and 15 gardens, was not a symbol of authority but a resting place for the citizens. The people of Novatopia could treat the Royal Palace like a park. Edel only separated the main building and the annex from the grass square by a 20-meter wide Ixorachinensis tunnel.
Citizens could go through the Ixorachinensis Tunnel, called The Passage of Love, to enter Dubai Palace, called Yoa House, with a simple inspection of their belongings. Although the five wise men and hammers, including Ombuti, ran away, Edel was defeated with the word of Lord Dubaiburupa.
There were five-meter-high standing stones and obsidian steles on the left and right of the entrance to Dubaiburupa Palace. It was the place where the Full Moon Festival took place.
The standing stone was a Rahula Stone (nuisance stone) that was cut and used as a platform when Mussang made the open conversation on Lake Yoa. The following words were written on the Rahula Stone.
[Dubaiburupa, dressed in divine brilliance, stepped on the waves of Lake Yoa and revealed himself in front of the citizens. Unfortunately, he cut the Rahula Stone with a single gesture and had to pay a fine of 1,000 francs.]
It was a symbol of Dubaiburupas great dance and protection of nature.
On the right obsidian stele, long inscriptions were deeply engraved.
[God has come to become a human being, so it is Dubaiburupa. Dubaiburupa said: The owners of Novatopia are the citizens. Novatopia is a country without discrimination and privilege, and Novatopians are dignified. One has the right to be treated as a human being, the right to pursue happiness, and the right to live freely.
Our citizens, the people of Dubaiburupa, and owners of Novatopia promise the following. Citizens who do not keep their promises are not owners of Novatopia and do not assert the rights of the people.
First, all citizens are to defend their country.
Second, all citizens must work.
Third, all citizens must pay taxes.
Fourth, all citizens must be educated.
Fifth, all citizens must conserve the environment.
Novatopians, dream when you are awake. The flowers bloomed with sweat will bear fruit, and your sons and daughters will reap the fruit. Were too busy to love, but do we have time to hate? Love yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your country.
These are the words of the one and only being, the one who exists but does not exist, Dubaiburupa.]
Before the sun could even raise its head, a large crowd had gathered at Dubaiburupa Palace. It was to receive Dubaiburupas blessing on Novatopias founding day and the Full Moon Festival.
Dad, will Lord Dubaiburupa give us a blessing this year? A mature lady asked a middle-aged man.
Well, Lady Edel may do the blessing instead. Since he did not appear after delivering Yoahs Sermon .
The man curled his horsetail.
I love Lady Edel so much. I met Lady Edel in the water garden last weekend.
Hey, what did you talk about?
I asked him to make the school toilets separate for men and women.
Oh no! You may make a petition to the Department of Administrative Facilities, but you said indecent words to an honorable man.
The man had a serious look on his face.
Dad thinks like that in vain. How sweet Lady Edel was. Construction must have started yesterday.
Well, Edel is an angel indeed. Amelia, but still, you shouldnt say things like this yourself. Lady Edel is a busy person.
All right. I love Lady Edel more than Lord Dubaiburupa.
Hahaha, it is because you cant see Lord Dubaiburupa. He is a God. However, he is also full of human charm. Lord Dubaiburupa is the Sun, and Lady Edel is the one who shines with the light of the sun. Our family also lives comfortably with His grace. Look at him. The man laughed outright and pointed to the old man with his head bowed in front of the stele.
Lord Dubaiburupa, Our Father! I want to see you.
A white-haired old man stroked the stele and began to tear. That old man is happy? The words of God, who crossed the lake with brilliance, were vivid as if they were yesterday. Before I die, I want to feel that emotion once more. The old man was Wazai Abdul, who was blessed when Mussang had an open conversation with the crowd.
Abdul took his ten family members across the western Sahara and the Ennedy Plateau for over a month to escape the Darfur massacre. Recognized as a refugee, he was able to settle in Novatopia. Last year, he reached the retirement age of 65 and entered a state-run nursing home.
He, whose body was healthy, grew cranberries (North American Fruits) on a nursing home farm and provided them to the military. The nursing home was state-funded. However, most of the elderly continued to work like themselves. He wanted to pay a little of the grace he had received from Lord Dubaiburupa.
Grandfather, go on quickly. You have to sit in the front seat so you can see Lady Edel.
Did you come? Lets go quickly.
Abdul took his granddaughters hand and entered the Royal Palace. The crowd of men and women gathered endlessly. Citizens were no different from Abdul. At the entrance to the Royal Palace, they bowed or passed by stroking the steles.
Most of the men wore work clothes, but the womens clothes were free-spirited. A woman in hot pants and a sleeveless T-shirt, a woman in a bodysuit and a blue jacket known as national clothes, a woman in jeans, a woman in a miniskirt There was not a single woman wearing a niqab or chador.
Look at that. If it werent for Lady Edel, Id be covering my face with a niqab and sweating continuously, Amelie complained.
Hahaha, thats right. I couldnt even imagine seeing my daughter wrapped in black cloth. Lets go in quickly.
The middle-aged man entered the square holding his daughters hand. In Syria, it was unthinkable.
About 200,000 people gathered in the grass square of the main building around the time the red mine sphere was slightly reflected on the horizon. The guards put up a white flag on the terrace on the third floor of the palace. The eyes of the crowd turned to the third floor of the terrace at once. Radiant beauty appeared on the terrace.
Wow!
Lady Edel!
Angel of Novatopia!
Shouts broke out. Golden blonde hair, hot pants, a T-shirt, and a bright red Ixorachinensis in his hairthese were Edels symbols. The rising sun shone brightly. Edel was not a human being but an angel who descended.
To the left and right of Edel, the reception guards called the Queens Guard, Ssamdi and Dino stood up. Three or four steps behind, a wrinkled Arabian followed. An Ombuti prefers to be called Aklan Crew (Servant) rather than by the title of Visgowa (Governor).
Edel raised his hand. Shouts died down, and the crowd held their breath.
It was Ixorachinensis.
The scent of flowers had aphrodisiac properties, and the berries were highly toxic.
Chapter 659 - Episode 3 Novatopia Crisis
Bad Dubai!
Edel looked around at the endless crowd and sighed. She hoped that Dubai would come to the Full Moon Festival, but he didnt, as expected. Of course, she was disappointed, but the people who had come a long way to receive the blessing must be disappointed as well!
Blue Art Blue Art Le Desse! (Make the desert green and green!), Edel raised her arms and exclaimed. A clear voice echoed through a high-performance sound system placed in the grass square.
Dubaiburupa Esther Abek Nu! (Dubaiburupa is with us!)
The slogan of 200,000 people shook the atmosphere. It was the slogan that had also become a greeting that had heated Novatopia like a furnace for the last five years.
Youre all disappointed, arent you?
Yes!
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To the question in which the subject and object were omitted, the answer came back as if it were natural.
Im more disappointed than you are. Haa! Edels voice faltered like cotton dropping into water. The pitiful sight of the beauty set fire to the hearts of the crowd.
Boo!
Dubaiburupa did too much.
We love Lady Edel.
The gathered crowd boiled up.
Lady Edel, please cheer up. Were here, you see.
Someone shouted through a hidden megaphone.
Edel! Edel!
The gathered crowd stomped their feet and began to shout. The shouts grew louder and louder, and the palace windows rumbled. The place where they came to receive the blessing had turned into a place where they were cheering Edel up.
Lady Edel, you must bless me, Ombuti, who had lost his temper, shouted.
Ouch! How silly!
Edel rushed. A panicked voice echoed through the microphone.
Woahaha!
Laughter erupted at the unpretentious attitude.
On behalf of the Lord, I bless you and your home. Make a lot of money this year and pay a lot of taxes. Dont get sick, be healthy. If you go to the hospital often, theres no opportunity for me to prepare for deep sleep. The old lady is not enough for Lord Dubaiburupas mind. Lords body is needed as well. Ho-ho-ho!
Edel smiled softly without saying anything. Ssamdi giggled, and Ombuti beamed with a smile.
Woahaha!
Lady Edel is the best!
Lady Edel, we wont be sick this year.
Laughter and shouts broke out. No one knew that Edel was spending days doing therapy and counseling. If Dubaiburupa was in that high sky, Edel was an angel crying and smiling together. Novatopians had no choice but to like Edel.
Ill give you the good news. Lord Dubaiburupa has declared that the Blue Art Blue Art Le Desse Project has been successfully completed. Youve been through a lot so far.
Woah! Lord Dubaiburupa said.
You are great creators. The sweat you shed has turned the desert into a blue land. You, who worked hard, can rest a little. Following Dubaiburupas will, we will name tomorrow Green Day and designate it as a national holiday. We designate three days, starting with Green Day, as a Blue Art Holiday. So enjoy the Full Moon Festival today, and put down your hammer and shovel for the Blue Art Holiday. Singles, work hard to find a mate, and those who have nothing to do should rest well. For those who have unrequited love, we will open the Ixorichinensis Tunnel on the Blue Art Holiday. I love you all.
Woah! Long live Edel!
The crowd, overflowing with joy, picked up their hats, stomped their feet, clapped their hands, and trembled. They worked without even taking off their work clothes to pass on a prosperous country to their descendants. The four-day holiday was also sweet, but the adrenaline overflowed from the pride that they had made history with their own hands.
Heh heh heh, they loved it. They really loved it very much! Ssamdi grinned.
Lady, it seems you resemble Wakil more and more. Ombuti chuckled.
Its called conjugal harmony, as you know. Edel chuckled.
[Crung]
Dino cried quietly.
What is it?
When they took a closer look, it was 3,000 miles away. Ssamdis face was frozen. Dino pointed his paws to the eastern sky. A mass of black clouds was rolling in.
Rppell?
Ssamdis eyesight was on a different level from humans. The mass of black clouds was a flock of Rppells vultures inhabiting Ennedi. An adult Rppells vulture was a bird of prey weighing 10 kilograms with a wingspan of 2.5 meters. Its bald hair and creepy eyes were disgusting, but its howling voice was terrifying enough to be heard from ten miles away.
Rppells vultures were one of Novatopias troubles. From time to time, dozens of them flocked to the area to pick up pet dogs, cats, rabbits, and yeanling. There have even been cases where babies were taken away. Moreover, during the breeding season, they become even more aggressive.
Those hungry to feed their young were not afraid of people. If people yelled and swung poles at them, they would not fly away but attack instead. Whenever they appeared, a special strike force would go into action and kill them, but they were showing up endlessly.
General, it is a flock of Rppells vultures.
Ombuti looked at the eastern sky, but he could only see fragments of white clouds flying around the Harmattan. A Rppells vulture was a bird that could fly high enough to collide with an aircraft in flight at an altitude of 11,000 meters. It was hard to see with the human eye, even if it was floating over their heads.
Tsk-tsk, odious things! Now they are flying to the capital. Ombuti suspected.
Jipoon Dari was located in the west. To reach the Royal Palace from Ennedi, where the Rppells vultures were living, they had to fly more than 300 kilometers. It was too long a journey just to get prey.
Aishe will take care of it.
Edel considered it insignificant as well. Rppells vultures were sensitive to gunshots. If a few shots were fired, they would fly away.
They are fast, and about 500 Ssamdi muttered.
What did you say?! 500 of them?
Ombuti was astonished. Having spent his entire life in the desert, he was well aware of the Rppells vultures nature. Usually, two or 30 of them would form a herd, and it would never exceed 50.
The anti-aircraft battery will handle it.
Ombuti didnt take it seriously. On the outskirts of the Royal Palace, the Kurdish Peshmer (Fighters to Death) Brigade, who were their bodyguards, were stationed. Were a few vultures a big deal? If the guards were to chase them, that would be it.
The Novatopia military system was three-tiered: Mobile Army, National Army, and Reserve Army. The Mobile Army was a special unit led by 7 IOmbre de Dubai (Shadows of Tubai Burpa) people, while the National Army was a general unit that was on active duty but was engaged in a job and trained for 90 days a year. After five years of service in the Mobile Army, or ten years in the National Army, they were formed into the Reserve Army. As the military formation period was short, most of them, regardless of gender, were in the National Army.
The Peshmer Brigade, which defended the capital, maintained a 24-hour standby status as the most elite unit. Ombuti believed in Peshmer with anti-aircraft missiles.
Damn it, they came!
[Tutututu]
[Bang- bang]
Gunshots echoed from the outskirts as if when they said something wrong, it might have come true. The continuous shooting sound was from the Vulcan automatic cannons, and the heavy sonic boom was from an 88-millimeter anti-aircraft gun. Ssamdi frowned. Hundreds of them survived despite the anti-aircraft fire. A black cloud obscured the sun.
[Bang bang]
A harsh shout shook the atmosphere. Despite the bombardment, they rushed over to the Royal Palace.
Whats that?
Rppells, Rppells!
The crowd rushed to and fro.
[Whoosh]
The black mass dropped suddenly.
Damn it!
Ombuti drew his pistol, and Dino stopped Edel with his huge body.
Aishe Fifth Company Leader, kill them! Ssamdi picked up the walkie-talkie and yelled.
[Creak]
Dozens of advance squads rushed toward the terrace as if the call was a signal. Dinos blue eyes flashed.
[Kuwang]
Dino, jumping up to the terrace, swung his pot-lid-like paws vertically and horizontally like a double sword.
[Whoosh]
Rppells vultures, who entered with their dagger-like claws, were cut off.
[Creak- creak]
The dead bodies and blood of the vultures were falling from the sky. Three or four of those who escaped the transgression rose sharply. Although it exhibited formidable speed and agility, a long beast could not catch up with a flying beast. Dino quickly bit the one who was lagging behind, turned around, and landed.
Woah, woah!
Dino! Dino!
The crowd cheered. Until then, the crowd did not take the situation seriously. A vulture was only a vulture, no matter how ferocious it was. Instead, they were fascinated by Guardian Divine Beast Dinos dignity.
[Tatatata]
The gunfire rang out like roasted beans. The Royal Palace Garrison set out to catch birds. Dozens of Rppells vultures that were shot at fell to the ground while bleeding.
[Whoosh]
The Rppells vultures rose like a fan and increased their altitude.
[Tatatata- Tutututu]
The Royal Palace Garrison mobilized heavy machine guns and Vulcans, but one or two of them fell like beans sprouting in a drought.
Why dont they run away?
Ssamdi frowned. Unlike usual, they werent running away. Instead, a flock of Rppells vultures, which had risen to an altitude of more than 1,000 meters, glided through the air as if teasingly. They didnt feel very good about that. Having to catch dozens of them was like scooping out a bucket from a well.
Sir, why wont they fly away?
Edel was worried.
There seems to be someone controlling them.
Ssamdis voice settled. Wild vultures couldnt ignore the survival instinct. It was not a big deal if it was a Voodoo Houngan, where even monsters could freely control the vultures.
E, can it be?
Edels eyes got bigger.
You, take good care of the lady!
Ssamdi threw a glance at Dino and turned on the walkie-talkie.
First Company Leader. Nejema, are you watching?
Yes, sir. Sniper Platoon is preparing.
Hurry up. I dont have a good feeling.
Yes, sir!
The gunfire began to ring in the summer garden on the left side of the main building.
[Kang kang kang]
[Bang bang bang]
A rather frivolous shooting sound was from a Dragunov, and a short, sharp shooting sound was from a PSG-1. The power of the Sniper Platoon was unparalleled. Dozens of Rppells vultures fell in a flurry.
[Creak- creak]
Those who sensed danger increased their altitude and could only be seen as black dots.
Huh, its clear theyre trained. Ah!
Samdi screamed. From the eastern sky, a flock of Rppells vultures approached again. The problem was the black mass hanging around their necks. One was also holding on to a black mass in its claws. They were not like standard pebbles, which caused them to get goosebumps. Lady Edel could be protected, but the crowd in the square was a big problem.
Aishe, emergency! This is an emergency! Ssamdi yelled in anger over the walkie-talkie. Judging by their flight speed, they were going to reach the Royal Palace in less than five minutes.
[Ae-ae-ae-ae]
Emergency sirens rang.
[This is an emergency! This is an emergency! The National Army is to be armed immediately, and the Reserve Army should evacuate civilians. Evacuate immediately.]
Sirens and loudspeakers were shuffling and blaring. But, despite the sudden situation, the crowd did not show much agitation. Although they believed in the army, it was something that even chameleons would laugh at if people who had crossed the line were scared of a dead body or a vulture.
Novatopia was a national military, with men and women starting military service at 18 and before hanging their uniforms up at 50. People who have never held a gun were people under the age of 17 or over 50. No one didnt know that the first emergency was an urgent air raid warning.
The main building is in Sergeant Kurudis reserve. Civilians follow me.
A woman in her thirties in hot pants shouted. Hundreds of old men and children got out of the square by following Sergeant Kurudi. A crowd of 200,000 moved in unison. Hundreds of reservists came forward and commanded civilians to evacuate while the National Army ran toward the arsenal.
I am going to be crazy!
Samdi was anxious like an ant on a hot pan. The dark object that the Rppells vultures held on to was processed metal. He hadnt thought it was a simple stone in the first place, but it would be a big problem if it were a bomb.
Mohammad, this bastard just sleeps, Ssamdi growled.
The Director of Intelligence should be responsible for failing to detect such a dangerous object in advance. Grilling Mohammed could be done later. Ssamdi picked up the walkie-talkie and called the Rapid Response Forces. The only way to catch a Rppells vulture flying high in the air was with helicopter gunfire.
First Company Leader, Ahmmad, its an emergency. Dispatch the Helibon battalion to the Royal Palace. Armaments are Vulcans and machine guns.
Yes, got it, sir. It is going to arrive in 10 minutes.
You, hurry up!
Yes, sir!
Ssamdi was in such a hurry that his hand stuck to his throat. The Rainbow Helibon battalion was stationed 30 kilometers behind. No matter how hurried Ahmmad was, 10 minutes was far too long. This was the biggest crisis since he took over as head of the bodyguards.
Damn it! They came!
Ssamdis face was rotten and bruised. A flock of Rppells vultures was about a kilometer away.
[Creak- Creak]
A scream that was hard to listen to struck the eardrums.
You cant you escort the lady and go inside quickly! Ssamdi shouted suddenly and pulled out the Squeaker he was wearing. Edel pushed Dino, who was trying to hold her in his arms and grabbed the microphone.
Novatopia warriors, protect those who wear human halters and fight with those who wear beast halters.
A bright but firm voice resounded through the noise. These were the words that Dubaiburupa said to 15 Nova Chevaliers (Knights) when he presented the Fang de lab?me. Ombuti and Ssamdi were startled. It was said that if something went wrong, you would know that person. It couldnt be thought that a frail lady would show this tenacity!
Woah! Protect Lady Edel.
Catch the flying beast.
The National Army shouted.
[Tutututu- Tatatata]
The machine gunner used his comrades shoulder as a cradle to spit fire, and the riflemen formed a circle to form a fire network. Feathers were flying in the air. Hundreds of captured vultures fell.
The Royal Palace guards and the sniper team did their best, and the National Army, which received firearms, joined in one after another, but it was not enough to defend against a flock of more than a thousand vultures.
Chapter 660 - Episode 4 Novatopia Crisis
Nooo! Samdi, who turned pale, wailed. The black hail was not an eagle. It was a bomb.
Krung!
Dino instinctively sensed danger and pulled Edel into his arms. Ombuti, who realized something unusual, hid themselves using Dino as a cover.
Pat! Pat! Pat!
Hundreds of meters above, Rppells dead bodies were shattered, and the impact fuze of the bombs attached to their necks was activated.
Bang! Bang!
A roar reverberated through the sky and flashes of light covered the ground. The power of one bomb was equivalent to 200,000 joules, which was the level of an RPG7 high explosive, but the number was a problem. All of a sudden, covered by hundreds of bombs, the Dubai Palace was in chaos.
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Buildings and construction were smashed while large trees were uprooted.
Boom!
A firestorm swept through the earth and the atmosphere sizzled. Civilians who failed to escape beforehand and the National Army, who fired anti-aircraft shots, were struck by lightning.
Ahh!
Ahh!
The square, which received the blessing of Dubaiburupa and rejoiced in Blue Day, had turned into a chlorinated hell. A desperate scream erupted from various places, and torn limbs and intestines were scattered. The roof of the main building and the terrace canopy, which used ten layers of 10-millimeter titanium plates as shingles, survived the explosion, but the roofs of the annex and the guard building were punctured and the walls had collapsed, not to mention fountains and statuary-like structures. Ombuti and Ssamdi were captivated by the disaster, which was unbearable to see.
Cover, cover!
Cover up and shoot!
Commanders let out yells. The Royal Palace Garrison and the National Army, who tasted the bitter experience firmly, ran in search of cover.
Defend our land!
Protect Lady Edel!
The National Army burned the fighting spirit despite the outpouring of bombs. The people of Novatopia, regardless of soldiers and civilians, were influenced by Mu Ssangs forage ritual. Rather than retreating to save their lives, there was a thought that, even if killed and fatally wounded while fighting with a comrade, one had to kill the enemy and then die.
Unable to find a cover, the soldiers ran frantically to avoid the falling eagles and fired anti-aircraft shots. There was a battle that did not back down even an inch between eagles and humans.
Jamal, wearing a heavy Barrett, frantically jumped up the steeple stairs. Jamal, who kicked and ran through the rooftop iron gate, placed the Barrett on the railing and put his eyes on the scope. An elongated bomb attached to the Rppells neck was caught in the aim line.
Bang!
A large 12.7-millimeter bullet soared at the speed of sound.
Boom!
A flashy fireworks show took place 500 meters above.
Boom! Boom!
In a single stroke, Jamals ability, called the master of Barrett, was fully demonstrated. The sniper platoon, noticing the situation, assisted. A series of blasts exploded in the air, and the Rppell, caught in the explosion, was torn to shreds.
Whoa!
Nice shot!
A shout broke out.
Bang!
A deafening scream rang out.
Pitter-patter!
The Rppell increased its altitude. The Rppell had risen so high that it could not be seen by the naked eye. It dropped the bomb it was holding, and a clump of something dark and black fell to the ground like hail.
Cover up! Ombuti picked up the walkie-talkie and shouted frantically.
Boom! Boom!
The ground had overturned. Bombs that dropped at a high altitude had a low hit rate, but there were too many. The National Army that was fighting back exploded in a heap.
Pitter-patter!
The Rppell trine flew from the east. Finally, the confrontation between 30,000 humans on the ground and 2,000 Rppells in the air became increasingly tense.
Damn it!
Ombuti grinned his teeth and blamed him for his arrogance. He couldnt have imagined that hed get this type of extraordinary surprise. He assured that he had nurtured a military force capable of crushing the challenges of any force, but there was no way to deal with it. Even if it was shot down, it was a problem and a nasty situation that could not be left alone.
Ombuti clenched his teeth. Rppells were gliding from a height outside the effective range of the rifle. Even at the risk of grenade fragments, the damage could be reduced by inducing an aerial explosion.
Hey Samdi, anti-aircraft guns.
Samdi turned on the walkie-talkie even before Ombuti was done talking.
Hard Pea, the use of large-caliber anti-aircraft guns is permitted. Attack immediately.
Got it, sir.
Ah, what should we do? What should we do?
Edel hit her chest.
Dino, the anti-aircraft fire begins. Lady is in danger.
No. While the people are dying, I cant escape.
Edel was stubborn. She wanted to call Dubai immediately, but Dubais words Novatopia is in the hand of Novatopians stopped her.
Ah!
Samdi let out a groan and grabbed the microphone. The loss of life was too great. It wasnt the time to be stubborn.
The anti-aircraft fire begins in camp. The National Army and Reserve Army retreat immediately. Its an order. The National Army and Reserve Army retreat immediately.
The National Army, which had been covering buildings and structures and firing anti-aircraft shots, ebbed away. Then, as the resistance on the ground weakened, Rppells lowered their altitude, glided freely, and dropped the bomb.
Shuuu-Shuuu!
Dozens of bombs soared from the outskirts. The anti-aircraft fire began in the Peshmer 1 Brigades camp.
Bang-Bang!
The high-explosive delayed fuze bomb engulfed the Royal Palace in flames. 88-millimeter large-caliber shells flew in nonstop and set off fireworks in the air.
Boom!
A high-sounding howl echoed through the noise. Hundreds of clumps of dark black fell like hail from a distant height. It was the bombs dropped by a trine flock of Rppells that joined later.
Pitter-patter!
Hundreds of Rppells, which dropped heavy bombs, raised the altitude in unison.
Boom-boom-boom!
A firestorm swept the ground.
Ahh!
It is Dubaiburupa!
Shouts erupted everywhere. Trees were pulled out of their roots and part of the roof of the main building, which had come under heavy fire, was blown away. The two security buildings that were hit by heavy blows were completely destroyed. The beautiful Dubaiburupa Palace had been turned into a fiery hell.
Ah!
Ombuti opened his mouth widely. When the ground attack was weak, Rppells were lowering the altitude, then dropped the bomb they were holding, and they increased the altitude when the ground attack was intense. How could an eagle be so clever! Fortunately, the roof of the main building was covered with 100-millimeter titanium. Ssamdi glared at the red Rppell, which was hovering at a high altitude. It was ten times larger than an adult male and an attacking commander.
Rumble! The terrace canopy shook violently.
Crack!
The canopy collapsed, unable to withstand the constant explosion. Dozens of tons of metal and concrete poured down.
Ahh!
Ombutis face turned black.
Huaang!
Samdi swung the Squeaker like a storm. A 40-kilogram, 2.4-meter long weapon encircled a 5-meter radius thoroughly.
Bang! Bang!
Building debris and bombs were blown away by wind pressure. Dino hugged Edel to his chest and brought her indoors.
Jamal, where are you?
The eastern spire, sir.
Did you see a strongly-built, red one?
Yes, sir. I can see it through the scope.
Shoot it down!
Yes, sir
Bang!
Immediately, a heavy firing sound rang out.
Huh, have you seen such a newborn like that bastard!
Samdi sighed. The redhead stood upright and fired a bullet.
Bang! Bang!
Jamal fired consecutive shots. The redhead moved back and forth, dodging bullets, and ascended to a high altitude.
Ouma!
Samdi groaned. A Rppell with such a huge built, amazing reflexessuch a monster could not exist in nature. If it was Ouma that Kamuge created with magic, Jamals demon-like shooting skills would become useless.
Its going to rot. Should I call brother Kamdoong? No. I have pride.
When Samdi grunted, a black dot appeared in the northern sky.
Tutututu!
The black dot rapidly enlarged. The SA-342 Gazelle with an absurd booster on the back of the main body was the Rainbow Brigade Helibon Battalion under Ahmmads command.
They came!
Samdis and Ombutis faces turned distorted. The Rainbow Helibon Battalion had a 3-3-3 structure. Three units were a squadron, three squadrons were a company, and three companies were a battalion. Since the total number of holdings was 30 units, maintenance was to be carried out. So 27 units could be moved at once if fully operated.
Two companies and 18 units attacked the Rppells.
Turururu!
20-millimeter machine guns and heavy machine guns opened fire.
Bang! Bang!
The Rppells equipped with bombs exploded in heaps and fell in a flurry.
Shriek!
The redhead Rppell screamed.
Pitter-patter!
Hundreds of Rppells rushed toward the helicopter. They were like Rppell Kamikaze.
Rip! Rip!
Those who rushed in ignorantly were torn to pieces by the wind pressure of the blade. The pheasant catcher was hanging. The light attack aircraft Gazelle had a short turning radius and was able to fly high-level flights such as rollback and hooking. It was qualified to deal with Rppells.
Shriek! Shriek!
The leader of the Rppells let out a long cry.
Pitter-patter!
The surviving flock of Rppells was driven to the east.
Tutututu!
The Helibon Battalion followed and opened fire. The escaping Rppells and the chasing Gazelle disappeared into the eastern sky.
The unexpected eagle air strike had ended. The battle lasted less than ten minutes, but the loss was severe. The main building was partially destroyed, while the annex building and guard building, and the Royal Palace Garrison camp were fully destroyed. Fire erupted everywhere, and the cries of the wounded echoed through the sky.
Damn it, fucking things!
Bang!
Samdi, who was fully pissed off, kicked the railing. Even if he had the power to turn the world upside down, he had no way of dealing with the guy who beat and disappeared in the far air. It could be said that this was the influence of asymmetric power.
Ombuti lost his soul. The burning royal palace, the piled up corpses of humans and eagles, the howling wounded, the soldiers rolling on the ground to put out the fires on their bodies, and the place where they promised blessings and a new start had turned into Armageddon.
Protect those who wear the human bridle and fight those who wear the beast bridle.
Ombuti ground his teeth.
******
The Ennedi Plateau in the western Sahara was a trapezoid with a length of 380 kilometers east-west and 450 kilometers north-south. Sandstone layers from 400 to 500 million years ago were placed on a granite base that had formed 1 billion years ago. The sandstone layer was eroded by water and wind over the course of hundreds of thousands of years, creating an alien planet-like landscape.
The Ennedi Plateau would be pleasing to the eye of tourists, but it was too sterile for humans to settle down. Only 5,000 residents lived on the 90,000-square-kilometer land, similar to South Korea. In deep valleys where rivers had flowed in ancient times, only thin streams remained, and the flat land where the dinosaurs used to play was washed away with only red bedrock.
It was said that when the mountains are deep, tigers live, and when the water is deep, dragons live. However, all was not as it seemed. Who would know all the secrets that the huge earth holds? The Ennedi Plateau also had clear water, and wooded areas were not only one or two. Located in the northwestern, central part of the Ennedi Plateau, the Bachilkile Valley was also an unknown part of the area.
Bachilkile Valley entrance stood on the sheer sandstone cliffs on both sides and was blocked by a large waterhole. When one entered 20 kilometers from the entrance, the width of the valley suddenly widened to 2,000 meters. The basin hidden in the gourd-shaped bottle-formed valley was the home of the Odam Allied Forces.
The Odam Allied Forces was a coalition of Houngan Kamuge, Abu Nidal Orgs third-in-command, Major General Aloadin Bansiri, and FROLINAT Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kikali. Although each villain had distinct personalities, the common denominator of being attacked by the Black Mamba became the centripetal force.
Kamuge and Bansiri had a shared history of losing all their bases at the hands of the Black Mamba, barely saving their lives. The two men, whose resentment was in the depth of their hearts, held hands easily. Kikali was a person who dreamed of becoming the leader of the Sahel by taking advantage of the collapse of FROLINAT.
After he called forces rapidly in Kel Air, because of Ombuti, they had bad luck. Amenokals new weapon, Tasenzoter, was the final blow. After the Elderly Council of Kel Air recognized the Ombuti as the owner of the Tasenzoter, he was suddenly dismissed.
He, who was the tribal chief of Kel Air Tawshet, having extensive history, could not bow down to the camel peddler. So Kikali left to lead the tribe that followed him. While marching east, he had a head-to-head battle with Bansiris forces at Ennedi and sank to his knees.
******
In a stone house made of red sandstone, a middle-aged man covered with a crocodile skull was chanting a spell with a long staff in his right hand. It was Kamuge, who escaped with the incomplete Gori and Leela. Two middle-aged men with strong impressions looked at Kamuge with a nervous expression.
Papai Legba Paeumo Papa Letonuen Lewa Nyorita Abri Wadau Ubale Kadingo Wanga Wamba Legba Ansaru Tuwap!
Kamuge had completed a long spell. A transparent stream of air flowed from the skull that adorned the head of the mardu (magic wand) in his hand. Airflow diameter formed a 500-millimeter oval.
Dung!
A vivid monitor having an oval screen was opened.
Descending, dropping bombs, and ascending Rppell, falling from helicopter gunfire Rppell, burning ground, and the battle scene at the Dubaiburupa Palace was appearing on the monitor.
Kamuge was sweating like he was struggling with his strength. It was simple to demonstrate clairvoyance, but it was a service for Bansiri and Kikali. No, two people, who were experts in military operations, must see the site to establish an after-the-fact operation.
Huh, thats amazing. Its amazing.
Bansiri was constantly admiring. 2,500 Rppells, half of the trained Rppells, were used in this operation. Bombing and suicide attacks using Rppells were a godsend.
The tactic of applying Kamuges tamer ability to Rppells and using it as a torpedo bomber was Kikalis idea. Aiming for the Full Moon Festival, he planned to destroy the Royal Palace and wipe out the Novatopia Army that lost its next head by inserting Rppells and ground forces.
Respectively, Barrett object sniper gun, the entrance to the Bachilkile Valley, and the Ennedi Plateau landscape
Chapter 661 - Episode 5 Novatopia Crisis
Isnt it time yet? Damballah Wedo didnt give me an answer.
Kamuge lamented. Over the past 5 years, with the support of Gaddafi and Assad, it had steadily increased its power by attracting Ennedi indigenous people, FROLINAT rebels, Sudan refugees, and Eritrea refugees, but it had reached its limit.
The reason why Odam Allied Forces could not increase their forces despite external support was due to insufficient water and food. The desert was a desert because there was no water. If there was water, people and food would come on their own. The main reason the Odam Allied Forces were aiming for Almia Alvarado, heaven flowing with milk and honey, was because of the abundance of water.
The problem was the speed of development of Almia Alvarado. In the meantime, things changed so much quicker than the eyes were spinning. A national system was established and a powerful army was nurtured. It became the status of looking at the roof of a dog chasing chickens.
So the operation that came out was an aerial attack using the Rppells that lived in large numbers in Ennedi. Why do they covet the achievements that others achieved by shedding blood and sweat? Because theyre human. The history of man, recognized by people like Bansiri, was the history of barbaric looting.
The prosperity of the Western European powers, including Britain and France, was the result of plundering the world, including India and Africa. American prosperity was made above the tears of Native Americans. Japans wealth was the result of plundering South-East Asia, including Korea.
Blaming the villains immorality and savagery will give the answer, So what?. After the fall of the Roman Empire, 700 years was the world of Islam. Europe was an uncivilized region that was keen on witch hunts. History changed and the world progressed even today. While one could get a jar of honey with a little effort, a man releasing his hands was stupid.
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******
Huh, look at them! The guy who injured his arms is holding a machine gun with his foot and the guy who lost the gun is running with the burnt box. Theres also a guy who covers a child with his body. Theyre definitely Tuareg warriors.
Kikali looked at the shaking screen and admired it.
The resistance of the Dubaiburupa believers is unexpectedly strong. There is not a single one running away. How can they be like that? Are they under collective hypnosis?
Bansiri shook his head.
That Dubaiburupa is definitely Dajjal(Dajjal, Antichrist-like beings in Islamic Eschatology). He must have killed Yorunba.
Kikali spat out jealous words. Kikali and Bansiri spent half of their lives as soldiers. Although chaos was expected, the Novatopia Army responded in unison. Civilians even carried ammunition and evacuated wounded soldiers. They were afraid and envious.
Kikali, Dubaiburupa is not Dajjal. Yorunba is not a simple elixir to make. Are you just going to admire it? Rppells look awesome.
Kamuge raised his voice. Rppells did not perform as well as expected and seemed annihilated. Rppell Ouma would die either if it was repeatedly hit by cannons. If Ouma died, 5,000 Rppells which it was collecting with effort would become useless.
Fucking gazelle!
Kikali grinded his teeth.
Youre wrong. It looks like youll lose only the Rppell that is precious to you because it endures.
Lets withdraw for now.
Lets do.
When Kikali and Bansiri agreed, Kamuge pulled out the childs hands from his arms. To send long-distance telepathy to the tamer Rppell Ouma, an amplifier, a mennang, was needed.
Wadau Ubale Kadingo Wanga Ouma!
Kwak, kwak! Ouma screamed. A flock of Rppells, rushing towards the helicopter like garden tiger months, turned in unison. The helicopter chased the fleeing Rppells. Shoot them! Rppells soared. Pat! The screen disappeared.
Hah, its hard!
Kamuge wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Wait a minute. If Rppells come back here
Dont worry. The maximum ascent altitude of the gazelle is 4,500 m, and even with the auxiliary fuel tank, the combat range is only 400 km. It is impossible to catch up with Rppells. If you dont want to crash because of running out of fuel, Ill turn around.
Bansiri stopped Kikalis words and asked him back.
Kikali, didnt you say they had five helicopters? It is said that the number mobilized urgently is eighteen. Considering the reserve aircraft, the helicopters they have are at least battalion-level. How did you collect the information?
Bansiris voice was slightly elevated. Bansiri and Kikali were of the same Islam but of different denominations. That meant that each one was takfir(apostate, heretic death target). Islam loathes takfir more than kapir (unbelievers).
Conflicts between denominations often led to the sectarian holocaust, and it could be said that the takfir culture was the ground for nurturing terrorist groups. They held hands out of necessity, but the relationship between the Sunni fundamentalist Bansiri and Shiites Kikali was not good. Here, even a heterogeneous Voodoo intervened and creaked from time to time. A fertile prey called Novatopia and a common enemy called the Black Mamba were holding the three together.
Almia Alvarado is the worst for slipper action. You should have requested Assad for a manpaz.
Kikali made a rebuke.
Even if you dont, your Excellency promised 30 new styles of an eagle (ex-Soviet portable missile) and 50 sarin bottles.
Bansiri gave an answer with a confident attitude.
Wow!
Kikali kept his mouth shut. About the loss of aid from Gaddafi, he had nothing to say with even ten mouths. After Reagan publicly accused him of being a mad dog in the Middle East, Gaddafi had taken a step back. It was because of an assassination threat.
Well, its going to be difficult over time
Kamuge snorted.
Lets put the Gori and Leela in and stir it up.
If you cant handle the helicopter, its useless. Gori and Leela cant stand if gazelle hits it with cannons or hits with HOT anti-tank missiles. Above all else, there is a tremendous presence in their camp.
Kamuge shook his head.
Is that stronger than Gori and Leela?
Perhaps! It must be Dubaiburupa.
You mean we have to wait until we get eagles?
We dont have another choice. Their power far outstrips us. Three full-scale special warfare brigades, four brigade-level special warfare regiments, 300,000 National Guard, and 50,000 reserve forces; their weapons are faithful and troops are ten times larger than ours. Besides, theyre crazy about heretic Dubaiburupa.
Kikali shuddered. When the refugees gathered, they were a mere chance crowd. The results they tried to touch were unexpected. Soldiers and civilians alike fought frantically as if they were possessed by Dajjal. That was why it was wrong to induce confusion by targeting soft targets (civilians). There was also a high risk of being tracked down for slippers that were put in. People who came together in a religion, not a religion called Dubaiburupa, were worse than Israel, the troublemaker in the Middle East.
The power is superior over there, but we hold asymmetric power that they dont know. Its worth a try.
The two nodded at Kamuges words. If the side with the predominance of troops and weapons won unconditionally, Israel had already become soy flour.
When can we get eagle and sarin?
On the next full moon, the An12 (Soviet Union transport aircraft) will be airdropped.
Lets make them frightened one time properly.
Houngan, how many percent Deflector (Deflector, Ouma enhancing Death Stalker) group have progressed?
The conversion is over. Only the upper ripening remained.
Heh-heh, its a deflector that emits sarin! It must be worth seeing.
Bansiri sniggered. A chemical bomb attack was best on flat land like Novatopia. Humans, who were spouting blood bubbles and falling down, were portrayed in front of their eyes. The day had come to show the true value of Abu Bansiri, the master of using chemical and biological weapons.
I swear by the Day of the Resurrection, I swear by the soul called Rebuke God will gather the bones of men.
On that day, the tongues, hands, and feet of men will testify for what they have done. And on that day, God will reward them due.
When Bansiri recited the Book of Warriors, Kikali took the lead. In Bachilkile Valley, 420 km from Zipundari, the conspiracy of the losers was ripe.
******
The atmosphere of the National Emergency Council was gloomy. Novatopia Cabinet and General sat at the meeting table without expecting even a single person. On the left of the table, Seven Sages of Dubaiburupa, Minister of Education Bakri Jadir, Minister of National Territory Hawk Orifice, Minister of Industry Bopal Shernion, Minister of Health and Welfare Loren Giz, Minister of Agriculture Vall Afwerki, General Minister Michelle Mulsoli, Minister of Information Mohammed Jadir sat down.
On the other side, Dubaiburupas cruel hammer the Head of the Royal Army Ssamdi Burupa, Minister of National Defense Abdul Ibrahim, 1st Brigade (Pesumer) Commander Ahmmad Marwan, 2nd Brigade (Rainbow) Commander Sun WooHyun, 3rd Brigade (Saladin) Commander Aishe Burupa, 4th Brigade (Intipada) Commander Jamal Amud, and Military Police Commander Nejema Burupa sat down.
They kept their mouths shut and looked at the man who was sitting across the table as if having a snowball fight. A silence heavier than Dinos ass pressed down on each of them.
First Company Leader, where is the lady?
She is under the treat now.
Phew, it is necessary to stop her so that she wont listen, either. Bodyguards?
Dino is near her.
Ombuti nodded. Further terrorism was concerned, but it was relieved if Dino was near her. The attack that Dino couldnt stop was useless even with a thousand bodyguards.
Minister of Information, report the damage.
From the Ombutis mouth cam a shrill voice full of anger and irritation.
Governors are fully aware of our responsibility. It is Brother Paul working in Djibouti
Mohammed, are apologies and excuses first? Or are reporting and case processing first?
Samdi growled.
I apologize, Sir. The casualties were 120 non-combatants dead and 780 wounded, 380 combatants including the National Guard dead, 1,300 wounded, 25 royals killed and 75 wounded, as the total of 525 dead and 2,155 wounded.
Ugh!
Damn it!
Screams and swear words erupted.
The main building of the Palace did not see any other damage. The terrace has been propagated and part the Eastern Palace has been partially destroyed. The roof is a mess, but it didnt break through. The annex has been partially destroyed, three guard towns and the substation has propagated, but thanks to the dual system, the power supply is no problem. Identified Rppells dead body number is 1,500. Taking into account crushed carcasses, they killed about 2,000. Estimating according to Rppells dead bodies number of dropped bombs is 4,000. Gunpowder and terpene were filled inside a crude metal container, and 700 iron beads were filled. The performance is equivalent to the RPG7 high explosive fragmentation projectile. Given the number of bombs and the power of the explosion, it can be said to they have given relatively minor damage. We will omit damage to other facilities and constructions.
Phew, minor damage Minister of Health and Welfare, report the status of the wounded.
Ombuti sighed and looked back at Prof. Giz. Soldiers exist with death as collateral, but what are civilians guilty of?!
Non-combatants have many minor injuries and combatants have many serious injuries. The number of life-threatening injured people is about 275 people and seriously injured people is 500 people. The number of death might rise maximum up to 300 people.
Silence descended.
First Company Leader, is this possible?
Its possible. The Fangge you received from Dubaiburupa is the tooth of Ouma that I beat in the Ituri jungle. Rppells moved under the command of a witchcraft creature called Ouma. Yankee bastards make Chimera by cultivating tissues that have manipulated DNA, but Shaman strengthens existing creatures with magic and drugs and creates super-creatures by possessing spirits. Super-creatures that are possessed by spirits are telepathically linked to Shaman. Shaman controls the same kind of creatures through Ouma.
As the Head of the Royal Army said, Ouma is a huge red Rppell. The main building fired five shots, but it avoided all of them.
Ha, it cant be!
The civil servants sighed. Jamal said that it was not he couldnt catch it, but he avoided it. It was hard to believe even though Dubaiburupa existed, and mysterious beings called Ssamdi and Dino were in front of them. There was no rule that there were no psychic creatures, but it couldnt be thought there was one who avoided the sniping of Barretts master Jamal!
First Company Leader, how are the tracking results?
I apologize, Sir. We shot down some of them, but we missed them. We could not keep up with the rising altitude.
Its a mechanical limit, there is nothing to be sorry about. Guess the mastermind behind this?
Ombuti looked back at Mohammed.
The only place where thousands of Rppells live is Ennedi Plateau. For the past two years, we have detected and dispatched secret agents to the armed forces, but we didnt get any significant results. Bachilkile Valley, located in the middle east of the plateau, is suspicious. Agents were deployed several times, but each time the news broke, Bachilkile Valley has been a place of frequent disappearances in the past, enough to be called Deathhole.
If its Bachilkile Valley, I know it well. It is a huge sandstone valley in the direction of Darfur in Sudan. The entrance is narrow in the form of a Calabash, but theres a wide basin inside the valley. Water and food must be insufficient.
Ombuti shook his head. Bachilkile Valley was a natural fortress, but even with external help, it was not an environment conducive to growing a large force.
Pat! Sun Woo-Hyun lowered the table.
You dont go this far with a good fist. Lets break it down and discuss it.
Company Leader 3 is right.
Lets deploy tanks and helicopters right now.
Ahmad and Jamal, who were impatient, agreed.
Chapter 662 - Episode 6 Novatopia Crisis
Did you forget the reason for the existence of the Seven Hammers? Did you create the Mobile Army to plant trees? The Lord said to repay kindness tenfold and take revenge a hundredfold. If you get hit on the left cheek, youre told to grind the ssadagu on both sides. We need to smash the mastermind immediately.
Ibrahim hurried as if he had run out of the meeting room.
Kissas (Arabic isomorphic revenge) for the mean enemy!
Nejema yelled out.
Kissas!
Kissas!
The Hammers of Dubaiburupa, except Samdi, responded. Violent anger ignited the fighting spirit that had been dormant. Samdi raised his hand.
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Did you forget why we were beaten? Gaddafi and Dahab(Chairman of the Sudan Transitional Military Commission), suffered from an unexpected dark force while only looking out for Habre(President of Chad). Revenge is natural, but the problem is the lack of information. We were obviously exposed and the dark forces were hiding. We need to get information about the guy who sent Rppells to get into action. When I entered the Ituri Jungle to rescue Wakil and the hostage
Samdi briefly talked about the power of the Great Shaman Houngan and the dangers of Ouma.
If the mastermind who sent Rppells is Houngan Kamuge, as Ive guessed, universal military tactics would not work. You shouldnt underestimate Kamuge just because youve been sloppy with Wakil. He has the ability to wield all kinds of magical creatures. Sarcosuchus Ouma, who fought in the Ituri Jungle, was tough even on me. Rppell is nothing. What do you think will happen if they release tens of thousands of wasps that are ten times stronger? What will you do if tens of thousands of death stalkers fly like locusts?
Sun Woo-Hyun and others became honey-eaten dumb.
That is a reasonable statement. You cant fight without information. We will immediately dispatch an agent to gather information.
Minister of Information, did you hear me through your asshole? Houngan communicates with spirits. Gil Jim-Seung, insects as well as flying beasts can be the eyes and ears of a shaman. Are you going to drive your subordinates into a dangerous place again? Dont you know if it is crap or soybean paste when you ate?
I apologies, Sir.
Mohammed, who had been mercilessly dismissed, went inside. Dozens of agents had already been sacrificed. There was a lot to say, but it was nothing as an excuse. It was his own fault for failing to build SIGINT by clinging to traditional HUMINT activities.
If Bachilkile Valley is home to Kamuge, the only ones who will fight and survive are Dino and me. As you know, Dino has to protect the Lady. Ill see how much he dares so that he could touch Nova, the land of Wakil.
Samdi pushed the chair and stood up.
Whos going to stop First Company Leader.
Everyone nodded at the Ombutis words. Who can touch Dongjang Chulgol Ssamdi, except the Lord!
Ill go, too.
Sun Woo-Hyun stood up suddenly.
Damn, you couldnt beat Ahmad, you know. If you dont want to turn into Ouma shit, run hard with the Mobile Army.
Ugh!
Sun Woo-Hyun, whose face was rotten, sat quietly. Even though he wanted to be temperamental, just thinking about the balle (shovel) flying at the speed of sound made his stomach ache.
Okay, fix the accident and get ready to go by the time I get back. Ill go and turn.
Samdi walked out of the conference room in a whoosh.
Oh no!
Everyone opened their mouths. Although they knew his personality was in a hurry, they didnt know he would leave during the meeting.
Governor, dont you have to report it?
Bakri, who was listening in silence, opened his mouth. The target left, but no one didnt know who the target was.
What do you mean? Seven Hammers and 7 brigades of the Mobile Army and 300,000 National Guards are hot bars, arent they? Its disloyal if you trouble your Lord with these things.
Sun Woo-Hyun was upset.
Thats true. Our power is at a level that scares Gaddafi. Even if a cat is bitten by mice, a cat is a cat and a mouse is a mouse. Moreover, the Lord found Empress Dowager, who was lost a while ago. We cant disturb with the peace of the Lord with what we can handle.
Jamal helped.
Nonsense! The Lord does not rule, but he reigns. While thousands of our people have been killed and injured, do you say lets do an ex post facto report? Why are you like this while knowing how much the Lord values life?
Bakri, who was usually speechless, muttered.
I agree with the Minister of Education. We have to report whether the Lord intervene or not.
Ibrahim heard Bakris favoritism.
We need to report it. But how long will we rely on Wakil? I dont want to disturb Wakils peace.
Nejema insisted on a preliminary report. The conference room became noisy. The older ones insisted on taking action after reporting, and the younger ones insisted on reporting after taking precautions. The eyes of the council members all landed on the mouth of Ombuti. The decision must be made by the Governor, the substitute of Wakil.
Well! We need to report it but
Ombuti couldnt make an easy decision as well. Whether the report would come first or the case would be closed and then reported, only the order was different, but they were the remarks from the loyalty. He felt sorry for disturbing the peace of the Lord, who was spending happy days after finding his mother, whom he had separated from when he was young.
Tak! The door of the conference room was opened. Edel, dressed in a surgical gown, entered. Dark circles could be seen under the eyes and the surgical gown was so blood-soaked that it was impossible to distinguish whether it was green or black. She wasnt Edel who was always full of energy. The fur of Dino, who was behind, was soaked in blood as well.
Ah, Lady!
The vassals who were sitting at the table woke up in unison.
Lady, please, sit down.
Theres no gap to sit down.
Ombuti recommended a seat, but Edel shook hands.
Mister, did you ask Bonipas for medical help?
Yes, I also requested medicines and medical personnel for Chairman Michel Margerie.
Well done. Dr. Giz, hands are insufficient.
The tone was cold unlike usual. It was full of meaning not to be crushed and to help the hand that was lacking.
Yes, lady, all right.
Dr. Giz stood up and went out in a rush.
Did you report it to Dubai?
Edel looked straight at Ombuti.
Were discussing whether to report it or not. Because its something we can handle on our own
Ombuti stuttered.
Mister, thousands of Dubais people have been killed and injured at the hands of a vicious terrorist. Even now, someones father, mother, husband, wife, son, or daughter is dying. I cant forgive even the conspirator Reagan. Dubai-nim is the owner of Novatopia and the owner of us. Report it immediately. Whether he comes or not, Dubai-nim will decide.
Nova Chevaliers opened their mouths together. Eyes briskly burning, lips that are bitten until they bleed, trembling cheeks, was the face of an angry angel. It was so different from the usual kind and friendly appearance.
Aiko! Well report it. Please dont get angry.
Ombuti, who was surprised, was speechless.
What are you going to do if bigger disasters happen? Are you going to cling to Dubai too late?
Everyone was silent and looked at Edels eyes.
Mister, those who claim to ex post facto report while talking about the pride of a man should be chased away to the Windbreak Forest Management Office.
Edel threw a sharp word and went out.
Phew!
Its scary!
Everyone sighed. Edel was not just a pretty, lovely woman. Rulers reigned while leaders shared. Rulers raged for themselves, while leaders raged for others. The Chevaliers realized what Ombuti meant by saying Edel was a true leader.
******
In the generals office, Mohammed straightened his neck and sat like a heron that had starved for three days.
Mohammed, there is no way a dense human like you can get a punch in his head. Tell me what you were trying to say earlier.
Actually, I got a call from Brother Paul, who works in Djibouti, two months ago. He said that a U.S. geological expedition trying to enter the Ituri Jungle was halfway to Djibouti, and there was a Korean lady named Hae Young in the company.
Hae Young?
It was a memorable name. Ombuti traced his memory. It was definitely a name he had heard of.
According to Brother Paul, shes the masters woman
Hah! Thats right.
Ombuti ran suddenly. Wakils first woman; sadly, shes the lady whom one couldnt forget.
So?
She was still in love with the Lord. Brother Paul was worried about unnecessary trouble.
This is something that should be worried about.
Ombuti nodded. When the woman who had left came back, there was nothing but a noisier situation.
After a lot of worries about
Mohammed blurred his words.
Tsk-tsk. You took out the agents from Jipoon Dari and Ennedi Axis and sent them to East Africa. Did you intend to bury it without a trace?
Yes, Brother Bonipas agreed as well.
Uh-huh, with people! Do you still not know the Lord? The Lord is weak emotionally, but hes a wise man. If you leave it alone, the Lord will take care of it, but Gabiten and you have made work in advance. Why dont you know that over-loyalty is actually poison?
I apologize, Sir. Its all my responsibility.
Its your fault to send Hitman away, but its not your fault for the Rppell attack. Rppell travels on the jet stream for long distances. How do humans detect those flying 9,000 meters high? And youre a Nova Chevalier, who serves the master of souls. You threw a scrap of paper into like this and now saying you dont know me?
Ombuti tore the resignation letter.
I apologize, Sir. I have no face to see my brothers
If you have no face to see, it is okay to not face them. Is Deputy Chief Gosler useful?
He is a competent man, Sir. I am an older generation who operates HUMINT on a satellite information station. New wine must be put in new bottles.
I didnt mean that. You cant be a Nova Chevalier just because youre competent. First, leave the job to Gosler, and you meet Paul Gabiten and figure out what kind of woman she is. If she is a woman who suits the Lord, lets leave it to fate.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity, Sir. Well depart immediately.
Figure out the food situation in East Africa on the way. Professor Orifice has developed a great new variety of Cassava (a tuberous plant of Yucatan origin, an important food in Africa).
Oh! He was making something that is resistant to ticks and bacteria, so he succeeded.
20 tons were produced in the three-hectare test area. The yield is twice the amount of rice per unit area. Now the food worries are over.
So that went well. Ill look at the yield market.
Mohammeds face, which had been shriveled up, brightened.
Mohammed, keep in mind that the Lord is Novatopia himself. This is your chance to regain the aspect you lost.
Aklan Kuru, thank you.
Mohammeds voice trembled. Market research was nominal. He headed down the Governor Generals consideration and affection.
Depart immediately.
Ombuti smiled brightly. Aklan Kuru was not a position that anyone could do. When Ssamdi took a desert bike to Ennedi, Mohammed headed for Jipun Dari airfield alone.
******
Mu Ssang with a red handset listened to the report in silence. The time delay occurred because the transfer converted the voice into an encryption file and transmitted it, and the receiver converted the encryption file back to voice and listened in encrypted communication. The voice of Ombuti, which had been modulated twice around half the globe, buzzed like a low-level loudspeaker, resounding in an empty auditorium.
Did you say casualties are 2,155?
Yes, the number of death continues to rise.
Life takes precedence over punishment. Chevaliers visit the casualties houses in person to comfort them, disburse the emergency prepayment and pay the consolation immediately.
Yes, Sir.
If Rppells were aiming at the palace at the correct time, there were slippers. Declare an emergency martial law and catch misery. Did you say Samdi left for the Ennedi Plateau?
Yes Sir, he said it was likely that the mastermind was a shaman named Kamuge.
Hmm, if it is a level of taming thousands of Rppells, hes the Great Shaman. When Kamuge escaped, he picked up an immature shell called Rousseloufe and bounced around. It would be nice to play a game, but Ssamdi might be beaten.
Is First Company Leader in danger? What are Rousseloufe and immature shells?
It takes three or four days to explain. It is a pity for the people who died, but it was something that had to be experienced at least once. Novatopia should be guarded by Novatopians. This is a good opportunity to check your overall competencies.
Even this person thinks so, the problem is that the opponent is not human.
Ombuti guessed the Lords inner feelings. The Lord was a person who reigned but did not rule. It meant that someone took care of it, whether supported it or fried it. But like Rppell, asymmetric power was difficult to deal with.
It would be hard to deal with Kamuges incantation. Humans deal with humans. Ill send a feature to deal with him. If the pest crawls out, report it immediately. Ill send you a pesticide spreader.
Thank you, Sir.
His voice brightened. Monsters were frightening, humans were not.
Mister, be careful with your health
Wakil, Lady Edel is waiting so
Ombuti spoke in a hurry and then blurred his words. Last time, he was looking forward to the meeting but was very disappointed. To bind the Lord to Novatopia, the Prince must be delivered safely.
Im going soon.
Click! Mu Ssang quickly hung up the phone before Ombuti could give an editorial.
Pesticide spreader! Isnt it Dimanc?
Ombuti shook his head. There was no way the Lord, who knew Ouma better than anyone, to send a real pesticide spreader.
The Lord will take care of it. Ill do my job.
Ombuti was as comfortable as it always was. It only hurts heads when humans try to know the actions of God.
But what should I say to the Lady?
When the public burden was lifted, private concerns were put on the line.
Chapter 663 - Episode 7 Novatopia crisis
The most concern was Edels whining or hysteria. She often complained about her body, such asC wrinkles on her eyes, rough skin like sand, a falling bunch of hairs, and fat stomach.
Whatever she said was all lie. Edels skin was as tight as Korean traditional window paper, bright and smooth as white porcelain. Her blonde hair shined as taken out of the gold, and her body was as perfect as a modal. She had a perfect shape body that could surprise the world if she became a fashion model. He thought she could not be supposed to itemize dissatisfaction with her body and beauty.
It would be just a hysteria from the night Dino kicked out all the Yoas house employees. The victim of that hysteria was Dino and Ombouti, himself. Ombouti and Dino had to run down Royal Street. Dino carried Edel on his back by tearing his feather apart and hitting the back of his head. Ombouti became agonizing.
Of course, Ombouti knew how to heal. Since ancient, hysteria has been the exclusive character of women. Hysteria is derived from the old Greek word Hystera, which means uterus. Hysteria is an expression of dissatisfaction when the uterus should have filled in, but it didnt. In other words, the spinster cannot help having hysteria physiologically.
The existence of females and males separately is Gods will to live in harmony with each other. The symptom caused by not being satisfied sexually could cure by filling them with masculine elements. The absolute and only treatment was Wakil himself. However, it could not be possible to drag Wakil, who is currently having a good time with JinSoon, by the collar. Omboutis concerns have deepened.
The Novatopia already worked on processing the battle. Governor Ombouti declared martial law. The provost marshal Nejema found Slipper, who was camouflaged, and Seven-Hammer monitored the battle position. The Novatopias day had been broken by gunfire, gunshot, and shouts.
The seventh wise man personally visited the deceaseds family. Then, he comforted and delivered a large amount of consolation money to them. He also gave them benefits of granting the status of special recruitment for public officials, and the privilege of suspension of sentences only to those first-time offenders, up to third generations of direct descendants. Patriotism does not arise from coercion. Novatopia had become more cohesive despite the unprecedented shock of being called the Full-moon festival disaster.
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Three days after the incident, Falcon landed at Jipoon Dari airfield. A woman wore colorful shamans clothes, and an ornamental hairpin that was as large as an arm on a bun hair landed the trap. She held a large straw cutter on her magnificent and strong-looking back.
Madam, who are you?
Sun WooHyuns, who went there to welcome the guest, eyes opened widely. He couldnt believe that an old Korean woman, who looked very insane, was a special guest.
Me? Sun Woo Ma Go!
Sun Woo Ma Go laughed after she skimmed over him.
Do you think you can deal with a sorcerer?
Sun WooHyun also skimmed Sun Woo Ma Go with suspecting eyes.
A foolish humankind who should have died seven years ago saved his miserable life by your ancestors good karma. Since your foundation is imprudent and the faith weak, you will push your parent and brothers into the hell of fire hell and enjoy wealth and prosperity alone. Come on, man! Do you think you are smart enough to earn that rich? You just met a good master. Youre nothing if you are out of your masters region!
God Damn! Why are all the weirdos gathering around the boss?
Sun WooHyun was devastated. Her outspokenness and editorial that pointed out his history as if she had seen it with her eyes made him exhausted.
Sun Woo Ma Go, a Dudu Custom transmitter that the great God Mu Ssang ordered, appeared in Novatopia. It remains to be seen whether Sun Woo Ma Go, who mastered the monks spirit and martial arts, can handle the voodoo witchcraft.
******
Hae Young pressed her bouncing chest with her palm. The small object that was about her hands size was so meaningful. Ooparts was classified into two categories. Frist species was related to human history, and the second species were prehistoric.
The object in her hand was not a first species Antikythera (an ancient Greek machine recognized as an Ooparts), but the second Ooparts. No one can know if the Ooparts fell from space in remote antiquity or whether another Atlantis culture existed in the dinosaur era. The reality was that Ooparts exist with us now.
Cupidity was aroused. If she analyzes Ooparts and presents them, she could receive a Ph.D. easily. The wealth and honor will flow into her also. However, her advisor was an egoistic and greedy person. If she hands in Ooparts to him, he will end up praising her but monopolize all the credits.
A forceful academy, her academy advisor and Robert, who are on the same side with the academy; she suddenly had a rebellious spirit. The desire for honor and rebellious spirit filled up her head. The ambition she lost three months ago aroused her mind again.
If she loses this last chance, Samuels name will cover all of the media and newspaper, and the position of chair-professor and research grant will be his. She will lose a chance to study the Ooparts closely and need to lick her thumb. At best, she has to satisfy with a bundle of dollars from Samuel if he feels he wants to give a bundle to her.
I cant do that.
Hae Young bit her lips. She pushed Ooparts into the backpack and looked around. The Marines were working in sectors F and E, which she designated. The cyborg net was located under the rock below 200m. Cyborgs made no progress on the search for four months, and they lost focus.
What?
Hae Young, who was about to leave, flinched. The ice in the stream has not melted yet. She found the compass she threw away and tapped the glass cover with the corner of Oopart. The strained glass broke at once with a slight tapping. Without any doubt, she put the needle on the spike and explored the stream.
Bingo!
After specifying the site, excavation work began with drills and pickaxes. The needle spun hardly 1.5 meters away from the point where the excavated the Oopart. Twenty minutes later, she found another Oopart that looked different but had the same material. The milky-white metal emitted cold air and was an oval plate with a long diameter of 200 mm, a minor diameter of 100 mm, and a thickness of 20 mm.
The light blue metal in the shape of human eyes located in the center of the oval was cracked horizontally and vertically. It was only reasonable to withstand hundreds of millions of years of high and high pressure underground. An elaborated square groove and a round groove were seen below the edge of the oval Oopart.
Is this a key and this a lock?
Hae Young inserted the cylindrical Oopart held in her left hand into the round hole of the oval Oopart. It was a perfect fit. Click- The elliptical Oopart vibrated with a tiny sound. BeezC Blue-colored light rose. The atmosphere cooled down.
Oh, wow
Hae Young looked at the fluttering crowd of lights as if possessed. It was a pity. If she could find the Oopart that would fit in the square groove, something would change a lot. However, only invisible lights ruffled like the Arctic aurora, and nothing was changed.
KablamC gunshots rang out. Howl A Sharpy scream rang out in the air. FlappingC a black shadow fell. A giant green snake, freed from the crowned eagles claws, raised its head.
Oh my gosh!
The frightened Hae Young screamed. KablamC another shot rang again just in a second. The head of the green mamba(giant green snake), which was running away, was smashed. Hae Young stared blankly at the dead body of the crowned eagle and the snake with a broken head.
Lady, is there a problem?
Two cyborgs climbed the slope.
No, you dont have to come.
Hae Young waved her hands violently. Cyborgs, who were climbing the slope, returned to their original position.
Those punks! there was no surprise if you let it go.
Hae Young grumbled. The crowned eagle was only carrying its prey to its nest. Because the Cyborg shot unnecessarily, my liver almost dropped, and the eagle cubs starved to death.
Oh, my!
Hae Young realized it was not the time to hold onto her curiosity and hesitate. She quickly disassembled the Ooparts. Pot- the flickering light disappeared. Thank goodness that Cyborg did not notice. She looked for a place to hide Ooparts. It was too big to carry an oval Oopart. Hae Young climbed the cliff that remained about 20 m after failing several times.
Whoa!
She unconsciously admired. There was a black forest on the right and a distant cliff on the left. At its feet, the East African Flat Plateau led to the horizon. Green flood waters, river streams flowing through the flood waters, and sparkling lakes filled the view.
The 500 m high cliff, Monkey cliff, was when Mu Ssang had to climb to track the missing Areva S.A hostages. Harsh fate met on the African soil, but grumpy Kronos, king of the Titanes and the god of time from Greek, twisted the time zone.
Hae Young hesitated. She wanted to hide all Ooparts but was not confident about returning by herself. The jungle of Ituri was a dead place where even the U.S. military suffered numerous casualties. Ituri jungles topography changes continuously and wont be the same as today. If she couldnt find it again after hiding, there is no point in getting Ooparts.
Which one should she hide if she need to hide one? Of course, it will be an oval Oopart that is inconvenient to carry. Hae Young looked at the old limbali tree at the entrance to the black forest. Limbali is a bean family plant that grows up to 150 meters high. The developed roots support the heavy stem, and the old tree creates a space for people to enter and remain between the roots and the stem.
Hae Young went into the space between roots and pushed the oval Oopart deep into the inner gap. Hae Young unconsciously typed in her location on GPS, but she deleted it immediately. Cyborg is a human species that investigates underwear when in doubt. You never know what will happen if you get caught.
Despite the simple work, she sweated and breathed out hardly as if she was running a 100 m marathon. She went down the cliff after memorizing the surrounding terrain. It was nervousness, but cyborgs did not react when she got there. Humvee, which gave her a ride on its back, ran to the camp.
Some would blame Hae Young for being foolish, but it was not. Everyone wants to be Cinderella. No one wants to be a pumpkin carriage with Cinderella.
******
In an empty laboratory, Hae Young was the only one who focused on the experiment alone when everyone was asleep. Even when lying down, excessive adrenaline hindered sleep. The body was tired, but the mind was sharpy as a needle. The rough physical experiment was done just now.
Oopart was a non-existent substance in the periodic table. She tried to do all kinds of experiments as much as possible but couldnt find out much. She couldnt take the sample off and couldnt see the inside with a magnetic resonance device. It was a solid substance as she couldnt evaluate the hardness; a substance that cooled itself once the environmental temperature reached 32; a substance that induced a magnetic field. Hae Young was most shocked since the first night she spent with Mu Ssang.
Room temperature superconductor!
It was an unimaginable substance. The superconductor remained at a lower temperature after Dutch physicist Kamerlingh Onnes discovered it, even though a century had passed. The scientific community has raised only 40 degrees from the absolute temperature of 4.2K (-268.8) obtained by Onnes over 75 years. Even that has reached its limit.
What are the benefits of a room temperature superconductor? There are numerous possibilities. A complete superconducting object has zero electrical resistance. Without resistance, no power loss occurs during transmission. If copper transmission lines are replaced with superconductors, the power currently in operation can be reduced to less than half.
Without resistance, heat is not generated. A semiconductor revolution takes place, and a new era of precise electronic device production opens. Medical devices such as ultrasonic diagnostics and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging devices can also be innovatively made. The paradigm of the electronic industry could be changeable.
A superconductor has zero internal magnetism. This is called the Meissner(Mei/beta ner) effect and repels all surrounding magnetic fields. As a result, people could make magnetic levitation trains cheaply and easily and could drive a car that flew in the sky.
A high-purity superconducting substance that the critical current value converged to zero could lift the ultra-high-temperature plasma by generating an intense magnetic field pressure. Controlling plasma enables continuous fusion. A room temperature fusion reactor becomes a reality.
In addition, the use of room temperature superconductors is endless. If a coil gun or rail gun is mounted on a destroyer, there is no need for artillery. And, if it is mounted on an aircraft, there is no need to load missiles and ammunition. The paradigm of military strategy could change, and the world would change.
I got it! This was it.
She understood an incomprehensible instruction from the control center. The real purpose of the conference was to acquire Ooparts. It made sense why soldiers, who did not even know the basics of geology, were sent to the field and why they managed the site with a high-security system. Their activities were only related to acquiring the basic information about Ooparts and lithium exploration but nothing else.
What will happen if we put the rest of the parts together? Will the wormhole open?
Hae Young stared at the dimly lit Ooparts under the fluorescent light. She remembered a haze of blue light. If the light component were an energic wave containing mass, the world would be turned on its head. No, the world could be changing with just the thing in front.
Did God give a mission to her? She suddenly remembered the moment she left her country. It was a poor country that suffered from aggression from a greedy continent and a cunning island country, a hungry country that had finally escaped the period of famine, a country that is still reading strong countries countenance even now, Korea.
Chapter 664 - Episode 8 Novatopia Crisis
There is a saying that if you cross the sea, you become a patriot. If you live as a stranger among various people, you will realize the preciousness of your country with a similar culture and humans.
Apartheid was not the only term in the South African dictionary. Discrimination and contempt were also common in California, where racial discrimination was relatively low. It would be a noble man who shouts Yellow and Monkey on the street, shaking his pelvis back and forth and staring at the private parts with wicked eyes. Spitting, swearing, and throwing cans or ketchup bottles were also common.
When you visit luxurious restaurants in Westwood, Santa Monica, Malibu, and Pasadena, you can often see signs saying, [Black people and dogs are not allowed]. You can also often see the signs of [Yellow monkeys and dogs are not allowed]. There was a time when I felt terrible all week in Montana when I saw signs saying, [Yellow monkeys and Negroes are not allowed, except for Japanese]. Stranger ratings were equal to the strength of the motherland.
Should I hand over the OOPArt to Korea?
Korea is a backward country with no concept and no technology to reverse design a room temperature superconductor. However, it is a huge difference between a possibility and not even a possibility. It was good to say that it was a reaction regarding having a traitor father or behaving childishly. I wanted to give strength to my fragile country.
Hae Young tried to contact her father first, but she changed her mind. Her father was an opportunist who siphoned off all sweet things from the military government and jumped to the U.S. when he was at a disadvantage. Even if she handed it over to Korea, her father was not the right choice.
Her father and mother, who did not have a good relationship with Hae Young, worked hard to make his only daughter a ruling partys daughter-in-law. He also escaped to L.A. to sell the regime as if he were a grassroots activist. Lastly, he was a blackmailer since he used the pain of his country as a political foothold. Thus, it was the obvious path where the OOPArt would flow.
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She also drew another image that popped into her head: What if she gathered all ABC, NBC, CBS, and other Korean broadcasts, and then she appeared splendidly. There were many cheering crowds, and Mussang was in the middle of the population. He pushed and rushed through the crowd with great force and hugged her as if he could smash on her.
No, No, no.
She suddenly felt down. She knew Mussang was not the guy to do that. Also, the academic society wont let me do that. The intellectual organization used double tricks to deceive civilian scientists and assistants. Lithium was investigated under the guise of geological investigation, but the final purpose was OOPArts. The interview will be silently removed.
She repeatedly built and removed the dozen of scenarios as she felt dizzy. OOPArts could be a seed of anguish thrown by the devil, not a gift from God.
Lynn, youve been up all night.
Oh, my gosh! You scared me.
She couldnt realize that Kerry had come into the lab. Suprised, Hae Young pushed the towel on the table to cover the OOPArt.
Lynn, take it easy. Who are you ringing the bell for?
Kerry, did you forget the knock while you played with the monkey?
Hae Young flared up.
Oh, sorry! Even if youre crazy, eat and go crazy.
Kerry pulled up the blackout curtains. The blue light before sunrise poured in.
Breakfast? Oh, its dawn.
Hae Young looked out of the window with empty eyes. Outside the camp, gross vapors like when you open the pots lid while boiling the beans in the deep green ocean are sucked up into the sky like a whirlwind. It was always a unique and majestic scene. Hae Young couldnt take her eye off of it.
Youre gone. Youre entirely gone. Well, it could be possible because youve been three months in that damn jungle.
Fuck up. Did you have breakfast?
No, Im here to eat with you.
Kerry sniffed.
Oh, my God! You havent even taken a shower yet. A beautiful woman smells of sweat if she doesnt take a shower.
Shut up. Look for Lucy(the first discovered ancestor with female characteristics in Ethiopia) in the jungle if you want to come at her. She will be quite fit with you.
Hae Young, whose face turned red, shook her fist. There are no women who will be happy to hear that even a joke smells sour.
Lets go. Whether its sapiens or afarensis, you need to eat first.
Kerry lowered his posture and raised his arms. He looked like a chimpanzee in Yeongpan who raised his arms and waved them with his legs.
You punk!
Hae Young grumbled in Korean. How can I only see a man whos not that far off? Hye-Yong did not recognize that she had started seeing any man like a nerd after Mussang filled her mind.
******
In the independent building of the Green camp command, the spacious commanders room was cool enough to cause condensation on the windows. At the conference table overlooking Horus exhibition on the wall, an officer in a military uniform with a gray dot pattern on a green background and a researcher in an all-in-one yellow work suit were seated.
Security Lt. Col. Michelle, the chief security officer Hammer, Professor Samuel, and Professor Mac are the prominent Green Camp leaders and members of the Freemason organization. All commanders who are not members of the organization, such as the Marine Corps regiment commander and the engineering battalion commander, were excluded.
The door snapped open. The participants stood up.
Ah-ah- have a seat, please. Im sorry Im late.
A soldier with a strong impression sat in the top seat without an expression of apology. Brigadier Ron Mckinley, who has several hidden identities, was currently positioned as a Green Camp commander and project manager. Mckinley looked around the military commander and the responsible scientist with dark gray eyes.
Professor Samuel, have you completed the roadmap for the new exploration area?
There is still continuous landslides aftershock. The exposed salt mine is buried, and there are three newly found sectors. Of course, the point was pinned where the lithium content is completed on the GPS. It doesnt matter if its buried.
Professor Samuel, please explain.
The Mambasa Nupanwaza area is even more amazing. It is distributed from a minimum of 3% to a maximum of 8%. The average is 5.2%. For your information, the highest content of Uyuni Salt Desert is 1.3%. If we set the average thickness of the salt layer at 3.5 meters, we can extract $100 billion from the current international market.
Thats still worth it.
Mckinleys eyes curled like a half moon.
We already got our moneys worth. And, the show will start from now.
Professor Mac burst in.
Did you find a clue?
McKinley raised his butt halfway.
Ah, its far from the commanders imagination. The results of the first round of exploration conducted by the committee have been confirmed.
Ah, Its still working on. We just confirmed the first exploration conducted by the committee.
Professor Mac took the coconut in front of him and gulped it down. From now on, what he says can be shocking. Of course, it will be surprising to only those who can understand. The only consolation in Damn Ituri was that you could enjoy fresh fruit indefinitely.
Okay! Explain.
Slightly disappointed, Mckinley buried his upper body in the chair.
Lithium in its natural state is 92.6% for mass 7 lithium and 6.4% for mass 6 lithium.
Professor Mac wrote [Natural isotope 7LI=92.6% and 6LI=6.4%] on the whiteboard with a dry marker.
I am a soldier. I dont know chemistry or physics and dont want to study it again.
Brigadier General McKinley snapped disapprovingly. Professor Mac continued to explain what he had heard.
An isotope is an element with the same atomic number but different mass. The chemical properties of the two elements are the same. The atomic weight of lithium, the number of protons, is three. So 7LI has four neutrons, and 6LI has three neutrons. Differences in neutron counts make mass differences.
Do you mean that 7 lithium mass is heavier than 6 lithium mass?
Professor Mac scratched his head embarrassingly at Mckinleys question. It was frustrating to hold and explain a stupid soldier who couldnt distinguish between mass and weight.
If its the Earth, it is. Mass is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an element. Weight is the gravitational value that acts on a mass. So the mass is constant unless theres nuclear fission or fusion, and the weight is relative. Where theres no gravity, theres no concept of weight.
I understand. Im sorry to interrupt.
Professor Mack glanced at Brigadier McKinley with his eyes at the obedient student and posted a route map on the screen.
The route map on the screen is a map of the H and G sectors in the Mombasa Npanwaza area, written by assistant researchers Miss Lin and Kerry. Here and here are the late Mesozoic strata.
Professor Mac took two points with a laser pointer. It was near the place where Hae Young found the OOPArts.
Lithium has changed out of common sense here.
Professor Mac drew an arrow with a marker and marked [7LI=75.5%, 6LI=24.5%?LI].
Thats how the ratio changed.
Professor Samuel, who had been silent, jumped up.
MAC!
There was a spark in Samuels eyes. Mac hid the critical things and reported them directly to the senior. He was skipping Samuel as the head of the academic research team. No matter how much they fought for the position, it was a despicable act.
The meeting was called at the moment I was going to discuss it with you. We could save our time by making a presentation when the people in charge are gathered. Its not that bad.
Mac glanced at Samuel and acted like it was not a big deal.
You greedy pig!
Samuel gritted his teeth and sat down.
You stupid cunning jerk. Am I the chicken head?
Professor Mac laughed at Samuel. Samuel is a man who is known for stealing others achievements. No wonder his nickname was Sturi in the academic research field. Mac had no intention of putting all of his accomplishments of 100 days into his mouth.
Is it important to change the isotope ratio?
McKinley asked again.
Its important. Its a fusion reaction. Or they artificially refined lithium.
Oh, fusion!
Mckinley jumped up. And Lt. Col. Michelle and the chief security officer Hammers eyes were wide open, while Samuels face was rotten and tarnished.
Is the fusion reaction you mentioned the fusion reaction that I think it is?
Dont be surprised its not a hydrogen bomb. Its more surprising than a hydrogen bomb, but.
What are you talking about?
Professor Mac wrote something on the board without answering.
?LI+n?He+T+n-2.5MeV
?LI+n?He+T+4.8MeV
To put it simply, we created tritium by colliding lithium with neutrons. The helium residue from tritium will disappear into the atmosphere. Then, Plasma control would increase the 7LI reaction. In a word, this is a trace of an ancient fusion reactor. There is no other way to explain it. Do you understand what I mean?
Professor Mac raised his chin like a deer in the palm of his hand that kicked out the challenger.
Well its not an S.F. movie This would be one that you said the executioner will be surprised!
Brigadier Mckinley was silent. He even did not think that it was the ancient fusion reactor that appeared in the Mesozoic strata.
So.. a human existed during the Dinosaurs era?
I dont know. For your information, there were only fossils of invertebrates like ammonite and arachnids in the Jura Mountains in Switzerland.
Then, what?
It means we should throw away the knowledge of the geological age that we know in the trash. Maybe Australopithecus is a degenerative form of the super-modern human race. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Professor Mac smiled cynically. How surprised he was!
Ha, ha! Oh my goodness. Is this the Planet of the Apes starring Charlton Heston? I was surprised to hear that there was spontaneous nuclear fission in the Ochlorium mine, which is a million times more surprising. Should I believe this?
Mckinley sighed.
Nuclear fusion is a reaction that produces elements with small atomic weights and large atomic weights. Of course, its a million times harder than fission. Nuclear fusion can never happen on Earth. The pressure and high temperature of the inner core of the Earths core are jawless.
As a scholar, Professor Mac thoughtfully adapted a rhetorical million times into a scientific million times.
So I dont know if its tens of millions or hundreds of millions of years, but there were old fusion reactors or tritium generators here, and the earthquake showed signs of it. The OOPArt search was the reason for collecting all sorts of junk. If youd told me the truth from the start, wouldnt you have done anything wrong and made quick progress?
Lt. Col. Michelle spat out her cheek. Professor Samuel stepped up.
I didnt know that Professor Mac would get confirmation so soon. If I were to look for traces of a fusion reactor from the beginning, I would have treated him like a madman. We have lithium that the United States will use for a hundred years. Of course, the organization got its share. You can think of OOPArts as a bonus as much as you paid. I have another good news. We found a uranium ore body while working on a stratigraphic route map. The content is 6%. Well see the reserves after a month of work.
Huh! Even uranium. Its a three-stroke blow!
Brigadier McKinleys mouth was torn. Unknowingly, words learned from the Korean military during the Vietnam War popped out. It was more realistic about uranium than lithium, and lithium was more realistic than the traces of nuclear fusion.
We have a clue to the realization of the real Pax Americana. Im proud of myself for working on the project with General McKinley.
Samuel glanced back at the exhibition and raised his voice.
We became American heroes and heroes who marked the end of the 20th century.
For the glory of the deed!
McKinley picked up a can of coke in front of him.
For the Holy Soul!
Samuel, Mac, Michelle, and Hammers responded with coconuts.
Chapter 665 - Episode 1 Asura
The act of honor refers to Freemasons world domination, and the holy soul refers to the leadership who gained superpowers through a sense of vision. A holy soul is a Freemasonian dream. McKinley and others, who took the opportunity, turned red with excitement.
Attention! Today is the bolded day that our long-cherished dream comes true. At midnight today, Ill invoke the level of gamma 1,2 and 3. You all have to spend your energy to secure everything inside and outside. Michelle, you, as the senior assistant researcher of the research team, need to monitor the security officers thoroughly. Hammer, you need to strengthen the security level and report all outside intrusion and provocation after taking precautions. Two professors, please should closely check assistant trends and speed up your works.
Gamma law was much stricter actions than martial law. The faces of the conference participants hardened. They had to think about the resistance of the researchers.
Do I need to preliminary report for the insiders?
Lt. Col. Hammer, the guard captain, asked.
Dispose of red atoms immediately, and report gray ones after arrest and detention. Those who leave the operational zone shall search the body without exception, and those who leave the exploration zone without permission shall be killed.
Yes, sir.
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Professors, please encourage the other researchers. The executioner is looking forward to your work. If you fart a lot, you can get the poop at least. Please, I would be grateful if you could find Paladin, not even Baphomet, and Ark.
Yes, sir. Please bring more researchers for us. Im going crazy because the ignorant Marines are bringing a bunch of useless fossils, crystals, or even carbonized animal bones.
Hahaha, the Marines are soldiers, not geographers. Well fill up the shortfall immediately.
Mckinley, who is super excited, agreed briskly.
For the glory of the deed!
Samuel and Mc bowed out toward the symbol of the exhibition.
Michelle, how many percent of Agrippina shield have you built?
50% progressed.
Colonel Michelle, hurry up. The annoying rat and the boars are killing me. I caught 12 wild boars on the outskirts yesterday. Ive been attached 15 times this month. Im going crazy because they cannot judge me after they experienced me.
Lt.Col. Hammer was horrified. The camp security team was handled by the shadow team led by Lt. Col. Michelle, and defense and security were taken by the DIA Strike Corps and Marine Corps led by Lt. Col. Hammer. Lt. Col. Hammer couldnt take a rest because of the unknown provocation of Maimai rebels and unidentified militants.
Michelle, youve overdosed. Because you sprinkled the gold ore(tellurium) on Hutu rebels, all the miscellaneous rats jumped in like tiger moths.
Mckinley blamed him seriously.
Its because of their xenophobia and ignorance. Their judgment and standards of conduct are insufficient. I dont care about contracts with the Zaire government. The gold mine found in their land belongs to them. They think were the robbers who came into the primary bedroom.
Okay, I wont blame you because I earned Eldorado because of them. We can smash that pigs as soon as they come. The problem is the rats.
Brigadier Mckinley grumbled. Lt. Col. Michelle was the inspector and security team leader dispatched by the enforcement officer. Because of his position and background, he couldnt cut or yell at him as much as he wanted.
Hammer, didnt you catch anyone last night?
Mckinley switched the target.
Im sorry, sir, they were so fast
Hammer dragged his word. He defeated the intruder, but he couldnt catch any of them, but killing two batters and injured three others. The deceased was a member wearing only bulletproof clothing.
Has the poison been analyzed?
It was mixed venom of a poisonous amanita virosa and Southern black widow spider. The security team synthesized the antidote.
Lt. Col. Michel replied. Hammers took a plastic pack out of the briefcase. He wore the leather gloves and took the contents out of the bag. A sharpy star-shaped dagger came out.
It was a dagger they used. It pierced Kevlar and Aramid combined bulletproof suits. According to the report of the third team leader, they couldnt hold the target because they were fast as a leopard.
But, how come two strike teams miss all five of them? How did they get over the high-pressure fence?
That was one of the intruders threw the other four over the fence, and individuals flew over like a bird. According to the crew, it was a female figure.
You meant a woman threw an adult over a 5-meter fence? Well, it could be possible if they transplant artificial muscles or wear a stencil. Were they Japs? Ryubanka doesnt use this type of memorization.
We assumpted to be a Jap ninja.
Wow, now we have a Jab. Ryubanka and Jab they both experts in backstabbing. This is legitimate land that the United States got at a fair price, and they are terrorists who broke in without permission. According to Gamma law regulation, eliminate all of them properly. If its hard to catch with a rifle, use the automatic grenade launcher and a mini-gun to get them.
Yes, Sir.
Hammer couldnt entirely agree that the place was legitimate land, but he was willing to accept his order. It was not the right thing to say who stole Zaires future with a few bags of corn, but the one who was being attacked was a fool. Justice was up to the influential side. A powerful and selfish country can guarantee the prosperity of the nation. That is Freemason and America.
Michelle, you better hurry up and build Agrippina Shield. Change the place of Major Waddens team to analysis and sample security room.
Mckinley ordered the instructions and left the conference room. Michelle and Hammer opened up a camp layout map. The triangular area connecting Kokorea, Irumu, and Mambasa, which took over resource development rights from Mobutu, reaches 6,500 square kilometers. The Ituri River originated in the Great District, and the Semuliki River, which forms from Lake Albert, was wide enough to flow through the green zone.
One hundred ten people from 10 shadow teams, 300 people from 20 DIA strike teams, and 1,050 people from two Marine Corps battalions from the Rapid Maneuver Army should protect the large area. The area where the exploration needed to be done was about 20 square kilometers. We did not have a small number of laborers, but the sector was too broad.
Colonel Michelle, we need to increase our hydrophones and switch the explorer teams to the defense team.
Is it because of the rat?
Yes, I didnt want to make excuses, so I didnt say it earlier. But, they flew after being beaten by two or three bullets. The guy who threw her colleague over the high-pressure fence got five shots.
Is it a mechanical hunter?
They were pretty much flexible in looking as Hunters.
Well, I will suggest putting hunters in. Lets reduce the protection line first. Twenty Bradley and the Marines mobilized for the OOPArt collection would be placed on the perimeter fence. Also, we need to return 30 Humvees equipped with machine guns and automatic grenade launchers to the boundary between the lab and the accommodation.
I agree. But, pulling out infantry fighting vehicles will narrow the range of reconnaissance squadrons
When the Agrippina Shield is complete, they cant set it up. Ill supply liquid metal bulletproofs to the reconnaissance company.
Ha, the Marines are enjoying themselves.
You can print money but cant print your life.
Michelle smirked. The two men were racking their brains overnight by trying to re-organize and deploy essential protection areas. The camp, which the Higashi Honjanji Ninja team attacked, was tense.
*******
The security level has increased. The security team checked every move of the researchers and secretly searched their lockers. Researchers had to pass through security checkpoints when they left and came in. As a result, complaints between security teams and researchers were often issued.
A man was not a pig, and the Ituri jungle was not Detroit. Money wasnt everything at a time when life was changing. Dangerous work environments may die at any time. Coercive control, near-work work, and blatant monitoring have raised the stress scale.
The complaints were everywhere, but the leaders didnt care. It was semi-compulsory to researchers, but they have signed an extended contract. They have paid twice more than GM workers, famous for their highest salaries. What would matter if they get paid separately for risk and remote area allowance?
But still, some people complained.
Scientists who protested collectively suffered in the punishment room for three days. Also, professor Samuel made the assistants shut their mouths by providing a contract they signed when they got the scholar from the academy. Hae Young was shocked by the brutal atmosphere. She didnt even dare to hide OOPArt from the outside. Her OOPArt stayed deep inside her tote bag in her laboratory drawer.
******
Youre a filthy sensitive woman!
Helen looked at Hae Young, who threw the sample pack into the trash can sideway. It was easy to find a Korean female researcher who used a strange first-name Lynn, even though she did not use it. It could be her ethnic characteristics, but she was sensitive and picky compared to other researchers. She could recognize immediately if the direction of the spectroscope used changed or the location of the sample changed by an inch.
Bauer Helen was a member of the security teams counterintelligence unit. Her main job was to monitor researchers, but her official position was to assist researchers. Helen was responsible for carrying heavy specimens, hammering impurities attached to fossils, and cleaning them with chemicals.
She was sick of the place here. Regardless of their ages, the researchers had strong pride and individualistic tendencies and were stiff like rubber tree leaves. If she needed to marry, the geologists were her last choice. In particular, the sensitive researcher, like Lynn, tasted Borsch(Russias traditional soup) without meat.
Lynn, whats for dinner tonight?
Ugali(a.k.a. Sigma), do you want to go with me?
Hae Young g asked soullessly.
No, I dont want to. I will have a hamburger. African food is too unhygienic. Just thinking about it makes me sick.
Helen pretended to be neat. It was not a word for her who dug up the frozen ground in Irkutsk, dug up roots of trees, and lived as lizards and caterpillars in the Colombian jungle.
Corn starch, meat, and vegetables mixed well together. I think it was a unique flavor and a hundred times better than junk food.
Hae Young recommended one more time out of courtesy. Ugali was an East African staple food steamed corn or cassava powder like white rice cake. The Ugali served by the camp restaurant was a fusion style made like Korean Millet pancake (Bukkumi) and changed to either beef or vegetable to wrap up.
Its early, but shall we go? If it doesnt taste good, you should take responsibility.
Helen put down the milk she was drinking on the table and followed Hae Young.
This bitch! So annoying in many ways.
Hae Young swallowed a protruding curse. This jerk has no speaking manner. Why is someone else taking responsibility for her taste buds? Hae Young pretended not to know, but she already knew that Helen was a watcher.
Having a meal together is accompanied by memories. There is much wrap-style food in Korea like Lettuce Wrap, cabbage wrap, pumpkin leaf wrap, tofu wrap, etc. Mussang had a good appetite. When his cheeks were bulged by the lettuce wrap as it burst, it automatically revived my desire to eat. Helen, who sat across the table, chatted, but Hae Young replied absentmindedly. Her mind was full of the longing for homeland and Mussang. The pretentious Helens chat didnt go last long.
******
Kerry felt complicated after receiving a cut-out contact for notification of action commencement. It has been more than five years since he became a slipper(spy), but he had never been given a command. He was about to forget that he was a slipper.
His liver was about to fall when Lynn found a yellow tower on the cliff. S was a code to start. When he dipped the mark in the cocoa juice, a command appeared. It was an order to find out the purpose of U.S. exploration.
Green Zone wasnt just a geological exploration area. There is no way to secure the site this seriously just for exploring lithium. As a spy, the sense was not good enough, but he could know it was unusual. He could depict himself being arrested for treason without even trying to confront Lynn.
Damn, I met a good girl. Of course, I have no luck in meeting a good girl.
Kerry headed to Lynns lab. He wanted to talk with her.
Where she go?
The air conditioner turned off in the laboratory, and was hot inside. Hae Young always stayed in the lab as soon as she ate dinner. Kerry looked up at the table, and the cup of milk on the table attracted his view. It was the milk provided by the camp by operating its sterilizer and lactose separator.
He wanted to drink the milk Lynn used to drink even if the black window spider swam. Kerry, without hesitation, picked up a cup of milk and licked the pale lipstick marks on the edge. It was thrilling, as if he was kissing Lynn.
What is this?
Kerry swallowed a sip and frowned. The thin ice was crunchy. His mouth was cold as if he had drunk an iced cocktail. Kerry glared at the milk cup. The air conditioner turned off. There was no reason for thin ice to get stuck in the milk cup remaining in the hot room.
No way?
Kerry came to his sense. He majored in geology and physics and was a trained spy.
[Look inside Uncle Sams stomach]
He understood the command delivered by the cut-out. There is something in here. He immediately opened the drawer under the table where the glass cup was placed. Lynns tote bag was in it. Here was provided to the senior research team members and only a place where out of the eyes of the security team.
Chapter 666 - Chapter 63 Episode 2 Asura
Lynn, Im sorry. I need to pay for my meal.
Kerry turned the bag over without hesitation. Square plastic emergency box, pouches with underwear, anti-poison spray, photos coated with acrylic resin, and small tools to trim fossils poured out from the bag.
Kerry stared at the picture frame, which was half size of his palm. There was a young Asian who had just passed puberty. He was a handsome man with a slender face like a woman, innocent-looking eyes, a toll nose, a tight mouth, and smooth skin like porcelain. Intuitively, he could know that he was a special guy, the male servant.
Damn, she was a shotakon?
Kerry burned with his jealousy. He flicked an acrylic frame. DropC The frame fell into a cleaning tray that contains sulfuric acid.
Wasnt this it?
Kerry tilted his head and shook the tote bag. A rolled tower fell on the table. He grabbed the tip of the towel quickly and loosened it up. ThudC a milky-white cylindrical object fell on the table. The cold air climbed up his fingertips as soon as he picked it up.
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Oh, My God!
Kerry groaned unconsciously. An object that emits cold air by itself without batteries or external power, he intuitively recognized that it was an object that society wanted. It was an object that the DGSE directive meant. Beverly Hills mansion and Lamborghini were illuminated in front of him.
Lynn, Im sorry! But, you betrayed me!
Kerry rationalized his actions for ridiculous reasons. He had a crush on Lynn, but not as much as the Lamborghini and Beverly Hills mansions. It was the end of an unrequited love that was just a cheap feeling instead.
Kerry turned the cuff button on his shirt and pressed it down as instructed. It was an object acquisition signal. When the cutout receives a short wavelength signal, they will take action whether they open the retreat or sends a person.
******
Helen came out of the shower and wiped the water. She suddenly titled her head because something was not neat. The spys senses catch even slight deviations. She checked her movement by point.
A-ha, the milk!
Helen figured out the identity of the misalignment. She forgot the leftover milk that she put on the lab table. Milk quickly ferments and decomposes in the equatorial, hot and humid climate. If the air conditioner was off in the lab, the laboratory becomes a steamer at once.
That bitch will nag me again.
Helen headed to Lynns lab again because she didnt want to hear the nagging from the neat yellow monkey, and she needed to be faithful to her role as the Mole(Camouflaged spy).
******
The excited Kerry did not notice the icy glare that gleamed violently through the open door. It was the moment when Kerry, who had forgotten his senses as a spy agent, dragged his Hae Young into hell, not only himself.
Kerry put your things on the table and back off!
It was a low but sharp warning.
Oh, gash.
Kerry was stunned to the point as much as his liver popped out. He snapped at the door. Helen, the research assistant, and a black gun like the entrance to hell were there. Kerry was astonished to the point where his soul was scattered.
Why is she here?
Kerrys sight got gloomy. Helen was under the security team. He could draw the back of a handsome guy heading to Qantanamo after being sentenced to 20 years for treason.
He, Helen!
Kerry stuttered. The gun remained steady. Her eyes were undisturbed, too. Helen had a good understanding of what she had to do. Also, she had a better experience of what she had to do as a different status.
Hellen! Whats wrong?
You must know the reason well.
Blue eyes gleamed violently. The gun pointed to the forehead. Kerrys face was rotten and tarnished. He could feel Hellens will that she would kill him with a shot on his head.
Oh, no, its dangerous. What will you do with something that doesnt fit a beautiful womans hand?
The Walter PPK, wearing a blunt silencer, looked like a small toy but a self-defense pistol that exerted enough killing power at close range. It would be time to say bye to the world if it hits a vital point.
Shut up! This is the best thing for me. Dont make a fuss and put the stuff down.
Helen laughed.
Okay, All right!
Kerrys eyes were chilling. She had a gun but was still a woman. He made a motion pretending to put down the OOPArt but threw a fossil-collecting boat.
God Damn!
SplatC blood spattered.
Oops!
Helen blamed the wrong sensation. The target missed while trying to avoid the affection that flew toward the chest. Kerry ignored the pain that felt like burning fire and threw himself like a batter who hit an infield grounder. BangC The second bullet grazed the ball and slammed into the wall.
SlapC Helen got a low kick by him and staggered. Surprisingly, a womans tenacity to withstand the fierce attack with Sabate martial art, but there was no time to continue to admire. Helens arms wrapped around his neck when he hugged her lower body and lifted her after removing the pistol.
Clatter-Those two rolled up the lab as a chunk. It was a dogfight between man and woman. They both hit and kicked each other but couldnt make a decisive hit. Kerry was ahead in strength, but Helen covered her weakness with flexibility.
BaamC eventually, Kerry could hit her face because he positioned the mount position. Blood spattered, but Helen didnt scream. Kerry threw back his shoulders, trying to hit a powerful pound again. SplatC Helen spat blood in her mouth at his face. Something glittered in the light. Kerry instinctively raised his forearm and caught the blood.
Ugh!
The forearm was paralyzed in an instant. Kerry didnt hesitate to bite the part of his arm where his saliva was inserted with his teeth. Black blood poured out from the spot where the flesh fell sharply. Kerry, whose shoulder muscles were injured by the bullet and his forearm was paralyzed, gritted his teeth.
You fucking ruder!
Helen grinned and laughed.
Fucking Bitch!
Kerry put his fist down. BaamC Helen picked up her upper body, punched in the top of his head, and used a recoil to raise her pelvis. The mounting position was out of order. Her knee rose.
Kerry curled his upper body like a shrimp. Helen came out like a loach and pulled OOPArt out of his hand.
No way!
This time, Helen made a mistake. Kerry, whose hands were free by losing OOPArt, wound Helens neck. Helen, whose face turned red, grabbed his forearm with her fingernails and tore it apart.
Son of Bitch, what are you?
Kerry couldnt believe that a woman could be this much strong and fight so well!
A fucker who hits a girls face.
Helen cursed in the midst of it. Kerry twisted Helens wrist and pulled out the OOPArt. At that moment, Helen pushed her hips deeply and grabbed his shoulder collar. ThudC Kerry was thrown around in the air. It was a clean slap on the back.
Helen threw her body to grab the pistol. Kerry jumped up and flung himself through the window without looking back. There will be Lamborghini and Beverly Hills once he lives. SlatC SlatC Blood splashed on Kerrys back.
Holy fuck..
Kerry flipped over. Helen was a master of practice who had completed the special battle training of Ryubanka over the world. Kerry woke up but was not a match for her.
Thank you, stupid!
Helen calmly pulled the OOPArt out of Kerrys hand. He had a good physique and fighting skills, so she was almost got beaten by him.
Who are you? You are not under the security team, are you?
Kerry stammerd by blood bubles.
Not your business!
Helen kicked Kerry hard. He was about to die soon. BaamC Kerry was drooped after being kicked by her. Helen held a delicate object that was shining and milky in front of her eyes. A thing smaller than a hot dog shone with a roaring light. The cold air came up in her hands as if she was holding a piece of ice.
Thank you, anyway!
Helen put a cylindrical rod into her bra. The E-cup sports bra was enough to hold objects slightly longer than the fingers.
Gasp!
Nipple stood by the cold air. The breast was about to freeze. Helen wrapped the stick around a sports towel and pushed it into a bra. Then, she picked up a mirror lying around the table and looked at her face. Her lips swelled after being brushed. If she didnt turn her face reflectively, her nose, bone, and teeth were also not in good shape. She pulled out a kleenex and wiped the blood off her nose and lips.
Stupid, Walter is a good fit for a beauty like me.
Her anger didnt go away. She kicked the side of dead Kerry and spitted her blood. Because Kerry rebelled, he massed up the work rather than confiscated OOPArt.
Its time to say goodbye to the DIA counterintelligence agent. There is no reason to act as an assistant to a picky woman. She had to leave the camp and join the GRU(information management department of the Soviet military staff, overseeing overseas information) immediately.
Knock- Knock- someone knocked on the door.
Gasp!
Before Helen answered, the door opened. The local hired cleaner bowed his head in front of the door.
Mademoiselle, can I clean up?
Put- the answer was a bullet. The black youth faltered away. Splat- blood streamed. His eye, which grew to the fullest, turned to his left chest. Flap- his knee was bent. Helen threw away Walter, which ran out of bullets.
Only needs was one more cow for Dahams dowry.
It was the last thought of Waris, a Sukuma youth with a bullet in his heart while trying to clean up. An innocent life has disappeared. It was a blood-calling overture.
In a prayer position, Helen glanced at the fallen black man and straightened her dress. She lowered the raised bra and removed the decoration on the hook connecting the cups. There was no time to lose because she killed Kerry and a cleaner.
She had to send a signal right away and leave the camp. She pressed the jewel in the center of the ornament for three seconds and spat. Fire- The decoration flared up. It soon became ashes by reaction of calcium mixed and saliva.
Helen threw off her blood-soaked work clothes and put on Hae Youngs gown. The gown was tight. After that, she cut the bottom of the gown with scissors. The upper body revealed sensuous volume, and then she exposed her white-leg lines. Helen slammed the door and left the research building calmly.
Bauer Helen grew up in a middle-class American family but joined KGB because of drugs. American parents, who lived in the panic of the 1930s, were determined not to cause their children to suffer.
Because of their parents determination, the next generation couldnt learn how to overcome hardships, and they were easily indulged in pleasure, swayed by temptation, and frustrated. She was the case of the called immature category among the KGB target.
Having encountered drugs in adolescence, she could not resist intense ecstasy. Conservative parents stopped to support her financially. Then, a handsome man reached out to her after she fell into trouble.
He saved her from the drug swamp by supporting her with a combination of neutralizer and psychotherapy. She falls in love with a devoted man; that was how she went through the Marines and the Navy Seal as the man wanted to enter the DIA counterpart.
Helen knew he was an agent of the KGB but didnt know that he was a human talent investor manipulating peoples minds. Manipulating peoples minds was one of the common tricks used by the KGB. The problem was that people manipulated while they knew it was it.
******
Hi!
Helen raised her hand to the DIA batter. The crews eyes stayed on Helens giant chest and legs for a while.
Helen, are you going to a fashion show?
Yes, I have to go to sector H base camp.
No, its sunset time.
Oh, no! Lynn left an important specimen at the base camp.
No! You know the rules.
The crew did not overlook the situation. Helen was frustrated. If someone found the dead body in the lab, its over.
Otto, do I have to listen to a yellow womans nagging to hurt my pride?
You made a thing difficult
The crew murmured while skimming Helens body. The provocative chest and sexy leg dazzled his eyes. Helen nodded slightly. The two guards were flustered. Helen was a colleague and sensual enough. It would be regretful if she were free to him.
All right, Ill go with you.
They found a compromise. The crew radioed for a substitute for the position and escorted Helen to the outskirts.
The urgent sound of military fire rang the laboratory. Major Johnson, the team leader on duty who received the report, rushed like a thunderbolt. It was less than five minutes after Helen got out.
The African-American is dead, and Kerrys pulse is still alive.
The low-destructive Walter PPK-I bullet couldnt wholly cut Kerrys breath.
Boss Lewis, stab Digosin and morphine right now.
Major Johnson was cool-headed. It was a 100% chance of a heart attack, but he was wrong to live anyway.
Kerry opened his eyes.
Helen, this bitch!
Kerry muttered a word and broke his neck. He was also a man with an intense grudge holder.
Urgent, hand on the security position to strike team and all shadow teams track down Helen.
The sirens rang the camp. The camp lit up like daytime, and Humvees poured out one after another. A blood storm started to blow in Novatopia, 2,200 kilometers away. A war called Blood Shower in the distant future began.
******
Chapter 667 - Chapter 63 Episode 3 Asura
Oh my god! Are you serious? It was a mole! A mole?
Lt. Col. Michelle repeated the same words over and over. He was holding the cuffs buttons that Kerry threw away and burned decoration. Even though they were burned and could not be recognized, there is no way they didnt know the purpose of these items. He has been working in this field for more than 20 years old.
There is a limitation to collecting the information by wiretapping and surveillance. The valuable information comes from the Human organization, and the Human organizations top resource is the mole. Several times, the camp had been attacked by a foreign or outside the cooperative organization, but it was the first time that the base was embedded by a mole, Helen. Michelle clenched his fist and trembled.
Here was not CIA but DIA, which department finds down the spy, and we are the agents who looked for the spy. If this happens that one of our agents was a spy is known to the outside, it will be super embarrassing. It was unknown if Helen was a spy on purpose from the beginning or not. There are no changes that she was a spy.
The point was it is still in question mark how Helen permeated the DIA. It was famous that DIAs was hard to pass the background check. They filtered uncertain identified people by a triple background check. The checking system returns to the third generation, investigating the sixth cousin. They also check surrounding people yearly and belief/thought monitoring under an aptitude test every two years.
Helen was a typical American middle-class child who stepped the elite path and went through the Marine Corps and the Green Beret. Her father works for the State Department, and her mother is a high school teacher. There was no reason that she became a mole.
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Damn it, Ryubanka!
KGB messed up all of his beliefs. They made a spy who cannot be a spy. He had to re-examine the line and system immediately. He was freaking out.
BeepC beepC The radio indicator glittered.
-Boss, Helen has left the camp.
Fuck you! Get her! Catch her no matter what! You can burn the jungle.
Michelles face turned red and was about to burst.
Boss, we need to figure out what Helen was targeted first. When such a cold-hearted person made the incident.
The deputy called Michelles attention.
Oh, yeah!
Michelle hit his forehead. His face quickly became cold.
Bring the researcher Lynn right now!
Yes, sir!
Shadow rushed to the accommodation.
But, why this guy was dead here?
Michelle kicked Kerry, but the dead one was silent. No, he left the clue that Helen was a culprit. DGSEs slipper, Jim Kerry, was simply unlucky. If he werent involved with Helen, he would have become a hero, and Hae Youngs fate would have changed. If there is one, the other thing is following up. If that one is not in here, there is also nothing. Fate works like this.
Boss, this is a picture from the cleaner tray.
The deputy brought a half-melted acrylic resin frame. The resin dissolved in the sulfuric acid solution stuck to the picture and could not distinguish the shape.
This bitch tried to destroy the evidence?
I dont know.
Send it to the headquarters for restoration.
Michelles misunderstanding led to a situation in which Mussangs identification was revealed.
What is it?
An unexpected happen occurred in front of sleeping Hae Young. She watched the security team members storm into the bedroom with sleepy eyes. Shadows grabbed her hair without answering or explaining, pressed her on the bed, and handcuffed her.
Who are you guys?
The question was answered by a palm that was big as a bears paw.
Argh!
There was no mercy. Hae Young was slapped in her face by Shadows and flew like s straw and hit her head on the wall. Her mouth brushed, and her nose was bleeding. She felt her eyes would pop up because she got beaten so hard. Hae Young was dragged helplessly away like a dog.
Who is this? Where am I? Please, someone helps me out! Mussang!
She started to deny the reality and couldnt distinguish what was what. And then, she looked for the Mussang, who always protected her like a knight. Shadow threw Hae Young to the front of Lt. Col. Michelle.
Evans!
A huge Africa-American sergeant stepped up at Michelles call. Michelle folded his arms in silence. It meant to do as you please. Sergeant Evans grabbed the break of her with his big hand like a pot lid.
Argh!
Hae Young struggled with shame and pain.
Lynn, what was in the lab?
Hae Young was distracted by the pain that her breast was about to fall off. Sergeants red eyes were scared as they popped from his face and hit her face. It was horrifying. She lost the energy to protest.
What do you mean?
Evans flicked the tote bag.
What was in here? What did Helen steal?
It hurts! It hurts!
When Evans grabbed her harder, Hae Young struggled as much as she couldnt breathe. Evans loosened his grip.
Kerry died, and Helen disappeared.
Kerry was dead?
Hae Young stared blankly at the empty tote bag. She was so confused at that moment. She soon murmured frantically.
Cold metal, OOPArt!
Michelle, who was just watching, opened his mouth.
Researcher Lynn, you committed treason. YOu conspired with Helen to kill Kerry and take out important national assets. You were sentenced according to Gamma law.
Michelle deliberately stopped talking and glared at the pale woman.
I dont even know about Helen very well. She was an agent who watched me. What are you trying to say?
Of course, Michelle had no intention of listening to Hae Youngs counterargument. He declared in a dry voice as if reading a book.
All of the resources excavated here are under U.S. property. You deliberately concealed and carried out the U.S. property. Treason carries a minimum sentence of 20 years. Ill account if you confess frankly. If your statement is not sincere
Michelle glanced back at Evans. This gesture meant was obvious. Her mind went blank. The ruthless hands of a man like a goblin were fear itself.
No NO way!
It was not a situation that an ordinary girl who only studied could handle. The ruthless hands and words of at least 20 years in a prison filled her head. Hae Young rambled on about the OOPArt and room temperature superconductors. The prison was scary, but the ruthless hand was scarier.
This bitch!
Michelle gritted his teeth. He wanted to shoot a gun in her head. The missing object was an important component of the fusion reactor discussed at the conference. Because of an idiot woman, the Prometheus fire turned over KGBs hands.
This is why Korean monkeys are not working! An inferior race worse than a Jap!
Evans chewed it out. Ironically, many people of color have more racial prejudice than white people. This can be said to be another aspect of
Urbach-Wiethe syndrome. It could be a case where a child raised in a violent family and hates his father resembles him.
Son of bitch!
Michelle triggered the gun and aimed it at Hae Youngs forehead. The authority to dispose of Gamma regulation was under Michelle, the head of the security team. He could receive the camp commanders signature after death as a formal procedure.
Hae Young stared blankly at the gun aimed at her. She felt the back hole getting bigger and sucking her body into the weapon. Her mouth opened widely, and her eyes relaxed too much. Michelle became weak when he saw a beautiful womans sad appearance. He put his pistol in and spoke again like chewing something.
Lady, from this point on, we apply treason to the state and deprive your freedom. Attorneys are not allowed at this point. You must be executed here or spend the rest of your life in Guantanamo.
No way! I found the OOPArt. Whats wrong with you guys? Kerry died trying to steal, and Helen ran away with it, so why me!
Hae Young came back to her sense. Unaccustomed words were spoken by Michelle, such as treason, execution, and Guantanamo swirled in her head. She was so frustrated and felt she had received excessive punishment.
Evans, drag her and put her in prison.
Michelle ordered coldly. Hae Young struggled as much as she could, but there was no way that she could get out from the ruthless hands that grabbed her shoulder.
The death of Kerry, who is believed to be a spy, the betrayal and escape of Helen, who is believed to be a KGB mole, and the presence of OOPArt, which Hae Young found made the whole base camp panic. Brigadier Mckinley was on the rampage, and crypto-correspondence was immediately sent to the committee.
******
The Ethos was 3Km away in the direction of Marburg from Omfanwaja, where the green camp base was located. The ground, the size of a man-hole cover, was jolted. The lid moved away silently, and a green helmet, not a mole, popped out.
The green helmet carefully looked around and pulled out his upper body. The leopard, hiding in Abyssinia outside of Ethos, fell. He had a sense like a superhuman. The man pulled out the dragon head of the watch slightly and tapped the lid of the tempered glassthree times long and three times short.
The robust men in heavy armed popped out of the ground. The 30 people who escaped from three different peats wore military uniforms with gray stripes on a green background, reinforced glass goggles, and green full-face helmets. It was the same outfit as the U.S. Marine Corps. The mini-gun, MP5, and PAW-20 seven-time semi-automatic grenade launchers were also U.S. Marine Corps weapons.
Comrades, our Helen made it.
The man with the MP5 lowered his voice. The men showed their teeth and waved their weapons in unison.
Lets go. Helen is being chased.
Lt. Col. Milovich, the leader of the 7th division of the KGBs first General Bureau, led the green group and crossed the jungle like a leopard.
******
Helen tore off a disturbing part of the gown and tied it to her chest. She passed the jungle fast as possible. It was ridiculous looking with rolled up the lab gown on her upper body and wearing only a panty on her lower body. However, non of the people was there to watch her, and if so, she did not care. She did not have time to see her injuries that were scratched by strong stems and thorns.
She ran toward the center of Ituri, avoiding the direction of the sapropel where the Agrippina shield was installed. Thankfully, she knew the alert system already because she worked under the security team. She was confident enough about getting out even though hydrophones and infrared cameras were swarming over the area. Unfortunately, the animals in the Ituri jungle were unusual. Every day, they damaged the camera and pulled out the devices. Humans trusted in machines, but machines were not very efficient.
Damn it! They are already here.
Helen faltered and hid. It was a surprisingly quick response. The Marine Corps deployed the military personnel in an internal area, not an external one. She never thought that Kerry had tricked her somehow.
Boom- Boom- Boom- Boom- Boom- Boom- Boom- Boom-
When Helen considered breaking through the defense line, gunfire and gunfire fired out.
Argh!
Its the enemy!
The raid was blitzed and powerful. The ancient forest was in chaos. The old trees burst, pouring debris, and clumps of dirt interrupted the sight. Marine officers who were attacked behind the scenes spewed blood.
Its outside. Be focused on them!
The Marines resisted fiercely, with weapons and numerical superiority. Shots and gunshots rang everywhere, and angry cries and pathetic screams were mixed and filled up the air. The boundary line has collapsed.
Damn bitch, Ill peel you off.
Shadow 3 team leader Major Johnson grinds his teeth. Two agents who escorted Helen turned into cold bodies. Sergeant Moore was decapitated, and Sergeant Robin was stabbed in the heart. Its a sign of being caught when they were off guard.
Hey, isnt there any call from a listening post?
Before she got the answer, the sound of a heavy machine gun fire and a grenade rupture interrupted their conversation.
Lets go!
The Shadow teams on board motorcycles and Humvees drove to the outer guard where the battle took place.
Thank you, Milovich!
Helen smiled triumphantly. The disposable transmitter worked adequately. The assistance of First General Bureaus Seventh division agents had begun. Helen tilted her head when she tried to escape from the borderline like a loach. She was unsure, but the outfit of the raid team was different. Milovichs team dressed up as the U.S. Marine Corps. The raiding group dressed in green outdoor clothes.
Well, whatever, its good for me.
Helen squeezed through a gap between the U.S. Marine Corps and the French counterterrorism team.
Whats that?
Rub Deng team leader Fabius witnessed Helen on the borderline. It was a woman, not Kerry, who sneaked out. He instinctively realized that something was wrong. In other words, he used the wolfs teeth in the wrong place to scratch someone elses legs.
Stop! Stop firing. Look up at nine oclock. chase that woman.
Fabius gnashed his teeth. He sacrificed his men to help the wrong person. Loop Deng, who received the order through the headset, quickly left the battlefield. Two other local employees disappeared as well.
The Milovich team, which arrived late, had a fierce batting battle with the Shadow team, which tracked wolf teeth without knowing why, but the Milovich team, which belatedly noticed Helens escape, also retreated quickly. Shadow, who looked full of anger, tracked them down. Only more than a hundred corpses were left at the violent battle scene.
American, Soviet, and French spies began bloody hide-and-seek, intertwined. The Rwandan Liberation Democratic Forces, which obtained information from local sources who fled the camp, also intervened in the Chao.
Chapter 668 - Chapter 62 Episode 4 Asura
******
I made a mistake! I should have brought the jeep instead.
Mohammad flopped down on the dirt-ground in the shape of pickled cabbage. Matanga also rolled his eyes around with a troubled face. Matanga is Ahmads disciple and the candidate Nova Chevalier. His martial arts skill was excellent enough for Ombuti to send him as Mohammads bodyguard.
To get to Mambasa from Novatopia, you have to get off at Bucav Airfield or Kisangani Airfield and pass through the jungle. Bucav Airfield is closer to Mambasa, but the access route through the Great Lift Valley was in poor condition.
The jungle full of wild animals and poisonous insects wasnt the best, either, if you were to encounter a guerrilla, you are likely to be robbed. As the next best option, he chose Kisangani Airport, where he can take the 4th North Airway. Vehicle was the problem, though. He searched all over the city of Kisangani, but no one came forward to go to Mambasa. The notoriety of rebel guerrillas in the west coast of Lake Albert was well known in Kisangani.
Director! Lets get something to drink.
Matanga took the coconut out of the backpack.
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Hey, call me Bwana (Sir)! Im a Cassavan dealer.
Im sorry, Bwana. Shall we snatch a vehicle?
You idiot, did you forget the teachings of Dubaiburupa? Do you want to be a life-time management officer of the windbreak forest?
Oops, Im sorry.
Frightened, Matanga bowed his head. In Novatopia, the reckless exercise of power and actions of power trip are enough for heavy penalty.
Say we will give 500 francs. If we give them ten times, someone must come forward.
Yessir!
Startled Matanga set out to arrange a vehicle.
Is this dude a fraud?
Mohammed looked at the driver with suspicious eyes. A Congolese man in his 40s with a broad nose did not seem trustworthy. The vehicle was even less trustworthy. A Ford Cortina, twenty years after since discontinued, had only two doors. Its too old to run 500 kilometers through a messy jungle. Neither the person nor the vehicle seemed reliable, but there was no other way. Its about the Lords woman. He was in a hurry.
The 4th North Airway was lawless. There were guerrillas, who blocked roads every few dozen kilometers, pressed them in the chest with guns and demanded tolls. When possible, money solved it, but Matanga solved ones who turned into a robber. with a knife.
The power of money and knives was mighty. The nervous Congolese driver demonstrated superhuman strength of running through 500 kilometers in 20 hours. There were dozens of problems along the way, but the driver who was a master of maintenance, and the powerful Matanga, easily solved it.
Bwana! (SIr!), after passing the sugar cane field, you will find a big village. Ill leave you be now.
The driver started to run offl. It has been a week since Helen escaped the Green Zone and Hae Young was imprisoned. The atmosphere was bound to be chaotic.
Hey, Ill give you another 500 francs.
Bwana, I have two wives and twelve children. I dont even know the way around this place. Spare me.
The driver begged with a pale face.
Guess theres no other way!
Mohammad nodded. Its a difficult situation, but he couldnt force a person who didnt want to go. The driver turned his car around as if he was being chased.
Oh, its a mess. What the hell happened?
The lush sugarcane fields were a mess as if a herd of elephants had attacked.
Director, its a trace of an orbital vehicle. The situation seems serious.
Matanga clenched a machete in his hand.
Lets stop by the town, for now.
As they left the sugar cane field, they saw a unique housing style used in East Africa, which was built by connecting tin plated roofs together. Matanga pressed Mohammads back and ducked down flat. Bang bang bang C gunshots echoed in the village. Dozens of Africans with guns rushed out of town. Tutututu- The deep sound of heavy machine gun fire shook the atmosphere. It wasnt just one or two.
Argh!
Delatoon!
Africans believed to be guerrillas fled frantically towards the direction of Irumu. Gunfire and explosions began to be heard again in the direction of their disappearance. A faint scream was heard.
Vroooom- In the village, three Humvees equiped with heavy machine guns popped out. Heavy armed soldiers wearing camouflage combat uniforms and full-face helmets were on board. Humvees rose up clouds of dust and disappeared.
Mohammad felt the situation was alarming. Yes, it was a mess on the way here, but the whole area of Mambasa was covered with the smell of gunpowder. Chad is a mess, but so is Zaire. Mohammad and Matanga, who were holding their breath, headed to the village.
Its a total disaster. Why the U.S. military?
The village was littered with corpses. Most of them appeared to be guerrillas, but bodies of women, elderly people, and children were also seen occasionally. Humvees and spotted camouflage combat uniforms are symbols of the U.S. military. Although the U.S. military was such a turn-off, but they dont kill civilians recklessly.
Yahili! (Big trouble!) Yahili!
They heard a piercing shriek. An African young man was holding a woman whose legs were stained with blood and struggling to stop the bleeding with dirty clothes.
Hey, if you get tetanus, its more dangerous than a gunshot wound.
Who are you?
As Mohammad approached, the young man was on high alert.
Matanga, give them first aid!
Get out of the way, stupid!
Matanga pushed the young man out of his way and took out a first aid kit from his backpack. Morphine was injected, disinfectant and anti-hemorrhagic agent were sprayed on the wound, then he tightly wrapped the wound with a compression bandage. The bleeding stopped, as well as the screaming. When the woman returned stable, the young man came to his senses.
Bwana, thank you for treating my mother. I was frightened because I thought you two were a bad bunch. My name is Ongore.
The young man was logical and calm in his words as if he had been educated.
Ongore, whats happened here?
The guys who ran away are Hutu guerrillas. These are Rwandans who dig up gold from Ngpangwaza.
The Rwandan rebels run gold mines on Congo land?
Mohammad blamed his poor knowledge. The Northeastern Congo, from Lake Kivu to Lake Albert, including Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda border areas are anarchic violence spaces where various armed groups called militias and liberation forces and such, exercise practical power.
However, he didnt know that guerrillas would openly run gold mines in other countries. He had only the intelligence director title, but knew nothing really. It was understandable that the governor wanted him to face it in person.
The guy with the gun is the owner in Mambasa. The Mobutu army is too far away. The Yankees and the guerrillas are turning it all upside down to find some blonde woman.
The young man was pleasant.
Are the soldiers on Humvees American soldiers?
Yes sir, its the Yankee army that built the base here.
If they wanted to fight, they should fight with their own people. Why did they shoot the villagers?
Mohammads eyes rested on the womans legs.
If a big-nosed elephant and a big-teethed elephant fought, which one will die?
The young man asked back with a dejected look. Mohammad was puzzled by the young mans random question.
I assume the strong one will win.
All the ants crawling under their feet die.
Tsk!
Mohammad kicked his tongue. It was no different than Chad and Zaire. He couldnt protest the gunman taking out his anger, and there was no place to report it.
Why are they looking for a blonde woman?
The woman fled the U.S. military camp with a treasure map marked with a large gold mine.
Haha, a treasure map!
Mohammad couldnt repress his laughter. A treasure map. They were not even in the 19th century, and there was no reason for the U.S. military to track down a woman for such a thing. It means theres something hidden. He was not interested in the treasure map, but he worried about the blonde woman the young man mentioned.
Did the blonde woman come to town?
She was. I dont know if she was the one the U.S. military and guerrillas are looking for, but last night, a blonde-haired white woman and three white men came and bought cornmeal and water. The Rwandans and the Yankees, who had been chasing her, collided in the village. Thats how this happened. All three of my brothers are dead, too. Only my mother and I survived.
The young man rambled as if he were talking about someone else.
Hm, thats a shame. Do battles occur frequently?
No, all sorts of guerillas ran wild, but there wasnt much conflict. A few days ago, Yankees suddenly roamed around in groups, and the sound of gunfire began to be heard.
The situation is worse than I thought, Matanga. What should we do?
Mohammad looked back at Matanga. It is easy to get a nosebleed if you wander around in the lawlessness. Ssamdi wouldnt blink an eye, but Matanga and himself are like ants who are trampled to death by elephant fights, as the young man said.
Bwana! Theres nothing more unfair about being hit by a blind bullet.
Matanga did not want to end up as a lizard stomped on by a military boot, in a land that was not even his beloved homeland.
Well just check the U.S. camp and flee.
Mohammad nodded his head. The situation is beyond his ability. Reports to the governor and the Lord come first.
What are you going to do with the patient?
There are many people killed and injured in the village, too. It cant be helped.
The young man sighed.
Tsk tsk!
Mohammad pitied Ongore. If he had not been lucky enough to meet his master, he would be living a helpless and miserable life in Syria, like this young man. Or couldve been dead.
This is not a place for people to live. We will leave for Almia Alvarado after my mothers treatment.
Ongore spoke in low spirit.
Huh? You know of Novatopia?
Mohammad and Matanga were stunned.
Yes, I heard about the desert paradise from the Akran peddler. Dubaiburupa that reigns but does not rule, a country dominated by law and justice, a country that pays back for your effort is what I heard. None of the villagers believed it, but I do. You cant talk about that in such detail without actually seeing it. And if theres a hell like this, its only fair to have a heaven like that.
Are you seeing this, Matanga? The teachings of the Dubaiburupa is lighting up every corner of this dark world.
Mohammads face was full with pride.
Praise be to the great Dubaiburupa.
Matanga bowed three times toward the east where the straw bridge, the sacred place, is located.
You cant be?
Ongores eyes have grown big.
Yes, we came from Novatopia.
Ohh, Lord!
Ongore fell to his knees.
Bwana, please take pity on my mother and I. I dont want to live a miserable life getting my threatened every day. I want to live like a human being, even for a day.
Mohammad stared at the strong, intelligent-looking young man. The Lord said, Do as your heart leads you..
Is there a sorcerer in the village?
Yes, all patients get treated there.
Good!
Mohammad nodded. In eastern Africa, sorcerers are doctors. Medical licenses are also issued. Of course, it is limited to a few diseases, but they also performed most surgical treatments.
Ongore, treat your mother first. I still have work left. Ill consider it on the way back.
Bwana, thank you. Thank you.
Ongore bowed his head like a long-headed grasshopper.
Ongore, can you get a vehicle?
Kasing has a truck. I will guide you.
Ongore entrusted his injured mother to a sorcerer and led Mohammad to Kasings house. A typical Kikuyu middle-aged man with a protruding cheekbone and an elongated lower jaw greeted them with an arrogant attitude.
Are you able to go to Kisangani?
Are you crazy? You want to go where bullets are pouring.
Kasing looked at Mohammad as if he were seeing the most insane person. Matanga glared, but Kasing didnt budge.
Kasing, this is my guest. Please consider!
Ongore pleaded.
I dont want to deal with anyone who believes in Almia Alvarado that doesnt even exist, and the lying Dubaiburupa.
Kasing showed his teeth and sneered. In a flash, a fist hit Kasings face.
Ow!
Kasing fell on his back. Even Matanga flinched at the quick fist.
This ignorant fool dares to laugh at the Dubaiburupa. Bwana, do you have any money?
How much do you need?
Mohammad grinned. He liked Ongore.
Seven hundred francs is enough for a junk truck.
Matanga! Give him the money.
Ongore threw a bundle of money at Kasing, who was groaning.
You dont have any complaints, do you?
Damn you! What are you even going to do with a car that doesnt even have gas?
Kasing grinned and pocketed the money.
Ongore, do you know the location of the U.S. military camp?
Yes, its in Ngpangwaza, about 30 kilometers from here.
All right, Ill get you the oil.
Mohammad called for joy. He has an excuse to enter the U.S. military camp. Nova Chevaliers are all dual citizens. It was a desperate measure to maintain close ties with France. If he explained the situation, he could at the least get gas from the U.S. military camp.
******
At the point where the camp entrance was about 100 meters away, a combative iron structure with iron needles longer than a foot, popped up from the ground. The junk truck driven by Matanga came to a sudden stop. Five marines with MP5s jumped out of a concrete structure.
Get off!
Four automatic rifle guns tightly aimed at Mohammads group while two armed soldiers jumped into the truck and searched. Mohammad and Matanga voluntarily handed over the pistol and the machete.
These shits, theyre looking for a fight.
Mohammad muttered in Korean. He thoroughly examined the camps terrain, defense line and structures. Providing as much information as possible will be helpful for the judgment of the Lord.
What brings you here?
The soldier who finished the search asked. Mohammad presented his ID card.
Im French. I ran out of gas during the trip. You know, theres only 150 kilometers of gas station to buy gas. Help me. You cant get out of the jungle riding an ocafi.
The Marine picked up the radio.
If you guys are up to no good, bet you cant wait to get rid of me. Tsk!
Mohammad kicked his tongue. A fuel vehicle came running from the camp. The attempt to spy on the inside of the camp went up in smoke. He came all the way here on purpose, but it was for nothing. The U.S. military filled the fuel tank and filled four 40-liter plastic spare fuel tanks.
Thats enough. I wish you a good trip.
The sergeant returned the pistol and the machete as if to tell them to leave quickly.
Thank you very much, I will certainly post the kindness of the United States Marine Corps to Le Monde.
Oh, no, no need. Its insignificant, forget about it.
The sergeant loathed it.
No, but.
Forgetting is the reward for my kindness. The Bucav side is full of guerrilla. If you want to get on the plane, go to Kisangani.
The Marine sergeant was kind enough to let them know the way. He looked impatient he couldnt quickly get rid of the French man wandering around the camp.
Thank you, kind soldier. This is a talisman. Good things will happen if you attach it to your helmet.
Mohammad held out a big badge. The badge engraved with the tile-roofed house and a full bowl of rice is a symbol of the Dubaiburupa. The Dubaiburupa said, Take what you receive and give what you need to give.
Mohammad returned to Novatopia with Ongore and his mother. His path that saved three lives became a trigger for Asura to descend into the Ituri jungle.
Chapter 669 - Chapter 63 Episode 5 Asura
******
Vine Erg, 8km away from the Bachilkile Valley, is a unique area where reddish-brown sand deserts, rugged rocky mountains, and strange rocks weathered by hundreds of millions of years of rain and wind, create a desolate and majestic landscape.
Vine Erg, reminiscent of Mars in SF movies, is the region where death stalkers and desert tarantulas live the most in the Sahara desert. Local people also avoided the area, calling it Aleam Al-Eha (the other world).
Vine Erg, who was buried in the ancient silence, suffered aches from the intrusion of foreigners. Sandstone pillars, which seemed like an erected lump of rice taffy, fell and rolled on the ground and solid granite bedrock was carved out as if it had been hit by a bomb. The sand was turned upside down and stained with blue bodily fluids.
A squeaker split the space in subsonic speed. The sound of iron echoed from the back of a beetle, that was hit directly. An ear-splitting high-frequency sound shook the Erg. Blue bodily fluids shot out from the split carapace like a fountain. A spear-like tail split the space. A creature with a nearly severed torso did not lose its fighting power.
I knew it!
A hand almost like a cauldron lid, took the incoming tail with his martial arts skill of catching a blade bare-handed. A jet black body swung through the air. A giant who snatched his tail threw it down on the rock as if he was flailing. Metallic outer cover and pieces of stone splattered in disarray. Even the monster of steel body did not withstand the firm and devastating blow.
A giant hurled a dead body that turned into mush and leapt off the ground. Giant claws brushed through the empty air. The beetle that missed its target dug into the ground.
I know all your tricks!
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Ssamdi, with squeaker in lead, dropped down as if he was diving. BANG-. The shovel blade went into the sand, all the way to the handle. A shrieking sound echoed. The wounded beetle dug into the ground. A giant shovel blade dug up sand at the speed of light. A rough grip pulled a giant beetle out of the pit.
Ssamdi pushed both hands into the torn carapace and put force into it. The beetle ripped vertically without a chance to act out. In the meantime, the beetle still fired its blue body fluid.
You bitch!
Ssamdi minced his wiggling head like garlic, using the squeaker. The explosive sound and shrieking stopped all together. Vine Erg regained the silence, but the landscape has changed. Hundreds of meters of land were overturned as if they had been bombarded with MLRS (Multiple launch rocket system) dots. The Coleoptera carcass scattered all over the place and the squalid body fluids that flowed down made it seem almost like an automobile junkyard.
Oh, it stings. What an awful welcome party.
His eye splattered with the bodily fluid stung. Their body fluids were acidic enough to melt clothes. While approaching the Bachilkile Valley, a scorpion-like beetle suddenly popped out of the sand. He did not assume that Kamuge would send out a poor zombie like the sorcerer of a Samarian Farm, but the beetle that was sent out as the first greeting was quite rough.
It wasnt even a regular beetle monster. It was a bit larger than a komodo lizard, faster than a squirrel, its exoskeleton harder than steel, and its claws could crush rocks, its tail spewed strong acid venom for tens of meters, and it had the ability to hide underground at an instant. At this point, it was within a natural disaster level. Even Ssamdi, who was quite good, was gasping while using the squeaker as a cane.
Moreover, their vitality was disgustingly tough. It attacked even with its head chopped off, and it sprayed poison even if the body was cut into several pieces. It was only over when he finely chopped them like Jin-soon minced garlic. It took him half an hour to get rid of just 50. If such a monster attacked Novatopia, theyd be helpless.
Its not easy. It would have been over with a single blast of Wakils rampage..
Ssamdi grumbled. When Wakil swings a 12-meter-long Rakshasha at sound speed, a storm breaks out. These mere beetles would be crushed like sugar cane in a grinder.
Hahaha, but Im the best at shoveling. This must be enough for a guy named Kamuge to jump out. The stage seems to be decently set up. Lets make a mess of it.
Ssamdis eyes flashed with an explosion of adrenaline. Ssamdi is a combat creature. Although he was influenced by Priest Daeu and was overwhelmed by Mussangs spirit, his nature to crave blood has not disappeared.
What did you do while the deflector was being smashed, you worthless thing? Did you doze off?
Kamuge, who was listening to the report, blew up. Bang- Mardu dug deep into the floor that was as hard as cement. Kigoma, a sorcerer who freaked and fled from Vine Erg, fell flat on his face.
My great Houngan, neither binding nor hallucination spells has worked. The deflector was smashed without any time for me to take action. Bodoon! Bodoon has appeared.
Kigoma shuddered with his head on the ground. Bodoon is a creature that devours the lwa (spirit) and overturns the order of the world. The invincible deflector was also cut and broken like a cane stalk by a giant shovel wielded by Bodoon. The sorcerer had never seen such a scary scene in his life.
Shut up! Hes not a Bodoon, hes just some strong monster. How dare you destroy my baby? Mbala Kadambu Abu Dal Delatun Ukburara~
Kamuge chanted a grim spell. Clairvoyance unfolded. He saw a man sitting on a broken deflector like a chair, holding a giant shovel in his hand.
Argh! That man?
Kamuges eyes flipped over, showing white parts. In Ituri, he killed Sarcosuchus (ancient crocodile), the symbol of Damballah, and Kloebrer (a giant snake). The painful memory of Apadombe burned his brain. The awakening of Rousseloufe process, in its final stage, was broken, and the Ouma Forces, which he invested 10 years, were destroyed. The servant of Petro, who may be Mahaduraka, was also the instigator.
Jerk. I will kill you.
Kamuge gritted its teeth. An existence that he wanted to grind up with his teeth has entered the sacred land without fear. Even Hyenas are something half-decent when in their own home. He was even afraid he would see this weird man called the Unbeatable in his dreams, but he wouldnt be the great magician Houngan if he was afraid of this jerks servant.
Experiment sarin-gas using 10 Rppells, Kigoma. Pick one of their coffee farms as the location.
Yes, sir.
The sorcerer bowed his head. Kamuge ended up opening the door to hell.
Gori!
A dark red gorilla popped out from inside of a stone house.
Lets go get him!
Gori carried the weight of Kamuge in its chest and left the valley of Bachilkile. Gori is an incomplete residue of the Arc, and Ssamdi is an upgraded Paladin, both of which are Concretus residues. The remnants of ancient intelligence from 150 million years prior, began to appear one by one.
******
Puh, Ph, Peeuuuhhh~
In Sarangbang of Eungsim-je, Kim Mal-soon, with a middle school textbook opened, was struggling to forcibly pronounce things by rolling her tongue that did not cooperate. Jin-soon entered with a flower-patterned table with pajeon (green onion pancakes) and makgeoli (raw rice wine).
Mother, it is raining and moist, have a drink then continue.
Jin-soon mimicked Mussang and changed the name to mother. Kim Mal-soon and Jin-soon, who regained their memories, were nothing short of mother and daughter.
Oh, my Sooni is the best. Rain in the spring means you need to work so its called work-rain, rain in the summer means you need to take a nap so its called nap-rain, and rain in autumn means you need to make rice cake from newly harvested rice so it is called rice cake rain, and winter rain is called booze rain so you can drink alcohol and play. Lets have a drink.
Kim Mal-soon, who was starting to feel stiff, loved the idea and pushed her desk away.
Hahaha!
Mussang laughed in silence.
You jerk, was your mothers narrative tune funny to you?
Kim Mal-soon deliberately raised her eyes.
You took a such complicated route to say you wanted alcohol.
You only live once and die once. What is the point of nitpicking? I like someone who is willing to eat a whole lot when they see some food, but ones who are skittish like a chicken climbing a pole are not even worth a glance to me.
Of course. They say Rain that knows when to come, and now this good rain knows good timing. Pajeon and makgeolli are the best on days when theres booze rain.
Jin-soon filled the bow to the brim. Kim Mal-soon drank it freely and turned the glass to Jin-soon.
Baby, have a drink, too.
Jin-soon received the cup without hesitation.
A cup of rice wine that falls to the bottom of your heart, a piece of pajeon blissful to the root of your tongue, a cup here a cup there, get the good seed before the harvest and let us enjoy with the ones we love.
Jin-soon emptied the glass and drew out a narrative tune mixed with an ulterior motive. Kim Mal-soons eyes bent like a half moon. Jin-soon knew the bitter and sweet taste of life despite her young age.
Food and alcohol are valued not by type and quality, but by the way we treat food. If an uneasy-minded person drank sweet liquor and Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, will it benefit their flesh and blood? Happiness is having some tender pajeon with people you enjoy, with a bowl of rice wine.
Oh, look at that sly fox! What is she talking about, good seed before the harvest?
Mussang clicked their tongue inside. Jin-soon was a high-level player. She sneakily turned mother impulsive, whenever she got a chance, and mother just liked it.
Oh what a fitting gesture. Is Jin-soons mouth a mouth and your sons mouth just a hole?
Excluded Mussang rushed to the drinking table.
Well, Jin-soon hits it off with me, but youre old-fashioned. How can a man with fine limbs and full of strength look worthy to me when he doesnt do the duty?
A soft slap of her words made Mussang shrink. One thing or another happened while considering the wedding date that mother was egging on. Yi Dae-deoks contact that the CIA began to watch was also concerning. It wasnt the right timing to talk about marriage leisurely.
Baby, why is big-nose peoples language so hard?
Kim Mal-soon looked at Jin-soon with a troubled face.
You seem to be doing a good job. Even the kids who dont have stiff tongue cant do the pronunciation of P and F properly. You are quite the fast learner, mother.
Jin-soon poured out excessive praise then looked back at Mussang and stuck her tongue out.
Oh, damn it!
Mussang flinched. Jin-soon, whose face was flustered red with alcohol, was as pretty as autumn leaves covered in early snow. Artax energy, which surpasses Viagras efficacy by ten folds, heated up his blood. His lower body filled with energy.
Really? Dont you think others will make fun of me if I went to school wearing a school uniform?
Oh, you have quite the young face. If you tie your short hair in pigtails and wear a school uniform, theyll think, oh wow, she must be a very mature student.
No way! But its nice to just hear that.
Well, speaking of that, lets dress up. We even got your school uniform tailored.
Oh, Im being silly.
Though she said that, Kim Mal-soon followed Jin-soon up to the main building with a look of excitement.
Sigh! Im going crazy.
Mussang sighed deeply. He couldnt help but worry about Edel and Novatopia. The reason for the dawdling was because of his mother. She was in so much joy, he couldnt live his butt and go.
Beep- Beep- There was a high-frequency sound that only Mussang could hear. Three short, two long, its Novatopia. When he pressed the button on the inside of the bookcase, a red communication device pushed out.
-Dubaiburupa forever!
Oh, my God, I cant stand it.
Even though he said not to do so, Ombuti the old man did not listen to what he said.
Is everything all right, mister?
C I apologize. There was an incident at Ennedi Coffee Farm. Approximately ten Rppells dropped sarin gas bomb.
What? Sprayed poisonous gas?
Mussang burst out. The tragedy caused by the CG (asphyxiation agent) dropped by Assad in the northern Syrian city of Hama was vivid. Tipsiness suddenly disappeared.
C Thanks to Magos sorcery driving away the Rppells, we didnt suffer too much damage. There are thirty casualties. The contaminated area is being decontaminated with chlorine gas. The problem is~
Mussang listened without a word.
Okay, theres a possibility that theyre going to spray VX. Prepare enough chlorine gas and hydrogen peroxide and handle animal attacks in consultation with Mago. Ill head that way soon.
-I apologize for disturbing your peace. Dubaiburupa, forever!
Mussangs face hardened after the call.
Dirty fellow, how dare you spray poison gas!
The good mood was cleanly volatilized and a thick rage boiled over. Death is death, but death from poisonous gas is disastrous to even speak of. They tend to suffer from extreme pain until their last breath and often suffer from aftereffects for the rest of their lives even after treatment. In addition, they sprayed against civilians. It is not a situation to sit and watch.
Beep- Beep- The phone rang again. Its Novatopia again. He didnt have a good hunch. The face of Mussang with the receiver was suddenly distorted. It was a report by Mohammad.
Hae young? Why is Hae young in Ituri jungle?
His voice rose. He was dumbfounded and struck by the absurd news after seven years.
-Wakil, I apologize. The governor told me to report directly and leave the judgement to you, Wakil.
Tell me the details.
-Four months ago, a U.S. Geological Survey went through Djibouti to East Africa. Major Paul met a Korean girl named In Haeyoung~
Mussang took notes frantically.
[Mambasa, U.S. military camp in Eunpanwaja 500km from Kisangani, armed Rwandan rebelsCocora, Irumu, chasing a blonde woman, failing to enter a U.S. military camp.conflict with the rebels]
Good work, Mohammad.
Mussang hung up and looked up at the ceiling blankly. Mohammads words, that Haeyoung was in a U.S. military camp, and an unusual incident occurred in the camp, and the outskirts of Ituri jungle were in chaos, circulated in his ears. For some reason, the Black Continent persistently pulled him in.
Chapter 670 - Chapter 63 Episode 6 Asura
The Great Rift Valley is the genus of the Earth, where cultural anthropologists and geologists visit as often as rats come in and out of water jugs. There was no reason for Hae young to not visit for an academic survey, but the problem was that she was involved in a large-scale military operation. He had a bad feeling about it.
Damn, why the hell did she go to that insane place when shes got a frail body.
He let out a sigh. What is the East African Rainforest like? It was an overly dangerous, way too filthy, primitive land, full of primeval violence, and the land of barbarism full of nasty human malice. The foresight gained through awakening continued to sound a warning. Mussang picked up the phone again.
Pissin Direcium (Pool owner)! The Unbeatable.
-Master, how are you?
Not very good. I need to know the situation of Ituri.
Mussang cut the small talk and requested information.
C U.S. troops, various rebels, and special forces are playing tag. We are desperate for you, master, but I didnt want to disturb your peace.
Peace has already been broken, so explain.
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-The beginning of the incident was the earthquake of Goma. The Pre-Cambrian strata were exposed and the Yankees threatened Mobutu.. Then a sleeper on our side acquired a certain item and lost contact, so a sudden bloodbath.
I dont care whether Yankee makes bread or rice out of lithium. It doesnt matter if they dug up the Ooparts or found the Holy Ark. Do you know whats going on inside the U.S. military camp?
-I apologize. All operations personnel are in a state of kite (the agent that lost contact), and Luop Deng, who attempted to infiltrate the interior, is helpless against the Agrippina Shield. The National Security Council is strongly requesting the intervention of you, master. Are you interested in making pocket money?
Well, Novatopia is a mess, too..
Mussang blurred out the end of his sentence. He accidentally played a double-check.
-Master, leave Novatopia to Ombuti and Nova Chevalier. It is a good opportunity for the leadership and the people to become one and lay the foundation for the country in the process of overcoming adversity. The modern history of Korea has also lost a lot of things due to the liberation of the leadership and their people.
Hm, thats true. The problem is asymmetrical power.
C the Governor Ombuti has contacted me. If its sarin gas that youre worried about, dont worry. Were deploying bombers in Djibouti. Ill turn Bachilkile into a sea of fire.
Thats good!
C We lost contact with the Operations Department team we sent out to Mambasa and five groups of Loup Deng. We are at a loss for the U.S. militarys supply operation and the assassination scheme of people with unusual powers. The Areva uranium mine, Kigura gold mine, Buni tin mine, and even Irumu zinc mine are closed. If you solve it like Caparuza, Ill send you a billion francs. You need to raise the seed money for you to get married. (Laughing)
Bonipas, unaware of what was going on in Mussangs mind, giggled. It was an outrageous amount of cash being gambled. Only Bonipas, who knew Black Mambas true ability, would offer that much.
Ha, look at him!
Mussang couldnt repress laughter. The true intention of Bonipas, hoping for him to smash the U.S. forces and sweep the rebels away, was clearly visible. The East African underground resources are the magical jars for France and Belgium. The right to develop resources obtained by the U.S. is a powerful move that threatens the vested interests of France and Belgium.
I cant say for sure at the moment. Let me know the planned manpower for now.
C Currently, the U.S. military has an estimated 1,300 combat troops and 250 volunteers, including Marine Corps Armored Battalion, 15 Shadow teams, 20 DIA Strike Battalion, Combat Engineer Battalion, Chemical Company, etc. Between 60,000 and 70,000 people are going crazy in the cramped Ituri Triangle, including the Ryubanka Special Forces and Japan Special Forces, 25,000 Congolese rebels, 12,000 Rwandan rebel forces, 8,000 Ugandan and Sudanese rebels, and 12 unknown armed militants. The details will be briefed by Chief Ariba. Ill be waiting, then.
All right.
It was frustrating because even the director of DGSE knew nothing. Not surprising, thinking of what kind of place Ituri Jungle is! The area where the chaos took place is the outskirts of the jungle, but it is not an easy enough place for inexperienced spies to be flourishing.
Bellman, the former team leader of the CIAs Middle East team, didnt have good enough information, either. He only reaffirmed the fact that a top-secret operation called the Greenflow Project is underway in eastern Congo, and that Hae young was in the camp. As Mussang was distracted making multiple phone calls, it was a late night.
Frustrated, Mussang walked through the bamboo forest. Novatopia can be left to Ombuti and Bonipas, but when it came to Hae-young, there was no choice but to check himself. Should he go? His brain hesitated, but his heart roared for him to hurry and leave. The rustling sound of dry bamboo leaves being stepped on under his feet, and the buzzing of the wind exiting the dense bamboo forest sounded like gunfire on the battlefield.
Garudas artificial intelligence knows no good or evil. If sent to Novatopia, there is a risk that the worst holocaust in mankind will occur due to the formidable firepower. The humanized Kamdoong needs to keep Eungsim-je safe. Ultimately, it means that he has no choice but to go himself. He wanted to live a normal life, but the heavens didnt allow peace.
Am I really the reincarnation of Asura?
Self-deprecation seeped through Mussangs face as he looked up at the moon. Asura is a god-killing creature, the king of blood whose purpose in existence is to fight. He lifted his hands. These are hands stained with the blood of thousands. Is there fear? There is pity and regret, but there is no fear.
A strand of black cloud swept through the full moon embedded in the sky. The moon that followed when leaving this big uncles house, the moon that he looked up at, in Inje Nature Preserve, with Hae young. The moon that looked down at the desolate Sahel covered everywhere by the Harmattan, and the desert moon that shined on the distorted face of a young soldier taking his last breath. It was the same moon. It is only a matter of humans separating it, calling it this moon or that moon.
Thats right. Just as the moon is one, so is this mind intertwined like a mess. In a life that has already seen enough blood, the master said that Karma is fear. Habits and accidents made by accumulating blame and remorse are Karma. The agony is inside, not outside.
He pulled kukri out of his bosom. The wavy pattern shined in the bright moonlight. Wooo- The livid blade, blueish from the moonlight, cried out. A farmer who goes out for harvest grinds a sickle, and a samurai who goes out to the battlefield sharpens a blade. Its time to turn back into Black Mamba, the nightmare of the battlefield, from a mamas boy, and a caring brother.
Mussang headed for a water faucet in the front yard. He sprinkled water on the whetstone and sharpened the blade of kukri. The whetstone brought from the old house became a crescent moon with a hollow center and convex edges on both sides. It is a trace of decades of kitchen knives, sickles, straw cutters, chisels, and all kinds of blades passing through.
The son is sharpening a deadly weapon to cut human hearts and necks on a whetstone, the one where his father sharpened a sickle to harvest and a straw cutter for forage. Father fed the family by farming with the tools he sharpened, and the son feeds the family by killing people with the sharpened weapon.
Each is only doing their job in their own place. There is no reason to wrap it up nicely with justice, and the distinction between good and evil is meaningless. He forgot about the desert, the jungle, and Hae young. His mind, distracted without a place for rest, gathered to one point and began to harden.
The blue air shook. Someone has entered his territory. The familiar energy is his mother.
Son, are you going to go to work?
Kim Mal-soons voice is wet.
Mother, its late at night.
When her son cant sleep, what kind of mother would sleep comfortably?
Its nothing. Ill be back from a short business trip. We have to make money to make a living.
Mussang made a fuss.
Kim Mal-soon touched his sons body without saying a word. She stroked his thigh muscles, felt his sides, and touched his chest. Under the dense skin, muscles like iron plates and stone blocks were felt. Her heart ached thinking of all the hardships that her son must have experienced, to get to this strong body.
Dont get hurt, my son.
Kim Mal-soon stroked her sons cheek. All the years of her soothing her sour heart by stroking her sleeping sons cheek every night, passed by like a flashlight.
Dont worry, mother. Your son is strong. Very strong. Ill bring back a lot of money.
You fool, dont try to slide by on the topic.
Kim Mal-soon slapped his butt.
Hehehe!
Mussang grinned. Her habit of smacking the butt has remained the same as before.
Oh, my sons butt is very solid. You cant avoid things just because its dangerous. If you come home with an injury, I wont even feed you.
Kim Mal-soon shook her fist and went down to Hangrang-chae. The Buddha is enshrined in one of the rooms of Hangrang-chae. It was obvious that she will stay up all night praying for her sons good fortune. His mother was truly a strong person.
There was another quick-witted woman. Its Jin-soon. Its his fault for not clearing the memo sheet. Mussang concentrated on sharpening the knife acting innocent. The sound of sharpening the knife at night was creepy. Jin-soon squatted next to him.
Mussang, isnt it Ms. In? The one that is no benefit to your life whatsoever.
Mussang just sharpened the knife, pretending not to hear. The tail of Jin-soons eyes went up.
Mussang, is it dangerous enough for you to sharpen kukri blade at night? Its her, isnt it?
Stop cornering me, you punk. Youre going to make me suffocate.
Hmph, Why would you suffocate? Im the one with the broken heart. Its the woman who left you when you were in trouble. The woman who never wrote a single letter nor made a single call. Why do you get so hazy when it comes to Ms. In when youre normally such a firm and decisive person?
Mussang could fully understand her feelings. No, it was scary. Her face, which was always as warm as the sun, has turned into an old witchs face. The cold wind whirled around.
Umm!
A heavy sigh came out. There was nothing else to say.
Im not jealous. You can bring in a hundred Edels. But shes not it. Im not saying Ms. In didnt love you. If Edels love is giving, that womans love is demanding. There is no end to the love you give, but the love you demand is to end if theres nothing to receive.
Tears welled up in Jin-soons eyes. Mussang had a such hard time because of Mr. In. If the grandfather monk hadnt taken him in, Mussang might have been a lost cause. Maguni, the woman who teased his pure love, is attempting to lure Mussang to the battlefield. Jin-soon felt anger and resentment. She wanted to pull out of this womans hair.
Hae young is the woman that left. We wont get involved again.
Mussang said firmly.
Then why?
Jin-soon asked back. He is not an indecisive person who will accept Ms. In who left, but his attachment is the problem. He always smiles and wont say anything they wont like to hear, but when he decides on something, no one can stop him.
I owe her a lot. If she is in danger beyond her control, it is also my responsibility. I am a man.
Mussang uttered a word and kept his mouth shut. If you take risks for a woman whose fate with you has ended, while there are countless people that you need to protect, no one, not even Jin-soon, will understand. However, relationships are not some concept that can be fabricated and calculated. Give without expectations!
Your true enemies are none other than women. Ms. Jang, Hwa ja, Ms. In, theyre all women. Hm!
Jin-soon breathed a sigh. Mussangs life is included in the word man.
Cho Jin-soon, mother, Auntie, Edel, Yeong-a, Mina, Yeon soon, Gye soon, Mal soon, Ou soon, are they not women but men?
Dont be such a child. You are almost immortal, but not exactly immortal. Your mother knows roughly everything she needs to know. She seems fine, but how do you think she feels? Dont get hurt.
I am happy to have you. Thank you.
Mussang sighed with relief. If Jin-soon is stubborn till the end, things become difficult. Shes the one whod hold the baseball bat and guard in front of his door. Mussang smiled brightly and raised his fingers to point to the stone lantern in the garden. Zoom- Bang- The stone flakes busted everywhere.
Oh, my God!
Jin-soons eyes, which confirmed the stone lantern, were so big that there was no way they could get bigger. The stone lantern as thick as the human body had a smooth hole. Hes someone who cant be called a human, but she didnt know he would be this much.
I am the Unbeatable. Theres no creature that can do me harm. I received a request anyway. If Hae-young is in danger, I will save her, but if there is no problem, I will not touch her. Thats better, right?
Mussang wiped Jin-soons tears and hugged her tight.
Stop it. You think I would like that. Hehehe!
Dont worry. I dont even know all of my abilities. I am happy and want to protect my happiness. Ill take care of it and return shortly. Lets hold a wedding ceremony after I get back.
Mussang!
Tears filled Jin-soons eyes.
******
[Chicken!]
[Mom, why are you calling me?]
[I have somewhere to go]
[Here I go]
Zoom C Garuda popped out of the sea floor. Garuda, which ran an anti-gravity engine, soared 10,000 meters above the sky in an instant and headed for the Eungsim-je. A black veil fell over the sky above Eungsim-je. Swish- Mussang shot up like a feather and sat on Garudas neck.
[Lets go!]
Zing C The scout read his thoughts and specified the direction and destination. Zoom C The black curtain disappeared into the darkness in an instant.
[Chicken, slow down!]]
Black Mamba, THE Black Mamba showed his weak side. Even with the strong body of Epidium supersonic speed was still difficult to withstand. If it werent for special aramid clothing made by the DGSE technical department, the clothes would have been torn apart by wind pressure. Garuda slowed down to subsonic speed. Still, he couldnt breathe very well.
Damn, I cant get used to it. I should order a face mask.
He couldnt resist any longer and covered his face by making an air layer with resonance waves. Garuda reached the sky of Paris in 12 hours. Mussang fell on the roof of the DGSE main building and climbed the wall over the window of the Director Generals Office on the seventh floor.
Im here to earn some pocket money.
Bonipas got up quickly. The Gauloises, which was in his mouth, fell.
Chapter 671 - Chapter 63 Episode 7 Asura
An ice-ball-like monstrous creature sneaking into a window opened with the intent of airing out cigarette smoke. Bonipas, frightened, opened the drawer and scrambled for the pistols. Boom- resonant waves swept through the body like waves. PAA- Ice crystals formed on hair and eyebrows as well as ice covering its face bounced off.
What is this? Almost as bad as gas chamber at the guerrilla station.
Black Mamba waved his hand. Cigarette smoke that filled the room whirled out of the window.
Ugh, Master!
Bonipas jaw dropped. Korea and France are not neighbors. There was no contact from the embassy in Korea, and Falcon is also at the mooring station of De Gaulle Airport. Apart from this, unauthorized aircraft cannot enter the airspace.
Did you ride the stealth Pegasus?
Its similar.
Garuda is a perfect stealth creature. The plasma surrounding the fuselage absorbs all the radio waves and replaces them with thermal energy, and the replaced thermal energy is absorbed by the outer skin. No existing radar can capture Garuda. Bonipas was not wrong.
Are you serious?
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Im serious. It was good enough for my first flight, but its too cold.
Even the one and only Black Mamba was disgusted by the long-term subsonic flight. The plasma covering provided a pressurized environment, but there was no counter-measure for coldness and shock waves. The temperature in the troposphere drops by 0.65C every time the altitude rises by 100m. The temperature of the lower stratum at an altitude of about 10,000m becomes approximately C30C to C50C. He was exhausted from enduring the tremendous cold and the shock of the flight.
Whew, you surprise me every time, master.
Bonipas shook his head. He could not help but be surprised, though its become the norm.
Is there a reason why you, the General Director, be smoking cigarettes one after another with a bitter face on?
Black Mamba smiled and brushed the ice off his clothes.
Every man has his own bowl, his own timing and space. Even something as easy as drinking cold soup for you, its a lifelong concern, for a criminal like me. Two Mirages from Marseilles 7th Air Force group were shot down at Ennedi and one returned to the Jipoon Dari airfield in a partial-destruction state.
Hm, do the voodoo dregs have surface-to-air missile sites? Did Brezhnev intervene?
The Black Mamba was surprised. The Soviet Union used free weapons to win favor with the Third World and actively supported rebels against the pro-American regime. When the Soviet Union intervenes, things become a bigger problem.
It was not a Buk site. It is presumed to be Igla.
Mirage was attacked by Igla?
Black mamba frowned. Igla is a portable surface-to-air missile with a practical altitude of only 3,500 meters.
We were caught off-guard. Over the Bachilkile Valley, rising air currents and Hamattan meets to form a strong vortex. For precision bombing, the altitude must be lowered to less than 3,000 meters. The crashed Mirage was hit by three or four small surface-to-air missiles.
Its the worst terrain, worst climate, worst situation. What about the pilot?
Became captive. They sent a blackmail letter to behead the pilot if we tried to bomb them again.
Bonifpas presented the letter that came through the telex.
Odam Allied Forces, Bansiri? Why is he in Bachilkile?
Black mambas eyes grew bigger. The sender has a familiar name.
He must have joined hands with Kamuge. From the perspective of Bansiri and Kamuge, you are their lifetime enemy, master. He was Assads henchman. I can assume the route where Igla and poison gas went into their hands.
The carcinogens joined each other? These guys are saving me trouble. Hehehe!
Black Mamba gave a creepy laugh. Bansiri, who fled from Caparuza to the underground passage, and Kamuge, who fled from Ituri, were making him uncomfortable. This was great.
Theyre done for!
Bonipas prayed for the repose of Bansiri and Kamuge, who caused natural disasters.
The two pilots
As long as theyre alive, thats enough. Ill save them, too. As a bonus.
Black mamba was cool. If Bonipas were a modern Korean, he would have shouted, Santi-Santi, cider!
Thank you.
Bonipas, without question, bowed his head. He is the master who has saved 20 hostages, all intact, by searching the Ituri jungle. It is not a problem for him to find two pilots who have been identified.
Weapon?
Chief Ariba and a transport plane are on standby at the 7th Marseilles Air Force group. We have weapons for you, a minigun for Ssamdi, and automatic grenade launchers loaded into the transport. Since I never thought youd make a ridiculous appearance.
Hmm, should I go to Marseilles?
Masters hard work saves time. Hahaha.
Bonipas laughed. The ulterior motive was to find out how his master appeared without a trace. His heart fluttered to see what other monsters would appear after Kamdoong, Ssamdi, and Dino.
Black Mamba identified the location of the 7th Air Force group on the map. It was 730 kilometers straight from Paris, about an hour away.
[Chicken, did you confirm?]
[Vector analysis completed]
The intelligence network scout linked to Black Mambas optic nerve has completed the analysis.
[Lets go!]
Black Mamba flung himself out of the window without hesitation.
Oh, no. Master, master!
Frightened, Bonipas rushed to the window. The pitch-black darkness covered the window.
Wh, what?
Bonipas rubbed his eyes. Crrrr- the darkness twirled its body around. The wings were wider than the soccer field, the body with about five Mirage combat planes, and the unimaginable giant flight ULF filled the view. Black Mamba was sitting in a comfortable position between two horns that protruded on its head.
Heeeeehhh
Bonipas, with dropped jaw, only uttered a meaningless groan.
Bonipas, tell the president I said hello. Lets have a drink after we get back.
Garuda rose vertically without moving his wings as if he was moving in space. Its an impossible movement, whether its a living thing or an artificial flying object. Garuda, which quickly became a black dot, disappeared from Bonipas view.
Is Master truly a God?
The Glock fell out of Bonipas hand. It was a series of shocking performances from when Black Mamba appeared, and until he disappeared. He even forgot that he was holding a pistol.
*******
Damn it, I have to drive a Lamborghini like an ox cart, it seems.
Black Mamba grumbled. The circumference of the earth is 40,000 kilometers. At this rate. it will take an hour to get to Marseilles, which is close(?) by riding Garuda, which can travel anywhere on Earth within an hour.
[Its not my fault. Its your fault, mom.]
Garuda protested.
[Chicken, speed up.]
Black Mamba showed unnecessary courage.
[Oh, yeah!]
Zooom- Garuda accelerated explosively. BANG- There was a sonic boom. A terrible shock wave hit the passenger. Plasma wall couldnt even stop the roaring sound and shock waves.
Ah!
Black Mamba, swept by shock waves and sound waves, lost balance and fell. Even epidium becomes a pancake when it falls from 9,000 meters above. Shoooo- Giant claws snatched its falling master gently.
[Hey, slow down!]
An unsightly scene of the great Black Mamba being thrown into the claws of a flying beast was created.
[Hehehe!]
The price of his unnecessary courage was the sneer of this pesticide spray machine. Garuda clearly showed that he was an unmanned pesticide sprayer, not for boarding.
******
Marseilles 7th Air Force group cafeteria for Officers,
What? Natural disaster waiting in the division?
Ariba, who received the radio message, kicked up off of the chair.
Oh, how can they do that in half an hour? Does this make sense?
Ariba screamed. Whether it makes sense or not, a natural disaster has struck. His plan to relax and enjoy haute cuisine flew out of the window, but thats not the problem. There are no executives that are still decent after disturbing Black Mambas temper. Ariba scrambled to the DGSE Operations Branch.
Long time no see, adviser. *panting*
Ariba did not hide his gasping for breath. Its a pathetic face-saving action by a powerless servant.
Whatever! Ariba, whos the one who kicked my ass and then called me in?
The situation in Novatopia is fully understood, but the situation of Ituri is in limbo.
Ill explain.
Ariba flashed the projected beam. A map of Africa was projected onto a 100-inch wide screen.
The area where the unprecedented bloodshed is the Triangle area where Uncle Sam bought the right to explore and develop resources from Mobutu. There is a regional specificity behind Uncle Sams easy acquisition of development rights. the eastern part of the country where Mobutu, which was unable to control the vast land, and was a headache~
Hey, Im not an employee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Black Mamba cut off the explanation.
Im sorry, the green zone is about 10 square kilometers. The camp area is about 2.3 million square meters. About 2,300 people stationed, 12 M2 Bradley, 45 Humvees, 9 Cobra attack helicopters. The camp location is Eunpanwaja, 65 kilometers northwest of the Areva uranium mine in Buni. Uncle Sam had deployed an engineering battalion to spray defoliant and built jungle roads six months ago. The 125km road from Irumu to Mambasa has been completed and continues to be built around the camp. Meaning that its not just about resource development. And.
Ariba, youll have to be my partner in this operation.
Black mamba waved its palm outward. Its a French gesture that he doesnt like something.
Oh, what a terrible thing to say! Ill shorten the explanation.
Ariba freaked out. The terrible environment of the black forest is not a legend but a reality. The U.S. military, which has been on the offensive side for supplies, was also trying to avoid it, but it has caused hundreds of non-combat casualties. If an ordinary information analyst entered hell, it was difficult to see the sunrise of the next morning.
Ariba put a satellite image on the screen. In the middle of the green sea, there was an orange solid line that appeared as if a hair had fallen. When the screen was enlarged, a white line across the slope cut by the landslide appeared.
Its an area that collapsed from the earthquake. The white deposit shown in the picture has been identified as a salt deposit layer. Yankees have deployed hundreds of people to investigate salt deposits. Assuming its lithium.
Although Ariba is quick-witted, he guessed wrong.
Hey, what IS going on inside the camp?
Black Mamba raised his voice. The flight stress from the Purple Chicken was scorching Ariba, who did not do anything.
Yep. As you wish. An item that a DIA female agent suspected of being a KGB mole took out ten days ago, is an important ooparts. Loup Deng, who received a call from an agent who infiltrated the camp, was dispatched, but gained no information. There have been rumors that some U.S. soldiers have detained and executed civilian scientists.
Um, you dont know anything. Whats the current situation?
It turned out that the KGB operations team is an assassination team headed by Lt. Col. Milovic. Currently, the U.S. military has engaged in anvil and hammer operations, and rebels and agents from each country have stepped in. The Milovic team is trying to break through the net, but its not working. Other than the U.S. military, the first force to watch out for is the Irumu-based Maimai rebels. Theyre training thousands of boys at the Eunyalaca Training Center.
Oh, Im sick of it. kids with guns, again!
Black Mamba groaned. He experienced the brutal acts of the rebels putting a young child up as a bullet shield was tiresome. Children in Africa in close combat areas grow up in unspeakably poor conditions. When armed forces finish off the village, orphaned children have nowhere to go. The tragedy of children absorbed by the rebels attacking other villages gets repeated. In short, it is a hell of familiarity, with no perpetrators or victims.
Although he had a hard childhood, he was not raised as an animal, because he was born in Korea. Humans who have been fundamentally blocked from self-growth and achievement opportunities are no different from animals. If you were born in Chad or Zaire, he would have become an animal and raised without self-development.
I dont think its like that. Bosco Ntaganda himself is the Great Sorcerer and has many capable wizards under his command. Im very concerned about what theyre going to use the young soldiers for.
Dirty bastards! Im gonna have to wipe out everything.
He gritted his teeth. Children around the age of ten who rush madly, while drunk on Yorunba, are simply impossible to deal with. Even when its a child, when they held a gun he couldnt help but kill them. You dont understand the disgusting feeling youd never want to feel again unless you experience it yourself.
Ariba painted an elongated ellipse from the Bingi on the west bank of Lake Albert to the Capo River on the Ugandan side at the southern end of Lake Albert.
The second forces are the Rwandan rebel FDLR and the Ugandan rebel UNLF. Theyre also a big force with medium-sized support firearms. Theres no need to worry about the other tens or hundreds of small armed forces.
Is their tendency the same as Chads?
Its not much different. Theyre all a bunch of bullies who want to get into power by any means. The Zaire, Uganda, and Rwanda rebels often do fight for their interests, but theyre essentially cooperative. In short, without a proper leader, the people suffer. The third forces are the KGB Ubic group and the Japanese ninja group. It is estimated that there are between 30 and 50 people in Ubic Company and 50 and 100 people in ninjas. There are many with special abilities among them. Say, if the U.S. military and rebels wield rusty slaughter knives, the Ubic group and ninja will poke your vital point with a needle. There have never been so many spies in the jungle of remote Africa, its not Tokyo or Washington. People on our side just watch from afar, thinking whats wrong with those guys?
Chapter 672 - Chapter 63 Episode 8 Asura
Ha, what a disgraceful situation for DGSE. Even with that, people in charge did not become eaten?
Black Mamba smirked.
Dont even mention it. The pool is boiling. We have several friends who are also being treated for burns. Because you, advisor, accepted the request, many people were saved. Hahaha.
Ariba, with his composure returned, changed the screen. 1:7,500 East African military map projected. The red circle is the Green Zone and the rebel sphere of influence, and the dense number is the number of troops. The distribution of power could easily be confirmed at a glance.
We just need to get a sense of the overall situation. There is information entered on your GPS, advisor. The rebels are familiar with geography and are connected with the natives. Please avoid trouble if possible.
Well, we dont have to worry about a bunch of sloppy rebels or lightly armed agent groups. The problem is Uncle Sam. The Marines and the shadows, full of equipment and firearm, are no joke, but the real problem is the reinforcements that will flock like the termite corps.
It was an actual headache. Bonipas wanted to beat the U.S. troops out. Although he received it on the side, but a request is still a request. Personally, if he wanted to take Hae young out, he would have to poke at the the U.S. military camp. As Jin-soon said, he is close to immortality, but not an immortal.
Even a mere child knows that the United States is the one and only majorly powerful nation, and that the U.S. military is the strongest. The reason why the U.S. military is strong is its strong supply capability. The United States is the only country in the world capable of indefinitely distributing well-trained troops and superior weapons to conflict zones. Hitlers madness and Tojo Hidekis maximization spirit also collapsed due to the Yankees supply offensive.
The U.S. also showed unimaginable supply capabilities during the Korean War. When the South Korean military filled its hungry stomach with salted rice balls, the U.S. military shot their guns while eating bacon and steak. The U.S. military drank fresh milk while the Korean military quenched its thirst with muddy puddle water. When the South Korean military saved even a single bullet, the U.S. military wiped out the ground with a carpet bombing.
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Shadow is a hidden poison dart. Once special powers rush in like wasps, and the Marines support firepower, they become quite a nuisance. In addition, with any chance, overseas troops will flock and aircraft carrier fleets will be deployed. To be honest, they were a strong enemy that he wanted to avoid if Hae young wasnt involved.
Who will lead the local Luop deng?
Its Major Luc Besson. Luop deng is a special force thats not in your command system, but you can obtain cooperation as a special military advisor. Of course, the Air Force guarding the Areva uranium mine, you can utilize them as you please.
Method of contact for the local contingent?
Ariba pulled out a GPS. It was much smaller than the GPS used in Ituri. It was enough to fit on the palm of ones hand. Ariba turned on the power. The map was loaded in an instant.
We have increased portability and speed, but because of storage space limitations, we only have maps of East Africa. There wont be much trouble for this operation. Ill show you how to use it.
When Ariba rolled the trackball, the screen moved and zoomed up when pressed. The numbers indicating coordinates and distance moved in disarray. When LOUP was entered, the map was zoomed up and five blue triangles appeared. It has been upgraded beyond comparison with the original product.
Its a secret hideout of Luop Deng. Weve had a scuffle with many, and beaten up by black masked men and weve retreated to Buni. Bessons face wont look very pleased.
Whats the point of seeing a displeased face?
Black Mamba bluntly asked back.
Ha, the boars going to get beat up.
Ariba prayed for the repose of Besson. There is no possibility that an obstinate advisor will seek cooperation. He could picture the inflexible Besson getting beat up while claiming the right of command. When he typed Areva, the blue triangle blinked 30 kilometers away from Mambasa in the direction of the Okafi forest.
Its a mine where the Airborne Company is stationed. Do you want me to show you how to use it again?
No thanks!
Dont trust GPS entirely.
Right.
The Ituri jungle is not downtown Paris and the guerrillas are not air brigades. The terrain changes day by day and the guerrillas move often.
It will be easy to move since the Yankees have been drilling roads everywhere.
Its not like Ill be driving a Bugatti, no point in roads. Its easy to get hit by an RPG while hanging around in the open field. Tarzan is the best in the jungle.
Black mamba tapped the pocket on his top. In Ituri, the best way to run on the upper part of the canopy spread out like a rug or move in a pendulum with an army rope.
But whats the use of roads when you fly around the jungle like a bat? Cholera broke out in East Africa. Vaccines dont have much preventive effect, but can at the least prevent diarrhea.
It would be more fun to fly around the jungle with you. Would you like to dance with this Black Mamba?
Epidium doesnt even need to be vaccinated, but he thought Ariba, who talked like its someone elses problem, was malicious.
Oh, what use will you get from this desk bound body that can barely keep itself going? Its said that the better the devil you know than the devil you dont know. Ill give you a present, so please take it easy on me. Hehehe!
Ariba took out a greenish yellow top from the cabinet with a wasteful smile. His heart rattled whenever he gets asked to go to Ituri, even though he knew it was a joke.
Its unusual for a bulletproof jacket.
Its a STF bulletproof jacket coated with liquid metal. It cost 1.5 million francs to produce one suit.
Thats a hell of an expensive suit. Whats the level?
Level III by NIJ standards.
I could take a few shots of a 7.62mm rifle. Its annoying, but I guess Ill have to endure it if i dont want holes on my body.
The rating of the bulletproof suit is determined by the Double Six test. The performance shall be confirmed by firing six rounds of the corresponding bullet, and its performance shall be maintained for six years.
Try it on.
Its as soft as jelly.
Black Mamba was slightly surprised. Existing Level III bulletproof suits employ metallic bulletproof plates inside. Plywood-level high-strength bulletproof suits take a large downside in activity. Thin and elastic bulletproof suits with Level III protection are fraudulent.
Its made for the inner skin so that it doesnt interfere with movement. When shot, the liquid metal instantly hardens. The production cost is too high to be commercialized. Weve only made two for the president and you, advisor.
Its an honor.
Its a respectful treatment to the national treasure.
Respectful treatment my ass. You have to keep me alive so you can continue to use me.
Black Mamba grumbled. Ariba only smiled.
Weapon?
Ive put him in Hercules, the one youre going to board, advisor.
I dont need that slow junk of a transportation. Bring it!
What? Okay, got it.
Ariba, who didnt know why, picked up the phone. After a while, a truck arrived. Four agents groaned and lowered two large storage boxes and a small case.
Black Mamba opened a small case and housed the modified Dragunov (GRAU index 6V1), MP5sd3, Glock, bullets, and throwing weapons in a bulletproof backpack. The heavy container is a heavy firearm for Ssamdi. Even a MAG heavy machine gun was just a toothpick for Ssamdi. Black Mamba took Emils advice and adapted a mini gun for the helicopter and an automatic grenade launcher to fit Ssamdis body shape.
Mini guns and MK19 are supported firearms mounted on helicopters, armored vehicles, and Humvees, and are not objects for humans to carry and run around with as a support firearm. The M134 mini-gun alone weighs 18 kilograms. If you add a coal-fired device and a motor, it weighs 28kg, and if you add a 7.62mm NATO 10,000-gun belt, it weighs 128kg. The MK19 automatic grenade launcher modified by the DGSE Ministry of Technology for portable use is also just as heavy. Its own weight is 30kg and its 40mm grenade is 0.8kg. Combining a barrel containing a hundred grenades is 110kg.
Black Mamba carefully inspected the equipment. The center of gravity was checked by combining the canister to MK19, and the bullet function was checked by connecting the cartridge to the mini gun.
Hmmm~ Should I go with?
Aribas eyes dimmed. Males instinctively admire strength. The appearance of a superman handling a huge piece of iron like chopsticks itself was truly moving. He wanted to see a real monster running wild on the battlefield, not Rambo, who carries an imitation and makes a plausible stage production.
No way! I have to live long and thin.
Ariba shook off the conflict. If he entered the chaos full of rampaging monsters, he will be dismantled.
We first need to secure the KGB agent who escaped the camp, right?
Black Mamba ordered repackaging of the equipment and asked Ariba.
Yes, to be exact, its an ooparts owned by a rotten rose protected by the Ubic Company.
Reasons why you are so sure its ooparts?
There is a record in DGSE of a bowl discovered 150 years ago by Sir Alain de Botton in the Luwenzori Mountains. It is said that keeping fruits or ingredients in the bowl maintained freshness for a month. The DGSE technical department estimates the metal bowl to be a holium (a resonator). Mambasa is the same fault zone as the Luwenzori Mountains. The so important, that drive-Uncle Sam-crazy-important ooparts, have been discovered.
If its that important, the Yankees would put predators in? Is it because theyre beyond uncomfortable existence to them? Or do they believe in the special forces?
Black Mamba tilted his head. There was no way for him to know that McKinley was delaying the report for fear of getting reprimanded.
I wouldnt understand these pointless things even if i listened, but I have to put work in for the money received.
Black Mamba put on the backpack and tightened the strap.
[Chicken, keep it]]
Black Mamba easily picked up the weapon container and threw it into the air. A sound of air splitting was heard. Heavy object bursted into the night sky like a cannonball. Pitch black darkness fell from the night sky. Garuda snatched the unit with its claws.
Wha, What is this?
Surprised, Aribas eyes widened.
Le biyu Jami er biyu zequi tsong le maihweh. (For clothes, new clothing is better and for people, old companion is better.) Good work.
Black Mamba tapped Aribas shoulder, which was gazing at the void.
Oh, its getting dark.. Ive got accommodations ready.
Ariba could not wait to part from this natural disaster. He is a human being and Black Mamba is a monster. We all need to hang around similar ones. If he experienced spooky things like this every time, he felt that he wouldnt be able to live out his destined lifespan.
I dont have time. Lets have a drink at Lake Yoa after this assignment.
Black mamba kicked the ground. If he wanted to take care of Kamuge and Bansiri first then head over to Ituri, he had no time to be hanging around. Black mamba rose into the night sky, and pitch blackness covered the sky and disappeared.
Wha, What?
Ariba looked up at the sky blankly. Only stars glittered in the black sky. He appeared like a ghost then disappeared like a ghost. It happened so quickly that he didnt even know what happened.
Is it the return of Kanma? Whether its Kanma or Ange de la mort, we are on the same side, what could be the problem. Uncle Sam and the rebels are the one that has to worry.
Ariba just thought it is what it is, as usual. Same goes for all humans. Objectively, a bad guy is a good guy as long as he is nice to me.
******
Attorney General Davis couldnt take his eyes off the report in front of his eyes.
[About ooparts that are believed to be Room-Temperature Superconductor]
Reporter: Ron McKinley, Thomas Samuel
1. Excavator: Hae Young Lin (PhD in Santa Barbara Earth Science. Association Assistant)
2. Seize Escapee: Barbara Helen. Agent from the DIA counterintelligence unit, presumed to be a KGB spy.
3. Dead : Jim Kerry (Doctor of Geology, University of Washington. Association Assistant). Presumed to be a DGSE spy.
4. Progression : Helen killed Kerry and intercepted an object believed to be a room-temperature superconductor and escaped Researcher Lin, a South Korean national, is in custody after questioning The KGB field team is with Helen currently tracking lots of casualties
5. Matters concerning the ooparts (technically based on the interrogation of researcher Lin)
1) Shape and specification: Milky-white metallic, 150 mm, 20 mm diameter, seamless cylindrical type
2) Physical Properties
C Characteristics type two of superconductors (External temperature below 30 Tc??? operation)
C Critical temperature 258K
C Surface Temperature Tc1 When Operating -10 (estimated)
C Hardness Brinell hardness cannot be measured, Mohs scale cannot be measured
C Nano unit sintered single crystal compression molding (estimated)
C Strong induced magnetic field formation from an external temperature of 40 and surface temperature rise from an external temperature of 32 or lower
6. Based on the results and circumstances of the interrogation, the unknown ooparts acquired by researcher Lin were certain to be room-temperature superconductors. Changes in lithium isotopes and the discovery of room-temperature superconductors strongly suggested the existence of a Super-ancient civilization.
Davis couldnt close his wide-open mouth. Grandmaster Lamartins prediction was correct. The room-temperature superconductor is a substance that the committee scientists and engineers who are studying the magnetic field confinement device of the fusion reactor dream of.
It takes months to cool existing superconductors with liquid nitrogen. Superconductor activation exhausts and consumes energy. Hed never imagined a room-temperature superconductor that changes physical properties by itself without injecting external energy.
This means that if they reverse-designed the ooparts and created a containment container, the temperature can automatically drop when the temperature of the fusion reactor rises and trap the plasma. The biggest challenge of external energy input disappears. If Prometheus first gift was fire, Ooparts would be his second gift. He is also a nuclear physicist. The desire to touch and to research ooparts came to a boil.
Chapter 673 - Chapter 63 Episode 9 Asura
However, the gift of God, which was supposed to be in his hand, fell into the hands of the wrong moron. As the feeling of loss fueled, it burned with anger and hatred.
You imbecile, being gotten by a plant (the plan put a spy in the opponents core site)!
Davis suffered stomach ache as it filled with acidic water. Gamma is a regulation made up for this kind of situation. The man who had unparalleled power and military force on one hand could not control the researcher bitch and ruined his work. He doesnt even deserve to work in the organization.
The history of America is the history of the American Lodge (branch) of Freemasonry, just as the beginning of civilization was Freemasonry. In 1620, a grandmaster and twelve master-level saints set foot on the New World in a wine carrier (Mayflower) to escape Catholic persecution. It was the starting point of Americas transition from a world of barbaric yellow races to a world of holy spirits.
Ignorant enslaved people call the first immigrants, the Mayflower passengers, the ancestors of the pilgrimage, but thats not to say. Except for the thirteen holy souls disguised as vagrants, the remaining 89 were real vagrants, including thieves, deceivers, robbers, and murderers.
The history of the United States of America began as a collaboration between a new human being, a holy soul, and a garbage slave, and it is no different today. Freemasonry forms the superstructure, and Christian immigrants and all sorts of junk from around the world support the infrastructure.
Either way, I have to report it.
Davis operated the remote control. The purpose of Freemasonry is a world ruled by holy spirits (master-level saints). The Grandmasters eyes, called the Eye of Horus, see through the world. There was no reason to worry about the pieces of bread spilled by the holy soul or the slaves who picked up on them. Whoosh C The 300mm-thick shielding door filled with lead was opened.
Grandmaster, can you see it? It is the traces of the car.
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Davis picked up the report from the empty office.
[I expected it, but its amazing!]
Surprisingly, a heavy thud echoed through the mouth of the goldfish that squeaked in the fish tank.
It is a superconducting material working at a room temperature that is beyond imagination. It is believed to be a part of a fusion reactor or a part of a material converter. Area 51 scientists have sufficient capabilities in reverse engineering. We can build a rail gun in three years and a commercial fusion reactor in ten years.
An excited voice reverberated as an echo in the empty office.
[Davis, railgun or fusion reactor is the second to go. The first is the car civilization itself. Perhaps It is the key to the space movement gate toward outer space and also the key to the four-dimensional division protection that exists at different times in the same space.]
Ah, the space-time gate!
Davis cried out involuntarily. According to the ancient records of Freemasonry, the Tower of Babel was the gate into the 4D world.
[Thats why it must be returned. Now report Predator performance.]
Psychic Hunter has been prepared for 10 high-level, 50 low-intermediate, 150 Mechani-Hunter, and 30 Grendel. Production of additional Grendel was halted due to material shortages. The organic fission stopped at one-hundredth session.
[Let me get the new material for it. Havent you found Ocelots whereabouts yet?]
Yeah, weve mobilized the CIA to its full potential, but there was no trace of it.
[I shouldve done that earlier. Have you figured out the psychic Haunters self-destruction yet?]
I am sorry. We set the direction toward machine learning (computer cognitive learning) instead keep organizing neurons and replacing synaptic ions.
[The entree (the whole) went to the United States and turned into the main course. After all, you made a powerful fool and a blood-crazed killer!]
A deep sigh shook his head. Davis lowered his head to the ground. For decades, he invested the best brain resources and astronomical funds, but he failed to address the degeneration of transplanted brains of his own. He turned to artificial intelligence, but even he didnt know when he would succeed.
[Davis, the answer lies in the gift of God. If a coin has heads, there are also tails. Retrieve the Ooparts at all costs, and investigate the overturned stratum thoroughly.]
Does the Baphomet really exist?
[I am the descendant of Ka, the owner of the all-seeing eye Providence Eye. Baphomet is sleeping somewhere. He may have already woken up. I am feeling a strong presence.]
Oh! Maybe Abaddon?
Davis recalled Adams report. Without Baphomet, the Socrates project in Syria cannot be shattered in an instant, and the magnificent Kaparuja Valley can be made flat.
[Abaddon?]
Yes, the one who ruined our business in Syria and vanished away at the site.
[No. Baphomet is not a frivolous entity that will be destroyed by a natural disaster to that extent.]
The grand black mamba of the world has been degraded to a frivolous existence at the mouth of Grandmaster Lamartine.
Can we control such a strong being?
[Davis, did you forget that this is the owner of Providence Eye?]
Moan!
Shocked by the intense thought wave, Davis grabbed his head.
[The Predator can only play a role of causing confusion. Find the Baphomet. For an honorable deed!]
The goldfish, which had puckered his mouth, swung his tail and dived.
[For the holy spirit!]
Davis closed the shielding door. A heavy silence was laid down in the space of 600 meters underground.
Just do it at all cost!
Davis turned to Chiffon. Although his intelligence is low, he is the only psychic hunter that has maintained his ego. I dont actually know how long it will hold, though.
First, I need to send in a mechanical hunter.
Davis bit his lip. The flies run wild, but the Mambasa area is the backyard of the United States. You can run, but you cant hide. He picked up a yellow communicator. You need to release the ferocious dog to catch the cat that bit the fish and ran away.
******
Hae Young was detained in the security teams detention center. The iron door slammed shut and locked. The size of the space looks about 40 square feet. There was nothing but an iron bed in the small prison. The air in the room was steamy hot due to the heated concrete walls and thick iron gates.
Hae Young, who was sitting blankly on the bed, bit her lip and lifted up her blue uniform. Half of her white breasts turned black and bruised. These are the traces left by a dirty nigger. She never knew that a single misjudgment would drag her fall into hell.
Dirty bastards!
She felt dizzy with the rushing shame of her on top of the pain. Irrational and ruthless violence makes human beings infinitely miserable. Neither beauty nor intelligence did anything to help the violence wielded by the great organization. The incomparable words that lack of power is a sin from Moo sang struck her heart.
Ahh! What am I supposed to do now?
She felt miserable. The reason she hid Ooparts was that she didnt want to lose her achievements to Samuel, and if possible, she wanted to help her country. In retrospect, it was not a sin. It was neither stolen nor deceived. A simple omission is not a sin. Hae Young believed in a time.
Although time had passed, her situation was much worse than she had expected. She couldnt even see anyone other than a security guard in black clothes, let alone a lawyer. She was taken to the interrogation room at night. The sound of shoes resounding along with the darkness was a great fear to her.
The same questions and the same answers come and go every day. Abuses, beatings, and vulgar abuses were repeated every day. Her gleaming eyes faded, and her shiny hair became dull. She endured inhumane abuse relentlessly, reminiscing about the times she had fun with Moo sang.
Moo sang; Im sorry. Guess I am being punished now. Ill give you the treasure, sob!
Hae Young cried every day on the dirty bed. The desire to even smell him supported her exhausted body. Falling into self-deprecation as a price for betraying Moo sang, she did not blow the discoid Ooparts hidden in the old Limbali tree. It was the last pride of her and a vague wait. McKinley made the mistake of not getting the Ooparts that could have been obtained in a coercive way.
******
Helen, who put Hae Young in trouble, was also not in a very good situation. [Catch Me] is a joke that can be used only by lovers on the beach. If she uses it recklessly against an opponent who is filled with hatred, she will get hit a big one. An angry hound followed endlessly.
Lieutenant Colonel Milovic paid the price in large for overconfidence in the ability of the Ubiksa (KGB 7th Division Superpower Team) team. The Yankees net was wide and tough. Helen and Ubiksa are chased by the Shadow and are attacked by an unidentified group. In a mess, the 60 agents were reduced to 25, but instead of the exit route, Uganda, they were driven to the opposite side, Kisangani.
Whoosh. The local heavy rains unique to the Ituri jungle poured cheerfully. The sky was filled with the sound of rain as if there was a hole in the sky.
It is nice not to have the damn flies and Mitch Yure, but
Milovic looked at the waterfall falling through the gap in the canopy with a puzzled expression. Its been twelve days since he wandered through the jungle with a Yankee on his back. He was sick of the jungle but even more sick of the Shadows. As soon as he seemed to be escaped from their chase successfully, a new team appeared and got in his way.
He tried to get out of the net by squeezing through the cracks, but he was blocked by those who wore black masks and flew like butterflies. Unidentified masked bastards were as disgusting as the Shadow.
The lowland below the cave turned into a swamp. The secondary forest, overgrown with rough ferns and weeds, turned into a yellow ocher sea in an instant. Food ran out, but he could not afford to enter a pygmy village where cholera was rampant.
He got a creaking sound from his stomach. He ate nothing but a few bugs for a full day. Before he was shot to death, he seemed going to get swallowed by the jungle. In fact, half of the deaths were not killed by humans but by the jungle.
Shevchenko!
Yes, comrade!
A small man came out of the cave.
How long will it rain?
The man raised up his arms and closed his eyes.
Clouds are getting thinner, and air pressure is 5% less than it was 10 minutes ago. I think it will stop in about 70 minutes.
I am relieved!
Milovic nodded his head. The weather forecast of Shevchenko is incomparably more accurate than that of the Meteorological Agency.
Is Helen okay?
The comrades are thoroughly protecting it.
Well, when I get home, I would not cast my net.
I will release both the spinning squirrel and the caged bird.
Shevchenko was deeply detested. The stress trapped in the net gnawed at him as much as his hunger.
Has the situation changed?
Changed from annihilation to blocking. It means getting a harder hammer.
Huh, a harder hammer! I have no choice but to play the last card before my head breaks.
Milovic patted the bright red frog that had fallen on his shoulder and murmured. It was a terrible jungle where you could not relax even for a moment.
Comrade, I am sorry.
No, I didnt know they had superpowers too. Set up the satellite communications.
Is it going to be Kasese?
Yes.
If the mesh is small, there is no choice but to tear it. There are sharp knives that will tear the net, MI-24 Hind attack helicopters that have raged in Afghanistan in Kasese. If they come with less armament and with the auxiliary fuel tank, they can fly to Mambasa sufficiently.
Comrade, this is a Yankee no-fly zone. It could be difficult for the Party and Comrade General.
Shevchenko put the brakes on it. Its a sole secret operation in Yankees semi-territories. Whether you live or die, you must solve the problem independently. Even if we requested support, there was a high possibility that the General Bureau would remain ignorant.
Throw the Glasnost to a dog.
Milovic grumbled. Gorbachev did not approve any overseas operations that could lead to direct conflict with the United States. This operation is also at the level of Lubyanka. If you call in reinforcements, you can be reprimanded even if you return successfully. Of course, there were no complaints. Such is the fate of a spy.
This is not the time to insult Comrade General. A situation in which you are subjected to self-criticism~
There is no problem with that. Helen, who has acquired Ooparts, is a peoples hero. Peoples heroes should be treated worthy of their titles. We must bring Helen and Oopartz into the arms of our country.
Ah! All right.
Shevchenko immediately understood. Our country is better than America because we have patriots like Helen and Milovic.
Call for assistance just before the rain stops and evacuate immediately.
Yep!
Milovic glanced at the back of his lieutenant as he entered the cave. He was grateful to Helen for the heroic event and her subordinates who endured until now. Ubixa (cruel killer) is not a bloodless, tearless monster. They also have people waiting at home. The lives of her subordinates were more important than reprimands.
Of course, there is no guarantee that you will exit smoothly even if you receive Hind support. Theres no way the Yankees can sit back and watch. After all, nothing is certain on the battlefield. It is a hundred times better if there is even a faint light than it is completely dark.
******
The seven-story white building on the left side of Lubyank Square in Moscow is the KGB headquarters, called Lubyanka. A satellite phone call from Kasese, Uganda, cluttered the office of the First Director-General. The conference room was filled with Director General Mikhail and Pomskys seven-part series overseas series.
Pomsky, how are we going to beat out the Yankees who are annoying us? Shall we send the Sukhoi squadron to the Angola base? If we pour about 20 tons of cluster bombs, will they turn into the dirt in the air?
Mikhail flashed his eyes. Pomsky had goosebumps on his arm. Not even a joke to say. Its about going to war with the United States. The attendees also held their breath. The mad tiger, Mikhail, was the one who surely could do that.
This is the ATACMS surface-to-surface missile system.
Although it was developed in the 1980s, it is still the most powerful weapon in the world.
Chapter 674 - Chapter 63 Episode 10 Asura
Comrade General Director, you cant even visit Kulak (Notorious Former Soviet Political Prisoner Camps).
The situation was so urgent that a hand was coming out of his throat, but sending a MiG was no different from saying that he risked his political life with the Director General.
Heh heh heh! I reject Kulak as well. Lets mobilize a Hynd to take out only the Ubiksa comrades. How about this?
Mikhail laughed softly. He was the mastermind of the shooting down of the Korean civil aircraft. The price of reprimanding Yankee minions was international isolation. Bombing U.S. camps with MiG aircraft could lead to World War III. They couldnt self-destruct just because Gorbachev didnt want it.
Pomsky had a hard time answering. The general secretary, who was pursuing an open policy, had no way of signing an operational order, but he was not a Yankee to watch either. As the probability of being shot down increases, so does the political burden.
Comrade General Director, the 11th Aircraft Carrier Strike Team is sailing over Mogadishu. As soon as the Hynd crosses the Zaire border, the aircraft that launched from Nimitz will fly like a swarm of bees.
Pomsky bluntly refused.
A Hynd can fly 10 meters above the ground. Wouldnt it be possible to dodge the ships radar by flying low?
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Ituri Jungle canopy is 80m~120m. There are also reconnaissance planes and reconnaissance satellites. Uncle Sams early warning system is efficient. Besides, they put the latest ATACMS on Mambasa. Its an annoying Mai Mai cleaning, if they make a mistake Uganda air base becomes unable to pull its bones together. You cant pour a bottle of oil to pick up sesame seeds, can you?
Pomsky stopped hard. How such a metal fragment did political and military adventure! It was good to use a Hynd to rescue the Ubiksa team, but it was a pain in the ass if it would shoot down.
It doesnt mean lets fight with Yankee. Are they crazy enough to send a fighter jet to shoot down a rescue helicopter?
Mikhail strongly held on.
Hynd is not a rescue helicopter, and angry wasps are not willing to take any risk. Stingers are threatening enough, too. Please, think of Afghanistans nightmare.
To be honest, Pomsky wanted to get his subordinates out on the condition that they hand over Opatz or whatever is called. Hynd was so fierce that it was called Satans chariot in Afghanistan, but things changed one hundred and eighty degrees when the Mujahideen got Yankee support. Stinger dropped Hynd like a duck. There was no way that they could be stupid to lean on the mercy of the enemy and launch an operation.
Pomsky, I hate capitalist pigs. If they placed ATACMS in Eungpanwaja, it means that there is something just as important. Thanks to Comrade Stalins quick withdrawal of Hitlers legacy, the country became a great power. Since Comrade Brezhnev, the country has become fragile over time because the brave secretary was not selected. Comrade Gorbachev, whose liver was the size of a flea, had set out to abolish nuclear weapons. Shirokov!
Yes, Comrade General Director!
Africa/The Middle East director stood up suddenly.
How many Hynds are there in Caseze?
There are three squadrons, but the 2nd Squadron is operating in Darfur, and the 3rd Squadron is under maintenance. The 1st Squadron consists of one offensive type and three armed types.
If there are three armed types, its perfect to put Milovics team in the stomach. Theres a Korean proverb that says if you save something too much, it will become dung. If the Yankees reverse-engineer a temperature superconductor and commercialize a nuclear fusion reactor and rail gun, a fat pig puts the world in its grip and our country becomes a bird. Ill listen to Comrade Fleas accusations.
Mikhail kept his mouth tight and gave strength to his eyes.
Comrade General Director!
Pomsky raised his voice. Milovics team could get out of the net as long as they give up Opatz. Mikhail raised his hand and stopped Pomsky.
I know enough what youre worried about. If you dont save the peoples hero, who will give their life for the country! How can you get the treasure without running a risk? Send Hynd immediately to bring the Hero and Opatz to Moscow!
Yes, Sir.
Pomsky explored with anger, but he was powerless to reverse his superiors decision. Pomsky couldnt help but put out the shameful statistics that 269 fight jets and helicopters of his country were shot down by 340 Stingers fired by the Mujahideen guerrillas in Afghanistan.
******
Brigadier General McKinley of Green Zone explored with anger a hundred times more than Pomsky.
Did you say it disappeared again? Are that Slaughterers (Ubiksa) bastards really ghost? Is it?
McKinley stared at Lieutenant Colonel Hammer and Colonel McPherson with sharp-edged eyes.
The two became honey-eaten dumb.
Urgh! At best, I drove him into a corner
McKinley sat down with a thud. It wasnt a thing that happened once or twice. If they wanted to drive into a dead end with superpowers and military dogs at the fore, the trace was cut off. There was a person in the Ubiksa team who had the ability to erase odors and traces and distort the scenery. There was no use in pushing the subordinates.
The guerrilla tracking Roske was also a serious discouragement. All kinds of nonsensical warlords got involved and interfered with the operation. Especially for FDLR guys in Rwanda, there was nothing to be persistent about. After the men who turned their eyes on the gold mine frantically tracked the Ubiksa team, they kept bumping into Shadow. They would cleverly divert Shadows nerves towards the guerrillas and escape like a shadow. The Duke, who had been trying to gain the Mambasa area, returned to Jachungsu.
Theyre one step ahead of Shadow. The real shadows are them, Sir.
Lieutenant Colonel Hammer spat out grumpy words. The ability of Ubiksa that he had only heard of was amazing. His combat capabilities and stealth abilities surpassed Shadow. When he was in a corner, he even displayed superpowers, such as controlling insects and animals, changing the terrain, and fantasizing. Even holding the tail, it was common to miss.
In the end, they had no choice but to change the offensive operation into an interception operation and wait for the Psychic Hunter to come. He wanted to shoot and kill McKinley, who was scratching like a raging mother-in-law while knowing the situation clearly before others did.
What is it? Are our superpowers playing with monkeys?
McKinley messed up.
It must be said that the one who is one step below, no, on the same level, has an advantage in desperately escaping. The capable man will arrive in two days. Until then, we just need to catch them.
Ahh, damn it!
McKinleys face rotted. It was not that he traced back because he didnt know what to do. The organizations reprimand was waiting. If they wanted to make an excuse at least, they needed to retrieve the Opatz quickly.
[Beep beep]- The communicator rang. Milovic finished the compressed communication at the moment but failed to deceive the NSAs ears. Over the equator, Pegasus in geostationary orbit caught the military X-band 8.1GHz upward frequency. Mikhail and Milovic were hitting the ground.
The NSA immediately sent information to the Green Zone and the destroyers. Curtis Wilbur and Blue Ridge were tense. It was difficult to rule out the possibility that an ignorant polar bear could fly a MiG from an Angola base. The destroyers allocated radar resources to eastern Zaire and linked it with the Green Zone Combat Information Center.
This Curtis Wilbur CIC(Combat Information Center), Sir.
Hammer handed the receiver to McKinley. This was a secret communication that the commander needs to receive himself. McKinley was nervous.
So Gorbachev became crazy.
[Bang]- McKinley picked up the communicator and put it down as if to throw it away.
The ESM (Electronic Surveillance Means) team gave anti-aircraft defense posture instructions. Colonel McPherson, prepare anti-aircraft guns and Hammer, supply the Shadow Team with Stingers.
Anti-aircraft defense? Who is your opponent? But we havent finished building a radar base yet.
Colonel McPhersons eyes grew larger.
The guy who is going to fight with the USA on the planet is obvious. The polar bear must have pulled out a card to get the rat out.
Lieutenant Colonel Hammer gave the answer.
Hey, are you going to start World War III?
Colonel McPherson breathed the hot air.
Hammer, there is no time to chat. When the MiG sorties, the carrier or Kenya Air Force Base will take care of it. We only need to defend helicopters.
We dont have a Cobra, what are we going to do?
McPherson frowned. Unfortunately, there was no Cobra in the camp to deal with Hynd. Unlike the jungles of Southeast Asia, Ituri Jungle had a canopy that completely covers the ground. It was difficult for the helicopter to lock on the ground target, and the attack precision was also poor. There was no reason to hold on to an expensive weapon with no utility and no use, but the reason that didnt exist just occurred.
For a polar bear dragonfly, Stinger and Vulcan are enough. How is the Stinger stock?
The Shadow Team has 10 and the Marine Corps have 25, Sir.
Colonel McPherson, leave only 5 for camp defense, and hand over 15 to the Shadow.
Ill do, Sir.
The camp was busy. The atmosphere of the regional war between the smiles that summoned Asura was at its peak. This was the case that happened while Black Mamba was flying to Novatopia aboard Garura.
******
At the dawn of January 31, 1987, the sky trembled as if it was about to pour heavy rain at any moment. Ituri province across the equator had no distinct dry and wet seasons. From March to November of the following year it would rain heavily and from December to February less rain. It was an unusually thick rain cloud for January.
The darkest hour was just before twilight when night and day intersected. [Tutututu]- The silent rotor spinning shook the dark darkness. Ivanov, the leader of the tactical team and commander of the 1st Squadron, received only one command.
[Rescue the peoples hero who has been financed by Mambasa.]
The armed type, which can accommodate 8 troops, adopted a side-by-side cockpit, so the projectile area was wide and the weapon was poor. There was only one attacking type with good mobility and well-armed, but it had no choice but to transport the Ubiksa team.
[Whizz] C The powerful camouflage engine boosted the RPM. Hynds squadron rose into the dark night sky. Hynd was capable of ultra-low altitude but had no talent to fly between dense trees like a fan-headed eagle. Ivanovs squadron evaded the radar and skimmed through the canopy.
Hynds squadron was spotted by a flying blackbird and a keyhole satellite at an altitude of 300 km 5 minutes after takeoff along the equator. The sky watcher couldnt see the ground, but he was looking at the top of the canopy like a palm.
-Ocafi, four carriages ran away. The direction of flight was 214, speed was 320km. Direction of exaltation was Tabora. It takes 35 minutes to arrive at camp.
ESM (Electronic Surveillance Means) team immediately notified the helicopter assault information to the Camp Combat Information Center.
Damn, theyre coming out passively. Id rather fly the MiG.
Hammer grumbled. He expected it but never thought it would fly off his feet. The depth was too short. The Nimitz carrier was 1,400 km away. The battle was entrusted to the camp. It was a shame that the attack Cobra helicopter couldnt do it. The basic base of the Huey was transportation. Compared to Hynd, its maneuverability and strike power were significantly behind. Not to mention the reconnaissance Little Bird.
Dont be too heartbroken. Who would have imagined the helicopter before.
Lieutenant Colonel Michell comforted.
Thats right. We prepared it just in case, but who knew we could use the Stinger and anti-aircraft guns.
Hammer nodded.
As long as we have a radar system and a missile defense system, we have nothing to worry about. Tup!
Can you have everything? Hynd is strong, but Stingers are enough.
How did you build the air defense team?
I grouped 4 Stingers into groups of 5. The Marine Corps provided 15 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons and 30 12.7mm heavy machine guns. Were going to tie up the Stinger and anti-aircraft guns and send them to the expected area.
What is their destination?
Wamba or Tabora. In two places the hydrophone caught the rat.
For now, Lets also Huey and Little Bird on emergency standby. Im not sure if the 7.62mm will fit the wagon, but its better than nothing.
All right. Lets start.
[Ae-ae-ae-ae]- Sirens cried frantically. After evacuating civilians to an air-raid shelter, the anti-aircraft team moved to Wamba and Tabora, which are believed to be the hiding points of Ubiksa.
******
70 minutes before dawn, Milovic left the beat at the appointed time. Hynds flight speed was 350km per hour. It was going to arrive in 40 minutes from Caseze to Mambasa. The Ubiksa team hid on the edge of Edos where the helicopter could lower the fast rope.
Comrade, shall we fire a flare?
Stop it! Do you want to taste the ATACMS firewalls?
Milovic, who was startled, stopped Sevchenkos words. The coordinates have already been encrypted. It was better to run short than to announce the coordinates through a smoke screen.
Im coming, Sir.
[Tututu]- The helicopter rotors rang. Milovic was anxious. The success of the eviction depended on the Yankees air defense radar. As long as the rescue team could deceive the radar, they could return the gold to the motherland.
The Shadow Team and Marine Corps, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hammer, waited for guests at Wamba. The purpose was different, but Hammer was as upset as Milovic. The place where the rat hid was Wamba. It was a shame that half the power which sent Tabora was not there.
[Tutututu]- The sound of the rotors became faster. Hynds squadron, like going past by a canopy, was in a hurry. It stretched out like the ribs of a fan and raised its height. It locked on. A thin yellow stick rose through the dark veil on the ground. It was a Stinger.
Dog-like bastards!
Milovic spat out profanity.
Hynd Mi24F, as it is made in the Soviet Union, is strong and armed, Sir. Surion is with a smack~
Roadrunner, running at 40-60 km/h on a new theme. Insects, lizards, and rattlesnakes are stapled foods.
It is an American famous character prototype.
Chapter 675 - Chapter 63 Episode 11 Asura
If the maneuverable Hynd was a lizard, Stinger with the infrared seeker was a roadrunner. Stinger with moving thrust was accelerating to Mach 2.2 and had a range of 6 km. Once the tail was caught, you had to struggle like a lizard to the end.
[Fufu]- Flares poured out like hail from the tail of Unit 3 that had been marked. The night sky was dyed red. The first yellow rod turned its head towards a stronger heat source. [Bang]- A spectacular fireworks show took place in the air hundreds of meters away from Unit 3.
If there was a stupid guy, there was also a smart guy. The yellow rod that followed was not dazzled by the flare and bit the exhaust heat of Unit 3. Unit 3, caught by the tail, sprinkled chaff and tried to escape, but it was too late. The tagging results of Hynd with a top speed of 350 km and Stinger with a top speed of 2,900 km were obvious.
[Bang] C Despite the tearful effort, flashes and smoke bounced from under the tail rotor. Swaying Unit 3 increased the altitude again. Satans chariot was as strong as its nickname. [Bang] C Following that flying third missile hit the underside of the upper canopy.
Against the dark night sky, an orange fireball jumped up splendidly. In human terms, it was part of the nose ridge. Missile shards and fire storms swept through the canopy. The pilot was torn to pieces without a moment to feel pain. Becoming a fireball Unit 3 fell to the ground helplessly.
Stupid!
Milovic looked up at the sky with heartache. Hynd, which was shot, was the armed type. The remaining two armed types could only board 16 people. Groans and lamentations erupted from the mouths of the secret agents as well.
[Bang bang bang bang]- The high-altitude Hynd squadron poured rockets and machine guns toward the launch point. Armed type and offensive type Hynd were different in design as well, but armaments were different. The armed type consisted of a 12.7mm quadruple catling gun and a 30mm Gsh-30K twin-barrel cannon, while the offensive type Mi-24P was an air fortress equipped with additional 122mm rocket cannons and archer anti-tank missiles. The power of the 122mm rocket cannon was comparable to that of the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
A dreadful steel rain smashed the canopy and hit the ground forces. A thousand years of old trees and rocks have burst and the land has turned upside down. [Boom]- A firestorm swept through three or four areas of the football field.
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Ahhh!
Oh my God!
The armored vehicles and Humvees that participated in the anti-aircraft fire with the Stinger team were shattered. Dozens of Shadows and Marine Corps lost their lives at one time, their limbs and guts were strewn on the ground.
The U.S Army on the ground was not just being beaten. 20mm Vulcan cannons and a 12.7mm high-speed machine gun opened fire. Red and blue tracer bullets rose one after another. Marine Corps heavy machine gunners struck a steel barrage. [Ddadadadang]- [Thudding thudding thudding]- Large-caliber bullets and small-caliber shells pounded on the thick floor of the Hynd without rest. [Whizz]- The frightened Hynd raised the altitude.
The attack helicopters machine guns and missiles wiped out tank units in an instant. The ball infantry was neither more nor less than prey. The problem was the jungle. The Ituri Jungle was not an open area like a desert or plain. With visibility blocked in the canopy and second gear, Hynd had to rely on infrared radar to attack the enemy on the ground. In addition, a group of giant trees over 1m in diameter acted as an annoying cover.
Ivanovs squadron was not in a position to retreat just because of the three disadvantages. Raising an altitude of more than 1,000 m, they avoided ground fire with roll-back hooking and poured out fire again. The U.S. Army, which succumbed to evil, also shot to melt muzzle and grounder.
Milovic was 1.5km away from the battlefield. He looked at the heated scuffle with a dazed gaze. There was nothing he could do but look up at the sky. [To-to-to-to]- Different rotor sound was heard. 3 black dots approaching from the western sky caught his eyes. Milovics face rotted. It was Huey who came out of the camp for support.
[Whizz]- Unit 1 Mi-24P, which was covering the armed type Hynd, left the ranks. Huey followed Unit 1 in unison and fired a machine gun. [Ddadadadang] C A 7.62mm bullet struck the fuselage, but Unit 1 did not even move.
[Whoosh] C Red pillars of fire stretched out from the left and right sides of the fuselage. It was an air-to-air R-73 missile. Startled Huey dropped suddenly like an elf surprised by a falcon. The red rod chased after. Huey scattered hot aluminum silver foil and soared. One jumped into the chaff cloud and both each bit their prey.
[Bang] C [Bang] C A powerful and colorful firecracker display took place. Huey was not as resilient as Hynd. A heat-seeking missile turned into a ball of fire in one hit and crashed. Huey, who barely survived, turned and escaped.
Ivanov, who succumbed to evil, could not let it go obediently. He stepped on the pedal and pushed the steering wheel hard. [Kwadididi] C The heavy Hynd screamed and tumbled in the air like a lie. Ivanov, who caught the tail, fired a 30mm canon. The tail rod smashed and the hydraulic system fell off, causing Huey to spin and crash.
The air battle between the Hynd Unit 1 and the 3 Hueys ended unilaterally in a short time. Modern warfare was not a battle of quantity. The basic weapon level was different, and the control ability was different as well. Hynd was lopsided in punch, strength, and speed.
[Boom] C Huey exploded when it touched the ground. Shadows bad luck continued. Of all things, Huey crashed into the anti-craft emplacement. The Marine Corps and the Shadow team were engulfed in the explosion.
Ahhh!
Save me!
The scene where humans covered in burning jet fuel glowed was Gehenna itself. Four missiles were fired at once from a distance of 3 km. After that two of them from the other direction bit his tail and rose.
Two Hynds, who were pounding the ground excitedly, raised the altitude. Unit 3 pilot Ivan stared at the flashing lock-on warning light. The advantage of the Stinger was that it could be operated at night and had an automatic re-launch function. The disadvantage was that it was driven by close-range targets. This was because the infrared tracking type did not have a target assignment function.
Ivan, who knew the features of the Stinger, clenched his teeth. No matter how mobility was good maneuverability was excellent, but it could not avoid 4 missiles. Ivan decided to give up escaping maneuvers and save his colleagues.
-Comrades, Ill take the missiles.
-Ivan!
Ivan ignored the squadron leaders grieving voice and pulled the trigger. [Bang bang bang bang] C Machine guns and catling guns poured their firepower generously. By reducing the load and increasing the maneuverability, it was possible to lure at least one missile more.
[Bang bang bang] C The armored vehicles and Humvees that were firing anti-aircraft fire from the ground turned into fireballs, and the ancient primeval forest was mercilessly ravaged. It was a desperate response meaning I am dying but you are dying as well. Revenge belonged to his surviving comrades.
[Whoosh]- Missiles accelerated. Locking on Unit 3 earned time by mobilizing all kinds of aerobatics such as 360-degree loops, cobra twists, rollbacks, and hooking. Unit 1 and Unit 2 attached missiles to their tail and plunged toward Unit 3. Ivanov and Ivans wingman Gorky fully understood Ivans intentions.
[Bang- Bang] C The first and second Stingers in contact with Unit 3 exploded. The moment Unit 1 and Unit 2 crossed Unit 3, which had become a fireball, soared in a back flight. The rotorcraft was flying cross-turning like a fighter.
The Stinger, who was tracking Units 1 and 2, turned to Ivans, which was much more appetizing. 4 missiles plunged into the flames. Ivans eyes turned red. The faces of his waiting wife and daughter filled his eyes. His eyes became hazy. Come, lets die together! The dead have a reason to die, and the surviving have a duty to live.
[Bang bang bang bang] C The sound of a devastating explosion answered Ivans cry. [Boom]- Unit 3, which attracted 6 missiles, died for others bravely. The fireball fell down.
That, how can do that!
Milovic opened his mouth to an unconventional air. The piloting skills that the ghosts would cry for were amazing, but the heroic giant who laid down his life for the sake of his comrades was respected.
Blessed Virgin Mary, forgive sinners and lead the heroic warrior into the kingdom of God.
Milovic, a devout orthodox, wished for the honor of the helicopter pilot.
Ivan, Ivan! Sob sob!
Ivanov shuddered with anger. As Ivan suffered, the meaning of containment disappeared. Helicopters, like tanks, must have had a checker that covers the attacking team from the rear so that the survival rates would increase. Ivanov admitted the failure of the operation.
The fast ropes could not be lowered from the enemy line, which was bombarded with missiles and anti-aircraft guns. He was sorry for the comrades waiting to be rescued, but the operation had become impossible. The only way was to open the escape route by hitting as much damage as possible in the lane.
-Gorky, destroy the Yankees on the ground. The track was torn so that the comrades could escape.
-Yes, Sir Long live my country!
[Tutututu] C [Bang bang bang bang] C Two Hynds hurriedly started running around the jungle like crazy. Ivanov heard a continuous noise from the lower part of the fuselage, but he didnt care. A 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun cant penetrate a laminated titanium floor anyway. He rather backtracked the tracer and smashed the ground.
Two missiles rose from the ground. [Whoosh]- The missile with the boost removed accelerated. Ivanov pushed the control stick and turned sharply. The chaff ran out and there was one flare pack left. The missile was heavily bent and tracked.
Ivanov soared, aiming for the decisive moment. [Whoosh]- Again, two missiles soared with orange flames. Shadow wasnt a birdbrain. He fired without thinking time difference.
Pyanjji (5) Chittuire (4) Tri (3) Diva (2)
Ivanov calculated the speed ratio between the Stinger and the aircraft and counted the numbers. His ass was tickling and he was sweating. The plan was to pull missiles into the tail as much as possible, then lure them into a flare and escape.
Mr. Bbattarapijye!
Just before kicking his ass, he pushed the stick to break and fired a flare. The helicopter veered forward and took a stance. Horizontal Rudder heard the words. [Bang]- Missiles exploded with a flare. One of them, disturbed by the seeker, disappeared far away. The plan was a success.
-Gorky! Gorky!
There was no response from Unit 2. It didnt even get caught in sight. It was hit while carrying missiles. Ivanov clenched his teeth. How would he go back to hometown after losing all his subordinates! Ivanov poured all the remaining shells into the missile launch point.
[Bang bang bang] C The fuselage trembled uncontrollably. It was caught in a Vulcan barrage. Dozens of 20mm armor-piercing bombs hit the fuselage frantically. Even a strong Hynd couldnt get away with wearing a Vulcan. The hydraulic system flew and the rotor blade was torn off. The control stick wobbled uncontrollably.
For whom do I ring the bell!
Ivanovs balls were sloppy. Images of an old mother, wife, and young child filled his mind. [Boom] C Powerful impact shook the fuselage. Hitting by two Stingers in a row Unit 1 exploded mid-air. A heat he had never experienced swept through his body. It was the last of Major Ivanov, the ace of the KGB Special Air Corps.
At the end of Ivanovs resistance, bombing and gunfire ceased. The east jungle of Mambasa burned brightly.
Blessed Virgin Mary, bless them!
Milovic was impressed. Hynds squadron ended the epic battle and returned to the arms of the Lord. Although the operation failed, it was a heroic battle that would last a long time and a spirit of fighting spirit.
Dissappeared.!
It was time to use the second method. The Ubiksa team left the battlefield without sound. Milovic chose to hide rather than forcibly break through the siege.
No. 3!
Yes, Sir!
A member of the crew called No. 3 went through the vicinity of the old Rimbali tree with a diameter of 3 meters. The crew put both hands on the ground and closed their eyes. [Shuuu]- The land, which turned like dough, sank down. A hole about 50 cm in diameter occurred.
The crew in the hole again demonstrated their gravity ability. The soil and rock were pushed out like a balloon. A 100O cavity was created in an instant, 3 meters below the ground. 10 people from the Ubiksa team disappeared jointly. Two more unexpected beats were made. Traces of the Ubiksa team have disappeared. Milovics hope was the Mai Mai militia. Of course, the premise was necessary for the director to persuade Ntaganda.
The Wamba area burned to the ground. Even Ituri Jungle, which did not have forest fires, couldnt stand the savagery of humans. Fireworks and smoke filled the place where the bombing and gunfire, and the screams and clamors of the death rattle had disappeared.
[Pitter patter]- The sky with a bunch of clouds crawled and poured rain. The jungle was filled with pouring rain and water vapor. Hundreds of bodies, chunks of shattered and broken steel, black and burned trees, and broken and pitted earth submerged in the pouring rain.
The opposite side of hate and anger was sadness and lamentation. When someone was cheering, someone was in grief, and when someone was happy, someone was stumbling into misery. Couldnt all humans be happy together?
******
[Shriek- shriek] C Hundreds of Rppells rushed in without fear. Eardrums were about to burst from the scream. [Creak]- A beak the size of a tourist bus opened and flashed a flash of light. C Flocks of Rppells, which had gathered in one shot of the laser cannon, were scattered in ashes. Recognizing the danger, Rppells soared. If they were wild Rppells, they would have run away, but they did not escape and hovered in the air.
Oh, caustic rain is awesome.
The Black Mamba sitting on Garuras head admired it.
Chapter 676 - Chapter 63 Episode 12 Asura
The Black Mamba, who had been smashing his head with the wind, lost all his strength. He built a large fork lane and shoveled it.
Laser gun? Its not
Black Mamba shook his head. The laser, which was practically used in industrial fields and medical fields, induced emission energy that was equalizing wave interference and frequency, and its focus and straightness were vital. The beam of light that Garuda fired exploded in the form of a funnel, sweeping the front of the handball court. There couldnt be a diffuse laser.
Military powers, including the United States, strive to develop laser cannons and laser guns, but within this century, they were wrong. There were two reasons. This was because it was difficult to develop a density-of-state resonator that could amplify the potential difference, and a huge energy source and pump were required to achieve long-distance projection and destructive power.
By analogy, it was creating a Paladin self-propelled artillery-class laser cannon by combining a $1 billion optical resonator and a 100MW class power plant. There was no efficiency, but where would they use a weapon that could not be moved? It was a weapon that could not be dreamed of without Garuda equipped with a fusion reactor and a micro lattice resonator.
Chicken is chicken, but its a munchkin!
He was pleased. He knew it was going t be masterful, but he didnt expect it to be this much. Whether it was a laser cannon or a beam cannon, they could beat and catch the enemy well. It would be trouble when someone elses dog was wild, but it would be reassuring when your dog was wild.
******
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Aaaah! What-what is it??
A scream burst from the top of the high sandstone pillars. Shocked by heart and brain, Rppell trainer Kigoma suddenly vomited black blood. The shaman would transmit his will to Tamer through brainwave tuning. In synchrony, Tamer would share the pain and joy he feels. If the Tamers life was suddenly lost, the shaman would lose his life.
With trembling hands, Kigoma found the Yorunba syringe and stabbed it in his arm. Yorunba was the worst ecstasy drug, but it was also the best elixir for suppressing the excessively secreted neurotransmitter.
Kigoma, barely able to find stability, wiped his lips and looked up at the sky. There was only a single piece of black cloud in the sky and not a single beloved child. At the impact level, at least two hundred died, but there are more than three thousand Rppells inhabiting Eagle Fortress.
What is it, where did they all go?
There was no way to see Rppell, who had escaped at a height of ten thousand meters. Kigoma looked up at the sky with binoculars. White eyeballs and reddish brown beaks filled the lens.
Ugh! That- whats that?
Kigoma swallowed the wind and unknowingly took a step backward. He was so startled that he almost fell from the Eagle Watchtower. He controlled binocular magnification. The black cloud was a giant bird hovering, no, a bird-like monster at a high altitude.
Is that Bodoon, no Petro?
He was the killer, without thinking about it. When he increased the magnification, he saw a human sitting on the head of the monster. From the moment Bodoon with a giant shovel appeared, he was in a bad mood, and then a terrible unique object and a being who was controlling it appeared.
Is Rppell all dead?
Kigoma shuddered with an ominous premonition.
[My child, where are you?]
[Kiwoo-wook!]
A wave of uneasy swaying thoughts was transmitted. Kigoma increased the binocular magnification to the fullest extent. A lot of black spots were visible at an altitude of 10,000 m. At the same time as relief, anger warmed his heart. It was certain that humans or animals were sensitive to the territory.
Even Bodoon could not handle thousands of Rppells with steel beaks and claws. Even if the monster couldnt do anything, it was over if Bodoon even only would drop. Kigoma gave orders that he should not be done.
[Kill intruders!]
[Pitter patter]- Thousands of black dots plummeted. It was a horrible scene that a normal human would see in a dream, but the Black Mamba was relaxed. He had a powerful pesticide spreader, so what worries!
[A chicken head, or a bird head? Even if it gets hit, it flies out.]
[Shall we do the cleaning?]
[Of course. These are pests.]
[Not pests. They are just flies. Wide-area annihilation mode activated!]
[Clap] C A spherical lightning bolt went back and forth between the two horns, amplifying the quantum field. Quantum fields, which were dense enough to be seen, diffused at the speed of light. [Crack] C A magnetic field enveloped the space where the flock of Rppells descended.
[Whizz] C The third horn emitted microwaves in the 300 GHz band. The area where Garuda set coordinates became a microwave oven, or to be more precise, a microwave oven that was 1.5 km wide. The 300 GHz electromagnetic wave, which was similar to the natural frequency of a water molecule, was fatal to living things. The water molecules that made up their organism pushed, pulled, and hit, and their body temperature soared in an instant.
[Shriek]- [Shriek] C Rppells writhed like crazy. The body temperature that animal brain tissue could withstand was approximately 42. When the body temperature would rise above that, the brain tissue would coagulate like tofu. Rppells writhing in the microwave ended in an instant.
[Pitter patter]- Black rain, no, the whole roasted Rppells were pouring down. Rppells, whose life was cut off, was barbecued while falling, by the time it fell to the ground, it was charred. The Rppell flock, which had harassed Novatopia, disappeared in vain.
The sandstone standing area 30 km away from Bachilkile Valley, the so-called Eagle Fortress, was filled with the smell of burning protein. It was a commanding that only Munchkin Garuda could do.
Hey! It smells good!
Even the Black Mamba of the world forgot what to say and wrinkled his nose like he did when he passed his mother-in-laws chicken shop.
[Pick up and eat. Humans would get cancer when they absorbed hydrocarbons.]
The chicken was so lukewarm that he meddled with it. That wasnt what the guy who ate the radioactive Nureonna whole would say.
[Howl] C A tremendous howl shook the atmosphere. It was Ouma Rppell, who led the Rppell flock and raided Novatopia. The red Rppell descended sharply. It wasnt a crash, it was a running Poomsae.
Hey, hes not dead!
The shape was a Rppell, but it was big enough to steam a Terrorist Bird. The wingspan alone seemed to be 30m wide. Black Mamba grabbed Rakshasas handle and released it. There was a lackey who was doing the job well, so there was no reason to work hard.
[Chicken, catch alive it.]
[It doesnt look delicious.]
Garudas taste was based on the level of radioactive contamination and the concentration of tritium.
[Lets use the analog method.]
[Sparkle] C A white flash of light flashed from the back. A flash of light that soared like a clothesline unfolded in front of Ouma Rppell. [Boing]-? Ouma jumped into the white trap without changing direction.
[Thud] C The trap shrunk in an instant. Ouma, caught in a trap of light, struggled to tear it apart with his spear-blade beak and claws. The trap was tightly clamped so that could catch the booty. In the end, Ouma was on the verge of being unable to do even a slight movement. Briefly captured Ouma swayed in front of Black Mambas eyes.
[It is doing all the tricks!]
[Theres still a lot left.]
Garuda shrugged.
If there was a guy who would gain, there was also a guy who would lose.
Ugh~ Mahaduraka!
Mardu fell from Kigomas hands.
Thanks to the injection of Yorunba, he escaped from psychic impact, but another impact wave hit. Even Grandfather Bodoon could not burn and kill three thousand Rppells at once and capture Ouma, who had no opponents.
The monster-bearing being was Mahaduraka, the Great Spirit who rolls the world like a scroll and judges the soul. Kigoma hurriedly pulled out the mennang. Only the thought of letting Houngan know the reality of Mahaduraka filled his head.
******
Hamada (rock desert), located 120 km from the Bachilkile Valley in the direction of Sudan, was the eastern boundary of the Ennedi Plateau. The rock region where a clump of grass couldnt be seen was torn entirely and turned over. His whole body was blood-stained, leaned against a red rock, and gasped. It was Ssamdi, who smashed the deflector in the Vine Erg and eagerly waited for Kamuge.
Ssamdis appearance was unbearable to see. His chest was wide open, revealing his intestines, and his breath grew harsh like a bellows from his half-severed throat. There was not a cloth left in his clothes. It was the result of fighting and being chased until the night and day change four times after starting the battle at Vine Erg, and they have been pushed to the end of the Ennedi Plateau.
Damn it!
He threw away the scrap metal machine gun and stared at Kamuge, who was sitting on a rock. Ouma, who resembled a gorilla, was strong, but his combat power was lower than that of himself. The problem was the Kamuge that intervened with each decisive blow.
He used all sorts of cruel magic, such as blindfolding with magic, grabbing his legs, or creating an empty space to lose their balance. A slight handicap turned into a big blow when the air was exchanged like a flash. Originally, he was supposed to hit two and get hit with one, but he got hit with one and got hit with two.
Samedi, stop surrendering. Lets create a great Damballah World with me. You deserve it.
A spirit called Barong Samdi or Barong Samedi was the chief spirit that rules over the Iwa of Death. Kamuges mentor Odam summoned Samedi and possessed Ssamdi.
Ssamdi pretended he didnt hear it and tried his best to regenerate his broken body. Somehow the guy said the same thing dozens of times without making a single mistake. He was tired of even listening.
Samedi, you dont even know who you are, do you? Youre the Zombie Samedi of Damballah Wedo. The great teacher Odam raised you from the dead and gave you the name Samedi. Youre not human Ssamdi, youre zombie Samedi.
Kamuge sincerely coveted Samedi. Gori and Leela could not reach Samedi in their overall combat power, and in terms of utility value, they could not even be compared. It was amazing to be an intelligent zombie with the strongest combat power. Even God couldnt bring zombies back to humans. He wanted to madly know how he regained his ego and how he became strong.
Ssamdi kept pretending he didnt hear. He wanted to smack the snout, but he had to recover his strength even a little bit when they gave me a break.
Samedi, give up. If you want to kill, youve already killed. Its no use trying to make time. Rousseloufes nails and toenails had a poison that destroys cells. Your patience is great. I really covet it.
Shut up! A coward who ran away barefoot, a bastard who didnt even have time to get caught in his masters claws, only his snout was alive and fluttering. Im gonna slice starting with your spout.
Impatient Ssamdi growled.
You rude zombie bastard! Amule Amule Bakan, Whisper of Damballah! You are Samedi, Samedi, servant of the Great Odam, obey. Slave of the great Damballah. You are Samedi Samedi Samedi ~
Kamuge memorized a dreary spell. [Tak tak tak] C Mardus skeleton moved its jaws. Samedi, who was summoned by Kamuge, found a place to rest and took control of Ssamdis brain furtively.
Arghhh!
Ssamdi grabbed his head. It felt like his thoughts were paralyzed and his brain turned black like ink, something unknown was pushing his mind away. He was terrified.
Ohm~ Namora Namora Alya Damora~
Samdi recited the Mind Centering Technique taught by his great master. The darkened mind was revived. Black Mamba, the owner, master, and the great master who made him a perfect human, the lovely Edel, the friendly Jin Soon, and the cute Mina came to mind in turn. He also remembered the stupidly innocent Pygmy tribe.
Would the little friends still shout that Ssamdi Kinito Uduma! (Praise Ssamdi!) in front of their wooden statue. Ssamdis eyes got wet. Zombies had only pain and anger, but how exciting and happy was human life!
Im not a zombie Samedi. Im human Ssamdi.
The desert rumbled with a loud shout. Ssamdi~ Ssamdi~ Ssamdi~ The towering giant rock returned the echoes. [Ahh] C Samedi, who was trying to be possessed, was pushed away.
Arghh, what kind of shriveled bastard turned that guy into a human!
Kamuge, who cast a spell, was in a bad mood. It was crazy to see the magic that seemed to work every time.
The vulgar shaman baboon dares to curse his master!
[Pat] C Angry Ssamdi kicked the ground and ran. [Whiz] C The bubble wrap split the air.
[Creak] C The object moved faintly. [Bang] C His hairy arms, as thick as an adults torso, blocked the bubble wrap. The blade cut into half of her forearm, but Leela didnt budge. [Bam] C Ssamdi, who was kicked in the stomach by an island-like kick, flew away like a bale of straw that had been threshed. Leela stood by Kamuges side as if nothing had happened.
Dirty shaman asshole, Ill kill you!
Ssamdi woke up.
Gori, grab him!
[Pat]- A three-meter-tall, muscular monster rushed like a tank.
Lets see the end!
Ssamdi also ran likewise. [Boing] C The bubble wrap, which had fallen on the top of the head, bounced off. Two-character-long fingernails flew past the bubble wrap with ease. [Bang- bang]- [Boing- boing]- The rocks and the ground suffered again.
In terms of strength and regenerative power, Gori was superior, and in speed and combat skills, Ssamdi, who had mastered the golden ball, was superior. Two monsters have been fighting for 5 days without resting, but they were still energetic.
Heh heh, it will be over soon!
Kamuge smiled badly. Samedi started pouring in. Rousseloufe regenerates instantly unless destroyed in a single blow, but zombies have no regeneration ability. Samedi, who had a solid regenerative capacity, was a unique being.
Samedi was more coveted than Novatopia. No, if Samedi would be in their hands, Novatopia was easy to get. With Novatopia as a stepping stone, it was possible to build the world of Damballah and become the king of the world. Just thinking about it was making him feel bad. The mennang trembled.
[What??]
Kamuge, who had lost his excitement, asked bluntly.
Ennedi Plateau Eagle Fortress. Rppells habitat.
Eagle Fortress Watchtower
Inside Bachilkile Valley
Chapter 677 - Chapter 63 Episode 13 Asura
[Master., this is Kigoma.]
[Whats going on?]
Kamuges voice has increased. An ominous premonition was expressed in annoyance.
[There is something important, Sir. Mahaduraka has embodied.]
[You bastard, dont cut your hair, report it properly. Dont you know even the reporting principles?]
Kamuge was in a bad mood. This guy was loyal, but his turgidity was extreme. The last time he was excited because Samedi was Bodoon, suddenly Mahaduraka what again.
[Mahaduraka appeared with Bodoon, no, Ouma, a hundred times more frightening than Bodoon. Rppells were annihilated. No, they disappeared without a chance to me use my hands. Uhhh~]
Ugh! Did you say Rppells were completely destroyed?
Kamuge felt dizzy. Momentarily, telepathy broke. His eyes turned toward Gori and Leela. Apadombes nightmare has come back. No one but him has beaten Ouma and hundreds of berserkers, raised with blood and sweat, like flies, who have turned Rousseloufes egg into a less-than-believable creature, who ruined his lifes mission, who can take control of the Rppells flying 10,000 meters high.
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Oh!
Kamuge inspired magic on mennang. Kigomas insufficient magic power could not maintain telepathy for long. He had to hurry.
[Is Ouma dead either?]
[I took him alive.]
[IS Bodoon a flying vehicle?]
[Yes~]
Kigomas thoughts faded.
[Tell General Bansiri and General Kikali to prepare for battle~]
Mennang stopped vibrating. That was a disconnection sound making ddu ddu ddu when it was used to call. In such a hurry, Kamuge could not hear the important fact that Garuda was flying at hypersonic speed.
Damn it, it looks like all the hard-trained Rppells are back in the wild.
Kamuge clenched his teeth. If Ouma Rppell disappeared, thousands of animals must have been controlled one by one. It was something insoluble. It would take at least 3 years if they wanted to make a new Ouma. They could use a few for reconnaissance for some time, but massive attacks were wrong.
Why did he capture Ouma?
Kamuge shook his head. What comes to mind right now was the pitiful heart of a guy who wanted to give back what he had received. If they remodeled Ouma Rppell, they could create a flock of Rppell. On the other hand, he might have intended on negotiating through Ouma.
Heh heh, this is the sea that this seat wants.
Kamuges lips corners twitched. It was not possible to take control of Ouma without knowing the magic of Damballahs vision. If they wanted to negotiate, it was fine either. After all, he was holding the knife handle himself.
******
The time has come for this guy to contact me
Black Mamba looked at Oumas eyeballs and muttered. In the Ituri Jungle, he had an experience of communicating with Kamuge through Oumas eyes. The reason he couldnt see the fleeing shaman was truly the location of Kamuge, to be precise, it was for identifying Ssamdis location.
His spatial perception was limited to 4 km, and Garudas scouts were not all-round. When the force field was applied, the MF could not be detected. Garudas beam cannon would not discriminate against enemies. There was a risk that Ssamdi would have been melted away if Bachilkile was violently attacked. As expected Oumas eyes were suddenly turned inside out.
[Chicken, track the interference wave.]
[I got it.]
Pesticide spreaders must have pest detectors. [Biiing] C The horns on Garudas head were elongated and turned into an antenna 300m high.
[It was you, as expected. Petro!]
A thought filled with anger shook his head.
You are glad to meet, right?
[beating to death bastard! What kind of grudge do you have to harass me like a tick?]
You, speak straight. This time, youll follow me.
[What? If so, youre Dubaiburupa!]
As a shaman, you have a good head. Thats right. You touched my country.
[Heh heh, your ability is enough to be a king. But what will you do. I also touched your subordinates. Oh, besides your leg is broken now. Poor Samedi, he met the wrong owner and was ruined. Dont worry, Samedi, the benevolent new owner will fix it!]
Well!
The Black Mamba was stunned. The situation was worse than expected. The day he met Ssamdi was Saturday, so he named him Ssamdi, but it turned out that Ssamdi(Samedi) was the Voodoo God of death. It was a strange match.
Kamuge, you must know my personality. If you touch Ssamdi, Ill put a heated stone in your mouth and punish you with the law of the desert.
Black Mamba growled like a lion who lost his cub.
[Heh heh, I suppose its not a big deal to shout out. Lets negotiate. If you dont touch me, I wont touch either. If you give Ouma back and dont care about my plans, I wont touch Novatopia. Honestly, I dont want to have a grudge against someone like you.. If you promise, Ill give Samedi back as well.]
Garuda raised a foot bigger than the soccer goal and shook it gently. It was the sign that meant that the location was identified. Black Mamba almost laughed. The thing that a terrible guy did was very pet.
Shut up, bastard! I dont make promises with the beast. If you bring Ssamdi and pray for forgiveness, Ill spare your life.
[It was unexpected that he valued a lot of subordinates. Then Ill throw it away as a meal for my lovely cub. Abominable bastard, you must have done some tricks to pinpoint my location, but it wont be easy. If you lose a subordinate you care about, youll understand my feelings. Then find hard.]
His thoughts were shattered. [Shriek- shriek] C Ouma, who became out of control, struggled.
[I really dont want to hear. Shall I eat?]
Garuda has lost his appetite. This guy looked like he had a taste passably.
[No, no! Its useful.]
The communicator role was over, but Margo was in Novatopia. If they controlled Ouma, they could use Rppells that inhabit Ennedi. When Edel was bored, they could take him and go out hunting.
[Did you find it?]
[Of course. It is 145 km away.]
Fucking bastard, thats why he was relaxed. Lets go!
Black Mamba put his earplugs on and covered his full-face helmet. [Swoosh] C Garuda accelerated. [Boom] C In 3 seconds, the sonic boom burst. [Kiiing] C The fusion reactor has started. Mach 2~ Mach 3~ Mach 4~ Mach 5~ Garuda accelerated excitedly. The special suit made of Bossaurus tendon crackled and bounced off flames.
[Damn it, stop speeding up!]
Black Mamba patted his head with his palm. Mach 5 was the limit. It could not withstand the heat of friction.
[Ah, this is just the beginning.]
[Kiiing] C Garuda slowed down. A barren land appeared endlessly with only weathered red-brown rocks and pebbles beneath her feet. The eastern border of the Ennedi Plateau was Hamada Reg. Garuda ran 145 km in 1 minute and 50 seconds.
[I found it. But I feel a familiar aura.]
[You, youve never seen Ssamdi. Descent!]
Black Mamba, who was searching the ground through the coffin, flinched.
Huh! It was in a hurry.
Ssamdi was down in the middle of the mess, the huge beast was splitting his back with nails. [Shiaak] C Garuda descended. Even the Black Mamba of the world was bleeding and feeling sick. Huge shadows covered the ground. [Rustle] C A fierce downwind caused stones to splatter and a sandstorm.
Ugh, what is it?
Kamuge, frightened, got up and looked up at the sky.
Ugh! That, that~
Kamuge couldnt speak and opened his mouth widely. Even he, who reproduced the ancient crocodile Sarcosuchus, could not help but be amazed at the overwhelming majesty and size. [Howl] C A heavy howl echoed through Hamada Reg.
[Roar] C Gori, who was dismantling Ssamdi, screamed in terrified fear and ran away to get his tail to fall out. Leela hid on Kamuges back and shivered. Their abilities are incomparable, but Hata was designed to fear Heca.
[Pitter patter] C Garuda, which fell at the speed of a comb, slammed Gori down like a hawk attacking a mouse. [Hwack] C Huge claws that were ten times larger even than a large Pureka grabbed Gori. [Clap clap] C A deep blue lighting flashed. Even if it was misbehavior, Hata was Hata. Ultra-high voltage current hit the powder.
Garuda didnt even budge. Gori was discharged to die, but the high-voltage current disappeared as if water seeped into dry cotton. [Grinding] C The sound of cracking bones was terrifying. [Whoa] C Gori let out a desperate scream.
That, how can do! Leela, save Gori.
Kamuge yelled out. [Whoa] C Leela did not listen to the order. In order not to catch Garudas attention, she shrugged her gigantic figure.
Ha ha ha, its a defective product!
Black Mamba jumped off. Kamuges eyes ripped open. Something happened that he couldnt even imagine. The Eagle Fortress and Hamada Legs take five or six hours to run non-stop, alternating on powerful camels.
Vehicles? It was absurd. It was difficult to navigate the rugged plateau, and it would take more time to sail than a camel if you bypass it. No matter how fast the flying beast Ouma would fly, he couldnt get to the village.
Petro! How did you do that?
Kamuge cried out.
Did you surprised? Didnt I say you would regret it?
Black Mamba laughed. It was the mistake of the guy who identified Garuda as a simple Ouma.
[Roaring] C Garuda, holding Gori, cried long. Two legs reminiscent of a giant Limbali tree, a dark red body reaching 60m in length, eyes flashing with fire, horns deep blue flashing, and rogue Rousseloufe Gori and Leela were shabby commandings.
Ugh! It wasnt Ouma, it was Rousseloufe.
Kamuge looked at Garuda. If Rousseloufe was a dragon, Ouma was nothing but a loach. It was Rousseloufe, the guardian deity of the legendary Kingdom of Dahomey. Rousseloufe, who has devoted his life to try waking up, appeared in front of his eyes. It was a crazy and mad thing.
Petro, you have incarnated an evil spirit that will surely destroy the world. You opened the hell gate. Billions of humans will die cursing you.
Kamuge yelled out.
You are funny. You remind me of who is the talking pathetic sight. Now Im looking, the negative comments, the absurd rumors, and the self-centered angle argument were all because of you. Hey, the world is hell originally. Did you make zombies and Ouma to make the world a paradise, and you make a defective product like that?
Black Mamba chuckled and pointed to Gori and Leela, which had been crushed by Garudas claws.
Damn it! Damballah Ooti Amoule~ Guk!
Kamuge, who was memorizing the spell, rolled his eyes. It was Black Mambas favorite bagging.
Ah! Ah!
Kamuge, whose mouth and nose were blocked, struggled.
Dont think of making fun of the spout. Lets settle the debt between us in a moment.
Kamuge, who took off the bag, gasped unconsciously. Black Mamba glanced at Kamuge and hugged Ssamdi. He wanted to put the garbage away immediately, but Ssamdi was in a hurry and had to get information.
Iggy Macko! Huh, it was broken a lot.
All of the shaft bones and limb bones were broken and internal organs were flowing out. His neck was also barely attached and dangling. If he were a human, he would die ten times, but Ssamdis body was a super zombie plus predator. He wouldnt die unless his neck was cut off and his heart was pulled out.
Brother!
Ssamdi, who truly was hurt, couldnt speak and cried. Black Mamba was sad.
Since hes in a hurry, he calls me brother. You, cover Equus. Who has anything that would discourage.
Heh heh heh! The timing is killing! Even if I was a few seconds late, I almost became a ghost.
Ssamdi smiled and moved his broken arm to cover Equus secretly.
Judging by you are talking nonsense, you are not going to die. Lets try to fix it.
Black Mamba raised his arms. [Duung] C Spatial perception has been activated. Inside of his body was a battleground. During the fierce division of the cell, the toxic substance destroyed the cell membrane quickly. So that the worlds Ssamdi had no choice but to lose. [Pitter patter] C The suction wave pulled out toxic substances. Smoke billowed from his palms. It was a strongly acidic substance.
As the toxic substances that destroyed the cells escaped, the dead somatic cells broke away and rapidly filled their place with new cells.
I do all kinds of laundry.
Black Mamba washed away the pollution with the resonance wave and pushed the protruding organs. The broken and mashed bones were roughly seated. [Rumbling] C The bones made the sound of bouncing beans and were attached to themselves.
One of the regenerative power was awesome. Should I say Im envious?
Black Mamba gave a tired expression. It was an incredible regenerative power that he couldnt even reach his toes.
******
[Oh, my god, there was one more. What a windfall!]
Garuda entertained himself. [Pit] C A pest-gathering net wrapped around Lila. [Whoa] C Lila couldnt even use her strength and was dragged away like a crucian caught in fishing.
[What are you going to do with that?]
[This is a defective product Hata.]
Hata? So it was. It was said that rivers gather into the sea. Heh heh heh!
Black Mamba giggled. Hata was the shell of Heca. Heca, who spent 150 million years in an egg state, absorbed an intact Hata and was reborn as Garuda.
[You ate Hata in Korea, you remember?]
[It is a multi-faceted line.]
[But thats bad food]
[Even humans like bad food when they are grown up.]
Quantum artificial Intelligence didnt say even a word.
Huh, who would know that you unravel Rousseloufes secret.
Kamuge lamented. The final weapon that easily defeated Gori and Leela was originally him.
What secret, Ange Sikager woke up by itself.
Black Mamba roared.
I am the Prophet Kamuge Macandall. Its not over yet. Lets see!
[Sususu] C Kamuge became blurred. It was a space movement introduced in Ituri Jungle.
You have to run to fly. Did you think youd miss it again!
If you let the guy who wants to see you alone, you are not invincible. [Guung] C The resonant wave stamped the space and pressed it. Black Mamba tapped his index finger. [Pat]- Fresh blood splattered in the thin air.
Aww!
Kamuge fell with a thud. Blood gushed out from his punctured right chest.
Im Gori. I am sorry Kamuge that I couldnt protect you, damn it! Heh heh heh
Chapter 678 - Chapter 63 Episode 14 Asura
Hey, even the blood of a villain is red.
Black Mamba intentionally was surprised. Kamuge clenched his teeth and memorized the spell.
Dambala Uddi Amule Amule Wica Tuab!
The blood that was pouring out stopped suddenly.
Huh, thats amazing. How good it is to work in a society without borders with that good talent.
The wind was a compression type of resonant wave. Since hydrogen was separated from the water molecules that form living tissues, there was no room for coagulation factors such as thrombin and fibrin to act. It was normal for blood to pour endlessly, like a hemophilia patient, out of a neatly drilled hole.
Damballah is great. Im not the one to fall for the devils tricks.
Kamuges eyes lit up with original text.
Uh huh, is it! The shaman is a scarecrow if he stops just his snout.
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The Black Mamba picked up fist-sized gravels. [Uung] C The ultra-vibration heated gravel to the ground.
Didnt you say that you put hot gravels in your mouth and treat it according to the laws of the desert? I keep my promise tightly.
Oh no, party power Ruhe Le and Nyorita~off!
Kamuge, who was caught by the neck, screamed. [Crack] C The heated gravels smashed his teeth and locked him in. [Chiiii] C Saltas meat odor spread.
Turn it off~ Curse~
Even as Kamuge breathe his last, his ferocious eyes flashed.
Hehehe, the name is Houngan. Is it the order to enforce the law of the desert as promised?
Rousseloufes evil eyes and Apadombes gruesome scene passed by. Thousands of human ashes, the guy who throws humans alive as food for Ouma, the guy who used the uterus of an innocent woman as a container for the maturation of Rousseloufe, this man was not human, he was not human now, and there was no possibility of being human in the future.
Damned bastard, you dont have to keep that promise.
Kamuge shook his head fiercely, with a runny nose of tears, Black Mambas eyes were cold.
A beast that refuses to be a human brood does not deserve humane treatment.
He dislocated his shoulder joint and hip joint and threw it away. Mu Ssang was really weak, but Black Mamba was a ruthless creature.
Wakil, what the hell is that monster?
Ssamdi carried the bubble wrap on his shoulder and walked in a big stride. It would take time to find a normal body, but there was no impediment to movement.
I came and picked it up.
Black Mamba answered uninterestedly.
Did you say you picked it up?
Incredible Ssamdi asked a different question than usual.
Do you remember Ange Sikager?
Yes, you mean deep blue stone, right?
Ange Sikager sure is Garura.
Huh, do you say that the stone turned into a monster?
Surprised Ssamdi shouted. [Kururu] C Garura glared at Simon D with unpretentious eyes.
Hush, Garura understands human language. Call it chicken.
Huh! Chicken?
Ssamdi flinched. Dino understands human language as well. He was not surprised that they understand the words, but he was shocked by the name chicken. He tilted his head fully and looked up at Garura. The figure grasping Gori and Leela with one leg and standing still was the same as the legendary Garura.
Did you say that guy is chicken? Chicken was a small bird that Jin Soon removed hairs and put in a cast iron pot, put a handful of garlic, a handful of jujubes, a handful of green onions, and a handful of unnamed twigs, and boiled them thoroughly. If this guy was a chicken, then the real chicken was a mayfly.
Ssamdis imagination was poor to connect a small hill-sized monster with a chicken. Did you say whole chicken soup? The soft flesh, the white broth, and the glutinous rice glimmered in front of their eyes. His saliva was dripping with gurgling. After all, he had starved for five days.
Wakil, how about a gorilla barbecue?
Samdi has lost his appetite.
Those are bad foods. Take the shaman and walk away. Chicken is likely to awaken.
Garura easily held Gori and Leela who were he grasped and put them between the horns. Ssamdi put aside all his doubts and dragged Kamuge out of the authority. If the owner would do, then that was it.
[Uwhoa whoa] C Leela, who had a hunch about fate, wept sadly. Gori fully grimaced and raised the middle finger upright. Only Gori himself would know whether the target of . was predator Garura, or the shaman who couldnt protect, or ruining normal arousal Black Mamba.
[Zuzuzu] C The station master surrounded Gori and Leela and turned around. [Aaaaa] C The death cry scratched the eardrums. The rogue Rousseloufe melted like ice cream. [Biiing] C The microlattice tissue caused magnetic field excitation. The rock was cut like a planer and the sand was blown away.
So you started!
The liquid that was Gori and Leela permeated into Garuras outer skin like vapor deposition. [Woong woong] C Colorful lights whirled and lightning flashed. [Howling] C A loud howling exploded so that Black Mamba covered his ears. [Puang] C Sand and gravels were swept away at one time.
[Dung] C In a place where elegant (?) Garura has disappeared a black giant 100m long, 60m high, with a metallic luster appeared. It grew about five times its size, and its feathers changed to a metallic shell.
Is it a mirage? Do I have to believe this?
Strong-hearted Ssamdi also opened his eyes wide and opened his mouth. Its original form was also brutal, but the giant body with thunder and red eyes that spit fire was terrifying. After the owner, the black person, and the big brother, the existence of irresistible increased one more.
Purple chicken has transformed into a silky fowl!
Black Mamba calmly criticized.
Is that monster a silky fowl?
Ssamdi looked at the owner with wide eyes as if it was ridiculous. Even after seeing great scenes and great things (?), as much as he was saying over and over silky fowl! Ssamdi shook his head nervously. The owner was a real monster truly.
Hakiki!(King of Bodoon!)
Kamuge looked up blankly at Garura. Hakiki was an ancient Atlantic word that means something that kills and eats Bodoon. Kamuge was the great shaman who was following the Kingdom of Dahomeys descendant Houngans legacy. Snakes, spiders, and crocodiles that held each Yoruba people, Pong people, and Ebe people of the Kingdom of Dahomey as an angel were True Bodoon, Rousseloufe (embodied angel).
The Great Master Odam prophesied.
[The king of Rousseloufe, Hakiki, is buried deep underground where lava is boiling. If Mahaduraka(Asura)was alive, Hakiki would wake up. If we do not stop the manifestation of Mahaduraka, the spirit that rules the world will disappear, and the legacy of the great Voodoo will be cut off.]
Kamuge was out of power all over his body. Not only Rousseloufe but also all spirits and Ouma in the world were the prey of Hakiki. Even Rousseloufe, whom he had sacrificed everything to get was nothing more than prey to Hakiki.
Its over!
Kigoma was right. He was not a bad guy, Petro, but he was an irresistible Mahaduraka. Bansiri, who ran with Kikali was nothing more than a mayfly. As long as Destroyer Mahaduraka and Hakiki manifested they must have struggled to become a typhoon in a teacup. It was nothing but a poor writhing.
The basis of magical powers was will. When the Voodoo Shaman lost his will, vessels of the soul would break and the spirit would leave. [Puss] C Unbelievable for his age, his skin, which had a smooth flow of luster, changed like the bark of an old tree. The gun-shimmering eyes turned dull gray and the black hair turned white. His stiff back was bent and stooped.
Hey, whats wrong with him?
Black Mambas eyes got bigger.
Its a kind of magic, isnt it?
Ssamdi, who suffered from Kamuges magic for five days, did not dispel his suspicions.
Is there a self-harming magic, too?
Is the law of the desert a little terrible? You want to live surely even if be ruined, rather than being eaten alive by the bald-head eagle.
No. Human life is a series of perseverance and patience Perseverance is the self that withdraws and bears, patience is the self that wants a better world. Together, these are called endurance. Endurance presupposes hope. When hope disappears, the meaning of life disappears. The one, who has lost hope and meaning of life, is truly a zombie.
Its terrible.
Ssamdi trembled. Yes. Zombies were not zombies otherwise. Zombies were beings that only would live, with no meaning or hope. That was straight his appearance in the past.
The present is the result of the past. You should call it your own karma.
Shall we enforce the law?
Kamuge has already received a punishment scarier than death. Can you simply give me the pain to torment me? Garura, return to nature.
A flash of light flashed. [Paaaah] C Kamuges body evaporated after being hit by a beam cannon. Not a single ash was left on the floor, which had turned into a glassy one at high heat. Houngan Kamuge, who dreamed of a voodoo world and terrorized eastern Africa, ended in vain.
Various elements making up Kamuge oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, iron, sodium, nitrogen, and calcium have returned to nature. The scattered elements combined into another inorganic and organic matter. Some would be born into life, some would float as matter, and some would be energized. There was nothing mine in this world. It was just staying for a while. So true life is not a shape that is a combination of matter, but a memory.
Huh, is it a midsummer nights dream?
Ssamdi scratched his head.
******
Its difficult!
The black Mamba looked up at the towering head from distance. It grew too big. Even if one cast fearless steps to polar, cant jump 80m. Climbing Amy Rope on foot was also out of shape.
[Dude, head frog!]
[Heh heh heh! Short legs.]
[Pat] C His head touched the ground.
Spoiled guy!
Black Mamba grumbled and jumped up. The moment he sat between the horns, which were reserved seats, his body was sucked in.
Huh!
Scared Black Mamba spat out his bodyguard. The concept of space disappeared. There was no space, even though there was no problem in sitting and standing, arms outstretched, and legs stretched out.
Huh, can it be!
Although there were no special devices, the outside was clearly visible. It was not the front either, but the front, left, right, up and down, all at a glance. Suddenly, his field of vision widened several dozen times, and he felt dizzy.
[Chicken, what is this?]
[Its a four-dimensional world. With human expression it is a space that is absent while it is present and it is present while it is absent.]
Good. There will be no freezing or barbeque.
Black Mamba thought comfortably. He got a hypersonic mount of Mach 20, so he had the luck of the devil. Beings living in the 3D world had to roll their heads to understand the 4th dimension, and only their minds would become violent.
[Is the voice transmitted to the outside?]
[Four-dimensional space is the space of will.]
Ssamdi, Im going to Novatopia.
Wakil, where is he?
He is inside. Lets go!
Ssamdi jumped up. [Pat] C Metallic outer shell greeted. Ssamdi looked around. There was no door to go inside.
Wakil, there is no door.
Ask the chicken.
Chicken, open the door!
Ssamdi shouted.
[Its a one-seater!]
Children would resemble their mothers. Small-minded Garura didnt forget what Ssamdi said that deep blue stone became a monster. Garura activated the anti-gravity device. [Shuaak] C Garura, who had the owner inside, speeded up without hesitation.
Aaah!
Scared Ssamdi grabbed its horn and hung it up to die.
[Heh, he might bear to Mach 10.]
Garura was not without sympathy either. He could accelerate to Mach 50, but he understood the situation.
******
Keep altitude 4,000!
Mach10 was the speed beyond imagination. In an instant, Garura, on the border of Novatopia, lowered the altitude. He could see the lush trees, the road stretching all over the place, and the well-manicured green fields. Could he imagine a barren desert with endless sand and gravel just 5 years ago!
In the distance, the blue Lake Yoa came into sight. [I envy your mother] The handwriting Edel conveyed her heart became more blue and clear.
Im sorry!
It made feel sad. After a hot night at Yoa House, he couldnt find Novatopia. Ethel wasnt even the type to be violent, but she was quietly tight. The Black Mamba of Heaven was just a Korean man who was afraid of his wife.
Unlike idle Black Mamba, it was a mess on the ground. A huge aircraft that could not even be detected by radar suddenly appeared over the metropolitan area. The Capital Defense Forces Peshmer Brigade, which was preparing for the Rppell invasion, immediately started an anti-aircraft fire.
Ahh! Wakil, those are anti-aircraft guns.
Ssamdi made a fuss.
Hmm, youre quick to respond. Training went well.
Black Mamba, who had been immersed in thought, opened his eyes. On the ground, black flashes flashed countless times. It was a natural reaction. It was abnormal to not react when a bizarre aircraft that was not receiving communication entered the airspace. To see the anti-aircraft defense capability, the stealth function was killed and it flew 4,000 meters above the ground.
Missile missile!
Ssamdi was restless. If they survived overwhelming with shards and tyranny, they were not zombies, but tardigrados.
[A big guy makes a fuss like a human woman! Will it disappear?]
[Just hit the shield. Ssamdi will die.]
[Bzzt] C A strong magnetic field covered the fuselage. [Bang- bang- bang] C [Pow pow pow] C Large and small shells frantically pounded the shield frantically. [Shuak] C Dozens of exceptionally bright flashes accelerated.
It is Mistral. So Bonipas used his impressive power. Aww, even Crotal!
Black Mamba admired everything. Mistral was a portable missile employing a solid two-stage rocket. It was the latest version that has not yet been deployed to the French Army. The Crotal was also a new medium-range missile with a warhead weight of 14 kg.
[Whoosh] C [Bang-bang] C Dozens of missiles and 88mm anti-aircraft guns rushed in like a swarm of bees, hitting the shield, but Garura glided effortlessly without moving. The anti-aircraft batteries on the ground were crazy.
Mistral surface-to-air missile
Crotal surface-to-air missile
Chapter 679 - Chapter 63 Episode 15 Asura
The 12.7mm quadruplex machine guns and Vulcan cannons cannot reach beyond an altitude of 4,000 meters. The main weaponry, 88mm anti-air cannons, Mistrals, and Crotales are expensive. With the cost of one German 88mm shell, they could plant 100 jatrophas along the border. With the cost of one Crotale, they could feed 100 families waiting for entry for a year. The precious money was being shed in the air.
Shoot correctly!
They are targeting the Royal Palace. Make it rain!
Are you blind? Aim for their heads!
The shouts were in Korean and French. The heads of squads yelled frantically and barrels glowed red but the airship continued to sail toward the palace.
Looking up from the ground, Garuda was inevitably an airship. The form was a bit odd but the plump body was supported by wings that were too wide and a streamlined, smooth shape. With its slow flying speed, it was easy to mistake it for an airship.
What kind of blimp is that strong? Are blimps made of diamond these days?
Ahmad, scanning the battlefield with his binoculars, felt uneasy. The heavy body moving at low speed sustained all of their projectiles. And it didnt flinch after getting hit by hundreds of projectiles. The 88 anti-aircraft guns, let alone missiles, could penetrate 250mm armor. One of them should have been enough to take out an airship.
How many hit you?
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[Small ones, 352. Big ones, 15.]
Ahmad! You should know how much one Crotale costs.
Mu Ssang grumbled, thinking of all the money wasted.
Is it really your home? Why are they shooting at me?
They are shooting to celebrate.
Mu Ssang lied hurriedly.
Twelve dragonflies have taken off 45 kilometers into Area 215.
Look at them. They waste oil now that it is free.
Mu Ssang felt bitter, petty as he was.
Garuda, notify the ground that I am here.
I see.
Garudas body, being primarily a pesticide sprayer, was a veritable chemical factory. It could procure all the necessary substances and produce all kinds of chemicals it needed. The air dozens of kilometers around stirred. It sucked in vapor, argon, aerosol, helium, and cadmium silicate in the atmosphere. Then it mixed up substances and glue it needed in dozens of seconds.
A 300mm nozzle poked out of its tail. A massive amount of orange cloud gushed out. From another nozzle came gushing out dicarbon dioxide which set the orange cloud in place. On a backdrop of a blue sky, a 2,500-meter wide, 500-meter tall orange banner written in Korean appeared.
Oh my, what did it just do?
That bird brain!
Mu Ssang and Ssamdi were at a loss for words. It literally said I am here to announce Mu Ssangs arrival.
Whats the matter? I applied a fluorescent substance to the text. It is set in place by dicarbon dioxide. It will be visible day and night for a hundred years or more.
The quantum artificial intelligence stated nonchalantly. Thus, Novatopia saw the birth of an art form called midair installation art.
The gunfire ceased at once. The people on the ground gazed fixedly at the brilliant orange banner fixed in the sky. They seemed to understand what the message implied.
Hes here!
Someone yelled. Ahmad slapped his forehead. It was so. Only Mu Ssang could summon miracles and exact supernatural events. Only then he realized that the flying object never showed them any aggression.
Mu Ssang is here!
Ahmad shouted.
Whoa!
Our king is here!
The Peshmerga entered a state of trance. They threw their helmets up in the air, shot blanks, hugged each other, and cried.
I did well, didnt I?
You did. Maintain the course and lower the altitude.
Mu Ssang smacked his lips. Garudas message achieved the effect he wanted. He had nothing to say to that.
A great bird!
Our king is here!
When Garuda lowered its altitude, an explosive roar was heard. Ahmad snapped out of his awe and yelled into his walkie-talkie that Mu Ssang is here.
* * *
Garuda activated its anti-gravity measure and landed softly in the Garden of Water like a feather. The landing didnt require any standard procedures like checking altitude, checking side wind, reducing engine output, closing the throttle, partial application of the flaps, and full application of the flaps. It didnt need to open the canopy. When Mu Ssang thought he should exit the creature, he was already standing on its head.
Hide yourself, Garuda!
The vast body disappeared without a trace.
Whoa!
He had expected it. With the common sense of the 20th century, the technological concept of the Concretus couldnt be understood.
They ruined the garden!
Mu Ssang looked around and remarked. The Yoa Palace was close to a park rather than a palace. Heavy machinery and laborers were doing maintenance work on the site like ants but the garden still bore the scars made by the recent bombings.
One, two, three
If it were not you and I, who will protect this land?
The Royal Guards ran to them, receiving the transmission from Ahmad.
He did it again!
Mu Ssang slapped his forehead. The marching song must be Sun Woo-hyuns work.
Ah!
The head of the squad spotted Mu Ssang and made a face like that of a lost child reuniting with their mother.
You are still here, Aishe!
The heavy baritone voice echoed in the garden.
Mu Ssang!
When will you get married?
I dont see any husband material yet!
Aishe smiled with teary eyes.
You are here, Mu Ssang!
Ombuti knelt. At last, Edel would not be throwing tantrums hysterically. He wanted to hurrah. Now he was free from pandering to her at last.
Long live Mu Ssang!
The Royal Guards knelt at once.
You did well. There is no time. Hold a conference right this moment.
Aye, sir.
Our king is here!
Someone shouted.
Whoa!
Our king is here!
A roar swept across the Royal Palace. Mu Ssang was present but never ruled. He was an object of adoration and a representation of Novatopian life. Soldiers, laborers, and palace personnel let go of their work and gathered like a swarm of bees. In a few moments, thousands gathered around Mu Ssang.
Haha, this is embarrassing.
Mu Ssang looked at Ombuti with a perplexed expression on his face.
Wakil, you need to make a speech.
Ombuti grinned with his wrinkled face.
Dear citizens, your blood and sweat built Novatopia. This sacred land was tended to by our blood and sweat. Filthy forces invaded this land where we and our children will live on for generations. Families and children were injured and died. I came to rid this land of the band of thugs.
Whoa!
Mu Ssang is with us!
Let us go drive away the thugs!
Mu Ssang raised a hand. The shouts stopped.
For a nation to function, everyone must do their given work. Farmers must till the land. Carpenters must carve wood. Warfare is the work of me and the Seven Hammers. You shall focus on your jobs unwaveringly.
Thus said Mu Ssang!
A roar shook the garden of the Royal Palace.
There was an echoing howl.
Lady Edel is here!
The crowd split at once. Edel, wearing a surgical gown, ran to Mu Ssang in big strides. Dino followed suit.
Mu Ssang!
Mu Ssang grinned with his arms wide open. Edels frail frame jumped into his embrace. She smelled of blood instead of perfume but she was still lovely.
Im sorry Im late.
When he embraced Edel, the first thing he remembered was the terrible flavor of the extremely spicy chowder. Eating is an activity shared by the entire animal kingdom. Maybe he was reluctant to leave Eungsimje because he got accustomed to Jin-soons cuisine.
The peripheral nerves registering flavors were located on the tongue, in the mucosal tissue of the mouth, and in the nose but ultimately, the brain is responsible for processing all the stimuli. A flavor of a dish is an inherently subjective sensation influenced by ones environment, culture, and values. Even though the dishes she made tasted horrible, he still loved her because of her kindness. A man could tolerate horrible food but never unkindness.
Long live Lady Edel!
The crown roared.
I am here, Prince!
I am here, Princess!
He is here!
When they hugged each other, the crowd cheered.
Let us go inside fast.
Embarrassed, Mu Ssang told Ombuti hurriedly. Thus, unlike the original meaning in Korea, the phrase I am here began to mean the savior is here in Novatopia. He is here began to mean the solution is here. The same phrase can mean different things depending on the context and location where it is uttered.
* * *
The Rwenzori Mountains were 2,600 kilometers away from Novatopia. The Orangniki Valley was located here, deep inside the most remote wilderness on Earth.
Whoa!
Lamartin dropped his spoonful of sherbet. Matilda, serving him in a pair of hot pants, raised her hand. The spoon rose midair before hitting the table. The small incident was concluded without anyones clothes getting dirty, but Lamartin still looked sullen.
Did you feel it too, Nialatep?
I did!
The figure whose hair and beard were silver but skin was taut and smooth like a 30-year-olds, nodded.
It must be Baphomet, right?
If it is not ancient, it cannot emit hyper-energy neutrinos. There are no recent supernova explosions.
Nialatep said curtly.
Do you have any guesses?
Its not Mambasa. If it is that close by, I would know. Its at least 2,000 kilometers away.
We need the help of the CIA to search for it. Matilda, contact the executor.
Matilda set up the antenna on the table, entered the passcode, made a satellite call, and turned on the speaker phone.
Are you well, dear Grandmaster?
The breaking-up, machine sound characteristic of coded satellite communication, echoed in the room.
Davis, we sensed the appearance of Baphomet.
Where?
Its too far for us to locate it accurately.
I see. We will allocate 30 percent of the NSA resources to tracking Baphomet and 20 percent of the CIA Special Ops agents too.
I understand that is almost all the resources you can muster. Investigate Almia Alvarado in the Sahara separately. Adam will handle it on his own. The desert could not turn into green pasture in such a short amount of time. Unusual circumstances surround an unusual event.
Got it. We restored the photo the researcher who excavated Oparts had. The figure in the photo is suspected to be Korean. We asked the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ANS for help. We also asked the Japanese national police. It is something trivial but since it is related to Oparts, I thought Id inform you on it.
A Korean?
Matildas eyes glinted.
Do you have any guesses?
Nialatep asked.
Sorry for interfering. It may be wrong but the supercomputer analyzed the skeletal anatomy of Abaddon and deduced it matched the Korean phenotype with 70 percent probability. There was a report that the King of Novatopia is likely Korean too. It may be relevant.
Matilda said cautiously. The two grandmasters were godlike beings. She wanted to punish herself for budging in their conversation.
He is quite a troubling figure. He may cause more hassle for us. Let Adam investigate anything related to Korea and you, Matilda, should investigate Almia Alvarado.
Yes, Grandmaster.
Matilda bowed politely.
Davis, did you deploy Predators in Mambasa?
They will be on tomorrows flight.
Great. Dont consider too many variables. Remember that everything the United States of America does is just and righteous. Long live America!
God bless her!
Matilda wrapped up the satellite communicator. Lamartin clenched his fist.
Is this the beginning of a new era?
A new era has already begun. The Great Rift Valleys revealed inner flesh is trembling in pain.
Nialatep turned his gaze upon the scenery outside the window where a column of black smoke was rising.
The sherbet the chef made with the very methodology of the 17th century was all but melted sugary water now but no one paid any mind. If everything went smoothly, there would be no noise whatsoever. An event began with the smallest of causes in an unexpected location.
* * *
Have you been well, Minister?
The strong-looking woman who had been sitting at the conference table stood abruptly and then bowed.
Did you have fun, Mago?
Ive had so much fun. The land is full of energy. People are honest and diligent. Because they already believe in you, Korean folk religion cannot take root here but people still are very interested.
It must be so. If you beat up someone to exorcise them or put a pigs head on a rock at a tourist attraction, you will be sent to the windbreak forest. You have behaved well.
Thank you. You were right.
Mago grinned.
Are you happy?
Mu Ssang looked around at the conference attendees.
We are.
An ardent answer echoed in the conference room.
Chapter 680 - Chapter 63 Episode 16 Asura
Why are you happy?
Because I can be worrisome. If I die, even I cannot be worried. I am happy to be able to share my worries with my master. If die while protecting what I must protect, at least my death is not meaningless.
Aishe replied.
Because you, my master have given me hope. My struggle to live well has turned the desert into fertile soil, and my children are freed from oppression and threats. There is no loser in Novatopia who refuses to have children because they do not want to pass on poverty to their children.
Afwerki answered.
Yes. The opposite of happiness is not unhappiness but giving up. Because you have not given up, you created todays Novatopia and became a Nova Schwarze (noble) in power. When power is directed toward me, it becomes a bad odor, and when it is directed toward others, it becomes hope. If you are worried, our people will be relieved, if you die, our people will live, if you are awake, our people will sleep comfortably, and if you are happy, our people will be happier. That is Nova Schwarzes duty and right. You and I will die someday too. Even if you die when you die, you must live happily and die with dignity.
Tubai Burpa said. Lets live happily and die with dignity!
Humans infected with the Tubaiburpa virus shouted. His eyes, looking around the meeting attendees, stopped at the person at the end.
Vice Minister Sang Cheol, I know you have had a hard time. Havent you?
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A Korean who was sitting in the last seat jumped up. Lee Sang Cheol who is a lucky man who has settled in Novatopia by taking care of the grave of Mu Ssangs fathers tomb. Who would have known he became a high-ranking official in Novatopia from who had worked on an electronic component assembly line in Gumi Industrial Complex?
Its not hard. Every day is rewarding and enjoyable. Thank you for giving a glorious opportunity to a humble little boy. Thank you, Tubai-Burpa-Ester-Abek-Nou!
Youre welcome. Its all thanks to my relationship with you. Jamal!, I heard that you beat all of Ruppel?
Oh, it is not a big one, it is only 45 Ruppels were shot down.
Jamal laughed softly.
Ruppels have a high-flying altitude and a very fast speed. If you catch that much with a Barrett with a large rebound, you can be called a master of Barrett.
Jamals mouth was torn with a big smile because of his praise.
Mohammed, I heard that you had a hard time in Iturbi?
Im sorry. I have only bothered you, Master.
Mohammed waved his hand.
No. you showed the Schwarze spirit as a director. It was very helpful. Nezema, how many stages have you practiced for the Ogeumyeon- Nobeop (skills of making Korean masks)?
Yeah, my talent of the disciple was not excellent so, I finished it on the stage of Samsung.
You work hard. If its your level of skill, you are deserved to pass on the skill of Jeon-Lyun-Sib-Pal-Bag.
thank you. I will do my best until I die.
Sun Woohyun!
Yep!
Have you improved your skills?
Well That is
Sun Woohyuns face turned bad.
Its Engie. Engie (NG)!
someone whispered A giggle of laughter spread across the left, and Sun Woohyuns face turned into like a rotten pig liver. Sun Woohyun challenged Ahmad ten times trying to raise his rank but lost ten times. When Dino who Sun Woohyun had seen as the easiest one, took the challenge, Sun Woohyun exclaimed, This is not right! So, his nickname was NG.
Sun Woohyun, the desire to become a master is not greed, but the desire to become a master without effort is greed.
I will do my best.
Sun Woohyun answered with an unfriendly answer. Master praised others every time, but only pushed and scolded him.
Damn it!
Sam-D widened his eyes with angriness. Sun Woohyun quickly changed his expression to terrifying.
Where did Ibraham go?
We are controlling the Odham Allied Forces on the Ennedy border.
Hmm, Ibrahim is good at armored tactics. He has a lot of suffering at his old age.
Black Mamba took care of and congratulated the participants of the meeting, including Nova Schwarze. The gap in time disappeared and the atmosphere relaxed.
Wakil has become an old veteran. On the contrary, I think you really miss the days when you were a clumsy youngster.
Om-Buti smiled warmly.
Edel, dont overdo it. If my wife collapses, who will take care of the house, and who will warm my bed?
Heh, the closer Dino is warmer than before.
Ethel pursed her lips and cast her eyes.
Oh, so am I going to be a Ruppel egg that fell into Lake Yo-A? Is that so?
Im not going to lock the bedroom door because of my mother.
Ethel chuckled. A wide smile appeared on the faces of Nova Schwarze, including Om-Buti. When Tubai-Bur-Pa appeared, the female leopard turned into a cat in a short period of time.
Lets live well!
Black Mamba spoke out at the first.
Lets die with dignity!
Nova spoke out at the latter.
Okay, Mohammed! report the situation of the war.
The noisy crowd became quiet for a moment. Mohammed projected a map onto the screen.
The total number of Odham Allied Forces is estimated at 45,000 men. International terrorists and sympathizers gathered by the ANO leader in Bansiri, the Chad rebels gathered by the Prolinats leader in Kigali, and 10,000 shamans and VooDoo religious bodies gathered by Kamuge are the core forces. In addition to 30,000 refugees and criminals who have left their hometowns because it is difficult to live here, there are approximately 5,000 child soldiers around the age of 10 who were forcibly conscripted in Sahel and Darfur villages. There are a lot of anti-government soldiers and poor people in Sahel. They absorb them and continue to grow their power.
Shit him!
Black-Mamba muttered softly. The Novatopia immigration office is strict. Refugees and criminals who have left their hometown simply because it is difficult to make a living are not accepted. The Odham Allied Forces absorbed them and raided the village to increase their troops. This is a typical method for Prolinat to grow its power. Their dirty behavior hasnt changed at all.
Refugees are all over in Sahel, so Its kind of make sense the military force was grown. But there must be someone behind it because its in such a short time to grow their power, right?
Thats right. A pig Hussein is providing food, a butcher Assad and KGB are providing weapons. Sarin and VX sprayed on coffee plantations are also behind Assad and KGB. The amount of poison gas flowing into the Vachilkile Valley is enough to kill 50 million people. Bonifas-Nova is suspected of anthrax flowing.
Anthrax! Why did KGB intervene by taking risks?
They want to get the abundance of water. Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Niger, and Libya surrounding our country are all water-scarce countries. It seems to be a great trick to attract neighboring countries to allies using water as bait and to increase the voice of the UN.
Mohammeds explanation was convincing enough. A desert is a desert because there is no water. The reason that the Odham Allied Forces had not taken their power despite the abundant manpower is because of the lack of water.
The armed level of the Odham Allied Forces is The most dangerous weapons are tanks and infantry fighting vehicles(IFVs). They have recently significantly increased their armor strength. The Gazelle can take down the T55 and the BMP1, but the problem is surface-to-air missiles Ruppel is still a problem. If they drop bombs and poison gas bombs indiscriminately from high altitude, Magos magic defense will not work either. So~
Dont worry about Ruppel. Kamuge is dead.
Oh, Shit! He was it finally
You are the best, master. The biggest enemy is gone.
Shouts exploded out.
Sam-D, give him to MarGo.
Yep!
Sam-D came in with Oma that is dark red and bigger than Grizzly on his shoulder. The mighty power of Oma was trapped in a web as thin as a spiders web and could not move.
Oh, thats him!
Jamal was startled. This is Captain Ruppel that I have ultimately failed to sniper.
I captured this guy alive because I thought it would be useful, Margo!
Yes, sir!
This guy is Kamuges tamer. Will you be able to remove the shadow of Kamuge and take over the soul?
Margo placed his hand on Omas head and looked into his eyes. Kieek- Oma screamed. The red eyes that spit out flames were terrifying.
It is an evil some.
Mago stabbed Omas head with a Pangue without mercy. Kick Omas madness disappeared from his eyes. Oma secretly avoided Margots eyesight.
Its a great evil some. The girl can take control of a psyche, but she needs a tamer to communicate freely.
I have to bring a baby.
Black Mamba clicked her tongue.
Sir, I want to hang out with this guy. The girl said.
Margo was excited like a child who received a Lego block as a gift.
You can go away, Margo. Dino, help Margo.
Dino, who was constantly yawning in the seat next to Ethel, said he liked it, and bit Rupel and followed Margot.
Currently, Ibrahim-Nova is holding the Odham Allied Forces in check at the border of Ennedy. Local clashes between the 2nd Peshmer Army and Odhams Army became more frequent. The Mobile Force is ready to mobilize at all times, and the 1st Defense Force is~
Sir, this is an urgent report. It is said that an armored force led by Bansiri suddenly appeared 10 km ahead. In 15 minutes, we will collide with Peshmer. It seems that our allies have been broken by the shamans tricks.
reported by the Ombouti.
These guys slap me when I want to cry. When I couldnt use my asymmetrical power, they rushed out. If a simple terrorist group is a poisonous mushroom, they are malignant cancer cells that are a collection of Islamic extremism, vicious voodoo groups, and outrageous Prolinats. Cancer cells can spread from place to place if not removed immediately. This is a good opportunity to dispose of the rotten dates before they mix with the good ones.
That is a reasonable statement. , It is a tedious fight if the enemy infiltrated the vulnerable in neighboring countries and absorbs dissatisfied forces. We will leave the defense and security to the National Guard, and we will mobilize all the mobile forces to push them.
Everyone nodded at Mohammeds words.
Okay, I take the lead.
Master, if you push an eagle off a cliff, it will rise through the air. If its not poison gas and ruppels, only the mobile force can crush them. There is no need for you, master go to the battlefield yourself~
Black-mamba opened her palms wide. Dozens of green, red, and blue magnetic tactical symbols that Mohammed marked the enemys advance path, the enemys vacuum direction, and force were sucked in by the suction wave.
Now is the time to show strength. The hyenas aiming at Novatopia are not just the Odham Allied Forces. The real threats are the neighboring countries of Novatopia and the Soviet Union. I plan to use the Odham Allied Forces as a victim. Im going to smash the enemy to scare the hyenas, so they dont dare drool. I will show you that no conspiracy or tactic is useless in the face of overwhelming power.
Pagjak- When they clenched their fist, the magnetic pieces turned into powder. Authority and ambition swept the conference room.
Your will come true.
The Ombuds and Novas bowed their heads in unison.
Sam-D, lead the mobile forces and move forward at full speed. We have the Ennedy Plateau in our hands. If we build a radar and missile base on the Ennedy Plateau, Gaddafi and Ross will not dare to cross Novatopia.
Wow!
Oh Oh!
Nova shouted in unison. Its wonderful what the Tubai-Burpa had to do with restraining its power.
There is no time. I introduce you to a new family member.
As Black-mamba left the conference room, Simon-D followed. Nova, who had not received Ahmads message, followed Chulezule without knowing anything.
[Chicken!]
Duwoong The space opened like a stage curtain was lifted. A jet-black giant revealed its majesty.
Ugh!
Wow!
The civil servants slumped down, and the hammers who had gone through everything before and after childbirth opened their mouths wide. The workers who were working on the renovation of the palace looked at the huge monster in awe. The Black Mamba jumped over Garudas head.
I would like to introduce you to Garuda, King Yeongjo, who is a member of the Tubai- Burpa and will protect Novatopia.
Kuwo-woah A shout announcing the existence shook Yoa Palace.
Wow!
Garuda!
A shout broke out.
Garuda will crush the enemys armor and main force. Simon-D and Hammer clean up the garbage and take control of Ennedy.
Yeah, I will obey your orders.
lets go!
ShoCaC Garuda became a dot on the dot and then disappeared from view. Sam-D opened the communicator.
Go!
The troops moved in unison. 22,000 Novatopia Mobile Corps, mounted on armored transport vehicles and high-mobility vehicles, were driven towards Ennedy with 40 AMX30 tanks and 120 AMX-10RC long-wheeled armored vehicles. It was the beginning of the Battle of Ennedy, which historians later called the Six-Hour War by comparing it to the Six-Day War, the Third Middle East War.
If the 6-day war was a swift action by a preemptive surprise attack, the 6-hour war was a brutal battle in which Novatopia, who received a surprise attack, crushed the invaders with overwhelming power with the ultimate weapon.
******
Its already started!
Hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles were entangled in a hazy sandstorm. The A-MANCE, which used a 105mm steel cannon, and the T62, which adopted a 115mm smoothbore cannon, were second-generation tanks with similar armor and striking power. The AMX-10RC armored vehicle and BMP1 are also rivals. Both sides were equipped with large-caliber main guns capable of destroying the side armor of the tank, not like an armored car. Whether its a tank or an armored car, it means that the one who looks and shoots first has an advantage.
The life of tank warfare is maintaining a formation as planned. In a platoon unit battle, 3 units attack and 1 unit cover, and in a company unit battle, 2 platoon attack and 1 platoon back up. Mobility can be seen as a necessary factor for maintaining a formation rather than a 1:1 confrontation. The Yom- Kippur tank battle showed the fact clearly that if the line collapsed, no matter how many numbers there were, they were defeated.
Chapter 681 - Chapter 63 Episode 17 Asura
What a fight!
The sign of a red triangle in a blue circle was the Odam Allied Forces. The sign of a blue hammer crossed with a fang was the Peshmer Brigade. Mu Ssang felt like he was watching a 3D war film in the most comfortable chair in the world. It was thanks to the full bionic vision and hearing provided by Garuda.
It was the first time Mu Ssang ever witnessed tank warfare. The vast scene of a howling sandstorm in which gigantic steel vehicles fought was quite a sight. The tanks charged, demolishing sand dunes. They set their opponent ablaze with one shot of their shells. He understood why the tanks were called the flowers of war.
Ibrahim was tricked. He could have been fooled by hallucination.
The desert was an open space. Fighting with tanks in such an environment took mobility and high morale. The side where there was more trust between comrades and the will to crush the enemy wins. The AMX-10RCs divided themselves into offensive and defensive roles, but they were withdrawing because they already lost the defensive advantages.
Every tank that was shooting hull-down from the bottom of the wadi and the slope was a T55. It meant that Peshmer was lured by Bansiris forces. The foot soldiers, three in a group, fired RPG-7 and AT-3 anti-tank missiles, then they disappeared before the enemy could retaliate. The shaman was helping the soldiers move and hide. With such supernatural expertise, the battle was going to be uneven from the beginning.
Tanks were powerful weaponry but also could easily be targeted. They could easily be decimated by cheap RPG shells fired by soldiers. The tanks were supposed to provide cover for the soldiers with their superior firepower as they were protected by accompanying soldiers. The combat vehicles housing soldiers moved together with the tanks.
Another reason Peshmer lost was due to the anti-tank artillery holding RPG-7s and AT-3 anti-tank missiles. The Peshmer soldiers unloaded from the AMX-10RC were decimated by mobile machine guns and RPG-7s, whereas the Odam soldiers backed by the shamans sorcery appeared here and there throughout the battlefield. Such a maneuver was hard to track even with the modern war equipment they had.
* * *
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The RPG shooter at three oclock direction!
The turret turned. Flame exploded from the back of the turret. The 34-ton lightweight battle tank had superior mobility but weak armor.
The turret is hit!
Get them! Get them this time no matter what!
Captain Wylers order was close to a scream. Their tanks were struggling because of the enemy anti-tank artillery. The third missile had already hit the troop leaders tank. Bullets showered from machine guns mounted on the command tanks hull.
We missed it again, Captain.
The machine gunners voice was lacking morale. Wyler couldnt blame him for it. His own was waning too.
Fuck!
Captain Wyler slammed his fist onto the engine console. He needed to command the troop, but they were busy defending the tank because of the enemy artillery. If they couldnt take it out, they were surely not going to see the sunrise tomorrow. But as soon as they targeted it, it vanished like a mirage.
Smoke bomb! Evasive!
Dark smoke engulfed the tank. The command tank ran out like a racehorse that had just been kicked in the butt.
Gunner! Fire to the left, 800 meters!
The T55 turret was flung mid-air, aflame.
Great!
The tanks turret, turning to the next target, abruptly came to a halt.
Captain, the turret is stuck!
What? Fuck!
Wylers swear could be heard. The turrets hinge, after being struck repeatedly, finally caused trouble. The revolving turret was a key feature of a tank. With the turret stuck, the tank could only serve as a mobile machine gun mount.
We are being targeted!
The drivers scream was loud.
Evasive!
A T62 was seen in the lens, turning its turret toward them, 500 meters ahead. The driver stepped on the accelerator and steered. It was too late. The 36-ton heap of steel was struck and lost balance. The RPM rose rapidly, but the tank only turned in place.
Captain, the right caterpillar is out.
I know! Wyler yelled.
With the turret and caterpillar gone, it was like the tank had lost its fists and legs. Now, they could do nothing but await a blow from the enemy.
We took out two of them. Our death will not be in vain, Wyler muttered.
His country treated the family of deceased or wounded soldiers well. If crippled, they could spend the rest of their lives in a national nursing home. Their family members had an advantage when they applied for government jobs or private contractors connected to the government. If deceased, three generations of his family would receive ample pensions.
A cannon at two oclock!
No! That idiot.
The driver and Wyler shouted at once. The AMX-10RC shielded their tank. The armored vehicle, struck by an AT-3, was flung into the air. Smoke rose from its cupola. It wasnt completely destroyed, but its engine was turned off. An armored vehicle without mobility was an easy target. It soon was struck by a missile and set aflame.
Get them!
The front machine gun was fired.
I got them! the gunner squealed.
The 12.7mm rounds tore up the group of snipers who was about to vanish.
Get ready! Maintain the front! Wyler yelled into his walkie-talkie.
He knew his order fell on deaf ears. The Peshmer, ambushed while moving, was cut into small groups. Two platoons were not responding. He could guess the situation they were in.
Our King, I did my best. I accept this dignified death. I believe that you will punish the wicked enemy with lightning. So, I dont even have any grudge.
Private Yair, the gunner, joined his hands together and prayed to the east.
* * *
Thats bad!
45 percent of the forces are lost. The rest will be eliminated in 15 minutes. Shall I scour the ground with my photon cannon?
You will end up killing my guys. Pick them off one by one!
Mu Ssang let out a yell. The scouter analyzed the battlefield.
Big vermin: 22. Small vermin: 56. The area: 6 square kilometers. It will take 95 seconds. Why do I need to do it this way when I have such a good weapon?
Garuda swooped down. The first victim was a T62, turning its barrel to finish off Wylers command tank. Garuda wielded its 70-meter long, 3-meter thick tail at hypersonic speed. Private Yairs prayer proved effective. The tank, struck by the sudden blow, was crushed like a caterpillar under a shoe. A BPM1, caught in Garudas claws, was crushed like an empty cigarette case.
Its really lightning! Private Yair yelled.
Ibrahim, we have something steely striking our foes. Their T62 is smashed.
Captain Wylers frantic yell could be heard.
Is Mu Ssang here?
The ammunition loader and gunner opened the side hatch and poked their heads out.
Whoa!
The loader and gunner let out a surprised cry. A pitch-dark monster covered the battlefield with its shadow. It had wider wings than a large sailing ship. Its body was as big as a large battleship while its neck was long like a snakes. Its legs were like pillars of a Greek temple. It was an unimaginable monster.
Garuda flew low and wielded its tail relentlessly. It was the greatest whipping ever witnessed on earth. With each strike, a tank or an armored vehicle was smashed into pieces.
The human body couldnt withstand the blow that smashed 600-millimeter thick pressed steel. The crew of the tanks became paste without knowing anything. The anti-tank snipers crisscrossing the battlefield met the same fate. With the advent of an overpowered adversary, the battlefield turned into a chaotic massacre.
A monster!
Dear Allah!
The drivers overloaded their engines and attempted evasive maneuvers but it was to no avail. Quantum artificial intelligence-controlled tail identified the Odam tanks and vehicles and then smashed them.
What is that? Bansiri yelled.
He felt as if he was dreaming. He wiped his periscope lens and looked again.
Idiots! Its in the sky! Shoot!
The vast flying beast smashed the fist of Allah which was their force. It was a djinn. The tanks and BMP1s, finally coming back to their senses, fired and so did the anti-tank artillerymen. They fired at once. Heat bombs, RPG7s, and AT-3s kept hitting its body, but Garuda didnt care at all.
Retreat! Retreat!
Ibrahim, having figured out the situation, yelled until his voice gave out. The surviving tanks and vehicles retreated hurriedly.
Allah, are you abandoning me?
Bansiri appeared out of a cupola and wept. Kaparuza saw a non-human human ruining a divine event. Now, an otherworldly beast appeared and ruined their great endeavor.
Allah, curse them! Bansiri yelled, flailing his fist.
Is that Bansiri?
Mu Ssang smiled cunningly. The man that was yelling out of his mind must be Bansiri. The man had his face covered with a bulletproof helmet and goggles, but Dimensional Sight could discern the mans energy.
All fled. Hes the only one left.
Mu Ssang paid no further mind. He was soon going to be paste. A dark shadow slammed Bansiri.
No! Bansiri screamed.
Then there was no scream. The smashed tank was flung 50 meters away. Bansiri was now definitely paste. Abu Bansiri, the notorious terrorist leader, disappeared like that. No one ended well after wronging Mu Ssang.
Vermin eradicated. 98 seconds taken.
Garuda soared. A nozzle protruding from its behind breathed out a blue haze. A large text was written with a backdrop of a sunset-soaked sky. The evolving artificial intelligence acted on its own.
Im here!
Garuda, accomplishing its task, disappeared out of the eastern sky. Thirty minutes later, Gazel fighter jets flew in at full speed. The cheering Peshmer mechanized brigade and trashed steel, which were scattered three kilometers around, welcomed them. Two hours later, the mobilized army of Mu Ssang cleaned the battlefield.
* * *
At the Bachilkile Valley, the headquarters of the Odam Allied Forces, the missile mounts were being charged. The artillerymen shouldering portable missiles ran about looking for cover. The jeeps, mounted with Shpagin DSHK-38 anti-air missiles, gathered and prepared for the incoming battle in which they would shower the sky with their missiles.
Oh, its gone! the soldier manning the radar yelled.
The flying object, approaching them from the western sky, disappeared without a trace from the radar. The phenomenon was incomprehensible. The size and speed of the object didnt make such a thing plausible. He regretted sounding the alarm. He feared facing his boss about this.
Garuda flew around the Bachilkile Valley in stealth. The length of the entire valley was 28 kilometers. The entrance was only 5-6 meters, but the inside was a 2,500-meter-wide basin. Emerald-like ponds were scattered across the valley. There were some forests. Near the perimeter, there were a lot of wild animals.
The valley had the potential to be a tourist attraction, but it was already full of tourists. There were hundreds of artificial caves on both sides of the beautiful valley, and turban-wearing people were scattered among ammunition and weaponry.
They would withstand bomber shelling in such an environment. There were anti-air ranges here and there. Countless bunkers too. If Mu Ssang were to personally take care of it, it would take days.
Such beautiful scenery, but we have no time, Mu Ssang muttered.
He didnt show it although an ominous feeling latched onto his head and didnt let go. He needed to take care of it promptly and fly to Ituri as soon as possible.
If you havent used poisonous gas, I could have exercised some mercy. I pray to the Buddha!
Mu Ssang, feeling some guilt, prayed to the Buddha.
Erase them, Garuda.
The fusion reactor unleashed tremendous energy. The gigantic body purred. The three horns were clouded by dense plasma. When the energy output was maximum, it came out of stealth.
It reappeared!
The radar soldier transmitted the coordinates of the flying object to the missile ranges. At that precise moment, an 8,000-degree plasma beam struck the basin. Light filled the world and the valley vibrated. The soldier was disintegrated into atoms without even being able to scream.
Every natural or artificial object in the two-kilometer radius evaporated. A massive heat storm scoured both sides of the valley. The energy was compressed once again. The second plasma beam struck the valley. The ground was shaken.
The third beam struck the ground. Combined energy waves resonated. A 300-meters-per-second heat storm engulfed the valley. The depth of the Bachilkile valley ranged from 100 meters to 500 meters. The heat storm, caught in the basin, roared to the entrance. There was no scream. Humans turned to ashes at once. Steel weaponry melted down. Rock boiled over like porridge.
Chapter 682 - Chapter 63 Episode 18 Asura
The oxygen disintegrated by high-temperature plasma reacted with carbon dioxide, and the produced dicarbon dioxide transiently caused the hydrogenic explosion. The space was warped and a super-high-temperature gas storm raged. The mechanism was similar to the sunspot explosion. The Bachilkile valley turned into hell at once.
The hell soon turned into a storm whose speed was hundreds of meters per second. Car-sized rocks were flung away like small stones. Gravel and sand covered the entire area. A level five hurricane was nothing but a breeze compared to this. The eons-old cliffs started to crumble.
The atmosphere, heated to 30,000 degrees, rose. The hyper-fast rising air current brought in dark cumulus, making the area blackened. A strong magnetic field attracted negatively charged ions. Thus, thousands of lightning tore through the inky-black sky and began to strike the ground.
Garuda leisurely absorbed the high-voltage electricity and radiation, but Mu Ssang was quite awestruck at the scene.
Its so cool!
Mu Ssangs mouth was agape in awe. Compared to this, Hollywood films featuring natural disasters were nothing. He expected it to be powerful but not to this extent. Three plasma photon beams were on par with a megaton-grade atomic bomb. The beams were only the beginning.
It was too early to be surprised. Something extraordinary was happening underground. There existed a big magma chamber that was 20 kilometers under the valley. The crust of the chamber, struck by the plasma beams, cracked. Massive energy pressurized for hundreds of millions of years stirred. The ground shook.
Twenty kilometers below the surface. Energy as big as ten trillion TMF is moving.
What is that?
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His heart skipped a beat. He was already sufficiently overwhelmed by what happened so far.
You and I will be like fried chicken.
Artificial intelligence cracked an unwitting joke.
Fried chicken?
He reminisced about the volcanic explosion in the underground world below the Kaparuza valley.
A volcanic explosion?
If by volcanic explosion you mean the phenomenon in which the magma locked up underground erupts explosively, you are right. A volcanic explosion is a useful natural phenomenon that makes the planet healthy.
Garuda was not in a hurry at all.
Soar right now! Mu Ssang yelled.
He didnt care about the planets health if it meant he was going to be fried chicken. A volcano in Colombia, Nevado Del Ruiz, erupted in 1985 and resulted in 50,000 death, shooting up its debris 9000 meters in the atmosphere. Garuda activated the anti-gravity engine and rose to eight thousand meters above the ground.
Tremendously pressured magma pushed open the weakened crust and roared. Massive flames and dark ashes soared. The light of the scene illuminated the whole plateau. Tremendous numbers of volcanic bombs and debris followed. Volcanic ashes rode the soaring current of air and soared to the sky at sonic speed. A heat wave hit them.
Higher!
Garuda soared through the troposphere and soared to the 13,000-meter altitude. The troposphere was engulfed in demonic chaos. A thunderstorm raged and thunder rumbled. Blue lightning struck countless times. It was really like being in a Hollywood blockbuster disaster film.
Huh. How?
Mu Ssang looked down at the ground with awestruck eyes. Flames and flashes of light, high-temperature vapor, and thick clouds filled his field of view. When nature roared, neither Dimensional Sight nor Eyesight worked. The Bachilkile valley must be long gone.
It is indeed quite some monster! thought Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang shuddered. Garuda had just finished the third awakening. The first one took place when it hatched from its egg and merged with Hata. The second one happened when it absorbed tritium from the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. The third awakening happened when it absorbed two dysfunctional Hatas. According to Kkamdung, Garuda had two more awakenings yet to happen. He couldnt imagine how it would transform from now on.
Shall it be sealed? said Mu Ssang to himself.
With one strike of the photon beam, it could disintegrate the Blue House or the White House into ashes, or rather vapor. If it hit the San Andreas or Tohoku faults, it could trigger a planetary disaster. If it finished the fourth and fifth awakenings, it could halve the planet easily. Mu Ssangs concern deepened.
* * *
Orangniki Valley, Rwenzori.
Its Baphomet, Nialatep.
Lamartin woke from his meditation.
Its in the west!
The old man enjoying coffee in a 17th-century horsehair chair gave a brief answer.
It is on par with a medium-sized earthquake.
It could be a real earthquake.
It could be. Matilda!
Grandmaster, I am checking with the USGS.
Matilda held the satellite phone and smiled. The United States Geological Survey, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, monitored earthquakes and volcanoes around the world in real time.
There have been three earthquakes within the last 24 hours whose magnitude was higher than Lichter 6. Nine hours ago, Bihar, Nepal: 6.1. Seven hours ago, Bogota, Colombia: 6. Six hours ago; Fukuoka, Japan: 6.2. Eight minutes ago, Ennedi, Chad: 7.3. There was also a big explosion in Ennedi.
Deducing from vivid waves and direction, I suspect Ennedi.
A volcanic eruption? The area isnt where a volcano is supposed to erupt. Did someone carry out an experiment with a hydrogen bomb there?
Nialatep looked back at Lamartin. When the Soviet Union experimented with a 50-megaton atomic bomb nicknamed Tsar Bomba, a Lichter-7 earthquake occurred. What Nialatep said wasnt mere speculation.
Nothing is certain. We shall confirm it.
We cant go to the place. Damn betrayer!
Nialatep lamented. There seemed to be a lot of story behind it.
Matilda, select some Haunters and check the Ennedi Plateau.
Lamartin waved. A different space overlapped over their room.
Yes, sir. I will go right now.
Matilda entered the black hole made in the space.
******
At Yoa Palace, Novatopia, from the Garden of Water following a trail called Kings Walk, it only took 30 minutes until the eastern shore of Lake Yoa. Mu Ssang, who returned after causing a catastrophe, was staring at the lake for an hour without moving at all.
Garuda was slumbering 200 meters below the surface where gentle waves sloshed about. Garuda was not a pesticide sprayer. It was a cosmic weapon. Startled, he made it sleep for now.
He was feeling sullen. He might be a catastrophic being dulled by killings, but this time, close to 50,000 souls disappeared at once. The magma gushing out from under the Bachilkile valley covered 40 kilometers around. The valley turned into a volcano. Thousands of indigenous people living near the valley were also buried in lava.
Clairvoyance showed him how people on the ground were carbonized by photon beams, torn into pieces by wind, and melted by lava. Clairaudience let him hear the dying screams in vivid stereo. He intended to eradicate the fanatics and terrorists; however, the indigenous people didnt do anything to deserve such a fate.
An ordinary person suffers from great trauma even if they kill someone in self-defense. But a pilot of a bomber or a captain of a nuclear submarine firing Tomahawk missiles wouldnt suffer so. This was the difference between seeing and knowing.
Perhaps due to his karmic debt as an asura, unexpected catastrophes followed wherever he went. This time, the event prevented him from bedding Edel. He didnt feel like doing such a thing after causing thousands of deaths.
Sigh. Is Mu Ssang here for a picnic or meditation?
Edel sighed and placed the crisply fried cassava pancakes onto plates and took out bowls and airtight containers from a bamboo basket. She lit a solid fuel and placed a potful of spicy chowder on top of it. She was busying herself with the task when Dino nudged her with its snout.
What?
Dino pointed at Mu Ssang with its front paw and wondered. He didnt understand why his master kept staring at the lake surface when there was his female and delicious food there.
Dont call him here!
Edel shook her head. She didnt know the specifics but could guess what Mu Ssang felt from what she heard. He was a great creator and destroyer at the same time. He was a Harmattan but at the same time as vulnerable as a dewdrop on a blade of grass. He must be feeling sad. Otherwise, he wasnt whom she knew.
The satellite phone blinked red. Dino picked it up with its front paw and handed it to her.
Thank you!
Edel patted Dinos cheek and took the phone. Dino was a better servant than many people.
Im well. Are you doing the dishes? Ill get him.
Edel strode to Mu Ssang with the satellite phone in her hand.
Mu Ssang, its Ssamdi. If you are not going to be the Buddha, youd better pick it up.
If I become the Buddha, I cannot be your husband anymore.
You are always so jesty.
I jest so you feed me.
Mu Ssang grinned and took the phone. The grin vanished soon.
Mu Ssang, after finishing the call, threw the phone. Dino backflipped stylishly and took it.
Now they are coming out. This is a disadvantage to us.
Something troubles you?
Edel frowned slightly.
Not something serious. Some ESPers and chimeras are crawling out. With Mago, Ssamdi and the soldiers will be able to deal with them.
Why dont you send Garuda?
No! Not that one.
Mu Ssang flinched. Garuda didnt have the faculty of reasoning like Kkamdung. He couldnt send a planet scourer just because of some vermin.
Worry no further. Eat. You can only appreciate Lake Yoas true beauty when your stomach is filled.
Edel pulled at Mu Ssangs clothes.
When did you prepare all this?
Mu Ssang pretended to be surprised.
A capable husband and a capable wife. This is our main dish today. Voil!
Edel grinned and held out a spoonful of spicy chowder. Mu Ssang took it willingly. He could never turn down food fed by a woman like Edel. Otherwise, all his sons will be impotent for three generations.
Aargh!
The inside of his mouth burned. Even especially spicy strains of hot peppers with 7,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) could not match this spiciness. This was at least a million SHU. Edel was indeed a terrible cook.
Great! How did you make it?
Mu Ssang quenched the fire in his mouth with saliva and shot a question calmly. This was just spicy. It was better than poisoned food or bitter, non-edible food she used to make. Compared to those, this was a delicacy.
From the chef. He said a spicy chowder needed to be spicy.
Damn. Should I fire him? Mu Ssang blamed Yijihana.
What did you use to season it?
Habanero peppers with 300,000 SHU. Just a pinch. The chef said the Korean hot peppers have some depth in their flavor but arent spicy enough.
Habaneros are spicy. Great! Mu Ssang exclaimed.
Habanero peppers were used by the Chilean dictator Pinochet to torture dissidents. The throat-scouring extreme spiciness almost made him faint, but he couldnt turn down the dish when Edel was looking up at him with beautiful eyes full of anticipation.
You have to eat it all. The chef said that a spicy dish is good for when you are feeling down.
Yijihana. You are determined to poison me! I shall feed you a bottle of capsaicin in return, said Mu Ssang deep inside.
Mu Ssang emptied the potful of chowder despite being himself. The dish was made with care. Edel must have gotten up early in the morning to busy herself, making the dish with her total lack of skill and taste. This chowder was cooked with her heart. The taste was irrelevant.
You must be hungry too, Dino.
Mu Ssang took out a big piece of fish from the pot and held it out to Dino. Dino took it readily.
Dino jumped and bit its tongue and ran to the lake. Then it jumped into the water. Edels dish was as strong as to startle even Dino.
Why is he doing that? Edel wondered.
It must have been so delicious.
It isnt that good, Edel wondered with a bit of suspicion in her voice.
Haha!
Dinos surprise and reaction made him laugh. The chef was right. A spicy dish was indeed good for when you were feeling down. He was already feeling better.
Humans and animals need to eat to live. The act of survival is solemn. Even at a funeral, the widow gorges herself on the caterers chowder whilst mourning her dead husband.
The catastrophe caused by Garuda was indeed horrible. There were thousands of deaths and complete destruction. The landscape collapsed and magma overflowed.
The Habanero peppers caused a similar event in Mu Ssangs mouth. But he still needed to eat it. Food was food. Deaths took place but life continued.
Chapter 683 - Chapter 63 Episode 19 Asura
Edel gorged herself on the spicy chowder that had tortured Mu Ssangs tongue and lips. She must have tasted it while she was cooking. If she was not able to taste the burning spiciness of Habanero peppers, it meant that there was something wrong with her faculty of taste. Edel was not aware that she had a sensory disability. He felt sorry for her.
I was not aware of her suffering!
He blamed himself. His own life had been full of extraordinary things and events that he only considered Edel as someone a bit eccentric. Humans differ from animals because they can enjoy culinary arts. Without the faculty of taste, masterful dishes are nothing but some fodder. He needed to cure her disability before he went out to save the universe.
Is there something on my face, Mu Ssang?
Edel stared at Mu Ssang with her sky-blue, clear eyes. He felt like her eyes were going to suck him in. He felt dizzy.
His field of view shimmered. A transient hallucination, perhaps a dream or foresight, passed before his eyes. He had experienced the same phenomenon when he was looking for his mother. In a dark forest where the ground was covered by ferns, treetops soared into the sky and parasitic vines thrived among them. Hae Young, wearing skin-tight jeans and a tank top, was prancing.
Those are real mangoes! Get one for me, Mu Ssang!
Hae Young waved her hands under a mango tree. Lightly shaded eyes, always looking wet. Well-trimmed, thick eyebrows. An inviting scarlet lips. Soul-shaking pheromones. She did not change one bit. A broad-boned chimpanzee, attracted by her pheromones, climbed skulkingly down from the top of the mango tree.
Run!
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His words did not escape his mouth. He felt as if his uvula collapsed and blocked his vocal cords. The sound didnt escape his mouth. The male chimpanzee put his arm around Hae Youngs waist and rapidly went up the tree.
Mu Ssang!
Her fearful, desperate cry pierced his eardrums. He ran toward her with all his might, but his body which routinely moved at 30 meters per second felt heavy like soaked cotton. He could see the chimpanzees erect penis between his thighs. It was as big as a forearm.
The chimpanzee penis is normally as big as a ballpoint pen.
He wondered despite the urgency of the moment.
No!
He ran with all of his might, but the distance between them didnt close. He was so much in a hurry that his heart was beating against his chest, threatening to burst out.
Hurgh!
Mu Ssang coughed.
Did you choke on something, Mu Ssang?
The hallucination lifted, and he could see Edel holding a cup of water. It was indeed a transient vision.
Is it foresight?
No matter how terrible a nightmare or sleep paralysis is, it vanishes as soon as one wakes up. Foresight belonged to the spirit realm between dream and reality. It was more advanced than a possessed shaman in a trance state, but for a seeker, it was like poison. Thats why his teacher was wary of wayward shamans. He felt rushed. He was also feeling sorry. Edel was right here and he hallucinated about Hae Young.
Yes, a lot of beauty is smeared on your face.
Really?
She humored Mu Ssangs dads joke like the angel she was.
You are the second most beautiful woman in the world, Edel.
The first must be your mother. I flatter when I am flattered.
Edel craned her neck and bit Mu Ssangs lip. The tip of the tongue was the most sensitive extremity along with the fingertips. Thats why the fingers and tongue often caused problems.
Hmm!
When their tongues intertwined, Edel twisted her body. Mu Ssang felt Edels tongue with his. A person with a taste disability has a smooth tongue or has their taste buds covered with foreign matter. After some feeling up, he found nothing wrong.
Are my senses far too sensitive? thought Mu Ssang.
Considering he could enjoy his mothers and Jin Soons dishes just fine, that didnt seem to be the case.
Edel, how does the chowder taste?
Mu Ssang asked, his lips still pressed against hers. It was a question that could hurt her feelings.
Spicy.
Just spicy?
Burning spicy.
Just that? Burning spicy?
Mu Ssang had a headache. Taste is subjective. Food companies make exceedingly spicy products just for the people who enjoy them. This meant she didnt have a taste disability. But if she couldnt taste this excruciatingly spicy flavor, that was whole another problem. In Edels case, the cause must be psychological rather than physical. This was someone who had a traumatic experience regarding food when she was younger.
My teacher should be able to resolve this, said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Spiritual matters were his teachers specialty. As always, something he couldnt resolve himself had to be resolved with his teachers help.
The satellite phones LED indicator blinked.
Oh my!
Edel, startled, hurriedly took her lips from Mu Ssangs. Her cheeks were flushed like an apple. She glanced around frantically. Of course, no one was looking.
Oh!
Edel smiled bashfully. As long as Dino was nearby, no one, not even one single insect could approach them. She had overreacted.
Who is this? What a moment to call me!
Mu Ssang grumbled and switched up the receiver.
Huh, Dimanche!
Mu Ssangs complexion clouded over. If it was Kamdoong, not Geukdo that called, it had to be a serious problem.
You caught them all and locked them up? There was a brain implant in Young Sooks head? How maddening! From now on for a while, have Geukdo accompany the girls when they go out. The armed ones will be handled at your discretion. You must pay for what you eat.
Mu Ssang switched down the phone and ate the remaining rice in his bowl. Edels gaze alternated between the deformed spoon and Mu Ssangs face.
Is it Eungsim-je?
Yeah. The American spies tried infiltrating the house. Kamdoong caught them all and neutralized them.
What about your mother? Jin Soon? Mina?
Edel showered Mu Ssang with questions.
They are not even aware of the incident. Kamdoong handled it quietly.
Good. What was the brain implant about?
I rescued a girl kidnapped by human traffickers. She had nowhere else to go, so she stayed with us. She had a brain implant in her head.
Oh my? Who did that?
The expected culprits are obvious. But what Im not sure about is if they infiltrated the house because of Young Sook or because they figured out my true identity.
What shall we do? Are you going back to Korea? Your family cannot move here. The timing isnt right.
Edels expression clouded over.
We have Kamdoong and Geukdo there. No worries.
But
No one can escape Kamdoongs sensory awareness. He is quite rough in handling things which can be a problem sometimes. With my teacher nearby, it shouldnt be a problem now. I must go to Ituri.
Is it because of her?
Huh?
Mu Ssangs eyes widened.
I heard from Uncle Mohammed. Dont cause him trouble. I insisted to know. All right?
I was going to tell you anyway.
You were. Your ex-lover must be more important than your ex-wife.
Huh!
Her words struck hard. Mu Ssang grimaced.
Haha, Im kidding. I know you well. You are not the type to forget a lover easily. If it is to help her when shes in trouble, you should go. But I wont allow anyone other than Jin Soon to be around you in that kind of way.
Mu Ssangs eyes widened. Edel had never said that she wouldnt allow anything like this.
Of course. Im quite meddlesome but wont let a past relationship inconvenience us. The French government asked me to go for a survey anyway.
Edel was moved by Mu Ssangs great soul which was as vast as an ocean. People get hurt by each other because they always seek to get something from them. Mu Ssang had taken in countless refugees just because he felt sorry for them.
It was no different this time. He was strong to the strong and kind to the weak. He showed by action without lame excuses. If she couldnt love a man like this, she could never love anyone else.
Are you flying there on Garudas back?
No. That thing is too dangerous. I need some time to think. Perhaps there could be great danger looming over Novatopia.
Mu Ssang, you are strong but not immortal. You have great subordinates and an army. Why are you going there alone? When I first saw you in the MSF
Edels eyes were filled with tears. Mu Ssang pressed her lips with his finger.
I am invincible. This time, I will not wage war. I will just get intel and get out.
Still
Edel gazed at him with wet eyes.
We shall get married when this wraps up. We will have children too.
Mu Ssang!
Edel, eyes widened, and she jumped into Mu Ssangs embrace.
* * *
Ombuti, is there someone with a lot of free time among the henchmen?
No. But some unmarried guys fool around.
Ombuti grinned.
Sun Woo-hyun?
He was right. Samdi was not interested in women. Nejema was addicted to training. Only Sun Woo-hyun was the type to ever fool around. Ibrahim, Ahmad and Jamal escaped with their families, but Sun Woo-hyun, Nejema, and Aishe all lost their families. Samdi never had any family to begin with. They were all survivors in this hostile world. He was concerned with their future when he was faced with several incidents.
Sun Woo-hyun is fluent in Arabic. Didnt you say that you had trouble during Operation Ituri because you didnt have an interpreter?
He is quite useful. He is quite adept at non-standard combat as well. He improvises at will. Is he in Ennedi?
Hes in the next room.
What? How did he know?
Mu Ssang was startled.
The head butler should be aware of his masters whereabouts at all times. Wakil needs servants, not helpers. Samdi is not available, defending the Predator attack. He can be rude sometimes, but he is the right one for this role.
His years of experience are showing! Mu Ssang marveled.
Ombuti had all the right to assume the role of the head of butlers.
Mohammed brought some useful young men from Mambasa. Ongore is fluent in French and Swahili. Will you take him with you?
Does he have a family?
A mother.
Mu Ssang shook his head after much deliberation.
The jungle of Ituri is not a place for ordinary people. Its not like we are attending an international meeting.
That is so.
Ombuti smiled. Mu Ssang could eliminate thousands of lives at once, but he still cared about one life.
* * *
Sun, pack up. We have work.
What work? I should know before I go.
Sun Woo-hyun was brought to the room without knowing anything. He had a bad feeling about Mu Ssangs ominous grin. Only Ombuti and he knew how cruel Mu Ssang could be.
I invite you to a battlefield. You should take care of your one and only life.
Mu Ssang provoked him a bit.
Dont underestimate me. Im from North Koreas intelligence brigade. I survived winter without supplies in a rural forest in North Korea.
The jungle of Ituri is much worse. There are no lethal vipers, brain parasites, a swarm of leeches, or beasts that can gobble you up. Without dieldrin, you wouldnt last a night.
Ive dealt with jungle leeches in Zimbabwe. Ive seen an insect that shoots poison as it dies.
Sun Woo-hyun was determined.
You can speak Swahili, right?
I spent two years in Zimbabwe. When I was in the Zimbabwean military advisory board
Enough. Pack your weapons. The MP5 is the best in a jungle.
Mu Ssang cut him off.
Lets go slow. I need time to breathe.
Sun Woo-hyun jested.
How impertinent!
Ombuti threw his teacup toward Sun who caught it without looking. Ombuti stood abruptly and mercilessly kicked his shin.
Why kick me? You dont outrank me that much.
Sun Woo-hyun held his kicked leg and hopped around the room.
I do. Just because Mu Ssang is merciful, it doesnt mean you should be rude to him. Students are beaten by teachers. Criminals are beaten by police. Servants are beaten by masters. Rookies are beaten by higher-ups. Just because you are a general doesnt mean you should look down at the heavens. Do you want to be demoted? Do you want to climb the barbed wire fences? Ombuti scolded him relentlessly.
Ugh, Im sorry. Have mercy, sir.
Sun Woo-hyun looked downtrodden.
Speak properly for starters. Dont think your familiar tone excuses you. If you keep acting up, you will be sent to the windbreak forest for the rest of your life.
I am but Wakils pawn. Ill be careful.
We have work. Hurry.
Mu Ssang grinned. Every Novatopian treated him like a god. He appreciate that Sun Woo-hyun treated him like a friend.
* * *
Green Zone Camp, Eunpanwaja
Brigadier General McKinley threw the phone and trembled.
God damn! Leave it be? Im McKinley!
The enraged roar resounded in the empty Battle Intelligence Room. Brigadier General Dyson and three teams of Predators arrived the night before. The call ordered him to leave the tracking operation to Dyson and take care of the camp instead. It was the Executors order.
He was a general, yet they sent his replacement without conferring with him and ordered him to step back. Taking care of a camp was not a task worthy of his rank. He understood why the Executor was angry, but it wasnt like he didnt have anything to say. With Hynd, he had successfully blocked the enemys retreat path.
Chapter 684 - Chapter 63 Episode 20 Asura
Of course, the loss was extensive. Three Hueys were shot down and two Marine squads were decimated. The Shadow team suffered the majority of losses. Due to Hynds rash orders, Stinger and Vulcan were eliminated. Seventy-seven Shadow agents died and 30 were injured.
The Shadow agents were chosen from soldiers with more than three years of experience in the Green Berets, Delta Force, etc. Then they went through extensive DIA training which resulted in the cream of the top special operations agents. Weapons and equipment could be replaced but not the agents themselves.
What would plainclothes know? Tell him to direct the operation here in Ituri.
McKinley uttered mutinous remarks without any qualms. Nothing was sure on a battlefield. The powerful small infrared radars mounted on the rear were lethal. He didnt know their pilots would be trained so well and didnt expect them to launch a suicide attack without any reservation.
Even with the superior weaponry and early alarm system, if they could not properly analyze the battlefield, the optimal outcome was not achievable. If battles continued according to the plans, there was no reason the United States would lose to Vietnam.
Dyson, even with the most savage of your hounds, you will have a hard time defeating them. Hahaha!
McKinley smirked despite his anger. Dyson brought Predators to the battlefield, but it was still going to be difficult to find the hiding enemies. Now was not the time to stand out. He needed to claim credit for achievements, but for now, he decided to lay low.
* * *
Pomsky, Langley sent the second complaint. If no sincere explanation is provided within 24 hours, they will obliterate the Uganda base. How shall we calm this rabid dog?
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Mikhail looked at Pomsky with a perplexed face. Even after much deliberation, they saw no escape. The rash operation involving Hynd, as Pomsky predicted, invited many protests. The Green Zone was exclusively an American territory. With the evidence left in plain sight, they were stuck in a troublesome situation.
Ubiksa is intact. Milovic has completely hidden, having concerned about eavesdropping, Pomsky answered cryptically.
He was not content with his boss who only cared about his status and overlooked his colleagues criticism. Lubyankas action was nonsensical and unjustified. The complaint from the United States was trouble too, but it was a military operation that ruined the peace policy of the chief secretary. Mere complaints were not going to calm the situation down.
Pomsky, if we cannot calm down this dog, you and I may be sent to a gulag. Gorbachev is not going to let it pass, Mikhail whined.
They were not going to be sent to a gulag, but they might lose their positions.
Comrade, the Department of State is Americas official communication channel. They didnt say anything. Instead, the CIA did. It means they are asking for something in exchange.
I didnt know that.
Mikhails face brightened.
Do you know anything? Pomsky clucked his tongue internally.
The director, appointed with ulterior political motives, had great patriotism and hatred toward their enemies but was too impatient and careless to be the director of Lubyanka. Another incident happened under his direction not long after they shot down a Korean passenger jet.
We can explain that it was a rash decision of a local commander. We can also give them some intel regarding the ICBMs that we also gave to China. If we throw in a few defectors, they will be happy.
Then we do not even need to report this to Gorbachev, who is very busy?
Of course not.
What shall we do with Ubiksa? We cannot give up Oparts.
Pomsky understood why the director mentioned Ubiksa only after his own problem was resolved. People naturally prioritized their own problems before other peoples.
Comrade Director, to match the American troops deployed in the green zone, we must deploy a mechanized division. Russia is not capable of such an operation and should never try. A coconuts shell is hard but the flesh inside is soft. We can make use of the Destructor, Ntaganta.
Ntaganta is a greedy pig. Russia isnt rich like America.
The Far Eastern Army has what Ntaganta wants. He needs firearms more than money.
Go on with it right away. Oparts must return to Russia. Ubiksa must be able to survive.
Mikhail sighed. Whenever he thought about the room-temperature superconductor, it seemed like a great loss.
Dont worry. Ubiksa is not weak.
They are only a handful of men. Even though they have supernatural powers, there is a limit to what they can withstand.
Ill be on it right away.
Pomsky hurriedly exited the directors office.
The battle to acquire Oparts entered a new phase. The large-scale battle employing helicopters attracted the attention of intelligence services of various countries. The greed and doubt of all involved parties were heightened. Countless spies entered the jungle of Ituri.
Armed warlords, after confirming the rumors, were hell-bent on acquiring the treasure map. The committee deployed Brigadier General Dyson also known as a fight dog and Predators. The KGB incited the Mai-Mai rebels. Various forces collided in a small area, but no one was aware of the catastrophe approaching them from the west.
* * *
Falcon entered the final approach leg phase. Leon, steering the aircraft after much time had passed, was very anxious. Like many landing strips in Africa, the Bukabu Airfield was messy.
Master, the runway is covered with gravel. Landing now.
Leon warned in advance.
Wakil, fasten your seat belt.
Dont worry about me.
Mu Ssangs butt jumped from his seat. Falcon bounced off the ground once and continued down the runway.
What is this?
Startled, Sun Woo-hyun held onto his seat like a cicada.
We are here again! I hope everything goes smoothly.
Mu Ssang gazed at the green world rapidly passing by outside the window.
Hes a monster! said Sun Woo-hyun in his mind.
Sun Woo-hyun glared at Mu Ssang who was not flinching a bit. He was about to throw up while that man was appreciating the scenery outside the window. The world was always unfair.
Huh. In Africa, everything is harsh.
Sun Woo-hyun calmed his resentment. No one was going to listen to his complaint.
Its just as hot!
Hot air engulfed them as soon as they deplaned. A swarm of flies welcomed them. The temperature was roughly the same as Novatopia but highly humid. The jungle of Ituri had a muggy, unpleasant climate. It was a common climate along the equator in East Africa.
Welcome! I am Caporal Chef Rimmer of the 13th Djibouti Brigade. The commander said, you are to be treated with the utmost hospitality, the helicopter pilot with three yellow stripes on his military uniform sleeve shouted vigorously.
The 13th Brigade was headed by Paul who was promoted to commander.
A Gazelle, comfortable? A farm cart would be more comfortable, Sun Woo-hyun grumbled.
I didnt speak to you. Do you want to get disciplinary action?
Rimmer glared at Sun Woo-hyun.
Idiot. You are only a Private and you talk like that to a General? Sun Woo-hyun grumbled in Korean.
Private Rimmer, thank you for coming to get us.
Its my honor. Call me Rimmer.
The pilot ignored Sun Woo-hyun and picked up Mu Ssangs baggage.
Fuck. Im a General!
Sun Woo-hyun complained, but no one was listening. Leon moved five big bundles onto the Gazelle.
Rimmer, these are stockings from Korea. The Advisors gift to Pauls brigadiers.
Thank you!
Rimmers mouth was open agape in joy. High-quality stockings from Korea were considered one of the best gifts in the Middle East and Africa. It could be exchanged for any quality good.
Wakil, why are you doing this? You do not need to prepare a gift for mere Privates.
Lackey, do you want to walk hundreds of kilometers in the jungle amongst swarms of venomous insects? Think before you talk.
Mu Ssang clucked his tongue. Sun Woo-hyun always discredited himself with his mouth. Sun Woo-hyuns mouth was firmly shut.
Advisor, do we need a flight permit?
No. Lets just go around the area.
The Gazelle turned south at Molokai. The helicopter, flying around the restricted area and approaching Mambasa, hovered above Edos. This is where Mu Ssang saved Olonges senior and junior. The Olonge Village was mere two kilometers away.
Advisor, the landing condition isnt optimal.
Edos was covered with hardy bushes and vines. It was not a place where a helicopter could land.
No problem!
Mu Ssang opened the side door. The sound of the engine and blades assailed their eardrums. Mu Ssang jumped in the air.
What?
Sun Woo-hyun looked down out of surprise. The man shouldering a 60-kilogram backpack landed softly like a cat among the boulders.
My company is always superhuman.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. In a while, Mu Ssang had already transformed.
Lower the rope! Sun Woo-hyun yelled.
He considered himself superhuman too but still didnt dare to jump from 100 feet shouldering heavy equipment. Sun Woo-hyun slid down the rope like a spider. After unloading Asura and his dim-witted servant, the Gazelle rose.
Wakil, dont you need to bring your dog?
No, I dont.
Mu Ssang led the way. They were here for intelligence, not ambush.
This is quite a hassle! Sun Woo-hyun complained.
He was experiencing what was foretold to be unpleasant. The muggy, damp air seemed to press down on his lungs. Leaves dripping with water, slippery trail, and ferns with hardy thorns kept them tarrying. Puddles here and there added to the perceived unpleasantness. So did the unidentified insects that kept clinging to their bodies.
Ouch!
Sun Woo-hyun felt a sharp pain in his left ear. He slapped the area with his palm. A bean-sized spider was squashed on his palm. He promptly applied an antidote, but his left ear had already swollen. Hundreds of blue spiders slid down on a thread from a branch.
No!
Sun Woo-hyun hurriedly wore a face mask and sprayed pesticide.
I told you to cover yourself with dieldrin and wear a mask.
Mu Ssang clucked his tongue. If someone needs to experience something to know if it is good or bad, they shall.
* * *
Olonge, filling the cracks in his boat with rubber resin along a tributary of the Aruwimi River, hurriedly hid when he heard a splashing sound. A Pygmys hearing is ten times better than an ordinary persons.
A dark demon!
Olonge was filled with fear when he saw Mu Ssang and Sun Woo-hyun.
Olonge ran toward the village with all of his might. White people didnt usually attack them or act roughly but black-cloth-faced people were fearsome beings that killed everything on sight. The Pygmies didnt know that white people turn into black-cloth-faced people with simple masks.
Mu Ssang was aware of Olonges presence but left him alone and followed him leisurely. The Pygmies had several encampments in the forest to which they relocated often. He had the location of the previous village saved on his GPS, but there was no guarantee that this was the Olonge Village from before.
Nothing has changed! Mu Ssang muttered.
The village was dead quiet. There were 200 Pygmies hiding in dozens of huts. Pygmies were forest people. When they hid among the trees, even Mu Ssang had a hard time finding them. Why were they not fleeing to the forest familiar to them?
The huts made of reed and palm fronds were flimsy things that could collapse from one single kick. Were they thinking that the rickety walls would protect them from violent enemies? He understood their fear but didnt understand how they dealt with it.
Wakil, that looks like Samdi.
Sun Woo-hyun pointed at the big wooden sculpture standing at the entrance of the town.
Thats him. Samdi ended up a guardian spirit of the Pygmies.
Mu Ssang giggled.
What do you mean?
Samdi beat a monster that preyed on Pygmies to death.
What a savage!
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head.
Olonge!
Mu Ssang called in a loud voice. After several calls, Olonge showed himself shyly.
Im here!
Mu Ssang took off his goggles and mask.
Mahaduraka!
Fear evaporated from Olonges face. He held up both arms and shouted.
Machokata auriga!
Pygmies hiding in the huts all ran out and bowed.
Machokata auriga!
There was a collective shout. Mu Ssang waved. The shout ceased at once.
Umar Samdi?
Olonge pointed at Sun Woo-hyun. He was asking if he was the guardian, Samdi. Mu Ssang shook his head. Olonges face displayed a fleeting expression of disappointment.
Are they saying that God has come? What did you do to deceive these people?
Sun Woo-hyun glanced at Mu Ssang with eyes full of suspicion. This was the difference between Samdi who was still pure and Sun Woo-hyun who had experienced a lot of things, weathered by the world.
Chapter 685 - Chapter 63 Episode 21 Asura
Lackey, is the Moranbong Theater the only thing you can think of? I am the god among gods since Samdi, who is the god of the Pygmy tribe, is my subordinate. Every single one of billions of humanity is an actor. It is up to each one how big a stage they will walk. The world is my stage and my acting is planetary. I am either welcomed by bullets and cannons or worshipped as a god. My popularity doesnt wane anywhere. Hahaha!
Mu Ssang giggled.
You are Mu Ssang the great. You are indeed great.
Sun Woo-hyun opened his mouth wide at Mu Ssangs half-joke. If someone else said such a thing, he would have beaten them up, but what Mu Ssang was saying was true.
Mu Ssang did nothing but grin. Humans are not objective rational creatures. They see the world through a filter of their prejudices and interpretations. The Pygmy tribe refused to hold rifles even after the bodies of their people were piled up and blood ran like a stream. The perspective that outsiders were not adversaries but something to flee from was engraved in their genes.
Just as the Pygmy tribe couldnt accept guns, Sun Woo-hyun couldnt shed the frame formed as he grew up in a society full of surveillance and secret information. Samdis truth was open to others; however, Sun Woo-hyuns truth was only persuasive to himself. Thats why there is a saying, great wisdom equals great ignorance.
Olonge, didnt I tell you last time not to bow?
Mu Ssang lifted Olonge from his bowing posture.
Sun, tell everyone to stand.
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Stand!
Sun Woo-hyun interpreted.
We praise the Great God! Olonge shouted. A great drumming sound followed.
Haha!
The Pygmies began their characteristic dance in which they shook their butts sideways and flailed their arms.
How ridiculous!
Sun Woo-hyun cringed at the sight.
Wakil, did you hang out with the Pygmies during the last operation?
Yeah, I gifted them an elephant.
I shall gift them two.
Sun Woo-hyun was resolute.
Huh!
Mu Ssang was speechless. Sun Woo-hyun must have misunderstood that the Pygmies would treat anyone who gave them an elephant as a god. Prejudice leads people to misinterpretation, but how simple-minded was he to think in such a way?
Olonge, did anything special happen in the village?
Sun Woo-hyun interpreted.
There is. Mauni got married.
Not something like that. Any incident involving outsiders?
There is a stupid woman called Zumba in the nearby village. She gave us two bags of corn for one monkey. Hahaha!
Olonge giggled, revealing his blackened teeth.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang gave up. With no common shared cultural and conceptual background, communication proved difficult.
Hahaha! Wakil, you will go bald if you continue being a god for the savages!
Sun Woo-hyun burst out laughing at last. It felt good to see uneasiness on Mu Ssangs face. Mu Ssangs gaze alternated between Olonge and Sun Woo-hyun. Sun Woo-hyun began to feel anxious.
You look like you can be good friends based on your face and height. This god will excuse himself here, so you two friends can talk freely.
Mu Ssang shouldered the burden of communicating with the Pygmy tribe to Sun Woo-hyun. Knowing language alone was not sufficient for a good conversation. Cultural knowledge was essential too. Had he brought the young man called Ongore, he would have found it easier to communicate.
What are you saying? I am at least a palm taller than these guys! Sun Woo-hyun yelled.
In North Korea, he didnt feel any inconvenience, but once he came out to the world, no one was shorter than him. His height was barely over 160 centimeters, and along with his features, it made him self-conscious.
Mahadu kaduta aimi. (Lets be friends.)
Olonge shook his hips back and forth like a bonobo. It was a display of friendship among the Pygmies.
Im driven out of my mind!
Sun Woo-hyun frowned deeply. Of course, people were going to talk more freely to a friend than to a haughty god. One by one, the Pygmies entered Sun Woo-hyun and Olonges conversation. Soon, dozens of them were yelling and gesturing. The village clearing was soon crowded.
Lackey, is there any useful information?
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head.
It will be easier to talk to a chimpanzee. They say there was a battle involving helicopters and missiles in the eastern part of the forest and many people died. The Americans used airplanes to spray the forest with pesticides and defoliant which destroyed the forest and killed animals. Outsiders shot at everyone and they even saw black-cloth-faced outsiders. Many Pygmies were killed or captured, so they hid deeper into the forest. Last night, countless people reached up to where the elephants live. The rest, I cant quite understand.
Great. That is quite some information. Soon, it will be dark. We will begin the search tomorrow. We first need to find the woman who fled from the camp. Then we will decide upon the scope of the operation.
Isnt it like finding someone named Kim in Seoul?
Hopefully, well be lucky.
Mu Ssang said what he routinely said and jumped among the Abyssinia branches.
You are always so relaxed! Sun Woo-hyun grumbled as he unrolled his mat and set up his tent.
Lackey, set up a mosquito tent inside the tent. Kissing bugs can penetrate the tent with their needles.
A sleepy voice was heard from a talk treetop. Darkness settled in the jungle of Ituri. Sun Woo-hyun couldnt fall asleep with the hundreds of needles penetrating the tent and the sound of venomous insects and beasts skulking around the tent.
* * *
There was a foreign sound of a machete hacking off bushes and sturdy grass. Dozens of blue lights appeared where a harpy eagle leaped from. A Pygmy man with a leash on his neck led the way and black men with rifles hacked off the overgrowth to clear the path.
The black men with blue eyes shining like a wild beasts eyes were Mbembe Squad of Ntaganta which he thought highly of. Everyone in the squad was a voodoo believer. With skin enhanced by spells, they didnt fear vipers and venomous insects.
Ntaganta, as requested by the KGB, deployed 3,000 men across Mambasa. Pomsky, his friend, offered him a variety of gifts in exchange for finding the treasure map. Twenty Strela-2s, 10 field guns, 50 machine guns, 70 RPG-7s, and 2,000 rifles were promised. Some of them were already in their hands. With weapons secured, he could recruit any number of men. He was going to use the treasure map to secure weapons. Now that he had the weapons, his friend could have the map.
After suffering heavy losses, Ntaganta realized that they needed to get a local informant if they were going to explore the forest. Residents in the area barely knew anything about what was going on in the forest itself. They cultivated farmlands outside the forest and exchanged goods with the Pygmy tribe. 300 men in the Mbembe Squad began hunting for a Pygmy they would use as a guide.
Is this the right direction?
Dont worry. These people dont know how to lie, a black man holding the leash answered.
Pick up the pace. We need to take over three villages by first light.
Aye.
The black man kicked the Pygmys butt. The Pygmy began walking faster. No one knew how many Pygmy villages were hidden inside the jungle of Ituri. They estimated the number to be around 30. Everyone in the Mbembe Squad was anticipating the incoming joy of murder and the prospect of eating barbecued Pygmies.
* * *
Uninvited guests.
Mu Ssang suddenly opened his eyes wide. Muggy air was pressing down on the jungle. The fog was everywhere, waiting for the sunrise to lift them. He chose to sleep on a treetop rather than in a tent because he hated moisture. Billion Water Armor wrenched off a tree branch.
Whats that?
Sun Woo-hyun awoke at the sound of the branch hitting the ground.
Lackey, we have guests. 400 meters from the village entrance in the five oclock direction.
I got it.
Sun Woo-hyun stood abruptly, shouldered his backpack, and exited his tent. He didnt have any doubts. He might complain and act up sometimes, but he was the greatest warrior and a Novatopian with a king to serve. If Mu Ssang said enemies, there were enemies. If he said 500 meters, then they were 500 meters away.
Sun Woo-hyun, exiting the village, camouflaged in the trees with his headset on. Muggy fog hid him perfectly. Dark shadows strode on. These had proper uniforms unlike motley crews often found in East Africa.
They are walking straight to their death! They are quite insane! thought Sun Woo-hyun.
Sun Woo-hyun raised his MP5sd3 headset. Just as he was about to switch on the night vision, his hand stopped. Those men looked uncanny, non-human-like. Humans dont have eyes glowing blue like beasts nor can they smother their footsteps like that.
Wakil, something feels weird.
Youve dealt with them in Doba. They are voodoo fanatics.
Aha! Sun Woo-hyun exclaimed.
He had a painful memory of Doba where he lost face. Drugged-up and possessed humans were able to exert supernatural powers. They didnt die unless their heart was pierced or their head was smashed.
Lackey, they are led by a Pygmy. The one wearing a helmet in the middle is the leader.
All right. Ill show them what Im capable of.
Mu Ssang was implying that the Pygmy and the leader should be spared. Sun Woo-hyun was feeling confident. Close-range combat was his weakness but he was good at sniping. Blue balls that were the mens heads appeared in his night vision. The heads floating in thick fog was a quite grotesque scene.
The sound akin to a stick striking a blanket resounded in the quiet clearing at dawn. One shot, one kill. Sun Woo-hyun shot their foreheads and temples precisely. The enemies fell without even having time to scream.
Delatun!
When the sixth man fell, there was a shout. The heads floating in the fog disappeared at once.
Not now! said Sun Woo-hyun in his mind.
Sun Woo-hyun exited the area, crawling close to the ground like a lizard. Retaliatory bullets rained down on him. Sun Woo-hyun rose a bit to make haste.
Shoot, its moving to the right!
Bullets followed him like a shower of rain.
Ugh!
Sun Woo-hyun, being startled, found his target after taking cover behind a rock. A shadowy figure, sprinting on all fours like an animal, fell to the ground. Bullets flew in from both sides. He was being flanked.
No!
Surprised, Sun Woo-hyun clung to the rock like a pancake. Machine guns opened fire. The rock debris shot everywhere and dust rose. Whenever he tried to poke out his rifle, their rifles opened fire. Sun Woo-hyun couldnt move.
They have a clear vision! he said in his mind.
Their eyes shining blue must have granted them night vision like a nocturnal animal. They saw his every movement and reacted with gunfire. Now, he was really in a pickle.
Help me, Wakil!
You are a General. Are some fanatics giving you trouble?
They are not normal.
Hey, do you think being the Pygmys guardian god is an easy task? Samdi obliterated them as if he was swatting flies and he even killed a few monsters. Thats why Dino disrespects you and Ombuti thinks you dont deserve your rank.
There was an instant nagging.
How petty! said Sun Woo-hyun to himself.
Sun Woo-hyun frowned deeply. His master really had to return the remark he had made yesterday evening.
Be careful! 35 meters at 9:15!
Sun Woo-hyun fired before Mu Ssang could finish his sentence.
Hurgh!
A scream was heard for the first time.
42 meters at 10:20!
Sun Woo-hyun moved his barrel at lightning speed.
A grenade!
Fuck!
Sun Woo-hyun rolled like a ball and left his cover. A flash of light illuminated the dark. Dirt and debris rained down. The characteristic sharp sound of a Soviet machine gun was heard. Sun Woo-hyun ran and rolled. He was almost losing his mind in the midst of the fierce attack.
Wakil, Im dying here! ?Sun Woo-hyun screamed. He underestimated his enemies and was now paying the price.
Thats why you should have trained instead of fooling around. Back!
Startled, Sun Woo-hyun thrust the butt plate on his rifle from under his armpit like a spear.
Aargh!
There was a heavy thud and a scream ensued. A black man collapsed with his head smashed. He was holding a machete with a gleaming blade. Without Wakils warning, he might have died as a bachelor.
Huh.
Chills ran down his back. Their combat power was extraordinary. It wasnt just because his senses were dulled by the grenade explosion. He might not last until sunrise.
Wakil, I apologize. I will never act up.
Sun Woo-hyun begged, not caring about losing face.
The sound of hitting a sandbag with a stick was heard three times in a row. There were also several sounds like a spear swishing through the air. Before a minute could pass, all gunfire ceased.
There was a strange noise. Mu Ssang stepped out of the fog. He was holding something that looked like a child between his arm and his other hand was clasped around an ankle. The noise was the man being dragged and his head hitting the ground. Sun Woo-hyun, dumbfounded, merely stared.
Chapter 686 - Chapter 63 Episode 22 Asura
He glanced at the clock attached to the wrist protector. The attack ended after 53 seconds. Even the most skilled snipers and gods themselves needed to secure their target first to snipe it. Some idiots praised him as a god, but Mu Ssang was one of the most skilled snipers from Lgion trangre. He was but a human just like Sun, and how could this be?
Wakil, did you kill all of them?
Sun Woo-hyun, becoming awestruck, posed a useless question.
Lackey, even if fighter jets and missiles continue to advance, the infantry is always responsible for concluding a war. Concluding a battle depends on your close-combat power. You could have been killed, putting all of your physical power to waste. Do you want to wander the afterlife as a ghost of an unmarried bachelor?
I underestimated their camouflage and mobility. I misjudged the battlefield.
Sun Woo-hyun, disheartened, lowered his head.
I only understand half of it. You engaged in a battle where you were both ignorant of the opponents and yourself. The fundamental fault is laziness fed by being mundane in everyday life. Dont let any event sway your feelings. Other people are training with all of their might to gain what you already have. If you dont make good use of it, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Mu Ssangs criticism without playfulness sounded stern.
I am embarrassed.
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Sun Woo-hyuns face was flushed red. He himself thought he did poorly. In the Sahel, he was Mu Ssangs great aid. Now, he was a liability. He had nothing to say.
Interrogate them. Dont they sleep? They were quite rude to disturb my sleep. They will pay for it.
The black man and a Pygmy dropped in front of Sun Woo-hyun. They were both intact but seemed unable to move and only their eyes moved. Sun Woo-hyun flinched. They reminded him of himself when he was knocked out after getting punched in the chin on a rocky hill in Tanga.
Ugh. With such an incompetent servant, the master toils away on his behalf. I need more sleep! Mu Ssang grumbled as he returned to the village.
Is he even human? said Sun Woo-hyun to himself.
Sun Woo-hyun was dumbstruck at Mu Ssangs indifference and how he considered the deathly battle as some trouble that disturbed his sleep. Even after disregarding the disparity in combat power, the grandness of their character was totally different.
Sun, who are you comparing yourself to? Sun Woo-hyun lamented.
The hurt confidence soon turned into cruelty.
How shall I end this ones life?
Sun Woo-hyun revised the 108 ways of torture in his head.
* * *
The Pygmy guide received two slaps in the face and returned to the village, but the leader of the Mbembe recon squad turned into a pile of flesh, bones, and blood even after confessing the name of his third wife. His life force, even after being enhanced with voodoo spells, couldnt last after his bones were crushed and entrails were sliced.
Yawn! Did you get anything?
Mu Ssang appeared after the morning sunshine lifted most of the fog. He shot a question, dabbing his sleepy tears with his fingertip.
He was the leader of the Third Recon Squad of the Mbembe Special Ops of the Mai-Mai militia. Ntaganta sent them to aid the Soviet spies among others. The Russians protecting the said woman who escaped the American Army camp seems to be Ubiksa of the Seventh Division of Lubyanka.
Ubiksa?
They are supposedly made up of ESPers and nothing else is known. I interrogated him thoroughly but he didnt have much useful information.
Sun Woo-hyun made a report with a stern face. He spoke differently and no longer flaunted his achievements.
Is he in shock? A sudden change could mean that the person is soon to die, Mu Ssang wondered.
Indeed, the jungle of Ituri had a way of transforming people.
They are pawns but quite numerous. Its going to give us a headache. What about the blonde woman?
Mbembe is also after her. Two days ago, an Ubiksa agent procured some corn flour from a village called Ndudu.
All right. They lost their supplies. They are still here in Mambasa.
Mu Ssang seemed like he was pleased.
Ubiksa isnt just some Soviet lackeys. Even tossed in the middle of the Sahara, they are able to provide for themselves without any problem.
Hahaha! They will soon understand why Ituri is called the Dark Forest. The Americans cannot get to them because of the nature of the forest. Lets go!
Can we track them without a clue? The grass around here is quite hardy. When stepped on, they rise again, removing any trails.
You are a brigade commander of the Novatopian army. You shouldnt complain. Did you get your recon colonel title out of a poker game? Mu Ssang jested.
I will rectify it.
Huh? Hes acting really weird, said Mu Ssang to himself.
Mu Ssang was quite concerned. For Sun Woo-hyun, acting up and babbling were the norm. The man who had changed, made Mu Ssang feel awkward.
Ituri is the playground of the Pygmies. Olonge, lead us to Ndudu.
Mu Ssang didnt worry much. He ended up finding Kamuge and his friends hiding in Apadombe without any prior recon. The Russians had already shown their tail. It would be easier to find them. The only problem was that of time.
* * *
The village with a hundred homes, more or less, was dead quiet. Mu Ssang smelled a foul stench of blood. Ndudu didnt seem to have escaped the bloodlust raging across Ituri.
Olonge, are you close with the villagers?
Ndaka is our friend.
Sun Woo-hyun, let Olonge in and let us wait here.
He didnt want to stir the villagers who must be very frightened. Most indigenous people in eastern Congo were Bantu. Bantu encompassed all the tribes that spoke the Bantu language in East Africa. The more accurate term would be the Bantu-language family. The hostile tribes, Lese, Mamvu, and Budu were known to hunt the Pygmies, but the friendly tribes, Bira and Ndaka were friends with the Pygmies.
Sun Woo-hyun conversed with Olonge who had returned from the village. The pace of the conversation was mind-bogglingly slow.
Wakil, ten days ago, Ubiksa exchanged a Sitatunga with corn flour, and two days ago, a boat with cassava flour.
How much flour?
Sun Woo-hyun, understanding the intent behind Mu Ssangs question, conversed further with Olonge.
Grain is exchanged at twice the weight of the meat.
That seems reasonable.
Mu Ssang nodded. An adult Sitatunga weighed 80 kilograms, more or less. They got more than a hundred kilograms of grain. There must be quite some Russians hiding among the trees and they seemed intent on staying here for a prolonged period of time.
They wont last long.
Mu Ssang searched the outer perimeter of the village. Two days ago, there was a tropical rain shower. Special Ops agents wouldnt risk getting rained on in field warfare. When the temperature dropped, hypothermia came. When it was too high, muscle cramps came. In Ituri, a small mistake had grave consequences. They took shelter from the rain somewhere and it was close by.
Mu Ssang expanded the range of search, walking in expanding circles. His faculty of smell, on par with a dogs, analyzed the molecules floating in the air. Ituri was not some hill in a suburb. As he was sniffing out a wide area, time continued to pass.
What is he doing? asked Sun Woo-hyun inwardly.
Sun Woo-hyun was expecting Mu Ssang to succeed but was also doubtful. He wasnt prodding the ground with an iron rod or examining fallen leaves or branches thoroughly. He just sprinted through the forest. It was not certain what he was even looking for.
A monster is a monster because it isnt confined to the bounds of common sense, said Sun Woo-hyun to himself.
Patience is a chasers virtue. Sun Woo-hyun, becoming resigned, ignored his rumbling stomach and followed Mu Ssang around until the very soles of his feet began to sweat. When the sun was about to tilt west, Mu Ssang stopped in front of a large, old Lombi tree. Six hours had passed since he began the search. Patience was running thin.
His nose of a dog caught a whiff of blood amongst all kinds of odors in the muggy jungle. The smell was fishy but also had gone bad. It was not freshly shed blood but that of menstruation. Dimensional Sight scanned the ground. The soil was already firm but the spots that were stepped on were firmer.
Lackey, one woman and four men. Five used this place as rain shelter.
How do you know?
Sun Woo-hyuns tired eyes shone momentarily.
I just do.
I was stupid to even ask.
Sun Woo-hyun looked tired again.
Olonge, can you track them?
Mu Ssang gave him a direction.
No problem!
Olonge led the way. Chasing prey was the expertise and routine of the Pygmies. Olonge felt the bent grass, smelled the whiffs in the air, tasted dirt, and strode through the jungle.
Hes distracted again! said Mu Ssang inwardly.
Mu Ssang lightly kicked the butt of Olonge who tarried in front of a termite hill. Olonge smiled bashfully, revealing his black teeth. He was going to snack on the termites.
Olonge, who was about to resume his chase, ducked down. Mu Ssang vanished. Sun Woo-hyun took out an MP5 from his backpack and jumped into the forest after Mu Ssang.
Lackey, camouflage!
Sun Woo-hyun rapidly dived into a sea of trees. Like a mirage, a group of people appeared in front of him. They had their faces covered with long pieces of cloth except for their eyes. About three dozens of people advanced, hacking off the forest with their jungle blades. Yet, they made no noise whatsoever.
Sun Woo-hyun suppressed the urge to ambush them from behind. They had to have some powers to be able to move stealthily like that. After the recent defeat with the Mbembe, he tended to act more prudently.
A black object flew toward him like a cannonball. It hit a low-hanging Abyssinia branch and dropped to the ground. Soon, black rain showered from above his head.
Leeches! said Sun Woo-hyun inwardly.
Sun Woo-hyun felt his hair stand. There was an echoing screech. A poor monkey got covered in leeches. Smoke rose and the smell of burning fur filled the air. The hostile leech called carnictis secreted acidic venom. The frenzied monkey soon became mummified as punishment for waking the leeches.
Oh my!
The monkey didnt surprise him. The Mbembe squad did. They ignored the leeches covering their bodies. They indifferently marched on, tapping away the leeches. It meant the leeches fangs couldnt penetrate their skin.
Did you see?
What happened?
Their skin is enhanced with voodoo spells. Let me show you how rickety those non-earned spells are.
Resonance Wave enveloped the Mbembe recon squad. Their skins resonated with Resonance Wave. The layer of spells covering their skins broke like a pane of glass. The simple maneuver led to a catastrophic outcome. The carnictises burned off their clothes with acidic venom and drove their fangs into the vulnerable flesh.
Aargh!
No!
Screams were heard. The Mbembe squad, no longer indifferent, jumped around in a frenzy. More leeches, sensing the vibrations, rained on them. Their struggle to get the leeches off proved futile. When they got one off, two more clung to them. Even when they ripped off the body of a leech, the mouth clutched on and continued to suck their blood.
Huh
One leech was nothing but their power was in their number. Sun Woo-hyun, who had experienced quite some events, had to watch and shudder, suppressing the scream that crept up his throat. The dozens of people covered in leeches struggling and jumping was a scene from hell itself.
The screams let up suddenly. The leeches swarmed away after finishing their meal. On the ground, the 32 mummies were scattered around.
Did you see?
The voice came from just next to him.
Huh!
Sun Woo-hyun, who had tensed up, flinched away.
Wakil, that scared me!
This is Ituri.
What kind of leech could be that monstrous?
Only their form is that of a leech. As you reach the center of the forest, more outlandish lifeforms will appear.
This would be a biologists wet dream.
If their dream is to die, it would be. There are cleaner ways to go through. That wasnt pleasant anyway.
Mu Ssang stared at the hellish aftermath. Ants and various insects had replaced the leeches. Dignified death was a luxury that could only be afforded in the human world.
Mai-Mai was led by voodoo fanatics mainly. Just like the cult led by Kamuge, there was a group that committed all kinds of crimes like murder, arson, rape, abductions, and cannibalism. He had decided to exterminate them, but still, it didnt feel good to see them go this way.
Let us move. The jungle will handle their funerals.
Mu Ssang turned on his heel. The chase continued until dusk. Whenever they encountered an armed group, Mu Ssang and Sun Woo-hyun showered them with bullets. Two Mbembe squads that crossed paths with them were eliminated. Three unidentified groups met the same fate. They were going to interfere with their search anyway. They didnt serve them alive.
The next day, a tributary of the river running north of Mambasa blocked their path. The tributary didnt show on their GPS. No one knew how many tributaries flowed through the jungle of Ituri. The lush mangroves and narrow tributaries hidden by the canopy were not even visible from above.
Wakil, I will prepare the boat.
Sun Woo-hyun dismounted the rolled-up rubber boat from the top of his backpack.
You still havent adapted.
Mu Ssang pointed at the black river that flowed leisurely and almost seemed to be standing still.
Huh!
He could see underwater plants with thorns that were longer than a finger. If he floated a rubber boat there, it would be torn and they would sink into the river swarming with venomous insects.
Chapter 687 - Chapter 63 Episode 23 Asura
Its not that deep.
It was a narrow and stagnant river. It seemed to be okay to cross with the body. Woo-Hyun took out an all-in-one waterproof suit. Black Mamba shook his head and pointed to Olonge. Olonge stared at him with a look of anticipation.
Why are you looking at me?
Olonge did not answer but tilted his head.
This bastard, hes laughing at me, isnt he? said Woo-Hyun in his mind.
Woo-Hyun was quite offended.
Youd better think more. What do you think about where the leaves and animals dead bodies were deposited a hundred million years ago? Once you step in, youll be sucked into the black hole.
Black Mambas face was no different from Olonges as he was telling him off.
Damn it. How do I know if Ive never crossed before? This insane. You were comparing me with Samdi
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Woo-Hyuns eyes were burning with rage. He could know why Samdi was held in high esteem as a patron saint. An uninstructed Samdi had a powerful physical to break through obstacles like a tank, but an ordinary human like him couldnt dare to try.
Shh!
Olonge pointed to Black Mamba. Black Mamba posed in front of a tall and giant tree. Woo-Hyung closed his mouth.
Hop, hop, hop. Ho-Hop
If one could bring up the wind from the ground, there was no reason not to pull out the swords aura. The Gongjin swirled. He could feel every single movement of the cells. All consciousness gathered at a point. The Gonjinpa waved together with the frequency of trees. A flash of light swept through the bottom of a giant tree.
Hatari! (Dangerous!)
Olonge slapped Woo-Hyuns side and ran away.
Danger?
The sky had darkened.
Holy moly!
Frightened, Woo-Hyun jumped like a frog. The giant tree fell. The diameter of the base of Abyssinia, which was cut smoothly like a mirror, was thicker than Woo-Hyuns height.
OMG, I cannot fulfill the entire lifetime that my god has given to me!
Freaked out, Woo-Hyun looked vacantly at the fallen giant tree. He was about to be killed by a tree.
Whats going on here?
Woo-Hyun watched back and forth between a Kukri and the fallen giant tree.
Simply as it is!
As it is?
Woo-Hyuns face was rotten and tarnished. It was hard to communicate with a person who didnt have common sense. Black Mamba roughly cut off a large branch using the Kukri and raised a giant tree. A 50-meter-long log bridge hung over hills on both sides of the Efulu River tributary.
Mungu amerudi!
Olonge lay face down with both hands on the ground. Black Mamba leisurely crossed the log bridge.
Oh my god. Oh my God!
Woo-Hyun could only say oh my god incessantly. He overreacted but felt like he was in a dream. He was embarrassed the moment when he knew that Wakil was the best. Black Mamba was not a god, but it was worth calling him god.
When Woo-Hyun crossed the log bridge halfway, the river fluctuated. A giant crocodile surged out of the water without warning. A scary 65 conical teeth sparkled in malice. He jumped up to 4-meters using his powerful tail as a driving force.
Im not that naive!
Woo-Hyun swung the pangue like a sharpy rain. It was self-made swordsmanship named the mirage of heaven. The crocodile chose the wrong prey because Woo-Hyun was also a shining star hidden by a supernova, Black Mamba.
The cry of death throes rang out. The giant crocodile fell and splashed into the river after being given a strike in a moment. Splash! Numerous large and small aquatic creatures flocked with sharp teeth.
The surface of the water bubbled up. The torn crocodile pieces scattered around and the river turned red. Within three minutes, the chunk of meat that spread on the water surface disappeared and only giant bones remained.
Wow.
Woo-Hyun took a breath in silence. Horrible creatures who ate a 5-meter giant crocodile in a second were staring at him with their heads popping on the water. Crunch! Crunch! The sound of a snake-like eel gnawing at the bone was played as the background music. Tired Woo-Hyun crossed the bridge quickly. He realized why everyone avoided the jungle of Ituri.
******
Black Mamba continued its pursuit in silence. Sometimes, gunfire and gunshot rang from far away, but he didnt care. There was no way that numerous spies and guerrillas from all over the world enjoyed the friendship by raising vodka.
Did you find it?
Black Mamba flinched. Heterogeneous-smell molecules floated in the air. Whizz! Resonance waves compressed the atmosphere. The smell of molecules that had already faded, increased its density. It was like the smell of sweat, or it would be more exact to say that it smelled of decomposing lipids and fatty acids, which were secreted by bacterial secretions, and sweat glands that had proliferated from dead skin cells melted in sweat.
The smell of humans sweat and animals is different. The scent of an animals sweat might sour but not stink. Humans consume lots of salt. A long time after sweating, sodium promotes the decomposition of bacteria, resulting in a stinking smell.
Bingo!
Black Mamba, who caught the stinking smell, celebrated himself. This could be a piece of clear evidence that Roskes base was not far away. He snapped a branch and splashed it. Tik! Once the back of Olonges head was hitten by the broken branch, he disappeared in a second. They couldnt communicate, but he was pretty sensitive to feeling the sense of danger. Woo-Hyun also escaped with the side-crawl walking.
His sensitive nose also caught another smell other than the smell of sweat. Butanone, phenone, idole, and scotol are the molecules from waste when the digestive system absorbs nutrients and releases them out of the body. In other words, it is the smell of poop.
Someone farted.
The corner of Black Mambas mouth turned up. A heavy-educated spy could not handle the feces properly. They could wrap up the wastes and buried under the ground, but there would be no way to control the fart. The rougher food would produce more gas during the digestion process. Unless they were the dragons, they needed to release the generated gas.
Whats wrong with this?
Black Mamba, who was tracking the smell, tilted its head. The smell that needed to be thickened, disappeared. Even though he spread the dimensional sight, nothing was caught. Frustrated Black Mamba went back to the origin point and traced from the beginning.
Youve made a trap!
After he circled a 300-meter diameter circle three times, he found why the smell had disappeared. They had faked the space. The suspicious point was about 75 meters from the end of the black granite rock.
The lower part of the rock was covered with rotting old trees and green algae while parasitic vines covered the old tree. Only the upper part, which was covered with dense ferns, was exposed. Nothing was special, but he was a god-level sniper to find a special part in mediocrity.
The problem was the distortion of space. He could see the rock, but he couldnt approach it. The chaser deserved to encounter trifling. Black Mamba changed his mind by fiddling with the Rakshasa handle. He could break out of the trap. However, Ubiksa would not just watch it.
If this happened, it would be a battle of patience. Black Mamba burrowed into the ground like sinking under the water. He demonstrated both Gonjin and natural assimilation. All kinds of insects, reptiles, and arthropods stepped on his head, whose presence had disappeared.
******
Located at Haut-Uele, about 32Km of northwest of Mombasa, it had been more than ten days since Ubiksa Temple, led by Milovic, hid under the basement near limbali. Haute-Uele was close to the center of the jungle of Ituri and showed a high density of predators such as leopards, terrorist birds, venomous king snakes, and poisonous insects.
It was suitable as a hiding place, but the problem was water and food. It was spacious as 1067 sq ft, but Ubiksa was not in a good condition. They stayed in the jungle of Ituri for more than two months. Their medication and necessities were about to be out of stock.
When they were in a battle with the U.S. military, the lost equipment and freeze-dried food made them get into the worst condition. It was impossible to get supplies from locals. Most animals and plants that he had never heard of contained poisons. One of his crew who ate a rabbit-like animal was about to die, while the other crew called No. 16, ate mango-like fruit and died of poisoning.
To make the situation worse, his crew who ate corn and casava powder purchased from the local village had diarrhea. This was because digestive enzymes and bacteria living in the intestine had shrunk due to the lack of moisture in the body. Diarrhea made them physically weak quickly.
The vicious cycle of lack of moisture causing diarrhea and diarrhea depleting the bodys moisture occurred. The crews strength dropped sharply. However, they couldnt even eat any cooked food because the smell of food spread more than two kilometers. Even a trap could not block the scent of cooking thoroughly.
The poor environment was not the only problem. The bigger problem was endless waiting without promise. He couldnt communicate with Mai-Mai and couldnt get out of the region. He was about to go crazy, waiting endlessly. Ubiksa was slowly losing their composure.
Comrade, please resume the communication with the home country
No way!
Milovic cut off his men.
Moscow does not want to have trouble with the U.S. We must wait until Mai-Mai comes.
Can this fool find us? Its only 250 Km left to reach Luwenzori Mountains. If I distort the space and the 3rd crew blocks the noise, we can escape.
U.S. is not a fool. It is challenging to avoid numerous wiretapping machines and cameras. Even if we deceive them, we cannot trick the jungle of Ituri. Ntaganta is a great magician. He will find us at the latest.
Milovic also desired to escape so severely, but there was nothing he could do other than waiting. He could only hang the medal on his neck if he was still alive. If he could cross the borderline of Ugandan, he pleasurably would get help from any creatures.
No. 22, please trust comrade leader and yourself.
When Deputy Sevchenko raised his voice, No. 22 closed his eyes tightly. He wanted to fight even if it caused him death.
******
The underground basement, where Black Mambas target, was a cramped space filled with heat and smell as hard as breathing. After the heavy rain, the humidity increased as the scope lens was blurred.
Helen received special treatment. Out of 70 O underground spaces, she occupied 8O. The rest of the space was divided among 14 team members and public space was occupied. Helen was also given food and water first.
No. 6, you could hold farts.
Helen became irritated. The pursuers moved around near their base several times. If No. 2 did not twist the space and No. 3 did not block the noise, it was over already. Control of physiological phenomena such as farting, coughing, and sneezing was the basic of spy training.
Helen, Im trying too.
No. 6 responded soullessly.
A man who tries to fart like a machine gun?
Helen cast her eyes.
Ha..
No 6s eye became violent. If someone gets special treatment in a limited space, there is someone who is discriminated against. No. 6 was armed with solid patriotism, but he still wanted to shoot Helen. No. 5 tapped No. 6. Helen was something to protect.
Helen, please burrow me into a freezer for a minute. The fart was due to the increased temperature in the stomach. If you dont like the smell of farts, give me a freezer for a minute.
No. 6 smiled and held out his hand. Swing! Helen swung the RN-2, a great sword, without hesitation. No. 6 frightened out and pulled his hands back.
You bitch!
A pissed-off No. 6 sat on the dirty wall and closed his eyes. She was not an official member, but she was fierce enough to not be able to have a conversation. If she was not a hero, she would have already been thrown out into a forest infested with predators and poisonous insects.
Fuck you, man!
Helen smirked and pulled the Oparts out of her sports bra. Her breast turned blue as if it had frostbite. It was more precious than her life, so she couldnt put it in the backpack, even though she was suffering from a cold. She was very nervous even if it was separated from her body.
Oparts became colder as the room temperature rose. It was hard to identify the object with her knowledge no matter how hard she tried. The property of the KGB was darkness. Do not try to know anything. Do as you are commanded. Even if you know, do not say anything. Do not trust your comrade.
Helen rolled the Oparts with a cloth and tied them tightly to her lower stomach. She could endure the cold air by moving it around. She was faithful to the teachings of the organization.
No 6 and No7, Its time to reconnaissance.
A voice was heard from the inner wall, but no one was seen. It was No. 1 who used transparent skills. Milovic ordered reconnaissance every four hours. The aim was to identify hazards and to contact Mai-Mai rebels.
Wow, you punks!
Black Mamba kicked his tongue. The shrub on the left side of the rock moved. The eyes of a high-skilled sniper could distinguish between vector displacement and chaos displacement. The shrub moved at constant speed in a certain direction.
Amazingly, a round bowl rose where the shrub moved away. The bowl, which rose slightly from the surface, stayed in the same place for a while. No. 7 was analyzing the smell of floating in the atmosphere. After confirming that there was no problem, No. 7 escaped smoothly like a lizard.
Whoops!
No. 7 inhaled the air deeply. The humid air was a heavenly scent compared to the polluted underground air. Another green bowl rose next to it. No. 6, who came out from the underground, returned the shrub to its place.
The windbreak management would be perfect!
Black Mamba moistened his lip. He wore tight green clothes and a full-face helmet and covered his eyes and mouth with goggles and a mask. He was like a wet log.
Chapter 688 - Chapter 63 Episode 24 Asura
Uviksa cut the shrubs root like a raft to make a basement entrance. His exquisite workmanship was good, as he would like to invite him as an instructor.
Suddenly, he remembered all the humans sent to Grave Vizzo. There were about four to five hundred people, including Ninja and magicians, who were dispatched by Higashi Honganji, local gangsters, corrupt prosecutors, and high-ranking officials. Half of them were human trackers arrested by Flatfish(Black Mambas crew) on the south coast.
Even now, Geuk-do Kim and Flatfish were still supplying people to Grave Vizzo as a name under the overseas employment and lifelong work. The life-long service was the brightest idea ever. It was a desirable win-win strategy as Korea exported the trashes, while Novatopia earned lifelong workers.
A commissioner Afwerki controlled the Grave Vizzo by sleeping quality and rations. If the windbreak in the area dried up and the condition of the forest worsened, the quantity of the meals would be reduced from three to two or two to one, and the hours of sleeping time would be reduced from eight hours as well. They had to care for the trees if they didnt want to die. No wonder it was called a wet log.
Human rights? The victims rights were presented in Novatopia but not for criminals. There were no long-term prisoners who lived longer than ten years in jail, life imprisonment, or condemned criminals, but only windbreak management faculties. Excuses such as suffering from hardships of life, drunkenness, being addicted to drugs, having trouble with sweethearts, and having menstrual syndrome were not a consideration.
******
No. 6 and 7, out of the basement, passed in front of Black Mamba, and entered the forest. No. 6 sniffed like a dog and No. 7 passed by touching natural objects such as grass, trees, and rocks with his palm. They were talented with a superpower of smelling and memorizing.
Black Mamba released spatial perception skills and tracked them. Uviksa was a top-tier Spetsnaz out of the Spetsnaz. Nothing would be left if he died or committed suicide. It was easy to kill but needed a little effort to capture alive.
Black Mamba stood up on the lower branches of Abyssinica like a ghost after he figured out the route of Uviksa. Abyssinica was a tropical tree under the rose family that grew to 70 meters. It formed a three-stage: the lower, middle, and upper layers. Locals called it a monkey tree because it was a tree where monkeys and sloths hid to avoid eagles.
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Advisor, Spetsnaz is an ignorant last-ditch in a word. Do you know EXPIAST(KGBs agent exam)? They penetrate both cheeks with an awl, cut their tights, and sew with needles while laughing. It would be safe to shoot on their head one more even if you think they are dead.
This was a saying from Ariba, emphasizing the cruelty and recklessness of Spetsnaz. Mu Ssang smirked. Such acts of self-harm were immature abuse, not courage, and they were stupid children who damaged the body handed down by their parents.
Cruelty and rigor were different. A true warrior was a man who was strict with himself. A man who was strict with himself could be generous to others, but a man who was cruel to himself was offensive to others.
Emotionless eyes stared down at the man in blue who passed under the tree.
So, reshooting him to make sure if he dies? It would be okay to hit him a little harder.
The angel of death attacked.
Ostorozhno! (Watch out!)
No. 6 responded as quickly as possible after he sensed the wavelengths of air, but it was late. A strong iron plate hit the top of No. 7s head. As soon as No.6 lifted the ASS VAL(Soviet special forces assault rifle), a black object filled his eyes. Baam! His consciousness was gone after the fire flashed right in front of his eyes.
Humans head? Head butt?
It was a question left in the last consciousness. When No. 7 fell on the floor, the object that crushed No. 6s face also fell to the ground. It was an Abyssinia fruit, Ompalocarpom, thrown by Black Mamba.
Wow, theyre very sensitive.
Black Mamba admired. So far, Chui Do Shik was the only one who noticed the surprise attack.
My man! I caught two bears.
Yes, sir, Im coming.
Woo-Hyun came right away. After that, Olonge, who noticed the end of the situation without communication, appeared like a ghost. Woo-Hyun took the blue mans helmet, mask, and goggles and pulled out a molar. It was a poisonous medication for a case of suicide. The experience of a captain of the Peoples Army reconnaissance brigade helped out.
Wakil, this was so badly broken. You shouldnt play with food
Woo-Hyun picked up a bloodstained fruit and looked at No. 6, whose face was sunken, with pity. The cheekbones smashed and one eyeball popped out because of the shock. Of course, he would be dead anyway, but it would be this time.
He could imagine the situation without looking. He would be the first Uviksa who died by getting hit by a fruit. A human who has been swept away by natural disasters cannot be alive. All human creatures, including Woo-Hyun, were broken.
Oh my God! He already gave up his life.
Woo-Hyun threw out No. 7. Blood poured from his nose, mouth, and ears. It was evident that he was attacked by the Gyeoksan Tau method.
No way! Is the best warrior in the KGB that weak? Are they really Uviksa?
Black Mamba looked into his hand. He tried to hit them a little harder because he was on the helmet, but he didnt use his resonance power. He used only muscle strength. He lost an innocent person because his physical strength changed when he couldnt realize it.
Of course, they are. Ass Val is only available to Uviksa Corporation. This is the best assault rifle.
Woo-Hyun took the rifles of No. 6 and 7.
Assi Bal, Jotto(damn, fucker)? Are you cursing at me?
Black Mamba opened his eyes wider.
Dont even try ridiculous old man jokes. This is a special war rifle produced by the Soviets. It has a built-in silencer and is strong enough as a 9mmx39mm bullet pierces holes in the bulletproof hallway. Jotto, a luxury brand that produced Ass Val, reduced the size of its body with a folding headboard and employed a 16-fold scope.
Woo-Hyun treated the gun as if his dead sister had returned.
Is it better than MP5?
Black Mamba was also a mercenary. He was attracted to high-performed weapons.
There are pros and cons. Ass Val has a good trigger, but it is difficult to carry lots of bullets. However, I personally like Ass Val more than the MP5.
Woo-Hyun wrapped Uviksas cartridge belt on his own and saved the cartridge and spared ammunition into his miscellaneous bag. All the rest of the equipment was for Olonge.
Holy, It is elder abuse.
Black Mamba looked at Olonge with pitiful eyes. He already had two huge backpacks, an Ass Val, a helmet, and an ammunition belt. He was small with only 140 centimeters. It was fortunate that Ass Val was only 615mm if the headboard was folded.
Yeah! We need to take all the things that make money. Oh, God, he has already woken up earlier than I thought.
Uviksa, whose face was smashed, raised his head.
Uviksa has specialists in physical and psychic Esper. That guy looks like a physical person.
Its just a mole that crawled out of a hole.
Did you find a basement?
I found one.
They have at least two. They dont put eggs in a basket.
Of course. That is why I captured him. Shake him off.
The Russian was one of the liberal arts for capturing the Peoples Army. He did not worry at all.
They were broken so badly. Ha!
Woo-Hyun licked his lips. He injected a shoot of heart stimulant, but they were about to die.
We just need to check a woman who ran away from the U.S. military camps.
Black Mamba kept himself calm.
******
Wakil, they died after speaking a few words. Also, shes been hiding in that basement.
Thank God! Whats her name?
She is called No. 10. It meant the VIP crew.
Why No. 10 is speical one? Not No. 1 or extraordinary?
The Soviet Interior Department celebrates October when the Lenin Revolution happened. Thats why they are calling No. 10 for whom survived and returned from enemy territory.
Very literary. Shes a VIP on our side too, Black Mamba murmured.
He could only know the situation of the U.S. military camp if he captured No. 10.
How many are in the base?
He said five, but I cannot believe it.
Same here.
Black Mamba smirked. A guy from Uviksa wouldnt be telling the truth. If he said five, it would be at least ten.
Ill catch No. 10, so wait for me.
Ill help you out.
Theres hydrophones around the basement. Dont over-react but wait.
Black Mamba had vanished.
Damn it, of course, elder Ombutti told me he wont need me
Woo-Hyuns face was rotten and tarnished.
******
It had already pass10 minutes since No. 6 and 7 had to be returned. No. 1 had to assume the worst case.
Is there anything wrong with the hydrophones?
No, sir, the crew wearing headphones replied.
Damn it! No. 5 report to Comrade Captain.
A skinny man like a skeleton was dented. Supernatural powers were not free. The exchange of equivalence law would apply. In his case, aging was quickened whenever telepathy was used.
I got it!
He couldnt use telepathy, or the basement would expose if he sent someone out. There was no choice for No. 5. It was a huge difference between the power that was innated and earned by enlightenment.
God damn it! Is it a superpower sniper?
Milovich intuited that the current situation was not usual. No. 6 was Esper and No. 7 was physical Exosuit. Although the Ituri jungle was the forest of demons, their combination was not weak enough to be attacked by monsters or beasts. He never thought that No. 7 was neutralized by close combat.
He had to come forward not to expose Hellen. If the enemy was Esper sniper, the fighting escalated into an all-out war. If he sent people little by little, it would be wasteful. Milovich divided the personnel into three groups.
The first group was for the bait and the second group was for the double trick. The Soviet Unions unique strategy of killing the enemy at the expense of some of its allies was no different from Spetsnaz. Uviksa from Rimbali basement came out from base one by one.
Bingo! The hidden point moves on its own.
Black Mamba was exciting. Men in blue popped up from 150 m away from a giant tree. If there was no other basement around, there was no need to worry about a surprise attack. He opened the space perception skills like a spider web and waited for them to exit from the space perception.
The space perception fluctuated. A spearhead appeared 100 m ahead of the left. Woo-Hyun was more than good at covering up and moving every moment. A group of blue men that followed secretly were caught in space perception.
Theyre not ordinary people!
It was time for dusks to creep in. The armies uniforms in mixed colors of green and yellow and amoeba-patterned helmets served as excellent protective colors in a dark forest. They were also fast. It was glad that Woo-Hyun didnt follow him.
Black Mamaba prepared Dragunov, not MP5. MP5 was less practical, and the trigger was not powerful with subsonic bullets. Their new snipers were not easy-going. When he noticed their operation, he let go of the first troops and targeted the follow-up team.
Three men in blue who tried to approach from the back of 20 m grabbed their necks and collapsed as if they had promised. Only the neck, face, and armpits were the areas that would cause fatal injuries when the enemy wore full-face bulletproof hats and bulletproof suits.
Drop! The spearhead which was flying for hiding fell. They couldnt avoid bullets from close with the speed of Mach 2.7. Black Mamba immediately left.
Roths weapons were usually largely ignorant. Either ignorantly powerful, ignorantly cheap, ignorantly practical, ignorantly poor performance, or ignorantly large, etc.
Ass Val was fitted with a 9mm parabellum bullet, but its shell was 37 mm. With simple math, the bullet momentum was more than twice the MP5. STF endothelial bulletproof suits and composition of outer were trustful, but avoiding the bullet itself would be more helpful to live longer.
Just as he thought, numerous bullets fell like a snowball onto where he had been hiding. Leaves and branches sprang up. The backup group captured the position at once. They werent ordinary people either.
Damn it!
Milovich stomped his foot right after he lost his target. His specialties were spatial perception and heat source detection. At that moment, he sensed the heat of the gunfire and he shot numerous bullets, but the target disappeared like a ghost. Indeed, the third groups vitality was not detected.
No. 16. No. 16!
Only silence could be heard.
He called the leader of the third group, but no one answered. Milovich was tensed. Superpowers who had experienced five years of all training and preparation for the actual battles in Afghanistan for at least a year were killed. Hes a scary guy.
Ill definitely kill you.
Milovich clenched his teeth. He repressed his fear. If the enemy was a superpower sniper, he was also a superpower sniper. The hells lion who sent 600 people from Afghanistan to Allahs side was him.
The formal Soviet Unions assault rifle, Ass Val, looked heavy, but continuous shooting and destructive power were the best.
Chapter 689 - Chapter 63 Episode 25 Asura
He displayed the skill of Surreal Senses. At 3:15 p.m., the distance of 185m was dizzy. The guy, who killed group 3, moved 200 m at the moment. The physical exosuits speed was nothing compared to him.
Sevchenko, hes the special sniper, Milovic whispered.
The guy wasnt an ordinary person. Although the base was armed with a surreal sense and 16-fold night vision, there were many environmental constraints.
Snipers trajectory was heavily influenced by wind direction at long distances (over 300metes) and wind speed at short distances. There couldnt be an anemometer at night time. If the grass shook lightly, it would be 1m/sec, and if the grass shook entirely as it was laid down, it would be 7m/sec. It was his approximate calculation to calculate the wind speed. However, it was irregular because the estimate was based on his experience.
He had to calculate the trajectory accurately and get a better margin of error to catch him. Milovic had no reason to be bothered because he had Sevchenko, a human weather station.
Direction of Southwest 5 m/sec, the margin of error 3:18 upper and 1.8 Degree!
Sevchenko immediately secured finances and spread them. Experienced Sevchenko considered the terrain and held his gun. An advanced sniper could identify and counterattack the trajectory of a bullet with only bullet dust embedded in the ground. Puck! Puck! Puck! Ass Val and PK machine guns fired simultaneously.
Look at these guys!
He had a pounding headache. Bullets hailed down on his hiding spot. Surprised, Black Mamba grabbed a drooping parasitic vine and pulled himself up into the air without having time to think. A thick vine strand twisted his ankle when he moved sideways like a swing.
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Gasp!
Frightened, Black Mamba released the skill of Gongjinpa. If he used Gongjinpa aggressively, the hydrogen would escape from the water molecules. The vein that lost the water at once crumbled like dust.
Milovic didnt miss a chance. Aiming was enough in half a second. Puck! The bullet with 750 m/sec landed after 0.25 sec. Black Mambas head swung around.
Ouch!
As expected, Ass Val was quick and powerful. A surprise attack from Ass Val that hit hard like a club made his head empty. Puck! Puck! Puck! He got three shots in an instant.
Ugh!
Black Mamba missed the parasitic vine and fell from the air. Sometimes, the god Black Mamba was humiliated.
I got you!
Sevchenko celebrated himself. At least three or four shots hit him.
Tie him up!
No 18, called Death Gardener, reached out. Dozens of the parasitic vines that drooped low as strings rushed to him like angry cobras.
Ah, Fuck Jotto (Damn it)!
Black Mamba spoke out the foul-mouthed torrent of abuses. The Bossaurus bulletproof jacket defended well but was hit as many as four times. He couldnt imagine that they had four supernatural power to move plants! His head buzzed and bones throbbed. Its been a while since a bullet hit him!
Ubiksa followed the teleportation tightly and targeted the aim despite the darkness and an obstacle. In other words, someone had superpowers similar to dimensional sight. The bulletproof helmet must have been cracked or perforated with the shot of Ass Val, but there was no way to check.
Holy shit!
Black Mambas eyes shone in blue. Seeing dozens of vines that were heading toward him like venomous snakes in the dark was a horrible scene. It was nothing if one knew. Black Mamba waved its hand. The Gongjinpa pulverized the vine.
It has disappeared. Its on 11:30. Push it and open the terrain.
The first group went straight and the Second group moved to the left. There was a burnt area 1 km back. Some places in the jungle of Ituri were burned and dried up because of the collapse between militants. Seven Ubiksa who operated the exosuit ran through the forest like a leopard.
Are their livers swollen or the heads swollen?
Black Mamba was dumbfounded. When three men in blue were down, they jumped just with their end toes and stuck their elbows to the body like crocodiles. It was the method of minimizing the area to avoid the hit of bullets, but it was useless to the god-level sniper.
Puck! Black Mamba attacked relentlessly. Fish was just a fish and the angler was just an angler. The first shot hit the top of the helmet of Group 2s No. 22.
Argh!
The head of No. 22 tilted back by the lever principle. A series of bullets penetrated the middle of the eyes. 4,200J shot was strong enough to penetrate the cephalic. The bullet trapped in the amoeba helmet jumped like an angry wild horse. The head of No. 22 looked like the apple in the blender.
No. 22 got hit. 11 OClock.
Milovic, who captured the heat source, struggled.
Argh!
Black Mamba, aiming for the third man after shooting the second one, laid flat as if he was stuck on the ground. The bullets poured from the right side. The bullet was accurate. The tree used as a cover was shattered.
The opposite person was also a superpower who saw darkness as daytime. He had a hard time avoiding fastly while shooting accurately. Unfortunately, he dug in the ground because he missed the time to leave.
Huh, its gone.
Milovic was wonderous. He felt like he was fighting a ghost. One must die or run hundreds of meters away to escape his surreal sense.
Sevchenko!
Milovic looked back at the deputy. Sevchenko could read the mood of the air. None of the people couldnt escape from his superpower if they were within 200 m.
He didnt move.
Is he underground?
Perhaps.
Its rather good. No. 16 and 24, stick to him!
The sound of the gun was stopped and two men in blue rushed in.
Whoaa!
No. 16 swung a knife. The white flame wrapping around the knife stretched out 10 meters. The soil at the hideout splashed and rock melted. The performance was spectacular, but No. 16 was not looking good.
Hup!
No. 16 jumped. He put a knife ahead and stuck it in a vertical position. It was an attempt to pour out flames deep. A finger was out of the surface of the ground. If one watched it closely, it was a middle finger. The tip of the finger nodded toward the falling No. 16.
A short and sharp gunshot was echoed. The Amoeba helmet, which also defended Dragunovs bullet, was penetrated helplessly by the finger wind. The finger wind was a hundred times cleaner than a bullet because it was spiked in cool and clear. No need to mention the human head.
Gasp!
A scream echoed. No. 16 was stuck in the ground like a mallard that was shot.
No. 16
A sad scream was cried. The flame covered No. 24.
Ill cook you all.
No. 24 hit both hands to the ground. The flame was being sucked into the coordinates like a whale.
Ugh, what the hell is this guy!
Frightened, Black Mamba built the wall with Gonjinpa but couldnt endure the heat of burning the whole ground. Is this karma because he cooked the mud chicken often since he was young? He was in danger of being a smoked duck. Unendurable Black Mamba popped out.
I got you!
Puck! Puck! Puck! Milovics special rifle skill, Momiant Steelpat which made him a Gods hand, poured on him. The head and the chest of the Black Mamba within the bullets trajectory shook like a haze.
Gasp!
Milovic blew unnecessary air. It was possible because Momiant Steelpat had a dynamic visual activity of the superpowers. He twisted his neck about 90 degrees, tucked his stomach in, and bounced his pelvis up. They were all the parts that he was targeted. Neither Esper nor Predator couldnt move at the sonic sound, but the skeleton, ligaments, and muscles couldnt withstand the moves under the sonic sound.
Is it a liquid metal robot?
Milovic looked away, not thinking of a second shot. No. 24, who earned the time to attack, raised both arms. The atmosphere swirled with oxygen and hydrogen. A blazing fireball fluctuated between his arms. Hot air rushed to 30 meters away.
Hey, are you still playing with fire? What do you think about your age?
Black Mamba didnt give him a chance to attack. At the moment, when No. 24 threw a fireball, he flicked the finger wind. No. 24s middle forehead was penetrated and fell while looking away. No. 24 was covered with his fireworks and turned into ashes instantly. Black Mamba had disappeared.
What the hell is he? Follow him!
Sober Milovic let out an order.
Gasp!
A scream rang out. No. 17 was hit. Tut, tut, tut! Subordinates shot in the direction of No. 17 without waiting for instructions. This meant that they lost their composure. It was useless. He was not a man to be hit by blind bullets.
Sevchenko, is he a predator?
Milovic couldnt move hastily. The fight was reversed. He was not prey but a hunter. He felt a chill in his back. The anger disappeared while the fear filled in.
No, the predator cant make an active circumstantial judgment. Only three Ubiksa members are needed to catch a predator. Hes an unknown person of capacity.
Do you mean either Black Mamba or Abaddon?
Yes, sir, its unbelievable, but he is still a human. However, I feel like hes hesitating.
The crazy one is hesitating?
Milovic opened his eyes widely.
Thats how I felt.
Well, how many do we have left?
Milovic had a sour stomach. Without asking, he knew the number who had beaten was more than the remaining number.
Seven were beaten. The fighting team was all gone, and only No. 18 and 19 left.
Damn it!
It was an unbelievable result. Eleven Ubiksa, including himself, was beaten by just one person. He didnt want to make such a bad joke.
We had to do all our best from the beginning. Because of wiretappers, we didnt use the capabilities of supporting-firearm and extending-area.
Sevchenko secretly rebuked his boss.
No. 16 and 24 has already been used.
We need to activate the exosuit booster.
The booster is not technically stable yet.
Milovic felt stuffy on his chest. Sevchenkos face was full of wrinkles. It was a side effect of continuously using their skills. If they activated the exosuit booster as well, their lifespan would be reduced by at least ten years.
Its not a time to save our ability. Im sure the U.S. has noticed us already. We need to kill him quickly and move our basement as soon as possible.
We need to be alive to use the skills. Send No. 19 to tell No. 1 and 3 to carry No. 10 and the rest to join the battle.
Milovics voice, who said yes, was out of power. Using guns and silent weapons unremunerative, they would take responsibility for all shits. A crazy sniper made all these messes.
Oh, No. 19s vitality is gone. No. 18 is also disappearing.
Sevchenko, who was sending telepathy, jumped.
What?
Surprised, Milovic loosened his dimensional sight.
Ugh! This this punk! Milovics face twisted like an evil spirit. When they were discussing with the deputy, he erased the support team.
How did it happen? There was no heat reaction.
Milovic gritted his teeth and muttered. He had no idea that the evil spirit had failed to properly operate his primary skill, close combat, because of hiding in the base where Helen was. If Black Mamba swung Rakshasa, they were all gone already.
Ill have to check.
No. 18 and 19 were the masters of close combat. He couldnt believe that they were beaten without screaming.
Milovic looked down at No. 18 with a sad face. No. 18 was not completely dead yet. He was struggling to seize the life that was about to go. The cause of death was a tree branch that penetrated the uvula. There were no hospitals in the jungle of Ituri and no skilled surgeons. But it was filled with the full of murderers.
No. 18, Ill take revenge on him in your name.
Puck! Milovic crossed the line and fired the Ass Val on his forehead. No. 18s face relaxed. A killer was better than a doctor at the end of pain.
No. 19 was poking his face under the bushes. Sevchenko overturned No. 19. His neck and face swelled like steamed bread and blue bruises were all over his legs. Milovic wanted to cry. How came Ubiksa died because of being stung by bees?
It was Ituris Vespa wasp. A couple of shots will shock you without the time to use the neutralizer.
Sevchenko pointed to a wasp that fell to the ground. They were giant creatures with a size of 70 mm. A wasp of this size was a monster.
The problem was the sprayer held by No. 19. The sprayer he had was provided by the Science Office of the Interior Bureau. It was a rare item that could spray the highly toxic organic phosphorus pesticides like fog within a radius of 3 meters. No way that No. 19 could not notice the approach of wasps and couldnt find why he was stung by wasps.
A gunpowder reaction was left on the top of the nest.
Sevchenko held out a hornets nest. Milovic immediately understood the situation. The guy was aiming at No. 19, returning to the base. He waited a time when No. 19 passed under the hornets nest and shot down it. No. 19 was attacked by angry wasps. He stuck a trees branch on No. 18s neck when he tried to help No. 19. He was not just a superpower man but a god of battle.
Can I win?
The sweat sprang up from his forehead and back. The body was honest.
Comrade, we have to get back quickly. If he makes a raid on the base
Oh, my!
Surprised, Milovic kicked the ground.
******
Black Mamba was staring at the base like a cat looking for a mouse hole. It was as Milovic thought. He didnt worry about the number of soldier ants left in the tunnel.
Chapter 690 - Chapter 63 Episode 26 Asura
Ubiksas fighting style was similar to that of an army ant. Dorylus soldier ants (African army ants) differ in size and shape compared to other equivalent groups. The bigger one could be 25mm while the smaller one could be 5mm. When they meet a big enemy, the small group grabs the enemys foot as a flock and hangs down or digs into the nostrils and eyes, whereas the bigger soldier cuts off the muscles with his claws. If the small one is an infantryman, the big one is an artilleryman.
Ubiksa also demonstrated systemic cooperation like Dorylus. Thus, the more the number increased, the more potent they became. If they were two, it would be equal to Woo-Hyun, and if they were three, Woo-Hyun would lose the battle. Ten of them were also difficult for Samdi. In other words, Ubiksa was more dangerous than predators.
Should I thresh after a long time?
Rakshasa pulled the handle. The devil that was asleep in the backpack was released. A huge whip also came out. There was no weapon like Rakshasas to beat soldier ants stayed in a cave.
Ha! Whats this?
Black Mamba, who was trying to jump into the station, flinched. He had a strange feeling of incompatibility. Its feeling was similar to when he faced the group of locusts in the Sahel. Of course, there were no locusts in the jungle of Ituri. There were too many enemies, unlike deserts.
Something like a huge thing approached quickly from far up. It gave the pressure so hard that it could crush the temple. He looked up at the sky with the Rule of Sight.
What is it?
A fireball appeared 20 Km from above the sky. It was not one. One after the other appeared like a string of beads. They were coming at a terrific speed. It expended like a wheel in a second.
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Ha! No way?
The fireball spun furiously. Whether Black Mambas face was good or bad, the fireball fell at Mach 3.5 speed. It was the beginning of an apocalyptic rupture.
ATACMS! Why is that?
Black Mambas face was rotten and tarnished. ATACMS was the newest missile that had not been deployed on the U.S. mainland bases. It was not a thing that would appear in the wild of Africa.
He postponed thinking about the question later. He swung the Gongjinpa with all his power. ATACMS couldnt compare with any bombs. He couldnt guess what the ammunition components were, but ATACMS was the worst ground-to-ground missile that shot up to 950 shells per shot. Even if there was Epidium biurets grandfather, no one could endure that heavy rain and storms.
Rakshasa dug diagonally into the ground. A 12 m drill was dug into a 600mm diameter hole with a sonic sound. It was like a TBM (Tunnel boring machine).
Bam! The first missile burst. The small fireballs popped out like a firecracker. The night sky turned red with a series of explosions. Thousands of 210g of bomblet units fell to the ground. It made a spectacular view to be nicknamed a steel rainstorm. Of course, it was a curse for the enemy.
Oh my god!
Black Mamba jumped into the hole like a crazy bull. If he didnt make it, the 4,000 bombs would attack him. The bomb sound rang endlessly. A firestorm swept the ground. All the rocks and trees were smashed and scattered, turning into ashes.
The heat pushed Black Mamba more deeply into the underground. The booming sounds rang continuously and the ground wobbled. The power of ATACMS was incredible just like the rumor. The RPG7s converging fire at the Sahel was incommensurable.
Ill find out a guy who played this fire. Ill show you what a true firestorm is.
Black Mamba gritted his teeth and rubbed his burning back. If he was a little late, it would possibly turn him into ashes. Sometimes, the U.S. committed outrageous things, but ATACMS was not unexpected. However, it was not a thing to say from Black Mamba, who changed the Caparuza landscape with a huge fire play.
Wait, is No. 10 safe?
He was worried. The underground would be over if ATACMS were filled with GBU-37(Bunker busters). He had to go directly into the U.S. military camp if he lost No. 10.
It will be good if he is alive. It would be okay if he is dead.
Black Mamba shook away as usual. There would be more trouble if one worries about unforeseen concerns.
******
The reason why the U.S. military prosecuted the impractical plan to throw ATACMS was because of the meeting that happened a week before when the steel rainstorm hit Black Mamba.
At Los Alamos underground base law enforcement office, Davis was frowning. The problem was that the ATACMS and Striker solidarity were requested by the camp. Stupid McKinley messed up the work and Brigadier General Dyson turned the jungle of Ituri into a bloodbath.
What do you want William to do?
William, the committees military adviser, was the Freemason master and the hands and feet of Chairman Ian in the White House.
We need to reinforce the net before it tears. Dysons style is ignorant, but it may be worth considering. Its hard to catch a sneaky Ubiksa with a powerful predator. I heard that even Japanese ninjas are causing trouble.
William gave a flat reply.
Nevertheless, will the Striker Regiment seal the perimeter and destroy the hiding area with ground-to-ground missiles? What about international criticism?
Whats wrong with the worlds executioner? That was what the Grandmaster wanted. He said that there would be no problem collecting Oparts even if the crust is up and down.
Its a comprehensive approved project, but sending regimental level troops overseas still needs assemblys approval. Its embarrassing for Reagan to go to the Congress and insist its an emergency.
There is a massive battle involving helicopters attack and missiles out there. If this isnt an emergency, when is the emergency?
William, the best hawk of the hawk, always insisted on a tougher method.
Theres nothing good about being loud. When the project is revealed, the media comes in I dont want to recreate the MK project situation again.
David shook his head. Apologizing in front of dozens of microphones and testifying in the Senate? It was terrible to think about it.
Thats why we invited Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Greg Zimmer. All you have to do is convince your old folks. By the way, did Mr.Lamartin also believe in ancient civilizations 150 million years ago?
Of course. The theory that Homo Sapiens history has been only tens of thousands of years doesnt make sense. Tens of thousands of years seem long, but its too short of a time for human-level creatures to be created. Its at least 10 million years according to the analyzed junk genome.
If you say so, so be it. Either Evolution or creationism is an overwhelming debate for me. Its about time for the old folks to arrive. Are you ready for the presentation?
William waved his hand.
Its not a presentation but an incident report. I dont feel I want to do it, but it cant be helped to get a corporation.
You dont have to make them understand. Politicians dont want to understand anything naturally. Just as Henry Davis is not a time instructor, Greg Zimmer is not a student. If it doesnt work, drag him into our organization.
As usual, Williams response was firm.
Ill try to make it happen. Even now, so many young folks are bleeding in the uncivilized land. I cannot imagine how many young people will sacrifice in the future I feel so bad.
Davis looked sad like a father who couldnt serve a roasted turkey on Christmas Eve.
Holy!
William kicked his tongue. Davis had cold-blooded and ready to pull tears from others at any time. He couldnt believe he was sad because of the loss of lives. Moreover, of the 7,560 deaths in Mambasa, only 560 were Americans. The other 7,000 were not even human.
You were right enough. I found a lithium mine, a clue to ancient fusion, a substance no one has ever thought of. It is not a big deal, not like the mistakes that others make. We still have a lot of time. Whether you burn the jungle of Ituri or dry it, you just have to retrieve it.
Thank you, lets go and meet the man who will hold a club in our hands.
Davis laughed. Since he earned the cold-hearted Williams heart, this was good for him.
******
The northern highlands of Los Almos was densely populated with leisure facilities such as ski resorts and golf courses, and the vast Los Alamos National Laboratory was located in the South.
Senator Greg Zimmer, enjoying golf in Jemez, was willing to accept the invitation. It was obvious that Ian and Davis would tell a wistful saying. It was either the Middle East oil problem or the construction of nuclear power plants. He was willing to listen to what they said as much as possible, considering the sincerity of sending a dedicated helicopter.
Beyond the windshield of the helicopter, Trinity site, a little boy experimental site, was shown.
Its the core! he mumbled.
Unless the Soviet Union stays strong and China wouldnt divide, the United States continues to produce nuclear weapons. It is an endless chicken game, but the winner of the game is decided. The military power that doesnt have economic support is just a tree without roots. In that respect, the potential risk is higher in Japan.
Stupid Truman!
He closed his eyes. A nuclear-armed Japan was in front of him.
Gentleman, thank you for coming.
Davis, who came to welcome him to the helicopter landing site, smiled.
Oh, Davis, how long has it been?
Zimmer was delighted. The person whom executive officer Davis was going to welcome would be top five ranked.
You are the same as usual.
Dont flatter me. I have gout and blurry vision time by time. To put it in an oriental way, Ive stepped a foot into the Jordan River. Youre still fresh. Whats your secret?
No way. I havent gotten sleep for more than two months.
Well Im a little nervous about the story that is going to be told to me. It must be a hot potato. Youre definitely more of a politician than a physicist.
Zimmer hugged Davids shoulders. Zimmer majored in politics and Davis majored in particle physics. Davis was 15 year Princeton alumnus.
Zimmer always felt sorry for Davis. When Davis, who was expected to win the Nobel Prize in Physics, denied Princeton life-long professor and entered the administration. Everyone, including Zimmer, thought he was irrational and made an impulsive choice.
Davis was bald and looked like a rat. Although his appearance was not fit in with politicians, he worked well as a Physicist and Politician once he became the head of the Los Alamos Institution. As Oppenheimer did, an outstanding physicist could only be political.
Davis, will you ask to raise the committees budget, wont you? The superconducting particle accelerator moved to the next government. It doesnt make sense to drill 30 Km through a tunnel to find some grains you cant even see with an electron microscope. The Los Alamos budget is $1.5 billion and the Commission budget is $3 billion.
Zimmer defended in advance.
Im the only one who needs to cry. I work with worse things than the budget. Hahaha!
Davis laughed. Todays topic was not related to the budget.
Dont make a dull joke. These days, just looking at the eagles head on the cover of the research teams report caused me convulsion. If you combine the budget of the U.S. and China research teams, youll buy the Soviet Union. By the way, Im sick of these machines.
Zimmer was annoyed as he passed through the optical screener and an iris recognizer.
A 150-million years ago ancient fusion reactor? Davis, either my ears are wrong, or did you put hashish in my coffee?
Zimmers eyes gazed at Ian and stayed on Daviss face. He was like an American football player who was intercepted just before a touchdown in the Super Bowl final.
Senator, Im small. My liver is small and my balls are small too. I cant recommend drugs to the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman. The ongoing nuclear fusion reactor research is a waste of time. It is impossible to use in the next generation. The Tokamak is worth nothing more than a museum display, and the inertial trap-machine became meaningless for a while.
Davis understood his reaction of Zimmer. Zimmer was not Freemason. When one gets old, your brain cells harden, making it difficult to accept new information.
To tell the truth, you must get drunk on cocaine. Tell Reagan that, too. Hahaha!
Zimmer chuckled.
Thats why Im holding a dead ball. Gentleman can pull you out of the mire, but Reagan will be kicked and dropped.
Its worth kicking, Zimmer replied with a wry look.
The study of a nuclear fusion reactor had long been a money-eating hippopotamus. To be exact, it was becoming more like NASA. NASA was a crazy group that poured billions of dollars into bringing a rock to Mars, which was not as good as McDonalds hamburger.
I might push you to the cliff, too. NASA showed me at least the moonstone, but the committee couldnt turn on a single light. Try to convince me.
Zimmer leaned back. Davis was willing to accept abusive and realistic complaints. The number of senators who looked on the Socrates project outnumbered the number of Oprah Winfreys show cast members.
Even if one is trying hard, it looks like wasting of time; at least one gets something as a result. There was nothing new to be desired. Davis gave up on convincing him. Zimmer was a devout Catholic. It had been over a thousand years since Catholicism became enmity with Freemasons.
Launch ATACMS from the top spin shoots.
Chapter 691 - Chapter 63 Episode 27 Asura
Davis ardently appealed to Zimmers patriotism.
Nuclear fusion would be the future of our country. If we pretend nuclear fusion is Californias forest fire, the fission would be just a campfire from the boycott. It would be ten times better if we weight only the mass ratio of the simple energy effect. The fourth energy that is infinite in resources and free of waste is the point of fusion. Superconductor, the item that will realize ultimate energy, is in Mambasa.
Davis, I prefer gray hair to a bald head. As a political science major, I dont care about nuclear physics or particle physics. What the hell is a superconductor that makes everyone goes crazy? No, never mind. Dont explain it to me. I dont want to be discovered for my stupidness. Just explain the situation again.
Zimmer cut off Daviss explanation and pretended to pull his white hair humorously.
Nuclear fusion energy, like fission, is the mass loss The challenge of nuclear fusion is to withstand plasma maintenance and ultra-high pressure of more than 100 million degrees To lift the ultra-high temperature plasma in the air The superconductor coil For cryogenic cooling Cooling itself takes three months The Oparts that Korean Researchers collected were room temperature conductors Energy release You will place the world under your feet.
Davis finished his long explanation.
Its the sound of Exxon falling in surprise. Can you clone Oparts?
Opart is a thing that exists. Our technology level of science is not vulgar. We are just wandering in the dark, but we know what we need to look for. The oil and coal will finish their mission as energy within ten years.
According to your explanation, the oil will be used for chemical materials and asphalt packaging. Luckily, Herman didnt object. Youll soon have a guest, the king of oil, Herman. Hahaha!
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Zimmer chuckled. Ironically, the military and oil businesses that supported the U.S. had improved explosively after the internal combustion engines emerged. If the energy source of the internal combustion engine was changed to electricity and tritium, the oil industry would be over.
Hes planning ahead. The great CEO is who can control the marketplace with their will.
You are right. Herman is not a guy who hangs onto the old and limited resources and looks down on the next-generation resources. Anyway, its ours, so we need to find it.
Zimmer nodded. The directors who were not complacent like Herman created the United States of America today.
Of course, all hyenas, including polar bears, were stuck. Dont forget that the uncivilized polar bear robbed Germany, made unclear weapons, and became a science powerhouse. If Opart is lost to the Soviet Union, we will become a historical sinner.
Davis ended his speech in a solemn tone.
The common between NASA and the Commission is that they stimulated the Soviet Union and used them practically. The only difference is that ones finger is itching for the media interview while the others is trembling with fear for the interview. Is he an armed fighter?
Zimmer re-seated on the chair. It was a motion to get to the point.
Yes, he is. KGB cooperated with Ntaganta, who came to steal Oparts from Moscow. It becomes annoying.
He is like a blowfly that sits on rotten meat. Hell turn around right away if we smell of something.
Ntaganta and Mobutu are not in a good relationship. You cant throw away a house rabbit to catch a wild rabbit. Of course, Mai-Mai is a problem, but Rwandas FDLR, whose eyes were turned upside down by gold mines, is also a problem. To shut down the hole to avoid the escape path and retrieve the stuff
Of course, were going to smash the uncivilized. Two Marine Battalions, an Engineer Battalion, and a special forces Battalion will be stationed at the camp
Zimmer cut the word.
But the jungle of Ituri is bigger than the size of three Hawaii combined. You need at least a brigade-level troops to block the escape route.
Humm, the brigades
Zimmer shook his head hard. Oparts was an Ace card. The presence of a solid local armed force was a great excuse in the case of operational failure. It was an excellent opportunity to become the Republican leader. It was worth trying, and it would be a success if it went well.
We have to retrieve the Oparts at any cost. If it is handed to the polar bear, Pax Americana is over. Our blooded effort, capitalism, will disappear into the back of history and the world will fall into hell.
Ian, who was listening silently, urged Zimmer to make a decision.
Ill try for now. I think The 17th Marine Brigade in Palawan would be good for this position because they are killing the tax for now.
I appreciate.
Davis was delighted. If Zimmer was working for them, the congressional approval would be easygoing. Davis also thought about the 17th Marine Brigade, which had a mechanized battalion. They were about to be ready in the battle if they could get a few supply ships and destroyers from the 7th battalion in Subic.
We also need ATACMS batteries.
We can secure the supply from the supplies under discussion with Korea. The problem is polar bears
There is no concern about the Cuban situation. The polar hid his head after the Hind incident. The idiot Rubanka promised not to pick any quarrels.
You mean theres no stumbling block? Honestly, it doesnt feel real, but I trust you and will invest. If it is a good investment, I wont save a few bucks.
Zimmer readily agreed. It was the starting point for Black Mamba to be hit by the steel rainstorm.
Daviss face lit up. The minimum usage cost of ATACMS was $1.5 million, and the maximum of $2.5 million would disappear in flames at the moment of banging if it were not for the great United States of America. Who could use this much money just for them? The reason why Freemasons settled in the U.S. was because of infinite power and infinite wealth.
******
The 17th Marine Brigade was suddenly alerted while enjoying the Sunten in Palawan. 4,200 men boarded the Ohau and Tarawa, the Tarawa-class USS Denver armed with military commandos. Ohau and Tarawa had loaded displacement of 39,000 tons, which could deliver 3,000 fully armed troops each. Two powerful gas turbines with 35,000 horsepower pushed the giant at 27 knots.
It took only 72 hours for the two assault landing ships to depart for Darjeh Salaam, escorted by destroyers. Humans decorate the future based on past experiences, but foul existence makes experience useless. The commissions choice which they thought was the best to avoid the collision became the worst choice to stimulate a nuclear bomb.
******
A mole cricket popped out from the muddy ground. The heat and acrid smell greeted the mole cricketthe area with ten soccer fields overturned by thousands of ATACMS bomblets. A great forest turned to ashes and a vast rock turned to gravel.
The jungle was as silent as death. All kinds of monkeys squealing and miscellaneous birds crying disappeared. Only a heavy silence weighed heavily on the ashes.
Spit! Spit! I almost died.
Black Mamba spat out the dirt in his mouth and brushed his clothes aside. If he hadnt dug into the ground with Gongjinpa, he would have crossed the Jordan River. It was not a dangerous operation, but it was such an absurd situation. It was the biggest crisis since the bombing of the Berkut missiles in Caparuza.
Youre going to burn the house to catch the mice? It was such a U.S. style.
He made just a blind guess. They inspected the content of the combat through wiretappers and transmitted the battle video through the cameras installed somewhere. The U.S. only needed Oparts, and the survival of No. 10 was not a consideration. The camp decided to wipe out Ubiksa and its dregs. It was an efficient operation. It was even extremely ignorant.
What was scarier than missiles was the rocket system. The MLRS, a multi-extension rocket operated by the U.S. military, had 12 rockets of 227mm projectile tubes. The MLRS battalion consisted of 24 launchers, firing 288 shotgun shells within a minute.
One MLRS warhead spreads 10,000 fragments 500 to 1,000 meters at 1,500/sec speeds. With simple math, one battalion overpowers 5 Km around. A rocket is a surprise weapon. There is no countermeasure if a steel rainstorm is attacking in an instant. He felt something heavy in his heart.
Its not a Black Mamba if you get beaten and put up with it.
Black Mamba flashed his eyes. An eye for an eye and a foul for a foul. The headset rang.
Wakil, Wakil, is everything okay? Woo-Hyun hurriedly sang as if calling a drowning man.
Nothing much. What about there?
Nothing much here. Something will be there, Wakil.
There was no chance of many happenings. Rocket or field artillery was hundreds of meters away from the spot, and there was no reason that they missed the missiles site if they calculated the spot accurately. It was why Black Mamba was more annoying with rockets than missiles.
Something happened on Ubiksa. Check my location with GPS track.
What happened?
They attacked with ATACMS ground-to-ground missile. There are interceptors all around. Stop using the headset and just come here.
Yes, sir!
Black Mamba turned off the headset altogether. There was a chance of being attacked by a cannonball if intercepts caught them. He trudged through the thicket of ashes five minutes ago to find Ubiksa base. The stationmaster that fell under space wrap flew away without any trace. The base turned into a mud tomb.
Rakshasa eddied. A strong wind blew away soil, rock fragments, and charcoal instantly. A horrible scene that was hard to see correctly with their eyes was revealed.
Oh, wow. Of course, this is Ubiksa. Should I say this is useless death? Or loyalty?
He could recognize at a glance. They protected No. 10 with their body buns, just as army ants safeguarding the queen ant. What caused them to risk their only lives in this remote region of Africa?
Were they the victim of Oecophylla Smaragdina? Were the patriots armed with vocation? If it was their will, it would be a dignified death, and if they were brainwashed, it was a useless death. Should their actions be called dramatic? Or was it meaningless shoveling?
He didnt feel good. Everyone wants to live like the dramas main character because they suffer from physical and mental hungerno wonder the term dramatic life was popular among the population.
The reality was harsh. People dream of a three-star Michelin dinner but fill their physical hunger with cheap delivery foods. They desire a penthouse overlooking the river but comfort their hungry souls by watching a travel program in a rooftop room. Perhaps a dramatic life would be a life that lives silently, enduring each others reality.
Suddenly, he remembered Jaitun, a CIA consultant he met in Caparuza. They were patriots willing to sacrifice their lives for their country either of their will or brainwashing. Rakshasa dug up the ground. He placed eight dead bodies into the pit and several large rocks upon them to prevent animals from digging.
The body returns to atoms when one dies and the existence lives in memory. The memorial board is only 3.3O. The presidents memorial occupies 260 square meters with phoenix-shaped. Decent death is as important as decent life. Decents memories are a hundred times more precious than spacious and colorful mausoleums.
Wakil, this is ridiculous! How did you survive?
Woo-Hyun opened his eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost in daylight.
This damn bitch, how could you say like that? said Black Mamba in his mind.
Black Mamba looked at Woo-Hyun with surprised eyes. This man was hard to give affection to.
If I was going to die from a few missiles, Im already dead.
Whoa! Such immortal!
Woo-Hyun alternately looked at the burned ground and the Black Mamba with an incredible expression.
Stop talking ridiculous. Just track the sound.
Ubiksa ran away?
Woo-Hyun stayed at the stone tomb.
A woman and two guys ran away and the rest died. Whats about Olonge?
He went to pick up some fruit because he was thirsty.
Lets go!
Black Mamba left the ruins behind and began tracking.
******
No. 1, take a minute off.
Helen gasped and whined. They madly crossed the jungle for two hours. The joints were about to be dismantled and the lung was about to burst. The bodys pain filled the place where the fear of death disappeared.
The No. 1 glanced around without stopping. The peoples hero wasnt looking bad. Her face was tanned and her bare skin was exposed, but she didnt have any damage except for scratches. This was thanks to Comrade eights blocking of debris and shock waves with an energy shield. No. 10 was the life of eight Comrades.
No, we cant.
No. 1 cut the word and turned his head.
Weve got plenty of distance.
Helens breathless words snapped.
The U.S. released predators. They are more sensitive and stronger than us. We cant make it through the night if we cant meet the boss Milovic.
No. 1 was firm. At night, the jungle would present death, not predators. Of course, they couldnt feel safe even now when Dawn had gone. No. 1 stepped back quickly because of those things in front.
Roar! The forest shook by the scream. Monsters with red-eyed popped out from under the bushes and rushed at Helen like a tank. The Beast recognized the weak like a ghost. They had wings and ran on two legs like a giant bird, but they were bigger than an ostrich and were overshadowed by the ax. They were a nightmare.
Chapter 692 - Chapter 63 Episode 28 Asura
Helen pulled out the pistol in a rush. She barely survived the Yankees shelling attack, but she was in a situation in which she became the birds prey.
No!
Il-ho and Sam Ho blew up at the same time. The Terror Bird was so bullet-resistant that a grizzly was nothing to it. It didnt even blink like Beretta. Boom! Sam Ho pushed the Terror Bird out with a head-butt, and Il-ho grabbed Helens waist and rolled over.
Flap! The Terror Bird spread its wings and leaped. Il-hos eyes, which had not yet taken a position, darkened. Whether it was stabbed by an axs beak or kicked, it would end up with a one-shot. Sam Ho stretched out his hand.
Manubia!
Crunching! Deep blue electric light hit the head directly. Kick! The Terror Bird, which was hit by lightning, faltered. Pat, pat, pat! Sam Ho, who took the opportunity, made a series of silly remarks. Kieek! An ear-splitting high-frequency sound went off.
The Terror Bird, which tasted heat, fled away toward the grasses, swinging its wings. Il-ho shook his head. The monster bird would suffer a lot, but after a few days, it would appear normal. He was sick of it. Animals and plants were terrible bastards.
Damn it! Spit-spit
Helen spat out the dirt that entered her mouth.
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Hush!
Il-ho blocked Helens mouth with his palm. The sound of grass brushing, the sound of small branches breaking, the sound of hitting the bushes with a machete; the jungle became noisy. The Amoeba Helmet suddenly appeared.
Boje Moi!
Helens face brightened.
Rocovazizel!(Team Leader!)
Il-ho bowed his head. Milovic looked at Il-ho with complex eyes. Worry, anger, fear, resentment; these were eyes with all kinds of sonic emotions.
The comrades did their best, Sir.
Fucking Sniper!
Milovics face became gloomy. This was what he expected when ATACMS flew toward the heap. Misery would never come alone. He had lost 20 precious subordinates in an instant because of a mess. What would they do? The fate of a spy
Number 10, isnt there any problem?
Milovics question was simple.
No, there is not, Helen answered simply, too.
It was fortunate that Number 10 and Oparts were safe.
Vhajizye!(Come out!)
Milovic raised his hand. The heads of a group of people, who covered their faces with yellow turbans, appeared one after another. It was Maimai Mbembe who encountered Milovic.
Akbar Ntaganta!
A black man in an orange Soviet military uniform raised his palm outside. The black mans gorilla-like ugly face looked a little squishy in his eyes.
Nice to meet you. Im Il-ho.
Il-ho, familiar with Bantu language, was greeted.
Im First Lieutenant Untaga. I had difficulty finding you.
Difficulty? I lost comrades because of your procrastination.
Il-ho looked at the black man with sergeant insignia. He had lost time and his colleagues waiting for the morons who were not even properly equipped with military uniforms. What help such guys as this would do!
Cheeky
Untaga waved the cane he was holding. Whoosh! A black line stretched out towards Il-ho. Poof! Il-ho disappeared. The black line that lost its target turned round and entered Untagas arms. Sususu! Il-ho revealed his body.
Comrades. Ive lost 40 subordinates as well. You didnt tell us the exact location. We searched hard.
Untaga shook his hands. It was a gesture that meant lets not fight.
The winged Black Mamba? It is amazing! We couldnt help it because of the wiretapping.
Number 1 killed the spirit. He was like a beggar, but he was tough. The frustrating side was Ubiksa. In a situation where they needed to borrow even a cats hand, even if they had caused pointless trouble, it was their loss.
I understand!
Untaga relaxed his expression and backed away.
Helen intervened. Comrade, who is it?
Milovic shook his head without answering. Helens question pulled the terrible man to the surface. If Maimai soldiers hadnt shown up, it was likely that he and Sevchenko would have been killed. Fear was ahead of revenge.
Untaga, are they all current personnel?
Il-ho looked around the rabble who were carrying AK rifles and RPGs in their clothes recklessly. What could one do with just one platoons military power?
Dont underestimate because the number is small. We are Mbembe Special Squadron. 3,000 Maimai warriors were disturbing the eyes of the Yankees. Firstly, we will return to our garrison.
Whew!
Milovic sighed deeply. The sniper, who appeared like a ghost, struck a chess board, and the only survivors of the team were Sevchenko, Il-ho, and Sam Ho. Without the help of Maimai, let alone an organic battle, they would bury their bones in the jungle. Joining Mbembe, Ubiksa traveled 13km to the northeast of Ekwe.
Mbala Kadambu Abudal Delatoun Ssadagu!
Because Untaga was far, he waved the mennang in front of the towering cliff and memorized the spell. Shattering! The cliff collapsed as if a large glass window was shattered. On the spot, Mahogany and Limbali appeared, towering as if piercing the sky. Under the canopy that covered the sky, field army tents were scattered here and there.
Its an amazing illusion!
The eyes of Milovic and Ubiksa teammates fully grew. Ubiksa had a hard time in the underground beat. It was not a group that would look down on them as beggars.
Akbar Ntaganta!
Untaga saluted in front of the mahogany giant tree. Sususu! The bark turned into a soft man. It was an old black man, well dressed in military uniform, but with a grotesque cane in his hand, not a gun.
Lieutenant Colonel Jurge. You guys might be dissatisfied, but you have to follow Houngans instructions.
Il-ho helped Milovic, who was not good at Bantu, with conversation.
It is Lieutenant Colonel Milovic. Ill take care of you.
I dont know what your mission is and I dont want to know. The order I received is to protect you beyond the Ugandan border to Luwenzori.
The net the Yankees have spread is not easy.
The Yankees can evade. There is another thing that needed to be careful about.
Jurge rolled his eyes.
Did you say there is another being more troublesome than the Yankees?
Milovics eyes widened.
The CIA-backed Lords Resistance Army (A Central African rebel organization based in the Achola region of Uganda) increased in great numbers. There are many shamans and the weapons are faithful. Were rather uncomfortable about them. One platoon of Mbembe was killed by them. General Ntaganta started a scuffle with those guys.
Jurge ground his teeth. The subordinates whose magic had been broken became food for microbes. The ringleader was Black Mamba, but as for Jurge, he had no choice but to doubt the shaman of the Lords Resistance Army. This meant that Black Mamba caused an unintentional flat wind wave. Natural disasters were not just natural disasters.
Maimai has no rival. They will not escape the punishment of God.
Milovic did lip service.
Thank you, but were not invincible. A more terrifying being than Lords Resistance Army was Mahaduraka. Mahaduraka, who disappeared, has reentered. Tonight, we will set off after performing a ceremony to soothe Mahaduraka.
What is Mahaduraka?
Mahaduraka is the king of Bodoon, who eats the Iwa that moves the world. When Mahaduraka is furious, Rewa disappears and the world comes to an end.
Jurges expression was serious.
What does this mean?
Milovic looked back at his subordinates. Sevchenko and Il-ho shrugged. There was no way that they knew the worldview of Voodoo.
Fucking Africa!
Milovic was in trouble. What kind of a mongrel was the Lord Resistance(Lords Resistance Army) and also what was Mahaduraka? Strange people were easily appearing, and it was difficult to distinguish who was an ally and who was an enemy.
I dont know what Mahaduraka is, but a scary sniper is tracking. Hes the one to watch out for.
You suffered because you did not know the Ituri jungle. Such a sniper is nothing.
Jurge rejected it. He could have never even imagined such a sniper would approach in front of Mahadurakas nose.
Stupid bastard! Milovic said in his mind.
Milovic closed his mouth. Only his mouth would hurt even if he was redundant to an old man with a needlessly strong pride.
Lieutenant Colonel Jurge, lets discuss the exit route first.
Oh my god, we didnt recommend at least a cup of tea to our guests.
Lieutenant Colonel Jurge led the group to the spacious tent.
Ouch!
Milovic suddenly took a step back. A terrible stench hit his nose. The source of the odor was a large boiling pot. Five men surrounded the pot and were eating something diligently. A guy in the Mickey Mouse T-shirt., a guy in a sleeveless Chinese national suit, a guy whose upper body was naked, and a guy in the Russian soldier uniform; everything was diverse. When Jurge entered, the rabble rose up all of sudden.
Huh!
Milovic breathed in the breeze. As the men moved out of the way, the hand of the man who had escaped before the pot seemed to be frozen. Helen rushed out of the barracks.
Go out and eat!
Untaga whipped his hands. The men held the pot easily as if it was not hot and rushed out. Milovic wanted to cry. He felt pity for having to hold hands with a cannibal that boiled and ate humans.
Untaga brought the tea, but Milovic and his party only stared at the wooden glass filled with the reddish liquid. No one could dare to drink tea. Lieutenant Colonel Jurge smiled and spread the map on the ground.
At night, the direct command arrives. The army is divided into three divisions. The first group will lure the Yankees to the east. He will cross the mountain plateaus of Lolwa and Komanda and exit to Bunia. There is an airfield in Bunia. The more likely the Yankees will be lured, the more likely the men will die.
Jurge drew a line along the northwest main road from Mambasa to Kisangani.
The second group will head to Kisangani. The second group doesnt have much of a chance to survive. You will go south along the Ituri tributary with me. We will enter Caseze after passing through Biakutu and Mavivi and bypassing Margherita peak. The distance to be covered is about 340 km.
Jurge was blunt from beginning to end. Despite the price, Maimai had made great sacrifices. The casualties of general soldiers had exceeded a thousand units and 50 Mbembes had been lost. General soldiers could be easily recruited, but it would take at least 5 years to train Mbembe, who was a direct subordinate. It was difficult to predict the life or death of the 60 Mbembes included in the manned group. For this and that, there was no choice but to be in a bad temper.
If you cross Margherita Peak, you can cut 80km.
Sevchenko expressed his disagreement.
Huh! Say something that makes sense. Margherita is 5,000 above sea level. Although it is similar in height to the sea level to Kilimanjaro, sulfur and nitrogen are high and oxygen is lean. You die before even reaching the top.
Lieutenant Colonel Jurge chuckled.
Dont underestimate Ubiksa.
Sevchenko glared in his eyes.
I am not underestimating. Whether you climb Margherita or not, its your responsibility to take care of it. My advice is that returning to Bwera, northwest of Lake Edward, would be good. And your outfit is too obvious.
Untaga came with an armful of beautiful smelly military uniforms. Milovic nodded. He was trying to ask even if he didnt.
The party, including the shaman, departed one after another from Maimais temporary garrison. The first group departed east and around midnight, the second group departed west for Tabora. At dawn, the third group and Milovics party, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jurge, set off.
Oh my, theres no easy way to go.
Black Mamba, lying comfortably on the 70m high branch of the 2nd Abyssinia, stood up all of sudden. He didnt know they would come out in three directions. The purpose was a rotten rose. An oyster shell without oysters was useless.
He didnt know if it was Ubiksa or a shaman, but he couldnt hear even a word from the conversation because the sound waves were scattered. Even if he pricked up his ears, he could only hear a loud sound. It was easy to see why the Yankees couldnt catch them even though they had their aerophones scattered all over the place. It would be easy to kill them all, but he was not a psychopath who was crazy about slaughtering.
Ah, I dont know! They must be on the team with the most people.
Black Mamba pretended to be deceived and pursued the last departing Maimai unit.
Bingo!
An hour later, Black Mamba uttered yells of delight. While the guerrillas were sitting on the damp ground and eating ugali with their dirty hands, there was a man standing and eating, wiping his hands with dew on the leaves of the grass. Number 10 was clear.
In modern civilization, wet women instinctively would not sit on wet ground. They would not pick up and eat food with dirty hands either. It was the law of a man who could do anything.
When Black Mamba was contemplating an attack point, a 40-meter-wide river blocked the front. The Maimai crew pulled two ships out of the mangrove forest to Moko. If three or four people were on it, it was a terrible log boat that river was brimming its sides, but it was a hundred times better than nothing.
Black Mamba moved to the upper region. A long night would lead to many dreams. He had checked the rotten roses, so there was no reason to delay. Sun Woo-hyun frowned. The river, stagnant in flow, was as dark in color as coffee.
Olonge took a handful of fallen leaves from the river and said, Did you say there is no problem? And the color of the leaves that are piled up on the riverbed is leaking out and it looks black? Still, I dont like it.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head.
No time.
Black Mamba easily picked up a beautiful dead tree, pushed it into the river, grabbed Sun Woo-hyun and Olonge willy-nilly, and smashed the ground.
Chapter 693 - Chapter 63 Episode 29 Asura
Is it a no-ignoring violence? a frightened Sun Woo-hyun shouted.
Without hearing, the Black Mamba stepped on a dead tree floating in the middle of the river, leaped again, and descended on the opposite bank of the river like a wet swallow.
Clean things up before we get out of the border. Theyre Ubiksa and Mbembe. Make sure you cover up thoroughly.
Black Mamba suddenly disappeared.
While following the monster, my liver will be worn out.
Stupefied Sun Woo-hyun stared at Black Mambas back blankly. Olonge hit Sun Woo-hyun on the side and disappeared like an arrow. Tang, tang tang. Aahh! Gunshots and screams were heard at the Maimai crossing point.
Oops, its been four months already?
Sun Woo-hyun, who was stupefied, ran hurriedly.
******
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Stop, stop the fire! Cut it with a knife! Jurge yelled loudly.
A deep blue discharge flame popped up, and screams and odd sounds mixed. Mbembe, who strengthened its skin with magic, ignored tolerable insects but was helpless against sudden elecnacri.
Damn it!
Jurges face went sour. He didnt know that the swarms of elecnacri were hiding in the pearls of the river bed. The river passing through the Ituri Mangrove Forest was infested with all kinds of deadly creatures. The creature that the Pygmy tribe called elecnacri was an electric catfish that was 2-3m long and had sharp teeth like a red pacu.
Although the release voltage was lower than that of the electric eel, it was a species that would clamp its prey with strong muscles and rip its flesh with sharp teeth. Jurge shook Mardu and began to memorize spells. To chase them down, one has no choice but to summon a natural enemy.
I knew it would happen. How come did you jump in recklessly?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The guerrillas were frantically wielding machetes and daggers while fighting a fierce battle with elecnacri. It was not a big deal, but if two or three of them stuck together and discharged, even a large crocodile would die from electrocution.
The guerrillas wrapped on the black belt and the elecnacris with their bodies cut off were floating in the middle of the river. A swarm of crocodiles, enjoying the sun on the sandy beach by the river, jumped into the river after being drawn by the smell of blood.
Oh my God, crocodiles!
A surprised Helen woke up suddenly and Mokoro completely turned over. Milovic and Sevchenko could not use their hands in the sudden situation. The three fell hopelessly into the river teeming with elecnacris. Tup! Oparts wetted with water emitted a powerful magnetic field. The flocking elecnacri ran away because their tails fell out.
Oh, no!
Pat, pat, pat! Pat, pat, pat! Il-ho and Sam Ho fired Asshibal. A dozen crocodiles who were running turned the boat upside down at once. It was such an accurate rapid fire that Black Mamba admired it. Milovic and Sevchenko pulled Helen over the overturned boat.
Akiden Ulu Ulu!
Jurge ending that spell whipped Mardu. Blup, blup, blup, blup! Water surface was bubbling. A swarm of fish resembling alligator gar pounced elecnacri. Instinctively sensing danger, elecnacri stopped feeding activities and went into battle.
Walk through!
Mbembe picked up his colleague and hurriedly got out of a dangerous place. A normal soldier would have been annihilated, but Mbembe did not take much damage. Elecnacri was a terrible creature, but as long as one didnt get a concentrated attack, it was not as deadly as the rumors say. The electrocuted Mbembe woke up outside the water. Despite the great commotion, the victims were only five or six.
Oh, you! Black Mamba yelled with delight.
There was a guy with blonde hair falling on his shoulder as the guerrillas loosened the wet turban and squeezed the water out. He took it properly.
Subordinates, attack. Catch women alive.
Yes, Sir. Asshibal Giotto is a chance to get a zero.
I think hes doing that on purpose!
Sun Woo-hyun looked at the covered rock on the right side. Sun Woo-hyun had put an accent on the curse clearly. And among many names, what is Asshibal Giotto? He didnt feel good every time he heard it.
Since we have been beaten, we need to pay them back.
At a distance of 380m, he raised the captain of Ubiksa on the Dragunov scale.
Hurray!
Ros lost his head. He moved 30 meters in an instant and took cover behind a rock. He had a paranormal sense and the ability to teleport. A delicious side dish could be eaten later. Pat, pat, pat! Dragunov emitted a fire.
The three-step rapid-fire sniper was capturing three or four exposed targets per second. The guerrillas, careless in the open field, could not even become prior to the ceremonies. In just 10 seconds, platoon troops were swept away. Belatedly, a shout erupted.
Delatoun!(Its an enemy!)
Tapahali Bhima!(Cover up!)
The riverside became a scene of carnage. The guerrillas ran in search of cover and Ubiksas counterattack began. Milovic and Sevchenko spread the sniper positions. Tututu! Tatata! The counterattack shots poured like hail.
Niyo Sahara!(Return fire!)
Jurge swung Mardu. Black Mamba hesitated. Bzzt! Suddenly, his vision was distorted. It was a spatial distortion field. Mbembe started the crossfire all at once. The ancient rain forest, where only the sounds of monkeys and birds could be heard, was disturbed by loud noises and gunshots.
Black Mamba had shown the way. The shattered space had returned to its original place. The trigger was delayed as much as the mind was dispersed, but a life was lost every time a shot was fired. Asshibal and AK47 could not overcome the 400m distance. Only the guerrillas were steadily falling apart.
Bastard!
Milovic ground his teeth. Even though the spatial distortion field was spread, he didnt care. His Momiant Steelbat, who prided himself on being the best in the world, shuddered at the rapid-fire that couldnt even compare and precise sniping.
RPG! Lieutenant Colonel Jurge shouted as if his throat would explode.
He was truly that guy Milovic said. Bang, ban, bang! The RPG shooters triggered all at once. Red fireballs flew in a row.
What the hell!
Jurges face went sour. The high bomb firing without a scope turned the ground several tens of meters away from the sniper. The effective range of RPG 7 without an optical scope was drastically reduced from 500m to 200m. Even if the scope was mounted, targets outside 300m must have been left to no chance.
It would sound funny, but the accessory optical scope was more expensive than the RPG 7. Of course, guerillas without money instead of scopes would buy one more RPG 7. Money-losing guerrillas had no choice but to be beaten by Dragunov with their hands and feet tied.
Pat, pat, pat! Immediately, the retribution began. The gunners head, which was combining the firing medical tube and booster on the warhead, exploded. The head of the assistant, who was holding on to the RPG dropped by the shooter by showing his fighting spirit, also exploded. When the three RPG groups were temporarily disabled, no one could dare to combine the warheads.
RPG 7 had a simple structure but the way of using it was not simple. When inserting the warhead into the launcher, if the scale part of the warhead was not aligned correctly, it would be an unexploded projectile. The moment when the warhead was combined and the moment it was stuck was the time to put the spoon.
Shoot, shoot.
Lieutenant Colonel Jurge was furious. Bang! The back blast was rose. A brave subordinate fired a Yongke RPG.
Stupid bastard!
Jurges face contorted. The landing point was more than a hundred meters away from the target. The terrified guy shot without aiming. Pat! The shooters head that fired the RPG exploded. Getting out of cover was truly a death. He himself also tried to shoot a counterattack and had to put his head in like a turtle several times. After taking a few deep breaths, half of his subordinates implanted their heads on the ground.
This is a big problem!
Jurge was in hurry. He had never imagined that such a fraudulent sniper would exist. Even though it was a jungle that would block sound spread, the RPG blast could be heard from 2 miles away. When the Yankee captured the battle noise, the lightning would fly away.
Tangse ruhwi lewoa nyorita
Jurge began memorizing the spell. There was no chance to save magic power.
Zdorover Pahluchayetsya! Kjye basoa rojina?(Hes a terrible guy! What the hell is he?)
Milovic opened his mouth. He had been through it the day before, but a sniper who shot Dragunov like a machine gun was amazing. He was ashamed of his nickname as the God of rapid-fire sniping. Besides, tributes had been paid. A sniper shot flew carelessly from the forest at an angle of 120 degrees. Even the guy, who would have been buried because of a non-human being guy, was an elite sniper.
Damn, if only there was a new one
Milovic was disappointed with the anti-tank missiles. All of the heavy and support firearms were lost because ATACMS swept the beats. Asshibal was a great assault rifle, not a sniper rifle. The stupid guerrilla machine gunner had his head down and was firing bullets into the air.
Ouch!
Sevchenko, trying to grab an abandoned machine gun, rolled while his blood was pouring out profusely.
Sevchenko, dont overdo it. He has a high-level spatial skill.
It was a pity that the dead subordinates could not do it. If 20 people from Ubiksa performed collaboration, it would be worth watching, but now there was inaction. He looked back at Helen, who stuck next to him like gum. As a woman who had undergone the first training in Spetsnaz, she did not show much agitation. Suddenly, he remembered Sonya and his two daughters.
Remembering my family!
He shook his head. Remembering ones family during battle meant that one predicted death unconsciously. Even at that moment, the bullets were fired occasionally and the screams of the guerrillas erupted. In fact, desperation was truly a nightmare.
Yes! Nightmare?
Kanma, who swept the Sahel, came to mind. He was the one who wiped out the intelligence team for KGB to help FROLINAT during the Chad Civil War. The First General Bureau persistently pursued Kanma and found out that he was the French super-special agent Black Mamba.
The string of pursuits was up there. Kanma evaporated. Afterward, during the Arebasa hostage rescue operation, a reporter named Balisari revealed the identity of Black Mamba, and the First General Bureau was convinced that Kanma was Black Mamba. Black Mamba disappeared again.
Why France? he questioned in his mind.
There were several clashes with foreign intelligence teams but none with France. If France noticed the Oparts and dispatched Black Mamba, the winner would be France. Helen was really curious about the identity of the stolen item.
Is Black Mamba dead? Milovic asked Sevchenko, who was crouching.
Abaddon is dead but there is no evidence that Black Mamba is dead. Maybe that guy?
Yes. If there are not two Black Mambas, hes definitely Black Mamba.
Milovic was convinced. Black Mamba was the one who was different from the super-special agent recognized by the intelligence agencies of each country. Except for Black Mamba, which was called a one-man corps, it was impossible to exert such terrible fighting power.
How should we do? Sevchenko spoke with a weak voice.
He is also incredibly strong in close combat. If you encounter him, its death in vain. See the opportunity and leave.
Sevchenko opened the headset.
Stop responding to fire and cover thoroughly. Hes Black Mamba.
Ugh, Black Mamba!
Panyatner.(All right.)
He heard the moans of Il-ho and Sam Ho through the headset.
******
Whrt, whrt! The atmosphere vibrated.
My subordinates are here!
Jurge made a satisfied expression. A swarm of Vespa wasps that had been painstakingly nurtured for over a decade, fortified with magic and yorunba, appeared. A single Vespa wasp was powerful enough to annihilate a colony of wild wasps.
Tangse Vespa rwa rwa! My men, shoot the stings. Tear them apart.
A black cloud was pushed towards Black Mamba and Sun Woo-hyun.
The shaman doesnt seem at Kamuge-class.
Even while preoccupied with shooting, Black Mamba was spreading his perceptual spatial skill. The creature attack was expected when Mbembe appeared. The Voodoo shamans specialty, dealing with the spirits of all things in the world, was an attack using animals and plants.
Subordinate, Can you dig into the ground?
Yes, The ground is soft.
Dig in immediately.
Yes, Sir!
There couldnt be any reason. Sun Woo-hyun stored Dragunov and took out a field shovel. If Samdi was the God of shoveling, Sun Woo-hyun was the legend of shoveling. Sun Woo-hyun bit the plastic straw and disappeared into the ground.
Whzzzt! The atmosphere rose. The sounds of flying emitted by tens of thousands of finger-sized wasps were terrifying and ominous. Ubiksa and Mbembes eyes turned to the sky in unison. A black cloud crowded over Black Mamba.
Ula! The captain called Vespas.
Wow! That guy is dead now.
More than 50 surviving Mbembe shouted.
Tsk-tsk. Do shamans not even think about what would happen if such a monster multiplied?
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Three to four-finger-sized wasps were creepy to even look at. Wasps were representative carnivorous insects with few natural enemies. Armed with a steel snout and a metallic shell, and an awl-like stinger, these creatures spread throughout the ecosystem, devastating not only insects but also birds and mammals.
Whoo, whoo! A swarm of wasps pounced on Black Mamba. Swoosh! Rakshasa had been released. Wiing! A whirlwind of death had arisen. The intervals between the blasts were getting tighter and tighter. Bang! The sonic boom burst. The center of the tornado that broke through the speed of sound turned into a vacuum.
A 20-meter-diameter tornado smashed rocks and ripped a giant tree apart. Slurp, slurp! Dirt, rocks, debris, and swarms of wasps were sucked into the black hole. Screeching! The sucked objects were ground like a millstone.
The situation was over in an instant. The mad dance, which Black Mamba called Wild W?nd Boisterous Dance, made rocks to sand, wood to pellets, and the Vespa wasp to powder. A heavy silence fell on the battlefield.
Vespa wasp belonged to the long-lived wasp family. If one got bitten, the flesh would drop and if one took one shot, it would go away.
Chapter 694 - Chapter 63 Episode 30 Asura
Whiz! Rakshasa stopped being a dragon and disappeared into the backpack. Black Mamba alone stood tall in the ruins that became flat like a rice field after harvest. Ubiksa and Mbembe forgot to pull the trigger and looked away.
Oh, thats cool!
Helen drooled. The scene where a tornado created by a giant whip viciously inhaled a swarm of wasps that covered the sky, was touching and majestic. All the harsh situations and absurd incidents experienced over the past four months were only a sampling.
Strength was a symbol of the male. Muscles burping under a single layer of fiber flickered in front of her eyes. A dark red whip wriggling and a tornado sweeping surroundings made a deja vu with thingums. His hips got tightened and the inside of his thighs was tense. His body got hot intensely.
Natural disaster!
Sevchenkos face turned white. Tornado was not a human disaster but a natural disaster. His specialty, the blade of the wind, was nothing more than a playing house. Black Mamba, whom he experienced the day before, was a super-special sniper and psychic. Although he was superhuman, he was not a monster beyond his cognitive abilities. He was definitely not Black Mamba.
What is it? Sevchenko briefly asked and glanced at Helen.
It was remarkable that his poisonous eyes were loosened and his body fidgeted.
Crazy bitch! Sevchenko said in his mind.
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Sevchenko shook his head from side to side. The peoples hero suddenly had fallen into a mad bitch influenced by the pleasures of capitalism.
Ugh!
Jurge grabbed his chest and faltered. Eight thousand of the children, whom he fed with his own blood and flesh for 10 years, had disappeared in an instant. The pain that squeezed the heart was the pain of life. It was the pain of loss. Anger burned his head up. He had nothing to lose whether he killed that guy or he died.
Everyone charge bayonets!
Cha, cha, cha! The 50 surviving Mbembes all at once put their spear blades into the bayonet mounts.
Yorunba administration!
They opened the package and inserted the syringe into their forearm all at once. Yorunba was a narcotic drug that was incomparable with Captagon. Uwhouwhou! The Mbembes eyes were stained with blood and their muscles were shaking.
Captagon was a narcotic drug considered as essential as firearms by terrorist groups and fanatics in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. If one took Captagon, one would lose fear and feel no pain or fatigue until the moment one would die.
Charge!
Getting mad, Lieutenant Colonel Jurge issued an order that should not have been done, like those evil servants of Imperial General Headquarters who cried out for the prosperity of Great East Asia. If he had been a Kamuge-class shaman, he would have escaped immediately.
Whoa!
Tangse, Tangse!
Mbembes had charged all at once. With enhanced strength and adrenaline, Mbembes were as ferocious as tigers and faster than racehorses.
Crazy bastard! Milovic lamented.
He had to run at him head-on to hit a rock with an egg. Whether it was Black Mamba or not, he would have to dig the perfect trap to catch something beyond common sense. Milovic, who was tired, sent his telepathy.
It is wrong. Il-ho, Sam Ho, retreat. Cross the river immediately.
Ubiksa secretly escaped to the other side. A secret agent had to take care of his own life. Something like loyalty was not even worth a pair of rubber shoes abandoned on a new road.
The one who deserves to die should die.
A blue beam of light poured from the Black Mambas eyes. Their actions were an homage to the Japanese military, who ate mulberry and cried out Tenno Heika Banzai. At the end of the Pacific War, Imperial General Headquarters administered methamphetamine in large quantities to its own soldiers. The Japanese army, who ate mulberry, filled the Zero-Sen with bombs instead of fuel, collided with an American ship, and engaged in a civilian holocaust. Humans, driven by greed and lust for power, were more dangerous substances than radioactive ones.
Dragunov poured out bullets like a machine gun. The ten men who were charging in the left room collapsed with a crash, like dominoes. Then the assault team in the right room tumbled down in an instant. The Middle Army, which was pushed like a wave, fell down in a flurry. It was a merciless slaughter.
Kyaooh!
A howl exploded. Mbembes, who survived, rushed forward with bayonets. A single flash of light fell like lightning. Over 20 Mbembes, who were rushing like wild beasts, stopped like a toy that ran out of batteries.
Blood from necks, waists, and chests slowly oozed out. Splash! Blood gushed out like a shower. Thud, thud! Necks dropped, upper bodies separated, and limbs separated. Organisms that were human bodies right before became slices of boiled beef and fell down. Sword Cho-hyun was the wise retainer of Asura.
Mahaduraka!
Saliva was dripping from Lieutenant Colonel Jurges mouth. Howl! A black object slammed into Lieutenant Colonel Jurges open mouth. Bang! A grenade ripped the body into several pieces. The end of the Mbembe Special Forces under Ntaganta and the end of Jurge were as bizarre as the evil conducts they committed. The King of Bodoon, who should not even be put in the mouth, was the punishment that angered Asura.
******
Its a ghost for splashing! Tsk
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. Only Mbembe, who was helping the tough guy, was smashed. Ubiksa analyzed the situation like the best field agent of the KGB and quickly got out of the way. It was a flea that jumped beyond what was captured by dimensional sight. He relaxed and cooled the red burning Dragunov barrel.
Rafiki!(Friends!)
Olonge slowly approached. He was holding fruits in his hand. Black Mamba smiled. Olonges inside was visible. The Pygmy did not even speak of the existence of Mahaduraka, the incarnation of God. He had to pretend even though he knew. Olonge was trying to let him know that he didnt know.
Shukurani! (Thank you!)
Black Mamba received the fruits. Olonge smiled brightly, revealing his dark gums. He was no different from the legend of the Pygmy world because he had Mahaduraka as a friend. It was enough to feel proud.
Wakil, did ATACMS fall?
Sun Woo-hyun soothed the surprise with a big talk. The ground was clean as if it had been pushed away by a plane. Even if a battalion-level multiple rocket launcher fell, it could not be overturned as neatly as this. Black Mamba, wielding a huge whip at Doba Farm, was in front of his eyes.
Pfft. Humans are scarier than missiles.
Black Mamba filled the magazine after laughing. Dragunovs five magazines of 20 shots and 500 shots of reserve ammunition, MP5sd3s five magazines and 500 rounds of reserve ammunition, and Parabellum magazines could be used by the U.S. military, but if the 7.62mm bullet was short, it should have been supplied. One bullet entering the magazine was exchanged for one life. When he filled the magazine, his heart was breaking.
Even if the blood is pouring, the night is coming punctually!
The scales of the water in the setting sun flashed red and the unknown fish that jumped out of the water flashed silver. Surprised by gunfire and gunshots, the water ducks and storks plowed through the water surface leisurely.
This also shall be forgotten in time.
Black Mamba muttered with a sigh. When humans made a disturbance, nature wouldnt give up. After a fortnight, the bare skin of the land would be covered with forest and no human corpse, even a bone, would remain.
Wakil, lets track fast.
Sun Woo-hyun hurried. Desert sunsets would last a long time but jungle sunsets would pass in the blink of an eye. They embedded the newly received AN/PVS-10 scope to the mount base of MP5sd3 and tightened sleeves and ankles Velcro.
Is round 2 starting? Subordinate, check the current location.
Sun Woo-hyun turned on the GPS.
It is 1 degree 8 minutes north latitude and 29 degrees 9 minutes east longitude, Sir.
So, it is eight hours later than Korea!
It was time for diligent Jin Soon to prepare breakfast for the big family while the mother left lustral water aside and prayed for her sons safe return. Sleepy Oh sisters and Mina would wander in Dreamland, while sleepless Yeong-a would be counting the voices of dawn. It was time for Edel to unwind with a hot shower after finishing a hard days work. It was happiness to have a place to go back to and to have someone to worry about.
There is no need to rush. You have to jump to be a flea!
After completing the armament check, Black Mamba smiled faintly. The will of the world would not distinguish between good and evil. Each would have its own good and its own evil. Eung-Mu-So-Ju Yi-Saeng-Gi-Sim.
******
Whoosh! Scratching! Army rope crackers crossed the river like a comb and sank deep into a tree across the river. Sun Woo-hyun and Olonge walked across the rope as thick as a ballpoint pen as if riding a tightrope.
Black Mamba flew away with recoil that grabbed the army rope. He stepped on the head of the red eyeballs floating in the middle of the river and crossed the river lightly. Gurgling! A crocodile with a broken nose suddenly showed its temper but couldnt find anything to avenge his anger.
Black Mamba tracked Ubiksa quickly and sneakingly as much as the original Black Mamba was colorless. There was nothing difficult. If the worlds Black Mamba missed the guy who smelled like sweat, blood, and gunpowder, he would have to return his license to kill.
Sevchenko!
Preparation was completed!
Il-ho, Sam Ho, get ready.
Milovic was preparing for a counterattack. If Mbembe got stuck between the U.S. army and Black Mamba in the destroyed yard, there was no choice but to grind like a millstone. Even if he couldnt kill Black Mamba, he had to at least do enough damage to keep track of it. And there was a side which he believed in. The headquarter of those who were wearing black tights and digging up the jungle like flying was nearby.
******
Shhhh! The atmosphere was in flux. What was that? He was hit with an object flying towards the middle of his forehead with heavy handcuffs. Pat! Despite the physical impact, there was no sign. Whoosh! Objects that were unexpected flew in continuously. Bong! He showed the trick. It was a dense, compressed air mass. He pushed forward with his handcuffs.
It cant be as expected!
Sevchenko was lying on the ground. He flew countless blades of wind, but it was the level of flying flies to him. He moved forward without hesitation. After all, the blade of the wind was meant to dull and lure his senses.
Gimile Bassin!
Sevchenko poured out his own whole will. The ground, 3m in diameter, had turned into a pawn state.
What?
Suddenly, his feet were sucked into the ground. The tremendous absorptivity pulled it without mercy. Bong! The resonance wave increased the momentum by swirling the conception vessel poison. Puhwak! The wild energy escaped from the bloodshed. The Black Mamba, which gained repulsive power, suddenly rose.
Dream!
The bull screaming, hit in the head by a slaughter hammer, burst out. A man with a ruptured abdomen laid down exhausted with a thud under his feet.
Uh, how?
Bastard, there is no time to explain!
Pat! His head stomped on by ruthless soldiers burst like a balloon. The death of the climatologist Sevchenko was too futile. The darkness shuddered. Whoosh! The three river needles flew to the arms of the brother.
I knew that would happen.
His chest and abdomen were pressed against his back. Swishing! The blade flew. His neck was broken at ninety degrees. A Spetsnaz NR2 bayonet, as heavy as Kukri, swung past his neck. In the darkness like ink, only the muzzle came out blurry.
This time, is it clearly a human?
His upper body moved onto the iron bridge abruptly. Pat, pat, pat! A bullet that grazed his upper body was embedded into a tree. Flapping! A formless thing like a ghost pounced on. Whoosh! A salient angle increased.
Do you see me?
The freaked-out Il-ho blocked the bullet flying with his left arm in an impossible position. Crack! The bones that couldnt withstand weightlifting were broken into pieces.
Devilish bastard!
His arm was broken up to his shoulder, but it was better than being smashed. Il-ho ground his teeth, grabbed his bayonet reversely, and hit the opponents thigh. Even a small amount of damage had to be inflicted so that the captain and allies could deal with him.
Gasp!
Il-ho took his breath. The face of the man who had gone forth and back straightly and sharply enlarged. Slamming! An iron ball, no, an iron head, hit Il-hos head. Il-ho couldnt scream and fell down straight.
Huuuu Black Mamba spit out turbid air. Ubiksa hit the net without escaping. The attack, which was organically interlocked, was sharp. It was a pity for the ability to die. Tutututu! The machine gun opened fire.
Ouch!
He had forgotten the one who had space warp ability. Shuttering! Powerful shocks were delivered to the abdomen and chest. He was awakened by the shock of beating with a club. Pat! He moved around holding a giant tree by teleportation. Pat, pat, pat1 The bullets that followed hit the tree trunk in succession.
If you take it, you should give it back.
Whoosh! The dagger that had been stuck in the armguard bit its tail like a rosary and flew away by following the bullet trajectory.
Oh my God!
A loud scream rang out. There was no time to worry about the sound of pain. He grabbed the drooping parasitic vine and lifted his body up. Pat, pat, pat! The bullets smashed the bushes. He grabbed the vines and cracked through the air like a fan-head repairer without a sound. He moved 40m at once, stepped on foot to 10m high, and hung upside down like a bat.
Milovic, who missed the target, immediately moved out of the position. Hesitating Number 10 and holding FN machine gun Number 3 became also in danger. Black Mamba fell like an owl attacking mice.
I had to use a fucking Beretta!
Milovic, who felt his body pressed down, after picking up the pistol with an empty magazine threw it into the air and threw himself as if he was diving. Makarov had a strong punch but his shot number was only 8. Pat, pat, pat! Milovic swung himself around like a windmill. It was a writhing effort not to be marked. If one would try to teleport, one was likely to be haunted by the delay time.
Ohh!
It was an amazing sensation and an extremely disciplined body. It was above Sun Woo-hyun. Milovic stared at the two blue fireballs with unpleasant eyes. It was the eyes of a predator who has caught his prey.
Black Mamba?
It was a burred Russian pronunciation.
Kaneshner Zjal.(Yes. Im sorry.)
Black Mamba grinned and lifted the Glock.
Number 10, now. I said shoot! Milovic eagerly exclaimed in his mind.
The three subordinates had lost their power and only Number 10, which was hidden by a space distortion field, remained.
Chapter 695 - Chapter 63 Episode 31 Asura
Number 10 didnt fail to meet Milovics expectations. The sound of hitting the wet sandbag with a club rang out in succession. Thump! Black Mamba disappeared as if he went off. There was no way that he, raising awareness, would become a target plate. He moved in a moment and punched his pit of the stomach with Three Dusting Cannon Jabs.
Ahh!
What?
Contrary to the shrill scream, he had a strong feeling of irritation on his fingertips. Scratching! He was not Black Mamba to tolerate just because she was a woman. He slammed her on the shoulder, breaking her clavicle, and hit the back of her neck, stunning her.
Do women these days wear iron plates on their chests?
Black Mamba shook his head. Milovic, who got time, flew his body targeting Sevchenkos Asshibal.
They are trying to teach a fish to swim!
Black Mamba picked up Number 10s Asshibal and threw it away. Clang! The gun barrel divided the space. Milovics senses ranged alarm call fiercely. Puhwang! The moment he fell by a shove, the black object went past his head with a frightful howl sound. Then, wide soles appeared in front of his eyes.
Ugh!
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A frightened Milovic instinctively stopped the kick with a barrel of Asshibal. Puak! Asshibal was broken off all of sudden. Milovic stepped back, like a balloon pushed in the wind, without defying the weightlifting he could not handle.
Noner Jjyesshyajji, Udiviteno Yadak Bayusshi. (Number 10! How can this be? Its terrible.)
A hollow gaze turned toward Number 10. He attacked himself with Number 10 on his side. He couldnt believe it even if he underwent pain.
Dont act recklessly. If you want to kill, youve already killed.
A cold gaze turned toward Milovic.
Heh, youre going to have to give up an arm too.
Milovic, whose pride was hurt, ground his teeth and drew his bayonet. No tricks or residual technology would work in the confrontation between the masters. If one would use a poisoned stinger and a small assassination weapon, one would get hooked in one shot.
Heh, heh, heh! I think it wont be easy for you. Ill give you a chance.
Black Mamba smiled and threw Number 10 who was under his arms. If he hadnt wanted to capture her alive, he would have already killed her. Behind, an explosion like the sound of dragonfly wings rose. Of course, dragonflies would not fly at midnight.
What else is this?
Black Mamba whipped his hands. Cha, cha, cha! Billions Water Armour received three memorizations that flew silently.
Kami Katana (paper knife)?
The award as thin as a piece of paper was memorization of Higashi Hongan-ji leveled ninja who knew to handle a spirit. Poof! Black Mamba disappeared.
You are showing up now!
It was an expected change. Milovic traced Number 10s fainted body quickly. Number 10 had a broken shoulder bone and a misaligned cervical spine. Because of that, she couldnt keep her balance. Public hero was important, but Oparts was a hundred times more important.
Hey, you naughty bastard, did you get the womans permission?
Crunch! Black Mamba walked out of the thicket with a black tightrope on his shoulder.
Ugh!
A frightened Milovic stepped back and took a position. About 3-4 seconds must have passed. He subdued a ninja who was as tough as a leech and appeared at the moment.
Uh how?
Milovic was sick of it.
I am often asked that kind of question. So, shall we start?
Black Mamba threw away the tightrope and performed a natural fairy tale. Too much time had been delayed.
Ugh!
Milovic took a breath. The opponent in front of his eyes disappeared, like snow melting under the sunlight. He held his breath and opened his surreal senses. None! He didnt feel the opponent.
What is this?
He was greatly perplexed. The Number 1s ability to be invisible also would only reflect visible light in different directions but would not erase its presence. The General Bureau was researching the fourth dimension called the gap in space, but they were not able to grasp even the concept so far.
Crying! A bolt of lightning fell on the top of his head. It was a powerful shock that caused his head to be embedded into his shoulder. Milovic wobbled as if he was drunk. Despite the protection of the amoeba bulletproof helmet, his ears buzzed and his horn flew away. To restore his sense of balance, he hit his cheek strongly with his palm and shook his head.
Hey, he is such a tough guy!
Black Mamba admired it again and again. The shock of shaking the brain could not be overcome by training. At least he was a guy who had crossed the boundary of death a few times. He was not one number above Sun Woo-hyun. He was about two numbers ahead of Sun Woo-hyun. It was truly a shame to kill him.
He is asking for a whipping!
Pat-pat! There were military boots on his both side ribs. Milovic had a bayonet even in that situation. They pulled his wrists and swept his ankles. Milovic, floating in the air helplessly, turned around and sank upside down into the ground. Thump! His head dug into the ground like it was being planted. Milovic, who was called the best Soviet warrior, couldnt use his hands properly and lost his mind.
It was hard to capture him alive. We cannot let hyenas see it.
Black Mamba was not in a hurry. Milovic and Sam Ho were tied tightly with a black tightrope, like a vine, and hung on a branch dingle-dangle. Number 1, who passed out after being hit by a headbutt, was hung there. The situation was not good, but he was the best fighter with left-defense ability. He was also eligible for research and as an instructor.
What about that bitch?
He looked down at Number 10, whose codename was Rotten Rose, with his terrifying eyes. This place was not a location to stay long as a red zone. To call a Gazelle to a Yankee no-fly zone, they had to go through a complicated process. Complex was an adjective he hated terribly.
Subordinate!
There was no reply.
Sun Woo-hyun did not receive the signal. Boom, boom! The dimensional sight expanded. Sun Woo-hyun and an unfamiliar vitality were caught.
He is not even a jjajangmyeon delivery man, he grumbled and ran out of the forest with Number 10 on his side.
******
Oh no!
Sun Woo-hyun, who was holding Pangge, and Jjoljjolee were in a silent battle. The progress of the war was extremely unfavorable. It was an image that Jjoljjolee was enduring after barely avoiding Pangge and the sword. Even Wakazashi, which was sharpened as folding forging, couldnt stand the sharpness of the Pangge. Whooosh! Kami Katana he was holding was emitted by a resonant wave. When looking at the swordsmanship of the two, they were merchants of Higashi Hongan-ji without a doubt.
Suguri!
Gasp!
Surprised, Sun Woo-hyun moved his neck tight like a turtle. The map brushed the top of Sun Woo-hyuns head and stuck in Jjoljjolees forehead. The split-headed ninja fell down without a scream. Pat! Then, the flying map stuck again on the shoulders of another ninja. He avoided their vital point to interrogate them.
Ahh!
A scream burst as his tongue rolled into his throat.
Oh, no!
When he was wondering if Jjoljjolee ninja was convulsing or not, the movement of the ninja stopped. Blood poured like a fountain.
Kokuraku Pun! (Line of heaven!)
Black Mamba grimaced. It was the poison of Higashi Honganjis vision that he tasted when he was dealing with Chui Do Shik.
Hey!
Sun Woo-hyuns face became rotten. He stroked his parietal even without knowing himself. Fortunately, he wasnt hurt.
Wakil, we almost ate our meal. I want to live according to the name I received.
How can a man who hasnt even gotten married talk about a ritual? Its like adding a ghost to the Ituri Jungle.
Oh, even if you say What are those? I almost went to the goal.
They are ninjas. It must be a hunting dog that the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office have released. I got the item. We will retreat.
Wow! Now, is this a goodbye to the jungle that is excruciatingly tiresome?
Sun Woo-hyun called Hooray.
Bullshit! Now its the beginning.
Black Mamba threw Number 10 at Sun Woo-hyun, turned around, and walked with a big stride.
Sun Woo-hyuns face was disfigured after taking Number 10, which was an inch taller than him.
******
Wakil, Jjoljjolees taste has gone.
What? But I didnt hit him to death and I pulled his jaw?
So, you should have removed the suicide capsule. Tsk-tsk!
Sun Woo-hyun clicked his tongue.
How can your tone be arrogant?
Hehehe, how can I dare to be arrogant to Lord Dubaiburupa? This small person made a rattle. Rattle, rattle!
Ha, its not like a single person is ruined. Do as you always did.
Black Mamba shook his head. Hed rather squirm than die. When he smiled like a eunuch on a hideous face full of mama marks, it was a weapon in itself.
Who are you?
Number 10 woke up.
Shot up!
Sun Woo-hyun put a frame fixing tape in the womans mouth. The woman gave her a bewildered look, but he didnt even look at her. If one took a gun, the distinction between a man and a woman would disappear. They were just soldiers and enemies.
Subordinate, plow through her chest.
There was a hard foreign object within the womans chest. After focusing only on Hae Youngs safety, he realized that Oparts was the cause of the death. It was also because he wasnt interested that much.
Is there any reason to pluck her heart and splatter her blood? Lets just kill her.
Sun Woo-hyun, who misunderstood the words, pulled the Glock.
Ugh!
Black Mamba, bothered to explain, completely opened the womans smelly military uniform top and ripped off her sports bra. Her big breasts popped out in a splash. The sound of Sun Woo-hyun gulping sounded like thunder.
Black Mamba did not even blink his eyes. Jin Soons breast was bigger, and Edels breast was much prettier. When he took off a thick garment that wrapped the womans stomach, the object that was covered in layers with a bandage dropped with a thump.
Ahh!
The woman opened her eyes as if she would kill him and writhed.
You are just asking for a whipping. How dare you glare with your ghostly eyes!
Bump! The cracking sound of the gourd rang. It was finger flick that marked the ignorant Black Mamba. Number 10s eyes went blank. When he loosened the bandage, a milky white cylindrical stick fell out.
Ugh! Vajra?
Black Mamba suddenly ran. A chill as if holding ice rose up his arm. It was the same material as Vajra at a glance. Only the shape was different. He scratched a rock with Oparts. The hard granite was cut like tofu without resistance.
Ooh, something like this!
Following Vajra, another Vajra appeared. It was not possible to not be surprised. He felt a huge connection, something unknown. The master had said, when the power of Asura and unique objects gathered, the new world would open. Novatopia was made, as he said. But that didnt seem to be the case.
Wakil, whats that?
Theres no need to know and theres no good in knowing.
Black Mamba said to him coolly and put the Oparts in a life-saving bag named Life Vessel.
The item that Socrates Project Directors and Freemason Grandmasters were trying to secure with thousands of manpower and billions of dollars fell into the hands of the Black Mamba. For them, it was a matter of vomiting blood and falling down. So, there was a saying that the true treasure had its owner.
Its cool and good!
It would be said that being ignorant was courageous. Oparts, which would change the world, was nothing more than a substitute for an ice pack to cool the heat for Black Mamba.
Wakil, dont we have to leave?
Yes, we have to. Theres no reason to scuffle with a swarm of hyenas in vain.
Pat, pat! Sun Woo-hyun put a bullet without mercy in the foreheads of Il-ho and Sam Ho, who were moving back and forth.
Man, what if you throw away your clothes and kill the one who was captured alive?
Black Mamba messed up. A pull-out phenomenon in outer body armor covered in machine gun bullets (the fabric-type body armor was torn because it could not handle the momentum of the bullet) occurred. Even the body armor made of Bossaurus tendon and liquid metal could not wholly block the powerful 7.62mm FN bullet. Black Mamba swallowed the word butcher cub. If Sun Woo-hyun was a butcher, he was a butcher one hundred plus.
When looking exactly, you jerk, you are the leader. You should only beat the captain, Ancasio. Drag the faded guys.
Hey if you cant speak
Black Mambas face was rotten. In other words, it was not wrong. Sun Woo-hyun clapped his hands twice briefly and twice long. In the forest, Olonge appeared like a lie.
Little bastard has a hiding skill like a ghost.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head in disagreement. It was an ability that was not easily adapted to even after seeing it every time. Sun Woo-hyun took off the night vision worn by Ubiksa and put it on Olonges eyes.
Wow!
When his vision brightened, Olonge jumped up.
Olonge, we need a place without snow.
Ngai (Eringite)!
Nga?
Sun Woo-hyun picked up Milovic and Number 10 without effort and put them on both sides.
Wakil, lets fly.
Olonge, who understood Sun Woo-hyuns words, took the lead. Olonge quickly adapted to the night vision. Olonge, who had a clear view, increased his speed without hesitation. The Ituri jungle increased in elevation as it went to the southeast and continued with rugged mountains. The direction Olonge guided had become more difficult and higher in altitude.
Ngai!
Olonge stopped walking on the top of the rocky mountain. The mountain, which rose on a plateau unexpectedly, was a precipice on three sides and only the east was open. It was a hidden place easy to observe. The altitude indicated by the GPS was 1,800 m above sea level.
Black Mamba nodded. Olonge was an innate guide. Sun Woo-hyun put down two of the items he was carrying and wiped the sweat on his forehead. He carried two adults through the jungle for an hour and a half. It would not have been possible if they had not changed the physical constitution with Soul-Returning Pain Administration.
Sun Woo-hyun stole Milovic and Helens belongings and backpacks. Mini sound recorder, wiretapping device, a wavelength converting device, insect repellent spray, incapacitating bomb, ultra-small pistol there was no end.
This has no difference from a treasure trove!
Sun Woo-hyun got the goods because he was a god.
I am hungry. Lets shave it off and do some yoga.
Olonge pulled out C-ration and water from the backpack. Olonge, who already had experience in guiding, moved on without having to tell him. At some point, he also took out a few coconuts.
Black Mamba chuckled and raised a thumb. Olonge was not a natural guide but a genius guide.
Aaahh!
Milovic woke up.
Chapter 696 - Chapter 63 Episode 32 Asura
Since this bastard is between species, he opens his eyes when he is eating without sense.
Sun Woo-hyun picked up the coconut without even looking back. Pat! Milovic, who was hit on the forehead, drooped.
Is it a frustration?
Black Mamba stared at Sun Woo-hyun. He was thinking that he was self-conscious but his dirty nature had not gone anywhere. Sun Woo-hyun secretly avoided his gaze and changed words quickly.
Did you give her sleeping pills?
Actually its time to wake up Dont be a troublemaker ignorantly and wake up.
Black Mamba looked at Number 10 quickly.
Zebitale Abu Purkimai!
What does Olonge say?
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He said that you can make her wake up suddenly.
Is that so?
It was a little surprising that Olonge was taking action actively. Pygmies were extremely passive. There was no way they did anything voluntarily other than what they were asked to do.
Olonge took out a plastic bag for serration packaging from his bosom. This was the warehouse where he usually stored snacks such as yakori, termites, and tarantulas. Boink, boink! A swarm of flying insects trapped in a plastic bag glowed. Olonge pulled out a thumb-sized bee. Black Mamba nodded. This was an item that made people wake up suddenly.
Ugh, is this a red tarantulahawk, isnt it?
Sun Woo-hyun grimaced. He was shot once in Novatopia. The pain duration was only 3-5 minutes but her eyes widened at the pain of driving a rusty nail under her nail.
Ahh!
Helen, who narrowed her eyes and looked at the situation, writhed. She had an experience that she had got stung by a damn red wasp. She didnt want to spout bubbles and wet her pants in front of men staring at her intensely. Olonge threw the wasp into his mouth with a sad expression and chewed it gently.
Im going to pull out her ignorant tongue and slap with a fly swatter.
Sun Woo-hyun kicked her without mercy and ripped off the tape that blocked her mouth.
Son of a bitch, you are motherfucker!
Vulgar swear words poured out of the womans mouth in crowds.
Oh, your mouth is a gutter. Is it made in the Soviet Union?
Mu Ssang looked at Sun Woo-hyun. Sun Woo-hyun slapped her cheek up and put the tape on it.
Since the Soviet Eminaies, they are mimicking the American imperialist Eminai. Before your leader guy kicks the bucket, say the underlying funds (information) first.
Sun Woo-hyun tapped Milovics cheek like a drum. Milovics body, with dozens of broken bones, was limping like a mollusk, but he didnt care about it.
Is it a complex appearance?
Black Mamba shook his head. Sun Woo-hyun had a tendency to treat his particularly tall and handsome opponents harshly, regardless of gender.
Tell me. I have a job for a woman.
The only thing a woman has to do is get on. Good luck.
Man, if you make that kind of comment in Korea, youll be put on trial. Youll have difficulty marrying a Korean lady.
I dont like South Korean women who are stubborn and looking back. Yanbian is full of women who are good and obedient.
Sun Woo-hyun didnt say even a word. Black Mamba laughed. Sun Woo-hyun should have pecked at them so that he was like himself.
******
Hey, we need to talk.
There was silence.
Helen clenched her teeth and lifted her eyes. Poison flowed through her pale blue eyes.
You probably know English. Name?
Again, there was no response.
Olonge pulled out a red tarantulahawk and approached slowly. Helen was startled.
Lets go easy. No pity for you.
Im very sorry. How can you do this to a woman?
Hey!
Unknowingly, he inhaled the wind.
Hey, dont turn your social gender into a biological one. Youre not a woman. Youre an agent. So, you didnt have a suicide capsule. You are not an agent but youre hunting, I think. I respect those who are armed with patriotism and a sense of duty even if they are enemies. You are a marionette type of person who has weakness or is driven by money and drugs. I dont want to respect you very much.
Fucking bastard, you mean youre going to use violence against a woman?
Helen emphasized the woman. The world should be generous to a pretty woman, of course. Because of being a woman and having beauty, she had always been respected in the camp. Oscar Wilde had said beauty was truth and truth was beauty as well. Unfortunately, her opponent was not a soft Yankee, nor a nonviolent Gandhi.
Huh, youre really a crazy bitch. When you try to kill someone, you have to be prepared to die yourself. Are you saying that a four-year-old can shoot and kill people and can not get a single slap in the face? This was the last gentle question. Name?
Give me my item. Youre a thief and a robber.
Helens eyes were smoldering with anger and poison. The opponent was the villain who stole Oparts, the guarantee of success. She wasnt conscious.
Im sorry. When you see the coffin, youll cry, of course.
Black Mamba spread her handcuffed palms wide and pressed the granite rock. Stone dust rose and her palms went into it. Helens mouth which was using enmity was closed like a seashell. The womans hand was placed in a deeply engraved palm frame and a stone cut with a Vajra was inserted into her wrist. An endless torture frame was prepared.
Olonge put tape in the womans mouth. It was the change she wanted herself. Black Mamba smiled brightly and drew a slender commendation from the armguard. He wanted to handle it as neatly as he could, but the woman incurred a whipping.
Argh!
Helen writhed, but her hands bitten by rocks did not even move. Helen went mad when the sharp blade was placed on the inside of the thumb, on the crescent where the skin and nails were connected. Even a fool would know whats going to happen. The slender iron skewer was sluggish, digging into her nails. Although primitive, the pain and visual effects were superb.
Aahh!
Helen trembled like a leaf. Blood stood in her pale blue eyes. Black Mamba showed an armguard with 20 citations and put a citation on the index fingernail. It was a terrible threat.
Argh!
The poison went out of Helens eyes and fear filled her eyes. Devilish bastard, no, the devil was more than enough to hit all 20 iron skewers.
You still have eight fingers left. Im gonna crush your toes without piercing them. Ill give you time to think.
Black Mamba threw a terrible comment and lit Cohibajigolo on fire. The unique, savory, and bitter taste rushed deep into her lungs. A calm feeling that followed sharp swallowing of the throat just like when pouring a soju glass on an empty stomach came.
The tar content indicated in Cohibajigolo was 25mg, which was 9mg higher than that of the domestic brush tobacco 16mg. Compared to Cohiba and Sol, nicotine and tar content were not associated with tobacco taste. If the perforation of the cigarettes filter end was blocked and performed during the experiment, 30 to 150 times the experimental value would be obtained. In other words, when smoking, the content marked as smoking by biting the perforation was fraudulent.
Low-nicotine and low-tar cigarettes were gaining popularity in France and the UK, but it was a no-brainer. Cigarettes containing as many as 200 substances were terrifying even to hear, including arsenic, chlorine, cobalt, carbon monoxide, and cadmium.
Lowering nicotine and tar content by a few milligrams wouldnt change anything. Low tar cigarettes and high-purity filters were only a knack for business, but smokers were rationalizing themselves with a small consolation that they benefited their health. That was the way the world was.
If one wanted to make money, one needed to treat peoples preferences, not their basic necessities. The high price policy could not be used for daily necessities, but it could be used for any number of items people like. A person who was saying that 2,500 won of rice was expensive, was willing to pay 10,000 won for a Cohibajigolo cigarette blown away with the smoke. Coca-Cola had earned a bunch of money by adding a few pigments and flavors to the water because it was an item of personal preference.
Its an item of personal preference. Heh, heh, heh!
Black Mamba giggled alone as if he went insane. The woman was great, as expected. After torturing a woman, he found value in his economic existence. From the perspective of French authorities, soldiers and police were daily necessities and Black Mamba was an item of personal preference.
Black Mamba was a presence that would relieve the mood when high people were in trouble or that would be able to solve their doubts when they were full of questions. Because of that, she was expensive. If they couldnt properly distinguish between items of personal preference and basic necessities and if they couldnt understand the truth, no one would understand it.
So, you are still thinking about it.
Black Mamba snapped a cigarette and picked a dart slowly.
You bastard, no. I said no! I said, dont judge as you like.
Recalling the extreme pain, Helen shook her head desperately. As the saying would go that A burnt child dreads the fire, the human brain would rely on experience for analysis and judgment. The dart mechanically penetrated the middle fingernail.
Argh!
Bubbles and liquid flowed from the womans eyes, nose, and mouth. Her mind went blank. She was full of thoughts about avoiding pain. The third dart came out of the armguard.
Oop, oop, oop!
Helen hit the wheel to break her head. Mu Ssang, after hesitating for a while, put the dart into the armguard. Olonge took off the tape that blocked her mouth.
Helen, Bauer Helen!
The answer came without hesitation. Although her heart was venomous and cruel, she was not strong enough to face primal violence.
Good, having a sincere conversation like this benefits each other. Identity?
Black Mambas question was as soft as a spring breeze.
Researcher at the United States Geological Survey, now Assistant Researcher in the Zaire Mambasa Geological Exploration Team.
Not that, but the real identity?
Senior Sergeant in the DIA Counterintelligence.
Another identity different with that?
There was a moment of silence.
Helen hesitated. But Black Mamba didnt hesitate. Immediately, the dart was issued for the ring finger nail.
Aaahhh!
A desperate scream rang out. A flock of birds flew away while resting in the shade of Ngai Rock. Helen writhed but her hand, immersed in a thousand-year-old giant rock, was immovable.
Other identities?
Informant of the Soviet Union Ministry of Internal Affairs!
Received orders?
Identify the hidden purpose of the expedition and if necessary, blow up the camp.
The reason for becoming a mole?
He saved me when I was ruined by drugs. If you have that item, you can marry him.
You are an American citizen. You must have known that the person approaching was a KGB agent
What does that matter? We love each other. If were happy, it is enough. His job is not a big deal!
Tsk-tsk!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. This was a method commonly used by spy agencies when planting moles. This kind of selfish and vain human being was a good candidate for the KGB Humint Operation.
What is the item stolen from the U.S. Military Camp?
I dont know, either. Its just called Oparts.
So that is!
This woman and Ubiksa had no idea of the value of Vajra. It was the same that one did not know oneself.
Where was Oparts discovered?
I dont know. The discoverer is an Asian researcher named Lin. Kerry stole Oparts she had concealed and I stole Oparts that Kerry stole, Helen answered obediently.
She hadnt any thoughts other than wanting to get out of the pain quickly.
Lin? Inn? What is her full name?
Its Hae Young Lin. An unlucky Asian woman on her Ph.D. in geology at the University of Santa Barbara.
Huh!
He almost made a sound. It was taken properly. Surprised Black Mamba calmed his own heart with a deep breath.
If you explain the process of acquiring Oparts, the U.S. military force, and its size in detail, I will give you morphine.
It hurts so much. Give me morphine first.
Helen gasped.
Okay, Ill do.
Black Mamba responded mildly. If she didnt obey, he could pull out the morphine component with suction waves and thats it.
I was a counterintelligence officer in charge of Researcher Lin The Institute uses scholarships and living expenses as bait The acquisition of Oparts was purely coincidental There were two battalions of marines, one battalion of engineers, a chemistries company, and a DIA special forces battalion at the camp. I recently heard that brigade troops have been added Yankee is mobilizing thousands of researchers and soldiers to search for Oparts.
What happened to the woman named Lin?
He got nervous. Hae Young had concealed Oparts. He wouldnt have clapped his hands just because the security guards did a good job.
We cannot know. Camp Commander Brigadier General McKinley activated Gamma Number 1. Perhaps she was imprisoned or executed.
Huh! Execution? thought Black Mamba.
His ears were buzzing. It was impossible to know whether the objects piled up in the Life Vessel were Oparts or Okafi. The important thing was Hae Youngs safety. He couldnt blame the woman. She was just faithful to her position. He pulled out a Cohibajigolo cigarette and lit it. It was the first time he smoked a line cigarette.
******
Wakil, after I made a mistake Im sorry.
Sun Woo-hyun bowed his head. When the opportunity came, he mimicked All-Torture, and then gave up. A fake was just a fake.
Its not meant to be. Did you pick up the information?
There was no way to save the dead. It was a pity but there was nothing to do.
Because the time to die came, I told them first. Ubiksa
No time. Open the satellite phone and let Bonipas know whats going on and tell him we might have a fight with the Americans, Black Mamba interrupted.
If Bonipas was to continue his role as a Nova member, he must have kept his place. If he wanted to keep his place, he had to make a performance.
If Wakil comes forward, the Yankees will be out of control. Im gonna communicate.
Sun Woo-hyun installed a satellite antenna and started cryptography.
What do we do about that? Sun Woo-hyun said in his mind.
He vacantly looked at Helen, who was drunk with morphine and acting like a fool. She was good for nothing.
Chapter 697 - Chapter 63 Episode 33 Asura
The windbreak forest manager was perfect, but if they called in the Gazelle, it was easy to expose the location and get shot down.
Wakil, what is Oparts that Bonipas was becoming crazy because of it?
Sun Woo-hyun closed the communication and made a fuss.
What do you do with that?
Black Mamba questioned out of boredom.
Bonipas, no, France became crazy. At the National Security Council, two billion dollars and Martinique (a French island in the Caribbean, four times the area of Geoje Island) was decided as an Oparts allowance.
Thats crazy!
Black Mamba simply put on the finishing touches.
Yes. Its a soulless frog.
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Sun Woo-hyun sympathized strongly. Two billion dollars could buy grain for the North Korean people to eat for several years. Crazy, but firmly crazy.
Its nice due to simplicity!
Black Mamba laughed inside. Vajra was a piece of heaven that couldnt be bought with money. Lack of money was uncomfortable but having too much money was also uncomfortable. Novatopia was also a pain in the ass, but he had no intention of receiving a small island country where sugar cane was grown.
What about the U.S. army?
I respect the judgment of the Special Military Advisor.
Heh, heh, heh. That was a Bonipas-like answer.
Black Mamba giggled. It was a spell that would smash if one pretended to not know. It was time to faithfully fulfill the role of items of personal preference and take care of personal affairs. Words that Hae Young might be executed rang in his ears.
The United States did not have a death penalty, nor was it a country ruthless enough to execute summary executions for concealing Oparts. Even so, the ominous premonition that had been scorched did not go away. Humans could become demons or angels in special environments.
Olonge, Im leaving.
Black Mamba lifted his buttock. Sun Woo-hyun sadly pulled the Glock.
You cant keep Eminai alive.
Pat! A bullet stuck inside Helens forehead, who was drunk with morphine. Black Mamba pretended not to know. Even though he wanted to save her, the situation didnt allow him to do so.
Just as a Serbian young mans gunshot from Sarajevo called for World War I, Helens gunshot from Eunpanwaja called for millions of lives to be lost in Ituri. It was a peaceful death for the main culprit who made a huge game of fire.
Wakil, Im sorry. Must not there be at least one guy among the humble hammers who gets his hands dirty like me? said Sun Woo-hyun in his mind.
Sun Woo-hyun threw Helens body away from the steep cliff and looked down at Milovic vacantly. He knew Wakils intentions, but there was no chance that a guy with red water up to his bone marrow would be loyal to Novatopia. To be honest, the jealousy that the ranks were pushed back also worked, but he couldnt be with the guy who would someday put a knife on his back.
You did your job and I do my job. Eung-Mu-So-Ju Yi-Saeng-Gi-Sim!
Pat! Sun Woo-hyun interpreted the Buddhas words in a way and kicked the dead body. The dead body disappeared dimly into the clouds on the cliff. The Soviets secret weapon, the Spetsnaz Ubiksa Team, was unexpectedly wiped clean by Black Mambas hands, not the US.
Hes terrible!
The shadow that was hidden in the Ambong across the Ngai Rocky Mountain disappeared without a sound. It was a KGB observer called Seunek (ߧ֧, eyes). When the KGB conducted a special overseas operation, it would dispatch an operational team and a separate capable person. Seunek meant eyes that would exist everywhere and only observe without being involved in the operation. Even the head of the craft was unaware of the existence of Seunek. Whether Seuneks report would be another variant was something to watch and see.
******
The Edente River, the northern tributary of the Ituri River, would flow through rugged volcanic terrain. The emerald-colored river water that passed through a limestone valley with a high river bed coefficient created a sandbank on the riverside, and a hazy water mist surrounded the valley all year round.
The Ituri jungle was not a forest of evil to the full. The fish bouncing off the surface of the water, the osprey flying leisurely on the surface of the water, and the silvery sandy beach were as peaceful as a picture postcard.
A crocodile wandering from the sandbar approached a thicket of misty shrubbery. Wooung! A fog appeared wildly. Pat! A stone flew from the water fog and struck the crocodiles nose. Bloop! A startled crocodile made fun of its short legs and jumped into the river.
A small man in a black tight popped out of the fog. Jjoljjolee looked around and disappeared into the fog.
Shibata, what was it?
Jjoljjolee with a gun popped out of the rock.
Crocodile!
Did you kill?
It sounds like a big problem! The ambassador said not to kill any animals except fish.
Damn, training rhythm was broken. Yin-Yang formation is weak at the time when day and night change.
Jamons magician is gonna take care of it. I need a hot spring bath, Jjoljjolee grumbled and disappeared.
Yin-Yang formation was built using firearms and water skills as batteries. Edente Valley, where magma near the surface of the earth simmered and a rich river would flow, was the perfect place for the Jamon Clan Yin-Yang magician to build a hideout barrier.
Due to the lack of magical power, the Yamanashi Collection Yin-Yang formation, which Black Mamba had swept away, was vulnerable, but there was enough space to deceive the outside gaze and hide 40 ninjas and 20 inner room agents.
Inside of Yin-Yang formation, a dozen piling-structured high-rise jade houses constituted the Chil-Song formation. And in the vacant lot, which was the part of the ladle, bamboo with the thickness of an ankle was studded. 30 ninjas dressed in fundoshi were practicing the new method on bamboo. They were the second-generation disciples who applied for the Higashi Hongan-ji main sect and the third-generation disciples who entered the state of merchants.
The elderly man drinking tea while sitting on a rosewood table in yukata was Chui Do Shik, who barely managed to survive in the Geumho River and escaped. Number 38 (the narrator), who became the shadow of Chui Do Shik, was kneeling and brewing tea.
Crack! A teacup carved out of granite was smashed. The tea that had to be poured hung in the space. The narrator lifted the teacup. The tea that was floating in the air crossed the space and was placed in a new teacup.
Huh, so you still have a long way to go!
Chui Do Shik stretched out his arms and grabbed the teacup. He worked day and night, but the ganglion connected to the prosthetic arm and the brainwave movement often staggered. Even if the concentration was scattered a little, the electrical signal was disorganized. So was prosthetic. The fighting power was increased but feeling uneasy was endless.
The carbon nanotube prosthesis, which was made of the same material as Gorgon, could lift a weight of 5 tons, but its delicate movements were weak. There were only tens of thousands of eggs and glasses that were smashed during training. 90% was adapted, but the remaining 10% was a problem. The uncontrolled 10% power was not as good as the controlled one percent power.
Pagayaro Rokudenashi! (You damn!)
He remembered the humiliation of the day when he had to crawl on the stinky river bed and run away. He had lost his arm and had lost his leg. The next time he met him, the face of the guy who was yelling that he was going to cut his hair shimmered.
Muramasa, Hidden Soul Spiderweb, Gorgon, Three-Pronged Trick, and memories of losing limbs and crawling along the river bed like a dog burned his heart vigorously. Crack! The teacup he was holding was smashed again. Hot tea moistened the yukata. Chui Do Shik, overwhelmed by anger, didnt even feel it.
Momoshita Sensei!
Jjoljjolee broke the waist by ninety degrees. Chui Do Shik lifted his head.
Roskes watchdog has returned.
Report it!
The answer came from the narrators mouth. His voice was harsh, like the shattering sound of a helical gear with worn-out teeth.
Bitch without even a root!
Jjoljjolee furrowed his eyebrows.
What?
The narrator shot Gondo. The narrators eyes, which had been strengthened by the puppeteer technique, were lifeless. Gondo was startled by his hollow open eyes.
Sasaki! Report.
Jjoljjolee, with only two eyes exposed, knelt down.
I report to the ambassador. Maimais forces, including Roskes spies, were wiped out on the banks of the Teturi River. Unfortunately, I missed Roskes trace.
Jjoljjolee banged his head on the ground.
What! Did you say shamans forces and Roske were wiped out?
Surprised, Chui Do Shik stopped speaking.
The raiders are judged to be elite sniper forces. Traces show that five men crossed the river and retreated.
Is the raider Ameko?
In terms of battle trails, there are two or three raiders. Amekos Predator doesnt have the ability to unilaterally kill Mbembe forces and Roske special forces. Presumed to be a new force.
Huh, what do the first and third groups do? What did Jamons magician who was tracking Roske do??
Chui Do Shiks voice was filled with anger.
The first and third groups are tracking the Maimai guerrillas torn from east to west. The second group and Jamonga disciples were beaten.
Did you say he is dead?
His neck was broken and shredded as if he had been hit by a predator. I buried him and left a mark.
Well, Predator!
Chui Do Shiks face was rotten. There were many ferocious poisons in the Ituri jungle, but there was no poison so powerful that three people, not even one, could be attacked at once. Ninjas and magicians were spears and shields. The only existence that could defeat the combination of two ninjas and a magician was the Predator released by Ameko.
The whereabouts of the item?
It was too bad for the sacrifices of disciples, but the whereabouts of the item was the first priority.
It sounds ridiculous given Roskes abilities, but the lost Roske was kidnapped.
Ameko?
She hasnt noticed the rapid change yet.
The tail was attached?
Iwane and Kuroda are tracking.
Yoshi! Whether they got the item or got the information, the guy who gifted Roske was the key. In order for this species to come to life, they had to acquire the item unconditionally. Prepare your disciples.
Chui Do Shik stood up suddenly. It was an opportunity when the item was passed on to a third party and when Ameko went back and forth. He instinctively felt that it was time to give power. Black Mamba and Chui Do Shiks bad relationship continued in Africa.
******
Green Zone Camp,
The boardroom atmosphere was droopy like boiled cabbage. ATACMSs attack was effective, but Predator and Shadow only found eight Ubiksa corpses. Rotten Rose and Oparts had disappeared perfectly. The deployed marine brigades were shooting flocked guerillas as their opponents.
McPherson, retreat the marines. There is no reason to see troop losing against beggars. Prepare MLRS.
The new commander Dysons eyes were like a knife, but his voice was gentle.
Yes. I understand, Sir.
Lieutenant Colonel Michell, the whereabouts of Oparts?
Ubiksa joined Maimai and went out in the direction of Kisangani and Buni. We destroyed them, but it was a manned unit. Belatedly, Limbo Company followed the guerrilla unit that was going southward.
You maggot-like bastards! Any exploration results?
We focused our personnel on the area where the prisoner acquired Oparts, but we dont have any results yet. We think sending the woman to Truman.
Oh, no! Do we have to do that?
Dyson grimaced. Truman Prison was a notorious military prison that would hold felony criminals.
She is a bitch who committed treason against the state. She is a bitch that deserves to be ripped off by dirty things.
Michell ground his teeth. Oparts that would reveal the organization and its future were gone and there was a huge human and material loss. The starting point of all those was researcher Lin. There would be no problem if it was treated as an accident, but the interrogation was still ongoing just in case. Now it was a level of torture without any expectations.
Michell, Ill think of a way. She is a rare beauty. Beauty deserves respect naturally.
McKinley put on the brakes.
You pervert! said Michell in his mind.
Michell glanced at the camp warden with flounder eyes. McKinley had paraphilia disease. He was a human who would be able to relieve the stress of losing his position as a commander with dirty things. As security chief, even if he was tortured, he could not tolerate sordid things.
General McKinley, take care of it. Ill get a report from the operations control room.
Brigadier General Dyson stood up. The operations control room system is over, so you have to move your own oval office.
Ill guide you.
Michell took the lead. The elevator went down deep underground. Ding! The elevator stopped.
It must be stronger than Housseins bomb shelter.
Dyson admired.
We excavated 30 meters of rock. The only concrete thickness is 70 inches. Even ten thousand pounds of bunker busters would throw on it, so it is safe, Lieutenant Colonel Hammer replied confidently.
Damn it, they said they gave me a dog, said McKinley in his mind.
McKinley was heartbroken. The operations control room, which would go to the aerospace center control room, was his work. Day and night, engineers battalion and engineers tormented the facility, which had to be handed over to Dyson untouched.
Vroom! A thick steel door opened. Dozens of intelligence officers were sticking their heads into the console. The monitor covering three sides of the control room was sending the collected information through CCTV and the intelligence satellite in real time.
The Ituri Jungle was too wide. Pegasus, a geostationary satellite dedicated to the Green Zone, also revealed reconnaissance limitations due to its canopy. The committee invested an astronomical budget, spread CCTV and wiretapping devices inexorably, and built a comprehensive combat information room to pursue the Oparts.
Good morning!
The skinny major met the party. It was Major Warmer in charge of information warfare dispatched by DIA.
Youre working hard!
The accumulated data is insufficient since the system was started immediately. An interesting engagement took place in Teturi.
Warmers replayed on the screen. The dark green screen zoomed up. The Ituri tributary near Teturi and the miserable battlefield situation appeared.
Chapter 698 - Chapter 63 Episode 34 Asura
Since this bastard is between species, he opens his eyes when he is eating without sense.
Sun Woo-hyun picked up the coconut without even looking back. Pat! Milovic, who was hit on the forehead, drooped.
Is it a frustration?
Black Mamba stared at Sun Woo-hyun. He was thinking that he was self-conscious but his dirty nature had not gone anywhere. Sun Woo-hyun secretly avoided his gaze and changed words quickly.
Did you give her sleeping pills?
Actually its time to wake up Dont be a troublemaker ignorantly.
Black Mamba looked at Number 10 quickly.
Zebitale Abu Purkimai!
What does Olonge say?
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He said that you can make her wake up suddenly.
Is that so?
It was a little surprising that Olonge was taking action actively. Pygmies were extremely passive. There was no way they did anything voluntarily other than what they were asked to do.
Olonge took out a plastic bag for serration packaging from his bosom. This was the warehouse where he usually stored snacks such as yakori, termites, and tarantulas. Boink, boink! A swarm of flying insects trapped in a plastic bag glowed. Olonge pulled out a thumb-sized bee. Black Mamba nodded. This was an item that made people wake up suddenly.
Ugh, is this a red tarantula hawk, isnt it?
Sun Woo-hyun grimaced. He was shot once in Novatopia. The pain duration was only 3-5 minutes but her eyes widened at the pain of driving a rusty nail under her nail.
Ahh!
Helen, who narrowed her eyes and looked at the situation, writhed. She had an experience where she had gotten stung by a damn red wasp. She didnt want to spout bubbles and wet her pants in front of men staring at her intensely. Olonge threw the wasp into his mouth with a sad expression and chewed it gently.
Im going to pull out her ignorant tongue and slap with a fly swatter.
Sun Woo-hyun kicked her without mercy and ripped off the tape that blocked her mouth.
Son of a bitch, you are motherfucker!
Vulgar swear words poured out of the womans mouth in crowds.
Oh, your mouth is a gutter. Is it made in the Soviet Union?
Mu Ssang looked at Sun Woo-hyun. Sun Woo-hyun slapped her cheek up and put the tape on it.
Since the Soviet Eminaies, they are mimicking the American imperialist Eminai. Before your leader guy kicks the bucket, say the underlying funds (information) first.
Sun Woo-hyun tapped Milovics cheek like a drum. Milovics body, with dozens of broken bones, was limping like a mollusk, but he didnt care about it.
Is it a complex appearance?
Black Mamba shook his head. Sun Woo-hyun had a tendency to treat his particularly tall and handsome opponents harshly, regardless of gender.
Tell me. I have a job for a woman.
The only thing a woman has to do is get on. Good luck.
Man, if you make that kind of comment in Korea, youll be put on trial. Youll have difficulty marrying a Korean lady.
I dont like South Korean women who are stubborn and looking back. Yanbian is full of women who are good and obedient.
Sun Woo-hyun didnt say even a word. Black Mamba laughed. Sun Woo-hyun should have pecked at them so that he was like himself.
******
Hey, we need to talk.
There was silence.
Helen clenched her teeth and lifted her eyes. Poison flowed through her pale blue eyes.
You probably know English. Name?
Again, there was no response.
Olonge pulled out a red tarantula hawk and approached slowly. Helen was startled.
Lets go easy. No pity for you.
Im very sorry. How can you do this to a woman?
Hey!
Unknowingly, he inhaled the wind.
Hey, dont turn your social gender into a biological one. Youre not a woman. Youre an agent. So, you didnt have a suicide capsule. You are not an agent but youre hunting, I think. I respect those who are armed with patriotism and a sense of duty even if they are enemies. You are a marionette type of person who has weaknesses or is driven by money and drugs. I dont want to respect you very much.
Fucking bastard, you mean youre going to use violence against a woman?
Helen emphasized the woman. The world should be generous to a pretty woman, of course. Because of being a woman and having beauty, she had always been respected in the camp. Oscar Wilde had said beauty was truth and truth was beauty as well. Unfortunately, her opponent was not a soft Yankee, nor a nonviolent Gandhi.
Huh, youre really a crazy bitch. When you try to kill someone, you have to be prepared to die yourself. Are you saying that a four-year-old can shoot and kill people and can not get a single slap in the face? This was the last gentle question. Name?
Give me my item. Youre a thief and a robber.
Helens eyes were smoldering with anger and poison. The opponent was the villain who stole Ooparts, the guarantee of success. She wasnt conscious.
Im sorry. When you see the coffin, youll cry, of course.
Black Mamba spread her handcuffed palms wide and pressed the granite rock. Stone dust rose and her palms went into it. Helens mouth which was using enmity was closed like a seashell. The womans hand was placed in a deeply engraved palm frame and a stone cut with a Vajra was inserted into her wrist. An endless torture frame was prepared.
Olonge put the tape in the womans mouth. It was the change she wanted herself. Black Mamba smiled brightly and drew a slender commendation from the armguard. He wanted to handle it as neatly as he could, but the woman incurred a whipping.
Argh!
Helen writhed, but her hands bitten by rocks did not even move. Helen went mad when the sharp blade was placed on the inside of the thumb, on the crescent where the skin and nails were connected. Even a fool would know whats going to happen. The slender iron skewer was sluggish, digging into her nails. Although primitive, the pain and visual effects were superb.
Aahh!
Helen trembled like a leaf. Blood stood in her pale blue eyes. Black Mamba showed an armguard with 20 citations and put a citation on the index fingernail. It was a terrible threat.
Argh!
The poison went out of Helens eyes and fear filled her eyes. Devilish bastard, no, the devil was more than enough to hit all 20 iron skewers.
You still have eight fingers left. Im gonna crush your toes without piercing them. Ill give you time to think.
Black Mamba threw a terrible comment and lit Cohibajigolo on fire. The unique, savory, and bitter taste rushed deep into her lungs. A calm feeling that followed sharp swallowing of the throat just like when pouring a soju glass on an empty stomach came.
The tar content indicated in Cohibajigolo was 25mg, which was 9mg higher than that of the domestic brush tobacco 16mg. Compared to Cohiba and Sol, nicotine and tar content were not associated with tobacco taste. If the perforation of the cigarettes filter end was blocked and performed during the experiment, 30 to 150 times the experimental value would be obtained. In other words, when smoking, the content marked as smoking by biting the perforation was fraudulent.
Low-nicotine and low-tar cigarettes were gaining popularity in France and the UK, but it was a no-brainer. Cigarettes containing as many as 200 substances were terrifying even to hear, including arsenic, chlorine, cobalt, carbon monoxide, and cadmium.
Lowering nicotine and tar content by a few milligrams wouldnt change anything. Low-tar cigarettes and high-purity filters were only a knack for business, but smokers were rationalizing themselves with a small consolation that they benefited their health. That was the way the world was.
If one wanted to make money, one needed to treat peoples preferences, not their basic necessities. The high price policy could not be used for daily necessities, but it could be used for any number of items people like. A person who was saying that 2,500 won of rice was expensive, was willing to pay 10,000 won for a Cohibajigolo cigarette blown away with the smoke. Coca-Cola had earned a bunch of money by adding a few pigments and flavors to the water because it was an item of personal preference.
Its an item of personal preference. Heh, heh, heh!
Black Mamba giggled alone as if he went insane. The woman was great, as expected. After torturing a woman, he found value in his economic existence. From the perspective of French authorities, soldiers and police were daily necessities and Black Mamba was an item of personal preference.
Black Mamba was a presence that would relieve the mood when high people were in trouble or that would be able to solve their doubts when they were full of questions. Because of that, she was expensive. If they couldnt properly distinguish between items of personal preference and basic necessities and if they couldnt understand the truth, no one would understand it.
So, you are still thinking about it.
Black Mamba snapped a cigarette and picked a dart slowly.
You bastard, no. I said no! I said, dont judge as you like.
Recalling the extreme pain, Helen shook her head desperately. As the saying goes, A burnt child dreads the fire, the human brain would rely on experience for analysis and judgment. The dart mechanically penetrated the middle fingernail.
Argh!
Bubbles and liquid flowed from the womans eyes, nose, and mouth. Her mind went blank. She was full of thoughts about avoiding pain. The third dart came out of the armguard.
Oop, oop, oop!
Helen hit the wheel to break her head. Mu Ssang, after hesitating for a while, put the dart into the armguard. Olonge took off the tape that blocked her mouth.
Helen, Bauer Helen!
The answer came without hesitation. Although her heart was venomous and cruel, she was not strong enough to face primal violence.
Good, having a sincere conversation like this benefits each other. Identity?
Black Mambas question was as soft as a spring breeze.
Researcher at the United States Geological Survey, now Assistant Researcher in the Zaire Mambasa Geological Exploration Team.
Not that, but the real identity?
Senior Sergeant in the DIA Counterintelligence.
Another identity different from that?
There was a moment of silence.
Helen hesitated. But Black Mamba didnt hesitate. Immediately, the dart was issued for the ring fingernail.
Aaahhh!
A desperate scream rang out. A flock of birds flew away while resting in the shade of Ngai Rock. Helen writhed but her hand, immersed in a thousand-year-old giant rock, was immovable.
Other identities?
Informant of the Soviet Union Ministry of Internal Affairs!
Received orders?
Identify the hidden purpose of the expedition and if necessary, blow up the camp.
The reason for becoming a mole?
He saved me when I was ruined by drugs. If you have that item, you can marry him.
You are an American citizen. You must have known that the person approaching was a KGB agent
What does that matter? We love each other. If were happy, it is enough. His job is not a big deal!
Tsk-tsk!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. This was a method commonly used by spy agencies when planting moles. This kind of selfish and vain human being was a good candidate for the KGB Humint Operation.
What is the item stolen from the U.S. Military Camp?
I dont know, either. Its just called Oparts.
So that is!
This woman and Ubiksa had no idea of the value of Vajra. It was the same that one did not know oneself.
Where were Ooparts discovered?
I dont know. The discoverer is an Asian researcher named Lin. Kerry stole Ooparts she had concealed and I stole Ooparts that Kerry stole, Helen answered obediently.
She hadnt any thoughts other than wanting to get out of the pain quickly.
Lin? Inn? What is her full name?
Its Hae Young Lin. An unlucky Asian woman on her Ph.D. in geology at the University of Santa Barbara.
Huh!
He almost made a sound. It was taken properly. Surprised Black Mamba calmed his own heart with a deep breath.
If you explain the process of acquiring Ooparts, the U.S. military force, and its size in detail, I will give you morphine.
It hurts so much. Give me morphine first.
Helen gasped.
Okay, Ill do.
Black Mamba responded mildly. If she didnt obey, he could pull out the morphine component with suction waves and thats it.
I was a counterintelligence officer in charge of Researcher Lin The Institute uses scholarships and living expenses as bait The acquisition of Ooparts was purely coincidental There were two battalions of marines, one battalion of engineers, a chemistries company, and a DIA special forces battalion at the camp. I recently heard that brigade troops have been added Yankee is mobilizing thousands of researchers and soldiers to search for Ooparts.
What happened to the woman named Lin?
He got nervous. Hae Young had concealed Ooparts. He wouldnt have clapped his hands just because the security guards did a good job.
We cannot know. Camp Commander Brigadier General McKinley activated Gamma Number 1. Perhaps she was imprisoned or executed.
Huh! Execution? thought Black Mamba.
His ears were buzzing. It was impossible to know whether the objects piled up in the Life Vessel were Ooparts or Okafi. The important thing was Hae Youngs safety. He couldnt blame the woman. She was just faithful to her position. He pulled out a Cohibajigolo cigarette and lit it. It was the first time he smoked a line cigarette.
******
Wakil, after I made a mistake Im sorry.
Sun Woo-hyun bowed his head. When the opportunity came, he mimicked All-Torture, and then gave up. A fake was just a fake.
Its not meant to be. Did you pick up the information?
There was no way to save the dead. It was a pity but there was nothing to do.
Because the time to die came, I told them first. Ubiksa
No time. Open the satellite phone and let Bonipas know whats going on and tell him we might have a fight with the Americans, Black Mamba interrupted.
If Bonipas was to continue his role as a Nova member, he must have kept his place. If he wanted to keep his place, he had to make a performance.
If Wakil comes forward, the Yankees will be out of control. Im gonna communicate.
Sun Woo-hyun installed a satellite antenna and started cryptography.
What do we do about that? Sun Woo-hyun said in his mind.
He vacantly looked at Helen, who was drunk with morphine and acting like a fool. She was good for nothing.
Chapter 699 - Chapter 63 Episode 35 Asura
******
******
Green Camp Operations Control Room,
Colonel, McPherson, is the Agrippina Shield complete?
Dyson quickly changed his word.
We have 20% left to spray Photomine glass fiber
Beef secure up Immediately, and get the job done.
Yes, sir!
Marines commanders went out like an ebb tide. Only Commanders, Masonic left in the room of operational control.
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Warmer, are the photos only 60 seconds long?
Yeah, the front part is covered with thick water vapor, and the back part is blank because of the strong magnetic field.
Thats no good. We do not have enough data. We need Director, Adam.
Dyson tapped the table with the tip of his fountain pen. Its his habit when his nervous.
For a Holy Soul!
Just in time, Director, Adam in CIA Special Operations appeared in the conference room.
Director, Im sorry for calling you, a busy person.
Its okay. I fully understand your position of you which is to burn the candle at both ends, General.
Has anyone suspected of being a Black Mamba appeared?
If he hadnt died, he might appear.
Adam was cynical. When Operation of Cuckoos Nest failed, Dyson took the lead and criticized it. Time has passed, but he has gotten a sense of depression that had been demoted.
General, the rumors spread by uncivilized natives and revelations of Gossip Reporters cannot be taken at face value. The Chirash(tabloid tales) spun by Balisari describes the Black Mamba as a master of close combat. Maybe its the Ark that escaped the lab .
Lieutenant Colonel, Hammer muttered his words. The rumors about Black Mamba were so hot that it was difficult to distinguish the truth from the lies. He is a human being whose existence itself is questioned as if he fell from the sky.
Its useless! Ark who escaped the laboratory is a large black man. The Black Mamba is an Asian.
Adam immediately refuted it.
An Asian?
McKinley asked. If he is an Asian, there is a guy who roams the camp like his own home. Hunter and Grendel were mobilized and chased him, but did not catch him.
We invested our resources to secure journalist, Balisari in Langley but failed. France is rumored to not touch dogs, journalists, and illegal immigrants, but they are merciless when faced with national security issues. The curiosity killed the cat, and the desire for fame killed the journalist Balisari. I was convinced that Black Mamba existed and I have kept tracking him. Recently in Korea, we are investigating and catching suspicious circumstances of his trace, but it is not easy.
Adam felt a bitter taste. He was about to go crazy because of the disappearance of agents who were sent to the French Cultural Center every time. There are no all agents of Korean.
How do you rate Black Mambas combat power?
This is the purpose of Dyson calling Adam to the meeting.
The one thing that Black Mamba and Abaddon have in common is they are both snipers and warriors. No wonder sniping is a combination of powerful physical and Dongche Sight (It is the ability to recognize moving objects accurately and quickly.). There is no data on the Black Mamba, but Abaddon was captured at Keyhole in Kaparuja Valley. The analysis team analyzed Abaddons movement ability at 120 km/h and teleportation ability at 300 m/s. If Black Mamba has physical abilities similar to Abaddon, it will crush an infantry company within 5 minutes, and if he uses Operation of hit and run, an entire division will be destroyed. Abaddon destroyed a Division of the Syrian Air Defense, Armored Regiment, Biochemical Battalion, and ANO headquarters in an instant. Black Mamba is more dangerous than a Nuclear Bomb.
Adams explanation made everyone speechless.
Hes a natural disaster, not a human. How does it compare to the Predator?
Did the executor give you permission to use Super Grendel?
Adam reverted Dysons question to a counter-question. Predators have Hunter and Grendel. Psychic Hunter and Mechanic Hunter. They are human but called Black Shadow. However, Grendel is a beast-based Chimera. Super Grendel is literally a monster.
Exactly!
Ugh! The aftermath would be severe. It can be a huge burden on the organization.
Adams expression darkened. Apart from Hunter and Grendel who were sent to the camp, there is no way to explain the huge monster that can only be seen on the screen. Moreover, Super Grendel failed to solve the Dicer system that wipes out heterologous genes. If the biochip inserted into the brain is damaged, it is impossible to distinguish the enemy.
Clubs only hit, dont think.
Dyson responded with a Masonics throat.
Do you need my opinion? Dont you call Controller, Predator?
Huey already arrived. Id like to hear information about the Black Mamba. The manager had investigated the cause of death of Grendel, who was experimenting on the Ennedy Plateau, and Super Grendel, that was being aged in Puddle, right? I want to hear the hidden process except for the Pygmies nonsense that Grendel did SangJan (fight with one another between ones father and ones brother and ones race), or Mahaduraka and Bodun, who descended from heaven, sent monsters in Ituri jungle back to hell.
Before I explain the incident, I have valuable information from the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.
Did there ever be a nuclear accident in Japan?
Dyson was surprised.
A gigantic flying UMA appeared and destroyed the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. The Japanese government did cover up the accident and control the media using its best power. The problem is Super Grendel, which was being aged at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. A flying UMA ate an adult Super Grendel according to reports of Ga-Eda Jangsaeg .
Is it caught and eaten??
He blinked his eyes full of doubts. Super Grendel was eaten. It sounds like tearing ones mouth while eating a McDonalds hamburger. He couldnt even think about leaking radioactive materials.
Literally it was eaten. The flying UMA ripped and ate up the alligator-type Super Grendel. In the meantime, the president of Hidoshi Federation of Economic Organizations (Gyeongdanryun) died. The Japanese government is still struggling to cover up the situation.
Huh, what about the Gako Tamako (cuckoo egg) project that CIRO (Cabinet Investigation Office) is working on?
Even I have no time to wipe my runny nose, how can I plan for Korea?
Adam interrupted the question with a counter-question. There are around two containers of information about the flying UMA and the Black Mamba, but it will be the night passes and the day comes if I explain it in detail.
Has the identity of the flying UMA been revealed?
Not at all. According to reports, its Dongche(Moving Object) Length is only 100m, but it has never been caught by radar or satellites. Its truly a phantom.
Huh, the flying UMA that appeared in Hamaoka ~ also, Predator that was being aged in Puddle~
No.
Adam interrupted Dysons words.
UMA defeated and ate Super Grendel with one stroke. According to the report of the director of the Kaeda Nuclear Power Plant, it was like a chicken pecking an earthworm. Cenotes Octopus and Turtle battled with a mysterious object that had nothing to compare with before or after. Imagine a 10-ton, 20-ton Honeycomb rescue creature running rampant. The investigation team found gunpowder and white phosphorus residue in the Cenote. The mysterious creature defeated and threw Turtle and Octopus into the Cenote, and burned them with gunpowder and white phosphorus.
Adam made an inference that was close to the truth.
Ugh!
Attendees mouths were wide open in the meeting.
Their activities timing coincides with Suffund, Turtle, and Octopus being destroyed and Black Mamba being active in the Ituri jungle. The timing of their activities coincides between Suffund, Turtle, and Octopus being killed, and Black Mamba being active in the Ituri jungle. Only humans can get rid of the evidence. I think the mysterious object is Black Mamba.
Nonsense!
Lieutenant Colonel, Michelle waved his hand as if he had no making sense.
Do you think Predator and Grandmaster make sense?
Adam chuckled.
Get rid of your stereotype that the Black Mamba is a super sniper. Hes most likely a top-notch Ark or Vapomat.
Vapomat!
Attendees in the meeting were startled.
Youd better call him an alien.
Dyson couldnt believe it. The human body has limitations. Hunter, who systematized the extreme of humanoid physicality cant beat Super Grendel even if Hunter rushed into a crowd.
It could be. General intends to fight Black Mamba with Predator, but it wont be easy. The Predator is a powerful but thoughtless monster. All of the recent ambitious projects ended in failure. I disagree with input Predator, but I hope the Green Project succeeds.
Black Mamba~ This is serious. I have a bad feeling.
McKinley tapped the console with his finger.
If nothing else happens, I will leave. Because I have to report what is not non or two things to the executive officer .
After Adam left the Control Room, Dyson and the others are speechless. Suddenly, The flying UMA and Black Mamba appeared and put a heavy burden on their chest.
Ill definitely have to get the Opparts.
Dyson spoke to himself. Freemasonry is on the other side of the world. The appearance of another side of the world became a tremendous threat to the organization. The executor who mobilized Super Grendel understood.
Commander, this is Lieutenant Colonel, Hammer.
The military made a call.
What?
Dyson frowned as he picked up the handset.
How dare you, Jab! I get it.
Dyson slammed the handset down.
Michelle, the Marine Recon Company has been wiped out. Dispatch Shadow and Psychic Hunter to TP3. Commander, Huey cooperated with Grendel. Get Hammer to hear the details of the battlefield situation.
Yes, Sir!
Michelle and Huey ran out of the conference room. No matter how high-tech weapons and systems are mobilized, in the end, humans operate, and humans complete the work. The nose-bitten Green Camp acted hastily.
******
Major, Walker in Shadow Team 3 leader was puzzled. There were a lot of traces of the battle and a smell of blood, but no corpses were seen.
Split the sector and search.
Major, please wait.
A voice was heard from inside a giant orangutan. Its Hugh, Hunter Controller.
2-Ho, find the human dead bodies.
soldiers who completely covered their faces with a full-face helmet, goggle, and a mask raised their face to the sky.
CooWooC!
2-Ho made the sound of a large ad balloon blowing out.
2-Ho, guide me.
2-Ho ran towards the forest like the wind.
Chase it.
Major, Walker shook his head and ordered.
Oh, damn it!
Walker rolled his foot in the feeling of shame and urgency. There were corpses piled on top of each other like canned food in the Bai Pools. Bay is a naturally created wetland space in the lowlands of the rainforest. In the Ituri jungle, There were large and small Bai scattered throughout Ituri jungle where it rains frequently.
No!
Walker stopped Shadow from jumping into the Bai. Even the highly-equipped Shadow must think three times when acting in the Ituri jungle.
Huey, I need to operate Grendel.
Huey looked back at Chimera, which looked like a combination of a crocodile and a gorilla. It was like the Chimera that Black Mamba killed in the Ennedy Plateau.
Beast 1-Ho, Beast 2-Ho, take out the human corpse.
WoWing!
Two Chimeras jumped into the puddle. The body swung out of the puddle. There was a mixture of corpses of marines in green and ocher uniforms and guerrillas in vertical stripes of Soviet uniforms.
Dead bodies had come out of the puddle endlessly. Shadow had sprayed a powerful insecticide, chasing away the scavengers that had stuck onto the corpse. Major Walker clenched his teeth and watched.
Team leader! There are 142 marines and 115 guerrillas. All Marines were killed by WCD (Weapons of Close Destruction). And there is an unusual corpse.
Team 4 Captain, Jimmy reported.
Chapter 700 - Chapter 64 Episode 1 Koreans in Africa
Unusual corpse?
It is believed to be a raider. Look at this directly.
Major, Walker looked down at the corpse with hostile eyes. There were dwarfs who dressed in STF body armor that sticks like a wetsuit and packed with throwing weapons on dwarfs belts and wrist brace.
Walker looked into the palm of his hand. There were hard calluses on the tips of five fingers. He was only 165 cm tall, low nose, ripped eyebrows, protruding cheekbones, and semi-curly hair, and even without any Dairy Items (including clothing you used to wear) to prove his identity, his identity was obvious.
Its a Japanese ninja. Is this the only corpse?
Yes, Sir!
Damn it!
Walker ground his teeth. They fled without even having time to recover from their teammates. It was not worthwhile to mobilize a helicopter to make a quick start, and we missed it by a hairs breadth. 142:1, It means, only one enemy was killed when the Marine Company was annihilated. Walker was devastated by the grim reality.
Despicable bastards! Dare to kill our youth in our territory! Chase the enemies! Kill them immediately if you found it.
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Although Ituri Jungle cannot be U.S. territory, Walker recognized it as American territory, just like the US Forces there.
The tagging began. Chui Do Shik chased Black Mamba, Shadow and Hunter chased Chui Do Shik, followed by Rwanda FDLR guerrillas. Mai Mai who lost all of his Mbembe-Special Forces retreated with tears in his eyes. It is a situation that Black Mamba unknowingly gave Mobutu a big gift.
******
What is Room Temperature Superconductor (Substances that exhibit superconductivity at room temperature)?
The question never left his mind. He has read quite natural science books, but its a term he has never heard of. Helen also did not know the use and physical properties. Why did Hye-young hide the Opparts? There is no way Hye-young, who has a strong desire for honor, could uselessly hide the Ooparts.
Although Balsara was the strongest sculptor(?), $2 billion was too much. Could it be another Anke Sicager? Imagination ran through his mind. If we know the concept of Room Temperature Superconductor, we can know a bit of Balsaras secret, but we cant even ask Bonifas over a satellite phone. The radio wave in Mambasa was controlled by the NSA. Even with CDMA-encrypted communication, there is a 100% chance of being intercepted.
The United States is a leader in space science and satellites. The French National PTT signed a Communications Satellite (COMSAT) multinational treaty with Britain and the United States in 1962. Under the treaty, the United States launched its Geostationary Orbit Satellite, Telstar, over the equator. Telstar is controlled by NASA at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base. France, which relies on satellite communication on Telstar, is depositing and withdrawing money into other peoples accounts.
Opening up satellite communications reveals a location within 30 seconds and has the honor of overwriting MLRS.
Especially, it is difficult to escape NSA eavesdropping in the band of 7.9~8.4GHz for Up-Frequency and the band of 7.25~7.75GHz for Down-Frequency, which are X bands in Military Frequency. If Satellite Communication has been opened, it would be an honor to have the location revealed within 30 seconds and overwrite MLRS.
Jjol-Da-Gu (slang of underling), lets go to Benny. We meet Fabius and Pasog to get information about the camp and then move on.
Waquil, It is 180km straight to Benny. Call the Gazelle.
Seon Woo-hyun checked the distance with GPS and jumped out of his skin. I would rather walk across the Sahara desert than wander through the Ituri jungle for four or five days.
UCGh, just think about it. Theres no way that Yangki, who smashed the gritty Hind Squadron, would let the Gazelle go easy. Do you want to get into big trouble after opening a communication channel? Did your head degenerate to the level of a gorilla? After playing in the gorilla neighborhood, Is that so?
SorCGeol-, Even if you talk, you make me never want to see you again .
The face of Sun Woo-hyun who got baptized in a mysterious death was crushed. He just said a word without thinking and suddenly became a gorilla by him.
It is a bean scattered in the threshing yard with hearing aids sprinkled by rich Yankee. We have to be careful with our conversations. The base of Ruupdeng is located in Mavivi, north of Beni. If we play hard on our legs, you will arrive in three days.
Oh my gosh, Im not a monster like you.
Seon Woo-hyun screamed inwardly. Its 130km from Mabibi.
Lets go. Im confident in my footsteps. Republican scouts are well-trained to walk.
He could show troublesome circumstances in the face of General, Schubertjes dignity and the head of the Republican scouts.
Even if your mouth is crooked, you must speak straight. Republic scouts have to walk JonNaGe (Slang in Korean used to emphasize emotions) because they dont have oil.
Seon Woo-hyun closed his mouth. He thought he would get cancer if he was dealing with Waqil who has a narrow mind.
Black Mamba, Seon Woo-hyun, and Olonge escaped the center of the Ituri jungle as if their tails were on fire.
Black Mambas whims made Dysons efforts in vain. The team of Sakura and Shadow got tangled In the Mambasa area where the kernels had escaped.
******
Seon Woo-hyun walked well despite the weight of Ubiks equipment he had brought because he was greedy. Olonge walked better. On the 4th day, Black Mamba entered the northern state of No. 4, linking Mabi and Mbau. From here it is the French agricultural development zone.
France established the East Africa French Resources Development Agency in Bucab to manage Underground Resource Development and Agricultural Investment in East Africa. Agricultural Development was a desperate plan to silence environmentalists who criticized the development of Underground Resources.
The base of Mabibi is a branch of the French Resources Development Agency in East Africa and has been in operation since 1950 when Zaire remained a Belgian Congo but was closed in 1960 when Congo became independent. France revived the closed base in 1980 due to a resource development boom. The current head is Laurent Fabius, Director of Operations at the DGSE.
As the sun went down, an unusual visitor came to the base of Mabibi. A tall and handsome Asian young man was empty-handed, a short, ugly middle-aged Asian was carrying a mountain of burdens, and a smaller, Pygmy old man was buried in the load and could not be seen. It was a group that couldnt help but laugh no matter who looked at it.
Advisor, I have been waiting for you.
Fabius bowed his back in an oriental style. he could never laugh as he knows the notoriety of the Advisor of Special Military.
Why didnt you send a vehicle to me when I contacted you?
Seon Woo-hyun opened his squinted eyes.
Ugh, havent you met Team Leader, Pasong?
Fabius looked at the Black Mamba.
Is he Pasong? He had a bullet scratch wound on his left cheek.
The Black Mamba looked back at Route 4 where it had passed. With the setting sun in the background, a jeep was running in a haze of dust. Hes the one who passed by pretending not to know
Its clear hes Pasong .
Fabius muttered his words. Pasong is a proud white supremacist. He seemed to have had an accident.
If you are ignorant, you are brave . JesusCJesus!
Fabius prayed for Pasongs well-being.
Fabius, is this place free of aerial reconnaissance and interception?
Around 400 ? of Mabibi is our district. Just watch out for the Dragon Lady that passes every 12 hours. Lets come in.
Good!
It was cool in the conference room with the dull Thompson air conditioner running smoothly. Meeting an air conditioner in the Ituri jungle is as rare as meeting a dolphin in the Han River.
A tall white man with a dark face entered the conference room belatedly. Black Mamba didnt even look at him. Embarrassed Pasong, he slowly pulled up a chair and sat down.
Report.
Yeah, the case starts with the disappearance of Sleeper Kerry~
Okay. Only report anything related to US camps.
Black Mamba interrupted Fabius.
I got it.
Black Mamba closed his eyes and did not move while Fabius was reporting.
Is the kid sleeping? Why is Fabius so in a servile posture?
Major, Pasong tilted his head. The DGSE manager level is a senior position equivalent to a lieutenant colonel or colonel. The Special Military Advisor is at the level of the Vice-Minister, but the rank is only Major. He couldnt figure out why Fabius was embarrassed by the young kid in his mid-twenties.
Green Camp district was difficult to attack and rarely captured. Moreover, if anyone approaches within 300 meters of the outer barbed wire, will vomit and die for no reason.
Its Agrippina Shield. Toxic fiberglass sprayed by them penetrates the respiratory tract and pores. If you sneak into it clumsily, you will become a beehive with a computer-controlled firearm or die without even knowing it.
Its not just that. Destroyers and nuclear submarines prepare to launch long-range Tomahawk missiles in Dar es Salaam. Even if we dont lose contact with Kerry, we can learn more about the insider .
Fabius also never know about situations of the inside camp.
Kerry was hit by Mall which was planted by the KGB. He has unluckily uncovered the scene where he got the Ooparts.
Wow!
Fabius spoke out a sad sound of a cry. I thought if it is, but I didnt know he was hit by a KGB spy.
Advisor, How do you know? Kerry may have been involved.
Pasang intervened.
I caught the KGB Operation Team and beat him a few times, so he made a statement.
What nonsense!
Pasong made a fuss. We lost 20 Luupdens for trying to support Kerry. From then on, I doubted Kerry. In the case of Spetsnaz, 40 crew members were lost and the team was paralyzed. Spetsnaz was not a team that Luupden could deal with. Its nonsense for the kid to catch people who arent even human.
WhoCA! What doesnt make sense?
Black Mamba grinned.
I cant believe it. They are the superpower team that even Ruupdeng defeated. What could a kid like you do with two Pygmy?
Pasongs words became harsh. The 11th Airborne Brigade is not included in the command of the Special Military Advisory Board. There is no reason to treat a kid with a lower rank just because he has a higher position.
Am I going to beat this bastard?
Either way, I didnt like him.
P-PC Pygmy!
When Black Mamba was thinking, Seon Woo-hyun, who was waiting in the corner of the conference room, abruptly got up.
Heh heh, its triggered.
A rotten smile hung from Fabius lips. He was usually rough and unassuming, finally, he shoved his head into the jaws of a crocodile. Black Mamba waved her hand.
If you spit one more time, it will crush your head.
Seon Woo-hyun sat down, groaning.
I am not a major and I am not Ruupden. Is there any law that says if a major was beaten like a dog by the KGB operations team, I should do the same?
Black Mamba grinned and said sarcastically, What!
Pasongs face was rotten and bruised.
Sit down. We dont have much time. officer, Fabius, and major should do some plays.
Play? For the play, ask Comedy Francesse or Moulin Rouge. I am too busy chasing the KGB.
Major, the KGB operations team is over. Are you going to play tag with the corpse?
The Black Mamba wanted to shake off the corn in his prideful poop, but he held back. Every organization has JinSang (a person who does something unpleasant). You cant fix them every time, cant you?
Advisor, Spetsnaz is not a name anyone can touch. Are you kidding me now? Ugh!
Pasong lay flat on the table. An object that passed through SaCEng- Pasongs head slammed into the plaster wall.
Hey!
The frightened Pasang looked back and froze. An unpinned grenade was semi-locked into the solid plaster wall. The battlefield sense saved his life.
jong-GannaSaeKki (Really bad swear words used in North Korea), What did you say? joke? Come on, Ill catch a dog today and ask for the price of the dog.
SCPot Seon Woo-hyun shortened the space of 10m at once and hit Ppasong.
Jjol-Da-Gu (slang of underling)
WiCing The iron that had fallen on the top of the head broke and kicked the plaster wall. Bang The conference room rumbled. A hole was punched in the thick plaster wall. It has been a long time since Seon Woo-hyuns power was beyond the limits of human beings, as well as being obscured by the people around him.
jong-GannaSaeKki (Really bad swear words used in North Korea), you must think you survived because of benevolent Waqil.
Seon Woo-hyun, unable to hold back his anger, swung the Pange. Sh-hh C A log table was cut to pieces without a sound. Pasong, whose face was getting tired, looked blankly at Seon Woo-hyun. This guy isnt even human.
Great!
Fabius opened his mouth wide. The Advisor was a monster, and his subordinates were also monsters.
Damn, who in the world will survive if you kill him because he doesnt taste good?
Wakil, Im sorry.
Seon Woo-hyun bowed his waist ninety degrees.
Major, Brigadier, Seon-woo is a general who commands the brigade. Be careful with your words.
HuCg, Brigadier!
Pasongs face was rotten and stained, and Seon Woo-hyuns face brightened like a sunflower at noon. The class is a gangster. Thats why one must raise in the world.
Major, if you dont want to scream and die, be careful.
When Seon Woo-hyun frowned a lot, his original bloody face turned into a demon.
Sorry. I did mistake my words.
Pasong, who was exhausted, bowed his head.
Stop it and bring Assibal.
Yep!
Major, Im not anyone you can say anyone, I am a special military advisor. You are not in a position to be rude. I am the one who gives instructions, not the one who makes you, major understand. Major almost died at least five times since you passed me by on Route 4. Cherish your own life.
Sorry. I was careless.
Pasong, whose nose was drooping(anxiety and exhausted), lowered his head. Seon Woo-hyun came with the Assibal Yeol-Jeong passion and put it down on the table.
Major, the guns of the Ubiks that is one fly and run. I got it as my dogs price.
Seon Woo-hyun put his strength on his shoulder.
Unbelievable! Assibal Joto!
Pasong couldnt keep talking. After eating Jjambap for 20 years(Expression of high rank and experience in the military), theres no way he doesnt know Assibal.
Chapter 701 - : Chapter 64 Episode 2 Koreans in Africa
It was the symbol of Foreign Operations. A soldier needed to be simple-minded. If one continues to speculate after seeing hard evidence, one is a politician, not a soldier.
Hail! General Sun, respect!
Besson adjusted his uniform and saluted him. A mans true charm is in his forearms. Besson was charmed by Sun Woo-hyuns strength and personality.
Why? Respect?
Sun Woo-hyun felt ecstatic. He had been feeling overwhelmed, surrounded by superhuman monsters. Excited, he began to run his mouth.
The KGB mole who stole Oparts and ran away was a woman called Helen Bauer. The Russians deployed Ubiksa, the supernatural squad, to rescue her. I eliminated Ubiksa and the Mbembe special ops squad that helped them and captured Milovic and Helen.
Bravo!
Sun Woo-hyun shook his clenched fist and Besson exclaimed.
If the blonde and Ubiksa are captured, where is Oparts? Fabius wondered but didnt have the courage to ask the question.
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For ones life to flow smoothly, one needed to talk less and listen more. He swallowed his curiosity and listened in.
Oparts is hidden in the US military base. I didnt have any reason to wander about. I will infiltrate the base with Wakil. You should help too.
Sun Woo-hyun was not stupid. He saw that Fabius wanted to ask a question, so he changed the topic to the American military base.
Thats great. You deserve much respect! Besson cheered in French.
What did he just say? Sun Woo-hyun wondered.
Bessons French sounded to him like some swear.
Should I tell him off? thought Sun Woo-hyun.
Sun Woo-hyuns hand that was mixing his coffee moved with a flash. Besson, surprised, ducked his head to the table. The object swished through the room and buried itself in the wall.
There was a sharp screech. A large black striped lizard thrashed about, impaled by the teaspoon.
A Nikto lizard! Besson exclaimed.
The Nikto lizard was a common venomous lizard in the jungle of Ituri and subsisted mainly on bats and rodents.
The teaspoon almost hit me! thought Besson.
Cold sweat ran down his back. If he didnt duck, the teaspoon would have shattered his skull. There was an antidote for the Nikto venom but no antidote for a shattered skull. He merely blinked, unable to complain.
Lackey, are you having fun?
Mu Ssang stared at Sun Woo-hyun.
Wakil, I was insulted first. He provoked me first, Sun Woo-hyun protested.
Ugh, he said you deserved to be respected in French. Its a French proverb. You may outrank him but you need to learn a lot more. Hard-earned knowledge will only benefit you.
Mu Ssang clucked his tongue.
If I had been a good student, Id be you, not your servant! said Sun Woo-hyun in his mind.
Sun Woo-hyun, who was told off yet again, looked downtrodden.
Besson, lets eat some barbecued lizard for dinner today.
Sun Woo-hyun, getting embarrassed, laughed shyly.
That sounds like a good idea.
Besson took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat that had formed on his forehead. Sun Woo-hyun just became the first person on Bessons to avoid list.
Advisor, are you going to infiltrate the base? Fabius asked in a concerned voice.
He was still traumatized by the Agrippina Shield that took out five agents.
They are going for scorched earth. We can easily infiltrate, but we will be exposed to long-range rockets and showered by missiles. I was struck by four missiles in Mambasa.
What?
Fabius and Bessons mouths were open agape in awe. It was insane for them to launch a tactical missile at a human being, but it was more insane for him to survive it.
They are angry now that they lost Oparts. They wouldnt bat an eye even if they end up massacring hundreds or thousands. With our current forces, it is impossible to infiltrate their camp.
Did you try?
I did. We lost agents before we could even get to the camp.
How many men do we have at our base?
Twenty-five soldiers and 15 spies.
The cast is complete. Now the show will begin with a stage called the jungle of Ituri. Disguise the spies as a team of journalists from France and equip them with filming supplies and all. The spies will be the journalists. The soldiers will be the filming crew. It will be great if they can enter the American base. If you are refused to enter, make a fuss at the entrance. I will infiltrate in the meantime. I need to find out what the Americans are up to.
How marvelous!
We will be ready right away.
Fabius and Besson marveled. Mu Ssang had both brain and muscles.
* * *
The next day, being sick of getting eavesdropped on, Mu Ssang visited the downtown. There was only one hotel, Cohobe. The sickening NSA would not be able to tap the hotels landline.
After a moment of hesitation, he called Lee Dae-deok over Bonipas. He could trust Bonipas but not France. The call went through after a full hour. It was the effect of the 10 dollars he handed the front desk.
Mr. Lee, Im Mu Ssang.
Huh? Why, hello!
Lee Dae-deok, after picking up the receiver mindlessly, gasped and stuttered. The CIA had been asking the ANS for cooperation and skulked around Eungsim-je. Now, Mu Ssang caught up to it.
What is a Room-Temperature Superconductor?
Mu Ssang cut to the chase.
You are breaking up. Say it again.
What is a Room-Temperature Superconductor?
A Room-Temperature Superconductor? Hang on a minute.
Lee Dae-deok relayed the call to the tech department. It wasnt something to do with the CIA and he felt quite reassured.
What is a Room-Temperature Superconductor?
A superconductor is a kind of magnet.
I said what is a Room-Temperature Superconductor.
Well, there is no such thing.
I dont see why I pay you! Lee Dae-deok, disappointed, yelled.
Mu Ssang wouldnt make an international call just because of some magnet. Mu Ssang, who was listening to their conversation, laughed.
Dont hang up and hang on a minute.
Lee Dae-deok connected Dr. Lee So-jin, the science advisor to the ANS and a nuclear physicist.
Dr. Lee, what is a Room-Temperature Superconductor?
Mr. Chairman? Why do you ask?
Someone asked me the question.
Who?
Dr. Lee kept inquiring.
Whoever that is, it is an urgent matter.
You are normally a sloth. Who would keep you on your toes like this?
I said its urgent!
I didnt think Id get asked this in Korea, especially not by you. A superconductor, simply put, is a substance that has zero electrical resistance at absolute temperature. It sheds its inner magnetic field and blocks external magnetic fields. With this property, it can be used to make fusion reactors, rail guns, electronic cannons, and a maglev rail. Its quite revolutionary. The concept is here, but it is far from being commercialized. Now, Room-Temperature is just preposterous, which is even mentioned in SF novels.
The line was cut off. Mu Ssang, listening to the call, thought about asking for another call before thinking better of it. The words like fusion reactor and rail gun echoed in his ears. Of course, its uses wouldnt be limited to just that. The Vajra was indeed not a mere carved sword.
No wonder Americans are all hyped up.
The artifacts of the Concretus, like Kkamdung, Garuda, and Billion Water Armor, were all sophisticated works of art. They were nothing like Oparts that only roused curiosity. Their civilization was incomprehensible. He realized that he had underestimated the late incident.
Now that the value of Oparts was multiplied manifold, Hae Youngs safety couldnt be guaranteed. It was easy for the mass to trample on the rights of an individual in the name of the greater good. If the outcome outvalues the process to get there, irrational acts are easily condoned. Mu Ssang, suddenly in a rush, trampled on the gas pedal of his jeep.
* * *
Dr. Lee So-jin was feeling impatient. The connection was lost in the middle of his explanation.
Chairman, who asked bout the Room-Temperature Superconductor?
Its confidential.
We are of the same lineage. Surely, you can trust me.
No. I dont want to risk getting beaten up at this age.
I dont understand what you are even saying. Lets talk this over a drink.
I know you are trying to get it out of me in a drunk talk.
Am I? Dont say such an absurd thing.
You tried last time.
Chairman, Id like to resign. The students dont respect me. This advisor title doesnt even pay much. Id like to quit.
Dont! Okay, Ill buy you a drink.
A food stall in Nagwon? Blood sausage stew in Dangju? Tteokbokki in Wangsimni?
Lee So-jin listed the places where they had drunk together.
No. Well go someplace classier.
Lee Dae-deok surrendered.
Dr. Lee So-jin was a nuclear physicist at the top of Lee Dae-deoks patriot list. He used to be a professor at Princeton. When President Park asked scientists overseas to come to Korea, he responded and aided the birth of the KAIST.
Returning to Korea with no other motivation but his patriotism, he despaired at the then-state of Korea. There were not even proper laboratories with real equipment. He gave up his own research to establish a proper research environment for posterity whom he taught himself.
A Room-Temperature Superconductor?
The words made his heart fill with enterprising spirit. The superconductor was what he was researching at Princeton. It was a core technology that would shape humanitys future. Of course, Room-Temperature was just preposterous absurdity. In theory, it was possible. Technologically, it wasnt feasible. He never expected anyone in Korea to ask him about it. Yet, someone just did.
* * *
A high-end Korean restaurant in Samcheong.
Dr. Lee hastily asked even before he was seated.
Who asked that?
Have a seat first. Breathe.
Breathing can wait. Tell me who it was.
Dr. Lee plopped down on the cushion and waved his chopsticks.
Its confidential. I still love my life.
You dont even fear the President.
Your intelligence will be with you for the rest of your life but the Presidents power will be gone when his term ends. He will be an ordinary citizen when his power leaves him. This specific person is a genius, or even a god, in a different field than yours, doctor.
Hes a god?
Dr. Lee was confused.
Thats all I can tell you.
Lee Dae-deoks mouth was then clenched shut. His answer confused Dr. Lee even further. Who would a powerful Overseas Operations director of the ANS fear?
Is he Korean?
He originally was.
Damn, brain drain! Dr. Lee muttered.
Countless talented people left Korea, despaired by its circumstances.
He is. He said he loved Korea but he couldnt get himself to ever like it.
Lee Dae-deok laughed bitterly.
I share the sentiment. Is he a scientist?
No. I said hes a dangerous figure. He called from Zaire in Africa.
Zaire? Previously named Congo?
Yeah. Mobutu changed the name of the country.
Why would he contact you?
I dont know. I got the call out of blue.
Can you call him? Dr. Lee asked impatiently.
No. Zaire is 25 times bigger than South Korea and had 25 times worse communication infrastructure.
Lee Dae-deok smiled bitterly. If it were Korea, they could trace the call, but overseas, especially in a developing country like Zaire, it was not feasible with the ANSs resources.
Let me see him in person.
Are you trying to get me killed? Id rather walk into a tigers cage.
Lee Dae-deok jumped. Mu Ssang could unroot a pavilions pillars with bare hands and have erased human traffickers, loan sharks, and yakuza off the face of the planet. The dozens of CIA agents who went after him went missing. Moreover, he had a very toxic personality.
Who would kill a director of the ANS? Dont fret and arrange the meeting, please.
Doctor, Im not exaggerating. I may really be killed.
Dr. Lee, after gazing at Lee Dae-deok for several moments, clucked his tongue.
You mean it.
Doctor, I even infiltrated North Korea when I was younger. I am second to no one in terms of courage and vigor, but
Lee Dae-deok shook his head mid-sentence.
I couldnt even breathe when I faced him. Hes an ESPer or a superhuman.
I didnt expect the great Lee Dae-deok to babble nonsense with age. The superconductor will change the world. When a truly feasible superconductor is put into practical use, all current power plants including nuclear will be shut down. An infinite source of energy running on hydrogen will be made. Im talking about fusion plants.
How are they different from nuclear?
It will take some time to explain. In short, if we build one fusion plant which has the size of Wolseong, it will provide for all of South Koreas power needs.
Whoa!
Thats why developed countries are all after it. Thats not all. You can use it to develop a weapon that would need no ammunition. A rail guns kinetic projectile can sink an aircraft carrier from hundreds of kilometers. When mounted on an aircraft, it will be able to shoot high-temperature energy projectiles all day around. There will be no wheeled vehicles anymore. Pollution-free, noise-free futuristic cars will be flying around.
Whoa!
Lee Dae-deok continued to exclaim. It felt like it was something out of a sci-fi movie.
Chapter 702 - Chapter 64 Episode 3 Koreans in Africa
Chairman, honestly speaking, I deeply regret returning to Korea. This country is not owned by people but by politicians and bureaucrats divided into two factions: pro-Japan and pro-America. They should serve the people, but they are instead hell-bent on getting served and bribed. It drives me insane. I spent half of my life wrestling and negotiating with this system and now, they let foreign forces take care of the countrys defense. I explain with all of my might but it falls on deaf ears.
For someone as gentle as him to speak like that, wondered Lee Dae-deok.
Lee Dae-deok stared at Dr. Lee with his eyes full of shock. Dr. Lee was the very person who first called for sovereign self-defense. When the government gave up on atomic bomb and missile research, he must have felt profound despair.
Im sorry.
Lee Dae-deok bowed. He was one of the said bureaucrats. Mu Ssang had called him a parasite who didnt dare to strike and never intended to. His face was flushed hot.
Im sorry. You are one of the better ones. I am going off on a tangent. The United States, Russia, France, and Japan have already begun researching the superconductor three decades ago. What I researched at Princeton was also the same thing. If I could get my hands on a Room-Temperature Superconductor Dr. Lee trembled mid-sentence.
With the help of former colleagues and acquaintances, I can easily reverse-engineer it. If Korea acquires the technology, it will soon be the strongest country in the world.
Whoa!
Lee Dae-deok was engrossed in Dr. Lees lecture. The strongest country? Those words were music to his ears. Lee Dae-deok himself was involved in President Parks atomic bomb development plan. If the fatherland could rival Japan without caring about what China, Russia, and America would say, he would be happy. His heart was filled with hope.
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I could never have guessed. I will try to contact this person.
Lee Dae-deok nodded. When he talked to Mu Ssang on the phone, he sensed that something extraordinary had happened. Mu Ssang had said that he wouldnt respond to a call to patriotism without any compensation but he had to try.
He was the only high official in Korea who was aware of Black Mambas identity and value. He wasnt sure if he could keep the secret amongst the pro-Japan and pro-America factions, but doing something was always better than inaction. At least, he wouldnt be a parasite like Mu Ssang said.
Contact them right this moment, or invite him here. I dont want to behold piles of excrement that serve their interests with hard-earned taxpayer money.
Dr. Lee was resolute.
He is not someone to use his power to meddle with Koreas current circumstances.
Lee Dae-deok shook his head. From his perspective, Mu Ssang had transcended worldly interests at a young age. He would not get involved in the sewers that were Korean politics.
Should I send Lee Sang-han? wondered Lee Dae-deok.
Lee Sang-han was Mu Ssangs childhood friend. He shook his head. Using someone close to him was the most certain way to invite Mu Ssangs wrath. With him, building trust was the best policy. Lee Dae-deok organized his thoughts and picked up the receiver. He was a capable bureaucrat after all.
Hey, Jeong Pil-su, get a gift basket and visit Mu Ssangs residence. What? Do you want to get punched? Quit? You are driving me crazy. Grow some balls. Get some gifts and just go. Yeah, Im scared too. See his girlfriend and ask what hes up to. You will get promoted for this. Yeah, call her right away.
Lee Dae-deok hung up and emptied his cup of water.
You are like Mephistopheles luring Faust to hell. I pity your subordinate.
Dr. Lee clucked his tongue.
He is quite fretful.
Dr. Lee dropped the leek pancake from his chopsticks and held out a wet hand towel.
Wipe your forehead. You seem more frightened.
He is quite a character.
Lee Dae-deok wiped his sweat-covered forehead. Mu Ssang had said that he would provide him with Frances Rsistance tactics when he became brave enough to strike. But with the Japanese and American sympathizers thriving, he couldnt make any improvements. That was Koreas current circumstances. They couldnt even receive a promised gift.
Fuck. He surely wouldnt tie me down and beat me up when Im much older than him, said Lee Dae-deok in his mind.
Still, he could see Mu Ssangs soul-shaking killers eyes.
* * *
Jeong Pil-su paced for quite some time without being able to ring the doorbell. It was March but some late snow was falling. He stared at the bundle of flowers and a fruit basket he was holding. The cold wind shook him to the core.
Phew! Pil-su, you are like a tribute for a monster centipede in a fairy tale.
Jeong Pil-su pitied himself. To him, the front gate made of reddish pine covered with titanium looked like the entrance to a beasts den. He could still hear Mu Ssangs voice in his ears, that if he crossed him once more, he would need to be fed by tubes for the rest of his life.
He paid dearly for a few eavesdropping bugs. He didnt have an external injury but kept falling ill. He wet his pants many times and kept coughing.
The doctors couldnt find the reason or heal him. Mu Ssang said he would be like that for three months. Indeed, after three months had passed, he was completely healed. What he said about tubes was not rhetorical but a real, tangible threat.
He had been traumatized by Mu Ssang ever since. Anything that reminded him of the man shocked him deeply. Twins on a street made him gasp. Wooden chopsticks in a Chinese restaurant were flung to the wall. A set of two rings on his mothers hand startled him into convulsions. Anything in a pair, even double consonants in text, made him flinch.
Being a subordinate surely sucks! The monster is overseas, so I should be fine.
His finger approaching the doorbell felt heavy like a lump of steel. He trembled at the sudden coldness he experienced. Jeong Pil-su had no idea that another monster, Kkamdungthis one was literal rather than figurativehad scanned his brain waves from under the house.
An intent to murder?
Jeong Pil-su was a genuine agent who completed extreme training. He turned instantly. There was a young girl and a suited man.
Who are you?
The youngest girl, Ou Soon, eyed the broad-boned man pacing in front of her house.
Hello. Im Jeong sent by Lee Dae-deok, Jeong Pil-su greeted them nonchalantly.
Are you one of the suppliers?
Jeong Pil-su improvised.
Yes. We received a great favor this time. Mr. Lee told me to pay a visit.
You are at the wrong address. The chairman handles such matters.
Mr. Park helped us overcome some trouble this time. Here are some flowers to express our gratitude.
Jeong Pil-su smiled cheekily.
Mu Ssang is quite kind-hearted.
What nonsense! He is anything but, Jeong Pil-su protested internally.
But he is now overseas for a business trip.
Ou Soon seemed concerned.
Oh my! I will be fired if I return without greeting him. I need my job for my baby!
Jeong Pil-su grimaced. Ou Soon, after gazing at his face for a while, nodded.
Then you should see Jin Soon instead.
Hurrah! Jeong Pil-su cheered internally.
His boss ordered him to acquaint himself with Mu Ssang no matter what. The eldest sister, Jin Soon, was the best connection.
Ugh! Jeong Pil-su, entering the front gate after Ou Soon, swallowed his scream.
Steely fingers grasped the scruff of his neck.
Dont show your surprise and keep walking!
A chilling voice assailed his eardrums.
Look at your left chest.
His gaze was forcibly turned to his left chest.
Huh!
There was a bean-sized hole in his duck-feather jumper. It was brand new, bought from the Donga Department Store the day before yesterday, 50 percent off. Jeong Pil-su felt chills down his spine. This one was a monster too.
Im keeping an eye on you. You will be a goner if you try anything stupid.
Jeong Pil-su nodded like a grasshopper.
A young woman dressed in a beautiful hanbok emerged from an outhouse. The fingers released him. Jeong Pil-su looked back right away.
We are back, maam.
The man bowed deeply as if nothing had happened. His stern features softened miraculously.
Huh!
Jeong Pil-sus eyes glinted. He had seen many beautiful women during his 37 years lifetime but had never seen one as classy and pure as this one. Her presence literally seemed to cleanse his eyes.
Auntie!
Ou Soon ran to the woman and clung to her waist.
You are going to break my back!
Your back is stronger than that, Ou Soon joked.
Auntie? Jeong Pil-su wondered.
There could be an aunt and a niece with few years between them. Still, something didnt feel right.
Thank you, Geuk-do.
Apologies. The elders are grateful for your gifts.
Those were but a few home appliances! Who is he?
Kim Mal Soon looked at Jeong Pil-su.
Ugh! Jeong Pil-su flinched.
The strange feeling stemmed from her majesty. He felt certain majesty about her that a young woman in her 20s would not be able to muster. She looked like Mu Ssang.
He doesnt have a sister though, said Jeong Pil-su to himself.
He had two cousins but they were not good lookers.
He came to see Mu Ssang.
Is that so? Nice to meet you.
Greetings. May health be with you.
Jeong Pil-su, being surprised, greeted her with an overly polite manner and bowed deeply until his head almost touched the ground.
Dont do that!
Kim Mal Soon, startled, bowed in return.
Are you Mr. Parks sister? Jeong Pil-su asked, overcome with curiosity.
Thank you for that remark!
Kim Mal Soon laughed, covering her mouth with her sleeves.
Are you stupid? Shes his mother, Ou Soon snapped.
Huh!
Jeong Pil-su gasped. His mother? It was unbelievable. Mu Ssang turned 27 this year. Unless the world was turned upside down, a mother couldnt look younger than her son. In this monster den, there was nothing ordinary.
Are you his birth mother?
Jeong Pil-su realized his mistake after asking the question. Mu Ssangs father died 18 years ago. Mu Ssang grew up as an orphan. He reunited with his mother only recently. A dead man could not get a second wife. It was a mistake made in his confusion.
Why do you ask that? Does my son not look like me?
He takes after you a lot. I didnt expect you to be so young and beautiful. Id ask you to marry me if I could.
Jeong Pil-su handed her the flowers with a corny line. Beauty and youth! Every woman likes such a compliment. Marriage? Every woman dreams of romantic marriage.
Do you want to die?
He felt something sharp and cold touching his neck.
What did I do? said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su was frozen in place.
Jin Soon handles the company matters. Shes there.
Kim Mal Soon turned on her heel suddenly and headed for the main house. Tender like a spring breeze a moment ago, she suddenly had a frigid aura. Ou Soon rolled her eyes and followed Kim Mal Soon.
What is this situation? Jeong Pil-su asked inwardly.
Jeong Pil-su wanted to pull out his hair. Now, he felt rejected. No one was normal or acted normally in this place.
Milady!
Kim Geuk-do bowed. The blade stopped touching his neck.
You did a great job. Yeong-a needs to go to kindergarten now. Dont worry and attend to your business.
Yes, maam.
Kim Geuk-do disappeared like the wind. Jeong Pil-su breathed in deeply. He couldnt breathe properly because of the intimidating man.
You made a mistake.
Her cold remark caught his attention.
What mistake?
You shouldnt say such a corny thing to Mother. You are very daring. You just risked getting your tongue cut off.
I just wanted to compliment her. Is that a problem? Jeong Pil-su mumbled.
Jin Soon seemed irritated.
She has some history. You should never make the same mistake again.
Jin Soon folded the nickel silver tray she was holding as if it was a piece of paper. She folded it once, twice, and three times, then crumpled it into a ball and tossed it to Jeong Pil-su.
What?
Jeong Pil-su caught the nickel silver ball and his face paled. This beautiful woman was also a monster. The shadowy, menacing man, the mother younger than her son, a young lady who could crumple up a nickel silver trayhe felt like passing out.
You must be from the government. You may fool Ou Soon but not me. We do not have a business acquaintance named Lee Dae-deok.
Huh! Jeong Pil-su gasped and mumbled.
Cold sweat ran down his backbone. Mu Ssangs sister was just like that.
Since you are here, let me hear what you have to say.
Jin Soon passed by the bamboo forest and headed for Myo-Yeon-Geo. The eight-angled pavilion by the pond in which clear water sloshed about mesmerized him.
When they entered the pavilion, they could smell the scent of the pine. A Manchurian stove glowed in a corner, whereas a rectangular wooden tea table with cushions was at the center.
Its still cold, isnt it?
Jin Soon pressed a button. A soft sound of a motor was heard. Panes of glass rose and enclosed the inner space. Not a whiff of wind entered.
Thats great.
Mu Ssang made the pond and built the pavilion for his mother. She likes lotuses.
I should be a mercenary too, Jeong Pil-su said to himself.
Did he build all this just to look at lotuses? Is that stove always on for someone whos not even there? Jeong Pil-su was offended at the shameless display of wealth.
Who sent you? Tell me now.
How did you know?
Jeong Pil-su was startled.
You are not someone who can see him.
Ugh!
The cold evaluation made his heart break into pieces.
Yeah, hes a dragon and Im but an earthworm, said Jeong Pil-su to himself.
If it were not for a young girl who came with tea and confections, he might have wept right there.
Chapter 703 - : Chapter 64 Episode 4 Koreans in Africa
I am Jeong Pil-su. I apologize for the sudden visit. There was an important call made to the ANSs Foreign Affairs. The caller was Councilor Park and the call was from Zaire, Africa.
Is he all right?
Jin Soon was indifferent as if Zaire was a town next to theirs.
Jeong Pil-su marveled at her reaction. Any other woman would have asked a dozen questions. He could only finish with an unsatisfactory explanation and ask her a favor.
The call was disconnected soon. Africas telecommunication infrastructure is abysmal. We would like to call him after tracking his location. Can you provide us with his current contact details?
You came here for nothing. Id like to ask you that. As you would know, he is a secret agent. If the ANS thinks an agent would divulge his journey details to his family, I am concerned for your organizations future, Jin Soon answered curtly.
Jeong Pil-su was momentarily speechless. He couldnt understand how such a woman with a pretty face could say such harsh words.
Maam, help us with just one call. This will help him too. Someone high up in our ranks ordered this. If I go back empty-handed, I will be done for. I am planning to get married soon. I cannot get fired now.
Jeong Pil-su could only beg. If he returned with nothing at all, his always-disgruntled boss would kick his shins. When dealing with women, the classic pity-inducing move often worked well. But it could also backfire.
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The government? Helping us?
Jin Soon looked as if she had heard something unbelievable. If Mu Ssang really was in danger, Kkamdung wouldnt lounge about lazily in the basement. The Garuda, hidden somewhere, would also do something. What could the government do, especially when they usually didnt care about Korean nationals overseas? Jeong Pil-su averted his gaze, realizing his lies were revealed.
Mu Ssang is only remaining as a Korean citizen because he feels attached to the country, not to the government. The government has never helped us and never will. He is benefitting the government with all the foreign capital he brings in and by getting rid of criminals from the country. I am sorry that you are going to lose your job.
She could know where he was if she asked Bonipas or Ombuti, but she didnt intend to let this man know at all. The ANS had always been an obstacle, not a helping hand.
This is relevant to the national interest too. You will be helping me and the country at the same time. Mu Ssang seems to be in danger. The ANS will dispatch agents and protect him.
Jeong Pil-su feigned distress and lied. He resented the young woman for dismissing the powerful organization, ANS, but now he needed her help.
This government getting concerned with an overseas citizens safety is a rare occurrence. I would like to tell you too, but I really dont know. I think you should leave. If you tarry, you may not be able to leave.
Jin Soon no longer had patience. She wanted this meaningless conversation to end.
Huh!
Jeong Pil-su shivered. Mesmerized by her beauty and focusing on his mission, he had forgotten that this place was a monster den. He quickly stood.
Sorry for bothering you. Please tell Mother that I would like to apologize. Call me whenever you need some trouble to be resolved. I will be right here right away, Jeong Pil-su apologized politely and fled the premises.
What a joke! Whose help would Mu Ssang need? I know you are just going to use him, Ou Soon, who was listening to the conversation, grumbled.
* * *
It didnt work?
Lee Dae-deok clucked his tongue. If Jeong Pil-su, their certified mouth runner, gave up, there was nothing more that could be done.
What shall we do?
His chest burned just like the cigarette he was holding. The new military junta that gained power after Park Chung-hee chose to stabilize their regime instead of national security. The shameless mob betrayed the countrys future for their own personal gain.
They crippled the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and disbanded the missile development team. They gave all of the nuclear and missile development data to the CIA and imported American weaponry. As a result, the defense budget rose to 25 percent of the total national budget. Still, the countrys defense capacities worsened.
Wretches. They must have all been bribed.
The hundreds of billions of won that went missing must have ended up in their pockets. He took out a cigarette and lit it with the cigarette he was smoking.
Even if they could get their hands on the Room-Temperature Superconductor with the help of the heavens, there would still be a problem. Hundreds of people in the government and parliament would say that they should give it to the United States. More would say that they should give it to Japan. One in the Presidents closest ring leaked the hard-researched nuclear detonator to the CIA. No one could be trusted in the government of Korea.
The intercom rang.
Come in!
The secretary put the file on the table.
I have compiled the customs data delivered to the French Cultural Institute in Daegu. The items delivered through the British and French embassies are not on the list.
That cant be helped. Corsica, France, California, Chad, Djibouti, Singapore, Hong Kong, there are a lot.
Most items were sent from Ndjamena, Chad. No strange items. Mostly wines, tobacco, nuts, food, and art.
All right. What is this place?
Lee Dae-deok tapped the Chad address. It was written in Arabic cursive.
I dont speak Arabic.
The secretary seemed perplexed.
Bring me someone who speaks Arabic.
The secretary ran out of the office.
Hello, Im Kim Myung-jin. You called?
Kim Myung-jin seemed tense in the bosss office.
Tone it down a notch. Where is this place?
The Wakil Store located in the third sector, Ndjamena, Chad.
Oh! Can you speak any other languages?
I minored in French.
Good! You should go to Africa for a business trip.
Sir?
Kim Myung-jins mouth was open agape in awe. It was all so unexpected.
Kim Myung-jin, suddenly on a deathly journey just because he could speak Arabic, hurried into the archives. The Black Continent was uncharted territory. He had no information at all. He asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the national tourism corporation for help, but all he got was a piece of paper faxed to them.
No data.
After reading some basic information provided by the embassy of Cameroon, Kim Myung-jin was rendered semi-comatose.
That evening, Kim Myung-jin drank to his hearts content in one of the tented food stalls on a street. Now, he had to go to Chad, a country formerly unknown to him. There, he needed to meet the parcels sender, Matanga, and enter Zaire.
Chad and Zaire were full of diseases and unidentified, lethal viruses. In their jungles, cannibals roamed freely. Civil wars took dozens of hundreds of lives each day.
He cursed himself for not studying hard in high school. He was in the middle academically. With his grades, he needed to choose between Chinese and Arabic as a college major. He chose Arabic despite himself and it proved to be the right choice.
The world changed. With the increased commerce between Korea and the Middle East, he was now a quality employee. He applied for a position in the ANS instead of large construction companies just because he wanted to be a high official who could wield power.
Thanks to Arabic, his life flourished. Now, because of Arabic, he needed to go on a journey to his grave. Kim Myung-jin accompanied his shots with deep sighs.
Kim Myung-jin met misfortune because of Arabic. Jeong Pil-su did because he was acquainted with Mu Ssang.
* * *
Poseidon was one of the hottest bars in Gangnam. Jeong Pil-su sipped liquor that he really didnt care for. His boss would pay for these expensive bottles, but when he even reserved a room and called some girls, there had to be a catch. When they were relatively drunk, Lee Dae-deok made the women leave them.
Agent Jeong, are you willing to give up your own life for your country?
Jeong Pil-su, startled, looked at Lee Dae-deoks eyes. The very same question was asked during his job interview. His boss must have lost his mind. But his eyes were calm and still.
Boss, I dont appreciate the joke.
I am not joking. Are you willing to give up your own life for your country?
Yes, of course.
Jeong Pil-su humored him.
Are you sure?
What is he doing? thought Jeong Pil-su.
Jeong Pil-su was getting annoyed. He worked with Lee Dae-deok for nearly a decade, but his boss never acted like this.
Yes. I devote myself to my country.
He cringed as he said that.
Fuck this country! Housing costs and raising my daughter are killing me! said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Lee Dae-deok filled a beer glass with whiskey and held it out.
Thank you. You will go to Africa tomorrow.
What? Africa?
Jeong Pil-sus eyes widened. He thought he misheard it.
Yeah, we have no one else to go. Take Kim Myung-jin and go to Zaire.
Are you for real?
Jeong Pil-su shivered as if he was showered with a bucketful of cold water. He no longer felt drunk.
Do you think Im joking then?
Lee Dae-deok glared.
I knew it when you bought these expensive bottles. I feel like a pig being fed before slaughter, said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su flinched.
Where in Zaire?
I dont know.
Who am I meeting?
Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang?
The simple answer made Jeong Pil-su spill the expensive whiskey from the beer glass he was holding. His face paled. Mu Ssang was the best secret agent in the world whose identity was revealed because the Korean branch of the CIA shared some data with the ANS. He allegedly was responsible for thousands of deaths throughout the desert and jungle. A business trip to Africa already was shocking. Now, he was being told that he had to meet a committer of massacres. He was beyond shocked.
I dont know what he looks like. How am I supposed to find him?
You know what he looks like.
Lee Dae-deok smiled mischievously.
Jeong Pil-su was rendered speechless and bewildered at the same time.
What?
You are quite resilient. You already forgot after getting beaten up like that?
Jeong Pil-su, after a moment of confusion, spat out the whiskey in his mouth and stood up, toppling the heavy table.
That monster was him?
You have too many years under your belt to be freaking out like that.
Is that true?
It is. I promised him that I would never reveal his identity, but now it cant be helped. Im a dead man now.
It is true!
He didnt care if Lee Dae-deok croaked tomorrow, but if Mu Ssang and Black Mamba were the same person, it was quite a sensational event.
Yeah. Now Im like a dead man.
I am confused. I am a dead man too.
You should keep this a secret. Even from Kim Myung-jin.
Lee Dae-deok swiped his neck with the blade of his hand.
I am dead anyway. How am I supposed to last a day in hell?
You will be promoted if you survive and return. He has already acquainted you. He surely wouldnt kill you on sight.
Thats not comforting at all.
Jeong Pil-su glared at the golden liquor with an expression of despair on his face.
People die in their bedrooms. People survive in a lions den. You should be bold.
Lee Dae-deok tapped Jeong Pil-sus shoulder with his thickset hand.
This may well be my last drink, said Jeong Pil-su inwardly.
He stared at the glass he held. What would his wife and daughter do? What good was a promotion after death? He just wanted to live a long, happy ordinary life.
Are you telling me to visit that man with nothing but an address?
Jeong Pil-sus voice sounded weak.
When has our line of work ever been easy?
Fuck!
Jeong Pil-su kept sighing. All he had was an address of Wakil Store to find and meet Mu Ssang. Thats what businessmen in the private sector were said to do, but even they didnt enter the Sahara desert and jungle swarming with cannibals.
* * *
I am sick of airplanes now.
Even the tenacious Koreans had their limit. The two mens faces were in a deep frown as if they had just tasted a spoonful of vinegar. Kim Myung-jins legs wobbled as he exited the gate. They had to transfer four times over a week to arrive at the Ndjamena International Airport.
Fuck. The layover was ten times the actual flight time! Kim Myung-jin, exhausted, muttered lifelessly.
Every inch of my body hurts.
Jeong Pil-su thrust both arms in the air and shuddered. They had to sleep on benches in airports. The two Koreans despaired again when they saw the taxis.
Are we supposed to get on one of those?
Jeong Pil-su frowned deeply. He was not sure if they were hailing a taxi or a car that was to be broken down into parts. A missing back mirror or broken headlights were considered minor damages.
Most taxis had their tires worn out to reveal the frame within. It was a wonder that they still worked. Barely any taxis had intact doors. They had to choose a taxi with three intact doors.
No problem!
The taxicab driver grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. He spoke fluent French.
Chapter 704 - Chapter 64 Episode 5 Koreans in Africa
The taxi driver is speaking French, Kim Myung-jin wondered.
Come to think of it, traffic signs were mostly in French and so were the names of cities or politicians. St. Martin, Bordeaux, Marseille, Avant-Garde, Napoleon, etc.
For a Korean, this was hard to understand. If there were Yasukuni Street, Hirobumi Ito Crossroads, and Hirohito Expressway, the signs would get smashed and the person in charge would be a target of a witch hunt.
Jeong, the signs are in French.
Whats wrong with that? Jeong Pil-su responded without much enthusiasm.
All he could think of was Black Mamba.
Its strange. We were occupied for 36 years but Chad was a French colony for 76 years. They were extorted for eight decades. They must be resentful. Korea is all about erasing the colonial heritage.
Korea is the exception. Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries were colonized by Japan like us but they still like the country. In fact, there are many Japan sympathizers in Korea too.
Jeong Pil-su wasnt interested. He could only focus on the mission. He didnt care if Chad spoke French or an alien language.
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Fuck. You dont even need an Arabic speaker! There are many agents who studied French. Why am I, a PR representative, here? Fuck that Dae-deok guy!
When they entered the downtown, Kim Myung-jin, looking outside the window, raged. Most signs were in French. One could get by without any problem even if one didnt speak Arabic.
Dae-deok sent me here after beating me up.
Jeong Pil-su showed his evil eyes. He didnt want to come here either.
* * *
The Wakil Store was located near the airport. The doorless taxi ran 15 minutes on Marseille Street and stopped right in front of the stores entrance.
Where did you come from?
A guard holding a rifle glared at the two men who were dressed rather shabbily.
We are from Korea.
Korea? The country in the East!
The guards features softened and he bowed deeply. Korea was a holy land where Mu Ssang was born. Suddenly being polite, the guard guided them to the office.
He knows Korea!
Our country is quite well-known these days.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin marveled without knowing the true reason.
Is it Wakils room? His office? Kim Myung-jin wondered at the nameplate on the door and hurrahed as soon as he entered the room.
Its an air conditioner made in Korea!
It was evident from the logo. The machine was running hot. He was moved deeply, seeing Korean merchandise in the heart of Africa.
Huh? Jeong Pil-su mumbled.
A mural taking up the whole wall in front of him struck his eyes. A man was walking on a backdrop of a blue lake with his hands joined behind his back. A halo burned gold around his head. The first light of dawn shone from above. A great crowd cheered on the shore.
Why is he here? said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su felt like passing out.
Hes not Jesus, Kim Myung-jin wondered.
He looked at the picture several times but the man wearing a white robe was a handsome Asian man.
Hail! Black Mamba is with us! the guard shouted.
Jeong Pil-sus mouth was open agape in awe and Kim Myung-jin, confused, looked at the guard.
You should hail too. He is Mu Ssang, the master of Novatopia and a great god.
The guard solicited with a stern face.
God damn!
Jeong Pil-su bowed with a deep frown and Kim Myung-jin bowed along without really understanding.
Jeong, who is he?
Someone we will meet.
We flew across the globe to meet a cult leader?
Ugh!
Jeong Pil-su hurriedly covered Kim Myung-jins mouth.
Myung-jin, be mindful of what you say if you dont want to get hurt.
You should wash your hand. Who is he?
I dont know, either. Ordinary people like us will never understand him.
Jeong Pil-su shook his head. He had a sudden headache. A coal-skinned giant in a military uniform entered the room. The man bowed politely to the mural and turned.
May Allahs grace be with you. We are Kim and Jeong from Korea.
Kim Myung-jin flaunted his polished Arabic only to frown right away.
I am Matanga. Are you Korean?
The black man spoke fluent Korean.
Huh!
What?
The two Koreans mouths were open agape in awe.
Dont be surprised. The first official language in Novatopia is Korean followed by French.
Ugh, that bastard!
Kim Myung-jin resented the man who sent him here. He didnt know what country Novatopia was, but they didnt even need French let alone Arabic. Overcome with resentment, he shed a tear.
Since you are Koreans, I led you here. This is where Mu Ssang stayed. Think of it as a great honor.
Honor my ass! Jeong Pil-su protested.
All cars, electronics, and clothes in Novatopia are imported from Korea. That air conditioner was also sent by Mu Ssang after he said that a Japanese air conditioner was an eyesore. I have one in my room. It works really well.
He must really be Mu Ssang, considering he does hate Japan, said Jeong Pil-su inwardly.
Jeong Pil-su smirked before coming to his senses. Matanga mentioned Novatopia several times. He had seen it mentioned in CIA dossiers. He thought it was a newborn country in Africa and didnt expect it to be mentioned by this man.
Where is Novatopia?
Koreans who dont know Novatopia? Are you really Koreans? Matanga wondered.
Is Mu Ssangs hometown Jipeundari? Jeong Pil-su asked to confirm.
You know Jipoon Dari. You indeed are Koreans.
Matangas features softened. The capital of Novatopia, Jipoon Dari, was named after Mu Ssangs hometown, Jipeundari.
Indeed. We are from Korea. Are you Ombuti, the owner of the Wakil Store?
Kim Myung-jin sought to confirm. Arabic names denote all kinds of tribal and familial histories, rendering themselves long. Matanga could be Ombutis middle name.
No. I am an apprentice of the fifth servant of the great Mu Ssang. I am Matanga and I am working on behalf of Ombuti, the head of servants. I am a candidate to serve.
Matanga stretched out his chest. He was sure of pride and self-esteem.
A servant is not a title! What is even a candidate to serve? Everything related to him is insane! Jeong Pil-su complained internally.
He didnt understand the weight the word servant carried in Novatopia.
Where is Ombuti?
In his home country. He is a governor-general, ruling Novatopia on behalf of Mu Ssang.
Hes the governor? Then, is Mu Ssang the king?
Jeong Pil-su felt dizzy. A mercenary, a French high official, Black Mamba, the Angel of Death, a cult leader, a king of a newborn country. The man was not even in his 30s. He was deeply confused.
I dont understand that Koreans dont know the greatness of Mu Ssang. He is an avatar of Allah himself. I am not his servant yet, so I cannot even speak of him.
Matanga stared at Kim Myung-jin with his big eyes.
An avatar of Allah?
Kim Myung-jin and Jeong Pil-sus mouths were open wide in awe. Even Mohammed was Allahs messenger and prophet. In Islam, the expression Allahs avatar carried tremendous weight. Such a remark could incite wars.
Is that picture real? Hes but a human.
Jeong Pil-su, offended, provoked Matanga.
There was a flash of light.
Huh!
Jeong Pil-su flinched away. The two-foot blade was sheathed. The five buttons on Jeong Pil-sus shirt dropped to the floor. Jeong Pil-su mindlessly stared at Matanga without even being able to protest. The swordsmanship was impeccable.
Idiot. If you were not Koreans, youd be beheaded now. The mural depicts the truth. Our king, on a night with a full moon, crossed the holy lake on his pet Dinos back, surrounded by light. Then he gave us rules that later became Novatopias constitution. I witnessed it. Dozens of thousands of Novatopians witnessed it.
Huh!
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin were at a loss for words.
Mu Ssang is an incarnated god, never absent. He is not an indifferent god but a kind one. Can you give up your land for millions of despaired refugees? Can you offer billions of dollars to feed them? Can you face thousands of enemies for a stranger? Can you build homes and provide jobs for the elderly, orphans, and widows?
Matangas eyes shone and his voice was full of honesty and reverence toward the mural that he gazed at as if it was a genuine divine artifact.
There was silence.
Huh.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin shook their heads. This man was a fine fanatic. They really risked getting beheaded if they ever mentioned how petty and toxic Mu Ssang was toward them in Korea.
Mu Ssang said, life is unfair but the given time is fair. Dont waste your time hating and resenting someone. Spend your time for yourself. If you dont seek, you wont gain anything.
Long live Mu Ssang! Thats why we are here too.
Kim Myung-jin quickly humored him with the same enthusiasm and tone.
How did you find this place?
We had an address on the parcel you sent to Korea.
You really are from Mu Ssangs hometown! Matanga marveled.
They were unwashed and dirty but had the courage and resolve.
Why are you here?
We got a call from Mu Ssang. We came here to answer him in person.
How reverent! Long live Mu Ssang! Matanga shouted with his hands up in the air.
These guests flew across the planet to answer Mu Ssangs question. He suddenly felt a sense of friendship toward these two men who came from a country on a continent on the other side of the planet.
Tell me if you need help. I will help you as a candidate for the aristocracy.
What is he saying, Myung-jin?
He says he is a candidate for the aristocracy.
Yes. Being a servant of Mu Ssang is like being an aristocrat in Novatopia. What do you need help with?
We need transportation.
Do you know where he is?
No. The call came from Zaire.
Do you know how to go to Zaire?
No.
Do you know what its like there?
No.
Jeong Pil-su felt embarrassed. If Matanga didnt speak Korean, he could pretend to know by nodding along but that was not feasible since the man spoke fluent Korean and could discern subtle cues that would hint at the mens ignorance.
You are unprepared. I heard Koreans are smart but you dont seem to be.
That was a roundabout way to say they are stupid. Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jins faces were flushed red. The two dumb Koreans could not say anything but stare at the man.
Mu Ssang is in the jungle of Ituri, where missiles and rockets rain down and beasts and bugs thrive. In Ituri, there are thousands of soldiers, rebels, and agents and daily casualties number hundreds. Mu Ssang, merciful as he is, didnt want any Novatopian to be sacrificed. He only went there with one servant.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jins faces paled.
Jeong, we are done for.
We were done when he crossed paths with that man. I left a will in Korea because I expected this.
Jeong Pil-su resented his boss, Lee Dae-deok, for making him deal with Black Mamba. Now, he was heading toward his grave.
You can only get to Mambasa from NDjamena by air. The nearest airport to Mambasa is 2,700 kilometers from here. Its 465 kilometers from the airport to Mambasa but with the winding road, the actual travel distance is 1,100 kilometers. There is no transportation there. Youll have to walk.
Huh!
What?
The two men gasped. Two thousand and seven hundred kilometers was twice the distance between Seoul and Tokyo. And they had to walk 465 kilometers through the jungle. It was like a death sentence.
Matanga, there had to be some other way. How could we survive such a journey?
Does Mu Ssang really need you?
He does. Thats why he called us. He needed us, Jeong Pil-su insisted.
Without Matangas help, he was going to be buried in Africa before he could meet Mu Ssang.
Ongore!
Yes, sir!
A young black man, still with boyish features, entered the room. He was Ongore, the young man Ombuti saved in Ituri.
Glad to meet you. I am Ongore. Its an honor to meet you, the young man greeted them politely.
He seemed to be properly educated.
Bring Zulu here.
A moment later, a black man even more broad-shouldered than Matanga appeared. He was the young man whose body Mu Ssang reconstructed right before he could turn into a zombie at the Samaria farm in Doba.
Huh?
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin were overwhelmed by his two-meter height, bloodshot eyes, arms as thick as their legs, and energy that could easily subdue a bull. There was no ordinary human around here.
Chapter 705 - Chapter 64 Episode 6 Koreans in Africa
Zulu is a Mamluk warrior. We let you have him as a bodyguard.
What is Mamluk?
A warrior graced by Mu Ssang himself. Zulu can subdue an adult male lion with bare hands.
Zulu grinned, revealing his red gums. Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin gulped. His razor-sharp teeth seemed to be able to bite them at any moment.
Do you have money?
5000 American dollars.
What about Congolese francs?
We havent been able to exchange money.
Kim Myung-jin didnt know that Zaires currency was Congolese francs. Even if he had known, it was impossible to get Congolese francs in Korea.
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You are unprepared. Give me 3,000.
Matanga took 3,000 dollars and tossed a bundle of Congolese franc bills to Kim Myung-jin.
Thats worth 1,000 dollars. You will be buried alive in the jungle flaunting US dollars. You can take the highway up to Novatopia. Tell the governor what youve told me and ask for help. There is a rumor that the remaining Odam unified forces, decimated by Mu Ssang, appear along the highway. Dont try to defend yourself. Let Zulu handle it.
What about the remaining 2,000 dollars? Jeong Pil-su asked.
Would you help a stranger for free?
Matanga looked at him intensely.
The two Koreans were rendered speechless.
Jeong Pil-sus face turned flushed hot. That was a matter of course. He was acting like Korean politicians and high officials vacationing overseas with taxpayer money.
The 2,000 dollars are for the jeep, airplane, and renting Zulu. It also covers your room and board, and my advice also costs money. I am a merchant and a public servant. I calculate all the costs transparently. If you were not Mu Ssangs guests, a million dollars wouldnt have paid for my service.
I must be out of my mind. Thank you.
Jeong Pil-su wanted to smack his own mouth. He lost face for no reason whatsoever.
You will stay in a hotel. They have good amenities. May you rest well.
Why are you helping us?
Kim Myung-jin glanced at Zulu, feeling anxious. He was worried that they might be trafficked without anyone knowing.
Mu Ssang said so. If you are to help someone, do it properly. You will live if you end up seeing Mu Ssang. Otherwise, you will die. Your families will be sad if the case ends up being the latter. Confined in ones experience and thoughts, one does not see the truth.
Again, there was only silence between the two Koreans.
Kim Myung-jin felt ashamed. His prejudice against Africa and black people clouded him from the truth of genuine hospitality.
* * *
That evening, Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin were welcomed with unexpected hospitality at the hotel. Their room was clean. There was a Europe-style sauna and sophisticated French cuisine. The massage got rid of their fatigue. They didnt expect such luxuries in the middle of Africa. It was well worth the 2,000 dollars.
Myung-jin, why do you think Matanga readily told us where Mu Ssang was?
It must be loyalty. We are someone Mu Ssang awaits for his curiosity to be quenched.
Loyalty my ass. It was because he was a measly merchant without any sense of security. Since he sent someone to spy on us, it may not be so though.
Jeong Pil-su glanced at Zulu who refused to join their table and sat aside like a shadow.
Jeong, Matanga is a wise person. We are the petty ones. I want to see Mu Ssang now since Matanga revered him so much.
Now a Korean will join their fanatical cult. You dont know how petty and cruel that guy is.
Jeong Pil-su waved away.
What are you talking about? There is no reason Matanga would welcome us with such hospitality otherwise.
We are from the same country as him. It is implied that we speak well of him to Mu Ssang. He said he is a servant candidate. He wants to get that promotion.
Id rather say nothing.
Kim Myung-jin stopped talking. Everyone judges and analyzes a given situation through the lens of their own experience. Matangas words, confined to ones experience and thoughts, one is blind to the truth, swirled in his head.
Lets call it a day. If we are to enter hell itself, we must be well rested and prepared.
Yeah. This is quite good. I like the sweet taste. Will I be able to try it once again?
Kim Myung-jin shook the liquor bottle with eyes full of longing.
Dont say such an ominous thing. My wife and daughter need me.
Jeong Pil-su sighed. He was not sure if he will be able to see Mu Ssang or survive the battlefield. He kept thinking about his wife and daughter.
* * *
The next day, Ongore drove a jeep to the hotel early in the morning. The two men, still sleepy, got on the jeep and arrived in Jipoon Dari on a well-maintained highway. Ombuti, contacted by Matanga, didnt waste a moment. The two people were taken to the airstrip before they had time to be overwhelmed by the majesty of Novatopia, the land of water.
What?
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin were instantly out of breath as soon as they exited Falcon. Everyone who visited East Africa for the first time went through the same thing. Zulu pushed aside the two men and ran down the landing strip.
Hail! Im Zulu, the head of security of the Wakil Store.
At ease!
A short, lean man waved. It was Sun Woo-hyun who came from Mavivi on a high-mobility vehicle.
Fellows from South Korea, welcome.
The two men were shocked by the unexpected Hamgyong dialect. The man wearing a military uniform without any insignia had the vibe of a North Korean military officer. It was causing cognitive dissonance.
A commie!
Jeong Pil-su was immediately on guard.
Relax. Are you here for Wakil?
Wakil? We are here for Mu Ssang.
Do you want to die? You dont call his name so easily here.
Sun Woo-hyun glared at them. He had driven 350 kilometers through the harsh terrain of the Great Rift Valley from Mavivi to the airstrip. If it were not for the GPS, he wouldnt have dared to start the journey. Just thinking of the return trip made his joints ache. He was feeling tense and these two were a liability at a first glance. If it were up to him, he would have killed them and buried their remains in the ground.
Is it a sin to call his name?
Jeong Pil-su flinched at the cold reaction.
Of course, it is. I am the third servant and a general and I still need to be cautious. You are rookies and you shouldnt act up so much. Call him Wakil, said Sun Woo-hyun.
Is he insane? asked Jeong Pil-su inwardly.
Jeong Pil-su, at a loss for words, looked at Kim Myung-jin. After Matanga, a North Korean military officer was saying things like servant. Mu Ssang was indeed an extraordinary person, capable of recruiting even a Juche-soaked North Korean military officer.
I see. I am Kim Myung-jin and this is Jeong Pil-su. Thank you for coming to get us.
Kim Myung-jin restrained Jeong Pil-su, who was about to jump at the North Korean. He would have appreciated anyone coming to get them. Even a gorilla would have been fine, let alone a North Korean military officer.
I am Brigadier General Sun Woo-hyun. Think of it as Wakil saving your life. Zulu, drive!
Sun Woo-hyun yielded the steering wheel and took out two rifles from the floor of the jeep.
Be on your guard. Any lapse in focus can result in death. A leopard may hunt you. A viper may bite you. You may drown in a swamp. These rifles are used by Soviet special ops squads. Think of it as an honor to be able to hold them in your hands!
Rifles?
Kim Myung-jin took the rifle. Being an office worker, he never had any experience shooting a firearm except for some seasonal pistol exercises. He felt hopeless.
How long will it take from here?
Jeong Pil-su was an experienced field agent. He woke from his shock as soon as he held the rifle. He was going through a succession of unexpected events. Still, he didnt want to lose his face even if that meant he had to face dangers.
We will have to drive for 20 hours or more. That is the shortened journey, thanks to the opening of the Second Northern Road. You will see the state of the road soon enough. Lets go!
The jeep hurried along the road. Red dust rose and chased them. The road was but some path cleared of trees, shrubs, and boulders. The jeep jumped up and down like a vehicle in a theme park. Its wheels ran through swamps. They had to stop many times and push the jeep out of swamps or clear the tree blocking their way. Before a mere hour could pass, the agents of the ANS were totally exhausted.
The jeep, hurtling through the terrain, slowed down suddenly. A log blocked the road. Zulu grabbed the handle of the steel bat strapped on his back.
We have no time. Just pay them.
Sun Woo-hyun waved away.
Aye, general.
Zulu paid five dollars and passed the checkpoint.
Those were Rwandan rebels. About 30,000 beggars like those are wandering about here. They are killed in batches but their number doesnt dwindle, Sun Woo-hyun complained.
At this speed, I think we will get there in several hours.
Dont be so optimistic.
Unfortunately, as soon as Sun Woo-hyun finished his sentence, the jeep stopped. A muddy stream blocked their path. Zulu steered into the surrounding jungle without saying a word. A custom-made Renault engine, boasting 300 horsepower, pushed through the lush jungle full of shrubs and bushes.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin ceaselessly pushed and ran until they emptied their stomachs on nature. After six full hours, at sundown, they got to a small village named Kinki situated north of Lake Kivu.
You did a good job, South Korean fellas. Lets get some rest.
As Zulu set up a tent, the two people, exhausted, clung to the ground in exhaustion. They have been toiling on a roller coaster all day. It was a matter of course.
We had a smooth drive because we drove along the lake. It will be a bumpy ride tomorrow.
What?
God damn!
They yelped. If that was smooth, they couldnt imagine bumpy. They began to hate life itself. Then, there was a swishing sound.
Sun Woo-hyun flicked his hand. A giant yellowish brown viper dropped onto Kim Myung-jins shoulder. A shuriken had buried itself in the snakes big triangular head.
Aargh!
Kim Myung-jin flinched and fell over. Zulu grabbed the wriggling viper, skinned it, and placed it on the campfire.
Its a Gaboon Viper. Once bitten, you wont last 10 minutes. It is considered a tame species in Ituri.
Sun Woo-hyun was indifferent as if he had stepped on a mere cockroach.
Huh?
Kim Myung-jin looked at Zulu who was feasting on the barely cooked snake meat. The human and the snake both were dripping with raw savageness. Africa, the black continent, was suddenly up to their very faces.
If we had Wakil with us, we would have some spicy seafood soup and enjoy some boar barbecue. We only have snake meat and beef jerky.
Can you not hunt?
Sun Woo-hyun looked at Jeong Pil-su with eyes full of pity.
Hunt? Animals are not just waiting there to be hunted. Dont underestimate the jungle. You are unprepared. If Wakil hadnt sent me, you would already be digested in some beast or eaten alive by ants.
Sun Woo-hyun told them off as if they were his naive younger brothers. The two men were at a loss for words. They felt they were indeed unprepared. They only had some chocolate in their backpacks. Africa barely had any roads let alone restaurants for truckers.
What country is Novatopia? I didnt get to see it properly because we were in such a hurry, but I could have never imagined that such a remarkable country would exist in the middle of the Sahara. I thought I was seeing a mirage, Kim Myung-jin blurted out.
If you truly understand, you will be in awe. It is the most beautiful and habitable country in the world founded by Mu Ssang himself. It is full of justice and love. You should come for sightseeing next time.
Sun Woo-hyun was proud. If North Korea was a paradise for Kim Il Sung and the executive party members, Novatopia was a paradise for its citizens. Kim Myung-jin nodded. Even at a glance, Novatopia seemed like a paradise where humanity and nature coexisted in harmony.
Is Mu Ssang Black Mamba?
How did you know?
Sun Woo-hyun glared at Jeong Pil-su.
The Korean branch of the CIA asked the ANS for help. When the director tarried, they attempted to infiltrate the Culturel Institute with their agents.
Infiltrate Eungsim-je with agents? The Americans must have been out of their mind. They must have vanished without a trace. Hahaha!
Sun Woo-hyun guffawed. There was a being as fearsome as Mu Ssang lurking in Eungsim-je.
What happened?
According to their boss, the CIA, after losing 30 agents at the French cultural institute, was keeping silent. Even though it was a veritable beast den, it was a mysterious event.
Is it your business? If you are sated, go to sleep.
Jeong Pil-su suppressed the questions popping up in his head. Sun Woo-hyun didnt seem like a person who would answer them willingly.
My chest feels heavy. I am out of breath. I dont think I will be able to fall asleep.
We are past the altitude of 2,500 meters. There is an active volcano nearby. A high mountain too. The heat of the volcano and sulfur dioxide is mixed in the muggy air. You should sleep to be able to exert some force tomorrow.
Chapter 706 - Chapter 64 Episode 7 Koreans in Africa
Something heavy dropped onto the tent, shaking it to the point that it almost collapsed.
What was that?
Jeong Pil-su, startled, stood up. A screech and a low growl shook up the night. Jeong Pil-su poked his head out of the mosquito net.
What?
Two blue flames burned right before his eyes. The beast lowered its stance. It was about to leap. Jeong Pil-su hurriedly fumbled for his rifle. He was in such a hurry that he couldnt get himself to grasp the rifle properly.
I should have gone to bed hugging my rifle! he thought.
He regretted it futilely. His chest was burning with anxiety. There was a heavy thud. The beast leaped and then it was sprawled on the ground. The gushing blood looked black under the moonlight.
God damn!
With the tension leaving at once, his body felt heavy like wet cotton. He had fallen asleep at last after prying his mind off the howls of beasts and suspicious movements all around. Then, the wretched beast woke him up. He was almost eaten by it.
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A blinding searchlight illuminated the camping grounds.
What happened, Jeong?
Kim Myung-jin, just woken up, stared at the dead bodies of the monkey and the leopard. Jeong Pil-su despaired at his inept companion who hadnt even figured out the situation. Matanga was right. If he kept being inept, he wouldnt last a day here.
Are you here for a picnic? Comrade Jeong, where is your rifle? Think of it as your wife. It should be by your side at all times.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu appeared.
Phew!
Jeong Pil-su couldnt even respond. He stared down at the dead bodies of a monkey with its leash broken and a black leopard with a bullet hole in its body. He felt like his own destiny was alike theirs in this wilderness where everything ate and was eaten.
You should just work in the windbreak forest. Sun Woo-hyun uttered the worst insult in Novatopia.
What do you mean? Kim Myung-jin asked, still sleepy.
Its a punishment. One plants trees in the desert for the rest of his life. There are about 500 Koreans sentenced to this particular punishment. I will strongly recommend you two to Wakil.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin frowned deeply. They could hear no other words. He was saying that they were useless.
It will soon be first light. Now that you are awake, let us have breakfast and set off early.
Sun Woo-hyun rekindled the embers from last nights campfire. Zulu threw away the dead leopard, gutted the monkey, and roasted it on the campfire. The smell of cooked meat filled the camping grounds.
I am going insane!
Jeong Pil-su shook his head.
******
Sun Woo-hyun and the others ate monkey meat and C-ration, then they set off north on the second main highway before dawn. When they were 10 kilometers from Butembo, a particular incident happened at the second checkpoint.
Your passports or 500 dollars!
Guerillas wearing jeans and baggy Reebok T-shirts blocked the road. One was aiming at them with his rifle while another was holding out his hand. In the guard post, another three guerillas pointed at them and giggled.
Zulu glanced at Sun Woo-hyun and handed the man five 10-dollar bills. It was 10 times the normal passage fee.
Your passports or 450 dollars!
The man took in the 50 dollars and held out his hand again. Zulu looked back at Sun Woo-hyun.
He is hell-bent on getting 500 dollars.
He means to rob us of everything we got, then hell kill us. Wakil told me to make a quiet journey without killing anyone, but he is asking for it. Get rid of him!
Aye!
Zulu moved like a fallen leaf dancing in the wind. Two arm-thick steel bats swished through the air. Before they had time to react, the heads of the two guerillas got smashed. Sun Woo-hyun pulled the trigger many times. The giggling guerillas in the guard post gushed blood from their mouths. The incident was concluded in a few moments.
Take cover! I will eliminate them.
Sun Woo-hyun jumped into the jungle and Zulu drove the jeep after him.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin stared blankly at the bloody road and the guard post. The lump of meat in a puddle of blood was the man who counted the dollar bills moments ago. They were overwhelmed by the force and a cold-blooded scene that decimated five lives without hesitation. On this continent, a humans life was not worth more than that of a chicken or a pig.
Start the car!
Sun Woo-hyun returned, completely covered in blood. The foul stench of blood and the vinegary smell of old sweat were mixed in the air.
Aye!
Zulu hit the gas as if nothing had happened.
What happened?
Behind a checkpoint usually is a platoon. They need to be eliminated for them to never bother us ever again.
Was that necessary?
Jeong Pil-sus mouth was agape in awe. It meant that Sun Woo-hyun eliminated an entire platoon in 10 minutes. He felt chills down his body. The training and education at the ANS were mere childrens play.
Dont be a little girl. Bullets dont discriminate. If you dont want to be killed, you should kill.
Jeong Pil-su had no response to that.
* * *
Suddenly, they had a clear vision of a base surrounded by three barbed wire fences. It was the Mavivi site. They were finally there after driving 16 full hours since yesterday.
Zulu, make the headlight flicker four times.
A fully armed guard emerged from the ground.
Hail!
The guard noticed Sun Woo-hyun and pushed open the steel gate.
General Sun, the advisor is training.
I see!
Sun Woo-hyun nodded and went through the entrance.
* * *
What is that?
Kim Myung-jin pointed at the clearing in front of the barracks where strong gusts blew and dust rose. Whenever a man wearing a pair of short pants thrust his hand or foot forward, the air was torn and an air pocket blew up.
The man leaped, stopped midair, kicked around, and jumped like a cannonball. It was like an illusion. Their eyes couldnt follow his movements and the only thing they could see were shadows filling the 10-meter wide space.
Is that Mu Ssang?
Kim Myung-jin looked back at Jeong Pil-su. He nodded without saying anything. If not Mu Ssang, who was capable of such moves?
Mu Ssang thrust his arms forward and dropped to the ground with his knees bent slightly.
How beautiful! said Kim Myung-jin in his mind.
Kim Myung-jins eyes seemed like they were seeing a dream. Mu Ssangs perfectly balanced his body. The drops of sweat rolling down his chiseled muscles were exquisitely sublime.
Wakil, the South Korean comrades are here.
You did a great job, lackey. A low baritone voice resounded.
Jeong Pil-su teared up. He never wanted to see Mu Ssang ever again, but he was moved as if he was a lost child who just found his mother in a theme park.
Youve had some.
Mu Ssang tapped Sun Woo-hyuns blood-soaked shoulder.
It was nothing. Im worried that the South Korean comrades are very frightened.
When they get to the battlefield, they will adapt. Or they will die. Arent you Zulu?
Long live my king. I, the measly Zulu, hail you.
Zulu moved his body, knelt, and bowed. His king remembered his name. He was touched beyond description. He could feel shivers coming up his body.
Dont bow! A man should always be confident.
Aye!
Zulu held a steel bat and stood behind Mu Ssang. He seemed ready to strike anyone who disrespected Mu Ssang.
Jeong Pil-su, how much do you have to love me to seek me out here in Africa? I am very moved.
Mu Ssang grinned.
What am I even expecting from this man? said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
He still vividly remembered how he was tortured and hung from a tree. He no longer was glad to see Mu Ssang.
Cut it out. I am here to answer your question.
Hey!
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu glared at him at once.
I am here to answer your question.
Jeong Pil-sus tone suddenly turned polite. He hated it, but otherwise, the fanatics would have murdered him.
Who is this?
Kim Myung-jin answered promptly, I am Kim Myung-jin from the ANSs PR department. Its an honor to finally meet you.
Kim Myung-jin addressed Mu Ssang politely in the formal register. Age was indeed just a number. Mu Ssangs charisma forced him to address him formally.
Honor is quite a stretch. I never required any PR assistance.
I majored in Arabic.
Huh, so Lee Dae-deok sent you. You will prove more useful than this fella here.
Jeong Pil-su frowned deeply.
Its great to have guests from far away. We should get something to eat to accompany our conversation.
I am glad you are glad, Wakil.
Sun Woo-hyun grinned. At three kilometers south of Mavivi, there was a tributary of the Aruwimi swarming with creatures. Mu Ssang and Olonge, shouldering a large bamboo basket, disappeared into the jungle.
Where are they going?
Fishing!
Dont we need to follow them?
Dont be stupid and take care of yourselves first. Dressing like tourists, you wont last a day here, Sun Woo-hyun spat out.
Thanks to Mu Ssangs Resonance Wave and training, Olonge was now practically Tarzan. He was swifter than a monkey and stronger than a gorilla. In the jungle, even Sun Woo-hyun himself couldnt overtake him.
What is this place?
A base of the DGSE. Dont ask too many questions. Get changed.
Sun Woo-hyun tossed them combat suits, combat shoes, bulletproof helmets, and bulletproof vests.
Why is he so mean to us? I dont like him, Jeong Pil-su muttered without anyone hearing his words.
He didnt like that an ex-North Korean military officer acted up. Sun Woo-hyun, on the other hand, didnt like that a South Korean weakling had such a big ego.
When they got changed and had time to have a cup of coffee each, Mu Ssang returned. Olonge took out two Nile perches as big as him and a baby boar.
Whoa! You said hunting isnt as easy as it looks, Jeong Pil-su said to Sun Woo-hyun.
It depends on who is hunting. You will be eaten by a Nile perch, but for Wakil, its very easy.
How petty! said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su had no retort to that. Sun Woo-hyun seemed to be as adept with his tongue as he was with his muscles.
The guards and DGSE agents joined the party. A wine-marinated barbecued boar and Nile perch roasted with pineapple juice and cinnamon was a luxury hardly ever enjoyed in the warfare. The two Koreans who barely had anything to eat for the past two days also gorged themselves on the meat.
Mu Ssang cooked a spicy Nile perch stew with the red pepper paste Kim Myung-jin brought.
It tastes great!
Mu Ssang marveled at how delicious the stew was. He missed his mother and the food she cooked.
This red pepper paste saved your face.
Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin looked angry. The value of the two men combined, in the middle of this African jungle, was less than that of a tube of red pepper paste.
A half moon rose. After the meal, the guards and agents withdrew to their barracks to evade the swarm of mosquitoes. Only Koreans remained in the clearing in front.
Mosquitoes in Ituri varied from fruit-fly size to blowfly size. If attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes, one could collapse from anemia and even has a high risk of dying. Olonge burned mosquito-repelling grass on the campfire. The scent of burning grass filled the clearing in front of the barracks.
What do you feel like?
I feel terrible.
Jeong Pil-su glanced at Zulu standing right behind Mu Ssang. He felt like he was going to get smashed by the steel bat if he was not polite enough.
Is Lee Dae-deok doing well?
He got promoted in Foreign Operations.
Ha. I didnt expect that. He didnt seem like the type to get promoted easily.
He could be grumpy sometimes but he deserved the promotion more than anyone else.
He is one good man in that entire organization.
Thank you for your help.
You are very welcome. I spared your life because Korea is suffering from brain drain.
Why does he have to put it like that? thought Jeong Pil-su.
Jeong Pil-su resented that but couldnt show it. Mu Ssangs eyes gave off a blue sheen from across the shimmering campfire. It was chilling.
Give it to me.
Mu Ssang held out his hand.
What?
What? Are you able to explain the document to me?
What an asshole! I am losing face, Jeong Pil-su said in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su took out a document that was covered in a tarp from within his jacket.
This is information regarding the Room-Temperature Superconductor summarized by Dr. Lee So-jin of the KAIST.
I will take my time reading it. Why are you here?
Mu Ssang tossed the document into his backpack.
To hand you the very document regarding your question.
Jeong Pil-su, do you think Im stupid enough to buy that?
Ugh!
There was a scream. Mu Ssangs aggression cooled the sweat formed on his back.
Dr. Lee asserted that once he could get his hands on a Room-Temperature Superconductor, he can reverse-engineer it. Lee Dae-deok deduced that you already got ahold of it or at least possess a great clue.
So, am I supposed to just hand it to you?
Mu Ssang smirked. He didnt have anything to lose. Jeong Pil-su and his company came here for their own goal. It was great hospitality for Mu Ssang to just protect and feed them.
Chapter 707 - Chapter 64 Episode 8 Koreans in Africa
Are you not a Korean? Jeong Pil-su asked.
Are you attempting a call to patriotism with me?
Mu Ssang looked at Jeong Pil-su with eyes full of disbelief. This was the limit of the ones that serve the regime, brainwashed by its patriotic propaganda.
They didnt have the power or will to strike down injustice. Outside Korea, they were the dumbest clowns. Inside Korea, they forced the people to become patriots without any compensation. They made a clique of the shameless which was praised by the press. They could not tell blind submission from patriotism. They were the parasites ruining the country.
I am the king of Novatopia and a French citizen. Should I neglect Novatopia and Novatopians and reject Frances offer of two billion dollars and benefit a Korean dictator? Can you just give your own hard-earned money to the Korean government? Have you ever donated to the poor and marginalized?
Jeong Pil-su had no response to that.
I dont care if you are here for your loyalty to the ANS or patriotism. Everyone has their own values and free will. Why do you force others to do something that you cannot do yourself?
Werent you born and raised in Korea? Korea is your home country.
Jeong Pil-su persisted. It wasnt just because of Oparts that he was not sure if it really existed. Lee Dae-deok asked him to persuade Mu Ssang. The wavering regime would stabilize if they could convince Mu Ssang to cooperate with the ANS. His own future would be prosperous and the ANS would benefit from it too. Their future would be devoid of any obstacles like the Gyeongbu Expressway.
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Yes. The corrupt government hurt me and cast me out. Despite all that, I brought you here risking much danger because I pitied the current state of the country of my parents and where I was born and grew up. Oparts should be the least of your concern. Japan is eyeing Jeju and Dokdo. Listen to what I say carefully and send a coded message to Lee Dae-deok and Dr. Lee So-jin.
Mu Ssang briefly explained the dangers of Predators bred in Area 51, the schemes to occupy outlying islands using Predators, and the events that unfolded in Mambasa. As he talked, Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jins expressions hardened. It was unimaginable.
That cant be! I cannot believe it. The United States is our blood alliance. Japan is petty but they have a constitution that bans war. They wouldnt attempt such a foolhardy scheme.
You are but a frog in a well and a blind idiot. The dictator and his lackeys, the pro-America faction, and the pro-Japan faction are selling the country and the future of its people to fill their own pockets. All the while, the countries already ahead of us are foreseeing the next hundred years. The ANS must return to its origins, instead of doing the errands of the dictator, so that the country can function better. I saw Lee Dae-deok as someone who would undertake that task. But considering that he sent rookies like you for a task as important as this, I must have misjudged. What would you do if you were me?
Mu Ssang wanted to toss the two men out in the jungle right that moment but exercised patience and continued to explain. He couldnt bring himself to love Korea but it was still his motherland.
What would a henchman like me know? But you are criticizing an organization Im in. It doesnt make me feel good. You have abandoned your country and are doing errands for the Westerners.
What is he saying? said Kim Myung-jin in his mind.
Kim Myung-jin wanted to tear apart the babbling jaws of Jeong Pil-su. What Mu Ssang said was righteous and sincere. Jeong Pil-su indeed was the rabid dog of the ANS. Their lives were in danger, yet his partner babbled.
Mu Ssangs eyes flashed. Blue light showered down upon them. A solidified murderous intent shook their very souls. A murderous intent could be solidified as in wuxia novels. Physically, it is a waveform where the intent to murder someone is condensed.
Aargh!
Jeong Pil-su screamed. His muscles convulsed and his breathing was blocked. It was an acute allergic reaction of the immune system to an unfamiliar, intense wavelength.
I was out of my mind!
He blamed his own mouth, trying to grasp at his fainting consciousness. His temper had caused him several inconveniences, yet it did it again.
Hahaha!
Mu Ssang smirked.
Aargh!
The murderous energy closing down on his body and mind vanished without a trace. Finally able to breathe, Jeong Pil-su came to his senses when he noticed Zulu and Sun Woo-hyun glaring at him. He blamed himself for acting up before the very angel of death himself.
Jeong Pil-su, I thought you may have some value left in you. But you are indeed one of the flies clinging to the corrupt government organization. You touted yourself as the greatest patriot but you dont seem to be able to control your emotions even though you are an agent. That doesnt bode well.
Silence lingered in the environment.
Jeong Pil-su bowed, without being able to retort.
I apologize, Wakil. Jeong is always like that. I apologize on his behalf. You must have contacted us in Korea after much consideration and you clearly still love your country. I am sorry that we bothered you with something that isnt confirmed.
Kim Myung-jin stood and bowed 90 degrees.
It isnt something Mr. Kim should apologize for. I still have many grudges. It comes out on my words.
Thank you for giving us valuable information. I am also employed by the same intelligence organization. I shall confirm the existence of Predators and gain information. There needs to be proof for us to be able to tell the higher-ups.
Unexpectedly, Kim Myung-jin led the initiative.
I am not a nanny. I cannot let Koreans die in a faraway African jungle. But I still cannot protect you, either. I will ensure your safe return to Korea.
Mu Ssang smiled kindly. A hardship reveals someones true value. Kim Myung-jin was of the good caliber, not Jeong Pil-su.
Thank you for your hospitality, Wakil. I am sorry that I ran my mouth. But Id like to continue the journey with you! Jeong Pil-su yelled, raising his head.
He was embarrassed that he lost face in front of Kim Myung-jin. He could see Lee Dae-deoks face in his mind.
You didnt understand what I said. You are but a liability here. I cannot afford any liabilities right now.
I can take part in the journey.
You have no experience here and your combat power is one-tenth of Sun Woo-hyun. What can you do in this messy battlefield where even Sun Woo-hyun cannot guarantee his own safety?
At any rate, we cannot go back. When we left Korea, we each left a will. Our lives are at your discretion now.
Whoa!
Mu Ssang was dumbstruck.
* * *
On the riverbank of the Aruwimi, flowing through a valley 1,500 meters away from Mavivi, a group wearing bulletproof suits and full-face helmets got off their rubber boat and grouped on the sand. It was the 15 CIRO agents who boated from their camp.
The shadows are coming! Fujimori muttered.
Shadowy figures appeared from within the woods. They made no noise whatsoever. It was the Sakura Brigade who had been tracking from the site where Helens body was found.
Forty apprentices, five monks, and 15 CIRO agents, all here, Sasaki, a newly appointed general, reported.
Is Kuroda still there? a low, steely voice asked.
He will soon be here.
There was a moment of silence.
Hes here.
In the moonlit sky, a dark shadow appeared. The shadow glided through the air. A man with a bat-like membrane under his arms landed softly on the sand. He knelt as soon as he was on the ground.
Sir, as you commanded, I only scouted from a distance. Currently, 56 individuals are suspected to be in their camp. Eight are guarding the outer perimeter and six are dining. The rest are sleeping.
Their strength is weaker than I expected. What about the alarm system?
Mics and CCTVs are strewn 300 meters around.
Thirty seconds would be sufficient for them to react to any ambush. What about heavy firearms?
Other than machine guns, there is nothing.
What about the one that Master told us to check up on?
Due to the distance, I couldnt locate him. Iwane is on the watch.
Great. We need some results at this point anyway. The one who killed Nobuyuki and the monk will be dealt with by me and 38. Use silencers and noiseless weapons. Sasaki!
Sir!
Neutralize the guards with 38 and Team 1. I will strike them from behind.
Aye!
Fujimori, back us up from behind.
I see.
Lets go!
Chui Do Shik was feeling confident. His students could obliterate common special ops agents easily. He could handle Mu Ssang. Even if 37 showed up, he would be able to catch it with the help of 38 and the monks.
* * *
The Korean is too rude. I saved his life and he demands such a thing from you? Id eviscerate him as soon as you order.
Sun Woo-hyun took out the Fang from the hilt. He had been exercising his patience, but the Korean was testing the limit of his patience.
Lackey, there is someone else who deserves evisceration.
Huh?
A guard sounded the alarm. Sun Woo-hyun put on his night vision goggles and scanned the area in front of them.
Its in the sky!
Mu Ssang shot up his hand. Finger Wind shot across the night sky. Iwane, a monk hovering 200 meters above their base, was struck directly.
Iwane, with a hole punctured in his chest, dropped to the ground without being able to scream. His body dropped onto the clearing. He deserved such a fate after ignoring Kurodas order to keep his distance.
What was that?
Jeong Pil-su jumped. He never expected a person to drop from the sky. Mu Ssang stared at the broken body. The Japanese had quite some unique supernatural skills.
Jeong Pil-su, these are our real enemies.
Jeong Pil-su was at a loss for words. A flying man. A man who shot the man down. It was an unbelievable chain of events.
Who are they?
Ninjas. They are already coming. The main group is coming from the B5 direction. And the group coming in from the F1 direction is a distraction.
They will taste some fire.
Sun Woo-hyun tightened the straps of his backpack and inserted ammunition into his rifle.
Zulu, sound the alarm. Non-combat agents should run to the bunker. Fabius agents should focus on internal defense. Others should defend the incoming group from B5. Dont chase anyone. Dont use any lights; instead, put on your night vision goggles.
Sun Woo-hyun smoothly dished out orders. Zulu put out the campfire and vanished without a sound. Figures submerged in darkness moved about in the base.
South Koreans, run to the bunker.
Kim Myung-jin stood up without saying a word. He figured that the enemy was supernatural. He would only be a liability.
I will fight too.
Jeong Pil-su refused to run away.
You are on your own now!
Sun Woo-hyun didnt ask twice. Mu Ssang turned on his headset.
Besson, the enemy is a group of ninjas. Three of us should aim at one of them. There should be no gap between offense and defense.
Aye. They are on our CCTVs. We will lure them in.
* * *
They are unbelievably fast! Besson said in his mind.
Besson understood what Mu Ssang meant. The night vision goggled provided a pretty fair field of view, but the figures quickly coming in and out of his field of view made him dizzy. He couldnt figure out how many people there were, let alone snipe any.
Fire!
Dozens of MP3s fired at once. The shadows, startled by the unexpected retaliation, hid in the woods.
Fuck!
Besson clucked his tongue. They lured the enemy within 100 meters and fired at once but could only take out two of them.
Aargh!
Aargh!
There were screams of hidden friendly agents. The intruders counterattack was quick and lethal. The combat between 40 French special ops agents and six Sakura Brigade members began.
* * *
Mu Ssang scanned the battlefield with a telescope from the machine gun range behind the barracks and nodded. He was familiar with the shadowy figures movements that spread like the strokes of a handheld fan. It was Dark Shadow Steps of the Higashi Honganji ninjas. The springy steps reminded him of a grasshoppers jump.
Chui Do Shiks minions. Lackey, cover Zulu and the French agents. They will face the most dangerous one.
Aye.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu disappeared. The shrill sound of the machine guns roared right by his ear. Jeong Pil-su showered the ground with bullets but the bullets went all amiss. The retaliatory bullets flew in. Jeong Pil-su ducked down.
Dont be overconfident.
The MP5sd3 fired. The dark shadows fell one after the other. The ninjas were fast and insidious. As six fell down, others closed the distance.
Melee combat? Im gonna smell some blood after a long while.
Mu Ssang put his MP5 against his backpack and unsheathed his kukri. The moonlit blade seemed to undulate.
A blade struck without any words. The shadow of the blade couldnt follow its speed. It was a ninja-like, all-in strike. Mu Ssang evaded the blow and struck the air with his kukri. The ambusher was immediately beheaded.
Chapter 708 - 708 Chapter 64 Episode 9 Koreans in Africa
708 Chapter 64 Episode 9 Koreans in Africa
A flail attacked him from left and right. Mu Ssangs upper body was thrust back and forth with an afterimage. After the flail, two katanas followed. Billion Water Armor parleyed the blades and the Glock on his left hand was fired.
Two bullets hit the face of the shadowy figure who attacked from the left. The blade of Mu Ssangs hand struck the shadowy figure on the right. The ninja whose face was crushed collapsed and blood gushed out from the other ninjas neck that was shot. The skirmish was concluded in a few moments.
When Mu Ssang smelled blood, his asuras soul, or rather, the epidium factor in his genes was awakened. The deuteronion, a compound made from deuterium, flooded his brain and spinal cord.
His startled heart accelerated his blood flow twentyfold. Provided with deuteronion, his muscles and tendons, which conferred unlimited energy and oxygen, squirmed.
Great!
Mu Ssang grinned chillingly, revealing his white teeth. The ninjas, relying on the dark, were no different from the voodoo fanatics. He didnt care if they committed murder or human trafficking in Korea, but since they were his enemy here, he didnt need to exercise any mercy.
Shurikens rained down. His kukri made a shield of strokes in front of him and the shurikens bounced off the shield. Three ninjas wearing samurai robes soared into the sky noiselessly.
The tips of their blades appeared out of nowhere and even from the ground to swipe at their ankles. It was Meteorites and Island in the Air, the skills that finished Ryoma, the legendary samurai from the Muromachi period.
Mu Ssang rose mid-air magically. The blades of the ninjas slashed the empty space. Billion Water Armor hit the head of the ninja who attacked. Mu Ssangs legs turned like a windmill in the air.
Aargh!
The ninjas head tore apart when Mu Ssangs palm struck it. The three ninjas in the orbit of his feet were smashed like peas in a hand mill. Their swords with thousands of layers in their blades were cut in half.
Aargh!
There was a desperate scream. Blood was sprayed in the air and pieces of flesh and bones rained onto the floor.
Why are there so many?
Mu Ssang, with his epidium factor activated, was ruthless. Billion Water Armor buried itself into the ground at arms length. Dirt splashed about like a fireworks explosion and the monk hidden in the ground was fished out.
Advance!
Their supporting group fired machine guns from behind. Mu Ssang wielded the monks body to use as a shield.
Aargh!
No!
The monks body became rags after receiving dozens of bullets at a close range. The ninjas struck by his body had their backs and necks broken.
Once in Mu Ssangs hand, anything became a lethal weapon. A ninja with a broken back blew the blowpipe that he held. A finger-length dart struck Mu Ssangs calf.
Die! Its lethal poison!
The ninja smirked, satisfied.
No!
Stepped on by Mu Ssangs boot, the ninjas head burst like a firework. Mu Ssang was immune to all the most lethal poisons in the world: botulin and cantarella. The poisonous dart was not effective on him.
Sky Net!
The three robed ninjas fell from the sky. Dimensional Sight discerned the invisible net. The kukri sliced the net. Nothing was felt through the hilt.
Oh!
It was a formless, conjured-up net. When Mu Ssang was considering this, the ninja holding the net wound around him. Mu Ssang was cocooned in an instant.
Hiya!
Hah!
The ninjas, spotting their chance, attacked from all directions. Dimensional Sight was spread from Mu Ssang. The dense energy dispersed the spell-net and made the atmosphere shimmer.
What is this?
The ninjas attack was stalled by the shockwave. Through a thread-thin crack in the force field, the kukri drew a diagonal stroke. Four heads were beheaded at once.
Advance!
The attack, momentarily stalled, was resumed. Mu Ssang threw away his empty Glock and sprinted around the battlefield. The CIRA agents providing supporting fire from behind were decimated.
Idiots!
Chui Do Shik, watching the battle from behind, was startled. While he was watching the advancing party of the ninjas, their main firepower in the back was eliminated.
No more than 20 seconds had passed. Twenty-five students, three monks, and 13 agents were obliterated like a crumbling dirt wall before a flood. The damage they sustained was as heavy as their attack.
The man defeated Nobuyuki and exuded a certain aura of strong energy, suggesting that he was a hidden master. He regretted not taking action sooner but the regret was late and futile. He needed to save his remaining students first.
The ninjas, who flocked like moths to fire, were now retreating like a receding tide. Mu Ssang didnt chase the running ninjas and jumped to the frontline instead. His own agents were being decimated.
Die!
Chui Do Shik aimed with his left prosthetic arm. It was a new weapon loaded with exploding bullets. A strong spring flung forth the bullets one by one. The bullets shot through the air and then exploded. After exploding, the bullets continued on at supersonic speed.
Huh!
Mu Ssang gasped. As soon as he was about to evade with a deft motion, the supersonic speed of the bullets caught him off guard. It was too late to evade them now. The kukri drew several strokes. Several explosions were heard.
The kukri, having parleyed the supersonic bullets, vibrated as if it was about to break at any moment. Mu Ssang jumped to the B5 area quickly. He didnt have time to handle this one. Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu were being cornered.
Bastard!
Chui Do Shik frowned, seeing that his ultimate weapon proved to be useless. If he let Mu Ssang loose, the advancing ninja group would be eliminated. Chui Do Shik kicked the ground and dashed forward. Mu Ssang and Chui Do Shik both disappeared from the battlefield at once. The surviving ninjas withdrew like a receding tide too.
Hmm. Asura!
A moan was heard on the now-quiet battlefield. It was from Jeong Pil-su, who had covered himself with blood and ducked down. The battle began like a lightning and ended in a flash. In a few moments, torn flesh and bloodshed covered the ground. It was beyond anyones imagination. Hell itself would have been better than this. Jeong Pil-su shuddered in the sea of blood.
******
* * *
Its messy.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu were already covered in blood, facing a small-statured ninja. They were barely evading the fatal blows, but it was clear that they were losing. If it were not for Zulu, a half-zombie shielding most blows, Sun Woo-hyun would have been done long ago.
The friendly agents were not faring well, either. The ninjas had penetrated the blockade despite the headcount ratio of 40 to 5. Now there was melee combat everywhere. Each agent learned Krav Maga as part of basic training, but when they entered melee combat with the ninjas, the result of the battle was preordained now. Dead bodies were already strewn across the ground.
Mu Ssang, floating mid-air, threw shurikens at the small ninja attacking Sun Woo-hyun. Then he struck the ninja thrusting his sword into a friendly agents neck.
The kukri grazed the ninjas neck. The ninja stopped in motion abruptly like an unwound toy soldier. Blood gushed out like a fountain. The friendly agent, showered by the blood, stared absent-mindedly at Mu Ssangs back swishing by. His empty headspace was not washed-out white.
Mu Ssang teleported across the battlefield. The ninjas killing the friendly agents fell like leaves caught in a violent wind. Billion Water Armor, empowered by Resonance Wave, proved most useful. When it struck a ninjas forehead, the back of their head burst open. When it struck a ninjas stomach, their back burst open. It only took two or three seconds until the five elite ninjas including Sasaki were eliminated.
The small ninja leisurely parleyed the incoming shurikens with their hand. It was a display of considerable speed and strength, considering the momentum the shurikens harbored.
Sun Woo-hyun, spotting his chance, fired his Glock repeatedly. The ninja struck by ten 45-ACP bullets was pushed behind, overcome with momentum. But that was all.
Hahaha!
The ninja spat out a bizarre sound and shook their body. A shimmer-like vapor rose from the ninjas body. The crushed bullets dropped to the ground at once.
What?
Sun Woo-hyuns face darkened. Zulu stopped in his track. The ninja was quite powerful.
I will kill you!
The ninja tore off the mask it was wearing. Long dark hair streamed down her face. The bony face covered with long hair made her look like a ghost.
Stand guard, Unit 38.
Hwa Ja stopped at once as soon as she registered Chui Do Shiks telepathic message.
Unit 49? Is she a Korean?
Sun Woo-hyun frowned. The hoarse voice clearly spoke Korean. After getting beaten up by Dino, now he was getting his ass handed to him by a girl. This infuriated him to no end.
Huh, Hwa Ja?
Mu Ssang was startled. The bony face barely had any flesh on it, but the long tails of her eyes, her saddle nose, and her protruding cheekbones looked like Jang Pil-nyeos. The woman was clearly Hwa Ja. Why was she here after she went missing in Korea?
Is she not Hwa Ja? said Mu Ssang in his mind.
She looked like her, but the brain wave scanned by Dimensional Sight was not hers. The energy that felt like rotten blood was only present in zombies. Mu Ssang was caught up in sudden confusion.
His confusion was resolved soon. Dark energy descended upon them. Mu Ssang ducked down low until his body almost touched the ground, then wielded his kukri behind his back. There was a deafening explosion. The surviving agents and ninjas covered their ears and frowned.
The shockwave shook the atmosphere. The noise from the battlefield ceased at once. Chui Do Shik gritted his teeth and withstood the shock that almost disjointed his entire body. If it were not for all the training he went through, he wouldnt have survived it.
The Japanese elder? Nice to meet you again!
Mu Ssang giggled and calmed his vibrating kukri. Even though he was wearing a black mask, he still recognized Chui Do Shik. The bad blood formed 10 years ago in Bangtae Mountain continued forth across continents and oceans to a jungle in East Africa.
Idiot! You must be
Chui Do Shiks eyes widened like two dishes. His worst fear was manifested here.
Unit 37!
Chui Do Shik roared like a wounded animal. He felt stinging pain where his prosthetic arm and leg touched his body. The painful memories of getting dismembered by the young bastard and running away through a polluted river burned alive in his head.
You will be beheaded this time. You shouldnt look so glad.
Mu Ssang grinned mischievously. After Mu Ssang faced him in the river, he completely got over his trauma regarding Chui Do Shik. He was not a fearsome being but a monster who simply mastered the ninja skills and had his body enhanced with spells.
Shut your dirty hole!
Chui Do Shik ground his teeth.
Be careful. Your teeth would be as brittle as your old body. Dont pretend to be a hybrid. Stick to one language. Is it Korean or Japanese?
Mu Ssang gloated.
My gods have led me here. This time, I will behead you and use your head as a bedpan.
A master was indeed different. Chui Do Shik regained his composure at once. He had inherited the energy of five elders to ramp up his combat power by 20 percent. The 20 percent of difference was akin to the difference between a stream and a river.
A fight between masters was decided by the tiniest of differences. At the river, he was overwhelmed by Mu Ssangs power and energy, but now he was feeling confident. With the aid of Unit 38, he would gain 10 percent more combat power.
Your gods are all inbred. They didnt lead me here. Your voice sounds better. You wont be able to use it anymore though.
Lets find out whose neck is sturdier.
Chui Do Shik raised his Muramasa, poised. The tip of his sword was aimed at Mu Ssangs face. Mu Ssang raised his kukri. There was no friendly spirit between the two. There was only bad blood. No more words were needed.
The Muramasa sliced through the air. The kukri parleyed and then there was an explosion of sparks. Their limbs intertwined and blades shone. The two blurry figures struck each other and then jumped back. Dozens of strokes were drawn with each breath.
Blue sparks exploded like a firework. The din of kukri and Muramasa colliding resounded in the air. The thigh-thick trees struck by their limbs were blasted apart. When their feet touched the ground, great holes were made.
Ugh!
Hiya!
The surviving agents and ninjas were awestruck, forgetting their own battle. The battlefield suffered another round of destruction. Shrubs and grass were unrooted. Great trees were bent and broken. Rocks turned into gravel, then into the sand.
The flying debris and dust blocked the onlookers gaze from the two. It was not a fight between two humans but a fight between a monster that crawled from hell and an alien that dropped from the sky.
This old man is quite fierce! The world is full of wonders.
Sun Woo-hyun, who was trying to snipe Chui Do Shik, gave up and lowered his rifle. The movement of the two men was too fast that his eyes couldnt track them. Also, the monster that could withstand Wakils attack would probably not be harmed by some bullets.
Chapter 709 - 709 Chapter 64 Episode 10 Koreans in Africa
709 Chapter 64 Episode 10 Koreans in Africa
Explosions were heard one after the other. Chui Do Shik was barely fending off Mu Ssangs relentless kicks. Whenever he parleyed one, it shook him to his core, intestines, bones and all. If it were not for his prosthetic arm and leg made of an alloy of titanium and liquid metal, he wouldnt have been able to block them at all.
What kind of monster is he? said Chui Do Shik in his mind.
Chui Do Shik couldnt believe it. Even with his combat power that was raised by 20 percent, he couldnt subdue the man and could only defend himself. In a fight between masters, the smallest lapse resulted in a fatal outcome. If he tried any half-hearted trick, he risked getting killed at once.
Mu Ssang attacked relentlessly without even taking time to breathe. In oxygen-free metabolism, the stored energy is used up rapidly and waste matter accumulates in the muscles. This results in the slowing down of the muscles contraction and relaxation. With reduced speed during the time the person breathes, the opponent can spot their chance.
Thus, a fight between masters goes on a certain rhythm of offense and defense. It is a fight between breathing and space. If ones opponent relentlessly continues their attack, one cant help but lose.
Chui Do Shik glanced at a half truck parked in a clearing. The half truck was a special combat vehicle equipped with tires in the front and a caterpillar in the rear. He liked the heavyset body. To turn the tide of this losing fight, he needed to seize any opportunity to utilize the weapons in his prosthetic hand and foot.
Chui Do Shik walked backward toward the half truck. There was no way Mu Ssang, the god of combat arts, couldnt figure out Chui Do Shiks intent. It was good. He needed the speed of the combat to reduce too. The two exchanged powerful blows as they approached the perimeter of the battlefield.
As soon as Mu Ssang stood with his back facing the half truck, Chui Do Shik fired the steel needles that he had hidden in his mouth. In a situation where they stood face to face, the steel needles could only be lethal. Mu Ssang flung back his head instinctively. The needles homed in on the vehicles back mirror and shattered it.
Great!
Chui Do Shik glared and kicked Mu Ssangs stomach. Mu Ssang vanished. His legs were still there but his upper body rapidly evaded the strike, leaving a ghostly afterimage behind.
The targetless kick, through the afterimage, landed on the half trucks cargo space. The five-ton truck was flung away like an empty can.
In a fight between masters, a strike that consumed all of ones energy meant an immediate opening of opportunity for the opponent. As Chui Do Shik hesitated momentarily, a steely elbow struck his chest. It was Crane Wing Strike.
Aargh!
Chui Do Shik, squarely struck, threw up a mouthful of blood. With the balance suddenly gone, the situation rapidly went downhill for him. Mu Ssangs limbs and appendages moved in unison like a wheel to barrage Chui Do Shik with relentless, continuous blows.
Chui Do Shik mustered up all of his Hidden Soul Energy to push through the hailing blows and withstand the damage. The energy that flowed through him like a great river was rapidly being used up.
Cold sweat seeped out of his back and his chest felt heavy as if something heavy was placed on it. In an even fight with the most delicate balance, once one loses his footing, that promptly led to his demise.
Strike him, Unit 38!
He was refraining from using Unit 38, saving it for the decisive moment, but now he faced his certain defeat, he had no choice.
Hwa Ja came from behind like a bat. Her steel claws flashed, targeting the back of Mu Ssangs head only to meet Billion Water Armor. The two weapons intertwined like two fists.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang clenched his fist. The titanium claws were crushed like wafers. The living zombie created with the pinnacle of the ninja spells still couldnt withstand epidiums raw power.
Hwa Jas hand was crushed and her elbow was twisted and got disjointed. Her shoulder bones collapsed with a crunch. Yet, she didnt scream and her expression stayed the same. It was the ninja soul-washing technique. A soul-washed person no longer felt any pain.
Ah!
Hwa Ja thrust forth her other hand without paying any attention to her injured hand. Mu Ssang flung back his head. Three 15-centimeter-long claws passed by his face at a distance of a single strand of hair.
What a wretched girl! You still have a bad habit of clawing people.
Hwa Ja got kicked in the crotch and flung to the sky. Merciless Billion Water Armor grabbed her shoulder blade and slammed her to the ground. Her upper body was buried underground.
Mu Ssang didnt exercise any amount of mercy. Bad blood only turns into friendship in fiction or television. Hasty forgiveness often resulted in getting backstabbed.
Useless girl!
Chui Do Shik ground his teeth at Unit 38s ineptitude. She couldnt touch a strand of Unit 37s hair. He quickly retrieved Hidden Soul Energy which was allocated to internal wound healing. Thanks to Unit 38s intervention, he could gain a moment of rest and regenerate his body but in exchange, one of his strongest hidden cards was used up in vain.
Old jap, you made quite a strong toy.
Mu Ssang glared at Chui Do Shik with a stern face. Soul-washing was one of his strongest skills. He was responsible for the death of hundreds as he tried to make a legion of soul-washed zombies.
Whether she was Hwa Ja or not, the woman under the ground was an advanced living zombie. Any organization that turned people into mere tools must be eradicated from the face of Earth.
A lowly peasant like you wouldnt understand the joy of a samurai serving the heavenly people. Useless wretch. She broke down without fulfilling her purpose. It took me much time and effort to make her.
Chui Do Shik clucked his tongue without any trace of sympathy.
You must get your head cut off to gain some sense!
Eat this, idiot!
The smoke bomb loaded in Chui Do Shiks prosthetic arm exploded. Thick smoke covered thirty meters around.
Are you fleeing again?
Just as Mu Ssang was about to blow off the smoke with Resonance Wave, a Cracker with its head raised like a vipers, jumped out of the smoke. Billion Water Armor grasped the whip that poked at his chest like a lance.
Go, my creature!
Chui Do Shik pressed the button on his wrist. Threads made of diamond rose from his prosthetic arm and formed a whip. Chui Do Shik used the whip with tremendous power. The ninjas divine whip made of diamond, of unknown origin, could slice steel as if it was radish.
Resonance Wave blew off the smoke. Mu Ssang was revealed. He grabed the whip and grinned.
Fuck! A smoke bomb is useless as well.
Chui Do Shik was feeling outraged. Mu Ssang didnt make use of any spells, yet he was immune to all of his spells. He was indeed the worst opponent that Chui Do Shik didnt even want to meet in a dream.
Its a useless toy!
The anticipation quickly turned into the bitterness of betrayal. He expected Unit 37s hand to turn into rags, but the whip was immobilized. Billion Water Armor stroked the whip. The diamond threads broke down and fell to the ground.
What is he doing?
Chui Do Shik was shocked. The treasured weapon that stood intact even under a 10-ton press crumbled before a mere hand that was made of flesh and bones. He was never aware of the existence of Billion Water Armor.
Great!
Chui Do Shik snapped the whip to himself. The whip vibrated like a piano string. Chui Do Shik used the elastic force stored in the whip to exact a sudden attack. The Muramasa struck Mu Ssang like a lightning. Mu Ssang blocked the Muramasas blade with the whip that he held with both hands.
There was a great explosion. The whip withstood the strike that could surely cut steel. Chui Do Shik was flung into the sky by the momentum. Balls of Hidden Soul Energy rained down on Mu Ssang. The atmosphere shuddered away.
The pace of the kicks quickened. It was due to the weakening atmospheric resistance. Mu Ssangs upper body was shaken like a willow branch in a strong wind. Chui Do Shik tore off his mask and flung it in Mu Ssangs way. The piece of cloth infused with inner energy shot through the air like an iron plate.
Just as the mask blocked Mu Ssangs field of view, bullets rained down from Chui Do Shiks prosthetic arm.
Hmph!
Mu Ssang spread open his hands and waved them in a big stroke at lightning speed. A sound like roasting beans was heard. After blocking a barrage of bullets, Mu Ssang teleported at once. His arm ached and his innards were all shaken up. Even though he blocked the bullets, his body still had to withstand all the momentum.
A shower of bullets chased Mu Ssang. Mu Ssang moved in a flash. The bullets struck the ground from which dust rose. Mu Ssang could hear the faint noise of his opponents prosthetic revolver turning with no ammo.
Hey, honorary Jap! Are you out of ammo?
Mu Ssang grinned.
You are a ghost!
Chui Do Shik gritted his teeth. His hidden revolver proved futile as well. He was so angry that his earholes could start fuming at any moment.
Wake up, Unit 38.
Chui Do Shik sent out a wave of thought. A living zombie could survive unless it was beheaded or had its heart burst open. Hwa Jas body squirmed out of the ground. None of the onlookers noticed, but Mu Ssang did as he was keenly aware of everything that happened on the battlefield.
Hwa Ja, you were already crazy in Jipeun-dari, and now you have properly flourished in Africa!
Mu Ssang yelled, his voice amplified by Resonance Wave.
Hwa ja? Ji-peun-da-ri!
Hwa Ja wondered. The words sounded familiar. Who was that? She didnt like the human who was holding her masters whip. He annoyed her. The memory that peeked out like sunshine through gray clouds vanished again. Her eyes that strained to focus became glazed again.
She is Hwa Ja indeed! said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssang sighed. She showed the typical symptoms of soul-washing victims. Whether voluntary or involuntary, Hwa Ja ended up being a victim of soul-washing. She reminded him of Jang Pil-nyeo who was locked up in a mental ward and his uncle who counted his days on the Jeju island. It was a karmic repayment for all the pain she inflicted upon others.
Attack!
Hwa Ja unholstered a heavy pistol from her thigh. Her right arm was maimed by Billion Water Armor, but her left hand was intact. The Desert Eagle, using powerful 375-Magnum rounds, was perhaps a bit too heavy and bulky for a woman to use. But Hwa Ja was a living zombie, not a woman.
Die!
Explosions resounded across the battlefield. Mu Ssang flashed forth like a phantom. Mu Ssang never got shot by someone whose location he already spotted. Magnum rounds more powerful than rifle rounds rained down. Mu Ssang flashed.
The kukri slashed the space. The vast blade shot through her heart and exited through her back. She dropped the Desert Eagle.
Shes a goner!
Because Chui Do Shik was still getting used to the prosthetics, he couldnt make the most use of his energy. Mu Ssang was not someone he could face with his current combat power. He didnt like it but he still needed more time. Chui Do Shik thrust up his right foot.
There were three explosions. Chui Do Shik repeatedly fired the three explosives in his prosthetic leg, rode the momentum of the explosions, and dashed through the space. He didnt even look back. Explosions roared and flames filled the space. Mu Ssang rode the explosion as well and rose to the sky.
You will pay for this!
Mu Ssang heard a resentful yell from a distance.
That was your undoing!
Resonance Wave swirled around. He poked the air. Finger Wind couldnt be utilized during melee combat because it needed time for charging. But once the time was given, it was unparalleled.
Blood spurted from Chui Do Shiks shoulder. Chui Do Shik dropped to the ground like a bird that was shot, then kicked the ground and ran into the dark.
The great master is fleeing!
The surviving Sakura ninjas howled. It was a great shock for them to see the great master of the ninjas getting defeated and fleeing.
I will make use of his whip. If I let him flee again, I will get a new surname.
Mu Ssang wielded Chui Do Shiks whip. There was a gust of whirlwind. It was a piece of cake to chase down the wounded Chui Do Shik. Even though he was severely injured, he still was a powerful opponent. If he survived, Sun Woo-hyun and the friendly agents lives were at risk.
The whirlwind struck the Sakura ninjas. The outcome was catastrophic. Many were dismembered, had their torsos sliced into pieces, and were beheaded. It was still no match to the Rakshasa, but the whip proved to be quite a fine weapon.
Lackey, I will get the old Jap. If she is still alive, tie her up.
Mu Ssang kicked the ground to gain momentum.
Wakil, come back with a wild boar.
Sun Woo-hyuns merits were his boldness and indifference. Jeong Pil-su and the friendly agents stared absentmindedly at the bloody battlefield.
* * *
Chui Do Shik blocked the hole in his shoulder with inner energy and used Hidden Soul Steps with all of his might. The three RPG-like explosives were merely a mean to gain time. The bastard surely would have survived then. To capture him, he needed to call all the masters after going back to the base camp.
The rapidly coursing Aruwimi river blocked his path. Red dots were floating in the water. Crocodiles. Chui Do Shik sprinted across the river using the crocodiles backs as stepping stones. He felt as if a horrible ghost would catch him at any moment.
He stopped in his tracks only after sprinting frantically for 20 kilometers. Now, a steep cliff blocked his way. He steadied himself on a giant moonlit shrub and panted.
His vision blurred and he felt dizzy. Even the legendary Sai Dojiku was helpless when faced with blood loss and all of his inner energy depleted. He wrung out the last remaining Hidden Soul Energy to heal his internal injuries but recovery was slow.
You win the first round, Unit 37.
Chui Do Shik said resentfully.
Honorary Jap, there will be no second round!
Chapter 710 - 710 Chapter 64 Episode 11 Koreans in Africa
710 Chapter 64 Episode 11 Koreans in Africa
What?
Chui Do Shik, startled, turned around hastily.
Unit 37! Hurgh
He moaned like an oxs mating call. The stinging energy chasing him made all his nerves tremble. His last attempt to buy time for fleeing was in vain.
His entire body drooped like a fish that spent a week in a Japanese restaurants fish tank. With this condition, he could not withstand a single blow from Mu Ssang. He was not his worthy opponent from the beginning.
Who are you?
Mu Ssang didnt respond.
He glared at Chui Do Shik. The bad blood between them made bad memories resurface. A cave without the slightest light, the days he subsisted on rotten snake flesh and centipedes, the experiments that were repeated every fortnight, licking Chui Do Shiks phlegm off the ground.
Tell me. Who are you for the heavens to favor you so? Chui Do Shik yelled.
He resented it all. He had trained for 60 years with the finest of qualities. Yet, this twentysomething Korean defeated him. Unless the heavens were mad themselves, this could not happen.
You see human beings as test subjects only. The heavens must have abandoned you for that. Why do you need to know who I am when you are about to die?
Mu Ssangs eyes flashed with a blue sheen.
How did you get out of the cave? How did you kill all five guards?
The question had been plaguing him for the past decade. Because Unit 37 escaped from the cave, the whole scheme was foiled. Now, he risked dying. Chui Do Shik considered himself as a heavenly person. He could not bring himself to admit that he had made a mistake.
If it is your last wish, I will tell you. I was never soul-washed or submitted to you. The love of my parents for me kept me sane. I drew blood from myself for six months and marked the hundreds of maze tunnels to find the exit. After I got out of the cave, I was helped by Unit 5, Mu Ssang told him plainly.
He knew that Chui Do Shik was recovering inner energy at each moment but he didnt mind it. Even if a cockroach becomes a rat, its still the same vermin.
Ridiculous! Soul-washing is always successful. It cleanses the soul of the subject.
Chui Do Shik glared at Mu Ssang. He couldnt believe that Unit 37 could stay sane but to hear that Unit 5 helped him was just ridiculous.
Guile Jap, you killed hundreds by touching their brains. Yet, you still consider yourself a noble practitioner of spells. You even killed the doctor and the nurse, who healed you, and their families. Do you still consider yourself human?
Whats wrong with that? Every person acts in their self-interest and forges their fate according to their capacities. I am a great heavenly being. Those bugs are insignificant. What are you trying to say? Chui Do Shik yelled.
Such absurdities are what you are likely to say. In my eyes, you are the bug. You may resent me. If you successfully made the heavenly army, you wouldnt have faced me here. When you killed others, that must mean you have braced death yourself. When I found the girl whose brain was dissected, I resolved to kill you.
The whip trembled in Mu Ssangs hand. The people abducted by him near the Bangtae mountain numbered over 200. No one knew how many innocent people died as he exacted his scheme for 30 years in Korea. He was eviler than the voodoo shaman Houngan.
The divine whip!
Chui Do Shik gritted his teeth. He needed to retrieve the divine whip at all costs. The Gorgon he lost at the river could be reproduced with current technologies, but the divine whip was a priceless relic of his temple.
He first needed to survive to get the next chance. He used all of his remaining energy to use Body Scatter. His body disintegrated into tiny particles that scattered into the dark.
Another freak show!
The divine whip slashed the space. The Resonance Wave conferred a complete awareness of the space. Body Scatter or camouflage was like flaunting ones hair in front of a dead womans ghost. Blood spattered and Chui Do Shiks presence was no longer felt.
His heart must be exploded. Was he on the right side? said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssang jumped and stood on the edge of the cliff.
Mu Ssang, our fight is not over!
A faint yell was heard.
It is already over!
The Cracker shot toward the bottom of the cliff, trailing a rope behind. He didnt feel like making a fight scene on the cliff face that was far too often depicted in wuxia novels. If he intended to kill someone, he needed to behead them and puncture their heart right there. When the Cracker overtook Chui Do Shik 150 meters ahead, the rope wound around his ankles.
Its a great catch!
Chui Do Shik was pulled up by tremendous force.
No!
Chui Do Shik struck his own ankle with a dagger when he faced Mu Ssang again. His intact ankle was sliced through. Chui Do Shik resumed his fall.
Dont even try!
The rope wound around Chui Do Shik like silk around a silkworm cocoon. Chui Do Shik was pulled up again and dropped on the cliff.
I admire your tenacity but you met me.
You are an unimaginable monster! Even if you kill me, our grand scheme will continue.
Chui Do Shiks eyes shone with madness.
A grand scheme? You mean the CIROs Korean Peninsula Occupation project?
How do you know that?
Chui Do Shiks eyes widened like two plates.
The Predator that was hidden in the Hamaoka nuclear power plant became fodder for my pet. For it to absorb tritium, it must have been hidden there. I will smash you all. Your ninja monastery too.
Mu Ssang grinned coldly. He was planning to send Garuda there to wreak havoc.
Who are you?
I am a monster that strives to be human. You should have stayed in Japan. Now, it is your time to go. If the King of hell asks why you are there, tell him Mu Ssang sent you.
The Pangge grazed Chui Do Shiks neck. The severed neck didnt shed a single drop of blood. High heat carbonized the tissue. Billion Water Armor buried itself into his right chest. Mu Ssang wrenched out Chui Do Shiks heart and concentrated Resonance Wave at it. The heart disintegrated into fine dust and rode the night wind to scatter away.
Ones soul stays in ones heart and ones spirit stays in ones head. If such an evil shamans head and heart were left alone, they would absorb the spirit present across nature and revive him as a zombie.
I should make sure he doesnt return.
Resonance Wave buried itself into the ground like an enormous drill. Mu Ssang tossed Chui Do Shiks head into the bottomless pit along with his prosthetic arm and leg. Dirt and rock slid into the pit.
Along the edge of the cliff, an unsightly, bloody hole was made. Mu Ssang pondered for a moment, then kicked the body. The torso without the head, heart, and limbs fell to the depths under the cliff.
You dont deserve a proper funeral. You shall feed the animals with your own body. That will be the only good deed in your evil life.
Thus, the demon hidden from the world was eliminated. Chui Do Shik was Japanese to his core, but his deeds actually helped Korea evade a certain pitfall and instead pushed Japan into it. This was why the world was an interesting place.
Technically, Chui Do Shik birthed Black Mamba. If he hadnt abducted the high schooler Mu Ssang from where he worked as a lumberjack in Bangtae Mountain and practiced soul-washing and various other experiments on him and taught him ninja arts, Mu Ssang would have lived as an ordinary model citizen.
There was an unexpected rain shower. It was a tropical rainstorm characteristic of the tropical rainforest in East Africa. The rain washed away the blood and footsteps left on the cliff.
Chui Do Shik, if you are ever born again, live like a human, not an animal.
Mu Ssang vanished into the dark.
* * *
Blinding searchlight lit up the camp as bright as day. The surviving agents moved like ants to clean up the mess.
Jeong, Wakil is coming.
Hush!
Jeong Pil-su covered Kim Myung-jins mouth. His palm trembled. He was still traumatized after he witness Mu Ssang behead man after man like a butcher beheading chickens. It was almost surreal to see ninja whose face was struck by Mu Ssangs palm had the back of his head burst open as the brain and blood burst out. He panicked when he saw the intruders getting massacred by the whip. Whenever he thought of Mu Ssang, he had goosebumps all over his body.
Why are you shivering?
You havent seen it. He is a natural disaster embodied as human.
You protested valiantly yesterday evening.
Be quiet. I was out of my mind then.
Jeong, where are you going? We still have work here.
Jeong Pil-su ignored Kim Myung-jin and left the place.
Hail!
Besson, spotting Mu Ssang plodding closer, hailed him.
Hail!
The Luupdeng agents stopped in their tracks and saluted him at once.
Report the losses.
Twenty-eight Luupdeng agents and five Operations agents were killed. Three were injured. Fifty-eight intruders were killed. No injured.
Idiot!
Mu Ssang kicked Bessons shin.
Ouch!
Besson jumped in a circle, overcome with pain. The Luupdeng agents were frozen in place. They didnt want to be caught in the blast zone.
I ordered you to focus on the defensive with groups of three. Why did you enter a full-on battle?
That is Besson stuttered.
Because our front was disrupted, our losses increased. If you disobey me again, I will cut off your head.
I wont, sir! Besson yelled with all of his might.
He didnt even realize that the Special Military Advisor didnt have the authority to execute Luupdeng agents. Overwhelming force was in tremendous charisma and power.
Mu Ssang checked the dead bodies and nodded. The intruders all had the sides of their feet calloused but had their heels smooth. Their fingerprints were erased and their palm was also calloused. These hands and feet were those of ninjas specialized in steps and surreptitious intrusion.
Dear Advisor, are there many like these in Japan?
Few are as skilled as these. Several dozens at most.
Good to hear.
Fabius shuddered. If it were not for Mu Ssang, they would have been decimated within 10 minutes. He wanted to ask why they were attacked but refrained from doing so. He didnt dare to ask a question to someone whom he was not sure if that person was even human.
Thank you.
Besson bowed deeply.
Its thanks to the Luupdengs courageous fight. I will make sure that the higher-ups hear about Major Besson and his colleagues courage and sacrifice.
Thank you, Advisor.
Bessons expression brightened. Mu Ssang indeed deserved his throne. Mu Ssang was not a dictator at all.
Sun!
Aye, Wakil!
Sun Woo-hyun ran up to him and dropped his head.
The old Jap said its a divine weapon. It will make up for your lack of skills.
Mu Ssang tossed the whip to Sun Woo-hyun.
Whoa! Thank you so much!
Sun Woo-hyun was glad that he received a gift instead of a kick in the shin.
Zulu!
Aye, Zulu is here.
You did a great job.
Mu Ssang tossed the Muramasa to Zulu. It was a weapon worthy of Zulu who had a lot of hostile energy.
Long live my king. Thank you.
Zulu received the sword politely. Thus, Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu ended up owning the two relics from Higashi Honganji.
Is she dead?
Mu Ssang asked indifferently.
I just left her there. I thought she might die from bleeding if I removed the kukri, Sun Woo-hyun answered promptly, realizing right away what Mu Ssang meant with the question.
Zulu sprinted to Hwa Ja and returned quickly.
Mu Ssang looked down at Hwa Ja. The squinted eyes, glaring eyes, pig nose, and protruding cheekbones. It was an unforgettable face.
Hwa Ja was the culprit who ruined his childhood and adolescence. She was one of the reasons he ended up as Black Mamba. He didnt expect his vile step-sister to appear across the world in the innermost depths of Africa.
He revived her cells with Resonance Wave. Hwa Jas eyes slid open. There was a glimmer of enlightenment now.
Do you recognize me?
You maniac! You dont die at all, Hwa Ja cursed with twisted lips.
Do you still hate me?
Of course, I do. I have too many things.
What about what you have?
Dont spout nonsense. You are much more fortunate than I have ever been.
Mu Ssang nodded. Her words were crude but held truth. Happiness springs forth from within, not from outside. As she approached her imminent death, Hwa Ja finally seemed to have realized the meaning of life.
I thought I would end up like this!
There was certain wetness in Hwa Jas voice.
I can let you live.
Hwa Ja was a living zombie. It was going to be much easier to resuscitate her compared to an ordinary human.
Fuck off! Live happily ever after!
Hwa Ja closed her eyes. Mu Ssang grimaced. With clenched teeth, he took the kukri out of her body. Her heart, barely holding together, burst open. It was just as his teacher said. She indeed ended up dying in a foreign land after doing nothing but hurt others.
Bury her properly, Sun Woo-hyun.
A stone grave was made on the western perimeter of the jungle east of the Great Rift Valley. Sun Woo-hyun read Mu Ssangs mind and made sure no animals would sully the grave.
I knew this would happen!
Mu Ssang engraved such a phrase on her gravestone and sighed.
Life is said to be painful because there are so many obstacles to overcome. To live is to endure. A lifetime of a hundred years is too short just to love each other. If she looked into herself instead of blaming and hurting others, this wouldnt have happened. She only introspected at the moment of her death. What a lonesome life!
Chapter 711 - 711 Chapter 65 Episode 1 My Address Is Hell
711 Chapter 65 Episode 1 My Address Is Hell
Mu Ssang lit a cigarette in front of Hwa Jas grave. Bad blood still was an acquaintance. Hatred wasnt the indifference, either. To the orphaned young Mu Ssang, his uncles family was his only kin whether he liked it or not. He wanted to kill them and did intend to exact his revenge, but he never wished miserable death like this on anyone. The mountain-high, ocean-deep hatred felt futile now. Now that she was dead, he didnt feel attached to the hatred anymore.
Hwa Ja led a meaningless life and disappeared like a whiff of cigarette smoke. She had never done anything productive in her entire life. She spent her one and only life indulging in undesirable pleasures. She never went up the ladder of life but instead broke it. What a miserable life! She was but another poor soul.
Well-dying is as important as well-being. Hwa Ja and Chui Do Shik both filled their own lives with evil, but they differed in how they accepted death.
The soul that clung to evil till the last moment left an evil spirit behind. The soul that looked into herself at the last moment let her spirit disperse into nature. It was kairos of the moment.
According to Ancient Greek insight, the notion of time is divided into two: kairos and chronos. Chronos is the physical time of everyday life. Chronos is fair. Every living thing is ruled by Chronos once they sprout or are born until the destination called death.
Kairos means a moment where a new dimension opens regardless of Earths rotation. It is the so-called moment of enlightenment. Kairos could be a supernova illuminating the universe or a faintly glowing firefly.
A human is nothing but a being like a particle of dust who lives for a fraction of the vast space-time. What meaning do all the division and distinctions have? When the soul departs, the body returns to atoms. Once forgotten by everyone, the soul disappears too.
Thus, the real meaning of human existence lies in kairos. Hwa Ja chose death at her last moment. Her kairos was no more significant than a fireflys, but most humans dont even experience that moment of enlightenment and get dragged around by chronos just to perish.
* * *
Jeong Pil-su, I believe you clearly witnessed the scene where evil clashed with evil, savages maimed each other, and kin hurt their own kin?
I am scared, Jeong Pil-su said honestly.
Cannibalism is the instinctual nature engraved in the genes of Homo sapiens. If civilization is a place of cannibalism under the guise of law, ethics, and religion, this jungle is the stage for cannibalism where raw power clash. You must have felt that you cannot even serve as a snack for beings here. Do you still want to remain here, the dog-eat-dog world?
Ah!
Jeong Pil-sus heart was deeply touched and trembled. Mu Ssangs sincerity moved his soul deeply. He hastily judged Black Mamba without any power and with such pettiness. Guilt and shame flushed to his face.
There came a moment of kairos albeit being more meager than a firefly. When ones stomach is full, it is hard to understand the hunger of others. The powerful are ignorant of the sorrows of the powerless. The rich dont understand the difficulties the poor face. Mu Ssang was not called Dubaiburupa for no reason.
Wakil, I feel like I have lived a flawed existence so far. I told myself that it was for my country but I myself was soaked in authority. The people were being increasingly more enlightened. Yet, we tried to suppress them and committed many immoral acts. I want to live as my own person away from the abnormal regime and corrupt power. I cannot ever be a patriot, but if it can benefit my country even in the slightest, I can offer my own life. The former North Korean general is now your henchman. I can surely be one too. Dont toss me out. Make use of me, Jeong Pil-su said passionately with clenched fists.
Is he losing his mind? said Kim Myung-jin in his mind.
Kim Myung-jin looked at Jeong Pil-su with eyes full of shock. The lazy Jeong Pil-su finally became insane.
Wakil, Ill be your henchman too. I may be a poor fighter but I am good at interpreting. I can speak French, Bantu, and Swahili. I will die by your side, Wakil, Kim Myung-jin said too.
Hahaha! The South Korean fellows are infected by the Ombuti virus too! At last! said Sun Woo-hyun in his mind.
Sun Woo-hyun smirked. The Ombuti virus was the most potent psychological virus that infected the two million Novatopians. It only took a day or two to convert these snotty capitalists.
Are they both high? said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssang looked at both Koreans with dismay. He was suddenly reminded of Dr. Gizs mirror neuron theory. Through mirror neurons, humans experience other peoples behaviors and emotions as if they experience them firsthand. When used well, it is empathy. When misused, it is a mass frenzy. These two are dangerous.
Idiots, what do you think this jungle is? Save those speeches for National Assembly. Go back to sleep if you have nothing to do! Mu Ssang yelled and went back inside his tent.
Hey, fellas. Not everyone gets to serve him. You have to renounce everything. It took me five years to shed my previous ways. You are still stuck in your previous ways. If you get close to Wakil with ulterior motives, I will kill you myself.
Sun Woo-hyun left with a stern glare.
What ways?
Jeong Pil-su looked back at Kim Myung-jin.
Dont you understand? Empty words like patriotism and benefitting your own country would not convince him.
Hey, you said you wanted to serve him too.
I dont get how you could be hired by the ANS with that intelligence.
Whats wrong with my intelligence?
Jeong Pil-su frowned. He still didnt understand Mu Ssang truly.
The half-moon faded into the sky. As dawn neared, the swarm of mosquitoes raged to get their last meal of the day. Kim Myung-jin repeatedly swatted the sesame-seed-sized mosquitoes that pushed through the mosquito nets mesh. The outer side of the net was covered with honeybee-sized mosquitoes. If it were not for the mesh, they would have been drained of their blood and mummified.
Let me get some sleep! Jeong Pil-su grumbled.
These mosquitoes will swarm over us. Can you get yourself to sleep in this situation?
Just cover yourself with the tarp and sleep. The commie said we must shed our previous ways. You may bother Wakil with the noise.
Jeong Pil-su poked Kim Myung-jins side and gestured. Mu Ssang was resting on a beach chair while smoking a cigarette. When the cigarette glowed red, the light revealed his gloomy face. When the light subsided, the black silhouette looked lonely.
For him to be able to convert Jeong Pil-su, the rabid dog of the ANS, Mu Ssang is quite someone, said Kim Myung-jin in his mind.
Kim Myung-jin shook his head.
* * *
The next day, Canal+ employees swarmed out of their tents. They were wearing uniforms emblazoned with the logo of their broadcasting station. They stood in line in the clearing with an ENG camera with stickers on, a boom mic, a steady cam, and all the other equipment required for photography. The clearing still reeked of blood.
On one side, three Gazelles were lined up and dead bodies were covered in white funeral cloth. The agents laboriously loaded the aircraft with the bodies. This was the world of spies. Death didnt mean the work could be delayed.
Do you think it will be useful, Advisor?
Besson and Fabius looked at Mu Ssang with eyes full of anxiety. They were wearing windbreakers with Canal+ logos, shading their faces with wide-brimmed hats and with sunglasses.
You did a good job!
The two mens expressions brightened. Mu Ssang was in fact impressed. They were not in Paris. He had told them to prepare it in three days but he didnt expect them to pull it off so perfectly.
Those are henchmen.
Mu Ssang pointed at Jeong Pil-su and Kim Myung-jin who stood absentmindedly, looking discouraged.
Thank you.
The two men ran to get their uniforms, their faces suddenly turning bright.
What perverts. They are practically entering their graves and are all smiley faces.
Mu Ssang grinned.
South Koreans are better than North Koreans! In North Korea, loyalty is only a pretense. I am your subordinate and they will be mine!
Sun Woo-hyun giggled.
Pretended loyalty is better than pretended patriots that actually serve Japan.
Mu Ssang remarked and called Fabius.
Fabius, the Americans wont allow the journalists. Make a fuss at the entrance of their camp.
Yes, sir!
Wakil, a pretty girl will be sufficient to distract the horny Americans, Jeong Pil-su added.
Mu Ssang looked at Fabius.
There are two in Comms.
Yeah? Get them Canal+ uniforms right now.
What about bikinis?
No. There are too many horny gorillas and chimpanzees.
Mu Ssang waved away. With bikinis, the women will be eaten alive by the venomous insects in less than 10 minutes.
Hahaha!
Haha!
The fake journalists giggled out of their anxiety.
Fabius, come to the camp entrance by three oclock. I will check the infiltration routes in advance. If things go amiss and a battle breaks out, dont enter and just retreat immediately.
Yes, Advisor. I suggest you use the half truck up to Teturi.
The Americans will definitely spot it. I will infiltrate without any noise. Zulu!
Zulu dropped the body he was loading onto a helicopter and ran up to him immediately.
Fabius, Predators may appear. Accompany Zulu.
Thank you. What are you doing? Practice!
Fabius scolded the journalists. Mu Ssang disappeared with Sun Woo-hyun, Jeong Pil-su, and Olonge.
* * *
At the chemistry analysis chamber, Green Camp, Ngpanwaza, the trident-shaped metal debris glinted gold. It was as big as a tabloid newspaper. Trident is a Latin-derived word meaning three teeth.
Mac, are you still on it?
Professor Samuel showed up again in the lab even before an hour could pass before his last visit. It was so. The day before, the exploration team discovered a piece of metal debris thought to be Oparts. Professor Samuel and everyone involved entered a quasi-trance state.
I cannot burn this trident. It is hardier than diamond.
Professor Mac looked back at Professor Samuel with a face full of fatigue. To figure out the component elements and calculate their proportions, it was needed to be analyzed by the AAS and ICP-MS. But the sample inserted in the combustion chamber remained intact.
Is there anything else you can do?
With the equipment here, no. I need to put it in the Hephaestos at Princeton.
Professor Mac shook his head.
Did you get the readings on the XRF electronic energy?
I swear this substance is extraterrestrial. I bet my tenure on it.
Haha, we finally found Oparts.
Samuel grinned contentedly. Finally, Oparts was in their hands. God favored Americans indeed. This will shake up the scientific community and he was going to rake in stipends.
Oparts, buried deep underground, was exposed to unimaginable temperature and pressure, and it touched radioactive substances like uranium and thorium. The trident was clearly made of an extraordinary material that could stay intact for hundreds of millions of years despite the harsh surroundings.
Dont be too glad. It is harder than diamond but its tensile strength is not that great. On Brinell, it would be near where glass is.
So?
Its like the glazed material inside a kiln. I think it covered the inside of a fusion reactor.
Hmm. Im guessing it will have limited application, Samuel said grimly.
Physicists and material scientists will drool over it. For starters, it can make some good bunker gear.
Unlike Professor Samuel, Professor Mac was calm. The trident was made of a great substance but compared to the Room-Temperature Superconductor, it was nothing.
It wouldve been great if the outer shell was discovered too.
That will change it all. It will be like Cinderella wearing the glass shoes to become a queen.
Still, tridentem, the substance making up the trident, was a tremendous discovery. To quote Executor Davis, a fire started at last from the wood they were rubbing.
Fuck. The core is stolen by some insane woman and we are toying with the empty shell, Professor Samuel muttered.
A fire-resistant brick was nothing compared to the Room-Temperature Superconductor.
Lets send the report to the Committee first. At least, this proves that you are not a con man. Thats a great achievement.
Professor Mac giggled. He was delighted to see Professor Samuel be disappointed.
That is so.
Professor Samuel sniggered. The Mambasa theory was finally proved to be true with the discovery of lithium heavyhydrogenide, tridentem, and Room-Temperature Superconductor.
That b*tch! Professor Samuel yelled.
The stupid girl kicked out her god-given honor. No one resented Hae Young more than Professor Samuel. Of course, no one among the 7,500-person personnel on the camp knew that hatred would invite an asura to them.
* * *
Executor Davis let McKinley command the Shadows and marines once the tridentem was found. Brigadier General Dyson was in charge of the Predators with new units.
Daviss plan panned out. McKinley, finally getting back his position, laid waste with full wrath. Anyone approaching the camp was eliminated without identification. Guerillas were eliminated with armed recon squads. The areas suspected to be their base of operations were bombed with MLRD and napalms.
Chapter 712 - 712 Chapter 65 Episode 2 My Address Is Hell
712 Chapter 65 Episode 2 My Address Is Hell
With the Executors permission granted, McKinley and Dyson were ruthless. The stronger a ball is thrown at a wall, the stronger it bounces back. But if a steel ball is thrown at the wall, it will crumble down. Even the FDLR rebels and Maimai who were as tenacious as cockroaches couldnt withstand the overwhelming firepower including Predators and retreated to the outer Ituri.
The secret intelligence team from Chinas Ministry of State Security that operated in Kibimbi couldnt escape harm, either. The ATACMS that flew into their hideout turned the intelligence team that included 50 martial arts masters into a group of ghosts that haunted the jungle. Even the martial arts masters that could rip an iron sheet apart with a bare hand were torn to pieces by the rain of metal debris of 200 meters around and a pressure wave of 3,000 meters per second.
They had established forces against their enemies but that was it. Oparts was still missing and the Executors nagging intensified every day. The Navy search dogs found the rotten rose but all that remained of her was blonde hair and bones.
Oparts is still within the red line.
That was McKinleys hunch and wish. With Ngpanwaza in the center, keyholes, Black Birds, wiretapping bugs, surveillance cameras, Predators, Shadow agents, and marines surrounded the area 100 kilometers around with many layers. If the thief could still escape, that meant she was a god, not a human.
* * *
You havent found the clue?
McKinleys booze-red face wrinkled into a deep frown. Professor Samuel, who discovered Tridentem, was considered a hero. At this rate, Professor Samuel would be the regional director of California while he would be abandoned by both the agency and the military.
Yes, sir!
Is Oparts in the hands of the Japanese already?
No. Surveillance cam footage shows that Helen was dead two days before the Japanese arrived. Psychic haunters reading was the same. They said Windrunner, Living Death paid her a visit.
I will have to trust Adams word on this.
McKinley looked sullen. Adam claimed that Black Mamba appeared, who was considered to be a Baphomet. But he hadnt believed it so far.
McKinley picked up the receiver.
Did you have any luck, General?
His trails faded in Ngai. The Haunter chaser got scared.
Are you tracking the Japanese too?
They are capable of strange spells that threw off the Haunters. They are quite an adversary too.
Dont you think we should search outer Ituri too?
Grendel is quite troublesome. The areas with villages should be done by you with the Shadow agents and marines.
I got it.
McKinley hurled the phone which crashed into a wall. His head felt like it was about to crack open. The psychic Haunters that were sensitive to interference fields were discouraged from tracking him down. Then this so-called Black Mamba was clearly quite a hassle.
Windrunner? Fuck! McKinley spat out.
The Spetsnaz who protected Helen was all eliminated. So were all the Maimai special squads. The ninjas who chased the Spetsnaz also disappeared. Dyson, whom McKinley had put his trust in, was struggling too.
That Korean woman ruined the entire project. She committed treason. She deserves the death penalty, dont you think?
Commander, her fate is up to Security.
His subordinate evaded the subject.
She fucked over the United States and ruined my future. I am the final decision maker of Gamma 1, McKinley blabbered on angrily.
Im out of ideas! the subordinate said his mind.
The subordinate sighed. Lieutenant Colonel Michell, who strictly followed the rules, would not yield the woman to them easily. Also, the woman did not commit any heinous crime, either.
To persuade Lieutenant Colonel Michell
Shut up! He is my subordinate too. McKinley cut him off.
The subordinate shook his head and exited the room. The bottle of straight Bourbon whiskey was almost empty. A drunk boss was as difficult to handle as a hungry lion.
The subordinate reappeared in his office two hours later. After disputing with Lieutenant Colonel Michell, he seemed very exhausted.
Richard, give us some privacy!
The subordinate glanced at the woman. She was shivering like a baby deer caught by a grizzly bear. Even after three months in sunless jail, she still looked beautiful. Her starved features aroused pity but there was nothing he could do. The camp was established for one singular goal and it didnt discriminate against any means to get there.
Shes just unlucky, Major Richard said in his mind.
Major Richard shook his head and exited the room.
Yellow lady, there are two paths. The first is death by hanging. McKinley snapped his head to the side and bit his tongue, imitating someone who died by hanging.
And the other is
McKinley glared at Hae Young. Her tired expression and contrastingly red lips reminded him of a delicious steak.
Sleazy racist pervert! Hae Young said in her mind.
Hae Young stared at McKinley with clear eyes. The sleazy gaze of the hairy, large man was making her nauseous. She could see what he was thinking right that moment.
I need a lawyer.
What? A lawyer?
McKinleys face was full of confusion as if he had just been slapped by a passer-by.
Hahaha!
McKinley laughed maniacally. He looked at Hae Young as if she was Charlie Chaplin.
That was the best joke Ive ever heard. In this camp, I am the prosecutor and lawyer. I am also the judge and the jury. I am in charge of the prosecution, defense, and judgment. Yellow lady, I am your lawyer. Speak.
McKinley grinned. It was funny to see the bug struggling in a spiderweb.
What is the other path?
You will be my concubine.
Ugh!
She almost threw up. Her esophagus trembled, stung by the acidic gastric juice. How did she end up like this? She pitied herself now that she had to withstand listening to his filthy words.
The first. I will never breathe the same air with you.
McKinleys eyes glinted. That was not the answer he expected. A woman needed to be servile. His twisted sexual taste emerged.
You answered too hastily. Mule it over some more.
There is no need. You can shoot me or hang me. Whatever.
Hae Young didnt hesitate. Robert could sometimes act without foresight; yet, this man wasnt a human being but an animal. She already made one mistake. She would rather die than get her body soiled.
Lady, I will bend the rules for you this time and let you choose again. Will you undress here or in the barracks?
McKinleys eyes glinted with lust. He could bang a truckful of hardheaded, lousy women and be left with nothing but remorse. His lifes ultimate joy and goal were to see a beautiful, intelligent, and elegant woman get wrecked.
You wretched eunuch. It is ridiculous that you call yourself a general. Was your mother happy after giving birth to a pile of turd that is you?
Hae Young exploded and swore in Korean without intending to. She didnt care that the American was not able to understand it.
A meaty hand slapped her mercilessly. When one swore, ones exploding emotions could be felt. Even if he couldnt understand it, he knew she was cursing him just by her tone and face.
Aargh!
Hae Young was flung around and fell. Her body was too small and frail for her to defend herself against a well-trained man who weighed twice hers.
Your fate is sealed. If you serve me diligently, I may show you some mercy and send you to federal prison.
And you call yourself a soldier? Kill me.
Hae Young gritted her bloody teeth and glared.
Yeah, resist. Thats the way I like it.
McKinley lifted Hae Young and put her on a table. She wriggled and squirmed.
Hahaha!
His tremendous force subdued her frail body. Her blouse was torn off and her panties were clumped up into a ball that was pushed into her mouth. Her masters degree in geology, superb brain, and cutting intelligence couldnt defend her.
The man reeked of booze and old sweat. His face right in front of hers was flushed with sadistic pleasure.
Hae Young spat the blood mixed with saliva and flung her punch. Mu Ssang had told her that she should aim for the base of the nose or poke the eyes in an urgent situation like this.
Oh shit!
McKinley raised his face. The blood from his nose ran down his face with what Hae Young spat.
God damn!
McKinley slapped with all of his rages. The impact dislodged the ball of panties in her mouth.
Aargh!
Hae Young rolled on the floor. Her skirt was rolled up, revealing the lush bush inside.
I will let you taste a real Freemason.
McKinley lifted her and hurled her onto a sofa. His broad-shouldered body forced itself upon hers.
No! Mu Ssang will tear you apart.
Do you feel good? Haha.
McKinleys lips turned upward in a smirk. He was feeling a firm pressure in his pants. His nose felt numb but even that added to the pleasure.
Kill me instead!
She clawed and bit and struggled but the male overcome with lust didnt budge. Her resistance ceased. Her consciousness faded.
You are as delicious as you look.
McKinley pulled up his pants and smirked. His head felt as clear as the sky after a tornado. The headache caused by Oparts and Black Mamba was completely gone.
Hae Young woke up in the jail and still couldnt gather herself. She looked up at the iron-barred window. It was filled with darkness as black as ink. Her pale face teared up.
Mu Ssang said love is just once. My love is him. He said he would love me no matter what I end up looking like, she muttered as if she was insane. Her mind traveled from the present to the past repeatedly.
She was sent to McKinley the day after and the next day too. It was pure sadistic revenge. Hae Youngs mind broke down and her will and intelligence deteriorated every day. It happened as Mu Ssang finished off Chui Do Shik in Mavivi.
* * *
Stop there, Jeong Pil-su!
Jeong Pil-su looked at Mu Ssang curiously.
Thats a landmine!
Mu Ssang pointed at his right foot that he had just set.
Oh!
Jeong Pil-su grimaced.
Wakil, the Americans commit all kinds of atrocities all the time when they tout themselves as the herald of human rights.
A thug is a thug. If it is America that strikes, its a rightful act. If it is someone else, it is terrorism.
Quit your musings and help me! said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su had enough of these men. For the last three days, he was on the verge of death many times. Thanks to his ancestors grace or with the help of his colleagues, he got to the destination. And at the last moment, he had to step on a landmine.
Lift your foot!
Sir?
Jeong Pil-sus eyes widened.
Didnt you hear Wakils order? He said lift your foot.''
Sun Woo-hyun glared.
This is it for me then! said Jeong Pil-su to himself.
Jeong Pil-su lifted his foot slowly as if it weighed 1,000 tons. Nothing happened. Mu Ssangs telekinesis was pressing the fuse with the same pressure. The fist-sized cylindrical object floated up in the air.
A landmine!
Jeong Pil-su stepped back.
Lets see how dense the Agrippina shield is.
The landmine hovered toward the deeper jungle, evading dense grove of trees as if it had eyes.
Bam! There was an explosion and the sound of a machine gun firing. Debris soared and invisible micro glass fibers swirled.
Retreat! The glass fiber is toxic.
Mu Ssang retreated 300 meters at once. The toxin didnt affect him but if Sun Woo-hyun and others were exposed, they would be vegetables within a minute.
A display of money. Very American.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. The perimeter of the Americans camp was about two kilometers. They surrounded a circle six kilometers wider than the camp with 300 meters thick layer of toxic glass fiber and installed machine guns controlled by computers. The cost must have been astronomical.
That means this base is as important as its expensive defense measures. Fabius is here.
Mu Ssang smiled. He heard a fighting noise in the direction of the front gate 500 meters away from them.
Hide, Lackey.
Mu Ssang disappeared without waiting for his response.
* * *
No. We cannot allow press inside.
A military officer, with an expression of consternation, blocked a broad-shouldered filming director.
We are from Canal+. The travel expenses alone cost us 1,000,000 francs.
Thats your problem. We never allowed you here.
The military officer glared without any room for negotiation.
We flew for two days over 11,000 kilometers. If we go back, will you be responsible for the problems?
What will I ever be responsible for?
Did you think no one was aware that you are damaging the jungle of Ituri, which is a treasure trove of life, irresponsibly? We also know that you conduct illegal experiments on abducted Pygmies.
Fabius mixed truth with falsehood masterfully.
What?
The military officer frowned. They did destroy the jungle with all the digging, exfoliant spraying, and bombing, but they never touched any Pygmies.
Dont be absurd. The United States is not sly Yellows or primitive Blacks.
Chapter 713 - 713 Chapter 65 Episode 3 My Address Is Hell
713 Chapter 65 Episode 3 My Address Is Hell
The guarding military officer exploded into a tirade of anger.
A vile racist confessed to it on his own!
Fabius smiled contentedly.
You are a monster! Of course, you would conduct experiments on humans.
Besson pointed at him with the clapperboard he was holding.
I didnt mean that! The guarding military officer hurriedly tried to defend himself.
Shut up! Hey, friends. This haughty white man thinks Blacks are primitive and Pygmies are some rats. What do you think?
Fabius looked back at his companions. Henchmen wearing channel uniforms and holding various filming equipment and journalists wearing hunting caps with logos swarmed in.
Racist go to hell!
Leave the Pygmies alone!
Evil Yankees should leave the Earth.
The US Army should open their facilities to the public and assume legal responsibility for spraying the jungle with defoliant!
Everyone, before they could eliminate the evidence, lets force ourselves in.
The fake journalists clamored frantically.
Oh shit!
The guarding military officer was overwhelmed. He could do nothing but blink at the unexpected situation.
If you do not allow us in the facilities, we will report you to Green Peace and Friends of Earth. Can you handle thousands of eco-activists? Fabius blackmailed.
I see. I will tell my superiors.
The guarding military officer surrendered to the characteristically noisy French. Once criticized by the press and surrounded by eco-activists, it was the camp that was going to be in trouble.
First gate.
What is it? Richard answered the phone.
Journalists from a French broadcasting station. I refused their entry but they are insistent.
A broadcasting station? The hyenas are here. Elaborate.
Richard was getting a headache as he was briefed. It was not something he could decide.
Commander, journalists are here from France.
France? Is this a joke?
McKinley stared at his subordinate with a confused face. He would have thought that something like Marilyn Monroe is bathing in the dirty water of the Ganges was more believable.
They said, the camp is ruining the tropical rainforest irresponsibly and abducting Pygmies. The guards are stalling them.
What a bunch of crazies. Kick them out.
McKinley scoffed dismissively.
They dont listen.
Shoot in the air to scare them off. Wait, where did you say they are from?
Canal+.
Canal+. What is that?
The biggest commercial television network in France.
McKinley picked up the receiver.
Lieutenant Colonel Michell, confirm with Canal+ if they really sent journalists here.
Yes, Sir!
McKinley hesitated after getting Lieutenant Colonel Michells report. If they were really journalists, he couldnt scare them away.
Damn it. Why did they send journalists to an African backcountry lousy with cannibals?
Could it be one of the DGSEs schemes?
The frogs wouldnt try something as ludicrous as this. Whether they are real or fake, they will not enter.
They will report it to environmental activists. Would that be all right?
That is something I will worry about, not you. Scare them off!
Yes, sir!
McKinley said firmly. Because of the KGB mole, the project was postponed and they suffered tremendous human and material losses. He could not let a group of journalists inside the camp for fear of spies hidden among them.
* * *
There was a loud clamor at the front gate. The journalists and guards yelled and fought. Fabius and Besson, with Mu Ssangs order, would not withdraw even if the guards fired at them.
When the noise became louder, marines swarmed out of the outer barracks. They were tired and bored because of the prolonged operation. The two female journalists wearing hot pants and tank tops that revealed their cleavage gathered much interest.
Hundreds of marines clung to the fence like cicadas and ogled. Soon, some started complaining that journalists should be allowed inside. The complaints soon turned into a roar. The front gate area where stern silence usually reigned sounded like a bazaar now.
* * *
One laborer exited the noisy scene surreptitiously. He melted into the air. A whiff of wind swished past the spot on the fence that was 30 meters away from the front gate and five meters from the ground. Ironically, more guards usually meant more negligence.
He chose the daylight hours to infiltrate the base due to Predators and infrared cameras. Camouflage could fool the human eyes but not infrared cameras. He infiltrated the base to check on Hae Young and see if she was okay. There was no need to make a mess.
This should discourage most infiltrators, Mu Ssang marveled.
Their internal defense was as impeccable as the Agrippina shield on the outer perimeter. Three-meter-tall barbed wire fences flanked a five-meter-high electrified fence. The combined width was 10 meters.
With the dense web of infrared cameras, guard posts at five-minute intervals, and military dog surveillance squads that patrolled at random intervals, the whole defense measures hinted at Americas wealth.
Once in the base, Mu Ssang was surprised once again. Radars, missile launchers, lined-up helicopters, armored vehicles, Humvees, trailers mounted with MLRS containers, 360-degree concrete bunkers, endless barracks, and steel-plated guard posts surrounding the outer perimeter. All were very US army that had the most supplies in the world.
Black Mamba strolled across the barracks and training grounds and infiltrated an abandoned container on the waste dump. The 20-square-feet container was full of discarded clothes and furniture. He calmed himself to sleep with a MAG ammunition container as a pillow.
Black Mamba opened his eyes at 1 a.m. An expert sniper didnt need an alarm clock. They fell asleep and awoke when they needed to. Once outside the container, he checked his armor and weapons, skulked across the buildings shadows and blind spots, and infiltrated the center of the camp.
Armadillos and hedgehogs were armed with hard shells and spines, but their inner flesh was soft. The camp was the same. There was barely any security inside in stark contrast to the outside. He silently judged the patrolling squads holding flashlights and didnt even try to smother the sound of their footsteps.
When he went across training grounds as big as several football fields and some green fields, a steel-frame building appeared. A gigantic radar dish was installed on the roof of a single-story pentagon-shaped building which looked like a military facility at first glance. These were the headquarters.
Six two-story buildings that looked like laboratories were lined up 300 meters from the headquarters. Two camouflaged buildings could be seen flanking the entrance of the headquarters building. The entire group of buildings was submerged in darkness. Only one window of one of the two-story buildings shone alone.
Mu Ssang climbed the wall like a gecko and looked into the window. A white man in a white gown was looking into a microscope. He used telekinesis to unlock the latch and infiltrated the room like smoke.
Containers full of fossils and miscellaneous objects were piled up. Tools and facilities were covering an entire wall. It was a typical geology laboratory.
Yawn!
The man yawned with his mouth open wide and stretched himself. The mans eyes, now facing the ceiling, saw Mu Ssang. The mans mouth was open agape in surprise. Before he could scream, fingers as strong steel tongs clasped around his neck.
Hurgh!
The mans eyes bulged as if they were about to fall out of their sockets. In a moment, his muscles stiffened and all energy left his body.
Shush!
Mu Ssangs fingers penetrated the table. Several holes were made in the hard mahogany. That was a sudden and effective threat. The man blinked repeatedly.
You are a smart man.
Mu Ssang released his neck.
The man coughed and hurriedly inhaled oxygen. His blue face quickly regained its natural tone. The man started to hiccup. A finger poked his back.
Huh!
To the mans surprise, the hiccup stopped at once.
Name and department?
Jack Owen, in charge of polarization analysis at the United States Geological Survey.
Nice to meet you, scientist. I am looking for Hae Young, a Korean researcher. Where is she?
You mean Lin!
Owens eyes widened. The hundreds of researchers were from every corner of the world but everyone knew who Lin was. Every week, the head of security Michell, educated them on the incident to prevent a similar thing from happening.
Miss Lin is imprisoned for treason.
Treason?
Mu Ssangs eyes widened like two dishes.
She was accused of hiding Oparts she excavated without reporting.
Hmm!
That made Mu Ssang anxious. The dream where a chimpanzee took Hae Young was not random but a prophetic one.
Where is she locked up?
The jail inside the office of the military, Owen answered willingly.
His rebellious mood acted along with his fear. The researchers were resenting the authoritarian rule of the camp and the acts they committed. Unlike what the camp wanted to make them think, the researchers sympathized with Hae Young.
Where is the office?
Its the building on the left of the laboratory. There are two palm trees in the front yard. You need to be careful of the gorillas that patrol the area randomly.
Owen told him more than what he intended to know. He thought it was absurd to give someone the death penalty or life just because she didnt immediately turn in something she discovered. Owen wanted to see the power-wielding management get into trouble.
You are too cooperative.
With gorillas, he must have meant humanoid Grendels. Mu Ssang looked into the mans eyes. His brain waves and blood pressure were well within the normal ranges.
My wife gave birth to our child three months ago, but because of this damned security, I couldnt give her a single call. I am not against being a patriot and getting a government job, but no one would enjoy living like a locked-up slave. Let them go to hell. Of course, I am scared that you may harm me.
Owen looked at the holes in the table and shuddered.
Thank you. How many guards does the jail have?
I am not sure. The ones in charge of the jail are only 30 in number.
Youve been a great help. You must be tired. Sleep well!
Mu Ssang inserted the 3mg syringe filled with hydroxybutyric acid. The man had been too helpful to be knocked out. Mu Ssang swished away. Owen fell asleep five seconds later.
It was fortunate that the buildings were simply laid out. He could easily identify the building with palm trees in the front yard. The one-story building Owen told him about was but a pitch-black silhouette in the darkness. He suddenly felt so much in a hurry.
He scanned the inside of the building with Dimensional Sight. 27 men were asleep. Three were awake. Two with savage energy were definitely Predators. He jumped on the roof. As soon as he tore off asphalt shingles and got rid of the plywood and styrofoam, the interior was visible.
Behind an ordinary office space without a trace of paper, three wood-paneled steel doors were next to each other. It was a similar layout to the Daegu Prison where he was imprisoned under trial. It seemed like prisons looked similar whether they were made by Koreans or Americans.
A Shadow agent in a black uniform had fallen asleep sitting on a chair. Two broad figures whose faces were hidden behind full-face helmets and goggles were flanking the steel doors. Empty eyes glinted behind the dark goggles. They were the same type of humanoid Grendels as Mestizo that killed Ulumbo the guide.
Mu Ssang held Vajra and wielded Resonance Wave. The amplified wavelength gathered on the tips of his hands. Grendel looked up suddenly. Their senses were much more heightened than humans. Finger Wind shot through the air. A coin-sized hole was made from its forehead all the way through to the back of its head.
The Grendel shrieked and started shaking. Vajra grazed its neck at lightning speed. Its neck as thick as a glamorous womans thigh dropped to the ground. A white tentacle burst out of its neck. The tentacle picked up the severed head and pulled it toward the neck. It was clearly more tenacious than Mestizo that Samdi killed in the cenote.
The head stepped on by a boot with Thousand Ton Stomp was smashed. It only took two or three seconds. A Predator with tremendous combat power and tenacity was eliminated in mere seconds.
What was that?
The Shadow agents held his MP5 at incredible speed. But to Mu Ssang, he looked like he moved in slow motion. The barrel of the gun was snapped at once. With one slap, Mu Ssang sent the agents head snap away at an impossible angle.
Sorry to wake you up. You will be able to ride a wheelchair if you recover well.
Mu Ssang muttered quasi-consolation, cut a hole in the steel door with Vajra, and strode inside. Muggy air and fishy stench assailed his nose. The room must be less than seven square meters. The tiny space only had a steel cot and a mobile toilet.
Huh.
Mu Ssang felt dizzy and almost stumbled. A small silhouette crouched on the cot, asleep. She smelled fragrant, unlike the air inside full of stench. This scent was smelled by the brain, not by the nose. The scent of her soul shimmered into his nose. He knew who she was without looking.
Hae Young!
Longing, remorse, resentment, and all the other indescribable emotions came rushing inside him like a tidal wave. He caressed her face with trembling fingers that registered some roughness. Her ever-plump cheeks were now gone.
Idiot!
He felt as if sudden anger had suddenly clogged up his heart.
Hmm?
Hae Young flailed around with both arms. He held her arm. It was as bony as a dried-up rice plant. He embraced her upper body carefully as if she was made of brittle glass. He could feel her ribs and vertebrae. She was bonier than famished desert women.
I will kill these bastards!
The inside of her body scanned by Dimensional Sight was messier. There were ulcers all over her intestines and her lungs were damaged which hinted at torture. In this condition, even Dimensional Sight could aggravate her injuries.
Chapter 714 - 714 Chapter 65 Episode 4 My Address is Hell
714 Chapter 65 Episode 4 My Address is Hell
The Black Mamba looked down at a pale face in sadness. Her eyelids moved. A light smile appeared on her chapped lips. The smile that started from an oral angle spread like a wave. In the REM sleep state, Hae Young was enjoying a beautiful dream.
She clasped her hands with Mu Ssangs and climbed the Achimgarigol. The sky sparkled with white snow. The shade fell to the knees. The sun felt icy. It was difficult to take one step, but Mu Ssang walked very well. While crossing a frozen creek, she hit her butt and fell to the ground.
Aww! Mu Ssang clapped his hands and laughed. A baby roe deer, startled by the pretense of popularity, jumped out from under the daboksol. The guy who had lost his direction and was running wildly crashed into a pine tree. The snow on the branches poured like a waterfall.
Mu Ssang who struck a thunder in the snow had a tearful face. He had this coming. Hahaha! He clapped his hands and laughed. Mu Ssang pushed his capacious back. A male servant ran. Yes! The male servant carried his wife and ran through the snow-covered mountain road as if he was running on a flat road.
In the Finnish sauna that Mu Ssang built with his skill, snow was falling outside the window like a bunch of pieces of cotton and a white glossy pebble was burning in the Pe?ka. Was there different heaven? It was heaven where one was with loved ones. Mu Ssang poured water into the hot Pe?ka. Pitter-patter! Hot steam burst suddenly.
Oh, its hot!
Her consciousness returned. The familiar sour smell and thick air rushed in. She hated it. The dream being stopped was more pitiful than the miserable reality. Consciousness wandered in search of the boundaries of dreams amid reality.
Yeah!
The consciousness that refused to connect flickered. Was it a dream in a dream? She was being held by someone. It was comfortable. It was so comfortable that her soul did not refuse. Someone? There was no one other than Mu Ssang who had such a firm and comfortable arm
Lin!
I hate it!
She did not want to break from a comfortable and endlessly sweet dream. The fragile spirit and body refused to return to Reality.
Lin!
A voice from the depths of the water, a low-pitched tone, shook her brain and resonated with her soul. It was a voice she missed. A firm, soft hand caressed her buttocks and back.
Mu Ssang?
Hae Young opened her eyes widely. The body recognized it before the brain judged. That was him. The voice she wanted to hear in her dreams. The touch that she missed like crazy. That was him.
Yeah, Im here!
A hoarse, cracked voice rang out. Im here! Her upper body jumped up as if a single word was a spell. Numerous questions that should have come to mind disappeared. Only the words that he could say rang like a spell.
Aww!
As she was standing on the floor, her knees bent. A terrible pain started in her lower back and hit her nerves. It felt like her body was being torn into two sides. Tuck! A firm arm wrapped around her waist. A very familiar sensation spread the whole body.
Hehe
It wasnt a dream. Was there any strength left? He grabbed her with oxen-like strength and sobbed like a wounded beast. That was him. Mu Ssang whom she missed in her dreams had come.
Lets go!
Black Mamba wrapped Hae Young with a blanket and held her in her arms.
Ahhhh!
Hae Yung was startled. Consciousness was connected to the current situation. Green Zone with thousands of soldiers and monsters was also a detention house guarded by monstrous black uniforms. There was a big problem.
Ah! Oh my God! No!
Hae Young writhed. When she regained her consciousness, only the thought that something serious had happened filled her head. She resented the fact that she had not died in the first place and had been attracted to Mu Ssang.
You idiot, why did you come? Get out of here immediately.
Dont talk nonsense.
Black Mamba was calm.
Ah, what should we do? I mean if you get caught, you will die.
Hae Young was anxious.
Im Mu Ssang.
A thick baritone-like voice echoed through the narrow cell. A powerful interference field stroked her unstable mind.
Thats right, government affair Mu Ssang, the male servant!
Fear and anxiety disappeared like a lie. When Mu Ssang came, the nightmare was over. She had developed a baseless belief that all the problems would be resolved on their own. She didnt have to smell a dirty Yankees rotten mouth. She didnt have to be hit by a rubber club and didnt have to be plagued with endless questions.
Huh!
As soon as they left the detention house, Hae Young turned her head. Two bodies with their necks dropped and one with a neck turned to the other side. That was a bloody scene. It was a terrible scene to see even in a dream.
Dont look!
Its okay. Dont worry!
Hae Young bit her lip. The camp was not a motel. It was an event that would naturally happen when Mu Ssang appeared through strict security. The male servant as expected! After 10 years, the male servant was back.
Shaaak! Vajra cut the iron gate like paper. Clang! The handcuffs rolled the 10mm steel plate in a circle. Clang! A bright blue flame ignited and the steel plates were glued together as if they were welded. Pat-pat-pat! Like a finger pierced through window paper, he pierced a hole in the iron plate.
In an instant, a steel basket with a lid was made. He couldnt leave the camp like he was taking Hae Young on a cruise. If he was alone, there was nothing to be afraid of, but Hae Youngs safety was the priority.
What happened?
Hae Young opened her mouth. An iron plate was an iron plate, not paper or clay. It was said that in 10 years, the country would change and Mu Ssang had turned into a monster.
How come!
Thats what Ive heard a lot.
Hae Young smiled faintly. Mu Ssang was always like that. He used to show non-human abilities in the past, but he said that it happened by chance.
Bear it even if you feel frustrated.
It must be heavy
Hae Yung looked at the large backpack and the steel basket with worried eyes. No matter how strong Mu Ssang was, the worry prevailed.
Trust this male servant!
Black Mamba spread his clothes on the floor, grabbed Hae Young, put it in the steel basket he had made, and closed the lid. The backpack was turned forward and carried, and the steel basket was secured to his back with an army rope.
Beep, beep! The radio indicator that Shadow was holding flickered. Crash! He trampled on them relentlessly and pulled out Rakshasa. Judging from their vigilance of them, there was a high possibility that their deeds were revealed. They couldnt afford to mess around.
Ill step back quietly today.
Whoosh! A black shadow crossed the camp like the wind. Unsurprisingly, the siren sounded urgent as they crossed the parade ground. The camps response, which had been plagued by intruders, was remarkably quick.
The outer boundary lights lit up. Numerous red laser points were scattered across the ground from the roof of the building and the boundary watchtower. Rumble! The armored car moved and armed forces poured out of the camp.
Stop. Or well shoot!
A group of troops blocked the front. Q&A dance, Whizz! Rakshasa caused a tornado. Whaa! The whirlwind came. The shadow team on standby didnt even have time to pull the trigger. Flesh and blood splattered.
I cant leave my bed behind.
If the helicopter pursued, the plan of escaping through the upper canopy of the treetop would be messed up. Whoosh! A tornado hit an aviation battalion that was lined up in the main field. Aviation Battalion, 17th Marine Regiment, which was changed to a battalion formation, met with a whip lightning bolt flying at the speed of sound.
Quack! Bang, bang! Canopy, rotors, tail booms, and landing gear, all shredded like cabbage on a chopping board. A tornado that made 24 helicopters out of scrap metal all over the place without any hindrance smashed into the outskirts.
Ouch, what is that?
Shoot. I said shoot!
Tutututu! Tatatata! The air corps guard company fired bullets belatedly, but it was like only sitting and watching. When Black Mamba would sprint, he could run 100m in 2.5 seconds. Target fixation was impossible due to human fuselage vision.
It took less than 100 seconds for Black Mamba to pull Hae Young out, smash the air battalion, and reach the outer barbed-wire fence. Even Black Mamba of the world could not jump over the high-pressure barbed wire that was 5m high and 10m wide in an unnatural posture carrying 140kg of luggage forward and backward.
Moreover, at night, the ADS defense system was active. There was no countermeasure to overwrite the heavy machine gun crossfire network in the air. He pulled out a pouch containing 20 grenades from his backpack.
Cover your ears!
Thump, thump, thump! The grenades flew in a row. Bang, bang! Almost at the same time, there was an explosion. At once, the barbed wire that covered 20 grenades broke open. Vroom! Rakshasa caused a tornado. A whirlwind rushed in.
Its the front door!
Charlie, red point! Charlie, red point!
Tutututu! A heavy machine gun mounted on the main gate tochka opened fire. The laser points flocked in unison. Tutututu! ADS machine guns installed on the top of the barbed wire fired all at once. Rakshasas flat screen deflected the bullets falling like hail. Crack, crack! An ear-piercing plosive sounded like cracking.
Kkarang, kkarang! The LAV25 infantry fighting vehicle was maneuvered. Whizz! The sound of the turret spinning mixed with gunshots. The Bushmaster 25mm chain gun mounted on the LAV25 would fire 3,000 rounds per minute. Even Black Mambas grandfather, not Black Mamba, would turn into blood cells when he overwrote the fire net.
Hurried Black Mamba accelerated. Shuang! A tornado attacked the fire-breathing tochka from the front. Whoo! Blood and shards of iron flew out. The tornado was wide and passed through the pierced barbed wire, smashed the guard post, and crossed the camp entrance.
Ahh!
Ahh!
Barbed wire was caught in the tornado, and guards covered in shredded materials were torn into several pieces. Whoosh! Bang, bang, bang! Dozens of bushmaster chain guns opened fire, but only the smashed front door was made of soy flour.
******
The gunfire and gunshots woke up all of the Fabius team members who had been pitching tents on the camp road. The team members, who were pulling their heads out, were terrified by the pouring shells and covered up.
Ugh, kess? (What is this?)
A tornado whizzed right in front of Bessons nose. The hem of his clothes flew as if it was torn by the wind pressure. Besson, looking into the night view, stepped back in anger. When he turned his head, there was only moonlight and dust on the driveway.
Speciale! (Special advisor!) Fabius muttered.
It was a situation that couldnt be explained without a special advisor.
What? Sse Ddankhwaiabeul!(What do you say? I cant believe it!)
Besson shook his head.
Look at that!
The fake reporters eyes widened all at once. Whoo! Armored cars and humvees poured out like angry boars. Behind them, infantry rushed out like water from a dammed reservoir.
Heh, heh! I dont know what it is, but the special advisor got it right. Besson, this is the purpose of National Trezor.
Fabius smiled bitterly. It felt good as if the ten-year-old congestion had gone down.
Bang, bang, bang! Big and small red fireballs crossed the night sky without stopping. In the direction where Black Mamba disappeared, the swells and flashes continued endlessly.
Fabius, its not time to laugh. Yankees went crazy. Didnt the advisor tell us to retreat if it gets noisy?
Besson hurried. If they hesitated, it would be like an innocent bystander getting hurt in a fight.
Heh, heh. Torture to be caught by blind shelling is not a national treasure. Retreat!
Having accomplished the purpose, Louupden and the operations department personnel set up the tent.
******
The campsite completely had made a wrong guess. The direction that Black Mamba escaped from was one point Magbagba in the direction opposite the main gate. He did not step on the ground. He ran 60-100m above the ground, stepping on the canopy that spread like a rug. If it wasnt for the Gongjinpa and the Fearless steps, it wouldnt have been possible.
Black Mamba, who ran 6km without a chance to breathe, checked the GPS and climbed down the treetops. Du-dung! Dimensional sight skimmed the floor. Black Mambas gaze was directed at a thousand-year-old tree. The trunk was wide enough for a car that was wrapped around the large tree to pass in and out. It was a Limbali Nogusu (old, big tree) common in the Ituri Jungle.
You hid properly!
He went inside the old tree and rubbed his feet four times. The ground lifted like a manhole cover and an ugly face easily rose.
Wakil, welcome back.
It is urgent. Put in order!
He carefully lowered the steel basket to the beat and jumped into it without delay. Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. He had never seen Black Mamba rushing that much.
The bit was quite wide. Portable sodium lights were hanging on the wall, and the floor was thick with reeds. Thanks to a bunch of rieldrin, no bugs were running through it. It was a collaboration between Sun Woo-hyun, a master of making bits, and Olonge, a forest man.
Hugh!
Black Mamba took off his body armor and threw it. Steam welled up from his body. Without having time to arrange the rest of his stamina, he moved with much strength in a hurry. He took Hae Young out of the steel basket.
Ahh!
Jeong Pil-su and Olonges eyes grew like a candlestick. The woman came out of the steel barrel. It wasnt a fairy tale or a novel but was a reality.
Oh, no! She fainted.
Her limbs swayed slowly. These were the symptoms of a fragile and fast-beating heart, barely palpable pulse, and tachycardia. Riding the roller coaster with a weak body was enough to pass out.
Is this a disgraceful thing? Sun Woo-hyun screamed out of fear.
The result of her hard work like she would die was Eminai. His mind collapsed
Dont ask me anything!
Sun Woo-hyun shut his mouth like a shellfish.
Mushigi Eminaizibi? What about Jin Soon? Or Edel? Wakil how can you do that? Jin Soons temperament is not usual. What are you going to do about the backseat?
Countless questionable thoughts circulated in his head. His mouth was tickled, but he felt like he would get hit if he uttered a single word.
Chapter 715 - 715 Chapter 65 Episode 5 My Address is Hell
715 Chapter 65 Episode 5 My Address is Hell
Digoxin!
Sun Woo-hyun prepared 0.25mg ampoule. Jeong Pil-su waved his hand.
Wakil, the patients condition appears to be an electrical abnormality. When digoxin is prescribed, ventricular pressure drops. I have morphine.
Are you a quack?
Black Mamba looked at Jeong Pil-su with his wide eyes.
I was a military doctor.
Thank God!
He had no knowledge about drug antagonism. He almost made a mistake in his haste. Jeong Pil-su cut the ampoule with his experienced skill and inserted a syringe into the vein.
The heart would need to have stability so that it could rule the bet with resonant waves. The minutes waiting for the drug to show its effect was as long as a day. A pale face, colorful three-tier side dishes, white rice, and hearts embroidered with black beans overlapped. It was Hae Youngs mark manna, which melted the heart that had been united with anger and hatred like a stone.
There would be many people with whom one could share joy but only a few people with whom one could share difficulties. Hae Young was the woman who gave her heart when he was lonely and in pain. How could one be a man if he couldnt protect the woman he loves?!
Her eyelids trembled. The patient opened her eyes and tried to focus.
After some rest, youll get better. Im here.
He brushed her eyelids with his palm. Hae Young fell asleep like a lie. Jeong Pil-su quietly grabbed her pulse and put his ear to her heart.
Wakil, the dangerous hurdle has been crossed.
It is said that small talent is capable of gaining big profits! So even slugs had a knack for rolling.
Black Mamba smiled faintly.
Fucking bastard! Even if you talk
Jeong Pil-sus face got rotten. He didnt expect compliments, but what? A quack? He remembered the bitter memories of having his license revoked.
Sshidenga, ogamta hamdung. And they said I am a cockroach.
Sun Woo-hyun looked at Jeong Pil-su with envious eyes. He did not remember hearing Wakils praise.
Thank you. For being alive!
A sigh of relief came out of his mouth. How long did she call herself in pain? His heart was breaking. He didnt know that the pitiful eyes would leave Hae Youngs sleeping face.
Jeong Pil-su looked at Sun Woo-hyun. He looked like he was going to die from wondering. Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. His head was about to explode because he, himself, also wanted to know the identity of the Korean woman who came out like a daytime goblin.
Olonge, who was in charge of cooking, picked his mind rationally. When the gods woman woke up, it would be food for eating. Sun Woo-hyun, who was holding his breath at the rustling sound, rolled his eyes. Olonges neck turned. The Korean and Pygmies couldnt breathe much because the woman was awake.
******
Around noon the next day, Hae Young woke up.
Where am I?
A strong earthy smell rushed into her nostrils. It was not a stale, fishy smell that bothered her sense of smell. Her body was as heavy as cotton soaked in water, but her hair, which was hazy as if she just wandered through the fog, was as fresh as the autumn sky. A reddish sodium lamp came into her sight.
It was not the camps detention house. The endless torture, the demonic commander, Mu Ssang appearing like a lie and flying in the sky, gluttony and screams, the steel barrel shaking like crazy, and the thick, nostalgic smell of sweat, invaded her memories.
It wasnt a dream!
Tears poured from her eyes. She had gotten out of hell. At the most desperate time, the male servant had appeared like a lie. He became a thousand-year giant rock that would not shake even if a typhoon blew and a tidal wave hit it, and he appeared just like that.
You were pretending like you were smart, but what is this?
Black Mamba, leaning against the dirt wall while closing his eyes, grunted. He had a mean tone like an older brother scolding his sister who went to play in the neighborhood and returned home late at night.
Ssang!
Hae Young groped her lovers face as if she was sponging something off. She wanted to engrave him in her soul. The round face angle sharpened and the eyes that were sharp like a blade deepened like a lake. His face, as white as snow, was charred and messy.
A horizontal scar had been added to the scar on the left cheek that had been scratched by a leopards claws. It was evidence of a hard life. She remembered Paul, the mercenary officer she had met in Djibouti. Mercenary Mu Ssang! The hard world had dragged Mu Ssang into a cruel world by all means. Her heart ached as if it were burning on the arduous journey that her beloved lover had walked.
Oh, if others hear they might think that you are swearing.
Black Mamba did not open his mouth about the past. Hae Young was a woman who had a predisposition and strong self-esteem. She couldnt even leave her place for she feared that she might commit suicide.
Im sorry so sorry! Sob!
Hae Young was choking as she cried. She had met her beloved lover like a miracle, but what was this situation?
We met at the elderly song on the 8th of April. You gave me deep affection in the uninhabited underground! I hope we can be a couple in the sky and be a yeonliji on the ground. Even though the eternal heaven and earth may end, loneliness will continue endlessly and will not end.
A bitter cry resounded in her ears. How painful was the breaking heart! Even after 10 years, it was like yesterday. But she was so sad that she couldnt hold him in her arms.
Sob, sob! Im sorry!
Tears that she thought had dried up, burst out.
Cry Goma. Its gonna be a flood. Spare your words and dont think about anything. You have to pull yourself out of your body band to be the best.
Black Mamba wiped away her tears with his rough hands. He was an old warrior who had gone through a hundred wars. He had learned as much as he could and had tasted the bitter and spicy tastes of life. He knew Hae Youngs feelings, but it was neither a place nor a time to consume her emotions.
A sign that the Yankee search team was wandering through the jungle like a starving hyena was caught. They had no trace, but they had predators who were more sensitive than hounds. Before the Beat was revealed, they had to bounce.
Shall we see?
A spear was attached to the chest. Hae Young flinched. It felt like he was putting on a bulldozer. Mental pain was a hundred times greater than physical pain.
The corners of Black Mambas lips curled up. She was feeling a lot better than yesterday. The resonance wave was loosened like a thread to relieve the congestion and penetrate the blocked blood vessels. Hae Youngs face relaxed.
My hands are healing hands, arent they?
Really! Wheres this place?
Beat, Ill say it simply. Its underground. Olonge!
Hey!
Olonge, who was quick to notice, picked up fruit and C-ration.
Thank you!
Heh, heh, heh!
Olonge smiled with all his black teeth exposed. His flat face was covered with tiny wrinkles. She was a woman who smelled good. Meanwhile, Sun Woo-hyun cut the coconut and put it out.
Drink the water first.
Thank you.
Dont thank me too much. I am Wakils subordinate. Since this friend is a grunt, you can just call him a grunt. That short friend is Olonge from the Pygmy tribe.
Sun Woo-hyun shoved his nose to the ground. She was a woman who might be the real authority. There was nothing wrong with putting the relationship first.
Thank you!
Hae Young smiled brightly. Memories from 10 years ago flashed before her eyes. Idiots with funny nicknames such as Hyeolgal, Bigak, and Pok-jeo, who volunteered for the Guard of Sambul overlapped with Sun Woo-hyuns face.
Troubled Mu Ssang was called Sambul (Three No). When Mu Ssang was reading a book, he must not be disturbed. When Mu Ssang was talking, no one should speak. When Mu Ssang was thinking, no one shouldnt walk in front of him. So, he was Sambul (Three No).
An agriculture practical work with cabbage butterflies fluttering, a stooped aged man, Mu Ssangs arm under the aged man, Mu Ssang melting like a still alive person, a precocious and extraordinary troubled student, and an immature trainee teacher met under the elderly song like fate.
Before or now, Mu Ssang was the same, but love had gone along with the fallen leaves. No. Love was still there, but in a body ruined by a foolish choice, how could the love stay?
She felt like her heart was shredding. Life didnt have the right answer, but one had to be responsible for own choices. She bit her lips. The only thing she could give to Mu Ssang was the hidden Oparts.
Baby, Oparts is
Black Mamba pressed Hae Youngs lips with his finger. Jeong Pil-su was not a family member. And he knew enough about Oparts. Ugh, you said baby!
Sun Woo-hyun flinched. She looked haggard, but she was more beautiful than Jin Soon. She was holding a group of flowers, but it was a flower again. It was fresh in his memory that Schuberze including Ombuti foamed at the mouth.
Subordinate, check out Olonge and surroundings.
Yes, Sir!
Having noticed quickly, Jeong Pil-su followed Sun Woo-hyun.
I know Oparts as well. We have to be strong first to get out.
Black Mamba made a serious mistake. The Oparts that Hae Young hid was the essence of Concretus science. The reason humans had no choice but to be humans was that they could only predict the future by tracing the past and did not know veritas (truth).
Oh!
Hae Youngs heart fell. The power of the U.S. military stationed in the camp was enormous, even for an outsider Korean. She was sad for herself because she was not helping her lover and instead became a burden endlessly.
Youre the only man in my life. But Im broken! she said in her mind.
She had a lump in her throat. Hae Young ate crunchy steak and grilled salmon. It wasnt the time to get emotional. To relieve the burden of Mu Ssang, she had to cheer up. Hae Young could not beat her drowsiness and morphine aura and fell asleep again.
Black Mamba immediately stripped off her blouse. He sent subordinates out so that he could look at her body. Eight black bruises on her white breasts stabbed a knife in his eyes. It was a mark of being held with both hands.
Damn it! he said inwardly.
If the area where a man would feel atrocious pain was the testicles, it was breasts for a woman. The pain that Hae Young must have felt made his mind turn mad. He took off her pants. He was sad when he saw her red panties under the sodium light. Hae Young would not wear red panties. When he took off her panties, his heart shattered at the truth that was revealed. Hed rather deal with an armored brigade.
Ha, thats right!
Black Mamba growled like a wounded predator. The ominous premonition fit so well that it became trouble. She had got bruises and swelling as if local areas were parasitized by Bancroft worm. He carefully traced the inside of the local area with his fingers.
Red blood came out of it. It was not cold blood but fresh blood that came out of a ruptured blood vessel. It was not just rape, but it was evident that hard objects had been used. The corners of Black Mambas eyebrows turned upward.
Ahh, how dare they!
Something snapped in his mind. He could heal physical wounds, but emotional wounds caused by rape were traumatized until death. Even in Novatopia, rapists were the toughest shelterbelt management.
Assyrian-style execution with being staked alive from the anus, Caligula-style execution with being cut through a thousand times with a sharp knife, Nero-style execution with using tarring as a substitute for human torches, Tuareg-style execution with burying alive and leaving the faith to the wild animals and the likes quickly passed by.
The nightmare is over. Just think you had a bad dream while this male servant was not with you. From now on, the nightmare belongs to them.
Enraged with anger, Black Mamba couldnt see the tears rolling down from the corners of Hae Youngs eyes.
******
On the 3rd day of Beat hiding, Hae Youngs condition improved rapidly. Quack Jeong Pil-su had done his part. The resonant wave had tightened the bet and energized the cells. More than anything, Hae Youngs wish, which was to not be a burden, became strong.
Wakil, the frequency of patrols appearing has increased significantly.
I know. Get ready.
A predators electronic nose would surpass that of a dogs. It could identify the type with only a few molecules drifting in the air. Thanks to the resonant wave that blew and mixed the surrounding air, it had not yet been able to determine the location, but detection was only a matter of time.
Call the Gazelle. Female comrades are still weak.
No. If we want to open satellite communication, we have to be prepared for heavy rain from multiple rockets. How about the nearby Areva Mine?
Thats the same. It is said that they are American babies and they have a tendency to go when their pride is hurt. Theyre the ones who will blow the whole Areva.
Well!
As Sun Woo-hyun said, the venomous cobra did not discriminate against its opponents. When the camps power hit, the 11th Airborne Brigade Unit defending Areva would become a mud wall swept away by flooding.
According to his nature, he wanted to summon Garuda and erase the camp, but he was neither Hitler nor Hideki Tojo. Thousands of innocent indigenous people had been unintentionally killed in Bachikile. Beam cannons and plasma particle cannons were no different from nuclear weapons. If they called Garuda, they would have nothing to say even if the US dropped a nuclear bomb.
If Hae Young could board Garuda, it was simple, but unfortunately, only he could board inside Garuda. It was a situation where he had to shake his arm for this and that.
Were going to Mavivi. There is a hospital belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the Bukavu Resources Development Center. We will be evacuated to the Gazelle from the Mavivi base.
Yes, Sir.
Black Mamba took off his body armor and put it on Hae Young. Hae Young couldnt withstand the pressure waves when she was carried in a steel basket and faced the wave on the camp side.
Subordinate, put it on your back!
Dont worry. I will gladly do my best for the beautiful comrade.
Im sorry.
When Hae Young blushed, Sun Woo-hyun waved his hand.
Dont say like that. Even if it is uncomfortable, you cant take off the helmet.
Sun Woo-hyun pulled the Beretta slide, showed off the trigger, and placed it in Hae Youngs hand.
It is probably not necessary to use this but.. use it for self-defense.
Hae Young pushed Beretta into her chest. The cold metal texture was eerie.
Dont even use the headset. The signal replaces the forest water rail sound. Lets go!
Sun Woo-hyun looked at the steel basket as if it was a pity. As he was about to go through the jungle carrying a weak woman, he sighed ahead. Olonge took the lead and Black Mamba stood in the aft. The four shadows that escaped from the ground were sucked into the darkness like oozing ink.
******
Chapter 716 - 716 Chapter 65 Episode 6 My Address is Hell
716 Chapter 65 Episode 6 My Address is Hell
Shriek, shriek! The forest watercock cried. Its cry was long and then it was short. It had been less than 10 minutes since she took off the Beat. Sun Woo-hyun disappeared without making a rustle. Olonge dragged Jeong Pil-su, who was stammering, into the space between rocks.
Are they scout power platoon?
Black Mamba leaped like a ghost and climbed onto a branch of 20 meters in height. The entities captured by dimensional sight were 36 human beings who exuded similar vitality. There was no predator emitting a wide range of energy and a shadow with a gloomy feeling.
200m ahead, three green helmets came out of the bushes unexpectedly. Following the advanced guard, a three-person marine reconnaissance corps who were wearing woodland helmets and marpats appeared one after another.
You guys, enjoy your life and let me do so, said Black Mamba to himself.
Black Mamba desperately wanted the reconnaissance corps to move out of the hidden spot where Sun Woo-hyun and others were hiding. The battle was undesirable because of several reasons. There was fear that Hae Young would be hit by a grenade and that the exit route would be revealed. More than anything, he wanted to avoid senseless killing.
The reconnaissance corps had no intention of doing a favor. It spread like the ribs of a fan and moved forward without hesitation. Black Mamba sighed and pointed with the MP5sd3 muzzle. Pew, pew, pew! Pew, pew, pew! Three-person corps who were shot by a triple-tap laser gun collapsed without a time lag. The MP5 blew out continuously.
Its a sniper!
Cover up, cover up!
It was a blitzkrieg and surprise. Only after half had been swept away did the shout ring out. The survivors did not even dare to resist. Scattered like spider cubs in the rain, theyre looking for cover, but before taking two or three steps, they floundered.
Whooosh! Black Mamba flew from tree to tree like a monkey and fired bullets. There was one sniper, but bullets were pouring from everywhere. The terrified reconnaissance crew could not even figure out the snipers location and threw their heads on the ground.
In just one minute, a quiet battle, or one-sided slaughter, ended. As long as the opponent was the opponent, bulletproof vests and full-face bulletproof helmets were of no use. One exposed face was crushed and a hole was drilled in the neck.
Shriek, shriek, shriek! Forest watercock cried longly three times. Sun Woo-hyun, who was hiding, partially appeared.
Oh!
Hae Young turned her head. Standing tall in the sea of blood, Mu Ssang felt a sense of incongruity. It was so sad to see dead bodies scattered like clothes that were thrown away; expressionless faces and blue gunshots rising from the guns in their hands.
Its because of me!
Tears poured down. A strong bloody smell, a ghastly corpse, gunpowder smoke The address of the man she loved was hell. Her lover, who was supposed to be a scholar, had become Asura. She forced down the vomit rising through her esophagus. She couldnt look ugly in front of her lover going through hell.
How can it be!
Jeong Pil-su, who appeared belatedly, opened his eyes. The M16, the mini-me machine gun, the stars, and stripes mark, distinctly spotted uniform, and the body was a regular U.S. marine soldier. He was appalled by the fact that the body was a U.S. marine soldier rather than appalled by the combat power of Black Mamba.
He had killed a U.S. soldier. He even had killed a lot of them. U.S. forces in Korea were inviolable beings. The U.S. military would not be prosecuted for committing unscrupulous crimes. The U.S. soldier who killed a civilian would disappear into the U.S. military camp under police escort.
It was a terrible reality, but that was what ugly politicians had been made of. Jeong Pil-su was born Korean and grew up in Korea. He had spent 15 years as a security guard. Dozens of marines splattered with blood were a big shock.
They kicked the bucket well. Hahaha!
Jeong Pil-su laughed out loud. The CIA was more omnipotent than the US military. They could read confidential documents of the Ministry of National Security, but the Ministry of National Security could obtain information only after conducting a public inspection. Strange catharsis, his heart broke through. He was a Korean who had borne a lot of things.
Black Mamba exchanged MP5 magazines with a grim expression and mounted them on the backpack. Jeong Pil-sus eyes became hazy. A deadly and relentless killing machine, a person who did not distinguish an American soldier or an ant when he saw them as an enemy, an overwhelming force capable of ignoring all disputes and common sense, he clearly understood why he was called Black Mamba and invincible.
******
After leaving the scene, Black Mamba took an escape route in the direction of Etaba, where there were no roads or arable land. The helicopter battalion was smashed, but the eyes of the sky were not one or two. The invisible Blackbird and reconnaissance satellites were the surveillance systems that he had no choice but to carry out.
Black Mambas group ran through the jungle at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour. The hound released by the camp was too fast to catch up with. Jeong Pil-su held Hae Young to help Sun Woo-hyun, but he couldnt last even 10 minutes. He didnt want to lose to the Red, so he tried to do his best, but it was difficult for him to hold even one person.
Do you know the difference between a subordinate and a grunt?
Sun Woo-hyun smirked and picked up Hae Young. Jeong Pil-su nodded with a crumpled face. It was a complete defeat. Will and spite did not work in the jungle of Ituri.
They reached the tributary of the Aruwimi River around the time of dusk. It was 15 kilometers west of the Teturi River, which destroyed the Ubiksa Team and the Mai-Mai Special Forces.
Sir, please dont go in.
Sun Woo-hyun caught Jeong Pil-su who was trying to jump into the river.
Bilharzia is crowding. Do you want to pour blood and urine and kick the bucket?
Whats bilharzia? Jeong Pil-su asked in confusion.
The river was not deep and the bottom was clear enough to see.
It is a leech parasite. It digs into the anus and urethra and sucks the blood. Comrade is not Wakil. Dont chuckle. Be careful.
So, what are we going to do?
Dont be afraid and wait.
Singing! Army rope was entangled in a strangler fig across the river and buried deep in a dying giant tree.
Olonge got on the rope that was almost invisible and crossed like a squirrel. Sun Woo-hyun carrying Hae Young crossed like a shot arrow. Jeong Pil-su gaped with astonishment. It was a skill that was impossible for a man who had ridden the rope all his life. Seunek was too attached to play with the monster.
Want to swim?
Black Mamba kicked his ass. Jeong Pil-su looked at Black Mamba with obstinate eyes.
Shall we leave and go?
Despite the terrible sound, not a single muscle moved as if he was wearing a mask.
Nimi!
It was terrible to even think of the leeches digging through the urethra and anus. He wanted to rip his mouth open, but what could he do with the past? Jeong Pil-su, who was crying, was hanging on a rope wearing leather gloves.
Exhausted Jeong Pil-su fell, landing on the bank of the river. His palms were cut and his eyes were spinning. He barely crossed the river at the end of a deadly fight by demonstrating the single-rope crossing skill that he learned at the guerrilla training camp.
That one? That one!
Jeong Pil-sus eyes widened. The rope became unstable and was vibrating. Black Mamba flew through the air with the help of momentum. A wingless human flew over a 70-meter-wide river.
Its not a big deal. Youll get used to it soon.
Sun Woo-hyun patted the back of his head. Jeong Pil-su wanted to cry. His wife and daughter who told him to go on a business trip in peace lingered before his eyes.
Olonge made a hammock by weaving parasitic vines with brilliant hand movements. He climbed up the Abyssinica trunk base, set up a hammock on the first wing, tapped Hae Youngs cheek, and pretended to sleep.
Its amazing!
Hae Young gave a thumbs up. Olonge smiled, showing his teeth. Olonge was clever, tactful, and naive. Olonge did not laugh at the group that could not get fruits or make a dragonfly.
Hae Young abandoned the preconceived idea of primitive tribes. The word primitive tribe had a negative meaning of not being intelligent and civilized. Even herself, who hated racism, had been drenched in unconscious superiority. Olonge and herself were the same people living in different environments.
Despite the hammock installed 15m above the ground, the howl of nocturnal animals, the sound of flapping wings of birds, the cry of insects looking for a mate, the screams of death, and all kinds of sounds that could be heard in the jungle, Hae Young slept peacefully. The embrace of the lover she found after 10 years was sadly wide and warm.
******
At Green Zone underground operations control room, Dyson and McKinleys faces were sullen as if they had swallowed a lead. The faces of the commanders were no different. The intruder disappeared without leaving any traces. Although all camp resources and forces were mobilized, a single piece of clue or a single line of meaningful information to identify the intruder was not collected.
There were only question marks from the beginning to the end, such as the means by which the intruder neutralized Agrippina Shield, the reason for taking the woman, the identity of the tornado that destroyed the air battalion, and the Predators, and the means of disappearing.
General McKinley, did you ask for a helicopter?
Not yet. Im re-assembling a half-destroyed helicopter in the arsenal. If it goes well, we can save two generations.
It is pride. You bastard! cursed Dyson inwardly.
Dysons face became contorted. The unidentified monster smashed two Haunters and five Grendels and disappeared without even having time to send Super Grendel. The camp defense chief was McKinley. He who should have taken responsibility for the failure of the boundary did not even report it to the committee because he was afraid of being questioned about who was responsible for it.
Dyson glanced at Lieutenant Colonel Huey, the Predator officer. Hueys face looked like he had aged ten years. This was enough of a situation for it to be so. Compared to the value of the discarded Predator, the destroyed air battalion was a piece of gum. He had heartburn and tasted stomach acid in his mouth.
Damn you bastard, do you want me to do? said McKinley in his mind.
McKinley was pissed off. He wanted to ask what did an extraordinary Predator do. What about the guy who sliced the helicopter like radish and minced the Predator like garlic?
General Dyson, didnt you guarantee that three Predators could catch Black Mamba?
McKinley, who was flustered, threw a shout.
Nonsense! Hes not Black Mamba.
If he is not Black Mamba, then who was it?
If I know, would I lay off the work? What did you do to Agrippina Shield that the General was proud of and the ADS Defense System? Dyson retorted him with a cold face.
Ack, I mean how do you stop flooding with a reservoir mound? Are you going to keep the Super Grendel and cook the soup?
Fiery McKinleys face burned. The commanders faces darkened. As the advantages of the two-top format disappeared, only the disadvantages were highlighted.
Pig-like bastard! Everyone is trembling at the subject of taking out prisoners and raping them.
Michell looked at McKinley with sharp eyes. He was, of course, aware of the sadistic perversions the commander had waged. McKinley violated the rules of military decency and broke the rules of freemasonry. They were just putting off reporting as long as the situation was the situation.
Matilda is struggling in Ennedi. The presence that drives the Predator is in Ennedi, Lieutenant Colonel Michell suddenly intervened.
Do you mean Black Mamba is in Ennedi?
McKinleys eyes widened.
Its similar in terms of combat power. Major Warmer!
Yes, Sir!
Warmer in charge of information warfare opened the screen.
This is a 20x screen captured by a high-speed camera.
Whip?
Dyson jumped. The tornados identity was a whip. The expectation that he was a wind-type psychic was wrong.
Yes. It is hard to believe, but intruders do not have superpowers. They are warriors. Do you remember the case of Caparuza Valley Collapse?
Well, Abaddon!
Dyson groaned.
Yes. Abaddon used the whip in Caparuza. As the Grandmaster says, you dont have a choice but to think that despite the natural disaster, Abaddon survived.
Warmer asserted that if the table had four legs, the chair had four legs.
Huh, Caparuza has overturned the crust and is submerged 50 meters in water. I cant believe it.
McKinley shook his head.
The Grandmaster, who was buried one thousand meters underground, also survived.
Michell suddenly made an interruption.
Wait a minute, does it mean if its not Black Mamba, then France is irrelevant?
At this point, its hard to make any accusations.
General, theres no need to make a good enemy, right?
McKinley asked Dyson for his consent.
I agree.
McKinley picked up the phone.
Colonel McPherson, release the MLRS Areva coordinates and Mavivi coordinates.
Please check.
Release of Areva coordinates and Mavivi coordinates!
Yes, Sir!
The Areva Mine and Mavivi base were spared from heavy multiple rockets rain due to a mistake by the camp commander. While a lucky man was eating jjamppong, even if he chewed a stone, pearls would come out.
Michell, are there any guesses about the relationship between Abaddon and the Korean woman?
McKinley had a sneaky fit. There was no reason for an Abaddon-like being to take away a woman whose informational or tactical value was less than a fingernail. Did they have some type of relationship by any chance? Even just thinking about it was terrifying.
As of now, we cant know anything, Michell replied bluntly.
The inside couldnt be known just by looking at the phenomenon. The camp leaders, obsessed with information and the used value of objects, had to rip their heads off to find out that Black Mamba moved for extremely private reasons. Only McKinley was uncomfortable.
The woman could have had the seeds of Baphomet.
A sharp treble rang through the meeting room, like the sound of the wind passing through a narrow and deep cave.
Ugh! What is it?
McKinley turned his head toward the entrance. The battle information room, located 200m underground, could only be accessed even by the president with his permission.
Sususu! A beam of light swirled in the center of the conference table. Grasping! A bright light that seemed to be blinding spread throughout the room. A skinny old man of the Ocheok Dangu appeared like a lie.
Chapter 717 - 717 Chapter 65 Episode 7 My Address Is Hell
717 Chapter 65 Episode 7 My Address Is Hell
Ow, shit!
Dont move!
It is said that once being scolded and hurt, one would be more careful. McKinley and others, traumatized by Black Mambas intrusion, kicked their seat and pulled out a pistol.
Hahaha!
The older man laughed like a hyena. He raised his crows foot-like hand and waved like shaking the dust. His unpowerful action let them lose their guard, and McKinley and others, who froze in an explosive posture, only rolled their surprised eyes like wheels.
For the Holy Spirit!
Its an honor to see you, Mr. Lamartin.
Brigadier General Dyson and Lieutenant Colonel Huey laid flat on the floor. He was a high-ranking official 30 years ago when the MK project was launched.
Let it go!
A sharp voice just like his strong impression rang through the conference room.
McKinley and others laid down hurriedly, whose bodies had become stiff like stones.
For the Holy Spirit! Its an honor to see you, Grandmaster!
Rise, my faithful servants.
The older man waved his hand. McKinley and others rose and sat down as if they were possessed. Grandmaster was the master of Freemason and the incarnation of truth. McKinley and others looked at Lamartins mouth with thrilled expressions.
It doesnt matter whether the intruder is Black Mamba or Abaddon. The only thing you all need to consider is that he stole a woman. The jungle of Ituri is a holy land where Baphomet (a demon worshipped by the Knights Templar in the Western esoteric traditions) was born around1,500 years ago. I have been tracking Philosophers stone for a long time. The Philosophers stone is
Lamartin suddenly lost his temper. His painful memories of 300 years ago came to his mind like yesterday. The Baphomet, who appeared during the kingdom of Bahomay, went back to the Philosophers stone for an unknown reason. It had been 100 years since he tracked down the Philosophers stone with his friend, Nialatep and Houngan Odam. Here, Mambasa was the final destination which they found after a long trip.
The philosophers stone awakened a hundred women as sacrifices. At the moment of awakening, when lightning flashed and thunder cried, a monk from the East who introduced himself as a quack monk appeared. When a monk waved his hand, the crust split and lava erupted.
Baphomet was swept away by erupting lava and disappeared somewhere while he was awakening. The 120-year-old plan was gone in an instant. Three irate people, upset by the monks action, attacked him at once. Unlike his unsightly appearance, the monks fighting power was terrifying.
Chaos Force made space in a vacuum state and psychokinesis overturned the crust and destroyed mountains. Nialatep and Odam joined against him, but they could only maintain the space.
Their tug-of-war fight continued into Moons Mountain (Luwenzori Mountain). In the last battle, the monk forced himself into a corner and used his body as bait to release the massive Chaos Force. Hundreds of kilometers of Luwenzoris fault zone were split and magma erupted.
Odam was crushed into atomic units, while Nialatep and Lamartin jumped into the gap of crust after turning into a protective statue. The mad monk was a hundred times more dangerous than jumping into the burning lava. After that, its the same as now. Even after 300 years, the body was not restored and he moved with an avatar.
The identity of the monk was still unknown. It was unclear whether he was a person who processed the secret religious ceremony from Baphomet like Lamartin, or he might not even be a human being, or he might be something other than a human being like Nialatep.
He was unsure if the feeling he now had was whether compassion or mercy. When he thought of the monk, who laughed and attempted to die together, he was still terrified. A capable madman was scary. He learned a lesson that when he met a capable madman with faith, he must run away.
Baphomet was necessary to restore his body. The philosophers stone was the primary purpose of this project. The superconductor was just a by-product.
Crack! Lamartin gnashed his teeth. The monk interfered three hundred years ago, and the traitor Illuminati made Areva Chairman Javer and Continental Chairman Dennis et al. go ahead to interfere with his work over the past few decades. This time, a descendant of the mad monk appeared to prevent his great work.
The guy who appeared at the camp and stole a woman must be a descendant of the mad monk. The Chaos Force (Gongjinpa) that was left on the base was from the monk. He was exactly the same as the monk in saving a useless woman.
He is an unknown man from the East. His intention is to protect the philosophers stone implanted in the womans uterus.
Lamartin avoided a long explanation. There was no reason to tell the secret to lower-rank officials in detail. Besides, the damage would accumulate on the main body if he moved longer with the avatar.
Oh, I cant believe it!
Dyson and others, who were holding their breath, let out a breath. The question of why Abaddon jumped into the camp and only took the woman was solved. Unfortunately, it was a representative example when the fact wrapped up the truth.
Is he human? Or Baphomet?
Huey plucked up the courage to ask.
He was a strong man but not a Baphomet. Baphomet is a rabid being whose ego is unstable. I, Lamartin, am the only one who can handle Baphomet.
Can we catch him if we mobilize Super Grendel?
It will be helpful but wont be decisive. Rather, modern firearms are effective. The reason why hes scary is that he is a human being who can think. Thats why I am here.
Are those who deserve to be arrogant have similar personalities? The Black Mambas exclusive word Im here came out of Lamartins mouth.
What would he think if he saw a vast banner that was 2,500m x 500m, which floated in the sky of Novatopia? What expression would he make if that banner was from a disciple of the enemy monks disciple?
Oh, oh, my great holy spirit! Dyson and others shouted all together.
If Grandmaster was in front, there was nothing to worry about, neither Black Mamba nor Abaddon.
Dyson, I need time to gather forces. Just dont let him get away from East Africa.
Should we catch the woman alive?
Yes, the philosophers stone will be gone if she dies.
Lamartin disappeared.
For the honor of the great spirit, I will follow your order! Dyson and McKinely shouted as if they would cause damage to their thorax.
Lamartins appearance and his wrong inference led to the situation improperly.
Fate is made of threads. The remains of Epidium that Mu Ssang collected at Wol Song San (Mountain) was the teacher of the great monk. The teacher of the great monk appeared in Africa to prevent global disasters, and an Epidium man continued to be Mu Ssang.
Mu Ssang became a disciple of the great monk and met the leader of dark Lamartin, whom the teacher of his teacher did not destroy completely. The wheel of fate went round and round.
******
A loud motor woke him up at dawn.
Wakil, the U.S. mobilized even the helicopters.
I destroyed everything, but there was something they had left behind. Lets just eat. They cannot do anything with dragonflies.
Black Mamba didnt sway. The canopy was a natural tent. If they didnt make smoke from a campfire, the helicopter could not catch them even if they opened the party and played castanets. If infrared cameras could capture them by any chance, a limited number of troops could carry them by helicopter. If they came, they were ready to beat them up.
Around noon, Black Mamba met a strong enemy at Amalutu. They were shadow teams who set a fielder-type Grendel at the head with MP5, M16A2 that installed a grenade launcher M203, mini machine gun M249, M21 sniper rifle that applied Variable magnification scope, and six consecutive shots 40-mm grenade gun MGL, etc.
Unlike regular marine exploration teams, the Shadow team employed a variety of firearms so that their special forces group could respond to any situation actively. The most menacing weapon was a 40-mm grenade gun.
The explosive power of the M203 that shot 20-mm bullets couldnt be compared with the grenade, and the effective range was only within 100 m. On the other hand, the revolver-type grenade gun, MGL, was developed in 1981 in South Africa and had been recognized for its destructive power enough to be deployed as a station to the U.S. Special Forces.
It could continuously fire 40-mm grenades and had an effective range of 400 m. The splinters of 40-mm bullet had a radius of 15 m. If the battle occurred, there was a possibility that Hae Young would get hurt by splinters. Thus, he also needed to be careful.
He wanted to let the Shadows go if possible, but the world was not easy as he desired. Growl! Grendel smelled of them. The heavy howling shook the forest.
Ah!
Hae Young screamed. Of course, it would be strange if a woman who didnt even know the term prayer vinyl was not surprised by the aggressive howling. The black man moved in perfect order. The assault group with MP5s was spread like a folding fan, while snipers, grenade shooters, and machine gun shooters fell into the rear.
Bang-Bang-Bang! Bom-Bom! Bullets and grenades poured in. Shadows captured the direction and location within a short time and fired. Grenades and bombs smashed a giant tree and its debris was scattered. The ancient rainforest suffered from sudden heavy sounds of gunshots and bombs.
Black Mamba popped through the fluttering clutter. Shadows fighting power was different from that of the Marines. The systems of weapons worked together collaboratively. Dozens of MP5s with built-in silencers poured out bullets like hail. They were covered with a barrage in the direction of six small grenades and a grenade launcher.
Black Mamba made a move against the laws of physics. He changed the direction without slowing down. The sniper failed to fix the target and support firearms consumed only ammunitions.
Black Mamba broke through the semi-circular siege at once and captured the back. He was worried that a stray bullet would hit Hae Young.
You guys need to taste it.
MP5 sent up the fire. Shadow, shot in the head and chest, immediately fired a counterattack without a break. Frightened Black Mamba teleported. Shadows bulletproof suit and helmet were four stars out of five. They spent lots of money on it.
Black Mamba couldnt find a chance to pick Dragunov because of a series of machine guns, grenades, and sniper bullets. His exposed arms and legs were targeted.
Argh!
A scream from a shadow, whose face was smashed, was cut off. He smashed their face once their limbs were exposed. A shadow who lost its partner didnt give up and fired bullets. It was the spirit of the strongest Special Force.
What should we do?
Hae Young covered her ears and trembled. Yesterdays battle ended silently, but todays seemed as if the end of the world had come. Her tears poured out because she felt sorry for Mu Ssang who was fighting alone in the chaos.
Wakil is unbeatable. You just stay here.
Sun Woo-hyuns answer was dry. He knew that Black Mamba tried to drag them outside by being a target because he was concerned about her safety.
Brigadier General Sun Woo, are they shadows? Jeong Pil-Su whispered.
Black Mambas power was not surprised to him, but the Shadows power was tremendous. He couldnt compare them with the Agency of National Security Planning (ANSP).
Yes, they are Shadow hidden by the DIA.
Shadow? Theyre great enough to fight with Wakil.
Even they are palpitating. They are just fishes on the chopping board. Their naming was good. Because they met Wakil, only their shadows will be left.
Sun Woo Hyun remained calm. The battlefield was already out of range. Jeong Pil-Su had firmly engraved the name of Shadow. There was endless information to show off when he returned to the company.
Oh, god damn it!
The leader of the shadow team, Richard, was upset. He was free to use the acceleration, stop, and turn as he wanted. If it flashed, he moved 20 to 30 m, and if they threw the barrage in the direction of progress, he turned 90 degrees and disappeared from view.
Shadow poured grenades and bullets at the point of movement, considering the speed of Abaddons move, but it was a waste. The hail-like bullets tore through the empty space.
His shooting became more and more sophisticated. His man, who boasted powerful combat capabilities, was also helpless. Shadow was a Special Forces team against humans, not for the monster like him.
He glanced at Grendel lying flat. His bosses told him to use them only for tracking, but he couldnt just look at his men who were being consumed one after another. He wouldnt be a leader to turn away from his subordinates for fear of disciplinary action.
He blew the whistle three times as hard as he could. It was a high-frequency sound that sounded in the range that only Grendel could hear. Kablam! Grendels, who expended its body twice, jumped out of the ground.
I wondered why you didnt use the Joker.
Black Mamba teleported. Grendel and Black Mamba collided by shortening the 300-m space within two breaths. Grendel swung his front paws like lightning. Black Mamba fell. His knees raised the groin. Growl! A groan broke out as the forest went away. The testicles went wild on the way.
He knew Grendels weakness by dealing with Grendel often. Grendel was created as a male to increase aggression. If one breaks a ball, he would feel agony. And if he lost his head and heart, he would be discarded. There was no need to shatter.
Kukri crossed a big neck. As soon as his neck dropped, the Billions Water Armour pulled out his heart. Grendel drooped like a jellyfish out of the water.
Chapter 718 - 718 Chapter 65 Episode 8 My Address is Hell
718 Chapter 65 Episode 8 My Address is Hell
It was a ridiculous ending for Grendel which was a biological weapon armed with LV25-level defense and power. Strong and weak were relative. The base of Black Mamba was bad, but he was an Epidium known as a battlefield lunatic during the time of Concretus.
The defective original version had been transformed into a luxury product that surpassed the genuine product through combined repetitive expelling theory, five combined movements, endless battles, and mental realization. Even if Grendel was strong, he was an evil spirit who had met a great demon. And he was like a weasel who had met a sable.
Ow, shit!
Major Richards mouth opened widely. The scene when the beast-like Grendel, one of Abrams tanks that was considered a major combat force, was smashed in an instant, was extremely unrealistic. They followed the Grendel to intercept the enemy but lost the precious Grendel. They felt dizzy as if a blackjack had hit them on the back.
Black Mamba rushed into them by using Grendel as a shield. The face of No. 6, who came to the forefront for the attack, turned pale. He forgot to pull the trigger due to Black Mambas great force, which was like an F5-level tornado.
Shoot! Shoot him!
Captain Robinson, a senior veteran, also lost his composure. Thousands of bullets that poured like hail fell onto Grendels body.
What a good shield!
The leather, harder than steel, didnt budge. Black Mamba grabbed Grendels tail and swung it.
Ah
Captain Robinsons face darkened. Bomb! The hammer, which weighed 500 kg, fell at subsonic speed. There was no scream. The rock that was smashed and dead bodies in the mud were tangled. Boom-Boom-Boom! The chopping began just like threshing beans.
Rocks were smashed, trees exploded, and humans were scattered. On the path where the creative flailing passed, only a chunk of protein and plenty of blood that couldnt be distinguished from the shape remained.
Shadow teams on each side came to their senses belatedly and fired mini-rifles and stray bullets. The surface dented, and Black Mamba and Grendel disappeared.
Black Mamba, who teleported 50 m instantly, grabbed the side. The face of the machine gunner who fired mini-rifles and the grenade gunner who fired MGL at the rear were smashed. Boom-Boom! Grendels flail swept the fifth group like a storm. There was a burst of noise.
Ah!
Black Mamba, distracted by the flailing, missed Grendel and bounced off. White smoke billowed up from the M82 Barrett muzzle in the rear. Barrett Sniper, who was only looking for a chance, did something.
Kill!
The jubilant Morals boss put his eyes close to the scope. Abaddon, who grabbed his side and fallen, filled the scope. The prize of five million dollars and special promotion of officers lingered in his eyes. Bump! He blew peat. It was a confirmed shot.
Ow, shit!
The moral bosss face was contorted. The target who was supposed to be scattered on the land disappeared like smoke. Morals boss, who received a strong shock on his armed helmet, missed Barrett and flipped over. The helmet endured the shock, but the human brain and neck did not.
What is it?
Bosss consciousness blacked out slowly. He wouldnt even know after the afterlife that the BMG50 bullet he fired turned back to his brain in a messy way and ripped off the cervical vertebrae.
Black Mamba pulled out a bullet that was stuck in his ribs and returned it to the sniper. Then he rolled into the gap of granite rock. The Barretts BMG50 (12.7 mm x 99mm) power was awesome, as heard. Liquid metal and Bossaurus synthetic bulletproof were pierced without endurance.
Gasp!
He grabbed the broken ribs with his thumb and index finger and matched the segmented part. The broken rib found its place. Black Mambas deuteronion, called Epidium biuret, poured out and assembled the fracture pieces. It was a striking hit as it could cross the Jordan River if it was during the Sahel Operation.
20 mm and 40 mm grenades poured on the rock like hail. Broken pieces of rock poured out. Black Mamba was the most unique in the world. He waited for the joint to harden. Granite, the size of a house, would not be crushed by stray bullets and the skin torn by small fragments would recover in five minutes.
Ill pay you back if you hit me.
He changed MP5 to Dragunov. Black shadows popped out like cannonballs. Triple-tap sniping unfolded splendidly in the air.
The raw monkey batting method, which combined powerful Epidium physical and fearless steps, hit the nesting tree and flew around like a pendulum in the air, then bullets were poured out. Shadow was beaten helplessly.
McKinley, you bitch, take that monster alive!
Captain Richard, who got a hole in his chest, died with his eyes open. Including the fourth group who resisted until the end, 67 people from five shadow teams were wiped out. The final battlefield scene where gunfire and bomb flew was always similar. The ruined terrain, the smell of blood, the smell of heavy gunpowder, and thousands of dead bodies on the ground; the dead bodies had no words to say while those alive must live.
How did it go?
Suddenly, there was a silence. Hae Young was afraid to open her eyes.
Theyd been flapping and were all wiped out.
Wouldnt he have been hurt?
Hae Young had a tearful face.
Dont worry.
Crake-Crake-Crake! The forest corncrakes signal echoed. Sun Woo-hyun smiled and covered Hae Youngs eyes. The place where Black Mamba had a battle was extremely harmful to mental health.
Jeong Pil-Su took two MGL tablets. He also took ten grenades. He couldnt help but fall in love with a firearm that could fire a 40 mm grenade with a launcher weighing only 7 kg like a revolver pistol. He was about to send the MGL to the Defense Research Institute.
Hey, can you hold on?
Im okay. I was on the side of her.
Sun Woo-hyun burst into a loud voice. He was out of strength but brought up the fiber and professionalism he learned from the reconnaissance brigade.
Good! Speed up!
Jeong Pil-Sus face was contorted. He wondered how he could be faster than now. Although the one MGL and stray bullets were entrusted to Olonge, the burden of 7kg was also heavy. However, the situation was not easy enough to complain about.
No matter how stupid a commander was, he could figure out the pathway by connecting maps of the combat zones. To avoid getting caught between Mor and Hammer and being beaten, Hammer had no choice but to escape at a speed that could not be followed.
******
Captain, you need to clarify.
Lt. Col. Michelle glared at McKinley. Michelle was so angry that one could see smoke coming out of her ears. McKinley was a camp commander but didnt have the right to put shadows into action at will.
Dyson and Huey kept their mouths shut, but their expressions were not very good. All six shadow teams were clearly wiped out without knowing the person in charge. Grendel, the best battle strategy, was also gone.
Explanation? Im the camp commander. Lamartin also told me to catch that woman! McKinley yelled at her.
Michelle was seriously mad at McKinleys response to what was wrong.
General, Mr. Lamartin told us not to face Abaddon but press him not to leave East Africa. That meant that the camp couldnt catch Abaddon with our power. You ignored the rules and wasted our poor strategies and made a burger patty.
The commanders title went down to the general. This meant that she would not honor McKinley as a commander.
Shut Up. Are you going to catch Abaddon with a debate? Im a living witness to non-regular warfare. Whether its Abaddon or Black Mamba, humans will die if they get hit by a gunshot.
Michelle was upset by the brazen words. It was mysterious how such a man became a general.
General, Im not your subordinate. I am in charge of the intelligence team, an independent agency. I also know that you, a general, raped a Korean woman who was a prisoner. Be careful of what you say and what you do if you want to get the promotion.
What! How dare you take me, commander, to court? With what evidence?
McKinleys face turned red. As long as the bald-faced person expressed more anger, their embarrassing part would be exposed in front of a third party.
The recorded tape is in my hand. The deputy has already confessed. Whats the prestige of the motherland if a woman talks in the media? It would help if you were cautious. Im holding it in because the ambassador of the state and the organization is ahead.
Michelle smiled coldly. She could assume why McKinley progressed the excessive operation.
Damn, whats the big deal about such a yellow girl? McKinley grumbled while dodging the gaze.
Michelle wouldnt report it, but she couldnt help but get rid of the bad feeling.
Michelle, stop it!
Dyson waved his hand. McKinley deserved to get a scolding, but it was not good to see that a consular officer had yelled at the general.
Dyson glared at the situation board. Abaddon was heading South in a straight line. Mangina and Buni will be located south by connecting Etaba and Amarutu, the pathway where he passed. Dyson slammed the points into Mengina and Buni.
It would be better to do something than to do nothing. First, we have to make an anvil. Concentrate the troops on the axis of Mangina and Buni.
What about Hammer? McKinley asked.
You can mobilize two Chinooks and twenty LV25s.
Yes, sir.
Michelle, if you can avoid him in the jungle of Ituri, you must open a second barrier. First, control the Bukabu airfield and then block the Kisangani airspace.
Yes, Sir.
I will mobilize predators and ask the CIA for cooperation.
After finishing his speech, Dyson glanced at McKinley and left the combat intelligence room.
******
When Dyson prepared Mor and Hammer, Black Mamba passed Biakutu and escaped to Mavivi. Before he finished setting up his trap, the target escaped the area. They were faster than expected because Black Mamba carried Jeong Pil-Su on his shoulder like luggage.
With 10km left of Mavivis base, Black Mamba threw Jeong Pil-Su on the ground and hugged Hae Young from Sun WooHyuns back. Jeong Pil-Su, who was enjoying the rodeo, landed on the floor. Sun Woo-hyun and Olonge also had their yellow faces on the ground.
Im Okay!
Hae Young, who turned pale like a blank sheet, forced a smile.
No, you are not.
She had been shaking for ten hours with a bad body condition. She couldnt be okay. He wiped off her sweat and comforted her interval energy. Gongjinpa was basically a destructive force. It was too rough to pour into a lifeless body.
Shall we take a break?
No, sir. Novatopias general position is not easy to achieve. Im different level from the South Koreans stupids.
Sun Woo-hyun glared at Jeong Pil-Su, who was lying down on the ground. He was useless and gave Wakil more hardships. He wanted to hit his back if they were not close.
Good for you, dude. Im a civil officer, not a soldier, Jeong Pil-Su, who felt WooHyuns eyes, grumbled inside.
Woo-hyun carried the woman on his back and ran 130km in three days. He had to admit his dreadful physical strength. If he said a word, thousand cursing words would come back to him.
Wakil, give me a special bonus.
Yeah, Ill give you a building in the center of the Jipoon Dari and will arrange a date.
Wow! You promised.
Sun Woo-hyun, who had been drooping, jumped up. Black Mamba reached the Mavivi around sunrise. He floated on the Gazelle without a break. There was no guarantee that the CIA didnt know the location of Mavivi. There were no countermeasures if the anger poured MLRS onto them.
******
Bukabu was a big city with a population of more than 200,000 under the leadership of Zaires South sud-Kivu province. Although 200,000 people were not a big deal in densely populated countries like Korea, there were not many 200,000 cities in Africa.
The Karhor region, where Frances East African Resource Development Headquarters was located, was the south of Lake Kivu. On the view of a hill with a huge lake, two red brick buildings and three white concrete buildings stood like a picture.
Two gazelles landed in Heliport on a white concrete building. Black Mamba, hugging Hae Young, got off the first gazelle. And then, Woo-hyun, Jeong Pil-su, Kim Myung-jin, and Zulu got off in order.
Advisor, thank you for your hard work.
A man who was around 40 with a solid body bent down.
Ariba! Whats going on? Ive called you.
Black Mamba was surprised.
Fussy Surfund kicked my ass. There was no news from you, and his class and ability were useless. There was no choice.
Ariba made a veiled complaint.
Ariba, you have grown up.
Black Mamba frowned slightly. He didnt have time to listen to the joke.
Oh, no way. Hey, what are you doing without transporting the patient?
Surprised, Ariba pressed the waiting medical staff. Hae Young was immediately taken to the emergency room in an emergency bed.
Advisor, the headquarter hospital is so well equipped since VIP comes to visit with money in bags. Medical staff is also dispatched directly from the headquarter. They are not going to sew the stomach with purring a scissor in.
Ariba chuckled. He avoided going to the jungle of Ituri because Black Mamba flew to the Bukabu headquarters.
Sun Woo-hyun pulled Aribas ear.
Hey, dont joke around. She is Wakils girlfriend.
Oh, really?
Ariba jumped.
Chapter 719 - 719 Chapter 65 Episode 9 My Address is Hell
719 Chapter 65 Episode 9 My Address is Hell
Do you want to die? Shuberze doesnt lie.
Sun Woo-hyun glared with his intense eyes.
Oh, my!
Ariba glanced at Black Mamba and ran to the emergency room. He heard that there was a patient, so he thought it was agent Luupdeng, but it was Black Mambas lover. National treasures lover would be, of course, National treasures class.
******
The next morning, a middle-aged doctor with a gentle impression visited Black Mamba.
Im Der Dupin, chief medical officer. The patient has been through a terrible thing.
Nice to meet you. I know the situation, so you dont need to repeat it.
Black Mamba looked at the chief with dry eyes. He struggled to deal with his emotions, so he didnt want to accept others feelings.
Oh, I
The harsh response made him take a step back.
Skip the interrogation and give me your opinion.
As expected, Black Mamba! said Dupin inwardly.
Dupins eyes trembled slightly. He gave up the leading question he had prepared because of his desolate mood.
As you may already know, the patient was violently sexually assaulted. The first condition is bruised breasts. Mammary glands from both breast sides have been severely injured and abscesses have occurred. The ablation is needed.
Could it lose its function?
Weirdly, the infection hasnt accelerated as if something solid has wrapped around an abscess. The left side is punctured to release abscesses only, and the right side, where the condition is severe, will be resected and will undergo autophagy transplantation, and she will be able to breastfeed.
Thank God.
Black Mamba nodded. This was because he energized cells with Gongjinpa and blocked the blood flow of necrotizing tissues.
After the surgery, loosen the mass with the massage. The patient must have suffered a lot. Whoever used such violence against a woman should go through the pain of his balls being cut off.
Thats what its going to be.
Dupin flinched and covered his groin. He felt some foresight that his balls had been cut off.
Secondly, she has a genital laceration; lacerations in the vagina and cervix, and damage to the endometrium. Given the damage to the subcutaneous tissue, she must have been forced a hard thing like Nine Tail. A thing that didnt make sense to me was that the affected area was clean as if it was vacuumed, and bleeding and infection has not progressed. Medical findings suggest that she died of bleeding and infection
Dupin tried to read Black Mambas mind. Despite no signs of forceps or scalpels without sutures, the affected part was well preserved enough for interns to handle.
Whats the prognosis?
Hes such a dry guy, said Dupin in his mind.
Dupin sighed inwardly. He had no intention of satisfying pure curiosity.
Theres no problem with the treatment. Im not sure about the possibility of pregnancy. The rest of the bruises are fine. He was such a bad guy to treat a beautiful woman like this.
Dupin was upset as if Black Mamba was the criminal.
I look forward to your kind cooperation.
Dont worry. The medical facilities here arent bad. Chief Ariba asked for her. For your information, I dont recommend having sex for 15 days.
Dupin went out. The first contact was a failure.
******
Click! Black Mamba entered the room silently. The hospital room with a front room and a reception room was as good as a hotel suite. He even heard a breathing sound from the window bed. As if it was a dream, there was a faint scent of Arabian Jasmine.
Inhale! He breathed in deeply. A faint scent of Arabian jasmine filled his lungs. It was the pheromone of the first love that enriched adolescence. He had a sour nose. The three years he had spent with her seemed like a dream.
The long neck and thin collarbone exposed by the fierce sun that permeated through the blackout curtains caused sadness. He drew the curtains to cover the sun. It was easy to succeed, but it would be hard to be at peace
Jasmine, jasmine, a flower in the garden. The scent of white flowers in the garden is overshadowed. I reached out my hand secretly, too. Im afraid someone will see it, so I took a flower in my heart.
Black Mamba hummed his own song. They promised each other to build a building in the suburbs, have a son and two daughters, and live together He had an ability that was close to God, the power of the king, and the money to buy Jeju Island, but he couldnt reverse the time.
His eyelids trembled. Black eyes opened like pyroxene. His eyes were wet and big. They were covered with long eyelashes and they were like wild animals during the stormy period.
Why dont you ask me anything?
Its enough that you, maam, are in front of me.
A deeper, thicker baritone-like voice rang inside the brain. There was a scent of a man who would not change even after a hundred years.
In ten years, river and mountains change
Tears rolled down Hae Youngs eyes without realizing it. The warm sunlight that melted the cold body, the strong eaves that prevented rain and wind, the dark clouds of anger, and the male servant who could wipe out the wind of all anxiety and fear, were back.
Damn it! Hold my hand!
Hae Young stretched out her skinny arm. She wanted to feel the nostalgic warmth even though she felt shameless. Black Mamba, chocked by the wet voice, held her hand.
I met Major Paul at the foreign legion of Djibouti. I was surprised to hear that you were a mercenary.
Hes a nosy friend.
Black Mamba grinned. Thanks to Paul, who leaked special secrets, he could save Hae Young.
Whats your real identity? Not everyone can get this kind of treatment.
Hae Young looked up at Black Mamba with her eyes. The system to move the world and vested rights were strong. Ability does not give the position.
Mu Ssang, who had a special ability, was a waiter called cuckoo, and he, who produced excellent research results, almost died of being used. They were like many Jang Young-sill, who were weighed down by the vested rights of stubborn old people, and Lee Soon-shin, who disappeared without being able to reach out to the world.
Phew! The identity
Black Mamba sighed. Ten years was a time of maturity for a child, a time of reflection for the elderly, but a time of changes for the young. He had so much status that he was confused.
I play internationally. In Korea, I am the rich chairman; in France, the embassys cultural advisor, the deputy foreign cooperation secretary of the security council; and the oil tycoon, the king of small countries in Africa; and the strong servant in front of you! Black Mamba answered simply.
Hahahaha!
Hae Young laughed out loud.
You dont believe me!
Black Mamba opened his eyes widely.
I believe you. I believe in you. Of course, that would be my servant.
Hae Young wiped off her tears on the tips of her eyes.
Fuck, the identity is nothing. The honor and wealth were a mist of water when the sun rose. I prefer a strong countryman who enjoys reading and loves literature than kings and millionaires.
Hahaha, thats true, ten times a night
Knock, knock! The nurse pushed a cart into the hospital room.
Excuse me, Im sorry to interrupt your good time.
The nurse who made eye contact with Black Mamba lowered her head. The person in charge threatened that she would get fired if she went against VVIPs mood.
No, go ahead.
Madmoazel, its a strict prescribed food. Ill give you a painful shot if you leave it, even if it tastes bad. Let me help you to finish the meal.
The nurse spread the tablecloth and placed the meal.
Madam, please give a chance to a poor man who desires to serve his lover.
Black Mamba waved his hand. There might be poison in it.
Its against the rules, but Im willing to concede.
The nurse smiled and left the hospital room. He kicked the nurse out. Then he took the soup and sniffed it.
Oh, it smells good! Its time to eat, maam.
Black Mamba was holding an oatmeal bowl and fed it to Hae Young. Hae Young ate and swallowed like a baby sparrow. The room was comfortable and clean, and her guy was beside her. It was heaven when she got out of hell. She was about to die of happiness.
God, please return my eyes for a moment. It will be little greedy hope but wont be a crime, she said inwardly.
She prayed earnestly. She never dreamed that a moment of whim would bring down ruin. She became a poor patriot because of discrimination and swayed around when she lived in America.
A hundred years ago, a stupid king wore a court ladys clothes at night, hid in a court ladys kiln, and committed a sinister act of entrusting himself to the Russian legation. Korea had been and was now struggling under the weight of the U.S., Russia, China, and Japan.
She wanted to see a country that wouldnt be beaten even if they couldnt speak up louder. That was why she turned away Ooparts. Ooparts was the non-owned thing. It was the same as ginseng that she dug while hiking Seorak Mountain.
She thought she didnt have a fault. The U.S. was only weighted down by the barbarism and violence of the country, which was obscured by the rule of law and human rights. Blessings come together. The out-of-the-blue action brought her to ruin but made her meet a longing person.
Madam, you have an operation in an hour.
Black Mamba cleaned the dishes.
Surgery?
Hae Young suddenly woke up from her thoughts.
Dont be afraid. Its like pulling out a thorn in your hand. The French medical team is the best in the world.
Im not scared!
Hae Young smiled faintly. If she could reduce the mental shock that Mu Ssang would receive, she didnt care about the body that became dirty.
She turned her head to the window to avoid showing her tears. The view was good since it was a special room. Outside the window, the blue lake Kivu was there like a picture, and women dressed in one-tone colors were seen grooming fish by the lake. Their life was intense under competition and poverty, but she even felt jealous.
The French novelist Proust said, If you are in danger of death, your miserable life looks beautiful. It was good to go home with a fishy smell and to drag their feet because of tiredness. She wanted to see Mu Ssang eat a spicy fish stew pot on the table. But
Ssang, there was a blind girl. Everyone was just laughing at her and trying to use her since she couldnt see. She also had a strong boyfriend who always stood by and took care of all bad things. A blind girl used to tell her boyfriend that she would marry him if she could see the world. One day, an eye donor appeared. The girl who had the transplant saw the world. The world was so beautiful and brilliant. Will you marry me now? The girl who got her boyfriends proposal fainted. She expected a nice young man, but the boyfriend was blind. No, I will never get married. The girl turned him down coldly. There were so many great men in the world to marry, not a blind man! The boyfriend was left alone. The girl received a letter later. Even if you dont love me, please use my eyes well. Ssang, do you think the girl replied to him?
Tears filled her eyes like deer.
It was painful, angry, and hateful to be alive. If he dies, he cant even do it. A cruel fairy tale is just the angle of deaths whining. If you ask Gyeonbokgung palace at the South Gate, you will answer, go to the north. If you ask Gyeongbokgung palace at Sujeongmum gate, you will answer, go to the south. Gyeonbokgung palace is always there.
Fool! You are a fool!
What a degree would have left such a sincere and strong man! She broke his heart.
The greatest folly of humans is to let go of hope.
Black Mamba stopped talking and pressed Hae Youngs nipple slightly.
Ten years have passed. The red bean I used to cherish must have been ripened well, right? Lets have a son first. Lets name him Mu jeok. Mu Ssangs son, Mu Jeok! How about it?
Black Mamba smiled brightly. When the body becomes weak, the mind becomes weak. He tried over-reaction.
No, Mu Jeok. Mu Ssang is already hilarious enough. No, Mu jeok! This is so out of style! Hohoho!
Hae Young wiped away her tears and laughed.
Well, is it that funny? I heard that if you laugh while crying, your butt will get hairy. Shall we watch it together?
Black Mamba lifted the blanket.
No way!
Hae Young grabbed the blanket. She didnt want to show her mess to her lover.
Knock, Knock! A young doctor and a nurse pushed the bed in.
Special counsel, its time for surgery.
How long will it take?
Our chief said it wont be difficult. Two hours would be enough.
Please.
Dont worry. The perfect nun will be back.
The doctor whispered in Black Mambas ear.
******
The northeastern boundary of the Resource Development Headquarters was a hill with palm trees and banana trees. Standing on the mountain, a huge lake of Kivu spread out under 300m feet.
Black Mamba sat on a bench and waited for the results. He didnt worry about where she would stay in the future. She was a wise, self-respecting woman. All he had to do was respect her decision.
The problem was the camp with bad ties. He could endure if something happened, but he didnt endure after he got beaten. Even if he held with it, the U.S. did not. They wouldnt give up Ooparts and were not generous enough to watch the villain who knocked down the camp.
Stupid woman!
How did that smart woman come up with such an innocent idea? He never dreamed of transferring Ooparts to the South Korean government. Even if Dr. Lee So-jin was handed over the superconductor, there was no possibility that it would be used entirely for the sake of the nation and the people.
Numerous people held power, wealthy Japanese sides, pro-Americans, or traitors who only know their profit. There was no possibility of avoiding the eyes of the U.S. and Japan, and a flock of hyenas would rush in and take crumbles.
Chapter 720 - 720 Chapter 65 Episode 10 My Address is Hell
720 Chapter 65 Episode 10 My Address is Hell
Korea had no resources to sell, and there were not many attractions to attract tourists. The earth is wide and has many empty lands, but people work like an ant in a small country that has the size of a palm. Even if they want to live like the main character in the drama, it is just hope. If they are lucky enough, they could buy a small house. Otherwise, they will live a pathetic and poor life in a small room when they get older.
There are two reasons why life can be hard even if they work hard. This is because of a small portion of the pie to share and unfair opportunities. The background of it is corruption and greed. Self-centered and selfish people naturally covet a metal ball in another persons hand rather than 99 gold balls in their own hand.
The essence of politics and administration is not power but coordination and service. No one has chosen the present life. Some were born in Korea, while some came out from wealthy families, and others were not born like that.
The role of politics and administration is to increase the burden on wealthy families and feed one more meal to low-income families. If politics and administration lose justice and balance and become corrupt, the gap between the rich and the poor widens and society becomes unstable.
When people lose trust in politics and the government turns its back on them, some take advantage of the opportunity to take more significant benefits. So, Novatopia changed the rules of the game altogether. Shouldnt people live like humans, at least as much as they have been tried?
Jeong Pil-Su walked around the entrance of the dormitory. When he woke up from the dream, his mind would be complicated. Ariba, who received the report from Mambasa, would also have a complicated mind. If Jeong Pil-Su was born in France, he would be worried instead of Ariba. If Ariba was born in Korea, he would be worried about him instead of Pil-Su.
If one took a step back in your life, it would be only empty, self, and the laws. Those two agonized about Ooparts together as their brains would explode, but it would also be forgotten as time passed. However, the meaning made by each belief and position at a particular time would remain. Thats why people need to receive things with an open-minded.
******
I knew youd be here. What are you thinking so deeply about?
Dupin followed and climbed up the hill.
Welcome. Is the surgery over?
This place is called the Hill of the Wind. The cool wind blows from the lake all year around. The view is the best as well.
Dupin did not answer immediately but pointed to the lake with a cane and smiled nicely.
Im not comfortable enough to immerse myself in seeing the view.
Black Mamba was slightly enraged. From the first meeting with the medical chief, he felt a strange sense of incompatibility. Despite the mild and gentle impression, there was a faint smell of blood.
It was not the smell of blood on the surgeons body but the smell of blood felt by the soul. He couldnt blame the smell of blood, but a political behavior was annoying.
The operation went smoothly. The prognosis is better than I thought.
After Dupin noticed his discomfort of him, he switched his mood quickly.
Thank you.
Dupin smiled like an as nice person.
I have a favor to ask, special advisor.
Ill listen if I can.
Black Mamba was a human being who paid back ten times the favor and a hundred times the grudge. He would listen to his favor if possible because of Hae Youngs.
There are few wealthy locals here who can use our hospital. I have a free clinic in Kabumba. Recently, I couldnt open that clinic for three days because of the activities of Mai-Mai and FDLR rebels.
You do a great job. You want me to clean them up?
Black Mamba asked as if the guerrillas were like a delivery bowl from Chinese Restaurants placed in the front of the house. In Kabumba, Dr. Livingston performed medical activities and there was Lord Edels hospital. They were willing to clean up if the rebels interfered with humanitarian medical activities.
You are kidding me. They hold guns because they had a hard time living.
Well, that could be possible.
It could be possible to say that if Dupin was a philanthropist like Edel.
Theres a patient who needs to immediate treatment. I have to go today. Please give me a handgun for self-defense. Theyre tough guys, so old mans stick wont affect them.
Black Mamba liked the gentle-looking doctor whose white beard covered his chin. Is it because he was like Edel? The eyes in the thick horn-rimmed glasses looked very good.
Ill talk to Chief Ariba.
Im running out of time. Im asking you because I dont like complicated procedures. I must leave now to come back in the evening and take care of her.
The last word was decisive. He couldnt stop Dupin, who went out of medical service, and Hae Youngs treatment should not be delayed. He put the backpack on the bench and took out the spare Beretta.
Thank you! Like this?
Chick! Dupin pulled the back slide. His way of handling gun was very clumsy.
It is a fifteen-bullets gun. Theres a bullet in it, so be careful.
Thank you. You always carry a backpack. Isnt it heavy?
It has become a habit. Do you want me to put my men as bodyguards?
You dont have to.
The smell of blood, which had been felt mild, became stronger.
Is it like this?
Black Mamba kicked the ground and attempted to teleport.
Arch!
His foot didnt fall. The ground changed like strong flypaper around his waist and climbed up him.
Bang-Bang-Bang!
Dupin fired in a deft with Weaver position. He fired bullets exactly at Black Mambas head and chest as if he had made a clumsy move. There was a spark in his head and blood in the chest.
God-level Black Mamba couldnt avoid bullets pouring in front of him while being stranded. He instantly covered more than a dozen 9mm parabellum bullets.
Ah!
At the same time as it was shot, a thunderous shout broke out. Baam! The sticky string burst out of control because of the Gongjinpa. Flesh and blood splashed everywhere. The identity of the string was a transformative human being.
Its a monster!!
Dupin threw his cane. Black Mamba moved with a flesh. The cane accelerated at the speed of sound and caught up with Black Mamba like a missile moving. Puck! There was a heavy hitting sound.
Ouch!
Black Mamba collapsed while looking at the cane stuck in his abdomen with absurd eyes. Bang-Bang-Bang! Dupin poured the remaining bullets from the shell and picked up the backpack. He was more than a monster compared to the information he received from Seunek. He used the holy spear, so the only thing that he needed to do was run away.
Damn it!
Dupin, who tried to run, grabbed the backpack and let out a swearing word. The backpack didnt move at all, so he almost dislocated his shoulder. The weight of preliminary ammunition, including Dragunov and MP5, mounted in the backpack, was more than 30kg. Including emergency food, water, and other items, it was around 60 to 70 kg.
Dupin, a Doppelganger talented, had no different muscle strength than ordinary people. He was not qualified as Black Mamba, who was like a monster. He didnt hesitate to flip the backpack. Valuable contents poured out.
Dupin found a milky-white cylindrical object that emitted cold air at once. It was what Black Mamba stored in Life Bessel (emergency first aid bag) and moved back to the backpack. The reason why he kept the Ooparts in the backpack was that it killed his stamina.
Ooparts, which contacted Balsara, breathed cold air. When the body temperature dropped by 1, 650cal was consumed. It would be better to turn the fan in the igloo than sweat in the sauna to lose weight.
Haha! I found it!
Dupin put Ooparts inside and ran without looking back. It took only five to six seconds for him to flee after the first shot.
Its gun sound.
Sitting on the bed, Zulu, wiping Muramasa, stopped moving and looked at Sun Woo-hyun.
It will be the sound of catching ducks in the lake from a stupid soldier.
Woo-hyun was apathetic. East Africa was a messy place. It was not surprising that the shell exploded, let alone the gunshot. He was into Kami no muchi that was given by Black Mamba. It was a great weapon as much as he saw.
Despite the strength of bouncing the Pangge, the flexibility was good, like a raw rubber. It was sharp enough to cut the iron. It was wonderful that his boss threw this treasure like a chewing gum.
The windowpanes vibrated as if they were going to break at the sound of a shout that exploded like the atmosphere exploding.
Oh my god, Wakil!
Woo-hyun smashed the window and jumped off from the fourth floor. Zulu, who followed him madly, ran to the hill. They felt like the distance between the VIP dormitory and the hill was hundreds of kilometers, not 400 m.
What are you doing? Woo-hyun yelled at him.
He wondered how an informant could have such a bad sense! He wanted to kick his ass. Jeong Pil-Su, who couldnt catch up with the situation, ran like a fire wheel. Ariba leaped out of the porch with a pistol pulled out.
Get him! Woo-hyun, who saw Dupin jumping into the jeep, shouted.
Dupin glanced around and stepped on the accelerator. The jeep jumped out with a scream.
Dupin
Ariba cried out. He wouldnt stop even if they called him. The guards and strike teams would flock like bees if he hesitated. Bang-Bang-Bang! Ariba and Jeong Pil-Su fired a pistol, but they were useless. Even Black Mamba could not kill humans who were more than 100 meters away from Glock.
Hua!
Zulu threw Muramasa. Muramasa, which flew like a comb, was stuck in the rear of the jeep. That was all. The jeep left the headquarters.
What was it?! Ariba screamed.
When he arrived at the site, only skid marks and the smell of gasoline remained. A group of armed men popped out of a red brick building next to the hospital. It was a five-minute waiting group for the 11th Air force brigade.
Chase the jeep. The target is Chief Dupin.
General Sun Woo, Ill track him down.
Ariba ran to Heliport without hearing back any response. He couldnt believe that Dupin was a KGB mole, but it was the reality that he couldnt deny. He was embarrassed by the sophisticated and stealthy management of the KGB General Bureau.
It worked out.
Ariba smiled with satisfaction. He assumed that Black Mamba obtained Ooparts, but there was no evidence. He hesitated to ask it. While hesitating, the medical chief appeared, shots rang, and Black Mamba collapsed.
When Dupin flipped Black Mambas backpack, he regained consciousness. It was Ooparts. He could link all situations at a time. Black Mamba wiped seven Spetsnaz teams and Ubiksa and obtained Ooparts. KGB sent a superpower to re-capture the Ooparts.
Dupin was 10,000 times easier than Black Mamba. In addition, Black Mamba couldnt say anything if he got Ooparts from Dupins hand. He never knew that Boniface, DGSEs director, was Nova.
The rotor spun furiously. The SA342 gazelle handled fuselage control and gunship by the pilot while the co-pilot controled the firearm. Without a co-pilot, the operation of the weapons was limited, but there was no time to load engine shells and missiles anyway.
******
Dupin stepped on the accelerator like a crazy man. Katana road, which connected Kisangani and Bukavu, was unpaved like the Afircan road. He couldnt slow down the jeep as if he was riding a rodeo bull. He felt like he was going to grab his back.
The man covered with 15 bullets in front of his nose and penetrated by the holy sphere did not die. It was horrible to see his smile showing his teeth.
The KGB and the cooperated organizations made all-out efforts to give away the best treasure, the holy spear. The problem was the holy spear stuck on his body which needed to be back. He would die if he failed to deliver the Ooparts to the organization.
Claxon rang in the rhythm. A group of children from the lake swarmed out. After Dupin passed the road, they occupied the road. The chase jeeps appeared.
A dozen of children started to dance by showing their hips in the middle of the road. The chase jeeps flashed their headlights and honked, but no one cared and kept playing around.
Putain, who are they?
The batter jumped off and pushed the children away.
Mister, I want to eat chocolate.
I only drank water for two days.
Give me a penny.
The children clung like ricks.
Putain, they are with him. Get rid of them!
The soldiers stuttered and the boss screamed. The batting crew pushed them away with a gun and hit him with a buttstock. The children were bleeding, but they still clung like leeches.
If they held a minute, they would get food for a month. If they held two minutes, they would get food for six months. If they held three minutes, they would earn food for three years. The children were bound to die. When the hitting team handled the ticks, they couldnt even see the jeep.
******
Dupin, no, Maslov ran and headed to Abattoir. A jet boat waited on the Lucic River on the Congo-Rwanda border after he passed Abattoir street.
Haha, Im a hero.
Maslov, who beat the pursuers, was in a good mood.
Chapter 721 - 721 Chapter 65 Episode 11 My Address is Hell
721 Chapter 65 Episode 11 My Address is Hell
Either peoples hero or a chief knight was good, but the pleasure of killing the strongest man made him so proud. Although the chief knight was ordered to secure the woman, he would be in danger if he held a hostage in front of a superpower who crushed Ubiksa.
After Seunek notified him that the enemy was Black Mamba, he analyzed the psychological loopholes and succeeded in a good way. Maslov was infinitely proud of himself. The last look in his eyes bothered him, but the holy spear was a weapon that killed god. There was nothing to worry about.
Oh, damn it!
Maslov punched the wheel. The low-fuel gauge made him feel bad. With 70 km left from the border, he was held back. Maslov glanced up at the sky and was greatly embarrassed.
It made matters worse. The Development Headquarters flew the gazelle so quickly than expected. Maslov stepped on the accelerator. There was no other way but to run.
Ulaid!
The moment Cape Albert came into his sight, Maslovs face took on life. The man on the dockyard Ballard was waving a red hat. He was a helper sent by the organization. The jeep headed inside the fishbowl.
The man waved his hands eagerly. It was sign language. Attract them with a high-speed boat. Go to the market. He immediately turned the steering wheel and headed to the market.
A jet boat suddenly departed from a gap in a fishing boat that was densely anchored at the dock. The boat leaped out into a wide lake, leaving a white trail as if it was playing a game of catching me if you can.
******
Mr. Dubaiburupa! Mr. Dubaiburupa!
Zulu shook Black Mamba at a loss. The king of Novatopia, the immortal god, was subjected to the devils weapon. He couldnt think of anything as if his head was empty.
Stop shaking, man. Im going to convulse, Black Mamba whispered as he opened his eyes widely.
Fuck!
Startled, Zulu quickly receded.
I knew it.
Sun Woo-hyun smiled. Who was the Lord? The reason why he was undefeated was that his physical ability was supported by a clever brain and undefeated mind. If an older man caught him, there would be hundreds of strong people who would wail from underground.
Hey, older man must run away, right?
Yeah, he started the jeep in advance. Ariba and the headquarter security staff tried to catch him, but they were a step late.
Im in trouble if he gets caught
Zulu, who was listening quietly, frowned. He interrupted the event of great Dubaiburupa by throwing his precious knife!
Mr. Dubaiburupa, I am an ignorant child
Zulu slumped to his knees. Black Mamba waved his hand.
Dont worry. Hes not an easy catch. By the way, what the hell is this? Is it the ambassador of costumes cane?
Black Mamba frowned, holding the cane. The bullet was nothing, but the tentacles that were stretching like three roots from the cane were stuck in the abdomen and dug into the tissues.
Woo-hyun was quick-witted even if he didnt see anything. He hugged bloody Black Mamba and yelled at him, Zulu, clean up little squirt!
Yes!
Band! Zulu fired a shot blank.
The special advisor is injured. The approaching man is considered to be an enemy, so kill them unconditionally.
Zulu swung a pistol with a ferocious face. Employees of the development headquarters stepped down. Only bloodstains and the buzz of employees remained where Woo-hyun and others had disappeared.
******
Sun Woo-hyun ran to the suite on the fourth floor, not an emergency room. He placed Black Mamba on the bed and cut the clothes with Pangge.
Oh, it hurts so bad!
Black Mamba exaggerated in pain. Woo-hyun pretended like he didnt hear but cut off everything, even his underwear. If god-level Black Mamba died after being hit by a few pistols, he had to die by a BB gun.
Wakil, if you walk out of the door in the next few days, dont even try a lie.
Woo-hyun pointed to his forehead, which turned red as if he had been flicked. It was an iron head that bounced the bullet! He was speechless.
Dude, it would still be hurt if you get spanking.
Black Mamba looked at him sharply and then he sat down in lotus position.
Holy, he is absolutely a luxury good. I may fall in love with him, said Woo-hyun in his mind.
Woo-hyun stared at his naked body. A luxury good that couldnt even search Nice Beach all year round got a scratch. The value of Goryeo Celadon that got a scratch lowered its price, but the warriors wound was a medal. It was the aesthetics of the strong.
The bronze skin painted with blood and strong muscles with embedded parabellum bullets were insanely sexy. Even the dark cane on his abdomen seemed a majestic warrior accessory. Woo-hyun was in a semiconscious condition. Zulu stepped back from him.
Gongjinpa rose like a dense wave. When deuteronion joined Gongjinpa, a brilliant sunset glow was emitted.
The bullets on his chest fell on the mattress. The bullet, that couldnt penetrate the muscle was comparable to the F3 class bulletproof suit and was crushed so badly that the shape couldnt be recognized.
Oh, God!
Zulu fell flat on the floor. He was the same as Allahs incarnation from the East and Dubaiburupa. It was blessed. Humans were irrational beings who served even the image of a god carved with wood, strange trees, and delicacies such as snakes and scorpions as gods. Humans who witnessed the transfer of god directly could not help but fall in love.
Zulu!
Woo-hyun winked at the door. Zulu held MP5 silently and moved out through the door. Woo-hyun also pulled out Glock and mounted the guard. The treatment was up to the Lord, but the guard was up to him.
Black Mambas face was filled with sweat. The cane and bullets were out of his body, but he fixed his posture as if he had put down roots. The glow of the sunset deepened. The cane also vibrated with a whining sound.
Black Mamba was in a life-and-death battle. The cane produced biological tentacles to break down cells. The deuterium and Gongjinpa repaired the destroyed tissues and pushed the tentacles out of the body.
What!
Woo-hyun inhaled a breath. The black cane turned its color to green. The length was also halved and turned into a small stick. The cane, no, the stick popped out and fell on the floor.
The silent and terrible fight ended, but the new one began. Epidiums gene, which received information on severe tissue damage, generated a large amount of dynorphin and regenerator. Regenerators combined with dynorphin had begun to repair damaged tissue.
Cell growth factors were bound to the basal cells of the basal membrane of the epidermal layer and fibroblasts of the dermis. Damaged cells were broken down into elemental units and became materials for a new cell to multiply.
Shhh! His body burned up like a blast furnace. The increasing of rapid cell division and mass proliferation began. The cavity created by the bullet quickly healed and the proliferated cells covered the abdomen pierced by the cane to prevent further infection and subcutaneous damage.
Fuck it up. Im going to die because of hunger, Black Mamba opened his eye suddenly and grumbled.
He was very hungry like the time when he woke up at Wolsong Mountain. Woo-hyun looked like a big chicken. Hunger was natural as organizational restoration consumed a great deal of energy.
Wakil, Im going to the cafeteria.
Woo-hyun stepped back. Fluffy hair rose like a nightmare.
No, its okay. Bring all the C-rations. Lets get an elephant at night.
Black Mamba jumped up and put his clothes on.
Whats wrong with you?
Creating something from nothing and pupa slipped out its skin.
What do you mean? Woo-hyun unknowingly asked and flinched.
He wanted to slap himself with his dumb question. Of course, he started to nag him.
What do you know after being a brigadier general? Dude, please study. It will be good for you.
Damn it. I am not qualified to study, said Woo-hyun in his mind.
Woo-hyun frowned.
Ariba and others saw the incident. Black Mamba got serious injuries and Ooparts was taken away by the wrong guy. The rumors will spread in all directions, right?
Uh-ha!
The interjection popped out from Woo-hyuns mouth. Wakil used his body and Ooparts to fake people out. The U.S. militaries and hyenas would focus on Dupin while Wakil made time and space to hide. It was probably because of her.
The U.S. military is not a fool. By now, they must have identified our track record and entered coordinates in MLRS and ATACMS. What happens when a cruiser docked in Dar es Salaam flies all of the tomahawks?
I didnt think enough.
Woo-hyun was horrified. He didnt think of it even after being brutally bombarded several times in the jungle of Ituri. The U.S. could do that no matter what.
Another reason is to bring out the dark forces. The world is not everything as it looks. Ive had a sticky feeling of attention and Ive read it today from the guy who copied Dupins body today.
What? He copied Dupin?
Buttonhole-like eyes opened like frog eyes.
Chief Dupin will be somewhere as a dead body. His fight was not good, but he had a superpower to mimic other persons body and memory.
Whoa!
Woo-hyun shuddered. Dupin, who had a morning greeting yesterday, was not a Dupin. The lord could recognize the transformation, but he could not.
If he copied the lord and fired the gun or stabbed him with a knife, he had to cross the Jordan river without a counterattack. Many strange things crawled out and a real ghost appeared. He got goosebumps all the way.
That kind of miscellaneous work is surprising, but it doesnt affect our work.
Black Mamba was nonchalant.
Wakil, what happened to the surgery?
Nothing to worry about it. He didnt even enter the operation room. Im sure he did something after the surgery.
Black Mamba had finished explaining to that extent. He saved Bonifaces honor and didnt need to hear Pil-Sus nagging. Hae Youngs safety was important. He didnt care about Ooparts.
What should I do with this unlucky thing?
Sun Woo-hyun winked at the small stick that rolled on the carpet with his quaint eyes. He acted like he was reluctant to touch it.
Bring it!
Woo-hyun caught a stick rolling on the floor.
Oops!
The stick didnt budge. He sweated and worked hard, but it didnt move.
What happened to this?
You are almost over. Because you look only for women and do not take the training, you cant even hold a club smaller than the horses tail. Tsk, tsk!
Black Mamba nagged him. He was good at everything, but he lacked self-management.
Im going to die because of his nagging, said Woo-hyun in his mind.
Woo-hyuns eyes suffused with tears. The particularly confident master was coldhearted.
Come to me!
Black Mamba reached out his hand. He had a groundless conviction that he would get it if he called. The green stick floated and was caught by Black Mambas hand.
What the fuck!
Woo-hyuns eyes were about to pop out. He knew the lords power but couldnt know that he could lift a heavy weight. Then how did Dupin carry that thing? Was Woo-hyun really weak? His head felt dizzy.
Black Mamba held up the stick with both hands. As if he had been familiar with it for a long time, the sense of unity ran on his nerves.
My teacher said, in the distant past, there was an existence fighting against the dead. So if you climb to heaven with a bright bead, you will be Bali. It was called Asura if you enter hell with knives, Geumgangjeo, whips, and three amazing weapons that smash the evil herd. This was the true weapon of Asura, the Geumgangjeo, also called Balsara, that flew into the uncivilized continent during the mythological period.
The small stick, no, Balsara, vibrated joyfully. Black Mamba felt a strong scent of fate. He could handle Rakshasa and Balsara because of the billions water armor from Caparuza.
Im going to fall in love with you! said Woo-hun in his mind.
Woo-hyun watched the scene like falling in love.
Come out!
He pushed Gongjinpa into Balsara. A long blade rose from the end of the short peak. No, the light rose. He swung it gently. A large refrigerator 10 meters away split in half without a sound.
Wow! Its incredible!
Sun Woo-hyun was shaking. The sword in martial arts and movies appeared in front of his eyes. What kind of existence could stop the sword?
The world is full of Tao and the foundation of Tao is balance. It means that there is a corresponding enemy when given forces and objects go against common sense.
Im just following you, Wakil. What are you going to do with the escaper?
Its a precious object thats not worth living for. Since he gave me a present, so Ill kill him nicely. Hahaha!
Black Mamba laughed in dry.
Its so scary!
Im scared of myself, too. Get in!
Balsara disappeared. No, it was absorbed by Black Mambas hand. Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. He was familiar with this situation because it happened often. If god existed, the Lord would be his god.
Men, I was fatally wounded.
Black Mamba reminded him again.
I see what you mean.
Sun Woo-hyun bowed politely. The Lord saved his life, gave him strength, and showed him a new world. It didnt matter if he was a human or god. He was a great soul who was small-minded like himself
******
Chapter 722 - 722 Chapter 65 Episode 12 My Address is Hell
722 Chapter 65 Episode 12 My Address is Hell
Damn it! Where did that fucking guy go?
Ariba was in great despair. The jeep had disappeared seamlessly while he was checking the fuel level. Ariba, who was groping the ground as if his eyeballs would fall out anytime, yelled in delight. The wake of a jet boat flying across the lake was in sight.
Ula! Youre done.
He stepped on the pedal and pushed the steering wheel hard. Anger and tension caused his fingers to become white and colorless. The Gazelle swooped down and took the direction to Cape Albert. Whiing! A chain gun linked to the hood tracked the target.
Damn it!
Ariba tapped the console. Another high-speed boat popped out of the dock. The sweeping track was divided into left and right. Starting from the center of Lake Kivu, Congo was on the left and Rwanda was on the right. Ariba couldnt determine the priority of the chase and he floundered.
Dupin was likely to cross the Rwandan border, but he couldnt ignore the possibility of joining Mai-Mai. Whizz! The Gazelle veered to the right. He had no choice but to focus on the flow.
Ariba, catching up with the wake, pressed the red button at the top of the control panel without hesitation. A few fishing boats were trolling around the boat, but there was no way to hide it. He had to catch the guy and then catch the one that bounced to the left.
Bababam! 12.7mm chain gun bullets flew through the air. Baaang! The jet boat sped up. Bababam! Ariba fired a machine gun without mercy. The boat changed direction in a zigzag and exited the barrage as if it was about to raise it.
Ariba blamed himself for the hasty pursuit without a fire controller. Tatata! Ariba took the risk of stalling and lowered the altitude. Dadadang! Bullets hit the bottom of the helicopter like rain. It was an anti-aircraft flight from the boat.
Yow!
Frightened Ariba stepped onto the Collective and pulled the steering wheel with great force. Whizz! The Gazelle raised its altitude sharply in a podgy line position. The Gazelle outer plate was an aluminum composite semi-monocoque structure. Not only the vulnerable part but also the lower part, which was protected by a 5mm titanium steel plate, was vulnerable to large-caliber bullets.
Ariba dared not lower the altitude and continued to blow. Ariba, who was behind the fall, took the opportunity. At the southern tip of Idjwi Island, the high-speed boat hesitated to see if it had found a reef and then suddenly changed direction.
Bababam! The chain gun lit a fire. Hundreds of 12.7mm bullets were sucked into the boat. Boom! Flames and black smoke billowed out. The boat, whose fuel tank exploded, flashed its stern and was sucked under the water.
Im going to go crazy!
It was a difficult situation for him, who prayed for a flight failure. He lowered the altitude to hover as if he was reaching the surface of the water. He only saw the float but didnt see any survivors.
It is Zulu Tango. East end of Idjwi Island, coordinates 214-340 Charlie One sank, divers are in.
Tango, has received. The current branch, Avenue Santal, is dispatched.
Ariba handed over the follow-up to the DGSE Operations Department. Whizz! The high-altitude Gazelle veered to Lake Xian. Ariba caught a jet boat escaping from the Ruhundu Port on the west side of Idjwi Island.
Hes a cunning guy.
Ariba ground his teeth. The boat skillfully used a coastal fishing boat as a shield and sailed northward. If the chain gun was fired toward the coast where there were hundreds of fishing boats, a second rainbow event was likely to occur. Ariba hovered in the air like a hungry fan-headed eagle, looking for a chance. Ping-ping! The fuel gauge sounded the alarm.
Which bastard drained the oil and ate it up!
Ariba, who exploded with anger, smashed the control stick with his fist. There was no way the nasty guy to cajole in front of his nose.
It is Zulu Tango. Track the white FRP three-seater boat on the coast of Kalangala, coordinates 214-920.
Tango, has received. The current branch, the southern end of Idjwi, is dispatched.
Zulu, please.
Ariba wiped away his tears and turned his head. He wanted to chew a mechanic that didnt fill up the fuel on the emergency helicopter. He had never even dreamed that Dupin had never ridden a boat from the start and that he was hiding in a Bukavu, like hiding a needle in a bale of straw.
Aribas dream of becoming a national hero by flattening Black Mambas nose ended in a midsummer nights dog dream. A hero was a hero because he could not be a dog or a cow.
******
Brigadier General Sun Woo, what happened to Wakil?
Jeong Pil-su seemed to be out of breath. Black Mamba should have been fine so that there would be a possibility of getting the Oparts, and there would be some hope of handing it over to Korea. If one caused a thump, it would be the sound of pumpkins rolling down from the roof of the back house, and if one did a crackle, it would be the sound of the widows skirt uniting next door.
He inferred the situation before and after in an instant. Black Mamba obtained the Oparts and the old doctor hoarded the Oparts. From the point of view of Black Mambas abilities, it was unlikely that he would die, but no matter how superhuman he was, he could not be unprotected after being hit by 15 bullets without a hitch.
There was silence.
Sun Woo-hyun looked at Jeong Pil-su unpleasantly. It was a very disagreeable face.
Were you hurt a lot?
Startled, Jeong Pil-su lowered his voice.
Human, is the southern part of Hawaii a bulletproof vest? I covered 15 bullets in front of your nose. If I am okay, that was because of the armored car. The petty doctor cant even touch. I have to recuperate for half a year.
What? Half a year!
Jeong Pil-su jumped.
Oh, what should we do I recognized that his skills were poor when you ran wildly .
Jeong Pil-su grabbed his back. In other words, they had seen everything they could do at superconductor room temperature. The tears came out of his eyes little by little without even saying that the hardships he underwent were unfair.
Pat! A powerful shock was transmitted to the back of the head.
Ugh!
Jeong Pil-su opened his eyes and looked back. Zulu pulled a machete.
Grunt, I speak and understand Korean well. You dared to insult Lord Dubaiburupa. You will be executed immediately.
Ooo, Wakano. I said useless words.
Jeong Pil-su, whose face got white and discolored, waved his hand, saying that it was hot. This was Africa, not Korea, and the opponent was a ruthless Dubaiburupa fanatic. Jeong Pil-su, who was strong, couldnt help but feel scared.
Sun Woo-hyun restrained Zulu.
South Korean comrades, watch your mouth. If your neck falls, its useless. Zulu has a light mouth but
I made a mistake.
Jeong Pil-su pulled a pack of brushes out of his pocket with a rotten face. If he snitched on Zulu that he was narrow-minded, he would become a kite that had lost its string.
My mouth is not a spout
Damn it, there are only two packs.
Jeong Pil-su pulled out another box with a rotten face.
As for tobacco, South Korean light tobacco is hard to put it. For now, dont think to meet with Wakil.
Sun Woo-hyun snorted. Jeong Pil-su was unable to get his mouth shut about the whereabouts of Oparts, and only two packs of expensive cigarettes were hit by Nevada.
******
Did Ariba turn back?
Black Mamba, lying on the bed, was a critical patient no matter who looked at him. A pale complexion and a slim figure that dressed the upper body like a cocoon was showing a pose that said he was a critical patient.
He is fretting outside like a rat who couldnt get in the grass.
Let him in.
Ariba, whose face was red, entered.
Advisor, I missed him. You should explain about the item he stole.
If Black Mamba had handed over the Oparts earlier, the French homeland could seize the opportunity to become the leader of Europe by defeating Bosche (German beaching) and Rosbif (British beaching). Ariba had no choice but to resent Black Mamba.
Hey, Im a patient. Shouldnt you ask for my news?
Black Mamba had no strength since he was a critically ill patient.
No one knows advisor as well as I do. If you really underwent pain, you should have invited Dupin as the chair instructor of the Saint Circle (a historic military academy founded by Napoleon I in 1802 at the French Military Academy Saint Circle). I know that your situation is not serious.
Ariba refused it as if he was telling him to not speak ridiculously. If the National Treasure couldnt move because it had been hit by a few Parabellum bullets, Ocelot and many other powerful people couldnt close their eyes underground.
Chief Ariba, if the person being hit with ten bullets to the heart was not critical, then whats critical? Shall we put one bullet in your heart?
Sun Woo-hyun pulled the Glock.
Ugh! Calm down, calm down.
Surprised Ariba covered his heart with his hands and strode back. Sun Woo-hyun was famous for being ignorant even among the monstrous subordinates who were under Black Mamba. He was a guy who would kill them without any countermeasures and argue that he died heroically during the operation.
Is the head of the medical office an ignorant person?
Sun Woo-hyun urged as if he would be caught and eaten. Aribas face became wrinkled. Dupins deviant behavior was his own responsibility. He looked back at Black Mamba furtively. His expression wasnt very good. His heart was pounding. Wounded predators would be more ferocious than hungry predators. The mouth he was trying to hold back closed like a clam.
I think I missed it. OPS agents are tracking the boat.
You bastard, DGSE eyes seem good outside but cannot see? Before I shoot you, tell me what Dupin is.
Currently, Im guessing he is a KGB mole. Chief Dupin is a loyal employee who has served the medical team for 20 years. He is a person who has no reason to betray, so he himself is confused, and the headquarters is turned upside down.
Ariba looked so tired and dispirited.
Huh, it is said even slugs have a knack for rolling.
Black Mamba laughed inside. Sun Woo-hyun was doing very well. As expected, humans were supposed to level up when they were rolled and craved.
Wow!
Black Mamba lifted his upper body. Zulu ran after him and supported him.
Ariba, since you came to Africa and you became a chimpanzee, would a KGB spy chased by an attack helicopter be stupid enough to escape to the lake?
Ugh!
Aribas face got rotten. As it was said that when a person got rushed, he would become a fool, and he had missed a basic checkpoint.
The place he appeared?
It was the landing place for Cape Albert.
He didnt even get on the boat. Subordinate, get a map.
Black Mamba pointed to the map.
In all probability, he re-infiltrates the city of Bukavu and tries to cross the border into Rwanda. Blockade Northwest State 3 from Albert to Cabara. Mobilize all available troops and block the Lucic River. Get out right now.
Yes, Sir!
Ariba hit his head and jumped out.
Stupid guy, I almost missed it, Black Mamba grunted.
He was not a person with a broad mind enough to be beaten raw and laughed out loud. He was narrow-minded and would break bones if he gave out the flesh.
******
Two days later, Hae Young appeared, pushing the wheelchair on the hill of the wind where Black Mamba was attacked suddenly. Black Mamba was sitting in a wheelchair naturally. The patient and the caregiver were switched.
Lake Kivu, like lakes belonging to the Great Valley, was a high-altitude lake with a surface of 1,500 meters above sea level. The lake was as wide as the sea and the mountains that were around 2,000m above sea level surrounding the lake, were so spectacular that they were called a thousand hills.
Dupin was a fake, but the hill of wind, he said, was real. At night, a high mountain breeze would blow, and during the day, the low altitude lake wind would blow. Thanks to the high altitude and wind, the weather was similar to that of late spring in Korea, even though it was located at the equator.
Hae Young recovered quickly enough to be admired by her physician. Her pale face found blood color and her steps were full of strength. It was thanks to the Black Mambas resonant waves that revitalized the cells.
Oh my God. Oh my God!
Hae Young, who had climbed the hill, admired it. A lake dyed red in the setting sun, sparkling water scales, floating fishing boats, a fisherman fishing on the pier, a woman in loose primary colors and energetically calling guests; the view from the window of the hospital room and the view directly from the hill were as different as pointillism and true landscape painting.
Good! I almost died without seeing this good landscape.
Black Mamba was intentionally too talkative.
Baby, you should have been careful! Hae Young leaned back and whispered in his ear.
Hae Young didnt worry much. Mu Ssang was a special human being who survived even when his bones were crushed and his organs were smashed under a coal pile.
I mean it. Who would know that guy was a spy? Achoo!
Black Mamba sneezed instead of speaking. Hair blown by the wind was sucked into his nose.
Ho-ho-ho!
Hae Young ran to the edge of the hill, flapping her skirt-type patient uniform like a butterfly. Black Mamba secretly held the army rope in his hand. The blue lake water was churning under the 350m cliff.
Hae Young opened her arms wide and held out her chest. Cold, clear air filled her chest. The intense message of being alive filled her brain.
Oh! Its so good. The sunset is beautiful, the lake is pretty, and the people are also pretty. I want to build a pretty house on a lakeside hill, sleep together, and open our eyes together. What does age matter As you say, I was stupid pretending clever. Baby, if I die, bury me here.
The shrill voice turned into a mournful sigh as it went backward. Black Mamba breathed a sigh of relief into it.
Its not difficult. Ill build the most beautiful wind villa in the world on Wind Hill.
Pfft, as if you are a rich man!
Hae Young glanced at him. Even though she was getting older, she still looked like a girl and acted like a girl.
But it is true that I am super rich.
My villa is your chest.
Not your house? A villa is a place you sometimes stop by.
Black Mamba looked at Hae Young with puzzled eyes.
Ji-Jin Soon!
Hae Young gave strength to every word and called the name.
Silence passed.
Chapter 723 - 723 Chapter 65 Episode 13 My Address is Hell
723 Chapter 65 Episode 13 My Address is Hell
Dont say anything. When I sing love, he sings a song of affection. When I burn love, he burns souls. When he cooks haejangguk next to me, I set off to find my ambition. Love doesnt have the right answer, but one has to be responsible for his own choice.
Hae Young turned her eyes to the horizon. You, love my brother. I will love you too. A bold phrase rang out in her ears with the cuckoos cry. The cuckoo wouldnt cry because people liked to hear it. It was a proclamation of the realm that would say one should go out from its realm.
Jin Soon was a toxic woman who spent a week wandering around Bangtaesan Mountain in winter with a kitchen knife when Mu Ssang went missing. Mu Ssang, who was engrossed in his family and friendship, needed a devoted Jin Soon rather than a smart, arrogant woman. Would Mu Ssang understand that she had no choice but to leave? Her chest was weathered and as dreary as the paper that had been crushed.
Were alive and our love isnt over, Black Mamba, though exhausted, mumbled to himself.
It was sad to see the fluff of her auricles shining like gold in the setting sun. Hae Young seemed to melt at any moment and disappear into the air. At that time, Hae Young was only his first love and Jin Soon was only his sister.
The first love was immature, so it was even more unfortunate. He was sorry for Jin Soon and Edel, but there was nothing to blame for Hae Young. Even a bird that entered the embrace of his arms wouldnt let go. How much more would a wounded soul be thrown away!
I, who could share happiness, was not enough to share suffering. I dont deserve to be jealous and quarrelsome. I have something to confess but
He was going to hide his sorrow and go away but he had words stuck in his throat.
Stop!
Black Mamba stopped talking.
Are you and I in a relationship like a priest and a believer who confesses and gives absolution? There is no one without wounds. Rookies cant be complete. I, too, cover all my wounds with scabs and live my life pretending to be okay, pretending Im strong. Why do you do that for? Did you say it to forcefully tear off the scab and bleed profusely? Love is just giving, its not a giving and receiving deal. Because expecting and wanting to receive, people become saddened, hateful, and open. I miss you even though you are by my side right now and I feel sorry for you. Its just that time passed. You were Hae Young ten years ago and you are still Hae Young. We are still a little clumsy and a little lacking in love. If theres any part youre sorry for me
Black Mamba stopped talking and stared into Hae Youngs eyes.
Ah!
Hae Young seemed to melt into his burning eyes. The young lover had returned as a man. A man as reliable as a mountain and wide as the sea, was more beautiful than flowers and more emotional than butterflies. He was full of the scent of a real man. This man was hers. Selfishness increased in her mind and the resolve she had built up over the past few days was shaken.
Forget it. Whether its a beautiful memory or an ugly memory, it hardens at the moment you spit a word. If you truly love me, if its for me, dont break the scab. When you become a cow, I become a cow. And when you become a horse, I become a horse. Thats enough. In a life that hasnt been a hundred years, time is not enough even just for loving. Theres no time to rip off the scab.
Du-dung! A thick baritone-like voice struck Hae Youngs heart as if it was the heavenly gospel. The word cow and horse rang in her ears like a reverie. It wasnt enough time to love! Sweet words melted her heart. He wanted to change, but he didnt change. He was exactly her eternal lover Mu Ssang. So it was even sadder.
But I
This place will soon become Gehenna (Hell where demons go on rampage, scene of chaos). Tomorrow, my private plane will arrive here to bring you to the new world. Dont ask anything. Dont think anything. Just trust me.
Black Mamba stopped talking again. His heart was busy with an ominous premonition.
I wont ask you anything. You cant get hurt. You told me once that there was no hero who could put up with being ganged up.
Hae Young swallowed all the words she wanted to say. There were often things in the world that were incomprehensible. Mu Ssang had become a being beyond comprehension.
I am The Eastern Swordsman Mu Ssang. Even if the rats cover the ground, the tiger cant let being ganged up.
Thats right, your side is always the safest and most comfortable seat in the world. Kiss me!
Hae Young raised her chin and pursed her lips. Heavy lips covered hers. Her thin body and soul dug into the arms of the strong man. Hae Youngs whole body melted at the smell of the strong man.
God, thank you, she said in her mind.
She was sincerely grateful to fate for having reunited with Mu Ssang. She slipped a nail-sized object tightly wrapped in waterproof plastic into Black Mambas pocket.
******
In Los Alamos Institute vs. Conference room, the last presenter of the research performance regular briefing came forward.
This is Steve Owen, Senior Director of the Inertial Confinement Fusion Reactor Research Team. Unfortunately, the inertial confinement plasma control that is being pursued by the institute has failed.
Dr. Owen picked it up from the bottom line willy-nilly. Its better to hit first.
Oh!
Oh, no!
A weak sigh erupted, and dozens of pairs of eyes stared at Owen.
The power density of the core of the sun, where nuclear fusion continues, is 270 W per cubic meter. The reason fusion persists despite relatively low temperatures is high pressure. A commercial fusion power plant on Earth must produce at least 1,000,000 W of power density per cubic meter to operate. Inertial confinement requires a pressure one hundred times the gravity of the sun to set a valid distance between nucleons.
Do you mean that we got the wrong direction from the beginning?! someone in the front row yelled at him without even asking for a comment.
Yes, its true. At the current rate of advancement in technology, it will take 500 years to achieve 5,000 times the gravity of the Earth. The inertial confinement method has lost its meaning. Im sorry to tell you this sad news.
Owen bowed deeply.
What is this? 30,000 people over 30 years and 3 billion dollars to produce 30,000 tons of scrap metal? Los Alamos did it again.
The most expensive scrap metal in the world. It must be more expensive than a meteorite.
Three, three, three, three is this a three-curses announcement?
I need to go to the oil cartel to report on the increase in oil prices.
The frogs that pushed the hull-containment blow their hooves and the Moscow idiots will grab their belly button.
Ah, the pride of the United States has been shattered like a cheap Chinese glass bowl.
The remarks of the head of the government state agency were the formulation of a bitter failure. All kinds of sharp criticism and scorn were poured out from high-ranking officials and senior researchers at the institute, managers of related organizations including the Ministry of National Defense, and journalists in the press.
Please pay attention for a moment.
Davis raised his hand. Dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward Marshal Davis. If the project managers excuses werent good enough, they would rush and bite like a hyena.
Its disappointing. Inertial confinement has failed, but the fusion reactor project has achieved significant results. You are well aware that the process of hitting lithium with a deuterium nucleus in a tritium nucleus is 10 million times lower than the hole-in-one probability. The lab found a substance that could be hole-in-one by simply swinging a screwdriver.
Wow!
What is that?
Everyone got surprised. Accelerating atomic nuclei itself was not difficult even with current technology, but securing significant collision energy was a problem. According to the marshal, it was said that they had found a clue to the production of a nuclear fusion reactor.
Its top secret. Today is the day to give a message of hope to those who are disappointed. Ill release your curiosity at the next meeting.
Davis just finished his speech. The reporters of the press had dissatisfied expressions on their faces, but they did not complain much. The secrecy of Los Alamos was not a thing of the past and the media had to cooperate as long as it was in the national interest.
******
Attendees and media reporters rumbled as they got out of the conference room. Only the marshal and the committee members were left in a huge space.
Davis, the room temperature superconductor was picked up and bounced around by a Black Mamba. When a prudent person like you makes a hasty statement, there must be a good reason, right?
Hathaway was obviously staring at him. Even thinking about the missing Oparts made him sick in his stomach.
I sent a second Oparts from the camp. The first physical property investigation has been completed.
Davis smiled.
Are you going to tell me the good news after your characteristic bad news? Thats not a good habit.
Ian rolled his eyes.
I apologize. There is a Korean proverb that says that if the end is good, everything is good. Dr. Owen, explain.
Tridentem is, as expected, a type of strong refractory brick. Currently, the best commercially available refractory material is alumina silica refractory material, which is Seger Cone (SK) No. 42. SK 42 withstands 2,000 degrees Celsius. Tridentem withstood the Hephaestus limit of 10,000 degrees Celsius. It is not measured by the number of Segerkons. No oxides were obtained, but it is presumed to be pure carbon and argon, nitrogen, and unknown gases were captured.
I need an additional explanation. We, old men, arent physicists or chemists. I mean our heads became slow-witted, too.
Herman shook his head. Dr. Owen wrinkled his forehead as if he were in trouble. Material properties were difficult to explain to outsiders.
If the decisive problem of inertial confinement is pressure, the problem of magnetic field confinement is the room temperature superconductor and impurities. We will omit the description of the room temperature superconductor that you already know. The surface of the material surrounding the plasma, especially impurities with a low Z value such as carbon and oxygen, loses all electrons in the plasma. At this time, the energy is radiated to the outside, so the plasma is cooled. When the ignition temperature drops, the fusion reaction stops.
Does this mean the inner wall of the vessel containing plasma must withstand ultra-high temperatures?
Yes, its true. It is called a Limiter because that part limits the size of the plasma. Tungsten, molybdenum, carbon, beryllium, etc., no existing material is free from ultra-high temperature and impurities. This means that there is no material known to date that will be used as the inner wall of a fusion power plant.
Wait, didnt you solve the impurity problem with the diverter device?
Davis expressed his doubts. He was also involved in the design of the fusion reactor stellarator at Princeton University. The diverter device artificially would divert the magnetic field lines passing through the plasma edge and guide them into a separate compartment. Plasma impurities would do so build up in the compartment.
Thats right. The diverter can effectively filter impurities and also has the effect of removing helium, a reaction residue. The problem is that the experiment path is becoming incredibly complex and the cost is rising. In addition, the diverter must be given services from time to time. It costs more than ten times the cost of constructing and maintaining an equivalent nuclear fission power plant. The experimental level is possible, but commercialization is not feasible.
Dr. Owen, do you want to claim that Tridentem is the inner wall of a fusion reactor?
Yes, its true. Tridentem is a material that can shield over a billion degrees of radiant heat leakage from plasma. The world of physics, materials engineering, and chemistry will be amazed. Of course, if we announce it, I mean. If the limiter analyzes the surface element arrangement of Tridentem and reverse-engineer it, there will be no problem. Once the endothelium is resolved, the outer skin can be resolved with a tungsten alloy.
Are you saying that the value of Tridentem is no less than that of a room temperature superconductor?
Yes, its true. Once the limiter is resolved, the nuclear power generation capacity of the fusion reactor is no longer limited. Currently, the standard nuclear power plant capacity in operation is one million megawatts. This means that fusion power plants can be built with a capacity of 10 million or 100 million megawatts. If we build a 300 million megawatt fusion power plant in Alaska and transfer it to the room temperature superconductor by jumping, the entire United States of America can use electricity without restrictions.
Ooh!
The committee members admired in unison.
The Tridentem and the room temperature superconductor are a gift from God. If only the room temperature superconductor is obtained, commercial fusion reactors can be built within a decade. God wants the United States to be the ruler of the world, not the leader of the world.
Ooh!
They burst into admiration again.
Not just that, Sir. When the Tridentem is combined with the room temperature superconductor, it creates an ultra weapon that cant be compared to a rail gun.
Ultra weapon?
Hathaways eyes flashed.
Its a light cannon. What happens if one hundred million megawatts of energy hit Moscow directly at the speed of light?
Dr. Owen laughed brightly. He didnt even dream that the light cannon was taking a nap in the Sahara.
The Reds will disappear from the earth. But would it have to be miniaturized to carry it?
The distance between atomic nuclei at which nuclear force overwhelms repulsive force is approximately 1-2 fm (1?=10?1?m). Applying a 100,000-volt potential difference yields a corresponding particle acceleration. If only the room temperature superconductor and the Tridentem are secured, nuclear fusion can be created, Dr. Owen assured.
How long will the Tridentem reverse-engineering take?
Its hard to affirm but it can be done in 5 to 10 years.
At Ians question, the doctor put on a puzzled expression. Because the technological gap was so large that no one would know unless they try it.
10 years Is the polar bear tokamak likely to succeed?
Davis laughed at Hathaways question.
Chapter 724 - 724 Chapter 65 Episode 14 My Address is Hell
724 Chapter 65 Episode 14 My Address is Hell
The direction is correct, but the Tokamak using the toroid is clinging to the superconductor and the inner wall of the containment vessel. It cant even raise the ignition temperature, and energy is leaking from the poor inner wall. Without the Room-Temperature Superconductor to contain the plasma and the Tridentem to prevent energy leakage, it is a shovel. After a hundred years of kneading, it could be operated for one second.
Davis answer was cynical.
After all, you mean, if we only have the Room-Temperature Superconductor and the Tridentem in our hands, the rest will be like a side issue. I made glasses, but I actually lost my glasses.
Hathaway lost his appetite.
You did a good job. You can rest.
Davis sent Dr. Owen out.
Davis, what about the situation of Mambasa? No, hows the tracking going?
The marshal made a red point on the map projected on the screen.
The city of Bukavu, located at the southern tip of Lake Kivu. Black Mamba is currently staying at FEADC(France East Africa Development Headquarters).
Huh, that means even though the Predator was deployed and even a reconnaissance satellite and Blackbird were dedicated, we couldnt stop a consultant!
Herman lamented.
Dyson and McKinley did all they could but The speed of movement was very fast. Even when they captured the movement, the chase did not catch up properly.
Predator?
There was no competition. According to General Dysons report, when Psychic Haunter and Grendel came into contact with Black Mamba, they were sliced without a break from their abilities. They didnt even take the chance to start Super Grendel
Huh!
Ian and Herman opened their mouths.
Tsk! My subordinates must have done considerable damage as well.
Hathaway clicked his tongue.
Yes, its true, Sir. From the time Black Mamba entered the camp, 360 marines and 105 Shadows were killed. 24 helicopters, 3 Bradley armored vehicles, and 5 infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed. 3 Psychic Haunters died and 5 Grendels were scrapped. Injuries and material damage are omitted.
The three committee members forgot to speak for a moment.
Tell your opinion.
Ians voice faltered. It was a long way to write a presidential report.
Even if you dump the entire United States Special Forces, you cannot guarantee victory or defeat. If he tries to hit and run, even putting in Super Grendel will have little effect.
So, thats a big deal. It is a situation in which we need to blow a tomahawk at least from Kurt Wilbur and Blue Ridge.
Herman, who was becoming speechless, lamented.
The committee member is right. To eliminate that guy, we have to drive them into a specific area and suppress a wide area with dot bombardment. We are moving the MLRS containers we currently have at the camp.
Davis kept his mouth shut about the Grandmaster. Ian and Herman were masonic members, but Hathaway was a Christian.
We need to catch Black Mamba before he gets out. You are ready to leave, right?
Herman opened his eyes.
Of course. Keyhole and Blackbird are reconnaissance and the 17th Marine Regiment is deployed outside Bukavu. MLRS and anti-aircraft missile batteries are deployed within 72 hours.
It will take 15 minutes by helicopter from FEADC to Kamembe Airfield. Gazelles like low-flying maneuverability. It will be difficult for Ingersolls radar to catch, Ian, looking into the map, muttered.
There is a plateau canyon 500 meters behind the airport stand. 4 Shadows, armed with Stingers and anti-tank guns, lay in ambush. If the radio communication is captured, well shoot it down immediately.
Davis was confident. If the camp was mobilized to block the hole and the Grandmaster stepped out, even if Black Mamba ran, it would be over.
Wait, hes a French agent from Korea. I mean, in the end, money moves him. I think a hail of money is more effective than a heavy rain of steel.
Hathaway had a fishy smile.
Thats right. When the sound of gold coins rings, the quarrel disappears. The fact that the guy called Black Mamba had to bring the Oparts was a horseshoe for a dog paw. Isnt that like putting ivory on a wild boars snout?
Herman grunted.
Well. Just by looking at his behavior, the chances of a negotiation or a buyout arent very high
Davis was skeptical. The Grand Master had stepped forward, and there was no reason to throw money in vain.
If you contact me, youll know. Wait a minute while we discuss.
Hathaway took Ian and Herman into the attached conference room. The opinions of the three members were agreed upon. Hathaway was concerned about the destruction of the special warfare forces he had worked hard to train and the loss of human and material assets. Ian didnt want the identity of the Freemasons to be revealed through unreasonable offense. Herman was concerned that Black Mamba would go into assassination mode out of anger.
Returning to the conference room, Hathaway offered a surprising amount.
Davis, you can start negotiating on your own with the $3 billion limit.
3 billion dollars?
Surprised, Davis looked up. Either Hathaways mouth was bad or his own ear was bad. If it was 3 billion dollars, then it was 10% of the budget for defense in 1987. Of course, the Room-Temperature Superconductor was worth it, but it was a troublemaker that would not be cool even if they changed it.
If you think about the future value of the Room-Temperature Superconductor, thats a lot of money. Hes really dangerous. 3 billion is not a lot of money when you factor in the losses imposed by the crash. Lets dig up our descendants from generation to generation and give them enough to live on. If it helps you, I will give you anything I can, including your nationality.
Hathaway was adamant. With the support of the defense cartel and the oil cartel, there was no need to complain to Congress.
Right, if you count only the top 10 countries with oil consumption, the daily consumption is 80 million barrels. If it is raised to $100 per barrel, daily consumption alone is $7 billion.
Davis agreed. The global energy market was worth $5 trillion per year, including coal and gas. $3 billion was the price of gum.
The effect in the field of defense cannot be ignored. It is a rail gun capable of sinking the Novorsisk carrier or the Kiev cruiser in one single shot without a trace. The military industry is going to explode.
Excited Hathaway clenched his fists and waved them. After World War II, the possibility of a large-scale all-out war disappeared. Ironically, the nuclear bomb capable of killing hundreds of thousands of millions of people in one shot had become a peace bomb.
Realistically, no matter how high the air defense system level was, it was impossible to completely intercept an intercontinental ballistic missile that would enter at a speed of Mach 6-7. With just one shot of Castle Bravo (15Mt class hydrogen bomb) or Tsar Bomba (50Mt class hydrogen bomb) class, Moscow and Washington would be blown away. The doom button could not be pressed unless the leadership was completely crazy.
On the other hand, the frequency and threat of local warfare had gone up. The United States fanned the Cold War and the third World Civil War, selling weapons excitedly. The development of rail guns was an opportunity for the U.S. munitions business to leap forward.
Ill send the Special Negotiator Matilda.
Davis glanced at the chiffon standing in the doorway and smirked. It was a great opportunity to check out the combat power of Black Mamba.
******
Black Mamba couldnt sleep. He tossed and turned. As expected, the massive U.S. army was on the move. CIA and DIA were not stupid. Soon, they would have received information that the owner of the Oparts had changed. And there was no way that KGB couldnt stand still. A deep bloody smell was felt. The Moissonnier bed that was said to make everyone fall asleep when lying down was useless.
He pulled out a letter from Dr. Lee So-jin. Like a scientist, he had carefully pasted the pages on the 20-page report paper. He had read until Number 6, and 14 pages were still left.
I agree with the theory that the division of labor and the production of surplus resources has prevented the cannibalism of human society The amount of energy consumed by one Korean per year is 3.2TOE (Ton of Oil Equivalent; 1TOE equivalent to 10 million kcal). An American would be around 7TOE. The more civilization develops and the more industry develops, the TOE naturally rises
Chimpanzees weigh around the same weight as humans but consume only 0.5% to 1.5% of the energy, unlike humans. Using fire, humans began to consume energy and resources in large quantities. Humans are the only species that destroy the energy cycle of the natural state
The era of fossil fuels is over and uranium is finite. Within the next 50 years, some countries may return to the 19th century. Prometheus compassion has brought misery to both Earth and humans
We worry about food weaponization, but energy weaponization will come first. Countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia can obtain abundant energy from shale oil and shale gas in the next century, but Korea will not. Our descendants will face a reality that is even more disastrous than it is now
As soon as I heard the words of Deputy Manager Lee Dae-deok, I felt excited as if I had received a revelation. It is said that Heaven has sent a terrifying human being for our poor people. (Please understand that a terrifying human is the expression of Deputy Director Lee Dae-deok.)
I cant guarantee anything about Earths civilization. It is said that there was the civilization of Atlantis 10,000 years ago and the civilization of Mu 50,000 years ago, but no one knows. Time is a huge eraser.
No one knows what happened over this span of 4.6 billion years. Time and nature do not tolerate artificial things. Who can guarantee that there was no super-civilization in the continent of Gondwana, which was overturned in the Mesozoic Era
If there are traces left behind by time, the old continent of Africa is the most likely place. The most likely traces of the past exist in the Great East African Rift Valley, especially the Albert Fault Zone, where the crust has been torn and overturned
Liberation from energy, the energy that does not harm the environment, is the basis for supporting human civilization. The Room-Temperature Superconductor is worth hundreds of billions or trillions of dollars. I beg of a terrifying man. Give us a trillion-dollar treasure for our descendants. Ill put out my head
If I wanted to eat well and live well on my own, I wouldnt have returned to Korea. The returning scientist talks as if he was being treated special, but youre welcome. I am receiving a quarter of my salary in the US.
Korea is suffering from two gangsters and two bastards. If China has economic power, it becomes a bully that cant be compared to the United States. Even Japan, who cannot forget the nostalgia of the empire, will continue to torment the easy Korea.
The world will fight an energy war first, then a food war. The 20th and early 21st centuries are the centuries when mankind squeezes the earth and enjoys the last abundance. Of course, Korea is not in a group that enjoys abundance.
Theres only one thing I hope for. Lets not pass on the frailty of our ancestors to our descendants Its a simple wish that only our children have to escape their crushed lives. I was desperate. My simple wish suffocated in the gap between the rotten pro-Japanese and pro-American factions.
There was hope just before suffocation. God creates something out of nothing and science creates something out of metaphor. My skill is reverse engineering. That way
Terrifying human, the Room-Temperature Superconductor is the rice that our descendants will feed on. If you got or get the Room-Temperature Superconductor, dont hand it over to the agent. Lee Dae-deoks intentions are pure, but the environment in Korea is not very good. Call me. Ill go for it with my shoes off anywhere on earth. Treat me like a servant
Huh, the old mans speech is touching.
Black Mamba began to admire him. He could feel the earnest sincerity of an elderly scientist who meticulously analyzed Koreas external and political environment and drew absurd and inductive conclusions.
He didnt like Korea, so he went abroad, but Dr. Lee returned home when even knowing that he was going to suffer. Such a person was a patriot. More than anything, it was extremely delightful to ask them to take the Oparts instead of handing them over to Korea. He wanted to show the letter to Tick Jeong Pil-su.
Look at this!
Black Mamba pushed the two or three remaining letters under the pillow and gently raised his upper body. The presence that he had realized entered the corridor. He thought it was a patrol agent, but the balance between the street and the presence was not matching. His footsteps were lighter than that of a super ninja. The presence, who had been idling outside, slowly climbed up the wall.
The window glass melted without sound. Knock, knock! A knock rang out. There was no hitman to knock and break in. It was a highly dynamic maneuver to distract his nerves. Whooosh! Black Mamba flew through the window. The masked man who had just pushed his head into the window sill stretched out his hand like a flash of light.
Deong! Black mamba took the edge of his hand with the forehead. Crack! The masked mans fingers were crushed like pudding. The handcuffs broke the masked mans lower arm like a cane and grabbed his neck. Crack! The window sill shattered and the masked man in a red cloak was dragged up like a dog with double wings.
The workshop ended when the candle was split three times. Black Mamba relentlessly defeated the masked man. Whiz! Bam! The intruder whirled around the air and crashed into the floor upside down. His neck was broken in an abnormal way and his spine was twisted.
Despite the blows that would have killed others if it were a human, the masked man did not scream or utter a single word. The red cape fluttered. Sususu! The masked man vanished like a mist.
Chapter 725 - 725 Chapter 65 Episode 15 My Address is Hell
725 Chapter 65 Episode 15 My Address is Hell
Whoosh! A heavy mist covered Black Mamba. It was Chifons main specialty atomization skill. It would push the vaporized body part into the opponents body to induce suffocation or destroy tissue.
Huh, the human body was only the shell?
Black Mamba showed a cold smile. Because he often dealt with non-human things, he got a kick out of it. Duung! The resonant waves enveloped and tightened the mist. Flap, flap! The red mist glowed like a wasp trapped in a plastic bag. The resonant wave net swayed like it was about to burst.
It will be exciting.
He pushed his hand into the mist. Paat! A wild and ferocious wave swept through the red mist. Resonant waves decomposed tissues in atomic units. Cells that had been decomposed into hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon were reunited as water and carbon dioxide. Water dripped on the floor and the red mist turned gray.
Ahhh!
Amid the mist, a howl like a sobbing ghosts cry came out. Chifon, who had the atomization ability, was squirming on the floor like a mug-bean pancake. Chifon, who met his worst opponent, was knocked out without getting a chance to save his organs.
Tap, tap! Again, the sound of knocking rang.
Look at these. I didnt even ask for it, but dogs and cows all came. Is my room a cheating widows house? Ill fix the behavior.
Crack! Whoo! A horrendous noise rang out. Black Mamba relentlessly pulled out the killers throat, which had become a blood corpuscle, and threw it together like a piece of tissue paper with a blown nose.
Come in!
He cleaned up the dog or cow and summoned a dog or a cow knocking on the door. Click! The masked man stepped in. Black Mamba gently waved his hand.
Chifons teeth, scattered on the floor, flew like bullets. The masked man whipped both hands like a swordsman. Crackle! The sound of roasting beans rang. Tak, tak! The masked man pushed by a weightlifter hit a wall.
Heub (breathing)!
The masked man, who spread his numb palms, was startled. Five human teeth pierced the liquid metal glove. He turned his head. Five white objects were embedded in the wall. If the opponent hadnt put the circumstances in his hand, there would be a hole in his face. He felt his hair stand on end.
Until then! No one likes uninvited guests. If one put on a black mask at night, it is scary even if it is a woman. If you dont want to increase the number of holes in your face, take it off!
How did you know?
The uninvited guest took off his hood and mask. Shiny blonde hair cascaded down like a waterfall. It was Mantis Matilda; a beauty whose eyes were purified and would remain.
I didnt call a call girl. I dont even have a hobby of enjoying women who are mansplaining.
Black Mamba was disappointed. He waited for the mastermind behind the scenes secretly, but only uninvited guests crawled in.
Thats amazing. I like strong, capable men. You are the legend consultant Black Mamba? Hell Lion Abaddon? Dubaiburupa, King of Novatopia?
Despite the insulting words, Matilda was smiling brightly.
Crazy bitch! Black Mamba snorted inside.
A sticky, brain-digging nasal sound and a nasty smile, in a martial arts way, were the case of the joy of salt. If it was the level at the time when he returned to the Sahel, it was such a fatal skill that the lower part of his body was heated.
Nothing to know. What will a soon-to-be bitch do when she knows?
Black Mamba was a narrow-minded guy who would return what he received. Duung! Resonant waves in sound waves disturbed the equilibrium organs and shook the brain.
Aww!
Matilda suppressed her scream and retreated. She wasnt an opponent that the brainwashing would work. Rather, the force in the opponents voice shook her heart. She suddenly became conscious. Whatever her opponents identity, she was a talented person that the Grandmaster should be wary of.
Youre tough.
She slowly rolled her eyes, pulled up the Dark Age, and kept her balance.
I dont like a stray cat jumping through the window. Of course, I dont like the call girls knocking on doors at night.
I understand. Is he dead?
Matilda looked at Chifon who was shoved like a mop in the corner. He was neither dead nor alive. Since he ignored the warning not to act carelessly, he was knocked out. It was not important for her to know whether he was alive or not, but the negotiation opponent who was in a bad mood was a problem.
I didnt pull out his heart, so he must be alive. I kept him alive because he had an ego that didnt look like a Predator. Did you inject the vampire virus?
Ugh!
Matilda unwittingly took a step back.
Who the hell are you?
Woman, if you want to have a friendly conversation, you need to introduce yourself first.
Matilda sighed at it. She tried to shake him somehow, but her nails wouldnt even go in.
Im sorry. This is Matilda, a negotiator from the United States Energy Commission. As I made a living, I had made an unreasonable visit. If I get fired from my job, I wont be able to pay off my credit card installments.
Matilda held out her hand with a pitiful expression as if tears were about to fall.
Hey, Samantha Matilda, former CIA Sigint Analyst! Do you say the negotiator came here without knowing the other partys identity? Looking at your eyes, you look like you were going to kill me.
Black Mamba laughed without holding Matildas hand.
Look at this! said Matilda in her mind.
Matildas heart fell with a thump. If the other person would know you but you didnt know the other person, you would have no choice but to be at a disadvantage in negotiation.
Thats amazing. I want to know you even if I sell my soul.
Matilda licked her red lips. She was an extremely strong-seeking female devil. His lower body was hot.
Thats gonna happen soon. Ill give you a chance to talk by looking at your sincerity that came.
Black Mamba pointed to the parlor sofa.
Thank you.
Matilda sat on the sofa, provocatively protruding her voluptuous breasts, and slid her legs apart. A black forest shone through the short skirt.
The old bitch is working hard, said Black Mamba in his mind.
A laugh came out. The womans somatic cells were old cells that had lost their ability to divide. Although the skin cells had been polished with some kind of technique, they could not deceive his spatial perception and eyesight. Should he say that it was like painting the exterior walls of an old apartment building?
So you are not a call girl. I mean your boss should be crazy enough to send a woman in her forties as a call girl.
Judging by the way you insult women for their age, you lack courtesy.
Matilda was moved to tears, forgetting her duty. He was a guy who had reached the level of a god in terms of not only fighting power but also senses and a ruthless way of speaking.
Shut up. Did you run into the bedroom with your face covered in the night to argue the courtesy? Before I cut off the bottom of your tongue, come to the point.
Black Mambas eyes became serious. He was enduring to obtain information, but he was sickened by the awful stench of this rotten soul. The human appearance was only a shell, less than 2 mm in diameter. A woman who ran wild with a vagina as a weapon wouldnt be tasty even if she was an angel, let alone beauty.
Matildas heart was cold. He was the first man who appeared completely unmoved by her beauty and brainwashing. She tried to shake him with her tongue and her tongue was almost cut off.
Okay. The United States wants to negotiate. You are storing the U.S. Oparts that has been stolen, right?
Woman, if you distort the facts to beat to the punch, you end up like that guy. Oparts is called Oparts because it has no owner. If you really want to claim ownership, get a memorandum of understanding from Mobutu, then claim Helen. If you talk nonsense one more time, I will cut off your tongue. Its the last warning.
Is there a guy like this in the world? asked Matilda in her heart.
Matilda was unspeakable. Her main specialty was a psychic negotiating skill that would get the results she wanted after plucking out the opponents soul with brainwashing and her stunning beauty. Her main skill didnt work even as much as nails.
There was a problem with my description. The U.S. is willing to pay you 100 million dollars for the Oparts you own.
Are you kidding? If you want to negotiate, start with $1 billion. If you change the negotiation boundary as you wish, your boss wont like it, Black Mamba snorted.
Ugh!
Matilda had her mouth hit the floor. Not a single word of his contradicted the marshals instructions. She just lost the initiative while trying to hit a delivery mistake.
Your guts are amazing. We offer a billion dollars. I would like to open your account and deposit money in the Cayman Islands or Switzerland in less than an hour. I would like to issue an additional U.S. citizenship and invite you to serve as the Pentagons lifetime military advisor for $5 million a year.
Matilda threw a relentless bet and looked at Black Mamba with deep eyes. Billion dollars! He shouldnt have been an idiot, so he didnt miss his chance to become a billionaire instantly.
I dont like it. Id rather call the KGB.
No, wait. Three billion dollars!
Matilda, startled, called out to the max.
No!
Black Mamba put his arms around himself.
Then how much do you want?
Alaska! If you are in trouble with military facilities, Hawaii and $30 billion in cash! Deal?
Ho-ho-ho. Your jokes are a bit extreme. If you tried to make me laugh, you succeeded.
Matilda covered her mouth with her hands and laughed.
I have no intention of joking. The U.S. bought Alaska for $7.2 million. The Oparts are worth at least $10 trillion.
So, you are not kidding.
Matildas eyes narrowed.
Of course not. The director of the Socrates Project must have estimated the value of the Room-Temperature Superconductor to be over 100 trillion.
Black Mamba laughed.
Is there such a doggish thing! Matilda said to herself.
Matilda was speechless. The opponent had a clear insight into the true nature and value of the Oparts. In this way, the negotiation would be difficult.
I think you will only be tired if you have the valuable Oparts. For $ 3 billion, you can buy a whole Caribbean Island and live like an emperor.
Matildas dark eyes twinkled. She never thought there was such a stupid guy in the world. It was wrong to put the blue line in the career column.
You are not my concern. If a pretty face and a good-looking body are separated, it wont be pretty at all, right?
A cold wind blew through Matildas chest. She wouldnt have been surprised if he had said straightforwardly that he was cutting her throat.
Whats the reason for refusing to negotiate?
Theres a reason.
Black Mamba pointed to Chifon with his chin.
His role must be to steal the Oparts. I mean it must be the insurance against you bitchs failure. You are the puppets of powerful and wealthy gangsters. A puppet buys with money if the opponent is tough and solves it with its fists if the opponent does not have the strength. If you want to swing your fist, do what you like. Im pretty good at punching.
Black Mamba laughed.
Wrong!
Matilda threw down the gauntlet strongly. Black Mamba had no intention of negotiating from the beginning. The feeling of despondency turned into anger. The beast factor engraved in the gene exploded. Shh! The golden wave rose. Cwoak! The long hair swept over Black Mamba without notice.
I knew you would do this!
Whoosh! Black Mamba disappeared, leaving behind an afterimage. 150,000 swords and spears cut and pierced the afterimage. The bed on which he was sitting turned to powder.
Ahhh!
A scream broke out. Shuang! A golden wave covered the room. All in all, anything the hair had brushed on, was cut off and punctured like a honeycomb. Whizz! Kukri hit the film without leaking.
Clomp, clomp! The hair curled up in the paint film was shredded like grains. Whewing! The crushed hair broke through the film and rushed like a swarm of midge ures.
Huh!
Startled Black Mamba sprayed a resonant wave and pushed out a heavy rain of hair. Swoosh! Some rushed to the main body and connected, while others circled the air and aimed for a gap.
What a request!
Sparkle! A jade flash split the golden light. Cwoak! The golden wave disappeared without a trace with the sound of the silk cracking. The pungent smell of burning protein spread. Burning, gray hair covered the room floor.
Matildas behavior was miserable. The luscious blonde hair had disappeared and the skin of the head had been ripened bare as if it had been burned. Vajra destroyed the Dark Age that Lamartine infused in an instant.
Uh, how the Dark Age!
Matildas eyes fluttered open and she stared intently at the jade-colored rays, wriggling as if alive. The Dark Age was great. The moment she received the grace of the Grandmaster, she was placed in the same rank as Marshal Davis. What was that thing so that the hair with the fundamental force of the universe would lose its strength?
Malicious thing!
Pat! The handcuffs grabbed her slender neck. Black Mamba, trying to push the resonant wave, flinched. The skin, which was smooth as white, lost its shine and flabbergasted. The sparsely remaining blonde hair also turned grayish-white. The muscles of the neck that resisted the grip force were stretched. Matilda skipped decades of time in one moment.
Tsk-tsk!
He clicked his tongue and threw the woman on the sofa. It was understandable. When the paint peeled off, the original background would be inevitably exposed. This was why the Teacher was so wary of the Unorthodox School of Martial Arts.
Even if it rotted, it was fine. Matilda twisted herself and landed on the couch as lightly as a cat. She didnt notice her physical changes.
If the negotiation is over, Ill try to negotiate, too.
Black Mamba held out his hand.
What for?
Matilda looked up with wrinkled eyes.
First, make compensation for the damaged items. If you dont have money, your body will also be accepted. One hundred dollars for one limb and two hundred dollars for eyeballs!
Scary bastard!
Matilda sighed and woke up. The body from which the Dark Age had left was as heavy as cotton soaked in water. Lamartine made a mistake and Marshal Davis made a mistake. He was not simply a strong psychic but an absolute equal to the Grandmaster.
She ground her teeth. If one had a gas station, one wouldnt have to worry about fueling his own vehicle. She could restore her power by receiving the Grandmasters Dark Age injection. If one wanted to get out of the crocodiles jaw, one would have no choice but to match its rhythm.
Chapter 726 - 726 Chapter 65 Episode 16 My Address is Hell
726 Chapter 65 Episode 16 My Address is Hell
Matilda picked up Chifons belongings. All the lights in the room were shattered due to the brutal fighting. The faint moonlight that was seeping through the window was the only thing left, but Matildas Yaan could see things as if it was daylight.
All it took was $300 in cash, a ballpoint pen spray, a Beretta, a kava knife, and a guillotine wire to strangle. She shook off her pocket and contributed $1,200.
Add $400!
His gloomy eyes turned to the inside of her thigh.
You little bastard! swore Matilda in her mind.
Matilda took hold of the Beretta hidden in her thigh and picked it up. The plan to raid had gone awry.
There was another uninvited customer.
Black Mamba looked at Matilda with his chilly eyes.
Its something I dont know.
Matilda just took it off. The Knight Gaunt was the messenger and watcher of Nialatep. He noticed the moment when the ghost-like guy approached him.
If you catch it, youll know.
Purr! The Wind split the darkness. Shriek! The creature that had just landed on a palm branch was struck by lightning before it even folded its wings. Fizz! Army rope was shot out of the window like flesh. It was far from demonstrating telekinesis. Tung! A black object fell to the floor.
Huh, how can it be! said Matilda to herself.
Matilda took a breath. There was a hole in the body of the dark creature Knight Gaunt. He didnt even move, but he was hit by a Knight Gaunt that was faster than the speed of sound and harder than steel. She relaxed her tension. The line of trust was broken.
What is this?
Black Mamba shook his head. It had no beak and no nostrils except for its wings, with a body as hard as iron, one eye that occupied half of its head, and ears as large as the body.
Is this place a chimera, too? said Matilda.
Thump! The moment he picked up the unidentified bird, a blue flame ignited in the body of the flying beast. In the meantime, the flame turned the flying beast into ashes and disappeared.
Is it for reconnaissance?
He looked at Matilda.
How do I know?
Matilda was in a state of desperation.
I decided to charge the head who sent the hand and foot for the insufficient repair costs. What I want is a sincere answer and what you get is your life. Shall we start?
Will you save me?
If you cooperate well.
I will answer what I can answer in good faith.
Matilda shook her head.
Who raped the Korean woman in the Green Camp?
The main culprit is Commander McKinley. I dont remember the name of minor participants.
Hes the man who should be killed in the most terrible way in the world. The organization you belong to?
Freemasons!
Matilda didnt hesitate. Everyone in the world would know about Freemasons. Also, no one in the world would know about Freemasons. She thought it was okay to let him know, but she was faced with a difficult question.
The key members of the Socrates Project are Freemasons, right?
Matilda flinched and shut her mouth.
I dont want to deal with women harshly but
He cut off one handle of the guillotine wire. Matilda immediately cut off the ganglion that was heading to the brain. Torture was a delicate technique that induced mental breakdown by inflicting physical pain. Torture was meaningless if the body did not feel pain.
The answer is based on what you hear. Are Area 51 and Predator the work of Freemasons?
Silence lingered in the room.
Purr! The guillotine liner dug into her left breast. Swoosh! Resonant waves activated nerve tissue. The ganglion that Matilda had shut down was opened. As the steel wire was slow, it penetrated the right atrium myocardium and vibrated.
Ahhhh
Matilda trembled as if she had been beaten. Her eyeballs protruded and foam erupted. The worst two types of pain humans would feel were myocardial infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The brain would react violently because it was directly related to the instinct to preserve the individual.
How much do you know about me?
If you are Black Mamba, youd be Korean Park Mu Ssang. Please dont shake me. Ugh, ugh!
Matilda gasped out of breath. Although her complexion had turned dark, Matilda was still a Black Shadow even if she lost the Dark Age. She pretended to succumb to the pain and aimed for a gap. Black Mamba slowed the vibration and recovered the resonant wave.
How much do Freemasons know?
Freemasons must have taken control of the center of power if they aimed to carry out a Socratic-level national project. The key to power control was information control.
Matildas eyes got bigger. The counter-question was the poet. Speculation turned out to be true. This man was Park Mu Ssang, Black Mamba disguised as the Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy in Korea. He was a human being who was unparalleled in cunning.
If this is Black Mamba, then who was Black Mamba in the Ennedi Plateau? thought Matilda.
Matilda looked up. Director Adam and the organization had suspected that Black Mamba and Abaddon were the same one, but she had denied it. In Ennedi, she had fought to die with the figure suspected of being Black Mamba.
The huge shovel blade flying at the speed of sound was terrible to think about. She had lost twenty Predator instances in the joint venture of this guy and the competent ones. She had met the devil when she had been put in as a negotiator while the investigation into Baphomet was sluggish.
Its an unanswerable question. I cant reveal the secrets of our organization.
What will the organization matter if you die?
Matilda shut her mouth and closed her eyes. The Grandmasters exhibition plan would look into the other side of the world. If she would reveal the secrets of the organization, she wouldnt die well.
Lets check your face and continue the conversation.
Pieces of the broken mirror floated and fell on Matildas thigh.
Ack!
Matilda, involuntarily looking into the mirror, screamed. The beauty that steamed Miss World was gone, and a bald, hideous middle-aged woman was looking at it with a keen eye. Matildas face was twisted like a demon as she checked her wrinkled hands.
Ee-ee-ee
She ground her teeth and looked at Black Mamba as if she was going to catch and eat him. The toxin in her blue eyes increased and flashed sharply.
Huh!
He had expected it, but he had never thought shed react so violently. He thought that she was ready for death, but what did it matter to her appearance? Women, too, were mysterious beings.
Matilda, I can give you back your appearance.
Matildas eyes got bigger. Her opponent was a grandmaster-class power man who used a force similar to that of Lord Lamartine. She wanted to give her soul if she would be able to save her appearance.
Reach out your hand.
Matilda held out her wrinkled hand as if she was possessed.
Duung! The resonant wave repelled impurities and energized the cells. Her hands, which looked like salted cabbage, turned shiny, while wrinkles were smoothed out.
Oh!
Matilda came out with a jubilant admiration unwittingly. Lamartines Dark Age was painful, while Black Mambas force was as soft as mint scent.
Thats all for now!
Unfortunately, clean energy was lost.
Matilda, there are poisons in the world, there are drugs, and there are cures in this world. The force I injected is a cure, not a temporary cosmetic effect, but it promotes cell division. Youll know what it means.
Black Mamba gave a nice smile. Interference fields would work best when one was extremely nervous and then relaxed. Matilda was completely hypnotized.
How much do Freemasons know?
The key positions in the CIA, DIA, and NSA are Freemasons. Your families have already been identified. The link between Black Mamba and Park Mu Ssang has not been confirmed, and so far, only CIA agents have been deployed to avoid diplomatic friction with France. The doubts have thickened due to the camp case. The marshal is considering bringing DIA agents and Haunters, and Director Adam has invoked the kidnapping plan.
Hmm!
He was wondering but they just decided to get out. He had expected it, but when it was confirmed, his heart got heavy. He believed in Kamdoong, but it was hard to stop ten thieves with one hand. The South Korean government and the police had no way to help. They would provide information to the CIA and actively cooperate with them. It was a situation where they needed to move their families to Novatopia immediately.
Predator numbers?
Matilda hesitated.
I barely know. There are three types: a psychic who awakens the superpower gene, a chimera that combines with a beast gene and puts stance, and a monster that is cultivated with nuclear materials and poisons by inserting the UMA gene.
Huh, are you the culprit of the Ituri Puddle Disaster?
Matilda was startled. The Puddle Disaster, in which three invincible Super Grendel disappeared, was still under investigation. The investigative team found gunpowder, thermit, and white phosphorus residue, but did not find the body of Super Grendel.
Heh, heh, Ive hunted turtles, octopuses, and water snakes before.
Whoa
Matilda gave a long sigh. She didnt know that Super Grendel would be called a turtle, an octopus, or a water snake. On the other hand, she was relieved. The mystery that she was struggling with her head wrapped up was solved. If this guy even mobilized napalm bomb and white phosphorus, then the Super Grendel had nothing to do with it.
Thirteen instances of Super Grendel have been created and nine remain. One upper class, two intermediate ones, and ten lower classes. The Super Grendels you killed in Ituri are the lower ranks; Velias, Oliver, and Aubarto. There are 350 Haunter combined psychic and mechanic and 120 Super Grendel instances. Among the Psychic Haunters, Black Shadow is the one who strengthened the body with stance and artificial muscles and transplanted the beast gene. There are five Black Shadows. I and Chifon are Black Shadows.
Its not that hard! Black Mamba murmured himself.
When Matilda and Chifon joined forces, Samdi was pushed back. If the remaining Black Shadow used force like Matilda, it was more dangerous than the Super Grendel. It was said if the height of the right path was one foot, the height of the devil was ten-foot high.
Are Predators continuously making in Area 51?
Since the material is off, the Super Grendel cant be made. Haunter and Grendel are still in cultivation, but the yields are not very high due to ego breakdown and immune system abnormalities.
I need to call the Chicken, said Black Mamba to himself.
He had no intention of leaving the hotbed of evil as it was. Area 51 was in the Nevada Desert. He confirmed even the coordinates in the DGSE. He made up his mind to burn it without a trace.
Who is the Chief of the Freemasonry?
I, too, want to ask you one thing before that. What is a giant shovel-wielding presence in Ennedi?
As the head of the Sigint analysis class, she was the type of person who could never hold back her curiosity.
His name is Samdi. He is my family.
Are you Dubaiburupa? King of Novatopia!
Matildas eyes grew as if they would tear. It was the Novatopia Army that led a Freemasonry operation team and intercepted an investigation into the eruption of Bachilkile Volcano. Long live Dubaiburupa and Dubaiburupa is with us. The slogan of the fanatics still resounded in her ears.
Are you Abaddon too, by any chance?
Yes, its true.
Black Mamba willingly admitted. Just as the secrets of Freemasons had been revealed, his own secrets had been revealed as well. Now, the battle of the sword had remained. It was a battle that would end when either side was annihilated.
Ocelot is you?
Matilda asked as if she was mumbling. Her brain had gone blank.
Ocelot died in my hands.
Ugh, so the master made vain efforts.
Matilda laughed. Lamartine tracked Ocelot for a long time, trying to secure the Super Grendel material. The Super Grendel production and improvement were irretrievable.
Is your master a high-ranking boss?
Yes, he is. The Grandmaster is two people. Lord Lamartine is the master of the wartime plan and the ruler of the truth. Lord Nialatep is Lord Lamartines collaborator.
Matilda, entangled in the interference field, revealed the organizations secrets as if possessed.
Lamartine and Nialatep? The location of them?
Mountain range of the moon covered with ice caps and glaciers, Orang Guk!
The flame rose from Matildas body. Lamartines forbidden word condition called for the Master of Silence, Marchegue.
Ackk!
Matilda couldnt move and sat still, burning fiercely.
What? Are these trends of sacrificing oneself by self-immolation?
Angry Black Mamba spewed resonant waves. He turned off the oxygen, but to no avail. The fire that blazed up was extinguished. The head and body were turned to ashes and intact limbs fell to the floor.
Black Mamba, who lost his tongue, stared blankly at her limbs and the fine ash. Even if he had heard of Pyrokinesis, which spewed flames and burned others, the human being who burned herself was something he had never heard of.
If it is the mountain range of the moon, then it is the Luwenzori Mountains orang? You didnt mean to talk about orangutans by any chance, did you?
A foul smell awakened his mind. The smell of blood and stench pressed into his nostrils. The room was a mess. Intact furniture was hard to find and the torn and dented walls and floors were littered with blood, pieces of flesh and ashes, and hair was rolling around like a lump of dust. Even Chifon, who had put his life on the line, also cut off Matildas hair as if it was slashed.
I tried to send you to your master, but its ridiculous.
It must be lamented that it was already over. He triggered a resonant wave. Swoosh! The air swirled. The limbs left by Matilda, the meat pieces left by Chifon, fresh blood, and all sorts of clutter gathered together like a ball. Creaking! Crunching! A terrible noise rang out. Huge chunks of rubbish were compressed without mercy.
Now that you are dead, ask the fish if they see you.
Swish! The ball, compressed to the size of a soccer ball, went out of the window. A ball across the darkness fell into Lake Kivu. Mantis, who was persistently tracking Black Mambas identity, Samantha Matilda was gone like that.
******
Are these guys dead?
No matter how good the soundproofing facilities were, there was no way Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu could not hear noises. They confirmed the sign through dimensional sight. Both of them were breathing evenly.
The sleeping gas has been revealed.
Chapter 727 - 727 Chapter 65 Episode 17 My Address is Hell
727 Chapter 65 Episode 17 My Address is Hell
They were lucky to be alive even if they inhaled sleeping gas. If they died, they couldnt go away.
Ah, warriors bastards Come on, go to sleep as much as you want!
Black Mamba was a person who became completely reckless when he was reckless. He stopped caring about them and pulled out his sleeping bag. Today had the work for today and tomorrow had the work for tomorrow.
Slowly, while interviewing Hufnos, a knock rang. Ariba came to the dimensional sight.
Does that man not sleep too? said Black Mamba in his heart.
He continued to sleep, thinking that if there was no response, he would go back. Knock, knock! Again, a knock rang out. He got up suddenly and opened the door.
Hwa-sang, lets get some sleep. What the hell is wrong with you!
Woah!
Surprised, Ariba stepped back.
Is there any problem? There was a thump
Ariba pulled his head straight and looked into the room. The room, reflected in the hallway lights, was clean. It was so clean that it was a mask.
There is no problem. They caught lizards and mantises.
Black mamba cut off all of sudden. It was bothersome to explain in detail.
Lizards and mantises?
Ariba realized the reality of discomfort. Walls were broken and fixtures and parts of furniture were gone. The bed was also not seen.
Uncle Sam sent a negotiator, Black Mamba said as if he was passing by.
Did you say Yankee sent a negotiator?
Ariba opened his eyes. It was an unthinkable twist.
He said he would give him three billion US dollars, the Virgin Islands of Saint John, a lifetime advisor position in the Ministry of National Defense, a Beverly Hills Mansion, and so on.
Three three billion dollars! So?
His heart was pounding. Three billion dollars was enough money to cast demons into legions. Inserting the resort town of St. John was a $5 billion bet. His mouth was wide open at the cost of more than 20 times the price offered by the French government.
Whats so! I am the grandiose French national treasure. Do you think that Lgion dHonneur was won by moving a chess piece? If youre going to hit $3 billion that way, youre already a billionaire.
Black Mamba gave lip service that he didnt feel.
A billionaire, isnt it right?
Ariba asked again as if he was exasperating. If the owner of the Doba oil field was not a billionaire, then who would be a billionaire? Aside from the $6 billion in cash deposited in the Swiss bank, Black Mamba was a person of substantial property with an annual interest alone of 1 billion francs on government bonds deposited in Paribas.
Although I have a lot of money, I have two million mouths to feed.
Black Mamba spread his arms and shrugged his shoulders.
Huh!
Ariba opened his mouth wide at the gesture that I had no money. For him, who was fully aware of the situation in Novatopia, it sounded like he would collapse into a bubble. The funds provided by Western European countries in exchange for assimilating refugees alone had exceeded $10 billion. Where did all that money go?!
The reason Western Europe was bleeding was that most of the refugees from South-West Asia and Africa were Muslim. The Muslim refugees did not assimilate with the locals and were like acorns in a bowl of dog food. Religious conflicts and cultural differences kept the trouble constant.
From the point of view of the European Empire, Novatopia was a dumping ground and the subsidy was a waste collection fee. Black Mamba did the magic of turning garbage into a statue. The wild wolf became a gentle sheep.
Black Mamba kept the money as money and reserved the diligent labor force as the labor force. If a human who was humming a tune while holding rice cakes in both hands made a cry, what was a short life like his!
I guess theyre not the ones who will simply retreat.
Dont worry. Their life was pitiful, so I threw them into the lake.
Ariba stroked his chest. If Black Mamba went over to Yankees, there wasnt such a problem.
Ignorant bastards! You killed them?
Man, am I a human butcher? Why will I kill someone who came to give me a gift.
Black Mamba feigned innocence. Ariba was not Bonipas.
Ariba swallowed the Its true, you are a butcher that nearly came up to his throat. Five DGSE executives who hated Black Mamba had died or become delinquents. In order to survive, he had to be careful with his mouth.
Go back. I need to close my eyes for a bit.
Black Mamba yawned like he was going to tear his mouth. He hadnt slept properly for almost a week. Even if fuel economy was good, a high-powered vehicle had no choice but to consume a lot of fuel. Epidium needed a lot of eating and sleeping a lot.
Unfortunately, the start time of the operation has been pushed back to 6:00.
Why?
Trembling Black Mamba checked the watch. A bluish luminous needle pointed at five oclock and twenty minutes. Sleeping was wrong.
According to the weather forecast, there is going to be heavy rain in the afternoon. There is not enough time to avoid hypothermia and introduce civilians from the Ndende Region.
I got it. What are we going to do with patients?
We will take them to Kamembe Airfield with the Gazelle in time.
Well, attach the escort Gazelle and send them.
Yes, Sir! Do not open, please.
Has Major Paul arrived?
Yes, Sir. He arrived an hour ago.
Has Dupins location been confirmed?
Advisors expectations were correct. Lieutenant Colonel Padri, who deployed rapidly, blocked the Ruzizi River and the 3rd common highroad. Theyll be tied up in the Ndende Region.
Ndende? Get the map!
Black Mamba took a picture of the Faix Cathedral in the center of the Ndende Region. There is a saying, the pine cones hide in the pine forest and the bamboo shoots in the bamboo forest.
What do you think?
I agree, Sir.
Ariba also had the Cathedral in his mind. The large grounds of 52,000 square meters, the main building of the cathedral, temple, convent, bridal quarters, servant quarters, warehouses, and a small processing plant were the perfect environment for Dupin and his assistants to hide.
What about the division of duties?
It is planned that Lieutenant Colonel Padris fair battalion will drive rabbits from the outskirts, whereas Major Pauls mercenary company will attack the cathedral right away. On which side will Brigadier General Sun Woo and Lieutenant General Zulu be placed?
They will move with me. Im officially an immobile patient.
Yes, Sir. You are on the combat dropout list.
There must be a swamp of death near the cathedral?
So, you knew. This is where the cyanide leaked from Union Carbides plant 3 years ago. The operation area is a point 4km away from the site, and if you dont drink groundwater, its not going to be a big deal, Ariba replied as if it wasnt a big deal without knowing the speed of Black Mamba.
Union Carbide, a multinational company in the United States, was a company that had shown the naked face of ugly and greedy capitalism. Through collusion with the poor third-world powers, they built a chemical factory that emitted a large number of pollutants and invested cheap labor, earning astronomical income.
In the event of an accident, they covered it with bribes and dragged the trial without compensation. The Bhopal disaster was a typical accident, and 40 tons of methyl isocyanide poison gas were released when a methyl isocyanate (MIC) storage tank ruptured.
Although 200,000 people were harmed and 20,000 were killed, the compensation awarded to the dead was only $500. It was a symbolic event that showed how much damage an innocent citizen could take when ugly companies and greedy powerful men joined in.
Accidents similar to the Bhopal disaster kept taking place in Africa. Poisons continued to flow from the closed Bukavu plant, but Mobutu, who was bribed, closed his mouth and Union Carbide left. And no one cared.
Hmm, keep in mind that Yankees are aiming.
The region of Bukavu is the territory of France and Belgium. We cant run like crazy dogs as we do in the jungle of Ituri.
Is it so? Either way, we have to hit it in a blitz and get out.
Yes, Sir. Please rest well.
Ariba went down the stairs.
Its perfect to cultivate Super Grendel but, Black Mamba muttered, looking into the darkness.
Ituri Cenote, where Super Grendel was cultivated, was a poisonous pond. Super Grendel, which Garuda ate in Japan, crawled out of the nuclear waste cellar. He felt uncomfortable.
******
So Yankees changed the operation. It will be hard if they come out pacificatory
Ariba, going down the stairs, was also uncomfortable. Black Mamba was not a human being to be swayed by money. The problem was three billion dollars. Three billion dollars was life, not money. The average person would risk his life for a million dollars, not three billion dollars. He thought if he bet $10 million, he would shake like a reed.
Of course, there was no reason for Black Mamba, a world-class leader with divine power, to shake at three billion dollars. Still, he felt uncomfortable as if there was a thorn in his neck. As he descended the last staircase, he saw a Korean agent, Jeong, standing in the lobby.
Korea!
He realized the reality of his anxiety. Black Mambas Achilles heel was Korea. He was not a shallow person. He was a person who would repay kindness tenfold and resentment a hundredfold. He hated Korea, but in reality, he always tried to help.
The U.S was a gangster holding Koreas collar. Whether negative or positive, there were endless jokers that could be used. They could pressure the South Korean government with negative policies such as withdrawal of US forces from Korea, withdrawal of support for the military regime, and human rights issues, or they could offer carrots such as lowering tariffs on Korean products, extending missile range, and lifting restrictions on uranium reprocessing. If those who knew the value of Black Mamba put Korea on the chessboard
Damn it, thats not possible. The dispatch schedule may change depending on the circumstances, Ariba said inwardly.
Ariba ground his teeth. It was a bad thing for the poor woman, but Matilda was an official who worked in the shadows for the glory of her country. Aribas head went round and round. He immediately found the helicopter hangar.
One SA341 Gazelle and a generation of SA342 Gazelles crouched in the dawn. The SA341 model was for civilians and could carry four people in addition to the pilot. The SA342 model was an attack-type with two pilots on board.
There was no one in the hangar. The mechanics rushed to the restaurant to finish their meal before the scramble. Ariba didnt know that there would be a time when he would appreciate his unthreaded service discipline.
He opened the SA341 engine room that would transport the patient. Dozens of power cables connecting the air compressor turbine and the drive shaft free turbine caught his eye. This was the most inconspicuous part of maintenance.
One copper wire was removed from the cable and only the sheath was lightly connected. Despite the simplicity of the task, his hands trembled. When it turned out that he was involved, it was over. Then it would be better if he would burn from white phosphorus to bones like Miguel. He could crawl like a mollusk until his bones and tendons were pulled out and died.
After he finished his work and was trying to relieve his anxiety with a cigarette, the mechanics rushed back. The mechanic who found Ariba flinched. It was important from now on.
Chief, what if the hangar is empty? Are you out of mind?
Manager, I apologize.
Man, if youre sorry, everything is going to be okay? What if the enemy spills sugar on the engine? Arg!
Ariba cut the maintenance manager joint without mercy.
Ill correct it.
The boss did not make a sound and was hit in an immobile position.
Its 30 minutes before departure. Check it out now!
The maintenance team hurriedly clang to the attack helicopter.
Check number 4, too. VIP boards.
The mechanics discovered that there was something wrong with the tail rotor of the SA341 Gazelle, but they spent time without finding the cause.
Damn it! I knew it would be like this.
Ariba called Mavivi stronghold on a satellite phone.
Tango, it is Zulu.
Zulu, speak.
Send the SA341. VIP boarded.
I got it.
Ill say once again. VIP boarded. Thoroughly repair and send.
I got it.
Ariba repeatedly emphasized VIP boarding and hung up on the satellite phone.
May God not turn his head!
Ariba said a scandalous word and left the hangar. If this existed, it was. If this didnt, it was not. With this coming into existence, it had arisen. And with this annihilation, it also perished. The visit of the negotiator Matilda stimulated Aribas patriotism, and Ariba, who had no contact point, intervened in Hae Youngs fate. And
******
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu also closed the joint and covered the useless talk that was saying they were unqualified as warriors.
Subordinate, there is a total local office in the Avenue Guy Duplet. Give my instructions to the answer (President Marzuri) over the landline.
How do you mean, Sir?
Immediately move the entire family to Novatopia.
I will go by flying.
Sun Woo-hyun, who had a tight flag, hurried.
We need to move perfectly. Tell Dimanche that its okay to wipe out all the watchers.
Im afraid Dimanche wont listen to the reply.
All you need to do is deliver my words. The rest is taken care of by Dimanche and Kim Geuk-do.
I will take care of it.
At dawn, Sun Woo-hyun drove out of the development headquarters in a jeep.
******
Ndende, the operational area, was a densely populated residential area, and the Faix Cathedral was located in the center of the residential area. If one looked down from the sky, it could be seen a 4km-diameter hole in the middle of the dwelling that looked as if it had eaten a mechanical insect. It was a swamp of death called Maremore. It was originally a residence, but due to the lead of poisonous gas, it became uninhabitable land and the ground subsided and became a swamp.
******
On the outskirts of Ndende, Operational Department Manager Ariba, the 3rd Battalion Commander of the 11th Airborne Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Padri, the 12th Company Commander of the 13th Airborne Regiment, Major Paul, and Major Luupdeng Pasong put their heads together with the map in the center.
Chapter 728 - 728 Chapter 65 Episode 18 My Address is Hell
728 Chapter 65 Episode 18 My Address is Hell
Ill explain the overview of the operation again. Dupin and Spetsnaz, heading for Cyangugu, could not break through the defenses of Lieutenant Colonel Padris 11th Airborne Brigade and they infiltrated into Faix Cathedral. Lieutenant Colonel Padri blocks Mai-Mai and FDLR, who helps them out on the outskirts. Major Besson enters the Cathedral grounds and introduces the civilians, and Major Paul catches the mole. Beware the psychics and Spetsnazs snipers who help Dupin.
Ariba coordinated the operational overview and mission distinctions.
Fucking asshole, it means even if mercenaries kill, they wouldnt care. I need to finish this job and go global. Black will feed you, said Paul in his mind.
Paul didnt feel very good. As always, mercenaries were bullets. Although Legion Etranger was a mercenary with a passion for battle, KGB Team 7, Ubiksa, and Spetsnaz 8 Team, were no match for the least number of opponents. The loss of troops was as plain as day. It was not a new thing, but every time he was hit, he was not comfortable with it.
Ndende is not a Bodl Depression, right?
Paul frowned and expressed his dissatisfaction. DGSE was the one who pushed the Ratel Team as bait into the endlessly wide Bodl. If Black Mamba hadnt been there, they would have all died in Bodl. Ariba smiled and drew a red line on the map.
No way. Major Paul still seems to be left with the afterglow of Operation Raccoon. Ndende is a narrow area of less than 2km wide. As a typical fishing village, the number of households is only 1,500.
What will we do about the damage to local peoples lives?
Pong Se (French Foreign Minister) will pay for the meal.
Ariba stopped talking.
It sounds like youre going to push through whether civilians live or die, and if theres a problem, itll be resolved politically, said Paul in his mind.
Paul felt wretched. Because of this, if a country was powerless, people would be shrill-voiced. In fact, it was a strategy he took for granted before he met Black Mamba.
Whats the state of the advisor?
Its mediocre. He cant participate in this operation. According to the Special Advisor, there could be an unexpected big battle. Lieutenant Colonel Padri, if you get a variable, push it with the Gazelle and the armored car.
Of course. Ill show them the truth that the French army is strong even without the advisor.
Lieutenant Colonel Padri shook his fist with a fiery clench.
You fool!
Bessons face darkened. Black Mamba, who smashed the U.S. camp and vanished like the wind, was a thrill itself. If Black Mamba had been well, there would have been no need to even mobilize an army.
Is Black seriously injured? Only John says that his teeth cant even fit into a boiled pumpkin, said Paul to himself.
Paul laughed at Ariba.
******
3 a.m. Tutututu! Five attacking gazelles sprayed leaflets over Ndende. It was a warning message that if they didnt respond to the introduction, their life was in danger. The 3rd Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 11th Airborne Brigade, led by Lieutenant Colonel Padri, finished evacuating the citizens and besieged Faix Cathedral.
Major Pauls 13th Foreign Brigade Paratroopers and Bessons Luupdeng AMX-10 RC, a wheeled armored vehicle, entered the cathedral grounds. The speaker rang loudly. Luupdeng armored vehicles circled the cathedral grounds and began broadcasting the warnings with high-performance speakers.
Dear priests and faithful citizens of Bukavu, a vicious terrorist has infiltrated the holy Cathedral. Please leave the building immediately and gather in the grass square in front of the Priest Hall. The muzzle of a brutal terrorist is targeting your life. Please leave the building and be protected by the French army. After a while, the suppression operation will begin. Break away immediately.
Residents and believers who were feeling an unusual atmosphere poured out of the building. Tang! Taang! Besson added sound effects with blank bullets.
Ack!
Save us!
Chaos ensued. Frightened, people of all colors ran frantically towards the yellow-lined lawn. When the chaos reached the extreme, a group of Black Mamba appeared secretly in a shrubby garden.
Fizz! Black Mamba flew like a bird and landed on the dome of the cathedral. Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu grabbed army rope and climbed sharply like lizards.
The height of the central dome of the Faix Cathedral was 30m. He overlooked the cathedral grounds. The huge cross and iron railing provided good cover. It was the perfect spot to catch snipers.
Really, talking about the country
Black Mamba looked down at the mess. Faix Cathedral was comparable to Myeong-dong Cathedral in Korea. It was equivalent to U.S. forces in Korea spreading a leaflet, saying Citizens should get out of Myeong-dong, in the air and also similar to Green Berets entering the Myeong-dong Cathedral and suppressing the terrorists.
The acquiescing government was also ignorant and the submissive citizens had no answers. Even though it was a bit sloppy, Korea was still in better shape. At least, that was what people were talking about.
A country that had neither the will nor the ability to strike a blow, a country where no one cared if poison leaked from an abandoned chemical plant for three yearshe had no intention of helping this country and its people. Sleeping anger was not anger and belated justice was not justice.
Wakil, Captain Paul is in danger.
Sun Woo-hyun inserted a Dragunov bullet.
Subordinate, the goal is Dupin. If you want to help Paul, take care of the snipers.
He had held hands out of necessity, but France and the United States were sloppy. He had no intention to help actively.
Understood, Sir. Hold me tight.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. He, of course, didnt know why the mood of Black Mamba was not good.
The DGSE Operations Department had been already identifying 152 resident personnel. In the process of verifying his identity with the support of the Luupdeng 13 Foreign Legion and the growth of Bukavu, the winner was summarily executed.
After a body search and identification, priests and citizens fled the cathedral under the protection of the official crew. The introduction was completed by bringing an old priest and five local monks from the Priesthood and Cannery of Luupdeng.
South Korea bastard is meddlesome.
Sun Woo-hyun, who saw Jeong Pil-su jumping from the maneuvering vehicle, clicked his tongue.
Leave it alone. They live and die so that this is their destiny.
Black Mamba was subtly admiring. He was a courageous brute, but he was the guy who jumped into a dangerous place to try and get the Oparts. Maybe it was thanks to this jingoist guy that Korea could avoid being like Africa
Tutututu! Tang, tang, tang! The gunfire began to ring from the outskirts. A sabotage operation by the Mai-Mai rebels and the FDLR began. Bababam! Bang, bang, bang! The Gazelle nimble twisted its fuselage to fire rockets and chain guns. The Zaire army was nowhere. It was a pitiful situation in which bloody clashes took place between foreign troops and armed rebels in the land of Zaire.
******
The dimensional sight was wide open. Five guys hid in the priesthood room, 19 hid in the canning room, 17 hid in the memorial cemetery and as many as 41 KGB helpers hid.
It was ridiculous. This was a phenomenon that could not happen without the support of the cathedral. The French military shoveled the KGB and other clerics as if they were protecting them. There was nothing unexpected as much as a commonly happening thing in the Third World.
The problem was that the guy they were looking for was not among the 41 people. Human flesh and anger, the pungent smell of firearms and heavy fuel oil, and low, rapid whispers disturbed the senses. There was no sign of a transforming doppelganger hiding somewhere.
Oh no, were late!
Living in a memorial building built in the form of a digit was flowing. This was the building that Paul was commanding mercenaries to search for. The snipers target was, of course, the commander.
Swish! Rushed Black Mamba picked up Dragunovs bullet and threw it. Tang! A bullet that shortened the space of 300m hit the bulletproof helmet. Pauls head turned around after being hit all of sudden. Fizz! A sniper shot passed Pauls earflaps.
Jangle! The moment the frightened Paul was pressed to the ground, the clattering sound of glass shattering was heard. Three grenades erupted from inside the building.
Run away! Paul yelled out and ran.
It was the sound of a pumpkin dropping. The mercenaries jumped like grasshoppers. Bang, bang, bang! Five or six mercenaries who could not escape the explosion radius were thrown out in the tyranny, covered in debris. The sound of a grenade explosion was a signal, and gunshots and explosions began to ring from all directions.
The cathedral suddenly became a scene of chaos. Buildings collapsed and tombstones smashed. A heated battle also took place at the cemetery where Paul personally went. Bullets were pouring like rain, and hand grenades, gun grenades, grenades, and anti-tank guns were tearing apart human flesh.
Even the dead were not at ease. Crucifixes were blown away, marble tombstones were smashed, and rotten coffins popped out. The stone powder and lime powder were cloudy, so the battlefield could not be seen properly.
Bang, bang! A squad of mercenaries that was hit by high-explosive RPGs was smashed in blood. Caught by a machine gun cross net and an automatic grenade launcher, Luupdeng was crushed without even raising his head.
Back to the behind. Hit the back! Paul screamed out.
He was about to go crazy. Because of the snipers, he couldnt use the supporting arms. Those bastards fired grenades and RPGs mercilessly, but their grenadiers couldnt even raise their heads.
Subordinate, two oclock direction, the left roof, end!
Sun Woo-hyun put his eyes on the Dragunovs sight. Only the top of the helmet was slightly hung over the crosshairs. Pat! The head of the KGB sniper who was aiming at Paul was tilted. Click! Zulu fired an Asshibal Giotto. The sniper, who was shot in the face, fell to the ground.
I dont know who are you, but thank you!
Paul shook his hand and went back to the behind of the memorial building.
Subordinate, cover Paul. And Zulu, catch the guy who bounces off.
Before he could finish speaking, two men jumped out of the prayer platform in front of the main building and raced in the direction of the Giardini Plague. Choking! Zulu caught him at once. He was a natural sniper who used Asshibal as a sniper rifle.
Not them either. This bastard must have hidden his tail tightly.
Black Mamba shook his head. Ubiksas stealth skills were well experienced. If those bastards worked together to warp the space, their dimensional sight would become useless. He believed his premonition and waited tenaciously. Humans can deal with humans. His interests were Doppelganger and Super Grendel.
Suguri!
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu put their heads down. Pat! Ding! A burnt stone was pierced into the plaster wall and the copper railing was torn off. It was a sniper shot that was fired by a KGB sniper after capturing the location. Swish! The grenade that flew 300m disappeared through the spear as if it sucked in.
Boom! Flames were pouring out of the window. When the snipers were crushed, the mercenaries surrounded by the West Priest crouched under the window and sprinted into the hallway.
A light twinkled from the window on the second floor of the cannery.
The rooftop of the canteen at 10 oclock direction, 15m from the right!
Pat, pat! Sun Woo-hyun caught two snipers who were targeting mercenaries. Black Mamba informed the snipers location as if he was helping, and Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu caught them as if they were taking out chestnuts to be cooked in a bonfire. As the snipers embedded in the element were caught one by one, mercenaries moved swiftly like a frog in water.
As the mercenaries launched a wave, the firepower of the KGB side, which was pushed by numbers, cooled down at once. Two companies of mercenaries entered the building at once.
Did that bastard run away? Did we make a wrong prediction?
Black Mamba shook his head.
Wakil, I think he looked one way and rowed another.
Black Mamba looked at Sun Woo-hyun with wide eyes.
Oh! I think you studied a little bit.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. Contrary to the praise, it was written in his eyes that he was pathetic.
Dear subordinate, that word is a word used when attacking. The Great East River, taking things as they come is true.
Pat!
Aww!
Zulu, who incurred a whipping, clasped his head and moaned.
You explanation freak bastard, how dare you to teach my subordinate. Did Ahmmad teach you like that?
Tsk-tsk, how come you go back to the same place when you just become a human?
Black Mamba shook his head in disagreement.
Wakil, Im originally a human being. A battlefield full of bullets while carrying a Wakil
Wait!
Black Mamba raised his hand. Hundreds of tombstones at the top of the cemetery were in good health despite the bombardment and gunfire. If he was lucky enough, he could survive the bomb blast, but Black Mamba had no choice but to doubt it as he had experienced with Ubiksa.
Duung! Rule of Sight came into play. The marble tombstones, which stood in an orderly fashion, lined up in five rows and they were enlarged one after the other. A tombstone with a fine greasy trace on the top of the tombstone was caught in sight.
Unlike other tombstones, the standing angle was rotated about 15 degrees. The distance between the central dome and cemetery was approximately 350m. This was the only skill available to a first-class sniper with hawk eyesight.
Mercenaries dragged the body out of the cemetery building. There were five whites and seven blacks. The mercenaries rushed to the cemetery. They poked the probe and started the search for the grave.
Knowing is a disease.
Black Mamba reached out his hand. A stone flew and was caught in his hand. Experienced Paul didnt just pass the cemetery. There was no chance of finding the hidden one, but there was no time.
Tang! Paul stumbled. An object flying somewhere struck the reinforced helmet. Seeing the object, Pauls vision became distorted. It was a flat stone.
Putain! Which bastard?
Paul, looking everywhere, slammed a stone in front of him. He felt a strange feeling on his fingertips.
Break away immediately. As far as possible!
Thats right. Black Mamba of the world was hit by a mole or something? Am I Jjangu? Enough to believe that! said Paul in his heart.
Paul laughed.
Chapter 729 - 729 Chapter 65 Episode 19 My Address is Hell
729 Chapter 65 Episode 19 My Address is Hell
Granite polished as smooth as a mirror and letters engraved as if taken by a machine; as far as he knew, there was only one human who possessed these abilities. Paul did not hesitate.
Adjutant, gather the squadron immediately.
The mercenaries of the 11th and 12th companies of the 13th Foreign Regiment had escaped the battlefield like low tide.
Subordinate, come back. I did not participate in the battle.
Yes, Sir! Ill see you at headquarters.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu slid down the conical dome roof. When they reached the edge frame, they grabbed the gutter and circled it, sticking to the wall like a lizard and slowly descending. Sususu! Black Mamba melted into the atmosphere.
******
Faix Cathedral Cemetery, the underground beat environment of less than one pyeong was not very good. The suffocating heat, the sticky moisture, the stench that turned five viscera and six entrails upside down, and the arthropods that crawled on their bodies; fortunately, thanks to the light stick attached to the ceiling, the darkness escaped.
Number 3, lets move.
Maslov hurried. Ubiksa agent, who was sitting opposite him, put his index finger to his mouth, shook it, and moved his lips. The Lip shape was Black Mamba. Maslov frowned.
Black Mamba cant move. I mean he was hit with fifteen bullets in front of my nose.
Maslov was not an agent of Ubiksa. Superpowers and chances of survival were separate fields. For him with claustrophobia, the narrow underground space was like hell. As time went on, he was in a cold sweat and his heart tightened.
Ahem!
A figure squatting in a blurred corner with a presence as if there was none, scratched his face. This was Seunek who monitored Black Mamba in Ngai. As he knew the fear of the Black Mamba better than anyone else, he couldnt help but be displeased with the special creature, who shed his reputation.
Swish! A giant centipede, which would have been enough for 20 inches, crept out of the earthen wall. The centipede slowly climbed up Seuneks shoulder. As soon as Maslov tried to send a warning, it grabbed Seunek and chewed off his head.
The sound of keratin being chewed, the purple body fluid flowing down the corners of the mouth, the writhing centipede, and the appearance of Number 4 reflected in the bluish light itself was bizarre. Maslov shut his mouth at the silent protest.
Although Number 3 Space Warper and Number 4 Swap were extremely careful, the Angel of Death, who showed natural assimilation skills, had already descended. Black Mamba, who approached the tombstone in question, rubbed the oil on the tombstone with his finger and put it on his nose. A faint saltiness was felt.
He showed the Rule of Sight and fumbled around the tombstone. A few grains of dark red earth fell between the grass. The sharp eyes of the sniper recognized at a glance that the soil was imported from the outside.
Bingo!
Black Mamba penetrated the ground as if it had melted in his standing position. It was Yongcheontubalgong, one of his main skills. Swoosh! Without a sound, a black object appeared in the space 3 meters below the ground. The number of Beat residents suddenly increased to four.
Maslov and Ubiksa agent were far away, staring at the sunbeams. The brain could not yet analyze the phenomenon.
Ugh!
Burag! (Its an enemy!)
Paaah! A vortex poured out of the space warpers wide-open mouth. Beep! A high-frequency sound sounded like tearing eardrums. It was Number 3s main specialty wind saw blade. A high-frequency sound neutralized the balance organs and Hundreds of fast-spinning, claw-sized wind saw blades turned the opponent into a mop. Black Mambas upper body disappeared, leaving a faint afterimage.
Whooosh! Scratching! Tap, tap, tap! Three different noises sounded at the same time. The space warpers face was smashed and the wind saw blade pierced the earthen wall. Buzz! A shot cut the air. Puak! Seuneks head exploded like fireworks when he pulled out his pistol.
Maslov, covered in blood, couldnt pull the Beretta trigger and froze. From the time he collaborated with the NKVD (KGB predecessor, Peoples Committee of the Interior of the USSR), he had met all kinds of talented people in the world, but there had never been a person as strong and ruthless as this one.
Splitting! His wrists crumbled and Beretta fell into the hands of the intruder. The situation ended 1.5 seconds after Black Mamba broke into the Beat.
You need to give my things back.
The eerie voice rang the Beat. Maslovs brain was connected to the phenomenon.
Ugh, uh how?
Unless he was a god, at least a human who should be wearing an Ecmo (life support device) in the intensive care unit had appeared in front of his eyes after three days as if he was Jesus. Like Thomas, he wanted to check by putting his finger in the bullet hole.
Its an unnecessary question. I dont want to use the rough way. It wouldnt be a pretty sight to see, would it?
Of course, the Beat full of blood and meat would not be a good sight to see. Maslov avoided sharp eyes inwardly. It meant to choose whether the face would be smashed or the head would be blown. It was a bizarre and terrifying threat.
Maslov has completely abandoned his will to resist. No, he gave up. He didnt even bother trying to copy. The doppelganger ability was an enhanced version of Emerald Sea Slugs blue-green algae DNA steel skill.
Emerald Sea Slugs would extract bundles of photosynthetic DNA from blue-green algae, implant them in their skin, or copy and insert them into their genes. It would obtain energy directly from the photosynthetic ability obtained in this way.
Black Mambas salt waves were ten times stronger than his own. If he tried to steal memories and genes, he would be eaten instead. With no combat skills to show off other than copying ability, it would only cause pain if he tried it himself.
Gimme!
Black Mamba reached out his hand.
I have a condition.
Maslov gave a lot of strength to his belly and eyes. It seemed like he would pee in front of his opponents eyes, but his survival instinct called for courage.
Condition? Are you in a position to put a condition on?
Black Mamba laughed.
I treated your woman with sincerity. Treat me as a prisoner of war.
Heh, heh, so you are going to keep doing Dupins behavior on the doppelganger subject? A good doctor, Dupin, must have lost his body and memory, leaving only useless protein residues. Murder addition!
Ugh!
Maslov was surprised enough that his eyes popped out of his head. During his hundred years of life, no one had ever known his identity. It was enough to feel awe towards the opponent.
I want to ask you one thing. Although the KGB is a powerful spy agency, it cannot secure an escape route and a hiding place in the cathedral in a short time. Someone influential might have helped. Whos that?
Heh, you are a powerful being. But if you touch the Illuminati, you will be chased for the rest of your life.
Illuminati? Do you mean the Illuminati who dont know if its a Freemasonry subdivision or a competitor?
Yes.
Before the answer was over, a flash of jade flashed. Maslovs left arm fell with a thump. Instead of splashing blood, the smell of burning protein spread. The cut section was pressed into the pharynx like an earthquake.
Aww!
You arrogant! Freemasonry is also about to disappear, so youre going to scare me with the Illuminati? Give it to me before I cut your limbs and peel them!
Woong! Resonant waves shook his brain. Maslov, as if he was possessed, pulled out an object wrapped in polyester insulation from his pocket. To the sweltering Beat chilly air spread. Swish! The troublesome Oparts passed into Black Mambas hands.
Who is it? If you answer in good faith, you will be killed without pain.
Ahhh! Knight Captain Javer!
Arevasa President?
Maslov, drenched in pain, nodded his head diligently.
Somehow I was doubtful I hope you will be born a perfect human being in your next life.
Purr! The wind blew. A hole the size of a five hundred won coin was drilled from the forehead to the back of the head.
Devil!
Maslov left a shriek and fell. No one could escape the human and merciless hand of Black Mamba.
There is no need to leave a mark.
[Whoo] Yongcheontubalgong has pierced the endless abyss. [Whoo] The tornado drove the traces of the Beat and three corpses and shoved them into the hole. Dirt filled the hole.
As promised, I sent you without pain. Spies are not prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions. Understand it.
The dead, of course, couldnt understand. Only useless words hovered over the spot where Black Mamba disappeared.
******
Ngpanwaza Green Camp.
For the Holy Soul!
Lieutenant Colonel Michell bowed his head toward the cage hanging from the main console of the operational control room.
Whats going on?
The golden parrots eyes were dyed blue.
Lord Lamartine, the situation has changed rapidly. I think the Illuminati are in. A doppelganger Black Mamba was defeated. The KGB and the Illuminati the Oparts We are fighting the French Army in Bukavu.
Black Mamba?
He did not appear on the battlefield.
The Illuminati are good at tricking and betraying, but the Black Mamba is not a shabby man.
Telstar (satellite for satellite communication) and Dragon Lady have caught a meaningful communication from the French base in Bukavu. This is the content to send the VIP with Gazelle.
Well, was he really defeated?
Oparts owner has definitely changed.
If we shoot it down, well know.
Yes, Sir. Just in case, Ill put Verriere in.
If possible, dont expose Intermediate Grendel.
Yes, shall we also withhold Behemoth waiting in the Swamp of Death?
Of course. We cant shoot a cannon to catch a fly. It makes the world noisy and only the vigilance of the adversaries grows stronger. It is not too late even after confirming the state of Black Mamba. Check first whether he is alive or not.
For the Holy Soul!
Lieutenant Colonel Michell bowed deeply. The golden parrots eyes returned to their original state. Thanks to Black Mambas attempt to break the gold wire, Bukavu had been spared from lightning, but no one knew that a bigger disaster was imminent.
******
The gunfire on the cathedral grounds stopped and the gunshots and gunfire from the outside also stopped. Only ruins remained at a place where the French Army retreated like low tide. The Ndende Region was as wretched as the cathedral. Half of the houses were spread or destroyed and dozens of civilians were killed.
Faced with the 11th Airborne Brigade, Mai-Mai and FDLR retreated, leaving behind hundreds of bodies. At best, the guerrillas armed with rifles and RPG7s were unable to deal with the 11th Airborne Brigade, which had helicopters and armored vehicles at the fore.
The price of greed was a vain sacrifice. The KGBs East African branch based in Uganda had been destroyed, and the Illuminati had lost its Oparts and advanced talents. France, Mai-Mai, and FDLR had shed only blood without income. Black Mamba, who stole the substance, disappeared without a trace.
Ariba billionaire collapsed. The battle was not the purpose of the fight itself, but to get something. If there was no fish, whats the point to scoop out the reservoir water? What he gained was the painful realization that Black Mamba was a national treasure.
The Bukavu incident was known as a battle in which the French successfully repelled guerrillas who attacked the Resources Development Center. In Africa, land warfare was routine. The world did not take a serious look at the incident, nor did it hold it in its memory for a long time.
******
Wind hill overlooking the lake, Black Mamba, seated in a wheelchair, was looking down at the crashing arc at sunset. The glow of the Sahara was solemn and grandiose. The glow of Kivu Lake was so brilliant that the eyes became dizzy. The lakefront was, as usual, infested with fishermen unloading their fish and indigenous peoples bargaining.
Humans were sensitive to small risks that have not been realized, but they were insensitive to big risks. A huge amount of carbon dioxide was accumulated at the bottom of Lake Kivu, but no one was concerned about the hundreds of thousands of people living in the lake.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu were as good at cooking as they were at combat. The smell of savory meat and spicy spices lingered on the barbecue grill, and the outdoor tables with parasols were filled with steaks, bluefin tuna, and tropical fruits that could feed ten people.
Black Mamba was not that much comfortable. It was said that when one was full, ones heart would become more generous, but this was valid when one was not worried. The faces of Jin Soon, Edel, and Hae Young floated with scales of water on the surface of the lake where the setting sun broke.
Lifes a waste!
Her words that life didnt have the right answer and responsibility about choice should be taken into his heart. Hae Young had lived with her nanny since she was five years old because of the wishes of both parents. It was just she didnt have any economic difficulties, but she was no different from himself. He knew how deep that wound was.
Jin Soon and Edel could accept Hae Young, but it was hard for Hae Young to accept Jin Soon and Edel. When it was said that the hymen regeneration surgery was fine, the emptiness in her eyes he saw caught his heart. There was something he vaguely guessed. She wasnt Hae Young who would listen when he stopped her.
When you get to Novatopia, youll be surprised.
He looked at the clock. It was close to six oclock. They would arrive in 3 hours by jet from Bukavu Airfield to Jipoon Dari Airport. A family was people who would sleep together and a family member was a person who would eat together. It was not difficult as long as they didnt get too greedy with each other.
I am going to be crazy!
Ariba glanced up the hill and turned like a puppy who wanted to go to poop. He just wanted to ask one question, but that one question was the problem. The failure of the operation was his responsibility. If he brought up the Oparts subject, he could be beaten until all his teeth fell out.
There was another reason for his nervousness. He looked at his watch. It was exactly 18:00. It was time for the news to come.
It came!
An operation agent came into view like running through the field.
Chief! News is not good.
Aribas expression hardened after receiving the message.
Chapter 730 - 730 Chapter 65 Episode 20 My Address is Hell
730 Chapter 65 Episode 20 My Address is Hell
What did I commit? asked Ariba in his mind.
It was news that he had been waiting for, but when it actually happened, he was terrified.
The situation is?
Operation Departments accident management team and Luupdeng have been dispatched.
Secure the site and wait for the position. Its not a matter for me to handle.
He sent back the agent and climbed the hill.
Wow, the world will turn upside down, said Ariba inwardly.
There was a late regret that he had done something he couldnt handle, but the incident had already happened. Ariba felt as heavy as if his feet were a thousand geun.
Wakil, my inside is like burning.
A bear who only played tricks to die should, of course, feel chagrined. Thats why people shouldnt be bears.
Dont be a bear? asked Sun Woo-hyun to himself.
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head. He thought that there was something that had deep meaning in it, but he was scared to ask. It would be tiring even when listening to good songs often. Much more, since he had heard the words ignorant man, moron, and a dull-headed, he lost his nerve.
Come on! The bear is coming up the hill.
An impatient bear is whipped.
Black Mamba didnt even look back. Due to unexplained anxiety, he left the restaurant and went to Wind Hill. He didnt have the heart to listen to the complaining quietly.
Advisor, it is bad news.
Theres no worse news than the fact that I still cant leave Africa.
Ariba put out the note without speaking.
16:15 Southwest of Kamembe Airfield 2km Branch. Three Gazelles on their way to the airfield fell. Presumed to be a surface-to-air missile attack.
What is this?
Black Mambas face stiffened like a plaster cast. Was this the essence of anxiety? His heart fell.
These are the Gazelle that the patient rode and the escort Gazelle.
What? Didnt they depart at 15:00?
Black Mamba glared into his eyes.
A malfunction was detected in SA341. There was a delay in requesting a spare aircraft from Mavivi.
How can it be!
Black Mamba staggered and the note in his hand fell.
What about the passengers?
Everyone died.
Ariba glanced away from his earnest gaze and spoke in a businesslike manner.
Did you say everyone died?
The atmosphere rumbled in Noho Castle.
Ugh!
Ariba momentarily stopped breathing. Unknowingly, he retreated. Huung! A ferocious wave bristled his hair and rolled up the dirt.
The culprit is?
A voice that was so cold that the bones shivered rang out. Black Mamba straightened his waist and looked up. The bright red eyes returned to the clear black and white eyes at the moment they were lifted.
Indeed, the Angel of Death!
He couldnt help but admire it. Black Mamba rectified his anger at the moment and found stability. No, he swallowed his anger. Despite his usual appearance, he felt suffocated and his skin stung as if he had been swept away by the Harmattan.
It is presumed to be a Stinger. SA342 Gazelles can pour flares three times. Among the current portable missiles, the Stinger is the only active seeker-equipped missile.
Ariba did not directly address the U.S. Military. If he had checked directly on the spot, his anger would have been doubled.
The distance to Kamembe Airfield is?
It is 31km. It is connected to State N3.
Well, if you fly a helicopter, you will get hit with a surface-to-air missile. Subordinate!
Yes, Sir!
Pretending was fine. Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu, who were frozen, jumped down the hill like foals on fire.
Hmm, is it a success! Ariba yelled in delight.
He missed the opportunity to mention Oparts, but Black Mambas anger was more than he had thought. Yankees were wrong even if they bet $50 billion, not $5 billion. He was sorry for the victimized Gazelle pilot, but it was the maximum effect at a minimum cost. This was the very DGSE-like means.
Growling! A high-mobility vehicle blasted dust from the headquarters hangar and ran towards the hill.
Ariba, theres no coincidence in the world.
Black Mamba smiled brightly and climbed into the high mobile vehicle.
Can it be!
Even in his opinion, the work had been done perfectly. He had just done his best to transport the patient. Ariba looked at the vanishing back of the car with a hardened face.
******
Wakil!
Sun Woo-hyun pointed to the smoke of a new yellow flare. It was a plateau southwest of Kamembe Airfield.
Lord Dubaiburupa, it is 4 km ahead in the 2 oclock direction.
Zulu confirmed the GPS data he had received. This was the route from Bukavu to the airfield. Black Mamba jumped from the running vehicle without answering. This was an area where one couldnt enter by car anyway.
As they climbed the sheer cliffs that blocked the front, their vision exploded and the deep valley opened its mouth. On the charred valley floor, the Gazelle fuselage and the tail rotor that had fallen off were seen. Fortunately, the explosion was avoided.
What are the tremors??
Luupdeng, wearing a green helmet, was blocking an unidentified armed group. There was a guy in jeans and a Hawaiian sleeveless southern shirt, a guy in jeans and a Reebok shirt, and even a guy in gandourah, but judging from the stern atmosphere, it wasnt a sloppy guerrilla.
He checked the weapon with a tube. The Stinger, the Minimi, the MP5, the MGL grenade launcher; without a doubt, it was all U.S. Special Forces. Using the shrubs rooted in the cliffs as a stepping stone, they rode down a 70-80 degree incline as if flying. Whistle! A black object fell silently like a fan-head repair.
Aww, hush!
Woah!
Dozens of pairs of eyes that were pointing their guns focused on the man who suddenly appeared as if he had fallen from the sky and soared from the ground.
Who is the person in charge?
Act! This is Luupdeng, leader of the 7th company, captain Nong Moore
Recognizing the Black Mamba, Moore saluted.
Captain Moore, why are they doing this?
These are supposed to be the Seal team. They said they would investigate the helicopter.
Relief flowed on Moores face. When the advisor appeared, all the challenges would be solved.
So, theyre gangsters.
Why would the U.S. military investigate a crashed French helicopter? He glanced around the junkyard US troops. Among the 34, not a single one was seen in black. After all, it was Black Mamba that dried the seeds of Shadow.
What about the passengers?
Everyone died. They came in while recovering the body.
Are they the culprits?
Neither admission nor denial.
Its a bad habit that Yankee guys often use. Hey, who is the person in charge?
They wanted to wipe it out right away, but they knew each other clearly. He didnt want to trouble the French government.
Im in charge.
A black man in Levis jeans stepped out. His physique was good enough to be the NBA center.
Reveal your identity?
I cant reveal.
Hehehe, youll soon remember your great-grandmothers name.
The black man, with his bright eyes, flinched.
The helicopter came into the no-fly zone. Im just going to investigate and quietly step back.
Seal team leader, Major Breeman, had a hard time with the opponent. A sixth sense honed on the battlefield had issued a warning.
You are funny. Do you guys set the access road to the civilian airfield of another country as a no-fly zone? So, you mean you set up a no-fly zone and shot it down? If you say you cant reveal your identity, you mean that you can be considered a terrorist, right?
Hes a sharp-tongued guy, said Breeman in his mind.
Breeman was desperate for an answer. If they couldnt solve it with words anyway, they had to solve it with their fists. It was an overwhelming power, but there was no reason to spare their fist.
I only follow orders. Its the last warning. Step back.
Breeman kept his mouth shut and spread his legs shoulder-width apart. His right hand gripped the pistol grip on his waist and clapped his left hand. It was an insulting move meant to fade away immediately.
Black Mambas eyes were cold. They were going to die anyway, but he didnt want to touch the woman he loved with bloody hands, so he suppressed his anger. If they didnt get out of the way, there was no choice but to kill them for him.
Youre pulling the doorknob of the underworld. What should I do?
Whooosh! A white shadow came over Major Breeman. Before the left and right guards even recognized the movement, the commendation left their hands. Growling! The moment the guards scream with a shuriken stuck in his throat exploded, a steel-like hand grabbed Breemans neck. The left hand grabbed the Rakshasa handle. Whoo! Rakshasa revealed its splendor.
Crack! In one shot, the teeth came out. Breemans eyeballs were turned upside down.
Tie it up!
The giant ball flew 10m and fell to the Luupdeng camp. Whoosh! A death tornado had struck the Seal team.
Aww, hush!
Attack!
Pat, pat! At the same time as the bullets poured, the tornado swallowed the Seal team. Pat, pat, pat! The ground was dug up, rocks cracked, and shrubs and grass were smashed in the whirlwind. A roar swallowed the scream. The fragile human body was sliced and chopped like pork for a pork cutlet.
The Tornado of death disappeared as quickly as it appeared. The result was ruinous. The shreds that soared fell like rain. Blood and pieces of meat mixed with the shredded materials covered 30m of an area. There was no human form anywhere. Only Asura, with a huge whip, was standing alone.
Woah!
Whoa, whoa!
Luupdengs face turned pale. He ripped his eyes open and made a noise like a dumb. Black Mamba glanced at Luupdeng and finished off Rakshasa.
Damn, I was excited.
He blamed himself. He had shown a scene that shouldnt be shown.
Captain Moore!
Yes yes, Sir!
Captain Moore bowed his waist ninety degrees with a frightened face. He was a monster that ground the 34 members of the Seal team like a feed shredder in an instant. There was a fear that his limbs would be ripped off.
Its the order of the Special Military Advisor. Forget these!
Yes, Sir. I didnt see anything.
Black Mamba glanced at Luupdeng.
I didnt see anything!
Fourteen people shouted as if their throats were going to burst.
Okay! You have to have a heavy mouth to live long.
He grabbed the nape of the neck of the big man who was lying face down, got him up, and patted his back with his palms.
Gack, gack!
The big man threw up blood and opened his eyes.
Moore!
Yes, advisor!
Transport him to the headquarters hospital. His intestines are tangled. Dont feed him water.
Yes. I understand, Sir.
Luupdeng carried Breeman who stretched like boiled Chinese cabbage on a Gazelle that.
******
Black Mamba looked down at Hae Young, who was ensconced in a tarp with dazed eyes. The missile had broken the tail boom. The helicopter that had lost its tail was upside down.
The impact had broken her neck and twisted her spine. The direct cause of death was blade shrapnel that had smashed her left chest and sprained her back. She would have died instantly without feeling the pain.
Lin
Hae Young had no words. He turned her neck, which had turned to an impossible angle, to her original position, and pulled the broken spine back to fit. The resonant waves pressed the tissue to stop the bleeding and pulled the blade shards out.
Did it hurt so much?
A trembling hand caressed her cheek. A pale pink color full of vitality turned into white wax. The warmth returned to the stubborn coldness. The beauty of the lustrous soul had disappeared. The scent of her that had gone, ripped through his chest.
God, so you didnt allow me to share a word of greeting!
A drop of hot tears fell on her cold cheeks. A woman who gave her warm arms during a time of storm and gale, a woman who left after burning his passion like a flame, and now a woman who would remain with the longing for a lifetime.
Crunch! A feeling of a foreign thing was felt on the inside of the bra soaked in blood. Black Mamba, who had been crying with his head down, raised his head.
What is this?
A bunch of paper came out. Two lines were written in rough letters.
The collapsed folding screen rock, I love you even if I die. Im sorry!
Ah!
He closed his eyes. It was a small note that was written at the moment the helicopter crashed. When humans would be struck by the fear of death, they would remind of the most intense emotions in their lives. I love you and Im sorry was a momentary sight that filled a delicate soul.
Uhhh, you silly!
The first letter didnt even catch his eye. Only I love you and Im sorry appeared in front of his eyes. Even the unchanging love and the unbearable hatred were just a sight for a moment when they passed, but what was she so sorry about?
From the first aid kit, he pulled out something the size of a fingernail in waterproof packaging. This was what Hae Young secretly put in his pocket a few days ago. He guessed the content, so he didnt release it.
When he unpacked, a cheap silver ring came out. It was a sign that they put on their finger under the old mans song, promising eternal love. When he returned the ring, it was painful as if his heart had been torn.
My address is hell, but maybe well see each other again in the future.
He stretched out a hard finger and pushed the ring. It felt like a bullet had pierced his chest. A cold wind blew in and out of the hole.
Ahhh!
A grieving howl shook the atmosphere. A flock of birds flew away and a swarm of monkeys ran away while screaming. Luupdeng grabbed his ears and hovered.
Ah!
Moore felt like his guts were pulled out. His tears flowed down unwittingly. He had never seen the sorrow of a human being so grievous.
Moore beckoned. Luupdeng turned back in unison and entered the all-around security. They saw legends. They wanted to protect the time when the legend was parting with the woman he loved.
******
My lungs are about to burst!
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu, who chased after Black Mamba all the way to death, pulled out their tongues and gasped. 4km in the jungle was more than 40km of road. Black Mamba was flying away by stepping on the tree trunk, but it was a pity for them who had to overcome all kinds of obstacles.
Hush!
Captain Moore shook his hand and pointed to Black Mamba. Sun Woo-hyun looked at crying Black Mamba secretly. They did not dare to comfort or stop him.
Chapter 731 - 731 Chapter 65 Episode 21 My Address is Hell
731 Chapter 65 Episode 21 My Address is Hell
She was such a good lady Even if this is a problem, it is firmly established!
Sun Woo-hyuns face became serious. The relationship between the two was obvious from the devotion the lord put in when he rescued the woman from the camp. He just pretended as if he didnt know because the lord told him not to ask.
He was not happy about the new woman who suddenly appeared, but after observing her, he fell in love with the dignity and consideration that was comparable to that of Jin Soon and Edel. He was caught up by a 15-year-old immature black girl, but the lord was a hunk for every woman he met.
Whether it was because the lord had saved 3,000 court ladies in his previous life or not, he was so jealous. He had an affection for her while running through the jungle and carrying the young lady, but she died suddenly like a lie. It was questionable if the lords emotion would be relieved by erasing the camp and Freemasonry.
Camp Commander Sun Woo, the situation became serious. The advisor chopped up the U.S. navy Seal team like a garlic clove.
Captain Moores expression was as serious as his words.
Is it that serious to ignore? Theres nothing more serious than Wakils grief.
Sun Woo-hyun glared at him.
I understand the grief of the advisor, but the U.S. is an ally of France. I know it is common for agents to die and kill each other, but theyre the Navys Special Forces. The lord slaughtered as many as 34 people. The motherland has missed the opportunity to launch a diplomatic offensive, and it has put a lot of pressure on it.
Captain Moore was uncompromising. When the shock died, he was worried about the report of the incident. Although the advisor ordered the gag order, he was a member of the Ministry of National Defense. The chest and head collided.
He is not a bastard who is tainted with defeatism. If you have eyes, you can look hard. Is there a piece of a corpse somewhere?
Sun Woo-hyun pointed to the scene where tomato ketchup was sprinkled.
Captain Moore shuddered. He remembered a terrible scene that he didnt want to see even in his dream.
This is a prelude. The blood will flow like a river, so watch and eat rice cakes.
Sun Woo-hyuns eyes were bundled with sadist pleasure. A predator who just lost a mate was more ferocious than a hungry predator. The lord was not a person to be swayed by emotions, but he was a person who would pay back tenfold for kindness and a hundredfold for resentment.
Although it had become a body that had nothing to do with the United States, American imperialism was the enemy of the nation. The hatred caused by brainwashing, which was injected from an early age, was deeply embedded in his bones.
Dear subordinate, Lord Dubaiburupa is sobbing!
Zulu, who was restless, sobbed.
Explanation freak servant bastard, why are you crying? Damn it. Im in tears, too. By the way, why isnt Pauls finale coming?
Sun Woo-hyun was nervous. He wanted to stop Black Mamba, but it was hard to go. The darkness was coming, and there was no news about Paul, who had to come.
Paul Shuberze is coming!
Zulu pointed to the sky. A blue parachute appeared in the dark sky. Paul landed lightly like a reversing airborne mercenary.
If you got in touch, go immediately.
Because I didnt want to get the Gazelle out of headquarters. How long have you been like that?
Paul threw off his harness and glanced at Black Mamba.
It should have been 30 minutes. Please soothe me.
Well, Wakil is also a human being.
Paul walked up and wrapped his shoulders.
Friend, go back now. Let her go now.
Paul, they raped and killed my woman. What should I do? Black Mamba bowed his head and muttered.
Paul was terrifying. He knew the potential of Black Mamba better than anyone. When a monster who had shackled himself unshackled his shackled and run wildly, the world would be stained with blood.
Revenge is already over as you know. She fell victim to the greed and madness of a huge organization. You cant just kill all the Yankees, can you? They have wives and children, too, and they will take hold of a body as you cry.
Paul was worried about the sacrifice of innocent lives, such as an innocent bystander getting hurt in a whale fight.
Paul, if you hit someone with a stick, its not the sticks fault. But the person who hit you has to take responsibility. If you dont take responsibility for wrong choices and actions, this world will turn into Gehenna, where power dominates everything. The saying that I hate most is Hate the sin but dont hate sinners. Whats the difference between saying Forgive the one who wields the stick since you punished him?
You are a friend and a master, and this is the meaning of my life. Youre a real man. I dont want to see you hurt and in pain.
Huh, the man who couldnt protect the woman he loved. What is a real man? When I put someone elses life away, I was prepared to suffer, too. Dont worry. I am not the newbie who cried out in the Sahel.
Black Mamba threw a resolute word and held Hae Youngs body.
Subordinate, send back Leon. My customer returned his boarding pass.
He climbed into the helicopter to leave a word. Pauls sad eyes stayed on his bent back.
******
Major Breeman was treated for a mechanical intestinal obstruction and bruise at the FEADC hospital and refreshed himself with a quality meal. He was willing to accept the favor of France. The treatment of war prisoners and humane treatment was specified in the Geneva Conventions.
He did not worry about anything else. His motherland, the United States of America, was not an uncivilized country that would say, We dont know about a soldier who has been taken prisoner working for the country. Not knowing that his subordinates had turned into fish meat, he waited for time to pass.
Breemans wild dream turned into a nightmare when a black man with good a physique like his entered the hospital room.
Tubiba (Doctor), is the treatment over?
Master is a strong man. Still, moving would be hard.
What should I do? He might be going to start exercising vigorously from now on.
No. Still examination
The master told me to bring him in.
Pat! Zulus merciless punches ripped through his large head.
Asshole, his punch is tough, said Major Breeman in his mind.
Breemans mind went dark. Zulu grabbed the collar of his patients clothes and dragged him to the underground morgue. Since he had told him to bring this guy in, Zulu was dragging him.
Aww!
An excruciating pain awakened his mind. Breeman blinked. A small, ugly Asian man, as small as a monkey, was holding his thumb and smiling with his teeth out. Major Breemans eyes found a metal stick under his fingernail.
What is this? Breeman snorted.
Shall we start? A heavy baritone voice echoed from behind the dwarf Asian.
Ugh!
Breeman became sober. The voice that he heard, belonged to a tall man who wasnt like an Asian. He remembered the terrifying blow. The moment the shadow fell, the world turned black following the sensation of breaking his body. The thought of beating an Asian man who was savvy in front of him ran away for thousands of miles.
Affiliation?
Sun Woo-hyun glared at him with his menacing eyes. Breeman became sober. Guessing and confessing were different things. France was one of the most powerful allies of the United States. When his identity was exposed, his country would be under a huge political burden.
I cannot say.
A white line was drawn on Black Mambas face. He was going to torture him by suffocation but entrusted it to Sun Woo-hyun. He buried his head in the sand, but he didnt want to get blood on his hands as much as possible until the day of Hae Youngs funeral.
Its a great attitude. Remember when I said youd remember your great-grandmothers name? Subordinate, help me.
Heh, heh, heh! You, servant bastard, I mean lets check the skeleton.
Crack! The middle finger of the left hand was attached to the back of the hand. A broken bone protruded through his palm. Cut-off blood vessels and tendons like the root of a bellflower were entangled.
Ahhh!
Breeman screamed as if his throat was going to burst. Tears and snorts were pouring out. He had never imagined this kind of barbaric torture. A strong hand grabbed the middle finger of his right hand.
I I am a prisoner. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions Ahh!
Breeman let out a tearful scream as he spoke. Sun Woo-hyun grabbed his left ear and threw it in the trash.
You dont seem to be able to tell whether its poop or soybean paste from Number 49. The reason we have two ears is that the Creator wanted us to listen well. If youre going to die, youre going to hell.
Sun Woo-hyun rang the bell attached to the table. A man with a white robe came in, treated the bleeding, and hurried out.
Now its the beginning. Ill pull out your fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, legs, and ribs in order. So many bones, a lot of time.
Sun Woo-hyun revealed his white teeth and laughed. As expected, the words of the person who learned a lot were perfect.
Ahhh!
Breeman fell into a panic. This guy was a barbarian who would destroy his body knowing he was an American. No, not a barbarian, but a demon. He was a madman.
Sun Woo-hyun grabbed the thumb of his right hand.
Stop. STOP! Breemans patience and loyalty were limited by one finger. This was a natural phenomenon unless one was an intelligence officer trained in specialized torture response.
Affiliation and Name?
I am the Seal team leader of the 17th Marine Brigade stationed in Palawan, Major Breeman.
The purpose of shooting down the Gazelle?
I dont know the purpose. I was ordered to shoot down a helicopter heading to Kamembe Airfield.
Who ordered it?
It was Green Camps Lieutenant Colonel Michell and Commander McKinley.
Tell me the command line of the garrison at Green Camp?
The commander of the 15th Marine Regiment is Colonel McPherson and the commander of the 17th Regiment is Colonel Robin. Commander Michell is in charge of the security team and Shadows. The Operations Control Room is Major Warmers responsibility. The final officer is Brigadier General Mckinley.
Who moves the Predator?
Ive only heard. I dont know.
Sun Woo-hyun glanced at Black Mamba. Black Mamba nodded.
Who is McKinleys commander?
I dont know. I was deployed from the destroyer Ingersoll. Destroyer Ingersoll and Blue Ridge from the 7th Fleet, and Aegis cruiser Bunker Hill, are on standby in Dar es Salaam. The final order comes from Bunker Hill CIC, Breeman answered meekly.
What would such a frog do if he knew?
Did the MLRS battery move to Bukavu? Black Mamba asked abruptly.
Ugh!
Breeman was startled. There was nothing this guy didnt know. Crack! Sun Woo-hyun broke the little finger he was holding.
Ahh! It was moved. Three batteries were deployed at Kalonge.
Black Mambas face hardened. Kalonge was a village close to the active volcano of Tshibinda and was 32 km from Bukavu. MLRS was in a good position to pour a heavy rain of steel. MLRS and ATACMS were far more menacing than Super Grendel. If they would use a bunker buster, it was dangerous to dig underground with a dragon-throwing hole.
Wheres Brigadier Dyson?
Dyson? Its the name I dont know.
Breeman shook his head.
Its done. He doesnt know anything about Predators and Freemasons. Let him go.
Breemans face brightened. Crack! Sun Woo-hyun turned his neck without mercy.
Go to a good place. There will be a lot of people to follow, so you wont be lonely.
Sun Woo-hyun put Breeman in the cabinet for the body and slammed him.
******
At Wind Hill overlooking Lake Kivu, Black Mamba made a tomb alone. He made a seamless sarcophagus by slicing granite with trapezoidal Oparts downgraded from Vajra to Oparts circle and smoothing it with tortoiseshell.
He enshrined Hae Youngs body in a sarcophagus, hooked Vajra into a huge granite, and stirred. Creak! The hole for the sarcophagus was drilled open. He pushed the sarcophagus into the rock and melted the rock with Vajra, even removing the seams. Hae Young was buried on Wind Hill as her last wish.
Such a stupid head, dont say awful things Take a look at the lake while the wind blows.
He grumbled as he sprinkled a handful of African red clay on the rock. The body from which the soul had departed was a combination of ephemeral elements, but what was the feeling of letting go of the woman he loved? Unfinished sorrow was solved with an inscription.
The inscription was replaced by Song of the Wild Geese Mound. The one who built the Song of the Wild Geese Mound was Yuan Haowen, but the person who was widely known to the world was Lee Mak-soo, the red-lantern fairy who appeared in Giant Eagle. Lee Mak-soo shouted out the Song of the Wild Geese Mound and threw himself into the blazing fire, ending the life of a villain woman. The sad lyrics, the tragic end, and the sad story overlapped with Hae Young.
To the people of the world, what is the meaning of nanny, so that life and death are judged?
A pair of geese flew between heaven and earth. As they traversed north and south, they spread their exhausted wings and experienced the cold and heat several times.
Theres a foolish woman who cant get out of the joy of love and the pain of parting.
You must answer me. Evening snow falls endlessly on the whole mountain, and I wonder from whom a lonely bird will kick and fly away
Even if you fly across the water of the fountain, the sound of the flute and drum is still, and I doubt the harsh smoke in the country of Cho.
Even if I call the first marriage, I cant stop groaning, and even the mountain ghosts weep secretly in the rain and wind.
Whether the sky is jealous or not, the oriole and the swallow were buried together in ocher.
Which poet did you wait for and stay with? Drinking to get drunk, singing like crazy, visiting the geese graveyard.
Ask the people of the world. What is love that shares life and death together?
A bird that flies in the sky and the earth, how many years have accumulated on its weary wings?
A foolish woman struggles with the joy of meeting and the pain of parting.
You have to call me, and there are only clouds in the distant sky.
When the sunset is over all the mountains, where should the lonely shadow go?
Even as I walk along the fountain road, the sound of the flute and the drums are gone, and only the thick fog spreads like it was back then.
How do those who sing the first wedding song reach you? Only the mountain wind cries in the rain and wind.
Heaven is jealous and tells you to forsake your faith. How can you roll on the ground like a motley bird?
I will wait for someone to cry for a long time, then I will drink to get drunk and go to the grave and sing like crazy.
When he engraved a letter, a tear dropped. And when he engraved two letters, two drops of tears flowed.
Chapter 732 - 732 Chapter 65 Episode 22 My Address is Hell
732 Chapter 65 Episode 22 My Address is Hell
You said you didnt like your hometown, and you lay in a far, far land. You dont answer when I call your name and you dont say anything when I call your first marriage. Drink to get drunk and sing like crazy.
He took one sip and poured it on the grave. Then he took another sip and poured it on the grave, and whether he was drunk from arrack or sadness, the meeting and parting seemed like a dream far away.
As the boundaries of life and death became ambiguous, the text of Hae Youngs note came to his mind. The collapsed folding screen rocks and thunderbolts! If she wrote it just before her death, there must be a reason for it.
Ah!
He hit his head. Byeongpung Rock was located in Bangtaesan. Achimgarigol. He spent the last autumn with her and played a treasure hunt at Byeongpung Rock. It was a game of becoming the owner when the other person found the hidden treasure.
His smile appeared unwittingly. The servant was always his part. Whether he found the treasure or not, it was the same as burning bones and flesh all night in a hot-eared house.
His head turned round and round. The area where Hae Young excavated Oparts was Mambasa Ngpanwaza. It was said that there was a large rock resembling Byeongpung Rock in the cut-off site where the fault was cut by the earthquake and that something was hidden in a tree struck by lightning.
There were two Oparts that Hae Young had discovered. One was kept by himself and one was hidden. Why was it? If Hae Young had informed the location of the hidden Oparts, she might not have suffered.
Ahh!
Once again, a popping sound came out. The hidden Oparts was a gift to him. It was a gift given in return for the hardship that a woman could not bear.
You fool, you fool!
Was it because of the guilt of not being able to protect the body? What was him that she had made such an absurd sacrifice and ultimately gave up her life? The master loved Jin Soon like a granddaughter but had only nagged Hae Young not to dwell on the broken relationship.
Did she expect a disastrous ending? Does that mean that he shouldnt have known his lover was in danger? The words that life had no right answer and that one had to take responsibility for his own choices hit his heart once again.
If its what you give, I should accept it. Ill have to interrogate McKinley and a guy named Dr. Samuel first.
The purpose of the camp was Hae Young. They werent interested in Oparts. Now things had changed. He had to find belongings left by Hae Young. He brushed his ass and got up.
He had no intention of telling Hae Youngs parents about her death. Could a human being who had abandoned their own five beautiful daughters because of lust and power, be called a parent? If there were parents like that, he was a hundred times happier to have received plenty of love for a short period.
******
Ariba, ask for Hercules. Send Korean Jeong and Kim back home.
Yes, Sir. Well deal with it immediately.
Ariba was pleased. Even if it wasnt, the Korean agent who was standing in front of Black Mambas eyes was a thorn in his eye.
Get the Gazelle ready, too. The corner Dupin believes in is Mai-Mai. If you shatter Mai-Mai, Dupin would be a rat in the poison.
Thats right.
The chief goes with him.
Sir?
Aribas eyes grew as if they were popping out.
Im an officer, not an agent.
So?
I have to coordinate the whole operation.
Haha! Did you coordinate the operation?
Ariba became a honey-eaten mute. He had nothing to say.
If you fiddle with a ballpoint pen on the head of your desk, you lose the sense of realism, so you just shovel. Lets try to keep the sense of place alive. Bonipas will look at you.
Black Mamba jerked his shoulder and walked to the hostel. He just had no mind for the shock of losing Hae Young, but Black Mamba didnt forget.
No way? No, probably not! said Ariba told himself.
Ariba looked at the back of Black Mamba with a keen eye. He didnt know that Black Mamba could read brain waves, blood flow, and myocardial movements.
Buddhist monk Dae-woo had said, If one forcefully twisted the fate of others, his own fate must have suffered a greater twist.
******
The tree wanted to stay still, but the wind wouldnt leave it alone. Even though Black Mamba didnt move, there was a storm coming. Marshal Davis flew to Africa. Aegis Cruiser Bunker Hill CIC(Combat Information Room) was as cold as thin ice.
So, you were only sucking your fingers?
Daviss scream echoed through the CIC. Nothing was going on properly. The French Army fought with the KGB in Bukavu, but Oparts was nowhere to be found. In addition, the person on the Gazelle that was shot down was not a Black Mamba but an unrelated woman, and the offensive Seal team disappeared without a trace.
The painful loss was Matilda and Chifon. The loss of contact meant being defeated by Black Mamba. Of course, Black Mamba would have suffered damage too. Otherwise, there was no reason to be hit by the KGB mole. It was like giving a dog porridge.
I apologize. Because Lord Lamartine told me not to run unreasonable operations
I told you not to run an unreasonable operation, I didnt tell you to lay your hands on it.
Silence lingered in the environment.
McKinley and Dyson hung their heads down like pesticide herons.
Whereabouts of Oparts?
They couldnt get out of Bukavu. Frog is agitated too. The 11th Airborne Brigade and the 13th Foreign Regiment are besieging and searching for Bukavu.
Ariba is rumored to be a fox. It may be a ploy to get the Oparts that he obtained from outside.
So, we increased the watchers.
General McKinley, shouldnt you clean the shit that you made?
Davis looked at McKinley.
Yes, just give me a chance.
Direct the Shadow yourself. Stop further inflows of the French Army and isolate them.
Yes, Sir!
General Dyson, Ill hand over command of the Marine Corps. Track the KGB mole and Oparts.
Yes, Sir!
Michell, what is Black Mambas status?
This is a photo that Keyhole and Blackbird took.
Michell spread the printed photo on the table. The figure in the wheelchair was clearly Black Mamba.
Well, if its an achievement, its an achievement.
Davis expression softened slightly. Even Black Mamba of the world would not be able to do anything if the bullets were covered in front of his nose.
Okay. Its a great opportunity to catch Black Mamba.
The Ingersoll radar has caught Hercules taking off from Djibouti. As a result of the track analysis, the destination is Bukavu. It is presumed to be an attempt to transport the injured Black Mamba to the office of the home country.
The eyes of the conference attendees flashed.
General Dyson, you may move the Seal team led by Black Shadow. Tie their feet. Commander Huey, mobilize the Predator to help General McKinley. If youre not in the city, you can run Super Grendel.
Yes, Sir! Well give his body to Lord Lamartine as a gift.
Okay. Oparts is also important, but you cant miss Black Mamba. Thats it!
For the Holy Soul!
Davis ground his teeth. Although France was an ally, it had no enemies in the information war. That was it if they made an excuse for the no-holds-barred fight that took place in the darkness. If they could catch Black Mamba, they wanted to make soy flour the FEADC with MLRS and tomahawks. He never dreamed that something he wanted to turn into soy flour was grinding his teeth to uproot Freemasonry.
******
The Bunker Hill AN/SPY-1 multi-function radar took over the Hercules flight information captured by the AN/SPS-40E air search radar and tracked the track. The Camp Combat Information Center linked to the NTDS (Naval Tactical Data Systems) immediately issued an evacuation order.
Black Shadow Major Frederick Singleton boarded the Chinook with a Navy Seal team disguised as guerrillas. The outfits and armaments of the 16 members of the Navy Seal team were all different. The design of the LBT-1195 storage military gear worn in common was also different, and some crew members were wearing shorts and carrying a Dragunov.
They buried their head in the sand, but Bukavu was not the jungle of Ituri. The Seal team, unable to reveal its identity, had no choice but to imitate guerrillas. AH-6 Littlebird Attack helicopter and Chinook headed to Bukavu.
The Singleton team flew through the jungle by falling from a high altitude of 2km behind the Kamembe Airfield. A group of hyenas hiding in the thickets behind the apron quietly waited for a large prey to arrive. Prey arrived shortly after.
Thump! Hercules lowered the heavy body onto the runway at Kamembe Airfield. The pilot and co-pilot pushed the baby into the parking ramp and lowered the trap.
Attack!
A low, fleshly command fell. A surprise attack was always sudden. Bang, bang! The 7.62mm bullet that left the M21 sniper rifle muzzle sprinted out at 2.5 times the speed of sound. The heads of the pilots and co-pilots who were chatting were suddenly set aside. A bullet pierced the back of the head and came out of the temporal side.
Boom! A 5.4 kg high-explosive warhead fired from an M47 Dragon anti-tank missile dragged the wire. Thump! A 10-inch diameter hole was drilled into the Hercules nose cone that was struck directly. The warhead that penetrated the duralumin alloy shell smashed the stationary linear car.
Damn it, its a paper!
Singleton clicked his tongue. Compared to the strength of the tank, the exterior of the aircraft was just a piece of paper. Bang, bang! Boom, boom! Two RPG7 rounds and three MGL revolver 40mm grenades tore apart Hercules fuselage. Bang, Bang! An anti-tank missile mercilessly destroyed an aircraft moored at the parking ramp.
Aee-aee-aee! The sirens wailed like crazy.
They are terrorists!
Its Mai-Mai blitzkrieg.
Belatedly, the airport guards clamored and rushed out.
Go!
The Singleton team, who completed their mission without having to enter the airfield, removed the traces and fell back. Singleton disappeared without a sound when the airport security team was on the right side of the line.
30 minutes later, the Singleton team appeared in the Luhihi Valley, 5 km from the airfield. Chinook and Littlebird, covering their camouflage membranes, hit them. Singleton waited for the second prey.
******
Chinook took off from the FEADC heliport. The development headquarters, which requested emergency support from the airport, urgently deployed a mercenary platoon belonging to the 13th Foreign Regiment. Then, the heavily armed SA342 and the SA341 that Black Mamba, Sun Woo-hyun, Zulu, and Ariba, who were boarding, took off.
Brigadier General Sun Woo, what is the minimum height of the fall in meters? Ariba, who was very nervous, asked.
It differs depending on weather conditions or parachute canopy size. The speed of the fall before opening the parachute is 50 m/s, and after the parachute is opened, it is calculated at 7 m/s. It takes 1.1 seconds for the parachute to fully deploy. Calculate the rest.
Sun Woo-hyun bluntly received the words.
How many meters above the ground do you pull bridals in Deuxieme Rep?
The minimum fall height is 110 m. Dont worry, theres a pilot suit hook attached to the berth, so the meal canopy unfolds automatically. Why are you asking nonsense things? If you want to be a pancake, contact us when you have time. Ill throw you into a valley where you cant see the bottom from the Ennedi Plateau.
You might get a missile in your ass.
Ariba was anxious all the time. The airport said it was a terrorist, but no one knew the identity of the attacker. East Africa was gunpowder that never knew when a war would break out.
You, servant bastard, you were standing on your dignity but you are only chicken-heartedness, Sun Woo-hyun grunted with Korean words.
Im going to catch and pluck the chicken before it gets to the roof. Will it be okay?
Black Mamba smiled.
******
The 10-seater M998 Humvee, with McKinley and Shadow on board, raced the Number 3 madly through north air space. Six hours after leaving the camp, they arrived at Kidumbi, 11 km north of FEADC.
Kidumbi was a tactical hub that could strike both the FEADC and the airfield within an hour. Two teams of Shadows headed to Kamembe Airfield, while the other six teams hid.
Catch a wounded predator with less than a hundred shadows?
McKinley was nervous. The marshal turned the marine corps to chase the Oparts. He would have done the same if he had been in his place. With the marine corps power, only a large number of casualties would occur only when fighting with Black Mamba.
It was the same about Shadows. From a human point of view, neither king ants nor fire ants had any meaning. 17 teams of Shadow had melted in his hands. Could the remaining 8 teams catch him? He couldnt help but be skeptical.
If there was one glimmer of hope, it was information that Black Mamba depended on a wheelchair. Otherwise, he was the bait. He felt like he was being tested for endurance amid rush and boredom.
Commander, the Gazelle that took off from FEADC headed for Kamembe Airfield.
Senior Team Leader Major Ben Hogan reported.
Heh, heh, the fox came out.
McKinley let out a rotten laugh. Whoever would come out, they had to beat him up anyway. If Black Mamba was on board, it was the icing on the cake. If they only caught him, they would have no reason to suffer from flies and mosquitoes, and they would find their lost confidence.
Okay, lets go!
Ten M998 Humvees popped out of the hideout.
******
On the stools on both sides of the Luhihi Valley and Chinook, the Seal team members on board were dozing off or rummaging through Playboy. The three new agents were diligent, cramming their ammunition into the Ellis (haversack, personal equipment carrying vest) cartridge and setting up the blade of the Great Sword. This was a career difference.
The waiting satellite phone indicator flashed.
Our Crow!
Crow, a sparrow appeared.
Singleton craned his ears. Ears stretched out like donkey ears. Singletons ears would also catch sounds outside the human audible area. It was a Gazelle. It was at an altitude of 3,500 m and 15 km away. Not long after, a Gazelle with a hump on its back revealed its fuselage.
Chapter 733 - 733 Chapter 66 Episode 1 I Thought This Would Happen
733 Chapter 66 Episode 1 I Thought This Would Happen
Roger, Im tracking.
Tutututu! Littlebird took off the camouflage and departed. Singleton tossed the phone and stretched his body which had stiffened with tension. The first mission was over. The rest was up to McKinley, who was thrown as bait.
******
McKinleys Shadow Team Humvees rushed in as mercenary platoons poured out of Chinook Cabins, Bukavu Airfield.
Putain! What are those?
The mercenaries and the Shadow team, whoever came first, fired guns and immediately went into battle. A pitiful situation ensued as the Airport Guard Zaire Revolutionary Army was scattered like spider cubs and combat units from other countries were fighting against each other.
Both sides were veteran killers in battle. Sudden gunfire and cannon fire covered the airport. Tutututu! A Gazelle, unaware that Hercules was smashed, entered the airfield airspace.
Myung-jin, what is that?
Jeong Pil-su who was looking down at the ground through a windshield was in awe. It wasnt an airfield. It was chaos. The building was burning bare and the wreckage of the aircraft was strewn with debris. Meanwhile, the yellow and black combat uniforms were engaged in a melee battle.
Dont you know when you see it? Its a mess, Kim Myung-jin replied uninterestedly.
Did you eat something wrong?
Jeong Pil-su looked at Kim Myung-jin with a smirk.
A grasshopper needs to flap its wings so that it will sprout when the cold wind blows, right?
You got angry, look at this bastard. If they play with Black Mamba, they will get ten times more.
Well. Surprised by all the surprises of your life? It just sounds like a joke for the kids.
Kim Myung-jin was strangely blunt even when he thought about it. Because he had been through so many absurd events, and the holocaust, life and death seemed to be someone elses business.
Bastard, it is fine. The airfield is twisted. Did the plane come?
Dying or fainting.
Kim Myung-jin made a scratching sound on someones leg.
Mr. pilot, lets go back to headquarters! Jeong Pil-su yelled.
The foreign mercenary pilot didnt even pretend to listen. The friendship of foreign mercenaries was hot. No mercenary would turn away from his comrades who were pushed by a decent punch. The Gazelle lowered its altitude and bowed its nose. Shadow, who found the Gazelle, ran in search of the cover like a bean splash.
Whizz! A machine gun mounted on the lower right side of the canopy picked out the target. Swish! A 20mm chain gun swept the ground. The Shadow, who did not find the cover, was torn like a mop. Shadow immediately fired a counterattack shot. Crack, crack! A bullet struck the lower part of the Gazelle ceaselessly.
Fucking bastards, Ill blow them up at once.
The maneuverable Gazelle sharply crossed the road and took control of the rear. The angry co-pilot powered the trigger and pulled it. Bang, bang, bang! The fireballs flew in line. The target was a huge low-oil tank covered by Shadow.
Oh, thats jet fuel Jeong Pil-su muttered.
Tutututu! A helicopter appeared in the sky. This was the Littlebird that had been tracking Gazelles in the Luhihi Valley. Gazelle and Littlebird had a cockfight by exchanging gunfire.
Boom! Sparks splashed from the oil storage tank. The flame grew large in a short time. Bang! The atmosphere was distorted like shimmering air. Jet fuel was not gasoline but heavy kerosene, which was close to kerosene. It did not catch fire because of its high flash point, but its explosive power was much stronger than gasoline.
Thud! Five huge jet fuel tanks, that were lined up, exploded at one time. Whoo! The flames engulfed a 300m radius and the atmosphere rapidly expanded. The Littlebird twisted, lost its lift and was sucked into the flames.
Bing-shin, rise. Go up, go up!
Jeong Pil-su opened his eyes and writhed. Playing with fire without fear? It looked like a whole roast. The Gazelle pilot, with his face shriveled, stepped on the Collective and pulled the steering wheel. Hwaak! Irregular updrafts hit the Gazelle.
Ahh! Jeong Pil-su screamed unwittingly.
It was as hot as jumping into boiling water. The stalled Gazelle twirled round and round like a stingray kite with the wrong tail. The altitude fell at a time.
The pilot attempted a landing glide. Crack! Bang! Gazelle squashed the bushes on the outskirts of the airfield and rolled around like a kicked tin can.
Dae-deok fucking bastard! I thought this would happen, said Jeong Pil-su in his mind.
Jeong Pil-su lost consciousness. At Kamembe Airport, the runway turned into a scar, the terminal burned down and the control tower collapsed. The battle between Shadow and Legion Etranger ended in a copperplate construction that devoured the airport that used to be in good condition.
******
Putain!
Ariba, seated in the co-pilots seat, nervously took off the headset. He looked at Black Mamba with an expression like he ate fermented thornback at once.
Ariba, did you get a divorce notice?
It was worse news. Kamembe Airport is smashed.
Ariba was serious. The plan to take control of Bukavu by sending the 13th Djibouti Regiment by air went awry. If they used Kisangani Airport, they had to travel 700 km by land.
Thats hot news. The culprit is? Black Mamba asked calmly.
I presumed it was Shadow. The Gazelle, which was boarded by Koreans, also fell.
Fell? It wasnt shot down, but it fell?
It is said that while Littlebird and Dog were fighting, they were swept away by an explosion that they didnt know the cause of.
If theyre lucky, theyll live.
Black Mamba was not interested. It was luck if they were alive and it was the fate of an agent if they were dead. He did what was necessary and the rest depended on their ability and luck.
Advisor, its a big problem. There is no way to bring up Djibouti solidarity.
Ariba, its not the time to worry about others. I think the Yankees just decided to leave. If you dont want to be a burning can, youd better have a parachute.
No way! I have a flight notice, shall I fire a missile?
Heh, you lost your sense of realism as expected. Bad things are hard the first time, then it gets easy. So, if I get three stars, I get a special hire as a windbreak manager.
I am going to be crazy! Ariba said inwardly.
Ariba was sick of it. He wanted to hit the calm Black Mamba as if it was someone elses business. Of course, it was a realistically impossible wish. Ariba, contrary to his heart, quickly moved the container to the side of the cockpit.
The Yankees are on the move! the pilot shouted.
Ariba turned his head. Humvees lining the jungle road were caught in the hood. It was like a caterpillar moving by biting its tail.
Hit it and catch it!
What did you say? asked Ariba.
He thought he heard wrong. A pre-emptive strike against the US with an attack helicopter in a situation where there was no evidence that the US provoked first would put a huge diplomatic burden on the government. Of course, the red line was drawn in the career.
Beat him up. Its not about shaking hands and making friends.
No, Sir. The problem becomes too complicated.
He shook his head. There was no evidence that the U.S. military shot down the Gazelle and attacked the airfield. Unfortunately, he could not even secure a prisoner for fear that Black Mamba would notice. If the Yankees made an excuse for it, that was it.
Is that so? Put your hands on it or not.
White smoke was seen rising through the jungle canopy. If the smoke could be seen with the naked eye, it was within 3 km. The effective range of the Stinger was 4 km. At 285 km/h, the Gazelle was an ambiguous distance that could be avoided or beaten.
Black Mamba smiled brightly and looked at Sun Woo-hyun. Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu carried the container. An alarm rang a moment later.
Peeing! Peeing!
Its a missile. Lock on, lock on!
The Gazelle soared rapidly. The pilot poured flares like hail and opened the distance with overhead maneuvers. Bang! The warhead passed the flare and exploded nearby. Tremble! The helicopter shook as if it would break.
Damn it, it is a Stinger!
Ariba hit the console with a fist. Infrared tracking missiles tracked the heat source as the seeker spun about the missiles axis. The flare emitted infrared light that was stronger than the engine heat source to attract or disrupt the seeker.
The Stinger adopted a two-color detector instead of a spin seeker that was vulnerable to flares. The two-color detector tracked near-infrared and medium-infrared simultaneously, so it was not easily deceived by flares.
Bbedang, check the system! Ariba yelled.
Tail rotor debris was hit, the system is fine but the mobility is poor.
You foolish bastard, you get beaten up by a ground dog, Sun Woo-hyun grunted.
Advisor, you said that they wouldnt fire missiles?
Ariba resented Black Mamba.
Theres a madman everywhere. Thats why I told you to shoot quickly.
Black Mamba grated on his nerves as if saying what was the problem.
Madman! He really shot it.
Ariba ground his teeth. He was skeptical but he hadnt thought that the US military would fire a missile at a French helicopter that had been notified of its flight. If this happened, they had to take self-defense measures. Backtracking was the job of the headquarters and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bbedang, attack!
The Gazelle descended rapidly. A 20mm chain gun mounted on the left side of the cockpit blew out sparks. Bang, bang, bang! Ariba, whose eyes were turned over, frantically pulled the trigger. Tracers shot up from the ground in a row in return.
They were spread out and hid. They couldnt do much damage.
Bbedang, approach again.
Ariba, you better bounce around instead of shoveling too late.
Before Black Mambas warning was over, two missiles fired through the jungle canopy.
Bbedang, there is a missile in the direction of seven oclock.
Black Mamba warned before the lock-on alarm sounded. The Gazelle emitted a flare and soared.
Someone said the Stinger has a range of 4km! Ariba screamed.
The missile narrowed 5 km in an instant. Bang! One shot hit the flare and the other hit the Gazelle, causing the melee fuse to explode. Di-di-di! The fuselage swayed from side to side.
Bbedang, hold the center.
Ariba clamored. White smoke billowed out from the top rotor of the helicopter. The lower part of the main rotor was the engine.
Power pack pressure is dropping.
Bbedang, was it wrong?
Ariba fell into panic.
Yes, it was wrong, Sir.
The pilot shook his head. The RPM dropped to a level where it couldnt maintain lift. Purr! Altitude fell sharply. The jungle canopy under their feet approached black. Aribas face, on the contrary, was white.
Ill give you back as I received it. Taste the fear of death first, said Black Mamba in his mind.
Black Mambas eyes were cold. It was the intention to return the horror and pain that Hae Young must have suffered without knowing the English language. Zulu opened the windproof door. There was the feeling of cold wind. Ariba, with a yellow face, carried the container and tightened the harness. When the helicopter started to twist, it couldnt break away.
Whats wrong with my destiny? Sun Woo-hyun hung a ring on the berthing line and grunted.
Deuxieme Rep are falling from the sky normally.
Black Mamba disappeared suddenly without parachuting. Swish! Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu disappeared from the platform. Only the band connected to the packing bag fluttered in the strong wind.
Ah, what is this
Ariba threw himself into the air. The Gazelle glided through the canopy and was sucked into the jungle. Bang! Flames and black smoke rose.
Ariba and Bbedang fell into the canopy. Black Mamba glanced at it and put a point on the GPS. The jungle was difficult to recognize as a feature. If one did not take a reference point, one might be lost even with a GPS.
The majestic green carpet unfolded endlessly. It was a familiar view, but every time he saw it, it was wonderful. Hell was going to open in the Black Forest from now on. The man who should have lived would live and the man who should have died would die. Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu took the trunk and went down to the ground.
They have approached. Is there claymore?
There are four sets of the main body and three hundred meters of wires. Put booby traps around the helicopter. I will divide the conductor and drag it.
Sun Woo-hyun was a master of guerrilla warfare. He would feel the patients pulse at once.
After the blow, get stuck.
Black Mambas eyes flashed blue.
Since it is Wakil, there has been a lot of poison, said Sun Woo-hyun in his mind.
Sun Woo-hyun felt sorry for the U.S. army. The Yankees, whether they knew it or not, stepped on standing still Black Mambas tail and his fangs bit them. The main army deliberately moved the battlefield to the jungle of Ituri. The Yankees power was not strong, but if they hit and fell in the jungle, they couldnt help but be defeated.
How is the pilot doing?
Sun Woo-hyun looked at his eyes. Sun Woo-hyun, who was quick to notice, did not mention Ariba.
Zulu, when the battle is over, pick up the pilot and take him to the Pygmy village. The location is stamped on the GPS. We need to find the village of Olonge.
Yes, Sir!
Wakil, look at it.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu quietly disappeared.
Shall we start?
Click! Twenty rounds filled the Dragunov magazine. The distance to get a view was tens of meters at best. The MP5 fit, but it didnt penetrate Shadows body armor and full-face Mitch helmet. Dragunovs punching power was needed to send it in one shot.
You are not in a good mood.
The nature of Black Mamba was Korean. From the time he had crossed the threshold of school with a handkerchief for wiping his nose on his chest, he had been taught that America was a good country. In fact, the U.S. military was merciful. They satisfied their hunger with large buns and quenched their hunger with rationed flour provided by the U.S. military.
Brainwashing at the time when cognitive functions had been formed, had become a kind of prejudice. The U.S. was a good and great country and the U.S. military was on their side. Even after realizing the truth that no one fed freely in the world except parents, prejudice had not broken easily.
Prejudice was broken here in East Africa. If there was honey, there must be bees that would sting. There were butterflies and wasps on the grass in full bloom. There were no good guys in the world and there were no bad guys as well. If one interests matched, he was a good guy, and if one interests conflicted, he was a bad guy.
Chapter 734 - 734 Chapter 66 Episode 2 I Thought This Would Happen
734 Chapter 66 Episode 2 I Thought This Would Happen
The world was not always like his heart. If his ability was a centripetal force, the reason that would rule the world was a centrifugal force. The world that was on his side when he held power, of course, would go away when the centripetal force dropped.
The powerless Mu Ssang was framed and locked in a cold cell. He comforted his anger with a glass of cannon and a piece of fresh kimchi at a back alley pub. The powerful Black Mamba became the National Treasure. He became the king of a country and was revered as a divine being, Dubaiburupa. He drew the sword against the Yankees, who spent 350 trillion won a year in defense budget alone.
Thats right. The world was a cruel fairy tale, full of selfishness, big and small. No one would turn to him when he whined that he had been betrayed, that he had been saddened, and that how could they do it to him. This was why he had to clench his teeth and sharpen his knife while he was whining.
******
The jungle where the secondary forest (primitive forest had been destroyed and developed as a colony where shrubs, thickets, and strong grass grew densely) was dark as if it was the end of dawn. Firearms, combat uniforms, Mitch helmets, masks, combat boots, and gloves were all black; the Shadow was no different from a ghost floating in the dark.
Black Mamba, crossing the forest, sprang up and clung to the canopy of Abyssinicas lower level. There was no human colugo (a bat monkey, which flies through the jungle using a cloak).
So, they have money to burn, he said inwardly.
Cool eyes looked down at the ground. Like a Yankee with a lot of money, the items were terrible. Even if he picked up night vision goggles and red dots (dot sights) and sold them, it seemed that he would be left with purchasing all the equipment of the Korean army infantry company.
Shadow didnt slow down the four-week boundary, but the reaper was at his bedside. Purr! The shuriken with the resonant wave left his hand. Pop! The metal that penetrated the bulletproof helmet stirred the brain and medulla. The victim collapsed without a sound.
The moment the partner who sensed the abnormality turned his head, the Army rope grabbed his neck. Dd?-d?k! The Shadow levitated at the speed of light. Black Mamba put the body across the branches and took off the headset. The Shadow was already dead when the rope wound his neck without a touch.
Hogan, have you secured the crash site?
Yes, Commander! Were approaching under the cover of two teams.
Mobilize metal detectors and evacuate occupants immediately.
Yes, Sir!
The commander came out to shovel. This means, said Black Mamba in his mind.
Black Mambas mouth, stealing short-distance communications, curled up gently. It was a hit from the start. Without going all the way to Ngpanwaza, the guy named the commander appeared. A miserable Hae Young with a broken neck and a broken heart was pictured in front of him.
Ill give it back to you as it is, said Black Mamba inwardly.
Black Mamba smiled brightly. The northwest of Kidumbi was a volcanic mountainous terrain with an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level, and it was notoriously harsh. It was the perfect environment for the assassin Black Mamba to rampage.
Boom, boom, boom! The heads of the two shadows who were hit by a triple-tap laser gun exploded at the same time. The F4-level bulletproof helmet was also pierced by the 4,500J bullet without any strength. Shadow Joe, who was holding his back, found the cover and blew himself up. Boom, boom, boom! There was a hole in his chest before he even landed.
It is a sniper!
06-08-70
Someone called the coordinates. These were the coordinates set by the Shadow Team to catch Black Mambas speed. Since the coordinates were specified in the order of the direction C 10 and the fine direction C distance based on true north, it was possible to respond immediately, and the red dot dramatically would reduce the aiming time.
Tutututu! Bang! Bang! The bullets were fired right away. The cover of the Strangler Fig exploded. When the hideout was in trouble, Black Mamba grabbed the parasitic vines and jumped from one big tree to another big tree.
Pat-pat-pat! Black Mamba, who moved 150m at once, flew three steps in a row. Shadow couldnt see the snipers shadow and they suffered helplessly. It took less than 10 seconds for 11 people to be erased.
Gamma team got hit.
Its Assassin.
Direction is?
Use MGL.
Configure the MAG network.
Beta Team rear defense
All kinds of reports and instructions could be heard from the headset. Kukung! A swoon rang out at the point of the helicopter crash. It was the first claymore explosion.
Ahh!
Alpha Team two three and Beta team were beaten.
Medic.
Report damage.
Four dead, two seriously injured.
Kukung! The second claymore burst.
Ack!
Stop the access. Step down immediately.
Robinson and Wilson got hit.
Dont approach the helicopter. Focus on him. Transfer the wounded to Charlie Point. Trump, find and destroy the gangster.
******
Heh, thank you so much!
Sun Woo-hyun gave a rotten smile. As expected, they moved the wounded to Edos, where the claymores were installed. It matched the direction of one of the two openings.
Its a gift from Lord Dubai!
Zulu pressed the trigger without mercy. Kukung! The third claymore burst. The composition of 700g flew 700 iron marbles at a speed of Mach 3. The four wounded and the four Shadows carrying the wounded were torn like a rag.
Ugh! Louse bastard!
McKinley roared, unaware. The point where the claymores exploded was the wounded rescue area. That guy deliberately had installed it in a vacant lot. He blamed himself for not smashing the Gazelle in the air, but the gates of hell had already been opened.
Its 400m ahead!
Black Mambas mouth curled upwards as he listened to short-distance communications. This was the voice of the man called commander. Dimensional sight unfolded. Humans within a radius of 400 meters came to his mind as it was seen by a wide-angle thermal imaging camera.
Sususu! The ghost jumped over from one tree to another tree. Whooosh! A group of soldiers fell from the air and stepped on the top of the Shadow hiding in the crevice of the rock.
Argh!
His head was hooked between his shoulders.
Ahh
The moment the partner turned the gun, a kukri flashed. Black Mamba disappeared even before his severed neck fell.
Ahh, that bastard.
Appeared on the left. Ugh!
Hutton got hit.
Scatter.
No, no. Cover each other.
Screams and clamors came from the headset.
Ill need to ask for support, said McKinley in his mind.
McKinley picked up the satellite phone with an unwilling hand. He didnt know the cold eyes staring at him from a crevice of rocks which was only 10 meters away.
When Black Mamba activated an assassination skill, it would melt into nature. If you hid in a rock, it would become a rock and if you hid in a tree, it would become a tree. When a sword came out of a hidden tree, even God couldnt avoid it. Shadow suffered not because they lacked ability and attention, but because of their inability to discern.
Ahh, hush! Is it a phantom?
Major Hogan, the senior team leader, was in the mood to fight evil spirits. His men fell, but the assassin didnt even show its shadow. The assassin was an invisible alien in Hollywood movies. Four groups were grouped together to provide mutual protection, but the damage speed only increased.
Heh!
Brains of the men in front of Hogan splattered on his face. Hogan fell back like a log without having time to look back at his partner first sergeant Ben. Even if he died, he had to check the trajectory of the bullet and die. Pat, pat! The crew behind him collapsed.
I got it!
03-05-50
Hogan called the location coordinates. Bang, bang, bang! Tutututu! 40mm grenades, anti-tank guns, and minimi machine guns were concentrated at 50m point in the direction of 3:05. 10m a square and a circle were devastated in one fell swoop. Hogans face brightened. It was quick and powerful enough to get out of the invisible aliens.
Ahh!
The MGL shooter who hid in the rear was killed.
Ahh, damn it!
Hogan groaned. The bullet came from the 8 oclock direction. To deviate 90 degrees from a 110 m radius from the point of impact, he would have to travel nearly 90 m. Was it possible for a human to travel 90 meters in one breath in the jungle, not on a land track?
Heh! 04-07-00
The anti-tank gunner called the coordinates at the moment when he lost his breath, but the suppression network was not formed. If the distance was zero, this was the rear support firearms team. This time, it teleported 150m. A scream was heard from the headset. The machine gunner and grenade gunner were killed.
Thump! Hogans mouth opened agape at a powerful shock. Before the scream came out, the bullet that dug into the back of the gun smashed the soft water. Mental arithmetic and interrogation were the last operations performed by Captain Ben Hogans brain.
Hes an invisible, multi-talented teleporter. Be careful over your head and under your feet. Spray the gas.
McKinley was about to go crazy. The six strongest Shadow teams could not even catch a trace of him and fell apart in vain. McKinley was hot-tempered, but he was a master of irregular warfare who served as a tactics instructor at West Point. He was neither a simple human nor an idiot enough to go crazy for revenge.
He was mindful of the possibility that the injured Black Mamba was on board as soon as the Gazelle appeared. It was a great opportunity to get information even if it wasnt Black Mamba. He deliberately manipulated the Stinger warhead fuselage to attempt an untimely attack, and he got the result he intended to get.
The problem was that he was a psychic who ran like crazy. It was like setting up a shrimp net to catch a sperm whale. If they didnt spray poison gas to limit his movement, they would have been wiped out.
Swoosh! The surviving Shadows sprayed VX mixed with kerosene. A characteristic of VX was persistence. McKinley believed he could control an assassin for at least two hours, but he was wrong. Black Mamba was a monster that was unaffected even by botulinum toxin and photomine, the strongest poison in existence.
******
Singleton, who received McKinleys request for assistance, started immediately. The situation was not serious enough for McKinley, who was very proud of himself, to cry.
Coordinates 113-242, go!
Tutututu! The Chinook and Gazelle, taking off from the Luhihi Valley, sped in the northwest direction. As the Singleton moved, the M270 MLRS battery on Kalonge became also busy.
Buzz! The container mounted on the two Bradley trains took the direction of the received coordinates. 24 multi-rocket launchers were ready to fire 12,000 shells when ordered. A guy with long sleeves would dance well and a guy with a lot of bases would be good at business.
******
Ariba and Bbedang couldnt even get down the canopy. There was no reason to plunge into hell, where rioting and gunfire shook the earth.
Chief, what happened to Advisor?
He asked with a blank face. Contrary to the question, his inner heart was his own comfort. Whatever happened to the Advisor was a question of whether he himself could escape from the forest.
There had never been a risk during his second assignment at FEADC. It was the easiest job that took care of only danger and remote allowances, but from the moment the Special Military Advisor appeared at the headquarters, there was no comfortable day and it ended up like this.
Gunfire and swooning are evidence that Black Mamba is flitting. Even if he lives anyway, its not your life. So, what is the matter if he won or lost?
Ariba gave up without thinking. He noticed why Black Mamba had forced himself into the Gazelle. He didnt know what it was, but he caught his tail. He had lived luckily, but the ending was decided anyway. It was too late to regret later.
Black Mamba! Is the Advisor Black Mamba?
Bbedang was startled.
Shut up! If you speak, you will be handed over to a military trial for treason. If its not Black Mamba, someone will smash a Shadow called Helldog. Heh, heh, heh!
Ariba grunted. He accidentally revealed a top secret, but there was nothing to worry about. Anyway, his name was on the list of the underworld, so what did it matter?
Woah! It meant Black Mamba was his guest. Oh my God, such an honor!
He raised his arms and cheered. He wanted to slap his own mouth that resented the Advisor.
Oh, Giraldo! said Ariba in his mind.
Ariba shook his head at the shovel of the boss Bbedang. Black Mamba was not an honor but an invitation to hell.
Swoosh! A flying beast rose under the canopy. It was a huge flying beast. As soon as Ariba was surprised, the flying beast hit him without asking or picking him up.
Ugh!
Ariba was scared and stuck his head. Thump! A loud noise rang out. His sharp claws, like spear blades, grazed Aribas cheeks and punched Bbedang.
Ahh!
A scream erupted. Bbedang avoided the claws successfully, but he lost his focus and fell under the canopy. The flying beast that could not catch its prey rose into the air. It was a gigantic crown eagle with a wingspan of 5 to 6 meters.
Damn it!
The guy that preyed on small animals like monkeys and sloths had started to eat people. Getting angry, Ariba pulled the Glock. Tang. tang, tang! Creak! Feathers flew away. The flying beast shook his wings like a scoff and turned away leisurely.
Ariba, who became dumbfounded, stared blankly at the tail of the flying beast. He was a monster of enormous size and did not affect by bullets. He was reminded of Black Mambas warning that there were animals in the jungle of Ituri that he wouldnt imagine.
Ah!
Blood was pouring from his cheek. He hurriedly rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a disinfectant and zeolite pack. The claws of prey birds would be infested with various bacteria. The wound was disinfected. Hemostasis was stopped by spraying zeolite powder, and a keto acid freeze-dried adhesive paper was applied.
Ouch!
It was only after he finished the first aid that he was reminded of Bbedang.
Bbedang! Bbedang!
There was no answer. No, there was an answer. Tutututu! A helicopter rotor sound took over the answer.
Holy shit!
Preoccupied with the crown eagle, he did not notice the approaching helicopter. There was another fact he didnt know. If the perverted eagle, one of these monsters, hadnt escaped by being frightened by the helicopter, he would have been a meal for the young eagles.
Chapter 735 - 735 Chapter 66 Episode 3 I Thought This Would Happen
735 Chapter 66 Episode 3 I Thought This Would Happen
The Chinook approached the canopy, almost touching it. Ariba hurriedly hid in the lush foliage but didnt consider the parachute Mu Ssang shed. The wind from the helicopter made the canopy undulate like a blanket hung on a laundry line.
Sir, its a parachute.
Clear, Singleton answered simply.
The pilot pressed the launch button. Two 2.75-inch rockets trailing long tails of smoke directly struck the undulating canopy.
The explosion that shook the forest was unprecedented. Ariba was away from the center of the explosion but still didnt fare well. Fifteen-meter wide holes were made in the green carpet. A 3,500-meters-per-second wind enveloped him. Debris from the crushed and burning canopy dropped to the ground.
Ariba, unwinged, fell helplessly. Unless providence was provided, no human would be intact if they fell from a height of 70 meters. His neck snapped and a sharp piece of wood penetrated his chest.
I knew it! Assibal jotto!
Aribas consciousness was extinguished. The last swear word was a Korean slur that became popular at the DGSE.
* * *
Major Singleton, what is your current location? McKinley called urgently.
The Shadow agents were eliminated. There were only five survivors. A squad of Shadow agents was said to eliminate an infantry company. Yet, it only took less than 10 minutes for the six Shadow teams to be eliminated. Considering the combat power of the Shadows, it was a quite nightmarish reality.
McKinley felt his chest tighten at the thought of death. The lethal VX was useless. The man was a vicious shadowy ghost. He made a hole in the head of each Shadow agent that gave up fighting and hid. The most terrible fact was that he didnt see a trace of him until all 60 were eliminated.
We are here.
Operate. The Shadows are almost eliminated.
Really?
A surprised voice resonated with the communicator.
Its urgent. What about Little Bird?
It is spraying VX.
Make it stop. It will only hinder our operation.
Roger.
The Chinook hovered over Edos. The rocks were pushed away and two heads emerged. It was Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu who had taken cover there.
I will welcome them with passion. Land now.
Sun Woo-hyun took out a pouch of grenades from his backpack. He was mesmerized by Black Mamba who hurled grenades as if he was a grenade launcher. He must not let jealousy get the best of him. Now was his chance to shine.
This is not in the plan.
The doors of the helicopter were slammed open. Fast ropes were hurled out and men wearing gas masks slid down, like sweet potatoes still attached to their stems. Sun Woo-hyun was perplexed.
He didnt expect them to throw the ropes from 40 meters above. Some even jumped out mid-air without using the ropes. The thugs had completed their landing in mere moments. The Chinook raised its RPM with a deafening buzz.
Mr. Lackey, we are ready to give them trouble.
Zulu shouldered the MGL grenade cannon.
If you are ready, fire at will! Sun Woo-hyun yelled.
He was starting to feel overwhelmed even by Zulu, a rookie much to his junior. Balls of flame soared from the ground.
Ah! The pilot screamed.
The large, stocky Chinook couldnt even enter evasive maneuver in time. One struck the lower armor plate and the other struck the propeller in the back. The 25mm armor plate made of an alloy of titanium withstood the 40mm grenade but the pieces of the broken back propeller rose into the air.
The Chinook that lost torque balance lost the upward momentum and revolved in place. A subsequent grenade blasted the bulletproof glass of the cockpit. Shards of glass ground everything in the space like a hand mill. The pilot became a sludge of flesh and blood.
The vast mass of iron faced the sky 70 meters above the ground, then fell like a wild goose struck by an arrow. The Chinook exploded as soon as it collided with the ground. The formless glob of metal burned bright.
The SEALs absentmindedly stared at the burning helicopter, having forgotten all about the manual. They didnt have time to notice it, let alone defend it.
Singleton felt chills in his chest. The entire Haunters almost perished there like a burning can of meat. Their gas masks were the problem. The masks hampered their senses, allowing the enemy to strike surreptitiously.
Oh, yeah!
Zulu aimed for the SEALs.
Its gas!
Sun Woo-hyun considered their gas masks just then.
Idiot, you will get me killed as well.
Sun Woo-hyun held Zulu by the scruff, pulled him down, and closed the hatch. His quick action saved both of their lives.
Little Bird, that was showering the ground with gas canisters, swooped in and scorched the ground with rifles. Edos was now a sea of fire. There was an explosion not far from there. A faint scream was heard.
Oh!
There was no time to hesitate. Singleton let Little Bird handle the enemy grenade launcher and sprinted elsewhere.
* * *
Singleton cannot be subdued with personal firearms.
McKinley was feeling as anxious as his face looked fatigued. The three Shadow agents protecting him also looked quite overwhelmed.
Hes gone completely insane! said Singleton in his mind.
Singleton clicked his tongue. Strength is subjective. The Shadow agents were still human. They were no match to someone who was no longer human anymore.
Two AT4 anti-tank cannons, four MGLs, six Minimis, six MEG heavy machine guns, five RPG7s. We have two Stingers but it is no use in ground combat.
McKinley frowned. Those were far too many weapons for a few special ops agents but it was still lacking if they were to fight a formless bastard that moved at lightning speed. Even the TOW missiles mounted on Humvees were useless against him.
He is able to teleport. Subsonic firearms cannot get him. Stingers dont have a high-angle safety lock. With their angle modified, they can be used on the ground.
The Shadow agents were decimated because of Mu Ssangs supernatural powers. They sprayed the grounds with VX to get the teleporting enemy, but it only hurt their own forces. It only hampered the combat power of the Shadows.
We needed more than the Shadows, to begin with. You should request authorization to use Predators.
I already did. It will take time for them to get here.
The enemy is but one man. The Black Eye will soon be here. With its potent thermal imaging camera, we will be able to get him.
Oh, the Black Eye! McKinley marveled.
The Black Eye was a supporting flying unit designed for nighttime non-standard combat. Unless he was a real ghost, he could not hide the heat his body gave off. If they could figure out his location in real-time, they would be able to kill him with focused fire.
Its here!
Singleton took out a palm-sized pad from his pocket. On the dark screen, there were dots of orange light that were living beings. There was a human figure distant from all the other dots.
02-03-170!
With the launcher with its angle lowered, two Stingers shot out. Stingers are anti-air missiles. Their warheads only weighed three kilograms but when they exploded, they scattered shrapnel 50 meters around. In terms of speed and explosive power, the RPG does not even compare.
Heavy AT4 anti-tank grenades, which were called M136 in the United States, and 40mm grenades followed suit.
What is this? said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssang felt electricity in his temple. A heavy object was heading his way. It was a missile. He instinctively fired the MGL he took from a fallen enemy and ran with all of his might. The grenades shattered a gigantic tree.
Before the Stinger warhead could pick up speed after shedding its boosters, it detected the intense infrared from the fuming grenade. With its heat sensor, the warhead turned that way.
There was a flash of light. The anti-tank cannons and grenades that flew in subsequently added to its magnitude. The primal forest was smashed and set aflame. Shrapnel and shockwave scoured 100 meters around. The resonance field of the explosion almost surpassed the strength of a 155mm heavy cannon.
Oh!
Mu Ssang surrounded himself with a thick layer of Resonance Wave that gushed out from the sole of his feet as soon as he teleported. A giant tree could be uprooted by a typhoon but a frail leaf rode along. He rode the shockwave of the explosion and got out of the blast zone. His head felt clear after getting out of the momentary peril. He had underestimated his enemy. It was a wasp, not some flies.
Huh!
Mu Ssang teleported away and struck the area where the RPG and grenades came from. A heavy machine gun chased him with bullets as if it had eyes.
Now this! said Black Mamba.
His location was being identified in real-time and focused fire followed him around. Spotting the anomaly, Black Mamba fled 500 meters. The attack ceased as soon as he left the battlefield.
Could it be that?
It was not visible but he could hear it. A flying object was orbiting 3,000 to 4000 meters above the ground. The newly deployed enemy troops tracked him down without hesitation. Their directions were accurate and their speed betrayed the surety of their action. The object was transmitting his location to them from above.
Is it a Predator? Then I should not hesitate.
Mu Ssang grinned widely. A machine was a machine. No matter how superior its features were, it lacked the faculty of decision-making. He could just mix in the enemies. He mounted the Dragunov on his backpack and held his kukri.
He wanted to obliterate them with Vajra but every tool had its proper application. The Asura shot up into the clouds to welcome the Predator.
* * *
Sergeant Jonathan Tieu, a Vietnamese American, joined the Navy SEAL three years ago. Born in California, he was bullied by racists throughout his whole adolescent years. He roamed the dark back alleys of the city in his late teenage years and was arrested when he tried to rob a grocery store.
The plainclothes detective gave him a choice whether to be imprisoned or enlist in the military. He chose the latter willingly. He was trucked away to an unknown location. He had no memory of the next two years.
When he regained consciousness, his body changed. It could not be penetrated by any blade. Small bullets bounced off his skin. Big bullets were flung back by the unharmed flesh.
He had overflowing strength. He could beat a large alligator to death with bare hands, smash a lions head, and snap a gorillas spine. He could finish 100 meters in six seconds. He could run all day and never get tired.
His body was strong and he provided for everything he needed in life. He lost his sexual function and had a bad memory but never had any complaints. His life was ruined anyway. He even wanted to thank the plainclothes detective who sent him to the military.
He was aware that he belonged to a group of ESPers under the guise of Navy SEAL. If the entire Navy SEAL were as strong as his team, the United States would have conquered the world without even having to rival the Soviet Union.
Explosions and gunfire ceased at once. Tieu was hiding in a shrub under a tree wearing a Ghillie suit. His senses were most alert and his breathing was subdued.
Again, he felt as if a thread had just snapped in his head. This meant one of his colleagues was killed again. Their consciousness was grouped together. His muscles trembled imperceptibly. He was reunited with a feeling called fear that permeated his mind like fog. His opponent was the devil himself who could kill his colleagues as if they were flies.
Huh!
A steely palm covered his mouth and nose. Tieus eyes bulged out of their sockets. His head was snapped 360 degrees.
Aargh!
Tieu glared and opened his mouth wide. It was like a scene from a horror movie. Circular saw blades made of compressed air swooshed out of his mouth. This wasnt the first time. These things struggled until the last moment. Mu Ssangs neck was snapped back. The saw blades swished away into empty space.
Just die without trying in vain.
The blade of Mu Ssangs hand was buried into Tieus chest and his heart was in Mu Ssangs grasp. Tieu stared at the devil with pleading eyes. He desperately wanted to live now. His heart was wrenched out and a sheen of a blade flashed across his neck.
The devil!
Haunter unit 25, Tieus consciousness was turned off.
* * *
What could this thing be? Is it really an extraterrestrial monster?
Singleton was on the verge of losing his mind. There was just now the tenth victim. The man wreaked havoc like a weasel in a chicken coop. The Black Eye was blinded. His soldiers were killed like walls crumbling down in a flood.
William, Guderian, Hammer, Gulich, Tieu
He called each member of his team just to be sure. Blood rushed out from his face. Only three responded. At that precise moment, the very three were killed off by the monster.
Only Black Mamba could show such prowess other than a Grandmaster. Everyone had been deceived. He was intact. Singleton gave up.
Commander, confirm the Shadows.
They are all gone! No one is left.
He is Black Mamba. We need to retreat.
No. The Predators will be here soon.
Good luck.
Hey!
Singleton exited the battlefield calmly. The Predators will be here in mere 20 minutes. Yet, they could not hold for a mere minute, let alone 20. He didnt want to be another entry on the bastards long list of victims. He could even eliminate a super Grendel and neutralize a combined attack of Chifon and Matilda.
What a cold-blooded bastard!
Cold eyes glared at Singletons back. Black Mamba was hiding in a swamp, avoiding the gaze from the sky.
He could easily pick off enemies that lost their calm and were overcome with bloodlust or lost their resolve and were overcome with fear. Someone like him who moved calmly without any trace of fear should be dealt with caution.
The next deployment mainly consisted of humanoid monsters called Haunters. Their skin was harder than an iron plate and their bones were as strong as steel pillars. Their senses surpassed most wild animals.
Even Samdi could not handle their synchronized mass offensives based on their strong bodies. Sun Woo-hyun could defeat them in a one-on-one but not as a group. Thats why he ordered Sun Woo-hyun to hide and entered the battle himself.
Chapter 736 - 736 Chapter 66 Episode 4 I Thought This Would Happen
736 Chapter 66 Episode 4 I Thought This Would Happen
To kill a Haunter with a firearm, one needed to be as skilled as Barrett. Mu Ssang manually wrenched out the heart of each Haunter and beheaded them. His tireless muscles demanded him to replenish energy and rest.
He took out a handful of apricots from his LBT-1195 multi-purpose bag, tossed them in his mouth, and chewed until they had the texture of porridge. Food, when broken down into smaller particles, is more rapidly absorbed and one will feel less sated. A sated beast became relaxed and slow. Likewise, when one feels sated, the sharpness of your mind and muscles suffer.
After feasting on the apricots, he punched a hole in an ompalocarfom and drank the juice. The aftertaste reminded him of sikhye. The stone-hard shell contained such sweet juice. It reminded him of Korea which he loved but couldnt bring himself to like.
Food brought nostalgia. The taste like sikhye drove away Hae Youngs image that filled his head. Jin Soon and Edel came in her place. He missed Jin Soons wide bosom and Edels moist lips. He wanted to harvest some lettuce with his mother and enjoy samgyeopsal with his family. He even missed the horrible dishes made by Edel.
He missed the lake full of lotus flowers. He missed the pavilion full of a bamboo breeze. He wanted to burn firewood for the living room and read novels with his back against the heated floor.
He stared at the kukri. The blade that just took 22 human lives was not dulled at all and even shone with an ominous sheen. He had bought the artifact by chance from a secondhand store in a back alley in Paris. He couldnt even remember how many heads it beheaded and hearts it tore.
Hahaha!
Laughter escaped his mouth. For what, did he get showered in blood and bathed in a swamp riddled with parasites and venomous insects while feeding on wild fruits?
Could it be the capriciousness of the latently developed cerebral cortexs faculty of reason? Was it the fate of a chaotic being who hesitated on the border of reason and feeling?
It wasnt. Ones first love was unfinished love that ended just when passion peaked and before it started to fall. Touching memories of unfinished love, acting together with the rosy glass through which the past days are glorified, were painted over with pastel colors. So ones first love could never be guilty even when it persisted in a corner of ones heart.
If I started cleaning, Id better finish it.
He sighed and pulled himself from the swamp. A human is a human because they fulfill their role where they are. On his shoulders was the fate of his family and 2,000,000 Novatopians.
The use of kukri, with its crescent blade, was to murder. If he wanted to cut vegetables, he needed to hold a kitchen knife. When he held the kukri, his fate was sealed as an asura.
* * *
An object that grazed past his ear buried itself in the base of a tree. McKinley jumped in his shock. It was a stone this time too. Such a primitive projectile already took the lives of many of his subordinates. He rolled into a thorny bush.
Hardy thorns relentlessly buried themselves in his uncovered limbs but it was better than certain death. The Shadow agent that followed him fired his MAG blindly. McKinley glanced back at his subordinate and continued to flee.
A zebras enemy is another zebra. When chased by predators, a herd of zebras leave a slow and weak one among them as bait and flees. But Mu Ssang was not a lion. He didnt stop when he got something to eat for the day.
Aargh!
The last remaining Shadow agent cried out as he was killed. McKinley, overcome with fear, threw away his gas mask and ran with all of his might. Black Mamba was at least a hundred times scarier than VX.
A hefty object was tossed in front of him. It was a grenade.
Gasp!
McKinley jumped to take cover without assessing the situation. Boom! Debris rained down. Dust rose from freshly made bullet holes right next to him. Before he had time to register any pain, McKinley stood and ran frantically.
The devil was chasing him. He felt as if the devil would grasp the scruff of his neck right that moment. The fear he felt when he was left alone in the horrific corridor in Vietnam was nothing compared to this.
McKinley discovered a hollow dead tree and rolled in. It was a great tree killed by a strangling fig. He suppressed his wild breathing and listened in. Fortunately, the devils footsteps were no longer heard.
God, if you created evil to show humans how great you are, you must control it. If your divinity cannot control the devil, wouldnt he be you?
If he hadnt feared Clairvoyance, he wanted to curse liberally at the sky. Someone who could smash an entire army base and kill off Grendels and Haunters as if they were flies had to be the devil.
He wanted to kill himself for shuddering in fear. He felt that miserable. But he could avenge himself only if he was alive. He only needed to hold for seven minutes until the Predators arrived. When a Super Grendel was here, he would be saved.
McKinley had no idea that the said devil was smiling diabolically with his prey cornered. Mu Ssang had driven McKinley into a temporary nest of Ciafus, an ant species native to the region.
Ciafus were known as the piranhas of land. They were a nomadic species that sometimes formed a great colony consisting of more than 50,000,000 individuals. They lived as nomads without building anthills because of their sheer population and appetite. When they depleted all the food in their area, they had to move to another one.
McKinleys misfortune began with a small insect. A heavy object dropped onto his feet.
Whats this? said McKinley in his mind.
He lit the emergency flashlight attached to his wrist. The circular light revealed a squirming giant ant that had to be more than 50 millimeters. The ant climbed the military boot, hauling its hefty body. Its slow, clumsy movement that was unlike most ants reminded him of his present ordeal.
God damn!
He poked the ant with a military knife. He didnt know that the giant ant was the Ciafu queen that dropped from their temporary nest. Had he known, he wouldnt have cared. An ant was but an ant.
The ant with its abdomen cut off squirmed. He heard a noise overhead. The death pheromone that the queen gave off, alerted the soldiers. McKinley looked up and confirmed the source of the noise.
What is that?
McKinleys eyes widened and his mouth was open agape in awe. The inside of the hollow dead tree was covered with ants. The dark swarm rained down on him. Millions of soldiers covered McKinley.
Aargh!
There was a chilling scream. The swarm of soldier ants was never going to forgive the murderer of their queen. The small ones infiltrated his every pore and the large ones cut his exposed skin and the fabric of his clothes. Their powerful mandibles could even tear away pieces of the bulletproof vest.
The strong mandibles of the Ciafu soldiers were well known to never let go. The indigenous people here used a Ciafu soldier as a needle to sew torn wounds. When the soldier bit the wound shut, they cut off their head. The mandibles would be in place for days, clamping the wound like a pair of tongs.
Also, the Ciafus living in Ituri were not ordinary Ciafus. They could even hunt an elephant. McKinley wriggled frantically but the vengeful mutilation never ceased. He could barely take out a can of pesticide and spray himself.
It was no use. More joined than were killed. The great organic pesticide humans made against insects could not deter the colony of Ciafus.
Fuck!
He was in a pickle. If he ran outside, the devil would kill him. If he stayed, the ants would. Even in his panic, he pitied himself. The esteemed member of the great Freemasonry, a great general of the United States army, ended up as ant fodder.
He doesnt deserve such a comfortable way to die!
Mu Ssang appeared out of nowhere. The Ciafu ants were one of the most fearsome monsters living in the jungle of Ituri. Only someone who had firsthand experience could understand how fearsome their mass attack was.
He had cornered McKinley into where Ciafus lived but the ants were more powerful than he thought. In mere moments, they bit off his bulletproof vest, combat uniform, and boots, making him all bloody. He was going to die in a few minutes at this rate.
Resonance Wave shook the atmosphere. Ultra micro waves disturbed the sensory organs of the Ciafus. The swarm retreated as if they were faced with a mortal enemy. They loosened their mandibles and crawled out of his nose and ears.
Fuck
McKinley cursed the ants in his respite. He felt heady from blood loss and ant venom. He frantically slapped the remaining ants that squirmed in his flesh with their mandibles buried deep.
You must be McKinley.
A shadow covered the sun. A husky baritone voice like a wind from a deep cave echoed in his ears.
What?
McKinley looked up abruptly in his surprise. A tall man in a yellowish brown uniform looked down as if he had been there all this time.
Black Mamba!
McKinley fumbled over his pistol holder. There was nothing. The wretched ants even consumed his pistol. Those were truly horrific creatures. Had he not sprayed himself with pesticide, he would have been reduced to bones by now.
Mu Ssang smirked, grasped McKinleys neck, and lifted him up. Even if he was his enemy, he had to laud his resolve and will. Resonance Wave clamped McKinleys capillaries and stopped his bleeding.
Are you McKinley?
The question echoed in his brain again.
Yes. I am General McKinley, the commander of the Green Zone, McKinley answered readily, then was jolted awake.
One of the fields researched in the Socrates Project had something similar to this kind of psychokinesis. An interference field called brain-washing waves or thought waves.
Are you Black Mamba? McKinley yelled in his protest.
You are inviting more pain, Mu Ssang said with a powerful slap to McKinleys face.
Broken teeth and blood shot out of his mouth. The hefty body turned like a top and fell on top of the pile of dead ants.
Ugh
His vision faded and his head rang. The acute pain from the broken jawbone prevented him from passing out. McKinley resumed his breathing and grabbed the military knife on the ground and raised himself to a squat. His body, hardened by killing training, reacted on its own.
A pile of turd!
Now, the slap landed on his other cheek and sent him flying a few meters away where he landed on his face again. McKinley shook his head and sat up.
You are quite hardy!
Black Mamba marveled. McKinley was a normal human, not a Haunter. He was impressed by his tenacity and resolve that allowed him to withstand two slaps from him. Compared to ordinary men, he could be referred to as a superhuman.
Who are you? Why are you doing this to me?
Mu Ssang tapped McKinleys shoulders lightly as an answer. He didnt want to talk with a perverted racist. Resonance Wave turned his shoulder joints, joint capsules, tendons, and muscles into a jumbled slush.
Ugh!
McKinley trembled. The military knife dropped from his hand. Tremendous pain crushed his nerves and shook his brain. The shoulder had a very intricate structure of bones, muscles, and tendons for it to be able to rotate 360 degrees. No medicine or engineering could replace the shattered structure.
You know who I am.
Mu Ssang took off his full-face helmet. A feminine face with sophisticated features was revealed.
Black Mamba!
McKinley stared blankly. He looked just like the portrait he checked dozens of times.
I am also the Korean researcher Hae Youngs man.
What?
Startled, McKinley spat the blood and saliva that pooled in his mouth.
You did all this just because of a woman?
You may say that but she is my everything.
Aargh!
McKinley stared at Black Mamba in disbelief, forgetting his circumstances all at once. He infiltrated a heavily guarded fortress and massacred Shadow agents and Predators just to rescue his lover. How ridiculous! What a romantic maniac.
Clairvoyance? You cannot possibly have it!
McKinley giggled. He just had to. Lamartin said Baphomet kidnapped the woman because of the philosophers stone maturing in her womb. Thats why they could never kill her. The Freemasons including himself had to fret after killing another woman mistakenly.
Kill me quickly. I will answer any question, McKinley mumbled.
The Freemasonry was a lie. He regretted all the years he spent trusting the Grandmasters might and served the Freemasonry with his body and soul.
Who touched my woman other than you?
Captain Guderian, Vantz Guderian. Hes my adjutant.
Who used the object?
Master Sergeant Smith of Security used the barrel of a gun.
Who tortured her?
The head of security, Lieutenant Colonel Michell.
McKinley mumbled as if he was sleepwalking. The excruciating pain attacked his brain, rendering him half-conscious.
Filthy perverts!
Torture could be a means to an end but rape was just an outlet for twisted desires. It couldnt be allowed even in times of war. It was such a filthy crime. Thats why Japan denied the existence of comfort women.
Captain Guderian, Lieutenant Colonel Michell, Master Sergeant Smith!
Black Mamba said the names of his next targets. McKinley felt sudden hope. Happiness is doubled when shared and sin halved. He felt like he could be spared if he played his cards right.
Executor Davis of the Committee is the overall director. I only followed his orders.
Chapter 737 - 737 Chapter 66 Episode 5 I Thought This Would Happen
737 Chapter 66 Episode 5 I Thought This Would Happen
So?
Mu Ssang was indifferent. He already knew well enough about the Socrates Project and Green Flow.
McKinley, startled by his indifference, babbled on, Doctor Samuel and Ian, Herman, Hathaway, the heads of Green Project, should be responsible for Hae Youngs death. If you spare me, I will tell you their real identities.
A betrayer! said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssangs eyes looked cold. He despised him for betraying his colleagues just to save himself. He hated three kinds of people. A thug that wielded his fist without restraint. A rapist who used his penis without restraint. A betrayer who ran his tongue without restraint. The man was all three.
I dont wanna know. Stop talking and die.
The kukri revealed its blade with a blue sheen.
Oh shit!
McKinley frowned deeply. That was the very sword that beheaded countless heads of his men. He only needed to stall for a little while until his backup got there. He needed these precious minutes.
Wait, I will give you information regarding the Freemasonry and MLRS.
McKinley used his last card.
Do you know where Lamartin is?
Black Mambas eyes glinted. Super Grendels and Lamartin was the unresolved matter that continued to bother him. Matilda burned on her own when she tried to divulge the location of Lamartin. The MLRS cannons deployed in Kalonge were also something that bothered him.
I will tell you if you spare me.
I will.
Black Mamba accepted his offer right away. He could spare the mans life in many ways. If he burnt up on his own, that couldnt be helped.
Lamartin hasnt shown up in the camp for a week already. Flying Grendels Verriere and Oeilet and ground Grendel Rosiere will soon be here. There are two Bradley armored vehicles mounted with the MLRS. The ATACMS was deployed on Lake Alberts shore. A low-altitude recon unit Black Eye and two fixed orbit satellites and two high-altitude recon units are informing us in real-time. Destroyers and cruisers docked in Dar es Salaam are
He continued to divulge much confidential information. McKinley tried his best. The man before him was almost as strong as a Grandmaster. If he tried to deceive with false information, that could be the end of him.
Black Mamba listened with an expressionless face. It was useful information but each word the man uttered disturbed him as if they were a waste matter. Agent Jaitun and Shadow agent Major MecPee faced their death resolutely. This general was willingly divulging all the confidential information. He didnt deserve to belong in the elite class of the United States.
McKinley was fine after telling Mu Ssang the whereabouts of Lamartin. That meant the spontaneous combustion was caused by something implanted in Matilda or something in the Rwenzori mountains. He had to investigate it further.
Thank you for telling me. Burning alive would have been better for you though.
He stepped firmly down on McKinleys crotch. His testicles were ruptured.
Aargh! You agreed to spare me.
A flock of birds took flight, startled by his scream.
You are still alive.
The texture he felt through the boot disturbed him. It was a high-quality military boot made with a young goats hide and lined with Goretex. He didnt feel like throwing it away just yet just because it touched McKinleys wretched balls.
Since it is already dirty, I better double down on it.
He smashed McKinleys knees with powerful kicks and landed a kick on his anus.
Aargh!
McKinley collapsed, sprawling on the ground. He couldnt even scream. Mu Ssangs palm touched his stomach. Resonance Wave disintegrated his stomachs autonomic nerves.
Modern medicine would be able to save his life but he wouldnt be able to lead a normal life. Only his head would be intact. He wouldnt be able to eat or drink or even use a wheelchair. Death was a better fate than a life like this.
Live like that, then die. If you are born again as a human with the most of luck next life, live cleanly that time.
He tossed a chilling remark and disappeared without looking back. McKinleys blood-covered body squirmed like a caterpillar amongst the corpses of the Ciafus that covered the ground.
Before five minutes could pass after Mu Ssang disappeared, a deafening sound of a helicopter filled the skies above Kidumb. Dozens of Humvees and armored vehicles arrived and armed soldiers wearing gas masks swarmed out of them.
The Marine Search Squadron and Combat Engineer Battalion didnt have time to be shocked at the gruesome scene. They immediately proceeded to do their jobs. The marines didnt pay any attention to the abandoned equipment and combat scene. They gathered McKinley who was barely alive along with the other 80 bodies and left Kidumb as if they were being chased.
* * *
Sun Woo-hyun checked the concentration of the residual VX and crawled out of the hatch. The jungle was dead quiet. Even the monkeys that howled ceaselessly were gone. The entire area had been fumigated with the poisonous gas, eliminating all lifeforms.
Follow me. We should prepare a taxi for Wakil who worked so hard.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu sprinted across the destroyed jungle. Sun Woo-hyuns features bloomed in a wide smile. He spotted the Humvees landing in line on the road in the jungle.
Zulu, we are three and there are so many taxis.
Im on it, sir.
Zulu loaded one Humvee with emergency fuel, grouped the rest together, poured gasoline on them, and attached an explosive to the fuel tank of one of the Humvees.
Five minutes should suffice, eh?
Dubaiburupa said
Dont object. Wakil is a ghost.
Yeah, a ghost is here.
What?
Sun Woo-hyun jumped in surprise.
You did a great job.
Sun Woo-hyun mumbled with an embarrassed expression on his face.
Hurry. Steel debris will rain down. Bolt 5 kilometers away from the blast.
Black Mamba was hurried, not like his usual self. Zulu set the timer and jumped on the pilots seat. The Humvee sprinted, trailing a cloud of dust.
* * *
The explosive exploded. The nine Humvees soaked in gasoline were set aflame. The Black Eye and Dragon Lady detected the strong radiation of energy. The information was immediately relayed to the artillerymen deployed in Karungo. Four M270 MLRS containers aimed for their targets.
Two Bradley armored vehicles were suddenly engulfed in flame and smoke. Fireballs were launched from the containers at a two-second interval and shot across the southeastern sky. The armored vehicles retracted their containers and left the spot.
The artillerymen could just aim for their target and press the launch button, but the situation wasnt as simple as where their target was. There was a scene of total destruction. Thats why the artillery commanders of the North Korean military referred to the MLRS as Your Moms Ass.
The warhead exploded 300 meters above the ground. Five hundred and twenty DPICM explosives hailed down. A firestorm scoured 200 meters around. The 24 warheads continuously spat the explosives. A two-kilometer wide area in the jungle bombed with 12,000 explosives was obliterated in 40 seconds.
The Humvees that Sun Woo-hyun burned to throw off the trackers brought forth a rain of steel debris, and thanks to that, most Gazelle pilots who fell below the canopy survived. It was dumb luck like the one that saved someone who dropped in the crack between tetrapods.
Whoa!
Sun Woo-hyun shook his head in awe. The MLRS was as powerful as the stories that followed them. The dark red smoke covered the sky and the ground vibrated as if a volcano had erupted. If they tarried, they were going to be buried in lava.
I knew it.
Black Mamba looked back. McKinley said the Predators were going to be deployed first. But had he been as naive to believe that lie, he couldnt have survived until now. He slyly hid one lie among ten truths.
The American imperialists are indeed insane.
Sun Woo-hyun indicated the mushroom cloud looming against the sky with a perplexed expression.
A thug is bound to wield his fists. A rich thug is the real scary one.
Black Mamba giggled. One MLRS warhead cost 50 million won. The US army poured 1.2 billion won to kill Ciafu ants.
Wakil, what should we do if they keep attacking us?
Hmm!
That question troubled him. The outer perimeter of the Ituri jungle had some patches where the canopy hadnt properly developed yet. To avoid getting detected from the sky, they needed to steal the enemys helicopters or armored vehicles. They would not trigger the detection of the enemy.
Lackey, can you pilot a helicopter?
No.
What about an armored vehicle?
No.
What can you do?
I am driving this Humvee.
I annoyed him.
Black Mamba giggled.
Sorry for being stupid.
Sun Woo-hyun was feeling gloomy. When Ombuti said he should focus on serving Wakil, he scoffed. What he faced overwhelmed him. The enemy was tremendously strong. Black Mambas combat power surpassed any imagination. He couldnt keep up with it.
He burdened him rather than serve. He had to
hide underground when his master and his only family in the world sprinted laboriously above.
He has matured, said Black Mamba in his mind.
Black Mamba understood what Sun Woo-hyun felt. It is said that pain hardens one into greatness. Sun Woo-hyun was still petty but now he was family whom he could trust.
He fumbled in a bag and took out a taffy. The taffy had been melted and disfigured in the equatorial heat. His mother had put it there when he left Eungsim-je. He had forgotten all about it.
Eat this, Lackey.
Are you making fun of me?
My mother put it here for me to eat when I feel tired. Is this some taffy or the embodiment of her love?
Sun Woo-hyun stared at the darkened taffy covered with lint and grime. He had a complex expression on his face.
Lackey, the love of ones family is ones fuel. You are my family who, I believe, will guard my back.
Sob, Mother!
Sun Woo-hyun took the taffy and jammed it into his mouth. The sweet taste warmed his heart. He was shedding tears before he knew it.
Lackey, I am thinking of severing ties with France. Lets live in the Palace of Water together. Lets eat rice with soybean stew and samgyeopsal. My mother is an even better cook than Jin Soon.
Samgyeopsal and soybean stew made by your mother sounds great.
Sun Woo-hyun was deeply moved that he felt as if something was lodged in his chest. Mu Ssang really deserved his throne.
* * *
Cruiser Bunker CIC.
Executor Davis glared at the intelligence officer with a deeply bitter expression. Despite the barrage of the MLRS, he escaped. He had no idea how they could ever capture him now.
Where is he now?
He was spotted 15 kilometers north of Lubuto 10 minutes ago, but now he is gone again.
How so?
Due to the heated air that started to rise.
The Black Eyes must be able to track him.
They can only fly for two hours at a time.
Fuck! What kind of design is that?
Davis glared.
The silence lingered in the air.
Lieutenant Colonel Robinson felt mortified. All he did was report the situation on the battlefield factually. He didnt know what idiot designed the Black Eye at Lockheed Martin.
Call Dyson.
Aye!
Davis was sick of it. Because of Black Mamba who was but one man, they suffered tremendous losses. The MLRS and equipment were disposable but the loss of Shadows and Haunters was decisive.
To train Shadows and Haunters, the astronomical costs compounded with the prolonged period of time proved to be the main obstacle. To recover the 20 Shadow squads and the squad of Haunters, they needed more than a decade. He wished for the Grandmaster to act himself but he remained silent.
Semper Fi! Dyson here.
How is McKinley?
It is hard to say. He is exhibiting traumatic response to battlefields and people, Dyson said simply, understanding what Davis wanted to know.
Can he speak?
He can utter words but cannot form coherent sentences. Its called dysarthria. His stomach is not functional, either.
What do you mean?
The food he ingested stays in his stomach and goes bad.
What a chilling bastard.
Death would be a better fate than this. He is bedridden now and depends on IV drips for sustenance.
He was disposable but its still a pity.
Davis clicked his tongue. He rescued McKinley to gain intel from him but he was a useless vegetable now. It would have been better if he was ground alive in an explosion. He was grateful that Singleton wasnt as stupid as McKinley.
General, get Singleton for me.
Singleton here. I apologize that we couldnt fulfill the mission.
No. You withdrew at the right moment. Assess this Black Mamba for me.
He is capable of teleportation and invisibility. Despite the offensives over a wide area involving the Black Eye, we couldnt touch a strand of his hair.
Is he on par with Grandmaster?
No. He relied on firearms for ranged attacks. He is just a very good assassin and doesnt really possess any power of mass destruction. With the combined power of middle-grade Super Grendels and Ramasu, we can surely catch him.
What do you think, General Dyson?
I agree with Singleton. Black Mamba has repeatedly defied our expectations. We do not need to deploy any more soldiers. We must immobilize him from above and employ Predators.
Robinson, how many helicopters are available right now on Curt Wilber and Ingersoll?
They each have one Little Bird.
One?
Unless its a DDH, a destroyer specifically designed to house helicopters. There is space left for only one after loading anti-submarine helicopters.
Can we use the Seahawk for land operations?
Not in the jungle. It lacks mobility and is too expensive. He is a phenomenal sniper that uses an RPG7 as if it is PSG1.
Chapter 738 - 738 Chapter 66 Episode 6 I Thought This Would Happen
738 Chapter 66 Episode 6 I Thought This Would Happen
That would prove problematic.
Davis nodded. The combat power analysis of Black Mamba was no joking matter. If they employed the Seahawk that cost the same as 10 Little Birds and Mu Ssang struck it down, they would be mocked for years to come.
Air strikes cannot touch Black Mamba. We should employ multiple low-altitude helicopters and A-10s to overwhelm and capture him.
We need an air squad if we dont want to lose him again. The only remaining helicopters in the camp are four Little Birds and one Chinook.
Singleton and Dyson on-screen insisted on using the air forces. That had to be so. Realistically, they couldnt deploy a mass armored force in the jungle.
Should I call in the Fifth Squadron? said Davis in his mind.
Davis had a headache. He needed the Presidents authorization if he were to mobilize the CVBG. It was too much of a risk.
We have an air maintenance squadron in our base in Kenya, Robinson said.
Do we have some offensive helicopters we can use?
Six MH-6s are to return to Kuwait after getting their windows repaired.
Good. Get them here as soon as possible.
Davis was delighted. With three teams of helicopters, they could chase him all day long.
How far has the land trackers advanced?
Robinson drew two circles each with a radius of 50 kilometers and 100 kilometers. When the circles were zoomed in, jagged rocky mountains and dark lowlands were revealed. Overall, it was a terrain with a great variance in altitude.
We are 15 kilometers northwest of Kidumb. The northwestern highlands of Ituri are referred to as a super drift zone. A very harsh terrain. The lowlands are crisscrossed by spiderweb-like tributaries and scattered with mangrove forests. Land tracking is not feasible.
Black Mamba must be slowed down there, right?
The situation has worsened. He is defter than a basilisk on the surface of the water. He must have gotten 100 kilometers farther away.
Northwest Is he headed for Kisangani?
Kisangani is the only airport in East Africa with long-haul flights. Considering the direction he went, he will soon enter the Bunyakiri valley. The Bunyakiri valley leads to Nbundu which is at the doorstep of Kisangani. He will likely move along the corridor.
You make sense. Robinson, deploy the Black Eye and Pegasus in Kidumb and Kisangani. Mobilize them with the helicopters.
Yes, sir!
Michell, deploy the ground unit Marasu and MLRS in Bunyakiri. Mobilize the flying unit Verriere and Oeilet.
Aye!
Dyson, he is the main enemy of the United States and an obstacle that is blocking the progress of our organization. If we dont remove him, he will keep hindering our operations. You must get him.
Semper Fi! We will not let him escape this time, Dyson said resolutely.
If Lamartin didnt move, there must be a reason. They needed to utilize all of their forces, otherwise, they were going to end up like McKinley.
* * *
Unlike Daviss prediction, Black Mamba was wandering an area 20 kilometers north of Kidumb. Trying to avoid the endless vertical rift face and swamp, he lost sight of the road and couldnt tell where the north was.
We are in a pickle!
Sun Woo-hyun held the GPS and looked up at the majestic waterfall blocking their path with an expression of consternation. They had pushed through with their Humvee and now, they had nowhere to go. Other than their longitude and latitude, they had no data. The dark had fallen and they were locked up in a green sea where only the roars of beasts and the singing of birds were heard.
Where are we, Lackey?
Black Mamba was awakened. Zulu ran up to him with a wet towel immediately. Black Mamba wiped his face half-heartedly and looked around.
There is no data. If we calculate our coordinates with the longitude and latitude, we are 52 kilometers northwest of Bukavu.
We are still within the range of ATACMS but at least, we are out of the MLRSs range. You should fall back with Zulu.
What are you going to do?
Sun Woo-hyun was worried. The Americans were not easy opponents. Even though they had suffered because of the difference in power, if they went on a full offensive, even Black Mamba would find it hard to handle. But if they stayed with him, they were only going to be a liability.
We should smash their camp and retrieve Oparts.
Revenge should be repaid a hundredfold. Are you going to eradicate them?
Not just revenge. Freemasonry has complete control of the military industry, oil, and grain cartel in the United States and Europe. As long as their leaders stay intact, the world will suffer from needless wars, high oil prices, and famine. I am not a superhero that protects the planet, but I cannot allow someone that threatens my country and family to roam freely. They must feel the same. I must be a thorn in their toe. A rough battle will occur now.
Call in Garuda.
A volcano erupted in the Bachilkile valley. You must have seen the scene.
Lava and volcanic ash covered 50 kilometers around. Voodoo fanatics and Prolinat guerillas were buried under lava. They received their comeuppance.
Garuda is responsible for that.
Huh?
Sun Woo-hyun yelped. He was aware that Garuda was a tremendous being, but was it really capable of penetrating the crust of Earth?
Thats phenomenal. Whats there to wait for? Lets destroy the American imperialists.
Sun Woo-hyun was excited.
The Great Rift Valley is an unstable region where the crust cracks routinely. Underneath the thinned crust, lava is boiling. Massive amounts of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide have accumulated underneath the bottom of the great lake and wet sand made along the rift. Are you telling me, we should bring about a catastrophe just to kill some bedbugs?
Mu Ssang shook his head. The Odam Allied Forces were to be eradicated, but thousands of innocent indigenous people would also be sacrificed. The incident still bothered him. Garudas photon cannon were as destructive as an atomic bomb. If the same thing happened in East Africa with its unstable crust and dense population, it would be a disaster incomparable to Ennedi.
Why arent you calling Dimanche, Dino, and Samdi here? You should right away.
Sun Woo-hyun couldnt understand why Black Mamba refrained from using such strong allies and struggled alone.
Its because of the Predators. Kkamdung and others should protect Novatopia and my family. If they and their loyal henchmen werent there, who would protect my family and citizens?
Aye.
Sun Woo-hyun didnt like his answer but could only nod. Black Mamba was the angel of death and merciful Dubaiburupa.
There are two escape paths. If we keep going west, we will get to the French embassy in Kinshasa. If we go north, the Foreign Legion in Djibouti. If we choose the latter, we have to go 3,000 kilometers on a road. If we choose the first, we should walk 1,800 kilometers through the jungle.
Sun Woo-hyun deliberated with a 1:7,500 military map in front of him. The Humvee was sufficiently strong. They had loaded six 10-gallon spare fuel tanks. The problem was not the fuel but the road. The belligerent, vengeful Americans must be watching the roads across the jungle.
It should take three months until we get to Kinshasa. I even miss the Sahel.
Sun Woo-hyun sighed. Without Wakils help, he had three choices. Walk, call in a helicopter, or give up. The vehicle could run fine in the desert but that was not possible in the Ituri jungle.
No vehicle could ever go through a jungle full of tall cliffs, spiderweb-like tributaries, swamps, and rough bushes covered with hardy parasitic vines. Moreover, the creatures of the jungle would attack. The right choice was the helicopter.
Sun Woo-hyun held the satellite phone and hesitated. He was worried about hackers. But he needed to use it to figure out their escape.
Lackey, more thinking wouldnt help you. They are aware of our approximate location. Dont worry about me and use it quickly.
Aye.
He didnt like it but he had no choice. He unfolded the satellite antenna and connected a black box to the transmitter. When he pressed the red button, the red lamp flickered. The coded message was ready. Black Mamba pressed 1 and transmitted the message.
2-33-16-38, 28-36-23-69
He repeated the message twice and pressed the transmit button. The rest was now up to the decoder that had something to do with the photon polarization matrix and Bonipas.
Lets meet again at Lake Yoa.
Take care, Wakil.
Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu ran toward Kalika which was 32 kilometers away. They couldnt rest at night. If they didnt get to the coded location in time, they were going to be in serious trouble.
* * *
The DGSE Headquarters, Paris.
The coded message was relayed to the head of operations, Valvoue, by Mekisi, the director of intelligence from the Middle East and Africa.
Sir, its Black Mamba.
Where is he?
Bonipas stood abruptly. He was feeling uneasy after Mu Ssang went missing. Americans destroyed Bukavu and the Foreign Legion and made it rain with the MLRS and ATACMS. He no longer could contact Ariba whom he trusted.
We dont know from where it was sent, but it says they are fine and two have escaped toward the embassy in Kinshasa. They requested a helicopter and weapons. The coordinates are 73 kilometers southeast of Bunyakiri.
Mu Ssang is requesting weapons? Bonipas wondered.
Why was Mu Ssang fleeing to an embassy and requesting weapons?
Ha! It is so.
He was relieved to know that Lackey and Zulu were fleeing, not Mu Ssang. The situation must be grim if the superhuman Lackey needed to get out of there. Bonipas looked at Valvoue.
We can deploy the 13 Air Force Air Squadron stationed in Djibouti. I am also giving you the right to operate the Navy stationed in Gabon.
What if we clash with Americans?
That should be the least of our concerns when we risk losing the national treasure to them. According to Aribas report, the Americans waged five billion dollars to get Mu Ssang. They would even wage ten billion dollars if they could get Mu Ssang to side with them.
Five billion dollars? Hahaha!
Bonipas giggled. Mu Ssang was worth more than 20 billion dollars, including bonds and cash. He never cared for money anyway and if five billion dollars could tempt Dubaiburupa, they were going to change his surname.
Thats a great sum. I would be tempted.
But you are not Black Mamba. Maybe the KGB will pay one million dollars.
Valvoue smirked.
Well, once out of this chair, I am but a weak old man. The Americans are quite generous. I offered two billion francs. We should treat him better.
Bonipas regained his calm. Mu Ssang wouldnt sell Oparts to Americans for some money. Oparts was going to Novatopia anyway. The United States, France, and Korea had no say in it.
Bonipas picked up the red receiver. Mu Ssang had a special affection for people. He needed to get Lackey and Zulu out of there and prepare a stage where Mu Ssang could perform freely.
I got permission from the Ministry of Defense. Send the helicopter right away. Send the 13 Foreign Regiment and the forces stationed in Gabon to Ituri. You shall command the operation yourself.
I see. The Americans floated the Black Eye and deployed a fixed-orbit satellite on top of Keyhole and Dragon Lady. Is there anything we can do to help Mu Ssang?
The Americans are quite in it. We will have to wing it. Hurry.
Such a remark was out of his character. Valvoue wondered and exited the office.
We have some measures. We will get told off later on though.
Bonipas grinned and picked up the receiver. When information and power worked hand in hand, there was a great synergy. This may cause inconvenience for Mu Ssang later on.
Jin Soon, Bonipas here.
Hello, Uncle!
Jin Soon refrained from mentioning his name. Even though the line was immune to wiretapping, it was always better to be careful.
Its a bit cloudy here.
The stars wont be visible. What can we do?
Whoa! Bonipas marveled.
The young woman understood the message and responded right away. She well deserved to be Mu Ssangs wife.
A chicken has wings.
All right. Take care.
Thank you. This old man is always safe in a room.
Bonipas hung up and grinned. His master could flee but couldnt handle the high-altitude recon drones and the recon satellite outside the stratosphere. If Garuda could get rid of them, the MLRS would not be able to aim for the fast-moving Mu Ssang.
Bonipas figured out the situation well. And the situation unfurled in a different direction than Mu Ssang envisioned.
* * *
Yoa Palace, Jipoon Dari. In the back garden of the Garden of Water, a classy traditional Korean house stood picturesquely against the backdrop of the pond. It was the abode of the Eungsim-je family that Bonipas evacuated from Korea on an airplane.
A formless shadow rose from the front yard of the main building. The shadow materialized into a giant leopard. All kinds of animals and birds that frolicked in the garden fled.
Why did you do that? You scared off my friends, Yeong-a complained.
Now, at age seven, she had grown much taller and her body that used to be starved with visible ribs was now fleshed-out and plump. For an old man, two years was a short time but for a growing child, it was like an eternity.
Chapter 739 - 739 Chapter 66 Episode 7 I Thought This Would Happen
739 Chapter 66 Episode 7 I Thought This Would Happen
Yeong-a practiced how to cleanse her soul for the last two years under the guidance of Priest Dae Woo. White magic and black magic werent different in terms of power but in the scope of their applicability. As a metaphor, it could be compared to a brush that could write on rough surfaces like wood and rock and a fountain pen that could only write on smooth paper.
Yeong-a, an animal ESPer, with Priest Dae Woos teachings, gained the foundation of a general ESPer that could communicate with every living thing. Thats why white magic was called arts and black magic was called spells.
What did I do?
The gigantic black leopard scratched the back of his head with his front paw. Only his shape was that of a leopard. His speech and antics remained very human.
I will tell on you to the monk, grandpa!
Yeong-a cast him a blaming glance.
I apologize!
Kamdoong flailed both front paws. He didnt ever want to be crushed under a rocky mountain and have his cells disintegrated again. The black leopard transformed into a handsome man who looked like a movie star. Kamdoong well understood that humans reacted more to form than essence.
Jin Soon, why did you call me here when there are no mice to hunt?
Mu Ssang must be in some trouble.
Jin Soon sighed, sitting still in a stone chair. She hid her feelings to not worry her family but her heart was scorched with worry.
Who said that? It is not likely that he will be in trouble, Kamdoong said surely.
No one could ever threaten Mu Ssang. If he really was in trouble, he would have called Garuda and him to aid.
Mr. Bonipas. Apparently, a recon satellite is following him.
So what? Mu Ssang told me to protect you.
Kamdoong shook his head. His task was to protect his family, and he didnt possess any means to shoot down a satellite outside the stratosphere. The ELF, the accelerated photon cannon, needed a medium and was only effective against humans. The scope of their effect was minimal and without a medium, they couldnt exact their power.
There is Garuda.
I am not sure. I beat up its shell before. Will it heed my words?
Kamdoong sent out thought waves with a look of dismay on his face.
Chicken!
Charcoal! Why did you call me?
How petty! said Kamdoong in his mind.
Garudas response was indeed hostile. Whether a human or artificial intelligence, no one would feel good after getting beaten up.
Mu Ssang is in danger.
He is not in danger. If he were, he would have called me.
Garuda was stubborn.
Its driving me crazy. Is it the limit of artificial intelligence? thought Kamdoong.
Kamdoong clicked his tongue. An AI wouldnt worry about a danger that was not present in the here and now. Only humans did such a thing. Kamdoong looked back at Yeong-a. She was the only human who could communicate with Garuda with her epidium genes.
Uncle Dimanche, is Mu Ssang in trouble?
Yeah, Garuda should go save him but it is being stubborn.
Kamdoong told on Garuda to her as if being out of character. It was the result of spending so much time amongst humans.
The duck? Where is it?
To Yeong-a, Garuda was but a duckling with big eyes.
It must be sleeping in the lake.
Kamdoong pointed at Lake Yoa.
Mu Ssang said sleeping all the time will make one reincarnate as a cow in the next life.
Yeong-a looked at the lake with eyes full of worry. Her cute big-eyed duckling shouldnt turn into a cow.
So, call it now. The strong Chicken should be able to help your brother, Kamdoong said pleadingly.
I see.
Yeong-a raised her arms. Unlike other animals, the duckling had no visible mind. She needed to send her thoughts. With an animal, she could communicate by tuning into their brain wave frequency. But to access Garudas artificial intelligence, her brain waves should match the pattern stored in its memory.
What are you up to, Duckling?
Hey, little human!
The horn on Garudas head shone. This young female was the only human who could communicate with it other than Mu Ssang. The bottom of the lake squirmed and a golden light spread all around. The swimming fish hurriedly scattered.
Lake Yoa was a dead lake despite its clear water. Not even a common aquatic insect could be seen. The nomads and cattle who drank from it died. The deadly gas, brought by the wind, from the lake made the indigenous people flee the area. The cause was the sulfur dioxide accumulated on the bottom of the lake.
It is said the lucky get luckier. The bionic robot Garuda was simultaneously a vermin remover and an air purifier subsisting on tritium and toxins. It absorbed all the hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide that had accumulated for tens of millions of years.
With the toxic sulfuric compounds gone, fish and aquatic lifeforms became more and more abundant in Lake Yoa. Within mere two months, since Garuda took shelter in the lake, the lake of death became the lake of life, thus continued the miracle of Dubaiburupa.
My name is Yeong-a, not little human.
I see. Why did you call me!
Mu Ssang needs you.
The artificial intelligence compared the imagery of Mu Ssang sent by the girl and stored it in its memory. It needed more nutrition anyway.
Im coming!
The surface of the lake soared like a big ball. The surface broke and golden luminance soared out of it. Garuda flew around the lake. The UMA visual gliding against a full moon was majestic.
You look great, Duckling!
Yeong-a jumped, overjoyed.
Whoa!
Its the divine bird of Dubaiburupa!
Worship him!
The fishers and dating couples were ecstatic. With a dragon-like roar, the gigantic 200-meter-long body disappeared in a flash. Novatopia was a land where legends were alive.
The world will get noisy, Jin Soon muttered.
She wasnt a hustling girl pulling a cart in Jipeun-dari. She was the queen of Novatopia that stood proudly in the midst of a rapidly changing world.
* * *
Mu Ssang sprinted in a straight line through the jungle, relying on the night vision goggles and GPS. Highlands 2,000 meters above sea level interspersed with bottomless ravines unfurled 650 kilometers from Kidumb and Ngpanwaza. Thorny vines and dense shrubs tackled him. Unexpected swamps and cliff faces exhausted him. To save energy, he had to refrain from using Yaan.
The sound of helicopters echoed in the night sky. Light shone from the eastern sky. He could tell just from the sound of their engine that they were MH-6s and AH-6s Little Birds. The Little Bird was the augmented version of the 500MD, which was used en masse in Korea as well. The transport type was MH-6 and the offensive type was AH-6.
Its because of that thing.
He spotted the menacing dragonfly hovering high in the sky. It annoyed him, but he didnt have any means to take care of the Black Eye flying 4,000 meters from the ground. He had no idea that Vajra was a lightsaber and a photon cannon as well.
Before he could clearly see the ALU-68D/A7 tube rocket pods mounted on both sides of the underside of the Little Birds, he heard another engine noise from the northwest. Five Gazelles with ridiculous boosters installed behind them appeared. The sky above the Ituri jungle which usually was dead quiet was now bustling with the helicopters that swarmed in.
Five Gazelles and four Little Birds started wrestling 500 meters above the ground. The Gazelle and Little Bird were lightweight offensive helicopters with high mobility. When Gazelles attacked, Little Birds retreated. When Little Birds attacked, Gazelles did. They maintained their formations that revolved in the sky and were about to collide with each other at any moment.
Hah, they dont need to do that.
Mu Ssang laughed. General Yi Sun-sin was said to fight the Japanese Atakebune with such formations, but he had never heard of such a fight involving helicopters.
Bonipas must have sent them!
It would be out of his character if Bonipas didnt do such a thing after getting the coded message. The Gazelles headed for Kalika must have been employed to fend off the Little Birds closing in on Mu Ssang. Both the United States and France needed to avoid direct clashes because they were both NATO members.
Another formation of Little Birds appeared in the eastern sky, changing the headcount ratio from 5:4 to 5:8. Gazelles, now outnumbered, seemed dismayed. Black Mamba squinted. If the Gazelles retreated or were shot down, Sun Woo-hyun and Zulu were going to be in trouble.
They will wing it.
He assembled the Dragunov, inserting ten-round magazines he normally didnt use. Little Birds were lightweight offensive units but their armor was still strong enough to defend against the Dragunov. The vulnerable areas, such as the fuel tank and engine, were armored with titanium alloy plates, while the main propeller, made of tungsten compound, and windows made of double tempered glass, could withstand bullets. The outer armor made of the aluminum compound was more vulnerable, conversely.
Bullets twice as heavy as normal 7.62mm bullets were inserted in the powder chamber. The bullets in the ten-round magazine were custom-made with depleted uranium.
They were 570 meters away from him. His target was the rivet on the seam of the outer plate under the pilots seat. Black Mamba was counting on the penetrating power of the depleted-uranium rounds.
A ray of dark red light streaked across the night sky. The first bullet smashed the rivet under the pilots seat. The subsequent bullets entered the crack of the torn metal plate. Only the god-tier sniper Black Mamba could pull off such a feat.
The second bullet smashed the pilots console and severed the fuel nozzle under the propeller system. The third bullet pierced the pilots jaw and exited through the top of his head.
The pilots soul left his body before he had time to feel pain. The pilots upper body collapsed to the collective steering system on the left side of his seat. With the fuel supply cut, the propeller system and the engine axis were automatically disconnected but it was too late.
With the pitch angle of the propeller reduced, the Little Bird dropped to the ground. The pilots forehead pressed the beeper attached to the top part of the steering system.
With its RPM rapidly increasing, the Little Bird hurtled down and exploded when it touched the ground. Only five seconds had passed since Mu Ssang pulled the trigger.
The twelve startled helicopters rose frantically. The five AH-6s faced the ground with a sharp turn.
Ugh!
Black Mamba jumped into a crack between giant rocks that he thought was going to use as cover. Dozens of pillars of scarlet fire struck the ground. These were 2.75-inch Hydra rockets in their rocket pods. The 30mm machine guns mounted on the MH-6s supplied additional firepower.
Dozens of rockets and hundreds of machine gun rounds pounded the rocks Mu Ssang hid behind. Shrapnel and pieces of broken rock swirled around. The 2.75-inch rockets could eliminate a tank. The rocks he trusted broke and collapsed against the fierce attack.
They are quite worked up!
Mu Ssang knelt without even thinking of sniping another. If he peeked, that would be his last moment.
Beta, Zulu, Tango. That is the Special Military Advisor. Protect him.
Captain Reimi, the leader of the formation, wriggled his helicopter side to side. He was ordered to eliminate all the factors that undermined the Special Military Advisors safety. The four offensive Gazelles soared and the transport Gazelles turned toward Kalika.
The tacit truce was broken. Discerning the attack signal, the Little Birds abandoned their formation and spread apart. The Gazelles struck first. The pillars of flame streaked across the night sky. Little Birds scattered like startled wild geese.
An AH-6 that was struck by a rocket exploded magnificently. The belligerent Little Birds opened fire. The pillars of flame streaked the empty space between them but no further casualties happened even though the fight intensified.
The Gazelle and Little Bird were not equipped with nighttime firing control. The pilot needed to pull the trigger relying on night vision. It was not an easy task. Both sides wasted their ammunition and chased each other without getting any results.
The two MH-6s out of their formation continued to shatter the rocks around Mu Ssang relentlessly in the midst of all the mess. The house-sized rock was reduced to wardrobe-sized.
They are underestimating me! said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssang aimed for his targets in the sky.
The atmosphere shifted.
What was that?
Mu Ssang stumbled, pushed by the shockwave.
A deafening roar shook up the night sky. The noise from the 11 helicopters was drowned out by the monstrous roar. Garuda, rapidly accelerating to 50,000 kilometers per hour, arrived at the Bunyakiri corridor in mere five minutes.
Its scouter analyzed the battlefield with beeps.
10 insects, five square kilometers of area, 0.5 seconds elapsed. The ground cover will be eliminated in five seconds. The likelihood of Mu Ssangs elimination: 55 percent. Wide-range massacre mode: activated!]
Blue electricity buzzed between its two horns and amplified the quantum field. Blue lightning flickered 2,000 meters above the ground.
Why is it here?
Mu Ssangs mouth was agape in awe. He thought it might have been a Super Grendel. But it was Garuda.
A superdense quantum field expanded at the speed of light. The white pillar expanded to a diameter of 500 meters and swept the formation of Little Birds. The four Little Birds caught in it were vaporized.
The photon cannon that obliterated the Little Birds struck the jungles canopy. A circle with a diameter of 1,000 meters was made in the jungle where ash swirled around and the air above the ground shimmered.
What is that?
Retreat immediately.
Oh my God!
God, save the poor little lamb.
The frantic communication of the Little Birds and Gazelles ensued. They were like sparrows faced with a falcon. The surviving helicopters overloaded their boosters.
Six insects are fleeing. The output amplified 100 percent. To be fired at a narrow-angle to avoid hitting Mu Ssang.
Garuda activated its gravity field and descended to an altitude of 700 meters. Blue lightning began flickering again.
Chapter 740 - 740 Chapter 66 Episode 8 I Thought This Would Happen
740 Chapter 66 Episode 8 I Thought This Would Happen
The fusion reactor increased its output. Tens of thousands of lines of electricity alternated the two horns and accelerated the resonance in the space. The population-inversed medium became plasma within a millionth of a second.
Super high temperature and pressure distorted the space like a scene seen through a fisheye lens. The electrified particles burned up the sky.
What is it doing?
They were butchering a chicken with a blade made for cows. It was like they were launching a missile to kill a fly. Black Mamba, startled, buried himself into the ground. Garudas white-hot eyes exploded into a pillar of a laser.
The pillar of light scoured the area with a diameter of 2,000 meters. Space was distorted and the world was covered in white. The Gazelles and Little Birds, which soared after giving up attacking the ground, were swept up in the pillar of light.
The supra-high-temperature atomic laser disintegrated the six helicopters to atomic levels. The machinery and the humans inside vanished without any remains as if they were erased by an eraser in a flash. In the empty space, boiling ozone scattered like an aurora.
The photon cannon that engulfed three helicopters struck the ground horizontally. Unlike a chemical laser, an atomic laser was accompanied by a gravitational wave. The plasma of 100,000 degrees Celsius charged, razing the jungle at the speed of light.
The destructive flame charging at the speed of light directly struck the ridge of Apapura Mountain. The cap of the mountain exploded like a firework. Flame and debris covered the ground.
The result was destructive. The surrounding jungle was decimated. A hole 2,000 meters wide, 200 meters deep, and 10 kilometers long was made in the valley. The bottom and both sides of the valley melted by extreme heat that glinted like glass. A highway with 500 lanes called the Chicken Corridor was made.
A storm of 200 meters per second raged. Giant trees were uprooted and rocks swirled around. The rock Mu Ssang hid behind was also uprooted and swept away in the storm. The carbonized debris soared into the air like a volcanic eruption. It was a great act of arson.
I knew this would happen.
Mu Ssang anchored himself with Thousand Ton Stomp and covered his head with his arms. Garuda was a planetary weapon that didnt differentiate allies from enemies. Before he could intervene, 10 helicopters were vaporized and the jungle was torn up. He knew the fate of the indigenous villages scattered across the Bunyakiri Corridor without looking.
Mu Ssang, Im here.
A gigantic body 200 meters long landed without a noise.
What is this?
I exterminated vermin!
Garuda stretched out its long neck and snapped back its head like a rooster that won a cockfight.
You should selectively kill the vermin, not wipe out everything! Mu Ssang yelled.
I have no data to tell them apart. Selection would take a whole day. I protect you.
Garuda was adamant that it did the right thing.
You drive me crazy!
Mu Ssang pounded his chest. Thats why he didnt call Garuda even though he wanted to. Artificial intelligence had no emotions. It only had logic.
No human cared what kind of ant they stepped on. Garuda vaporized the Gazelles that came to Mu Ssangs rescue, like walking across a swarm of ants. Any mourning would be too late. The victims must be resentful.
Why are you here? I didnt call you.
Charcoal asked me.
I will fry you if you lie like that.
Mu Ssang glared. Kamdoong and Chicken were mortal enemies. Garuda would never heed Kamdoongs request.
Yeong-a told me to go.
Garuda averted its gaze.
Yeong-a did?
Mu Ssang was surprised. Garuda was not an animal but artificial sentience, not something Yeong-a, an animal ESPer, could communicate with.
What did the monk do to the girl? said Mu Ssang in his mind.
Mu Ssang was suspicious. His teacher was someone who was capable of unexpected acts.
I am not sure. Things will work out.
He shook his head. The deed was already done. It was no use to lecture Garuda.
Duck down!
Mu Ssang kicked the ground and jumped in between Garudas horns. The cause of the catastrophe in the Bunyakiri Corridor floated up in the air.
* * *
The auxiliary space in the intelligence room of the Green Camp.
Lamartin was submerged in meditation for a fortnight. Neutrinos swirled past Lamartin like a gentle wave. The long-awaited Baphomet finally showed itself.
Its just as I expected.
Two blue lights flickered on and off in the pitch-black darkness. He had entered the retreat because of his unstable avatar but also to rearrange the past time when a flying UMA appeared.
Lamartin possessed clairvoyance. Clairvoyance allowed one to see the past and future. It wasnt as good as Dae Woos clairvoyance, but with a proper medium, he could rearrange past events and when conditions were met, they could see the future.
He tracked the flying UMA for two weeks as if he was rewinding a videotape.
The Baphomet, depending on its origin, was categorized into either Betera (the old) or Ortmicon (the new). Betera referred to the beings that inherited the genes of ancient sentient beings and the artificial lifeforms created by the same sentience. Ortmicon referred to the sentience that came to Earth from a far-out outer universe and their families.
Among Betera were Lamartin, Dae Woo, Ocelot, who was missing, and Black Mamba. Now, there was the flying UMA too. Other than these, the rest were all fake and low-grade.
Among Ortmicon were his friend Nialatep and Ramasu, who was Nialateps kin. The unidentified Illuminati gunner could be one too, but there was no way to be certain.
Lamartin was obsessing over Garuda because of Ramasu. If Nialatep could control Ramasu with his mind, he could surely control an artificial Betera Baphomet that shared the same origin as him.
He felt a signal.
Could it be Nialatep?
He pressed his thumb onto his temple and spread out his palms like antennae.
My old friend, was it really the gravitational wave?
It was the thought wave of Nialatep who was in a retreat in the Orangniki valley.
Its very close by.
What do you think?
We should capture it. Im thinking of deploying Verriere and Oeilet hidden in the Bunyakiri Corridor.
The high Super Grendel Verriere not only had Lamartins genes. It also had the Ramasus genes that withstood the harsh conditions of outer space. Even if they dont get to defeat him, they wont be defeated easily.
Can a replica match the original? Should I send Ramasu there?
Verriere was strong but Baphomet was legendary.
Dont. The last time, Ramasu attracted the wretched monk with its frenzy. I will cooperate.
Then we can do it. Did you find the trace of the humanoid Baphomet?
I dont get it, but hes in the same area as the flying Baphomet.
Beware. Night Gaunt was killed.
Worry not. The people here are responding well.
The switch was flipped on its own. Darkness fled like a receding tide. The hand shriveled up like an old tree picked up the receiver.
Huey, awaken Verriere and Oeilet.
Aye, I heed the Grandmasters call.
The switch flipped. The space was enveloped in darkness.
Come quick, my servant, my power. Hahaha.
There was a burst of freakish laughter in the dark.
* * *
Garuda stopped in its tracks as it went up in the atmosphere. Its scouter detected a life form approaching them rapidly.
Two flying insects with combat power of 150,000 MF and 30,000 MF each. Approaching us from 40 kilometers away.
They are tremendous.
When one entered the four-dimensional space provided by Garuda, one shared its sensory organs. As if on a screen, a supersonic flying object approaching them was projected in their field of view. It was the flying Super Grendel McKinley mentioned.
It looked like the Gargoyle in mythology. It was 300 meters long and its tail was 100 meters. It looked like a bat and was almost as big as Garuda. The Grendel arrived five kilometers from them in an instant.
Its so ugly.
Its entire external appearance was unsightly but its glinting big eyes were the most unsettling.
It may be ugly but will be delicious just the same. Shall I eat it?
Garuda salivated. An insect with higher combat power tasted better. The one Garuda ate on the shore only had a combat power of 1,000MF. If it consumed that thing with 150,000MF, it could raise its own combat power.
First, check its combat power.
Fighting will ruin the taste.
A plasma shield enveloped Garudas body. A Super Grendel that looked like a Gargoyle struck first. Its front paws as big as the blades of 10 bulldozers struck each other at ten times the speed of sound. It was Cavitation, Verrieres special skill.
A 250-dB shockwave struck Garuda. The space shimmered like waves. After the sonic wave attack, a mass of air heated to 3,000 degrees Celcius struck directly at a speed of Mach 3. The plasma shield was fortified with a deafening hum.
The mass of air exploded. Garuda, covered with extreme heat and pressured shockwave, was pushed far back. The ground swept by the shockwave was destroyed. Rock faces collapsed and tens of thousands of trees were uprooted and snapped.
The bat-shaped Oeilet opened its maw as big as a swimming pool. A pillar of highly acidic gas shot forth. Once it struck the shields plasma, the gas pillar exploded and was vaporized. The dark red gas cloud exploded and Garuda was engulfed in flames.
Its burning!
The successive attacks thinned the shield and its micro-lattice hide glowed in heat. The space in the cockpit was heated up like an oven.
Mode: Protect Mu Ssang. Activated.
The chilly air swirled. The oven was suddenly a fridge.
That was impressive. The Gargoyle must be the high Super Grendel Verriere and the bat must be a mid-tier Grendel Oeilet. The turtle, octopus, and serpent were said to be low-tier. It was really incomparable.
Mu Ssang ended his remark. Those were extreme asymmetric power. Even dozens of fighter jets wouldnt be a match. A fight with these would prove to be exhausting.
Verriere disappeared from the screen. The Garuda was pushed back when Verriere struck it with its body. It could even teleport. Oeilet jumped on Garuda and grasped its head and twisted. The micro-lattice hide made a sound like metals grinding against each other.
Verriere wielded its tail. Its 100-meter tail struck the burning Garuda repeatedly. With its head in Oeilets grasp, Garuda couldnt enter evasive maneuver and had to withstand the blows.
Verriere launched Cavitation from up close. Flames spread across the sky five kilometers around like fireworks. Garuda was flung back as if hurled by an invisible hand.
Ugh!
Mu Ssang screamed in the cockpit.
My patience is running thin. Am I supposed to keep getting hit?
Do as you want.
The clash gave them a glimpse of their combat power of them. They were world-ending beasts that were to be eradicated along with Freemasonry responsible for their creation.
Meat tastes better when cooked.
High-voltage electricity of 100 million volts struck Oeilet which clung to Garuda like a leech. A screech shook the night sky. The half-cooked gigantic bat was flung back. Its eyes were upturned and its carbonized scales dropped en masse.
Oeilet, no!
A scream was heard in the space under Ngpanwaza. Lamartins avatar clutched his chest. Even with their power, the Grendels were no match to the Baphomet. When he channeled with the Super Grendels, they had the advantage of increased combat power, but they also shared the damage.
Awaken!
He tapped his temple with his thumb and made Dark Energy swirl around. The falling, fuming Oeilet opened its eyes abruptly. Its carbonized tissues were completely regenerated as if time had been reversed. Oeilet soared with a swoosh.
Its weak but quite tenacious.
Garudas third horn glowed white. When Garuda opened its beak, shimmering rings of lightning shot forth one after another. Oeilet, soaring rapidly, stopped as if it was caught in a spider web. Thousands of rings of lightning enveloped its body and turned. Oeilet screeched and squirmed.
What was that?
An anti-gravity thunder web. It is used to store a sample in a live state, Garuda answered as if it was nothing.
Quite impressive!
Garuda indeed was a vermin eradicator. If there were God, the Concretus who created Garuda must be them. He feared what form the Chicken would take when it awakened another level.
Garuda went up in the atmosphere. A shockwave swept past the space.
He is underestimating us!
Garuda launched its accelerated photon cannon. Verriere balled up its body. There were sparks like fireworks and the gigantic body was flung back like a kicked ball. The Gargoyle, unlike the bat, was quite tenacious.
Garuda accelerated rapidly. Its gigantic claws struck Verrieres head. Verriere flailed with its claws in retaliation. It was quite as powerful as Ramasu. The claws penetrated the plasma magnetic field and intertwined with Garudas claws.
Chapter 741 - 741 Chapter 66 Episode 9 I Thought This Would Happen
741 Chapter 66 Episode 9 I Thought This Would Happen
The two flying monsters as big as an aircraft carrier grasped each others claws and turned at a sonic speed. Tornadoes roared and a sonic boom exploded 4,000 meters above the ground.
The Garuda took advantage of its absolute speed to rip off the body of its opponent and puncture it. Scales rained down and blue fluid poured down like a waterfall. Verrieres tenacity and regenerative power were indeed overpowered. Its damaged tissues were restored in real-time, allowing it to strike back. Its claws and beak penetrated the plasma force field and struck and scratched Garudas hide.
The claws struck and the beak bit off. It was typical melee combat of the birds of prey.
Mu Ssang, you told me that meat became more tender when it was beaten up.
Garuda pummeled Verriere with its tail relentlessly.
When are you going to finish it off? Mu Ssang ran out of his patience and yelled.
Garuda enjoyed the sensation of hitting but Mu Ssang suddenly found himself on a supersonic amusement park ride. His ears were deafened and he felt dizzy.
Shall we fry it?
The fusion reactor raised its output. Blue electricity ran down its tail. The tail infused with two hundred billion volts wound around Verrieres neck. The high-voltage electricity fried the vast body. Verriere let out its final screech.
A life form based on carbon and oxygen could only be vulnerable to high voltage electricity. Verriere had its eyes rolled back and drooped like wet cotton.
Garuda activated a gravity field. The 250-ton object struck the ground like a shooting star. The bedrock exploded like a volcano and the vast body was buried deep in the granite. Verriere squirmed. The hard granite was crushed like tofu.
The Ortmicons biological tissue adapted to the harsh outer space conditions was hardened and could withstand more tension. Even though it struck the rock at ten times the speed of sound, its form was unharmed.
Garuda stepped on the vast body and activated the gravity field. Thousand tons of gravity per square centimeter pressed down on it. The tremendous pressure crushed its body and the bedrock collapsed.
The low-speed ELF sliced open its heart like an electric chainsaw. A robustly throbbing energy organ was revealed. Garuda ripped it apart with a satisfied expression and swallowed it with a gulp. The struggling Verriere drooped.
Just as Garuda used the fusion reactor as the main power source and the ionic engine as auxiliary power, the Super Grendel had the energy organ as the main power source and the bionic battery as auxiliary. With its energy organ lost, Verriere was like a hybrid electric car whose fuel engine was broken.
Garuda tore Verrieres body into tiny pieces with its gigantic claws. In mere moments, the boned bionic tissues connected to each other. Garuda didnt give them time to heal and swallow each promptly.
Yum!
Garuda burped greasily and let out a cloud of dark smoke. The monster who could end the world disappeared, without leaving any trace behind but a viscous fluid.
Humans are intelligent. Meat does become more tender when its cooked and beaten up, Garuda muttered like a monk that was just enlightened.
How horrible!
Mu Ssang shook his head. Where had the pile of meat as big as a small mound gone?
What about the smaller one?
Ill save it for later.
The high-level ELF punctured a deep cavity in the bedrock. Garuda hurled Oeilet locked up in a force field in the cavity and sealed it by melting rock with a laser.
Its a lunchbox! Hahaha.
Garuda giggled like a human. Every animal including the human becomes more generous when they are sated. Artificial intelligence didnt differ.
A wretch!
Mu Ssang shuddered. The wide-eyed duckling that acted cute in front of the five sisters and Yeong-a was a real monster who preyed on monsters. It was a merciless, cold-blooded weapon of destruction.
Lets go find Oparts.
We have two flies left.
Garuda soared to an altitude of 5,000 meters. They could see the Gazelles heading for Kisangani and the Little Birds heading for Rwenzori. The Gazelle must be Sun Woo-hyun, heading for Kisangani which was closer than Kinshasa. The Little Bird was likely to house the controllers of Verriere and Oeilet.
* * *
Ugh!
Lamartin cut the connection as soon as the energy organ was wrenched out. More synchronization came with more shared damage. It didnt harm himself, but some dark energy stored in the avatar was lost.
The hidden intent of the previous generations Betera proved right. The original Baphomet was indeed majestic. He empowered Betera and Ortmicon with his power, but it proved insufficient. His greed grew as soon as he saw how strong Baphomet was. Lamartin risked getting his own mind compromised and attempted to access the Baphomets neural net.
Come to me, Child!
The dark thought wave infiltrated the artificial intelligences neural net. Lamartin was elated. The thought wave buried deep like it was already familiar with the pathways. The flying UMA was indeed a Betera artificial life form that shared the same origin as him.
I feel bad, Mu Ssang.
You ate something bad.
Mu Ssang laughed. The science of the Concretus was indeed magnificent. Their artificial intelligence could feel emotion.
Something is calling me. I dont feel good but it also feels familiar.
Garuda turned toward Rwenzori. Mu Ssangs thoughts felt kind and comfortable. The voice that called now was stern and oppressive. Garuda felt like it would face elimination if it didnt heed the call.
You are supposed to go to Mambasa.
Why am I like this?
Garuda turned to Mambasa.
Come, come to me!
A familiar voice called again. Garuda turned to Rwenzori.
Get it together, are you drugged?
Why am I like this? This I really eat something bad?
Garuda wandered without being able to focus. Its central nervous system ordered its body to follow Mu Ssangs directive but its neural net functioned on its own. Even when the scouter was powered down, the unsettling order echoed in its head.
Garuda had fallen into a state of confusion despite its absolute connection with Black Mamba due to a phenomenon called quantum entanglement.
Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon in which small particles like electrons retain a special connection to each other after interacting with each other regardless of time and space. A particular particles location, momentum, and spin change determined the state of the particle that it shared a connection with in the past.
Quantum entanglement could be explained as a form of perturbation and the information is transferred regardless of the external circumstances. Garuda was a slave to the Concretus. Lamartin was perturbed about Garudas neural net with the Concretus genes he inherited.
Garudas artificial intelligence was stuck in a thought loop like a dog confused when reuniting with its old owner after finding a new owner. If Garuda was not bound by Black Mambas chaos force, it would have ended up attacking him.
Garuda fell like a gunned-down duck. Its vast body sprawled on the ground without grace. With the signal transmission loop disturbed, the central nervous system lost its control of the body.
It was an unsightly scene for a planetary weapon, but destruction often stemmed from internal factors than external ones. The mighty elephant is defeated by viruses. An empire is fallen by some traitors scheme.
Is it hacked?
Mu Ssang knew the situation was severe. Quantum intelligence was on a whole other level than the crude computer of the modern era but it was fundamentally a computer. As it had the ability to learn and make decisions on its own, one could access the main processing unit with resonance synchronization. The human brain could be implanted with false memories when certain conditions are met. He himself was brainwashed by Chui Do Shik in the same way.
Get it together, Garuda!
Resonance Wave delivered on Mu Ssangs thought wave shook up Garudas nerves. His chaos force pushed away the dark force that had taken over its neural net. The dislodged subordination factors found their place.
Its gone!
Garuda regained its composure. The voice that occupied the neural net and kept assailing the central nervous system disappeared.
Ugh!
The original body of Lamartin in the Orangniki Valley coughed up blood. His avatar faded after receiving a shock.
Fuck!
The avatar ground his teeth. He almost took over the neural net but then the connection was cut off. It felt like catching a big fish and the fishing line snapped just at the moment of putting the fish into a basket.
It is stronger than I think. Why was the connection severed?
Lamartin couldnt figure out the cause. The more advanced and strong-willed the victim was, the more difficult the initial access proved to be. Whether the victim was a human or a predator or a machine, when the initial access was established, taking over the brain was easier.
It must have acquired a strong ego.
Lamartin deduced. Baphomets artificial intelligence was apparently evolved to a level where it could cleanse itself. He didnt know that the wretched monks student Black Mamba was on board the Baphomet. So it was a rational deduction.
To gain control of the Baphomet, he needed to weaken its ego. A consistent attack was the only way to achieve it. The problem was that in order to weaken the Baphomets central nervous system, it would take a considerable amount of his energy.
He was wary of the monk, so he was reluctant to summon Ramasu. He couldnt find any trace of him for the last 300 years but he was too great an enemy to assume to have perished.
I should pay for it if I want a treasure.
The Baphomets value was as enticing as to face any sacrifices. To capture Black Mamba who was suspected to be the monks successor and strike the Baphomet, he needed the help of humans. Lamartin resolutely picked up the receiver. The force damage prevented him from using telepathy.
Davis, activate DEFCON One and Gehenna.
I understand if it were a striker squad from an aircraft carrier but if we involve the Predators of Area 51 and atomic cannon, the organizations identity will be revealed.
Davis, when did you ever disobey me?
Lamartins voice was chilling.
I apologize. Is our target Black Mamba?
Black Mamba and a flying Baphomet.
The Baphomets value was as enticing as to face any sacrifice. He needed to unroot the seed that would grow to be a great nemesis.
Give us the coordinates.
The first point to be struck is the Alexandra peaks western slope in the rift valley west of Rwenzori. The second point is Black Mamba. Track him down and locate him. His destination is the camp. If you cannot locate him, you can strike the camp instead.
I will prepare ATACMS and M65 field cannon.
There is no time. Deploy the mechanic Haunter from Sector 7 right away.
I see. For a great soul!
Lamartin and Davis didnt mention anything about the thousands of military personnel and civilians that would be sacrificed if the camp were to be struck. They were Freemasons. If they could capture Black Mamba and retrieve Oparts, their sacrifice would not be in vain.
Lamartin designated the western slope of the Alexandra Peak as the first point to be struck because of the Baphomet with its ego grown. A hurt beast became fierce.
The angry Baphomet would track down the dark energy and would fly to Rwenzori to come and look for him. He needed to use Predators to immobilize it and subdue it with atomic bombs.
* * *
Is there any problem, Chicken?
No.
Dont make a mistake and catch the fly east!
The accelerated particle cannon shot across space. The accelerated particle cannon was slow but was able to track down its target. A Little Bird flying 100 kilometers away exploded. Lieutenant Colonel Huey who fled from the monster fight had only 20 minutes more to live.
There is no problem. Is it the one called Lamartin?
Garuda seemed totally fine. He still felt bad. On the other side of the world, unimaginable things happened. Ghosts from 150 million years ago resided and monsters that could smash entire aircraft carriers thrived. The Buddha and Jesus could punch each other on the street.
Where were we headed, Chicken?
A valley deeply rooted in the tall and perilous mountains.
The screen unfurled and a red dot appeared. It was a spot located deep within the Rwenzori Mountains. It was likely Lamartins hideout that Matilda was about to mention.
Mu Ssang, I feel bad and ashamed. I want to chew him alive.
He could feel Garudas rage. It was the rage he felt before. It almost had its body stolen. It was no wonder that it was angry.
Haha. He dares take over my child?
Hurting someones dog was sufficient to buy a lifetime of grudge. Garuda was indeed like his child since he carried its egg around for years. He gritted his teeth. The twig tried to stand still but the wind continued to shake it.
Lets strike from behind.
He drew a lattice centered on Mambasa in the latitude and longitude both of 30 degrees.
How many flies are there above 20,000 meters?
One right above us. Three in the range from 23,000 meters to 25,900 meters. Two hundred fifty in the range from 300 kilometers to 1,120 kilometers. Twelve in space above 35,000 kilometers. Nine thousand two hundred dead flies and their debris.
Do they have that many military satellites?
He never thought of it. The one directly above their head was the Black Eye. The mid altitudes were occupied by the Dragon Lady (U2) and Black Birds. The ones in orbit in the zone between 300 kilometers and 1,120 kilometers were mostly military satellites. Communication satellites and meteorological satellites were mostly in stationary orbit above 36,000 kilometers.
Chapter 742 - 742 Chapter 66 Episode 10 I Thought This Would Happen
742 Chapter 66 Episode 10 I Thought This Would Happen
The military satellites were huddled together in the range above 1,000 kilometers. The orbit above 2,000 kilometers was not easily captured by a camera, and an overcharge of the radiated energy and electron made it difficult to control a satellite. The orbit below 200 kilometers was due to a massive revolution of the Earth around the sun, depleting fuel faster and risking getting burned out.
People like to peek. Voyeurism had been one of the fascinating art motives for thousands of years. Realizing that the sky was the perfect place to watch, more than 100 military satellites were launched each year. For the period of 30 years, the launched satellites numbered 2,000. The 250 in the allocated public zone was not a big number at all.
The 250 satellites were mostly maritime recon satellites, such as the American recon satellite Keyhole (KH-11), the Soviet recon satellite Zenith, radar satellites, and military satellites such as communication information satellites. There were quite a few commercial satellites but he didnt have time to check or the ability to do so.
Chicken, is there an altitude limit?
Mom, what do you think of me? Garuda answered in an offended voice that suggested that its pride was hurt.
You look like a chicken to me, what else?
Should we go to the moon or the mars? Chicken bluffed.
Thats fine. We have flies to swat. First, that one.
Mu Ssang pointed at the flying object approaching from 30 kilometers ahead. After losing sight of its target, the Black Eye was approaching to check the sudden change in weather. It had walked into hell on its own feet.
What is that?
The pilot blinked. The size of the object caught in a lens hood and its distance wasnt proportional.
The operator spotted the Garuda without a defensive matrix and yelled, Oh shit! Chris, turn, turn!
What are you talking about?
The pilot manned the front camera.
Idiot, it is the UMA that we were warned about countless times.
Oh, Jesus!
The Black Eye turned rapidly. The CIC information officer had warned them. When one faced the UMA, one should fall back right away.
Garuda, accelerating rapidly, caught up with the Black Eye. The Garuda was Mach 30 and the Black Eye was 780 kilometers per hour low-speed recon unit. They were incomparable from the beginning.
We do not need to expend expensive energy just to kill some fly.
The Garuda wielded lightly its tail. A five-meter wide micro-lattice tail struck at a sonic speed. The body exploded like a firework. When struck by the Garudas tail, even a tank with 680mm armor was slashed open. The 8mm aluminum-alloy body was no more firm than a sheet of paper. The Black Eye, met with a sudden opponent, disappeared from Bunker Hills radar before it had time to call mayday.
The scouter tracked the black dot passing by faster than a bullet at an altitude of 25,000 meters. It was the SR-71 recon unit known as Black Bird.
The Garuda soared after finishing vector calculations. A spark erupted after a collision. The CIA Burette 3 that was on a recon flight along the equator at Mach 3 collided with Garuda.
The radar caught Garuda but it still couldnt evade an object flying into it at many times the speed of sound.
Fucking Russian!
The last thought the Japanese-American pilot Jerar thought of was that of the incoming Soviet ballistic missile.
A week later, the story of the recon satellite of the Ministry of Defense getting smashed by an asteroid above the equator was covered by the New York Times. The headline was The Most Unfortunate Airplane Ever. Of course, the article was drowned out by the most horrible news titled The Worst Space Show In Human History.
A flash of white light streaked the night sky. The Dragon Lady gliding in the sky 25,000 meters above the ground was struck by the lightning. The aircraft struck by the accelerated photon cannon was ground into a fine dust.
Is it a video game?
There was an exclamation. The four recon aircraft units in the atmosphere disappeared in a moment. Whenever the Garuda struck a unit or shot one down, it was no different from a video game as the targets disappeared from the screen.
He didnt empathize with the pilot and the operator who would have turned into ash without having any time to scream. Flashbacks largely depended on visual stimuli. The artillery, the air force, and the navy had fewer PTSD patients than the army. The ancient soldiers who fought covered in blood with spears and swords were all PTSD patients or had superior mental resilience.
The Garuda with its anti-gravity device activated appeared like a ghost in the thermosphere 1,000 kilometers above the ground.
Great!
The four-dimensional space synchronized with the scouter had no boundary whatsoever. A vast night sky appeared in front of their eyes. It wasnt a hologram but a screen that was projected in the real night sky. On the screen, 250 targets were represented as flickering red dots.
250 targets across 1,200,000 square kilometers. A vast-range electromagnetic pulse. A 300GHz microwave was induced.
The scouter analyzed its targets and appropriate means to handle them. Military satellites operated at lower altitudes because of the characteristics of their mission. They had to alter their orbit often. Unlike stationary-orbit satellites, they required a booster with high propulsion power. Even if the satellite was not destroyed, with only its booster damaged, the entire satellite became spatial debris and soon fell by the force of gravity.
Mom, there are 2,356 flies. Shall I exterminate them all?
No. The ones in high places are benevolent insects. Only kill what is around us.
The Garuda vomited a basketball-sized sphere. The sphere filled with tritium and strontium floated in between the two horns.
Electricity alternated the two horns and heightened the quantum field. The voltage rose until the covalent bonds of the electron pairs started breaking down. The sphere shone an ominous shine as if it were the heart of the Devil itself and bulged in many places.
This is going to be destructive.
Black Mamba stared at the glowing small sun with eyes full of interest. The more talented a subordinate was, the better off the world and the master were. He leaned and looked at the screen as if spectating a game.
Here it is. Eat it!
The sphere was flung away. A pillar of teal light sliced open the space. The laser cannon struck the sphere that was 100 kilometers away. The sky and land were washed in a flash of white light. There was no medium to transfer sound in the space. Despite the atomic bomb-like explosion, the silent shockwave occupied the space.
As it approached the ground, the pulse was faced with interference from a highly dense atmosphere. In the thermosphere without atmosphere, the pulse intensified thousandfold. The speed of transference was almost as fast as light. The supra-high-density gamma ray covered the space 2,500 kilometers wide and 3,000 kilometers high.
If it were a simple EMP explosive, only the electronic circuit would be destroyed, but the special EMP explosive Garuda made was a quantum bomb infused with tritium and strontium sequestered by the quantum field. The gamma ray as destructive as a 500 megaton atomic bomb swept away the electrons on the satellites equipment in orbits from an altitude of 500 kilometers and 3,200 kilometers.
The electron-less atoms clamored up and dispersed, looking for their atoms. When there was a movement of electrons, there flowed electricity. With stirred atoms, there occurred a strong repulsive force. The electricity of five million amperes fried the electronic circuit and the atoms were dislocated.
A splendid space show flourished. The electronic equipment of the 500 satellites in the space razed by the gamma ray exploded like popcorn.
The small satellites under one metric ton used solar panels, nitric oxide, and liquid hydrogen as fuel, while the large satellites between 10-20 metric tons used a small atomic reactor as the power source. A vast space show unfurled.
A silent flash of light covered the universe. When a fuel tank exploded, the light lit up a few kilometers, and when a reactor exploded, dozens of kilometers were lit up. Thousands of fireballs fell, attracted by gravity. The indigenous people along the equator may make some wishes looking at the vast show of shooting stars.
Whoa! Thats great!
Mu Ssang stood without realizing it. Compared to this, the EMP was like a childs toy. The United States developed a bomb that could destroy electronic circuits 1,000 meters around. France developed an EMP explosive that affected 300 meters around. It was not mass-produced but made in a pilot plant. The Chicken dismantled half of the satellites above the equator with a single unidentified sphere. This one was not a natural but a space catastrophe.
Cleaning accomplished. Four hundred fifty-eight flies were still alive. 1,259 dead flies and pieces of space debris. Did I do well, Mom?
You did. You did well.
Black Mamba complimented with utmost sincerity. The United States and the Soviet Union wouldnt attempt to track them for a short while. 99% of the 110 or so satellites that were launched into space each year were the military satellites of the United States and the Soviet Union. Even France relied on the United States for its military and communication satellites. These were assets well destroyed.
Sending one military satellite to an orbit cost an astronomical amount depending on the satellites weight. The cheapest Soyuz-U launch rocket cost 20,000,000 dollars and the most expensive Titan IV cost 320,000,000 dollars.
The production cost was also astronomical. It cost 30,000,000 dollars at the least. A Keyhole (KH-11) cost 400,000,000 dollars per unit. One satellite then cost from 50,000,000 dollars to 700,000,000 dollars. Considering miscellaneous loss, the Garuda ended up causing a loss of one thousand trillion won of American assets.
The GPS will be unusable for a while. Hahaha!
Mu Ssang giggled looking at the aftermath he caused. The intelligence agencies of powerful countries like the CIA and KGB were going to be on it, but he couldnt care less. A poor ones heart aches at one broken plate but a rich one cares not if a pot is broken.
The direct loss calculated by the Secretarys Office of the White House and the CIA amounted to one thousand trillion dollars. There spread a joke that the United States was called the heavenly country because the Secretary yelled One thousand trillion? Fuck! (One thousand trillion and heavenly made sounds similar in Korean.)
* * *
Two hundred meters below Area 51.
Sector 7 was bustling, unlike the usual times. The speaker buried in the ceiling kept yelling orders. Hundreds of electric carts ran up and down the corridors to retrieve the goods and security officers wearing blue shielding aprons and helmets sprinted across the place with high-voltage taser batons.
The partition wall opened. Three agents wearing shielding aprons dragged out a chimera that looked like a mixture of gorilla and alligator. The chimera screeched and glared.
Attention!
An agent waved a baton. The chimera, ill-spirited, looked down slyly.
What were they thinking, letting out an undomesticated one? an agent waving a baton complained.
An order is an order. Hurry.
The agent with an iron chain pulled the chimera. An underground space as big as three soccer fields was filled with chimeras soon. As soon as a new chimera arrived, the sprinkler on the ceiling sprayed it with phenol.
In another corridor, expressionless, broad-shouldered men lined up. Next to each of them wearing a helmet, a controller with a laptop which had the size of two palms followed.
Woo ugh!
Letters were automatically typed on the screen. Im thirsty. The computer analyzed the electric signal and tone and deduced the meaning of the utterance.
You are thirsty?
The agent threw the water bottle carelessly. The stocky body somersaulted deftly like a cat and caught the water bottle in the air. When it flicked its claw, the aluminum cap was sliced off and flung away.
These were mechanic humanoid Haunters that looked like Billy killed by Samdi in Cenote, Ituri. They were like cyborgs whose flesh was a mixture of machine and artificial muscles who had low intelligence and had their verbal cortex disabled.
A roar erupted in the space. Another space was filled with small and big monsters. The smaller one was five meters long and the large one was 30 meters long. The underground corridor was filled with roars and stench.
Hurry up, Galaxy and Hercules will arrive in an hour.
The speaker roared.
* * *
Mom, our grudge shall be repaid a hundredfold. Lets go to Rwenzori.
We eat the less appetizing later. Lets handle the anthill first.
Black Mamba was not someone who could smile off an offense. Since he began the destruction, he was going to see it to the end.
Project the map.
The Block-I/IA GPS satellite in the Medium Earth Orbit (2,000-3,578 kilometers) was destroyed due to Garudas blundering. The GPS terminal would have been disabled.
A vivid hologram of the Earth that was almost as indistinguishable as the real thing. Mu Ssang pinched the North American continent between his thumb and index finger and pulled it out. He zoomed in on the state of Nevada on the piece of the map.
With his index finger, he poked the oval desert 165 kilometers north of Las Vegas. It was Area 51 hidden north of the Groom Lake airbase. The hologram calculated the distance. It was 14,500 kilometers north of the Ituri jungle.
The GPS terminal is a stone-age hammer compared to this.
He didnt miss the destroyed GPS satellite.
How long will it take?
1,400 seconds!
It has accelerated. Activate the defensive matrix. Go!
Hurrah! Were going!
With a great flash of light, the Garuda disappeared from the sky above Ituri. Garuda rapidly accelerated to Mach 30 and crossed the African continent, the Atlantic, and North America.
That was awesome!
He was more surprised by the space he found himself in than the surprising speed. Despite the speed of 10km/sec, his field of view wasnt affected. No matter what posture he assumed, he felt comfortable as if a latex cushion was supporting him. He was on the outside but the space he found himself in didnt seem to be affected by it.
Chapter 743 - 743 Chapter 66 Episode 11 I Thought This Would Happen
743 Chapter 66 Episode 11 I Thought This Would Happen
At the underground space of the Green Camp, Ngpanwaza Valley, Mambasa.
Fuck! There is no radioactive reaction!
Major Hummer threw away the Geiger counter he held and plopped down. The Combat Intelligence room was a mess. The intelligence analysis team was yelling that the satellite phone was unresponsive.
Seven minutes had passed since the system shut down. The monitor linked with the Dragon Lady, the monitor receiving information from the Black Bird, the monitor receiving information from the recon satellites, the monitor connected to Bunker Hills CIC, and the large screen receiving information from the GPS satellite, were all shut down at once.
As usual with any systemic problems, the cause was unrevealed and angry voices clamored. Due to the satellite communication being unresponsive, the Green Camp became the Galapagos of the Ituri jungle.
Hummer glared at the monitor filled with noise as if that was going to solve the issue. The buzzing static sounded like an auditory hallucination and the diffracted flashes of light dazzled him.
The Combat Intelligence system was surrounded by many layers of firewall and had a bypass and a backup system. Unless there was a fifth-degree solar flare or an atomic bomb exploding in proximity, it was not going to be shut down. These days, the solar flares were stable and there was no residual radiation. The situation was maddening.
The piled-up human sins have brought forth an apocalypse. The angel transformed into a gigantic bird, Moroni, descended from the heavens to punish the humans that became beasts.
Shut up, stupid!
Hummer glared at First Lieutenant Norfaulk who was praying. His head was already like a mattress chewed up by a beagle. The shutdown of the combat system didnt only result in simple disconnection in the flow of information. The Agrippina shield was now inactive and the surveillance system was inactive too.
If a flying UMA or Black Mamba ambushed them, they would have no choice but to be decimated. Hu was in a deep hurry and this Mormon was babbling about aliens and hellish America, making him want to blow up his head.
Director, its Langley.
An agent handed him the emergency phone. It was the landline that was never used.
Major Hummer here.
Hummers face paled. His hand holding the receiver trembled.
That cant be!
The receiver he held dropped onto the floor. Low-orbit satellites were all said to be eliminated. Did all the 100,000 asteroids wandering in the Kuiper Belt descend upon the Earth at once? He looked back at First Lieutenant Norfaulk. The devout Mormon was still muttering.
The door opened as if it was smashed.
Hummer, what happened?
Brigadier General Dyson in his pajamas ran into the room.
The Black Eye, the Dragon Lady, Blackbird, Keyhole, Pegasus, Poseidon, and Darvish are all eliminated.
Hummer pointed at the ceiling with his finger.
All of them? Dyson asked, not understanding what he meant.
Yes, all of them. According to the Clark control center and Langley analysis team, all the satellites above our heads and space trash disappeared.
Did Russians shoot up a hydrogen bomb there?
Dysons mouth was open agape in awe.
Thats preposterous. The polar bears can only float some tin cans there. How can they ever shoot hundreds of atomic missiles 1,000 kilometers above the ground? Their satellites are all gone too. The United States of America and the Soviet Union are now deaf and blind.
I dont know what caused it but its fair. The pigs at Los Alamos must be feeling defeated. It was ridiculous to see them whine, asking for 1,000,000,000 dollars in space debris treatment budget.
Dyson regained his composure. It was no use to regret. The recon aircraft still numbered dozens. If they hauled satellites from the other side of the planet, they could avoid a blackout. With a shadow, the light came. The talkative parliament would be silenced and the military industry and banks that belonged to the Freemasonry could benefit greatly from it.
Los Alamos isnt a problem. The White House, the NSA, and the CIA are all shaken up.
Now is not the time for this.
Dyson hurriedly ran out of the combat intelligence room. There was one being that could commit a planetary catastrophe like this. It was the Garuda.
Mr. Lamartin! Dyson here.
Whats up?
The diamond parrot spoke through its beak.
All the satellites and recon aircraft above Africa and the Atlantic have been swept away. It must be the Baphomet.
There was a great shift in energy. Was it not the gravitational wave?
We have no means to track it down.
Lamartin and Dyson referred to it as it but it was clearly the Baphomet they were talking about.
We dont need to track it down. The Baphomets ego is just like a humans bestial ego. The disgruntled must have commenced its attack. When male lions fight, they claw each others eyes and bite each others front paws. The Baphomet must be planning to deafen and blind us and cut off our limbs. Call Davis. Deploy the satellite immediately and we must be prepared to defend.
Please explain the priority.
First deploy it over the Predator, then to the fleet docked in Dar es Salaam and finally to the camp then to Rwenzori.
What about the White House?
Dont be stupid! Why would the Baphomet hit Reagan?
The diamond parrot glared.
I apologize.
Dyson bowed.
The flying Baphomet was impervious to Verrieres cavitation. With mere missiles and cannons, we will not be able to make one scratch. Activate the Predators, immediately deploy the MLRSs, and use nuclear bombs when you need to. Black Mamba must be treated the same. There is no time.
The diamond parrot closed its eyes.
Come quick. I didnt know you last time. This time, I will not let you go.
Sticky laughter streamed from the thick darkness.
* * *
Black Mamba was watching the universe with the most comfortable pose in the universe. Gorbachev and Reagan could make a fuss all they wanted. He didnt care.
Thats great! he exclaimed.
The vast universe was in front of his eyes. The night sky in Jipeun-dari, over the Sahara, and the Ituri jungle didnt compare to this.
The universe had no boundaries. Even if the Garuda exerted its maximum speed, it would take 30,000 years for it to escape the Solar System. That was if it ignored the laws of physics and made a beeline for the outer perimeter. This was sufficient to throw one into epistemological doubt.
Humans were such petty beings swarming on a small planet called the Earth. He missed his study at Eungsim-je. All he wanted was to take care of his mother in the traditional tiled Korean house and put some bowls of rice and doenjangjjigae on the nickel silver short-legged table.
For what was he flying across the sky with his teeth gritted? For whom was he trying to ring the bell? He ended up as a world-ender in his endeavor to benefit the world.
In the course of his life, he ended up as an asura and neglected the comfortable ease of life. When he resolved an issue, there came another. His teacher was right. A peaceful life was a hundred times more difficult to achieve than a successful life.
We are here! Time elapsed: 23 minutes, five seconds, 25.
The Garuda awoke him from his musings.
Wow!
He was at Eungsim-je, not space 100 kilometers above the ground. The bookshelves fill up an entire wall. A folding screen gifted to him by Bonipas was conspicuous against the background. On one wall was attached the cuckoo clock that was a housewarming gift. Was it a manifested mental image? Was it augmented reality? The technology of the Concretus never ceased to amaze him.
Mach 30! Is it the max speed?
He was doubtful. With the science of the Concretus, they could travel back and forth to the Solar System as if it were their lawn. With the speed that took 10 hours to get to the moon, it was difficult to escape the Solar System alone.
Chicken, what will you look like after the fourth transformation?
The space-time around me will be different.
All right. What conditions must be met?
There is no data. I will know after it happens.
What good is knowing the conditions after awakening? Go down! Black Mamba yelled.
Chicken indeed was a bird with a bird brain.
Twenty-five thousand meters above Groom Lake. They could see the airbase built on a barren mountainous basin and an empty desert. In contrast to what was commonly known, the Groom Lake airbase was a supportive facility to Area 51 and was not located within Area 51 itself. According to the intel of the DGSE, Area 51 was an oval desert with a surface area of approximately 50 kilometers situated above the airbase.
Enlarge!
The ground landscape was zoomed in. The ground was bustling with activities. Five Galaxies with their nose cones raised. Thirty Hercules with their rear ramps opened. The large containers and linear vehicles crawled out in a line from the buildings entrance. Trucks and trailers busily alternated between the airstrip and the desert.
We are here on time.
Mu Ssang smirked. Without looking, he knew that the nervous Freemasonry was deploying Predators en masse to defend against the Garuda and his offensive and attack Novatopia in turn. By now, they would have figured out the relationship between him and Novatopia.
Chicken, can you see through the underground facilities?
In Area 51, the on-ground facilities included an anti-aircraft radar base, a missile range, guard barracks, and add-ons. The laboratory and the important facilities were 200 to 500 meters underground.
We need to descend 2,000 meters.
The Garuda fell vertically with a swoosh. The anti-aircraft radars installed here and there in Area 51 were not considered. The force-field plasma absorbed radio waves and converted them to thermal energy. The micro-lattice outer hide absorbed the covered thermal energy, so the current-use radars and thermal imaging equipment were useless against it.
What are they doing?
The trailers withdrew at once. The Galaxies lowered the raised nose cones and the Hercules raised the rear ramp. The elevator openings exposed on the ground disappeared. Linear cars hauled Galaxies and Herculeses onto the landing strip like a swarm of bees.
The radar base north of the desert increased its output. The on-ground artillery shed their camouflage at once. Missile launchers revealed themselves from underground one by one. The Groom Lake base also activated its anti-aircraft radar and the fighter jets on the apron were moved to the airstrip.
Someone is capable of clairvoyance here!
Freemasonry had various kinds of ESPers. There could be someone who could see through camouflage. The small anti-aircraft firearms including the Vulcan cannons opened fire.
Chicken, scorch the surface just a bit.
Black Mamba sounded worried. There was the San Andreas Fault on the western shore 400 meters away from Area 51. If the photon cannon touched the unstable fault, a great catastrophe would collapse on San Francisco and Los Angeles. No one knew what happened beneath the surface of Earth. He didnt want to repeat the catastrophe of the Bachilkile Valley.
All right. Im just scorching the surface.
Garuda soared to an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Wide-range Massacre Mode Activated.
The fusion reactor raised its output. With a buzzing sound, the three horns were suddenly covered in sparks. The atmosphere gave way to the high-temperature and high-pressure plasma. With the energy maxed out, the stealth mode and four-dimensional distortion field were deactivated.
As if waiting for the moment, the Patriot (MIM-104B) ranging on the ground launched their missiles. The four ranges unleashed 16 missiles at once. The variable-time-fuse warheads exploded in a disarray.
Thousands of shrapnel struck the body of the Garuda. The 12 Hawks who received the coordinates late struck its body directly. Garuda was engulfed in flames.
They are quite cumbersome. I will strike just once.
A flash of light shone 10,000 meters above the ground. The 50-meter photon cannon expanded like a funnel. The flash of light covered the ground 10,000 meters around. The sky was whitewashed and the ground shook.
A 10,000-degree extreme-temperature laser swept across the radar bases and cannons. The objects on the ground near the center of the explosion were disintegrated to a molecular level. The center of the explosion became a void in an instant. The 300-meter storm raged toward the center of the explosion. The facilities, aircraft, and vehicles four kilometers around were torn to pieces that swirled around like willow leaves in the wind.
One more blow to the opening!
The second photon canon scorched the ground. The surface soil was blown away. The flash of light and heat waves left nothing on their path. The boiling bedrock was making a hellscape.
The Groom Lake base didnt fare better. The open space allowed it to avoid a resonance explosion but the tornado of thousands of degrees battered the fighter jets and helicopters on the airstrip as if they were made of flour. The rear control tower collapsed and the dozens of fighter jets and supportive aircraft nearby scattered.
A fly survived. Should I strike it?
Of course.
The third beam from the photon cannon struck the underground shelter behind the control tower. The F-16s and F-15s pulling out of the shelter exploded. The six fighter jets were vaporized. The flash of light erased the living quarters of the airport guards and apron and hangar and the anti-aircraft ranges.
A firestorm engulfed the jet fuel tanks. The lined-up tanks exploded at once. The ground shook with a boom. The emergency wartime jet fuel caught fire. The 150,000 tons of jet gasoline exploded in flames.
As if a volcano erupted, flames and dark smoke soared to an altitude of 15,000 meters. The surviving structures were engulfed in a tsunami of flames. The on-ground facilities of Area 51, a 752 fleet that provided supporting fire, and the squad of guards were eliminated at once.
Chapter 744 - 744 Chapter 66 Episode 12 I Thought This Would Happen
744 Chapter 66 Episode 12 I Thought This Would Happen
The photon cannon required an interval of 10 seconds between each shot. An area wider than Ulleung Island.
Pillars of scarlet flames soared from the ground. The 20mm warheads hailed down on the Garudas body. Orange flames rose from the struck areas. Shrapnel from the warheads rained down.
They have indeed deployed the Predator.
The screen showed two groups that moved at a fast speed with M61 Vulcan cannons and 40mm CIW anti-aircraft cannons. The M61 Vulcans mounted on fighter jets had a proper weight of 100 kilograms. The 40mm CIW anti-aircraft cannons weighed 380 kilograms. It could not be manned by a single individual.
The Garuda opened its beak. The space shimmered. The group of Predators swept by the high-level ELF quietly disintegrated into bloody sand.
A fearless tank escaped the shelter. With a boom, white smoke erupted. The cannoneer thought a 200-meter wide target gliding 1,500 meters above the ground could easily be struck. The cannons projectile struck the Garudas body.
They are like suicide bombers!
Black Mamba clicked his tongue. The sporadic resistance reminded him of the Japanese military headquarters at the end of the Pacific War. He didnt know if there were some ulterior motives but the resistance was futile.
Chicken, leave no cockroaches.
The scouter scanned the underground shelter, hidden armored vehicles, artillery ranges, and remaining structures.
Seven insects have survived across five hideouts.
The tail shone. A 20-meter wide, 10-meter deep pit was made as if a giant circular stamp was stamped on the ground surface. On the bottom of the pit, a Bradley armored vehicle mounted with the MLRS container was flattened. With a boom, the tank that was raising the barrel of its cannon became a splatter.
With each flash of light, a crater was made in the ground and the steel shelter and hidden armored vehicles were flattened as if passed through a press. The Predator firing at the sky was shattered into pieces.
What is that?
Angry Slippers! It is good for killing a hard-shelled insect.
It looks just like a stamp on a contract.
Black Mamba shook his head. The mistakenly stamped stamp in his past reminded him of the Angry Slippers of the Garuda that squashed vermin.
Cleaning done! Landing now.
Black Mamba got out of the cockpit and stepped on the ground.
How horrible!
The surface, with its soil cover blown away, glinted with melted silicon. The unstable atmosphere herded dark ash from place to place. It was just like the ending of a movie depicting an atomic war.
Mother, the core is intact. The 90-meter thick bedrock is enhanced with concrete and steel. Only one layer of the shielding doors of the entrance to the building remains, two are blown away.
A sinner is naturally adept at hiding. How wide is the surface underground?
The depth varies from 300 meters to 500 meters. The area is 25.395 square kilometers. Shall I blow it away?
No, if the fault is touched, a catastrophe would ensue.
Black Mamba jumped.
Its not like that building is your child. Why are you worried?
Thats why you are a Chicken and I am a human. Open the entrance for me!
The extreme-temperature atomic laser cut a circle out of the five-meter-thick titanium shielding door. It seemed as easy as puncturing a hole in a door covered with traditional Korean paper by using the saliva on ones finger. The dark hole seemed like the maw of hell itself.
Mother, I am hungry.
Get your own food.
Black Mamba left a remark and jumped into the dark hole.
Something smells delicious.
The Garuda vanished with a batting of its wings. Black Mamba didnt know that Chicken would go to a nuclear waste dump 1000 kilometers away in Los Alamos.
Its too deep!
The elevators corridor was 300 meters long. When he reached the ground, a dark metal wall blocked his path. It couldnt even be penetrated with Billion Water Armor.
Vajra!
A jade-colored light shone from Mu Ssangs right palm. The antipersonnel weapon of the Concretus police jumped across vast space-time and materialized on the hand of an epidium.
Great!
When he grasped the Vajra, he felt a rushing of force. As Billion Water Armor and Vajra were originally one, he didnt feel the hilt at all. It was a different feeling to the Rakshasa or the kukri.
The jade flash splashed across the space. The shattered 500mm titanium partition collapsed. The inside air rushed out.
Ugh!
He felt stuffy. The cantarella mixed in the air burned his windpipe and lungs. Deuteronion rushed out from his brain and spine. The heavy hydrogen compound that Kamdoong complimented as a great janitor disintegrated cantarella molecules into atoms. The damaged tissue was scissored up and the ISP cells activated their division mechanisms.
Look at these!
Black Mambas eyes shone blue. The cantarella-infused glass fibers filled the 1650 square meter space. It was an unexpected non-humanoid obstacle. The cantarella was less toxic than botulin but was still the foremost blood neurotoxin that was very vicious.
Even a strand of the tiny glass fibers floating in the air would cause necrosis of the lungs. A gas mask and anti-toxin garment would prove ineffective. Even though the purifying filter could filter out the fibers, the cantarella combined with oxygen would still seep into them.
He infused the Vajra with Inhalation Wave. The air swirled and swarmed around the blade. Vibrant sparks jumped off it. The fire was the mortal enemy of poison. The heat from the Vajra burned the cantarella glass fibers sequestered by Inhalation Wave.
The main control room of Sector 3 of Area 51.
Executor Davis and the member of the committee and a Freemason Master Ian eyed the monitor nervously.
Davis, do you think we can catch him?
I think we can. We must. Even though the shell may be hard, the innards would be soft. The cantarella can feel a Super Grendel.
Davis gritted his teeth. The more you fought with Black Mamba, the stronger he became. When he appeared in the Sahel, he was weaker than Ocelot. Now, he was on par with a Grandmaster. Someone who became stronger was more fearsome than someone who already had strength because there was no limit to their power.
What happened to Adam?
He went missing in Korea. Operation Raid the Nest was a complete failure.
Everything involved with Black Mamba goes to ruin. Where is his family?
They vanished without a trace. Master Gregory found a missing link between Black Mamba and Novatopia. We are trying to figure out if he is a simple patron or the unknown Dubaiburupa himself.
We made a big mistake. We didnt know he was the owner of the flying Baphomet.
Ian sighed deeply.
It is my fault. Oparts and the flying Baphomet took all of my attention. Davis blamed himself.
In retrospect, Black Mamba was at the center of all the incidents. They should have deployed more forces when he finished off Matilda and Chifon. It was a belated regret and insight only possible in hindsight.
He is a legendary opponent. Is there any way we can alert Lamartin?
No. The emergency landline buried underground was blown away too. The ionosphere above Africa is messy now. It will take at least three days to re-establish satellite connection using the Pegasus deployed in the Far East.
Its driving me crazy. One Black Mamba is causing all this problem. The damage is extensive.
Ian shook his head. He didnt understand how their organization, with a superpower like the United States of America backing it, was in deep trouble.
Humans instinctively cling to their lives. Even extreme emotions like love and hate could be destroyed and doubt could be erased, but no one escapes the fear for ones life. When damage accumulates and Black Mamba is shaken, that is our chance.
Davis glared at the monitor with gritted teeth. Daviss ambition was too big for him to lose an opportunity to acquire the flying Baphomet and Oparts and ascend to a Grandmaster.
Even a stray dog has an advantage where he lives. Lamartin could distract them with hypnotic waves but chose to let them come close by instead. Life was a series of gambles. If he could kill them, that would prove to be a great advantage.
Executor, cantarella is totally ineffective. The oxygen level has stabilized.
Oh shit! They must be fundamentally different from us.
Davis was dumbstruck. That must mean that they didnt just withstand cantarella but neutralized it. Only a life form from outer space like Nialatep would be able to exact such a feat. A human could never be able to do that.
But the brain waves are human.
Fuck! Lets bleed him out. Deploy a psychic Haunter and a mechanic Haunter.
Yes, sir!
The partition door opened. Chimeras flooded out. A centipede crawling on the floor, a bat flying in the air, an alligator jumping on all fours, a gorilla charging on two feet, etc. Various animals were spliced in their genes but the face always resembled a humans. The plane of asuras was manifested in reality.
No question or answer was required. Twenty or so chimeras charged with their eyes glinting with savagery. Screeches and roars as varied as their appearances resounded in the empty space.
I, the Eastern Swordsman, will punish those who toy with life itself.
Mu Ssangs eyes shone blue. The Vajras blade shot forth.
Burn!
Hundreds and thousands of bolts of lightning shot forth from the Vajra. The blue discharged electric sparks and dying roars of the chimeras filled the space. It was one of Vajras main abilities, Thunder Stram. The outcome was destructive. There were no more chimeras who jumped about. The large cavity was full of hazy smoke and a revolting smell of burning protein and ash collected on the floor.
In the midst of hazy smoke, five streaks of lightning shot forth. A high psychic Haunter started throwing punches camouflaged by an ESPer who could distort space. It all began with a Taser mans charge.
I knew it!
The Vajra parleyed the lightning. Blue sparks rained down. A sticky object wound around Mu Ssangs body. The air was a hundredfold heavier. Black Mamba, crushed under a 10-ton pressure, stumbled.
As soon as his ankle was submerged in the steel floor that melted like pudding, thousands of nail-sized wind saw teeth and lightning struck. A tingly sensation bound his movements and his blood started boiling.
Get lost!
A jade-colored flash of light swept across the cavern. It was the Destruction Orb that amplified and radiated deuteronion, the source of epidium. A breeze swept across the fine sandy shore with a soft whistle.
Destruction Orb cut the covalent bonds of the electrons of the target. The atomic bonds formed molecules and molecular bonds formed crystals and tissues. When oxygen, hydrogen, iron, carbon, sodium, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus disintegrated into individual atoms, the integrity of the tissue became lost.
The cavity was submerged in deep silence. There was no blood or pieces of flesh. The six psychic Haunters were disintegrated into atoms. The hazy smoke cleared as well. A layer on the walls and on the ceiling was lost. The cameras installed in the cracks of the ceiling and walls met the same fate.
It was deuteronion. Its an ability that is very taxing to the caster.
Black Mamba stumbled. One stroke of the blade took all of his energy. He felt that ten times the energy when he cast Finger Wind, was lost. The essence of his very life seemed to have departed his body. He was a bionic weapon resonating with deuteronion. When he first grasped the hilt of the Vajra, it had felt as though the sword was one with himself.
All the cameras are broken. Block his advance! Close the partition walls and fill the space with white phosphorus and radiated water! Davis yelled in his consternation.
Dozens of metal pipes fell from a height of 10 meters from the ceiling. The blueish water and hazy smoke spread. The white phosphorus ignited. A drop of flame jumped on his hair. Resonance Wave deflected the burning white phosphorus.
He is quite vicious.
Resonance Wave enveloped his body. When the vapor of white phosphorus exploded, the cavern would turn into a fiery hellscape. Even Black Mamba would be a statue of coal faced with thousands of degrees of heat. The vaporized radiated water was even more terrible.
It varied from the kind and the amount of accumulated energy of the radiation, but a human would die within an hour once exposed to 600 rads. The condensed radioactive fume was 60,000 rads. The radiated biological tissue could be crushed with one single blow.
The game has begun. Lets have the second match in a wider space.
The Vajra was buried deep in the wall. The enemy must be counting on the partition walls made of alloys. But they were feeble against Resonance Wave that could even damage the micro-lattice of Garudas hide.
The pillar of light vibrated. The 1,000mm titanium alloy partition walls crumbled down like fine sand. Black Mamba exited into a corridor. He didnt intend to keep staying where the enemy had more advantages.
The cavity exploded. Flames and radioactive fumes shot forth from the open hole.
Let them fill their own house with flames and radiation if they want.
Black Mamba smirked. No human would want to be burned alive with white phosphorus or radiated to death. Of course, no human would want their body cells to be disfigured or pass down faulty genes to their children.
A normal human would flee from the radiated underground facility. Of course, any abnormal human or Grendels were to perish.
The beast has escaped the cage. Block the flow of the radiated water.
Deploy Grendels.
Speakers yelled.
Chapter 745 - 745 Chapter 66 Episode 13 I Thought This Would Happen
745 Chapter 66 Episode 13 I Thought This Would Happen
Do you say you put the Grendel in? Thats good!
Black Mamba showed a cold smile. In the 19th century, in the Age of Exploration (actually the Age of Aggression), Europe and America wiped out Africa with rifles. Massacres and looting were put under the name of exploration.
Henry Morton Stanley, revered by whites as a great explorer and by the ignorant mentioned in textbooks without criticism, was a prime example. He was the leader of King Leopolds invasion and he was like the explorers of the time, a fraud.
This was how Daily Telegraph and the New York Herald described it. Morton Stanley, the great explorer and administrator, signed an agreement with hundreds of Congolese chiefs to develop a communication system and built trade bases and roads. The Dark Continent has thus benefited from civilization.
The fact that Stanley was a butcher who slaughtered thousands of Aboriginal people while passing through Lake Tanganyika and the fact that he was a con artist who sold the natives into slavery, were completely buried with his demonstration of smashing rocks with a rifle, which made him naive, dubbed Bula Mutari (rock breaker).
The same was true for imperialist Japan which claimed that colonial ships modernized Korea. Just as Korea was the land of Koreans, Africa was the land of Africans. No one in South Korea and Africa wanted another country to step in.
When the powerful blinded the world with the logic of power, the cunning and ignorant people revered the impostor as the bearer of the weapons of God. The world was not what it looked like.
Freemasonry was the enlarged edition of 19th century arrogant and cruel white man Stanley. Just as Stanley ruled the Congo area with his rifle, these were children of the dark who wanted to rule the world with monsters.
******
Du-dung! He opened the dimensional sight. The detection range was less than 100m due to the metal bulkhead and high-density electromagnetic waves. Thump, thump, thump! The sounds could be heard in the corridor. Without much effort, Grendel filled the 20-meter-wide corridor and stormed in.
Are they those who havent matured yet? Is it originally small?
The running monster was only 5 to 20 meters in length. In the Jungle of Ituri, the Serfund-likes were several tens of meters long and Verrieres were 300 meters long.
Crack! The monster resembling a chameleon opened its mouth wide. Swoosh! A telephone pole-like tongue flew like a bullet. The upper body was pushed as if being pushed by the wind.
Thump! The tongue stuck in the steel wall. Thud! The cobra-shaped head oozed a greenish liquid. The walls that hit the liquid melted with steam. It was a strongly acidic poison. Whoo! The pangolin monster rolled up its body like a ball and charged with flesh. Grendels attack without a controller was atrocious without a system.
Go! Messy creature!
Swish! A light beam split the space vertically and horizontally. Whoo! Creak! The terminal burst. Red and blue bodily fluids were splattered and pieces of meat were scattered. In fact, Grendel, which was harder than steel called Vajra, was cut like a piece of pork belly with a six-season tool. In one sword dance, only the smell of burning body fluid and burning protein remained in the corridor.
Good!
Black Mamba shed a satisfied smile. Grendels regenerative power was fraudulent. In the past, the task of shattering the head, breaking the sticky bone marrow, and ripping out the chips was a difficult task. Vajras majesty saved him from the trouble of finding the chip.
Squeak, squeak! A fine noise rang from the ceiling. The grid was pushed out and the minigun popped out. Whizz! The minigun gun went round. Bzzt! The coffin rang. Poof! Black Mamba disappeared.
Puuush! Six barrels fired. Tudadadang! 7.62mm bullets hit the steel wall like a shower. Whiz! The minigun barrel attached to the opposite wall turned round. Pak, pak, pak! Five sacks of water smashed the camera slot. The gun that was tracking Black Mamba suddenly stopped.
Crash! Billions Water Armour broke through the steel wall. Crunch! The minigun and cartridge belt storage boxes were ripped off at once. Thud! A minigun popped out of the corridor floor.
Eat all.
He grabbed the launch handle and scratched the floor. Swoosh! Hundreds of bullets swept through the corridor. The minigun that was hit was smashed.
Its worth using!
He carried a minigun on his shoulder and picked up a heavy shot box. The reason the adjective prefix mini was attached to the word gun(minigun) was not that it meant a small firearm, but because the prototype was the M61 20mm Vulcan cannon.
The minigun mounted on the helicopter was never a mini. If the ammunition device and motor were added, it was close to 30 kg, and if 10,000 rounds of 7.62 rounds were added, it was 150 kg. In addition to the body weight, the recoil of the launch was around 70 kg. Rambo and Schwarzenegger, who picked up the minigun and installed it, were, of course, scams.
Crunch! Billions Water Armour tore through the steel door. If one had a chamber with dozens of miniguns, one couldnt just pass it. Even if it wasnt, there was a lingering stinky smell. Thump! A heavy steel door fell from the ceiling and coal poured in.
******
Peeing! Peeing!
Warning! Sector 8 Area arms controller abnormality! Radiation concentration 50 rad. Evacuate. The repair team must wear shielding suits and immediately assemble in Sector 8. Repeating. Sectors8 Area~
The warning siren sounded and the speaker sounded.
Hurry up, hurry up!
Researchers in green robes rushed out of the room and ran down the corridor. Security crews dressed in radiation shielding were rumbling with firearms and taser guns. Whizz! A linear car carrying a system repair team rushed through the crowd to Sector 8. Area 51 runaway had begun.
Beep, beep, beep!
The sirens were imminent.
Warning! Warning! Sector 7 invasion. Sector 7 invasion!
Ugh, he broke into the bio chamber.
Ians face turned pale. After several monitors were shut down, the crazy guy appeared in an unexpected place. Just as the reason for the existence of Los Alamos was nuclear, sector 7 was the reason for the existence of Area 51. The future of America and the organization had come to a standstill.
Fucking bastard! Finally
Davis punched the table. As long as the guy broke through the 1,000mm titanium alloy barrier, the sleeping gas and the berkelium self-loop became unbelievable.
There is nothing to do.
He wanted to smash his own head which brought disaster, but the incident had already happened. Davis grabbed the microphone.
Gather the guides into Sector 7. Repeating. Armed all the guides, gather in Sector 7.
With both palms, he pressed the metal table like a stamp. Bzzzt! The table top cracked and a 1.5m cylindrical object rose. He grabbed the cylindrical handle and put the dark period in. Vzzt! The stick vibrated.
Thump! The metal wrapped around the outside burst. Vzzt! The blue blade rang. The ultra-vibrating blade developed in Area 51 had been shown.
Ill step up, too.
Senior, please take charge of the casting room.
No. If we cant protect the bio chamber, the base and our lives will be over anyway.
Ian followed. Blue uniforms with no rank or unit emblem rushed to Sector 7 like a tide.
******
Crunch! He tore the blocking wall with Billions Water Armour and went in. A clear glass wall blocked the front. Swoosh! Gas was sprayed from the ceiling and walls.
Sleeping gas.
It was a device to prevent an intrusion or escape. Bang! Without hesitation, he kicked the glass wall. Thong! The glass wall dared to get Black Mambas kick. Self-loop glass with polyethylene polymer and carbon film overlaid with berkelium silicon compound could not penetrate even RPG7.
Look at this!
Fists stretched like flashes. Bang! 100mm thick bulletproof glass fell down. The Berkelium self-loop glass couldnt hold up the fist of Billions Water Armour epidium. The cold air that seemed to freeze his face hit the intruder.
The incubation room!
He found it right. Twenty metal tanks filled a space as large as a football field. Hundreds of creatures smaller than fingers twiddled in the blue liquid. He was not a Freemason who was constantly farming flatfish 300m underground. It was the organism of Bona Mana Grendel.
He took the grenade pouch out of the backpack. It was nice to see the Paleolithic artifacts that had been around for a long time. Swish, swish! It was delivered one for each tank with the Alkkagi skill, which was her main specialty. Thud! Crash! The teleporting Black Mamba ripped off the steel door and dodged it.
Bingo!
Black Mamba, who entered the space, exclaimed. Dozens of cables and tubes had been lined with large and small transparent cylinders connected. A cell division incubator (rapid cell division device) had filled with liquid containing a variety of organisms. He had not hesitated to find this place, a living culture room that was often seen in Hollywood sci-fi movies.
The solution was of five colors. The colorless liquid was containing a tadpole, the pale pink liquid was containing a form, and the red liquid was containing a human-sized creature. The blue solution was containing Grendel and mechanic Haunter perfumes. He had said that the hind feet of cows catch mice, but he found the target in a haphazard manner.
Bang, bang, bang! The grenade exploded. Rumbling! The chamber was shaking. The creature, immersed in a blue solution, opened its eyes in unison. Shriek! A low-frequency howl broke out. The solution sloshed and the incubator vibrated as if it would break.
Dont be silly. I will end the life that you dont have yet.
Black Mamba pulled the minigun load handle. Turr! Click! Catering was back.
What are you? A voice echoed in his head.
Startled, Black Mamba turned his head. An incubator with a creature that looked like a combination of a lizard and a bat caught his eye.
You are not uncivilized. What are you?
The creature flashed its eyes. Vertically split crimson eyes stared intently. Like the eyeballs of Rousseloufe, its eyeballs were full of wickedness.
Huh!
Black Mamba of the world sighed. There was a chimera that communicated telepathically! No, it was not a chimera. Telepathy would require a high degree of mental capacity.
Im the Eastern Swordsman. What are you?
Im glad to see a living thing that can communicate. I am Haast, born in Niguras.
Niguras? Haast? said Black Mamba to himself.
These were words he had never heard of. Sound waves passing through the vocal organs may have been misunderstood, but telepathy meant that they were transmitted directly to the brain.
You wont understand even if I explain. In terms of humans, it is an alien from a distant universe.
Huh! Arent you a chimera?
Dont insult the Great Haast. Thats garbage made by uncivilized people, cultivating my biological tissue with coarse technology. Humans have made me, who was asking for help, this way.
Haast, Im sorry.
Black Mamba was sincere. It was a world where dogs and cats were treated as well. Whether human or not, the intellect would deserve respect. Homme de foi (Man of God) was the basis on which human beings can be human. The U.S. government and Freemasons committed atrocities by using intelligence as biomaterials to seek help.
Ill give you freedom.
Vzzt! Vajra rose from his palm.
So, it is the weapon of the Great Old. Do you know how to use it?
I found out on my own. It synchronizes with my body and connects with my consciousness.
I see. A living weapon finds its own owner. Haast is not used. I left consciousness in a wave and destroyed myself. My body is not organic. Its just mineral. Thank you, but its useless.
Oh, no!
It meant that it was no different from rock or metal. Haast was an intelligent body with high self-esteem. Even the notion that the eyes were evil was his own subjective prejudice. His heart ached.
Haast is a real being. Your truthfulness attracts my consciousness. Ill give you a gift in honor of meeting a friend before the ceremony disappears.
Vzzt! The incubator shook. Du-dung! A five-pointed crystal protruded out on Haasts forehead. Tak! A crystal that was the size of a fingernail fell from his forehead. Swoosh! As the crystal passed through the water, it passed through the tempered glass.
Information about Niguras is included. I didnt have a lot of information because my mind is damaged. If you are a descendant of the Great Old, you will one day be able to interpret it.
Like the Ixorachinensis flower, the bright red crystal vibrated as if to catch it. When he caught the crystal, his eyes closed vertically.
Uncivilized people are coming. Its a mass of minerals, but I dont want to leave it in the hands of savages. I want you to return it to the element.
The ideological wave was cut off.
Hey, Haast! Haast!
There was no response.
No way!
The bizarre form of the Haast did not look ugly. It was human arrogance to denigrate existence by appearance. He looked down at the crystal, which shone like a jewel.
If someones life was just an incident, a strange relationship continued. After all, it had been connected to Concretus 150 million years ago, so there was no reason not to connect with the aliens.
Edel would love it.
He put Haasts decision into the Life Vessel. Sometimes infinitely dull and indifferent human being was Black Mamba. A treasure containing the mystery of the universe had been reduced to a mere gift for a lover.
I have to listen to his last favor.
Whoosh! A light flash of light wrapped around the incubator. Swoosh! The incubator that bound Haast and Hast for decades disappeared like a mirage. The alien Haast, who had been a biological test subject for 50 years, left a relationship and found freedom.
Minigun
Brother Arnold, this was a little bit difficult.
Chapter 746 - 746 Chapter 66 Episode 14 I Thought This Would Happen
746 Chapter 66 Episode 14 I Thought This Would Happen
Black Mambas view of Haast was a space refugee. He didnt know if Haast was a space villain or a great being. Rather than Haasts living as a beggar, the act of breaking his heart set fire to his anger.
The trash left behind by an ugly human!
Haast wanted perfect annihilation. He was proud of himself and did not want that biometric information to be left in the trash. Whizz! The motor went back. Swoosh! The minigun opened fire.
Heavy rain of steel swept through the geometrically lined incubator. Shatter! Colorful culture fluids and spheric bodily fluids poured like waterfalls. A fresh-class sniper was different even when holding a minigun. Despite the incessant fire, he did not miss a single Predator jumping out of the incubator.
Swooosh! Whoo! Swooosh! Heavy gunfire and shouts intertwined. Trrr! The barrel of the minigun, which consumed 5,000 rounds of bullets, was pointless. 250 incubators were smashed, and the bullet-covered Predator became fish meat.
Grrr! Creak! Fifteen Grendels, immersed in the blue liquid, drooled and rushed at him. The adult Grendel, who had left the EEG-interference synchronization transmitter attached, was still intact even after being covered with hundreds of bullets.
They dont even die.
He grabbed the Rakshasa handle. Grendel, who was inundated, stopped, changed direction, and ran to the dead body. Squeak! The eerie fracture sound of bone mashing rang out.
Oh, youre such a sensible ghost!
The more aggressive and ferocious the beast was, the stronger it would recognize. Grendel, who had not gone through the taming process, instinctively knew that Black Mamba was a dangerous creature and avoided the collision.
Bzzt! The shield door went up. The chamber brightened.
Ah, what is this!
Ugh!
Davis and Ians faces became rotten. The smashed tank, the dirty culture solution on the bottom, and the larvae that had invested tens of billions of dollars were all over.
What about the aging chamber?
Ian was flustered.
No!
Davis groaned as he discovered the hollow hole. Shriek! The monster answered the scream. A monster resembling a velociraptor came out of the hole. Gorilla, orangutan, and sabretooth Grendel jumped out of the hole one after another.
Bang! Thump, thump! Grendel, who had exploded in ferocity, was left with only gluttonous instincts. He didnt recognize the owner and he exposed his teeth.
I am going to be crazy!
Argh!
Daviss face was rotten and the guides faces turned white. He couldnt even afford to fire his taser gun and small-caliber firearms in his hand.
Lower pressure!
Ian stretched out both arms. Thud! Like a flamethrower, the flames poured out. Flurr! Blue-white flames veiled the curtains. Squeak! Shriek! Grendel, who could not overcome the inertia and jump into the veil of fire, struggled. The shell stuck and the smoke rapidly came out.
Swoosh! Davis disappeared, leaving behind a reverie. The ultra-vibrating blade gave out a bright light. Grendels limbs, harder than steel, had been cut like a cane. The limbs and heads that had fallen out of the water were slowly joined together.
What are you doing?! Synchronize your brain waves.
Ian was dumbfounded.
Its before the taming stage.
Damn it! Cut off the life support.
Ian ground his teeth. The cost of one adult Grendel was one hundred million dollars. Tears of blood came out, but he was about to be eaten by the dog he had raised right now. For revenge, one had to live first.
Yes, Sir!
The guides entered the controller and pressed the red button. A current of 2,000A struck the chip implanted deep in the brain. Boom! Boom! Boom! Grendels head exploded in a row. The procrastinating biological tissue was stretched.
Black Mamba, I will surely kill you!
Davis glanced up and jumped into the incubator chamber.
Ahh!
Davis glared in his eyes as if they were torn apart. The worst thing he had ever imagined happened. The smashed incubator and accessory equipment, the knee-defying culture liquid, shredded immatures and juveniles, the incubation facility, and the maturing Predators were all discarded. Most of the released Predators had been scrapped. The 50-year-old tower had become a mirage.
Big Mama, what about Big Mama?
Ian rolled his eyeballs frantically. The Big Mama incubator disappeared without a trace.
Black Mambaaa! Davis screamed.
Why are you calling me like a drowning man? I must be more popular than I thought.
A muffled voice echoed through the hall. Davis and Ian turned their heads. A human being hung upside down like a bat caught their eyes. It was Bona Mana Black Mamba.
You, you Davis stammered.
His whole world came crashing down with anger and a sense of loss.
If you make other people shed tears of blood, you should be prepared to shed tears of blood yourself.
Swoosh! The heavy minigun made an appearance.
Ugh!
Whoosh! Scared Davis and Ian flew away. Swooosh! The minigun opened fire.
Argh!
Ack!
A death rattle rang. The minigun would fire 100 rounds per second. Thirty guides lined up behind Davis were swept away at once.
Guide values were with the Predators. Davis and Ian didnt even give a glance at the rags-turned guides. There was no eye-catching gap.
Swooosh! Swoosh! The minigun followed Davis and Ian like a shadow. Davis and Ian couldnt fight back and ran like beans.
Boom, boom! The expensive equipment blew up and smashed. Trrr! The barrel, which had consumed all 5,000 rounds, was idle. The master played poker and didnt pick it up. The two managed to dodge the gunfire that followed them like lightning.
Heh, heh, they ran well. Did they transplant the grasshopper gene?
Whoosh! The miniguns barrel flew like a bullet. Swish, swish! Davis swung the ultra-vibrating blade. The scattered pieces of metal fell rumbling.
Black Mamba!
Davis clenched his teeth and exhaled. Davis stared at him with a haggard look as if he was about to eat him.
Bastard, stop calling me! I know the fact that Im Black Mamba. You have the skill. Are you Marshal Davis?
Yes. Why the hell did you do this? What kind of enemy did you lose to so you refuse to negotiate and torment me like crazy? Davis yelled out.
The loss caused by one Black Mamba handed over one trillion fires. The power source for moving agents was money. He couldnt understand the guy who refused the astronomical negotiation and ran wild. If the dead woman was his lover, what did everything he had done mean?
The farting man said he is angry! said Black Mamba in his mind.
Black Mamba forgot what to say for a moment. It was said that the person who hit, wouldnt know the pain of the person who was hit, but even this much was an art. One had to mix words to ask only filth.
Reason? There is nothing. The moment a human casts off his bondage, he becomes an animal. Tigers would eat deer and snakes would eat mice. Is a reason needed? In the world of beasts, there are only the weak and the strong, there is no reason.
The hair that covered his shoulders soared into the sky and a fierce roar echoed through the 300m underground space. The squalid solution filled the chamber floor.
Great enemy! Davis groaned.
His heart, as hard as steel, was shaking. The red eyes turned to Ian.
Are you the head of the Socrates project, too? Are you a freemason?
A stylized way of living directly hit Ian.
Ugh!
Frightened Ian cast the veil of fire. Flurr! Ultra-high-heat flames sizzled the air.
Die!
Ian whipped his hands. Swoosh! Helios chariot covered the Black Mamba. Ppok! A small noise rang out. Swish! The firestorm disappeared like a lie.
What is this?
Ian stared at Black Mamba blankly. The only problem with earth wind was the distance that could compress the will to one point, and there were no restrictions on time and space. As long as one didnt scatter his will with his will, one could not defend himself as the Force activated the moment his mind was engaged.
Senior!
Davis cried.
Marshal, run away. That guy is Asura! Legendary Asura
Ian couldnt make an end of it and shook his head slightly. A human being with a hole that had the size of a one-cent coin (diameter 19.05 mm) in his head could not survive.
You guys worth is a cent. The one dollar (26.5mm diameter) hole was not worth it, so I drilled a one-cent hole.
Cruel bastard!
Davis ground his teeth.
As a subject use humans as a means and to create creatures, can you say cruel? What are your disgusting limits? I dont want to talk to you. Die now.
Vzzt! Vajra rose from the palm.
Black Mamba, who the hell are you? How can a being like you suddenly appear? Davis yelled out.
He wanted to know his identity even if he was going to die. No, the method of killing Ian was too scary.
If you tell me Lamartines identity, Ill tell you who I am.
Ack, so you know our master. Do you think Ill respond?
Then you have to die.
Swish! Flashes split space. Purr! Davis spurned the floor. Black smoke billowed out. Du-dung! Black smoke smoldered Vajra. Swish! The flash of the track split the steel wall.
Thats great!
The reaction force of the black smoke was considerable. He was the same kind of human as Matilda.
Black Mamba, this device is a device that supplies high concentrations of cesium radiation to the incubator. I have a detonator in my hand. The ground exit was blocked.
Voices rang from the back of a large tank.
Huh! Hes not even a worm. It was said that patriotism was the share of a spoonful of cold and hungry soil How come in the US or Korea, people who sat in high places are mean and only know how to look after themselves?
Flutter! A bright flash of light filled the chamber. The cesium tank was decomposed into atomic units.
Th-this? Frustrated!
Paaah! Davis burst like a firecracker. During the Dark Ages, they maintained temporary somatic cell binding, but that was all. The meanness of dragging time by threatening with radioactivity hastened his life. If it had been a head-to-head confrontation, he would have endured even a few hits.
Beep, beep, beep!
Sector 7, Sector 8, Sector 5 radiation alert! Withdraw. 1,200 rads, alert! 1,300 rads, alert!
Beep, beep, beep!
Sectors1, reactor over-temperature alarm! Stop the cooling pump! Core temperature rise! Blackout detection. Evacuate! Evacuate!
Thump! Power was lost at once. The sirens and speakers became silent. A cry was heard outside the chamber.
Bastard! If youre going to die from radiation or something, you are dead in the early evening. There is no need to make a grave.
Thump! Black Mamba disappeared from the chamber just as it went off. Boom! The indicators burst and the flashes of light flashed. A messed-up land puppy popped out of the opening.
Chicken!
There was no response.
Eh? Did he go somewhere?
Chicken!
There was still no response.
Did this guy go to Jupiter for a nights meal?
Garudas food (energy source) was tritium and sulfur compounds. Jupiters first moon, Io, was rich in sulfur compounds and tritium. It was because of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto and the push-pull tidal heating phenomenon.
Sulfur compounds would boil on the surface of Io, where volcanic activity was so strong that the eruption soared 500 km above the surface, and molten iron and nickel reacted with Jupiters magnetic field to form a plasma. It was hell from a human point of view, but there was no feast for Garuda, which absorbed elements from the atmosphere to synthesize tritium.
It is said when one was eating, even dog doesnt touch but Tup!
His mind was busy. The chores were over, and it was impossible to predict how big the reactors explosion radius would be, so it had to bounce right away.
He opened the operation map. There was Yucca airstrip at 48 km south and Pahute mesa airstrip at 50 km southwest. Both were military airfields belonging to the Department of Energy. Civilian aircraft were in Las Vegas, hundreds of kilometers away, and they were unwilling.
I need to go to Yucca.
Pahute mesa was just a runway, but Yucca had navigation facilities. Yucca had an advantage when it came to getting a taxi.
******
Damn you bastards, you bastards to stick with your mother!
DC-10 pilot Peter Meyer, converted into a freighter, spit a vulgar swear word. He returned half a wheel of earth from Kisangani Airport and was refused to land. After receiving a call saying that he could not land at Groom Lake, he landed in Las Vegas and then went back to Yucca airstrip.
He flew 16 hours straight without a co-pilot. He felt like his back was going to fall off, but no pilot felt comfortable being turned around like a dog training. They brought fruits for their mouths, but they treated them poorly as if they had brought anthrax.
The runway taxi lights came on. He rubbed his and prepared to put his feet on the ground. He had to unload tropical fruits and wood and return to Mambasa the next morning with some gunbari items that he didnt even know what they contained. It was terrible exploitation of labor that could not be tolerated except for the high wages paid by Continental.
Yucca airstrip was a military airfield without control tower radio guidance. He had to land with PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) and sense. He had to be nervous enough to tickle his bladder, but he had to take some risks as his weekly pay was high.